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Off-trade news
Retail groups call for alcohol licensing system to be streamlined
Top bar talent to judge London Spirits Competition
Retailer representative groups, the CSNA and RGDATA have called for the alcohol licensing system to be simplifi ed and streamlined and for the same rules and regulations to apply to online retailers and remote deliveries as bricks and mortar mixed traders.
RGDATA called for the changes to be made in a submission to the Department of Justice, which is currently carrying out a full review of the alcohol licensing system.
In its submission, RGDATA outlined its belief that the regulatory structure for online sales of alcohol needs to be updated, in order to ensure that the controls that apply to in-person sales, are replicated in an online environment.
The association also made a number of pertinent points regarding licensing applications. These include removing the need to make an application to a court to secure a full off-licence.
“There is no reason why such an application could not be made administratively to the Revenue, with notice to other relevant entities including gardaí, etc,” the association stated. “There should of course be some option for an appeal to the District Court where an issue arises concerning an application or renewal of a licence, but judicial involvement should be the exception rather than the norm.”
Retail associations say the regulatory structure for online sales of alcohol needs to be updated
The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) has also provided its considered views on several aspects relating to the licensing and sale of alcohol to the Department of Justice.
The CSNA has likewise sought changes to the application and court system. While the association accepts there is a judicial aspect to new licences and transferrals, it believes renewals are an administrative function and should be carried out by Revenue and the National Excise Licence Offi ce (NELO).
The association has demanded that Sunday restrictions be rescinded and that shops are permitted to sell alcohol at the same (10.30am) time allowed on the other days of the week.
Finally, the CSNA has asked the department to arrange the annual publication of statistics regarding test purchasing of alcohol by underage volunteers working alongside AGS. These statistics should include the instances of each style of licence visited and the outcomes by individual garda divisions.
Judged by top names in the drinks industry, this year’s London Spirits Competition is now open for entries
The Ritz, The Stafford, The Connaught Bar, Gleneagles, Roka, 45 Park Lane and Dukes Hotel are just some of the prestigious names on the judging panel for the London Spirits Competition. This competition has worked in the last few years to build up the pedigree of its judges and to ensure they all have direct buying responsibilities and understand the disciplines by which certain spirits are chosen to go on a drinks or cocktail list or not.
As the competition is focused on quality, design, packaging and value for money, it requires judges that have the professional experience of analysing spirits in all aspects of their commercial competitiveness. Points are allocated in all these key areas to come up with an overall score that will determine what medal, or not, a particular spirit is given.
For any distiller, brand owner, or producer, the competition is an opportunity to have your products assessed by the top premium on-trade spirits buyers in the country. The 2022 entry process is now open, enter your brands at www.londonspiritscompetition.com before the submission closes on 28 February and grow your brand in 2022.
Shoppers cross border for cheap alcohol
A lot of people are heading north of the border in search of their favourite tipple, according to a recent report in The Irish Times.
“In the car park at Asda in Enniskillen at lunchtime on Saturday, every second car seemed to have a southern registration plate,” journalist Marese McDonagh reported.
However, Ossie Costello, owner of the Bank Bar and off-licence in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, said he has mixed feelings about the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) on 4 January, because the playing fi eld in the Republic has been levelled. “Before Christmas supermarkets were selling slabs of beer for €15 and I was paying €35-€40 for the same thing. It was crazy,” he said.
Minimum unit pricing was the cover story of our January issue Non-alcoholic beer’s market share grew by 175% over a three-year period, from 0.4% in 2017 to 1.1% in 2020
Non-alcoholic beer has become increasingly popular in Ireland in recent years, and this trend is set to continue in 2022, according to Drinks Ireland|Beer, which represents Irish beer makers.
The latest data from Drinks Ireland|Beer estimates that non-alcoholic beer sales in Ireland grew by 129% between 2017 and 2020, from 1.79 million to 4.12 million litres. Meanwhile, the market share grew by 175% during this time, from 0.4% in 2017 to 1.1% in 2020.
Internationally, the non-alcoholic beer category is predicted to grow annually by 8.7% between 2021 and 2025.
Drinkaware offers free mental health resource
Drinkaware, the national charity working to reduce and prevent the misuse of alcohol in Ireland, is offering a free mental health resource to the public. The resource is available to order online and will be sent directly free of charge.
The 2021 Drinkaware Barometer found that 61% of adults in Ireland cite coping as a reason to drink alcohol, but this can have unintended consequences. It can contribute to the development and/or worsening of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Order a free booklet at: www.drinkaware.ie/order-resources.
Heineken 0.0 wins Dry January with 3600 marketing campaign
The Heineken 0.0 brand team rolled out a campaign to kick off 2022 with the aim of showing the nation that less alcohol doesn’t mean less craic. They enlisted the help of interagency partners Honey+Buzz, Thinkhouse, Red Star and Talon Ireland.
The successful campaign came on the back of new research carried out by Thinkhouse and Bounce Insights which showed a growing number of Irish adults participating in Dry January this year. Instead of communicating a ‘health-focused’ message, the brand wanted to have a bit more fun with Dry January. After all, January is full of resolutions and for many can be an overwhelming month.
The research suggests that as a whole, 2021 has seen a reduction in alcohol consumption for some groups, with one in three respondents reporting decreased alcohol consumption this year in comparison with previous years. 78% of people feel that there is less stigma now surrounding not drinking at social occasions.
On the back of this research, Honey+Buzz developed the campaign around an insight of ‘Why have zero craic, when you can have 0.0 craic?’.
To launch the campaign, the Heineken 0.0 brand team held a surprise stunt on 1 January where consumers could win one of five prizes worth €500 by interacting with a 3D billboard on Macken Street in Dublin. Heineken 0.0 brand ambassador Lucy Kennedy launched the stunt on the day, engaging with passers-by and handing out prizes. This stunt marked the start of 31 days of competitions and prizes so people could enjoy a little bit of Heineken 0.0 craic throughout the month.
JOE.ie were selected as main media partners for the campaign, ensuring the brand hit its bullseye audience. The team worked with Headcase to create two on-street murals, which were amplified by JOE.ie; working together in promoting the ‘Now You Can’ campaign platform.
To amplify the campaign’s messaging across social media, Heineken 0.0 ‘Dry Packs’ were issued out to relevant media and influencers at the start of January. The ‘Dry Packs’ came in the form of a calendar
On 1 January, consumers could win one of five prizes worth €500 by interacting with a 3D billboard on Macken Street in Dublin
for the month of January with a refreshing gift from Heineken 0.0 for each day of the month, encouraging consumers to enjoy Dry January – 31 days, 31 reasons to cheers.
Heineken 0.0 is also available on draught, in addition to bottle and can – so customers can enjoy a freshly poured pint. A bottle of Heineken 0.0 contains just 69 calories and finds favour amongst those seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Villa Maria’s Blush Sauvignon is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, with just a touch of merlot (10%)
Villa Maria’s fresh new take on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has landed in Ireland
Is it a rosé? Is it a sauvignon blanc? Villa Maria has created the best of both worlds with a New Zealand Blush Sauvignon. 90% Sauvignon Blanc, with just a touch of merlot (10%), Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon delivers the taste experience of New Zealand’s favourite white wine with a beautiful pale pink twist.
“It feels like everyone is drinking pink these days,” says Villa Maria head of marketing and communications Sarah Szegota. “Instagram feeds and social occasions are dominated by the fun-factor pale rosés and pink spirits offer, and data highlights this rapid growth in rosé. Yet despite all the noise, growth and ‘Grams’, the rosé category remains dwarfed by Sauvignon Blanc. Villa Maria Sauvignon Blush gives you the best of both.”
“We’ve taken the cool, fresh, leap-from-the-glass energy of our world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc and added a splash of merlot to make a wine with a delicate pink hue, bursting with fresh flavours of passionfruit and cranberry,” she adds.
The cool climate within New Zealand’s wine-growing regions provides freshness and natural acidity, making Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon a great choice for an aperitif or alfresco dining. “For a fruity alternative, pour over ice with a raspberry and a basil leaf - it’s delicious!” adds Szegota.
“Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon is a toast to moments of joy, to raising a glass when you’re in the moment, loving life and those around you.” It’s already a huge hit in New Zealand, European holiday hot spots and the UK.
Proudly distributed by Ireland’s leading independent drinks company Barry & Fitzwilliam.
Kantar reports ‘record-breaking engagement’ for Dry January 2022
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending 23 January 2022, show that ‘Dry January’ achieved recordbreaking engagement this year. Overall, 7.6% of households purchased a non-alcoholic beverage, an increase of 5.8% since 2018.
“Non-alcoholic drinks are enjoying really strong growth and this looks set to continue following the introduction of minimum unit pricing in Ireland,” said Emer Healy, senior retail analyst at Kantar. “Dry January gave people the perfect opportunity to explore the different options on the supermarket shelves and many traditional brands are diversifying their ranges to keep up with the change in demand.” n
