Another quiet revolution is taking place behind the scenes. Suppliers are under enormous pressure. Retailers demand lower prices, better service levels, sustainability commitments, and innovation – often simultaneously.
Large retailers are becoming gatekeepers. For many manufacturers, being delisted by a major chain is not just a commercial setback; it can be existential. This shifts power decisively towards supermarkets, but also increases their responsibility. Empty shelves, quality failures, or unethical sourcing ultimately damage the retailer’s brand, not just the supplier’s.