A.F. Blakemore, SPAR distributor and one of the UK’s largest privately owned family businesses, has on Wednesday announced the appointment of Nicola McIntosh as its new chief people officer, effective 20 May.
McIntosh joins Blakemore from Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Trust, where she served as executive board director of people and organisational development. In this role, she played a key role in navigating the Trust's workforce through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to that, McIntosh held leadership positions at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Jet2Holidays, and Morrisons, where she established a strong reputation for delivering innovative L&D programs, organisational development strategies, and leadership development initiatives.
“In line with our unwavering commitment to being colleague and customer centric, we are thrilled to welcome Nicola McIntosh to A.F. Blakemore as our new chief people officer,” Carol Welch, A.F. Blakemore chief executive, commented.
“Nicola brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in leading and developing high-performing teams, particularly during challenging times.”
Welch added: "Nicola's deep understanding of the complexities of people and leadership, coupled with her passion for creating high performing teams in inclusive work environments, perfectly aligns with our values at A.F. Blakemore, her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to foster a culture that empowers our colleagues and drives long-term success for our organisation. We are excited to welcome her to A.F. Blakemore and wish her all the best in her new role.”
McIntosh stated: “I’ve loved my time at the NHS but I’m delighted to move back into retail where my experience and knowledge of championing performance can be used across all functions and disciplines. I thrive in organisations where the culture prioritises their people and it was clear that A.F. Blakemore, whilst employing a workforce of over 7,000 people, still retained the family values that are at the heart of its DNA.”
Gander has announced its nomination for The Earthshot Prize 2025, an accolade that celebrates groundbreaking solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
Nominated by BVRio, this marks Gander's third opportunity to contend for the prestigious prize, reaffirming its role as a global leader in waste reduction and sustainability.
The Earthshot Prize, spearheaded by Sir David Attenborough, Prince William, and The Royal Foundation, is built around five ambitious goals, or "Earthshots":
Protect and Restore Nature
Clean Our Air
Revive Our Oceans
Build a Waste-Free World
Fix Our Climate
Gander's nomination aligns closely with the goal of "Building a Waste-Free World." Through its pioneering SaaS technology platform, Gander enables retailers to market and sell items nearing their expiration date, reducing in-store food waste and promoting a circular economy.
Ricardo Salazar, CEO of Gander Brazil, highlighted the urgency of Gander's mission, “The urgency of transforming our efforts to reduce food waste is clear. Gander’s technology enables retailers to reach more consumers, ensuring perfectly good food is sold and consumed rather than wasted.
"This benefits everyone - retailers maintain their margins, consumers access affordable food, and the resources used in food production are preserved.”
Since its launch, Gander has saved an impressive 38.9 million food items from waste. Operating in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Brazil, the platform has become a global force for sustainability, leveraging local data feeds to connect consumers with reduced-price food in real time.
Gander’s nomination underscores its ambition to expand beyond food waste, tackling broader issues of global consumer waste by 2030.
Salazar adds, “Gander’s journey is about creating sustainable solutions that are both commercially viable and environmentally impactful. By addressing food and consumer waste, we’re helping to shape a better future for generations to come."
The Earthshot Prize represents more than recognition for Gander; it is an opportunity to amplify its mission and inspire other innovators worldwide.
As Gander continues to grow and evolve, it remains a beacon of hope and progress, proving that technology and collaboration can drive meaningful change.
Diageo believes the no- and low-alcohol category is a “big opportunity for the industry” and for the company, its CEO has said.
Speaking at a press briefing for Diageo’s financial results for the first half of fiscal 2025 at its London headquarters, CEO Debra Crew voiced her optimism for the no-and-low segment and noted that the group’s non-alcoholic portfolio is up by approximately 56 per cent.
The firm’s alcohol-free portfolio includes Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof and non-alcoholic alternatives for its Gordon’s, Tanqueray and Captain Morgan brands.
Crew believes the zebra striping trend “keeps people” within the group’s alcohol-free brands.
“People want this kind of sophisticated experience, they want to feel like when they’re out, that you know you’re still out, but you know you’re also wanting to moderate and so you can switch back and forth,” she explained. “And so that’s a big trend for us, and we are absolutely looking at that.”
In September 2024, Diageo fully purchased Ritual Zero Proof after initially taking a minority stake in the US-based brand in 2020.
Founded in Chicago, Illinois, Ritual Zero Proof offers alternatives to whiskey, Tequila, gin, rum and apéritifs.
Regarding the non-alcoholic category, Crew said Diageo is the “leader in spirits” with Ritual Zero Proof being the “number one non-alcoholic spirit brand in the US”.
“We’re very excited about it,” Crew told members of the press. “It’s done incredibly, had quite a run, and we’re very excited about what more we can do there.”
Diageo saw its organic sales rise by 1 per cent in the six months to December 2024 with growth led by its Tequila portfolio (up 20 per cent), which represented 13 per cent of net sales by category.
Referring to wider industry trends, Crew affirmed that whisky is “still very much in trend” despite a double-digit drop for the group’s Scotch malts portfolio (down 20 per cent), while its blended Scotch brand Johnnie Walker fell by 6 per cent. However, Johnnie Walker Blonde is seeing growth in emerging markets, Crew highlighted.
With Scotch, Crew was quick to point out that it faces competition from other domestic whiskies around the world, but she noted that the group wants to make sure it “really defends Scotch”, particularly in the face of potential tariffs.
Speaking about “what is off-trend”, Crew stated that rum “is a big quieter right now” while vodka is “getting hit” by convenient formats like ready-to-drink products.
The group’s rum portfolio dropped by 8 per cent with Captain Morgan also down by 8 per cent.
Vodka also struggled to grow its sales, with the segment falling by 9 per cent. Ketel One was flat, but category leader Smirnoff managed to post a sales increase of 3 per cent.
Cîroc vodka suffered the biggest organic sales decrease of all key brands in Diageo’s portfolio, plummeting by 32 per cent.
Over the past six months, the group has offloaded two Venezuelan rum brands, Pampero and Cacique, alongside flavoured liqueur brand Safari.
When asked about the group’s portfolio management, Diageo chief financial officer Nik Jhangiani said they were “still assessing” in terms of the categories and brands that they would consider selling.
He added that the company would also “look selectively at acquisitions” in terms of “how do we actually look at that play and are we right with the brand that we have, or is there a gap, based on that classic point around price laddering”.
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Mondelez International headquarters in Chicago, US
Cadbury and Oreo maker Mondelēz International has on Wednesday announced its fourth quarter and full-year 2024 financial results, highlighting robust revenue growth, strong earnings, and significant shareholder returns despite ongoing economic challenges.
The company, however, said it expects a 10 per cent hit on its profits this year over increased cocoa prices.
Key financial highlights for the full year 2024 include:
Net revenues increased 1.2 per cent for the full year 2024, driven by 4.3 per cent organic net revenue growth and contributions from the acquisition of Evirth, offset by currency-related items and the 2023 divestiture of the developed market gum business.
Gross profit rose by $493 million (£393m), with a 90-basis-point margin increase to 39.1 per cent due to higher pricing and productivity gains, offset by rising raw material and transportation costs.
Operating income increased $843m, with an operating income margin of 17.4 per cent (up 210 basis points), benefiting from lower integration costs and favourable hedging activities.
Diluted EPS was $3.42, reflecting a 5.5 per cent decrease due to lapping prior-year gains and costs associated with the ERP Systems Implementation program.
Adjusted EPS grew 13.0 per cent on a constant currency basis to $3.36, driven by strong operating performance, share repurchases, and lower taxes.
Shareholder returns amounted to $4.7 billion through dividends and share repurchases.
“Fiscal 2024 was another strong year of performance for our company. We delivered balanced top-line growth, strong earnings, and robust free cash flow generation, while returning significant capital back to shareholders," said Dirk Van de Put, chair and chief executive of Mondelēz International.
Mondelēz saw notable improvements in the fourth quarter despite rising costs. Net revenues increased 3.1 per cent, with 5.2 per cent organic net revenue growth offset by currency impacts.
Gross profit rose $241m in the quarter, with a 130-basis-point increase in gross profit margin to 38.6 per cent, and operating income climbed $418 million, raising the operating income margin to 16.8 per cent (up 400 basis points).
Looking ahead, Mondelēz said it faces challenges from record-high cocoa prices but remains committed to its long-term strategy. The company expects organic net revenue growth of approximately 5 per cent and adjusted EPS to decline by approximately 10 per cent on a constant currency basis due to cocoa inflation.
“As we transition into 2025, we remain focused on executing against our long-term growth strategy and delivering on our chocolate business playbook to navigate unprecedented cocoa cost inflation,” Van de Put said.
“Our teams are well-equipped to stay agile and take the necessary actions to navigate this challenging operating environment. We believe we are solidly positioned for attractive long-term top- and bottom-line growth.”
Cocoa prices soared 161 percent last year, reaching $10,100 per tonne in mid-December before easing to $9,165 at the end of 2024.
Last month Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli said it would raise prices again in 2025 after strong sales last year showed that increases had not cut the appetite of consumers.
The group had already hiked prices by “mid-single” digits last year to offset the rising costs of cocoa.
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FWD's new report highlights the crucial role wholesalers play in the supply chain.
Food and drink wholesale distribution sector generated £33.6 billion of turnover in 2023-24 with £17.5 billion coming from sales to mainly independent retailers, reveals an industry report released today (5).
The report was launched in the Houses of Parliament in the presence of Daniel Zeichner, Minster for Food Security and Rural Affairs.
Zeichner said, " “This report highlights just how important the wholesale sector is. These are really significant numbers. Economic growth is absolutely central to wholesale businesses, as is breaking down the barriers to opportunity.
"Our pledge to you is to work with you as we begin to develop our policies. Our stated goal is to try and help change the way the supply chain operates to make sure there is a fair distribution of resources through the supply chain, and I really look forward to working with the wholesale sector on this.”
Retail businesses account for 52 per cent of food and drink wholesalers' revenue, while foodservice and caterers account for 29 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
Delivery remains the most common route to customers with 58 per cent of sales value fulfilled through deliveries. 40 per cent of sales value fulfilled through cash and carry and 1.3 per cent of sales are made through click and collect.
In total, wholesalers spent £27 billion on stock to be sold to retailers and foodservice providers. The largest product categories were tobacco, vaping and alcohol, followed by soft drinks, frozen food, confectionery, crisps, snacks and biscuits.
The report states that food and drink wholesale distributors directly contributed £3.5bn to national output in terms of gross value, employing 77,000 people. The overall value chain that it supports employs a total of 1.5 million people, about 4.8 per cent of the UK workforce.
The sector faces a series of challenges going ahead, highlighted the report through a recent survey of FWD's members. Some of the main concerns among the wholesalers are inflation, increase in transportation costs, labour and skill shortage and regulations.
Wholesale warehouse
iStock image
AI and automation hold significant potential to positively impact the sector like in identifying the wallet share gaps and predicting reorder needs . However, the report states that companies are yet not fully embracing these technologies, saying "no distributor has integrated AI into its operation to a great extent".
60 per cent of the respondents indicated they have incorporated AI into supply chain management.
FWD reiterates in the report to reach net zero Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2040, which will require 90 per cent reduction in emissions and coordinated actions across value chains.
Furthermore, the sector is facing labour shortage stemming from ageing workforce, Brexit, images issues and competition.
"The sector's image poses a challenge in attracting new recruits as over 90 per cent of people never consider a career in logistics", states the report, mentioning terms like "demanding" and "boring" associated with warehouse work.
Speaking at the launch, FWD head of external affairs Lyndsey Cambridge said, “Wholesalers are the lifeblood of the nation – from supporting high street restaurants to supplying hospitals, schools and local retailers with food, the FWD membership is delivering for people across the length and breadth of the UK.
"This groundbreaking research provides a comprehensive economic impact of food and drink wholesale, demonstrating the value and importance of the sector in improving consumer choice through its support for retailers and caterers.
“Given its reach and contribution, our sector has and will play a pivotal role in driving economic growth in the coming years. We look forward to partnering with policymakers across the UK to grow our industry further while meeting the everyday challenges our members face in areas such as increased transport costs and labour shortages.”
Retailers have four months left to sell through any remaining stock and prepare for the disposable vape ban coming into force on June 1 this year, an industry body reminded retailers today (5).
After the ban comes into place, all vaping products that are available for sale legally in the UK must be both refillable and rechargeable, meaning that they must be intended for multiple uses.
To help retailers prepare for the ban, Association of Convenience Stores has created a guide backed by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards which explains in detail how to source and sell vapes responsibly.
The guide is part of ACS' Assured Advice, which means that ACS members can rely on the guide to comply with the new regulations.
Key areas covered by the guide include:
How to prepare for the disposable vape ban on June 1st
Enforcement and record keeping
Communicating to customers about the ban
How to recognise illegitimate products and underage sales
Vape recycling
ACS tells retailers, "If you have any remaining stock of disposable vapes, these must be stored away from the shopfloor and clearly separated from other goods, clearly labelled as not for sale."
Click here to download the Selling Vapes Responsibly guide.
ACS has also produced a poster for retailers to display in their store, communicating the ban to customers. The poster is available here.
More information about the upcoming vaping regulations will be covered in ACS' Safe & Responsible Retailing Conference, taking place next month on March 12 at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has already published more detail on the definitions of single-use or disposable vapes, the penalties for selling them after the introduction of the ban on 1 June this year, and what to do if a retailer has stock of single use vapes.
DEFRA's guidance released last month is for importers, retail outlets, vaping product manufacturers and wholesalers.
This includes any shop or business that sells single-use vapes, such as a convenience store, market stall, petrol station, specialist vape shop and supermarket.