TheRetailer_Summer_19

Data systems used in agreements such as the UK Plastic Pact compare suppliers and alert retailers to target milestones.

Ratings are based on: total energy; saturated fat; salt; sugar; fibre; protein; fruit; vegetable; nut and legume content. The number of stars is determined using a calculator designed to assess positive and risk nutrients in food. Whichever angle retailers approach nutritional reports from – consumer health awareness, mandatory requirements or the stipulations of specific outlets – collating the necessary data is time-consuming and unwieldy. Typically, one person will be designated to collect the information manually, taking weeks of staff time up to four times a year. Until recently, the only way to store the collated data was in spreadsheets. This system is, at best, cumbersome. It takes a great deal of time and, once the information is stored in a spreadsheet, it is not easy to manipulate or interrogate. For example, to gain insight into trends across different suppliers would be extremely time-consuming, and liable to oversight. Software solutions help to make the process more streamlined, give much faster results and, most importantly, enable a much more detailed examination of trends and opportunities. Retailers are able to report not just on the most necessary information, but to track shifts and drive faster, targeted change. Programmes allow the user to search under categories such as: calories; fat; saturated fat; added sugar; protein; sodium; carbohydrate, and fibre. They can then use the results to collaborate with suppliers and product designers to tackle areas of concern.

While software use is in its infancy, it tends to have been used to collate reportable data. However, moving forwards, it might be applied to help assist with internal or legislative targets. Similar systems are used to record environmental compliance and initiatives such as the UK’s voluntary Plastic Pact agreement. In these cases, the software will include a tab to highlight any areas that are in danger of missing their targets, and offer specific information on which aspects of design are causing the problem. This could easily be adapted to reflect nutritional targets. With the right tools, retailers and product manufacturers can go beyond simply reporting, and dig down into the information to compare suppliers and product types, and implement new ways of working with ingredients and recipes. Accurate and easily accessible data is the key to informed decision-making. Although each company stocks different products and may have different requirements, they all need the tools to bring about sustainable change.

JOSHUA REMI // 01789 208 733 //joshua.remi@valpak.co.uk


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