Ulster Grocer December 2022

GROCER ULSTER

ROCER

50 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

RETAILERS FACING COST-OF-DOING-BUSINESS CRISIS FIND LIMITED SUPPORT IN AUTUMN STATEMENT

Representatives from the retail sector have expressed their disappointment in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement as offering insufficient support to beleaguered small business owners.

Delivered on November 17, Hunt’s statement - with its £25bn of tax hikes and £30bn of spending cutsrepresented a marked departure from the disastrous Mini Budget unleashed by Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng back in October.

Areas of concern for the retail sector include a freeze on the threshold for employer National Insurance and raising the energy cap introduced by Truss from April 2023, while an ongoing rates holiday for small businesses applies only to England at this time.

Retailers will also face increased costs as a result of an increase in the minimum wage for workers aged 23+

from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour from April 2023.

“Our members are facing a perfect storm of cost challenges from energy, business rates and a major downturn in consumer spend,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “It is disappointing that there was very little further support in the statement for local small businesses struggling to keep the lights on.

“The freezing of the threshold for employer National Insurance is a stealth tax on small businesses and jobs and will result in higher costs.

“We note the Chancellor announced a £13.6bn package of business rate support for small businesses in England. We will be lobbying for the Barnett consequential of this to provide rates relief to struggling small traders In Northern Ireland.”

Jason Birks, national president of The Fed (Federation of Independent Retailers), said: “As a government that has stood as the party for businesses, this statement does not benefit independent retailers.

“Independent retailers are the heart of many communities and the decision made by the government to raise the

energy cap to £3,000 may result in the closures of small, independent stores across the country.

“It is essential that small business is supported and helped through this time of crisis. Lack of support is unthinkable and the added expense to an already squeezed budget could just mean the end for many businesses. This is unimaginable and the government must act now to ensure that this doesn’t happen.”

Meanwhile, the UK is officially in recession, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBS), following a slowing of the economy for two consecutive quarters. OBS forecasts 4.2% growth in the economy in 2022, followed by a decline of 1.4% in 2023, with inflation expected to average 9.1% this year and 7.4% in 2023.

OBS also expects fuel duty, which did not feature in the Autumn Statement and is currently frozen but due for review at the end of March, to increase by 23% in 2023.

Real household disposable income is forecast by OBS to fall by 4.3% in the current financial year, representing the biggest drop since modern records began in the mid-1950s.

SOILÈIR GROUP: THE CLEARER WATER OWNER HAS EXPANDED ITS BUSINESS PORTFOLIO WITH HYDRATION HUB - INNOVATIVE, REFRIGERATED DRINK DISPENSERS USING SMART TECHNOLOGY

IN THE HOT SEAT: HAMPTON ROAST COFFEE’S RHYAN MCCOY IS A TECHNOLOGY & DESIGN SCHOOL TEACHER BY DAY, BATCH ROASTER OF SINGLE ORIGIN, ETHICALLY SOURCED COFFEE BY NIGHT

PAW PATROL: OUR PETCARE FEATURE INCLUDES EXPANSION OF NATURO’S RANGE TO INCLUDE DRY FOOD SUITABLE FOR DOGS OF ALL AGES & MINTELS’ LATEST ANALYSIS OF THE PET FOOD MARKET

Glyn Roberts

Jason Birks

Editor: Alyson Magee

E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175

Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Sam Butler Sales Executive: Judith Martin E: j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk Tel: 028 9055 4260

Art Editor: Helen Wright

Ulster Grocer

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EDITORIAL

email: info@ulstergrocer.com www.ulstergrocer.com

ULSTER GROCER BIDS A FOND FAREWELL

We made it to our golden anniversary… but alas this edition marks the last of Ulster Grocer

Rising newsprint costs, and a refocus by owner Mediahuis on its core businesses, have resulted in the decision to close the magazine.

Proudly extolling Ulster Grocer’s 50 years of heritage in our souvenir edition back in July, and heralding the next 50 years to come, little did we know its future was marked by mere months.

But such is the fragile nature of print media in the 21st century, and what is there to do but look back fondly on both our own years with the magazine and its wider legacy.

Fortunately, our 50th souvenir edition offered opportunity for a comprehensive retrospective of the magazine, including a showcase of many of its owners, editors and contributors from over the years.

We looked back on how the grocery sector has evolved in 50 years, the local chains that have come and gone or strengthened and the impact of multiple and discount retailers entering the market.

During that time, Northern Ireland emerged as a major food producer punching above its weight, from awardwinning artisan producers Abernethy Butter and Hannan Meats to bigger operations such as Dale Farm, Moy Park and Finnebrogue.

While grocery advertising and marketing activity have changed much

over the years as cultural norms became cultural no-nos, our review emphasised the cyclical nature of news with the big issues reported on in the earlier magazines, such as the inflation crisis in fuel and food, returning today.

As we bow out of the grocery trade press, the cost-of-living and cost-ofdoing-business crises are among many current challenges facing the sector.

Others, to name a few, include a labour shortage; supply chain issues stemming from the pandemic, Brexit and the NI Protocol, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; the impact of climate change on food security; and declining high streets and town and village centres.

Meanwhile, the ongoing absence of a fully functioning NI Executive continues to hamper support for our vital grocery sector. As our final edition goes to print, NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has stepped in set a budget in a bid to prompt some movement on getting Stormont back up and running.

Big as the challenges are, however, we have no doubt the local grocery sector will continue to move forward with resilience and innovation and keep Northern Ireland fed and watered with its high-quality offer.

To all our readers, advertisers, sponsors and contributors, we heartily thank you for your years of support, and wish you all the best over the years to come.

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editor directly.

Alyson Magee, editor

Helen Wright, art editor

Judith Martin, sales executive

Karen McGarvey, event manager

FARMING UNIONS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF FOOD & ENERGY SECURITY AT COP27

Potential exists for farmers to boost their production of renewable energy, and their sustainable production credentials, presidents of the UK farming unions said last month ahead of Agriculture Day at COP27.

The four UK farming unions say the right investment from government to improve infrastructure frameworks and simplify planning regulations would enable greater production of on-farm green energy through solar and wind turbines, and the ability to store energy in battery packs.

Identifying farmers as on the frontline of climate change with drought, fires and flooding threatening global food security, while also facing inflationary pressures, the unions said investment in on-farm renewable energy offers potential to

reduce energy use from fossil fuels and cut on-farm costs.

During discussions at COP27, the UK farming unions highlighted how farmers can be part of the solution to the climate crisis with the right support and incentive from the UK governments.

“Here in Northern Ireland, we aspire to consistently improve our carbon footprint as an industry and reduce our net emissions, but support needs to be provided by our world leaders to enable farming as a whole to make this transition towards more sustainable, climate-friendly food production,” said David Brown, president, Ulster Farmers’ Union. “It is the only way to ensure we are protecting the planet and have a global availability of food for consumers.”

Minette Batters, president, NFU, said: “At a time when global volatility is

COCA-COLA UNVEILS REAL MAGIC CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

IN BELFAST & DUBLIN

Coca-Cola is inviting people to kick off the countdown to Christmas with its first ever Real Magic Christmas Experience, coming to Dublin’s RDS over December 8-10 and Belfast’s Titanic Quarter over December 16-17.

Free of charge, guests can book slots (2pm-5pm and 6.30pm-9.30pm) through the Coca-Cola Eventbrite, with the Experience inviting visitors to enjoy a can of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Coca-Cola Original Taste as they have a family Christmas photo taken with the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck.

A range of seasonal snacks will be available to purchase from food vendors on-site, with Coca-Cola donating a percentage of the value for every meal sold to their charity partners, FoodCloud (ROI) and FareShare (NI), part of Homeless Connect.

This year will see the return of CocaCola’s Christmas market vendors,

where local crafts vendors will have bespoke Coca-Cola Christmas gifts at each event for purchase including Irish-made Christmas cards, ornaments and wreaths.

“At Christmas, everyone always comes around a table to connect and eat delicious food together– with a tasty Coca-Cola bringing real magic to your meal,” said Aisling Wilde, frontline activation country lead, CocaCola Ireland. “We can’t wait to start spreading the Christmas spirit across the island of Ireland with the CocaCola Real Magic Christmas Experience.

“We’re also excited to help support talented local producers to be able to sell their goods at the two locations, with the festival bringing a sprinkling of real magic to consumers. In addition to this, it is important that we also reinforce our commitment to working towards zero waste by promoting recycling and donating to our charity partner.”

threatening the stability of the world’s food production, food security and energy security have never been more important.

“Investing in our sector to increase green energy production will not only build resilience in farm businesses and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but will help farmers produce climate-friendly food for people at home and abroad.

“Agriculture’s role in producing renewable energy and sustainable food, alongside other land-based solutions such as carbon capture, must be recognised by decision-makers at COP27 and beyond. This is about giving UK farming the tools to unlock its net zero potential, which is in everyone’s interests.”

FOOD & DRINK INFLATION REACHES

45-YEAR HIGH

Food and drink inflation hit 16.4% in October, its highest rate since September 1977 when it reached 17.6%, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The overall Consumer Prices Index rose to 11.1% in October, up from 10.1% the previous month, according to the ONS figures published on November 16, largely driven by rising prices for energy and fuel as well as food and drink.

Up from 14.6% in September, inflation in food and non-alcoholic beverages has now risen for the last 15 consecutive months with a price hike in October particularly notable for milk, cheese and eggs.

Inflation was lower for alcohol and tobacco, climbing from 5.6% in September to 6.2% in October.

Households on average paid 88.9% more year on year for their electricity, gas and other fuels in October 2022.

Average petrol and diesel prices reached 163.6 and 183.9 pence per litre, respectively, in October 2022, compared with 138.6 and 142.2 pence per litre a year earlier with the price gap widening between the two fuels.

David Brown

LIDL NI INVESTS £347M IN LOCAL PRODUCERS, WITH 86% EXPORTED

Lidl Northern Ireland has invested a record £347m into the local agri-food industry in the financial year ending February 2022, supporting 60 local producers.

Of all produce purchased by the discount retailer, 86% (£298m) is destined for its store network in export markets including the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Romania, Greece, Cyprus and the USA.

The extent of Lidl’s economic contribution to the local agri-food industry, developed with the support of the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), is outlined in a new impact report.

The report launch coincides with the publication of Lidl Northern Ireland’s financial results for the 2021/22 period which record a year-on-year increase in turnover of 7% to £369m.

Among local producers supplying Lidl are Killowen Gin, Hellbent, Irwin’s Bakery, SlumberJack Coffee, Willowbrook Foods,

Wilson’s Country, Sperrin Bakery, Crust & Crumb and Dale Farm.

“NIFDA has been a supporter of Lidl Northern Ireland’s Kickstart Supplier Development Programme for the past couple of years and it’s inspiring to see a

retailer so committed to local sourcing and cultivating home-grown suppliers to future success,” said Michael Bell, executive director, NIFDA.

“The platform has led many SMEs to become household names through this platform and provided ongoing support to many more to grow their potential.”

Opening its first store in Cookstown in 1999, Lidl NI has since grown to 41 stores and more than 1,000 employees and is the region’s fastest growing retailer.

Conor Boyle, regional managing director Lidl Northern Ireland, said: “Our established Big on Quality, Lidl on Price brand proposition continues to resonate with shoppers and particularly during these challenging times, we’re seeing even more customers make the switch to Lidl Northern Ireland.

“A huge part of our success is down to our supplier partnerships and being able to offer customers unrivalled choice, quality and value.”

CIRCLE K IRELAND’S DELIVERY FLEET TO BE FUELLED BY 100% HVO RENEWABLE DIESEL

underway at two further locations in Galway and Cork, to ensure Circle K’s full fleet of vehicles will be powered by milesBIO HVO100 by early next year.

milesBIO HVO100 is a fossil-free biofuel made from waste, by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption from the food industry, offering up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions over regular diesel.

New to Circle K Ireland, the renewable diesel has been available across Scandinavia at Circle K locations in Norway, Sweden and Denmark in recent years.

Forecourt

and convenience retailer

Circle K is to fuel its fleet of delivery vehicles exclusively by renewable diesel from early 2023.

It is laying claim as the first fuel retailer in Ireland to use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) renewable diesel

in its fleet of delivery vehicles; the equivalent of over 2,000 cars removed from the road once the rollout is complete.

Circle K’s fuel station at Dublin Port will be the first to fuel the fleet with HVO renewable diesel, with work

It will also be available to commercial customers at Circle K’s service station in Dublin Port and rolled out at Circle K’s locations in Cork and Galway in the coming months to support commercial customers in decarbonising their own respective fleets.

JP Scally, chief executive of Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland, and Conor Boyle, regional managing director, Lidl Northern Ireland.

Jonathan Diver, fuels director with Circle K Ireland.

SYMBOLS & LIDL GROW MARKET SHARE AMID DECLINING GROCERY MARKET

Symbol retailers have posted the biggest increase in Northern Ireland grocery market share over the past year, up 5.4% to 8.1% over the 52 weeks to October 30, according to Kantar.

All other retailers and outlets posted a year-on-year decline, with the exception of Lidl which grew its market share by 0.2% to 7% market share and by 10.6% versus two years ago.

“The Northern Irish grocery market saw sales drop by 1.8% in the year to 30 October 2022,” said Emer Healy, senior retail analyst at Kantar. “Grocery inflation now stands at 8.4%, the highest on record as the average price per pack rose by 5.5%.

“Increases in average prices over the 52 weeks continue to be most noticeable

with essential lines such as margarine up 21.7%, milk up 21% and flour up 17%.

“Shoppers are beginning to return to store more often with visits up 1.6% compared to this time last year, however, they are picking up 8.8% less volume per trip. Over the latest 12 weeks, grocery sales grew by 3.7% as shoppers returned to store more often (5.4%) and average prices increased by 8%. “Shoppers in Northern Ireland pulled back on Halloween festivities this year as pumpkin sales declined by 33.1%, but their focus is clearly on the Christmas period as gifting chocolates, mince pies and fresh bacon joints sales soar by 29.8%, 29.3% and 20% respectively.

“Tesco maintained its position at the top of the table and is Northern Ireland’s

SPAR UNVEILS ITS FOOD TO GO-HO-HO CHARITY SANDWICH RANGE FOR 2022

largest grocer with a 35.6% share of the market. Tesco welcomed an influx of new shoppers in store which contributed an additional £46m to their overall performance.

“Lidl and Total Symbols are the only retail outlets to see growth versus last year, up 0.2% and 5.4% respectively, as all other retailers declined. Lidl continues to see the strongest boost of new shoppers up by 4.8 percentage points which contributed an additional £16.5m to their overall performance.

“Sainsbury’s holds 17% share and saw a 1.6 percentage point rise in new shoppers. Asda holds 16.4% of the market this period and welcomed new shoppers in store contributing an additional £4.2m to their overall performance.”

MOY PARK KICKS OFF WORLD CUP FOCUSED

ONPACK PROMOTION

Ireland’s leading chicken brand Moy Park is giving consumers a chance to win football-related prizes to celebrate the World Cup.

Shoppers purchasing Moy Park breaded chicken products at participating retailers can enter through an on-pack ‘peel to reveal’ sticker featuring a QR code.

SPAR and EUROSPAR NI’s Christmas sandwiches are back, with the festive range for 2022 featuring traditional turkey, sausage and stuffing, festive brie and cranberry, and a turkey, smoked bacon and stuffing wrap.

10p from the purchase of every sandwich or wrap from the dailyDeli Season’s Eatings range will go towards SPAR and EUROSPAR NI’s charity partners, Marie Curie and Cancer Fund

for Children.

“We are delighted to be able to continue to support our two store partnership charities with this popular range, with donations growing year on year,” said Bronagh Luke, head of corporate marketing at Henderson Group. “We have raised over £9,200 so far, with donations rising alongside the popularity of our fresh, handmade Christmas sandwich range.”

Prizes include a PS5 and FIFA bundle, team football shirt, branded footballs, cash and more. Winners will be chosen at random throughout the promotional period (November 20–December 18, 2022).

“We are investing in a localised targeted digital marketing campaign, OOH, POS and sampling in stores to ensure maximum visibility of our products and we are confident this will lead to increased sales during the Tournament,” said Ellen Wright, senior brand marketing manager at Moy Park.

Gareth Chambers, CEO, Around Noon, with Susan McDonagh, head of food to go, Henderson Group, launch the 2022 Season’s Eatings range of dailyDeli Christmas sandwiches, available at SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores in Northern Ireland.

EUROSPAR FORTFIELD, Carrickfergus

ALREADY A BUSY CONVENIENCE & FORECOURT OPERATION WITH AN AWARD-WINNING CAFE, CONVERSION FROM SPAR TO EUROSPAR HAS UPGRADED THE SITE TO A FULL ONE-STOP-SHOP GROCERY EXPERIENCE, STORE MANAGER JAMIE ADAMS TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

aisles and a high ceiling.

“What they’ve done and the way they’ve utilised the space around the store is great,” says Jamie Adams, manager of EUROSPAR Fortfield.

With the Henderson Group for almost three years, Jamie joined EUROSPAR Fortfield in his first role as manager in September following a six-month training programme.

He says customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with shoppers affirming the revamp has achieved its aim of creating a one-stop shop.

“That’s really our go-to here with the Post Office, the concessions, the café and a focus on the fresh produce departments,” says Jamie. “We were getting good sales from those shopping here, and identified we had a market for grocery and fresh items.”

Home to its first ever Barista Bar Café, just named Best Coffee and Hot Beverages Outlet at the UK-wide Forecourt Trader Awards, Henderson Retail has converted its Fortfield site in Carrickfergus from a SPAR to a EUROSPAR.

Spotting an opportunity to capture a greater share of the local grocery market and refresh its convenience and food-togo offer, the busy store underwent a swift transformation, reopening in October under its new branding.

Product range has been increased by 25%, with floorspace allocated to fresh produce up by more than 30%. Shoppers can choose from a range of locally sourced lines across fruit & veg and Henderson own brands, namely The Kitchen, SPAR Enjoy Local and The Greengrocer, alongside Irvine’s The Chop Shop butchery.

Retaining its Subway counter and Burger King drive thru, in situ since the site was built as a SPAR in 2018, EUROSPAR Fortfield also features two instore Barista Bar coffee machines, Fanta and Coca Cola Frozen, f’real milkshakes

and Dale Farm ice-cream.

While overall floorspace remains unchanged, a lot more has been packed into the shop without compromising on its open, modern feel, thanks to spacious

Located close to Lidl and M&S outlets, with a new Home Bargains opening soon, rebranding as EUROSPAR “allows us to compete with them on a much higher scale,” he says. “With the rate of inflation at the minute, we wanted to get our flagship range into the store and give

EUROSPAR Fortfield was officially re-opened by local residents and shoppers, Sheila and Brian (centre), who regularly pick up their shopping in-store and enjoy the café, alongside Jamie Adams, store manager (right).

shoppers the best value we can.”

A new expanded SPAR Bakery section has replaced the food-to-go area in the old SPAR, while food to go has been revamped with a full range of sandwiches, salads and wraps from the dailyDeli range and Henderson’s new Delish food-to-go concept offering hot and cold options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Converting to EUROSPAR has allowed the store to offer shoppers the community supermarket’s more competitive pricing including its Tesco Price Match offer, a special promotion of £5 off for customers spending £30, and eight end bays of deals.

The shop also stocks some Sainsbury’s lines, after the two retailers formed a partnership in the wake of supply difficulties stemming from the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Since the rebrand, an expanded range of loose veg has been selling well including pumpkins over Halloween.

“Our meat department is also seeing growth,” says Jamie. “Before, it was just a one-bay deck and fridge and now we have two decks and space in the planogram for fresh meat. We’re really seeing a good pickup in Sunday trade for produce and meat lines.

“And the Delish brand has seen a good uplift; percentage-wise we’re well above the inflation rate and up on last year.”

Alongside new refrigeration cabinetry and electronic labelling, unmanned tills have been increased from two to three, offering card and cash transactions. “It’s really to drive more convenience for customers if they’re trying to beat traffic and get in and out without having to stand with the longer trolley shops,” says Jamie.

AWARD-WINNING CAFE

Perhaps the star of the shop is its Barista Bar Café, which was pioneered at the site and has been replicated in a Drive Thru format at the new SPAR Mallusk in

Newtownabbey.

The café’s recent accolade represents its third consecutive win at the Forecourt Trader Awards and, following the conversion to EUROSPAR, its opening hours have been extended from 8am4pm to 8am-8pm. The shop is open 6am to midnight.

“We want to bring in that evening coffee trade and, in the Carrick area, there’s definitely an opportunity there,” says Jamie. “The team in the café are absolutely fantastic and the heart of the community here in Carrick; everybody knows them well.”

Market research is underway to potentially introduce an evening menu in the café to attract customers over the winter months, and walkers when the evenings stretch out again from the spring.

Nine new jobs have been created as a result of the fascia conversion, with EUROSPAR Fortfield currently employing around 38 members of staff. Further new roles may follow as the shop builds its grocery sales, says Jamie.

Ahead of unveiling the revamped store, a 9,000-leaflet door drop was distributed to the local community, complemented by roadside marketing and banners around the store exterior.

With community engagement a focus for the EUROSPAR brand, the shop is now partnered with Cancer Fund for Children, building on its support for Marie Curie

as a SPAR including the Twilight Walk initiative and Blooming Great Tea Party.

“We have been participating in local litter picks, most recently at Carrickfergus Castle, while also donating to our local foodbanks,” says Jamie. “Two staff members recently went for the chop and donated their hair to Little Princess Trust which provides free, real hair wigs to children and young people who are undergoing treatments, or have conditions, which cause hair loss.

“We also look after our local furry friends and donated over £200 worth of goods to the Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary for the animals in their care.

“We may look a little different with our new branding, but our culture remains the same and we are dedicated to providing value, choice and quality for our local shoppers, while we continue to be there for our local community too.

“The Post Office remains open and offers a full range of services that are vital for our shoppers who know us well, they trust our local faces on the shop floor, and we’re just delighted to be bringing them even more, right on their doorsteps.”

Mark McCammond, retail director at Henderson Group, said: “EUROSPAR Fortfield sits within a highly competitive area in Carrickfergus and to meet demand for a wider range of fresh and local products, alongside heightened deals and value, we made the decision to convert the store to a EUROSPAR so that local shoppers can take advantage of the greater value proposition under the brand.

“EUROSPAR offers an unrivalled supermarket offering, right in the heart of local communities. We have invested in our Tesco Price Match initiative to bring down the cost of over a thousand products in-store, plus we have our weekly Wow and Mega Deals. Currently, we’re running the 12 Deals of Christmas campaign, which sees one big ticket items price slashed for one week only.”

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SAVE OUR HIGH STREETS

DR SARAH MONTANO FROM THE BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR REJUVENATING UK HIGH STREETS

options and expand this to include community spaces such as exhibitions by local artists etc. By creating an experience – consumers are more likely to visit the venue.

Thirdly, how to attract young consumers? Newport has tried to bring in younger consumers by offering a mixeduse space and Europe’s biggest indoor market regeneration with a mix of street food, independent retail and workspaces.

In 20 years’ time, as a society, do we want to look back and wish that we had saved our high streets and not missed our window of opportunity?

During the pandemic, one of the key changes in the retail sector was that consumers went back to shopping locally due to travel restrictions and, in doing so, rediscovered their local shopping areas.

The current ONS data shows that consumers have reduced their spending online, with online sales now 25.3% of total retail sales, from a pandemic high of 37.8% in January 2021. This illustrates that consumers have been keen to return to physical stores. Many consumers are also seeking a sustainable way to shop at local independent retailers, second hand and charity shops.

We take a broad interpretation of ‘local’ to reflect diversity of cities and locations – local may mean your high street, main street, city centre or indeed the local parade of shops on your urbanisation.

How do we ensure continued success for our high streets? In order for our local shopping areas to survive, we are going to need to think collectively and work together as consumers, retailers, local councils and national governments – it may also mean different solutions for different areas. In his leadership bid this summer, Rishi Sunak pledged to

save the high street and acknowledged the importance of high streets to local communities.

Some ideas that we can consider are firstly, empty shops do not look welcoming in any area – so what could we have instead? Rents, local taxation and refit costs are expensive, so discounts and support for start-ups would attract innovators and entrepreneurs to the local area. The vast majority of our biggest brands started small many years ago, but where is the next M&S, Tesco or Superdry? Support for small businesses would attract new consumers and make empty spaces look vibrant.

Secondly, it is not just about retail. Local areas are about communities and allowing people to meet up and socialise.

We need to think about ensuring that local areas offer a mix of services, cafes and community spaces to allow people to gather. We often talk about Third Places or places where people can gather and hang out and become a home-awayfrom-home - great examples of these are often seen in TV shows such as Friends, Coronation Street

With the continued rise in home working, people may seek out spaces where they can work near to home and socialise after work. We can think in terms of mixed-use spaces – where there may be a retail element, eating/drinking

Being ‘Instagramable’ is a key trend right now and ensuring that the local retail and service offerings are thinking about social media opportunities, then consumers will be keen to try and share on social media. We should be mindful that the cost-of-living crisis often affects young consumers disproportionally and the vast majority of consumers are concerned.

Therefore, we should consider how people can still visit the local area but that venues are not expensive. Again, we return to the theme of mixed-use spaces – for example, allowing local community groups to take over spaces.

Fourthly, as consumers work more from home, national retailers that would usually be in city centres are considering opening outlets in local areas, for example, Pret a Manger are considering opening more stores in suburban areas. John Lewis is considering opening ‘shopsin-shops’ or mini John Lewis in Waitrose. Well-known brand names will attract consumers to a local area and offer a convenient shopping experience.

In 20 years’ time, as a society, do we want to look back and wish that we had saved our high streets and not missed our window of opportunity? Many of us will fondly remember the high streets of decades ago with their vibrant supportive communities and in times of crisis we need our communities, it is not too late –but we need to work together to save our high streets.

We owe it to ourselves as consumers, our communities, society and our future to fall back in love and stay in love with our local high street.

FIRST BARISTA BAR COFFEE DRIVETHRU OPENS AT SPAR MALLUSK

Henderson Retail has opened its first Barista Bar Coffee Drive-Thru at SPAR Mallusk, in a multi-million-pound investment creating 28 jobs.

The Newtownabbey store has undergone a six-month renovation and extension, and now offers an exclusive food-to-go offering including SPAR’s new Delish brand and a Subway counter.

SPAR Mallusk features three Barista Bar machines, one of which is the second of its new Barista Bar Planted concept - offering non-dairy options - to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

Additional fresh food bays feature hundreds of locally sourced lines, with a price lock on produce and everyday essentials throughout SPAR’s own-brand ranges from SPAR Enjoy Local to The CHEF and The Kitchen, while Newtownabbey’s Mayfield Village Butchers brings additional fresh options.

“When designing this store, we wanted to ensure we were delivering on freshly prepared food-to-go options, alongside an abundance of value driven local products and essentials for tonight’s tea and beyond, as well as attractive consumer services that make us stand out in a busy marketplace,” said Mark McCammond, retail director at Henderson Group.

“Shoppers can expect the full Barista Bar experience at the drive-thru with signature cappuccino, americano and lattes, alongside specialities from flat whites to mochas and chai teas.

“Delish at SPAR Mallusk offers the full new experience including a Burrito Bar, Southern Fried Chicken, Chicken Pick ‘n’ Mix, Rotisserie Chicken and indulgent Ice Cream & Shakes.”

MAXOL INVESTING £3.8M IN EXPANSION OF EDENDERRY & DOWNPATRICK SITES

Forecourt and convenience retailer

Maxol is redeveloping its Edenderry Service Station on Crumlin Road, Belfast and its Downpatrick site with an expanded retail grocery, food to go and forecourt offering.

Reducing the carbon footprint is a focus for both sites, with new measures including low energy CO2 refrigeration, LED lighting systems, heat recovery from refrigeration for use in the Delish Deli, and ‘on demand’ fan controllers.

The £2.3m development at Maxol Edenderry includes a new retail store which is 70% larger than the former premises, built on new land adjoining the original site purchased in 2021.

The grocery offer will more than double in size, while customers can expect larger dairy and chilled ranges and a new Delish Deli with self-serve chicken bar.

Maxol’s Premium Fuel range will be introduced to help customers make greener choices and car parking

facilities will be extended to 27 spaces, easing the flow of traffic on site.

Up to six additional jobs will be created in the Edenderry community when the refurbished site opens in mid-November.

In Maxol Downpatrick, the £1.5m investment will provide an extension to the existing retail store from 105 to 181 square meters, providing a new SPAR shop and Delish Deli.

The refurbished forecourt will include Maxol’s Premium Fuel range, and parking will be extended to 19 spaces, with reopening expected by the end of the year.

Brian Donaldson, chief executive officer, Maxol, on site at Maxol Edenderry.

The first ever Barista Bar Coffee Drive Thru has opened at SPAR Mallusk, offering a range of signature Barista brews, seasonal specials, dairy-free options and food to go.

WWF REPORT SPURS SUPERMARKETS TO ACCELERATE CLIMATE ACTION WITH SUPPLIERS

Five major UK food retailers have pledged to accelerate climate action through their supply chains, after a new WWF report found value chains account for up to 90% of supermarket greenhouse gas emissions.

The Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose have agreed to accelerate action on climate, deforestation and farming in a bid to halve the sector’s environmental impact by 2030.

WWF’s report, What’s in store for the planet: the impact of the UK shopping basket on climate and nature 2022, highlights a long road ahead for the retail sector to halve the environmental impact of UK shopping baskets.

The report contains data across seven key areas: climate, deforestation and conversion of habitat, agriculture, marine, diets, food waste and packaging.

With data provided by nine of the 11 major UK supermarkets, the report covers 80% of the sector, and WWF will evaluate progress annually.

While there are areas where supermarkets have already

demonstrated clear progress, such as cutting down on packaging and waste, WWF warns there is still an urgent need for accelerated action from the sector as a whole and greater support from the UK government.

In response to the report, the CEOs of Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose announced they will increase their work on tackling climate change in the coming year and will:

• support their suppliers to adopt science-based targets to reach net-zero climate emissions by 2050

• work with WRAP to support their suppliers to set these targets, take high-impact actions and report data

• work with WRAP to develop and deliver an ambitious climate action programme for the grocery retail sector, focusing on high-impact actions to halve their climate emissions, by 2030

The supermarkets are working, with WWF and climate action NGO WRAP through the Courtauld 2030 framework, to set targets and help their suppliers set targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

NI FAMILIES FACE RECORD DROP IN SPENDING POWER AMID RISING INFLATION

The quarterly Income Tracker report highlights a growing gap between Northern Ireland and the other parts of the UK, reinforcing its position as the worst performing region. The North East is closest to Northern Ireland, while London tops the league.

Following a fall of 28.5%, Northern Ireland is one of only two UK regions to witness a larger annual drop in Q3 than in Q2, alongside the West Midlands.

On a quarterly basis, NI also saw a fall in discretionary income, with the average household relying on £98.30 per week in Q2, after accounting for all taxes, bills and essential items. This trend contrasts with the UK average, which rose from £205 in Q2 to £209 in Q3.

Spending power of the average family in Northern Ireland has contracted by 28.7% year on year, the largest annual fall of any UK region in the entire history of the Asda Income Tracker Independently compiled by Cebr, the latest report finds the average NI family is left with only £95.10 per week to spend on discretionary goods and services in Q3, down by £38.30 from £133.40 a year ago.

A heavier concentration of spending in high-inflation categories such as food, energy and motor fuel is behind the shocking drop in disposable income for NI families, said Cebr, alongside a weaker employment rate and lower wages.

Further, with inflation expected to continue rising, a further drop in spending power is forecast for Q4 and into 2023 as mortgage rates rise.

“We are all facing the realities of the cost-of-living crisis and as a retailer, we know the challenges which families are facing, day in and day out,” said George Rankin, senior director, Asda NI. “We are doing what we can to bridge the gap and help household budgets stretch as far as possible. We will continue to look at all measures which will help to support those who shop in our stores.”

George Rankin, senior director, Asda NI, Karen Patterson, MC, and Sam Miley, senior economist/ income tracker author, Cebr launch the latest quarterly Income Tracker report.

Commitment to CSR is very much at the heart of Musgrave

SUPERVALU, CENTRA, MACE AND MUSGRAVE MARKETPLACE ARE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THEIR CHARITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH ACTION CANCER AND NI CHEST HEART AND STROKE

Musgrave NI’s commitment to corporate social responsibility has been recognised by industry experts with four CSR awards for its partnership with local charity Action Cancer. And this year, the business is set to raise a total of £225,000 for Action Cancer and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, further cementing its commitment to helping the communities it serves.

The business’s retail brands SuperValu and Centra have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Action Cancer which was established in 2001, and to date have raised a staggering £3.5m - one of the largest amounts ever to be raised by a company for an individual charity in NI.

In May, Musgrave was awarded the Excellence in CSR award at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards while at the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards, it picked up the accolade for Best CSR Initiative. The partnership was once again acknowledged at the Belfast Chamber awards in October when Musgrave collected the award for Contribution to the Community, while at the AIB Business Eye Awards in November, it received a highly commended award in the Community (CSR) category.

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with Action Cancer and for it to be recognised through these awards is testament to the hard work, commitment and support that colleagues and retail partners give to the charity,” said Desi Derby, director of marketing for SuperValu and Centra.

“This commitment has been particularly evident during October with over £50,000 raised for Action Cancer ensuring the Big Bus stays on the road, making a real difference and saving lives.”

THE BIG BUS

Action Cancer’s mobile detection unit the Big Bus, which is funded by the brands, visits communities around Northern Ireland offering free health checks to

people over the age of 16 years, and breast screenings to women outside of NHS screening age (40–49 and over 70 years).

Last year, the Big Bus provided 1,950 screenings; it is the only charity in the UK to offer this service. Each mammogram, while free to the user, costs Action Cancer £120. And for every 1,000 screenings, six cancers are detected – that is six lives potentially saved.

To help Action Cancer continue to provide this vital service, Musgrave challenged its SuperValu and Centra stores to raise £120 per store and ‘sponsor a mammogram’ during Breast Cancer Awareness month. The emotive campaign featured 16 local women who have all benefited from Action Cancer’s

life-saving service.

“To realise that £120 is all it could take to save a woman’s life really hit home with us, so we called on our customers to support the initiative and donate to help save the life of a mum, granny, daughter, aunt, wife, friend – and that’s exactly what they did,” said Desi.

“Thanks to the support of our retail partners, colleagues, and our generous customers, many stores raised enough money to cover the cost of not one or two mammograms, but four, five, six and more. Totals are still coming in, but early indications are that we are on course to surpass our fundraising target of £16k.”

GETTING ACTIVE FOR CHARITY

While SuperValu sponsored Action Cancer’s Breast Foot Forward event, a 5K and 10K walk which set off from Belfast City Hall on a June evening, Centra

Centra Run Together at Ormaeu Park Belfast. Over 800 people took part in the Centra Run Together Event on Sunday, October 14. Pictured are Colette and Don Leeson.

welcomed back its Run Together series for the first time since 2019. The regional 5K events in Bangor, Derry~Londonderry and Enniskillen encouraged donations in lieu of an entry fee, while the finale in Belfast’s Ormeau Park in October saw the registration fee for the 5K and 10K events go straight to Action Cancer.

A total of 2,000 people pulled on their trainers and walked or ran the Run Together routes to support the charity, and collectively raised a whopping £20k.

ESPRESSO WE CARE

Coinciding with International Coffee Day on 1st October and repeating the success of the 2021 Espresso We Care fundraising campaign, SuperValu and Centra once again donated 50p from the sale of each Frank and Honest coffee sold over three days to Action Cancer, while Mace stores donated to their charity partner NI Chest Heart and Stroke. Thanks to coffee loving customers, an incredible total of £20,475 was raised.

In a further fundraising drive, there were pumpkins aplenty across SuperValu and Centra stores in the run up to Halloween as the retail brands pledged 50p from the sale of each pumpkin to Action Cancer.

Gareth Kirk, CEO, Action Cancer, said: “Our long-standing partnership with Musgrave NI and their retail partners SuperValu and Centra continues to go from strength to strength. Without this incredible financial support for our mobile clinic The Big Bus, we simply couldn’t continue to provide free of charge our life saving breast screening and health checks to communities spread throughout the whole of Northern Ireland.

“The financial support received so far in 2022 was only made possible because of the incredible energy, commitment,

and innovation of everyone connected with the Musgrave NI family. Put simply, without Musgrave NI, the impact of Action Cancer and the difference the charity makes to many people in Northern Ireland would be greatly reduced; we cannot thank the customers, staff and retailers of Musgrave enough for their ongoing tremendous support throughout 2022.”

MACE, MUSGRAVE MARKETPLACE & NICHS

Mace has supported NI Chest Heart and Stroke since 2016 and to date has raised more than £250,000 to help the charity deliver vital care and prevention services across Northern Ireland. This year, MACE stores including Armagh, Coleraine, Mount Alverno, Shankill Road in Belfast, Main Street in Toome, and Victoria Street Lurgan took part in static cycles and saw a total of 600 miles clocked up and almost £3,000 raised. In addition, Mace Victoria Street Lurgan became the first Mace store

in Northern Ireland to reach the £10,000 fundraising milestone for NICHS.

Supporting NICHS’ latest campaign on blood pressure awareness, Mace stores in Ballymena, Coleraine, Greenisland, Lurgan, Newton Park Belfast, Portavogie, and Rathkenny have welcomed NICHS to stores to offer blood pressure checks for customers.

Musgrave’s wholesale brand Musgrave MarketPlace is also a firm supporter of the charity with the three branches hitting a landmark fundraising figure of £50,000.

Declan Cunnane, CEO of NI Chest Heart & Stroke, said: “We deliver vital care and prevention services across Northern Ireland, as well as carrying out extensive research into how to prevent chest, heart and stroke illnesses. Last year we supported 16,936 people and organisations, however, almost 90% of our services are funded by public donations. We very much appreciate the support of Mace and Musgrave MarketPlace customers whose generosity will enable us to help more local people living with these conditions and their families.”

Desi concluded: “Our retail and wholesale brands have continued to support our charity partners during 2022 with gusto and even during the toughest of times, our customers have shown incredible generosity. Our thanks go to everyone who has supported both Action Cancer and NICHS.”

Plans are well underway for 2023 activities with both charity partners and what is clear is the commitment to CSR is very much at the heart of the Musgrave business. It continues to motivate and inspire colleagues and retail partners to make a difference.

LOCAL COMPANIES GEAR UP FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH QUALITY FOOD & DRINK

BY MICHELE SHIRLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOOD NI

The approach of the Christmas/ New Year festivities provides an important opportunity to highlight how retailers, at all levels, can support our most important manufacturing industry in these very challenging times of spiralling living costs such as energy tariffs.

The food and drink industry deserve support from local retailers and consumers because of the quality and variety of its products. Of course, buying local also boosts employment and the wellbeing of the local economy and especially in rural communities, highly dependent on income from farms and food production.

As the Our Food: Power of Good promotional campaign has showcased, Northern Ireland producers now offer the broadest range of premium quality food and drink that’s value for money.

We look to retailers in particular to support local produce at all levels. Recent national and international awards have demonstrated just how good and nutritious our food and drink products really are.

We’ve seen a host of products from smaller companies in particular succeed in this year’s UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann awards. Several smaller companies also came out on top in this year’s Great British Food Awards.

Similar successes have been racked up by larger companies in recent national awards. Linden Foods in Dungannon, for instance, won the World’s Best Grass Fed Ribeye Steak in the World Steak Challenge in Dublin as well as other categories. Dunbia, also in Dungannon, gained several awards for premium quality steaks in the same awards.

Northern Ireland food manufacturers, mostly larger companies, have been successful recently in two of the most important industry competitions in the UK and Ireland through providing innovative and quality produce. They deserve congratulations for their outstanding foods that have been recognised in one of our most important markets.

Their successes continue to raise awareness of the excellence of our food among retailers and foodservice

operations in particular. Many of the companies are close to the land and depend on the excellence of local farmers in terms of consistent quality and service. Several are also valued FoodNI members.

The companies have won acclaim in the influential UK Quality Food Awards and the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, high profile competitions which influence buying decisions by major supermarkets in Britain in particular. There are certainly no reasons why local retailers across Northern Ireland should be looking beyond these shores for food and drink produce.

Successful local products ranged from meat and convenience meals to snacks such as popcorn, all produced locally and mostly from ingredients sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers especially farming enterprises.

The Quality Food Awards are now in their 43rd year, and have become renowned in the food sector as one of the most prestigious awards to win in the industry today.

Products from every sector are judged according to a long established 10-point judging criteria, covering all aspects of the product from aroma, flavour, texture, value for money, ingredients, and above all else, taste.

Winning a Quality Food Award is, therefore, a mark that a product has been independently judged and is of an outstanding quality. Promotion of products that get results in the awards therefore can have a marked increase in sales.

The awards are judged solely by industry experts: food scientists; chefs; food writers; product developers;

photographers; packaging experts; consultants and more.

Winning in categories in the Quality Food Awards from Northern Ireland were Dunbia Group, Dungannon, Golden Popcorn from Antrim, Northern Ireland’s largest and most successful producer of popcorn, and Finnebrogue Artisan from Downpatrick, a specialist in plant-based foods.

Finnebrogue won the Vegan Meat and Fish categories with Thai Cakes with the Splash and the Bacon and Sausages with Better Naked Pork Sausages. Dunbia won the Burgers category with Rib and Brisket Burger.

Golden Popcorn won the Free From category with its Gourmet Crunch Thai Sweet Chilli

The highly regarded Food Manufacture Excellence Awards recognise and honour processors and their employees for their commitment to, and passion for, excellence across all categories of food and drink.

Six local companies were shortlisted in the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, the results of which will be announced at a gala event in February.

Shortlisted were: Around Noon in Newry, a leader in food on the go; Mash Direct, Comber – convenience vegetable dishes; Dunbia; and Moy Park – Meat, Poultry and Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year

Finnebrogue Artisan from Downpatrick is a strong contender for Plant-Based Manufacturing Company of the Year; Moy Park for Apprentice of the Year; and Finnebrogue Artisan for Site Team of the Year.

It’s tremendously encouraging to see so many local food manufacturers featuring in the excellence awards. It speaks volumes for the quality of all the companies and their potential to continue to flourish in the strategically important market that is Great Britain. I wish them well and look forward to the results next year.

My message for Christmas/New Year and beyond to retailers, hospitality outlets and consumers is to buy local produce because of the quality, taste and overall excellence of our food and drink.

PAULA MCINTYRE SHOWCASES LOCAL PRODUCE IN COOKERY DEMO AT JD HUNTER & CO

Celebrity chef Paula McIntyre recently treated the shoppers of Markethill to an in-store cookery demonstration at JD Hunter & Co using local produce stocked by the shop.

The acclaimed chef, who demonstrates her passion for local produce in the BBC series Paula McIntyre’s Hamely Kitchen, demonstrated simple recipes using quality ingredients sourced from local farmers, suppliers and growers to hundreds of shoppers as well as signing her cookbooks.

“It was such a treat hosting Paula at JD Hunter & Co for our shoppers, who all got to sample her magnificent cooking,” said Gail Boyd of Creighton Group, which has recently acquired JD Hunter & Co of Markethill.

“Paula is as passionate about local produce as we are, so we were delighted to have her in-store and create some really special and delicious dishes that

KRAZI BAKER RISES TO THE OCCASION WITH HAT TRICK AT WORLD BREAD AWARDS

Mark Douglas from Krazi Baker of Dromore, Co Down has won the Food NI Potato Bread category in memory of Charles Campion at this year’s Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food.

The announcement was made by Stephen Hallam, chair of the judges, in front of stars of the bread-baking world gathered at St John’s Church in Hyde Park, London.

In addition to taking the top place with his signature potato bread, Douglas scooped second place with his Potato Apple Bread and third place with his Cheese and Chive Potato Bread.

Douglas founded Krazi Baker nine years ago, specialising in traditional Irish recipes and championing local produce including flour from Andrew’s Mills in Belfast, Bramley apples from Armagh and butter from Abernethy in Co Down.

The Potato Bread category was introduced this year in association with Food NI and in memory of Charles Campion, the late food critic and

broadcaster who was a judge of the Awards for a number of years and a passionate champion of Northern Irish foods.

Scott McDonald of Olive Tree Bakes in Bangor meanwhile won the Irish Wheaten Loaf category supported by Andrew Ingredients. McDonald, who opened Olive Tree Bakes in 2020, also took third place with his Guinness & Treacle Wheaten Loaf.

our shoppers can create easily at home, using products they can pick up in our store.

“We pride ourselves in sourcing only the best, fresh and local, quality products for our shoppers, which not only includes well-known local brands, but also hyper local artisan producers such as Ballylisk of Armagh, Cornacrew Farm Produce, Pinkertons of Armagh, Hewitt Meats and Chapel Lane Eggs.”

Paula McIntyre’s recipe cards are still available for shoppers to pick up at JD Hunter & Co supermarket.

HEALTHY BALANCED DIET PREFERABLE TO UNNECESSARY FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

Many

individuals and families in Northern Ireland are buying food supplements they might not need and consuming them in the belief they are beneficial to their health, according to new research¹ by safefood.

The safefood-funded research, conducted by Ulster University, found that almost half of adults in Northern Ireland are taking food supplements with almost half of parents stating they give their children food supplements.

Current guidelines for Northern Ireland advise that only Vitamin D is recommended for healthy children and adults and Folic Acid for people who could become pregnant.

The most popular food supplements consumed by adults in Northern Ireland are Vitamin D (60%), Multivitamins and Minerals (41%), and Vitamin C (34%). Fish Oils or Omega 3 (31%), B Vitamins or B Complex (21%), Iron (15%), Magnesium (15%) and Protein (12%) also ranked highly.

The most popular food supplements given to children by their parents are Multivitamins and Minerals (56%), Vitamin D (36%), Vitamin C (28%) and Fish Oils or Omega 3 (20%).

1The report, Food Supplements: exploring our reasons for taking them, is available to download from the safefood website at www.safefood.net/ news

Celebrity chef Paula McIntyre recently treated the shoppers of Markethill to a unique in-store cookery demonstration using the fantastic local produce available at JD Hunter & Co.

Christine Cousins, events manager, Food NI, collected the trophy on behalf of Mark Douglas from Krazi Baker of Dromore, Co Down - winner of the Food NI Potato Bread category in memory of Charles Campion at the World Bread Awards in London. Photo credit: Henry Kenyon

Coca-Cola brings Real Magic to mealtimes this Christmas

For Christmas 2022, Coca-Cola will continue to create magic for families and friends as part of our Real Magic communication platform; ensuring that Christmas will always find its way to bring people together.

When busy schedules make it hard to connect, mealtimes are the perfect opportunity to bring families together. Coca-Cola is inviting consumers to share

more magical moments over a meal with the ones they love the most, because there is magic when we eat together.

This Christmas, Coca-Cola is offering the chance to win prizes to bring real magic to mealtimes. Through an exciting on-pack pincode promotion, consumers will have chances to win €/£200 to spend on their Christmas preparations, plus 1000s of great prizes from [Just Eat, Deliveroo &

Spotify]. This fully supported campaign will be live in trade from 7th November through to the end of December 2022 and come to life through multiple touchpoints which include TV, Video on Demand, Cinema, Radio, Out of Home, Experiential, PR, Instore theatre, and POS support. Stock up on the festive promotional packs to offer your customers a chance to win.

Helping food manufacturers to grow & overcome the labour shortage

WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN WITH SO MUCH HAPPENING IN THE WORLD, SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD. TOO MANY THINGS TO MENTION BUT THINKING ABOUT BREXIT, LABOUR SHORTAGES, CO2 SUPPLIES, THE FALLING POUND, ENERGY SUPPLIES AND THE ONGOING MYRIAD OF OTHER THINGS WITHIN THIS INDUSTRY. HOWEVER NORTHERN IRELAND IS SO RESILIENT, AND WE ARE SURE THAT DURING 2023THE NI FOOD SECTOR WILL GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH DEALING WITH ALL THESE OBSTACLES.

COMPANY : HENDERSON FOOD MACHINERY

Readers of the ULSTER Grocer will know we supply an extensive and varied selection of new and used food processing and packaging equipment working closely with quality food machinery manufacturers throughout UK, Europe and beyond. The range of new and used equipment we supply is vast and varied, we can supply into many sectors within meat, fish, poultry food plants, catering butchers, bakers, hotels, restaurants, ready meal manufacturers, vegetable and salad producers, contract packers, fish processors, fast food outlets, dairies, sauce & soup factories, drinks, liquid manufacturers, petfood companies, confectionary, fruit and brewing Industry with our range of equipment being so extensive it fits into so many sectors.

This year for Henderson Food Machinery has been more about automation especially with a shortage of labour, we have supplied many food companies with complete automated lines, our expertise in supplying the right type of equipment for the right process has helped many food manufacturers grow without the labour shortage pain and we see this as where the growth of our business will come from in 2023.

Henderson Food Machinery are very much customer and price focused which has resulted in a lot of new business enquiries for equipment, along with repeat business and new customers we strive to make this our business philosophy.

Going forward in 2023 “We want to drive the business forward bringing on new manufacturers, Automation is an area that we are looking hard at, at present, also explaining to equipment manufacturers that they need to be more open and honest with completion dates on deliveries. This has been a major distraction to our business in 2022, promises made on delivery times when placing orders and then being let down at the 11th Hour. Yes, there are lots of factors to why this is happening but more clarity would help us to then explain why to our customers.

Currently around three quarters of all trade would be in new equipment, with the remainder used machinery, while 65% of business would be in Ireland, 25% Great Britain and 10% exported globally to markets such as Saudi Arabia, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Henderson Food Machinery will also in 2023 continue to sponsor the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards held in Dingle at the end of September.

Our team has been steady during the last few years - we have Julie Bell the main organiser of everything to do with Henderson Food Machinery, Julie is so knowledgeable and makes the business tick every day, Rory O’Dwyer, Business Partner and Engineering Director helps in many ways from planning machinery installs to repairs and advice on any machinery enquiry. Rory’s knowledge is extensive and he can answer most questions - if not he will strive to get the answer to keep all equipment running.

Debra Henderson works in accounts and John Walsh is our new Sales Executive a lot of you will meet up with John in 2023 he is very outgoing in fact a cheeky chappy but is here to help with all your sales enquiries and offer the best solution.

Good to know: If you already have a machine and it needs repairs, maybe we can help in repairing the machine - our engineering team are available for service 24/7, please contact our Engineering Director Rory O’Dwyer on 00353 861727357 or email engineering@ hendersonfoodmachinery.com we will endeavour in supplying you with service and source parts to keep your machines running during these strange and unprecedented times.

As your supplier of machinery and parts, we are of course available to answer any questions or provide further information. Please feel free to contact our office on 02890 994 202 or sales @hendersonfoodmachinery.com

“WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON PRICE OR QUALITY”

“HENDERSON FOOD MACHINERY ARE VERY MUCH CUSTOMER AND PRICE FOCUSED WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A LOT OF NEW BUSINESS ENQUIRIES FOR EQUIPMENT, ALONG WITH REPEAT BUSINESS AND NEW CUSTOMERS WE STRIVE TO MAKE THIS OUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY. “WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON PRICE OR QUALITY”.

My Life in the Grocery Trade

NAME: JOHN CROWE ROLE: OWNER COMPANY: CARRICK FOODS

BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

My culinary career has taken me all over Ireland, the UK and France. I trained in the RTC in Galway, run by CERT, and have had the opportunity to work at some amazing five-star hotels and fine dining restaurants including Adare Manor, The Merrion, The Royal Garden Hotel, Le Coq Hardi, Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Not content with being a full-time lecturer (North West Regional College), and having had a distinguished career in hospitality and education, when it came to launching my own business, I knew I wanted to use my knowledge and experience to create unique foods that touched the soul, stirred emotions, and screamed local. This was the nucleus for creating Carrick Foods, together with a strong sense of collaborating and championing the wide range of raw materials the North West of Ireland has to offer. My passion is blending memories and traditions to craft food experiences. I am a small producer currently offering three products (Stout & date wheaten

bread mix, Stout city loaf and Cured salmon flavoured with lemon & dill) based at the FoodOvation centre in the North West Regional College. My products are stocked in a wide variety of locally run businesses.

BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB?

I love the creativity my job gives me with no two days ever being the same. Also, the opportunity to give back to the industry by being able to help shape and prepare the future generations of chefs. I don’t have a worst part; some would say the unsociable hours or working when everyone else is having down time. I don’t see it that way.

BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY

With Carrick Foods, it’s liaising with local business that stock my products, preparing and making fresh products weekly, corelating orders, seeking out new business opportunities, marketing Carrick Foods through social media (that’s a 24/7 job). And just having a positive

outlook needed to get a business off the ground and get traction within the market.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK?

At the moment, with my full-time work and also creating Carrick Foods and investing every spare moment to making it a success going forward, I don’t have much down time. But if I do get a spare couple of hours, I like to play a round of golf with my son Callum. I must add though he’s a better golfer than me and he’s only 15.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW

I once played soccer with Rod Stewart. Many years ago, I was working the summer season in the magnificent five-star Europe Hotel in Killarney. Rob Stewart was in town for his sell out concert and was staying at the Hotel. Security was tight around the hotel with even the Garda controlling access to the hotel and the grounds. As staff we had a strict no-contact policy. We also had developed a local soccer league with the other local hotels with weekly matches. We happen to be playing one evening when who should appear on the touch line but Rod. Next thing we knew he was on and playing for our hotel team. We had a mighty evening and won the game thanks to Rod’s help.

Soilèir’s Hydration Hub; Healthy, Handy Hydration

The Soilèir Group, known for its ethical, premium bottled water company Clearer Water has expanded its business portfolio to include Hydration Hub; a new social impact business specialising in innovative, accessible drink dispensers with integrated refrigeration and SMART technology.

Hydration Hubs will help participants create a business culture where the health of employees and customers are prioritised. Allowing for healthier drinking habits to be adopted with ease, removing the inconvenience of having to go off site for on-the-go chilled low calorie, zero sugar beverages rich in vitamins and minerals.

The first Hydration Hubs will be piloted in elite centres of sport, including South Lakes Leisure Centre and Larne Academy of Sport. The bottled drinks dispensers will include Clearer Water; a naturally alkaline, ‘perfectly’ PH balanced spring water, ideal for hydration during exercise and WOW Hydrate, which provides a range of sugar-free electrolyte and sugarfree protein waters, essential for post sport recovery and replenishment.

David Hunter, managing director of Soilèir, explains: “It was a natural fit for Hydration Hubs to initially focus on sports and fitness venues, but our desire is to provide healthy, hydration options where they will be most helpful. Over the next few months, Hydration Hubs will appear

in other public venues, workplaces and community spaces. Clearer Water and WOW Hydrate will supply healthy, handy alternatives for excessive sugar and high calorie drinks.”

Hydration Hub was designed to lead the premium self-service market, with the aim to deliver a user experience that prioritises convenience and accessibility. The Hydration Hub’s sleek matte design, strong build quality, refrigerated core and integration with SMART Pay options ensures a striking impression, enough to reassure customers that healthy hydration is the right choice.

Soilèir’s Chairmen Ross Lazaroo-Hood and Sitki Gelmen agree: “Hydration Hub is the result of the Soilèir teams’ extensive analysis of the health and wellbeing sector. We believe the convenience of traditional vending machines still have a lot to offer but the product selection available needs to change in line with consumer preferences. 2023 will be an exciting year, Clearer will expand its health-centred drinks range, which in time will join our flagship products Clearer Water and Clearer Water with Bubbles and the highly successful Wow Hydrate within Hydration Hubs.”

Hydration Hubs are the ideal option for organisations and businesses who benefit from no hidden costs and total

transparency. The bottled drinks dispenser can operate 24 hours a day with no downtime. Hydration Hub endeavours to meet the operator’s needs, with availability to operate a service plan to oversee replenishment.

Hydration Hub as part of The Soilèir Group will be committed to making a positive social impact, supporting initiatives that focus on improving local communities and wider society. As a mixed ability employer, by choosing Hydration Hub for your hydration and bottled drinks dispensing needs, you will be supporting additional-needs adults secure and maintain valuable employment.

Hydration Hub’s provide essential benefits to businesses, staff and customers. For more information about Hydration Hubs premium self-service bottled drinks dispensers, please contact our Managing Director David Hunter at D.Hunter@Soileirgroup.com and we will be happy to help.

Ross Lazaroo-Hood, owner and co-chairman of Soilèir, Sitki Gelmen, owner and co-chairman of Soilèir and David Hunter, MD of Soilèir.

MAXOL LAUNCHES CHRISTMAS COFFEE CUP CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF AWARE NI

conducted a social media poll reaffirming the positive impact of acts of kindness.

For every cup of Barista Bar hot beverage sold in participating Maxol service stations until December 31, Maxol will donate 10p to AWARE NI, having raised more than £550,000 for the charity across the island of Ireland through the campaign over the past six years.

Launching its annual Christmas Coffee Cup campaign in support of AWARE NI, forecourt and convenience retailer Maxol has

Maxol’s poll found 76% of respondents said friends and family displayed acts of kindness to them quite often or all the time, while 65% had been the recipient of kindness in only the last day.

When it comes to family, friends and

TEARFUND CHRISTMAS APPEAL

AIMS TO BRING HOPE TO HEARTS OF PEOPLE IN BURUNDI

The people of Burundi are at the centre of this year’s Tearfund appeal in partnership with SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores, with every £1 raised in store to be matched by the Henderson Group.

The Hope to Hearts Appeal will run until December 31, and aims to raise over £400,000 towards the efforts of Tearfund’s international partners in helping the people of Burundi rebuild their lives.

After decades of conflict and political instability, Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world and Tearfund has been working with local partners to enable their people to get back on their feet, to rebuild and thrive once more.

“This is a vital appeal, and one where we can help effect change and bring hope to the lives of those who need it most,” said Bronagh Luke, head of corporate marketing, Henderson Group.

“We have almost 500 SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores across Northern Ireland, with some of the most generous shoppers who have helped us raise over £900,000 in the past two years for Tearfund’s life-changing programmes which help some of the poorest nations around the world, whether they have been affected by conflict, climate change or Covid in recent years.

“We thank our shoppers in advance for supporting our Tearfund appeal as we know everyone is feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.”

partners, kindness matters deeply with nearly 100% of people agreeing it was a very important attribute.

Maxol will be sharing kindness around communities in the coming weeks with spot prizes of Maxol fuel vouchers hidden in participating stores for customers to find.

“We are aiming to raise vital funds for AWARE NI who work tirelessly for people across Northern Ireland living with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder,” said Brian Donaldson, chief executive officer, The Maxol Group.

“We hope the funds raised and acts of kindness shown over the next few weeks will have a positive impact on the communities we operate in.”

JULIAN SIMMONS LAUNCHES LIDL NI’S CHRISTMAS TROLLEY DASH IN

AID OF NSPCC

Lidl

Northern Ireland teamed up with renowned broadcaster and household favourite Julian Simmons for the return of its festive fundraiser Trolley Dash in aid of charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland.

Shoppers were offered the opportunity to win their entire Christmas food shop for just £1 as they take part in a two-minute Supermarket Sweep style dash around their local Lidl store.

Tickets went on sale in all 41 Lidl Northern Ireland stores for two weeks last month with one lucky customer per store chosen to participate in the annual Trolley Dash.

Now in its eighth year, Trolley Dash is Lidl Northern Ireland’s flagship charity fundraising event to raise vital funds for longstanding charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland.

“Shoppers can always enjoy savings on their grocery bills at Lidl Northern Ireland through our Big on Quality, Lidl on Price promise, and benefit from weekly savings through the Lidl Plus app, but we are pleased that we can offer our customers the opportunity to fill their trolley completely free of charge and enjoy Christmas on us with the return of our popular Trolley Dash,” said Gordon Cruikshanks, Lidl NI head of sales operations.

Over the course of a five-year partnership, Lidl Northern Ireland has delivered funding of more than £700,000 for NSPCC Northern Ireland.

Clare Galbraith, head of fundraising at AWARE; Melissa Riddell, Cool FM presenter and campaign ambassador; and Hannah Moore, fundraising and communications officer at AWARE.

Glen Mitchell, Tearfund, and Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group, launch the Hope to Hearts Christmas Appeal that will run throughout SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores until December 31

Katrina Hughes, corporate events and fundraising manager for NSPCC Northern Ireland, Julian Simmons, and Ben Crawford, store manager, Lidl Shore Road.

OPPORTUNITIES IN PET FOOD FOR CONCEPTS COMBINING SUSTAINABILITY & VALUE

MINTEL ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FOOD & DRINK EMMA CLIFFORD DELIVERS IN-DEPTH COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS HIGHLIGHTING CURRENT SECTOR TRENDS IN THE REPORT UK PET FOOD MARKET 2022

The UK’s ageing population may pose a threat to pet ownership and curb volume sales in the UK pet food market. However, Mintel’s pet food market research identifies that there are opportunities for brands to boost their sustainability credentials by embracing the eco-friendly nose-to-tail concept in their marketing communications.

“Belying the oft-cited ‘recession-proof’ nature of the pet food market, shifts in behaviour driven by the cost-of-living crisis and high levels of inflation will see volume sales slip into decline in 2022,” says Emma Clifford, associate director of food & drink at Mintel.

“While its expensive image is a major barrier for eco-friendly pet food, there are ripe opportunities for the pet food industry UK around concepts combining sustainability and money-saving benefits, such as ‘nose-to-tail’ recipes.”

Mintel’s latest UK Pet Food Market report identifies pet owners’ attitudes towards pet food brands, purchasing drivers and the impact of the cost-ofliving crisis on the pet food market. It covers the pet food market size, market forecast, market segmentation and industry trends in the UK pet food market.

CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF THE PET FOOD MARKET

Having continuously gained growth momentum between 2017 and 2021, the pet food market’s volume sales are expected to decline in 2022. This decline stems from switching from wet to dry cat and dog food amidst the cost-of-living crisis, the latter weighing less per portion, and the fallback in sales of pet treats and snacks.

Mintel’s pet food market research

indicates that brands will need to offer additional value and uniqueness to their products. Growing in popularity is the addition of an aromatic dimension to flavour descriptions to create a new multisensory angle, drive standout and boost products’ associations with quality and freshness.

UK PET FOOD MARKET SHARE AND KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

Mintel’s pet food market research identifies that while very few owners feed their pets exclusively homemade food, homemade pet food has become more popular over the last couple of years, presenting a growing threat to the pet food market. One of the primary motivators behind this looks to be the trust and transparency that comes from having control over ingredients.

• 27% of UK pet owners make their own pet food from scratch/leftovers.

• 67% of UK pet owners who buy pet food would stock up on pet food during promotional periods if they needed to save money.

• Pet food market size: value sales are anticipated to rise by 22.9% over the next five years

• Pet food market share: Pedigree is one of the leading brands in the pet food market, with an estimated retail value of £88m in 2021/22

FUTURE TRENDS IN THE UK PET FOOD MARKET

There is room for innovation in the UK pet food market, such as using offcuts of meat in pet food to align with the sentiment that the ideal diet for pets is as close as possible to what their ancestors would have eaten.

UK PET FOOD MARKET BRANDS

Brands included in the report include: Inspired Pet Nutrition (Harringtons, Wagg), Butcher’s (Butcher’s Pet Care), Mars Petcare (Dreamies, Misfits, Cesar, Pedigree, Sheba, Whiskas), Nestlé (Lily’s Kitchen, Bakers, Felix, Winalot, Gourmet, Purina, Go Cats Bonio, Dentalife), Naturo, Spectrum Brands (Iams, Good Boy), Encore (MPM), Webbox (Pets Choice), Bakers, Forthglade, Soopa, W’zis?, Mr Bug, Grub Club, Harringtons, Denzel’s, Tails.com.

COVERED IN MORE DETAIL IN THE FULL REPORT:

• Impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the pet food market

• Outlook for the pet food market in the re-emergence from the pandemic

• Latest product development trends in the UK pet food market

• Pet food industry UK: consumer purchasing and how this behaviour is affected by inflation

• Consumers’ attitudes towards pet food and concepts of interest

• Qualities associated with different types of pet food

• Pet food market size and pet food market share

Visit mintel.com to purchase its UK Pet Food Market Report in full.

Naturo Natural Pet Food expands Dry range!

COMPANY : MACKLE PETFOODS

The Naturo dry dog food range is available in a variety of different flavours, so your furry friend will never get bored with the food in their bowl. Choose from:

• Turkey & potato with vegetables (2kg & 10kg)

• Chicken & potato with vegetables (2kg & 10kg)

• Chicken & lamb with rice & vegetables (2kg)

• Puppy Chicken & sweet potato with vegetables (2kg)

• Senior Turkey & potato with vegetables (2kg)

The much-loved pet food brand Naturo is expanding its range to include dry food suitable for dogs of all ages. Owned by John Mackle Ltd, Naturo prides itself on producing pet food that uses 100% natural ingredients, with added vitamins and minerals, and supports canine health and well-being throughout all stages of life.

Packed full of the vitamins, minerals, proteins and omegas that your dog needs, Naturo’s dry food is the perfect addition to their diet. The kibble is expertly formulated to aid digestion, support the immune system, protect teeth and bones and maintain healthy skin and coat. Suitable for everyday feeding, you can also pair Naturo’s dry food with wet food from their range, tailoring dinner time to the dietary requirements of your dog.

A spokesperson from John Mackle Ltd said of Naturo’s dry food launch: ‘Naturo

has been the No.1 natural wet dog food manufacturer since 2017. Building on this success we are delighted to extend our dry food range to include an offering for all life stages from puppy through to senior dogs’.

There is also grain-free food available, should your pet have an intolerance or allergy. Tailored to the needs of puppies, senior dogs and every pup in between, there is a Naturo dry food suitable for all ages of dogs. The puppy food supports growth and development, whilst the senior range is formulated to maintain joint, muscle and digestive health.

For more information or to stock Naturo in your store, please contact +44 (0)28 8778 4641.

ANIMAL HEALTH & FARMING PROSPECTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT CONFERENCES

Animal health’s role as a core pillar of sustainability, and future prospects for agriculture, were the focus of two recent agricultural conferences featuring the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

LMC Chief Executive Ian Stevenson joined industry representatives at the first conference, hosted by Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick.

“AHWNI’s 10th anniversary conference placed a real focus on improving animal health as a core pillar of sustainability,” he said. “LMC was delighted to sponsor the conference which was well attended by key industry figures and animal health professionals including private vets and government.

“A key part of the sustainability improvement journey is improving productivity and resilience in livestock

production systems and reducing waste. We often hear about the potential for agriculture to reduce its greenhouse gas footprint through breeding for reduced emissions and feeding for reduced emissions but the importance of animal health in reducing emissions is generally unquantified.

“The importance of dynamic health

LOCAL POTATO SECTOR WELCOMES A HIGH-QUALITY HARVEST

Craigavon-based potato producer Wilson’s Country is highlighting the exceptional eating quality of its 2022 harvest, albeit from a lower yield due to a long dry spell.

“While we enjoyed prolonged sunshine over the summer months, the potatoes growing in the fields also experienced the heat too but without the benefit of any sun cream,” said Lewis Cunningham, managing director, Wilson’s Country.

“Because it was so warm and dry for several weeks, it’s fair to say some crops didn’t grow and yield as well as expected because of a lack of water.

“However, the eating quality of the potato is fantastic, and we can all look forward to enjoying floury potatoes with exceptional taste and flavour over the coming months.”

The quality of this year’s harvest has been welcomed by Kyle Greer, executive chef at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, which sources its potatoes from Wilson’s through the North Down Group.

“We serve potatoes with every meal setting of the day: breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said. “They are an integral part of the food service that we offer. The quality of this year’s crop is truly excellent; very floury and filled with taste. Customers coming into the hotel over the coming months will be in for a real treat.”

planning involving expert advice from your vet, herd specific risk management measures, knowing the disease status of your livestock and participating in programmes to eradicate disease are essential components in sustainable animal health.”

Meanwhile, the second conference, themed Outlook Facing UK and NI Agriculture, was organised by the Irish Farmers’ Journal in association with LMC and farm consultancy the Andersons Centre and held at Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown.

Michael Haverty from the Andersons Centre explored the impact the conflict in Ukraine is having on markets and outputs and discussed input costs. Current pressures will continue to be felt by farmers on the ground as we move toward 2023, with ‘agflation’ running well ahead of general inflation indicators, he said.

UFU WELCOMES DAIRY FARMERS’ PROGRESS IN REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS

Northern Ireland’s dairy industry in making progress in reducing carbon emissions per litre of milk produced, according to DAERA’s 2022 publication of Northern Ireland carbon intensity indicators.

The report found that total emissions intensity (excluding sequestration) relating to milk production, decreased from an average of 1,927 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of energy corrected milk in 1990 to 1,215 grams in 2020.

“DAERA’s latest report findings are testament to the efforts of the Northern Ireland dairy sector in tackling climate change,” said Kenny Hawkes, dairy chair, UFU. “The report complements the emissions data provided by the historical greenhouse gas inventory and the Northern Ireland greenhouse gas projections and will assist government in monitoring the efficiency of its carbon reduction policies.

“It is a well-known fact that NI milk production has expanded since 1990, but the total number of dairy cows over this period has increased by only 13%.

“This means that the improvement in the carbon footprint has been driven by substantial increases in milk yield per cow. Our farmers are continuing to deliver on the climate change front, successfully working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farm whilst continuing to produce high-quality food.

“This is positive news for the dairy industry which must be considered in the ongoing and intensifying debate on climate change.”

Ian Stevenson, chief executive, LMC.

Howard Hastings, Hastings Hotel Group; Lewis Cunningham, Wilson’s Country; and Kyle Greer, executive chef, Europa Hotel.

SUPERVALU & CENTRA LAUNCH ‘CRACKER’ COMPETITION TO HELP SHOPPERS THIS CHRISTMAS

Convenience retailers SuperValu and Centra launched a Cracker Deals competition last month to help customers save money this Christmas.

In partnership with CoolFM, SuperValu and Centra gave shoppers the chance to win one of 100 gift cards to spend in store, with a total prize value of £5,000.

As shoppers deal with the increased cost of living in the run up to Christmas, SuperValu and Centra gave back to communities with 20 lucky customers winning every day over November 7-11.

CoolFM presenters Pete Snodden, Paolo Ross and Rebecca McKinney offered listeners clues every day on their breakfast show for two lucky locations across Northern Ireland.

“SuperValu and Centra want to give back to the community by giving our loyal shoppers a bit of a boost with our Cracker Deals competition,” said Desi Derby, marketing director of SuperValu and Centra in Northern Ireland.

“As the Christmas season is quickly approaching, we know people are trying to save where they can, especially given the current financial climate. The competition is linked to 13 Cracker Deals running in store, helping shoppers to save money on quality goods in store during the festive season.

“At SuperValu and Centra, we are focused on putting value first all year round with over 700 own-brand

DALE FARM’S MATILDA PROMOTION OFFERS CHANCE TO WIN FAMILY TRIP TO NYC

Leading local ice cream brand Dale Farm* is celebrating the release of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical on November 25 by offering one lucky winner the chance to win a family adventure to New York City.

Matilda backpacks will also be awarded to 100 runners up, with the on-pack promotion on Dale Farm Favourites running until February 27, 2023.

Consumers purchasing a promotional multipack of iconic Dale Farm ice lollies (Joker, Pear Picking Porky, Polly Pineapple or Choc Pop) can enter by scanning the on-pack QR code which will take them to an online entry form.

One lucky winner, to be drawn at the end of February, will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York with their family (two adults, two children), including return flights from Dublin and three nights of luxury

accommodation in the heart of the city.

The lucky winner will also be able to record their favourite songs from the musical at a top recording studio and take their seats at a Broadway show of their choice.

“By investing heavily in an integrated marketing comms plan to support this promotion, we’re ensuring maximum visibility throughout the path to purchase, from OOH & digital advertising to POS in-stores and at freezer points, which we know will translate into an uplift of Dale Farm Favourites sales this winter,” said Claire Hale, Dale Farm.

*Source: NielsenIQ Scantrack Ice Cream MAT 52 weeks ending 04/12/21

products across both stores, up to 33% cheaper than the better-known brands. In addition, over 500 SuperValu branded products have been price-checked against Tesco.”

Cracker Deals followed on from Musgrave NI’s six-week Shop for Free campaign, in which more than 350 shoppers received vouchers totalling £25,000 across the Centra and Mace brands.

HOVIS BEST OF BOTH SUPPORTS BANGOR SWIFTS U12 GIRLS’ FOOTBALL TEAM

HovisBest of Both has announced a new sponsorship with Bangor Swifts Under 12s Girls’ Football Team, which will be kitted out in Best of Bothbranded shirts from the start of this season.

The girls’ football teams were first formed in 2019 and the squad will be joining the North Down and Ards Football and Futsal League in 2022 for the first time.

Hovis Best of Both lays claim as a great tasting loaf, as well as being rich in calcium and a source of fibre to be enjoyed by the whole family for breakfast and packed lunches.

“We are delighted that Hovis Best of Both will be sponsoring the Bangor Swifts Under 12s Girls’ Football Team for the 2022/23 season and we wish the entire squad the very best of luck in their future matches,” said Candida Brown, brand manager, Hovis Ireland.

Jennifer Morton, Centra NI, and Patricia McIlroy, SuperValu NI, launch this year’s Cracker Deals

DELI LITES TO SUPPLY PLANET CAFÉ RANGE TO 100 SPAR SCOTLAND STORES

Newry-based DELI LITES is to supply a range of six Planet Café food-togo products, available in GB for the first time, to more than 100 SPAR stores in Scotland.

DELI LITES is hoping to capture a growing share of a total UK food-togo sector forecast to reach £22.3bn in 2023* with 12% of all trips to convenience stores said to be driven by food to go and hot ranges generating average basket value of £5.61 against £4.71 for chilled options.

Planet Café, a new brand recently launched by DELI LITES, aims to use the finest ingredients from local producers to create quality, responsibly sourced, nutritious food-on-the-go products.

The six new recipes are inspired by flavours of the world with a focus on premium ingredients and being kind to the planet and include Louisiana Inspired Cajun Chicken Panini, the Ultimate Chicken & Bacon Irish Tósta, the Mexican Inspired Chipotle Beef Burrito, the Grilled Cheese & Ham Irish Tósta, the Tex Mex Inspired Plant Based Burrito and the Tuscan Inspired Veg & Mozzarella Panini.

“Our vision from the beginning has always been to provide customers with more choice and excitement when choosing food on the move,” said Brian Reid, CEO and co-founder of DELI LITES.

“Our Planet Café range is a celebration of much-loved world flavours, prepared with the finest ingredients that offer customers a more wholesome, tasty hot food option without compromising on taste or quality.

“There has been a significant increase in demand for more choice in hot food

on the go and the Planet Café offering, which is the first premium range of its kind in the market, has a variety of heatto-eat products to suit many tastes.

“With hybrid working now becoming part of everyday life, we expect a strong demand for on-the-go healthier lunch options, especially across the UK’s towns and villages as home workers decide to pop out for a healthy heat-to-eat lunch.”

Source: *Mintel: www.mintel.com/globalfood-and-drink-trends-2030

HINCH TO DOUBLE ITS WHISKEY PRODUCTION & INCREASE WORKFORCE BY 10

Hinch

Distillery is ramping up its production lines as global and domestic demand for its products surge, increasing its whiskey production from 400,000 to 1m litres of pure alcohol (LPA) per year.

The distillery, which also produces the Ninth Wave Gin brand, formerly operated a five-day week model but will now switch to a 24/7 operation to cater to its growing client base.

The increase will see whiskey production reach an annual 8,000 casks or 3.5m bottles, while gin production will rise to 440,000 litres LPA equivalent of 1.7m bottles.

Ten new members will join the Hinch team as a result of its expansion plans.

Hinch has also invested in three additional washbacks from distilling equipment expert Forsyths in Scotland, as well as additional technology from

MW Control Solutions.

“We are delighted with the demand for our whiskey products, which are, by industry standards still in their infancy,” said Dr Terry Cross OBE, chairman of Hinch Distillery.

“Our products have quickly gained momentum in a world of whiskey lovers, rising through the ranks to become a respected competitor in the fine Irish whiskey category. Our growth is organic and in line with our everexpanding markets.

“We are pleased to see that Irish whiskey, as a category, is enjoying increased popularity and we really feel we have cornered some of the most valuable markets.

“Interest in Irish whiskey tourism has grown significantly over the last 12 months, boosting employment and investment throughout Ireland. Our

distillery drives brand recognition and builds loyalty with storytelling through Hinch distillery tours on site.”

Michael Morris, international sales director, Hinch Distillery, said: “Our product portfolio is reaching no less than 30 global markets, boosting NI’s reputation as a producer of fine whiskey while our collection has attracted multiple international awards.”

Ronan Gourley, Planet Café; Stewart Ferguson and Stephen Brown, CJ Lang; and Philip Woods, Planet Café.

Emma Millar, distiller; Dr Terry Cross OBE, chairman; and William Stafford, head distiller at Hinch Distillery.

MOY PARK AWARDED SILVER CORE ACCREDITATION BY BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

Moy Park has been awarded Silver CORE accreditation by Business in the Community (BITC) NI in recognition if its commitment to corporate responsibility.

CORE enables firms to map corporate responsibility activity and benchmark it against other organisations, through independent verification by an external assessor.

Receiving the Silver CORE accreditation for the first time, Moy Park first achieved Standard CORE recognition in 2017. The judging panel highlighted Moy Park’s approach to sustainability, investment in training opportunities for employees and passion for corporate responsibility across the business.

“Corporate responsibility is something we take very seriously at

Moy Park, and we work closely with our customers, suppliers and team members to ensure we continue to behave as a responsible company,” said Aislinn Joyce, recruitment lead, Moy Park.

“Embedded in our local communities and committed to industry leading operating processes and facilities,

HENDERSON RETAIL RECOGNISED

BY NI CHAMBER FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT

Henderson Retail has been recognised by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce for its stores’ community impact across Northern Ireland.

The company won The Community Champion award at the Chamber Business Awards 2022, recognising businesses for how they facilitate, participate in, and enable community engagement.

The company was presented with its trophy at a recent breakfast ceremony with NI Chamber President Gillian McAuley.

Henderson Retail owns and operates 102 SPAR and EUROSPAR stores in Northern Ireland. The company implemented a Community Champion strategy, nominating a community engagement representative at each store who is passionate about their local community and regularly engages with charities and organisations to better nurture their neighbourhoods.

“In the past year, our stores have carried out over 1,000 community events and raised over £335,000 for charities that are working within those communities for the people and places in the local area,” said Mark McCammond, retail director at Henderson Group.

“Each of our company owned store teams know the impact they can have for those living in each neighbourhood, and especially in the past couple of years, have been able to provide community hubs and safe spaces for them to see a friendly face and pick up their essentials.”

we are proud of our work across the business in this area, from our sustainability commitments to charity initiatives such as our £1m Community Support Fund.

“Having previously achieved Standard CORE accreditation, we are delighted to now be recognised at Silver level. We always strive to do better and will continue our work to build on our reputation as leaders in corporate responsibility within the food industry.”

Dr Lisa McIlvenna, deputy managing director, BITC NI, said: “By achieving CORE at Silver Level, Moy Park is once again demonstrating its leadership in responsible and sustainable business. The company has held itself to external scrutiny, seeking to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.”

MARS’ CIRCULAR ECONOMY PLEDGE ADVANCES WITH RECYCLED PACKAGING FOR KIND BARS

Mars, Incorporated is declaring a key milestone in its commitment to a circular economy, with the introduction of new KIND snack bar packaging incorporating recycled content.

The new material has been redesigned for maximum circularity and is produced through the recycling of used mixed plastic otherwise destined for incineration or landfill. It is eligible for drop-off recycling in the UK, and kerbside recycling in Ireland.

The group has set targets of reducing use of new virgin plastic by 25%, incorporating 30% recycled content into plastic packaging, and redesigning more than 12,000 packaging components across its portfolio.

“At Mars Incorporated, we want to contribute to a circular economy where packaging material never becomes waste, but is recycled, reused or composted,” said Barry Parkin, chief procurement & sustainability officer at Mars Incorporated.

Dr Lisa McIlvenna, deputy managing director, BITC NI, and Aislinn Joyce, recruitment lead, Moy Park.

Gregory Cochrane, Henderson Retail store projects manager, and John Fox, store manager, EUROSPAR Greencastle Street, Kilkeel are pictured with Ann McGregor, chief executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

NEW SIBA CHIEF EXECUTIVE AIMS TO HELP BREWERIES OF ALL SIZES TO THRIVE

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has appointed former Black Sheep Chairman Andy Slee as its new chief executive, effective from January 1, 2023.

“I am of the passionate belief that small independent breweries are a force for good in the communities they servethey are the vibrant heart that helps bring people together,” said Slee.

“SIBA represents a huge breadth of independent British brewers. Our job is to help create an environment in which all can thrive in what are very challenging times and ensure that local beer is a vibrant and growing part of the British beer landscape.

“That can only be achieved by helping small independent breweries to thrive. I look forward to working with the SIBA team and all its members to do just that.”

Having also been a non-executive director at Titanic Brewery, and held prior positions at Coca Cola, Punch

BOOST TARGETS ONGOING GROWTH WITH EXPANDED MARKETING ROLES

Fast-growing energy brand Boost Drinks has expanded its marketing roles as it targets continued growth in the category.

Francine Matthews has been appointed brand manager of Sport & Energy at Boost Drinks, focusing on growing the core portfolio through all areas of the marketing mix.

Matthews joined Boost Drinks in 2016 as consumer marketing manager and has since been an integral part of Boost’s success in Northern Ireland, supporting the growth of the brand to be the number one selling soft drink in

Taverns and Bass, Slee brings a breadth of top-level lobbying, commercial and membership experience to the role as well as a personal passion for local independent beer.

Richard Naisby, chairman of the SIBA Board, said: “Andy’s knowledge and passion for the independent brewing sector is absolutely evident and I am certain he is the right man to drive forward SIBA in 2023. I look forward to working with him as he delivers a bright and progressive future for the organisation.”

NI convenience.

Lucy Manby has been appointed as brand manager of Diversification, focusing on developing areas outside the core Boost Sports and Energy brands including Boost Iced Coffee.

Manby joined Boost Drinks in 2018 as consumer marketing executive, in which time she has made a significant impact on the company and the Northern Ireland soft drinks industry.

Hannah Elliott has been appointed as marketing assistant, with key responsibilities split between the trade and brand marketing teams, where she will support in building and executing marketing initiatives across trade and consumer marketing to aid brand growth.

Prior to joining Boost, Elliott worked at Bird’s Eye UK & IE on the Shopper Marketing team.

NEWSPRINTERS ANNOUNCES TRACEY HART IS TO LEAD NEWS UK RETAIL FUNCTION

In her new remit, Hart will integrate the crucial Retail function into an end-toend supply chain operation, to include Wholesale, Allocation and Performance. The move also brings News UK’s Retail team closer to Newsprinters’ Printing and Distribution teams, with the aim of maximising service levels across the whole supply chain.

This change comes alongside the news Neil Spencer is stepping down from his role as retail director, with immediate effect, having made a significant contribution to the Retail strategy over the years.

Hart joined News UK eight years ago and, since then, has been focused on building new revenues across its print and distribution services, with a focus on innovation and effective outcomes.

Prior to joining News UK, she was head of sales & marketing for the Daily Mail.

“I look forward to working with our valued retailers, understanding their challenges and opportunities, and working together to drive our casual and home delivered services to ensure newspapers remain in the hands of our millions of readers,” said Hart.

News UK, owner of news brands

The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun, has announced Tracey Hart, Newsprinters commercial director of operations, is expanding her role to take responsibility for all aspects of its Retail function.

Fran Matthews

Lucy Manby

Hannah Elliott

Tracey Hart

Andy Slee

SAINSBURY’S LISTS BAILEYS CHOCOLATE COLLECTION FOR CHRISTMAS

The new listing with Sainsbury’s will also include an exclusive in-store offer on Baileys Liqueur, with consumers picking up a bottle of Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur (1L) from November receiving a Baileys Chocolate Reindeer for free.

Lir Chocolates’ Christmas gifting range also includes the return of Baileys Chocolate Bombes, Baileys Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles and Baileys Original Chocolate Collection Gift Wrap Box. The entire range features new, eye-catching designs to build on seasonal and gifting cues.

“We’re delighted to be expanding the Baileys brand into Sainsbury’s for Christmas this year with our Baileys Chocolate Collection and have it widely available for customers across the UK,” said Katie Byrne, senior brand manager at Lir Chocolates.

Irish business Lir Chocolates has secured a new national retail listing for its Baileys Chocolate Collection at Sainsbury’s this Christmas.

The newly secured listing is a first for the business and will see the chocolate gift box available in 216 stores across the country from October, carrying an RRP of £6.

Baileys Chocolate Collection includes a variety of milk, white and dark chocolates filled with Baileys original flavouring.

“While the Baileys Chocolate range performs well around occasions, especially Christmas, with consumers more likely than ever to choose brands they know and love, the iconic Baileys brand give consumers confidence when purchasing for friends and family during the festive season.

“During these uncertain times some consumers will still look to seek indulgence over Christmas and will be willing to spend a little bit extra on more premium treats such as Baileys Chocolate to share with loved ones, which has seen the popularity of sharing chocolates rise over chocolate bars.”

BRIDOR ADDS NEW FOCACCIA BREADS

TO BAKED GOODS COLLECTION

French bakery manufacturer Bridor has introduced two new Focaccia breads to its growing portfolio of baked goods.

The two formats, Focaccia Cinquanta and Focaccia Genovese, use five simple ingredients – flour, water, olive oil, yeast and salt –to produce the traditional, flat leavened oven-baked Italian bread.

Bridor’s new products have been designed to be quickly rebaked in the oven for a fresh and flavoursome result to enjoy at any time of day.

The Cinquanta range consists of Focaccia Romana, also known as Focaccia alla Pala due to the long, rectangular shape of wooden cooking spades used to transfer pizzas to and from ovens.

Using 50-hour fermentation, Focaccia Cinquanta is made from wheat flour and extra virgin olive oil to give it a light and crispy texture.

Said to be ideal for hot or cold savoury recipes, the two plain formats are available in 210g and 450g and give professionals a base to create Mediterranean-inspired recipes that can be garnished with a variety of toppings for an authentic taste of Italy. This fully baked bread can be flashed in the oven for 2-3 minutes at 260°C.

Focaccia Genovese, or fugassa, is a soft, thick bread typical of Liguria, imprinted by hand with characteristic holes over the surface.

Made with extra-virgin olive oil, the Genovese has a soft, thick centre and is one of the most wellknown Focaccias outside of Italy.

This Bridor focaccia comes in two 600g slabs – Genovese and presliced Genovese. The pre-sliced and pre-cut portions allow for culinary creativity to either garnish as an appetiser, use in sandwiches or to accompany meals.

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

I have been married to my wife Rhonda for 15 years and have two children, Caleb aged 12 and Rebecca aged 9. As well as being a qualified Technology and Design teacher for 19 years, I am founder owner of small batch coffee company Hampton Roast Coffee, where I have responsibility for sourcing, roasting, bagging and selling our coffees. I have a love for learning how things work and are made, and this inquisitive nature led me to discover more about the science behind good coffee.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE?

Once I’ve swapped out the teacher clothes, helped out at home with the family, I head out to the roastery where my routine will depend on the day of the week. One of my aims is to have zero waste and avoid stock piling roasted coffee, so the orders for coffee are roasted on three days; Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. On roast days, the coffee is roasted, cooled and bagged straight away to ensure the coffee is as fresh as possible. Postal orders are then boxed up and shipped out the next day. Tuesdays and Fridays are local delivery days, where customers can have their coffee delivered directly to their door; a service that proves to be very popular. When I am not roasting or delivering coffee, I am planning the next coffee origin to sell. This involves sourcing coffee that sits within our ethical and high-quality coffee ethos. Once a new coffee arrives, I get to work producing sample roasts to find that perfect roast profile for each coffee to bring out the best notes and flavours and then it’s time to do some coffee cupping aka coffee tasting to help write the tasting notes for the coffee labels and description for our website.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

A highlight has to be completion of The Roastery, where my vision of combining my passion for teaching and coffee come together in one place. A proud moment was being nominated as a finalist for two awards at the Larne Business Awards in 2021 and 2022.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I love teaching and coffee, and Hampton Roast Coffee allows me to do both. I love producing high-quality coffee that I am

IN THE Hot Seat

NAME : RHYAN McCOY JOB : OWNER & FOUNDER COMPANY : HAMPTON ROAST COFFEE

proud of, and also love educating people about the benefits of drinking small batch roasted, single origin and ethically sourced coffee. I enjoy the challenge of exploring the best roast level for each coffee, trying to produce the best tasting coffee from each origin.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK?

In today’s world, social media plays a vital role in the promotion of a product and with me being a ‘one man band’, sometimes this is the part of job that suffers most. I am aware that I should be maintaining a regular social media presence, but it is often the task that gets left to the end or is an afterthought. It is probably a generational thing.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?

Stay true to what you believe in and what you are proud of. I am passionate about great tasting coffee, and I know what I like to drink and what I don’t. I love single origin coffee, where there is traceability for the coffee’s origin and its ethical status. It also keeps the coffee true to its region and the flavours that come from there, but this comes at a cost. It would be very easy to lose sight of this as costs rise and profit margins decrease.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST

to teach coffee enthusiasts all about the coffee, how to cup coffee and the processes of coffee roasting. I would love to have the opportunity to stock some more local coffee shops and businesses and become a household name for speciality coffee.

WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?

In coffee terms, James Hoffmann. James is a coffee consultant, author and has his own YouTube channel dedicated to all things coffee, and his wealth of knowledge and expertise is so inspiring. And in overall terms, I would have to say James Dyson. I use his testimony of a ‘never give up’ attitude in so many places and love how he uses failure as an opportunity for improvement.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE?

I had the pleasure of staying on Rathlin Island many years ago, before it had glamping pods etc and I have never felt so remote and cut off from the modern world. I live a busy life and my phone, laptop or tablet is never far away from my hand. But when I am on Rathlin Island, I love the fact I trade all this in for puffins, sea lions and untouched landscape.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT?

GRIPE?

Importing coffee has been a steep learning curve for me but the biggest annoyance I have is trying to bring stock into Northern Ireland from mainland UK.

WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE?

As a child, I used to ask for an electric guitar every Christmas and always had the ambition to learn how to play an instrument and I suppose this desire has never left me.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS/ AMBITIONS?

I am excited to start a Roast Your Own experience where I have the opportunity

I love spicy food, in fact the hotter the better in my opinion. I love Indian food but as my family don’t share this love with me, I don’t get to eat as much as I would like. I suppose this makes it taste even better when I do though!

HOW DO YOU RELAX?

Relax? Not sure I know what this really means as I convince myself that I relax by being busy. However, I am an avid football and rugby fan, and you might even see me in the infamous green suit at the Northern Ireland games alongside my brother in his matching suit. I love to cycle and really enjoy getting out on the bike for a few hours to blow off the cobwebs and cycle around the stunning Antrim coastline.