Otago University in New Zealand recently carried out some interesting research with the retailers in that country.

Firstly they asked retailers what percentage of retail staff do they feel were responsible for product shrinkage from the company, the answer given was 15%.

Retailers believed that 81% of shrinkage came from customers and 4 % came from suppliers. (more…)

Endorsement Marketing has made the headlines in recent months. As businesses owners we have the challenge of getting our message across to the consumer who is becoming less trusting of suppliers and advertising in general. One way around this is to get a third party to endorse you or your product. The third party needs to be a trusted partner in the relationship to maintain your credibility.

Endorsement marketing provides credibility and the testimonials that you can receive can then be incorporated into your marketing strategy. As in any arrangement it will only work if there is a win:win situation, these may include a fee for services or it may include an arrangement where the receiver gets some other form of benefits. (more…)

The large retailers seem to be getting bigger and the small guys are getting smarter, it is the guys stuck in the middle that are having problems. This is true in all retail activities, but is especially relevant in the food sector.

Over the last few years we have seen a food revolution take place in the market place. Farmers markets have come into their own and the vegetable category is one of the strongest in the garden centre. This leads me to Will Allen, a low income guy in Milwaukee. Some of you may know this name as he is one of the 100 most influential people in the world according to the Time Magazine May 2010. He is in the same group as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Lady Gaga (I did not make this list up).

Will is the founder of “Green for All” and the instigator of the movement for urban farms in Milwaukee. This is a movement that is spreading amongst low income communities across the USA, but a movement you will become global and will be an influence in the overall perishable retail economy. (more…)

New Zealand shoppers are just emerging from one of the worst recessions they have ever experienced. Although they are recovering from the recession they are still reluctant to spend as shown in a recent Westpac bank survey. One interesting piece of research was published in the April 23rd edition of New Zealand Herald newspaper.

Beck Vass reported on the MasterCard consumer survey which covers 13 countries:

• 55% of those surveyed said that they preferred part of a product price to be donated to a charity rather than be discounted
• Women are more inclined than men to purchase on environmental and social considerations
• 44% of shoppers shop for advertised socially responsible products

New Zealanders were shown to be more socially responsible than Australians.