The IGD convention in London saw some of the food industry’s heavyweights line up to comment on the future of the business – and they did not disappoint. Elsewhere, Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy took time away from criticising UK schools with far-more constructive comments on how retailers can get consumers and suppliers to think green.
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Here is who said what about the burning issues this week.
“It is no longer enough to rely on eco-efficiency programmes in our factories, video conferencing facilities to reduce travel or simply carbon offsetting schemes” – Unilever CEO Paul Polman urges the food industry to do more on sustainability.
“There is an incredible momentum in this business. The future is looking brighter than ever for Cadbury” – Cadbury CEO Todd Stitzer uses the IGD convention to again promote the UK confectioner’s prospects as an independent company.
“I think this is a fantastic idea: it’s called the Co-op and was invented in 1844 by a group called the Rochdale Pioneers” – Co-op chief executive Peter Marks claims his company beat Asda to the punch on ‘democratic consumerism’.
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By GlobalData“In Russia, Carrefour doesn’t have the big brand recognition that they have in other parts of Western or Eastern Europe” – Verdict analyst Simon Chin outlines why the world’s second-largest retailer quit Russia after just four months.
“Many food companies are exploiting people’s interest in improving their health, often over-charging them for alleged health benefits which can’t be proved” – Which? chief policy advisor Sue Davies questions marketing strategies in the wake of Danone’s probiotics run-in with UK ad regulators.
“A low-carbon strategy is also vital if we are to minimise the risk to our business” – Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy sets out the UK retailer’s plan to be a zero-carbon business by 2050.
“We are owned by members but we also want to be in the Premier League of retailers, so getting the fundamentals right in terms of product, range, price have all been things that we’ve worked on in the last two or three years and that’s now showing in the results” – Tim Hurrell, MD of food retail at The Co-operative Group says the UK retailer is now in the big league.
“I have not witnessed a deflationary environment of this magnitude in my entire career” – Safeway Inc chairman, president and CEO Steve Burd laments falling food prices.
“The allegations made by Unite are so wholly inaccurate and grossly misleading that they are tantamount to bullying” – 2 Sisters Food Group hits back at union claims it unfairly fired workers as the meat supplier’s “racism” row continues.
“We didn’t cover ourselves in glory with the Shanghai opening but we have got a number of opportunities to increase our store portfolio” – M&S director of international property Clem Constantine hopes the UK retailer’s next overseas forays will run more smoothly.
