Page 13 - BOSS Today Issue 61

BOSS Today #61 SPECIAL REPORT BOSS Today #61

Q: Do you foresee any challenges with in response to this pressure: one (a them to source, stock and distribute EJ: “UOE is growing, with new stores One of our CSR initiatives is a focus on
new regulations (for example, product manufacturer) wanted to look both in bespoke products as the demand is and more locations planned, making it product data, new product attributes,
safety standards, environmental detail downstream and further towards Small businesses will changing is also a growing requirement.” even easier for customers to access our collating better data, and asking the right
regulations, employment laws etc)? sustainability: expanding range of products and services. questions. Communicating our CSR efforts
have to find the resource Q: How are you diversifying your We’re also committed to giving back— transparently to our dealers is also helping
Two members of the panel felt that CE: “I expect both corporate and to manage the governance product or service offerings, and are keeping essential Post Office services them share values with their customers.”
regulatory changes – whatever they were consumer budgets to tighten. This will and state reporting. you implementing any corporate social on the high street, creating jobs, and
– were something that they simply had to make it imperative that we truly and responsibility (CSR) initiatives? supporting local schools and charities However, one panellist pointed out:
be continually set up to identify, respond better understand their needs to sell through our Hub of the Community
to and adapt for: value solutions. It also makes it hugely As already shown above, many of the initiative. Sustainability is a priority, too, DL: “Relentless diversification is a
important to understand vertical markets panel members were both diversifying from reducing waste to stocking more eco- distraction. Everything we do must be
EJ: “There are always changes to adapt to. in more detail, to leverage the significant and expanding their ranges, while also friendly products.” wrapped in social and environmental
This year will be no different!” opportunities that still exist. Lastly, a considering their CSR profiles: responsibility!”
genuinely sustainable offer matters to PW: “In 2025 we’re committed to staying
PW: “Staying ahead of these changes both consumers and business. In excess CE: “Exacompta Clairefontaine has a vast ahead of the curve and diversifying our Q: Do you plan to integrate AI and/
and ensuring compliance is always a of 85% of our products are independently Darren Lloyd: product range and prides itself on its offerings and prioritising CSR. We continue or emerging technologies within your
priority. We closely monitor regulations accredited and made in the UK or Europe: CEO, United innovation: close to 30% of our sales come to expand our product and service business this year to improve operations,
impacting our industry and our dealers, this will provide us with more (sustainable) from new products. The group invests portfolio, providing our dealers with new customer experience or innovation?
environmental regulations for packaging opportunities to satisfy consumer and significant monies into R&D, machines and revenue opportunities. Personal care is If so, how?
materials and data privacy regulations. business needs.” sustainability, which differentiates us from a growing sector and has a wide range
We anticipate challenges in ensuring our competitors and gives us a competitive of products that includes sustainable, While one panellist simply noted:
compliance across our supply chain and For our wholesaler panel member, the In 2025, we anticipate edge. We have silver status with EcoVadis.” organic, and reusable choices, helping
dealer network and we will look to address changes in demand from customers – as customers to achieve their CSR goals and DL: “We have always deployed tech to
this by providing our dealers with regular well as the planned response to them consumers will be more increase their sales potential. solve problems and make improvements.”
updates on changes, offering compliant – were even more wide ranging and selective with spending,
products and providing guidance on best complex: The others went into more detail about
practices.” prioritising value and what they had already been doing with AI
PW: “We are seeing an increase in convenience due to and what was intended for the future:
However, one felt that smaller businesses smaller orders that come with drop ship
in particular could struggle to keep up with requirements on behalf of dealers and the economic pressures. CE: “We do this already and I expect this
the changing regulatory requirements: mix of products is changing at a pace. To will increase and accelerate significantly.
support these changes, there is a focus This space is developing at such a
DL: “Small businesses will have to find on value-added services. We are offering dramatic rate that it is hard to predict
the resources to manage the governance our dealers competitive pricing on the what will happen when, but the company
and state reporting. There will be more broadest range, and we know that next is embracing this and all opportunities to
pressure on the SMEs.” day consolidated service is key. We have make itself better and more efficient in
also recently expanded into personal care, order to best serve our customers.”
Q: What changes do you anticipate in alongside our existing range of specialist Elliot Jacobs:
consumer behaviour this year, and how cleaning, catering and PPE. Enhancing our CEO, UOE and Non-Executive Director,
will you accommodate these? online ordering platform is another area, Post Office
making it easier for dealers to browse our
Nearly all of the panel members believed catalogue, place orders, track shipments
that economic pressures would result and access product information with
in spending reviews, with customers digital marketing assets to support.
spending less – and less often: Sustainability is always a key focus; we
are expanding our range of sustainable
EJ: “In 2025, we anticipate consumers and ethically sourced products, providing
will be more selective with spending, our dealers with the information and
prioritising value and convenience due marketing materials they need to promote
to economic pressures. To accommodate these products effectively. Inventory
this, UOE is focused on competitive pricing management is also changing; several
while maintaining high service levels.” of our customers are now servicing
large national contracts and are gaining
Indeed, these panellists gave a variety customers that may be outside of their
of actions that they planned to make geographical delivery areas, so helping

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