Ulster Grocer March 2021

GROCER ULSTER

TM

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

MARCH 2021

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

GROCER ULSTER

MARCH 2021

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

TM

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

POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY OF CITY, TOWN & VILLAGE CENTRES

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lans are underway to revitalise Northern Ireland’s city, town and village centres, decimated by a year of lockdown restrictions and longer-term decline, ahead of the Executive publishing its pathway to recovery document on March 1.

The current lockdown is in place until April 1, subject to review on March 18, with the Executive facing pressure to publish target dates for easing restrictions in line with England and Scotland.

However, work is already underway to boost the local retail sector with Northern Ireland’s High Streets Task Force meeting for the first time on February 23 and Economy Minister Diane Dodds including a High Street Stimulus Scheme in her Economic Recovery Action Plan launched on February 25.

Rollout of the high street voucher scheme, aimed at boosting business for bricks-and-mortar retailers, was originally planned for January but postponed alongside the return of lockdown restrictions closing non-essential shops.

Following the first meeting of the High Streets Task Force, meanwhile,

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BUTCHER’S SHOP OF THE YEAR: H&J CARNDUFF IN NEWTOWNARDS HAS WON THE UK-WIDE AWARD, REALISING A PERSONAL DREAM OF JOHN CARNDUFF WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY IN 2019

a statement was released by junior ministers and joint chairs Gary Middleton and Declan Kearney.

‘Our high streets are changing,’ it reads. ‘The way we work, live, shop, enjoy leisure, access services and travel is different today compared with five, 10 and 20 years ago.

‘That change has not just been disruptive but, in many cases, deeply damaging. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated and deepened that change, but we know that its roots pre-date this. ‘…Right across society, there is a desire for our high streets to succeed.

They are more than simply places to shop; they are a focal point for the community. That is as true in Belfast as it is in, for example, Banbridge or Ballyclare. ‘…Every high street is different; they each have their own character and personality. These traits as unique as the village, town or city where they are located. And they will need bespoke local solutions.’

The stated vision of the Task Force is ‘sustainable city, town and village

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ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2021: WITH ENTRY NOW OPEN FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARDS, INSIGHT IS OFFERED INTO OUR ROBUST, FAIR, TRANSPARENT & INDEPENDENT JUDGING PROCESS

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centres which are thriving places for people to do business, socialise, shop, be creative and use public services as well as being great places to live’.

In addition to representatives from the retail sector, including Retail NI and the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, the Task Force encompasses the hospitality and tourism sector, local government, academia, the voluntary and community sector, culture and arts sector and trade unions.

Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI, said: “This was a productive first meeting of the Taskforce and there was unanimity on the huge challenges ahead as we begin to chart a new way forward for our post pandemic high streets.

“21st century high streets are all about developing an eco-system which encompasses businesses of all kinds, living communities and being destinations that are attractive to visitors.

“This Taskforce will be judged on its ability to deliver co-designed policy solutions and I have every confidence that it will do so in the months ahead.”

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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: SMURFIT KAPPA’S BETTER PLANET PACKAGING INITIATIVE SPANS SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS, PACKAGING DESIGN, RECYCLING & INDUSTRYLEADING EXPERTISE

FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY: FROM FOODNUTRIX’ EASY LABELLING SOLUTIONS & MERCURY SYSTEMS’ LOSS PREVENTION SOLUTIONS TO HENDERSON TECHNOLOGY’S ROLL OUT OF EDGEPOS

email: info@ulstergrocer.com Volume 56 Number 3 MARCH 2021 Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Sam Butler, Jason Winstanley Sales Manager: Chris Keenan E: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4266 Art Editor: Helen Wright Production Manager: Irene Fitzsimmons Ulster Grocer c/o Independent News & Media Ltd, Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3BG www.ulstergrocer.com @ulstergrocer www.facebook.com/ulstergrocer Subscriptions: £27.50 per annum £37.50 per annum (outside UK) Designed & Produced by: Independent News & Media Ltd Tel: 028 9026 4000 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim Tel: 028 9446 3911

EDITORIAL COMMENT

www.ulstergrocer.com

NEW DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES OPEN UP FOR ULSTER GROCER

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he Ulster Grocer team is excited to announce a new home for our website, in the business section of the Belfast Telegraph. You will find Ulster Grocer alongside our sister title Ulster Business, which has already successfully migrated over to the Belfast Telegraph site.

Moving over to the shared site offers a vast range of benefits for both our readers and advertisers.

First and foremost is the huge digital audience for the Belfast Telegraph site, and hopefully we’ll be able to tap into its popularity and accessibility to significantly grow the reach of our own product.

While all news sections offered under our previous site have transferred over to the new location, our new operating platform offers much superior capabilities from presentation of our editorial content to a greater variety of digital marketing opportunities.

We hope you will find it a more pleasing platform to navigate and will be making every effort in the coming months to make the most of our new location as the go-to source for all grocery news.

For another consecutive month, there has certainly been no shortage of news in the sector.

When talking about the ‘groupage pains’ around the Northern Ireland Protocol in last month’s editorial comment, the issue was yet to become the political football it is now.

Unfortunately, flames were fanned and Northern Ireland’s tribal politics quickly took over. Threats were alleged against port inspectors, anti-Irish Sea border slogans emerged and legal action has been mounted against the Protocol.

In the business community, however, attention has been focused not on removing the Protocol (which would jeopardise the Good Friday Agreement and soft Irish border) but on working

together with local government, Westminster and the European Commission to ease the issues.

There is a lot of work to be done, but no reason why it can’t be achieved if all stakeholders cooperate to find workable solutions for easing the complex bureaucracy around trade from GB to NI. First and foremost is a need to extend the grace periods coming to an end on April 1 and July 1 for certain grocery customs requirements, while more streamlined systems for trade are implemented.

There’s also a lot of sense in the Ulster Farmers’ Union proposal to potentially reduce many of the trade issues between GB and NI by the UK maintaining alignment with EU agri-food standards.

As a member of the EU until the transition period ended on December 31, the UK is currently aligned with EU standards and was in fact instrumental in creation of many of the regulations.

And post-Brexit, GB producers exporting to the EU will still have to meet those standards. Does it not make sense, therefore, to maintain that alignment and would GB produce and livestock travelling to NI then require veterinary inspection by the EU? Food for thought…

As this edition of Ulster Grocer goes to press, we are still waiting for the Northern Ireland Executive to publish its exit plan for lockdown including the reopening of non-essential retail and the hospitality sector.

The High Streets Task Force has held its first meeting (p3), and now faces the challenge of revitalising village, town and city centres already in long-term decline before the lockdowns brought them to a complete standstill. As with the Protocol, there is much work to be done.

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NEWS

GROCERY SUPPLY CHAIN WORKING TO ADDRESS ISSUES AROUND NI PROTOCOL

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epresentatives of the grocery supply chain, including the farming, retail and logistics sectors, are hard at work addressing solutions to issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Since Brexit on January 1, difficulties in trade between GB and NI have become an area of political contention from alleged threats to inspection workers at NI ports and widespread ‘No Irish Sea Border’ graffiti to DUP MPs taking legal action over the Protocol.

However, representatives from the Northern Ireland business community were focused on finding solutions to challenges around the Protocol at a roundtable event on February 18 chaired

by Cabinet Minister Michael Gove and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic.

Aodhan Connolly, NIRC

Aodhán Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the meeting represented a positive first step but should be only the start of comprehensive dialogue between the business community, UK government and the EU. “1 April presents a huge challenge to retailers and households in Northern Ireland,” he said. “The end of the grace period on parcels and EHCs, plus custom requirements, will put unprecedented pressure on our supply chains.”

“We need four things,” said Connolly.

“Stability - to allow business to adapt to the changes and challenges of the protocol, we need immediate extension to the grace periods.

“We need the certainty of a longterm workable solution that is done with business not to business. We need simplicity using things likes digitisation

and an auditable and certified supply chain which could deliver a much simpler Trusted Trader agreement, and a veterinary agreement to remove frictions.

“This needs to be proportionate to the low level of risk of UK retail goods coming into Northern Ireland going onto the Single Market due to the dead-endhost principle. That means once it is in Northern Ireland it stays there.”

Finally, Connolly said affordability must be maintained, in terms of minimising the costs of new processes “to allow us to continue to give NI households the choice and affordability they need”.

Seamus Leheny, policy manager NI at Logistics UK and another attendee of the roundtable, said much work remained to ease trade flows.

“Industry needs to be given clarity, certainty and simplifications in the weeks and months ahead,” he said. “Firstly, we want to see the development of a Retail Movement Scheme to govern the transportation of agri-food goods, plants and animals between GB and NI. “The checks on these items – known as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks – must be proportionate to the low risk these items present to health to prevent any unnecessary administration and delays.”

“Secondly, industry needs to see the introduction of a Trusted Trader status for parcel operators to reduce expensive administrative burdens placed on business to consumer consignments.

“And finally, to enable the successful delivery of these schemes, the grace periods currently in place under the Protocol must be extended sufficiently to enable longer term simplifications to be Seamus Leheny, Logistics UK

agreed and implemented.”

Logistics UK, meanwhile, cautiously welcomed new UK government guidelines issued on January 29 for hauliers moving goods from GB to NI using groupage; a key problem area associated with the NI Protocol.

Alex Veitch, general manager of policy, Logistics UK, said: “The guidance will help hauliers using groupage comply with SPS regulations (rules governing the movement of products of plant & animal origin) while using the system to improve efficiency and reducing costs for customers.

“The sector will continue to work closely with both DEFRA and DAERA as the scheme develops, because it is still untested for larger volumes of traffic and it is clear that further IT developments will Victor Chestnutt, UFU

be required as the system evolves.”

Meanwhile, Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said it backs an agreement in principle aligning the UK as a whole to the EU’s agri-food SPS standards. Currently the two are already aligned and additional checks should only be introduced at NI ports if the UK introduces new regulations diverging from EU standards, said UFU. “Aligning the UK’s agri-food standards with the EU’s would straighten out a lot of the trade issues that we have been burdened with since the beginning of the year,” said Victor Chestnutt, president, UFU. “It would do away with a large percentage of the physical and documentary checks that are currently required, helping to ensure agri-food products and livestock can continue moving, flowing as freely as possible from GB to NI without extra complications and costs.”

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NEWS

LIDL NI CREATES 35 JOBS WITH LATEST OPENING AT HILLVIEW RETAIL PARK From left, Lily Irvine, Edenbrooke Primary School; Thomas McFarlane, Lidl Northern Ireland Hillview Retail Park store manager; and Pearse Osborne, Holy Cross Boys Primary.

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idl Northern Ireland has officially opened its new store at Hillview Retail Park, Crumlin Road in north-west Belfast, jumpstarting a redevelopment of the formerly dormant site.

The discount retailer now has 41 stores across the region, with the latest addition said to represent an investment of £6.7m in the local area, creating 35 new retail jobs and a further 250 jobs

during construction.

Spanning 2,147 square metres, the Hillview site includes a 1,420-squaremetre sales floor area built to Lidl Northern Ireland’s bold Concept design prioritising sustainability, spacious, wide aisles, long tills, restrooms, staff and baby-changing facilities.

The store was opened on February 18 by schoolchildren from nearby Holy Cross Boys Primary School and Edenbrooke

POUNDLAND REOPENS FOUR LOCAL STORES

wide stores reopening on February 26.

Poundland has kept most of its stores open for essential shopping across the UK throughout the pandemic and is hopeful the pathwayto-recovery plan to be announced by the NI Executive on March 1 will outline a journey towards normality.

“We’re proud to have kept most of our stores open serving our communities with the essentials they need, but in some places, we couldn’t stay open when so many of our neighbours were forced to close,” said Austin Cooke, retail director, our local Poundland stores placed in Poundland. hibernation back in January, due to “The roadmap will hopefully give falling customer numbers when nearby non-essential retailers closed in the latest clarity to retailers and our town centres which have such an important role to lockdown, have reopened.

Stores at Belfast’s Castlecourt Shopping play in our recovery.

“Safety continues to be our first Centre, Enniskillen’s Erneside Shopping priority, and shoppers can return with Centre, The Buttercrane Shopping confidence - we’re well versed in Centre, Newry and Derry/Londonderry’s making our stores safe places to shop.”

Ferryquay Street were among 29 UK-

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Primary School, who officially cut the ribbon and welcomed the first customers inside. The local schools were also presented with £500 each in vouchers to spend in the new store.

“Hillview Retail Park is an outstanding location serving a busy local community and we’re delighted to confirm our investment as its anchor tenant,” said Thomas McFarlane, Hillview Retail Park store manager. “This once popular shopping destination is primed for a new future of growth and we’re proud to be part of this significant regeneration.”

In December 2020, Lidl Northern Ireland opened its 40th store in the region while confirming an investment of £32m into the Greater Belfast area to include the Crumlin Road store as well as properties at Boucher Road, Castlereagh Road, Holywood Exchange and Shore Road.

The retailer plans to increase its store count to 50 by the end of the decade.

MICRO FOOD BUSINESS INVESTMENT SCHEME OPENS

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£1m capital grant scheme opens this month to help existing micro food businesses upscale production to secure new markets for their products, operated by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The scheme aims to enable eligible businesses to begin supplying to the retail or distribution industry; sell more products to the retail or distribution industry; and/or move into sales outside of Northern Ireland.

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be available, funding up to 50% of eligible costs of new food processing equipment and machinery or dedicated computer software.

A micro-enterprise employs less than 10 full-time equivalent employees with a total annual turnover of less than €2m (£1.8m).

The scheme will open for expressions of interest on March 8 for a six-week period. For further information, visit https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/ micro-food-business-investmentscheme

NEWS

SHOCK AFTER BALLYLISK’S DEAN WRIGHT PASSES AWAY

BY IVAN LITTLE

Dean Wright.

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ributes have been paid after the death of Dean Wright, owner of the award-winning Ballylisk artisan cheese firm which counted the royal family among its customers and supplied the world’s top golfers at the 2019 Open in Portrush.

Ballylisk had been going from strength to strength and, two years ago, its Triple Rose cheese was stocked

by Fortnum and Mason in London.

Last month, Wright was among a number of Northern Irish businessmen who went on BBC television to say they had seen an increase in opportunities since the end of the Brexit transition period.

In January, he signed a deal to

supply supermarkets all over Ireland with brie, and the week he passed away was delivering cheese to customers.

Five generations of Wright’s family have farmed at Ballylisk for the past 200 years.

PROPOSAL TO REMOVE LOTTO FROM SHOPS COMES UNDER FIRE

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proposal to withdraw the National Lottery from in-shop purchasing, making it online only, has been condemned by The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN).

NFRN was responding to a suggestion the National Lottery needs to be “dragged into the digital age” made by Sazka Chairman Sir Keith Mills in the Financial Times. Sazka is bidding for the fourth National Lottery licence when Camelot’s current 14-year term ends in 2023.

“Since its launch, the National Lottery has been about supporting local communities, and thousands of local news and

His father Jim operated a mixed farm with cattle, sheep and crops, and Wright started working with him in 2006 before becoming interested in making cheese six years ago when he liaised with experts from Loughry College to develop the Ballylisk range which has won recognition in the Great Taste awards.

Last year, at the height of the pandemic after demand for his craft cheese dropped, Wright appeared on Sky News as he delivered freshly pasteurised milk along with eggs and potatoes from his 400-acre farm to isolated neighbours.

Aodhan Michael Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said Wright was a “talented, passionate artisan maker of great cheese whose own high standards were reflected in what he made”.

A tweet from Warke’s Deli in Portstewart said the staff were “shocked and saddened to hear about the death of a lovely man”.

convenience stores up and down the country have worked hard to provide access to the draws and scratch cards to those who want to have a flutter while supporting good causes,” said Stuart Reddish, national president, NFRN. “Taking the Lottery online makes no sense at a time when the British public have been rediscovering the benefits of shopping at their local convenience stores. The proposals would amount to a major kick in the teeth for the very community retailers who, over the last 27 years, have made the Lottery the success it is.

“From Sir Keith’s comments, it sadly appears that Sazka sees the National Lottery as a global gambling money spinner, supported by big business and investment companies and distant from the players, retailers and communities that it is supposed to support.

“The NFRN welcomes dialogue with anyone wishing to bid for the Lottery. We represent a large number of outlets, so anyone bidding for the new licence will need to work with us.”

RETAIL NI CALLS FOR FIVE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON OUT-OF-TOWN SUPERSTORES A five-year moratorium on new outof-town superstores was among policy priorities aimed at supporting high street recovery recommended by Retail NI during a presentation to the NI Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee on February 17.

“The Department for Infrastructure has a key role to play in supporting post-pandemic high street recovery and ensuring our towns and city centres are greener, healthier and more inclusive places,” said Glyn Roberts, chief

executive, Retail NI. “Public transport needs to be shoppers’ first choice, rather than their last, alongside more options for walking, cycling and accessible and affordable car parking in our town centres.

“In order to give our town centres space to recover and regenerate, Retail NI wants Northern Ireland to follow Scotland’s lead and introduce a five-year moratorium on any more out-of-town superstores.

“Retail NI also supports the call

for establishing an Infrastructure Commission, devolving on-street carparking to councils, a 60-minute rail service between Belfast and Dublin and a recommitment to the York Street Interchange and other flagship projects.

“A Rural Town Infrastructure Investment Fund should also be introduced to support the revitalisation of our villages and towns in postpandemic recovery efforts alongside the City and Growth deals.”

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STORE FOCUS

H&J CARNDUFF, NEWTOWNARDS A RESILIENT GROCERY TRADE HAS ADAPTED TO THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ WITH SOME BUSINESSES NOT JUST SURVIVING BUT THRIVING AND NOWHERE MORE SO THAN AT A LOCAL BUTCHER’S, H&J CARNDUFF, REPORTS BRIAN McCALDEN

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t has been a time of continuous change and challenge since the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown 12 months ago.

Personal loss within the family itself has also been in sharp focus, with a tragic death from cancer.

All the more reason therefore to celebrate last month’s news of the Carnduff family’s Newtownards shop being hailed as the UK’s 2020 Butcher’s Shop of The Year - as well as being named Northern Ireland’s Butcher’s Shop of The Year for the third year running.

“We were absolutely honoured to have won UK’s top meat trade accolade,” says Rachel Carnduff, partner in the business.

“All this wouldn’t be possible without the hard work from every single member of the team, the efforts of all our suppliers, as well as the continued support from all our loyal customers.

“We thank them all, more than they’ll ever know,” she said, adding that in these bizarre and challenging times, the normal high standards of food hygiene are no longer enough.

“To defeat Covid-19, it is face coverings at all times both for staff and customers, constant hand cleansing and the allpervading need for social distancing – and the problems that causes in limiting numbers of customers.

“That has all been overcome, thankfully.”

In fact, business partners Hamilton, Jonathan and Rachel have actually been able to celebrate their prestigious award – online.

“Like everything else at the moment – we took part in and won the Meat Trades’ Journal (MTJ) Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards 2020,” says Rachel.

“The virtual event was held in midFebruary and was also a first for MTJ. 8

“They said at the event, they were ‘thrilled to shine a spotlight on an industry that has once again adapted and proven itself to be an essential asset to the UK food market’.

“It was good to hear them highlighting that the industry had not only helped feed the nation amidst a pandemic but had shown creativity and care for communities in the face of huge uncertainty.”

Finalists also included Cunningham’s in Kilkeel and McAtamney’s in Ballymena, with Rachel saying it was good to see such a strong turnout in Northern Ireland.

The competition itself was a difficult process. “You are assessed on an initial 3,500-word paper entry and photographs by the judging panel - experts including butchers and consultants in the meat industry,” she says. “In the second phase, a ‘secret shopper’ visits to assess the everyday operations of the business.

“They wanted to see the business running on a normal day and see how we interact with your customers,” she

MANY OF OUR OLDER CUSTOMERS WOULDN’T BE INTERESTED IN ONLINE SHOPPING AND SOME DON’T EVEN HAVE ACCESS TO IT, SO OUR FAMILY HERITAGE AND DEDICATION TO FACE TO FACE RETAILING IS PARAMOUNT

Rachel Carnduff.

says, adding that while their online presence continues to play a vital role, the actual shopping experience is what really matters.

Covid-19 meant a greater emphasis on home delivery, with the Facebook page playing a vital role, but traditional values are paramount.

“Many of our older customers wouldn’t be interested in online shopping and some don’t even have access to it, so our family heritage and dedication to face to face retailing is paramount,” she says.

HISTORY The Carnduff family established themselves into the butchery world in 1993 when Hamilton Carnduff opened the doors to his first shop in Saintfield. In 1996, Hamilton and his brother Jonathan moved to the heart of Newtownards in Conway Square, where the UK-wide accolade has just been awarded.

The introduction of Hamilton’s son John as a business partner saw the family joining the Henderson Group, shaping the H&J Carnduff of today, taking control of multiple concession stores dotted across Co Down, with in-store butchery counters in Brackenvale, Dundonald, Rathgael, Gransha, Abbeyhill, Carrowdore, Portaferry and Hardford Link.

The family first attended the MTJ Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards in 2017 – coming home empty handed.

Rachel, and her brother John, flew home from London not downtrodden or disappointed, but filled with excitement and determination to make their business the UK Shop of the Year.

“This only motivated us to further improve our business, starting with renovations of our flagship store in Conway Square, in order to produce

STORE FOCUS

John Carnduff, Rachel’s brother who passed away in 2019.

better product display and allow for a more efficient customer flow,” says Rachel, noting that the MTJ accolade has recognised this hard work and innovation.

The Carnduff family went on to win Northern Ireland Butcher’s Shop of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and it could be assumed the family were flying high. However, they were facing great personal difficulty and adversity when Rachel’s brother John was diagnosed with stomach cancer, sadly passing away five months later.

Rachel recalled a difficult phone call with her brother before his passing.

“John and I shared a phone call following his diagnosis, a phone call I’ll never forget,” she says. “John asked that I look after his business for him, and he asked I tackle a list of achievements he had always hoped to complete.”

UK Butcher’s Shop of the Year sat at the top of the pile. “I made my brother a lot of promises, promises I intend on keeping and to have completed this massive task in honour of my brother was both amazing and completely heart breaking,” she says. “I just wish he had been here to see it, the business he built winning the top accolade – but I know just how proud he would be of the Carnduff team.”

Sea border’ hitting many Northern Ireland supply chains hard, we have been okay,” says Rachel.

“That’s mainly because the majority of produce sold in store, or produced in Newtownards, has been bought locally.

This of course is only adding to our artisan credentials.

“We try to stock as many different products outside our own range – including milk, eggs, butter, sauces, jams etc all locally-sourced. If we support the local economy, then the local economy will support us.”

There are two different types of customer – the convenience shopper, and the high street shopper. “The high street shopper will come into the main store twice a week, while the convenience shopper is purchasing day-by-day in their SPAR shop, and they are looking for quick, quality meals they can prepare in 15-30 minutes,” she says.

Their convenience presence has helped boost sales, with their traditional butchery products now available to quick-stop commuters, buying that evening’s dinner after the butcher is traditionally closed.

“A lot of it is down to product range,” she says. “It has to be right, the look of the product has to be right, your staff needs to be right, and everything has to fit into place.

“Once, all we were supplying was red meat and chicken but now it’s completely different. The economic and practical dynamics of butchery have changed enormously in the last decade or so.

“The growth in ready-made products is down to how working families have changed their approach to cooking. There is no longer enough time to cook a large meal after work, and people are sick of unhealthy take-away foods.

“They want quality, healthy alternatives that can be ready in 30 minutes, and that’s what we provide,” she said, adding that the business is also involved in product development, using their convenience sites as testing grounds for new innovations.

The new MTJ award will now have pride of place among the many others in the company’s Newtownards premises, but the family is still doing what they love.

LOCAL SOURCING “Covid has meant many problems, which we have overcome, but despite the ‘Irish

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RETAIL NEWS - INDEPENDENTS

RETAIL AT HEART OF BALLYMENA BID’S £1M FIVE-YEAR PLAN B

allymena Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled a £1m five-year plan to drive a post-Covid economic recovery strategy for Ballymena town centre.

The local BID Board, run by a collective of owners and representatives from local businesses, is encouraging all local traders and stakeholders to come together in support of its recently published BID Business Plan for 20212026 which will go to ballot over February 16 to March 30.

“The past five years have been a huge success story and one which myself and fellow board members are very proud of,” said Emma McCrea, BID manager.

“Ballymena has always had a reputation as being a popular retail and hospitality destination, and one which we plan to make even better. Over the past few years (pre-Covid) we have increased footfall, with the statistics showing a 6.9% increase, bucking the national trend.

“We have improved the visitor experience in Ballymena with the introduction of a town centre warden, meeters and greeters, an

Eugene Reid, Ballymena Chamber president, is pictured with Stephen Reynolds, chairman of Ballymena BID and proprietor of the award-winning Front Page Bar.

additional police presence, alongside the development of a five-year crime reduction strategy.

“We have organised and hosted numerous events and initiatives which have been rolled out through sustained, extensive marketing and PR campaigns which have firmly established Ballymena’s place on the Northern Ireland map.”

Following extensive consultation with local businesses, Ballymena BID has identified three key areas of focus: a

PM URGED TO CRACK DOWN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST SHOP WORKERS

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he Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) has made an impassioned plea to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to tackle the increasing number of physical and verbal attacks on shop workers.

Senior retail leaders, including NFRN National President Stuart Reddish, have written to the Prime Minister calling for a new statutory offence of assaulting, threatening or abusing a retail worker.

Attacks on retailers and their staff have been a growing trend for some time. In March last year, the annual British Retail Consortium crime survey reported that over 400 incidents of violence or abuse were occurring daily.

Major triggers for these incidents included challenging customers for ID when purchasing age-restricted items or encountering shoplifters.

Nearly a year on, the Covid-19 10

pandemic has exacerbated the situation and has caused a dramatic spike in such incidents. Retailers have reported being verbally and physically assaulted, coughed at and spat at for trying to implement government rules regarding the wearing of face coverings in shops.

“Independent retailers have been and continue to be at the frontline during this crisis and have to deal with physical and verbal threats on a near daily basis for simply doing their jobs,” said Stuart Reddish, national president, NFRN. “These are not victimless crimes they have a serious impact on people who have been injured or experienced psychological trauma, as well as their families and the communities they serve.

“The time has come for the government to take immediate action and toughen the law to protect shop workers across the whole of the UK.”

robust and sustained advertising and marketing campaign; creating a safe, clean and welcoming environment including enhanced litter management and better street lighting; and support aimed at attracting and encouraging new as well as existing businesses.

For a successful Yes vote, over 50% of eligible businesses must be in favour of the Ballymena BID Renewal Business Plan. For more information, visit: wwwballymenameans.com

CALL FOR EXTENSION OF FURLOUGH SCHEME

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etail NI has called upon the Chancellor to extend furlough following release of the latest HMRC figures, showing a marked increase to 94,000 workers using the scheme.

“This increase in the furlough scheme illustrates just how much the lockdown is costing our local economy,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “On a near daily basis, we hear from members that their business will not survive this pandemic.

“The Chancellor must extend the furlough scheme beyond April if these businesses are to stand any chance of survival.

“The Executive needs to do more and practical measures such as restoring click and collect for small traders and a support package for independent food retailers would go some way in reducing further job losses and business failures.”

RETAIL NEWS – SYMBOLS

LOCAL SPAR & EUROSPAR RETAILERS PICK UP UK-WIDE AWARDS

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ive SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers from across Northern Ireland have bagged an array of accolades from two of the top UK-wide retail award schemes.

The Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards and the Retail Industry Awards both took place virtually recently, with Mulkerns EUROSPAR in Newry, SPAR Fortfield in Carrickfergus, JC Stewart Magherafelt, SPAR Malone Road and P&G EUROSPAR, Portadown all taking home trophies.

At the Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards, Mulkerns EUROSPAR took the top award in the Best Community Engagement category and SPAR Fortfield won Best Forecourt in the Northern Ireland regional category.

At the prestigious Retail Industry Awards, often regarded as a benchmark of excellence for the industry, eight awards were won by SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers in Northern Ireland.

Mulkerns EUROSPAR picked up another four top gongs: Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Independent), Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year (Independent), Community Retailer of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for Enya McAteer.

The business also received Highly Commended for Kelly McKeown in the Manager of the Year category, and for Best Use of Technology, earning the store a total of seven accolades in the past two weeks.

JC Stewart came out top in the Independent Retailer of the Year (over 6,000 square feet), the only supermarket in Northern Ireland to get an award in this category, and also brought home the Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year award.

P&G EUROSPAR, Portadown, operated by Henderson Retail, won Forecourt Retailer of the Year (company owned) with judges commending the store’s commitment to community and investment in technology, saying P&Gs was ‘more than just a forecourt’.

SPAR Malone Road rounded up the flurry of impressive awards with the Post Office Retailer of the Year (Company Owned) award, also operated by Henderson Retail.

Organisers of the Retail Industry Awards also shone a spotlight on the entire industry for being frontline and key workers during an unprecedented year, rewarding the entire UK Grocery Retail Sector with the Outstanding Achievement Award for its work during the pandemic.

SYMBOLS LEAD VALUE GROWTH IN THE LOCAL GROCERY SECTOR

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ymbol retailers and Lidl have once again made the biggest gains in the Northern Ireland grocery market, posting value sales growth of 26% and 20.5% respectively in the latest figures from Kantar.

The discount retailer far outperformed 8.1% growth in value sales for the multiple retail sector overall, while other retailers such as butchers and greengrocers posted sales growth of 20.9% in the 52 weeks to January 24.

The total local grocery market grew its value sales by 13.9% over the year, including a 13.4% boost in the last 12 weeks to January 24.

“After almost a full year of national lockdowns and restrictions, we visited stores an average of 20 times fewer than we did the year before the pandemic,” said Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar.

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RETAIL NEWS - MULTIPLES

GREEN LIGHT FOR MONKSTOWN FINNEBROGUE SUPERSTORE SLAMMED BY RETAIL NI SECURES UKwith a significant number of local etail NI has slammed Antrim neighbourhood retailers who are the life & Newtownabbey Planning WIDE ASDA blood of the community.

Committee’s decision to grant “Out-of-town retail development, due permission for a 40,000-square-foot Asda to poor historical planning decisions, is out-of-town superstore on the former LISTING FOR the main reason Northern Ireland has the Nortel site in the Monkstown Industrial highest town centre retail vacancy rate in Estate.

PLANT-BASED the UK. Given that our high streets are The £17.5m development includes facing a very uncertain future, granting a forecourt, 450 parking spaces and is RANGE permission for another out-of-town expected to create up to 250 local jobs.

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“This is a kick in the teeth for local independent retailers struggling with the pandemic and is a clear breach of the town centre first retail planning policy,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “It is a shameful decision based upon exaggerated claims of new jobs being created and completely ignored the concerns of local independent retailers and small businesses.

“As we have seen before with countless other out-of-town superstores, these always destroy and displace existing town centre retail jobs. Newtownabbey has a distinctive retail environment

superstore is the very last thing they need.”

A spokesperson for Asda said: “Asda is delighted to have received planning permission for the store.

“The process has been lengthy, reflecting the careful assessments carried out by the council, its officers and independent advisers.

“The planning committee’s decision follows the overwhelming support for the development which we received during our public consultation. It will bring new jobs to the area and offer Newtownabbey shoppers low prices and great value every time they shop in Asda.”

LIDL NI EXPANDS ITS 20-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH IRWIN’S BAKERY

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rwin’s Bakery has secured a new deal with Lidl Northern Ireland, valued at an annual £2.7m, supplying products such as Nutty Krust batch bread, Irwin’s Veda malted loaf and Jammy Joeys buns to 202 stores across the island of Ireland.

Established in 1912 and employing more From left, Michael Murphy, chief executive, Irwin’s Bakery; Ross Irwin, than 450 staff, the director, Irwin’s Bakery; Ben Woods, supply chain executive, Lidl bakery has been a longNorthern Ireland; and Brian Irwin, chairman, Irwin’s Bakery. term supplier to Lidl Northern Ireland since it opened its first store in Cookstown in 1999, with the 20-year partnership said to be worth more than £50m.

Irwin’s has introduced a new product range to Lidl Northern Ireland this year including traditional buttermilk soda bread and a low-calorie wholemeal sliced bread.

“Not only has this supply contract supported our growth strategy, but it has also enabled us to increase production, create more jobs locally and expand our range of products,” said Michael Murphy, chief executive officer, Irwin’s Bakery.

The Irwin’s bakery range at Lidl also includes fruit bread, rolls and muffins, pan bread, wheaten bread, Snowy Joeys and Iced Diamonds.

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innebrogue Artisan has secured a contract to supply eight new plantbased lines to up to 434 Asda stores across the UK from its dedicated plant-based factory in Downpatrick.

The products, which will join Asda’s 73 strong plant-based range, include Meat-Free Chicken Style Nuggets, Southern Fried Goujons and Kievs, Chicken Style Shawarma, Chicken Style pieces, Beef Style Strips, Meat Free Bacon Style Rashers and an updated mince recipe.

Finnebrogue’s relationship with the retailer began in 2014, with the production of Asda’s award-winning Extra Special sausage range. Since then, the company has created over 50 new products for the retailer, including Extra Special festive lines such as a first-to-market Vegan Turkey Joint and two new Pig in Blankets products for Christmas 2020.

“This further investment in continued growth of the meatfree protein category within Asda and their support in the launch of our new facility demonstrates the desire of consumers to reduce their meat intake,” said Laura Wills, new product development manager, Finnebrogue.

From left, brothers Kyle and Jude; Laura Wills, new product development manager for Finnebrogue; and Robert Ryans, general store manager, Asda Antrim.

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ADVERTORIAL

MUSGRAVE NI CHARITY PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUE TO DELIVER SUPERVALU AND CENTRA RAISE £130,000 FOR ACTION CANCER

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n what was an exceptionally challenging year, SuperValu and Centra retailers across Northern Ireland raised a monumental £130,000 for long-standing charity partner, Action Cancer.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the brands challenged themselves to reassess their initial fundraising plans which support the lifesaving services offered by Action Cancer across Northern Ireland.

Desi Derby, marketing director for SuperValu and Centra, commented on the fundraising achievement: “When the pandemic hit at the beginning of last year, our rally call became ‘together we are stronger.’ We knew how detrimental the impact of having to cancel traditional fundraising events and activities would be to Action Cancer so, as a team, we worked collectively to come up with ways in which we could support our longstanding partner in these difficult times.

“This significant figure is a testament to the dedication of our retailers, colleagues

and customers, who have worked tirelessly over the last year to both serve their communities and to help us achieve this impressive fundraising total.”

Five key initiatives were developed including the sale of limited-edition Action Cancer face masks, which to date has raised almost £25,000 and are still available in stores priced at £4. This followed on the heels of a successful Halloween initiative, partnering with local Armagh supplier Gilfresh, which saw the brands pledge a 50p donation from each pumpkin sale.

Throughout the pandemic, SuperValu and Centra have continued to champion their local communities and in June, the brands called on the public to nominate their ‘local store hero’ – a store colleague recognised for going above and beyond to help their local community; a £1 donation was made for every nomination received.

In April, the brands announced their partnership with a local charity initiative showing support for the NHS and all frontline workers – selling balloon-shaped

stickers for customers to display on their car or home windows.

In addition, SuperValu honoured their annual sponsorship of Action Cancer’s Bra Walk which took place in September and went virtual for the first time.

Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer, added: “Throughout 2020, the ongoing support of SuperValu and Centra retailers to Action Cancer has been truly outstanding and vital, enabling us to continue with many of our supporting services throughout the year. Without the ongoing support of Musgrave NI, our impact and the difference we make in helping to save lives and support people with cancer in Northern Ireland would be considerably less. Thank you, SuperValu, and Centra for your tremendous ongoing and continuing support to Action Cancer and for the contribution you make daily to our local community.”

MACE AND MUSGRAVE MARKETPLACE RAISE £50,000 FOR NI CHEST, HEART AND STROKE MACE and Musgrave MarketPlace have been partnered with NI Chest, Heart and Stroke since 2016 and despite the challenges of 2020, raised a fantastic £50,000 – vital funds going directly to help rebuild the lives of thousands of local people living with cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Fundraising initiatives included ‘Skip to the Beat’ initially designed to be a virtual skipping event, which was eagerly embraced by local schools with each child received a skipping rope, 14

courtesy of MACE - making PE that little bit more fun. In addition, hug tokens were sold in all MACE stores

with customers encouraged to send one to someone special during lockdown and, during the festive season, specially designed Christmas tree decorations were available to buy.

Jackie Trainor, director of Income Generation at NICHS, stressed the importance of the relationship: “MACE and NI Chest Heart and Stroke have established a great partnership, one that has gone from strength to strength, and has only continued to prosper, even during the pandemic.”

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

RETAILERS WIN TRUST OF CONSUMERS IN THE UK IN MAJOR SURVEY

BY MICHELE SHIRLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOOD NI

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here was good news and some important advice for food retailing in a recent European survey of 11,000 consumers that also embraced the UK before its withdrawal from the EU was completed and before the Irish Sea border chaos.

The 2019 EIT Food TrustTracker asked members of the public in 13 European countries to rate the trustworthiness of key sectors of the food industry including farmers, food manufacturers, retailers and authorities. It found that retailers were rated after farmers as the most trustworthy.

Overall, 53% of consumers said they trusted retailers - up 7% since 2018. The endorsement, it appears, was partly influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and the gratitude towards the sector for maintaining food supplies and access to a wide range of products. One of the messages from the poll, however, was a demand for greater transparency in food retailing and production.

Consumers are keen to know even more about what’s in their food and about the organisations and individuals producing it.

Farmers rated highest for trustworthiness across Europe and in the UK. Farmers and food manufacturers are seen as generally doing a good job. Of all players within the food sector, farmers were the most trusted, with 67% of European consumers reporting they trust farmers compared to just 13% that do not.

Also encouraging is the finding that confidence in food products has improved, with an 8% increase from 2018 in those agreeing that food is generally safe. In Food NI, we’ve long been conscious of the growing trend among consumers for more information about food. And we’ve endeavoured to help our 450 member companies to improve understanding among consumers. Our hugely successful Year of Food & Drink in 2016 was an example of this commitment.

The study also found that trust in both government agencies and food manufacturers has lagged behind, with less than half of consumers across all countries (47% and 46% respectively) saying that they trust these groups. In the UK, interestingly, consumers consider the food industry to play a more caring role than other Europeans do, with 72% believing that farmers act in the public interest, compared to a European average of 56%.

The same is true for retailers, with 61% of UK consumers agreeing that retailers listen to public concerns and 55% thinking retailers act in the public interest – compared to averages of 44% and 41% across Europe as a whole.

One of Northern Ireland’s most important features is a relatively small supply chain between farmers, food producers and consumers. It’s much smaller, of course, than most other parts of Europe. This means that farmers and producers find it easier to work on new food ideas to meet consumer requirements and to respond quickly to market opportunities and challenges.

Unfortunately, the supply chain here has taken quite a battering in the challenges surrounding the bureaucracy from the Brexit withdrawal and the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol even Cabinet Minister Michael Gove accepts it isn’t working.

We are still seeing product shortages on supermarket shelves especially fresh fruit and vegetables – except those coming from the Irish Republic. Other processed products such as chicken, fish and prepared meals from Great Britain have been missing from the shelves of many supermarkets including the likes of Marks 15

and Spencer. Local delis are also finding it difficult to source niche products such as cheese from Britain and Europe.

The gaps have provided new opportunities for local suppliers. A good example of this has been the contingency plan between Sainsbury’s and Henderson Group for alternative products from suppliers here. We hope that this trend will lead to all the main supermarkets looking towards even greater local sourcing.

While it’s still not clear what is going to be done to address the serious problems of the Protocol, Food NI will continue to support the growth of our local food and drink enterprises.

We’ve also found that our producers appreciate the need for openness and honesty about the industry highlighted in the survey as a critical element in developing that trust. There’s a great opportunity to promote and broker dialogue between consumers and all parts of the food industry especially in increasingly important areas such as health and sustainability.

Food NI has also been involved in a range of initiatives designed to build understanding and communication between consumers, farmers and food producers, and food retailers through various types of bridge building events. I believe, therefore, that there’s a strong need for more work of this kind in the short-term to act as a rallying call to the industry and also to build our economy as we emerge from the pandemic.

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

CONSUMER INSIGHT AND MARKET UPDATE

BY JASON WINSTANLEY, HEAD OF RESEARCH AND INSIGHT, MOY PARK MEAT REDUCTION: THE END OF THE BEGINNING? Few people can have failed to notice the mass consumer movement towards meat reduction which has been ongoing now for several years. We’ve just seen the conclusion of Veganuary which, according to the organisers, saw almost 600,000 people around the world signing up this year - a number which far exceeded its half a million target. At the same time, vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian products are now well established across almost all supermarkets and, at first glance, it would appear that the movement towards greater levels of meat reduction is continuing to gain pace.

However, whilst both the chilled and frozen vegetarian categories continue to see double-digit year-on-year retail growth, there is an interesting nuance behind the trend’s progression. Every year, Moy Park runs a piece of research to ask consumers to categorise themselves in terms of their meat consumption. In January 2020, 37% of consumers fell into this bracket, but the 2021 survey revealed some interesting news - this figure has

fallen to 33% of consumers.

This marks the first year in the five years that the survey has been running where the proportion of meat reducers has not continued to increase. The survey findings are corroborated by Kantar data2 which shows that during 2020 there was a slight fall in the penetration of households buying into the vegetarian categories.

This does not mean that growth in these categories is slowing; as mentioned, the categories continue to see very healthy growth, driven by a mixture of increased frequency and weight of purchase, but it does seem that we may have reached the end of the first wave of consumers moving into meat reduction. Why might this be?

One of the factors is almost certainly Covid; one of the big drivers of greater levels of meat reduction has been the lead taken by foodservice and, with much of food service closed throughout the last year, options for easily joining in with the trend have been curtailed for many consumers.

Another factor is the rise in scratch cooking that has occurred as one of the side effects of lockdown; familiarity,

more limited shopping repertoires and considerations of ease may have driven many consumers to cook more with meat than they otherwise would have done.

And then there is the plain fact that the drift of consumers into meat reduction simply couldn’t go on for ever - over half of consumers who are not currently meat reducing have no interest in ever doing so3.

Over the long-term, though, we can expect the pace of meat reduction adoption to start increasing again; the entry of younger consumers into the market and growing importance of health and sustainability considerations will almost certainly mean that, over time, more of the population will become reducers. So, to paraphrase Churchill, this is certainly not the beginning of the end for meat reduction, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

1 Veganuary’s Rise is Unstoppable as 2021 Becomes Biggest Year Yet 2 Kantar Worldpanel, 52 weeks to 27th December 2020 3 Moy Park research, January 2020 and January 2021

THAT PROTEIN PORRIDGE RECOGNISED FOR ALLEVIATING DIGESTION ISSUES

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rganic high-protein porridge from That Protein, an award-winning innovator and producer of plantbased superfood powders in Northern Ireland, has recently achieved low FODMAP certification for its porridge

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as suitable for sufferers of IBS and other digestion issues.

The certification for its natural oatbased porridge product follows rigorous independent testing by FODMAP dietary experts.

The low FODMAP certification is the third achieved by the small Northern Ireland business for its products. It became the first in the UK last year to gain FODMAP approval for its awardwinning Blissful Raw Cacao Organic Super Protein, followed by its Chirpy Chirpy Choca Mocha Super Protein product.

“We are thrilled to receive this endorsement by dietary specialists in extensive laboratory tests for our new organic porridge which has been designed in response to the increasing number of people suffering from IBS and other digestion issues,” said Darlene McCormick, founder and managing director, That Protein.

Darlene McCormick, founder and managing director, That Protein.

“The double choc protein porridge is a specially developed blend of organic oats, plant protein, raw cacao, cacao nibs and the sweet superfood palmyra nectar and boasts a raft of health benefits including helping build and maintain muscle mass.

“It also reduces tiredness and fatigue and is high in fibre which is important as the daily fibre target is 30g a day.”

ADVERTORIAL

DENNY DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH WITH DELI COUNTERS CLOSING DURING THE PANDEMIC, DENNY HAS LAUNCHED ITS CLASSIC OLD STYLE HAM IN NEW PACKS

ACKNOWLEDGING CONSUMERS’ LOVE TOWARDS DENNY OLD STYLE DELI HAM AND WITH THE INCREASED CLOSURE OF DELI COUNTERS WE KNEW WE HAD TO FIND A WAY TO CONTINUE TO BRING THEM THEIR FAVOURITE DENNY HAM. HAVING SPENT ALMOST A YEAR IN DEVELOPMENT AND HAVING TESTED EXTENSIVELY WITH CONSUMERS, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO BRING THIS NEW PRODUCT TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND MARKET.

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he current pandemic has had a massive impact on deli counters with demand decreasing considerably for open sandwich stations, salad bars and unwrapped food in general, resulting in many deli counters closing. With more and more people now working from home, the planned in-home lunch occasion has also increased significantly.

Household favourite Denny has delivered an exceptional year-onyear growth across all categories in which they operate. In sliced cooked meats, Denny is the #1 brand with a value share of 18.4% and growing sales +5.3% L52w, accelerating to +14.7% L12w*. As the leading brand, Denny accepted the challenge to bring their classic Old Style ham, traditionally found at the deli counters, to a new convenient prepacked format whilst still maintaining the same great taste consumers have come to love and expect.

Commenting on this launch, Matt Paterson, Denny senior brand manager, said: “Acknowledging consumers’ love towards Denny Old Style Deli Ham and with the increased closure of deli counters we knew we had to find a way to continue to bring them their favourite Denny Ham. Having spent almost a year in development and having testing extensively with consumers we are really excited to bring this new product to the Northern Ireland market.”

The new Denny Old Style Ham is available in cooked and crumbed variants and will be nationally distributed from February with an RRP of £3.00. *Nielsen Data w/e 26th December 2020

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ADVERTORIAL

COCA-COLA PARTNERS WITH TYLER, THE CREATOR TO BRING TO LIFE THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF DRINKING A COCA-COLA • CAMPAIGN WILL BE SUPPORTED BY AN EVOLVED COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR, OFFERING CONSUMERS NOT ONLY A GREAT TASTE, BUT A SLEEK, BRAND-NEW COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR PACKAGING DESIGN

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he unique, refreshing taste of CocaCola has been uplifting the world for generations. It’s an experience that only enjoying a Coca-Cola can offer, yet one that’s nearly impossible to describe in words.

A study conducted by YouGov revealed that people are lost for words when it comes to describing their favourite moments in life, with 66% of all Irish adults believing the best experiences are difficult to explain with words. One of those being enjoying life’s simple pleasure of drinking a Coca-Cola. 51% of people found it impossible to put into words the unique feelings experienced when drinking a Coke. Three in four (74%) young adults (18–24-year-olds) can’t compare the taste or experience of drinking a Coke with any other experience in the world. 62% of 18–34-year-olds said that for them, the experience of drinking Coca-Cola goes beyond just taste.

That’s why, in 2021, Coca-Cola is celebrating the Coke experience, whether it’s enjoying a Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or any of its flavour variants, by giving new drinkers a way to describe this beyond-words experience.

A brand-new campaign, Open That Coca-Cola, brings to life the first sip of Coca-Cola and the expressions we use to convey the refreshing great taste and experience of upliftment, and enjoyment when drinking it, like Ahhhh! Oooh! Yeah!

To encapsulate that undefinable feeling, CocaCola has found the perfect partner in Tyler, The Creator.

The visionary artist is a long-time fan of the brand and shares an authentic originality, allowing him to express the Coca-Cola experience in the way he knows best: through music.

Tyler’s created an exclusive 18

track featured in the campaign, which truly brings to life the iconicity of a CocaCola through a unique interpretation highlighting this indescribable experience and taste. The track will be available on all streaming platforms from March 5th.

From highlighting the incomparable pleasure of the first sip, to the whole uplifting experience of enjoying a CocaCola, the campaign is also brought to life in the form of an exciting dance – the Coca-Cola Kick-Shuffle, which expresses the uplifting experience of drinking a Coke through fun movements that anyone can try out and enjoy. Fans are invited to recreate the moves and express their own interpretations of the Coca-Cola experience through dance accompanied by Tyler’s exclusive sound. The uplifting dance will be revealed by an iconic global social star known for her moves, in the coming weeks.

Karen O’Shea, marketing manager for Coca-Cola Ireland, said: “We’re excited to launch this campaign to share with everyone what the uplifting and refreshing experience of enjoying a Coca-Cola really feels like, one we know so

many fans around the world enjoy and we hope even more people try as well.

We cannot wait for people to hear Tyler, the Creator’s new song and the CocaCola Kick Shuffle is full of fun moves that anyone can try out. Keep an eye on social over the coming months to see us bring #OpenthatCocaCola to life with influential Irish faces!”

As an extension of the campaign and rolling out across European markets over the coming months, an evolved Coca-Cola Zero Sugar will be launched, offering consumers not only a great taste, but a sleek, brand-new Coca-Cola Zero Sugar packaging design, enhancing consumers’ Coke experience even further. In Ireland, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is the number one light sugar cola, and the fastest growing with three out of four households purchasing the brand throughout 2020.

Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke will also be available from the end of March in a new 1l pack size. The new pack will be introduced in response to the growing trend of small basket shopping trips and consumer demand for ‘meals at home’ amongst couples and small families.

Andrea Whyte, marketing director, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, commented: “As the number one light sugar cola brand, we have ambitions to further accelerate the success of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. So, in 2021, we are delighted to introduce an evolved Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, with a new look and taste. This combines a brand-new, striking and sleek look, with an evolved, refreshing and delicious taste, still with zero sugar and zero calories.”

The campaign continues the company’s ‘Open’ platform, which sees the brand inspire and uplift people to being open to new possibilities and experiences, whilst remaining optimistic during these challenging times.

Coca-Cola HBC will activate a full campaign to drive frequency and trial year-round, appealing to young adults and families. The campaign will include above-the-line marketing investment with bursts of support around key brand moments such as the Euros, Summer, and Christmas.

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ADVERTORIAL

BOOST DRINKS INTRODUCES NEW CARAMEL LATTE VARIANT TO ICED COFFEE RANGE

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oost Drinks, the owner of Northern Ireland’s second best-selling iced coffee brand within the local independent convenience channel*, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Iced Coffee Caramel Latte.

Boost Iced Coffee, which includes the flavour variants Caffe Latte and Double Espresso, was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2020 after research highlighted an increasing demand for RTD coffee and iced drinks in the independent and convenience channel. Sales have been increasing throughout the year and, according to recent data, iced drinks saw 75.9% unit growth in the 12-week period up to Christmas*.

The success of Boost Iced Coffee across

BOOST ICED COFFEE CARAMEL LATTE IS ONLY GOING TO COMPLEMENT THE ALREADY STRONG AND GROWING RANGE AND GIVE RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS ANOTHER COST COMPETITIVE TASTY PRODUCT TO CHOOSE FROM. NI inspired Boost to create and introduce Caramel Latte to the range, a flavour variant that is currently the fastestgrowing within iced drinks - seeing 107% YOY growth**.

Boost Drinks, the number one best-selling soft drink brand within independent convenience in Northern Ireland*, created Iced Coffee Caramel Latte using exclusive production techniques to ensure a smooth tasting, quality product that offers extended shelf life compared to other brands.

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Jack Taylor, trade marketing manager at Boost, said: “Iced drinks and iced coffee popularity has soared in Northern Ireland and we are incredibly proud to have the second best-selling iced-coffee brand in the region – less than a year after launch.

“Boost Iced Coffee Caramel Latte is only going to complement the already strong and growing range and give retailers and consumers another cost competitive tasty product to choose from,” concluded Jack.

Boost Iced Coffee Caramel Latte, Caffe Latte and Double Espresso are all available at £1 PMP. Boost will be continuing wide-ranging marketing support for Boost Iced Coffee including trade and consumer PR, print and digital advertising, a distribution drive and sampling activity. * Source: IRI Marketplace Data, Symbols & Independents, Unit Sales w/e 27.12.20 ** IRI Marketplace Data, Symbols & Independents, Unit Sales, 52 w/e 07.09.20

ADVERTORIAL

MONSTER MONARCH AND ULTRA FIESTA MANGO SET TO JUICE UP THE ENERGY CATEGORY MONSTER ENERGY PORTFOLIO IN 39% GROWTH THANKS TO NEW INNOVATIONS IN 2020 Monster Monarch, named after the humble butterfly, has a light subtle flavour with hints of peach and nectarine. While delicate in flavour, it still can provide shoppers with their own ‘Butterfly Effect’ as Monarch still packs a punch with its legendary Monster Energy blend.

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ith the energy category experiencing continued success in the market, Monster Energy is shaking up the category once again with two exciting new variants.

In 2020, the energy category grew by 11% in value1 and Monster Energy became the fastest growing energy brand in Northern Ireland, experiencing an outstanding 38.4% value growth with success across all flavours2.

The energy range is primed to capture incremental growth for retailers again in 2021, thanks to its continued investment in exciting new propositions.

New additions Monster Pacific Punch and Monster Ultra Paradise were the leaders of innovation in the energy category in 2020, with Monster Ultra Paradise in particular capitalising on the continued growth of the ‘zero sugar’ energy segment in Northern Ireland.

2021 will be no different when it comes to Monster’s rate of innovation, starting with new flavours launching across Northern Ireland in March 2021: Monster Monarch and Monster Ultra Fiesta Mango.

MONSTER MONARCH There is a theory that something as small and inconsequential as the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can be the trigger that results in a hurricane.

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THE PACE OF INNOVATION ACROSS THE MONSTER RANGE HAS PROVEN TO BE A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY, EVIDENT BY THE GROWTH OF THE NEW CORE, ULTRA AND JUICE VARIANTS IN RECENT YEARS.

MONSTER ULTRA FIESTA MANGO Sleep later, cause tonight we’re going to Fiesta!​New Monster Ultra Fiesta Mango celebrates the nights that turn into mornings, and the friends we now call family.

The newest addition to the Ultra range combines a fun and juicy mango flavour with the popular Monster Energy blend, but with zero sugar and calories. ​ Conor Chase, Monster Energy , marketing manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “The continued growth of the energy segment offers a massive opportunity for retailers, and Monster is primed to capture that growth with its expanding range of flavours.

“The pace of innovation across the Monster range has proven to be a successful strategy, evident by the growth of the new Core, Ultra and Juice variants in recent years.

“Both Monster Monarch and Monster Ultra Fiesta Mango have been an immediate hit across Europe, and I’m confident that the two new variants will prove just as popular across Northern Ireland in 2021.”

For more Information on the new variants, contact Coca-Cola HBC’s Customer Care Centre on 028 9262 0520.

1 Source: Nielsen Answers MAT NI to 26.12.20 2 Nielsen NI Total Value Sales 2020

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

SPOTLIGHT ON THE

JUDGING PROCESS

ENTRY IS NOW OPEN FOR THE ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2021 A robust, fair and transparent judging process is at the heart of the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards, which will see accolades handed out across 10 categories during the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball at the Culloden Estate & Spa on Friday, October 1.

Entry for the 33rd annual event is open until Friday, June 4, with judging to be held in mid- to late-June.

A number of our longstanding judges are already on board for the 2021 Awards, while a few new additions are planned to strengthen this year’s panel. Further details of our independent judging panel will be unveiled in the coming months.

Our panel will work their way through each of the 10 categories, rigorously studying and evaluating each entry together with any supporting documentation and imagery.

In 2020, the number of shortlisted entries for each category was reduced to three in response to constructive criticism from Awards entrants.

In addition to offering uniformity across all 10 categories, reducing the number of entries gaining the distinction elevates the honour of being shortlisted, and will apply again in 2021.

Shortlisted entries will be announced in our August edition, alongside a synopsis and image from each competitive campaign provided by entrants, and subsequently highlighted across our website and social media. An Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards 2021 shortlisted logo will be available to maximise exposure for successful entrants.

From the three entries shortlisted for each category, judges will choose one winner

✸

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and one highly commended award.

Joint winners or highly commended entries will only be awarded in the exceptional circumstance of the judging panel, after extensive deliberation, remaining unable to distinguish one entry’s superiority over another.

While criteria for each category is listed on p27, judges are broadly seeking evidence of a clear strategy, its effective execution and quantifiable results in each entry.

JUDGING WILL THEN BE CONDUCTED AS FOLLOWING: • Early June: panel receives all entries to allow review ahead of judging • Each judge independently reviews and evaluates the strategies, methodologies and performance information submitted for each entry alongside category criteria • Judges score each entry using a simple points system of 0 for entries failing to meet criteria, 1 point for meeting criteria (applicant has at least addressed the terms of reference but the submission is not deemed sufficient to gain a higher score), 3 points for highly commended, and 5 for the winner (with general notes attached to each entry) • Mid- to late-June: panel convenes for judging • Using compiled scores, judges review each category to raise any issues or areas of disagreement and seek consensus on winners and highly commended awards • Judges provide quotable citations for winners and highly commended entries

✸GROCERYAID GROCERS’ BALL TO BE HELD ON

OCTOBER 1

A new date has been set for the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, featuring the Ulster Grocer Marketing OCTOBER 1 Awards 2021, of Friday, October 1 at the Culloden Estate & Spa. The GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball is the main fundraising event of the year for the charity’s NI Committee, and this year’s comes at a time when demand for its support services is peaking as shop and grocery supply chain workers face unprecedented stress and challenges.

Ticket sales are now open for the Ball, which was postponed from its usual May date due to the ongoing pandemic, through GroceryAid NI Committee member Jim McAlea (jim.mcalea@yahoo.co.uk).

HOW TO ENTER THE AWARDS All entry will be via an online-only mechanism at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ ulstergrocer/ and will close on June 4, 2021.

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS LEADER IN MARKETING Now in its second 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.

✸

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.

BEST SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

LORRAINE HALL YOUNG MARKETEER AWARD

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.

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

✸

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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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.

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.

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.

BEST CSR INITIATIVE/CHARITY PARTNERSHIP

BEST EXPORT MARKETING

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.

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.

sponsored by

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ADVERTORIAL

TOPO CHICO HARD SELTZER LAUNCHES IN STORES ACROSS IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND NEW HARD SELTZER HAS ALREADY ACHIEVED 20% VALUE SHARE IN PILOT STORES SINCE NOVEMBER

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ogether with Coca-Cola Ireland, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland is extending the availability of Topo Chico Hard Seltzer to stores across Ireland and Northern Ireland from April, following its outstanding success in pilot stores since November.

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is a sparkling water with alcohol and natural flavours.

The new drink is inspired by the 125-yearold Topo Chico sparkling mineral water, a cult-like brand that grew in prominence as a popular mixer for bartenders in the US and Latin America.

Developed by a team of company experts and mixologists from around the world, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer launched in Latin America last year, and Ireland and Northern Ireland were subsequently some of the first European markets to introduce the exciting new brand.

Since its debut in November, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has activated an intense marketing campaign including out-of-home advertising, social, digital and sampling to facilitate discovery and drive trial amongst younger urban shoppers. As a result, the brand achieved an outstanding 20% value share in pilot stores within just three months, with 33% repeat purchase amongst this core target audience.

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Miles Karemacher, general manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “We’re really excited to extend the availability of this great new global brand across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is already growing rapidly, achieving an outstanding 20% value share in select stores since its debut. We’re confident that we have a great tasting offering that responds to consumers’ desires for low sugar and alcohol options.”

The hard seltzer category is increasing in popularity across the US and Europe and is poised for continued growth.

Globally the category is estimated to be worth $4.5bn and is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 16.2%, reaching $14.51bn by 2027.1 In the UK alone, hard seltzer sales should reach £75m by 2023.2 Ireland is expected to follow suit, as one of the top five trending countries for the category, according to Google Trends data.

Available in three variants, Tangy Lemon Lime, Tropical Mango and Cherry Acai, all of which are gluten-free, each 330ml serving contains 96 calories, two

grams of sugar and is 4.7% alcohol by volume (ABV).

In Northern Ireland, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be available in 330ml sleek aluminum single cans and our most popular pack our 4-can multi-packs in each delicious flavour.

The launch of Topo Chico will be supported by significant above and below-the-line marketing investment, to include shopper, digital and social media, and influencer outreach. The campaign will focus on key summer occasions to grow awareness of the category and relevance of the brand among key demographics.

Topo Chico is to be enjoyed by people over the legal drinking age, please always drink responsibly.

Follow Topo Chico on Instagram @topochicohs and join the conversation online using the hashtag #TopoChicoTime.

1 IWSR Drinks Market Analysis 2 TheSpiritsBusiness.com

ADVERTORIAL

SMURFIT KAPPA’S BETTER PLANET PACKAGING INITIATIVE THIS IS OUR INITIATIVE TO REDUCE PACKAGING WASTE

BY CREATING MORE SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

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nnovation, substitution and collaboration are at the heart of our new initiative to work towards a sustainable future for our customers, our future and ourselves.

We firmly believe that sustainable packaging should be high on everyone’s agenda. 75% of shoppers prefer paperbased packaging over plastic. The consumer demand for action on waste reduction has put sustainability at the heart of brand strategy, government policy and legislation. We are helping retailers and customers to improve sustainability credentials and add brand value.

86% of consumers prefer buffering that is easy to dispose and recycle.

Producers are facing increasing pressure to provide sustainable packaging solutions for a rapidly changing supply chain. We are collaborating with customers and using innovation to create sustainable packaging solutions for different distribution channels.

Did you know that paper biodegrades faster than an apple core? Paper is 100% renewable, biodegradable with the highest collection and recycling rates.

A recent customer collaboration saw us convert over 250 million pizza discs from polystyrene to corrugated. Historically, most industrial pizza producers and retailers who prepare fresh pizzas in-store or for the chilled aisle were using nonrecyclable, non-biodegradable polystyrene discs as a base for their pizzas. In a world where plastic pollution is such a huge problem, we wanted to help them to develop a food safe, 100% recyclable and biodegradable alternative. Our factory in Lurgan, Co Armagh is certified to BRC Direct food contact level, the first corrugated site in Northern Ireland

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A RECENT CUSTOMER COLLABORATION SAW US CONVERT OVER 250 MILLION PIZZA DISCS FROM POLYSTYRENE TO CORRUGATED. HISTORICALLY, MOST INDUSTRIAL PIZZA PRODUCERS AND RETAILERS WHO PREPARE FRESH PIZZAS IN-STORE OR FOR THE CHILLED AISLE WERE USING NON-RECYCLABLE, NON-BIODEGRADABLE POLYSTYRENE DISCS AS A BASE FOR THEIR PIZZAS. to hold this accreditation. This enables us to work with a number of customers to develop pizza discs made from corrugated material. These paper-based pizza discs provided an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene as they are 100% recyclable and biodegradable and are made from a renewable resource.

The discs can be custom printed with brand and marketing messages. Since the start of the customer collaboration, we have converted a staggering 250m pizza discs from polystyrene to a paper-based solution and this figure is still growing.

This is a fantastic step forward for our customers and the planet. This solution

supports our Better Planet Packaging initiative that explores and re-imagines packaging for a sustainable world.

Another project saw us replace plastic punnets with a paper-based solution.

Globally 95% of all plastic packaging is used once and then discarded, often as litter. Paper-based alternatives can help to avoid, reduce and replace plastic packaging. Plastic punnets are used extensively as a convenient way to package fresh food. However they are not reusable and are produced from different types of plastic, making it difficult for consumers to recycle. Moreover, plastic punnets do not absorb moisture from food such as fruit which reduces the life span of the product. Paper-based punnets provide an excellent alternative providing a fusion of function, design and sustainability. Full punnets can be placed in specially designed trays, so palletisation and transportation is much easier. In addition, the specially designed trays have an open bottom ensuring accurate airflow which increases the life of the fresh product.

These are just two examples taken from a range of success stories that we’ve collaborated with our customers on.

Packaging holds a valuable, sustainable role in guarding against waste and through our initiative we will continue to use our strength in sustainable materials, packaging design, packaging recycling and industry leading expertise to develop more sustainable packaging solutions for our customers, our planet and ourselves.

ADVERTORIAL

EASY FOOD LABELLING FROM ANY DEVICE Thomas McKnight

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n 2015 Envisage was started by Thomas McKnight, having been approached by a company that he had previously dealt with in Australia to create a solution for automatic number plate recognition that would integrate with the State of Victoria’s government vehicle records and the customers’ point of sale system. The number plate software known as PLUM has been in use in Australia now for four years. The rollout started within the state of Victoria but now the system can provide details for vehicles in all six states.

Due to his involvement in labelling, Thomas had always wanted Envisage to develop a software package that was easy to use and would comply with all the current and upcoming legislation.

There was some internal resistance to move into this market. However the resistance eventually faded and the development team came on board.

Encouraged by the management team of DSP Supermarkets Ltd, who saw the need for a solution across their group of stores, FoodNutrix was developed as a modern food labelling solution that is as easily used on a tablet at a deli counter as a production terminal in a kitchen.

The scalability of the solution means that a customer can have a tablet with a standalone database or a server system that controls all product information centrally or a multisite production business that synchronises all product and order information to head office.

Abbey has been the main reseller with

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Envisage for the past two years and their customers have had a significant input to the functionality of FoodNutrix.

FoodNutrix started as a simple labelling solution that automatically found the 14 proscribed allergens and highlighted them in BOLD. Thomas McKnight said: “Once we could print individual labels we added the ability to create batches of labels that could match customer orders, moving swiftly on to receiving the orders by email processing them to print the entire label batch and generate delivery dockets.

“Orders can now be submitted by Handset, app on a desktop pc or via the Telesales module. By expanding the functionality to include van deliveries and sales we now offer Android terminals with built in printers to facilitate signature capture for proof of delivery and then automated uploading of deliveries to head office. This data is used for production management and batch label printing.

“All delivery data can be exported into various formats to allow EDI transmission for centrally billing to major wholesale groups and import of data into Sage 50 and Sage 200 to generate detailed sales invoices or credit notes.”

Since its creation FoodNutrix has been developed based on customer and commercial requirements.

“The passing of ‘Natasha’s Law,’ which will come into force in October 2021, gives businesses a transition period to prepare for the new rules related to direct packaging.

“Although there is a transition period we are ready now to assist with

compliance. We have integrated Ala Calc nutritional analysis into FoodNutrix.

With this integration your recipes can be updated in Ala Calc and the nutritional information downloads into FoodNutrix to enable you to ensure that your labels comply with all packaging regulations,” he added.

Case Study: McErlain’s Bakery The McErlain family are third generation bakers. This year they decided to implement a new delivery and production solution. The requirement was to implement a modern system that would require the minimum bespoke development to meet their needs before they moved into their new purpose-built baking facility.

Having previously chosen to use FoodNutrix for their labelling adding on the additional modules was an easy choice. Over een by Peter McErlain, the delivery and production modules were trialled and found to be a resounding success.

Peter McErlain said: “The simplicity of operation made the choice to move forward with FoodNutrix an easy one.”

ADVERTORIAL

MERCURY SYSTEMS – WORKABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR STORE integrated or attached to a single checkout. By being placed before the payment process takes place, it reduces stress and embarrassment for customers and staff when dealing with an alarm.

Store staff have eye contact with the customer and can react to alarms before the customer pays for the products.

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he pandemic has made us embrace everything technology - from Zooms to Click and Collect to ‘tapping’ our phones – all in the race to stay connected while apart. Retail remains at the forefront of this marathon, with stores of all sizes seeking solutions to ensure customers and staff are safe, while preserving the retail experience.

As a leading provider of loss prevention solutions, Mercury Systems has the technology to support you. As well as options to help with social distancing, mask compliance or monitoring temperatures, we offer tailored solutions to prevent loss – from labels, to Bottlelox, to full scale systems – to protect your bottom line.

FAST REMOTE SERVICE Remotely manage all installed and connected antenna systems within your store or group. 80% of problems are solvable online, saving customers money and time on call-outs. ➜ remote log-in allows the monitoring of all installed and connected EAS systems. ➜ we can diagnose and solve problems remotely without sending an engineer for every issue. ➜ we can see if a system is still connected, if all hardware is still running, the infra-red beam sensors are not blocked, and so on. ➜ notifications of the system status allows us to pro-actively solve problems before they arise.

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INTEGRATED DEACTIVATION With the advent of self-service checkout and many stores now moving to cashless tills, we now have a solution for deactivating labels at such tills, leading to a seamless checkout experience for customers. Once hardware is integrated into tills, all protected items are deactivated automatically. This improves speed and customer convenience and gives the retailer peace of mind.

THE CHECKOUT ANTENNA Improves the Alarm Response Rate while reducing stress levels for both your staff and customers. In comparison with antennas located at the exit of the store, the checkout antenna can either be

SECURITY TAGGING We often see store owners being sceptical about using security solutions, such as bottle tags. These can be tricky for staff to put on and may not look aesthetically appealing on shelves.

However, without some form of deterrent, shop owners may be setting themselves up for unnecessary loss.

For alcohol, Mercury supplies BottleLox, which is designed not to spoil the appearance of products, as well as being quick and easy to apply (and remove).

Feasible for all retail sizes, it works with an EAS tagging system to support the open sale of alcohol. These systems are much more affordable than retailers might imagine.

TAILORED SOLUTIONS “Over the years that we’ve been providing solutions to stores around Northern Ireland, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t,” says Tom Dunlea of Mercury Systems. “If we recommend a solution to a store, we want to make certain it’s the right one for the store size, number of staff and that best practice can be applied to make sure the solution is used properly – to ensure it is going to work in that premises.”

With the challenges caused by the pandemic, store owners don’t need to be facing losses. More pressure than ever is on them to keep the retail environment safe, while maintaining stock and ensuring staff and customers are satisfied.

Mercury Systems is confident that tailored security systems offer the solution retailers need.

Contact: Tom Dunlea, Mercury Systems, on 00 353 87 114 9878 tdunlea@mercurysystems.ie www.mercurysystems.ie

ADVERTORIAL

AFTER A STRONG YEAR IN 2020, HENDERSON TECHNOLOGY HAS ENTERED 2021 WITH PLENTY OF MOMENTUM

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elebrating the 10th birthday of EDGEPoS in March 2020, and despite the challenges that the global pandemic presented, Henderson Technology made huge strides globally, reaching 645 installed sites by the end 2020.

In addition, the launch of Appetite, the Home Delivery, Click & Collect and Hot Food App, along with the integration of the Glory Cash Management system and the roll out of dozens of EDGEPoS ESEL installations, Henderson Technology finished 2020 in its strongest position to date.

Darren Nickels, retail technology operations director, said: “Since developing EDGEPoS in 2010, we have enjoyed constant growth and expansion, and I am looking forward to continuing on an upward trajectory, enhancing the technology even further and creating an even more attractive offering for retailers in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

One addition that has proven extremely popular amongst local SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO retailers is the Appetite App. Retailers are attracting new customers who have not shopped with them before thanks to the introduction of this new Home Delivery and Click & Collect solution.

Appetite, created in partnership with Blu Dot Technologies, is fully integrated into Henderson Technology’s EDGEPoS system meaning stock levels are live and automatically updated so the shopper has pick of what is on the shelves in realtime.

Nickels says installing the app in-store is seamless; “Retailers are fully supported by our training and support teams which means the software, order terminal and printer can all be installed with full stock uploaded and training completed in around two days.”

Alongside grocery deliveries and collections, retailers have the option to add their hot food-to-go on the app as Aaron McGuigan, manager of Mulkerns EUROSPAR explains: “To meet the demands of the pandemic, we introduced the Appetite Home Delivery, Click & Collect and Hot 36

Food App. Since the launch, we are now averaging over £5,000 per week of orders going through the App – and this is growing at a mammoth speed. We have a home delivery service live instore which is very valuable to our elderly customers. We used Appetite initially to allow customers to pre order and prepay for their Sunday carvery dinners, of which we would serve around 700 each Sunday.

“Following the outbreak, this service became essential for the customer as well as our staff, allowing for less queues and therefore less customers instore whilst still serving our community.”

Aaron concludes: “The decision was taken to extend the use of Appetite to the whole store. From this, we can offer our customers a consistent service allowing customers to click and collect, picking a delivery slot or to pay instore with the groceries already picked by a member of our team.

“Our aim is to offer our customers a safe and convenient shopping trip, whether they leave the house or not.

“Appetite has been a massive success instore, driven by our staff who update content regularly, maintaining live stock records.”

Frank Kilpatrick, part of the family management team in SPAR Westland Road, told us: “We introduced Appetite in April 2020, shortly after the initial national lockdown. The service was introduced to offer a ‘community service’ during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The initial offering had no delivery charge in line with the mood of the local community at the time.

“We have no hot food offering in this store, but did include our off sales offerings for home delivery also.

“Our home deliveries quickly grew, with a peak in May 2020 of £21,101.

Our delivery service is available from 10am to 10pm Monday–Sunday, and we do find that the majority of our orders are placed for same day delivery.

“The average basket in this store is £54, but the Appetite orders range from £30 to £250 per transaction. 85% of orders received are home delivery versus 15% click n collect, with Friday and Saturday being the busiest in App order days in Westland Road.”

Darren Nickels finished: “Henderson Technology are not a company to sit still and we are continually developing our retail technologies to create better services for our customers to benefit their shoppers.

“Technology innovation has never been as important as it is now and, with Appetite, we can continue to develop the tech to match the retailer needs.

“We look forward to seeing more retailers coming on board and discovering the advantages for themselves.”

ADVERTORIAL

KARCHER CENTER CRAIGMORE CONTINUES TO HELP BUSINESSES ACHIEVE SUPERIOR CLEANING RESULTS… WHO WE ARE Karcher Center Craigmore has been based in Craigavon for over 20 years and in April 2018 we opened our second store, becoming the Flagship Karcher Center in Belfast on the Boucher Road. Since then, we have enjoyed continued success yearon-year, with more local businesses trusting us to advise on their cleaning requirements and needs. We are proud to say that our Belfast store is now recognised as one of the largest Karcher Centers in the UK and Europe, and has been regarded as ‘setting the standard’ for the Karcher network in Europe.

WHY CHOOSE KARCHER CENTER CRAIGMORE? 1. A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS With a wide range of cleaning machines, accessories and detergents, we are able to help businesses improve their cleaning efficiency, drive hygiene standards and

achieve more for less. Our list of products is extensive, with our most popular lines including: Pressure washers, Scrubber Dryers, Steam Cleaners, Vacuum Cleaners, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners, Window Vacs. If you have a specific cleaning task to carry out, we are confident that we have the right product to get the job done!

2. A BRAND YOU CAN RELY ON Karcher is arguably one of the world’s most recognisable brands, known for industrial and domestic cleaning solutions as well as providing the benchmark for superior quality and innovative products.

Each Karcher machine is tried and tested throughout the manufacturing process, giving you the assurance that the product you are investing in is reliable and able to deliver outstanding results.

3. EXPERT ADVICE TO CALL UPON WHEN YOU NEED US With nearly 30 years’ experience within the industry, we are confident that our knowledge and insight will be invaluable in helping your business to achieve the highest of cleaning standards. From an initial consultation to after-sales help and support, Karcher Center Craigmore will be with you every step of the way, as we partner together to achieve the cleaning goals tailored to your specific needs.

TESTIMONIALS MY EXPERIENCE OF KARCHER CENTER CRAIGMORE HAS BEEN SUPERB… [THEIR] WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE OF KARCHER EQUIPMENT AND OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SECOND TO NONE. Andrew Porter, Creightons

I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY [STORE] OWNER TO USE KARCHER CENTER CRAIGMORE FOR THEIR EXPERTISE AND EXCELLENT AFTERSALES SERVICE. Andrew Davis, Titanic Spar and 77 Retail 38

HELPING WITH THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID With sanitisation being a main priority for many businesses over the past year, we have been able to provide a number of products to help meet our customers’ needs in the fight against Covid-19.

KARCHER STEAM CLEANERS Karcher steam cleaners offer economic and hygienic cleaning without chemicals, killing 99.999% of bacteria. The wide range of accessories make these machines suitable within many environments, including kitchens, deli counters, restrooms etc.

KARCHER AIR PURIFIERS Polluted air is always a problem, caused by vapours from carpets, pollen count, germs or poor air quality. We have a range of purifiers with unique HEPA filters to provide optimum air quality and help to eliminate bacteria, odours, allergies or other organic compounds.

If you require any expert advice regarding sanitisation or cleaning requirements for your business, please get in touch with us: 1-2 Windsor Business Park, Boucher Place, Belfast, BT12 6HT T: 028 9066 7333 E: info@karcher-center-craigmore.co.uk W: www.karcher-center-craigmore.co.uk

MY LIFE IN THE GROCERY TRADE

JACQUELINE HAMILTON, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, CARNBROOKE WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE? I am the commercial director at Carnbrooke in Lisburn, with my focus being on the retail aspect of the business but it is very much a team effort and each department relies on the other. I worked previously in animal health and joined my husband, Jason, at Carnbrooke in 2019 in the development of our retail operation.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? My role centres around the retail aspect of Carnbrooke. This allows me to work with local suppliers and local artisan companies and our farmer producer groups across Northern Ireland. My role also involves working with our amazing retail team at Carnbrooke. This also involves working with our production kitchen team on our new dishes and food offering.

WHEN DID YOU TAKE UP THIS POST? I took up the role in September 2019, but have been at heart Carnbrooke since my husband Jason and I established the business in 2011, servicing the hotels and restaurants with a range of meats.

WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? There are so many awesome parts to my job. Being able to support other small, independent and artisan business is up there; our suppliers come from across the province and I love that we can support each other in the supply chain. One of the best parts is getting to develop all the

production kitchen. It also makes me incredibly proud that throughout these challenging times of Covid, we have been able to stay open and more recently keeping our shelves stocked to provide for the everyday needs of so many of our customers.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL RETAIL INDUSTRY? Dealing with some many fantastic local suppliers and customers.

In addition, I love working on the development of new food products with our chefs.

new products from our own kitchen and other artisan suppliers to give the thumbs up to go onto our shelves.

BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY No two days are the same, my days can involve anything from meeting and engaging with our suppliers to looking at new products. I love being on the shop floor and interacting with our fantastic customers, getting to hear their feedback and requirements and ultimately being able to act on these.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? One of the proudest moments so far is opening our retail facility in Lisburn which includes our EEC approved factory and

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? Under normal circumstances I love being able to put on my heels and go out for dinner to a local restaurant, especially when Carnbrooke supplies so many top hotels and restaurants here.

During the summer months, I enjoy spending time at the beach with my dog every weekend. I am a keen water sports enthusiast.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW I am a certified PADI Diver, and also the farmer in the house. I have 50 ewes at home which are in lamb and now for the next six weeks will spend most of my evenings out in the lambing shed with help from my two children.

AGRI-FOOD NEWS

OXFORD FARMING CONFERENCE EMBRACES DIVERSITY WITH NEW CO-CHAIRS

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diverse, female team has been announced to jointly chair the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) for the first time in the event’s 76-year history.

Agri-food industry experts Barbara Bray and Sarah Mukherjee were appointed to the voluntary position at the end of the annual conference in January and will lead the OFC’s charitable and industry work including the delivery of the 2022 conference.

Both Bray, who is Black British, and Mukherjee, who is

Barbara Bray.

Sarah Mukherjee.

British Asian, said they want to bring their combined experience to help shape the focus of the next conference, which will be a hybrid digital and physical event following the success of the online event last month.

Based in Manchester, Barbara Bray, MBE is a food safety consultant and registered nutritionist driving and delivering food safety in food supply chains and developing nutrition strategy for businesses. She became an OFC director in 2020, is a

BREXIT OPPORTUNITIES PROMPT MDS INVESTMENT

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gri-food graduate training organisation MDS has experienced unprecedented demand from graduate applications as well as from new members over the past 12 months, according to Chair Christine Tacon.

Representing a consortium of member companies comprising growers, suppliers and supermarkets, the Peterborough-based organisation was created in 1986 to address a shortage of skilled managers within the industry.

Tacon has also forecast there will be no levelling off in interest from companies looking to invest in developing graduate talent, nor in young people seeking a long-term future in the sector.

“I also predict that changes forced by Brexit will bring further opportunity for MDS and our members,” she said.

“We are seeing signs that an increased number of modern facilities in Eastern Europe want UK-trained management.

“Some talented, skilled younger people have returned home to their countries of origin and this has resulted in a renewed interest amongst employers for nurturing homegrown future leaders.

“Our board has made the decision to invest in systems and personnel to prepare us for a doubling in graduate applications and secondment placements with member companies, and also a continuing rise in the number of member companies. We have, therefore, invested in software and hardware upgrades, as well as our digital and communications capabilities.”

The MDS programme spans two years, with each graduate trainee undertaking four different six-month secondments in a wide range of roles and member companies.

MDS currently has 66 graduates on the scheme and in the past year has increased its member companies from 48 to 58 businesses in the agrifood and fresh produce sector.

trustee for International Affairs with the Nutrition Society and sits on the food and nutrition committee for the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Mukherjee, based in Hertfordshire, is chief executive of IEMA, a membership organisation for environment and sustainability professionals.

She read law at Oxford University and worked in PR and consultancy at the House of Commons before becoming an environment correspondent for BBC TV, radio and online. More recently she was director of environment at Water UK and chief executive of the Crop Protection Association, joining the OFC as a director in 2020.

NEW DAIRY CODE OF CONDUCT WELCOMED

A

dopting a new Dairy Code of Conduct in legislation will provide a more effective dairy supply chain in which farmers and processors can work together for fairer and equitable terms while delivering great value dairy products for consumers, say the UK farming unions.

The announcement by the UK government and devolved administrations follows a landmark 12-week consultation last year which sought views from dairy farmers and processors about how dairy contracts and relationships could be improved.

A joint statement from the four UK farming unions welcomed the news, highlighting that the sector ‘must now work hard to ensure we get this new Code of Conduct right and that it works’.

CONCERNS RAISED OVER PROPOSED PIG SECTOR STANDARDS

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ew Red Tractor standards proposed for the pig sector around staff training, management and record-keeping will create unnecessary bureaucracy for its members, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

“There are pig producers who have been running pig farms to the highest standards for generations and, all of a sudden, their practices that have been acceptable for Red Tractor to date, will no longer be satisfactory,” said Glenn Cuddy, pork and bacon chairman, UFU. The proposals are due to come into effect in November 2021 after a period of consultation. Pig producers are urged to respond to the consultation, at https://assurance. redtractor.org.uk/red-tractor-review-2021

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MARKETING NEWS

LMC LAUNCHES SECOND BURST OF TRUTH ABOUT BEEF CAMPAIGN

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to local experts to find out how imed at informing NI beef is produced with the consumers about environment in mind, as the health and well as the importance environmental benefits of red meat as part of a of Northern Ireland Farm healthy balanced diet.

Quality Assured (NIFQA) In addition, the Beef, the Livestock and campaign shows Meat Commission for a number of LMC’s Northern Ireland (LMC) Lauren Patterson, education delicious beef recipes has launched a second and consumer and increases awareness burst of its advertising promotions manager, LMC. of NIFQA beef cuts. The campaign. campaign will feature on The Truth about Beef campaign television, radio, outdoor digital screens follows local chef James Devine on a journey to find out what makes NIFQA and across social media. beef so special. Along the way he speaks “It is more important than ever before

BRITISH LION EGGS CRACK ON WITH 2021 MARKETING CAMPAIGN

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ritish Lion eggs has launched a £1.3m marketing campaign for 2021 to drive awareness of the Lion mark and capitalise on unprecedented consumer demand for eggs in retail.

With retail sales growing by 18.4% in the last year (52 w/e 27 Dec 2020), the equivalent of around 1.2 billion extra eggs, this year’s campaign will

focus on keeping eggs top of mind and maintaining the sales boost delivered by lockdown and consumer desire for quick, healthy meals.

Olympic diver, foodie and parent Tom Daley will continue his role as the figurehead for British Lion eggs as he builds towards representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games this year.

Daley, an advocate for healthy living, will front a digital ad campaign in partnership with health and food media outlets including BBC Good Food and Men’s Health, as well as creating and sharing Lion egg recipes with his seven million+ social media followers.

Seasonal, calendar and health opportunities, including British Egg Week, will be maximised year-round across digital, social and print media.

that consumers are correctly informed about beef and lamb production in Northern Ireland and are able to recognise that the NIFQA logo is their guarantee of high-quality beef and lamb produced on their doorstep, and fully traceable from farm to fork,” said Lauren Patterson, education and consumer promotions manager, LMC. “The Covid-19 pandemic has markedly changed consumer habits and they have perhaps never been closer to their food in terms of its origin, quality, versatility and sustainability.”

This second campaign burst runs to the end of March 2021 and the roll out of the campaign will continue throughout 2021. For more information about LMC’s Truth about Beef campaign, search Love NI Beef.

Olympic diver, foodie and parent Tom Daley will continue his role as the figurehead for British Lion eggs as he builds towards representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games this year.

KP SNACKS LAUNCHES £2M CAMPAIGN FOR McCOY’S FIRE PIT

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cCoy’s, the UK’s number one ridged crisp brand (1), has unveiled a new creative brand platform with the launch of a £2m McCoy’s Fire Pit above-the-line campaign.

The new creative, which will run across all McCoy’s brand advertising, features a cheeky, playful and mischievous ‘beast’ representing extreme flavour cravings.

The new creative will initially appear in a £2m TV/VOD, poster and online campaign to support McCoy’s latest NPD, McCoy’s Fire Pit. The TV ad features a hungry, bored and unsuspecting office worker who is visited by our cheeky and playful ’beast’ looking for a McCoy’s Fire

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Pit fiery embrace.

A 20” TV ad will run from February 15 for three weeks, with a 10” cut broadcast until the end of May. McCoy’s Fire Pit out-of-home poster campaign, with the caption Forged from Fire to Ignite your Desire, will run until June, with a social media campaign running until July.

“The new creative is both fun and disruptive and is sure to capture the attention of consumers with a typically maverick McCoy’s approach,” said Sue Mackay, marketing manager at KP Snacks.

Source: 1 - Nielsen Scantrack 31.10.20

EXPORT NEWS

DELI LITES INVESTMENT TARGETS GLOBAL GROWTH

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ocal food-to-go manufacturer DELI LITES has announced plans for a multi-million-pound investment as part of its strategy to support growth internationally.

The Warrenpoint-headquartered company recently switched banking partners. Ulster Bank is now supporting DELI LITES with its business banking needs and providing additional funding facilities to accelerate growth in its foodto-go ranges over the next five years.

DELI LITES Ireland is run by husbandand-wife entrepreneurs Brian and Jackie Reid and employs a team of almost 300 people. The company supplies a range

Brian and Jackie Reid.

of food-to-go products to major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Costa.

The business produces more than 20 million products annually from

STENA EMBLA INCREASES BELFASTLIVERPOOL FREIGHT CAPACITY BY 20%

its extensive range of fresh gourmet sandwiches, nutritious salad bowls, hot sandwiches, heat-to-eat meals, awardwinning bakery treats and a new chef-led plant-based range.

Currently, DELI LITES exports to customers throughout the UK and Ireland and in European markets. Plans include further investment in research and innovation as well as capital projects at its Warrenpoint headquarters to support automation and sustainability.

“Despite the challenges the sector faced in 2020, our retail business and export markets remained strong,” said Brian Reid, CEO at DELI LITES. “As we invest in the future of the company, we aim to further develop our international business where we see significant opportunities.”

ANYTIME OMELETTES LISTED IN ROI

L From left, truck drivers Daniel Ferris, Dean McAuley and Johnny Spence, all transporting meat to England, were among the first to travel on Stena Line’s newest Irish Sea ferry as it made its inaugural crossing on the Belfast-Liverpool service on January 24.

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tena Line’s newest ship on the Irish Sea has made its inaugural crossing on the Belfast-Liverpool service.

Stena Embla has joined sister ship Stena Edda on the popular BelfastLiverpool route, with the capacity to carry 1,000 passengers, 120 cars and with 3,100 freight lane metres. It will increase the Belfast-Liverpool service freight capacity by 20% and raise passenger capacity by 33%.

“Stena Embla will make one daily

return trip between Belfast and Liverpool,” said Paul Grant, Irish Sea trade director, Stena Line.

“Now we will have two ships offering identical services and facilities which will help take our service levels on the route to new heights. We have real confidence in the future of our Belfast services and our Irish Sea routes in general, which is why this region has attracted three brand new ships in the last 12 months alone.”

BURREN BALSAMICS WINS REPEAT BUSINESS FROM HARRODS

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urren Balsamics, an award-winning producer of infused balsamic vinegars, has grown its business with Harrods in London.

Food NI member Burren Balsamics, based at Richhill in Co Armagh, has won repeat business for nine products ordered for the store’s food hall last year and received an added order for a further balsamic from its exclusive Grand Reserve range.

“We were thrilled to receive the new

orders just a few months after we won our first business to supply an initial nine lines to the iconic store,” said Susie Hamilton Stubber, who founded the business in February 2014.

“Harrods is now a very significant and influential customer for us, and our developing business with the store is a marvellous endorsement of the innovation and quality of our products especially in Britain, an intensely competitive marketplace.”

ocal firm Clarke Millar Foods has won its first significant business in the Republic of Ireland with a deal to supply its innovative Anytime Omelettes.

The Dunmurry-based company, which is owned and run by Clarke Millar and also provides distribution and marketing services to other food companies, will supply its recently launched convenience product made with free range eggs to the Musgrave Group.

“The deal with Musgrave Group is the outcome of my focus on the Republic of Ireland for growth,” said Millar. “Buyers at Musgrave Group sampled the omelettes and were impressed with their quality, convenience and eye-catching packaging.”

While Musgraves has initially listed the Anytime Succulent Ham and Cheese Omelette, the range also includes Chicken and Bacon, Tasty Vegetarian, Smokey Chorizo and Cheese, and Sausage, Bacon and Cheese.

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BUSINESS NEWS

GLOBAL SNACKING COMPANY GREEN LIGHT PLADIS RELOCATES HEAD OFFICE WELCOMED FOR

A1 IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

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L

eading snacking company pladis will be relocating its global head office from Hayes, Middlesex after 21 years there to Chiswick, London in the summer of 2021.

Home to brands such as McVitie’s and Jacob’s, the head office will support 16,000 colleagues and 25 bakeries worldwide. The new office will also be home to the UK&I regional office, led by David Murray.

As a fast-growing, global company, pladis’ new workspace has been purposedesigned to meet the businesses’ needs and will be a place to work, share, collaborate and belong. Spread out over approximately 28,000 square feet, the new office is modern and fresh, while also paying homage to the history and heritage of pladis as a family of bakers.

A carefully curated range of workspaces, quiet zones and collaboration settings have been designed to enable employees to come together, work and think creatively, and foster an inclusive, innovative culture.

“We have been looking for an office space which better reflects our needs and our ambition to be a defining snacking company of the 21st century,” said Salman Amin, chief executive officer.

“The new office will be much more than just a place for us to work, it will be a space where we can truly showcase our exceptional portfolio and grow and inspire our ambitious team.” pladis will join a number of other brands already situated in Chiswick Park, including Danone, Discovery, Pernod Ricard and Starbucks.

LLOYD’S REGISTER WINS BRCGS EUROPE CERTIFICATION BODY OF THE YEAR

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lobal food and beverage assurance specialist Lloyd’s Register has been awarded Certification Body of the Year (Europe) by consumer protection organisation BRCGS at the Food Safety Europe awards.

BRCGS recognised Lloyd’s Register as valued by stakeholders, showing ongoing and dedicated support for BRCGS standards and holding a five-star certification rating.

The BRCGS’ Food Safety (Europe) Awards were announced as part of the organisation’s annual Food Safety Europe conference, aimed at improving European food safety management in retail, foodservice and manufacturing

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environments, and held virtually on January 28.

Lloyd’s Register works with more than 35,000 clients in the food sector and is one of the world’s leading service providers of food safety certification, training and customised audit solutions.

nfrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s announcement last month approving the A1 improvement scheme has been welcomed by Logistics UK. “Logistics UK has long supported the need to upgrade the A1, a major route in Northern Ireland connecting Belfast and Dublin,” said Seamus Leheny, Northern Ireland policy manager, Logistics UK. “In March 2020, Logistics UK submitted a response to the Department for Infrastructure’s call for evidence, supporting this upgrade and highlighting the road safety and economic benefits it will deliver.

“We are thrilled this has been taken into consideration; the safety of road users is imperative and the current outdated infrastructure of the A1 does not reflect this.”

Proposed improvements include the provision of new grade separated junctions, the closing of all gaps in the central reservation and the provision of a continuous central reserve safety barrier along the whole route.

ILL-EQUIPPED HOMEWORKERS IDENTIFIED AS AT RISK

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new generation of long-term homeworkers created by Covid-19 is at risk physically and mentally through inadequate employer support, according to visual technology company EIZO. Research by the company found 39% of people are functioning without any additional employer-provided equipment such as a laptop, mouse, keyboard, monitor or desk chair.

While employers might be doing their best to support staff by providing laptops, low provision of a mouse (33%), keyboard (27%) and desk chairs (17%) can lead to physical effects on homeworking staff.

The problem is exacerbated by only a third of people having a dedicated home office space and even 12% claiming to work from a sofa with a laptop on their knees.

Research was conducted between September and October 2020 by Mustard Research among 200 employees currently working from home.

APPOINTMENTS

BOOST DRINKS READIES FOR GLOBAL EXPANSION WITH NEW ROLES

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oost Drinks has announced major global expansion plans, with Marketing Director Adrian Hipkiss taking on a new remit as marketing & international business director.

From February, he is responsible for spearheading Boost’s international sales strategy and brand development programme, while continuing with his pre-existing marketing responsibilities, overseeing category insight, brand and product development activity.

Ambitious growth targets for Q1 2021 include building Boost’s presence in the Nordic region of Europe, with new brand distributors already in place in Sweden, as well as establishing the brand in the Middle East and Pakistan.

Jorge Shell has been appointed as international controller, reporting directly to Hipkiss. The two have previously worked together at Valeo Foods, where their focus was growing the business internationally in strategic markets such as the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Shell played a crucial role in creation of a strategy which grew the Valeo Confectionary business by 75% and brings a wealth of international sales experience to his new role at Boost.

He will be responsible for the creation of regional business plans, working closely with Boost’s marketing team on geographical marketing campaigns and with Boost’s distributors in local markets to drive and develop business.

Jorge Shell.

Adrian Hipkiss.

“We have a strong brand proposition and portfolio which can absolutely travel overseas, and I am hugely excited by the prospect of growing the Boost brand on an international scale,” said Hipkiss. “We already have new partners and brand distributors in place in and are looking to enter certain new markets imminently.

ELEMENTAL TARGETS GLOBAL GROWTH WITH APPOINTMENT OF NEW CEO E

Dean Hislop.

lemental, a UK-based tech company enabling meat processors to capture more protein and fat per animal as well as reduce waste by converting processing byproducts into an organo-mineral fertiliser, has announced the appointment of Dean Hislop as its new chief executive.

Hislop’s appointment aligns with rapid growth plans to expand the tech firm’s use of its patented process technology among commercial partners in the UK and overseas.

With more than 25 years’ global finance and operational leadership experience, gained in both private equity backed and blue-chip corporate businesses, his previous roles have focused on natural resources, large scale renewable energy and organic waste

recycling.

Prior to joining Elemental, he was chief executive of start-up organic waste recycling and energy recovery business Tamar Energy, which he successfully sold to an infrastructure fund in 2018.

“Dean’s expertise and know-how will help take Elemental to the next stage in its journey from the extensive research and development phase to wider commercialisation,” said Mike Ash, chairman of Elemental. “Dean has a proven track record of attracting investment and commercialising businesses like ours, helping us to achieve our ambitions of positive change through the reduction of waste and circular utilisation of the world’s limited and precious natural resources.”

SHELFLIFE

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

PLADIS SWEETENS SALES WITH NEW FLIPZ COOKIES & CREAM

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lobal snacking company pladis is fuelling snacking sales with a new launch for its £14.3m (1) Flipz brand, Flipz Cookies & Cream.

This new, on-trend flavour combination from the shopper-favourite will give Flipz fans a taste of the familiar ‘swavoury’ flavour combination, with the brand’s signature salty pretzel coated in a moreish, sweet Cookies & Cream glaze.

“We want to maintain strong momentum for the Flipz brand, and adding tasty, trend-led flavour combinations to our core line-up will help the brand appeal to even more shoppers,” said Jonathan Bull, marketing director – Chocolate, Cake Seasonal at pladis UK&I.

JAFFA CAKES LAUNCHED IN NEW CHERRY & PASSION FRUIT FLAVOURS

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wo new innovative flavours, Cherry and Passion Fruit, have been added to pladis’ £65.9m McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes brand (1).

The new twists will see the household favourite swap its classic orange centre for tangy Cherry and tropical Passion Fruit Flavours, complete with the same light sponge, coated in delicious crackly dark chocolate. As well as exciting existing McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes fans, these ontrend fruity flavours will encourage new

“Considering 51% of shoppers report they are on the lookout for new snacks to try (2), a continuous flow of NPD into the everyday treats category is vital. What’s more, making innovation the heartland of the Flipz brand means we’ll help retailers drive incremental sales by encouraging new shoppers – especially younger consumers – to buy in.

Flipz Cookies & Cream is available in major retailers now, including Asda, Sainsbury’s and Co-op, as well as in wholesale and convenience.

Sources: 1 - Nielsen: MAT TY to WE 10.10.20; 2 - Mintel Consumer Snacking March 2019

shoppers to buy into the brand.

The brand launched McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Pineapple Flavour at the start of 2020 and this new flavour has added £2.1m retail sales value to the McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes brand so far (2).

“McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes are already a store-cupboard staple for over a third (37%) of UK households (3), with over one billion devoured each year (4),” said Emma Stowers, brand director for McVitie’s at pladis UK&I. McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Cherry Flavour and McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Passion Fruit Flavour are now available in supermarkets nationwide, including convenience stores.

1 - (MAT TY) Nielsen MAT TY w/e 26.12.20; 2 - Nielsen – Total Coverage – Sweet Biscuits – w/e 26.12.2020; 3 Kantar data; 4 - pladis Sales Out data

KP SNACKS DRIVES IMPULSE PURCHASES WITH NEW DISCOS £1PMP

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P Snacks has announced its popular snack brand Discos will be added to KP’s growing £1PMP range with the launch of Discos Salt & Vinegar £1PMP. Designed to capitalise on the growth of £1PMPs, the familiar and well-loved brand in its new format has been created to excite shoppers and drive impulsive purchases.

Available in stores from February 1, the new product will further grow the Discos brand (+15.1%) (1) by entering the new and growing format in the brand’s number one flavour.

42% of shoppers buy crisps and snacks on impulse (2) and PMPs are a huge driving force behind this, with £1 PMP ranges growing ahead of the market at +14.4% (3). “£1 PMPs have seen significant growth in the last year and the role of PMPs in convenience is extremely important as shoppers’ budgets are squeezed,” said Matt Collins, trading director at KP Snacks. “For retailers to win, it’s key to offer the right core range in the right formats and we’re confident that the Discos range extension will be a great addition to convenience shelves.”

Sources: 1 - Nielsen Scantrack – 26.12.20; 2 - HIM 2018; 3 - Nielsen Scantrack – 26.12.20

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CONTACT CHRIS KEENAN ON 028 9264 4267 OR EMAIL:

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

CONTACT CHRIS KEENAN ON 028 9264 4267 OR EMAIL:

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GROCER ULSTER

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

CLASSIFIEDS

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I am originally from the seaside town of Warrenpoint in Co Down but, for the last six years, have been living on the very beautiful North Coast with my partner and my two cocker spaniels, Dylan and Dolly. I have been with the company for a year and a half.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? My usual day starts around 8.45am when I reach our Head Office in Greysteel, take care of any emails from customers or messages through Facebook or Instagram. I receive a daily call from Hugh Nicholl, company director, who checks in with every department to hear how things are going each day. He keeps us all informed with what is happening across all of the offices and depots. I will then create some content for our social media platforms, adverts for printed media, write editorials, get things signed off by the directors for purchasing and check in with the domestic and commercial sales teams for any customer feedback.

I will also check in with the retail petrol and wholesale manager, Margaret, to see if there is anything she requires for the Nicholl Auto 365 forecourts or STAR branded retailers as we continue to roll out the new Nicholl branding and begin a brand refresh for STAR which I am very excited about. I usually leave around 5.30pm/5.45pm where I head home for a quick wardrobe change and take the dogs out for their walk.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? I have been very fortunate in my career in that, in a previous role, I was able to visit many different countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Now that I am working with Nicholl Oils, I look forward to many new career highlights, such as working with the team at the North West 200 when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Nicholl Oils are currently a co-sponsor of the event and I am looking forward to the build up to the race week and taking in the atmosphere during the event.

We are also currently rolling out a major rebrand for the company which is not a small task as we are changing the recognisable branding of a local company with almost 60 years’ history.

Customers will still receive the same high standard of customer service and the same great products but simply under the new Nicholl Oils image.

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IN THE HOT SEAT CONNIE BURNS-WOLFE, MARKETING MANAGER, NICHOLL OILS

determination and, if I’ve been lucky enough to inherit even half of her qualities, I will be much better for it.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE? My favourite place of all time is Warrenpoint Promenade. Looking out over Carlingford Lough at the Mourne Mountains, usually from the seafront restaurant, The Whistledown.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? Pizza! My favourite food and my favourite debate, should pineapple belong on a pizza? I say yes. I have eaten pizza in America, Sweden, Finland, Poland, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Italy but my favourite is still made in a little bakery called Avodah Bakehouse right here in Coleraine.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? That there is no such thing as a bad idea! I am really fortunate that our directors are open to any idea I bring to them. If we try something and if it works, great; if not, we learn from it. Thankfully, we haven’t had any marketing disasters on my watch.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GRIPE? Lateness. I firmly believe in being on time for meetings, appointments, reservations, interviews etc. The only time lateness is forgivable is if you telephone ahead and let the person or people you are meeting know that you are going to be late.

WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? I would like to be a competent snowboarder… or even to just make it off the beginner slopes. My partner is a very skilled snowboarder, and I would like to reach the same level as her at some stage.

WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? My grandmother was a goliath who led by example and was an original career woman, having worked as a midwife in both Edinburgh and in Newry. She believed in hard work, education and

I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN MY CAREER IN THAT, IN A PREVIOUS ROLE, I WAS ABLE TO VISIT MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES SUCH AS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. NOW THAT I AM WORKING WITH NICHOLL OILS, I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY NEW CAREER HIGHLIGHTS, SUCH AS WORKING WITH THE TEAM AT THE NORTH WEST 200 WHEN THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED. HOW DO YOU RELAX? I relax by taking my dogs out to one of our local beaches with my partner Nicola. Living on the North Coast we are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches and forest walks. I am also looking forward to restrictions being lifted and restaurants opening up; again we are very spoiled when it comes to our choice of restaurants on the North Coast.