Industry experts discuss outlook for Australia's food & grocery sector

Six Degrees Executive recently hosted two Food & Grocery Industry Outlook events in Melbourne and Sydney, drawing over 200 of Australia’s leading food and grocery professionals.

The event was designed to provide insights into the market and create a forum for strategic discussions to help suppliers, retailers and stakeholders collaborate and navigate through the economic pressures facing Australia’s food and grocery sector.

With macroeconomic pressures such as inflation and supply chain challenges dominating the agenda, the leaders at the event discussed how suppliers are taking a balanced approach to maintain strong retailer relationships and foster long-term resilience in the face of market fluctuations.

Tanya Barden, CEO of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, was joined at the Melbourne event by Peter Findlay, CEO of Bega Group; Peter Schulte, Head of Global Sales at SunRice; and Suzanne Harman, Senior Director of Supply Chain & Fulfilment at Simplot. The Sydney panellists included Paul Foster, CEO of George Weston Foods; Alexia Horley, General Manager of Foods at PepsiCo; and Glen Wojcinski, Supply Chain Director of Kellanova.

“As our industry faces heightened public scrutiny and economic pressures, maintaining strong, balanced relationships between suppliers and retailers is critical. We operate within an interconnected ecosystem, where collaboration is essential to navigating challenges and sustaining growth,” Barden said.

At the core of the discussion was the essential role of suppliers in ensuring product reach to consumers. Leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining a strategic and balanced relationship with retailers, despite rising costs and economic uncertainties.

Horley said, “We don’t have shopfronts, so we rely on the major retailers to get our products to consumers. A balanced and collaborative approach with our retail partners is critical to ensuring both growth and sustainability.”

Speakers stressed the cyclical nature of economic pressures and highlighted that a long-term view is needed to navigate these challenges, rather than short-term reactive measures.

Amid ongoing supply chain disruptions, industry leaders emphasised the need for companies to invest in local production, diversify sourcing and enhance supply chain agility.

Long-term investments in domestic capacity were noted as critical strategies for building resilience, particularly in the face of climate-related risks.

Sustainability also emerged as a significant focus, with businesses exploring innovative ways to meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products while managing cost pressures.

“Connecting the end-to-end supply chain — from logistics to customer service — is essential to delivering for customers. True success comes from collaboration, not just with customers, but with suppliers and service providers across the board,” Harman said.

For over 20 years, Six Degrees Executive has been connecting leaders and decision-makers at the forefront of Australia’s food and grocery sector.

“At Six Degrees Executive, we’re committed to supporting the food and grocery sector as it navigates complex market conditions. These events are part of our broader mission to promote this sector as a vibrant career choice, connecting industry leaders and helping to grow a robust talent pipeline for the future,” said Nick Hindhaugh, co-founder of Six Degrees Executive.