How to Save the FMCG Industry: A Practical Guide for Building Collaboration between Suppliers and Retailers

In the fast-moving consumer goods industry (FMCG), collaboration is often cited as the logical way for suppliers and retailers to create value. Yet, suppliers' experience has shown that doesn't always happen, due in large part to the power of the retailer and a focus on the short term. In the last thirty years the industry has seen rapid change, with the growth of discounters, online shopping and consolidation of retailers. These changes have brought more opportunities to the industry but also more complexity, challenges and costs to manage for both sides. It's no secret that retailers have sought to leverage their increasing power with suppliers with never ending discussions of cost reduction, while suppliers attempt to engage them with discussions for longer term growth. This results in tension, with the retailer interested in short term activity and the supplier interested in supporting medium term growth. How can these two parties work together to deliver value to the consumer and shopper and ultimately, support the industry? This book presents first-hand research on how to navigate through these challenges. It identifies new and relevant tools and techniques to develop better, and more valuable collaboration between retailers and suppliers in today's challenging markets. In this notoriously secretive industry, the full value and opportunities of collaboration between retailer and supplier has yet to be fully accomplished. Traditional ways of working need to change if the industry has a chance of succeeding into the 21st century. With case studies, examples and practical frameworks, this book a brings a focus onto the industry, whilst at the same time providing implementable ideas, suggestions and solutions to improve value creation in this business-to-business context.