Page 10 - BOSS Today Issue 61

BOSS Today #61 SPECIAL REPORT BOSS Today #61

PUSHING What is in store for our industry this year? We asked some key

leaders for their thoughts.
THROUGH IN

ere we are again at the start of a new
to the market and reduce our overheads.
Hyear. And, like every new year, 2025 is
I expect other companies to do the
already looking like it is presenting new increases, so we will have to pass this on We cannot absorb such
challenges and opportunities for the UK same and this will increase inflationary
business supplies industry, driven by a pressure.” significant increases, so we
variety of factors, including: will have to pass this on to
PW: “Changes to the National Living the market and reduce our
n The economy Wage and NI are a real challenge, not
n Labour legislation only to us, but to our whole industry. overheads.
n Other new regulations and standards VOW is particularly hit hard due to the
n Consumer behaviour changes nature of being a wholesaler: affected by
n Product and service diversification suppliers, yes, but mainly due to a large
n CSR portion of the team being in warehouse
n AI and emerging technologies and distribution. Whilst we are doing
what we can to mitigate the increase in
To try and make sense of these, costs with automated processes, the use
BOSS Today asked four industry leaders of AI, van route efficiency and supplier Chris Exner:
– based in a variety of positions in the support to name a few, we do need to pass Managing Director, Exaclair
supply chain – to offer their thoughts on these costs on through the supply chain,
some key questions: understanding that our customers have
the real challenge of passing these on, plus
n Elliot Jacobs: CEO, UOE and their own increased costs. It’s not easy.”
Non-Executive Director, Post Office Changes to the National
n Darren Lloyd: CEO, United However, while one of these also felt that Living Wage and NI are a real
n Phillippa Wardleworth: Head of these increases were unavoidable, they
Marketing VOW saw both a silver lining and the need for challenge, not only to us,
n Chris Exner: Managing Director, more Central Bank and Treasury action: but to our whole industry.
Exaclair
EJ: “The recent tax changes are significant, VOW is particularly hit hard
Q: What impact do you expect inflation and they will inevitably lead to price due to the nature of being
and changes in the labour market increases. On the positive side, inflation
(including government policies and wage stabilising is a step in the right direction. a wholesaler.
increases) to have on your business, and However, we urgently need a further
what steps are you taking to adapt? reduction in interest rates and a long-
overdue review of business rates.”
Three members of our panel expected
these changes to result in increased costs, Finally, one felt that these changes would
which they felt would have to be passed on have a wider impact than just on pricing:
to customers:
DL: “Both inflation and the heavy burden Phillippa Wardleworth:
CE: “We manufacture and warehouse of taxes will affect spending and investing Head of Marketing VOW
in the UK, so the impact of another power. This will lower confidence and
significant increase in minimum wages, dampen the employment market. Margins
combined with additional national will also be attacked.”
insurance costs, does have a major
impact. We cannot absorb such significant

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