A renewed partnership between the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) is set to provide major benefits to franchise partners. Providing access to one of the UK’s largest communities of retailers, multiples and independents, the agreement means ERA franchise partners will enjoy continued exposure to a huge market of potential clients.

Of equal benefit to the BRC’s network of online and store based retailers, the deal will enable ERA franchise partners to develop valuable relationships with retailers of all sizes across most sectors - ensuring they receive best practice advice on procurement, supplier management and effective spending.

Through its Global Standards initiative, the BRC is the world’s largest provider of safety and quality controls for food manufacturing, packaging, storage and distribution.

Designed by professional certification bodies, technical specialists, retailers and manufacturers from multiple countries, the BRC’s Global Standards are renowned for their practicality, rigour and clarity – mirroring the attention to detail of ERA’s own processes.

“We were very impressed by the high standard of procurement services being offered by ERA franchise partners,” said Mark Proctor, BRC’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am very pleased to be working with ERA to ensure that our members have access to these services to save them money through professional and effective procurement, improved supplier management and smarter spending habits.”

With both organisations focused on a core philosophy of achieving cost reductions without compromising on the quality of solutions offered, the aims of the BRC and ERA are seen as mutually complementary to the benefit of both networks.

“This partnership will provide numerous benefits to our retail members and our certificated sites,” says Mark Proctor of the BRC. Paul Lewis, ERA’s Head of Operations agrees. “The announcement of this on-going agreement is great news for both organisations,” concludes Lewis, “it offers ERA franchise partners an incredible opportunity to develop valuable new business relationships.”