Latest news with #GlobalConsumerSentimentonGroceryInflationSurvey
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Blue Yonder Expands APAC Footprint, Highlights AI's Role In Tackling Supply Chain Challenges For New Zealand Businesses
Blue Yonder, a global leader in end-to-end digital supply chain transformation, has reported a strong second quarter for 2025, with rapid customer growth, major platform enhancements and fresh insights into how AI is reshaping supply chains in New Zealand and beyond. The update comes as businesses across Aotearoa grapple with persistent inflation, global trade tensions and shifting consumer expectations - conditions that are placing greater pressure on supply chain efficiency, resilience and sustainability. Strong Growth Across APAC Blue Yonder added 31 new customer logos globally in Q2, including several in the APAC/EMEA region - Morrisons, Royal Mail, Sainsbury's and The Shoprite Group - and recorded an average of five customer go-lives per business day during the first half of 2025. For New Zealand business leaders, the company's recently released Global Consumer Sentiment on Grocery Inflation Survey provides a telling snapshot of local sentiment. The survey polled over 6,000 consumers across Australia and New Zealand, alongside global markets, and found that: 85% of ANZ respondents are concerned about the impact of inflation on grocery prices. Almost half (49%) believe newly introduced global tariffs are a leading factor in those price rises. These findings underline the urgency for retailers and suppliers to build agility into their supply chains to respond quickly to both local and global disruptions. AI and Sustainability Front and Centre Two strategic acquisitions in Q2 have bolstered Blue Yonder's capabilities: Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions (IPPS): Enhances post-purchase efficiency via FedEx Easy Returns, offering customers a low-cost, package- and label-free returns process. Pledge Earth Technologies Ltd.: Brings globally accredited COe emissions reporting into Blue Yonder's platform, enabling customers and their partners to track and reduce supply chain emissions—a growing priority for New Zealand exporters facing carbon compliance in overseas markets. The company also rolled out enhancements to its Transportation Management solutions, powered by predictive, generative and agentic AI. These upgrades enable network-enabled data management, real-time emissions tracking, and AI-driven operational insights to help supply chains operate with greater speed and precision. Key Insights for New Zealand Businesses Blue Yonder's Q3 2025 industry outlook identifies four key trends with direct relevance to New Zealand's economy: Retail Inflation Pressures – AI-driven forecasting can cut errors by 20–50% and reduce inventory levels by up to 30%, helping retailers remain competitive while maintaining availability. Grocery & CPG – AI can help retailers and suppliers optimise inventory, reduce waste, and tailor promotions to cost-conscious shoppers. Manufacturing Tariffs – Advanced risk modelling can help exporters and manufacturers mitigate the impact of tariff changes by diversifying supplier bases. Logistics Transformation – Intelligent networks and digitally integrated infrastructure, including bonded warehouses, are enabling faster, more cost-efficient movement of goods—a strategic advantage for NZ exporters. Industry Recognition Blue Yonder's innovation is gaining global attention, with recent wins including the 'AI Visionary' Award in Hakkoda's Data Innovation Awards and '2025 Retail & Consumer Goods Data Cloud Product Partner of the Year' in the Snowflake Partner of the Year Awards. CEO's View 'In today's dynamic economic landscape, businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, from inflationary pressures to global tariffs to geopolitical shifts,' said Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder. 'We are committed to empowering our customers with AI-driven solutions that deliver machine-speed precision, enabling them to mitigate risks, adapt to market conditions, and seize opportunities for growth.'
Al Etihad
24-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE consumer spending remains strong despite global challenges
25 June 2025 01:50 KHALED KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)The UAE's consumer retail sector is showing remarkable resilience in the face of global inflation, supply chain disruptions, and cost of living concerns, according to two new reports that offer a comprehensive view of evolving shopper behaviours across the region.A recent report by NielsenIQ, a global consumer intelligence company, found that despite economic headwinds, UAE consumers continued to spend robustly in Mid-Year Consumer Outlook: Guide to 2025 report found that from April 2024 to March 2025, consumer spending on technology and durables in the UAE reached $5.3 billion, a 2% year-on-year increase. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) spending also surged by 7%, driven by demand for snacks, beverages, dairy, and frozen food. Personal care categories saw a 6% rise in spending, underscoring the continued appetite for both essential and lifestyle channels have been evolving, the report added. Traditional trade outlets outperformed organised retail in growth, registering a 10% increase compared to 3.2% for modern e-commerce expanded significantly, now accounting for 30% of tech and durables sales and 11% of FMCG sales, up from 9% the previous year. The report said the growing shift towards online platforms mirrors broader digital adoption trends and consumer preference for convenience.'The economic momentum we're witnessing across the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, is a testament to the region's strategic vision and adaptability,' said Andrey Dvoychenkov, General Manager of NielsenIQ APP.'Consumers today are more empowered, informed, and value-driven than ever before. We're seeing strong growth in both premium and value segments, and a rapid evolution in retail channels - especially online.' Changing Shopping HabitsBeneath this resilience, however, lies a layer of consumer caution, as shown in data from Blue Yonder's 2025 Global Consumer Sentiment on Grocery Inflation Survey. The survey, which included respondents from the Middle East among other global regions, found that 85% of consumers globally are concerned about inflation's impact on grocery prices with that figure sitting at 82% for the of the survey respondents identified global tariffs as the primary driver of higher food prices, followed by rising raw material costs and labour growing sensitivity to cost is reflected in changing shopping habits. Almost two-thirds of surveyed consumers globally said they would buy fewer grocery items across categories to manage their budgets, while 42% reported shifting their shopping to discount and wholesale the UAE, similar trends are emerging: consumers are balancing premium aspirations with more value-driven decisions, seeking competitive alternatives while still embracing innovation and quality. 'With most consumers willing to adjust shopping habits in response to grocery inflation and mounting financial pressures, retailers, not just grocers, need to recognise the importance of building trust with shoppers through transparency, targeted promotions, and affordability-first strategies,' said Ben Wynkoop, senior director at Blue Yonder. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
