Independent Trade Forum coming in March to Sandton

Presented by Trade Intelligence, the forum will offer topics and speakers including:

• The SA independent trading landscape, presented by:

  • Maryla Masojada, Managing Director of Trade Intelligence and editor of the TI Independent Trade Research Report 2012
    
  • Nicola Kleyn, Associate Professor at The University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and co-author of 'New Markets, New Mindsets'
    
  • Tashmia Ismail, Fellow at UNU Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology, Senior Lecturer at GIBS and co-author of 'New Markets, New Mindsets'
    
  • Sean Leas, Executive Director of The Smollan Group

• Winning solutions: effective engagement with the bottom of the pyramid - case studies, presented by:

  • Tiger Brands
    
  • Nestlé
    
  • Imperial Logistics

• Key channel challenges and opportunities, a round-table opportunity to engage directly with key independent trade customers, represented by:

  • Gert Scheepers, CEO of Independent Cash & Carry Group (ICC)
    
  • Leon Volschenk, MD of Buying Exchange Company (BEC)
    
  • Louis Greeff, MD of Elite Star Trading (EST)
    
  • Gary Bellars, operations executive of Shield and Saverite

  • Bevin Mervis, merchandising executive of Shield

"The independent trade channel continues to adapt in an ever-changing and fiercely competitive trading landscape. Wholesale distribution capability is expanding, suppliers are optimising routes to market, there is greater focus on challenger brands to achieve higher margins and wholesale buying groups are growing their retail networks. Added to this is a climate of massively increased indirect costs and a shrinking skills and experience pool, so it is imperative for traditionally non-customer facing teams to know and cross-functionally engage with their key customers," explains Maryla Masojada, MD, Trade Intelligence.

"Optimising trade spend means consumer goods industry suppliers have got to understand the dynamics and nuances of not only each channel within the sector, but each key player within the channel. Suppliers need to engage with their customers to deliver joint cost-saving and sustainable solutions, whilst remaining 'in-touch' with a diverse shopper profile across the full spectrum of retail, wholesale and retail hybrid trading formats. Who better than their retail/wholesale partner to help suppliers understand shoppers and how best to activate within the sector.

"The Independent Trade Forum represents the platform for non-threatening, constructive engagement and teaching between consumer goods industry suppliers and their independent trade customers to grow market share and distribution into the bottom-of-the-pyramid," she concludes.

Independent Wholesale Reports out in February

In a further effort to promote effective trading relationships between manufacturers and the independent trade, Trade Intelligence releases its Independent Wholesale Reports in February 2013. The reports are the outcome of a 12-month research process, engaging with South Africa's leading independent wholesale and retail players to provide a clear perspective on the independent wholesale channel. The reports are presented in data and photo-rich PowerPoint decks and include a checklist for suppliers to unlock this critical route-to-market.