Ulster Grocer January Yearbook 2022 by Helen Wright

GROCER ULSTER

YEARBOOK 2022

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

50 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

SPEND LOCAL SCHEME DELIVERS HIGH STREET FOOTFALL & SPEND

conomy Minister Gordon Lyons’ High Street Spend Local Scheme has delivered on its aim of boosting footfall and spend in local city, town and village centres, with Northern Ireland significantly outperforming the UK average for shop visits. Data from Sensormatic Solutions cites local shop visits running at 10 percentage points higher than the UK average and almost 15 percentage points higher than in Scotland. Separate figures from Springboard from the week Dec 5-11, meanwhile, indicate a further 1.7% bump in week-on-week footfall with Northern Ireland one of only two UK regions to post an increase. The Scheme has come under criticism for its delayed launch, difficulties in the application process and the late issuing of cards. As a result, the deadline for using the pre-paid £100 cards was extended to December 19, potentially cannibalising the key Christmas trading period. However, as of December 12 with a week still left to use the cards, £121m had been injected into the local economy running at a daily average of £2m, with both the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium and Retail NI reporting positive feedback from their members. Welcoming the decision to include Spend Local branding on the cards,

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Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “Aside from the short-term boost this will give to many of our members, I think long-term it focuses and informs the public about the crucial importance of supporting independent retailers. It’s not about an anti-multiple message; it’s a pro-independent message.” Minister Lyons said: “The benefits are clearly flowing through to our retail, hospitality and services sectors. Businesses across all sections of our high street and from every part of Northern Ireland are now witnessing a return of customers.” Any boost to local grocery sales was not yet evident in the latest data from Kantar, with a decline of 8.7% in the total market, 5.9% in basket spend and 6% in number of supermarket trips for the 12 weeks to November 28. Over the 52-week period, sales were down by 2.6% and trips by 2.9%. “However, it’s worth stating that the grocery market is still 8.7% larger than it was prior to the pandemic two years ago,” said Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar. “Alcohol sales are a good example of how periods with more relaxed coronavirus restrictions have impacted the grocery sector. Over the past 12 months, take-home alcohol purchases have fallen by 6.1% compared with 2020 as people

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enjoyed going out and spending time with family and friends at restaurants, pubs and clubs again when lockdowns were eased. That change in behaviour has meant they spent less on drinks to have at home. “Tesco has retained its spot as the largest grocer, with a 35.6% market share. Its sales nudged down by just 1.7% over the past 52 weeks, slower than the overall market. Meanwhile, Lidl posted another set of strong growth numbers, boosting sales by 6.8%. “Sainsbury’s maintained its 17% market share this period. However, as is the case across the sector, basket sizes were considerably smaller which led to a decline of 2.5%. Asda’s numbers tell a similar tale with a 6.9% decline in items purchased, contributing to an overall sales fall of 2.1%, though not affecting its market share which remained at 16%.”

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GROCER ULSTER

MARKETING AWARDS 2022

REFLECTIONS & EXPECTATIONS: KEY FIGURES SPANNING RETAIL, FOOD & DRINK, FARMING, TRADE ORGANISATIONS, AGENCIES & MORE LOOK BACK OVER 2021 & AHEAD TO THE COMING YEAR

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS: LAUNCHING OUR 34TH ANNUAL AWARDS, SET TO RETURN TO THE GROCERYAID GROCERS’ BALL AT THE CULLODEN HOTEL & SPA ON FRIDAY, MAY 27TH

A PERFECT STORM: WITH RETAILERS FACING A BARRAGE OF RISING COSTS, HOPES ARE HIGH A COHESIVE PLAN FROM THE HIGH STREET TASK FORCE WILL GET THE SECTOR BACK ON TRACK

PROTOCOL POSITIVES: BREXIT HAS BOOSTED EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY PROCESSORS, BUT THE SECTOR IS STRUGGLING WITH RISING ENERGY COSTS, FOOD INFLATION & FINDING LABOUR

email: info@ulstergrocer.com Volume 57 Number 1 JANUARY 2022 Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Sam Butler, Donald C McFetridge Sales Manager: Judith Martin E: j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk Tel: 028 9055 4260 Art Editor: Helen Wright

FOREWORD

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A CRITICAL TIME FOR OUR ECONOMY Initiatives such as Spend Local & the High Street Task Force are aiming to shape vibrant & sustainable city, town & village centres, placing retailers back at the heart of Northern Ireland communities, says Economy Minister Gordon Lyons

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ur retailers and local high streets are at the heart of cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland. While economic activity was severely dampened by Covid-19 and the resulting restrictions, there are clear signs that the steps taken to re-open our economy have had a positive impact. This is a critical time for our economy. Getting back to business provides our best opportunity for economic recovery and renewal and it is important that we continue to build on the good progress. Thanks to the interventions put in place

by the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive, we are in a much better place to cement our recovery, which has been kickstarted by my Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan. A high-profile initiative stemming from this plan is the High Street Scheme, which has seen nearly 1.4 million people receiving pre-paid Spend Local cards of £100 to spend in local businesses. Once the scheme closes, it is expected to inject up to £140m into the local economy and straight into the tills of retailers and business across Northern Ireland.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT There is also an added objective to stimulate change within consumer behaviour and encourage people back into our shops and high streets and away from a reliance on online shopping. With this in mind, the Executive has recognised our town centres and shopping habits are changing. In October, the First and Deputy First Minister launched the High Street Task Force call for evidence to help shape the way forward in creating vibrant and sustainable city, town and village centres. The findings from the call for evidence, together with other data, will inform a draft report and recommendations that will be subject to a full public consultation before a final report is presented for agreement by spring 2022. Although the business community has come through much in the last few years, I recognise there are still challenges ahead. The focus on climate change presents huge challenges to our agri-food industry. From farming to packaging to changing consumer demands, our industry is ready to step up to the challenge. We pride ourselves on innovation and this will become ever more important as we embrace new technologies in automation and robotics as well as utilising artificial intelligence and data analytics to make our industry fit for the 21st century. In addition, my Department is acutely aware of the labour shortages facing a number of sectors. Through its Skills Strategy, Skills for a 10X Economy, my Department is working to provide skilled individuals of all ages to help fill these gaps in the labour market, with vocational education a key element of the Strategy; both in terms of skills for young people, but also for those who want to reskill or upskill. I would like to end on a note of thanks to all our retailers, farmers and food producers for their ongoing work in providing safe, nutritious and quality food to feed our families and loved ones. Northern Ireland food and drink producers continue to be recognised for innovation and quality at this year’s Great Taste awards, UK Quality Food and Drink Awards, Blas na h’Eireann Awards, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, Bakery Industry Awards and the Great British Food Awards. This shows we have a proud heritage of producing fantastic quality food and drink and I believe the industry can look forward to more success with renewed vigour as we work together to successfully deal with any challenges we face.

CHEERS TO MOVING FORWARD IN 2022

appy New Year and welcome to our January Yearbook edition. Another year, another Yearbook; hard to believe but my ninth as editor of Ulster Grocer. During my time at the magazine, ownership has passed from the Greer family to INM and now Mediahuis. 2022 also represents a more significant milestone for Ulster Grocer with its 50th birthday, and we plan to mark the occasion with a commemorative edition in July and special event. Our fabulous designer Helen Wright, also a veteran of Greer Publications, has made a few style updates to our pages this month with more to come throughout the year. May we take this opportunity to express gratitude to our readers and advertisers for their continued support, which has allowed Ulster Grocer to enter its 50th birthday year still publishing in both print and digital format. And we hope to have the opportunity to bring you the latest news, and showcase the grocery sector’s leading lights, for many years to come. This year also marks our 34th Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards, launched inside this edition, and again we are very proud to have kept the Awards going throughout the pandemic. We hosted a socially distanced photocall for winners and sponsors in 2020, managed to fit in a seated afternoon reception in 2021 and, fingers crossed, will see the return of the Awards to the popular GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball this year. All things to be grateful for after the last few years, which have brought much strife and uncertainty with the ongoing pandemic. At time of writing, cases of the Omicron variant are in rapid ascendancy with the attendant warnings of hospitals exceeding capacity and a potential return of some lockdown restrictions. If you and yours get through Christmas and the New Year safe and sound, that will be another thing to be grateful for.

And may retailers also have gotten through the festive period free of abuse from shoppers who are stressed, resisting mandatory safety measures or just generally hostile. The wider grocery sector has enough to contend with in 2022, including a labour shortage, rising energy prices, food inflation and a hike in National Insurance. At least it appears as if the Executive will extend the rates holiday for another three months from April, and hopefully the High Street Task Force will come up with a solid plan to breathe life back into our city, town and village centres. Unfortunately, we are yet to see the EU and UK reach agreement on the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol. A bit like the pandemic, every time it appears to be reaching a conclusion, we suddenly seem to end up back on square one. As highlighted in our interview with Manufacturing NI, the unique status afforded Northern Ireland by the Protocol is already boosting business for many food and drink firms. And if the EU follows through on its commitment to spread the message through its member states, there is potential for much greater opportunity. But of course, the Protocol has not been good to all. While many retailers with local supply chains have emerged relatively unscathed, the impact has been apparent on others relying on GB suppliers from small independent shops right up to the larger multiples. It’s a strange situation indeed whereby leaving the EU prevents an organic retailer in Northern Ireland from sourcing in GB, and instead the shop has to get its supplies from… the EU… We do need the Protocol. Here’s hoping a deal is finally reached in 2022, solutions are found to ease the current difficulties, and the sector can move forward without the current uncertainty. Cheers to moving forward, and not backward or standing still, in 2022.

NEWS

NI PROTOCOL NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE INTO NEW YEAR TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FOR ROI EXPORTS TO GB

ontention over the Northern Ireland Protocol has continued into 2022 after a year of stalled and restarted negotiations between the EU and UK failed to reach any resolution before Christmas. One year on from Brexit, GB was due to introduce border controls for EU imports including Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks for agri-food products on January 1, 2022, and has extended a temporary exemption to imports from the Republic of Ireland while Protocol negotiations are ongoing. “Implementing these arrangements for goods moving from the island of Ireland, whether from Ireland or from Northern Ireland, is particularly complex,” said Brexit Minister Lord Frost in a statement issued on December 15. “This is because there are specific Treaty and legislative commitments to ‘unfettered

access’ for goods from Northern Ireland, because there are currently ‘standstill’ arrangements in place for operating the Northern Ireland Protocol, and because negotiations on the Protocol itself are still under way and will not be definitively completed by 1 January. “Given this wider uncertainty and complexity, and the undesirability of bringing in new changes while the Protocol arrangements themselves remain unsettled and while diversion of trade is already occurring, the Government has decided that the right thing is to extend, on a temporary basis, the current arrangements for moving goods from the island of Ireland to Great Britain for as long as discussions on the Protocol are ongoing. “This means that goods moving from the island of Ireland directly to Great Britain will continue to do so on the basis of the arrangements that apply currently, until further notice; and will not, for now, be affected by the changes being introduced on 1 January for all other other inbound goods.

“The Government believes that this pragmatic act of good will can help to maintain space for continued negotiations on the Protocol. It also ensures that traders in both Ireland and Northern Ireland are not faced with further uncertainty while the Protocol arrangements themselves are still under discussion.” Concerns have been expressed the introduction of customs checks and declarations on EU imports into GB from January 1 will accelerate existing supply chain problems in both GB and Northern Ireland. A report published last month by NI Chamber and Invest NI found that, since Brexit, nine out of 10 local firms have experienced supply chain problems, with over eight in 10 paying more for shipping and almost nine in 10 facing delaying transit of goods. The Brexit: One Year On report found most local businesses were aware of the Protocol, but GB businesses were considerably less informed.

CIRCLE K & MUSGRAVE MARKETPLACE ENTER NEW FIVE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP C ircle K, the island of Ireland’s largest forecourt and convenience retailer, and Musgrave MarketPlace have announced a new five-year strategic partnership. Under the terms of the partnership, wholesaler Musgrave MarketPlace will supply the Circle K network of company-owned and franchise service stations. Circle K will supply fuel to 12 service stations including seven new sites owned and operated by Musgrave in Northern Ireland, which will rebrand to Circle K over time, bringing Circle K’s total store count in Northern Ireland to 53. The deal will also see the introduction of milesPLUS grades to six sites, providing a quality fuel offering at Musgrave-owned forecourts. Circle K will supply fuel to the Musgrave fleet of delivery vehicles and Fuel Card business, making it

Trevor Magill, managing director, Musgrave NI.

Musgrave’s preferred fuel supplier in Northern Ireland. Musgrave MarketPlace will supply over 165 Circle K forecourts across Ireland and Northern Ireland with a variety of product categories including grocery, beverages, catering, chilled and frozen food, and impulse totalling 2,500 food and beverage products. “Alongside Circle K’s own extensive

and high-quality product range, our ongoing partnership with Musgrave MarketPlace and access to its outstanding offering enables us to continue delivering a really compelling offering to our customers,” said Derek Nolan, senior director of retail operations for dealer and franchise, Circle K Ireland. Trevor Magill, managing director, Musgrave NI, said: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding relationship with Circle K. After many successful years working together, we understand their business needs and are committed to providing a first-class range and service to Circle K forecourts across the island of Ireland. “We look forward to introducing Circle K to 12 of our companyowned forecourt sites in Northern Ireland, strengthening our fuel supply partnership and improving the fuel offer for our shoppers.”

GROCERY SECTOR ANALYSIS

AT THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD Convenience retailers need to act big but think small to maintain market share they gained during the lockdown, while consumers should be encouraged to shop local, eat less but better and waste less, says Donald C McFetridge, retail analyst

021 was, undeniably, a year like no other for retailers - large and small, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. In 2022, we will, hopefully, see the beginning of the retail recovery from the pandemic. And everyone needs to be ready for the challenge that lies ahead. Arguably, the national behemoths have continued to be very successful, but so too have the convenience sector operators – particularly SPAR, Mace, SuperValu and Centra. The retail convenience sector in Northern Ireland has been at the forefront of rising to the challenges of Covid by providing consumers with goods and services beyond the expectations of many, myself included. However, consumers are fickle; they are promiscuous, and they soon forget the convenience, the reliability, and all the other attractive aspects of shopping locally which worked so well for them during the pandemic. Therefore, convenience sector retailers need to capitalise on their hard work during the pandemic to ensure they do not lose ground which was hardworked-for and hard-won from today’s demanding consumers. To continue their recent success, retailers operating in the convenience sector must do two basic things. They must: (1) ACT BIG; and (2) THINK SMALL. This may appear to be contradictory, but it’s not; it is, in fact, complementary. Retailers must learn to act like their larger competitors in terms of identifying changing patterns of consumer behaviour and, where possible, they must intuitively spot trends which they can encourage consumers to adopt. Examples of this include extending their home delivery services and offering a wider selection of products – yes, even in stores with limited square footage. 8

The multinationals utilise every square foot of retail space and so, too, must the convenience sector. At the same time, convenience sector retailers need to rationalise their store operations, including procurement, merchandising and sales forecasting to suit the local neighbourhoods which they have served so well over the past 24 months. By acting big (like their larger competitors) and by thinking small (in terms of their own individual retail operations), they can achieve even greater success in their localised stores. Customers need to see these two basic principles in operation in their local neighbourhood stores; otherwise, they will switch back to shopping at Sainsbury’s, Tesco or Asda. On a micro level, the key objectives for every retailer in the convenience sector in Northern Ireland should be to act big, but think small, and to build back bigger and better than ever. Therein lies success. On a macro level, rising energy and fuel costs are all adding to the cost of food production and the eventual transportation of merchandise, and this will inevitably have to be passed on to consumers, who are very much aware of this future trend. As we embark on a new year, consumers are rapidly becoming even more demanding, discerning and discriminating; their demands must be met and satisfied. Also, consumers and retailers alike are all too aware of the importance of environmental issues as we consider the impact of our spending on food and groceries, and as we continue to adjust and modify our eating behaviour. Additionally, we have an everexpanding world population which needs to be fed, and the consequences of this need to be faced up to to.

We also, thankfully, have a better educated society with changing views on almost everything, including retailing and retail provision. We still have to deal with the consequences of Covid; and this is something which will not disappear overnight, or even pass quickly; this will be with us for at least the next decade. COP26 may have been considered a success by some; for others, there was a lot of ‘copping out’ with serious consequences for every citizen in the world. In 2022, sure-footed and sharpminded retailers will need to help focus consumers on ‘shopping local, eating less but better, and wasting less’. While the £100 shopping voucher scheme in Northern Ireland has been heralded as a success by encouraging consumers to ‘shop local’, this must be further encouraged in a much broader sense, as we head into 2022 and beyond. The importance of shopping local, eating less but better, and wasting less are messages which should be carefully crafted into the advertising campaigns and budgets of our convenience sector retailers as we move through this new year. In Four Quartets, TS Eliot pointed out that we were at ‘the still point of the turning world… where past and future are gathered’. All retailers, locally and internationally, now know what the past has been; the future, however, remains uncertain. And we must be ready to take up the challenge in order to see to it that 2022 is the great success it deserves to be for everyone in the retail grocery sector in Northern Ireland.

2021 IN PICTURES

Year in Review

ULSTER GROCER LOOKS BACK AT THE KEY EVENTS OF THE LAST YEAR

keholders Grocer asked sta the year, Ulster aining of g rem d nin lan gin Ire be ern At the so far, with North eat ing Gr go m s fro wa ts xit en how Bre cery shipm ms Union and gro s. Retailers with ion rat in the EU Custo cla de ms ct to custo neficiaries, Britain now subje re immediate be gling supply chains we re already strug we island of Ireland ce du pro g on GB for ndemic, the pa ing go while those relyin on an elves. Even amid st contentious to stock their sh become the mo d Protocol would 2022. o int ing nu Northern Irelan nti co th negotiations topic of 2021, wi

Dale Farm unveiled a new brand identity, reflecting a more contemporary style and better communicating its farmer cooperative rt credentials, as pa of a three-year . growth strategy Pictured is Nick Whelan, Group chief executive.

H&J C Butc arnduff h in of th er’s Shop Newto w e was Year fo of the Y nards w ea r a a 2019 dream f a third y r, as we s named e ll o . U paid His siste r John C ar runnin as NI Bu K-wide ar r tc tribu g te to Rachel C nduff, w . Winnin her’s Sh ar op g the h his v ision nduff, a o sadly UK t p . part ner i assed aw itle n the a busi y in ness ,

wA ut its ne g rolled o in le d u sa cl le in o , S&W Wh More branding t ghting Whole Lo nal video highli r tio yond fo a promo s above and be ched a oe un g la it o ls w a o h W mers. S& in 2021. its custo brand, Nearby, il ta re new

2021 IN PICTURES

land Northern Ire of ntra store in ing director its 100th Ce ag ed an en m , op ill e ag Musgrav n Conway, n. Trevor M cla ow st De ok rs ne Co , at Dunman with store ow r Conway. , is pictured and Pete Musgrave NI el Conway ni Da , ay Martin Conw

Representatives from across the agri-food sector paid tribute to Denis Lynn, the 63-year-old founde r and chairman of Finnebrog ue, who died sudden ly after a quad bike accident at his Killyleagh home on May 2.

AR in rthday of SP for its the 60th bi ise £60,000 up marked ra ro to G s on an rs 300th Hende uncing pl opening its land, anno 2021, and in rs ne rie Northern Ire Cu ow , ner Marie Andy Davis charity part hnson and ew, joint Graham Jo Martin Agn ith w ed SPAR store. ur pict e ar h, . ag roup of SPAR Co enderson G director, H managing

Moy Pa rk & Drink again tops th e Ulste C rG Ellen W ompanies, ran ked by rocer Top 75 N right, b turnove ra I culinary nd man r. Picture Food a techno d are logist, M ger, and Han n ah Clark oy Park . e,

2021 IN PICTURES

Belfast-bas ed Moo To You businesses emerging du was among new ring the pa address sp ecific need ndemic to s. Fo diversified his wife’s fa under Chris Wilson mily busine Open Farm ss, Streamva , to offer ho le me deliver produce. y of local

Scheme was s et Voucher on ’s High Stre r Gordon Ly nd te la is Ire in n M y Norther by Econom ible adults ig ed el ch d un re la fe a officially scheme of anded with The £145m aid card br t on July 29. a £100 prep entual launch was no e ov ab d aged 18 an While its ev s, the Scheme would . ge sa es m l m Spend Loca hing proble shoppers supporting lay and teet ith without de a success w ed em de be ultimately ilers. ndent reta local indepe

The B a Septe lmoral Sh o m pand ber 22-2 w staged e 5 a we for a mic, with , after an lcom e 1 1 S Grou 0th year. PAR NI re 8-month return ov p is p abse Bron turnin nce d er agh L icture g as u uke f d, fro rom platinum e to the nt. the H s ende ponsor rson

Thompson’s Tea, owner of the Punjana brand, celebrated its 125th year in business, with a fourth generation now carrying on the family tradition.

2021 IN PICTURES

The Ulster Groc er Marketing Aw ards 2021 saw Be Marketing Camp st aign go to Hovis Ireland. Pictured Claire McCollum, are host; Chris Keen an, Ulster Grocer; Candida Corscad den, Hovis Irelan d; Alyson Mage Grocer; and Lanc e, Ulster e Hamilton, Ma sh Direct (categ sponsor). Hovis ory also retained its number one slo Ulster Grocer NI t in the Top 50 Grocery Brands.

hern Ireland, with Daniella Michele Charrington, Invest Nort Morelli’s won the after lli, More o Nald Morelli-Kerr and Ireland with its threehern Nort for Fork Great Taste Golden awards were The m. Crea Ice star Caramelised Hazelnut re in Harrogate. held at the Yorkshire Event Cent

Local suppliers were celebrated at the second annual Food Force Ireland Online Conference. Pictured is Trading Controller Debra Johnston.

dor of awar aging direct d n, the man as awarde na w , an ra H r oi te M Pe in ing nan Meats nd an ta H ts ng ou ni s win for hi t. the Queen evelopmen an MBE by Economic D to n io ut contrib

With COP26 accelerating the focus on sustainability, White’s Oats announced it had achieved an A+ Eco Score rating from non-profit organisation Foundation Earth. Pictured are James Mathers, general manager, and Stuart Best, business development manager, White’s Oats.

Lidl Northern Ireland reporte d growth of and a five-fo 24% in turnov ld in er to £345m year results as crease in profit after tax to £5.5m in its it continues to steadily gr latest fullgrocery marke ow its share t. Pictured ar of the local e JP Scally, ch and Norther ief executive n Ireland, an of Lidl Ireland d Conor Boyl e, Lidl region al director in NI.

INVEST NI

COMMENTARY

SUPPORTING NI’S FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY TO WEATHER THE STORM

John Hood, director of food & drink, Invest Northern Ireland.

021 was another challenging year for many of our local food & drink producers as they continue to manoeuvre their way through Covid-19 and the EU Exit. Throughout, the food & drink industry has delivered safe, nutritious and quality food to tables across the UK and RoI and I would like to commend all those who work in the industry from farmer to processor, from logistics to retailer all of whom ensure that we, as consumers, continue to have food and drink we like to enjoy. Food remains a serious business in Northern Ireland and is our biggest manufacturer, one which contributes over £5bn to the local economy annually and employs more than 100,000 people across the extensive supply chain. Today, Northern Ireland food and drink is on sale in over 70 global markets including the US and

throughout Asia and the Middle East. Invest NI has long facilitated this growth through our extensive programme of regular business missions, stands at national and international trade shows across the world including SIAL in Paris, ANUGA in Cologne and Gulfood in Dubai, and regular contacts between our staff and buyers in most of the leading retailers. We continue to support ambitious companies to build on this as they seek to grow business around the world through our global network of offices, in-market support and suite of research and development support. Just some of the projects we supported include the £4m investment by Warrenpoint-based food-to-go manufacturer, Deli Lites which will see the creation of 45 new jobs and the £4m investment by Stone Bakery in Crossmaglen which will see the creation of 20 new jobs in the local area. We also helped companies like Castlewellanbased Whitewater Brewery to install filling and packaging technology, which is supporting it to expand its product offering and production capacity for its

new line of ready-to-drink hard seltzers. The outstanding successes of Northern Ireland’s food and drink companies in recent awards such as Blas Na hÉireann demonstrate that we are still open for business and shows the resilience of the industry and the strong determination of companies of all sizes and in every category to surmount the hurdles of Covid-19 and EU Exit. Our companies have been flexible and responsive, quick to grasp opportunities, in particular the changing trends among consumers during the pandemic. We’ve been immensely encouraged by recent reports showing a significant growth in cross-border trade in food and drink, especially over the past year. This development has been influenced by our comprehensive programme of ‘virtual’ meet-the-buyer events over the past 18 months which have facilitated NI food & drink suppliers to pitch to almost 200 GB and ROI food and drink buyers, winning significant new business in the process. Looking ahead, we know there are many more challenges to come. The focus on climate change presents huge challenges to our industry. Sustainability is gaining traction as a key consumer trend in food and drink, particularly with the recent focus on COP26 and the growing commitment among large and small companies to willingly embrace the ‘green’ agenda. We’ve assisted many producers here to invest in sustainability, especially in areas such as packaging, waste elimination and cost reduction. At the end of 2021, we delivered a seminar: Consumer Attitudes to Sustainability: Food for the Greater Good, which was attended by over 150 delegates and covering areas highlighting how sustainability matters in both retail and foodservice channels. This proved very successful with excellent feedback from the delegates, and we plan to run further seminars in 2022. Looking forward to 2022, we will continue to work with existing, and new customers, helping them to grow and expand by supporting them to innovate, to identify export opportunities, to increase their knowledge of consumer behaviour and to invest in the skills of their people.

FOOD NI

COMMENTARY

OUTSTANDING FOOD & DRINK SET FOR EVEN GREATER SUCCESS IN 2022

Michele Shirlow, chief executive, Food NI.

he outstanding achievements of our food & drink companies in 2021 strengthen my conviction that the industry is positioned to make an even greater contribution to the recovery of the economy post-Brexit and as we seek to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. The Our Food. Power of Good promotional campaign, developed with generous support from the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme in DAERA, was launched in October to highlight and increase awareness throughout this community of the achievements and quality of our food & drink and the creativity of producers and farmers behind the products. The television and radio campaign will run until March 2022 and will build on the huge success of our Year of Food & Drink in 2016. Our focus remains on innovative and professional initiatives to boost local food & drink. Throughout 2021, we also appreciated the support provided by Invest Northern Ireland to assist companies to grow sales in Britain and the Republic, especially at shows such as Speciality Fine Food in London and Gifted in Dublin. It was great to get our food & drink companies face-to-face with buyers again after a challenging year. They were hungry to source new and innovative products, and we look forward to supporting and

promoting more marketing initiatives in the year ahead. The year ended with a real flourish in the shape of a series of major awards that endorsed the quality, innovation and rich flavours of our produce in our key markets of Great Britain and the Republic. They featured Clandeboye Estate in Bangor, our only local yoghurt producer, Finnebrogue Artisan in Downpatrick, now a UK leader in plant-based foods, and Comber’s Mash Direct, an international exporter of vegetable sides and convenience dishes. In November, Clandeboye became the first local company ever to win the very prestigious Product of the Year in the UK Quality Food Awards for its luxury yoghurt. It’s a significant achievement for the farm-based enterprise which serves to raise the company’s profile among major supermarkets which are its growth target for 2022, a year which will also see the opening of its new dairy. It’s really a hugely significant achievement for the small enterprise and the wider food industry here. Finnebrogue Artisan, also in the same month, won Product of the Year in the influential Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards for its pioneering Naked Smoked Streaky Bacon. The ambitious company continued to pioneer plant-based foods during the year and has become a leader in the UK and Ireland in this dynamic category. In addition, the Downpatrick business is driving the global Foundation Earth initiative which is focused on measures to support the environment. Mash Direct, the farm-based enterprise in Comber, which is also supporting Foundation Earth and leading the development of healthy plant-based foods, collected three awards including Range of the Year in the Irish Free From Awards. Craic Foods in Craigavon, an innovator of condiments, was named Food Champion in the Great British Food Awards, another important competition which also saw awards for Irish Black Butter of Portrush and Burren Balsamics in Richill. Dale Farm, our biggest and most successful cheesemaker, was recognised in the International Cheese Awards for its popular Dromona cheddars.

Among other highlights were the global successes of our whiskey, gin and rum distillers; successes which included new exports, especially to the US. We saw important exports and awards for industry leaders such as Echlinville in Kircubbin; Shortcross in Crossgar, which launched its first single malt whiskey and won Best New Whiskey in the closely watched Irish Whiskey Awards in Dublin; Symphonia in Moy, highly commended for its environmental commitment; Hinch in Ballynahinch, a major award in Canada for gin and new business there; Limavady Whiskey for success in the US; and Copeland in Donaghadee, winner of an international award for its original packaging. There were exciting and innovative whiskeys from Old Bushmills, Two Stacks, Killowen and new gin from Basalt Distillery, also based in Bushmills. Distilling is developing into an export leader. Interestingly, the world’s first whiskey Dram in a Can was produced here by Two Stacks and Killowen. Mark Douglas, the famed Krazi Baker of traditional griddle baked breads, was named a Bakery Hero in the World Bread Awards. Original ideas and tastes for companies racked up 200 awards in the Great Taste awards including a Regional Golden Fork for Morelli’s Ice Cream in Coleraine, as well as 18 golds and 22 silvers in last year’s Blas na hEireann. Local companies, furthermore, were successful in niche awards including Meat Management and the Nourish Awards for healthy food. Dungannon’s Dunbia was named Manufacturer of the Year in the Meat Management Awards and there was also a top award for Linden Foods, another Dungannon processor. The World Steak Challenge produced two awards for Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea, Hannan Meats in Moira and Foyle Foods in Derry. Food & drink, as these achievements showcase, is a successful industry that’s innovation led and market focused. Above all, it’s an industry which has everything needed for even greater success. Food NI is geared to work with partners in Government to assist such growth. 15

LIDL NORTHERN IRELAND

COMMENTARY

DELIVERING ON AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO OPEN & REVITALISE STORES

JP Scally, CEO of Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland.

2 GRANT THORNTON

021 was another great year for us in Lidl Northern Ireland as we continue to be the fastest growing retailer in the region. This year marked an unprecedented period of investment as we delivered on our ambitious plans to revitalise our stores and drive a series

of new store openings. As part of this, we have since grown our team to more than 1,000 and remain committed to growing our network to 50 stores by the end of the decade. Earlier this year it was announced that Lidl Northern Ireland has been certified by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer for 2021. The esteemed international, sought-after certification, held by global brands such as PepsiCo, Adidas and Heineken, showcases our organisation’s dedication to a better world of work, exhibited through excellent HR policies and people practices. We also announced that we were introducing a new entry hourly rate of £10.10 for customer and warehouse assistants – 20p more than the recommended Living Wage. In August we announced our commitment to becoming a carbon neutral business by 2025 through industry-leading initiatives including launching a dedicated Supplier

FOOD & DRINK SECTOR ‘QUIETLY OPTIMISTIC’ FOR 2022

Charlie Kerlin, head of food & beverage, Grant Thornton.

s we enter a new year, many in the food and drink sector in Northern Ireland are looking forward to 2022 with a renewed sense of optimism. Significant challenges remain of course. It’s hard to remember a time before Brexit was part of the discussion, replaced in recent months by concerns around the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The issue will continue to loom large,

not to mention the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. As we move into a period where the historic governmental supports to business will no longer be there, restrictions, especially for the hospitality sector, will be more penal. Coronavirus has of course resulted in labour shortages, in hospitality most markedly, as businesses seek to comply with restrictions. For the agri-food sector more generally, access to skills remain a major concern due to the industry’s historic reliance on European labour, no longer as readily available. The rising cost of production, both in terms of raw materials and energy will also continue to be a factor. Meanwhile, businesses are actively looking at automated solutions to mitigate labour shortage and increase capacity for expansion. A sense of optimism is there to be found, however, with strong prospects for growth remaining in some subsectors. For example, a new generation of consumers, poor in time but rich in disposable income,

Engagement Programme and enabling customers to lower their carbon impact through EV charging points. We also plan to further progress on our targets by committing to a 46% reduction on our operational emissions by 2030. Through our Lidl Community Works programme, we have invested almost £300,000 into local sports clubs and schools across Northern Ireland, encouraging more young people into sport with a focus on the importance of sport and exercise for both physical and mental health. Our successful charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland has continued to deliver fundraising of more than £400,000 through a range of activity and initiatives. We were honoured to also receive silver level CORE accreditation through Business in the Community – a prestigious accreditation in recognition of our commitment to doing business in a way that is better for employees, the planet and our communities. is fuelling expansion of home delivery services. There also remains a healthy level of mergers and acquisition activity, which continues to tell a story of consolidation. Moves to diversify from major players such as Cranswick, which recently purchased vegan cuisine specialist Ramona’s Kitchen are of particular interest and point to a wider trend in the sector. The source of funding for investment is also changing in the wider UK market and will have implications locally. The latest Grant Thornton M&A sector report indicated that 44% of food deals completed in the third quarter of 2021 involved private equity. This is, in part, fuelling a renewed focus on sustainability as investors seek to support companies that can display strong environmental, social and governance credentials. Expect ESG to be front and centre of conversations with customers, suppliers and funders. Whatever 2022 has in store, sustainability of supply will be key, and on that measure the Northern Ireland food & drink sector has never been found wanting. Continued local and national policy support from government remains critical. Here’s to a plentiful 12 months ahead.

ADDRESSING COVID-19 CHALLENGE HAS BEEN OUR INDUSTRY’S FINEST HOUR

Michael Bell, executive director, NIFDA.

ast year marked 25 years of NIFDA, founded on January 17, 1996. It was an exciting time of great change across Northern Ireland, and it was a time of radical change in terms of the retail landscape, with three major retailers coming to Northern Ireland for the first time. NIFDA has grown over that period and continues to grow to this day. Last year we were delighted to welcome new members including Bama UK, Ardboe Coldstore, Ballyrashane Creamery, Cottagequinn Enterprises, Granville Foodcare, Hinch Distillery, Norbev and a host of new

associate members. As I reflected on this milestone for NIFDA last year, it struck me that we have seen 25 years of essentially continuous growth for the industry here. Today, NI food & drink and the wider ‘eating ecosystem’ of sectors linked to it – farming, transport, packaging, retail and so on – remains a key driver for economic growth. Indeed, a report published by EY earlier this year quantified our contribution to the local economy. It revealed that our sector generates £4.9bn value added, with food & drink supporting 113,000 workforce jobs through its operations, purchases and the spending it generates. The report observed that food & drink companies are innovative and export-driven, with 77% of total food & drink produced in NI consumed outside the region. Another key characteristic of NI food & drink is resilience. Covid-19 presented the industry with a once-in-a-lifetime challenge. Our companies had to rapidly respond to changes in demand while reimagining processes to keep staff safe.

Our food heroes continued to feed the nation, and thanks to the work of everyone across the food supply chain, a tsunami of turbulence was surmounted. I would argue that addressing the challenge of Covid-19 has been our industry’s finest hour. Looking forward, we have the ongoing challenges both of Covid-19 recovery and Brexit. We also have the major challenge of hyperinflation and the revaluation of food, which is already happening. However, the biggest longterm challenge we face is the need to feed a growing world population in the most sustainable way, and as an industry we want be part of the solution on achieving UK Net Zero. For the past 25 years, we have championed this great sector – engaging with numerous prime ministers, direct rule ministers, NI Executive ministers and politicians at all levels. We give the industry a voice and ensure that voice is heard by lawmakers where it matters. We will continue to do so as the industry embraces the opportunities ahead.

Trevor McCrum, commercial director, Hovis Ireland.

ike many businesses, Hovis have had to adapt to an increasingly complex and challenging environment. However, despite these challenges, we continue to deliver to over 800 stores across Northern Ireland every day, ensuring that our great-tasting Hovis Bread and ORMO Other Bakery products are available to our customers.

Covid-19 continues to impact both our personal and business lives. Covid19-related issues have stretched our product supply chains. Raw material shortages, including lower manufacturing output, have added greater complexity. In addition, Brexit trading arrangements have also proven to be a challenge. To compound the issue, like many sectors, we are experiencing a general skills and labour shortage. However, our teams continue to react with agility and speed to ensure delivery and service to our wider customer base. If the current challenges were not enough, this year we have also encountered significant cost price increases impacting our business across a number of areas including wheat, energy and packaging. Despite this, we remain committed to our core values of quality and trust. Notwithstanding the ongoing challenges, Hovis continues to enjoy

success. This year Hovis was declared as Northern Ireland’s number one grocery brand by Kantar (1), has achieved a MAT Unit Share of 35% (2) and continues to be enjoyed by consumers across Northern Ireland. ORMO, baked in Belfast since 1875, is regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic brands (3) and remains a favourite with Northern Irish families. As we exit 2021, it is true that many of the challenges that we are currently facing are likely to continue into next year. However, we remain confident and will plan to continue to invest in our brands and Northern Ireland operations. Hovis baked since 1886 will remain ‘As good today as it’s always been’. 1. Kantar Data. Data for this year’s ranking was collected in the 52 weeks to October 2020 2. Nielsen Scantrack EPOS, Total Northern Pre-Packed Bread MAT Unit 52 weeks to 6th November 21, 2021 3. Belfast Telegraph September 2019 - described Hovis as an iconic brand

HOVIS (IRELAND)

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE AS NI’S LEADING GROCERY BRAND

NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD AND DRINK ASSOCIATION

COMMENTARY

LIVESTOCK AND MEAT COMMISSION FOR NI FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESS NI

COMMENTARY

JOURNEY TO NET ZERO DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A PAINFUL ONE

Ian Stevenson, chief executive, LMC NI.

ooking back on 2021, the year got off to a very different start than almost any other year in history with society in lockdown, many businesses closed or operating minimally, a Covid-19 vaccination programme being rolled out to priority groups and the negotiated terms of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement finalised on Christmas Eve 2020 being digested and worked through.

As key workers, most operatives in every part of the Northern Ireland agriculture and food industry worked tirelessly to keep food supply chains functioning and customers supplied with fresh, quality, safe and nutritious food products sufficient to sustain 10 million consumers in domestic and export markets. As the year progressed and as economies started to reopen across the UK, EU and globally, the demand for beef and lamb in markets started to pick up strongly. Finished cattle and sheep prices at the factories and for those sold live through the local auction markets were for the most part well ahead of those recorded in 2020. All operators in local food supply chains did however face a significant uplift in costs as 2021 progressed with raw material costs, transport, labour and regulatory changes all increasing and putting real pressures on margins. The Balmoral Show at the end of September 2021 was a great showcase for the agri-food industry and provided an excellent opportunity to reengage

with stakeholders on a face-to-face basis. Business relationships with clients and customers can only be developed so far on digital platforms and social interactions really started to take off in the autumn with many physical meetings, events and functions scheduled that were not possible during 2020. Perhaps one of the biggest face-toface events held at the end of 2021 and which will influence the shape of things to come was the United Nations COP 26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Transformative change for the big milestone years of 2030, 2040 and 2050 will be required across every aspect of society and the agri-food industry will not be immune to that transformation. The beef and lamb industry is very focused on sustainability as we start into 2022 and, with the right enablers through evidencebased legislation, public and private sector investment, government support schemes, research and knowledge exchange, the journey to UK Net Zero by 2050 does not have to be a painful one.

GOVERNMENT MUST RECOGNISE THE IMPACT OF INCREASED ENERGY BILLS

Brendan Kearney, regional chair, FSB.

hile perhaps not quite as tumultuous as 2020, 2021 was not by any means a normal year. On January 1, the Brexit transition period came to an end and the trading environment which we have been used to for decades suddenly changed. For businesses here, the Northern

Ireland Protocol has governed the movement of goods, and while many have valued the protection it provides, and others have utilised opportunities, for some it has created new friction which has impacted their business model. Businesses will be hoping for a swift resolution to outstanding issues, so they can move forward in a more certain climate. The health and economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has continued to be a major feature this year, as it did last; however, the rollout of the vaccine has provided much greater optimism. This has enabled restrictions to be lifted as the year has progressed, allowing businesses to re-open and to again generate income. Of course, this does not mean we can drop our guard, and for some time yet, we should be still following those key steps which help protect ourselves and each other. Outside of Brexit and Covid, soaring

energy costs has been something which has impacted households and businesses alike. In my own business, I have seen this first-hand with energy bills almost doubling compared to last year. While many of the causes of increased energy costs are global, it is vital that government recognises the impact of increased energy bills on firms and seeks to reduce costs where possible. As we look ahead to next year, the business community will hope that the Assembly election in May does not provide a context for political instability. While we expect there to be strong and passionate debate, we hope that after the election the parties can find agreement and begin working together on the many issues on which progress needs to be made. Enhancing skills, reducing our carbon footprint, increasing the rate of business start-up, and rejuvenating High Streets are all areas which will require the focus of our Executive in the year ahead.

MUSGRAVE

COMMENTARY

COMMITTED TO OUR PURPOSE OF GROWING GOOD BUSINESS

Noel Keeley, CEO, Musgrave.

021 has been another extraordinary year. Almost two years into a global pandemic, we have adjusted to living and working with Covid in so many ways, and yet what has remained consistent throughout that time was the determination and commitment of our people and retail partners across

Northern Ireland in their response to this crisis. The resilience and attitude that our teams have demonstrated throughout this year has been inspirational. Every day and in every part of our business, we cared about what mattered most; supporting our customers, our colleagues, and the communities we serve. I’d like to give a specific mention to the collective efforts of our people in Supply Chain: in stores and warehouses; our retail partners; and colleagues working remotely. Our teams continue to adapt, innovate, and inspire the entire business and our wider communities. I am proud to say that the determination and commitment of our people is stronger than ever. As we look out into 2022, there are challenges ahead: Brexit and Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol remains an ever-present focus for us; labour shortages are being experienced across

many different sectors; the costs of raw materials are increasing; and Covid continues to have an impact on society and in our everyday lives. Yet we can look to the future with confidence. As a business that has been at the very heart of local life for more than 140 years, Musgrave is built on solid foundations, with people who care passionately about the work that they do and the communities they serve. We have responded and adapted well throughout the pandemic, delivering at pace every step of the way, and are well placed to meet the challenges of the future. We remain committed to our purpose of Growing Good Business, we have an ambitious business growth strategy, we will deliver sustainable growth to benefit our people, partners and communities across Northern Ireland and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Seamus Leheny, policy manager NI, Logistics UK.

his year, the logistics sector has faced some of its toughest challenges with the implementation of the NI Protocol, labour shortages and the impact of Covid all impacting supply chains and how we move goods into and out of Northern Ireland. On the NI Protocol, seldom away from the news this year, Logistics UK and its members continue to work with the UK

government and the EU on reaching an agreed outcome in current talks on its implementation. We have consistently advised both parties that a negotiated outcome is critical for NI traders and that agreed mitigations proposed by industry need to be part of that agreed outcome. The movement of food continues to carry the most weight in terms of administration and planning, especially in terms of groupage of just-in-time food from GB to NI. The current grace periods are enabling most supply chains to continue to function albeit with more administration and the associated staffing costs. For many of you reading this, the ability to ensure access to those retail goods from GB that are staple items on our shop shelves is critical. If we can ensure any trade barriers are reduced to an easily manageable system and combine with our dual market access with GB and the EU, we have a fantastic opportunity for our local economy and prosperity. On labour shortages, the aging workforce remains an issue. The average

age of an HGV driver is 51 and younger drivers are leaving the industry, with those aged under 35 accounting for just 17% of drivers in employment. The logistics industry is committed to employing domestic drivers to overcome the current shortage which is proving difficult even though salaries have increased by 18% between September 2020 and 2021. However, while these drivers are recruited, trained and subsequently qualified into the workforce, which can take up to nine months, the labour shortage isn’t going to be sorted soon. The Department for Economy is working with us on a proposed new all-age apprenticeship that could potentially be fully funded and available to those wishing to become HGV drivers, but we still await approval. Logistics is a problem-solving industry and one thing 2021 has shown everyone is that it continues to be an industry that can react and adapt, thus ensuring our supply chains remain stable. 19

LOGISTICS UK

ADAPTING TO ENSURE OUR SUPPLY CHAINS REMAIN STABLE

MOY PARK

COMMENTARY

AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF INNOVATION, QUALITY & SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Chris Kirke, president, Moy Park.

THE FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT RETAILERS

t Moy Park, we are passionate about delivering high-quality, great-value products to our customers and consumers. This has been highlighted particularly over the past two years as our teams have adapted to the ever-changing challenges to help feed the nation. We couldn’t be prouder of our key workers within and across Moy Park’s supply chain - a team of genuine food heroes. In recent years, we have seen strong year-on-year growth across the poultry category and last year was no exception. Moy Park continues to be at the

cutting edge of innovation within the industry, focusing our investment - £35m last year - on the latest technologies, improving processes, working safer and more sustainably, and partnering with world leading academics on our research projects - all of which extends our reputation as one of the UK’s most advanced food manufacturing companies. Staying at the forefront of our industry means having the best people to develop and build upon our credentials on animal welfare, sustainability, safety and product integrity. With sustainable development at the forefront of our strategic investment plans, we are committed to meeting the nutritional needs for a growing world population in the most sustainable way and protecting the planet for future generations. We have committed to achieving the ambitious and challenging goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 – the most progressive commitment of its kind in the poultry sector. We are proud to have set science-based targets, positioning Moy Park as industry leaders on emissions reduction. This will be achieved through

continued investment in our facilities to reduce emissions, investing in R&D to strengthen and scale regenerative farming practices, having 100% renewable electricity across our facilities by 2025 and reducing our water use intensity by 15% by 2030. Moy Park is a £1.5bn business, and a subsidiary of Pilgrim’s – one of the world’s largest protein producers – while at heart remaining a family farming, peoplecentred business. The great people across all our operations drive Moy Park’s success and we are committed to helping our people harness their potential and develop their careers. We have launched a range of Academy and Pathway programmes that allow everyone in the business to develop new skills. I am extraordinarily proud of our great team, and of all our growers and partners who continually go above and beyond to make the company the thriving business it is today. This is an exciting time to be a part of Moy Park – one of the UK’s top 15 food companies, at the cutting edge of innovation, quality and sustainable growth.

REINVENTING OURSELVES AS TRADITIONAL SHOPPING PATTERNS CHANGE

Judith Mercer, Belfast retailer and immediate past president of NFRN NI.

ne of the most challenging aspects for independent retailers during 2021 has, of course, been the continued restrictions surrounding the Covid pandemic. Staffing has been one of the biggest problems, with a lot of staff having to stay away from work because of

childcare issues, as schools have closed, or children have had to isolate. We also struggle to attract new staff, as many people no longer want to work in the retail industry. Another negative caused by the pandemic is the fact that we have not seen some of our older customers coming back. Many of them are still unhappy to venture out, even though they have been vaccinated. Traditional shopping patterns have also changed, as customers don’t want to shop as regularly and only come in once a week. To counter this, we have increased our delivery service for papers and groceries. We now use our Facebook pages a lot more to advertise and provide information for our customers. On the positive side, the £100 Spend Local cards were a success. We had a few customers who bought goods with their cards and gave them to food banks, which

was a lovely thought. We set up a WhatsApp group for retailers last year and it has been invaluable - keeping us all sane and informed as to what’s happening, especially with problems around newspaper deliveries. Members now don’t feel they are on their own. As for 2022, I’m worried about the increase in wages and the associated employer’s contributions. It will, in turn, mean less hours available for staff and an increase in prices long-term. Given the recent hike in the price of electricity, we are already feeling the strain on the business, and I would like to see some help on energy prices. There will undoubtedly be a difficult few years ahead, but we need to try to keep optimistic that we can turn the corner. As we have done over the last 40 years, we will continue to reinvent ourselves and try to follow some of the trends in retail.

MOVING ORGANIC FOOD ACROSS IRISH SEA BECAME TOO RISKY

Patricia Gilbert, owner, Ballylagan Organic Farm.

021 got off to a bad start when, during the week before Christmas, our main GB wholesaler informed us that they were suspending deliveries to Northern Ireland. As the year went on, other suppliers dropped by the wayside. At Ballylagan Organic Farm, we sell not only our own produce from our farm shop, but also a whole range of organic groceries, and it was these organic lines that proved to be the proverbial hot potato in terms of getting supplies across the Irish Sea. In April, our organic fruit and vegetable wholesaler in the south of England

informed us of proposed customs fees on each box of produce. They were very apologetic, but these fees were being imposed by their shipping agent. So, with some reluctance, we were forced to end a long-standing relationship and seek supplies elsewhere. That elsewhere turned out to be the Netherlands and we now get a weekly pallet of fruit and vegetable plus groceries from a major organic Dutch wholesaler. We continued to get some produce from GB, but in September another wholesaler pulled out of shipping organics following a disastrous customs check at Warrenpoint Port. Moving organic food across the Irish Sea became too risky. While this was going on, I discovered that there were a lot of incomplete declarations on my TSS account due to suppliers not doing the paperwork correctly. Over the course of several weeks, I became best friends with Angus at TSS as we tried to complete the declarations and get them off the system. Much as I enjoy making new friends, I simply could not

afford the hours and hours on the phone that this entailed. Wholesalers in the Republic of Ireland have obviously recognised opportunities for them in NI, and currently nearly all the produce we buy in comes from either there or Europe. Hardly anything from GB. It means that we are vulnerable to currency fluctuations, but we can’t see this situation changing as we head into 2022. As for our customers, well they have been incredibly understanding and are now becoming familiar with the new brands. While we were still in the EU, there was always much to complain about. With Brexit only a year old, there is probably still rather more to complain about than before, but it is settling down to a level we can cope with – provided that some whimsical politician doesn’t decide to move the goalposts and take us once again into uncharted waters. What businesses crave is predictability, not constant flux and change. Let’s hope that 2022 brings us the stability we need to plan and grow our businesses.

Stephen McConnell, business services partner, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore.

021 has been an eventful year in many respects. Cast your mind back to January; we were in the depths of lockdown and consumers were once again relying heavily on their local convenience retailer. When larger stores reopened in spring, a sense of anxiety that sales would drop dramatically at convenience level could be felt. Paired with the inevitable end of Covid support schemes, many felt their

busy period was almost certain to come to an end. In reality, however, 2021 has been very positive for the businesses I act on behalf of, including several SPAR and Mace shops that continue to enjoy a boom in sales. Hybrid working is here to stay, resulting in a permanent change in our behaviour and a growth in the value we place on local stores. This is why I am unsurprised to have supported many of our retailers to expand across multiple outlets in recent months. But 2021 has not been without challenge. Businesses had to cope with the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme; however, most managed to phase this out periodically and the much-anticipated redundancies never did materialise. Looking forward, many factors that may impact profitability do loom on the horizon. For those who availed of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, the 12-month period without repayment will soon end, or indeed may have already surpassed,

meaning a payment plan must now be implemented. Particular concern also lies around the hospitality sector, with VAT rates set to automatically return to 20% from the current 12.5% unless amended by the Executive. Just as worrying is the return of business rates following the 12-month rates holiday extension. With the Covid certification scheme also getting underway, this is a sector obliged to implement this into their operations, which will no doubt come at a cost. What we do know is that business owners here possess the innovation and pragmatism to adapt and respond to these challenges. It is important to remember that we can always control our level of readiness for when outside factors do inevitably emerge. At Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, we have an expanding team of trusted accountants and advisors and specialise in servicing the expanding convenience retail sector across Northern Ireland. 21

BAKER TILLY MOONEY MOORE

CONVENIENCE RETAIL RISES ABOVE CHALLENGES AS HOME WORKING AIDS SALES

BALLYLAGAN ORGANIC FARM

COMMENTARY

S&W WHOLESALE

COMMENTARY

MOVING FORWARD WITH AGILITY & SPEED IN 2022

Michael Skelton, managing director, S&W Wholesale.

021 has been much like its predecessor. There has been disruption and changes that no one in the industry could have foreseen. Despite the unprecedented times, S&W have enjoyed another year of remarkable growth that has seen us awarded as one of the Top 100 NI Companies. During 2021, our warehouse capacity was extended in both frozen and ambient

up to 100,000 square feet. The latter part of this year, our new improved e-commerce website was launched. Our recipe for business success starts with our people and the past year has showcased to me the resilience and positive attitude that our teams continue to demonstrate to ensure we keep the shelves stocked and support local retailers and their communities. A highlight over the past year has been the introduction to the market of our exciting convenience symbol brand Nearby. The collective efforts from the teams to successfully navigate and bring the brand to life has been phenomenal. They have remained steadfast and committed to safely delivering Nearby since its launch back in April. It was a proud moment for everyone at S&W to witness a key milestone as our 50th Nearby store opened its doors with a long-standing community retailer. Nearby forms part of our wider modernisation

strategy and investment in allowing us to forge deeper connections with the retailer and their communities. We are very much looking forward to continuing this journey into 2022 with key milestones and opportunities ahead. Our investment in our people, training and the latest technology will allow us to continue to evolve and adapt to ensure we are equipped to support our supply chain, partners, and retailers. I have no doubt that there may be some external factors and speed bumps along the way but the past year or more has reaffirmed the resilience of our teams here at S&W Wholesale who have consistently stepped up and supported each other when needed. I nearly got away without mentioning the C-word. Nearly. Covid-19 is looking very much like something we are going to continue to have to live with. S&W has a great history dating back over 100 years and we very much have an exciting future. We will continue to take our learnings from previous experiences to ensure we move forward with agility and speed so we can continue our promise to deliver a whole lot more in 2022 and beyond.

COMMITTED TO OUR CUSTOMERS, COLLEAGUES & LOCAL COMMUNITIES

ASDA NI

George Rankin, senior director, Asda Northern Ireland.

his time last year the word I used to capture 2020 was ‘unprecedented’. My word for 2021 is ‘resilience’. For Asda and the supermarket sector in general, the year has required responsiveness and determination like never before as we’ve managed our way through the lockdowns, the relaxing and retightening of restrictions, and the ongoing threat and uncertainly caused by Covid-19. However, throughout the last 12 months, Asda has demonstrated its resilience by remaining committed to our customers, our colleagues and our local communities.

As always, this was most visible in the golden quarter, when our business successfully navigated the industry-wide supply chain challenge and took proactive steps to ensure our shelves were stocked with everything our shoppers needed. From increasing volumes, to building stocks in depots, and even chartering our own cargo ship to protect the availability of key festive products, Asda pulled out the stops to offer our customers the Christmas they deserved. Once again, our local suppliers played their part in making 2021 a memorable year, from long-standing nationwide suppliers such as Finnebrogue in Downpatrick, which is central to our Extra Special ranges, to the family-run Taboo Donuts, which supplies to a bespoke concession in our Enniskillen store. Aligned with this, it was also great to be back at Balmoral Show after the pandemicenforced break. Our stand provided a much-needed chance to take show visitors on our food journey and demonstrate our support for NI’s agri-food community. COP26 was another major focus of 2021, providing a timely platform to highlight Asda’s environmental agenda.

Our ambition is to make green, sustainable choices affordable for everyone and we are bringing this to life through initiatives such as our ‘refill’ stores, as well as our ‘Greener at Asda’ price promise, which includes our commitment that loose and unwrapped products will not cost more than packaged equivalents. Our community ethos remains another driving force within our business. Throughout 2021, we supported those in need via food charity, Fareshare, which saw us donate the equivalent of 250,000 meals to charities and community groups across Northern Ireland. Our ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative was another gamechanger, empowering our delivery drivers to engage with customers on the doorstep. We also donated 170 Dell laptops to schools across Northern Ireland to help tackle digital exclusion. And behind it all our team of Community Champions remained on the front line supporting our drive to make a difference. Much credit must go to our 4,500-strong NI colleague team who never cease going the extra mile. If the word ‘resilient’ is appropriate for anyone, it applies to each one of them.

SETTING THE BAR FOR UNRIVALLED FRESH SHOPPING EXPERIENCES IN COMMUNITY RETAILING

Martin Agnew, joint managing director, Henderson Group.

021 felt like a fresh start for many, when lockdown started to lift and life started to gradually return to a small sense of normality. We were incredibly lucky to continue operating in 2020, and our turnover grew to £957m, a 7.3% rise despite dual Covid and Brexit challenges. Our growth enabled us to invest heavily in our retail network, and in 2021, 28 new SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO stores and supermarkets opened. A further

26 significant projects are in the pipeline for 2022, plus four further new builds to commence that will open in 2023. Henderson Retail now operates 101 stores after an investment of £19.4m into the estate in 2021. A majority of our new stores are EUROSPARs – the large format supermarket brand which we have introduced as a smarter way of shopping for villages and towns across Northern Ireland who are looking for a larger offering closer to home. The stores have been designed and built using local data, which shows local shoppers want fresh food to pick up for tonight’s tea, groceries every few days and food to go. And on the other end of the retail spectrum, our smaller format ViVO brand experienced 10% growth in 2021 with 12 new stores and a 5% increase in retail sales. We are delving further into the demands of the local shopper and neighbourhood retailing is needed now more than ever. Community remains the top priority for

Hendersons; our long-term local sourcing strategy has allowed us to take a strong advantage against the multiples who are suffering with delays and supplies due to the NI Protocol. And early 2022 will see SPAR’s Joy of Living Locally strategy roll out, with the first of its new brand pillars – Value on your Doorstep – launching this month. Henderson Wholesale is now distributing goods to some 500 SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXtra and ViVO Essentials stores across Northern Ireland, and our shoppers are enjoying uninterrupted access to locally sourced groceries, alongside locally produced and handmade own-brand ranges, which continue to expand. It is crucial that we continue to deliver on value for our shoppers as the cost of living rises, and we are committed to investing in our value proposition. In 2022, we will invest £47m to bring unbeatable value and essential retail outlets to communities across Northern Ireland.

Victor Chestnutt, president, UFU.

orthern Ireland agriculture finds itself in a very new and increasingly demanding political, economic, environment and social context, compounded by the coronavirus crisis and the UK’s departure from the EU. The NI agricultural sector is part of the critical national infrastructure for food and has proudly played its part in ensuring food

supply chains continued to operate throughout the pandemic. Climate change was the frontrunner for 2021 and with Clare Bailey’s Private Members Bill and the DAERA bill currently progressing through the NI Assembly. Farmers are not the problem, they are the climate change solution and it’s important that we all increase our environmental responsibility. Our livestock sector is not up for sale. There are 20 million people in the world undernourished and we must use our temperate climate to help feed humanity – we should not be a contributor to carbon leakage. The environment needs to be viewed on our NI farms as an added enterprise going forward. Every farmer in NI will need to get on that journey. There will undoubtedly be challenges to overcome in 2022. With traders now facing extra costs and complexity with

new checks, and additional problems with labour availability, it’s important that government does all it can to prioritise exports of our high-quality, perishable agricultural products to make sure that this food is not left languishing. The NI farming industry’s desire to continue producing fantastic food, produced to some of the highest standards in the world, remains steadfast. Not only do we want to be the number one supplier of choice domestically, but we also have a worldrenowned reputation for quality food that can be at the forefront of the government’s Global Britain ambition. It’s crucial we all work together to ensure NI farming can thrive for generations to come and for the British public to continue to benefit from a safe, secure and sustainable supply of homegrown food. 23

ULSTER FARMERS’ UNION

WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE NI FARMING CAN THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

HENDERSON GROUP

COMMENTARY

NORTHERN IRELAND RETAIL CONSORTIUM

COMMENTARY

TIME FOR EU & UK TO DELIVER A PRAGMATIC, WORKABLE, RISK-BASED SOLUTION TO THE NI PROTOCOL

Aodhán Connolly, director, NIRC.

et again we are heading towards an end of year where we still have not a long-term solution to the challenges of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol. And what a year it has been, with changing narratives and changing goal posts and business firmly ensconced between the EU and the UK government as negotiations continued. At the start of the year, we had two hugely conflicting narratives; one from the Westminster government that everything was fine and there were no problems. And then we had the negative narrative that said that we were going to starve. Neither of which were true. There were problems and were always going to be problems. The business community was clear from the start that there needed to be solutions that remove friction to keep costs down and keep choice for Northern Ireland households. We can’t go back to before the end of the transition period, no more than we can go back to 23rd June 2016 so there were always going to be some challenges somewhere. What the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group has been trying to do is to find options that keep our businesses competitive while keeping choice and affordability for households

across Northern Ireland who have half of the discretionary income of their GB counterparts. But movement has been made, especially on the area of medicines where both the EU and the UK government are determined to deliver a solution. The EU has moved greatly to allow GSL into the scope of the solution as well as veterinary medicines being under consideration. The UK has worked closely with them to deliver this solution. That is the type of joined-up collegiate working that we need to see in the remaining areas of engagement with NI stakeholders, customs and particularly SPS which is proving the hardest nut to crack. We now have short-term stability, one of our four key asks in the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group, due to the EU acquiescing to the extension of the grace periods. But there is still much to be delivered.

“WE NEED SIMPLICITY USING THINGS LIKE DIGITISATION AND AN AUDITABLE AND CERTIFIED SUPPLY CHAIN TO DELIVER A TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME, AND A VETERINARY AGREEMENT TO REMOVE FRICTIONS.”

Retailers and consumers still need the certainty of a long-term workable solution. We need simplicity using things like digitisation and an auditable and certified supply chain to deliver a trusted trader scheme, and a veterinary agreement to remove frictions And lastly, we need affordability. As both the EU and UK have said in recent weeks, this all must be done with the least disruption to communities in Northern Ireland. That means the costs of new processes must be kept to a minimum to allow us to keep costs down for Northern Ireland families. The business community has proven that it will use best endeavours to make things work. We now need the EU and the UK to show that they have the political will to live up to their side of the bargain by delivering a pragmatic, workable, risk-based solution. 2022 will still have challenges, not least the fact that we have elections that will mean that there will be unavoidable political instability and that as we all know is something that is a disincentive to investment. But if the EU and UKG work together in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland, we could have a better year and a blueprint for investment for the future. However, no matter what is agreed with the UK and EU, there will be time needed for business to adapt. And 2022 will have more than just Brexit and the Protocol to deal with. We will still have Covid but hopefully to a lesser extent. And there will still be the usual dayto-day issues from alcohol licensing to business rates and everything in between. Added to that we have to deal with the continued accelerated pace of change in our industry. We will inevitably have to work harder and smarter to keep up, to drive footfall and increase sales. But the resilience of our retail industry is never in question. We made it through a hard 2020 and 2021. We can and will, not only make it through 2022 but make it a success. So, here’s to the retailers, the drivers, those on the tills, those who stack the shelves and all those in our supply chains. You have kept the tills ringing, kept customers happy and kept our economy moving. Thank you.

SERVING COMMUNITIES IN THE FACE OF MANY CHALLENGES

Ken Towle, CEO, Nisa Retail.

he last 12 months have delivered another exceptionally busy period for our industry as the country remains in a turbulent economic landscape driven by many additional challenges such as Brexit, fuel and packaging price rises, raw material and driver shortages, among others. That said, as I reflect over everything we’ve been through and all we’ve

achieved, I feel there is a lot to be proud of. At Nisa, we’ve done a great deal to ensure our partners have been able to trade competitively and serve their communities in the face of these challenges, but most impressive has been how Nisa partners have gone above and beyond to support their customers, which is a great testament to their dedication and resilience. Partners have also supported their local communities with almost £1m in donations via our Making a Difference Locally charity this year, demonstrating their commitment to their customers. We have learned from the many challenges we’ve faced and have focused our attentions on making Nisa a better partner for those who join us, using the latest research and initiatives to support retailers and set them up for success. We worked hard to simplify partner T&Cs and launched the Fresh Rewards rebate scheme this year to support partners in running their businesses in a way that

benefits them most. Another key area of focus was optimising our logistics and delivery network to improve service for partners, including new delivery fleets and upgrades to depot sites and we’ll continue exploring where further improvements can be made. The work undertaken during 2021 has put us in a good place to build for the future, but there is always more to be done. As we adjust to the new normal, shifts in consumer shopping habits and the many industry challenges are changing the market as we know it and we must ensure we’re fit for what’s to come. Nisa has a firm future as a part of the Co-op group, and we are developing exciting and innovative plans for 2022. We’re committed to continuing our support to Northern Ireland partners and have worked hard to ensure we provide the best possible offer to them and will continue to do so as we await the new rules under Brexit.

50 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ulstergrocer/ @ulstergrocer www.facebook.com/ulstergrocer

NISA RETAIL (PART OF THE CO-OP GROUP)

COMMENTARY

GROCERYAID

DEMAND FOR GROCERYAID SUPPORT RISES 123% IN 2021 BY ANGUS O’NEILL (SAINSBURY’S), CHAIRMAN, GROCERYAID NI BRANCH

The Grocery Aid Committee: Angus O’Neill, Sainsbury’s; Karen McGarvey, Mediahuis; Mark Gowdy, White’s Oats; Jonathan McWhinney, Tesco; Bronagh Luke, Henderson Group; Simon Fitzpatrick, Coca Cola; and Brian Sterling, Holywood Partnership.

roceryAid has continued to support grocery colleagues throughout 2021, despite the charity undergoing one of its most challenging fundraising years. This has been made possible because of the continued support of our loyal supporters throughout Northern Ireland and beyond, so we are extremely grateful for this ongoing commitment. Within the first nine months of 2021, GroceryAid experienced a 123% increase in demand for financial support for colleagues in Northern Ireland, providing more than £50,000 to grocery people. Earlier in the year, 46 families were granted £11,500 towards the costs of school essentials for their children, so it is encouraging to know that more people are becoming aware of the charity and its support. Nationwide, GroceryAid has reported a 120% increase in financial support grant applications from April to September 2021 (vs 2020), with calls to its FREE, confidential Helpline number rising by 52%; another indication that awareness 26

of the charity is growing within the industry. GroceryAid’s NI Branch made an incredible contribution to fundraising last year, raising £35,000 through a successful Hamper Promotion and Golf Day. In November, its annual John Barrett Sunday Lunch sold out and raised £10,000. This year, the NI Branch will continue its fundraising events with gusto, hosting a number of events including a new wellbeing event. The headline fundraiser for our Branch will be the GroceryAid Ball that is taking place on May 27, 2022. We hope to sell 500 tickets and raise £50,000 for grocery colleagues who need support. Another important date for next year is GroceryAid’s annual awareness day: GroceryAid Day which takes place on April 26, 2022. We want as many NI businesses as possible to participate in this day so that more colleagues are aware of the incredible emotional and practical support that GroceryAid can provide through its FREE, confidential Helpline which is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Anyone interested in knowing

more should email news@groceryaid.org. uk. The NI Branch is a committed and active group of colleagues who work together to raise money for GroceryAid. Over the past year, the committee has experienced some changes and we are delighted with the new talent now on board who are bringing fresh thinking. Next year, we plan on maintaining our strong base and building on the success we have had over the years. If anyone would like to join the Branch, please email news@groceryaid.org.uk. For support and guidance on a range of emotional and practical challenges, contact the GroceryAid FREE, confidential Helpline on 08088 021122.

GROCERYAID NI EVENTS 2022 April 26: GroceryAid Day May 27: Grocers’ Ball - Culloden Hotel & Spa Sept 1: Golf Day – Malone Golf Club Nov 20: Sunday lunch - TBC

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

LAUNCHING THE 34TH ANNUAL ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

GROCER ULSTER

MARKETING AWARDS 2022

★ ENTRY CLOSES ON MARCH 25, WITH WINNERS SET TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE GROCERS’ BALL ON MAY 27 ★ All being well, 2022 will mark the return of the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards to the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, set to be held at the Culloden Hotel & Spa on May 27. The Grocers’ Ball, organised by the GroceryAid NI Committee and the most popular event in the local grocery sector’s social calendar, was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, with its return in 2022 eagerly awaited. The Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards haven’t missed a year, even during the pandemic, with a socially distanced photocall held in 2020 and a seated afternoon reception in 2021. Pandemic-permitting, however, 2022 will see the 34th annual Awards return to their rightful home, the Grocers’ Ball. Once again, the Awards will recognise outstanding work in Northern Ireland grocery, after the intense and unrelenting pressure the sector continues to face. The 34th annual Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards will feature 10 categories, with entry via an online-only mechanism by March 25, 2022. The entry link will be published in our February edition and online, alongside further detail on the judges’ scoring criteria and profiles of our prestigious judging team. The 10 awards are: Leader in Marketing, Best Digital Marketing Campaign, Best Sustainability Initiative, Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Brand, Best In-Store Consumer Sales Promotion, Best New Product Launch/Relaunch, Best CSR Initiative/ Charity Partnership and Best Export Marketing. 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.

★

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 well established 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 Mediahuis. 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.

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o r C 27 a ulloden be held the Groc W★ s the at th ers’ B Hote e m l all y &S ain ea To bo ok tic r for the fundrais pa on Groc kets, ing e or M e ark.G email de ryAid ch vent of t he si. a owd y@w derby@mrity. hites u s g oats. r com ave.ie . May

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

★ANNOUNCING THE 10 CATEGORIES OF THE ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2022 LEADER IN MARKETING Now in its third year, this accolade complements 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. Entries should identify an outstanding contribution to marketing in the grocery sector, from companies, brands, roles and campaigns on which the nominated individual has worked to any additional contribution of note such as mentoring or CSR work.

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BEST SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE This category is open to all grocery industry stakeholders from food and drinks producers and other service providers to retailers. Entries should quantify green gains they have made, such as reductions in water, energy or their overall carbon footprint, highlighting the eco measures behind those gains from local sourcing to LED lighting, solar panels and any other energy and waste reduction systems. In particular, companies should demonstrate how they have communicated their green programmes and gains to clients and consumers.

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BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN Our headline award, Best Marketing Campaign, could potentially involve a corporate, brand or project campaign with food and drinks suppliers, grocery wholesalers and retailers all eligible to enter. While the subject matter of the campaign may be any aspect of grocery retailing, the marketing campaign should include some or all of the following elements - press, TV, radio, OOH, in-store POS/merchandising, PR, website, leaflet, digital and SMS activity.

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BEST IN-STORE CONSUMER SALES PROMOTION 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 singlestore promotions and activity running across a group of stores.

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BEST CSR INITIATIVE/CHARITY PARTNERSHIP Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative or Charity Partnership is focused on the strength and commitment shown by retailers, producers, wholesalers and suppliers to CSR/ charity initiatives and partnerships rather than the marketing of such activity. Open to any business operating in the retail grocery sector, from small producers and independent retailers through to large suppliers and multiple retailers, this category will also be judged on tangible results from the partnerships.

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ENTRY IS ONLINE ONLY

CLOSING ON MARCH 25, 2022

BEST DIGITAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN 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.

★

LORRAINE HALL YOUNG MARKETEER AWARD The Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer Award will seek to recognise passion and drive among the up-and-coming marketing stars of the future; those who show they have already, in their short careers, made significant contributions to their respective company and industry. The judges will look for evidence of a candidate’s success across a variety of marketing challenges, their on-going desire to learn and innovate, and their understanding of the ever-growing array of marketing tools and channels at their disposal.

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BEST BRAND Among the most prestigious and hard-fought categories, Best Brand welcomes entries outlining marketing activity aimed at building a brand of any size in the Northern Ireland grocery market. The brand could be, but is not limited to, food and drink, and equally could be a retail brand from independent stores through to multiple and discount retailers. Judges will examine the effectiveness of any brand-building activity in relation to PR, advertising and marketing campaigns, brand equity, visibility and customer loyalty, and take into account the results achieved in relation to the size of the business.

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BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH/RELAUNCH For Best New Product Launch/Relaunch, entries are invited from brand owners outlining their marketing activity to launch any new grocery product (not limited to, but including, food and drink) into the marketplace. This may include any of the following: press, TV, radio, outdoor, in-store POS/ merchandising, PR, website, leaflet, digital and SMS activity. Pre-existing products which have been relaunched with new branding, and a complementary marketing strategy, are also eligible for entry. Please note: this category covers the marketing of new or relaunched products, rather than the new product development process.

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BEST EXPORT MARKETING Exports are a vital part of the business mix for Northern Ireland producers, and this award recognises efforts to successfully market, gain access and launch local products into international markets (from the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to the other side of the world). Any local food, drink or other grocery product which has successfully gained access to new markets or grown their export sales/market share, secured new customers in existing markets or boosted existing export contracts is eligible for entry.

★

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

RAISE AWARENESS OF YOUR BRAND WITH SPONSORSHIP OF THE ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2022

★

Overall and individual category sponsorship opportunities are available for the 34th annual Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards, set to be held at the Culloden Hotel & Spa on May 27. Sponsors enjoy exposure throughout the year across an official launch event held in February; shortlisting of entries pre-event; onstage presence at Northern Ireland’s largest and most prestigious event for the grocery sector; and extensive event and post-event coverage. For further information on sponsorship opportunities, email Mediahuis Event Manager Karen McGarvey at: karen.mcgarvey@mediahuis.co.uk.

UNPARALLELED EXPOSURE OFFERED BY ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

★ PRE-EVENT • Full-page advertisement in Ulster Grocer • Inclusion in photograph and mention of brand in launch article in Ulster Grocer • Inclusion in photograph and mention of brand in launch article in Belfast Telegraph • Inclusion of your brand in entry-driver and ticket sales print ads in Ulster Grocer • Inclusion of your brand in entry-driver print ads in Belfast Telegraph • A branded post on our social platforms driving entries to your category • Promotion on the Ulster Business website • Logo included within editorial piece

★ AT THE EVENT • Two seats at the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, Culloden Hotel & Spa, May 27 • Main stage screen and side panels branded with your logo • Representative to present award at the event • Logo on shortlist card at each placesetting • Promotional material placed in hampers for guests at event • Photographic opportunities • Social media coverage

★ POST-EVENT Editorial coverage in the Ulster Grocer special event feature including: • Branding • A message from the sponsor • Event photographs • Editorial coverage in Belfast Telegraph

RETAIL NEWS – INDEPENDENTS

GOVERNMENT PROMISES TOUGHER ACTION AGAINST RETAIL CRIME OFFENDERS

olicing Minister Kit Malthouse has announced the UK government is to table an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill making it an offence to assault anyone providing a public duty including shop workers. The news has been welcomed by The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN), which has been lobbying for tougher action to address rising abuse of retail staff. In a letter to members of the National Retail Crime Steering Group, to which the NFRN belongs, Malthouse said: ‘This amendment will send a very strong signal that assaults of this kind are totally unacceptable. This government wants to ensure that retail staff and those who are serving the public can feel protected from abuse when working. It will reinforce in statute the seriousness with which the courts should treat these offences. ‘This legislative change recognises the very strong public and Parliamentary feeling about assaults against public-facing workers and builds on the important work already underway by this group to ensure that assaults are not seen as part of a retail worker’s job.’ Narinder Randhawa, national president, NFRN, said: “Everyone involved in retailing deserves to work in an environment that is safe. Sadly, the reality is that theft, vandalism, and physical and verbal attacks are all too familiar for many NFRN members. “For some considerable time, the NFRN has been calling for

the government to get tough on those who assault retail workers. News of this amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that will make it an offence to assault anyone providing a public duty is very welcome.” The amendment will be debated during the Report Stage of the Bill in the House of Lords, expected to take place before Christmas. Meanwhile, NFRN has welcomed news the Irish government is progressing with its Deposit Return Scheme for PET bottles and cans, publishing draft regulations for its introduction.

RETAIL NI WELCOMES PROPOSED EXTENSION OF RATES HOLIDAY IN DRAFT BUDGET Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI.

nclusion of a proposal to extend the current rates holiday for small businesses, by a further three months from April 2022, in the Northern Ireland Executive’s Draft Budget has been welcomed by Retail NI. Finance Minister Conor Murphy’s Draft Budget is currently subject to a 12-week consultation, after the Executive failed to approve it with the DUP voting against the three-year plan. “It is to be welcomed that Minister Murphy has outlined a further three months rates holiday for smaller businesses,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “This may have to extended if the Executive brings forward new Covid regulations that impact on their ability to trade. “We look forward to working with the Minister on his new proposals to increase to 24 months rates relief for retailers who occupy vacant properties. This has been a long-term policy priority for Retail NI and is important if we are to address the huge problem of dereliction on our high streets. “It is disappointing that the Executive could not agree on this budget and does make it difficult for business and civic society to respond to the document if there is not consensus amongst the five parties. “If the parties do agree a new budget in the next few weeks, will this consultation be stopped and a new one started?”

RETAIL NEWS – SYMBOLS

SNAPPY SHOPPER DOUBLES SALES WITH NISA TO £5M

nappy Shopper has reached £5m in sales with Nisa retail partners, more than doubling trade on the platform since February with an average basket spend of £28. The Dundee-based tech solution provider operates an app and website allowing consumers to order groceries from their local convenience store for delivery by the store’s own drivers. Its clients include retailers from most major grocery chains, including partnership agreements with several regional Co-op, Nisa and SPAR networks. Since January, Snappy Shopper has almost doubled its overall number of retail partners, growing from 650 to more than 1,100 stores. Snappy attributes its success to investment in marketing and promotional spend to support retailers and ensure stores reach their full sales potential as quickly as possible, rather than a focus on growing store numbers. A number of Nisa stores have been able to generate incremental sales of more than £100,000, some even having reached more than £500,000, according to Snappy. “We’ve been working closely with Nisa and the positive feedback we’ve had from partners to date is testament to both teams’ hard work,” said Mike Callachan, CEO and co-founder of the Snappy Group. “We’re proud to be supporting local retailers to compete in the rapidly expanding home delivery market.” Snappy Shopper’s platform allows for full integration with a retailer’s ePOS system, enabling stock data to be updated daily without any requirement for retailers to manually update price changes. Mike Callachan, CEO and co-founder of the Snappy Group.

HAMILTON FAMILY OPENS FRESH FOOD SUPERSTORE IN CASTLEDERG

harlie and Ruth Hamilton’s retailing legacy across the Omagh area has continued with the official opening of the all-new SPAR Castlederg. The store has undergone a major refurbishment to become a fresh food superstore, and the largest SPAR in the UK, providing the local community with a one-stop-shop for fresh, locally sourced products, big brand names and food to go. The family first established their retail empire from humble beginnings in 1979 with Hamilton’s SPAR, Newtownstewart

and 16 years later SPAR Castlederg first opened its doors, followed by their Tamlaght Road SPAR in 1998. SPAR Castlederg, managed by Cherry Keatley and creating 15 new jobs in the area, now stands at over 6,000 square feet.

CLOUGH SUPERMARKET REOPENS AFTER EXPANSION

UROSPAR Clough has undergone an expansion and refurbishment to offer an enhanced shopping experience, including food to go and a visitor information point providing a ‘recharge, refuel and refresh before experiencing the wonders of the Mournes’. Henderson Retail operates the store under the management of local man Ryan McCaughan and his team of 38, after five jobs were created with the expansion. The new supermarket provides hundreds of new product lines across 30 bays of fresh foods and over 100 bays of groceries.

RETAIL NEWS – MULTIPLES

LIDL NI TO BUILD THREE NEW CONCEPT STORES IN £18M INVESTMENT

of the existing 25 employees idl Northern Ireland, the when it opens in July 2022, region’s fastest-growing supporting a further 200 jobs supermarket, is to build indirectly during construction three new state-of-the-art and development. stores in an £18m investment Permission has also been focused on Greater Belfast and granted for a new replacement Co Down. Lidl Northern Ireland store at The retailer was granted Shore Road in the north of the unanimous planning approval city. Redevelopment plans were by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Pictured outside the Shore Road store are Scott Nelson, senior approved by Belfast City Council Council on December 6 to construction manager, Lidl NI; Damien Murray, director, Geda which will see the retailer’s transform Carryduff Shopping Construction; Chris Speers, regional property executive, Lidl NI; and existing store redeveloped in a Centre as part of an overall Neil Matthewman, site manager, Geda Construction. £4m investment. The store will £10m investment project Plans to relocate Lidl Northern close from January 5 to facilitate creating a new £6.5m anchor Ireland’s existing store at the junction of construction work. store. Castlereagh and Montgomery Road to a The new-look store will sit on an A new 2,206-square-metre Lidl NI new adjacent site on Castlereagh Road expanded site occupying 10,250 square store at Carryduff will be a significant are also progressing, following earlier metres, with a sales floor of 1,420 part of the centre’s wider regeneration approval by Belfast City Council and it is square metres, and reflect a modern which will also include four new retail new design with glass-fronted glazing, units, a café, a Drive-Thru unit and more hoped that construction will start early in the New Year. landscaping and a larger car park. than 200 parking spaces. Occupying a much larger site Thirteen jobs will be created to add More than 35 new jobs will be of 11,575 square metres, with a to the existing workforce of 22 to created at the new store and a further 1,420-square-metre sales floor, the new accommodate the larger store, with an 200 will be supported during its store represents an £8m investment for additional 200 jobs supported during construction. Once occupied, the retail east Belfast and will create a further the development and construction outlets could potentially support an 10 permanent new retail jobs on top phases. additional 100 jobs.

M&S OFFERS SURPLUS FOOD TO LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS

&S is looking for charities and community groups across Northern Ireland to join its food redistribution scheme. Since 2015, M&S and its food redistribution partner Neighbourly have worked together to donate surplus food to local charities and community groups. Over 1.7 million meals have been donated to charities across Northern Ireland since March 1, 2020. M&S and Neighbourly developed a new app which automatically notifies charity partners of anything unsold at the end of the day for collection from their local store. The app is used by all 585 M&S stores, enabling many of them to more than double their food redistribution rates. By providing charities with updates in real-time, the new app enables them to collect even more meals to feed the people they support. With the new system in place, M&S stores in Armagh and Omagh are looking for more charity partners to ensure all surplus food reaches the plates of those who need it most. Over 49,500 meals have already been provided to charities in Armagh and Omagh and the retailer is now asking new charity partners in both areas to come forward. “We’re extremely proud of our food redistribution

M&S colleagues Louise and Ben are pictured with their charity partner instore.

programme with Neighbourly that helps provide meals for people in our local communities,” said Nicola Finlay, regional manager for M&S in Northern Ireland. “Across our region there are lots of successful partnerships but with the launch of the app, we’re able and eager to do more, so we are looking for charities to come forward to partner with our stores in Armagh and Omagh to help us redistribute the surplus and support our work to reduce the environmental impact of food surplus.” For further information on the food surplus programme or other charity initiatives, email mandsfood@neighbourly.com.

PROFILE

A perfect storm of challenges PROFILE : RETAIL NI

WITH RISING ENERGY COSTS, A NATIONAL INSURANCE HIKE & AN END TO THE RATES HOLIDAY ADDING TO THE PRESSURES OF THE PANDEMIC IN 2022, RETAIL NI IS HOPEFUL A COHESIVE, CODESIGNED FIVE-YEAR PLAN FROM THE HIGH STREET TASK FORCE WILL GET NORTHERN IRELAND’S TOWN & VILLAGE CENTRES BACK ON TRACK, CHIEF EXECUTIVE GLYN ROBERTS TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

t’s been another busy year at the coalface for Retail NI, guiding its growing membership through the challenges and shifting regulations of the pandemic. “We’ve been very focused on trying to support our members through probably the most difficult trading environment we have ever seen with the pandemic,” says Glyn Roberts, chief executive. “Our top priority has been getting them through this terrible time in our history.” Retail NI membership has grown again in 2021, including the notable addition of S&W Wholesale and its retail partners. Many new members are also coming on board from other sectors such as pharmacies. “The pandemic shows the crucial importance of having a strong trade body fighting your corner, because the sheer amount of detail you’re dealing with in relation to the restrictions is at times staggering,” he says. “You’re dealing with a situation where civil servants are working in a matter of days to draw up restrictions and regulations that would maybe take months if not years to draw up. “When they’re moving at that pace, mistakes can be made so it’s important for us to have input. As we’ve said to the Executive repeatedly, it’s about doing stuff with us rather doing stuff to us. It’s about codesigning the solutions we need to get us through the current difficulty. “We are in a better position than we were this time last year. The gamechanger is obviously the vaccine, but I think we have a challenging few months ahead of us and the key thing is making sure we continue to get all the support necessary to enable our members to stay open.” 36

First Minister Paul Givan; Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts; Retail NI President Peter McBride; and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

One thing the pandemic has shown is the crucial contribution made by convenience retail, particularly for vulnerable and older people for whom local stores serve as a lifeline, says Roberts. “Reflecting back on 2021, we were obviously pleased to get the two-year rates holiday over the line. We were able to get the lost footfall fund, which was important for many of our members in city centres with no hospitality, tourism, office workers or students. “And obviously we’re particularly delighted that, better late than never, we got the High Street Voucher out. It has been a great success.” Welcoming the decision to include Spend Local branding on the £100 prepaid cards distributed to all eligible adults applying for the NI scheme,

Roberts says local shoppers appear to have embraced the ethos of supporting independent retailers. “Aside from the short-term boost this will give to many of our members, I think long-term it focuses and informs the public about the crucial importance of supporting independent retailers. It’s not about an anti-multiple message; it’s a proindependent message.” “With 70p in every £1 spent with independent retailers recycled round the rest of the economy, and the community role many of our members have reinforced by the pandemic, it’s very clear the future of our high streets is more independent retailers.” THE WELLBEING PLAN Last month Retail NI hosted a launch event at Stormont for its new Wellbeing

PROFILE Plan, calling for a coordinated approach across local government departments to support mental health and economic recovery. “We’re the first local business group to produce a Wellbeing Plan,” said Roberts. “It’s a comprehensive plan for our members and their staff to address challenges around mental health, loneliness and other related issues.” Roberts says the Plan was largely inspired by the pandemic and retail staff putting their health at risk, prevaccination, to ensure people were supplied with food and other necessities. Retail workers have faced escalating hostility from customers reacting badly to safety measures such as face covering, social distancing and hand sanitising. “Usdaw in their own survey showed retail workers have been subject to double the amount of physical and verbal abuse since the start of the pandemic, and that’s absolutely unacceptable,” says Roberts. The Plan offers a twin-track approach to recovery through wellbeing and the economic and physical reconstruction of Northern Ireland’s high streets and wider economy. “We have specific asks to the Assembly and Executive in relation to appointing a minister for wellbeing, getting behind the work of the mental health champion, and making sure the private sector is fully involved in a 10-year mental health strategy,” he says. Loosely based on a Wellbeing Guide launched by the ACS (Association of Convenience Stores), Retail NI has tailored it to the specific needs of Northern Ireland.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts with Finance Minister Conor Murphy.

Retail NI is hopeful its Wellbeing Plan will also help address the staffing shortage facing many sectors across Northern Ireland, including retail. “There are some good careers to be had in independent retail, and it’s not just looking at how we can get good staff in the long-term but also how do we get the next generation of independent retailers,” says Roberts. “Our Wellbeing Plan will help members retain staff but also ensure mental health and wellbeing is front and centre for any new staff. “The wellbeing agenda is also key to Northern Ireland’s productivity. We have some of the lowest productivity anywhere in the UK and if we can get more contented and happy staff, I think that can only be good for our productivity.” HIGH STREET TASK FORCE “For us, it’s about ensuring we can begin to define what the recovery looks like in 2022,” he says. “We’re very encouraged to work with the High Street Task Force, which we strongly lobbied to get set up.” Retail NI is pushing for a comprehensive five-year plan and a more cohesive approach to addressing the many challenges faced by high streets from rates, planning and regeneration to carparking and transport. Defining solutions rather than problems should be the focus. “If we can get a comprehensive plan together by early 2022, it would enable the next Assembly to hit the ground running with a big bold plan after the election,” says Roberts. “Independents have a key role to play in creating post-pandemic 21st century high streets that are fun, family-friendly,

First Minister Paul Givan and Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts.

green and clean destinations people want to go back to. That’s the promised land and the High Street Task Force needs to play a role in ensuring we get to the promised land. “A five-year plan would be strong if it has buy-in from, not just business, trade unions and the voluntary sector, but also the five political parties. “It would mean there’s assured ownership and we can co-design the solutions and the new 21st century high streets. The key word in 2022 is co-design. It’s not just about us telling politicians what we want, we’ve got to be part of that solution.” A PERFECT STORM OF CHALLENGES Highlighting the need for a significant overhaul of Northern Ireland’s high streets, beyond the sustained period of decline preceding the pandemic, is “a perfect storm of challenges” in 2022. Rising energy costs are a concern for a sector reliant on refrigeration, while retailers are also facing a hike in National Insurance and the end of the rates holiday ahead of Reval2023 the following year. “With the rates holiday, it’s been pushed into the long grass but let’s not forget we have the most expensive, antiquated system of business rates anywhere on these islands,” says Roberts. “It doesn’t just need tinkered with. It needs fundamental surgery. “We’ve short-term asks such as England is getting a 50% rates discount as part of the Budget, and we want that to apply in Northern Ireland. What’s good enough for small business in Leicester should be good enough for small business in Larne.” And with Reval2023, Retail NI will be focusing on the valuation process >> 37

PROFILE

Retail NI President Peter McBride; Economy Minister Gordon Lyons; Northern Ireland Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O’Neill; Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts.

>> to prevent a repeat of Reval2020, which appeared to favour out-of-town superstores with lower bills while many small independent retailers faced steep increases. “We’ve put forward ideas,” says Roberts. “For instance, a capital allowance relief for independent retailers. If you’re expanding your store and creating new jobs, you would be able to write off your rates for six months to help you do that. “We need to build on the empty premises relief to address the issue of dereliction in our high streets and need a much stronger rates hardship fund to deal with businesses getting into difficulty.” Retail NI has a good relationship with Finance Minister Conor Murphy and is hopeful Reval2023 will have a more positive outcome than Reval2020. “He delivered a considerable amount in relation to the two-year rates holiday and many of the grant schemes,” says Roberts. “He’s a hands-on minister, I think he gets it and has a track record of not just listening but acting on our concerns. “One thing Stormont can do is provide the small business discount scheme. We’re saying very clearly that should apply here and had a good recent discussion with the Minister.” 38

FOCUSING ON RECOVERY Retail NI has also been engaging with Stormont, the UK government and the European Commission on the need for agreement around the Northern Ireland Protocol. “You have members with GB-based suppliers and wholesalers, and there are restrictions of their product range,” says Roberts. “That is unacceptable and is one of the big central concerns we have. “I think this has dragged on long enough. We need to get a deal that provides stability and security, and we already have a very unstable political situation in Stormont and challenges with the pandemic. We need to get this situation resolved and allow our members to focus on the recovery.” The coming year is also expected to see new activity with Trade NI, an umbrella organisation for Retail NI, Manufacturing NI and Hospitality Ulster. “We have tentative plans for 2022,” he says. “All I can say is watch this space.” Describing the past few years as a rollercoaster experience for retailers, Roberts says it does reinforce the importance of having a strong trade body. “As the pandemic goes on, there’s now a huge appreciation for the role of independent retailers,” he says. “The

community retail badge is a badge of honour in terms of how they have gone the extra mile for their customers, particularly in rural towns. I would also say our pharmacy members have been doing a fantastic job in terms of getting the vaccine and boosters out.” Looking ahead, Retail NI is hopeful a new Northern Ireland Executive established after the May election will set aside the “silo mentality approach” of its different departments. “The problem is the Executive doesn’t do joined up very well,” says Roberts. “If you look at the issues around high streets, they’re scattered around six or seven different departments, so the key thing is those departments all pushing in one direction in policy terms. “We need a coordinated plan dealing with reforming business rates, and getting public transport, infrastructure investment, carparking and our village development programme right. “We need to see a new Stormont Executive that operates like a proper team, a proper government that has a coordinated approach, addressing all of those problems in one coordinated fiveyear plan. “There’s a lot done but a lot more to do in 2022.”

ADVERTORIAL

Starting 2022 with further investment in community retailing from Henderson Group COMPANY : HENDERSON WHOLESALE

HENDERSON RETAIL INVESTED £19.4M IN COMMUNITY RETAILING IN 2021 AND PLANS TO CONTINUE THE INVESTMENT THIS YEAR, WITH 26 SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE FOR 2022 Hamilton’s SPAR Castlederg opened in 2021 as the largest SPAR in the UK.

n total, 28 new company-owned and independent SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVO Essentials stores opened across towns and villages in Northern Ireland last year, as the retailer and grocer responded to changed shopper demands and used local data to build new stores and develop refurbishments with local shopper missions in mind. The openings pushed Henderson Retail through the 100-store milestone, with EUROSPAR Clough opening as the 101st company-owned store in November 2021. There are now 72 EUROSPAR supermarkets in Northern Ireland. Mark McCammond, retail director at Henderson Group, commented: “2021 saw the Group uphold its commitment to further invest in high quality community retailing across Northern Ireland, further meeting the needs of both our retailers and shoppers. Henderson Retail completed 20 significant projects this year, including the building and expansion of EUROSPAR supermarkets. “Not only were we opening more large-format EUROSPAR supermarkets 40

which provide market leading special offers and campaigns all year round, which includes Tesco Price Match on over 1,000 products, but we are actively expanding the footprint and offering of our smaller format brands too. We have 26 projects in the pipeline for 2022, plus four new builds which will complete in 2023.” The ViVO brand experienced record growth of 10% last year thanks to the opening of 12 stores under the brand, leading to an increase of 5% in retail sales. Paddy Doody, sales and marketing director at Henderson Group, says

“EUROSPAR CLOUGH OPENED AS THE 101ST COMPANY-OWNED STORE IN 2021... THERE ARE NOW 72 EUROSPARS IN NORTHERN IRELAND.”

independent retailers are embracing the opportunities these brands bring them locally: “Independent retailers know what their local shoppers want and that is to stay local and buy local from a trusted and friendly face. These are attributes in abundance thanks to our robust brand offering. “At the end of 2021, the largest SPAR store in the UK opened in Castlederg with experienced SPAR retailers, Charlie and Ruth Hamilton at the helm. It is a fresh foods superstore and the new flagship store for the Hamiltons who operate two other stores in the Mid-Ulster area. The impact the network of our companyowned and independent stores has on the industry is powerful, evidenced in the number of UK-wide industry awards that were presented to NI stores in 2021.” Many long-serving retailers celebrated anniversary milestones alongside the SPAR brand last year, as 2021 marked 60 years of the brand coming to Northern Ireland, including McGinn’s SPAR in Killyclogher, which also opened in 1961 and rebranded as a SPAR 10 years later. Other retailers who celebrated milestone anniversaries included Lecky’s VIVOXtra for 50 years, Clarke’s ViVO in Rostrevor for 40 years and Gilroy’s SPAR in Garrison for 30 years. Mark McCammond, retail director, Henderson Group.

ADVERTORIAL Paddy Doody, sales and marketing director, Henderson Group.

William Orr & Son has been supplying to Henderson Wholesale for decades.

Meanwhile, the 300th SPAR store in Northern Ireland opened in Coagh by Andrew Davis and Graham Johnston, their sixth to open within the business partners’ SPAR 77 Retail group. Paddy continued: “Last year we also had a record number of retailers converting from other symbol groups to SPAR, EUROSPAR or ViVO brands as they can see the competitive advantage being with us can bring, thanks to their peers.” Such advantages include the local sourcing conducted by Henderson Wholesale, which now supplies to over 500 stores across Northern Ireland, and continues to provide that unrivalled offering of locally sourced produce and products from the fields and farms of local suppliers. Paddy continued: “Our long-term local sourcing strategy has allowed us to take a strong advantage against the multiples who are suffering with delays and shortages due to the NI Protocol. Over 75% of our fresh food is sourced from local farmers and suppliers, which is not only better for the environment in keeping food miles low, but also for our

economy to help local producers develop, expand and provide local employment.” Henderson Group will invest £47m in new products, ranges and infrastructure in 2022, with retailers supported by a £5.3m marketing strategy for the year. Paddy added: “Early 2022 will see SPAR’s Joy of Living Locally strategy roll out, with the first of its new brand pillars – Value on your Doorstep – launching this month, which very much builds upon the foundations of which we operate as retailers, to provide high quality, local produce Fresh Fields at value prices for our in Comber shoppers.” supplies to And community Henderson Wholesale retailing wouldn’t be what it is without the impact it has on the community, with 2022 set to be another

record-breaking year of fundraising and support for charitable organisations and community groups. Paddy concluded: “Last year, SPAR NI stores raised £500,000 towards a £2m milestone for Marie Curie, a fantastic feat after the pressure put on community fundraising throughout the Covid crisis. This year, we have begun a partnership with Action Mental Health which puts our 4,500+ strong workforce first, ensuring they are supported both in and out of the workplace and getting that balance just right. “Our large format EUROSPAR and VIVOXtra supermarkets continue their successful partnership with Cancer Fund for Children which continues to play a huge part in supporting young people and their families affected by cancer across Northern Ireland.” EUROSPAR Clough was the final store to open in 2021.

McGinn’s SPAR celebrated 60 years in business in 2021.

SPAR Coagh was the 300th SPAR store to open in Northern Ireland in 2021.

ADVERTORIAL

Offering solutions to help our customers

grow & succeed in 2022

PROFILE : HENDERSON FOOD MACHINERY

Debra Henderson, accounts director; Rory O’Dwyer, engineering director; David Henderson, managing director; and Julie Bell, sales director.

t HFM we supply an extensive and varied selection of new and used food processing and packaging machinery. We work closely with quality manufacturers of new and used food machinery. Our range of new and used equipment is vast, we can supply into many sectors: meat, fish, poultry, food factories, plants and manufacturers, catering butchers, bakers, hotels, restaurants, ready meal manufacturers, vegetable and salad producers, contract packers, fish processors, fast food outlets, dairies, sauce & soup factories, drinks, liquid manufacturers, petfood companies, confectionary, fruit and brewing. HFM is committed to find solutions that will help our customers to grow and succeed and have built a reputation on providing solutions to food processing and manufacturing especially in today’s marketplace. Our team at HFM is led by Managing Director David Henderson, and Debra Henderson, who is the accounts director. The senior management team at HFM consists of Rory O’Dwyer, engineering director and Julie Bell, sales director. 44

AT PRESENT WE WORK WITH THE FOLLOWING MANUFACTURERS:

HFM are very much customer and price focused which has resulted in getting a lot of enquiries for machinery along with repeat business and new customers. Our priority is to be customer and price focused as we realise in today’s marketplace it is ever changing so we need to be competitive within our marketplace. Good to know: If you already have a machine and it needs repairs, maybe we can help in repairing the machine. Our engineering team are available for service 24/7, please contact our Engineering Director Rory O’Dwyer on 00353 861727357 or email engineering@ hendersonfoodmachinery.com. We will endeavour to supply you with service and source parts to keep your machines running during these strange and unprecedented times. As your supplier of machinery and parts, we are of course available to answer any questions or provide further information. Please feel free to contact our office on 02890 994 202 or sales@hendersonfoodmachinery.com

AK Ramon Butchery Equipment Apple and Winyard Depositing Equipment Brokelmann and T&S Cooking Vessels CRM Slicing, Dicing and Forming Deighton Forming Battering Breading Frying Metalbud Nowicki Injectors, Tumbling, Bowlcutters, Fresh and Frozen Grinders MPE GPS Reisacher Rotary and Inline Tray Sealers, Thermoformers Rational Ovens and Cooking Systems Robot Coupe Catering Equipment N&N Nadratowski, Lakidis and Nirotech Paddle Mixers, Spiral and Z Arm Porlanmaz Bakery Equipment Rotech, Siat, OK International Sleeve Printing, Box Tapers, Pallet Wrappers and Bag Sealing We are looking forward as a team to working in partnership with both our current and new manufacturers in 2022.

COVER STORY

A year of milestones for MUSGRAVE COVER STORY : MUSGRAVE

MUSGRAVE NORTHERN IRELAND MANAGING DIRECTOR TREVOR MAGILL REFLECTS BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR THE BUSINESS AND WHAT LIES IN STORE FOR 2022

Retailer of the Year category at the same awards while SuperValu Lisburn won the Best Food to Go Outlet at the Forecourt Trader Awards. At the Great Taste awards, SuperValu and Centra made a big impression with their own brand products and secured 16 wins, a real testament to the quality of the range. CHARITY FOCUS

ince his appointment to managing director in mid-2020, Trevor has been leading Musgrave NI and its seven brands, including SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Day-Today, Musgrave MarketPlace, Drinks Inc. and La Rousse Foods into a strong position. Its purpose of Growing Good Business is reflected in everything it does, including supporting its retail partners and providing the best in local retailing to its customers. A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS It was a year of awards and milestones at Musgrave as SuperValu celebrated 25 years in Northern Ireland. From the first store on Belfast’s Kings Road to one of the most recent additions, Wilson’s SuperValu on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, the chain now operates 37 stores across Northern Ireland. Drinks Inc., which the Musgrave group acquired at the end of 2019, celebrated 20 years in business by unveiling its ambitious growth plans to further position itself as one of the largest and fastest-growing drinks distributors on the island of Ireland. While the hospitality industry came 46

to a stand-still during the height of the pandemic, the ongoing support from Drinks Inc. to its customers stood them in good stead, winning the brand more business and contributing to its growth. Its portfolio features over 1,500 alcoholic and soft drink products and more than 50 exclusive new wine lines have recently been introduced. There was further cause for celebration when SuperValu and Centra took home the top accolades at the prestigious UKwide Retail Industry Awards. “Competing against some of the best stores in the UK, Woods’ SuperValu Fruitfield in Richhill and Lilley’s Centra Dublin Road in Enniskillen won Independent Retailer of the Year in their respective categories – being recognised as the best in the UK is no mean feat. “Local has never been more important and offering our customers value, choice and high-quality convenience continues to be our driving force. We are delighted these stores were recognised for the service they provide to their communities.” Lusty’s Centra Larne was highly commended in the Independent Drinks

Passionate about community, Musgrave and its retail partners and customers remain firm supporters of its charity partners Action Cancer and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke. Centra was delighted to welcome back its Run Together event for Action Cancer in October - a resounding success with over 1,000 people participating in 5k and 10k races. SuperValu also sponsored Action Cancer’s Breast Foot Forward walk at Belfast City Hall, another fantastic fundraiser for the charity. “We are extremely proud to say that despite a year when fundraising activities have been much more difficult than before, we have found ways to continue to support our charity partners. We donated 50p from each sale of Frank and Honest Coffee in SuperValu, Centra and MACE stores over a three-day period to both charities, as well as 50p from pumpkin sales to Action Cancer. “MACE colleagues also took part in a series of static cycles which our shoppers generously donated to NICHS. As we approach the end of the year,

COVER STORY we’ve raised over £190,000 across our brands for both charity partners – vital as both charity partners work tirelessly to maintain services during the pandemic. I would like to thank all of our retail partners for helping to raise this incredible amount of money.” The business’s retail partners also regularly support initiatives at a grass roots level, and this is set to continue through 2022, while Musgrave works closely with Fareshare and by 2025 will have donated 25,000 meals to local charities, further demonstrating its commitment to community. INVESTMENT

Musgrave’s investment in its store network continued with the opening of its 100th Centra store in April – Centra Dunman in Cookstown, which was closely followed by the brand new 3,500 sq ft Centra Toome store and Larne Harbour Centra. Rosetta and Moneen MACE stores converted to the Centra brand with refreshes while a further seven Mace stores opened including Derrychrier and Newry. The SuperValu brand, which saw the acquisition of the Nisa Extra store in Portglenone into its company-owned profile, is also set to see considerable changes this year. “2022 will see further significant investment of £14m to develop our branch network and continue our ambitious plan to ‘redefine convenience’ with the introduction of SuperValu rejuvenation at our Portstewart store which will be the first to undergo extensive changes.”

PARTNERSHIPS The pandemic saw a shift in consumer habits with more people shopping locally, and Musgrave’s commitment to local food and drink is evident. “Consumers are buying more local produce and we have strong local suppliers. We spend £160m annually on local products, working with over 3,000 local farmers and 150 food and drink suppliers. “It is thanks to these partnerships and our commitment to local that we have maintained well-stocked shelves for our customers. Our local credentials are strong, and they will remain so as we move through 2022.” 2021 also saw SuperValu embarking on a new partnership with Northern Irish celebrity chef Suzie Lee and local food producer McAtamney’s to create five signature convenience dishes for its SimpliDish range, a range which now includes close to 60 products. “We have been delighted to work with Suzie Lee on these new dishes. She celebrates everything SuperValu champions – real food, real people, local, promoting a healthier lifestyle and encouraging family time. These new meal solutions provide a value for money, quality and tasty offering for our customers, and we look forward to continuing the partnership.” NEW APPOINTMENTS Musgrave NI appointed Paddy Murney as retail sales director in October, who joined the business from Unilever where he was channel director. “Paddy is leading the development of new commercial opportunities across Musgrave NI and optimising the sales and profitability of our retail brands, building on the already strong relationships we have with our retail partners. He is also focused on the aggressive growth of our brands through competitor conversions and strategic acquisitions.” SUSTAINABILITY AND LOOKING AHEAD Mugsrave’s sustainability strategy is a driving force for the business, and 2022

will see some exciting developments as it continues with its target to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2040. “Already we are making great progress, for example, our company-owned stores run on 100% green energy and we are switching to energy efficient refrigeration and LED lightbulbs in our store refurbishment programme. “We were the first on the island to launch fully compostable takeaway coffee cups and lids with our Frank and Honest brand, and our coffee capsules are plastic free. We also recently launched a new paperless digital loyalty app for coffee customers. We’re excited about a new venture with a not-for-profit organisation early in the new year, which will further cement our sustainability commitment in the communities we serve.” This year will also see the introduction of a new digital platform for Musgrave Marketplace, as the business embraces the opportunities of technology. The platform will trial in ROI before reaching Northern Ireland towards the end of the year. “One of our key focuses is disrupting

“OUR LOCAL CREDENTIALS ARE STRONG, AND THEY WILL REMAIN SO AS WE MOVE THROUGH 2022.” wholesale. We have determined plans to become a one-stop-shop for wholesale customers in Northern Ireland, enabling our customers to get the goods they want, when they want them, at the price they want to pay for them.” The business is also trialling a collaboration with Just Eat in four Centra stores in Belfast, Carryduff and Lisburn, in which customers can buy food to go, groceries and coffee, delivered by the online ordering and delivery service. While 2021 brought challenges as the pandemic rumbled on, Musgrave finishes the year on a positive note and Trevor is looking forward to the new year and what it brings. “Our strategies of redefining convenience and disrupting wholesale remain a priority and we will continue this through 2022 with our refurbishment programme and SuperValu rejuvenation, as well as continuing to innovate and provide our customers with the best service, choice, quality, value for money. It’s thanks to the continued support of our colleagues, suppliers, retail partners and customers that we can provide the very best in local retailing and wholesaling.” 47

ADVERTORIAL

TOURISM IN ACTION

t Tourism NI’s June conference, the organisation outlined how it intended to support the industry on its recovery journey. Since June, it has continued to focus on the key themes of Survive, Revive and Thrive, rolling out initiatives in support of the tourism industry across Northern Ireland as well as activity that tourism organisations and businesses can get involved in. TNI.com/Insights and Market Intelligence The website TourismNI.com plays a crucial role in delivery of information and guidance. It is an excellent resource for the industry which can receive targeted updates and information on a wide range of areas, including consumer sentiment, industry research and insight reports. The site also hosts other events and programme registration information and associated toolkits. By registering on the hub, businesses can also manage their listing on discovernorthernireland.com. Tourism Enterprise Development The Tourism Enterprise Development Programme 2021/22 supports tourism businesses to adapt their products and services to market opportunities and the new operating environment. It is all about businesses getting the professional advice and support needed at this critical time. The Tourism Enterprise Programme has a packed and ambitious programme of activity from January 2022 onwards. The TED programme has something for everyone in the industry including

webinars, toolkits, instructional videos, top tips, tools, tactics and action plans. Expert mentors are also on hand to guide and advise. The programme spans all of the key topics and questions facing the industry including digital skills and innovation, people, and sustainable tourism. Coming up: WorldHost: January to March 2022 designed for those in the frontline of customer service and delivered in partnership with People 1st. Masterclass: Sourcing Talent and Retaining It, January 2022. As TNI moves to support the industry in a renewed search for skills in 2022, this masterclass will cover the need for leadership, tactical recruitment and an investment in the future of our workforce. Come Closer: January to March 2022 This webinar series will look at maximising growth potential from the closer-to-home markets. TNI will be unpacking the research into digestible chunks, refreshing the call to action in the GB market and revisiting the NI domestic market. Sector Specific Webinars and Workshops: spanning food, golf, events and activities. A calendar of events is in place to March 2022 and those who sign up to the sessions at tourismni.com also receive newsletter updates on what is coming up in the future. Recordings of all previous webinars are also available at tourismni.com

Skills Tourism NI recognises that attracting and retaining staff is a big challenge for many parts of the industry at the moment. There is a need to improve awareness too of the opportunities to develop a career in the sector. With that in mind, it is working closely with the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Network to deliver a major recruitment and skills campaign early in 2022. The campaign will highlight the range of attractive roles and career choices in the industry. Running alongside the campaign, TNI continues to champion the Hospitality and Tourism Commitment as a way to spread good employment practice across the industry and boost the message that the sector is a positive career choice. Updates on all activity can be viewed on tourismni.com, including participation in the TED programme and continued engagement with all of teams at Tourism NI for tailored support. City and Growth Deals As well as investing in projects which can drive recovery in the short to medium term, a key element of Tourism NI’s current work is progressing the delivery of key tourism projects across Northern Ireland under the City and Growth Deals. Tourism NI acts as project sponsor to ensure that individual projects demonstrate they can meet market demand, are commercially viable in the longer term and deliver the highest possible economic return. For more information on how Tourism NI can support businesses visit: www.tourismni.com/contactus/covid-19-business-supporthelpline/ Twitter: @NITouristBoard LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/ company/northern-irelandtourist-board

CSR NEWS

LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS GET A FUNDING BOOST

ewry City Afc Special Olympics Club, Tree NI (Belfast) and The Rainbow Project (Belfast) are the second set of community groups to receive a share of Boost Drinks’ £10,000 Choose Now, Change Lives fund. Pictured receiving their cheque for £2,000 is Newry City Afc Special Boost Drinks created the Olympics. Choose Now, Change Lives initiative to help drive change in communities in Northern Ireland and positively impact lives, with the current round the second of three awards throughout 2021. Groundwork NI, a specialist charity working locally and nationally to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, is supporting Boost by administering grants to successful applicants. “Community groups are the life and soul of the areas we all live in, something that’s more important now than ever and will continue to be in the future,” said Adrian Hipkiss, marketing and international business director, Boost. “This also includes our support of local retailers over the last 18 years, who are the beating hearts of their communities. “The cash we have donated will ensure the vital services these groups provide to their communities will continue and we hope that the people who use them will flourish in their lives.”

TROLLEY DASH RAISES OVER £93,000 FOR NSPCC NORTHERN IRELAND

idl Northern Ireland’s Trolley Dash on December 11 saw lucky customers run their own supermarket sweep and bag their Christmas shopping for free, while raising vital funds for charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland. Forty-one winning shoppers, one for every Lidl Northern Ireland store, won their spot to dash around their local Lidl store, racing against the clock to bag as much of their Christmas food shop for free as they could in just two minutes, with the average winner taking home goods worth £250. Now in its seventh year, the initiative raised over £93,000 for charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland which will help fund the delivery of services for children in need right across the region. “Trolley Dash continues to be our flagship fundraising event for our charity partner, NSPCC Northern Ireland and this year our customers really have gone above and beyond with their generosity and support,” said Gordon Cruikshanks, head of sales operations, Lidl Northern Ireland.

PROFILE

Exporters are having the time of their lives PROFILE : MANUFACTURING

THE NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL IS BOOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS, BUT THE SECTOR HAS ALSO BEEN HIT BY AN ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE, ROCKETING ENERGY COSTS & FOOD INFLATION, MANUFACTURING NI CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEPHEN KELLY TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

“T

he UK government has decided to fundamentally alter its economic model,” says Stephen Kelly, chief executive, Manufacturing NI. “The secret is knowing the change is irreversible and to win more than we lose and, at this point in time, we seem to be doing that.” Kelly is talking about the most contentious topic of 2021, the Northern Ireland Protocol, and its impact on the local manufacturing sector. Chaos around the Protocol was inevitable with the UK and EU only reaching agreement on the operational plan for the Protocol a few weeks before Brexit on January 1. “It’s impossible to suddenly make such a significant change to supply chains established over a generation and expect them to be ready and fully operable within such a short period of time,” says Kelly. “It left zero time for businesses here, but more particularly for businesses in GB, to prepare themselves for the new administrative regime coming into place on January 1. “We said: fine, but it’s not going to work, and we need both sides to do more in terms of derogation, mitigation and indeed compensation to make this operational plan operable for businesses. “And as 2021 has progressed, we’re still largely in that space where we’re sitting now in December and the issues we identified in December 2020 are still with us, and that’s a big frustration.” January 2020 was a frantic month of fielding calls from manufacturers facing difficulties with supplies from GB and 52

trying to keep supply chains moving, says Kelly, with some easing of the situation in February. From March, manufacturers were grappling with supplementary declarations. “That’s been the real pain point for many traders with the volume of administration required to move things, even moving your own material from GB to Northern Ireland, either impossible or unmanageable for many businesses,” he says. By the summer, many businesses got to grips with the requirements, but around 20% of GB suppliers have effectively ceased any shipments to Northern Ireland. “These are well-established supply chains that for some businesses go back decades,” says Kelly. “Over the last 40 years, the UK deindustrialised and effectively became a centre of distribution for the island of Ireland in particular, but also Europe as well, and the result of Brexit means the UK’s position as a centre of distribution is no more.” While sourcing from GB makes sense from a perspective of shared currency, language, culture and legal framework,

“2022 IS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT YEAR BECAUSE OF ENERGY PRICES NO DOUBT. CONSUMERS ARE INCREASINGLY GOING TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THAT.”

Brexit’s supply chain complexities are prompting local manufacturers to seek alternative suppliers in Europe. “Fewer businesses are exclusively bringing materials from GB into Northern Ireland for sale or consumption here or bringing material into NI from GB to return back to GB,” says Kelly. With Northern Ireland remaining in the EU Customs Union, imports from - and exports to - other EU member states are free from the complexities associated with GB to NI shipments. Consequently, “our exporters are having the time of their lives at the moment,” he says. “They’re absolutely flying - it couldn’t be better for them.” Cross-border trade with the Republic of Ireland has risen by 60%. “They’re still buying from the UK, just buying from a different part of the UK so it’s not trade diversion,” says Kelly. “Bringing stuff into Ireland from GB is just beyond difficult, so they’ve looked to us and we’ve been more than happy to supply them.” And a second group of Protocol beneficiaries has been manufacturers stepping in and picking up significant business as a substitute for imports affected by the Irish Sea border. “To continue their supply to Northern Ireland in particular, but Ireland as a whole, GB-based retailers have turned

PROFILE to local supply chains,” he says. “We’ve seen significant new business for the likes of DELI LITES, which had never done anything for Boots or Asda and have picked up very significant new orders as moving sandwiches or other chilled items from GB into NI just doesn’t make sense anymore.” Local manufacturers have also gained kudos from the major retail chains for pivoting to supply ready meals, and other food ingredients and products, to their stores in the Republic of Ireland.

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SUDDENLY MAKE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO SUPPLY CHAINS ESTABLISHED OVER A GENERATION AND EXPECT THEM TO BE READY AND FULLY OPERABLE WITHIN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.”

FURTHER CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES Surveys conducted by Manufacturing NI highlight further unrealised potential from the Protocol. Progress has been made, from 40% of local manufacturers trading with the EU reporting confusion among their customers in early 2021 to only 30% by year end. But more needs to be done: “There’s a significant lack of knowledge both in GB, but also in Europe, about the unique position in which Northern Ireland has found itself. There’s a need for a very significant education campaign in both Northern Ireland and the EU.” The EU has agreed to instruct its member states to make information available, clearly identifying Northern Ireland’s unique status, to their own traders. Meanwhile, the introduction of new import controls by GB on January 1 will offer both challenges and opportunities for Northern Ireland. “We need the UK to have those controls working as efficiently as possible because we’re at the end of the supply chain,” says Kelly. “But equally, just as we’ve seen Irish buyers find it more difficult to import goods from GB as a result of Brexit and they’ve looked north, we could potentially have many GB buyers looking to Northern Ireland because our supply chains have unfettered access to the EU.” Local manufacturers have been reporting an increase in queries from GB as the deadline approached for introducing EU import controls. Brexit has also accelerated an acute labour shortage, “the single biggest issue all manufacturers report in their business,” he says. “Regardless of what part of manufacturing they’re in, everyone’s reporting a lack of labour and there’s a good reason for that. “We know that between the June 2016 referendum and June 2021, we lost a third of our EU migrants who returned

home. We know that during Covid the usual 14,000-16,000 migrants coming into Northern Ireland dropped to less than 2,000. “There’s less young people coming into our labour pool, and effectively we have more people in jobs but with less people to fill those jobs. Because we don’t have freedom of movement, we can’t go and recruit from Eastern Europe as we’ve done in the past so we’re in a sticky spot. “Our advice to anyone is you’ve got to assume when you’re planning your business that you’ll never be able to recruit anybody again. Start on that basis: how do you continue to do what you do without the need for any more people? “A lot of investment is going into automation, as well as flexibility and agility in the existing workforce, to try to continue to meet demand in the marketplace for our products. “A lot of Covid investment has gone into skills development, but that’s going to take some time to mature, and the challenge is here and now. We need a bridge between where we are today and where that investment will begin to mature.” That bridge could be automation or it could be relaxation of the migration rules, even for a temporary period as happened with pig factory butchers and HGV drivers in GB. RISING ENERGY COSTS & FOOD INFLATION Alongside the acute labour shortage, manufacturers are struggling with rocketing energy bills and raw material costs. “I was chatting to one firm whose energy bill will jump from £20m to £55m,” says Kelly. “This company is going to lose significant accounts of money. They’re lucky as their owners recognise they’re here for the long term, and know in the future it will turn itself around again. “But the impact of energy prices is only

beginning to be understood. If your bill jumps 150%, 300%, 400%, you need to find that money somewhere. If you can’t find it in basic productivity improvements, it can only be found in losing people.” Further, wily manufacturers which hedged their bets by buying ahead will only start to see the impact as their deals come to an end early this year. “2022 is going to be a difficult year because of energy prices no doubt,” he says. “Consumers are increasingly going to foot the bill for that.” Also chipping away at any margin manufacturers might have salvaged is food inflation, which Kelly says his members tell him is closer to the 12%14% range than the official figure of 4%. “This is going to hurt people quite significantly, particularly lower paid people in our community who are going to see not just their energy bills going through the roof but things like food and other items beginning to bite for them in 2022,” he says. And, of course, we are still amid a global pandemic. Local manufacturers have weathered the last few years, with some pivoting their business from foodservice to retail during the lockdowns and others propped up by government support schemes. A concern would be any further restrictions imposed on hospitality without a safety net for the sector and its suppliers, says Kelly. Manufacturers are by now wellacquainted with Covid safety measures. “Our members had all put the investment in place and maintained those restrictions so, when the move from two- to onemetre social distancing came in, they just kept it the way it was. “Obviously with the new variant appearing we’re reminding people to be vigilant, continually update their risk assessments and continually reinforce with their colleagues that these restrictions and controls are in place for a reason. “Whether it’s social distancing, cleansing, restrictions on travel or lateral flow testing on a regular basis, it’s about keeping on top of those controls to make sure the business can keep running and keep everybody safe. “I think it’s probably wise for people to get into a new rhythm. This is the new normal, and it’s unlikely we’re going to have the type of environment in our factories or community which we had previously. We just need to make it commonplace now.” 53

ADVERTORIAL

Make 2022 the year to

boost your brand presence

s FMCG brands look to 2022 and consider plans to grow and increase their profitability, Brendan Gallen from branding & digital agency The Foundation, picks out some considerations for those looking to refresh their brands and packaging in 2022. START WITH A STORY With exposure to thousands of products and advertisements daily, the power of a compelling story can’t be underestimated. Stories about the founder, where the brand comes from or even the ingredients can drive differentiation in a noisy marketplace. Think Innocent and their founding story about how they started off with smoothies at a festival with the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ bins and how that helped propel them to sales of £400m+. QUALITY IS EVERYTHING For a consumer to pick up a food and drink product and put it in their trolley, they need to believe in the quality of the product. To do this successfully, it is important that both the visual language and copy convey quality where possible. Take Little Moons for example, as well as having a strong brand story, their packaging clearly conveys the quality of ingredients. With a twist on ice cream as we know it, the packaging cleverly explains the difference in how the product is made. POSITION YOUR BRAND FOR PURCHASE MOTIVATIONS Shoppers buy food and drink products to meet very specific needs and

COMPANY : THE FOUNDATION motivations – value, convenience, health, indulgence and comfort to name a few. By understanding these key motivators, brands can speak to consumers directly through branding and packaging. The ‘Big Night In’ has become an ever more popular meal occasion as we spend more time at home during Covid-19. One brand that has really tapped into the occasion is Birds Eye with their Chicken Shop range. The branding and packaging create standout in the frozen category and adds a more premium offering to the ‘fakeaway’ experience. BUILD LISTINGS, SALES AND A GREAT PRODUCT EXPERIENCE At the core of food and drink marketing is the understanding that the key audiences are shoppers, consumers and retailers. Therefore, it’s important to consider what retailers will view as important from a branding and packaging point of view. Typically, retailers will want something that stands out from the other products in the category, while shoppers search for packaging that quickly and effectively communicates things like key messages, ingredients and USPs. The McCain Shake Shake Fries are a great example of a brand that helped attract shoppers into a category with distinctive packaging that plays an important role in the eating experience itself. FOCUS ON CATEGORY When marketing food & drink products, it is important to gain a clear understanding of the category in which it will be positioned. This will help determine the

Brendan Gallen

key purchase motivations and for some brands, it could even lead to the creation of a new category. This then leads to a focus on category conventions, in terms of challenging or following them. Typical category conventions include size and shape of packaging, colours, language and visuals. Many brands will have the personality to credibly and effectively challenge brand conventions to earn standout. While others feel it is right to ensure that they are following key conventions and use other assets to gain differentiation on shelf. In many of the fresh categories (meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables), it’s critical to allow the shopper to see the product to judge its freshness. Heck went against the category norm by providing a small window to view their sausages and burger range. Instead, they dedicate a lot of packaging real estate to tell their brand story and highlight points of difference.

For more insights or to discuss how we can help you build better for your brand, get in touch with Brendan Gallen (brendan@ wearethefoundation.co.uk), or visit www.wearethefoundation.co.uk 54

PROFILE

A family affair PROFILE : TS FOODS

FOR CASTLEWELLAN FAMILY FIRM TS FOODS, A FOCUS ON CONSUMER DEMAND & GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF ONLY SELLING PRODUCTS THEY WOULD HAPPILY EAT IS A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS, MANAGING DIRECTOR JOANNE MOLLOY TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

S Foods was established in 1978 when Tony and Ann Steele identified a gap in the market to adapt products from their popular fish and chip shop, The Dolphin in Castlewellan, for retail sale. Their successful first launch, the Chip Shop Pastie, was soon expanded into the Tony’s Chippy range, while another market gap was filled in 1983 with the addition of TS Foods’ award-winning stuffing range. Now managed by the couple’s daughter Joanne Molloy and son David Steele, TS Foods is posting double-digit growth, driven by the success of its Tony’s Chippy, Ann’s Kitchen and TS Foods Chicken, breadcrumb and stuffing lines. In the last year, the business has secured £1m in new listings. TS Foods also produces own-label products for major retailers in NI, GB and ROI. TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTION SITE & WORKFORCE? We’re in the middle of Castlewellan and it’s a compact site but it works. We’ve extended it over the years, reinvesting in the premises and securing any buildings that became available close to us. We’ve just completed an extension, expanding our production and refrigeration space in time for Christmas. We normally sit at around 110 employees but would have 120 now as we take on a team of people in the build up to Christmas, as demand for stuffing peaks at this time of year. We have a largely local workforce which is quite unusual in the sector and many of our colleagues have been with us for a long time. We took a conscious decision to carry 10% extra staff during most of the lockdown, which was a big cost to the business, but it did pay dividends because we were able 56

to maintain production if we had any absences. Our plan is to maintain the talent we have by offering people development opportunities, so our people know we value them and want to invest in them. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN YOUR FAMILY BUSINESS? I came in as general manager in December 2007 with the understanding to give it a year to see how it would go with no commitment either way, but here we are 14 years later so it worked for everybody. David and I both joined at the same time. We were in jobs we didn’t feel were fulfilling us and had been looking

Ann and Tony Steele

for a business to buy together but, as it happened, mum and dad needed help with their business. My son has also joined the business in the last year, as an apprentice engineer working four days a week and studying one day at university. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO REBRAND THE TONY’S CHIPPY LINE? It was something we talked about a lot

Joanne Molloy, managing director

and felt it was the right time to do it. The brand has had a lot of success in the last three years, expanding into Scotland and other new markets, and we felt it needed an update. Invest NI supported us with the project as part of a Growth Accelerator Programme grant. We’re very pleased with the look and think it has achieved our aim of modernising the brand while retaining a nod to its heritage with the blue gingham of the old packaging. Some of the new products we’re bringing out are with a younger consumer in mind and offer an alternative to takeaways with snack boxes and spice boxes which are huge in southern Ireland. In Northern Ireland we have two Munchie Box products in Tesco, similar to the spice boxes, and they’re doing well. We have a new regional product for Scotland we’re launching in quarter one of 2022 at the request of a retailer. A lot of our products are in tempura batter which the Scottish market seems to like. Our Haggis Bites have been a real success, much more than we ever anticipated and we now have multiple listings for them.

PROFILE identify a customer need, and develop products to fit that need.

WHAT IS DRIVING THE STRONG GROWTH IN TS FOODS’ CHICKEN LINES? We’re blown away by the success of our TS Foods frozen chicken mini fillet range which we launched with Tesco NI, starting off with two flavours. We’ve now got four variants and they’re among Tesco’s best-selling lines in the category. The product is available as an exceptional value 1kg bag; certainly in my house, that will do three or four dinners. And then there’s just the convenience of cooking from frozen. If you come in and realise you haven’t taken anything out of the freezer, you can have chicken in a wrap or with another accompaniment, ready in 20 minutes. Our chicken mini fillet range is produced from whole muscle, whereas most branded chicken products are minced, chopped or reformed, so it’s quite unique and you’re getting quality you would expect in a café or restaurant at home. We’ve invested in rebranding our chicken range too, creating individual packs for each of the variants with their own themes and we’re hoping that will attract new customers as well. We use a lot of consumer research, in collaboration with Invest NI, when developing NPD. One thing I’m always mindful of is we have to be led by the consumer, not off-the-cuff ideas or metoo products. We want to see a gap,

HOW IS TS FOODS’ READY-TOCOOK RANGE ANN’S KITCHEN PERFORMING? An opportunity arose for the brand due to Brexit and the Protocol. In a very short time, we were able to launch the Ann’s Kitchen ready-to-cook chicken range. The range is available in the chilled aisle of Tesco stores, has been very well received with sales performing very well and a lot of repeat purchases, so people are happy with the quality. As a family, we wouldn’t sell anything we wouldn’t be happy to eat and that’s always been a guiding principle for us.

HOW IS TS FOODS COPING WITH THE HIKES IN RAW MATERIAL & ENERGY COSTS? I have been in the business 14 years now and remember we had huge inflation in some areas in 2012, but we’ve never seen anything like this. Our energy bill is more than double what it was this time last year. Our consumption has come down, because we’ve introduced a lot of efficiencies, but the increase in the price per unit is unprecedented. With raw materials, an 18-24% increase now seems to be the norm and that’s ok with maybe one commodity, but not when it’s across all the ingredients and packaging. Unfortunately, while we work to make cost-cuts and efficiencies where possible, it is unavoidable consumers are ultimately going to have to pay more for food. DOES THE BUSINESS HAVE ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR 2022? We’ve set up a team internally to focus on environmental issues. The bigger retailers are both supportive and demanding in their expectations from suppliers, and we can see it is going to become the new norm to set targets and milestones in the race to achieve Net Zero.

We’re at the design stage of modernising our website to bring to the fore the values and heritage of the company, and it should be ready for launch in early 2022. We also want to do some design work on the TS Foods’ stuffing brand in 2022 and have some product innovation in the pipeline for both foodservice and retail. I often say we’re only as good as the person least engaged in the business, so a happy and engaged workforce is key to the success of our business. We want to produce excellent products that our consumers will love, and we can only do that with the support of everyone in our team. We are a family business, which is very much part of the local community, and this is so important to us. David and I are very proud to have been given the opportunity to carry on the business established by our parents and are delighted to have been able to grow it with the support of our colleagues, new and old. We’ve more than doubled the size of the business in our tenure and feel there’s still more headroom to keep growing so we are looking forward to the challenge.

TS Foods Ltd, 40 Mary Street, Castlewellan, BT31 9DU, Co. Down. www.tsfoods.co.uk. Tel +442843778227

AWARDS SUCCESS FOR TS FOODS Recent accolades include: November 2021: Irish Quality Food Awards - gold for Aldi Specially Selected Cranberry, Apricot & Orange Stuffing and Smoked Bacon & Leek Stuffing. October 2021: Energia Family Business Awards - silver for Family Food & Drink Producer of the Year October 2021: Great Taste - four TS Foods products awarded one star (Savoury Breadcrumb Stuffing, Premium Sage & Onion Stuffing, Premium Smoked Bacon & Leek Stuffing and Aldi Specially Selected Cranberry, Apricot & Orange Stuffing) October 2021: Blas na hÉireann gold for Tesco Finest Cranberry, Apricot & Clementine October 2020: CIPD NI SME of the Year 57

PROFILE

BRINGING REAL MAGIC TO THE

soft drinks category

PROFILE : COCA-COLA HBC

COCA COLA HBC IS BRINGING INNOVATION, EXCITEMENT & A MAJOR SUSTAINABILITY DRIVE TO THE SOFT DRINKS CATEGORY, SALES DIRECTOR SIMON FITZPATRICK TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

HOW HAS 2021 BEEN FOR COCACOLA HBC? Despite the challenging external environment brought about by the pandemic, 2021 has been a very successful year for Coca Cola HBC in partnership with our retailers and customers. The soft drinks market in Northern Ireland continues to grow strongly, by 14% this year. The value of the market is now in excess of £270m, and that’s before we entered the busy Christmas period. We’re very blessed and humbled to be the number one soft drink manufacturer, with 38% market share, and are seeing phenomenal growth. We’re market leaders in sparkling soft drinks/carbonates with 68% share, led by our brands Coca Cola Classic, Diet Coke and Coca Cola Zero Sugar. Coca Cola Zero Sugar is growing phenomenally well, by 16%, and is now the number two sparkling soft drink brand. We’ve taken a strong leadership approach in providing healthy options and our low- and zero-calorie portfolio now comprises 61% of our overall carbonate volume. Our well-established water brand, Deep RiverRock, remains the number one brand in bottled water in Northern Ireland with value growth of 24%. And the energy category has been one of the fastest-growing soft drinks categories, largely down to the phenomenal success of Monster Energy. That brand has seen growth of 49% versus 2020 and, again, to ensure we are providing leadership and choice, we continue to focus on low- and zero-sugar variants with Monster Ultra White the best-selling variant in the Monster Energy range. 58

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES & AMBITIONS FOR COCA-COLA HBC & THE WIDER SOFT DRINKS CATEGORY IN 2022? With continued uncertainty over the pandemic, it is challenging to be definitive about what 2022 will bring. But we do know, based on our 2020 and 2021 performances, that we’re well positioned to continue to operate in a successful manner with a well-rounded, targeted plan to help our customers realise their ambitions for growth in 2022. We see growth and prosperity, but to do that is going to require innovation in our portfolio. It’s going to require us to introduce new and exciting ways of speaking to, and selling to, our customers and consumers. It’s going to require us to work closer, and more strategically, with our customers than ever before to ensure we can navigate this period of uncertainty together. In 2021, the trade and the market experienced huge growth because a large majority of people decided to stay at home, socialise at home, eat at home and work from home. We’re clear now about how to work with those embedded trends and ensure our customers can maximise the opportunities they present. From a marketing perspective, we’re going to continue to work with our brand partners to bring innovation, fantastic assets, and campaigns to excite retailers. With the FIFA World Cup 2022, we’re going to have a number of strong retailer campaigns and innovative products to excite shoppers and generate revenue for our customers. DOES COCA-COLA HBC HAVE PLANS FOR FURTHER INNOVATION? Innovation has been one of the critical success factors over the last two years, and we don’t see that being any different

in the future. If you look at our portfolio over the last 10 to 15 years, it has evolved significantly. Innovation is the lifeblood of our growth and I think it’s fair to say, in a humble way, we’ve got an unbridled record of bringing new and exciting innovations to the market. It has helped the market and category grow, and helped the trade engage with a whole new generation of consumers. The name of our company is Coca Cola HBC, but we’re much more than the Coca Cola brand and have a very clear vision to become a leading 24-7 beverage partner providing an offering for every occasion around the clock. In recent years, we have accelerated the pace of innovation to diversify and evolve our portfolio, largely in response to changing consumer lifestyles, needs and wants. Our core portfolio includes Coca Cola, Coca Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Appletiser and Schweppes, and then we have the locally owned brands Deep RiverRock and Fruice. In 2020, we entered a new category with Costa Coffee. We saw there was huge growth potential in ready-to-drink coffee by looking at other markets in Europe and the US and are confident we’ll be in an optimum position to capture that changing lifestyle trend in Northern Ireland. We’re expanding our portfolio beyond

PROFILE core still and sparkling soft drinks and revitalised the Deep RiverRock brand in July 2021, introducing a new Immune System range designed to respond to more health-conscious consumer needs. Since launching that brand, we have seen just under 50% value growth, and the flavoured water segment is now the fastest growing within the water category. What we’ve learned with Covid is it’s changed how we interact with our customers. We also have to evolve, and not just our portfolio or into new categories. It’s also important we digitise our response to engaging with customers and consumers to reflect and embrace market changes and new consumer behaviours. We work with our customers to provide marketing support and activation in-store, but we also leverage data insights, technology and ecommerce to best support our retailers and help them respond to shopper needs. On the island of Ireland, we have the highest incidence rate globally of consumers ordering our soft drinks when they go online to order food from a foodservice aggregator because of the work we’ve done with some of the aggregators. Data insights, as well as an evolving brand and product portfolio, are the future and we’ve big plans in place to harness what we do with our customers to get joint value creation. WHAT PROGRESS HAS COCACOLA HBC MADE IN TERMS OF ITS SUSTAINABILITY DRIVE & ARE PLANS IN PLACE FOR FURTHER INITIATIVES? It’s very apparent there’s a growing global debate around plastic and its impact on the environment, and we’re proud to say we’ve accelerated our sustainable packaging strategy over the last three or four years and taken a leadership role in creating a true circular economy for plastic. All the bottles and cans sold by Coca Cola HBC are 100% recyclable, and we’re on a journey to integrate more recycled materials into our packaging. More than 48% of our plastic portfolio now consists of recycled PET, eliminating almost 5,000 tonnes of virgin PET annually from our supply chain. Back in 2019, we introduced the first recycled bottle range for our Deep RiverRock brand and, since then, we’ve also reduced overall plastic. The amount of plastic used in manufacturing bottles has been reduced

by 10%, through the light weighting of packs and the introduction of smaller closures. In research we’ve done, our consumers acknowledge we’re the number one brand making strides in sustainability, but we shouldn’t and won’t be complacent. We’ve made a further commitment to move all our outer packaging to 100% recycled plastic as well and have improved the sustainability of secondary packaging in the rest of our portfolio. Last year we replaced the shrink wrap plastic around multi-pack cans with innovative cardboard technology, KeelClip, where you physically see the cans and lift them through cardboard at the top rather than having the product fully sleeved with plastic. In April of 2021, we followed that innovation with Qflex, a cardboard solution for larger multipack cans.

In total, those two solutions have eliminated 600 tonnes of shrink wrap plastic, and we have an ambition to collect and recycle every bottle and can sold by 2030. We’re strong supporters of the introduction of a bottle deposit scheme, and our ultimate goal is to be able to close the loop for packaging on the island of Ireland. In 2021, our group set out a commitment to achieve a net zero carbon position across our entire value chain by 2040. Locally, we will announce more detail on how we’re going to contribute to that ambition early in 2022. Our Mission 2025 sustainability strategy has six focus areas: reducing emissions; water use and stewardship; packaging; ingredient sourcing; nutrition; and our

people and communities. We’ve got a cross-functional dedicated team in place and have already, for example, reduced water usage by 11%, energy usage by 19% and carbon emissions per litre of beverage by 47% since 2010. 100% of electricity used at our Knockmore Hill facility in Lisburn is sourced from a clean and renewable source, so we’re building on a strong base as well as having a strong strategy ahead. HAS COCA COLA HBC BEEN ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE RETAIL SECTOR & ITS LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC? It’s important for Coca Cola HBC to support GroceryAid, and I’m also personally invested in the charity as a Northern Ireland committee member. It’s been a difficult last couple of years and the grocery sector has not been immune from the upheaval and uncertainty. Many have fallen on hard times and need our support. Groceryaid is an industry charity supporting those working, or who have worked, in the grocery industry regardless of their length of service and it offers a wide range of support services, practical and financial but also helping people deal with stress, anxiety and depression. Counselling is available, and it operates a confidential helpline 24-7, 365 days a year. As a business, Coca Cola HBC is a significant employer and contributor to the Northern Ireland economy and feels a responsibility to give back to the community it serves. As part of the pandemic relief effort, we donated over one million drinks to frontline healthcare staff and funded over 100,000 meals for food banks and charities across the island of Ireland. We leveraged our supply chain, providing 10,000 bottles for use as hand sanitiser dispensers for care homes. This Christmas, we partnered with FareShare again to support those in need with meals at this difficult time of the year. We have a strong focus on young people disproportionately impacted by the effects of the pandemic and are currently reshaping our youth development programmes to provide meaningful support to young people either restarting their careers or playing a proactive role in creating a better future for them and our communities. It’s both a personal and professional privilege to be able to serve and give back. 59

ADVERTORIAL

Roll on into 2022 with O’Reilly’s COMPANY : O’REILLY’S

ust like most other wholesale distributor companies of fast-moving consumer goods on this island, O’Reilly’s Wholesale has fought through a difficult year and continues to survive and thrive, improving on market retention and competitiveness in a very different trading world to that of two years ago. Growth has been exceptional, and the last year has been particularly good due to new products being sourced by their trading team and exceptional demand for the retailer with basket item numbers having increased significantly. O’Reilly’s enter into 2022 with a renewed energy lead by a strong senior management team, trading and sales teams, determined to grow not only their own business but that of all their customers in their wide and varied marketplace, both nationally and internationally. Derek O’Reilly commented: “The world doesn’t stay still, even through lockdowns, circuit breakers and many kinds of restrictions. Our customers still require our services, their consumers 60

“IF THERE’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT OUT THERE THAT OUR SALES TEAM KNOW WE CAN SELL, THAT OUR CUSTOMER WILL GET GREAT MARGIN ON, THEN THE TRADING GUYS HERE ARE IN FIRST TO FIFTH GEAR IN ALL OF 60 SECONDS!” still require a full portfolio of products to purchase and at prices that we can heavily negotiate to give them the best options on pack size and price, as we have continued to do for the last 60 years.” O’Reilly’s have invested heavily in a number of new additions to their fleet. Their new lorries have been liveried with brands that everyone recognises and consume – soft drinks, cereals, confectionary so look out for these big beasts, you’re sure to spot at least one a

day out on their delivery routes! Within the O’Reilly’s branding portfolio, O’Reilly’s Wholesale, O’Reilly’s Distribution (their ROI company) and their newest addition, Elzoor, all work in tandem. This gives them an upper hand to deliver far and wide. Their newest brand Elzoor, with its strap line, you click we pick, will indicate that it is an online ordering service that is used worldwide and therefore any product that they hold amongst their 5,000 different lines can be ordered and shipped in full cases to anywhere in the world. Derek commented: “This service was quickly developed as the pandemic kicked off. It was out of necessity really as consumers wanted access to bulk items but didn’t want to have to go to the big multinationals for them. Having the items delivered straight to their door was their preference and we were able, very quickly to facilitate that.” The trading team and sales team work in tandem to bring in and sell out many new products not available elsewhere. Just recently, their new range of American candy, drinks and grocery products have arrived and are flying out the door and on to their customers shelves. Ian Russell, sales manager for O’Reilly’s Wholesale, said: “If there’s something different out there that our sales team know we can sell, that our customer will get great margin on, then the trading guys here are in first to fifth gear in all of 60 seconds! The newest range of American products are in big demand and having brought them in recently, our customers are giving great feedback on the demand for them.” The trading team keep sourcing, the sales team keep selling and the delivery team keep delivering in the new big beast lorries. It’s a win-win situation all round. Roll on into 2022 with us here at O’Reilly’s – you’ll be glad you did!

ADVERTORIAL

Winging its way into consumer hearts, minds & shopping baskets COMPANY : REDBULL

vailable in over 170 countries worldwide, with more than 7.8 billion cans of Red Bull consumed last year, its expanding range of editions and beyond-the-ordinary marketing strategy see Red Bull continue to wing its way into Irish consumers’ hearts, minds and shopping baskets. Founded in 1987, Red Bull established the energy drinks product category, promising to vitalise body and mind. It is appreciated worldwide by top athletes, students and in highly demanding professions, as well as during long drives. Red Bull Sugar Free serves the no sugar category trend in Northern Ireland, whilst the colourful editions including Tropical, Red (Watermelon), Green (Cactus Fruit) and Coconut Berry provide wings for every taste.

Giving wings to people and ideas, Red Bull is official energy drinks partner to Connacht Rugby and the Irish Women’s Hockey Team, also supporting Irish athletes hockey goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, surfer Conor Maguire, downhill mountain bike athlete Greg Callaghan and drifter Conor Shanahan. Celebrating tomorrow’s thought leaders, Red Bull Basement is a global 62

initiative which invites students to submit their innovative ideas aimed at making tomorrow’s world a better place. The top team from each of the 44 participating countries including the island of Ireland travels to the global final to present their idea, collaborate and innovate with visionaries, entrepreneurs and thought leaders of today. The programme runs from September to December every second year. Renowned for its breath-taking events, Red Bull hosted two global sporting events across the island of Ireland in 2021. Lighting up the Titanic Quarter, Belfast in November 2021 with global motorsports spectacle Red Bull Car Park Drift, 5,000 spectators attended the custom-built drifting track across two days of competitive action featuring speed, smoke and screeching tyres! Red Bull Athlete Conor Shanahan

hosted the action, opening the event and stunning the crowd in his impressive Red Bull livery Toyota GT86, while Tyrone man Kevin Quinn took the title and booked his place at the 2022 Red Bull Car Park Drift World Final. The fourth of the six stop 2021 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series was hosted in September 2021 at the historic and picturesque location of Downpatrick Head, Mayo. 24 of the world’s best cliff divers faced possibly their toughest test yet as they leaped, twisted and somersaulted from heights of up to 27m and at speeds in excess of 85km/h, off the rugged cliffs and into the wild Atlantic below.

Visit www.redbull.ie for more inspiring content and follow @ RedBullIre on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest action and events.

My Life in the Grocery Trade supplies for manufacturing are available for a two-week period in advance. I meet with my staff to discuss any issues they may have concerns with, as well as difficulties with production. Most days, I would either be on the road servicing existing clients or chasing up new opportunities.

HANI MUHTADI, OWNER, BALADI FOODS WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE? I own and run a Middle Eastern Food manufacturing facility, Baladi Foods. Having been in engineering throughout my working life, I am learning very quickly how great comradeship exists in the grocery trade, and the amount of hard work and sacrifice this industry requires of people behind the scenes. BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY TO DATE I started work as an air-conditioning salesman, then slowly worked my way up the ladder into a managerial position within the largest privately-owned manufacturing group in the Middle East. When I came to live in Northern Ireland, I joined Caterpillar to look after the UK market. I also obtained Project Management certification and ran a multi-site/country project for the Power Generation sector of Caterpillar.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Working with a product that has a limited shelf life and could potentially have an adverse effect on consumers has got to top all the various challenges I have ever faced, including being in war zone.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? My role involves the day-to-day running of the business, marketing and growing Baladi Foods.

WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? The best part of the job is seeing the company grow, creating employment and seeing the reaction of the end consumer to the product. The worst part of job that I hate doing is chasing clients for payments.

WHEN DID YOU TAKE UP THIS POST? I started the company almost three years ago.

BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY A typical day is getting into the production facilities, ensuring that all

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL RETAIL INDUSTRY? The support from local traders for locally manufactured products is such an amazing experience compared to the cutthroat industries I have been involved in. I love the immediate feedback I get from consumers and the pleasure they experience when they taste my product. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? The honest truth is I am still trying to learn how to unwind after I go home in the evening. On a very bad day that I urgently need to get away from work, I go and see my grandchildren and have fun with them.

AGRI-FOOD NEWS

NEXT GEN FARMERS GAIN INSIGHT INTO ASDA OPERATIONS

group of NI’s top farming talent, and future industry leaders, recently gained a behind-the-scenes insight into the workings of Asda’s local operation. Eighteen representatives from the UFU’s Next Generation Forum visited Asda in Portadown to better understand the complexities and challenges faced by the leading supermarket, which has 17 stores and a distribution centre in NI. “As a business which has always prioritised its commitment to the local agri-food sector, we were delighted to welcome this group of highly informed ‘next gen’ farmers to our store,” said George Rankin, senior director for Asda NI. “Their interest was obvious, not just from a farming perspective, but in terms of our entire operation, including how we approach sustainability and minimise our environmental impact. “Central to our discussion was the supply chain and how it works on a day-to-day basis to ensure we deliver for our customers, within their budgets, on a 24/7 basis. It is vital that we ensure this two-way communication channel remains open, so we are all better informed.” James McCluggage, policy manager, UFU said: “This

A team of farmers from UFU’s Next Generation Forum visit Asda Portadown with hosts George Rankin, senior director for Asda NI, and Joe McDonald, Asda corporate affairs manager for NI.

was a highly informative and interesting tour that I would encourage all UFU members to try and do. “It provided a fascinating insight in how a supermarket works - such a slick just in time operation. It was also particularly useful to see how Asda is ever changing to drive efficiencies whilst meeting new customer demands and buying habits, and also working towards being more environmentally sustainable. “As a group we were particularly pleased to see Asda’s support for local agri-food companies and its genuine commitment to buy and source local.”

NI CARBON INTENSITY INDICATORS REFLECT DAIRY SECTOR PROGRESS

rogress made by the local dairy sector to reduce carbon emissions is highlighted in the latest carbon intensity indicators published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). “UFU continues to demonstrate how farmers are part of the climate change solution and these findings support that message,” said Mervyn Gordon, dairy chairman, UFU, speaking at the Royal Ulster Winter Fair last month. “With two climate change bills currently going through the NI Assembly, including Claire Bailey’s Private Members Bill (PMB) which would be detrimental to the agri-food industry if it becomes law, the publication has come at a critical time. “At the Winter Fair, we highlighted

that farming practices are gradually changing to combat climate change. The NI dairy industry has reduced its carbon intensity since 1990 and supporting local dairy production that has been successful in continuing to lower its carbon footprint is more logical than importing from other countries with a higher carbon footprint. “The latest indicators also illustrate the sustainability of the NI dairy industry. Through hard work, we’ve achieved an overall reduction of 35.7% in greenhouse gas emissions.” Meanwhile, UFU has urged dairy processors to end the practice of paying producers retrospectively for milk, calling for NI to be brought into line with best practice elsewhere in the UK.

NEW HOUSING MEASURES INTRODUCED AFTER BIRD FLU CASES

lster Farmers’ Union has urged its members to follow housing measures introduced as part of an Avian Influenza (AI) Prevention Zone aimed at safeguarding the poultry industry in Northern Ireland. “All flocks, including commercial and backyard birds, must be housed,” said William Irvine, deputy president, UFU. “Failure to do so may result in enforced action being taken. I also urge all poultry keepers to review their biosecurity measures and business continuity plans immediately to protect their own flock.” To subscribe to DAERA’s text alert service, text BIRDS to 67300. DAERA have also developed a biosecurity selfassessment tool on their website, daerani.gov.uk, to assist all bird keepers in complying with the new rules. 65

MARKETING NEWS

PUP-ARAZZI OUT IN FORCE AS JUNO OPENS JOLLYES’ NEWTOWNABBEY STORE

et retailer of the year* Jollyes unveiled its new store in Newtownabbey last month, with the site laying claim as the first retail store in Northern Ireland to be officially opened by a dog. Juno was joined by his dad Noel Conlon from Jollyes’ supplier Frozzys and his regular pet-sitter, Game of Thrones and Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney. Customers attending the opening day were able to get their picture taken with their own pets wearing Christmas jumpers at a mirror photo booth and 100 customers received a Jollyes goody bag. Jollyes’ new Newtownabbey store is the third in Northern Ireland to feature a Pamper & Groom Spa, and replaces Jollyes at Glengormley with a larger site, creating five new jobs. Jollyes has announced plans to invest

£325,000 in Northern Ireland to open new stores and support key suppliers across the island of Ireland. A further new store is set to open in Cookstown this year. It already has 12 stores in Northern Ireland, making it the country’s leading pet retailer, and is proud to have a

strong Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland supply base for its 70 stores across the UK. Key suppliers Mackle Petfoods from Co Armagh and Belfast-based Frozzys had special displays at the opening event. According to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA), 3.2 million households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, with cat and dog ownership alone reaching 12 million of each. According to a PFMA report, almost a third of households in Northern Ireland own a dog - higher than anywhere else in the UK, while 12% of local households own a cat. *Jollyes was recently named Pet Retail Chain of the Year at the Pet Industry Federation Awards.

PEAS PLEASE CAMPAIGN BUTTERKIST COLLABORATES WITH BOOSTS VEG UPTAKE IN UK SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

he Peas Please campaign is reporting a huge increase in the number of vegetable portions the award-winning initiative has delivered into the UK food system. Since its inception four years ago, an additional 636 million portions of veg have been sold or served by major food companies across the UK, a 300% increase on last year. The Food Foundation, in partnership with Food Sense Wales, Nourish Scotland, Belfast Food Network and Food NI, has delivered the Peas Please initiative across the UK. Over the past year, 21 pledging businesses refreshed and updated their original pledges, with many committing to SMART targets and transparent reporting of sales of vegetables within their businesses. “It is great to see over 100 major food businesses committed to increasing veg consumption to support better health for millions of people,” said Anna Taylor, executive director, The Food Foundation. “Transparent and regular reporting against targets is vital if we are to turn the tide on our current dietary crisis and see future generations face a better and healthier future with everyone having access to an affordable and sustainable diet.” 66

Snacks has launched a new on-pack promotion for Butterkist, celebrating the release of the new Sony Pictures film, Spider-Man: No Way Home. The promotional packs feature eye-catching images of Spider-Man and offer shoppers the opportunity to win exciting prizes with purchases of Butterkist popcorn, the UK’s number one popcorn brand*. Butterkist popcorn buyers have the chance to win one of five Sony tech bundles, which each include a Sony Bravia 65” smart TV, a Sony All-One Sound Bar, and Sony headphones. Butterkist’s campaign offers shoppers the opportunity to add excitement to their evenings by creating shared entertainment moments and a tasty and delicious treat. “The new Butterkist promotion aims to capitalise on the growth of popcorn sharing occasions (+21%**),” said Kevin McNair, marketing director at KP Snacks. “The promotion is perfectly positioned to disrupt shoppers, broaden Butterkist’s appeal and bring new shoppers to the category. “Driving category penetration by focusing on the fun and excitement of a big theatrical release, a well-loved character and the opportunity to win big prizes, the campaign creates a valuable opportunity for retailers to drive growth in popcorn.” * Nielsen Scantrack 09.10.21 **Kantar 2020

BUSINESS NEWS

2022 IDENTIFIED AS A YEAR OF GROWTH FOR BUSINESS

ntrepreneurs in the UK are predicting strong business growth of 37% for 20221, with new research from Barclays Eagle Labs highlighting support with potential to unlock further growth for early-stage businesses. Barclays Eagle Labs, a growing network of business hubs across the UK, found the optimism shared among Northern Irish businesses owners, with 47% of businesses in Northern Ireland anticipating an increase in turnover in the next year, while 57% of businesses here anticipate hiring more staff. The predicted growth reflects a continued trend, as payments data indicates increased activity among small businesses, with transactions to SMEs across the UK having risen by 38% beyond pre-pandemic levels2. And, despite the challenges of the past two years, business owners in Northern Ireland have proven resilient, as 65% of

Oliver and Karen McDonald, co-founders of Farm Compare, which has benefitted as a member of the Barclays Eagle Labs network.

founders would still recommend starting a business to others. However, business founders also pointed to the additional support they need to unlock their potential, as 43% of Northern Irish business owners responded that access to mentor and investor advice would help to grow their business, 51% would like help in accessing networks and 43% would benefit from access to growth programmes such as business accelerators. Farm Compare joined the Belfast Eagle

FOOD & DRINK LEADERS RECOGNISED who have yet again demonstrated the AT IOD AWARDS resilience and strength of Northern

Dr Terry Cross OBE is presented with the award for Philanthropist of the Year by Gordon Milligan, IoD NI chairman.

usiness leaders representing Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector have been recognised at the 2021 Institute of Directors Northern Ireland (IoD NI) Director of the Year Awards. Dr Terry Cross OBE of Hinch Distillery won the award for Philanthropist of the Year, while Ursula Lavery of Moy Park was presented with the International Director of the Year Award. Winners of the prestigious awards were announced during a ceremony at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast. “I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate all of our 2021 winners, 68

Ireland’s business community across a breadth of industries and sectors, despite what has been a most challenging time for business,” said Gordon Milligan, IoD NI chairman. Seamus McGuickin, head of business banking at event sponsor AIB NI, said: “We would like to congratulate each of this year’s winners on their truly admirable accomplishments. It is of upmost importance that the achievements of Northern Ireland’s business community are celebrated, and we are delighted that the IoD Director of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to do just that.”

Ursula Lavery, winner of IoD NI International Director of the Year, is pictured with Steve Harper, executive director of International Business at award sponsor Invest NI.

Lab at Ormeau Baths in January 2020. “Eagle Labs have not only supported our growth plans through our participation on the AgriTech accelerator programme, but as a firsttime founder, it has driven significant personal development as well, through the Female Founders network and the mentoring sessions,” said Karen McDonald, co-founder of Farm Compare. 1Survey of 538 founders and decision-makers of businesses up to five years old, conducted by Opinium between August 25 and September 7 2021. 51 business polled in Northern Ireland. 37% is an average figure across all surveyed. 2 2019 and 2021 percentage increase of transactions accepted by SMEs in the UK, processed by Barclaycard Payments between 1 August 2021 and 31 October 2021.

UPGRADE OF KEY TRADING ROUTE WOULD BENEFIT NI

ogistics UK has welcomed infrastructure improvements proposed by the UK government in its recently published Union Connectivity Review, including the A75 in Scotland which serves as a key trading route with Northern Ireland. “With effective and efficient transport connectivity between the nations vital to support trade and the UK economy, Logistics UK welcomes the infrastructure improvements recommended in the Review, including UKNET, a strategic transport network that would span the UK, and the A75 upgrade,” said Elizabeth de Jong, director of policy at Logistics UK. “The A75 in Scotland is a key trading route linking Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but the road has been in need of investment for many years. “Logistics UK will now be examining the implications of the Union Connectivity Review recommendations in more depth and working with UK government, devolved administrations, and members to ensure the best outcomes for the logistics industry.”

APPOINTMENTS

AGRIFOOD ‘THOUGHT LEADER’ APPOINTED JTI APPOINTS QUEEN’S PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE MARK r John Gilliland has been appointed McGUINNESS AS an honorary Professor of Practice within the Institute for Global UK MARKETING Food Security (IGFS) and the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University DIRECTOR Belfast.

As a former president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Dr Gilliland is a wellknown figure in the UK and Irish food and farming industries, as a leading businessman, policy advocate, farmer and scientist. Dr Gilliland is currently director of Agriculture & Sustainability at Devenish Nutrition. He chaired the Sustainable Agriculture Land Management Strategy Northern Ireland (on behalf of DAERA) and has held many other appointments including director of the Oxford Farming Conference, chair of the UK’s Rural Climate Change Forum and an Expert Industry Advisor (agriculture) on the EU Commission’s Soil Health & Food Mission Board Assembly. Dr Gilliland already participates in a number of agricultural research projects at Queen’s, often in partnership with the Agrifood and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), under the Queen’s-AFBI Alliance. He currently chairs the DAERA

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FIRM EXPANDS INTO NI WITH PROTOCOL ADVICE

James O’Neill and Holly Tonge, company cofounders, and Patrick Stratford, who will lead the team in Northern Ireland.

Professor Geoff McMullan, head of the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University; Dr John Gilliland, Devenish Nutrition; Professor Nigel Scollan, director of the Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University.

EIP Innovation project, ARC Zero, accelerating seven NI farms towards net carbon zero. He is also involved in the Food Futures research project, focused on developing metrics of sustainability for agrifood systems in NI. “John’s wealth of business acumen, entrepreneurial skills, policy development and agrifood experience will bring an extra dimension to the sustainability agenda at Queen’s, both in mentoring the next generation of agrifood professionals and partnering in our research programmes,” said Professor Nigel Scollan, IGFS director.

anchester-based Avocet Clearance has expanded its services to Northern Ireland, responding to rising demand for specialised knowledge and experience in the region, particularly surrounding new customs declaration requirements.

Holly Tonge and James O’Neill, both customs consultants by trade, founded Avocet Clearance when they identified a gap in the market for customs brokerage amid Brexit discussions. The company has experienced a high uptake for its services since the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, growing from two members of staff to over 20 in less than 12 months. Having established a city centre office in Belfast, Avocet Clearance has appointed Patrick Stratford to lead the team in Northern Ireland. Stratford has worked with a number of local companies and has extensive knowledge of Northern Ireland trading procedures with the UK, EU and the rest of the world. “I was delighted to join the team and lead the operations in Belfast,” he said. “It has been highly rewarding taking the

obacco manufacturer JTI (Japan Tobacco International) has appointed Mark McGuinness as UK marketing director. Having joined JTI South Africa in 2005 as HoReCa Manager, McGuinness has held various positions of increasing responsibility, becoming marketing director for South Africa in 2008. By 2015, his role expanded to lead marketing for the South, East and Central African markets and he has since held numerous, international positions within JTI. Bringing a wealth of experience to his new position, he will be responsible for leading the overall strategy and implementation of marketing plans across the UK, including the overall Brand Portfolio Management across Conventional Tobacco Products as well as Reduced Risk Products, Digital advancement and Trade and Consumer Activation platforms. Mark McGuinness

stress away from traders, who no longer need to worry about outstanding TSS declarations, or who were looking for alternative solutions to move goods into, out of or through Northern Ireland. We have also helped many importers save significant amounts of duty. “Of course, as a company, that’s not all we offer support with. We are often arranging transport and origin or destination clearance for them as well, for a complete end-to-end solution through our network of partners, especially across Europe.” 69

SHELFLIFE

To see your product featured in Shelf Life, contact Judith Martin at j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk or Tel: 07765 183176

BUSHMILLS UNVEILS NEW BOTTLE PLANT-BASED & PACKAGING FOR SINGLE MALTS CLEANING BRAND

ushmills Irish Whiskey has unveiled a new bottle and pack for its iconic single malts, including its 10, 16, and 21 Year Old releases, available now across the island of Ireland. In an era of unprecedented global growth for the premium single malt category, the new pack is aimed at providing a distinctive platform to showcase Bushmills’ single malts and underline its pre-eminence as the original single malt Irish whiskey from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The new bottle, designed by New York agency Stranger and Stranger, is broadshouldered and angular, taking inspiration from the Giant’s Causeway, integrating subtle features such as its hexagonal punt mirroring the Causeway stones. Vibrant colours across the range bring a contemporary elegance while discrete embossing on the side panels honours Bushmills’ 1608 heritage and iconic pot still. Quality crafted parchment labels are complemented by varnished wooden cork

HULA HOOPS UNVEILS BOLD NEW PACKAGING UPDATE

P Snacks is refreshing its iconic Hula Hoops brand with the roll-out of new, modernised packaging across the entire range after the brand hit a sales milestone of £150m last year. Rolling out from December, the new Hula Hoops packaging features vibrant colours, sharp graphics and bold patterns, enhancing the brand’s appeal to a wider audience. The eye-catching design and colours aim to engage and disrupt shoppers, hinting at bold and tasty flavours that can be found within each pack. The packaging refresh will build on Hula Hoops’ iconic look by bringing the entire range under a master-brand design, clearly communicating its sub-ranges and 70

WINS AWARD IN INFANT CARE CATEGORY

P closures for the 10 and 16 Year Old while a bold matt black zamac cap sets off the gunmetal label and gold features of the iconic 21 Year Old. “I am proud to put my signature to our new single malt bottles,” said Colum Egan, master distiller, Bushmills. “The result of thorough reflection and considerable work by our marketing and Old Bushmills Distillery innovation teams, the new packaging certainly provides a stage for our single malts befitting of Bushmills’ status as the pioneer of Irish single malts and worthy of our generations of master whiskey makers.” making it easier for consumers to navigate in store. “Hula Hoops is an iconic brand and continues to be a dominant player in the CSN category, having recently surpassed the £150m RSV milestone,” said John McDougall, brand manager at KP Snacks. “We are delighted to be reinvigorating the brand with an exciting packaging update across the entire range to continue driving its strong position.” The Hula Hoops brand is now worth £151m MAT and growing +9.1% YTD[1]. With consumers buying into the brand with increasing frequency (+10.9%[2]), the packaging update re-establishes Hula Hoops as not just a familiar favourite but a modern brand. Hula Hoops continues to thrive as a leader in the CSN category with a market share of 4.5%[3]. [1] Nielsen Scantrack, 18.10.21 [2] Kantar World Panel, 18.10.21 [3] Nielsen Scantrack, 18.10.21

lant-based family cleaning brand Nimble’s innovative Nappy Lover detergent has won The Grocer New Product Award 2021 in the Infant Care Category. Specifically designed for cleaning cloth nappies, the plant-based, unique powder detergent was celebrated for its ingenious formulation, using simple and natural ingredients which are kind against babies’ delicate skin. Following a successful year for the brand, expanding within major supermarkets including 378 Sainsbury’s stores and 506 Tesco stores, the team was thrilled to see its products recognised within The Grocer’s highly competitive, respected New Product Awards. Receiving praise for the Vegan Society-registered, plant-based formula, the judges were particularly impressed with the ethos behind Nappy Lover and how the simple, natural ingredients performed, even when used at lower temperatures. Its powder formulation, made entirely in the UK, is free from skinirritating allergens, enzymes, optical brighteners and dyes, as well as being vegan friendly and cruelty free. “When we took to developing Nappy Lover, I really wanted to create a product parents could rely on; as so many families move towards living more sustainably, we knew that making the transition to cloth nappies easy would play a huge role in that,” said Von Sy, founder of Nimble.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

ALLEGRO SALES & MARKETING Innovation Factory Springfield Road Belfast BT12 7DG T: 028 9068 3040 W: www.allegro.ie PERSONNEL: Market Manager: David McCullough Purchasing/Logistics: Andrew Duff Commercial Assistant: Robyn Beattie Account Manager Nivea: Sinead Ryan Mob: 07810 791256 Territory Manager: Padraig Martin (NI) Mob: 07736 213066 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Sales, Marketing and Distribution

AGENT&COMPANYINDEX  RETAILERGUIDE 

MAIN BRANDS: Nivea Nivea Men Elastoplast Atrixo Weetabix Weetos Alpen Oatibix McKinneys Sugar Pink Stuff Starbrands Superglo Firelighters Bassetts Vitamins Mac Potters Throaties Victory V Kiwi Glade Mr Muscle Oust Pledge Toilet Duck Raid Rescue Remedy Spatone Arnicare Teetha Lil Lets East Coast Bakehouse

SPECIALIST SUPPLIER TO THE FOOD INDUSTRY ANDREW INGREDIENTS LTD 27 Ferguson Drive Knockmore Hill Industrial Park Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 2EX T: 028 9267 2525 E: sales@andrewingredients.co.uk W: andrewingredients.co.uk TYPE OF BUSINESS: Leading food and bakery ingredients supplier. Test Bakery and Kitchen open to existing and potential customers for product development, problem solving, workshops and demonstrations. PRODUCTS: Bakery ingredients, flour, bread, cake and confectionery mixes, gluten free mixes, vegan range, reduced sugar cake mixes, icings, dried fruit, savoury and sweet sauces, colours and flavours, baking powders, raising agents, sugar, fats & oils, decorations, equipment, etc. MAIN BRANDS: Macphie IREKS Carr’s Flour Braun Sonneveld Cardowan Creameries Olenex Flemings Renshaw R&W Scott Südzucker Tom Chandley Culpitt Meneba Kudos Dobla Ingram Odense AB Mauri

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

ADVANCED PNEUMATIC TECHNOLOGY LTD 17 Balbriggan Business Park Balbriggan Co. Dublin T: +353 1 8413005 E: info@safelink.ie W: safelink.ie PERSONNEL: Sales Manager: John Hughes T: +35387 2284637 E: sales@safelink.ie TYPE OF BUSINESS: Cash Tube Systems and Safes. Safe-linK is an established system that is a must for every retailer. Not only does our cash tube system secure your cash directly into a locked safe but it also secures peace of mind.

O’BRIEN FINE FOODS BRADY FAMILY HAM Timahoe, Donadea Naas,Co.Kildare E: info@obrienfinefoods.ie W: www.bradyfamily.ie T: +353 (0)45 – 863650 PERSONNEL: Managing Director: John O’Brien Head of Sales: Adrian Whyte E: Adrian.Whyte@obrienfinefoods.ie T: +353 45 247 046 Ext: 1146 M: 087 8136022 TYPE OF BUSINESS: O’Brien Fine Foods, owners of the Brady Family & Green Farm brands, specialise in the production of both deli and pre-pack sliced cooked meats. The family-owned company produces award winning own label and branded ranges. Brady Family continues to prosper within the cooked meats category and is currently the number 1 brand in the premium segment in ROI. Brady Family has consistently improved its ranking in the Top 100 Grocery Brands in Ireland and is now in the top 28 grocery brands in the country. Brady Family is made from 100% Irish pork, using only one single pork joint, with no added water. Green Farm is a natural, healthy, and tasty cooked-meat choice that is currently the No.1 premium white meat brand in ROI, according to Kantar data. Green Farm’s 100% natural award-winning range contains both sliced and pieces products that are high in protein, contain essential vitamins, and are free from all artificial flavours and preservatives.

BROW PACKAGING 1 Prince Regent Road Castlereagh, Belfast BT5 6SA T: 028 9079 8171 F: 028 9040 1095 E: sales@browpack.com W: www.browpack.com W: www.browpharmapak.com PERSONNEL: Sales Office Contact: Jean Gillespie 028 9079 8171 TYPE OF BUSINESS: We are Manufacturers of flexible film products and bags, using modern machinery to supply many customers reliant on good service levels, from a certified plant, making products to each customers specification. We are also a Distributor of 3,000+ packaging lines and cleaning chemicals. We are Specialist Packaging Suppliers to the bakery, butchery, food to go, food manufacturers and industrial sectors. Please refer to www.browpack.com for a full list of products showing what we make and what we stock. Our manufacturing capabilities for flexible films and bags, made for food and other specialist sectors are examined in more detail on www. browpharmapak.com”. We have one of the biggest stock holdings in Ireland with a comprehensive showroom. A family business with 78 years of experience, supplying throughout Ireland and into Europe, we would be happy to help you!

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

CAVANAGH FREE RANGE EGGS LTD 58 Clonkee Road Cavanagh Newtownbutler Co. Fermanagh BT92 8FH Tel: 02867737889 Email: hello@cavanagheggs.co.uk Website: www.cavanagheggs.co.uk PERSONNEL: Joint Managing Directors: John & Eileen Hall TYPE OF BUSINESS: Produce, grade, pack and deliver multi-awardwinning British Lion free range eggs to the Retail and Foodservice sectors

COCA-COLA HBC NORTHERN IRELAND LIMITED Knockmore Hill 12 Lissue Road Lisburn BT28 2SZ T: 028 9262 0520 E: customer.service@cchellenic.com W: www.ie.coca-colahellenic.com Personnel: Managing Director: Miles Karemacher Sales Director: Simon Fitzpatrick Marketing Director: Andrea Whyte Type of Business: Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has been providing refreshment by producing and distributing soft drinks of the highest quality since 1939. As bottling partner to The Coca-Cola Company on the island, Coca-Cola HBC’s plant and largest operation is based in Knockmore Hill, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.

With a vision to become the leading 24/7 beverage partner, Coca-Cola HBC continues to diversify its offering, providing the drinks that its consumers and customers want, serving more occasions and channels around the clock. Its portfolio includes international soft drink brands Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes and Monster, and local brands Deep RiverRock and Fruice. Over the last two years, the company has also entered new categories. It has expanded its Premium Spirits offering with partnerships with Glendalough, The Campari Group and Edrington, and in 2020, the company began distributing Costa Coffee in a range of formats including roast and ground beans, pods, and ready-to-drink variants. Together with The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola HBC introduced Topo Chico Hard Seltzer to the Northern Ireland market in 2020, a sparkling water with alcohol and natural flavours. Coca-Cola HBC is firmly committed to sustainable operations and was awarded the world’s most sustainable beverage company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 5th time in 7 years in 2021.

Main brands: Sparkling Soft Drinks • Coca-Cola • Diet Coke • Coca-Cola Zero Sugar • Fanta • Sprite • Lilt • Dr Pepper Mixers • Schweppes • Schweppes Signature Collection Water, Juice & Tea • Deep RiverRock • Fruice • Oasis • Appletiser • Fuzetea Sports & Energy • Powerade • Monster • Monster Hydro • BPM • Reign RTD Coffee • Costa Coffee • Monster Espresso

Coffee at Home - Costa Signature Blend • Nespresso compatible • Dolce Gusto Compatible • Roast & Ground • Beans Premium Spirits • Aperol • Campari • Glendalough Gin • Glendalough Whiskey • Wild Turkey Bourbon • Espolón Tequila • Bulldog Dry Gin • Skyy Vodka • Grand Marnier • Appleton Estate rum • Cinzano Vermouth • Frangelico • Wray • Nephew Rum RTD Alcohol •Topo Chico Hard Seltzer

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

COOKSTOWN KARRO FOOD GROUP 70 Molesworth Road Cookstown Co. Tyrone BT80 8PJ T: 028 8676 3321 F: 028 8676 8524 W: www.karro.co.uk W: www.cookstownbrand.com PERSONNEL: Sales and Marketing: Trevor Mounstephen TYPE OF BUSINESS: Pork manufacturer of Cookstown branded products, Private Own Label, Food service & Commodity products. MAIN BRANDS: Carroll’s of Tullamore Cookstown McGee’s Butcher

AGENT&COMPANYINDEX RETAILERGUIDE

DALE FARM LTD 15 Dargan Road Belfast BT3 9LS T: 028 9037 2200 F: 028 9037 2211 E: info@dalefarm.co.uk W: www.dalefarm.com PERSONNEL: Group Commercial Director: Mark Boyle TYPE OF BUSINESS: Dairy manufacturer MAIN BRANDS: Dale Farm Dromona Mullin’s Ice Cream Spelga Rowan Glen

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

DCS Ltd AquaTwist 89a Moy Road, Tullygoonigan Industrial Estate, Armagh, Co. Armagh BT61 8DR PERSONNEL: Sales Director John Hamilton Mobile: 07802 965735 Email: john@dcsupplies.co.uk Sales & Marketing Director Gary Taylor Mobile: 07815 177018 Email: gary@aquatwist.com Business Administrator Stacey McKinstry Tel: 028 3752 6764 Email: admin@dcsupplies.co.uk

ELEVATOR 2 Pilot’s View 18 Heron Road Belfast BT3 9LE T: 028 9073 0899 E: info@elevatorpromotions.com W: www.elevatorpromotions.com Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

TYPE OF BUSINESS: We are Northern Ireland’s No. 1 promotional marketing agency, delivering creative, effective promotional campaigns for some of NI’s top grocery brands. ABOUT US: We connect brands with people using smart thinking, years of experience and an inquisitive mind. Our portfolio of tactics and skills include on-pack promotions, experiential campaigns, digital solutions, loyalty programmes and trade incentives. We create and deliver unique and effective promotional campaigns, and we do this with passion, creativity and commitment. Which is why some very big names choose us – and stay with us – including: Tayto, Boost Drinks, Dale Farm, Irwin’s, Mackle Petfoods, Coca-Cola HBC, Linwoods, Arthur Mallon Foods, Mash Direct, Henderson Wholesale, White’s Oats and Tennent’s NI.

AMERICAN CONFECTIONERY AND DRINKS

KESTREL FOODS LTD Unit 8 Carn Drive Carn Industrial Estate Portadown Tel: +44(0)28 38350934 Email: Enquiries@forestfeast.com Web: www.forestfeast.com Web: www.acti-snack.com COMMERCIAL TEAM Sales Director: Johnny Weir Marketing Director: Bronagh Clarke NAM, Supermarkets: Paul Rya NAM, Convenience: Barry Tyndall KEY BRANDS Forest Feast, ACTI-SNACK PRODUCTS Dried Fruit, Nuts, Savoury Snacks, Trail Mixes, Chocolate Coated Fruit & Nuts, Granola ABOUT US We are a team of active food enthusiasts who naturally love to be fuelled by great snacks! Since 1998 we’ve been exploring the globe making it our mission to find, craft and create the best snacks! Our aim is to create innovative snacks that are both delicious and nutritious. It’s in our DNA to be discovering & exploring so we know the value in energy boosting snacks to help you get the most out of life. We live and breathe by our ethos as the ‘original snack explorers’ and we have decades of collective experience working and travelling across the globe, bringing home the best ingredients and inspiration for new recipes and snacks. We do all this with a strong focus on ethical trading, an ongoing commitment to sustainable sourcing and a continued focus on giving back to the community. Our snacks are hand-crafted in our production facility in Portadown, making the most of our in-house roasting and flavouring capabilities. Innovative techniques and flavour combinations are combined to produce our award winning snacks. A brand new state of the art dedicated Gluten Free roasting facility will be open early 2021, providing a further capacity of 1500MT to fuel the growing demand for our ranges.

ESSENCE WATER

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

GREEN FIELD MARKETING Suite 309 River House 48-60 High St Belfast BT1 2BE T: 02890 770999 E: info@greenfieldmarketing.co.uk W: www.greenfieldmarketing.co.uk PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Russell Johnston russell.johnston@greenfieldmarketing.co.uk Operations Director: Martin Rice martin.rice@greenfieldmarketing.co.uk TYPE OF BUSINESS: Green Field Marketing are a Belfast based Field Marketing company, specialising in the FMCG industry. Through Outsourced Sales, Merchandising, Installations and Promotions, Green Field Marketing help brands grow to reach their full potential.

HENDERSON FOOD MACHINERY LIMITED Unit 4, Hillfarm 1 Cluntagh Road Crossgar Co. Down BT30 9ET T: 028 9099 4202 E: sales@hendersonfoodmachinery.com W: www.hendersonfoodmachinery.com TYPE OF BUSINESS: We work closely with quality suppliers of new and used machinery, when sourcing equipment on behalf of customers, we make sure a complete assessment is performed on all machines before dispatch. You will have peace of mind that when making your purchase from HFM you will receive quality equipment with the highest level of service. We are here to help, do not hesitate to get in touch, if you have any questions on any of the machines, we have on our website email or call us now on 02890 994 202 Global supplier of New and Used Food Processing and Packaging equipment Catering for all sectors including: • Contract Packers • Bakeries • Ready Meals • Seafood • Desserts • Meat Cutting Plants • Vegetable & Fruit Processors, Pet Food Companies and many more. DISTRIBUTOR FOR: • AK by Ramon • Apple Food Systems • Brokelmann Food Machinery • CRM Meat Slicing Equipment • Deighton Burger & Cookie Formers, Battering, Breading, Coating and Frying Equipment • Havantec Food Equipment • Hiwell Food Machinery • Lakidis • Metalbud Nowicki Bowl Cutters, Injectors, Vacuum Tumblers & Grinders • MPE Tray Sealing Machinery & Tooling • N&N Nadratowski Food Processing Equipment • Niro-tech • OK International Bag Sealer Systems • Porlanmaz Bakery Equipment • Rational Cooking Systems • GPS Reisacher • Robot coupe commercial catering equipment Rotech Sleevers & Printers • SIAT Box taping & end of line equipment • Thissen & Stecher Cooking & Cooling Vessels • Winyard Engineering Ltd

HENDERSON GROUP Hightown Avenue Mallusk Newtownabbey Co. Antrim BT36 4RT T: 028 9034 2733 E: info@henderson-group.com W: www.henderson-group.com PERSONNEL: Chairman and Joint Managing Directors: Martin Agnew & Geoffrey Agnew Chief Financial Officer: Ron Whitten Group Finance Director: Billy Moore Retail Director: (Henderson Retail Ltd.): Mark McCammond Group Logistics Director: Pat McGarry Trading Director: Alan Fitzsimmins Fresh Foods Director: Neal Kelly Group Property Director: Mark Adrain Human Resources Director: Sam Davidson Sales & Marketing Director: Paddy Doody Information Services Director: Danny Hutchinson Managing Director Henderson Foodservice Ltd: Cathal Geoghegan Retail Technology Operations Director, Henderson Technology Ltd: Darren Nickels Director of Customer Proposition, Henderson Retail Ltd.: Stephen Hamilton Head of Corporate Marketing: Bronagh Luke Head of Brand Marketing: Brenda Mulligan Channel Sales Managers: Stephen Gibson, Sarah Halliday Regional Sales Manager (Supermarkets): Paul Deans Regional Sales Managers: David Bennett, Jonathan Finlay, Donal Bryce, Justin Hayes, Robert Caughey, Connor McCann & Laura Johnston Head of Ambient Trading: Glen Howe Head of Fresh Trading: Nigel Dugan Head of Henderson Print: Alan Ritchie TYPE OF BUSINESS: Symbol Group Wholesaler for SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXtra and ViVO Essentials in NI. NUMBER OF STORES: HENDERSON WHOLESALE LTD SERVICE 494 STORES ACROSS THE FIVE BRANDS.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

HOVIS BAKERIES® IRELAND Apollo Road Belfast BT12 6LP T: 08707 288 888 (office hours) F: 028 9038 8558 W: www.hovis.co.uk W: www.ormobakery.co.uk

IMPERIAL TOBACCO UK&I 121, Winterstoke Road, Bristol BS3 2LL Telephone: 0117 963 6636 Website: www.imperial-trade.co.uk Twitter: twitter.com/ImpTobUK

PERSONNEL: Commercial Director (Ireland): Trevor McCrum

PERSONNEL: General Manager UK & Ireland: Ales Struminsky

Business Unit Controller: Ben Daggett

Area Business Manager, Northern Ireland: David Atkinson

Business Unit Manager: Billy Thompson

Head of UK & Ireland Corporate & Legal Affairs: Duncan Cunningham

Key Account Manager: Chris Hyland Brand Manager: Candida Brown Category Insights Manager: Barry Spence NPD Manager: Keith Fulton TYPE OF BUSINESS: Hovis Bakeries® Ireland bakes and distributes quality, bakery brands including Hovis®, Nimble, ORMO® and Mothers’s Pride®. The company also bakes retailer branded and Food Service breads and Morning Goods for customers in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. MAIN BRANDS: Hovis® Ormo® Mothers Pride® Nimble DISTRIBUTOR: New York Bakery Co.Bagels, Mr Kipling and Cadbury Cakes Mission Wraps

UK Communications Executive: Olivia Harrison TYPE OF BUSINESS: Imperial Tobacco Limited is headquartered in Bristol, England. Our core business is built around a tobacco portfolio that offers consumers comprehensive brand choice, while we also create new experiences – including the e-vapour product blu – through our nontobacco subsidiary, Fontem Ventures. Imperial Tobacco Limited is part of Imperial Brands PLC, a multinational tobacco company with international strength in cigarettes and world leadership in fine cut tobacco, premium cigars, rolling papers and tubes. The Group currently has 44 manufacturing sites, around 33,0000 employees and our products are available in over 160 markets.

NORTHERN SNACK FOODS LTD Lissue Industrial Estate East Lisburn BT28 2LU T: 028 9262 2820 PERSONNEL: Martin McClinton M: 07850 410917 Contact Belfast and Co. Down: Nigel Morton M: 07720 967492 Contact North West and North Antrim: Des Jackson M: 07545 927064 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Direct to Store (Van Sales) Distributor of Snack foods MAIN BRANDS: Hunky Dorys King O’Donnells O’Donnells Furrows KP Meanies KP Rancheros Perri Banshee Bones Perri Hot Lips Perri Onion Rings Perri Thai Rings Perri Burger Bites Occasions Bacon Fries Occasions Party Mix

For more information, visit www.imperialbrandsplc.com MAIN BRANDS: Our product portfolio includes leading tobacco brands Lambert & Butler, JPS, Player’s and Golden Virginia, as well as the best-selling e-vapour brand, blu.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

INTERACTIVE (IRELAND) LTD Units 6/7 Grange Park Trench Road Mallusk Newtownabbey BT36 4LA T: 028 9083 1730 F: 028 9083 1731 E: mark.stuart@inter-active.org Website: www.inter-active.org PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Mark Stuart M: 07919 122946 Commercial Manager: Sinead O`Kane M: 0778 5695903 Sales Manager: Ian Cochrane M: 07867 306343 Business Development Executive: Enda McDaid M: 07920 148780 Business Development Executive: Paul Ritchie M: 07920 148580 Business Development Executive: Gavin Keag M: 07900 584163 Ambient Van Sales Manager: Neil Hunter M: 07866 442920 Ambient Van Sales Executive: Philip Stevenson M: 07919 122944 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Sales, Marketing and Distribution to the Grocery trade. MAIN BRANDS: House & Home: Duracell; Fairy; Febreze; Flash; Viakal; Ace; Ariel; Bold; Daz; Fairy Non Bio; Lenor. Personal Care & Beauty: Tampax; Always; Always Discreet; Aussie; Head & Shoulders; Herbal Essence; Pantene; Shockwaves; Silvikrin; Wash & Go; Wella; Max Factor; Clairol Nice N Easy; Olay; Old Spice; Gillette; Rimmel; Sally Hansen, Sun Shimmer; Adidas, Bristows, Vosene, Witch skincare Health & Wellbeing: Vicks; Crest; Fixodent; Clear Blue; Oral-B; Lypsyl; Dentek; Seven Seas, Califig, Chloralieve, Ultra Chloraseptic Baby & Family: Pampers; Infacare; Ashton & Parsons Ambient: Carleton Cakes; Rose Confectionary; Purity Soft Drinks; Cristaline Spring Water; Carlton Cakes, Juice Burst, Cristaline Water, Rose Gluten Free mallows, Elevensies, Eezy Freezy pops, Robinsons Freeze pops, Slush Puppie Freeze pops, Sun Exotics Nuts and seeds Electrical Personal Appliances: Braun; Breville; George Foreman; Russell Hobbs; Trevor Sorbie; Remington; Nicky Clarke Electrical; Carmen; Glamouriser; Dreamland Electric Blankets; Warmnite Electric Blankets MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to fulfil customer satisfaction within our distribution channels and to represent our principals according to their world leading standards of innovation, service and quality. 78

LYNAS FOODSERVICE Lynas Foodservice offers over 6,000 products across frozen, chilled, ambient and non-foods on 1 invoice and 1 delivery. Loughanhill Industrial Estate Coleraine BT52 2NR T: 028 7035 0600 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com Falcon House Ballough Cross Lusk Ireland T: 01 211 9130 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com 4 Sholto Crescent Righead Industrial Estate Bellshill ML4 3LX T: 0141 308 8712 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com

Managing Director: Andrew Lynas Deputy Managing Director: Ian Crowe Finance Director: Alastair Magee Sales & Trading Director: Mel Bacon Operations & Retail Director: Gary Mills Lynas Food Outlet: Our chain of stores provide convenience and value for your foodservice operation Visit: www.lynasfoodservice.com/food-outlet Outlets located in: Ballymena Bangor Belfast Coleraine Cookstown Derry/L’Derry Newry Causeway Prime: The culture and the heritage of rearing stock on the farmlands of Ireland allow us to produce the finest cuts of meat within our very own craft butchery. T: 028 7035 0600 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com/causeway-prime

McCOLGAN’S QUALITY FOODS LTD Dublin Road Industrial Estate Strabane BT82 9EA T: 028 7138 2797 E: sales@mccolgans.ie W: www.mccolgans.ie PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Grainne Hampton Head Of Sales Chris McGaw T: 07545425824 Account Manager Alex MacArthur T: 07593572917 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Manufacturer of convenience food including pies, slices, pasties, sausage rolls, jambons, quiche. Foodservice and retail, chilled and frozen. Own label specialists. Brands include McColgans, Bakers Best, Strathmourne Foods, McColgans Choice Cuisine. DISTRIBUTION: Multi temperature deliveries across NI, ROI and GB daily.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

MOY PARK LTD The Food Park 39 Seagoe Ind. Estate Portadown Craigavon Co. Armagh BT63 5QE T: 028 3835 2233 W: www.moypark.com PERSONNEL: Senior Brand Marketing Manager: Moira Mills Brand Marketing Manager: Ellen Wright TYPE OF BUSINESS: Moy Park is one of the UK’s top 15 food companies, Northern Ireland’s largest private sector business and one of Europe’s leading poultry producers. Moy Park supplies branded and own label chicken products to leading retailers and foodservice providers throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. DISTRIBUTOR/AGENT: Neil McMullan Ltd 28 Halfpenny Gate Road Moira Craigavon Co.Armagh Northern Ireland BT67 OHW MAIN BRANDS: Moy Park O’Kane ZAP!

MUSGRAVE NI 1 – 19 Dargan Drive, Belfast, BT3 9JG T: 028 9078 7100 F: 028 9078 7101 E: mrpni@musgrave.ie W: www.musgravegroup.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Trevor Magill Trading Director: Julie Cherry Retail Sales Director: Paddy Murney Wholesale Director: Richard Mayne Marketing Director: Desi Derby Head of Finance: Ciara Meegan Head of HR: Kathy Simpson Head of Retail Operations: Caroline Rowan SuperValu Centra MACE - Senior Business Development Manager: Barry Holland SuperValu and Centra Customer Manager: Norman Bennett MACE Customer Manager: Austin McGrath Musgrave MarketPlace Belfast Manager: Garry Williams Musgrave MarketPlace Derry Manager: Emir Sheppard Musgrave MarketPlace Lurgan Manager: Colin O’Hare TYPE OF BUSINESS: Musgrave (NI) comprises the retail and wholesale segments of Musgrave Group in Northern Ireland and supports over 300 independent retailers through the SuperValu, Centra, MACE and DayToday brands and over 5,000 wholesale customers through the Musgrave MarketPlace, La Rousse Foods and Drinks Inc. brands across the province.

AGENT&COMPANYINDEX RETAILERGUIDE

MAIN BRANDS: SuperValu, Centra, MACE, DayToday, Musgrave MarketPlace, Drinks Inc, La Rousse Foods, and Frank and Honest.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

O’REILLY’S WHOLESALE LTD 1 Ashtree Enterprise Park, Rathfriland Road, Newry BT34 1BY Tel: 028 30250650 Email: info@orys.biz Web: www.oreillyswholesale.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Derek O’Reilly T: 028 30250650 SALES MANAGER: Ian Russell T: 07967 172324 HEAD OF OPERATIONS: Anne O’Reilly T: 028 30250650 TRADING TEAM: Eamon Quinn Gavin O’Reilly Robert Hempkin T: 028 30250650 WAREHOUSE MANAGER: Bryan O’Hare T: 028 30250650 TYPE OF BUSINESS: O’Reilly’s Wholesale Ltd are an FMCG company in our 60th year of trading in this industry. We are ideally placed to service both the Northern Ireland and ROI marketplace. Our range of 5000+ product portfolio includes Confectionary, Soft drinks, Crisps & Snacks, Grocery, Tobacco, Household and Healthcare. We negotiate and challenge our supplier networks in order to provide the best pricing structure to help you grow your business.

PREPHOUSE Prephouse Kilmore Road, Crossgar, Northern Ireland BT30 9HJ T: 02844 831837 E: info@prephouse.co.uk PERSONNEL Managing Director: Paul Bell Sales Director: David Bell Sales Manager: William Collim Hollah Sales: Trudy Hodkinson NPD: Lynne Berry NPD Consultant: Avril Boyd Technical Manager: Anne McGurk Project Management Consultant: David Dougan Quality Manager: Sinead Cunningham TYPE OF BUSINESS: We are PrepHouse, a family run business based in County Down with over 30 years expertise. We produce awarding winning sauces, dressings and dips for manufacturers, foodservice and retail customers. Continuing our love of all things flavoursome, in 2020 we purchased local icon Hollah. From our purpose built, state of the art factory in Crossgar, complete with bespoke specialist equipment and dedicated NPD team we are on a mission to Bring Flavour Home! MAIN PRODUCTS: PrepHouse award winning chilled sauces, gravies, dips, dressings. Hollah chutneys, chilli jams and sauces.

PRM GROUP 16 Rathdown Road, Lissue Industrial Estate, Moira Road, Lisburn BT28 2RE T: 028 92 620200 E: sales@prmgroup.co.uk W: www.prmgroup.co.uk PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Philip Morrow Director: Lynne Morrow Senior National Account Manager for NI: Stephen Colgan Key Account Sales Development Manager for NI: Gary Hopkins Operations Manager: Colin Davis Business Development Manager: Patrick Black TYPE OF BUSINESS: For over 30 years PRM Group has mastered the challenge of market penetration for chilled brands across the island of Ireland. At PRM Group we offer a range of services including chilled and frozen food sales and distribution as well as brand development within the Irish market. We bring more than 300,000 cases of chilled and frozen goods to the trade each week, delivering a service which is tailored to the needs of our customers. KEY BRANDS: Müller, Alpro, Clandeboye Estate, Fage, Onken, Nomadic Dairy, Bernard Matthews, Carbery Cracker, Cully & Sully, William Carr, Galberts, Fresh Food Kitchen, Spring Fresh, Cottage Desserts, Kinder Chilled, Isle of Man Creamery, Innocent Drinks, Sunny D, HB and Ben & Jerry’s

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

STEPHENS CATERING EQUIPMENT COMPANY LTD 205 Carnalbanagh Road Broughshane, Ballymena Co. Antrim, BT42 4NY Telephone: 028 2586 1711 Email: info@stephens-catering.com Web: www.stephenscateringequipment.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ StephensCateringEquipmentCo DIRECTORS: Paul Caves, Julie Morrissey, Ian Manson, Colm O’Neill, Conrad Greene SALES DIRECTOR: Ian Manson SENIOR SERVICE MANAGER: Con Carey AREA SALES MANAGERS: Patrick Graham - Area Sales Manager (Retail) Matthew Moorhead - Area Sales Manager (South Down, Armagh, Louth) Peter Smith – Regional Manager (Tyrone, Londonderry & Mid Ulster) Mark Green - Regional Manager (Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh & Leitrim) Wilnor O’Neill - (Showroom Sales Manager & North Antrim) Lisa Southgate – Area Sales Manager (UK Mainland Development) Curtis Murry – Area Sales Manager (Education) David Graham – Regional Manager (Scotland) Live demo & test kitchen for training and demonstrating new technologies in energy & labour savings. SOLE DISTRIBUTORS FOR: Manitowoc, Merrychef, Vario Cooking Centre, Hobart dishwashing, mixing and cooking

equipment, Garland Catering Equipment, Foster Refrigeration, Frymaster fryers, Moffat Catering Equipment, Rational combi ovens, Ice-o-matic ice machines, Ubert hot and cold deli, Florigo fish frying ranges, Bertos modular catering equipment, Carimali coffee machines, Salva bakery ovens, Panasonic microwaves, SCE in-house stainless steel fabrication.

SHS SALES & MARKETING 199 Airport Road West Belfast, BT3 9ED T: 028 9045 4647 E: Info@shs-sales.ie W: www.shs-sales.ie

AGENTS FOR: Burshaw boilers, Mechline, Dualit toasters, Mermaid containers, Pestakill flykillers, Robot Coupe veg prep equipment, Seal glass cabinets, Lincat, Marco boilers, Williams Refrigeration, IMC bar equipment and food prep, Falcon, Woodstone, Nuttall

MAIN BRANDS: Airwick Askeys Batchelors Soups Batchelors Canned Vegetables Biobag Bloo Bonjela Bottlegreen Branston Beans Brasso Cillit Bang Colgate Cookeen Crisp & Dry oils Crosse & Blackwell Canned Vegetables Crusha Milkshakes range Crucials Sauces Dettol Duni Durex E45 Farmlea Finish Flora Oils Gaviscon Harpic Jammie Dodgers Jeyes Jordans Jucee Lemsip

WHOLESALERS FOR: Welbilt cooking equipment & inducs, Hobart warewashing and food prep, Rational, Foster Refrigeration, Bertos cooking equipment, Panasonic microwaves, Ubert deli counters and rotisseries, Hubbard SERVICE: All equipment supplied is guaranteed for parts and labour covered by manufacturer trained engineers directly employed by Stephens for fast efficient service. NORTHERN IRELAND: Test demonstration kitchen, full range of light equipment and contract furniture at: Stephens Catering Equipment Belfast Site 2 81 Dargan Road Belfast BT3 9JU Telephone: 028 9077 0195 Fax: 028 9037 0238 SALES PERSONNEL FOR STEPHENS BELFAST: Alison Braithwaite (Showroom Sales)

TYPE OF BUSINESS: FMCG Distributor Lyons Maguire & Paterson Matches Marigold Mars Cookies Maryland Cookies Meridian Mr Sheen Napolina Nurofen Organix Baby Food Palmolive Parsons Paterson Shortbread Primula Princes Food & Drink Royal Edinburgh Ryvita Sanex Shloer Senekot Silvo Steradent Strepsils Terry’s Toffypops Tunnocks Vanish Vileda Viscount Wagon Wheels Windolene Woodwards Gripe Water

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

SOLV-X LTD 20 Park Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth & 112 Camlough Rd Newry. NI: 0845 4503704 Tel: ROI : 1890 207 207 E: sales@solv-x.com W: www.solv-x.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Colm O’Neill Financial Controller: Barry Duffy Office Manager: Doreen O’Neill Purchasing Manager: Mairead Guihan Operations Manager: Shane Kieran TYPE OF BUSINESS: Non Food Importing and Distribution. MAIN PRODUCT GROUPS: Vaping products, Mobile & Audio, Baby, Personal, Stationery, Party, Toys, Kitchen, Hardware, Household, Candles, Car, Pet, Seasonal and Shop Supplies. MAIN BRANDS: Solv-X, FIFO, Edge, Bic, Murphy & Barrett candles, Little Tree, Bob Martin, Favour, Pretty Legs, Holts,Safe Hand Sans.

STRATHROY DAIRY LTD Shergrim Omagh Co.Tyrone BT79 7JD T: 028 8224 0948 F: 028 8224 6280 E: info@strathroydairy.com W: www.strathroy.co.uk PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Patrick Cunningham Operations Director: Aidan McCarron Director ROI: Ruairi Cunningham Commercial Director NI: Eamon Lynch E: eamon@strathroydairy.com Commercial Director ROI: Phelim McCarron E: phelim@strathroydairy.ie Financial Controller: Jim McCann IT Manager: Damien Harkin Quality Control Manager: Tracy Doyle TYPE OF BUSINESS: Dairy Processing: Milk & Cream MAIN BRANDS: Strathroy Bainne Ur Various Private Label Brands

S&W Wholesale Ltd Unit 1 A Carnbane Business Park Newry BT35 6FY NI T: 028 3026 3521 ROI T: 042 600 6100 E: info@sandwni.com W: sandwni.com PERSONNEL: S&W Team Managing Director: Michael Skelton Operations Director: Norman Savage Trading Director: Alan Dorman Marketing Director: Julie Burden Chief Financial Officer: Anthony McVeigh Operations Manager: Victor Carson People & Culture Manager: Niaomh Rice Health & Safety Executive: James Magowan Head of IT: Jonathon Matthews Wholesale Sales Manager: David Wharton Retail Symbol Team (Nearby/Today’s/ Primo): N.I Symbol Sales Manager: Maurice Little Business Development Managers NI: Paul McMullen & Damian Campbell Brand Marketing Lead: Daniel Comiskey Business Development Managers ROI: Jason McSteen Stephen Vincent Facilitation Lead: Stephen Farrell TYPE OF BUSINESS: S&W are the symbol group wholesaler for Nearby; Today’s NI; Today’s ROI & Primo, based conveniently in Newry with unique access point to key markets in NI and ROI. One of the Top 100 NI Businesses and one of the largest independent wholesalers in Ireland servicing over 2,000 customers on both symbol and independent retailers. Going above and beyond for customers is the key factor in what has made S&W successful and how the business plans to offer “A Whole Lot More” in 2022. Main Brands: Nearby Today’s NI Today’s ROI PRIMO Cuppa Coffee

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

VALEO FOODS 10 Flush Park Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 2DX T: 028 9267 3316 F: 028 9263 1131 Dublin Office: T: 00353 1 4051500

WHITE’S SPEEDICOOK LTD Scarva Road Tandragee Co. Armagh BT62 2BZ T: 028 3884 0592 F: 028 3884 1895 E: whites@whitesoats.com W: www.whitesoats.co.uk PERSONNEL: General Manager: James Mathers

PERSONNEL: Commercial Manager: Maria Losty

Sales And Marketing Manager: Mark Gowdy

Marketing Manager: Joanne Beattie

Business Development Manager: Stuart Best

TYPE OF BUSINESS: FMCG

Marketing Manager: Danielle McBride

Valeo Foods is a leading producer and innovator of high quality, category defining, branded food products, with a proud history that dates back to 1845. We are passionate about food and our portfolio of iconic food brands, which are tried and trusted by consumers for their quality, wholesomeness, nutrition and fun. We operate a diverse FMCG business across many categories with both company owned brands and those of brand partners. This combines food production, brand development and innovation, distribution and sales.

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Oat Manufacturer, Breakfast Cereals - Porridge Organic Oats, Granolas, Mueslis MAIN BRANDS: White’s

AGENT&COMPANYINDEX RETAILERGUIDE

RETAILER GUIDE THE CO-OP 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG T: 0800 0686 727 W: www.coop.co.uk Area Manager: Briege Ashley T: 07740958133

MULTIPLE RETAILERS ASDA Northern Ireland Office 150 Junction One International Outlet Antrim BT41 4GY T: 028 9448 5700 Senior Buying Manager: Michael McCallion DUNNES STORES HEAD OFFICE 46-50 South Great George’s Street Dublin 2 T: 0844 264 3185 W: www.dunnesstores.com

NI Commercial Buyer: Claire McAlinney T: 028 9064 6913 TESCO NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE Abbey Retail Park Church Road Newtownabbey BT36 7GU T: 0345 677 9373 W: www.tesco.com Store Director for NI: Brendan Guidera Local Sourcing Manager UK: Tess Osborne

Human Resources Director: Sam Davidson

Trading Director: Mike Owen Marketing Director: Sean Russell Retail Director: Mike Hollis IT Director: Dave Morris

Divisional Head for NI: Laura Mitchell

Wholesale Business Director: Francesca Haynes

Trading Director: Alan Fitzsimmins

SYMBOL GROUPS

Chief Executive: Steve Rowe

Regional Supply Chain Manager: Lee-roy Allen T: 028 9064 7386

Group Logistics Director: Pat McGarry

Group Property Director: Mark Adrain

Chief Executive Officer: Darcy Willson-Rymer

Category Trading Manager: Karen O’Connor T: 020 7695 0031

Retail Director: (Henderson Retail): Mark McCammond

Packaging & Concessions: Jonathan McWhinney

LIDL NORTHERN IRELAND Tallaght Main Street Dublin 24 T: 00353 1 4212000 W: www.lidl-ni.co.uk

Head of Stores: Nigel Macaulay

Group Finance Director: Billy Moore

Fresh Foods Director: Neal Kelly

COSTCUTTER SUPERMARKETS GROUP LTD (NORTHERN IRELAND) Unit 1B McKinney Industrial Estate Mallusk Road Newtownabbey BT36 4PX T: 028 9034 2660 / 01904 232505 W: www.costcuttersupermarketsgroup.com

SAINSBURY’S SUPERMARKETS LTD NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE Forestside Shopping Centre Upper Galwally Road Belfast BT8 4FX W: www.sainsburys.co.uk

Chief Financial Officer: Ron Whitten

NI Buying Managers: Fresh: Sandra Weir

ICELAND HEAD OFFICE Second Avenue DeesideIndustrial Park Deeside Flintshire CH5 2NW T: 0800 328 0800 W: www.iceland.co.uk

MARKS & SPENCER HEAD OFFICE Waterside House 35 North Wharf Road London W2 1NW T: 020 7935 4422 W: www.marksandspencer.com

PERSONNEL: Chairman and Joint Managing Directors: Martin Agnew & Geoffrey Agnew

Regional Business Director: Adrian O’Brien Business Development Managers: Damien O’Donnell, Jim Cummings, Simon Scott HENDERSON GROUP Hightown Avenue Mallusk Newtownabbey Co. Antrim BT36 4RT T: 028 9034 2733 E: info@henderson-group.com W: www.henderson-group.com

Sales & Marketing Director: Paddy Doody Information Services Director: Danny Hutchinson Managing Director Henderson Foodservice Ltd: Cathal Geoghegan Retail Technology Operations Director, Henderson Technology Ltd: Darren Nickels Head of Corporate Marketing: Bronagh Luke Head of Brand Marketing: Brenda Mulligan Channel Sales Managers: Stephen Gibson, Sarah Halliday Regional Sales Manager (Supermarkets): Paul Deans Regional Sales Managers: David Bennett, Jonathan Finlay, Donal Bryce, Justin Hayes, Robert Caughey, Connor McCann & Laura Johnston Trading Controller: Glen Howe Fresh Foods Trading Controller: Nigel Dugan Head of Henderson Print: Alan Ritchie TYPE OF BUSINESS: Symbol Group Wholesaler for SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXtra and ViVO Essentials in NI.

RETAILER GUIDE MUSGRAVE NI 1 – 19 Dargan Drive, Belfast, BT3 9JG T: 028 9078 7100 F: 028 9078 7101 E: mrpni@musgrave.ie W: www.musgravegroup.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Trevor Magill

branded, independent fascia Chief Executive Officer: Ken Towle Chief Operating Officer: John McNeill Finance Director: Scott Etherington Sales Director: Steve Leach

Trading Director: Julie Cherry

Trading Director: Ayaz Alam

Retail Sales Director: Paddy Murney

Business Manager Ireland: Jonathan Verner T: 077 8842 3322

Wholesale Director: Richard Mayne Marketing Director: Desi Derby Head of Finance: Ciara Meegan Head of HR: Kathy Simpson Head of Retail Operations: Caroline Rowan SuperValu Centra MACE - Senior Business Development Manager: Barry Holland SuperValu and Centra Customer Manager: Norman Bennett MACE Customer Manager: Austin McGrath Musgrave MarketPlace Belfast Manager: Garry Williams

Regional Retail Manager: Pat Leneghan T: 079 5035 5991 Retail Development Manager NI: Paul Hewitt T: 077 1663 8523 Retail Development Manager: Steven O’Doherty T: 00 353 87 291 3016 IT Engineer: Bryan Lurring S&W Wholesale Ltd Unit 1 A Carnbane Business Park Newry BT35 6QH NI T: 028 3026 3521 ROI T: 042 600 6100 E: info@sandwni.com W: sandwni.com

Retail Symbol Team (Nearby/Today’s/Primo): N.I Symbol Sales Manager: Maurice Little Business Development Managers NI: Paul McMullen & Damian Campbell Brand Marketing Lead: Daniel Comiskey Business Development Managers ROI: Stephen Vincent & Jason McSteen Facilitation Lead: Stephen Farrell TYPE OF BUSINESS S&W are the symbol group wholesaler for Nearby, Today’s NI, Today’s ROI & Primo, based conveniently in Newry with unique access point to key markets in NI and ROI. One of the Top 100 NI Businesses and one of the largest independent wholesalers in Ireland servicing over 2,000 customers on both symbol and independent retailers. Going above and beyond for customers is the key factor in what has made S&W successful and how the business plans to offer A Whole Lot More in 2022. MAIN BRANDS: Nearby Today’s NI Today’s ROI PRIMO Cuppa Coffee

FOOD FORCE IRELAND LTD 7 West Bank Road Belfast BT3 9 JL

Musgrave MarketPlace Derry Manager: Emir Sheppard

PERSONNEL: S&W Team Managing Director: Michael Skelton

Musgrave MarketPlace Lurgan Manager: Colin O’Hare

Operations Director: Norman Savage

Trading Controller: Debra Johnston T: 028 9092 3130 E: debrajohnston@foodforceireland.com

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Musgrave (NI) comprises the retail and wholesale segments of Musgrave Group in Northern Ireland and supports over 300 independent retailers through the SuperValu, Centra, MACE and DayToday brands and over 5,000 wholesale customers through the Musgrave MarketPlace, La Rousse Foods and Drinks Inc. brands across the province.

Trading Director: Alan Dorman

TRADE ORGANISATIONS

NISA Nisa Retail Limited Partner Support Centre Waldo Way Normanby Enterprise Park Scunthorpe DN15 9GE T: 017 2428 2028 E: firstname.surname@nisaretail.com W: www.nisaretail.com FASCIAS: Nisa Extra, Nisa Local, Nisa Express, dual

Marketing Director: Julie Burden Chief Financial Officer: Anthony McVeigh Operations Manager: Victor Carson People & Culture Manager: Niaomh Rice

DAIRY COUNCIL NORTHERN IRELAND Shaftesbury House Edgewater Business Park Belfast BT3 9JQ T: 028 9077 0113 F: 028 9078 1224 E: info@dairycouncil.co.uk W: www.dairycouncil.co.uk

Head of IT: Jonathon Matthews

FOOD NI LIMITED BELFAST MILLS 71-75 Percy Street Belfast BT13 2HW T: 028 9024 9449 E: info@nigoodfood.com W: www.nigoodfood.com Facebook.com/ foodni Twitter: @Food_NI

Wholesale Sales Manager: David Wharton

Chief Executive: Michele Shirlow

Health, Safety & Environment Officer: James Magowan

RETAILER GUIDE Operations Manager: Noel Lavery Company Secretary: Valerie McCann

FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY Northern Ireland 10A - 10C Clarendon Road Belfast BT1 3BG T: 028 9041 7700 F: 028 9041 7726 E: infofsani@food.gov.uk W: www.food.gov.uk/northern-ireland Facebook.com/FSAinNI Twitter: @FSAinNI Director: Maria Jennings Twitter: @MariaJenningsNI THE LIVESTOCK AND MEAT COMMISSION (NI) Lissue Industrial Estate East 1a Lissue Walk Lisburn BT28 2LU T: 028 9263 3000 F: 02892 63 3001 E: info@lmcni.com W: www.lmcni.com Chief Executive: Ian Stevenson Education and Services Manager: Cherrie Kenny NATIONAL FEDERATION OF RETAIL NEWSAGENTS Yeoman House Sekforde Street London EC1R 0HF Head Office: 020 7253 4225 Helpline: 0800 121 6376 W: www.nfrnonline.com NATIONAL PHARMACY ASSOCIATION 38-42 Peter’s Street St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3NP T: 017 2785 8687 E: npa@npa.co.uk W: www.npa.co.uk Representation Manager NI: Anne McAlister T: 028 9266 1730 NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD CHAIN CERTIFICATION Lissue Industrial Estate East 1a Lissue Walk Lisburn BT28 2LU T: 028 9263 3017 F: 028 9263 3003 E: info@nifcc.co.uk W: www.nifcc.co.uk 86

NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD & DRINK ASSOCIATION Belfast Mills 71-75 Percy Street Belfast BT13 2HW T: 028 9024 1010 F: 028 9024 0500 E: info@nifda.co.uk W: www.nifda.co.uk Executive Director: Michael Bell E: mbell@nifda.co.uk Executive Assistant: Jill Devenney E: jill@nifda.co.uk

SAFEFOOD 7 Eastgate Avenue Eastgate Little Island Co. Cork Ireland T45 RX01 T: 00 353 21 230 4100 Helpline (NI): 0800 085 1683 E: info@safefood.eu Twitter: @safefoodnetwork Chief Executive: Ray Dolan ULSTER CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION 2nd Floor Strand House 102 Holywood Road BELFAST BT4 1NU T: 028 9065 6576 E: info@uca.org.uk W: www.uca.org.uk

RETAIL NI 245 Upper Newtownards Road Ballyhackamore Belfast BT4 3JF T: 028 9022 0004 F: 028 9022 0005 E: info@retailni.com W: www.retailni.com Facebook.com/retail-ni Twitter: @retail-ni

Operations Manager: Adrienne Clugston

Chief Executive: Glyn Roberts

Chief Executive: Wesley Aston E: wesley@ufuhq.com

Office Manager: Lisa McMaster President: Peter McBride Chairman: Nigel Maxwell NORTHERN IRELAND PORK & BACON FORUM 475 Antrim Road Belfast BT15 3DA T: 028 9037 0222 F: 028 9037 1231 Executive Director: Deirdre McIvor E: deirdre.mcivor@ufuhq.com PETROL RETAILERS ASSOCIATION/ RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY FEDERATION 201 Great Portland Street London WIW 5AB T: 020 7580 9122 F: 020 7307 3406 W: www.rmif.co.uk Membership Manager for PRA: Steve Coombe T: 078 3137 3205 E: steve.coombe@rmif.co.uk

ULSTER FARMERS’ UNION 4075 Antrim Road Belfast BT15 3DA T: 028 9037 0222 F: 028 9037 1231 W: www.ufuni.org

CLASSIFIEDS WANT YOUR COMPANY TO GET NOTICED? ADVERTISE HERE...

CONTACT JUDITH MARTIN ON 07765 183176 OR EMAIL:

j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk

CLASSIFIEDS

WANT YOUR COMPANY TO GET NOTICED? ADVERTISE HERE... CONTACT JUDITH MARTIN ON 07765 183176 OR EMAIL:

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GROCER ULSTER

50 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

CLASSIFIEDS

Q&A

IN THE

Hot Seat NAME: KATHRYN DANDO ROLE: OTREPRENEUR COMPANY: NUTTIN’ BUT IMMUNE SUPPORT OATS

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I’m married to Lee and we have a young daughter, Ellen who keeps us on our toes together with our dog, Frankel. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? Making contact with potential buyers, working on our website and Amazon store as well as coming up with content for our social media platforms to try to get our brand message out there. There are never enough hours in the day to get through everything on the to-do list. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Getting our instant pots listed with WH Smith hospital sites across the UK was a

“I’M A REAL FOODIE SO I DON’T THINK I COULD EVER JUST GIVE ONE ANSWER. I ENJOY TRYING LOTS OF DIFFERENT FOODS AND AM ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WHAT’S NEW.” 90

real highlight. It’s a great honour to know the pots are available in hospitals to our key workers. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Creating products I truly believe in and think they can provide a real benefit to everyone. I feel very grateful I get to work on something which I am so passionate about. WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK? Managing the workload whilst trying to strike a healthy work/life balance. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? The strongest steel is cast in the hottest fire. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GRIPE? Trying to break into the market as a small business dominated by larger brands. WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? I wish I was more IT savvy when it comes to trying to create social media content and imagery, it takes some serious skill and patience!

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS/ AMBITIONS? To continue to grow the brand, innovate our products and deliver wholesome, health-based products to consumers. WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? Deliciously Ella – she was able to use her own health struggles to create a range of food products and a brand aimed at helping people who might also be suffering with similar issues. WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE? The North Coast – nothing better than walking on the beach with my husband watching our daughter and dog playing in the sand, planning my next business adventure and envisaging the future. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? I’m a real foodie so I don’t think I could ever just give one answer. I enjoy trying lots of different foods and am always on the lookout for what’s new. HOW DO YOU RELAX? Day trips with my family, seeing somewhere new and exploring.