Retail News April 2019

Retail News APRIL 2019

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Contents News

Land of Confusion ANOTHER issue has come and gone and we are no closer, at the time of going to print, to knowing what will happen regarding the UK’s departure from the European Union. If it didn’t have such potentially onerous effects for Irish businesses, including the FMCG sector, it would be hilarious, such is the Monty Python-esque level of farce surrounding the entire debacle.

Sense, it appears, has long since left the building.

Another area where retailers are calling for sensible change is in the area of commercial rates, with a nationwide revaluation process pushing some Local Authority rates up to unsustainable levels (Page 2). Rising business costs are a real concern for store owners: we also report on the frustrations of the Alliance for Insurance Reform (Page 4), as real and meaningful overhaul of our litigation nation seems forever out of reach.

Elsewhere, a new survey reveals that recruitment and employee retention are two major challenges faced by Ireland’s retail sector (Page 20); the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 2019 are now open for entries (Page 32); and Matheson’s Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department highlight some of the key issues of Brexit when it comes to disputes, from the perspective of both a negotiated and no-deal exit of the UK from the EU (Page 52).

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.

2

Retailers angry over commercial rates hikes.

3

Food-to-Go summit for Dublin.

2

Frustration as insurance reforms delayed again; Guaranteed Irish unveils €1.2m marketing campaign; New GM at Molson Coors.

5

€300m loan scheme for SMEs and farmers welcomed; SuperValu invests €12m in new Dunboyne store; Irish Whiskey’s GI status confirmed.

6

Musgrave MarketPlace reports massive growth in eco-friendly products; Ireland’s FSAI hosts heads of European food safety agencies; Spar retailers make significant contribution to charity partner.

7

Aldi is fastest growing retailer in Ireland.

8

Guinness remains Ireland’s most valuable brand; Magazines Ireland welcomes EU vote; Tesco hosts Great Irish Bake Sale.

14

Bill Heague, General Manager, Mars Ireland, explains why the recent addition of Kind Snacks to the portfolio is an important move for Ireland’s healthy snacking category and why the brand’s mission is to make the world a little kinder.

16

The ‘Power of You’ is the theme of the 2019 TWIG luncheon, with an

facebook.com/RetailNews1 Editorial & Marketing Director:

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Kathleen Belton

@RetailNews1

kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

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Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT

Printed by: W&G Baird

Graphics: Catherine Doyle

A lack of career progression is undermining Irish retailers’ ability to recruit and retain staff, according to a new survey.

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 32

The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have just launched their biggest ever 2019 awards campaign, with more categories than ever.

Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

32

Tobacco 34

New Track and Trace legislation comes into force for tobacco products from May 20, 2019, with retailers required to obtain two codes. Are you ready?

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 47

Education fosters retention and promotion in retail sector; Prices see marginal increase in February as sales grow; Details of Retail Ireland annual lunch announced.

Brexit & Dispute Resolution 52

How will Brexit affect cross-border disputes, in particular the law governing such disputes and how will the governing law of a dispute be determined after Brexit?

Regulars & Reports

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

Production: Ciara Conway

20

14

TWIG

John Bowler explains how adopting the Applegreen brand on his Killarney forecourt has transformed his business.

Recruitment

Kind Snacks

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Forecourt Focus 18

4

Retail News Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

inspiring group of speakers set to address a 460-strong gathering of leading figures in Ireland’s grocery, food and retail sectors at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin on Friday, May 3.

10

Industry News

23

Ice Cream

40

Protein Products

48

Drinks News

50

Forecourt Focus: News

56

What’s New

2|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

News

Retailers Angry Over Rates Hikes AS retailers experience rising rates bills, as part of a nationwide revaluation process, Retail News asks if the system is in need of reform.

10 years ago, Peter Gaughan undertook a €750,000 revamp of his petrol station and shop in Balla, County Mayo. The Spar shopkeeper demolished the forecourt and built a bigger outlet on the same footprint in an attempt to improve his business. When the Valuations Office took note of his renovations, however, they doubled his rates, according to Gaughan. “This is just one scenario where you get punished for investing in your business,” he told Retail News.

It's a story that retail representatives hear a lot.

“A store owner increases the visual amenity in an area and they are hit with an increased valuation,” said Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA).

Tara Buckley, Director General of RGDATA, also has members “who have purchased an old derelict building, renovated it, spent money on it, and turned it into a business as shops close all around them in the town. Then the rates bill arrives through the door. When they are among the last people standing, keeping the town alive, their rates bill jumps up.”

The thorny issue of rates is back in the spotlight in 2019. Local authorities around the country are revaluing commercial properties as part of the first National Revaluation Programme in over 150 years. Thus far, the programme has been completed in counties that include Carlow, Kildare, Sligo, and Dublin. Attention is now turned toward Cavan, Louth, and Wexford, amongst others. But the process appears to be driving massive hikes in rate bills.

Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive Thomas Burke, of the Convenience Stores & Director of Retail Newsagents Association.

Ireland, has received reports from his members about increases in the order of 50% to 60%. “It's giving a real headache to business operators from the perspective of trying to foresee what a bill may be in a given year,” he said. RGDATA members are experiencing the same concerns. “They are frustrated about paying high commercial rates when the towns are not being managed properly,” said Tara Buckley.

Retailers believe that rates are inconsistent with business.

“At the moment, the rates are based upon the rentable value of the shop, which is very arbitrary,” said Gaughan.

According to Jennings, “a multinational who uses a building as an extension of its own brand should have a different value on their high street property than a person selling newsagent products. Somebody who has 2,000 customers a week is in a different position to someone has 200.”

Buckley continued: “A convenience grocer needs to have a certain amount of square footage. Immediately, they are going to be at a disadvantage to other retailers in the town because they have a bigger space, even though their margins are extremely tight. Upstairs could be an online business. They are paying tiny rates because they only need a small space, but they could be turning over a huge amount of money.”

“It's not an efficient system,” said Burke. “It's an opaque system.

These anomalies on paper are having a real impact on the viability of our member companies and their businesses all over Ireland.”

How are commercial rates calculated? The valuation of the property, known as the Net Annual Value (NAV) is multiplied by an Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV), which is set by local authorities.

Retailers contend this system does not take into account the needs of individual properties, which may be subject to rent reviews. Retail Tara Buckley, Director Ireland has called for a centralised General of RGDATA. collection agency to collect rates, bringing a national perspective to the problem.

Retailers suspect the system unfairly disadvantages their businesses, and their rates are being increased to make up for non-payments. Less than 80% of commercial rates are collected nationally every year, leaving a hole of around €200m, according to Burke. “That drives inefficiencies in the system. People pay more than they should because they have

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|3

News to make up the full pie.

The whole system is not fit for purpose.”

This responsibility can be particularly difficult for retailers in rural areas who may have not Thomas Burke, Director of Retail Ireland. experienced economic recovery. “Rental, in rural towns where there are vacant lots throughout high streets, is not a true market,” continued Jennings.

Under the current revaluation system, retailers have recourse to appeal, which necessitates the submission of representations to the Valuation Office within 40 days from the date of issue of a rates certificate. Retailers can hire an independent consultant - who often work on a “no win, no fee” basis - to help them make a complaint. However, the notion

that someone can pick holes in a valuation suggests the system is far from watertight.

Last year, John Paul Phelan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, proposed reforming legislation under the Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018, which he hopes will “modernise various enactments governing the powers of local authorities to levy and collect commercial rates”. The primary legislation relating to rates is the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act of 1838. Not much has changed in the system since then.

Burke describes the proposed bill as lacking in ambition: “It introduces rates waivers, but it's not extreme enough to deliver the change required. Structural reform is required.

When you try and engage with the system, it's so difficult and complex.”

Like the minimum wage, retailers have no control over their rates bills. “You can readjust your electricity use, your recycling, and hammer out better deals, but the rates just arrive with invariable increases,” said Buckley. “People feel powerless. There's nothing they can do.”

This is an apt description for Peter Gaughan's position. The Balla retailer is dreading the next round of revaluation, which is likely to turn its attention to Mayo. “We managed to absorb the increase the last time,” he says, “If there's another 50% increase on top of that, my rates will have tripled in 10 years. All because I invested in my own business. It's simply not fair.”

Food-to-Go Summit for Dublin A NEW international conference and trade show is set to examine the future of the rapidly growing and evolving foodto-go market, in association with one of Europe’s leading food innovators, Kepak.

Taking place in the Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House on May 21, 2019, the immersive, full-day event will gather together a panel of expert speakers, award-winning retailers and industry specialists. The conference will also include an Exhibitors’ Hall where suppliers will showcase some of the most exciting ideas, innovative concepts and trending products in the food-to-go space.

Keynote speakers at the food-to-go Summit, include: • Gavin Rothwell: Head of food-to-go & Retail Safaris, IGD; • Maureen Gahan: Foodservice Specialist, Bord Bia; • Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; • Tormond Lier, Director, Deli De Luca; • Fresh, The Good Food Market Team: Winner of 2018 NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year; • Peter Rigney & Brendan Boyle: Creative & Design Directors, TAP Creations; • Tom Fender: Managing Director, Bolt Learning & former co-owner of Him shopper

research consultancy.

“Whether you’re a convenience store manager, forecourt retailer, deli operator, category manager or buyer, the Foodto-go Summit is a unique opportunity to get several steps ahead in the incredibly competitive landscape that is foodto-go,” said Blathnaid Ni Fhatharta, Marketing Director For Foodservice at Kepak.

“The Food-to-go Summit will provide an up-close view of the opportunities that are there to be grasped by forwardlooking players in the market, while attendees will be inspired by industry experts, best in class operators and innovative suppliers with insights on how to grow their food-to-go offering in terms of scale, innovation and profitability.”

The total size of the food-to-go segment in IOI for 2018 is €458m in terms of consumer spending and €160m in operator purchases, according to the latest research released

by Bord Bia. For tickets, to become an exhibitor or for further information on the Food-to-go Summit, visit: ww.foodtogosummit.eu.

4|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

News Frustration as Insurance Reforms Delayed Again THE Alliance for Insurance Reform has reacted with intense frustration to the recent confirmation that plans to establish a long-proposed Garda Insurance Fraud Unit have made no progress. Additionally, the Minster with responsibility for insurance, Michael D’Arcy TD, announced that a previous plan to rapidly address the disproportionate scale of damages for minor, fully recovered personal injuries by way of an ad hoc judicial committee has been abandoned in favour of legislation establishing a full Judicial Council; legislation that is before the Seanad but has made no progress whatsoever since November 2017.

“The scale of general damages for very minor, fully recovered soft tissue injuries is promoting a claims culture in Ireland,” argued Eoin McCambridge, Alliance Director and MD of McCambridge’s shop and restaurant in Galway. “The Departments of Justice and Finance and the Judiciary have wasted six months since the publication of the Personal Injuries Commission final report working out a framework to review and reform the Book of Quantum that sets those damages. In the meantime, thousands of additional personal injury claims have been lodged, many of them encouraged by

the enormous sums of money to be made out of so-called ‘paracetamol injuries'.”

Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance, said, “We now wonder whether the Government is serious about insurance reform at all…

Increasingly, there is evidence to suggest that insurance reform is not a priority for the Government despite the damage insurance costs are causing to communities, charities, sporting organisations, arts groups and small businesses all over the country. This is an issue the Alliance and its 36,000 member organisations and their 639,000 employees will be pressing hard in the run-up to local elections in May.”

Guaranteed Irish Unveils €1.2m Marketing Campaign GUARANTEED Irish recently unveiled a new marketing campaign worth €1.2m, aimed at showcasing its members’ success. The campaign was launched to coincide with Guaranteed Irish Month in March, an annual event that shines a spotlight on businesses in Ireland that create sustainable jobs and add significant value to their local communities.

Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish, and Minister Helen McEntee, pictured at the launch of Guaranteed Irish Month.

A €200,000 multi-channel campaign highlighted Irish business success stories across radio, TV, digital and print media, featuring leading brands such as Sudocrem, Viatel, Mincon and Kingspan.

Guaranteed Irish has also announced a series of individual partnership campaigns in conjunction with FBD Insurance and SuperValu, worth an additional €1m, which will see them incorporate the Guaranteed Irish logo in their own marketing activities.

“Guaranteed Irish plays a key role in facilitating cooperation between leading businesses in Ireland and helping them demonstrate their commitment to Ireland’s economy and society. We’re proud to be supporting our members and highlighting some of the biggest success stories for businesses that have benefitted from displaying the Guaranteed Irish mark,” noted Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish.

In addition to the extensive marketing campaign, Guaranteed Irish has also rebooted its website to host a new series of podcasts and additional content, as well as a custom portal that allows its members to more easily trade and do business with one another.

New GM at Molson Coors MOLSON Coors Brewing Company has announced the appointment of Ryan McFarland as General Manager for the island of Ireland. Ryan has been with the company for three years and was previously Director of Northern Ireland. Prior to joining Molson Coors, Ryan spent 12 years working in the luxury and premium spirits sector, holding senior UK and Irish roles within Bacardi Brown Forman and Remy Cointreau. Ryan will bring his extensive industry experience to this role as the business continues to grow both its on-trade and off-trade channels across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. As well as his new position within Molson Coors, Ryan will also be joining the board of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI).

“I am thrilled to take on the role of General Manager for the island of Ireland as we look to deliver a more aligned approach for Molson Coors,” he said. “We’ve made fantastic progress in Ryan McFarland, General building our business over the past few years, but with our broader portfolio of exciting brands Manager, Molson Coors Brewing Company. we believe there is plenty of opportunity to accelerate that growth.”

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|5

News €300m Loan Scheme for SMEs and Farmers Welcomed THE Government’s recently launched €300m Future Growth Loan Scheme for SMEs and farmers has been broadly welcomed by industry.

Businesses will be able to apply for loan eligibility through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland from April 17. Three finance providers - AIB, Bank of Ireland and KBC - have agreed to participate in the Scheme and Paul Kelly, Director, Food negotiations are ongoing with Drink Ireland. another two.

“The lack of long-term investment financing has been a critical issue for food companies and farmers. This welcome development will make it more feasible for companies to invest in enabling technology,

plant renewal and expansion, refinancing, market development and innovation, particularly in a post Brexit environment,” noted Paul Kelly, Director, Food Drink Ireland, the Ibec group representing the food and drink sector.

He warned, however, that in the event of a hard Brexit, additional measures would be needed, including a temporary EU state aid framework to support companies through any adjustment period. He argued that funds amounting to 5% of the value of current annual export sales to the UK will be needed annually for three years from domestic and EU sources “to help Irish companies innovate, diversify into new markets, train staff and invest for the future in capital towards enabling technology, carbon efficiency, plant renewal and expansion geared to improved competitiveness.”

Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) also welcomed the loan scheme, acknowledging in particular the inclusion of the previously excluded distilled spirits producers in the scheme.

SuperValu Invests €12m in New Dunboyne Store SUPERVALU has created 70 new jobs as part of a €12m investment in a new, state-of-the-art, 15,200 square feet store in Dunboyne, Co Meath. Nally’s Dunboyne store will anchor an overall 25,000 square feet new town centre development which incorporates four adjacent units, office accommodation and Frank and Honest café.

SuperValu Dunboyne is operated by local entrepreneurs Steven and Michael Nally of the Nally Group, who also own and run SuperValu stores in Trim and Celbridge. The new store was opened by Carmel Nally, the mother of Steven and Michael Nally, and Steven’s son Nathan – reflecting three generations involved in the business – a rare sight in the grocery retail landscape today.

The state-of-the-art Dunboyne store includes a scratch bakery; a deli counter offering a large salad and cold meat selection; rotisserie, fish and butcher counter, with fully qualified butchers; a vegetarian and vegan dedicated zone; and a health and wellness section. Nally’s Dunboyne also offers free customer Wi-Fi and will operate an online clickand-collect service to provide added convenience for the modern time pressed consumer.

“Having grown up in the area, we are delighted to open this state-of-the-art store to serve the local community,” noted Steven Nally. “It is a huge vote of confidence in the local economy and it is a proud moment to create 70 new jobs in Dunboyne. We are confident that our store, range and team will make a real difference to the people of Dunboyne and its surrounding areas.”

Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director, added: “The opening of the new store in Dunboyne is part of an

Pictured at the launch of SuperValu Dunboyne are (far left) Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu with members of the Nally family - Steven Nally, Michael Nally, Carmel Nally (mother of Steven and Michael Nally), and Steven’s son Nathan Nally – reflecting three generations involved in the business. ambitious expansion programme, which will see SuperValu expand our network this year with three new stores and 30 revamps. SuperValu Dunboyne is a standout store in this regard, highlighting how we bring the best of Irish food together with unrivalled service, because the store is owned by local business people who know what the community wants. Steven and Michael Nally are an entrepreneurial family who have built a network now of five SuperValu stores (Celbridge, Kilcock, Maynooth, Trim and Dunboyne), highlighting what can be achieved when an Irish SME goes up against international competitors, thanks to a tailored local service and a focus on buying local.”

Irish Whiskey’s GI Status Confirmed THE Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has welcomed the official announcement by the European Commission that Irish Whiskey’s status as a Geographical Indication (GI) has been approved.

Carleen Madigan, Legal Advisor to the IWA, described it as a “momentous achievement for the Irish whiskey industry and ensures that the traditions and high standards of the Irish whiskey category will be protected in the EU and globally in markets with which the EU has a trade agreement”.

The announcement also confirmed GI protection for Irish Cream (Liqueur) and Irish Poitín. “Both categories will benefit from the strong protection and higher profile a European Geographic Indication provides at home, across the internal market and in export markets worldwide,” said Vincent McGovern, Head of the Irish Spirits Association.

6|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

News Musgrave MarketPlace Reports Massive Growth in Ecofriendly Products MUSGRAVE MarketPlace has announced that sales of its eco-friendly packaging and disposables range saw a dramatic increase in sales of 131% in 2018. The support for eco-friendly products has continued into 2019, as sales for the first nine weeks of 2019 are up 198% compared to the same time last year.

Eco-friendly packaging currently accounts for 4.6% of total packaging products sold at Musgrave MarketPlace and is the fastest growing product group within the organisation. It is predicted that eco-friendly packaging will account for 6.9% of total packaging sold by the end of 2019.

The biggest areas of product growth within the Musgrave

MarketPlace eco-friendly range are sales in coffee cups and lids (up 465% in 2019), takeaway containers (up 187% in 2019) and cutlery and straws (up 96% in 2019). Other eco-friendly products supplied by Musgrave MarketPlace include bowls, plates, cutlery, and trays. Sales from contract caterers (up 123%), offices and workplace (up 57.1%), and restaurants (up 63%) are the biggest sector growers for the range in 2019.

“The dramatic rise in demand for eco-friendly products across our customer base is a sign that a new era of environmentally conscious business activity is upon us, and Musgrave MarketPlace is proud to be to the fore of this movement,” noted Sheena Forde, Trading Director, Musgrave MarketPlace. “Eco-friendly packaging and disposables are areas of huge growth potential for us and the wider industry.

We’re working with our fantastic suppliers to expand our range in order to ensure we are providing our customers with the best sustainable eco-friendly alternatives on the market. At present, we have dedicated spaces within all our branches for eco-friendly packaging and disposables, with over 100 different types of eco-friendly product in each section.”

Ireland’s FSAI Hosts Heads of European Food Safety Agencies MORE than 30 regulatory experts from 21 European countries met recently at Dublin’s Spencer Hotel to collaborate and share information to protect consumer health of some 512 million citizens in Europe in relation to food. Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland opened the Heads of European Food Safety Agencies (HoA) meeting. The HoA fosters co-operation across the agencies which promote food safety, animal health and welfare, plant health and consumer protection within the EU.

Pictured are Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO, FSAI, and Dr Georg Schreiber, Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Germany.

Spar Retailers Make Significant Contribution to Charity Partner AHEAD of this year’s annual fundraiser, 65 Roses Day, in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, Spar retailers recently handed over a whopping €564,547 donation to the charity for monies raised over the term of its two-year official partnership.

Spar is likely to make another sizeable contribution to the charity in the coming months, as participating Spar stores right around Ireland supported Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s annual Flag Day again this year by selling the iconic Purple Roses in store on Friday April 12.

As well as supporting the annual flag day, Spar retailers will also be proffering support to Bevin Murphy on her quest to raise awareness for the disease and the 65 Roses campaign. Bevin, who has Cystic Fibrosis, is taking on a challenge of walking or running for 65 minutes in a different county around Ireland each day during the month of April. Each day, Bevin will begin or end her walk/run at a Spar store and people can follow her journey on Spar’s social media platforms.

According to Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director, “Spar is proud to support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s annual Flag Day by selling the iconic purple roses across our estate and we hope that our support will continue to help improve the quality of the lives of those living with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. Over the lifetime of our support of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, aside from supporting the annual flag day, we have charity boxes in stores, make regular donations from the sale of our Spar own brand products and have been involved in a number of fundraising events to raise as much funds as possible for CFI.”

Pictured at the cheque handover to CFI Ireland on behalf of Spar retailers are: Patricia Duffy Barber, Chairperson, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland; Barry Jones; Helen Somerville, Spar Marketing Manager; Philip Watt, CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland; Aisling Jones; Ger Farrelly, Spar Retailer; Fergal Smyth, Fundraising Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|7

News Aldi is Fastest Growing Retailer in Ireland THE latest grocery market share figures from Kantar show that the Irish grocery market grew by 3.2% in the 12 weeks to March 24, 2019. Despite Easter falling three weeks later than last year, and the absence of the extreme weather which provided an unexpected boost for some retailers in 2018, strong overall performance means market growth was only marginally slower than 12 months ago.

“If the early evidence is anything to go on, spring 2019 could be a bumper period for the Irish grocery market,” revealed Douglas Faughnan, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar. “The late Easter hasn’t stopped retailers promoting seasonal favourites – with the holiday weekend still two weeks away, already over half of Irish households have stocked up on Easter Eggs.

“So far the grocers have been focusing their efforts on multibuy offers to encourage shoppers to splash out a little earlier than they usually would. This has proven successful to date: over €15m million has been spent on Easter Eggs in 2019 and 41% of these have been bought as part of a deal.”

The St Patrick’s Day bank holiday weekend also provided an opportunity for retailers to entice shoppers into stores. Many promotional campaigns focused on the provenance of Irish breakfast staples, which saw two-thirds of the population buying either fresh sausages, bacon rashers or black and white pudding.

“Alcohol always features prominently around St Patrick’s Day, and in the week to March 17, sales of beer, lager and cider hit their highest point since the New Year.

This helped overall sales for the month to March 24 eclipse the €25m mark,” Faughnan said.

With growth of 11%, Aldi was again the best performing retailer and now has a market share of 12.1%, breaking the 12% barrier in Ireland for the first time. “While Aldi is popular with every demographic group, it is with younger shoppers that it is growing fastest. This cohort now accounts for 16% of the retailer’s overall sales, having grown by 22.7%

over the latest 12 weeks – demonstrating its growing appeal to shoppers beyond just its core family target,” Faughnan revealed.

Lidl saw sales rise by 6.2%, making it the second fastest growing retailer this period. Lidl now accounts for 11.8% of the market, its highest share since August last year, although slightly lower than the 12% it reached in July 2017. Brands continue to play a major role in its success, now accounting for just under one out of every 10 items bought, after growth of 28% on last year.

Dunnes Stores sustained its strong performance and held its place as Ireland’s largest grocer for the seventh consecutive period. In contrast to Aldi and Lidl, Dunnes’ growth has been driven by private label sales, which went up by 9.2% over the past 12 weeks. “Dunnes’ current run in pole position beats the five consecutive periods in which the retailer topped the charts between November and February last year. This goes to show that its appeal to shoppers is broadening beyond the key Christmas period, when it has historically performed strongest,” Faughnan explained.

Meanwhile, Tesco and SuperValu recorded relatively flat performance compared with the rest of the market. Growth of 0.6% at Tesco was underlined by a strong performance in fresh produce, with fruit and vegetables up by 5.5% and 4.4% respectively.

“SuperValu has been impacted most by the late Easter this year,” according to Faughnan. “The Musgrave-owned retailer was number one this time in 2018 and typically performs strongly in the run-up to Easter. The retailer also benefitted disproportionately from the adverse weather brought on by the Beast from the East 12 months ago, as shoppers topped up via their local and independent stores rather than larger supermarkets. The absence of such circumstances this year has likely contributed to SuperValu’s sales decline of 0.4%.”

Grocery market inflation stands at 1.68% for the 12-week period ending March 24, 2019.

Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend Total Grocers Total Multiples SuperValu Tesco Dunnes Lidl Aldi Other Outlets**

12 Weeks to 25 Mar 2018 %*

12 Weeks to 24 Mar 2019 %*

change** %

100.0% 88.4% 22.0% 21.8% 21.9% 11.4% 11.2% 11.6%

100.0% 88.6% 21.2% 21.2% 22.3% 11.8% 12.1% 11.4%

3.2 3.5 -0.4 0.6 4.9 6.2 11.0 1.3

*= Percentage Share of Total Grocers **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops

8|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

News Guinness Remains Ireland’s Most Valuable Brand GUINNESS has defended its position as Ireland’s most valuable brand, with a brand value of €2.5 billion, an increase of 16% from the previous year, according to the latest report

by Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy. Guinness is leading the way for Irish brands, with the top 10 brands celebrating an increase in brand value, a reflection of the upturn in the Irish economy, which has been

undergoing a recovery for the past few years.

Guinness has launched successful digital marketing campaigns in a bid to create an ageless brand that appeals to all demographics, and has continued to innovate, through its launches of new beer. The brand has also worked on pop-up experiences and ‘experimental brewing’ hubs which have been well received both in Ireland and at the popular Truman Brewery in London. Alongside this, Guinness’ sponsorship of the Six Nations Rugby competition has tapped into the drink’s traditional markets, further boosting its international recognition and thus its brand value.

The Irish food sector shows promise, with food brands featuring prominently in the ranking as rising contenders, including: Kerry Group (brand value €545m); Optimum Nutrition (brand value €426m); thinkThin (brand value €347m); BSN (brand value €212m); and Denny (brand value €151m).

Magazines Ireland Welcomes EU Vote MAGAZINES Ireland has welcomed MEPs’ adoption in Plenary in Strasbourg of the EU Copyright Directive – a copyright reform that is crucial for the future of a healthy, independent press sector and a content-rich internet.

Ciaran Casey, Chairman, Magazines Ireland, welcomed it as allowing “a fair value exchange between those who produce content and those who distribute it for their own commercial gain. As magazine publishers, we thank Europe’s regulators for adopting this important directive that acknowledges the value of magazine media to society and the need for fair remuneration for the commercial re-use of our intellectual property,”.

Meanwhile, Magazines Ireland’s CEO, Grace Aungier, is

Tesco Hosts Great Irish Bake Sale TESCO stores across Ireland hosted a Great Irish Bake on Friday, April 5, to raise much needed dough for its national charity partner; Temple Street. Now in its fifth year, Tesco Ireland’s 151 stores nationwide hosted the Great Irish Bake Sale for Temple Street, raising over €110,000 for much needed equipment for the hospital. This year, all funds raised will be used to replace an Ophthalmology YAG Laser, which is used to improve a patient’s vision after cataract surgery.

leaving the association on May 31, 2019. Magazines Ireland Chairman, Ciaran Casey said, “Grace has made a substantial contribution to the association over the years, working to promote and protect the interests of Irish magazine publishers. Collaborating with colleagues in Brussels on European legislation and campaigning at national level across various government departments, Grace has driven the association’s agenda to ensure a fair and equitable regulatory environment for our members’ businesses. She has been a great ambassador and I know that everyone in the industry is very grateful for all she has achieved and wish her well in the future.”

Irish Consumers Love White Bread NEW research confirms that 93% of Irish people love a slice of white bread - research was conducted as part of the iReach Consumer Omnibus Survey during February 2019 on a nationwide sample of 1,001 adults. A toasted special with ham, cheese and onion is the nation’s favourite sandwich, while the iconic jam and butter sandwich stands out as the biggest reminder of their childhood. While sandwiches remain the most typical way people in Ireland eat bread, its versatile role in the Irish diet is also very evident from the research, which was carried out for the Irish Breadbakers Association. Toast is extremely popular (79%). Over half love a slice of bread with their soup, while almost 20% like theirs as French toast.

“Bread is an affordable, nutritious source of food that scientific evidence shows is good to eat and can contribute to a healthy diet,” noted Food science expert Oonagh Monaghan, spokesperson for the IBBA. “The Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance report on the consumption of white and wholemeal bread in Ireland, for example, concluded that white bread is a source of many important nutrients for Irish consumers. The same report states that white bread only contributes 1% to our daily fat and sugar intake. In fact, white bread can contribute to a healthy, balanced diet and is an inexpensive source of many of the nutrients that our bodies need.”

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Same Premium Quality from Ireland’s No.1 Cigarette Brand.* *Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack, RMC SOM, YTD 24th February 2019. Outer must be removed before retail sale. Packs in this outer are Plain Packaging compliant.

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10|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Fyffes Gets Kitted Out For Temple Street

FYFFES has partnered with Dundalk Football Club to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital by designing a bespoke jersey, trunks and socks, which will be the club’s third kit for the 2019 season. Under the initiative, Fyffes has removed its name from the front of the new jersey, replacing it with that of Temple Street Foundation for the duration of the season. A limited number of jerseys, finished in Temple Street's purple colours, are now on sale via dundalkfc.com, the proceeds of which will go to Temple Street and to funding the vital equipment and care provided for over 147,000 patients treated by the hospital every year. Pictured are Temple Street's Celine Nic Oireachtaigh, Dundalk FC Chairman, Mike Treacy and Fyffes' Emma Hunt-Duffy.

Lidl Launch Sensory Products for World Autism Day SINCE the successful roll out of Autism Friendly Quiet Evenings across all Lidl Ireland stores nationwide in 2018, Lidl has launched five products in time for World Autism Day. Two of the products are sensory friendly, meaning they are specifically designed for children with Autism: ear defenders can be used in a variety of settings to protect a child’s hearing or help calm them if disturbed in noisy environments, while an LED Projection Night Light projects colourful stars on to ceilings and walls, while playing music to enhance visual or audible sensory stimulation.

The other products are a Playtive Sand and Water Table, Playtive Wooden Puzzles, and a Melinera Illuminated Salt Crystal Ball Lamp, which can help create a tranquil and soothing environment. Lidl Ireland also announced the sponsorship of two assistance dogs, named Yogi and Kyra, which will be given to families of children with Autism in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Mash Direct Goes Green for St Patrick’s Day MASH Direct set themselves a New Year’s Resolution to go green by St Patrick’s Day and they achieved their goal. Mash Direct are now selling their award winning vegetable and potato side dishes in 100% recyclable trays, following a complete overhaul of their packaging. By moving over to green and clear trays, they will be removing over 240 tonnes of black plastic from the food system every year. “This demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and we hope to continue to lead the readymeal sector in implementing ambitious measures which will reduce our overall impact on the environment,” said Jack Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer.

Small Things Matter Now and Forever!

WHEN it comes to recycling, one small action can make a huge difference. Alice McLoughlin, aged 5, from Drumcondra, and Sam Reid, aged 6, from Sandymount, celebrate the launch of WEEE Ireland’s Small Things Matter campaign at the environmentally sustainable city farm, Airfield Estate in Dublin. The campaign encourages Irish householders to recycle waste energy saving lightbulbs and small electrical household items to benefit our environment and the future of our children. Participating householders will be pleased to know their recycling efforts will also support LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, with WEEE Ireland contributing to the charity, as part of the campaign.

SuperValu Launches TidyTowns Competition THE 2019 SuperValu TidyTowns competition is now welcoming entries, following the launch of the competition in the grounds of Dunboyne Castle Hotel in County Meath, recently. Now entering its seventh decade, the competition, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu, continues to act as a catalyst for voluntary activity and community participation across the country. Speaking at the launch of the 2019 competition, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD paid tribute to SuperValu for their continuing efforts to maintain its success: “Now in their 28th year as the main sponsors, SuperValu have helped to grow the competition to where it is today by getting involved locally through their nationwide network of retailers.” Pictured are Crea MacHale and Sophie Holohan from Dunboyne Senior Primary School; Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu; and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD.

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12|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News SuperValu Announces Free Online Delivery for World Autism Awareness Month PICTURED is Adam Harris, Founder of AsIAm, alongside Rebecca and Charlie Galligan (aged 7), as they receive the first of SuperValu’s Free Online Deliveries for Autism Awareness Month from Shane Howard, SuperValu Greystones. SuperValu is offering free online delivery for the autism community in stores across the month of April in support of World Autism Awareness Month. “Our free online delivery initiative in 101 stores nationwide is unique in that it offers convenience when sometimes getting out of the house and into a store can be difficult for many,” said SuperValu Marketing Director, Ray Kelly. To avail of free online delivery for the month of April, members of the autism community can log on to SuperValu.ie for further information.

Solus Delivers Double Digit Growth to Lighting Category LEADING Irish lighting company Solus launched their pioneering new Customer Lighting Experience in Toss Bryan Fermoy this month with Willie Wonka, balloons, cupcakes, face painting and lots of fun in-store. Solus is renowned for bright ideas and innovative marketing initiatives and promotional activity to continuously support the trade and keep the brand front-of-mind. The new Solus Customer Lighting Experience is both interactive and informative and has already delivered double digit growth in the lighting trade. The interactive ‘try me’ buttons are a pioneering move and a first for the lighting sector, as customers can see exactly what the bulb looks like when lit in a familiar room setting.

The new Solus Customer Lighting Experience predicts and answers users' questions in a simple friendly way. The customer is brought on a journey with clear visuals and descriptions across the full range including the LED and premium Solus XCross Filament LED range. Various shapes, including the classic bulb, candle, reflectors, round and fluorescent, each have their own wattage guide and fitting options. The Solus Customer Lighting Experience is being rolled out nationwide and is already performing well in over 50 locations.

JZ Flowers Blooms with Aldi JZ Flowers and Aldi Ireland have agreed a new €70M contract that will see JZ Flowers provide 33m fresh flower stems annually to Aldi stores nationwide. The five-year deal represents a major commitment by the retailer to the Naasbased flower supplier, underlining Aldi’s approach to developing long term supplier partnerships. Having sold almost 4.2m bouquets in 2018, Aldi is Ireland’s biggest retailer of fresh cut flowers, with one in four flower stems sold in Ireland purchased from Aldi. Pictured are Aoife Habenicht, Buying Director at Aldi Ireland, and Wayne Rowlatt, CEO at JZ Flowers.

Lidl’s Rare Dining Experience LIDL Ireland are launching Rare by Lidl, a brand new Dine in the Dark pop-up restaurant which opens its doors in Dublin from April 25-27, 2019. Lidl Ireland have worked with chef Gary O’Hanlon (pictured) to create a mouth-watering menu which showcases the very best of Lidl’s Bord Bia Quality Assured Irish beef. All proceeds for the event will be donated to Lidl’s Charity Partner, Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland.

Sweet Potato Pizza Co. Launches

THE Sweet Potato Pizza Co. range has launched in the Irish market into Supervalu in North Dublin and North County Dublin as part of the Supervalu Food Academy Programme. “I am a regular fixture in the Honest to Goodness Farmers’ Market in Glasnevin. I also bring The Sweet Potato Pizza Co. to the Drogheda Cottage Market. Word has spread and a lot of people come over to try the pizzas on the recommendation of friends,” noted Craig Grattan, founder of the Sweet Potato Pizza Company (pictured). The Sweet Potato Pizza range boasts the following Mediterranean-inspired topping combinations: Chorizo, Feta Cheese and Spinach Leaf; Parma Ham, Mushrooms and Fresh Rocket; and Sundried Tomato, Red Onion and Spinach Leaf.

#NOWYOUCAN GREAT TASTE. ZERO ALCOHOL.

14|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Kind Snacks

A Kind of Magic?

Bill Heague, General Manager, Mars Ireland, explains why the recent addition of Kind Snacks to the portfolio is an important move for Ireland’s healthy snacking category, why the brand’s mission is to make the world a little kinder, and why a food brand has a responsibility to its consumers.

JUST over a year ago, in March 2018, Bill Heague was appointed as General Manager of Mars Ireland, having spent a decade with the company in Australia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

At the time of his appointment, he stressed, "I’m particularly interested in ensuring the Mars Ireland business is taking its place on the international stage to ensure sustainability and healthy eating targets are met.”

One step on this healthy eating journey is the launch of Kind Snacks in Ireland. Kind Snacks was founded in 2004 by pioneering social entrepreneur, Daniel Lubetzky, on what it calls a mission “to make the world a little kinder”. It was one of the first entrants into the healthier snacking market in the US, and Mars bought a stake in the company in 2017. Kind Snacks are now set to shake up the healthy snacking category in the UK and Ireland.

Bill Heague explains the Kind revolution and what it means for the Irish market.

Bill Heague, General Manager, Mars Ireland.

What are Kind Snacks? What makes them different?

Kind Snacks was founded from the desire to create a snack without compromise – one that could be healthy and tasty, wholesome and convenient. The brand is a big believer in using ingredients you can see and pronounce. That’s why Kind bars are made with whole nuts and fruits, bound together by honey.

Not only do the unique flavour combinations taste great, they are high in fibre, gluten free, and contain no artificial flavours, preservatives or sweeteners. Most bars also have less than one teaspoon of sugar in them.

Kind is a nutritious and delicious snack combination, in a transparent wrapper that allows you to see the goodness waiting for you inside.

Kind bars are made with whole nuts and fruits, bound together by honey.

Why do you think the market for healthy foods and snacks has grown so much in recent years? Where do Kind Snacks fit into that market?

We see that consumers are more

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|15

Kind Snacks a responsibility to make sure the products we offer and the ingredients they contain fit into a balanced diet, without compromising taste, convenience, quality or affordability. We also want to empower our consumers to make informed choices about their diet through our on-pack labelling.

Kind Snacks is able to offer consumers a range of products that meets the needs of their on-the-go lifestyles, with better-for-you snacking options made from whole ingredients that are nutritionally dense and taste great together.

What does the future hold for Kind Snacks and for healthier snacking in general?

Our core range of snack bars is available now, but in the coming years, you can expect to see the Kind range expand to include many of the higher protein, healthy grains, and real fruit variants currently available in the US. Within the healthy snacking category, we should expect to see consumers place more importance on transparency in the food they eat and the ingredients that they are consuming.

For more information, see www.kindsnacks.co.uk.

aware today than ever before of what they are consuming, but at the same time are consuming more food on-the-go. They are looking for quick and convenient products that also offer some nutritional benefit, all without having to compromise on taste.

Kind Snacks is able to offer consumers a range of products that meets the needs of their on-the-go lifestyles, with better-for-you snacking options made from whole ingredients that are nutritionally dense and taste great together.

Kind Snacks’ mission statement says you want to “make the world a little kinder”. How? Kind founder and CEO, Daniel Lubetzky, was inspired by his father’s accounts of the Holocaust, and how the courageous acts of kindness from strangers helped him to survive. Lubetzky’s belief that kindness could change the world drove his vision to create a “not-only-for-profit” business, one that sold great products and helped to make the world a better place. The way that Kind brings that to life is through the Kind movement, where we strive to inspire and acknowledge everyday acts of kindness. Since 2004, Kind has facilitated over 11m acts of kindness in the US and Canada.

Since the launch in January, the Kind Movement in Ireland has just begun to take shape. Through Mars' current charity partnership with the ISPCA, Kind will be donating product to fuel the amazing work of ISPCA volunteers as they create a better world for pets.

What responsibility does a food brand have to change the world, even a little?

Both Mars and Kind believe that as a leading provider of food for people and pets, we have

ingredients you can see & pronounce™

follow us

@KINDsnacksIreland

Kind Snacks are made with ingredients you can see and pronounce: they are high in fibre, gluten free, and contain no artificial flavours, preservatives or sweeteners.

16|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

TWIG

TWIG Lunch Line-Up Revealed The ‘Power of You’ is set to light up the 2019 TWIG luncheon, as industry luminaries Fiona Dawson, Kari Daniels and Suzanne Jackson prepare to inspire a 460-strong gathering.

TODAY’S Women in Grocery (TWIG), a sub-committee of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF), has revealed the inspiring line-up that will address a 460-strong gathering of leading figures in Ireland’s grocery, food and retail sectors at the annual TWIG networking luncheon 2019 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin on Friday, May 3, 2019.

This year’s event, now in its fourth year, will be supported by main sponsor Musgrave MarketPlace, Mars, CPM and LR Suntory, and will continue to feature the now legendary after lunch gin-wag in the Ice Bar. The uplifting ‘Power of You’ theme for 2019 sets the scene for what will be an afternoon of inspiring contributions from a panel of business leaders from the FMCG sector and beyond, MC’d by Sonya Lennon, including; •

•

Keynote speaker Fiona Dawson, Global President of Mars Food, Multisales and Global Customers, and a member of the Mars Incorporated Leadership Team; Kari Daniels, the new Chief Executive of Tesco Ireland and the first female President of Appeals for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund;

The TWIG Committee (l-r): Frances Higgins: Vice Chair of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund and Group Head of Promotions, BWG; Lorraine Butler: Managing Director, CPM; Brigid O’Neill: National Account Manager, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard; Sharon Yourell-Lawlor: Chairperson and MD, Think Plan Do Consulting; Edel O’Keeffe: Commercial Planning Controller, Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland Ltd; Paula Conlon, Customer Marketing Controller, Heineken Ireland; Anne O’Brien: Category Manager, Musgrave Wholesale.

• •

•

Carolan Lennon, the first female Chief Executive Officer of eir, appointed in April 2018; Suzanne Jackson, award winning blogger turned businesswoman and the brains behind one of Ireland’s leading fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogs, SoSueMe.ie, and the bestselling beauty brand, SOSU by Suzanne Jackson; John Ryan, CEO of the Great Place to Work Institute Ireland, which focuses on assisting organisations to create high performing workplaces.

Power of You Sharon Yourell-Lawlor, Chair of Today’s Women in Grocery and MD of Think, Plan, Do Consulting, feels the ‘Power of You’ theme is very fitting for the 2019 TWIG luncheon.

“Our focus in 2019 is encouraging women in our industry to unlock the ‘Power of You’. This means empowering them to take control of their careers, identifying the direction they want it to take and making it happen,” she explains. “The calibre of inspiring women we have speaking at the event are phenomenal examples of women who built their careers with care and confidence. We are on a mission to provoke our 460 attendees to unlock their personal power and map out a journey to senior leadership positions within their companies.

“As we gear up for one of our biggest

events to date, I would also like to extent my heartiest gratitude to CPM and LR Suntory for their invaluable contribution to this event and to welcome Mars on board this year as new headline sponsor, alongside Musgrave MarketPlace, which has been a headline sponsor and supporter of the event for the past three years.”

An Important Forum Kari Daniels, Chief Executive of Tesco Ireland and member of the Chair and CEO supporters Committee of the 30% Club, is proud to be the first female President of Appeals for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund.

Commenting on the TWIG initiative, she said: “Since its establishment, TWIG has provided an important forum for women across our retail, grocery and food industries to support each other on their shared ambition to see more women break through to the senior ranks of our industry. The TWIG luncheon has become a staple in the diary for women in our industry to meet, inspire, coach and learn from each other.

Diversity and inclusion are vital building blocks for any industry and will be key pillars for progress during my term as the first female President of the IGBF. I’m very proud to say that Tesco is a gender diverse organisation and I am excited about how the learnings from this journey, and the great work of TWIG and the IGBF, can contribute to enhancing inclusion across our industry this year.”

TO THE ROCKSHORE MAKE THE MOMENT & PLAN FOR SUCCESS THIS SUMMER

Life is changing fast. How people socialise is also changing.

Rather than heading to the pub to watch the match and catch up with mates, consumers are now doing outdoor yoga sessions in parks, attending gigs and food festivals, or heading West for a weekend of adventure in the outdoors.

Sinéad Conmy, Off Trade Category Development Manager at Diageo commented, “Times are changing. Socialising is becoming more diverse in every sense and we must consider if, and how, alcohol fits into the occasion and plan accordingly.

Now is the perfect time for off-licence owners and managers to look ahead to the summer months and consider products that will ensure a positive impact on sales during this critical time.”

GROWTH OF THE BEER CATEGORY Beer is a great starting point. Beer is growing +3.3% in value and with 2.6 million consumers on the island of Ireland drinking beer in the on-trade; lager and cider has been driving this category growth1. Light beer sales have exploded in the last five years, growing by +€90million in retail sales value2.

Stuart Kinch, Head of Marketing for Beer & Cider at Diageo commented, “You need to look no further than the launch of Rockshore Irish Lager as a contributor to this movement. In its first year, Rockshore Irish Lager has been the most successful lager innovation in history at St. James’s Gate, with a 1.8% value market share of the long alcoholic drink (LAD) on the Island of Ireland.”

“An instant hit with millennials, brand affinity has been driven through a highly targeted media and influencer campaign, which ensured the target demographic were drawn to the Atlantic coast lifestyle that inspired the brand aesthetic. This accessible, refreshing-tasting and distinctive lager has proven its popularity amongst the take home trade and consumers alike,” he continued.

INTRODUCING ROCKSHORE APPLE CIDER Building on the unprecedented success of Rockshore Irish Lager and armed with insight driven data about the cider category, the team at St. James’s Gate saw an opportunity to expand the Rockshore portfolio by adding a whole new taste experience when they unveiled ‘Rockshore Apple Cider’ in March.

Stuart Kinch, Head of Marketing for Beer & Cider at Diageo commented, “We are absolutely delighted to introduce Rockshore Apple Cider into the category. We have been experimenting and

trialling cider recipes for several years and we believe that we have landed on something refreshingly different.”

Kinch continued, “We undertook research amongst cider drinkers and the reaction was even better than we expected. 7 out of 10 people,3 after tasting Rockshore Cider for the first time, said that it tastes better than any other cider they tasted before, based on their memory of other ciders. What’s more, 90% of people said they would consider buying it after tasting it4. We are really proud and excited that cider drinkers will now have a new crisp and less sweet tasting choice with Rockshore Apple Cider.”

FRESHLY PRESSED APPLES FOR A CRISP REFRESHING TASTE Brewer Aisling Ryan said, “What became clear during the development process of this innovation is that people often find cider overly sweet, so we wanted to create a cider that offers a refreshing taste with a balanced sweetness. Rockshore Apple Cider is made from the juice of freshly pressed apples which are fermented within 5 days, producing a crisp, refreshing taste with a distinctive natural green apple character and an ABV of 4%.”

PLACE YOUR ORDER! With higher margins on offer, new Rockshore Apple Cider is now being rolled out and is available in the take home trade.

Contact your local rep, Head Office or wholesaler for more information.

1

Nielsen November 2018 12M; 2 Nielsen November 2018 12M;

18|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus

The Kerry Best John Bowler explains how adopting the Applegreen brand on his Killarney forecourt has transformed his business.

JOHN Bowler is a big believer in the strength of a well-recognised brand, and his shops in Killarney have continued to prosper, thanks to his strategic partnerships. The most recent of these partnerships saw the store owner adopting the Applegreen brand on his Killarney forecourt, a move which has transformed John’s business.

John began running his first shop in 1997, which he subsequently sold in the early 2000s. John also engaged in the construction of two businesses in Killarney, both of which he originally leased out. However, in 2012, John took back control of the two shops in Killarney, incorporating the Centra brand into both shops at the time, as he felt it was a brand that matched what he wanted from his business, while also introducing a Supermac’s into the forecourt in The Reeks in Killarney.

“When I took over direct operation of my sites, I had a very specific agenda in mind,” John tells Retail News. “Even back in 2012, the forecourt sector was becoming foodservice-led. Fresh food, in particular, demands quality and trust from the customer and I am big believer in the power of brands.”

Store owner John Bowler has been delighted since he switched his fuel supplier to Applegreen.

By choosing well-known and brands like Centra and Supermac’s, John believes he “was able to put together a package that was instantly recognisable and trusted by my regular customers as well as passers-by”.

The combination of Applegreen fuel and Centra shop has proved hugely popular at the Killarney forecourt.

Making the Switch When his contract with his previous fuel supplier came up for renewal, the store owner took the opportunity to explore his options, and he decided to make the switch to Applegreen.

“Applegreen has been building up an extremely strong reputation in the fuel sector,” he notes. “Some 20% of my fuel trade had been on fuel cards, and since I would likely lose those customers with a move to Applegreen, I wanted to see what the group could offer me.

Applegreen assured me that all my fuel card business would be replaced by new customers, which gave me a great deal of confidence.”

The price proposition was another big factor for John: “By bringing Applegreen onto my forecourt, I would go from the most expensive petrol in town to the cheapest. That type of thing gets noticed by customers. There are risks associated with most things you do in business, but I felt that the Applegreen group, the product and the people would be able to take my business in a new direction, one that was more in keeping with my plans for my business.”

In August of last year, both of John’s

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|19

Forecourt Focus forecourt sites in Killarney switched over to the Applegreen livery and customers in the Kerry town have responded brilliantly to the change. Also, because the forecourt in The Reeks has always had large underground tanks, he can offer two diesel and two unleaded fuels, meaning he can still offer premium fuel to customers who want a premium product.

Impressive Results Overall, the store owner has been delighted with the results since introducing the new brand onto the forecourt, as have his customers.

Applegreen made good on its assurance that his lost fuel card business would be replaced with new business and the store owner points out that non-fuel card customers are far more likely to pick up impulse purchases while in-store – the hassle of having to use two payment methods (the fuel card for fuel and another source for ancillary purchases), proved a barrier to fuel customers picking up extra items in the shop. “My fuel card customers never produced many impulse purchasers,” John explains. “The non-fuel card customer is more likely to add in items and is therefore a better customer for my business.”

John regularly invests in his Centra shop on the site and given how strong the focus is on foodservice, those impulse purchases are extremely important. Partnering with Centra allows him to offer the Frank & Honest coffee line and he has invested heavily in his deli to ensure that the shop offers

a mouthFACT FILE: watering Owners: array of treats, Location: tailor-made

to tempt Size: motorists.

No. of Staff: “I have a Lidl directly Opening Hours: opposite me, so my ambient grocery is for top-up shops and is not the main focus of my business. My business is fuel service and foodservice, and in Centra and Applegreen, I have

John Bowler The Reeks, Tralee Road, Killarney, Co Kerry 2,800 square feet 40, full time & part time 06:00-23:00, seven days found two partners who have invested tirelessly in building up the strength of their brands in both their respective fields. As a small business owner, that

Switching to Applegreen allowed John Bowler to offer some of the cheapest fuel in Killarney. is where I really feel the value of their brands to my business.”

Store owner John Bowler and manager Ciaran Culloty, pictured at his Applegreen forecourt in The Reeks, Killarney.

Driving the Business Forward The store owner pays tribute to the great team that help both his shops to trade so successfully: “I have a manager in charge of both shops and I am very hands-on myself. We all work very hard to keep up standards in the shop and make sure we drive our own business forward. We only recently began opening at 6am and we have found that the 6am to 7am period is extremely busy, as people are travelling earlier.

“To succeed in business, you always have to try harder, to try new things and see if they work, to invest in your business and always be improving,” he concludes. “That is our attitude, and that is exactly the attitude that Applegreen and Centra share, which is why we make such great partners.”

20|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Recruitment

Career Progression the Key to Recruitment A lack of career progression is undermining Irish retailers' ability to recruit and retain staff, according to a new survey.

A NEW Jobs.ie survey reveals that recruitment and employee retention are two major challenges faced by Ireland’s retail sector.

Over four in five (83%) retail employers in Ireland view recruitment as a challenge for their business, with a further 60% facing challenges in employee retention.

Survey results suggest that a lack of progression opportunities in the retail industry could be contributing to the difficulties faced by employers when hiring and retaining staff.

No Clear Career Progression When asked about their current recruitment methods, a total of 83% of Irish retail employers said that they only hire with a view for the job at hand and no expectation of employee progression or development. Adding to this, 67% of those surveyed don’t have a clear career progression pathway within their business.

However, 60% of respondents would do their best to keep an employee that shows promise and would take additional measures to keep these members of staff in the business.

When those who find employee retention issues were asked how they are addressing the problem, the survey found that:

Christopher Paye, General Manager, Jobs.ie.

• • • • •

66% offer a pay increase; 60% offer additional training or opportunities for education; 50% offer promotions; 40% offer greater workplace perks; 32% offer greater workplace flexibility.

Workplace Perks vs Promotion Opportunities “While there is a general assumption that quirky workplace perks and a hightech, Instagram-worthy work space is key to becoming an attractive employer, this is simply not true,” commented Christopher Paye, General Manager, Jobs.ie. “Career progression and development will always be amongst

the most important elements of a job for employees. Therefore, hiring without an expectation - not least the opportunity for employee progression - is a major red flag.

“Any employee starting out in a new role will be eager to know what their trajectory for growth is within a company and employers need to be proactive in mapping out their options and helping them to plan their progression pathway.”

Historically, the retail sector has offered less structured careers than many other sectors, Paye revealed.

“This is partly attributable to many retail businesses being small family owned enterprises, while others have traditionally favoured a very flat management structure,” he said.

“However, this is slowly beginning to change. Many large retailers, including supermarket chains and franchise businesses, are now offering very competitive graduate programmes, and by extension, more clearly defined career paths.”

While this model of employment won’t be an option for every retailer, Paye warned that those facing acute recruitment or retention challenges may need to consider other ways they can offer prospective hires greater long-term opportunities beyond the immediate job at hand: “It is encouraging to see that three in five employers (60%) are willing to offer training or education to employees; meanwhile, half would offer promotion opportunities as a means of keeping their best staff,” he said.

“With 92% of employers in the retail sector planning to hire within the next 12 months, it is crucial that they take the time to evaluate their recruitment process and expectations to ensure that the process doesn’t remain a challenge in the months to come.”

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Whichever way you look at it… you could be onto a winner.

We are extending the number of places players can buy a Lottery ticket. Tickets played in these new outlets will be printed on white paper.

As part of our commitment to making it as convenient as possible to play our games, we have teamed up with selected retailers nationwide to offer the National Lottery’s most popular products directly from the store’s own point of sale terminals. We are extending the number of places you can buy a Lottery ticket.

Games purchased through these networks will be printed as white National Lottery tickets. The new white tickets are the same as our usual green National Lottery tickets and are completely transferable across our retailer network. So whichever tickets you have, your players are in the draw.

lottery.ie

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|23

Ice Cream

Nice Ice, Baby!

Ice cream continues to be big business, with a host of new product launches set to tempt consumers in 2019.

IRISH consumers love ice cream, and it has very little to do with the weather.

While sales do tend to soar during the summer months, Irish shoppers love ice cream as a year-round treat, with the result that we are one of Europe’s highest consumers of ice cream per capita.

2018 saw a massive year for the ice cream category in Ireland, with value sales up by a massive 14.7% (Source: AC Nielsen, MAT, Dec 2018, Value Sales).

Last year also saw the emergence of low calorie ice cream in Ireland, while free from dairy ice cream achieved the highest value growth in 2018 in Ireland, as it has been tapping into the “healthy” treat trend, according to the latest report into the sector from Euromonitor International. Indeed, in numerous categories within ice cream this was a common theme throughout 2018.

Unilever Ireland remains the largest company operating within this category by a considerable margin due to the continued success of its top three

brands, Magnum, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, according to Euromonitor. “Its smaller brands such as Breyers are also performing well and are proof that this huge multinational player can still act reactively and rapidly launch new brands in order to respond to changes in the direction of the market,” the Euromonitor report maintains.

Unilever Unilever, Ireland’s number one ice cream manufacturer, was at the very heart of ice cream in 2018, driving the strong growth with all its core brands like HB, HB Hazelbrook Farm, Magnum, Ben & Jerrys, Cornetto and Carte D’Or performing exceptionally in 2018, while also launching the successful Breyers Delights.

Unilever is the number one ice cream player across both impulse and take-home ice cream, with nine of the top 10 brands in its portfolio, and therefore is best placed to ensure the ice cream category is positioned for another

fantastic year of growth.

2019 will see Unilever continue to develop the expanding health segment across its brands, launch unbelievably indulgent Magnum innovation, drive even more shoppers to their HB cabinets through a massive summer campaign, and introduce the brand to ice cream the Irish public have been waiting for, Kinder Ice Cream.

Magnum Magnum is Ireland’s favourite ice cream brand, and 2018 saw Magnum Praline rank as the top selling impulse NPD SKU launched in the market, with over 33% of all households buying Magnum Take Home Ice Cream and helping the Magnum brand grow by an amazing 17% in value sales (Source: AC Nielsen, MAT, Dec 2018, Value Sales).

In 2019, Magnum will extend its white chocolate credentials with the launch of Magnum White Chocolate and Cookies. This new flavour embodies the indulgence of Magnum: made with

24|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Ice Cream and has seen three years of incredible double digit growth (Source: AC Nielsen, MAT, Dec 2018, Value Sales). This growth has been built on strong innovation, especially by bringing new shoppers into the luxury ice cream category through the launches of B&J Dairy Free and B&J Moophoria.

The tantalising Magnum Brownie: a crumbly Brownie base layered with Magnum ice cream and swirls of caramel sauce, fully wrapped in Magnum’s delicious cracking chocolate. cookie crumb pieces encased in white chocolate, with swirls of chocolate sauce & cookie, through velvety panna ice cream. New Magnum White Chocolate and Cookies will be available in impulse stick / 3 x multipack / Mini’s 6 x Multipack and in a 440ml tub format.

Magnum will also launch an exciting new exclusive impulse format in 2019, the tantalising Magnum Brownie. The stick is gone for Magnum with a crumbly Brownie base layered with Magnum ice cream and swirls of caramel sauce, fully wrapped in Magnum’s delicious cracking chocolate.

Building on the massive success of the Magnum Tubs launch in 2017, three new flavours will be available in 2019, extending the brand’s Doubles experience with Double Salted Carmel, Double Chocolate Deluxe and Double Dark Choc & Raspberry.

For the pleasure seekers who want to follow a vegan diet, but still want to indulge and treat themselves, Magnum are launching a Vegan variant, available in impulse stick and a 3 x Multipack.

The 2019 campaign will invite Magnum pleasure seekers to #neverstopplaying, and will be supported with a huge advertising and activation marketing plan spanning across all consumer touchpoints, media/ social platforms/ influencer marketing/ in-store activation and event marketing to drive consumers to Magnum cabinets.

Ben & Jerry’s Ben & Jerry’s is Ireland's number one ice cream in the luxury pot segment

Ben & Jerry’s Moophoria is the lighter way to enjoy ice cream, with all the swirls and chunks Irish consumers love, but with only half the calories.

Cookie Dough last year, Ben & Jerry’s are now introducing two more fantastic flavours which are very much on trend, B&J Salted Carmel and B&J Chocolate Cookies & Cream in 500ml pots, and impulse single serve 100ml. Ben & Jerry's Moophoria will also be extended into the scooping channel for consumers to enjoy.

Ben & Jerry’s Non Dairy has proven to be very popular, especially for those looking for dairy free or vegan alternatives, and in 2019 the brand will launch the wonderful Ben & Jerry’s Non Dairy Coconutterly flavour.

To drive another year of growth Unilever is investing substantially behind the Ben & Jerry's brand across all channels to support both the new product launches and its core classics range.

Breyers Delights In 2018, Unilever launched a new brand in Ireland, Breyers Delights achieving almost €1.4m in retail sales in less than one year on shelves (Source: AC Nielsen, Total Ice Cream Sales, MAT, February 23, 2019), making the brand instantly more valuable and desirable than many other brands entering the ice cream category in Ireland. In addition, Breyers Delights

Ben & Jerry’s Moophoria is the lighter way to enjoy ice cream, with all the swirls and chunks Irish consumers love, but with only half the calories. Ben & Jerry’s Moophoria is also Rainforest Certified and suitable for those who are vegetarian. Having launched B&J Carmel Cookie Fix and B&J Chocolate

Breyers Delights is a lower calorie, high protein, lower sugar ice cream, with each delicious tub containing 290-350 calories and up to 20g of protein.

New for 2019: the wonderful Ben & Jerry’s Non Dairy Coconutterly flavour.

is outselling its nearest direct competitor by 14% in volume terms (Source: AC Nielsen, Total Ice Cream Sales, MAT, February 23, 2019).

Breyers Delights is a lower calorie, high protein, lower sugar ice cream, with each delicious tub containing 290-350 calories and up to 20g of protein.

Breyers Delights has proven to bring

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Ice Cream incremental sales to the category and deliver additional overall category spend as the brand offering hits the sweet spot for Irish consumers looking for lower calorie/ lower sugar options. Mintel reported that 60% of Irish consumers are interested in ‘Healthier versions of my favourite ice cream’ e.g Low Fat/ Low Sugar (Source; Mintel, Ice Cream and Desserts Report October 2017), and without being prompted, 41% of Irish consumers say they are interested in ice creams/ desserts with added protein.

Initially launched in four great tasting flavours, the range has now grown to nine 500ml tub variants, including Salted Carmel, Choc Orange Almond, Cinnamon Oat, Coffee Cupcake, and Raspberry Chocolate Drops.

Breyers Delights is also seeking to develop the impulse channel by expanding its offering with the launch of 100ml tubs, perfect for those looking for a lower calorie great tasting ice cream on-the-go. Breyers Delights are not stopping there; in 2019, the brand will also launch a range of Dairy Free Chocolate Hazelnut.

Breyers Delights will be supported by a massive advertising investment across social media, influencer marketing, in-store activation, event marketing and targeted OOH advertising.

HB Iceberger Mini Iceberger is Ireland’s number one SKU in both impulse and take home ice cream.

The Iceberger has been delighting fans in Ireland for over 50 years, having been around since 1968. In order to keep Iceberger top of mind and reinvigorate the brand, Unilever wanted to capitalise on the mini trend and deliver a snacking solution for Iceberger, targeting parents with kids aged 7-12 years old.

Iceberger Mini is still the same delicious taste as Iceberger, but in a smaller, bite size format! This tasty snack is available in a six-pack multipack across Ireland and falls under Unilever’s healthy Responsibly Made for

Kids initiative, so parents can give it to their kids, guilt free!

HB Ice Pops 4 Friends Another exciting share pack launching from Unilever is HB Ice Pops 4 Friends.

This offering comes in four delicious flavours for the whole family to enjoy – marshmallow, strawberry, cola and blackcurrant. These tiny delights are available in the impulse pack format – where you get five mini sticks to enjoy,

Kinder Ice Cream Kinder, the universally loved global brand, is partnering up with Unilever to launch Kinder Ice Cream, an exciting range of ice cream creations. It’s the perfect new treat for kids: great taste,

The Kinder Ice Cream Stick combines milk ice cream with fresh whole milk, covered with milk chocolate.

HB Ice Pops 4 Friends comes in four delicious flavours for the whole family to enjoy – marshmallow, strawberry, cola and blackcurrant. or in a multipack to take home, where you get 15! These tasty delights also fall under the Responsibly Made for Kids commitment, which is: no more than 110kcal per serving; no more than 3g saturated fat per serving; no more than 20g of added sugar per 100g.

HB Iceberger Mini is still the same delicious taste as Iceberger, but in a smaller, bite size format!

small portions and complying with Unilever’s ‘Responsibly Made for Kids’ guidelines, as well as a Kinder Bueno ice cream offering for a wider audience.

The Kinder Ice Cream Stick combines milk ice cream with fresh whole milk, covered with milk chocolate.

The Kinder Ice Cream Stick is available individually as well as in a 10-piece multipack.

Like all Kinder products, the Kinder Ice Cream Sandwich relies on good ingredients: creamy milk ice cream with 40% fresh whole milk layered between two delicious cookies made of five different cereals. Kinder Ice Cream Sandwich is the new snack for children’s

The Kinder Ice Cream Sandwich is made with 40% fresh whole milk layered between two delicious cookies made of five different cereals.

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Ice Cream afternoon break and comes individually as well as in a six-piece multipack for the whole family.

The famous Kinder Bueno refined hazelnut bar is now available as a cone.

Unique hazelnut milk ice cream meets a core of milk chocolate sauce, embedded in a crunchy cone, topped with a thin layer of hazelnut cream made of Ferrero hazelnuts and topped with chocolate bits. The Kinder Bueno Ice Cream Cone comes individually and in a practical four-piece multipack.

The famous Kinder Bueno refined hazelnut bar is now available as a cone.

The unique Kinder Bueno Ice Cream Bar is a mix of hazelnut ice cream with a core of hazelnut sauce, covered with milk chocolate and topped with hazelnut stripes.

“We are really excited about this partnership with Ferrero and to bring Kinder ice cream to Ireland,” explains Aoife Bambrick, Brand Manager Ice Cream, Unilever Ireland. “This is a very special collaboration and we can’t wait for the nation to try them!”

The unique Kinder Bueno Ice Cream Bar is a mix of hazelnut ice cream with a core of hazelnut sauce, covered with milk chocolate and topped with hazelnut stripes.

Dale Farm Bring Wheyhey Across Ireland DAIRY cooperative Dale Farm has partnered with Wheyhey, creators of naturally sugar free, high protein ice cream, as well as other treats, to act as its exclusive ice cream distributor in Ireland.

Wheyhey was born in 2013 with the vision to combine great taste with real health benefits and Damien Kennedy, founder, Wheyhey, with Nigel now creates a range of Cairns, Ice Cream Commercial Director, Dale Farm. naturally sugar-free, high in protein treats.

– a trend that continues to grow year“We’re delighted to help bring on-year.”

Wheyhey products to more consumers Damien Kennedy, co-founder across Ireland,” said Nigel Cairns, of Wheyhey, added: “Having a Dale Farm Ice Cream Commercial distribution partner in Ireland with Director. “Not only are Wheyhey an established retail network such ice creams excellent quality and as Dale Farm will help bring our extremely innovative, they answer a products into more consumers’ hands very real need for consumers seeking and, we believe, will help deliver low sugar, high protein snack choices valuable growth in the Irish market.”

Mars Ireland Mars Ireland is back this season with its range of bestselling ice creams from consumer favourite brands including M&M’s, the number five chocolate brand in Ireland (Source: Nielsen Total Coverage, M&M’s Chocolate and Peanut Ice Creams offer consumers Latest 12 a delicious twist on the world’s number one confectionery weeks, w/e brand.

February 24, 2019).

M&Ms Chocolate Ice Cream Following on from the huge features delicious chocolate ice cream success of the new M&M’s ice cream surrounded by a crunchy chocolate range launch last year, there will be an layer with M&Ms pieces, and the M&M’s increased focus on driving availability Peanut Ice Cream includes a blend of again this year, feeding into the growing peanut ice cream, M&M’s peanut pieces appetite in the market for wrapped and a crunchy chocolate layer. handheld ice creams. Figures provided “With wrapped handheld ice creams

by Mars suggest the segment is worth leading the market, we are extremely over €200m. M&M’s Chocolate and excited to be back with our strong Mars Peanut Ice Creams directly tap into this range,” noted Allie Kaspruk, Brand trend, offering consumers a delicious Manager for Mars Ice Creams. “The twist on the world’s number one Mars range includes consumer confectionery brand.

READY FOR SUMMER WITH M&M’S ICE CREAM ®

AVAILABLE IN TWO FLAVOURS: CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM WITH M&M’S CHOCOLATE SPLITS AND PEANUT ICE CREAM WITH M&M’S PEANUT SPLITS ®

®

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Ice Cream favourites: M&M’s, Mars, Snickers, Galaxy, and we are confident of a strong summer ahead!”

The Mars Ice Cream range will be available from ice cream distributor Dale Farm, with a suggested retail price of €1.95.

Dairyglen Dairyglen is a family run business that has been providing the Irish retailer with all things ice cream since 1991, priding itself on being a solutions-driven company. With their Smooch brand, Dairyglen has thought about what works

Dairyglen predict a return on investment of six months for the Smooch parlour. cream machines real time and we even clean the machines to ensure the ice cream is always set up to be the best,” Smith noted. “With new toppings and flavours introduced all the time, our team of product developers are always innovating. With luxurious toppings or full size chocolate bars to whip up in either a Smooch cup or Thick Milkshake, the choice is yours!”

Smooch’s core product point of difference will always be the real dairy premium ice cream, with no palm oil and 100% Irish dairy. for retailers as well as creating a brand consumers want to be a part of.

“With the investment capital starting from as little as €12,995 for a new look Smooch parlour and an expected ROI of six months, with the backing of the most experienced team of people in the industry, we make it easy for retailers,” noted Alexandra Smith, Brand Manager, Dairyglen. “Ice cream is all we do, and every inch of the Smooch parlour has been designed to ensure the retailer has a practical, efficient and profitable solution, as well as the latest innovation on the stand to draw customers in.”

Smooch’s core product point of difference will always be the real dairy premium ice cream, with no palm oil and 100% Irish dairy.

“We manage our Gelmatic ice cream machines, provide remote dial-in technology to be in the retailer’s ice

that excite the most discerning palettes: Salted Caramel & Australian Macadamia, Dark Chocolate & Nordic Berry, Cookies & Idaho Valley Mint and Almond & Java Vanilla. Each indulgent stick is made with real cream, coated in a thick layer of premium chocolate and a more artisanal finish. The cocoa used in Nuii products supports responsible, sustainable cocoa farming.

“The indulgent sticks sector continues to drive growth in both ice cream and the wider grocery market,” explained Shane Guest, Ireland Country Manager at Froneri. “However, there’s a real gap to add incremental growth by appealing to the adventure seeking, taste discerning audience who are looking for a premium stick that fulfills their indulgent treat requirements for an evening snack. Nuii takes premium indulgence to the next level. The quality of the ingredients we have sourced, and the artisanal finish conveys the care and attention that goes in to every one of the Nuii sticks.”

To support the launch of the new brand, Froneri is investing over €500,000 in an integrated marketing campaign to run throughout 2019. The new TV advert will air in April, supporting by outdoor, print, experiential, social and digital, product sampling as well as a strong shopper marketing campaign to encourage trial by introducing consumers to the range closer to point of purchase.

Froneri Froneri is set to launch an exciting new brand in the indulgent sticks segment.

This is the first global branded launch for Froneri.

Froneri has identified an opportunity to add value to the category with a unique proposition that targets a younger audience who can’t find a premium sticks experience that speaks to their values and taste preferences. The new brand, Nuii, offers consumers a highquality experience with flavours that are more adventurous and creative.

The Nuii range consists of four new SKUs, all designed to offer a new taste experience, made with the finest ingredients sourced The Nuii range is made with the finest ingredients from all corners of sourced from all corners of the world to create flavour the world to create combinations that excite the most discerning palettes. flavour combinations

IRELAND’S FAVOURITE SOFT ICE CREAM

LESS FAT - LESS SALT - LESS CALORIES

MORE TASTE

Ireland’s best selling whipped ice cream mix for over 40 years. Angelito has the highest yield of cones per litre on the market, providing up to 85% profit margin per cone. This makes Angelito the best profit generator in any retail outlet.

PROFIT Call the ‘Ice Cream Experts’, Marrn Fod Equipment Callsave 1850 30 36 36 or in NI FreeFone 0800 783 98 59

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Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards Open for Entries The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have just launched their biggest ever 2019 awards campaign.

ENTRY into the prestigious Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards (IFQAs) is now open. Since their launch eight years ago, the Awards have been responsible for launching hundreds of innovative new products onto the market and boosting the sales of many more.

Retailers, wholesalers, foodservice, own label and branded producers are now invited to enter food and drink products into a broad range of categories; from Bakery, Breakfast Products and Beer and Cider right through to Snacks and Sparkling Wine, to have a chance of success in the 2019 Awards.

New Categories Announced This year’s campaign promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

There will be an increase in the number

of categories to recognise the growing importance of plant-based nutrition, for example, and also in the number of Awards in order to celebrate, amongst others, those producers and retailers who are doing the most to reduce packaging waste and those who are reaching out to help their local communities.

An integral part of the Awards from

the beginning is that each entry (which is judged by a panel of food industry specialists) receives constructive, meaningful feedback, even if the entered product does not end up winning.

Another new addition to the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards this year means that every finalist will now receive a comprehensive report from Vypr, the Awards’ consumer research partner.

Each entry is judged by a panel of food industry specialists, and subsequently receives constructive, meaningful feedback, even if the entered product does not end up winning.

Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie|33

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards There is also a lower small producer entry fee, which is applicable for companies with fewer than 10 staff and annual sales under €2m, which mean burgeoning start-ups can also feel the benefits of a big win.

Meere’s Pork Products were the proud winners of the Overall Gold Q Award.

Pictured are (l-r): Paul Tye, Graphic Packaging; Barry Rees and Orlaigh Meere, Meere’s Pork Products; and event MC Eoghan McDermott.

For the first time in 2019, every finalist will now receive a comprehensive report from Vypr, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards’ consumer research partner.

The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2018 award winners.

Helping to Grow Your Brand Patrick Meere from Meere’s Pork Products in Co Clare summarises his experience of the Irish Quality Food Awards, since he and his wife Orlaigh started entering in 2015: “Our business has really been transformed by the success we have had in the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. If your product wins or not, the feedback from the judges helps you improve your products and make changes for the better. Our award-winning black and white pudding (which won the Best Small Producer Award in 2017) and gourmet sausage rolls (which took the overall Q Gold Award in 2018) have become the flagship products of our business. The Awards have helped our own brand grow by around 30% and with more wholesalers wanting to carry our products, this is going to grow even more over the next 12 months.”

“Winning the Dunnes Stores Simply Better 'Small Producer Of The Year’, which also meant a listing in-store, has been really exciting and challenging for us as a company. Our Simply Better black and white square puddings were launched in Dunnes in October 2018.

The sales have been excellent and both products are available in 53 stores so far and we are working on more.”

For further information about the Irish Quality Food Awards and how to enter the 2019 Awards, please visit irish.qualityfoodawards.com

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Tobacco

Get Prepared for Track and Trace

New Track and Trace legislation comes into force for tobacco products from May 20, 2019, with retailers required to obtain two codes. Are you ready?

NEW Track and Trace requirements come into effect for tobacco products manufactured from May 20 this year.

In advance of this date, there are some important steps that retailers need to take in early May to ensure a smooth transition.

As JTI Ireland Sales Director Derek Mooney says, understanding these requirements is key to ensuring there is no disruption in retail outlets.

“The new Track and Trace rules will mean that movement of individual packs can be tracked all the way from the point of manufacture to the retail outlet. Packs will be marked with unique identifier codes to facilitate this,” he explains. “To enable pack movements to be tracked

to a retailer’s outlet, the retailer needs to obtain two separate ID codes in good time prior to May 20 this year.”

The two codes are an Economic Operator ID code, which identifies the retailer, and a Facility ID code, to identify the outlet where the cigarettes and rollyour-own tobacco are sold. If a retailer operates more than one outlet, a Facility ID code is required for each location.

Retailers need to share these codes with their suppliers before May 20 this year, as suppliers require these codes to track products through to the retail outlet.

“Retailers can obtain the necessary codes by registering with www.idissuer.ie from the first week of May,” Mooney says. “This online

registration facility is the only way to apply for these ID’s. First, retailers will need to apply for an Economic Operator ID code. Once this issues, which may take up to two working days from application to issue, the retailer may then apply for their Facility ID code. This may also take up to two working days from application to issue.

“Unfortunately, the time to apply and be ready before May 20 is very tight, so it is critical retailers act quickly and apply for their Economic Operator ID code and Facility ID code in early May, once the application process opens.

These codes are free of charge, so there is no cost to retailers, and retailers will not be required to scan products out to

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR TRACK & TRACE? Track and Trace Timeline

20th May All cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco manufactured from this date must use the Track & Trace system and will require a Unique Identifier code. Products manufactured before this date can be sold over the next 12 months.

20th May

20th May

The end of the 12-month sellthrough period for non-Track & Trace products. Only cigarette and roll-your-own products that comply with Track & Trace requirements can be sold from this date.

What do retailers need to do?

Before 20th May 2019: You will need to register with the ID issuer and apply for: • An Economic Operator ID code • A separate Facility ID code for each premises that: - sells tobacco products to the public - stores tobacco products Codes will be free of charge and can be requested from www.idissuer.ie from the first week of May.

From 20th May 2024, Track & Trace will extend to all other tobacco products (such as pipe tobacco and cigars).

JTI is here to help you prepare for Track & Trace “JTI’s nationwide team of sales representatives is on hand to support you in implementing Track & Trace in your business.”

Derek Mooney JTI Ireland Sales Director

From 20th May 2019:

For more information

You will need to provide Economic Operator and Facility ID codes when purchasing tobacco products marked with Track & Trace Unique Identifier codes.

Speak to your JTI contact, call 01 404 0240, email customerservices.ireland@jti.com or visit jti.com/ireland

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Tobacco

“

Retailers can obtain the necessary codes by registering with www.idissuer.ie from the first week of May. The time to apply and be ready before May 20 is very tight, so it is critical retailers act quickly and apply for their Economic Operator ID code and Facility ID code in early May, once the application process opens.

”

promise to offer affordable quality while continuing to lead innovation in the value category. Mayfair once again delivered on this promise in October 2018 with the launch of new Mayfair Double Capsule.

The product contains two capsules and allows existing consumers to choose up to four flavours.

Derek Mooney, JTI Ireland Sales Director. consumers.”

When the rules come into effect this year, only cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco are impacted initially, with the packaging of these products carrying a Unique Identifier Code to allow them to be scanned as they move through the supply chain. Cigars and other tobacco products are due to follow from 2024.

Mooney emphasises that retailers can continue to sell products that don’t have Unique Identifier Codes after May 20, 2019, however. “There is a 12-month sell-through period, meaning that products manufactured before May 20, 2019, that are not marked with the new Unique Identifier Codes can continue to be sold until May 20, 2020. From this date, however, only cigarettes and rollyour-own tobacco products that have Unique Identifiers on the packaging can be sold. If retailers have any questions relating to Track and Trace, they should get in touch with their JTI contact, who will provide guidance and support.”

Amber Leaf JTI Ireland’s Amber Leaf has held the number one RYO position in Ireland for almost 10 years (Source: Nielsen Extended Scantrack, RYO SOM latest 4 weeks, Oct 3, 2010 - February 24, 2019).

With over 69% share of the RYO segment (Source: Nielsen Extended Scantrack, RYO SOM latest 4 weeks February 24 2019), it is no surprise that Amber Leaf continues to lead the way in innovation.

Amber Leaf, favoured by existing adult Irish RYO smokers, is made from the finest Virginia tobacco which is expertly blended to deliver its distinctive market leading taste. Amber Leaf

Amber Leaf is made from the finest Virginia tobacco, which is expertly blended to deliver its distinctive market leading taste.

Original & Blonde are available in two formats: 30g Pouch with papers & 30g Box with papers & filters.

Mayfair Mayfair, from JTI Ireland, is Ireland’s number one value cigarette brand with 37% share of value in the ready-made cigarette market (Source: Nielsen Extended Scantrack, RMC SOS latest 4 weeks, February 24, 2019). Mayfair continues to deliver on its brand

Mayfair’s brand promise is to deliver affordable quality, while continuing to lead innovation within the value sector.

Mayfair is delighted to announce the launch of its first ever limited edition outers: keep an eye out for the ‘Win with Mayfair’ limited edition outers in-store today (T&Cs apply).

IRELAND’S No.1 RYO. *

INNOVATOR NOT IMITATOR. PREMIUM QUALITY. FINEST BLEND. DISTINCTIVE TASTE.

Outers must be removed before retail sale. Packs in this outer are Plain Packaging compliant. compliant *Nielsen Extended Scan Track, 69.3% RYO SOM YTD to 24th February 2019.

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.

Toradh caithimh tobac – bás.

Smoking kills.

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Tobacco Silk Cut As Ireland’s number one cigarette brand, with 22% share of the ready made cigarette category (Source: Nielsen Extended Scantrack, RMC SOM latest 4 weeks, February 24, 2019), Silk Cut Purple, Blue and Silver remain some of the most recognised cigarette products amongst existing adult smokers in Ireland.

Benson & Hedges Gold from JTI Ireland is Ireland’s leading cigarette product.

Note: Pack images are for illustration purposes only and do not represent actual packs available for order from JTI Ireland, which comply with Plain Packaging requirements of tobacco products.

Silk Cut Purple, one of Ireland’s most popular cigarette brands.

Continuing to lead the way in innovation, January 2019 saw a busy month for Silk Cut with not only the launch of Silk Cut 28’s, available across Purple and Blue variants, but also the launch of Ireland’s first limited edition outer.

With 12 individual cigarette products Silk Cut offers existing adult smokers a wide range of formats to meet their smoking preferences. Silk Cut is part of the JTI Ireland portfolio.

Benson & Hedges Benson & Hedges Gold from JTI Ireland is Ireland’s leading cigarette product with 9.6% share of the Irish cigarette market (Source: Nielsen Extended Scantrack, latest 4 weeks, February 24, 2019: Benson & Hedges Gold 20 9.6% RMC SOM).

Leveraging its rich heritage and superior quality, Benson & Hedges Gold remains at the forefront of the tobacco industry, diversifying and innovating to remain the number one cigarette product in Ireland.

John Player With focus on innovation, John Player’s Fine Cut Tobacco (FCT) portfolio offers a wide range of high-quality and versatile products that are tailored to adult tobacco smokers’ needs, all with their own unique blend characteristics.

Golden Virginia Classic delivers a high-quality authentic blend using 24 types of tobacco, while Golden Virginia Yellow, a smoother blend, uses a high proportion of sun ripened tobacco. Drum Original has a unique blend of dark Kentucky and bright tobaccos. John Player Blue’s premium tobacco blend, together with a strong Irish heritage and brand recognition, provides choice

for the adult tobacco smoker with a 30g pouch and a 50g can. JPS Volume Tobacco 30g packs offer market leading value for adult smokers who can roll up to 90 sticks, 30 more sticks when compared to 30g of standard rolling tobacco, with this specific blend comparison between 30g of JPS Volume Tobacco and 30g of standard rolling tobacco.

Innovation within the FCT segment has been in the form of not only blend choice but also pack format.

John Player has been at the forefront of delivering innovation and continues to do so with the recent launch of a totally new FCT brand in the Irish market called Riverstone.

The blend of tobacco in Riverstone was created and specifically tailored to suit Irish adult smokers’ taste preferences.

Through extensive research, including blind smoke testing, blend creation research and home usage testing, the specific taste characteristics which are most preferable to Irish adult smokers were identified and encapsulated in the unique Riverstone blend.

Riverstone easy rolling tobacco is made by using an innovative manufacturing cut technique that makes it one of the easiest FCT products on the market to roll. Riverstone comes in a 30g combi pouch format, including unique papers and tips, adding value for those adult smokers that are looking for quality tobacco, convenience and value for money.

Riverstone 30g combi pouch is retailing at a great value price point of €15.70 (RSP correct at time of print). To place an order or for more information, visit www.johnplayer-ignite.ie or call their Telesales team on 01-2434900 to find exciting news and more information about the brand.

Riverstone was created and specifically tailored to suit Irish adult smokers’ taste preferences and is made by using an innovative manufacturing cut technique that makes it one of the easiest FCT products on the market to roll.

NE W

F ImP rom eR Jo iAl hn To pla B a ye CC r O

EASY ROLLING TOBACCO INSPIRED

BY NEW ZEALAND Discover a new taste and blend.

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40|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Protein Products

Protein Packs a Punch!

Irish consumers are increasingly embracing protein-enriched products, across a range of categories in-store.

ONCE the sole preserve of fitness aficionados and gym bunnies, protein products are now very much mainstream, as more and more Irish consumers are embracing food with added health benefits.

Protein is a building block of the human body, and is vital for activity, and important for healthy and active living, particularly as we get older. Protein is strongly and positively linked with good health. Indeed, high protein has established itself as a mainstream trend for everyday eating and is no longer a niche proposition.

The incorporation of protein into food and beverage formulations remains a leading product trend. What stands out is the growing number of protein-centric ingredients consumers are willing to embrace in product formulations.

During the past few years there has been an intense focus on the emergence of plant-based proteins. Consumers are increasingly turning to flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan diets and are embracing more and more plant-based foods, including plant-based proteins, into their diets.

Plant proteins, such as those from soy, wheat and whey, are finding their way into food, drink and supplements, while the coming years may see proteins coming from other nuts, seeds, grains and legumes, like peas, hemp and lupine proteins. Dairy proteins too have opportunities for growth. Indeed, some European supermarkets have even started to debut products made using insect ingredients, but we can’t see these catching on in Ireland any time soon.

Of course, some foods are naturally high in protein, and we have seen manufacturers change their packaging to highlight this fact to consumers, many of whom may not have been aware of the high levels of protein in fish, eggs, oats and almonds, for example.

John West John West has always been a trusted family name, synonymous with quality everyday fish.

“At John West we strive to reach our loyal customers while appealing to new consumers by launching innovation that is not only tasty and convenient but is also relevant to our consumers’ active healthy lifestyles,” noted Anne-Claire Monde, Marketing Manager, John West.

When your customers are looking for solutions and inspiration to get a

#YourNaturalProteinPitstop

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Protein Products flavour contains a deliciously smooth peanut butter centre with a soft creamy layer, surrounded in an indulgent milk chocolate coating and topped with a crunchy layer of peanuts, whilst still maintaining the positive credentials of

New Fulfil Chocolate Peanut Butter contains a deliciously smooth peanut butter centre with a soft creamy layer, surrounded in an indulgent milk chocolate coating and topped with a crunchy layer of peanuts, whilst still maintaining the positive credentials of 20g protein, less than 3g sugar and 9 vitamins.

New John West No Drain Tuna Fridge Pot is a new format for the brand’s No Drain tuna, making it even easier for your active customers to get in a natural protein snack into their training diet. protein rich snack that fuels their active healthy lifestyle or even their sport training, fish can be a great natural alternative.

According to Sarah Keogh, John West’s consultant Dietitian and Nutritionist, “Fish is a great source of natural protein, one of the most important nutrients we need during training. Protein not only helps to build muscle, it also helps to maintain the muscle you have. Tuna is a fantastic

Innovations such as the John West Fridge Pot make it easy for consumers to eat fish twice a week, as recommended by healthy eating guidelines. source of natural protein, and salmon also provides a good intake.”

Innovations such as John West Infusions and Creations make it easy for consumers to eat fish twice a week, as recommended by healthy eating guidelines.

Their latest innovation is the new John West No Drain Tuna Fridge Pot! This is a new format for the brand’s No Drain tuna, that makes it even easier for your active customers to get in a natural protein snack into their training diet.

They simply peal it, reseal it and pop it in the fridge!

Fulfil Following on from the successful launch of Chocolate Salted Caramel last year, Fulfil Nutrition continues to innovate the protein bar category with new mouthwatering bars, with the latest addition of Chocolate Peanut Butter. This new

20g protein, less than 3g sugar and 9 vitamins.

Chocolate Peanut Butter was developed via feedback from consumers online and through their flavour labs, once more upholding Fulfil’s reputation of keeping consumers at the very heart of their innovation process.

Fulfil remains Ireland’s number one protein bar with 74% market share (Source: ROI Neilsen Scantrack, MAT, December 30, 2018). Chocolate Peanut Butter is available instore from April 23 nationwide.

Everest Snacks Irish brand Everest Snacks officially launched its new range of protein bars, at Trinity Sports Campus, Dublin, recently as part of its Reach Your Peak event. Hosted by successful Irish influencer, Niamh Cullen, who has over 100k followers on Instagram, the event featured a panel of inspiring Irish speakers, including: five-time hurling All-Star Joe Canning; Irish MMA fighter, Deirdre Fitzpatrick; John Burke, who successfully climbed Mount Everest in 2017 to raise funds for the youth mental wellbeing charity, Elevate; and Professor in the Artificial Intelligence discipline at Trinity College, Seamus Lawless, who is to summit Mount

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Protein Products

Irish MMA fighter Dee Fitzpatrick launches Everest Snacks' new range of Protein bars as part of its Reach Your Peak event at Trinity Sports Campus.

Everest this May. Each panellist offered up advice on how guests could achieve their own aspirations, and how best to approach some of life’s most challenging mountains – literally and figuratively speaking.

“Protein snacks have found their way into the hands of the every-day shopper, but the lack of knowledge pertaining to sports nutrition products such as protein bars, has resulted in many Irish consumers feeling overwhelmed at the many options available, their provenance and product quality,” noted Seamus Tighe, founder and MD of Everest Snacks. “We’re very proud to be an Irish-owned company who sources Irish ingredients and who truly wants to provide the best for its customers. My personal Everest is to take this Irish brand to new heights in global markets beyond Ireland, and build an Everest community from motivational events like this in the future.”

In 2018, the company added a protein pot to its granola product range, the first of its kind on the market and while it’s high in protein, it’s only 250 calories, and delivers a satisfying snack, while also providing a higher level of protein for those seeking a functional snack post-workout.

The company’s new Porridge Quickies are also available across Ireland and contain a serving of crunchy toppings that can be mixed into the porridge to create a more satisfying breakfast snack. There are currently two flavours available, porridge with

chia seeds, almonds and dark chocolate pieces, and porridge with coconut strawberry, cranberry and blueberry.

Since 2014, Everest Snacks has grown its single product offering to a variety of products across the range.

The future is exciting for this young Irish brand. For more information, see www. everestsnacks. ie.

Yes! Yes! is a new and distinctive snacks brand launched in Ireland from Nestlé Ireland, this year with a range of gluten free fruit and vegetable and nut bars specially crafted to be both delicious and wholesome.

The new Yes! bars deliver a tasty snack

by focusing on diverse ingredients that you might not expect to find in any ordinary fruit or nut bar, including creative combinations of ingredients as diverse as apple & beetroot; lemon, quinoa & chilli and coffee, cherry & dark chocolate.

While looking and tasting amazing, each Yes! nut bar is a source of protein and contains 5g of sugar, while the fruit and vegetable bars have no added sugar and contribute one of your five a day.

Four of the bars are high in fibre, with the lemon, quinoa and chilli bar being a source of fibre. The full range is also gluten free and suitable for vegetarians, while both fruit and vegetable bars are also suitable for vegans. The coffee, cherry & dark chocolate and sea salt, dark choc & almond bars contain 189 calories per bar, whilst the cranberry and dark choc bar contains 183 calories. The fruit and vegetable bars have 118 (Lemon, Quinoa & Chilli) and 123 (Beetroot & Apple) calories. The range contains no artificial sweeteners, flavours, colours or preservatives.

The five Yes! bars are available as singles and in multipacks of three and boast five intriguing and tempting ingredient combos: Delicious Beetroot

The launch of Yes! is supported by extensive sampling as well as advertising across OOH, digital and social media.

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Protein Products & Apple; Lively Lemon, Quinoa & Chilli; Tempting Sea Salt, Dark Choc & Almond; Sumptuous Cranberry & Dark Choc; Delightful Coffee, Dark Choc & Cherry.

“Yes! sets out with the bold ambition to prove to consumers that wholesome products within this snacking category can be utterly delicious too,” noted Maria McKenna, Ireland Marketing Manager for Yes! “The bars have been lovingly invented by a dedicated in-house team of experts who have perfectly balanced taste and nutrition to make compromise a thing of the past and adventurous snacking a part of the future.”

Grenade Following the huge success of the Carb Killa range, Grenade has expanded its portfolio of low sugar, high protein snacks to include two brand new exciting bars, Dark Chocolate Raspberry and White Chocolate Salted Peanut.

The appealing Dark Chocolate Raspberry Carb Killa bar layers delicious raspberry pieces, a crunchy cocoa nib topping and decadent dark chocolate for the ultimate taste sensation. Packed with 20g of high-quality whey protein and less than 2g of sugar, the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Carb Killa bar is just 233 calories.

The enticing White Chocolate Salted Peanut Carb Killa bar is coated in mouthwatering white chocolate and laden with salted peanuts. High in protein (20g), and incredibly low in sugar (2g), the White Chocolate Salted Peanut Carb Killa bar contains 242 calories.

“The two new delicious additions to the Carb Killa range, Dark Chocolate Raspberry and White Chocolate Salted Peanut, are perfect for

an indulgent treat or as a post-workout snack,” noted Grenade’s CEO and founder, Alan Barrett. “People tend to find healthy eating really boring but it doesn’t have to be!”

Wheyhey Wheyhey are a team of British and Irish healthy treat pioneers committed to changing the face of food without

Wheyhey products are distributed in Ireland by Dale Farm.

Grenade has expanded its portfolio of low sugar, high protein snacks to include two brand new exciting bars: Dark Chocolate Raspberry and White Chocolate Salted Peanut.

compromising on either health or taste.

They create outrageously good treats that are naturally low in sugar and high in protein, because they use whey protein.

From humble beginnings in 2013, where many evenings were spent hand stickering ice cream pots and many days were spent selling ice cream door-todoor, Wheyhey has continued to grow year-on-year into a serious contender on the snacking scene.

Dale Farm are exclusive ice cream distributor for Wheyhey in Ireland.

“Having a distribution partner in Ireland with an established retail network such as Dale Farm will help bring our products into more consumers’ hands and, we believe, will help deliver valuable growth in the Irish market,” noted Damien Kennedy, co-founder of Wheyhey, at the announcement earlier this year.

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Retail Ireland: Monthly Update EDUCATION FOSTERS RETENTION AND PROMOTION IN RETAIL SECTOR ( RETAIL Ireland Skillnet, the body responsible for education and training in the retail sector, has recently opened its 2019 Degree in Retail Management Practice programme for applications.

Several hundred retail employees have completed the programme since its inception in 2012. The work-based degree has been designed and developed by retailers for the retail sector and is specifically aimed at employees already within, or hoping to assume, a role in retail management.

•

A ‘retail friendly’ delivery method - delivered outside of the typically busy retail periods.

The programme commences in Dublin early this September and places are filling up fast. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.retailirelandskillnet.com.

Learners on the course can expect: • 50% funding by government – fees are only €1,500 per year; • A part-time programme over three years; • Only 16 class-based days per year, allowing them to work full time whilst learning; • A practical and competency-based approach, as opposed to the academic focus found in most traditional degree courses;

Prices See Marginal Increase in February as Sales Grow THE CSO published its Consumer Price Index for February 2019. Prices increased overall by 0.6% in February compared with the same month in 2018.

Comparing February 2019 and February 2018, the most significant trends are as follows: • •

•

Alcoholic drinks saw their combined average price fall by 0.2%; Almost all retail specific categories continued to return a drop-in price, the largest falls being personal and home computers (-23.2%), home entertainment systems (-11.1%), equipment for outdoors, sports and camping (-13.2%), toiletries (-8.1%), cameras (-7.8%), and games, toys and hobbies (-8.3%); Meanwhile, the following categories recorded an increase in average consumer price: diesel (2.3%), cigarettes and other tobacco products (6.2%), books (2.1%) and newspapers/magazines (5.7%).

Meanwhile, the CSO’s official retail sales index for the month of February 2019 shows surprising resilience, given the level of concern in the market around macro geo political events, particularly Brexit. Some commentators had suggested that sales in the first quarter of 2019 may be dampened by the ongoing uncertainty around the Brexit process, but this weakness in consumer sentiment was not evident from the February retail sales data.

On an annualised basis, the total value of Irish retail sales (excluding sales of cars and sales in bars) increased by 4% compared with February 2018, with sales volumes increasing by a healthy 5.9%. Comparing sales during February 2019 to those a month earlier in January 2019, total sales values increased by 1.7%, with volumes posting an increase of 1.4%. In year to date terms, the combined value of Irish retail sales increased by 3.3%, with volumes posting a 5.2% increase.

A healthy start to 2019, which gives cause for optimism for the coming months.

Join Us At the Retail Social Event of the Year THE Retail Ireland Annual Lunch will take place on Friday, May 17, 2019, at The Marker Hotel, Dublin.

The annual lunch is the primary social event for the entire retail industry and is an excellent opportunity for you, your colleagues, clients and guests to come together and network in a relaxed environment.

It promises to be an unforgettable afternoon where you

can network over a great dining experience and gain some business insights too.

To book, please contact 17 May 2019 Natalie Moran on 01-6051594 or The Marker Hotel, Dublin visit www.retailireland.ie.

For members, seats cost €130 plus VAT or a table of ten costs €1,200 plus VAT. For nonmembers, seats cost €160 plus VAT or a table of ten is €1,500 plus VAT. Places are limited so early booking is essential.

Retail Ireland Annual Lunch

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

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

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Drinks News Boyne Brewhouse Scoops Eight Awards!

BOYNE Brewhouse has won eight awards at the seventh annual Dublin Craft Beer and Cider Cup competitions hosted by the Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair. The award wins included a Gold medal and Best in Speciality Category for its Saison beer and two Silver medals for Imperial Stout (pictured) and the limited edition Raspberry Sour. Showcasing more than 320 craft beers, ciders and spirits, the event celebrates the best of the Irish craft brewing and distilling sector. The Boyne Brewhouse also won a bronze medal for Cooneys Irish Cider 4.5%, which is produced at the Drogheda facility, in the ‘Dublin Craft Cider Cup’ awards. “We take great pride in ensuring that we use only the best ingredients and our own Boyne Valley spring water to make our craft beers,” noted Richard Hamilton, Creative Brewer with Boyne Brewhouse.

“A lot of time has been taken to perfect our recipes and winning these acclaimed awards is testament to the quality of these ingredients, brewing styles and inspirations.”

Jameson Impacts on Premium Spirits WorldwideTop 10 JAMESON Irish Whiskey has entered the top 10 of Impact magazine’s annual Top 100 Premium Spirits Brands Worldwide list for the first time ever, after increasing sales by 10% to a record 7.5m nine-litre cases in 2018. In addition, Jameson scored its 18th consecutive year on the title’s ‘Hot Brands’ in the USA list, delivering 9% growth in the market as an established brand over the same period.

Entering the top 10 marks a milestone for the brand, which has added more than 2.5m cases and risen five places in the list over as many years, according to Impact Databank, which publishes the report each year in collaboration with the international drinks trade media magazine. Up from 11th place in 2018’s list, Jameson sits alongside Jägermeister in ninth and tenth place in the list, each reporting volume sales of 7.5m nine-litre cases.

ISA Celebrates Women’s Contribution to Spirits Industry THE Irish Spirits Association celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a networking event for female members to celebrate the evolving and vital contribution women make to a traditionally male dominated industry. “A more balanced workforce will be a crucial factor for businesses as they conquer new markets, create new products and achieve global recognition for Irish brands,” noted ABFI Director, Patricia Callan, at the event. “In the past, female representation in Ireland’s spirits industry was minimal, but today women are playing a key role in shaping its future and bringing new vibrancy to the exciting sector.” Pictured are Aoife Clarke, Cooley Distillery (Beam Suntory), ABFI Chairperson; and Carol Quinn, archivist, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.

Teeling Whiskey Named World’s Best Single Malt

TEELING Whiskey’s 24-YearOld Single Malt has claimed the prestigious World’s Best Single Malt award at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards, the first time an Irish whiskey has been named as the world’s best single malt. “To be honoured as the World’s Best Single Malt and in the process become the first Irish whiskey to ever have achieved such world-wide acclaim is very humbling and reflects the global resurgence and revival of both Teeling and Irish whiskey. We are now right back at the top table of global whiskey and we look forward to continue leading this new golden era for Irish whiskey,” noted Jack Teeling, Founder and Managing Director of Teeling Whiskey, pictured with his brother Stephen Teeling, Sales & Marketing Director.

Glassbox Unveils Craft Cocktails GLASSBOX Spirits, based in Co. Meath, has unveiled Ireland’s first ever range of craft cocktails in a 330ml can. All mixed and ready to enjoy, the small batch 330ml can range consists of three convenient cocktail classics: Gin and Tonic 5% ABV; Pink Gin and Tonic 5% ABV; and Vodka, Cranberry and Soda 5% ABV. Each product in the classic cocktail range consists of premium distilled spirit mixed with only natural ingredients. No artificial flavourings, colourings or sweeteners are added. The drinks are also packaged in 330ml cans, making them the perfect eco-friendly option for outdoor events and festivals over the summer season.

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Nivea

Nivea MicellAir Professional – Loved by Make-Up Artists FOR gentle and effective makeup removal that’s been tried, tested and adored by professional make-up artists, the MicellAIR Skin Breathe Professional range is the perfect companion for make-up lovers everywhere. The innovative collection of products from Ireland’s number one face brand ((Source: Beiersdorf UK Ltd calculation based on data reported by Nielsen through its Retail Index Service for the Female Face Category (Beiersdorf UK Ltd defined) for the 52-week period ending 17/06/2018 for the Irish market, ©The Nielsen Company), helps to thoroughly cleanse the skin, while gently caring and protecting its delicate moisture balance. The new collection is available in pharmacies and grocery stores nationwide.

•

MicellAIR Professional Micellar Water, 400ml, the latest Micellar Water from Nivea, has a unique

light-weight formula dissolves eye make-up, while caring for eyelashes and the delicate skin around eyes.

The highly effective yet caring formula is infused with Green Tea, which is known to reduce puffiness and soothe the skin. Eyes are left feeling fresh, with 0% greasy residue. and innovative light-weight formula that effectively removes longwear face and eye make-up, while deeply cleansing the skin, in one easy step. Activated by Dry Oil and Black Tea extract, Nivea MicellAIR Professional Micellar Water expertly removes makeup without irritation.

•

MicellAIR Professional Eye Make-up Remover, 125ml, allows users to effortlessly sweep away waterproof mascara and stubborn eyeliner. The

•

MicellAIR Professional Make-up Remover Wipes, soaked in Nivea’s MicellAIR water, cleanse and gently remove make-up, without causing irritation or drying out the skin. The superior technology allows dirt, oil and even waterproof makeup to be easily absorbed without harming the skin’s natural barrier and simultaneously protecting the eyes lashes and skin. Conveniently comprised in a pack of 20, the wipes are the perfect handbag to gym bag companion.

MicellAIR

NEW

PROFESSIONAL LOVED BY

MAKE-UP ARTISTS

GREASY

R E S I D U E*

50|Retail News|April 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: News Applegreen Launches Partnership with UCD APPLEGREEN Plc has announced the launch of its first formal graduate and internship programmes, along with a sporting sponsorship, in a new partnership with University College Dublin (UCD) with the support of some strong alumni.

As part of the new partnership with UCD, Applegreen will recruit graduates from a broad range of courses to join the business.

Applegreen is also offering a paid internship to students as part of their college placement programme that offers invaluable experience and an opportunity to develop business skills directly Pictured showing their strong support for Applegreen’s new partnership with UCD related to their future career are (l-r): Irish rugby stars Josh van der Flier and James Ryan; Aisling Ryan, Head of aspirations. Applegreen employs Marketing, Applegreen; rugby player Andrew Porter; Joe Barrett, COO, Applegreen; a diverse workforce comprising of Leinster wing Adam Byrne; Yvonne Brown, Group HR Director, Applegreen; and rugby engineers, scientists, marketeers, stars, Dan Leavy and Garry Ringrose. interior designers, architects, fuel economists and buyers, along with all the corporate functions career opportunities and exposure to all parts of our business expected with an international business. and success story. With the support of a mentor, each graduate Applegreen is also proud to foster the spirit of teamwork and student will be given specialised support to foster their and collaboration through the special sports sponsorship at individual entrepreneurial spirit, to encourage ambition and to UCD for 2019 that sees Applegreen take pride of place on the develop skills that contribute to the success of the business.” main pitch.

Applegreen has evolved from a small Irish business to a “At Applegreen we are committed to supporting and leading convenience retailer and fuel forecourt operator in the nurturing a future generation of talent for our business,” noted Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, with an evolving Yvonne Browne, Group HR Director, Applegreen. “The calibre of presence in the USA. As of end 2018, the business employed the students and courses in UCD, and also DIT where we have approximately 11,000 people across 472 sites and 29 hotels. an existing programme, is very inspiring. With the rapid growth This includes Applegreen’s majority acquisition of UK business of our business, we can offer both local and international Welcome Break in 2018.

Maxol Lubricants Awarded Contract with Translink Group LEADING lubricants company, Maxol Lubricants has been awarded the contract to be sole supplier of AdBlue and AntiFreeze to the Translink Group, Northern Ireland’s largest public transport company, after a competitive tender process. Maxol Lubricants has been supplying Translink since 2013 and the partnership has gone from strength to strength in that time, leading to the company securing the contract once again.

The contract will see Maxol Lubricants, which is part of The Maxol Group, supply Translink for the next three years.

Translink is responsible for over 81m bus and rail passenger journeys each year, with 1.5m passengers every week. They operate a fleet of around 1,400 buses, coaches and trains, run 12,500 services every day and employ over 3,800 people in jobs across all parts of Northern Ireland. Roughly 500,000 litres of AdBlue and 150,000 litres of Anti-Freeze are required each year for Translink services to operate.

“It’s a big win for us, a local Irish company, to have such an important contract renewed with a large, highly reputable organisation like Translink,” said Owen O’Neill, General Manager, Maxol Lubricants. "Above all else, it reinforces the successful long-term relationship we have built since 2013 and we look forward to the next three years of supplying Translink with our products.”

Sam Johnston, Materials and Contracts Manager from Translink, commented: “As Northern Ireland’s largest public

transport provider, we have significant requirements for AdBlue and Anti-Freeze. We’re always guaranteed top quality product from Maxol Lubricants, along with first class service from the Maxol team and as a result, we are pleased to announce our continued partnership with the company in the years ahead.”

Maxol Lubricants, part of The Maxol Group, will supply Translink with AdBlue and Anti-Freeze for the next three years.

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Forecourt Focus: News Circle K Opens Its Biggest Service Station Ever CIRCLE K has opened the largest service station in its global network; Circle K Gorey on the M11 in Co Wexford, creating 40 new jobs in the locality.

The opening of Circle K Gorey is a hugely significant move for Circle K, with the new state-of-the-art site being of significant strategic importance to the M11/N11 commuter belt, where Circle K expects to cater for up to 20,000 Irish commuters daily.

The newest opening is part of an overall investment of €35m by Circle K, announced in 2018, into the development of four new sites. The first of these sites located at J7 Kill on the N7 opened just last December, with further new site openings scheduled for this year in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, and Athlone, Co. Westmeath, along with this newest addition at Gorey.

Circle K Gorey on the M11 boasts a range of superb offerings, including Circle K’s miles and milesPlus advanced premium fuels, fast-charge points for electric vehicles and dedicated pumps for AdBlue and Gasoil customers. Also available are Circle K’s renowned and extensive deli food range, Mexican street food offer Cantina, a fully serviced barista offering exciting new innovations in the areas of frozen drinks and ice cream and Circle K’s own specialty coffee, Simply Great Coffee.

Topping off the extensive offering at the Gorey site, which will be open on a 24/7 basis, there is a seated café area; an indoor and outdoor children’s play area; a Fáilte Ireland tourist information point and extensive parking for customers, including truck and coach spaces. The site will also have a McDonalds restaurant.

“It is a momentous occasion for Circle K, as we mark

Niall Anderton, Managing Director, Circle K Ireland, is pictured as Circle K opened its largest service station across its global network on the M11 at Gorey, Co. Wexford. the opening of the largest Circle K in the entire global Circle K network, on the M11 at Gorey and look forward to catering for the needs of some 20,000 motorists daily,” noted Niall Anderton, Managing Director of Circle K Ireland. “With this newest addition to the Circle K network, we are also delighted to bring 40 new jobs to the local area, which further reinforces Circle K’s ongoing commitment to investment and job creation in the Irish market.”

The official opening celebration, attended by Circle K senior management and local political dignitaries, took place on March 28, with a host of special offers available in-store on the day.

Applegreen COO to Chair Retail Excellence JOE Barrett, COO & co-owner of Applegreen Plc is to become the new Chair of Retail Excellence, taking over from JP Kennedy, MD of Tilestyle, when he retires as Chair on July 1.

In another new Board appointment, Jean McCabe, owner of award-winning Ennis and Galway boutiques Willow will take the position of Vice-Chair of the Retail Excellence Board.

Pictured are Joe Barrett, COO & co-owner of Applegreen Plc, and Jean McCabe, owner of Willow, the new Chair and Vice-Chair of the Retail Excellence Board.

“I am delighted to welcome such respected and admired individuals as Joe and Jean to lead Retail Excellence in a time of uncertainty but also opportunity,” noted David Fitzsimons, Group CEO of Retail Excellence. “It’s appropriate that our new leadership team represent large and small retailers, and each new member brings insights from their respective sectors, which added to their individual skillset, wealth of ability and experience, will perfectly complement our existing members.

“I have been fortunate to have worked with both Joe and Jean for several years as Board members, and I have no doubt that the future of our community of retailers is in safe hands. They will make a valuable contribution in shaping and developing future plans, direction and policies in tandem with existing members of the Board.”

The CEO revealed that Retail Excellence have much planned for the remainder of this year and in the longer term to try and resolve the huge issues facing retail in these uncertain times. “It is testament to the strength of our organisation that we can call on the quality and advice of our board members to come up with solutions to the challenges facing with us,” he said, while thanking outgoing Chair, JP Kennedy, for his dedication, energy and leadership during his tenure.

Joe Barrett joined Applegreen Plc in its second year of operation with a strong background in retail and FMCG, having worked for Tesco and John West Foods. Barrett has over 20 years’ experience in the retail industry and has a key responsibility for management and developing the group’s retail and food offerings. He has been instrumental in developing the group’s partnerships with its international food brand partners.

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Brexit & Dispute Resolution

Cross Border Disputes and Brexit

Matheson’s Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department highlight some of the key issues of Brexit when it comes to disputes, from the perspective of both a negotiated and no-deal exit of the UK from the EU. HOW will Brexit affect cross-border disputes, in particular the law governing such disputes and how will the governing law of a dispute be determined after Brexit?

As matters stand, the principles relating to the choice of governing law for EU Member States are detailed in the following Regulations: • the Rome I Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 593/2008) on the law applicable to contractual claims (“Rome I”); and • the Rome II Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 864/2007) on the law applicable to non-contractual claims (“Rome II”) (together, the “Rome Regulations”).

Each instrument sets out clear rules for determining the applicable governing law for relevant claims. The position is unlikely to change post-Brexit for the reasons set out below.

Negotiated Exit or ‘No Deal’ If the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future relationship between the UK and the EU (the “Withdrawal Agreement”) applies to Brexit, the Rome Regulations will continue to apply in the UK during the transition period to the end of December 2020. Under Article 66 of the Withdrawal Agreement, Rome I shall continue to apply in respect of contracts entered into before the end of the transition period,

while Rome II shall continue to apply in respect of events giving rise to damage, where such events occurred before the end of the transition period. Further, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “EUWA”), provides that both will be adopted into UK law after Brexit, which means that the principles of Rome I and Rome II will continue to determine governing law in the UK post-Brexit.

If there is a no-deal Brexit, the rules applicable to determining governing law will not change by virtue of the EUWA, which will incorporate Rome I and Rome II rules into UK law. Further, the courts of EU Member States will continue to apply the rules set out in Rome I and Rome II to disputes which may have a

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Brexit & Dispute Resolution States before Brexit. It is similar to the Service Regulation in that it also operates through a system of (i) central authorities designated to receive requests for service and (ii) classes of party entitled to request service abroad. This instrument is already well-known and utilised for service in international disputes, with 74 states having acceded to it, albeit it is slightly slower and more complicated than the system prevailing under the Service Regulation. Ultimately, service of proceedings involving the UK will not be significantly affected, although it will be somewhat less convenient.

UK element, as Article 2 of Rome I and Article 3 of Rome II provide that the law specified by either Rome I or Rome II shall be applied, whether or not it is the law of an EU Member State.

Where parties have, in their contracts, expressly chosen a particular governing law, that choice will also be given effect. The courts of the EU Member States are already required to give effect to choice of law clauses, regardless of whether one of the parties is from outside the EU. The UK courts are also expected to continue to give effect to the choice of law of the parties in a no-deal scenario.

Service of Proceedings One perceived area of risk in the conduct of civil and commercial proceedings post-Brexit relates to whether service of process will become more difficult.

Currently, UK court proceedings may be served on defendants in other EU Member States, and proceedings from EU Member States may be served on UK-based defendants, in accordance with the Service Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007) (the “Service Regulation”). This can be relatively quick and cost effective.

If the Withdrawal Agreement comes into force, the current provisions regarding service that apply pursuant to the Service Regulation will continue during the transition period to the end of December 2020. It is unclear what will happen at the end of the transition period, but either a new arrangement

will be negotiated or the no-deal Brexit scenario will apply.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit: • The UK Government has prepared a draft statutory instrument (draft Service of Documents and Taking of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters (Revocation and Saving Provisions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018) which provides that documents for service received before exit day (but as yet unserved) will still be served in the UK in accordance with the Service Regulation. However, the EU’s Notice to Stakeholders, Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules in the field of Civil Justice and Private International Law, published on January 18, 2019, indicates that pending requests for service from the UK, will not be progressed after Brexit.

• More generally, claimants will be able to effect service on defendants in EU Member States in accordance with the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters 1965 (the “Hague Convention on the Service of Documents”). This will govern (i) proceedings issued post-Brexit, (ii) proceedings from EU Member States not received by the UK authorities for service before Brexit, and (iii) UK proceedings received but not yet served by EU Member

Notwithstanding the potential benefits of the Service Regulation over the Hague Convention on the Service of Documents, one way of avoiding this issue is to include within contracts with a UK counterparty a provision authorising service on a process agent at a designated address, whether within the UK or Ireland. Service in this way – on a process agent – will be wholly unaffected

by Brexit, whatever the outcome of negotiations.

Enforcement of Foreign Judgments If a counterparty against which judgment may be obtained has assets or enterprises in other jurisdictions against which enforcement may be required, enforceability can be a significant factor when it comes to choosing governing law and jurisdiction in contracts.

Parties need to be confident that they will be able to enforce their contractual obligations in a straightforward manner.

The rules relating to the recognition and enforcement of judgments in EU/EFTA Member States are currently set out in: • the Brussels Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 44/2001) for proceedings commenced before January 10, 2015, and Brussels Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012) (the “Brussels Recast Regulation”) for proceedings commenced on or after January 10, 2015, for disputes between parties domiciled in EU Member States (together the “Brussels Regime”); • the Lugano Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters 2007 for disputes involving parties domiciled in the EU and Norway, Switzerland and Iceland (being EFTA Member States) (the “Lugano Convention”); • the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements of 2005 (the

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Brexit & Dispute Resolution

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“Hague Convention”) for disputes involving parties domiciled in EU Member States, Mexico, Singapore and Montenegro; the common law for all other disputes.

There is uncertainty as to the extent to which non EU/EFTA judgments will be recognised and enforced across the EU, and they may require separate applications, subject to differing domestic rules in each EU Member State. Enforcement proceedings are regularly subject to jurisdictional challenge and the judgments tend to have to be final and conclusive, as well as merit based. All of this contributes to rendering the enforcement process less certain, less effective, more timeconsuming, more cumbersome and more expensive.

For judgments covered by the Brussels Regime and the Lugano Convention (for EU and EFTA Member States), what constitutes a judgment under those instruments is broadly defined and includes orders or judgments in the nature of injunctions and costs determinations as well as interim orders (but excludes insolvency related judgments). Proceedings for cross border recognition and enforcement are straightforward and predictable, with little or no potential for delay.

If the Withdrawal Agreement applies to Brexit, it provides (at Article 67(2)) that the Brussels Recast Regulation shall continue to apply to the recognition and enforcement of judgments sought before the end of the transition period (which, by virtue of Article 126, will expire on December 31, 2020) and given in legal proceedings instituted on or after January 10, 2015. Accordingly, the Withdrawal Agreement maintains the status quo until the end of December 2020, during which time it would be for the UK and the EU to reach a long-term arrangement with regard to recognition and enforcement.

Once the UK leaves the EU, the Brussels Regime and the Lugano Convention will no longer apply to the UK. Although the UK Government has indicated a desire to reach agreement with the EU27 on continued civil justice co-operation post-Brexit, it remains to be seen what, if anything, will be negotiated. The UK has indicated that it will apply to re-join the Lugano Convention in its own right at a later date.

Pursuant to the draft Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations

2019, published by the UK Government in December (the “Exit Regulations”), UK courts will apply current rules in relation to enforcement of judgments where the EU Member State court’s judgment was given in proceedings commenced pre-Brexit. By way of contrast, in the EU’s Notice to Stakeholders, published on January 18, 2019, it is stated that EU Member State courts will not apply the current enforcement rules to UK court judgments unless the exequatur procedure has been completed before exit day, even if the judgment was handed down before exit day or the enforcement proceedings were commenced before exit day.

The Brussels Convention of 1968 There is an argument that the Brussels Convention of 1968 (a treaty signed by the then six members of the European Communities and since expanded) could still be used to enforce certain

EU Member State judgments in the UK (or UK judgments in certain other EU Member States), as that instrument has not been abrogated. However, quite apart from the fact that it only has potential relevance to contracting states, both the Brussels Recast Regulation and its predecessor, the Brussels Regulation, purport to “supersede” the Brussels Convention.

A party seeking to rely on the Brussels Convention would face a difficult and uncertain argument in the jurisdiction where enforcement may be sought that the Brussels Convention remains a vehicle for enforcement.

The ultimate determination of such argument may fall to the European Court of Justice, which is a scenario the UK would presumably seek to avoid, given it is contrary to the principle of Brexit.

Accordingly, the more prudent view is that the Brussels Convention cannot be relied upon as a route to enforcement

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Brexit & Dispute Resolution post-Brexit.

The Hague Convention could act as a fallback for a no-deal Brexit. The UK deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Hague Convention on December 28, 2018. The UK Government has indicated it will withdraw its Instrument of Accession to the Hague Convention if the Withdrawal Agreement enters into force.

The Hague Convention, however, is limited in its scope. The parties to a dispute must have entered into an agreement containing an exclusive jurisdiction clause in favour of one of the contracting states, which agreement must have been concluded after the Hague Convention came into force for that state.

In terms of the recognition and enforcement of judgments under the Hague Convention, only judgments on the merits are covered. It is not, therefore, possible to seek enforcement of interim rulings. In addition, certain types of claim, such as contracts for carriage and certain intellectual property claims, are excluded; and the Hague Convention does not extend to insolvency, arbitration, consumer, employment, antitrust and insurance matters (and certain other specific matters).

For all cases which fall outside the scope of the Hague Convention, enforcement of UK court judgments in Ireland (and vice versa) will be dependent on common law rules of private international law. This means that receivership and enforcement will only be possible where the judgment is final and conclusive and involves a fixed monetary amount. In addition, other considerations such as questions of jurisdiction and public policy may also be relevant to whether it will be recognised and enforced.

Enforcement of UK judgments in other EU jurisdictions will similarly depend on their domestic rules on the enforcement of foreign judgments, which may differ between jurisdictions. Recognition and enforcement of non-final or non-money judgments are not facilitated at common law, rendering it necessary to bring fresh proceedings in Ireland in which the foreign judgment or order forms the basis of the action.

If You Are Still Negotiating: If you are still negotiating your arrangements with a counterparty, but fear for the prospects in the future of enforcement of an Irish judgment in the UK, or vice versa, you should endeavour to defer concluding your agreement until after exit day, and include an exclusive jurisdiction clause. If the counterparty

has assets in other jurisdictions and you would like to preserve the option of additionally enforcing a judgment in another EU or EFTA country, you should consider including an exclusive jurisdiction clause in favour of Ireland or another EU Member State, so that you can avail of the Brussels Regime.

If you already have a judgment and want to enforce it in the UK, the Brussels Recast Regulation will continue to apply to the recognition and enforcement in the UK of judgments given in proceedings commenced prior to December 31, 2020 if the Withdrawal Agreement comes into effect.

However, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, enforcement of a judgment already obtained will depend on whether you have a UK judgment to be enforced in Ireland, or an Irish judgment to be enforced in the UK: • For a UK judgment to be enforced in Ireland, the EU Notice to Stakeholders addresses the position once the UK becomes a non-EU Member State (ie a third country). It clarifies that EU rules

on recognition and enforcement of judgments will not apply to UK judgments unless the judgment involved has been enforced before the withdrawal date. This is so, even where the UK judgment was handed down before the withdrawal date or the enforcement proceedings were commenced before the withdrawal date. • For an Irish judgment to be enforced in the UK, the Exit Regulations provide that the UK will continue to enforce judgments from EU Member States where the relevant proceedings were commenced before exit day (even though it seems that the EU will not reciprocate).

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, if UK judgments are obtained against corporations with assets spread across the EU, it will potentially be necessary to make applications for enforcement in each EU Member State.

For more information, visit www.matheson.com/brexit-forum.

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What's New KITKAT SENSES GOES SINGLE NESTLÉ is expanding the range of KitKat Senses, its premium variant of the world famous KitKat, a year after its initial launch. Two new premium single bars KitKat Senses Salted Caramel and KitKat Senses Hazelnut, are now on sale nationwide.

Each bar is comprised of three delicious KitKat Senses chocolates, perfectly packaged for consumers’ next ‘me-time’ moment. The new KitKat Senses singles are the perfect combination of delicious KitKat chocolate and wafer with a thick layer of indulgent salted caramel filling infused with crunchy caramel flakes (Salted Caramel variant) or a layer of sumptuous praline and crunchy hazelnut pieces (Hazelnut variant).

SHELTON DISTRIBUTES PEZ IN IRELAND SHELTON Distributors Ltd will now take on the Irish distribution of the global confectionery brand Pez. Pez, which originated in 1927, is an Austrian company that supplies its confectionery products to 80 countries worldwide, selling 70m dispensers annually and five billion Pez candies are consumed every year!

Pez are most known for their candies and novelty licensed dispensers, but also offer dextrose, fizzy and a range of gifting lines. “Shelton is perfectly placed to successfully distribute the mighty Pez brand nationwide with an excellent strategic fit with Shelton’s existing brand portfolio,” noted Peter Hempel, Area Business Manager, Pez International GmbH.“We very much look forward to an excellent partnership with Shelton.”

KITKAT RUBY RETURNS THE Ruby chocolate version of Nestlé’s four finger KitKat will appear in retail stores nationwide following the incredibly successful launch in Tesco last year.

This unique KitKat offers a new taste experience; the crispy, four-finger wafer bar is coated with Ruby chocolate, derived from Ruby cocoa beans, which has an intense berry-fruitiness taste that occurs naturally without the addition of any flavour or colour. “We were totally overwhelmed by the amazing response to the launch of KitKat with Ruby chocolate last year,” said Maria McKenna, Confectionery Marketing Manager at Nestlé Ireland. “We are delighted to be able to take this big innovation in confectionery to a wider audience and give more KitKat lovers the chance to discover a different chocolate experience!”

BALLYMALOE LAUNCH DELICIOUS IRISH MAYONNAISE FOLLOWING a long tradition of making homemade mayonnaise at Ballymaloe House, Ballymaloe are thrilled to announce the launch of their delicious new Irish Mayonnaise. Their unique tasting Mayonnaise is made in small batches with Extra Virgin olive oil, Irish free-range eggs and cracked black pepper. Its wonderful taste and high quality ingredients really set it apart from other Mayonnaise brands on the market.

COCA-COLA ENERGY LAUNCHES IN IRELAND COCA-COLA Ireland will expand its portfolio with the launch of Coca-Cola Energy, the first energy drink released under the Coca-Cola brand. With a great Coca-Cola taste and feeling that people already know and love, Coca-Cola Energy features caffeine from naturally-derived sources, guarana extracts, B vitamins and no taurine. It will be available in 250ml cans and in two variants, with and without sugar. Coca-Cola Energy will launch in Ireland from late April.

“Our strategy is to offer people a wide range of drinks to meet different lifestyles and occasions and Coca-Cola Energy is the latest example of that,” noted Petre Sandru, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland.

LILY O’BRIEN’S SHARE WISELY CAMPAIGN LILY O’Brien’s goes live on TV to launch its new Share Wisely brand campaign. The Share Wisely campaign explores the dilemma between sharing and keeping, when it comes to something as good as chocolate. The creative platform playfully showcases the fact that there are some things we’re happy to share, and others we should maybe keep to ourselves! To deliver the playful message, the new ‘Share Wisely’ TV advertisement went live on Sky, together with a number of online platforms including All 4 and ITV. The campaign is further supported with a programme of PR, digital and marketing across the UK and Ireland, including two experiential events, with brand ambassadors Vogue Williams in Ireland and Alice Levine in the UK hosting private events for media and influencers, where they will enjoy Lily O’Brien’s inspired cocktails, canapes and chocolates.

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