'Age of Disruption' Makes Digital Top Priority for 54% of Consumer Goods Firms - But One-Third Lack Know-How

PARIS, July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Research finds over half of business leaders place digital strategy and data analytics high on their agenda, and the supply chain rates as their number one challenge and area of investment  

The Consumer Goods Forum and KPMG International today released the findings of their annual Global Top of Mind Survey. The survey, which polled nearly 500

C-suite and senior executives globally, reveals how important the digital revolution will be over the next 12 months to consumer goods and retail companies - impacting everything from business growth and supply chain management to food safety, sustainability, and data security and privacy.

View Top of Mind Results Infographic

A shift towards digital 

More than any previous year, the focus of executive attention has shifted from economic uncertainty to data, technology and the supply chain. As the consumer demand for digital experiences and ecommerce grows, retailers and manufacturers are looking at how they can meet these needs and operate in this new era of disruptive technology.

• 54% of respondents cited digital strategy for mobile/digital platforms as top of mind for their business over the next 12 months; 32% of respondents however currently see themselves as having weak or no capabilities in these areas
• 56% of consumer goods and retail business leaders cited data analytics as being important to their firm's strategy, making it the highest-ranked strategic area in the survey
• 47% of the respondents cited data security as being very or critically important to their business, and 29% said it will be one of their biggest challenges over the next 12 months. Data analytics were also cited as one of the three biggest business challenges over the next 12 months (21%)

Top of the charts - the supply chain 

The supply chain was rated by consumer goods and retail executives as the number one challenge for their companies - and is also the most likely to receive increased investment this year.

• 38% of executives cited supply chain management as their main challenge
• 42% placed supply chain management at the top of their list for increased investment over the next 12 months. This was followed by international expansion (32%) data analytics (28%) and digital strategy (28%)
• 45% of executives said speed and agility is their top priority for improving the supply chain

Sustainability and health driving decisions  

A significant number of consumer goods and retail leaders also indicated the importance of corporate social responsibility in their plans for the next 12 months through transparency and environmental considerations.

• 44% of business leaders cited traceability and transparency around end-to-end value chains as a top goal for their company just ahead of reducing waste and emissions (42%) and sustainable sourcing (41%)
• Food retailers and manufacturers listed health and wellness (47%) and securing food safety (46%) as their top goals for the next 12 months
• 52% of respondents reported that they have a strong or good capability to meet their sustainability agenda. Reputation and brand (41%), consumer demand (34%) and competition (28%) were cited as three main drivers behind sustainability
• 56% said health and wellness and/or CSR and sustainability priorities are very important to their business

Peter Freedman, Managing Director of The Consumer Goods Forum, commented:  

"This year's research clearly shows how important digital strategy is to the modern consumer goods industry, as new technologies and new entrants to the market disrupt traditional consumption. Getting this strategy right and acquiring new digital skills will allow businesses to reach out to consumers in new ways, drive growth and enhance other important elements of their businesses; not least when it comes to ensuring a transparent and collaborative end-to-end value chain. The Consumer Goods Forum is already helping members get to grips with these important challenges through our programme of major projects, events and best practice communities."

Willy Kruh, Global Chair, Consumer Markets KPMG International, added:  

"The survey results reveal that improving capabilities in the area of data analytics is the number one strategic priority for executives in the consumer space in 2014. At a time when 90% of the data currently available has been generated in the last 2 years, the volume is overwhelming. And while data analytics may be at the top of the corporate agenda, the challenge that should really be keeping companies awake at night is data security. Although 47% of the respondents cited data security as being very or critically important, this is not enough. Companies are still a long way from where they need to be in terms of protecting their client and proprietary information from security breaches. Hackers will always be one step ahead, and companies need to ensure they are not overconfident in their ability to protect themselves."

Methodology 

This research report - also available at kpmg.com/CMsurvey2014 - is the second annual report to be released by The Forum and KPMG. The survey was conducted by Oxford Economics on behalf of KPMG and The Consumer Goods Forum during April 2014. 469 C-suite and senior executives were surveyed from food, drink and consumer goods manufacturers and retailers based in 32 countries.

NOTES TO EDITORS 

About The Consumer Goods Forum 

The Consumer Goods Forum ("The Forum") is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members.  It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format.  Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 2.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs.

The Forum's mission is, "Bringing together consumer goods manufacturers and retailers in pursuit of business practices for efficiency and positive change across our industry benefiting shoppers, consumers and the world without impeding competition." It provides a unique global platform for the development of global industry processes and standards as well as sharing best practices. Its activities are organised around the following strategic priorities: Sustainability, Product Safety, Health & Wellness, and End-to-End Value Chain & Standards, each of which is central to better serving consumers.

The Forum's success is driven by the active participation of its members who together develop and lead the implementation of best practices along the value chain. With its headquarters in Paris and its regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, The Forum serves its members throughout the world.

For more information, please visit: http://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/

About KPMG International 

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 155 countries and have more than 155,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

KPMG is organized by industry sector across our member firms. The Consumer Markets practice, which encompasses the Food, Drink and Consumer Goods and Retail sectors, comprises an international network of professionals with deep industry experience. This industry-focused network enables KPMG member firm professionals to provide consistent services and thought leadership to our clients globally, while maintaining a strong knowledge of local issues and markets.

Our firms work with our consumer and retail clients to help them to succeed in the face of a rapidly changing business environment.  Our digital strategy, data analytics, cyber security, supply chain management, operations modeling and business transformation practices are a few of the areas where we have industry-leading expertise and experience, to serve the most pressing needs of clients in every sector.

For more information, please visit: kpmg.com/FDCG or kpmg.com/retail