More than 470 case studies and key learnings from CGF members and the wider industry on how they responded to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis

Publication part of CGF’s all-new Global Learning Mechanism

Paris, 29th May 2020 –The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has partnered with global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman on the curation of broad and insightful COVID-19 content for the industry. Produced to coincide with the launch of the CGF’s Global Learning Mechanism, the one-stop open access database for all information on health-related activities being led by the consumer goods industry and associated stakeholders across the globe, the content provides a global overview and a critical framework on COVID-19 actions, learnings and recommendations. Bringing together retailers and manufacturers, the content showcases how the industry responded to the unprecedented crisis and what the ‘new normal’ might look like for the industry.

The publication also responds in a timely fashion to a call from the CGF Board of Directors and David Nabarro, a WHO COVID-19 Special Envoy, on the need for global coordination in securing the availability of essential items for local communities, and the launch of the CGF’s Collaboration for Healthier Lives Coalition that launched on World Health Day in April. The examples and insights within the framework show exactly how industry has responded with both speed and agility to this global crisis in support of healthier lives and vulnerable populations.

The first section provides an overall global context and the vital baseline facts on COVID-19 and its impact on the world and within the consumer goods industry. The next section goes on to showcase more than 470 case studies and innovative responses CGF members and other stakeholders have had to the pandemic across four key themes that are central to the work of the CGF’s. The themes include community, employees, digital, and in-store activities.

Critical challenges, learnings among employees, consumers, and business models are highlighted as well as key learnings on how members have managed the crisis and successfully maintained business continuity. The content also includes a section on emerging trends and strategic implications and recommendations for the industry’s “new normal” following the height of the pandemic.

This ‘one-of-a-kind’ collection of content shows the strength and commitment CGF members have towards their employees and communities. 

“We are pleased to launch this piece of content that highlights the industry’s rapid COVID-19 response. Published with the support of our strategic partner Oliver Wyman, it also supports our vision of building the CGF’s Global Learning Mechanism into the go-to-platform for health experts. This content will enable us to learn from each other and empower leaders to stretch their thinking around what is possible to support people in living healthier lives in a constantly changing environment”, said Isabelle Grosmaitre of Danone and Marcus Osborne of Walmart, and CGF’s Collaboration for Healthier Lives Coalition Co-Chairs.

“The Global Learning Mechanism is an innovative and real-time online platform for businesses to efficiently learn from and collaborate with each other on global health & wellness issues and opportunities, positively impacting the world’s health and wellbeing,” says Sirko Siemssen, Retail & Consumer Goods Practice Leader at Oliver Wyman. “We are delighted to have been responsible for curating this content for the Global Learning Mechanism, the go-to health and wellness hub for the industry.”

The Consumer Goods Forum and Oliver Wyman would like to thank CGF members and stakeholders for their valuable contributions.

— ENDS —

About The Consumer Goods Forum

The Consumer Goods Forum (“CGF”) is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 3.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.

 

About Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. With offices in 60 cities across 29 countries, Oliver Wyman combines deep industry knowledge with specialized expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organization transformation. The firm has more than 5,000 professionals around the world who work with clients to optimize their business, improve their operations and risk profile, and accelerate their organizational performance to seize the most attractive opportunities. Oliver Wyman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies [NYSE: MMC]. For more information, visit www.oliverwyman.com. Follow Oliver Wyman on Twitter @OliverWyman.

 

For further information, please contact:

Lee Green
Director, Communications
The Consumer Goods Forum
l.green@theconsumergoodsforum.com

Clara Smith
Oliver Wyman
clara.smith@oliverwyman.com