Technological and digital revolutions are starting to transform, and in some cases even disrupt, the value chain as we have known it. This is leading to an unprecedented pace of innovation and change, impacting how, where and when we shop, how we engage with shoppers and how consumers engage with our products, and the ways in which we work with trading partners to develop responsive, agile and flexible supply chains to meet shopper demands.  The 2014 ECRA Supplier and Retailer Convention will explore these themes and much more. This is a must attend event for decision-makers within your organisation.

                     

Five great reasons to attend Obtain first hand insight and clarity on the key issues and challenges facing the industry in 2014 and beyond from leading international and local subject matter experts. Benefit from understanding best practices in the real world through the experience of others via insightful, relevant case studies and presentations. Network and expand your insight to the Australasian FMCG business environment.  Catch up with trading partners and industry peers in an energised environment. Participate in the debate surrounding the key current and emerging trends which will form key pillars of your internal and external business strategies for the years ahead. Take actionable insights back to your business for operating in a consumer led world in which innovation and collaboration are critical.

The Annual Efficient Consumer Response Australasia (ECRA) Supplier and Retailer Convention has become a highlight for executives working in the fast moving consumer goods retail industry. Equally applicable to suppliers, manufacturers and retailers the program brings together global and local industry experts, thought leaders, and practitioners to deliver the latest  facts, information and opportunities specific to our market.

The Joe Berry Australian Retail Industry Executive Awards 2014

Simon Padovani-Ginies has been awarded the 2014 Joe Berry Award (JBA). Simon, Director of Buying at Aldi wrote a compelling essay on Consumer Focus and Organizational Compliance which was near the top of the list for essay scores.

During the final judging yesterday at Coca Cola Amatil offices in North Sydney Simon faced a panel of 15 judges as he presented his case. The use of the Prezi program to produce a mobile slideshow was well done and Simon was able to take the judges on a journey across the consumer focus elements. He finished his presentation with 'Simon's Six Strategic Recommendations’ which showed that he not only had researched well but had specific opinions on where the focus should be.

As 2014 JBA winner, Simon will be participating in the 2015 Westfield Retail Study Tour and will be guest speaker at the One80TC Breakfast and the annual ECRA Conference.  We congratulate Simon on his award.

Jessica Hitchin from Coles Melbourne was the recipient of the 2014 ECRA Scholarship. Jessica will attend the IFGM Executive Management School at Mt Eliza and will participate in workshops with some of the industry's key executives. The school, run by Dr Melinda Muth, is one of the most prestigious training programs in Australia for food and grocery management.

Congratulations to Jessica.

The other finalists, Brad McLean, Phil Renfrey, Nicole Ferguson and Nick Franken gave very competitive presentations and will be experienced competitors when they next enter this award.

One-Day-Tour proves a great success

The ASMCA again arranged for young entrants into the Joe Berry Award to be guests on its annual One-Day-Tour. This program selects entrants from the 25 years & under age group and invites them to visit three sponsoring companies, have discussions with senior managers and department heads and to view the industry from a different perspective.

This year entrants visited 3M, Campbell Arnott’s, Nielsen, Manassen Foods and Woolworths. In Melbourne Myer CEO Bernie Brookes joined the group for part of their Myer visit. All participants report that they found the day to be a great benefit to their understanding of the industry.

Loss Prevention Seminars

The major Australasian FMCG retailers have highlighted Loss Prevention as a critical focus area for 2014/15 within their businesses. Loss prevention absolutely has the attention of ‘C Suite’ executives within the retailers and must in turn be high on the agenda for those companies partnering in business with retailers. Efficient Consumer Response Australasia (ECRA) is supporting collaborative discussion through delivering thought leadership seminars entitled “Sell More, Lose Less: Staying Ahead of the Game”.

The Seminar, being replicated in Melbourne on 5 August and Sydney on 7 August, will bring retailers and suppliers together to explore and advance the critical issue of minimising loss through shrinkage and protecting product and profit value in an era of new technologies throughout the shared (retailer and supplier) value chain, and in doing so provide a catalyst to new and more broad reaching collaborative engagement between trading partners. 

ECRA is delighted that globally recognised Retail Loss Prevention expert Professor Adrian Beck, Head of the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester (UK) will again be engaged as chief facilitator and presenter for the 2014 seminars. Adrian will draw on current and recent global loss prevention projects he has been overseeing when providing insight to delegates. 

This is a rare opportunity for an Australasian audience to hear first had from an expert of Adrian’s calibre and experience on topics including:  

• The Future of Loss Prevention: Prospects, Problems and Practicalities
• Anticipating the Impact of Mobile Technologies on Retail Losses
• Benchmarking your business on Loss Management

In addition, executives from Woolworths and Coles will articulate their businesses key focus points and directions for 2014 and beyond in the area of Loss Prevention through their value chains and how they intend to collaborate with their supplier base,  and Myer’s General Manager, Wendy Marshall, will take delegates on Myer’s Loss Prevention journey, providing delegates with valuable insight as to the process one of Australia’s foremost retailers has taken to managing the issue of optimising sales whilst minimising loss.

Register quickly - low costs and limited numbers!

ECRA Events are run by ‘industry for industry’ and as such registration costs have been kept very low at $195 per person or $175 per person for groups of 5 of more. Numbers will be limited at each event and a first in first served basis will apply to registrations.

For Program, Registration and Speaker details, please click here.

ECRA thanks the following sponsors for their generosity in supporting these seminars:

Publications and Toolkits available for Free Download

Improving the availability of products on-shelf provides a sizeable opportunity for both retailers and  suppliers to better meet the needs of their customers and in doing so to maximise sales and profits.  ECRA has had a focus on driving improvements to on-shelf availability for many years. 

Out of stocks (OOS) in Australia are estimated to cost at least AUD $3.2 billion but most likely closer to AUD $5.8 billion per annum.  Global data suggests that levels vary from region to region but still run at 8.3%, with little improvement in the past ten years (Global GMA study 2007).  Poor performance destroys the benefits expected by the sales process and leads to dissatisfied shoppers. Great effort is expended to draw shoppers into the store but in many cases, the promise made to shoppers cannot be fulfilled.

A wealth of information is available locally that can assist retailers and suppliers work collaboratively on the causes of out of stock.  Work has centered on delivering improvements to OSA, captured under a series of 'Winning' projects. 

Reports are available free of charge to AFGC, NZFGC members and participating retailers.

• Winning in January

2014 Report
2013 Report
2012 Report
2011 Report
2010 Report
Winning in January Toolkit
How to Win in January

• Winning with Promotions

• Winning at the Shelf: Key Insights into Causes of Out of Stocks at the Shelf Retail

Carton Identification Guidelines

• The OSA Roadmap

• The OSA Challenge

• A Guide to Efficient Replenishment and Reducing OOS

To access the publications please contact Kim Riggans.

Food and Grocery Executive Program

The Food and Grocery Executive Program (FGEP) is a fully residential business school style executive program with a unique blend of skill development, industry learning and networking led by world class teachers alongside senior industry leaders.

The format contains a mix of interactive lectures, syndicate groups, case studies, group assignment workshops and industry discussion sessions. Participants will examine a range of management and industry issues from the varying perspectives across the supply chain and develop winning strategies for today’s global FMCG industry. The course is intensive and challenging but also very social and a lot of fun.

This business school style program provides a rare opportunity to improve leadership capability and access insights across the supply chain, particularly at the supplier-retailer interface by networking with industry peers and learning from industry and business leaders.

The 2014 FGEP will be held at Melbourne Business School, Mt Eliza Executive Education Centre in September.   Click here to download the program or visit www.ifgm.com.au.