Trends/Coronavirus (COVID-19)/Supplier insights

COVID-19 supplier insights

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News

21 February 2021
We look at how suppliers are evolving their approach and increasing their investments in a different set of capabilities as they look to build on the momentum of 2020. Competing against tough comparables from 2020 Over 20 global CPG companies participated in the annual CAGNY (Consumer Analyst Group of New York) event this year, sharing updates to their commercial frameworks, investmen...
19 February 2021
UK’s number one vitamin company is a good example of how Western brands can find success in Asia by tapping into existing ecosystems. Using Tmall as the launchpad The company launched its first flagship store on Alibaba’s Tmall Global platform in 2015, then a second store in 2020 just before the 11.11 Shopping Festival. Vitabiotics plugs into Alibaba’s existing ecosystem and utilizes d...
18 February 2021
The pandemic has triggered the decline of the beauty market in 2020, but key suppliers such as Procter & Gamble and L’Oréal are now expecting growth to return, through their online sales. L’Oréal: ecommerce to aid return to growth of cosmetics Although the total sales of L’Oréal has dropped for the full year of 2020, APAC is the only region that reported growth during the year.  This is mai...
15 February 2021
We look at the plans that PepsiCo has put in place this year to build on the pandemic-driven growth of 2020 through its ‘Faster, Stronger, Better framework. Faster: strengthening its focus on winning in the market and improving market share PepsiCo will prioritise the growth opportunities in its top 20 snack markets and selected beverage markets. Building on the almost doubling of ecommerce...
12 February 2021
We look at how the Kellogg Company plans to take the momentum of 2020 into 2021, building on the lessons learnt, and changes made, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 1. Increased consumer communication The pandemic provided the company with a “sampling event like none other,” gaining millions of new households. Last year it shifted much of its advertising and promotions budget into the se...
11 February 2021
Unilever closed its FY 2020 with underlying sales growth (USG) of +3.5% in Q4, bringing the full year USG to +1.9% for a total turnover of €50.7bn. During this challenging year, Unilever took the decision to prioritise volume-led competitive growth, absolute profit and cash delivery. The group is now looking into the future, announcing a strategy refresh, focused on five key areas. Source...
10 February 2021
While its away-from-home business continues to be negatively impacted by the pandemic, and its at-home operation benefits from consumers spending more time at home, we look at the expectations The Coca-Cola Company has for 2021. Forecasting revenue growth in the high-single digits Although trends improved at the start of the quarter, a resurgence in the virus and new lockdowns in many count...
05 February 2021
American football’s Super Bowl is one of the largest sporting events globally. With almost 200m viewers, the game is major event in both the sporting and social calendars of Americans. While one of the largest advertising opportunities for major brands, including theatrical in-store execution displays, this year retailers and suppliers are adjusting their approaches, reflecting key pandemic theme...
04 February 2021
In closing a strong year with organic sales growth of 6.3% in 2020, Hershey outlined how it’s planning to deliver net sales growth of 2-4% in 2021, especially given the tough comparables it will face in the first half. 1. Go big to win the seasons From Easter onwards, Hershey optimised its capabilities, particularly in supply chain and retail execution to make strong share gains with season...
02 February 2021
With a consumer and foodservice portfolio focused on flavourings, McCormick has been well-positioned to capitalise on the pandemic-driven growth in home cooking. We look at why it expects this to persist, even when the pandemic ends. Pandemic-driven demand Global demand for flavour remains the foundation of its sales growth. The business plans to continue capitalising on the switch to eatin...
02 February 2021
With a strong fourth quarter rounding off a great year, Colgate-Palmolive’s chairman, president and CEO, Noel Wallace, has outlined how investing in innovation, productivity and capabilities will enable it to build on the momentum of 2020 in the year ahead and beyond. Forecasting organic sales growth of 3-5% in 2021 For 2021, the company is planning for organic sales growth of 3-5%, with co...
28 January 2021
Walmart is rebranding its in-house media business, Walmart Media Group, to Walmart Connect, as it expands its focus across digital and physical platforms. Three focus areas Growing its media business is a strategic focus for Walmart as part of its goal to develop alternative revenue and profit streams. With over 150m weekly customers, Walmart Connect will aim to optimise the retailer’s phys...
26 January 2021
As one of the key CPG suppliers impacted by the pandemic, Kimberly-Clark has outlined its outlook for the year ahead and the three key levers which will underpin growth as it cycles strong comparable sales from 2020. Net sales growth of 4-6% in 2021 Fourth quarter sales increased 5.5% to $4.8bn, contributing to a solid year for the company, with full year sales up 3.7% to $19.1bn. During th...
22 January 2021
P&G reported a strong second quarter, reflecting pandemic-driven demand for its brands. Although there is a degree of uncertainty and volatility associated with its expectations for the second half, the business is confident that it will benefit from shifts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales guidance raised despite second half uncertainty Second quarter sales increased by 8%, driven by ...
11 January 2021
As one of the first major suppliers to report results in 2021, we review Conagra Brands’ second quarter performance and why it’s so confident that demand for its products will remain elevated. Sales and profits ahead of expectations The second quarter performance, with net sales up 8.1% and adjusted operating profit up 21.7%, exceeded the company’s expectations. The pandemic continues to dr...
10 December 2020
With the Campbell Soup Company off to a strong start in the first quarter, we look at the factors which provide it with the confidence that it can sustain its performance going forward. 1. Consumers continue to prepare and eat more meals at home With net sales up 7% and EBIT up 45%, the company continues to benefit from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth was strong across meals an...
24 November 2020
Following a solid second quarter performance, The J.M. Smucker Company has raised its guidance for the full year, anticipating many of the new consumer behaviours which have underpinned the business, will be sustained beyond the pandemic. Improvements in key metrics In raising its sales outlook, the retailer pointed to the elevated demand which drove a 9% increase in its coffee segment and ...
11 November 2020
PepsiCo has opened an automated micro-fulfillment centre (MFC) in the Chicago area in partnership with Dematic. First-mover advantage? PepsiCo is one of the first consumer goods suppliers to open a micro-fulfillment centre in the US. The fulfillment model has gained significant traction over recent years, with several strategic partnerships being formed to support the fast-growing grocery e...
10 November 2020
Nestlé announced it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in healthy recipe box and prepared frozen meals company, Mindful Chef, in the UK. Sales of over £50m forecasted Mindful Chef launched in 2015 and offers customers the choice of 16 curated healthy recipes each week. Since its launch, the business has delivered more than 9.5 million meals to households throughout the UK. The business ...
07 November 2020
We highlight four ways Hershey has aimed to maximise the commercial opportunities as the pandemic drive new consumer behaviours. Solid third quarter Hershey delivered a better than expected third quarter with organic net sales up 3.8% and reported net income up 39.0%. It made major share gains in the US, with the business benefitting from consumers treating themselves during the pandemic an...