Consumer Goods, Food & Beverages

When sales growth is mostly moderate, sectors that operate close to the end consumer, such as the consumer goods industry, have to assert their position in a fragmented marketplace against global competitors with large product portfolios. Tough competition within the retail channels and rising raw material costs are placing this sector under considerable cost pressure.

At the same time, brand loyalty is dwindling so there is mounting pressure to introduce attractive pricing, enhanced experience and special campaigns. These factors, coupled with the short product life cycles and increasing importance of social, mobile and e-commerce, not just as sales channels but also as experience channels, are calling for adaptive and highly flexible processes.

The food industry is also increasingly confronted by more stringent health and freshness demands. To guarantee a seamless system of quality assurance, a modern food supply chain must combine precise knowledge of a food’s source and its production and logistics history complemented with effective marketing strategies.