Living with power imbalance in the food supply chain

<p>In the context of vertical agri-food industry business-to-business relationships in the United Kingdom, the majority of control lies with large multiple retailers. Predominant in agri-food channels is a reduced supplier sourcing model; category management and network supply co-ordination, through super middlemen, also are widely applied. Power-imbalanced business relationships appear important for understanding business exchanges, and power should be a central consideration in business relationships. However, imbalance in power is no specific barrier to parties entering collaborative relationships or to their success. The acceptance of power imbalances is a key step to successful relationship building in agri-food channels, and though collaborative chain activity may be beneficial, suppliers should recognise that such activity still means operating with imbalances in power and rewards.</p>