For years, procurement in retail was primarily driven by price, volume and logistics. The goal was simple: buy in bulk, at the best possible price and get it to shelves on time. Now that model is shifting – fast.

Today, retailers are re-evaluating their supplier criteria, driven not just by cost-efficiency, but by environmental responsibility, regulatory pressure, and consumer expectation. Packaging, in particular, has become a focal point for procurement teams under increasing pressure to reduce plastic, cut carbon emissions and demonstrate meaningful sustainability initiatives.

At Peter Marsh Group, we’re working closely with brands and suppliers across the UK to help them meet these evolving demands through fully recyclable, UK-manufactured paper sacks that are built to perform, designed to impress and aligned with the values of today’s retail landscape.

Retail Procurement Drivers Behind the Shift

Retail procurement is changing for three core reasons:

1. Sustainability is Now a Business Requirement

Whether it’s driven by the Plastic Packaging Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), or net zero commitments, sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s an operational necessity.

Retailers must now:

  • Demonstrate reduced use of virgin plastics
  • Ensure packaging is recyclable or biodegradable
  • Report annually on sustainability progress
  • Align with UK and EU regulations on environmental waste

Procurement teams are under pressure to find suppliers who help them meet these objectives, especially for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) categories like flour, seeds, pet feed, charcoal, and baking products.

2. Consumer Pressure Is Mounting

Retailers are also responding to public sentiment. UK shoppers increasingly scrutinise the environmental footprint of products, especially packaging.

From unboxing to disposal, customers now expect packaging that:

  • Can be easily recycled in kerbside collection
  • Comes from renewable sources
  • Doesn’t contain plastic liners or hard-to-recycle materials

If a brand fails to meet these expectations, it risks losing shelf space to competitors who do.

3. Retailers Are Reassessing Supplier Risk

Sourcing from overseas can introduce unexpected volatility—from shipping delays to inconsistent quality and traceability issues. This makes local, compliant, and adaptable suppliers far more attractive.

Procurement managers are prioritising:

  • Local sourcing to reduce lead times and carbon impact
  • Compliance with UK food and safety standards
  • Transparent supply chains that are easier to audit

What Retailers Want From Packaging Suppliers

The packaging you use is no longer your concern alone – it’s part of how retailers measure your suitability as a supplier.

Here’s what they’re looking for:

  • Fully recyclable or biodegradable materials
  • Certifications such as FSC, PEFC, or ISO 22000
  • Clean, consistent branding that enhances shelf appeal
  • Clear traceability and compliance labelling
  • Packaging formats compatible with retailer sustainability commitments

At Peter Marsh Group, we provide all of the above and more, backed by over 150 years of UK-based manufacturing expertise.

Helping You Stay on the Shelf

One of our clients, a regional animal feed brand, came to us after their largest retail outlet notified them of a new procurement policy: suppliers had 12 months to transition to sustainable packaging or risk being dropped.

They had relied on plastic sacks for years and worried about the cost and disruption of switching. But we worked with them to create a custom-sized paper sack, moisture-resistant and fully brandable. Testing proved compatibility with their existing filling equipment, and the cost remained comparable.

“Thanks to Peter Marsh, we were able to meet the retailer’s deadline with zero disruption. We actually ended up with stronger branding on shelf and fewer packaging complaints. Our relationship with the retailer has only grown.”

Be Ready for the Next Procurement Review

If you haven’t reviewed your packaging strategy recently, now is the time. Procurement expectations are changing rapidly, and being caught behind can result in lost shelf space and damaged partnerships.

At Peter Marsh Group, we help you stay ahead with:

  • Free packaging consultations
  • Sector-specific sack solutions
  • Fully UK-based production
  • Rapid sampling and prototyping

Contact us today for a consultation or sample pack. Visit www.petermarsh.co.uk or speak with our Business Development Team.

Let’s ensure your packaging is an asset, not a liability – when retailers come knocking.