Top concerns: Facing Economic Challenges
Challenges for retailers and CPG manufacturers abound in a slow-growing economy that has bred continued uncertainty.
An exclusive Retail Leader survey indicates 58 percent of executives polled agree higher costs present a significant challenge, followed by 45 percent who cite domestic competition and 39 percent who list government regulation. In addition, more than half cite economic uncertainty as their top concern related to the economy, while 23 percent point to food commodity costs and 17 percent list the government's year-end fiscal policy.
Despite the challenges, however, respondents have a more positive outlook about economic conditions than their counterparts did a year ago. More than half of respondents said they would focus more attention on innovation and new product development in the next six to 12 months, followed by 47 percent who plan to focus on marketing and about 38 percent who will emphasize capital management.
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of executives polled agree that higher costs present a signifigant challenge.
