ShelfLife September Issue

Growth mindset

Barry Group MD Jim Barry discusses five-year vision to double turnover

Driving traffic

Shauna Bernard examines potential implications for retailers of Dublin City Council’s Draft Traffic Plan

Time is money!

Colin Gordon reflects on the publicity garnered by a British pub chain which admitted to having higher prices at busier times

Catch up with our retailers

ShelfLife September 2023 Vol. 30 No.9

Editor GILLIAN HAMILL (01) 294 7776

gillian.hamill@mediateam.ie

Staff journalist

SHAUNA BERNARD (01) 294 7709 shauna.bernard@mediateam.ie

Contributors

CAROLINE REIDY

FIONNUALA CAROLAN

NIKKI MURRAN COLIN GORDON

Head of business

IAN MULVANEY (01) 294 7766 ian.mulvaney@mediateam.ie

Account manager MARK MORGAN (01) 294 7767 mark.morgan@mediateam.ie

Circulation subs@mediateam.ie

Publisher JOHN McDONALD (01) 294 7744 john.mcdonald@mediateam.ie

Printing

W & G Baird Ltd

ShelfLife is a controlled circulation magazine, available to selected individuals with interests in the retail and wholesale grocery trade, who fall within the publisher’s terms of control. For those outside these terms, annual subscription is €98.00 including postage & packing.

Cash may not still be king, but its demise

has surely been exaggerated!

In a win for those who are keen to ward off a cashless society, the Department of Finance recently confirmed that all public bodies have been told they must continue to accept cash payments from people for services. The announcement followed sharp criticism of the operator of the National Car Testing Service for stating that it would no longer accept cash payments.

Minister McGrath posted on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter: “I am currently preparing Access to Cash legislation & developing a new National Payments Strategy. I have therefore asked my Cabinet colleagues to ensure bodies under their remit continue to accept cash from members of the public seeking to access services.”

While the pandemic helped fasten the pace of transition to cashless and contactless payments, the latest move by the Department of Finance is an interesting signal that the demise of cash is not as certain as some commentators would have us believe. It’s certainly an important topic for retailers, not least because of credit card charges!

On a more personal note, on behalf of all the team at ShelfLife, we would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our departing colleague, staff journalist Julia O’Reilly, for her dedication and hard work during her time with the business. We are delighted to welcome new team member, journalist Shauna Bernard on board, who I know is extremely eager and enthusiastic to meet many more of you in the coming weeks and months.

Gillian Hamill, editor, ShelfLifemagazine

Managing Director JOHN McDONALD; Sales Director PAUL BYRNE

Operations Director BILLY HUGGARD

Published monthly by Mediateam Ltd., 55 Spruce Avenue, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

A94 RP22

Telephone (01) 294 7776

Fax (01) 294 7799

ISSN: 1393 0753

26 Barry Group poised for growth: Barry Group MD Jim Barry caught up with Fionnuala Carolan to explain more about the group’s current five-year vision which aims to double turnover through rebranding, acquisitions, sustainability initiatives and a new leadership management strategy

flourishing within their growing, tight-knit village

18 Centra store profile: Having recently opened their second store at Centra Portmarnock, father and son duo Paul and David Sweeney speak to Fionnuala Carolan about their future plans

ADVISOR

22 Planning Dublin’s traffic: Shauna Bernard speaks to DublinTown CEO Richard Guiney about how Dublin City Council's Draft Traffic Plan could affect retailers

14 Nearby store profile: Following a revamp nearly three years ago, Angela and John Tully of Nearby Twomileborris in Co. Tipperary tell Gillian Hamill business is

32 HR: The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy outlines what the new legislation on unpaid leave for medical purposes means for both employers and employees

34 Recruitment: Excel Recruitment’s Nikki Murran discusses the advantages of employing a recruitment agency in the quest for good staff

36 Marketing: Colin Gordon reflects on the publicity garnered by a British pub chain which admitted to having higher prices at different, busier times of the day and night

38 Confectionery 45 Newspapers

50 Hot beverages

NEWSGRID

The top news stories in FMCG

and retail from across

Ireland

Grocery price inflation in Ireland falls for fourth month in a row

Britvic Ireland to invest €6m in Ballygowan facility

Britvic Ireland has announced an investment of €6 million in its Ballygowan facility in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, to grow the site’s production capacity by over 20% in order to meet growing consumer demand for Ballygowan mineral water, and the creation of 28 new jobs. The investment will provide additional bottling capacity for the equivalent of 50 million fully recycled and recyclable 500ml bottles of Ballygowan, enhance production capability, and underpin the strong sustainability credentials of the site.

Ireland still waiting for bill to ban underage vaping

The nine-year wait for legislation to ban the sale of vapes to under-18s must be prioritised by the government on its return from the summer recess, says BAT Ireland, one of the country’s leading vape businesses.

In May of this year, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced that a ban on the sale of vapes to under-18s would come into effect in July after Cabinet agreed to prioritise the legislation. However, four months on, it has yet to be introduced.

Tackling solid fuel smuggling essential, says SMFI

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI), the leading representative body for Irish solid fuel retailers, has submitted its Pre-Budget 2024 submission. This focuses on the pressing issue of solid fuel smuggling into the Republic of Ireland and the detrimental impact it poses to legitimate businesses across the nation.

“We call on the government to take decisive action to protect our industry from unfair competition and preserve the livelihoods of countless hardworking people,” said chairperson of SFMI, Colin Ahern, of Kilkenny’s Marble City Fuels.

Kantar’s latest data shows that take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 7.9% in the four weeks to 3 September 2023 as the average price per pack increased by 8.8%. Shoppers visited stores more often this month making one additional trip versus last month. However, they bought on average one item less per month. Grocery price inflation, which stands at 11.5% in the 12 weeks to 3 September, is the main reason for the increase in value sales, despite it falling to the lowest level since September 2022.

Pepco launches eighth Irish store

Following seven successful launches in the last year, including Tallaght and Tralee in 2023, Pepco celebrated the opening of its newest store in Limerick on Saturday, 23 September Pepco, which has over 4,000 stores across 21 European countries, sells food, health & beauty, fashion, homewares, toys and household products. The latest opening comes after Dealz completely revamped seven of its Irish stores, giving them top-to-bottom makeovers, converting them to the Pepco brand.

Revenue to require ‘enhanced reporting’ of employee benefits

Revenue is planning to introduce new requirements which will require employers to include in their payroll notification to Revenue a list of additional employee benefits from 1 January 2024 Under the new requirements, where an employer makes a payment under one or more of the several categories, including the small benefits exemption (i.e., gift cards under €1,000 threshold); remote working allowance; vouched and unvouched travel and subsistence; and eating on site, they are required to report details of these payments to Revenue on or before the date of payment.

Deputy Mayor of Limerick launches ‘Show Me I.D’ autumn campaign

The Show Me I.D – Be Age OK Autumn campaign has kicked off, with deputy mayor of Limerick city and county councillor Dan McSweeney promoting the responsible retail training initiative at Roche’s Mace store on Thomas Street, Limerick City The campaign emphasizes the importance of retailers asking for proper identification if a minor attempts to purchase age-restricted products.

To access the free training module, visit www.showmeid.ie

Own label sales up 11.9% in latest 12 weeks: Kantar

Sales of own label products were up 11.9% in the latest 12 weeks to 3 September 2023, more than double the sales growth of brands at 5%, Kantar reports. Value own label ranges had the strongest growth, up 17.8%, with shoppers spending an additional €10.3m year-on-year as they look to save money at the tills. Own label value share hit 47.9%, while brands hold a value share of 46.6%.

Dundrum Town Centre to become first Irish retail centre to offer 5G

Work has begun on the installation of a state-ofthe-art Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Dundrum Town Centre which will allow businesses and customers to use 5G services from all mobile network operators throughout the shopping centre, the first time this service has been offered in an Irish shopping centre. The news was announced by Shared Access, owner and operator of shared wireless infrastructure for mobile operators and Hammerson, owner, operator and developer of sustainable prime urban real estate ■

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

Kevin Donnelly, managing director at Britvic Ireland with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney

Deputy mayor of Limerick city and county councillor Dan McSweeney with owner of Roche’s Mace, Sinead Roche and store manager Mark Ryan

Newvape

New Payment Innovation eyes rapid growth with 100 new hires

New Payment Innovation (NPI) aims to capture 20% of the Irish card payments market in the next three years.

The Dublin-based company continues to buck the market trend of decline and redundancies, by delivering rapid growth with 100 new hires by the end of 2024

With an investment expected to reach €2m by year end, NPI has recently relocated to its new headquarters in Citywest to support its continuous expansion.

“We are incredibly excited about the recent developments at New Payment Innovation as we move into our new premises and continue to expand our team to serve our rapidly growing customer base,” said Carl Churchill, managing director of NPI.

“Our investment in our facilities and the recruitment of exceptional talent highlights our commitment to delivering industry leading payment solutions and driving the growth of the Irish fintech sector underpinned by exceptional customer service,” he added.

NPI added 25 staff since January with its new HQ designed to accommodate up to 80 employees in its current form with additional on-site expansion opportunities for up to 250

NPI continues to make it easier for consumers to pay and businesses to get paid, with leading technology and an unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.

The company’s journey thus far includes securing significant contracts with leading organisations, contributing to its substantial

Daybreak and the Irish Heart Foundation ‘Keep it Moving’ with another active fundraising challenge

Daybreak and longterm charity partner, the Irish Heart Foundation have teamed up once again for their annual active challenge The ‘Keep it Moving’ campaign challenges Daybreak retailers and staff to complete a marathon in-a-month throughout September The goal of the challenge is for Daybreakers to get out and get active to improve their fitness and heart health – all while raising funds for an incredible cause

Over 150 Daybreak stores nationwide are taking part in the challenge over the month of September Participants will commit to completing a marathon (42.195km) over the month and will ask customers, family, and friends to sponsor them to achieve the fundraising target.

“Community is at the heart of Daybreak, and we are extremely proud to support the Irish Heart Foundation and their incredible work and mission to eliminate preventable death and disability from heart disease and stroke,” said Molly Byrne, assistant brand manager, Daybreak.

Daybreak has partnered with the Irish Heart Foundation since 2016, helping the charity provide much-needed resources and support to communities throughout Ireland. The foundation offers support to stroke survivors and those living with heart disease by offering a variety of both in-person and online services.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support and commitment from Daybreak,” said Cliodhna Burke, senior business development manager, Irish Heart Foundation. “Our vision is a future where no hearts are broken by preventable heart disease and stroke and the generosity of Daybreak, and their customers can help us achieve this.”

Carl and Nicole Churchill, founders of New

at

company’s new

growth trajectory As NPI makes strides in capturing a substantial share of the Irish card payments market, the business says it remains dedicated to delivering unmatched payment solutions that empower businesses and drive economic progress.

For more information, visit www.npi.ie

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann The Irish Food Awards, 2023 have been announced and at the time of writing, the countdown was on for the awards weekend in the pretty seaside town of Dingle from Thursday, 28 September to Saturday, 30 September

Now in its 16th year, Blas na hÉireann saw its highest entries across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year During the judging, which took place during June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, the highest on record

“After last year’s success, we are thrilled to be back again. The Blas village and Eat Ireland in a Day tents were a fantastic addition and created brilliant awareness for the finalists and winners to both the public and key industry people,” said Blas na hÉireann chairperson, Artie Clifford.

“Seeing so many new producers enter this year is testament to the fantastic produce Ireland has to offer and I am looking forward to celebrating past and new finalists and winners once again,” he added.

This year’s Blas na hÉireann awards in Dingle sees the return of last year’s new additions including the Eat Ireland in a Day tent and the Blas Village where the 2023 finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

For finalist producers, it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish, will be recognised and rewarded.

The threeday Blas na hÉireann event takes place from 28-30 September in Dingle

Blas na hÉireann 2023 finalists announced ahead of awards weekend in Dingle

Payment Innovation,

the

HQ in Citywest

Over 150 Daybreak stores nationwide are participating in the ‘Keep it Moving’ challenge

Don’t get left in the dark

Since 1st September 2023, the EU has banned the sale of fluorescent lighting. This may directly affect your business. With a fully funded lighting upgrade from Energia, you can get your old fluorescent lighting replaced, while also reducing your lighting consumption by up to 80%. We’ll make it easy by managing the entire process from start to finish.

Find out more at energia.ie/lighting

Maxol offers ‘Bags More’ in its first TV campaign in over seven years

Maxol, Ireland’s leading family-owned forecourt and convenience retailer, is returning to our TV screens with the launch of ‘Bags More’, an integrated marketing campaign that will highlight the convenience, value and wide range of grocery products Maxol offers customers every day.

Created by Havas Dublin, with media by Zenith Media, the all-Ireland campaign will run across TV, radio, outdoor, digital, PR and in-store

“This campaign is an important strategic milestone for Maxol, which follows a significant investment in our retail network of over €200 million in the last 10 years and sets out our ambition to be a leading convenience retailer across Ireland,” said Brian Donaldson, Maxol CEO

Directed by Jim Owen and produced by H2 Films, the TV and video on demand (VOD) commercial highlights Maxol’s great range, with a story of a young couple who drive to their local Maxol. In the film, the guy pops into the Maxol store to grab coffees, only to return to the car, much to his

Workplace waste made easy!

A toolkit 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 carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (report available on www.epa.ie) found that almost 70% of materials going into 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 found that by improving waste segregation practices, businesses could divert up to 350,000 tonnes 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.”

Assets including posters, bin labels, brochures, checklists, training animations, testimonials and materials are available to order (while stocks last) or download free of charge from www.mywaste.ie/business/

partner’s surprise, with ‘bags more’ than she expected, including cereals, bread, bin bags, wine, ice cream and fire logs.

“The new TV and radio ads are humorous and fun while also helping to reposition Maxol to be known as a convenience retailer, with Bags More to offer beyond fuel,” said Nikki Maguire, head of marketing at The Maxol Group

“We’re delighted to be back on TV after an absence of seven years with something that’s fresh and fun, and we’re confident that Bags More will resonate strongly with today’s busy, value-driven consumers.”

SuperValu and Centra champion environmental change in stores and communities

SuperValu and Centra stores have again joined SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) in its ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ initiative which spearheads environmental change in both the retail sector and communities across Ireland.

For the 11th consecutive year, participating SuperValu and Centra stores have upgraded areas of their operations to ensure a high standard of sustainability

23 stores took part in the initiative this year, and the combined energy savings from these stores is 6.3 million KWH, enough to power 861 Irish homes.

The SEAI partnership complements Musgrave’s overall sustainability strategy and commitment to achieving a 12% carbon reduction target by 2023 and net zero carbon target by 2040

Musgrave, in collaboration with its network of independent retailers, has already achieved over three quarters of its 12% carbon reduction target, through the €25m sustainability fund it launched last year

For the first time, this year’s initiative also sees a contribution made to notfor-profit affordable housing charity Clúid Housing. The grant supported 40 Dublin based Clúid houses to raise their Building Energy Certificate (BER) rating from D2 to B2.

The participating SuperValu and Centra stores underwent a range of extensive works, from installation of solar panels to upgrading refrigeration and freezers. Individual stores also select community organisations in their area who they feel would benefit from support to improve the energy efficiency of their own buildings and facilities, thereby cementing their commitment to local communities across Ireland.

The stores involved this year in this year’s initiative were SuperValu Deansgrange, SuperValu Blanchardstown, SuperValu Sutton, SuperValu Donabate, SuperValu Killester and SuperValu Talbot Street in Dublin; SuperValu Bray, Wicklow; SuperValu Togher, SuperValu Glanmire, SuperValu Carrigaline, SuperValu Tower, SuperValu Ballincollig, Centra Innishannon, Centra Mallow - Spa Glen and SuperValu Cloyne in Cork; SuperValu Tramore, Waterford; SuperValu Ballyragget, Kilkenny; SuperValu Loughrea and Centra Lough Atalia in Galway; SuperValu Castleisland, Kerry; SuperValu Kilcock, Meath; SuperValu Carrick-onSuir, Tipperary; Centra Mullingar, Westmeath and Centra Drumlish, Longford.

To learn how you can make small changes with a big impact see www.supervalu.ie/about/sustainability, www.centra.ie, and www.musgravemarketplace.ie

23 SuperValu and Centra stores participated in SEAI’s ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ initiative this year

Maxol returns to TV with a new multi-platform campaign, featuring actors Brendan Quinn and Cate Russell, and dog actor Jeffy

Carton recycling’s role in supporting the circular economy

Recycling has a crucial role to play in the creation of the circular economy. The EU government has underscored the importance of recycling, instating the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) which requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030 The carton industry has independently also set a target of achieving a 70% recycling rate by 2030

By prioritising the development of new technology and investing in recycling infrastructure, we can increase the carton recycling rate and meet this ambitious target. Encouraging cross-industry collaboration through greater policy integration and education will also play a vital role in improving recycling processes and supporting the creation of a circular economy in the months and years ahead.

Developing new technologies

While recycling rates for Ireland have increased in recent years, almost half of all cartons are currently collected for recycling in the country It’s therefore vital we improve the carton recycling rate if we are to reach current targets by 2030

One way we can do so is through the development and implementation of new

technologies. Tetra Pak and ACE Ireland have recently invested in a new robotic sorting arm at Panda’s materials recovery facility (MRF) in Dublin. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to effectively analyse 28 different classes of materials, and identify and sort beverage cartons into their own dedicated streams. The arm has the capacity to deliver 33,000 picks over a ten-hour shift, and the sorted materials are then sent on to ACE’s specialised carton recycling facility in the UK.

The robotic arm has enabled the MRF to significantly increase the quality of target materials extracted from sorting lines, with minimal disruption to the facility’s operation. An estimated 500 tonnes of cartons can now be sorted per year for onward recycling, helping to support the creation of a more efficient, streamlined recycling process and ultimately increasing the carton recycling rate across Ireland and the UK.

Investing in recycling infrastructure

Alongside industry innovation, ensuring we have adequate infrastructure in place will also play an important role in improving the carton recycling rate

“By prioritising the development of new technology and investing in recycling infrastructure, we can increase the carton recycling rate,” writes Awantika Chadha

As it stands, Ireland currently suffers from significant infrastructure deficits – particularly in the recycling of cardboard, paper and plastics. Having consistent recycling infrastructure and processes in place will improve recycling rates and help reduce the need for the constant creation of new materials in packaging at the cost of the environment.

The industry must work with cross-sector stakeholders and third-party organisationsincluding the FSC, Bonsucro Chain of Custody and other external certification programmes - to drive greater awareness and education, ensuring that consumers are confident in their knowledge of what they can and can’t recycle

Looking ahead

As the socio-economic landscape continues to change and evolve, ensuring the safety and security of our food systems will be a challenge Only by investing in the right recycling technologies and infrastructure, and by driving greater awareness amongst consumers and the wider industry, can we increase the carton recycling rate and support the development of a circular economy for Ireland and beyond. ■

Awantika Chadha, sustainability manager at Tetra Pak, examines how to improve Ireland’s carton recycling rate

CSNA NEWS

Ensure you don’t include potential losses on newspaper and magazine VAT payments

All newspapers are 0% VAT.

Some magazines, periodicals and ‘one-shots’ are also 0% rated.

All annuals are rated as free from VAT and are charged to you with 0% VAT applied.

Retailers that do not correctly identify those titles that do not attract 9% or 23% VAT and allow incorrect or incomplete details to be entered into a VAT-liable-category are creating an unnecessary VAT liability for themselves.

Reminder: DRS registration is a legal obligation

Check your delivery dockets and make note of the zero-rated titles and ensure that they are listed accordingly.

We are providing you with an example of the loss you incur on every occasion you incorrectly place a 0% rated product into the 9% column.

The bottom line is that your 25% margin is slashed to 16.7%!

Retailers must be able to prove your staff have received training on age-restricted sales

Please ensure the CSNA has your correct email details on file so you don’t miss important information on the Deposit Return Scheme

The CSNA would like to remind all members that registering for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a legal obligation. Over the coming weeks, we will be issuing a number of informative materials to members regarding the Deposit Return Scheme. We would encourage members to make contact with Laura in the office to ensure that the correct email is on file to avoid members missing out on vital information.

The deadline for registering for the Deposit Return Scheme is 30 October.

Speaking to several solicitors recently regarding the possible defences that can be mounted to challenge a prosecution of a sale of an age-controlled product, it becomes obvious that the most important thing is being able to prove that the shop had provided robust training to the assistant that sold the product to a minor in a test purchase.

Just having a training regime is not enough, you need to be able to prove that this assistant received the training.

Having part timers, casual staff, trainees or weekend staff selling age-restricted products can be a very real possible flashpoint unless you set in motion a system that ensures adequate training is conducted prior to those employees taking up their public-facing responsibilities.

Criminal prosecutions are very difficult to avoid convictions if you cannot prove that your systems have not been properly engaged.

Retailers must have a system in place that ensures adequate training is conducted prior to employees taking up public-facing responsibilities

Important change introduced for alcohol licence application/renewal

This is the first year following commencement of Section 4 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 that the statutory requirement to notify the Environmental Health Service has come into effect.

There are different methods of contact depending on whether your licence is applied or renewed through the Court or Revenue systems, but such contact is now mandatory and should take place 28 days or more in advance of your court date or expiration.

The commencement order was signed in 2021 to take effect from late November 2022 so this is the first tranche of regular licence renewals for which these new requirements are applicable.

The Revenue Commissioners’ update stated:

Section 4 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 requires applicants for renewals of liquor licences under the Licensing Acts to give one month’s notice in writing to the HSE of their intention to renew. Notify HSE online at https://ehonline.hse.ie/. Guidance on making a notification along with HSE contact details is available at hse.ie/liquorlicence.

The CSNA advises retailers to ensure your VAT zero-rated titles are listed accordingly

CSNA NEWS

CSNA ADVICE

CSNA NEWS

Applicants for renewals of liquor licences under the Licensing Acts must give one month’s notice in writing to the HSE of their intention to renew

GUS O’HARA

National President, CSNA

CSNA ADVICE

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

VAT

rate changes introduced since 1 September

Since 1 September, the government has changed the VAT regarding food sold in our premises from 9% to 13.5%.

Rate of VAT applicable

The supply of hot takeaway food is liable to VAT at the second reduced rate. This includes food heated, retained heated or supplied while still warm. Hot sandwiches include hot/toasted bread, bagels, baguettes, paninis and wraps and also include cold bread, bagels, baguettes, paninis and wraps that contain hot fillings.

The supply of cold takeaway food is liable to VAT at the zero rate. Chilled, cold or frozen cooked meals are liable to VAT at the zero rate. Cold sandwiches include cold bread, bagels, baguettes, paninis and wraps.

Cold food supplied with hot food for an inclusive price (for example, coleslaw with hot chicken) is liable to VAT at the second reduced rate.

Supplies of alcohol, bottled waters, soft drinks, sports drinks,

Hot takeaway food is liable to VAT at the second reduced rate

vegetable juices and fruit juices are liable to VAT at the standard rate.

Combination meal deals Meals of this type consist of items liable at different rates of VAT, typically being hot food liable at the second reduced rate together with a soft drink liable at the standard rate, which are sold together for a single consideration, usually at a discount. Such a discount should be apportioned between the individual items of the meal at their appropriate rates of VAT.

For further information, see Revenue’s guidance on ‘mixed supplies’ of goods and services.

Request to serve on a jury should be viewed as a societal obligation

Society cannot function without support from its citizens. The laws of the land require that in certain instances, an accused person, or a citizen seeking adjudication on a complaint, can rely upon a number of their peers to sit in judgement. The Court Service issues summonses to hundreds of people each month to serve on a jury.

Insurance policies are available that pay for staff and directors who are called to serve on jury duty

It is one of the most important actions that is required from a citizen and while it may be a nuisance and disruptive, the request to serve on a jury should be seen as a societal obligation and we should attempt to facilitate rather than frustrate the request.

For employers, there is an absolute obligation to pay the wages of a staff member that is called to serve on a jury. Typically, the summons will set out the expected length of possible empanelment, ordinarily it is for a one-week period, but it may, if it relates to a criminal trial, be for an extended period.

There are insurance policies that pay for staff and directors who are called to serve on jury duty; the ARAG (previously DAS) CSNA policy provides for the entirety of wages to be paid, whereas other policies are more restrictive and pay a maximum per day allowance.

The only requirement is that the court clerk provides the juror with an appropriately stamped document outlining the number of days spent on duty.

If a juror is excused from service, then it will be possible for them to return to work for the remainder of their week, if that is agreed in advance with the employer.

Dubco Ireland membership: An exclusive CSNA benefit for you, your employees and your families

Hot Sandwich

Fish, Chips (Frozen or uncooked) Zero n/a

Fish, Chips, Burgers (Hot) Second Reduced Second Reduced

Fish and Chips with soft drink

CSNA members can enjoy an exclusive membership benefit from Dubco Ireland

As you know being a member of the CSNA comes with lots of benefits including an exclusive membership benefit from Dubco Ireland. You and your team, along with your families, can become members of Dubco Ireland. This membership opens up a range of advantageous financial services for you all including lowrate loans like the Income Tax Plus Loan. Moreover, you can enjoy the convenience of other financial facilities such as Current Accounts, Budget BillPay, and the newly introduced Escalator Deposit Account. Joining is easy; simply call the CSNA office on 045-535050.

Attracting customers from far and wide!

Following a store revamp nearly three years ago, retailers Angela and John Tully of Nearby Twomileborris in Co. Tipperary tell Gillian Hamill that business is flourishing within their growing village

It’s always a great tribute to a business when customers are prepared to travel from far and wide to enjoy their produce. This is certainly the case at John and Angela Tully’s Nearby in Twomileborris, Co.Tipperary. Specifically, the store’s brown bread is a real winner.“Our brown bread goes everywhere,” laughs Angela.“It’s gone to the UK, it’s gone to America, it’s gone everywhere!”

“As soon as they walk in the door, they smell the bread!” Such is the demand in fact that customers will ring up in the morning and ask for loaves to be kept over, so they don’t risk missing out later in the day. “Others then would be ordering maybe six or eight loaves at a time so it’s going very well,” confirms Angela The store uses its own recipe; made with flour from O’Brien Ingredients and baked with care by John and long-term staff member Geraldine. They also offer a tasty healthy loaf including seeds and white soda bread, alongside their own scones – another favourite with customers putting in big orders – and both homemade apple and rhubarb tarts.

Renovation results

While their homemade baking has certainly built up a loyal fanbase, this is only one of several successful

elements within the store, where the Tullys have been at the helm for the past decade. Following a revamp nearly three years ago, Angela reports sales have gone up by approximately 30%. During the renovation, they didn’t expand the store in size, but installed a 12 ft dairy wall and revamped all the shelving and overall appearance The Tullys decided to partner with the Nearby brand, having previously purchased goods from parent company, S&W Wholesale.“Their product pricing is just amazing,” says Angela, who also praises the “brilliant” support they have received “They’re just a phone call away,” she says.“[Business development manager] Darren is down with me every two or three weeks, and Stephen is great at the weekends.”

The shop has also benefitted from a boom in the construction business, which has particularly boosted the deli With a significant amount of new housing built locally during the past two years, Angela says they were“absolutely chockablock every morning at 10

STORE PROFILE

Retailer: Tully’s Nearby

Address: Twomileborris, Co. Tipperary

Staff: Six staff members in total including the Tullys themselves and one part-time staff member

Size: 3,000sq ft

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 6am – 8pm and Sunday: 7am – 8pm

o’clock and then again at lunchtime. We had never seen queues like it at the time.” They subsequently decided to take on an extra person to help out in the deli at those busy times, to ensure a speedy service for all the builders and customers working nearby in local businesses.“Our chicken rolls would be the biggest seller,” adds Angela, which are sold with a free bottle of water, while the builders were also delighted with the quality and variety of their breakfast roll, packed with mushrooms, onions, beans, rashers and sausages and black pudding. Other high-performing categories include confectionery, soft drinks, biscuits, coffee, the store’s recently installed Slushies machine and the wine selection.

Community focus

The Tullys made a conscious decision not to offer a full off-licence category As Angela explains:“We’re in a small village with two pubs and one of the pubs has an

As well as a strong local custom base, Tully’s Nearby attracts passing trade heading towards Thurles and Rathdowney

The store has built up an excellent reputation for the quality of its freshly baked breads

The in-store wine selection generates strong sales by providing popular brands at attractive price points

off-licence and my motto is you don’t step on anybody’s toes If everybody sticks to their own products, there’s business there for everyone.” Indeed, the store’s community-focused attitude is clear, as a strong supporter of the local GAA club, Christmastime collections and the local school, which is based just a couple of minutes’ walk away As such, the team are kept entertained by the kids who regularly pop into the store after school and their training sessions.“We would have some craic with the kids; they’re so funny, they’re a great bunch, absolutely,”Angela smiles.

Delivering value

Pricing is another key focus at Nearby Twomileborris. While matching the multiples’ pricing is not always possible, Angela says they nevertheless strive to“do it as much as we can and I keep an eye on the pricing Even on our biscuit range now, we have fantastic value and great margin.” In this regard, she is very happy with the value S&W Wholesale provides In fact, when it comes to confectionery and soft drinks, Angela adds that their pricing matches that of the nearest town, Thurles, which is five miles away, and sometimes even beats the multiples’ prices “People see the value that we have,” she confirms.“S&W Wholesale would have great value. For example, the multipack crisps sell very well and I would have people who would come three miles to get the multipack Golden Wonders; it’s amazing actually!”

The Tullys put a clear emphasis on flagging up the

value available in-store, with two baskets situated at the front of the store highlighting Nearby’s‘Bring Home The Value’ promotional deals. This approach helps spread the word about the value available.“We’ll be focusing of course on trying to build the business further, with more offers,”Angela adds “Since we started offering the‘Bring Home The Value’ deals, we’re finding that really works. Sometimes I feel that our customers think we don’t have the same value as the multiples, because they’re used to doing a big shop there. But when they come in and see what we actually have on offer, they can’t believe it and are really impressed.”

Customer service

This was particularly true during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Tullys are delighted to have retained customers who shopped with them during this time. “We have definitely retained customers, ” confirms Angela,“because some people came into the shop that were probably never in here before and they couldn’t believe what they saw. ” Excellent customer service during the pandemic, including providing deliveries for elderly and vulnerable customers, has also reinforced customers ’ loyalty to the shop Taking the time to talk to customers during this period was particularly important, when many people were isolated from family and friends. For example, as Angela recalls, “there was an older lady who used to come up in the car. We said we can deliver this to you, but she said,‘no, no, I like to come up for the chat’.” It’s this sort of interaction that really highlights the role local stores like Nearby Twomileborris play within their local communities.

Background in hospitality

Indeed, with their background in hospitality, customer service has long been a strength of the Tullys. In fact, John and Angela first met in a hotel in Dublin where they worked together After ten years, they decided to lease a pub.“I’m originally from Laois and John is originally from Roscommon and lots of people ask us ‘how did you end up in Thurles?’” explains Angela. The answer is simple: a pub came up for lease there and the couple decided to take the plunge and start running their own business.

When their lease finished nearly three years later, they decided to take over the reins of a convenience store in Thurles While Angela was initially hesitant, having never run a c-store before, she soon decided it was a worthwhile challenge Angela laughs that her greatest struggle initially was operating the store’s cooked meats slicer Her father helpfully ate corned beef for many a night to help her practice her slicing skills.“I can work the slicer very well now after all these years!” she laughs. The Tullys ran that store for ten years before their kids, Sasha, who is now 22 and Alex, 19, came along In order to spend more time with the children, they ran a greetings card and gift shop in Cashel which was open 9am – 6pm; a less“hands-on” endeavour than running a busy c-store. Then, a decade later, when the children were a little older, they moved to their current store in Twomileborris.

Spreading good cheer

Today, due to their background, the Tullys still stock a large range of greetings cards “I buy my cards from Budget Greetings; their cards are absolutely fabulous,” says Angela “Again, I had a lady coming from Thurles to buy our cards,” she smiles.

Greetings cards were another category which received a significant boost during the pandemic when An Post was actively encouraging people to send cards and postcards to isolated loved ones While normally, St Patrick’s Day and Easter cards wouldn’t be major compared to the Christmas and Valentine’s Day heavy hitters,“during Covid, they were major because everybody was sending cards We actually sold out of Easter cards and St Patrick’s Day cards,”Angela reports. It’s clear she enjoys this element of the business

and it seems to sum up the general ethos of what Tully’s Nearby is really all about

delivering a little bit of good cheer and helping to celebrate everyday wins within the village. ■

Tully’s Nearby has a fresh and vibrant appearance with a wide grocery range

Attention to detail is evident throughout the store’s well-presented shelves

A one-stop shop, locals can easily find all their shopping list essentials at Tully’s Nearby

Friendly customer service is a must for the team at Tully’s Nearby

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Recently opened Centra

Portmarnock is the second store for the Sweeney family. Father and son duo Paul and David Sweeney

Sweeney succession

Like Logan Roy from the hit show Succession, Paul Sweeney, as the head of the family business, is a shrewd operator but that’s definitely where the similarities end! It’s easy to tell that family is everything to Paul Speaking to ShelfLife alongside his youngest son David, Paul says that he is delighted to see his son take the lead in the family’s latest venture in Portmarnock, ensuring that the retail business he has built will be kept in the family for at least one more generation

Retailing is firmly in the blood as Paul’s grandfather first opened up a general store in Belmullet in Co Mayo back in 1918 and subsequently his mother ran two retail businesses in West Finglas in Dublin His first independent dip into retail was in 1995 with a forecourt in Swords and subsequently in Riverside Service Station in Navan in 1997.

The family’s relationship with Musgrave began when they bought a Centra store in Ratoath in 2007. At the time Ratoath was recognised as the fastest growing village in Ireland and although there was a lot of competition in the area, the store’s strong emphasis on fresh food set them apart from the outset.“I wanted that store to stand out, explains Paul.“Doing it right requires space, money and patience, and we’re blessed

that the store has a lot of space upstairs We have a full prep kitchen that many a hotel would be delighted with and a scratch bakery,” he adds

The bakery and production facility in Ratoath now provides product for both the Centra Ratoath and Centra Portmarnock stores They have one advisory chef and two main chefs who work permanently in the Ratoath store kitchen.

Succession

David grew up working in the business during school and college holidays“packing minerals and helping out with the car wash” and he went on to study retail and services management in DIT Angier Street but has now been on board fully for a couple of years. He remembers how a visit from his parents while he was in Australia made him decide to commit to working in the business full time “When I finished college, I moved to Australia for two years and while in Australia with my now fiancé, Mum and Dad came over to visit us and we spoke about the opportunities and the challenges of working in retail and in a family business and from that dinner, I decided that when I came home, I’d like to get fully involved in the business.” His plans were moved forward when Covid hit, and they cut their trip short

and came home in 2021.

“I absolutely loved working in the shop growing up,” recalls David.“I realised my own name was above the door and I would get a great lift from customers who would say,‘you must be Paul and Susan’s son’ and it gave me great pride to work in the shop.”

David is the youngest of three children with the eldest, his sister Laura living in the UK and his brother Andrew living in Canada There are still talks about them eventually also getting involved in the business and Paul stresses that opportunities abound should they want them

However, Paul is adamant that they only want the children to come into the business if they really want to and not under duress.“One of the biggest things that myself and Susan discussed was that we never wanted to emotionally force one of our children into the business just because of continuity It had to be their choice. They all worked in the business and they are all extremely capable. We have set the scene and it’s up to them what they do,” says Paul.

“It’s nice to hear that David loves the business though and if you don’t have that love and magic ingredient, you’ll get tired of it very quickly,” he cautions.

Green field site

Centra Portmarnock came about because Paul has family members living in the area so when he saw St Marnock’s Bay housing development coming on stream he enquired as to the retail opportunities therein.

speak to Fionnuala Carolan about the importance of investing in the next generation for the longevity of the family business

Centra’s deli boasts a cornucopia of tasty breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options

Frank and Honest Coffee sources 100% Arabica beans from Brazil and Colombia

Father and son duo Paul and David Sweeney

“When I saw the size of the development, I approached my retail partners Musgrave and between us we secured the site and that’s where the story began,”he says.

In St Marnocks Bay there are 400 units at present and another 700 coming on board, a mixture of houses, apartments and duplexes.“There was a need and a want for retail here and we are now lucky enough to service it with high end convenience,” says Paul

Paul wants David to be the face of Centra Portmarnock “I want David to have as much ownership of this business as he can take He’s been thrown into the deep end there. I’m over there every day touching base with him but he’s taking on the responsibility himself and that’s what I want to be there for. He’s putting his stamp on it,” says Paul

High-end offering

Situated under three floors of apartments, the store will have an outdoor seating area, soon to be under construction Overall, the 2,500 sq ft shop boasts a vibrant and modern design with an easy-to-navigate layout incorporating an impressively comprehensive offering. This includes Frank and Honest coffee, Moo’d ice cream which is hugely popular with families looking for a fun treat, high quality ready meals and fresh bakery produce. The store’s deli showcases a plethora of appetising breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options, featuring everything from butternut quinoa salad to Thai chicken curry, to provide just a couple of many examples. Friendly, first-class customer service is a must for the Sweeneys across every department throughout the store.

The home meal replacements or ready meals, produced in Ratoath, have already become popular with young commuters. They do a mixture of sharing tubs or miniature buckets which serve two to three people and also offer single serve portions. These include Thai curry, standard curry, beef bourguignon, sweet and sour chicken and then single portions of these alongside lasagnes and“the favourite” meat and two veg. David says that a lot of customers are the same age and at the same stage of life as himself so he understands what might work.“They need convenience solutions in their life The dinners are going really well at the moment as we are situated beside Portmarnock Dart Station so from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, the trains are

packed from town and they are coming in and they don’t have time to cook and want an easy, tasty solution,” he explains. They expect the volume to increase once people realise the quality of the food on offer but understand that this takes time

Sustainability

With this build, the Sweeneys were very conscious of future proofing the shop as much as possible and installing the best and most modern sustainable equipment that they could source The new equipment, including refrigeration, lighting and insulation will mean that they achieve just under 50% reduction in emissions.“The refrigeration system recycles the heat and circulates it back into the shop so in wintertime it’s heating the shop while keeping the goods cold The doors on the refrigeration reduce energy consumption by 75% compared to an old cabinet,” Paul explains. They also have solar panels on the roof which is providing roughly 20% of their energy consumption and the electronic shelf edge labels which will save up to 2,800 pages of paper a year “We wanted to build a shop of the future and the shop is A-rated. We are here for the long haul. The investment itself is over €1 million. Musgrave has great expertise in that area and they have great contacts. They brought all the offerings to the table,” says Paul

Musgrave

Speaking of his relationship with Musgrave, Paul heaps praise on his retail partners.“I think Musgrave is exceptional I have such a high regard for them as a company and what they stand for and how they conduct their business. I have never enjoyed doing business with anyone as much as I have with Musgrave and that is not just lip service. They are tough and I like that and very fair and encouraging.”

David wholeheartedly agrees with his father “During the whole build up to the store opening they were with us three to four hours a day going through the store plans and giving their expertise on what should go where. The closer it got to the store opening was a little daunting for me as it was the first time, I was doing it on my own and I couldn’t have done it without the Centra regional managers. ”

Now that the shop is up and running Paul and David’s focus is firmly on building a strong relationship with their local customers.“We want our customers to feel that they can come into us and be well served without being ripped off It takes a while to gain that trust. Building customer relationships is our key focus now.”Armed with experience, enthusiasm, and allimportant family support, we have no doubt that Centra Portmarnock is going to be embedded in the community in no time and a great success

story. ■

The Sweeneys have future-proofed their store by investing in sustainability measures; their refrigeration system recycles heat and circulates it back into the store while the cabinets’ doors reduce energy consumption by 75%

The Moo’d Concept is a real ice-cream lover’s dream, with everything from cups or cones of gorgeous gelato, milkshakes, tempting whirlies with toppings galore and chocolate bars blended with Irish ice cream

From “breads of the world” to French favourites and delicious baked treats, shoppers are spoilt for choice at the in-store bakery

Spotlight on sales prices

Competition and Consumer Protection

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. Kevin O’Brien was appointed as a member of CCPC in August 2022, and his responsibilities include the CCPC’s Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division.

The CCPC recently issued a warning about the importance of compliance with new sales pricing rules called the Price Indication Regulations 2022. As planning for the Black Friday and Christmas sales is well underway we spoke to Kevin to gain a better insight about what this means for businesses and consumers across Ireland.

Q: What prompted the recent warning from the CCPC?

A: Throughout the year, we undertake market surveillance and inspections to check compliance with consumer protection law, and this helps inform the focus for our work. In late 2022 – early 2023, we undertook a specific piece of market surveillance which looked at businesses’ sales prices. The rules changed on 29 November 2022, when the EU directive on Price Indication Regulations was transposed into Irish law and we wanted to see whether businesses had changed their practices around price reduction announcements. Unfortunately, we found that most businesses hadn’t, and we identified several concerning pricing practices. We now wish to tell businesses that our focus has moved from engagement to monitoring compliance, and sales pricing is now an enforcement priority for us.

Q: What did these concerning pricing practices look like?

A: We found businesses who didn’t provide the previously applied price, and even more concerning is that we found businesses who used previous prices that never actually applied. We also found businesses who were using only a recommended retail price (RRP), rather than the lowest previous price. The new regulations don’t specifically address the practice of displaying the RRP However, to be clear, businesses who use the RRP, whether or not in combination with a sales offer, must pay utmost attention to make sure that consumers are not misled. If a reference to an RRP is included in a sales announcement it must not create confusion or take away attention from the prior price.

Q: What do businesses need to know about the Price Indication Regulations?

A: In a nutshell, if a business is announcing a sale, then they must base the price reduction

Commission (CCPC) member Kevin O’Brien highlights the importance of complying with Ireland’s new legislation on sales pricing; a key consideration in the run-up to Black Friday and Christmas sales

CCPC member Kevin O’Brien says sales pricing is now an enforcement priority for the watchdog

on the lowest price an item was on sale for in the previous 30 days They must also show this prior price to customers and all sales announcements and labels should be clear and easy to read. These regulations apply both in store and online A discount must be a real discount and the CCPC will not allow businesses to mislead consumers into thinking that they are getting a better deal than they actually are.

Q: What does that look like in practice?

A: Let’s say a laptop was priced at €550 on 1 October and increased to €600 on 15 October The shop announces 20% off the laptop from 29 October In this announcement, the shop must show the lowest price applied in the 30-day period before the price reduction – so, €550 They must also base the reduction calculation on this price.

Q: What is the goal of these regulations?

A: Previously the law didn’t set out specific rules around the length of time a price had to apply before it could be considered a discount, and particularly around the major sales periods we heard concerns from consumers about whether the sales they were seeing were not actually sale discounts. These rules ensure there is no ambiguity and that all businesses are applying the same principles when they are setting their sale prices. Compliance with these regulations will allow consumers to have trust in sales prices,

which is especially important coming up to big events like Black Friday.

Q: Does this mean a business can’t give a special discount to a particular customer?

A: No - the new regulations focus on when a business makes a price reduction announcement to customers in general. They do not cover individualised or personalised price reductions which are dependent on negotiations with an individual customer

Q: Businesses often advertise sales by saying “Up to 50% off almost everything” or similar – is this now banned?

A: In a general price reduction announcement like that, the prior price does not have to be indicated on the same medium as the price reduction announcement itself However, the individual goods covered by the announcement must display the prior price –on price tags in shops or on the product page in online stores, for example

Q: You’ve said the focus is now on enforcement. What powers does the CCPC have?

A: We have several compliance tools we can use – from the issuing of fixed payment notices and Compliance Notices all the way up to criminal prosecution. Businesses found to be in breach of these laws could face a

Class A fine of up to €5,000 We continue to monitor compliance and businesses should be aware that we will investigate suspected breaches, so I strongly encourage everyone to keep a record of their pricing changes to show that they’re compliant.

Q: Where can we find more information?

A: We offer resources to help businesses understand their obligations. A copy of our Price Reductions Business Guidelines booklet, along with specific examples of the concerning practices we found in our analysis, can be found on our website. These resources and a number of Frequently Asked Questions submitted by businesses and answered by the CCPC can also be found at ccpc.ie/reductions. If a business has doubts about whether their conduct complies with the law, they should seek independent legal advice.

Q: What can a business do if they see a competitor who isn’t following the rules?

A: Consumer protection law doesn’t just protect consumers; it also protects businesses. In this instance it means that if a business is playing by the rules and being honest in their claims, you shouldn’t be losing out to a competitor who is advertising bigger discounts, which are simply not genuine If you know other businesses are making false claims, we want to hear from you. We do need detailed information in order to progress our enquiries, but we welcome reports from businesses on any potential breaches they are seeing. ■

DublinTown launches consultation process for Dublin City Council’s Draft Traffic Plan

DublinTown, representing businesses in Dublin’s city centre, is set to initiate a consultation process involving its 2,500 members regarding the Dublin City Council’s Draft Traffic Plan. This plan was introduced by the Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA). Its objective is to establish a “low traffic environment” by reducing the number of cars in the city centre, aiming to remove two out of every three cars.

Traffic Plan details

The proposal suggests implementing car bans in several areas. Under the City Council and NTA plan, sections of the North and South Quays such as Bachelor’s Walk and Aston Quay, would be only for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, traffic adjustments are planned for Westland Row, which would free up more space for pedestrians and cyclists on streets like Pearse Street, Tara Street, Beresford Place and Gardiner Street.

The plan includes completely removing traffic from Parliament Street and the creation of a plaza either at Custom House Quay or Beresford Place.

A 30km/h speed limit would be introduced along all roads in the centre of the capital, and an exploration of alternative uses of road space at night and weekends commenced.

Role of public transport

Speaking exclusively to ShelfLife, Richard Guiney, chief executive officer, DublinTown said: “We need to upgrade our public transport. That’s kind of obvious, but it’s not going to happen next week. Certainly, anybody

who’s advocating that we don’t invest in public transport, don’t invest in things like the Metro or the upgrades to the DART system, they’re just not with the programme Those things absolutely have to happen, and they have to happen as quickly as possible Rather than there being a delay, I think it should be speeded up and delivered because we are not going to meet our climate change emissions targets if we don’t make those investments.”

Collaboration

Guiney went on to emphasise that there should have been more collaboration with organisations like theirs, as well as business and resident groups, during the planning stages. He mentioned that “we didn’t have that chance to [give our] input into it,” and “that there’s evidence to us that the public have been lost in some of these arguments and that could be catastrophic.” He also highlighted the significance of addressing potential issues before making official announcements, stating that it is better to proactively solve problems before they become apparent.

Guiney continued: “We will be looking at the charge for road usage, not just within the city centre but across the county to basically have a level playing field on that. I think the other really important thing is that we need to bring the public with it. We’ve done research showing that there has been an average of a slight reduction in support for pedestrianisation and sustainable transport interventions like cycling. That is a concern that would suggest that the public aren’t being brought along, that it could be that it has too

much stick and not enough carrot.”

He also noted that the current proposals carry even greater significance due to the potential challenges they may pose These proposals are notably more intricate, making it essential to move beyond consultation and begin in-depth workshopping.

Expressing the belief that successfully implementing these plans could enhance the city’s reputation as an attractive investment destination, Guiney cautioned that: “I think there could be upsides to what’s been announced but there could be a lot of downsides if it’s not done properly.”

Deep dive into details

Dublin Town is now set to examine the proposals carefully, in consultation with its members and their customers.

“There is a huge level of detail which needs to be carefully examined and the practical implications thought through,” Guiney said. “While there are very attractive elements, we require more detail to assess some of the practical issues arising and potential solutions.

“The business community, which does so much to enhance and promote the city centre, will need detailed workshops,” he added.

“These should enable a deep dive into the detail of issues such as deliveries into and out of the city, waste disposal and collection, and taxi access to hotels. These need to be better understood and the concerns arising addressed.” ■

Following the publication of the new Draft Traffic Plan which would see a 30km/h speed limit proposed for all central roads in the capital, Shauna Bernard speaks to DublinTown CEO Richard Guiney to learn more about how the plan to establish a “low traffic environment” could affect retailers

DublinTown CEO, Richard Guiney, says a reduction of vehicle movement in Dublin city centre requires drivers opting for alternative modes of transport. Otherwise, traffic is merely diverted

40 special years

As speciality foods

provider

Pitman Berryhill (trading as Pitman Agencies Ltd) marks its 40th anniversary, Philip Pitman, owner of the Ireland-wide supplier, looks back on its journey until now and his vision of what’s next

A four-decade heritage

“Since our inception 40 years ago, Pitman Agencies has been focused on seeking out emerging trends, launching new products and building brands in Ireland,” says owner Philip Pullman. Alongside his father Bob, Philip set up the company in 1983 and in 2009 acquired Berryhill Merchants, run by father-and-daughter team David and Hazel Crozier The merger extended the group’s portfolio of brands and customers and the combined companies have been known since as Pitman Berryhill.

Bringing the best brands to Ireland

“The mission of our small but dynamic and experienced team has always been to source the best products in terms of quality and value to meet consumer needs and we believe we’re rather good at it,” says Philip

Forty years ago, Pitman Agencies launched Peaudouce Disposable Nappies and Milupa Baby Food; early winners for Berryhill Merchants were Fentiman’s Drinks and Border Biscuits. Nowadays, Millennials and Gen Z-ers want artisan deli products; convenience that is clean and green; and affordable luxuries that look good on their social platforms!

Today, the team still gets great satisfaction from working with new, innovative companies alongside well-established brands to offer customers a refreshing range of authentic,

quality products. Current successes include Lizi’s Granola, Gran Luchito Mexican foods and Rocky Mountain Marshmallows

Quality local service

For over 25 years, Pitman Berryhill’s customer base has covered the whole island of Ireland and includes major Irish supermarkets, symbol groups, independent grocers, food halls, farm shops, garden centres, delicatessens and foodservice.

The sales and marketing team looks after retailers all over the country and caters for the needs of larger partners as well as supporting the company’s many unique independent customers. “We take pride in maintaining consistent service and a reliable supply chain,” Philip notes.

Looking ahead

After four fantastic decades, Pitman Berryhill continues to go from strength to strength. With excellent brands, customers and

infrastructure in place, the business has a great foundation for the future. “There is huge potential for this company to grow and evolve further,” Philip concludes. “The speciality food market in Ireland is thriving, with the consumer appetite for diverse foods richer than ever

“We are now actively exploring how Pitman Berryhill can be taken to the next level and who may be best placed to do so.”

For more information, visit www.pitmanberryhill.com ■

Andrew Cambridge, Hazel Crozier, Philip Pitman - Pitman Berryhill

For 40 years, Pitman Berryhill has been bringing the best quality speciality food and non-food brands into the Irish market.

best brands to Ireland

FOR 40 YEARS

Working closely with our customers within the supermarket, convenience and independent speciality market, we stay one step ahead of emerging trends to ensure Irish consumers can access the best quality brands from around the world.

Barry Group poised for growth

The Barry Group is in the first year of its new five-year vision which aims to double turnover through rebranding, acquisitions, sustainability initiatives and a new leadership management strategy. Fionnuala Carolan caught up with a very upbeat Jim Barry, MD of the Barry Group to discuss the myriad of plans in place for the group which is reaching a milestone birthday next year

At the beginning of the Covid pandemic Jim Barry worked three shifts a week on the warehouse floor on top of his own job because he felt it was important for the staff to see that it was safe to work and show that they are a company that mucks in when the going gets tough.“Some people were genuinely scared at that time,” says Barry of the initial lockdowns.“I must say I’m very proud of our team and how they dealt with Covid and Brexit. They were very adaptable.You never know how people will respond in a crisis and I’m so proud of our people.”

Good culture and leading from the front have always been a huge thing for Barry and he has routinely signed up for programmes like Great Place to Work and Excellence through People to ensure they remain at the top of their game in the culture stakes

The Barry Group has 255 employees, including 29 managers and the company is in what Barry refers to as “the sweet spot ” in that they are big enough to make a difference to the market and small enough to implement changes quickly and retain the family business vibe.

At present the Barry Group is attempting to fine tune its culture by making sure that managers are managing to correctly streamline their practices.“We’re very clear on our culture,” assures Barry.“I feel like we have all improved in terms of our leadership and management in the last 18 months.”

Two channels

One of the big calls over last few years was to bring learning and development for the management team in-house and to split the business in two to facilitate growth so they now have two distinct channels and this has been very effective with both divisions seeing strong growth Barry explains:“We have our symbol division which is Costcutter and Carry Out and then we have a general wholesale business which is about supplying independent retailers, small wholesalers, contracts and other symbols. Splitting them was the right thing to do as we have better focus and better detail We’re adding people to both teams. ”

They are currently in year one of a three-year plan and a five-year vision with the hope to double the business in five years through a mixture of growth and acquisitions.“We considered 2022 as our reset year,” says Barry.“Most companies found those years difficult because of Covid, Brexit and the war in Ukraine. We’re six months into the five-year programme and we’ve a lot of ideas adopted and brought on board already.”

So why did they feel the need to overhaul the business?“You have to keep looking at yourself as the bar is continually rising,” explains Barry.“We decided we needed a strong five-year vision to see where we are going and to give us direction. We’re trying to up our bar and we’re trying to improve our effectiveness

because ultimately the more effective we are, the better service we are providing to our customers. If we have people happy in their work, that translates to the customer and the customer gets a better service and experience We’re encouraging our customers to do the same for their consumers. It’s part of the evolution of the business.”

Succession

Both Barry’s daughters Amy and Holly, now work within the business as part of the management team and he freely admits that he loves having both girls onboard making it feel like a bona fide family business. “They are enjoying it and I’m enjoying it so it’s working well It probably makes the business more like an

“A lot of people come to Ireland to see what we are doing here and we are certainly playing in the premium division. I think we’re top tier.”

Jim Barry and his daughters Holly and Amy who work in the business

Jim Barry is confident that Barry Group has a strong five-year vision in place

authentic family business. A lot of our customers relate to that. It gives me great support and the girls are carrying out important roles and having a good influence on the business.”

While he is delighted to have his daughters on board, he says he didn’t put any pressure on them but both of them decided they wanted to come in at different times and they worked out programmes and training for them as it had to be“real”“They couldn’t be token Both girls are on the senior management team and they are carrying out substantial roles and they have the confidence of our senior team,” assures Barry.

Holly cut her teeth in the business in the marketing department but is now focusing on strategy and sustainability, while Amy works in a project role relating to leadership and management so both are focusing on different areas of the business and are fully invested in building a company for the future alongside their father

Rebranding

As part of the new strategy, the group has revisited its brand portfolio and undergone rebranding exercises for Barry Group and its retail brands Costcutter and Carry Out. There are currently about 100 Costcutters, 100 Carry Outs and 50 Quik Pick stores within the group. Barry says that they made the decision to modernise the brand identities to ignite excitement within the customer base and the trade.

“We made the decision to upgrade the Carry Out brand first. We have a really smart image for that We also decided to do a refresh on Costcutter even though there was a side of me saying we didn’t need it, but I thought now was a good time to do it before it actually needs it. Costcutter was done around seven years ago and there would have been upgrades and fine tuning, but we are ambitious about the brand and want a broader appeal going forward so the change with Costcutter is a nice step up but the Carry Out one is transformational.”

Rebranding a business takes time and money and while the Barry Group is on its own rebranding trajectory, surely their customers, the retailers, can sometimes be reluctant to follow suit due to the constraints of their own businesses?“We don’t put a gun to the customer’s head that they need to change here and now, ” explains Barry.“We approach people and help them to plan their future and the evolution of their business. We have good open conversations and realise that people are at different stages New stores opening going forward will have the new format and then when customers want to refresh their businesses we can talk to them about the options,” he explains.

Some of the flagship new store formats include Costcutter Wellington Bridge, Costcutter Castlebar and Costcutter Bishopstown.“There are a lot of very good ones so it’s unfair to single one out. We can see from our Store of the Year [awards], that the standards have gone up and there are a lot of very good operators out there. The vast majority of Costcutters now are very smart. I think one of the best times to change a brand is when it’s going well.”

Being immersed in the convenience business, does he feel like Ireland can compete with the convenience

offering abroad? “I think the standard and quality of retail in Ireland is very high. There are a couple of wholesalers who are very good and I would see ourselves in that. Applegreen, Circle K, Maxol – they have high standard stores We have an eye abroad but we tend to move very quickly with new initiatives in the Irish market and we are ambitious. We want to be the best in the world. A lot of people come to Ireland to see what we are doing here and we are certainly playing in the premium division I think we’re top tier,” he says enthusiastically

Leaving Stonehouse

There was surprise in the trade late last year when the announcement came that the Barry Group was leaving Stonehouse Marketing. As a founding member of Stonehouse back in 2000, the Barry Group had been a major contributor to the success and development of the group. However, Barry says that the time had come to go their own way.“I suppose it coincided with launching our five-year strategy and we came to a decision that for us to meet our objectives and our ambitions, we’d be better off going on our own journey. Our business is substantially larger than any of the other businesses in Stonehouse. In a sense we felt like we were holding ourselves back so we can now express ourselves an awful lot more. We wish the guys in Stonehouse the best of luck I’m friends with many of them so there’s no ill will but sometimes you have to

make some difficult decisions and maybe it’s a decision that should have been made sooner, but we’re comfortable that we made the right decision for our business, he sagely admits.

The freedom he mentions might have something to do with future acquisitions and while they are definitely in the plan and very much a part of the growth strategy, there is nothing solid that can be discussed as of yet, says Barry.

Sustainability

You can’t run a business these days without giving huge consideration to the environment and sustainability initiatives are a major part of the five-year plan, focusing not only on the actions of the Barry Group but also its symbol groups, Costcutter and Carry Out, and its suppliers.

Barry is keen to stress that sustainability is not just a tick box exercise for the group, but something that they are really passionate about.“As a third-generation family business we want to make an authentic contribution so that future generations will get to enjoy the business as much as we do.”

They have engaged consultant Tara Shine from Change by Degrees to make sure the implementation is effective Holly Barry has also completed a programme on sustainability in Cambridge so she will lead it from within the company.

So, what does sustainability mean to a company like

The Barry Group has upgraded the Carry Out brand first with a smart new logo and specification

this? According to Barry it’s everything from how you treat your people to the fuel efficiency of your trucks.“I think the first thing is your impact on the local community, so it is very broad. We put a lot of time into educating all our team, so they understand what it means. We have put in new lights in our warehouse that will turn off if someone is not in an aisle and all our trucks are the most fuel efficient models available.”

He says that they have been doing a lot of these things already but just not in an organised strategic fashion.“We are now encouraging our buyers and our customers to become more aware of sustainable practices. So ultimately the whole supply chain is our focus from supplier to ourselves to our customers We measure our carbon footprint, and we are going to be a company that is known to be very encouraging of sustainability by the trade. We want to help people to reduce or cut out their carbon footprint to avoid paying more tax but it’s also the right thing to do,” he says Barry says that there are certain suppliers that stand out for their superb sustainable practices.“Most companies are working on it, but Britvic and Diageo were early adopters and two of the leading companies in our sector,” he reveals.

Drinks Recycling Scheme

The Drinks Recycling Scheme is a really big project coming down the line and will certainly affect many of the Barry Group customers Barry is pragmatic about its introduction and despite the obvious challenges it may pose, very much behind it “It’s a big ask for the trade so in our view it needs to be embraced to make the best of it.”

“We would be advising the majority of our

There are currently 100 Carry Out stores nationwide

customers to invest in those reverse vending machines because we think that if the majority of our customers get into using those machines, they will become foot fall drivers because when customers put their bottles in, they will get a voucher to spend in that store,”he explains.

“People need to embrace this It’s going to happen You’re better off figuring out how to work with it. Suppliers will not be able to put stock on the market without the logo after 1 February and wholesalers will have a number of weeks to wash through the old stock. There is a date when the old stock cannot be used at shop level. Every pallet will need to change bar codes It’s a massive logistical operation.You can give out about it or you can try and have a good system in place and get on with it and you can guess what we are going to do.”

This is the type of attitude that pretty much sums up Barry and how he runs the company; always willing to adapt and change in order to bring the business forward and being a medium size company, means he

can make change happen very easily.

Milestone birthday

The Barry Group will be 70 years in business in 2025 which is a huge milestone for a family-run business, that was started by Jim’s father, James A Barry. Jim joined the business from school and says he never contemplated doing anything different “We’re very proud of it and we’ll definitely celebrate it. It’s a very different business to what it once was 20 years ago. We have evolved and especially our attitude on how we treat our teams.You always need to be aware and to be open to change and willing to change, continually looking at how to better yourself I think we are doing really well at the moment, and I think we are going to be in really good shape next year and the following year. You have to keep evolving.”

We look forward to seeing the evolution of the Barry Group in the years ahead and wish them the best of luck ■

“You can give out about it [DRS] or you can try and have a good system in place and get on with it and you can guess what we are going to do.”

The new Carry Out specification has a fresh and modern appearance

The new Costcutter logo fits the Barry Group’s ambitious outlook for brand, helping to create a broader appeal going forward

61% of Irish food and agribusiness SMEs report challenges finding the right staff

Ifac, Ireland’s farming, food, and agribusiness specialist professional services firm and a top 10 accountancy firm, has published its sixth annual Food and Agribusiness Report 2023 –the only report containing the pulse of the Irish food and agribusiness SME sector

The research, conducted in July and August 2023, includes the views of nearly 75 leaders who run some of our food island’s most innovative food businesses and agribusinesses.

This year’s findings reveal that plenty of red flags abound for business owners. While 90% of food and agribusiness SMEs have either sustained or grown their turnoverwith increased pricing part of the story for nearly half of businesses - net profit has only improved for three in 10 businesses.

The headwinds keep coming for those who have managed to navigate the past few years with war, economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, the energy and cost of living crises, and the global pandemic. 44% of respondents are concerned about rising interest rates while personal pensions have taken a back seat - over half (52%) of business owners do not have a personal pension plan, potentially suggesting the current environment is also harming future financial planning.

Recruitment and retention is a constant concern too – 61% of companies are finding it difficult to recruit the right team and 42% see it as a growth threat. Yet despite the

challenges, 55% still intend to increase the size of their workforce, and 38% hope to retain their current employees.

Meanwhile, 47% of respondents agree that export remains a key avenue for future prosperity In 2022, there was a 22% increase to €16.7 billion for Irish exports, particularly food and drink. Yet the red flag here is the journey to international sales; 41% face sales and marketing challenges and 39% say finding the right distributor is difficult.

The full Ifac Food and Agribusiness Report 2023 can be read at www.ifac.ie/food-agribusiness-report-2023

IFA presidential candidate vows to protect Irish food production

One of two candidates for the presidency of the Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA) has criticised environmentalists for their “incessant and unfair vilification” of farmers in Ireland and for ignoring the important role they play in food production and protecting the environment.

Francie Gorman, a beef, suckler and sheep farmer from Ballinakill, County Laois, was speaking earlier this month at the launch of his campaign in Abbeyleix where there was more than 350 people in attendance, including former IFA president John Bryan and IFA county chairpersons from across the country

With his wife Kate and son Tom at his side, Gorman said his priority is to ensure Ireland does not transfer its food production business to countries that produce food in “a less sustainable fashion than we do just to keep people who are anti-farming in this country happy.”

“Aside from the constant need to improve commodity prices and ongoing issues around engagement with the Department on the various schemes, the potential diminution of our food production output remains the single biggest issue facing farmers,” he said.

Adrian Douglas from Crossgar named White’s 2023 Grower of the Year

Local arable growers Adrian Douglas and Sons from Crossgar, Co Down have been awarded the John Finnan Oat Quality Award by White’s Oats for supplying the highest quality of Standard Oats to the White’s Oats Mill in Tandragee, from the 2022 Oat harvest.

Francie Gorman is a beef, suckler and sheep farmer from Ballinakill, County Laois

“Ireland produces its milk, beef and grain as sustainably as anywhere else in the world and if it’s not produced here it’s going to be produced by countries with a bigger environmental footprint. Neither Irish farmers nor the environment benefit from such a scenario.”

Gorman, who currently is chairman of the IFA’s South Leinster branch and is a former Laois IFA chairman, said Ireland should be immensely proud of the growth of its agriculture sector in the half-century since it entered the European Union (EU) in 1973

Award-winning growers, Adrian Douglas and Sons Adrian, a third-generation farmer, is one of 40 local growers growing oats in NI for the Co-Armagh based oat miller Adrian’s father, the late James Douglas, established JDS Agri Contracts Ltd, an agricultural contracting and farming business in 1959 which Adrian now runs alongside his sons Mark and Stuart. Adrian and his family have worked with White’s for over three decades.

Garry Ringrose gives the ‘Grass Advantage’ with NDC in-store promotion at Tesco

The National Dairy Council (NDC) is currently working with one of Ireland’s biggest rugby stars, Garry Ringrose, who will be featuring on in-store promotional displays at 103 Tesco stores across Ireland throughout September and October The campaign will promote NDC’s Guarantee mark which ensures that the milk customers are purchasing was farmed and processed, locally, on family-run dairy farms.

New campaign will promote the NDC’s Guarantee mark which ensures that the milk customers are purchasing was farmed and processed locally

At a time where Irish athletes are reaching new heights on the global stage, the NDC says it wants to explore the important contribution of Ireland’s world-class dairy produce in supporting sport stars to make an impact.

AB Foods reports slightly better results than expected

Associated British Foods, owner of Primark, has announced a pre-close trading statement. Retail sales are expected to be around £9.0bn, 15% ahead of sales last year with like-for-like sales growth of 9%.

Good growth occurred in grocery, ingredients and sugar Outlook for this financial year is slightly better than previous expectations. Group adjusted operating profit is expected to be moderately ahead of last year

“A strong performance from AB Food’s non-retail divisions has led to a modest increase to profit expectations for the year Sales remained strong at Primark, which is impressive given the tough economic environment and unhelpful weather conditions, although margins were slightly weaker than expected due to higher theft,” commented Charlie Huggins, manager of the ‘Quality Shares Portfolio’ at high net-worth investment service, Wealth Club ■

Pictured at The Dough Bros restaurant in Galway to launch Ifac’s Food and Agribusiness Report 2023 are Ronan Greaney, The Dough Bros; David Leydon, head of Food and Agribusiness at Ifac; Stephanie Walsh, food business consultant with Ifac; and Eugene Greaney, The Dough Bros

Conducting a thorough HR audit

With more than 50 pieces of employment legislation that protect employees’ rights in the workplace, The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy outlines how to conduct a thorough HR audit to ensure your organisation meets every legal requirement

It is the responsibility of the employer to uphold the requirements outlined in more than 50 pieces of employment legislation that protect employees’ rights in the workplace. Given the numerous regulatory revisions that have occurred over the past few years, it is crucial to make sure that managers and employers are aware of these requirements.

A HR audit can be used to determine whether there are any problems with legal compliance. Examples of legal responsibilities that can be evaluated through a thorough audit include the following:

Contracts of employment

• Do your employees’ contracts reflect the most recent versions of all applicable laws?

• Are new hires given contracts within the allotted timeframe?

Dismissal policy and procedures

• Do you have a thorough policy that has been reviewed considering current legal precedent and best practices?

• Do your staff sign off on your acceptance process?

• Is this policy communicated to new hires within the predetermined timeframe?

Bullying, harassment and sexual harassment

• Do you have a thorough policy that has been revised in accordance with industry best practices and recently implemented Codes of

Practice?

• Do you have an approval procedure that is ratified by your staff?

• Is this policy provided to new hires within the allotted time frame?

Keeping records

Employers are required to keep track of all employee work hours and breaks.

• How are you doing this right now? Are all work permits and immigration approval stamps up to date?

• A thorough HR audit will not only cover the aforementioned areas of legal compliance but will also look at all aspects of the employment journey to advise on how they might be improved.

Recruitment and selection

A thorough audit will examine your present recruitment and selection procedures and advise on best practices for advertising, shortlisting, interviews, offers, and rejections.

Induction and training

Since induction is the first training an employee receives at work, it is recommended that induction be regulated across the board to guarantee that all employees receive the same information from the start. Through induction and basic skills training, you can help employees achieve the required level faster and lower the learning cost of a new position Employees that have completed a training programme produce higher-quality goods and

services. Staff who have been adequately inducted and trained tend to stay with the organisation longer and have higher job satisfaction.

Employee handbooks

An auditor should analyse all other policies that may already be in existence or that should be, in addition to those that are mandated by law, and help in their creation

Probation management

Probation is a crucial phase in the job process. All new hires should undergo regular reviews throughout their probationary period to make sure they meet the company standards as fast as possible. Any advice needed on supporting documents for the probation procedure in your firm will be found during an HR audit.

Performance management

Performance

management enables

the company to assess past performance in comparison to predetermined standards, pinpoint ongoing training requirements, enhance future work performance, identify employee potential, provide feedback to staff members, and serve as a formal record of any discussions of issues relating to subpar performance. A minimum of once per year should be set out for performance evaluations. The effectiveness of the workforce has a direct impact on the effectiveness of the organisation. It takes planning and communicating the wider picture to personnel so they can understand their part in it for improved performance to occur.

Employee communication and engagement

A thorough audit should examine each communication and engagement technology the

CAROLINE REIDY Managing director

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 The HR Suite’s office on (066)7102887 or email info@thehrsuite.com

company uses or has access to, and it should offer suggestions for how to make it better.

Employee files and data protection

According to GDPR guidelines, personal data must not be kept longer than necessary.You must be able to defend the need for data retention, thus you must take steps to limit it going ahead. Certain employment laws provide a statutory minimum retention time for records pertaining to employment. An audit should involve a review of HR records.

Exit management

An HR audit should suggest changes to resignation and exit interviews as well as point out potential risk areas related to the preservation of records after an employee departs the company. Exit interviews are an excellent approach to get input from staff members and may reveal or draw attention to issues in crucial areas.

To maintain both legal compliance and employee wellbeing, it is crucial that all employers uphold the requirements outlined in employment legislation.To ensure legal compliance, The HR Suite can conduct HR audits for companies. It will then offer a thorough corrective action plan and pertinent template documents that are suited to particular business requirements. ■

Why use a recruitment agency?

Growing up in the world of independent retail, Excel Recruitment’s Nikki Murran has first-hand knowledge of the difference employing a retail agency can make in the quest for good staff. Here, she talks through the various advantages

Time is money: “Using an agency means that after one detailed phone call, you have a team of recruiters working on your role,” writes Nikki Murran

confectioner In the same way that my colleague who runs the fashion department can recognise the difference between a high street retailer and a luxury one! It’s what we do!

Having an industry expert recruiter on your side means they always have a read of the current market. They should keep you updated on salary trends in the market or what candidates are looking for to make a move. They should give you direction, guidance, or feedback when you register a job, making sure you are putting your store in the best position to attract the best candidates This is surprisingly rarely about money – often it’s some flexibility around shift patterns, contracted hours, job titles, or review periods But the point is, a good recruitment partner will help you frame your job to make it as attractive as possible, without forcing you outside of your budget!

Employer branding

With the Irish market hovering around the perfect unemployment mark the last couple of months – now is more important than ever to make sure your brand as an employer is landing well A good agency will likely have a read of the market perceptions about your brand and will give you some honest feedback when asked. A great agency will help shape your employer brand message and project it out into the market We make it a point to find out all the great things about your store and role and use these to help attract the best candidates for you.

Talent pool

With many retailers still reeling from the cost increases they have shouldered in the last couple of years it’s understandable that they may take pause before committing to paying a recruitment fee for a new hire. Now, I may be biased, (actually, I am definitely biased) but, from over a decade of experience and client feedback I absolutely see it as money well spent. Here are the reasons why:

Industry experts and market insights

When you partner with an agency, you should choose one who are specialists in their field. Or, have a specialist department that recruit for your field. My team all come from grocery retail We all know a good store manager when we see one, we all know the difference between a deli manager and a deli supervisor, a scratch baker, and a

A good rule of thumb here is if a recruitment agency hasn’t compiled a salary survey specific to your industry each year for the past couple of years, they are unlikely to be a real expert in that field.

NIKKI MURRAN Director, Grocery Retail Recruitment, Excel Recruitment www.excelrecruitment.com

If you are advertising for your current open role, chances are you are confined to candidates who are job-seeking this week, candidates who are applying for roles that match their experience, candidates who are applying to the salary range you have on offer, and candidates who managed to find your job ad amongst hundreds of others. It’s a pretty narrow field when you think of it like that

Excel Recruitment has over 90,000 candidates on our database. The vast majority of placements we make, come, not from candidates who apply at the right time, for the right role. Rather, they are from candidates who applied over the last year or so and spoke at length to a recruiter about their experience and skill set and what they are looking for in their next move When we get the right role in - we then reach out to the right candidate – it’s like a jigsaw! So, we deal with a much larger pool of candidates for your job than you could likely hope to

We also love the saying“Great people know great people.” Most of my own placements come through recommendations; clients recommend me to each other, and candidates do the same. In fact, most of my conversations seem to start with“such and such” passed me on your number!

Bang for your buck!

I grew up in the world of

MARKETING NEWS

independent retail. When our family store was looking to recruit a new store manager, maybe 15 years ago now, I knew the money to cover that was coming, not from some head office fund, but out of the store’s bottom line. With this in mind, I was sure that we should try to find the right candidate ourselves before trying an agency

We spent a considerable amount of money on advertising; in a newspaper, two online job boards and on a radio station. We spent hours sifting through applications and met every applicant who had ever worked in retail management. It was all a waste of money and time When we reached out to Excel Recruitment (plug, sorry –but we did!) they had candidates for us within a week The guy we hired increased the margin within six months, and more than covered the fee we had paid

Really, in a management or specialist role, when you compare the cost of the placement to the

EssenceMediacom appoints Ben Hawley as head of strategy

Media planning and buying agency, EssenceMediacom

Ireland, has appointed Ben Hawley as its new head of strategy Hawley previously held the position of business director with EssenceMediacom, working with clients such as Google, Universal and Hayu.

Hawley joined EssenceMediacom as a business director in 2021, having previously held roles with Zenith, Mediaworks, Starcom and NewsCorp Australia. He has extensive experience in managing major international brands across the aviation, entertainment, financial services and retail sectors. Ben has been working in a strategy role with Mars for the past two years.

“We are very excited to have Ben moving into the head of strategy role,” said Ed Ling, chief growth and operations officer at EssenceMediacom Ireland. “He will play a key role in guiding the strategic direction of EssenceMediacom Ireland, bringing together new thinking, insights and ideas into clear strategies which deliver results.’’

value that candidate will bring to your bottom line it’s a no-brainer! Especially considering if you don’t hire someone you don’t pay anything!

Hassle-free

Time is the one thing every retailer I know is short on Using an agency means that after one detailed phone call, you have a

team of recruiters working on your role They will advertise your job, source candidates, sell them the benefits of your business, set up interviews, follow up on feedback, offer the job at your direction, deal with messy counter offers, and complete verified reference checks. They basically take most of the pain out of the recruitment process for you! ■

Milgro scoops Gold and Silver at The Irish Quality Food Awards

Northern Irish food producer Milgro was successful at this year’s Irish Quality Food Awards, with two of its crispy onion products taking both a gold and silver gong in the Meal Accompaniments category

The brand’s ‘Original Flavour Onit Onions’ won a gold award and its ‘Flame Grilled Onit Onions’ came home with silver

The family-run business launched its crispy onions under the Onit Onions brand in the Republic of Ireland at the end of 2022 at selected Tesco Ireland locations.

Throughout 2023, the availability of Onit Onions has rapidly increased across the ROI, with the products now available in even more Tesco Ireland locations and independent butchers, with more well-known retailers to be announced in the coming weeks.

Milgro has been the largest grower, packer and processor of onions in Northern Ireland since it was established over 30 years ago on the outskirts of Limavady The company brought the Onit Onions brand to market to cater for consumers who wanted to add an instant burst of flavour and crunch to their meals and snacks. ■

“We spent hours sifting through applications and met every applicant who had ever worked in retail management. It was all a waste of money and time. When we reached out to Excel Recruitment (plug, sorry – but we did!), they had candidates for us within a week.”

Gerald Miller of Milgro Onions

Ben Hawley

Price – the misunderstood and lost P!

management of pricing is more widespread than the media and the‘outraged’ would have you believe. Ryanair uses dynamic pricing all the time; so too does Amazon. Clothing retailers have‘always’ priced according to their stock levels and how

tune – you couldn’t imagine not using one of the valves at all. Ditto with the 4Ps of the marketing mix. The four all act together to generate the perception of value and worth in a brand. Value is not the sole responsibility of price.

Siloing responsibilities

busier times of the day and night

It’s not often you’ll see me write about slugs in a marketing piece. Even less when you link slugs with lettuce And when you combine slugs, lettuce and international air travel I can imagine minds racing (and tummies churning). And what has all this - or these - to do with price?

Overarching impact

I see each of the 4 Ps of the standard marketing model as balanced, as equally important. They are each so co-dependent and intertwined, it’s surprising that there isn’t more focus on this P.You can’t think of a properly set-up marketing model without assessing what role price has on promotions, on perceived value, on so much of the brand’s personality, its competitive advantage, challenges and potential. But price is probably the least discussed and absolutely the least of the four that is managed in the full sense of its meaning. Price is usually most thought about at a launch time. There is limited attention paid to price elasticity, to net net margin (“drop dead margin”) i.e., the cash left to the company before distribution and administrative costs after all deductions, all returns, discounts, allowances etc.

How often do Sales and Marketing work out how to strategise returns or trade margin?

Different pricing throughout the day

And that’s what I thought when I read about Slug and Lettuce. That’s the name of a chain of a British pub chain. Think what you like about the name, they got in bother in recent times for another reason They appeared in various media because they admitted to having higher prices at different, busier times of the day/night Queue social media outrage (by those who do “outrage” as a default) and lots of comment about consumer rights and so on. The Slug and Lettuce folk excused their actions by saying that costs were more expensive at different times of the day, so it was mitigated. (Not a great bit of PR in my view - but even that shows how intertwined all the Ps are with public relations being part of promotion and the issue at stake is price.)

Firstly, I perhaps naively thought this was fairly normal in the hospitality trade, especially since more advanced tills came on the scene. Secondly, this

seasons are coming or going. Grocery retailers will often have a discounted section for short-dated items.

So pricing is used widely in the general consumer space even if it’s hiding in plain sight. But how much attention do FMCG operators pay to this part of the marketing mix? In my opinion, not much at all. There is a considerable (overwhelming) amount of attention to promotion (especially in terms of media communications/advertising).

In other writings I’ve referred to the 4Ps as being like the valves on a trumpet with each having a role in making the

Where does pricing come into the work agenda? If promoting in its wider sense takes up so much of a marketer’s time, what time will s/he have for ensuring that product is consistently improving or that packaging (part of product’s remit after all) is being used as a product and brand statement, that all points of place (distribution) are being explored and exploited?

Too often, place is passed over to the Sales team and/or the Logistics function Packaging is done only once - at the time of a launch or a line extension Product can often be judged as a quality team function. Marketers have become adept at siloing and hoping that the majority of their proper responsibilities will be picked up by someone else. And pricing is the most obvious loser here.

We all need to do better at looking after the full array of tools that are presented to us The synergy of the 4Ps will be so much more powerful than the current trend toward siloed management. ■

“Marketers have become adept at siloing and hoping that the majority of their proper responsibilities will be picked up by someone else. And pricing is the most obvious loser here.”

In this month’s column, Colin Gordon reflects on the publicity garnered by a British pub chain which admitted to having higher prices at different,

COLIN GORDON Marketing expert

Sweets, glorious sweets!

While the ongoing trends of indulgence and shoppers’ desire for a small yet satisfying, affordable treat will always guarantee confectionery sales, nonetheless Ireland’s leading brands are certainly not resting on their laurels.

Innovation stream

Instead, they are delivering genuine innovation; a trend which shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Indeed, according to Euromonitor Ireland, in a report entitled ‘Chocolate Confectionery in Ireland’ published in July of this year: “Chocolate confectionery in Ireland is forecasted to experience a continuous stream of innovations between 2024 and 2028. These innovations, ranging from unique flavour combinations to healthier options, are expected to provide several benefits for both consumers and manufacturers.” The growing demand for personalised and artisanal products also offers great opportunity, according to Euromonitor Mintel research likewise highlights the importance of innovation. Within its ‘UK Chocolate Confectionery Market Report 2022’, which broadly reflects trends here in Ireland, Mintel found that “51% of chocolate consumers would be interested in purchasing a newly launched flavour”. This study also showed “81% of chocolate eaters agree that chocolate is an affordable treat” Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Mintel states that

“evenings in and gifting will help support chocolate consumption, given that chocolate is considered more affordable than many other gifts”.

Looking at future trends, Mintel stated that “despite the growing interest in healthy eating, the UK chocolate market’s future is positive”. Mintel’s research indicates that “new flavours are by far the most likely facet of NPD to encourage consumers to buy new chocolate products, given that 44% of buyers and eaters of chocolate agree that a chocolate brand that regularly brings out new flavours is more appealing than one that does not.”

“The return of real income growth and a developing chocolate trend of ‘quality over quantity’ offer future opportunities for premium products to capture and boost value sales above inflation,” Mintel added.

Sugar confectionery

Meanwhile, in a report specifically looking at ‘Sugar Confectionery in Ireland’, which was published in July 2023, Euromonitor stated that due to rising prices and the likelihood of higher sugar taxes, “sugar confectionery manufacturers in Ireland may need to focus on developing healthier and more affordable alternatives in the coming years. This could include further reduction of the sugar content and incorporating healthier ingredients like fruit or nuts.”

Delectably innovative portfolio

KitKat remains one of Ireland’s most loved confectionery brands with sales growth consistently strong across key formats. Within chocolate singles, KitKat’s value is up +21.4% year-to-date (YTD)* as it experiences increased demand for its core four-finger, Duo, and Chunky formats.

KitKat Chunky first launched in 1999 and since then has brought innovation to the portfolio through a series of limited edition flavours. The latest addition, KitKat Chunky Hazelnut consists of crispy wafer topped with

Vegan options

Mintel has also reported on the global sugar confectionery market. The analyst states that “vegan claims in sweets have been on the increase across Europe Confectionery brands should highlight the environmental and health-related positives of vegan sweets to entice new customers.”

Texture is also a key factor within sugar confectionery According to Amrin Walji, senior innovation analyst at Mintel: “Memorable textures are a recurring innovation theme in sugar confectionery Meanwhile, gum producers are addressing specific oral health issues explicitly on pack.”

Low-cost mood boost

Within its ‘UK Sugar and Gum Confectionery Market Report 2023’, Mintel also highlights the role of sugar confectionery as a “lowcost mood boost”

“Over two-fifths of UK consumers agree that eating sweets is a low-cost way to boost your mood,” states Mintel. “This goes some way to explain why volume sales of sweets did so well in 2022, despite the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing spotlight on health. Furthermore, 60% of consumers who like to receive sweets as a gift also agree that they are a good way to boost their mood, highlighting an opportunity for brands to link gifting and mood-boosting in marketing.”

With Halloween and Christmas fast approaching, it’s a booming time for Ireland’s confectionery sector which will also benefit from the growing ‘evening in’ trend with share bags to suit the whole family during cosy autumn and winter evenings, writes Gillian Hamill

One of Ireland’s most loved confectionery brands, KitKat’s value is up

The limited-edition KitKat Chunky Hazelnut consists of crispy wafer topped with an indulgent hazelnut spread and wrapped in milk chocolate

an indulgent hazelnut spread and wrapped in smooth milk chocolate KitKat Chunky Hazelnut is set for an in-store ‘Battle of the Breaks’ style rivalry against KitKat Chunky Peanut Butter KitKat Chunky Hazelnut will not be around for long though as it has launched as a limited-edition variant, so retailers are advised to stock up now.

Consumers seeking a plant-based break can now enjoy a four-finger KitKat Vegan made with a rice-based milk alternative to create an indulgent vegan chocolate and crispy wafer combo

KitKat has been synonymous with breaks for nearly 90 years and last month launched a new advertising campaign ‘Tech Frustrations’ that channels its iconic ‘Have a Break’ positioning. The campaign can be seen on TV and broadcast video on demand, on digital channels such as YouTube, Meta platforms and across out-of-home It will run until November 2023.

In continuing its commitment towards helping people, communities and the planet have better breaks, KitKat has introduced industry leading packaging innovation through the move to recycled and recyclable packaging across its two-finger biscuit range Like all Nestlé confectionery products in the UK and Ireland, its range has also been made with 100% certified sustainable cocoa since 2015.

brands – Aero, Milkybar and Munchies were all reimagined with a touch of gold. This Golden Collection consisted of an Aero Golden Honeycomb Melts sharing bag and Aero Golden Honeycomb sharing block along with Munchies Gold sharing bag, Milkybar Gold sharing bag and Milkybar Gold sharing block of caramel flavoured white chocolate Milkybar is Nestlé’s number one sharing bag, proving this is a format loved by shoppers across Ireland. At total brand level, Milkybar is growing +23.6% YTD*.

Yorkie is another growth driver within chocolate singles, up +20.5% YTD* driven by a robust performance across core milk and raisin and biscuit variants and through the welcome return of Yorkie Honeycomb as a limitededition single The brand also continues to deliver for shoppers looking for a Duo format and is part of Nestlé’s Duo offering which includes brands such as KitKat and Lion.

Rowntrees, long synonymous with sugar confectionery, has expanded its vegan-friendly offering to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy its fruity chews Vegan friendly Rowntrees Fruit Gums and Rowntrees Pick & Mix join the existing range alongside vegan friendly Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles and Rowntrees Jelly Tots.

Rowntrees has been a favourite for more than 140 years and continues to develop exciting products to cater to the sugar confectionery market. Earlier this year the brand launched a range of sharing gummy sweets made with real fruit juice and 30% less sugar** plus with no artificial flavourings, colourings, or sweeteners.

Rowntrees sugar singles range is growing +23.9% YTD* while its sugar sharing bags range is growing +20.1% YTD*.

Another gifting solution to consider for seasonal gifting is the After Eight Collection, a delicious indulgent assortment of dark and milk chocolates combining After Eight mints with new flavours and textural sensations for the ultimate mint chocolate collection. At total brand level, After Eight is currently +32.6% YTD*.

Retailers should maximise the sale opportunity of each of these well-loved brands through ensuring unmissable visibility in-store and Nestlé has developed a suite of impactful POS material to help support this.

*(Source: Value performance source: Nielsen Total Scantrack incl. Dunnes & Discounter estimate YTD 13/08/23)

**(30% less sugar compared to other Rowntree’s products and similar sweets)

Mouth-wateringly scrumptious

To delight your shoppers this festive season, make sure to stock Lily O’Brien’s mouthwateringly delicious chocolates. All made using Lily O’Brien’s signature chocolate recipe, this delicious range offers the perfect selection to meet all your shoppers’ gifting needs this Christmas.

Aero Melts offer delicious discs of light and bubbly milk chocolate that melt effortlessly in the mouth

Aero launched in 1935 as the first ever bubbly chocolate, making it a unique offering that is now available in milk and peppermint chocolate flavours. More recently, the introduction of a limited-edition white variant has helped drive Aero’s performance within chocolate singles which is +18.5% YTD*.

Nestlé continually looks for new ways to allow consumers experience the brand’s famous chocolate bubbles through innovation such as Aero Melts, delicious discs of light and bubbly milk chocolate that melt effortlessly in the mouth. Aero Melts are available in a sharing bag format and other variants within sharing include a peppermint flavoured Aero Bubbles share bag and peppermint and milk chocolate sharing blocks.

Advertising support for Aero resumes over the coming weeks with a campaign that will feature across TV and broadcast video on demand, digital channels and across out of home

Earlier this year, Nestlé unlocked the power of its sharing portfolio with three of its leading

In the Quality Street Collisions sharing bar, the Green Triangle and the Purple One collide to create a triple layer of textures with caramel, a hazelnut filling, and crunchy hazelnut pieces

Given the increased interest in gifting sharing blocks over the past few years, consumers are seeking out new ways to enjoy seasonal confectionery Last Christmas, Nestlé launched new sharing blocks inspired by two of the most popular flavours of Quality Street Making a return this year, the Quality Street Favourites Orange Crunch bar features a milk chocolate shell with an orange flavour filling and crunchy orange flavour pieces, while the Quality Street Favourites The Purple One features a layer of caramel on a milk chocolate base filled with hazelnuts. New for Christmas is the 235g Quality Street Collisions sharing bar which brings together a collision of The Green Triangle and the Purple One to deliver a triple layer of textured deliciousness consisting of indulgent caramel, a smooth hazelnut filling, and crunchy hazelnut pieces.

The much-loved Desserts Collection and the Ultimate Chocolate Collection are both ranked in the top five chocolate collections in the premium inlaid box category (Source: Nielsen MAT Dec 2022) and are must-stock items for the season. The Desserts Collection contains a selection of six of the most popular dessert recipes from around the world and is the perfect luxurious gift for family and friends. The Ultimate Chocolate Collection includes a mix of mouth-wateringly delicious milk, white and dark chocolate recipes beautifully gift wrapped, ideal for gifting on the go for all chocolate lovers.

The After Eight Collection combines After Eight mints with new flavours and textural sensations to deliver the ultimate mint chocolate collection

Lily O’Brien’s Desserts Collection contains a selection of six of the most popular dessert recipes from around the world

you know me so well…

For the one who looks all shy

But who is actually full of zest

For the one with a hard exterior

But who is really just a softy

For the one who looks sweet

But who secretly has a dark side

For the one with a classy exterior

But who is smooth with hidden depths

For the ones you really know.

A feast of flavour

Snacking brand Forest Feast continues to build its presence in the mindful indulgence category with the launch of Valencia Orange Milk Chocolate Dipped Almonds

It will join the rest of the brand’s Chocolate Dipped Nut line-up and be joined by another variety - Salted Dark Chocolate Dipped Cashews

“The UK and Irish consumers are big fans of orange, especially when paired with chocolate, and the love they have for this flavour shows no sign of slowing down. We wanted to bring this on-trend taste to the snacking category,” says Bronagh Clarke, marketing director at Forest Feast.

New products are a key driver of growth within the confectionery category and Lily O’Brien’s has recently added some new exciting products to the range Launched last September, the Lily O’Brien’s Truffles range is available in eye catching 200g cartons of individually wrapped sumptuous chocolate truffles. There are three products in the range - Milk Chocolate Truffles, Salted Caramel Truffles and Vanilla Truffles which have all proven very popular with consumers. Salted Caramel Truffles was voted Product of the Year 2023 in the Chocolate Category at the Product of the Year awards, a superb endorsement by consumers.

A new product has also been added to the Lily O’Brien’s premium share bag range The new recipe, Milk Chocolate Orange - delicious milk chocolate with a smooth milk chocolate orange truffle filling full of flavour is sure to be a star performer and is perfect for moments of indulgence, to share or to keep just for oneself Other recipes available in the share bag range are Creamy Caramels with Sea Salt, Mega Milk, 70% Dark, Crunchy Salted Almond & Butterscotch.

The Lily O’Brien’s brand will be supported with an above-the-line (ATL) campaign in Quarter 4 and impactful POS for in-store display. The campaign message ‘For the ones you really know’ positions Lily O’Brien’s with consumers as the ideal gift to choose for family and friends to show how well they are known and loved.

For a successful Christmas season and to continue to grow your sales this year, the brand advises to make sure to stock Lily O’Brien’s this Christmas season. Available to order through Tennant & Ruttle, contact your sales representative for more information (www.lilyobriens.ie).

“We produce everything in house oven roasting our whole almonds, before drenching them in rich Belgian milk chocolate and adding a burst of Valencia orange for a gorgeous creamy, zesty treat,” she adds.

The Forest Feast brand has grown 35% in the latest 52 weeks, putting its success down to its delicious products, creating added value in the category with a loyal consumer following.

The new products are suitable for vegetarians or vegans and are both glutenfree They are available now with an RRSP of €3.75 for 120g.

Sunshine and rainbows in every bite!

Ampersand, the leading distributor for convenience stores, unveiled an exciting relaunch of its Sonas Sweets bagged jelly range earlier this year This relaunch brought a fresh, vibrant, and colourful new look to its packaging that is also eco-friendly, with all Sonas Sweets packaging now being fully recyclable

The renewed branding retains the essence of “sunshine and rainbows,” aligning with the Irish meaning of the word Sonas which translates to “happiness”. The Sonas Sweets logo also underwent a contemporary transformation, now featuring a delightful smiling sun mascot, modern typography, and an array of vibrant rainbow hues adorning the logo and packaging designs. The rebrand mirrors the vibrancy of the jellies within, bursting with colour and cheer in every bite.

To enhance the customer experience, the packaging now employs a colour-coded system, neatly categorising the delectable 24 flavours into three groups. ‘Jellies’ come in striking red packs, ‘Fizzy’ and sour sweets are presented in vivid yellow and orange packs, and the ‘Nibbles’ line of bite-sized treats is

packaged in bright blue bags. The new-look packaging has been designed to appeal to both children and adults alike.

With prices starting at just €1, Sonas Sweets Hanging bags promise to bring smiles with every flavour Additionally, the best-selling €2 Mix-up has been given a refreshing update, now offering an exciting assortment of confectionery in a rainbow of flavours, all presented in distinctive, cheerful packaging.

Ampersand is committed to ensuring that the newly improved Sonas Sweets packaging stands out in stores. To further boost sales, eye-catching coloured stands, branded header boards, and dump bins are available on request and will brighten up any retail outlet while also enticing and encouraging consumers to make a purchase

For additional information, reach out to your Ampersand representative or contact the Ampersand sales line at 01 4130150

Elevating the chocolate experience

Ampersand is thrilled to unveil a comprehensive rebranding initiative and an exciting formula upgrade across its Cleeve’s chocolate bar range Cleeve’s, a cherished name in Irish confectionery, has been a trusted favourite since its inception in 1882 when the Cleeve brothers established the business in Limerick. For over a century, the brand has delighted confectionery enthusiasts with its rich tradition and commitment to crafting delightful milk chocolate confections, toffees, and caramels, all while using the finest Irish dairy ingredients, in honour of its founders.

The Cleeve’s brand been a trusted favourite since its inception in 1882

Sonas Sweets’ rebrand mirrors the vibrancy of these jellies; bursting with colour and cheer in every bite

Lily O’Brien’s Truffles range is available in eye catching 200g cartons of individually wrapped chocolate truffles

Lily O’Brien’s has added a new Milk Chocolate Orange recipe to its share bag range

Valencia Orange Milk Chocolate Dipped Almonds is the latest addition to the portfolio of the Forest Feast brand, which has grown 35% in the latest 52 weeks

NEW TR UF FL ES

This latest transformation at Cleeve’s is driven by an exciting recipe upgrade that sets a new standard for indulgence. The chocolate bars will now feature a minimum of 30% cocoa solids and will be produced without the use of palm oil or vegetable oil, contributing to the chocolate’s purity and excellence.

A fresh packaging design pays homage to Cleeve’s storied heritage while embracing a fresh visual identity that resonates with today’s consumers.

The “New Recipe Chocolate Bars” will be wrapped in vibrant, colour-coded flow pack foil packaging to preserve their freshness. The packaging is fully recyclable Additionally, the bars will be presented in striking full-colour shelf-ready cases that can also be showcased within Cleeve’s acrylic branded countertop stands at prime in-store locations.

The revamped Cleeve’s chocolate bars retail at €1.20 and are available in a convenient 34g format, providing the perfect portion for a delicious treat. This new range includes classic flavours that have been favourites for generations, including:

• Macaroon: A delightful blend of smooth chocolate and irresistible coconut essence.

• Mint Crisp: The perfect fusion of refreshing mint and delicate chocolate crispness.

• Sea Salt Caramel Crisp: A harmonious combination of sweet caramel, savoury sea salt, and crunchy chocolate

Macaroon and Mint Crisp will also be available in a sharing size 90g pack format at €2.30

Cleeve’s is also delighted to introduce a thrilling new addition to its range - the Cleeve’s Popping Candy Chocolate Bar This delightful treat combines the creamy goodness of Irish chocolate with the sizzling fun of popping candy, making it an ideal treat for younger consumers. Priced at an affordable RRP of just 50c, it’s a burst of popping candy magic in every bite, wrapped in vintage inspired flow pack packaging. Available in a convenient 20g format, it’s perfect for on-the-go snacking and is sure to put a smile on the faces of both kids and the young at heart.

The Cleeve’s rebrand and recipe enhancement demonstrates Ampersand’s dedication and commitment to providing their customers with top-quality products and delicious treats. For more information or if you would like to order, contact your Ampersand representative or call the sales line on 01 413 0150

Hitting all the sweetest notes!

Butlers Chocolates is Ireland’s premier familyowned firm dedicated to the craft of exceptional chocolate making. Crafting its

Butlers Ballotins are available in three sizes: 160g, 320g and 480g featuring 12, 24 and 36 chocolates respectively

delicious chocolates in Dublin since 1932, Butlers produces a stunning range of delicious chocolate gifts with excellent stand-out shelf appeal and impulse lines sure to delight chocolate buyers of all ages.

For a luxury chocolate gift that hits all the sweetest notes, look no further than Butlers Ballotins, which continue to be a must-stock premium Irish-made chocolate gift for the coming festive season. Available in three sizes (160g, 320g and 480g featuring, 12, 24 and 36 chocolates respectively), these beautifully giftwrapped boxes showcase a delicious selection of classic Butlers favourites. The irresistible selection inside includes Almond Praline, Lemon Heart, Latte and everyone’s favouriteOrange Crunch.

on an industrial premises in Ireland and the company is a fully verified Gold member of Origin Green.

Butlers has Christmas chocolate indulgence all wrapped up and filled to the brim with gorgeous chocolates that taste as good as they look.

For more information on how to stock these lines, email the team at sales@butlers.ie

Unique nutty recipe

Since 1845, the Lindt master chocolatiers have combined their expertise with the highest quality ingredients from around the world to produce the finest chocolates. Discover the sumptuous combination of crunchy and creamy with the nutty Lindt Nocciolatte Milk Hazelnut Bar the ideal on-the-go chocolate bar Your shoppers will get a delicious boost of energy when they peel back the deep blue wrapping to reveal whole roasted hazelnuts enrobed in a layer of smooth milk chocolate and hazelnut filling, sealed with a final layer of Lindt’s velvety milk chocolate

The Chocolate Collection by Butlers offers a stylish selection of chocolate truffles, pralines and caramels

Also available is The Chocolate Collection by Butlers – the definitive chocolate assortment featuring a stylish and contemporary selection of chocolate truffles, pralines and caramels in 185g and 300g sizes – the perfect chocolate gift for every occasion. Taking chocolate indulgence to the next level, Butlers also produces an extensive range of beautifully co-ordinated large 180g and 100g solid chocolate bars in a variety of decadent flavours such as White Salted Almond & Butterscotch, Dark Almond & Orange and Milk & Dark Salted Caramel. Each bar features striking on-pack iconography highlighting Butlers’ responsible manufacturing practices such as recyclable packaging, only using sustainably sourced cocoa, vegetarian ingredients and no palm oil. The Butlers factory in north Dublin is also home to one of the largest solar installations

The Lindt Nocciolatte range is growing +76.4% year-on-year

For the dark chocolate lovers, discover Noccionoir Dark Hazelnut Bar – with whole roasted hazelnuts enrobed in a layer of intense dark chocolate

Lindt & Sprüngli is a leader in the confectionery category offering a wide selection of premium quality chocolate and continues to drive growth into Ireland’s countlines category The Nocciolatte range is growing +76.4% year-on-year (YOY) versus the singles category +12%.

Make sure to stock up and bring a unique nutty recipe to your shoppers with Nocciolatte! ■

*(Source: Nielsen - Total Scantrack – Nocciolatte 35g range Countlines and Impulse Countlines Category – Value Sales @ MAT to 13.08.23 vs prior MAT).

Butlers produces an extensive range of beautifully co-ordinated large 180g and 100g solid chocolate bars in a variety of decadent flavours

The Lindt Nocciolatte Milk Hazelnut Bar and Noccionoir Dark Hazelnut Bar are ideal on-the-go bars for a tasty energy boost

Read all about it!

Newspapers have always been a footfall driver for retailers and with the natural fall in sales due to the rise of digital news, Irish titles in particular have been very successful in innovating to encourage sales of the printed versions with prizes, reader offers and special supplements boosting sales. In this feature, we look at the main titles in the Irish market that are staying in the news

The newspaper market continues to show decline but at a slower rate than in previous years and Ireland remains one of the world’s largest consumers of print newspapers. There is still a strong appetite for newspapers with readers valuing the real analysis that is offered every day in print and still enjoying the process of going to the local shop for their daily paper Publishers recognise the importance of a strong print industry as a key revenue stream, which is integral for the future development and growth of their digital platforms.

This requires continued investment and budget towards their print products to slow the yearly rates of decline and retailers have a key role to play, by ensuring that newspapers are allocated enough space in-store, to ensure that they maximise every sales opportunity

Bringing the big stories alive

The newspaper market continues to show decline but at a slower rate than in previous years. DMG Media has recorded positive sales for July at 17,739 for the Irish Daily Mail and 40,875 for The Irish Mail on Sunday, with both titles showing growth against the previous two months. These numbers have contributed an extra 2.5% in retail sales value against the same period in 2022.

DMG Media revenues from newspaper sales for the last 12 months were buoyant with nearly €20m going through retailers’ tills and profit margins for all retailers received a boost when VAT was reduced to 0% in January

The company has continued to engage with retailers, and this was evident in its “Seize the Day. Everyday” 2022/23 campaign. Retailers were encouraged to display DMG Media’s point of sale and rewarded with cash prizes, of which it gave out €15,000 to the trade for their fantastic efforts in promoting these titles. This activity has been at the forefront of the company’s sales performance and to show how much it values its retail partners, it is

offering another €15,000 for retailers to win from October 2023. To participate, display the point of sale collateral, which will consist of an a4 poster, shelf strip and wobbler and enter by emailing a picture of your POS displayed to circulation@dailymail.ie or contact DMG Media if you have not received a pack.

Newspapers have a responsibility to maintain high standards and to ensure they have the trust of the public. DMG Media continues to invest in both the Irish Daily Mail and The Irish Mail on Sunday and consistently brings the big stories to its readers. Both titles cover issues that affect readers, including the cost of living, energy crisis, housing and health issues.

The company’s recent sales results were also due to excellent editorial coverage of the main news events and shows that there is still a

“Newspapers have a responsibility to maintain high standards and to ensure they have the trust of the public. DMG Media continues to invest in both the IrishDaily Mail and The Irish Mail on Sunday and consistently bring the big stories to its readers.”

strong appetite for newspapers with readers valuing the real news and concise analysis that is offered every day in print.

The i newspaper also owned by DMG Media continues to hold a sale close to 500 copies each day. It publishes Monday to Saturday and has a fresh and exciting look at UK and world news, business, opinion, lifestyle, culture and sport.

Business Plus, the market-leading Irish business to business magazine, is now part of the growing DMG Media Group With topics covering all areas of SME news from mergers and acquisitions to funding, science and technology to the economy, Business Plus is Ireland’s foremost specialist business publication. DMG Media would encourage the trade to fully support this Irish magazine and to stock it on their shelves.

The Irish Daily Mail and The Irish Mail on Sunday have a combined de-duplicated audience of 482,000 readers across a full week.

The Irish Daily Mail is more male bias (Male/ Female - 58%/42%) than that of the Irish Mail on Sunday, which has a more female profile

The Irish Daily Mail and The Irish Mail on Sunday have a combined de duplicated audience of 482,000 readers across a full week

(53%/47% female/male) with both publications having a stronghold in the important ABC1 group, (ABC1 Profile - 46% Daily and 46% Sunday). Both titles over index against ABC1 population which is 43.5%. Main shoppers are strongly represented across both papers, for the Irish Daily Mail two out of three readers are responsible for the main shop each week within the household and for the Irish Mail on

Tomorrow delivered today

EM News Distribution (EMND), has a long and proud history of serving communities across Ireland with the delivery of newspapers and magazines to retailers. Today, the business is part of Menzies Distribution Group following a joint venture established in the late 1990s between 135-year-old iconic Irish company, Eason and Menzies.

EMND is committed to ensuring the longterm sustainability of the newstrade end-toend supply chain and to providing quality, time-critical delivery services that represent the best value for all its customers. Operating out of two hubs in Belfast and Dublin and a further five spokes in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Urlingford and Londonderry forming a unique network across Ireland, the business provides supplies to retailers and e-commerce deliveries to over 4,500 customers, seven days a week, 364 days a year via some 35 nightly trunking routes and 215 final mile routes.

This specialist Irish network is also comprised of a modern, varied fleet including soon to be launched electric vehicles as the

Sunday, it equates to three out of four readers.

Along with its two national newspapers, DMG Media is one of Ireland’s largest digital publishers with eight digital brands. A portfolio that includes Extra.ie, ExtraG, Evoke, RollerCoaster.ie, OneFabDay.com, GeekIreland. com, MailOnline and BusinessPlus.ie reaches over 3.6 million Irish adults every month.

business plans to become net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by no later than 2035

15 years ahead of the target dates set by the Paris Agreement and UK legislation. Sustainability wasn’t a recognised imperative when the business started out, but it has been designing sustainable routes to market and circular processes since the outset – think returns processing! The EMND team are somewhat pioneers in the field, taking responsibilities to climate change seriously, specifically in relation to clean air a clean network and transition to zero emission vehicles. The company’s mantra is ‘tomorrow delivered today’ with a sustainable business

model that encompasses all aspects of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG).

EMND employee health and safety, along with that of its customers, partners and the wider community is the number one priority The company’s DNA is pointed directly at ensuring compliance with all legal requirements and that everyone returns home safely, each and every day.

Customer service excellence also sits first amongst equals at the top of the list of priorities. A dedicated call centre is available to answer customer queries along with the online service portal, iMenzies, where customers can manage their accounts online - amending orders, requesting additional products/copies, making claims and viewing all paperwork.

Efficiency, process optimisation, technology and continuous innovation are also critical to ensuring the best possible service is delivered. Routes are regularly reviewed and revised to better enable time critical deliveries. HS and Pack by Light lines are designed to enhance the quality of service to retail customers by improving accuracy and Axon scanning for product identification uses leading computercontrolled camera technology With the combination of industry leading kit and an abundance of experience in the sector, EMND distributes over 3,000 newspaper and magazine titles per month with over 60,000 issues allocated, picked and packed.

With a strong Irish network, unrivalled history and experience and ease of access to a wider UK network, EMND is well placed to help Irish retailers prosper To find out more contact the team on 01 8023 200 or via dublin.customer.enquiries@emnewsdistribution.ie

“The company’s recent sales results were also due to excellent editorial coverage of the main news events and shows that there is still a strong appetite for newspapers with readers valuing the real news and concise analysis that is offered every day in print.”

The business provides supplies to retailers and e-commerce deliveries to over 4,500 customers, seven days a week, 364 days a year via 35 nightly trunking routes

In conversation with… Alan Kelly, audience manager for Reach PLC

Print titles: Irish Daily Mirror Irish Daily Star

Irish Sunday Mirror, Irish Sunday People, RSVP magazine & RSVP Specials

Websites: Irishmirror.ie, DublinLive, BelfastLive, RSVPLive, CorkBeo Galway Beo & Buzz.ie

Q: What are the latest circulation and readership figures for your title(s), and how do these compare to last year’s figures?

A: The Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Daily Star and Irish Sunday Mirror continue to perform strongly in a very challenging market environment, as we continue to feel the heat from the war in Ukraine, and the current cost of living crisis which has put extra pressure on the print media industry, particularly the magazine sector Despite these factors, these titles were amongst the best performing in the market.

Jan-Jun 2023 ABC Performance:

Irish Daily Mirror 19,046 (-10% YoY)

Irish Sunday Mirror 14,819 (-6% YoY)

Irish Daily Star 25,774 (-12% YoY)

Q: What is the profile of your newspapers’ readership demographic?

A: Below is the latest TGI readership data breakdown for the Irish Daily Star, Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Sunday Mirror

Irish Daily Star - 116,000 (ROI TGI-2023r1)

Irish Daily Mirror - 101,000 (ROI TGI-2023r1)

Irish Sunday Mirror - 192,000 (ROI TGI-2023r1)

Q: Quality journalism is essential for newspapers to perform in today’s market. How have you ensured you are delivering on, or exceeding readers’ expectations? What were some of your major stories/’scoops’ over the past year and how did these affect sales?

A: We pride ourselves on the high quality of the journalism we produce right across our print and digital platforms. Our loyal readers expect to be informed and entertained from the content we produce, and the continuous research we carry out, enables us to produce engaging content that our readers want to consume and share. It’s imperative that we continue to invest and develop our print and digital platforms, so we can deliver trusted, informative and entertaining content to our readers on a daily basis. Our coverage of the Hutch trial, and his subsequent acquittal was second to none, which was reflected in significant sales increases in the Irish Daily Star and Irish Daily Mirror during this period. The crackdown on the Kinahan cartel, death of Irish music icon Sinead O’Connor and associated content yielded some big increases too, as did the recent horrific debs and Leaving Cert road deaths in Monaghan and Tipperary

Q: As the cost-of-living crisis continues, offers and promotions will become even more important in generating sales: which promotions were the most successful during the past year and what else have you planned on this front in the coming weeks and months?

A: Reach has a consistent strategy for top quality, high-value print and online giveaways that serve to reward our regular readers, and attract some new ones. Our Slimming World magazines in January really resonate with our print audience and continue to deliver solid sales increases, whilst the recent Rugby World Cup wallcharts in the Mirror and Star produced healthy sales lifts. Our free €5 bets with Paddy Power during the Cheltenham festival in both of our daily titles offered superb value for money during the biggest sales week of the calendar year and would have also benefitted our retail partners with increased footfall through their stores.

Getting down to business!

Enda O’Coineen, the chairman of Kilcullen Kapital Partners, bought what was then the Sunday Business Post newspaper in September 2018. Since then, it has transformed into a group of companies focused on media, events, data, software, and services with three primary divisions:

• Business Post Content: A trusted multiplatform source of premium news, insight, opinion, and analysis. The Business Postmedia outlet is the leading title of this pillar which includes Food and Wine, Connected and Irish Tatler which goes back over 132 years.

• Business Post Experiences: A provider of world class events and experiences that bring people together to learn, develop, share ideas, and conduct business. iQuest

The Business Post has a strong ABC1 audience, with readership split evenly between males and female

and Business Post Live are the core businesses of this pillar

• Business Post Insights & Data: An agile source of valuable and high-quality insights and services to the business community Red C Research is the lead business in this pillar

Publishers recognise the importance of a strong print industry as a key revenue stream

Q: What are the benefits to retailers of the trade terms in stocking your titles?

A: Reach PLC titles have long maintained the healthiest retail margins in the market. We recognise the important roles played by our retail partners during this challenging economic climate, which is why we have forged a close working relationship, to explore new sales opportunities and revenue streams. Our RSVP Country and Home specials have delivered consistent sales performances, and provide a strong cash return for retailers based on the current €3.95 cover price and 25% margin.

Q: How can the challenges facing the newspaper industry, including a greater reliance on online content among consumers, be overcome?

A: The challenges facing the print newspaper industry have been well documented over the past few years, particularly the rate of migration to online However, publishers also recognise the importance of a strong print industry as a key revenue stream, which is integral for the future development and growth of their digital platforms. This will require continued investment and budget towards their print products to slow the yearly rates of decline We are still one of the world’s largest consumers of print newspapers in Ireland, and we must not take these readers for granted as the years progress. Our retail partners also have a key role to play, by ensuring that newspapers are allocated enough space instore, to ensure that we maximise every sales opportunity as I believe that print news is still a key footfall driver for retailers.

“We are still one of the world’s largest consumers of print newspapers in Ireland, and we must not take these readers for granted as the years progress.”

In 2023 the Business Post made a key appointment, naming Daniel McConnell as the new Business Post editor McConnell had been political editor of the Irish Examiner since 2015 and is the current Newsbrands Ireland national journalist of the year and political journalist of the year He previously worked as group political correspondent and chief reporter at Independent News and Media, now Mediahuis Ireland, between 2006 and 2015, as well as at The Irish Times and the Sunday Times The Business Post Group also announced this year, a material minority investment in the group by the pan-European Swedish publishing group Bonnier News In what is a significant development for both organisations, the Business Post Group will seek to leverage the expertise of the Bonnier News group to accelerate its content and expansion. The investment is part of the growth of the Business Post Group and its development into a “House of Brands” in Ireland and globally

The Business Post has a strong ABC1 audience, and the readership is very evenly split between males and females. Its core readership includes senior executives, key business decision-makers, professional advisors, and small business owners. Despite a challenging market, the Business Post weekly engagement with readers has performed well in 2023.

Quality and high value editorial content is at the heart of everything the group does. As Ireland’s only dedicated business, politics and

current affairs title, the Business Post’s editorial mission is to build on this position and provide print readers and digital subscribers with deep insights and unique analysis that will help drive better decisions in their businesses.

On the retail front, the group has plans over the coming months which it hopes will lead to increased interest in its title and a resulting increase in sales, benefitting both the newspaper and its retail partners. The Business Post is also heavily focused on building its community which will be achieved through special offers, competitions and exclusive readers and subscriber experiences. Financially the high margin available to retailers through each sale of the Business Post reflects the importance of the retail channel to publishers. The Business Post says it values the support of its retail partners very highly and they are vitally important to the group’s continued strong performance in a tough trading environment.

Changing reader habits over the last few years have had major repercussions for publishers, the newspaper industry and traditional print media. The Business Post’s view is that print, while currently in decline, will plateau and the key is to innovate and adapt to the needs of consumers while continuing to invest in top quality content for both its print and online products. ■

Cups of comfort!

The continued trend of greater workingfrom-home and hybrid working postpandemic for many employees, is continuing to boost Ireland’s hot beverage sales. Indeed, last year, grocery market share figures from Kantar in Ireland, for the period ending 20 March 2022, showed that “hybrid working means sales of hot beverages shot up by 23% over the latest period compared with pre-pandemic when we spent a lot more time in the office.”

Another major trend which has affected Ireland’s coffee sector in recent years is the increasing use of coffee machines and subsequently, coffee pods. In a report on Ireland’s coffee sector published in December 2022, Euromonitor International stated: “Fresh ground coffee pods and fresh coffee beans are expected to be the decisive victors in the coffee category in Ireland in 2022, with the highest and second-highest retail volume and current value growth rates; a performance which has been repeated since 2008. One reason for the success of fresh ground coffee pods is the format’s convenience, and ability to offer consistent, high-quality brews.”

Despite the increased usage of coffee pods however, instant coffee also remains a hugely significant sector With over 75% of in-home coffee cups made using pure soluble products, and the instant coffee category worth €97m*, there is still demand for ‘great tasting coffee in the home’. The key for retailers therefore is to tick all boxes, with a strong range of instant coffee, coffee beans and coffee pods. What’s more, Euromonitor highlights that innovation in functional coffee is set to increase “The trials and exploration of coffee which defined the last three years will continue to benefit the category in Ireland in both retail current value and volume terms in the forecast [five-year] period. Experimentation with exotic flavour profiles has meant brands are innovating their product offerings,” Euromonitor stated.

Tea trends

While the premiumisation of the coffee sector has attracted greater attention in recent years, tea remains a core performer within Ireland’s hot beverages category The leading brand names continue to have a loyal customer base and key players have worked hard to improve sustainability across their product portfolios and overall business. According to a specific report on tea in Ireland by Euromonitor International, green tea is continuing to perform strongly in both retail volume and current value terms.

“Historically green tea has enjoyed the perception of being better for health than black tea, as it contains less caffeine Indeed, caffeinated options continue to be desired, yet cutting down is a key focus for many consumers. This is in line with the rise in the health and wellness trend since the pandemic,” Euromonitor states. Other fruit and herbal teas are also increasingly piquing consumers’ interest and helping to drive sales.

A recent report by Mintel entitled ‘UK Tea and Other Hot Drinks Market Report 2021’ revealed a number of interesting statistics which reflect trends in the Irish market. Mintel found that 53% and 50% of people think there should be a wider range of lower sugar and lower calorie variants of hot chocolate and malted drinks, respectively Meanwhile, 38% of tea drinkers are interested in tea that helps de-stress/calm users. However, only 7% of launches presented stress and sleep benefit claims, showing further innovation potential within this area.

Looking at the future of the sector, Mintel reports that there is evidence that consumers are looking for ways to manage their emotional wellbeing, and seeking out new ways of staying calm and unwinding. Mintel states that innovations into the calming effects of hot drinks could prove valuable to the hot drinks market going forward.

A moment of indulgence

Kenco, the €19m coffee brand, is expanding its core instant range with a Gold Indulgence variant that offers a more premium and indulgent coffee experience.

The launch comes as the brand continues to celebrate its centenary year, with celebrations already in full flow in grocery stores.

Gold Indulgence will join Kenco’s core range line-up, bringing a new instant coffee proposition to the category The blend uses a combination of both medium and dark roasted coffee beans, which is said to create a luxurious and aromatic coffee flavour with notes of dark fudge and a velvety feel.

The brand noted that with over 75% of in-home coffee cups made using pure soluble products, and the instant coffee category worth €97m*, there is still demand for ‘great tasting coffee in the home’.

The new Gold Indulgence line looks set to have strong shopper appeal, having scored in the top 10% of all NPD tested in UK, offering retailers the opportunity to drive incremental growth to the category through its core range

*(Source: Kantar Worldpanel MAT to 6 August 2023)

Kenco’s new Gold Indulgence variant offers a more premium and indulgent coffee experience

With hybrid working having become the norm for many office workers post-pandemic, there’s no greater ‘little luxury’ than enjoying a quality barista-style coffee or refreshing tea from the comfort of one’s home, which is why it’s vital not to disappoint customers by ensuring a wide range of their favourite brands and formats, writes Gillian Hamill

Brewing up a great collaboration

Maxol has announced a five-year contract with one of Ireland’s leading coffee and tea companies, Bewley’s Valued at €10 million, the contract includes 270 tonnes of coffee beans exclusively sourced for Maxol by Bewley’s, and the installation of new coffee machine equipment in 72 Maxol company owned stores.

The multi-million Euro deal between two of Ireland’s leading, family-owned companies followed a competitive tender involving four companies. The partnership will also see the introduction of two new variants across an initial 20 Maxol stores: iced coffee and oat milk coffee

As part of the contract, 130 coffee machines will be replaced, units will be upgraded and new digital screens will be installed and, for the first time, selected Maxol stores will offer customers iced and oat milk coffees.

Bewley’s supported the roll out of Maxol’s proprietary Rosa coffee range in 2018 and last year, more than 3.5 million cups of Rosa coffee were sold in the Republic of Ireland. A brew of freshly roasted Arabica beans, Rosa coffee is only sold in compostable or reusable cups across Maxol’s network of independent retailers in ROI.

“Maxol is becoming as well known for its coffee as it is for its traditional fuel and retail convenience offering. Therefore, choosing a partner that could not only provide a fantastic quality product but was also highly innovative was critical to our decision to work with Bewley’s again,” said Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group

“The synergy between two Irish, familyowned companies working together in the retail convenience space was also important and, given the estimated 20 million cups of Rosa coffee we expect to sell over the next five years, we are confident we have secured a really strong partnership,” Donaldson continued.

“We’re excited about the prospect of bringing two new coffee variants to our customers and we know from our customer insights that iced and oat coffees are in big demand. Our plan is to introduce these to around half of our network of companyowned stores within the next 12 months as part of our overall innovation and investment strategy.”

Jason Doyle, MD of Bewley’s added that the group was “thrilled” to extend its partnership with Maxol. “We look forward to building on

The Warbler & Wren coffee brand thrives in today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving coffee market. A young and vibrant brand, it has taken flight across the Irish market with a successful showcasing at Catex 2023. Warbler and Wren is a firm favourite with Gen Z and Millennials alike.

Locally roasting at its roastery at the foot of the Dublin mountains, the brand prides itself on selecting only the finest 100% arabica beans for its blends. These include Great Taste Award winners, Little Bird and Wren’s Nest.

As ‘Guardians of Great Coffee’, Warbler & Wren takes customers on an exciting and engaging sustainable coffee journey. There’s a whole chain of “guardians” involved along the coffee journey, from its roasters to baristas, all working together in harmony to ensure the best in cup is enjoyed each time

All Warbler & Wren blends are packaged in 100% recyclable packaging with its Bare

Cherry blend also being Rainforest Alliance certified. The brand’s aqueous cups are fully recyclable, compostable, and repulpable High-volume customers can avoid waste on single pack formats with its recyclable drum solution in step with the Circular Economy model of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’.

Great tasting coffee, with sustainable choices: Now that’s something to chirp about!

Details on Warbler & Wren’s full coffee solution including, training, marketing support, equipment, and service are available at www.warblerandwren.com

our great collaboration to deliver an innovative, sustainable and quality experience for consumers with our renowned Fair Trade coffee and Rainforest Alliance Certified tea together with our unrivalled coffee equipment and servicing expertise,” Doyle said. “It is a great privilege for us to partner with a likeminded, family-owned Irish business where superior quality is a non-negotiable element.”

For more information, visit www.maxol.ie or www.bewleys.com

Reliability, style and service

Milano guarantees its machines will ensure every coffee tastes its best. In fact, Milano Coffee Systems engineers have over 60 years of coffee machine experience in both installing and servicing coffee machines.

As Ireland’s supplier of Italy’s most loved commercial coffee machines, FAEMA, Milano Coffee Systems states customer service excellence is guaranteed with a seven-day

Why choose Milano Coffee Systems? Firstly, the team at Milano prides itself on service. While customers come for the company’s quality machines, they return for the excellent customer service they receive.

An independent coffee machine supplier, Milano has unrivalled expertise in coffee machines. Retailers choose their coffee; and

An extensive range of automatic and traditional espresso machines are available to suit all budgets

Warbler & Wren’s aqueous cups are fully recyclable, compostable, and repulpable

Warbler & Wren Coffee prides itself on selecting only the finest 100% arabica beans for its blends

Brian Donaldson, CEO, The Maxol Group, alongside Jason Doyle, MD of Bewley’s

Milano Coffee Systems engineers have over 60 years of experience in coffee machine installation and servicing

‘Guardians of great coffee’ take customers on engaging sustainable coffee journey

Taste sensation with green benefits

In the ever-evolving world of dietary choices, plant-based alternatives have taken centre stage, and one brand that’s leading the charge is SiSú Oat-Rageous Oat M*lk

Proudly Irish-owned, SiSú’s Oat M*lk has quickly become a household name, with over 500 stockists nationwide since its May launch. SiSú doesn’t just emulate dairy; it sets a new standard for plant-based milk alternatives, delivering an indulgent and

satisfying experience.

SiSú is gearing up to launch more exciting products early next year, showing its commitment to staying at the forefront of the plant-based movement.

SiSú’s success mirrors the broader trend of plant-based products gaining ground, especially among those under 50 Notably, between 18–24 year-olds and 25–34 year-olds.

Market data from Statista reveals that the Irish milk alternative market was valued at approximately €33 million in 2022 and is projected to grow by 14.8% annually until 2028. This data underscores the surging demand for plant-based alternatives in Ireland.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the plant-based movement in Ireland. We’ve witnessed remarkable growth in our customer base opting for plant-based drinks, and the response to our Oat M*lk has been phenomenal,” says Jennifer Mulvey, managing director of SiSú.

In addition to its Oat M*lk, SiSú has seen significant expansion in its cold-pressed wellness shots, further underlining the Irish appetite for healthy, sustainable options.

SiSú’s commitment to innovation extends to its team as well. The company recently welcomed Aisling McGann, daughter of chairman and founder, Brian McGann, back to Ireland from Australia. Aisling brings a wealth of experience from her time in Australia and her expertise is poised to take SiSú to new heights, aligning perfectly with the brand’s

mission to provide delicious, healthconscious choices to consumers nationwide

With nationwide distribution, SiSú OatRageous Oat M*lk is readily accessible for consumers who appreciate a delicious and conscientious choice. Whether it’s savoured in a morning coffee or used to elevate culinary creations, SiSú is on a mission to make the future tastier and more sustainable, one sip at a time

SiSú prides itself on setting a new standard for plant-based milk alternatives, delivering an indulgent and satisfying experience

also coincides with Thompson’s Tea rolling out biodegradable tea bag paper throughout its core black tea range

service helpline and countrywide servicing engineers.

An extensive range of automatic and traditional espresso machines are available to suit all budgets. With a state-of-the-art coffee machine showroom, potential customers can visit the team and experience coffee machine excellence with Milano Coffee Systems.

Call today to book a showroom visit on 01 4133 844

See Milano Coffee Systems’ full coffee machine and coffee grinder range at www.coffeemachines.ie

Born and blended in Ireland since 1896

Thompson’s, Northern Ireland’s favourite tea, has announced an exciting update to its core black tea packaging.

A fourth-generation family business born and blended in Ireland since 1896, Thompson’s brand-new look and feel helps to better communicate the brand’s rich heritage and story

In keeping with the brand’s focus on sustainability, Thompson’s new packaging will also feature the official OPRL logo highlighting its recyclability The new packaging design

Currently, the decaf tea category is experiencing significant and sustained growth. Thompson’s Decaf, launched late to the market, has since grown to become Northern Ireland’s best-selling decaf tea.

Thompson’s has also won impressive awards for its taste credentials. The results from this year’s Great Taste Awards, hosted by the Guild of Fine Foods, were recently released. Out of thousands of entries, there were only eight tea products awarded a prestigious Two Gold Stars by the Guild of Find Food. Five of these awards were given to Thompson’s Tea, including Thompson’s Favourite Everyday, Irish Breakfast, Scottish Blend, Signature and of course Northern Ireland’s best-selling tea,

In total, Thompson’s has won over 150 Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards

Proudly Irish-owned, SiSú’s Oat M*lk is leading the charge for plant-based milk alternatives

Punjana This brings the company’s total tally to a record of over 150 Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards.

Five Thompson’s Tea products won Two Gold Stars at the latest Great Taste Awards, including Irish Breakfast, shown here

A prestigious Two Gold Stars winner, Thompson’s Punjana is Northern Ireland’s best-selling tea

Thompson’s is a fourth-generation family business with an expert team

Milano Coffee Systems is Ireland’s supplier of Italy’s most loved commercial coffee machines, FAEMA

“We’re lucky to have such an ambitious and hard-working team who are excited to see the brand grow,” says Rob Horgan, founder of Velo Coffee Roasters

Artisan roaster making its mark

Since its beginnings in 2018, Velo Coffee Roasters has grown from strength to strength. As the first winner of the Grow with Aldi programme, the small, artisan roaster based in Cork city has been on the map The brand is now in Aldi stores nationwide, as well as making its mark in Dunnes Stores, Tesco and select SuperValu stores. The Cork roaster is doing something different than its retail competitors, by making speciality coffee mainstream. The quality that Velo Coffee Roasters brings, is showcased every year across UK and Irish food awards, where this year alone, the brand entered into the Blas na hÉireann final and won six Great Taste Awards. It is this quality that has kept Velo ahead of

the curve. As the market changes and the fresh coffee category grows, coffee consumers are becoming more discerning. Velo sits at the forefront of this change with innovation, excellence, and social and environmental sustainability at the core of the business. As Origin Green Gold members, Velo and its team have continuously achieved the brand’s sustainability targets. Velo has partnered with farmers at origin since the brand started and developed projects at origin that will make an impact for those local communities. “We’ve partnered with our farmer in El Salvador to not only help bring broadband to the schools, but also to help train the teachers to teach with technology,” says owner Rob Horgan.

Velo has partnered with farmers at origin since the brand started and developed projects that make an impact for farmers’ local communities

Sustainability is a vital part of the coffee community, and consumers expect roasters to source ethically and make a positive impact. What isn’t often expected in coffee is remarkable innovation. That is where Velo shines, from being the first to retail with its completely recyclable packaging in 2021 to developing a functional coffee with Glanbia that is launching later this year “We’re lucky to have such an ambitious and hard-working team who are excited to see the brand grow,” says Horgan. “We can expect a lot of change and growth coming to the coffee category.”

The Velo Coffee Roasters brand is now in Aldi stores nationwide, as well as making its mark in Dunnes Stores, Tesco and select SuperValu stores

Great Taste

Putting the talk into tea

Lyons Tea has been putting the talk into tea since 1902 and has thrived in the tea market; dominating as one of Ireland’s favourite tea brands, boasting cultural iconic status.

This October, Lyons Tea will unveil a complete brand refresh to revive the brand with a modernised look and feel without losing any of rich, full-bodied and bold flavour or the loved quintessential Lyons essence. Set to hit the shelves throughout September, the refresh will include a striking new logo, a smaller redesigned pack, and a new square tea

bag shape, but all with the same awardwinning tea blend at its heart.

With the environment and sustainability as a focus, Lyons Tea’s new look comes from its 100% carbon neutral production plant.

Since the beginning, Lyons Tea says it has used the sunshine, wind and rain in the fields of Africa to make its uniquely smooth taste

All the delicious leaves used in blending Lyons Tea are 100% sustainably sourced and Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Every cup of Lyons Tea helps make a difference, as Lyons was the first major tea brand to remove plastic overwrap and has long since introduced plant based biodegradable teabags and fully recyclable cartons.

So, when chatting with old friends, making new ones, or simply spending time with someone special, the brand states “quality conversation always calls for Lyons – the quality tea”. ■

THE IRISH HOT BEVERAGES SHOPPER

FRESH NEW LOOK, SAMEGREATTASTE

QUICK QUESTIONS WITH AISLING McNAMARA sales & marketing assistant, Lir Chocolates

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

2. Best place for coffee? Gulp Coffee, Navan.

3. Top movie recommendation? The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (a new one to Netflix).

4. Top spot for a walk? Cliffs of Moher.

5. Top book recommendation? Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway –Susan Jeffers.

6. Favourite influencer/content creator if you have one? Keilidh Kashell of Kash Beauty.

7. Favourite grocery shop? Lidl – for the lovely treats from the bakery!

8. Your favourite dish to make at home? Homemade pizza.

9. First thing you would do if you were Taoiseach? Fix the housing crisis.

10. If you had to live in another country, where would you choose? Spain – sunshine and great food!

11. Greatest achievement to date? Achieving my college degree.

12. Best website? www.lirchocolates.com.

13. Do you prefer working from home or in the office/on-site? On-site for the chats!

14. Best piece of advice you ever received?

“What’s for you, won’t pass you.”

MARKETING NEWS

Bananas top choice for babies

Bananas are officially top of the list for Irish parents when it comes to choosing a snack food for their baby or toddler

That’s according to the results of the National Parenting Product Awards competition, which, based on research conducted amongst parents and industry experts, awarded top spot to the popular pre-packed bananas, ‘Freddy Fyffes’ in the ‘Feeding and Weaning’ section at its prize-giving ceremony in Dublin recently

Pizza da Piero, maker of Ireland’s favourite pizza bases, wins Gold at IQFAs

Pizza da Piero, Ireland’s favourite pizza bases made fresh daily in Dubin, has won Gold in the Pizza category at the recent Irish Quality Food and Drinks Awards, which were held in The Round Room at the Mansion House on Wednesday, 6 September 2023.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of these prestigious awards, dedicated to recognising excellence in quality and taste

Speaking about the win, Cliona Swan, co-founder, Pizza da Piero said: “We are immensely proud of our entire Pizza da Piero family This award is a testament to our bakers, the trust and loyalty of our customers, the support from our suppliers, and the love from our families who’ve been with us every step of our journey.”

The multi-award-winning pizza bases are crafted by Gianpiero De Vallier, fondly known as Piero, an Italian artisan baker with over 25 years of expertise Piero, alongside his Irish wife Cliona Swan, founded The

15. Biggest fear? Forgetting my earphones for the gym!

16. City or beach break? City break.

17. Top restaurant recommendation? Seven Arches in Navan.

18. Who is the last artist/group you saw live? The Prodigy.

19. Best customer service you ever received?

Receiving free goodies in the box with my online order – such a nice thank you for ordering from a website.

20. What’s the last compliment you received?

Complimented on my singing! ■

Pictured (L-R) at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards were Karl Spain, comedian; Fiona Staunton, owner of Fiona’s Food for Life and IQFA judge, Cliona Swan and Gianpiero (Piero) De Vallier, founders of Pizza da Piero and Ruth Scott, broadcaster and event MC

Artisan Pizza Company, better known as Pizza da Piero, in 2007. Since then, they have been producing award-winning delicious artisanal pizza bases, designed to make mealtimes fun and convenient for all the family

For more information, visit pizzadapiero.ie, and for details on distributors, contact Cliona Swan at cliona@pizzadapiero.ie ■

Aisling McNamara

Pictured receiving the award is Fyffes marketing executive, Áine McElroy with Cathy Donohue from Zahra (left)

Sophisticated socialising

The gin renaissance – or ‘gin-aissance’ as it was coined - of recent years has ushered in a much greater focus within both Ireland’s on-trade and off-trade sectors on the importance of mixing not just gin – but indeed, all spirits – with a quality mixer which can elevate any drink into a cocktail of beauty worthy of a sophisticated socialising occasion.

During the pandemic, this became all-themore important as customers sought to recreate a premium bar-like experience at home during lockdowns. In partnership with the National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA), ShelfLife regularly speaks to offlicence retailers who tell us that this has very much been the case within their stores. When their customers are socialising at home they absolutely don’t want to risk disappointing friends and family with anything that could be perceived as an inferior choice: and so, they’re turning to the premium options with impressive flavour combinations made with quality ingredients, that they can trust to enhance the flavour of their drinks.

And with ever-greater numbers of Irish people realising the difference that a premium mixer can make to their beverages, it’s not surprising that they have become increasingly curious about seeking out new flavour experiences. The Irish market has subsequently seen increased consumer demand for alternative mixers; including ginger ale +6%, soda water +11%, and ginger beer +120% (Source: YTD Collated ROI EPOS Data to week 28, vs 2022).

Mintel has also reported on the importance within the wider drinks market of exploring more sustainable packaging materials to meet consumers’ growing expectations within this area. Lower sugar mixers are likewise a key trend for more health-conscious consumers, who want to enhance but not overpower the flavour of their drinks with mixers that are too sugary

Elevating the socialising experience

Founded in 1783 by Jacob Schweppe Schweppes offers a range of delicately balanced mixers, created with carefully selected ingredients for mixing drinks and quenching thirst. As Ireland’s number one mixer, Schweppes continues to bring bubbles into consumers lives through its unique effervescence and sparkling campaigns. This year has seen some exciting changes for the brand, with the launch of its new ‘Born Social’ marketing campaign; inviting people to step out of their normal routine instead of playing it safe. Schweppes is bringing back socialising with a twist, with

the aim of elevating the socialising experience, turning everlasting bubbles into everlasting experiences.

In 2023, Schweppes has also been on a sustainability journey with the launch of the new 8 x 150ml mini can pack in a cardboard Keel Clip This is an innovative and minimalistic paperboard packaging solution which is removing plastic shrink wrap from the Schweppes mini can range The move is in line with the Coca Cola system’s wider commitment to reduce the use of plastic by using solutions that are more sustainable in terms of recyclability The overall project across the Coca-Cola portfolio is estimated to save 2,000 tonnes of plastic and 3,000 tonnes of CO2 annually

Schweppes has launched a new 8 x 150ml mini can pack in a cardboard Keel Clip, which helps to reduce the use of plastic shrink wrap

Long gone are the distant days when mixers were, frankly, more of an afterthought for the average Irish customer. Nowadays, shoppers are all too aware of the difference the right mixer can make to their enjoyment of a beverage that deserves to be savoured and discernment is subsequently at the forefront of their purchasing decisions, writes Gillian Hamill

Schweppes is Ireland’s number one mixer

Schweppes’ new ‘Born Social’ marketing campaign invites people to step out of their normal routine instead of playing it safe

Elegantly distilled

Following the rise in the popularity of consumers drinking less but better quality liquids, and the long-term trend of lighter, lower calorie and lower sugar drinks, there has been a need for brands to broaden their product offering to include ‘healthier choices’ that strengthen consumers’ overall drinking experience in terms of taste, serve and enjoyment.

At the forefront of this evolving category and lighter drinking movement is London Essence, a premium drinks brand producing elegantly distilled mixers designed to accentuate the finest spirits. Each expression is delicately light at under 20kcal per 100ml, low in sugar at under 4g per 100ml and is crafted without the use of artificial sweeteners, thanks to the brand’s unique use of distilled essences.

“Following the long-term trend towards sugar reduction across the world, and being consumers of premium drinks ourselves, we found that many “premium” options focused on natural credentials but were also very high in sugar It’s important to deliver light, natural options that also have great taste to ensure overall enjoyment,” says Brian Greer, marketing manager at Britvic Ireland.

Through its relationship with the trade experts and conversations with world leading bartenders, London Essence also recognised that high sugar mixers often overpowered the characteristics of the spirit partner, instead of enhancing them.

With that in mind, the brand took inspiration from its heritage in creating distilled essences which capture the flavour of the finest ingredients to deliver aromatic signature notes and great taste, with only a dusting of sugar

“Thanks to the growing mixer market and continual product innovation, curious consumers now have plenty of options in terms of flavour and pairing,” adds Greer “However, it is important to offer quality, taste, and versatility first and foremost. A sign of a sophisticated mixer is when they can be enjoyed in any form – with or without a spirit –to satisfy all drinking occasions and preferences. Therefore, not only do we have a fantastic range of tonics and gingers, but also a delicious selection of crafted sodas, which includes our Pink Grapefruit brand.”

The London Essence range is designed to bring out the best in gins, vodkas and dark spirits through mixer varieties including Original Indian Tonic Water, Grapefruit & Rosemary Tonic, Blood Orange & Elderflower Tonic, Pomelo and Pink Peppercorn Tonic Water and Pink Grapefruit Soda in 6 x 150ml can packs as well as its iconic 500ml glass range that includes the Original Indian Tonic Water, Grapefruit & Rosemary Tonic, Blood Orange & Elderflower Tonic, a delicate Ginger Ale and White Peach & Jasmine Soda.

Mix with the best

In 2013, Fever-Tree was introduced to the Irish market via Richmond Marketing and has since become Ireland’s number one premium mixer brand. Throughout the past 10 years, we’ve seen a market wide shift towards premiumisation with Fever-Tree pioneering the premium mixer category, bringing choice, quality and excitement back into the previously overlooked space.

Since launching in Ireland, Fever-Tree has continued to diversify its portfolio to meet the ever-evolving needs of the Irish consumer For the brand, it’s all about putting quality back into both the on-trade and at home occasion with one simple premise: If ¾ of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best.

While Fever-Tree is best known for its highquality tonic waters, the brand has continued to diversify its portfolio in response to

increased consumer demand for alternative mixers; including ginger ale +6%, soda water +11%, and ginger beer +120% (Source: YTD Collated ROI EPOS Data to week 28, vs 2022).

Fever-Tree now offers one of the market’s most expansive mixer ranges encompassing Flavoured Tonics, Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer, Soda Water, Mexican Lime Soda Water and most recently, Pink Grapefruit Soda, which is made using naturally sourced ingredients to achieve the perfectly balanced, bitter-yetsweet flavour with fresh and floral notes.

With a range of different mixers to choose from, there truly is something for everyone From old school classics to modern twists, Fever-Tree’s award-winning range of mixers will enhance the taste of any long drink or cocktail.

For more information, visit www.fever-tree.com ■

Fever-Tree offers one of the market’s most expansive mixer ranges

The Fever-Tree brand’s premise is simple: If 3/4 of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best

London Essence’s premium mixers range has been designed to accentuate the finest spirits

Forwards with franchises!

For those who have always dreamed of opening their own business, but without the same degree of risk typically associated with new enterprises, buying a franchise can be the absolutely ideal option. As NI Business Info points out, buying a franchise can be a quick way to set up your own business without starting from scratch.

Firstly, as the business is based on a proven idea, you can check how successful other franchises are before committing yourself The brands outlined on these pages have a wide presence throughout Ireland, allowing interested parties to easily visit nearby

AIL Group Fact File

Number of outlets: Over 100 locations in Ireland

Headquarters: Rathmines, Dublin

Established: 1982

Offering: Abrakebabra, O’Briens Café, Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) and Bagel Factory

branches for themselves to get an initial understanding of whether the business would align with their objectives. What’s more, the brands outlined here, and their product offerings, have all already established a market share so there is no need for market testing, which is a huge saving in itself

Of course, franchisees also have the advantage of being able to use a recognised brand name and trademark, and subsequently benefit from any advertising or promotion by the franchisor

Furthermore, the franchisor also provides support which can prove hugely valuable,

Brand story

Abrakebabra: ‘Discover Magic Food’ Opening its doors for the first time in Rathmines, Dublin in 1982, Abrakebabra is one of Ireland’s leading quick service restaurants known for its magical range of Kebabs, Loaded Fries, Burgers, Baguettes and more. From classics such as the Doner Kebab and Taco Fries to newer innovations like Loaded Fries and Flatbread Kebabs, Abrakebabra

particularly in the early days This usually comes as a complete package including training, help setting up the business, a manual telling you how to run the business and ongoing advice. With a franchise, it can also be considerably easier for a small business to compete with established brands within Ireland’s competitive foodservice sector, due to the pool of support from the franchisor and network of other franchisees.

Read on to learn more about the franchise opportunities currently available in Ireland with forward-thinking brands that are whetting the nation’s appetites for further expansion.

O’Briens is famous for its menu of handcrafted madeto-order signature sandwiches

O’Briens: ‘Handcrafted for You’

Established in 1988, O’Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe is an iconic Irish brand with over 100 locations across Ireland, the Middle East and Asia. O’Briens’ renowned reputation has been shaped by its famous menu of handcrafted made-to-order signature sandwichesTripleDeckers, Toasties and Shambos. The brand’s extensive offering also includes a range of seasonal soups, signature salads, breakfast, barista espresso coffee, speciality teas, frappes and a wide selection of freshly baked treats, scones, muffins and patisseries.

With an established brand name, research and support behind any independent retailer, achieving growth naturally becomes a much less risky endeavour. Here, we highlight innovative franchise brands driving expansion within Ireland’s competitive foodservice sector today

Abrakebabra has been creating bold, flavourful

food for over 40 years

has been creating bold, flavourful food for over 40 years.

Today Gourmet Burger Kitchen continues to grow with five unique restaurants across Leinster.

GBK still prides itself on serving up a signature variety of hand-crafted chargrilled burgers, using 100% Irish prime beef with the freshest ingredients and sauces made from scratch every day in each kitchen.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK): ‘Best Burger in Town’

Back in 2001, three Kiwis from New Zealand, along with world renowned chef Peter Gordon established the very first GBK location in London changing the burger scene forever.

Zambrero Ireland

Fact File

Number of outlets: 19

Headquarters: Sydney, Australia

Established: 2006 in Australia, 2016 in Ireland

Offering: Fresh, healthy, modern Mexican food

Wholesale partner: BWG

Zambrero: ‘Feel Good Mex’

Zambrero is Australia’s largest Mexican restaurant franchise Globally, the brand has opened over 250 restaurants throughout Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and America. Zambrero produces healthy Mexican

Bagel Factory offers an extensive menu of fillings served on a choice of natural bagel varieties

Bagel Factory: ‘All Round Goodness’

Founded in 1997, Bagel Factory’s extensive menu features many popular bagels, including instant favourites like the All Day Eggworks, Chicken Caesar, Stars N Stripes and Turkey Club served on a selection of all natural bagel varieties. The Bagel Factory range also includes barista-style coffee, freshly made juices, delicious soups, and a choice of sweet treats.

Brand future

This year each of AIL Group’s brands continue to grow and increase their category market share. The company is continuing to open new locations, tailoring each location with solutions that meet the needs of the local consumer AIL Group is always developing new products and concepts that resonate with customers and reliable production methods to keep operations efficient. AIL Group continues to support its network of franchisees, partners and suppliers.

AIL Group’s brand Abrakebabra is marking four decades of successful business as it proudly inaugurates its new establishment on Grafton Street in Dublin this month.

AIL Group reports it plans to continue to lead the way in restaurant franchising and looks forward to the next chapter in an incredible journey.

inspired food which also helps stop world hunger For every burrito or bowl purchased within any of its stores, Zambrero then donates a meal to someone in need. This is done through its ‘Plate 4 Plate’ initiative via distribution partners, Rise Against Hunger It’s a win for your body, mind, soul and taste buds. Zambrero calls it ‘Feel Good Mex’.

Zambrero has the ambitious plan to donate 1 billion meals by 2025. Thanks to its customers, Zambrero has donated more than 70 million meals around the world since it was founded in 2005 by Dr Sam Prince. Since opening its first restaurant in Ireland in 2016, Zambrero Ireland now has 18 restaurants open across the country with

some more additions due to the Zambrero network before the end of 2023.

Brand story

What started as one Mexican restaurant in Canberra, Australia, Zambrero has grown into an international franchise that is more than just a restaurant. It not only serves fresh modern Mexican food, but it also gives customers the feel-good karma of donating a meal to someone in need with every purchase of a burrito or bowl through its Plate 4 Plate programme

Brand future

Zambrero will continue to grow its franchise network in Ireland by engaging with enthusiastic and ambitious franchise partners. In addition, Zambrero International has very ambitious growth plans throughout America and the UK over the next 12-18 months. ■

GBK’s hand-crafted chargrilled burgers use 100% Irish prime beef

Wine sales down almost 3% as industry calls for decrease in tax

Wine sales in 2022 showed no real change compared to the year earlier, and remain almost 3% below pre-pandemic figures, according to a new report released by Ibec trade association

Drinks Ireland | Wine

Overall, per capita consumption of wine was also down by 2% last year, pointing to the continued downward trajectory of Irish alcohol consumption.

The annual Wine Market Report 2022 shows that wine’s market share in Ireland decreased by 8.9% in 2022 and 17% on the market share recorded in 2020 during the height of Covid lockdowns when pubs were closed and stay-athome consumers favoured wine purchases at retail. Nevertheless, wine remains Ireland’s second favourite drink after beer

The report highlights that Irish wine drinkers face the highest excise level on wine in the EU, paying €3.19 per standard bottle of wine (13% ABV). Drinks Ireland | Wine is calling for a 15% decrease on excise over the next two budgets.

Cormac Healy, director of Drinks Ireland, said: “Today’s report shows a resilient wine category, one with conscious and mindful consumers who relish in the substantial choice of highquality products the category has to offer It is therefore disappointing that Irish consumers continue to pay disproportionally high levels of excise duty We are calling for a 15% decrease on alcohol excise duty over the next two budgets, easing the burden on hard pressed consumers and businesses and moving us somewhat closer to EU norms.”

Marking a new chapter

Wine sales in 2022 remained almost 3% below pre-pandemic figures, according to Cormac Healy of Drinks Ireland

Happy 200th birthday to Findlater & Co!

Findlater & Co is proudly commemorating its bicentennial anniversary Founded by Alexander Findlater in 1823 as ‘Alex Findlater’ on Burgh Quay in Dublin selling Irish and Scotch Whiskey he soon grew his business to include wine, coffee, and tea.

perfect category

Powerscourt Distillery introduces the Fercullen 15-Year-Old Irish Whiskey, marking a new chapter in its esteemed lineage This whiskey a 15-year-old single grain, aged in first fill ex-bourbon barrels married with some Madeira cask finished whiskey, captures the essence of the depth and diversity of the Irish whiskey landscape Available directly from the distillery and online since 4 September, with wider retail distribution soon after, the Fercullen 15 is bottled at 41.5% ABV and has an RRP of €80 Dive into the exquisite taste of Fercullen 15-Year-Old Irish Whiskey: a blend meticulously distilled from 95% corn and 5% malt. Aged for a full 15 years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, part of the blend is then gracefully finished in Madeira casks. This final touch elevates its character, infusing it with a rich depth and captivating notes of dried fruit spice. Bottled at 41.5% ABV, non-chill filtered and with natural colour, this whiskey is the step up into the aged ca for the discerning whiskey drinker

Speaking about this release, John Cashman, head of brand and new product development at Powerscourt Distillery says, “Fercullen 15 is a great addition to the Fercullen Irish whiskey portfolio Wi this release we are highlighting the versatility and drinkability of grain whiskey, an otherwise underrepresented category of Irish whiskey This whiskey has all the subtlety one would expect from Single Grain Irish whiskey but with a more enhanced mouthfeel and character from the influence of the Madeira casks.”

Aged for a full 15 years in firstfill ex-bourbon barrels, part of the blend is then gracefully finished in Madeira casks

With whiskey,

Alexander was a successful businessman expanding his interests across Dublin and further afield to include outlets in the UK. He even opened a brewery in North Dublin in 1852 after success exporting Porter to America

On 26 September ‘23, Findlater & Co will host its themed 200th birthday party in the RDS Concert Hall after

Following the passing of Alexander Findlater in 1873, his nephew, John, took the reins and opened food and wine stores in the main residential districts of Dublin, along with a headquarters in Upper O’Connell Street.

Dublin, with

The business continued, managed by three generations of the family, and finally trading as Findlater Wine Merchants from the old-bonded vaults under the Harcourt Street Railway Station.

In 2001 the business was purchased by Cantrell & Cochrane and its portfolio became part of Findlater Grants (incorporating Grants of Ireland Ltd.), before merging with Woodford Bourne in 2009 to create the Findlater Wine & Spirit Group, and was rebranded in 2016 as Findlater & Co

Ltd.), before with Woodford the Wine Spirit in Co

2023, is the year it celebrates its 200th anniversary, bringing alive the entrepreneurial spirit of Alex Findlater with the theme ‘The Past Meets The Future’ throughout its events.

of Alex Findlater with the theme ‘The Past Meets The events.

In July, there was a special release from Findlater & Co called “The Past Meets The Future” with a special gift containing two very special wines and a beautifully hand crafted Zalto glass.

special gift containing very special a worldwide brand and nationwide local for night of

On the 26 September ‘23, Findlater & Co will host its themed 200th birthday party in the RDS Concert Hall with guests including worldwide brand partners and nationwide local partners, for a night of celebration. ■

SIP will return for 2023 on 9 October

Highly anticipated event will feature The Irish Wine Show Star Awards and Christmas Showcase

Monday, 9 October 2023. 6pm – 10pm

The Morrison Hotel, Dublin 1

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) is delighted to reveal details of SIP 2023 – The Irish Wine Show Star Awards, which incorporates the association’s annual Christmas Showcase

A window of opportunity for Christmas 2023, the event showcases product formats, bottle sizes, pack sizes and offers on the night. NOffLA chairman Cathal McHugh has encouraged the participating drinks brands to achieve a practical feel with the display of products that will be available for NOffLA’s members to retail to their valued customers over Christmas 2023. There will also be plenty of unique offers available for members.

A trade and press only event, SIP 2023 will be held at The Morrison Hotel, Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1 on Monday, 9 October 2022 from 6pm onwards. The show will culminate in the announcement of The Irish Wine Show Star Awards 2023-2024 Food will also be served afterwards.

For brands who would like to participate in the event, please contact NOffLA no later than Friday, 29 September 2023.

SIP 2023 is an exclusive opportunity for drinks brands:

1. To promote your product range to members of the National Off-Licence Association and their staff;

2. To showcase new products;

3. For your key sales people to meet their customers;

4. To network with NOffLA and other associate members.

FINALISTS –THE IRISH WINE SHOW

The show will culminate in the announcement of The Irish Wine Show Star Awards 2023-2024, revealing all the Bronze, Silver and Gold winners

My favourite: A dog walkers’ wine!

In our column outlining members’ favourite tipples, NOffLA members share their expertise on the brands that excite their palates. This month, Michael Collins of O’Donovan’s Off-Licence in Midleton, Co. Cork, highlights his favourite pick

When buying wine, I normally go with one of my five go-to options: Syrah from the Rhone Valley, Burgundian Pinot Noir, Californian Zinfandel, Flinty Loir Valley Sauvignon Blanc or the sometimes maligned yet often wonderful South African Pinotage So when it comes to my favourite wine, which of the above would currently top the list? Which of them would I describe as most enjoyable to both drink and sell? Well, in a word - or three words to be precise - none of them. This is due to the 2022/23 Irish Wine

Show winners, which highlighted a particular wine for one of its Gold Star Awards. That wine is the ‘d’Arenberg High Trellis 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon’.

I like d’Arenberg very much. I like their ethics. I like their commitment to biodiversity I like the respect they show to the land and its original inhabitants of the McLaren Vale I like that the company has been in the same family for over a century I like the fact that they use the age-old techniques of foot-trod and basket pressed wines. In short, I like their wines. And I

love this wine

The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon is not by any means subtle This is a big red. To merely describe it as having a powerful nose is like saying that Brian Blessed can be a bit loud. If you open the bottle in the kitchen, people in the living room will smell it. As for the taste - it’s exactly as you would expect from the nose A solid backbone of spice and cedar surrounded by masses and masses of jammy blackcurrants and black cherries. It will have you drooling like Homer Simpson in a donut

factory And the mouthfeel is something else As smooth as an oiled dolphin.

You’ll be able to keep this wine for a good while yet. It’s going to get better And that’s a wonderful prospect. But why wait? Enjoy it now. Pour yourself a glass, enjoy it, then take your dog for a walk. A good old walk. Then when you get back, pour another glass. But before you drink it - take a moment. You’ll realise you can still taste the first glass you had before you took the dog out. Because - unlike this article - it’s got a magnificent finish.

Michael Collins outside O’Donovan’s Off-Licence in Midleton, Co. Cork, which is part of the O’Donovan’s Off-Licence Group, a family-owned business founded over 40 years ago

The d’Arenberg High Trellis 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon will have you “drooling like Homer Simpson in a donut factory,” says Michael Collins

Discover winter skin saviours from Nivea

Nivea, Ireland’s number one skincare brand, has the best winter skin saviours to give everybody’s skin the boost it needs to stay nourished, moisturised and glowing all winter long. With winter around the corner, it’s time to think about protecting skin from harsh winter conditions as skin can become dry in the winter months as wind, cold air and heating affect the skin’s natural moisture balance.

Nivea’s range includes:

• Nivea Rich Nourishing Body Lotion, 400ml (RRSP: €8.25)

This lotion’s formula contains Nivea deep moisture serum, natural almond oil and vitamin E to lock in moisture, creating noticeably smoother skin for 48 hours.

• Nivea Intensive Moisture Hand Cream, 100ml (RRSP: €5.25)

Enriched with almond oil, this provides superior performance, fast absorption and deep nourishment for hands. The gentle vegan formula with a unique Nivea scent leaves hands smooth and soft for 24 hours.

• Nivea Soft Tube, 75ml (RRSP: €4.45)

Nivea Soft has been described as the ultimate multi-use cream, for everyday use Nivea Soft is ideal for anyone who prefers a low maintenance approach to skincare or better yet, the perfect dupe for those seeking a cost effective but quality moisturiser

Logic launches new pod vaping device to ‘MOOV’ ahead

The latest pod vaping device from Logic literally moves with each individual; with MOOV technology allowing the person vaping to control it with simple hand gestures.

With the new MOOV technology, the person’s movement becomes the controls, and the device speaks back to them via haptic feedback. This allows adult vapers to own their vaping experience with a Swipe, Flip or Double Tap to activate features and check their battery levels.

To activate the device for its first use, consumers can simply connect to the charger, swipe up to unlock their device and go

Alongside its new device, Logic is launching a new Welcome Kit. This includes four intense flavours to discover: Classic Tobacco, Peppermint, Berry Mint and new Mango

The brand’s advice is therefore straightforward: Stock up now and MOOV ahead with Logic.

JTI’s Salesforce and its customer services team is on hand to provide expert support and advice about the Logic range and help you maximise vaping category sales. You can order Logic products through the web ordering portal JTI Engage, your local JTI trade marketer, by calling JTI customer services on 01-404-5400, or through cash and carry

Yakult announces fresh new look across all lines and product name change

Yakult’s popular product, Yakult Light will become Yakult Balance across Europe, including the UK and Ireland. With a new name and fresh look, the contents inside the bottle won’t change, so Yakult Balance will still be providing consumers all the same benefits and refreshing lemon flavour as before.

The brand is also rejuvenating the packaging across its portfolio, which includes Yakult Original, Yakult Plus and Yakult Balance; further highlighting each product’s flavour profile and nutritional benefits.

An easy way to support a balanced lifestyle, each bottle of Yakult Balance contains billions of friendly L. casei Shirota bacteria, which are scientifically proven to reach the gut alive and increase the bacteria in the gut*.

Yakult Balance is also enriched with vitamin D** - which supports immunity and muscle and bone health, as well as vitamin E - which helps maintain healthy skin and eyes and strengthen the immune system***.

The launch of Yakult Balance will be supported by PR, broadcast media, digital, shopper marketing and out-of-home (OOH) activity

Major stockists nationwide include Dunnes Stores and Tesco Ireland. Available in an eight-pack, the RSP will vary between retailers but will start from €4.17

For further information, visit www.yakult.ie ■

*(Yakult’s bacteria L. casei Shirota, increase both the lactoballi and bifidobacteria in the gut)

**(Each bottle of Yakult Balance accounts for 15% of the EU reference intake for vitamin D. Enjoy as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle Recommended consumption: 1 bottle per day)

***(Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-e/)

Avoca celebrates bold ideas in style

Popular retailer Avoca recently celebrated the launch of the Avoca Autumn Winter 2023 collection (AW23) in the beautiful surrounds of Avoca Kilmacanogue in the Fern House Café on Wednesday, 6 September

Guests who attended the event had an exclusive chance to view Avoca’s new AW23 Womenswear and Menswear collections. On arrival, guests were treated to a drinks reception while they admired the beautifully

decorated Fern House Café in Kilmacanogue

A formal fashion show with over 50 looks took place where guests enjoyed brunch while models showcased Avoca’s new Autumn Winter collection, styled by Catherine Condell.

This year’s collection elaborates on bold colours and iconic fabrics creating the perfect capsule wardrobe with a contemporary edge whilst also playing homage to Avoca’s rich heritage A huge focal point of the collection

this season is the Avoca 300-year anniversary outerwear collection, celebrating three centuries of handweaving tradition at The Avoca Mill in Co Wicklow.

Continuing to fuse the old with the new, Avoca also unveiled its new website, where customers will soon be able to shop the full collection. Avoca’s AW Collection is also currently available in select Avoca stores nationwide

Amy-Mae Dolan

Fiona Daly and Vanessa Doyle

Anne O’Shea

Emily O’Donnell

Dee Breen and Sara Treacy

Gabriel Marques

DJ Mo Kelly

Hannah Curham and Leah Doyle

A soirée to remember!

Villa Maria hosted a special summer soirée last month to celebrate the launch of Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon to the Irish market.

Guests stepped out onto the lawns at the Radisson St Helens in Stillorgan, Dublin, before later retiring inside for a bespoke wine-paired dinner The evening showcased the art of effortless wine pairing to elevate the dining

experience, truly enhancing the flavours of the food to savour those moments of joy with Villa Maria wines.

The delicious blush sauvignon is a captivating fusion of elegance and flavour, which is unsurprising as it comes from Ireland’s number one New Zealand wine brand. Is it a rosé? Is it a sauvignon blanc?

Villa Maria has created the best of both worlds, crafted with 90% sauvignon blanc and just a touch of merlot. This innovative and alluring wine delivers the taste experience of New Zealand’s favourite and cherished sauvignon blanc with a beautiful pale pink twist, bursting with fresh flavours of passionfruit and cranberry ■

Tara O’Farrell and James Patrice Butler

Terrie McEvoy

Kate Barry, Sonya Lennon and Mark Rogers

Nicole Gaffney, Rachel Ivie and Enya Fitzgerald

Ciara Ryan and Eabha O’Donoghue

Vernon Catering joins Dole Ireland to create national fresh foodservice provider

Dole Ireland has acquired Vernon Catering Ltd, a marketer and distributor of fresh fruits, vegetables and dry goods to foodservice outlets across Dublin for over 40 years.

Vernon Catering’s operations will be integrated into Dole’s dedicated foodservice hub located in Balbriggan, Co Dublin with immediate effect. Ronan Sullivan, managing director of Vernon is assuming the new position of commercial director in Dole Foodservice.

In a press statement, the two businesses said their new partnership “represents an

important moment in the evolution of both businesses. Both Dole and Vernon Catering share a passion for produce and a ‘can-do’, customer-centric culture dedicated to delivering best-in-class customer service.”

In combining Dole’s national distribution network, global and local sourcing reach and in-house supply chain expertise with Vernon’s strengths in forging enduring customer relationships and the breadth and variety of their portfolio of products, a new business is being created, one which they believe is “uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the modern foodservice operator”.

“Dole is pleased to welcome Ronan and his talented team into our family,” said John Cunningham, managing director of Dole Foodservice. “Vernon Catering is known and trusted by foodservice operators across Dublin. We very much look forward to integrating our businesses and Vernon’s distinctive and extensive value-added range into our own.”

“Dole is an extraordinary Irish success story and we are delighted to be joining forces as we take the next step forward as a business,” added Ronan O’Sullivan of Vernon Catering.

Food and drink entrepreneurs with an appetite to disrupt the industry wanted!

Are you an early-stage food or drink company interested in scaling your business?

Do you have a category-disrupting product, solution or ingredient with export potential?

Then look no further than Food Works, Ireland’s leading accelerator programme for high-potential food, drink, ingredients, food science and technology companies. Food Works is currently seeking applications for its 2024 programme

Combining the resources of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, Food Works helps to drive scale and enables participants to become investor-ready in order to achieve success in domestic and international markets. The ten-month programme also provides access to grant funding, buyers, mentors and investors.

Successful applicants on the 2023 programme included Zingibeer GoodBrew East by Kwanghi Chan, Slice of Life, Cream of the Crop, Wexbury Spirits and Naked Bakes.

Food Works runs annually from February to November Participating start-ups take part in workshops with national and international industry experts across various disciplines such as strategy finance, manufacturing and marketing. Successful

Tesco Stronger Starts programme to double impact to 240 schools by end of 2024

Tesco Ireland has committed to doubling the reach of its community support programme, Stronger Starts, by the end of 2024

Twins Ben and Ava Wallace (age 7) from St Michael’s Primary School, Cootehill, Cavan helping Tesco Ireland announce plans to double the reach of its Stronger Starts programme

By doubling its reach, Tesco aims to provide children in 240 DEIS primary schools who are most at risk of food insecurity with a food pack containing fresh apples, onions, potatoes, and carrots every week.

Speaking at the announcement in St Michael’s National School, Cootehill, Co Cavan, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys said she was delighted to support Stronger Starts.

Irish Wagyu steaks land in Aldi

Since 7 September, Irish Wagyu steaks have been available from only €6.79 at Aldi stores nationwide for a limited time only

Aldi has said it is “committed to providing exceptional value to its customers” and that despite the range’s premium nature, Aldi’s Irish Wagyu steaks are affordably priced.

The following range of Wagyu products are available in 160 stores nationwide: Wagyu Burgers €3.99 (340g); Wagyu Sirloin Steak €6.79 (227g); Wagyu Striploin Steak €7.99 (227g); Wagyu Ribeye Steak €8.79 (227g) and Wagyu Fillet Steak €8.99 (170g).

Wagyu beef is renowned for its unrivalled marbling and rich buttery flavour

applicants are supported to get investorready by developing a comprehensive business plan focused on scaling internationally They also receive customised support from business advisors, facilitated peer-to-peer learning and may have the opportunity to receive feasibility grant funding of up to €35,000

The closing date for applications for the 2024 programme is 1 December 2023. Full details and an application form are available at FoodWorksIreland.ie

Krispy Kreme’s Irish revenues top €10m for first time

Krispy Kreme is eyeing further expansion here in Ireland after the revenues of its Irish arm reached over €10m for the first time last year

Expansion costs last year contributed to Krispy Kreme Ireland Ltd recording a pre-tax loss of €415,000 The prior year, the group had recorded a pre-tax profit of €1.16m.

With 10 retail locations on 1 January alongside DFD access points with retail partners, the Irish Independent reports that new accounts show the firm’s revenues surged by 43% from €6.98m to €10.01m in the 12 months to the end of 1 January this year This equates to an average weekly revenue of €192,634. ■

Donut producer plans to open stores in high-profile locations and expand its DFD (delivered fresh daily) business, run in conjunction with several retail partners

John Cunningham, managing director, Dole Foodservice (left) with Ronan O’Sullivan of Vernon Catering

Rachel Byrne, Zingibeer; Kwanghi Chan, East by Kwanghi; Aisling Tuck, Naked Bakes and Giselle Makinde, Cream of the Crop are currently taking part in the Food Works programme