Risk considerations

Weakened consumer demand, driven by sluggish economic growth, negatively impacts volumes.

At the same time, client cost bases could rise at higher-than-inflation rates, squeezing profit margins.

• Continuously engage with clients to improve processes, costs and service levels
• Expand and diversify our client base
• Diversify our geographic footprint to reduce reliance on any one region
• Diversify the products and services on offer to maintain relevance despite shifts in demand

Any major customer that defaults on its payments would result in a significant financial loss and lost sales in the medium term.

• Maintain healthy relationships and two-way dialogue with customers
• Know and understand our in-country customers
• Manage customer credit limits and monitor buying and payment patterns

Our biggest clients control brands that are household names in our countries of operation. Loss of these clients will have a major impact on our results.

• Deliver results and exceed client expectations in terms of growing their sales volumes
• Maintain high service quality to both the trade and suppliers
• Expand our client base to reduce overreliance on any one client

Managing macro-economic challenges

Adopting disruptive technologies and pursuing innovation to drive solutions

Partnering towards increasingly sustainable and resilient supply chains

Political unrest in our markets have interfered with our operations in the past

• Maintain remote working options for our employees where possible
• Diversify our offering to ensure ongoing delivery of products and services

Managing macro-economic challenges

Failure to maintain the highest standards of compliance with regulatory requirements and best practice may result in penalties and/or the loss of reputation.

• Management evaluates and continually improves internal controls
• Internal auditor evaluates compliance and the effectiveness of controls
• Maintain a fraud and ethics hotline, managed by an independent third-party service provider

Operating as a responsible corporate citizen to drive ESG impact

Instances of fraud, theft, crime and corruption can result in loss of life, financial loss, reduced profit margin and negative impact on reputation.

• Maintain optimal security controls and checks at all warehouses
• Maintain strong internal audit function to ensure compliance to policies and best practice
• Maintain a fraud and ethics hotline, managed by an independent third-party service provider

Managing macro-economic challenges

Operating as a responsible corporate citizen to drive ESG impact

A loss of critical skills would hamper our ability to deliver our strategy and maintain business viability and profitability, through loss of skill, knowledge, and client rapport.

• Maintain continuity and succession planning by management and the board
• Maintain attractive incentive schemes and remuneration packages
• Create a safe and pleasant work environment
• Be a workplace of choice

Attracting, empowering and retaining workforces for optimised performance

Loss of data and connectivity impact on product and service delivery, as well as reputation and client trust.

• Maintain daily backups, and regular system upgrades and maintenance
• Maintain dedicated server rooms and cloud-based backups managed by reputable external service providers
• Maintain access controls to manage physical and virtual access to the servers
• Update antivirus software and firewalls regularly
• Test disaster recovery plans and make them easily available in time of need

Adopting disruptive technologies and pursuing innovation to drive solutions

Disruption at our facilities due to floods, fire, or a significant technical breakdown may lead to:

• interruptions in deliveries, resulting in lost sales and reduced market share for our clients
• damage to stock and equipment

• Maintain good security controls and ensure disaster prevention measures are in place
• Ensure that stock and other content is adequately insured
• Maintain adequate fire systems

Adopting disruptive technologies and pursuing innovation to drive solutions