Fluctuating fuel prices 'affecting procurement sector'

People in London procurement jobs stand to be affected by ongoing volatility in the fuel markets, experts have suggested.

According to food and grocery research company IGD, energy is more costly than ever before, while the supply of fuel has become highly erratic.

This, it stated, is likely to create "challenging" circumstances for all participants in the supply chain.

James Walton, chief economist at IGD, has therefore called on businesses to adapt to the current climate by making changes to the way delivery fleets are operated.

Speaking to Retail Week, he commented: "It is becoming increasingly clear that whatever the future holds, the retail industry cannot continue in its current form."

Meanwhile, the Freight Transport Association has called on the government to introduce a lower rate of fuel duty for commercial vehicles.

The recent 2p increase in fuel duty was criticised in the Express and Star last week by Paul Watters of the AA, who described current petrol prices as "ridiculously high".

Updated: 30 September 2009.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, procurement.