Are you aligned with retailers’ new priorities? 👀
What mattered to retailers last year isn’t necessarily what matters now.
If your strategy doesn’t evolve with them, you risk falling behind.
Retailers are making big changes to their strategic priorities, and if you don’t know what they’re focused on, aligning with your buyer will be a lot harder.
Pricing, channel strategy, and shopper marketing are all evolving, and brands that don’t adapt to each retailer’s needs will find it tougher to build collaborative relationships.
So, what’s shaping retailer priorities right now?
Here are the key shifts you need to know.
1. Intensified price competition – but not as we know it 🏷️
Retailers understand offering great value is no longer just about matching prices.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s are doubling down on loyalty discounts, making Clubcard Prices and Nectar Prices central to their value strategy.
Asda has stepped away from Aldi & Lidl Price Match, bringing back Rollbacks, but EDLP remains a key focus.
Aldi and Lidl continue to push their value perception, maintaining everyday low prices without short-term promotions.
2. Sustainability targets are back in focus 🌱
UK supermarkets are taking various steps to improve their sustainability and do the right thing for the environment.
Tesco has committed to partnering with suppliers to halve food waste in their supply chains by 2030.
Sainsbury’s plans to achieve Net Zero by 2030.
3. Shopper marketing is being used to drive revenue 🤑
Retailers are ramping up branded executions in-store, using branded in-aisle bays and digital screens to create new revenue streams.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda have increased the use of branded bays, giving brands the opportunity to own key shelf space.
Retailers are also investing in digital screens in-store, creating more ways to engage shoppers while attracting additional media investment from suppliers.
4. Retailers are investing in convenience and online 🖱️
Tesco, Co-op, and Waitrose are all expanding their convenience store networks, making groceries more accessible for quick top-up missions.
Ocado, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are investing heavily in their eCommerce platforms to enhance availability, delivery speed, and shopper experience.
Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat are expanding grocery delivery through retailer partnerships, while Tesco’s Whoosh and other in-house solutions compete in the rapid delivery space.
Retailers are backing brands that align with their priorities, whether that’s on price, range, or how they engage shoppers.
If your plans don’t reflect what they’re focused on, it will be harder to secure listings, gain promotions, and strengthen your relationship with buyers.
That’s where our new Grocery UK Retailer Insight Report helps. It provides a clear and actionable overview of the UK grocery landscape, covering:
✔ Macro insights – The key economic and industry-wide trends shaping grocery retail.
✔ Retailer priorities – What matters most to major grocers, from pricing strategies to sustainability goals.
✔ Category growth opportunities – Where and how to position your products to meet changing shopper needs.
With each retailer operating differently, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. This report helps you navigate retailer-specific challenges, strengthen your partnerships, and make smarter commercial decisions.
Get your copy today and make sure your plans are aligned with what retailers want.
All the best,
Ella & the May Insight Team