Fresh Inspirations 2012 Carmel McQuaid - @mcquaic

Introduction

• About M&S

• The challenges facing UK agriculture

• Our response - Farming for the Future

– What is it?

– What will it deliver?

– How?

•Leading UK retailer (clothing, homeware & food) •21 million customers visit/wk. •Largely own brand •More than 700 stores •4% market share in food •Expanding international business – 41 territories •Multi-channel retailer

About us…

• Quality

• Value

• Service

• Innovation

• Trust

Brand values

Our mission is to provide the best quality food at great value, continually

innovating and setting the standards for UK food retailing

The most convenient product & locations

The best quality

Leading innovation

First class service

The right product range Trusted and safe

Great value

Food mission

A history of innovation…

Trust – doing the right thing

The challenges facing UK agriculture…

The economic stability of the Eurozone is in

doubt…

In 40 years there will be 9bn people to feed…

Climate change will put pressure on food production…

Oil supplies will tighten, increasing prices…

Whilst young people continue to turn their back on a career in farming…

A huge challenge!

What is Farming for the Future?

• A programme to help our supply partners and the wider farming community adapt to the challenges ahead

What will it deliver?

• Best quality

• Improved technical efficiency

• Reduced environmental impact

• High standards of animal health and welfare

What will it deliver?

• Commercial security for our customers, suppliers and producers

• Inspiration for the farming industry

• Engagement with consumers

• Influence with Government and NGOs

• Differentiation

How?

1. Establish best practice

• In key areas including:

– Animal welfare

– Technical performance

– Environmental performance

– Pesticide usage

– Payment schemes

– Sustainable raw materials

2. Benchmark progress

• Established key performance indicators and tracking systems:

• M&S TRAK® (livestock)

• M&S Field to Fork (produce and flowers)

3. Support innovation

• M&S ‘pacesetter’ projects

– M&S funding more than 28 projects across the globe and across all sectors

– Broad range of topics – product innovation, season extension, environmental benefits, sustainability of supply chain, road maps

– Outcomes will result in knowledge transfer activity

Some innovation examples... M&S is launching the

UK’s first ever ‘reverse’

season British grown

Asparagus

Red sprouts Producer Exchange

Young farmers

award

Renewable energy

Infra-red imaging

for sustainable

irrigation

4. Share knowledge and drive change

• Embarking on widescale communication programme – Engage and inspire farmers – Share learning – Drive sustainability into the

heart of supply chain

• Indicator Farms

http://producerexchange.marksandspencer.com

Why bother?

• Differentiation

• Highest standards

• Consistent approach

• Provide consumer confidence

• Protect M&S brand

• Drive improvement

Summary

• We face challenging times

• But there are lots of opportunities too

• M&S already leading the industry on pricing models, welfare and technical standards

• Farming for the Future is about helping the industry adapt and be sustainable in the future – economically and environmentally