FMCG world congress in Barcelona (part 2)

Reidar Molthe, the editor and publisher of a trade magazine from Oslo asked the following question from the heads of Ahold, Carrefour, Coca-Cola and Nestlé at the press conference: – You keep emphasising the importance of cooperation between manufacturers and retailers. At the same time, the relationship of the two sides worsened in the last 3-5 years and negotiations between them are becoming fiercer. What is your opinion about this? In his answer Carrefour president-CEO Lars Olofsson told that The Consumer Goods Forum (uniting 650 FMCG companies from 70 countries, with a total turnover of EUR 2.1 trillion) is trying to solve the problems of the whole sector, working on identifying and representing the mutual interest of member companies. He also added that increasing FMCG prices and too fierce negotiations were Scandinavian phenomena. Muhtar Kent, president-CEO of The Coca Cola Company pointed out that the sector became more vulnerable than ever before: the demand side, weather conditions and business speculation all make it harder to prepare plans of the future. The main theme of the press conference was health and wellness. Nestlé president-CEO Paul Bulcke emphasised that manufacturers and retailers play a key role in improving the health condition and well-being of consumers. If they cooperate and receive support from health authorities, whole societies will benefit form their work. Ahold president-CEO Dick Boer told that the

goal of their new initiative is to harmonise the different endeavours for healthy eating. (To be continued)