ShelfLife - April issue

10 PACKS NOW AVAILABLE

Surplus of €16.2 billion predicted for State next year

Talk of stretched budgets has become sadly commonplace in the past year, as cost-of-living increases continue to hit shoppers’ pockets. So as ShelfLife headed to print, it was refreshing to see that at least one (rather important) budget is looking altogether perkier!

A surplus of €16.2 billion is predicted for the State next year, according to the government’s latest economic forecasts and projections for the public finances. The figures underline the extent to which the government will have significant cash to spend in the Budget and next year as it prepares for a general election, expected in the second half of next year or early 2025.

The document predicts an exchequer surplus of €12.9 billion for next year. However, when other factors, including a large surplus in the social insurance fund are included in the calculations, the General Government Balance - the figure used by the EU - is expected to be €16 billion.

However, these figures are likely to be adjusted later in the year when spending decisions for next year are made. The surplus is driven by continuing strong corporation tax receipts. The projected surplus for this year is likely to be about €10 billion, including transfers to the government’s rainy day fund.

Speaking of government plans, in this month’s issue we had an exclusive opportunity to interview Minister for Retail Neale Richmond on his intentions for the sector; turn to page 22 for more details.

Gillian Hamill, editor, ShelfLifemagazine

16 Always Nearby: Gillian Hamill sits down with Jason McSteen as he reflects on a momentous two years during which Nearby has reached more than 130 stores

22 Ministerial priorities: ShelfLife spoke to Minister Neale Richmond to gain a greater understanding of his outlook and the issues he is prioritising to support Ireland’s retail sector

24 Value Centre store profile: John McMahon of Value Centre Ennis, Co. Clare speaks to Fionnuala Carolan about the history of the business and its bright future ADVISOR

26

NEWSGRID

The top news stories

in FMCG

Daybreak to open 37 new stores

Daybreak has announced an €8.2 million investment in its store expansion programme for 2023. The investment will see Daybreak grow its nationwide presence with the opening of 37 new stores, from 300 currently The move will also support up to 500 jobs across local communities, bringing the total employment figure at Daybreak to almost 4,700. The expansion and investment programme will bring the Daybreak network to 360 stores nationwide by 2025.

Dunnes tops the pole

and retail from across Ireland

Spar celebrates 60th anniversary in Ireland

According to Kantar figures, Dunnes holds the highest share amongst all retailers at 23.2%, with growth of 13.4% yearon-year Tesco holds 22.1% of the market with growth of 13.6% year-on-year, and the strongest frequency growth amongst all retailers, up 12.8%. SuperValu holds 20.6% of the market and growth of 4.2%, with shoppers making the most trips in-store when compared to all retailers, an increase of 12.1% year-on-year Lidl now holds 13.3% share while Aldi holds 12.3% share of the market.

Month-long celebrations drive highest footfall since March 2020

Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased in the four weeks to 19 March 2023, according to the latest data from Kantar, thanks to a month of celebrations including Mother’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and the Irish rugby team winning the Six Nations Grand Slam. Value grocery sales increased by 13.3%, up from 10.2% in February, as the average price per pack increased by 13.8%. In the 12 weeks to 19 March 2023, take-home grocery sales increased by 9.5%, contributing an additional €268m to the overall market performance.

Contactless payments increased by over 31% in 2022

Almost €17.9 billion in contactless payments were made in 2022, the highest level recorded since 2016 and a jump of 31.4% on 2021, according to the latest Payments Monitor Q4 2022 from the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). Online and mobile banking payments also continued to surge with volumes doubling between 2006 and 2022. The last quarter of 2022 saw three million contactless payments per day valued at €53 million making this the highest daily contactless spend in any quarter since the data series began in 2016.

FoodCloud strengthens leadership team

FoodCloud has announced new appointments to its leadership team to help deliver a more equitable, inclusive, and circular food system by 2030 Sheena Forde has been appointed as partnerships director and Angela Ruttledge as public affairs and stakeholder manager, with Paula Doherty stepping down from the board to take an active role in managing the innovation strategy for the company. FoodCloud has joined the Global FoodBanking Network with funding from Irish Aid to research and pilot its technology solution with African food banks.

Aldi Adamstown opens with the creation of 30 new local jobs

Aldi’s nationwide expansion continued this month with the opening of a new store in Adamstown, Co Dublin, creating 30 new permanent jobs in the local area. Located at The Crossings at Adamstown, the store will be managed by Dmitri Sakovits. The new store is Aldi’s 25th to open in County Dublin, bringing its total portfolio across Ireland to 156 stores.

Spar ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington has launched a €60,000 Spar 60th Community Fund to celebrate the brand’s 60th year in Ireland. The new initiative will see Spar invest €60,000 back into local communities to drive positive change and impact. Through the Spar 60th Community Fund, six local community clubs, groups or programmes will be rewarded €10,000 each, along with the chance to meet Harrington and take her on in a fun series of challenges. Applications will close on 30 April.

Limerick retailer loses €250,000 a year through retail crime

A family-run convenience store in Limerick is losing €250,000 a year, as a result of shoplifting and break-ins, its owner has said. The Gleeson family, who have five shops in the city are becoming increasingly concerned by shoplifting gangs, who often use electric bikes. “They hit at any time, running through the store grabbing anything they can and then speeding off on electric bikes on which they can easily negotiate traffic. They don’t seem to care and we are very concerned for the safety of our staff and customers,” company director Michael Gleeson said.

Tesco deputy manager loses ‘unfair dismissal’ over three cans of Red Bull

A Tesco deputy manager who lost his job after drinking three cans of Red Bull worth €9.45 which he did not pay for, has lost his claim for unfair dismissal. John Herd claimed he “forgot to pay” for the energy drinks on three separate occasions in October 2021, because he was “on the verge of being made homeless” and was not sleeping well as a result of his distress. However, Tesco argued that its “bond of trust” with Herd was broken and it was therefore reasonable to sack him from his €33,900-a-year post. This decision has also been supported by the Workplace Relations Commission. ■

For more details on all the above and the latest grocery-related news as it happens, visit www.shelflife.ie.

Spar ambassador Kellie Harrington

Thomas Morrison, head of retail and Musgrave MarketPlace and Daybreak Retail Council chair and store owner, Kevin Forde FoodCloud co-founders

O’Brien and Iseult Ward

50 years of the retail barcode: on 3 April 1973, retail industry leaders agreed on a single standard for product identification: the barcode This early collaboration led to the birth of GS1, the organisation with global reach that would facilitate industry collaboration and develop future global standards.

In the 1970s, the GS1 barcode transformed retail, ensuring that all items instore had a global and unique digital identity Since then, GS1 global data standards have powered more reliable and transparent supply chains.

Today and beyond, GS1 empowers industry’s digital transformation to ultimately benefit consumers and patients. New 2D barcodes will unlock new benefits for businesses, people and society

Barcodes – a digital thread connecting products and people

We see and scan barcodes every day of our lives. But how often do we consider where they come from, what data they contain or the beneficial impact they have on our lives, both professionally and personally?

From shopping apps and intelligent fridges to exploring a product’s traceability and sustainability credentials, the barcode and a product’s identity profile are an invisible thread that enables a digital link between consumers, retailers and producers, anywhere in the world.

With omni-channel commerce now expected as the norm, business and consumers alike want to know about a product’s availability online or locally, and to see real-time stock levels.

As trading partner and regulatory requirements evolve, there is an ever greater need to efficiently and accurately manage and share the hundreds of data attributes associated with each product. GS1 identification and data sharing standards and tools can help to do this efficiently and accurately

This month, GS1 is celebrating the 50th birthday of the barcode number (GTIN) and in reviewing that history, is also looking forward to the new standards and innovations that can further enhance supply chains across all industry sectors.

Did you know? Over 1 billion products carry GS1 barcodes and are scanned every day across the world.

What’s in a barcode?

A barcode is simply data printed in a machine-readable format. A barcode scanner works by measuring the widths of the bars and the spaces in a barcode symbol.

What is a GTIN?

While the word “barcode” typically refers to the printed symbol or image, a GTIN - or Global Trade Item Number - is the official term for the actual product identifier or “barcode number” printed under a symbol and encoded in the black lines.

A GTIN is created from an allocated prefix licenced to organisations by a GS1 office There are 13 digits in a GTIN that is encoded into an EAN 13 symbol. You may see a GTIN 8 on very small products, or a 12-digit UPC, which is the most common barcode number and symbol in North America. Retail scanners are set up to read all of the main symbol types and different length identifiers.

Additionally, 14 digit identifiers, encoded into ITF 14 or GS1 128 symbols are often found throughout the transport and logistics parts of the supply chain and are used in warehouses for stockkeeping and ordering processes.

Is a GTIN just a bunch of random numbers?

No, a GTIN is made up of a number of elements including a Company Prefix (licenced by GS1 to an organisation), an Item Reference Number and a Check Digit. The check digit is calculated by an algorithm to ensure the integrity of the complete number

What’s the difference between a barcode and a GTIN?

A ‘barcode’ refers to the printed symbol, the black and white lines and spaces that can be read by a barcode scanner at the point of sale, in a warehouse, or in a hospital or pharmacy, for example ‘GTIN’ refers to the number beneath this symbol, which uniquely identifies the item.

Can GTINs from GS1 Ireland only be used to sell products in Ireland?

No, GS1 GTINs, regardless of which licenced country prefix they are allocated from, can be used by producers, distributors and retailers worldwide

What types of barcode symbol are there?

Different types of barcode symbol are used depending upon the product and where the item is going to be scanned e.g at supermarket checkout, in a warehouse or even in a hospital operating theatre. The most common barcode symbol (the actual image) found on a grocery product is called an EAN 13 symbol.

What size should a barcode symbol be?

The EAN 13 symbol is the most commonly used of all the GS1 symbols. It is typically found on items sold at a retail point of sale The target size for a printed EAN 13 symbol is 37.29 mm x 27.85 mm. It is important to ensure that sufficient space is provided on packaging labels to print high quality, scannable symbols. Barcode symbol specifications can be downloaded from the GS1 website.

For further information on barcode standards and implementation, visit https://www.gs1ie.org/barcodes/ ■

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the barcode number (GTIN), GS1 outlines the history of this important development and the new standards and innovations that can further enhance supply chains across all industry sectors

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2022 winner shares plans for €25,000 winnings

Ahead of the launch of this year’s Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, Mountbellew/ Moylough GAA Club has shared its plans for its €25,000 prize. The Galway GAA club won first prize in the 2022 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps on-pack promotion, winning a game-changing €25,000 for the club Mountbellew/Moylough plans to use the €25,000 to purchase equipment for the club such as mini goals, football, sliotars and cones that can be shared across all teams and even used for this summer’s Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camp The balance will go towards constructing an Astro Turf pitch and ball wall.

“We feel incredibly lucky to have won the top prize in Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2022 on-pack competition,” said Seamus Hogan from Mountbellew/Moylough. “We’re delighted that the equipment purchased with the prize money will be able to be used by everyone in the club, including our 2023 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camp participants!”

To be in with a chance to win up to €25,000 this year for your local GAA club, GAA and Kellogg’s fans alike can purchase a participating Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Coco Pops pack; log onto www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie The Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps competition for 2023 opens from 1 April.

Smooch Ice Cream named official winner of the SFA National Food and Drink Award 2023

Gala Retail strikes new sponsorship deal with Starcamp

Gala Retail has announced a three-year extension to its title sponsorship with Ireland’s number-one network of children’s activity camps, Starcamp

Starcamp is known nationwide for its award-winning summer camps, which take place in more than 250 locations across Ireland each year, and this year, for the first time, Starcamp has added over 20 ‘Starcamp with Gala Retail Easter Camps’ to its schedule

As part of its annual, six-figure sponsorship agreement with Starcamp, Gala is providing over €10,000 worth of prizes for participating children and their schools each year and gifting every young person a co-branded bag and certificate of achievement. Now in its third year of partnership with Starcamp, Gala Retail confirmed its support will continue until at least 2025.

“Gala is delighted to announce our continued sponsorship of ‘Starcamp with Gala Retail’, supporting the delivery of the exceptional Starcamp children’s camps that take place across Ireland,” said Gary Desmond, chief executive of Gala Retail.

Dairyglen has been named the official winner of the Food & Drink category 2023 with its exclusive ice cream brand Smooch, at the SFA National Small Business Awards.

Nominated in both the Food & Drink and Services categories for achievement, innovation and excellence, Dairyglen celebrated its recent win at the RDS. A total of 36 finalists were shortlisted from hundreds of applicants across a number of categories, with a strict judging criteria applied to each one

Dairyglen currently employs over 32 people across its Bray and Cork offices; providing fully managed solutions for the ice cream, milkshake and frozen beverage industry Rooted in smart Bluetooth technology that allows the company to access, monitor and control all its machines remotely – this system has established Dairyglen’s Smooch brand as the number one solution for ice cream and milkshakes across the country

“As a business with over 30 years’ experience, we’ve always found it interesting to observe how little people truly know about the art of the ice cream business,” said Dairyglen owner Philip Delaney. “As is evident in the market, most ice cream brands seem to require very little thought. But why is it that so few brands last the test of time? Great brands are hard to build, and even harder to sustain for any course of time

“We’re thrilled for Smooch to win the best Food & Drink Award this year and want to thank all the fantastic Irish retailers who have supported us, and continue to support us today,” Delaney added.

“The strength of Starcamp is in the confidence that it gives young people, and with a strong presence across towns and cities across the country, there’s a real synergy with our 220 Gala Group stores, who are at the heart of communities across the country,” Desmond continued.

‘Starcamp with Gala Retail’ Camps will take place at over 250 locations, hosting almost 30,000 children. Easter Camps were held from 3 – 6 April and 11 – 14 April, with summer camps running weekly from 3 July – 19 August. For more information on Starcamp with Gala Retail locations and availability, visit www.starcamp.ie

Mountbellew/Moylough GAA Club won the first prize of €25,000 in last year’s Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps on-pack promotion

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, and Aideen O’Grady, founder, Starcamp (background) with children, Eva Jege, Lewis and Carrie Linden, and in the foreground, comedian, Rory O’Connor - Rory’s Stories – and TV presenter, Lucy Kennedy

The Dairyglen team celebrating Smooch’s impressive win at the SFA National Small Business Awards

Dr. Oetker introduces Nutri-Score labelling

Dr Oetker Ireland has introduced Nutri-Score labelling this month, and it is now visible on the front of the brand’s Ristorante products. All other Dr Oetker pizza ranges in Ireland will be progressively labelled with a Nutri-Score in the coming months.

Nutri-Score is an independent European Food labelling system applied to the front of packaging. The evaluation is based on a fixed scheme in which nutritionally favourable nutrients and ingredients (protein, fibre, fruits, vegetables and nuts) are weighed up against unfavourable nutrients (sodium, saturated fatty acids and sugar). It results in an overall score using a five-level colour scale: A is green to represent the best nutritional quality while E is dark orange to show it’s the lowest

The company sees this as an important step to offer consumers the best possible transparency on the nutritional values and ingredients of its products, so they can make conscious purchase decisions. The health properties of existing products are continuously optimized; Dr Oetker has been progressively working to reduce sugar and salt in its products and, where possible, improving the nutritional profiles, while also ensuring that the taste remains just as good as ever “We are very excited to be one of the first food brands in Ireland to launch

SalesCare specialises in quality, market-specific retail merchandise

SalesCare Marketing & Distribution is an Irish-owned and managed company specialising in supplying leading retailers in the convenience and forecourts markets, in Ireland and the UK, with a range of high quality, market-specific merchandise

The company provides a suite of support services to clients from advice on merchandising to new product innovations.

A sole distributor for Promate Technologies Ireland and UK, the worldwide leader in electronic and computing DMS (design and manufacturing service), SalesCare Marketing & Distribution boasts a diversified product line, including mobility accessories, IT peripherals, photography enhancements, digital gadgets and consumer electronics and more.

What sets SalesCare apart?

SalesCare Marketing & Distribution’s commitment to innovation sets it apart. The company’s products are designed by a talented team of industrial designers and engineers, who also meticulously manage the technology to ensure the highest quality, making Promate products distinct in both design and quality

SalesCare operates on a “first to market” philosophy, which emphasizes procedural efficiency so it can bring innovative products to consumers ahead of competitors. The combination of all these factors has made SalesCare the brand of choice among consumers who recognize quality design, engineering and value

What does SalesCare do?

Finding a niche in the market or identifying a need and filling the gap is what SalesCare Marketing & Distribution does. The company has over 1,000 products in its portfolio, one of the largest collections for any peripheral vendor

Each product has a purpose, offering an exceptional combination of intuitive function and striking form.

For further details, contact:

Email: Eamonn@salescare.eu.com

Phone: +353 86 8115605

Website: www.salescare.eu.com

Within the Nutri-Score system, A is green to represent the best nutritional quality while E is dark orange to show it’s the lowest packaging with the European Nutri-Score labelling system,” said marketing manager Eoin Mullen. “We believe this is an easy to follow labelling system allowing shoppers to quickly understand the product scoring and will help them make conscious decisions on what they put into their shopping basket.”

For more information, visit www.oetker.ie

Guidance designed to take the uncertainty out of waste segregation for businesses is now available from MyWaste, Ireland’s official guide to waste. This government-funded initiative provides a free and extensive suite of signage and training materials to help workforces make accurate recycling decisions.

This will assist Irish businesses achieve greater Circular Economy performance through increased recycling and composting rates. A waste characterisation study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that almost 70% of materials being placed in the general commercial waste bins is waste that should be placed in the recycling or food waste bins. Targeted materials (those suitable for recycling) accounted for only 60% of the materials in the mixed dry recycling bins, with food waste among the contaminants.

The study also found that by improving waste segregation practices, businesses could divert significant amounts of waste from the general waste stream annually

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, Kevin Swift, Connacht Ulster Region Waste Office said: “This initiative will empower small and medium size businesses, particularly those in the retail, hospitality manufacturing and corporate sectors, to further improve how their waste is managed. With clear language and visuals, the materials will make it easy for staff to quickly understand what waste goes in what bin. This should help significantly increase the amount of recyclables and food waste diverted from the general bin and correctly placed in the recycling and food waste bins.”

The toolkit is free to download or order from www.mywaste.ie/business/

Ensure your business makes accurate recycling decisions with MyWaste

Free’ist introduces new no-added

sugar, plant-

based extension

As more and more consumers look for healthier snacking options, Irish free-from brand, Free’ist is leading the way with a range of decadent treats that offer consumers a better-for-you option to reduce sugar, without sacrificing taste

Passionate about helping people reduce their sugar intake, Free’ist was founded in 2013, and to mark its 10th birthday, the brand has relaunched its original milk and dark chocolate range with a new and improved recipe, while also introducing a new no-added-sugar plant-based extensiontapping into growing consumer demand for milk-based alternatives.

Using the Fino De Aroma cocoa bean from Columbia - the best the world’s plantations have to offer – and working with world renowned chocolatiers to perfectly roast, temper and refine the flavours – Free’ist has developed a variety of ethically sourced, indulgent snacks that are sweetened from plants and contain no added sugar, palm oil or artificial flavours.

While sugar levels are the biggest concern amongst consumers, they are also very wary of artificial sweeteners, and there is a growing and widespread demand for plant-based sweeteners. It was this insight, gathered from the brand’s comprehensive consumer research, that drove it to find a stevia-based solution which has now been formulated for all the products within the range

The ‘free from’ category is projected to grow by 41% over the next five years – driven by dairy alternatives - so the brand has also announced a range extension which includes a selection of no-added-sugar, plant-based bars, made from the finest oat m*lk to create a creamy, indulgent snack that melts in the mouth. The plant-based range launches with a fourstrong portfolio including Oat Chocolate and the indulgent flavour extensions of Oat with Raspberry, Oat with Coconut, and Oat with Almonds.

Listings for both brand lines have already been secured across major multiple Irish retailers including Tesco, Dunnes, SuperValu and Spar

The launch will be supported with a heavyweight trade and consumer media spend - targeted at female shoppers aged 18-44 - which will see the

Minister Heather Humphreys launches 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, in association with the managing director of SuperValu, Ian Allen, recently launched the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition

Since 1958, the competition, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu, has been a pivotal initiative in bringing communities together and addressing some of the environmental challenges we face in modern society

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the competition and is expected to attract one of its highest levels of entries to date

The official launch took place in Trim, County Meath – the winners of the 2022 Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition.

“The saying ‘ní neart go cur le chéile’, which means unity is our strength, really sums up what SuperValu TidyTowns is all about,” said Minister Humphreys.

“What makes SuperValu TidyTowns special is that it truly shows the power of community and how collective small actions can make a big difference toward ensuring our communities are more sustainable places to live, work and play for generations to come,” added managing director of SuperValu, Ian Allen.

The number of entries is steadily increasing and the Special Awards also continue to bring an added dimension to the competition, with some fantastic prizes.

Irish free-from brand Free’ist firmly believes that ‘great taste’ and ‘better-for-you’ belong together

brand invest into sampling, digital advertising, social media, ambassadors, events and PR.

All Free’ist chocolate is bean-to-bar traced and ethically sourced, with single origin Columbian cacao beans, no added sugar, no palm oil, no artificial flavours, no soy, no gluten and non-GMO

Free’ist was created 10 years ago on the back of consumer demand for alternative healthier snacks, and, as the brand enters its second decade, it continues to put the consumer at the heart of the brand - firmly believing that ‘great taste’ and ‘better-for-you’ belong together

The closing date for receipt of entries is Wednesday, 10 May 2023. Entry forms are available at www.tidytowns.ie and will be emailed to all registered groups. Entries will only be accepted by email to the tidytowns@drcd.gov.ie address.

Full details of the competition are available on www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.ie ■

Minister Heather Humphreys and Ian Allen, managing director of SuperValu, launching the 2023 Competition

PRESIDENT’S

Zero tolerance approach must be adopted against retail crime

Those of us in the grocery, fuel and newspaper retailing business were accorded an “essential service” status during the recent various lockdowns throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Our staff were deemed to be essential workers, on a parallel with frontline staff such as those in the health and emergency sectors. It is high time that the State further acknowledges our vital role and ensures that any assaults, threats of violence and verbal abuse that are directed towards owners and workers in our sector are treated with the utmost seriousness by An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service.

Each and every matrix that retailers and the security industry use to monitor and report on instances of shoplifting, abusive and aggressive behaviour and violence against those working in our stores, shows a frightening increase across the entire sector.

There is a real need for the State to ensure that their citizens are at liberty to own, work and shop in our stores without fear from a small minority of thugs and criminals who seem to act without any regard for societal values. It’s time for zero tolerance.

CSNA wants known shoplifters named and shamed in nationwide wave of petty crime and harassment

Posting photos of known shoplifters and slapping ASBOs on youth terrorising retailers are needed to combat the current wave of abuse, criminality, and harassment that shopkeepers across the country are dealing with, according to CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings.

The CSNA would like to see a similar name and shame campaign to Northern Ireland’s, introduced here to expose shoplifters and other petty criminals, and combat the scourge of anti-social behaviour directed at retailers.

Speaking on RTE One’s Prime Time programme, Jennings said: “There is a very real problem. It is soul-destroying. We need zero tolerance.”

The current affairs programme highlighted the problem of out-ofcontrol youths and children who are shoplifting, hurling racist abuse and physically threatening and intimidating shop staff in supermarkets and corner shops

around the country.

CSNA member Shane Gleeson, who runs five Spar shops in Limerick city, told RTE: “I’ve had a

bottle of wine broken and been threatened with the broken glass. I’ve had guys with needles. My son was threatened with a knife.”

CCPC hears CSNA complaint against An Post/PostPoint regarding Leap cards

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has met with the CSNA which was accompanied by three affected retailers. The retailers were able to display to the investigators the various faults they found with the PostPoint proposal and agreed to provide substantial evidence of their projected losses if they are forced to do business on these new terms.

The CCPC agreed that it would discuss the matter with Payzone, PostPoint and the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The CSNA has made it very clear to the commission that in the association’s opinion, the tactics and approaches being made by representatives of PostPoint exercise all the hallmarks of a predator, insisting that retailers who currently sell Leap through Payzone needed to jump ship in advance of the end of their contract.

Without doubt, for the majority of

current (via Payzone) Leap retailers, who get 2.5%-3.0% commission, the new An Post/ PostPoint Terms are significantly worse, with a flat rate commission of 24 cent for the (five-year) duration of the contract ensuring less than half the current earnings, but increased costs (€500 deposit, new line for terminal, pay for till rolls, limit of one terminal per site, etc).

The association believes there are no upsides for either the consumer or the retailer from this

The CSNA believes that the National Transport Authority (NTA) should have ensured that retailers’ commissions for Leap Cards were ringfenced

change of distribution contract, given to a state body which is already regularly in receipt of very substantial State Aid.

In the CSNA’s view, it is wrong that the NTA did not ensure that retailers’ commissions were ringfenced against any attempt to reduce their margins by a company that has form in using a product (postage stamps) to gain penetration for its 100% owned subsidiary.

This is not over, not by a long shot.

The CSNA is calling for zero tolerance of crime and abuse directed at retailers

OPINION

CSNA OPINION

JOHN PAUL LONERGAN National President, CSNA

IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE CSNA, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSOCIATION ON 045 535050 13 CSNA NEWS

New regulations introduced on transparent and predictable working conditions

As a result of the EU Directive on transparent and predictable working conditions, new regulations are now in force in Ireland. Some key features of the regulations, that employers should now be complying with, include:

• Probationary periods: Probationary periods are now limited to a duration of six months unless there are exceptional circumstances and an extension is in the interest of the employee, in which case the duration may be extended to a maximum of 12 months.

Probationary periods can also be extended beyond six months if

the employee is absent during the probationary period.

• Outside activities: Employers cannot prohibit employees working for another employer outside of their working schedule unless there are objective grounds for doing so (e.g., health and safety and protection of business confidentiality). Any restrictions on outside activities should be proportionate and set out in writing to the employee.

• Terms of employment: The regulations expanded the list of written terms that must be given to employees when they start employment. Additional terms

that now need to be provided within five days of employment include those relating to hours of work, probationary period and place of work (among others). Additional terms that now need to be provided within one month of employment include those relating to training entitlement and information relating to unpredictable work conditions (if applicable).

• Mandatory training: The cost of any mandatory training must be covered by the employer. Time spent by an employee on such training should be regarded as working time and carried out

CSNA/JDM Insurance Tips: Be alert and take precautions against forced entry

Be warned that there have been a number of forced entries to convenience stores and service stations recently.

All signs indicate that the burglars are highly skilled in disarming intruder alarms, cutting through steel bars and gaining entry. They cause extensive property damage and clear out retailers’ stock of cigarettes as well as any accessible cash and alcohol.

They are extremely quick and will have fled the scene well in advance of the arrival of the retailer and/or gardaí.

Be aware that these incidents inevitably occur just after the

targeted retailer has had a delivery of cigarettes. There are frequently apparent false alarm activations a few days in advance which indicate that they are calculating the amount of time they will have to the alarmed response.

Please consider if the storage of your cigarettes is adequate and if indeed it could be better. Review your intruder alarm protections. Have you an adequate number of PIR (passive infra-red) detectors –including in your attic? Your alarm system should be connected to a central monitoring station. Ideally with a dual link including phone and GSM with a pulse system to alert

the monitoring station if/when your alarm has been deactivated. Don’t allow yourself to be these criminals’ next easy target.

Employers will have to ensure they comply with the new regulations on areas such as probationary periods and mandatory training within working hours (where possible).

• Predictability of work: Employees with at least six months’ service and who have completed their probationary period can request more predictable and secure working conditions. Employers must respond in writing within one month.

In recent incidents, burglars have fled the scene well in advance of gardaí’s arrival

CSNA makes submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media

The CSNA was recently invited to make a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media in regard to the ‘Future of the Media: Future Business Model Plans’.

Within this submission we outlined the main issues that we see regarding the future of the media. We covered topics such as the continuing decrease in retailers selling print titles due to increasing

The CSNA outlined the real issues that retailers are facing day-today in the business of selling newspapers

costs and the application of two delivery charges for retailers that sell newspapers.

We were happy to make the committee aware of the real issues that retailers are facing day-to-day in the business of selling newspapers and how we feel that the committee can assist our members in sustaining their newspaper and magazine category whilst lowering the ever-increasing

The CSNA has been overwhelmed by the uptake by members to attend this year’s AGM. The association is looking forward to seeing you all for what the team promises will be an informative and enjoyable AGM. The CSNA AGM will be held on 25 May in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, Dublin.

If you have not yet registered for this year’s AGM, you can do so by calling 045-535050.

Register for this year’s CSNA AGM by calling 045-535050

costs to our members that sell newspapers and magazines.

We have also indicated that we are willing to attend a future meeting of the committee on this very important topic.

As always, we will keep members informed on this topic. ■

CSNA NEWS

CSNA EVENT

CSNA ADVICE

While saving money for retirement is important, Retailwealth advises that it’s equally vital to invest wisely to ensure a steady income stream

Retirementality

While retirement may feel like years in the distance, the reality is that planning is absolutely vital right now for those who wish to retire early. With that in mind, RetailWealth outlines how to ensure your financial independence for a fulfilling future

Retirement is an unnatural phase in the modern life course. Inserted between work and death, it can be seen as intrusive and invented by a past society for a purpose that no longer applies to modern society

Is it really intrusive though? Retirement could instead be viewed as a life event that can be manipulated in your favour to live a more purposeful life. A number that you can aspire to beat.

As a business owner, retirement may seem like a far-off event that you can’t even imagine. However, the truth is that retirement is no longer an endpoint but a phase of life that can span decades. Unlike previous generations who worked for one company for many years, today’s retirees are more likely to have multiple careers and may continue working well into their 70s or 80s. This means that planning for retirement should be top of mind for those who wish to retire early.

Personal Fulfilment

One of the key aspects of retirement planning is to focus on personal fulfilment. While it’s easy to imagine retirement as a time of leisure, golf and travel, it’s important to remember that it’s also a time to pursue new interests, take on meaningful projects, and give back to the community By seeking out what truly fulfils you and makes you happy, you will be more likely to enjoy a fulfilling retirement.

Financial planning is also crucial for early retirement. While saving money for retirement is important, it’s equally vital to invest wisely to ensure a steady income stream during retirement. Starting early and taking risks can enable significant wealth creation, and a wellstructured retirement plan can help you achieve your goals. Retirementality should not just focus on pension relief though

A Life of Significance

At Retailwealth, we propose a new way of thinking about retirement. We suggest that people should focus on living a “life of significance” instead of striving for traditional retirement goals. This puts a greater emphasis on personal fulfilment, a sense of purpose and work that is rewarding.

Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of work altogether. It should mean a movement to re-engineer financial independence to retire early by utilising traditional retirement thinking with a modern twist of financial planning. We call this Retirementality

Lifestyle Financial Planning

It’s time to change attitudes towards aging. We argue that society needs to move away from the idea that retirement means becoming useless and unproductive. Instead, we need to see the value and unique skills that older adults bring to the table. Early retirement opens up a long stretch of life that can be shaped to the individual’s preference. The way we achieve this is through meticulous Lifestyle Financial Planning. We utilise traditional pension relief with modern thinking around business reliefs. Pension relief provides up to €200,000 tax free and is available from 60.

If Retirementality is present, the new age thinkers will see retirement as a way of taking tax free money from a business rather than the commencement of decades of late rises, pipes and slippers. Retirement relief, a way of extracting up to €750,000 from a business from 55 and Entrepreneurial Relief (a 10% tax on goodwill up to €1 million - ageless) can accelerate financial independence in advance of historical retirement techniques. The above reliefs positioned alongside the possibility of retiring in tax efficient jurisdictions, means you can essentially afford to retire many years earlier due to the fact that less tax will be paid on your pension capital. Portugal for example, allows those who register for the Non Habitual Residency Programme to pay just a 10% tax on pension benefits. Less tax means more money for you!

In conclusion, early retirement planning is a complex and evolving process that requires a unique and creative approach. By adopting a “retirementality” mindset that focuses on personal fulfilment, financial planning, access to tax efficient money and work in a wider context, you can find a new, more fulfilling way to approach retirement or the work optional stage of life.

The above does not constitute financial advice. ■

Always Nearby

As the Nearby symbol brand celebrates its second anniversary this month, symbol sales manager Jason McSteen reflects on a momentous two years to date during which the brand has reached more than 130 stores. Here, he gives Gillian Hamill an overview of the brand’s journey to date and ambitious plans for the next five years

Full speed ahead is the planned trajectory for Nearby While the brand is the new kid on the block within Ireland’s symbol group sector, it’s already making many in the convenience industry sit up and pay attention. Just two years post-launch, Nearby already counts more than 130 stores within its portfolio. What’s more, a “highly aggressive” five-year growth strategy is in place to steer its continued expansion, reveals symbol sales manager Jason McSteen.

“This is well ahead of expectations and we are very confident that we can keep this growth rate up given the interest that’s surrounding the brand at the moment and the contacts that we’re getting from interested retailers,” McSteen tells ShelfLife Speaking of aggressive growth, “this year has been no exception” and the brand has subsequently set its sights on having a presence in all 32 counties by 2028. McSteen is confident this is a feasible goal, given that parent company S&W Wholesale has “backed the symbol with the full support and financial backing needed to ensure that we deliver on that five-year plan and beyond”.

32 county ambitions

We’re keen to hear more about Nearby’s geographical spread at present: “If you were to draw a line from Tipperary across to Sligo, and looked north of that line, we would be very strong,” McSteen confirms. This is not particularly surprising given the 107-year history of parent company S&W Wholesale, which headquarters in Newry and is already something of a Northern Irish juggernaut with more than 300 employees. Nevertheless, the plan to expand to all 32 counties has clearly been carefully considered, with a focused plan to increase the brand’s nationwide portfolio.

The search for passionate new retailers to join the brand has been aided by Nearby’s financially attractive brand proposition. “With Nearby, we don’t have a franchise fee, a marketing fee or an IT fee so that’s a direct

saving when retailers join our brand. We will work with the retailer to implement what they need and we don’t mind doing the work in stages - the retailer is totally in control of their store. We support the retailer every step of the way, including the branding of their store and providing eye-catching graphics both internally and externally.”

This approach has paid dividends, according to McSteen. “We get a lot of positive feedback around our graphics and our signage,” he says. “I was with a retailer who recently became a customer of our brand and his verdict is that our signage is very bright, attractive and really stands out. He loves our approach, the ethos around working with him; helping him drive his business and in return our business will grow with him. Our focus is customer-first so if we can get the customer’s business going in the right direction, we know we’re going in the right direction too.”

Challenging two years

Undoubtedly, the Nearby team have already demonstrated resilience despite the brand’s infancy “It’s vital to be agile and adaptable,” reflects McSteen. “During the past two years, we’ve experienced Covid and the terrible tragedy that occurred in Creeslough, so in this

business you can never know what’s going to happen, either the next day or next week. I believe that as a company and a symbol, we have shown that we are strong enough to deal with anything that’s put in front of us and we can adapt to any situation to ensure that our retailers and their customers get what they need at any given time.”

This is a statement not to be taken lightly Indeed, ShelfLife strongly felt that the whole team involved at Nearby/Applegreen Creeslough should be recognized for their efforts to support the local community in the aftermath of the tragic events of Friday, 7 October 2022. It was therefore highly fitting that they received the Convenience Champion of the Year Award 2022 at the National Convenience Store Awards. Working closely alongside the local community and the Diocese, the Lafferty family and the Nearby team at S&W Wholesale opened a store on Friday, 11 November next to St. Michael’s Church to bring back much-needed services and essentials into Creeslough, with local jobs being supported.

“I think this tragedy not only affected everyone in the retail industry but the whole population,” says McSteen. “It was a shocking incident that everyone on our small island was

Nearby works hand-in-hand with its retailers to celebrate the unique selling points of their store

affected by in some way I am proud of everyone in the Nearby team, from the S&W transport and logistics team members to our marketing and trading departments, and customer service teams, who all came together to support the close-knit community of Creeslough and the Lafferty family, to be there for them in the weeks and months that followed.

“To see the community come together in the way that it did to support Annette and Danny Martin and their family alongside our team, to get their store up and running as quickly as we did, was a truly overwhelming and emotional time. The community spirit that was there for all to see and the team spirit during that project was something I will never forget and will carry forward with me for the rest of my time in retail. I’d also like to recognise ShelfLife for the award they presented at last year’s ceremony When I saw my colleague Stephen up on the stage, it was really a very touching moment for me and the team.”

Career background

Understandably, McSteen describes how his colleagues came together in this way as his proudest career achievement to date. A career which dates right back to his secondary school years, when he started working in Superquinn Carlow, proudly sporting “my green dickie bow and apron, packing bags and collecting the trolleys and working my way out from the checkouts onto the shop floor That’s when my interest in retail really kicked in.”

The store’s management team took an interest in their fledgling new staff member, who was soon trusted to be a keyholder From there, McSteen enrolled in Superquinn’s trainee management programme and in total spent nine years with the group, working his way up to assistant manager in Blackrock. Next, he worked with Fresh and managed their Malahide store. From there, he then joined Breo Foods as a business developer before managing Costcutter Rathfarnham for a period, and later a company-owned Costcutter in Carlow for three years before moving back to Dublin. He then worked with Musgrave Wholesale for five years, where he reached the position of wholesale sales manager before making the move to S&W

Wholesale four years ago to work with their symbol group, where he was duly promoted to the role of symbol sales manager last year. This impressive career path could have been very different were it not for the influence of that first part-time role at Superquinn Carlow Indeed, a career within the field of science originally seemed to beckon, after McSteen chose to study chemistry and biology going into fifth year of school. However, the atmosphere, people and naturally enough, first real wage packets, soon turned his head. “I remember being sent on a training course for two days in Kilkenny on customer service, looking at how to pack a bag correctly and greet the customer, and for the want of a better expression, I was brainwashed after those two days,” he laughs. “Superquinn was it for me.”

Unsurprisingly, and as many Superquinn alumni have likewise previously attested, McSteen names the late Senator Feargal Quinn as his greatest inspiration within the industry “His philosophy, drive, vision and focus on his customers is probably what I’ve brought with me throughout any of my jobs throughout my career I still have his book ‘Crowning the Customer’ on my bookshelf at home. My focus for myself is always customerfirst and I very much instil that in my team to be customer driven and to make sure that we’re doing everything that we can to make sure our customers are happy.”

Unique offering

This ethos is certainly evident in his attitude towards Nearby retailers. Since the opening of the very first Nearby store back in April 2021, the entire business has been working to create a high-quality service for both Nearby retailers and their customers in-store. Nearby stores have been well received in their local communities with retailers stating that they noticed an increased level of footfall in their stores as a direct result of the conversion.

“Nearby is a unique symbol store offering as we don’t go into a business and take over –quite the opposite in fact,” says McSteen. “We work with the owners to understand what makes their store unique, help them implement the Nearby brand and ultimately grow their business.”

He goes into further detail about how Nearby has worked with specific retailers to enhance their USPs, highlighting the examples of three specific retailers in Carrickmacross, Tinahely and Christie’s in Sligo, where “we have worked closely with these retailers to gain an understanding of their business needs and unique selling points. For example in Tinahely, they have a massive hardware section within the store, so we developed the store to allow all their retail spaces to thrive and make the best of their hardware offering. We enabled our customers to keep a range of products they felt were essential for their

Helping retailers to achieve their personal goals is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of his role, says Jason McSteen

Nearby is proud of the brand’s vibrant signage and graphics

Offering value across all store categories is a priority for Nearby’s parent company, S&W Wholesale

The team at Nearby Donore outside their beautifully renovated store

business and a range their local communities had become accustomed to purchasing with them. Using our vast experience, we were able to drive footfall and grow profitability for our retailers in those three examples.”

Of course, the retail business can be a challenging one, and this was fully highlighted during the Covid pandemic. “With retail over the last couple of years,” says McSteen, “it’s been frontline. Up until Covid, I would never have considered retail as being frontline but what retailers did throughout the Covid pandemic was phenomenal and working with everything that gets thrown at you in the current market, from supplier price increases to energy increases, the unpredictable nature of the market is probably the most challenging aspect of my job.” However, the days where retailers achieve ‘wins’ within their store, give him a real boost: “The most enjoyable aspect would be the sense of accomplishment from when Nearby assists a retailer along their journey, from seeing their shops flourish under our symbol, or whether it’s the retailer themselves completing their business cases or personal goals, or the stores winning accolades; just the fact that our brand was able to help them achieve that is hugely rewarding.”

Value offering

Helping retailers navigate pricing increases is a major priority for the group. “I don’t think there’s been a product range that hasn’t been affected over the last year with increases,” says McSteen. “With the war in Ukraine, and increases in the cost of electricity, every business is struggling to maintain their margin.” In the face of these difficulties, parent company S&W Wholesale has worked hard to deliver an attractive value proposition.

“S&W Wholesale are renowned for their value proposition,” he says, “and we continue to offer that excellent value proposition for our retailers where we have superb everyday pricing across all our vital categories for households. In January, Nearby launched

‘Bring Home the Value’ which is a four-line promotion that happens every three weeks. We focus on these four lines being cheaper than competitors and ensuring that our retailers can offer exceptional value to their customers on everyday household essentials.”

Alongside this, Nearby is also launching its ‘Always On’ campaign this month. “This is our everyday low-price concept which you will see launching in April in our stores, whereby we have lines that we’re holding the price on to keep them at an everyday low price. Between these two pricing concepts, we give the retailer exceptional value which they can pass on to their customers.”

What’s more, Nearby’s marketing department continues to evolve and investigate different ways to connect and reach customers locally for Nearby retailers. They continue to support the retailers with their social media efforts by guiding and even creating targeted local marketing campaigns on their store’s social media pages ensuring offers reach their local customers – free of charge. Retailers receive a detailed digital calendar showcasing the promotional marketing campaigns and they can choose whether they opt in or opt out – allowing the retailer to be in control of their store always.

This type of innovation is something that McSteen encounters every day, albeit that in his view there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ in FMCG or retail. “I do try and structure some part of my day the same every day just so I have a routine,” he says. “I would get up three or four days a week at 5.30am and go to the gym before breakfast.” Some days he also takes his son Dylan to school. “Then it’s all about getting out and either meeting new potential customers or visiting some of our current customers to make sure they’re happy with how things are going and if there’s anything else we can be doing for them. The rest of the day is spent catching up with head office and working with the different divisions there, alongside catching up with my sales teams and facilitation teams. I also often spend time working on the bigger picture; developing the brand, working on the strategic plan, such as our five year plan, tracking ads and tracking sales. It’s then home, coaching GAA soccer four nights a week, and I’ll catch up with emails and then it’s either bed or maybe a spot of Netflix.” Despite his hectic schedule, McSteen’s enthusiasm for his job is clear “I enjoy it in fairness,” he concedes. “I never wake up and go ‘oh I have to go to work’, I enjoy my day and I do really enjoy my job.”

Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model

This positive attitude is also reflected in the ethos of S&W Wholesale, which in January of this year became one of the largest known businesses in Northern Ireland to move to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model of

ownership. This structure has seen control of the business move from private ownership to a trust, which manages the shares indirectly on behalf of employees, while day-to-day control remains in the capable hands of the current leadership team.

“The EOT model provides an innovative and forward-thinking succession plan for the business,” responds McSteen, when asked about its benefits. “It secures the future of the company and the people who work in all facets of the business. It gives myself and my team confidence in the support structure around us and that in turn gives our Nearby retailers reassurance that we are here to stay and they can trust and rely in us. Moreover, the model benefits all employees; with the new EOT structure, when the company does well, the employees and beneficiaries do well. On the back of the EOT model, the investment in our new warehouse of almost €20 million, which is currently in the process of being built just outside Newry close to the border, further supports the fact that we are here for the long-term and gives retailers faith that we’re here to stay and to serve all Ireland with even greater ease and more choice.”

Expansion mode

For the year ahead, the team are working hard to hit all their targets and keep encouraging retailers to move across to the brand, with several new social media-based marketing campaigns in the pipeline. Nearby Inchicore in Dublin 8 will be a focal point for the brand’s second anniversary celebrations, with a major in-store event to be held on 21 April, complete with a radio station broadcast, a chance to spin the Nearby Spinning wheel, competitions, special in-store offers and plenty of social media interaction on the day In the upcoming months during Q2, Nearby will also launch a Local Legends campaign where stores will be asking their customers to nominate their local heroes or legends who they feel deserve to be celebrated. All in all, there is certainly plenty to commend in the brand’s rapid trajectory to date and real cause for celebration as Nearby marks its second anniversary ■

Nearby Sligo was the brand’s 75th store and a great addition to its portfolio with a dedicated team on-board

Retailers Sharon and David Leavy were delighted to open Nearby Delvin on Main Street, Delvin on Tuesday, 4 August 2020

Bia Analytical gets to the meat of authenticity testing

Belfast-based Bia Analytical recently announced the roll-out of groundbreaking technology for meat authenticity analysis that will empower businesses to make quick decisions and provide additional confidence in the integrity of their products.

Developed over a 10-year period by Professor Chris Elliott and his team at the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, the technique known as Ambient Mass Spectrometry (‘AMS’) not only can identify the species of meat, but it can also identify the breed, where the meat was produced, whether or not it is organic, and its maturation and even eating quality

Wrights of Howth celebrates one-year anniversary in Terminal 1, Dublin Airport

Vegetable shortage crisis yet Irish vegetable growers are going out of business

In a brand-new TV series Food Matters, the presenter and founder of GIY (Grow It Yourself) Michael Kelly meets food producers from all across the country to investigate the sustainability of Ireland’s food system.

The series is now on air until 3 May on RTÉ One Since filming finished just a few weeks ago, one of the county’s biggest vegetable growers has gone out of business, yet there has never been a bigger shortage of vegetables.

Cathal Lenehan, one of the country’s largest cabbage and Brussels sprout growers, has left the industry after three generations due to rising costs.

Freezing temperatures impacted the production of tomatoes and peppers in Europe this year However, Kelly says that we have a huge variety of alternative Irishgrown vegetables that are in season and these go under-appreciated and the growers are unsupported.

“If we don’t look after our food producers we’re never going to fix our broken food system,” he says “Farmers and small producers face increased pressures. This is not sustainable for our fragile food system. One possible solution is that we need to turn to a more local-based system, go direct

to the producers, shop at shops that support local, shop fresh and shop seasonal.”

Food Matters airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 8pm each Wednesday evening until 3 May. For further details, see www.giy.ie

Quality seafood brand, Wrights of Howth has enjoyed a presence in Dublin Airport since 1992, focusing initially on smoked salmon, and later on well-loved Irish food brands such as McCambridge’s soda bread and delicatessen fare

One year ago, it built on the success of its food and beverage deli offer at Terminal 1 to include premium Irish gift ranges. This success has since led Bernie Wright, director, and her son David Wright, managing director, to seek out a unit in T2 for the gifting offer

Lidl donates over 4 million meals to charities with FoodCloud

More than 350 charities have benefitted from Lidl’s partnership with FoodCloud, with the retailer recently announcing that it has donated more than 4 million meals through the partnership

Lidl Ireland first partnered with FoodCloud in 2017, with the aim of reducing food waste and redistributing surplus food from the retailer’s 217 stores and distribution centres to local charities.

FoodCloud is an Irish social enterprise which connects businesses with surplus foods to charities in need.

This month’s milestone achievement has resulted in over 1.7 million kg of food being prevented from going to waste and 5.3 million kg of C02 from being emitted.

29% of Irish people have heard about modern slavery on cocoa plantations

New research from ethical chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely, conducted in partnership with Bounce Insights, shows that only 29% of Irish people have heard about modern slavery on cocoa plantations. What’s more, only 33% of respondents had heard about child labour and other forms of exploitation occurring on cocoa farms.

Meanwhile a whopping 91% believe that all food companies should be tackling illegal labour in their supply chains, 92% agreed that farmers around the world should be paid a living wage and 77% of respondents also agreed that it was important that the food they buy is from traceable and transparent supply chains. Most importantly, 78% of those surveyed said that they would like the brands they buy to help them be more ethical in their daily life.

Nicola Matthews, UK and Ireland head of marketing at Tony’s Chocolonely said the findings “highlighted a clear gap in knowledge about some of the bitter truths of chocolate production.

“Indeed, there are still over 1.5 million cases of child labour present in the chocolate industry in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire today,” Matthews added.

Only

Michael Kelly presents new series Food Matters on RTÉ One

Ethical chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely is on a mission to make 100% slave free the norm in chocolate

All Tony’s Chocolonely products are made with Fairtrade cocoa, are palm oil and plastic free and most come in fully recyclable packaging. ■

JP Scally, CEO, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland and Aoibheann O’Brien, co-founder of FoodCloud

Claire Breathnach and Ray Hernan of Aer Rianta International with David Wright and Bernie Wright of Wrights of Howth

A recent investigation by Farmers Weekly found a UK food manufacturer falsely passed off foreign beef as British

At the heart of the community

Sharon Leavy of Leavy’s Nearby in Westmeath sits down with Julia O’Reilly to discuss the big changes she has made to the longstanding Delvin store

Since opening the doors of Leavy’s Nearby on Main Street, Delvin, Co. Westmeath in August 2020, Sharon and David Leavy have continued to provide a personal service to customers old and new.

Delvin-native David Leavy was reared in retail. His parents owned a filling station and shop. Owning a shop of his own had always been a dream of his. His wife Sharon, who is originally from Co. Clare, settled in the village back in the 90s: “I was a blow in as they say,” she tells ShelfLife “I spent 25 years in financial services. We happened upon this shop through a great deal of luck.

“This was our local store for years,” she adds. “Back in May 2020 I saw there was a note hanging in the shop from its owner Michael Leonard, saying he’d be retiring in two months. Well, I went straight home to David and I said: “Now’s your chance to own your own shop”.

“We approached Michael about it, and he was just brilliant. He offered us the kind of deal we really couldn’t refuse, and so we took over when he closed up at the end of July.”

Between adapting to Covid-19 protocols and learning the ropes of running their own store, the Leavys had a lot to learn after they were handed the keys, but Leonard had a wealth of knowledge that he shared with the pair

“Michael was living in a residence at the back of the shop at the time. He was an absolute lifesaver in the early days. He helped us morning and night for the first week. After that we started to really stand on our own two feet.”

Big changes

Once they were running the show, the Leavys started to make big changes. First on their list was the opening hours.

“Previously the store was open from 9am to 6pm, and it closed from 1pm to 2pm for lunch. On Sundays, it opened for an hour after mass so people could get the papers. From word go, we were open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 6pm on a Sunday. We wanted to be there for the customers and be the community hub for Delvin.”

Nearby advantages

A few wholesalers were keen to get the Leavys on board, but it was S&W Wholesale who ultimately won them over As Leavy says: “Everything about them just appealed to us. From the product offering to prices, and the entire team. We knew from the start that S&W were the right fit for us.”

“I’d like to give special thanks to Stephen Vincent from S&W for his support and help.

Stephen is our business development manager for the shop and has been an outstanding source of information and help to us from the get go. The whole Nearby Ireland retail team are truly brilliant, and Stephen’s weekly calls let us know he’s truly there when we need him.”

Staffing

Today, the store has seven part-time workers. The local post office, which the family also operates from their store, has one full-time employee, and Leavy herself serves as postmaster

All their staff are “local, known within the community, and hard workers,” says Leavy. “We haven’t had the same issues with finding and retaining staff that many retailers have had. We’re blessed in that way.”

What’s Leavy’s approach to managing staff? “I always say ‘have fun, but get the job done’. We have good craic to be honest. I think the customers feel that when they come into the shop. The other day I had a customer tell me that he can come in here in bad humour and

Local customers can easily find what they’re looking for in this well laid out and easy-to-navigate store

Stephen Vincent and the Nearby Ireland team have been supportive from day one for the Leavys

At the centre of their local community, friendly customer service is paramount for retailers David and Sharon Leavy

he’ll always leave in good humour To me, that’s the biggest compliment.”

Major renovation

In July 2022, the Leavys did a full renovation. New flooring, shelving, refrigeration – the works. While the store was initially going to close for a period for the renovation to go ahead, Leavy was insistent that wouldn’t work.

“We’re the only shop in the village. We keep bread for people. We keep newspapers for people. You could nearly set your clock by the time certain people come into the shop. And of course, we’d have to keep the post office open. We just couldn’t close.”

Instead, the Nearby retail team set up a temporary shop at the back of the unit.

“I have to say a huge thank you to the team at Nearby for all their help. I’d brought in extra staff for the job, but Nearby did everything for us. And I mean everything. They unloaded the shelves and took down the old shelving. They even put a gazebo outside and it was like a little market. We had tables of fruit, veg and bread. It was good fun, and it allowed us to fly through the renovations. All in all, they took less than a week with the disruption kept to a minimum. Our customers really appreciated the efforts that were put in place during this time and it’s really paying off now.”

Modernising

Creating changes without isolating regular customers can be a hard line to walk. While the renovations were a long time coming, Leavy says some of the locals were initially hesitant about the works.

“Michael bought the shop back in the 1990s. He changed things around a wee bit, but not a lot. When we came in, it had barely been touched in 30 years.

“People like routine. We have customers that have been coming into our store forever and they know exactly where everything is. We weren’t exactly sure how they’d take the change to a more modern shop, but we knew that we wanted to get the younger generation in too.”

For the Leavys, it appears the risk has paid off: “Thankfully though, from day one we’ve seen our sales increase and the customer feedback has been so positive; especially on the new internal graphics and value offering.”

New offerings

As well as the physical changes to the store’s appearance, the Leavys made several additions to the store’s product offering. The shop now boasts everything from essential groceries and household supplies, to ice-creams, wine, and freshly brewed coffee.

Wine was the biggest change, says Leavy, as the store now runs its very own wine club.

“Everyone that buys wine from the store is invited to join the club. We get a wine rep to come in and they do tastings, they talk about the wines and get people familiar with the different varieties. Then, they have the members vote on which bottle we should start selling in the shop. It’s a nice community participation exercise. Thanks to the club, we’ve seen our wine sales jump 67%.”

Community player

Community engagement is important to the Leavys. “The one thing we wanted to do when we opened was deal locally where possible. Our fruit and veg man is local. One of our bakers is local. Another is a lady who works for us who is a qualified chef. She brings in brown bread and scones and the likes to sell in the shop.

“She used to keep the bread wrapped up, but then one morning, it was too hot, and she was in a hurry, so she left it out in a basket. Customers started enquiring about the smell of fresh bread, and within an hour, it was sold out. We’ve done the same ever since and the customers can’t get enough.”

“We’re big into supporting small businesses. Even the baskets we put the bread in are made by a local weaver,” she continues.

To Leavy, serving the community is what this work is all about. “On our social media, we promote things that are going on locally We also sponsor the local camogie team, which my daughter Emily is part of. We support local charities like the Delvin Hospice and the local Temple Street fundraiser. We’re currently fundraising for the RNLI. What we want is for this shop to be the hub of the community.”

The local shop is important to people, she adds. “We’ve tried to create an environment that people want to be in. A shop should feel fun and safe and clean. There should be a variety of products at good prices. People shouldn’t feel rushed. Our customers know that we’re here for a chat if they need it. We’re here for a laugh, to listen to people and to support them when they need it. It’s all part of the job.” ■

From day one of their recent renovation, the Leavys say they have seen sales increase

A customer recently told retailer Sharon Leavy that even if he enters the store in bad form, he always leaves in good humour - a great compliment to the team at Nearby Delvin!

Community is all-important at Nearby Delvin, which sponsors the local camogie club, supports local charities such as the Delvin Hospice and is currently fundraising for the RNLI

In January, TD Neale Richmond was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Business and the Department of Social Protection.

In depth: Minister Neale Richmond

ShelfLife spoke to Minister Richmond to gain a greater understanding of his outlook and the issues he has been prioritising to date in his endeavours to support Ireland’s retail sector

Q: Since your appointment, how have you engaged with a range of retailers to learn more about the challenges they face?

A: Upon my appointment I made it a priority to meet businesses as well as representative groups to hear about the issues impacting them on the ground. I have met retailers at the retail forum, met with RGDATA, and bigger retailers like Penney’s, as well as smaller retailers across the country, from Callan, Co. Kilkenny to Youghal, Co. Cork. It was very important for me to meet businesses around the country, not just in Dublin, to hear their experiences.

Q: What do you admire most about the Irish retail sector?

A: It has to be its resilience; over the past four years alone, Irish retailers have had to react to Brexit, a pandemic, supply chain issues and an energy crisis resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine. That these challenges have been met is a testament to the quality of businesses and retailers we have in Ireland.

Q: What do you perceive as the most critical issues currently facing grocery/convenience retailers and how will you endeavour to support them?

A: The grocery/convenience sector is facing similar issues to the retail sector in general: rising energy costs as well as accessing and retaining staff. The revamped TBESS scheme should be a major help with energy costs, with businesses now eligible to receive up to €15,000 per month on their energy bills with a 30% increase in their bills, rather than a previous 50% increase.

On staffing issues, we are working to make retail a more attractive sector for employees to make their careers in; increasing the minimum wage and ensuring more workers’ rights helps to encourage workers’ into the sector I have also called for a review of the current banded hours system to ensure that those working in the sector are, where possible and feasible, able to work the number of hours that suits them and their employer

Q: In a meeting with retailers’ association RGDATA, you stated that one of your key priorities in office will be to reduce the cost of all insurance including employers’ liability and public liability. How do you intend to achieve this?

A: The cost of insurance is impacting retailers of all sizes, and there is a whole of government commitment to addressing these costs. I will be working closely with my colleague, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who has dedicated responsibility

for insurance, in bringing down insurance costs. I am also working with my departmental colleague, Minister Dara Calleary on this, as he has responsibility for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) and is working to keep personal injury cases out of court and settled through mediation. There is no one solution to keeping insurance costs down but this is something that government are committed to addressing.

Q: A new survey by RGDATA found that 95% of retailers have been victims of crime over the last 12 months. What can be done to help protect retailers facing aggressive crime, shoplifting, abusive behaviour, racist attacks, sexual harassment, and fraud?

A: High visibility policing is a really important tool to keep our communities strong and safe, and this includes our retailers. Having more Gardaí on the streets rather than behind a desk is crucial. With 1,000 additional Gardaí coming on stream as per Budget 2023 and a Garda recruitment campaign currently live, we are on our way to achieving this.

Operation Citizen is the current highvisibility policing strategy which focuses on getting more Gardaí out onto the streets, and it has been very effective in Dublin. Having

more Gardaí on the beat helps prevent crime, and most importantly it helps people to feel safe when at work or out in our streets. There is a role to play here for sentencing and punishments for those who commit these crimes, but high-visibility policing can help prevent them from occurring in the first instance.

Q: Can you explain more about the extensions applied to the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) and the practical assistance that this will give retailers?

A: TBESS was introduced in Budget 2023 to provide crucial support to retailers with their energy bills. It became clear that the scheme wasn’t working for businesses and changes were needed. As a result, extensive engagement with businesses was carried out and the scheme was updated and extended. Now, businesses must prove a 30% increase in their gas or electricity costs, rather than the previous 50%, and the monthly limit has been increased to €15,000, or €45,000 where the business has more than one location.

ADVERTORIAL

This money could be transformative for businesses and so I would strongly encourage any business to apply.

Q: Has Ireland achieved the right balance between ensuring employees receive a sustainable Living Wage, and that wage costs are not too burdensome for SMEs?

A: Yes. Minister for Enterprise, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made workers’ rights a priority and introduced some important steps forward to ensure their protection. From paid sick leave, the move towards a living wage, minimum wage increases to an additional bank holiday, a lot has been done to benefit workers.

Of course, all of these decisions have an impact on businesses, especially smaller ones. There is a balance here in that businesses must be supported through these changes which is why they will not happen overnight. The move towards a living wage is happening over several years, as opposed to in one fell swoop when it would undoubtedly do damage to businesses.

In my engagements with businesses, I have heard their concerns on these supports, and this is something government can look at to ensure businesses are supported through this transition. More supports such as this will also help businesses in improving worker morale and retention levels so this is something that should also be considered when we are discussing these issues. ■

What’s the deal with high-brights?

Workplace solutions supplier Stacked understands retailers’ needs: “We absolutely get it – retailers are dealing with a lot – staff, suppliers, customers, security facilities, pricing, budgets, marketing, not to mention the long hours. You are the ultimate multi-taskers. It’s completely understandable that you wouldn’t want another thing to manage, especially not an extra piece of technology that potentially has a lot of moving parts and can easily go wrong.

“The thing is, in this case, the reward is worth the risk,” Stacked argues. “Store windows that are cluttered or worse; empty (!) are not working for your business when they could and should be helping to increase sales.

“We know movement attracts attention so why waste money on static print ads in your windows?

“Your store window is a giant advertisement for what’s inside; make it work as hard as it can to drive footfall and sales for your business.

“Using digital displays in your store windows means you have a way of actively communicating with customers and passers-by (even from a distance) about important information like opening

hours, special offers and new products and services that they may not be aware of

“The technology used in these displays is light years ahead of where it used to be The panels are designed for 24/7 use, with lightweight, slim enclosures, and screens that are low on energy consumption and incorporate smart temperature controls. They are also extremely durable and fully visible even in direct sunlight. They can be freestanding, or floor or ceiling mounted depending on the space you have available, and they’re available in a range of sizes and different levels of brightness suitable for south facing versus north facing windows

“You can even opt for double sided panels allowing you to communicate with

customers in-store at the same time, but with completely different messaging!

“Combined with our web-based content management dashboard, you can upload new images, video or live streaming content quickly and easily from any device or location. And if something does go wrong, you have complete peace of mind with Stacked’s 360° support service, which is just a phone call away

“And to answer the question we asked at the beginning – the deal - is free installation on all high bright in-window displays until the end of May 2023.”

Give Stacked a call on 0818 409 988 to find out more. ■

Value Centre Ennis, Co.

Clare

The west’s awake

Value Centre Ennis is situated on the Kilrush Road just eight minutes from John McMahon’s home. McMahon has lived there all his life and has been working in Value Centre Ennis for 40 years, even before he left school so there’s not much he doesn’t know about the business and the area. A proud Clare man is how he describes himself and this is starkly evident as he speaks about his love for the banner county and his passion for the business itself.

“I began here as a young guy back in 1982,” he explains. “I was in St Flannan’s College and I got a summer job here. I went back to school to do my Leaving Cert and I’m here ever since. I’ll be here 40 years in June. I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time.” Despite his longevity in the role there are two other members of staff, Michael Lyons and John McCarty who have worked in this business for 50 years so they must be doing something right. “People enjoy working here,” he says. “I enjoy meeting people and I’m a people person. I have an office downstairs so I can mix easily with the customers. Most of the people working here are outgoing types and that’s

what we look for when we are hiring. There are a lot of people here 30 years plus and we are very fortunate to have such a good team.” Currently there are 40 people employed between pickers, replenishers, drivers and part-timers.

Value Centre Ennis is situated on the ring road around Ennis so customers enjoy easy access to the cash and carry from anywhere in the county When McMahon started working here it was just 12,000sq feet. In the early 80s it increased in size to about 30,000sq ft and since the recent refurbishment it now stands at 55,000sq ft and is the second largest depot in the BWG Group after Value Centre Dundalk. The official opening was on 8 February and it was a big day for them as they showcased the huge advancements that have been made to their customers. They also had a very successful supplier sale day on 29 March which McMahon describes as “electric” which saw over 170 customers and 22 suppliers attend and experience food tastings and promotions.

History

Opened back in 1971, this cash and carry was

originally part of Mangan Wholesale, a familyrun business that ran eight depots along the west coast from Letterkenny down to Cork. Mangan Wholesale controlled the Mace franchise for the west of Ireland and it was taken over by BWG in 2008. McMahon, who was made manager around the same time said it was a “natural transition”. However, at that point the country was facing into a tough few years in business so it was not all plain sailing. “When we look back at the noughties there was a lot of false money out there,” he says. “Businesses got involved in property and as a result then from 2009 to 2012, we saw businesses go to the ground. We saw a bit of light in 2012. From then on we’ve seen growth every year in this business.”

McMahon credits Fáilte Ireland with giving the west of the country a lift with two significant marketing initiatives, the Gathering in 2013 and the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way the following year “The west of Ireland is always badly affected when it comes to recessions and I saw that in the 90s when interest rates were around 18% and my own generation went to England and America,” he recalls. “I thought the Gathering was a fantastic initiative bringing people home and many came home for good when they saw a bit of hope. The next initiative that really got us going was the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way. That was fantastic. That is what our

has undergone a transformation with its latest revamp. Manager John McMahon speaks to Fionnuala Carolan about the history of the business and the bright future ahead following this extensive renovation

Competitive prices can be found throughout Value Centre Ennis which is proud of its ‘Big on Value’ brand promise

Following its recent refurbishment, Value Centre Ennis was officially opened on 8 February

Part of the BWG Foods family, William’s Gate Master Victualler is a leading supplier of high-quality meats to discerning food businesses all over Ireland

business is built around now. It brings people west and into our county It brought the whole place alive,” he says.

Transformation

In the early days of the business, retail was exceptionally strong for Value Centre Ennis but in 1991 they put their first food service rep on the road and it has since grown steadily and now food service accounts for 70% of the business and retail 30% – a huge turnaround.

In 2021 they realised that they needed to extend the business because according to McMahon their goods inward and goods outward were not fit for purpose anymore. They also wanted to grow the chilled and frozen side of the business.

After a €1.5 million investment, the business has nearly doubled in size by incorporating another warehouse that was already on the site.

“We had a wish list at the start and BWG came up trumps and delivered everything and now we have to deliver our part and we know we can. We believe there is a lot of fertile ground out there in county Clare to grow our business,” says McMahon. McMahon explains the changes that were made during the revamp. “We separated goods inwards and goods outwards and put in new

loading bays and expanded our chilled and frozen area. We have a fantastic new area for our walk-in business which has increased to 22%. Our new checkouts and coffee dock and new licenced area are really great. We’re very proud of the depot now and we pride ourselves on our customers’ experience when they come in,” he says.

As part of the revamp they invested in solar power with 270 panels on the roof. They also have a charging point for customers so they can charge their cars for free.

Cost of Living

The solar panels will help towards their energy costs as it is impossible not to be affected by the current cost of living crisis. This has been pushing prices up across the board from suppliers to wholesale to retail. “We’ve seen a lot of supplier increases which used to be maybe once a year and now it’s two or three times a year so we are having to pass those increases on unfortunately,” McMahon explains. “Everyone is aware of it. The interest rate increase has another effect on consumers so they are getting it from all sides. We always try to make our prices as competitive as we can here and a big part of the business is the promotional activity.”

They run local and national promotions on a regular basis. National promotions are run on a three-week cycle and they have their own local promotions too coinciding with local events. “We look at previous promotional stock and try to move that on. Occasions such as Paddy’s weekend, Easter and summer are important for promotions. We work around our festivals and our events in the summer periods keeping ourselves out there,” explains McMahon.

Festival season

When we think of the west coast, Kerry and Galway often spring to mind first but McMahon reminds ShelfLife that Clare has an awful lot to offer visitors with Shannon Airport, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and a plethora of festivals in the summer, the best

known being the Willie Clancy Festival in July and the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in September They also host the Irish Open Golf Tournament. All of these attractions and occasions mean more business for Value Centre as local pubs, restaurants and shops stock up. “We do well when our businesses do well,” explains McMahon.

In recent times, Clare hotels have housed many Ukrainian refugees and McMahon says that a lot of these hotels would have traditionally been closed for four months of the year but now they are occupied for the 12 months so it’s good news for both the hotels and the businesses that supply them.

McMahon is hoping for a good summer this year as he feels that they have everything in place to make hay “The good weather is when people spend money If the sun shines we see the orders pouring in and we can have orders out in 24 hours or customers can come in and pick stock themselves. We put extra trucks on the road in the summer to keep up with demand. We’re looking forward to the months ahead because we have a business that is fit for purpose now.” After speaking to McMahon and feeling his infectious optimism, it’s hard not to look forward to the summer too and even consider taking a trip to his beautiful county of Clare! ■

The team at Value Centre Ennis are all rightfully proud of the experience and service offered when customers walk through their doors

Value Centre Ennis currently employs over 40 staff members who together form a formidable team

The team at Value Centre Ennis are always on-hand and happy to help answer any query

A proud Clare man, John McMahon has amassed a wealth of experience through working at Value Centre Ennis for the past 40 years

Pitch perfect!

Job interviews are not merely a one-way street whereby

pull out all the stops to impress

prospective

NIKKI MURRAN Director, Grocery Retail Recruitment,

Anew client called me last week, frustrated that they had offered a job to five separate candidates, only to be turned down each time. It was a good job, with a solid package, a decent work-life balance, and plenty of progression opportunities. So, what was the problem?

Hoping to help, I sent him a couple of strong retailers that were interested in his position. However, when I called each after the interviews, I was informed they no longer wanted the job. It turns out, whilst the role is great, the client conducting the interview was doing a poor job of enticing the candidates. In fact, he was practically sending them running, with worst-case scenarios, stories of failed past managers, and an offloading of every problem facing the store and potential new manager!

It’s something I have seen time and again – clients forgetting that

candidates are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing the candidate!

Thankfully, this is one of the easiest recruitment problems to fix, and one which, when resolved, can have an immediate positive impact on your recruitment drive.

50/50

Gone are the days when you could sit down with a potential hire and grill them for 60 minutes before shaking hands and stating that you will be in touch in due course. In a world of a “what’s in it for me” attitude, I always advise clients to look at the interview in two parts. 50% of the time screening the candidate – questions about their CV, experience, skills, their ability to do the job, and their likelihood of being a cultural fix for the store. The second half is about you selling the job to them. This should include an honest and realistic

breakdown of the role, the hours, duties, and expectations you have of them. It should also include an overview of why someone would want to leave their current employer to come work for you. This might be anything from more flexible hours, and a lovely team environment to tangible perks like a gym membership, free coffee, or store discounts. Regardless of the benefits – now is your time to highlight them all!

Motivation for a move

One of the first questions I ask any candidate is why they are looking for a new job. Their answer directly dictates the role which I send them for There is a common misconception that most candidates are looking for more money I have found this is rarely the main motivating factor for a move. More often, the reasons are much more personal. They are looking for somewhere which will facilitate a little

interviewees must

a

employer. Particularly in today’s competitive market, the employer also needs to guarantee they are presenting an attractive option. With that in mind, Excel Recruitment’s Nikki Murran outlines how to ensure your interview pitch hits the mark

Excel Recruitment www.excelrecruitment.com

more time with their kids, or a job where they feel valued, and have more autonomy, perhaps somewhere they can progress or simply somewhere offering a location slightly closer to home.

By identifying this motivation, you can then pitch your job to them based on what they are looking for If you speak at length about how many opportunities for growth you offer when the candidate is solely focused on finding a role where they can take a Tuesday off to finish their degree, you are wasting everyone’s time. Worse still, you are unlikely to secure that candidate, even though you might have been happy to offer the Tuesdays off!

What’s in it for me?

When clients register a new role with me, we go through a list of questions so my team and I can find the most suitable candidate. We cover things like team size, the system the store uses, average weekly sales, the duties of the role, and the hours involved. Often, clients are looking for someone doing this role in a similar environment, ideally with a track record of success.

Once we have covered the basics, I go on to ask clients to tell me “Why should a candidate, doing a similar role, in a similar store, for a similar package, leave their current job and join you?” Basically, what’s in it for them? Often the client has no answer until I follow up and ask about progression, culture, small perks, big perks, flexibility, and training. Usually, we can put together a nice list of benefits and perks and a solid answer

It is this answer which you should keep in your recruitment toolkit. Going through what you can offer the candidate during an interview, and why your store or company is a great place to work, will ultimately result in more offer acceptances and fewer counter offers.

Honesty

If I had to highlight just one thing for clients to focus on during an interview it would be honesty. Outlining an honest overview of the job, company culture and challenges in a transparent way leaves a positive impression on the candidate. It’s not to say that you should outline every possible problem, but perhaps highlighting where you see some challenges and what the candidate

would need to bring with them to solve them can really build a connection. It will also have the added benefit of warding off candidates who feel your store’s challenges are too much for their abilities.

Most of us fear the unknown, so attending an interview where the client is honest, transparent, and realistic can set exactly the right tone and tick a lot of the candidate’s boxes when they are looking for their next potential employer! ■

Outlining an honest overview of the job, company culture and challenges in a transparent way will make a positive impression and ultimately make the recruitment process more effective

“Going through what you can offer the candidate during an interview, and why your store or company is a great place to work, will ultimately result in more offer acceptances and fewer counter offers.”

CAROLINE REIDY

managing director, The HR Suite

Clarifying conditions

Under the new European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations 2022, there are now new requirements placed on employers. The purpose of the regulation is to provide more transparency and predictability about working conditions.

Core terms of employment

In line with the regulation, employers are required to notify each new employee, in writing, within five days of commencement of employment, of their core terms of employment. The regulation also has introduced an additional five core terms:

• The duration and conditions relating to a probationary period.

• The place of work.

• The title, grade, nature or category of work or a brief description of the work.

• Date of commencement of employment.

• Any terms and conditions relating to hours of work including those relating to overtime or any other allowance.

employer reserves the right to extend the probation for the same length of time as the duration of the absence. Employers are also required to ensure that the probationary period within a fixed term contract is proportionate to the expected duration of the contract and the nature of the work.

Transition of employment

If an employee transitions to another form of employment within the company and has completed their six-month probationary period and has six months’ continuous service, they may request a form of employment with more predictable and secure working conditions, where available, and receive a reasoned reply from their employer. An employee can make such a request once in any 12-month period and an employer must provide a reasoned written reply to the request within one month.

Notice of work assignment

Under the new European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations 2022, employers must provide more transparency and predictability about working conditions

CONTACT THE HR SUITE:

If you are an organisation based in the Republic of Ireland and require further information or advice relating to HR, please do not hesitate to contact our office on (066) 7102887 or email us at info@thehrsuiteonline.com

Updates to issuing of contracts

In line with the introduction of the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations 2022, there are now also further requirements surrounding contracts which must be issued to the employee within the first month of employment. In line with the regulations the contract must now include:

- Training, if any, to be provided by the employer

In the case of a temporary contract of employment, the details of the person or firm hiring the agency worker.

- If the work pattern of the employee is entirely or mostly unpredictable and work is based on the principle that the work schedule is variable, contracts must include the number of guaranteed paid hours and the remuneration for work performed in addition to those guaranteed hours. Contracts must also outline the reference hours and days within which the employee may be required to work and the minimum notice period the employee is entitled to before the start of a work assignment.

- The identity of the social security institutions receiving the social insurance contributions attached to the contract of employment and any protection relating to social security provided by the employer.

Probationary period

The regulation has also amended aspects of the probationary period which should now be a maximum of six months. It should only be longer than six months when it would be in the interest of the employee. Where an employee is absent during the probationary period, the

As well as the minimum notice period specified in the Organisation of Working Time Act, a work assignment must now take place within the reference hours and days notified to the employee as part of their written terms. Where the notice of a work assignment provided to an employee is not within the minimum notice period of 24 hours, or the work assignment is to take place outside the reference hours and days, the employee has the possibility to refuse it without adverse consequences.

Parallel employment

As outlined in the new regulation, an employer cannot stop an employee from taking up employment with another employer, outside of the work schedule established with the first named employer or treat an employee adversely for taking up employment with another employer An employer may restrict an employee from taking up another employment if they have objective justification for doing so such as: health and safety, protection of confidentiality of the business, integrity of public service or to avoid a conflict of interest. Any objective justification for a restriction should be included in the contract of employment.

Conclusion

In line with the updates brought about because of this new regulation, it is important that employers update their contracts of employment and the process regarding the issuing of contracts to new employees. However, it is equally important that the above changes are outlined to existing staff and that a documented process regarding these changes are placed on existing employees’ files to ensure compliance. ■

Under new EU requirements, employers must now ensure staff members are provided with greater transparency and predictability about working conditions. With that in mind, The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy comprehensively outlines all the points employers must consider

Soft landing!

As is the case across the entire grocery industry, sustainability is now a major focus among consumers, and soft drinks are no exception. Bord Bia research found that six in 10 consumers across Ireland and the US are concerned by the impact of their beverage choice on the environment. Manufacturers are therefore striving to meet consumers’ concerns by making their packaging more environmentally friendly Today, there is widespread acknowledgment that the industry has been doing a good job in improving the sustainability of the beverages they produce, with 71% of consumers believing that to be the case

Meanwhile, brands are also making real efforts to reduce sugar content in their beverages as heightened health and wellness consciousness has significantly impacted consumption of soft drinks in Ireland.

According to Bord Bia’s Global Beverages Study, 71% of global respondents claim to go for the healthier option when choosing a nonalcoholic beverage

Euromonitor International also outlined some interesting points in a recent report entitled ‘Soft Drinks in Ireland’, published in December 2022. Given the move to smaller, on-the-go formats, arising from increased mobility in Ireland, the analyst found some retailers have

Men’s National Team kicking off their UEFA European Championship 2024 Qualifiers and the Women’s National Team getting set to play in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

As part of the partnership deal, Energise will ensure the Ireland National Team players are supplied with the optimal balance of water, carbohydrates, and electrolytes to hydrate faster for training and match endurance.

FAI Official Hydration Partner

Energise Sport, the number one Irishproduced sports drink, and Ballygowan Mineral Water, Ireland’s number one bottled water brand, both owned by Britvic Ireland, recently announced a four-year deal to become the Official Hydration Partner of the Football Association of Ireland.

The exclusivity of this partnership comes at an exciting time in the lrish sporting scene Britvic Ireland, the largest manufacturer of soft drinks brands in the Republic of Ireland, and the FAI, the governing body for Irish football and the Republic of Ireland National Teams, are now set to align towards building and empowering community and connections in the country This ties in perfectly as Energise is 100% produced in Dublin, and Ballygowan Water bottled at source in Newcastle West Limerick. Both brands are part of Love Irish Food.

The deal will see Energise Sport and Ballygowan Water supporting both the Ireland Men’s and Women’s National Teams, with the

Ballygowan will be supporting the partnership with 190,000 bottles of Ballygowan water each year to ensure players have the optimal water intake to maintain a normal water balance during training and matches. All bottles are now made from 100% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable

Ireland fans will spot this new partnership at the Aviva Stadium, and over the next few years with Energise’s ambition to ‘Energise your Everything’ campaign which gears up in the coming months through core advertising, digital and social media activations, PR and retailer execution.

Load up your sales!

Brimming with glucose and B vitamins, Club Loaded packs an energetic punch that will leave your customers charged to keep going and going...and well, you get it!

Taste buds are accelerated with Club Loaded, available in three vibrant and delicious flavours; The Glow (an elevation of the classic orange), The Rock (Rock Shandy with an energy infusion) and The Blaze (Tutti Fruity - a tropical twist).

‘Everyday energy’ is one of the fastestgrowing take-home markets in Ireland. The brand’s bottles are 100% recyclable and are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, in line

been benefiting more than others in 2022. For example, given more impulse purchases, smaller, local retailers, such as convenience stores and small local grocers, are expected to continue to enjoy higher distribution volume shares than in 2019 According to Euromonitor International, the soft drinks category in Ireland is expected to maintain positive offtrade volume growth in 2022, albeit marginal. Meanwhile, on-trade volume sales are also set to continue to experience double-digit growth, continuing on the post-pandemic road to recovery, yet not expected to return to the pre-pandemic level until the middle of the forecast five-year period.

Club Loaded Energy is now available in 850ml bottles

with Club’s fervent commitment to sustainability

The 550ml bottles are proving particularly popular among adolescents and the new 850ml bottles now mean customers can ‘get loaded’ at home They can just twist, recharge, and refresh.

Club Loaded is part of the long-established Irish Club brand, which has been quenching the nation’s thirst since 1930 The iconic brand has moved with the times, introducing new flavours and trends as the years have passed.

The launch of Club Loaded is an example of an Irish company with a loyal customer base fuelling growth and customer appetite.

On a mission to inspire a taste for full-on living, Club believes in squeezing every last drop out of its category and continues to adapt to a shifting customer base to deliver quality products that pack a punch.

Naturally functional and delicious alternative

SynerChi ferments its authentic Kombucha in beautiful Gweedore Co Donegal. Back in late 2012 when SynerChi started out as the first

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny with Jamie McGrath, left, and Jason Knight, right, during the launch of the Britvic/FAI partnership

To keep sales of soft drinks from falling flat, retailers must ensure they’re well stocked with options bursting with on-shelf appeal. Here, we provide a roundup of some of the must-have brands on offer

Irish kombucha brand, the team spent a lot of time explaining what kombucha was, what it tasted like, and what its unique benefits are. That’s now completely changed and kombucha has well and truly become ‘mainstream’. The live cultures, antioxidants and all the other ‘good stuff’ in kombucha are maybe the most exciting aspect - a naturally functional and delicious alternative to soft drinks.

From SynerChi’s perspective it has been exciting during the past few years to expand the flavour profiles that the brand offers, and to create very low sugar kombuchas too. It’s an exciting time to be working with live fermented drinks, from a scientific and nutritional perspective, the knowledge in terms of the central importance of a healthy gut to support health and immune function is only deepening, and including a range of live cultures in the diet daily is now recommended by top nutritionists and doctors to support everything from basic healthy digestion to mental health – the power of the microbiome, even the psychobiome (gut – brain axis) is not to be underestimated, and the best way we can support ourselves is to consume fresh whole foods and live cultures (kombucha) daily

Number one impulse water

Deep RiverRock is now the number one impulse water brand on the island of Ireland, as verified by NielsenIQ’s February Value Sales Report*. After 22 consecutive months of growth in the market, Deep RiverRock, which is sourced beneath the glacial hill of Co Antrim, has become the number one go-to brand for on-the-go consumption.

Introduced to the market in 1994, Deep RiverRock is rich in minerals such as calcium,

Revive your sales!

Entering the Irish market just over 10 years ago, Monster is Ireland’s number one stimulant energy brand and consistently contributes to the energy category in both value and volume growth, delivering almost 30% growth in YTD February*.

Innovation has been one of the most important key pillars for the Monster performance in recent years and this year’s new product developments (NPDs) are performing exceptionally well; Lewis Hamilton Zero Sugar, Aussie Lemonade and Ultra Rosa are all contributing significantly to the brand’s growth (+31%).

BPM is a fully Irish produced and consumed brand, created in Ireland for the Irish people It is currently the fastest growing energy brand in the Republic of Ireland, with a growth rate of over 40% in YTD February data*. BPM Focus is a top five energy SKU in ROI and the brand has just launched BPM Peach Revive in time for summer and advises retailers to stock up now.

*(Source: Nielsen ROI)

magnesium, potassium and sodium, all naturally occurring within the source In 2021, Deep RiverRock embarked on a new strategic direction with the launch of its Nice One! campaign reflecting the brand’s positive, feel good and irreverent tone of voice with the support of its brand ambassador and comedian Tony Cantwell.

In 2022, Deep RiverRock ViTAL was launched, giving consumers a refreshing new vitamin enhanced water and juice drink packed full of deliciousness to support the mind and body

With a commitment to sustainability, Deep RiverRock was the first water range on the island of Ireland to move to 100% recycled bottles in 2019 The brand continues to innovate to eliminate unnecessary plastic from its packaging making the Deep RiverRock bottle one of the lightest on the market and reducing plastic through smaller bottle caps.

Shane McQuaid, brands marketing manager said the achievement marks “a significant milestone for Deep RiverRock in claiming the number one spot as the most popular impulse water brand on the island of Ireland”.

“Since launching in 1994, the brand has transformed the market,” he added, “leading the way in sustainability with the first 100% recycled bottles in 2019 and the launch of new flavours and our new vitamin enhanced water and juice drink ViTAL in 2022. Deep RiverRock

reflects a modern, optimistic and changing Ireland, one where sustainability and health are key to the consumer 2023 will present another exciting year for the brand with a lot more to come!”

For more details, visit Instagram: @deep_ riverrock Facebook: @DeepRiverRock #DeepRiverRock.

Limited summer edition

As the days grow long and Ireland gears up for all the pleasures of warm weather, Red Bull unveils this year’s Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry This limited-time offering will be available beginning in mid-May. ■

RiverRock is now Ireland’s number one water brand for on-the-go consumption

After 22 consecutive months of growth in the market, Deep

Red Bull Juneberry will hit the market in mid-May

SynerChi has expanded the flavour profiles that the brand offers within its Kombucha range

BPM Focus, a top five energy SKU in ROI, has just launched BPM Peach Revive in time for summer

Cutting a dash!

With the value of Irish whiskey exports to the all-island economy exceeding one billion euros for the first time last year, there is undoubtedly phenomenal interest across the globe in premium Irish whiskey. Here at home, the sector is also increasingly finding favour among the millennial and generation Z consumer segments, writes Gillian

Hamill

Unique in its richness and tradition, Irish whiskey has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years. Between 2010 and 2020, sales of Irish whiskey grew from 60 million bottles a year to a massive 144 million. This is according to a report published by Drinks Ireland and Irish Whiskey Association in December 2020 which also found that Irish whiskey was the world’s fastest-growing spirits category of the past decade

Indeed, the value of Irish whiskey exports to the all-island economy exceeded one billion euros for the first time in 2022, the Irish Whiskey Association reported. This assessment was based on CSO/Eurostat data from Ireland and member data from Northern Ireland.

“Breaking one billion in export value represents another important milestone in the Irish whiskey renaissance and confirms the importance of our unique all-island industry to our shared economy, north and south,” said William Lavelle, director of the Irish Whiskey

Double dynamism

The Powerscourt Distillery in the historic Powerscourt Estate is thrilled to announce its double triumph at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards held in London on 30 March 2023.

The esteemed distillery won two highly coveted awards in the Irish category, showcasing its excellence in whiskey craftsmanship and further solidifying its position as a world-class whiskey producer

These accolades reflect the dedication and skill of the distillery team, who have passionately crafted each whiskey using traditional methods and innovative techniques. Winning two Irish category World Whiskies Awards is a substantial achievement for this rapidly growing distillery Still, it will be no surprise to those in the industry who have long recognised the distillery’s commitment to excellence.

“We are honoured to have our whiskeys recognised at this level,” said Roger Duggan,

Association. “Across the island of Ireland, the growth in Irish whiskey exports has created more quality jobs, brought more investment into regional and rural communities, and led to more purchasing from Irish farmers.”

The key drivers of Irish whiskey export growth identified in the Irish Whiskey Association’s ‘Irish Whiskey Global’ international trade report published in October 2022, include the growing global demand for premium, higher priced Irish whiskey – in line with consumers drinking less, but drinking better; rapid market diversification; the rise of e-commerce as a major sales channel postCovid; and increased interest in Irish whiskey from the millennial and generation Z consumer segments.

William Lavelle noted that the category has benefited from drinkers’ desire to ‘trade up’ from premium to high-end and super-premium products. “While Irish whiskey has been the world’s fastest growing spirit since 2010, this growth has primarily taken place at standard

price points,” he said. “This is changing, as more and more consumers are turning to Irish whiskey as their luxury whiskey of choice. With more supply coming available of agestatement, super-premium brands – from both established and newer distilleries – it is clear that Irish whiskey is going to be an increasingly important player at the higher end of the whiskey market, becoming a real alternative to Scotch single malts.”

Another statistic which shows the huge interest in the Irish whiskey sector is the fact that Irish whiskey distilleries across the island of Ireland attracted 677,000 visitors in 2022, an increase of 425% on 2021 but still a third down on the pre-Covid peak of 1.02 million, according to the Irish Whiskey Association.

In fact, it is expected that at least 26 Irish whiskey distilleries will be open to visitors in 2023, directly employing over 400 people

With many eyes on the thriving sector, here we outline all the latest offerings cutting a dash in Irish whiskey

GM of The Powerscourt Distillery “These awards represent our entire team’s hard work, passion, and commitment, and we could not be prouder of this remarkable achievement. This double victory confirms our vision to create world-class Irish whiskey, and we’re excited to share our award-winning spirits with whiskey enthusiasts around the globe.”

Head of brand and NPD John Cashman said: “The World Whiskies Awards is a premier celebration of the very best in all recognised

styles of whiskey; to win two Irish category awards at this prestigious ceremony is an amazing accomplishment for Powerscourt Distillery

“These awards not only reflect the work, dedication, and quality of all the team at Powerscourt, but also the best of our home County Wicklow. The Italian Gardens release was inspired by the world-famous Italian garden at Powerscourt, whilst the Distillery Select was made in collaboration with The

The Powerscourt Distillery’s Distillery Select won the ‘Best Irish Single Grain’ category at the World Whiskies Awards

The Estate Series, The Italian Gardens, won the ‘Best Irish Blended Limited Release’ category at the World Whiskies Awards

Wicklow Brewery in Redcross, County Wicklow. The Powerscourt Distillery is now recognised amongst the best whiskey producers in the world, and we look forward to continuing to bring the ‘Spirit of Wicklow’ to a global audience.”

The World Whiskies Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognised styles of whiskies. The awards select, reward and promote the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade globally The event is a key highlight in the whiskey industry calendar, with esteemed judges from various sectors of the whiskey world evaluating each entry based on a blind taste test Winning these prestigious awards reaffirms The Powerscourt Distillery’s dedication to producing exceptional whiskeys that stand out among the competition.

Situated in the heart of the picturesque Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, The Powerscourt Distillery is committed to sustainability, sourcing local ingredients, and preserving the surrounding area’s natural beauty The distillery’s success at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards Irish category highlights its ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of whiskey

For more information about The Powerscourt Distillery, its award-winning Fercullen whiskeys, and distillery tours, visit www.powerscourtdistillery.com or follow the distillery on social media across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Divine new trio

Boann Distillery has launched three new whiskeys as part of its premium Whistler range

The cask finished series are triple distilled for extra smoothness, with each having its own unique finish, including a 16-year-old single malt finished in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks.

The Whistler El Misterioso was finished in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks

barrels for 14 years, this unique triple distilled Irish whiskey was then finished in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks for two years.

Mystery surrounds Palo Cortado because nobody fully understands its origins. It is a sherry that occurs by accident, and is only produced naturally from 1-2% of grapes pressed for sherry Initially aged under flor to become a fino or amontillado, it inexplicably loses its veil of flor to begin aging oxidatively like an oloroso It is bottled at 43% ABV and is non-chill filtered.

The Whistler Dark Symphony, a category winner at the World Whiskies Awards already this year is a blend of 20% malt and 80% grain. It boasts a unique finish in New Era Oak Casks (N.E.O.C) Cognac barrels for a minimum of 12 months.

The N.E.O.C process includes hand-shaving and delicately toasting the staves to bring forward oak spiciness, which work in harmony with notes of candied fruits from the cognac influence. The whiskey is bottled at 43% ABV, is non-chill filtered and contains no caramel colouring.

The Whistler 10-year-old French Oak offers a unique single malt whiskey that highlights the best traits of two different species of oak. The whiskey is matured in American Oak for a full bodied and honeyed profile, then finished in French Oak infused with the finest Bordeaux wine The French barrel was taken through the N.E.O.C process to offer a virgin oak base for further maturation, giving the whiskey a ‘New Oak’ style spice that works in harmony with notes of dried fruits.

At the top end of the range is the single malt 15-year-old Whistler El Misterioso, presented in a striking red single bottle gift pack. First matured in second fill bourbon

Different roles of Irish Whiskey categories

MEANING OF AXES 1

Intentionality: impulse vs planned? (horizontal axis)

Engagement: Are shoppers willing to browse and be disrupted? Do they look for premium or value? (vertical axis)

ACTIONS TO TAKE 2

Hero: “Give me a reason to choose this store”

Trip Driver: “Give me the best value on basics & make it easy”

Basket Builder: “Disrupt me with irresistible deal on those little extras”

Profit Booster: “Inspire me with something premium, new or different”

Gliding ahead

Co Meath’s Boann Distillery is renowned for its innovative distilling techniques and use of rare and special casks, making it a standout in the Irish drinks industry

It is the brainchild of the Cooney family, who are leading a renaissance of Irish whiskey with their state-of-the-art facility outside Drogheda.

Full tasting notes for all three whiskeys are available on the Boann Distillery website, www.boanndistillery.ie, where the whiskeys can also be purchased.

The Whistler Dark Symphony retails for €52.50, the 10-year-old French Oak for €75 and the 15-year-old Whistler El Misterioso for €165.

A category winner at the World Whiskies Awards, The Whistler Dark Symphony is a blend of 20% malt and 80% grain

There is more than one way to enjoy Single Malt Irish Whiskey It is one of the three key ingredients in the light, fresh blend that is Coole Swan; whiskey, chocolate and cream. A modern Irish cream for today’s world, it’s perfect over ice or chilled and simply stunning in a truly inventive range of cocktails.

Coole Swan is intent on shaking up the creams category with a fresh approach to how consumers can enjoy creams today. The brand partners with mixologists to create simple, easy to make cocktails each season. This summer, it is showcasing The Coole Lemon Frappe which is deliciously light and fresh; not what consumers would expect from creams. Created by Rewfus Broad, Coole Swan’s mixology partner, it’s great fun to make and delicious to enjoy with friends.

Coole Swan is an independently owned and family-run business. Discover more about this perfectly crafted Irish product and the inventive ways to serve it at www.cooleswan.com, or follow on social media for all the latest updates @ cooleswan on Facebook and @coole_swan on Instagram.

For adults aged 18+ over: Drink Coole Swan responsibly

Coole Swan blends whiskey, chocolate and cream to create a unique option

Warrior spirit lives on

Grace O’Malley Whiskey is named after the legendary 16th century Irish pirate queen, born in Co Mayo in 1530 This whiskey embodies her charismatic nature and timeless character A natural clan leader and fearless seafarer, Grace O’Malley was not only a daring dealmaker but a ground-breaking provocateur Undeterred to go against the grain, Grace’s warrior spirit lives on.

Kathrina Rupit, KinMX, is an Irish-Mexican visual street artist who has designed a special mural artwork showing Grace O’Malley in her role as a lionized warrior holding her weapons - a book and a pen, laid solidly on the foundation which the sword has carved out. With them, she writes her destiny.

This artwork is proudly displayed on the Grace O’Malley Special Blend Whiskey, a unique blend of triple and double distilled malt and grain.

As the creators of a brand dedicated to the

legendary Irish Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley, the team at Grace O’Malley Irish Spirits have llaborated with a selection of Irish-based artists through the partnership bringing their talents to the project through various mediums, street art, photography, videography, performance, projection mapping, digital art, textile and sound design.

Grace x KinMX is stocked at SuperValu and independent retailers nationwide, with a RRP €36.

collaborated partnership, of

Tantalising journey of taste

The Busker includes all four types of Irish whiskeys to meet every taste and preference.

Its roots may run deep at Royal Oak Distillery It may call County Carlow home But only in wandering far has this smooth, authentic Irish whiskey found its true place in the world. Here. Among the spirited like you.

The Royal Oak Distillery is a world-class distillery producing hand crafted Irish whiskey, proudly located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East region. It’s one of Ireland’s largest operational whiskey distilleries.

An Irish whiskey brand with a strong line-up, The Busker features all four existing expressions in the Irish whiskey world, ranging from single grain to single malt and the single pot still. The brand guarantees high quality products with an affordable price.

The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth offers a combination of three of the best whiskey styles that Ireland has to offer The tasting

The Busker line-up features all four existing expressions in the Irish whiskey world

journey commences with rich tropical fruits and sweet vanilla notes as the taste buds begin to experience that beautiful malt, capping it all off with a superbly balanced mouth sweetness that begs for more.

The secret to The Busker Single Grain is in choosing the highest quality spirits and

How to make the Busk & Ginger

Ingredients

• 1 part: The Busker Triple Cask

• 2 parts: ginger ale

How to make it:

1. Fill a high ball glass with ice

2. Pour The Busker Irish Whiskey

3. Top up with ginger ale

4. Stir and garnish with a wedge of lime and ‘Busk It!’

combining them with hand selected casks. Its satisfying taste starts off with sweet caramel and soft vanilla combined with delicious oak notes.

It is a distinctive expression to Ireland, created to bring your customers on a journey of exceptional character Taste buds kick off with some beautiful intense spices balanced with some toffee, reaching towards a long warm finish.

Meanwhile, The Busker outstanding Single Malt is matured in two different woods to deliver a complexity that is waiting to be experienced. Notes of fruit meet floral elderflower as the taste opens with intense richness, landing on a sweet chocolate note.

The original triple blend

Tullamore D.E.W. is the number two Irish whiskey globally

Tullamore D.E.W is the original triple blend of Irish whiskey By combining three spirits, the blend gives Tullamore D.E.W. three dimensions of flavour to explore; malt whiskey for the fruit flavour, pot still whiskey for the spice and grain whiskey for the sweet. These three spirits come together to give Tullamore D.E.W. a balance of flavour like no other in the category

Tullamore D.E.W. has a rich heritage of whiskey distilling excellence since its establishment in 1829 and has gone on to become the number two Irish whiskey globally and the number five Irish whiskey in Ireland*. Created in the heart of Tullamore by Daniel Edmund Williams, the whiskey is still proudly made there today, in the state-of-the-art Tullamore D.E.W. distillery which is open yearround to visitors.

Tullamore D.E.W.’s award-winning range includes Tullamore D.E.W. Original, Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish, Tullamore D.E.W. 12-year-Old Special Reserve, Tullamore D.E.W. 14-Year-Old Single Malt, Tullamore D.E.W. 18-Year-Old Single Malt.

Tullamore D.E.W. is distributed in Ireland by Richmond Marketing

*(Source: Collated EPOS data to 26/02/23; Latest MAT52 Weeks)

A step up from the ordinary

UAIS: The Triple Blend is a unique blend of 25% single malt, 25% single pot still and 50% single grain. The three core types of Irish whiskey blended together in perfect harmony. The high proportion of single malt means UAIS stands out from other Irish blends. The addition of single pot still brings unique textures and flavours. Grain, the workhorse and often backbone of blends, brings sweetness and mouth-coating body UAIS is a step above the ordinary in more ways than one The bottle is made from the most eco-friendly materials possible; 100% recycled glass and recycled paper for the label

UAIS blends 25% single malt, 25% single pot still and 50% single grain Irish whiskeys

with a sustainable wood stopper and a biodegradable vegetable-based seal. UAIS is a part of Ahascragh Distillers Family Bond series of sourced releases but within a few years the liquid inside these bottles will be produced using a zero-emissions distilling process at Ahascragh Distillery This eco-distillery in the West of Ireland will be powered completely by renewable energy Its new highly efficient energy storage and heat pump technology is a first for the industry

UAIS is an authentic Irish whiskey with an innovative twist. A blend of old and new; traditions, flavours and stories.

It’s available now at Celtic Whiskey Shop, Irishmalts and all good stockists.

A lasting impression

The Irishman range of super-premium whiskeys, produced by Walsh Whiskey, is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in single malt whiskeys. A striking rebranding was launched in 2022 and has seen the brand experience significant growth across both on and off-trade The bespoke, tall, tapered bottle, with a series of embossed phrases around the lower part of the bottle, has considerable stand-out on shelf

The first Irish whiskey to introduce braille to its labelling, The Irishman was also among the first brands to introduce nutritional and calorific information on e-labels positioned on back of pack and online

The braille, highlighting The Irishman’s brand name, is also a personal tribute by founder Bernard Walsh to the memory of his own grandfather, Jack Walsh, whose loss of vision in later life, and enjoyment of a good whiskey, made a lasting impression on his grandson.

The Irishman – The Harvest, the core expression in the range is a multi-awardwinning Irish whiskey crafted entirely from a mash bill of 100% Irish barley. A truly unique blend of two premium styles of whiskey, The Harvest honours the great contribution of the farming community in the whiskey-making process.

The Irishman’s brand focus and purpose is to pursue a lifelong journey in search of the perfect drop of single malt, while respecting past traditions and

A striking rebranding of The Irishman range was launched last year

with ambition for future possibilities. The Irishman portfolio consists of The Harvest; Single Malt; Caribbean Cask Finish; 12-Year-Old Single Malt; 17-Year-Old Single Malt & the Vintage Cask. Annual limited releases and cask finishes are also regularly produced to challenge the perception of Single Malt whiskeys.

Synonymous with creativity

Writers’ Tears Irish whiskey is a brand synonymous with creativity Taking pride of place on the bar at the Oscar Wilde Awards in Hollywood this year, Writers’ Tears cemented its status as the drink of choice by the Irish contingent at the pre-Oscars party

The unique appeal of the brand name is matched only by the incredible liquid - a marriage of aged single pot still and single malt whiskey The core expression in the portfolio, Copper Pot, is named in honour to the age-old craft of whiskey production in Ireland. Each bottle of Writers’ Tears has gracefully passed through the copper pots to become the remarkable high-quality craft product that is enjoyed today.

Writers’ Tears Copper Pot is triple distilled, matured in American oak bourbon casks and patiently left to wait until the time has come to fill your glass. This whiskey is gently spiced with a burst of ginger and butterscotch alongside flashes of apple and vanilla over background notes of toasted oak.

Writers’ Tears took pride of place on the bar at Hollywood’s Oscar Wilde Awards this year

Alongside Writers’ Tears Copper Pot, the brand has most recently introduced a Single Pot Still to its portfolio of award-winning whiskeys, paying tribute to this most creative of whiskey styles.

Originally matured in bourbon barrels, the triple-distilled, single pot still whiskey, was then further matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Spain and Florio Marsala

Hogsheads from Sicily, before being cut at a juicy 46% ABV. The whiskey’s nose delivers candied sweetness and toffee apples, while the palate features notes of pot still spice and the velvet, dessert-like qualities of PX Sherry, finishing with a light chewiness.

Writers’ Tears portfolio consists of Copper Pot, Double Oak, Single Pot Still, Red Head and the Vintage Cask. Annual limited releases and rare cask finishes, such as Japanese Mizunara Oak and Ice Wine, drive the brand’s experimental creativity

A true taste of Ireland

Hyde Irish Whiskey is a premium range of multi award-winning Irish whiskeys matured and finished to perfection in the idyllic landscape and temperate climate of West Cork.

Hyde handselects oak casks from around the world to give each variation of Hyde whiskey its distinct character profile

variation a distinct character profile

Hyde recently launched two new Irish whiskeys, The Éiregold Special Reserve Blend and Hyde No 11 peated single malt Irish whiskey Both 700ml bottlings are matured in American white oak, ex-Bourbon casks.

The Hyde No 11 is branded with the year 1949 across the label, paying homage to Ireland’s first president, Douglas Hyde, who died in 1949. This peated single malt is a nonchill-filtered limited-edition expression which has been aged for eight years. It is smoky on the nose, offering notes of pear, apple and hints of dried fruits. The finish gives way to a rich, creamy and full-bodied taste, and the spirit sits at 43% ABV.

For further information, contact Hyde Irish Whiskey (Hibernia Distillers Limited).

Address: Cork Bonded Warehouse, Sitecast

Estate, Little Island, County Cork, T45 YF43

E-mail: conor@hydewhiskey.ie

Mobile: +353 (0) 87 6539676

Telephone: +353 (0) 21 4614240

Web: www.hydewhiskey.ie

and check out Hyde’s pages across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Award-winning innovation

The Hyde family has been involved in Irish whiskey since 1640, when the family had a wellknown pub at ‘Tinker’s Cross’ in West Cork from 1640 until 1962. It was from here they became whiskey bonders – an almost lost art.

An exceptional, small-batch, hand-crafted Irish whiskey collection, today Hyde is an independent ‘bonder’ of Irish whiskey owned by Conor Hyde Conor hand-selects only the very finest Irish whiskey, made by only the very best Irish whiskey distilleries, which is then in turn finished in a variety of vintage oak casks.

Indeed at Hyde, “it’s all about the wood”. Using generations of experience, the team at Hyde hand-selects only the very finest oak casks from around the world to give each

Irish whiskey. Reimagined.

In a world full of traditional Irish whiskies, Roe & Co is different. Sure, the brand has history – its roots run deep with an 18th century maker in George Roe and a 19th century pear tree in its back garden. But Roe & Co is more excited about what’s to come than what’s gone before.

Roe & Co was born from collaboration among Irish bartenders and the brand’s distilling team. They trialled 106 blends to define an award-winning whiskey with delicious orchard fruit notes. Roe & Co is named in honour of George Roe, the whiskey maker who led the golden area of Irish whiskey in the 19th century, who distilled his spirit in the same location Roe & Co does today.

In Dublin, head distiller Lora Hemy uses old and new whiskey-making methods. Her team ages grain and malt whiskies in ex-bourbon barrels, non-chill filtered and bottles at 45% ABV. These unique blends and methods produce a whiskey which on the nose has notes of orchard fruits and woody vanilla. Sipped, you will discover hints of spiced pear and creamy vanilla. The finish is lingering and gentle with an ending with light creaminess.

Meanwhile, the Éiregold Special Reserve is triple distilled in a copper pot still and aged for a minimum of four years. On the nose, the Éiregold liquid presents a balance of spicy and sweet Bourbon-like notes, as well as infusions of cinnamon and clove The palate includes hints of robust grain spice, vanilla, charred oak and black pepper, while the finish is long and smooth with a combination of oak and barley.

The 40% ABV Special Reserve retails for RRP €29.99 while No 11 has a RRP of €49.99 The whiskeys can be bought in the UK from Ocado and Master of Malt, and in Ireland from irishmalts.com

Earlier this year, Hyde Irish Whiskey won a Gold medal for The Éiregold Special Reserve Blend in The Spirits Business’ Irish Whiskey Masters 2021.

Waterford Distillery, the world’s biggest producer of biodynamic and organic whiskies, was crowned Brand Innovator of the Year at this year’s Whisky Magazine’s Global Icons of Whisky 2023.

Receiving the award for the third year running, Waterford Distillery was recognised across the industry following a range of new product releases, including the first truly Irish peated whiskies in generations. One of the distillery’s latest bottlings, Heritage Hunter, resurrected long-forgotten barley varieties not used in production since 1970s - rediscovering the unique flavour of iconic Irish barley.

With dedication to sustainability and Irishgrown ingredients at the heart of Waterford’s whiskey production, Waterford Distillery was also highly commended at regional level for Distiller of the Year, late last year

Launched in 2007, the Icons of Whisky Awards are a celebration of the years of hard work that go into every bottle ■

Roe & Co. is an award-winning whiskey with delicious orchard fruit notes

“Roe & Co.’s unique blends and methods produce a whiskey which on the nose has notes of orchard fruits and woody vanilla. Sipped, you will discover hints of spiced pear and creamy vanilla. The finish is lingering and gentle with an ending with light creaminess.”

The right scoop

The Irish ice-cream market is worth more than €150 million, according to Nielsen. Now 30% of ice-cream sales are impulse buys so opportunities abound for retailers as we prepare for warmer weather ahead.

Nielsen has also found that take-home icecream currently accounts for 70% of the total

Award-winning, zero-hassle option!

It’s been a successful few months for Dairyglen, after being shortlisted as finalists in not one but two categories and its exclusive ice-cream parlour concept Smooch has been named the official winner of the Food & Drink category 2023.

“We’re thrilled to win the best Food & Drink Award this year and want to say a big thank you to all the fantastic retailers who have partnered with us over the last 30 years,” says director Philip Delaney.

Smooch is a zero-hassle ice-cream concept designed to help retailers make money

ice-cream market in Ireland, while symbol groups and forecourts account for 40% of total ice-cream sales across the country

Many of the ice-cream suppliers will provide staff training, in-store marketing activations and machine maintenance as part of their contracts. Bluetooth technology allows them

without any cleaning, maintenance or marketing concerns. Rooted in smart Bluetooth technology that allows the brand to access, monitor and control all its machines remotely – this system has established the brand as the number one choice for retailers and consumers alike who travel specifically for a treat they can trust.

Dairyglen manages everything from fit-out and install, to maintaining, servicing and cleaning your machine An intensive training programme is provided bespoke to your store and the needs of your staff, alongside continual marketing supports all year round with seasonal flavours, in-store marketing activations and influencer sponsorships.

to access, monitor and control all their machines remotely so you can be sure that you won’t have to disappoint customers with an ‘out-of order’ machine during a busy summer weekend.

Here we look at some of the latest products and developments in the ice-cream category

Working closely with some of Ireland’s most prestigious retailers, Smooch is recognised as the leading solutions-driven ice-cream and milkshake concept in the market. Each parlour is implemented with portion-specific operational training and top-class technology that ensure your store is exceeding expectation.

Now the longest standing Irish ice-cream concession brand in the market, Smooch has hefty expansion plans in place for 2023 with continued focus on product and machine innovation to enhance its offerings to consumers.

To install a Smooch ice-cream concept in your store or for more information on current price plans, contact sclancy@dairyglen.ie

With 40% of ice-cream sales taking place in forecourts, the retail trade is ripe for exploiting this category with all manner of soft serve and take home options available. Take home ice-cream accounts for 70% of the total market so it’s important to have the latest products in stock and innovations on site before the summer rush

Dairyglen manages everything from fit-out and install, to maintaining, servicing and cleaning your machine

Satisfying golden treat

Following the successful launch of the Cadbury Caramilk chocolate bar back in 2021, Cadbury has announced the launch of the Cadbury Caramilk ice-cream, available in two formats as a stick and in a tub

Available in supermarkets and convenience stores since March, the Cadbury Caramilk icecream range marks the latest launch from Cadbury ice-cream, which already includes household favourites such as Cadbury Dairy Milk sticks and the most recent launch of Cadbury Darkmilk.

The Cadbury Caramilk ice-cream stick includes a velvety smooth centre, coated in a golden blend of flavoured white chocolate made from real Cadbury Caramilk. Whilst the Cadbury Caramilk ice-cream tub contains a creamy vanilla ice-cream with a golden caramel chocolate centre and chunks of Caramilk chocolate swirled through.

The satisfying golden treat is sure to become a favourite flavour for the whole family

Cadbury Caramilk will be sold as part of the sticks and tubs range, available in all major retailers in Ireland. RRP Caramilk ice-cream sticks €5.25 (pack of 4) RRP Caramilk Tub €5.25.

Innovative luxury

Ben & Jerry’s, Ireland’s number one luxury icecream brand, is bringing even more to its hugely successful sundaes range with three exciting new flavours. First up is Dulce De-lish, a caramel delight in every bite. Think salted caramel ice-cream with chunks of caramel bar and caramel swirls topped with chocolate whipped ice-cream, caramel swirls, and chocolatey chunks. This sundae-in-a-tub has it all, just BYO cherry

The second new flavour is Choco-lotta

Cheesecake, if chocolate cheesecake is the name of your game, this all-in-one sundae in a tub is about to be your next favourite! Think chocolatey chunks and chocolatey cookie swirls topped with chocolate whipped icecream and even more swirls and chunks.

The third addition to the range is for all the dairy free ice-cream lovers out there, nondairy Caramel Café. The perfect ice-cream to quench coffee cravings, this flavour has

delicious caramel coffee non-dairy ice-cream with caramel cookies and marshmallow swirls topped with soft whipped ice-cream.

All three new flavours are available in 427ml tubs across grocery, wholesale and convenience.

Put the Zing into responsibility

joy and excitement to kids”. This includes never actively targeting under-18s and never using licensed characters. It is available in a multipack of four and as a single across grocery, wholesale and convenience.

Shift to recyclable paper tubs

Carte D’Or is to drop most of the plastic from its four-strong ice-cream range, shifting to recyclable paper tubs and lids.

Available this year, the new packaging will see the brand use 93% less plastic per tub The switch will “appeal to the growing number of shoppers seeking more sustainable products,” says Carte D’Or owner Unilever.

The brand has also refreshed its pack design, adding a QR code that directs shoppers to a website where they can learn where Carte D’Or’s key ingredients come from, their flavour credentials and more about sustainable sourcing.

three flavours: sour lemon, sweet green apple, and blueberry all braided into a fun shape

Family favourite Twister has launched Twister Fruit Zingerrr, its first-ever sweet and sour ice lolly New Twister Zingerrr is a combination of three flavours: sour lemon, sweet green apple, and blueberry all braided into a fun shape Made with real fruit juice, it contains no artificial flavours or colourings so Twister Zingerrr is a fun treat without compromising on nutritional values. At 65 kcal per portion, Twister Zingerrr is designed in line with the company’s Responsibly Made for Kids promise

Twister Fruit Zingerrr is part of HB’s nonHFSS line up for children. It bears the ‘Responsibly Made for Kids’ logo, signalling the brand’s commitment “to offer permissible treats and empower parents and caregivers to make better choices that also bring happiness,

The range will consist of four flavours: Vanilla, Strawberry and Salted Caramel along with a light nHFSS Vanilla ice-cream with 30% less fat*. It is available in 900ml tubs across grocery, wholesale and convenience. *(Than similar ice-cream products)

Carte

D’or’s new packaging will see the brand use 93% less plastic per tub

Dulce De-lish, Choco-lotta Cheesecake and Caramel Café are all available in 427ml tubs across grocery, wholesale and convenience

New Twister Zingerrr is a combination of

Cadbury Caramilk ice-cream is available in two formats as a stick and in a tub Caramilk

Ultimate summer treats

Magnum ice-cream, Ireland’s number one icecream brand, has introduced the ultimate summer treats – Magnum Double Sunlover and Magnum Double Starchaser Bite into the thick cracking chocolate with crunchy pieces of deliciousness, through to new luscious sauce and velvety ice-creams, for a multisensorial experience of pure indulgence. These exciting new flavour combinations bring alive two contrasting worlds inspired by unforgettable summer day and night moments to remind the world that Pleasure Is Always On.

Magnum Double Sunlover provides a refreshing treat for a hot summer day with coconut ice-cream, paired with a tangy mango and passionfruit ice-cream swirl. With a sumptuous layer of mango and passionfruit sauce, Magnum Double Sunlover is encased in white cracking chocolate combined with crispy coconut pieces.

Discover the ultimate late-night summer treat with Magnum Double Starchaser, featuring a double swirled indulgent popcorn flavour ice-cream and caramel ice-cream, encased in a gooey caramel sauce, and coated in cracking milk chocolate with crunchy caramelised corn pieces.

Expertly crafted over 34 years from a fine selection of indulgent, premium quality ingredients, Magnum has created a signature cracking chocolate that envelops each Magnum Double, using carefully selected and

sustainably sourced cocoa beans, certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

Magnum believes a day without pleasure is a day lost, and that everyone should be able to pursue what brings them pleasure, whatever this may be This summer, Pleasure Is Always On, as Magnum invites pleasure seekers to stimulate their senses and indulge in the taste of iconic summer moments at any time; day or night.

Magnum Double Starchaser and Double Sunlover are available in a multipack of three and as a single across grocery, wholesale and convenience.

Discover the ultimate late-night summer treat with Magnum Double Starchaser, featuring a double swirled indulgent popcorn flavour ice-cream and caramel ice-cream, encased in a gooey caramel sauce, and coated in cracking milk chocolate with crunchy caramelised corn pieces.

Coolest recipe for success

Ice-cream experts, Martin Food Equipment have for over 30 years, offered the latest soft ice-cream innovations with a superb combination of world leading Carpigiani icecream machines, Ireland’s favourite ice-cream mix, Angelito and Blizz toppings and treats. Truly a recipe for success!

Martin Food Equipment’s purpose-built Carpigiani Sundae School & Gelato University is fully equipped and along with their icecream and gelato team, present an on trend ice-cream, gelato and treats category, showcasing what’s new and exciting in fresh new profit concepts. Supported with custom design, on-site retailer staff training as well as a nationwide backup service team, Martin Food Equipment’s total solution offer covers everything needed to implement ice-cream success Given current consumer demand and growing interest in this category there’s never been a better time to offer a year-round soft ice-cream menu with tempting tubs, scrumptious sundaes, milkshakes, and hot and cold desserts in retail to go

Compact in size, big in profit making capabilities, Carpigiani machines are available to buy

new, used or on rental contract as Martin Food Equipment makes it simpler to create new competitive advantage and profit sources for your business. Partnered with Angelito icecream mix, which yields the highest cones per litre and the Blizz range of syrups, toppings, and inclusions, for an exciting menu to maximise soft ice-cream sales and keep customers coming back for more.

For insights into what’s new, creative menu ideas and to taste, see and learn how to increase ice-cream sales for your unique business, contact Martin Food Equipment on 042 9330366. ■

FoodCloud strengthens leadership team

FoodCloud, the leading non-profit organisation providing technology solutions for food redistribution, has announced significant new appointments to its leadership team to support the rollout of an ambitious strategic plan to help deliver a more equitable, inclusive, and circular food system by 2030 Sheena Forde has been appointed as partnerships director and Angela Ruttledge as public affairs and stakeholder manager, with Paula Doherty stepping down from the board to take an active role in managing the innovation strategy for the company.

Sheena Forde joined FoodCloud after over 25 years of working in the commercial sector for a variety of food wholesalers and supermarket chains. Starting her career working for a Glasgow-based NGO before joining the graduate scheme for Safeway Supermarkets in London as a food buyer, Forde progressed through a variety of senior buying, marketing and e-commerce director roles with Asda prior to moving with WalMart as food buying director for Seiyu, its subsidiary business in Japan.

Following her return home to Ireland in 2005, Forde has held a variety of senior

Agnese Filippi, country manager of Coca-Cola Ireland appointed chair of Irish Beverage

The Irish Beverage Council (IBC), the Ibec group that represents the nonalcohol beverage industry, has appointed Agnese Filippi, country manager of Coca-Cola Ireland, as the new chair of the IBC.

commercial roles, including trading director and operations director for Superquinn, head of food buying for Dunnes Stores and commercial director for Musgrave MarketPlace.

Forde has a keen interest in social inclusion and, in addition to her work with Friends of the Elderly and ALONE during the pandemic, she is a trustee of Siel Bleu Ireland, which delivers exercise solutions for elderly and vulnerable people

Paula Doherty qualified as an accountant with KPMG and subsequently became CFO and director of Irelandia Investments. She is now an independent financial consultant who acts on the Advisory Groups for Irelandia Investments and a financial advisor to Enterprise Ireland clients. Doherty has held board positions on more than 30 companies involved in investments, property,

hotel and restaurants and airlines in Ireland and internationally

Angela Ruttledge is a solicitor with a background in financial, corporate and financial law. She trained with William Fry, before moving to Kosovo to work as a privatisation lawyer with the UN/EI mission there and, upon returning to Ireland she worked with Byrne Wallace. Ruttledge then moved into the hospitality sector, where she has 13 years’ experience owning and managing three restaurants with her business partners. During that time, she also spent 10 years on the board of the Restaurants Association of Ireland. She has just been appointed to the board of Failte Ireland and before joining FoodCloud, she co-founded Vytal Ireland, the country’s first digital platform for reusable packaging. Ruttledge is an Eisenhower Fellow, 2023.

Aldi Ireland appoints Colin Breslin as MD of buying and services Ireland

Aldi Ireland has appointed one of its senior executives to a new role within the business.

As IBC chair, Agnese Filippi will be responsible for representing an important industry at the heart of Ireland’s economy employing over 3,500 people directly and supporting an additional 3,000 jobs indirectly

Agnese Filippi has been the country manager of Coca-Cola Ireland since 2021 and in this role is responsible for meeting the evolving needs of consumers, positioning the organisation to drive success in the marketplace and ensuring continued delivery of the company’s long-term growth and success in Ireland.

“I am delighted to take on the role as chair of the IBC at what is a crucial time for all of us operating in the industry,” Filippi said. “As the sector continues to navigate changing consumer demands and rising costs as well as economic uncertainty, the IBC is a vital partnership platform that enables industry to work together and grow into the future.”

“Agnese brings significant experience and expertise with her to this position, and I look forward to working closely with Agnese in what will be a very exciting time for both our industry, and the Irish economy as a whole,” said Robert Kiernan, director of the Irish Beverage Council.

Reporting to group managing director, Niall O’Connor, regional managing director Colin Breslin has been appointed to the new role of managing director of buying and services Ireland.

Colin Breslin will be based at Aldi’s national buying office in Naas, Co Kildare.

Having joined the business in 2003 as an area manager, he has worked in several different roles in the Aldi business over the space of nearly 20 years, including store operations director (both in Aldi Ireland and GB) before assuming a regional managing director position in 2015.

In his new role he will take responsibility for the buying department in Ireland alongside marketing and communications, national real estate, human resources as well as some other service functions. Aldi states the move represents a further investment in Irish sourcing by the retailer, which will buy over €1.1 billion worth of Irish products this year

“In Colin, we have a wealth of retail experience and leadership, and he will continue to support and drive our business forward, and particularly, our value promise to our customers at this time,” said group managing director, Niall O’Connor ■

Sheena Forde

Paula Doherty Angela Ruttledge

Agnese Filippi

Colin Breslin

A vital link

Whether you’re a global giant or a small independent, all retailers face challenges when it comes to expanding their customer base, driving sales, and building their brand. Sales and marketing companies have the expertise required to deliver the right strategy to fit your business’s unique needs. As a champion for brands, these agencies provide key services for producers, suppliers, and retailers alike. A new approach might be exactly what your brand is seeking. With that in mind, here, we shine a light on some of biggest names in the business

Asales and marketing distribution agency that is the right fit for your brand offers a veritable plethora of advantages for brands. With years of expertise in the field, their know-how has the potential to find long-lasting customers in an irresolutely fast-paced market. For many brands, it is a challenging proposition to find the right market all whilst continuing to keep an eye on competitors and ensuring that their NPD keeps pace with all the latest consumer trends. This is where an agency with excellent, specific marketing expertise can step in to help take your brand to the next level.

Web Writer Spotlight’s Alexis Davis has outlined several key advantages of using agencies which are useful when deciding which one represents the right fit to distribute your product.

Customer satisfaction guaranteed

The number one benefit on this list is costeffective customer services. As Davis points out, for a new or up-and-coming brand – or simply one which is reaching out to a new geographical market – investing financially in

the hiring of your own distribution team, could prove an onerous and costly affair – in terms of both time and money. This is particularly true when it comes to training staff in providing a high standard of customer service. Unfortunately as new staff they simply might not be able to answer, comment or solve customer queries in the early stages. This could have a potentially severe knock-on impact in terms of reputational damage to your brand. In comparison, a sales and marketing agency with a strong track record, is used to working with retailers on a regular basis and their thorough understanding of the market will allow them to navigate this terrain efficiently

Indeed as champion sellers, they have firmly established retail networks and they know what will appeal to specific retailers. This means they will have a firm grasp of how to showcase your brand, paying careful attention to your ‘brand story’ which will resonate with your target audience and make your brand catch retailers’ attention as a memorable and worthwhile addition to their shelves.

A full-service distributor can also do much more than just sell your product; they can also train and educate retailers’ personnel, set up

signage, and launch in-store promotions as part of their service. An agency can also educate the retailer’s team and store employees about how to effectively communicate with the customers and tell them about the products.

Substantial savings

As Davis concludes, all of the above pointers have one thing in common and that is you are going to make huge savings supplying and selling your products in the market. Before you even roll out a marketing and advertising campaign for your product, you are sure that the product will have already been distributed and accessible to interested people and businesses in your market. You can then use the money you have saved for more product research and development, making improvements to the product, its quality, the packaging, and social media campaigns. Ultimately, this work could make your product an ever greater hit and so hiring an experienced agency really is a move that can truly result in a win-win scenario all-round.

Ampersand

Fact file

Address: Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, D22 XN73

Phone: 01 4130100

E-mail: info@ampersandsales.ie

Web: ampersandsales.ie

Key brands

Sonas Sweets, Cleeve’s Irish Confectionery, Ballymaloe, The Irish Biltong Company, Aqua Vape, Agio, Villiger, Davidoff Cigars, Montecristo, Partagas, Trinidad, Villa Dominicana, Clipper, Djeep, Swan, OCB, Newport, Santa Carolina, Rioja Vega, Cecilia Beretta, Pasqua Wines, Edmond de Rothschild, Cecilia Beretta, Paco & Lola, Coral Reef, Faber Non-Alcoholic Wines: See website for full list.

Ampersand is a family-owned business that has been in operation since 1947 and is recognised as Ireland’s leading FMCG sales and marketing distributor to the convenience and off-licence channels. The company derives its name from the “&” symbol, which is used as a link between paired words, reflecting its core business as a link between brands, retailers, and consumers.

Ampersand’s product portfolio is sourced from over 50 suppliers based both in Ireland and all over the world. Specialising in confectionery, snack foods, cigars, tobacco accessories, vaping and wine, Ampersand trades with all retail groups and offers a broad range of services and specialities to get cutting-edge brands onto the market and into the hands of consumers. The company provides nationwide distribution, serving over 3,000 direct accounts across the Irish market, spanning every town and shop format in the Republic of Ireland.

SHS Sales & Marketing

Fact file

Address: Unit Q1, Aerodrome Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin

Telephone: 01 401 6200

Email: info@shs.ie

Web: www.shs-sales.ie

Company description

SHS Sales & Marketing is one of Ireland’s leading sales, marketing and distribution companies. The company provides an outsourced solution which encompasses sales, marketing, invoicing, credit control, logistics and quality assurance. With offices in Belfast and Dublin, SHS Sales & Marketing has become a dominant player within the FMCG marketplace since its inception in 1975 SHS Sales & Marketing manages a wide portfolio of blue-chip grocery, household and healthcare brands throughout Ireland.

Key brands

Askeys, Benylin, Biobag, Bonjela, Bottlegreen, Brasso British Pepper & Spice, Cara Matches, Calpol, Calgon, Carefree, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Cricket Lighters, Crucials Sauces, Deep Heat, Deep Freeze, Dettol, Disprin, Duni, Durex, Dylon, E45, Finish, Gaviscon, Got2be, Greenpolly, Irish Popcorn, Harpic, Jammie Dodgers, Lemsip, Listerine, Live XXL, Lyons Biscuits, Johnson & Johnson Baby Care Range, Jordans Cereals, Maguire & Paterson Matches, Marigold Gloves, Marigold Cloths & Scourers, Mars Cookies, Maryland Cookies, Meridian, Primula, Napisan, Options, Optrex, Organix, Ovaltine, Ryvita, Scholl, Shloer, Sheen, Strepsils, Steradent, Silvo, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, TommeeTippee, Twinings, Vanish. Veet, Vileda, Wagon Wheels, Windolene WKD Woolite, Zip Ignition products

Passionate sales team

Ampersand has a passionate sales team of ten highly experienced representatives on the road who offer nationwide coverage in all trade sectors supported by an internal telesales team of three The sales team have built great relationships and trust with their customers and have full product knowledge, offering tailored presentations, promotions, and a product offering that best suits each store and their individual needs.

Ampersand also offers expertise in key account management with strong relationships with retail head offices. The team have a wealth of experience in both trade and consumer marketing, and they work closely with all their brand partners to develop brand building activities that will appeal to the relevant target markets.

Ampersand’s approach and expertise in brand distribution, sales and marketing, make it a trusted and reliable partner for brand owners looking to grow and develop their brands in Ireland.

Shelton Distributors Ltd.

Fact file

Address: Unit K7, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Dublin, D24T858

Phone: 01 401 8455

E-mail: info@shelton.ie

Web: www.shelton.ie and www.sheltondistribution.com

Key brands

Look-O-Look, Walkers Toffee, PEZ, Zaini Chocolates, Hamlet Chocolates, Red Band Jellies, Trolli, Lutti, Cavendish & Harvey, Anthon Berg Chocolates, Belfine Sante Healthier Options, Go-On Protein Bars, Yummy-Lix Pops, and WOM Novelties.

Type of business

Brand management, sales, marketing and distribution of premium confectionery and grocery brands to the multiple, wholesale, symbol and independent retail grocery trade Shelton strives to provide exceptional customer care and service through its field sales personnel, telesales and online support.

Key contacts

Managing director: Shay Barber

Director: Jim Barber

General manager: Eric Barber

Finance: Bernard Forrester

GM Marketing Ltd

Fact file

Address: 9 Hillview Road, Belfast, BT14 7BT

Phone: +44 (0)28 9026 7080

E-mail: info@gmmarketing.co.uk

Web: www.gmmarketing.co.uk

Key brands:

Yazoo, Tilda, Fox’s, Nando’s, Filippo Berio, Canti, Costa, VK, TommeeTippee, Mug Shot, Hipp; see company website for full list.

GM Marketing was founded by Gerard McAdorey over 23 years ago With a focus on core grocery and non-food categories, and a continuously growing team, GM Marketing works with partners to build impactful brand presence across the UK and Ireland. From experienced sales and field coverage to best-in-class marketing, supply chain and finance – its ambition is to be more than just a distributor, the team want to be an extension of their brand partners in local markets and channels.

It may not be the biggest player in the market, but GM Marketing sees that as its biggest strength; the company is passionate about unleashing potential, building brands, and delivering results through focus and dedication.

Trusted by brands

GM Marketing has a varied portfolio spanning food, beverage, baby, household, and foodservice brands, including wellknown household names such as Fox’s Biscuits, Tilda, Nando’s, Filippo Berio, and a more recent addition to the portfolio Yazoo. In 2022, the business announced a new distribution agreement with Global Brands, making its first step into the licensed trade which includes an awardwinning range of RTD beverages, VK, Hooch and Shake Baby Shake canned cocktails. With a satellite depot in Dublin and bonded warehousing in both Belfast and Dublin, GM Marketing is now servicing

“We’ve doubled our business over the last three years, and our ambition is to do the same again within the next three,” says GM Marketing founder Gerard McAdorey

both independent off-sales and off-licence groups across the island of Ireland.

Route to market

With a 70+ employee business, GM Marketing has two distribution hubs, Belfast and Leeds; enabling the business to easily drive distribution in both the UK and Irish markets.

Commenting on the business, founder Gerard McAdorey said: “The business has excellent relationships with all Irish multiple and convenience retailers as well as pharmacy and wholesale cash & carry; with a full team of key account managers, sales reps and merchandisers, equipped with the latest technology and reporting tools. We’re a midsized operation that’s looking to grow significantly over the coming years. We’ve doubled our business over the last three years, and our ambition is to do the same again within the next three The values and approach that have got us through our first two decades will be what helps us grow over the next couple too. Relationships are key for us.”

Brexit

Since 2021, GM Marketing has been approached by multiple brands seeking help to navigate the complexities of the post-Brexit situation. McAdorey says, “because we’ve now built the expertise and knowledge within our team to ensure we can get products into Northern Ireland and distributed into ROI, in the most efficient way, and at the most competitive price, we’ve been able to move quickly, find solutions to problems, and ensure a seamless transition and continual supply for brands, whilst avoiding unnecessary tariffs and paperwork. As the team’s head office is based in Belfast, GM Marketing is best placed to take full advantage of being in the UK, whilst remaining part of the European single market. The message from McAdorey is clear: “If you’re struggling to access and supply your customers in the Irish market because of any Brexit issue we are here and we want to help.”

Passionate about brands

GM Marketing doesn’t just want to be an agent that moves boxes – it wants to be an extension of its brand teams in the local markets and channels – showing that GM Marketing really understands the partner’s brand and how to build it with purpose, to deliver results. “We’re never complacent about those relationships and that means something to our partners,” says McAdorey

Understanding brands

The business understands brands vs competitors as GM Marketing also owns its own; household fragrance brands and a low sugar, better-for-you snack brand called Free’ist. Having developed and built products from scratch and becoming a manufacturer through the acquisition of Favourit Herbs & Spices, GM Marketing understands what it takes to develop a brand, and wouldn’t ask principal partners to do something its team wouldn’t do themselves – which is exactly what clients want to see ■

With a head office based in Belfast, GM Marketing is best placed to take full advantage of being in the UK, whilst remaining part of the European single market

Sweet sensations!

Although the Irish are becoming more health conscious as a nation, taste remains the top priority for consumers when it comes to confectionery So while natural confections, as well as sugar-free and reduced sugar products are gaining momentum in the category, there’s still plenty of demand for indulgent treats.

Indeed, today’s sugar confectionery market is growing at a steady pace thanks to demand for on-the-go snacks, an increase in gifting,

A fresh new look

Ampersand, the leading distributor to the convenience channel, is proud to present a new look for its Sonas Sweets range of bagged jellies developed for sweet lovers. The new packaging is eye-catching and colourful just like the jellies within, with bursts of colour and sunshine in every bite and is 100% recyclable!

The new branding has been modernised while still featuring “sunshine and rainbows” on the packaging to reflect the brand name Sonas, which means “happiness” in Irish. In addition to the new packaging design, Ampersand has also rebranded the Sonas Sweets logo to feature a memorable mascot in the form of a smiling sun, incorporated modern typography and included vibrant rainbow colours throughout the new logo and packaging designs.

The packets are now colour-coded to reflect the three categories of jellies within the delicious 24 flavours of the hanging bag range The “Jellies” are now packed in striking red packs, the “Fizzy” and sour sweets are in vibrant yellow and orange packs and the “Nibbles” range of bite-size treats are packed in bright blue bags. The new look packaging has been designed to appeal to both children and adults alike.

Retailing from €1, Sonas Sweets hanging bags will bring a smile to your face with every flavour Also available, is the best-selling “€2 Mix-up” which contains classic favourites and unusual jellies in distinctive colourful and cheery packaging. The Mix-up packaging has also been refreshed in the rebrand and in

and the introduction of new products with innovative flavours. In a constantly evolving sector, it is critical for retailers to ensure they are stocking the biggest brands to drive a strong rate of sale and therefore profit.

Euromonitor International made a number of pertinent findings in a report entitled ‘Sugar Confectionery in Ireland’, which was published in July 2022. According to the analyst, “healthy trends are likely to impact

addition an exciting mix of confectionery in a rainbow of flavours has been added.

Sonas Sweets’ new and improved packaging has been designed to stand out in-store To further encourage and drive sales, Ampersand can provide some bright coloured stands, branded header boards and dump bins which will also brighten up any retail outlet.

“We are thrilled to relaunch the new and improved look for Sonas Sweets jellies, which we believe will be a hit with sweet lovers of all ages,” says Sinéad Smith, marketing manager at Ampersand.

“Our focus is to provide our customers with the highest quality products, and this rebrand

the shape of sugar confectionery in the forecast five-year period with brands focusing on reducing the amount of sugar and adding extra vitamins to provide some nutritional value, which will be seen primarily in jellies and other sugar confectionery products. Manufacturers will focus on modifying and improving recipes of existing brands, which will likely reduce the amount of sugar to help support the category moving forward.”

for Sonas Sweets is no exception,” she adds. “We are confident that the colourful packaging and delicious flavours will make our jellies a popular choice for those who are looking for a sweet treat. We are also planning some more exciting updates for our wider confectionery range this year which will reflect and reinforce Ampersand’s commitment to quality within our portfolio.”

The new Sonas Sweets range of jellies are now available for sale from Ampersand. For more information, contact your Ampersand representative or the Ampersand sales line on 01 413 0150

A firm favourite

Rowntrees, a brand long synonymous with sugar confectionery and one of Ireland’s favourite confectionery brands for over 140 years, has been performing strongly with MAT value growth +13.8% and YTD +27.3%.

Rowntrees continues to develop exciting products and in the last year expanded its vegan friendly offering to ensure as many people as possible can now enjoy its fruity chews Vegan friendly Rowntrees Fruit Gums and Rowntrees Pick & Mix joined the existing range alongside vegan friendly Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles and Rowntrees Jelly Tots. Suitable for those following vegetarian, vegan

According to market analyst Mintel, the cost of living crisis is likely to maintain the sugar confectionery trend of enhancing at-home leisure occasions, reinforcing the image of sweets as an affordable treat for consumers. With that in mind, make sure you are fully stocked up on the leading brands tantalising tastebuds within this vibrant sector

The Polo brand is growing MAT + 26.2% and YTD +29.1%

the highest quality products, and this rebrand

The best-selling Sonas Sweets €2 Mix-up contains classic favourites and unusual jellies

The new Sonas Sweets packaging is eye-catching and colourful just like the jellies within

and religious diets, these new offerings are likely attracting incremental shoppers.

Further innovation this year includes the launch of a Rowntrees range of sharing bags containing real fruit juice and 30% less sugar, plus they have no artificial flavourings, colourings, or sweeteners.

The new range includes:

• Berry Hearts - Squidgy hearts in flavour favourites strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant.

• Safari Mix - Giraffes, elephants, hippos and paw prints make up this fun mix with strawberry, orange, lemon and apple flavours.

• Gummy Bears – Nostalgic gummy bears in strawberry, orange, lemon and apple flavours.

In other Rowntrees news, Tropical Tots from the Jelly Tots range are now being rolled out nationwide with fruity flavoured sweets in five tasty flavours: passion fruit, peach, pineapple, grapefruit and mango

The full Rowntrees range of singles, multipacks and sharing bags contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Mints also play a critical role in achieving the optimum sugar singles range Mints are very much a functional/destination segment of the confectionery market, with shoppers actively seeking out products to freshen their breath after a coffee or lunch break. When shopping patterns were impacted by various lockdowns over the past few years, mints sales were

Rowntrees has launched a new range of sharing bags containing real fruit juice and 30% less sugar, with no artificial flavourings, colourings, or sweeteners

affected as shoppers stayed at home and this resulted in fewer out of home consumption occasions.

However, with a return to more normal living patterns over the past year with people returning to work and travel, retailers have had an opportunity to boost their mint category sales once again. To continue to capitalise on this growth, retailers should ensure they are always stocking the best-selling packs across a range of usage occasions. Focusing on big brands which consumers know and trust will also capture shoppers’ attention in store. When it comes to mints, Polo is the original ‘mint with a hole’ providing minty crunchy refreshment. The Polo brand is growing MAT + 26.2% and YTD +29.1% and the Polo portfolio includes Original, Sugar Free, Spearmint and Fruit variants. Key locations to consider in-store space for Polo include displays at the till and secondary siting especially if located next to food and drink to go categories.

*(Source: Nielsen total scantrack incl. Dunnes & Discounter estimate data to wk 26/02/23)

Subhead To Be Supplied

Mints and gums are seeing positive signs of growth as more people continue to return to work following the Covid-19 lockdowns. Jason Sutherland, UK & Ireland sales director at Ferrero, reports that the Tic Tac brand also showed great resilience and overall, the sugar confectionery segment is on an upward trajectory, driven by mints and gum which is the second growing segment, rising with double digits. The sugar category is now worth £1.5bn, up 10% in the past year Within that, Tic Tac has shown steady growth, up 31% compared to two years ago and increasing by 13% this year, meaning this iconic brand is now worth £24.9m.

Tic Tac mints are showing rising penetration, with half of these buyers aged at 55 and 65+, translating into 1.3m additional shoppers who are spending 8% more. Tic Tac has gained more than £1m in sales through winning shoppers with its fruit flavours which are predominantly gaining traction with a younger audience under 35 and the brand is seeing many switch from more traditional hard candy or boiled sweets towards its vibrant, fruity flavours. The expanding Tic Tac Fruits range has also supported the brand’s results, bringing in five million incremental value sales by attracting a younger demographic. ■

Suki Tea invests over €560,000 in new eco-factory in Co. Down Spar celebrates 60th birthday with customer giveaway

Spar Ireland is officially celebrating its 60th anniversary; commemorating the signing of the brand’s original contract on 2 April 1963 in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

As part of these celebrations, the brand recently launched a nationwide campaign to reward valued Spar shoppers who were encouraged to visit their local store in a bid to win a daily cash prize between 2 – 8 April.

Irish tea company, Suki Tea has announced an investment of over €560,000 into a new headquarters office and factory site in Lisburn, Co Down. The new purpose-built ‘Tea Factory’ has allowed the company to immediately double its manufacturing and warehousing capacity, bolstering distribution and allowing for continued growth and expansion into 30 countries worldwide

Turning 18 years old this year, Suki Tea now has a state-of-the-art factory to help the team continue delivering excellence for its wide customer base The new factory provides the perfect creative space for innovation in blending and recipe creation, and a dedicated tea-rista training room for all customers.

The new factory move will also assist Suki in its goals for net zero carbon. In fact, it has allowed the business to reduce its Scope 2 emissions down to zero, superseding its environmental target to reduce the business’ emissions by 50% by 2030

The new facility, which was built in collaboration with a team of sustainability and heating experts from Invest Northern Ireland, is powered by 100% renewable energy sources including a 10kW Solar PV system. LED sensor lighting and PIR controls are installed throughout, along with large windows for maximised used of daylight and recycling of key waste streams.

4. Top spot for a walk?

The Phoenix Park, as I live nearby.

5. Top book recommendation?

Anything by Jo Nesbo.

6. Which social media platform do you use most?

Instagram and LinkedIn.

The campaign was supported by a significant investment in radio spot advertising, sponsorship of Dermot and Dave’s ‘Birthday Bingo’ quiz on Today FM and was further bolstered by a heavyweight social media campaign delivering over 1 million impressions across multiple platforms.

Shoppers were encouraged to visit their local Spar, take a photo of the special competition sign, and upload it to Spar’s Facebook page for a chance to win €1,963 each day throughout the week. More than 400 Spar retailers across the country joined in the celebrations by decking out their stores with 60th themed decorations, while messages of goodwill flooded the Spar Facebook page from entrants to the competition. ShelfLife will report on all the celebrations in greater detail in next month’s issue ■

More than 400 Spar retailers across the country joined in the celebrations by decking out their stores with 60th themed decorations, including Spar Firies, Co. Kerry, pictured here

10. Your favourite dish to make at home?

Meatballs from the Avoca cookbook, followed by the chocolate mousse recipe from our own Butlers Chocolate cookbook.

11. First thing you would do if you were Taoiseach?

Make public transport completely free for everyone.

Definitely the office, as we are all based here at the Butlers Factory.

16. Best piece of advice you ever received? Go big or go home.

17. Biggest fear?

Losing my son in Woodies.

1. Best series you recently watched on a streaming platform? Succession.

2. Best place for coffee?

Butlers Chocolate Café of course. We have a lovely café onsite here at the factory, but my absolute favorite spot is our café in the Red Mall at the Blanchardstown Centre.

3. Top movie recommendation?

Any of the Lord of the Rings films.

7. Favourite influencer/content creator if you have one?

Jim Hamilton - The Rugby Pod.

8. Best ad on telly?

An old one, but a good one is the Financial Regulator ad from years ago – “I don’t know what a tracker mortgage is…”

9. Worst ad on telly?

Not that I get much time to watch television these days, but I am not a fan of those Quote Devil ads.

12. If you had to live in another city, where would you choose? New York.

13. Greatest achievement to date? My family, building my own home and also heading up the sales team for Butlers Chocolates’ direct supply into the grocery retailers.

14. Best website? Joe.ie.

15. Do you prefer working from home or in the office/on-site?

18. Top restaurant recommendation? Trocadero in Dublin 2.

19. Best customer service you ever received?

I recently contacted Bord Gais about a billing query and their customer service was exemplary.

20. What’s the last compliment you received?

It was from one of my kids – “my dad is bald, but he’s very nice” ■

Niall Fanning

Oscar Woolley and Annie Irwin of Suki Tea outside their new 7,500sq ft ‘Tea Factory’

Heineken launches ‘Love Rivalry’ campaign to celebrate Heineken Champions Cup 2023

Heineken has launched ‘Love Rivalry’, a new campaign encouraging sports fans, and non-sports fans alike, to enjoy some friendly rivalry this spring as Dublin gets set to host the Heineken Champions Cup Final in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 20 May.

Heineken has enlisted the help of interagency partners Publicis, Thinkhouse, Red Star and Allied Global Marketing to develop an innovative 360 campaign led by audio out-of-home (OOH) billboards to celebrate the spirit of playful rivalry

To gain insight, and find out how much friendly rivalry is embedded into Irish culture, Thinkhouse teamed up with research partner Bounce Insights, releasing new research revealing Ireland as a fiercely competitive nation, with over 85% of Irish people confessing to ‘loving a good rivalry’.

To ensure all fans (those at home and further afield) could soak up the famous rivalry of the Heineken Champions Cup ahead of the Ulster vs Leinster clash on Saturday, 1 April, Heineken worked with Publicis to develop interactive audio billboards, giving fans the power to push their opponents buttons on game day.

In the lead-up to the big game, fans were invited to send their most annoying voice messages to their rivals on https://love-rivalry.com/ All messages were collated and blasted through ‘Love Rivalry’ audio billboards on game day in their rival team’s city across Ireland and further afield in Durban, South Africa.

Cali by Snoop moves into the rosé category

Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and Treasury Wine Estates have moved into the rosé category with the launch of Cali Rosé, a fruit-forward wine aimed at recruiting 18-35 year old consumers into the category through disruption and defiance of convention.

Created in collaboration with Treasury Wine Estates, Cali Rosé is a bright rosé with ripe fresh strawberries, complemented with delicate florals and rose petal aromas. The rosé is fruit forward with raspberry, strawberry, and cherry notes. It is available in Carry Out stores at RRP €16.99

“The love we got when we launched Cali Red last year was incredible,” said Snoop Dogg. “I always said I wanted to create a wine that cuts away all the noise, and looked and tasted like something people who don’t usually drink wine would want to try, and the feedback from my fans shows we bottled that.”

The launch of Cali Rosé will be supported by a sizeable integrated marketing campaign across the Republic of Ireland, which will include disruptive in-store display and promotion, out of home, PR, digital, social and influencer engagement.

“With the final in Dublin coming up on the 20 May, we want everyone in Ireland to feel included in the excitement surrounding the Heineken Champions Cup this year,” said Ronan McCormack, marketing manager, Heineken Ireland.

For more information, see https://love-rivalry.com/

Kopparberg launches new 10-pack format in iconic Strawberry & Lime and Mixed Fruit flavours

Ben Blake, head of marketing EMEA at Treasury Wine Estates, said: “Following the successful launch of Cali Red, we are delighted to be continuing our partnership with music icon Snoop Dogg, and launching Snoop Cali Rosé to the Republic of Ireland this spring.

“Cali by Snoop is a brand that honours Snoop’s story, one which tells of overcoming adversity, beating the odds and taking his place as a leader in contemporary pop culture,” Blake added.

To learn more, visit: www.CalibySnoop.com

Cider has seen a strong start to the year within the off-trade category achieving growth of 5.3%*.

Kopparberg, the independent fruit cider giant and flavour expert, is delighted to be bringing its newly designed 10-pack 330ml format cans to the Irish market in two truly iconic flavours; Strawberry & Lime and Mixed Fruit.

This move is being dictated by changing customer needs. Medium pack sizes currently make up 45% of cider value sales**. Kopparberg is the number one fruit cider brand with eight out of the top 10 SKUs within the category**. The brand is confident these newly designed packs and cans are sure to be a hit. ■

(All data is representative of latest 26 weeks)

*(Sources: Symphony EYC, Dunnhumby. Based on sales in the 26 Week period ending 29 January 2023 compared to the 26 Week period ending 30 January 2022 for all measured stores in Republic of Ireland)

*(Sources: Symphony EYC, Dunnhumby. Based on sales in the 26 Week period ending 29 January 2023 compared to the 26 Week period ending 30 January 2022 for all measured stores in Republic of Ireland of products in the Cider super category).

Fitness influencer Paul Olima (Leinster), comedian Shane Todd (Ulster), with celebrity influencer and podcaster Vogue Williams (Leinster) are helping to whip up some healthy inter-province rivalry

Cali by Snoop Rosé is fruit forward with raspberry, strawberry, and cherry notes

Kopparberg is Ireland’s number one fruit cider brand

Cheers to that

McHugh’s Off-Licence, Malahide Road, Artane in Dublin was awarded National Off-Licence of the Year at the 27th annual industry Awards. Fionnuala Carolan spoke to Cathal McHugh about the many innovations pioneered in this independent off-licence

The National Off-Licence of the Year Awards took place at the end of January in the Honourable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin. The Awards, which highlight those retailers that offer exceptional service to customers, included 46 finalists, with McHugh’s OffLicence, Malahide Road awarded ‘National Off-Licence of the Year 2023’, a coveted accolade

McHugh’s are no strangers to winning, having won it twice before in 2005 and 2006 and having won category awards many times especially in the craft beer section.

Cathal McHugh says they were really delighted with the overall win this year “It’s an honour to come out on top. The competition is an excellent barometer of where our business stands and the criteria that we are given beforehand gives us standards to work towards and areas to work on which is really valuable in an independent setting,” he explains.

Cathal and his brother Diarmuid run a multi-faceted business incorporating two offlicences, four Centra stores and two restaurants, McHugh’s of Raheny and McHugh’s of Portmarnock based in north county Dublin, close to where they grew up

“My father started off in the grocery business in the 1950s,” explains McHugh. “He would have come up from Donegal with his brothers and opened an offlicence in the 1970s.” McHugh joined the family business early in his career when they started off the independent off-licence arm of the business developing Kilbarrack Road and the Artane store and he has been instrumental is driving the business forward.

Artane store

The winning Artane store was refurbished in 2021 with a full internal and external revamp including new doors and windows and all new signage It had been 15 years since the previous upgrade and according to McHugh they were more than ready for an overhaul. “We created a really bright open plan space with more sleek shelving and less clutter in the store and our customers have responded really well to that and we feel it’s now offering a really good shopping experience for the customer,” he says

“In terms of our investment cycle we were overdue a refurbishment. We looked around and went to the Euroshops trade fair in Germany and visited other off-licences in Ireland to get inspiration and ideas and this is the direction we felt was appropriate We acquired new more modern branding for our business at the same time.”

The store is managed by Frank Haughton who has been there for over 20 years. At the time of the judging, James Carroll was the assistant manager but he has since moved to their Kilbarrack stores and Aidan O’Neill has taken over as assistant manager McHugh has great faith in his staff “We pride ourselves on having a very educated team whether that is cocktails, beers or wines. We would be pursuing knowledge and tasting products ourselves to keep abreast of everything,” he says

Reimagining

It’s no secret that off-licences fared well during Covid and McHugh describes the change in customer behaviour during this time as a “reimagining”, meaning that people were replacing the money that they would normally spend in restaurants and hotels on a visit to the off-licence.

“Some people were working their way up through the price levels in terms of wines, embracing liquors and cocktails more enthusiastically and even on the spirits side of things being more adventurous and spending a bit more to get more quality,” he explains.

Have people kept these habits up since, we wondered? “With the cost of living pressures, people are certainly searching for value now but once you take the genie out of the bottle and realise the extra quality that can be attained by paying a few euro extra it’s hard to go backwards so definitely we have attained the higher spend per bottle,” he says

Cocktails

Always on the lookout for new opportunities and using their expertise and knowledge to build the business, they came up with a new idea during Covid when

they noticed the upswing and interest in cocktails and decided to utilise restaurant staff who were unable to work because of the lockdowns, to create readyto-drink cocktails and a new brand called Shake Me Cocktails was born.

“Our restaurant manager and mixologist in Portmarnock is called Tudor Hedes and he produces the cocktails,” explains McHugh. “We bottle high quality batches and sell them through our off-licences. Our core range includes a margarita, a pornstar martini, a cosmopolitan and an old fashioned and then some seasonal varieties. They are made with full strength high quality ingredients and are really good,” he admits.

Beer innovations

While cocktails are a newish element to the business, McHugh says they have always been pioneers in craft beer He says they were early adopters of craft beers like weiss beers from Germany and New England IPAs in the 1990s and then when small breweries started popping up in Ireland like the Dublin Brewing Company in Smithfield and O’Hara’s they were quick to support them.

Frank Haughton with McHugh’s Off-Licence’s NOffLA Certificate of Merit

The NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year 2023 was presented to Frank Haughton, Cathal McHugh and James Carroll of McHugh’s Malahide Road, by Gary O’Donovan, chairman, NOffLA

“The craft beer market developed quite quickly and quite smoothly,” he remembers.

“Originally it was American and English beers that were regarded as the cutting edge of beer styles but the Irish breweries really upped their game in the last 10 years and now the majority focus would be on the Irish craft breweries,” he explains.

When the second wave of craft beer hit in recent years, their customers took to the category quite quickly “I think because we had a reputation for being at the forefront for any new trends in beers we were seen as a go-to when craft beers did take off,” he says

So much so that in 2016, they created their own brand of beer called Road Trip to mark the 20th anniversary of McHugh’s Kilbarrack Road off-licence by partnering with one of their favourite breweries, Kinnegar Brewery in Rathmullen, Co Donegal. “The first beer we made was Road Trip One with Kinnegar Brewery We worked with them to come up with a recipe for an American pale ale We got involved in all stages of the

brewing process. We’ve done a few different beers in that range since. We did a barrel aged stout with an independent brewery in Connemara and a hazy pale ale with Hope Brewery, which is situated very close to us. It’s a matter of coming up with the right concept and partnering with the right brewery It’s good for us to flex our imagination and get involved with the whole process,” he says

Their craft beer is clearly branded as McHugh’s beers with the brewery’s branding. “It’s attaching our expertise to a brand and getting it out there on social media and to our regular customers who would have a certain amount of trust in us.”

In recent times they have created an offshoot of that called the Explorer Series with Hope Brewery in smaller batch sizes so they get to be creative producing beers like a raspberry and basil gueuze - a blend of several different barrel-aged Belgian beers and a few other interesting styles.

“We have acquired a lot of knowledge over the years so it’s just putting that into practice in

the hands on element and then obviously working with the brewers who have a keener knowledge of the ins and outs of creating the flavour profiles that we want to achieve,” and it’s obvious that this element has become a real passion project for McHugh and the team.

Minimum unit pricing

Winning the NOffLA award proves that they are doing things right and it has given the team in McHugh’s Artane a great boost of confidence but the regular day-to-day issues affecting the licenced trade remain. The most pertinent of these in recent times are minimum unit pricing and the rate of excise duty on alcoholic drinks. According to NOffLA’s Gary O’Donovan, rising costs have been significantly impacting the wider hospitality sector He suggests that government can implement an immediate lifeline to these businesses through a reduction in alcohol excise rates, which remain the highest in Europe McHugh is sceptical that this will happen in the short term.

“I’d love to think so but in my lifetime I haven’t seen too many instances of those types of taxes coming down. It’s just not a level

playing field across Europe and you are in the unusual position in that wine is unfairly treated because we are not a producer Our suppliers from France, Italy and Spain can’t get over the taxes and the price differential between the EU countries,” he says McHugh can’t say for certain whether Minimum Unit Pricing has made a real difference to the sector yet. “It’s got rid of the very irresponsible sales techniques and deep discounts but there have been a lot of different pack sizes introduced by the beer companies so at the moment we are going through a cycle of the price increases from all suppliers so there is huge confusion around what is the price of a particular product. It’s hard to gauge what the impact is,” he admits.

Being an independent business means that they are keenly aware of these issues but they are happy to have NOffLA campaigning on their behalf while they keep innovating and creating exciting new products for their customers. With their Off-Licence of the Year credentials, you can be sure everyone is watching with interest what they do next!

“We are always on the lookout for new opportunities and use our expertise and knowledge to build the business.”

McHugh’s Off-Licence was refurbished in 2021 with a full internal and external revamp

McHugh’s Off-Licence features a bright open plan space with sleek shelving

Hunky Dorys launches exciting new Prawn Cocktail flavour

Hunky Dorys, the number one crinkle cut crisp brand in Ireland, is delighted to reveal its newest flavour, Hunky Dorys Prawn Cocktail

Hunky Dorys’ newest addition proudly boasts all the brand’s best qualities. Thick and satisfying, they can easily squash any tummy rumbles with massive ridges of flavour and obscene crunchiness. This new flavour is packing some serious zingy punch.

Hunky Dorys new Prawn Cocktail flavour is available nationwide in both sharing (135g: RRP €2.99*) and impulse on-the-go (45g: RRP €1.25*) formats.

Hunky Dorys fans can pick up Ireland’s most beloved crinkle cut crisps, in six flavours; Cheddar Cheese & Spring Onion, Salt & Malt Vinegar Sour Cream & Onion, Buffalo, Flame Grilled Steak and now Prawn Cocktail. Join the conversation at Instagram: @hunky_dorys and Tik Tok: @hunkydorysireland.

*(Packs can be subject to special offer in different retail outlets)

‘For Goodness Sake’: Rudd’s looking good at 50!

This month, Rudd’s will mark 50 years since the company made its first sausages in Ireland. From humble beginnings on the Rudd family pig farm in Offaly in 1973, the brand has not stood still and has continued to innovate to meet the changing dietary needs of Irish consumers. Rudd’s has recently expanded its range to not only offer quality Irish breakfast meats but also a range of tasty meat-alternatives and innovative functional products for consumers.

The brand, which was acquired by Loughnane’s of Galway in 2017, has recently welcomed one of the youngest members of the Rudd family, Simon Rudd, back to continue to grow the business in Ireland. Following a recent brand refresh, the company has launched a new marketing campaign with the tagline, ‘Rudd’s, For Goodness Sake’.

Rudd’s product range can now be found in four categories:

• Favourites features the products Rudd’s is traditionally known for: dry cured bacon, sausages, and the best-selling black and white puddings.

• Chef’s Table is a more exclusive offering which allows the Rudd’s team to innovate and be creative.

• Plantiful is Rudd’s plant-based range featuring a range of plant-based breakfast and dinner meats.

• Eat Well which focuses on functional foods containing high iron, high protein, and lean meat options.

As part of the ‘For Goodness Sake’ campaign, Rudd’s is giving away five €500 shopping vouchers on the @ruddsfood Instagram page

Have a break, have a bowl of KitKat Cereal!

Nestlé Cereals has announced the launch of KitKat Cereal, a new breakfast option which brings the taste of the popular chocolate bar straight to consumers’ cereal bowls.

Created in partnership with the chocolate development team, the cereal maintains the essence of the much-loved original chocolate bar The crispy cereal squares provide the delicious taste of chocolate and wafer, which is sure to delight loyal KitKat fans.

The newest addition to the Nestlé Cereals’ portfolio is made with a milk chocolate flavoured coating and is a source of five vitamins, calcium and iron.

“This exciting new cereal delivers a delicious taste of KitKat and has been developed to cater to consumers who are looking for an occasional, indulgent breakfast option, that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet,” said Jennifer Walsh, country category manager, Nestlé Cereals.

KitKat Cereal will be stocked by major retailers from mid-May onwards.

Tanqueray and Amy Huberman team up to launch Tanqueray 0.0% In Ireland

Tanqueray 0.0%, an alcohol-free spirit alternative to Tanqueray London Dry gin was officially launched earlier this month by Amy Huberman. The alcohol-free alternative drink option for those not willing to compromise on taste is now available to buy in Ireland.

Ireland is the number one fastest growing alcohol-free market globally (Source: KAM Media June 2022). The alcohol-free sector is expected to more than double in size over the next three years, growing faster than beer and cider combined.

Tanqueray 0.0% has been crafted and perfectly balanced using the same distinct blend of four quality botanicals used in the making of Tanqueray London Dry gin, resulting in a citrus style and juniper led profile, with a delicate botanical complexity behind it.

Tanqueray’s four quality botanicals (piney juniper peppery coriander aromatic angelica and sweet liquorice) are individually immersed in water, heated, and then distilled to give a complex, delicious flavour, yet zeroalcohol.

Tanqueray 0.0% is now available in retailers nationwide, as well as in selected on trade locations nationwide

For more information, visit www.tanqueray.com ■

More than 94,000 people signed up to a waiting list for an anti-ageing range from Boots No 7

Demand soars for Boots’ new anti-ageing cream hailed as ‘Botox in a jar’

Boots scored a major win in the NPD stakes this month, with crowds queuing up for its latest anti-ageing cream. More than 94,000 people signed up to a waiting list for an anti-ageing range from No 7, and many queued outside Boots stores for up to two hours on its launch day on Wednesday, 12 April.

The Daily Mail reports that demand soared for skincare range No 7 Future Renew Damage Reversal after impressive results of its ability to repair sun damage were presented last month at a meeting of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology The cream, developed over 15 years in collaboration with the University of Manchester, has been found to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin firmness in clinical trials The buzz surrounding this so-called ‘Botox in a jar’ is reminiscent of the company’s Protect & Perfect serum, which was highlighted on the BBC’s Horizon programme in 2007

Following the Twitterati

■ Teresa O’Reilly @TeresaO09898358

@SuperValuIRL Danielle works in SuperValu Cootehill. She is a star She is friendly and helpful. Her cheerful demeanour is noted & appreciated by many.

■ Jack Witts @jackfwitts

Big fan of @Aldi_Ireland’s can art. Lager is decent, too. Cheers, all. Hope everyone has a cracking Friday. #irishbeer #aldibeer

■ Claire Cross @ClaireC34622403

@dunnesstores Big thank you to Catherine in your @dunnesstores branch in @BridgeShopping @Tullamore. She went out of her way to help a very special lady #Coat

■ Cllr Lorraine Hall @LorraineHallFG

Dreadful to see Dunnes Stores sitting on vacant properties in Macroom, Co Cork for almost 20 years. This is especially worse during a housing crisis. #DerelictIreland #VacantIreland

#HousingCrisis

Grocery across the globe

USA

Walmart closes four Chicago stores

Walmart has made the “difficult decision” to close four stores in Chicago According to the retailer, “collectively our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago – these stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years”.

Walmart added that the remaining four Chicago stores face “the same difficulties” but it hopes to keep them open to serve the community

France

Carrefour Énergies now has 100 electric vehicle charging stations in France

Carrefour recently reached the milestone of 100 electric vehicle charging stations. That makes it the first network of terminals in France with more than 850 charging points – half of which are highpower ones (up to 300 kW) – across the whole country Carrefour Énergies was launched in April 2022 and has equipped over a hundred hypermarkets with electric charging terminals. It wants to add another 200 stores to this tally before the end of this year

Ambiano Dual Basket Air Fryer is only €99.99 (Image: Aldi)

Aldi’s

Aldi air fryer dupe expected to fly off the shelves

An air fryer dupe which goes on sale in Aldi from 23 April onwards, is €200 cheaper than the more expensive Ninja air fryer The dual basket air fryer from Aldi lets people cook two foods at the same time and is similar to the top-of-the-range Ninja dual air fryer that costs €299. The Aldi version - the Ambiano Dual Basket Air Fryer - which sells for just €99.99, can be used for cooking all types of foods, including meat and veg, in a healthier way

Expected to be hugely popular, Aldi Ireland’s website advises that the product is restricted to two orders per customer.

Butter is best says celeb chef

Celebrity chef James Martin has some harsh words for what he regards as a “horrendous” household ingredient. The former Saturday Kitchen chef compared margarine to “plastic” in a blistering attack on the butter alternative.

Speaking to The Sunday Post, the professional chef, who wrote a book about butter in 2021, explained how he grew up always having “full-fat milk, butter and cream” at home.

In his view, margarine is not an acceptable substitute for a slab of butter and he argued that supermarkets should stop selling it altogether. “Margarine should be banned,” he said. “It’s dreadful, dreadful stuff, it’s two elements away from plastic, it’s horrendous stuff.” While butter is made from cream or milk, margarine uses a blend of oils without any saturated fats.

While margarine fans would surely disagree with this forthright verdict – one thing’s for certain – we won’t expect to find it listed in a James Martin recipe any time soon!

Brussels

Docks Bruxsel: Europe’s first large shopping centre achieves Carbon Net Zero

‘Docks Bruxsel’ has become the first large shopping centre in Europe to receive the ‘CO2 neutral - gold company’ certificate from CO2logic/ South Pole A natural ventilation system has replaced air conditioning and a 580m3 rainwater recovery basin is used for many applications. A rainwater filtering method waters the green walls. The centre also has 4,500 m2 of solar panels and the heat from the nearby incinerator is used as an energy source On the roof, two beehives house around 80,000 bees.

UK

Tesco profits fall after ‘unprecedented’ inflation

Tesco saw profits fall in the year to 25 February as it faced “unprecedented levels of inflation” in the prices paid to suppliers across the year While Tesco’s revenues increased across the year, profit before tax plummeted by 50% to £1bn (€1.14bn). Total adjusted operating profit fell by 7.1% on a constant currency basis, Tesco said. This figure stood at £2.6bn (€3bn), down from £2.8bn (€3.18bn) reported the previous financial year ■

Yorkshire chef James Martin grew up in a household that used “full-fat milk, butter and cream”

Line up with MACE brand ambassador Johnny Sexton and the rest of our winning team.

AtMACE, we’re looking for retailers who bring a smile to work every day to join our amazing team.

Our new stores are designed to be both bright and welcoming, to place you at the heart of the community in which you serve. Speaking of service, our quality fresh foods and innovations meet the ever-changing needs of people and have been proven to drive profitable sales increases for MACE Retailers.

You will have the support of our experienced team around Ireland, along with award winning marketing to grow your business.