NEWSGRID

The top news stories in FMCG and retail from across Ireland

Ireland surpasses all EU recycling targets in 2022

Repak has released a new report, titled ‘Packaging Today. Reimagined for Tomorrow’, which confirms the group surpassed all EU mandated recycling targets in 2022 and delivered on all key compliance, communication and financial objectives. However, despite significant positive progress being made, Repak also announced that current projections forecast Ireland’s plastic recycling rate will fall short of the 2025 50% target set by the EU

Re-turn confirms take-back exemptions

In preparation for going live on 1 February 2024, Re-turn, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for empty bottles/containers, has announced the takeback exemptions for deposit return. Retailers operating from stores with a retail area of less than 250 sq m will be able to apply for a takeback exemption. This is to facilitate smaller retailers with limited retail and storage space. For further details, turn to page 10

M&S and Applegreen introduce new Click and Collect service

Marks & Spencer and Applegreen have commenced a pilot of M&S Click & Collect in four Applegreen stores, in Celbridge, Co Kildare, Kinsealy, Co Dublin, Mountgorry, Co Dublin and at the M11 service station at Cullenmore, Co Wicklow. Shoppers will now have the option to collect orders placed online at M&S.ie free of charge at any one of the four trial Applegreen locations. This latest initiative between M&S and Applegreen represents Ireland’s first roadside retailer click and collect service from a major retailer The service will be available for all items across the M&S clothing as well as selected home and beauty ranges.

Pepco opens new store in Tralee

Pepco is celebrating the opening of its seventh store in Tralee, Co Kerry this month. The latest opening comes after Dealz completely revamped six of its Irish stores, and converted them to the Pepco brand. Pepco’s other stores in Ireland are at Omni Shopping Centre, Finglas Main Centre, The Park at Carrickmines, The Courtyard at Newbridge, Galway Shopping Centre and The Square Tallaght.

Drinks Ireland says calls to increase price of alcohol are ‘out of touch with reality’

Ibec trade association Drinks Ireland has said Alcohol Action Ireland’s claim that alcohol prices should increase are ‘out of touch with reality’. “Recent Eurostat data, looking at the cost of living in Ireland indicated that Ireland has some of the most expensive alcohol prices in the EU,” said Cormac Healy, director of Drinks Ireland. “This is driven by extremely high levels of excise duty on alcohol, which is the second highest in the EU, as well as Minimum Unit Pricing, introduced in January 2022.”

Unemployment rate remains at all-time record low of 3.8%

The latest CSO data shows Ireland’s main unemployment rate was 3.8% in June, remaining steady from 3.8% in May and down from a level of 4.2% 12 months ago The unemployment rate was 105,400 in June, and fell by 6,000 in the past 12 months. Since January of this year, when unemployment stood at 4.3%, the monthly unemployment rate has fallen steadily each month, according to CSO data.

Green light for €11.5m Ennis regeneration project

Clare County Council has received government approval to proceed with a €11.5m regeneration of Ennis town centre. A funding allocation totalling €8,576,920 has been approved for the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), with 25% match funding from the council. Significant enhancements will be made to the streetscape of O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square.

An artist’s impression of O’Connell Street following the completion of the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project

CSNA highlights scam hitting Payzone retailers

The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) has been made aware that there are individuals visiting or phoning stores claiming to be a Payzone representative asking staff members to print prepaid vouchers and cards. In a statement, the CSNA said: “Please inform all staff that Payzone will never phone or visit a store and ask you to print a voucher If you are asked to do this, please notify Payzone on 0818 882 600.”

High Court challenge stalls Supermac’s motorway plaza plan for Ennis

A High Court challenge is delaying plans by Supermacs’ Pat McDonagh to open a €10 million Barack Obama Plaza-style Supermac’s motorway plaza outside Ennis off the M18 motorway A chartered civil engineer is seeking to challenge An Bord Pleanála’s permission saying the planning is flawed due to its proximity to special areas of conservation, and that as a result, planning permission should not have been granted. A preliminary hearing is scheduled this month to determine if he has an arguable case ■

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