Becoming a Best-in-Class FMCG Supplier in 2025

Retailers like Coles, Woolworths, and the Independents have raised the bar—and in 2025, only the most capable, responsive, and insight-driven suppliers are keeping up.

💡 It’s not enough to turn up with product. Retail teams want partners who solve problems, bring data to the table, and align to their end-to-end goals.

So, what does best-in-class really look like in the Australian FMCG landscape today?

🛠️ It Starts with Process, Not Just Product

1. Embed Planning Discipline Early

From forecast inputs to promo lead times, top suppliers have airtight internal processes. They’re not caught off guard by range reviews, they proactively flag risks, and they work backwards from retailer expectations—not internal comfort zones.

2. Automate Retail Reporting and Insights

Retailers are pressed for time and drowning in data. Best-in-class suppliers make insights easy to digest—think availability heatmaps, store-level trends, and waste summaries that drive action. You can’t lead the conversation if you’re still emailing spreadsheets.

3. Be First, Not Fast

Coles and Woolworths want to see suppliers who anticipate issues before they hit the store floor. That means fast feedback loops, direct communication with buyers, and clear processes to escalate service risks or supply constraints—before they become problems.

4. Build Teams That Think Beyond Their Function

Supply teams need to understand trade calendars. Sales teams need to understand DIFOT. Retail engagement is cross-functional now, and the best suppliers are breaking silos to deliver results.

Retailer expectations are evolving—are your internal systems and people evolving with them?

If you're unsure whether your reporting, planning, or retailer engagement is truly best-in-class, it might be time to take a step back and rethink how you're supporting your key accounts.

💬 Let’s connect if your team is ready to upgrade how you work with retail.

About us:

At sc3sixty, we specialise in helping FMCG brands grow with confidence through end-to-end Fractional Services tailored to the Australian and New Zealand retail environment. Our flexible support spans everything from Vendor Replenishment Planner (VRP) and Integrated Supply Planner (ISP) solutions to full Fractional Supply Chain Management and Fractional Data & Reporting Support.

By embedding directly into your team, we transform complexity into clarity—improving forecasting, streamlining reporting, and unlocking performance from warehouse to shelf.