Retail News June 2019

Retail News JUNE 2019

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

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, 68.6% RYO SOM latest 4 weeks April 21st 2019. Correct at the time of printing.

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.

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|1

Contents News

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Looking to the Future WELCOME to a jam-packed issue of Retail News, where the emphasis is on gauging the issues and trends that will shape our industry going forward.

Nielsen hosted a State of the Nation event in Dublin, which assessed the retail landscape in 2019 and beyond (Page 20). It looked at some of the most dramatic changes that have affected our industry in recent years and predicted the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, Dublin was also the location for a first-of-its-kind summit on the Food-To-Go industry (Page 22), which featured an expert array of speakers intent on exploring all the latest trends and opportunities to emerge in the highly innovative FTG sector, including real insight into the motivational trends for consumers.

Two of the country’s leading representative organisations held key events in recent weeks. The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association held its national conference (Page 26), which also coincided with the release of its dramatic National Security Report, which highlights growing security concerns in our industry – see our in-depth news report on Page 2, as the CSNA called for zero tolerance in their fight against crime. The Retail Ireland annual lunch looked at some of the big issues facing retailers in 2019, from Brexit to fake news, and also saw the first address by incoming Chair, Brian Donaldson, Maxol Group CEO (Page 28).

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.

Food-To-Go

Law and Disorder: CSNA reveals worrying security report

22

2

3

Dunnes maintains top spot in grocery market.

4

Spar Ireland hosts international delegation; New EU rules mean better protection for Irish spirits.

5

Rising personal injury awards threatening retail sector viability; New €100 and €200 banknotes in circulation.

6

Cashless future worrying for some societal groups; Fyffes supports new sulphur emissions regulations.

8

Survey reveals nine biggest issues facing Irish SMEs; Nestlé hits key milestone in “No Deforestation” commitment.

Nicola Weldon, IOI Marketing and Category Director, Kerry Foods, talks us through the continued evolution of the Denny brand, including its new communications campaign and the creation of its new craft range.

17

Legal experts DWF advise retailers on how best to protect their brands in an ever-changing retail environment.

Nielsen State of the Nation 20

Nielsen's recent State of the Nation event in Dublin painted a daunting picture of the Irish retail landscape in 2019, as we face the challenges ahead.

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Managing Director: Patrick Aylward Editorial & Marketing Director:

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Kathleen Belton

kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Editor: John Walshe

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie

Tel: 00353 1 6785165 Fax: 00353 1 6477127

Sales: Brian Clark

brian@retailnews.ie

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

Sales: Aaron Stewart

aaron.stewart@retailnews.ie

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT

Production: Ciara Conway Printed by: W&G Baird

Graphics: Catherine Doyle

The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association’s National Conference and Gala Dinner was a great success, as the Association revealed its national security report and its new President.

Retail Ireland Annual Lunch 28

A new chairperson was introduced and thorny industry issues were tackled at the Retail Ireland Annual Lunch.

Personal Care 44

Sophie Galvani, Global Brand Vice President for Dove, talks us through the latest project in the company’s ongoing campaign to change how women are portrayed in the media.

44

48

Brian Walsh, Packaging Technologist, Repak, advises on how new legislation governing plastic packaging could impact on your business and explains the Repak Member’s Pledge on Plastic Packaging Waste; www.mywaste.ie launches recycling symbols; your obligations under the WEEE and Battery Regulations.

Energy 52

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland advise on ways to save substantially on your energy bills.

Bloom 2019 54

Bord Bia’s Bloom 2019 attracted over 115,000 visitors, withs sustainability and biodiversity taking centre stage.

Regulars & Reports

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

26

Protecting Your Brand

Retail News Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

CSNA National Conference

Waste Management

Cover Story 15

The Food-To-Go summit, held recently in Dublin, examined the future of this rapidly growing and evolving category.

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

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Industry News Retail Ireland: Monthly Update Drinks News Snack Food Pet Food What’s New Forecourt Focus: News Shelf Life

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

News

Law and Disorder: CSNA Reveals Worrying Security Report CONVENIENCE stores are increasingly becoming targets for criminal and anti-social behaviour, according to the findings of a new survey by the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA).

In 2017, Joe Mannion was in the office of his Daybreak convenience store in Clondalkin village when he glanced at his CCTV monitor and saw a man behind the counter. He ran into the shop to find an intruder threatening a member of staff with a machete. After stealing cigarettes, the intruder escaped. The story will be familiar to many retailers across Ireland, according to the new CSNA report.

The Retail Security Report outlines how 84% of retailers have been affected by aggressive, violent and threatening behaviour in their stores, “of whom 43% The CSNA Executive Council with CEO, Vincent Jennings (centre), pictured at of them had been affected within the last the launch of the Retail Security Report. month,” said Vincent Jennings, CSNA CEO. The report is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and accused. Gleeson cites the example of a woman who put a is based on a survey, conducted by CSNA in alliance with BWG bottle of Lucozade into her coat pocket and managed to replace Foods and Musgrave Group, of 1,820 retailers, 75% of whom the bottle before leaving the store. A staff member followed her are convenience store owners, 15% supermarkets and 10% outside and asked to look in her pocket. “The customer started newsagents. roaring and screaming in order to get a defamation claim,” Jennings described the survey as a cry from the heart from continued Gleeson. “In the last four to five years, this has retailers. “It's time that retailers were treated with respect,” he become very commonplace.” said.

Mannion concurred. “One of my staff members was sure Of the retailers surveyed, 69% said they were “concerned” someone had stolen something recently: you could see them or “extremely concerned” about the increased lawlessness in steal it in the video. But the perpetrator put it back before they their stores. “In general, you get people threatening you, from were accused. A false claim was lodged against us. I got an teenagers up,” explained Mannion, who is the CSNA's new insurance company to make sure the perpetrator won little or National President. “We're constantly faced with shoplifting. nothing. She got €500, but her solicitors got €7,000.”

If somebody gets out of jail, we might be involved in a spate of Claims rarely go to court, according to retailers, and they hold-ups. It can go quiet at times, but that's no guarantee it will are contributing to rising insurance costs across the country. stay quiet.”

“When the insurance company get a claim, they charge Michael Gleeson, owner of a Spar store on Limerick's top premiums. You never get [the lower rate] back,” added Henry Street, encounters threatening behaviour on a regular Mannion. basis. “Every week you would have someone threatening Of those surveyed by CSNA, 58% felt that An Garda your life, threatening to burn down the store. It's usually drug Síochána responded to incidents adequately; 42% felt the addicts, but you get more sinister guys as well. Shoplifting response was inadequate. occurs on an hourly basis.”

Retailers describe the criminal process as a rotating door According to CSNA's research, 65% of retailers have in which the same criminals keep returning through their invested in security systems or hired the services of an external shop doors. “I have been called to court on eight occasions, security specialist firm in the last 12 months. Gleeson recently in relation to one guy who has robbed my business on three installed new CCTV cameras but described them as zero occasions,” said an anonymous retailer who contributed to the deterrent. survey. “The person concerned had 95 previous convictions.”

The report also outlines an increase in people who act According to Gleeson, people are sentenced to Limerick suspiciously within a shop with the intention of being wrongly Prison then released due to lack of space: “To call [the system]

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News broken beyond belief would be mild.”

CSNA's report suggests the majority of retail crimes occur in urban rather than rural areas. Social issues are likely to be a key contributor. Yet when it comes to insurance claims “different economic groups are now joining this bandwagon,” said Gleeson.

Retailers suggest that an immediate solution would be to limit Ireland's insurance payouts, which Minister of State Michael D'Arcy TD has described as “the most expensive awards in the world”. Gleeson urged the Government to hold a referendum in order to change the system and prevent fraudulent claims. “We've had 18 to 19 claims against us in the last 10 years. Only one of those claims was genuine. Before that, we had no claims. Nobody has ever been prosecuted for a false claim in Ireland. That will tell you how cracked the system is.”

An increased police presence may also be an effective deterrent, suggested the Limerick retailer. One Garda operation in the city involved six officers, in shifts of three, patrolling the city from 9am to 6pm on bicycles. “For one and a half years, during this operation, the streets were quiet,” said Gleeson.

“They kept everyone at bay. Unfortunately, they had very few arrests so it was deemed a failure, but their presence stopped the crimes from happening.”

Jennings called for a “zero tolerance” approach to unlawful and antisocial treatment of retailers. “Every single crime should be investigated and pursued in a certain fashion, rather than responded with 'go away and don't be annoying me',” he said.

“We will present this report to the Government. We've already made the Minister for Justice aware of it. We're meeting the Gardaí at the highest level. It's an election year so this will be a big issue.”

How should retailers on the front line respond to these incidents?

“Hound the police,” Jennings told Retail News. “Insist upon every crime being investigated. Shout loud and high. Make sure your CSNA area rep or ourselves [in head office] are made aware of these matters so we can bring it up at policing committees. Every crime should be investigated and where possible, punished.”

As for Joe Mannion's machete-wielding raider, he was arrested following the hold-up when a bystander saw him hide in a garden near the convenience store.

Nobody in the shop was injured, fortunately, but they were shaken. “The judges don't see what we see,” said the retailer.

“They should be allowed to see footage of how bad it is. Put it this way, it's not over-acted on [RTE's] Crimecall. It's literally that vicious out there.”

Dunnes Maintains Top Spot in Grocery Market THE Irish grocery market grew by 4.2% over the 12 weeks to May 19, 2019, Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend with Dunnes Stores holding off the challenge 12 Weeks to 20 May 2018 12 Weeks to 19 May 2019 change** of Tesco and retaining pole %* %* % position, according to the Total Grocers 100.0% 100.0% 4.2 latest figures from Kantar.

Total Multiples 88.3% 89.2% 5.3 Respective growth of 12.6% SuperValu 21.9% 21.2% 0.9 and 5.9% for Aldi and Lidl Tesco 22.3% 22.1% 3.6 means that the retailers’ Dunnes 21.7% 22.3% 7.3 combined grocery market Lidl 11.4% 11.5% 5.9 share stands at 23.6%, Aldi 11.2% 12.1% 12.6 higher than that of any Other Outlets** 11.7% 10.8% -3.7 individual retailer for the *= Percentage Share of Total Grocers third consecutive period.

“The strength of Dunnes, **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops Aldi and Lidl, retailers at shoppers and tailoring ranges to reflect that.” opposite ends of the price spectrum, is a surprising quirk Tesco grew sales by 3.6% in the past 12 weeks, of the Irish grocery market,” stated Douglas Faughnan, narrowing the gap with Dunnes to just 0.2 percentage Consumer Insight Director at Kantar. “Dunnes has showed points. Meanwhile, SuperValu’s growth of 0.9% puts the little interest in going head-to-head with Aldi and Lidl Musgrave-owned retailer on a positive footing for the on price, instead preferring to carve out its position as second consecutive period ahead of the summer, when it Ireland’s premium food retailer through smart acquisitions traditionally performs strongly. and partnerships with upmarket brands such as Sheridans Increased volume sales have been key to Tesco’s Cheesemongers and James Whelan Butchers. At the same success, up by 4.8% over the past 12 weeks, and a shift in time, it is making a clear attempt to prevent losing pricepromotional strategy is also clear. While the overall quantity conscious shoppers through its Everyday Savers range.” of goods sold on offer has fallen, multibuy deals which Meanwhile, both Aldi and Lidl continue to capture encourage shoppers to buy more items are up by a quarter, market share through competitive price initiatives like Aldi’s while Y for €X deals increased by 19%.

Super 6 initiative and Lidl’s Super Savers. While value is Following a dip in sales in March, SuperValu continued still central to both retailers, the premium tier has become to move in the right direction. “A key feature of SuperValu’s more of a focus. “As Aldi and Lidl have grown, they have performance has been the 7.1% uplift in the value of each placed an increased emphasis on their premium own label trip – on average shoppers spend an additional €1.60 every and branded ranges,” explained Faughnan. “This is a clear time they visit compared with the same period last year,” attempt to capture more spend from those shoppers who, Faughnan revealed. while seeking value, are also prepared to splash out on Grocery market inflation stands at 2.9% for the 12-week certain occasions. While on the surface, Dunnes, Aldi and period ending May 19, 2019.

Lidl have different appeals, they are all targeting the same

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

News Spar Ireland Hosts International Delegation THE world’s largest voluntary food retail chain, Spar International, has completed a comprehensive educational tour to Ireland aimed at connecting directly into Ireland’s global technology innovation hub to inspire its next generation retail technologies.

Dublin was selected as the host country for the study tour on the basis that it is now widely regarded as the primary hub for technology innovation in Europe, with 16 of the world’s top software companies based in Ireland, including Microsoft, along with an increasingly strong base of fast growing indigenous technology companies that boast pioneering retail solutions.

The two-day look and learn tour, which was hosted by BWG Foods, owner of Spar Ireland, was attended by retail directors from countries including Austria, Spain, Hungary, Russia and the UK. The tour featured a number of high-level interactive meetings with a variety The Spar International delegation, pictured at Microsoft’s Dublin HQ. of the world’s leading technology companies in their respective fields, including Microsoft, indigenous sector that is creating some of the most aweIntel, Checkpoint, Google, IBM, NCR, and Ireland’s own Pointy. inspiring next generation retail solutions, has helped push Each company used the opportunity to showcase the latest Ireland’s retail sector, and convenience in particular, to the technology solutions that will in the near future revolutionise forefront of innovation globally.” how stores operate and how consumers shop.

The tour also visited EuroSpar Barrow Street, where “We’ve long believed Ireland to be at the very forefront of some of the world’s latest retail innovations have been put into retail technology globally and this scouting mission by one of practice, and DCU’s Alpha Campus and Talent Garden where the world’s leading retail groups illustrates this,” noted Chris select technology start-ups used the opportunity to pitch their Donnelly, IT Director, BWG Foods. “Our unique concentration latest innovations to the cohort of retail directors. of the world’s largest tech companies, in addition to a bustling

New EU Rules Mean Better Protection for Irish Spirits NEW EU wide rules regulating the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirits will ensure better protection for Irish whiskey, Irish cream and Poitín into the future. This is according to the Irish Spirits Association (ISA), which has welcomed adoption of the new European regulation by the European Council.

The new regulation, which sees an increase in the harmonisation of standards across the EU, as well as clearer and more consistent labelling requirements for spirits, also strengthens the protection of Geographic Indications (GIs) against trademarks by granting seven additional years of protection. The new rules also preserve more traditional production methods and require information to be provided on the origin of ingredients, which is anticipated to clamp down on fake GI spirits.

“With growth anticipated to continue, increased protection for our spirits industry is very important and

these new EU rules really help,” stressed Vincent McGovern, Head of the Irish Spirits Association. “While benefitting Irish producers, the new rules will also be good for consumers, who will be better able to make informed choices, as there will be more uniform labelling requirements across the EU.” Meanwhile, Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), the all-island trade association for the Irish drinks industry, has signed a European-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will provide consumers with clear information regarding the energy content of their products and the ingredients used in their manufacture.

The MoU was also signed by the sector’s European trade association, spiritsEurope, and a number of other trade groups and companies.

Specifically, the MOU commits European spirits companies to; • print energy information on the labels of products; • provide for online ingredients listing, including raw material used.

The provisions go beyond existing legislative requirements and will see one quarter of spirits bottles placed on the EU market include energy labelling by next year, rising to two thirds by 2022. The measures were welcomed by EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis who described them as “a leap forward” in informing consumers about what they eat and drink.

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News Rising Personal Injury Awards Threatening Retail Sector Viability IT is vital that proposed amendments to the Judicial Council Bill 2017 are now agreed by Government and brought into law before the summer recess, according to Retail Ireland.

The group outlined that Employer and Public Liability insurance costs are adding an unnecessary burden and limiting the sector’s ability to grow, create jobs and deliver value and choice to Irish consumers.

Thomas Burke, Director of Retail Ireland, stated: “Rising insurance premiums, fraudulent and exaggerated claims and general inefficiencies in our insurance market have become a major competitiveness issue for retailers in recent years. Irish retailers continue to report average increases in Employer and Public Liability insurance of between 5 and 10% per annum, despite a falling number of incidents in store as a result of increased investment in staff training and store layout. Despite tireless work and substantial investment, efforts in this area have been undermined by our inefficient personal injuries regime."

Awards for soft tissue injuries in Ireland are over four times those of the nearest comparable market, the UK, and are simply unsustainable at current levels. Retailers are disappointed at the pace of reform and continue to pay for that delay every day in terms of rising insurance premiums and overly inflated claims awards.

As well as the urgent prioritisation of the Judicial Council Bill 2017, Retail Ireland is calling for: • • •

Full implementation of the recommendations made by the Personal Injuries Commission.

Full implementation of the Cost of Insurance Working Group’s Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance and Employer and Public Liability Insurance.

A dedicated funding stream to provide resources to enable Gardaí to tackle a growing prevalence of fraudulent and exaggerated claims.

“Irish retail is currently undergoing significant structural change, and margins in the sector are under growing pressure from rising input costs in a variety of areas, including labour, rent and local authority rates. Given the ongoing inflation in insurance premiums, many retailers are now choosing to opt for the costly self-insurance approach as a means for keeping their annual insurance premiums down and increasing their say on whether to contest a questionable claim. This is not an option for smaller retail operations,” Burke revealed.

“Unless urgent reform is forthcoming, many retailers will simply be unable to meet growing premiums into the future.

Tackling our inflated personal injury awards and bringing our level of awards into line with other comparable EU countries is key to reducing premiums. To that end, the passing of the Judicial Council Bill 2017 will allow for the compilation of guidelines for appropriate general damages for various types of personal injury and give certainty to the judiciary.”

New €100 and €200 Banknotes Circulating THE new €100 and €200 banknotes, the last notes in the Europa series, have started circulating. The banknotes use new and innovative security features and are easy to check using the “feel, look and tilt” method.

At the top of the silvery stripe, a satellite hologram shows small € symbols that move around the number when the banknote is tilted and become clearer under direct light. The silvery stripe also shows a portrait of Europa, the architectural motif and a large € symbol. The new €100 and €200 banknotes also feature an enhanced emerald number.

While the emerald number is present on all the other notes of the Europa series, this enhanced version also shows € symbols inside the number.

The new €100 and €200 notes are now the same height as the €50 banknote, which makes them easier to handle and process by machines. They will also fit better in people’s wallets and last longer, as they will be subject to less wear and tear.

The €100 and €200 banknotes of the first series, like all the other denominations, will remain legal tender. They will continue to circulate alongside the new notes and will be gradually withdrawn from circulation.

The new €100 and €200 banknotes use new and innovative security features and are easy to check using the “feel, look and tilt” method.

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

News Cashless Future Worrying for Some Societal Groups MORE than 88% of people believe the move towards a cashless society will leave behind a significant cohort of Irish people, according to recent research undertaken by the Dublin Mint Office.

Respondents cited the majority of vulnerable groups in their opinion to be the elderly, as well as the homeless, small businesses, and even teenagers or children. A further 68% of people surveyed said they would not be in favour of moving away from notes and coins.

“We share the concern that certain members of society may be excluded if cashless transactions replace the use of notes and coins for payments,” noted spokesperson for the Dublin Mint Office Kathy Clarke. “While technological

developments give rise to ‘cashless only’ merchants and the overall growing use of contactless methods of payments, it is worth noting how the majority of surveyed participants are not in favour of a cashless society.”

Despite the resistance, 66% of people find cashless payment methods more convenient than notes and coins.

However, 55% of people believe cashless payments are less secure than the use of physical currency.

A further 57% of those surveyed revealed that they favour the use of cash, in the form of notes and coins, over credit/ debit cards or digital payment methods when buying goods or services. The most popular reasons cited were that cash offers more privacy, it is widely accepted, and also that cashless payment systems are not always available.

Cash payments are preferred by some participants who cited banking fee requirements for card or digital transactions.

Also, paying by cash makes it easier to leave a tip.

At the other end of the scale, of the 43% who prefer card or digital payment methods, more than half cited convenience as their main reason. Other reasons given include preferring not to carry cash for security reasons, and that digital payments better enable users to keep track of their spending.

“While we understand cashless payments produces benefits, we believe that physical currency serves a significant purpose in our day to day lives, and should not be forgotten,” said Clarke.

Fyffes Supports New Sulphur Emissions Regulations IRISH fruit importers, Fyffes has announced its support for new global regulations established by the International Maritime Organisation, which are designed to limit sulphur content in marine fuels to 0.5%, beginning January 1, 2020.

Responsible for the shipment of over 100m boxes of bananas, pineapples and melons each year, Fyffes confirmed in a statement released to media that it is “active in supporting a number of programmes aimed at minimising the impact of its activities upon the environment, particularly in its source countries, and to collaborating with its supply partners in protecting the world’s natural resources”.

“We strongly support the need for the IMO 2020 sulphur regulations Fyffes is active in supporting a number of programmes aimed at minimising the because they are directly linked to impact of its activities upon the environment. our Sustainability Strategy and one of our four pillars, stewardship for the planet,” noted Jeronimo Poggio, Fyffes Shipping Director. sulphur emissions impacting people living near ports. We “The regulations will help reduce carbon emissions, as well are committed to providing the highest quality fruit at an as reduce acid rain, which can harm agricultural crops, affordable price for consumers, while ensuring that our including our fruit. Importantly, there is also a positive business is a sustainable one; for our growers, the local human impact by reducing illnesses and deaths caused by communities, as well as the planet.”

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

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.

The play options (QuickPick only) available on white tickets are as follows: Without Plus 2 Panels With Plus 2 Panels With Plus 3 Panels With Plus 4 Panels

€4.00 €6.00 €9.00 €12.00

With Plus 1 Panel Without Plus 2 Panels With Plus 2 Panels

€1.50 €2.00 €3.00

Without Plus 1 Panel With Plus 1 Panel With Plus 2 Panels With Plus 3 Panels Single Play

€2.50 €3.50 €7.00 €10.50 €2.50

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

News Survey Reveals Nine Biggest Issues Facing Irish SMEs THE top nine issues facing SMEs in Ireland in 2019 were revealed in a survey carried out by Biz Expo, which took place at Citywest Convention Centre on June 6. They were named as:

1. Cash Flow The number one concern facing the majority of SMEs across the country is irregularity in incomes received and the difficulties that can incur as a result. This is a problem for both new and established businesses, who report that problems in this area can affect reputation, profitability, and finance management.

2. Brexit Brexit is taking a huge toll on Irish businesses. Many SMEs found that the uncertainty caused by Britain’s vote to leave the EU has resulted in issues securing funding, as well as cautious spending in various targeted markets.

3. Marketing A large number of the business owners questioned cited marketing as a real concern. Finding the right clients and negotiating social media were reported as some of the main issues for companies.

4. Planning, Strategy and Growth Many respondents admitted they found it difficult to budget the time and capital towards developing vital future strategy for their business.

5. Regulations and Insurance Recent years have seen many new regulations introduced, from employee laws to health and safety. These can be costly and time-consuming to implement for businesses with limited resources. The high cost of insurance remains a key concern.

6. Time The survey results revealed that managers are being stretched thin when it comes to time management. Many business owners admitted to finding it difficult to take time off, with one owner even struggling to take maternity leave.

7. Competitors According to respondents, dealing with the competition has

proved to be difficult for businesses across a number of industries. SMEs reported having their clients poached, or even their costs undercut by other companies in their respective field.

8. Staff Managers cited hiring and retaining good workers as a struggle; sales staff and employees with highly-coveted qualifications or skillsets were being poached by competitors or larger multinationals.

9. Stability Many businesses reported difficulty in building a loyal customer base and establishing even, regular profits.

2,000 business owners, managers and service providers across tech, craft manufactures, financial firms, training providers, food franchises, law firms, marketing companies, IT providers, video production companies, and recruitment firms, took part in the survey to reveal the top issues.

Nestlé Hits Key Milestone in “No Deforestation” Commitment NESTLÉ has announced that 77% of its agricultural commodities are verified as deforestation-free. This is a key milestone in the company’s efforts to achieve its zerodeforestation commitment.

In 2010, Nestlé made a no deforestation commitment to ensure that none of its products globally would be associated with deforestation by 2020. Over the years, the company has worked with partners like Airbus and Earthworm Foundation, and its suppliers to identify areas at risk of deforestation. The company is using a combination of tools, including certification, supply chain mapping, on-the-ground verification and satellite imagery from the Starling system to achieve this goal.

“Innovation and technology like Starling is accelerating our journey towards zero deforestation,” said Magdi Batato, Executive Vice President, Head of Operations, Nestlé SA. “This is transforming the way we manage deforestation risks in our palm oil supply chain: we are using this tool to hold our suppliers and ourselves accountable. We are satisfied with our progress, but there is much more to do. The last miles to go are always the hardest.”

“Nestlé is the first company to use satellite monitoring across all its palm oil supply chain, accelerating its no deforestation commitment and providing such level of transparency to the public,” said Bastien Sachet, CEO of Earthworm Foundation.

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

Industry News Aldi Ireland products win big at Private Label Awards THREE of Aldi Ireland’s private label products have beaten the best in Europe to win awards at the prestigious World of Private Label Salute to Excellence Awards in Amsterdam. Aldi’s Specially Selected Irish Vintage White Irish Cheddar, produced by the Carbery Group in Cork; Hand Stretched Sourdough Pizza (Spicy Pepperoni & Chorizo with Italian Buffalo Mozzarella Pearls & Fireroast Red Peppers), produced by Freshways Food Co. in Dublin; and Aldi’s Specially Selected Handmade Thai Inspired Vegetable Burgers, produced by Global Spiced, topped the judges’ scorecards for their outstanding taste and quality. “With such a huge number of private label products available across the continent, to win three awards is a huge achievement and a great testament to the unrivalled quality of the innovative Irish food and drink producers supplying our stores,” said Aldi’s Group Buying Director John Curtin.

Fyffes Introduces Recyclable Banana Band BANANA importers, Fyffes Ireland has introduced new, sustainable and fully recyclable paper banding for use in wrapping its Organic Fairtrade bananas at the point-of-sale in a ‘significant step’ towards reducing its packaging imprint. The move, which represents the outcome of an 18-month long period of research and development, sees the company introduce a wrap-around paper band made from 100% Kraft pulp as a more sustainable alternative to the plastic bags used widely within the sector. Fully compostable and sourced from certified Forestry Stewardship Council approved sources, the new banding will result in a reduction of 5680 kilograms (or over 5.5 tonnes) of plastic.

National Lottery Finalists for Good Causes Awards A TOTAL of 36 community groups, sports clubs and organisations from all over Ireland have been announced as regional winners and finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2019, including a Traveller youth advocacy group, a heritage group based on a tiny island off the coast of Cork, Ireland’s only dedicated publisher of books by children, a scuba diving club (pictured), an organisation which works to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of sexual violence, and an aerial dance troupe.

The 36 winning groups will now proceed to the grand final in six categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community and Youth. A seventh category, Irish Language, will have a special award to be announced on the night at the Awards final, in recognition of outstanding work done in the promotion of the Irish Language. "Through these Awards, we want to show how people, organisations, projects and sports clubs are doing extraordinary things in their local communities," said Dermot Griffin, National Lottery CEO.

Tesco Dives into New Swim Ireland Deal TESCO Ireland has secured a sporting title sponsorship of Swim Ireland, the national governing body for swimming, water polo and diving in Ireland. Tesco pledges to support Swim Ireland in providing as many ‘little helps’ as possible to the organisation, its athletes and their families, as well as aiming to increase active participation in swimming throughout the country. Tesco will also support Swim Ireland and its elite athletes on their journey to compete on the international stage. July will see a team of 13 Swim Ireland athletes, made up of three divers and 10 swimmers, compete in the World Championships in South Korea, while also providing the athletes with their first opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Pictured are Clair O'Donnell, Head of Brand Activations, Tesco Ireland, and Sarah Keane, CEO, Swim Ireland.

LEO Event a Huge Success MORE than 70 food and drink producers from all over the country gathered in the Limerick Institute of Technology recently to showcase some of the hottest new Irish produce to top buyers from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. This ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, organised by the Irish Quality Food Awards, was spearheaded by Eamon Ryan, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Limerick.

It is the first time so many Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), 25 of them, came together to create a platform to link regional producers with international food buyers, including representatives from the multiple sector, foodservice, catering, independent fine food shops, wholesalers and restaurants and hotel groups. As well as sampling, buyers from Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and Tesco took part in a panel discussion on the different purchasing strategies employed by retail groups when listing a product, what producers should be looking out for when pitching a product and how they can maximise their success rate. Pictured at the event were, Aide Faughnan, Dromod Boxty; Sayantani Chatterjee, My Apricot Kitchen; and Clair Kelly, The Busy Botanist.

To find out more contact:

Terry Donnan - 086 7714696

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

Industry News Strong Roots wins Local Enterprise Award FLEDGLING Irish food company Strong Roots has won the Local Enterprise of the Year Award at the Irish Times Business Awards 2019 in association with KPMG. The company, which was founded by Dubliner Sam Dennigan in 2015 with the aim of revolutionising the frozen food category, won the award for its successful expansion into the UK. Strong Roots specialises in healthy frozen vegetable products and its range includes kale and quinoa burgers, roasted beetroot wedges and sweet potato fries. The company is now focusing on cracking the US market and has already agreed deals with three major US chains to distribute its goods at more than 3,000 stores.

It expects revenue of about €20m this year, growing to €100m by the end of 2022.

The other nominees for the award included East Coast Bakehouse, Diaceutics and Teeling Whiskey. Paul O’Neill, Editor of The Irish Times, is pictured preseting the Local Enterprise of the Year award to Sam Dennigan, CEO and Founder of Strong Roots.

Tesco Ireland Signs €3m Deal with Celtic Pure TESCO Ireland has signed up to a new partnership with Irish supplier, Monaghan-based Celtic Pure, who will supply over 2m five-litre “Drumlin Hills” Tesco water bottles in a deal worth €3m over the coming two years. Celtic Pure Irish Spring is one of Ireland’s fastest growing businesses, employing 75 people in Corcreagh, Co. Monaghan, and has nearly doubled in size since 2017. “Celtic Pure’s growth story is a testament to its innovative business approach and growing strength as a brand and we’re delighted to be stocking this product in our 151 stores nationwide. We believe the ‘Drumlin Hills’ Tesco brand product will be an extremely popular offering, complementing the range of all Irish sourced water that our customers know and love,” said Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland, pictured (right) with Michael Cerncombe, Sales Manager, Celtic Pure; Pádraig McEneaney, CEO, Celtic Pure; and Sharon Doherty, Senior Buyer, Tesco Ireland.

Coca-Cola Help Food Businesses to Thrive COCA-Cola and Enterprise Ireland have announced the eight innovative food and drink companies that will participate in the 2019 Thrive Project.

The inspirational leadership programme offers founders and promoters the opportunity to gain insights and expertise from some of The CocaCola Company’s most senior executive leaders to help the companies scale internationally. The Thrive Project also gives the participants additional support from Enterprise Ireland through business planning and strategy workshops This year’s participants are Ballymaloe Foods, Blanco Nino, Boann Distillery, Dairy Concepts, Keoghs Crisps, Killowen Yogurt, Loughnanes, and Rye River Brewing. “We believe this year’s participants have the potential to become global brands and to that end, we are delighted to partner with Enterprise Ireland and DCU to deliver this initiative,” said Petre Sandru, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland.

Pictured at the launch of the Thrive Project in Coca-Cola offices in Dublin were (centre) Petre Sandru, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, and Amanda Ward, Programme Manager, Food Division, Enterprise Ireland, with Maxine Hyde, Ballymaloe Foods; Philip Martin, Blanco Nino; James Alexander Cooney, Boann Distillery; Thomas Brennan, Dairy Concepts; Nicolas Dunne, Killowen Yogurt; Eoin Loughnane, Loughnanes; and Peter John Maguire, Rye River Brewing.

Dawn Meats Wins Two Top Family Business Awards DAWN Meats has been named Family Business of the Year in addition to Sustainable Family Business of the Year at the inaugural Energia Family Business Awards at a ceremony in the Mansion House in Dublin. This latest sustainability award follows previous recognition for Dawn Meats in 2017 and 2018, including awards from Bord Bia, Green Awards and McDonald’s as the Waterford processor works to become Europe’s most sustainable meat company. “As a family company in operation almost 40 years, we were honoured to be recognised at the inaugural Energia Family Business Awards,” noted Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats. “Taking the award for sustainability is a real vote of confidence in our environmental efforts – something which we work incredibly hard at, from the management team through to the grassroots of the business. We’ve set tough challenges for ourselves, but such awards really vindicate the decision to set the bar high on sustainability.” Pictured are Aoidin and Andrea Crowley of Dawn Meats, with Gary Ryan, MD of Energia, and Today FM's Matt Cooper.

Lighting as a Service Get Solutions & JV Communications offer customers ‘Lighting as a Service’ retrofits, Energy Monitoring & Verification

Software by utilising Panoramic Power wireless sensor system. Our partner Ermen Systems Ltd offer a range of energy saving products delivering HVAC systems which can be fully funded, installed and maintained for up to 5 years.

The energy savings generated (up to 75%) will cover the costs of the turnkey project in most cases, while outsourcing all End User Capex requirements as well as any ongoing maintenance, insurance and operational risk.

One point of contact Get Solutions – JV Communications for the duration of the lighting project • No need to purchase expensive hardware

• No more ongoing maintenance or replacement issues with failed lights

• No hassle of vetting, appointing and paying electrical contractors we have it all in house

• We will apply for energy credits in an open and transparent way you will receive the full benefit

• Full project management of the LED retrofit

• This is a service level agreement not a loan, there is no interest payable

• 5 year comprehensive on-site warranty • Off balance sheet and usually taken from maintenance budgets vs. applying for Capex budgets a year in advance • Immediate utility savings generated, frees up cash flow • Much better quality of lights in the buildings, happier workforce, increased productivity, better health and safety standards • Zero upfront payments, all the risk is on Get Solutions & JV Communications & our funders United Rentals • We give 5 year warranty the LED against product failure • Clients can use their cash to fund new business ventures / marketing / business development etc.

Before

After

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

Industry News Artisan Irish Producers Win Aldi Contracts 35 of Ireland’s most innovative Irish food and drink producers have won a new contract to supply Aldi’s 137 stores through its Grow with Aldi supplier development programme. 68 exciting Irish-made products went on sale nationwide as part of an Aldi Specialbuys event, which kicked off on June 6. A diverse range of products have been selected, with everything from cereals, drinks, spices, preserves, baking goods, sauces, dairy goods, cake, fresh fish, ready meals and alcohol. Five of the successful products will now be given the chance to become core line Aldi listed products, winning a contract to be sold in Aldi’s Irish stores year-round. “Now in its second year, Grow with Aldi delivers for everyone involved. Small and medium sized producers get the chance to have their product sold nationally, shoppers get to enjoy the best Irish-made products being created and Aldi gets to work with even more Irish food and drink producers,” said John Curtin, Aldi Ireland Group Buying Director.

Nestlé Teams Up with Now TV

NESTLÉ UK and Ireland has partnered with online streaming service Now TV for an on-pack promotion featuring on some of the nation’s favourite confectionery brands.

The promotion will see KitKat, Aero, Yorkie, Toffee Crisp And Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles offer consumers the chance to win a one month Now TV Entertainment Pass worth €15, with thousands of passes up for grabs every hour for 12 weeks. “We have teamed up with Now TV to launch this really exciting promotion for our consumers. More and more people watch box sets on demand, and this promotion gives them the chance to watch their favourite shows on us for a whole month,” said Maria McKenna, Marketing Manager for Nestlé Ireland Confectionery. “This fantastic offer proved a smash hit last year and we are sure it will be hugely popular again this year.”

Cali Cali Launches at Bloom NIALL McGrath and Tom Gannon, the healthy food entrepreneurs who found great success with Fulfil, have launched a new health food start-up, Cali Cali. They have co-founded and created the brand with expert Irish chef and LA resident, Donal Skehan, to bring his culinary expertise and his knowledge of Californian flavours to the brand. The brand is California inspired fusing Californian (Cali) street food flavours and Californian (Cali) healthy eating trends. The Cali Cali brand focuses solely on bringing guilt free, real food from California to the rest of the world. Initial product development will concentrate on a range of guilt-free sauces and crisps inspired by the Californian way of life, which demands a mouth-watering taste proposition with health benefits. Further product developments are already in the pipeline.

Niall McGrath and Tom Gannon are pictured launching Cali Cali at Bloom 2019 with Fianna Fáil leader, Micheal Martin.

Flahavan’s Wins at Energia Family Business Awards

FLAHAVAN’S took home two awards at the inaugural Energia Family Business Awards at a ceremony in the Mansion House, Dublin, recently. The Waterford company, which has been milling oats for seven generations at the family mill in Kilmacthomas, won the Family Business Longevity Award and achieved Bronze in the Sustainable Family Business of the Year category. John and Ellen Flahavan are pictured receiving the Energia Family Business Longevity Award from John Gill of Matheson.

Buzzy Bee Crowned Solus Brightest at Bloom ONE-year-old Arthur O'Reilly from Co. Meath was crowned Solus Brightest at Bloom 2019. The little man stole the hearts of the judges with his sunny disposition and bumblebee costume, emblazoned with the words ‘Save the Bees’. Concern for the environment and the effects of climate change was a very big theme this year at Bloom so little Arthur hit all the right notes with his ‘lightbulb moment’ to save the bees. The yellow carpet was rolled out at Enable Ireland’s Diversity Garden in association with Solus light bulbs. This is the fifth year that Solus have made headlines at Bloom and both the President and Taoiseach were welcome visitors to the Garden. David Reynolds, Sales and Marketing Director of Solus, said, “It is always nice to meet our customers on the ground at Bloom. We were delighted to be a sponsor once again and support Enable Ireland. Congratulations to Bord Bia and all involved in Bloom for putting on such a world class event.”

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

Cover Story

Seize The Denny Nicola Weldon, IOI Marketing and Category Director, Kerry Foods, talks us through the continued evolution of the Denny brand, including its new communications campaign and the creation of its new craft range.

THE Denny brand is 200 years old next year, and firmly remains a contemporary and relevant brand for Irish consumers. Nicola Weldon, IOI Marketing and Category Director, Kerry Foods, explains why.

What are the big challenges Denny is facing?

We are facing many of the same challenges as the rest of the industry.

Sustainability, the changing shape of the Irish family, blurring of mealtimes – these areas represent both a challenge and a real opportunity.

What are the plans for 2020? I believe You seem to have had the brand has a big birthday coming up? a busy 12 months! How That’s right… Denny will be 200 years old has the new Denny brand in 2020! We are so excited to have been communications campaign such an iconic Irish brand for so many been received in the market? years and to celebrate the 200th birthday Busy, but also an amazing The new communications platform of Seize the of the brand is something we are so year to work on the brand.

Denny has brought a fresh new tone of voice to lucky to be a part of. The plans are still Our new communications the Denny brand. a work in progress but rest assured, we platform encouraging our will be marking the occasion! consumers to ‘Seize the Denny’ has resonated really well with consumers Is health a space you are going after and has allowed us to tap into our rich with the Denny brand? heritage in a contemporary and relevant More and more, we are seeing that way. We have seen the brand growing the definition of health is changing in consistently over the last 12 months and consumers’ minds. There is a big shift we can see the new communications and away from more traditional ‘punitive positioning is building upon our strong health’ and towards more holistic health equity. and this is a space where we see a lovely synergy between our expertise in What are the highlights in the past year food and evolving consumer needs. For for you? example, our new butcher style chicken Alongside landing our new positioning and low fat sausages are made with and communications in market, one milled oats, sea salt, and cracked black of the biggest highlights of the last 12 pepper, offering consumers a healthier months has been the creation of our product but with the focus on the use craft range. Denny has traditionally of back to basic kitchen cupboard Nicola Weldon, IOI Marketing and operated predominantly in the everyday ingredients.

Category Director, Kerry Foods. segments of our categories; however, we can see premium now accounting for a large proportion of our categories, driving market growth. The creation of our ‘Master Craft Selections’ range gave us a credible platform and a consistent look and feel under which to innovate within craft and premium and we have managed to build out a really impressive range in a short period of time. This has taken a huge push internally across brand, commercial and R&D teams and The creation of Denny’s craft range, Master Craft Selections, has allowed the is a real move-on for the brand into new brand to enter the growing space of premium products. growth spaces.

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

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update ENCOURAGING START TO 2019 FOR IRISH RETAIL THE latest Retail Monitor from Retail Ireland has revealed that sales values grew by 4.7% in the first quarter of the year when compared with the same period in 2018, aided by a mild late winter and early spring.

While these figures are robust, it must be highlighted that in this period last year, Ireland found itself under a blanket of snow and was suffering the disruptive effects of Storm Emma.

There has also been a modest uplift in consumer confidence this quarter, coming off the back of some respite from Brexit uncertainty and this is reflected in the sales data.

After a rocky fourth quarter of 2018, in which trade ebbed and flowed almost by the day, retailers will be hoping that a level of consistency to trade can be found in 2019. It is clear that retail sales patterns in the second half of 2018 were heavily impacted by Brexit related commentary. An extension to the negotiating period until October seems to have calmed nerves somewhat. The daily game of brinkmanship is no longer leading news bulletins, and for hard-pressed Irish retailers, this is good news. On the back of this, we have seen an uptick in consumer sentiment as people’s worst fears of a crash-out Brexit have been allayed, at least for the moment.

The Monitor also shows that while sales are up across

almost all categories of retail, the ever-present trends of discounting and the continuing shift to online are also evident.

Many businesses will have budgeted against the performance of summer 2018. For those categories that are particularly reliant on good weather to drive footfall and sales, clearly this will prove challenging. With no guarantee of a similar prolonged spell of fine weather, retailers will have to be creative if they are to achieve such heights once more.

Key trends set out in the Retail Ireland Q1 2019 Monitor include: Supermarkets and Convenience Stores: The primary driver for volume over value growth continues to be competitive action, with the battle for market share between multiples very intense and the slower but inexorable continuing growth of discounters also contributing to downward pressures. A buoyant economy has been good news for the convenience sector, which is also in growth.

Fuel: The price of both petrol and diesel at the pumps increased on the same period last year from 137.6c and 127.1c in April 2018 respectively to 142.3c for petrol and 137c for diesel. There was also an increase in sales volumes of 8% in comparison to the same period last year, while sales values increased by 10.5%.

Electrical Goods: The first quarter of 2019 saw a marked increase in the sales of personal computers and electrical goods in comparison with the same time period last year, with sales volumes posting growth of 19.7% and sales value rising by 7.5%. There remains a significant disparity between the growth rate of sales volumes and values. This is due in part to deep discounting, which has become something of a mainstay in the electronics category.

New Deposit/Return Scheme Review Underway THE Minister for Communications and Climate Action, Richard Bruton TD, has commissioned a review to examine the feasibility of operating a Deposit/Return scheme for plastics in Ireland. The Government to achieve a 90% collection target on single use plastics and have committed to increasing Ireland's overall plastic recycling rate to 55% by 2030 and 90% by 2050.

While this is not a consultation per se, Retail Ireland will be assisting the Department with its study over the coming weeks. We will highlight the growing rates of plastic recycling and our work to reduce plastic waste.

Any study on a Deposit/Return scheme must be fully explored with all stakeholders. Retail Ireland members are fully cognisant of their role in plastic recycling and reduction, through Repak many of our members have significantly reduced their plastic footprint and will continue to do so.

Much of the focus in Europe recently has been in the area of SUPs (Single Use Plastics). Retail Ireland and our members recognise that this issue of Single Use Plastic reduction is one of great concern to our customers and we will continue to engage with Irish and EU authorities to ensure that all views are heard equally.

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.

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|17

Protecting Your Brand

How Retailers Can Protect their Brands Legal experts DWF advise retailers on how best to protect their brands in an everchanging retail environment.

SET against a backdrop of the EU (Trademarks) Regulations 2018, which saw Ireland’s first major trademark law reform in over 20 years, global legal business DWF is leading the drive to help Ireland’s retail industry protect their brands.

Eimear Collins, Executive Partner, DWF Dublin, explains, "The pace of technological change has given retailers freedom and greater opportunity to trade beyond borders. We enable our clients to make the most of this change, creating sustainable growth, while reducing risk and protecting their brands. Our understanding of the retail market, global reach and innovative approach to legal services means we are uniquely placed to help businesses deliver retail strategies, meet commercial objectives and create deep connections with customers."

Experts in Brand Protection DWF Dublin recently held an event for key retail industry stakeholders, with experts in brand protection exploring how the change in trade mark law will provide greater legal certainty for businesses with brands to protect, as well as advice on how retailers can navigate brand protection strategies, defamation claims, privilege and Brexit.

Speakers included Stephen Byrne BL, who provided advice on how to effectively use legal privilege to protect

Pictured are (l-r): Ellen Keane, Senior Associate / Head of Data; Niall O'Brien, solicitor; Leah Traynor, paralegal; Eimear Collins, Executive Partner; and Susan Connolly, Senior Associate; all from DWF Dublin.

IP rights in a later dispute, while Executive Partner of DWF’s Belfast office, Ken Rutherford, gave an all-island overview on the implications Brexit will have on IP rights.

Meanwhile, DWF's Susan Connolly examined recent trends in defamation claims brought by customers who have been accused of theft by retailers.

"Defamation is a topical issue for the retail sector in light of an increase in such claims coming before the courts.

Businesses could find themselves on the receiving end of costly damages being awarded to claimants,” she warned. "In a bid to counter such claims, I would advise businesses to maintain timely and accurate reporting, including taking witness statements and keeping records for CCTV, for example, up to date, so they can establish the facts quickly when a claim is received."

Unauthorised Use of Trademarks DWF's Ellen Keane provided useful strategies businesses can employ to manage and protect retail brands from unauthorised use of trademarks. This is particularly pertinent for businesses in the retail and hospitality sector, given the changes implemented in the new European Union (Trade Mark) Regulations, which came into force in Ireland on January 14, 2019, and the upcoming Irish Copyright and other IP Law Provisions Bill.

Ellen's advice included

Pictured are Eimear Collins, Executive Partner, DWF Dublin, and Ken Rutherford, Executive Partner, DWF Belfast. implementing anti-counterfeiting programmes to fight counterfeiters and recover lost income. Retailers can also protect their brands through the use of monitoring programmes which focus on keeping track of use of trademarks and brand names by resellers.

“Whilst there are certainly challenges ahead for the retail sector, and with Brexit on the horizon, the opportunity to influence change is greater than ever,” Eimear concluded.

“When it comes to brand protection, the team at DWF Dublin can help with business planning, ensure understanding of the bigger picture and help shape, not react to, the everevolving retail agenda."

For more information, contact Eimear Collins, Ellen Keane or Susan Connolly at DWF Dublin on (01) 7909400 to learn more about how your business can protect its brand.

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

Drinks News A Bold Move for Powers

POWERS Irish Whiskey, which is made by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has unveiled a brandnew look and its first ever premixed classic cocktail, Powers Old Fashioned. Initially launched in Ireland from the end of May, the innovative new release is set to tap into the growing appetite for whiskey-based cocktails, recruit cocktail drinkers to the Irish whiskey category and inspire a new generation with the bold character of Powers. Powers Old Fashioned is crafted from a combination of the classic Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey, sugar syrup and bitter herbs flavouring. The result is a smooth, low-sugar ready-made classic cocktail that is best served over ice with a twist of orange peel over the glass. Powers Old Fashioned is bottled at 38% ABV and is available in 500ml bottles through key retailers, including SuperValu, Tesco Ireland and Dunnes Stores at the RRP of €29.99. The first-ever bottled classic cocktail under the Powers marque is presented in a befitting, bold new look that balances modern cues with the rich heritage of Powers, dating back to 1791.

Guinness Gates Transformed to Support Union Cup THE world-famous Guinness Gates at Rainsford Street have been completely transformed for the first time in their history to promote and support the 2019 Union Cup, as Guinness celebrates its partnership with Europe’s biggest LGBT+ inclusive rugby tournament, which took place in Dublin for the first time on June 8 and 9 at DCU Campus. “We are proud to support Union Cup Dublin as it celebrates the power of rugby to unite people, and we hope Guinness Gates encourage people to support the teams playing in June,” said Rory Sheridan, Head of Partnerships, Europe, Diageo, at the launch. Rory is pictured (centre) with representatives of Ireland’s host team, the Emerald Warriors (lr): Richie Fagan, Emerald Warriors President and Chair of Union Cup, John Noone, Megan Fogarty, and Oran Sweeney.

Schweppes Ultimate Mixer Sessions THIS summer, Schweppes is shaking up the festival circuit with the Schweppes #UltimateMixer Sessions, a new series of events taking place at festivals and bars across Ireland.

From an exciting new area at All Together Now, to band stand entertainment at The Big Grill and pop-up experiences in some of Ireland’s best bars, Schweppes is taking its #UltimateMixer Sessions on the road for summer 2019. Party goers can expect music, entertainment and the delicious taste sensation of the refreshing summer cocktails that Schweppes is known for. Join the sparkling conversation with @SchweppesIreland on Instagram to find out where the Schweppes #UltimateMixer Sessions with Riff Shop will appear next.

By Trade, He Is a Cooper

IRISH Distillers has announced the appointment of Killian O’Mahony (pictured) as Cooper, following the successful completion of his apprenticeship under Master Cooper, Ger Buckley. Killian is the first newly qualified Cooper at Midleton distillery in 40 years and comes from a long line of craftsmen at Midleton, dating back to his great grandfather, Batt Ahern, who worked as a blacksmith in the distillery from 1910 to the 1930s. A Cooper is a craftsman trained to make and repair wooden casks. As the contribution from the wood has a significant effect on the aroma and flavour of the final liquid, the role of a Cooper is central to the production of Irish whiskey, the fastest growing premium spirit category in the world. As part of his new role, Killian will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of over 1.5m casks on site in Midleton, as well as managing various coopering and cask related projects in the distillery.

The Dubliner Creates Beer Cask Series THE Dubliner Irish Whiskey has collaborated with Ireland’s leading craft brewers to create The Dubliner Whiskey Beer Cask Series, an exciting limited edition range, whereby the awardwinning Irish whiskey is aged in beer casks, and craft beers in whiskey casks. Available from the beginning of July at the Dublin Liberties Distillery, the first edition sees The Dubliner Irish Whiskey partner with fellow Dublin Liberties neighbour and independent Irish craft brewer, Rascal’s Brewing Company, to produce a cheeky coupling of Dubliner 3yo blend with Rascals Coffee Stout casks, making for a whiskey packed with personality, Just Good Whiskey. Further Dubliner Irish Whiskey collaborations launching in July include; a partnership with O’Hara’s Irish Stout which resulted in a robust, creamy blend, while a collaboration with 5 Lamps Brewery led to a punchy 3 year old blend, matured in bourbon casks, then finished in Five Lamps Pale Ale casks.

ADD SPRITZ TO YOUR SUMMER TO IMPACT SALES! Infuse your product offering with new & interesting flavours to appeal to the most discerning taste buds.

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to look ahead and explore insights and trends that will impact on business over the summer months.

Life is changing fast. How we socialise is also changing. Socialising is becoming more diverse in every sense, evidenced by the fact that 183 million (7 in 10) across Western Europe attended at least one festival or event in the last year.1 As an industry, it’s important to consider the role we play in this trend to secure future success at this pivotal time in the commercial calendar.

MAKING THE MOMENT

Sinéad Conmy, Off Trade Category Development Manager at Diageo commented, “While we are all discovering new ways to socialise, it is predicted that by 2025 consumers will spend almost £1.5tr on experiences vs £696bn on material goods.2 54% of millennials say they are always looking for new experiences3 and this cohort accounts for €2.1trillion of global consumer spending.4 So, the challenge is clear. We need to deliver products that appeal to this audience and to connect the product with the occasion.”

MAKING BALANCED CHOICES

It is also important to note the growth of responsible consumption. Consumers are now demanding more health, craft and sustainability products,5 with 63% of consumers actively taking steps to improve their health. 6

Family-made vodka brand, Ketel One, has “The unique infusions process sees real launched Ketel One Botanical - a new spirit fruits infused and distilled individually, to drink distilled with botanicals and infused allow their natural flavours to be extracted. with natural fruit essences for a crisp, re- The resulting spirit drink is blended with freshing taste. The first-of-its-kind product Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and crafted at 23% is set to establish a new sub-category per- ABV, to ensure the perfect balance of natural and fruity flavours at the heart of the liqfect to cut through the aperitivo occasion. uid, with good spirit cut-through at 84 caloMade with vodka, Ketel One Botanical has a ries per 50ml serve,” continued Shimmons. lower ABV of 30%, with no artificial flavours, and contains 82 calories per serve.8 Its sig- Smirnoff Infusions comes in two different nature serve is with soda water for a Ketel flavours - orange, grapefruit & bitters and One Botanical Spritz, meeting consumer raspberry, rhubarb & vanilla. demand for alcohol cocktails with a lower ABV. PLACE YOUR ORDER Ketel One Botanical is a series of three variants in beautifully illustrated, botanical-inspired bottles: Peach & Orange Blossom, Cucumber & Mint and Grapefruit & Rose.

SPRITZ UP YOUR SUMMER WITH SMIRNOFF INFUSIONS

“Health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking more balanced choices and new ways to enjoy alcohol. For example, in Ireland non-alcoholic beer increased by 123% value sales from February 2018 to February 2019 and is now worth over €7m retail sales in the take home trade,7” continued Conmy.

Also bringing the flavour exploration success of the gin category to vodka and encouraging trade up, Smirnoff announces Smirnoff Infusions - a spirit made with real fruit and blended with Smirnoff No.21 Vodka. Oranges, grapefruits, raspberries and rhubarb are infused and distilled individually to allow the natural and delicious fruit flavours to be extracted.

Recognising these evolving trends, Ketel One is introducing a revolutionary new spirit that is set to shake up the spirits category in Ireland and across Europe this summer.

Commenting on the launch, Sarah Shimmons, Smirnoff Marketing Manager for Europe said, “Smirnoff Infusions is an exciting new addition to our portfolio in Ireland and looks to tap into the growing demand from consumers for great tasting drinks with a real depth of flavour.”

1. Diageo 2016 Festivals Research 2. Oxford Economics /nVision 2016 3. Kantar Futures

4. Euromonitor 2015 5. MCA April 2018 6. Diageo Kantar Futures Global Monitor 2017

INTRODUCING KETEL ONE BOTANICAL

Diageo plans to back both Ketel One Botanical and Smirnoff Infusions with a comprehensive media campaign in Ireland.

Contact your local rep for more information or place an order through MyDiageo.

7. Nielsen Total Market February 2019 8. 82 calories based on 50ml measured serving with 150ml soda water

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

Nielsen State of the Nation

Nielsen Takes Retail Temperature Nielsen's recent State of the Nation event in Dublin painted a daunting picture of the Irish retail landscape in 2019, as we face the challenges ahead.

WE’VE come a long way to get here. This was the message at a recent Nielsen state of the nation event in Dublin where retailers, analysts, and brand-owners assessed the retail landscape in 2019 and beyond. In order to learn about the future, it is worth reflecting on the journey we have been on, Claire Cullen, Nielsen’s Head of Client Delivery, told the audience.

A decade ago, smartphones were in their infancy and discounters only shared 5.5% of the value of the marketplace. Today most shoppers have pocket computers and discounters command a staggering one-fifth of the marketplace: a 5% rise over the last year. Lidl has added six stores this year to its existing 160; Aldi has added seven to its 137.

According to Cullen, 78% of market growth has been driven by brands in discounters and 70% of shoppers believe that discounters offer the lowest prices.

“It’s no surprise to see the discounters winning in this kind of environment and scenario,” she said.

But don't discount the convenience sector, which has risen to €2.6 billion in value. According to Nielsen stats, soft drinks are the number one driver of growth, followed by ice cream: good news for Unilever Ireland's Declan Livingstone, one of the panellists at the event.

“We are a massive ice cream manufacturer,” he said. “We want to deseasonalise the category. We've linked

Claire Cullen, Head of Client Delivery, Nielsen. up with Kinder, an iconic brand, which is already the largest performer in its frozen category and the summer hasn't even kicked off yet.”

Surviving a Perfect Political Storm Attendees were of the opinion that 2019’s retailers are operating in a fast-

paced, dynamic, industry and world. Jim Power, a leading Irish economist, was first on the stage to talk about Ireland's position in a global context. “Last year, I would have been describing 2017 as a great year,” said Power. “But as 2018 progressed, dark clouds started to appear. It’s all about politics rather than

Pictured are (l-r): Declan Livingstone, Customer Business Manager, Unilever; Ruairi Twomey, Chief Marketing Officer, Tesco Ireland; Karen Mooney, Ireland Leader, Nielsen; Sandra Alvarez, MD, Spark Foundry; Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business and Insight, Nielsen.

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|21

Nielsen State of the Nation economics.”

We have witnessed the perfect political storm, announced Power. The last six months have seen a deceleration in the global economy due to the growth of a protectionist agenda: Trump's trade dispute with China and the rise of far right parties across the EU. As a result, Ireland's corporate tax regime is coming under increasing pressure. There are literal storms on the horizon in the shape of climate change. Then there is Brexit.

For now, the economy is doing well. There is a record number of people at work and unemployment is down. Nevertheless, consumers are becoming cautious, according to Karen Mooney, Ireland Leader at Nielsen. 49% of shoppers say that any spare cash is going into savings. The economy is the number one consumer concern, followed by health.

Customers are using grocery purchases as their primary way of saving: 55% save on household expenses by switching to cheaper grocery brands.

The FMCG sector has grown by +1.6%.

“But if we strip out tobacco it’s + 1.4%,” said Cullen.

Only 22% of Nielsen shoppers surveyed suggest that promotions dictate their choice of store. “So promotion is looking less like a big driver of purchase.

This also speaks to that sense of caution that has crept into the marketplace,” according to Cullen.

Health Here to Stay A number of trends will dominate the retail market in 2019. Health and wellness is a massive sector: worth €2.8 billion, an increase of 5% on last year. “Consumers are demanding more transparency in terms of the nutritional values and benefits of food,” according to Mooney.

Limiting sugar is the number one health concern, followed by eating five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, and limiting salt. The value sales of soft drinks in the convenience sector has risen 14%, largely driven by ‘No-Added Sugar’ products.

“From a manufacturing point of view, health is high on our agenda,” said Livingstone.

“We have to bring products and solutions that fit the consumer's needs.

Unilever has high protein, vegan, low fat, dairy-free ice creams and they all are in massive growth. At the same time, Magnum and Ben & Jerry's are key pillars of this category.”

Sustainability and the Environment Sustainability and plastics are another

name-checked a study of 24,000 brands, which revealed that local brands are performing 6% better than their global counterparts.

Technology will also play a big role in the future of Irish retail. 5G (up to 100 times faster than 4G), artificial intelligence, machine learning and voice controlled devices will all impact the industry. “Data is our friend,” announced Twomey. “As IT gets better, it gets easier to understand what to do with brands.

Rapidly improving AI and technology solutions, and our ability to distil data faster and sharper, is a game changer for us.”

Economist Jim Power addresses the audience. trend. “There are expectations of corporate responsibility,” explained Mooney. “The consumer is looking for greater product transparency: packaging solutions, for example, which are better for the environment.”

Nielsen stats tell us that Irish shoppers are environmentally aware.

88% of consumers insist they recycle all the plastic packaging they can. This volume needs to increase, though.

“Tesco has set ambitious targets,” Ruairi Twomey, Tesco Ireland's Chief Marketing Officer, told the audience.

“By the end of this year, all difficultto-recycle plastic will be eliminated from our business. We wiped out five tonnes of packaging from the pad that sits under packets of mince beef, for example.”

Origin and providence make up the third tier of consumer concern, although this presents opportunities for local brands. In a panel discussion at the Nielsen event, Sandra Alvarez, MD of media planners Spark Foundry,

Paul Walker, Group Managing Director, Nielsen UK and Ireland.

Understanding the Shopper There has never been a better or more important time for retailers to understand their shoppers. “At

Unilever, the consumer, the shopper's mission is at the heart of our plan,” said Livingstone, during the panel discussion.

“What are their needs? What are they shopping for? What do they need on various days of the week? Are they shopping on behalf of themselves, their children, older dependants?”

Between climate change, Trump and Brexit, the retail industry may face monumental challenges, but Irish retailers have the ability not only to survive but to thrive, Tesco's marketing chief concluded at the Nielsen event.

“Whether you are on the supplier or the retailer side of the retail industry in Ireland, this is an absolutely brilliant market,” said Twomey. “Walk into any corner store, multiple or discounter in Ireland, and the standard of retail is light years ahead of so many markets. We are a small island, so we don't always get the credit, but it's a very exciting marketplace. The future is bright for us.”

22|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Food-To-Go

Bright Future for Food-To-Go

The Food-To-Go summit, held recently in Dublin, examined the future of the rapidly growing and evolving Food-To-Go market.

THE Food-To-Go Summit 2019 took place in the Mansion House in Dublin on May 21 and provided an opportunity to get an up-close view of the trends and opportunities that are have become the most important for progressive players in the Food-To-Go sector to be aware of.

The event also highlighted a number of potential challenges that will need to be overcome in the years ahead.

Approximately 300 delegates from across the Food-To-Go sector in Ireland

attended the event, which featured an expert array of speakers intent on exploring all the latest trends and opportunities to emerge in the highly innovative FTG sector.

First to address the audience on the day was Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist with Bord Bia. In depth and extensive research from Bord Bia has revealed the key trends and activities among various Irish demographics and the trends identified

by Bord Bia were echoed by other speakers throughout the day. According to Gahan, the top five key motivational trends for consumers consist of: •

•

Engaging Experiences – the augmentation of the shopper experience during the purchasing process (including post purchase), most often leveraging technology to add value; Responsible Living – the shopper’s

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Food-To-Go •

•

•

desire to choose sustainable, ethical products and support such processes with their purchases; Health & Wellbeing – the shopper’s focus on their own personal health and their desire to choose products that help them maintain a heathy lifestyle; Fuller Lives – the shopper’s desire for a product to add value to their lives, most frequently leveraged by new technologies; Community & Identity – the shopper’s desire to belong to a tribe or community, the values of which their brand of choice also espouses.

Crunching the Numbers Bord Bia has engaged in extensive research into FTG trends in the UK and Ireland. The results show clearly just how much growth there has been in the FTG sector. Over 90% of Irish people will regularly consume a hot FTG beverage.

For the shopper, the mission is to provide themselves with a treat or to fuel for a busy day. Sales are strongest among Millennials and Gen Z, and peak sale times are early and mid-morning during the week and at midday on the weekends.

The influencing trends most identified for these hot beverage purchases include: • Fuller Life: shoppers are using the purchase to increase their energy for the workday or indulge themselves on the weekend.

• Engaging Experiences are a strong driver for the Gen Z shopper. A perfect example of how to capitalise on this trend is the investment Starbucks has made in its flagship Shanghai store. Have a look at it online to see how Starbucks has transformed coffee into a full sensory and technological experience in its efforts to enter the Chinese market.

• Responsible Living: Fairtrade coffee and compostable coffee cups also influence consumers’ choices when it comes to a hot drink to go.

Again, over 90% of Irish people regularly consume a cold FTG drink and once again sales are strongest to the Millennial and Gen Z age groups.

Shopper missions are to get a treat, to get an energy boost, and/or to stay healthy. The primary influencing trends for these purchases again includes the desire to live fuller lives; for example, the increasing integration of technology into water bottles to remind people when to drink or tell them how much they have

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu and Centra, addresses the FoodTo-Go Summit. drunk. Health & Wellbeing is another trend, as evidenced by the emerging popularity of CBD water (cannabidiol water, which is gaining traction as a non-psychoactive form of cannabis), which is likely to grow at least in the short to medium term. The responsible living trend also influences shopper choices; the recent decision of the London Marathon to use biodegradable water pods instead of bottles demonstrates how seriously brands are taking the anti-plastic bottle trend.

The Lunchtime Peak 84% of Irish adults consume a hot food FTG item, with sales once again strongest among Millennials and Gen Z, and lunchtime being the peak time for purchase. The missions for the shopper are to survive (need to eat), to get an energy boost for work, or as a treat. The influencing trends affecting the choice of purchase include: •

•

•

Health & Wellbeing, the Vegan sausage roll introduced by Greggs in the UK not only delivered tremendous sales growth to Greggs, but heralded an array of vegan rolls come on stream from other competitors in the FTG sector; Engaging Experiences: strong influencers when it comes to securing the custom of the hot food FTG shopper; Responsible Living: most important when determining the choice of a Gen Z shopper.

80% of Irish adults will choose a cold food FTG option on a regular basis, with the spread of purchase strong across all generations. Shopper missions are to refuel, survive, and to a lesser extent to treat themselves.

The Fuller Lives trend is increasingly moving to solve the lunchtime sandwich rush problem. The partnership between Flipdish and Sprout & Co to allow people to order online and pay online and beat the queue to collect in-store has proven very popular with customers, who are happy to pay a small surcharge on each purchase for the added convenience.

For the first time, Community & Identity features as a strong influencing trend, with consumers especially excited by products that they feel resonate with their own unique identity, and the Heath & Wellbeing trend significantly influences shopper choices.

Gahan revealed her five top tips when it comes to progressing the highly innovating FTG sector in Ireland: •

•

•

Target the message to the needs of the category; make it easy for the customer to understand that you are the answer to their shopping mission.

The Health & Wellbeing trend continues to grow in importance, but indulgence is not going away as a motivator if leveraged correctly.

Don’t be afraid to use NPD to access new sales by targeting trends; if you take too long to engage in change,

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

Food-To-Go • •

•

someone else will.

Never underestimate the importance of ethical sourcing and ethical waste disposal; it is too easy for consumers to find out how a brand conducts its affairs.

Have some fun and build the excitement.

Best Practice Gavin Rothwell, Head of FTG and Retail Safaris with IGD, explained that he often visits Ireland to experience the best practice to be found anywhere in the FTG sector. “When people ask me about a retail safari to China or the US, I always remind them that for a far cheaper plane ticket, they can travel to the Republic of Ireland to see some of the best examples of FTG companies in the world,” he told the conference.

Both the Food-To-Go and Foodservice sectors in the UK are seeing a lot of new entrants, inspired by the growth in both sectors. FTG is enjoying the stronger growth in the UK, making it a lucrative market to enter. But with so much competition, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out among all the quality offerings. Finding a unique identity that influences consumer choices is critical to new entrants to the market, as well as for any new product development.

Echoing the key consumer trends identified by Bord Bia, Rothwell explained that FTG purchases are influenced by far more than price and choice. The really innovative brands and products are all keying into one or more of these top five consumer trends.

He cited the example of Tony’s Chocolonely in The Netherlands. In just a few years, the brand has moved from an ethically conscious chocolate offering to become the best selling chocolate in The Netherlands, supplanting brands with far more heritage and larger marketing budgets, all of this with a high per unit price. Tony’s won the “deal” with consumers, allowing them to make a positive impact on the chocolate production chain by paying a little more for their chocolate, and the proposition has brought the brand significant success.

Other brands that have enjoyed great success by keying into these consumer trends include Paddy & Scott’s sustainable coffee brand, Sweetgreen Salad Bars and New Seasons Market in the US. These brands have all chosen to target consumers by creating offerings that resonate with the identity of the customer: when the brand and the customer exist in the same

Delegates listen attentively at the Food-To-Go Summit. community, the loyalty of the customer is significantly increased.

In closing, Rothwell offered his own top tips for anyone operating in, or considering entering, the sector: • • • • • • • •

Identify and understand your shoppers’ missions; Tell your customers clearly that you understand their mission; Deliver the service required to meet the mission, leverage technology if possible; Get the price right; Create a unique environment and/or experience; Be a hub for your community if possible; Innovate, work with a partner organisation if it can add value to your process / offering; Demonstrate seasonality: seasonal is local, fresh, heathy and ethical.

Offering a Unique Experience Noel Smith, Founder and MD of Fresh, the Good Food Market, showed how the brand stayed true to its identity through the hard times of recession and has now driven its brand to the highest level ever. Fresh was never about a price point proposition, but quality fresh products and a unique experience.

Following significant investment by the brand, the Fresh Kitchen concept has proven extremely successful. The concept is built on the key principles of: quality food for now, quality food for later, a local focus, and a memorable

and unique in-store experience.

The Kitchen Concept and the Fresh Caffeé on Camden St in Dublin were key in securing Fresh the 2018 NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award.

In keeping with how FTG sells across the sector, Fresh has found the morning and lunchtime markets easier to access than the evening trade.

Depending on the location, however, the brand has enjoyed success from its ability to offer pizza and wine sales to the evening trade. Fresh has invested significantly in developing these formats and invested heavily in staff training along the way to ensure that the formats functioned properly once introduced onto the shop floor.

In conclusion, Smith shared the following advice: • •

•

If you want to grow your brand, you need to invest.

When you invest, if it involves changes to your processes, make sure your staff are extremely well trained with any new systems and products.

Leverage technology: if you can use technology to make the shopping experience more interesting or easier, then do it.

Driving Standards Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland has been driving standards in the FTG sector in Ireland for many years through brands like Centra and Daybreak. The

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|25

Food-To-Go work of Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu and Centra, is one of the reasons why people like Gavin Rothwell get such great value out of a retail safari to Ireland.

Notable acquisitions such as Superquinn and more recently, Donnybrook Fair, represented more than just acquisitions by the brand but also the future of the organisation, Kelleher explained. That vision has been playing out in developments such as the Frank & Honest coffee brand and the Caramico pizza offering.

With the high standards of the Irish FTG sector, it is not good enough to put in a coffee machine or add a pizza concession and expect to simply make money in a growing market.

The proposition simply has to be presented to the customer in a way that distinguishes it in a very crowded market.

It is obvious from the way Kelleher speaks that he is not only extremely proud of his own brands, but of the competition those brands face. SuperValu, Centra and the other Musgrave Group brands distinguish themselves on a daily basis in a market with some of the highest standards in the world. In his vision for 2025, Kelleher sees not only strong store growth in Ireland but also continued introduction of new concepts that resonate with Irish consumers.

The Musgrave Chief’s top tips include: • Know your customer, know your market, know your competition and know yourself.

• Research first, then invest.

• When you invest go all in; be confident with your actions.

• Embrace technology to improve your processes.

• Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.

Other speakers on the day included Tormond Lier of Deli de Luca, which is actively looking to enter the Irish market. Tom Fender, MD of Bolt, who explained how the process of staff training has changed dramatically as a result of technology. The day was rounded out by Charlotte Waring, Category Development Manager, Coop; Shane Kavanagh, CEO of Crussh; and Ross Mooney, Head of Sales, Google, who spoke about the potential impact of technologies such as Google Assistant on consumer activity.

The 2019 FTG Summit demonstrated just how high the standards are in the FTG sector here,

Noel Smith, Founder and MD of Fresh, the Good Food Market. as well as the huge potential that the rapidly growing market offers. It is inevitable that the future will see even

more investment, which will drive standards even higher in this incredibly competitive and lucrative market.

A panel discussion at the Food-To-Go Summit.

26|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

CSNA National Conference

CSNA Holds Annual Conference The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association’s National Conference and Gala Dinner was a great success, as the Association revealed its national security report and its new President.

THE Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association recently held its National Conference and Gala Dinner at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin. The action-packed conference schedule included the launch of their remarkable national retail security report, presentations by Charlie Weston and John Teeling, panel discussion and breakout workshops on food, security and growth and development, complete with networking opportunities.

National Security Report The national security report detailed research results conducted by CSNA with the support of BWG Foods and Musgrave Group [for more details, see Page 2]. The survey, completed by 1,820 retailers nationwide, highlighted growing security concerns within our industry.

The conference was free for all CSNA members to attend. Members and media flocked to the venue in their droves to hear the findings of the report, which made for grim reading.

Delivering the report, CSNA CEO, Vincent Jennings called on An Garda Síochána, the judiciary and our elected representatives to act decisively as retailers demand zero tolerance in their fight against crime in our sector.

Insightful Presentations Interesting presentations by Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor, Irish Independent, and John Teeling of 162 Group were very well received. The workshops were both informative and inspiring for all in attendance and the networking was its usual insightful session where retailers got to catch up, talk shop and mingle.

CSNA Immediate Past President Marcella O'Neill is pictured presenting incoming CSNA National President Joe Mannion with the CSNA Presidential chain.

CSNA Mayo Members Joe O’Donnell, Gerry Geraghty and CSNA Vice President Peter Gaughan.

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CSNA National Conference

CSNA President Joe Mannion and CSNA Immediate Past President Marcella O'Neill trying the new VW Caddy thanks to sponsors Frank Hogan, Limerick.

Pictured are CSNA member Shelia Clarke, Senator Michelle Mulhern, CSNA Vice Preseident Peter Gaughan, and CSNA member Catherine Clarke.

Needless to say, the ever-popular Annual Gala Dinner sponsored by The National Lottery was enjoyed by CSNA members, with great representation from the trade in attendance too for what is always one of the social highlights of the year, as guests mingled and chatted while enjoying the excellent food.

Special Thanks CSNA would like to thank Peter Boland of Alliance for Insurance Reform for attending the Gala Dinner even though such was his dedication to the cause that he took time out between courses to Skype interview the Virgin Media Tonight segment on insurance. Comedian Deirdre O’Kane stole the show with a very apt performance, which brought the house down, and that laughter continued well until the early hours.

Pictured during the Panel Discussion are (l-r): Charlie Weston, Irish Independent; Vincent Jennings, CEO, CSNA; Marcella O’Neill, Outgoing National President, CSNA; John Teeling, 162 Group; and Superintendent Kevin Daly.

Paul Thomas and guests enjoying the Gala Dinner sponsored by the National Lottery

Comedian Deirdre O’Kane provided the laughs during the Gala Dinner.

28|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland Annual Lunch

New Chairman at Retail Ireland

A new chairperson was introduced and thorny industry issues were tackled at the Retail Ireland Annual Lunch.

THE second staging of the annual Retail Ireland lunch took place in Dublin last month, following last year's successful inaugural function, allowing outgoing Chairman Willie O'Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods, the opportunity to bid his farewell. O'Byrne acknowledged Leo Crawford, BWG CEO, for granting him time away from his day job to fulfil his role with the representative organisation.

At the event, he passed the baton to incoming Chairman, Maxol Group CEO, Brian Donaldson, who was Vice-Chair during O'Bryne's two-year tenure, while Bernadette Lavery, MD of Boots Ireland, has become Retail Ireland's Vice-Chair in a new era for the representative body.

Donaldson described his new position as an honour. “My goal is to support all of the members of Retail Ireland,” he told the audience.

“With Brian's experience and understanding of the industry, he's perfectly positioned to take on the mantle of Chairman,” added O’Byrne.

A Retail Game-Changer When O'Byrne began this role two years ago, Retail Ireland's strategy, Shaping

the Future of Irish Retail 2020, was in full flight. “We made progress on many of our industry's challenges,” the outgoing Chairman maintained.

“Career development bottlenecks in the sector have been tackled through the expansion of further education and training programmes. I am particularly proud to have sponsored Ireland's first apprenticeship in retail, which will launch in September. This will be a game-changer.”

Donaldson pledged to continue focusing on retail's work force: “Willie has done a sterling job in terms of raising retail's profile. But there are many storms brewing and lots of challenges. It's particularly difficult to retain staff. The retail sector is fighting to hold on to its staff.”

So where next for Retail Ireland now that its strategy is nearing completion?

“We’re thinking about what is next after 2020,” Tom Burke, the organisation's director, told Retail News at the event. “Will 2025 be the next window of opportunity and what happens to the sector in that period? What are the challenges and growth opportunities?”

Upbeat Forecasts Colm McCarthy, economist, commentator, and author of the famous McCarthy report, published during the dark days of the last recession, took to the stage with predictions for the future.

Recovery happened quickly over the last five or six years, he announced. “It's unusual to have five or six years of more or less unbroken growth. At the end of this year, retail sales volume will be up nearly 20%. Forecasts for 2019 are upbeat.”

But some retail companies are in trouble due to a weakening external environment. “Ireland is exposed to the USA as well as to Europe,” explained McCarthy. “A slowdown in the USA hits exports and inward investment.

Medium-term prospects in Europe are not exciting. There are numerous reasons for expecting a slowdown from 2020 onwards.”

Retail volumes have always tended to grow faster than value, Willie O'Byrne told Retail News . “In the grocery sector, we have often traded through protracted periods of deflation. We are still in a period of deflation when it comes to food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|29

Retail Ireland Annual Lunch

Retail Ireland Director Thomas Burke with outgoing Chair of Retail Ireland, Wille O’Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods, and incoming Retail Ireland Chair, Brian Donaldson, CEO of the Maxol Group, and Cate Trotter, Head of Trends at Insider Trends who spoke at the event. beverages. Most products we sell are deflating, while costs are inflating.

We're caught in the middle of that,” he revealed.

In his position as Retail Ireland Chairman, O'Byrne raised Government awareness about the threat posed to retail, in particular the supply chain, from Brexit. “The Government's work to address retail-specific Brexit-related concerns over the last 12 months is testament to that,” he said.

The event gave attendees an opportunity to flag other industry worries. Competitiveness is continuing to be a headache for Retail Ireland's member companies. “We’re seeing wage rates go through the roof,” said Burke. “Rents are creeping up again.

So our members have to maintain competitiveness in order to ensure they can still deliver for the consumer and customer at the right price point.”

The Insurance Issue Insurance costs are continuing to rise, said Donaldson during his time on the stage: “Claims culture is particularly

difficult for us [at Maxol] as a retail investor.”

Fraudulent claims, and other criminal activity, are harming retail, agreed Burke: “The Gardaí’s hands are tied due to limited resources. As retail's representative body, it is our role to engage with them to see what can be done to make sure workplaces in retail environments are safe.”

Combating fake news appeared high on Donaldson's agenda: “One of the things I want to make sure during my chairmanship of Retail Ireland is that the facts are clearly presented at all time,” he announced. Recent media reports have suggested a shift away from diesel sales. But due to a high volume of UK imports coming into the Republic, “the number of diesel registrations has never been as high,” he suggested.

Unattended C-Stores: Myth or Reality?

Retail Ireland's annual lunch concluded with a presentation from Cate Trotter, a retail futurist for UK analyst Insider Trends who has worked with Tesco, Ikea and Unilever, among others. According

Peter Donohue, Group HR Director, BWG Group; Elizabeth Bowen, Senior Executive, Small Firms Association; and Sean Carlin, Network Manager, Retail Ireland Skillnet.

to Trotter, innovations are reshaping the nature of retail and brands. Smart connected hairbrushes from L'Oreal, for example, send hair care data to L'Oreal HQ via an app, which then sends personalised data back to the customer.

“Automation is another way that business can optimise what we do. If there's full employment in Ireland, this is the next thing for your businesses to focus on,” said Trotter, citing the example of unattended convenience vending units in America and Asia. These mobile stores, which can be moved around a city, apparently operate on 15% lower operating costs than convenience stores. “They're offering products at 5% less than their closest competitors, then they keep that remaining 10% in the form of increased margins. We're going to see a lot more of this coming up,” Trotter told the audience.

Could unattended convenience

Incoming Retail Ireland Chair, Brian Donaldson, presents his predecessor, Willie O’Byrne, with a token of appreciation from Retail Ireland. stores become a success in Ireland?

Retailers, and retail employment, play a critical role in Irish communities, said Donaldson. “Stores, shops, supply chains, distribution centres are dotted right around the country.” The Maxol chief said his goal was not only to create more jobs, but to invest in communities.

Part of Retail Ireland's strategy focuses on “the contribution of retail to the wider community and society it serves,” Burke told us at the end of the event. While automation and AI might be taking over in other countries, the human touch is still a vital component of Irish retail.

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32|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Snack Foods

Crunch Talks!

Irish consumers’ love affair with snack foods is alive and well, although healthy and premium products are making a huge impact on how we treat ourselves.

IRELAND’S love of snack foods is nothing new, as we are the second biggest consumers of snack foods in Europe, just behind our neighbours in the UK, yet the breadth of flavours available across snack foods is staggering, with new flavours and high-end artisan snacks making a real impact.

The snack food market is not immune to the overall push towards health and wellness, with Euromonitor International predicting that it will drive growth in the savoury snacks market in the coming years, as sales of vegetable, pulse and bread chips as well as nuts, seed and trail mixes increase. Demand for naturally healthy products and those with fortified functions such as added protein will continue to be seen and popcorn and rice cakes are expected to see dynamic growth.

Premium crisp brands, including hand-cooked and artisan crisps, have grown exponentially in recent years thanks to the popularity of larger sharing bags, not all of which are actually, ahem, shared… One thing is clear, however, our love affair with crisps and snacks is one that will continue to run and run.

Tayto Tayto, The Original Irish Crisp, holds its position as Ireland’s number one crisps and snacks brand with 22.2% market

share, growing 5% (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Total Crisps & Snacks Value MS MAT Apr 2019).

The Tayto brand has a broad ranging portfolio with a crisp and snack for every occasion. Tayto Crisps has seen strong growth under the sub brands Tayto Bistro and Tayto Ripples, with the latter enjoying a successful extension into sharing bags in 2018. The Tayto Snacks range includes family favourites like Snax and Mighty Munch in a variety of impulse, sharing and multipack formats, and Tayto Occasions - perfect for any get together! Tayto Treble Crunch offers a permissible treat with just 99 kcals per pack and late last year they launched the new Treble Crunch Salt & Vinegar which, in amalgamation with its original cheese & onion, is seeing the brand grow double digits (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Total Crisps & Snacks Value MS MAT Apr 2019).

2019 seen the launch of new Tayto Muchos, the Muchos Mexican Snack. The crispy folded tortilla snacks are available in sharing bags across three delicious flavours: Sour Cream & Onion, Nacho Cheese and Smokey Chilli Chicken. The launch was supported with a full ATL comms campaign in March. On TV, we saw Mr Tayto and his Señorita meeting in Coppers before heading back to her place where they made Muchos all night long! The TV ad was accompanied

Tayto is celebrating its 65th birthday, with the launch of National Tayto Day on June 14. by an outdoor campaign with a mix of 48 and 6 sheets, PR and in-store activations which has led to a 5-star launch delivering strong results across the market.

In June, Tayto hits a milestone, celebrating 65 years and in support of this special occasion, launched National Tayto Day on June 14. To mark the celebration, share packs of the flavours that have stood the test of time - Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, Smokey Bacon and Prawn Cocktail were launched.

Tayto will continue to support and develop the range in 2019 with key campaigns and flavours that will capture

34|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Snack Foods the public’s attention and in turn grow sales. Stay tuned.

O’Donnells O’Donnells continues to lead the way as Ireland’s favourite hand cooked crisp brand and holds its position as market leader in the growing premium crisps segment for 2019 (Source: Nielsen Scantrack MAT Value Sales, April 2019).

2018 was a year of firsts for O’Donnells. The Grey’s Anatomy sponsorship on RTE2 saw the brand’s first foray into television, which won a TV Advertising measurement award for the success of a newcomer to TV. This year promises to be equally exciting for the brand! O’Donnells will be returning to screens later this year in a partnership with The Restaurant on Virgin Media.

Judges Marco Pierre White and Rachel Allen will be back and see six celebrities take on the role of head chef for a night.

The six-part series will see the judges savour the flavour of a three-course meal cooked by the mystery guest, and of course enjoy the delicious flavours of O’Donnells crisps!

In July, an exciting on pack offer will launch across O’Donnells’ three bestselling flavours: Mature Irish Cheese & Red Onion, Irish Cider Vinegar & Sea Salt, and Ballymaloe Relish & Cheddar Cheese. The competition will feature five grand prizes and a daily prize giveaway throughout July and August. Keep your eyes peeled in stores later this year for the launch of a new, limited-edition flavour from O’Donnells too.

As always, O’Donnells are sampling and selling their range of six award winning flavours at Bloom in The Park, Taste of Dublin and The National Ploughing Championships,

amongst other key consumer shows this summer. With a combined footfall of nearly 500,000 in attendance, these shows continue to be a staple in the O’Donnells diary every year.

again to demonstrate brand activation in its crispiest form; taking a fantastic product, bringing it to the target audience and enabling success to unfold.

Hunky Dorys Hunky Dorys is Ireland’s number one crinkle crisp brand, with 20% value share and 16.5% volume share of the crisp market (Source: Nielsen, Scantrack, Value & Volume MAT M/A 2019).

Last year, Hunky Dorys represented the biggest share of Hunky Dorys: the ultimate stampede of flavour! voice within crisps and snacks, holding the number one Clintons Crisps position, with 29% share of voice across Cintons Crisps was born when Clinton all brands within this category (Source: brothers, Sean, who has worked in the Vizeum Crisps & Snacks Competitive crisp and snack industry for over 25 Report December 2018). years, and Hunky Dorys is the ultimate hunger Martin, who buster, the most satisfying alternative has a lifetime to a standard crisp. As the sharing experience occasion continues to grow, Hunky growing Dorys offer four delicious core flavours: potatoes, Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, Buffalo decided to and Sour Cream & Onion. Each bag is add value packed full of flavour and attitude, the to potatoes ultimate stampede of flavour! grown on the Coinciding with the excitement of family farm in the Six Nations, Hunky Dorys partnered Skerries, Co. with RTE as official sponsor of the Six Dublin.

Nations coverage across TV and radio.

The Four animated TV stings aired during brand has just February and March, depicting Hunky announced Dorys in the that it is being role of ‘rugby listed by BWG hero’. To further Foods and captivate this Barry Group, audience, Hunky which will see Dorys gave away Clintons Crisps ‘The Ultimate stocked in 5-Day Rugby supermarket Experience’ stores of a trip to the nationwide.

Rugby World With three Cup in Japan flavours in 2019. Watch the range, this space for including the remainder Seared Steak, Clintons Crisps are of 2019 as the Mature available in three excitement of Cheddar and flavours: Seared Hunky Dorys Red Onion, Steak, Mature around the World along with Cheddar and Red Cup period is Classic Sea Onion, and Classic elevated once O’Donnells: Ireland’s favourite hand cooked crisp brand.

Salt and Sea Salt and Vinegar.

More than just Enjoyment

36|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Snack Foods

Clintons Crisps’ 100g sharing bags are available across the country.

Vinegar, Clintons Crisps are gluten free, reach and product accessibility across with no artificial flavours, preservatives retail in Ireland, and we’re confident or GMO ingredients. Using hand cooked, Applegreen will help fuel our continued batch and artisan processing techniques growth. We anticipate a forecasted to ensure the best crunch, Clintons turnover of over €500,000 accumulated Crisps combine their specially selected from all Applegreen retail nationwide, grown potato varieties along with seven and we hope to increase this year on generations of farming expertise to year through enhanced marketing make delicious flavoured crisps with a activity and new product innovation.” real crunch.

Using quality, Irish sourced Available in both individual (40g, ingredients, Everest Snacks offer a RRP €1.30) and sharing packs for all unique, convenient, healthy snack onthe family to enjoy (100g, RRP €2.60), the-go. the recent announcement will see Commenting on the partnership, Clintons Crisps stocked in supermarkets Aaron Duggan, Head of Service Area nationwide including, Spar, EuroSpar, Retail & Food Operations at Applegreen, Mace, Londis, Costcutter, Carry Out, said, “This partnership with Everest Quick Pick and a host of independent Snacks will help us to build on our retail retailers nationwide. strategy, bringing healthy, on-the-go “We’re so excited that our small, home grown brand, Clintons Crisps will now be stocked in supermarkets nationwide,” stressed Sean Clinton of Clintons Crisps. “With seven generations’ farming expertise and using hand cooked methods, we believe our flavoursome crisps will surpass the Seamus Tighe, Founder and MD of Everest Snacks, and taste test with Aaron Duggan, Head of Service Area Retail and Food crisp fans.”

Operations at Applegreen, at Applegreen service station, For more Ballymount, Dublin. information, see clintonsartisancrisps.com. food options to more people across Everest Snacks Ireland. Health and wellness are both Irish brand Everest Snacks has joined top of consumers’ agenda and it plays an forces nationally with convenience and important role in the retail experience forecourt retailer Applegreen. presented to customers by Applegreen, “We are excited to see all of our where both variety and quality are healthy snack product range becoming central to the convenient snacks we available in Applegreen retail,” noted deliver.”

Seamus Tighe, Founder and MD, Everest Everest Snacks’ product portfolio Snacks. includes, Porridge Quickies, which “The Applegreen partnership contain a serving of crunchy toppings strategically broadens our consumer 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.

The more established Everest Yoghurt Granola Cups consist of several different types of seeds and grains, and come in three variations; strawberry protein, raspberry and cocoa. Each are served from a separate sealed lid, which keep them fresh and crunchy.

Everest’s plant-based Protein Snack Bars are currently available in three flavours, Belgian chocolate and caramel, white chocolate and strawberry, and dark chocolate and hazelnut. All three bars have less than 2g of sugar.

Forest Feast Following the success of its inaugural swimming campaign last year, and building on nine years of supporting youth swimming through its AquaSprint sponsorship, Forest Feast is back with a splash with a new campaign to encourage Irish families to go nuts

Forest Feast’s family-orientated campaign is centred around a social media competition to win a family stay at the four-star Roe Park Resort in Limavady. about swimming.

The premium dried fruit, nut, and seed snack brand’s #NutsAboutSwimming campaign is designed to increase engagement levels across the brand’s social communities, promote healthy, active lifestyles and attract new followers with a view to driving in-store consideration.

The family-orientated campaign is centred around a social media competition to win a family stay at the four-star Roe Park Resort in Limavady, which boasts a family friendly pool. The campaign also saw the snack brand team up with local influencers for a learn-toswim challenge which included weekly social media and blog posts, as well as mini competitions on the bloggers’ channels to highlight the campaign and engage with followers and encourage other families to get swimming.

38|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Pet Food

Fur Legged Friends!

Humanisation and premiumisation are key trends in the pet food market, as Irish pet owners treat their four-legged friends as one of the family.

IRISH consumers are increasingly treating their four-legged friends as part of the family, with the pet food market worth over €121m (Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack, incl. Dunnes, Value Sales MAT w/e April 21, 2019).

Demand for premium and more natural brands is growing, with the strongest gains in 2018 seen in premium wet dog and cat food, according to the latest report into the category by Euromonitor International.

The humanisation of pets continues to be a key trend in Ireland, Euromonitor reveal, with trends mirroring those in the human packaged food market, especially when it comes to smaller dog and cat breeds.

In the dog food category, Euromonitor report that premiumisation continued to be seen across the board, as manufacturers focused on offering foods with greater nutritional value, as well as more indulgent products. Strong evidence supports the importance of nutritionally complete dog food, which is

why it is recommended by the majority of

veterinary practitioners. With increasing interest and knowledge in what is truly beneficial to the health and wellbeing of dogs, as well as the fact that dogs are increasingly considered family members, consumers are paying ever more attention to their dogs’ diets.

As in human food, an increasing number of dietary fads are being seen in pet food. Despite little scientific evidence to support their benefits, grain-free, raw and even paleo dog foods are growing in popularity among Irish dog owners, albeit at a slower rate than in the UK or the US. Although dry and wet dog food remain the most vital component of a dog’s diet, dog treats are also assuming greater significance, largely thanks to the pet humanisation trend. Pet owners are finding it increasingly difficult to indulge themselves without sharing the experience with their dogs.

When it comes to our other favourite

pets, though, Euromonitor report that the percentage of households with a cat is stagnating. However, the humanisation trend is extremely prevalent in cat food, particularly as cats tend to be fussy eaters. For this reason, the majority of cats in Ireland are fed specialist cat food, often positioned as premium.

Euromonitor predict that premium wet cat food is expected to continue to perform well in both volume and value terms. Wet food is often preferred by cats, while also being more convenient for owners thanks to the prevalence of single-serve packs, which support portion control and thus help avoid waste.

Today’s consumers are becoming better educated as to the impact of diet and nutrition on cats’ overall health and life expectancy. Alongside this, vets are progressively promoting the feeding of specific types of cat food to improve quality of life over the long term.

*Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack including Dunnes, Value Sales MAT w/e 21st April 2019. ®Reg. Trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

Stock up on the

Wet Cat Sin Serve Brand*

No.1 Best Sellinggle

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

Pet Food Felix Felix, from Nestlé Purina Pet Care, is the number one selling wet cat single serve brand in Ireland, delivering over €8m to retailers annually and is growing at +5.7% year on year (Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack, incl. Dunnes, Value Sales MAT w/e April 21, 2019).

Sales of pet food in Ireland are worth over €121m. Sales of Single Serve cat food pouches are worth almost €27m. This is almost four times the value of traditional multi-serve cans, which are worth just €7.6m (Source:

Felix As Good As It Looks is prepared with tender fish or meaty pieces in a succulent jelly, to provide tasty meals that look homemade.

presents a great sales opportunity for retailers. Shoppers are also increasingly seeking out more premium cat food as an everyday option for their cats.

Felix As Good As It Looks is the most popular and most premium everyday offering, growing at +12% YoY. Prepared with tender fish or meaty pieces in a succulent jelly, it provides tasty meals that look homemade.

This year’s innovation is Felix As Good As It Looks Gravy Lover, which is a range of meals with even more of the irresistible gravy that cats love. Each delicious recipe is made with tender, mouth-watering pieces that are served in a generous portion of tasty gravy. And what’s more, every meal in the range is 100% complete and balanced.

The cat snack sector is worth €3.4m and gives retailers an opportunity to win an incremental impulse purchase. Felix Goody Bag cat snacks are the fastest growing cat snack brand at +10.4% (Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack, incl. Dunnes, Value Sales MAT w/e April 21, 2019). There's nothing more mouth-watering than a trio of delicious flavours packed in one tasty bag, which is why cats love Felix Goody Bag cat treats.

As the number one wet cat single serve brand in Ireland, you can rely on

Nielsen Total Scantrack, incl. Dunnes, Value Sales MAT w/e April 21, 2019).

The cat food category is worth almost €50m, so cat owners are spending a lot on their cats, which

New Felix As Good As It Looks Gravy Lover is a range of meals with even more of the irresistible gravy that cats love.

Felix Goody Bag cat snacks feature a trio of delicious flavours packed in one tasty bag.

The Felix brand from Nestlé Purina Pet Care.

Felix to deliver sales. This number one position is being supported throughout 2019 with TV advertising, in-store activations and digital campaigns.

Naturo ‘Chef’s Selection’ Launched less than a year ago in August 2018, Naturo Chef’s Selection from Mackle Petfoods in Co. Tyrone is a sign to the market that the company is a serious contender in the premium natural pet food market. The company launched its multi-million-euro Naturo natural pet food range in 2010 and in keeping with its culture of constant innovation, responding to customer feedback and market trends, spotted the opportunity in recent years to develop an even more high-end product.

The entire Naturo Chef’s Selection range is made from 100% fully traceable natural ingredients and each has been selected for its contribution to help maintain pet health. Included in the ingredients are chicken, lamb and turkey, apple cider vinegar, quinoa, coconut and chickpeas, cranberries, blueberries and sweet potato.

Mackle Petfoods is the first pet food manufacturer in Ireland and the UK to include apple cider vinegar in its recipes, an innovation based on its health-giving properties. In addition to acting as a natural anti-inflammatory, apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which is efficiently metabolised by dogs and may help support against hypertension and reduced cholesterol levels. As well as being stringently tested for taste, Naturo Chef’s Selection is also appropriate for dogs who have allergies.

In the 10 months since Naturo Chef’s Selection appeared on shelves across Ireland, the UK and mainland

It’s only natural to care for each other.

Naturo. It’s only Natural.

The entire Naturo range is perfectly balanced and provides a nutritious diet for dogs and cats. We only use quality, natural ingredients supplemented with essential vitamins, minerals and oils.

There are no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives in the Naturo pet food range.

ILABLE IN ALSO AVA CKS PA G 0 15

Turkey

with Quinoa, Cranberries, Sweet Potato and Cider Vinegar

ILABLE IN ALSO AVA CKS PA G 0 15

Lamb

with Chickpeas, Blueberries, Mixed Peppers and Cider Vinegar

ILABLE IN ALSO AVA CKS PA G 0 15

Chicken

with Coconut, Goji berries, Kale and Cider Vinegar

www.naturopetfoods.com www.naturopetfoods.com /naturopetfood /naturopetfood

@naturopetfood @naturopetfood

@naturopetfood @naturopetfood

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Pet Food

The entire Naturo Chef’s Selection range from Mackle Petfoods is made from 100% fully traceable natural ingredients and each has been selected for its contribution to help maintain pet health.

Europe, it has been nominated in several award categories. Most recently it picked up the prize for best new product launch at the Ulster Grocer Awards and a ‘highly commended’ in the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards innovation category.

The proof of the pudding is of course, in the eating; Naturo Chef’s Selection was an instant hit with Mackle

Pictured are Claire McNally and Laura Rafferty from the Naturo Marketing Team, with Holly the retriever, launching Naturo Chef’s Selection.

Petfoods’ online customer base and site analytics suggest that existing Naturo customers were trialling and then switching to the new premium range.

Google analytics and site reports also indicated that new visitors were coming to the site to purchase the range. In the 12 weeks after Naturo Chef’s Selection was launched in Tesco stores, sales increased by 31% and between product launch in Morrisons (UK) stores on January 4 and February 11 of this year, sales increased by almost 400%! The range is available in 150g and 400g sealed recyclable plastic trays.

“Mackle Petfoods is a family business for family pets; our Naturo range is very important to us as it is so popular with families, who like us, love their pets,” said Laura Rafferty, Naturo interim Marketing Manager. “The many benefits from Naturo led us to develop a more focused health range, Chefs Selection. It’s grain free, contains only the best and healthiest ingredients with multiple benefits for dogs, and what’s more, we already know that dogs and owners love it. “ Homestead “The Homestead Paws Pet Food is one we don’t often shout about,” admits Janice Gibney, Homestead Brand Manager. “As demand from consumers grows for value for money pet food, Paws definitely offers the consumer a choice of value for money options for their furry family members.”

Homestead’s great value for money pet care range consist of Complete Dog

Homestead’s great value for money pet care range includes Paws Complete Dog Food in 2.5kg bags with 60% extra free.

Food available in 10k & 2.5kg +60% Free Bags and both Premium Cat and Premium Dog canned.

The premiumisation and humanisation of pets are the leading trends in premium and wet food spaces.

The dog food market volume sales are increasing year on year by up to 3% and the rising demand for private label products is driving economy dry dog food.

“2019 will see continuous reevaluation of our Paws Pet Food range to ensure we are offering consumers great products at great prices,” concluded Janice Gibney.

44|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Personal Care

Sophie’s Choice Sophie Galvani, Global Brand Vice President for Dove, talks us through the latest project in the company’s ongoing campaign to change how women are portrayed in the media.

DOVE has consistently challenged the accepted norms when it comes to its advertising campaigns, shattering the unrealistic images portrayed in most posters and advertisements.

“For over 60 years, we have believed in liberating women from narrow beauty ideals and have showcased beauty diversity in our advertising. However, this is not enough, and we cannot make the systemic change we need alone,” explains Global Vice President of Dove, Sophie Galvani, who has called for a societal shift on the way women are portrayed in the media.

Galvani was talking at the launch of Dove’s latest project, a partnership with Getty Images and Girlgaze to create the world’s largest stock library of unedited women and non-binary people in a bid to change public perception of women.

The project, named #ShowUs, calls on the advertising and marketing industry to better represent the real identity of women. The images are now available to view, licence and use in projects and campaigns. More than 5,000 images are available, with the shots were taken by 116 Girlgaze photographers.

Retail News caught up with Sophie Galvani on her recent whirlwind visit to Ireland. Having joined Unilever in 1996, as part of its marketing graduate trainee scheme, she has worked on many Unilever brands locally, regionally and globally. She has headed the Dove Masterbrand since 2015 and is a passionate advocate of Dove’s enduring mission to change the way women are portrayed in the media.

The advertising industry has a long history of creating unrealistic images of models, with the result that 70% of women do not feel represented in advertising. How do we revolutionise an industry with such an ingrained history?

This is why it is important for us to

address the issue at the source. media and advertisers go to image banks to use the existing stock imagery there in their advertising campaigns and articles. If that imagery is clichéd, narrow and generally unrepresentative of how women look and their roles, then the consequence is that this is what is shown to the outside and women don’t feel represented.

Why is Dove taking a stand on this?

Dove has showcased a diversity of women in its advertising since it launched over 60 years ago. The campaign for real beauty in 2004 was a step change in how women were represented in the beauty industry. However, it is not enough. We now need to go further than Dove advertising campaigns and create a big resource for all brands and media to be Sophie Galvani, Global Brand Vice President, Dove. able to tap into to create the systemic change we need. between those ages. We work with the leading academics to ensure it is Why is the Self Esteem project so objectively proven to be beneficial and important to Dove? have a positive impact. We have reached Dove’s mission is to make beauty an over 35m young people in 140 countries inclusive experience for all women. It around the world to date and counting. is important the next generation grow up feeling confident in their appearance Is there a responsibility on brands, so that they participate fully in life. particularly beauty and cosmetics We know that a girl’s self-esteem brands, to (a) represent real people in plummets between the ages of 10-17. their campaigns and (b) to stop creating That affects their relationships, their unrealistic and unattainable ideals or health and their confidence to speak up. targets?

The dove Self Esteem project provides Ultimately, women want to see real and a positive educational intervention diverse women looking back at them

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|45

Personal Care

“

Women want to see real and diverse women looking back at them from media and advertising and yet we know that 70% of women say they still don’t feel represented.

There is a mantra that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and if a woman feels invisible, either in appearance or role in life, that can affect her reaching her full potential.

”

from media and advertising and yet we know that 70% of women say they still don’t feel represented. There is a mantra that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and if a woman feels invisible, either in appearance or role in life, that can affect her reaching her full potential. Anyone that believes in the value of what women have to offer the world has to feel the responsibility to represent us as we truly are.

How, as a society, do we go about improving young people’s low body esteem?

We need to provide awareness that sometimes the images they are seeing are not real. We need to teach them to value things other than how they look. We need to educate them on how things can filter through to them subliminally and how to counteract that.

We need to make them aware of how they are speaking to their friends about appearance. Ultimately, we need to provide the alternatives - imagery and entertainment - to balance the world.

What role can brands play in that journey?

Dove is present in 171 countries and a Dove product is used 4,500 times every second of every day. We have a responsibility to contribute to positive social change, both in the actions we take towards beauty inclusiveness for women and self esteem for girls but also in how we bring accessible products to people in a sustainable way.

Last year, Dove pledged to end digital distortion of photos used in its campaigns. has that been achieved and how successful has it been?

Dove has not digitally distorted images of women in its advertising for decades.

However, in 2018, we wanted to make a more public commitment to that and signpost it on all our advertising with the Dove ‘No Digital Distortion Mark’.

It helps drive awareness of the prevalence of distortion in the beauty industry and reminds women and girls that what they see if often not real. It will also encourage others to follow suit.

#showus is Dove’s latest project, a partnership with Getty Images and Girlgaze to create the world’s largest stock library of unedited women and non-binary people in a bid to change public perception of women.

What was the reaction from consumers to the move?

Our research clearly indicates that women are asking for more real images. The response to this has been overwhelmingly positive.

individual featured and is not digitally distorted. All images are situated on Getty Images, one of the largest creators and distributors of stock imagery in the world, under Project #showus and we are inviting brands and media outlets to use them. 10% of the license fee of every image goes into directly funding more photoshoots and growing the bank even further.

The #showus campaign is your latest photography project, along with Getty Images and Girlgaze. Talk us through it and what you hope it will achieve?

70% of women say they still don’t feel represented in media and advertising, which increases appearance anxiety, impacting on everything from confidence levels to opportunities in life. Photo libraries are commonly used by media and advertisers to source images.

Project #showus is the world’s largest stock photo library created by Dove, Getty Images, Girlgaze and women and non-binary individuals from around the world. The library contains 6,000 images and counting from 39 countries. Each image is approved and tagged by the

How important are initiatives like #showus, No Digital Distortion and your collaboration with Cartoon Network in shaping the future of the beauty market and its consumers?

We have a responsibility to effect positive social change in the world. Dove takes that responsibility very seriously and are extremely proud to work alongside the best academics in the field of appearance research and with partners with the same values as we do, to effect this change we wish to see. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with us all to raise the next generation to have a healthy relationship with the way they look to enable them to live their lives to their full potential.

46|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Personal Care

Nivea Men Introduces the Ultimate Stubble Companion New Nivea Men Sensitive Skin & Stubble Lotion is the latest edition to the popular Nivea Men Sensitive Shave Range.

NIVEA Men, Ireland’s number male facecare brand (Source: Neilson ROI Extended Scantrack 52-week data to June 17, 2018) and the official men’s grooming supplier to Liverpool FC, is helping men embrace their facial hair. With 65% of men claiming to have sensitive skin, the new Nivea Men Sensitive Skin & Stubble Lotion is the perfect addition to any bathroom cabinet, no matter what your facial hair look is.

The Nivea Men Sensitive Skin & Stubble Lotion is the latest edition to the popular Nivea Men Sensitive Shave Range that has been specially created to relieve sensations of sensitive skin.

A Unique Formula to Soothe & Protect Nivea Men Sensitive ranges combines

a unique formula to soothe and protect sensitive skin. With 0% ethyl alcohol, this product range will leave sensitive skin feeling great after a shave. The range includes cleansing, shaving, postshaving, facecare and body products.

Whether men are sporting a 5 o’clock shadow, next day growth, or few-

Nivea Men is the official men’s grooming supplier to Liverpool FC.

Nivea Men Sensitive Skin & Stubble Lotion is specifically designed to leave skin feeling smooth and stubble soft.

day-old stubble, Nivea Men Sensitive Skin & Stubble Lotion is specifically designed to leave skin feeling smooth and the stubble soft: a perfect everyday companion for men to use after a shave and in between shaving days.

The formula, which contains 0% alcohol, Chamomile and Almond Oil, moisturises and calms the skin as well as softening stubble as it grows. The balm is non-greasy, leaving skin feeling comfortable and soft.

48|Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie

Waste Management

Repak Addresses the Plastics Challenge Brian Walsh, Packaging Technologist, Repak, advises on how new legislation governing plastic packaging could impact on your business and explains the Repak Member’s Pledge on Plastic Packaging Waste.

REPAK is a not for profit organisation set up by industry in 1997. As a packaging compliance scheme, we help our network of members to comply with EU packaging waste legislation.

Repak has over 3,000 member companies, including manufacturers, supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, hotels and other businesses who produce or sell packaging. Repak members are committed to meeting their obligations to help fund recycling in Ireland and help pay for the collection of Ireland’s household recycling bins, and civic amenity sites and bottle banks around the country. Indeed, Repak members have helped fund the recycling of over 11m tonnes of packaging waste in Ireland since 1997.

If your business has a turnover of greater than €1m and places 10 tonnes or more of packaging on the Irish market, then Repak can help you with your obligation to help fund recycling in Ireland, and our team of industry experts can also help provide clarity on

if and how the following updates may affect your business: 1. Plastics and The EU’s Circular Economy Package Plastics have been receiving a lot of media attention in recent times, predominantly driven by ocean pollution concerns and the potential impact on marine life and human health when discarded irresponsibly. As a result, our relationship with plastics is now changing, with some consumers reducing their use of single use plastics.

The EU’s Circular Economy Package will also impact on plastic packaging choices in the near future and will have significant implications for how we design packaging in the future.

A key part of the EU’s Circular Economy Package is the first ever Europe wide strategy on plastics. This strategy aims to ensure that all plastic packaging on the EU market will be recyclable by 2030.

2. The Single Use Plastics Directive The Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive also forms part of the EU’s Plastic strategy and will restrict certain plastic items from being placed on the market where there is an alternative material available. Items subject to a ban will include plastic straws (often provided with beverage cartons), plastic cutlery (provided with on-the-go salad or fruit bowls), and certain packaging items made from expanded polystyrene.

In addition, the legislation will also include consumption reduction targets for certain SUP items, such as food containers made from other plastics, binding targets for recycled content in

plastic bottles of up to 30% by 2030, and design restrictions that mean that caps must be tethered to plastic bottles when discarded.

There will also be increased collection targets set for plastic bottles of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2030 and the possibility of extended producer responsibility schemes for certain SUP items, which could mean that producers placing single use plastics on the market pay towards litter clean-up costs.

It is expected that the SUP Directive will become EU law during 2019 and

“

There will be increased collection targets set for plastic bottles of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2030 and the possibility of extended producer responsibility schemes for certain SUP items, which could mean that producers placing single use plastics on the market pay towards litter clean-up costs.

”

Retail News|June 2019|www.retailnews.ie|49

Waste Management PAKMAN AWARDS LAUNCHED THE 2019 Pakman Awards, powered

by Repak, have launched their search to find environmental champions who are shaping Ireland’s future. Now in their fifth year, the Pakman Awards recognise excellence in sustainability, recycling and efforts to reduce climate change. Organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals in Ireland are all eligible to enter. Entering the 2019 Pakman Awards is free, and nominations will close at midnight on August 31, 2019.

For more information, visit www.pakman.ie.

Brian Walsh, Packaging Technologist, Repak. therefore, Irish law by 2021 at the latest.

We will keep in touch with you on the implications of this over the coming months.

3. Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive The EU’s circular economy package also includes new legislation. The Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive has already been amended and approved by the EU and will become Irish law in May 2020.

Ireland already exceeds all of the packaging recycling targets originally set out in the previous version of this legislation and has even achieved many of the 2025 targets set out in the new legislation for materials such as glass and wood.

However, despite exceeding the previous target for plastic packaging recycling of 22.5%, our greatest challenge now is to improve the current plastic packaging recycling rate of 36% to meet new EU targets of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030.

In 2018, Repak launched its ‘Plastic Packaging Recycling Strategy 2018-2030’, which sets out the actions required to achieve these challenging targets. One of these actions includes the Repak members’ pledge on plastic packaging waste.

Repak Member’s Pledge on Plastic Packaging Waste Achieving our aims will require Repak and all of its stakeholders to work together. As a result, we developed the Repak Member’s Pledge on Plastic Packaging Waste in September 2018. To date, almost 70 Repak members have signed.

The Pledge was officially launched by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment,

Richard Bruton TD in May 2019, who welcomed the success of the Repak ‘Plastic Pledge’ initiative, which will see over 10,600 tonnes of plastic packaging diverted from waste by the end of 2019.

The Pledge states as follows: “As a member of Repak, we are committed to reducing plastic packaging waste and helping Ireland to play its part in achieving the key goals set out within the EU Circular Economy Package.

“We continue to work with our suppliers, customers and the public to achieve the following objectives:

to plastic packaging reduction is aligned to Ireland‘s goal of a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030 as set out in Ireland’s food waste charter.”

By signing the Repak Plastics Pledge, you are proactively helping Ireland to achieve a circular economy for packaging.

For more information on Repak Member’s Pledge on Plastic Packaging Waste or to avail of the (free to Repak Members) Prevent & Save Programme, please contact either Brian Walsh (01 4619205) or Colm Munnelly (01 4619237), or email prevention@repak.ie for more information.

RECYCLING MATTERS TO CONSUMERS A new research study by Repak reveals that: • 99% of Irish people feel Irish companies have a responsibility to play a role in reducing the impact of climate change; • 96% of those polled would be more inclined to shop or engage with a company who had been rewarded for tackling climate change; • Almost three quarters (72%) make a conscious choice to only shop or engage with Irish companies who are contributing to protecting the environment; • Despite a quarter not knowing what Irish companies are doing to protect the environment, 99% feel that businesses in Ireland have a responsibility to be eco-conscious; • A third (33%) don’t know what measures organisations in Ireland are taking to reduce the impact of climate change.

1. Prioritise the prevention of plastic packaging waste by minimising avoidable single use packaging and promoting packaging reuse where possible.

2. Support Ireland to deliver the Circular Economy Package plastic recycling targets of 50% of all plastics by 2025 and 55% of all plastic packaging by 2030, as set by the European Commission.

3. Reduce complexity within the plastic packaging supply chain by simplifying polymer usage and eliminating non-recyclable components in all plastic packaging by 2030.

4. Help to build a circular economy for used plastic packaging in Ireland and Europe by increasing the use of plastic packaging with a Pictured at the official launch of Repak Member’s recycled Pledge on Plastic Packaging Waste are Minister for content.

Communications, Climate Action and Environment, 5. Ensure our Richard Bruton TD, and Séamus Clancy, Repak CEO. approach

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

Waste Management

MyWaste Recycling Symbols Launched Ireland’s official guide to waste management, www.mywaste.ie, launches recycling symbols.

MyWaste is the official guide for Irish waste management, developed by the Regional Waste Management Offices on behalf of the Department of Climate Action, Communications and the Environment. They have a clear objective: to better inform householders on waste management.

so that our consumption of resources is as efficient as possible.

The MyWaste project has developed a set of MyWaste Recycling Labels specifically for the Irish market and Irish companies are starting to use these symbols to help consumers with waste disposal.

What, Where, Why? Packaging labels and recycling symbols are used to guide citizens to make the right choices when disposing of their waste. Correct disposal of packaging is vitally important to the circular economy,

The labels are supported with a dedicated page on My Waste.ie and instore POS assets such as retail posters, shelf talkers and bin labels have been made available. Retailers who would like to support the project are encouraged to get in touch with MyWaste to avail of these materials.

Let your product become the conscious Irish consumer’s first choice.

BE THE FIRST CHOICE FOR THE CONSCIOUS IRISH CONSUMER. MyWaste are launching their new recycling symbols to add to your packaging.

To support the project and avail of in-store POS materials, contact us on www.mywaste.ie

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Waste Management

Battery and Electrical Recycling: Know Your Obligations WEEE Ireland is a not for profit organisation, committed to delivering cost effective compliance on behalf of our members. It represents 96% of the Irish battery industry and 74% of the household electrical and electronic industry. Retailers selling electrical items or batteries in-store have additional obligations under the WEEE and Battery Regulations.

They have to: •

• •

Display the applicable Environmental Management Cost on the price notice relating to each item of EEE (electrical and electronic equipment); Take back WEEE of similar type on a one-for-one, like for like basis, free of charge and promote instore; Ensure that all items of EEE or batteries distributed are placed on

TACKLE THE

5 SIGNS OF SKIN IRRITATION

• •

the market by a registered producer; Ensure that WEEE is stored correctly and transferred to contractors operating on behalf of WEEE Ireland; Keep records relating to quantities of WEEE taken back, stored and removed from premises.

Battery Retailers However, if you only sell batteries and not electrical and electronic equipment, you do not have such onerous obligations. Battery retailers are not required to register with a local authority if they only sell portable batteries only (e.g. AA, AAA, Cell C, Cell D etc.).

However, they are required to take back waste batteries from members of the public free of charge. Take-back is on a one for zero basis (i.e. no purchase necessary). However, a retailer is not obligated to take back waste batteries that are leaking.

Battery retailers are obliged to dispose of, store and transport waste batteries as required by the Regulations, and can drop portable batteries at the local civic amenity facility Battery retailers should only distribute products from the registered producer supply chain. Retailers should check invoices issued from supplier or check out producer listing at: www.producerregister.ie.

For more information on this, see www.weeeireland.ie/retailers/.

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Energy

How SEAI Can Help You Save Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland advise on ways to save substantially on your energy bills.

SMEs play a vital role in the Irish economy, providing over 90% of national employment and contributing significantly to GDP and export income.

Collectively, they also account for a significant portion of national energy demand. In the coming years, Ireland must use less energy, move to clean energy, and innovate to create new solutions to meet our energy needs.

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is leading the transition to smarter and more sustainable energy activities and can support you through: • Financial supports; • Training and advisory services; • Education; • Business audits.

energy use.

Learn how to lower or avoid any penalty charges.

• Review your energy contracts every year and tender them at •

•

least every two years.

Attend a short training session on understanding your energy bills from SEAI – by attending one of our workshops in January 2019,

Saving energy cuts your costs and makes business sense for you. The energy savings you make can be invested in more productive activities, making you more resilient and competitive. It also contributes to a better, cleaner environment for our future.

Top Tips to Help you Save You can easily save up to 5% on your energy bills through simple behavioural measures: • • • •

You know your own business – look around, if energy is wasted then so is your profit!

Contact SEAI about availing of an energy audit for your business Get to know your energy bills: Talk to your energy supplier and make sure that you measure your

In the coming years, move to clean energy and innovate to create new solutions to meet our energy needs.

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Energy Case Study SUPERVALU Glanmire, Co. Cork, saved €66,000 in energy costs per year. Liam Ryan, store owner of SuperValu, Glanmire, completed an energy upgrade to his store. He upgraded the refrigerators, lights and heating system. As a result, the shop is brighter and more comfortable for both customers and staff. He is now saving €66,000 a year and has reduced carbon emissions by the equivalent of removing 88 cars off the roads. The payback period is four years.

Energy savings can be invested in more productive activities, making your business more resilient and competitive.

• • • • • •

one company identified savings of €6,000 on the spot!

Heating is a major contributor to energy costs: Lower your thermostat by 1 degree; Save up to 30% by setting and checking timers on heating and cooling systems; Properly maintain your heating and cooling systems to keep them working at maximum efficiency.

Switch off your lights and electrical equipment when not in use.

Ensure you are using the correct lighting levels for different tasks.

Saving Money on Refrigeration Costs Refrigeration is a significant source of energy consumption for many retailers.

These tips will help you save energy and money.

• •

•

• • •

When buying a refrigerator, make sure it is energy efficient and the correct size for your needs.

Refrigeration equipment should be located out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources e.g. hot food counters.

There should be enough space around the unit (at least 500mm) to enable good air flow and heat removal.

Ensure your system is fully serviced by a refrigeration technician at least once a year.

Ensure that fridges have doors and that they are kept closed.

Do not overload the fridge or obstruct the fan for maximum efficiency.

• •

• • •

•

•

•

Check and clean door seals weekly.

Visually check condensers regularly to ensure they are free of litter and other clutter which will affect the ability to expel hot air.

Condenser fins should be cleaned regularly with a vacuum.

Ensure coolant pipes are correctly insulated.

You can save up to 20%, depending on your fridge or freezer type, through upgrading controls for the heaters that remove condensation.

Defrost freezers to manufacturers’ instructions and install a demand controller to reduce the need for defrosting.

Install a frost sensor. It is inexpensive and could save 10% of the power used by the refrigeration unit.

Install energy efficient LEDs in your fridges and freezers. In addition to using less electricity, they also emit less heat than their counterparts.

Improving Your Energy Savings To save up to 10% on your energy bills, you will need to introduce a structured approach to managing energy use, ensuring that you get all your staff on board. The companies that have succeeded in reducing their energy consumption will typically involve the entire workforce and show leadership from the top.

SEAI has found that in order to increase energy savings to up to 20%, you may need to make a modest investment.

To achieve savings of more than 20%, this may require higher levels of investment.

Financial Supports for Business from SEAI The window for 2019 SME grants is now closed. However, a new range of financial supports specific to the SME sector will open in 2020. Register your interest by signing up to the newsletter: www.seai.ie/energy-in-business/smebusiness-supports/.

Currently businesses can access financial supports for upgrades to heat pumps through the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat: www.seai.ie/ sustainable-solutions/support-schemerenewable-/.

The SEAI EXEED certified grant scheme is designed for organisations who are planning an investment project that will improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. SEAI provides grant support of up to €500,000 per year.

Projects that implement the SEAI EXEED process can save up to 30% in energy use. Find out more here: www.seai.ie/ grants/business-grants/exeed-certifiedgrant/.

If your company is spending over €250,000 per year on your energy bills, then SEAI’s Project Assistance grants can fund a project that reduces energy consumption and costs. Find out more here: www.seai.ie/grants/businessgrants/project-assistance-grants/.

The Accelerated Capital Allowance scheme allows a company to deduct the full cost of specific energy saving equipment from their profits in the year of purchase, as opposed to over the standard eight-year period. Find out more here: www.seai.ie/energyin-business/accelerated-capitalallowance/.

To find out more about SEAI supports and sign up to their newsletter, visit www.seai.ie or register your interest at business@seai.ie.

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Bloom 2019

A Blooming Success Bord Bia’s Bloom 2019 attracted over 115,000 visitors, with sustainability and biodiversity taking centre stage.

OVER 115,000 people, including 20,000 children, attended Bord Bia’s Bloom festival, which saw the cream of Ireland’s horticulture and food & drink industry on display in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, over the June bank holiday weekend, “We are proud that Bloom continues to evolve and this year’s show so accurately reflected our changing times and the mood of the nation. Important stories and conversations around the key themes of sustainability and biodiversity have taken place across nearly every aspect of the show,” noted Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO. “Our show gardens, postcard gardens and panel discussions highlighted key issues from climate change, environmentally friendly packaging and the importance of physical and mental well-being, to protecting Ireland’s indigenous bee population and the need to safeguard our marine environments.”

Bloom 2019 was also a hive of activity for business, with Bord Bia estimating spend on-site over the five days as €10m-plus. Over 250 UK and Irish food buyers attended Bord Bia’s trade breakfast for face-to-face meetings with over 100 food and drink companies. “Bloom has a strong track record of delivering sales and new business for those exhibiting, both here on-site and in the key months following the festival,” Tara McCarthy noted.

Indeed, the food area was particularly busy this year, with most of the producers Retail News spoke to, extremely upbeat about business at Bloom 2019.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD with Kieran Rumley, Executive Director at Love Irish Food.

Love Irish Food Love Irish Food was involved at Bloom for the eighth year, and this year their member brand marquee was themed around ‘Meeting the Brexit Challenge’.

Their marquee featured an array of food producers who run SMEs employing local people from every corner of the country, including newcomers and household names like Flahavan’s, Manor Farm, East Coast Bakehouse, O’Donnell’s Crisps, Ballymaloe Foods and McCambridge Bread.

“With Brexit fast approaching, it is important that Irish shoppers can

identify locally produced food brands, with the Love Irish Food logo, and to understand their importance and contribution to local communities throughout Ireland,” said Kieran Rumley, Executive Director, Love Irish Food. “A total of €3.7 billion of food was imported from the UK last year. Ireland imported 77% of yogurts sold in supermarkets; €200m worth of biscuits; 22 containers per week of chicken breast; 72,000 tons of potatoes, nearly 1 billion equivalent cans of soft drinks, as well as 70m litres of mineral water. Brexit will likely see the imposition of tariffs on UK

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Bloom 2019 Blackwater Distillery were another gold medal winner for their bespokedesigned garden in the best medium sized garden category, making it the drinks industry’s first gin garden.

FBD Insurance was the main sponsor of Bloom, for the third consecutive year. According to Bord Bia,

Garden designer Oliver Sherman and BIM CEO, Jim O'Toole (right), at Aquamarine, the BIM underwater garden at Bloom. products exported to Ireland, providing an opportunity for Irish owned brands to challenge their UK counterparts in supermarkets throughout Ireland and the Love Irish Food marquee at Bloom is a great opportunity to see some of these remarkable Irish products.”

Show Gardens In keeping with the festival’s focus on recycling and sustainability, many of this year’s show gardens are being rehomed post-show.

The fish species and almost 30,000 cubic litres of Atlantic sea water used in the Aquamarine garden, for example, were returned to the sea and all of the materials used in the garden have been either salvaged or recycled and will be reused. The overall winner in the concept garden category at Bloom 2019,

the marine garden brimmed with sea life, from different types of seaweeds to fish species native to Irish waters The Bord Iascaigh Mhara sponsored garden, supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Aquamarine highlights the need to protect Ireland’s marine environment against plastic waste.

“Marine, human and all other life is contingent upon a marine environment that’s clean and free from pollution and plastics,” said Jim O’Toole, CEO, BIM. “Every item of plastic that surrounds the garden at Bloom is a real example of marine litter that has been collected by fishermen and members of the wider fishing and seafood industry in Ireland.

Sustainability is central to BIM’s strategy and it’s the driving force for men and women working in the seafood industry in Ireland.”

FBD Insurance were the sponsors of Bloom. Pictured in the FBD Garden are Colum, Faolán and Ruairí Snell from Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. plans and preparations are already well underway for Bloom 2020, with many show gardens, sponsors and designers already signed up. For more information, see www.bloominthepark.com.

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What's New HIDDEN HEROES AIMS TO GET MORE KIDS EATING VEG

LIDL WHISKY WINS TOP AWARD

ONE Irish mum’s mission to get more children eating vegetables has led her to develop an award winning blog, two bestselling cookbooks and a new range of convenient veggie packed nuggets for kids. The Hidden Heroes range was developed by Aileen Cox Blundell to offer a healthy alternative for time-poor parents who are looking for a nutritional alternative to the often sugar and saltladen convenient foods targeted at children. The range includes Hidden Heroes Super Golden Veggie Nuggets: sweet potato, carrot and chickpea in a crispy golden crumb; Hidden Heroes Mighty Green Veggie Nuggets: broccoli, spinach and chickpea nuggets in a crispy golden crumb; Hidden Heroes Purple Power Veggie Nuggets: beetroot, sweet potato and chickpea nuggets in a crispy golden crumb.

LIDL’S Queen Margot Blended Scotch Whisky 40% was named one of the best scotch whiskies in the world at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge. This blended Scotch Whisky has been expertly created using traditional methods and only the finest ingredients. Mellowed for eight years in oak casks, this whisky is smooth with a rich sweetness and depth of flavour, leaving a warm, lingering finish. This award winning Scotch whisky is available in Lidl’s 160 stores nationwide for just €18.99.

WATERWIPES EMBRACES REALITY OF PARENTHOOD WATERWIPES has launched #ThisIsParenthood, a global project documenting the realities of parenthood aimed at breaking taboos and normalising honest conversation around parenting. The need for greater honesty in culture around parenthood inspired the work, which disrupts this unrealistic image of parenting by documenting the realities of parenting across the world. The project consists of a collection of intimate narratives across 86 parents and follows the first year of parenthood, talking openly about the highs and lows. These stories are captured in a 16-minute documentary, 12 short films, 36 Instagram story films and a suite of photography that aims to portray real parenting like never before.

UNCORK THE PASSION OF SPAIN STRICTLY for the connoisseur, Rioja wine estate, Marqués de Cáceres has released its latest edition wine, Generacion MC 2016, complete with a limited edition label, which appears on just 2,500 of the almost 16,000 bottles in the latest vintage. The striking label is inspired by the passion and tradition of Flamenco high fashion. Designed in partnership with SIMOF (the Salón Internacional de la Moda Flamenca), the MC bottle celebrates the history shared between winemaking and flamenco.

The new and elegant design is also the first to demonstrate the wine’s new name, Generacion MC. Formerly named MC, the 2016 vintage has been aged in bottle for a minimum of six months, providing an ABV of 14%.

GLENILEN FARM LAUNCHES LIVE YOGI CHILDREN’S RANGE GLENILEN Farm has added a range of children’s yogurts, ‘Live Yogi’ to their portfolio of over 50 products. The children’s range, designed to function as a healthy snack for kids, is produced on the family farm, made with live yogurt, just a few simple ingredients, and no “nasties” and will offer a greater choice to Irish consumers who want to purchase Irish produced children’s yogurts. The Live Yogi range of three flavours includes Strawberry, Vanilla and Banana, all of which are served in perfect kids sized portions (90g), with 4 x 90g available in a multi-pack.

CARBERY CLAIMS GOLD AT BRITISH CHEESE AWARDS CARBERY Group secured a prestigious Gold Award for its Dubliner Lighter White Cheese at the 2019 British Cheese Awards, which took place recently at the Royal Bath & West Show in Somerset, England.

The group, based in Ballineen, West Cork, also took home four bronze awards for its Carbery Cracker White, Dubliner Red, Mature White and 14% half fat Cheddar Cheese products at the renowned international cheese competition. “This win is a testament to the commitment and expertise of our team at Carbery in Ballineen, using advanced technology to create an award-winning product for our customers,” said Jerry O’Sullivan, Carbery Group Cheese Production Manager.

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Exhibition

Retail Exhibition Not to be Missed The Food Retail & Hospitality Show and The Forecourt and Convenience Retail Expo take place on September 5 at Citywest Exhibition Centre, Dublin.

THE Food Retail & Hospitality Show and the Forecourt and Convenience Retail Expo are two key events, part of the 2019 National Food & Drink Business Conference and Exhibition, Ireland’s premier trade event for the food and drink processing and retailing sectors, being held on September 5 at the Citywest Exhibition Centre, Dublin.

The Food Retail & Hospitality Show will highlight the key trends and challenges facing food retailers, food service operators and hospitality providers, while also showcasing the latest innovations, developments in best practice and new technological solutions available. It will address key issues, such as attracting new customers; staffing retention and recruitment; modernising premises and facilities; and anticipating changing consumer preferences.

The Food Retail & Hospitality Show serves as an annual forum for food retailers, foodservice operators and hospitality providers seeking to improve their competitiveness and business performance to discuss issues of interest with their counterparts, while also being able to meet with suppliers of equipment, technology, food and services offering possible solutions.

Forecourt and Convenience Retail Expo With people having to travel further but with less time to eat, forecourt and convenience retailing has become one of the fastest growing sectors of the Irish retail market. Attracting and retaining customers is paramount to this continued success.

Fuel retailers have been successful in growing their business by providing customer-friendly convenience stores at forecourt locations. However, a crucial element of the customer experience is the food choice on offer. Modern consumers demand convenience and are looking to source food anytime, anywhere.

While impulse sales of items such as confectionery, soft drinks and biscuits remain important, the introduction of hot food and deli services is vital to maintaining footfall in the modern forecourt and convenience store.

The Forecourt and Convenience Retail Expo will highlight the latest developments in this vibrant but highly competitive marketplace. It will show how to improve the customer experience for time-pressed consumers, as a means of attracting new business and guaranteeing return visits, while providing insights into changing consumer trends to enable operators to adapt their food offering and business models accordingly.

2019 National Food & Drink Business Conference and Exhibition The 2019 National Food & Drink Business Conference and Exhibition encompasses all major sectors of the Irish food and drink industry: dairy, meat, seafood, poultry, bakery, confectionery, convenience foods, fresh produce, snacks, brewing, distilling, soft drinks and bottled water, grocery retailing, food service, craft brewing and distilling, convenience and forecourt retail.

Now in its seventh year, this must-attend annual event for food and beverage professionals is expected to attract over 2,000 visitors from across Ireland to participate in a range of conferences, seminars and panel discussions, highlighting the most pressing issues facing the industry.

An impressive list of keynote speakers has been assembled to cover topics of interest, to highlight challenges

facing the industry and to suggest practical solutions, all of whom have proven expertise in their respective fields.

The comprehensive Conference programme will be accompanied by an extensive exhibition of the latest equipment and technology available, along with new to market food and beverage products. More than 200 exhibitors will showcase a wide variety of products and services at the national event.

Co-Located and Complementary Events A distinctive feature of the National Food & Drink Business Europe Conference & Exhibition is that it incorporates several complementary events - all under one roof - in order to cover the full industrial spectrum. The co-located events are: • The Future Food Factory Expo 2019 (http://www.futurefoodfactory.ie/) • The Food Retail & Hospitality Expo (http://www.foodhospitality.ie/) • The Pub & Off Licence Expo (http://www.pubandofflicences.ie/) • The Forecourt and Convenience Retail Expo (http://www.forecourtexpo.ie/) • The annual Craft Beer & Spirits Summit (http://www. craftbeerspiritsexpo.ie/) • The Artisan Fine Foods Expo (http://www.artisanandfinefood.ie/) • The Import/Export Expo 2019 (http://www.importexportfdisummit. ie/) • The Brexit Food Summit (http://www.brexitfoodsummit.ie/).

Visitors are free to move between the different events.

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Forecourt Focus: News Circle K Partners with Europcar for Exclusive Discounts EUROPCAR and Circle K have announced a new partnership, which will see Europcar drivers offered exclusive discounts at Circle K service stations across the country and could save drivers half a million euro each year in fuel costs. Europcar drivers will be able to avail of the discounts when using one of over 10,000 Europcar vehicles on Irish roads at all of Circle K’s 160 company owned service stations nationwide.

The new partnership will allow Europcar individual and business customers to make significant savings when refuelling their rental vehicles, with 3 cent off per litre on both Unleaded and Diesel fuel. It will also offer Europcar drivers discounts on food and beverages available in Circle K service stations nationwide. These offers include a 20% discount on hot drinks from Circle K’s Simply Great Coffee range and a 10% discount on all hot and deli food.

The exclusive offers at Circle K for Europcar customers also includes 30% off all car washes and 10% off all size containers of lubricants and packed AdBlue.

Europcar customers can avail of these discounts using the Circle K card attached to the keys of all Europcar vehicles, which will be scanned in store to activate the discounts.

Discounts for Europcar vehicles are available nationwide in Circle K’s 160 company owned service stations only but will not be available at Circle K Express locations.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Circle K to offer Europcar drivers exclusive discounts, which will help to reduce the cost of motoring for our customers,” noted Colm Brady, Managing Director of Europcar Mobility Group Ireland. “We are always looking to improve the Europcar experience for our customers and this new partnership will offer significantly reduced fuel costs, along with discounts on food, beverages, car washes and lubricants. We want to deliver the best possible service to our customers and we are confident that our partnership with Circle K will be a popular one amongst our customers.”

Also speaking at the launch, Commercial & BCS Director

Pictured at the announcement of Europcar and Circle K’s new partnership are Colm Brady, Managing Director of Europcar Mobility Group Ireland, and Paul Balfe, Commercial and BCS Director at Circle K Ireland. at Circle K Ireland, Paul Balfe, said “At Circle K, we are always looking for new ways to expand our service offerings to our customers and partner with innovative companies that stay ahead of the curve. Our new partnership with Europcar will offer drivers a range of exclusive offers when they visit a Circle K service station on their journeys across Ireland. It is easy to avail of these offers; all you have to do is use the Circle K card attached to your keys to benefit from the great discounts available. Circle K has been fuelling Europcar customers through its Fuel Cards since 2007, and we hope that this latest partnership will see our relationship continue to grow into 2019 and beyond.”

Applegreen Designs the Way at Bloom APPLEGREEN plc announced its support of Bloom recently, with sponsorship of the Sculpture Garden, in association with The Kildare Gallery. The Sculpture Garden is an outdoor gallery in the heart of the food and horticultural festival, promoting art and sculptures created by Irish artists.

With its Irish roots, Applegreen always strives to support Irish food producers, suppliers and businesses and with design playing such an important part of the Applegreen in-store customer experience, the partnership with Irish artists at the festival is a perfect fit.

“At Applegreen we are passionate about driving positive change for the environment, and by offering a wide range of locally sourced, Irish produced, and Irish made food, we are aligned to the values of Bord Bia,” said Aisling Ryan, Head of Marketing, Applegreen. “Bloom provides the perfect stage to showcase the dedication of our baristas to serving great tasting, freshly brewed coffee, and for people to try our range of tasty treats including the popular vegan sausage roll. And exclusive to Bloom, any purchase of our ‘Cup for Life’ reusable cup includes a free coffee.”

As a responsible retailer, always looking for opportunities for closed loop recycling, Applegreen offered gardeners and landscapers at Bloom the coffee grounds to use as fertiliser for their gardens. Coffee grounds contain a number of nutrients and compounds that are released to make a healthy compost for soil in any garden.

Applegreen sponsored the Sculpture Garden at Bloom 2019.

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Forecourt Focus: News Rugby Star Named as Maxol Ambassador IRISH international rugby star, Jacob Stockdale has been announced as Maxol’s first-ever brand ambassador. The Ulster and Ireland try scorer supreme was revealed as Maxol’s brand champion for the next three years.

To mark the announcement, Jacob took part in a media briefing in Dublin where he was put through his paces by MC Matt Cooper during a Q&A that revealed his love, not only for rugby but for golf and dogs. He also divulged that he’s quite partial to a protein-filled, fresh deli sandwich and freshlybrewed coffee when he’s on the go.

Maxol has been supporting rugby at grassroots level for the last 27 years through its involvement with the Irish Universities Rugby Union (IURU) and local club sponsorships, as well as the Ulster Mini-Rugby festivals for children in primary schools involving more than 1,500 participants.

The collaboration with Jacob Stockdale is set to enhance The Maxol Group’s association with rugby as the company continues to evolve its rugby sponsorship portfolio, with more announcements planned for later in the year.

“Jacob Stockdale is a fantastic ambassador for rugby, and he represents everything that is great about the game,” said Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group. “And now, following today’s announcement, we know that he is going to be a great ambassador for the Maxol brand; he’s a strong role model and a credit to his profession and we are thrilled to have him on team Maxol.

“As a fourth-generation family business celebrating 100 years in 2020, we are committed to investing in and supporting the next generation, and that includes rugby greats, such as Jacob. Although he has already made a huge impact on the game, he also represents the future of rugby and this partnership is all about championing future generations.”

23-year old Jacob’s professional playing career has been

Jacob Stockdale, Maxol’s new brand ambassador, is pictured with Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group. going from strength to strength and he is already renowned for his match-defining scores including against England in the Six Nations (March 2018) and the historic second-half try that helped secure Ireland’s first-ever win against the legendary AllBlacks on Irish soil.

When aged just 21, the 6ft 3” winger from Lisburn was voted the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Championship and the tournament’s top try scorer, with seven tries to his name.

“Maxol is an iconic, home-grown brand. It’s a familyowned, community-based business that has been involved with grassroots rugby for many years,” Stockdale said. “And it does great coffee, which is a big plus.”

The partnership between Maxol and Stockdale will include a national advertising campaign, promotional and digital activities, as well as participation in local events and initiatives across the island of Ireland.

Sales Success for Applegreen Vegan Sausage Roll APPLEGREEN is reporting a considerable rise in sales since the launch of its vegan sausage roll. Sales across the Applegreen hot deli have increased by 13% since the launch on April 29 and an uplift of 43% is seen across the sausage roll range since this time last year.

The Applegreen vegan sausage roll, known as The Vegan, is an exclusive recipe made with a plant-based blend of soyabean, chickpeas, herbs and spices wrapped in a flaky puff pastry.

“As the first retailer in Ireland to sell an Irish made vegan sausage roll nationwide, we had anticipated a certain level of hype, similar to that seen by the success of Greggs’ product launch; however, the response to The Vegan is far greater than we imagined,” noted Aaron Duggan, Head of Food, Applegreen.

“The Vegan currently accounts for 19% of all our sausage roll sales; this has far exceeded our expectations.”

Being sold in 81 Applegreen stores nationwide at an introductory price of €1, the vegan sausage roll is not just for vegans. The sales figures show the popularity of The Vegan amongst Applegreen existing customers and new customers alike.

“We’re seeing the benefit of offering our customers a wider choice of good quality food on the go. A robust advertising and PR campaign raised awareness of The Vegan but I believe people are coming back into our stores because the taste speaks for itself,” added Aaron Duggan. “

Irish success: the Vegan Sausage Roll by Applegreen is driving significant sales for the retailer.

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Shelf Life THE Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA) at St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, announced a significant partnership with Avonmore Super Milk to investigate the Irish population’s Vitamin D levels and bone health. A team from MISA will analyse approximately 10,000 blood samples from people of all ages to further understand Ireland’s Vitamin D levels. The results will be launched later this year in a bid to create better awareness around the importance of Vitamin D and to encourage the nation to invest in its bone health for healthier aging. Pictured are Eoin Doyle, Head of Marketing at Glanbia Consumer Foods, and Prof. J. Bernard Walsh, Clinical Professor, Trinity College Dublin, Bone Health and Osteoporosis Unit at MISA. BEEKON is a new refreshing honey based alcoholic drink, which has just buzzed its way to Ireland. Inspired by the work of the humble bee, Beekon contains only honey, water and yeast, with no nasty additives, sulphites, sulphates or colourants.

Produced in Ireland, Beekon is lightly carbonated, has 5% ABV and comes in two flavours: Classic Beekon, containing Argentinian wildflower honey, and Ginger & Lime flavour.

THE hunt is on for Ireland’s best burger. Irish burger enthusiasts were asked to cast their vote for their favourite burger to help celebrate the launch of the first ever National Burger Day on June 21 through the dedicated website, www.nationalburgerday.ie.

Pictured at the launch of National Burger Day are Brian Dowling and Charles Last.

IRISH Distillers recently announced the launch of its first podcast, A Story of Irish Whiskey. Produced by Last Cast Media, the five-part series begins with Irish whiskey on its knees, about to become extinct after 200 years, crippled by war, prohibition, and bootleggers. It then takes the listener on a journey through the never before heard tale of how Irish whiskey was brought back from the brink, beginning with that pivotal meeting of the Jameson, Powers and Murphy families in Tourin house in 1966.

Pictured at the announcement of the merger in 1966 are Frank J O’Reilly (John Power & Son Powers), Ronald Murphy (Cork Distilleries Company) and Alec C. Crichton (John Jameson & Son).

LEADING sports and nutrition brand, Grenade has been recognised for the fifth consecutive year in the 22nd Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 Awards. Grenade won the Emerging Brand Award, which was presented

by The Sunday Times Enterprise Editor, Peter Evans, to Alan Barratt, CEO and co-founder of Grenade, whose Carb Killa bars have become the number two best-selling chocolate bar in UK and are fast growing share here in Ireland.

NATURALLY Cordial has introduced two new flavours, with Fragrant Orange and Lemon & Lime Leaf available in new smaller, 330ml partysize bottles, retailing at €3.49 per bottle. Fragrant Orange combines orange with extract of orange blossom, giving the drink gorgeous floral notes. Lemon & Lime Leaf is a twist on the existing Naturally Cordial Lemon & Lime flavour. The Kaffir Lime Leaf adds a strong citrus savour to the cordial, making it really different. Two other bestselling Naturally Cordial flavours are also available in the smaller size; Wexford Blackcurrant and Strawberry, Cucumber & Lime.

SHOPPERS who like to see their food being freshly prepared can now enjoy witnessing their chosen pineapple being chopped on the spot at various Dunnes Stores outlets between now and mid-August. Supplied to Dunnes Stores by Irish fruit importers Fyffes, and understood to be the first of its kind in Ireland, the new pineapple cutting machine uses a swish of blades to extract every morsel of goodness from the pineapple, resulting in refreshing, ready-to-eat pieces, all in the space of just 20 seconds. Sean Dockrell and Alice Marcoux are pictured with the new pineapple cutting machine.

THE National Lottery had lots of winners to announce recently. Two Irish people become Ireland’s newest millionaires at the start of June, as one lucky Lotto player in the Galway suburb of Doughiska won the Lotto jackpot of €4,051,610, with an Offaly player scooping a cool €1m after winning the Lotto Plus 1 top prize. The winning Lotto jackpot ticket, worth more than €4 million was sold at Joyce’s Supermarket, Doughiska Shopping Centre, Doughiska Road, Galway, with Pat Joyce and his staff pictured celebrating the win. Meanwhile, a delighted Dublin family syndicate were counting their blessings recently after they claimed a €272,165 EuroMillions prize, which they had won on March 5, just days before the prize expiry deadline. The head of the syndicate admitted his bad habit of not checking his lottery tickets almost cost his family. Finally, Kilkenny man Liam Breslin won €20,000 when he appeared on the National Lottery Winning Streak TV game show on May 25, just six years after his wife appeared on the same show on RTÉ One, while in in June 1994, Liam’s late father John Breslin appeared on the show, winning £12,000 and a then, top of the range camcorder. Some families are just born lucky…

WATERFORD’S Blackwater Distillery will have its multiaward-winning gins sold in Australia thanks to a new lucrative international contract with Aldi. The Waterford distillers secured a new contract worth over €3m to supply its multiaward-winning premium gins to Aldi’s 1,500 stores in Australia, the UK and Ireland. Pictured are (l-r): Jack Fitzmaurice, Buying Director, Aldi Ireland, and Peter Mulryan, CEO, Blackwater Distillery.

Show Ireland 2019

5th

www.foodhospitality.ie

1 Day 200 Speakers 3,500 Delegates 200 Exhibitors  50 Supporting Associations

CITYWEST D U B L I N SEPTEMBER 5TH

2019

THE LARGEST GATHERING OF FOOD INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND

Join 3,500 delegates, 200 speakers and 200 exhibitors at Food, Retail & Hospitality Ireland on 5th September 2019.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: • Supermarkets • Symbol Groups • Convenience Stores • Independents • Online Retail • Wholesalers & Distributors • Restaurants • Hotels • Cafe Bars • Food Producers • Contract Catering • Corporate Catering • Takeaways • Healthcare Catering • Education Catering • Bakeries • Pub/Clubs • Event Catering • Prison Catering • Defence

The purpose of the Food, Retail and Hospitality Ireland has a singular focus – to bring together retailers, foodservice companies, hospitality groups, regulatory groups and key suppliers of equipment, technology, food and services to Irelands commercial kitchens and food retailers, in order to facilitate sharing of knowledge and best practise as well as offering an unrivalled opportunity to connect key buyers from the food retailing, foodservice and hospitality sector with key exhibitors supplying into these sectors.

DELEGATES WILL ATTEND FROM: • Food Processors and Manufacturers • Food Retailers • Convenience Stores • Independents • Pubs & Cafe’s • Food Service • Restaurants • Forecourt Retailing • Craft Beers & Spirits • Artisan & Fine Foods • Contract Catering

As well as an action packed conference, over 200 exhibitors will be on hand to guide and inform our delegates about equipment, technology, food and services that can improve their business.

This 1 day event will gather all of the key players working in the food industry in one room for one day. The event is Co-located with a number of other events. Delegates simply need to register for one event and then then move freely between all the dedicated conferences and exhibitions. A selection of the events is listed below:

CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

THE BREXIT FOOD SUMMIT Citywest Exhibition Centre

Artisan

The Pub and Off Licences

I R E L A N D

Expo

& fine foods show

Import, Export and Foreign Direct Investment Conference Citywest Exhibition Centre

Consumer Behaviour

Dublin, 5th September 2018

Future Food Factory

Dublin, 5th September 2018

The

& CONVENIENCE RETAIL EXPO

& Future Trends

Citywest Exhibition Centre

Dublin, 5th September 2018

Contact Colin at Colin@prempub.com or on 353 1 6120880 for more information