Last week he labelled Twitter users ‘twats’. This week David Cameron is making headlines by claiming that government should look to supermarket business models as good examples of adapting when times are tough.

“Sainsbury’s, Tesco, they don’t think to themselves that the reduction of costs, which they do on a permanent basis, is going to make their service worse. They say it’s going to make their service to their customers better,” he told Radio 4, adding: “We need some of that thinking in government.”

A dose of retail thinking would not go amiss in some areas of Government, although not sure that applying it to the likes of public transport and the NHS would work. However, as is often the case with politician-speak, Cameron’s Radio 4 proclamations are vague. The leader of the opposition has thus far given few examples of what will be trimmed back or abolished as he attempts to cut costs - just some mutterings about pesky quangos. Also, Tesco might well be reducing its costs, but it’s also keeping prices low as it battles Asda for the title of Britain’s biggest discounter. When Cameron’s government reduces costs, it will presumably also be hiking up taxes as it seeks to tackle the almighty mess that is the UK economy.

He might be a shoo-in for next PM, but when the honeymoon period ends let’s see if Dave presses ahead and integrates supermarket thinking within his government. I wouldn’t bet on it.

The new Manic Street Preachers album (Journal For Plague Lovers) is being sold by four of the leading supermarkets in a plain slipcase, after its artwork was deemed “inappropriate”. The retailers were apparently concerned that the cover shows a young boy’s face covered in blood. The band’s lead singer has commented: “You can have lovely shiny buttocks and guns everywhere in the supermarket on covers of magazines and CDs, but you show a piece of art and people just freak out.”

Is it political correctness running riot or a sensible move by the supermarkets to protect their customers? Personally, I think the Manics are making a valid point. Meanwhile, blogs and social networking sites have somewhat unsurprisingly been ablaze with people arguing for and against this censorship. Another good example of how retailers cannot afford to ignore the social networking revolution.

This blog post was guest written by Chris Barling, CEO, Actinic

If you manage any form of retail outlet, you probably have a good idea of what attracts customers. After all, you only have to hold up a mirror and think what do you like and dislike, and you’re halfway there. Which then leads to the question - why does the retail experience vary so much? As an example, my local supermarket does everything wrong, with its empty shelves, poor service and food that seems to go off the minute after you get out the door. It really is that bad. I suspect the management of my local store values things differently. Instead of focusing on a good retail experience they have opted to support every local environmental and fair trade initiative, so that’s OK isn’t it?

In my opinion, and from observation over the years, we all have strengths and weaknesses. When we come to a work situation, we tend to bring them both with us. I am poor at making judgments on visually creative things. So if I were to develop an online shop, there are some simple rules. First, I need to have little or no input to the design. Second, I need to commission someone skilled to do the work. Third, I need a validation process that provides me with feedback on the design to get it right. I have no skills in this area, so I need a strategy to cover my weaknesses.

None of us are perfect, the local supermarket manager should recruit a hard-nosed number two that makes sure the basics get done. You may need to find a good people person, or a great visionary, or a similar hard-nosed implementer. It varies for everyone and the way we cover our weaknesses can also involve a process, or seeking input from a friend.

Other supermarkets are vying to open up in town. Little does he know, but I suspect the local supermarket manager has a few months to get his act together, or he may be looking for a new job. If we don’t face our weaknesses, we will all face similar challenges, particularly in the current climate.