[Interview] “Retailers are shooting themselves in the foot by undermining brands” (Michelle Gibbons, AIM)

If Europe’s consumer industry is to become climate neutral by 2050, it will not succeed without brands investing heavily in sustainable innovation. Trade disputes with retailers will not help the cause, says brand association AIM.

Brands stand for innovation

With outspoken views on the perverse role of international retail alliances, European brand association AIM (the acronym stands for Association des Industries de Marque) regularly makes the retail news. The brand manufacturers’ advocate denounces practices whereby retailers band together to extort financial contributions from international brand manufacturers, on top of normal purchasing procedures.