An interesting shift is that 45% of CEOs are either concerned or extremely concerned about the next six months for their businesses, much higher than previous polls.
The government’s relationship with FMCG continues to be poor. The overriding feeling from CEOs is that the Australian food and grocery manufacturing sector does not attract the attention that other industries do, despite its size and reach and its importance to urban, regional and rural Australia.
Costco’s relationships with their suppliers continue to be positive, whilst Coles seems to be making ground on Woolworths.
The general feeling is that FMCG companies will be remaining static in terms of hiring which is comforting news in trying times. Please enjoy the poll.
Poll Results
1. What is your overall outlook for the next six months and beyond for your business?
2. What do you think is your greatest opportunity for the next six months?
| Market Consolidation | 0% |
| NPD | 18% |
| Reducing Costs | 8% |
| Relationship with retailers | 37% |
| Help from Government | 0% |
| Costco’s entry to the Market | 0% |
| Brand Momentum | 37% |
3. What concerns you most?
| Global economic outlook | 0% |
| Domestic market | 63% |
| Getting funding/financing | 0% |
| Government regulation | 9% |
| Keeping talent in tough times | 9% |
| Exchange rate issues | 0% |
| Other | 19% |
4. Will you be increasing or decreasing staff numbers in the next six months or remaining static?
| Increasing | 9% |
| Decreasing | 27% |
| Static | 64% |
5. Will you be concentrating on investing in your business or reducing costs in 2010, or a hybrid of both?
| Investing in business | 36% |
| Reducing costs | 36% |
| Hybrid of both | 28% |
6. If you are a multinational, have you been asked to reduce costs in line with the local market or above what is necessary/helpful locally?
| Global market | 20% |
| Local market | 80% |
7. How would you rate the Government’s relationship with FMCG manufacturing?
| Strong | 0% |
| Encouraging | 10% |
| Neutral | 45% |
| Concerning | 0% |
| Weak | 45% |
8. What are some of the things you would like to see the Government do to help the FMCG industry?
| Reduce regulation complexity | 27% |
| Provide support for graduate programs | 18% |
| Provide support for innovation | 18% |
| Other | 37% |
9. Do you think the industry is in line with what is needed re the obesity debate?
| Yes | 63% |
| No | 37% |
10. How would you rate your relationship with:
Woolworths?
| Strong | 27% |
| Encouraging | 63% |
| Neutral | 0% |
| Discouraging | 10% |
| Weak | 0% |
Coles?
| Strong | 37% |
| Encouraging | 27% |
| Neutral | 18% |
| Discouraging | 0% |
| Weak | 18% |
Independents?
| Strong | 10% |
| Encouraging | 54% |
| Neutral | 18% |
| Discouraging | 0% |
| Weak | 18% |
Costco?
| Strong | 9% |
| Encouraging | 45% |
| Neutral | 9% |
| Discouraging | 0% |
| Weak | 0% |
| N/A | 37% |
Aldi?
| Strong | 9% |
| Encouraging | 9% |
| Neutral | 19% |
| Discouraging | 0% |
| Weak | 0% |
| N/A | 63% |
Petrol and Convenience?
| Strong | 36% |
| Encouraging | 18% |
| Neutral | 10% |
| Discouraging | 18% |
| Weak | 0% |
Touchstone specialises in senior executive search for the FMCG industry, in the top three tiers of leadership, for example:
Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Head of Sales; National Business Managers, Head Of Marketing; Group Marketing Managers, Head of Finance/CFO; Financial Controller, Head of Risk, Head of Audit, Head of Human Resources; Head of IR, Head of Remuneration, Head of Operations Chief Operating Officer, Manufacturing Director, Quality Director, Engineering Director.