Annual report & review 2006 - Shopic.com

Interview with our Group CEO
Making a difference
Musgrave’s Group CEO, Chris Martin, reflects on his first two years at the helm
How would you characterise Musgrave’s business
today
Chris Martin: We work with entrepreneurial food
retailers to provide the consumer with a food offer that
is different and better. Creating food businesses that
are different and better is our DNA, and is the way we
compete in today’s market place.
And it’s important to understand that the four markets in
which we operate are highly competitive. In the Republic
of Ireland, for example, we’re talking about a growing
retail food sector worth about €13 billion annually.
The fact is consumer behaviour is changing – people
want to shop more in tune with their personal values.
They’re concerned with their own wellbeing and that of
their families and their impact on the community. They
want to live more sustainably and want to consume
products and services which are more sustainable.
Today our business isn’t just about responding to these
changes. On the one hand, it’s about working with our
retail partners – drawing on their local intelligence and
experience – to anticipate such changes and to deliver
a food business that satisfies, delights and surprises
consumers, while generating improved revenues for
retailers. And on the food services side, it’s about
anticipating the needs of today’s chefs and caterers and
using our experience and buying power to create a 21st
century solution that addresses the very specific needs of
this important growth sector.
innovative ways to help independent retailers succeed in
very competitive retail environments.
This involves working with them to ensure quality and
value is delivered to consumers through excellent
products and services, supported by well‐defined brands.
Strengthening and energising those brands has been
something on which we’ve focused a great deal over the
past 12 months.
You’ve now been CEO for two years. How has the
business changed
CM: The past couple of years have been about building
on our strengths to develop and implement a consistent
vision right across our business. This is especially
important now we have multiple brands operating
in four distinct markets – the Republic of Ireland,
Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Spain.
In all these markets – and with all our brands – my
priorities have been to drive up standards and find
For me, effective branding is all about clarity and focus.
It’s about recognising and leveraging our strengths. A
good example is the ‘real food, real people’ concept
associated with SuperValu. This tells consumers
exactly what this brand is all about: when you go into a
SuperValu store, you’ll find real, independent retailers
with their own ideas about how to deliver value and
innovation to their customers. You’ll also find real bakers,
real butchers, real cheese experts and experienced
greengrocers. It’s an important differentiator for
consumers and a great organising principle for the
business.
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Musgrave Group Plc Annual Report & Review 2006