Files
Abstract
Retailers and wholesalers today are investing the major
share of their development funds into the Asian marketplace
to bring modern retail and wholesale concepts to
the Asian consumer. With a large growth in urbanisation
across Asia, the region represents huge opportunities
as well as big challenges to international players. At
the same time there is a growing demand in Asia for
high quality and safe goods, which presents a great
opportunity for modern retail and wholesale formats.
Many companies have recognised the need to promote
sustainable production and consumption models in
order to be successful also in the next 20–50 years. In
the fast-developing markets in Asia international companies thus have
the opportunity to leapfrog international best practices and to install
sustainable concepts right from the start. They are also challenged by
population growth and the demand and supply of food to supply their
customers into the future.
Modern retailers and wholesalers are working closely with farmers and
co-ops to improve food standards and quality, to employ sustainable
farming and processing methods and to create savings in the supply chain,
which also leads to improvements in the incomes and living standards of
the farmers. By doing so they are making opportunities for farming and
processing industries to serve the global procurement needs of their
chains, which are developing Trading Offices within the region. With
rising incomes and a rapid growth of the middle class we see a greater
demand for imported goods for home consumption and also for the
food-service industry. This creates great opportunities for countries like
Australia to become the source of ultra fresh and processed products.
It is important that the mindsets of Australian farmers, exporters and
producers change to recognise that brands need to be built in these
markets. Brands like Sunkist, Dole, Cape, Anchor, Zespri are well known
in Asia and globally recognised. Global retailers are changing the face of
retail and wholesale in Asia and developing markets and will invest in the
future. The challenges are not just with them but with the willingness of
others to change.