Retail News December 2017

DECEMBER 2017

CELEBRATING

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7 - 20 1 5 7 9 GREAT YEARS

IT’S BEGINNING TO TASTE A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Contains paracetamol.

Always read the label/leaflet.

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News

Merry Christmas to All Our Readers It seems hard to believe that 2017 is coming to a close and the festive season is very much upon us. Retail Ireland predicts that Irish households will spend an average of €2,654 in shops this December, approximately €870 more than any other month of this year and roughly 2.6% more than Christmas 2016. Sales over the Christmas season are expected to top €4.5 billion, up from €4.4 billion in 2016. This is all good news for the Irish retail trade, particularly given the uncertainty ahead in 2018.

Our Chief News Reporter, Pavel Barter, finds the FMCG sector in bullish mood as we face into 2018 and the challenges it brings, including the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, rising insurance premiums and the everpresent spectre of Brexit, albeit the latter seems slightly less ominous, given the commitments made between the EU and the UK over the border (Page 2).

Also inside, the country’s leading retail groups reflect on the year that was in our annual Retail Groups Review (Page 39-59), we preview the trends likely to shape our sector in the years to come (Page 14) and report on the winner of the ECR Ireland Shopper Award (Page 34).

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish each of our readers a very merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and profitable 2018. Thanks in particular to our advertisers, whose support helps to ensure the continued success of Retail News.

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.

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Year of Living Dangerously.

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Irish households to spend €2,654 in December; New SuperValu opens in Bantry;

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Dunnes reclaims top spot in grocery market; Centra rewards personnel for passion.

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New off trade Director at Heineken Ireland; Irish Distillers named Distiller of the Year 2017.

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consumed out of home, as the Irish foodservice market is worth a record €7.8 billion.

National Dairy Council 32

The National Dairy Council is driving a new campaign to win millennials back to the dairy category.

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Cream liqueur recovers from lost decade; Cork firm nets deal with Lidl UK.

The 8th Annual ECR Ireland Shopper Conference took place recently, with the theme, The Future of Shopper Engagement, and saw the announcement of the ECR Ireland Shopper Engagement Award 2017.

On The Vine 36

Jean Smullen looks at the Irish wine market, noting the big issues of the year, highlighting the country’s most innovative retailers and previewing some 2018 wine fairs.

Retail Trends

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018

Retail Groups Review

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Kantar Worldpanel’s recent client day examined the trends likely to shape Ireland’s grocery market in 2018 and beyond.

Ireland's best seafood retailers were honoured at the BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018, including the first female winner of the BIM Young Fishmonger competition.

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IGBF Christmas Lunch 20

The 2017 festive season officially kicked off with the IGBF Christmas Lunch.

Foodservice 26

Retail sales drive confidence ahead of Christmas period; Last minute Government amendment to PHAB is of minimum benefit.

Some of the biggest names in the Irish grocery industry report on their 2017 and look forward to the year ahead.

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The ‘grab-and-go’ trend and demand for healthier options continue to drive growth in food

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Managing Director: Patrick Aylward Editorial & Sales Director:

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Kathleen Belton

kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Editor: John Walshe

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie

Tel: 00353 1 6785165 Fax: 00353 1 6477127

Sales: Brian Clark

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Web: www.retailnews.ie Email: kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Production: Ciara Conway Printed by: W&G Baird

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Graphics: Catherine Doyle

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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The annual Retail News guide to the biggest retail brands in the country.

Focus on HR 60

GREAT YEARS

RETAIL GROUPS REVIEW

The Workplace Relations Commission has the authority to carry out employment inspections to ensure compliance with employment law in Ireland.

Regulars & Reports

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

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ECR Ireland Shopper Conference

Bord Bia presents Food & Drink Awards; Musgrave MarketPlace scholarship programme.

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Industry News

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Drinks News

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Forecourt Focus: News

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What’s New

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News

Year of Living Dangerously

INSURANCE scams, soaring commercial rates, and the shadow of Brexit loom large for 2018. But retailers are not going down without a fight.

After years of enduring bogus insurance claims that have brought many businesses to their knees, retailers are starting to fight back. Next year may herald a change in over generous, often fraudulent, compensation claims as ISME, the Irish SME Association, plan to introduce a Perjury Bill to tackle insurance scammers.

“We want people to swear an affidavit of verification when they submit their claim to the Personal Injuries Board [PIAB],” said Neil McDonnell, ISME Chief Executive. “We’re going to look for you to swear it up front.” People submitting false claims could thereby be prosecuted for committing perjury, he explained.

According to Thomas Neil McDonnell, ISME CEO. Burke, Director of Retail

Ireland, the country is blighted by a claims industry in which groups of people travel around the country defrauding retailers in different towns. “This has to be tackled in 2018,” he told Retail News. “If we don’t, it will eat into our competitiveness. We’ve already seen some companies move to self-insurance as a result.”

Rising premium levels threaten businesses, said Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association. “In many instances, the awards in our official Book of Quantum are three or four times higher than they are in the UK or elsewhere. The Book of Quantum must be revisited in 2018,” said Jennings.

“Hopefully we will see reports published by the government and commitments to implement new policies to reduce the cost of shop insurance,” added Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General.

The retail sector enters the last few weeks of the year with buoyancy. There has been an upward increase in consumer sentiment and a corresponding increase in spend. The challenge will be maintaining Retail Ireland Director, this over the year ahead as the Thomas Burke. spectre of Brexit looms large.

“Brexit will be one of the biggest challenges to retail in Ireland in 2018, as a consequence of sterling revaluation,” said

Lorraine Higgins, Deputy CEO, Retail Excellence Ireland. “Many retailers in Ireland are already suffering from the VAT differential between the UK and Ireland, so that’s something we would like to see addressed in upcoming budgets.

Exchequer figures for Quarter Three in 2017 were €300m down on previous years, which suggests cross Vincent Jennings, CEO of border shopping has become the Convenience Stores & an item again. The threat will Newsagents Association. be more acute next year.”

Tara Buckley hopes that retailers will have clarification about the realities of Brexit in the coming months: “It’s a big issue for members along the border, but also members throughout the country. The reality is setting in. We will have to focus our minds in 2018 as a date for the implementation is coming upon us.”

Closer to home, a number of legislative changes in the pipeline are set to transform convenience retailing. The outcome of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is imminent and retailers are keen to see what amendments will be made to Section 22 of the bill, relating to structural separation. Simon Harris TD, Health Minister, has met with retail representatives to hear their concerns as part of the engagement process.

Retailers must now wait to hear what changes will be implemented - and what cost they will pose. “I’m hopeful that will find some sort of resolution. Regardless of the outcome, it won’t be without cost,” said Burke.

The sugar tax will also be introduced in 2018, placing a 30c-per-litre levy on sweetened drinks with over eight grams of sugar per 100 millilitres. This is likely to cause a change in the make-up of shop shelves and new ranges of low sugar, or no sugar, drinks. As the trend for healthy eating continues, these could be profitable innovations.

Value and quality are driving consumer demand: a trend likely to continue next year. “We have seen a move back towards premium products,” continued Burke. “In 2018, we will have

Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie|3

News to move away from this vicious competition model and price cutting, which has been in operation for a number of years. It’s starting to hurt the sector in a number of ways.”

Retailers face another challenge in 2018 from rising business costs.

The Valuations Office’s revaluation of commercial properties means that close to 60% of retailers, in some local authority areas, are facing significant Tara Buckley, RGDATA increases to their rates Director General. bills. Thus far, the reevaluation has affected a number of geographical locations in Ireland. “Quite a number of others will go through this process in 2018,” explained Burke. “The worry is we will see that continued transfer of the burden of the total rates bill from other sectors into the retail sector.”

Jennings added: “Retailers are bearing the brunt of the increases that come about as a result of reevaluations. Every time there is a winner, there has to be a loser on the other side. We find that retailers are disproportionally affected when they do the rebalancing.”

A rise in commercial rates is particularly challenging for rural retailers yet to experience economic recovery.

RGDATA plans to put rural regeneration at the top of its agenda for 2018. “Monies allocated to local authorities haven’t been spent on rural regeneration projects, so there needs to be emphasis ensuring the projects take place,” said Buckley.

In recent times, retail has taken the brunt of governmental regulation: whether on matters of obesity, alcohol abuse, or waste reduction. Retailers we spoke to would like to see government take proactive measures in 2018 to protect retailers amid the uncertainty of Brexit.

“Government has a habit of looking after the consumer, which is important to a retailer’s business. But given that we are the largest private industry employer in the country, it’s time we have Lorraine Higgins, Deputy more targeted measures CEO, Retail Excellence at our industry,” said Ireland.

Higgins.

Government and policy makers are increasingly expecting retailers to make changes in-store, and to how they operate, at the drop of a hat. Retailers want this attitude to change.

“There will be expectations from Government in 2018 that will place a further burden,” concluded Burke, “The reality is we are increasingly expected to change the world on behalf of Government and others. We’ll have to be forceful in terms of pushing back on areas we believe aren’t going to have any effect, but be collaborative and cooperative in areas we believe can make an impact.”

As we approach the new year, Ireland’s retail sector is in fighting spirit.

Irish Households to Spend €2,654 in December THE Irish household will spend an average of €2,654 in shops this December, approximately €870 more than any other month of this year and roughly 2.6% more than Christmas 2016, according to Retail Ireland’s Christmas Retail Monitor 2017.

The monitor predicts an increase in total sales of over €100m, with sales over the Christmas season expected to top €4.5 billion, up from €4.4 billion in 2016. However, with a greater number of Irish shoppers now choosing to shop on foreign websites, the challenge for Irish retailers will be to ensure that this buoyancy is felt locally and that Irish based retailers benefit from this anticipated additional spending.

“Now that the uncertain political environment of recent days has passed, retailers are looking forward to the approaching Christmas period with renewed optimism,” Retail Ireland Director Thomas Burke said. “Rising disposable incomes, more people at work, and falling prices will raise consumer spirts and enable greater spending power over the busy Christmas period.”

For grocery and convenience stores, Christmas comes late, with the feast day falling on a Monday this year. Therefore, the week beginning December 18 will be make-or-break for this category, according to Retail Ireland. Black Friday has minimal effect on food sales other than to trigger even keener competitive activity. This keen competition for market share will drive heavy discounting and promotions, a dividend for shoppers but costly for retailers.

New SuperValu Opens in Bantry

THE four Martins: TV Sports Presenter Marty Morrissey; SuperValu Managing Director, Martin Kelleher; Martin Hourihan, Bantry, who has 41 years’ service at SuperValu; and Celebrity Chef of Fishy Fishy, Martin Shanahan, are pictured at the opening of the new €8.5m SuperValu in Bantry. The 'cutting of the ribbon' ceremony was performed by six staff members who together have over 230 years’ service with O'Keeffe's SuperValu, as well as celebrity chef Martin Shanahan, sports commentator Marty Morrissey and store owner Jim O'Keeffe.

4|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News Dunnes Reclaims Top Spot in Grocery Market DUNNES Stores has returned to the top spot in the Irish grocery market for the first time in nine Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend months, capturing a 22.4% share of the market, according 12 Weeks to 06 Nov 2016 12 Weeks to 05 Nov 2017 change** to the latest grocery market %* %* % share figures from Kantar Total Grocers 100.0% 100.0% 2.2 Worldpanel in Ireland, for the Total Multiples 89.1% 89.3% 2.5 12 weeks ending November 5, SuperValu 22.4% 22.0% 0.5 2017.

Tesco 21.3% 21.9% 5.1 “Dunnes Stores Dunnes 22.6% 22.4% 1.4 traditionally posts a strong Lidl 11.4% 11.6% 3.8 performance towards the Aldi 11.4% 11.5% 2.9 end of the year and 2017 is Other Outlets** 10.9% 10.7% -0.3 no exception,” explains David Berry, Director at Kantar *= Percentage Share of Total Grocers Worldpanel. “While growth of **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops 1.4% compared to this time Meanwhile, Aldi and Lidl have both continued to see sales last year is slightly behind the market average, shoppers have grow ahead of the market, up 2.9% and 3.8% respectively. spent almost €2 more per trip this period, which has been Unusually, Lidl has performed well in branded goods, enough for the retailer to edge ahead of the competition.” particularly in the alcohol, biscuits and confectionery aisles, as SuperValu is in the second spot with a 22% share of the shoppers gear up for the festive season. market, in line with last month, though larger basket sizes However, it wasn’t just Christmas that consumers were have contributed to a sales improvement of 0.5%. stockpiling for this period, as Berry explains: “Storm Ophelia, The strongest growth this month has come from Tesco, as which hit on October 16, had a surprisingly strong effect on Berry explains: “Tesco’s sales are 5.1% higher than they were the Irish grocery market. The week before Ophelia landed, this time last year, which has lifted its share of the market supermarkets were buoyed by a spike in sales as shoppers from 21.3% in 2016 to 21.9% today. The retailer is the only one battened down the hatches in preparation for the course of the of the top five not to lose shoppers this year, and customers storm. Munster in particular saw an uplift in sales, with growth have been tempted in by lower prices. On average, consumers reaching 12% during that week.” have paid 2% less than this time last year and in turn this has Grocery market inflation stands at -0.2% for the 12 week contributed to shoppers making bigger trips and returning to period ending November 5, in line with the previous month. store more often.”

Centra Rewards Personnel for Passion THE fourth annual Pride of Centra Awards ceremony took place in the Cliff at Lyons in Co. Kildare recently, where Centra personnel from across the country were honoured for their passion and the commitment they have shown in the workplace in 2017. Fiona Reilly, store manager of Centra Belturbet, Co. Cavan, took home top honours and was named the Overall Pride of Centra Award Winner 2017.

Presented by broadcaster Sybil Mulcahy, the Pride of Centra Awards were established to acknowledge staff who demonstrate passion and enthusiasm in cementing Centra as the number one convenience retailer at the heart of communities across the country.

Commenting on the Pride of Centra Awards, Des O’Mahony, Interim Marketing Director of Centra, said; “These awards were established to recognise and honour the outstanding representatives who consistently embody the Centra brand values each and every day. The Pride of Centra Awards 2017 showcase the exemplary work undertaken by Centra staff members, who go above and beyond to ensure outstanding customer service. Our staff are at the heart of everything we do, and most importantly they are firmly cemented in each of their local communities where they make positive impact through their work.”

Winners on the day included: • Pride of Centra Overall Winner and Store Manager category winner – Fiona Reilly from Centra Belturbet, Co. Cavan; • Pride of Centra Employee Award – Tina Purcell from

Pictured are (l-r): Breda Cahill from Centra Ballinteer who won the Pride of Centra Outstanding Contribution Award; Fiona Reilly from Centra Belturbet, Cavan, who won the Pride of Centra Store Manager Award as well as the Overall award; Des O'Mahony, Interim Marketing Director; Tina Purcell from Centra Clarina, Limerick, who won the Pride of Centra Employee award; and Graciely Pereira, Centra Capel St , who won the Pride of Centra Department Manager Award.

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Centra Clarina, Co. Limerick; Pride of Centra Department Manager Award – Graciely Pereira from Centra Capel Street, Dublin; Pride of Centra Outstanding Contribution Award – Breda Cahill from Centra Ballinteer, Dublin.

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News New Off Trade Director at Heineken Ireland PETE Green has been appointed as the Off Trade Director for Heineken Ireland.

He joins Heineken Ireland from Heineken USA, where he held the role of National Sales Director for Grocery in the United States since 2014.

In his prior role, Pete played an integral part in leading the strategic and operational development of best-in-class customer management planning and worked directly with some of North America’s leading retailers and distributors. The Birmingham born Director’s global experience, combined with his dynamic and inclusive approach, will ensure that he will develop lasting relationships in the Irish retail sector and will build on Heineken Ireland’s successes in the off trade.

“We are delighted to Pete Green, Off Trade Director, Heineken welcome Pete to the key Ireland. position of Heineken Ireland Off Trade Director,” said Maggie Timoney, Heineken Ireland Managing Director. “He joins us from Heineken USA, where he made a significant contribution to the business. We welcome him back to Europe and look forward to working with him.”

Kepak Group Acquires Moy Park Plant KEPAK Group is set to acquire the Moy Park Poppintree facility in Ballymun, Dublin 11, which is expected to be completed by the end of December.

The Poppintree factory was custom built in 1995 and has been the subject of significant investment in cooking processes that complement the Kepak Group’s value added business interests.

As well as increasing Kepak’s capability in added value cooked product for ‘Food To Go’, Foodservice, the acquisition will also facilitate the continued growth of its own consumer branded Rustlers products. Rustlers is one of the largest Irish owned food brands with a significant presence in the UK, where it is now in the top 120 brands across FMCG, and in Europe, where it has a strong and growing presence in Germany, Belgium and Holland.

Obituary

IT was with great sadness that we learned of the recent passing of Brian O’Toole, former Mace Marketing Director. In our many dealings with Brian, we always found him to be hugely knowledgeable, incredibly passionate and extremely affable. Retail News would like to extend its condolences to the O’Toole family.

Irish Distillers Named Distiller of the Year 2017 IRISH Distillers has been named Distiller of the Year at the first Icons of Whisky Ireland awards on November 24. Irish Distillers was also honoured with a number of top accolades, including Visitor Attraction of the Year, Master Blender and the Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador categories, at the awards, which were presented by Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, and include the Hall of Fame Ireland ceremony.

“We are delighted to have been acknowledged with such a prestigious range of awards in this year’s Icons of Whisky Ireland,” said Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers. “To receive recognition in a number of areas from whiskey tourism to innovation from our industry peers is extremely special. It is also a tribute to the growth and success of Irish whiskey and Jameson that the organisers of the Icons of Whisky, Whisky Magazine, decided Ireland warranted its own category from this year.”

Jameson Distillery Bow St was recognised as the top visitor attraction, particularly significant following its €11m redevelopment in 2017, while Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Irish Distillers, accepted the Master Blender Award on the night, and Gerard Garland, Advocacy Team Manager and Irish Whiskey Ambassador, received the coveted Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador 2017 Award.

Picture are (l-r): Ray Dempsey, General Manager at Jameson Distillery Bow St; Ger Garland, Irish Distillers whiskey ambassador; and Paul Wickham, General Manager of Midleton Distillery.

6|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News Bord Bia Presents Food & Drink Awards MORE than 300 Irish food and drink industry leaders gathered in the RDS, Dublin, recently for Bord Bia’s Food and Drink Industry Awards, which honoured the most progressive and ambitious businesses in Ireland’s thriving food and drink industry.

The awards were presented by Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who said “Bord Bia’s Food and Drink Awards provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the trailblazers in the Irish food and drink industry who have proven their commitment and ambition to drive the sector forward.

These companies have demonstrated excellence and innovation in their use of marketing principles and consumer insight and provide an example of best practice which new and emerging businesses can aspire to. I would like to congratulate and applaud all nine companies for their vision and determination to succeed, which is helping us to develop the positive reputation for Irish food and drink on the global market.”

Bord Bia presented the inaugural ‘Industry Champion’ Award to Denis O’Riordan of Kerry Foods in recognition of his outstanding contribution to delivering global success for the Cheestrings brand.

The awards, which were hosted by Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, included winners in nine distinct categories as follows: • Branding Award Winner: Diageo for Baileys • Consumer Insight Award Winner: Butlers Chocolate • Digital Marketing Award Winner: The Happy Pear • Entrepreneurial Award Winner: Gallaghers Bakery

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Export Award (Smaller Business - under €100m) Winner: Silver Hill Foods Export Award (Bigger Business – over €100m) Winner: Kerry Foods for Cheestrings Innovation Award Winner: Pip & Pear Sustainability Award Winner: Dawn Meats Sustainability, Project Impact Award: Monaghan Mushrooms

Pictured are Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Tara McCarthy, CEO, Bord Bia; and Denis O’Riordan of Kerry Foods, known as ‘Mr Cheestrings’ among his colleagues in Kerry Foods.

Musgrave MarketPlace Scholarship Programme MUSGRAVE MarketPlace has announced that eight students have been selected for its inaugural Musgrave MarketPlace Scholarship Programme in partnership with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT).

The eight winning students are: • Rachel Jones, Culinary Arts Year 1 • Erin Lucy O’Dwyer, Culinary Entrepreneurship, Year 1 • Eniola Salami, Culinary Arts Year 2 • Fiona Gaffney, Culinary Entrepreneurship Year 2 • Emily Jane Cunningham, Culinary Arts Year 3 • Ellen Cavanagh, Culinary Entrepreneurship Year 3 • Antoinette Osborne, Culinary Arts Year 4 • Thelma Dunster, Culinary Entrepreneurship Year Pictured are: Catherine Lambe, Director of HR, Musgrave MarketPlace; Eniola Last year, Musgrave MarketPlace made a Salami, Culinary Arts Year 2; and Dr Frank Cullen, Head of School of Culinary significant investment of €346,000 in the Arts & Food Technology. development of DIT’s School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, which saw the Programme recognises high-achieving students studying for a establishment of the Musgrave MarketPlace Scholarship Bachelor of Arts Culinary Arts honours degree and a Bachelor Programme and the sponsoring of its new state-ofof Science Culinary Entrepreneurship honours degree, and each the-art training restaurant, which is due to open in scholarship is valued at €3,000. autumn 2019. The Musgrave MarketPlace Scholarship

Cream Liqueur Recovers from Lost Decade

Pictured are William Lavelle, Head of ISA (right) with Carleen Madigan, ISA Legal Advisor, and John Harte, Donohoes Drinks, ISA Chair, in St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, for the launch of the Love Irish Cream Liqueur campaign.

THE Irish Spirits Association (ISA) have launched a Love Irish Cream Liqueur campaign in the lead-up to Christmas, a very important time for Irish cream liqueur sales.

The campaign aims to restart a conversation about the uniqueness of the product category, its importance to Ireland, and the need to protect it against fake products.

According to the ISA, Irish cream liqueur is growing in popularity at home and abroad, after recovering from a ‘lost decade’ during which growth stagnated. Over 90m bottles of Irish cream liqueur were sold globally in 2016. Preliminary figures from Nielsen show that the value of Irish cream liqueur sales in the important Irish off-trade sector have increased by 3.4% during 2017.

The Love Irish Cream Liqueur campaign aims to highlight the fact that Irish cream liqueur is protected by an EU-recognised Geographic Indication (GI) and to seek enhanced protection of this GI in international markets. A GI means that Irish cream liqueur must be produced on the island of Ireland in accordance with an EU-approved technical file. The GI protects the integrity and quality of this spirits category and the investment being made in production and employment on the island of Ireland.

Cork Firm Nets Deal with Lidl UK KEOHANE Seafoods, based in Bantry, Co. Cork, are celebrating after landing a deal to supply packaged salmon darnes to 120 Lidl stores across the UK. The deal, facilitated due to their relationship with Lidl Ireland, is worth over €6m to the family run business and will see packaged fish going from West Cork to depots in Bridgend, Weston Super Mare and Enfield.

“Our partnership with Lidl Ireland has deepened over the years,” noted Mike Keohane, Managing Director of Keohane Seafoods. “We started supplying Lidl back in the year 2012 and thanks to an excellent working relationship with them, we have been able to take this step into the UK market.”

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8|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

SuperValu’s Long History in Castletownbere SuperValu recently opened an expanded state-of-the-art, 15,000-square feet store at Castletownbere, Co. Cork. Murphy’s SuperValu is one of Ireland’s oldest and most established retail businesses, and has been in the same premises for the past 187 years.

The same family has owned and operated the store for six generations. The expanded store was officially opened by Marie Kerrisk, a previous retailer at Murphy’s in the 1930s, who is now 104 years old, and no fewer than seven generations of the family were represented at the opening. Chris and Lorraine Downey are the current owners and have been running Murphy’s SuperValu since 2010. The 15,000-square feet, state-of-the-art store is also one of the largest employers in the area, employing a total of 65 people. To mark the store opening, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon was on site to deliver a cookery master class, while Irish television and radio presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin kept consumers entertained during the festivities. Marie Kerrisk is pictured with Ireland and Munster Rugby legend, David Wallace, and her great grandniece Katie Downey, aged 5.

Costcutter Hosts Father and Son Run

HUNDREDS turned out for the Costcutter Father & Son Run, which recently took place in St Anne's Park, Raheny, Dublin, and raised funds for the Keith Duffy Foundation.

Costcutter is the first corporate partner signed up by the Foundation, which aims to provide practical support to chosen children’s charities across the country. “We want to go direct to the people in need, helping individuals, families and schools so that funds raised make a real and immediate difference. Costcutter’s support in achieving this will be invaluable,” said Keith Duffy. The Barry Group will market the charity initiative nationally, with a national media campaign, as well as strong in-store marketing and POS. Critically ill children and young people, and those with disability or learning difficulties, are the focus of the new charity, which will host a number of high-profile annual events. These include the Keith Duffy Ball and Golf Classic, as well as smaller events, including promoting local fundraisers for chosen charities around Ireland. Jim and Jamie Barry are pictured with Keith and Jay Duffy at the event.

Hot Campaign from Bord na Móna BORD Na Móna is embracing the weather to promote its Fireheat smokeless coal briquettes. To engage with consumers, the company has teamed up with Kinetic, the OOH agency, and OMD Ireland to produce an exclusive, weather-triggered Digital Out of Home campaign. The innovative campaign utilises a real-time, live temperature feed and pushes out the digital OOH content in a relevant and hyper-contextual manner. The Bord Na Móna campaign displays in real-time when the temperature drops below seven degrees, encouraging consumers to enjoy #warmermoments. The thermalactivated campaign is displayed on digital rail and mall dPods from Exterion Media and Digitower and DigiXTower from Adtower Ltd. These formats are located strategically at retail outlets, rail stations and forecourts across the country. Pictured are (l-r): Kate McManus, Account Manager, OMD Ireland; Karen Smyth, Marketing Manager, Bord na Móna; Annemarie Sexton, Specialist Account Manager, Exterion Media; Michelle Bulger, Account Manager, Kinetic.

Musgrave Hosts SEAI

Event

KEY insights into electric vehicles in industry and business were discussed by members of the Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) at a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) event hosted by Musgrave at their Headquarters in Airport Road, Cork, recently. The event was the latest in the LIEN 2017 Event Series, bringing together representatives from large Irish industries to share best practise and learn of the latest developments in energy management, and provided guidance on the use of electric vehicles in industry and business.

Pictured are (l-r): Shane Prendergast, SEAI; John Curran, Head of Sustainability, Musgrave; Leeanne Timony, SEAI; Ivan Sproule, SEAI; Mark Daly, Eninserv; and Brian Purcell, Nissan.

Tesco Launches Perfectly Imperfect Onions TESCO Ireland, working with long-term supplier, Country Crest, has launched the first product in a new range of fruit and vegetables; Perfectly Imperfect. The first product to market are Irish onions, which have grown beyond normal specification due to the overly wet weather experienced in early autumn. Due to the quick thinking of Country Crest and Tesco technical teams, almost 300 tonnes of perfectly good quality Irish onions will be saved from composting or waste.

10|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

Brady Family Ham Wins Big at IQFDAs BRADY Family Ham scooped two awards at the recent Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2017, including the most prestigious award of the night, the Gold Q, for its Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham. The Gold Q-winning Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham, the newest product in the Brady Family range, was called “delicious and succulent” by IQFA judges. The ham also won the award for best pre-cooked joint meat in the delicatessen category. Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham is double smoked using Bord na Móna turf, once pre-cooking and a second time when cooked. Made from one single Bord Bia-approved pork joint, the ham is delicately cured and carved by master butchers in Timahoe, Co Kildare. Pictured are (l-r): celebrity chef Paul Rankin, David O’Gorman, Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Darragh Toms, John O’Brien, Paul Devane, Kira Mulhere, Lucy Doyle and Sarah O’Brien from O’Brien Fine Foods and Bruce Langlands from Selfridges.

BWG Signs Deal with Freshly Chopped FRESHLY CHOPPED has announced a strategic partnership with BWG Group, which will see BWG Group become Freshly Chopped’s exclusive distributor and supplier, through its BWG Foodservice division. With 32 Freshly Chopped outlets in Ireland, the agreement is valued at over €100,000 per week and this will grow as both Freshly Chopped and BWG Group continue to expand across Ireland. As part of the deal, BWG will also offer Freshly Chopped outlets to its network of approximately 800 Spar, Spar Express, EuroSpar, Mace and Londis stores. Initially, three new Freshly Chopped outlets will open in Dublin city, creating 45 jobs.

“We’re very excited by this partnership and we’re looking forward to supporting Brian and his team in rolling out Freshly Chopped to our nationwide network of stores. Our retail brands continue to transform the convenience market in pursuit of a truly multi-service offering beyond traditional grocery and the introduction of this new healthy food concept further differentiates our unique customer proposition,” noted Leo Crawford, CEO, BWG Group, pictured with Brian Lee from Freshly Chopped at EuroSpar Windmill Lane.

East Coast Bakehouse Wins €80k Advertising Campaign

LOVE Irish Food and Exterion Media have announced East Coast Bakehouse as the winner of The Love Irish Food Brand Development Award for 2017. East Coast Bakehouse will now receive €70,000 worth of out-of-home advertising space from Exterion Media and an additional €10,000 creative bursary towards the campaign by advertising agency OwensDDB. The extensive campaign will appear nationally for two weeks across Exterion Media’s PurchasePoints retail portfolio and across their premium digital out-of-home retail network. The package also includes print production and digital animation. “We are confident that this award will allow us to reach a broader audience, help influence brand choice and drive sales. This award will also assist us in achieving our aim of encouraging consumers to choose Irish,” noted Alison Cowzer, Co-founder of East Coast Bakehouse, pictured with Kieran Rumley of Love Irish Food, Michael Carey of East Coast Bakehouse, and Antoinette O'Callaghan of Exterion Media.

SuperValu Opens in Tower

A NEW SuperValu store has opened in Tower, Co. Cork.

SuperValu Tower, operated by local businessman Paddy O’Leary, has been redeveloped from an existing Centra store and will now occupy a footprint of 16,000 square feet, after an investment of €2.2m. The new state-of-art store has created 10 additional jobs, bringing the total number of employees to over 100. Pictured at the official opening are Lisa O'Leary, owner Patrick O'Leary; Alowyn Murphy Sheehan, Personnel Manager, and Store Manager, Kevin O'Connell.

Cadbury and Dunnes Sponsor Christmas FM

CHRISTMAS FM, the hugely popular radio station which raises hundreds of thousands of euro for deserving organisations every year, returned to the airwaves on November 28. Christmas FM is primarily funded this year by premier FM sponsors Cadbury and Dunnes Stores. This is Cadbury’s second year to be involved in the radio station, while it is the inaugural sponsorship year for Dunnes Stores. Cadbury is teaming up with Christmas FM as part of their ‘Cadvent Convoy’ campaign, which involves Cadbury trucks packed with festive surprises arriving at different locations nationwide in the run-up to Christmas. This year, Christmas FM will be raising awareness and funds for the global charity Sightsavers.

12|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Tesco Ireland Launches Annual Christmas Appeal TESCO Ireland recently launched its annual Christmas Appeal, calling on shoppers to support families in need in their local community by donating a product in Tesco stores nationwide on December 1 and 2. A ‘shopping list’ of potential items to donate was available for Tesco shoppers in-store. Non-perishable foods are paramount for local charitable organisations, with tea bags, biscuits, breakfast cereals and tinned goods top of the list. The annual Appeal has been extended this year to include toiletries, nappies, small clothing items and toys, as well as food items to meet the needs to of local community. Customers were encouraged to pick up just one item as they shop and donate it to the Christmas Appeal Trolley at the front of the store on their way out. All of the items donated during the appeal in Tesco stores will be given to 125 partner causes from the Tesco surplus food donations programme which is run in partnership with FoodCloud, including Peter McVerry, St Vincent de Paul, Foroige and Cork Foyer. Pictured at the launch were TV presenter Laura Woods, with Finnley McKenna (age 7), Brooke Walton (age 5) and Shawn De Wyspelaere, Tesco Bloomfield’s Dun Laoghaire.

Macroom Buffalo Cheese Wins Big A cheese crafted by ‘Buffalo Man’ Johnny Lynch of Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella has been rated as one of the best in the world by a panel of 250 experts at the World Cheese Awards.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Irish Buffalo Mozzarella received a Gold Award, competing against 3,000 cheeses from 30 different countries. This is the third award it has achieved this year, after picking up 1 Gold Star at the Great Taste Awards and winning the Soft Cheese category at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. Johnny Lynch of Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella is pictured with ‘Black Beauty’, a 750kilo member of his West Cork herd of buffalo.

Make the most of Christmas with Centra CENTRA’S range of quality Christmas products will ensure consumers have a hassle-free Christmas, spending less time in the kitchen and more time with their loved ones.

Centra have a tempting selection of party food that is perfect for easy entertaining, including Goats Cheese and Red Onion Bruschetta, Garlic Prawn Mini Skewers, Piri Piri Style Chicken Mini Fillet Skewers and Mini Gourmet Sausage Rolls with Black Pudding, as well as Centra’s Spanish Meat Selection 200g, European Cheese Selection 500g, Antipasti Platter 275g and Tapas Selection 160g.

The range also includes a Turkey Crown, Eye of the Round Roast Beef with Sea Salt and Herb Crust, Half Leg of Lamb with Garlic Butter, and a host of hassle-free, delicious sides and desserts.

Martin Food Equipment’s Casual Dining Workshop

MARTIN Food Equipment recently invited retailers and owners of casual dining restaurants to their innovation centre for a casual dining workshop, which attracted over 70 businesses from across the island of Ireland. The MFE Foodservice Team partnered with top food suppliers, including Manor Farm, to showcase eight casual dining menu concepts to the attending business owners, all based around different ways to serve chicken. The menu concepts included fresh, local chicken marinated and cooked on the stunning and theatrical Inotech ‘Wall of Flame’ Rotisserie, as well as Southern Style pressure fried chicken. Visitors got a live cooking demonstration of just how central Combi Cooking is to casual dining food preparation, via the MFE CombiMaster powered by Rational. Martin Food Equipment have a number of casual dining workshops planned for 2018. To register for information, email info@mfe.ie or call (042) 9330366.

The Times Teams Up with Starbucks for Irish Youth Foundation THE Ireland edition of The Times teamed up with Starbucks this Christmas to raise funds for the Irish Youth Foundation, the organisation that helps children living in disadvantaged circumstances. When a customer purchased a coffee in a Starbucks store, a donation is made to the Irish Youth Foundation and the customer also received a complementary copy of the Ireland edition of The Times. Customers can also text Lapland to 50300 to donate €4 and enter a draw to win a family holiday to Lapland with Sunway Holidays. The activity was supported by an advertising campaign in the Ireland edition of the Times and on radio on Dublin’s Q012, alongside a co-ordinated social media campaign by all promotion partners.

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14|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Trends

Food For Thought

Kantar Worldpanel’s recent client day examined the factors likely to shape Ireland’s grocery market in 2018 and beyond, including the move towards healthy eating, the varying needs of the Irish shopper and future consumption trends.

‘SOLID Growth in Liquid Times’ was the title of the recent Kantar Worldpanel client day in the Croke Park Convention Centre, which examined the changing consumer landscape and the future of consumption. Trends examined and discussed included the growing appetite for healthier food that is lower in fats, saturates and sugars, the potential implications and impact of a sugar tax and increased dietary awareness on Irish shopping habits.

Analysing the Shopper Kantar Worldpanel Consumer Insight Director, Cora Campbell spoke about the changing consumer landscape, detailing the main strands and types of shoppers in the modern retail environment, namely traditionalist, baby boomer, generation X and millennials. These groups can be personified by household names in President Michael D. Higgins (traditionalist), Miriam O'Callaghan (baby boomers), Sonia O'Sullivan (generation x) and Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman (millenials).

The media has been bombarded

David Berry, Director, Kantar Worldpanel, addresses attendees.

Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie|15

Retail Trends with stories about millennials and spending habits in recent times, with some commentators notably claiming that they cannot afford homes because of their penchant for going out for brunch of avocado toast. Indeed, this has become a widely discussed subject in the last year.

Each consumer group tends to follow quite different shopping patterns, in terms of where they shop and what time of day they shop at. For example, traditionalists (born before 1945) tend to shop before 1pm. For a significant majority, their favoured retailer is SuperValu. Interestingly, they are not the most brand loyal group, although they tend to buy Irish more often than other groups and they do not have a tendency to rigidly stick to a budget.

Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, tend to be the most brand loyal. They are the longest living generation in history, tend to shop early in the day, and also favour SuperValu.

Their spend constitutes about 40% of the retail market as they are the most likely and largest group to have young children, so they have greater demands in their weekly and daily shopping.

Generation X, or those born between 1965 and 1976, make up 28.6% of the market. They are much more likely to go on “trolley and alcohol missions” and tend to shop between 11am and 1pm.

Their favoured supermarket is Aldi, but they are the most likely consumer group to shop around for the best price and products rather than rigidly stick to their favourite retailer.

Finally, millennials also favour budget and low cost outlets such as Aldi and Lidl. They tend to be group that shops much later in the day, between 5pm and 9pm. Unlike previous generations, there is an increasing tendency to marry and have children later in life, and there is a tendency for much more job-hopping than any other consumer groups.

The Health Kick Sinead O’Brien, Kantar Worldpanel Consumer Insight Director, followed with a presentation of the growing importance of health to the consumer landscape. A trend towards healthier eating and living has revolutionised retail trends in recent years, and will continue to be in the spotlight as obesity, soft drink reduction and the introduction of sugar tax remain such hot topics.

Surveys indicate 92% of consumers are concerned with their sugar intake and 57% intend to cut down on it.

O’Brien believes that when it comes

Kantar Worldpanel Consumer Insight Director, Cora Campbell. to sugar, we should learn from salt consumption trends in any efforts to reduce sugar in our diet. She identified an interesting trend: older consumers gravitate towards healthy eating as a reaction to conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol, but the young are becoming the fastest growing emerging market for healthy food by their own choice.

In recent years, Irish households have moved away from sugary snacks and are choosing healthier alternatives.

This trend is driving increased volumes in sales across a wider range of categories. Families are opting to fill their baskets with much more honey, rice cakes, frozen fruits and healthy snacks like fruit and nuts than ever before.

O’Brien said that consumer engagement with health trends is high and shopping baskets are getting progressively healthier. However, there is still a long way to go and government action is also required.

Ross Lincoln, Client Manager at Kantar Worldpanel, discussed brand growth and outlined the top 10 growing brands in Irish retail. They are in reverse order: 10. Goodfellas pizza (accelerated by a deal with Lidl) 9. Nicky (toilet and kitchen paper) 8. Santa Rita wine 7. Ballygowan 6. Keelings 5. Clonakilty sausages, rashers and

pudding 4. McCambrige’s Bread 3. Alpro dairy free products 2. Danone light and free range 1. Brennan’s Bread.

Growing With Retailers David Berry, Director of Kantar Worldpanel, provided a lively presentation entitled ‘Growing with Retailers’. He explained that Ireland is one of the most competitive retail markets in Europe, which is dominated by the “big five”, namely Dunnes, SuperValu, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi. Berry foresees a change in shopping missions in the near future and an increased consumer spend from €10.4 billion in 2017 to €11.8 billion in 2022.

“Bigger shopping trips drive sales upwards,” Berry stated. He said Dunnes are very good at improving and developing this area, citing their extensive store revamps, such as Cornelscourt in south county Dublin, while SuperValu have a very loyal older customer base.

Tesco have a 21.9% share of the market and perform particularly well in the loyalty club card category and boast buoyant online sales. Younger families and demographics favour Aldi and Lidl, with their market share increasing by about 4.8% and frequency of visits by 3.9%. Berry sees this trend continuing, with Aldi opening a branch in 2018 in Blackrock, Dublin.

Interestingly, according to a report published by Kantar Worldpanel entitled

16|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Trends

Ross Lincoln, Client Manager at Kantar Worldpanel.

‘The Irish Family: How they live and shop’, Lidl launched a new Healthy Co. range in August 2017. The range includes chickpea pasta, a high-protein chocolate hazelnut spread and organic coconut oil. The motive and aim is to provide health-conscious shoppers with an affordable way to access the latest healthy eating ingredients and products.

The changing volumes of lunchbox item sales also proves that healthy eating is far from being a new fad. There has been a 76% increase in prepared fruit and vegetables, 21% in prepared salads and a 24% jump in yogurt sales.

This double digit growth in these areas indicates that modern consumers are opting for healthier lunches for themselves and their families. Health, convenience and value will be the buzz words and market drivers of the future.

Joe Ballantyre, Director of Kantar Futures, spoke about the future of consumption in the years, decades and centuries ahead. Ballantyre said we are presently in the third age of consumption. The first age was between 1600 and 1850, the second between 1850 and 2000, and the third since the turn of the millennium. He sees the main challenges of the future relating to capacity, in terms of cognitive capacity, economic capacity and a finite capacity of resources. “How do we achieve growth in the context of capacity?” he asked.

Ballantyre sees the answers for modern

retail to be found within three levers and areas; experiences, algorithms and relationships.

Panel Discussion A panel discussion concluded the event, with Stephen Kelly, Service Quality and Development Director, Kantar Worldpanel; Alex Barry, Head of Insight & Analytics at Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Patricia Garry, Senior Insights

& Category Manager, Unilever Ireland; and Rob Mullen, Category Controller Ireland, Kerry Foods.

Rob Mullen echoed the sentiments of Sinead O’Brien’s presentation earlier in the day about the rise of healthy eating, describing a rise in demand for products such as turkey rashers and chicken sausages as leaner and healthier alternatives to traditional fryup favourites.

Alex Barry described how Centra stores are stocking healthier produce, as health influencers like The Happy Pear have an increasingly important impact on consumer behaviour. Patricia Garry said she had noticed a trend towards “portion control” in Unilver products, such as mini-Magnum ice creams and healthier treats with less sugar, fat and calories.

Unsurprisingly, the issue of Brexit reared its head. Mullen said he was very concerned about the impact of new VAT rates and fuel costs, and whether wages will decrease as a consequence of Brexit and drive down consumer spending.

Alex Barry said that Musgrave is already engaged in support networks with its outlets throughout the border regions such as Monaghan and Donegal. Smaller suppliers have already suffered because of the effect of the Brexit referendum and future uncertainty. Patricia Garry stated the challenge for Unilever is to get closer to consumers in uncertain times.

With interesting insights into changing consumer behaviour and the trends likely to impact the Irish grocery market in the future, the event provided plenty to think about for the industry going forward.

Stephen Kelly, Service Quality and Development Director, Kantar Worldpanel; Alex Barry, Head of Insight & Analytics at Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Patricia Garry, Senior Insights & Category Manager, Unilever Ireland; and Rob Mullen, Category Controller - Ireland, Kerry Foods; taking part in a panel discussion.

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18|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018

Fishing For Excellence Ireland's best seafood retailers were honoured at the BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018, including the first female winner of the BIM Young Fishmonger competition, Anne Stephens, The Fish Market, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

BORD Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Seafood Development Agency announced the winners of the BIM Young Fishmonger 2018 competition and the winners of its inaugural Seafood Retail Business Award 2018 at an awards event which was hosted by food writer and entrepreneur Domini Kemp, held in the Wineport Lodge, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath on November 16.

Anne Stephens of The Fish Market, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, and Scott Smullen of Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, Dublin 18, were announced as the winners of the BIM Young Fishmonger 2018 competition. Anne won the coveted title as the Independent Seafood Specialist and Scott was the winner in the Supermarket Seafood Counter category.

Lar McCarthy of The Fresh Fish Shop in Bandon, Co. Cork, and Daniel Drwal of Tarpey’s SuperValu in Cavan were the successful winners in the Independent Seafood Specialist and Supermarket Seafood Counter categories for the Seafood Retail Business Award.

Speaking at the awards event, Jim O’Toole, BIM’s Chief Executive said: “Now in its fifth year, the BIM Young Fishmonger competition has recognised and rewarded talented individuals across the independent and supermarket retail sector and in doing so, has promoted the industry, showcasing an exciting and dynamic sector that is capable of significant growth. We are delighted at the extremely high standards in this year’s competition and it is great to see our first female winner, emphasising the diversity of the sector.

Pictured are (l-r): Jim O’Toole, CEO of BIM; Scott Smullen, Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, Dublin 18, winner of the BIM Young Fishmonger competition in the Supermarket Seafood Counter category.; Anne Stephens, The Fish Market, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, winner of the BIM Young Fishmonger competition in the Independent Seafood Specialist category; and Domini Kemp, Food Writer and Entrepreneur.

“With retail sales up 4% this year to €245m, the inaugural Seafood Retail Business Award focuses on the business opportunity for seafood, providing mentoring to candidates to develop their entrepreneurial capacity and serve as a catalyst for further growth in the domestic market.”

BIM Young Fishmonger 2018 Anne Stephens is the first woman to win

the BIM Young Fishmonger competition.

An experienced and talented fishmonger, Anne along with her husband George Stephens, who won the 2016 competition, are a winning team with three successful seafood retail outlets in Blanchardstown, Mullingar and Maynooth.

Scott Smullen’s excellent customer insight and in-depth knowledge of the seafood industry saw him crowned

Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie|19

BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018 on commercial fishing boats.

Due to his fishing background, Scott has an extensive knowledge of seafood and a real passion for the industry, which drives a loyal customer base in-store.

The judging for the annual Young Fishmonger competition is comprehensive, including mystery shopper visits and a practical skills test, with all finalists under pressure to fillet and prepare a range of seafood to a high standard under time constraints. Both Anne and Scott impressed the judges with exceptional customer service, seafood knowledge and precision knife skills. In addition to the sought after title of BIM Young Fishmonger 2018, Anne and Scott will further improve their knowledge of seafood with a trip to Cornwall in England, Winner of the BIM Young Fishmonger 2018 in where they will undertake a the Independent Seafood Specialist category, two-day seafood cookery course Anne Stephens and her husband George Stephens, who was the 2016 Young Fishmonger at award-winning chef Rick Stein’s cookery school. BIM will winner. also provide tailored business mentoring training to both winners. winner of the Supermarket Seafood Counter category in this year’s Seafood Retail Business Award 2018 competition. Scott, who works in the The Seafood Retail Business Award was recently revamped Dunnes Stores, established to identify and acknowledge Cornelscourt, began his career working

The winners of the BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018 are (l-r): Lar McCarthy, The Fresh Fish Shop, Bandon, Co. Cork, winner of the Seafood Retail Business Award in the Independent Seafood Specialist category; Anne Stephens, The Fish Market, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, winner of the Young Fishmonger 2018 in the Independent Seafood Specialist Category; Scott Smullen, Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, Dublin 18, Young Fishmonger 2018 in the Supermarket Seafood Counter category; and Daniel Drwal, Tarpey’s SuperValu, Dublin Road, Cavan, Seafood Retail Business Award winner in the Supermarket Seafood Counter category.

Lar McCarthy, Anne Stephens, Scott Smullen, and Daniel Drwal celebrate winning the BIM Seafood Retail Awards 2018. those with the best seafood business skillset. It also strives to facilitate shop owners and managers in the sector to innovate and improve the management of their businesses.

Lar McCarthy, who runs The Fresh Fish Shop in Bandon, Co. Cork, was praised by the judges for diversifying his business, as well as successfully and creatively marketing his products.

Innovative thinking, new branding, a strong social media presence and a successful lunchtime trade of hot seafood dishes cooked by a chef instore were some of the many items that impressed the judges.

Daniel Drwal has seen his career progress in Tarpey’s SuperValu in Cavan, where he has significantly increased fish sales. Daniel’s obvious passion for the product, keen business acumen, strong community involvement and staff development have meant that Tarpey’s SuperValu has become widely regarded as a destination seafood retailer.

Both winners of the Seafood Retail Business Awards demonstrated an ability to combine strong business acumen with a passion for and understanding of seafood. Their award is a comprehensive business support package, designed to help the winners grow their business further into the future.

20|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF Christmas Lunch

Festive Flair at IGBF Lunch

The 2017 festive season officially kicked off with the IGBF Christmas Lunch.

KEY figures within the grocery industry in Ireland gathered together for the annual Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Christmas Lunch, which was held at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin, on Friday, December 1. The annual event officially marks the social countdown to Christmas in the grocery calendar and is the biggest fundraiser held by the IGBF each year.

Kindly sponsored by the National Lottery and PRM and organised by Hotel Solutions, some 1,200 attendees were present at the IGBF lunch, which was hosted by Marty Whelan and featured entertainment by Mario Rosenstock.

“With the support of the trade and of our sponsors throughout the year, we continue to provide essential financial relief to members of the trade and their families, who find themselves in need of assistance,” noted Donal O’Shea, Chairperson of the IGBF. “The annual Christmas Lunch is a vital fundraiser for

the IGBF charity.”

The outgoing IGBF President of Appeals, Conor Kilduff, Sales & Marketing Director of Keelings, thanked attendees and sponsors for their generosity both on the day and throughout his tenure as President: “Events like today would simply not take place without your support and I know I speak for everyone here when I say your generosity is truly appreciated.”

Sponsors of the IGBF Christmas Lunch, included the National Lottery, PRM Group, Heineken Ireland, Britvic Ireland, Logic, Avonmore, Stafford Lynch, Comans Beverages Ltd, East Coast Bakehouse, Fage Total Yogurt, Solus, Primeline Sales & Marketing, and Finnair.

Incredible Commitment At his last official event as President of Appeals, the affable Kilduff thanked and congratulated “the many people

across the country who are involved in supporting and running the organisation that is the IGBF”. He praised the incredible commitment of IGBF volunteers throughout the country, from the National Committee to the regional committees and individuals who organise events and raise badly needed funds for the charity.

“It has been an amazing year for the IGBF charity, which has used a strong mix of events in the 2017 calendar including TWIG’s networking lunch, the IGBF Sports Lunch, the new Grocers Fun Run, the President’s Ball and of course our annual Christmas Lunch, to name but a few, bringing the grocery community together and raising funds for a great charity cause,” the outgoing President of Appeals enthused, before going on to introduce his successor, the IGBF's new President of Appeals for 2018, John Moane, Managing Director, Wholesale, at BWG Foods.

Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie|21

IGBF Christmas Lunch

Pictured is the IGBF Committee and Members, following their meeting in advance of the Annual IGBF Christmas Lunch.

Pictured at the IGBF Christmas Lunch are (l-r): Stuart Forsyth, Director of Sales, Fage UK; Sue Garfitt, VP Customer Development, Alpro; Philip Morrow, Managing Director, PRM Group; Hannah McEneaney, Brand Manager, PRM Group; Declan Mackle, Trading Controller, Alpro; and Maureen Holebrook, Sales Director, Great Food UK.

Conor Kilduff, Sales & Marketing Director of Keelings and Outgoing IGBF President of Appeals, and Niall Andrews, Head of Sales, National Lottery.

Paula Conlon, Customer Marketing Controller, Heineken Ireland (centre) with members of the Heineken sampling team.

The LR Suntory team, enjoying the IGBF Christmas Lunch.

Sharon Buckley, Group Commercial Director, Musgrave Group.

Redmond Gavin, Wine Director, Coman's Wholesale, and member of the IGBF Executive Committee.

22|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF Christmas Lunch

Pictured are (l-r): Donal O’Shea, IGBF Chairperson; Conor Kilduff, Outgoing IGBF President of Appeals; and John Moane, Managing Director, Wholesale, BWG Foods, incoming IGBF President of Appeals for 2018.

Pictured enjoying the IGBF Christmas Lunch are the team from Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.

Pictured are TWIG Committee Members (l-r): Paula Conlon, Customer Marketing Controller, Heineken Ireland; Sharon Yourell Lawlor, Managing Director, Think Plan Do Consulting; Frances Higgins, Head of Promotions, BWG Foods; and Anne O’Brien, Manager for Foodservices, Musgrave Wholesale Partners.

The team from WaterWipes, pictured enjoying the IGBF Christmas Lunch.

From BWG Foods, (l-r): Simon Marriott, Trading Director; Frances Stuart Thornton and Michelle Thornton from event Higgins, Head of Promotions; John Moane, Managing Director, organisers, Hotel Solutions, pictured with event Wholesale, and incoming IGBF President of Appeals; and Suzanne MC, Marty Whelan.

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24|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Drinks News Barry & Fitzwilliam to Distribute Brewdog

New Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest Edition

BARRY & Fitzwilliam has secured the Irish distribution rights to the iconic craft beer brand, Brewdog, effective January 1, 2018. Back in 2007, Brewdog kick-started the craft beer revolution in the UK, and it is now the UK’s most successful international craft beer business. famed for its rapid expansion and brewing innovation, which has been fueled by ‘Equity for Punks’, an innovative crowdfunding platform that counts more than 60,000 investors globally, who have collectively contributed over £50m. Ireland has long been a key export market for Brewdog, and the brand is currently scouting for a location for a bar of its own in Dublin. “The addition of the Brewdog brand to our portfolio will give our customers an unrivalled choice of craft beers, both domestic and international,” said Michael Barry, Managing Director of Barry & Fitzwilliam.

IRISH Distillers has unveiled the next chapter in its Virgin Irish Oak Collection of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys, Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest edition.

This exceptional offering has been finished in barrels made from Irish oak grown in the Bluebell Forest of Castle Blunden Estate in County Kilkenny, imparting a true and unique flavour of Ireland.

Dair Ghaelach, which is Gaelic for ‘Irish oak’, is the result of an eight-year exploration by the expert production team at the Midleton Distillery, into using native oak to mature Irish whiskey and follows the release of Midleton Dair Ghaelach Grinsell’s Wood in February 2015.

Heineken Refreshes Cork Office

MARKING the completion of a multi-million euro upgrade project, Heineken Ireland recently welcomed Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to unveil its new look headquarters in Cork. The 128 year-old iconic Malt House building at Leitrim Street has been revamped to provide an inspirational and collaborative environment for Heineken Ireland’s 200+ Cork-based employees. Heineken Ireland’s commitment to sustainability through its ‘Brewing a Better World’ strategy was central to the upgrade project, including the use of a state-of-the-art smart lighting system and a centrally controlled heating system, that maximises natural daylight, which will result in a 30% decrease in energy consumption on an annual basis. A new waste management system and employee education programme has resulted in the site now having “zero waste to landfill”, while office equipment and furniture was donated to 13 local Cork charities.

Teeling Reveals Latest Revival Single Malt TEELING Whiskey has unveiled the fourth and penultimate bottling of The Revival, a limited edition commemorative Single Malt. Recently awarded Irish Whiskey of the Year at the 2017 Irish Whiskey Awards, The Revival Volume IV is a unique addition to The Revival Commemorative Series, crafted to celebrate the opening of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery and with that the revival of the tradition of distilling in Dublin. The fourth bottling of this series consists of 15-YearOld Single Malt that was aged initially in ex-Bourbon barrels, before being finished for over 12 months in unique Muscat Port barrels that impart very distinct hints of citrus, rose petal and ripe peach. Limited to just 10,000 bottles, the resulting Single Malt is then bottled at 46% with no chill filtration, a signature of all Teeling Whiskeys.

Schweppes’ New Premium 1783 Range SCHWEPPES has expertly crafted a range of all new mixers to inspire the luxury drinking experience. The Schweppes 1783 range includes five innovative new flavour combinations and spirit pairings, ensuring there is something to please even the most discerning cocktail connoisseur. The Schweppes 1783 range combines the renowned effervescence and balanced taste of Schweppes with all-natural ingredients – as well as brand new, unique flavours, designed to be paired with the finest white and dark spirits. The range includes Cucumber Tonic Water, Salty Lemon Tonic Water, Crisp Tonic Water, Light Tonic Water, and Ginger Ale.

About us

“Musgrave MarketPlace is Irelands leading Foodservice Wholesaler. With a nationwide distribution solution and a range of over 18,000 products covering fresh, frozen, ambient, nonfood and alcohol.

At Musgrave MarketPlace our customer is our priority and we have a number of ways that you can buy from us including our 7 MarketPlace branches nationwide in Ballymun, Robinhood, Sallynoggin, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork. Our Food Emporiums in Ballymun and Robinhood branches have an onsite butchers and fishmongers and offer customers a bespoke butchery and fishmonger service for delivery or collection. You can also order online or by calling telesales.”

From our Customer Oliver Byrne is the culinary director of The Press Up Entertainment Group. “The right combination of quality, and value as well as the consistency of products supplied by Musgrave MarketPlace is key for me and the group, add this to the 6 day service, and excellent relationships forged between the sales team and our chef’s, I would highly recommend Musgrave MarketPlace.” The Press Up Entertainment Group buys a range of products from Musgrave MarketPlace, including fresh meat, frozen, ambient non-food and alcohol.

Derry Belfast Lurgan

Ballymun / Head Office Galway

Robinhood Sallynoggin

Limerick Waterford

Telesales: 01 5229212 mfs.telesale@musgrave.ie

@MusgraveMPlace

Musgrave MarketPlace

Musgrave MarketPlace

Cork

Musgrave MarketPlace

Musgrave MarketPlace

www.musgravemarketplace.ie

26|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Foodservice

The Foodservice Revolution The ‘grab-and-go’ trend and demand for healthier options continue to drive growth in food consumed out of home, as the Irish foodservice market is worth a record €7.8 billion.

IRELAND’S foodservice market continues to grow and is now valued at a record €7.8 billion, comprising over 33,000 individual outlets, according to Bord Bia’s 2017 Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report. The report, which also tracks consumer behaviour and sentiment when eating away from home, highlights that take away, or grab-and-go concepts, are one of the key drivers of foodservice growth and that healthier foods are trending and influencing menu ideation.

Over one third (35%) of consumer spend is found in Limited Service Restaurants, which incorporates quickservice restaurants, fast-casual dining and food-to-go, with 12% attributed to Full Service Restaurants. Consumer spending in pubs (excluding alcohol) accounts for 17% of the market value and is showing a lower year on year growth rate than the overall market, attributed in part to Brexit, which has decreased weekend trips and holiday visits to Ireland by UK travellers. Coffee shops and cafes now account for 6%.

Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist in Bord Bord, explained how the sector remains on track to grow at a compound rate of 4.9% to reach a value of €9 billion by 2020: “Ireland has started to become known as a ‘food destination’ and much of the investment operators have made in quality and service upgrades have helped fuel the foodservice growth witnessed in the island of Ireland”.

Key Industry Trends Continued economic prosperity has contributed to a relatively strong and healthy foodservice industry and a number of key trends include: •

Coffee shops and cafes maintain their position as the fastest growing

•

•

•

sector, and the investment in beverage has been seen across all segments as operators strive to provide high street level coffee and beverage programmes to their guests. Flat whites are this year’s trending coffee beverage, with coffee perceived as an affordable luxury among consumers and health trends are beginning to shape coffee orders with consumers seeking out alternative milks.

A rise in fast-casual concepts (limited service but generally more upscale) to meet the consumer demand for higher-quality foods at an affordable price.

Technology is a foodservice-enabler and third party delivery is causing some disruption and seeing strong growth, particularly in major urban centres.

A focus on provenance can be seen,

•

•

particularly with new chains finding success in labelling menu items as ‘fresh’ and ‘local’, which are often associated with ‘better for you’ items.

Large foodservice brands and forecourt stations are aligning to the consumer demand for healthier options and so upgrades and investments continue, with a focus on fresh foods and made-to-order offers.

The introduction of new cuisines and variety into the Irish diet as a result of the continued entry of international brands into the Irish market.

The Changing Face of Forecourts The findings of the report were revealed at the recent Bord Bia Foodservice Seminar, where speakers included Joe Barrett, Applegreen Chief Executive, who

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Foodservice discussed how the ‘foodThe Irish Foodservice Market by Sector to-go’ segment has evolved 2017 Irish Foodservice 2017 Consumer 2017 Operator 2016-7 Total Outlet and is changing the face of Market Spending (€m) Purchases (€m) CAGR Count forecourt convenience.

Discussing Applegreen’s Limited Service (QSR, € 2,715 € 904 3.5% 8,905 “food journey”, the CEO fast casual, food to go) discussed the introduction of Full Service € 943 € 311 3.4% 3,175 concepts like ‘The Bakewell’ and the Lavazza Café to Restaurants satisfy today’s “transumer”, Pubs € 1,353 € 392 0.7% 8,400 who is time-poor and on the Coffee Shops and € 424 € 123 6.9% 2,275 move. He discussed making Cafes the forecourt the destination for consumers who play their Hotels & € 1,343 € 457 5.7% 1,275 journey around the stop, Accommodation the importance of offering Other Commercial € 291 € 102 5.1% 1,050 premium coffee and healthy choices on the go, as well Total Commercial € 7,070 € 2,289 3.6% 25,080 as the growing importance Business and Industry € 302 € 145 1.6% 2,075 of food provenance and how Healthcare € 231 € 118 -0.1% 1,140 technology plays a part instore.

Education € 144 € 62 0.4% 4,940 The latter was Other Institutional € 40 € 20 1.8% 200 particularly interesting, Total Institutional € 717 € 345 0.8% 8,355 given the advent of digital menu screens, whose Total IOI € 7,787 € 2,635 3.3% 33,435 bright and visual display Republic of Ireland € 5,683 € 1,916 5.8% 26,845 allows impactful, targeted Northern Ireland € 2,104 € 718 -2.7% 6,590 advertising and different menus for different dayparts, while facial recognition to focus on Irish sourcing, but this is offerings. cameras allow Applegreen to target their increasingly a global phenomenon.

5. Make tech your friend - much of offering according to demographics.

4. Consumers want and expect food the consumer desire to personalise Technology featured too in the in new formats, whenever and and customise experiences has presentation from David Henkes, Senior wherever they are - delivery, grabbeen driven by technology, such as Principal, Technomic, who discussed and-go, nontraditional locations. mobile ordering via apps, increased out of home consumer trends, both in This also means flexibility within integration with social media.

Ireland and globally, advising foodservice the menu and being willing to offer 6. Make ingredients the hero - high operators to “make tech your friend, snack options and broader day-part quality, fresh ingredients are nearly as consumers want a seamlessly integrated technology experience”.

The New Rules for Foodservice Technomic has been analysing global trends in foodservice and has identified 10 “new rules” for competing in the global foodservice industry.

1. Emphasise experience – two thirds of global consumers say that dining out is a form of entertainment, and consumers are more “experience-driven” than ever before.

2. Take a stand - foodservice consumers are increasingly taking a stand, and want to support foodservice brands that also take a stand and align with their values.

3. Keep it local - big brands have been challenged, and consumers increasingly want to support local business. Ireland has shown a strong propensity

Pictured at the Bord Bia 2017 Irish Foodservice seminar are (l-r): Liam Cox, Regional Manager, Ireland, Deliveroo; Maureen Gahan, Food Service Specialist, Bord Bia; and Jack Kirwan, Founder, Sprout.

28|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Foodservice 7.

8.

9.

10.

always one of the top 1-2 traffic drivers across multiple country research.

Bend the healthy rules - rather than tout low-calorie, low-fat items as “healthy,” operators and suppliers are featuring more language on menus that underscores real, natural, fresh and “free-from” qualities for food and drink.

Make it personal - consumers want to be able to tailor their dining experience to their own preferences.

Customisation and personalisation are key.

Be authentic for real - authenticity can be around an item, an ingredient or a concept/process.

Know your competition - foodservice increasingly competes for share of stomach from a diverse array of offerings.

Limited Service Restaurants The limited service restaurant segment incorporates a number of sub-segments, including traditional quick service restaurants, fast casual restaurants, and food-on-the-go (which encompasses convenience-driven items for takeaway in forecourt/ convenience operators and other grab-n-go found in retail operations). The total Limited Service segment is valued at €2.7 billion in consumer spending, with a value of €904m in operator purchases.

Traditional quick service restaurants account for over three-quarters of total consumer spending, with food onthe-go making up 16% and fast casual accounting for 6%.

Traditionally, the food offer in the food-on-the-go channel has been prepackaged but there has been movement toward fresh prepared foods. Convenience stores fill the demand for easy and portable meal solutions, such as sandwiches or baked goods. Supermarket prepared foods are becoming increasingly popular, especially for individuals seeking quick meal solutions during the afternoon and evening day-parts.

Forecourts and convenience stores are the fastest growing segment within limited service. As forecourt operators continue to diversify their offerings in retail and foodservice, they are becoming a central part of the communities they operate in. Forecourts have the unique opportunity to become a part of consumers’ daily routine, whether that’s for breakfast before work, a lunch break or grocery shopping. As a result, both independent, family-owned forecourts and large nationally branded forecourts

Ireland’s foodservice market, by sector. continue to gain the support of their communities.

New Concepts and Formats New concepts and formats are being added to forecourts and c-stores.

Operators are diversifying their traditional grab-and-go and fast food offerings with more fast casual concepts. Build-your-own burger and salad bars are being added to meet the growing expectation for customisation.

Operators are also starting to seek out opportunities in technology, allowing customers to order food ahead.

Large foodservice brands and forecourt stations are aligning, with brands such as Papa John’s, Insomnia, Costa Coffee and Supermacs being added as foodservice options alongside retail and grab-and-go offerings.

Consumer trends in food-on-the-go include: •

•

Forecourts and convenience stores are finding success with their younger customers This is especially true for those located near colleges or workplaces with a younger demographic. Convenience remains top of mind for this consumer group when they dine out.

As such, these outlets provide the right service format and grab-andgo offerings sought after by younger consumers.

Breakfast leads as an important day-part for consumer visits: forecourts and convenience stores are often visited by consumers in the morning before they start their day. As a result, breakfast is an important opportunity for these operators to build loyalty.

•

•

Consumers are looking for high quality as well as a variety of breakfast foods to choose from.

Operators also see an increasing number of consumers visit during lunch break.

Consumers want more healthy options in both retail and foodservice The Irish consumer increasingly looks for healthy, fresh, clean labels and enhanced offerings.

Operators are responding with fresh produce stands, salad bars, healthier menu upgrades, as well as a line-up of enhanced snacks and bottled beverages promoting health benefits.

Employment levels are up, encouraging purchasing confidence.

Consumers are treating themselves to smaller luxuries they could not afford a few years ago, such as indulgent and impulsive snacks at forecourts.

The research has advice for all foodservice operators and suppliers.

• Learn the customers’ value equation: truly understanding the core customer and what they value about the experience or value is critical. Every company needs to have a unique point of difference.

• Determine the strategies that align with core brand identity and build strategies around that unique point of difference to align with brand identity.

• Be genuine in any approach and ensure a clear, consistent message: customers can tell when companies aren’t genuine and are simply trying to “sell” them.

• Don’t try to be everything to everybody.

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SuperValu Off Licence Awards

Top SuperValu Off Licences Rewarded Four SuperValu stores lifted the top awards at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates SuperValu Off Licence of the Year Awards.

THE 25th Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates SuperValu Off Licence of the Year Awards took place on Thursday, November 23, in The Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, with four SuperValu stores winning the top awards on the night.

The event was attended by finalist stores from across the country and the winners are: • • • •

Overall Winner SuperValu Off Licence of the Year: Garvey’s SuperValu, Tralee, Co. Kerry Winner Large Store SuperValu Off Licence of the Year: Ryan’s SuperValu, Glanmire, Co. Cork Winner Medium Store SuperValu Off Licence of the Year: Quish’s SuperValu Tramore, Co. Waterford Winner Small Store SuperValu Off Licence of the Year: Pettitt’s SuperValu The Quay, Wexford

Chris O’Driscoll and Tony Carlos were there on the night to represent Garvey’s SuperValu Tralee; Noel O’Riordan, Lilian Twomey and Ross Heelan represented Ryan’s SuperValu Glanmire; Niall Shanaghy, Ciaran Quish and Colm O’Carroll represented Quish’s SuperValu Tramore; and Cormac Pettitt and Niamh Dunne represented Pettitt’s SuperValu, The Quay, Wexford. Each of the winners were presented with their awards by Andy O’Hara, CEO of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty, Category Manager at Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland and Tom Gaskin, Santa Rita Estates.

Stringent Judging Process Each of the finalist stores were judged by Rodney Trenwith and were marked on a range of criteria, including overall appearance, innovation and customer service. The winners of the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates Off Licence of the Year Awards will enjoy a fantastic trip to Spain, visiting Rioja, Barcelona and Sitges.

Speaking at the event, Andy O’Hara, CEO of Edward Dillion, said: “We would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s Off Licence awards for taking part and achieving a high standard in their stores, and also to each of the finalists for taking part this year.”

Garvey’s SuperValu Tralee was named Overall Winner SuperValu Off Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates SuperValu Off Licence of the Year Awards. Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with Thomas Garvey, Chris O’Driscoll, Tony Carlos and Kevin McCarthy of Garvey’s SuperValu, and Tom Gaskin of Santa Rita Estates.

Pettitt’s SuperValu The Quay Wexford was named Winner Small Store SuperValu Off Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates SuperValu Off Licence of the Year Awards. Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with Niamh Dunne and Cormac Pettitt of Pettitt’s SuperValu, The Quay, Wexford, and Tom Gaskin of Santa Rita Estates.

Quish’s SuperValu Tramore Waterford was named Medium Store SuperValu Off Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates SuperValu Off Licence of the Year Awards. Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with Niall Shanaghy, Ciaran Quish and Colm O’Carroll of Quish’s SuperValu Tramore, and Tom Gaskin o Santa Rita Estates.

Ryan’s SuperValu Glanmire, Cork, was named Large Store SuperValu Off Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates SuperValu Off Licence of the Year Awards.

Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with Noel O’Riordan, Ross Heelan, Lillian Twomey and Jason O’Callaghan of Ryan’s SuperValu Glanmire, and Tom Gaskin of Santa Rita Estates.

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Centra Off Licence Awards

Centra Rewards Top Off Licences

Four Centra Stores won top awards at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates Centra Off Licence of the Year Awards.

THE 19th Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates Off Licence of the Year Awards took place on Thursday, November 23, in The Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, with four Centra stores winning the top awards on the night.

The event was attended by finalist stores from across the country and the winners are: • Centra Neighbourhood Supermarket Off Licence of the Year: Winner: Lynch’s Centra Crosshaven, Co. Cork Runner Up: Power’s Centra, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow • Centra Convenience Store Off Licence of the Year: Lee’s Centra, Charleville, Co. Cork • Centra Wine Store of the Year: Ryan’s Centra, Raheen, Co. Limerick Bernard Lynch and Conor Midleton were there on the night to represent Lynch’s Centra Crosshaven; Mark Power and Philip Gormley represented Power’s Centra Rathnew; Ray and Melissa Lee represented Lee’s Centra Charleville;

Lee’s Centra Charleville, Cork, was named Centra Convenience Store Off Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates Centra Off Licence of the Year Awards.

Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with Melissa Lee and Ray Lee of Lee’s Centra Charleville, and Tom Gaskin of Santa Rita Estates.

and Tom Ryan, Joe Greensmith and Bernie Scroope represented Ryan’s Centra Raheen. Each of the winners were presented with their awards by Andy O’Hara, CEO of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty, Category Manager at Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, and Tom Gaskin, Santa Rita Estates.

Fantastic Prize Each of the finalist stores were judged

by Rodney Trenwith and were marked on a range of criteria, including overall appearance, innovation and customer service.

The winners of the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates Centra Off Licence of the Year Awards will enjoy a fantastic trip to Spain, visiting Rioja, Barcelona and Sitges. All finalists received a certificate of achievement on the night.

Speaking at the event, Andy O’Hara, CEO of Edward Dillion, said: “We would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s Off Licence Awards for taking part and achieving a high standard in their stores, and also to each of the finalists for taking part this year.”

Lynch’s Centra Crosshaven, Cork, was named Centra Neighbourhood Supermarket Off Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Santa Rita Estates Centra Off Licence of the Year Awards. Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, Bernard Lynch and Conor Midleton of Lynch’s Centra Crosshaven, and Tom Gaskin of Santa Rita Estates.

Ryan’s Centra Raheen Limerick was named Centra Wine Store of the Year at the Edward Dillon Power’s Centra Rathnew Wicklow was Runner & Santa Rita Estates Centra Off Up Centra Neighbourhood Supermarket Off Licence of the Year Awards.

Licence of the Year at the Edward Dillon & Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara Santa Rita Estates Centra Off Licence of the of Edward Dillon, Donagh Year Awards. Pictured are (l-r): Andy O’Hara McClafferty of Musgrave Retail of Edward Dillon, Donagh McClafferty of Partners Ireland, with Tom Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with Mark Ryan, Bernie Scroope and Joe Power and Philip Gormley of Power’s Centra Greensmith of Ryan’s Centra Rathnew, and Tom Gaskin of Santa Rita Raheen, and Tom Gaskin of Estates.

Santa Rita Estates.

32|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

National Dairy Council

Natural Selection: How the NDC is Driving Dairy The National Dairy Council is driving a new campaign to win millennials back to the dairy category.

AS the category voice for the dairy industry in Ireland, the National Dairy Council (NDC) has been aware that the 20-32 years old generation in Ireland are increasingly limiting or avoiding dairy consumption in their diet.

The NDC wanted to address this issue head on and so the marketing agency spent a great deal of time carrying out research and holding focus groups to better understand the issues and concerns with the millennial generation. Young female consumers aged 20-29 were simply not getting the message as to why dairy plays such a key part in maintaining a healthy diet.

NDC Chief Executive Zoe Kavanagh says not only do young mothers make food choices for themselves and their family, they share facts and figures with their contemporaries and exert influence on nutrition beyond purchases. The NDC asked itself: how well do we know twenty-something women waiting in the wings? Research agency Behaviour & Attitudes was asked to do 1,000 interviews across Irish consumers.

Generally, the feedback was positive. Ireland has the second highest figures for milk consumption in Europe after Finland, with 99% penetration. The average Irish household consumes 6.5 litres of milk a week. Milk, yogurt and cheese have around 2% annual growth.

Irish dairy farming is generally perceived as positive, due to our grass-based system, with cows out in the fields for about 300 days in the year, explaining the unique quality and taste of Irish dairy produce.

Some of the findings showed that 72% of Irish men purchase dairy for its health benefits but only 65% of Irish

NDC Chief Executive, Zoe Kavanagh women have the same motivation, whilst 35% of Irish people are currently limiting dairy of some kind. Limiting and avoiding dairy was more prominent among women, at 41%, compared to 30% of men.

“We discovered millennial women are taking the scenic route to adulthood - in more ways than one,” Kavanagh revealed. “As they try and manage their weight, millennials are likely to choose alternatives to dairy.” Previs Consulting provided feedback for NDC on young women's changing attitudes to dairy in Ireland today.

Zoe Kavanagh said, “If we are not

relevant to these young women in their mid-20s, we can’t presume they will come flocking back to the dairy aisle when they become mums.”

Bad Science & Urban Myths The research demonstrated a gap in “millennial understanding” around Ireland's grass based system. Bad science and urban myths about dairy's fat levels, allergies and lactose intolerance are wrongly encouraging millennials to opt for trendy almond milk lattes and gluten-free foods.

“Dairy has traditionally been promoted around the kitchen table”

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National Dairy Council

“

If we are really honest with ourselves, we haven’t actually marketed dairy to this group for 10 to 15 years. This is a generation who get their information from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and their friends. If dairy doesn’t have a presence across these outlets, then it doesn’t exist for them.

”

Zoe Kavanagh, CEO, NDC: “Dairy has traditionally been promoted around the kitchen table… However, the reality is that these young women are spending more and more time out of the home and in places where dairy is weakest.” said Kavanagh “It is a family product, particularly around breakfast. It’s nurturing; it’s in the home. However, the reality is that these young women are spending more and more time out of the home and in places where dairy is weakest. So it’s no wonder that when they go into coffee shops and see the alternative liquids that can go into their coffee, it’s tempting to try them.

“If we are really honest with ourselves, we haven’t actually marketed dairy to this group for 10 to 15 years,” she admitted. “This is a generation who get their information from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and their friends.

If dairy doesn’t have a presence across these outlets, then it doesn’t exist for them.”

There is a role for farmers, families and employees to assemble around telling the dairy story. To put it in perspective, there are around 200 aggressive activists [driving the anti-dairy campaign] on social media, but there are 18,000 families and over 100,000 people working in the industry who can tell the dairy story, according to the NDC. The National Dairy Council has created an app called ‘Dairy A to Z’ which has 185 questions and answers about the dairy industry and can be used by anyone who wants to be provided with the facts.

The Dairy Best Apart from the gap in consumption amongst the millennial audience, the

vast majority of Irish consumers are positively disposed to dairy consumption across 99% of households. Milk, yogurt, cheese and butter are all in growth, so you might ask where the problem is.

Ireland is the most positively positioned market in terms of attitude towards dairy but Denmark, France and Norway are all seeing a slump in consumption and are facing a real backlash towards dairy. “Ireland is not in that place and we never want to go there. Marketing and reputation management will be key going forward,” Zoe Kavanagh stressed.

NDC worked with agencies to create a suite of advertising concepts and ideas for a new campaign, which were tested through a number of millennial focus groups to gage their feedback.

The Complete Natural concept was created and the campaign includes a new website, as well as a suite of print, online and outdoor advertising which was launched on November 6. The online ads will probably be shown on TV and radio in 2018.

Pop-Up Café To celebrate the launch of the campaign, they opened the Complete Natural pop-up café on South William Street in Dublin for five days, offering free gourmet coffee, smoothies and healthy milkshakes in a funky, bright and inviting environment. The café included interactive areas where people could view the new website on iPads, and also had screens showing the new ad

campaign. The pop-up cafe included selfie areas and a facts wall with all the science and facts behind dairy.

There was an incredible reaction to the pop-up café, with nearly 6,000 visitors over the five days. “We also held a special press event on the opening day and invited some millennial stars from the E4 programme, Made in Chelsea,” Zoe Kavanagh revealed. “Binky and JP really resonated with this age group and we had an incredible turnout of media, influencers and bloggers queueing up at the pop-up to sip milk based cocktails and meet the stars.”

For more information on The Complete Natural, please visit www.thecompletenatural.ie.

NDC’s new Complete Natural campaign includes a new website, as well as a suite of print, online and outdoor advertising which was launched on November 6.

34|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

ECR Ireland Shopper Conference

Engaging with the Consumer The 8th Annual ECR Ireland Shopper Conference took place recently, with the theme, The Future of Shopper Engagement.

THE Future of Shopper Engagement was the theme of the 8th Annual ECR Ireland Shopper Conference, held recently in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, an event which also featured the ECR Shopper Awards, celebrating the best examples of shopper engagement by brands in Ireland.

The ECR Ireland Shopper Conference brings together leading speakers in the fields of academia, retail, service provision and marketing to create an event that explores the latest theories in retail, as well as the practical aspects of how to use the latest theories to your advantage in everyday operations.

“We bring together a wide variety of experts in a variety of fields because all their knowledge and insights are so important when it comes to succeeding in the modern marketplace,” Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland, tells Retail News. “We feel that by bringing together such a diverse array of information and expertise, we can fully explore both the theory and practice of

Pictured at the presentation of the ECR Ireland Shopper Engagement Award 2017 to Kerry Foods are (l-r): Amanda Ryan, Senior Brand Manager, Kerry Foods; Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland; and Sarah Love, Managing Director of Goosebump. shopper engagement.”

The keynote speaker for the day was Dr Daniel Corsten, Professor at IE Business School, who gave a fascinating and insightful presentation on the science of shopper conversion in the digital age. It is common knowledge in marketing that digital has had a huge impact on the way consumers operate today. It has become a challenge to choose the right channel to reach the right audience in the modern era.

Dr Corsten explained not only how shoppers and shopping have changed in the digital era, but he also offered some suggestions for how brands can grow

exponentially by radically changing their strategy to win mind and market share in an omni-channel market. Such growth is not easy to achieve, however, and it requires research, insights and a lot of hard work. It was extremely encouraging to see so many of his suggestions were seen in the extremely competitive shortlist of finalists for this year’s Shopper Engagement Awards.

Shopper Engagement Award 2017 Winner “In our Shopper Engagement Awards, we have a really unique situation where the finalists on the day are not just

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ECR Ireland Shopper Conference of their customers, which made the product relevant and desirable and most importantly, drove sales.

Pictured are Derek Hughes, Managing Director, 180 Degrees Consulting; Barry Carty, Category Manager, BWG Foods; and Paul Corcoran, Range & Space Planning Manager, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland.

sharing the results of their campaign, but pitching to the audience that chooses the winner,” Declan Carolan explains. “The finalists have done a lot of hard work to receive their nomination; the final step is to engage another audience and demonstrate how and why their campaign is worthy of winning to a room of their peers. You can feel the nervous energy in the room on the day, and the excitement too. I’m really proud that we are part of the process of driving standards in shopper engagement forward in Ireland, and also delighted to see how Irish companies and brands have embraced the concept of shopper engagement.”

The winner of the ECR Ireland Shopper Engagement Award 2017 was Kerry Foods for its ‘A Revolution in Fresh Snacking’ campaign. Go Go’s are more than a cheese snack, and the campaign that won the 2017 award was an excellent example of how to implement the theory offered by Dr Corsten.

Kerry Foods did not just launch a new food-to-go offering because the sector is enjoying rising sales.

Rather, the company engaged in deep dive research to allow it to genuinely understand the nature of the category and consumer it wanted to engage with, in order to allow Kerry Foods to create a genuinely innovative brand that enabled them to disrupt a very creative and competitive category.

They invested time and resources at every stage of development to create a brand identity and a product that attendees on the day voted as the best of the best. By creating a strategy of engagement in-store and online, Kerry Foods brought the physical and digital identities of Go Go’s into the lives

The Other Finalists The finalists of the ECR Ireland Shopper Engagement Awards 2017 offered a host of highly successful campaigns that highlighted the variety of ways the FMCG sector can use the data and insights offered by modern marketing to better integrate brands and the consumers’ path to purchase.

The Maxol Group’s TruRating project allowed the forecourt retail group to acquire tremendous insights into their customer experience, which resulted in the implementation of in-store activities to improve sales and customer experience in day-to-day operations.

By integrating customer feedback seamlessly into the fuel purchase process, Maxol managed to create a system that works for the company and its customers, all in the pursuit of improving customer experience and sales. By making customer feedback simple to provide on key areas of importance, Maxol has been able to capture rich insights.

Unilever Ireland’s Persil Laundry Club presented another extremely strong finalist, offering customers convenience, value for money and peace of mind. By keeping the life of the customer at the core of its understanding, Unliever Ireland has created an environment where the Persil Laundry Club need never worry again about running out of washing powder. It may sound like a simple thing, and it is, but simple things can be very powerful.

By adding huge value to a simple proposition, the Persil Laundry Club is an illustration of how agile and creative brands need to be in order to genuinely stand out from the crowd.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard’s

Professor Daniel Corsten, IE Business School, keynote speaker.

Pictured are Sarah Love, MD, Goosebump; Michelle Tracey, Head of Category Management, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard; and Brendan Swords, Spirits and Wine Buyer, Tesco Ireland. ambition to drive premiumisation in the retail sector saw them work closely with Tesco Ireland to deliver an extremely successful project in a very tight timeframe. By understanding insights derived from examining in-store activity, integrating data driven activity and physical category management, the two companies created an entirely new instore experience that sought to improve customer experience and drive sales of premium spirits.

Pepsico maximised the impact of their sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League, via their Walkers brand, with Irish consumers. By utilising a targeted online strategy in Ireland, Walkers was able to maximise the impact of the sponsorship on a very local level, engaging in macro and micro marketing simultaneously, while more than doubling its target for sales uplift.

Creative Use of Technology & Data The conference featured a number of other speakers, including Paul Corcoran, Range & Space Planning Manager, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Barry Carty, Category Manager, BWG Foods; and Goosebump MD, Sarah Love, offering presentations on areas such as mobile marketing, the future of the consumer experience, shopper engagement, and global retail innovations.

Most presentations on the day fit into the same broad message: we need to be creative in the ways we use technology; we are still at the very early stages of the digital era; and we should never be afraid to try to interpret data in a new way, or utilise technology, or a product in an unusual way. We are still in the experimentation phase, and when we get things right, it is possible to create huge disruption within almost any sector if you can connect your brand and customer in precisely the right way.

36|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

On The Vine

The Vine Knowledge Jean Smullen looks at the Irish wine market, noting the big issues of the year, highlighting the country’s most innovative retailers and previewing some 2018 wine fairs.

THE current myth doing the rounds about the Irish wine market is that millenials are buying wine and that they are more adventurous in terms of what they want. We are told they tend to buy wines made from lesser known grape varieties from regions in Northern Spain or Southern Italy.

A look at the statistics tells a totally different story. Baby Boomers are the core wine drinker and they “know what they like”, which tends to include Italian Pinot Grigio, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, or Sauvignon Blanc from just about anywhere. Argentine Malbec is the new big thing in terms of red wine and anything from the South of France, especially Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Village and the premium AOPs, including Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueras.

If the Boomers are anyway adventurous, they have also just discovered Albarino from Rias Biaxas, which is the new Sauvignon Blanc.

And they won’t really go over €10 a bottle unless it’s a special occasion and continue to buy wine on offer. In the off trade, the average retail price is €8.29

and 86.8% of all wine sales in the off trade in Ireland are between €7 and €10.99.

As a result of the recession and two hefty tax increases on wine, sales of wine fell to a low of 8.2m cases in 2013.

Last year they returned to their 2011 high of 9m cases; on trade wine sales increased to 21% of the total market, while off trade sales fell to 79%. This

indicates that the more mature Irish consumer is also eating out more and enjoying wine with a meal.

Public Don’t Support PHAB Selling wine in Ireland in the retail sector is a tough ask, and with the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill waiting in the wings, it’s going to get even harder.

A majority of Irish consumers do not think the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill should be introduced in its current form, according to a poll from Independent Research Agency, iReach. The poll, commissioned by the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), found that Irish consumers are not in favour of a number of measures proposed in the Bill, including advertising restrictions.

As part of this survey, consumers were also asked if they believe the Government’s proposed measures

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On The Vine

- structural separation, advertising restrictions and health warnings on alcohol labels - are going too far or are the best way to target alcohol misuse.

The poll found that 47% believe the Government’s proposed measures are too strict, with just 27% saying they are the right thing to do.

“There is a misconception that the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill has broadsweeping public support. This research clearly shows that Irish consumers are against certain measures proposed in the Bill,” argued Patricia Callan, Director of ABFI. “While the drinks industry supports the objectives of the Bill, to tackle harmful and underage drinking in Ireland, we are concerned that certain proposals in the Bill are poorly targeted and are not based on evidence. This means that they are unlikely to actually reduce alcohol misuse. Furthermore, these measures will have unintended negative consequences on jobs and businesses across the country, from grain to glass.

It’s vital that the Government does not damage a thriving Irish industry when introducing legislation to achieve public health objectives.”

Excellence in Wine Retailing While we’re looking back at 2017, I have a few gongs to hand out in terms of wine retailing in Ireland. As consumer confidence returns, it is expected that business will be good this Christmas and with the corporate customers back, the independent sector should do well.

Our first gong goes out to O’Briens Wine Beer & Spirits, who opened their 34th shop in Waterford this year. The O’Briens team also added 100 new wines to their portfolio in 2017, with a major upscale for wines from the USA, as well as the addition of some exciting wines from Spain, Argentina and Austria. Look out for their upcoming Albarino Day on February 21, 2018 (trade and consumer

event): more details will be on their website in the new year, www.obrienswine.ie.

Wine retailing at the top end of the market in Dublin has a few stars in the independent sector. The 2018 Georgina Campbell Awards gave the Wine Award of the Year 2018 to Green Man Wines, in Dublin 6. The shop, run by husband and wife team David Gallagher and Claire O’Boyle Gallagher, is, in David’s own words, “a good wine shop that serves tasty bites in a casual, relaxed, friendly, unstuffy atmosphere”.

Whelehan Wines in Loughlinstown also deserves a gong, David Whelehan and his team have created an iconic shop in the old Silver Tassie premises in Loughlinstown, Co Dublin. This is cutting edge wine retailing, encompassing a wine shop, wine bar and restaurant and their latest addition, a brand new tasting room (upstairs) where they will be offering private dining, wine education and wine events in 2018.

In the symbol group sector, hats off to BWG Group, who have a policy of pricing wines on the basis of their real value. They highlighted this at a recent tasting to launch their new range of Chilean wines, Vina Santa

Helena: annual sales of this popular Chilean wine now exceed 250,000 cases.

Speaking at the launch, Liam Nolan, Commercial Manager, BWG Wines & Spirits, told the press audience, “BWG Wines & Spirits price the wines for what they are worth”. Their wine shelving units are based on price points, which is an innovative approach, and the biggest selling price point is in the €810 bracket, which would reflect market statistics. BWG also have over 200 exclusive wines as part of their range.

Finally, a mention for Gibney’s of Malahide, another well-known off licence on Dublin’s northside. Siobhan Gibney and Ann Moran make a dynamic duo in terms of their efforts to sell and promote wine. This year saw the 20th anniversary of the Annual Wine Fair in the Grand Hotel in Malahide, one of the high points in the social calendar in North County Dublin in the run-up to Christmas.

2018 Wine Fairs Now a forward look to 2018. The year begins with a number of generic wine fairs. On Monday, January 15, 2018, The French Wines Discoveries Fair will see 25 French producers, seeking representation, heading for the Radisson Blu in Golden Lane to show their wines.

This will be followed on Thursday, January 18, by the New Zealand Fair, Flavours of New Zealand, which this year has a new home, the Aviva Stadium, the home of rugby in Ireland.

On Monday, January 22, the National Off Licence Association will hold their Off Licence of the Year Awards, now in their 22nd year, to recognise and showcase excellence in the off licence sector. Finally on Monday, January 29, the Australia Day Tasting to showcase Australian wines will take place in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dawson Street. Details of these and many other events are in the wine diary: https://jeansmullen.com/.

38|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update RETAIL SALES DRIVE CONFIDENCE AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS PERIOD RETAIL Ireland recently published the twelfth edition of Retail Ireland Monitor, our quarterly trends analysis and industry affairs report. The Monitor provides a comprehensive analysis of Irish retail's performance for quarter three, 2017.

Key indicators show that sales values have grown by 4.1% in the third quarter of the year, compared to the same period in 2016, helping to partially offset growing fears regarding increasing input costs.

2017 has so far proven to be a relatively strong year for the Irish retail sector. Sales values grew across almost all retail categories in the third quarter of this year, with full year increases also recorded.

While this growth is welcomed, retailers are concerned that the benefit of these growing sales is largely being eroded by an increase to rent in many prime retail locations, allied to rising labour and utility costs. Increases in the National Minimum Wage of over 7% since January 2015, and the recent Public Service Obligation levy increase show Government is significantly driving these input costs upwards.

In the meantime, retailers are now looking forward to a busy Christmas period and have a legitimate expectation of an improved performance on last year, as pay increases and tax cuts help boost the consumer mood and increase spending power over the crucial Christmas period.

At a glance, the paper sets out the following trends: Supermarkets and Convenience Stores: With the Consumer Price Index continuing to show food and take-home alcohol deflation, growth in this quarter suggests that shoppers are now trading up rather than taking the savings.

Department Stores: Total sales values grew by 2.6% and total sales volumes increased by 7.4% compared to the same quarter in 2016. The beauty business remains flat, with declines

in traditional beauty brands being balanced by strong reactions to new emerging brands.

Fuel: Total fuel consumption in quarter three was down marginally when compared to the same quarter in 2016, as electric vehicles and hybrids now account for 4% of vehicle sales in Ireland.

Pharmacies: The deflationary environment continued to affect pharmacies this quarter, particularly impacting core toiletries and some beauty products.

Fashion and Footwear: Women’s luxury accessories continue to be a key sales driver, along with athleisure, training shoes, and menswear. As we enter the last quarter of the year, competition in this category from online UK and US shopping platforms will heighten due to the strong euro.

Books, Newspapers, Stationery Stores: Newspaper and magazine volumes continue to decline, as consumers continue to migrate their media consumption to online sources.

To access this edition of Retail Ireland Monitor please visit www.retailireland.ie

Last Minute Government Amendment to PHAB is of Minimum Benefit ON November 8, the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill completed committee stage in Seanad Éireann. Prior to the Bill returning to the Seanad, the Government published an amendment to address the practical concerns raised by the retail industry regarding section 20 of the Bill. Retail Ireland members support the objective of physical separation or segregation of alcohol products from other products in supermarkets. However, as currently worded, retailers have concerns regarding a limited number of elements of the Bill.

The overriding concerns relate to the “visibility” provisions, which require that alcohol products “are not readily visible” or “not …be visible”, depending on the store format.

The Government amendment to Section 20 of the Bill essentially provides for a third option for the display of alcohol products in grocery stores. The option runs in parallel to the two “visibility” options laid out in the existing

Bill, namely the “great wall” and the “booze curtain”.

This option would allow a derogation from the visibility requirements of Section 20 for shops who display 1 cubic metre of alcohol in their stores. The practical implication of this measure is that a tiny minority of stores, less than 130 nationwide with less than one shelving unit (5 shelves) of alcohol products would be exempt from the requirements of Section 20.

Retail Ireland welcomed the Minister for Health’s decision not to push this Government amendment during the Seanad debate, and for agreeing to engage with industry representatives to provide clarity on the flexible options available to meet the requirements of the legislation.

Retail Ireland has now met with the Department of Health regarding this matter and we look forward to continued dialogue with the Minister and his officials.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie Need more?

For more information about what we do and how your retail business can benefit from our unique services and supports, please visit us at www.retailireland.ie.

CELEBRATING

5 19

7 - 20 1 7 GREAT YEARS

RETAIL GROUPS REVIEW

The annual Retail News guide to the biggest retail brands in the country.

40|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Groups Review

Super Year for SuperValu SuperValu enjoyed a tremendous 2017, with new store openings, revamps and award wins among the highlights.

SUPERVALU had a fantastic 2017, as the retail group opened new stores in Dundalk, Co. Louth, Bantry, Co. Cork, and Tower, Co. Cork, creating 85 new jobs in the process.

55 jobs were created at the new SuperValu store in Dundalk, Co. Louth, which opened on October 26. The new 17,600 square foot SuperValu Fairways store, which represents a total investment of €7m, is located in a new flagship retail development at the former Fairways Hotel Site in Dundalk, and is owned by local businessman Richard Tiernan.

November saw two new SuperValu stores open in Cork. SuperValu Tower, operated by local businessman Paddy O’Leary, has been redeveloped from an existing Centra store and will now occupy a footprint of 16,000 square feet after an investment of €2.2m.

The new state-of-art store has also created 10 additional jobs, bringing the total number of employees to over 100. The new jobs will include a number of specialist positions as part of SuperValu’s commitment to providing quality fresh food, with a new fishmonger, butcher counter and hot food delicatessen also available in-store.

A new, purpose built, state-of-theart SuperValu was officially opened at Harbour View in Bantry on November 26.

The new 16,700 square feet Bantry store, built after an investment of €8.5m, ensures great shopping, choice, value, facilities and parking for customers in West Cork. The new store sees an additional 20 jobs created, bringing the total number of employees at O’Keeffe’s SuperValu to 100.

The year also saw huge investment of circa €35m in revamping existing SuperValu stores. This follows on from a record 2016, which saw SuperValu enter 2017 as the biggest supermarket

Pictured are Michael Morgan, SuperValu Sales Director; Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director; and Liam Ryan, SuperValu Council Chair at the SuperValu Retailers conference in Killarney. group in the country, having recorded retail sales of €2.67 billion in 2016, with the figures announced at the SuperValu National Conference in Killarney in February of this year.

“As Ireland’s leading food retailer, we pride ourselves on delivering an unrivalled shopping experience with a unique and tailored offer of locally-sourced, quality Irish produce complemented by in-store experts” noted Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu. “SuperValu independent retailers continue to set us apart and drive the success of the brand.”

SuperValu sources from over 1,800 Irish suppliers, more than any other grocery retailer in the Irish market, equating to an annual economic contribution of €2.19 billion. SuperValu’s fresh food leadership strategy, bringing the best of fresh, quality Irish produce

to consumers with a tailored, local offer in every store, continues to act as a core driver of the retailer’s performance.

Food Academy Through Food Academy, a unique initiative with Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Office, SuperValu has now helped over 350 small Irish food producers to secure a retail listing, supporting over 1,500 jobs and retail sales of €32m as a result. Successful food companies such as Dr Coys, Tipperary Kitchen and The Happy Pear, which began by supplying one SuperValu store, have grown their relationship with SuperValu to supply the entire network of 219 stores.

SuperValu serves over 2.6m customers every week and has 219 stores nationwide. Together with its retail partners, SuperValu employs approximately 14,500 colleagues,

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Retail Groups Review

The 'cutting of the ribbon' ceremony at SuperValu Bantry was performed by six staff members who together have over 230 years’ service with O'Keeffe's SuperValu (Donal McCarthy, Eileen O’Mahony, Mary Holland, Eileen Collins, Ann Collins and Martin Hourihan) as well as celebrity chef Martin Shanahan, sports commentator Marty Morrissey and store owner Jim O'Keeffe. making it one of the State’s largest private sector employers. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible, which helps to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

Real Rewards One of the key business milestones for SuperValu was the continued expansion of its Real Rewards loyalty scheme.

With over one million members, a host of national partners (including Aer Lingus, Bank of Ireland and Electric Ireland), SuperValu is well on its way to delivering on its ambition for Real

Rewards to become the number one loyalty programme in the country. The retailer announced a new partnership with eir during the summer, meaning that SuperValu customers can now collect Real Rewards loyalty points by linking their eir broadband or landline account, as well as using points to avail of discounts of up to €60 off future eir bills.

Online shopping was another key sales driver for SuperValu in 2017, and the success of SuperValu’s eSHOPS site, an extension of the Real Rewards programme which incorporates 125 leading online brands, enables the retailer to reward its customers’ loyalty when they shop with SuperValu, as well

Pictured at the opening of SuperValu Dundalk are (l-r): Richard Tiernan, store owner, SuperValu Fairways; local Special Olympian Kyle Norton; and Eoghan Jones, Regional Manager, SuperValu.

as every time they purchase online with partners including eBay, Expedia, Debenhams and Eason.

High profile sponsorships like the GAA All-Ireland Football Championship and the SuperValu TidyTowns competition ensure the brand is top of mind on a national level, while many SuperValu retailers are also keen supporters of local clubs and charities in the communities in which they operate across the country, like Quish’s SuperValu in Tramore, Co. Waterford, who sponsor Rowing Ireland’s Irish Rowing Championship.

May 2017 saw SuperValu partnering with animal behavior specialist and autism spokesperson, Dr Temple Grandin. Dr Grandin, who is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, was in Ireland to advise SuperValu and its beef suppliers on current best practice in animal welfare.

During her visit, Dr. Grandin also gained insights into some of SuperValu and Centra’s autism initiatives, including the weekly, ‘autism friendly’ evening and the Autism Lifeskill Friend (ALF) shopping trolley in SuperValu Clonakilty.

Multiple Award Wins 2017 was a year of multiple award wins for SuperValu. The marketing team scooped the prestigious award for Best Public Relations campaign 2017 and the Best Loyalty Marketing Award at the All Ireland Marketing Awards, while SuperValu won the Grand Prix and three other awards, Best use of Facebook (Inhouse team managed); Best Digital Video campaign; and Best In-House Social Media team, at the Sockies, Ireland’s leading social media awards, sponsored

by SpunOut.ie.

SuperValu was one of the big winners at the Blas Na hEireann Awards, scooping 124 awards, with 44 winning products from their own brand and Signature Tastes range picking up awards, alongside 80 products from their small producer network.

Martin Kelleher described the record award win as “a real endorsement for the commitment and the passion that our small food producers and suppliers have for producing innovative, great quality products exclusively for SuperValu. It’s also been our best year since the inception of the awards, winning over 80 awards for our Food Academy range and 44 for our Signature Taste and own brand range – which is proof that we continue to invest in the best quality products at the very best value for our shoppers.”

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Retail Groups Review

Centra Has Convenience Covered

Centra enjoyed a stunning 2017, with new store openings and high profile marketing campaigns ensuring the convenience brand remains top-of-mind with consumers.

CENTRA has enjoyed a tremendous 2017, having revamped a massive 90 stores aroun the country. Centra plans to revamp a further 120 stores in 2018.

Live Well Centra’s continued growth was driven by the implementation of the retailer’s transformative Live Well programme, an evolution of the 2016 ‘Live Every Day’ campaign.

Centra’s monthly Live Well initiative was a great success, encouraging consumers to make small, consistent lifestyle changes that will help them live well and stay on track. Every month saw a new 21-day programme, which includes exercises as well as healthy meal plans and recipes, available on Centra.ie.

Some of the highlights of the year included the Centra Buddy Challenge, which asked consumers to ‘buddy up’ with their best pal to complete the specified buddy workouts three days each week for 21 days, while health and fitness expert Pat Divilly devised a 15-minute full body workout that suits every level of fitness, no matter if you’re a beginner or a champion boxer, and yoga instructor Molly McKeever created a Live Well yoga challenge for people who struggle to find time to exercise or need a helping hand getting into a healthy living routine. See www.centra. ie/livewell for more information..

Centra product ranges are also undergoing a major transformation, with the introduction of new healthier bakery ranges and a gourmet deli, as well as an innovative coffee offering, Frank and

Honest. Frank and Honest is now in nearly all 450 Centra stores.

September saw Centra launching a number of initiatives to support the Irish Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Stores across Ireland got their cups at the ready for ‘Cups against cancer’ coffee mornings, while Centra also hosted pink walks throughout communities across Ireland and the group called on the nation to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society by texting CENTRA to 50300 to donate €4.

November saw Centra’s store in Parnell Street, Dublin, winning IGD’s Innovative Store of the Year award. IGD analysts visited over 700 stores across

50 countries, including Ireland, the UK and the US, to shortlist just seven stores for their commitment to innovation, with Centra Parnell Street scooping the overall prize. Highly commended for pushing boundaries, Centra Parnell Street has been praised for its innovative and original store format which helps to improve the customer shopping experience.

Out of the seven stores shortlisted for the award, Centra Parnell Street scored the highest marks on key criteria, including shopper benefits, uniqueness, and the implementation of new thinking in retail brand strategy.

“We are delighted to receive this award from IGD, especially given the level of competition within the category,” enthused store owner Noel Dunne.

“To be recognised on the world stage underlines the fact that Ireland is setting the standard globally and I am very humbled that my store has won this award. At Centra Parnell Street, we are constantly looking for new ways to enhance our offering and have been quick to incorporate new health ranges and

Pictured at the Centra National Conference in Killarney in February are Ian Allen, Centra Sales Director; Donal O'Mahony, Centra Council Chair; and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Centra.

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Retail Groups Review Pride of Centra Awards

Centra: The Great Motivator

90’s fitness icon, Mr Motivator, got Glenda Gilson, Pippa O’Connor and James Kavanagh moving on the streets of Dublin to celebrate the launch of Centra’s Live Well Restart Challenges. Restart encourages those who may have given up on their new year’s resolution the chance to get back on the wagon with a series of 21-day challenges to motivate people to get active through simple exercises and accessible goals.

the new gourmet coffee brand, Frank and Honest, in response to evolving consumer demand.”

“The Irish convenience market has long been a source of inspiration for food-to-go,” noted Angus Maciver, Chief Executive of McCurrach UK, award sponsors. “This store offers highquality fresh food, brilliantly executed and really tailored to shoppers’ needs.

Personalisation is at the heart of the range, with a team of passionate foodies on hand to create theatre for shoppers,

whether they’re after food to eat now or food for later.

“The other highly innovative aspect of this Centra store is that the model is a scalable franchise, as fit for a city centre store as it is for the more urban and rural locations to which it’s already being rolled out. Congratulations to Centra!”

With over 450 stores, Centra employs almost 11,000 people and serves over three million customers per week.

Pictured at the IGD Innovative Store of the Year award presentation are (l-r): Fiona Bruce, broadcaster; Maighread Cremin, Food Leadership Brand Manager, Centra; Noel Dunne, winning Centra store owner; Cormac Dawson, National Sales Manager, Centra, and Angus Maciver, McCurrach UK, award sponsors.

PICTURED are the winners of the fourth annual Pride of Centra Awards, (l-r): Fiona Reilly from Centra Belturbet, Cavan, who won the Pride of Centra Store Manager Award, as well as the Overall award; Breda Cahill from Centra Ballinteer, who won the Pride of Centra Outstanding Contribution Award; Tina Purcell from Centra Clarina, Limerick, who won the Pride of Centra Employee Award; and Graciely Pereira, Centra Capel St , who won the Pride of Centra Department Manager Award.

The Pride of Centra Awards were established to acknowledge staff who demonstrate passion and enthusiasm in cementing Centra as the number one convenience retailer at the heart of communities across the country.

With 11,000 Centra employees across the country, it is a significant achievement to be nominated as a finalist of the Pride of Centra awards.

Commenting on the achievement of Fiona Reilly, Judge Eddie O’Connell said; “Fiona is a truly inspirational leader, driven to succeed and strives to motivate her staff, her customers and the local community. Fiona stepped up as store manager in a store facing many challenges. She always aims for the highest store standards with a strong involvement in the local community. Fiona’s focus included developing and upskilling staff, local community support, developing customer loyalty programmes, hosting regular instore events and encouraging staff involvement in local events. Fiona also developed the ‘Love Belturbet – Community Spirit Lives’ campaign, which demonstrated her commitment and passion not just to the Centra brand, but the community in which it operates. She is a truly deserving winner.”

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Retail Groups Review

Spar Shines in Irish Market

BWG Foods is a leading wholesale and retail company, which operates the Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis and XL brands in the Republic of Ireland, with approximately 1,100 stores across the country. The wholesale division of BWG Foods also includes BWG Foodservice and a nationwide network of 20 Value Centre cash and carry branches.

As the largest convenience operator in the country, with a family of leading retail brands, BWG Foods provides retailers with many benefits from a marketing, training and operational point of view, as well as access to years of retail experience. Importantly, BWG Foods deploys a multi-brand strategy, which means support is tailored to meet the unique ethos of each brand and the needs of the individual retailer.

With dedicated teams, BWG Foods provides integrated marketing and advertising campaigns for each individual brand, spanning national, local and social media, and supported by public relations. Regular promotional activity is run across each brand to drive consumer spend and footfall, supported by strong in-store displays and Point of Sale material.

BWG Foods provides bespoke staff training programmes for retailers,

covering a range of topics, including food safety, fresh food advice, category management and store standards.

BWG Foods has relationships with more than 650 suppliers, dealing directly with approximately 14,000 customers in the retail, foodservice and licensed sectors. Through its branded retail estate, BWG Foods and its retailers provide employment to over 20,000 people and serve in excess of one million customers every single day.

Fact File: Spar Name of Group: Spar Head Office: BWG Foods, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Type of distribution network: BWG National Distribution Centre (NDC) servicing fresh, ambient and alcohol to stores nationwide Number of Stores nationwide: Over 400 Colours: Red, white and green Tagline: “Under the tree at Spar” Average Store Size: 200 square metres

Spar

Spar is one of the country’s largest convenience retail groups, bringing consumers the most innovative award winning in-store offering and shopping experience for over 50 years in convenience, neighbourhood, forecourt and supermarket shopping under the Spar and Spar Express formats.

Spar has a number of exclusive offerings, including Tasty Deli and coffee partnerships with Insomnia, Seattle's Best and Bewley's.

Spar is particularly focused on supporting local Irish suppliers and giving them a platform to reach thousands of customers on a daily basis.

Convenience While convenience is the foundation on which the Spar brand is built, the offering is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers.

Today, Spar focuses on the new customer, offering great fresh foods, healthy options, expansive range and price and value, all key factors in the Spar offer, and the offer is always evolving. Their focus on health and wellbeing, Spar Better Choices and Spar Better Choices Kids, is delivering new sales in key categories by offering

Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie|45

Retail Groups Review successful partnership with celebrity TV cook, Donal Skehan as sponsor of his new series, Donal’s Meals in Minutes, and the upcoming special, Donal’s Christmas Meals in Minutes. The series saw record viewership for Donal Skehan and was a very successful sponsorship for the Spar brand, linking the brand with

Spar focuses on the new customer, offering great fresh foods, healthy options, expansive range and price and value, all key factors in the ever evolving Spar offer. consumers more choice. It is Spar’s marketing front, continuing to co-invest firm belief that they are not in the with their retailers in promoting the food business serving people but in brand through a number of high profile the people business serving food, so sponsorships and activities. superior customer service is the key to Spar also continued to sponsor the their brand and to the success of Spar very successful Spar FAI Primary School overall.

5s Programme, with ambassador, Being part of Spar International, former Republic of Ireland international, Spar retailers have unique access Keith Andrews. This year, nearly 28,000 to some of the best practice in retail children from 1,464 schools participated, from around the world. In return, Spar making it the most successful year to Ireland is a leading light on a world date. stage, responsible for pioneering some A Spar store continues to feature of the latest and greatest thinking in on the set of the nation’s favourite convenience, with new store designs and soap, Fair City, as part of the ongoing food solutions such as the one currently sponsorship. This year, Spar’s exclusive being rolled out across the group.

Tasty Deli was added to the set, ensuring that Spar’s new look and feel is Marketing communicated to viewers.

Spar has had a busy year on the Spar also enjoyed another

Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director. convenient, healthy eating and easy to prepare meals at home.

Strong Growth Spar is showing very strong overall sales performance for 2017. This is testament to all the hard working Spar and Spar Express retailers that have worked tirelessly over the past number of years.

“We are very confident at Spar with our growth plans for 2018 onwards with a strong pipeline of new business for the year ahead,” reveals Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director.

Spar is showing very strong overall sales performance for 2017, testament to all the hard working Spar and Spar Express retailers that have worked tirelessly over the past number of years.

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Retail Groups Review

Eurospar: Famous for Fresh Fact File: Eurospar Name of symbol group: Eurospar Head office: BWG Foods, BWG House, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Type of distribution network: BWG National Distribution Centre (NDC) servicing fresh, ambient and alcohol to stores nationwide Number of stores nationwide: 50 Colours: Red, white and green Tagline: ‘Famous for Fresh’

business model and a world-class supermarket offer, constantly innovating through product development, cutting edge store design and service. Through its wide network of stores, BWG Foods supports local jobs, suppliers, producers and community groups.

Innovation Eurospar is at the forefront of retail innovation to support independent supermarket retailers in Ireland and has access, through Spar International, to the latest supermarket retailing trends across the globe. Eurospar focuses on six key elements: an extensive range; innovative fresh foods, competitive value, customer service, shopping ambience and the Eurospar SuperEasy Rewards programme.

Eurospar

The first Eurospar supermarket opened 20 years ago and the network has expanded to 50 supermarkets nationwide today. Eurospar supermarkets and their retailers are at the heart of local communities around Ireland: family run businesses, committed to servicing the local neighbourhood. The Eurospar brand is owned by BWG Foods, a leading wholesale and retail company.

Working in partnership with independent retailers, BWG ensures a profitable Eurospar focuses on six key elements: an extensive range; innovative fresh foods, competitive value, customer service, shopping ambience and the Eurospar SuperEasy Rewards programme.

Eurospar supermarkets and their retailers are at the heart of local communities around Ireland. individual Eurospar stores.

Eurospar retailers have access to exclusive product offers that can set them apart from their competitors, including everyday low pricing under the Price Match or Better banner and strong weekly and three weekly cycle promotions.

Community Services In 2017, Eurospar launched the ‘Defibrillator at Every Eurospar’ initiative, which aims to deliver a lifesaving defibrillator at every Eurospar Supermarket. With 50 Eurospar supermarkets nationwide, this means new defibrillators being made available throughout the country, many in areas that are not currently serviced by a defibrillator.

Famous for Fresh Adopting a new tagline ‘Famous for Fresh’, Eurospar now boasts an innovative range across its fresh foods departments, with a host of new product offerings in fruit and veg, bakery, butchery and deli.

Malachy Hanberry, Managing Director, Eurospar.

Advertising Aggressive national advertising campaigns throughout the year drive awareness and demand to enable Eurospar retailers to compete with other supermarkets in their area. In addition, tailored marketing programmes are developed to cater for the needs of

With a new tagline ‘Famous for Fresh’, Eurospar now boasts an innovative range across its fresh foods departments, including deli.

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Retail Groups Review

Mace Goes the Extra Smile Fact File: Mace Name of Group: Mace Head Office: BWG Foods, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Type of distribution network: BWG National Distribution Centre (NDC) servicing fresh, ambient and alcohol to stores nationwide Number of Stores nationwide: 160 Colours: Turquoise and orange Tagline: “Going the Extra Smile” Average Store Size: 135 square metres Wholesale partner: BWG Foods

Mace

Through a strong shopper offering, focused on neighbourhood, forecourt and high street retailing, comprehensive national and local marketing programmes and unrivalled retailer support, Mace sets itself apart from its competitors. “Mace prides itself on 'going the extra smile' and through the Mace Excellence Awards Programme, run in conjunction with EIQA, we ensure that our stores provide best practice retailing to shoppers,” explains Daniel O’Connell, Mace Sales Director. The value offering is tailored for the two sets of store types and shopper types that exist within the group, with promotional activity focused on forecourt shoppers and on neighbourhood store shoppers.

A number of premium coffee offerings, a Mace own brand range, a high quality Irish sourced Glenmór meat range, combined with exclusive wines, beers and spirits, ensure that Mace shoppers are fully serviced across each store type as appropriate for their needs.

Store Design In 2017, Mace launched a new strategy and a fresh new look and feel for the brand, including the very latest store design concepts and unique in-store communications, which include the ‘for food’s sake’ deli. The new strategy is about focusing on the full shopper

experience at Mace, where no aspect of the retail operation disappoints.

Local Mace has been a part of the Irish community for over half a decade, so understanding local customers is central to each and every business.

Many of the Mace stores have been owned by generations of the same family and are well established in their local community; they support local teams and community initiatives.

Mace has always had a strong forecourt presence and continues to have one today, with Mace stores inhabiting some of the most high profile forecourt sites in the country.

Going the Extra Smile Mace is a convenience retailer that promotes a proposition of ‘Going the

Daniel O’Connell, Mace Sales Director.

Extra Smile’, based on the fact that consumer research found Mace is the standout retailer when it comes to valuing its customers. Mace believes in going the extra smile: customers are greeted with a friendly ‘hello’, a smile and a ‘thank you; each store owner makes sure the right range of products are stocked to meet local shoppers’ needs; store layout is designed and planned to make shopping enjoyable and easy.

Charity Partner In 2017, Mace named Down Syndrome Ireland as their new charity partner and Mace retailers and their shoppers will raise funds and awareness for

Mace has been a part of the Irish community for over half a decade, so understanding local customers is central to each and every business. this very deserving charity, to provide additional Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) Regional Resource Officers around the country. Donations are made to the charity through the sale of a selected range of Mace own brand products, from collection boxes in stores and through locally organised fundraising activities.

Mace Right Options Capturing the shopper trends towards a desire to follow a healthier lifestyle, Mace has introduced a programme called Mace Right Options. Working in conjunction with Aoife Hearne, registered dietitian, the range offers Mace shoppers the ‘right option’ for their lifestyle across all food and drink offerings.

“The Mace brand goes from strength to strength and there is a strong programme of activity and investment to ensure that this continues in the year ahead,” concludes O’Connell, “driven by a new presence in high street stores.”

In 2017, Mace launched a new strategy and a fresh new look and feel for the brand, including the ‘for food’s sake’ deli.

48|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Groups Review

Huge Innovation at Londis Fact File: Londis Name of Group: Londis Head Office: BWG Foods, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Type of distribution network: BWG National Distribution Centre (NDC) servicing fresh, ambient and alcohol to stores nationwide Number of Stores nationwide: Over 130 Colours: White and green and orange Tagline: “Local Like You” Average Store Size: 200 square metres Wholesale partner: BWG Foods

Londis

Londis joined the BWG Foods group in 2015, making it a landmark year in the history of the brand, following on from its 60th birthday celebrations. Londis was originally founded by a group of likeminded retailers who wanted to secure better trading terms from suppliers and to enhance their businesses through collaboration and co-operation. This sense of community and co-operative ethos remains at the forefront of how Londis does business today.

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director.

Local Like You Londis retailers are strong supporters of suppliers in their locality because an integral part of the Londis model is to be a part of the local community and support local initiatives in any way they can.

Londis has a very distinct personality and set of brand values, which is brought to life in the ‘Local Like You’ marketing programme and showcases just how much Londis retailers care about the local communities in which they serve.

Tastes like Home A powerful advocate of supporting local, Londis is delighted to be involved with Catherine Fulvio’s TV show, Tastes Like Home, airing on RTÉ One for a second year running. Catherine is a perfect fit for the Londis brand, being a Wicklow girl herself she values the importance of good quality food and has a great ‘Local Like You’ attitude. The series is currently airing and receiving great reviews.

Retail Innovation There have been lots of developments at Londis since joining BWG, with a particular focus on retail innovation, product offering and store design and layout. Several new and exclusive food and beverage offerings have been launched in recent months. Chief amongst these is a focus on foodservice with the focus on Bia Blás, as well as a new bakery concept and three new coffee offerings.

Londis’ new bakery concept, one of several new and exclusive food and beverage offerings to be launched in Londis. €110,000 for Pieta House. For 2018, Londis is launching Cycle for Joy in order to continue their fundraising endeavours for Pieta House.

Co-investment Programme Significantly, BWG has put in place a programme of co-investment with Londis retailers to upgrade and modernise stores, giving retailers access to funds which may not have been readily available in recent years. This is supported by the launch of a brand new store concept and retail offer, which is currently being rolled out.

With the support of BWG Foods behind the brand, in partnership with ambitious Londis retailers, Londis is well positioned to see healthy growth next year.

Charity Partnership Londis began its charity partnership with Pieta House in 2016 when over 30 retailers put their fears aside and undertook parachute jumps for Londis Jump for Joy, raising over €40,000 in the process. In 2017, a group of retailers, Londis staff and their families climbed Ireland’s highest mountain, BWG has put in place a programme of co-investment Carrauntoohil in Co. with Londis retailers to upgrade and modernise stores.

Kerry, raising over

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Retail Groups Review

Excellence from XL Fact File: XL Name of symbol group: XL Head office: BWG Foods, BWG House, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Type of distribution network: 20 Value Centres Nationwide and Chill distribution Number of stores nationwide: Over 240 Colours: Blue, green and silver Tagline: ‘A great deal more at your local store’ Average store size: 110 square metres Wholesale partner: Value Centre

difference from competitors by giving away over 1,000 prizes each year. For example, XL is currently running a promotion to design a bicycle helmet for a chance to win a bike this Christmas.

explains. “That means delivering a more customer-centric category management system, coupled with innovation and expansion in popular categories such as deli, coffee, fresh foods and wine.

In recent years, we have focused more than ever on delivering value through everyday price reductions and ongoing special offers and promotions, making XL appealing and relevant to retailers and their local shoppers.”

The XL network currently has 240 stores nationwide, providing employment to over 2,400 people. XL has added more than 100 stores over the past four years, making it the fastest growing retail brand in Ireland.

Colm Fitzsimons, XL National Business Development Manager.

XL

XL offers retailers the opportunity to retain their independence and local identity, while benefitting from the many advantages of symbol group membership. XL offers a flexible, market leading package, which enables retailers to tailor their shop to consumer needs and react quickly to changing market conditions to help grow their business. XL’s affordable fit-out cost is one of the many attractions, with access to competitively priced products and innovative offerings via BWG Foods being another major advantage.

Neighbourhood Retailing XL retailers are very conscious of their local credentials and being a part of the local community is very important to them, so they aim to support local, Irish suppliers as much as possible.

As a group of neighbourhood stores run by independent retailers, XL’s ethos is underpinned by a dedication to community retailing, price and value.

“Our ongoing aim is to improve the shopping experience for customers and ultimately drive footfall and sales for XL’s retail partners,” Fitzsimons

XL focuses on delivering value through everyday price reductions and ongoing special offers and promotions.

Sponsorship In September 2017, XL announced a new three year sponsorship agreement with Ireland’s only Irish language soap Ros na Rún. This deal saw XL open a ‘siopa’ on the set of Ros na Rún. This sponsorship brings the XL brand directly to over 150,000 viewers across Ireland twice a week. “The brand is celebrating its 20th birthday this year so this new partnership with Ros na Rún is a great way to mark this and have our presence in one of the best known local towns on Irish television,” notes Colm Fitzsimons, National Business Development Manager, XL. Competitions XL’s consumer competitions run up to five times a year and gives XL a point of

In September 2017, XL announced a new three year sponsorship agreement with Ireland’s only Irish language soap Ros na Rún, including the opening of an XL ‘siopa’ on-set.

50|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Groups Review

Costcutter’s Ambitious Growth Plans Revealed Costcutter’s 2017 was characterised by exciting growth and category development, with plenty more innovation in the pipeline.

NOW with over 125 locally-owned stores in communities across Ireland, Costcutter had an extraordinarily busy 2017, according to Managing Director, Jim Barry.

Growing store numbers, managing refurbishment and redevelopment in conjunction with retailers, and unveiling major new retail concepts for the allimportant hero categories of coffee and deli were among the highlights of the year, the retail boss reported.

“We’re excited by the year that’s been and the year ahead,” revealed Barry. “We’ve worked extremely hard at store development, concept development and building our brands and that work has come to fruition with extremely positive feedback from retailers.”

Demand for quality neighbourhood retailing is very much on the up and Costcutter’s high calibre foodservices offering has driven profitability across the board, according to Barry.

Award Winning Standards Barry Group also celebrated its consistent award-winning standards in 2017, having again been recognised as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces, and

also one of Deloitte’s top picks in the ‘Ireland’s Best Managed Companies’ awards scheme.

Both business performance awards have been retained for a sixth consecutive year, thanks to excellence in employee care and development, as well as consistent innovation in developing the franchise business and delivering profitable solutions to retail partners.

The Barry Group MD said that his team is to be congratulated for consistently high standards right across the business, and shares a great sense of pride in consistently ranking among the top companies in Ireland.

On the retail front, Doherty’s Costcutter in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, McDhonnchadha’s Costcutter in Connemara, Co. Galway, Costcutter Killimor, Co. Galway, Costcutter Clonard in Wexford, and O’Brien’s Costcutter in Bishopstown, Co. Cork, were among the top award winners at the annual Costcutter National Awards.

Best in the Convenience Market Growing turnover is the clear focus for the group moving forward, Jim Barry told retailers at a recent briefing.

Jim Barry, Managing Director, Barry Group.

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Retail Groups Review out from the competition and offer a higher quality coffee at the regular price point of around €2.50.

Despite the increasing popularity of coffee in cities, where a dark roast and strong taste is the preference, Costcutter research showed that Ireland is still predominantly a nation of tea drinkers, particularly within rural areas.

However, the development of a flavourful medium roast has seen Urban Sips Urban Sips is a premium, barista coffee from a selfbecome an immediate service machine. success, appealing greatly to existing coffee drinkers and attracting “We have strategic plans that will the 60% of rural consumers who are see the group add approximately 50% to traditionally tea drinkers, the group Costcutter turnover in three years, while maintains. also driving profitability in key areas like Positioned as a gourmet coffee foodservices,” he explained. “We are experience, Urban Sips’ brand identity looking at maybe 15 to 20 new stores is similarly premium, featuring a per year for three years, and we are now cosmopolitan design which focuses on targeting a higher turnover store than a unique Irish skyline. The stylish coffee we would have in the past.” unit is also eye-catching, using very These ambitious plans for organic materials like wood, corrugated Costcutter will see the family business iron, and an overhead lightbox to stand take on a “three-year journey” to make out. the Costcutter brand “the very best The new Urban Sips model will option” in the convenience market. result in more cash profit for Costcutter Developing the hero categories of retailers also, with the attractive coffee and deli will play a central role, new store feature drawing shoppers’ with the retailer having unveiled exciting attention, and the new coffee experience new concepts, namely Urban Sips coffee helping to create committed coffee and Market Street Deli, during 2017 to drinkers and driving coffee fans in-store. help accomplish its forward-thinking In the first stores trialling Urban strategy.

Sips, coffee sales are already up by 30% Niamh Barry, a qualified and different sized-units, ranging from 4 naturopathic nutritionist and lecturer, feet to 12 feet long, will allow every store has joined the Barry Group at this key to benefit from the strong new consumer time to work alongside her husband, Jim offering.

Barry, in the development and roll-out of leading food solutions.

“Coffee and deli are two important categories with huge market development potential, so we’ve been working hard to secure a premium consumer offering that will appeal to the Costcutter customer base and draw new clientele also,” Niamh Barry explained.

Urban Sips Urban Sips is a premium, barista style coffee from a self-service machine. The ability to ‘hit the button’ and enjoy a real coffee treat is the simple objective in this project, and Costcutter is confident their self-service barista-style coffee offers both quality and convenience.

Working with an experienced Irish brewer, the group researched premium beans and blends to create a signature blend so that Urban Sips would stand

Market Street Deli Also newly trialled in Costcutter in 2017 was the Market Street Deli concept, offering a variety of enticing and nourishing food-to-go options.

The new style deli will be rolled out in certain stores in the coming year, alongside the group’s existing nonbranded deli offering. With a focus on healthy, appealing food, the Market Street Deli will support people in making wise food choices, an area where Costcutter will become a leader, Niamh Barry believes.

As well as the new-look fresh deli offering, a grab-and-go fridge with sandwiches and wraps made freshly within the Market Street Deli will provide an instant option for consumers on-thego.

Barry Group will be developing eight or nine sub-brand concepts in the coming year, accommodating the hottest pop-up trend of the day, which retailers can add to their offering as suits their store needs.

Staff training will likewise play an important part, and workshops and education programmes are being rolled out in tandem with the new foodservices offerings.

This focus on foodservice will secure the future growth of the convenience sector, according to Jim Barry. “Ultimately, convenience stores are looking to their future and they have to venture more into premium food, coffee, and impulse lines, reducing space allocations for ambient,” he concluded.

Delivering profitable solutions to retail partners, so that they can compete effectively and manage vibrant stores that offer premium quality, value, and a great retail experience was the Costcutter focus for 2017, that will carry on even stronger into the New Year, the retail boss concludes.

With a focus on healthy, appealing food, the Market Street Deli will support people in making wise food choices.

52|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Groups Review

A Gala Year for Gala Retail

New stores, a fresh new look and successful new concepts: 2017 has been a great year for Gala Retail.

AS another year comes to a close, Gala Retail continues to deliver and support its retailers to great success.

The 100% Irish owned convenience group continues to go from strength to strength, growing and expanding, with forecourt sites making up 50% of Gala stores.

The ‘independent’ nature of Gala’s unique structure gives it a unique selling point that isn’t offered by other convenience groups. Retailers continue to benefit from the group’s ‘retailer first’ strategy that sees the stores benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a large symbol group, national marketing campaigns and support on a local level from the Gala team and Gala’s network of wholesalers, which are situated across Ireland.

By focusing on delivering for each and every retailer, Gala is confident that its retailers are best-placed to know and serve their community, which is why the Gala Group is growing!

A number of stores joined Gala in 2017, adding to the growth of the Gala group, with the make-up of stores including forecourt, ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘high street’ stores. Stores in the Gala Group include Gala, Gala Express and Your Stop.

“Gala retailers are regarded as amongst the best in the country, and this year, a number of our retailers have been recognised on a national stage, with wins for the quality of their offering, service and overall store performance,” noted Gala CEO, Gary Desmond. “In 2017, we’ve welcomed a number of new dynamic retailers to the Gala Group. In

addition to this, a brand refresh has seen several of our stores adapt a fresh new look instore, along with a growth in uptake of Gala concepts such as Baker’s Corner and Coffee Junction.

“It’s a milestone year for Gala as we enter our 20th year in business,” he continued, “and we have lots of Pictured at the 2017 Gala Conference are (back, l-r): Gary exciting activities Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail; former Munster and Ireland planned for 2018 rugby player, Frankie Sheahan; shopper behaviouralist Ken that will help us to Hughes; and Liam Peters, Chairman, Gala Retail; (front, l-r): deliver #GalaGifts sports commentator, Tracey Piggott, and journalist, Billy to our customers, Keane. thanking them for their support and loyalty to the Gala hard to earn their accolade. We are brand.” thrilled that our top award – the gold standard – was once again our largest Gala Conference and B.E.S.T Awards category and the overall results were Celebrating Gala’s achievements and outstanding.” rewarding its retailers, the Gala Group conference took place in September Gala Marketing at the Malton Hotel in Killarney and Marketing plays a central role with Gala, marked the beginning of the Group’s particularly as the group marks its 20th celebrations of 20 years of business, year in 2018 with a €1m commitment to with the announcement that the Gala marketing activities that are reflective group are making a €1m commitment to of the brand’s values. This 20th year marketing in 2018. Hundreds of guests marketing will focus on rewarding Gala attended the conference, including customers and the communities they retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and live in for their valued custom over the Gala stakeholders, for the annual event, years. Gala stays true to its tagline, ‘The which hosted the Gala B.E.S.T (Business national brand with local focus’, and Excellence Standards Tool) Awards.

2018 will see the group launch a school Commenting on the awardgrants scheme, as well as a large inwinners, Gary Desmond, said: “Gala is store promotion due to take place later exceptionally proud to have so many in the year. talented retailers within the Group and our annual awards are a chance to Some of Gala’s marketing highlights recognise and celebrate these retailers from 2017 include: and their successes throughout the year.

“The B.E.S.T. awards are judged Special Olympics: by an external third-party each year, 2017 saw the Gala and Special Olympics to ensure that standards are upheld.

Ireland partnership continue to grow, Winning a B.E.S.T award is not a given with Gala joining Special Olympics and each of our winners has worked Ireland on their journey to the World

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Retail Groups Review

CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond is pictured with Gala Regional Operations Executive & Special Olympics volunteer, Catriona Conlon, and the Team Ireland squad for the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Winter Games, which took place in Austria in March. Among the attendees was Catriona Conlon, a Gala Retail Operations Executive and a volunteer for Special Olympics Ireland. The World Winter Games were a huge success for Team Ireland, who returned home with eight medals, two gold, three silver and three bronze, and the achievement of many personal bests. Supporters, family members and volunteers for Team Ireland were supplied with some Winter Games survival gear from Gala Retail in the form of green windcheater jackets and woollen hats to keep the cold Austrian weather at bay during their trip.

as a host of stores take on the refreshed Gala brand identity launched in 2017.

2018 will be the focus of the Gala 20th year celebrations and will see a range of marketing activities launched to mark the occasion. In addition to launching the ‘Gala Gifts for Schools’ scheme in early 2018, a huge in store promotion will take place later in the year, with giveaways for customers in every community in which Gala operates.

Gala will continue its partnership with the Irish Film & Television Academy with the IFTA Gala TV Awards and Gala will continue to support Special Olympics at the Special Olympics Ireland Games, taking place in Dublin in June 2018.

Delivering compelling on and offline activities for Gala shoppers will remain a priority, with Gala continuing to invest

lifetime Cars Racers Weekend for a family of four at Disneyland Paris, including €1000 spending money, via the Gala Facebook page.

Gala Online: With an online audience that’s grown to over 140,000 on Facebook alone, Gala’s social media efforts continued in 2017, with The Baker’s Corner concept from Gala has proven to be competitions, quizzes hugely successful for many of the group’s stores. and original content Disney: in the generation of original content for driving superb levels of engagement, Gala’s partnership with Disney continued online and direct mailers such as Gala including the introduction of Gala recipe in 2017, with Gala shoppers availing of recipe videos and innovate giveaways. videos. pre-screenings to some of the biggest A series of short video clips on how movies of the year, including Cars 3, as A Winning Formula to make quick and convenient dinners, well as the chance to win a once-in-a“It’s been proven time and time again desserts and snacks has generated that Gala’s unique structure is proving excellent engagement on the to be a winning formula with retailers,” Gala Facebook page, with the concluded Gary Desmond, noting the sharing of a range of seasonal opportunities and challenges that recipe videos throughout the lie ahead. “Our retailers retain their year. independence, and this, coupled with the This year also saw Gala run support of our wholesalers and expertise its biggest Facebook competition of Gala Retail, is driving more retailers to yet: to launch the beginning of the Gala Group. its 20th year in business, the “During 2018, we will continue to group gave away the prize of build the Gala brand, develop and roll a brand-new car, generating out new concepts and deliver brand huge levels of engagement extensions that will keep Gala at the and interaction and growing its forefront of convenience retailing for the Facebook audience even further next 20 years!” through the activity.

Gala continues to look for innovative, forward thinking retailers who want 2018 and Beyond to grow with Gala. If individuality, and 2018 will see the Gala Group To mark the beginning of its 20th year in simply being the B.E.S.T in retailing continue to grow, with new store business, the Gala Group are giving away a car are important to you, find out more by openings and store expansions via the Gala Retail Facebook page. contacting Gala on (045) 910066. scheduled throughout the year,

54|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Groups Review

Top Year for Tesco Ireland

2017 was another busy year for Tesco Ireland. With economic recovery and growth rates stabilising, it was a year of many exciting initiatives and activities.

TESCO Ireland continues to invest in its store portfolio and in 2017 created 85 new permanent positions at their brand new Tesco store in Swords, bringing the total number of Irish Tesco stores to 149. The full Tesco Swords team is committed to providing customers with the best shopping experience, with an extensive range of quality fresh Irish foods, many of which have been sourced locally from North County Dublin.

The Swords store layout showcases Tesco’s continued focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce. Diverse offerings from local producers is a key feature of the new store and includes hundreds of local products. Local suppliers to the store include: Dessie Farrell Parsnip supplier from Rush, Co. Dublin; Brian Weldon, cauliflower supplier from Lusk, Co. Dublin; the Foley Brothers and Alan Kelly, tomato suppliers from Rush, Co. Dublin; David Rogers, onion supplier from Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin.

“We’re continuing to invest in and rollout our store refresh programme across the country,” explains a company spokesperson.

Price Investment Customers continue to respond positively to Tesco Ireland’s ongoing investment in price, with improvements in sales volumes, particularly in the important fresh food category, and an increase in the number of customer transactions in 2017.

“At Tesco Ireland, we’re focusing on offering customers great value all of the time,” the spokesperson explained. “This year we launched ‘The 800’, which is made up of the 800 products that matter most to customers and gives them peace of mind that they won’t pay more for these items in Tesco.”

Commitment to Irish Farming Families Tesco Ireland’s commitment to Irish

Andrew Yaxley, Tesco Ireland CEO, and Store Manager, Gary Redmond, are pictured opening Tesco Ireland’s new store at the Airside Retail Park in Swords, with the help of Bernie Marks, Community Person of the Year for Swords. farming families was front and centre at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, where they celebrated partnerships with long standing partners. Tesco proudly supports over 13,000 Irish farming families who supply the best in-season produce to Irish stores on a year-round basis and continues to be a significant driver of Irish quality produce in stores.

This year, Tesco and the Irish Angus Producer Group celebrated their 20th year in partnership at an event where a number of farmers from around the country were also honoured for their commitment and dedication to the production of Certified Irish Angus Beef since the brand was developed in 1997.

•

Tesco works with 480 Irish food

•

•

and drink companies, half of which are small to medium enterprises employing up to 50 people.

100% of the fresh beef, pork, lamb, chicken, eggs and milk sold in Tesco Ireland stores is sourced from farms in the Republic of Ireland.

Tesco Ireland is responsible for nearly 46,000 jobs; employing 13,500 people directly in stores, head office and their depot, as well as supporting a further 32,180 jobs in its supply chain.

Leading the Way in Grocery Home Shopping Tesco continues to offer the most extensive grocery home shopping service. With over 87% population coverage, they have enjoyed double

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Retail Groups Review

Pictured at the launch of ‘The Community Chill’ campaign to provide fridges and freezers for good causes so that they can receive more surplus food donations are (l-r): Anna Daly, TV presenter; Paula Cunningham, Linx Project; and Christine Heffernan, Corporate Affairs Director, Tesco Ireland. digit growth in orders year on year, delivering over 44m products in the last 12 months. “We’re always looking to make the shopping experience simpler and easier for customers. Our new app enables customers to place orders while on the go and schedule a delivery slot at their convenience,” the company spokesperson explained.

Additionally, they have seen a rise in the popularity of the Click & Collect, personal shopper service, and they recently launched a new site in Kilkenny. For the first time, shoppers can now order groceries online at Tesco.ie/clickandcollect and choose a

Pictured are (l-r): Dave Martin, Terry Fitzpatrick and Sinead Keenaghan, with her daughter Ciara (5) from Ferbane, Co. Offaly at the Tesco Ireland stand at the National Ploughing Championships.

two-hour collection window to pick up their shopping from the drive-through collection point at the Kilkenny Retail Park. Turnaround time for a collection is less than five minutes on average.

Freshness is guaranteed, with all products picked on the day of collection and safely stored in the fridge, freezer or cupboard until customers arrive.

Collection slots are available seven days a week from 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm.

No Time for Waste During 2017, Tesco Ireland launched The Community Chill campaign, to provide fridges and freezers for good causes so

Pictured at the launch of Tesco Ireland’s Click & Collect service in Kilkenny are Karen Fitzpatrick, her one-year-old daughter, Zara, alongside Tesco colleague, Ger Pyke.

that they can receive more surplus food donations to help people in need. The Community Chill aims to overcome one of the obstacles to local good causes taking more surplus food, which is their lack of storage facilities. Since becoming the first retailer to launch a nationwide surplus food programme in 2014, Tesco has donated over 4m meals of surplus food to more than 260 community groups across Ireland in partnership with FoodCloud. The initiative is part of Tesco’s No Time for Waste strategy, which aims to minimise food waste and increase surplus food donations at Tesco stores nationwide.

Tesco donates on average the equivalent of over 40,000 meals per week. The 260 local groups already realising the benefits of Tesco’s surplus food donations include family resource centres, soup kitchens, youth services, homeless organisations, meals on wheels and more. These donations have enabled the charitable sector to save over €5.8m off their food bills to date, as reported by FoodCloud, empowering them to invest in additional support services across the country.

Tesco also announced a commitment that no surplus food that’s suitable for human consumption will go to waste in its stores by 2020.

“Tesco became the first retailer in Ireland to publish its food waste data, which provides the insight to help the company meet this target and support our food waste reduction agenda,” concluded the spokesperson.

“Tesco Ireland is proud to be the first national retail partner of FoodCloud and continues to work closely with them to deliver its surplus food donations programme.”

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Retail Groups Review

Aldi Enjoys a Super 2017 Aldi Ireland ramped up stores, sponsorship and corporate responsibility in 2017.

ALDI Ireland enjoyed another busy and successful year in 2017, rolling out the first of its new revamped and redesigned Project Fresh stores, engaging new and exciting sponsorships, including Aldi Community Games, and performing strongly at both Irish and international product awards.

The business achieved sustained sales growth and won new customers every month, increasing its market share to 11.5% (Source Kantar Worldpanel, 12 weeks ending November 5, 2017).

Project Fresh In June, Aldi announced its entire store network would receive a huge overhaul as part of Project Fresh, with Aldi investing €60m in revamping the layout and design of all its 130 stores nationwide.

The aim of the new Project Fresh store design is to provide customers with access to fresh food earlier in the shopping journey. All stores will feature up to 40% more chiller space, a wide selection of fresh food at the front of the store and new signage that provides a more efficient and hassle-free shopping experience.

29 stores will be redeveloped by the end of 2017, with the new design rolled-

Project Fresh sees Aldi investing €60m in revamping the layout and design of all its 130 stores nationwide. out in further stores during 2018.

Aldi Community Games 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s Community Games and the beginning of Aldi’s three-year, sixfigure sponsorship of the nationwide community sporting event. Irish rugby great Paul O’Connell unveiled the sponsorship in January, as Aldi pledged to bring the Games and its vision of active and healthy living to the next generation of Ireland’s young people.

Driven by Aldi’s award-winning multi-platform “Get in the Games” advertising campaign, the Aldi Community Games was a huge success, with over 160,000 children across 575 communities participating in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.

Over 200 regional heats and events were organised, culminating in two National Festivals during May and August, as 7,000 regional winners descended on the

National Sports Campus at Abbotsown in Co. Dublin.

Aldi’s sponsorship of the Community Games and its goal of encouraging active, healthy eating lifestyles amongst children, sits alongside its partnership with the IRFU and in particular Aldi Play Rugby, a programme that enables children to get involved in rugby in a safe and fun manner. Year one of Aldi Play Rugby was a massive success, with 1,115 schools registering for the programme, exceeding Aldi’s stated participation target by almost 40%. Year two of the sponsorship is now underway as Aldi provides the means for more and more children, schools and clubs to get involved in the initiative.

The Importance of Provenance Aldi is well-known within the retail industry as a longstanding supporter of Irish farmers, suppliers and manufacturers. In September, Aldi

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Retail Groups Review groups every day, helping to alleviate food poverty and food waste throughout the country. To date Aldi has donated over 1,000,000 meals to some 260 local charities.

This translates to over 510 tonnes of donated food and provides almost €1.5m in savings for the charity partners.

Over €600,000 was raised by Aldi staff for Irish Cancer Society in 2017. Aldi sponsored the Irish Cancer Society’s 5K Colour Dash, with events in Dublin, Galway, Sligo and Cork attracting huge numbers of participants. Aldi also provided support through staff donations and the sale of Daffodil Day daffodils and charity cards at stores around the country.

For the third year running, Aldi sponsored the Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards. The awards celebrate young people getting involved in their communities to Irish rugby legend Paul O’Connell launches Aldi Community Games, a three-year, sixhelp solve social problems and figure sponsorship of the nationwide community sporting event. promote civic pride and activism.

The 2017 Awards saw the biggest ever launched the results of an independent Irish Gin, produced by the Blackwater gathering of Foróige clubs under one study by the Centre for Economics and Distillery, Co. Waterford, achieving two roof in the organisation’s 65-year history, Business Research (CEBR) examining silver medals at the International Wine & with over 300 projects aimed at tackling Aldi’s contribution to the Irish economy, Spirts Competition. inequality, homelessness, mental health and how this will grow in years to come. issues and much more entered.

The report found Aldi contributed Corporate Responsibility more than €1 billion Gross Domestic Aldi’s CR programme continued to Looking to 2018 Product (GDP) to the Irish economy in build on the foundations established in As 2017 ends, Aldi looks forward to 2016, through job creation, spending with 2016, further developing initiatives with building on the successes of this year in Irish-based companies, tax contributions FoodCloud, Irish Cancer Society and 2018 and beyond as its seeks to further and capital investment. It also calculated Foróige. expand its network of Irish stores, lead that Aldi spent over €700m with Irish Aldi scaled-up its activity with the way in supporting local and national producers, manufacturers and suppliers.

FoodCloud, increasing its donations by charities and groups through its growing Over 50% of Aldi’s sales come from 60%. An additional 49 Aldi stores are CR function and continue to offer its products sourced from the 175 Irish now engaged in redistributing surplus Irish customers the very highest quality based suppliers it partners with. food to local charities and community groceries at unbeatable prices.

Aldi further demonstrated its support for small Irish suppliers with the announcement in August that it was reducing its payment terms to 14 days for suppliers that transact up to €300,000 annually with Aldi, while 30 of its long-term Irish suppliers joined Aldi in its marquee at the National Ploughing Championships in September.

Award Winning Products Aldi’s products enjoyed another strong year at home and abroad, scooping multiple awards across numerous awards programmes.

Notable highlights included Aldi’s own-brand Kilcree Gold Manuka Honey, supplied by Mileeven Honey of Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, beating a host of leading big brands at the International Great Taste Awards to receive a three gold stars rating, the highest accolade possible, and Aldi’s Small Batch Boyle’s

For the third year running, Aldi sponsored the Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards. Pictured at the Aldi Youth Citizenship Challenge are (l-r): Sophie Beveridge (15), Diarmuid Geever (16) and Jessica Fahy (15), from Ballaghadereen Foróige Club, Roscommon.

58|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Groups Review

Lidl Takes CSR Seriously Lidl Ireland enjoyed a tremendous 2017, opening five new stores, modernising eight more, and launching a host of innovative Corporate Social Responsibility campaigns.

2017 saw Lidl Ireland open a total of five brand new stores across the country in Bantry, Cabra, Portmarnock, Tralee and Wilton, bringing the total number of stores in Ireland to 154 and 38 in Northern Ireland. Eight existing stores were modernised and rebuilt, boasting a fresh and contemporary architectural design, which has a more spacious layout, in an effort to meet growing customer needs and improving shopping experiences.

Health & Wellness As part of their ongoing commitment to a happy and healthy workplace, Lidl Ireland announced the roll-out of an intensive community screening programme aimed at raising awareness of the growing numbers being diagnosed with Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

According to research from Healthy Ireland, there are 1,158,547 adults in Ireland that need to consider making changes to their daily behaviours in terms of eating healthily and being more active. The total number of people living with diabetes in Ireland is estimated to be 225,840, according to research from Diabetes Ireland.

The award winning Lidl Health & Wellness programme was available free of charge to all 5,000 employees and supported wellbeing, mental health, nutrition and an active lifestyle. To increase awareness and early detection, Lidl joined forces with Diabetes Ireland and offered free diabetes screenings for customers in locations across the country.

Over the three-month campaign, a purpose built double decker bus visited 92 Lidl stores, along with four regional warehouse and office locations, to carry out the screenings.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Origin Green In February 2017, Lidl Ireland announced its membership of Bord Bia’s Origin Green Sustainability Programme, emphasising its commitment to sustainability in the Irish retail sector.

Origin Green is a renowned, world leading sustainability programme for the entire Irish food and drink industry. Bord Bia established the programme in 2012 at farm level, then moved into manufacturing, and most recently extended and customised the programme for the retail sector. To become a member of the programme, Lidl Ireland committed

to a comprehensive development plan that sets out clear targets in key areas such as waste emissions, energy, water, responsible sourcing of products, health and nutrition and social sustainability.

A total of 24 clear targets have been set out by Lidl Ireland across several areas of the business, including responsible sourcing, environmental impact, employees and the community, all to be achieved by 2020. A sample of targets include: • •

By end of 2020, 50% of Lidl’s Irish listed food suppliers will be verified Origin Green members; Lidl will increase the number of

Minster for Health, Simon Harris TD, is pictured with Dr Anna Clarke of Diabetes Ireland and Maeve McCleane, HR Director of Lidl Ireland, to officially launch Lidl's diabetes screening programme for employees and customers in selected locations across the country.

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Retail Groups Review 154 Lidl stores and three warehouses in Ireland partnered with hundreds of local charities, who will benefit from the store’s surplus food.

The redistribution of surplus food allows charities to relocate funding, that would otherwise have been spent on food, towards their core service and support their underlying mission. This redistribution allows Lidl to contribute to local communities, while also reducing the worldwide statistic that 30% of food produced is going to waste.

Pictured at Lidl Ireland's Head Office in Tallaght is John Paul Scally, Managing Director of Lidl Ireland, with Tara McCarthy, Chief Executive of Bord Bia, at the announcement that Lidl has become a verified member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green Sustainability Programme, emphasising its commitment to sustainability in the Irish retail sector.

• • •

• • •

products certified by sustainability initiatives e.g. FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Organic and Certified Palm Oil; By the end of 2017, Lidl aims to reduce 10% of overall waste; Lidl is committed to reducing 15% of overall water consumption by 2020; Building and retrofitting of new stores with energy efficient equipment and technology. Lidl has already achieved ISO 50001 energy efficiency certification in all stores and aims for certification for all of its Regional Distribution Centres and Head Office in 2017; By 2020, Lidl will donate surplus food to Irish charities which will equate to at least one million meals; Lidl aims to have 50% of employees taking part in health and wellbeing initiatives by 2020; Lidl will build on its community impact through volunteering, sponsorship, charity partnerships and local donation funds.

Autism Friendly Evenings In Ireland, Lidl partnered with Irish Autism Action to trial autism friendly quiet evenings in selected stores.

Between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesdays, there was dimmed lighting, no in-store announcements or music, priority queueing for people and families dealing with autism, as well as extra assistance upon request. An in-store map was also available for children with autism to plan and organise their shopping trips, which adds structure and routine to help them deal with otherwise chaotic experiences.

The suggestion to trial the quiet evenings was made by one of Lidl's team members, as they have personal experience of autism and an appreciation for how a few simple changes can positively enhance the shopping experience.

Food Cloud In August, Lidl committed to donate one million meals to Irish charities by 2020 in conjunction with FoodCloud. With one in eight people in Ireland experiencing food poverty, this partnership will see all

Kick Start In May, Lidl called out to Irish food and drink suppliers across the country to apply to their brand new Supplier Development Programme, Kick Start, which gave small suppliers the chance to supply Lidl with a guaranteed volume of their products for a limited edition ‘Best of Ireland’ food promotion in September 2017. The response was phenomenal, with over 450 different products entered by suppliers across the country.

After careful consideration, Lidl selected 54 exciting, new Irish suppliers to work with on the ‘Best of Ireland’ food promotion, which saw 71 new products go on sale in all Lidl stores across the Republic of Ireland in September for a limited period.

The range was vast and covered everything from artisan Irish cheeses, gourmet chocolate chip & honeycomb sausages and gluten-free beef burgers to Greek style frozen yogurt, gourmet marshmallows and premium granola.

Yvonne Connolly and Iseult Ward, CEO and Co-Founder of FoodCloud, pictured at the announcement of Lidl's commitment to donate one million meals to Irish charities by 2020 in conjunction with FoodCloud.

60|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Focus on HR

When An Inspector Calls…

The Workplace Relations Commission has the authority to carry out employment inspections to ensure compliance with employment law in Ireland. The HR Suite provide a guide to WRC compliance and inspection.

THE Workplace Relations Commission, enacted under the Workplace Relations Act 2015 on October 1, 2015, monitors the conditions of employment through its Inspection Services which was operated previously by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).

The WRC has the authority to carry out employment inspections in relation to the: • Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997; • National Minimum Wage Act, 2000; • Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996; • Payment of Wages Act, 1991; • Employment Permits Acts, 20032014; • Redundancy Payments Acts 19672012; • Protection of Employment Act 1977 -2007; • Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006; • Carers Leave; • Protection of Employees (Employers Insolvency) Acts 1984-2003.

In addition to having the authority to conduct employment inspections, the WRC has many other functions, including: •

• • • •

To promote the improvement of workplace relations, and maintenance of good workplace relations; To promote and encourage compliance with the relevant laws; To provide guidance in relation to compliance with codes of practice; To monitor developments; To conduct or commission relevant research and provide advice,

•

•

information and the findings of research to Joint Labour Committees and Joint Industrial Councils; To advise the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to the application of, and compliance with, relevant laws; To provide information to the public in relation to employment laws.

Inspections are either carried out in relation to a specific complaint or a targeted inspection to a particular sector of employment. Where there has been a breach in relation to any particular employment legislation, the inspection

services may do one of the following: • • •

Request in writing that the employer correct this; Carry out a further inspection; Refer the matter for legal prosecution.

Employment Records Employers are required by law to keep employment records of their employees at their place of employment. If the employer requires the inspection to be done elsewhere, this must be communicated to the inspector, who will than decide if this is a reasonable request.

The key for employers is to reach the

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Focus on HR About the Author THE HR Suite provides a full range of HR and business services to organisations nationwide.

Our objective is to raise the standards and performance of your organisation, while ensuring legal compliance at all times. We take a best-practice approach to outsourced HR management and our services include dispute resolution, performance management, training, and disciplinary and grievance management. We have a dedicated recruitment department to assist our clients with recruitment and selection. Our team of qualified professionals offer a superior service to our clients via telephone and email support, on-site visits, and representation as required.

MD Caroline McEnery has over 20 years’ experience in providing HR services to Irish companies. She is a member on the Low Pay Commission and is also an adjudicator in the Workplace Relations Commission.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact our office on (066) 7102887 or (01) 9014335 or email info@thehrsuiteonline.com. Website: http://thehrsuiteonline.com. required level of compliance and have such records readily available and up to date. Lack of compliance with statutory record keeping is a common breach found by inspectors. Inspectors will usually request records prior to one year of the date of inspection but can request records up to three years prior to the inspection.

Inspectors also have the right to ask to interview employees to verify information that the employer has provided.

Serious non-compliance or noncooperation will invoke legal sanctions by the WRC under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The Act also makes provision for payment of any such associated costs and expenses incurred in relation to the investigation and prosecution of the offence unless the court is satisfied that such award should not be made. The Act also empowers Workplace Relations Inspectors to issue fixed payment notices where they have reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed an offence under specified legislation. A failure to pay the fine will result in prosecution by the Commission in the Courts.

Compliance Checklist To ensure compliance, an employer should have the following checklist and be certain that they are compliant with the details of the checklist: • • • • • • • •

•

Employer's registration number with revenue; Employees' names, addresses and PPS numbers; Dates of commencement of employment and if necessary dates of termination of employment; Terms of employment for each employee; Employees job classification; Records of annual leave and holiday pay taken by each employee; Hours of work for each employee which must state start and finish times; Payroll details which must include gross to net, rate per hour, overtime, deductions, commission, bonuses and service charges etc.; Proof of providing employees with

“

The key for employers is to reach the required level of compliance and have such records readily available and up to date… Inspectors will usually request records prior to one year of the date of inspection but can request records up to three years prior to the inspection.

• • •

”

payslips; List of any employees under the age of 18; Details of any board or lodgings provided; Proof of employment permits (Non EU Citizens);

Additional information or records may be requested to demonstrate compliance.

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Forecourt Focus: News Top Oil Announces Vegas Winners TOP Oil has announced the winners of its recent 'Rock 'n' Roll to Vegas' marathon series competition. Three lucky Top Oil customers won a fantastic trip for two and travelled to Las Vegas on November 9 for the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon. The competition had two main entry channels for both retail motor oil customers of Top Oil and its domestic home heating oil customer base and also a prize for a lucky customer from their retailer network.

The winner of the online home heating order competition was Sharon Dillon from Co. Kildare, who travelled with her partner, Peter Keatley. The second winner was in- store motor fuel winner, Catherine Walsh from Co. Carlow, who travelled with her husband Paul. In addition, Padraic Delaney from PKD in Galway and Castlebar, part of the Top Oil retailer network, also won a Las Vegas trip for two.

The Las Vegas event is the largest, most celebrated in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, and attracted over 47,000 participants from around the world. The race took place on Sunday, November 12, at night, with participants running the length of the Las Vegas Strip and also featured a "run through wedding" and pre-race concert headlined by the Goo Goo Dolls.

The winners of the Top Oil Rock ‘n’ Roll to Vegas competition: John Paul McDonagh, Padraic Delaney, Catherine Walsh, Sharon Dillon and Peter Keatley.

New Top Oil Forecourt in Cork TOP Oil has officially opened its latest forecourt at South Link, Cork. The new forecourt station will employ 37 employees from the surrounding Cork area, and aims to bring a significant boost to the local economy.

The new 1.5-acre location on the South Link Road is the latest location for Top Oil in Cork, and marks the continued growth of the Top Oil portfolio across the country.

The new forecourt at South Link offers a variety of services to its customers, including a Daybreak convenience store.

South Link expects to see over 25,000 customers per week pass through the forecourt in the coming year.

“We are delighted to launch the latest Top Oil forecourt in Cork,” said Martin Daly, Sales & Marketing Director, Top Oil. “Top Oil is committed to investing in key locations across Ireland such as South Link, and providing high quality service to our retail and trade customers. This forecourt investment at South Link demonstrates our continued growth and commitment as a leading Irish fuel provider and we look forward to developing our partnership with Brendan and Seamus Scally.”

Brendan Scally, owner of South Link, said; “This prominent location at South Link in Cork gives the local community and passing customers an ideal opportunity to stop and shop, whether on their way to their destination or to pop in from the surrounding retail or residential areas. We look forward to welcoming the local community to our new forecourt.”

Colm Dolan, Daybreak Sales and Development Manager, said; “South Link is a demonstration of Daybreak and Musgrave's new and exciting format in high convenience

Pictured at the ribbon cutting of the new South Link forecourt are three generations of the Scally family, Seamus, Sean and Brendan Scally. forecourt retailing. South Link offers the consumer the latest trends in food-to-go, combining healthier options for the health-conscious, with traditional deli and hot food options for the busy person on the go. Food-to-go is showcased in our new fresh food brand ‘Munch and Co’ and is complemented with our seriously good coffee brand, ‘9 Grams’, which gives the consumer a wide choice and variety in hot beverages and tasty treats, which can be enjoyed in the new sit-down area.

Chipmongers can also be found at South Link, which offers consumers freshly prepared and cooked chips, burgers, fish and chicken. We are delighted to partner with Brendan and Seamus Scally and regard the new site in South Link as best in class for forecourt retailing.”

Always FRESH MILK

and the SAME BEANS as our coffee shops

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Forecourt Focus: News Topaz Announces October Play or Park Winner TOPAZ has announced Roman Uralovanel from Co. Limerick as the October 2017 winner of Topaz Play or Park. Roman chose to play his points at his local Topaz in Ballysimon, County Limerick, and won a luxury, all expenses paid trip to Thailand.

Roman’s incredible trip includes return flights to Phuket, Thailand, 14 nights accommodation in a junior suite at the beautiful 4* Mangosteen Resort & Ayurvida Spa with breakfast and dinner each day, an unforgettable day tour to the Phi Phi islands by speedboat, a full day Thai cooking class at Phuket Thai Cookery School and, to top it all off, four 60-minute spa treatments each to relax and rejuvenate after their adventurous excursions.

“I really couldn’t believe it when I got the call,” enthused Roman.

“It has always been a dream of ours to visit Thailand and now it’s finally coming true. We are especially looking forward to exploring the Phi Phi islands, relaxing in the sun and taking in the Thai culture.”

Richard Pollock, Loyalty and Insights Manager at Topaz commented: “I am delighted to announce Roman as this month’s Play or Park winner. It’s fantastic to be able to give this incredible prize to such a deserving couple and we hope they enjoy this experience of a lifetime.”

Roman Uralovanel and his partner, Claudia, from Co. Limerick, the winners of October’s Topaz Play or Park giveaway, are pictured with Topaz Loyalty and Insights Manager, Richard Pollock.

Top Oil Charity Mascot Race Back at Leopardstown Christmas Festival TOP Oil is calling on companies across Ireland to get involved in the second Top Oil Charity Mascot Race to raise much-needed funds for charities on December 29, at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Each company involved in the mascot race will represent their chosen charity and the winner of the race will award the total prize charity fund.

The charity fun Top Oil are calling on companies race will see Top Oil to sign up for the Top Oil Mascot mascot Mr. Ted racing Race at the Leopardstown against other company Christmas Festival to try to win mascots on the famous significant prize for their chosen Leopardstown track to charity. help raise awareness and donations for worthy Irish charities. Each company that enters the race must donate €800 to the charity prize fund and nominate their charity to compete with a company mascot or a

designated character that will be provided for them in the race.

Any registered charity can also approach a company to ask them to represent their charity in the race for a chance to win the overall prize money.

The winning company mascot will receive the total amount in the prize fund, which it can then donate to its chosen charity, as well receiving the title of Top Oil Mascot Race Winner 2017.

Collection buckets will be on display in the enclosure during the day to raise additional funds for the participating charities.

“We understand that Christmas is a challenging time for many charities and with the return of Top Oil Charity Mascot Race at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, we are proud to enable companies and charities an opportunity to profile and fundraise,” noted Gerard Boylan, Chief Executive of Top Oil. “The charity fun race was a huge success last year, so we hope this year will be just as successful. We are encouraging companies to get involved and sign up for the Top Oil Mascot Race to try a win significant prize for their chosen charity.”

The 100 metre race will take place after racing on Festival Finale Day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, where over 10,000 patrons are expected to attend. If your company is interested in participating in this fun challenge on behalf of a charity, please contact the Top Oil team through its website, www.top.ie

To find out what Costa Express can offer you contact: ROI tel: 021 500 3526 NI tel: 02892 580207

64|Retail News|December 2017|www.retailnews.ie

What’s New PANADOL: MADE IN IRELAND, TRUSTED WORLDWIDE FOR the first time, Panadol’s Irish heritage is brought to life through an innovative new brand campaign, ‘This is what we’re made of’. The campaign, which launched in September 2017, celebrates the brand’s Irish manufacturing ties and what it believes has been its “bestkept secrets”: namely that its parent site, GSK in Dungarvan produces over six billion Panadol tablets every year, exporting to over 70 countries worldwide. The campaign features employees from the Waterford site, and aims to highlight its strong ties to Ireland and celebrate the Irish team who are such a big part of the brand’s global success story. Panadol currently boasts a 70% market share in grocery and continues to grow ahead of the adult analgesics market in grocery in Ireland.

Panadol 500mg film-coated tablets contain Paracetamol. Always read the label/leaflet.

VOLTAROL HEAT PATCH VOLTAROL, Ireland’s number one selling topical pain relief brand from GSK, is continuing to invest in the pain category with the launch of its new Heat Patch. The latest addition to the portfolio aims to help support the 57% of those globally who feel their body pain decreases their quality of life.

Voltarol Heat Patch is a non-medicated patch which provides targeted back and muscle pain relief by delivering up to eight hours of long-lasting deep penetrating heat. The continuous low-level heat from the patch works by stimulating heat receptors to relieve pain, increasing blood flow to relax stiff muscles, reducing muscle spasms and delivering the body’s natural pain relievers.

CHICAGO TOWN’S NEW FAMILY FAVOURITE CHICAGO Town’s new family friendly range, The Pizza Kitchen, builds on Chicago Town’s fresh dough expertise with a unique freshly baked tiger bread crust. All new pizza recipes are generously topped with mouth-watering deli-style ingredients for fresher tasting pizza.

The broad range of four tasty flavours are guaranteed to appeal to the whole family, with clean plates and smiles all round. The new flavours include tasty Cheese Medley, mouth-watering Deli Pepperoni, succulent Roasted Chicken and delicious Garden Vegetable. Each pizza recipe includes Chicago Town’s signature tomato sauce, topped with mouth-watering ingredients on The Pizza Kitchen’s irresistible Deli Crisp Crust.

JAMESON CASKMATES IPA EDITION IRISH Distillers has announced a new, global extension to the innovative Jameson Caskmates range with Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition, following a successful trial run in Ireland in September 2017. Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a triple distilled Irish whiskey finished in craft IPA-seasoned barrels. The result is a whiskey that features the signature smoothness of Jameson alongside hints of light hops, fresh citrus and floral notes, and can be served neat, on the rocks, or paired with a beer. Bottled at 40% ABV, Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is available from December 2017 in the USA and January 2018 in Ireland. RRP is €38.

GLENISK REDUCED SUGAR GO-YOS GLENISK has added two new additions to its lineout, Glenisk Organic Low Sugar Strawberry Go-Yo Yogurt Tubes and Glenisk Organic No Added Sugar Banana & Peach Go-Yo Yogurt Tubes.

Every pack of the new Go-Yos includes three Official Irish Rugby Trading Cards featuring rugby players from both the men’s and women’s senior teams, with a total of 65 to collect in all. The new Go-Yos are the latest development from Glenisk in an effort to reduce sugar content, whilst continuing to produce the best and tastiest yogurt possible. Glenisk Go-Yos are produced with real fruit, made with organic Irish milk and the only brand that offers a no added sugar option for kids and babies.

DO MORE IN STORE THIS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS is the perfect time to choose PostPoint as your preferred electronic services supplier. Retailers who join PostPoint this month can offer their customers festive favourites such as One4all Gift Cards and the Christmas Stamp Booklet. Both of these are very popular products which are well established in the Irish marketplace, and give PostPoint retailers a competitive advantage when trying to attract customers into their stores this Christmas season. The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multi-store gift card and is exclusively sold through Post Offices and PostPoint outlets.

The One4all Gift Card makes the perfect gift for any occasion as it is accepted in over 7,000 retail outlets nationwide. PostPoint retailers can purchase stamps and One4all conveniently and quickly through the PostPoint helpdesk on 1890 20 42 20, and all orders are delivered free of charge straight to the retailer’s door.

It’s your Call‌ You

At the IGBF we assist the families of over 300 of your colleagues every month. These families are more unfortunate than ourselves and without your support such assistance would not be possible...

But we still need your help to continue making the difference.

To Donate: ww.igbf.

For Assistance: ww.igbf.ie/help/our_help.html For Queries: info@igbf.ie

Registered Charity No: 6577 Registered Friendly Society No: 1775

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