- UK Bakers is calling for the responsible return of it reusable bread baskets and dollies from retail customers.
- It’s that time of year when the retail business heats up, and the return of empty reusable packaging is more crucial than ever.
- It’s also the time of year when returns are most unreliable because of challenges such as seasonal volume surges and lack of storage and transportation capacity.
As we move into the Golden Quarter, increased consumer demand driven by major shopping events such as Black Friday, Halloween and Christmas, UK supply chains are preparing for significant pressure. This period presents unique challenges for UK bakers such as Warburtons, Hovis, and Allied Bakeries, especially in ensuring the return of essential Returnable Transit Packaging (RTP), such as bread baskets and dollies.
UK Bakers and the Golden Quarter Challenge
The Golden Quarter in retail refers to the last three months of the calendar year, typically the most profitable period for retailers. This timeframe includes major shopping events and holidays that drive consumer spending, making it crucial for a retailer’s annual revenue.
“The Golden Quarter, from October through December, is one of the most critical periods for the grocery supply chain,” said Paul Empson, General Manager of Bakers Basco. “The demand for fresh baked goods soars, and the need for our RTP assets to be in the right place at the right time becomes even more crucial.”
Bakers Basco is a membership scheme created by leading UK bakers created to manage RTP for the baking industry. It advises that more equipment goes missing this quarter than at any other time of the year. With the fast pace of deliveries, bread baskets and dollies are often misplaced or left behind, disrupting the efficient flow of baked goods to retailers across the UK.
RTP in the Wrong Place or the Wrong Hands
“This isn’t an issue of supply shortages—it’s about equipment being stuck in the wrong place or falling into the wrong hands.” Empson continued. “When baskets and dollies go missing, it not only hampers our supply chain but also costs us financially and environmentally.”
Missing RTP assets can have significant consequences. Every misplaced basket or dolly means increased replacement costs and additional waste that could have been avoided if the equipment was reused as intended. These assets are designed to last up to 10 years in a sustainable, circular economy, making their proper return even more essential.
“We’re calling on everyone involved in the supply chain – from logistics teams and warehouse staff to supermarket employees and even the general public – to take responsibility for the equipment they handle,” Empson urged. “All our RTP assets are clearly marked with ownership details and a contact number to ensure easy recovery. A responsible return culture is vital, especially during such a busy time.”
Empson sees this as an opportunity to address the issue head-on as the grocery supply chain gears up for the busiest quarter of the year. “By working together to ensure RTP assets are returned and reused, we can reduce costs, limit waste, and maintain a seamless flow of goods to UK consumers,” he said.
The grocery supply chain is at risk in the Golden Quarter. Bakers Basco relies on everyone’s cooperation to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of fresh baked goods while also promoting environmental sustainability.
“Let’s get it right this year – for our customers, our businesses, and our planet,” Empson concluded.
Related Articles
UK Bakers, Crimestoppers, Partner to Combat Equipment Theft
Bakers Basco revs up surveillance capabilities with bodycam tech
Bakers Basco survey of delivery drivers reveals front line perspective on the impact of missing equipment
Source: www.bakersbasco.com
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
