Retail News June 2021

Retail News JUNE 2021

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

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Contents News

Building a sustainable business SUSTAINABILITY is the most important word in the lexicon of business at the moment. Quite simply, if your business isn’t actively seeking to reduce its carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future, then you are going to be left behind. A recent report from the World Economic Forum revealed that the sustainability revolution has accelerated faster than expected, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Like the digital revolution before it, the sustainability revolution promises to change everything, argues the report, warning that like with digital before it, many companies are moving too slowly, “taking an incremental approach to a challenge that demands a radical rethink”.

Sarah Ferguson, General Manager, Kellogg Ireland, explains the reasoning behind the company’s pioneering Wellbeing Manifesto (Page 16), while we also examine sustainability across the FMCG landscape, from suppliers to retailers, and highlight some of the excellent progress made on this most topical of issues (Page 49).

Also inside, we highlight some of the programmes created to support Irish brands and companies, as the benefits of Buying Irish are more pronounced than ever (Page 26), Emer Healy, Business Development Manager, Kantar, reflects on the effects of the pandemic on the Irish grocery market (Page 36) and we look at the effect of GDPR legislation three years after its introduction (Page 61).

Kathleen Belton Editorial & Marketing Director

2

Insurance reform group lodge complaint over claims letters.

4

Grocery sales down but confidence rising; Buymie launch grocery delivery in Galway & Limerick.

5

Aldi unveil revamped Project Fresh stores; Pallas Foods rebranded as Sysco Ireland.

6

€6 billion milestone raised by the National Lottery for Good Causes; Pettitt’s open €4m SuperValu Bray store.

8

Lidl sign supply deal with Irish artisan coffee producers; Bord Bia getting the nation growing; Tesco customers bake a difference.

Retail News Interview 16

Sarah Ferguson, General Manager, Kellogg Ireland, explains the reasoning behind the company’s Wellbeing Manifesto, a new decade-long plan to further improve their foods so that they are better for people, the community and the planet.

The Corrigan family, owners of Costcutter in Ballintubber, Co. Mayo, have recently opened their newly revamped 2,100 square feet store.

TWIG 22

Buying Irish 26

Sustainability is key to not just the future of our planet but the future success of your business, as today’s consumers demand businesses to operate in an ethical manner.

58

Séamus Clancy, CEO, Repak, explains why eco fee modulation for packaging is necessary and what it means for packaging businesses here.

GDPR 61

Getting to grips with GDPR, three years after its introduction.

69

26

Guinness 0.0 is the new non-alcoholic beer from the brewers at St James’ Gate.

Employment Law A new Code of Practice and expected new legislation on the right to disconnect and flexible working could have implications for employers and their staff.

Craft Cider Cider producers have called on the Government to give them the same excise relief as that enjoyed by craft beer brewers.

Regulars & Reports 10 Industry News 42 Snack Food facebook.com/RetailNews1

@RetailNews1

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Kathleen Belton

kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Editor: John Walshe

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Tel: 00353 1 6785165 Fax: 00353 1 6477127

Sales: Brian Clark

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

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Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: morgan.stokes@tarapublications.ie

Printed by: W&G Baird

49

76

We look at some of the programmes

Editorial & Marketing Director:

Production: Ciara Conway

Emer Healy, Business Development Manager, Kantar, reflects on the last year in the Irish grocery market, when the Covid-19 pandemic changed how we shop, perhaps forever.

Sustainability

70

Today’s Women in Grocery have announced a virtual event, Looking Back To Move Forward, which will take place on Friday, September 17, 2021.

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

Graphics: Catherine McDonagh

36

Guinness 0.0

Shop Profile 20

Pritt, the nation’s favourite glue stick, is now more sustainable than ever.

Grocery Sector Overview

16

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Back to School: Henkel

34

Waste Management

Retail News Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

developed to highlight and promote Irish goods on-shelf, at a time when it has never been more important to support our homegrown heroes.

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

64 Pet Care 67 Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 74 Drinks News 77 What’s New 78 Forecourt Focus: News 80 Shelf Life

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Insurance reform group lodge THE Alliance for Insurance Reform (AIR) have made a formal complaint to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority over an allegation that solicitors are trying to unfairly extract legal fees from retailers who are dealing with personal injuries claims. The source of the complaint is a paragraph from a standardised letter, which is frequently used in letters of claims.

The original purpose of this paragraph “may have been to induce an early admission of liability, so that costs may be reduced and the matter disposed quickly and cost effectively,” said Peter Boland, Director of AIR. However, “policyholders are telling us the paragraph is now being used to extract legal fees from respondents in Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) settlements”.

Boland, who asked the Law Society of Ireland to stop using this paragraph, said it contravenes public policy, as PIAB is specifically in place to minimise legal fees. “That is outlined in the Programme for Government, and the Cabinet Committee Sub-Group on Insurance Reform. This [letter] is, in our view, an attempt to get around that,” said Boland.

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME), concurred: “Claims are handled in the first instance by PIAB. This is clearly an attempt to circumvent public policy.”

RGDATA are currently conducting an investigation and are asking members who are dealing with personal injuries claims if they encountered this text in letters received from solicitors over the past 12 months.

Peter Boland, Director, Alliance for Insurance Reform

In a comment to Retail News, the Law Society said the letter “is written in all cases where there are multiple respondents and where there may be an issue over who is fully or partially responsible for the accident. The purpose of the letter is to induce an early admission of liability so that costs may be reduced and the matter disposed quickly and cost effectively... This letter is provided only to ensure that a claimant is not left out of pocket by the failure of a respondent to admit liability, when they should, and costs against any such respondent are only recoverable against them when the claim is successful.”

The O’Byrne letter, as it is called, has been in place since 2004, they added.

But although the letter is intended for “multiple respondents”, Boland claimed that “it is now being used in claims with a single respondent”.

In the minds of shopkeepers, the paragraph is another example of how the insurance system is unfairly geared against them, adding to the high cost of premiums and pay-outs.

The Government has pledged to reform the sector through its Action Plan for Insurance Reform. The Plan sets out 66 actions to bring down costs for business and introduce more competition. Leo Varadkar is quoted as stressing that “Insurance reform is one of my top priorities as Tánaiste”.

Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General, described the Government’s commitment to insurance reform as “progressive and welcomed”. Retail Ireland Director Arnold Dillon described the move as positive, “but this has been an abiding source of massive concern for many years. The proof is to see these initiatives translated into meaningful

reform and reduction in insurance claims.”

New legislation - the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018 - is intended to crack down on socalled compensation culture. Insurance scammers will face up to 10 years in jail and a €100,000 fine once the bill has passed through the Oireachtas.

McDonnell described the bill as “a wake-up call to the authorities, the judiciary, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, that lying for money is a serious offence. If you go into a shop and stick your hand in the till and take €15,000, there’s a good chance you are going to jail - even for a first offence. It [insurance fraud] is a crime without any

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME). moral hazard at the moment.”

Earlier this year, the Judicial Council approved guidelines that will reduce pay-outs for personal injury awards by an average of 50%. “We’re not talking about catastrophic incidences,” said Buckley. “We agree those people should be compensated, but minor slips, trips and falls, with fully recoverable injuries,

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News

complaint over claims letters are leading to ridiculous pay-outs.”

The new guidelines “bring Ireland significantly into step with other jurisdictions,” agreed Dillon. “We’re hopeful that they will be reflected in the awards and settlements proposed by PIAB, and translated into cases that may arise before the courts.”

In 2019, the Chief Executive of Zurich Insurance told the Finance Committee that a 50% cut in awards would lead to a 20% fall in the cost of business insurance.

AIR and RGDATA are conducting a new survey to see if retailers have received

RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley. a reduction in their premiums, renewed in May following the introduction of the guidelines.

Early indicators, they claim, are not good.

“We haven’t totted up the survey yet,” said Buckley, “but the vast majority are saying their insurance is going up, not down”. Boland was also not optimistic: “Early feedback suggests it is not applying any downward pressure on insurance premiums.”

And the cost of claims pay-outs?

“It’s a bit too early to get a clear picture of how these changes have manifested themselves in terms of PIAB and the courts,” claimed Dillon. “If they are being abided by, we hope the insurance industry will follow up and ensure that significant cuts in insurance premiums are passed on to retailers.”

Concerned parties are trying to speed up the process. Sinn Fein’s Judicial Council Amendment Bill is intended to force insurers to outline how savings, as a result of the new personal injuries guidelines, are being passed onto customers.

RGDATA and ISME are calling for changes to Duty of Care legislation, as

outlined in the Occupiers’ Liability Act, 1995, which they say creates a “guilty until proven innocent” mentality for business. This, they say, encourages an assumption that policyholders need to protect adults from their own actions, such as in a 2017 case when a woman was awarded €20k for banging her knee against a table leg at a restaurant.

Defamation law has also fed into sizeable retail claims, argue retailers – including a loophole for fraud, with people pretending to shoplift, then taking a case against a shopkeeper after being apprehended.

Neil McDonnell called for new changes to streamline the claims process, such as setting up PIAB like the Workplace Relations Commission.

“People would have their hearings in there without lawyers, get their awards, and only go to court if an injustice is done there,” he said.

Insurance reform may be underway, but retailers are frustrated at the slow rate of progress, the lack of premium reductions, and continuing legal quagmires.

“From our perspective this is not just about ticking boxes, it’s about getting insurance costs down quickly,” said Boland. “There is an expectation that Ireland will recover from the pandemic through SME’s, but that will not happen unless insurance is resolved. It’s a matter of extreme urgency that this is done. This is not something that can wait.”

A statement made to Retail News by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment described the commencement of the Personal Injuries Guidelines as the biggest reform to date under the Government’s Action Plan: “The Guidelines have reduced awards and as a result, the Tánaiste now expects that premiums should also be reduced. That is logical and it is also the commitment that the industry has made. The Government wants to see savings due to these reforms being passed on to customers and in that regard, officials in the Department of Finance are already engaging with the Central Bank to consider further enhancements to the National Claims Information Database to measure how these savings are being passed on to customers. As such, technical work is required to review the current data specification and how it might incorporate these developments, including potentially though legislation.”

The Department’s statement stressed

the Government’s “major reform of the insurance sector in Ireland that has been led by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment”, who heads the cabinet sub-group on insurance reform, which is now implementing the Action Plan for Insurance Reform.

The Action Plan, published in December 2020, sets out 66 actions to bring down costs for consumers and business; introduce more competition into the market; prevent fraud and reduce the burden on business, community and voluntary organisations. 95% of these actions are due to be completed by the end of 2021, according to the Department, while the Insurance Reform Sub-Group will publish its first six-

Arnold Dillon, Director, Retail Ireland. monthly update report over the summer.

The Personal Injuries Guidelines, while important, represent only one part of the plan, according to the Department of Enterprise, who stress that other actions already achieved to date include: the establishment of a new office within Government to promote competition in the insurance market; the undertaking of a public consultation on enhancing the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB); and the introduction of new regulations on solicitors advertising.

Further actions in the Action Plan due for completion this year include: reform of the duty of care; strengthening the laws on perjury; expanding the National Claims Information Database; reforming PIAB; and responding to the Central Bank report on dual pricing.

“All of these reforms are going to make a difference; in addition to the personal injury guidelines reform, these changes are sought so that insurance should become more available and affordable for motorists, homeowners and businesses,” the statement concluded.

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Grocery sales down but confidence rising THE latest figures from Kantar show that the Irish grocery market declined by 5.2% year-on-year in the 12 weeks ending May 16, 2021. In the most recent four weeks, sales fell by 6.9% compared with the same period last year, which saw record-breaking growth at the height of Ireland’s first Covid-19 lockdown.

“While grocery sales may have dipped this month, that does reflect a tough comparison against the unprecedented spend we saw this time last year,” revealed Emer Healy, Retail Analyst at Kantar. “People are still filling their baskets more than they were before the pandemic, and if we compare the past 12 weeks to the same time two years ago, sales are actually up 18.8%.”

There are also positive signs that consumer confidence is on the rise, Emer explained: “With the ongoing vaccine roll-out and social distancing restrictions starting to ease, Irish shoppers are beginning to head back out and visit the shops more often. Consumers made an additional 2.1m trips to the supermarket in the latest four weeks when compared with last year. Retired people in particular are leading the charge. They visited the grocers an extra 380,000 times this month.

“The data suggests that once more restrictions are lifted, shoppers will be keen to get back to their town centres.

We’ve already seen people embracing the reopening of beauty salons this month, for example. Irish shoppers have taken the chance to pamper themselves rather than trying their hand at home makeovers.

Sales of haircare and hair colourants have dropped by 7.4% and 9.4% as a result.”

However, with lockdown rules still in place for much of the retail and hospitality sectors, shoppers have not shaken off all their lockdown habits just yet and many of the major themes of the past year prevailed again this month. “We’ve learned to rely on the convenience of shopping online for our groceries, and in the latest 12 weeks, online sales soared 38.3% compared with this time last year, adding €43.1m to the market,” Emer revealed.

“Empty nest families led the growth, boosting sales by 113% and spending an additional €11.2m on online shops versus last year.”

Since the early days of the pandemic, shoppers have stayed closer to home for their supermarket trips and made a greater effort to support Irish brands, as Emer noted: “We can see a real desire among shoppers to buy local. Irish brands have gone from strength to strength, and our data shows that Irish-made products and brands are generally growing faster than their imported counterparts.

SuperValu and Aldi have both announced that they will be increasing the number

MARKET SHARE - TOTAL GROCERY

Includes expenditure across Food, Beverages, Alcohol, Household and Health & Beauty categories Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend 12 Weeks to 17/05/20

12 Weeks to 16/05/21

% Change

(year on year)

% Change

(vs. 2 years)

%*

%*

%

%

100.0%

100.0%

-5.2%

18.8%

Total Multiples

88.9%

90.1%

-4.0%

19.8%

SuperValu

22.4%

22.2%

-6.0%

24.8%

Tesco

21.8%

21.6%

-6.2%

16.0%

Dunnes

21.0%

21.2%

-4.2%

13.0%

Lidl

12.0%

12.8%

0.7%

31.5%

Aldi

11.7%

12.2%

-0.9%

19.6%

Other Outlets**

11.1%

9.9%

-14.9%

10.0%

Total Outlets

* = Percentage Share of Total Grocers ** = Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers and Cross Border shops Source: Worldpanel FMCG

of Irish products in store, and the likes of Tayto, Brennans, Avonmore, Denny and also Cadbury, which is manufactured in Dublin, and have performed especially well in the past year.”

An unseasonably wet and cold May impacted shopper behaviour and changed what people were putting in their baskets this period, as Emer explained: “Last year, the beginning of barbeque season was a relief and an opportunity to do something different for many people during the first lockdown, but so far poor weather has meant that we haven’t been rushing to cook outdoors this time around. In the past 12 weeks, shoppers spent €330,000 less on chilled burgers and grills and €979,000 less on ice cream than last year.

People also spent €59m less on alcohol in supermarkets this period, the first yearon-year fall since the extraordinarily high alcohol sales during the lockdowns in 2020.

As pubs and hospitality start to reopen next month, we expect sales through the grocers will continue to fluctuate as people

can enjoy a drink out of their homes again.”

SuperValu continued to hold the largest share of the grocery market at 22.2%. This growth was primarily driven by shoppers returning to store more often, contributing an additional €41m.

Tesco remained in the second highest position with a share of 21.6%, while Dunnes accounted for 21.2% of grocery sales in this period. Both Tesco and Dunnes benefited from growing confidence among shoppers and attracted new customers into stores in the past 12 weeks, with shopper numbers up 25,100 and 28,200 respectively.

Aldi also brought more customers through the doors, boosting sales by €9m and helping it to retain a 12.2% share.

Lidl was the only retailer to grow in the past 12 weeks, increasing sales by 0.7% to account for 12.8% of the grocery market.

This was largely due to shoppers spending an extra €9.1m on branded items in store.

Grocery market inflation stands at -0.7% for the 12-week period ending May 16, 2021.

Buymie launch grocery delivery in Galway & Limerick BUYMIE are now offering grocery deliveries and full personal shopping services to over 190,000 Galway and Limerick residents since May 31. Shoppers can use the buymie app to shop online for a range of over 35,000 groceries from local partnering stores, Dunnes Stores, Lidl and Tesco, and can expect to receive the grocery delivery in as little as an hour or choose a selected date and time.

“We’re excited to be announcing our official launch into Galway and Limerick,” noted Devan Hughes, CEO and co-founder of buymie, at the launch. “We Devan Hughes, CEO and have seen incredible demand for the buymie sameday grocery delivery in Ireland and the UK and today’s co-founder of buymie. announcement brings the service to thousands more Irish households. As we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we are all going to be making up for lost time and using a service like buymie can give customers the option of taking back those two hours spent in the car, aisles and queues.”

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Aldi unveils revamped Project Fresh stores €60m in revamping the layout and design of all of their 145 stores nationwide.

Both stores offer a new layout, with a wide selection of fresh food at the front of the stores, hi-spec fixtures and fittings and new signage that provides a more efficient and hassle-free shopping experience. Both stores will be powered by 100% green electricity. Aldi have invested heavily in improving their energy management systems and their entire store network is now powered by 100% wind generated energy. Aldi have achieved ISO 50001 accreditation in recognition of their efforts to improve energy efficiencies.

Meanwhile, the retailer has also unveiled plans for a new store on Main St., Carrigaline, Co. Cork, on the site of the old Carrigaline Pottery which closed in 1979 after more than 50 years in business. Up to 50 jobs will be created during the construction period of the new Aldi store, with 30 permanent positions available upon opening.

The new store forms part of a larger Masterplan for the town centre site. Public consultation on the Masterplan is now open and runs until Monday, June 28. To help inform the consultation process, Aldi have made the Masterplan available to view online: https://www.

Aldi’s new Project Fresh stores have a wide selection of fresh food at aldi.ie/about-aldi/property/carrigaline. the front of the stores.

ALDI have reopened two extensively revamped Project Fresh stores, in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, and Kilrush, Co. Clare, following extensive renovation projects, which have seen the stores completely refurbished. Project Fresh sees Aldi invest a further

Pallas Foods rebranded as Sysco Ireland FOODSERVICE company, Pallas Foods, part of the Sysco Group since 2009, have rebranded as Sysco Ireland. The business has seen significant growth in recent years across the island of Ireland, supported by investment of €20m in the expansion and refresh of their delivery fleet and continued transformation of the company’s eCommerce platforms and IT infrastructure. This investment includes an €8m upgrade of the company’s existing site in Newcastle West and new facility in Cork in 2020.

Sysco Ireland have also announced plans to invest in two new facilities in Galway and Belfast, to support future growth ambitions.

“Sysco first acquired Pallas Foods in 2009; a customer first business which was built in the west of Ireland, and has since developed a comprehensive

national network,” said Peter Jackson, Sysco Ireland CEO. “In 2018, we began the brand migration journey which then accelerated significantly over the last 12 months. While there will be a new logo on our trucks, the values of our business and the legacy of always putting the customer first will not change. We create solutions for customers, we are committed to helping them be a success.”

The company unveiled a number of supports across 2020 for customer businesses impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. These included a partnership with Flipdish to help on-trade customers move to a takeaway model, as well as offers of 10% off online orders coinciding with reopening periods in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Sysco have reintroduced this offer for customers as indoor dining reopens in Northern Ireland

The newly rebranded Sysco Ireland fleet.

and outdoor dining in the Republic of Ireland.

“Our business is driven by people,” stressed Peter. “From local growers, producers and suppliers who we’ve worked with for many years, to our colleagues throughout the country, each of them plays their part in supporting our customers. We will continue to support local jobs across Ireland, both directly in our workforce, and by sourcing 70% of our products from Irish suppliers, many of which are family-run or smaller artisan businesses. Our new online platform Sysco Store gives these businesses a great virtual shop window on which they can tell their story, market their products and promote their brands. We are looking forward to welcoming more people to the Sysco team in Ireland across 2021 and beyond.”

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€6 billion milestone raised by the National Lottery for good causes THE National Lottery have announced that a landmark €6 billion has been raised by National Lottery players for good causes since the National Lottery began 34 years ago.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD reflected on the special place the National Lottery holds in Irish society, having been set up by the Government in 1987 with the primary purpose of raising funds for good causes in the areas of health, sport, arts and heritage, youth and the environment.

“When the National Lottery was launched in Ireland in 1987, very few people would have foreseen the incredible impact it would have in every community, parish and town throughout the country,” he noted. “Over the last 34 years, thousands of communities, sports clubs, individuals and organisations have benefited from National Lottery funding and I am delighted to announce that funds raised for good causes in that time have now exceeded an impressive €6 billion. These funds continue to play an invaluable role in funding good causes that support our communities across the country.”

“We are immensely proud of the contribution of the National Lottery to communities through our good causes fund,” said Andrew Algeo, Chief Executive of the National Lottery. “By playing National Lottery games, our players have helped us to raise €254m in 2020 for local sports clubs, community organisations and charities across the country.”

28c from every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes

Pictured at the National Lottery’s milestone announcement are Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Andrew Algeo, Chief Executive of the National Lottery, and Jennifer Crowe, CSR and Good Causes Relationship Manager.

back to the Good Causes Fund. The monies raised for good causes are combined with central Government funds and are used to part-finance expenditure by various Government Departments on projects in sport and recreation, national culture, heritage, the Irish language, the arts, health, community, youth, and the natural environment.

Pettitt’s open €4m SuperValu Bray store years of experience, expertise, PETTITT’S SuperValu opened and family values to our new the doors to their brandPettitts SuperValu store in new SuperValu store in Bray Bray,” revealed Cormac Pettitt, on June 10, with a number Pettitt’s SuperValu Managing of surprises organised for Director. “The welcome we locals to mark their arrival in have received from the local the seaside town. community has been amazing.”

The Bray store is the Michael Twohig, Head of seventh SuperValu store for Store Development Operations the long-standing Wexford at SuperValu, said: “At family business, and it is SuperValu, we believe in described as a state-of-themaking communities better art supermarket which has Pictured are Irish rugby stars Tadhg Furlong (left) and Jack by caring for our environment. seen an investment of €4m. Conan (right) with Pettitt’s Supervalu Managing Director From a sustainability Already playing its part in Cormac Pettitt (second from right) and Store Manager for perspective, Pettitt’s new store Bray’s local economy with Pettitt’s SuperValu Bray, Dan Hegarty (second from left). in Bray is a shining example up to 80 staff employed in vouchers were distributed for cult Irish of the best that SuperValu has the new SuperValu store, the coffee brand Frank and Honest, which to offer and has been designed to be as Pettitt family and SuperValu have many were redeemable at the new barista environmentally friendly as possible. The plans to establish themselves in support counter in-store. store is fully equipped with eco-friendly of the community.

Greystones natives, The Happy Pear LED lighting, using 60% less energy than The family recently announced a twins were also be in attendance at the standard lighting, while its refrigeration partnership with Wicklow GAA, whereby opening, showcasing their offering, and units will run on naturally occurring Pettitt’s will sponsor the Wicklow Minor giving away a luxury hamper to one lucky gases, saving 500 tonnes of CO2 per Hurling & Football Championship for customer.

2021, highlighting their support for annum, the equivalent of planting 25,000 The store provides Click and Collect grassroots development. trees, compared to standard refrigeration dedicated car parking spaces for busy The team at Pettitt’s SuperValu Bray gases. These measures will complement commuters, in addition to SuperScan ran a number of competition giveaways SuperValu’s ambitious sustainability technology which allows customers to around the opening, including SuperValu targets, which are focused on packaging track their spend and pack as they go, a vouchers, tickets to the nearby and carbon emission reductions as part service that remains in place even as the Powerscourt Distillery, and two annual of our ambition to positively impact the pandemic restrictions begin to ease over Gold Finch passes to Kilruddery House & world we live in.” the coming months.

Gardens.

For more information, visit “We are very excited to bring our many www.pettitts.ie.

For the opening day, over 1,000 coffee

8|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

News Lidl sign supply deal with Irish artisan coffee producers

Lidl’s deal with five local artisan coffee producers will see 10 brand new freshly roasted coffees on shelves nationwide.

LIDL have announced several deals collectively worth €2.5m with five local Irish artisan coffee producers: Brady’s Coffee Company in Co. Wicklow, Soma Coffee Company in Co. Cork, The Galway Roast in Co. Galway, Bravo Tango in Co. Tyrone, and SlumberJack Coffee in Co. Antrim.

The 12-month contracts will see 10 brand new freshly roasted coffees on Lidl shelves, bringing affordable barista quality coffee to Irish homes.

“As a retailer committed to supporting local food and drink producers, we’re delighted to establish new relationships with such fantastic homegrown artisan producers, particularly after such a tough year for many small businesses,” said Gary Murray, Head of Buying at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland. “We were blown away by the passion these businesses have for coffee and the quality of their produce as a result. And we’re confident that our customers will love them just as much too.

“This partnership reflects Lidl’s commitment to provide shoppers with top quality produce at the best possible price while also supporting ambitious local suppliers. We are delighted to be welcoming these five new producers to our ever growing network of more than 260 local Irish suppliers.”

Bord Bia getting the nation growing BORD Bia recently celebrated Bord Bia Bloom 2021 and encouraged the public to embrace their gardens and outdoor spaces this summer. For the second year in a row, the public could take part in #BloomAtHome via a series of virtual initiatives and events providing gardening advice and inspiration.

New for 2021, Bord Bia are sharing seven easy to follow garden design and planting plans to help the public create a dream garden at home.

“Bord Bia Bloom is our annual showcase for horticulture and gardening in Ireland, and Sisters Alanna (7) and while we cannot be physically together in Alyssa (5) Keeley from Inchicore in Dublin the Phoenix Park, we are delighted to bring launched Bord Bia Bloom the joy of Bloom direct to people’s homes,” 2021. revealed Tara McCarthy, CEO, Bord Bia. “The garden has experienced a renewed sense of importance over the last year as a result of the restrictions we have all had to adhere to. Connecting with the outdoors and nature has also been increasingly recognised for the role it plays in mental health and well-being. We are delighted to be able to offer Irish gardeners, from beginners to those with more established green spaces, with inspiration and guidance on how to create a garden they can enjoy across all seasons as we celebrate the 15th annual Bord Bia Bloom.”

In addition to the new garden designs, Bord Bia hosted a range of virtual activities and initiatives over the June Bank Holiday weekend, including live talks hosted by RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan, and BBQ recipes and tips from some of Ireland’s best known chefs.

For more information, visit BordBiaBloom.com.

90% of Irish consumers happy to test food at home rather than in-store ALMOST 90% of Irish consumers are happy to test food and drinks at home as an alternative to traditional supermarket taste testing, according to research undertaken by leading food and drinks sensory and consumer research company, Innovate Solutions, which offers Home User Testing to businesses seeking to gain key insights on their target consumers’ tastes.

Innovate Solutions surveyed over 2,000 Irish consumers and found that the vast majority responded that they are willing to test consumer products sent to their homes, as it is a convenient, positive user experience.

Consumers feel at ease in their own homes when testing and can sample products and answer questionnaires about the products at a time that suits them. If consumers are feeling relaxed in their own homes, they are more likely to give more accurate and detailed responses.

“Home User Testing has increased in significance in food and product testing and is transforming how businesses connect with their consumers,” said Aidan Murphy, Business Development Director, Innovate Solutions. “Covid-19 forced businesses to adapt how they gain insights on their consumers’ taste preferences, with Innovate Solutions’ Home User Testing service proving a game-changing alternative to supermarket in-store testing.”

For more information, visit InnovateSolutions.ie.

Tesco customers bake a difference

Pictured at the iconic blue door of CHI at Temple Street, are John Doyle, Head of Portering, and Deirdre Keating, Assistant Community Colleague, Tesco Ireland, celebrating the Great Irish Bake 2021, with Tesco Ireland aiming to raise €150,000 for the hospital.

TESCO called on shoppers across to support this year’s Great Irish Bake fundraiser to raise much ‘kneaded’ dough for the little heroes in CHI at Temple Street. Customers who visited Tesco stores from May 17-23 could support the annual fundraising initiative by donating €1 at the till or at the checkout online, with 100% of the funds raised going to Children’s Health Foundation Temple Street.

“The Great Irish Bake for Children’s Health foundation Temple Street is a fundraiser that we continue to be hugely passionate about, which is why at Tesco, we have made it easier than ever for our colleagues and customers to get involved and support it in any way they can,” noted Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland. Since the partnership began in 2014, Tesco colleagues and customers across Ireland have helped to raise over €6m to purchase much-needed equipment for the hospital’s theatres, wards, laboratories and intensive care units.

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10|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Costcutter support for Triathlon Ireland’s youth programmes COSTCUTTER are fostering a healthier future for Ireland’s athletes through their support for Triathlon Ireland’s youth programmes. Under a new agreement, Costcutter will become ‘Official Retail Partner to Triathlon Ireland’ and the official supporter of all of Triathlon Ireland’s youth and kids’ activities, ahead of the start of Triathlon Ireland’s first ever Youth Series - a summer long series of triathlons for 12-17-year-olds around the country. The Youth Series supported by Costcutter marks the first time the sport has launched a nationwide competition for young people and is a reflection of the substantial growth in youth triathlon in recent years. “We are delighted to be sponsoring Triathlon Ireland, and particularly are looking forward to the activation of the Youth Series,” said Jim Barry, Managing Director of Barry Group. “To have the opportunity to work with such a progressive organisation that is rooted in communities, like Costcutter, is a perfect alignment for us. In such a momentous year for the brand as we celebrate Costcutter’s 21st birthday, we look forward to getting to work with these athletes and meeting them at events around the country.” Jim Barry is pictured (second from right) with Holly Barry, Brand Strategist, Barry Group (second from left) and Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coombes, and two young athletes.

Green & Black’s mark 30 years with new intensity scale GREEN & Black’s are marking their 30th birthday with the announcement of a new Intensity Scale which brings to life each bar’s unique balance of delicious taste cues. Eric Matthews, head chef at Michelin starred restaurant Chapter One, is also lending his taste expertise to the brand, demonstrating exciting food pairings for a unique tasting experience for Green & Black’s fans. Developed alongside taste experts, including Brandt Maybury, Green & Black’s Taste Ambassador, The Green & Black’s intensity scale was derived from exploring a range of important qualities that affect chocolate preference, defined by varying degrees of cocoa, levels of sweetness, and overall flavour intensity. Each bar in the Organic range is measured from one (the least intense) to 10 (the most intense) so, just as you would choose your coffee, you can see at a glance which bar will suit you best.

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps return for summer 2021

THE GAA, in partnership with Kellogg, has launched the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, offering children a healthy, fun and safe summer outdoor activity.

Starting on June 28 and running up to August 27, the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps will run in line with government guidelines and subject to the advice of the relevant authorities. The successful health and safety measures from last year, when over 70,000 children attended across the country, will be implemented again and built on for the 2021 camps. Kellogg ambassador and Mayo Football Star, Cillian O’Connor was on hand to launch the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps and will front the ‘Cúl Start’ campaign alongside Kilkenny Camogie Star, Grace Walsh, with a range of social video content to be delivered across Kellogg’s social channels throughout the Summer. B*Witched star, Sinead O’Carroll was also in attendance and is looking forward to sending her kids, Samarah and Zain, to this year’s camps. Cillian and Sinead are pictured with brothers Paddy, aged 13, and Tom Nolan, aged 10, of St Brigid’s GAA Club in Castleknock, Dublin, and Adriana Fayiah, centre, at the launch of the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, in Croke Park, Dublin.

Cuthbert the Caterpillar to land on Irish shores NOW that Cuthbert the Caterpillar is a proper A-list celeb, Aldi are bringing him over to Irish shelves and want to donate all profits to the Irish Cancer Society. Cuthbert went on sale in all 145 Aldi stores nationwide from May 20, priced at €7.99, with all profit from sales being donated to the Irish Cancer Society! Cuthbert is also doing a charity skydive to help raise even more funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Aldi are encouraging people to show him some support by sponsoring his dive via his Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ caterpillarsforirishcancersociety.

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12|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News National Lottery Good Cause of the Year revealed LOUGH Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub in Co. Roscommon was named National Lottery Good Cause of the Year and also won the Health & Wellbeing category at the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, which were broadcast virtually from the Mansion House in Dublin recently. When Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub realised how prohibiting fishing boats are for people with disabilities and special needs, they were inspired to bring about change and make the healthy activity accessible for all. The group approached the Irish Wheelchair Association and a number of disability groups to draw up designs for a unique vessel, which has now become the first of its kind in Ireland and Britain. Other winners included Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, Raphoe Community Sports Development, Gaelphobal Thamhlachta, Autism Support Louth & Meath, Immigrant Council of Ireland, and Graffiti Theatre Company, with all category winners receiving €10,000 each, whilst the overall Good Cause of the Year, Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub, received an additional €25,000. Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub’s Alan Broderick is pictured with Sarah Orr from the National Lottery.

48% increase in dairy consumption for Under-35s during lockdown NEW research from the National Dairy Council shows that when it comes to living a healthy, modern lifestyle, young Irish adults think that milk is the perfect fit.

Nearly one third of young adults without children indicate that their consumption of dairy products has increased since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown.

This increase is significantly higher for young adults with children; almost half (i.e. 48%) of these respondents says their milk consumption has increased by nearly 50%. Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council (pictured), said, “In these unprecedented times, it is heartening to know consumers are seeking out dairy products because they know they can rely on their natural nutritional value and they can be assured of the quality of locally produced Irish dairy. Our research shows that almost four in ten [39%] consumers under 35 have increased their consumption of milk, cheese and yogurt during the Covid-19 pandemic. On top of this, almost all consumers [88%] state that Irish dairy produce is superior to other countries’ produce and 82% want the Irish dairy sector to be successful and supported into the future.”

Flahavan’s donate €10,000 to South Eastern Mountain Rescue THE Flahavan’s company and staff donated €10,000 to South Eastern Mountain Rescue on May 20, following their Team Step Challenge for National Workplace Wellbeing Day on April 30. In total, Flahavan’s staff walked more than six million steps across the May bank holiday weekend, with Team Crohaun ultimately achieving the highest number of steps with over 645,000 steps walked by team members Martin Coffey (captain), Fergal Waldon, David Coffey and Lisa Gannon. Flahavan’s Financial Controller Annie Flahavan and Managing Director John Flahavan are pictured presenting the cheque to Michael J. Power, John Foley, and Tony Fitzgerald from South Eastern Mountain Rescue.

New Head of Sales at Nestlé Ireland NESTLÉ Ireland have appointed Moira FitzGerald as their new Head of Sales. Moira assumes responsibility for the commercial function for an extensive portfolio of products across their confectionery, beverages, food, nutrition and pet care categories.

She will lead Nestlé’s commercial strategy in Ireland as they continue to expand their presence and deliver year-on-year category growth. With almost 20 years’ experience within the food and drinks industry, Moira has a proven track record of driving business performance cross category, having been Sales Director with Mars Ireland, where she led the commercial strategy the across chocolate, gum, pet care and food categories.

Wheely good Dealz SAVVY shoppers were treated to a wheely good time as retail reopened in Ireland. Dealz pampered those who braved the queues on the first day back on the high street. The discount retailer chauffeured early bird shoppers from O’Connell Street to its stores located close-by in Dublin City Centre. They were also awarded a post-reopening pamper pack from the retailer that included some of its Pep & Co. clothing brand. Pictured were early shoppers Ellie Concannon, Roisin McDonagh and Anna Browne from Galway on Henry Street, Dublin.

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14|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Coca-Cola take to the skies

COCA-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland have partnered with Manna Drone Delivery to support faster and more sustainable delivery of their products. The drone delivery service is available now in Oranmore, Galway, the largest commercial drone delivery trial of its kind in the world, with plans for further roll-out to Irish towns in the coming months. The trial in Oranmore delivers products up to 2kg within the town of circa 10,000 residents and the provider offers deliveries from leading grocery outlets, take-aways etc. and now by direct purchase. “In essence, our partnership with Manna will be our first ‘direct-to-consumer’ offering, delivering our drinks directly and rapidly to homes across Oranmore, with or without a takeaway or other delivery,” noted Coca-Cola HBC’s Head of eCommerce, Annmarie Markey. For more information, visit https://oranmore.manna.aero/.

Cadbury launch chocolate gift card boxes NEW Cadbury Chocolate Gift Card boxes contain 20 treats made from delicious Cadbury chocolate that are packaged into a gift box that you can personalise with a handwritten message inside, perfect for adding that personal touch and spreading the love. With four bright and bold, beautiful box designs and two delicious flavours of 20 chocolates to choose from, Hazelnut Creme Hearts and White Chocolate Truffle Flowers, these chocolate cards are the perfect treat for a loved one to celebrate a special moment, or just because they deserve it!

New gum litter campaign launched MEDIACOM Ireland have joined forces with the Gum Litter Taskforce to drive awareness of the ‘Bin Your Gum When You’re Done’ campaign. The initiative aims to inspire behavioural change by showcasing positive ways to dispose of chewing gum.

The campaign involves the utilisation of audiovisual, out of home (OOH), radio, digital audio, and digital display advertising formats, as well as a social media campaign utilising influencers and a digital brand partnership with Greencastle Media, owner of the Lovin, Joe.ie and Her.ie media brands. Nicola Forde, Corporate Affairs Manager, Mars Wrigley (left), Avril Donlon, Executive with the Gum Litter Taskforce (centre), and Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment Ossian Smyth TD (right), are pictured with students from Loreto College Junior School at the launch of the Gum Litter Taskforce campaign.

Heineken’s got the bottle for EURO 2020 TO coincide with the kick-off of the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament, Heineken are releasing a set of limited-edition team bottles in the off-trade so fans can show their support with every sip. There are 24 different bottles, one to represent each of the countries competing, available in packs of 6x33cl and 20x33cl, supported by a full TTL campaign with TV & DOOH guiding consumers in-store. In-store Heineken POS will communicate a new activation to win exclusive Euro 2020 merchandise, which will be supported by heavyweight social activity. A new TV advert will also be broadcast on Irish channels during the tournament, supporting the journey of rivalry among the 24 competing nations. “These unique country flag bottles are a celebration of what will be a great month’s action on the pitch,” noted Peter Green, Off-Trade Director, Heineken Ireland.

WaterWipes research reveals reality of parenting CONSTANT worry, mum brain, being compared to others and not being prepared for the reality of nappy rash are just some of the concerns cited in a study carried out by WaterWipes as the most surprising and irritating aspects of parenting. The research also revealed that a staggering 95% of parents said their baby experienced nappy rash, with over 40% going on to say that they were worried their baby was in pain or distress. The research follows on from a recent independent clinical study by the University of Salford, which revealed WaterWipes to be clinically proven to be the number wipes against nappy rash. “I am not surprised by the findings of the research as all aspects of parenting can be really daunting,” said Rosanna Davison, mum and WaterWipes spokesperson (pictured).

“Parents just want to ensure that their little ones are happy, comfortable and content. Some of my friends have experienced nappy rash with their children and it can be really distressing for baby as well as parents. In our house we have always been huge fans of WaterWipes and they are always close to hand!”

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16|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

Cereal thrillers!

Kellogg’s have just launched a pioneering Wellbeing Manifesto, which will see the company tackling salt and sugar, increasing fibre and addressing its carbon footprint over the coming decade.

Sarah Ferguson, General Manager, Kellogg Ireland, explains the reasoning behind the changes.

ONE of the best-known and most loved brands in Ireland, Kellogg’s have unveiled a new decade-long plan to further improve their foods so that they are better for people, the community and the planet. Over the next 10 years, the company will tackle salt and sugar, make its kid’s cereals even better, increase fibre, feed more people in need and address the carbon footprint of both its packaging and operations across the continent.

Sarah Ferguson, General Manager, Kellogg Ireland, explains what the company’s Wellbeing Manifesto means for the brands themselves and the consumers who love them.

How is the Irish cereals market evolving?

“We know people want healthier options when it comes to their breakfast so as part of our Wellbeing Manifesto, we have committed to reducing salt by 20% and sugar by 10% in our kids’ cereals across Europe by the end of 2022. The best part about this is that we are doing so without affecting the great taste. We are proud that, as a result, all our children’s cereals will now be classified as non-HFSS. This means the salt and sugar content in our kids’ range is, according to the traffic light labelling system, either green or amber, which is a significant step for us.

“We also see that our customers and consumers are looking at not only what products they are buying and what is in them but also at the company and what actions they are taking to become more responsible. In response to this, we have made significant commitments in our Wellbeing Manifesto, including introducing a new cereal box which will have less air space and packaging, meaning we will use almost 190 tonnes less cardboard and plastic annually.”

How has the category been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic?

“We have noticed that because people are spending so much more time at home during the pandemic, they are taking more time to eat breakfast and as cereal is a convenient yet nutritious option, we have seen an increase in demand over the past year. We also saw that consumers were looking for comfort and familiarity during what has been an unsettling year for the most part and Kellogg’s cereals provided just that.”

How is the general trend towards health and wellness impacting on cereals?

“At Kellogg’s, we made the decision to grow in the health and wellness space and as a result, our brands are growing with our customers and consumers. The Wellbeing Manifesto we launched in Ireland in May speaks to this and demonstrates to both our consumers and customers just how committed we are to listening and responding to their needs.

“Bran is the fastest growing segment over the past year as consumers are taking a greater interest in gut health and we have seen a 29% sales increase in the Bran segment alone. In response to this, we are leading growth at Kellogg’s by creating gut health events in-store and we have built on our plans to capitalise on this trend.”

You have just announced a new Wellbeing Manifesto. Why now?

“Our Wellbeing Manifesto is something we have been

Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie|17

Retail News Interview working hard on and we are so proud to have launched it and communicated our ambitious commitments. However, before we did this, we wanted to identify what our consumers wanted from us as a leading food company and then we looked at what we could do in response to this within the next 10 years.

We identified needs such as sustainability and salt and sugar reductions as top priorities and we are delighted to roll-out changes in these areas as early as 2022.

“It includes a commitment to reduce sugar and salt in cereals gradually over a period of reformulation, as well as ensuring there is more fibre in Kellogg’s cereals.”

How important a role can and should food manufacturers play in the issue of consumer health and how much is down to individual consumer responsibility?

“At Kellogg’s, we recognise that we have a role to play as leaders in the food industry. People are rightly demanding more from companies like ours and everyone expects good food to do a world of good too. We agree. That’s why we are launching a new effort to improve our foods and taking ownership of that responsibility. For example, we have committed to helping address Ireland’s chronic lack of fibre by ensuring many of our breakfast foods are either a source or high in fibre by the end of 2023.”

What more can manufacturers do in this area?

“We are constantly looking at how we can do more for our consumers. However, it is not always possible to make instant changes. For example, reducing salt and sugar in our Kellogg’s products is not as straightforward as it may sound. We will not compromise on taste when it comes to these reductions, meaning our products go through a rigorous process to ensure we can fulfil our promise without affecting the great taste our customers and consumers know and love. We are really excited about our latest commitment to reducing 20% salt and 10% sugar in our kids’ cereals by the end of 2022.”

“

Working with communities across Ireland is imperative to our business and something we put a focus on each year.

In 2021, we will make a cash donation of €63,000 to fund breakfast clubs at 28 Irish schools.

”

One of the other big changes announced was a packaging reduction, which will save 700 tonnes of carbon. Sustainability has grown in importance to consumers in recent years. How important is the area of sustainability to Kellogg’s?

“Sustainability is at the heart of our business, not just in Ireland but globally. We feel that the key is to continue to listen to our customers and consumers, identify how we can improve in certain areas and take innovative action.

“As part of our Wellbeing Manifesto, we have committed to 700 tonnes of carbon to be stripped out of our operations as a result of planned changes to our packaging. Our plan is to launch a new type of cereal box with less air space and packaging, meaning we will use almost 190 tonnes less cardboard and plastic annually which, combined with transport efficiencies, will remove 700 tonnes of carbon a year. The new packs will include the same weight of cereal, the same great taste and will roll off production lines this spring.”

Kellogg’s are launching a new type of cereal box with less air space and packaging, while still containing the same weight of cereal.

18|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview What else can be done to ensure the company is operating as sustainably as possible?

“As sustainability plays such a crucial role in our operations, we understand that making breakfast for millions takes more than great ingredients and great people. Water, energy and packaging materials are all vital parts of the process too.

“With this in mind, we have committed globally to achieving a 30% reduction in water use in facilities in high-water-stress regions by the end of 2030. We have also committed to reducing organic waste, including food waste, across our facilities by 50% by the end of 2030, and by 2050, we promise to have 100% renewable energy sources across our operations globally.”

You are also continuing to fund school breakfast clubs across Ireland. How important is the area of CSR to Kellogg’s? What role can market leading multinationals like Kellogg’s play in the development of society as a whole?

“Working with communities across Ireland is imperative to our business and something we put a focus on each year. In 2021, we will make a cash donation of €63,000 to fund breakfast clubs at 28 Irish schools. These donations are being made in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland and will benefit around 2,000 children

“

Our plan is to launch a new type of cereal box with less air space and packaging, meaning we will use almost 190 tonnes less cardboard and plastic annually which, combined with transport efficiencies, will remove 700 tonnes of carbon a year.

”

SARAH Ferguson is General Manager of Kellogg’s in Ireland and joined the Kellogg Company in 2004 when she became part of Kellogg’s field sales team in Southampton, England. She has since progressed through a number of commercial roles within Kellogg’s UK sales organisation, followed by a stint as European Sales Capability Director in Manchester, before moving to Geneva to support the commercial functions of the company’s Pringles business.

In 2020, Sarah took the lead of Kellogg’s Irish organisation and oversees a team of 30 who are responsible for all aspects of the company’s commercial operations to sell and supply its foods across the Republic.

Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of York.

“We are proud to have donated a total of €360,000 to school breakfast clubs across Ireland since 2013.

“During the pandemic last year, we began working with FoodCloud in Ireland to donate surplus food to charities and community groups, offering a nutritious breakfast to service users across the country.

“We are also delighted to have announced that our Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps will return this summer, offering children a healthy, fun and safe summer outdoor activity. Despite challenges encountered last year, the 2020 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps proved a great success and provided a welcome diversion for over 70,000 children across the country from the Covid-19 restrictions. It also marked an important milestone by welcoming the one millionth participant to the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps.”

What do you see as the role of a company like Kellogg’s, going forward?

“Our company was founded in 1906 by a visionary vegetarian who believed that a plant-based diet was the right diet. What we have announced in our Wellbeing Manifesto is a continuation of that idea but updated for the 21st century by looking at the total impact of our food on people and the planet. We are committed to this work and we will continue to make progress and to play our part.”

The Kellogg’s portfolio includes some of the best loved cereals in Ireland.

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20|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Shop Profile

Costcutter awake in the west

Throughout Barry Group’s 21 years of operating the Costcutter franchise in the Republic of Ireland and now the outright ownership of the brand, they have always been proud to partner with retailers who truly are ‘Proud to be Local’. The Corrigan family, owners of Costcutter in Ballintubber, are a testament to this statement and are a beacon for community involvement done right.

WITH the last year being earmarked with change and disruption due to Covid-19, it has been a challenging year for convenience retailing. For Michael Corrigan, owner of Costcutter Ballintubber, Co. Mayo, the true extent of these challenges ring in close to home as they undertook a store revamp of their 2,100 square feet retail outlet during this period.

“We were very lucky to have most of the work carried out between lockdowns in 2020,” Michael explained. “While managing Covid-19 restrictions made the work a little more difficult, we were delighted to work with local suppliers and trades persons.”

This store revamp brought the store on spec with Costcutter’s up-to-date brand image. Created in house by a multi-disciplinary team in Barry Group, Costcutter’s spec has been created in line with the needs and wants of the modern consumer, while being heavily influenced by global trends in convenience retailing. Utilising effective store flow systems, vibrant and immersive slogans, the brand’s new visual identity has proved successful, being welcomed by retail partners and customers alike.

“Costcutter’s new store spec has been developed over the last three years and has been accompanied by a suite of symbol brands which further enhance the instore customer experience,” revealed Jim Barry, Barry Group Managing Director. “As always, we strive to ensure that the Costcutter brand is at the cusp of cutting-edge convenience retailing, offering our retail partners a competitive edge against other retail outlets in their communities. This movement towards our new visual identity has been a key part in this journey and we look forward to announcing further initiatives in the coming months.”

A family-run business A shared ideal between the Corrigan family and Barry Group that has fuelled the success of this partnership is the value they

Costcutter Ballintubber is prepared for ice cream season with Freezi Licks Ice Cream, a true crowd pleaser.

both place on family business.

Reflecting on this shared value, Edwina Lucey, Barry Group Sales Director, stated, “As a third generation run family business, we uniquely identify with the needs of family businesses. We understand their innate strengths, their values and the challenges they face in the process of running a successful business. It has been a pleasure partnering with the Corrigan family and we look forward to further developing this partnership in the future. Both Michael and his family are involved in the running of this thriving store and together, ensure its growing success. With the establishment originally being bought by Michael and his wife Mary in 1998, this family-led team was expanded, introducing Michael’s sisterin-law, Yvonne, as Store Manager a year later. However, true to the nature of family businesses, the team act as extended

Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie|21

Shop Profile

The inclusion of an Urban Sips coffee station has made a huge impact and built a strong and loyal audience.

family, with some having over 20 years of service.”

“Our fantastic team have played a huge part in our success to date over the past 22 years. We are lucky enough to have a committed team who have been with us over the years and share our vision of being customer focused,” said Yvonne Corrigan.

Shared focus Michael and Mary Corrigan demonstrated admirable skill and determination opening their store during a period which will go down as one of the most difficult years in living memory, not only in the world of convenience retailing but in all elements of business. However, the cooperation between both the Corrigan family and the Barry Group team, both long established business operators, was evident from the beginning of the project.

From a store fit perspective, the project ran like clockwork under the guidance of Store Development Team Lead, Sean Hunt. From a fresh food perspective, Joanne Barry, the Fresh Food Team Lead, delivered on the new and improved full deli offering, including training and development, which has been maintained to a very high standard.

Additionally, the ongoing servicing of the account is handled by Derek Touhy, Account Manager, who supports the store on a day-to-day basis.

With a shared vision and focus, this partnership has gone from strength to strength and continues to flourish, as Derek Tuohy explained: “The success of this project was firmly rooted in the hard work and commitment from the Corrigan

family. We were delighted to support them on their journey”.

Fact File:

The ‘WOW’ factor The fruits of this labour can be seen not only in the finish of the store, but also its success to date. The store offers an extensive range for a forecourt, which has been designed to meet the needs of the modern consumer and features the best of the Costcutter offering, with an Urban Sips coffee station, which has made a huge impact and built a strong and loyal audience. The addition of Urban Sips has not only increased coffee sales in this retail outlet but has also positively affected deli sales. Additionally, as we head into sunnier months, Costcutter Ballintubber is prepared for ice cream season with Freezi Licks Ice Cream, a true crowd pleaser.

Location: Ballintubber, Co. Mayo

Changes in the convenience trade The Corrigan team have 22 years of experience in the trade, but even these experienced retailers took many key learnings from the last, unprecedented year. Firstly, speaking on category mix, Yvonne pointed out that there has been a noticeable shift from general grocery to convenience, with an emphasis on deli and takeaway. Additionally, a key change in their business was the introduction of a delivery service which, due to Covid-19, became an integral part of their business.

The pandemic also meant the closure of their new seating area. “The last lockdown came into effect just two weeks after we opened our seating area for coffee and dining so we are looking forward to getting it back up and running,” said Michael. Although their deli trade has remained steady, they are looking forward to welcoming back their customers to sit down and relax while enjoying their food.

Owner: Michael & Mary Corrigan Size: 2,100 square feet retail space No. of Staff: 7 full time & 24 part time Opening Hours: 07:30-22:00, Monday-Saturday; 08:00-22:00, Sunday

Michael Corrigan, Store Owner, Costcutter Ballintubber.

Moving forward For the Corrigan family, the last year has been a whirlwind due to the global pandemic but has been a great learning experience as they adapted and refined their business model to reflect today’s customer. “It has been busy so far during a year of restrictions, so we’re really excited to experience normal life in retail again soon,” concluded Yvonne.

“We welcome the day where our loyal customers can come in-store, sit down, relax and enjoy a cup of Urban Sips and some of our fantastic deli offerings.”

The Corrigans’ Costcutter team are looking forward to welcoming back their customers to sit down and relax while enjoying their food as soon as restrictions allow.

22|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

TWIG

TWIG launch virtual event for 2021 Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG), a subcommittee of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF), have announced a virtual event, ‘Looking Back To Move Forward’, which will take place on Friday, September 17, 2021.

TWIG have just announced a virtual event, which will take place on Friday, September 17, 2021, featuring a panel of senior business people from across the grocery industry and beyond. This virtual event, hosted by Sonya Lennon and themed ‘Looking Back To Move Forward’ will give the panel an opportunity to look back on each of their careers and their experiences, both personal and business, particularly in the past 12 months, and share with the audience their stories.

Speakers include: •

•

•

• •

Gráinne Wafer, Global Brand Director, Diageo Róisín Hennerty, Managing

Director, Global Foods

Division, Ornua Sinéad Bryan, Managing

Director, Vodafone Business Chupi Sweetman, CEO, Chupi Sharon Buckley, Commercial Director, Musgrave Group, and IGBF President of Appeals.

While the event may be virtual for 2021, the first 500 registered attendees will each receive one of the now famous TWIG goody bags.

“On behalf of the TWIG committee and the wider IGBF charity, we would like to thank the industry most sincerely for its continued and generous support to both TWIG and the IGBF throughout the years,” said Sharon Yourell Lawlor Chairperson, TWIG. “After a challenging year for many within our industry, this event will offer people, both within and outside of our industry, an opportunity to hear our panel of speakers reflect on their own successful careers, the challenges they have faced and take learnings for the future,” Sharon continued. “Learnings on how people can take control of their careers, identifying the direction they want it to go in and making it happen.

Again, the calibre of inspiring women we have speaking this year is a testament to the time that senior women within business give to supporting others.

“As we begin to emerge from the pandemic and move towards a brighter future, this event will provide inspiration to leading industry figures on the value of reflecting on past learnings and moving forward with confidence. The TWIG luncheon event is a sell out each year and in many ways, by hosting a virtual event in 2021, it will open it up to a wider audience.”

Frances Higgins, Vice Chair of the IGBF and TWIG committee member,

noted, “Due to the ongoing impact of Covid 19 on our ability to fundraise, charity revenues have been impacted significantly. The TWIG event will raise vital funds in support of people across the trade, in need of our help. We would also like to extent our gratitude to each of our sponsors, Musgrave, CPM and Suntory Beverage and Food Ireland, for their continued invaluable contribution to TWIG and the IGBF and to welcome Diageo on board this year as new sponsor of the TWIG event. Without their sponsorship and your continued support, the IGBF charity could not continue in its efforts to help those in need within the grocery industry in Ireland.”

As one of the charity’s chief fundraising events in 2021, the tickets will remain at €250 each or 10 for €2,500.

Please contact Michelle Thornton at Hotel Solutions to book tickets on 01 6309211 or email michelle@hotelsolutions.ie. For those who have already booked and paid for tickets for 2020, please contact Michelle to confirm and guarantee places/goodie bags.

The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund in conjunction with Today’s Women in Grocery are delighted to invite you to:

Online Event

Friday 17th September 2021 Time: Price:

1pm - 2.30pm €250 per person (Includes Goody Box!*)

*The first 500 registered attendees will receive a TWIG goody box

Raffle: Fantastic prizes to be won!

All ticket queries to Michelle at Hotel Solutions DMC Email: michelle@hotel-solutions.ie Phone: 01 6309211.

Speakers Compére: Sonya Lennon Designer & Entrepreneur

Gráinne Wafer Global Brand Director Guinness, Diageo

Róisín Hennerty Managing Director Global Foods Division Ornua

We look forward to seeing you!

Sinead Bryan Managing Director Vodafone Business

Chupi Sweetman CEO Chupi

Sharon Buckley Commercial Director Musgrave Group President of Appeals IGBF for 2021

SINGLE USE PLASTICS DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

THE NEW MARKING MAY APPEAR ON THE BACK OR LATERAL SIDE OF THE PACK, DEPENDING ON PACK CONFIGURATION. THE TAX STAMP PLACEMENT HAS CHANGED ON SOME PACKS TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW MARKING.

THE NEW MARKING WILL APPEAR ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS WITH FILTERS AND FILTERS MARKETED FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

www.jti.com/Ireland

1. What is the EU Single Use Plastics Directive?

The Directive was adopted by the European Union in 2019 and aims to prevent and reduce the impact of plastic on the environment. As a company committed to sustainability, reducing our environmental impact is a priority for JTI. Tobacco filters are in scope of the Directive, along with other products including wet wipes, sanitary products and beverage cups.

5. Do retailers need to remove older products without the new marking from sale?

No. In this case there is no clean market deadline, so it is business as usual.

Products without the new marking, supplied to the first distributor in Ireland before 3rd July 2021 can be sold until stocks are depleted. Stock should be rotated as usual. Retailers can be assured that any tobacco products without the new marking received from JTI either before or after 3rd July 2021 may be sold.

2. What is changing?

Over the coming months, the outside packaging of many cigarette and Roll Your Own tobacco products will change to include a new marking to inform consumers about the presence of plastic (natural plant polymer) in filters and filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products, as well as provide guidance on disposal.

6. When will retailers receive the packs with the new marking?

That will depend on the rate of sale in any given store and will take place gradually over the coming months. Packs with the new marking will be distributed as older stocks are depleted and stores re-order.

3. What is on the new marking?

The marking is composed of two equal-sized red and blue boxes, which are placed next to each other, and a rectangular black box containing the information text ‘PLASTIC IN FILTER’ placed underneath, or as close to the box as possible, in both English and Irish, ‘PLAISTEACH SA SCAGAIRE.’ 4. Where will the new marking appear?

This will vary depending on the particular product, but the marking must be placed on the back or lateral side of the pack.

For some products, the placement of the tax stamp will change to accommodate the new marking.

7. Will the quality of JTI’s tobacco products change?

Absolutely not. JTI’s blends are not changing and will continue to provide adult smokers with the highest quality tobacco products.

8. Is this the only change to tobacco packaging retailers should be aware of?

Due to the size of the new marking, the packaging of a small number of JTI products will be changing to ensure the new marking can be accommodated on pack.

Your JTI Business Advisor will inform you of these specific changes well in advance of impacted products arriving to stores.

9. Do these new rules impact tobacco products in other countries?

Yes. These changes are part of the EU Single Use Plastics Directive and impact all EU Member States.

For more information please contact: JTI Ireland Limited, 1st Floor 4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24 Telephone: +353 (0) 1 4040200 This communication is for tobacco retailers only and should not be made available to the public nor should it be displayed in any area where it is visible to the public.

26|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Buying Irish: SuperValu/Guaranteed Irish

SuperValu supports Guaranteed Irish Food Month SuperValu are encouraging Irish shoppers to Buy Irish & Support Local this June for Guaranteed Irish Food Month, especially when research has shown that for every €1 spent on Irish goods €5 comes back to the local economy.

TO mark Guaranteed Irish Food Month, SuperValu are partnering with Guaranteed Irish to encourage shoppers to buy Irish and support local this June. The call comes as a staggering 93% of respondents to a survey said they try to buy Irish foods when they shop.

of 521). 80% of the survey respondents underestimated this return: 47% of consumers believe that for every €1 spent, it delivers €1 to the Irish economy, 33% believe it delivers twice the return, €2 for every €1 spent, and only 20% of respondents recognise that for every

The research also shows that when it comes to buying Irish, the top four reasons included: • • • •

To support jobs (76%); To support local producers (72%); The quality of local food is better (51%); Shopping local has less of an environmental impact (47%).

The positive return of shopping local However, the research showed that respondents underestimate the positive return of shopping local and the positive impact it can have on economic recovery following Covid-19. Eurostats research shows that for every €1 spent on Irish goods, €5 comes back to the Irish economy, a boost which could be hugely beneficial to local producers as they look to rebound following the pandemic (Source: Eurostats, Research conducted from May 17-20, 2021, representative sample

The award-winning Le Skinny Chef range, founded and run

by Aymar Gourdet, is available in-store as part of SuperValu’s Food Academy Programme.

Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie|27

Buying Irish: SuperValu/Guaranteed Irish €1 spent on Irish goods, €5 comes back to the Irish economy. With Ibec stating that 250,000 jobs are linked to the agri-food sector, imagine if everyone understood how simple it was to support the Irish economy.

Consumers also think they are spending more on Irish products since Covid, with 20% of respondents stating they are spending close to an additional €10 weekly on Irish products. In line with previous research, consumers said when it comes to buying Irish, 72% try to buy staple products, such as bread, dairy and meats, while 40% prefer to select Irish artisan food products such as jams, sauces and cheeses.

SuperValu’s strong support “We have always believed in supporting local and this has taken on added importance during Covid-19,” explained Ray Kelly, Marketing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners. “Throughout the pandemic we have been doing what we can to support local producers and to generate awareness of Irish brands through our work with Food Academy, our Monday Market initiative and Sustainability Sundays.

This June as the country reopens to hospitality, we want to go a step further and call on the Irish public to buy Irish and support local, whether it’s your local food producer, shop or café for Guaranteed Irish Food Month.

“At SuperValu 75% of all our goods are sourced in Ireland, supporting a massive 1,800 Irish suppliers, so we know first-hand the importance of supporting local Irish producers,” Ray continued.

“Today’s research shows that a massive 80% of consumers underestimate the positive return of shopping local; this June, if

Sarah Hennessy from Durrus Cheese, one of the many Irish food producers participating in SuperValu’s Food Academy Programme. consumers purchased one additional Irish product weekly, imagine the positive impact we could have on jobs throughout Ireland.”

According to the new research, 30% of consumers recognise SuperValu as the leading retailer when it comes to stocking the best Irish food products. A further 79% of respondents said they keep an eye out for the Guaranteed Irish logo when they are doing their food shopping.

Other research highlights include: • 67% of survey participants said Irish food is a higher quality compared to international brands / foods, 32% believe it was the same quality, and only 1% believed it was of less quality; • For the majority Covid-19 has not changed their diets at 43%, 30% are cooking more at home, 14% believe their diet is healthier and 13% are eating more local food.

Standing up for Irish producers Speaking about the launch, Bríd O’Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish, said: “We already know that through the multiplier effect, every €100 that is spent in the local economy is actually worth €500 to that same local economy (Eurostats). This effect works in such a way that when money is spent locally, it circulates and is retained within that local economy, reinjected through further expenditure on local goods, services, and wages - as opposed to ‘disappearing’. The manufacture of food and drink products is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most important indigenous industries and accounts for 9.7% of total employment, proving to be a strong driver of regional development.

“In supporting Guaranteed Irish Food Month this June and through initiatives such as Monday Market, SuperValu are encouraging their customers to stand up for Irish producers and support local. Research by Guaranteed Irish showed that 70% of consumers look for an Irish quality mark of ‘trust’ and 77% want to know if the ingredients are truly Irish, so the desire to support local is there and we hope to see Irish consumers support local this food month.”

28|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Buying Irish: SuperValu Food Academy

Optimism abounds in Food Academy SuperValu Food Academy’s Irish food and drink start-ups are optimistic, with 93% expecting to grow revenues in 2021.

ACCORDING to new research

by SuperValu, Irish food and drinks start-ups are optimistic about their future growth, with 93% indicating they expect revenue growth in 2021. Despite the various challenges posed for the sector by the Covid-19 pandemic, 71% of producers plan to expand their workforce in 2021.

The research comes as SuperValu announced 45 new Irish food producers who have completed the Food Academy programme, Pictured are (l-r): Oisín Geoghegan of the Local Enterprise Offices; Ciara McClafferty, supported by Bord Bia and Trading Director, SuperValu; Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia; and Sam Pearson of the Vegan the Local Enterprise Offices Sandwich Co. (LEOs), which recently went on sale in selected SuperValu stores. The study shows producers and the quality of locally sourced that increased consumer demand for Irish is a fantastic example for those with smaller food and drink products. products (41%) is the number one driver of operations to sell to a wider audience. Nearly growth, followed by increased exposure and 300 have gone through the programme so far, Cultivating sustainable SMEs opportunities through Food Academy (27%). supported by the Local Enterprise Offices, Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia said: “The At the same time, economic uncertainty and Bord Bia and SuperValu. Congratulations partnership approach of the Food Academy the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic are to the 45 new producers that will be selling programme has created a real opportunity the most significant causes for concern for their products in SuperValu from today. It’s a to cultivate sustainable small food and drink producers. brilliant achievement and a great opportunity Now in its eighth year, Food Academy businesses by supporting them through for all involved.”

Ciara McClafferty, Trading Director, is a unique food business development the initial challenging phases of growth.

SuperValu, said: “We believe in local programme between SuperValu, Bord Bia The producers receive a combination of business and are proud to continue to and the Local Enterprise Offices. Participants commercial and marketing insight from Bord support local producers across the country. in the programme receive training in food Bia, as well as expert advice in branding, In collaboration with Bord Bia and Local safety, market research and branding, market research and business development, Enterprise Offices, the Food Academy allows marketing, finance, sustainability, and which arms them with the tools to strengthen us to help new businesses grow and get the business development. their chances of success. These innovative support they need. The survey shows that and dynamic food businesses play an integral A brilliant achievement 98% of participants found the programme role in Ireland’s agri-food sector both locally “The combination of Brexit and Covid beneficial. The exposure to new customers, and nationally, so it’s really encouraging has truly tested Irish food producers, our increased brand awareness, mentorship, and to see a new wave of start-ups and supermarkets and their supply chains,” how the programme supports producers to entrepreneurs optimistic about the future.”

The Food Academy programme currently admitted the Tánaiste and Minister for grow sustainably, are invaluable elements Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo highlighted by the producers. The programme supports 290 Irish food and drink producers, including 140 female entrepreneurs, Varadkar TD. “The industry has remained allows us to use our experience to help small generating €170m in sales. In 2020, there remarkably strong and resilient throughout businesses through their journey, from the was a 15% growth in SuperValu Food what has been a really challenging period, start-up to getting their products on our Academy sales, with participants earning adapting and responding as things have shelves 52 weeks of the year.”

The survey respondents also stated that €28m. The Food Academy programme changed. Ireland’s food and drink producers the top two reasons they believe consumers supports 1,500 jobs in local communities are known around the world for the quality of nationwide. their produce. The Food Academy programme choose to buy Irish are to support local

Northern Ireland.

Bringing our world-class food and drink to your table.

When you source food and drink from Northern Ireland you can be sure of its pure, natural, quality.

That’s why Invest Northern Ireland’s Food and Drink division works with local producers to help them take their products around the world. Whether it’s helping companies to find new markets in the Republic of Ireland, or working with UK supply chains to drive new sales, Invest NI partners with our local producers to help them identify new trends, bring forward innovative products and grow their business.

Learn how you can serve our quality food and drink.

Northern Ireland. Altogether more.

For further information contact Jen Guiney, Invest NI E: Jen.Guiney@investni.com M: +44 79 8511 1024

Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Co. Antrim

We work with NI producers to help identify new trends, bring forward innovative products and grow their business.

30|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Buying Irish: Love Irish Food

Supporting homegrown brands As the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting Irish produced food and drink brands will be more important than ever, writes Kieran Rumley, Executive Director, Love Irish Food.

LOVE Irish Food is a not-for-profit organisation with an exclusive focus on Irish produced food and drink brands. Established in 2009, the association promotes Irish manufactured food and drink brands to consumers and works to build the future of one of Ireland’s largest and most important indigenous industries.

With over 60 member companies, members account for in excess of 12,000 jobs in the food industry. The association is made up a wide number of brands, from large employers like Cadbury Ireland, Britvic Ireland, Manor Farm, Keelings, Flahavan’s, and Boyne Valley, to new members Tayto Snacks, Cusine de France, and Killowen Yogurt, and to other well know brands such as McCambridge, Ballymaloe, East Coast Bakehouse and Folláin.

Look for the heart The message from Love Irish Food to Irish shoppers is to look for the heart symbol when instore. The logo helps shoppers identify Irish produced brands.

The trademarked Love Irish Food logo now enjoys 88% consumer recognition, which makes it easier for shoppers to support local.

Whether #shoplocal, #supportlocal or #shoplocalireland, there is one single call to action from shoppers, which is a move to supporting locally produced food products, from Kieran Rumley, Executive Director, producers based in Love Irish Food. local companies spread

throughout Ireland. This movement was strong in 2020 and is set to grow further in 2021.

Overcoming challenges The past year has seen some of the biggest challenges to the food industry with the complexity of Brexit coming into effect and the direct impact of Covid-19. The Government responded with a number of key industry initiatives. Over 40% of the Irish workforce was on some form of income support in March. But the reality is that as the country emerges from the pandemic through the roll-out of the vaccination programme, the support structures put in place will be withdrawn. The PUP and EWSS will be closed off towards the end of Q3 and then will we see the true impact of the unemployment rate. Estimates vary from 8% to 16% unemployment at that stage. Shopper support for Irish produced food will be greatly needed.

With over €8 billion of food imports, shoppers will actively support local producers and especially those that they can clearly identify as being produced in Ireland. Love Irish Food will be there to drive this message with a significant media and promotion campaign for this period. Our members will actively drive a strong message to ‘Support Local’ and they will be further assisted by new initiatives from Love Irish Food as the organisation engages greater support from the retail trade to work with Love Irish Food to identify locally produced brands in store, with the Love Irish Food logo.

Green Ireland podcast series Love Irish Food have recently launched our ‘Green Ireland’ podcast series to explore different topics affecting the Irish food industry, from changing consumer trends, to support for the shop local movement, sustainability, and digital transformation.

The podcast series, hosted by Conall O Móráin, also delves into the food industry’s role in helping to rebuild the economy and overcoming the challenges of Brexit and Covid-19 currently facing the industry. It is now available to listen to on Spotify, ACast and iTunes.

Keeping it local #loveirishfood

Need more?

Contact Kieran Rumley, Executive Director. kieran.rumley@loveirishfood.ie www.loveirishfood.ie

32|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Buying Irish: Grow with Aldi

Grow with Aldi expands Aldi will sell 108 Irish products as part of the Grow with Aldi Supplier Development Programme, with applications up over 30% for 2021.

57 of Ireland’s most innovative Irish food, drink and non-food suppliers have won a new contract to supply Aldi’s 145 stores through the Grow with Aldi Supplier Development Programme. There are 44 new suppliers this year, along with 13 suppliers who have re-entered the competition and are returning with brand new products.

This year, the Grow with Aldi message also focused on sustainability, and entrants were encouraged to demonstrate how their product/company is focusing on sustainability within their business. In the last four years, almost 800 Irish suppliers have entered the Grow with Aldi programme, with the highest number of entrants ever in 2021.

108 exciting Irish-made products from the 57 suppliers went on sale nationwide as part of an Aldi Specialbuys event, for two weeks from June 6.

Diverse product range A diverse range of products was selected for 2021, including books, cheese, a make-up brush cleaner, chocolate, tea and dog treats! The new additions complemented Aldi’s existing portfolio of Irish products; the retailer already works with over 330 Irish suppliers and will sell over €1 billion worth of Irish goods this year.

Developed in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi supports small and medium Irish suppliers in listing with a national retailer.

Suppliers receive tailored mentoring, along with workshops from the Aldi Buying Team and Bord Bia technical experts, teaching them the skills to help grow and develop their product, brand and business.

Five of the Grow with Aldi suppliers will then be given a further opportunity, winning a contract for their product to be sold in Aldi’s Irish stores year-round. In 2020, the winning suppliers and products were: • • • • • •

Dromod Boxty (Dromod, Co. Leitrim) Saturday Pizzas (Little Island, Co. Cork) Hellbent Boerewors Sausage (Newtownards, Co. Down) The Popcorn Factory Candy Floss (Coleraine, Co. Derry) Prokulture Organic Kombucha (Sallins, Co. Kildare) The Piccolo Pizza Co. Pizza Sauce (Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow)

Showcasing sustainability “The first three years of the programme were very successful for everyone involved, and Aldi forged new links with fantastic Irish

suppliers from around the country,” said John Curtin, Aldi Group Buying Director. “During Covid-19, we were also in a position to help even more small Irish suppliers listing on our shelves as part of the Grow with Aldi programme, and we know that the quality of food and drink produced in Ireland is outstanding. This year, we asked suppliers to include products that highlight their work on sustainability, and they’ve certainly answered our call.”

Giselle Makinde from Cream of the Crop Gelato, one of the Grow with Aldi suppliers for 2021.

Commenting on the programme, Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO, said: “As we enter another challenging period for the food industry, it’s hugely important we continue to support our local Irish food and drink producers. The Grow with Aldi programme plays an important role in showcasing the distinctive, innovative and delicious products small and medium Irish suppliers are working hard to create. The programme also supports participants as they develop essential business skills and capabilities through workshops and tailored mentoring, which is key to building a resilient and thriving indigenous food and drink sector for the years ahead. Congratulations to the suppliers that have made it this far.”

Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie|33

Buying Irish: Clonakilty Food Co.

New look for Clonakilty Pudding CLONAKILTY Food Co., makers of Irelands best-selling pudding, have launched their ‘new look’ packaging for Clonakilty Blackpudding and Clonakilty Whitepudding.

Clonakilty Food Co., a family run business based in Clonakilty, West Cork, are proud of their story, product heritage and quality ingredients and wanted to bring this to life on their packaging.

The story of Clonakilty Food Co. began in 1976 when Edward Twomey purchased the butcher shop in the centre of the West Cork town and with it came a secret recipe for black pudding.

This recipe dates back to the early 1880s and plays a central role in the company’s success today. Edward and his wife Colette decided to label the black pudding and local sign writer Tomás Tuipear designed the logo when it became apparent that this black pudding was in great demand locally. Thanks to the Twomey’s passion for the black pudding and their sheer determination, the popularity of their black pudding spread beyond the town and in to nearby villages, towns and counties.

As the Clonakilty Blackpudding brand grew throughout Ireland, so too did the Clonakilty brand, with the Twomey’s focused on adding new products to their range, including Clonakilty Whitepudding, Clonakilty ‘Ispíní’ Sausages and Clonakilty Rashers.

Clonakilty have unveiled new look packaging for their famous Clonakilty Blackpudding and Clonakilty Whitepudding.

The butcher’s bike Always proud of their heritage, family origins and quality ingredients, the company made the decision that their packaging should evolve to reflect them. The butcher’s bike, which is central to the new identity, proudly sits outside their family butcher shop on Pearse Street in Clonakilty to this day. This is the shop where the black pudding was first made in the 1880s using the original Clonakilty Spices, a secret family recipe that has been carefully handed down through generations of butchers. It remains the same to this day and is known only to Clonakilty Food Co. owner Colette Twomey.

Clonakilty’s new pudding design brings to life the brand story, quality ingredients and heritage. It may be a new look but it is the same great recipe, delivering the same great taste.

new look

S ame Great Taste lf

he Now on s

A family of great taste.

130mm x 180 CBP New Pudding.indd 1

14/05/2021 11:06

34|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Back to School: Henkel

Pritt sticks to sustainability Pritt, the nation’s favourite glue stick, is now more sustainable than ever.

CONSUMER goods company, Henkel, have relaunched their famous Pritt stick, bringing some good news during lockdown for climate-conscious children, teachers and crafters. The new generation of Pritt sticks is even more sustainable and environmentally friendly than before; the glue is made from 97% natural ingredients (including water and potato starch) and the stick container consists of up to 65% post-industrial recycled plastics (depending on stick size). The sticks are fully recyclable.

“The new formula comes with the same excellent performance – Pritt is every bit as safe, durable and flexible as ever,” explains Daniela Alves, Pritt Brand

Manager at Henkel UK. “Replacing a significant amount of plastics with postindustrial recycled plastic and ensuring the tubes are recyclable is good news for children, parents and teachers who care deeply about plastic waste.”

97% natural ingredients

Pritt has been unique in the market for many years thanks to its safe and strong formula based on potato starch and sugar, reaching 90% natural ingredients.

Now the Henkel product development team have managed to reach 97% percent natural ingredients, while keeping Pritt’s well-known strength and high gluing power. Pritt glue continues to offer a

strong initial tack, remains repositionable and provides a long-lasting adhesion to materials with low wrinkling of paper.

Recycled and recyclable materials

The relaunch is in line with Henkel’s packaging targets for 2025. The new glue stick container is fully produced using recycled plastics (up to 65%, depending on the stick size).

Pritt stick is available in three different sizes – 11 grams, 22 grams and 43 grams – and in different colours.

The product is solvent-free and can be washed off, even at 20° C degrees.

How to recycle a Pritt stick

Recycling a Pritt stick is easy: • • • • The new generation of Pritt sticks is even more sustainable and environmentally friendly than before.

Empty it.

Rinse it.

Put the cap on.

Recycle it with your other plastics.

Find out more about Pritt at prittworld.co.uk.

36|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Grocery Sector Overview

A year like no other Emer Healy, Business Development Manager, Kantar, reflects on the last year in the Irish grocery market, when the Covid-19 pandemic changed how we shop, perhaps forever.

2020 was a year of change and uncertainty that nobody could have predicted. Covid-19 changed the way we lived our daily lives and disrupted usual routines. As many of us were confined to our homes to limit spread of the virus, and with hospitality venues shuttered for much of the year, the impact on our spending was profound.

For the grocers, restrictions brought in to tackle the virus provided a significant boost to demand, as shoppers stocked up in the supermarket to cater for more meals eaten at home. As a result, sales of take-home groceries in the 12 months to February 21, 2021, hit a record €13.26 billion, up 18.4% on the previous year.

Throughout the year, we saw shoppers forming new habits in response to Government advice and

restrictions. Shoppers started adding more items to their trolleys each time they ventured into the supermarket and spending more per trip. At the same

Emer Healy, Business Development Manager, Kantar.

Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie|37

Grocery Sector Overview buying their groceries online, and we expect digital sales to go from strength to strength in the year ahead.

Retailers had to act quickly to introduce measures which would ensure the safety of their staff and shoppers in-store. time, frequency of trips declined as we adhered to Government guidelines and limited time spent out of the home.

As well as changing how we shopped, the pandemic affected what we were putting in our baskets too. Alcohol, take-home savouries and home cooking ingredients were the fastest growing categories over the course of the year – demonstrating the fact that we were looking to treat ourselves and recreate those meals we’d usually have on-thego or in restaurants and pubs.

There are also signs that consumers opted to buy local throughout the pandemic. Our research shows that 44 of the 100 top selling take-home grocery brands in Ireland during 2020 were produced within our own borders, as shoppers turned to brands that they know and trust during a difficult time.

Switching on to online Another significant behavioural change brought about by the pandemic was the rise of online grocery shopping.

The clear benefits of having groceries delivered, both in reducing time spent

out of home and allowing shoppers to avoid visiting physical stores, were particularly compelling for older and more vulnerable people. Online spend among retired shoppers in the 52 weeks to March 21, 2021, increased by 104% year on year.

Over the month of December, a record-breaking 11% of Irish households bought groceries online, and purchases made over the internet accounted for 4.1% of grocery spend during the month, compared with 2.8% in 2019. The online channel captured €10.5m worth of sales from bricks and mortar stores during that time.

Throughout 2020, we saw more and more shoppers make the move online, with 152,000 new online shoppers recruited throughout the year. This heightened demand resulted in online grocery sales growing 127% over the 52 weeks to March 21.

In response, retailers worked quickly to invest in their eCommerce platform and improve capacity. This will have gone a long way to remove the barriers preventing shoppers from embracing

Responding to demand Over the course of the year, throughout lockdowns and other restrictions, we relied heavily on the supermarkets to feed the nation. Retailers had to act quickly to introduce measures which would ensure the safety of their staff and shoppers, such as installing social distancing barriers and hand sanitiser stations in-store and investing in abovethe-line communications campaigns.

It’s clear that they rose to the occasion in terms of ensuring shoppers heading into the store were met with a safe environment and well-stocked shelves. And in addition, all five major chains in Ireland now have an online offer in some capacity – up from three out of five in 2019.

In terms of the retailers’ performance, the sudden disruption to our lifestyles turned in SuperValu’s favour. The retailer’s network of local stores catered to those staying close to home, and it became market leader from April to October following more than 20 periods of Dunnes taking the top position. The two retailers continue to compete for top spot in an incredibly competitive market; at the time of writing, just 1.1 percentage points of share separate the top three retailers – Tesco, SuperValu and Dunnes.

Forming new habits As we adapted to our new lifestyle, new habits were formed as we catered for more meals at home. With many people working from home and caring for school-aged children, there were more mouths to feed in many households across the nation, and fewer opportunities for eating out of the home or on-the-go.

During the first four weeks of the first national lockdown, we saw shoppers looking to recreate those occasions they’d usually have out of the home, trying out different cuisines and indulging themselves. Sales of home baking ingredients rose 52% compared with the same period the previous year, while international ingredients grew 41% and beer and wine 70%.

This behaviour has been consistent throughout the course of the pandemic; shoppers turning to the supermarkets for those little luxuries, with take-home confectionery, take-home savouries and alcohol growing strongly over the year.

One factor which is likely to have long-term impacts on the market is

38|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Grocery Sector Overview

working from home. Currently, 43% of Irish shoppers say they are working from home due to Covid-19. While this has been a short-term necessity to limit the spread of the virus, home working was a pre-existing trend which has been accelerated by the pandemic. It’s unlikely that the return to “normality” will include a return to full-time office work, with employers likely to take a more flexible approach to working location now that home working has become the norm. This will cause a longer-term shift in spend away from hospitality and on-the-go outlets and categories.

A good example of this is coffee.

Previously a mainstay of commuter life, coffee was likely to be picked up at cafés in urban centres and transport hubs, but during the pandemic these on-the-go drinks have been replaced by at home alternatives. Sales of ground coffee and coffee beans increased 42.6% in value and saw a 10.8 percentage point increase in shopper penetration in the 32 weeks to November 2020. The extent to which that spend starts to return to cafés and on-the-go outlets depends on the balance of working from home and the office as we start to reopen society.

Christmas celebrations after a year like no other The way we spent our Christmas was also impacted as an extraordinary year came to a close. Shoppers started Christmas shopping earlier - 61% of respondents to a Worldpanel Plus survey of 52,000 consumers in October 2020 said they started buying presents and gifts earlier due to Covid-19 - and this wasn’t the only change that the pandemic brought about. In comparison to Christmases gone by, we were a lot less social. In the same survey, 84% of people said that they would be seeing fewer family and friends than in previous years. Given the challenges many had

faced over the course of the year, most shoppers wanted a more toned-down approach to Christmas than in previous years, with only one in four saying they wanted Christmas to be more extravagant than previous ones.

As Ireland marked a Christmas like no other, the emphasis remained on retailers to feed the nation after a year of uncertainty. Even though there was a temporary easing of restrictions on eating and drinking out in December, most still turned to the supermarkets to provide some sorely needed festive cheer, and it was the busiest month on record for sales. Though festivities were

by necessity rather muted, that didn’t stop Irish families from looking for ways to keep spirits high. An extra €6.7m was spent on chocolate confectionery in December. We also parted with €3m extra on cheese and, as we all raised a glass to the end of 2020, alcohol sales soared by 33%.

With restrictions in place, many couldn’t get home to spend Christmas with their nearest and dearest, prompting spend from shoppers in the capital to surge strongly, with spend in the Dublin area outstripping the rest of the country.

Having more time at home than ever before, shoppers had the perfect opportunity to plan for Christmas.

Saturday, December 19, saw over €60m of sales going through the checkouts as shoppers stocked up early. Many looked to minimise the amount of time spent out of home and avoid busy periods in order to comply with Government guidelines. This will have been a big motivator for those opting to get the Christmas shop in early to avoid the last-minute rush. That said, Wednesday, December 23, was the biggest day of grocery trade, with half of households visiting a store on that day. This mirrors 2015 when Christmas last fell on a Friday.

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Grocery Sector Overview

Looking to the future - impacts of recession Looking forward, how shoppers respond to the impact of the recession will be key. Already, 37% of Irish people say that their household income has been impacted by Covid-19 and a further 29% expect it will be in the future. Looking at shoppers’ attitudes, consumer confidence is already low; even prior to the pandemic (as at July 2019), 25% already believed they would be in a worse position a year on from then. We know from the experience of the 2008 recession that the impact was not felt by shoppers until six months after the financial downturn itself began. So this negative sentiment about their own circumstances is likely to deepen over the coming months.

How the recession and recovery play out will have significant impact for the grocery industry. During the last recession, we saw value sales decline in the market, with shoppers spending less but with a steady increase in volume sales, which maintained normal levels of growth.

For grocery retailers, a positive is that even when our financial circumstances change, we are not likely to consume less food and drink, and other areas are more likely to take the hit of household budgets being tightened. What we might see is shoppers opting for private label lines and other cheaper alternative options - a sharp about-turn from the success branded lines have seen throughout the pandemic. We will likely see more shopping around as people seek out the best prices to manage down their spend, with Aldi and Lidl set to benefit from this broadening of store repertoires.

But regardless of where people shop or how much they pay for a product, we know there are key areas which perform well in a recession as shoppers

adapt their behaviours to suit their new circumstances. Eating and drinking out is one of the first things to go, and alongside this, we see a rise in home baking and cooking. Non-essential categories, such as wash additives, decline in importance as consumers focus on keeping well-stocked in staple products like bread, fruit and veg and eggs.

Looking back to 2008, one of the more surprising changes was purchasing habits when it came to alcohol. As out-of-home drinking at

pubs and bars reduced, we saw the number of households buying alcohol from grocery retailers increase, though sales in value terms still declined as we tightened our purse strings. Similar to our choices during the pandemic, we still sought to treat ourselves throughout the recession, purchasing more crisps and confectionery products. The volume of fresh meat purchased declined, with spend instead diverted to frozen and chilled foods. This reflects perhaps a desire for convenient options, and the intention to be less wasteful with our resources.

As non-essential retail and hospitality venues reopen gradually throughout 2021, demand for the latter is still likely to be diminished compared with the period prior to the pandemic.

Though we can clearly expect more activity than during 2020, when trying to save money, eating and drinking out of the home is the first port of call for many consumers. Thus, grocers are in prime position to meet consumers’ needs going forward, as long as they focus on delivering good value private label options, keep a close eye on range and adopt an omnichannel approach which puts customers’ needs front and centre, whether online or in-store.

Reusable Packaging Brings Cost Savings and

Throughout every part of the grocery retail process, every to overall cost savings.

industry, four main areas in which waste can be a consistent problem are in product waste, labour, storage, and packaging.

Fortunately, reusable packaging is uniquely positioned to help reduce waste in all of these categories.

Reusable packaging protects product, reducing product waste Reusable packaging is stronger than single-use alternatives, reusable packaging is designed to withstand many trips, created with more consideration for functionality.

In nearly all cases, this consideration for ideal design is also applied to the way that the product inside reusable packaging fares throughout the trip. Reusable packages have reinforced walls, stronger bases, more complex latches, and end, the ability to protect your products allows you to sell more of what you order, at a higher quality. This ultimately

Reusable packaging saves valuable time, reducing labour waste Reusable packaging is also designed to be easier to use, ultimately saving workers time and reducing your labour costs. Single-use packaging such as corrugated often breaks down, causing labourers to pick up the slack. Reusable packaging stays strong and does not have to be maintained, cleaned up, re-taped, broken down to be disposed of after prevent added together, it is easy to see how much time they can save your labour force.

Reusable packaging eliminates wasted space box sizes. This can lead to mismatched boxes being stacked

clumsily on top of each other, creating disorganisation and messes. Reusable packaging, on the other hand, often comes in consistent sizes and is designed with nested footprints so crates can stack neatly and securely on top of each other. Most reusable products are foldable as well, allowing workers to neatly store empty crates out of the way. packaging promotes a cleaner backroom and reduces wasted space.

Reusable packaging eliminates packaging waste, promoting a more sustainable operation Single use packaging is unsustainable. Reusable products need to be disposed of and can be reused hundreds of times. do break down after many uses. These recycled products usually go into the creation of more reusable packaging, continuing the sustainable cycle.

Why Choose Tosca Understanding your unique supply chain challenges and providing reusable packaging solutions to create more efficient supply chains, is what Tosca has been doing for more than 100 combined years. Tosca acquired Polymer Logistics in December 2019 and Contraload in August 2020, joining three major players in the global food supply chain space into one stronger partner. Together as one brand, Tosca is ready to serve customers with top-of-theline customer service, a more robust portfolio of products, a growing and global network, and nimble and innovative R&D and manufacturing capability. Tosca’s products, including crates, pallets, bulk containers, displays, and more, are designed to be individually powerful, and together unbeatable.

Tosca enables a future of sustainable solutions for packaging and transport and helps to make disposable packaging a thing of the past. As one stronger partner, Tosca is revolutionising grocery supply chains all over the world. Choose Tosca to help you reduce unnecessary waste in your supply chain and increase product quality, labour efficiency, space efficiency, and sustainability.

A stronger partner for higher performing supply chains: Tosca Polymer Logistics and Contraload are joining Tosca—forming one global partner with 100+ years of combined reusable packaging experience and new ability to serve your entire supply chain from the first mile to the last mile

Solutions mindset

Toscaltd.com

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© Tosca Services. All Rights Reserved

Global network

Financial scalability

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Snack Foods

A snack supreme The market for snack foods continues to grow, as consumers have treated themselves to their favourite savoury treats during the pandemic.

THE savoury snacks category has largely benefitted from the pandemic since early 2020, according to the latest report into the sector from Euromonitor International, who report that the snacking trend has increased during lockdown. As the key distribution channels remained open, consumers have still been able to purchase savoury snacks as normal throughout lockdown, with the majority of sales coming via supermarkets.

Unlike chocolate confectionery in Ireland, which is characterised by multinational players, Irish brands dominate sales of savoury snacks, with Tayto being the biggest. The Tayto brand still enjoys considerable brand loyalty amongst Irish snack lovers.

Tayto Irish crisp legend, Mr. Tayto has been busy in the kitchen over the past year, showing the country there are some positives to come out of lockdown.

Tayto are supporting their number one range with NPD, limited editions, and advertising support planned for the second half of 2021.

Source:*Nielsen value Sales MAT May 2021

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Snack Foods

March saw the exciting launch of Tayto Cheesatees in a sharing bag, which has proved hugely popular, with an impulse pack format on the way in the coming months.

Tayto kicked off the new year with NPD, which included a reduced fat microwave popcorn and two new permanent crisp flavours joining the portfolio. Identifying opportunities for their crisp range, Tayto launched a Sour Cream & Onion flavour to have an offering within the fourth largest flavour profile in the market. Tayto have also introduced Tayto Salted 6 pack multipacks to tap into the growing salted flavour segment.

March, saw the exciting launch of Tayto Cheesatees. The big cheese flavour snack has no added MSG, no artificial flavours, no artificial colours, is baked not fried and certainly captured the market, gaining

1.5% value market share of the snacks category in its launch month (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Snacks Value MS 4 w/e 28/03/21). Consumers were prompted to ‘Feed their Cheesiosity’ through TV sponsorship, national and regional radio campaigns, as well as influencer advertising. Following the successful launch and demand for the product, Tayto Cheesatees will be available in an impulse pack format in the coming months.

Q2 commenced with the rebrand of Tayto’s hand cooked crisp brand, Tayto Bistro, which now comes under the Tayto Occasions brand. Tayto Occasions displays new sleek packaging which delivers flavoursome taste cues for consumers looking for something a bit more indulgent.

Tayto Party Bags are set to enter the market in June, just in time to capture key summer snacking occasions, such as the Euros. These 175g pack formats are sure to drive sales in the share bag market which continues to experience double digit growth (Source: Nielsen Scantrack C&S Value MS MAT April 2021).

Tayto’s momentum is set to continue with more NPD, limited editions, and advertising support planned for the second half of 2021. Retailers should stock up on Ireland’s number one crisps and snacks brand (Source: Nielsen Scantrack C&S Value MS MAT April 2021) to ensure they are positioned to benefit from their campaigns.

O’Donnells Over the last decade, Ireland has fallen in love with the premium quality and great tasting flavours of O’Donnells crisps.

O’Donnells Hand Cooked Crisps are the leading hand cooked crisp brand in Ireland currently holding 4.2% value market share (Source: Nielsen MAT Value Sales April 2021, Crisps & Snacks).

Earlier this year, O’Donnells added another great flavour to their premium crisp range, a new limited edition Black Pudding flavour. Ed and Kate O’Donnell,

O’Donnells hand cooked crisps have proved a real winner with Irish consumers.

the brother and sister duo behind the brand, are thrilled to bring this perfect pairing to the crisp fans of Ireland, saying, “We couldn’t think of a more authentically Irish taste than black pudding and worked long and hard ensuring we captured the true taste of this delicacy in our premium crisps. We’re all about using quality local Irish potatoes to create something special and hope you love O’Donnells Black Pudding as much as we do.”

O’Donnells Black Pudding Flavour was available for a strictly limited time. The limited edition flavour received fantastic reviews and was a great hit with crisp connoisseurs who know and love the great taste of O’Donnells’ award winning range of flavours.

To celebrate the start of the summer, O’Donnells are running an ‘It’s a Long Long Way to Tipperary’ Text to Win competition to give away 10 x €1,000 Staycation vouchers. The competition will be activated in-store through eye-catching point of sale and on the O’Donnells website and social channels throughout the summer. Retailers will want to ensure they take full advantage of this Staycation opportunity and are fully stocked with O’Donnells this summer as there are lots more exciting plans for O’Donnells in the coming months.

Hunky Dorys Hunky Dorys are the number one crinkle cut crisp brand in Ireland and are now part of Ireland’s most popular crisps and snacks brand, Tayto (Source: Nielsen, Scantrack, Total Crisps and Snacks MAT April 2021).

Earlier this year, Hunky Dorys added two new big, bold flavours, Chip Shop Curry and Flame Grilled Steak. Available in both sharing and impulse pack formats, these tasty creations answered consumer calls for a crisp with full-on flavour. Their launch now extends the Hunky Dorys range to six leading flavours.

In recent years, Hunky Dorys have become synonymous with rugby. The Six

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Snack Foods is crunchier, crispier and as natural as it can be.

Clintons Artisan Crisps are the only complete range in Ireland that are both vegan friendly and free from all 14 allergens. They are cooked in 100% rapeseed oil using specially chosen spud varieties and contain no artificial additives, flavourings, or preservatives. An additional bonus is there are only 266 calories in a 50g bag of Clintons.

To top it off, these crisps are completely traceable as they are taken from the Clintons’ farm to their factory in just 35 minutes. These The Hunky Dorys range is available in six flavours, with the recent addition of Chip Shop Curry artisan crisps carry the and Flame Grilled Steak.

Guaranteed Irish symbol, Nations, a key snacking occasion, proved which conveys their commitment to Irish a successful time to activate a digitally origin and contribution to local jobs and led campaign to win a rugby jersey. A vast communities. amount of displays communicating the These deliciously crunchy crisps come competition were executed across the in three flavours; Farmhouse Cheddar trade, driving sales for the brand across & Onion, Classic Sea Salt & Vinegar and February and March.

Flame Grilled. They recently won the This month, our TV screens were Innovation Award at the 2020 Free From graced once again with the humour and Food Awards, with the judges commending madness of the Hunky Dorys brand as we the brand for their twist on traditional were introduced to Christie, the man with flavours. And if that wasn’t enough, The the natural born talent to crinkle crisps.

Sunday Business Post named Clintons in ‘The Crinkler’ is a fun and memorable their ‘Top 100 Start-ups’ earlier this year creative, which is part of a 360-degree these crisps are definitely ones to watch. integrated marketing campaign which So, if you’re looking for a new and includes TV, OOH and digital. This largeexciting crisp with a loud crunch, tasty scale brand campaign is being supported flavour and no nasties, Clintons is the in-store with off fixture displays across the Clintons Artisan Crisps are the only brand for you. They typically retail for trade. €1.25 for 50g bags and €2.65 for 125g complete range in Ireland that are With a value share of 8.4% of the bags, in select SuperValu, Tesco, Centra both vegan friendly and free from all total crisps and snacks market (Source: and independent stores. For more 14 allergens, and recently won the Nielsen, Scantrack, Total Crisps and information see Innovation Award at the 2020 Free From Snacks MAT April 2021), Hunky Dorys Food Awards. www.clintonsartisancrisps.com. are set to deliver a crunch punch like no other in H2 with more NPD and more advertising.

Clintons Hand Cooked Irish Crisps Although the Clintons have been farming potatoes on their family farm in Skerries for seven generations, it was only in 2018 that the two brothers decided to turn their hand to making crisps and Clintons Hand Cooked Irish Crisps were born.

Martin Clinton took over the farm from his father, while Sean worked in the crisp and snack industry for 25 years, so they know a thing or two about spuds. Together they believed they had the combined knowledge and experience to create a crisp like no other. The result? A 100% Irish crisp with a distinctive flavour that

Clintons Hand Cooked Irish Crisps come in three flavours; Farmhouse Cheddar & Onion, Classic Sea Salt & Vinegar and Flame Grilled.

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Snack Foods Pringles January saw the launch of Pringles Sizzl’N, the brand’s first full spicy range, containing three delicious flavours with varying levels of heat intensity. Consumers across the country have been ‘stepping up the spice’, making Sizzl’N the biggest large-sharing brand NPD launch of 2021 (Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack L12W 25th April 2021).

With each building in spice, the new flavours include: Kickin’ Sour Cream (medium), Spicy BBQ (hot) and Cheese & Chilli (Extra Hot), aiming to satisfy all foodies who want to push their taste buds to the limit.

Impactful Sizzl’N in-store presence will continue, driving Kickin’ Sour Cream, part of the Pringles Sizzl’N visibility and awareness at aisle range, aiming to satisfy all foodies who want to with a mix of proximity-to-store push their taste buds to the limit. media, in-store media and POS. Pringles have also turned the floor to lava through an exciting and engaging POS, along with the launch of football Snapchat filter targeting the brand’s key favourite, Pringles Pulled Pork Burger demographic with some unexpected fun. flavour.

Pringles continue to be the nation’s favourite large-sharing crisp brand, Cofresh with Irish consumers consuming more Cofresh, the innovative world snack brand Pringles than any other brand in the from Vibrant Foods, are launching in category (Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack Ireland, distributed by BR Marketing.

25th April 2021). Summer 2021 will see A sensationally tasty snack brand Pringles continue to deliver relevant and inspired by food and flavour influences exciting campaigns to drive sales in the from around the world, Cofresh initially market through on-pack promotions and launched in the UK, where the Cofresh seasonal initiatives. The brand will also range is now the market’s number one celebrate the summer of football with world snack brand, as well as the top impactful and eye-catching assets and selling Indian snack brand.

Pringles Sizzl’N is the brand’s first full spicy range, containing three delicious flavours with varying levels of heat intensity.

With a wide range of classic and contemporary snacks in various flavours and formats, Cofresh are launching in Ireland with their popular potato-based Grills available in Chilli & Lemon, Cheese & Onion, Sweet Chilli and Peri Peri flavours. Cofresh also offer traditional Indian Mixes (Bombay Mix, Balti Mix etc.), which will form the second phase of their roll-out in Ireland.

According to Brand Manager Jonathan Roberts, “Our sister business Eat Real has performed extremely well in Ireland, demonstrating the interest in different snacking propositions. We believe that Cofresh Grills are the perfect launch pad for the Irish market. Potato-based and vegan, the product has the added health benefit of being 30% lower in fat than regular crisps. Coupled with their unique shape, texture and flavours, Cofresh Grills bring a new and unique offering for snack lovers.”

Gordon Kennedy, CEO of BR Marketing, who are representing the

Cofresh are launching in Ireland with their popular potato-based Grills available in Chilli & Lemon, Cheese & Onion, Sweet Chilli and Peri Peri flavours. brand in Ireland adds, “We are excited to partner with Vibrant Foods to bring such an iconic brand to Ireland. The timing is perfect, and the appetite for world snacks has never been stronger.”

Cofresh is owned by Vibrant Foods, the highly successful UK based producer of South Asian food brands, a leader in the sector for decades. Creators of the Eat Real brand, Vibrant foods incorporates East End, Fudo, Everest, TRS and Cofresh brands.

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Sustainability

Greenwashing just won’t wash Sustainability is key to not just the future of our planet but the future success of your business, as today’s consumers demand businesses to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner.

A FEW short years ago, the whole notion of sustainability “The task is daunting and there’s no time to lose,” according was desirable, certainly, but it was also perhaps aspirational, to the WEF report. “We need to transform a global economy something to be aimed for in a general, amorphous way, with founded on the principles of unlimited access to resources and only a handful of visionary corporate citizens really driving a the primacy of shareholders to one that recognises the limits sustainable agenda. and consequences of everything we extract, manufacture, Today, however, all that has changed utterly. Thanks to consume and waste, and the impacts on the people involved in a combination of factors, including the influence of interdoing so.” generational trailblazers from the genuinely inspiring Greta Thunberg to veteran broadcaster David Attenborough, who ensured that climate change is top-of-mind throughout society, sustainability is very much a real and immediate issue.

The havoc wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated consumer desire for corporate sustainability, as the pandemic brought a host of issues into sharp relief, including supply chains, globalisation and the fact that the huge reduction in human movement and industry has doubtless been good for the planet.

The message coming through is that those businesses who ignore the sustainability concerns of their customers will suffer at the expense of those who listen and respond to those concerns.

Covid-19 has created a sense of urgency for businesses to improve their sustainability credentials, according to a World Economic Forum paper from January of this year, which argues that some companies aren’t adapting Businesses who ignore the sustainability concerns of their customers will quickly enough to this “disrupt or be disrupted” suffer at the expense of those who listen and respond to those concerns. mindset.

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Sustainability

We need to transform a global economy founded on the principles of unlimited access to resources and the primacy of shareholders to one that recognises the limits and consequences of everything we extract, manufacture, consume and waste, and the impacts on the people involved in doing so.

The companies who have embraced sustainability are already starting to reap the awards. According to the WEF report, Unilever’s Sustainable Living Brands portfolio is growing nearly twice as fast as other brands in their portfolio. The plant-based protein revolution is in full swing, with experts predicting it will be a €115 billion business worldwide by the end of the decade, while the plant-based drinks category (including almond milk, coconut water etc) is growing at 12% per year.

Sustainability-linked consumer products now grow nearly six times faster than other brands, and 73% of global consumers say they would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment, according to a 2018 Nielsen study.

The WEF paper identified four keys to sustainable success: 1. Make bold strategic choices 2. Reinvent products 3. Rethink operations 4. Form innovative partnerships Origin Green Here in Ireland, Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme has ensured that as a nation, Ireland is at the top table in terms of sustainability. A truly national food and drink sustainability programme, Origin Green’s recent ‘Pathways to Net Zero’ saw the publication of new procedures and guidelines that put carbon emission targets on a mandatory footing for food and drink manufacturers as the sector seeks to accelerate its contribution to the Programme for Government’s aim of carbon neutrality by 2050.

This marks a significant shift for the Origin Green programme and will see member companies go beyond reductions of energy-related emissions, to include a more comprehensive assessment of their entire carbon footprint, including value chain emissions which incorporates all indirect emissions associated with food manufacturing e.g. freight, travel.

As part of this new development, Bord Bia have prepared comprehensive guidelines for companies on how to decarbonise their own operations and their supply chains. The advice on net zero target setting and implementation is based on the United Nation’s ‘Measure, Reduce, Compensate’ model. This model encourages everyone in society to take action to help achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

The ‘Pathway to Net Zero’ launch builds on a number of Origin Green initiatives already in place, such as the Origin Green Sustainability Charter, which requires members who sign up to set and deliver on clear sustainability targets as part of their five-year sustainability plans, with a specific focus on raw material sourcing, manufacturing process and social sustainability.

To date, companies have set over 2,400 sustainability targets, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement. Over a fiveyear period, which is the duration of a firm’s sustainability plan, food and drink Origin Green Guidance | Pathways to Net Zero manufacturers in Ireland delivered an 11% reduction Origin Green Guidance in energy use per unit of output and a 17% reduction in water use per unit of output.

“Accelerating the transition to March 2021 a zero-carbon economy by 2050 is required to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change,” noted Deirdre Ryan, Origin Green Director.

“Business leaders are now shifting their focus from what is achievable Bord Bia have produced a guidance to what needs document for ‘Pathways to Net Zero’. to be done, and there has been increasing interest among Origin Green companies wishing to reduce emissions within their own operations and also along their supply chain. In developing the ‘Pathways to Net Zero’ framework, which sits alongside other key independently audited initiatives, we are providing Irish food, drink and horticulture businesses with the practical know-how to not only set ambitious carbon reduction targets, but more importantly, to make the changes necessary to achieve them.”

Section name

Pathways to Net Zero

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Sustainability There isn’t a category across the entire grocery spectrum that isn’t affected by the move towards sustainability, which is exactly as it should be.

Supermarket sweep Retail groups are constantly stressing the progress made on sustainability, with all of the major supermarkets engaging in the redistribution of food through FoodCloud, as well as highlighting the various initiatives in-store that help them to cut their carbon footprint, from green energy solutions to reducing and removing excess packaging across the product portfolio.

One of the most interesting recent announcements, however, came from Lidl Ireland ahead of World Bee Day on May 20. Following the debut of the retailer’s first pollinator-friendly store in Youghal, Co. Cork, last summer, Lidl have committed to the roll-out of 20 more pollinator-friendly stores across the island of Ireland by the end of 2021, including several store locations in Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Meath, Roscommon, Louth and Offaly.

Lidl’s pollinator-friendly stores are an innovative concept whereby suitable surrounding areas at Lidl Ireland store locations are optimised to create an area of pollination promotion. Featuring reduced mowing practices, wildflower planting, an insect hotel and informative signage, these areas can look overgrown but are in fact a haven for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies, which are essential for the production of the fresh fruit and vegetables that Lidl Ireland are renowned for.

Lidl Ireland also announced that they

BWG Foods recently installed almost 800 solar panels at their National Distribution Centre in Dublin, making it one of the largest installations of solar panels in Ireland. have become the first and only retailer in Ireland to design a biodiversity-focused farming standard in collaboration with a certified body. Developed in partnership with Global Gap, the Integrated Farm Assurance Standard is an internationally recognised standard for sustainable agricultural practices and food production.

BWG Foods’ new fleet Logistics and transport is another area affected by the move towards sustainability. Here at home, BWG Foods recently became the first FMCG company in Ireland to launch a fleet of new CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and Biogas vehicles, in place of traditional diesel fuel. These vehicles significantly reduce the carbon intensity of BWG’s expansive distribution operation, generating CO2

Lidl Ireland’s Head of CSR, Owen Keogh, was joined by Minister of State for Agriculture, Pippa Hackett, to launch the roll-out of 20 more pollinator-friendly stores at Lidl Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

savings of up to 22% per CNG truck, and 90% per biogas truck. Cleverly, BWG Foods contribute food waste from their distribution operations to produce biogas fuel for their new biogas vehicles, making this a circular solution. Through a variety of efficiency changes, BWG Foods are also reducing the number of kilometres travelled by approximately 12%, leading to an equivalent percentage reduction in carbon emissions.

The new transport fleet is part of a wider €25m four-year sustainability strategy aimed at significantly reducing the environmental impact of BWG Foods’ large-scale nationwide supply chain. This includes switching to cleaner energies, installing renewable energy solutions across their operations, including the recent installation of almost 800 solar panels at their National Distribution Centre in Dublin, making it one of the largest installations of solar panels in Ireland, taking up approximately 1,350 square metres of roof space.

“Our commitment to sustainability is borne out of the desire to always do the right thing by our customers and our communities,” explained Joanne Mellon, Logistics Director, BWG Foods.

“We value the importance of reducing our environmental footprint, contributing to healthier diets, and supporting local communities, and this sustainability strategy will enable us to make a significant and tangible positive impact.”

Foodservice Leading foodservice provider Compass Group Ireland have announced their commitment to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions across their own operations and their value chain by 2030. Compass Ireland, who operate

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Sustainability plant-based proteins, with an interim target of at least 25% by 2025,” Deirdre said. “Moreover, 70% of our top five food categories (dairy and cheese, fruit and vegetables, pork, beef and chicken) will be sourced from regenerative agriculture by 2030.”

Deirdre O’Neill, MD designate, Compass Group Ireland. in over 130 locations in Ireland, have committed to develop science-based targets to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial level in line with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) criteria. Compass Ireland have become a signatory of Business Ambition for 1.5°C, committing to align their climate targets with the Paris Agreement. In doing so, they have signed up to Business in the Community’s Low Carbon Pledge and the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, aiming to reach Net Zero through ambitious levels of change, innovation, collaboration and investment in business practices.

Compass Ireland’s Net Zero target is the foodservice industry’s first commitment to a climate Net Zero economy, with the company announcing changes at scale to ensure that sustainability is a core business objective across all services. They include the launch of an investment fund of €1m for the UK and Irish business to support the development of carbon reduction and sustainable food production initiatives, as well as a reduction in carbon emissions of at least 55% by 2025, and at least 65% across their operations and value chain by 2030, from a 2019 baseline.

“We believe it is our responsibility to contribute to a future of sustainable food production and regenerative agricultural practices, so this commitment to climate Net Zero is an important milestone that we will make it our business to achieve,” said Deirdre O’Neill, MD designate, Compass Group Ireland.

Local and seasonal food ingredients will be key, she stressed, adding that this represents a major opportunity for Irish sustainable food producers. “By 2030 we will have a 40% switch towards

Ballygowan Ireland’s own iconic water brand, Ballygowan, have moved their full range of grocery products to RPet, fully recycled and recyclable bottles. The move to new RPet bottles has been facilitated by a €2m investment in their operations at Newcastle West, the home and source of Ballygowan. The move is part of a drive for 100% sustainability across the business, under Britvic Ireland’s Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy.

Saving money through good energy management SMALL and medium sized businesses spend over €2 billion annually on energy, of which 10% can be saved through good energy management practices. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are there to help you start on your energy efficiency journey by helping you identify energy saving opportunities, implement energy saving changes, and lead your organisation’s shift to energy efficiency.

In deciding what work to do, SEAI recommend that you first focus on implementing good energy management practices. They have a great range of training options to support your business.

Free online training courses on a variety of energy and climate related topics are available through SEAI’s Energy Academy. Modules are accessible in mobile and desktop format, and are quick and easy to complete. They are designed to teach you and your staff about reducing energy use and in turn saving money.

For learners in the retail sector, a retail specific syllabus is available.

It takes less than two hours to complete, and provides students with a Certificate of Completion for the course. This certificate demonstrates your company’s commitment to educating staff about energy and can be displayed at your premises. These courses are also a great way of engaging, upskilling and retaining staff.

Details on how to access the courses are available on their website: www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/small-and-medium-business.

54|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Sustainability Smurfit Kappa accelerates CO2 emissions reduction in 2020 Smurfit Kappa, one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, continue to make significant and tangible progress on achieving their sustainability targets, according to the company’s 14th Sustainable Development Report (“SDR”). It highlights the company’s long-standing objective to be an impactful business that drives change and nurtures a greener planet through the three key pillars of Planet, People, and Impactful Business.

Compared with 2019, Smurfit Kappa made significant progress in reducing their fossil CO2 emission intensity. The group are the first in their industry to have announced targeting at least net zero emissions by RTÉ’s Blaithnaid Treacy unveils the rebrand of the Ballygowan range, which is now 2050 and, compared to their baseline made from 100% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable. year 2005, they reduced their emissions intensity by 37.3% by the end of 2020. The The shift to recycled bottles will most sustainable water brand in Ireland. reduction in 2020 versus 2019 was 7%, remove 51m virgin plastic bottles from Providing they are properly recycled, which is an acceleration compared with the circulation annually. The shift to recycled PET bottles can be a safe, efficient previous year. The group are well on their bottles will also reduce Ballygowan’s and environmentally friendly form of way to reach their intermediate 2030 target virgin plastic consumption by 1,288 packaging – that’s why we are committed of 55% reduction, in line with the EU Green tonnes. Shifting to lighter bottles will to measures creating a ‘circular Deal objectives. reduce plastic use by a further 245 economy’ for plastic. When rPET bottles Compared with 2019, the group tonnes. Overall, there will be a reduction are recycled correctly, this allows us to also made continued progress during of 1,533 tonnes of virgin plastic each year. ‘close the circle’, keeping our packaging 2020 on a number of their other key Britvic Ireland are committing to materials in the supply chain and out of sustainability targets: water discharge reducing direct carbon emissions by 50% the natural environment, thus having a quality improved by 5%; waste to landfill by 2025 and indirect carbon emission by positive impact on the planet.” intensity decreased by 18%; chain of 36% by 2025. Ballygowan are taking a custody certified packaging deliveries to lead within that ambition, having reduced New Homestead paper packaging customers increased by their direct carbon emissions by over The hugely popular 2%; safety performance 90%.

Homestead brand has improved by 29%; and social Ballygowan’s home at Newcastle recently highlighted projects received €7.7m in West now operates on 95% renewable its sustainability energy and 100% renewable electricity, donations, including €3m credentials within the highest level of renewables use by in various Covid-related Ireland as an innovative projects during the financial any Britvic factory worldwide. There are brand and a pioneer year. plans to further increase this in the years for good environmental “During the pandemic, ahead. The facility at Newcastle West has practices with also achieved zero waste-to-landfill. the importance of the launch of new “By its nature, Ballygowan has always sustainability has become packaging made been attuned to the importance of our even clearer,” noted Tony from paper across environment,” noted Kevin Donnelly, Smurfit, Group CEO. their paper products Managing Director, Britvic Ireland. “The “Climate change, has range. The choice of purity of our water depends on a natural become, in the eyes of this material is the filtration that is embedded in the earth. many, a climate crisis, and result of a study aimed By investing in a fully recycled bottling diversity, inclusion and at finding the best system, we are taking a major step to equality are urgent issues compromise between reduce our impact on the planet. This is for global society. Circular product quality the latest innovation in a journey which economy and sustainable and environmental has already seen a reduction of over forestry management sustainability.

90% in our manufacturing emissions are at the heart of our Homestead’s new for Ballygowan under Britvic Ireland’s business principles, packaging is made Homestead paper products Healthier People, Healthier Planet and directly address from Kraft paper, now come in a new packaging strategy.” legitimate concerns of our a renewable and made from Kraft paper, Sian Young, Head of People & Planet customers and indeed of readily biodegradable a renewable and readily for Britvic Ireland, commented, “We are the broader public. With material, with a lower biodegradable material. proud to introduce our new 100% recycled impact on marine and a focus on sustainability, and 100% recyclable Ballygowan range. and by collaborating with our value chain terrestrial life. Paper packaging is easier As a business, we are committed and partners, we can create greater social, to recycle after use, with consumers laser focused in our vision to become the economic and environmental value.” simply disposing of it in their green bin.

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Sustainability: Fyffes

Fyffes: our future is sustainable Fyffes have embarked on a Global Sustainability Strategy, with ambitious targets that will take the company up to 2030, explains Caoimhe Buckley, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.

AT Fyffes, we embrace the responsibility that comes with being a global provider of fresh produce, that’s why we continually strive to do business in sustainable ways.

In a collective effort to share value and enrich the lives of people around the world, we are committed to being a good steward of our environment, enhancing people’s health and contributing to the development of our employees and communities.

A commitment to the principles of corporate responsibility is at the heart of the Fyffes brand, which has been recognised with numerous international certifications for best practices in social, environmental and general sustainability issues.

2018 saw Fyffes launch a new Global Sustainability Strategy, which has a long term timeline to 2030 in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Fyffes believe in enriching people’s lives by contributing to the development of employees, growers and communities and accredited shared value partnerships.

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Sustainability: Fyffes Accelerating the journey to a more sustainable business In 2017 and 2018, we reviewed our overall approach to sustainability with the goal of accelerating efforts to become a more sustainable business. This meant remaining relevant and successful, while addressing urgent environmental constraints, increasing stakeholder requirements, a shifting global economy and evolving consumer preferences. We conducted over 200 interviews with internal and external stakeholders, as well as benchmarking and research to identify the key areas where we could make the greatest impact.

As a result, in 2018 we launched our new Global Sustainability Strategy, which has a long term timeline to 2030 in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This strategy is built on four core pillars: Stewardship for the Planet Integrating sustainable practices in all areas of our operation to respond to climate change and ensure that natural resources are efficiently managed, conserved and enhanced for future generations.

AMBITIOUS TARGETS We have been working hard to deliver significant and robust results within each of the four pillars and we’re committed to achieve the following targets: • • • •

•

•

• Healthy Food for Healthy Lives Enhancing the health of people around the world by delivering healthy produce to all markets and by promoting healthy food choices.

100% of our packaging materials will be compostable, recyclable or reusable by 2025; 100% of our own operations will have water management plans in place by 2025; We will reduce food loss by 80% in all our own operations by 2030; We will provide two million healthy meals to vulnerable communities by 2025 by working with qualified partners; 100% of Fyffes workers and supply chain workers will be trained on human rights by 2030, and 100% of managers and employees by 2025; 100% of our own sites in Latin America will benefit from Gender Equality Programmes by 2025, and 50% of our suppliers by 2030; We will eradicate any gender pay gap in our operations by 2030.

By working together, we believe we can achieve a prosperous and sustainable future for all. Together we can shape wellbeing for the world.

For more information, please visit https://www.fyffes. com/sustainability/vision-goals/.

Enriching People’s Lives Enriching people’s lives by contributing to the development of employees, growers and communities and accredited shared value partnerships.

Responsible Business Principles Upholding the highest standards for good corporate governance, ethics and sustainability by demonstrating and promoting sound business principles across our value chain.

Fyffes have committed to upholding the highest standards for good corporate governance, ethics and sustainability by demonstrating and promoting sound business principles across their value chain.

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Waste Management

Eco fee modulation explained

Séamus Clancy, CEO, Repak, explains why eco fee modulation for packaging is necessary and what it means for packaging businesses here.

AT present, we operate a mostly linear economy. This means that we generally extract materials from our planet, make something from those materials and when we are finished with what we have made, we dispose of it. The reasons for this disposal are multi-faceted; however, how we design our products and packaging can play a significant role in their premature demise. Ultimately, this loss of valuable materials from our economy is both wasteful and costly and it is now well recognised that it is no longer sustainable as we move forward.

In 2015, the European Union launched its vision for a Circular Economy in Europe, where resources continue to add value for as long as possible and where virgin material usage and the generation of nonrecyclable waste are both minimised.

Within this vision, all products are designed at the production stage to be suitable for re-use and high quality recycling.

Given recent environmental concerns, the EU’s Circular Economy Package has also resulted in a strategy for plastics specifically in order to better manage these materials to ensure that they do not end up as marine litter. However, this strategy also aims to ensure that all plastic

What does all of this mean for packaging companies?

There are a number of key points to note within these different strategies and directives that impact on how Repak, on behalf of its members, must operate as a Producer Responsibility Scheme.

Reporting packaging placed on the Irish market Fee modulation is a feature of the EU’s Plastic Strategy, and forms part of an effort to drive more manufacturers and

Séamus Clancy, CEO, Repak. packaging placed on the market in the EU is recyclable by 2030. In order to support this transition to a Circular Economy, the European Union approved a number of directives in 2018 and 2019 in the form of: • • •

An updated Waste Framework Directive The Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive The Single Use Plastics Directive

The EU has adopted a Circular Economy strategy, with a vision that all products are designed at the production stage to be suitable for re-use and high quality recycling.

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Waste Management retailers to use plastic packaging that can be recycled in their products. In addition, the new Single Use Plastics Directive contains separate collection targets of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2029 that are specific to plastic beverage bottles.

For Repak, this creates some important issues for how producers of packaging report to us: 1. We must understand and separate plastic packaging placed on the market that can be recycled at present from material that cannot be recycled.

2. We must understand beverage versus non beverage plastic bottles placed on the Irish market.

3. As we also know that in some cases, the source of plastic packaging waste is an important factor in whether or not it can be recycled, we must also take that into account in our reporting structure.

The definition of composite packaging or packaging composed of more than one material also now forms part of the Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive (see EU Commission Implementing Decision 2019/665). Any material where the main material makes up less than 95% of the packaging must be reported as a composite. All of these considerations have resulted in a new reporting structure for plastic packaging and composite packaging.

In addition, this directive also requires information on the amount of sales packaging that is reused, which must be collated and reported to the EU by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Packaging recycling targets In 2020, the Irish Government transposed the new Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive into Irish law.

This legislation sets out new recycling targets for all packaging, with 65% to be achieved by 2025 and 70% by 2030. Targets have also increased for individual packaging materials. One of the most challenging targets for Ireland will be to meet the plastic packaging recycling rates.

At present, Ireland achieves a 31% recycling rate for plastic packaging. This exceeds the previous target of 22.5%.

However, Ireland will need to achieve a plastic packaging recycling rate of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030. To achieve this first 2025 target, additional funding will be required to increase recycling rates by an additional 4% per annum up to 2025.

after the income from the sale of a waste packaging material is taken into account. The consumer will then pay the remaining cost.

Repak fees for plastics that can be recycled increased in 2021 to €117.37 per tonne, reflective of net necessary cost principles being applied.

However, as there is usually a cost rather than an income associated with materials that cannot be recycled, Repak fees for non-recycled plastics and composites are being adjusted on a phased basis to reflect the necessary cost. Therefore, non- recyclable plastic fees from July 1, 2021, will increase to €175 per tonne. Further increase(s) will come into effect in 2022, reaching the current 80% net necessary cost estimation of €271 per tonne by 2023.

Fees are subject to annual approval by the Board of Repak.

Repak is preparing for net necessary cost application for all other materials to be implemented by January 1, 2023, as per the Waste Framework Directive requirements.

Material

Ireland’s 2018 Recycling rate

Packaging Directive recycling target by 2025

Packaging Directive recycling target by 2030

All Packaging

64%

65%

70%

Plastic

31%

50%

55%

Ireland’s 2018 recycling rates compared with EU targets for 2025 & 2030.

Net necessary costs The Waste Framework Directive was transposed into Irish law Category Guidance and states that Recycled Rigid Plastic Pots, Tubs, Trays, Crates, Pallets producers must Recycled Flexible Flexible Plastics such as pallet wrap pay 80% of the Net Plastic discarded at a business premises.

Necessary Costs of recovering Non-Recycled Flexible plastics discarded at home, packaging Plastic including toothpaste tubes, foamed waste. These polystyrene. costs include PET Beverage Bottles Soft drinks and water bottles. operational Other Plastic Any other beverage bottles not made costs such as Beverage Bottles from PET such as HDPE milk or juice the collection, bottles. treatment / processing and Plastic Non-Beverage Bottles that are not for beverages, management Bottles such as shampoo or detergent of packaging bottles. materials.

Recycled Composites Beverage cartons and other mixed

What materials that can be mechanically (Main Material this means in separated. <95%) practice is that the producer will Source: Packaging & Design for the Circular Economy, https:// pay 80% of any repak.ie/members/packaging-optimisation-design/. costs left over

Repak resources If you require information on what these changes mean for your business, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our membership department at membership@repak.ie or call us on (01) 4670190.

In 2020, the Irish Government transposed the new Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive into Irish law, setting out new recycling targets for all packaging.

Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie|61

GDPR

Getting to grips with GDPR Just over three years after the introduction of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, many business owners are still at sea – but with fines of up to €20m or 4% of turnover on the table, it’s important to get it right.

We take a look at how Irish businesses have been affected, and what help is available to keep your organisation compliant. Morgan Stokes reports.

ON May 25, 2018, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation came into force across the Union, bringing with it a sense of relief for legal professionals and digital security workers alike. Angelique Carson, Director of Content at data privacy platform Osano, compared it to Y2K in the company’s newsletter, “[but] like Y2K, reality doesn’t align with the expectations”.

Of the many criticisms levelled at GDPR, its complex nature is right at the forefront. Small business owners scrambled to keep up with the changes, and as of last year, many Irish organisations were still uncertain on their data protection procedures – a McCann FitzGerald and Mazars survey published in 2020 found that only 8% of participating organisations believed that they were fully compliant with GDPR.

A McCann FitzGerald and Mazars survey published in 2020 found that only 8% of participating organisations believed that they were fully compliant with GDPR.

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GDPR example, identifying users when they log in or managing traffic over a network, or remembering what customers have put in a shopping basket - while others track user behaviour in a way that can be seen as unnecessary.

Cookies can be divided into two categories: first party and third party. First party cookies cookies give user information to you. Aside from the strictly necessary examples given above, they can also give you information on who is using your website and how; these are analytics cookies.

Third party cookies give information about your site users to others. This can be a tracking pixel placed by an online advertiser on your website, but there are less obvious examples; if you have a button on your site that allows users to share your content to their social media page, their data can be sent from your site to the social media site in question.

Your website users need to consent to every category of cookie you use. This The Data Protection Commission’s annual report for 2020 showed that 4,060 complaints were needs to be explicit and made under GDPR that year. not implied; you can’t put up a banner that says that they accept the use of cookies by An unfair burden? browsing the site, for example. You also can’t ‘nudge’ users to Another charge often levelled at the law is the unevenness accept cookies by having boxes ticked, or having your ‘Accept’ of its application, with initial GDPR champion and former EU button be larger than your Reject button. You can’t store these justice chief Vivian Reding leading calls for revision this May. cookies for longer than they’re needed, and it’s good practice There is a general perception that regulators are finding it to explain to your users what each cookie does. easier to enforce the Regulation against small concerns than A full breakdown can be found on the Data Protection against the large tech companies that are believed to be the Commission’s website. worst offenders.

Irish organisations are certainly feeling the strain; the What help is available?

McCann Fitzgerald and Mazars survey found that 62% of Fortunately, there is information out there to help small participants felt that GDPR regulations caused them an undue businesses become aware of their rights and responsibilities. administrative burden.

The Small Firms Association has created a number of guides and webinars, designed as a practical resource which Customers do care breaks GDPR down into its component parts and to break Problems or not, as of now, it is essential that businesses down what exactly is relevant for small business owners. You comply with the law. Not only are the fines prohibitive, but can find it online at sfa.ie. customers are also showing significant sensitivity when it Local Enterprise Offices around the country have designed comes to the way their personal data is handled. easy to follow guides aimed specifically at small businesses.

Possibly the biggest and most unexpected change since You can get in contact with one in your area or check out their the introduction of the law is increased awareness among the online training materials at localenterprise.ie. public of their rights; Carson notes that almost every major The Data Protection Commission, of course, has newspaper now has a privacy reporter. The Data Protection information freely available on their website. While much of Commission’s annual report for 2020 showed that 4,060 75:02:41 1202/50/50 it can seem dense and overwhelming, they do have a range complaints were made under GDPR that year. of more user-friendly resources, including a podcast, at dataprotection.ie.

Keeping up with cookies GDPR.eu has a handy checklist to help you establish what 2020 saw a major change in the privacy landscape – the Data Protection Commission resolved to crack down on cookies. The personal data you are processing and what processes to put in place, available at gdpr.eu/checklist. organisation conducted a major review of cookies on various However, it is important to note that none of these guides websites (the infamous ‘Cookie Sweep’) in late 2019 and early constitute legal advice, and with so much to consider, you may 2020, looking for violations of GDPR and Irish privacy law, and be better off hiring a professional, particularly if you have a lot began enforcement in October 2020 after a six-month grace of employees who require training. Look for legal firms that period for compliance. specialise in privacy, or companies that can handle reviews, Cookies are small files found on websites that remember training and implementing digital changes. user behaviour. Some are essential for websites to work - for That isn’t to say that Irish businesses aren’t trying; 69% of those surveyed carried out regular reviews of their practices.

The figures make it clear that some guidance is still needed, and retailers and suppliers pushed to embrace eCommerce by the pandemic may also be unfamiliar with regulations around areas like cookies, website privacy policies and electronic mailing lists.

YTNIATRE

0039 246 1 353+ T moc.eporuenoitacfii moc.eporuenoitacfii

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GDPR

Certification Europe:

becoming GDPR compliant ECNARUSSA

CYBER Essentials is a UK developed but globally recognised IT security standard, used to give comfort to wider industry that basic levels of IT-related security are being met. It covers five key control areas which can protect organisations from possible data breaches and leaks.

These are boundary firewall and internet gateways, secure configuration, access control, malware protection and patch management and software updates.

Benefits of Cyber Essentials The benefits of implementing Cyber Essentials are: •

•

•

Improve your organisation’s information security at a time where data protection has never been more important.

Avoid the hefty fines: as of yet, there is no guaranteed certification of GDPR compliance. However, Cyber Essentials is a great first step towards better information security management in your company.

Ideal for small to medium-sized

CONFIDENCE

•

•

ECNEDIFNOC

companies, Cyber Essentials is hassle-free, quick, and costeffective.

Demonstrates a level of commitment towards protecting the data you process.

Increase your reputability and trust among your clients, customers, and employees.

monitoring, maintaining, and improving your ISMS.

ecnailpmoC RPDG • noitacfiitreC OSI • gniniarT OSI •

What is ISO 27001:2013?

ISO 27001 is the international standard which is recognised globally for managing risks to the security of information you hold. Certification to ISO 27001 allows you to prove to your clients and other stakeholders that you are managing the security of your information. ISO 27001:2013 (the current version of ISO 27001) provides a set of standardised requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). The standard adopts a process-based approach for establishing, implementing, operating,

ASSURANCE

The ISO 27001 standard and ISMS provides a framework for information security management best practice that helps organisations to: • • •

•

Protect client and employee information; Manage risks to information security effectively; Achieve compliance with regulations such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR); Protect the company’s brand image.

For more information, visit certificationeurope.com.

CERTAINTY

_eporuetrec@ rec@ofni E • GDPR Compliance eporue-noitacfiitrec/ni/ rec W • ISO Certification • ISO Training

1 ddni.EUSSI YAM ERUTAEF RPDG SWEN LIATER snoitacilbuP araT rof eporuE noitacifitreC

@certeurope_ /in/certification-europe

T +353 1 642 9300 E info@certificationeurope.com W certificationeurope.com

64|Retail News|June 2021|www.retailnews.ie

Pet Care

Furry friends with benefits

Pet ownership has grown hugely during the pandemic, with profit opportunities for retailers.

THE Covid-19 pandemic had a big impact on pet ownership in Ireland, as more and more households acquired pets in order to to provide them with companionship and entertainment, according to the latest report into the sector by Euromonitor International.

In the dog food category, there was a significant shift towards economy wet dog food in 2020, with this trend carrying on into 2021, according to Euromonitor.

Despite the rising popularity of smaller dogs, this was driven by the adoption of more large and medium-sized dogs during the pandemic, Euromonitor maintain.

During 2020, cat treats and mixers and premium cat food witnessed strong growth driven by higher disposable income among some households due to lockdown, with people saving money on other lifestyle areas and treating their four-legged friends.

Mackle Petfoods For nearly 50 years, Mackle Petfoods have been creating high quality pet food in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Following an announcement of a €6.6m (£5.7m) investment into their premium brand Naturo, and a change in how consumers are buying following the Covid-19 pandemic, their brands have grown exponentially in the past year, and they have no plans to slow down any time soon.

Brandy ensures top quality ingredients and complete nutrition

for your pet. With Brandy’s 50th birthday coming up soon, be sure to watch this space for some exciting new brand developments!

Brandy is always a top performer, currently continuing its success as the number two brand in the market (Source: ROI Scantrack, Wet Dog Food ROI, December 20, MAT). This is attributed to the simple fact that dogs really do love the taste of Brandy and their owners also The hugely popular Brandy dog food recognise this. brand is celebrating its 50th birthday Brandy dog food is made soon: watch this space! from 100% traceable Irish meat, A testament to yet another quality whilst Brandy Complete is 100% product from Mackle Petfoods, whose natural, meaning you know you are philosophy is to put pets first, it is a feeding your dog the best. They’re more firm feature in than just a dog – they’re 100% family.

Also from Macklet Petfoods, Cat Club is made from top quality, locally sourced ingredients, and manufactured to the highest standards.

Made with Irish meat, it is fully traceable from farm to can.

The natural, meaty chunks, in appetising jelly or gravy, have all the nourishment and essential vitamins and minerals to ensure all Cat Club is made from top quality, locally sourced round good health and ingredients, and manufactured to the highest lively energy. standards.

N

EW

10kg Grain Free Dry Dog Food

STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM

GOOD SKIN AND COAT

STRONG BONES & JOINTS HEALTHY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

For further information contact the Naturo Team customercare@naturopetfoods.com - 0800 433 4522 www.naturopetfoods.com

@naturopetfood

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Pet Care the top five brands in the ROI wet cat food Category, continuing to grow in both value and volume, year on year (Source: Nielsen ROI Scantrack, Dec 20, MAT).

Both Cat Club Chunks in Jelly and Cat Club Chunks in Gravy are available in 400g cans and can be purchased in variety packs of three, packs of six and a variety 12pack, available in leading retail outlets and independent pet shops across Ireland.

Purina trials new recyclable flexible packaging

Pictured at the announcement of the €40m packaging contract by C&D Foods at ProAmpac in Gweedore, Co. Donegal, are (l-r): John McDermott, Operations Director, ProAmpac; Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Colm Dore, Managing Director, C&D Foods.

New to the Mackle Petfoods portfolio, Norsh produces all-natural raw freezedried treats in two flavours; Raw Chicken with Fruits and Vegetable and Raw Salmon Skin Twirls with 100% Atlantic Salmon.

New to the Mackle Petfoods portfolio, Norsh produces all-natural raw freezedried treats. With human grade meat and fish and with quick frozen fruit and vegetables going into the products, then undergoing a gentle freeze-dried preservation method, pets are getting a high-quality nutritious treat! These dog and cat treats are made in small batches by hand, ensuring the care is given to making them just right. Norsh comes in two mouth-watering flavours; Raw Chicken with Fruits and Vegetable and Raw Salmon Skin Twirls with 100% Atlantic Salmon – nothing else!

Norsh’s packaging is also environmentally friendly, with pouches which are 100% compostable and plastic free, as well as packaging and postage boxes which are both 100% recyclable.

This super-premium product really is a treat for your four-legged family member.

Find out more at www.norshpetfoods.com.

C&D Foods C&D Foods have recently signed a multiyear, €40m packaging contract with ProAmpac, which will see the Donegal facility becoming the strategic supplier of pet food flexible packaging for C&D Foods’ operations not just in Ireland but across its European operations.

“ProAmpac is innovative and forward looking in its approach, and the development of sustainable packaging is fully aligned with C&D’s strategic objectives,” noted Colm Dore, Managing Director, C&D Foods. “We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

A key element of the contract will be the development of an innovative more sustainable pet food pouch. The new sustainable packaging, which is currently being trialled by C&D Foods, will be a pivotal event for the pet food sector, as it will enable pouches to be fully recycled when new advanced recyclable solutions are introduced into many European markets. Preparation work and trials on the new packaging are now underway with a market launch expected later in 2021.

Mars Petcare Mars Petcare recently announced progress towards a longstanding goal to sustainably source 100% of the fish used in some pet food recipes. The company now sources 81% of fish used from more sustainable sources aligned to Mars’ guidelines. The company also confirmed it sources no endangered fish species.

Andy Parton, Global Vice President of Procurement at Mars Petcare, commented: “Mars Petcare sources fish because we make healthy, nutritious and high-quality pet food, and seafood ingredients play a small but important role in our products.

This effort is a key part of our broader engagement with our strategic pet food ingredient suppliers around the world as they boost their sustainability performance and as we take action together to improve environmental and social impacts in supply chains.

SEPTEMBER 2020 saw Purina launching a first-of-its-kind recyclable flexible plastic packaging for wet pet food. The innovation was first introduced under the Felix brand in the Netherlands as part of a yearlong pilot.

This new pouch addresses a key challenge - to simplify plastic structures in order to make them recyclable, without compromising on the functionalities of food-grade packaging. The packaging, which is made of Polypropylene (PP) allows the pet food pouches to be lightweight and recyclable, whilst being highheat resistant and equipped with the appropriate product barrier properties. Further rollout plans will be assessed and communicated after gaining the relevant consumer response.

The pouches are being sold in a fully recyclable cardboard box which is, itself, made of 80% recycled paper.

“We want to contribute to creating a world where pets and people can thrive, and initiatives like this support our goal of offering food that is good for pets, and the planet,” noted Bernard Meunier, Nestlé Purina Petcare Emena CEO. “This latest innovation on Felix pouch is a significant step forward in our drive to deliver recyclable or reusable packaging on all of our products by 2025.”

As well as reducing the complexity of packaging, Purina is also exploring innovations including new paper-based materials and piloting reusable packaging systems where customers can bring their own containers to fill with dry petfood.

For details on Purina’s environmental commitments on waste and packaging reduction, visit: https://www.purina.eu/ our-impact.

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Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

CONSUMER PRICES ON THE RISE IN the latest series of data from the CSO which tracks consumer prices and inflation, the figure for April rose a fraction to 1.1% in comparison with 2020, with upward movement in prices mainly focused around services such as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels due to an increase in the cost of electricity, higher mortgage interest repayments and a rise in the price of home heating oil. Restaurants and hotels rose primarily due to higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants, cafes etc. This increase was partially offset by lower prices for hotel accommodation.

Alcoholic beverages & tobacco increased due to a rise in the cost of tobacco products and higher prices for wine and spirits sold in supermarkets and off licences. Health rose mainly due to higher prices for dental and medical services and a rise in the cost of hospital

services.

As with most recent metrics of the market, the effects of lockdown can be seen starkly, with large dips in clothing and footwear of 3.5% in the year, home entertainment down by 1.9%, while personal articles such as jewellery dropped by 3.6%. Food and nonalcoholic beverages decreased due to lower prices across a range of products such as meat, chocolate and jams, marmalades and honey.

Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance fell primarily due to the reduced cost of nondurable household goods, household textiles and furniture and furnishings.

This reduction was partially offset by an increase in the cost of major household appliances.

This marginal increase could be

linked to the recent announcements by Government on a reopening road map but the full effects of the reopening will not be seen until later, when the whole sector will be allowed to trade after such a long period of closure. Retail Ireland monitors and produces a monthly series which can be found at retailireland.ie.

REMOTE WORK: IS IT THE NEW NORM? WE have all seen the effects of the pandemic on our everyday lives, but one of the most profound changes has been the mass exodus from offices to kitchen tables across the country. In the opening stage of the pandemic, many businesses were not prepared for the sudden changes are were playing catch-up, with sending out furniture and equipment by courier the norm. Now, many people have good set-ups at home, allowing them to work effectively outside of the office.

But, this is not the ideal situation for many businesses and their workforce.

Working from home in one sense is seen as the natural next step in the modern working environment, as the flexibility it offers is high on the priority list of many.

In saying this, it has its limitations too, not only from a productivity point of view, but many businesses need dynamic office environments to foster deeper collaboration, which can be lost in the world of virtual meetings.

Many businesses are looking at a hybrid model of work in the future. A recent survey from Ibec showed over a quarter of respondents (28%) will plan their return to the workplace in line with Government advice and/or the finalisation of the vaccination roll-out. A similar proportion (29%) expect to return in September 2021 and one in five organisations expect to be fully back in the workplace within the next three months (21%).

Four out of five respondent companies stated that they will

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operate a hybrid model of remote and onsite work to a degree when their offices reopen. 15% of respondents will ask all staff to return onsite fully and 4% will keep their staff remote working on a full-time basis.

Almost three quarters of companies (74%) say that the use of hybrid working will increase in their organisations over the next 2-3 years. A return to office work is not fully consigned to the past and it is also vital in order to preserve the future of the many ‘Experience Economy’ businesses, including the retail sector, in our towns and cities that rely on office worker footfall for their survival.

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Guinness 0.0

Guinness 0.0: everything except alcohol

assurance measures through the production process.

“Guinness have always maintained the upmost commitment to quality. We are 100% confident that consumers’ expectations of our quality standards will be met with our new non-alcoholic Guinness 0.0,” said Alan McAleenan, Marketing Director, Guinness Ireland. “We are delighted to bring Guinness MicroDraught, another world-first innovation from Guinness, to pubs around Ireland, meaning that Irish consumers will now have the chance to enjoy a beautiful, non-alcoholic Guinness 0.0, whether in pub or at home, this summer.”

A world-first innovation The launch of Guinness 0.0 in pubs around Ireland will be made possible thanks to another world-first innovation from the team at Guinness – Guinness MicroDraught. Non-alcoholic beers such as Guinness 0.0 cannot be poured via traditional beer lines and keg systems in pubs; however, this new cutting-edge technology finally makes it possible!

The St James’ Gate brewers start by brewing Guinness exactly as they always have, using the same natural ingredients - water, barley, hops, and yeast - before gently removing the alcohol through a cold filtration method. The cold filtration process allows the alcohol to be filtered out without presenting thermal stress to the beer, protecting the integrity of its taste and character. The brewers then carefully blend and balance the flavours to ensure the distinctive flavour profile and taste characteristics of Guinness.

Guinness 0.0 is the new non-alcoholic beer from the brewers at St James’ Gate, and will be available to purchase from supermarkets and off-licenses in cans from the end of August.

GUINNESS have announced the Irish launch of Guinness 0.0 – the Guinness with everything, except alcohol.

Guinness 0.0 is the non-alcoholic beer from the brewers at St James’ Gate that boasts the same beautifully smooth taste, perfectly balanced flavour and unique dark colour of Guinness, without the alcohol.

While initially scheduled to launch in Ireland in late 2020, the introduction of Guinness 0.0 was delayed as a precautionary measure at the end of last year. At Guinness, consumers’ health and safety is always their number one priority and since this precautionary recall, Guinness teams have been working to introduce a new filtration process and additional quality

Pictured at Peggy Kelly’s Pub in Harold’s Cross, Dublin, are Dairine Clinton, GM at Peggy Kelly’s Pub, and Deborah Maher, Sales Manager at Diageo Ireland, with new Guinness 0.0.

A keg so small it comes in a can This freshly brewed Guinness 0.0 is then packaged and delivered to pubs around Ireland in a unique “keg so small it comes in a can”. The final step involves your local bar-staff simply slotting this can into the Guinness MicroDraught unit and pouring a beautiful serve of Guinness 0.0 – the beer that is 100% Guinness, but 0% alcohol.

The secret to how the MicroDraught unit produces a beautiful Guinness 0.0 pour every time is the world-first patentpending double coaxial piercing of the can. It uses an air pump, as opposed to the gas cylinder used in the traditional system, to push the liquid out of the can and through the standard Guinness Draught spout. The result is a beautiful two-part pour with the iconic surge and settle and cold, smooth taste of Guinness, just without the alcohol.

Guinness 0.0 is brewed at St James’ Gate in Dublin, the home of Guinness, and will be rolled out in markets globally beginning this summer. Guinness 0.0 will be available in pubs across Ireland from mid-July 2021 and will be available in 500ml can format in off-licences and supermarkets from end of August at an RRP of €6 for a 4-pack. More markets throughout the world will follow later in 2021.

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Employment Law

The right to disconnect and flexible working A new Code of Practice and expected new legislation on the right to disconnect and flexible working could have implications for employers and their staff, write Barry Reynolds and Jenny Wakely, specialists in employment law with DAC Beachcroft.

The pandemic has, needless to say, been a game changer for screen based roles and remote work is set to continue for a great many businesses. Government authorities have responded with a growing suite of official guidance tools on adapted work practices; for example, the National Remote Work Strategy; Guidance for Working Remotely; A Remote Working Checklist for Employers; and, Guidance on Working from Home for Employers and Employees (Health and Safety Authority).

For the most part, employers remain bound by all of their longstanding obligations in relation to managing working time in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (the “1997 Act”). This includes maintaining and retaining appropriate working time records and ensuring that employees do not work more than a maximum of 48 hours per week on average. The legislation also contains minimum daily and weekly rest periods, as well as mandatory breaks during the working day and minimum annual leave and public holiday entitlements. There are only very limited exceptions to the

need to observe weekly maximum working hours, as well as minimum rest periods and breaks. Home working is not one of those exceptions.

Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect The recent publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect seeks to assist employers and employees with some of the challenges that come with an increasingly digital and flexible working environment. While pandemic working arrangements have expedited the introduction of the Code, it applies to all working arrangements, including those primarily office based.

Its approach is to collate and complement the pre-existing statutory obligations on both employers and employees concerning, mainly, working time and health and safety.

The key principles The Code provides guidance intended to curb the drift reported

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Employment Law Obligations rest on the employer but employees are expected to comply While recognising that the onus of managing working time is primarily on employers, the Code also helpfully acknowledges “individual responsibility on the part of employees”. This is a welcome feature of the Code. Section 15 (1) of the 1997 Act provides that an employer “shall not permit” an employee to work more than an average of 48 hours per week and the Workplace Relations Commission (“WRC”) and Labour Court have pointed out that this imposes a form of strict liability on employers not to allow their employees to work more than the statutory maximum weekly hours.

Past trends in the cases In a recent claim brought against a global food company (DWT1820), the Labour Court noted that although evidence provided by the company may have shown that the work assigned to the Complainant did not require her to work excessive The recent publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect seeks to hours, the Complainant’s evidence and assist employers and employees with some of the challenges that come with an increasingly digital and flexible working environment. supporting documents demonstrated that the company was aware of the hours that she was working and took no steps to monitor or curtail her working hours. The Labour Court held that the company thereby by many workers into longer working hours. There are three permitted her to work more hours that the statutory maximum main elements: weekly hours and awarded compensation in the amount of i. The right to not routinely perform work outside normal €7,500. working hours.

Previous decisions have, in a similar manner to the Code, ii. The right to not be penalised for refusing to attend to work recognised that employees bear some responsibility in terms matters outside of normal working hours. of their working hours. In a much older case brought against a iii. The duty to respect another person’s right to disconnect (e.g. technology company (DWT0818), the Labour Court noted that by not routinely emailing or calling outside normal working the obligation on employers regarding staff working hours does hours). not merely prohibit an employer from “instructing or requiring” an employee to work more than the statutory maximum, Its key provisions for employers comprise specific but rather requires an employer not to allow an employee to measures which both reflect existing statutory requirements work excessive hours. However, in that case the Court was and in addition assist in embedding a cultural shift towards satisfied that the company had made a bona fide effort to maintaining clear boundaries and include, for example: prevent the Complainant from working excessive hours and that the Complainant had continued to do so notwithstanding • Introducing a Right to Disconnect Policy taking account the company’s instructions to her to the contrary. While the of the needs of the workforce to disconnect from work Court found that there had been a technical breach of the Act, but also of the needs of the business and its customers, it held that the Complainant was primarily responsible and including such considerations as time zone differences and no compensation was awarded. This highlights the need for emergencies but also the needs of customers/clients. The employers to be able to demonstrate proactive steps to manage key point is that contact outside normal hours is occasional working time. and for legitimate reasons.

There is no reprieve for employers arising from the • Employer policies on flexible working and disconnecting challenges of managing a partially remote workforce. However, must be coordinated so as to meet the needs of the it is to be welcomed that the new Code in part acknowledges business and those on flexible working arrangements “who that there is responsibility on both sides of the employment may need more flexibility to reconnect”. relationship for keep working hours within permissible limits.

• Ensuring that employees are informed of their normal Employers must be more vigilant now than ever in ensuring working hours and entitlements to breaks. compliance with working time rules and they must engage with • Managing and conducting work in a way that reduces the staff on their working practices and be able to show that this is risk of “any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the the case. safety, health and welfare at work of his or her employees at risk”.

Key provisions in the Code for employees • It recognises that “occasionally legitimate reasons arise The key provisions in the Code for employees include: when it is necessary to contact staff outside of normal • Taking reasonable care to protect their own and others’

working hours.” safety, health and welfare.

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Employment Law ABOUT THE AUTHORS: BARRY Reynolds (breynolds@dacbeachcroft.com) and Jenny Wakely (jwakely@dacbeachcroft.com) of DAC Beachcroft (https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/en/gb/ locations/dublin/) are specialists in employment law. This article is for general information purposes only and does not comprise legal or professional advice. You should not rely on any of the material in this article without seeking appropriate legal advice.

Twitter: @dacbeachcroft LinkedIn: DAC Beachcroft Dublin.

Employers must be more vigilant now than ever in ensuring compliance with working time rules and they must engage with staff on their working practices and be able to show that this is the case.

•

•

•

Cooperating fully with “any appropriate mechanism utilised by an employer to record working time including when

working remotely”.

Being mindful of others’ right to disconnect (e.g. by not

routinely emailing or calling outside normal working hours).

Liaising with their employer on statutory rest periods and breaks.

What happens if the Code is breached?

While failure to follow the Code is not an offence in itself, any breach is admissible in evidence in any legal proceedings.

The key point is that contact from staff and managers outside normal working hours is not banned, just that it should be occasional and for legitimate reasons. It must not be routine and without any justification.

Legislation expected on remote and flexible working Flexible work patterns are often seen as going hand-inhand with remote working.

Taking remote working first, legislation is expected later this year to provide employees with the right to request remote

The Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect recognises the duty to respect another person’s right to disconnect (e.g. by not routinely emailing or calling outside normal working hours).

working from their employers post-pandemic. Employees will not have an automatic right to work remotely, but employers will be required to consider requests for remote work and to justify any refusal of such a request. An employee will be entitled to refer a refusal to the WRC in circumstances where he/she is not satisfied with the reason(s) provided.

There are important developments anticipated also in relation to flexible working. Ireland is required on foot of the 2019 EU Directive on Work-Life Balance (Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019, on work-life balance for parents and carers) to pass legislation before the end of 2022 giving effect to a number of provisions that will enable parents and carers of children up to eight years of age to request flexible working arrangements in certain circumstances. Such arrangements could include a reduction in working hours or flexible working schedules.

Employers who are unable to facilitate such arrangements will also be required to provide reasons justifying their refusal of flexible working requests. Employees in the UK already have a legal right to request flexible working from their employers in certain circumstances. In the UK, this right extends to all employees, not just to parents and carers.

The following provisions relating to flexible working already apply in Ireland: Force majeure leave arises where, for urgent family reasons, the immediate presence of the employee is indispensable owing to an injury or the illness of a close family member. Where applicable, an employee will be entitled to paid leave for up to three days in a 12 month period or up to five days in a 36 month period.

Parental leave enables employees to take unpaid leave from work to look after their children. Employees can take up to 26 weeks’ parental leave for each eligible child before their 12th

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Employment Law birthday. Employees are required to provide their employers with at least six weeks’ notice prior to taking parental leave.

Parental leave can be taken as a continuous period of leave or as two separate periods of at least six weeks each. An employer may also agree to an employee taking parental leave as individual working days.

Parent’s leave enables employees to take five weeks’ leave during the first two years of their child’s life or, if an employee has adopted a child, within two years of the child’s adoption.

Parent’s Benefit may be payable by the Department of Social Protection if the employee has sufficient social insurance contributions. Employers are not required to pay employees during a period of parent’s leave although some employers may choose to “top-up” an employee’s Parent’s Benefit.

What steps should employers take?

This area is one to watch, with further changes on the way in the near future. Employers must now take the following steps: • •

•

•

Put in place a policy on the right to disconnect.

Keep up to date with Government advice regarding remote working and in due course put in place policies regarding remote working and flexible working.

Ensure that remote working and flexible working

arrangements do not have a negative impact on career

progression for those who avail of the opportunity to work from home or to work reduced hours, particularly those with disabilities and women with young children.

Review induction and training programmes for all staff, but especially managers.

Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 The 1997 Act comprehensively addresses employee working time entitlements. Some of its main provisions can be summarised briefly as follows.

Weekly working hours Employers are prohibited from permitting employees to work more than a maximum of 48 hours per week on average. The average is usually calculated over a four-month period, but in certain circumstances it can be averaged over a six-month period (for example, in respect of businesses that are seasonal in nature). A 12-month averaging period may be applied by agreement between employers and employees where this is approved by the Labour Court.

Minimum daily and weekly rest periods

Employees are entitled to a 15 minute break after working four and a half hours and a 30 minute break if they work more than six hours. The 30 minute break may include the first 15 minute break. Special rules apply to shop employees. Shop employees who work more than six hours are entitled to a one hour break between 11:30am and 2:30pm where their hours of work include this period. These breaks may be unpaid and do not constitute working time.

Employees are also generally entitled to a rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours in any 24 hour period and a rest period of at least 24 hours in any seven day period, normally following an 11 hour rest period.

Annual leave and public holiday entitlements

Employees are generally entitled to a minimum annual leave entitlement of four of their normal working weeks. An employee’s contract of employment may provide for annual leave in excess of this statutory minimum. Employees are entitled to be paid during annual leave at their normal weekly rate of pay. For those employees whose rate of pay varies because of commission or bonus payments, their rate of pay for annual leave purposes is calculated as an average over the 13 weeks prior to their annual leave.

Full-time employees and part-time employees, who have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks preceding a public holiday, are also entitled to the following nine public holidays: • • • • • • • • •

New Year’s Day (January 1) St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) Easter Monday First Monday in May First Monday in June First Monday in August Last Monday in October Christmas Day (December 25) St. Stephen’s Day (December 26).

The entitlement is to one of the following: • • • •

A paid day off on the public holiday An additional day of annual leave An additional day’s pay A paid day off within a month of the public holiday.

If you have any queries or require any assistance in relation to any of the above, please contact Barry Reynolds or Jenny Wakely.

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Drinks News Dingle Distillery launch Single Malt Whiskey DINGLE Distillery have launched their first core whiskey expression, Dingle Single Malt, a milestone in the distillery’s history and a huge step forward in their growth journey. Some 50,000 bottles of the triple distilled, non-chill filtered Dingle Single Malt have been produced and will be sold domestically, priced at €55 per 70cl bottle, as well as exported to key international markets including the UK, Poland, Germany, France, China and, later this year, the US. The distillery expects to produce 100,000 bottles of Dingle Single Malt, and half a million bottles across the distillery’s portfolio by 2023. Elliot Hughes, Managing Director at Dingle Distillery, explains, “We are one of few distilleries in Ireland solely producing our own spirit – we don’t buy from or sell to other distilleries. When a customer buys from Dingle, they do so with the reassurance that the spirit is 100% Dingle.”

New Head of Beverage at Musgrave Marketplace MUSGRAVE MarketPlace have announced the appointment of Ken Allan as their new Head of Beverage, alongside the hiring of 13 experienced on-trade beverage sales colleagues. This significant expansion of the team is part of Musgrave MarketPlace’s plans to increase the number of on-trade beverage customers they service from 45% of the market, to become the leading on-trade supplier to the Irish market. Ken has over 17 years’ experience in the on-trade, including senior roles with Diageo Ireland, Diageo Africa, Brandhouse South Africa, Counterpoint in Ireland and KWV Wines & Spirits in South Africa. Pictured are: John Hardiman, Business Development Manager, Musgrave MarketPlace, Ken Allen, Head of Beverage, Musgrave MarketPlace, and Emily Kirby, Mixologist Buddha Bar, at Musgrave MarketPlace’s Galway branch.

New standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol DRINKS Ireland, the Ibec trade association that represents drinks manufacturers and suppliers, have welcomed the launch of the first-ever global standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol. A global partnership of 12 leading beer, wine, and spirits companies that form the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) and 14 global and regional online retailers, and e-commerce and delivery platforms, identified key safeguards to help ensure that robust standards are in place throughout the entire supply chain and customer journey to combat harmful drinking. These include: improving safeguards and security measures that aim to prevent minors from being able to buy alcohol, and putting in place mechanisms to prevent beer, wine, and spirits being delivered to minors, to individuals showing visible signs of intoxication, or where prohibited by law. “Irish drinks producers are proud to abide by some of the strictest rules and regulations with regard the sale and marketing of alcohol in the world,” said Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland (pictured), who noted how these new international standards are “an additional layer and a targeted response to the fact that consumers are increasingly buying alcohol online.”

Carry Out Tramore wins two NOffLA Awards

DOWNEY’S Carry Out off-licence on Tramore’s Main Street was a proud winner at NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards recently, winning the Champagne Ayala Best First Time Entrant 2021, as well as taking home a Certificate of Excellence. Owner and operator, Declan Downey said both he and the team were “absolutely delighted and thrilled to have such great recognition of their efforts on a national scale”. Pictured celebrating outside the store are (l-r): Rafel Flak, store assistant, Simon Andrews, Store Manager, and Declan Downey, owner and operator.

Southern Comfort remixes New Orleans soul sounds with Irish DJs SOUTHERN Comfort have collaborated with some of Ireland’s most talented DJs to create the ultimate Southern Comfort Summer playlist with a twist. The new campaign is the brand’s latest digital venture, which celebrates the talent of Irish music artists. Each of the DJs were given the same New Orleans sound sample to remix and create an original track for the Remix the Spirit campaign, providing the nation with the soundtrack to summer celebrations. “What better way to get the summer started than enjoying our amazing Irish artists’ customised new playlist?” said Laura Scott, Brand Manager of Southern Comfort with Hi-Spirits Ireland. “Our Remix the Spirit campaign was launched to bring people together for a good time.”

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Drinks News Heaven’s Door and Redbreast announce collaboration HEAVEN’S Door Whiskey, Bob Dylan’s evolving collection of American whiskeys, and Redbreast Irish Whiskey, the world renowned Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, have announced the release of a limited-edition 10-Year Aged Bourbon finished in Redbreast casks. This first ever collaboration for both brands was created in tandem by Master Blenders, Ryan Perry of Heaven’s Door and Billy Leighton of Redbreast Irish Whiskey, and has been aptly named, The Master Blenders’ Edition. Marrying the best of American and Irish whiskey, The Master Blenders’ Edition has already been awarded a Double Gold medal in a blind tasting in the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As a lover of Irish Whiskey and of Redbreast in particular, Heaven’s Door Founder, Bob Dylan, worked closely with the Master Blenders and sampled over a dozen blends before settling on the final selection. “Mr Dylan is a perfectionist and knows his whiskey,” said Billy Leighton. “His engagement and enthusiasm for this collaboration made this project even more special.”

Lucozade Sport launch new flavour to Irish market

LUCOZADE Sport have launched a new flavour to the Irish market. In a significant move for the brand and celebrating their partnership with two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Anthony Joshua (pictured), Lucozade Sport Ireland have launched Anthony Joshua Fruit Punch 750ml bottle.

The launch also includes a 4x500ml drink later pack. A great tasting Apple & Raspberry flavour, Fruit Punch provides the same B Vitamins, carbohydrates and electrolytes as the current range to enhance hydration and help maintain performance during endurance exercise. Lucozade Sport will invest in a large-scale, through-the-line campaign, including a brand-new TV advert featuring Anthony Joshua, as well as offering Irish consumers the chance to win a money-can’t-buy experience for them and a friend to meet and train with Anthony Joshua at his gym in London.

Walsh Whiskey releases 2021 edition of The Irishman Vintage Cask WALSH Whiskey has released the 2021 vintage of The Irishman Vintage Cask, a rare cask strength Irish whiskey expression. This year’s vintage is limited to 3,000 bottles worldwide, and is the 13th release since 2008, when it became the first triple-distilled Cask Strength Irish whiskey released in over half a century.

The Irishman Vintage Cask (RRP €130) is a unique marriage of Aged Single Malt & Aged Single Pot Still, matured in first-fill bourbon casks, non chill-filtered and bottled at 54.8% ABV. Each bottle is presented in an elegant wooden cask, uniquely numbered, and with a dated certificate signed

by Bernard Walsh, the co-founder of Walsh Whiskey and creator of The Irishman.

Retro-inspired football gear up for grabs from Carling and Umbro CARLING, the Republic of Ireland’s number one standard lager (Off Trade (ROI) Nielsen MAT to March 2021, Volume (HL) | On Trade (ROI) CGA FY 2019 Volume, HL) have teamed up with global sportswear brand Umbro to give football fans the chance to win one of 10,000 limited-edition retro inspired shirts. Consumers simply have to find one of Carling’s special golden cans, which have been hidden in promotional multipacks of Carling this month. Those lucky enough to find one will be able to redeem their prize online by entering a unique code found on the can and answering a skills-based question on the Carling website.

Lee Willett, Carling Brand Director at Molson Coors Beverage Company, said: “Carling and Umbro both have a rich heritage in football, which makes this an ideal partnership to tap into fans’ love for the beautiful game ahead of a big summer of sport.”

Black Irish appoint Irish distributor INNOVATIVE Irish Whiskey infused with black stout, Black Irish will be distributed in Ireland by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits. Black Irish contains triple distilled blended Irish Whiskey matured in deepcharred American ex-bourbon casks. The whiskey is then made dark with the blend of a strong stout and barrel-aged stout, which is also used in part to cut the cask strength whiskey to the bottling strength of 40%. David Phelan, co-founder of Darker Still Spirits Company, who developed Black Irish, said, “We are all so proud of what we have created, our whiskey made dark is one with remarkable depth and bite and we are thrilled to have Dalcassian building distribution for us in Ireland. They have a great range of premium spirits in their portfolio and we are delighted they are adding Black Irish to this line-up.”

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Craft Cider

Calls for excise relief for craft cider producers Cider producers have called on the Government to give them the same excise relief as that enjoyed by craft beer brewers.

CIDER producers have called on the Government to extend the excise relief currently enjoyed by craft brewers, to craft cider producers. The excise relief will enable further investment in the sector, with the aim of replicating the expansion that the craft beer industry saw over the past 15 years.

The call comes from Drinks Ireland - Cider, the representative voice for the cider industry in Ireland, as they launch their annual Cider Market Report. The report shows that there was an 11.3% fall in total cider sales last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report found that the rolling lockdowns on hospitality venues in Ireland increased cider purchases in the off-trade, but this was not enough to offset the loss of cider sales in pubs, restaurants, and hotels. Typically, around 45% of cider purchases are in the on-trade, with 55% in the off-trade.

However, in 2020 just 16% of cider was sold in the on-trade, with 84% of sales in the off-trade, illustrating the massive shift in purchasing patterns.

The impact of Covid-19 The Covid impact on cider, which is heavily reliant on the ontrade, meant that its market share of alcohol beverages fell from 7.4% in 2019 to 6.9% in 2020.

The report also found that the value of cider exports declined last year by 2.7% to €58.2m. About 90% of cider exports go to the United Kingdom, while other export destinations include the US, Australia, New Zealand, and France.

The report highlighted that Ireland has the third highest excise rate on cider in Europe, after Finland and Sweden. Over the past 10 years, more than half a billion euro worth of excise receipts have been collected from cider sales in Ireland.

The sector has called for additional financial aid to support the coverage of costs associated with the uplift of kegged cider during the recent lockdowns, in addition to the excise relief for craft cider producers.

Benefits of excise relief An excise relief programme for small producers, similar to the one enjoyed by craft brewers, could be set up at a minimal cost to the exchequer, Drinks Ireland - Cider claimed, and would result in a number of downstream benefits to other sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, tourism and retail.

Brewers that produce less than 50,000 hectolitres of beer per annum get a 50% reduction on excise payments to the exchequer. Until 2020, the EU Structures Directive on Excise only permitted excise relief for brewers. This has now been extended to small producers of fermented Seamus O’Hara, Chair of Drinks beverages like cider.

Ireland - Cider, and founder “The Irish cider industry and CEO of Carlow Brewing has had a challenging year Company. and any assistance from the Government would be welcome,” noted Seamus O’Hara, Chair of Drinks Ireland – Cider, and founder and CEO of Carlow Brewing Company, which produces Falling Apple and Craigies Cider. “The excise relief programme for Ireland’s craft brewers saw the number of breweries increase from three to 75 in the space of a decade.

Extending this programme to craft cider producers could result in further growth in the sector, which will ultimately benefit the consumer with more choice.”

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What’s New NORDIC SPIRIT LAUNCH TOBACCO-FREE NICOTINE POUCHES

MIGHTY NOT MEATY RANGE LAUNCHES IN IRELAND

IN Nordic countries, they celebrate something known as “Little Saturdays”, or lillördag.

It’s a cultural tradition in which Wednesdays are seen as a chance for a mid-week break, with opportunities for socialising and celebration! Whether it’s a beer after work or watching a film with friends, Nordic Spirit tobacco-free nicotine pouches means you never have to miss a moment.

So, stock up on Nordic Spirit and enjoy your Little Saturday - 18+, This product contains nicotine.

Nicotine is an addictive substance.

THE Mighty Mushroom Co, Ireland’s latest innovative plantbased brand, have announced their first meat-free range including Mince, Burgers and Cumberland Style Sausages in Eurospar across Ireland (from RRP €3.50). The range is designed to cater to flexitarians, vegans and meateaters alike, providing a solution to shoppers in search for sustainable alternatives. Tapping into this trend, the new Mighty Mushroom range is shaking up the meat-free market, packed full of tasty umami flavour and made with up to 85% mushrooms, which are grown on sustainable Irish farms.

“The Mighty Mushroom range is positioned as the perfect plant-based options for those looking to reduce their meat consumption, whether to make meals more adventurous, add to classic family dishes or simply eat on their own,” revealed Noel Hegarty, The Mighty Mushroom Co.

AVONMORE SUPER MILK LAUNCH NEW

CAMPAIGN AS restrictions begin to ease, Avonmore Super Milk are delighted to unveil their brand new above-the-line campaign highlighting the importance, now more than ever, of sunshine Vitamin D in the Irish diet. With an investment of €1.4m behind it, the ad focuses on the fact that Avonmore Super Milk is fortified with vitamin D which helps support our immune system and helps our bodies absorb calcium which helps keep bones healthy, allowing us to get the most out of everything. The heavyweight campaign includes TV and radio and is reinforced by digital and social media activations.

“In this campaign, we talk about the role of Vitamin D and absorption of calcium and - importantly in these times - its role in supporting the immune system,” noted Linda Sheehan, Marketing Manager Glanbia Consumer Foods. “Delivering a message of getting the most out of our milk helps us in getting the most out of everything, it’s also typically Irish and has a little humour in it too!”

NEW REFRESHING ICED COFFEES FROM NESCAFÉ GOLD Nescafé are excited to launch the brand-new Nescafé Gold Iced range. Available in two delicious and refreshing flavours, Iced Cappuccino and Iced Latte Salted Caramel, they will be the perfect accompaniment to those much longed-for summer moments. Both coffees have been made with carefully selected ingredients, including the finest coffee beans, for a delicious coffee taste, topped with a generous velvety foam. “With our new launch, coffee fans will be able to enjoy a mouthwateringly delicious, coffee-shop style iced coffee at home,” said Carol Anne Deasy, Beverages Marketing Manager, Nestlé Ireland.

GM MARKETING TO DISTRIBUTE FRIESLANDCAMPINA PRODUCTS BELFAST-based, brandbuilding distributor, GM Marketing have announced their successful appointment as distribution partner of FrieslandCampina, the fifth largest dairy company in the world, including the iconic Yazoo flavoured milk brand. The announcement marks GM Marketing’s first move into the dairy category and comes on the back of a high-growth period for the Belfast based business, driven through year-on-year growth and acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.gmmarketing.co.uk.

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Forecourt Focus: News Circle K selling Covid-19 antigen tests CIRCLE K are now selling Covid-19 antigen tests in all stores, excluding Circle K Express, since Friday, June 4.

Tests are priced at €8 for an individual test, with two tests for €14 and three tests for €20.

The antigen test product has been manufactured in Germany and is being supplied through award-winning Irish pharmaceutical company, MyBio, an exclusive supplier of many of the world’s leading bioscience reagents and rapid The antigen test product at Circle K has been manufactured in Germany and is being tests to the Irish market. supplied through award-winning Irish pharmaceutical company, MyBio. The test is easy to administer and provides results within 15 minutes. It intended as the sole basis to diagnose “We see the use of antigen tests as is designed for the rapid qualitative or exclude a Covid-19 case. a complementary additional safety determination of SARS-CoV-2 virus “As society continues to reopen and measure alongside the existing antigen. with strong progress on the vaccine public health advice and Government EU certified, the antigen test has roll-out front, we feel there is a demand guidance. It is really important that a 97.83% accuracy rate in detecting for access to antigen testing products to customers continue to abide by these proteins of the virus and has shown to help further manage the risk associated measures and exercise good judgement be effective in detection of symptomatic with this virus,” noted Gordon Lawlor, when it comes to the usage of antigen and asymptomatic carriers. It is not Managing Director, Circle K Ireland. tests.”

Comedy duo design new Applegreen chicken fillet roll

Pictured with the 2 Johnnies are Rebecca Duffy, Brand Marketing Manager, Applegreen, and David Barrett, Area Manager, Applegreen.

SELF-DECLARED chicken fillet roll fanatics ‘The 2 Johnnies’ have collaborated with Applegreen to create a new limited-edition version of the deli counter favourite.

The specially selected roll devised by the 2 Johnnies is a nod to the classic recipe with a fresh twist. Customers can look forward to a mouth-watering combination of Applegreen’s 100% Irish chicken fillet on a signature roll accompanied by cheese, mayonnaise and lettuce.

The partnership has derived from the 2 Johnnies’ deep-rooted passion for chicken fillet rolls. The pair regularly discuss their favourite rolls and recipes on their popular podcast, as well as their chief bugbear, overpriced chicken rolls. Applegreen ensured the lads will have no complaints on that score, as the 2 Johnnies signature chicken fillet roll was on sale for €4.

Applegreen Marketing Manager, Rebecca Duffy, remarked: “We had so much fun letting the 2 Johnnies run wild behind our deli counter as they came up with their signature Applegreen chicken fillet roll.”

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Forecourt Focus: News Maxol Newbridge named ‘Best of the Best’ THERE were huge celebrations at Maxol Newbridge recently, when it was announced as the winner of the inaugural Best of the Best Store award at the annual NACS European Convenience Retail Awards.

The award was presented to Maxol Newbridge during the 2021 NACS Convenience Summit Europe and importantly, the winner from Ireland was voted for by summit attendees – Maxol’s industry peers from all over Europe.

The European Convenience Retail Awards recognise and promote convenience retailing excellence in Europe and provide retailers with the opportunity to showcase their innovation and creativity to the global retailing community. To be victorious, the Best of the Best Store winner must reflect an innovative and successful European convenience store that breaks new ground and sets new innovative standards for the industry.

“This is an incredible achievement for the team in Newbridge,” noted Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group.

“Not only is Maxol Newbridge the best of the best in Ireland, but the best in Europe as chosen by our industry peers.

Congratulations to all of the team in Newbridge for their contribution and hard work in making it a day to

remember in our long history. Last year, we marked our centenary, this year we are celebrating a bestin-class win, so there is a lot to be proud of within the Maxol family. We purchased Pictured are (l-r): Mark Cribbin, Operations Manager, the site from the Aramark; Ciaran McNally, Head of Capital Development Brennan family in and Food Strategy, Maxol; Brian Donaldson, CEO, Maxol 2016 and I would like Group, and Siobhan Grimes, Head of Retail, Maxol. to thank the Directors and everyone in Maxol forecourt experiences. I couldn’t be who has been on the happier for the people who have worked journey with me to transform Maxol into tirelessly through a pandemic to make a the business it is today. I could not be positive impact on customers every day.” prouder of our team.”

Located just off Exit 12 on the M7, Aramark, the global specialist in the store was transformed in 2020 food and facilities management services, and the site now provides commuters, operates the service station on behalf local residents and businesses with an of Maxol. Mark Cribbin, Operations extensive range of forecourt convenience Manager, Aramark Ireland, said, services 24 hours a day, seven days “International recognition as ‘best of a week. Maxol invested €2.5m in the the best’ is an incredible achievement Newbridge site, which saw it almost for any team and everyone in Aramark doubling in size. The refurbished service Ireland is immensely proud of our station recently welcomed the opening people in Newbridge. This award is the of one of the largest fast food chains in jewel in the crown for what is now a the world, with a dedicated drive through multi-award-winning Aramark-Maxol Burger King, along with a new Maxol Deli partnership, underpinned by the genuine and Rotisserie, offering a wide range of pride our people take in their work, healthy food menu options. serving customers and creating fantastic

Applegreen customer wins €6.4m on Lotto THE Applegreen service station in Arcadia Retail Park, Athlone, has been confirmed as the winning location for the winning Lotto jackpot ticket from May 22 worth €6,489,165.

The win marked the third Lotto jackpot to be won so far this year, following an €8.5m win in Limerick in January and a €12.7m win in Kilkenny in April.

“It’s thrilling news and we were absolutely delighted to find out that the lucky ticket was bought here at Applegreen Athlone,” said Isaias Garcia, Site Manager at Applegreen Athlone. “We’ve been talking about nothing else ever since, and the team is having lots of fun with it. Nobody knows who the lucky customer is but we hope they enjoy their new life.

Are we jealous? Maybe a tiny bit but I suppose if you’re not going to buy a winning lottery ticket, the next best thing is selling one!”

The Lotto Plus 1 top prize winner from Mayo, who won €1m on the same night, purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket at Cunningham’s in the village of Belcarra located just outside Castlebar. Shop owner Paul Cunningham was overjoyed to hear the good news: “A lot of our customers would be local so it’s great to think that someone in the community has become a millionaire.”

Pictured celebrating selling the winning Lotto ticket at Applegreen Athlone are Isaias Garcia, Manager, Applegreen Service Station, Arcadia Retail Park; Donagh Joyce, Aplegreen; Michael Jenkins, Assistant Manager, Applegreen; and Vaida Ekaminaviciute, Applegreen.

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Shelf Life WATERFUL plastic-free baby wipes have announced the appointment of their new Head of Marketing, Fiona Rawlinson.

Cork-born Rawlinson, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience in both Europe and the US, joins the new innovative Irish company to accelerate the expanding reach of their groundbreaking, plastic-free baby wipes. Founder of Waterful, Tom Doyle said: “Following a period of impressive growth since we founded the company in 2020, Waterful is now looking to accelerate this growth and scale up the business appropriately. With the addition of Fiona to our senior leadership team, we continue to develop the firepower to help build awareness of an alternative baby wipe that is not just completely safe for a baby’s skin, but is 100% plastic free.”

KINETIC have joined forces with Coors to deliver a weather triggered Digital Out of Home (DOOH) campaign.

Working closely with media agency Red Star, creative agency, Havas Creative, and Kinetic’s digital production partners DOOH.com, the campaign aims to drive awareness of Coors as the drink of choice for all occasions.

Using the innovative tagline, ‘Only one peak of refreshment’, the DOOH campaign will be triggered by various weather conditions, including hot, cold, sunny, rainy and cloudy and specific creative will be delivered relevant to the present moment. The creative will also be active across Point of Sale (POS) formats over the summer months and runs until September 19.

CENTRA have revealed that traditional ice cream treats remain the nation’s favourites, but newer options are now accounting for over 50% of the market following a significant increase in demand for Moo’d Ice Cream products. The traditional cone and flake still leads the way with consumers, accounting for 47% of purchases, but Whirlies, where consumers mix their favourite toppings with whipped ice cream, are proving increasingly popular with consumers, accounting for 34% of purchases. Milkshakes (9%), Gelato (8%) and Slushies and other items account for the remainder of purchases (<3%). The latest data from Centra also shows that caramel is Ireland’s favourite ice cream topping, with most consumers including it in the custom swirl cups, closely followed by the Bueno Whirl.

ADLI’S Specially Selected Tipperary Dry Aged Black Angus Ribeye Steak was the first Irish product to receive the Crystal status by the prestigious International Taste Institute in 2019, an honour bestowed on a product for receiving the elusive three-star accreditation for three consecutive years. This product was then awarded three- stars in 2020, and this year, has once again been awarded three stars, bringing it closer to the much sought after Diamond Award, which is awarded when a product receives three stars in seven out of 10 years. 11 Aldi beef products were entered into the awards, with all 11 recognised for their superior quality and taste by the International Taste Institute, the most accolades won by an Irish supermarket at the awards.

FRYLITE, the leading supplier of fresh food oils to Ireland’s catering and hospitality industry, has been awarded Ibec’s workplace wellness accreditation, the KeepWell Mark. This is as part of a commitment by Frylite to provide the newest and highest standards of workplace wellness, health, and safety to their employees. The business, which currently employs over 200 employees throughout Ireland, delivers this mantra across all of its bases in Strabane (headquarters), Dublin, Galway, Cork, Coleraine and Lisburn. Pictured is Rhiannon Hegarty, HR Officer (Engagement and Wellbeing) at Frylite.

ABP have been awarded seven stars across three of their Tipperary Dry Aged Beef products at the international Superior Taste Awards, which are run by the prestigious International Taste Institute, a leading global authority on testing and promoting superior food and drink products.

ABP’s TDA Striploin Steak was awarded three stars, recognising its exceptional taste qualities and receiving 90% of the available marks from the judging panel. The TDA Cote du Boeuf and the TDA Rib Eye Steak were awarded two stars each, receiving a score of between 80% and 90% from the judges. For more information, visit: www.tdabeef.com.

JAVA Republic’s newest venture, The Origin Project, will bring a series of limited-edition single origin coffees to consumers in Ireland. As part of Java Republic’s philosophy, ‘coffee for the people by the coffee people’, the company has gone far and wide to ensure they bring the best quality coffee from the best quality beans to their customers.

To amplify the uniqueness of each single origin, Java Republic enlisted the help of emerging Irish artists to create a design that captured the culture and history behind each limited-edition coffee, including Costa Rica el Rincon, with a label designed by Ellie Stone, and India Gems of Araku, whose label was created by Adrian Wojtas.

PAUL O’Connell, owner of O’Connell’s seaside shop, located close to Myrtleville Beach in Co. Cork, is pictured celebrating selling the winning location for the Lotto jackpot ticket worth €2,469,871 on May 29. The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold on the day of the draw.

NUTSHED, makers of award winning peanut butters, raw energy balls and plantbased treats, have introduced three new flavours of peanut butter to join their range: dark, decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter, a versatile smokey, slightly spicy Harissa Chili Peanut Butter, and a Very Crunchy Peanut Butter. Based in Nenagh, Co.Tipperary, NutShed expanded to become Ireland’s only producer of award winning, single origin peanut butters, creating an exciting and delicious range of peanut butter flavours which are now available in 260+ shops around Ireland, in independent retailers and Dunnes Stores.

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