Driving sales, embracing technology, simplifying its business model and reducing retailers costs were all topics high on the agenda at the 2013 Londis Retailer Conference on Thursday.
The event, which saw Londis Partner, Brand Essentials and Multiple Account retailers attend also revealed the company’s new strategic plans for the centralisation of some key categories and suppliers.
After investment totalling over £25m in the last 2 years alone, including a new trading IT infrastructure and a new fleet of tri temperature vehicles, Londis announced to retailers that all frozen products (with the exception of some regional variants) will in future be centralised in the business and delivered directly to retailers. The planned move will take place in Q3 2013, following the centralisation of Allied Bakery, Country Choice, Bonds Sweets and Fatherson Bakery in the first two quarters.
Londis MD, Donal Horgan comments, “The continued difficult economic climate means household budgets are being squeezed and we know this impacts on the businesses of our retailers. As their partner it’s our role to help Londis retailers by providing the most competitive and compelling offer for their shoppers. We can also help our retail partners keep their business simple by providing ways for them to take cost and time out of the day to day running of their business giving them more time to devote to their shoppers in store”.
As with all Londis activity, developments are made with the input and viewpoints of retailers via the Londis National Retailer Council. Retailer Arjan Mehr who chairs the council comments, “The plans for Londis to deliver frozen product directly to us will drive significant benefit to retailers. We have asked for this, and Londis has responded. The improvements in Londis’ supply chain will lead to better value through higher loyalty payments and enhanced margins, quicker processes for us when ordering and receiving deliveries, and a more tailored range of products specifically relevant to Londis retailers. For many retailers, it will also unlock access to an increased number of deliveries due to higher order volumes. This will mean retailers will also be able to integrate their chilled and fresh volumes into their orders”.
Londis, also updated retailers on the phenomenal success of Webshop. The launch target to get 800 retailers using the system has been significantly exceeded with over 1,200 retailers now regularly ordering online via Webshop. Now available to all retailers, Londis revealed plans to develop Webshop’s capabilities in 2013 which included; online invoicing, credit card purchasing and EPOS order validation.
Looking forward to the year ahead for the retailers partnering with Londis, Donal Horgan comments, “I have no doubt that 2013 will be a game changing year for Londis retailers. Over recent years we have made significant investments in the brand (in areas such as offer development, technology, supply chain infrastructure and in resourcing our business to grow store numbers) to better meet the needs of our retail partners. In 2013, this investment will come to fruition, helping Londis retailers compete and win in todays changed retail world and prove that well supported independent entrepreneurial retailers can remain the back bone of today’s local communities”.
For more information please contact Felicity Callaghan or Hannah Hayes:
felicity.callaghan@musgrave.co.uk / 07720 094 180
HHayes@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 861 3176
