Retail & Consumer Archives

Cut Smarter, Spend Better: How Zero-Based-Everything Redefines Procurement Efficiency

In today’s economic reality, traditional strategies like incremental savings or across-the-board reductions are just too slow, too blunt, and too superficial to cope with these pressures. Simply put: leaders can no longer rely on yesterday’s budgets or blanket reductions to solve today’s challenges. To thrive, businesses need a smarter, faster approach - one that delivers impact quickly and aligns every...

2025 Procurement Predictions Featuring our Experts

Zip’s 25 Procurement Predictions for 2025 include insights from leaders of our Digital team, Mark Ellis and Joe Gibson. The comprehensive, forward-thinking guide, shaped by insights from 25 leading voices, dives into critical industry trends, challenges and opportunities

Software Asset Management: Cost Savings & Beyond

At its core, Software Asset Management is about more than just keeping track of your licensing estate. Think of it as an efficient and clinical software inventory of an organisation, uncovering hidden inefficiencies and ensuring every software asset is used to its fullest potential.

4C Associates named in Management Today’s Top 100 Management Consultancies 2024

4C Associates has been named in Management Today’s Top 100 Management Consultancies, a testament to our team’s commitment to delivery exceptional value to over 60 clients we have worked with this year, across the public and private sectors.

Procurement’s Role in Supporting Innovation and Agility: Moving Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Supply Chain: Top 40 Under 40

We are delighted to announce Joe Gibson, our Director of Digital Innovation and supply chain has been recognised as one of the most exciting under 40-year-olds in Supply Chain.

6 Practical Strategies to Break Down Silos in Consumer Products Businesses

In today’s consumer products industry, achieving effective cross-functional collaboration is essential. Silos between manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement departments create inefficiencies, limit innovation, and erode trust across an organisation. Breaking down these silos can unlock agility, promote end-to-end efficiency, and foster resilience, driving better outcomes for both the business and its customers. Based on insights from 4C Associates’ recent...

Podcast: The importance of being a BCorp

Our Chief Operating Officer, Suzanna Hinnell featured on the TalentDrive Podcast in November to talk about the importance of being a B Corp

The Human Factor: The Missing Piece in Successful AI Procurement

In Joe Gibson’s recent article for The CFO, "The Human Factor: Navigating the Challenges of AI adoption in procurement," he explores the critical role of humans in navigating the challenges and maximizing the benefits of AI in procurement.

Podcast: The Secrets to Effective Procurement in Competitive Markets

Our MD, Jeremy Smith joined Higgle: The B2B Sales Club Podcast to unlock the secrets of effective procurement in today’s competitive landscape.

Women in IT’s Advocate of the Year award nomination

We were delighted to see our Partner, Kelly Archer nominated for Women in IT’s Advocate of the Year award this week. She continued her great work by speaking to 4C’s Women’s Network about her career and sharing lessons learned along the way.

Key Takeaways from DPW 2024

Digital Procurement World (DPW) provided opportunity to discuss the pressing challenges facing businesses today. From escalating geopolitical tensions to the rapid advancements of AI and the complexities of IT contracts, the landscape is changing rapidly. Here are our key takeaways.

Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Idiocracy?

Our Partner, Kelly Archer and IT Expert and Director, Joe Gibson explored what sets good and bad AI technology apart in the procurement space in CPO Strategy’s Spotlight story.

Range Optimisation ‘Less is More’ – UK Health and Wellness Retailer

We supported a UK health and wellness retailer with 700+ high street stores suffering from significant range proliferation driving up working capital, reducing rate of sale and produced a confusing assortment for customers to shop.

The Importance of Building a Resilient Supply Chain in today’s Dynamic Business Landscape

Our Head of Operations, Robin Agarwal explored the importance of a resilient supply chain in his article for SupplyChain Strategy.