The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit wrapped up on Friday with two of the greatest ‘disruptors’ of all - at least in a retail context - Amazon and Google - taking the stage, as well as leading representatives from the worlds of retail and FMCG.
Christoph Werner, managing director of dm-Drogerie Markt set the tone when he called on delegates to appraise whether their ‘brand legacy’ is considered a burden or an opportunity in an era of transformation. At dm, he explained, leadership is “a means of assisting rather than a means of controlling”, with employees geared very much towards the company’s common goals.
Online Challenge
Amazon VP Consumer Product Goods, Sunny Jain’s appearance at the Summit was preceded last week by the announcement that Amazon was to take over Whole Foods - however the online executive did not comment on this issue; instead focusing on Amazon’s positioning as a ‘day one’ retailer, “still in the pioneering stage”.
Later, Matt Brittin, President, EMEA Business and Operations at Google, urged delegates not to spend time “trying to capture the Millennial market”, noting that when it comes to online, all or us display Millennial traits in some way, regardless of age or demographic.
Other highlights included a panel discussion from Grant Reid, CEO, Mars; Per Strömberg, CEO, ICA Sweden and Mitch Barns, Chief Executive Officer, Nielsen on sustainability, as well as an eye-opening presentation from Dan O'Connor of Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative, who reminded us that whatever market we operate in, “change is a constant”.
The last word went to former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who reminded those present that “disruption is all around us”, and those that can succeed will find out something they “can do well that no-one else can do”.
ESM: European Supermarket Magazine was a media partner of the event, and reported from Germany over the three days of proceedings. You can read our report on day one here and day two here. [Pictures courtesy Consumer Goods Forum].
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
