Conflict has put the brakes on the world’s recovery. Food and energy price inflation has prompted many to choose between “eating or heating”. Additionally, retailers are facing shortages of all sorts (microchips, fertiliser, wheat).
Climate change means we must deal with finite resources. More frequent extreme climate events overwhelm power grids and disrupt supply chains. Net zero targets are ever closer. Exploitation of nature is reaching the point of no return.
In the scope of North America’s grocer landscape, it’s been acknowledged that inflation is not going away anytime soon with the suggestion that large retailers can share the pain of inflation with suppliers while small retailers should collaborate and form partnerships with third parties to not only survive but to thrive. Retailers closer to home can look to foster a similar philosophy.
We are sharing insights frequently from the big event. You can read our rolling updates from the expo here.
In upbeat news, Australian retail sales marked 15 consecutive months of growth in November 2022, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
November saw a record $35.9 billion spent in stores and online – an increase of 7.7% on the same time the previous year. The result is particularly strong considering the cost-of-living squeeze being felt by households across the board.
