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Good Governance?

AT the time of writing, the results of General Election 2020 are only really sinking in, and speculation is rife about the possible make-up of the next Government. Whatever happens, the retail and FMCG market will endure, as we have proven ourselves one of the most resilient and resourceful business sectors, despite all the challenges that regularly form up in our path.

One hopes that whatever format the new Government takes, that it will address some of the key issues facing retailers, suppliers and indeed most businesses across Ireland. These include making real progress on insurance reform, a nationwide overhaul of the archaic and oblique commercial rates system and the regeneration of our towns and villages so that they become more attractive place for consumers to shop, for businesses to operate and for people to live.

The other big concern is the shortage of labour, which is massively connected with the prohibitively high rents across the country. If the incoming Government can deal with the housing crisis effectively, it will be a large step towards making Ireland a more affordable and attractive place to live and work.

With the trade deal still to be done between the EU and the UK (see page 2), there are plenty of issues to be dealt with in the months and years ahead for whoever is in charge.

Kathleen Belton Editorial & Marketing Director

Contents

News 2 UK-EU negotiations a big deal for Irish retailers. BWG Group acquires Heaney Meats.

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Election impacts customer confidence as grocery growth slows.

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New regulations on alcohol sales introduced; PwC joins forces with FMCG Directors Network.

Limerick scoops top prize at Musgrave MarketPlace awards; Aldi staff to plant 100,000 trees over five years.

Golden Bake wins €85,000 advertising award from Love Irish Food; Nestlé invests in foodgrade recycled plastics.

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business and predicts that the coming years will bring even greater change.

Coca-Cola 20 The most significant evolution of Coca-Cola’s can offering for 70 years, the new Sleek Can will be introduced across all Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite variants.

Centra 23 Centra announced record sales of €1.7 billion in 2019, along with plans to open 20 new stores in 2020.

NOffLA Off Licence Awards 29 Jus de Vine in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, was named National OffLicence of the Year at the NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2020, where NOffLA called on the next Government to prioritise Minimum Unit Pricing.

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Centra Dame Street wins Store of the Year award; Pest control warning for retailers from Rentokil.

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Tesco and ESB announce nationwide roll-out of vehicle charge points.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 14 Arnold Dillon takes up position as Retail Ireland Director; Retail Ireland Annual Lunch 2020; Positive economic backdrop to Christmas trading. 14

Foodservice 30 Irish consumers spent €8.55 billion on foodservice in 2019, with that figure set to rise again this year, according to the latest Bord Bia report.

The Future of Grocery 42 Steve Gotham, MCA & HIM Market Insight Director, examines the potential implications of five major trends on the grocery store over the next decade.

Retail News Interview 16 As Stonehouse celebrates its 20th birthday, CEO Tom Shipsey looks back over the last two decades in the Irish wholesale

16 Store of the Future 49 Some of the foremost Irish technology innovators in the retail sector showcased their retail solutions to a host of international retailers at Enterprise Ireland’s Store of the Future event.

Retail News Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward Editorial & Marketing Director: Kathleen Belton kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie Editor: John Walshe johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie Sales: Brian Clark brian@retailnews.ie Sales: Aaron Stewart aaron.stewart@retailnews.ie Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen Production: Ciara Conway Graphics: Catherine Doyle Printed by: W&G Baird

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Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 00353 1 6785165 Fax: 00353 1 6477127 Web: www.retailnews.ie Email: kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie

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