KamBlog

Thursday, 21 November 2013

Amazon Expanding Its Own Private Label Offering to Supermarket Goods?

Recent postings by Amazon give another reason for keeping an eye on job listings…

Allthings D report that one of the listings, for a financial analyst, mentioned the “launch of the Private Label Business in Consumables.” In another, for a “Senior Product Manager, Consumables Private Label,” Amazon said it is looking for the new hire to help “launch new high quality Amazon-branded products to our global customers.”

The consumables business at Amazon includes categories such as grocery, health, personal care and baby products. The AmazonFresh grocery delivery business also is part of the area.

Although Amazon private label has had a low profile to date, we believe that the ongoing recession is causing the company to mirror the growth of private label in classic retail.

Given the level of Amazon credibility, combined with its service record and responsiveness to consumer demand, the idea seems a ‘no-brainer’.

Either way, surely worth a what-if by branded and private label suppliers alike?

Hat-tip to Lisa Byfield-Green for pointing us at this news item

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Alcohol update: the new poitín (poteen) subcategory

How poitín went from illegal moonshine to being sold in Tesco Ireland

Intensive catchup briefing for NAMs:

It is one of the most strongly alcoholic drinks on the planet. Homemade poitín can be anywhere between 50 and 90% alcohol by volume vs. average beer 4 to 6% and whiskey 40%.
The first record of it is from the 6th century but it was illegal in Ireland for 300 years and was only legalised in 1997.
Purists may not like it but poitín is shedding its reputation as illegal moonshine and is for sale (legally) in shops and pubs around Ireland.

For those without DIY facilities, there are at least five companies in Ireland now selling poitín which can be bought in pubs and off-licences, while London cocktail bar Shebeen is selling eight different types of poitín, including one version made from potatoes in San Francisco. Irish company Coomara Irish Spirits recently made the biggest ever legal shipment of poitín to supermarket chain Tesco, which began stocking the spirit earlier this year.

NB. For those determined to try, the legal version of poitín is 40% and has been granted Geographical Indicative Status by the EU. As you know, this means that in the same way that champagne has to come from a certain area of France and Parmesan cheese can only come from a particular part of Italy, poitín can only come from Ireland.

NAM advice: i.e. Do read the label before you cannot.....
(For more exotic tastes, try Asian Snake Whiskey)

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

"Phil, about your new taxi-app.........?"

Monday, 18 November 2013

Social supermarket for the poorest Shoppers....

According to The Star, Britain’s cheapest supermarket is to open in Barnsley, South Yorkshire next month - stocked with cut-price food other stores have thrown out.

This members-only shop will carry a comprehensive range of food products priced at 30% of normal retail prices. Twenty more are planned for the UK next year, six in London.

Slow to emerge in the UK, and with 1,000 already open in Spain and Greece, the number of so-called social supermarkets in Austria has risen from around 40 in 2009 up to a current number of about 70. These supermarkets allow people at risk of poverty to purchase their daily groceries at lower cost than in normal supermarkets.

These supermarkets are commonly organised as charitable foundations. They collect excess or rejected goods from normal supermarkets and sell these to the needy at rock-bottom prices. While the quality of these products is normal, their packaging may be damaged, they could be mislabelled, or they may be approaching their expiration date. Shelves are mostly filled with products satisfying daily needs, such as dairy products, bread, pasta, fruit and vegetables, but also household products, toiletries, and books. These goods are usually one to two thirds cheaper than at regular supermarkets; bread is often free. Only people with per capita incomes of less than around 900 euros are entitled to purchase at social supermarkets.

Whilst social supermarkets represent an outlet for retailers' surplus/near-waste products, this emerging channel has to provide an opportunity for suppliers to find a socially beneficial outlet for suitable products.

...and for the really imaginative retailer, why not convert an outlet scheduled for closure, and really make a difference?

Friday, 15 November 2013

If Poundland is good enough for Jane Asher?

Then perhaps its time to add discounters to your mainstream trade strategies...

News that Jane Asher will launch a Poundland bakeware collection should be a final indicator that suppliers need to factor budget retailing into their long-term trade strategies... The range will be rolled out across Poundland's 490-plus UK and Irish shops in spring 2014. Each item will sell for £1, including multipacks such as three wooden spoons and six silicone cases.

Asher said: "In my new Poundland range this will no longer be a problem as all the baking essentials are covered and offer amazing value for money. The range is very pretty, and comes in four pastel colours which can be mixed and matched. I've also included six quick, easy and delicious cake mixes."

In other words, a serious 'first' in celebrity endorsement for Poundland, while Aldi's Glen Orrin whisky makes an offer your cannot refuse at £55 for a 30 year old treat worth £150...

But added to share gains for Aldi and Lidl, and a prospect of flatline demand (real volume rather than political spin) for the next decade means that discounters deserve a permanent place in your long term mainstream trade strategies...

Meanwhile, if caviar is good enough for Lidl....