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NEWS
NEWSGRID The top news stories in FMCG
and retail from across Ireland
Retailers hit by Covidrelated staff shortages
Dunnes takes number one spot in latest Kantar stats
Covid-related staff shortages have led to a quarter of retail staff being forced to close for a period of time in recent weeks, according to a survey by Retail Excellence. As a result of the highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant, Duncan Graham, MD of Retail Excellence, said many of its members were operating with a “skeleton staff” due to Covid-related issues. For more on this issue, turn to page 8.
Irish grocery sales were worth €3.1 billion during the 12 weeks to 26 December 2021, according to the latest figures from Kantar. Dunnes retained the number one spot as Ireland’s largest retailer, securing 23.2% of the market. SuperValu and Tesco were both close behind, with shares of 22.2% each, while Lidl and Aldi accounted for 11.7% and 11.6% respectively.
Regulator advises removal of Genrui antigen tests from shelves The State’s medical devices regulator has said one of the most commonly used Covid19 rapid antigen tests, Genrui should be removed from the shelves, after over 500 users complained about false positive results. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) said retailers were removing the product from sale on a voluntary basis pending further investigation.
CMO calls for “robust” application of Covid protection measures in shops Chief medical officer Tony Holohan has issued the following message to retailers about the need to robustly apply Covid health and safety measures: “Given the current epidemiological situation and the expected impact of the Omicron variant, it is absolutely critical that those sectors that remain open are robustly applying the full range of protective measures to ensure safe environments for staff and customers,” he said. CMO Tony Holohan
Dunnes Stores asks appeals board to overturn Monkstown store refusal Dunnes Stores has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s refusal of planning permission to redevelop The Outer Spaces, a Diarmuid Gavin-led gardening shop and cafe it opened last year at 14/15 Monkstown Cresent, south Dublin. It is seeking planning for a convenience store of 400sq m. The council initially refused planning permission after 20 local residents objected and the council said it would constitute overdevelopment. Dunnes Stores argued that the outlet will not have an adverse impact on existing properties in the local area. A decision is due on the appeal in May.
Freshly Chopped expands to six new countries Healthy fast food retailer Freshly Chopped recently signed a new partnership deal with the Dutch company FFF International Holding B.V. (Fresh Food Fast Company) that will see the Freshly Chopped brand open 120 new outlets in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden over the next five years. For further details, turn to page 33.
Brian Lee, founder and CEO of Freshly Chopped with Hans Wingender, MD of Fresh Food Fast Company in Leiden, Netherlands
Christmas 2021: Grocery sales finish ahead of previous year Christmas 2021 saw Irish people spend €732 on groceries every second in the four weeks to 26 December according to new research from NielsenIQ. Total sales surpassed €1.7 billion, representing a growth of +0.3% versus Christmas 2020. In comparison to a pandemic free Christmas in 2019, total value sales were up +12% this year. Overall, Irish shoppers spent €28 million more during Christmas week this year versus in 2020.
Sponsorship set for 8% growth in 2022, says Onside The Irish sponsorship industry grew by 6% to reach €180m in 2021, and while the sector’s size has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, the 16th annual Onside Irish Sponsorship Industry Survey estimates there will be further growth of 8% in 2022 to €195m. According to Onside’s survey results, 54% of sponsors will be increasing their sponsorship investment levels in 2022, up from 41% in 2021.
Tributes as coffee business legend Patrick Bewley dies aged 77
Patrick Bewley
Tributes have been paid to the former managing director of Bewley’s, who has died aged 77. Patrick Bewley, who passed away after a long illness, was involved in the Dublin institution for 53 years. He imported the first Fairtrade Certified coffee to Ireland in 1996. “Paddy Bewley made an immense contribution, not just to the success of Bewley’s over the past 35 years, but to improving the lives of others in need,” said Paddy Campbell, whose family acquired the Bewley’s business in 1986, forming the Campbell Bewley Group. Patrick Bewley’s great-grandfather, Joshua Bewley, founded the company in 1840. ■
For more details on all the above and the latest grocery-related news as it happens, visit www.shelflife.ie. ShelfLife January 2022 | www.shelflife.ie
