Race to win 2012 Olympics gold

Retailers, manufacturers and logistics firms are making plans to ensure they are able to meet the surge in demand for food and drink that is expected to occur during the nation's main event next year without getting caught up in gridlock on the capital's roads.

The Olympics offered massive opportunities for manufacturers, said Phil Acock, md of fruit purée processor Fourayes. "There are definitely opportunities for financial improvement during the Olympics. First, feeding the enormous influx of visitors and competitors and, secondly, via the development of new products in supermarkets probably ones with a strong British theme,"​ said Acock.

Night delivery​

Concerns over maintaining store deliveries during the anticipated congestion have been addressed by night delivery trials organised by Transport for London (TfL). TfL is responsible for providing information and advice on transport in and out of the Capital during the Olympics.

The trials, which were guided by a draft code of practice that TfL has released for the event, involved businesses including supermarkets, pubs and hotels. They provoked no complaints from residents about noise, suggesting deliveries between midnight and 6am were viable. The finalised code will appear this month after feedback from hauliers and London boroughs that did not participate in the test runs.

At a trial at the Marks & Spencer (M&S) Simply Food store on Earl's Court Road, protective coverings to metal chains on roll cages were used to quieten them. "We intend to roll out the Code of Practice for night-time deliveries across London," ​said M&S logistics manager Dave Hordern.

At the height of the Olympics, Sainsbury will launch preventative maintenance; a fleet of rapid-dispatch repair staff on mopeds; and in-store engineers to keep kit such as refrigerators and computer systems running, minimising waste.

Early engagement​

A Sainsbury spokeswoman said "early engagement with key suppliers has been essential" ​with its own planning. "The strategy to maintain deliveries to stores and the home delivery service is currently being developed following the release of postcode data by TfL."​

TfL held a freight forum at the end of November and others are planned for January. It has posted road 'hotspot' maps on the internet, highlighting potentially difficult zones for logistics. And it has launched an online road planning tool suggesting additional times to allow for essential road journeys such as perishable goods delivery at the busiest times and locations.

"The 2012 Olympics ... will pose a considerable logistical challenge to the supply chain, one for which we will be well prepared,"​ said Terry Jones, Food and Drink Federation communications director.