AIP to launch AFGC Retail Ready Toolkit

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) will be running a roadshow across Queensland and New South Wales in February to launch the new AFGC retail ready toolkit. The two functions will be held on Wednesday 17 February and are open for all to attend.

Guest speaker for the roadshow will be Samantha Blake, Director Supply Chain & Retail Policy for the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Since the publication in 2006 of the Retail Ready Packaging - A Focus on Shelf Ready Packaging an Industry Toolkit, significant changes (such as global economic slowdown; commodity price increases; focus on sustainability; expansion of discount retail outlets; oil price peaks etc) have taken place in the Australian markets. Responding to these changes with the ability to adapt and develop agile responsive supply chains is increasingly important to food and grocery manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and wholesalers.

Many of these factors have had an indirect impact on the implementation and adoption of retail ready packaging (RRP) solutions into the market. However, it is as a result of inadequate in-store execution, a lack of a clear whole of chain business case and cost complexity that widespread adoption of RRP has not been evident. The recent escalation by Coles Group to migrate product to a shelf friendly packaging (SFP) format have led to increasing concern among consumer packaged goods companies about the resultant increase in costs, supply chain inefficiencies and impact on packaging volumes, all with little apparent benefit to suppliers. ECRA has updated the guidelines and continues to work with retail and supplier organisations to ensure alignment where possible is achieved.

Samantha’s presentation will provide an overview of the updated guidelines along with an assessment of the work currently underway with retail trading partners.

Please contact the Australian Institute of Packaging for booking forms and further details on 07 3279 4490 or info@aipack.com.au.