Credit where it’s due, the set of results released this week by Sainsbury’s suggest that, at long last, what we are seeing is a sustainable improvement in the performance of the UK’s number-three supermarket chain.
Some of the procurement decisions that have been made in the last couple of years, combined with rapid turnover in the buying team, have not pleased everyone. Likewise, Sainsbury’s pricing strategy, and in broader terms its Try Something New Today slogan, do not hit all the right notes.
But in the long-term, it has to be more beneficial to be serving a successful retailer than one that is struggling to compete. The feel-good factor in the corridors of power may not necessarily translate into a better return for the supply chain, but hopefully the return of a semblance of stability to the Holborn hq will be reflected in the future decision-making process.
The big challenge now, which Justin King alluded to on announcing the results, is to continue the resurgence. Winning back a million customers in six months is a pretty good start - if they are impressed with what they see, then there is no reason why the recovery should end here.
• We have had a good response again to our call for entries for this year’s Re:fresh Awards. An early thanks to those of you who have put yourselves or your colleagues forward for recognition. I look forward to seeing who is on the shortlist in mid-April.