Retail News April 2015

APRIL 2015

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Life tastes better with more ‘Hell Yeah’. Henry Denny always thought so. It’s why he became such a pioneer in delivering premium cooked meats across Ireland and beyond.

And now we’re bringing some of that ‘beyond’ back home.

Taking our inspiration from the pitmaster craft of the American deep south to create Fire and Smoke.

Prime rustic joints cooked low and slow, then fire grilled and seared over crackling flames and finally smoked over oak wood chips for a distinctive full on flavour.

Check out the full Fire and Smoke range.

It’s hellishly good. And it’s out now.

This advertisement 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.

Retail News|April 2015| www.retailnews.ie|3

Contents Forecourts to the Fore IRISH forecourt stores are the envy of many, including their UK counterparts, according to Arthur Renshaw of Experian Catalist, a leading global source of information and analysis on petrol and retail forecourts, who estimates that Irish forecourt retailers are three years ahead of those in the UK, particularly when it comes to their grocery and foodservice offering.

Thus begins Retail News’ special in-depth focus on the forecourt sector (Page 24- 37). Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz discusses the changing face of the Irish forecourt business and the role of Topaz in driving that change, particularly with the advent of their new retail food and convenience brand, Re.Store. Elsewhere, we hear from some of Ireland’s leading franchise brands about the opportunities they can provide for Irish forecourt retailers.

We also speak to Noel Keeley, MD of Musgrave Wholesale Partners and current President of Appeals for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund about the continued importance of the IGBF, the need for new blood to get involved with the Fund across the country and his own ambitious targets for his year in office (Page 18), including his mission to bring Aldi and Lidl into the IGBF. Elsewhere in this issue, Chief News Reporter, Pavel Barter examines what the end of milk quotas will mean for the Irish dairy industry and for retailers and consumers (Page 4) while Dermot Griffin, CEO, Premier Lotteries Ireland, discusses the National Lottery’s transition period with great honesty, thanking retailers for their support, while acknowledging and apologising for the setbacks encountered (Page 38).

Kathleen Belton Editorial & Marketing Director kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

News 4

Retailers milk issues over an end to quotas.

5

What next in Dunnes Stores row?

SuperValu takes top spot in supermarket wars.

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Irish Quality Food And Drink Awards 2015 launched; Lidl lands top training award.

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18

The Retail News Interview 18

“Stop subsidising ultra cheap alcohol”: NOffLA’s call to Government; Complex food chain increases food safety risks.

Irish retailers take plain packaging fight to Europe; Publishing 360 seminar for Dublin.

Account Manager at Experian Catalist, examines the overall sector and predicts a bright future for Irish forecourt retailers. Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz discusses the changing face of the Irish forecourt business. We also hear from some of the leading franchise operators on Irish forecourts, including Costa Express and SUBWAY, as well as profiling Brian and Siobhán Mooney’s MACE forecourt store in Waterford City, which combines the latest retail technology with a commitment to their customers built up over three decades of retailing.

Noel Keeley, IGBF President of Appeals and Managing Director of Musgrave Wholesale Partners, talks about the continued importance of the Fund and how it is vital for younger retailers to become involved.

Obituary 21

Dunnes Stores pay tribute to the late Tommy Carmody, the Head Buyer who worked with the company for more than four decades and sadly passed away on St Patrick’s Day.

National Lottery 38

Premium Meats 22

Fire & Smoke is a new premium meats brand from Henry Denny, inspired by the authentic craft of cooking with Fire and Smoke by the Pittmasters of America’s deep south.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 44

24

10 10

Bord Bia hosts Marketplace 2015; SUBWAY wins Irish Franchise Award; Aldi sales surge in UK.

Dermot Griffin, CEO, Premier Lotteries Ireland, writes to retailers, thanking them for their support, while acknowledging and apologising for the setbacks during the transition period.

Stakeholders come together to toast Retail Ireland Skillnet; Retailers welcome JOC recommendations on town centres policy; Latest retail sales data revealed.

Legal Matters

Forecourt Focus

56

24 A Retail News special report on Ireland’s burgeoning forecourt sector, which is streets ahead of its international counterparts. Arthur Renshaw, UK/Ireland

Your duty of care to your workers extends to stress, which is to be treated like any other workplace hazard. Solicitor Tanya Brady advises on your obligations.

REGULARS & REPORTS

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd, Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Editorial Director: Kathleen Belton kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Tel: (01) 6785165 Fax: (01) 6477127

Editor: John Walshe

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

Advertising: Brian Clark

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie brian@tarapublications.ie

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

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

Production: Catherine Doyle

Printed by: W&G Baird

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

12 40 46 48 49 58

Industry News Ice Cream Drinks News Market News Cigarettes & Tobacco Products Shelf Life

4|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

News

Retailers Milk Issues Over an

End to Quotas

On April 1, 2015, representatives from across the dairy industry met at the Department of Agriculture to celebrate the end of the milk quota regime.

Illustrating how the liberalisation of the market will mean more to food and drink products than just pints of milk, the guests snacked on Irish cheeses, including Cashel Blue Cheese, Tipperary Emmental and Imokilly Regato.

Glenilen yogurts and Cooleeney Camembert filled-quiche were also on offer.

Despite the date, this was no April Fool.

“There are no pranks here,” said Minister for Agriculture and Food, Simon Coveney TD. “This is deadly serious and it’s a deadly serious responsibility in terms of the expansion we are planning… [and] for rural Ireland.”

The end of milk quotas has been described as the most fundamental change to Irish agriculture in a generation. For the first time in 31 years, farmers can produce as much milk as they like. Supply is expected to increase by 50% over the next five years.

“The abolition of quotas will bring significant changes for all stakeholders in the dairy industry. Primarily it means freedom for producers to align their farming practices and produce in line with global market demands. Quota abolition means the opportunity for increased production,” Suzanne Rogers, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, told Retail News.

While the government is eager to find new opportunities for export markets, retailers are wondering how liberalisation of the milk regime will affect their own businesses. The quota removal affects every dairy in-store product, including butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.

It could mean cheaper products at retail, said Tara Buckley, Director General of RGDATA. “Farmers were

always very tough on retailers who sourced milk from Northern Ireland, where the prices were cheaper, but it had to be done because the branded, wellknown milk was too expensive.

Customers expected you to have milk at a competitive price.”

Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley. said his members have adopted a “wait and see” approach in regard to prices.

Independent retailers are at the mercy of large buyers, such as multiple retailers, who agree price structures. “We’ll have to see whether the end of quotas leads to different viewpoints from the co-operatives and the creameries,” said Jennings. “I don’t believe there is expectation it will lead to cheaper milk and dairy products. In so many incidences, there’s good value to be had from creamery products.

Reducing the price further would not be in the interest of the retailer… unless it was reduced at wholesale level.”

Retail groups told Retail News that it is business as usual. “The end of the milk quota will not change the relationship that Musgrave has with its milk partners and we will continue to stock 100% NDC [National Dairy Council] approved milk,” a spokesperson for Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, which operates Centra and SuperValu supermarkets, told us. “It is seen as a positive step forward for Irish dairy and we would be glad to see a strengthening and increasing focus on innovation in the industry as a result.”

An end to milk quotas will mean greater investment for dairy products and potential growth in-store, however.

Glanbia, Ireland’s largest dairy ingredients company, has invested €235m in facilities in Kilkenny and Cavan, which includes a new €185m Nutritional Ingredients Plant at Belview in South Kilkenny. According to Glanbia Commercial Director Nick Whelan, the company plans to increase its milk production by 63% in the next five years.

“The removal of restrictions imposed by quotas this month create terrific opportunities for the Irish dairy sector,” Zoë Kavanagh, Chief Executive of CSNA CEO, Vincent Jennings. the National Dairy

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|5

News Council, told Retail News. “With high quality standards as a cornerstone, the industry can use research, innovation and tap into its creativity to explore opportunities.”

Thomas Burke, Retail Ireland Director, added: “It is unlikely that it will have any determinable impact upon domestic liquid milk, hence any impact on the Zoë Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the National retail sector here Dairy Council. in Ireland will be minimal. It will, however, increase the ability of Irish farmers to meet the requirements of large multinational food manufacturers.

A potential positive spin-off benefit of this increased production will be a drive towards further innovation in the sector and increased efficiency along the supply chain, which may result in benefits accruing to the Irish retail sector down the line.”

Quotas were introduced in 1984 after guaranteed income to milk producers, regardless of consumer demand, led to “butter mountains” on the continent. Failure to adhere to the EU law saw farmers hit with a fine. The quota was initially set for five years, but was pushed back to 2003 when EU chiefs failed to reach agreement on ending them. In 2008, an end to the regime was finally set for March 31, 2015.

Pricing is not the only challenge for dairy in the months ahead.

The quality of dairy products must also be maintained, according to the NDC. “The reputation and quality of the Irish dairy sector are precious assets which we need to protect, maintain and enhance,” said Kavanagh. “Quality is the key to consumers' trust in, and loyalty to, Irish dairy products. It underpins the well-earned reputation for excellence that Irish dairy has at home and in premium overseas markets.”

Indeed, not all 18,000 dairy farmers in Ireland will want to expand their operations. “In my view, we must clearly advise farmers that it is a case of ‘better before bigger’, efficiency before expansion, or ‘skill before scale’,” said Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle.

An indirect benefit to retail will be the positive impact on rural Ireland. Teagasc estimates that the removal of quotas could create 15,000 new jobs over the next five years. Rogers, from the Department of Agriculture, concurs: “Economic recovery is very much about balancing the opportunities for our rural economy with those of our towns and cities - and this policy change offers the potential for increased employment across a wide spectrum of areas, with the possibility of 15,000 extra jobs over the next five years.”

Improvement to infrastructure and employment in rural areas can only benefit retail outlets, and improve the relationship between farmer and shopkeeper. “It’s not in our interest, as small retailers, to have anything other than good relations with the community in rural Ireland and small town Ireland,” said Jennings.

“But milk needs to be profitable for the rest of your shop to be profitable.”

All parties agree, however, that this policy change has put the spotlight back on dairy products in-store. National Dairy Week, which runs from April 18-25, focuses on “Irish pasture-based dairy farming and produce – from farm to fridge,” said Kavanagh.

“It celebrates the flavour and diversity of cooking with Irish dairy produce... It reinforces their relevance in consumer lifestyles in an increasingly competitive shopping basket for food and drinks.”

What Next in Dunnes Row? MANDATE Trade Union has condemned Dunnes Stores for targeting staff who participated in the nationwide strike on Thursday, April 2.

According to the union, they have received reports from members all over the country who have experienced dismissals, cuts to hours, changes in roles and shift patterns.

“As a very last resort, and with no other option available to them, our members in Dunnes Stores took legitimate and reasonable industrial action,” said Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary. “All they want is for their company to meaningfully engage with them through their union, with the objective of creating decent working conditions. Now, their employer is blatantly targeting people with the hope of intimidating their own loyal staff and turning them away from any future trade union activities. This behaviour by management in Dunnes Stores is deplorable and despicable and must be condemned by everybody.”

Light argued that the actions by Dunnes has strengthened the resolve of workers, who are now more determined than ever to achieve their objectives of decent work.

Mandate’s National Disputes Committee – which comprises of Dunnes Stores shop stewards from all over the country – have decided to escalate of the dispute, with further industrial action on the cards.

In the aftermath of the recent industrial action by Dunnes Stores workers, the Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD wrote to Mandate Trade Union stating he will be enacting collective bargaining legislation by mid-2015.

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light.

6|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

News SuperValu Takes Top Spot in Supermarket Share THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending March 29, show SuperValu becoming Ireland’s largest grocery retailer for the first time.

“One of the key rules in SuperValu has become Ireland’s largest grocery retailer for the first time. driving sales growth is that you need to broaden your appeal to attract new consumers to be recognised as the largest grocery SuperValu your brand,” explains David Berry, retailer in the market, a feat which is Managing Director at Kantar Worldpanel. even more important when you bear in Director, Martin “SuperValu has consistently achieved mind that SuperValu is a brand that Kelleher. this, with 18 consecutive periods of is essentially made up of independent footfall growth increasing its shopper retailers from across the country,” numbers by 63,000. Undoubtedly noted Martin Kelleher, SuperValu one of the key milestones in helping Managing Director. “So this success SuperValu move to the top of the pile belongs to our retail partners and the was the acquisition of the Superquinn communities that support them every business in July 2011. Rebranding day." the 24 Superquinn stores under the The MD insisted that SuperValu SuperValu banner in February 2014 have achieved this milestone by led to an immediate jump in market focusing on three key areas – providing share from 20% to 25.1%. More the best quality Irish food to its importantly, SuperValu’s performance customers; offering unrivalled expertise within Dublin improved dramatically, through its people like its butchers and as its market share more than doubled bakers; and supporting communities the Irish grocery market is highly from 9.5% to 22.2% today.” across the country through a variety competitive and “will continue to be Tesco’s story is one of mixed of charitable causes, initiatives like neck and neck in the future”. performance. Sales are down year on TidyTowns, as well as putting money “We aim to repay our customers’ year and as a result, market share has back into the local economy due to its loyalty by continuing to invest in dipped from 25.9% to 24.7%. While independent retail model. our brand and further improving our Tesco will be disappointed to have lost “This milestone is testament offer,” he insisted. “In this respect, its number one position, there are some to the fantastic work of our retail we will open four new stores in the positive signs for the retailer. It has partners across the country,” Kelleher year ahead and continue to invest in not lost shoppers since this time last maintained. “Local ownership is one refurbishing our store network, adding year and its customers are making the of our unique selling points: the fact 280 employees to the SuperValu family same number of shopping trips, with that our stores are operated by people in the process. Similarly we will help increased average basket sizes – the from the local community, the store more local suppliers gain their first most positive results for these metrics owner knows his or her customers and retail listing through the Food Academy in more than two years. This points to what they want. For example, as stores programme and support a range of an interesting battle over the coming owners can source directly from local initiatives such as the TidyTowns months as SuperValu looks to remain suppliers, you will find products on our Competition and the GAA All-Ireland in the top spot while Tesco aims to shelves that you simply cannot buy in Football Championship.” regain its advantage. any of the other grocery retailers.”

For more information, please visit Dunnes has continued to enjoy Kelleher acknowledged that www.kantarworldpanel.com. healthy growth, with a 4.9% sales increase improving its market share to 22.7%. This has been fuelled by larger baskets, with two additional Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend items included in each average trip, 12 Weeks to 04 Jan 2015 change** 12 Weeks to 05 Jan 2014 and can be linked to the retailer’s ‘Shop %* %* % and Save’ voucher campaign, which Total Grocers 100.0% 100.0% 1.3 incentivised shoppers to spend more Total Multiples 88.4% 89.1% 2.1 on each visit. The performance of both Tesco 25.9% 24.7% -3.4 Aldi and Lidl has remained impressive, Dunnes 21.9% 22.7% 4.9 with sales growth of 11.1% and 9.7% Total SuperValu 25.1% 24.9% 0.3 respectively. Aldi has successfully Total Discounters 15.5% 16.8% 10.4 recruited new shoppers to its stores, Aldi 7.9% 8.7% 11.1 while Lidl shoppers are returning to Lidl 7.5% 8.2% 9.7 the retailer more often.

Other Outlets** 11.6% 10.9% -4.8 SuperValu thanked its customers following the announcement by *= Percentage Share of Total Grocers Kantar Worldpanel. “It is nice to **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|7

News “Stop Subsidising Ultra Cheap Alcohol”: NOffLA’s Call to Government THE National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has accused the Government of subsidising the sale of ultra-cheap alcohol through current policies, which are costing Exchequer €24m every year.

In its presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children on the Public Health Alcohol Bill and general issues concerning the sale and consumption of alcohol in Ireland, NOffLA outlined a number of measures which it believes would significantly contribute to the reduction of issues associated with irresponsible retailing and consumption of alcohol. These include: • The general introduction of the promised Public Health Alcohol bill as a matter of urgency; • The introduction of an appropriate Minimum Unit Price (MUP) of between €0.90 and €1.10. For MUP to be effective, it must be at an appropriate level and an alternative measure must be sought in case it is found to be illegal under EU law; • A ban on the below invoice cost selling of alcohol as set out in Section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 prohibiting the sale of alcohol at a reduced

price. It is important to note that MUP on its own will not deal with the significant discounting of premium brands of alcohol.

A ban should be introduced in conjunction Evelyn Jones, Government Affairs Director of NOffLA. and can work in tandem with an appropriate Government Affairs Director of MUP. NOffLA. “The Government has on “It is important to note that today numerous occasions stated its desire the State inadvertently subsidises to address the issues associated with the sale of alcohol through the alcohol abuse and we welcomed its practice of below invoice cost selling commitment to introduce the Public by which retailers reclaim VAT on Health Alcohol Bill. That being said, the losses they incur on the alcohol we must question the delay of seven they choose to sell at below invoice years and why the Government has cost,” Jones continued. “This practice, not enacted legislation currently that ultimately costs the taxpayer available, Section 9 and 16 of the and exchequer an estimated €24m Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, that per year, could be stopped overnight would make a real impact to the at no cost to the Exchequer by using everyday lives of people all over the existing powers at the disposal of the country,” said Evelyn Jones, Government.”

Complex Food Chain Increases Food Safety Risks THE World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that levels of foodborne disease are much higher than currently reported and underlines the need for improved collaboration among sectors to lower the health risks associated with unsafe food.

Our food chain is longer and more complex than ever before, and demographic, cultural, economic and environmental developments, such as globalised trade, travel and migration, an ageing population, changing consumer trends and habits, new technologies, emergencies, climate change and extreme weather events, are increasing foodborne health risks.

“The fact that we significantly underestimate how many people become ill from chemicals in the food chain and from common microorganisms such as Salmonella and Campylobacter should start alarm bells ringing across the many areas with a stake in our food chain,” warned Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “A failure in food safety at any link in this chain, from

the environment, through primary production, processing, transport, trade, catering or in the home, can have significant health and economic consequences.”

Current surveillance and reporting systems across the WHO European Region are limited and detect only a small fraction of cases, according to the WHO. This underreporting is greater in countries with less advanced laboratory capacities and less developed surveillance systems. Better data are needed to respond effectively to risks.

“Health 2020, the European policy for health and well-being, calls for effective communication, information sharing and joint action domestically and internationally between the public health, animal health and agricultural sectors. This will go a long way towards ensuring safer food on our plates,” adds Dr Jakab.

On World Health Day 2015, which took place on April 7, the WHO called on policy-makers to build and maintain adequate food safety systems and infrastructures, including

laboratory capacities and surveillance and reporting systems. They also want policy makers to respond to and manage food safety risks along the entire food chain, including during emergencies, to foster multisectoral collaboration among public health, animal health, agriculture and other sectors for better communication, information sharing and joint action and to integrate food safety into broader food policies and programmes (e.g. nutrition and food security).

8|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

News Irish Quality Food And Drink Awards 2015 Launched

DISHING up another chance for success and industry acclaim, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards are back for 2015 and calling all retailers, food producers and manufacturers across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

These prestigious accolades, now in their third year, set out to recognise excellence in food and drink product development from a wide variety of companies across Ireland.

Once again, the judging will take place over three weeks in July at the Dublin Institute of Technology’s School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology.

The results will be announced at a gorgeous gala dinner in the fabulous surroundings of the Round Room at The Mansion House in Dublin on September 16, 2015.

Repeating last year’s trademedia partnership with Retail News magazine, and consumer-media partnership with Easy Food magazine, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2015 place your food and drink products onto the tables you need for success.

The awards themselves are organised into two distinct sections: Quality Food Awards, products for the

multiple and independent grocery retail market, and Quality Drink Awards, alcoholic drinks for the retail sector.

Organised by Metropolis Business Media, group publisher Helen Lyons comments: “We are absolutely delighted with the growing success of these awards and so pleased to be organising a just-as-exciting event for 2015. As former winners can testify, picking up an Irish Quality Food and Drink Award is a powerful marketing tool, with many winners using the awards’ logos on their packaging and in national press, television and outdoor advertising.

“This year we’ve listened to our partners in the industry and introduced new categories which we hope will encourage even more people to enter and enjoy showcasing their success.”

Entries for the awards, which are once again headline sponsored by innovative packaging company The Benson Group, will be accepted until June 1, 2015, and judging will take place from July 1-17, 2015.

The awards are also sponsored by the Coeliac Society of Ireland, who will play an important role during the stringent judging process of the ‘Free From’ categories, as well as Dairymaid and Invest Northern Ireland.

A selection of shortlisted and winning products, announced in August, will be showcased at the Food & Hospitality Ireland exhibition on September 17 in Dublin.

Full entry details are available at www.irishqualityfoodawards.com.

Lidl Lands Top Training and Development Award LIDL took the top award at the recent IITD National Training Awards 2015. Now in their 17th year, the IITD National Training Awards are established as the premier awards in Ireland for training and people development.

In addition to taking the top award on the night, Lidl were recognised with awards in two individual categories: Best Graduate Programme and Best Learning & Development in a Large Organisation.

“We were ecstatic to win two individual awards on the night, but the icing on the cake was to win the overall award for Best Learning and Development Organisation,” enthused Cathy Behan, Lidl Learning and Development Manager.

“It's a huge endorsement of the work done by Lidl's HR team in nurturing the talent we have in the business and investing in the future. Our HR team works tirelessly to maintain high standards in all programmes and deliver the best L&D experience possible so that everyone can achieve their potential.”

IITD CEO Sinead Heneghan noted how Lidl “stood out for having an innovative blended learning approach; empowering line managers, and showing that focused, clear values underpin all its programmes.”

Pictured at the IITD National Training Awards 2015 are (l-r): Nicola O’Neill, IITD President; Cathy Behan, Lidl; Paul Martin, Lidl; and Minister for Skills, Innovation and Research, Damien English TD.

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|9

News Irish Retailers Take Plain Packaging Fight to Europe RETAILERS from Ireland, the UK and France have united to call on the European Commission to halt plans by their respective Member States to adopt plain packaging for cigarettes.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) in the UK and Ireland supported the French Confederation of Tobacconists by attending the massive retailers’ demonstration in Paris recently.

“NFRN members in Ireland and the UK have spent the past number of years attempting to engage with our national governments to ask them to adopt the common sense approach of waiting until we have hard evidence from Australia that plain packs actually work before implementing this but our arguments have fallen on deaf ears,” argued NRFN Ireland’s Joe Sweeney. “Ireland and the UK are already among the worst countries in Europe when it comes to illicit trade but our governments seem to want to ignore all warnings that plain packaging will be a boon to the organised crime groups that run the smuggling racket on these islands.

We are now calling on the European Commission to step in and put an end to this madness before it is too late.”

Taste of Dublin Returns THE Taste of Dublin Festival returns to the Iveagh Gardens on June 11-14, with an exciting line up of events featuring home grown and international leading chefs, a showcase of the finest restaurants and artisan producers that make up Dublin’s culinary scene. Through one-to-one Q&A’s, live interactive cooking demos with Michelin starred chefs, taster plates from a melting pot of cuisines and boutique food and drink stalls hosted by artisan producers, this festival promises to be a spectacular event in the heart of Dublin city.

The Platinum Hospitality Lounge returns this year and is a perfect setting for client entertaining or rewarding staff with a company outing, with the Platinum Packaging including fast track entry, complimentary champagne and canapés and a chef meet & greet. For more information, contact Amanda Robinson on 01 6680142 or email amanda@tasteofdublin.ie.

Retailers across Europe are united in their belief that this is a well-intentioned but misguided policy that holds a significant threat for jobs, small businesses and the wider economy.

Plain packaging legislation has been adopted in the UK and Ireland, and is set to go before the French Parliament shortly. However, since the policy’s introduction in Australia, which is still the only country to actually implement plain packaging: - 77% of retailers report negative impact on their business; - consumption of illegal branded cigarettes is up by 154%; - over 1billion AUS$ in tax revenue lost to the black market; and, - youth smoking rates have increased from 2.5% to 3.7%.

When the UK and Ireland notified the European Commission of their plans to proceed with plain packaging, an unprecedented 10 EU Member States objected to this policy moving forward on the grounds that it

contravenes internal market rules.

73% of French people think introducing plain packaging would not reduce smoking rates, while 62% of people in Ireland support postponing the introduction of plain packaging and considering other alternatives to reduce youth smoking, such as education programmes, in its place.

“Plain packaging gives smugglers and counterfeiters the green light at the expense of public health and legitimate retailers,” said NFRN UK National President Martyn Brown.

“This policy contravenes the EU’s Internal Market rules and is most likely illegal under international law.

We want the European Commission to intervene and stop this madness.”

Publishing 360 Seminar for Dublin PUBLISHING 360 is the title of a fantastic seminar from Magazines Ireland, which takes place on April 29 in Dublin. A ‘must attend’ event for everyone in magazine publishing, Publishing 360 is the leading event dedicated to shaping the future of publishing and will unite the entire industry at an event filled with inspiration, new ideas and solutions.

Keynote speakers include Simon Jary, IDG UK's Publishing Director, who will speak about growing your online readership by focusing editorial strategy and monetising new readers; Alan Cox, CEO, Core Media, who will examine the staying power of the physical product; Chris Llewllyn, CEO & President FIPP, who will discuss 10 of the key themes that will shape

the industry’s future; Jim Bilton, Managing Director of Wessenden Marketing, on managing a changing business and what UK publishers are setting as their priorities for the next year or so; Lynne Springett, Insight Director, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, who will speak on multiplatform magazine brands and the connected consumer Publishing 360 takes place in Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on Wednesday, April 29, from 8am-2pm. The cost is €149 for Magazines Ireland Members and €199 for non-members. Readers of Retail News, however, can avail of a €50 discount on the booking price. For more information, see http://www.magazinesireland.ie/ publishing-360.

10|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

News

Bord Bia Hosts Marketplace 2015

referred to Marketplace as “a truly global, and even historic, event. This is the largest trade event ever run by Bord Bia, with over 530 buyers attending from 34 countries around the world. We have more than 100 buyers attending from Asia alone, and our guests from China represent the single largest trade delegation from that country ever to visit Ireland.”

In addition to a strong representation of UK and European buyers, 106 Asian buyers travelled to attend the event, compared to just 14 in 2012 when Bord Bia last held a Marketplace event. Meanwhile, 38 buyers from the Middle East attended, with 24 from North America; 15 from Africa and 12 from Russia.

“Marketplace 2015 also marks a new milestone in the progress of the Bord Bia’s Chief Executive Aidan Cotter addresses buyers at Bord industry’s Bia’s Marketplace 2015 event. unique sustainability OVER 500 food buyers from all around the world gathered journey,” in Dublin for Bord Bia’s fifth Marketplace event, which took place recently at the National Convention Centre, Dublin. The noted Aidan Cotter. “All buyers, who travelled from over 34 countries, met with 185 185 Irish Irish food and drink companies, ranging in size and profile companies are from small enterprises to multinationals through a series of participating over 5,000 pre-scheduled ‘speed-dating’ style meetings. under Origin The prospects for major business deals emerging from Green Marketplace 2015 have been greatly enhanced by the euro’s branding and recent depreciation according to Bord Bia’s Chief Executive, More than 500 international food buyers met with are publicly Aidan Cotter.

185 Irish food and drink suppliers at Bord Bia’s promoting “Some 300, or 75%, of the overseas buyers in Ireland this Marketplace 2015. their week are from outside the eurozone, with their buying power commitments boosted by the strength of sterling and the dollar, up 12% under the programme. Some 80% of Ireland’s food and and 20% respectively against the euro compared with a year drink exports are now coming from Origin Green member earlier,” he said. “Combined with the lifting of milk quotas companies, 90% of beef exports are from farms audited and the opening of the Chinese and US beef markets, the opportunity presented by Marketplace could not have come at and carbon footprinted under the programme while it is estimated that 95% of milk will be sourced from Origin a better time.”

Green dairy farms by the end of this year.”

In his address, Michael Carey, Chairman of Bord Bia

SUBWAY Wins Irish Franchise Award SUBWAY has been awarded Outstanding Contribution to Franchising in Ireland at this year’s Irish Franchise Awards ceremony. The award was presented to the SUBWAY brand for the manner in which the franchise has successfully grown over the last couple of years, despite the extremely difficult trading conditions experienced by all.

“The award is testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of the SUBWAY franchisees and our team of field consultants, together with the power and support of the global SUBWAY brand,” said SUBWAY Development Agent for the Republic of Ireland, Paul Heyes.

“The significant level of growth that the SUBWAY brand has experienced over the past year is a fantastic achievement and the continued expansion in the Republic of

Ireland is going strong. We currently have 149 SUBWAY stores open, with an aim of reaching 178 stores by the end of 2016. We are thrilled to have received this award in recognition of this success and ongoing commitment.”

Pictured at the Irish Franchise Awards was Minister Kevin Humphreys TD and David Killeen, Chairman of The Irish Franchise Association, presenting the Outstanding Contribution to Franchising in Ireland Award to Paul Heyes, Subway.

Aldi Sales Surge in UK Market ALDI has overtaken

Waitrose as the sixth largest supermarket in the UK, according to figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Sales at Aldi grew by a whopping 16.8% in the first three months of 2015, fuelled by more than half a million new shoppers, taking their share of the UK grocery market to 5.3%, ahead of Waitrose, on 5.1%.

12|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News SUPERVALU SPRINGS INTO ACTION ON IRISH PRODUCE

WITH the arrival of Spring, the best of Irish produce is now in season. SuperValu expects to sell €18m worth of fresh Irish lamb in 2015 and €300,000 worth of Irish seasonal rhubarb, both of which were available in SuperValu’s stores nationwide in time for Easter.

SuperValu’s lamb is 100% Irish, born, bred and reared in Ireland. SuperValu’s fresh Irish rhubarb, grown

by Cork producer Roland Newenham, can be found in your local SuperValu now, retailing at €1.69 per unit. The Cork producer has supplied SuperValu stores nationwide with Irish rhubarb for over 30 years, supporting over 30 jobs locally. Pictured at the announcement are SuperValu chef Kevin Dundon with Sean Minto (age 4) and Alyssa Minto (age 6).

Food Heroes Sign Up with Bord Bia & Compass Group 18 Irish food and drink companies have joined a new Bord Bia and Compass Group Ireland programme that seeks to help small and medium-sized Irish companies get their product ranges listed in the foodservice market. The inaugural Bord Bia/Compass Group Ireland ‘Food Heroes’ Programme is aimed at providing participants with tailored support and guidance to assist them secure, grow and maintain business with Compass Group Ireland at home and overseas. Companies benefitting from the programme range from those producing sugar free chocolate and ice-cream, to protein enriched yogurts, plus gluten free minicakes, seed mixes, GM free corn tortillas and award winning sushi. This is the first time that Bord Bia has partnered with a foodservice industry operator in order to deliver a comprehensive and practical programme, including workshops and mentoring. Pictured at the launch in the Aviva Stadium are Robert Bullock, Le Patissier, handmade traditional desserts; Fiacra Nagle, Managing Director, Compass Group Ireland; Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia; and Rosie McLoughlin, Rosie & Jim, who supply breaded chicken products.

Irish Independent Sponsors Irish Greyhound Laurels THE Irish Independent has announced a 12-month sponsorship of the Irish Greyhound Laurels in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium, Co. Cork. The Irish Greyhound Laurels is recognised as one of Ireland’s most prestigious greyhound racing events, alongside The Irish Greyhound Derby. The sponsorship includes a full advertising support package for the event through the Independent News & Media national and regional titles. The winners’ prize fund is set to be €30,000 and the total prize-fund for the competition is €65,000. “The Irish Independent has long been associated with providing top sports content for our readers and this is a great way to reinforce the range of our coverage. We consider this partnership as a key way to engage directly with the greyhound racing community and the various audiences that attend ‘a night at the dogs’ for social events and nights out,” said Arlene Regan, Marketing Manager of Irish Independent Newspapers, pictured with Michael Fortune, the voice of Irish greyhound racing, and Phil Meaney, Chairperson Irish Greyhound Board.

Special K Live in Colour Campaign THE imminent arrival of summer was celebrated on Dun Laoghaire Pier with the unveiling of an Irish-designed couture dress made from hundreds of coloured balloons and commissioned by Special K. The dress was inspired by Special K’s new Live in Colour campaign, which celebrates the colourful and empowering lives of women the world over and was modelled by TV’s Karen Koster (pictured).

TV presenter and stylist Darren Kennedy set the brief for Irish designer, Emma Manley to create a colour-inspired dress to mark the launch of Special K’s Live in Colour campaign, which is about living life to the full every day. The campaign will feature TV, press and outdoor advertising, supported by PR and social media activations.

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14|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Gala Passes 100k Fans Milestone FOCUSING its efforts online over the past few years has paid dividends for the Gala brand, as the convenience retail group has just surpassed 100,000 fans online! Now sitting at 102,000, Gala’s Facebook audience is growing thanks to its engaging tone and aspirational prizes, and in 2014, the significant rise in Gala’s fan base resulted in the retail group being named as a finalist at the Social Media Awards. From brand partnership giveaways, including iPads, vouchers and tickets to concerts and sought-after sporting events, thousands of shoppers engage with the Gala brand every week via its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GalaRetail. Gala’s social media efforts have also included comical virals, featuring Lucy the Lettuce, and in 2015, Gala is focused on continuing to develop interactive and original content for its audience.

Dealz Celebrity DIY Range

CELEBRITY builder and renowned DIY expert, Tommy Walsh (pictured) has revealed his new exclusive DIY range with Dealz. The ‘DIY:time’ range has been launched to let the nation know it’s time to save on DIY and will appear in Dealz stores nationwide from April 27, just in time for the May bank holiday. Expected best sellers of the 200-strong range include the three piece professional paint brush set, 7.5m tape measure and 20g tube of superglue, as well as a 60cm spirit level, paint rollers and trays, masking tape, re-enforced tape, five-pack of screwdrivers and the 330g all-purpose filler and mastic tubes. These will all be available at Dealz famous €1.49 price point.

Ballymaloe Relish Tesco Partnership BALLYMALOE Country Relish has secured one of the largest listings for an Irish company with Tesco, which will see the brand’s original country relish stocked in over 900 Tesco UK stores from this month, with forecasted sales in excess of €500,000 for the rest of the year. This follows the brand’s participation in the Tesco supplier development programme with Bord Bia, which initially saw the brand start to export to the UK in 2013, with Ballymaloe relish stocked in the World Foods section of 200 Tesco UK stores. John Paul O’Reilly, Tesco Ireland Commercial Director, is pictured with Maxine and Yasmin Hyde of Ballymaloe Foods.

WORKING TOWARDS A HEALTHIER IRELAND LIZ Flynn, Bank of Ireland;

Sinéad Doherty, Fenero; and Shane Dempsey, Food & Drink Industry Ireland; are pictured at the Nutrition and Health Foundation seminar in Croke Park on improving employee health.

It was amongst hundreds of events that took place across the country to mark Ireland’s first National Workplace Wellbeing Day, promoting better physical activity and nutrition in the workplace. Bank of Ireland and Fenero were among the four Workplace Wellbeing Day champions to showcase their workplace wellbeing programmes.

New Company to Engage Irish Market ENGAGE Consultants (‘engage’), one of the world’s leading specialists in shopper marketing, customer management and training and organisational development, has launched in Ireland, in conjunction with local companies Visualise, one of Ireland’s leading shopper marketing specialists, and i4P Consulting. The engage concept focuses on Total Marketing, which advocates that the integration of consumer marketing, shopper marketing and customer marketing into one seamless process is crucial for consumer brands if they want to optimise marketing investment and achieve long-term, sustainable, profitable growth. “We are extremely excited about bringing the engage concept to new and existing clients in Ireland and the UK,” noted Ciaran FitzGerald, Managing Director of Visualise, pictured with Mike Anthony, CEO of engage worldwide. For more, see www.engageconsultants.com.

All The Freshness You Could Wish For New Comfort Intense will revolutionise Ireland’s laundry market.

Comfort, Ireland’s number one fabric conditioner (Source: MAT, ACNielsen, February 1, 2015), is set to revolutionise the laundry market with the launch of new Comfort Intense, a new range that provides incredibly intense freshness in every drop.

For consumers, there is often a gap between perceived and desired freshness with longer lasting freshness being a key category driver.

Comfort Intense will narrow that gap by providing enhanced freshness performance.

The ultra concentrated formula, with its unique 15ml dose, is designed to challenge category norms and provide consumers with intense freshness at all stages of the laundry process, from wash to wear, without

Comfort Intense Fresh Sky: 38w (570ml), 64w (960ml)

compromising on softness. Comfort Intense has introduced a spout with a new dosing cap, to facilitate the consumer to dose the right amount of liquid.

Ground-Breaking Fabric Conditioners Comfort Intense promises to deliver the high quality long lasting freshness on the market via new “dual-encaps” fragrance technology, designed to release continuous bursts of fragrance throughout the day. Comfort has performed a series of qualitative and quantitative consumer tests and according to Bases II, 88% of people who tried the product say that the product either meets or exceeds their expectations (497 people tested). Comfort Intense really delivers on its promise and is sure to become a household favourite all over Ireland.

The ground-breaking fabric conditioners are now available in both 38 wash and 64 wash formats across four beautiful scents: Fresh Sky, Sunburst, Fuchsia Passion and Ocean Pearl. These

Comfort Intense Sunburst: 38w (570ml), 64w (960ml)

are available from April with an RRP of €4.85 for the 38 wash pack and €6.49 for the 64 wash pack. The launch will be supported by a very strong TV campaign and will also be complemented by an Out of Home, Print and Sampling Campaign worth €500,000, starting in May. Great for the Environment The recommended dosage of Comfort Intense variants will differ from current products, due to the higher level of fabric conditioning active and fragrance present. Current Comfort recommended dosage is 35ml for a standard load, whilst for Comfort Intense it is only 15 ml. Due to the dosage being so much smaller, Unilever have managed to fit a lot more washes in tiny bottles, that are great for shoppers as they will take up less space in their cupboards.

Comfort is Ireland’s largest fabric enhancing brand, worth €11.5m in retail sales value, and with 61.5% market share in the latest 52 weeks.

The brand has shown significant growth in 2014, growing 18.8% * (Source: MAT, ACNielsen, February 1, 2015).

The brand is well loved in Ireland and was bought by 48.8% of households in the last year (Source: Kantar Ireland

WorldPanel, January 4, 2015).

Comfort Intense Fuchsia Passion: 38w (570ml), 64w (960ml)

Comfort Intense Ocean Pearl: 38w (570ml), 64w (960ml)

NB: All prices quoted are Recommended Retail Prices. Retailers are free at all times to set their own retail prices.

16|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News SIÚCRA ANNOUNCES FOCUS IRELAND AS CHARITY PARTNER TO celebrate the announcement that Focus Ireland are the 2015 Siúcra charity partner, the charity will feature on all Siúcra 1kg packs of granulated sugar, with 5c from each sale going to help fund the group’s education program.

The launch of the new look pack marks the beginning of Siúcra and Focus Ireland’s Home Sweet Home initiative, which will see Siúcra pledge €25,000 to the national charity’s Preparation for Education, Training & Employment programme (PETE), which aims to reduce the issue of homelessness through education. Shoppers will be able to support the campaign by picking up a specially branded pack in their local store. “This is Siúcra’s third year working with Focus Ireland and we are proud to support the charity with this onpack initiative,” said Joanne McAllister from Siúcra, pictured with PETE programme co-ordinator Michelle Carroll.

Smithwick’s Crafts New Campaign SMITHWICK’S has launched its new integrated campaign featured across TV, print, digital, PR and trade press. With over 300 years of brewing expertise, Smithwick’s has always crafted remarkably better tasting beer and led the way in beer innovation. The new campaign, created

by Adam&EveDDB and directed by David Edwards, features a new strapline for the brand, ‘Superior Then.

Superior Now’. This new creative platform for Smithwick’s celebrates enduring quality and demonstrates that only the best things stand the test of time, championing timeless classics that still hold their own today, including Smithwick’s. Meanwhile, a further TV spot will introduce Smithwick’s newest innovation, Smithwick’s Blonde – the perfect blend of Polaris hops and sweet malt – on TV from May 4.

Coca-Cola Celebrates a Century of Fame in Design HONOURING 100 years as one of the most popular icons in design with its signature curves, the Coca-Cola contour bottle has joined forces with Kinetic, the Out Of Home media agency, and Mediacom to celebrate its role in the history of pop culture. This campaign additionally pays tribute to favourite idols like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Ray Charles, featuring cutting-edge billboards. To recognise the importance of design, a stunningly designed billboard featuring a 2D cut-out of Marilyn Monroe (pictured) has been displayed on Wexford Street, Dublin. Her dress is a ‘shimmer system’, which is made up of premium, high definition spangleys, reflective foil disks that move with the breeze and glimmer in daylight and can also catch the reflection from night-time illumination.

Shoppers go Bananas for Bulmers Back on TV 5-a-Day BULMERS is making a muchTESCO has created a map of Ireland’s fruit and vegetable eating habits by analysing weekly data collected in all of its stores over the past 12 months. With nearly 70m million sold in stores every year, bananas top the charts in most counties and just slip to second place in Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kildare and Mayo, which favour fresh berries over bananas at the top of the fruit and vegetable charts. At the other end of the charts, cauliflower and kale are the least popular across the country but that could all change this year, with cauliflower tipped as a food trend for 2015, praised for its health benefits and low-carbohydrate credentials. “One of the most interesting parts of our jobs is delving into food trends and regional flavour preferences,” noted Christine Heffernan, Tesco Ireland Corporate Affairs Director.

anticipated return to TV with the launch of a new, through-theline campaign that celebrates the Bulmers’ journey, extolling the virtues of that quintessential Bulmers ingredient: time. In a world where the pace of life is increasing and attention spans are being whittled away, the new Bulmers Not a Moment Too Soon campaign will celebrate taking it slow, reflecting all of the brand’s core strengths around heritage and authenticity. “This new campaign is a return to our roots and to the time it takes to craft an original,” notes Belinda Kelly, Marketing Manager for Bulmers. “Time has always been a distinctive and defining quality of the Bulmers brand and its authenticity and Irishness are central to its wide appeal.” A seven figure investment will see the campaign roll-out across TV, radio, digital, outdoor and BTL, together with PR and will cement Bulmers’ status as The Original Cider.

INNOVATION THROUGH THE GENERATIONS “Barry Group celebrates its 60th year in business this year. It’s been an amazing journey from when we took those first steps back in 1955 to what we have built today.”

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18|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

The Retail News Interview

Appealing to Your Better Nature

Noel Keeley, IGBF President of Appeals and Managing Director of Musgrave Wholesale Partners, talks about the continued importance of the Fund and how it is vital for younger retailers to become involved.

“IF I take a job on, I like to do it properly. I don’t stand for half-measures.” Musgrave Wholesale Partners MD, Noel Keeley is explaining that 2015 wasn’t the first time that he’d been approached by the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund about taking on the year-long role of President of Appeals.

The last time Keeley was asked, he felt that the timing was wrong in terms of his own working schedule and he didn’t want to commit to the role unless he could give it 100%. Luckily, the Executive Committee came knocking once more and this time, the affable MD felt “honoured to

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|19

The Retail News Interview take on the role.”

Throwing himself whole-heartedly into the task, Noel is “planning it in such a way that I’m trying to be attend as many events as possible, including all the major events around the country”.

Answering Ireland’s Call This year, the IGBF schedule is a little busier, as Noel and his team have added an event on June 5 in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. Ireland’s Call is based around rugby, with Irish international rugby coach Joe Schmidt the guest speaker, and Keeley believes it will raise €100,000 for the charity.

“It is themed around rugby and Ireland’s Call to the rugby team to get ready for the World Cup this September, and our call for the grocery trade to support this charity,” he explains. “We have managed to secure Joe Schmidt as guest speaker on the night, which is absolutely fantastic.”

This newest addition to the IGBF social calendar is also an exclusive one, with just 260 tickets available. “Invitations will be issued shortly and the plan is that all the ticket money will go to the charity,” Noel enthuses.

The President of Appeals has already attracted some big name sponsorship for the event, including Diageo (“consistent with their sponsorship of the rugby team itself”), Kelloggs, who have donated a car to be auctioned off on the night, and Edward Dillon.

So far, Noel Keeley is finding the task of juggling the year-long role of President of Appeals with the day-job “an interesting challenge”.

“One tends to think of the role as a ceremonial one, but once you take it on, you realise very quickly that you have to raise money,” he smiles. “That in itself is always a challenge, particularly so over the last few years with the recession and the impact it has had.”

He pays tribute to the work of his PA, Catherine Halligan and Paul Nimmo, Vice Chairman of the IGBF and Senior Trading Controller at Musgrave, for lightening the workload: “Without them, it would be a very difficult job to do but they make sure that I get the right levels of support.

The charity itself doesn’t have any administrative funding so whoever takes over as President of Appeals, has to employ the resources of his/her own organisation to organise events, so it really is down to you.”

job to look after the children. Keeley stepped into action.

“I don’t know the names of the people involved, because the Fund is very discreet in how it works, but the Fund then contacted the individual involved and the Fund supported them in whatever way it could. That gave me a very real sense of just how important this charity is,” he reveals. “We tend to forget that a lot of the people who are helped are people who are in relatively low paid jobs, where there isn’t a lot of extra money. Therefore, support such as that offered by the Fund can be very much needed and very appreciated.”

Keeley feels that the IGBF “could potentially be more visible to people in the trade”. While acknowledging the Fund’s stated policy on discretion, he feels that there is an opportunity to increase awareness of the Fund and its good work.

The Fund was running at a deficit for a number of years during the depths of the recession. Thankfully, that has now been reversed and it is now running at a modest surplus, according to Keeley: “For the last few years, it has been difficult to raise money, simply because, for obvious reasons, a lot of organisations had to cut back on how much they could support charities like the IGBF. That is starting to change, thankfully, and I hope to have a good year in terms of raising funds.”

“We tend to forget that a lot of the people who are helped are people who are in relatively low paid jobs, where there isn’t a lot of extra money. Therefore, support such as that offered by the Fund can be very much needed and very appreciated.”

The Value of the IGBF The Fund currently supports around 260 families throughout the country who have fallen on hard times, and Noel maintains that it remains a hugely important safety net for those in the FMCG trade.

He cites the example of one recent recipient. Having sent out his first letter of appeal, the MD was contacted by the owner of a SuperValu store who drew his attention to someone in the trade whose wife died suddenly, leaving a young family behind, meaning that the man had to leave his

Get Involved with the Fund Given the extremely tough trading conditions of the last few years, how much more can the FMCG trade give to the Fund?

“One the things you have to do is to create a reason to give,” he maintains. “We need to be more public about who the Fund helps and why they help them, and to also be more creative around events, which could be run around the country. With an event like Ireland’s Call, while it is a lot of work to organise, it can create a better opportunity for the trade to support you, rather than simply writing appealing for funding, which is typically what the letter of appeal is about.”

The President of Appeals is quick to emphasise, however, that it’s not merely through financial donations that people can help. Donating their time, in the form of joining regional committees and helping to organise events, is crucial to the future of the Fund.

“All of the work of the IGBF is done by people on the ground in their local communities,” he explains. “You often find that it is the same three or four people every year doing

20|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

The Retail News Interview this work and I think there is a real opportunity for people to join committees around the country to help to organise events. That’s where the real support is needed. I would love to see the regional committees in a place where it’s not just the usual suspects doing the work, year on year. There is sometimes a tendency to say ‘oh, I’m working 24-7 and I don’t have time for this’, but if you decide you are going to do it, you will find the time. I would challenge others in the trade not just to take the presidency if they are lucky enough to be asked, but also to participate locally to support the Fund.”

He is also on a mission to increase the Fund’s membership by getting Aldi and Lidl on board: “My intention would be to go and meet the Managing Directors of the two discounters this year and explain to them what the Fund is about and why I think they should be involved,” he stresses. “We are fiercely competitive: that’s the nature of the business we’re in.

But when it comes to the IGBF, we are also fiercely collegiate. The discounters are trading well in our market and I wish them continued success, but I think part of that is that they should also participate in this charity because it is an important one for our trade.”

rugby or GAA teams, giving to local charities or offering rooms to local community groups. It is part of our DNA, part of our proposition within the market that we are about supporting the local community and challenging our retailers do so as well.”

The IGBF is part of this mission. “It is run by the trade, for the trade,” Noel stresses. “The people who have been involved in the IGBF for many years are unsung heroes in terms of the work they have put in and the money they have raised. They are very passionate about what they do: this is a very important part of our trade and a very important part of who we are as individuals within that trade.”

The Next Generation Indeed, Keeley believes that one of the challenges facing the IGBF in the coming years, as experienced event organisers, fund-raisers and committee members retire, is finding younger people “who are willing to step up to the plate.”

Current IGBF Chairman, Donal O’Shea, Sales Director of Nature’s Best, has made a concerted effort to ensure that the Fund’s regional chairmen begin to think about succession planning.

“It is important to pass it on to the next generation,” Noel maintains. “A lot of the people who have been heavily involved with the Fund are either retiring or are coming up to retirement, but it is encouraging to see the next generation stepping up to the roles, like the Limerick Committee, for example. More of that work needs to be done and it is a challenge for the executive and the local committees, going forward.”

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Noel has set himself a number of objectives to achieve during his year as President of Appeals.

“I’d like to hit the financial targets we have set for ourselves and I believe we will do that,” he states confidently. “But I have some other objectives. Firstly, I’d like to raise the profile of the Fund itself: I’d really like to get a piece in a national newspaper about the Fund and the work it does. I would also like to establish a summer event, like this year’s Ireland’s Call, as a regular event, one that would contribute in the region of €100,000 every year.

Finally, I would hope that by the end of the year we would have the support of the full grocery trade, in the context of the discounters coming in and joining the Fund. The whole of the grocery trade is involved in the Fund, which is the one time we stop competing and start supporting, so I’d like to get them involved.”

“We are fiercely competitive: that’s the nature of the business we’re in. But when it comes to the IGBF, we are also fiercely collegiate. The discounters are trading well in our market and I wish them continued success, but I think part of that is that they should also participate in this charity because it is an important one for our trade.”

Taking CSR Seriously In general, Noel believes that when it comes to taking Corporate Social Responsibility seriously, the Irish grocery trade “does a huge amount of good work.”

He cites the example of the environmental agenda, where he feels “great steps are being made in areas like recyclable packaging, air miles: the industry is trying to improve all the key metrics all of the time”. He reveals that Musgrave Group are currently experimenting with bio-diesel “to try to reduce our carbon footprint even more”.

Musgrave has always been a firm supporter of the IGBF, as well as a number of other charity events, both high profile, like the Musgrave Triathlon, which has raised more than €2.5m for Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Cancer Research, and other private causes.

“As a business, we make our living in the local communities we serve, and we want to give something back to those communities. Our SuperValu, Centra and Daybreak retailers are typically very involved in their local communities, whether that is supporting the local soccer,

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|21

Obituary

Tommy Carmody RIP Dunnes Stores pay tribute to the late Tommy Carmody, the Head Buyer who worked with the company for more than four decades and sadly passed away on St Patrick’s Day. TOMMY Carmody will be remembered fondly by many people throughout the grocery trade, but mostly by the staff past and present in Dunnes Stores, where he worked for over 40 years. Tommy began working with the company’s founding Chairman, Ben Dunne, and managed a number of stores, moving from store manager in Tralee to the company’s flagship store in Cornelscourt. He spent some years as a Regional Manager before becoming Head Buyer in the company’s buying office.

Enthusiasm & Passion After so many years with Dunnes Stores, Tommy knew every job, as he had carried out pretty much every role in the company at one time or another. He also seemed to know everyone and understood how everything worked, from today all the way back to when Ben Dunne was still working in the business. Indeed, Tommy oversaw the evolution of Dunnes Stores into the business it is today. He did a job he loved very much and came to work with the same enthusiasm and passion as a younger man starting out on his career. Even on his last day in the office, Tommy held court late into Friday evening, challenging all the buyers on the progress of their negotiations with suppliers, and if that was our last memory of Tommy, how appropriate it was.

If suppliers hoped they would see a sea-change with Tommy’s passing, I think they will have missed his greatest talent, that of developing the buyers of the future. He has personally mentored a whole generation of buyers in Dunnes Stores, some of whom have since moved on to other retailers, but all of whom have been instilled with the skills and knowledge that Tommy insisted was a vital part of the job.

Outpouring of Grief The genuine outpouring of good wishes from many suppliers just shows the high esteem with which Tommy was held across the grocery industry. A man who was respected more

than feared, he was very tough but honest and fair: a worthy opponent across the negotiating table, who was always trying to do the utmost to win for his team, Dunnes Stores.

Throughout his time at Dunnes Stores, Tommy has remained as comfortable talking to a staff member in a store as to the CEO of a multinational company, a buyer to a store manager, the old chairman to an accounts payable clerk.

There was no divide that Tommy could not bridge with his humour and banter. He always looked on the positive side and tried to solve problems. He certainly left his mark on so many people he dealt with.

A Family Man Family was very important to Tommy: he was proud of his own family (his wife Catherine, and children Ciardha, Niall and Shane) and also his extended Dunnes Stores family. He was a great story teller and never stopped talking about his kids and their experiences and was hugely proud of them, and rightly so: they are truly terrific young people.

The staff who knew Tommy were always saying how he was like a fine wine who seemed to get better with age. Every morning, he happily counted down the days to retirement and was looking forward to spending more time in Portugal and in his garden. If any man deserved a good and full retirement, it was Tommy Carmody and it is so sad that he was stripped of this opportunity.

It was so ironic that Tommy should fall ill on the very day that Ireland had given England a resounding lesson at rugby, a sport he loved. A proud Munster man, that result would have given him such happiness. He was a great lover of sports, as a spectator, as a father watching his sons play rugby and as a great hurler in his earlier years.

We will all miss all the stories and antidotes from Tommy, as well as the pearls of wisdom.

Rest in peace big fella: we all miss you.

www.retailnews.ie

22|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

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Fire & Smoke: Satisfying the Flavour Cravers Fire & Smoke is a new premium meats brand from Henry Denny, inspired by the authentic craft of cooking with Fire and Smoke by the Pittmasters of America’s deep south.

Fire & Smoke is a new range of seven flavoured premium meats and two deli counter meats.

DENNY is launching a new premium meats brand to the market under a new sub brand called Fire & Smoke. Kerry Foods are launching this new range of seven flavoured premium meats and two deli counter meats to the market in a bid to “shake up the cooked meats aisle”, to drive growth in a category that is flat, bring in new consumers that are currently not inspired by cooked meats and give existing consumers a reason to buy a little extra or something special “for me”.

Olga Mulvey, Category Controller, IOI Meats, talks us through the high profile launch of Fire & Smoke.

Tell us a little about your new product launch.

We are launching a sensational new and game-changing premium meats brand called Fire & Smoke, endorsed by Henry Denny. The proposition’s primary target consumer is what we describe as the “flavour craver”; young, dynamic and adventurous, seeking a taste sensation and a sense

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Premium Meats

of adventure from their food. However, with the myriad of flavours, variants and meat cuts, it has a wide appeal to all cooked meat consumers.

The pre-packed range is comprised of seven new flavours of premium crafted meat and two game-changing Deli Counter propositions that will hit the market in ROI in April.

How is it different to the other products in your portfolio?

Fire & Smoke will offer a taste sensation through its unique cooking methods, flavours and variants, enticing a younger consumer to the brand and to the category. We have taken inspiration from the pitmaster craft of the American Deep South to create a unique and innovative product. Prime rustic joints are cooked low and slow, then fire grilled and seared over crackling flames and finally smoked over oak wood chips for a distinctive flavour.

We believe Fire & Smoke will complement our formidable portfolio and will respond to an unmet consumer demand in the category. Denny is the number one cooked meat brand in Ireland and is a real family favourite with our 100% Natural Deli Style ham range and white meat slices and pieces.

Fire & Smoke will strengthen our portfolio and ensure that we are offering consumers a wider range of choice in the category.

Why launch now?

Cooked meats is a high penetration and stable household category: however, when we speak to consumers, there is a feeling of “sameness” within the category. It is shopped on autopilot and offerings currently in the market are more traditional in nature.

Consumers’ tastes are evolving and demand is high for great tasting quality products. With the launch of Fire & Smoke, we are planning on shaking up the cooked meats aisle, making it a destination and driving incremental growth into the category.

How has the recession impacted on the cooked meats category in Ireland?

Cooked meats is a routine purchase and is always in the fridge, so there has been sustained marginal growth over the past number of years. However, there has been a shift in behaviour, as disposable incomes and attitudes changed throughout the recession. Like all categories, shoppers seek value, so we have had to work hard to ensure that the value equation makes sense for our consumers. The Kerry Foods portfolio continues to remain very strong and relevant for today’s consumer demands. Price and promotion do have a role to play in the cooked meats category; however taste, quality and convenience are key.

Olga Mulvey, Category Controller, IOI Meats, Kerry Foods.

How important is R&D to this category?

Consumers look for quality and trust from brands and at Kerry Foods, we consistently strive to deliver on this. We need to continuously unlock the insights that will deliver propositions for current and modern consumer needs so that we can keep exciting and engaging our consumers. R&D is vital for sustained growth in the category, given a recent slowdown of short term trends. Delivering compelling and innovative propositions like Fire & Smoke will enable Kerry Foods to contribute to growth for the category into the future.

Research specialists Euromonitor predict continued growth for chilled processed foods in the coming years, but warn that the category is reaching maturity. How will this affect Kerry Foods’ portfolio?

Fresh and Chilled is a big, important sector for Irish grocery (latest Kantar, 12 Week, value share 46%), and is indeed experiencing continued growth in a competitive market (latest Kantar, 12 week +3.1% growth). If we consider future demographic shifts, changes in consumer lifestyles and the impending mega trends of convenience, health and authenticity, we believe that the fresh and chilled sector and categories like cooked meats can capitalise and deliver on such trends and therefore continue to ride the wave of sustained growth.

What consumer marketing is running to highlight the new product launch?

Our brand team here in Kerry Foods are working on a fully integrated marketing campaign that spans multiple channels above and below the line. It will include a new TV ad, outdoor and proximity media, as well as digital, including a new website and social media channels. There will be focused in-store activity, with disruptive Point of Sale. A creative PR campaign will lead a heavyweight sampling and experiential programme at key festivals and events throughout 2015.

24|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Overview

Forecourts at the

Forefront Barack Obama Plaza: image courtesy of Corbwell Design - Architecture, Engineering & Project Management.

Irish forecourt stores are way ahead of their UK counterparts in terms of the range and quality of their offering, according to Arthur Renshaw of Experian Catalist.

WHEN it comes to forecourt retailing, Ireland is very much a European market leader in terms of the quality and variety of the offering at Irish forecourt stores.

“Ireland has been at the forefront of forecourt retailing,” explains Arthur Renshaw, UK/Ireland Account Manager at Experian Catalist, who provide a leading global source of information and analysis on petrol and retail forecourts.

“Ireland is probably three years ahead of the UK in terms of the retail offer on the forecourt. In many towns and villages in Ireland, the local petrol station tends to be the village store as well, and is often branded with a familiar symbol group brand.”

Renshaw is ideally placed to comment, having four decades of experience working in the oil industry. He points out that the Irish influence on the UK forecourt market is quite significant, with brands like Applegreen and DCC Energy/Certas Energy’s fuel brands proving hugely popular.

Indeed, Renshaw notes how each year at the UK Forecourt Show, it tends to be entrants from Northern Ireland who win the big awards.

Like forecourts in the Republic of Ireland, he says, “they have a much better offering, particularly in terms of foodservice, sometimes even within the same brands”.

Always FRESH MILK

and the SAME BEANS as our coffee shops

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Forecourt Focus: Overview “To a certain extent, that is why companies like Esso are pulling out of the Irish market,” Renshaw muses. “In stark terms, Esso understand that they are quite good at fuel retailing but they also understand that the other entrepreneurial retailers in the Republic of Ireland are much better at selling shop Arthur Renshaw, Account Manager, UK/Ireland, with goods and food than Experian Catalist. they are, so they have decided that they can’t really compete any more and are leaving it to the Irish brands that are at the forefront, like Topaz and Applegreen.”

Increasing Focus on Foodservice The focus on foodservice is only going to increase, according to Renshaw. “If you look at what Maxol are doing, what Topaz are doing, if you look at any recent forecourt, like Applegreen’s motorway service stations, the food offering is fantastic and it’s only going to get better,” he reveals. “Going back to the old days, the problem that fuel retailers had is that they were competing solely on price: that was their USP. When Tesco entered into the market, fuel operators couldn’t always compete on price, so they had to find something else.”

That something else, according to Renshaw, was the advent of the modern forecourt, with food-to-go, groceries, newspapers, magazines and top quality coffee (often with a sit-down area) taking the emphasis away from price marketing: “Price is still important but it’s slightly less important than it used to be.”

Modern Retail Mix In fact, fuel sales are just one element of the modern forecourt retail outlet, with nothing like the importance they used to enjoy. “Fuel is less important to the modern retail mix,” Renshaw explains. “The business model of modern fuel retailers is along the lines that fuel is very much a footfall driver for the rest of the offering on the forecourt, be it food, groceries, car washes etc. With the low margins to be made on fuel today, if retailers don’t have a decent shop offer, it makes it very difficult to exist.”

When it comes to fuel, sales remain relatively static, according to Experian Catalist. Sales of petrol have decreased over the last decade, with a corresponding increase in diesel sales, but Renshaw believes that may be changing.

“People are deciding that maybe diesel isn’t as good for the environment as we used to think it was,” he says,

Fuel Market Share by Brand

BRAND

OUTLETS

% SHARE

Topaz

298

24.9

Texaco

197

12.6

Unbranded

472

12.0

Esso

121

10.3

Maxol

156

9.5

Tedcastles

199

8.2

Applegreen

60

6.6

Tesco

21

4.2

Great Gas

73

3.5

Minor Brand

62

2.8

Campus

48

2.0

Emo

44

1.8

Amber

32

1.5

Morris Oils

17

0.2

TOTAL

1800

1,589

Source: Experian Catalist Market Summary Report, Republic of Ireland V4 2014 (Data released February 2015).

“and the development of the internal combustion engine at the moment is focused quite heavily on petrol. You are now getting petrol cars that can do the same sort of mileage per gallon as diesel cars do. That said, the overall mix is about static and doesn’t change too dramatically.”

Motorway Service Stations The big changes, Renshaw believes, will be in the amount of large motorway service stations set to appear in Ireland in the coming years.

“A few years ago, Ireland really didn’t have any motorways. Now, however, you have more motorways and some great motorway service stations,” he concludes. “Those travelling along motorways now have a really good option: they don’t have to divert off the motorway to villages and towns. That trend is going to continue. You will see big motorway service areas being built, not necessarily on the motorway, but at the junctions, like Barack Obama Plaza [at Moneygall, Co. Offaly, on the M7]. People are investing significant amounts of money to build these super petrol stations with incredible facilities.

They will take over the market, so in five years’ time, there could be 20 or 30 of these big service areas with lots of shops and big brands.”

To find out what Costa Express can offer you contact: ROI tel: 021 500 3526 NI tel: 02892 688349

26|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Topaz

Topaz on Top of Changing Forecourt Sector

Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz discusses the changing face of the Irish forecourt business.

TOPAZ is Ireland’s largest forecourt retailer, with more than 330 service stations across the country. Indeed, this figure will rise to 400 if their proposed takeover of the Esso business in Ireland is approved by the recently formed Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (formerly the Competition Authority).

Regardless of the Esso deal, however, Topaz has been to the forefront of Ireland’s forecourt sector since its formation in 2005, when it took over the Statoil and Shell business in Ireland. The country’s largest fuels and convenience retailer

has driven much of that change and serves more than 800,000 customers every week.

With premium petrols, ever more fuel efficient cars and changing consumer driving habits and shopping habits, Topaz has seen fuel and grocery sales deliver decreasing returns while grab n go food and, in particular, coffee sales (bean to cup and premium filter) have become an ever more important part of its business. In last November’s Retail News, we reported from the Bord Bia Foodservice Seminar, where Derek Murphy, Foodservice Manager with Topaz, described the evolution of the Topaz brand from a fuel company that also sold grocery, to a foodservice company that also sells premium fuel.

Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz, explains the ever-changing nature of the Irish forecourt and the role Topaz continues to play in that evolution.

How has the forecourt sector changed in recent years?

Consumers today are asking for different services from their forecourts. Consumers are much more conscious of what they eat and drink and expect quality in service and offer

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Forecourt Focus: Topaz

The new Topaz service station at Clonshaugh in Dublin.

when they come into a forecourt. Our most recent research tells us that 25% of consumers will only eat in a forecourt that makes produce fresh on-site. Coupled with this, over 55% of consumers will choose an outlet that provides barista coffee.

What trends are driving these changes?

Consumer food and beverage consumption habits are continually changing as people become more educated about the importance of a healthy balanced diet. Irish consumers are price conscious and they value healthy, local produce,

according to a recent Bord Bia survey. Another driver is changes in technology. What were key revenue streams are dissipating with the advent of technology, for instance.

With cigarette sales taking a nosedive, phone top-up cards almost a thing of the past, online Lottery play increasing and dwindling newspaper sales, the forecourt needs to stay ahead of its changing role, which is returning to a dedicated level of service, focusing on offer and tailoring it to the ever changing consumer.

Fuel sales, particularly unleaded, are falling, so what has this meant to the Topaz business model?

Right now, the economy is improving and the challenges we face are the ones most businesses in the retail fuels sector face. With a decline in fuel sales, our focus is always on the consumer experience and our offer. How can we enhance the

Pictured at the opening of the new Topaz service station at Northern Cross, Clonshaugh were Paul Candon, Group Marketing & Corporate Services Director at Topaz, alongside FIFA Puskas Award finalist Stephanie Roche and Topaz ambassador, former Munster and Ireland star, Alan Quinlan.

28|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Topaz

Topaz staff are pictured at the official launch of the company’s new Motorway Service Area at Ballacolla, Co. Laois.

customer’s experience when they visit us? What products and services can we add to our offering? Can we source these locally? Given the difficult economic conditions of the last seven years, there is a trend that suggests a return to more normal trading conditions. Consumer confidence is recovering and as a young fully Irish owned company, we have ambitious expansion plans for the future.

What are the big growth areas for Topaz?

For us, growth lies in retail. At the start of the year, we announced the opening of two new Motorway Service Areas at Clonshaugh and Ballacolla. The stations were redeveloped at a cost of €10m, providing over 300 jobs in total, while both have included Topaz’s new retailing trading concept Re.Store, an idea-heavy concept that takes our forecourt offering into new territory. Growth in the retail fuels and convenience sector for Topaz lies inside the store.

What have been the major developments over the last year?

Our Re.Store format has been in the planning for some time and we are thrilled to see it finally come to fruition and it’s really resonating with customers.

In November 2014, we officially launched our first Re.Store retail offering, which is being rolled out across the full network throughout 2015. Re.Store is a completely new retail food and convenience brand, developed with the ambition of changing the dynamic of forecourt and convenience retailing. This is not about tweaks or subtle changes; it is about fundamentally changing the way that people think about service stations. It is about meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers right through all aspects of our food, facilities and service.

Do you expect to open new sites or add new retailers to your group this year?

We would expect that we will add to both our company owned and dealer networks throughout the year. From a company

owned and operated perspective, we are always on the lookout for key locations where we can expand our company owned offer. We have a fantastic dealer offer and a driven and enthusiastic dealer sales team, who continue to expand our network year on year.

What will the purchase of the Esso sites mean to Topaz as a group?

This is still with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for approval but as an Irish company through and through, this deal demonstrates our commitment to supporting our position in this market. We look forward to welcoming Esso's employees to the Topaz team, pending approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

The Play or Park game has proved hugely successful for Topaz, attracting huge numbers of players and winning major marketing awards. Why do you think it has been so popular?

In 2013, we decided to focus the entire business on getting closer to our customers by building sustainable, long-term

Topaz recently launched their new retail food and convenience brand, Re.Store.

30|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Topaz relationships with them through an on-going interactive mechanic. As a result, we launched a ground-breaking loyalty programme called Play or Park: The Loyalty Game.

It is the only loyalty programme of its kind to use an ongoing gaming mechanic.

Play or Park has fundamentally shifted the way in which customers see, shop, fill up, engage and participate with Topaz. It has changed the everyday chore of refuelling into a rewarding and fun experience, with an impressive 350,000 members signing up in just over two years. Play or Park swept the boards in Irish and international industry awards, winning across categories such as ‘Smartest Loyalty Strategy’, ‘Smartest New Product Development’ and ‘Best Digital Strategy’, as well as winning at ‘Best Customer Relationship Management’ at the Loyalty Awards in Amsterdam in February 2014.

Some notable stats for Play or Park interaction are: its highly engaged member base with 1.5m total plays; the average member has played 10 times and there have been a massive 414,000 total treats issued.

With a presence in so many local communities across the country, how does Topaz benefit the local economies in which it operates?

With over 330 service stations, 130 of them company owned, Topaz is the largest fuel and convenience retailer in the country. The acquisition of Esso (subject to regulatory approval) will see the number of Topaz stations rise to 400. As a result, the company has quite a large economic footprint.

For example, we employ 1,600 directly and always strive to employ people from the local area. The same would hold true for our dealer network, which it’s estimated currently employs around 4,000 people. Just recently, the company was recognised as one of the Best Workplaces in Ireland for the 10th time. Once again, Topaz was the only fuel and convenience retailer to make the list. At the moment, we are in the process of introducing our exciting new retail food offering, Re.Store, and a key aspect of that will be sourcing fresh quality produce from local suppliers.

But there is much more to Topaz. We are one of the biggest suppliers of home heating oil in the country; we have the industry leading Topaz Lubricants/Q8 Oil business; we are one of the main suppliers of aviation fuel and we have the biggest fuel card operation in the country. So whether its homes, cars, farm machinery, buses, boats or planes, Topaz is keeping Ireland moving.

its customers and staff; that is why we place such emphasis on Health, Safety and Environment management.

For example, we have adopted a ‘Think Zero’ approach to Health & Safety, while we constantly strive to integrate environmentally friendly practices into Paul Candon: “At Topaz, our business model. we strongly believe in For example, our car working closely with wash detergents are the local community eco-friendly and since and supporting them in 2011, we’ve been rolling whatever way possible.” out our electric car charging point network across the country.

Because of our prominent locations, Topaz provides a natural meeting place in a safe and friendly location for people in communities around the country. But Topaz also proactively supports community activities and we do that through our CSR programmes. Several years ago, Topaz initiated the Driver Reviver programme with the Road Safety Authority, which focused on the dangers of driver fatigue. It has also supported a wide range of charities, including UNICEF, Temple Street Children’s Hospital, The Meningitis Trust and Aware.

Our staff often take the lead locally in raising funds for these charities or other good causes and the company is fully supportive of these initiatives. Similarly, our dealers often support local charities or sponsor sports teams in the local area, and this strengthens our links to the local community.

“Re.Store is a completely new retail food and convenience brand, developed with the ambition of changing the dynamic of forecourt and convenience retailing. This is not about tweaks or subtle changes; it is about fundamentally changing the way that people think about service stations.”

What measures have been put in place to allow Topaz to have a positive impact on local communities?

From the start, Topaz has always striven to serve the communities in which it’s based and operates to the best of its ability. The company’s first priority is the safety of

Are there any future initiatives in the works involving Topaz in local

communities?

One of our most exciting initiatives is the Cash for Club promotion, through which, customers can raise valuable funds for a club of their choice. The promotion is open to clubs of all types and sizes around the country. Once a club has registered and fulfilled the entry requirements, it will be entered in a draw for amounts of up to €10,000.

We really admire all the work people put in to their clubs and this is our way of giving something back to local communities.

At Topaz, we strongly believe in working closely with the local community and supporting them in whatever way possible. Whether it’s convenient opening times, community notice boards or supporting a local team or charity, the important thing is to take an active part in the community and to give something back. When you do this, you are showing support and respect to the community and that will be returned with interest in a variety of ways.

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Forecourt Focus: Costa Express

Costa – Fuelling The Nation Costa Express is a world class coffee platform that is fuelling the nation within forecourts and convenience stores throughout Ireland.

THE phenomenal growth of the Costa Express brand is backed by the full store network of Costa stores throughout Ireland, with additional stores opening in 2015. With a Costa store in every major town in Ireland, Costa brand awareness is very high.

Since the launch of Costa Express last year, Costa have installed machines throughout Ireland, with the Costa brand delivering growth in like for like coffee sales from 50-100%.

Costa Express is a turnkey operation for any retailer.

Proven Footfall Driver “Costa Express is a proven driver of footfall into our partners’ businesses, with sites seeing new customers that never visited their business before and now forms part of their daily routine,” says Stephen Kelly, Director of Costa Express Ireland. “Research in Ireland has shown that people are prepared to drive past other forecourts or convenience stores to visit one that is serving Costa Express. Costa truly is for coffee lovers of all ages as they seek out great tasting coffee.”

All of this does not happen by accident: it takes time to make

The Costa brand delivers growth in like for like coffee sales from 50-100%.

great coffee. “All Costa Express machines produce great tasting coffee because we take a little more time and we always use fresh coffee beans and always fresh milk.

Every drink is Since the crafted to a very launch particular recipe of Costa that creates the Express same wonderful last year, flavour as our Costa have Costa stores,” installed Kelly explains. machines Consistency throughout and great coffee Ireland. is what customers want. Each Costa Express machine communicates to Costa via the bespoke telemetry package installed in every machine that closely monitors quality and consistency of each drink and alerts Costa of any faults or downtime.

An Easy Decision Joyce’s in Galway recently installed Costa Express machines and Mark Spitzer, Group Fresh Food Manager for the Joyce Group, comments: “For us it was an easy decision to work with Costa, who are providing a super solution for the retailer and presenting our customers with great menu choice aligned with the Costa brand and expertise.”

Costa Express is a turnkey operation for any retailer.

There is no risk, no capital investment in equipment or stock. Costa use state of the art equipment and technology unmatched by any other supplier. If you would like to find out how Costa Express can increase your coffee revenue, call ROI: (021) 5003526. NI: (02892) 688349.

32|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Subway

The SUBWAY Success Story SUBWAY recently celebrated the opening of its 2,000th store in the UK and Ireland and is actively seeking new franchisees to be part of the success story as it continues its expansion.

THE SUBWAY brand is one of the most popular franchise opportunities, with more than 43,000 SUBWAY stores worldwide in 110 countries.

With 149 SUBWAY stores currently located in the Republic of Ireland, the brand is planning to open 11 additional stores this year and aims to have 178 stores in total by the end of 2016. The SUBWAY brand sees this growth not only from high street locations, retail parks and shopping centres, but also from non-traditional locations, including within convenience stores, on petrol forecourts or at transport hubs, universities and hospitals.

Dual Branding Opportunities There are currently opportunities available for convenience store and forecourt operators to partner with the franchise and open an outlet within an existing store. Partnering with the SUBWAY brand provides excellent dual branding opportunities, high rental returns and increased customer market share.

“The level of growth that the SUBWAY brand has experienced in the UK and Ireland is a fantastic achievement,” notes SUBWAY Development Agent for the Republic of Ireland, Adam Heyes. “Celebrating the 2,000th store in the UK and Ireland reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of our franchisees, together with the power and support of the global SUBWAY brand. Expansion in the Republic of Ireland is going strong and we are looking forward to opening another 11 stores throughout 2015.”

Tremendous Success Two franchisees who have enjoyed success with the SUBWAY brand are brothers John and Eddie Glennon, who own and operate SUBWAY stores within three of their SPAR convenience outlets in Dublin. Since opening their first store two years ago, they have seen tremendous success with the

SUBWAY franchisees John and Eddie Glennon.

brand, and have also opened their first SUBWAY store in a traditional high street location.

“The popularity of the SUBWAY brand has been great for driving new customers through the door,” explains John Glennon. “When researching franchise options, it was clear there was demand for a SUBWAY store in the local area. Investing in a SUBWAY store has not only generated additional custom, but also increased business profits.”

“In addition to recognisable branding, it was important to us that we purchased a franchise that would provide us with both initial and ongoing support,” Eddie Glennon adds. “The SUBWAY brand met this criteria and investing in a fast growing, ever expanding franchise was a great opportunity.”

Partnership Opportunities We’re hungry for even more stores across the UK and Ireland a franchisee, 2 As a SUBWAY® store can offer you: • • • •

a landlord, 2 As a SUBWAY® store can offer you:

On-going training and support Regional and national marketing activity Proven control systems Waste managed at less than 1%

• • • •

Excellent dual branding opportunities High rental returns Increased customer market share Flexibility in terms of space and design

Over 2,000 SUBWAY® stores now open in the UK and Ireland

Over 450 outlets now open in non-high street locations including convenience stores, forecourt sites, transport hubs and visitor attractions

For more information or to submit a location for consideration please visit

www.subway.co.uk/property For further enquiries please email

Caroline Thomson and Alice Chalmers development@subway.co.uk

© 2015 Doctor’s Associate Inc. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associate Inc.

F A R R O M N A M

Launches New Cook in Bag Chicken

Irish chicken producer Manor Farm has introduced a new cook-in-bag whole chicken to its range; Really Easy Chicken. The innovative sealed packaging means there is no need for the consumer to handle the chicken until it is cooked fully.

The ready to roast chicken requires almost no preparation. To roast a whole chicken, the packaging simply needs to be pierced once and then placed in a preheated oven as per cooking time on the label. Once cooked, the chicken is deliciously juicy and succulent.

The ready to roast cook-in-bag chicken will be available in selected butchers and retailers from the end of March 2015 onwards.

“A lot of people lack the confidence to roast a whole chicken. Really Easy Chicken is a convenient and safe way for people to enjoy roast chicken at home,” says Vincent Carton, Managing Director of Manor Farm.

Roast chicken is the nation’s favourite dish according to a Bord Bia report. Almost three quarters of the population enjoy chicken at least once a week. www.chicken.ie

34|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Store Profile

MACE Delivers Top Performance in Waterford Brian and Siobhán Mooney’s MACE forecourt store in Waterford City marries the latest retail technology with a commitment to their customers built up over three decades of retailing.

Store owner Brian Mooney, pictured outside his revamped MACE forecourt store.

HUSBAND and wife team Brian and Siobhán Mooney have been involved in the grocery retail sector since the 1980s. In that time, the couple have seen radical transformations in the sector, booms and busts, new trends and technology.

Their latest venture is part of the exciting collaboration between Top Oil and MACE, which brings some very traditional retailing values together with the latest technology and thoughts on convenience grocery.

The Mooneys’ Park Road Service Station sits in an extremely desirable location at the start of the Dunmore Road in Waterford City. As well as having a large indigenous population in the area, the shop can take advantage of lunchtime trade from businesses around it and significant passing trade during the summer months.

“This is a very well established site, with a forecourt presence here for over 20 years,” explains Brian. “There is not much in the way of direct competition nearby. In this latest development, we have introduced the latest MACE image

Pictured are (l-r): Philip O’Brien, Retail Operations Advisor, MACE; Shane Doyle, General Manager, Autoport Oil Ltd; store owner Brian Mooney, and Seamus Grace, Regional Manager, Top Oil.

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Forecourt Focus: Store Profile re-opened, trade has been brisk. “Trade is roughly where I hoped it would be, and given the last decade in this sector, that is a very good place to be,” Brian enthuses. “This site has so much going for it, ample free parking space, it has great frontage, and there are lots of different people living and working around here. The challenge has been to find the very best way to take advantage of all that potential.

“We chose a Food To Go strategy very deliberately because we knew what was needed and we have aimed for top quality in every aspect of the business, from fresh ingredients to the finish on the floor!”

The ambient grocery offering in the shop is not huge, but the selection has been tailored to suit top-up needs for customers and also features offerings from the MACE Own Brand range. According to Brian, the MACE Own Brand portfolio is extremely popular with customers and is another benefit of working with MACE, as is the Perk Coffee offering, which as well as being Fair Trade, delivers delicious coffee to complement the Food to Go offering from the deli.

The Perk Coffee offering, which as well as being Fair Trade, delivers delicious coffee to complement the Food to Go offering from the deli.

The Right Products At The Right Price The store owner is admittedly delighted with the results of the redevelopment and more importantly, so are his customers. “I think the MACE image in the shop and Top Oil branding on the forecourt complement one another very well,” he says. “The two brands allow me to offer the right products for my customers, at the right price.”

He also enjoys the support of “two excellent organisations”. Indeed, Brian singles out Seamus Grace, Regional Manager, Top Oil, and Phillip O’Brien, Retail Operations Advisor, MACE, for their “absolutely fantastic support: they are always at the end of the phone if I ever need them.”

The feeling, it seems, is mutual. Philip O’Brien, MACE Group, says, “We are absolutely delighted to work with retailers like Brian and Siobhán. Brian is an excellent retailer and he had a very clear vision for what he wanted to achieve with this project: as his partners on this, it was our responsibility to help him achieve that.”

to the shop and the Top Oil ‘Fuelling Ireland’ brand and image to the forecourt.”

It is quite common for retailers to trade through development work, for fear of losing trade permanently.

However, this development saw the Park Road Service Station close for 10 months. Although the project did not involve major construction in terms of changing the footprint of the shop, it did involve completely rebuilding the front of the store.

The main entrance was moved to a central location and the front wall opened up with large windows.

Significant planning was put into the project and the design is executed extremely well. Upon entering the shop, visitors are provided with an unobstructed view of fresh bread and cakes and beyond, an immaculate deli, stocked to the brim with high quality fresh ingredients.

Focus on Food To Go The Food To Go focus was foremost in the minds’ of the Mooneys and their partners in MACE, and since the store

The Mooneys’ Park Road Service Station sits in an extremely desirable location at the start of the Dunmore Road in Waterford City.

36|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: Store Profile

Store owner Brian Mooney is pictured with Ulrica Wanderluch, Shane Doyle, General Manager, Autoport Oil Ltd, Anna Gwozdz, and Maureen Curran, Deli Manager.

“The Mooneys, MACE and ourselves have worked together very closely on this development,” agrees Top Oil’s Seamus Grace. “We have created a total package that is of real benefit to the community it serves. On the forecourt and in the shop, the customer and their needs always come first.

We are very proud to have been a part of this project.”

Hugely Ambitious All those involved should feel rightly proud of what they have achieved. In 2009, the Mooneys’ MACE Top Oil in Holycross in Cork was named Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Store of the Year. Brian admits to being ambitious for the new site to win recognition at a national level, and is hugely ambitious for this year’s MACE Excellence Awards. Staff in Mooney’s can take advantage of the MACE uLearn online training portal, so they can receive training easily in any location. The team at Park Road is one to watch in future awards.

There is a single simple over-arching philosophy behind

The MACE store has a strong focus on Food To Go.

this project that is very traditional: knowing your customer and meeting their needs. It is what Brian and Siobhán have been doing all through their time in retail. Together with MACE and Top Oil, they continue to meet those needs by incorporating the latest in best practice methodology, while delivering a system that has stood the test of time and ensures that the customer remains at the heart of everything they do.

Fact File Owner:

Brian and Siobhán Mooney

Location: Size:

Dunmore Road, Waterford City 1,200 square feet

No of staff:

10, full time & part time

Opening Hours: 06:30-22:00, Mon-Fri; 07:00-22:00, Saturday; 08:00-22:00, Sunday

The ambient grocery offering in the shop has been tailored to suit top-up needs for customers and also features offerings from the MACE Own Brand range.

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|37

Forecourt Focus: Photo-Me

Photo-Me Starts Revolution To Help The Elderly

Photo-Me launched their 1,000th Revolution self-service launderette in Drogheda, along with a superb offer for elderly groups, by offering them free laundry services for a year.

PHOTO-ME marked the installation of its 1,000th ‘Revolution’ self-service launderette recently in Drogheda with a promise to help elderly people who need its services most.

The company has partnered with Age Action Ireland to provide free laundry services to elderly groups for a year by using the facility.

Photo-Me is a leading operator of photo-booths, vending equipment, digital printing kiosks, self-service launderettes, as well as children’s rides and amusement machines.

The launch, which took place in Tesco Drogheda, marked the installation of the company’s 1,000th ‘Revolution’ launderette in Europe.

Increasing Presence in Ireland Photo-Me plans to increase its self-service launderette presence in Ireland from its current 25 facilities to over 100 facilities over the coming year as demand for the costeffective service increases. These facilities are typically sited in forecourts and supermarkets.

“We are delighted that the 1,000th Revolution machine

Francoise Coutaz-Replan, Chief Financial Manager, Photo-Me, and Richard French, Country Manager, Photo-Me Ireland, are pictured at the launch of the 1000th Revolution launderette in Tesco Drogheda.

is being launched in Ireland,” said Richard French, Country Manager with Photo-Me Ireland. “Photo-Me has big plans for our Irish operation this year and we hope to substantially increase our presence here.

“Photo-Me is also delighted to be able to contribute to the communities where we have a presence. We hope that providing free laundry services for a year to the elderly through Age Action Ireland will benefit people who may be experiencing fuel poverty and who need this service,” he added.

Superb Offer Kath Briggs from Age Action Ireland said: “We’re delighted to be involved with this project as it will make life easier for many of our clients. We are very grateful to Photo-Me for their kind offer.”

Richard French pointed out that the company’s Revolution launderettes are cost-effective and could also mean reduced water charges for families whose children play a lot of sports.

Photo-Me is a UK-headquartered company whose shares Kath Briggs, Age Action Ireland (left) and Francoise Coutaz-Replan, Chief Financial Manager, Photo-Me, load a Revolution machine. are fully-listed on the London Stock Exchange.

38|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

National Lottery

A Message To Our Retailers Dermot Griffin, CEO, Premier Lotteries Ireland, has penned an article to retailers, thanking them for their support, while acknowledging and apologising for the setbacks during the transition period.

Dermot Griffin, CEO, Premier Lotteries Ireland.

IT’S been challenging, it’s been complex but it is an exciting time and we’re almost there!

The transition to the new lottery system has represented the largest technology roll-out the National Lottery has ever undertaken and the largest in Irish retail history, and we would like to thank all our many agents for their invaluable support.

The transition, which kicked off on November 30 last year, has required the connection of 20,000 pieces of equipment in 3,700 retail outlets across the country; the introduction of a new website, online platform and central and telecommunications systems. We have processed over 72m plays; delivered 98% of all transactions within three seconds in the systems, and even managed to create four new millionaires!

To achieve all of this, we welcomed over 3,000 retailers to 44 retailer briefings last autumn, and we must thank our retailers for attending these sessions, and for their patience and support ever since.

Facing Difficulties We acknowledge that we have also faced some difficulties, which have affected our retail partners and players. I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and look, with them, to the future.

The transition to the new lottery system has represented the largest technology roll-out the National Lottery has ever undertaken and the largest in Irish retail history.

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|39

National Lottery

To date, the National Lottery has raised over €4.5 billion for good causes; delivered over €7.5 billion in prizes and created over 450 new millionaires.

The National Lottery deferred a Lotto draw, an unprecedented event, due to a telecoms outage over which we had no control.

We have had some setbacks, including a number of temporary outages across parts of the system. Solutions to these outages are currently being put in place and we will continually work to improve the resilience of our communications network. This solution provides us with a modern telecoms network, to facilitate the future growth of the National Lottery.

Reconnection of Self-Service Ticket Checkers Over the transition period, and in adapting to our new system, there have also been some temporary inconveniences, most notably having to retain the self-service ticket checkers on the old system so as to allow players to check prizes for the full 90-day period. In this regard, I would like to thank our retail partners for their continued patience.

The reconnection and activation of the self-service ticket checkers on the new system is on track for April and will be fully supported by our onsite technicians and helpline staff to ensure that the service is restored and each agent fully understands the mechanics of the new system, following a period of initial testing.

Despite everything, the lottery retail network has been live over 99% per cent of the time since November 30, and the central system has delivered 99.97% resilience. Retailers and the National Lottery have also successfully delivered over 400 draws since changeover, generating over €50m for good causes.

“We have had some setbacks, including a number of temporary outages across parts of the system. Solutions to these outages are currently being put in place and we will continually work to improve the resilience of our communications network.”

“Premier Lotteries Ireland are committed to continuing to listen to our retailers and players as the new system beds in and will continue to optimise performance on our systems and infrastructure to ensure a thriving lottery into the future.”

Optimising Performance Premier Lotteries Ireland are committed to continuing to listen to our retailers and players as the new system beds in and will continue to optimise performance on our systems and infrastructure to ensure a thriving lottery into the future.

Exciting player experiences, creating new millionaires and supporting great causes around the country is our business. To date, the National Lottery has raised over €4.5 billion for good causes; delivered over €7.5 billion in prizes and created over 450 new millionaires. This is something we could not achieve without the ongoing support of our retailers.

Continuity Of Service As the period of transition draws to a close, continuity of service and ensuring minimal negative impact on retailers and players will remain paramount.

When complete, we look forward to collectively enjoying the benefits of the new modern system and to a bright future for our National Lottery - one with more millionaires, exciting games, increased returns to good causes and one of the most advanced lottery systems in Europe.

Premier Lotteries Ireland will continue to support its games with innovative advertising campaigns.

40|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Ice Cream

The Freeze Knees

Irish consumers’ love affair with ice cream shows no signs of abating, with new products guaranteed to fly from freezers this year.

ICE cream sales hit €155m in 2014, growth of 3% on the previous year, according to the latest report into the sector by Euromonitor International. With 2013 being a strong year for ice cream sales due to a prolonged period of good weather during the summer time, 2014 also maintained strong growth levels with warmer weather helping sales in the impulse category. However, the level of new product developments has also helped to significantly boost sales within ice cream, according to Euromonitor, who predict that overall sales in the category are expected to grow by 1% annually, reaching €160m by 2019.

Unilever “2014 was a strong year for Unilever Ice Cream with big launches across all segments of the ice cream category,” boasts Nigel Thomson, Marketing Manager, Ice Cream.

Within the handheld category, HB launched Marc de Champagne Magnum, which delivered incremental sales to the category, while in the desserts category, Unilever launched Ben & Jerrys Greek to capitalise on the frozen yogurt trend and drive frequency within the luxury desserts category.

In 2015, Unilever have even stronger NPD and will be increasing their marketing investment to over €4m to drive even more growth in the ice cream category, according to Thomson.

Magnum Pink and Black: the biggest ice cream launch of 2015.

e l b a l i Ava !

W O N NEW MAGNUM

NEW MAGNUM

PINK

BL ACK ESPRESSO

R A S PBE R RY

THE FULL LINE UP HB Impulse new lines

42|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Ice Cream HB are launching a Cornetto €1 price mark pack to appeal to teenagers and people looking for a great value snack.

Back due to popular demand, HB classic Freaky Foot has a great new look and taste. A delicious foot-shaped treat made of creamy strawberry and vanilla ice cream swirl, Freaky Foot also has a tempting chocolatey big toe.

HB expects to see strong demand for this modern take on a cult classic that is just 72kcal and comes in treat-sized 79ml packs at an affordable RRP of €1.

Music Tornado is HB’s new kids product for 2015 and is sure to drive interest in the kids segment. There are four different sticks that play a different note to keep kids entertained.

In the desserts sector, Unilever have strong plans across their brands, with NPD and upweighted marketing plans, according to David Suter, Brand Manager, Desserts. “After the success of last year’s Ben & Jerry's Greek launch, we will be launching the super indulgent Cookie Cores range,” he explains. “There will be three products in the range: What a Lotta Chocolate; Peanut Butter Cookie; and Speculoos?

Specu-Love. We will be increasing our marketing support to drive incremental sales in the luxury pint segment, and will be doing a Core Tour to sample our product, as well as TV, VOD, social and digital, outdoor, and experiential.”

What A Lotta Chocolate is chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookie chunks and a chocolate cookie core. Peanut Butter Cookie is peanut butter ice cream with peanut butter cookie chunks and a peanut butter core. Speculoos? SpecuLove is caramel ice cream with Speculoos cinnamon biscuit cookie chunks and a Speculoos cinnamon biscuit cookie core.

HB’s classic Freaky Foot is back with a great new look and taste.

“Magnum Pink and Black will be the biggest launch of 2015, with two great new flavours,” he reveals. Magnum Pink is a vanilla ice cream with a rich raspberry swirl, double dipped with the delicious Magnum chocolate and finished with pink chocolate. “Research showed 70% of consumers thought the concept was new and different,” Thomson explains. Magnum Black is vanilla ice cream with a decadent espresso swirl and double dipped in Magnum dark chocolate. “After trial, 74% of Magnum Black consumers said the product was excellent,” Thomson notes.

“In 2015, we will be stepping up our investment in Magnum as one of the biggest brands in the ice cream category,” the Marketing Manager continues. “Pink and Black will be supported by a 360-degree marketing campaign with TV, VOD, outdoor, digital and social and PR.” When it comes to impulse ice cream, 2015 will be a strong year for Unilever, with exciting NPD launches that will drive interest in the category and the continuation of the award winning ‘Goodbye Serious’ marketing campaign.

“We are launching Cornetto €1 price mark pack to appeal to the younger market and people looking for a great value snack,” notes Madeleine Boulton, Brand Manager for Out Of Home (OOH) Ice Cream. “Research and results from other markets has shown that by offering a Cornetto at €1, significant growth can be driven in the category. Cornetto €1 was the focus of the season starter marketing campaign for HB Goodbye Serious, with TV and radio, digital, social and outdoor. We will also be launching Cornetto Taco as a great on the go snack for teenagers.”

HB’s Solero and Twister: hugely popular with Irish consumers

“Ben & Jerry's is also more than just great tasting ice cream, and in 2015 we will be continuing with our Join Our Core campaign which helps innovative businesses, and championing the Marriage Equality and Climate Change causes,” Suter states.

Ben & Jerry’s will also be launching Vanilla 100ml.

This is a key flavour within the segment that is a flavour gap for the Ben & Jerrys range. “Within our Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops, this is the top selling flavour and is sure to drive Ben & Jerry’s impulse ice cream sales in 2015,” Suter says.

Carte d’Or will be on TV for the first time in Ireland this year, and Unilever will be sampling the range at the Ideal Homes Show.

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|43

Ice Cream Ben & Jerry’s Blueberry Thrill

BEN & Jerry’s has added a new berry burst to its Greek Style Frozen Yogurt range in the form of a creamy cheesecake inspired concoction, Blueberry Cheesecake. Greek Style Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Cheesecake is an ice cream with a velvety rich Greek Style yogurt, delectable crushed cookie and burst of zingy blueberry swirls.

This new addition (Fairtrade of course!) to the Greek Style Frozen Yogurt family joins Strawberry Shortcake and Vanilla Honey Caramel, and is available in a 500ml tub to share with friends, or 150ml pots for a smaller treat.

Kerrymaid Kerrymaid conducted independent research into the frozen desserts market, and compiled the findings in its 2014 Share Good Times Report, which found that 53% of desserts are ice cream based. The report demonstrates that ice cream continues to enjoy sustained popularity.

Kerrymaid Angelito has been loved by consumers for more than 40 years.

Kerrymaid Angelito, which has been loved by consumers for more than 40 years, helps to generate trust with customers and drive incremental sales, according to Grace Keenan, Brand Manager, Kerrymaid: “The delicious creamy taste of Kerrymaid Angelito Ice Cream Mix offers the taste of real Irish dairy with the smooth texture customers expect. Kerrymaid Angelito also offers a great yield, meaning that outlets will Kerrymaid’s Share Good Times Report have excellent profit found that 53% of desserts are ice cream margins, while providing a tasty and based. consistent treat to customers.”

Kerrymaid Angelito is ideal for sundaes, with the Kerrymaid Share Good Times research reporting that ice cream sundaes remain one of the most popular desserts across multiple channels. They also represent a prime opportunity to drive afternoon and impulse sales. “It is important to offer a variety of toppings to consumers; a wide choice adds an element of excitement to the offering and will also appeal to varied personal tastes. Kerrymaid Angelito can also be used as a dessert accompaniment or combined with milk for a thick milkshake,” Keenan noted.

For more information on Kerrymaid, visit www.kerrymaid.co.uk.

44|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

Stakeholders Come Together to toast Retail Ireland Skillnet AS part of Retail Ireland's renewed policy focus on skills in the retail workforce and to mark a closer working relationship with our Skillnet-affiliated training programmes, we are excited to confirm that Ibec Retail Skillnet, Ireland's leading body for retail education and training, has now officially been re-branded as Retail Ireland Skillnet.

On March 24, we hosted a special event to formally unveil Retail Ireland Skillnet's new identity and to showcase our range of programmes for 2015. Already we have seen the number of participating companies rise from 176 in 2014 to 280 this year. Indeed, we are justly proud of our status as Ireland's longest running and most successful Skillnet-affiliated initiative, and since our establishment in 2000, over 12,000 retail professionals have already completed the training they need to acquire new skills and find new jobs in Ireland’s largest industry.

Given that over 75% of retail jobs are located outside greater Dublin, our courses play a significant role in promoting balanced regional growth. This year, a Level 7 BA in Retail Management Practice is being offered in Dublin and Galway, a Level 8 Masters in Innovation and Leadership is being offered in Letterkenny and a number of Level 5 and 6 occupational courses are on offer right across the country.

A unique feature of our service is that participating companies have the opportunity to tailor each course to their own particular business needs.

Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English TD, recently expressed his full support for our programmes, stating: “Retail Ireland Skillnet is a great example of the ways government and industry can work together to help people get the skills they need to find employment and help with career progression. The courses on offer highlight the diversity of career options in the sector and the many opportunities for professional advancement.”

Retail Ireland Skillnet is aimed at retail employees of all levels, from floor staff right up to senior management, and a number of places are reserved for the unemployed. The courses, which are fully accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and part-funded by the State, cover areas as diverse as customer care, communications, merchandising and display, selling skills, security, health and safety, as well as warehousing and management.

For further information about how training and up-skilling can help drive retail's recovery and details about how your company can benefit from the various programmes and courses on offer, please visit www.retailirelandskillnet.com.

Latest Retail Data Revealed ON March 27, the CSO published its official retail sales statistics for February.

The data indicates that the total value of Irish retail sales (excluding sales of cars and sales in bars) rose by 0.9% on an annualised basis with a 5.3% increase in volumes over the same period. Comparing February's sales to those in January, there was a 0.6% increase in total value and a 0.8% rise in volume.

While there has been a noticeable improvement in the performance of the retail sector in recent months, February’s figures show that the sector remains fragile and the rate of recovery is running behind that of the general economy. The disparity between increases in sales volumes and sales values is a clear indication that heavy discounting remains a significant feature of the Irish retail landscape.

Although consumer confidence is growing, many shoppers will go out of their way to find a good bargain, which means consumer spending continues to be lower than expected.

Retailers Welcome JOC Recommendations on Town Centres Policy MARCH 26 saw the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation publish its final report and set of recommendations on policy options to support business growth, employment creation and job retention in Irish towns and village centres. This long awaited report follows a number of hearings which the Committee hosted last summer, in which Retail Ireland participated.

The final report lists 15 recommendations to reinvigorate traditional high streets and improve the business environment in Irish cities and regional town centres. We are very pleased to see that the final recommendations include almost all the recommendations Retail Ireland originally called for, including 'rates holidays' to incentivise the take-up of vacant retail units, reductions in commercial rates for smaller operators, action on upward only rents, reduced bank charges, improvements in access and parking facilities and increased resources for on-street policing.

Retail Ireland looks forward to engaging with stakeholders and policy makers to push for action on the recommendations made.

The next session of the Retail Consultation Forum takes place on April 27 in Drogheda, at which there will be a high level discussion on measures to improve town centres.

Need More?

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

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie

ARE YOU MISSING OUT?

Freephone 1800 604 500 for more information

THE CAPSULE SEGMENT IS NOW 5x GREATER THAN IN 2013*

PALL MALL GIVES YOU THE CHOICE OF A FRESHER TASTE IN EVERY CIGARETTE

STOCK UP NOW! *EPOS Sales Data, February 2015; December 2013 1.5%, at time of printing 8.5%.

For tobacco trade use only. Not to be left within sight of consumers.

PALL MALL GIVES YOU MORE

Toradh caithimh tobac – bás Smoking kills

46|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Drinks News NEW CIDER FROM HEINEKEN IRELAND HEINEKEN Ireland has launched a new cider brand, Orchard Thieves, on the Irish market. With an investment of €20m over the next five years, Heineken Ireland’s new cider offering is designed to take a slice of Ireland’s Irish cider market, which is valued at €366m. “Our new cider brand has been under development for over three years,” explained Fiona Curtin, Senior Innovation Manager at Heineken Ireland. “We have undertaken major research into the category, from a branding and taste perspective, and we know that Irish cider drinkers are looking for an alternative. We are very confident that what we have produced is very compelling.”

Guinness Launches Hop House 13 TV Ad ST James’ Gate Brewery and the streets of Dublin provide the backdrop for the latest Guinness TV advert, which showcases Hop House 13 Lager, the latest beer from the Brewers Project at St James’ Gate, Dublin. Launched earlier this month, Hop House 13 is a double-hopped lager made with Irish barley and aromatic hops and continues the 256 years of heritage and brewing excellence at St James’ Gate. The film traces the journey of Hop House, 13 Lager from its creation in the pilot brewery at St James Gate, Dublin to celebrating peoples’ first sip of this delicious lager in Hop Store 13 - the historic building which inspired the name of the new lager. Voiced by celebrated Irish actor Cillian Murphy, the advert features Guinness Brewer, Peter Simpson, the man behind Hop House 13, along with fellow brewers from The Brewers Project; Luis Ortega, Fedora Heavy, Ross Kidd and Wiebke Hense.

New Whiskey Distilled in Dublin THE first whiskey spirit to be produced in Dublin in almost four decades was distilled in the Liberties from the copper pot stills at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Brothers Stephen and Jack Teeling are pictured with the brass spirit safe that holds the whiskey spirit. This will be matured for at least three years to become true Dublin and Irish Whiskey. Thanks to its new distillery in The Liberties, the Teeling Whiskey Company has complete control of all aspects of its whiskey production, from grain to bottle, so that it can truly lead the category in terms of innovation and build on the company's ever growing reputation of producing some of the world's best whiskies.

The distillery is due to open its doors to visitors in May of this year.

WILD GEESE FLY AT SPIRITS COMPETITION THE Wild Geese Collection has won a gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The medals were secured by the Collection’s Rum, Honey Liqueur, Vodka and Gin categories. The Wild Geese Golden Rum (pictured) won a gold medal, with silver medals awarded to The Wild Geese Premium Rum; Untamed Irish Vodka and Exiles Irish Gin, while The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur achieved a bronze medal. These achievements come just weeks after The Wild Geese Premium Rum won a silver medal at the prestigious Global Rum Masters in London.

MERRYS GOURMET IRISH CREAM LIQUEURS ROBERT A. Merry & Co., one of Ireland’s leading manufacturers of branded and private label beverages, is complementing its multiaward winning Merrys Irish Cream Liqueur with a delicious new range of flavoured Irish creams to be launched in the market in summer 2015. The range includes: White Chocolate, Strawberry, Toffee Buttermint, Atlantic Sea Salted Caramel and even Pumpkin Spice. Pictured at the Merrys stand at ProWein 2015, which took place in Düsseldorf, Germany in March, are (l-r): Annette Kearney, Marketing Advisor, Bord Bia Germany, and Peter Cooney, Export Sales Director, Robert A. Merry & Co.

Freephone 1800 604 500 for more information

THINK BIG WITH NEW PALL MALL BIG PACK

STOCK UP NOW! For tobacco trade use only. Not to be left within sight of consumers.

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Toradh caithimh tobac – bás Smoking kills

48| Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Market News MOY PARK ROAST IN THE BAG MOY Park has developed the first roast-in-the-bag chicken product to use cutting edge thermoformed packaging technology. The state of the art packaging is a printed, sealed pack that can go straight into the oven. The new ‘shelf to oven’ whole chicken product has been launched under the Moy Park ‘Good Kitchen’ range, which was developed to target a growing market for addedvalue fresh chicken products. The roast-in-the-bag ‘ready to cook’ whole chickens are locally sourced and come in two flavours ‘Extra Tasty’ and ‘Garlic & Herb’. The packaging self-vents and enables the chicken to self-baste throughout the cooking process, which results in more succulent meat and an enhanced flavour. For more, see www.moyparkchicken.com.

LOYD GROSSMAN LOVIN’ DUBLIN THIS year, the Loyd Grossman brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary and as part of the celebration, Loyd Grossman shared the secrets to his success at the Lovin Dublin Food and Beverage Industry Conference at The Button Factory, Temple Bar, Dublin on April 21. Loyd spoke about how he started the cooking sauces brand in 1995, revealing how he grew it to a €73m global brand under Premier Foods’ stewardship. Within Ireland alone, it is worth €1.85m (Source: Kantar Worldpanel, 52 w/e January 4, 2015). Retailers had the opportunity to hear about the troubles and the challenges the entrepreneur faced on his 20 year journey and the great successes enjoyed along the way. Loyd Grossman has a strong range of premium cooking sauces operating within the Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian and Mexican sectors.

A SLICE OF ICELAND

SWEET ROLE AT SWIZZELS

FOOD retailer Iceland has launched its delicious, awardwinning pizza range in Irish stores. Renowned for its frozen and fresh food selection, Iceland was recently named ‘Frozen Pizza Multiple Retailer of the Year’ at the UK Pasta and Pizza Awards. The range includes traditional favourites like the Four Cheese Deep Pan and the Double Pepperoni Deep Pan, as well as more adventurous toppings like Spicy Chicken and Hoisin Duck.

The nine-inch range takes temptation to a whole new level, using unique ingredients to create exciting flavours, including the Chilli Hot Dog Stuffed pizza and the Pulled Pork Ultra Thin. The range also features Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Fajita, Meat Feast Ultra Thin and the Piri Piri Ultra Thin.

Crust connoisseurs are also spoiled for choice with deep pan, thin & crispy, and cheesy stuffed crusts available within the range, alongside authentic Italian Wood Fired Ultra Thin pizzas, made in Italy.

LEADING sweet makers, Swizzels are offering one lucky fan their dream job as a sweet tester, tasked with tasting new sweet inventions before they hit the shelves. The sweet manufacturer, famous for producing well-known confectionery products such as Drumstick Lollies, Parma Violets and Love Hearts, is on the hunt for a dedicated sweet taster to join its new product development team. The tasty role will give the winner a rare opportunity to enter the world of sweet testing at Swizzels’ headquarters in Derbyshire where products are developed and made. Training will involve learning how to use taste buds to help create winning flavours and practical tasks will include inputting on design packaging.

SOWAN’S JOINS GEM PACK RANGE

GEM Pack Foods are delighted to announce the arrival of their new Sowan’s wholefoods range. These handy 100g, easy to open bags are store cupboard essentials that can be used in a variety of tasty recipes. They are also the perfect healthy snack option to have on the go. There is a wide variety to choose from, with14 products in the range. They can be mixed and matched, baked, blended or eaten just as they are. Sowan’s only use the highest

quality ingredients in all their products. All the ingredients that made it into Sowan’s wholefoods range are either a source of fibre or high in fibre, while also being naturally gluten free. The wholefoods range was developed to complement the current range of baking mixes (traditional and gluten free) and the new Sowan’s wholegrains range, which includes roasted buckwheat, tricolour quinoa, amaranth, brown rice and millet.

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|49

Cigarettes & Tobacco Products

Smoke

Signals

Despite the various challenges facing it, tobacco remains a vital and valuable category for retailers.

THE tobacco sector in Ireland is under fire, with the Government pushing ahead with legislation for plain packaging of tobacco products, despite the evidence from Australia that such a move will not achieve its aim of curbing youth smoking rates.

“There is no evidence to support the view that plain packaging contributed to a decline in household expenditure on tobacco,” Sinclair Davidson, Professor of Institutional Economics at Melbourne’s RMIT University, and author of The Plain Truth about Plain Packaging: An Econometric Analysis of the Australian 2011 Tobacco Plain Packaging Act, from Australian National University, told Retail News last December. “In coming to that conclusion, we controlled for the long-term decline in household expenditure in tobacco.”

Indeed, Professor Davidson argued that “most public health interventions don't have much impact on tobacco expenditure or consumption, once you control for the longterm decline in smoking incidence.”

In last month’s Retail News, Irish retailer and former NFRN Ireland President Joe Sweeney travelled to Australia and found overwhelming evidence from retailers that the introduction of plain packaging there has forced additional costs on retailers and pushed more consumers into the black market.

Currently, three of the biggest tobacco companies in the country are threatening legal action against the Government over the proposed advent of plain packaging. JTI, Imperial Tobacco and Philip Morris have all sent legal letters to the Government on the issue.

As it stands, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 was approved by the Dáil and the Seanad and has been signed into law by President Higgins.

From May 2016, it will be illegal to manufacture branded cigarette and tobacco packs for the Irish market, and from May 2017 it will be illegal to sell them. In the UK, plain packaging is due to be introduced from May 2016.

A recent report by EPS Consulting, commissioned by

50|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Cigarettes & Tobacco Products JTI Ireland, argues that the Department of Health’s plain packaging process was “fundamentally flawed”. In particular, the report argues that conducting a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) so late in the decision-making policy cycle, a full four months after Government had taken the decision to legislate, indicates the process was merely a box-ticking exercise.

Tobacco companies are not the only complainants. Late last year, the US Chamber of Commerce lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission.

Tobacco retailers are also worried about the potential introduction of new licensing for the sale of tobacco products, which could cost anywhere between €500 and €1,500 in annual fees. The annual license will replace the current oneoff €50 registration payment for tobacco retailers.

Under current tobacco control legislation, a retailer must register with the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Tobacco Control Office, and pay a €50 registration fee.

According to the Tobacco Control Office, retailer compliance levels with the registration is around 99%. However, legislators argue the system allows multiple retailers, including supermarket chains, to make a single payment of €50, regardless of the number of outlets they have.

The proposed licensing contradicts recent attempts to reduce red tape for small businesses. The Government is in the process of introducing an online portal that helps retailers to apply for every required licenses, thus reducing the regulatory burden.

Ireland remains the most expensive country in Europe for cigarettes, according to Euromonitor International. Indeed, Euromonitor claim that the high price of cigarettes here has meant consumers are moving to mid-priced and economy brands as well as RYO alternatives, along with increased number of smokers opting for illicit products.

The RYO tobacco category continues to see a surge in sales, according to the latest Euromonitor report into the Irish tobacco market. More premium cigarette brands are launching brand extensions within the RYO category, while make your own (MYO) products are also increasing in popularity.

The future of the tobacco industry is filled with significant challenges. Despite all this, the fact remains that tobacco sales makes up a large percentage of a retailer’s turnover, with some stores estimating that 30-40% of their turnover comes from cigarettes and tobacco products themselves, while also bringing added daily footfall in-store.

JTI Ireland Ireland’s number one SKU (Source: Nielsen Market Track, February 2015), B&H Gold are proud to introduce their boldest limited edition collection to date: B&H Gold Tailored.

Available in Pinstripe, Harris Tweed and Houndstooth, the three luxury pack designs are accented by four classic inner frame colours to celebrate the quality of materials and exquisite craftsmanship of bespoke tailoring. Available in King Size 20’s only (excludes Big Box 24’s and Maxi Box 29’s), the Tailored collection is presented to the trade in mixed design bundles encased in a bespoke ‘Limited Edition Tailoring’ outer wrapper.

Mayfair, Ireland’s market-leading cigarette brand (Source: Nielsen Market Track December 2014), is proud to introduce Mayfair King Size Fine, a 4mg, Lower Tar and Nicotine product. Priced at €8.50, Mayfair King Size Fine offers a quality, value-priced, Lower Tar and Nicotine product in recognition of the changing behaviour of existing adult smokers. Please note that lower tar and nicotine does not mean a reduced risk product.

Camel sees things in original ways. It always has, since the creation of Camel’s original American blend: smooth, full-

B&H Gold Tailored, a limited edition pack available in Pinstripe, Harris Tweed and Houndstooth.

New Mayfair King Size Fine is a 4mg, Lower Tar and Nicotine product.

The Camel brand has become a creative icon.

*Nielsen, Extended Scan Track, 68.4% YTD, 22nd Mar 2015 This advertisement 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.

52|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Cigarettes & Tobacco Products assurance of premiumquality taste each and every time they roll.

The brand is performing strongly, with gV Smooth 9g reaching a 0.49% Spot Share after only 4 weeks on the market and the gV range reaching 1% share of Fine Cut Tobacco (Source: Nielsen, MAT Data to January 25, 2015). gV Smooth 25g will be the best priced pouch in the 25g segment.

The hugely popular gV Smooth 9g Combi at a very pocket friendly €4.

It has a very attractive RSP of €10.40 versus other 25g pouches, which usually retail between €11.00 and €11.50, offering adult consumers real value.

Another interesting point to note about the 25g pouch is that it is produced right here in Ireland at the Imperial Tobacco factory in Mullingar, John Player John Player is delighted to which means announce the launch of gV that consumers are supporting Smooth 25g with papers, Irish jobs every which is now available to time they order. This exciting new purchase it. launch will support the gV Smooth fast growing gV Smooth 25g also delivers range, which includes an appealing gV Smooth 9g Combi at trade margin of a very pocket friendly 8.9% and with €4 and gV Smooth 12.5g a cash margin pouch with papers which of €0.75, gV retails at only €5.30.

Smooth 25g The gV Smooth brand really is a must was launched by John Player in Ireland in March stock brand for 2014. This new brand is a retailers.

Orders for modern spin on a golden classic. It has the smooth, gV Smooth sweet taste which modern products can be placed adult tobacco consumers online at www. demand, with the quality assurance that has always johnplayer.ie or by phoning been delivered by the John Player house of Golden Virginia.

Trade Sales on The gV Smooth 12.5g pouch with papers RYO enthusiasts love gV retails at only €5.30.

01 2434900. because they have the

bodied, distinctive.

Part of the cultural landscape, it is something of a creative icon.

From concept to flavour, Camel are always inspiring what could be: creating, inventing, originating.

That’s how they stand out from the crowd and leave their unique footprint.

With over 68% share of the RYO category (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scan track, 68.6%, latest four weeks to February 22, 2015), Amber Leaf is the definitive Roll Your Own Brand in the Irish market.

Amber Leaf has Amber Leaf continues to be one of the been one of the most most innovative tobacco brands in Ireland innovative tobacco brands in Ireland; it was the first to launch in a crush proof box and was also the first RYO brand to include filters. The CPB format continues to be the most preferred format amongst existing adult Amber Leaf smokers today with over 40% share of the RYO Category (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scan Track, 40.8%, latest 4 weeks to February 22, 2015).

Amber Leaf is now also available in 10g and 20g pouch formats. As the brand continues to drive innovation within the category, the high quality and taste expected from Amber Leaf is never compromised.

John Player is delighted to announce the launch of gV Smooth 25g with papers.

54|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Cigarettes & Tobacco Products BIC Fires Up the Market Carrolls Number One, the iconic Irish cigarette brand, is now available in a big box 23s format.

BIC offers a multitude of lighter décors, including Miss BIC: a flint lighter range aimed at females.

BIC is the leading branded pocket lighter manufacturer in Ireland and the world, selling six million lighters every day (Source: Online Harris Research: Consumer preferences for cigarette lighters in Southern Ireland. January 2013 – 502 respondents). The brand’s commitment to retailers is the very reason that BIC has grown to establish itself as the industry leader in what is an increasingly competitive space.

BIC recognises that consumer habits are constantly changing, and so the demands on retailers are permanently in transition. Recent figures highlighting the growth of roll your own (RYO) tobacco sales, which are increasing by double digit figures year-on-year, indicate that Irish adult smokers are adapting to what has been proven to be a greater value option. As a result, BIC aims to provide its retail partners with consistency and quality, ultimately ensuring that despite the changing habits of Irish consumers, BIC products remain easy to stock and sell.

BIC offers a multitude of lighter décors, each carefully designed to suit specific facets of the target market. For instance, Miss BIC is a flint lighter range aimed at females. The BIC lighter décor suite also includes a series of bespoke Irish designs, showcasing some of the country’s most iconic symbols and visuals.

Recently, BIC rolled out gantry branding across 50 retailers, resulting in a positive uplift in lighter sales and proving that when BIC is seen, BIC is sold. Through its impactful in-store displays and unique lighter designs, BIC offers a market-leading product which stands out, appeals to everyone, everywhere and can guarantee to drive your rate of sale.

Aside from its market-leading pocket lighters, BIC also boasts the BIC Megalighter range, a useful household essential which can be used in lighting household fires, candles and barbecues.

BIC recently rolled out gantry branding across 50 retailers, resulting in a positive uplift in lighter sales and proving that when BIC is seen, BIC is sold.

PJ Carroll & Company Carrolls Number One, the iconic Irish cigarette brand, is available in a big box 23s format. The introduction of a big pack into the Carrolls family highlights the desire to cater to all Carrolls adult smokers needs. Carrolls Number One is a premium, 10mg full flavour Virginia cigarette. It has been a trusted brand in Ireland for over 55 years. Carrolls Number One 23s is currently €10.50 RRP and since its launch has reached 0.6% market share (Source: EPOS P2 2015). Carrolls adult smokers can expect the best Carrolls quality. The past two years have been an exciting time for the Carrolls family with the introduction of 3 new SKUs, Carrolls Additive Free* Red and Blue in December 2013 (*No additives in the tobacco blend does NOT mean a less harmful cigarette), followed by Carrolls Number One 23s in July 2014. For further information, please contact the telemarketing department on (01) 2052345.

PJ Carroll & Company is proud to introduce the newest member of the Pall Mall Family, Pall Mall Big Pack. Pall Mall strives to offer more across the whole range, and new Pall Mall Big Pack gives consumers 24 sticks for only €10 RRP. Pall Mall provides the only bigger value pack that allows adult consumers to choose between their regular tobacco taste, or by clicking the filter they can release a subtle fresh taste.

More than one in every 10 smokers (EPOS data P2, 2015) opts to purchase a Big Pack in Ireland. Pall Mall Big Pack is available to purchase from April 2015. Stock up as soon as possible and get a scratch card for every five packs sold: ask your local Rep to find out more information or alternatively call PJ Carroll’s telemarketing department on (01) 2052300. Entrants must be over 18 years of age, resident in Ireland and an owner of a retail outlet/a direct controller of the business of the outlet/an employee of New Pall Mall Big Pack gives consumers 24 sticks for only €10 RRP. the outlet.

56|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Legal Matters

Work Related Stress: Can your Workplace Handle the Pressure?

Your duty of care to your workers extends to stress, which is to be treated like any other workplace hazard.

Solicitor Tanya Brady advises on your obligations.

WE’VE all felt it, right? Deadlines, targets, dealing with customers, clients, co-workers, management, overwhelmed and overworked: no-one is immune to feeling stress in the workplace which can, admittedly, at times be a productive driving force. But what if that pressure, that rush of adrenaline that pushes you to work harder, impacts upon your mental health and general wellbeing?

Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie|57

Legal Matters Fundamentally, stress is a negative feeling that comes with innumerable physical symptoms such as raised blood pressure and headaches, together with psychological effects such as racing thoughts and a feeling of worthlessness. In the workplace, it can be caused by many factors: long hours, lack of job security, poor communication and bullying, leading to absenteeism and poor performance.

Historically, due to its abstract nature, it was easy for employers to ignore. However, recent Europe-wide surveys detail how work related stress has cost employers approximately €13 billion in a single year alone. If this is not enough to make employers sit up and pay attention, what will?

Together with a common law duty of care, the main piece of legislation is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, which provides that an employer has a duty to provide a safe system of work, measures which are described as ones that are ‘reasonably practicable’ and are referred to in Sections 8 to 17 of the Act. As seen in the case of McGrath v Trintech, the duty extends to stress, which is to be treated like any other hazard in the workplace. This case endorsed 16 ‘golden principles’ in dealing with workplace stress and were adopted from the UK case of Sutherland v Hatton. Amongst these principles is the fact that employers who offer a confidential advice service are unlikely to be found in breach of their duty.

Interestingly, the principles treat all occupations equally, with no particular sector being designated as intrinsically dangerous.

How to Ensure Compliance How can the employer ensure that they are compliant with the legislation? Firstly, their Safety Statement must cover work related stress. Secondly, proper training should be provided to employees to ensure that they are capable of carrying out their job. Thirdly, dignity at work policies should be reviewed. Most importantly, a risk assessment should be implemented: all risks should be identified, evaluated and resolved or, where this is not possible, managed.

The Health and Safety Authority speak of Prevention, Management and Minimisation; clearly having the appropriate systems in place in your work place cannot be underestimated. Frustratingly for the employer, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution covering all sectors and the risk assessment should be tailored for their workplace. Employers should also note that if they are aware that an employee is prone to stress, they have a greater duty of care to the individual.

Adequate Systems Must be Adhered To If the employers have the systems in place but they are not implemented correctly, it may lead to a breach in Health and Safety law and effectively sound a death knell to the employer’s defence if the matter goes to trial. Take the 2014 case of Ruffley v Board of Management of St. Anne’s School.

Here the plaintiff attempted to have her problems resolved internally but her treatment left her with no other option but to take legal action. She was awarded €255,000 for harassment and bullying by the High Court, who criticised the systems in place at the school. This can be contrasted with the case of O’Toole v County Offaly VEC, where the plaintiff did not report the grievance to management prior to taking the case. The judge stated that he was satisfied that the VEC in this instance did everything it could to enable her to avail of the complaints procedure and the fact that it was not pursued was entirely the result of her own actions. This was a critical point in leading the plaintiff to lose her case.

The case of Sweeney v The Board of Management

TANYA Brady is a solicitor with McCanny & Co Solicitors in Sligo and is a graduate of NUI Galway and Trinity College, Dublin. She has recently completed a Certificate in Conveyancing and Property Law with the Law Society of Ireland. McCanny & Co. Solicitors are located in Pollexfen House, Wine Street, Sligo, and have been providing the North West of Ireland with legal services for over 35 years. Tel: (071) 9145928. Email: mccanny@eircom.net.

of Ballinteer Community School is an extreme example concerning the plaintiff, a retired teacher who took an action against the former school principle, who harassed her and hired a private detective to follow her. The High Court awarded her €88,000 in damages after it found that the Board of Management failed in its duty as the plaintiff’s employer and ought to have been aware of the situation.

Reasonableness and Co-operation Both employer and employee must act reasonably in dealing with the grievance. In Berber v Dunnes Stores Ltd, the employee’s actions were described as difficult and unreasonable and led to a break-down in the employeremployee relationship. A number of issues arose with regard to Mr Berber and his conduct was heavily criticised. The Supreme Court overturned a High Court decision and found in favour of Dunnes Stores, who had tried to resolve the matter.

The case of Glynn v Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform is also interesting to note: here, the plaintiff worked as a clerical officer with the local Garda Station and claimed that she had been bullied and harassed by coworkers. The High Court found in favour of her employers.

One of the points made by Justice Nicolas Kearns was that she had been dishonest in not divulging previous depressive episodes and there had been a noted lack of effort by her to co-operate with management to resolve the matter internally. Most importantly, Justice Kearns also acknowledged the distinction between occupational stress and workplace stress and stated that “occupational stress is something which every employed person may experience at some stage of their working life”. He stated that workplace stress, however, can be actionable.

Legislation requires employers to be extra vigilant in relation to their employee’s well-being: is this too high a duty? It may well be, given the fact that stress, in some instances, does not manifest itself externally and there is no finite list of stress indicators. However, it appears that if employers adhere to the above principles, the courts will more often than not conclude that they have complied with their legislative obligations.

58|Retail News|April 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life FARMBAKE, the Irish owned and family run cake business, has announced a week long promotion with Applegreen stores and the Irish Independent. From April 20-24, every customer who purchases a copy of the Irish Independent in any of the 94 Applegreen outlets nationwide receives a free six-pack of Farmbake Iced Madeira Cakes. “We are delighted to team up with Applegreen and the Irish Independent to reward our loyal customers with this great promotion,” noted Alan Divney (pictured), MD of Farmbake. “As well as rewarding loyal customers, this is also a great opportunity for new customers to try Farmbake product for the first time. Once they have one bite – we know they’ll be Farmbake fans for life!”

HENEGHAN PR has announced the appointment of John Mullins, CEO of Amarenco, Chairman of the Port of Cork Company and former Chief Executive of Bord Gáis Eireann, as non-executive Chairman, with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, Eve Noone has been promoted to Senior Account Manager. Eve specialises in corporate PR and event management and works across a range of clients, including Irish Distillers, Independent News & Media, Blueface, Rentokil, Kinetic, NTR, Henkel and St. Michael’s House.

SCA, the leading global hygiene company, are supporting the all-female SCA crew in the Volvo Ocean race. Team SCA, comprising passionate and grittily determined sportswomen and Olympians, are taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race as it circumnavigates the globe, making 11 stop offs. The girls left Alicante in October 2014 and are currently heading for Newport, Rhode Island. The race takes nine months in total and finishes in Gothenburg at the end of June 2015, covering a distance of 38,739 nautical miles.

SCA is supporting the only all-female crew in the race as not only is the company a strong believer in female empowerment, but 80% of its products worldwide are purchased by females. Wherever they finish in the race, they will be the most successful all-female crew ever to have completed this monumental challenge. You can find out more about the squad at: http://www.teamsca.com.

THE Teeling Whiskey Company (TWC) has continued to build on its reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of Irish whiskey by receiving a number of significant awards. At the World Whiskies Awards, Teeling Whiskey Irish Single Malt was honoured with the accolade of ‘World’s Best’ and founder and MD of TWC, Jack Teeling, was awarded the prestigious title of ‘World’s Best Global Whisky Ambassador.’ In addition, Teeling Whiskey Small Batch (pictured) has been honoured the coveted ‘Best Blended Irish Whiskey’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and four gold medals were awarded for the Teeling Small Batch, Single Grain and Single Malt whiskeys.

INTERNATIONAL drinks group, Quintessential Brands, has announced a major investment programme at its production facility in Abbeyleix, County Laois, the home of subsidiary company First Ireland Spirits, Ireland’s largest independent producer of Irish Cream Liqueurs. The €4m investment over the next 18 months will more than double the output of the Abbeyleix plant to approximately 2m cases (over 24m bottles) per year and create an additional 20 jobs. Almost a year after Quintessential Brands’ acquisition of First Ireland Spirits, this significant investment reinforces the spirits company’s commitment to Abbeyleix, where First Ireland Spirits is already the largest employer, and will transform its operations in Ireland to meet its ambitious growth plans for O’Mara’s Irish Country Cream, the imminent launch of luxurious Feeney’s Irish Cream, the development of The Dubliner Whiskey and, in the coming months, the expansion into other Irish whiskey products.

NICOLA de Beer, COO of FMI, one of Ireland’s leading field management agencies, has been appointed PR Director for the European Field Marketing Partners Association (EFMP), with responsibility for the Marketing and PR for the EFMP.

TESCO was the first retailer to stock new season Irish spinach this year, supplied

by Rush-based grower Colm Leonard (pictured). Colm’s family have been farming in Rush for four generations and supply perpetual spinach and kale to Tesco.

Despite kale’s recent popularity as a super food, Popeye’s favourite leafy green vegetable remains popular with shoppers and Tesco expects to sell 17 tonnes of fresh Irish perpetual spinach this season. This green leafy vegetable is rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, managanese, zinc and selenium, in addition to being rich in anti-cancer flavonoids and anti-inflammatory properties.

GAELITE Signs, Ireland’s leading experts in the design, manufacture and installation of signage for large corporate companies, has appointed Michael Tannam (pictured) as Project Manager. With over 35 years experience within the shopfitting industry in Ireland and abroad, Michael will be responsible for delivering key existing projects for Gaelite Signs. He will also be pivotal in the development of the company into new areas within the retail and corporate sector.

TESCO has launched a new range of premium ice cream produced by Lakeland Dairies. Lakeland Dairies has been supplying Tesco for three years and with the new range, up to €1m worth of sales is forecast over the next year for Lakeland Dairies in Tesco stores across ice cream, milk and butter products. The new range of ice cream and frozen yoghurt is packaged in 500ml tubs in the freezer aisle with ice cream flavours including; Salted Caramel, Madagascan Vanilla, Cookie Dough, Rockie Road and frozen yoghurt flavours including; Strawberry Crumble and Mango & Passionfruit.

IRISH QUALITY FOOD AND DRINK

®

AWARDS 2015

The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2015

16 September 2015 - Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin

Recognising excellence in product development 2015 Timeline 22 – 25 March Awards launch

1 June Deadline for all entries

1 – 17 July Judging

16 September Awards presentation

Over 80 food and drink categories

To enter please visit: irish.qualityfoodawards.com For more details please contact: Lara Monahan lara.monahan@irishqualityfoodawards.com UK +44 (0)20 8253 8663 / Ireland +353 (0)1 8176363

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