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Consumer products

Consumer goods is one of our core areas of expertise, and our work spans branded and private label lines, as well as basic foods and ingredients. We have also worked in adjacent sectors such as packaging and apparel.

In today’s markets, branded consumer goods companies are under pressure from many sides:

From consumers, demanding products that deliver an increasing number of benefits - functionality, health, organic and fair trade guarantees, convenience, etc. - yet are still perceived as offering value for money;

From customers, particularly the consolidating retail trade in developed markets, where retailers are growing in power and becoming a league of ‘brand’ owners themselves;

From global and local competitors, as companies that have built successful businesses in mature markets seek to sustain growth by expanding in emerging economies, competing with entrenched local players;

From volatile commodity costs that impact a large proportion of inputs; and

As ever, from their shareholders and, in the case of public companies, the financial markets.

In this environment, it is an increasing challenge for food and drink companies to deliver profitable growth. While geographical and product expansion should unlock opportunities for both growth and scale efficiencies, in fact business and portfolio complexity are the price many companies are paying for this expansion.

Ingredients suppliers in turn are facing cost pressures, price pressures and growing demands from customers to provide product development support.

Many of the same challenges exist for non-food consumer goods companies though, in some sectors, lower consumer emotional attachment to brands and products means that companies have more flexibility to modify product format to drive growth and profitability.

We support our clients in addressing these challenges, achieving and sustaining competitive advantage, and delivering profitable growth.

The majority of our food and drink assignments are undertaken through our joint venture, Stamford Partners Strategy Consultants.

Example assignments

Strategy development: non-alcoholic drinks company needing to restore profitability and develop a platform for growth.

Market and competitor insights / strategy development: global leader in salty snacks seeking to enter major market in Central Europe.

Market and competitor insights / strategy development: global food company seeking to understand drivers of its competitors’ superior performance in a key category.

Market and competitor insights: dairy company wishing to understand its competitors better so as to refine its strategy.

Market and competitor insights / acquisition support: leading commodity ingredients company seeking to expand into speciality ingredients.

Acquisition support: global confectionery company planning major acquisition.

Acquisition support: management considering buyout of mid-sized, public UK ethnic food company.