Ulster Grocer November 2017

GROCER ULSTER

TM

NOVEMBER 2017

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

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

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The Force Awake

IN CINEMAS DECEMBER 14 12/10/2017 11:43

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03/05/2017 16:46

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

NOVEMBER 2017

ULSTER

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

BORDER IDENTIFIED AS KEY BREXIT FOCUS FOR DAIRY SECTOR

BY ALYSON MAGEE

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ailure to achieve a soft border after Brexit could potentially devastate Northern Ireland’s dairy industry, which exports high volumes of raw milk to the Republic of Ireland and dairy produce to the rest of Europe.

Industry body Dairy UK has published a White Paper in which it identifies both ‘game changing’ opportunities and challenges for the dairy industry around Brexit, with the Northern Ireland border highlighted as one of the key issues of concern.

Dairy represents one of the leading categories of the buoyant agri-food sector, featuring heavily in the annual Ulster Grocer Top 25 Local Food & Drinks Companies published in the summer.

Consolidation and cross-border initiatives have dominated category activity over the past few years, including notable recent investments of £28m

by Lakeland Dairies in a new milk powder plant in Bailieboro and £30m

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IFEX 2018 PREVIEW

WORLD BUTCHERS’ CHALLENGE AMONG NEW FEATURES

by LacPatrick in a processing plant in Artigarvan.

Dairy UK’s White Paper values Northern Ireland’s dairy exports to the Republic at £154m in 2015, second only to GB exports, and representing around 15% of total NI dairy industry sales, while RoI dairy exports to NI are valued at £61.6m.

“Brexit is a monumental challenge and game changing,” said Paul Vernon, chairman of Dairy UK. “If Brexit is successfully delivered, there is tremendous potential in terms of exports and product development. If it is a failure, there will be far reaching consequences for dairy.

“Ensuring greatest possible continuity of existing arrangements is particularly important for the dairy industry in Northern Ireland which is heavily reliant on exports to the EU.” According to Dairy UK, Brexit is the most defining issue the industry has faced for generations with the UK-wide dairy

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STORE FOCUS

FEATURING NEW GROCER DONNELLY’S OF RATHKENNY

industry employing more than 70,000 people and generating total turnover of nearly £28bn.

Retaining current trading agreements with the EU without tariff and nontariff barriers is also identified as vital, alongside access to skilled and unskilled labour.

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FOOD FORCE IRELAND

SHOWCASING THE LATEST PRODUCTS & INNOVATIONS

FOR PACKAGING THAT

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GROCERYAID AUTUMN BALL RENAMED FROM THE CANDY BALL, BUT STILL AS SWEET…

BRC PACKAGING CERTIFICATED

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COMMENT

MAINTAINING NORTHERN IRELAND’S LUCRATIVE DAIRY EXPORT TRADE

Volume 52, Number 10 November 2017 Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Brian McCalden, James Wilson Sales Manager: Mark Glover E: m.glover@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4267 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

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elfast’s hosting of the World Dairy Summit has been very timely, with Dairy UK publishing its White Paper highlighting Northern Ireland’s border as a key Brexit issue for the dairy industry (see p3), the week before the Summit.

Dairy is one of the most important agrifood sectors for Northern Ireland and one in which it punches above its weight.

Excluding companies for which dairy is part, but not all, of their business, this year’s Ulster Grocer Top 25 Local Food & Drinks Companies featured dairy producers at number five (Dale Farm), 11 (Greenfields Ireland), 13 (TMC Dairies) and 16 (Lakeland Dairies) with a combined turnover of over £690m.

However, the statistic doesn’t tell the full story with a number of big players such as Fane Valley Co-operative, Dairy Produce Packers and Ballyrashane Cooperative having sold off, merged or restructured their dairy interests, or filed their financial reports under a different jurisdiction.

Dale Farm Co-op is among the six biggest dairy producers in the UK. Suffice to say, dairy is big business for Northern Ireland but – like so many other industries – in a vulnerable position should Brexit trade negotiations take a wrong turn.

Dairy UK’s White Paper values Northern Ireland’s dairy exports at close to £700m, playing a vital role in creating a balanced sales portfolio for the dairy industry.

Our big producer co-operatives have become very astute at responding to poor domestic prices or volatility in global commodities by shifting their focus into more lucrative markets as necessary.

In recent years, for example, a drop in cheese prices has been balanced out by growing markets for cheese by-product whey, such as baby food and proteinenhanced products.

Clearly, any measures which would curtail this vital export trade is a real concern for the dairy sector, and Dairy UK highlights ‘a frictionless and seamless border regime to safeguard trade relations’ as perhaps the top priority in Brexit negotiations.

The paper is not all doom and gloom, also identifying ‘game changing’ opportunities around exports and product development should the UK secure strong

trade deals which maintain its current relations with the EU while perhaps opening up or expanding international markets.

Dairy UK is keen to avoid any tariff or non-tariff barriers, in particular a return to World Trade Organisation rules, and application of any restrictions to skilled or unskilled labour. The organisation is also pushing for an ‘unhurried transition period’ to allow industry to adapt to any changes.

With global demand for dairy products in growth, and milk prices on the rise again, now is the time to ensure export opportunities can be maximised.

“Dairy UK is keen to avoid any tariff or non-tariff barriers, in particular a return to World Trade Organisation rules, and application of any restrictions to skilled or unskilled labour.”

On the domestic front, meanwhile, ensuring dairy is viewed as part of a healthy diet is a focus.

These issues and more were to be debated at the World Dairy Summit, with Defra Secretary Michael Gove and EU Commissioner Phil Hogan among those set to address delegates. Let’s hope the message gets through loud and clear of the importance of preserving this vital local industry.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Ulster Grocer, in particular our 12-page feature covering Food Force Ireland’s recent Direct Trade Supplier Day, a vibrant event allowing retailers and suppliers to network and buy, buy, buy.

NEWS

HENDERSON GROUP RETAILERS SHINE AT NATIONAL AWARDS

Kelly McKeown and Enya McAteer collect the award for Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year on behalf of Mulkerns EUROSPAR.

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PAR and EUROSPAR retail partners of the Henderson Group have picked up 17 accolades including 10 top prizes at the Retail Industry Awards, held on September 28 in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Across 32 overall awards, local winners included: Cordner’s Comber Road SPAR (Independent Community Retailer of the Year); McBride Retail Group (Digital Engagement Award); Store Team of the Year (SPAR Greystone, Antrim); Mulkerns’ EUROSPAR, Newry (Food to go Retailer - Individual store, and Fresh Produce Supermarket of the Year – Independent); EUROSPAR Creightons of Balmoral (Forecourt Retailer of the Year – Independent, and Independent Retailer of the Year - 3,000-6,000 square feet); EUROSPAR Glenwell, Newtownabbey (Forecourt Retailer of the Year - Company

Owned); Henderson Retail (Forecourt Retailer of the Year - Multiple, and Convenience Retailer of the Year - Regional Winner). The SPAR brand also picked up Symbol/Fascia Group of the Year.

“This is an unprecedented achievement for our local retailers across the board,” said Paddy Doody, sales & marketing director, Henderson Wholesale. “It shows the position SPAR and EUROSPAR has here in Northern Ireland, with many of our stores clearly leading the way in the UK’s retail industry.”

Highlighting a high level of enagement with retailers, Mark McCammond, retail director, Henderson Retail, said: “We wish to extend huge congratulations to the independent retailers and company-owned stores that were recognised as the best in their class and for continuing to wear the brand names with pride.”

FOOTFALL DECLINE CONTINUES AS RETAIL NI QUESTIONS STORM RESPONSE

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etail NI has criticised the late response of the local education authority to Storm Ophelia last month, leaving families struggling to make last-minute childcare arrangements.

“There is no doubt this storm has cost the Northern Ireland economy severely, with thousands of businesses closing and extensive damage to property,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI. “However, legitimate questions need to be asked as to why the decision to close schools was taken so late on Sunday night? We also need to ask if the overall response to the storm could have been more effective and would decisions have

been taken earlier, if we had ministers in post running departments.”

Retail NI’s comments come as the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) publishes its latest footfall figures for the five weeks to September 30.

Footfall declined further by 4.3%, compared to a 2% decline in August, and significantly above the three-month average decrease of 2.9%.

High Street and retail parks both saw a sharp decline of 6.1% in this region, the highest for the UK as a whole. However, it experienced positive growth in shopping centres of 0.9%; the first time in this location since May.

TESCO CONTINUES TO GROW NI MARKET SHARE Tesco continues to dominate the supermarket sector in Northern Ireland, increasing its market share here to 35%. The supermarket, which has around 50 stores in Northern Ireland, increased its market share from 34.7% in the year to October 8, according to Kantar Worldpanel.

Lidl increased its market share from 5.2% to 5.4%, with Sainsbury’s at 17.4% and Asda at 17.2%.

Meanwhile, wholesaler Booker has reported a 9% rise in profits and confirmed its £3.7bn merger with Tesco is still set to close by early 2018, despite an ongoing competition probe into the deal.

CYBER ATTACK HITS MUSGRAVE A cyber attack, in which criminals attempted to get credit and debit card details of shoppers using stores owned by Musgrave, is currently under investigation.

Musgrave said the attack targeted its SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak and Mace stores, with malicious software used to try to steal the information of customers including the expiry date of the cards but did not try to access cardholders’ names, PINs or CCV numbers.

Musgrave has installed advanced technical fixes to combat the attempted breach.

SAINSBURY’S TO AXE 2,000 JOBS Sainsbury’s, which has 13 stores in Northern Ireland, is looking to cut around 2,000 payroll and human resources jobs in the UK as it continues a cost-cutting drive aimed at saving £500m over the next three years.

It will also restructure its central office operations by consolidating HR and additional support staff from across the grocery chain, Argos and Sainsbury’s Bank, which could see another 600 roles axed.

It is not clear how many jobs in Northern Ireland will be affected by the job cuts.

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NEWS

UFU CALLS FOR MILK PRICING DEBATE Ulster Farmers’ Union says the dairy industry needs to debate innovative changes to how farmers are paid for milk. Speaking after its recent dairy conference, UFU Dairy Committee Chairman William Irvine said there was a good case for looking at a payment system rewarding farmers on the basis of the end product produced from their milk.”

SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE COMES TO BELFAST

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference, is coming to the Europa Hotel in Belfast over November 8-9.

One of the major events in the entrepreneurial calendar, it brings together over 400 highly-acclaimed academics, speakers and business leaders from over 40 countries.

FORWARD LADIES HONOUR FOR HEAVENLY FOUNDER

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McCarney-Blair was shortlisted in three eavenly Tasty Organics founder and categories, SME Growth, SME Emerging MD Shauna McCarney-Blair has lifted and one honouring international success. the 2017 Forward Ladies Award in the The 12 SME Emerging category winners Category (regional will now take part final of Ireland, in a judging day Northwest in Manchester in England and November, before Wales) in a distinguished recognition of her panel of business ongoing success leaders, where with the family they will join snacking brand. finalists from The national regional events awards, in Yorkshire, introduced North East and eight years ago Scotland, London to reward and and the South celebrate the East, and the exceptional work Shauna McCarney-Blair, founder of Heavenly, receives the Midlands. The and female talent award from Griselda Togobo, MD of Forward Ladies. overall national winner will be announced throughout the business community, at a grand finale to be held in Leeds on were held on October 13 at The Lowry December 1.

Hotel, Manchester.

TOP TALENT ACCOLADE FOR UMI THE GROCER RECOGNISES TOP NEW TALENT AT UMI FOODS IN NORTHERN IRELAND Authentic, rustic, traditional and real...

Our new range of artisan batch breads combine great taste with exciting ingredients using traditional batch bread baking methods.

Slow baked on the sole of the oven for a distinct flavour.

www.irwinsbakery.com 6

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key figure in the new product team at UMI Foods in Northern Ireland has been listed by The Grocer magazine as among the UK’s Top New Talent in the food industry.

Victoria Cartmill, assistant product development manager and a specialist in convenience dishes, has been named among a 32-strong list of talented young professionals in the grocery/ production industry. The awards celebrate the brightest young talent developing within the fast-moving sector.

“Food has always played a pivotal role in my life, initially from the enjoyment of baking in the kitchen at home to working in a busy restaurant environment and now at UMI Foods, an SME business that’s sharply focused on innovation and new product development,” said Cartmill. “The food industry offers lots of opportunities to learn and develop. I love to travel and have an interest in where ingredients are sourced from, including other countries and their food cultures and eating habits.”

Victoria Cartmill

IFEX PREVIEW

Pictured are, from left: Sean Owens, IFEX Salon Culinaire director; Glenn McDowell, Team Ireland butcher; Rhonda Montgomery, founder and CEO of Butchery Excellence Ireland; and Caroline McCusker, IFEX event manager.

‘SERVING UP’ NEW EXHIBITORS AT IFEX 2018 N

ext March, Northern Ireland’s premier food, drink, retail and hospitality event – IFEX – returns to the Titanic Exhibition Centre. As the one-stop shop for the hospitality, foodservice and retail sectors in 2018, there’s set to be more ingredients for a successful show than ever before.

Owned by Fresh Montgomery – the company behind IFE, Hotelympia, the Great Hospitality Show and ScotHot, IFEX will retain all of the elements that it’s best known for, while a new partnership with Butchery Excellence Ireland will see the addition of a sister event Meat@IFEX; doubling the original floorspace of IFEX. Taking place from Tuesday, March 20 to Thursday, March 22, the 2018 event will welcome a host of new exhibitors, who will be on hand to showcase innovative new products, services, features and exclusive show offers. They will join show sponsors – Flo Gas and Stephens Catering, alongside seasoned exhibitors who will be making new contacts, meeting current customers, and ultimately generating sales at IFEX 2018 – the biggest and most exciting

IFEX trade expo to date.

Caroline McCusker, IFEX event manager, Fresh Montgomery, explains: “IFEX is firmly-rooted in Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry and we’ve had a great response to IFEX 2018, with many of Northern Ireland’s biggest names in the foodservice and hospitality sectors already securing their space. Their on-going commitment to the show underpins the return that IFEX delivers for exhibitors and how important exhibiting at IFEX is to securing sales and making new contacts.

“IFEX has always been an excellent show with a vibrant mix of suppliers, buyers, chefs, competitors and features, and the forthcoming event will be no exception. We have partnered with Northern Ireland company, Butchery Excellence Ireland, to add an international dimension to IFEX with the addition of a sister show – Meat@IFEX – and the arrival of the World Butchers’ Challenge. Team Ireland is set to be announced within the coming weeks, and they’ll be competing against an incredible 13 international teams who are all travelling to Northern Ireland for the World Butchers’ Challenge.”

With over 70% of show space already secured, confirmed exhibitors include show stalwarts – Stephen’s Catering, Henderson Foodservice, Hugh Jordon, BD Foods, Bunzl McLaughlin, JD Catering Supplies, Lynas Foodservice, Nestlé (Ireland), North South Retail and Unilever Ireland. There are many new names committed to IFEX 2018 including The Galgorm Group, Dairyglen Products, Uniformal, Reach Retail Services and Rentokil Initial.

As one of Northern Ireland’s longest running trade exhibitions, IFEX attracts over 6,000 visitors from the food, retail and hospitality sectors over three days.

With a strong history of being the stomping ground for talented young culinarians, skills is high on the agenda, with the Salon Culinaire raising the bar in terms of culinary expertise in Northern Ireland.

IFEX 2018 is taking place over March 20-22, 2018 at the Titanic Exhibition Centre. Visitor registration for the event will be live in November 2017. For further information, see www.IFEXexhibition.co.uk or follow on Twitter @IFEX_NI / #IFEX 7

STORE FOCUS

Deputy manager Brendan McKeown and manager Connor Donnelly.

DONNELLY’S OF RATHKENNY BRIAN McCALDEN REPORTS ON A NEWLY OPENED CO ANTRIM FORECOURT GROCERY AND BUSY FOOD-TO-GO FACILITY IN THE HEART OF RURAL RATHKENNY

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former car sales facility in a rural setting is proving successful, despite an almost complete absence of the kind of local housing usually deemed vital for convenience grocery retailing and forecourt sales.

Located in the premises of Turtles of Rathkenny, a Peugeot dealership that closed in 2012, it is now ‘open all hours’ as Donnelly’s and attracting a very strong trade from the 4,000 or so vehicles a day that pass the modern shop.

Connor Donnelly, director and ‘handson’ manager, originally tried to rent a local forecourt and grocery business that was closing down, but wasn’t successful, so when the unusual car showroom facility came on the market, he jumped at the opportunity.

“We identified a gap in the market for an all-in-one service station and found ideal premises in a central location,” he says. “The feedback so far has been extremely positive. It is a one-stop shop that offers a wide range of services. The old premises were a bit of an eyesore and 8

I think people were glad something has finally been done to transform it.

“I am a joiner by trade. Having worked on many fit-outs for similar premises, I had a fair idea of just the kind of challenge turning the showroom into a busy grocery store would present.

“I knew the exterior was pretty much up to standard, being of modern design and build and, in February 2016, I took possession of the site and set about turning it into a shop.

“Frustratingly, it took almost a full year to obtain planning permission, but on January 17 this year, work began.

“We replaced the electrics in the existing building and demolished an old house and office space which allowed us to create a forecourt.

“We installed new fuel tanks, retiled the old car showroom and installed a hot food and deli counter along with a stainless-steel kitchen and we opened the doors in May.” Connor signed the store up with Nisa, who currently supply two chilled and

one ambient delivery weekly, and he says he is very happy with the arrangement, especially given the freedom to support a large number of local suppliers.

“We do benefit from the many offers from Nisa, such as very competitive pricing – Hovis bread for £1 and 2 litre Pepsi Max for £1.25 billed as ‘Wow! are just examples – but I do tend to support many local producers too.

“Scott’s supply a large number of prepacked vegetables, while Barr’s meat pies and many of their other meat products are very popular locally and we trade very well with Michael Johnston’s ‘Bro coffee dock, as a mainstay of the essentially passing trade base.”

PASSING TRADE IS KEY Deputy Manager Brendan McKeown, who was formerly in charge of home shopping at a large Tesco, takes up the story.

“We base the business overall on the considerable traffic that passes the store,” he says. “Located on the Cushendall Road, we are really the ‘Gateway to the Glens’ with considerable tourist trade over the summer as well as the daily, business and commercial shoppers we get year-round.

“That’s not to say there isn’t local trade

STORE FOCUS Martinstown as well as a Mace store and forecourt in Cargan.

“We are also just a few miles from the busy town of Broughshane too, which is well served by competitors, so we must be competitive as well as convenient.

“Being part of Nisa helps us achieve that, given their buying power, but we have negotiated some great deals with local suppliers too, most of whom are nearby or at least in Co Antrim.”

too, as we have a healthy basket shop of between £6 and £7 and a limited but encouraging volume of trolley shopping.

“The onsite ATM is also vital in attracting passing trade and overall, this is enhanced by our Facebook page, where we display weekly offers.

“It often gets thousands of views for single postings, so there are few in the area that are not well aware of Donnelly’s.

“While rurally isolated, there is competition, with a SPAR in nearby

SUNDAY DINNERS Busy times are from 7.30am to 9.30am daily, with the staples of newspapers, tobacco products and the forecourt considerably enhanced by the food-to-go offering.

“There are 20 sit-in places too, all with nice rural views from the former showroom windows so there’s a mix of take-away and sit-in, but by far the most surprising success has been in the provision of Sundays roasts, with more than 80 dinners served every Sunday,” says Brendan.

“We open from 6am daily during the week too and there is a fantastic level of trade in the hot food service, with breakfasts a speciality that goes down very well.

“There is an extensive salads bar too, and perhaps unusually, a large selection of gluten-free products adjacent, so there’s something for everybody.

“Hot food is served through to 3pm daily, but as it looks to be expanding, we will look at extending those hours by opening in the evenings too, all as part of

our convenience-based offering.

“There are almost 60 car parking spaces, two of the latest designs of double side pumps branded as Maxol for the forecourt with the recent addition of heating oil on tap too.”

Originally intending to be fully independent on fuel, the proprietor decided to sign up with Maxol in the end.

“It works well for us and is as competitive as it is possible to be, given the limited margins on fuel, so I was pleased to go with the Maxol brand,” says Connor. “It has been a steep learning curve, but was helped considerably by the prior experience Brendan enjoyed at Tesco.

“While this is a completely different market than the supermarkets, I know we are more than competitive on prices generally and very much so on the foodto-go,” which he said continues to grow.

Looking to the future and of course Christmas looms large with hopes that Christmas dinners will supplement the already successful Sunday roasts.

“This will be our first festive season, but given the past six months’ successes, I am looking forward to plenty of festive cheer, although that of course means even longer hours for me and Brendan too.”

ANNIVERSARY “Christmas dinners will be just one seasonal innovation but after that, we look to our first anniversary in the New Year,” says Connor. “That will be one particularly special milestone.”

Beyond that, development of the site overall is the longer term option: “I want to enhance the shop by making Donnelly’s Of Rathkenny a ‘destination’ and hope to achieve this by adding other businesses,” he says.

“These would be the likes of an off sales – hopefully – and facilities such as a hairdresser or other must-try services, all adding to the attraction of what at first look might appear a ‘hard sell’, given the location deep in the Co Antrim countryside.

“Our enthusiasm and hard work has paid off both for the business and for the local economy. There are 17 full- and part-time staff at the moment and of course, by stocking a large number of locally-produced products, we are also supporting other jobs.

“Looking ahead, our staffing could rise – even if only seasonally – and given the continuing economic constraints and job losses in manufacturing locally, that has to be good news.”

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RETAIL NEWS – INDEPENDENTS

RETAIL NI URGES ACTION Speaking at the DUP reception during the Conservative Party Conference, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts has urged the UK government to bring forward the £1bn in extra spending included in the DUP/ Conservative agreement.

“If we are serious about developing the economy of the UK, that means every part of the UK, including the Northern Ireland economy,” he said. “That’s why the Conservative/ DUP agreement rightly includes city deals for Belfast and Londonderry, investment in our infrastructure and more enterprise zones in Northern Ireland.”

CASTLEWELLAN SUPPLIES BEEF TO AVOCA Castlescreen Farm, based in Downpatrick, is supplying premium steak, gourmet burgers and beef sausages to the Avoca store in Belfast, marking its first retail business.

The family farm specialises in pedigree Dexter beef products, which it has been selling successfully at farmers’ markets across Northern Ireland for almost two years.

Avoca will be stocking Big Beefbranded products, including 35-day dry-aged sirloin steak, burgers and sausages made with 96% pure beef from its 70-strong herd fed predominantly on pasture land clover.

‘ONE CALL DOES IT ALL’ A popular SDEA service linking buyers and suppliers free of charge has been re-launched to effectively promote it as a comprehensive sourcing facility.

The ‘One call does it all’ service brings together over 100 reputable manufacturers and suppliers, collectively offering thousands of retail display products and services.

It helps retailers source PoS, PoP, mannequins, digital, shop fittings, lighting, printing, visual merchandising and more. SDEA is the Shop and Display Equipment Association.

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LOCAL BAKERS RISE TO THE OCCASION AT WORLD BREAD AWARDS

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ix Northern Ireland bakers have won gold and 13 other medals in the annual World Bread Awards 2017.

The awards celebrate the skill of breadmaking at its most diverse and inspiring, while seeking to encourage and foster the art of baking both now and for future generations.

A gold award in the Irish Wheaten category was won by Thyme and Company, an artisan bakery based in Ballycastle. Thyme and Company is run

by Eimear and Tom Mullin, who operate the artisan bakery as part of a small restaurant.

The other Northern Ireland award winners were:

Ann’s Pantry, Larne – Silver for Fruit Veda Malt, Veda Malt Loaf, Irish Wheaten and Speltmeal Oven Soda; Irwin’s Bakery, Craigavon – Silver for Rankin Selection Wheaten Loaf, Bronze for Great British White, Irwin’s Artisan Corn Bread and Nutty Krust; Tony’s Griddle Goods, Ballycastle – Bronze for Cheese and Caramelised Onion Soda and Bacon and Mustard Irish Soda; Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Ballycastle – Bronze for Light Rye Loaf, Country Loaf and Oat Porridge; and Yellow Door Bakery, Portadown – Bronze for Raspberry and Almond Loaf, and Irish Wheaten Loaf.

DERRY BUTCHER CREATES ARTISAN BLACK PUDDING

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new artisan black pudding has been launched by well-known Derry butcher Ciaran Breslin, using ingredients sourced mostly from local suppliers, and with expert assistance from top Irish chef Brian McDermott.

McDermott also runs the Foodovation

Centre for food and drink innovation at the North West Regional College of Education in Derry, and has been involved in the development of several new food and drink products.

Tirkeeran Black Pudding has taken two years to develop and is the first in a series of meat products planned by Breslin, who runs successful butchery and restaurant businesses in Derry.

“I had been thinking about developing a black pudding when I attended a culinary demonstration in which Brian McDermott cooked using a pudding,” he said. “I spoke to the chef afterwards and he encouraged me to start developing my own pudding. He worked with me at the Foodovation Centre on the ingredients and especially the blend of spices.”

The Tirkeeran pudding was launched at the recent two-day Northern Ireland Slow Food Festival in Derry, and is named after baronial lands around Derry stretching back over 1,000 years.

RETAIL NEWS – SYMBOLS

NI RETAILERS BRING BACK 12 DEALS OF CHRISTMAS AFTER 2016 SUCCESS S

PAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXTRA and ViVO Essentials retailers in Northern Ireland have kicked off the run up to Christmas with 12 Deals of Christmas, a weekly promotion that allows shoppers to stock up on festive essentials in a costeffective way.

The promotion was introduced to retailers by Henderson Wholesale in 2016 following a £500,000 investment after research showed that shoppers prefer to stock up on Christmas items as early as August, and that providing weekly deals saving money has huge benefits over one big shop.

With 12 Deals of Christmas, shoppers can expect to save up to £35 collectively if each product is purchased weekly, as opposed to buying all together in one shop.

The campaign was such a success that even more retailers are on board for the 2017 promotional campaign,

which kicked off in the second week of October. Participating retailers are now offering their shoppers 12 weeks of deals including big name brands, which will be popular purchases over the festive period.

Paddy Doody, sales & marketing director at Henderson Wholesale, commented: “The 12 Deals of Christmas campaign was a huge success for our retailers last year; there were some who sold out of that week’s deal, and more who had heightened footfall over the 12-week period.

“The campaign is supported by TV and radio advertising, POS kits, outdoor, leaflet drops and external signage which will reveal the promotional products week by week.”

The campaign will also have heightened visibility on ViVO, VIVOXTRA, SPAR NI and EUROSPAR NI’s Facebook, and SPAR and EUROSPAR NI Twitter and

Instagram, which is where each deal will be revealed first for shoppers.

Thousands of pounds worth of prizes will also be up for grabs with weekly competitions online and in store for retailers to reward shoppers for their continued loyalty, as the deals are announced.

Every deal will be available every week in all participating SPAR, EUROSPAR, VIVO, VIVOXTRA and ViVO Essentials stores across Northern Ireland, with promotional leaflets already landing through letterboxes.

Paddy Doody concluded: “In 2016, going in to the first weeks of the campaign, Henderson Retail like for like food sales were +4.1% on the previous year. By week 52 and the final week of the deal, like for like sales were sitting at +4.6%. The 12 deals quarter was the best of the year for our retailers, in terms of sales and customer count.”

New deal every week 11

RETAIL NEWS – MULTIPLES

SUPERVALU INVESTS £600,000 IN STORE REVAMP S uperValu Comber has just completed a £600,000 revamp, aimed at helping the store, which employs 50 local staff, to redefine the local convenience market.

“When customers come through our refreshed foyer area, they will see all the same great brands they’re used to but we’ve got some surprises too,” said Martin Reynolds, store manager of SuperValu Comber.

“We are the first SuperValu store in Northern Ireland to have a new sitin coffee area featuring our excellent coffee brand, Frank and Honest.”

Musgrave conducted extensive research into the changing needs of consumers, leading to the development of new market-leading ranges including a Gourmet Sandwich and a Hot Carvery ranges.

Further updates include a butchery area featuring state-of-the-art equipment, an improved fruit and veg area with a better selection, and energy-efficient fridges and freezers.

Shauna Hamill, head of Retail Operations at Musgrave, said: “The retail market has changed rapidly over the past few years and we’ve reinvigorated our offering to match consumers changing needs, by providing a huge amount of choice.”

Pictured are, from left, Martin Reynolds, store manager of SuperValu Comber and Michael McCormack, managing director, Musgrave.

EUROSPAR AND VIVO RAISE £750,000 FOR CANCER FUND

Bronagh Luke, head of Corporate Marketing at the Henderson Group, is pictured with Gillian Creevy, chief executive of Cancer Fund for Children, and Lauren Cunningham, corporate fundraiser.

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UROSPAR and VIVOXTRA Northern Ireland have reached a £750,000 fundraising milestone for local charity, Cancer Fund for Children.

The local community supermarkets have been supporting the charity since

May 2011, with staff and customers raising the funds through a wide range of fundraising events, from in-store collections and coffee mornings to overseas treks and local challenge events.

Money raised will enable the charity’s team of specialists to support families affected by cancer, providing them with a range of practical, emotional and financial support to help them cope with the impact it has on their lives.

Funds raised will also go towards providing children, young people and their families with free therapeutic short breaks at the charity’s short break centre, Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co Down.

“Thanks to the generosity of our retailers, staff and shoppers, we are making a real difference to local

ASDA HIGHLIGHTS £8M YEAR OF FOOD & DRINK LEGACY

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leven local food and drink companies have benefited from a combined £8m sales boost after participating in a bespoke training and development programme led by Asda.

The Supplier Development Academy (SDA), backed by Invest Northern Ireland, was the cornerstone of Asda’s commitment to NI Year of Food & Drink 2016.

Capacity building and business growth potential were the main goals of the SDA, with each supplier offered the chance to enhance trading skills and maximise sales 12

opportunities. Delivered over a 12-month period, the initiative involved innovation workshops, supply chain sessions, mentoring, and head-office visits.

All participating companies achieved significant growth, with sales across the smaller suppliers increasing by over 10% year-on-year, attributed to new innovative product lines.

Meanwhile, in other ASDA news, the retailer is listing a new Mexican Spicy Bean Burger from Armagh-based UMI Foods under its Chilled Ready Meals Vegetarian Category in stores in Britain.

children,” said Bronagh Luke, head of Corporate Marketing, Henderson Group.

LIDL TRIALS AUTISMFRIENDLY EVENINGS Lidl Northern Ireland, in partnership with the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland, has trialled autismfriendly quiet evenings in its Newry Damolly and Newtownards stores.

Every Tuesday in October between 6pm and 8pm, the stores used dimmed lighting, no in-store announcements or music, priority queueing for people and families dealing with autism and extra assistance upon request.

KEENAN LAUNCHES FISH COUNTER IN TESCO Keenan Seafood has launched its first fresh fish counter with Tesco Northern Ireland, in a six-figure deal that will see the 70-year old fish business recruit five more staff.

“The introduction of this concession signals a renaissance among local shoppers for a daily fresh catch as well as a growing interest to incorporate fish into family meals more often due to its well-publicised health benefits,” said Stephen Magill, commercial manager, Tesco Northern Ireland.

MINTEL – HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

IRISH CONSUMERS ARE SEEKING ‘HEALTHIER’ FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCTS MINTEL’S HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, IRELAND 2017 REPORT IDENTIFIES HALF OF IRISH CONSUMERS AS BELIEVING THEY ARE HEALTHIER THAN THEY WERE A YEAR AGO, INDICATIVE OF A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE SWEEPING ACROSS IRELAND. HOWEVER, OBESITY RATES REMAIN HIGH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS LOW AMONG IRISH CONSUMERS. JAMES WILSON, RESEARCH ANALYST AT MINTEL, DISCUSSES HOW BRANDS CAN INSPIRE CONSUMERS TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH THE STATE OF THE NATION’S HEALTH Over four in 10 NI and half of RoI consumers think that they are healthier than they were 12 months ago, with 13% of NI and 17% of RoI consumers viewing themselves as a lot healthier, underpinning the healthy eating and living trend pervading across Ireland. This indicates there is a gap between how Irish consumers view themselves and how health professionals view them. This difference could possibly be explained by consumers cutting out or reducing their intake of unhealthy foods and ingredients, such as sugar, and therefore considering themselves to be healthier.

Lifestyles are, however, about more than cutting out one aspect and involve a holistic approach that includes improving diets, increasing physical activity and mental health. Brands that can inspire consumers to continue their healthy living habits for longer will create positive brand associations among consumers.

Moreover, they could look to provide more resources to educate consumers on simple everyday changes that they can easily incorporate into their daily lives. Such an approach would likely be welcomed by older consumers, who may be put off going to the gym, therefore helping them to improve their overall health.

CONCERNS ABOUT INGREDIENTS IN FOOD AND DRINK Within food and drink products, sugar is the ingredient Irish consumers are most concerned about, according to Mintel research. Over half (55%) of NI and 59% of RoI consumers have actively reduced the amount of sugar in their diets in the last 12 months. Additionally, 39% of RoI and 35% of NI consumers have switched from sugary snacks (eg chocolate) to no-added-sugar alternatives (eg fresh or dried fruit) in the last 12 months, while similar percentages have switched from

sweet snacks to savoury snacks.

This likely reflects the significant media attention around its impact on health and could explain why Irish consumers are reducing the amount of sugar that they are eating. While food and drink manufacturers have taken steps to reduce the sugar content of their products in recent years and prominently display low, no and reduced sugar claims on packaging, consumers are still concerned. Clearer labelling on food and drink products will make it easier for consumers to know how much sugar they are consuming. Such an approach will help food and drink manufacturers to demonstrate an increased level of transparency over the contents of their products and therefore assuage any concerns consumers have regarding sugar. Additionally, continuing to reduce the sugar content of food and drink products will help brands to tackle Irish consumers’ concerns and avoid punitive legislation, such as the upcoming sugar taxes in Ireland.

HOW CONSUMERS MAINTAIN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Cooking from scratch is an easy way for consumers to control what ingredients go into their meals and therefore better manage their weight. As many as 66% of NI and 71% of RoI consumers state that they eat meals that are cooked from scratch, making this the main way Irish consumers look to maintain their healthy lifestyles. However, this peaks among consumers aged 55+, while early Millennials are the least likely to eat meals that have been cooked from scratch. This reflects that younger consumers may not have time to prepare a meal from scratch due to their busier lifestyles, but also that they may lack the knowledge to prepare meals from scratch.

To encourage greater numbers of young Irish consumers to cook from scratch, the NI and RoI governments

could introduce initiatives that provide younger consumers with the skills to prepare meals from scratch and improve nutritional education. Such an approach could be included within the school curriculum to help tackle the issue of obesity from an early stage. Brands could look to a similar approach, holding cooking master classes with their celebrity chef ambassadors and competitions within university campuses, for example, to further encourage young consumers to maintain the cooking skills that they developed during their school years and therefore reduce their consumption of typically less healthy takeaway meals as they get older.

Finally, choosing the right nutrients also plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Over four in 10 Irish consumers use lean proteins in meals that they prepare while two NI and three RoI consumers in 10 include at least two portions of fish in their diet per week. This reflects that consumers are increasing their protein intake as a result of their growing awareness of the role that protein plays in maintaining proper muscular function. Overall, consumers in RoI are significantly more likely to meet their recommended daily five portions of fruit and vegetables, while consumers in NI are slightly more likely to track their diet and exercise using an app or wearable technology such as a Fitbit.

Mintel’s Healthy Lifestyles, Ireland 2017 report is available to purchase. For more information on this report and how Mintel can help your business, contact Ciara Rafferty, director Mintel Ireland on +44 (0)28 9024 1849 or crafferty@mintel.com.

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ADVERTORIAL

VOLVIC ANNOUNCES ALLIANCE WITH STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI ™ TO HELP CONSUMERS FIND THEIR FORCE NEW PACK DESIGNS AND GLOW-IN-THE DARK MASCOT BOTTLES ON SHELVES IN TIME FOR RELEASE INITIATIVE IS PART OF DISNEY HEALTHY LIVING GOAL TO MAKE HYDRATION MORE EXCITING AMONGST YOUNGSTERS

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olvic, the water brand from Danone, is joining with one of this year’s most anticipated films, Star Wars: The Last Jedi™. The brand will unveil a new label design featuring Star Wars™ characters and words to express inner strength; helping consumers to Find Their Force. It is hoped the initiative will make hydration more appealing to youngsters. A new collectible range of glow-in-the-dark mascot bottles will feature five popular characters, including fan favourites Rey and Finn. The latest labelling and bottles will hit stores on 30th October 2017.

The new glow-in-the-dark line-up will replace the current Disney Volvic range, which includes Disney© Frozen and Star Wars™ characters whilst the multipack Frozen and Cars packs are continued.

The fresh label design will feature across Volvic’s plain water range in grocery and convenience channels, and on the

brand’s Touch of Fruit Sugar Free 1.5L range within the grocery channel.

The launch coincides with the release of one of this year’s most anticipated films: Star Wars: The Last Jedi™, which will come to cinemas across the UK from 14th December 2017. Volvic previously partnered with Lucasfilm on Star Wars: The Force Awakens™, the biggest ever cinema release in the UK. To raise consumer awareness of the product launch, Volvic will support the initiative with a heavyweight campaign, including TV, out of home and digital content.

Tom Hickton, brand lead on Volvic UK & Ireland, commented: “We are always looking for ways to make hydration more appealing and fun to youngsters. The fact that our new mascot bottles glow in the dark is an innovative feature that delivers a real stand-out unique selling point USP

to help us achieve this.”

Volvic started working with Disney© in 2015 and has continuously seen sales uplifts during activation periods1.

Apart from the mascot bottles, the Volvic Kids range also includes multipacks for consumption at home and on-thego, available in 6x33cl packs* with eye-catching designs from animated blockbusters Disney© Frozen and Disney© Pixar’s Cars.

In 2006, Disney became the first major global media company to establish clear nutritional guidelines as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to make healthy living simple and fun.

1. Marketplace value sales, 8 w/e (29.11.15 – 16.01.16)vs.YA *Volvic Mascots are available in a mixed case of 24. RRP 65p/bottle The final pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.

© & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

14

FOOD & DRINKS NEWS

KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON SALES

BY MICHELE SHIRLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOOD NI

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he regional offices of major supermarkets in Northern Ireland play a vitally important role in providing opportunities for local food and drink producers, especially smaller businesses.

And many of our bigger producers have also gained their first sales to supermarkets in Britain with help from staff in Belfast.

Tesco Taste Festival in Belfast City Centre, for instance, is another excellent example of the contribution of its regional office to the promotion of local food and drink. The festival, held annually in Corporation Square for the past nine years, provides a tremendous opportunity for smaller companies, in particular, to showcase original products to consumers here.

And the supplier academies established by most of the main supermarkets play a key role in helping smaller companies grasp opportunities here and further afield. Henderson Group is also playing a key role in assisting local suppliers to develop.

While we’ve made great progress in raising the profile of locally-produced food and drink here over the past few years, there’s still much to do to ensure that shoppers here have the knowledge to identify and purchase food and drink made here.

Our immensely successful Year of Food & Drink certainly helped. However, there’s

still a huge job for us to do in creating greater awareness of the premium quality and outstanding innovation of our food and drink in Britain and to ensure more of our products are on sale in what is our biggest marketplace that’s easy to access and service. Most of the supermarkets weighed in to help the Year of Food & Drink campaign.

Of course, I appreciate that the major retailers are reviewing costs to ensure their competitiveness, especially against discounters. I am concerned, nevertheless, in case any cutbacks weaken opportunities, especially for smaller producers which lack the marketing muscle of their bigger counterparts, to develop and grow sales in Britain.

We certainly need to see a great many more of our products on the supermarket shelves, chill cabinets and fridges across England, Scotland and Wales. Our growing engagement at trade events such as Speciality Fine Food in London and BBC Good Food in Birmingham is designed to support this important objective.

Any move to centralise sourcing could have a profound impact on the local food and drink industry. As well as helping companies to win sales here and in Britain, the regional offices also provide expert guidance in key areas such as packaging, nutritional

information, pricing, new product ideas, merchandising and how to do business with major retailers. Their support has been invaluable for our companies of all sizes and across all categories.

It’s also worth remembering that Tesco alone spends around £1bn on local food and drink. The other major supermarkets, such as Asda, Sainsbury, and Marks and Spencer, together generate in excess of £500m. Their regional offices have all expressed interest in sourcing additional products from local suppliers. Discounter Lidl also spends around £90m and is keen to add to its existing supply chain.

Food NI appreciates greatly the support the industry here has received and is continuing to receive from staff in the regional offices. We hope that they will be allowed to continue to be able to work with our producers here and in Britain.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR AT BLÁS NA HÉIREANN

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orthern Ireland food and drink producers have once again brought home a haul of medals from the annual Blás na hÉireann Irish Food Awards held at Dingle, Co Kerry.

Among the winners were five clients from the Foodovation Centre at North West Regional College, who picked up nine prizes, including Corndale Farm (see p16) which won gold for its Fennel Salami, silver for its Chorizo and Best in Derry.

Clarke’s Fresh Fruits picked up a silver gong for no-added-sugar jam; Broighter Gold, bronze for its Rapeseed Oil; Ballinteer Quail Farm, bronze for its produce with its farm meat also named Best in Farmer’s Market and its quail eggs, a Chef’s Choice Award. And Carol’s

Pictured are, from left, Artie Clifford, Blás chairman; Alastair Crown, founder and MD of Corndale Farm Charcuterie; and David Henderson of Henderson Food Machinery.

stock, made by Foodovation’s first client Carol Banahan, scooped the Chef’s Larder prize for her natural chicken stock.

“The success at the Irish Food Awards

is testament to the huge strides that Foodovation has made in supporting local food producers, since it opened its doors in November 2016,” said Brian McDermott, manager of the Centre. “We look forward in continuing to lead the way in developing skills and supporting industries to develop new product ideas.”

Meanwhile, other winners included Morelli’s, with its Strawberry Frozen Yoghurt awarded best product in the Frozen Yogurts category. Made in Coleraine, the fruity favourite combines locally-produced Clandeboye Estate Greek Yoghurt rippled with strawberries to create a winning flavour.

And Passion Preserved was a gold award winner, gaining recognition for its Kasundi Indian Pickle.

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MY LIFE IN THE GROCERY TRADE ALASTAIR CROWN, FOUNDER AND MD OF CORNDALE FARM CHARCUTERIE WHEN DID YOU TAKE UP THIS POST? I established Corndale Farm in 2012. We started the charcuterie business in early 2016. I was working with the business in a part-time role. I took up the full-time position in late 2016.

BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY TO DATE Background in electronics. Worked in sales for seven years and then moved into renewables sector in 2014. Always had a passion for food and high welfare meat, and those are the main principles on which Corndale Farm was established.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Everything! I oversee most aspects of the business. I am a self-confessed control freak and need to know what is happening in every aspect of the business. I am involved in product development and production, accounts, sales and often heavily involved in the catering side to our business.

WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? Best parts are definitely product development and production. I have a real passion for good food and I love developing recipes and new product ideas. The best part of the job is getting recognition and great feedback on the products which I have created.

Worst parts of the job are accounting!

I’m good with numbers but I just find it so boring. Oh, and washing out the mincer after a day’s production.

BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY A typical day at Corndale starts with the feeding of the pigs early morning. Cup of coffee and maybe breakfast if I have time before the school run. Out to the office for a check of the emails and to dispatch any online orders that came in. I always check our products that are drying in our curing cabinets. Charcuterie is an art and you need to control a number of parameters to ensure your product is consistent. After a quick check, make sure all orders are dispatched and then follow up on sales enquiries and always a bit of banking. If we have production planned, that takes up most of the day. Usually home for 6-7pm for dinner with the family. Then spend the rest of

the evening dreaming about pigs and charcuterie…

WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? I have a lot of things which I am very proud of in business but winning three awards at the Blas nahEireann Irish Food Awards has to be up there. We won gold and silver in the same category, and also won best in county; very high accolades from such prestigious awards.

BEST THING ABOUT BEING INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL INDUSTRY? The people. Meeting new people every day and getting to talk about food and farming. My passions. I love meeting people with a passion for food and high welfare produce like I have. I enjoy meeting existing customers and getting feedback on our products. To hear someone tell you how much they enjoy your product makes it all worthwhile.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? Spend time with my family. A walk on the beach or through our beautiful countryside. That said, it’s not very often I get time to unwind these days.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW My middle name is Ian and I share a birthday with the late Ian Paisley. Although my parents tell me the two are unrelated.

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant FOODDirect FORCE Trade IRELAND HOSTS ITS SEVENTH Supplier Day FOOD FORCE IRELAND

ANNUAL DIRECT TRADE SUPPLIER DAY

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant KEEPING MEMBERS AT THE FOREFRONT Direct Trade Supplier Day FOOD FORCE IRELAND

OF INDEPENDENT TRADING

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers awards andDEALS a strong presence from FOOD FORCE IRELAND’S DIRECT TRADE SUPPLIERreceiving DAY OFFERS STRONG AND THE the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category OPPORTUNITY FOR SUPPLIERS AND RETAILERS TO MEET FACE TO FACE

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was delighted to welcome so many suppliers and members to our annual Food Force Ireland Direct Trade Day at the Culloden Estate & Spa. It’s hard to see where the last year has gone as it feels like a month rather than a year ago that we all gathered.

With the stands all set up and ready to go, the room looked fabulous.

Although we do this event in a low key, understated manner, it never fails to impress how much effort suppliers put into their two-square-metre space to maximise the day’s opportunities.

This year, the one-day deals were particularly strong, and went out to the members in advance so they could do their homework in preparation for the day. Hopefully you, the suppliers, took away even more orders than last year and, as last year we did over £1,000,000 on the day, I am hopeful that record will be broken. The FFI members, and ultimately their customers, will see the benefit of the deals in store.

This Direct Trade Day is very dear to my heart. Having spent my formative years in non-food buying and having had the chance to travel widely to trade shows across the globe, I know the importance of seeing, touching and feeling new products and getting the chance to talk face to face with either established suppliers or potential new ones in a neutral environment.

This is the reason the Direct Trade Day started. I could see no other opportunity where my members could engage with suppliers in this manner. I am very proud of the evolution of the day and delighted that both suppliers and more importantly my members get so much out of it.

Our Supplier of the Year Awards are now in their third year and are eagerly anticipated by both supplier and member.

It’s interesting to see how the members vote and I believe paramount to the

success of our business is the service provided at store level by suppliers.

It would appear to be those suppliers who deliver great customer service – not forgetting all the other elements of the business, of course – are rewarded by the members’ vote. Congratulations to all short-listed suppliers and winners of course.

Our business continues to evolve every year. We lose some members and gain others. I would in particular like to pay tribute to very long-standing members who have sold on their businesses and retired. Toner’s Supermarkets, The Garage of Ballygowan and Comber and Greens Food Fare have been very loyal and supportive members over many years and I shall miss their contribution and support but wish all a very happy,

healthy and long retirement.

The grocery market never stands still and the FFI members are shining examples of businesses that face up to and overcome new challenges on a daily basis. The support of Nisa is paramount but the essential contribution of local suppliers helps them achieve points of difference and keeps them at the forefront of independent trading.

Thank you to all the local suppliers who contribute and benefit from this unique relationship.

TRADING CONTROLLER, FOOD FORCE IRELAND

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant BALLYMALOE RELISHES AMONG Direct Trade Supplier Day THE LINES SHOWCASED BY VALEO FOODS FOOD FORCE IRELAND

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & & Jalapeno The reaction to aleowith Foodsbrisk Northern Irelandreported, Spa, trade key Relishes. suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from recently took part in the seventh this was excellent from members. the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category The Ballymaloe brand goes from annual Food Force Ireland Direct

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Trade Supplier Day at the Culloden Estate & Spa. The show provided an excellent opportunity to showcase both company-owned and partner brands, and to network with members, giving them the chance to avail of special show offers.

Maria Losty, commercial manager at Valeo Foods in Northern Ireland, commented: “As always, we were delighted to take part in the show, giving our support and dedication to Food Force Ireland and its members. The feedback from all our staff and customers who attended the event was fantastic.”

With options for instore point of sale displayed on the day, it gave the opportunity for members to explore these options to drive sales within their stores, which proved very popular.

This year, Valeo Foods added something new on their stand and sampled partner brand Ballymaloe relish. The focus was on the Original

Valeo: Retailer John Flood and Zoe Hawthorne.

strength to strength in the Northern Ireland market; ‘tasting is believing’ – so the perfect opportunity!

Ballymaloe Original Relish is rich in tomatoes, delicious and versatile. It is excellent with beef burgers, french fries, cold meats, cheese, sausage rolls and salads. It is also wonderful in sandwiches or served with light meals, picnics or barbecues.

Ballymaloe Jalapeno Pepper Relish adds a spicy taste to sandwiches, snacks and light meals. It is particularly good with meats, rough pates and is a wonderful ingredient in tomato-based pasta sauces.

The product combination is just a perfect addition to store shelves.

The added benefit to members is that this brand has the ability to grow for them with a strong product portfolio; Cranberry Sauce, Apple Sauce, Mint Sauce and not forgetting their diced Beetroot.

We will look forward to next year and thanks for having us.

Janice Hewitt offering samples from the popular Ballymaloe range.

Woodford Bourne: Peter Rodgers.

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant AN ESTABLISHED EPOS PROVIDER Direct Trade Supplier Day WITH FOOD FORCE IRELAND

OVER THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & POINT FOUR OUTLINES THE COST SAVINGS RETAILERS CANawards ACHIEVEand FROM INTRODUCING Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving a strong presence from ITS SERVEASSIST SELF-SERVICE SOLUTION the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category

Patrick Boden of Point Four is pictured with Henry Emerson of Emersons Armagh at the Food Force Ireland Direct Trade Supplier Day.

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osts for retailers are rising due to National Living Wage increases, pension auto enrolment and high business rates. Finding ways to create savings and increase sales has never been more important. To combat rising costs, experts have predicted a rise in costsaving technologies, such as self-service checkouts.

Self-service checkouts have been proven to reduce staffing costs more effectively than any other solution within retail. However, up until now, two important factors have acted as barriers to the widespread adoption of traditional self-service facilities within convenience: 1. Self-service is perceived as impersonal. Friendly service influences where customers choose to shop.

2. High value, or age-restricted products are commonly located behind the counter in convenience stores. The customer needs assistance from a cashier to obtain these products. The same problem also arises for services such as Lottery and PayPoint. In convenience stores, as many as 70% of transactions include these items.

ServeAssist, from Point Four, is the first self-service solution to address both of these issues, and increase

quality interaction with customers. One attendant maintains a customer-facing position behind a row of two to five selfservice checkout units, to provide friendly interaction when required. Customers can select in-store services and items located behind the counter on the self-service touchscreen.

The assistant gains visibility of every transaction in process via an interactive touchscreen, on which age checks, validations and interventions are performed efficiently behind the scenes.

Products and services are passed to the customer at the end of the transaction, with an acknowledgement that the customer has received the correct product displayed on the customer’s receipt.

ServeAssist is available across Point Four’s range of self-service checkout models, and also integrates with automated tobacco dispensing, and Point Four’s Loyalty and Rewards package.

“We’ve enabled convenience retailers to make the significant staff savings of traditional self-service and still maintain a superior level of customer interaction,” said James Widdowson, director of Sales at Point Four. “Our self-service solutions have been developed in conjunction with prominent retailers, including Emersons

of Armagh and Scotfresh, to create new functionality specifically tailored to the convenience market.

“With Point Four, instead of using a third-party software interface on the selfservice, it is our software which sits on the till as well as the back office. We own and maintain our software 100% in-house, in the UK. This enables us to respond quickly to changes within the market, and to new development requests. All retailers who choose Point Four benefit from quarterly software updates.”

Point Four is an established EPoS provider with over three decades experience in the development, installation and support of EPoS solutions to the retail convenience sector. A modular approach to EPoS provides retailers with a functionality-rich core solution, supported by a host of integrated modules to help retailers increase profitability and reduce costs.

Solutions include: Retail and Forecourt Management, Head Office Management, Self-Service, Cloud Management, Mobile, E-Commerce and Loyalty. Retailers can choose from an extensive hardware range including touchscreen POS terminals, self-service checkouts, scales, barcode and label scanners, electronic shelf edge and automated tobacco vending.

For retailers who adopt self-service checkouts over a finance arrangement, balancing hourly staff cost savings against monthly outgoings, the following savings can be achieved: • Two-lane solution: first-year savings of £7,257; five-year savings of £42,603.

• Three-lane solution: first-year savings of £25,300; five-year savings of £143,800.

• Four-lane solution: first-year savings of £36,075; five-year savings of £206,000.

For further information, please contact Christina Wingfield in Sales & Marketing at Point Four by calling 0844 811 8700 or by email at christina.wingfield@pointfour. co.uk.

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant FOOD FORCE Direct TradeIRELAND Supplier Day FOOD FORCE IRELAND

CELEBRATES ITS TOP SUPPLIERS Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category AWARDS WERE HANDED OUT AT THE LUNCH EVENT HELD DURING THE DIRECT TRADE SUPPLIER DAY, RECOGNISING FFI SUPPLIERS OF THE YEAR ACROSS A NUMBER OF KEY CATEGORIES

ACCOUNT MANAGER OF THE YEAR PATRICK DONAGHY OF KERRY FOODS

Debra Johnston, trading controller and Henry Emerson, chairman of Food Force Ireland present Account Manager of the Year to Patrick Donaghy of Kerry Foods.

“To say this person goes the extra mile for me on a very regular basis is the understatement of the year. I can say he is a gentleman, who values our business enormously and I think most of the membership would be in agreement that he’s very deserving of this award. Paddy knows our business from the ground up, has strong relationships with the members and helps me to deliver a dynamic promotional strategy and build our business year on year.

The Kerry business wouldn’t be as dynamic without him in the account manager’s seat. He’s a pleasure to work with.”

Debra Johnston, trading controller, Food Force Ireland

AMBIENT AND NON-FOOD SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR – NORTHERN SNACK FOODS THE SHORTLIST:

Alison Strong, FFI director, with Martin McClinton, Northern Snack Foods.

NORTHERN SNACK FOODS TAYTO GROUP SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS PUNJANA/THOMPSON FAMILY TEAS

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant BAKERY SUPPLIER OF Direct Trade Supplier Day THE YEAR – FOOD FORCE IRELAND

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & ALLIED BAKERIES Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category IRELAND THE SHORTLIST: LINWOODS HOVIS ALLIED BAKERIES IRELAND

Aidan McInerney, FFI director, with Suzanne Courtney, Allied Bakeries Ireland.

CHILLED & FROZEN SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR – KERRY FOODS THE SHORTLIST: FRESH 2 U KERRY FOODS DALE FARM Ian Shaw, FFI director, with Jim McIlea, Kerry Foods.

SOFT DRINKS SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR – BRITVIC NORTHERN IRELAND THE SHORTLIST: COCA-COLA HELLENIC IRELAND & NORTHERN IRELAND BRITVIC NORTHERN IRELAND LUCOZADE RIBENA SUNTORY Dermot Donaghy, FFI director with Sarah Collins, Britvic.

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant SUPPLIERS AND RETAILERS FEEL THE FOOD Direct Trade Supplier DayFORCE FOOD FORCE IRELAND

“It was a fantastic day. As Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & usual, there were lots of Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from deals todrinks be had with allFood Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category the trade after the suppliers, and we felt it was very worthwhile for us to go up. We do a lot of business on the day, and it’s good to catch up with some of the sales managers you don’t see day to day and develop a good working relationship with them.”

Dermot Convery, Crawfords of Maghera

Whites: Dermot Convery of Crawfords Maghera (centre) with Tim Haines and David Lewis of Johnson Bros

Punjana: Gillian McCracken, Laura Doherty, Roisin McLaughlin (Whitehouse Retail) and Lindsay Skinner.

SHS: Ricky Cartmill, Philip Heron and Mark Weatherup.

Mackle Petfoods: Brian Ogle and Sinead Cotter.

Boyne Valley: Claire Meehan and Linda Marks.

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant Direct Trade Supplier Day FOOD FORCE IRELAND

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category

Dale Farm: Julie and Pat McConville from Mullinahoe Stores chat to Tony Clarke.

Proximo: Patrick Morgan.

McColgans: Gary Hopkins and Edwina King from Emersons Armagh.

Genesis: Catherine Hunter and Tiarnan McCloskey.

“It’s fair to say Fresh Food Centres took advantage of the wide range of deals available on the day, and were happy to avail of these. The day was very well organised, and from my perspective it was very successful.

In terms of new products, we followed up with a prepared vegetable range, and were very interested in a new range of protein snacking products from Denny’s; those were the ones that caught our eye.”

Hovis: Billy Thompson, Kerry Maxwell, Sean McCloskey of Fresh Food Centre, Castlewellan & Warrenpoint, and David Mills.

Sean McCloskey, Fresh Food Centres, Castlewellan & Warrenpoint

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant “We had aDirect great Trade Supplier Day day at the Food FOOD FORCE IRELAND

Force Ireland Directturned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & Exhibitors and retailers Trade Supply Day. Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from the drinks trade after We had a bit of craic Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category with the suppliers and other retailers, and we made a few orders on the day as well.”

Matthew Williamson, Williamson’s Nisa Local Rostrevor

Linwoods: Paul Lappin and Stephen McCann (centre) are pictured with, from left, Jesi Maguire, Rebecca Hughes and Matthew Williamson of Williamson’s Nisa Local Rostrevor.

GM Marketing: Joe McVerry, Karen McMillan and Gary Martin.

Irwins: Alistair Corrigan and Gary Mason with Wendy Little from JD Hunters.

Siofra Hannay from the First & Last off-licence, Jonesborough and Alison Strong from JD Hunter are pictured with Rory Donnelly and Michael Colton.

Karro Foods: Orla Kelly, Anne Rafferty and Leanne Valentine are pictured with Edwina King from Emersons Armagh.

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant Direct Trade Supplier Day FOOD FORCE IRELAND

Exhibitors and retailers turned out in droves for this year’s event in the Culloden Estate & Spa, with brisk trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards and a strong presence from the drinks trade after Food Force Ireland expanded its portfolio into the category

Glanbia: Alan Lowry and Lisa Stewart.

Moy Park: Ronan Magee and Aisling Graham.

PRM: Darren Hughes, Patrick Black, Barry Cunningham and Phillip Morrow.

Shoppers Anonymous: David Anderson.

“It was a lovely day out, and great to be able to meet the suppliers in a more relaxed atmosphere knowing you don’t have work and things you have to do in the back of your mind. This is the third or fourth time we have been to the Direct Trade Supplier Day, and we deal with all the suppliers on a regular basis.

It’s just nice to put a face to a voice on the end of the telephone, which is normally how we speak to people.”

Britvic: Andrew Morrison and David Mullin are pictured with Roisin McLaughlin and Wendy Dorny of Whitehouse Retail, Derry~Londonderry.

Wendy Dorny, Whitehouse Retail, Derry~Londonderry

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Food Force ireland

Food Force Ireland hosts a vibrant DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR KERRY FOODS Direct Trade Supplier Day FOOD FORCE IRELAND

K

erry Foods had cause for a double Smoke Chicken Pots and also brought celebration of success at the recent out Coleraine Snackpacks, both of Food Force Ireland Supplier Awards, by which are performing well. The GoGo Exhibitors andSupplier retailers out in droves for this year’s event in the Estate & winning the Chilled of theturned Year snacking brandCulloden was developed to meet Spa, trade reported, key suppliers receiving awards the and a strong presence from for the with secondbrisk year running while Patrick growing demand for healthy snacks.

Donaghy picked up the award forFood Force Ireland expanded its portfolio Meanwhile, within sliced cooked meats, thealso drinks trade after into the category National Account Manager of the Year. we developed a new range of Rotisserie Commenting on the awards success, meats comprising Chicken, Turkey Tim Gault from Kerry Foods said: “We and Ham with standout packaging as were delighted to have our efforts consumers look to bring flavour into their recognised once again by the Food Force repertoire. members which is a testament to the The Cycle Back to School initiative with work put in by the whole Kerry Foods Denny brought further success through team and in particular by Patrick. I would instore theatre, campaign signage like to congratulate all involved and my and sales-driving promotions with the Kerry Foods: Jim McIlea and Patrick Donaghy with their respective awards for Chilled & Frozen Supplier of the thanks to all at Food Force Ireland.” campaign also highlighted on pack.

Year and Account Manager of the Year.

As leaders in the categories in which With Denny Oldstyle Ham such a we operate, we bring consumer-led significant feature in the Deli Counter, Cow Softer to market, with standinnovation and category insights to the the recent Retailer Insight sessions out black packaging, to capitalise on Food Force members backed up by our have proven very valuable to our retail the growing consumer trend towards direct-to-store sales team. Over recent partners, bringing a renewed focus on butter. As the growth in adult snacking months, we have brought Golden this important area of the store. continues, we have launched Fire and

contact Food Force ireland on: ✆ 028 9092 3130 ✉ foodforceireland@btconnect.com

FOOD & DRINKS NEWS

FIVEWAYS ‘PREPPED’ FOR SALES INCREASE THANKS TO PREP HOUSE

T

he newly re-branded range of sauces from Prep House, formerly known as Sauce Works, has contributed to a 37% sales increase for Fiveways Supermarket in Newry.

As one of the company’s first customers several years ago, Prep House chose Fiveways as its first customer to receive the newly re-branded range of products three months ago.

Increasing its order from three lines to the full Prep House range, consisting of nine flavours, Five Ways has witnessed a significant sales uplift in its chilled sauces.

“Sauce Works was always a quality product but this repositioning of the brand is now truly reflective of the premium nature of Prep House’s products,” said Barry Cunningham, fresh food buyer at Fiveways.“We were so impressed with the new range that we increased our lines, and held a tasting session instore. Since Prep House’s launch at Fiveways, we have witnessed a massive sales increase as a result of the more attractive packaging, that’s enticing for shoppers, and a greater range from Prep House.”

Fiveways also relocated the positioning of its range of chilled sauces to be adjacent to the meat counter, offering choice for shoppers who want convenience without compromising on quality.

Barry Fitzpatrick, sales manager at Prep House, said: “Our rebranding was a massive exercise for the company, and one that we invested more than £100,000 in over a period of six months.

We’re thrilled to hear that our customers are benefitting from greater sales, as this is the ultimate goal.

IRWIN’S BAKERY FIRST TO MARKET WITH SOURDOUGH BREAD

Barry Fitzpatrick, Prep House with Barry Cunningham from Fiveways.

“Our expanded lines give retailers and customers more choice, and our new Prep House brand-positioning reflects the premium quality of the sauces, and the expertise and experience that goes into every sauce created at Prep House HQ. We’re already planning to introduce new flavours and seasonal specials.”

Prep House now has 357 stockists in Northern Ireland and Ireland, and its best-sellers include Creamy Black Pepper, Roast Beef Gravy and Chinese Curry Sauce. Over half of the range is gluten-free, and ‘low fat’ and ‘low salt’ is clearly marked on applicable products.

Based in Crossgar, Co Down, Prep House manufactures all its products on-site, in a BRC AA Grade manufacturing facility. Prep House can be contacted on 028 44 831 837.

an unrivalled portfolio of grocery & impulse brands

NORTHERN IRELAND’S LEADING BAKERY EXPANDS BREAD OFFERING WITH NEW IRWIN’S SOURDOUGH AND IRWIN’S SEEDS & GRAINS

I

n a celebration of the art of baking bread, Portadown-based Irwin’s Bakery is first to market in Northern Ireland with its new sourdough batched wrapped bread.

The sourdough batch is part of Irwin’s new Artisan range, which also features Irwin’s Seeds & Grains – malted bread with wheat flakes and a blend of crunchy seeds.

Available now in Tesco and convenience stores across Northern Ireland, the creation of the Artisan range reflects consumer demand for innovative products produced using traditional baking methods.

Colette Wilson, Irwin’s Bakery, said: “Through our new Artisan range, we are able to offer consumers two unique products, which showcase our distinctive fermentation and batch bread baking process – hand moulded and baked on the sole of the oven. As we continue to invest in new product development, the new range reflects our aim to create a harmony between timehonoured traditions and current food trends. The Artisan range gives shoppers the opportunity to trade up to more premium breads – especially around eating occasions such as a weekend brunch.”

The Irwin’s Bakery Artisan range, which includes Irwin’s Sourdough (WEIGHT, 600g / RRP £1.25- £1.50 and Irwin’s Seeds & Grains (WEIGHT, 600g / RRP: £1.25- £1.50 is now available across NI in Tesco, Dunnes, Mace, Nisa, SPAR and SuperValu.

Island of Ireland Total Market Coverage

Experienced, Professional & Dynamic Team

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Building Brands with Passion 29

FOOD & DRINKS NEWS

McCULLOUGH INVESTS IN NEW FISHING VESSEL Fish and seafood business McCullough in Kilkeel has just completed development of the £30m Voyager, the most sophisticated fishing vessel in the UK fleet.

Built in Denmark by Arnold and Robert McCullough, who now run the family fishing business in Kilkeel, Northern Ireland’s seafood hub, Voyager will fish the Irish Sea for pelagic species such as herring and mackerel exclusively from sustainable sources.

At 86 metres in length and 4,300 gross tonnes, Voyager is the biggest fishing vessel built to date at Karstensens Shipyard in Denmark.

CAVANAGH EXPANDS PRODUCTION BY 30% Cavanagh Free Range Eggs is expanding production to meet the growing demand for its awardwinning eggs.

Based on a family farm near Newtownbutler, Cavanagh is gearing up to grow production by 30% in November, with husband and wife team John and Eileen Hall expanding their flock to 60,000 birds across three sites near the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The company has complete control of all aspects of production, grading, packing, marketing and supply to a broad range of customers.

COCA-COLA TO ADD SPARKLE AT NI CHAMBER EVENT Coca-Cola HBC in Lisburn will add sparkle to a cross border ‘meet the buyer’ event in Belfast this month.

The company will be amongst a group of 12 high-profile firms taking part in the latest NI Chamber and Bank of Ireland UK Meet the Buyer event, which will take place on November 8 from 9.30am-1pm at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The event forms part of the cross-border Connecting for Growth programme.

30

TS FOODS PRODUCES NEW ANN’S KITCHEN RANGE

Pictured are Ann Steele, founder, TS Foods; Steven Kennedy, fresh food trading manager, Henderson Group; and Joanne Molloy, commercial director, TS Foods.

N

orthern Irish chilled and frozen food producer TS Foods has added a new brand to its diverse range of products.

Available exclusively in SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO stores in Northern Ireland, Ann’s Kitchen aims to bring customers delicious yet convenient meal solutions to enjoy in the comfort of their own home.

The Ann’s Kitchen listing is expected to generate £250,000 for the family-run

company, which was started by Tony and Ann Steele 35 years ago in Castlewellan.

“At TS Foods, my family has been making great food trusted and enjoyed by countless families for over 35 years,” said Ann Steele. “Good food is at the heart of everything we do and my passion has always been creating delicious meals to enjoy with my family and friends.”

The range features Smoked Haddock Fishcakes, Cod Fishcakes, Cod Filet O Fish, Breaded Whiting Filets and Cod Fillet Bites, while other brands produced by TS Foods include Tony’s Chippy and TS Stuffings.

Steven Kennedy, fresh food trading manager at the Henderson Group, said: “As always, we are delighted to champion local producers and we have enjoyed working alongside TS Foods in the development of this exciting new range.

“We are certain our customers will enjoy these products which are available across our SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO stores.”

FOREST FEAST LAUNCHES NEW FESTIVE LINE F

orest Feast has launched a new range of festive products in response to reports consumers will spend an estimated £480m during the Christmas season.

The new, 10-product range combines innovative flavours with a festive twist to boost the snacking category over a key trading period.

Examples include a warming Sweet and Spicy Caramelised Nut Mix, a Vanilla, Cashew and Cranberry Fruit & Nut with nuggets of Dark Chocolate-covered Cranberries (200g, RRP £3.50) as well as a Luxury Hickory Smoke Mix, Hickory Smoked Nuts meet spicy Corn & Sesame Sticks (250g, RRP £3.50); perfect for pairing with your favourite seasonal tipple.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO

light up seasonal sales

The Forest Feast Christmas Collection, a range of bold and great-tasting dried fruit & nut snacks.

Shoppers spent a colossal ÂŁ480m more during Christmas 2016 w the previous year.*

Individual household spend reached ÂŁ365, +14.25% on an average month.*

73% of people who buy seasonal food agree that seasonal occasions are a good excuse to treat oneself to more premium food.**

Source: Kantar Worldpanel Grocery Data GB Market 16/17

* **

Mintel report: Attitudes to Seasonal Celebration Foods - UK, September 2015

GROCERYAID AUTUMN BALL

NEW NAME FOR CANDY BALL HELD AT THE CULLODEN ON OCTOBER 6, THE 81ST ANNUAL EVENT WAS AS SWEET AS EVER Wilma and Des McCullough, SHS; and Samantha and Alan McKeown, Doherty and Gray.

Russell and Sinead Johnston of PRL InMarket Solutions.

Lucy Robinson and Sarah Heath.

Paddy Murney with Jill and Lloyd Graham.

The White’s party.

Jonathan and Maria McCullough, with Hendersons.

Georgina Gedge and Jacqui White of Mondelez with Adrain Moore of Courtney and Nelson.

Donagh McGovern, Orla McGovern, Donna Moran, John Moran, Lee-Anne Brennan and Neil McRobbie, with Musgrave.

34

AGRI-FOOD NEWS

UFU REASSURED ON BREXIT AGRICULTURE ISSUES

A

meeting with DEFRA Secretary Michael Gove has reassured local farmers he understands the challenge of developing a new approach to farm support, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

Speaking after the event, attended by representatives of all UFU commodity committees, UFU President Barclay Bell said it was encouraging that the Secretary accepted an overriding need for farms to be profitable.

“This is the second meeting we have had with the Secretary, and I believe he is taking on board the issues raised by the farming industry,” said Bell.

UFU was encouraged by Gove’s commitment to, not only continue the existing level of support during the current Parliament, but also his willingness to see decision-making devolved to the UK regions, in line with existing funding commitments.

“We discussed his suggestion of a freeze in individual payments to farmers

UFU President Barclay Bell with Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove.

during a transitional period until a new support system was introduced and of the potential to pilot new support mechanisms, which we could possibly implement at a regional level,” said Bell.

In terms of trade, Gove was clear about his support to maintain current arrangements between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and also with the European Union.

Pictured are, from left, Martin McKendry CAFRE, Victor Chestnutt UFU, Edward Adamson NSA, Brian Jamison NSA, and Ian Stevenson LMC.

SHEEP CONFERENCE DATE SET FOR NOVEMBER 29

U

FU, CAFRE, LMC, AFBI and NSA will host an Efficient Lamb Production conference on Wednesday, November 29 from 10am to 4pm at Greenmount.

With lamb production making a significant contribution to the agrifood industry and rural environment, the objectives of the conference are to highlight what the industry currently does well, and identify potential areas for improvement.

Progress in lamb production is the focus of the conference, with speakers from both practical farming and research

backgrounds. Speakers and those attending will share their knowledge of how best to deliver a ‘progressive lamb production’ model. The conference can be used as a ‘qualifier meeting’ for those involved in sheep business development groups (BDGs).

The conference is open to all with an interest in sheep production. The fee is £20 and includes refreshments and lunch. Bookings may be made online at www.ufuni.org or through Angela in the UFU head office on 02890 370 222. BDGs should have their group number available when booking.

FANE VALLEY/ABP JOINT VENTURE MUST DELIVER Fane Valley and ABP’s joint venture with Linden Foods must deliver positive outcomes for farmers, according to Ulster Farmers’ Union Deputy President Victor Chestnutt.

“News of the deal will be met with mixed opinions from farmers, given that there has always been concerns about how much genuine competition there is between processors in Northern Ireland,” said Chestnutt. “These companies must realise that the success of their venture will be entirely dependent on whether they can return sustainable prices to the farmers.”

UFU ALARMED AT MERCOSUR SALE Ulster Farmers’ Union has voiced alarm at suggestions the European Commission could include beef in the Mercosur deal. The comments come after the Commission is reported to have offered the Mercosur states of South America a 70,000 tonnes tariff rate quota for beef.

“Finding constructive solutions to the challenges that Brexit presents should be the priority for both the UK government and the European Union,” said Barclay Bell, president of UFU. “Offering Mercosur greater access would be a fatal mistake and is something which our elected representatives must oppose.”

AMAZON NAMES MASH DIRECT RUNNER-UP Mash Direct was named runner-up in the Best Rural Food and Drink Business category of the Amazonsponsored Rural Business Awards 2017 on October 5.

“It’s very important to us that rural businesses are cherished and celebrated,” said Jack Hamilton from Mash Direct. “The Rural Business Awards do exactly that and, with Amazon involved this year, there’s even more prestige attached to the programme. Being involved has been a great experience for us and I’m sure we’ll be back next year.”

35

EXPORT NEWS

AMAZON LISTING FOR BROIGHTER GOLD Broighter Gold has won its first business with Amazon, with nine products listed by the online retailer as well as a gift pack.

“It’s a hugely significant development for the business which gives us an important platform in Great Britain, a market we have targeted for some considerable time,” said Leona Kane, who founded Broighter Gold in 2011.

Broighter Gold supplies its products to La Grande Epicerie de Paris and Brown Thomas in Dublin, and has expanded into industrial tourism by developing an exhibition centre.

SUKI TEA LINES UP GERMANY BUSINESS Belfast-based Suki Tea has secured significant business in Germany for its award-winning range of organic loose-leaf teas and infusions.

“We are immensely excited by the potential of this new export opportunity in Germany and the potential it offers to grow sales in other international markets,” said Anne Irwin, director of Suki. “It’s another important springboard for us to expand sales abroad. German consumers, of course, have a sharp focus on organic and ethical products.”

Suki has been developing export sales steadily over the past decade and currently exports to Norway, Japan, Poland, the Irish Republic, Hungary, Spain and Greece.

FOOD DRIVES GROWTH IN NORTHERN IRELAND EXPORTS

Clandeboye Estate Yogurt in Bangor won a major export order from Aldi in the Republic of Ireland.

F

ood sales abroad drove record growth in Northern Ireland’s exports during the second quarter of this year, with overall exports of manufactured goods rising 12% to £8.4bn.

Export of food products, Northern

DRAGON BRAND FOODS INVESTS TO DRIVE EXPORTS

MASH DIRECT SECURES QATAR DEAL Mash Direct has secured a new deal with a hypermarket chain in Qatar, Lulu Hypermarket stores, to list 20 lines including Broccoli in a Cheese Sauce and Potato Croquettes.

The sixth-generation farm is already exporting to Dubai, and the new contract with Qatar is another step to help the company reach its goal of a £20m turnover by 2020.

“It goes to show that having a healthy, convenient and tasty product goes down well with consumers,” said Jack Hamilton, new markets director at Mash Direct.

36

Ireland’s largest manufacturing industry, rose by an impressive 19% during the quarter to £1.2bn, with the Republic of Ireland the main destination for exporters.

Exports of food to RoI rose by 14% in the period, and benefited a broad range of manufacturers taking advantage of weaker sterling values against the euro.

Other key markets for Northern Ireland food were the US, France and the Netherlands.

Overall, export of goods from Northern Ireland to the Republic increased by 12% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

The export statistics are produced quarterly by HM Revenue and Customs with the biggest increase in exports, after RoI, going to Canada, up by 13%.

The majority of Northern Ireland’s exports, 53%, went to the EU, with 29% going to North America.

Pictured at the site of the new factory at Strabane Business Park are Paul McGuigan, Dragon Brand Foods, and Des Gartland, Invest NI.

S

trabane-based food manufacturer Dragon Brand Foods is investing over £500,000 in jobs, innovation and a new factory with the support of Invest Northern Ireland.

The company is due to begin construction on its new factory at Strabane Business Park as part of its plans to grow its business. The company is also creating four new roles and is using a grant for R&D to develop a new range of free-from sauces, dips and condiments for more health-conscious consumers.

The company’s investment will see it

build 7,500 square feet of manufacturing space at Strabane Business Park. Invest NI developed the park to help address the shortage of available industrial land in the district and play an important role in supporting economic development in the local area.

“Our strategy is to pursue growth through investing in new products and innovation,” said Paul McGuigan, director of Dragon Brand Foods. “We look forward to growing our workforce to help us deliver valuable new contracts, particularly in the UK and RoI markets.”

MARKETING NEWS

PLAIN PACK IS #MYNEXTSTEPS FOR BOOST DRINKS I n addition to introducing its flavoured milk drink in a plain pack exclusively for independents, Boost has launched a new social media campaign – #MyNextSteps – challenging consumers to post a fitness challenge they would like to achieve.

From this, 10 lucky protein users have been recruited to take part in a 12-week programme to meet their goal and improve their overall health and fitness, with their progress documented through the Protein Boost social media channels.

Through the new initiative, Protein Boost is hoping to inspire people to take the next step in getting more active – whether that is getting off the couch and going for a ten-minute walk, hitting the gym once or twice a week or doing an exercise video at home, making a small change towards a healthier lifestyle makes a big difference.

Boost is inviting the Northern Ireland public to get involved in the campaign by sharing on social media how they

are taking the first step to a healthier lifestyle. They simply need to post a photograph themselves in action with the hashtag #MyNextSteps for the chance to win a £100 gift voucher for Podium 4 Sport and a case of Protein Boost.

For further information, visit www.boostdrinks.com/protein.

BODYFORM TACKLES ‘THE PERIOD TABOO’

F

eminine care brand Bodyform is continuing its mission to break ‘the period taboo’ with the launch of #bloodnormal, a candid new film that depicts periods, and period blood, openly and honestly.

In a UK first, Bodyform’s choice to boldly go where no other brand has gone before follows its long history of using provocative content to generate meaningful discussion around periods.

From being the first brand to depict blood from sporting injuries in its Red.Fit campaign to using a real life sanitary towel for an in-situ product demonstration, Bodyform leads the way with thought-provoking content that helps to break the silence around

menstruation. The #bloodnormal film portrays a series of true-to-life references to periods.

“We believe that like any other taboo, the more people see it, the more normal the subject becomes,” said Traci Baxter, marketing manager at Bodyform. “So, for Bodyform, after showing real blood and a real, in-situ sanitary towel, bringing the two together was a natural next step. In doing so, we remain committed to showing periods in everyday life, truthfully and honestly – because we feel it’s the right thing to do to. Together, we can help make blood normal.”

For more information about the #bloodnormal campaign, visit www.bodyform.co.uk/bloodnormal.

FLAHAVAN’S SUPPORTS ATHLETICS NI Flahavan’s is ‘going for gold’ with Commonwealth Youth Champion, Aaron Sexton, as the company announces its continued sponsorship of the Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League.

Fresh from his success at the Commonwealth Youth Games, Aaron is the official Ambassador for the League, and will share his experiences as a 200m sprinter and Ulster and Irish Schools Rugby International with the young athletes.

The 2017-2018 season is set to be the biggest yet, with over 200 schools expected to register, building on the 6,500 pupils taking part last year.

FULFIL WINS EUROPEAN AWARD Vitamin and protein bar manufacturer Fulfil has received the European Sales And Marketing Association Award for Manufacturer of Excellence 2017 at the ESMA Innovation Awards.

Since launching in early 2016, Fulfil has been shaking up the snack market with a better-for-you proposition, selling over 15 million bars in its first year alone.

The awards are part of ESMA’s initiative to identify and promote innovative companies within its community, with companies submitting their most successful and forward-thinking products.

CLEAR CHANNEL LAUNCHES ADSHEL LIVE Following a competitive tendering process, Clear Channel Northern Ireland has retained the Translink contract for the management of the bus shelter estate in Northern Ireland.

Clear Channel will maintain and sell advertising across the estate of 1,400 bus shelters in Northern Ireland.

As part of this contract, it will launch Adshel Live – a network of 70 digital screens, located in high profile locations in the city centre, on main arterial routes and in high footfall locations; provided by Amscreen digital signage solutions.

37

BUSINESS NEWS

LONDON CALLING FOR LINWOODS AND HENDERSON RETAIL

A

rmagh-based Linwoods and Malluskbased Henderson Retail are among the winners in this year’s Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Awards 2017.

Linwoods, which delivers a range of premium bakery, fresh dairy and healthy super food products to over 1,600 customers daily, received Export Business of the Year. It has established business for its health super foods in key European markets including Great Britain, the Republic, The Netherlands and Spain.

The retail division of the Henderson Group, meanwhile, received Best Use of Technology, and a highly commended award for its commitment to people development.

Linwoods and Henderson Retail will now compete with other regional winners in the national finals in a bid to win the top UK business accolade in their category.

Pictured are Shaun McAnee, Danske Bank, Brian Brannigan, Linwoods, and Ellvena Graham, NI Chamber.

The national winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Chamber Awards Gala Dinner on November 30 at the Brewery in London.

“Businesses such as Linwoods and Henderson Retail are the backbone and driving force of the economy,” said

Ellvena Graham, president of NI Chamber.

“Even in the face of uncertain times, they continue to show their resilience and strength – creating opportunities for employment, investment and growth. I wish them both well at the national finals in London.”

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38

APPOINTMENTS

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE...

IN ASSOCIATION WITH...

RUAS APPOINTS TWO NEW TEAM MEMBERS T

wo appointments have been made by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS).

Stacey Patterson has been appointed marketing & communications executive, leading on all aspects of communications for RUAS; including the Balmoral Show and The Royal Ulster Winter Fair. She previously worked in marketing and communications within the charity/ voluntary sector.

RUAS has also appointed Declan Murray as trainee accountant, working towards his professional accountancy qualifications. Ahead of joining RUAS, Murray previously worked in an accountancy practice in Belfast.

Stacey Patterson

ULSTER BANK ROLE TO SUPPORT SMEs Lisa McCaul

Declan Murray

FERGUSON BRINGS PR EXPERTISE TO JAGO

L

isa McCaul has been appointed business growth enabler, north region, at Ulster Bank.

McCaul is responsible for developing SMEs and providing business advice to start-ups. She is heavily involved with the bank’s Boost initiative which helps local businesses prepare for growth through various programmes.

Kate Ferguson

K

ate Ferguson has joined Belfast communication company Jago. She brings more than 15 years’ experience of PR and marketing communications, spanning both inhouse and agency in London and Northern Ireland.

Unit 2, 1 Edgewater Road, Belfast Harbour, Belfast BT3 9JQ Tel: +44 28 9077 0999 Fax: +44 28 9078 1172

39

SHELFLIFE

To see your product featured in Shelf Life, contact Mark Glover at m.glover@independentmagazinesni.co.uk or Tel: 028 9026 4267

MASH DIRECT LAUNCHES HEALTHY LUNCH OPTION M

ash Direct has launched Nourish Bowls, an innovative and healthy lunch-time meal solution targeted at the expanding on-the-go and snack markets.

The award-winning company has introduced three varieties initially, Taste of Italy, Taste of China and Taste of Morocco. The new range is currently available from SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Nisa and independent stores, while discussions are underway to extend sales to major supermarkets in Britain.

“We have found that people want a healthy lunch option that they can pick up off the shelf or even eat on the go,” said Jack Hamilton, new markets and marketing director at Mash Direct. “All of Mash Direct’s products are gluten-free and don’t have any red traffic lights, so, our customers know that they are eating a product that they can trust is good for them.”

YOMEGA PICKS UP GLOBAL AWARD

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omega 3, a new Greek-style frozen yogurt developed in Northern Ireland, has won Best Frozen Yogurt in the prestigious World Dairy Innovation Awards in Dublin.

Development of the frozen yogurt, which is enriched with Omega 3 and Vitamin D, was assisted by experts at the Food Innovation Centre at CAFRE in Loughry, near Cookstown for Belfast-based Paradox Omega Oils and Ice Cream Treats of Kilgarry in Co Cavan. It’s the first time a Northern Irish company has been part of a winning team in the World Dairy Innovation Awards.

Yomega is available in three flavours: raspberry, mango and vanilla.

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BOATYARD LAUNCHES OLD TOM GIN

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oatyard Double Gin has launched a limited edition Old Tom Gin, the first of its kind to be made in Ireland.

The unique gin is aged in first-fill bourbon barrels from Kentucky.

The aged spirits are then sweetened with Fermanagh honey to give the gin a distinctive Old Tom flavour. A London Dry that’s slightly drier than the traditional Dutch Jenever, Old Tom is sometimes called ‘the missing link’.

The distillery began producing its double gin a year ago and has also announced plans to produce the first Irish whiskey in Fermanagh in over a century, and to launch a vodka later in the year.

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I am MD of Glastry Farm on the Ards Peninsula, where I have lived all my life, in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland, dairy farmer, ice-cream manufacturer.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? My day starts with a round of the dairy cattle, particularly the close-to-calving animals, calf feeding and then the personal clean-up, meet my production manager Chloe Burgess, and go through what needs to happen in the ice-cream plant. Breakfast on a farm is after the stock have been fed and milked; there I liaise with son Gareth who is in charge of the farm operation.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? I have been so fortunate, to be doing what I love to do, the seasons change and the roles on farm alter, the icecream plant has new challenges every day, orders come in, production needs to match those orders and service is paramount.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love meeting people, my grandfather advised 50 years ago: “always do business with those who you like doing business with”. In this digital age, we easily forget that people are so very important, business can become divorced from our employees, from our customers, at our peril.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK? Time management; being able to delegate is a great gift and one that I have learned the hard way. A coronary in 2011 was the defining moment, and I have come to appreciate the talents around me.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? Believe in yourself. If you have a sound vision built on solid facts, then go for it.

Not to be confused with an Ulsterism, ‘thranin’, which is often built on few or no factual evidence.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GRIPE? The person you feel you are in earnest conversation with, until you realise they are looking over your shoulder at someone much more important, who they wish to engage with.

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IN THE HOT SEAT WILL TAYLOR, MD OF GLASTRY FARM WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? I love all music, from country to classical but oh, how I wish that my mother’s ambition to have me trained to play piano was used much more fruitfully.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS/AMBITIONS? We at Glastry Farm would never ever have believed 10 years ago that we would have a portfolio of hoteliers, restaurateurs and chefs and good food shops who use our products or that we would be supplying customers in the Middle East. That is my current ambition; to grow and expand that part of the business.

WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? I was president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union and represented some 12,000 farm families throughout the Province.

This role took me to many places and to meet many decision makers in London, Brussels, Strasbourg, through many famous entrances, in Downing Street,

Buckingham Palace, Highgrove, but I have never lost sight of the humble, hard-working people that I represented on those occasions. They, I admire most of all.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE? New Zealand and its people; so like home in so many ways. I spent three months there on a Nuffield Scholarship, and was in tears at Auckland airport as the flight left.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? In 2005, a team from the School of Entrepreneurship did a market research programme on our behalf; the findings of which I bring out and dust down, it was so accurate, a decade later. We want fresh food, we do not want colourants, additives or e-numbers and, if it is local, it is important.

HOW DO YOU RELAX? Good food, good wine, good company, good conversation.

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