Ulster Grocer February 2020 by Helen Wright

GROCER ULSTER

FEBRUARY 2020

N O. 1 M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E LO C A L G R O C E R Y S E C TO R

Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

EU TRADE PLAN COULD MEAN ‘BRICK WALL BORDER’ IN IRISH SEA BY MARGARET CANNING & ANDREW MADDEN

eports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will accept border checks following Brexit to avoid having to stick to EU standards could mean a “brick wall instead of a paper wall” in the Irish Sea, it’s been claimed. The UK leaves the EU on January 31, entering a 12-month transition period in which Johnson has said he expects to be able to conclude a free trade agreement with the EU. But according to the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister is to say in a speech in early February that ‘sovereignty is more important than frictionless trade’. That would mean he would ignore warnings from Brussels that the UK needs to accept the need to adhere to EU standards in order to secure the best deal. But the lower the convergence between UK standards and EU standards, the more likely it is that there will be checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Aodhan Connolly, director of the NI Retail Consortium, said the stance

8-9

was “not good news for Northern Ireland”, though he said it could be a negotiating tactic by the Prime Minister. “What I would say is that this could be Boris’s poker face; however it doesn’t give business what they need,” he said. “Depending on the degree of divergence that we have from the EU’s standards, it could be a matter of seeing whether we have a brick wall or a paper wall down the Irish Sea.” Meanwhile, a report in the Guardian contradicted Government claims postBrexit paperwork for trade between NI and GB would be straightforward, with the Exit Summary Declaration in fact featuring 31 data elements of which only two are voluntary. Seamus Leheny, policy manager of the Freight Transport Association NI, said: “It’s the haulier who must complete the paperwork. The concern is if a mistake is made and a load refused on board a ferry, it could then miss its sailing which would have a big impact on ‘just in time’ loads, especially for the retail trade.”

14-15

UFU JOINING FOOD STANDARDS RALLY IN WESTMINSTER

lster Farmers’ Union (UFU) will be participating in a Westminster rally urging Government to support a future UK trade policy preventing the importing of food produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK. UFU will join UK farming unions NFU, NFU Cymru and NFU Scotland, as well as farmers, consumer representatives and animal welfare and environment experts, for the event on March 25 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre. “The coming months are going to be critical not only for the future of UK farming but for the Northern Ireland economy as the agri-food industry supports every one in eight jobs and turns over £4.5bn annually,” said Ivor Ferguson, president, UFU.

32-33

36-37

STORE FOCUS:

IFEX 2020:

SLEEK & STYLISH:

OPEN FOR ENTRIES:

AWARD-WINNING ARCADIA DELICATESSEN IS NOW OPERATED BY A THIRD GENERATION OF THE BROWN FAMILY IN THE SAME LISBURN ROAD LOCATION

FIND OUT WHAT’S COOKING AT NORTHERN IRELAND’S PREMIER FOODSERVICE, HOSPITALITY & RETAIL EXHIBITION, TO BE HELD AT TEC BELFAST OVER MARCH 24-26

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVOLUTION OF COCA COLA’S CAN OFFERING FOR 70 YEARS, A NEW SLEEK CAN WILL BE INTRODUCED ACROSS COCA-COLA, FANTA & SPRITE

THE SEARCH HAS BEGUN FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS WINNERS, WITH ENTRY OPEN UNTIL FRIDAY, MARCH 6

email: info@ulstergrocer.com Volume 55, Number 2 FEBRUARY 2020

Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Jason Winstanley Sales Manager: Chris Keenan E: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4266 Art Editor: Helen Wright Production Manager: Irene Fitzsimmons Ulster Grocer c/o Independent News & Media Ltd, Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3BG www.ulstergrocer.com @ulstergrocer www.facebook.com/ulstergrocer Subscriptions: £27.50 per annum £37.50 per annum (outside UK) Designed & Produced by: Independent News & Media Ltd Tel: 028 9026 4000 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim Tel: 028 9446 3911 Latest ABC figures state that Ulster Grocer has an average net circulation of 5,444 per edition (1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 – 11 editions per year). Independent News & Media Ltd ©2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or stransmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Independent News & Media Ltd.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

www.ulstergrocer.com

BREXIT & A FLAT RETAIL PERFORMANCE

s I write this, Brexit is due to happen at 11pm this evening and I think I can safely say by the time our February edition lands on your doorstep, we will have officially left the European Union. Unfortunately, the time and date of departure remains the only real certainty around Brexit; particularly for Northern Ireland. Little clarity exists yet around one of the key issues for Northern Ireland, trade with Great Britain, and what level of paperwork will apply. From Westminster, we have variously heard it will be ‘straightforward’ (Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay) or can just be thrown in the bin (Prime Minister Boris Johnson, speaking at a Northern Ireland factory). However, the Freight Transport Association, representing the hauliers carrying food and drink between NI and GB, has said the paperwork - in its current form - is in fact complex. Not only could hauliers potentially face penalties for failing to input 29 mandatory elements of the 31 data points, incomplete or incorrect exit declarations could impact the efficiency of the food chain and jeopardise future business for local companies. Meanwhile, representatives from the European Commission, including Michel Barnier when recently delivering the William J Clinton Leadership Lecture at Queen’s University Belfast, are warning checks and controls must be implemented for goods travelling between GB and NI or the UK will be found in breach of the Brexit agreement. And a further concern for the Northern Ireland, and wider UK, agri-food sector is food standards post-Brexit; particularly with regards to imports.

Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is heading over to join its GB counterparts at a Westminster demonstration in March, urging strict food standards are maintained post Brexit. UFU is concerned our local farmers may find it more difficult to trade with GB – their main market – and may find themselves less competitive if they have to maintain EU standards but GB farmers do not. And trade deals yet to be finalised around global food and drink imports into GB and Northern Ireland are also of concern. January also brought, of course, the welcome restoration of the NI Assembly and Executive after a three-year absence, with the hope we will now at least have local government to represent our best interests as Brexit unfolds. Low consumer confidence as a result of Brexit is thought to be one of the contributing factors to a flat retail performance for both Christmas and 2019 as a whole, as highlighted in our news stories on p7. Following a trend noted last year, discounters lead by Lidl and symbols are doing well but bigger stores – particularly Asda and Sainsbury’s – seem to be struggling. Alongside the latest news from the retail sector, and a profile of the wellknown Arcadia Delicatessen on the Lisburn Road in Belfast, a big focus for the February edition is on NPD in the food and drink sector. Leading the charge is cover star Dale Farm with its new flavoured protein milk range, while other new launches include Boost with a new iced coffee line and packaging innovations from both Coca Cola and Ormo. Enjoy...

Alyson Magee

Ulster Grocer is a part of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). If you believe you have been unfairly treated, you can contact IPSO in writing via its website for guidance on what to do. The service is free. IPSO can then advise on whether it’s likely you have grounds for a complaint and what to do about it. The normal procedure is for the complainant to then contact the publication’s editor directly. If no agreement is reached, the complainant can go back to IPSO to look for an adjudication, or for it to take over the complaint. Full details are available at www.ipso.co.uk. Alternatively, email complaints@ipso. co.uk, or inquiries@ipso.co.uk, or telephone 0300 123 2220, or the out-of-hours emergency number: 07659 152 656. Or write to: IPSO, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD.

NEWS

RETAILERS URGED TO REVIEW REVAL 2020 CALCULATIONS W

ith grocery shops among 74,000 Northern Ireland businesses receiving new draft business rates last month, retailers have been urged to review and benchmark their valuations. Businesses have a short window of opportunity to challenge their new rating before it is applied to bills from April under Reval2020, Land & Property Services’ Non-Domestic Rates Revaluation. Overall, the retail grocery sector does not appear to have taken too great of a hit in the fiscally neutral Reval2020. While many high street shops, shopping centres and larger food stores may see a decrease in rateable value, more buoyant sectors such as forecourt convenience stores and

discount retailers are expected to face increases. “Reval 2020 is of crucial importance to independent retailers and business owners in Northern Ireland,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “In the last revaluation, over 70% of Retail NI members saw an increase in their rates bill. It is our hope that that this revaluation will not be a repeat of this. It is absolutely crucial to get across to business owners that they can appeal if they are unhappy with the draft valuation. “Our system of antiquated business rates is broken and not fit for purpose in the 21st century. It is a scandal that Northern Ireland has now the highest business rates in the UK, which is

AGRI-FOOD SECTOR WELCOMES STORMONT RESTORATION R

epresentatives from the agri-food sector have welcomed restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive on January 11 after a three-year suspension. Under the New Decade, New Approach agreement, Stormont was back up and running last month with eight new ministers appointed including Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots. The three-year absence had left many urgent strategic decisions around investment, growth and key animal health issues such as the control of bovine TB unanswered, said the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). “While we know that there is still some heavy lifting to be done in terms of restoring our Assembly and Executive, we are here to support the parties and encourage them in their efforts to re-establish these institutions as a matter of urgency,” said Ivor Ferguson, president, UFU. “The local farming industry is already beginning to experience the roll out of Brexit with new domestic legislation required to provide the legal basis to continue to make the almost £300m of direct payments to the farmers in NI this year and is yet another crucial reason why we need the leadership and input from a NI Executive to help us through this challenging process.” Seamus Leheny, policy manager NI, FTA, said: “The confirmation of a new administration in Stormont gives Northern Ireland’s logistics businesses long-overdue reassurance that the sector’s concerns, and the future of NI trade, can once again be prioritised by government. “Vital infrastructure spending now needs to be prioritised, after three years of stagnation, to protect NI’s trading relationships and its complicated, interconnected supply chain.”

restricting the growth of our retail and SME sectors. “This reval should not add any further burden to thousands of businesses struggling to pay their rate bills.” Retail NI collaborated with property consultant Osborne King last month to host an information seminar for independent retailers. Robert Watson, director, Osborne King, said: “Regardless of whether your valuation goes up or down following the revaluation, it is recommended you instruct an experienced qualified valuer to check your assessment and submit a challenge if appropriate. Even if your valuation has gone down, you could still be paying too much.”

NFRN EXPRESSES CONCERN AT NATIONAL LIVING WAGE INCREASES

ndependent retailers have reacted with concern to the government announcement of an increase in the national living wage to £8.72 an hour in April, according to the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN). The rise, which the government has described as the largest cash increase since the minimum wage was introduced 20 years ago, will also trigger increases in employers’ national insurance and pension contributions; a treble whammy for already-suffering independent high street outlets, says NFRN. “We all want to be able to pay our staff more, to reward them for their hard work during the year, but above inflation increases will put even more pressure on local stores, many of whom have already had to cut staff in order to meet the increased payroll costs associated with the introduction of auto enrolment pensions,” said Stuart Reddish, national president, NFRN. “Many retailers rely on family members to help run their stores and already are unable to pay themselves the living wage for the hours that they work. “The government has committed itself to raising the living wage to over £10 an hour. If this is to be achievable without destroying the independent retail sector, then the Prime Minister needs to use his majority in the House of Commons to take urgent steps to support rather than penalise retailers. “Reforming the dysfunctional business rates system would be a good place for Mr Johnson to start.” 5

NEWS

TRACY HAMILTON AWARDED MBE IN THE NEW YEAR HONOURS T

racy Hamilton of Mash Direct has been awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours list for her services to the Northern Ireland agri-food sector. The award was made in recognition of Tracy’s unwavering commitment growing and developing food and drink companies across Northern Ireland, as well as championing diversification and diversity in agri-food. In the early 2000s, she worked tirelessly with her husband Martin to create the Mash Direct brand on the family farm in Comber. She has since worked to share this knowledge and best practice amongst start-ups aiming to set up small food and drink businesses across the region. Over the years, Hamilton has worked tirelessly in sharing her knowledge

and best practice in food, farming and sustainability through various bodies, which led to her becoming the first woman to sit on the Board of Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association as well as serving as a visiting professor at the Ulster University Business School and a director of Food NI for 10 years. She is also a director of the Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust, sits on the Committee of the Irish Tree Society and is the vice president for Ireland of the International Dendrology Society. “This is an incredible honour, I am in total disbelief,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to be recognised and feel that this award belongs to the Northern Irish agri-food sector as a whole and the incredible enthusiasm and hard work of all involved.”

Tracy Hamilton, MBE.

GROCERYAID AWARENESS DAY RETURNS FOR A SECOND YEAR G roceryAid, the national charity for the grocery industry, has announced that its second Awareness Day will be held on Tuesday 3rd March 2020. The day focuses on encouraging grocery colleagues to spread the word about the free emotional, practical and financial support available from GroceryAid. Last year’s Awareness Day saw 63 companies participate, with 5,483 stores and manufacturing sites receiving GroceryAid information to share with colleagues, through putting up posters, handing out materials and posting on social media. This participation led to a 31% increase in GroceryAid applications

and a 22% increase in calls to the Helpline. “GroceryAid Awareness Day is all about creating a thunderclap throughout the industry about the fantastic help available to colleagues, from relationship counselling to financial advice,” said Mandi Leonard,

welfare director at GroceryAid. “Without the support from companies raising awareness last year, we wouldn’t have been able to help as many colleagues as we did.” Even though Employee Assistance Programmes are widely available throughout the grocery industry, GroceryAid has identified that colleagues frequently do not want to access support available from their employer for more personal problems, such as relationship problems, mental health issues and debt worries. To get involved in GroceryAid Awareness Day, please get in touch at news@groceryaid.org.uk or visit https:// www.groceryaid.org.uk/ for more information and to download the free Awareness Day pack.

BELFAST WORKERS OPPOSE SUNDAY TRADING HOURS EXTENSION

RETAIL NI WELCOMES TRIBECA PLANNING PERMISSION

ore than 90% of Belfast shopworkers are opposed to extending Sunday trading hours, according to a new survey by union Usdaw. A consultation on the issue carried out by Belfast City Council has recently closed. In 2018, an attempt to designate the city centre as a ‘holiday resort’, allowing it to extend Sunday trading hours, was rejected by councillors. Independent retailers and trade unions were against the move, arguing it would give an advantage to multi-national companies and adversely affect workers.

etail NI has welcomed Belfast City Council Planning Committee’s approval of the Tribeca application on January 21. The £500m urban regeneration scheme encompasses a 12acre site beside St Anne’s Cathedral bounded by Royal Avenue, Donegall Street, Lower Garfield Street and Rosemary Street. “Retail NI is ambitious for Belfast and we believe that with the right support from Government, a bold new strategy and the correct partnership model, Belfast could be in the top 10 retail destinations in the UK and Ireland,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI.

NEWS

ASDA SALES SLUMP BY 2.5% AS TESCO KEEPS LEADING GROCER SPOT S BY MARGARET CANNING

upermarket giant Asda is drawing fewer shoppers to its 17 stores here with sales in Northern Ireland down 2.5% over the last year, according to research. Market research company Kantar said the fall in the value of sales at Asda left it with a market share of 16.6% in the grocery market here. Sainsbury’s, which has 14 Northern Ireland stores, also saw its sales shrink by 1.2%, leaving it with a market share of 17%. The latest report from Kantar includes the key Christmas retail period. However, German discounter Lidl reported growth of 4.2% in the value of its sales in the year to December 29, with a market share of 6.1%. But Tesco retained its position as Northern Ireland’s number one retailer,

adding 1.5% to the value of its sales and seeing out 2019 with a market share of 35.6%. Overall, growth in the grocery market was slow at just 0.4% in the 52 weeks to December 29. And volume sales were down by 0.4%, as people were buying less. Other multiples, a category which includes Dunnes, also reported a fall in sales of 0.5% and a market share of 8.7%. However, symbol retailers, a category which refers to convenience stores like SPAR, Centra and Mace, increased their sales by 1.6% and had a market share of 8%. Tesco is the only one of the three top grocers to grow sales. “Falling basket sizes were outweighed by shoppers making an

average of seven more trips to the retailer than they did this time last year,” said Charlotte Scott, consumer insight director at Kantar. She said that basket sizes were growing at Asda but that the business was “struggling with a loss of shoppers” with visits down 2.%. In contrast, basket sizes at Sainsbury’s were falling, suggesting people were making smaller and more frequent trips. Prices were up 1%. While Lidl’s growth in sales had enabled it to add 0.2 percentage points to market share, basket prices were down at Lidl. “While people shopping at Lidl bought less, the retailer did benefit from a rise in pack prices, suggesting that shoppers were choosing more premium options,” she said.

NI RETAIL FOOTFALL SUFFERS CENTRA LAUNCHES FULLY THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR COMPOSTABLE SHOPPING BAGS onvenience OF DECLINE BY EMMA DEIGHAN

hops in Northern Ireland have suffered their third year of decline in footfall with a drop of nearly 6% in December. According to information body Springboard, high streets and retail parks faced the steepest decline, amid an overall fall of 5.9%. Springboard reported that Black Friday and Cyber Monday brought Christmas trading forward which resulted in a decline over the two weeks leading up to Christmas. It also blamed cautious spending among consumers and a lowered consumer confidence for the drop in retail visits. Both the high street and retail parks weathered a 6.4% drop compared with a decline of 4.1% in December 2018. Shopping centre footfall here also dropped by 4.4%, down from December 2018’s decline of 3.7%. “The challenge for destinations and stores was that the result in December 2018 of +2.2% was a strong comparable that was always going to be difficult to follow,” said Diane Wehrle, marketing and insights director at Springboard. “All of this was despite the occurrence of Black Friday during the December trading month which, in conjunction with Cyber Monday, meant Northern Ireland’s footfall only declined by -0.4% in the first two weeks. “Essentially this discounting bonanza pulled Christmas trading forward, evident from the subsequent drop in footfall of -11.3% over the third and fourth weeks of December which was more than double the -4.6% drop in the same weeks in 2018.”

retailer Centra has announced the launch of 100% compostable and reusable shopping bags, available in participating stores from January 27. Centra is the first convenience retailer in Northern Ireland to introduce a 100% compostable bag, giving shoppers a more sustainable choice when it comes to carrier bags. The bag is made from a blend of renewable, raw materials and is available for purchase in Centra stores for just 75p. Once the bag has been used numerous times and is ready to be disposed of, this can be done so in a compost bin. “At Centra, we are committed to providing our consumers with more sustainable choices every day,” said Michael McCormack, managing director of Centra in Northern Ireland. “This compostable bag is just one of the changes we are making to ensure we fulfil this commitment. We are delighted to be the first convenience retailer to take this step, helping to make consumers’ future shop at Centra a more sustainable one.” Centra has committed to make 100% of its own brand and fresh fruit and vegetable packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

STORE FOCUS

ARCADIA DELICATESSEN, BELFAST DELICATESSEN WAS AN UNHEARD TERM, AS WAS THE PROSPECT OF WEDDING CAKES MADE ENTIRELY OUT OF CHEESE, IN 1933 WHEN ELLEN BROWN WENT TO WORK AS AN ASSISTANT AT A SMALL BAKERY ON BELFAST’S LISBURN ROAD, ARCADIA DELICATESSEN OWNER MARK BROWN TELLS ULSTER GROCER Laura and Mark Brown, owners of Arcadia Delicatessen.

he Arcadia Delicatessen is a multiple award-winning business which is currently located in the same premises as the original shop on Belfast’s Lisburn Road, with the same family at the helm, three generations on from Ellen Brown’s arrival. Owned now by husband and wife team, Mark and Laura Brown, the deli is the oldest business on that part of the road, but is proving to be not only innovative, but also creative in nurturing new, local products, literally from scratch. “We recognised long ago that we needed to listen to our customers about the products we sell,” says Mark. “International travel has changed people’s tastes, with sampling of everything from exotic cheeses to herbs and spices making people more experimental. “Even the rise of veganism is starting to have an impact and not necessarily because customers are shunning animal products altogether, rather they are occasionally experimenting with new 8

taste experiences and flavours, by way of an alternative.” The company encourages and supports start-up food businesses so they can better serve their own customer base as well as to allow the development of entirely new food and drink products. As recognised by food and drink writer and former News Letter Editor Sam Butler in one of his authorative articles, Arcadia is all about artisan products, constantly encouraging and promoting a range of locally-produced produce. START-UPS Mark himself cites two even more recent examples: “One of my full-time staff, Michael Thompson, went off on a course we had arranged for him about cheese, with The Guild of Fine Food. He left the shop later to complete a full-time course at the School of Artisan Food,

learning more about making cheese so he could look at his own business. “After some added encouragement, including the shop being an outlet for the proposed products, he set up a highly successful production company, Young Buck Cheese. “Michael took the best producer title at the Food and Wine Awards in Dublin last year, a great accolade given Michelin-starred Ox restaurant was another winner – such is the level of these prestigious awards.” Similarly, Jack Morton, who has set-up the highly innovative Jack’s Fudge, began selling his products at Arcadia when working there on Saturdays. “Customers began to ask specifically for Jack’s Fudge after he went away to university and now, after graduating with a business degree, is enjoying success,

STORE FOCUS

with a Great Taste award and a NI Produce of the Year Award in 2019,” says Mark. “The fudge even featured in Vogue magazine, all thanks to his Saturday job and some very innovative product development.” Of course, the addition of the fudge and another cheese product makes Arcadia all the more attractive to customers, so it’s a win-win all round. Business was built initially on word-of mouth, with conventional advertising shunned in favour of social media and other networking. Even customers across the street at Paul Stafford’s famous barber shop are pointed to Arcadia by personal recommendation. “Such positive mentions make all the difference, and thanks to my wife Laura and her background in marketing at the Irish News, this is maximised on our Facebook page and other social media,” says Mark. “Food writer Sam Butler has also been very encouraging, and we are very grateful for that too.” HISTORY It all started when Mark’s grandmother got the opportunity to buy the bakery she was working in during the war years. “The shop owners lived in Newcastle, Co Down and, thanks to petrol rationing, found it very difficult to keep on top of the business in Belfast,” he says. “Every cloud has a silver lining and Ellen took it over, first continuing to run it as a bakery – despite the difficult times from 1939-45 - and then gradually adding grocery products too. “It was my dad, William, who changed things though and started to introduce more exotic products to cater for a generally well-off client base in this up-market part of leafy south Belfast. “Then as now, the customer drives the business and when I came on the scene in 2007, began to develop the shop as a speciality food outlet, by listening to what our customers wanted, and by

helping develop new products to cater to those tastes.” Mark’s dad William, although now in his mid-70s, still opens up the shop and is often in around 6am to make sure things are running okay. Arcadia opens 8am to 6pm, six days a week, with Saturdays still the busiest. Nine staff, including the owners, each provide expert guidance to customers old and new, and reviews on social media bear this out. Two staff members have around 30 years’ service each behind the traditional counter at Arcadia, so there’s continuity as well as new developments. Mark himself oversaw a major refurbishment over a decade ago and took ideas from touring the best of similar stores around the British Isles. In applying these ideas to create what looks like a very traditional store – in fact producing a classical ‘spirit-grocer’ appearance – it does however belie the huge wealth of artisan products on the authentic wooden shelves. They are primarily from Northern Ireland, but also feature the best of Great Britain and some products from across the border too. “We have since been rewarded with a range of accolades, most recently a Highly Commended award in the Belfast Business Awards for Best Family Business and Independents’ Day Deli of the Year 2019, in association with Retail NI.” Given the regional supplier base, Mark is not especially worried about Brexit’s arrival. “I can’t see it making a huge difference to my supply chain,” he says. He already delivers their famous hampers across the UK and Ireland and is increasing production of his highly

innovative cheese wedding cakes to supply a range of happy couples both locally and nationally. Over Christmas 2019, the staff worked hard to produce in excess of 1,000 often bespoke hampers for both collection and deliveries and that continues year-round with his ‘hampers by occasion’. USA “We can’t export to the USA though, given the food restrictions and, while we did try to send some hampers in the past, both ambient and chilled, it has so far proved to be too problematic,” says Mark. “After Brexit, who knows? Perhaps the east-west relationship will be freed up. So far, nobody really knows. “The business will adapt as required, but we will always continue to fill a niche market with our very different customer offering. “It has however, come a long way since grandma worked in the wee bakery, post war, so who knows what’s ahead? “That’s especially so with a fourth generation of the Brown family now growing up, our daughters Matilda and Dorothy, who while still too young to get directly involved, may bring even more innovation to Arcadia Delicatessen into the current decade and the 2030s and beyond.”

RETAIL NEWS - INDEPENDENTS

CAMELOT BEGINS NEXT PHASE OF HEALTHY PLAY TRAINING IN RETAIL C amelot, operator of The National Lottery, has started the next phase of its Being A Responsible Retailer: Supporting Healthy Play retailer training, following a two-year research and development period and its initial rollout last year. As part of the next phase of the programme, Camelot retail partners will receive face-to-face refresher training together with a new Supporting Healthy Play leaflet outlining some key aspects of the training. They’ll also receive further details on a new National Lottery terminal button and a sticker, which they should site on terminals. The new sticker will remind shop employees that, if a player asks for

support with their play, they can instantly and discreetly provide details of GamCare and the National Lottery’s healthy play webpage by pressing the Responsible Play terminal button. National Lottery terminals were equipped with a Responsible Play button

GROCERYAID ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW VENUE FOR BARCODE FESTIVAL 2020

at the end of last year as part of this initiative. It allows retailers to print a pink ticket – much like a Lotto, EuroMillions, or Set For Life ticket – with details of where support is available. Feedback from retailers trained so far has been incredibly positive. “The Supporting Healthy Play training is based on academic research, player and retailer feedback, and in-store studies,” said Alison Gardner, head of Corporate Responsibility, Camelot. “As part of this, retailers are trained directly by Camelot to look out for signs of problem play and understand what unhealthy play is. Crucially, the initiative enables them to take action by discreetly providing details of where players can find support, should they need it.”

CALLS FOR QUEENS SPEECH RATES DISCOUNT TO APPLY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

ewly-built, striking venue Magazine London is set to host one of the grocery industry’s favourite events of the year, Barcode Festival 2020, which will feature BASTILLE as the main festival headliner. The largest of its kind in London, it offers a great blank canvas for culture and commerce; said to be perfect for brands to showcase at the festival in 2020. Around 150 companies will support Barcode Festival in 2020, with many taking brand activations ranging from bars, food stalls and games where they can engage with the Barcoders. Smaller, up-and-coming brands can take advantage of the ‘Incubator’ section of the festival which is a great opportunity 10

to put their products in front of the major retailers like Tesco, Waitrose and M&S. All funds raised go to GroceryAid, the industry charity, with the ambitious aim of raising more than £700,000. Barcode Festival expects to double ticket sales, forecasting more than 3,500 grocery colleagues will attend through reward and recognition schemes. These schemes are what makes Barcode Festival stand out from other industry events, bringing factory, store and leadership teams together. For more information, visit www.barcodefestival.co.uk or contact events@ groceryaid.org.uk, 01252 875925.

n response to news of a further discount for business rates faced by independent retailers in England, announced in the Queen’s Speech before Christmas, Retail NI has called for Northern Ireland retailers to see the same benefits. “It is to be welcomed that the Government has announced that they are increasing business rates discount from one-third to 50% for independent retailers in England,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “This should be immediately extended to Northern Ireland. Why should independent retailers in England get a 50% rates discount and their Northern Ireland counterparts receive nothing? “Small Businesses in Northern Ireland are paying the highest business rates in the UK. If we are to move our economy forward, then this unacceptable and unfair position will have to change.”

RETAIL NEWS – SYMBOLS

COSTCUTTER OFFERS FRESH START WITH NEW YEAR RECRUITMENT DRIVE C ostcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) is offering independent retailers a ‘fresh start’ with a major New Year recruitment drive. The campaign is focused on demonstrating the growth existing retailers have experienced through embracing key shopper trends around healthy eating and increasing demand for fresh food, vegan and free from ranges through its Shopper First: Drive Five to Thrive growth programme. The campaign features CSG retailers and shopper testimonials, as well as case studies and insights into the levels of support CSG offers to its retailers.

From left, Francesca Haynes, Mike Hollis and Jamie Davison, Costcutter.

The new drive on recruitment will be headed by Jamie Davison, who is bringing his 30-year wealth of experience in CSG retail to a newly-created role. Following a restructure designed to provide even

greater levels of support to new and existing retailers alike, from the start of the year Jamie has taken up a new role as business development director, New Business. “I’m delighted that we are starting the year in such a strong position,” said Mike Hollis, retail director for Costcutter. “Our new recruitment drive is our most comprehensive yet and is aimed at progressive retailers who want to work with us and take advantage of our outstanding offer, combined with the expert support we provide to help retailers meet the needs of their shoppers to grow their sales and profitability.”

APPLEGREEN LAUNCHES NEW VEGAN CROISSANT A pplegreen plc, the Irish food and convenience retailer and forecourt operator, is inspiring its customers to try vegan and plant-based food in Veganuary and beyond, adding new meat-free options to its vegan food range. Following the success of its awardwinning, Irish-made Vegan Sausage Roll, Applegreen launched a new Vegan Croissant across its stores on January 13. “We have listened to our customers and are meeting the growing demand for a broader choice of quality plant-based alternatives,” said Fiona

The new Vegan Croissant by Applegreen.

Matthews, commercial director for Applegreen Retail Operations Ireland. “Our branded food partners have come on board in supporting our strategy with the Rebel Whopper launching recently in Burger King, the Meatless Meatball

Marinara at Subway, whilst at Freshii you can create your own vegan or flexitarian favourites.” The new vegan croissant uses margarine as a butter replacement to create the light, flaky texture usually expected from a traditional butter croissant. “We’re continuing to develop our plantbased food range and are committed to bringing our customers more choices,” said Matthews. “We work with the best local Irish producers and suppliers to deliver the most innovative, high-quality, great tasting food to our customers.”

SUBWAY INTRODUCES NEW FRESH CSR AGENDA S ubway has unveiled a new Fresh CSR Agenda across Ireland to support its owner-operated franchise and reflect areas in which it is seeking to take positive action as a leading quick service restaurant brand. Subway’s Fresh CSR Agenda sets out its priorities, which are underpinned by policies and programmes that steer progress, for all European markets. In Ireland, Subway franchise owners employ almost 1,000 people across 160

stores. It is built around three key pillars and encompasses a range of issues, challenges and opportunities for the brand and its franchise owners and supply chain partners: Sourcing Responsibly, which covers supply chain and animal welfare practices; Serving Guests Sustainably, which includes reviewing the use of proprietary single use packaging and raising the nutritional quality of products; and Supporting

Communities, by generating prosperity through purchasing, employment and commercial activity, including supporting community and charity initiatives. “We wholly support the launch of Subway’s Fresh CSR Agenda across Europe, recognising that, now more than ever, sustainability is an increasing consideration for our guests in the UK and Ireland,” said Colin Hughes, country director for Subway UK and Ireland. 11

RETAIL NEWS - MULTIPLES

LIDL NI REMOVES CARTOON CHARACTERS FROM CEREAL PACKAGING

idl Northern Ireland has announced it will stop displaying cartoon characters on its own-brand cereal ranges by Spring 2020, to help parents tackle pester power in the supermarket aisles. New, cartoon-free branding will be introduced across the following Crownfield-branded lines: Honey Nut Flakes, Honey Hoops, Choco Rice, Rice Snaps, Frosted Flakes, Choco Hoops and Choco Shells. “Promoting and providing healthier food options for our customers is something we are passionate about at Lidl Northern Ireland and we are proud to be leading the way in the Northern Irish retail market with our significant

From left, Lidl’s old cereal packaging and the new version without cartoon characters.

commitments,” said Ciara Sheehan, corporate social responsibility manager at Lidl Northern Ireland. “We want to help parents across

Northern Ireland make healthy and informed choices about the food they buy for their children. This latest move underpins our commitment to helping customers lead healthier lives.” The removal of cartoon characters from all own-brand cereals builds on Lidl’s existing work, which has seen the supermarket commit to reducing the sugar content in own-brand products by 20% by the end of this year. Food categories such as breakfast cereals, spreads, sauces, and sweet confectionery are a major focus. Lidl Ireland has reviewed approximately 350 own brand products in order to reach this sugar target.

FINNEBROGUE SHUNS SOYA WITH RETAIL NI OPPOSES INNOVATIVE PLANT-BASED RANGE ASDA SUPERSTORE IN NEWTOWNABBEY

From left, Sarah Savage, NPD manager at Finnebrogue and Emma Swan, Asda buying manager for NI Local.

ownpatrick-based Finnebrogue Artisan has won a supply deal with Asda to produce four new meat-free lines, which will be available in over 250 stores across the UK as part of the Asda plant-based range. Due to a growing demand for meat-free products, Asda has released the first own-label mushroom-based vegan range which sees four products hit the shelves for 2020, Plant Based Meat-Free Sausages, Plant Based Meat-Free Mince, Plant Based Meat-Free Burgers and Plant Based Meat-Free Meatballs. The mushroom-based meat alternatives offer a more sustainable substitute than soya-based products; the new lines are also gluten free, Vegan Society-approved and count as one of consumers’ five a day. “At Asda we pride ourselves on offering our customers the best product available, and our new plant-based range is no different,” said Emma Swan, Asda buying manager for NI Local. “Not only is it a healthy and tasty alternative to meat but the impact on the environment is much less than soy-based products, plus these products will be packaged on monotrays which are fully recyclable. “Working closely with Finnebrogue, we’re so proud to have developed this high-quality, sustainable meat alternative and are delighted to have the first mushroom-based, own-label vegan range.” 12

etail NI has urged Antrim and Newtownabbey Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for a 70,000-square-foot, out-of-town ASDA Superstore and Petrol Filling Station proposed on existing industrial land in Monkstown Industrial Estate. The business group has written to the Department for Infrastructure citing concerns the application has been pre-determined, and will be granted for ‘political’ reasons, rather than complying with planning policy and the Local Development Plan. There are also significant roads issues, which remain unresolved, and to which the public and local residents are blissfully unaware, said Retail NI. Retail NI has written to all Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors and local MPs and MLAs to outline its concerns with the application and the impact it will have on local jobs. “Retail NI is of the clear view that this out-of-town superstore application is in clear breach of the current Town Centre First Retail Planning policy and may be granted for short-term political reasons,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “Planning Policy and not politics must be the only criteria. “Retail NI would urge Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to adhere to planning policy and not undermine and prejudice their Local Development Plan, by refusing this application. As we have seen before with countless other out-of-town superstores, applications like these always destroy and displace existing town centre retail jobs. “Newtownabbey has a distinctive retail environment with a significant number of local neighbourhood retailers who are the life blood of the community. These facilities will be jeopardised, and job losses will occur if permission is granted.”

MY LIFE IN THE GROCERY TRADE EMMA SWAN, BUYING MANAGER, ASDA

BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY TO DATE I worked for Ikea for seven years or so whilst I was a student, before moving onto various temp roles to build up my experience. When I moved to Southampton, I worked in the library there for a year before I got accepted on to the Asda Graduate scheme. I started out as a buying assistant and then moved on to a project manager role. After that, I worked in a supplier engagement role before taking up the role of buying manager for Northern Ireland. WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I oversee buying Northern Irish products and getting those products into the 16 Northern Ireland Asda stores, as well as further afield sometimes. My role allows me to work across all areas of the business and on any given day, I could be working on anything from tea, to sausages, to beer. WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? The best bit is the variety – I get to work across all the commodities and learn a lot about the different markets. It’s

interesting work and I meet a lot of suppliers on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, building up relationships with each. The most challenging part of my role is that the areas are so varied, and I am buying for them all. There can be lots of deadlines too and, when they start to shift, I must keep track of everything, which can be tricky. BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY As clichéd as it sounds, I genuinely don’t have a typical day. It’s a given that in a working week, I will consistently have product promotions, events and new ranges to work on. But after that it could be anything from site visits with suppliers, travelling to our head office in Leeds or bringing suppliers into store to meet and see their products on shelf. I take each day as it comes. WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Getting onto the graduate scheme at Asda is by far my proudest moment. I thought I may as well put my hat in the ring for it when I applied but I was aware

that hundreds applied for a handful of roles each year. I put a lot of work into my application, but I was still pleasantly surprised to be accepted onto the scheme. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE LOCAL RETAIL INDUSTRY? Provenance is so important to the Northern Irish shopper and we have such a breadth of amazing produce available here, so I really love that this role allows me to indulge my passion for the local products I grew up with. I think as a retailer it’s very important to support our local suppliers as well and this job allows me to a be a part of that special relationship, as well as boosting the profile of our wonderful Northern Irish produce in Asda House. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? During the week I like to get to the gym as much as I can, but when the weekend comes, it’s time to get out and away from the hustle and bustle. Long walks in the countryside are the perfect way to clear the head. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW I have a master’s degree in modern history and my dissertation was on the one and only Wonder Woman!

ADVERTORIAL

WHAT’S COOKING AT IFEX 2020 PLAN YOUR VISIT NOW! Patricia Kingston,Tourism NI; Joel Neil, Hospitality Ulster; Sean Owens, IFEX; Glyn Roberts, Retail NI; and Caroline McCusker, IFEX.

FEX, Northern Ireland’s premier foodservice, hospitality, and retail event, returns to the TEC, Belfast from Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th March 2020. With upwards of 7,000 visitors expected to attend, it’s one of the most eagerly-anticipated industry events of the year. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, registration for the three-day event is now live and free via www.ifexexhibition.co.uk For those looking to source the newest food and drink products, catering equipment, technology and services or simply keep their fingers on the pulse on the hottest trends, the event promises to serve up innovative new business ideas and will combine quality produce with world-class features and masterclasses across the three days. Supported by industry stalwarts, Flogas and Stephens Catering Equipment, IFEX has firmly cemented its reputation as a staple industry event, providing all the right ingredients to help visitors and exhibitors

Caroline McCusker, IFEX event manager; Paul Cunningham, head chef, Brunel’s Restaurant; and Soraya Gadelrab, IFEX event director.

generate new business for the years ahead. According to visitors, identifying new products is the number one reason for visiting IFEX and this year, there’s set to be a record number of new products and services from 200-plus exhibitors. Accounting for over 20% of the exhibitor

Sean Owens, Caroline McCusker, Anna Mckeever and Wojtek Bielanczuk.

list, new names are a welcome addition to the show and attending for the first time are Lutosa SA, Karcher Craigmore and Grenke to name but a few. Returning to the exhibitor list for 2020 are leading names such as BD Foods, Golden Glen Catering, Henderson Foodservice, Hugh Jordan, Lynas Foodservice, Matthew Algie, Nestle (Ireland) and North South Retail, who will all have an unmissable presence at IFEX. IFEX Event Manager Caroline McCusker said: “We’ve had a great response to IFEX 2020, with many of Northern Ireland’s biggest names in the foodservice and

hospitality sectors already securing their space. “IFEX has a longstanding reputation for being an excellent show with a vibrant mix of exhibitors, visitors, competitors and features, and the forthcoming event will be no exception. If you’re a stakeholder in the food, drink, retail and hospitality industries, IFEX is a show that’s not to be missed.” For visitors who are looking for authentic produce, IFEX have once again partnered with The Guild of Fine Food to bring a unique opportunity to see and to taste Ireland’s award winners all in one place at the Great Taste Market. Central to this year’s show, companies such as Glens of Antrim Potatoes, Warbler & Wren, S.D. Bell, Yellow Door Deli, Goodness Grains, Woodlab Distillery and Ballymaloe Foods will be hoping to meet prospective buyers, who can bring their quality produce to a wider audience. As well as the array of exciting food and speciality products on offer, IFEX has partnered with Hospitality Ulster to launch Drinks@IFEX. Showcasing the newest drinks and freshest innovations all aimed at revolutionising your offering, Drinks@IFEX will feature exciting drinks producers helping visitors uncover the next big thing from new distillers and brewers. Salon Culinaire – Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition programme - will be at the heart of the show. A packed programme of live competitions across the three days, and home to NI Chef of the Year, means visitors to IFEX will have the unique opportunity to get up and personal with the very best chefs in the country. Added to this mix, a huge number of networking opportunities, a display of award-winning products, and a melting pot of new services and ideas, you have three unmissable days at IFEX 2020. You won’t be short of inspiration!

If you are in the foodservice, catering, retail or hospitality industry, then IFEX is the most important date of the year. Make sure you’re a part of it. Registration is now open, and you can register for free at www.ifexexhibition.co.uk

FOOD & DRINKS NEWS

RETURN OF THE EXECUTIVE AND ASSEMBLY WILL PROVIDE LEADERSHIP NEEDED TO GROW THE LOCAL ECONOMY BY MICHELE SHIRLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOOD NI

he return of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly was an important boost at the start of the year. We look forward to working with Diane Dodds, the economy minister, and Agriculture’s Edwin Poots on helping to accelerate the growth of the local food and drink industry. Both ministers have been genuinely interested in, and supportive of, agriculture and the food and drink sector here in the past. And it’s a sector with the potential to make an even more significant contribution to the local economy. The £1bn support should provide a timely and much-needed boost to the local economy and especially to disposable income at a time when it’s been struggling, as the latest data on retail sales and overall performance demonstrates. We’ve seen unfortunate closures and job losses in both food retailing and foodservice during what has been described as ‘the worst ever’ period for the economy. Our private sector, according to Ulster Bank, ended the decade in the same manner as it began – like 2010, last year was one of decline and underperformance. Local firms posted the fastest rates of contraction in output and orders of all the UK regions. 2019 was also the weakest year for private sector output, orders

and employment growth in seven years. Food and drink manufacturing, I was delighted to hear, was the best performing category in 2019. Rising input costs, nevertheless, did impact the sector leading to staff cuts. However, the sector did report optimism for the year ahead. Last year was a tough period for retailers both here and in Great Britain, a situation influenced by the corrosive uncertainty surrounding Brexit and a slump in confidence. The restoration of the Executive is a positive development. In the wake of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, we really do need the new deal at Stormont to work… and as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister has been quick to point out that trade to Great Britain is unlikely to be adversely affected. It’s still not clear, for instance, how trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, our biggest supplier of components and ingredients, will be impacted. We will need the Executive, Assembly and Members of Parliament to provide effective leadership to ensure unfettered trade with Britain and also with the Republic of Ireland, the biggest export market for our food and drink. We all need to be working as a united front to empower Northern Ireland businesses and the wider community in this post-Brexit environment and in the negotiations over a potential trade agreement with the EU. A worst-case outcome would be a failure to reach a trade deal with the EU, which may lead to uncertainty during 2020 and beyond. 16

FOOD & DRINKS NEWS

CONSUMER INSIGHT AND MARKET UPDATE BY JASON WINSTANLEY, HEAD OF RESEARCH AND INSIGHT, MOY PARK A VALUE CHRISTMAS And so, as another Christmas disappears into the rear-view mirror, what did it tell us about both consumer and retailer behaviour? The first thing to say is that rarely can we have previously entered into a Christmas period with so much uncertainty swirling around; Brexit worries, a December general election, uncertain global trading conditions and worries about the fragility of the high street could, and maybe should, have all conspired to result in a frugal Christmas. Retailers certainly seem to have expected consumers to be feeling the pinch, with the lead up to Christmas marked by a blizzard of price discounting, promotional offers and advertising which, in many cases, highlighted the value credentials of the business concerned. Several supermarkets took to wraparound covers for national newspapers, which highlighted the keen pricing of turkey, the thinking here clearly being that, if you can entice the shopper into the store to buy their Christmas Day centrepiece there, then the trolley may well also be filled with all the other accoutrements of the festive period. Yet were consumers really seeking value this Christmas? November marked the 21st month in a row that wages growth

was running at or above the same level as inflation, so the average household has continued to see an overall rise in its income levels during this period1. Despite this, 2019 was marked by intense and high-profile price competition between grocery retailers, and it was this approach which continued into Christmas. This environment, notwithstanding the greater levels of affluence for many shoppers, was always set up to ‘help’ to drive value out of the Christmas market and this appears to be exactly what happened. Most retailers have now reported their Christmas growth numbers and, for many, it was a case of weaker levels of growth than were seen last year. A familiar pattern was seen, with discounters setting the pace and the big four tending to see flat performances or moderate decline. However, it is worth remembering that discounters tend not to report like-for-like sales numbers, whereas the more traditional, publicly-listed grocers do report on an LFL basis. With the discounters continuing to open far more stores than all of their competitors combined, this is an important distinction. Nevertheless, it remains the case that the larger retailers saw a mixed picture this Christmas, although the City wasn’t wholly displeased with the results2. The erosion of value through price

competition seems to have been compounded by a consumer desire for the familiar. Moy Park research shows that consumers seem to have more or less bought the same types of thing that they bought last year - 55% of consumers bought a turkey for their centrepiece this year, compared to 56% in 2018. 10% bought a large chicken, compared to 11% in the previous year. In fact, according to the survey, no protein (including vegetarian centrepieces) registered more than a one percentage point move up or down v 2018. This consumer data is corroborated by market data; Kantar data for the four weeks to December 29 shows that turkey sales, with year-on-year value change of -0.1%, were virtually flat4. So, a combination of consumers sticking with what they know, and heavy price discounting across the board seem to have been jointly responsible for what can probably best be described as a reasonable but muted Christmas for most retailers. [Source: 1 – ONS, to November 2019; 2 – Various retailer results, January 2020; 3 - Moy Park research, January 2020 and January 2019; 4 – Kantar Worldpanel, 4 weeks to 29th December 2020 v previous year]

DELI LITES EMBRACES THE POWER OF PLANTS WITH TWO NEW RANGES From left, Kevan Jordan from Kitchen Vegilantes; Gary McDowell, head of food innovation at DELI LITES Ireland; and Brian Reid, co-founder CEO of DELI LITES Ireland.

ood-to-go firm DELI LITES has launched two new ranges to meet growing consumer demand for tasty meat-free products, as more and more people start to enjoy vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian lifestyles.

Launching this month is DELI LITES’ first fully plantbased range, a chef-led product line-up which is full of innovative flavour combinations and features dishes such as Buffalo Cauliflower with Spiced Cous Cous Tabouleh and Maple Harissa Dressing; Curried Chickpea with Mango Chutney and Cashew Crumble; Spiced Fritters with Beetroot Hummus, Kale & Candied Walnuts; and Creamy Roasted Pepper & Tomato Pasta. The new vegan-friendly range will be available from retailers across Ireland, with plans to extend availability through its distribution lines into the UK. In addition to its own DELI LITES plant-based range, the company has collaborated with nutritionist-led start up business, Kitchen Vegilantes, to create a second range featuring a host of ready meals and food-to-go products that are 100% meat free and packed full of plant-based proteins, including a number of vegan and vegetarian versions of many popular meat dishes. 17

ADVERTORIAL

BOOST MOVES INTO FASTEST-GROWING CATEGORY IN SOFT DRINKS WITH TWO BRAND-NEW COFFEE SKUS

oost, the owner of Northern Ireland’s top-selling soft drink within the local independent convenience channel and the fastest-growing sports drink, is moving into a new category in 2020 (1). Following an incredibly successful 2019, Boost is extending its position in the market and unveiling two new SKUs in the fastest-growing functional drinks category, chilled ready-to-drink coffee (2). Boost is breaking into the new category following research that highlighted the growing demand for RTD coffee in the independent and convenience channel. Out-of-home hot and cold coffee sales are up 54% in the last year and the category is the fastest-growing functional drinks category with growth of 27% (3). The category is already worth over £110m, 66% of UK 18-24-year-old coffee 18

drinkers see chilled coffee as a good alternative to sugary drinks (4). Boost has created two great-tasting SKUs, using exclusive production techniques to ensure a smooth tasting, quality product that offers extended shelf life compared to other brands. Boost will be offering the Boost Iced Coffee Caffe Latte and Double Espresso in a £1 PMP. The new SKUs continue to do things the Boost way, creating great tasting products with good margins. The two new Boost Iced Coffee SKUs are: • Boost Iced Coffee Caffe Latte • Boost Iced Coffee Double Espresso “2019 saw Boost go from strength to strength but in order to remain ahead of the curve, we continuously invest in new product development to ensure we’re offering a wide range of highquality functional drinks that will support retailers in increasing sales,” said Simon Gray, founder and managing director at Boost. “Chilled coffee is the fastest-growing functional drink category in the symbol and indies channel. At Boost, we saw the potential and have created a standout, top quality product at a competitive cost for retailers and consumers. “It will allow us to enhance our functional drinks positioning and continue to proudly support independent retailers as we have done since 2001. We’re confident our products will continue to challenge the market and be enjoyed by consumers throughout NI.” Boost will be incorporating wideranging marketing support for the NPD launch including trade and consumer PR,

“2019 SAW BOOST GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH BUT IN ORDER TO REMAIN AHEAD OF THE CURVE WE CONTINUOUSLY INVEST IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TO ENSURE WE’RE OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF HIGHQUALITY FUNCTIONAL DRINKS THAT WILL SUPPORT RETAILERS IN INCREASING SALES.” Simon Gray, founder and managing director at Boost

print advertising, sampling and POS with an immediate focus on distribution. The new Boost Coffee range will be available in wholesale from March 1 in 12 x 250ml cases. The products are offered as a £1 PMP and a NPMP. Sources 1: IRI Marketplace Data Symbols and Independents 52 weeks unit sales to 1st December 2019, England, Scotland, Wales and NI Convenience / Where stocked is based on IRI Marketplace data as above where skus are in at least 10% of convenience stores. Boost own read of wholesale shipments data via multiple sources 52 weeks volume to end of September 2019 2: IRI Symbols & Indies 52wks to 17/07/19 3: British Coffee Association – UK coffee market 4: Mintel 2018 – Iced coffee accounts for 1-5 global coffee launches

PROFILE

WHITE’S OATS CELEBRATES WINNING UK BEST BREAKFAST PRODUCT WITH ITS ORGANIC OATS

hite’s, Northern Ireland’s leading oat and breakfast cereal brand, has just been crowned Best Breakfast Product at the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards, the most influential event in the annual UK food and drink calendar. The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding products from UK producers. White’s boasts an impressive track record in quality, having been awarded 53 gold stars from The Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards, as well as Blas Na H’Eireann and the Irish Quality Food Awards. All of these accolades are recognition for the company’s innovative and cumulative efforts over the years to bring the best quality porridge oats and oat cereals to the market, whilst marrying

consumer concerns around provenance, environment and sustainability. Founded on a vision to innovate oat milling, the remarkable expansion of White’s into a multi-award-winning breakfast cereal brand is a far cry from its small beginnings. An iconic landmark of the village of Tandragee, White’s roots can be traced back as far as 1841, when the then flour mill was purchased by T.H White from Co. Waterford. T.H White had a clear vision to modernise oat milling using pioneering techniques to promote oats as a healthy and convenient consumer food; a vision that is still relevant today. Over the course of the last 178 years, maintaining quality and high standards has been a hallmark of White’s, underpinned by provenance and supporting local farmers. In the early days, farmers from across the Island would bring their oats to the mill in Tandragee and White’s is proud to say

White’s Operation Team

Sean Kane, White’s Agronomist

PROFILE that a local supply chain is still firmly embedded in the company today. White’s, the principal organic oat miller in Great Britain and accredited by the UK Soil Association, began milling organic oats locally with growers from the north west in 1999 and, since then, White’s has become the largest organic oat miller in the United Kingdom and Ireland. White’s agronomy programme, spearheaded by Sean Kane and supported by a fully traceable supply chain, has forged strong relationships with local arable farmers. In addition, Sean has developed an important partnership with British organic growers, of which there are now 30 dedicated farmers growing oats for White’s. “Having close relationships with our growers gives us a full understanding

White’s Commercial Team - L-R Mark Gowdy, Danielle McBride and Stuart Best.

L-R White’s millers: Brian McEvoy, Mervyn Greer, Brian McAldin

of their business; arable farms are diverse and work in harmony with nature and these partnerships allow us to improve oat quality whilst helping to maintain the biodiversity and sustainability of these farms. This award is a testament to our growers who produce the highest quality oats and I look forward to growing our business better together,” said Sean Kane, White’s agronomist. WHITE’S LOCAL RETAILING AND FURTHER AFIELD White’s is a market-leading brand with a £16m turnover and employing over 55 personnel; the company markets its products throughout Northern Ireland, Great Britain and into many export markets. It has developed significant business in recent years into United Arab Emirates as well as into Europe and other Asian markets. White’s domestic market, in which it is the brand leader within hot cereals and granolas, is immensely important and the support shown to White’s by local retailers over the years has been recognised in the growth of its business. It is particularly proud to be supplying its range of breakfast cereals into retailers across Ireland with a growing business in the UK. Mark Gowdy, sales and marketing manager of White’s Oats, said: “The fact we are the largest organic oat miller in the United Kingdom and Ireland and recognised to produce such fantastic products after almost four decades of investment in the organic market gives White’s stakeholders a solid foundation to build upon as we continue to satisfy consumer needs.” White’s has been investing in its branded communications to support the brand in the markets where it is sold, building on its authenticity but bringing a contemporary relevance to the brand. It has successfully executed a nationwide marketing campaign under the umbrella of Taste the Journey to highlight the time it takes to produce quality tasting porridge oats, championing its heritage, milling expertise and ‘heroing’ its Irish and British farmers; values that remain a key focus for the business. Commenting, Danielle Mc Bride, brand manager of White’s Oats, said: “Our aim

was to communicate the unique taste of White’s Oats in a highly distinctive way. Centred around a core message You Don’t Know Oats Until You Know Ours, the campaign aligned taste with provenance to fully engage consumers with the quality of White’s and give them a motivating reason to buy.’’ The pioneering spirit for which White’s has become recognised continues in the company today, particularly evident in the number of new product categories and depth of range. In addition to its renowned Speedicook Porridge Oats, White’s has developed a range of instant oats, granolas and toasted oats as well as championing the development of the organic sector within the industry. Consumer concerns around plastic and White’s own commitment to sustainability has prompted further development

“HAVING CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR GROWERS GIVES US A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR BUSINESS; ARABLE FARMS ARE DIVERSE AND WORK IN HARMONY WITH NATURE AND THESE PARTNERSHIPS ALLOW US TO IMPROVE OAT QUALITY WHILST HELPING TO MAINTAIN THE BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THESE FARMS. THIS AWARD IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR GROWERS WHO PRODUCE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OATS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING OUR BUSINESS BETTER TOGETHER.” Sean Kane, White’s agronomist

around its packaging initiatives. In 2018 a number of its market-leading brands were switched into more environmentally friendly bags. The new plastic-free packaging maximises bag fill and reduces air, making the most efficient use of transport. A delighted James Mathers, White’s general manager, commented: “To win the UK’s best breakfast product is a huge achievement and shines a spotlight on the tremendous efforts by all the team at White’s. Whilst we are endlessly proud of our 178-year history, as an innovator in the oats sector we don’t rest easily on our laurels, always looking ahead, innovating and producing healthy sustainable food products.” 21

ADVERTORIAL

ORMO® CONTINUES TO EXCITE THE NORTHERN IRELAND OTHER BAKERY CATEGORY AND KICKS OFF 2020 WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF PEEL & RESEAL PANCAKE PACKS

RMO® had an outstanding 2019, achieving its highest-ever value share performance for four years with 13.6%* representing an annual share growth of 25% making it Northern Ireland’s no. 2 major other Morning Goods brand*. Following the successful launch of the ORMO® fresh mash and champ Potato Farls in September 2018 and the launch of the new ORMO® Brioche Muffin in September 2019, what does 2020 hold for ORMO® ? ORMO® will kick off 2020 with another innovative brand initiative, this time within the packaging arena. Reducing all food wastage continues to be a key trend for both customers and consumers alike and ORMO® has addressed this key trend with the introduction of the ORMO® Pancake Peel and Reseal Packs in January 2020. The new packaging has a robust Peel and Reseal tab, ensuring the ORMO® pancakes retain their great taste for even longer. The new ORMO® Pancake Peel & Reseal Pack launch will be supported by a comprehensive, integrated campaign titled SEAL IN THE TASTE that will feature 22

across 6 sheets, in store POS, trade and consumer PR across January and February. In addition, the campaign will include a key message urging consumers to remember and stock-up for Pancake Day

“2019 HAS BEEN ANOTHER GREAT YEAR FOR THE ORMO® BRAND. OUR CONTINUOUS APPROACH TO PRODUCT INNOVATION AND PRODUCT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT RESONATES WITH OUR CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMERS. THIS NEW RESEALABLE PACKAGING IS RESPONDING TO CONSUMER DEMAND TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND IMPROVE CONVENIENCE AND WE HOPE IT WILL BE WELL RECEIVED BY OUR CUSTOMERS.” Trevor McCrum, commercial director, Hovis Ireland

on February 25. Trevor McCrum, commercial director Hovis Ireland, comments: “2019 has been another great year for the ORMO® brand. Our continuous approach to product innovation and product quality improvement resonates with our customers and consumers. This new resealable packaging is responding to consumer demand to reduce food waste and improve convenience and we hope it will be well received by our customers.” ORMO®, one of the province’s most iconic brands, continues to innovate within Northern Ireland’s Other Bakery category with a proven strategy of continuous quality focus and exciting innovation initiatives. The ORMO® brand has more exciting activities planned for 2020 so watch this space. Source: * Nielsen Scantrack EPOS, Total Morning Goods : Value MAT 52 weeks to 30th November 2019 ** Nielsen Scantrack EPOS, Total Morning Goods : Value & Unit MAT 52 weeks to 30th November 2019 (excluding Private Label)

ADVERTORIAL

MASH DIRECT AND PETER RABBITTM TEAM UP AHEAD OF NEW MOVIE RELEASE STOCK UP YOUR CHILLERS TO GIVE CONSUMERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP TO HOLLYWOOD

ash Direct, the award-winning ‘field to fork’ vegetable accompaniments brand, is celebrating the launch of Sony Pictures’ Peter RabbitTM 2 film (out on 27th March), with a range of giveaways including a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hollywood as well as Peter RabbitTM2 merchandise to be won every day. Retailers, stock up your chillers with Mash Direct’s products that have been given a makeover and are branded with beautiful imagery of Peter RabbitTM and

his friends. The prizes can be won on packs of the Mash Direct Mashed Potato, Champ, Carrot & Parsnip, Carrot, Parsnip & Turnip, Bubble & Squeak, Mashed Turnip, Potato Croquettes, Potato, Cheese & Onion Croquettes, Carrot & Parsnip Fries, Green Cabbage and Potato Rosti. One lucky winner will receive a fantastic three-night stay in a luxury hotel in Hollywood for a family of four. They will be given an exclusive Sony Pictures studio tour to see where the Peter RabbitTM 2 film

was made. They will also celebrate with a delicious meal at one of the top restaurants in Hollywood, as well as enjoying an action-packed urban farm tour and a selfguided Santa Monica drive in an electric Mini 4X4. Jack Hamilton, chief operations officer at Mash Direct, comments: “We are excited to be partnering with Sony Pictures again for the launch of Peter RabbitTM 2 in the UK and RoI. Peter Rabbit is one of the most iconic characters who loves vegetables and we hope this collaboration encourages more families to incorporate delicious and high-quality veg in their daily diet.”

ADVERTORIAL

INTRODUCING DALE FARM VANILLA AND COFFEE FLAVOURED PROTEIN MILK: THE GAMECHANGING PROTEIN DRINKS CONSUMERS ARE OBSESSING OVER

ale Farm is building on the success of its Protein Milk portfolio with the introduction of two new great-tasting variants into its core ready-to-drink range – Vanilla and Coffee. As Northern Ireland’s only locally-produced fresh protein milk, Dale Farm is uniquely positioned to capture this market for retailers, thanks to the products’ unrivalled flavour and functionality. Owned by 1,300 local farmers, Dale Farm is focused on combating flavour fatigue and continuing to tap into the growing consumer demand for natural functional beverages in Northern Ireland, a sector which is growing by 35% in volume year on year*, making it one of the fastest-growing categories in the chilled aisle. Available in a 500ml bottle, the product has been designed to be consumed whilst on the move, whether that’s pre- or postworkout. Rivalling other formats such as powder protein shakes, Dale Farm Protein Milk is a convenient, fresh milk drink with 25g of protein per serving and no added sugar. Containing only 1% fat, the new vanilla and coffee flavours will join the already popular chocolate and strawberry varieties. Dale Farm Protein Milk Vanilla, is made with pure Madagascan Vanilla, delivering a truly superior taste experience. Its coffee 26

variant, the first fresh coffee protein milk to be launched in Northern Ireland, is made with 100% Arabica coffee bean extract which gives the delicious smoothness of coffee with only a trace of caffeine.

“ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRENDS IN SPORTS NUTRITION IS ITS NEWFOUND APPEAL TO MASS MARKET AUDIENCES, AS EVERYDAY ATHLETES AND SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS ARE SEEKING OUT MORE NATURAL FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGES TO SUPPORT BUSY LIFESTYLES. A PRODUCT WITH ADDED PROTEIN PROVIDES A HALO EFFECT AS IT DELIVERS THE NUTRITIONAL DENSITY CONSUMERS WANT, WHILST ALSO GUARANTEEING THE SAME GREAT TASTE THEY HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM DALE FARM.” Aisling Bremner, Senior Brand Manager at Dale Farm

“Dale Farm continues to analyse emerging trends to ensure our product portfolio reflects the needs of today’s consumer,” explains Aisling Bremner, senior brand manager at Dale Farm. “The launch of two new flavours is another significant milestone in our quest to become the leading provider of fresh protein milk in Northern Ireland.” “Arguably one of the biggest trends in sports nutrition is its newfound appeal to mass-market audiences, as everyday athletes and sports enthusiasts are seeking out more natural functional beverages to support busy lifestyles. A product with added protein provides a halo effect as it delivers the nutritional density consumers want, whilst also guaranteeing the same great taste they have come to expect from Dale Farm. “Our Protein Milk is produced at our state-of-the-art facility in Ballymena. As a cooperative, when you buy Dale Farm dairy products, you also support our farmer owners and their families. “As a company, we’ve always placed a strong emphasis on supporting grassroots organisations and giving back to the communities in which we operate. From powering Gaelic Games at Queen’s University Belfast to our role as the Official Protein Milk Supplier to Athletics NI.” The coming months will see Dale Farm invest in driving awareness for the brand, with consumers expected to see increased marketing support as the company continues to focus on growing the protein-based nutritional arm of the business. The integrated marketing drive will be underpinned by a digital advertising campaign, targeting a wider consumer base by pitching itself as a brand focused more broadly on a healthy lifestyle, encouraging consumers to take the small steps every day that will push them closer to their goals. This will be supported by experiential in-store sampling, influencer marketing outreach, social media and an extensive sponsorships and event programme. *Source: AC Nielsen Data to 2nd November 2019

EASTER & CONFECTIONERY

CONSUMERS VALUE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY IN CONFECTIONERY CHOCOLATE CATEGORY REMAINS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE HEALTH LOBBY, ACCORDING TO THE MINTEL REPORT, CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONERY - UK - MAY 2019

olume sales of chocolate returned to growth in 2018 to reach 509 million kg, although growth over 2013-18 has been a mere 1.2%. Value sales grew by 10.2% over 2013-18 to reach £5.2bn. Shrinkflation, rising prices, and retailers’ attempts to move away from promotional activity and instead towards everyday low pricing have seen volume sales struggle over recent years, although this has boosted values. Volume growth is predicted over the next five years to 2023, although this will be slightly more subdued than that seen over 2013-18, at just 0.8%, seeing sales reach 513 million kg by 2023. The category will likely remain under pressure, with chocolate among the categories tasked with cutting sugar by 20% by 2020 under the government’s Childhood Obesity Strategy.

Premium products stand to benefit even as people look to restrict their intake for health reasons, with potential for them to play to many people’s ‘quality over quantity’ mindset when it comes to chocolate. Value sales are predicted to grow by 9% to reach £5.7bn by 2023. THE CONSUMER Britain remains a nation of chocolate eaters, with 92% of UK adults having eaten chocolate in the three months to March 2019, 15% doing so on a daily basis. This comes despite health being high on the government agenda, and most consumers reporting to strive to eat mostly healthily. PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO PAY FOR A LUXURY BRAND WHEN BUYING A GIFT Luxury is what most justifies a higher price to chocolate buyers when purchasing

SALES SET TO SPRING AS FERRERO INVESTS IN SEASONAL NPD F errero is launching new seasonal lines to complement its strong core range. “We expect to see shoppers planning in advance and being more considered in their purchasing decisions for Mother’s Day and Easter,” said Levi Boorer, customer development director at Ferrero. “We would therefore encourage retailers to stock up early to make sure they meet the demand for those shoppers looking to purchase in advance. On the flipside, Valentine’s Day is quite last minute for shoppers, so it’s important to be big and bold two weeks prior to the day to yield success.” In kids’ eggs, the Kinder range will be strengthened with the launch of two new Kinder Surprise eggs that include bigger toys and relevant licences. The new Kinder Surprise 100g will see Justice League and Trolls toys

featured, while the larger Kinder Surprise 220g eggs will receive a Marvel Avengers update. The Kinder Maxi Surprise 150g will also receive an update, with the addition of two new licences Frozen 2 and Spiderman. Thorntons will also be adding two new products to its range. Sitting alongside its bunny Easter egg designs, the new Dinosaur and Unicorn eggs (151g) will feature fun and eye-catching designs to bring the popular creatures to life. In adult eggs, Thorntons will also be revamping the design of three of its smaller Easter eggs, featuring an updated packaging design that reflects Thorntons’ established heritage in premium chocolate craftsmanship. A new Mint egg (197g) will now sit alongside the returning Classic (207g) and Toffee, Fudge & Caramel (203g) eggs. Thorntons is also expanding its range of premium gift eggs, perfect for shoppers to give as a treat to someone

these treats as a gift. That the willingness to pay for a luxury brand is not higher perhaps demonstrates how the competition – private label – has upped its game in the premium space. Demonstrating the importance of flavour NPD and how this is a personal choice, chocolate with exciting flavours is the top driver prompting chocolate buyers to pay more when purchasing chocolate for themselves. CONSUMERS WOULD RATHER HAVE LESS REGULAR CHOCOLATE THAN LOW-SUGAR ALTERNATIVE Consumers’ preference for ‘less but better’ in chocolate puts manufacturers in a difficult situation. The market is under pressure from the government, which is calling on treat categories to reduce sugar and calories. At the same time, most consumers are saying they do not want reduced sugar varieties.

special and including Classic Premium Egg (264g) and Continental Premium Egg (256g) and new addition Continental Dark Premium Egg (256g). Ferrero will also introduce a new premium adult option with the Ferrero Collection Egg (240g), featuring a milk chocolate shell with six Ferrero Collection chocolates (Ferrero Rocher, Ferrero Rondnoir and Raffaello). The Kinder Joy Easter range will undergo a revamp in 2020, which will see 16 different toys launched. The Kinder novelties range will also expand with the launch of a new Kinder Chocolate fluffy Leopard toy (73g), joining the bunny and sheep novelties. Thorntons is also expanding its footprint in the self-treat impulse sector with the introduction of a Thorntons Bunny (29g) and Thorntons Chocolate Caramel Egg (36g).

ENERGY & SOFT DRINKS & BOTTLED WATER

SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PACKAGING IS BIGGEST CONCERN FOR SECTOR THE SOFT DRINKS MARKET HAS FACED A CHALLENGING PERIOD BUT REMAINS STRONG, ACCORDING TO THE MINTEL REPORT, SOFT DRINKS REVIEW - UK - MARCH 2019

he UK soft drinks market enjoyed 16% value growth over 2013-18, helped by the growth of bottled water and the resilient performance of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs). Over the five years to 2023, soft drinks sales are forecast to increase by 13% to £20.8bn. While the continued scrutiny of sugar poses a challenge, a more notable unknown is the impact of the current spotlight on single-use packaging. SPOTLIGHT ON SUGAR ENSURES HEALTHINESS IS ON CONSUMERS’ RADAR The public spotlight on the healthiness of sugary soft drinks culminated in the SDIL (Soft Drinks Industry Levy) that came into force in April 2018. Reformulation was the order of the day for leading soft drinks companies. The coverage around the issues has not gone unnoticed by consumers, with most users opting for healthy soft drinks at least most of the time and sugar the leading consideration. PLASTIC WASTE COMES INTO THE LIMELIGHT The environmental impact of plastic waste has come into the limelight in recent years, posing a potential threat to the soft drinks market. Increasing public access to water refill points is among steps aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. Widespread concerns over plastic packaging waste are prompting nearly half of soft drinks users to limit their use of drinks in these formats. Such efforts by consumers to change their behaviour pose a tangible threat for the industry. Consumers will take convincing about the merits of a circular economy in addressing this, as most soft drinks users see drinks packaging as a concern irrespective of recyclability. WIDESPREAD EFFORTS TO CURB ALCOHOL INTAKE Around one in five UK adults reported not drinking alcohol in the three months to November 2018, while 47% cut back or limited the amount of alcohol they drank in the preceding 12 months. Such efforts to curb alcohol intake create extensive opportunities for soft drinks as alternatives. THE CONSUMER Nearly everyone – 94% of adults – drinks soft drinks. These are an ingrained part of most users’ repertoires, featuring on the daily menu for half, with 25-34s and parents of under-16s the most frequent users. CSDs’ leading position by usage is underpinned by the differentiated drinking experience they offer and heavy marketing support. 30

ADVERTORIAL

COCA-COLA INTRODUCES NEW SLEEK CAN; A FIRST FOR THE SOFT DRINK CATEGORY IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND • REPRESENTING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVOLUTION OF COCA-COLA’S CAN OFFERING FOR 70 YEARS, THE SLEEK CAN WILL BE INTRODUCED ACROSS ALL COCA-COLA, FANTA AND SPRITE VARIANTS • THE TRANSITION ALSO SUPPORTS THE COMPANY’S MOVE TO INNOVATIVE CARDBOARD SOLUTIONS FOR ITS MULTIPACK CANS, ELIMINATING 620 TONNES OF PLASTIC ANNUALLY

oca-Cola Ireland, and its bottling partner Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, have announced plans to launch a new Sleek Can in response to consumer needs for a more premium pack. The taller, more stylish 330ml can will be introduced to the market in February, across all Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta variants. The Sleek Can launch marks the most significant change in Coca-Cola’s can offering for more than 70 years and is a first for the soft drink industry in Ireland 32

and Northern Ireland. The island of Ireland will be among the first markets in Europe to launch the new can. When considering new pack innovations, Coca-Cola’s market research confirmed that consumers are seeking more premium pack formats1 and the Sleek Can provoked an immediate positive reaction when tested. The shape was considered ‘sleek’ and ‘stylish’ and was found to be easy to carry and nice to hold. The new Sleek Can will also contribute

to Coca-Cola’s journey towards a World Without Waste, by enabling the introduction of more sustainable secondary packaging for multipack cans. Keel Clip, an innovative, minimalist paperboard packaging solution for 4, 6 and 8 pack Sleek Cans, will be introduced in April 2020. A cardboard wrap for 10 to 24 pack Sleek Cans will also be rolled out later in the year. These design changes will eliminate 620 tonnes of shrink plastic from circulation annually. Miles Karemacher, general manager,

ADVERTORIAL MULTIPACK CAN SECONDARY PACKAGING CHANGES MULTIPACK CAN JAN 2020

Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “The launch of the Sleek Can marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our pack offering. It also furthers our journey towards a World Without Waste by enabling the transition to cardboard solutions for our multipack cans. We’re very proud to report that this move alone will eliminate 620 tonnes of shrink film plastic annually. “We look forward to working with our retail partners to bring this campaign to life in stores across the island.” Petre Sandru, country manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, said: “Cans are one of the preferred packaging types across our portfolio, and we want to make that experience even more special with the introduction of the Sleek Can. The new taller can is stylish, sophisticated and contemporary. It received an overwhelmingly positive reaction when tested with shoppers. “We have an exciting campaign planned for March that will ignite

MULTIPACK CAN FEB 2020

“THE LAUNCH OF THE SLEEK CAN MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE EVOLUTION OF OUR PACK OFFERING. IT ALSO FURTHERS OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS A WORLD WITHOUT WASTE BY ENABLING THE TRANSITION TO CARDBOARD SOLUTIONS FOR OUR MULTIPACK CANS. WE’RE VERY PROUD TO REPORT THAT THIS MOVE ALONE WILL ELIMINATE 620 TONNES OF SHRINK FILM PLASTIC ANNUALLY.” Miles Karemacher, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland

love for the brand by tapping into the nostalgia of Coca-Cola and its evolution throughout the ages.” The introduction of Coca-Cola’s Sleek Cans to Ireland and Northern Ireland will be supported with a significant marketing

MULTIPACK CAN Q2 2020

investment, to celebrate the Evolution of Can. The advertising campaign will reinforce the message that the new Sleek Can offers the ‘same great taste of Coke’ in a ‘taller, sleeker and betterlooking’ package, while celebrating the transformation of the soft drink can throughout the decades. Marketing will include out-of-home advertising, PR, social and influencer activity, to drive talk-ability and excitement around the pack changes. MORE ABOUT THE CATEGORY: Soft drinks in cans account for €149m in value across the island of Ireland2. Cans also drive the growth of the soft drink category, delivering 39% of total value3. As the primary supplier of cans in the market, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland accounts for 57% of that value4. 1 Qualitative Research (Focus Groups) in January 2017 For more information, visit www.Coca-Cola.ie | https://ie.coca-colahellenic.com/

ENERGY & SOFT DRINKS & BOTTLED WATER

BOOST SPORT RACES TO THE FRONT OF THE FIELD

orthern Ireland’s best-selling soft drinks provider now owns the country’s biggest-selling sport drink in the independent convenience sector*. Boost Drinks, which offers Energy, Protein and Sport ranges, has sped to victory with their Sport Orange SKU, holding strong their place as Northern Ireland’s favourite soft drinks brand*. Boost Sport, which has four fruity flavours - Orange, Mixed Berry, Tropical Berry and Citrus – has been the fastest-selling sports drink in independent retail stores since 2018*. “The success of our Sport range can be found in its quality taste and value for money,” said Amy Ankrah, trade marketing manager at Boost. “At a 50p price point per bottle, the range gives consumers a great tasting and effective sport drink at Boost’s usual great value. And local retailers enjoy fantastic profit margins meaning it is a WIN-WIN for consumers and retailers alike.” Boost Sport replaces the fluids lost by sweating in an intelligent way, whilst providing an essential carbohydrate boost, driving endurance levels further and reducing fatigue. Boost Sport rehydrates and gives customers the fuel to perform better for longer. All four Boost Sport lines (Citrus Orange, Tropical Berry and Mixed Berry) come in 500ml bottles, price marked at 50p. Boost is available in various pack formats across Sports, Energy and Protein drinks. Supporting independent retailers is at the heart of Boost’s business and promotional activities so will continue their We Love Local commitment by investing in social and experiential marketing activity. Accompanying creative point of sale is available for retailers to enhance sales and can be ordered by contacting www.boostdrinks.com/contact-us *Source: IRI Marketplace Data Symbols and Independents 52 weeks unit sales to 1st December 2019. 34

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS ONLINE-ONLY ENTRY WILL CLOSE AT 5PM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 6

ntering the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards has become easier than ever before, thanks to a new streamlined application form and online-only entry mechanism. Recognising the time constraints faced by busy producers, processors, retailers and service providers to the grocery sector, and in response to competitor feedback, the entry process has been revamped to make the process as easy as possible. Entry is now open until March 6, 2020 for the 32nd annual awards, which will be held at the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball in the Culloden Estate & Spa on May 22, 2020. Awards include Best Digital Marketing Campaign, Best Sustainability Initiative and the Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer Award, recognising up and coming stars in memory of the co-founder of Forest Feast. Further categories include Best Marketing Campaign, Best Brand, Best In-Store Consumer Sales Promotion, Best New Product Launch/Relaunch, Best CSR Initiative/Charity Partnership, Best Artisan Campaign and Best Export Marketing. While the 10 core awards

require entry through the new online portal, a new award added for 2020 – Ulster Grocer Leader in Marketing – will require only informal nomination by email (see below for details). The Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards are an opportunity for companies operating in the Northern Ireland grocery sector to shine a light on their successes and achievements. The awards are held during the annual GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, the highlight of the sector’s social calendar attracting upwards of 400 guests and serving as the main fundraiser of the year for the grocery charity. Awards entry is open to all grocery stakeholders from producers, suppliers, wholesalers and independent retailers to retail groups. And the diverse range

of award categories allows both wellestablished and up-and-coming companies to enjoy valuable media exposure and branding at the Grocers’ Ball, and across the print copies, websites and social media of Ulster Grocer magazine and its sister titles at Independent News & Media. Widely regarded as the highest marketing accolade Northern Ireland grocery stakeholders can achieve, the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards are recognised as a mark of professionalism, raising awareness for companies shortlisted, highly commended and winning each category.

INTRODUCING A NEW AWARD: ULSTER GROCER LEADER IN MARKETING SPONSORED BY MXB

new accolade, the Ulster Grocer Leader in Marketing, will be recognised at the 32nd Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards in addition to the 10 categories listed to the right. Unlike the 10 other categories, there will not be a formal entry mechanism for this award. Instead, nominations for Leader in Marketing will be invited informally by email and can be made by anyone, including the nominee.

This new award will aim to complement the prestigious Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer Award by recognising individuals at a more advanced stage, or the end, of their career; having made a notable contribution to the field of sales and marketing within the wider grocery sector. To nominate a potential Ulster Grocer Leader in Marketing, simply email the name of your nominee along with

anything from a few lines up to 300 words outlining why they should be recognised – for example, companies, brands, roles and campaigns on which they have worked and any additional contribution of note from mentoring to CSR work. Nominations should be sent to Ulster Grocer Editor Alyson Magee at a.magee@independentmagazinesni. co.uk by a deadline of March 6, 2020.

TICKETS FOR THIS YEAR’S GROCERS’ BALL AT THE CULLODEN ESTATE & SPA ON MAY 22 COST £150 PER PERSON, WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO THE GROCERYAID CHARITY, AND CAN BE BOOKED BY CONTACTING JIM.MCALEA@YAHOO.CO.UK

AWARDS CATEGORIES

✶BEST DIGITAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN SPONSORED BY MBNI TRUCK & VAN

While digital is well established as part of the media mix considered by judges across the awards categories, this award exclusively focuses on online marketing activity, looking at campaigns which have successfully utilised tools such as social media, email, influencer engagement, content marketing and apps. Open to all grocery sector stakeholders (and both inhouse and agency marketing teams), judges will consider results achieved in relation to the size of the business with the onus on applicants to demonstrate a clear link between their digital campaign and any subsequent boost in sales.

IN-STORE CONSUMER SALES ✶BEST PROMOTION SPONSORED BY AQUA TWIST

Best In-Store Consumer Sales Promotion could be a standalone promotion by a retailer or supplier. Equally, it could potentially involve a joint promotion between two companies; for example, two manufacturers/brand owners running a cross-promotion on complementary products or a retail group and a manufacturer working together on a promotion. Entries are welcome involving both exclusive single-store promotions and activity running across a group of stores.

✶BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH/RELAUNCH SPONSORED BY CARN COLDSTORE

BEST SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

✶

SPONSORED BY:

AGRI-FOOD NEWS

LMC UPSKILLS ALMOST 60 TEACHERS THROUGH RED MEAT SKILLS WORKSHOPS From left, Alex Irvine, LMC placement student, and Lauren Hyde, education and consumer promotions manager, are pictured during LMC’s Red Meat Skills workshop for Food and Nutrition teachers.

support the application of learning by teachers who are engaging with pupils,” said Lauren Hyde, LMC education and consumer promotions manager. “Teachers who attended the workshops learned how to prepare, handle and cook with NIFQA beef and lamb as well as how to present dishes attractively. They also learned about the nutritional value of beef and lamb and the role of the NIFQA scheme in producing sustainable, traceable, high-quality produce.”

LMC BRINGS SOME BALANCE TO VEGANUARY

ivestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) has upskilled almost 60 food and nutrition teachers on the benefits of cooking Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured (NIFQA) beef and lamb in the classroom. Workshops were hosted in conjunction with the Food Teachers’ Centre with red meat supplied by ABP Food Group, to help develop the skills and confidence of food and nutrition teachers when working with NIFQA beef and lamb. During the workshops, teachers cooked

a number of NIFQA beef and lamb recipes relevant for all key stages but particularly focused on the GCSE and A Level curriculum. Teachers were also given the chance to learn more about the NIFQA scheme as well as the nutritional value of incorporating beef and lamb as part of a healthy, balanced diet. “We do a lot of work in post-primary schools through the provision of 350 demonstrations each year to educate pupils about the importance of NIFQA beef and lamb but it’s just as vital to

n advertisement promoting the benefits and versatility of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured Beef and Lamb (NIFQA) was back on television screens and radio channels during January to encourage consumers to support local farmers and their world class produce by continuing to eat NIFQA beef and lamb. The latest phase of the Livestock and Meat Commission’s Flavour Your Life campaign came at a time when the Veganuary campaign aims to influence consumers to remove meat and other livestock products from their diet. LMC’s campaign Flavour Your Life, which aired on regional television and radio stations, aimed to provide consumers with a range of healthy meal ideas incorporating nutritional NIFQA beef and lamb.

UFU DISAPPOINTED BY TRANSLINK ADVERTISING U lster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has been contacted by a number of members expressing concern regarding vegan advertisements on their buses, which demonise the livestock industry. “Our members, many of whom rely on the transportation service of Translink in rural areas and whose children take their buses to school, are outraged by the vegan

adverts and contacted us to express their concerns,” said Ivor Ferguson, president, UFU. “A public service should be impartial on all matters but the vegan adverts on the Translink buses uses emotive language that singles out our local farmers and has the potential to do serious damage to our agriculture industry and the livelihood of our farming families.”

AGRI-FOOD NEWS

LEADING PHYSICIAN HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF RED MEAT the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables and, importantly, there are clear statistics that prove a major reduction in red meat and dairy farming is actually very likely to harm human health. “A 2019 Lancet publication outlined the leading global nutritional risk factors in the world today. The most common nutritional problems leading to deaths and disease were diets low in grains, high in salt, deficient in wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, low in Omega-3 fatty acids and low in iron. Diets excessive in red meat were responsible for less than 0.5% of global deaths and disease burden.” Alongside the benefits of consuming red meat as part of a balanced diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, Professor Stanton underlined the critical need to enhance the quality of fresh foods and instil sustainable farming practices.

Professor Alice Stanton, director of human health at Devenish.

rofessor Alice Stanton, director of human health at agri technology company Devenish, has outlined the importance of consuming sustainably farmed fresh foods, particularly red meat, as key to feeding a growing global population and encouraging good human health and nutrition. Speaking at the recent Oxford Farming Conference, Professor Stanton outlined the key issues she believes must be addressed to tackle worldwide health issues, namely through the production and consumption of quality, nutritional,

sustainable food. In doing so, Professor Stanton directly challenged the position that consuming less red meat and dairy is advantageous to human health and the environment. “The greatest challenge of the century is to feed a growing population with nutritious food,” said Professor Stanton. “Last year’s EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report suggests we eat half as much meat and dairy as we currently do, and twice as much plant-based food. “This is simply not viable. The population does not currently consume

UFU WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF NEW NI AGRICULTURE MINISTER

lster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed the appointment of Edwin Poots as the minister at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The Union is looking forward to working with the new minister, stressing that, due to the absence of an NI Executive over the past three years, many much-needed strategic decisions need to be made with urgency. “Edwin Poots takes on the agriculture brief at a time when the industry is under extreme pressure due to three years of a political vacuum and Brexit,” said Ivor Ferguson, president, UFU. “The local farming industry is already beginning to experience Brexit-related change in terms of the legal basis for direct payments to NI farmers this year and we will need input from Mr Poots as DAERA minister to help us though this challenging process.”

CONTINUED VIGILENCE RECOMMENDED AFTER BIRD FLU SCARE

hile welcoming confirmation a suspected case of notifiable avian influenza in Co Fermanagh in fact emanated from a less serious, non-notifiable stain, Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has nonetheless urged continued vigilance. “It is a huge relief to our poultry farmers throughout Northern Ireland,” said David Brown, deputy president, UFU. “The case however is a clear reminder of the threat that avian influenza poses to Northern Ireland’s poultry industry and I urge all poultry and backyard keepers, to continue maintaining high standards of biosecurity and to practice good farm hygiene at all times to protect their flock from infection. “Bird keepers should subscribe to DAERA’s text alert service to receive immediate notifications.” immediately.”

MARKETING NEWS

TEAM JOE BARR REACHING FURTHER WITH WHITE’S OATS IN 2020

orridge and oat cereal brand White’s Oats has announced Title Sponsorship of Team Joe Barr for 2020. Following a record-breaking year in which 60-year-old ultra-cyclist Joe Barr was crowned winner of the 2019 World Cup for his age category (60-69), the World’s Ultra Cycling Association’s most prestigious award, Joe Barr will undertake his most ambitious season yet in 2020. White’s Oats and Team Joe Barr will activate the sponsorship under a campaign message of ‘reaching further’ as together they endeavour to bring the world of endurance cycling to cyclists and non-cyclists and inspire others to reach further in their own everyday lines. He will undertake five physically and

From left, Danielle McBride, brand manager of White’s Oats; Joe Barr, ultraendurance cyclist; and Jillian Mooney, Team Joe Barr performance nutritionist.

mentally gruelling races on a global stage to compete for the most coveted title of all – Overall World Cup Winner of Endurance Cycling. The year will also see Joe compete for an historic third ever win for Race around Ireland; a race he holds dear. “Joe and his team have had an amazing year, putting Irish cycling on the map globally and we were honoured to be a part of his journey in 2019,” said Danielle McBride, brand manager of White’s Oats. “It’s set to be a thrilling year of performance cycling and as sponsor and Team Joe Barr nutrition partner, we very much look forward to the challenge of keeping Joe fuelled with our range of porridge oats and oat cereals to reach further in 2020.”

MAXOL KICKS OFF NEW SEASON SPONSORSHIP OF ULSTER MINI RUGBY FESTIVALS F orecourt and convenience retailer Maxol is supporting title sponsorship of the Maxol Ulster Mini Rugby Festivals 2019/20 for a sixth consecutive season. “We are extremely proud of our continued sponsorship of the Maxol Ulster Mini Rugby Festivals,” said Brian Donaldson, chief executive of The Maxol Group. “The events provide a brilliant opportunity for young players to come together to have a lot of fun and learn important lessons about having an active, healthy lifestyle and they even get to meet their Ulster Rugby heroes on the pitch. “At Maxol, we play an active role in supporting local communities and it’s important that we continue to give something back to those who have supported Maxol over the years whilst also bringing some fun and enjoyment to children across the Province.” Mini Rugby is the introductory level of rugby, encouraging children aged 6-12 to get their first experience of the game.

Pictured celebrating the launch are Brian Donaldson, CEO of the Maxol Group and Ulster Rugby stars Jacob Stockdale, Iain Henderson and Stuart McCloskey with Ruby, Harry and Fionn Scott.

Each year, approximately 1,500-2,000 children attend the Maxol Ulster Mini Rugby festivals held at various rugby clubs throughout the province before participating in a four-day Finals Festival at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast, the home of Ulster Rugby. For more information about Maxol’s Mini Rugby Festival, visit: www.ulsterrugby.com.

CIM IRELAND LAUNCHES MARKETING LIVE A new format, and renewed focus on ensuring the event delivers a valuable learning opportunity for the marketing community in Ireland, has been introduced for the 2020 awards of the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Ireland. The new event, Marketing Live, will take place in May 2020 at a venue to be confirmed, and will move away from the conventional black-tie awards dinner to include a one-day conference divided into eight sessions. Each session will focus on a different awards category with a keynote speaker and award-

From left, Philip Preston, CIM Volunteer Partnerships manager CIM Ireland; Eileen Curry, chair; and Peter Craven, Board member.

winning case studies. Eight award categories include Best Use of Digital Marketing, Best Integrated Campaign, Best Brand Building Campaign, Best Use of Data & Insight, Best Use of Social Media & Influencer Marketing, Best Customer Experience, Best Corporate Social Responsibility and Best Partnership Marketing Campaign. New to the awards application process, all entrants are being asked to submit a 10-minute audio PowerPoint presentation to ensure a level playing field for all entries and shortlisted entrants are prepared for the new awards format.

EXPORT NEWS

HANNAN MEATS BOUND FOR HONG KONG AND TOP FRENCH SKI RESORT

ong Kong shoppers will soon be able to enjoy the unique flavours and outstanding quality of Glenarm Shorthorn meat from Hannan Meats in Moira, Co Armagh. They will be able to buy the awardwinning meats from iconic UK grocer Fortnum and Mason (F&M) which has just opened a two-storey shop at Victoria Dockside in Tsim Sha Tsui. The store, F&M’s first shop in Asia, is also an integral part of the high-end K11 Musea Mall in an affluent part of Kowloon. “We’re thrilled and excited to be featured in the new store, part of a major international expansion plan being implemented by Fortnum and Mason, the UK’s outstanding retailer of premium

Peter Hannan of Hannan Meats.

quality products,” said Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats. “The decision is also a significant extension of the very close relationship we’ve enjoyed with F&M for over a decade and involves a range of premium Glenarm meats - aged in our unique

complex of Himalayan Salt Chambers that have been successful in the retailer’s popular store in London’s Piccadilly.” Hannan Meats, in addition, is supplying its award-winning Himalayan Salt Aged Glenarm Shorthorn Ribs, Glenarm Shorthorn Sirloin, beef fillets, bavette, beef cheeks, T-Bones, Cote de boeuf steaks, lamb striploins and lamb racks, guanciale, ribs, chuck and brisket burgers to the hotel and restaurant at Le Portetta, one of France’s premiere ski resorts. The resort is famed for the quality and variety of its food. Respected UK chef Angela Hartnett, who runs the kitchens at Cucina Angelina in La Portetta, was instrumental in the significant business with Hannan Meats.

SHORTCROSS GIN TO SUPPLY CANADA’S BIGGEST PURCHASER OF SPIRITS

hortcross Gin has won business from one of the world’s biggest purchasers of spirits with help from Invest NI. Shortcross, based at Rademon Estate Distillery in Crossgar, Co Down, is now supplying gin across Ontario as a result of an agreement with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the Crown corporation which retails and distributes alcoholic beverages throughout Ontario, Canada’s largest province with over 13 million people. LCBO currently distributes to almost 700 liquor stores. The company is a

Fiona and David Boyd Armstrong of Shortcross Gin.

member of Food NI. Invest Northern Ireland has supported the development of the Shortcross Gin

brand, and helped the company reach a number of international markets. “The Shortcross team joined our specialist Irish Whiskey and Irish Gin Trade Mission to Toronto, Canada in March 2019,” said John Hood, director of Food & Drink, Invest NI. “The programme included meeting with the LCBO buyers, potential distributors and gave important insights into the local Canadian market. It is great to see the company now able to add Canada to its export markets.”

NEWRY CRILCO IN SECOND £250,000 DEAL FOR SWEETS IN CHINA

David Crilly, director, Crilco Sweets.

ewry’s Crilco Sweets has won a second major deal in China which will see it supply a range of boiled sweets to a new customer in Shanghai. The latest deal is the second significant business there in the past six months. The new contract is valued at £250,000 and will see the company’s successful and extensive range of confectionery on sale across China especially in pick and mix outlets which are popular with customers there. Crilco, based on Flagstaff Road, is Ireland’s only manufacturer of quality boiled sweets and other confectionery. The family-owned and managed business has just invested in new production and

wrapping machinery to enable it to increase substantially its output of sweets. David Crilly, director of Crilco Sweets, says the latest business in China followed its participation in a major European industry trade show. “We met representatives from our latest customer at ISM in Cologne, one of a number of confectionery business shows we attend every year including a hugely successful event in Shanghai,” he said. In addition to China, Crilly’s sells confectionery to leading retailers in Britain including discounter B&M and also exports to the Republic of Ireland, the US, Australia, Germany, Italy, France and the Czech Republic. 41

CSR NEWS

ASDA FUNDS THREE NEW VANS FOR FARESHARE NORTHERN IRELAND F

areShare Northern Ireland has added three new Asda-funded vans to its fleet, giving the charity capacity to provide 300,000 additional meals to vulnerable and low-income people a year. Based in Newtownabbey, it is one of the regional centres of FareShare UK, and reduces food waste by diverting quality, surplus food within the supply chain to more than 115 frontline community groups and charities across Northern Ireland. Projects include homeless hostels, school breakfast clubs, rehabilitation centres and lunch clubs for older people. The new vans will afford the charity extra capacity to recruit up to 35 new local charities and community groups in the next year. FareShare estimates the food it provides to these frontline organisations could reach an additional

FareShare Northern Ireland staff and volunteers.

3,700 people at risk of hunger across the region - increasing the number of beneficiaries served by 30% over the next year. Currently, around 85,000 children across Northern Ireland – equivalent to one in five - are living in poverty*, and

TEAM TREK RAISES £47,000 FOR LOCAL CANCER CHARITY

ix members of staff from the Henderson Group have completed

a charity trek through the Vietnamese jungle as part of the group’s fundraising efforts for Cancer Fund for Children. The team set off for Vietnam in October, where they spent six days trekking through the jungle, staying in local homestays and having their meals prepared by local Vietnamese families. Preparations for the trek began in early 2018 as all participants undertook a significant fundraising challenge and attended information sessions to prepare them for the excursion. To reach the fundraising total, the team organised various events from raffles, street collections and charity football days

ircle K provided free coffee on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve to employees of An Garda Síochána, Fire Service, RNLI, Coastguard and the National Health Service at Circle K outlets nationwide. Throughout both days at Circle K sites nationwide, members of the Emergency Services could avail of a cup of its Simply Great Coffee of choice.

“Circle K is proud to offer free Simply Great Coffee once again to the Emergency Services this Christmas, as a thank you for their continued dedication to the Irish public,” said Judy Glover, senior market director at Circle K Ireland. “This gesture is Circle K’s way of giving a little something back to the people who work so hard to keep our community safe and protected daily.”

Henderson Group staff Toni Downing, Mark Adrain and Michelle Dineen along with Darren Murray, Cancer Fund for Children.

the need for FareShare’s service has never been higher. Asda funded the vans as part of Fight Hunger Create Change, its partnership with FareShare and the Trussell Trust which aims to support one million people in poverty across the UK. Over the course of three years, Asda is investing over £20m to enable both charities to invest in infrastructure and offer more fresh food and crucial support and advice to people in need. For more information and to find out how you can support FareShare, visit www.fareshare.org.uk. *Department for Communities, Poverty: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/ articles/poverty

to a 1,500-mile charity cycle. Fundraising efforts were boosted by the Henderson Group, which topped up monies raised and even donated the proceeds from sales of SPAR cowboy hats at the Balmoral Show to the team’s total. “The six days we spent in Vietnam were some of the most challenging but also rewarding days of my life and even though we had 18 months to get ready for the trek, nothing could have prepared us for the conditions we met in the jungle,” said Mark Adrain, property director, Henderson Group. “Days were hard and tiring but the camaraderie was really special and we kept each other’s spirits high during the toughest parts.”

S CIRCLE K OFFERS FREE COFFEE TO EMERGENCY SERVICES OVER CHRISTMAS C

To find out more about Cancer Fund for Children, visit www.cancerfundforchidlren.com.

CSR NEWS

FOREST FEAST SPONSORS AQUASPRINT FOR A 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

From left, Commonwealth athlete Conor Ferguson; Deirdre Burns, Forest Feast; Linda Stoops, Swim Ulster; and Commonwealth athlete Emma

ocal healthy snack brand Forest Feast has launched its sponsorship of the Aquasprint Junior Swimming League for a 10th consecutive year. Forest Feast has always supported swimming from a grassroots level and aims to encourage young people to be more active and uphold healthy and nutritious lifestyles by taking an interest in a

competitive sport. The Forest Feast Aquasprint Junior Swimming League will see 1,600 young, up and coming swimmers aged between 8 and 12 from 26 clubs compete in five divisions throughout the year, before competing in the finals in June. The sponsorship was officially launched at Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure

Complex by Forest Feast Trade Marketing Manager Deirdre Burns, Linda Stoops from Swim Ulster and Commonwealth athletes Emma Reid and Conor Ferguson, who both competed in the first ever Aquasprint 10 years ago. “Swimming has been a core focus for Forest Feast over the last 10 years as we want to encourage families and kids to keep fit and healthy in fun environments,” said Burns. “As a healthy snack brand, we endorse a fully balanced diet and active lifestyle. “Aquasprint is about empowering young people to believe in themselves and their abilities and we are completely on board with this ethos. Whether you are just dipping your toes in or are interested in competing, swimming is a fun and inclusive way for the whole family to keep active.”

DELIVERING A WELCOME BOOST OVER CHRISTMAS

INDUSTRY CHARITY SPARKS CONVERSATION AROUND MENTAL HEALTH

ecent findings by Mind, the mental health charity, indicate one in five workers take a day off due to stress, yet a staggering 95% cite a different reason for their absence to their employer. This suggests people are still reticent to talk about stress and other mental health issues. To highlight how they can help grocery colleagues in times of crisis, GroceryAid has released its latest film, Martin’s story. Following the loss of his father and a stressful period at work, Martin struggled to quieten his mind and his mental wellbeing deteriorated. He left work and suffered a breakdown. After being told about GroceryAid by his company’s HR team, Martin reached out to the industry charity. He received counselling and learnt mindfulness techniques which gave him the ability to quieten his mind and make a full recovery. Since returning to work, Martin has been part of a HR initiative which introduced a mental health walk to encourage colleagues to take time away from their desk and talk. “Evidence shows that mental ill health

has now surpassed musculoskeletal disorders as the leading cause of absenteeism at 57.3% of the 26.8 million work days lost to ill health each year,” said Mandi Leonard, welfare director at GroceryAid. “GroceryAid is proud to support colleagues throughout the grocery sector who are struggling with their mental health through our counselling sessions, online CBT programme, Mindfulness book and Health and Wellbeing portal. The services are available for all grocery colleagues and their immediate family, regardless of length of employment in the sector and are free to access for both employers and employees. We are very grateful to Martin for sharing his story and Costcutter for signposting their team to the GroceryAid Helpline.” Contact the GroceryAid Helpline free on 08088 021122 or via Live Chat at www. groceryaid.org.uk, available 24/7/365. You can watch the film here: https://www. groceryaid.org.uk/our-impact/our-stories/ martins-story/

From left, Nuala Moore, facilities coordinator and PA to director of ops; Kieran Hughes, fundraising manager; and Jillian Frew, Boost representative.

oost supplied the Trussell Trust and Welcome Organisation with muchneeded food, drinks and toiletries to help them over the Christmas season. According to the Trussell Trust charity, a staggering 17,571 three-day emergency food supplies were given out to people in Northern Ireland by its food banks from April to September 2019. And every year, over 1,400 people are provided with a range of potentially lifesaving services by homeless charity the Welcome Organisation in Greater Belfast. Boost stopped by Trussell Trust’s Dundonald Food Bank and North Belfast Food Bank as well as the Welcome Organisation to deliver tins of food, long life milk, dried foods and cereals and Boost energy drinks as a contribution towards the demand for food and drinks over the Christmas fortnight. 43

BUSINESS NEWS

HENDERSON GROUP EMPLOYEE HONOURED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION A Henderson Group employee has been recognised by Business in the Community for her environmental leadership at the launch of the 2019 NI Environmental Survey, held at the Belfast Harbour Offices in late 2019. Helen Crilly, a compliance manager with the Henderson Group, was awarded the George Dawson Award for her passion and commitment to improving environmental performance both within the company and in her local community. The survey, which is sponsored by Moy Park and supported by DAERA, recognises and rewards those organisations going above and beyond their legal requirements to improve environmental impacts and better manage resources and has been running for over 20 years. Henderson Group was also awarded the highest platinum award for the third year running. The award is given to an individual who champions environmental causes in his or her workplace, and Crilly is

From left, Viv Dawson, wife of the late George Dawson; Helen Crilly; and Chris Conway, Group chief executive, Translink and chairman of Business in the Community.

the first Henderson Group employee to receive this accolade. She has been awarded for her dedication to promoting sustainability and raising awareness of environmental issues within the Group. “Helen has been with the Henderson Group for 10 years and in that time has been at the forefront of improving our environmental credentials right

across the group,” said Pat McGarry, logistics manager with the Henderson Group. “She was involved with the environmental design of our brand-new warehouse, ensuring energy-saving measures are implemented throughout and has completely transformed our waste-management procedures meaning we no longer send any waste to landfill.”

GAS TO THE WEST FTA NORTHERN PIPELINE COMPLETED IRELAND LOGISTICS

LUNCH RETURNS FOR 2020 F

From left, Mark Ennis CBE, chairman SGN Natural Gas; Trevor Lockhart, vice-chair, CBI NI; event compere Dr Wendy Austin MBE; Danny O’Malley, director, SGN Natural Gas; and Paddy Larkin, chief executive, Mutual Energy.

ompletion of the main construction phase of the Gas to the West pipeline, bringing natural gas to major towns in the western area of Northern Ireland, was celebrated at a recent event in Dungannon to thank the local community, business partners and stakeholders supporting successful delivery of the project. Representing an investment of over £250m, the Gas to the West project is being delivered in a partnership between SGN Natural Gas and Mutual Energy and has the potential to meet the energy needs of up to 40,000 homes and businesses across counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry~Londonderry. 44

TA is inviting stakeholders to celebrate another successful year for the logistics sector and dine with the industry’s finest at the fourth annual Northern Ireland Logistics Lunch to be held at The Merchant Hotel Belfast on June 5. The annual lunch is the perfect forum at which to recognise industry achievements, network with peers, enjoy a three-course lunch and informally debate the key issues and opportunities facing the sector with logistics experts from across the province. “While the industry has undoubtably faced challenging and uncertain times over the past 12 months, I am looking forward to getting together with some of our sector’s leading lights and taking the time to celebrate our successes – it is an event not to be missed,” said Seamus Leheny, policy manager for Northern Ireland at FTA.

For more information or to book a place, visit fta.co.uk/ PRnillunch

APPOINTMENTS

PLADIS APPOINTS GEOFF PAINTER AS CHIEF INSIGHTS OFFICER P

ladis, one of the world’s leading snacking companies, has appointed Geoff Painter as chief insights officer, starting his new role on January 13. Painter’s background spans more than two decades in PepsiCo’s food and beverages businesses, where he most recently led Insights & Analytics for Asia Pacific and Geoff Painter. was a critical factor in the company’s rapid growth in the region. His previous assignments include posts with responsibility for China, India, Asia Pacific, Australasia, and the UK and Ireland, alongside serving as a member of PepsiCo’s Global Insights Leadership Team. As part of his new role, Geoff will lead pladis’ focus on growth. He will be accountable for leveraging the talent, skills and technology needed to pinpoint growth opportunities and turn insights into market-leading initiatives. “Geoff is a respected and proven, results-driven executive with 25 years of global consumer products experience across insights and analytics, strategic planning, innovation and brand building,” said Salman Amin, chief executive officer. “He brings a rare combination of functional and commercial expertise honed through diverse international market and cultural exposure, including in both developed and emerging markets. His expertise will strengthen pladis’ growth capabilities, bringing industry trends and the voice of the consumer to the forefront of our work.”

RE-GEN WASTE APPOINTS FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

Neil O’Prey.

eil O’Prey has been appointed financial director for Re-Gen Waste. Having worked across multiple complex industries such as financial services, industrial products, consumer products and state bodies, he will take on responsibility for driving business improvement and growth at Re-Gen. Prior to joining Re-Gen Waste, O’Prey spent 17 years at PWC, advising executive committees of major businesses in the UK, US, South Africa and Ireland, on financial planning, change strategy, growth, productivity and cost efficiency.

SHELFLIFE To see your product featured in Shelf Life, contact Chris Keenan at c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk or Tel: 028 9026 4267

NEW MALTESERS BISCUITS HIT THE SHELVES

ars Chocolate Drinks and Treats has launched Maltesers Biscuits, marking the first time the popular, fast-growing confectionery brand has been seen in the biscuit aisle. Each biscuit comprises three delicious malty bobbles, covered in smooth milk

chocolate to create a unique snap and crunch eating sensation. In the UK, the total sweet biscuit market is worth in the region of £2.6bn and growing at a rate of 3.4% YOY*. The treats sub-category is worth £859m

and outperforming the total category with a volume growth rate of 6.1%**. “We are really excited to be introducing this iconic brand into the biscuit aisle for the first time,” said Michelle Frost, general manager at Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats. “We believe that a combination of the innovative format, unique malty taste and the popularity of the brand will drive new consumers to the category in addition to providing something new and exciting for regular biscuit fans.” Maltesers Biscuits are available from Musgrave Retail Partners, Dunnes and Tesco Ireland from March onwards. Source: *Nielsen, 02.11.2019 ** Nielsen, 05.10.2019

KP SNACKS LAUNCHES MARKETING PUSH FOR HULA HOOPS PUFT

P Snacks has kicked off the New Year with a nation-wide poster campaign to support Hula Hoops Puft as the ideal choice for shoppers looking for a guilt-free snack. The campaign represents over £1m investment in the brand and will run across the UK until February 23. When looking for snacks, 34% of shoppers will specifically look for a healthier product and 49% say they would choose crisps or savoury snacks over a sugary option. Hula Hoops Puft caters for this group of consumers – at just 72 calories per pack, the light and

tasty snack is one of the best-selling, lowercalorie options on the market. Available in a range of great flavours - Salted, Salt & Vinegar, Beef and Sweet Chilli –they also pack a punch for those 51% of shoppers for whom flavour is the number-one sales driver. “Hula Hoops is one of the fastestgrowing brands in the UK and offers retailers a range of products and formats that can be activated across all areas of the store,” said Kevin McNair, marketing director at KP Snacks.

WEBBOX GOES WILD WITH WEBBOX WILDLIFE P et food brand Webbox is launching a range of wildlife foods in Tesco stores starting 2020 off with a bang. Webbox Wildlife products include Webbox Wildlife Swan & Duck Food and Webbox Wildlife Hedgehog Food. The range will be available in 449 Tesco stores from mid-January and will make wildlife feed more accessible for consumers, helping them to support their local wildlife from a low price point. “Consumers are becoming more and more aware of the impact we are having on our environment and the support we need to provide to our local wildlife,” said Camille Ashforth, senior brand manager at Webbox. “It’s great to be able to give shoppers the opportunity to purchase wildlife products along with their weekly shops and we are thrilled to have launched the Webbox Wildlife range into Tesco stores.

CLASSIFIEDS

WANT YOUR COMPANY TO GET NOTICED? ADVERTISE HERE... CONTACT CHRIS KEENAN ON 028 9264 4267 EMAIL: C.KEENAN@ INDEPENDENTMAGAZINESNI.CO.UK

CLASSIFIEDS

WANT YOUR COMPANY TO GET NOTICED? ADVERTISE HERE... CONTACT CHRIS KEENAN ON 028 9264 4267 EMAIL: C.KEENAN@ INDEPENDENTMAGAZINESNI.CO.UK

Grocersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ball 2020 Featuring

22ND MAY 2020

CULLODEN HOTEL & SPA FOR TICKETS, CONTACT JIM.MCALEA@YAHOO.CO.UK

CLASSIFIEDS

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I’m married with three children and a dog - some people say that she’s my favourite child. When I’m not being a mum, wife and dog walker, I produce healthy alternatives to everyday snacks such as pastries, bars and cookies. These include vegan, glutenfree and protein options for those who watch their macros. I try to use as many healthy, natural ingredients as possible such as natural syrups eg agave or maple, nut butters, coconut flour and oil, oats and nuts.

IN THE HOT SEAT ISOBEL HEATH, OWNER, ISSY’S HEALTHY TREATS

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? A typical day starts with making sure the family are all sorted for the day, then I start to organise myself for work. I tend to start making bars etc and get totally engrossed. Before I know it, it’s time to wrap it up. I will already have my orders for the week and know what markets are scheduled, eg Ard’s Shopping Centre’s Ard’s Artisans is a weekly market. If I have an outside market, then I’m usually packed up and on the road by 8am, ready to start another day. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? The highlight for me must be my first open market when I thought I’d made far too much but I sold out completely. It’s different when friends and family like your products, but when you get that validation from the public it’s quite amazing. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love meeting the customers, it’s an education at times for both of us! WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK? The most difficult task would be deciding the amount of stock required for some outside festivals and markets because of our unpredictable weather… WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? Believe in yourself and believe in your product. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GRIPE? I wouldn’t say it’s a gripe but sometimes when people hear the word ‘healthy’ they say, ‘it’s not for me’ or ‘if there’s no sugar in it then I won’t like it’. I say, ‘If you don’t try, you’ll never know’. 50

WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? Sometimes being a mind reader would be helpful. For example: the weather… WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS/ AMBITIONS? I am a relatively new business but, in the future, I would like to not only expand my customer base but also my range of goods. WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? I admire anyone who is willing to put themselves out there and take a chance no matter what the outcome may be. For example, I was listening to the radio last week and a lady was on talking about a range of issues affecting men, from mental health to looking after a teenager on a weekend, so she started up a website called Malemenu to help guys. I thought good for you, you’re putting yourself out there, taking a chance and it’s something you’re obviously passionate about. Sometimes I think we all need to get out of that comfort zone and just

take that step; you never know where it will lead you. WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE? That’s easy, my home. Although I do despair sometimes when I look around doesn’t everyone! This is where my family are; my husband, children and my dog. When I’m not working, this is where I spend most of my life and I wouldn’t want it any other way. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? That has to be coconut oil. It’s so aromatic and versatile. You can use it to bake, fry, drizzle, the list is endless. Oh, and you can use it on your skin. HOW DO YOU RELAX? It depends on my mood. Sometimes I like to read or watch a movie. I love to go on long walks with my family and Pippa; that’s the dog but she’s really like my fourth child. Finally, I love a good night out with friends - a meal and a few drinks although I don’t usually love it the next day.