FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS
Companies in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector are shaping their growth more than ever before through constant innovation and the implementation of new technologies to better serve their customers in more complex value chains. Challenges range from dealing with big data, the internet of things, the environment, sustainability, and aging population.
At SPRIM Health, we understand the constant changes in the business environment, and work collaboratively to develop the correct market approach, build the brand’s value proposition and to mitigate risks. Our team of experts work permanently in the anticipation of trends, to generates insights, and solid scientific elements to support the development and implementation of successful strategies. Our holistic approach to the entire value chain and different stakeholders encompasses the following areas:
Strategy & Innovation
Innovation strategy should answer the questions of what unique value your brand will bring to the market and what types of innovations will allow you to capture that value and build a competitive advantage.
The world has always been guided by those who understand and anticipate trends. Organic foods, functional drinks and dietary supplements, are some of the categories that have been born of consumer needs related to health and that become innovation trends.
Consumer Insights
The great driver of consumer trends, innovation, world regulations and quality, comes from consumers’ requirement. That is why it is essential to know his point of view, to know what he thinks of the quality of our product against the competition, to read their preferences and to initiate actions aimed at satisfying that point of view.
Quality Management
Global markets have always focused on quality, on excellence of the processes for the benefit of consumers, that is why systems have been developed for their management, which today are a necessity for businesses to stay in the market. There is not a single sector of the industry, where quality is not talked about.
Regulatory compliance
An essential platform of any business is the fulfillment of local regulations. This is even more relevant if we think about the responsibility.
What does it mean to bring a product to the table of consumers? Have ingredients that are safe to consume, know the nutritional performance of a food, knowing that a shampoo does not represents a risk to the skin — these are just some of the challenges related to compliance with the law for FMCG resulted in the voluntary publication of nutritional tables for beverages on menus; so customers are informed and can have customization options. The success of the project caused it to be replicated with 6 leading brands of the group (pizzas, burgers and restaurants).
Communication
Information now moves at a rapid speed. A tweet, FB post or a YouTube video can go viral in hours. Information is just a Google search away. Smarter brands will employ innovative and appropriate methods to use this effectively to reach health professionals, industry, consumers, and other key stakeholders.
Success Cases
Credibility Optimization of the World’s Leading Coffee Brand
A leading global coffee chain required a health communication strategy in Mexico that would exceed the demands of local regulation, without harming its revenues.
SPRIM recommended formulation changes to key products that were easily executable, to offer a better nutritional profile in possible products. The chain decided to focus on consumer welfare, fostering a long-term relationship. This resulted in the voluntary publication of nutritional tables for beverages on menus; so customers are informed and can have customization options. The success of the project caused it to be replicated with 6 leading brands of the group (pizzas, burgers and restaurants).
SPRIM proposed a nutritional audit of all its assortment, and the publication of its nutrition facts, even though it was not mandatory in its category. Steps were taken to avoid compromising brand credibility or reducing revenue
Quality Assurance Program for Retail Leader
A leading retailer in Mexico needed to develop a global quality assurance program for its private-label products in groceries and fresh foods. The objective was to ensure that these products met local regulations, ensure their quality was competitive with leading brands, and comply with customer expectations.
SPRIM designed and implemented a quality assurance program that includes audits of manufacturers, physicochemical, microbiological, sensory tests, and use analysis of their products, as well as preference panels with consumers.
The projects have been successfully replicated and grown for the last 18 years. Currently, more than 100 suppliers are audited and more than 250 foods, groceries, cosmetic and pharmacy products are examined per year. For the last 3 years it has been complemented with a sensory evaluation of bakery and meat produced in its branches, both by food expert judges and with consumers in more than 25 stores throughout Mexico.
Mexican Olive Oil Export
A Mexican businessmen group invested in a plantation and an olive oil extraction factory. The production was sold wholesale locally, without a brand and with high quality risks in the production — An exported batch was poorly qualified by US authorities, among other things.
SPRIM proposed the implementation of a quality management system and analysis of each batch of olive oil to ensure its “extra virgin” quality under the standards of the International Olive Oil Council, and the standards of Mexico and the United States. The need for the development of national and international brands was seen with the derived topics: Brand property registration, nutritional tables, bar codes and labeling.
SPRIM implemented the HACCP System and ISO 22000 and certification was achieved. It also launched batch quality analysis in an accredited international laboratory. A brand has been developed for Mexico and another for the United States, which has been applied to three varieties of oil and two presentations that are currently on sale successfully in the main self-service stores in Mexico and an important chain in the United States. Sales and profitability have grown substantially.