CSR slips down priority list

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is dropping down the list of priorities for the food business sector worldwide in the global economic downturn.

According to a report released on Monday by CIES - The Food Business Forum, the financial crisis is putting pressure on pricing and leading to changes in store formats and range. The survey was carried out as an update of its annual Top of Mind study, published in January.

This month’s results show that CSR - which includes sustainable development, social standards and corporate governance - is progressively falling from the industry’s number-one priority in January 2008 to third place 12 months later and now fifth in June.

By contrast, the retail or brand offer - which includes pricing, assortment and format - has climbed to third place, up from fifth in January.