The FMCG Insider

In the seventh episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, Hamish talks to Cat and Catherine, the founders of Truthbrush, the beautiful bamboo brush.  Hamish chats with Cat and Catherine about what prompted them to go into the oral care industry with a strong focus on sustainability and design. The founders share their passion for innovation, but also the difficult challenges they have faced from designing a product that is completely new to the market.  If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch at hello@thegroceryinsider.com.

In the sixth episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, Hamish talks to Emma Lewisham, founder of Emma Lewisham Beauty, the world’s first Carbon positive beauty brand. Emma has built a pioneering health and beauty brand, with a circular beauty model that is now transforming the beauty landscape. Join Emma and Hamish as they dive into the future of clean vs natural beauty and how explore how Emma Lewisham is paving the way for more ethical & sustainable practises within the beauty scene.  If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch at hello@thegroceryinsider.com.

In the fifth episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, Hamish chats to Cafédirect's John Steel. CEO of the UK's very first certified B-Corp Certified coffee company, John has been instrumental in making the unique coffee company's business model a success.  Over 30 minutes, John and Hamish discuss advantages of social enterprises and how these appeal to the younger generation coming into the workforce as well as the importance of being ethically motivated whilst maintaining a profitable business. If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch at hello@thegroceryinsider.com. 

In the fourth episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, Milena Prinzi joins Hamish in discussing the new landscape of the hair & beauty category. As Editor-in-Chief of AllThingsHair, Milena has a breadth of knowledge of the industry as it is now, how it has changed over lockdown and what the future has in store for the category. She also has her own blog where she delves into more science-based discussions on the category which you can read by visiting Foodvsevil.com. If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch at hello@thegroceryinsider.com. 

In the third episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, we talk to Mark Field, an Australian-based consultant with a breadth of experience within the food and drink industry. Mark, now Director of Prof. Consulting Group, has previously worked for big-name multiple Coles as the Head of Brand as well as Technical Director of 2 Sisters Food Group giving him a clear insight into the supply chain processes of retailers and the buying perspective.  To speak to Mark about how Prof. Consulting Group can help your brand, e-mail hello@profcg.com. If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch at hello@thegroceryinsider.com. 

In the second episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, we talk to an expert panel within the beer and wine trade about upcoming trends in the industry. We speak to; Dom South, founder of Brand Fitness Ltd and former Marketing Director at Green Kind; Ben Lockwood, the On-Trade Marketing Manager for BrewDog and Fran Bridgewater, a fellow CIM member currently working at the Drinks Network.  We talk about: Beer and wines in through the off-trade channel What has Covid done for the brewing trade? Has this caused an uptick in sales through the multiples Have there been particular product trends? Hard Seltzer, Kombucha and Alcoholic Teas Will these become popular in the UK? Who's buying these? Retailer attitudes towards trends Are the retail buyers aiming to get behind the trends now or later? Are online wholesalers more innovative? Low and No Alcohol Will these become popular once the on-trade is open? Is there a market for this? Looking to the future What will the on-trade look like in 12 – 36 months time? Will contactless change shopper behaviour? The importance of the sommelier If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In the first episode of Season 3 of The FMCG Insider, in association with HRA Global, we welcome Stephanie Romizsewski, an established Consultant Sleep Physiologist and founder of Sleepyhead Clinic. With an impressive career history to date, Stephanie shares with us her experience of sleep physiology and tips on how to optimise your 40 winks.  To speak with Stephanie personally and see how her clinic can help you, contact info@sleepyheadclinic.co.uk!  If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com  

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Joe Welstead, co-founder and CEO of Motion Nutrition. For more insights, consultancy, marketing and market research solutions, visit https://hra-global.com/ 00:00 - 08:48 minutes: Introduction to Joe Welstead An insight into Joe's former life as a professional swimmer for Scotland and forage into sports management following his retirement after the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Joe describes his struggle to find performance enhancing supplements that were also beneficial to his long-term health. How this gap in the market sparked the inception of Motion Nutrition. 08:49 - 13:31: Bringing nutritional supplements to the wider market Joe discusses how the supplement market has expanded beyond performance enhancements for athletes. How organic supplements can benefit the consumer day-to-day. 13:32 - 15:29: Sleep Hygiene How Motion Nutrition can benefit sleep. Joe's adversity to supplements being used as a sole tool to enhance sleep and how he encourages a healthy lifestyle as a foundation for supplements to work optimally. 15:30 - 27:14: The evolution of consumer Joe discusses the importance of improving the daily well-being of consumers, relieving stress and aiding a good night's sleep when conceptualising new products. How the Motion Nutrition customer has inadvertently evolved into a female-dominated audience through it's accessible branding and marketing. Benefits of retail partnerships fo consumer convenience and product exposure. 27:15 - 29:14: Influencer culture Are influencer partnerships still relevant and effective in advertising brands? 29:15 - 33:26: Joe's Favourites Joe shares his favourite well-being brands including Heckles and Bare Biology. 33:27 - 40:39: Nutrition news and quick thoughts Hamish asks Joe his quick thoughts on emerging nutrition trends and products including; Continuous glucose monitors Ketones and the Keto Diet Red-light therapy for better sleep SARMs and peptides 40:40 - Future of Motion Nutrition Joe discusses new product launches to keep an eye out for including his interest in balancing hormones as mood stabilisers and sustainable all-day energy supplements. If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com 

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Jacob Leadley, winemaker and CEO of Black Chalk and Fran Bridgewater, owner and founder of Drinks Network. For more insights, consultancy, marketing and market research solutions, visit https://hra-global.com/ 0:00 - 7:35 minutes: Introduction Introduction to both Fran and Jacob. Fran gives us an overview of the English Wine scene. Is English wine still an onlooker or is it starting to make a dent in the volumes of European and New World wines? 07:35 - 16:10 minutes: Jacob and Black Chalk Jacob tells us about his journey to creating Black Chalk wine. How the name of Black Chalk wine came about. How do you choose the grapes and the ratios within the wines that you produce? 16:10 - 22:40 minutes: The Consumer When creating the alchemy of the wines, is there a consumer in mind within this process? Jacob, are you going to bring out a third wine? 22:40 - 30:10 minutes: The Market Are you seeing a resurgence of wine, with a bounce in sales? Jacob discusses his increase in driest sales. We hear about Jacob’s huge social media success to bring together and help English wine makers, The Big English Wine Good Friday. 30:10 - Social and Environmental impact What sorts of things do you do to keep on top of your social and environmental impact? Jacob and Black Chalk is a member of the UK Sustainability Group. Fran, what names should we look out for in the English wine scene? If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Martin Rand, CEO of Pactum AI. For more insights, consultancy, marketing and market research solutions, visit https://hra-global.com/ 00:00 - 06:15 Introduction to Martin He was a project manager at Skype, moving into his own company in farm management systems for farmers. A look into how Martin’s work with Walmart came about. An insight into how Pactum was started, by aiming to make negotiations more efficient, to get better outcomes for both sides. 06:15 - 15:35 Pactum’s aims. The primary driver is a lack of resource from retail side? Where margins are squeezed, is AI better at getting to the further reaches of their supply base? Pactum interacts through a ‘chat’ based system, which aims to make better, more win-win, efficient deals for both sides. Where does it gather its data from? What makes Pactum different in that this is a very technical conversation between two specialists?  15:35 - 20:10 The ‘Bot’ What is most important to the bot? Is it price, quality, service level, footfall? Does this technology lose that important ‘human’ factor in the deals done? 20:10 - 23:25 Incorporating AI into your negotiations What advice would you give a food and drink brand that has an AI approach from a retailer? How would you advise a brand to engage with bot buying? How tough times allow companies to innovate more. What type of retail is interested in working with Pactum? 23:25 - end: The future With the delayering of head offices, are companies creating new roles to program, monitor and supervise the AI? Does this not create a two-tier supply base with bigger suppliers with more selling power vs smaller suppliers relegated to negotiating with the bot? 10 years from now, will the technology has taken root and how wide do you think it will be? If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Professor Lisa Jack from Portsmouth University.  For more insights, consultancy, marketing and market research solutions, visit https://hra-global.com/ 0 - 5:30 minutes - Introduction to Professor Lisa Jack and her move into teaching from being an auditor in the public and private sectors. 05:45 - 06:50 minutes Will we seen an upsurge in food fraud in the COVID-19 era? Do you agree with this? Prof Lisa discusses that the ‘head turn’ of attention could lead to more food fraud and tightened margins. 06:50 - 08:50 minutes From a regulatory perspective, does this create a more permissive environment for food fraud at the moment? Lisa discusses that a limit of resources can lessen the amount of regulation and investigative powers. 08:50 -  13:40 minutes What’s your view of the impact on the food industry and supply chains due to products not being able to be sourced profitably? Audits within the crisis: Lisa discusses the challenges that the current crisis brings, as we are now not able to view products in person and what impact this has on reliability of its authenticity. 13:50 - 20:15 minutes: Do you think, with the drive to cheaper food, what is the right response that the authorities should take to steady the ship? A number of manufactures have gone direct to consumer, due to the closure of foodservice, with the lack of higher authority standards, does this worry you? 20:15 -28:05 minutes:  From a consumer interest, what do you think this all does to consumer trust in food? Is the consumer more suspecting of food fraud now? 28:10 - 30:40 minutes: If you were advising a company now, what would you say to them to not be impacted by food fraud now? How could they lock in the robustness of their supply chain? 30:40 - 35:30 minutes In regards to Brexit, how will it play out in terms of food fraud, as EU regulations are removed, will it leave a lack of protection? 35:30 minutes Lisa gives us the details on her Symposium ‘Futures for Food’ on Thursday 28th May, details of this event and how to register can be found here: https://bit.ly/Futures4FoodUoP If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com  

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Julie Waddell, founder of Moorish Humous and Dips. 0 - 11:40 minutes Introduction to Julie Julie talks to Hamish about how she started in food broadcast journalism. Julie then found her passion in culinary creativity to start making humous. Hamish and Julie discuss the name ‘Moorish’ 12 - 14:45 minutes: The supply chain How does Julie manage her supply chain in the good and bad times? Julie discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Moorish. 14:50 - 21 minute:  Buyer relationships Do you think there will be a different relationship with buyers (both retail and foodservice) when the crisis settles? How a crisis can remove the surplus. Julie talks about whether we will see more brands emerge from the crisis. Julie and Hamish discuss the rise in cooking skills during the lockdown and whether this will increase a need in new and different ingredients. 21:00 - 27:00 minutes: Aspiration What would advise would you give to the aspiring brand owner? What food and drink brands do you admire? What new areas are you interested in next? 27:00 minutes: Food service Is foodservice an area that Moorish is interested in? If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Gellan Watt, global brand and creative strategy consultant.  0 - 9 minutes Introduction to Gellen Founded an agency in 2003 which was sold in 2016. He has since been investing and consulting. How are brands reacting to the COVID-19 crisis? 9 - 19 minutes: Will the future bring more collaboration? Will we see more collaboration? More outsourcing? How do you justify a marketing budget in these times? Gellan tells us about looking beyond the crisis to returning to a new normal. 19 - 28 minutes: When we come out the end of this, how will things have changed? The rise of digital media. Looking back to the financial crisis and September 2011, would you have done anything differently running your business back then? 28 - 36 minutes: Brand vs Agency relationship How do you think the current events way of working will change the brand vs agency relationship? Gellan talks about in-house agencies. 36 minutes: What is the one piece of advice you would give to food and drink brands right now? Gellan says that it’s best for brands to stay appropriate right now, but to not go quiet. If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com 

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to wine industry consultant, Simon Thorpe MW. 0 - 8:43 Introduction to Simon Simon started at Fortnum and Mason and moved into the buying team at Waitrose. Gaining his MW qualification.  Using his extensive experience to set up a consultancy for the wine industry. 8:43 - 17:05 The MW qualification and Simon's buying experience Simon talks us through the requirements of the MW qualifications and his experience.  Think back to your old job selecting wine for Waitrose, what advice would you give to your former self? 17:05 - 24:45 The innovation of gin and craft beer It’s one of the truisms of wine at the moment that the innovation in Gin and Craft beer has left Wine behind, why do you think that is? How the lockdown is affecting our relationship with wine.  What will change with the on trade environment at the end of the summer? 24:45 - 29:47 Australian wine What about Australia and South Australia in particular - are there any producers over there that we should watch out for? What impact have the bush fires had? 29:47 - 32:30 European wine French producers in particular make some very fine products but others in the market say they ave a lot to lose, how do you see the prospects for french producers? 32:30 - 43:00 The new dawn  Which wine companies out there do you admire and why? Important factors of players who can face the current challenges and who can remain sustainable. How do you see the battle between 'new world' and 'old world' wine playing out? 43:00 Challenges in the future What are the biggest challenges that the wine industry is facing and can it get through it? If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Genevieve Boast, founder of 'Beyond Human Stories'.  Introduction and the state of organisations now: 0:00 - 8:50 minutes Introduction to Genevieve and starting 'Beyond Human Stories'.  Looking into the story telling of organisations.  Are organisations being truly honest and authentic amid the crisis? The current climate: 8:50 - 12:30 minutes What is the mood amongst brands at the moment? How interconnectivity is helping amid the covid-19 pandemic.  What is storyhacking? 12:30 - 19:35 minutes The definition of 'storyhacking' and how brands can use it. How to stop yourself being disempowered and inhibiting your vision. How this can be applied to brands and internal company structures.  Can the current crisis aid companies to use storyhacking to look at their vision? How to approach storyhacking and the challenges of Coronavirus: 19:35 - 26:30 minutes How taking yourself out of your comfort zone into nature can help to begin storyhacking.  The challenges that we face within the covid-19 pandemic.  Equinox Kombucha and early storyhacking: 26:30 - 34:30 minutes The work Genevieve has done with 'Equinox Kombucha'.  How has storyhacking impacted them and changed the way that they work? What were the precursors to storyhacking? The new normal - 34:30 - 42:45 minutes What will be the positives from the new normal that will emerge after the corona crisis? How global interconnectivity and innovation has increased.  The future for businesses: 42:45 minutes What is your key message to managing directors at the moment? How business can be changed in a positive manner amid the crisis.  If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Sian Edmunds from Burges Salmon LLP.  Introduction to CBD and Sian Edmunds from Burges Salmon - 0 mins Previous FSA rules on CBD - 5 mins What were the ‘rules’ on CBD products prior to the FSA announcement - for instance, the January 2019 FSA position and the European Commission designation of CBD as novel foods? Were people paying attention to these rulings? And a curveball or those who have switched off from the Brexit ‘debate’, will EC designated novel foods stay novel foods post-December, assuming the UK withdrawal from the EU runs to time? Will companies have to resubmit products to the FSA? Latest news from the FSA - 9 mins In a nutshell, what was the FSA’s ruling? Quality test? Should some consumer groups be careful? Is this ruling the same for nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, health & beauty? Products ready to launch and health claims - 13 mins  What should companies with Food and Drink products in the market do? What should brands with products with products in the wings, but not launched yet do? Health claim regimes? Are we going to see products limiting what they can claims? Local Authorities, Enforcement, and impact on CBD market - 18.45 mins Are Local Authorities resourced and equipped to enforce the ruling - will any enforcement action have teeth? Beyond the ruling itself, we can infer about the FSA thinking on how they want to influence the development of the CBD market? A grey area and space for innovation - 23 mins  What’s your view of the ruling on the development on CBD category in terms of investors, products, competition, safety standards? What changes can we expect? The grey area within the market? Is there a case that the brands that do remain could be more innovative, more radical having bagged their novel foods approved? The future of CBD products in the UK market - 28.30 mins Could we see the development of an OTC CBD category with higher dosages and more functional healthcare applications? Some of the trade feel that there is a certain inevitability about a loosening of regulations around cannabis more generally, can you see a time when the UK follows the US and Canadian model with Cannabis edibles? Food firms listening - what’s the one thing they need to be getting on with now to anticipate when these regulations will start to bite? If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to John Farrand from The Guild of Fine Food. Get to know John Farrand: How did you get started working in food and drink? Quick summary of the Guild of Fine Food Education and training Academy of Cheese Trade Events, Fine Foods North in March in Harrogate - 12-13,000 businesses. Food Awards - Great Taste started in 1994 with 250 entries, now just under 1300 entries.  World Cheese Awards Integration with regional trade awards? Protecting Food Heritage and interacting with Retailers How does the Guild of Fine Food bump into a wholesaler, high-end retailer, how would that work? How do they interact? Readers of the magazine? 40 years for a long time, are there any changes over the 40 years, seen of the travel in the market and trends? Organic - gone from boom to bust especially in cheese. Is organic a trend that is particularly susceptible to changes in economics and cycles of food fashion? Is slow produced food closer to the world you work in? Era from the 50s gently on the way out, foods back into their more natural state, would you agree? Gourmet vegan foods in the future for the guild? An American Trade Deal and Labelling American trade deal - may be muted -  from a fine food perspective to you welcome the ability to import from the states? Do you have the same concerns about differential standards that mainstream producers may have?  Turning to labelling, this is an area of a lot of interest do you guys get involved in provenance claims etc. 2020 Fine Food Trends and a career in the food industry 2020 any trends you think we will see or start, any predictions for the year?  (fermentable foods, coffee, very good ready-meals) What advice would you give a fresh-faced graduate to do or not do as they start their careers? If you would like to feature on the podcast or have any questions, get in touch hello@thegroceryinsider.com

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Jonathan Kittow from Simply Supply Chain.  Supply Chain as a Career - 0-6 minutes Introduction to Jonathan and Simply Supply Chain How attractive is the supply chain industry for graduates? Is Supply Chain being broken out from operations structurally? For B2B contacts for Supply Chain and Sales are the two parts of any grocery business that touch other firms the most, would you agree?  Are you starting to see, due to tech and therefore how things are being measured, has that lead to the roles within supply chain being up-weighted or new roles within Supply Chain? As a profession has it got more strategic less exceptional? Defining Supply Chain and the role of Logistics - 6.00 - 11.30 minutes A definition of Supply Chain - where does it stop where does it start? What is it doing? Where would see procurement fit? Outsourcing logistics? Is this something that is new? Do you think the third-party logistics providers are making it easier for product-focused firms to do that? Retailers Priorities - 11.30 - 18.00 minutes Are you seeing people coming in straight into Supply Chain from the data sciences or are they making a segway in from operations? Just on the retailers, we have seen quite a few changes in recent years in terms of how the retailers are prioritising certain channels, how they are organising them. Do you reach into that world and how would you summarise these changes from the last three years? Are they integrating the supply chain across those trading businesses? Charging models particularly around groceries changing with more of a subscription-based offer, how do you think that will change going forward, will there be more Amazon-style strategies moving forward? Wholefoods and the Discount Model  - 18.00 - 20.45 minutes Wholefoods, has much been going on there? The discount model, do you think they will be changing their model or if it’s not broken, don’t fix it? Take Aldi for instance. Supply Chain and Manufacturers -20.45 - 27.30 minutes Supply chain management in individual food and drink manufacturers? How do they know they have got it right? How do they benchmark and set areas to improve? Is there anything else that can be done? In terms of how simply supply chain work with firms, is there one area that is in particular demand? Are you typically working at Supply Chain level, at board level or do you work with MDs, where do you plug in firms? Accounting - 26.00 minutes So talking about behaviour change, do you think the accounting within companies has progressed enough to pull out product costs and how they vary in different channels? The Future of Supply Chain - 27.30-37 minutes Looking forward to 2020, what can you see happening in Supply Chain? Do you see much ex-retail supply chain folk, popping up in manufacturing? If you were a fresh-faced grad starting out in supply chain, what advice would you give? Is there a part of Supply Chain they should focus on?

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Steven Esom from Product Chain. Get to know Steven and the industry Career path  The Grocery Industry and Retailers What changes have you seen in the industry since you started? Massive delayering on the retailer side - do you think this is going to continue as part of the reconfiguration of retail? Can you see the challenge from the discounters changing in the next decade? Do you think the big box retailers will start to transform their shops to be similar to that of the discounters? Are we seeing more subletting of retail plots? Waitrose and M&S Where is Waitrose going over the next few years? M&S are in a unique position with a unique audience, thoughts? Category Management Have we passed peak category management? New products on the shelf for a shorter period, is this enough? Product chain - Is it tougher than ever to get and keep listings, and to grow sales? Challenger brands concentrating on a proposition, marketing and sales, is this the case with all? What impact is this having on the corporate structures of the big retailers? Do you think BCORP will be mandatory in a few years? The important questions: Where is grocery going to go next year? What piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the industry right now? Thoughts on the John Lewis Christmas advert?

In this week's episode of The Grocery Insider, in association with HRA Global, we speak to Ged Futter from GSCOP Ltd. Get to know Ged (0 mins) How did you start working in food and drink? Working in retail Defining GSCOP (3 min) What is the code? What does it do? What relationships does it regulate? When did you first hear about the code? What was your first impression of the code? The pressure for the code, in the early years the expectations of the code was met? The evolving of the code (7 min) What was the pivotal moment of the code? A change in dynamics A change of culture Do you think there’s a link between Tesco fortunes and buying practices and the adjustment they have had to make? Should the code be changed?   The code in practice (14.30 mins) The code and own-label Confidence of suppliers Demographic of buyers and account managers The challenges the code faces (20.50 mins) Pressure on the code from different stakeholders The future of the code? The role of government and how this impacts the code (23 mins) How does Brexit impact the code? Will this impact on behaviour towards the code? Look forward - a change of government - do you think the ground rules of the code could change? What does the code not cover? (28.20 mins)   Have a question? Want to feature on the podcast in our next series? Get in touch, we would love to hear from you - hello@thegroceryinsider.com