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EDITOR’S LETTER IEDITOR’S LETTER t’s been more than a year since the pandemic shook the world, disrupting life as we knew it. The rollout of the Covid vaccine is now well underway in Australia. The government has proposed discounted travel to regions throughout Australia to kickstart and promote a revival of the tourism industry, with the trans-Tasman travel bubble with New Zealand now to open from this month. What a timely reminder to take a break and reset, and I mean further than a stretch and walk outside the house or office, to sample the great escapes, support local businesses and enjoy the finest produce on offer in our regions. As we continue on the road to recovery, manufacturing capability and local sourcing in Australia are receiving a boost with the federal government’s $1.5 billion investment into the ‘modern manufacturing strategy’, which will increase local production and supply local demand. While not disregarding the pandemic, the recent flooding in NSW and Queensland emphasises that local manufacturing and sourcing are more significant than ever in this country. Sustainability is more than just a lifestyle or trend. It goes beyond the personal and household efforts of recycling materials from consumed products. Consumers have been increasingly conscious of their footprint and impact on the environment over the years. And now, sustainability is at the front and centre of retail and the supply chain with industry working towards reaching the 2025 National Packaging Targets by achieving 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging over the next four years. You can read more about retailers and suppliers’ sustainability efforts in Retail World’s April digital issue. As shoppers and consumers, we’re naturally curious and drawn to new and shiny things and experiences, particularly in the retail space. Romeo’s Retail Group’s new upmarket food hall, Locali, in Sydney offers local shoppers a new experience and journey with its unique and extensive offer. The European- inspired food hall features an impressive commercial kitchen, dine-in restaurant and cafe with barista coffee, walk-in cheese room, and a liquor store which offers some of South Australia’s finest wines and tastings. The demand for local sourcing is growing now more than ever, and White’s IGA Group’s locavore program showcases local and artisanal produce from the Brisbane region, which Director Roz White has been sourcing for almost two decades. Ms White also personally undertakes several roles within the community and on several industry boards. She spoke to Retail World in an exclusive interview about shopper trends, challenges in the market, and the opportunities and future of grocery. In this issue we share the latest trends and products to hit the market across natural and organic, bread and bakery, confectionery, health and beauty, and packaging and design categories, and we’ve also featured thought-provoking insights and data from our contributors to support the category features. We hope you enjoy this issue of Retail World. Feel free to write in with your feedback or news on what’s happening in your world. We’d love to hear from you. Lorna Gloria Managing Editor 4 RETAIL WORLD APR, 2021