Survey Results from Proagrica Highlight Need for Improved Efficiency and Oversight in Ag Retail

65% of respondents raised cash flow and finances as key issues for their business 

Proagrica, the leading independent provider of data integration and insight across the agriculture supply chain, have published their concluding data and analysis after their survey went out to 5,000 US businesses within the Ag Retail sector.

Proagrica launched this survey and the resulting report – Agricultural Retail in 2018: Your views and insights – to better understand key challenges faced by ag retail businesses in the current marketplace. The report is based upon responses from retailers representing a combined revenue of over $4.5B. Respondents answered a total of 11 questions, focussing on the most pressing factors affecting profitability, growth, and the extent to which data & analytics are implemented into their current systems.

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Key findings in the report include:

• 65% of respondents are feeling financial pressure due to fluctuating commodity pricing and competition.
• 68% felt that enhanced management of sales and productivity would provide substantial value.
• Larger businesses (above $201m in revenue) rate timely payment from customers and customer engagement and retention as 10% less stressful than smaller businesses.
• 30% of total businesses ranked future-proofing as low on their scale of concerns, but it remains the most persistent issue across all sizes of business.
• More than 75% of Ag Retailers are actively seeking improvements to their current systems, both for themselves and for their customers.

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Graeme McCracken, Managing Director of Proagrica says, “Although specifically targeting retailers based in the US, we see trends that are becoming the norm globally. The report indicates a concerted drive towards improved systems that can match the needs of ag retailers and their customers. Despite the turbulent marketplace, retailers are perceptive of the need for unprecedented efficiency and control, whilst driving innovation and added value to customers in the race to remain competitive.”

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The data further indicates that the perception of big data being “exclusive” and “only for big business” is waning. More and more businesses are seeking solutions that work for them, adapting to the changing data landscape.

Mr McCracken adds, “Whether based in the US or elsewhere, these results highlight the changes taking place in agriculture. Optimisation of data and increased efficiency are now standard for businesses across the globe. Although there are challenges, it’s clear that businesses which invest in and optimise their systems are the ones seizing opportunities for innovation, driving their competitive advantage as the marketplace evolves.”

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