GROCER ULSTER
TM
SEPTEMBER 2018
N O. 1 M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E LO C A L G R O C E R Y S E C TO R
Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry
GREAT LOCAL BRANDS
E, I’M TR Y M
Coming together to create a great tasting range
Schweppes Elderflower 1 Litre Advert Ulster Grocer 210x297mm.pdf
1
29/08/2018
15:30
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
SEPTEMBER 2018
ULSTER
TM
Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry
GROCERY SECTOR RAISES CONCERNS OVER IMPACT OF A NO-DEAL BREXIT
R
epresentatives of the Northern Ireland farming, food and retail sectors have expressed concerns over spiralling food prices, taxes and bureaucracy, and a potentially catastrophic impact on exports, in the wake of a no-deal Brexit. Last month, the Government published 25 documents of guidance aimed at minimising disruption should the UK exit the EU without a deal. However, while acknowledging publication of the documents as prudent and necessary, sector representatives have urged the Government to do everything in its power to avoid the scenario. Chancellor Philip Hammond has publicly stated a no-deal Brexit could potentially have large fiscal consequences “with the largest negative impacts felt in the North East and Northern Ireland”. Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail
12-13
Stacks
NI, said: “Retail NI is concerned that a no-deal Brexit could result in higher food prices, increased delays and red tape at borders, and a possible VAT hike for consumers and businesses. A no deal would have huge negative impacts not just for Northern Ireland, but the UK economy as a whole. We would urge the UK government and EU to redouble its efforts to secure an agreement that enables our economy to move forward.” Ivor Ferguson, president of UFU, said: “A no-deal would be the worst possible outcome for the farming industry. UFU is continuing to work with our farming union counterparts in GB to urge both sides to find common ground on outstanding issues and ensure an exit deal is agreed. “GB remains our biggest market and RoI has always been one of our main trading partners. Trade between Northern
22-25
Ireland and the RoI existed long before either country joined the EEC. It is essential that it is maintained.” Such concerns were the focus of a meeting in Belfast last month attended by livestock representatives from UFU, NFU Scotland and NFU Cymru. Both UFU and the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association have highlighted a no-deal scenario as potentially disastrous, citing independent reports from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and Livestock and Meat Commission stressing the vulnerability of the beef and sheep sector. Meanwhile, a Brexit Sentiment Index published last month by AIB found that 61% of businesses in Northern Ireland have a negative outlook on Brexit, with almost half of small- and medium-sized companies postponing or cancelling investment plans due to concerns.
26-29
30-34
of taste-test winners exclusive to
ENJOY LOCAL:
BREAD & BAKING:
HOT BEVERAGES:
GREAT TASTE 2018:
HENDERSON GROUP’S POPULAR CONVENIENCE LINE FOR SPAR & EUROSPAR HAS JUST GOT BETTER FOLLOWING ULSTER UNIVERSITY TASTE TESTS & A REBRAND
COLLABORATION BETWEEN ORMO, MASH DIRECT & BALLYRASHANE; GREAT TASTE SUCCESS FOR MORTONS FLOUR; & A SPELT FOCUS FOR ANDREW INGREDIENTS
BELFAST STALWART SD BELL’S VISITS BRAZIL’S MINAS GERAIS COFFEE REGION, WHILE HENDERSON GROUP’S BARISTA BAR GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
NORTHERN IRELAND PRODUCERS HAVE HISTORICALLY OVERPERFORMED IN THE PRESTIGIOUS GUILD OF FINE FOODS AWARDS & THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT
3
EDITORIAL COMMENT Volume 53, Number 8 September 2018 Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Jason Winstanley Sales Manager: Chris Keenan E: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4266 Art Editor: Helen Wright Production Manager: Irene Fitzsimmons Ulster Grocer c/o Independent News & Media Ltd, Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3BG www.ulstergrocer.com @ulstergrocer www.facebook.com/ulstergrocer Subscriptions: £27.50 per annum £37.50 per annum (outside UK) Designed & Produced by: Independent News & Media Ltd Tel: 028 9026 4000 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim Tel: 028 9446 3911 Latest ABC figures state that Ulster Grocer has an average net circulation of 5,846 per edition (1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018) Independent News & Media Ltd ©2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or stransmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Independent News & Media Ltd.
4
BOOSTED CIRCULATION, BREXIT & BRAZIL
W
e have fantastic news to share on behalf of Ulster Grocer. In August, we received our annual report from the Audit Bureau of Circulations. ABC independently verifies and reports on media performance; in plain speaking, it separates fact from fiction in terms of circulation claims. No fake news allowed… ABC has verified that, over the period July 2017 to June 2018, Ulster Grocer achieved an average monthly circulation of 5,846 copies per issue; a 33% increase on the previous annual report. That’s an additional 1,439 copies of Ulster Grocer going out every month, on average, to key figures in the grocery trade from convenience store owners to supermarket buyers. And here’s the best part of the audit – ABC has verified Ulster Grocer now has optimum controlled circulation. ‘Controlled’ means the magazine is going out to named, relevant industry individuals; again, in plain speaking, it means we’re not sending out 50 copies apiece to our grannies to bump up circulation figures for marketing purposes. The Ulster Grocer team feels proud of these figures, which represent a sustained effort by the circulation department at Independent News & Media to ‘cleanse’ our subscription database, stripping out individuals and companies who no longer have any relevance to the grocery trade. Boosting our circulation by a third reflects our commitment to Ulster Grocer and its ongoing role as the leading grocery trade magazine, complemented by our growing presence online and across social media. We try to keep our content across both print and digital media as fresh, engaging and relevant as possible, and are always keen to hear productive input from readers and advertisers alike. If you have anything to say about what we do well, not so well or aren’t covering at all but should be, please feel free to contact myself or my colleague Chris Keenan
(details listed to the left). In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the September edition of Ulster Grocer. It’s a fairly compact edition but, we hope you agree, jam packed with industry news. While our lead news story focuses again on Brexit, and some very real concerns around the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit, the overall tone of the edition is very positive. Growth in the grocery market is coming from many different sectors, with discounter Lidl making increasing inroads yet premium categories such as organic also performing well. And our local symbol retail groups continue to invest and expand; notably EUROSPAR and Centra in this edition. Elsewhere in the magazine, our features cover another year of Great Taste success for Northern Ireland producers, including Thompson’s Tea, which gained 20 stars in the 2018 awards, boosting its running total to over 100. Impressive. Scion Jamie Thompson takes the Hot Seat (p42) this month, with his on-point answers suggesting the family business will be in good hands in the years to come. And yes, I agree Jamie – Shoe Dog by Phil Knight is an inspirational and surprising read. Behind the corporate behemoth was a bunch of hippies who basically blagged it and lurched from one crisis to another, but they kept going and the rest is history… Another interesting read, meanwhile, is Robert Bell’s account of his recent origin trip to Brazil (ps26-27). Let’s face it, we’re all pretty much coffee aficionados now and, via his trip, Robert takes us step by step through the complexity of the coffee making process. It makes for a very educational read, and certainly adds pleasure to coffee drinking when you have greater insight into the many variables going into each stage, and the resultant characteristics of the coffee. Enjoy…
NEWS
LIDL’S SALES RISE BY 5.9% AS SHARE OF NI MARKET GROWS AGAIN BY MARGARET CANNING
Overall, spending in the local grocery sector had grown 1.4% compared to a erman discount retailer Lidl has year earlier. increased sales in its Northern Ireland Kantar Worldpanel said the growth in its supermarkets by nearly 6% over the last sales meant customers of Tesco here were year, latest figures show. now spending an extra £47 over the year. Kantar Worldpanel said the company, Sainsbury’s market share was steady at which has 38 stores here, had also 17.4%, while Asda was the third-biggest increased its share of the grocery market to supermarket, with market share of 17.1%. 5.7% in the 52 months to August 12. However, Asda had the weakest sales And the organisation said Lidl’s relatively growth at just 0.7%, while Sainsbury’s modest market share left it with plenty of sales were up 2.3%. room for growth. Sainsbury’s has 14 stores in Northern Tesco, which has around 50 stores of Ireland while Asda has 17, and is planning various sizes around the province, had its 18th on the site of the former Nortel boosted its sales by 2% and grown its factory in Mallusk. market share slightly to 35.3%, enabling Lidl’s sales growth of 5.9% was the it to strengthen its position as our number strongest of all the major operators here. one supermarket. And the category of ‘other multiples’
G
- including grocers such as Dunnes and Marks & Spencer - reported 0.7% growth in sales and a market share of 8.6%. Sales in the category of ‘total symbols’ - encompassing independent retailers operating under brands like SPAR and Centra - reported a fall in sales of 4.5%, while their market share was down from 8.5% to 7%. “On average, shoppers buy fewer items at Lidl in comparison to the other major retailers, but it’s currently the only one to see growth in basket size, which suggests that customers are finding more of the items they want at Lidl on their weekly shop,” said Douglas Faughnan, consumer insight director at Kantar Worldpanel. Lidl NI said its range of Meadow Fresh salads and barbecue staples including Glensallagh sausages, Inisvale burgers, Connell Bakery hamburger buns and Batts BBQ sauce were in high demand from early May when the first summer heat kicked in.
RETAILERS URGED TO MAKE THE MOST OF RISING ORGANIC SALES
C
ontinued growth in organic sales, up 4% for the 52 weeks to June 30, has been welcomed by the Soil Association ahead of Organic September. Organic sectors performing best, according to the Nielsen Scantrack data, are delicatessen, including many chilled vegetarian products (+27.8%); beer, wine and spirits (+8.7%); canned and packaged goods (+6.6%); and meat, fish and poultry (+5.6%). Overall, sales of organic produce (+5.3%) and organic dairy (+3.5%) continue to grow ahead of the nonorganic market. The findings indicate consumers are increasingly looking to organic as a signifier of health, particularly
among younger demographics, while provenance is also a driver, according to the Soil Association. Innovation is strong in the sector, with the Soil Association certifying over 3,000 new products and producers in the last year, from seaweed gin to kefir and hot cross buns. Big brands are also increasingly entering the market, including Red Bull Organics, Babybel organic cheese and Honest Kids, owned by Coca-Cola. “This rising demand is a major opportunity for retailers to list new brands and products and seize the momentum surrounding organic – momentum that is showing no signs of slowing down,” said Finn Cottle,
EUROSPAR AND VIVOXTRA RAISE THE ‘STEAKS’ WITH BUTCHERY CAMPAIGN
L
ocal butchers and suppliers are in the spotlight for EUROSPAR and VIVOXTRA’s new campaign to champion fresh, local products and services available in store. As part of the Henderson Group’s continued focus and celebration of local suppliers and products, it is making 67 suppliers and local butchers the heroes of its latest outdoor campaign. The investment will see well-known butchers and suppliers from each community across Northern Ireland in the spotlight on billboards and across EUROSPAR and VIVOXTRA social media. “Our local suppliers and butchers in store are well known in each of their
communities, and we’re delighted to have them take centre stage to enhance awareness of their skills and expertise,” said Catherine McAlynn, brand manager at EUROSPAR and VIVOXTRA. “Last year, we trialled this concept, introducing key butcheries and suppliers to the community. It is a reminder for shoppers of the services we offer, as well as clarity to show that we’re only ever going to work with and source from our local butchery experts and food suppliers.”
trade consultant for Soil Association Certification. “This summer’s results clearly show that if there is supply, demand will follow.” Organic September is the Soil Association’s annual celebration of organic food and farming, reinforcing the message that organic is food as it should be. Independent retailers are encouraged to get involved with Organic September Saturday, this year on September 15. For more information, visit: https://www. soilassociation.org/indies.
FOR SALE SUBSISTING LIQUOR LICENCE CO TYRONE ALL ENQUIRIES T: 07920284226 E: info@strategiclicensing.co.uk W: www.liquorlicencesni.com
5
NEWS
TAYTO BOSS RESCUES GENESIS CRAFTY FROM ADMINISTRATION
G
enesis Crafty, the Magherafelt bakery famously run by six brothers of the McErlain family, has been sold to local businessman Paul Allen after entering administration last month. Allen is best known as the CEO of Tayto Group, a role he will continue to hold while assuming control of McErlain’s Bakery, which employs over 260 people and produces both the Genesis Crafty brand and own-label baked goods for customers such as M&S, Waitrose and Tesco. After experiencing trading difficulties over the past year, EY was appointed as
administrator of McErlain’s Bakery on August 21 with the sale concluded shortly after the appointment and the business continuing to trade as normal. “This is a private investment by me and my family,” said Allen. “The McErlain family have built a great business, with excellent products which have national markets. I’m hoping that in my nonexecutive role with the company, I will be able to use my experience in the industry to help guide the growth of both the Genesis Crafty brand and the overall business.” Brian McErlain has been retained as
managing director of the business. “This is obviously a time of mixed emotions; sadness that it is now a different family who own the business but hope for the future and the growth of the Genesis Crafty brand,” he said. “Paul Allen’s ability is very well respected in the business community, not just in Northern Ireland but further afield and I believe that his involvement will be a real benefit to the company. I’d like to pay tribute to all our staff, customers and suppliers, who have been through some difficult times with us and whose support we have really appreciated.”
MOY PARK CELEBRATES 75TH LAGAN VALLEY WELCOMES A NEW COMMUNITY SUPERMARKET ANNIVERSARY WITH MUSGRAVE
A
new EUROSPAR has opened on Hillsborough Road in Lagan Valley, creating 22 new jobs, and representing an ongoing roll out of the EUROSPAR brand for the Henderson Group. Formerly a SPAR store, over eight months of work have gone into creating the new EUROSPAR, which is over 60% larger in size at 6,322 square feet and has doubled its workforce. Enhanced facilities include a bakery, daily deli, carvery, hot food, self-serve chicken bar and ready-to-go ranges, alongside an extended range of dairy products and Richardson’s in-store butchery counter offering the popular 3 for £10 range. It also features a new Post Office, Occasions Gift Shop, improved health and well-being department, Maud’s ice-cream counter, designated Kids’ Zone and additional car parking, as well as the existing BP filling station and Ulster Bank ATM. “I’ve been working in retail for 29 years and know that maintaining a good customer offering is the key to success,” said Paul O’Halloran, store manager. “I’m immensely proud to be opening what is undoubtedly a huge asset to the town and pleased the supermarket has so many nods to the local area.” The Lagan Valley shop is the 62rd EUROSPAR now operational in Northern Ireland. See p10 for more on new EUROSPAR openings in Dromore and Derry.
M
oy Park has continued its 75th anniversary celebrations through an activation with Moy Park’s little yellow van at the Musgrave headquarters in Belfast. The visit saw staff sample the relaunched breaded range from the van and enjoy an From left, Helen Gormley, trading afternoon with senior Moy manager meat and poultry at Musgrave, the Moy Park mascot and Karen Kelso, Park personnel. director of business at Moy Park. The poultry processor’s 75th anniversary year has been a busy one to date, with the relaunch of its branded range including a packaging refresh, new Moy Park brand logo and the roll out of an Irelandwide marketing campaign to support the relaunch. “Our brand marketing strategy for 2018 is inextricably linked to our 75th anniversary and the relaunch,” said Karen Kelso, director of Business for Moy Park. “This type of activity provides an opportunity to engage with our retail partners which is so important to our overall sales and marketing strategy for the brand. We look forward to continuing our celebrations and engaging with our retail partners and customers alike.”
COSTCUTTER LAUNCHES SPOOKILY GOOD HALLOWEEN CAMPAIGN
C
ostcutter Supermarkets Group has laid out plans to help retailers capitalise on growing Halloween sales through a new Spookily Good Halloween campaign, rolling out to retailers nationwide from early October. With Halloween sales last year exceeding £320m*, as well as an array of spooky trick or treat inspired confectionery, the new campaign is designed to capture the adult market, with recipe ideas and offers. 6
Supported by a full suite of in-store POS, consumer leaflets and inspiring content across social channels, the Costcutter website and national press advertising, the campaign will be promoted to retailers via the Group’s ActivHUB retailer portal, through push notifications and a Making the Most of Halloween & Bonfire Night guide. *Mintel Oct 2017
NEWS
ANOTHER GREAT TASTE HAUL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND H annan Meats of Moira has been awarded four three-star accolades in Great Taste 2018, for its 3-Mix Burger in both seasoned and unseasoned formats, Salt Aged Lamb Striploin and Lamb Bacon. Presented by the Guild of Fine Food to leading food producers throughout the UK and Ireland, Great Taste 2018 received almost 13,000 entries, out of which 4,653 star ratings were awarded, including 210 in Northern Ireland. Only 3% of star ratings receive three stars. “To elevate something as humble as a burger to a three-star Great Taste award is very gratifying and we are particularly pleased,” said Peter Hannan, founder of Hannan Meats. “Every food buyer in the world waits for the Good Taste awards to come out, because it makes their job easier. It makes a huge difference to our business. When we won the award of Supreme Champion in 2016, the world
Pure Roast Coffee won a three-star award for its Ethiopian Duromina Heirloom variety. Pictured is Martin Symington, founder and managing director.
just comes to your door.” Thompson’s Tea in Belfast received 20 stars in total including two threestar awards for its Everyday Blend and Signature Blend, bringing its star count to more than 100. Also receiving three-star awards were Mauds Ice Cream (Salted Almond Ice-Cream); Cookie Jar (Traditional Wheaten Bannock); Pure Roast Coffee
(Ethiopian Duromina); William Grant and Company (Sugar Pit Bacon Rack); Burren Balsamics (Saddle of Colebrooke Venison); Musgrave Retail Partners NI (Signature Tastes Gubbeen); O’Hagan’s Meadery (Kilnasaggart Mead); Natural Umber (Organic Apple Cider Vinegar); and Lacada Brewery (Utopian Stout). For more on Great Taste 2018, go to ps30-34.
7
RETAIL NEWS - INDEPENDENTS
RETAIL VACANCY RATE CONTINUES TO GROW IN NI RETAIL NI EXPRESSES N CONCERN OVER INTEREST RATE INCREASE
N
ews the Bank of England is to increase interest rates from 0.5% to 0.75%, the highest level since March 2009, has been met with dismay by Retail NI. “This is not a welcome development, given how weak consumer spending is at the present time,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI. “Retail footfall has decreased and a very significant number of large retailers have folded; this increase will certainly not be welcomed by the retail sector. “This is also not good news for many hard-pressed mortgage holders to see an increase in their monthly payments, particularly in Northern Ireland, where we already have the lowest discretionary spend. The UK economic recovery is at best sluggish and we believe this increase is premature.”
orthern Ireland has remained the UK region with the highest retail vacancy rate for two years, according to the latest Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor, rising from 14.2% in April to 14.4% in July 2018. Over the period July 1-28, footfall fell by 0.3% in Northern Ireland, ending two months of growth. Footfall grew on the High Street and Retail Parks (1.4%), albeit at a slower rate than enjoyed in May and June when they had grown by 2.2% and 6.2% respectively, while it fell by 5.5% in Shopping Centres compared to a year ago when it fell by 1.0%. “The slight fall in footfall is again better than the national average and can be taken as a reasonably good sign but what is more interesting is the slight shop vacancy rise of 0.2%,” said Aodhán Connolly, director, Northern Ireland Retail Consortium. “This may appear to signal a stagnation in vacancy rate here but in reality, because of recent CVAs and shop closures across Northern Ireland, the retail landscape is in flux. Closures change the footfall dynamic for surrounding stores and, while prominent units do replace tenants quickly, any further closures will again skew trading conditions and make conditions more challenging. “The retail industry is under considerable pressure. There are nearly 2,500 fewer retail stores in the UK than there were three years ago. Industry profitability is falling with net profit margins now 3-5% of retail sales down from 6-8% over the past decade. “There needs to be an overhaul in our antiquated business rates system that is a disincentive to invest in Northern Ireland. Business rates are payable regardless of the profit a retail business may or may not be making. This is acting as a barrier for new entrants to the industry and is preventing the reinvention of high streets as more and more retailers reduce store portfolios. “Our industry needs government support to effect retail reinvention and prevent retail Armageddon. We need forward thinking to make sure our consumers spend their time as well as their money in our towns and cities. If we don’t have a lead official on retail and an NI retail strategy, we will fall behind our neighbours to the south and east.”
GROCERYAID ANNOUNCES DATE FOR BARCODE FESTIVAL 2019
F
ollowing the success of the inaugural Barcode Festival in June, GroceryAid has announced a date for the second annual event - July 4, 2019. This year’s festival saw £250,000 raised, with 1,600 grocery colleagues enjoying 10 hours of music, food, drink and demos. With the guest list including a much younger crowd than the charity is used to hosting and 54% female attendance, Barcode was deemed an inclusive, ground breaking event for the industry. The festival combined street food, 15 bars by various BWS brands, activations from over 40 sponsors and headline acts Kaiser Chiefs, Sigma and Greg James. “There is still a real buzz around the industry in the aftermath of Barcode Festival, and we’re incredibly excited to confirm its return in 2019,” said Steve Barnes, chief executive at GroceryAid. “Barcode is truly an event for everyone, as shown in the fact we had 100 different supporting companies present and such a diverse range of colleagues joining us. We’ve already started planning how we can make Barcode even bigger for next year and ultimately raise more funds for colleagues in need.” Hawker House in London will remain Barcode Festival’s home for year two and, with a capacity at just 1,800, businesses are being encouraged to register their interest early before tickets and sponsorships sell out. For more information, visit www.barcodefestival.co.uk. For sponsorship and ticket opportunities, email events@groceryaid.org.uk or call 01252 875925. 8
DFI URGED TO ADDRESS TRADER CONCERNS OVER BUS LANES
F
ollowing the introduction of new Rapid Transit Bus Lanes in East Belfast, Retail NI has urged the Department for Infrastructure to keep the 12-hour time period under review and to consider enforcement of the bus lanes at only peak times in the morning and evening. Retail NI’s office is based in Ballyhackamore, within the Rapid Transit route, and the organisation said it has also received complaints from members about an increase in traffic congestion in West Belfast since the introduction of the bus lanes. “Retail NI supports the new Rapid Transit and we want to see shoppers and other city centre workers use the Gilder and make public transport their first option rather than their last,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI. “This will be a challenging implementation, but I hope it will be positive for the city in the long run. This scheme is a long overdue investment for Belfast’s transport infrastructure and we want to see it succeed.”
RETAIL NEWS - SYMBOLS
CENTRA OPENS LIMAVADY STORE IN £450,000 INVESTMENT C
entra has opened its latest new-look store in Limavady, bringing a total of 20 jobs to the local area. Located at Ballyquin Road, the new greenfield store is part of a £450,000 investment by Musgrave and the Wilson family. The new store has an abundance of household essentials and fresh, locally sourced produce, while additional amenities include Frank & Honest Coffee, the largest coffee brand on the island of Ireland; a hot and cold deli including healthy sandwich and salad options; a Mex-a-go Burrito Bar; Carte d’Or scoop ice cream counter; seating area; and
complimentary wi-fi. The store is named in honour of well-known local businessman Ivan Wilson, and run by his sons Michael and Steven. The family business also comprises a Mace store in Coleraine, licensed premises, a car hire business and Ivan Wilson Fuels Supplies. The site also includes the first Chipmongers in Co Derry, and a pay-at-the-pump forecourt run independently by Nicholl Fuels. “The Ivan Wilson business is a family business and we are excited, as we celebrate 70 years in business this year, to mark another milestone in opening
HENDERSON GROUP ACHIEVES DIAMOND AWARD FOR PAYROLL GIVING
From left, Steven Wilson; Nigel Maxwell, Centra sales director; and Michael Wilson. (Photo credit: Stephen Hamilton.)
our new Centra store at Ballyquin Road, Limavady,” said Michael Wilson. “We are proud of our roots in the community in the North West and are pleased to create 20 new jobs and invest significantly in the place where we live and work.”
SUBWAY OPENS FIRST CONCEPT STORE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
From left, Sam Davidson, HR director, Henderson Group, and Laura Nolan, HR advisor.
From left, Sharon Kane, area manager for SPAR; Leon McMaster, member of Subway team; Sean Hamill, assistant store manager for SPAR; Chloe McLaughlin, member of Subway team; Stacey Brown, development manager for Subway Northern Ireland; and Christine McGoldrick, member of Subway team.
H
enderson Group has been announced as one of the first companies in the UK, and one of only four in Northern Ireland, to be accorded Diamond Award status for its achievements in Payroll Giving. The Diamond Award Quality Mark was introduced this year, with just 72 organisations out of over 2,201 reaching the status, which recognises a company with at least 30% of staff signed up to Payroll Giving. Henderson Group, which is made up of four companies – Property, Retail, Foodservice and Wholesale - currently has 33% of employees signed up to the initiative, and has donated £2.72m since 2003, with the Group matching any contribution made by an employee of the scheme. “Payroll Giving is of huge importance for us at Henderson Group, and we’re lucky enough to have over a third of our 3,600-strong workforce signed up to the scheme,” said Sam Davidson, HR director, Henderson Group. “It is fantastic to be recognised with the new Diamond Award which shows just how invested we are in the scheme and how we aim to stand out from the rest as a responsible company in Northern Ireland.” Local charities and causes benefitting from the Henderson Group initiative include Marie Curie, Cancer Fund for Children, NI Hospice, NI Children’s Hospice and NSPCC NI.
S
ubway has marked its 20th year in Northern Ireland with the opening of its first Fresh Forward concept store in the Province. Representing an investment of £90,000, the latest Ballycastle eatery is the 50th Subway Fresh Forward premise to open in the UK and the 100th store in Europe. Subway Fresh Forward is a new concept created by FRCH Design Worldwide, incorporating a bright new colour palette, inspired by fresh vegetables, and featuring new digital menu boards. “Subway has been on a continued journey of reinvigoration of our brand and customer experience,” said Stacey Brown, development manager for Subway Northern Ireland. “The distinctive Fresh Forward design concept has been rolled out in stores across the island of Ireland over the last few months and the investment in bringing Subway Fresh Forward to Northern Ireland demonstrates our commitment to that brand evolution. “The modern design gives an enhanced customer experience through both the way that they order and the way they enjoy their meal. We are looking forward to welcoming both loyal and new customers.” The Ballycastle store is the first of eight Subway Fresh Forward stores planned for Northern Ireland over the next six months. 9
RETAIL NEWS - MULTIPLES
NEW EUROSPAR IN DROMORE REPRESENTS £2.6M INVESTMENT A
new 6,000-square-foot EUROSPAR has opened in Dromore, Co Down, creating 40 jobs and representing a £2.6m investment. Tripling the size of a previous site on Hillsborough Road, the new Moundview EUROSPAR features a deli and butchery counter, forecourt and 24-hour pay at pump facilities. “Our business has expanded into more than just a convenience store, with our customers now wanting a complete shopping experience, delivered by the EUROSPAR brand,” said Chris McDonald, owner of Moundview Service Station.
From left, Stephanie Kelly, deli assistant; Oonagh Murtagh, head of Danske Bank’s South Business Centre; Carol McCready, business manager at Danske Bank; Chris McDonald, owner of Moundview Service Station; and butcher John Rooney.
“The retail sector has changed in the last few years, with customers preferring to
do several small shops throughout the week. “We demolished our old store and converted the space into additional car parking. We opened under the EUROSPAR brand as the Henderson Group’s range of products and same day delivery means we can fulfil the needs of our customers. “The new store has a butcher’s counter, salad bar and Barista Bar coffee station and offers a wide variety of locally sourced products, available through Henderson’s enjoy local and The Kitchen ranges.”
LYNCH’S FOOD STORES TO OPEN DERRY EUROSPAR A new EUROSPAR Supermarket is set to create 50 jobs in Derry, with work already underway on the 650-square-metre site in the expanding Skeoge area of Derry. Expected to open in the autumn, it will be the latest addition to the Lynch family’s network of stores across Co Derry. Recruitment is already underway for the first phase of the 50-plus jobs, which will be a mixture of full and part-time roles including assistant manager, deli supervisor, butchery supervisor and post-office supervisor. The store will include a post office, ATM,
Artist’s impression of EUROSPAR Skeoge.
Barista Bar coffee station, deli counter, butcher’s, bakery, 70 car-parking spaces and fuel pumps. “The new store in Skeoge will be the 63rd EUROSPAR in Northern Ireland and we’re confident that the brand can continue to grow and expand well beyond this,” said Sarah
Halliday, channel sales manager at the Henderson Group. “Shoppers across Northern Ireland have really embraced this style of supermarket, a community supermarket that offers a fantastic range of products but still maintains a strong local focus and acts as hub for the whole community.”
SWEDES GET NAKED IN ASDA M&S CATERPILLAR GETS A
A
sda will no longer wrap its whole swedes as part of ongoing efforts to reduce its use of plastic, estimating the move will remove an annual 14 tonnes of plastic used on 6 million swedes from waste streams. The retailers said customers will see hundreds of naked swedes in-store just in time for the cooler weather. The removal of the plastic wrapping also sees the shelflife remain the same as previously, preserved for up to seven days. The move is part of Asda’s ongoing commitment to use less and recycle more plastic, with a plan to reduce plastic packaging in own-brand products by an initial 10% by February 2019. By 2025, Asda pledges to make all packaging 100% recyclable. “We’re committed to reducing our plastic usage across own brand products, lowering our impact on the environment and helping families to avoid plastic waste in their homes,” said Nikki Dixon, senior manager for Plastic Reduction at Asda. “Working closely with our growers to ensure delicious veg is available throughout the year, our naked swedes will maintain their taste credentials, without the need for any plastic.” 10
‘MACMILLAN MAKEOVER’
C
olin the Caterpillar has been given a special ‘Macmillan makeover’ to help raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event on September 28. The limited edition ‘coffee morning Colin’ with new purple feet and green and purple sprinkles, will be available in M&S stores across the country from September 1-30, alongside mini Colin cakes also decked out in Macmillan colours. Customers will also be able to pick-up a host of other treats, including M&S’s Teatime Cupcake Selection, Victoria Sandwich, Chocolate Fudge, Coffee and Walnut, and Lemon Drizzle and gluten-free options, with 10% of each sale supporting the charity. M&S Cafés nationwide will also host coffee morning events on September 28, with 5p from every hot drink and slice of cake sold throughout the month going to the charity.
MY LIFE IN THE GROCERY TRADE CONOR TOLAND, MARKETING MANAGER FOR HENDERSON RETAIL
BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR BACKGROUND After graduating from University of Ulster in 2012, my first full-time job was working as an events assistant for Belfast City Marathon. This was a fantastic first rung on the employment ladder – working for Northern Ireland’s largest participatory sporting event was a great way for me to make a lot of progress in a short space of time. Two years later, I made the move to Henderson Group, taking up the position of marketing assistant then progressing to brand manager and retail marketing manager thereafter. WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I am responsible for the local marketing needs of all our company-owned SPAR and EUROSPAR stores. Most of my time is dedicated to launch plans of new and refurbished stores. The Henderson Group has a fantastic reputation for investing in their people and places – this has resulted in a rapidly-expanding chain of multi award winning retail stores. My job is to tell people about them.
WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? I really enjoy seeing our new stores develop quite literally from the ground up. From the initial site meeting when the site is just a hole in the ground, to the buzz of a store’s opening day… it’s an incredibly satisfying journey. The main struggle is sometimes the goalposts can shift quite quickly – an opening date can be delayed or brought forward which can cause a knock-on effect for opening marketing plans. This means I need to be able to adapt quickly in anything I do. BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY A typical day always starts with a Barista Bar cappuccino from our company restaurant, The Hub or in store. If I’m in the office, I will then review my week’s to-do list and create a top three ‘must dos’ list for the day. I will assess my list of stores in development or else those which are underperforming and plan accordingly, but new projects will crop up frequently. Depending on priority, I will meet with relevant parties, ideally in store, to review local area and options for marketing campaigns such as outdoor media, local radio, digital advertising and direct mail. WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? My proudest moment so far is winning the Lorraine Hall Award for Young Marketeer of the Year 2018. On a professional level, having your own hard work recognised is a fantastic feeling. I was also thrilled to see my colleague Joanne Walker, from our EUROSPAR Carrowdore store, win International Store
Manager of the Year at the Food Marketing Industry Awards held in Kentucky, USA. In particular, I had a lot of fun filming and editing Jo’s video entry for the competition on location at EUROSPAR Carrowdore. Obviously helping the company to hit sales and footfall targets is very satisfying, but there’s nothing quite like holding a trophy in your hands. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE LOCAL RETAIL INDUSTRY? As Henderson Retail continues to extend its chain of state-of-the-art stores, this obviously results in a need for more staff. Getting to work with new people all the time is a great way to improve processes and generate new ideas. Also, it’s nice to think that I can walk into stores across Northern Ireland and I will be able to talk to people I know on a personal level. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? I am Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fanatic, training out of Straight Blast Gym, a mixed martial arts club based in Belfast City Centre. I was dedicated to playing football from a young age but, in recent years, I’ve decided to pursue a solo hobby which I can immerse myself in at any time that suits me. Trust me when I say, there’s no better way to relieve stress then choking someone out in a controlled environment! TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW I’m the man responsible for bringing the EUROSPAR/Marty Mone Hit the diff collaboration to your TV screen. ♫ Community’s our thing, it’s passion that we bring… ♫
FOOD & DRINKS NEWS
SPAR’S ENJOY LOCAL REBRAND GETS STAMP OF APPROVAL INDEPENDENT TESTERS GIVE THUMBS-UP FOR TASTE, PROVENANCE AND FRESHNESS The rebrand of the enjoy local range from SPAR and EUROSPAR proved a huge hit with researchers and taste testers. The brand and products performed extremely well in shopper research and taste tests facilitated by the Ulster University Food and Consumer Testing Suite (FACTS). Over 2,000 volunteers assessed the products on appearance, aroma, taste, texture, overall flavour and likelihood to purchase. The rebranded products will now display an official ‘taste tester approved’ badge, as well as the name of the town where it was made, baked, bottled, boxed or farmed. Bronagh Henderson, Brand Marketing Manager at Henderson Group said, “Our SPAR shoppers associate fresh and homegrown products with quality. They want us to work with local suppliers, farmers and growers, as well as top taste testers and food experts.” Dr Amy Burns, Director of the FACT Suite at Ulster University, facilitated over 2,715 taste tests. Dr Burns said, “Working with SPAR NI to establish Taste Tester Approved products will give consumers better knowledge and confidence that they are purchasing quality, fresh food”. “All products scoring an average of 7 out of 9, which is the industry standard of excellence, will have a Taste Tester Approved icon on the packaging, proving it as a quality, stand-out food product.” Bronagh continued, “The enjoy local range spans everything from daily essentials such as milk, bread and butter, to new products developed by our in-house Fresh Team. That includes rustic bread loaves, deli meats and salads, traybakes, soups, ready meals and our Great Taste Award winner, Greek-Style Yogurt with Strawberry Compote.” Developed by Henderson Group’s Fresh Team and launched throughout SPAR and EUROSPAR stores in 2015, the enjoy local range features 125 products from 18 local suppliers. Suppliers to the range include Connolly Meats, Big Pot Co., Dale Farm, Avondale, Clandeboye Estate, Irwin’s Bakery and Fred C Robinson. Henderson Group invested in an outdoor campaign to launch the enjoy local rebrand, alongside a full radio and digital campaign. Promotions and sampling will take place in SPAR and EUROSPAR stores across the country. Retailers can sign-up now to let their shoppers do taste tests of their own. For more, visit www.spar-ni.co.uk and www.eurosparni.co.uk
“Working with SPAR NI to establish Taste Tester Approved products will give consumers better knowledge and confidence when it comes to ensuring that they are purchasing quality, fresh food.” SPAR TIPS HAT TO GENEROUS FUNDRAISERS SPAR’s charity partner, Marie Curie, has received a £90,0000 boost from SPAR’s fundraising efforts. The recent Blooming Great Tea Parties and activity at the Balmoral Show raised over £90,000 for Marie Curie. Following this fantastic total, generous shoppers helped 220 stores across Northern Ireland raise £74,876 during the Marie Curie Blooming Great Tea Party morning on 16 June. Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group, Bronagh Luke, is delighted with the engagement shoppers have with the brand and the charity, said, “Marie Curie has been our charity partner since March 2017, and are now comfortably over the £200,000 mark in total funds raised, equivalent to 10,350 hours of community nursing services.” Conor O’Kane, Senior Partnership Manager at Marie Curie added, “SPAR in Northern Ireland has now raised over £207,000 in just over a year to ensure our services are available to terminally ill patients across all communities.” Bronagh added, “Special thanks goes to the Irish News, Kingsmill, and Ormo, who donated 10p from specific product sales during the Blooming Great Tea Party weekend.”
Stacks
of taste-test winners exclusive to
FOOD & DRINKS NEWS
CONSUMER INSIGHT AND MARKET UPDATE BY JASON WINSTANLEY, SENIOR INSIGHT AND RESEARCH MANAGER AT MOY PARK THE BENEFITS OF A LONG, HOT SUMMER (AND A BIT OF FOOTIE) Weather can often have a surprisingly large impact on grocery and foodservice performance. As well as the obvious – heavy snow earlier this year for example, leading to missed supermarket deliveries and shoppers reluctant to venture out – the influence can often be more subtle. Weather which is too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry can have a tangible effect on shopper behaviour. The result is that often we see the weather called to account for poor – or occasionally, good – trading results, especially where high street operators are concerned. Which begs the question, what effect has the glorious summer of 2018 had on performance? Happily, for grocers and food ervice operators alike, the overall answer is a positive one. Data from Kantar Worldpanel shows that total grocery spend over the 12 weeks to July 15 was up 3.9% on last year, comparing favourably to the 3.4% seen over 52 weeks, with four-week growth even stronger, at 4.6%1. This growth is even more impressive when considered against the backdrop of generally slowing growth, which has tended to be the case
during 2018. During this period, not only was the weather exceptional, but we also had the World Cup, which provided a second boost to the industry. Data from MCA Insight shows a 1.5%-point increase in consumer participation in foodservice, to 94.3% during June – the biggest yearon-year rise for 12 months. During this period, not only were more consumers eating out, but they were also spending more; all day parts – breakfast, lunch and dinner – saw an increase in average spend per occasion than was the case a year ago2. Consumers were generally very engaged with the World Cup; Moy Park research shows that 48% said that they watched ‘avidly’ or watched ‘a lot of matches’, and consumers in UK countries outside of England were just as engaged. This engagement has translated into grocery gains, with half of consumers saying that they increased their purchasing of food and drink because of the World Cup. Twenty-nine percent of consumers say they bought more beer, just under a quarter say that they bought more soft drinks, and a sixth claim that they increased their purchasing
of supermarket pizza3. This is certainly supported by purchase data which, in the past 12 weeks, shows a surge in growth across all three categories: 13% growth for beer, 12% for soft drinks and 11% for chilled pizza and bases. However, whilst some categories have benefited, the hot weather and roundthe-clock football watching seem to have taken their toll on others, and scratch cooking seems to be one area which has suffered, with dry pasta, ambient cooking sauces and cooking oils all seeing 12-week decline, whilst fresh meat only registered growth of 0.8%4. So, an overall positive impact on the industry from both the heatwave and the World Cup, although it is clear that the benefits have not been equally shared amongst categories. That’s the good news; how we deal with the issue of 2019’s like-for-like sales figures remains to be seen… [Source: 1 – Kantar Worldpanel, Total Grocery, 52, 12 and 4 weeks to 15th July 2018; 2 – MCA Insight Eating Out Panel, June 2018; 3- Moy Park Online research, August 2018; 4 – Spend growth, Kantar Worldpanel, 12 weeks to 15th July 2018]
FOREST FEAST ADDS FOUR FLAVOURS TO ITS PICK ME UP RANGE F
orest Feast has added four exciting new products to its popular Pick me up range, which includes more than 20 mixes designed to meet the varying tastes of consumers and their respective nutrient needs. The latest research into consumer snacking trends indicates high protein content continues to be the main purchase motivation for snacks, with 28% of adults interested in those which pack a protein punch. Following the growing awareness of health boosting herbs, such as turmeric, which has gained visibility in the past year, 26% of adults are now also interested in spiced nut and seed mixes, as well as those still showing preference to a sweet and savoury combination. “The range additions have been
14
introduced to directly tap into the taste preferences of consumers, and to help consumers navigate the battle between healthy and indulgent snacking options,” said Deirdre Burns, trade marketing manager at Forest Feast. “Emerging trends show a desire among consumers for products that offer both – a sense of indulgence thanks to great taste yet still offering a range of added value health benefits. These new mixes will provide yet more choice, dependent on what they’re looking for in a ‘less guilt’ snacking option.” The limited-edition ranges are: Turmeric & Chipolte Nuts and Seeds, Chocolate Brownie Fruit & Nut, Spicy Protein Mix and Natural Nut Mix. All mixes are available in 40g single serve packs and will be price flashed at £1/€1.
FOOD & DRINKS NEWS
CONSUMERS URGED TO REDISCOVER THEIR LOVE OF LOCAL LAMB
L
ove Lamb Week is returning over September 1-7 as an initiative by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) aimed at helping local consumers rediscover their love of lamb and find new ways to cook and eat this local product. Love Lamb Week is a UK-wide campaign, at the start of autumn, to highlight the benefits of lamb across a wide range of dishes. In Northern Ireland, part of that campaign will be to encourage people to try new lamb recipes, via free samples given out while people are shopping. “People think it is hard to cook and only suited for traditional roasts,” said Cherrie Kenny, education manager at LMC. “The reality is however very different. Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured Lamb is a versatile product that can be used in a range of dishes. “From tasty curries to spiced lamb pittas and from spaghetti bolognese to
From left, Sarah Toland, LMC marketing assistant; Sam Chesney, UFU beef and lamb chairman; Ivor Ferguson, UFU president; Lewis Kennedy and his father John Kennedy, UFU hill farming chairman; Cherrie Kenny, LMC education services manager; and Robert Chesney, beef and sheep farmer.
a rack of lamb, we hope that by tasting how good these recipes are that it will give people the confidence to buy and cook more lamb at home.” The key message from the UFU and LMC will be that lamb is tasty and versatile, and very much in line with consumer enthusiasm for locally sourced produce with good, green provenance. “This is what separates local lamb
from product imported, quite literally, from halfway around the world in the southern hemisphere,” said Ivor Ferguson, president of UFU. “That is a big selling point in our successful export markets. We will be using this promotion to encourage local consumers to think the same way about our lamb, of which farmers are rightly proud. “Lamb is central to the agricultural economy here. It ticks all the boxes for quality, a short supply chain and truly local provenance. Sheep production is a key part of maintaining the countryside and plays an important role in shaping the environment, which we all enjoy. “It is one of the very few enterprises in the hills that is truly sustainable, and sheep bred on the hills and finished on lowland pastures is as green a product as you can get.” For more information, visit www.beefandlambni.com.
DALE FARM DISHES OUT FREE ICE CREAM
From left, Philip O’Meara, marketing director, and Nigel Cairns, commercial director of Dale Farm Ice Cream are pictured with Oisin Devenny, Tiernan Bonnes, Mary McGale, Cliona McKay and Aoibheann Carey at the Tír na nÓg Cúl Camp in Randalstown NI.
D
ale Farm embarked on an all-Ireland summer road trip this summer, giving away lots of freebies, from an eye-
catching, newly commissioned ice cream van. Featuring a ‘instagrammable’ selfie wall, the van travelled around Ireland on an eight-week tour as part of Dale Farm’s #AllKindsOfCool summer campaign, making surprise appearances in cities such as Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Belfast. “We’ve been working hard over the last year to develop a diverse range of ice creams, both nostalgic and innovative, with twists on our existing products and inventive new lines,” said Nigel Cairns, commercial director for Dale Farm Ice Cream. “With strategic brand plans in place,
our ice creams will deliver real results for our retail customers throughout this summer season and beyond. “Irish summers and ice cream go hand in hand and we are thrilled to be launching a disruptive and playful sampling campaign to support our new launches, our customers and our ambitious growth plans. We hope to win hearts and minds on the ground, reinforcing our position as a modern, fun ice-cream brand, rooted in our local heritage.” Dale Farm’s ice creams and lollies are stocked in most major retailers across the island.
DALE FARM COLLECTS 12 AWARDS AT GLOBAL CHEESE SHOW
D
ale Farm has been recognised for its world-class quality cheese, securing 12 awards at the International Cheese Show in Nantwich, England on July 25. The 2018 Show saw 250 expert judges sample over 5,000 entries from some of the world’s leading cheesemakers and dairy producers. Among Dale Farm’s haul of accolades were three gold and silver apiece, and six bronze awards.
“We are always extremely proud to be recognised by the dairy industry for our product excellence,” said Stephen Cameron, Group commercial director at Dale Farm. “Awards such as those received at Nantwich reinforce the quality of the milk supplied to us by our dairy farmers and act as testament to the expertise of our cheesemakers. It is also proof to our customers and consumers that Dale Farm cheese is amongst the best in the world.”
Dromona Mature Cheddar was among Dale Farm products receiving a gold award.
15
FRESH PRODUCE PROFILE
MEETING SHOPPER DEMAND FOR LOCALLY-SOURCED MEAL SOLUTIONS BRONAGH HENDERSON, BRAND MARKETING MANAGER AT HENDERSON WHOLESALE, TELLS UG ABOUT ITS NEW & IMPROVED ENJOY LOCAL RANGE from 18 local producers including K & G McAtamney, Clandeboye Estate and LacPatrick, to name but a few. The packaging leads with hyper-local provenance messaging like Made in Belfast or Made in Cullybackey. This aspect of the packaging was especially welcomed in focus groups – where shoppers were delighted and proud to see their home town highlighted on the label. HOW MANY LOCAL SUPPLIERS DOES HENDERSON WHOLESALE WORK WITH IN TOTAL? In Northern Ireland, we are fortunate to have an abundance of excellent suppliers, from primary producers right through to smaller, artisan companies who are breaking into the market. We work with nearly 300 local suppliers and we stay committed to sourcing over 75% of our fresh products from the island of Ireland. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT HENDERSON GROUP As brand marketing manager, I work with the fresh food team to improve and grow our range of own-label products. This involves using consumer insights to drive our NPD strategy, developing the right branding for each range and implementing sales driving marketing initiatives to support the brands. TELL US ABOUT THE ENJOY LOCAL RANGE The enjoy local brand was borne out of a shopper demand for a comprehensive range of locally sourced, good quality, fresh products. SPAR has always offered a wide range of local products but bringing a core selection together under the enjoy local brand has made it easier for shoppers to find a consistent range that they can trust throughout our network of stores. Today the range encompasses 125
16
products across key categories like dairy, bread and protein. WHAT IS NEW WITH THE RANGE THIS MONTH? This month sees the launch of new and improved products into the range with an updated, modern twist to the branding. As part of the revamp, the range has been put through rigorous taste tests by Ulster University’s Food & Consumer testing suite. Only those products that were ‘taste tester approved’ were made part of the range, giving shoppers further confidence in the product. An integrated marketing campaign supports the relaunch; this includes instore sampling, billboards, direct mail, radio and digital activity. WHAT LOCAL SUPPLIERS CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE IN THE RANGE? The range of products are sourced
WHAT’S NEXT FOR HENDERSON WHOLESALE AND THE OWNBRAND RANGES? What our customers want drives the focus of our own brand development. Our shoppers tell us that they want inspiration for dinner when they pop into our stores. In response, we are developing The Kitchen brand and the enjoy local brand to offer shoppers a comprehensive choice for tonight’s tea. Our shoppers tell us that they want new and interesting food to go. In response, we are developing the Daily Deli brand to offer an extended range of hot eats, healthier options - like nourish bowls, and trendy sandwiches made with artisan breads. Our focus is on helping our retailers to have the right range, in the right space so that they will have the competitive edge to drive their retail sales – our development in own-brand delivers on that.
@goldenpopcorn
@Goldenpopcornltd
golden_popcorn
Proudly distributed by Valeo Foods Northern Ireland, 028 9267 3316
ADVERTORIAL
BOOST NIGHT
LIMITED EDITION W
KS LAST WHILE STOC
hen it comes to energy drinks, Boost is number one – in fact, we’re number two and three as well as we hold the first, second and third spots for the topselling soft drinks in Northern Ireland convenience retail. It’s safe to say we know what we’re doing when it comes to making great tasting, high quality products that are a fraction of the cost of others in the market. However, we never sit still which is why this autumn, Boost is introducing Cosmic Glow, our new limited-edition 250ml PMP energy drink. As Boost is an independent company that supplies only to independent retailers, we’re always looking for exciting new products to bring to market to help you increase your sales. We constantly look at trends around flavours and ingredients to ensure that any new drinks we’re creating are going to be exactly what consumers are looking for. We know that consumers love our Boost Original SKU but as sales of new ‘flavours’ of soft drinks are growing 16% YOY, retailers have a real opportunity to increase sales by adding Cosmic Glow to the shelf. Although the weather is cooler consumers still want to be having fun and socialising, and they’ll be looking for a new, winter-appropriate drink to get them ready for the days and nights ahead – that’s why Cosmic Glow is the perfect drink for you and your store! As an added benefit, it’s also completely sugar-free, providing a great option for the consumers looking for healthier alternatives. Not only will Cosmic Glow’s perfect mix of Grape and Cherry knock the socks off your customers, but we’ve also ensured it’s the perfect price point for retailers. As Cosmic Glow comes as a 49p PMP can, retailers can maximise sales whilst also delivering that all important value message to consumers. Cosmic Glow will be on sale this September, with the launch supported by a huge marketing campaign. Retailers can stock up on cans of Cosmic Glow at their local wholesaler from September 17. 18
ADVERTORIAL
ANN’S KITCHEN: CONTINUING TO COOK UP SUCCESS FOR 40 YEARS, TS FOODS HAVE BEEN QUIETLY OPERATING FROM THEIR BASE IN CASTLEWELLAN, CO DOWN. TODAY, THEY ARE STILL PROUD TO CONTINUE THEIR FOCUS ON WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THEIR CORE: PRODUCT INNOVATION. HERE, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR LATEST RANGE - ANN’S KITCHEN - WHICH IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY CONTINUE TO DELIVER MARKET LEADING PRODUCTS TO SATISFY BOTH RETAILER AND CONSUMER APPETITE food for a long time so it was clear that we needed to provide product context. This is why on each pack you’ll see a prominent Made in Co Down statement - to assure everyone of the brand origins” The range was initially comprised of five fish-based meal centres. Using only the finest North Atlantic cod, whiting and haddock along with superbly subtle seasoning and en-cased in crisp golden breadcrumbs, these were launched exclusively in SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVo stores. The range was then picked up by Musgrave’s Centra and SuperValu stores within months of launch, with further listings in other retailers to be announced.
FOUR DECADES OF HERITAGE Founded by Tony and Ann Steele in 1978, the company started life in their chip-shop, The Dolphin, where the couple perfected their recipe for a chipshop style battered pastie that could be enjoyed at home. This venture into the retail product market was met with unprecedented success and thus TS Foods was born. Not content with being the first to deliver a Northern Irish battered pastie for consumers to cook at home (which continues to be sold under their stalwart Tony’s Chippy brand), Tony and Ann were also innovators in the world of stuffings and breadcrumbs, introducing the first pre-prepared stuffings and breadcrumbs to the market in 1983. Since then, they - along with their daughter Joanne and son David who now helm the business - have continued to innovate. Whether it’s been expanding the Tony’s Chippy offering, developing mouthwatering flavours for their stuffings
lines or creating award winning bespoke products for customers, including Tesco and Aldi (and let’s not forget their extensive foodservice offering), it’s clear that their ambition is second to none. A NEW BRAND IS BORN… Last year the company decided it was time for something new. Joanne Molloy, managing director at TS Foods, explains the rationale for the latest product range: “The appetite for simple meal inspirations has continued to be a strong trend in the retail market for quite a while now. To meet this demand - while staying true to our roots as a family run company who take food seriously - we launched Ann’s Kitchen. The range was inspired by the skill, experience and passion of my mother for delicious, simple food of the highest quality. “We feel the brand story is as important as the product itself because both retailers and consumers have been very focused on the provenance of their
…AND CONTINUES TO GROW Based on this success and demand from retailers for substantial yet simple meal centres to provide inspiration for consumers, TS Foods have just added four new products to the range - delicious battered cod fillets and a selection of three flavoursome crisp bakes (Ham & Cheese, Cheese & Onion and Chicken & Broccoli). This extension to the range was prompted by further approaches from retailers who were impressed with the Ann’s Kitchen brand story, and were keen to continue to fill their shelves with great value meal components of the highest quality. Joanne adds: “We’re thrilled with how well the brand has been received and how it’s continuing to perform. I have high hopes for the continued success of the range as we add these new products and look forward to seeing Ann’s Kitchen being listed by even more retailers in the future.” To find out more about TS Foods and Ann’s Kitchen, please visit tsfoods.co.uk or email our Sales Manager Stephen McNeice at stephen.mcneice@tsfoods.co.uk. 19
ADVERTORIAL
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER: COCA-COLA EXTENDS ICONIC ‘RED’ TO COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR PACKS
• New design features the iconic red of Coca-Cola more prominently across all packaging • Changes form part of the company’s commercial strategy to drive no-sugar cola sales • Changes supported by significant marketing investment including new TVC
C
oca-Cola has revealed a new design for the Coca-Cola range featuring new look packaging for Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola zero sugar. The changes unify both variants with the iconic CocaCola red and form part of the company’s commercial strategy to encourage more people to try Coca-Cola zero sugar. From September onwards, the bottles and cans of both variants will feature the iconic Coca-Cola red with a coloured band across the top of the bottle or can to denote whether it is the original taste or zero sugar. The bottles will also feature coloured caps to help consumers differentiate between the original recipe and no sugar variants. The packaging changes are the latest move in the company’s commercial strategy to drive sales of its no sugar drinks including Coca-Cola zero sugar. This builds on the launch of the new Coca-Cola zero sugar in 2016, when it was given a new recipe and look, and since then it has become the fastest growing cola across the island of Ireland in the grocery channel. Today, 51% of all Coca-Cola sold sold across Ireland and Northern Ireland has no sugar. As part of the changes Coca-Cola Classic will now be referred to on packs as Coca-Cola original taste to make clearer it is the original recipe from 1886 which has not changed. A significant marketing campaign featuring a new TV advert called One way or another will launch in September to raise awareness of the changes. Jon Woods, Coca-Cola UK & Ireland general manager, said: “These latest changes are a key part of our strategy to encourage more people to try Coca-Cola
“IN LINE WITH OUR OVERALL STRATEGY, WE HAVE BEEN INCREASING THE MARKETING AND AVAILABILITY OF COCA COLA ZERO SUGAR FOR SOME TIME.” Matthieu Seguin, general manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland
zero sugar by making it even clearer that you’ll still get the great taste of CocaCola but without the sugar. In the last year, we have achieved 11 million more transactions for Coca-Cola zero sugar and, with this new approach, we believe we will accelerate that growth even
further.” Matthieu Seguin, general manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, added: “In line with our overall strategy, we have been increasing the marketing and availability of Coca Cola zero sugar for some time. Our Hero Zero approach has seen us either lead with or feature a no-sugar Coca-Cola variant in all of our point-of-sale communication and we consistently work to ensure that the low sugar option is the easy choice for our consumers. “Thanks to this commitment, more than half the cola we sell in Ireland has no sugar.” “With our new campaign, we will go one step further by extending the iconic red to Coca-Cola zero sugar across packs, encouraging more to enjoy their Coca-Cola, ‘one way or another’.”
20
3271 CC
NE SAME GW LOOK REAT TA STE
© 2018 The
3271 CC_Full Red Ulster Grocer A4_ART.indd 1
Coca-Cola Company. All rights
reserved. COCA-COLA and
COCA-COLA ZERO
are registe red trade
marks of
The Coca-C ola Comp any.
16/08/2018 10:46
BREAD & BAKING
ORMOÂŽ AND OTHER GREAT LOCAL BRANDS ARE COMBINING FORCES
From left, Lance Hamilton, sales director, Mash Direct; Trevor McCrum, commercial director, Hovis Ireland; and Brendan Lappin, business development manager, LacPatrick Dairies (NI).
O
RMO is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic brands, baked in Belfast since 1875. It is synonymous with great taste and quality and enjoyed
22
by families of all ages across Northern Ireland. All products are baked to both current and traditional recipes and use some of the finest, local ingredients.
ORMO is spear-heading the morning goods bakery sector, as well as providing great choice for the Northern Ireland consumer. The ORMO range has both strength and depth in its extensive range, which includes everything from fruit loaves and pancakes to rolls and traditional hot plate; all of which can be enjoyed at any time of the day. ORMO has enjoyed significant, annual growth over the last two years in both value and volume performance in Northern Ireland. The brand has grown by 30% and 29% respectively i. Brand growth has been driven by continuous product improvements with the roll out of bigger and fluffier pancakes, softer soda farls and soon new softer rolls.
BREAD & BAKING
The ORMO range is regularly subjected to rigorous, independent testing, working with Loughery College, Cookstown. In September, ORMO will continue its focus on leading category innovation. ORMO is combining forces with two premium local brands to create a new great tasting ORMO range. ORMO has teamed up with two of
Northern Ireland’s successful agri-food companies; firstly, Mash Direct based in Comber and secondly, Ballyrashane Creamery and LacPatrick Dairies (NI) Limited based in Coleraine. ORMO has developed two potato farl products; Original Potato Farls using mash from Mash Direct and Champ Potato Farls using champ from Mash Direct
providing a smooth and creamy taste every time. The new potato farls are ideal for all meal occasions, whether served with an Ulster fry or with smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives for a light snack. In addition, ORMO is launching a Buttermilk Wheaten Bread using Ballyrashane buttermilk, enriched with honey and topped with sweetened oats to give a distinctive, crunchy taste. The wheaten bread is ideally served with a hearty winter soup or a wholesome green salad. Trevor McCrum, commercial director (Hovis Ireland), comments: “We are delighted to be working with two of Northern Ireland’s most successful agri-food brands. Quality is at the very heart of these brands, making it a perfect fit for ORMO, allowing us to present a great tasting new ORMO range. Our NPD team has created three outstanding products; Buttermilk Wheaten Bread, Original Potato Farls and Champ Potato Farls - each giving a unique and distinctive taste that we hope will delight our existing and new consumers.” The new ORMO range will launch across Northern Ireland in early September and will be supported by an extensive launch programme including a province-wide outdoor in-store POS, trade press and sampling. i
Source: Nielsen NI Scantrack 2-year Annual Average Growth rate % value and unit change to 14th July 2018
GREAT LOCAL BRANDS COMING TOGETHER
I’M TR Y M E,
23
BREAD & BAKING
MORTONS BRINGS HOME TWO GOLD STARS AT THE GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2018
M
ortons Flour was established in Ballymena in 1835 by Robert Morton, but today operates as part of Andrews Flour in Belfast. Mortons products have been a firm favourite with local home bakers in Northern Ireland for decades, so it is of no surprise that the much-loved Wheaten Bread Mix has recently been awarded not one, but two gold stars at the Great Taste awards for 2018. The world-renowned panel of judges described the mix as ‘splendidly scented… with full wheat aroma’. When the mix was baked using the Mortons buttermilk recipe the judges continued to comment on the ‘superb flavour and texture’ of the bread and also noted the 24
‘well bound crumb’ which makes the wheaten bread so flavoursome. The mix was first developed in the early 1950s in Ballymena by the late managing director of Mortons Flour Mills, Tom Hannan. Tom and his team worked tirelessly after identifying a demand for the popular Irish Wheaten Bread with home bakers and felt they could satisfy this market by producing an easy to use, no fuss Wheaten Bread Mix. The mix was trialled in the mid 1950s and proved such a success that Mortons immediately began production and often found it hard to keep up with the level of demand! Today, the Wheaten Bread Mix continues to be as popular with their loyal customers as it was in the late 1950s. The recipe is simple, requiring only the addition of milk, or buttermilk, to create a dough which should be placed onto a baking tray and baked as a bannock for 35 minutes. The website also features great recipe ideas and videos for the versatile Wheaten Bread Mix which can be used to make scones, loaves and other delicious treats. Check these recipes out at www. mortonsflour.com/recipe-centre. Just like these recipes, the Mortons Flour brand has continued to evolve and align with the trends in the market
whilst never straying from their core values of simplicity, tradition and quality. Most recently, Mortons identified an opportunity to rebrand their range of products. Hitting the shelves in July 2017, the Mortons Flour brand received a positive reception from their loyal customers and, most notably, from the branding industry itself. The brand has since featured in The Dieline in October 2017 as an example of great branding. Mortons hope to continue their success next year where they will be entering new products into the prestigious Great Taste awards in the hope of achieving another industry accolade for their premium flour products.
BREAD & BAKING
ANDREW INGREDIENTS CELEBRATES THE ANCIENT GRAIN OF SPELT WITH ‘SPELTEMBER’ O nce a peasant’s staple food, the ancient grain of Spelt is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity, due to its low gluten content and easyto-digest properties, making it more easily tolerated by those with wheat sensitivities. But it takes a very specialised supplier and centuries-old milling skills to reproduce flour of this quality and consistency. This September, Andrew Ingredients, in association with leading European bakery ingredients manufacturer IREKS is celebrating the Spelt harvest with ‘Speltember,’ a month-long promotional campaign to inform customers (and consumers) of the origins and the benefits of this ancient wheat variety. IREKS produce their speciality SPELT & HONEY mix with spelt that is cultivated in the Rhön region in Germany, an area known for its suitable climatic conditions and quality soil. The raw material is harvested in August of every year,
and passes through the IREKS factory in September, where they produce a market leading complete mix featuring 100% spelt with sunflower seeds, coarsely ground lupin seeds and sesame - complemented with a generous portion of honey, producing a nutty aromatic taste for rustic bread, rolls and even cookies and scones. According to Andrew Ingredients, there are a few primary differences between wheat and spelt: • Spelt is a tasty alternative to wheat, with a delicious nutty flavour and with greater nutritional value. It contains more protein, amino acids, fibre and polyunsaturated fats than wheat, has large amounts of B complex vitamins and is easier for the body to digest and utilise. • Spelt is a relatively low yielding crop and doesn’t take as much from the soil as more modern crops, making it a more sustainable crop in the long term that thrives without the application of
fertilizers. • Being an ancient grain, spelt has not been adapted for modern harvesting, so it has an extremely tough exterior hull that naturally protects the kernel from disease, pests and mildew. Throughout the month of September, as part of ‘Speltember’, Andrew Ingredients will provide hands on technical support to help customers get the most out of their IREKS spelt products. The campaign is supported by an online library of downloadable point of sale material for customers to avail from, and Andrew Ingredients will also expand their range of new and exciting recipes using Spelt & Honey including recipes for spelt and honey soda bread, scones, chocolate raisin rolls and cookies. A generous promotional offer of 10% extra free applies to all IREKS Spelt and Honey Mix sales throughout the campaign (while stocks last).
25
HOT BEVERAGES
BESPOKE BEANS TRAVELLING FROM BELFAST TO BRAZIL ON A RECENT ORIGIN TRIP, SD BELL’S UNCOVERED A PLEASING PARALLEL WITH IPANEMA COFFEES, MANAGING DIRECTOR ROBERT BELL TELLS ALYSON MAGEE the same year that our company was founded, 1887,” says Robert, “so there’s a lovely resonance of heritage at Rio Verde.”
S
D Bell’s quest for quality, aimed at maintaining its position as a leading local tea and coffee wholesaler for 130-plus years, recently took the Belfast family business to the Minas Gerais region of Brazil. There, as a guest of Ipanema Coffee, Managing Director Robert Bell made an interesting discovery at his host’s Rio Verde farm, a seven-hour drive northwest of Sao Paolo. “This farm’s first harvest was in
Robert with Washington Rodruigez, CEO of Ipanema Coffee.
26
Of course, the supply relationship will be based on more than just a fortuitous connection, with Robert also resoundingly impressed by the quality of its coffee. Ipanema is one of the larger-scale producers from which SD Bell’s sources its beans, and the six-day visit to its farms afforded him the opportunity to view first-hand the many variables involved in bespoke production. “There are different varieties of coffee,” he says, “optimised for different altitudes, weather characteristics and temperatures, soil types, aspect to the sun, and harvesting at different times. All of this goes into the mix when it comes to what flavour characteristics you are expecting from a coffee.”
YOUNG TREES Hundreds upon thousands of seedlings grow into young trees in the rich soil of Minas Gerais.
HARVEST After four or five years, the trees are ready for harvest, either by hand or mechanical picking, shaking the cherries from branches just as a combine harvester collects grain. Ipanema uses the Arabica species, and each cherry contains one or, more often, two coffee ‘beans’. This cherry, of the Yellow Bourbon variety, produces a slightly tangy fruity aroma when roasted, but with a delightful aftertaste of cane sugar.
A TOUR THROUGH THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF PRODUCTION AT IPANEMA COFFEES: NURSERY Coffee beans (which are technically seeds rather than beans) are planted, develop a root and push up out of the soil. The seedlings are transplanted into the fields.
MILLING – SORTING, PULPING, WASHING AND DRYING Ipanema Coffee leads the world in the experimentation of different processing methods, in order to produce the widest possible variety of tastes, optimised according to the coffee variety, altitude, orientation, soil acidity, temperature, humidity and time of harvest. It was this part of the visit that proved the most eye-opening. Varieties such as Yellow Bourbon, Mundo Nuevo, Red Acaia and Yellow Catuai produce trees of different heights and yield, and sometimes radically different tastes. So a great variety of red, yellow, or green beans arrive at Ipanema’s sorting centres. Later harvests, rather like
HOT BEVERAGES grapes on the vine, also take on a raisinlike texture, dark and shrivelled. Some cherries will be mechanically ‘pulped’ to remove their skin and flesh or ‘mucilage’, which is edible and sweet but, at Ipanema, is recycled as a fertiliser. Some un-pulped cherries are left out to dry in the open air on vast patios or on raised ‘African’ beds covered with tarpaulin, and some in large tents. Ipanema also dries its beans in an innovative process using paddles to turn the beans inside large heated drums. Pulped, washed beans are also laid out to dry in the sun. “And all these different processes, whether it’s dried in the sun with its flesh and skin on or whether it’s pulped with the flesh removed, gives different taste characteristics,” says Robert. For example, drying with the skin on allows the bean to absorb sugars, producing a sweeter coffee, whereas drying pulped beans conversely creates a richer, stronger and more bitter brew. “The result of these painstaking processes and analyses is a comprehensive picture as to what type of coffee should be grown on what slopes, and harvested at what time, and what should happen to that coffee at different stages to produce different taste results,” says Robert. “I have been able to see all of this first hand, and consequently been able to add some really spectacular, and unique coffees to the SD Bell portfolio.” CUPPING Almost two days of Robert’s visit to Ipanema involved cupping; “a marathon of sniffing, slurping, swilling and spitting”. “In strict laboratory conditions, we would assess and give a score to characteristics
A FOURTH GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS
such as mouth feel, sweetness, bitterness, acidity, flavour and aftertaste,” says Robert. “We did drink quite a lot of coffee; such an enjoyable exercise that at times you just forget to spit!” ENVIRONMENT While Brazil once produced as much as 80% of the world’s coffee, it now accounts for around 30% in an increasingly competitive global market. “Another really interesting aspect to Brazilian coffee is that the grower doesn’t own the land, he farms,” says Robert. “The State owns the land and, in order to be granted a lease every year, you have to demonstrate the good husbandry you apply to that territory. For biodiversity, a high percentage of that land must be dedicated to other produce than coffee, and also you have to retain some of it as rainforest.” The Brazilian government introduced these measures in recognition of past damage to the rainforest and, at Ipanema, around 35% of its acreage is non-coffee including over 20% preserved as rainforest. And biodiversity was evident at the Conquista farm where Robert stayed during his trip, with parrots, toucans and hummingbirds making frequent appearances, including through spectacular rainforest canopy walkways, and evidence of capybara and lynx. AND THEN HOME: From Brazil, the raw beans then make their way to SD Bell’s in 60kg sacks. Unroasted beans can be easily kept for up to a year in
Samuel David (SD) Bell began trading as a tea and grocery merchant in 1887, and today his great-grandson Robert Bell is managing director of the business. A wholesale trader in tea and coffee, SD Bell’s coffee roasting and teablending facility is based on the Upper Newtownards Road in Knock, Belfast, with the site also featuring a busy 110seat coffee bar and retail shop. a cool, dry environment. “We’re a small batch roaster,” says Robert. “We roast in small quantities, 10 kilos at a time, to ensure it’s really fresh. The time between roasting and drinking should be as short as you can make it, in days rather than weeks or months. There’s no roasted coffee sitting around here unsold. My customers order their coffee, and then we roast.” “The perfect roast, depending on bean characteristics, lives on a continuum of colour from very light to very dark,” he says, with a pale roast ideal for a light filter coffee, for example, whereas a very dark Continental-style roast results in a punchy, rich, bitter drink. “We do this at an individual level for retailers, foodservice and hamper companies. Our customers get tailored coffees, and we’ll put their name on it. We’re expert at this. There’s nobody doing it for as long as we have on this island or doing it the way we do in terms of tailoring a roast for a customer and personalising it.” So what’s next for SD Bell’s? Is Robert planning any more trips? “Being a relatively small business, origin trips are a luxury,” says Robert, although he did visit the tea plantations of Darjeeling in India earlier this year and Kenya a few years back to see both its coffee and tea production. “Other trips will certainly come along, but several tonnes of coffee has just arrived from Rio Verde, and there’s roasting to be done.”
FOUR OF THE 2018 HARVEST IPANEMA COFFEES LISTED BY SD BELL’S COFFEE VARIETY
PROCESSING
DRYING
YELLOW BOURBON
NATURAL
STYLE
FRAGRANCE
TASTE
ON RAISED BEDS
STRONG
FRUITY
PEACH
YELLOW BOURBON NATURAL
ON THE TREE
FULL
FRUITY
SUGAR CANE
RED ACAIA
WASHED
PATIO & MECHANICAL
BALANCED
WINE
SWEET
YELLOW CATUAI
PULPED NATURAL
PATIO
SMOOTH
ORANGE
CITRIC 27
HOT BEVERAGES
UNLEASH THE BARISTA IN YOU
N
orthern Ireland’s leading coffee brand, Barista Bar, has been fuelling the country with Coffee how it should be from over 340 SPAR, EUROSPAR, VIVO & VIVOXTRA stores since 2015. The brand provides an in-store, on the go, high quality hot beverage solution, featuring a range of coffees including americano, cappuccino and lattes, which can be customised with a range of syrups, supplemented by a selection of teas and hot chocolate; all from a push-button, self-service machine. Barista Bar is a distinctive, visually impactful brand. When alongside its suite of eye-catching POS and merchandising, the brand personality Unleash the barista in you is brought to life. During 2018, Barista Bar has been accelerating brand development with
28
the exciting launch of an industry leading loyalty scheme, as well as a range of delicious new snacks. The innovative, digital loyalty scheme includes a card and handy key-fob, which have replaced the previous printed cards. This scheme has been developed to enable Barista Bar to provide more offers to their customers, including an introductory free coffee and congratulatory free coffee on their birthday. To date, over 28,000 customers have signed up to the loyalty scheme and
the brand has received positive feedback from shoppers who are delighted with their new rewards. Also launched into the market recently are three new Barista Bar Treat Bars, Luxury Caramel, Granola and Brownie, and three new, on-trend Protein Snack Packs - Peanut Butter, Coconut & Goji and Chia & Oat, which have the added benefit of being gluten free. Mark Stewart-Maunder, business development director at Henderson Foodservice, which developed Barista Bar, says: “We’re passionate about delivering great tasting coffee in every cup and we’re delighted to be able to reward our loyal customers for their continued support. This is the first large scale loyalty scheme for Henderson Group and we’re excited about the potential it has to improve how we connect with our customers.”
AFTER DINNER STRENGTH
Full bodied coffee, rich in flavour
MORNING ROAST
ALL DAY ROAST
STRENGTH
STRENGTH
Medium bodied with bright coffee notes
Full bodied coffee with a silky, smooth finish
Image courtesy of National Museums Northern Ireland.
www.robert-roberts.co.uk
AFTER MORNING DINNER ROAST ST R ENGT H
STRENGTH
Full bodied coffee, rich in flavour Medium bodied with bright coffee notes
Image courtesy of National Museums Northern Ireland.
SHIPYARD ALL DAY STRENGTH ROAST STRENGTH
6
STRENGTH
Dark roast coffee with a deep earthy flavour Full bodied coffee with a silky, smooth finish
GREAT TASTE 2018
GREAT IDEAS FOR RETAILERS FROM OUR AWARD-WINNING FOOD AND DRINK INNOVATORS BY MICHELE SHIRLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOOD NI
T
wo sets of awards recently showcased the quality, innovation and outstanding flavours now underpinning the local food and drink industry. The Great Taste awards, among the most important food and drink endorsements in Europe, resulted in around 70 local companies collecting medals for over 300 products, a number of which will be well known to retailers and foodservice organisations here. We had a total of 15 products – five more than the Republic of Ireland – achieving the coveted three gold stars for exceptional quality and taste. Several of the three-star products will be new to retailers and delis. For example, Burren Balsamics, a successful producer of fruit infused vinegars, linked up with Colebrooke Estate in Fermanagh in a first-time collaboration to produce a ready-to-cook Wild Sika Venison dish. This looks like becoming a very tasty collaboration. And Hannan Meats, the most successful company ever in Great Taste gained three stars for four products, including a deliciously different lamb bacon. Thompson’s Family Teas, a
30
longstanding favourite of major retailers with iconic brand Punjana, also won three stars for two products and is now the UK’s most ‘decorated’ tea company. Both, I am delighted to report, are Food NI members. Newcomers to the awards and local retailers achieving three stars were Natural Umber Organic Cider Vinegar from Dungannon and O’Hagan’s Meadery of Kilnasaggart, Armagh, a producer of Irish Honey. A new select coffee from Ethiopia led to three stars for Lisburn’s Pure Roast Coffee. New products from established Food NI members Maud’s Ice Cream, Carrickfergus and Lacada Brewing Company, Portrush also achieved three stars. There’s no shortage of emerging or established talent. While Northern Ireland’s track record in Great Taste continues to be hugely impressive in terms of the imaginative products in familiar categories, our charcuterie industry is relatively new to retailers. The British Charcuterie Awards were launched just last year and have already produced three successes for Northern Ireland – Corndale Free Range Charcuterie from Limavady, the pioneering Hannan Meats of Moira and Aughnacloy’s Ispini Charcuterie. All three, Food NI members, have been investing in original flavours and have created products which are now competing successfully with producers in Britain and other European countries, such as Spain, Italy and France which have been creating chorizo, salami and bresaola over a much longer period. A great many consumers here are familiar with Continental charcuterie from holidays in Europe and could also be interested in tasting local products. It would be great to see local charcuterie showcased by retailers here. Our biggest dairy co-operative, Dale Farm also continued to collect major awards for quality and taste at the recent International Cheese Awards at Nantwich for its outstanding portfolio of cheddars. The company, another Food NI member, has a tremendous heritage and track record of international awards for its cheese. I look forward to further successes for Dale Farm in the forthcoming World Cheese Awards in Bergen, Norway. It would also be good to see our artisan cheese producers benchmarking their products at Bergen. Leading retailers here, in addition, will be familiar with the Foyle Food Group in Londonderry, another leading award winner earlier in the summer. Foyle secured a World Steak Challenge award for its beef at this important global competition. What these successes in international and national awards demonstrate is that Northern Ireland food and drink is truly exceptional in terms of quality, innovation and taste. Our recent success in being shortlisted in the top four food regions in the International Travel & Tourism Awards is just another endorsement of how seriously Northern Ireland is now taken as an outstanding food region.
GREAT TASTE 2018
TOP MARKS FOR THOMPSON’S TEA
AT GREAT TASTE AWARDS
P
unjana producer, Thompson’s Tea, is an independent family business of four generations, born and blended in Belfast since 1896. Having amassed 20 gold stars at the Great Taste awards this year, their total tally has risen to over 100 gold stars since first submitting their teas for independent scrutiny by the muchrespected Guild of Fine Foods. There were just two entries in the all-important Blended Tea Bag category, which were fortunate enough to achieve the Guild of Fine Food’s highest accolade of three gold stars… and the Thompson family bagged them both! Less than 1.5% of all entries received the coveted three stars, which was awarded to Thompson’s Signature Blend and the recently launched Thompson’s Special Everyday blend. Amongst their other successful winners was Thompson’s hero brand, Punjana, winning two stars and maintaining its position at number one, having won more stars than any other product in the all-important Blended Tea Bag category over the last 10 years. Other success stories from Thompson’s Tea this year include two-star winners, Thompson’s Irish Breakfast, Thompson’s Decaf and Thompson’s Scottish Blend. Their speciality tea range was also recognised, with one star going to Thompson’s Darjeeling, Punjana loose tea, Scent of a Rose, Hedgerow Heaven, Rhubarb Spritzer and Black Tea Orange Cookies. A family business through four generations, Thompson’s Tea was
founded in 1896 by Robert S Thompson, in a warehouse near Belfast docks. His passion for quality has been shared by subsequent generations to the extent that each and every blend that is created has been first tastetested and approved by a member of the Thompson family. Joint Managing Director Ross Thompson comments: “For generations of Thompsons, tea has been our obsession. We care about every single pack of tea that we produce, and select teas only from growers who share our passion for making something special. These teas are grown in exotic climates, far from home, but our frequent visits to tea gardens in Kenya and Assam have helped us forge trusting relationships with growers, based on our mutual love of great tea. We choose to pay more to secure the best growth, picked during peak quality periods when sunshine and
rainfall are in perfect balance, and it is very encouraging that our commitment to better quality has been recognised by the judges from the much-respected Guild of Fine Foods in this year’s Great Taste awards 2018. The fact that this raises our total tally of awards to over 100 stars is hugely satisfying and makes this year a memorable one.” Thompson’s Tea, from their Belfast tea factory, now produces tea for over one third of Northern Ireland’s tea drinking population. The Thompsons have long striven to make the ‘perfect everyday cuppa’ and, with these latest awards they have taken one step closer to achieving that goal. In a world of large scale manufacturing, where quality can often be sacrificed in the quest for a lower price, Thompson’s Tea continues to be uncompromising in their devotion to blending better tea and simply refuse to do it any other way.
The Thompson family: Camille, David, Jamie & Ross Thompson of Thompson’s Tea.
31
GREAT TASTE 2018
SPAR NI’S OWN BRAND PRODUCTS RECOGNISED FOR HIGH QUALITY consistency, freshness and presentation, resulting in the Great Taste stamp of approval. The enjoy local Greek Style Yogurt with Strawberry Compote was created in collaboration with Clandeboye Estate, one of Henderson Wholesale’s local suppliers, with which they work on an array of dairy products for the enjoy local own-brand range. It is a brand-new product and available in both 150g and 350g tubs.
I
t’s been another successful year for the Fresh team at Henderson Group, owners of the SPAR and EUROSPAR brands in Northern Ireland, with two of their own-brand SPAR products being awarded with one-star status in the Great Taste awards 2018. The two products, SPAR Oriental Noodle Salad and SPAR enjoy local Strawberry Greek Yogurt, were both scrutinised by judges for taste,
Judges commented that the ‘sweetsharp balance is excellent’, ‘creamy…, refreshing and fruity’ as well as a product that was ‘good fun!’ The Sweet Chilli and Coriander Noodle Salad was described as ‘a good looking, glossy salad with plentiful carrot, edamame and flecks of herb’ and judges ‘enjoyed the sweet-sour-salt balance, the sense of freshness and the intrinsic moreish-ness’. “We are delighted to once again be recognised in the Great Taste awards 2018,” said Neal Kelly, fresh foods director at the Henderson Group. “This is our third year of having our own-brand products recognised for their high-quality taste and value, all created alongside some of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious food suppliers.” For more information about SPAR’s ownbrand product ranges, fresh selection and meal inspirations, visit www.spar-ni.co.uk.
We have stars on our shelves. Great Taste Awards one-star products, now available at SPAR NI
32
to
SD Bell & Co,
Irelands Oldest independent Tea Merchant & Coffee Roaster GREEN SENCHA TEA WITH ROOT GINGER
ASSAM “TOP TIPPY” TEA
KENYA SAMBURU ESTATE AA-GRADE COFFEE BEANS
FRENCH ROAST COFFEE BEANS
WWW.SDBELLSTEACOFFEE.COM
AGRI-FOOD NEWS
LMC EXTENDS FQAS LIAISON SERVICE T
visit each of the other he Livestock and Terry White, farm liaison officer at LMC. quality-assured marts Meat Commission for once over the course of Northern Ireland (LMC) is the year. extending its Farm Liaison “Our FQAS Mart Clinics Service to include all have been operating quality assured marts in the since 2012 and we’ve province, to further assist decided to extend it to members of the Northern every quality assured Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm mart in the country over Quality Assurance Scheme the course of the year to (NIBL FQAS). make sure every producer Currently, LMC Farm is getting the assistance Liaison Officer Terry White they need,” said Gillian runs FQAS mart clinics Davis, FQAS manager. “With this new every month within each county, in service extension, producers who live far Ballymena, Kilrea, Omagh, Markethill, away from the main marts we visit on a Enniskillen and Saintfield, which will monthly basis or those who are unable continue while, moving forward, he will
to travel long distances will hopefully be better catered for. “We understand that some farmers can find a number of the scheme requirements, such as the completion of records, a little daunting. The Liaison Service is in place to assist farmers in a face-to-face manner and to ensure that as many producers as possible can continue to benefit from being a member of the scheme.” A daily FQAS helpline (028 9263 3024) is still available alongside the mart clinics, details of which can be found in the LMC Bulletin in Farming Life, text messages to FQAS participants and on LMC’s website, Twitter and Facebook page.
UFU DONARD GROUP BBQ RAISES RISE IN RURAL £12,000 FOR AIR AMBULANCE NI CRIME COSTS of £12,000 has been RURAL ECONOMY Atotal raised for Air Ambulance NI by the UFU Donard Group, which £2.6M held a BBQ at John and Jonathan
U
lster Farmers’ Union Legislation Chairman James O’Brien has warned that rural crime remains a big issue for Northern Ireland, after rural insurer NFU Mutual estimated theft losses of £2.6m in 2017. “Rural crime has a lasting impact on farming families, who can literally find their livelihoods threatened overnight,” said O’Brien. “Criminals are sophisticated in the homes and businesses they target. They are selective about what they take and will not think twice about targeting the same farm again, sometimes within days. The net result is that, across all rural areas, people now feel isolated and vulnerable in their own homes.” In the past, UFU has expressed concern rural crime and its consequences are not treated with sufficient seriousness when criminals are brought before the courts.
Carson’s farm, Downpatrick in June. Among sponsors of the event were ABP, Devenish Nutrition, Finnebrogue Artisan, Docs Fish and Chips, Dale Farm, NFU Mutual Downpatrick, East Down Farmers, Cookie Jar and Lakeland Dairies.
From left, Ivor Ferguson, UFU president; Jonathan Carson and family, hosts; and Colleen Milligan, Air Ambulance NI area fundraising manager.
UFU WELCOMES DAERA BREXIT DOCUMENT
U
FU has welcomed the long-awaited publication of post-Brexit options for the farming industry in Northern Ireland by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). However, UFU President Ivor Ferguson said, with time short, it is frustrating it has taken so long to get the document onto the table, with Northern Ireland the last UK region to put possible framework measures out to industry consultation. UFU said it accepts publication has been more difficult here because of the lack of an Executive, and welcomes inclusion of many of the ideas put forward by the UFU last year as key principles for a new agriculture policy. “We have to make sure that Brexit is
an opportunity for farmers here,” said Ferguson. “We need a policy better suited to local conditions than the CAP, which had to accommodate 28 very different member states. Our goal is a productive, sustainable and resilient farming industry, and this document is a good start to securing that.” UFU said it is essential the local share of UK farm support remains the same as now, but farmers recognise the delivery model is going to change. It is also underlining the need for a sensible and well-managed transition period to new support structures with the potential to pilot new measures. UFU will now consult with its members, before responding formally to the DAERA consultation. 35
MARKETING NEWS
POM-BEAR RETURNS TO TV IN £1.7M SUMMER CAMPAIGN P om-Bear returned to TV screens this August with the Bare Bear Snack campaign, aiming to build on its fan base and highlight its free-from credentials. The 20-second advert, airing during
August and early September, will remind audiences that Pom-Bear is free from gluten, artificial flavours, and artificial colours. With over 15% of the UK avoiding
gluten, Pom-Bear is positioning itself to tap into this market, while the playful tone of the advert also presents Pom-Bear as a fun snack brand. The advert is part of a £1.7m TV and digital campaign, which will reach households across the UK, with the 2018 campaign representing the third consecutive year Pom-Bear will appear on TV screens. Developed by creative advertising agency BMB, last year’s Bare Bear Snack campaign is said to have boosted sales for Pom-Bear by +8.5% in the weeks post the campaign – something the 2018 campaign will be looking to replicate. “Pom-Bear is the perfect free-from snack to help retailers to boost their sales among families during the summer season,” said Vijay Bhardwaj, head of Marketing at KP Snacks.
GINSTERS SIGNS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH IRISH FA N orthern Ireland Manager Michael O’Neill recently joined local GAWA fans at the official opening of the new Wallace Village EUROSPAR, to launch Ginsters of Cornwall’s new partnership with the Irish FA. Ginsters challenged some young aspiring players to a penalty kick competition, with O’Neill on hand to offer tips and name the best penalty of the day, awarding local Lisburn Rangers player Josh Smyth with an autographed NI shirt. “We are passionate about football and are delighted to be an official partner
From left, Mark McCammond, Henderson Retail director, and Michael O’Neill, Northern Ireland football manager.
HEAVENLY TASTY SUPPORTS TYRONE SUMMER CAMPS
of the Irish FA - allowing us to spread our love for the beautiful game into Northern Ireland,” said Mike Smith, Ginsters marketing director. “As official Savoury Pastry Partner, we’re proud to be associated with a team and manager that so evidently share our values of being honest, down to earth and dedicated.” Ginsters kicked off their partnership with exclusive Irish FA experiences and prizes available through their retail partners including EUROSPAR and SPAR stores.
CENTRA WHITE MOUNTAIN SPONSORS ULSTER GRAND PRIX RACE
A
ugher-based healthy snacking company Heavenly Tasty Organics teamed up with Club Tyrone this summer as part of the company’s Healthy with Heavenly initiative. The campaign saw the food brand donate thousands of its Corn Puffs to GAA Summer Camps throughout Co Tyrone in July and August. “We are so pleased to be working with the fantastic team at Club Tyrone to promote healthy snacking From left, Christianne Hunter (Tyrone Ladies), Shauna Blair to the almost 4,000 children taking (Heavenly Tasty Organics), Tyrone Star Lee Brennan, Orla O’Neill (Club Tyrone), Mickey Winters (Club Tyrone), and local part in the summer camps,” said summer camp participants Caitrin Barrett, Darragh Conway Shauna Blair, founder of Heavenly and Charlie Donnelly. Tasty Organics. “Our Healthy with Heavenly initiative aims to educate on the benefits of healthy eating and low sugar snacking, and to be able to engage children through these fabulous sporting events is such a valued opportunity.” 36
Winner Peter Hickman, runner up Lee Johnston and third placed Conor Cummins are pictured with representatives from 600 Supersport race sponsor Centra White Mountain Service Station.
C
entra White Mountain Service Station sponsored the second race on day two (August 11) of the 2018 MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix, the 600 Supersport.
BUSINESS NEWS
TOP 100 LOCAL COMPANY PROFITS SOAR BY ALMOST 80%
N
orthern Ireland’s biggest companies have boosted their profits by almost 80% in the space of a year. Moy Park has also retained the top spot on the Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2018 edition, sponsored by A&L Goodbody, for the seventh year running, with turnover of £1.4bn. Overall, turnover among the Top 100, which is now in its 30th year, increased by around 9%, rising from £21.88bn to £23.85bn, when comparing company accounts, year-on-year. The bumper edition of the leading business magazine, which is now out and features in-depth analysis of Northern Ireland business, showcases the biggest companies across the region, ranked by turnover. Pre-tax profits for those making the list grew by 79%, rising from £517.5m to
From left, Michael Neill, partner at Top 100 sponsor A&L Goodbody; Chris Kirke, president of Moy Park; John Mulgrew, editor of Ulster Business. (Photo credit: Elaine Hill)
£924.9m. “This year’s Top 100 Companies list is another clear example of the strength of Northern Ireland’s business landscape, right across the sectors,” said John Mulgrew, editor of Ulster Business. “The majority of company results have taken place during the ongoing stasis, with a lack of a devolved government in
DALE FARM SOLAR POWER PROJECT ACHIEVES SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONE
D
ale Farm has launched From left, Chris McAlinden, Group the largest ‘selfoperations director and David Beggs, farmer and Dale Farm cooperative member. consumption’ solar farm in Ireland at its cheese processing facility in Co Tyrone, achieving a major milestone in sustainability within the global dairy sector. The project, which guarantees 20 years of green energy for the company, is one of the largest of its kind in dairy worldwide. The 37-acre solar farm, connected directly to the company’s network, is now powering Dale Farm’s cheddar cheese plant at Dunmanbridge, Cookstown. Designed and delivered in partnership with Dublin company CES Energy, the solar farm will reduce Dale Farm’s carbon footprint by 20% and deliver multimillion-pound savings in energy costs. “Dale Farm is committed to leading the way in sustainability – with a strategy that sees us constantly assessing our processes and facilities to identify how we can reduce our carbon footprint and increase efficiency,” said Chris McAlinden, Group operations director, Dale Farm. “This approach is about doing the right thing for the environment and ultimately making our business as lean as it can be, so we can pay our farmer owners the best possible price for their milk. We are extremely proud to have developed a green energy solution that positions our operations at the vanguard of sustainability not just in dairy in Ireland, but worldwide.”
Northern Ireland, which makes the huge surges in profit, and turnover, even more impressive.” Chris Kirke, president of Moy Park, said: “We are tremendously proud to be recognised as Northern Ireland’s top company once again in the prestigious Ulster Business Top 100, particularly as it coincides with our 75th anniversary celebrations. “It is the great people within the business that makes Moy Park the successful company it is today. It is our talented team and our focus on enhancing operations across our facilities, that will ensure we can continue to innovate, thrive and grow.” Strathroy Dairy has joined the list at number 99, after posting a £20m surge in turnover, while Dale Farm shot up into the top 10.
DELAYS TO YORK STREET INTERCHANGE RAISE CONCERNS News the £130m improvement scheme to Belfast’s York Street is facing delays due to errors in its procurement strategy has been met with frustration by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), an organisation representing more than 17,000 businesses across the UK logistics sector. “Every day the project is delayed, Belfast’s roads become more congested and difficult to navigate,” said Seamus Leheny, FTA’s Northern Ireland manager. “As commercial vehicle operators continue to face unnecessarily long journey times, the industry’s ability to move goods across the North efficiently becomes compromised. “As a region, in terms of connectivity and infrastructure, we also continue to fall behind the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain which is a significant influencing factor for inward investment.” “With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.”
AGRO MERCHANTS LAUNCHES HGV APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME AGRO Merchants Group, a global leader in cold storage and logistics solutions, has launched a new HGV Apprenticeship programme said to be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland for articulated vehicle driving. The programme will offer candidates the opportunity to achieve an accredited driving goods vehicles certificate, while also receiving the practical training needed to pass the vocational test to drive a HGV. To find out more information about the programme and how to apply, contact hr.lurgan@agromerchants.com.
37
APPOINTMENTS
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE... IN ASSOCIATION WITH...
MORROW COMMUNICATIONS STRENGTHENS ITS GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM Claire Ball is now senior graphic designer at Morrow Communications. She works closely with clients to develop creative solutions for print and digital formats. As well as graphic and web design, Ball develops brands, creates event exhibition materials and is an email marketing specialist.
RUAC APPOINTS EIKON EXHIBITION CENTRE DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
Morrow Communications has appointed Matthew Roddy as a graphic designer. Roddy is responsible for designing a wide range of brand and corporate materials including creating new brands, product packaging, exhibition stands and advertising.
NEW DIRECTOR BRINGS A LOT OF LOVE TO ASG & PARTNERS
Shona Ayre has been appointed as sales and business development executive by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society. She will be responsible for sales, events and account management at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, the society’s leading exhibition and events space.
Chris Love has been appointed as PR account director at ASG & Partners. He brings with him over 15 years’ experience in communications, working with and representing SMEs to global brands in both the public and private sector.
Unit 2, 1 Edgewater Road, Belfast Harbour, Belfast BT3 9JQ Tel: +44 28 9077 0999 Fax: +44 28 9078 1172
38
SHELFLIFE
To see your product featured in Shelf Life, contact Chris Keenan at c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk or Tel: 028 9026 4267
PLADIS EXTENDS POPULAR McVITIE’S THINS RANGE G lobal snacking company pladis has launched two new additions in its popular McVitie’s Thins range, McVitie’s Digestives Chocfilled Thins and McVitie’s Hobnobs Thins. McVitie’s Digestives Chocfilled Thins are said to be a major new biscuit innovation for 2018. Featuring two crunchy Digestives Thins sandwiched around a solid chocolate centre, they buck the trend for sandwiched biscuits by offering a solid core instead of a cream filling. Harnessing the popularity of the Thins range, which launched in the UK in 2017, the new filled biscuits range has an anticipated RSV of £6.8m. They will be sold as 130g packs, available in two variants, Milk Chocolate and Double Choc.
Consumer research by McVitie’s suggests its new Chocfilled Thins will be a shared ‘we’ moment of indulgence, enjoyed as part of the ‘daytime unwind’, reflecting the snack’s shareable format. pladis has also launched McVitie’s Hobnobs Thins, extending the Thins range beyond McVitie’s Digestives for the
VOLVIC LAUNCHES ORGANIC TEA RANGE, VOLVIC INFUSIONS
D
anone has launched a new organic iced tea range, Volvic Infusions, paying tribute to Volvic’s volcanic heritage, with quality, organic ingredients inspired by volcanoes around the world. The recipes use Volvic mineral water, organic tea infusions and natural fruit flavours. The premium range is also low in sugar, subtly sweetened using organic cane sugar and a hint of organic lemon juice, amounting to only 2.3 grams of sugar for every 100ml. The two available flavours are Organic hibiscus infusion with lychee and passion fruit flavours (inspired by Piton de la Fournaise Volcano in Reunion Island) and Organic white tea infusion with rhubarb and lingonberry flavours (inspired by Eyjafjallajökull Volcano in Iceland). “We’re delighted to bring Volvic Infusions to the market and offer consumers a delicious and refreshing drink with significantly lower sugar than many other soft drinks available,” said Jacqueline Lane, brand manager, Danone Waters UK & Ireland. “Each flavour is inspired by the heritage of stunning volcanoes around the world. The result is an organic, unique and natural tasting range. We’ve also created premium and distinctive packaging to bring to life the USPs of this product and ensure a strong stand out on shelf.”
first time. The new Hobnobs format takes one of the UK’s top three selling biscuits [1], and reimagines it to create a delicately crisp and delicious snack. Available in 170g packs, with a projected RSV of £4.5m, McVitie’s Hobnobs Thins is expected to recruit younger consumers into the category with its modern take on a classic biscuit. Both McVitie’s Digestives Chocfilled Thins and McVitie’s Hobnobs Thins are available across grocery and convenience stores now. Earlier this year, McVitie’s was listed in the top five most chosen brands in Kantar Worldpanel’s 2018 UK Brand Footprint and McVitie’s Thins range won Sweet Biscuit launch of the year within The Grocer Top Products 2017. [1] IRI Total Convenience MAT Nov 17
TASTYBONE LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION HALLOWEEN TREATS
D
og nylon chew and edible treat manufacturer TastyBone has extended its offering with two spooky, limited-edition, Halloween-themed bones. Available in Toffee Apple or Pumpkin flavours, the new products come as individual bones or as a mixed counter display unit with a bespoke Halloween-themed header. Made from 100% virgin nylon, with every bite dog’s gums and teeth become stronger and healthier, reducing the build-up of plaque and tartar, said TastyBone. “At TastyBone we understand that pets are an important part of the family,” said Camille Ashforth, TastyBone product manager. “Therefore, owners want to ensure that they are included in all traditions and celebrations in some way. This presents retailers with a great opportunity to capitalise on this key calendar date. “We’re increasingly seeing pet owners dressing their dogs up in Halloween costumes, so we thought what better time to launch these spooktacular new products, making sure our four-legged friends are able to enjoy the treat part of Halloween just as much as their owners. “With specially designed packaging, they also make for an eye-catching display in any retail environment.” 39
CLASSIFIEDS AN EASY REFERENCE TO THE BEST FOR YOUR BUSINESS
TO ADVERTISE HERE... CONTACT CHRIS KEENAN ON 028 9264 4267 email: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk
KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS...
www.ulstergrocer.com
To advertise here contact Chris Keenan on 028 9264 4267 email: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk
IN THE HOT SEAT Jamie & Camille Thompson of Thompson’s Tea
IN THE HOT SEAT
WITH JAMIE THOMPSON, MARKETING EXECUTIVE AT PUNJANA
the delicate undertones of freshly plucked tea has been one of the more enjoyable, if somewhat challenging, tasks. This, combined with keeping on top of current customer needs and spotting future trends, in what is a fastpaced industry, I find are the greatest challenges. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? ‘Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.’ This was first quoted to me by my grandpa on his 80th birthday and it acts as a gentle reminder to me as I’m frequently amazed at how time seems to pass by in the blink of an eye.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF After having studied Management with Marketing at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, I joined Pernod Ricard as a brand ambassador for Jameson Whiskey as part of their International Graduate Programme. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and was fortunate enough to be placed in Amsterdam, London and Dublin, before eventually returning home to Belfast to join our family business where I am currently enjoying my role as marketing executive. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? A typical day is filled with managing sponsorship requests, producing content for our social media channels, responding to customer enquiries, and working on some exciting new packaging design. I have always been drawn to marketing and business strategy, so it’s great to be able to explore this further. WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK? Having led a few product tastings during my time spent with Jameson Whiskey, my palate was more accustomed to picking up the subtle notes of a bourbon barrel, so recalibrating to picking up 42
WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? Tea tasting! Since life began for Thompson’s Tea in Northern Ireland in 1896, it has always been a member of the Thompson family who has tastetested and approved each and every tea blend. Even today, we have a grand total of just two tea tasters, Ross and David Thompson, who together taste and select fresh samples of tea every week from some of the most prized tea gardens in the world. Nowadays, Camille and I can also be found in the tea tasting room, slowly but surely doing our best to pick up the art of tea tasting. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? A very tough choice indeed! It seems that now, more than ever, Northern Ireland has a huge amount to offer with an exceptional collection of local food producers. All you have to do is take a look through the recent Great Taste Award results to see the excellent quality of food we are producing here. From Hannan’s Meat, Cavanagh Eggs and Abernethy Butter to Mash Direct, Corndale Farm and Burren Balsamics, it’s certainly something to make you proud. Of course, Michele Shirlow MBE and Paula McIntyre MBE do a great job promoting the local food and drink industry here as well. And a final tip for anyone looking for some inspiration in the kitchen using some of these fantastic local ingredients, would be to check out @MollieMakesItNI on Twitter…’Cake is for Life, not just for Birthdays’. If I had to
choose? A bacon butty from Kennedy bacon on Irwin’s soda bread is very hard to beat. TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT TEA… The tea bush (also known as Camellia Sinensis) is an amazing bush! It is capable of such incredible growth that skilled tea pluckers are able to pick a new flush of flavoursome leaves every 10 days. However, in order to produce this exceptional rate of growth, it needs sun, warmth and a bountiful supply of rain. DO YOU GET TO VISIT THE TEA GARDENS? I’m delighted to say that I do! We feel that it is important to know the people and the faces behind the tea we are blending and bagging each day in Belfast. We find that it also helps to give us a feeling of real connection to the product we enjoy creating so much. Arriving at the tea gardens is like diving into a sea of pure, green leaf. It’s truly astonishing to see the uninterrupted acres of luscious tea leaves, growing rapidly in the heat and humidity of Assam. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE BUSINESS BOOK? Another tough choice, but I would highly recommend reading Shoe Dog, the memoir from Nike founder and CEO, Phil Knight. It’s an incredible story that starts from the very beginnings of the brand and takes you on a journey through to its current day success. It was far from smooth sailing for Nike to get to where they are today, and as a result, it makes for a very inspirational read. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST? Without a doubt, The Joe Rogan Experience. It’s far from a hidden gem, being one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world, but its popularity is justified. Guests range from comedians and actors to astrophysicists and clinical psychologists. Each episode offers something new, and despite being around three hours, it’s a pleasure to listen to.