Retail News March 2015

MARCH 2015

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

Contents The Plain Truth THE news that the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 has been signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins will have been greeted with a collective groan by Ireland’s tobacco retailers.

The pet project of former Health Minister and current Minister for Children, James Reilly TD, the legislation is due to come into force in May 2016, from which time it will be illegal to manufacture branded cigarette and tobacco packs for the Irish market, and from May 2017 it will be illegal to sell them.

Three of the biggest tobacco companies in the world are threatening legal action against the Government if the legislation goes ahead, primarily on the grounds that it fails to recognise their intellectual property rights. JTI, Imperial Tobacco and Philip Morris have all sent legal letters to the Government on the issue.

Igor Dzaja, General Manager, JTI Ireland, noted that the company stands ready to file legal proceedings should the Irish government “continue pushing for a ‘cut and paste’ policy that has failed in Australia. ‘Plain’ packaging puts politics before evidence.”

Certainly, that seems to be the view of Dublin retailer and former NFRN Ireland president, Joe Sweeney, who travelled to Australia to talk to retailers and their representatives about the impact of plain packaging on their business. See Joe’s in-depth report on his trip (Page 30).

Also this issue, RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley outlines the big issues which the association is tackling this year (Page 18), SuperValu announce their annual results for 2014 (Page 20) and we report from CATEX 2015 (Page 37).

News 4

Retail running on empty in rural Ireland.

5

Grocery market competition intensifies; Tobacco companies to sue State over plain packaging.

6

Low Pay Commission to raise minimum wage?

AIB makes €200m available to SMEs at 4.5%; Dunnes workers to strike.

RGDATA Focus 18

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley outlines the key issues that Ireland’s representative association for independent family owned grocery/ convenience stores will be addressing this year.

20

8

Government advised of effects of minimum unit pricing on alcohol; SECAD teams up with Tesco buyers; Double digit growth for Glanbia.

10

Kathleen Belton Editorial Director kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

ABC figures show declining newspaper sales but good news for mags; Cold Move completes MBO; Appointment at Teagasc.

Retail Ireland recently published the very first edition of its new quarterly economic commentary and industry analysis report, Retail Ireland Monitor.

At its national conference, SuperValu announced €2.58 billion in sales for 2014, with plans to open four new stores and add 280 jobs this year.

22

Over 1,200 take part in Skills For Work week.

29

SuperValu Annual Results

7

7

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

30 Tobacco Regulation 30

Former NFRN Ireland President Joe Sweeney recently made a visit to Australia, talking to retailers in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide about their experiences with Australian retail regulation in relation to tobacco.

CATEX 2015 37

BIM Young Fishmonger Competition 22

Bord Iascaigh Mhara have officially launched their awards scheme for young fishmongers across the country.

The 50th Anniversary CATEX was the biggest showcase for the foodservice industry ever, welcoming more than 11,200 visitors to the RDS from February 17-19.

Insight & Analysis 40

24

How can large-store assortment options be made available in a convenience store format, asks Oliver Guy, retail expert at Software AG.

On The Vine 42

18

Jean Smullen predicts the wines guaranteed to fly off your shelves this Easter.

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12 24 34 44 45 46

Industry News Baby Care Cheese Drinks News Market News Shelf Life

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

News Retail Running on Empty in Rural Ireland

RETAIL is on the road to recovery in urban areas, but rural areas are seeing an increasing amount of vacant shops. A recent town meeting in Kilmallock, south County Limerick, heard that 36% of buildings in the town are unoccupied. Of 118 buildings in the town, 42 are unoccupied. ‘For Rent’ and ‘For Sale’ signs are now commonplace on the town’s streets.

“Like all small towns and villages in rural Ireland, Kilmallock is feeling the pinch of the lack of jobs and closing down of services,” Brigid Teefy, Independent Councillor for Cappamore-Kilmallock, told Retail News. “At least Kilmallock was fortunate enough to keep its bank. Losing the bank has been a huge factor in a lot of other towns.”

Kilmallock councillor Michael Donegan said economic recovery hasn’t “trickled out to the rural towns. Towns smaller than Kilmallock are seeing it even more. They’re seeing Post Offices closing. Schools are being cut and amalgamated. Bus Éireann is reconfiguring its services. It’s adding to the decline of rural Ireland. We see millions going into the cities for diaspora centres, for regeneration, but it doesn’t help rural towns.”

The situation is not particular to Kilmallock. Instead, it reflects a wider decline throughout rural Ireland. A new GeoDirectory survey, from An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, reveals that commercial units lying vacant across the country grew to 28,500 at the end of 2014: an increase of 12.4% from the same stage in 2013.

The highest increase in commercial vacancy over the 12-month period was in Connacht, which averaged 14.7% unoccupied buildings.

Urban areas, such as Dublin and Galway, have seen a fall in vacant retail outlets.

“There is a significant disparity in terms of the economy in rural Ireland Retail Ireland Director, compared to urban areas,” Thomas Burke. said Thomas Burke, Retail

Ireland Director. “I’d go as far as to suggest there is a three-speed economy at play. You have Dublin, which is recovering quite quickly, and performing well.

Other cities – Galway, Cork, even Limerick – are seeing signs of recovery.

But there are sides of the country which have yet to see any real benefit in terms of the upturn of economic performance: empty shops units and a depressed sentiment Tara Buckley, RGDATA in terms of consumer Director General. confidence. It’s a hangover of the recession.”

Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General, attributes the trend to a number of factors, including lack of jobs and out-of-town shopping. Looking once again at Kilmallock, for example: the town has seen people travelling to Lidl, Aldi and Dunnes in neighbouring Charleville.

“Once you start losing a few shops on the main street, the lack of footfall creates a problem for other businesses.

Then they close,” said Buckley. “Usually, our [grocers] can be the last shop standing because people still buy food. But if you don’t have daily footfall and variety, your town stops becoming a destination.”

Burke called for improved planning laws and better commercial rates. “In the more depressed towns, there’s a huge amount of bureaucracy around planning. If you want to open a new store in a town or village in Ireland, there are long delays. It shouldn’t be difficult for people to invest in a community. Commercial rates and rents are still at boomtime levels.”

The solution is not as simple as rates relief, though. “We need to bring all the relevant actors together,” he continued.

“It can’t just be town councils making decisions in a vacuum.

The local community need to be consulted at every stage of the process. You also need to talk to consumers: what do

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

News they want?”

Vacant and derelict businesses in the town centre should be addressed before new development is allowed, said Buckley. RGDATA is working with the Heritage Council and Professor Kevin Leyden of NUI Galway in formulating plans to revitalise small towns.

“Towns need to be made more attractive for people to live there, particularly young people, who don’t necessarily want a house and a garden in a housing estate.

They want to live in the town centre,” Buckley noted. “We have to come up with ideas of using the derelict buildings in an attractive way. It’s a combination of working with planners, architects, the local authority, and business community.

Towns need to work on what makes themselves unique and attractive.”

Kilmallock is being pro-active in its fight for recovery. The town currently avails of a Business and Retail Incentive Scheme, which incentivises the occupation of vacant retail and business units.

The scheme applies only to highend shops, such as fashion stores, however, so grocery retailers cannot avail of it.

Kilmallock also recently called in New Economics Foundation, a leading UK think-tank that helps create sustainable economies, which held workshops with local businesses, retailers, developers, and entrepreneurs. A number of town teams (sports, heritage and tourism) and festivals have been established.

“We have a great Tidy Towns group; a good focus on keeping the idle shop fronts in a reasonably good shape,” said Donegan. “The last thing we want is idle properties to go derelict. We have opened up a new walk by the river. We’ve a new civic centre with state-of-the-art library.

We have the infrastructure; we have the goodwill. Now a big extension is going into the SuperValu in Kilmallock. They have doubled their floor size. We hope this will encourage small shops to piggyback off the footfall coming into the town.”

Retail Ireland hopes the government will spring into action to address the problem of vacant properties in rural areas. On March 26, the Oircheatas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, is to release a report on policy options to support business growth.

“The fight is not lost,” said Burke. “There’s a real opportunity here.”

Grocery Market Competition Intensifies THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending March 1, show contrasting fortunes among the major supermarkets in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

“Dunnes’ recent ‘Shop & Save’ campaign looks to have made a mark with shoppers,” David Berry, Director at Kantar Worldpanel, explains. “The retailer’s sales have grown by 6.5% over the latest period, improving its market share by just over one percentage point to 23.4%. Dunnes has successfully encouraged its customers to buy more, growing the number of trips where €100 or more is spent by an astonishing 25%. One point to note is that this time last year, Dunnes was struggling, with sales falling by almost 5%, so while performance is positive this year, the benchmark for comparison is relatively low.”

Elsewhere among the big three retailers, SuperValu’s 0.4% sales growth has put it almost on parity with Tesco. SuperValu’s share of the grocery market is now 24.9%, just 0.1 percentage point behind Ireland’s largest supermarket. SuperValu has attracted an extra 50,000 customers this year, which means that three quarters of all Irish households shopped in SuperValu in the latest period.

Tesco remains Ireland’s largest supermarket, with one in every €4 spent on groceries going into its tills. However this is lower than this time last year, with sales down by 3.7%. The main driver of this sales decline does appear to be changing.

Shoppers had been cutting back the number of products they bought there. Now, they are buying a similar number of products but at a lower price.

Both Lidl and Aldi continue to post impressive performance, with both enjoying growth of 10.7%. Lidl’s market share has improved to 7.6% and Aldi now stands at 8.1%.

For further information, see www.kantarworldpanel.com.

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

12 Weeks to 05 Jan 2014 %*

12 Weeks to 04 Jan 2015 %*

change** %

100.0% 88.5% 26.4% 22.3% 25.3% 14.5% 7.5% 7.0% 11.5%

100.0% 89.0% 25.0% 23.4% 24.9% 15.7% 8.1% 7.6% 11.0%

1.8 2.4 -3.7 6.5 0.4 10.7 10.7 10.7 -2.4

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

Tobacco Companies to Sue State Over Plain Packaging THE biggest tobacco companies in the country are threatening legal action against the Government over the proposed advent of plain packaging. JTI, Imperial Tobacco and Philip Morris have all sent legal letters to the Government on the issue.

Minister for Children James Reilly TD has vowed to defend the plain packaging legislation “robustly”. The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 was approved by the Dáil and the Seanad and has been signed into law by President Higgins. As it stands, from May 2016, it will be illegal to manufacture branded cigarette and tobacco packs for the Irish market, and from May 2017 it will be illegal to sell them.

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

News Low Pay Commission To Raise Minimum Wage?

THE Low Pay Commission, the new body whose task is to advise the Government on national minimum wage rates, is calling for submissions from anyone with an interest in the Irish minimum wage, as part of a public consultation process.

The Low Pay Commission was established earlier this year “to take the politics” out of establishing the national minimum wage, according to Richard Bruton TD. Chaired by Dr Donal de Buitléir, Director of publicpolicy.ie, the commission also numbers CSNA CEO, Vincent Jennings amongst its members, and is due to report to the Government this July on what it feels would be a “fair and sustainable” national minimum wage, “without creating significant adverse consequences for employment or competitiveness”. Ireland’s national minimum wage currently stands at €8.65.

The Commission has called for comments, observations and submissions on any matter relating to the National Minimum Wage to be made in writing to it before 5pm on April 13.

“The work of the Low Pay Commission is extremely important and it has a relatively short time frame in which to report back to me with a recommended rate for the minimum wage,” noted Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD. “I would encourage anyone who has an interest in low pay to make a submission to the

Commission, but particularly workers who earn the minimum wage and employers who pay the minimum wage.”

In making its recommendation, the Commission will examine a range of issues including: • the changes in earnings since the minimum wage was last increased in 2011; • the unemployment and employment rates generally; • the expected impact of a change to the minimum wage on employment, the Minister for Business and cost of living and national Employment, Ged Nash TD. competitiveness; • changes in income distribution; • currency exchange rates.

Submissions to the Low Pay Commission can be made via email to secretarylpc@djei.ie or by post to Low Pay Commission, Room 2.01, Davitt House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. Any submissions may be made public as part of the consultation process.

AIB Makes €200m Fund Available to SMEs at 4.5% ALLIED Irish Banks, plc will cut 2% off its Standard Variable Business Loan rate as part of €200m in new funding to Ireland’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The new rate, 4.5% per annum variable, was confirmed following the Government’s announcement of how the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is set to support the SME market.

AIB is making the credit available to SMEs at the new rate after securing funding from the SBCI to lend in to the economy and support job growth. The SBCI will provide a discount of up to 1%, which will be matched by AIB. “This lower cost credit should be attractive to SMEs and allow them to borrow to invest in their businesses at this crucial turning point in our economy. Individual loans of up to €5m will be available under the scheme,” said AIB’s Director of Retail and Business Banking, Bernard Byrne.

Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD welcomed the decision by AIB to match the discount offered on the €200m that the bank is drawing down from the SBCI. “The

core purpose of the SBCI is to enhance the supply of credit to SMEs by offering its €800m in funding to institutions known as ‘on-lenders’. These on-lenders, which may be banks such as AIB or other organisations that have capital and the ability to assess SME loan proposals, can then lend the money on to businesses,’’ the Minister said.

Dunnes Workers To Strike Back DUNNES Stores workers are to strike on Holy Thursday over work and pay conditions. The all out stoppage on April 2 will cover the 107 stores where Mandate trade union has members across the country. It is predicted to be the second biggest private sector strike in two decades. Mandate has called for banded hour contracts at the store, allowing workers a minimum number of working hours each week. Tesco and SuperValu both use banded hour contracts, putting

Dunnes at an unfair competitive advantage, according to Mandate.

Mandate’s Gerry Light said the dispute was avoidable. “Dunnes Stores management now have three weeks to engage with the union to deal with all of the issues,” he said.

A Dunnes Stores worker, in Dublin’s George’s Street store, told Retail News, that not everyone would be striking. “I’m not going on strike,” she said. “That’ll only be a few from the head office.”

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light.

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

News Over 1,200 Take Part in Skills For Work Week MORE than 1,200 young people had the opportunity to gain the skills they need to get back to work when they visited 26 participating companies in 54 locations during Ireland’s second Skills for Work Week, from March 2-6, 2015.

The project is part of Feeding Ireland’s Future, an initiative by the Irish food and grocery industry, launched by Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD. As Ireland’s biggest private sector employer, the food and grocery industry shared first-hand knowledge of the skills needed for a career in the food industry or elsewhere.

Skills for Work Week 2015 provided participants with a range of initiatives, including free on-site skills workshops and site visits for young people at locations across Ireland. The focus was on developing pre-employment skills and included interview preparation skills, interview tips, CV writing skills, An Tánaiste, Joan Burton TD (second left) is pictured visiting Musgrave’s depot in food hygiene and safety training, and Fonthill, Dublin, as part of Feeding Ireland’s Future Skills for Work Week. Also pictured job searching advice. Participants also are Declan Carolan, General Manager ECR Ireland (left), Adrian Grey, Musgrave Group received behind the scenes tours of farms, HR Director, and Una Biggane, Trading Graduate with Musgrave (right). factories, depots, stores and offices of some of Ireland’s leading food and grocery companies. leading non-alcoholic beverage company, we are very pleased Companies who signed up for Feeding Ireland’s Future to support Feeding Ireland’s Future. Over four days we will 2015 included some of Ireland’s leading names in the grocery hosted 40 local young people in our workplace and helping industry; BWG Foods, Coca-Cola, Keelings, Kellogg’s, Maxol them upskill in the important areas of interview skills, Group, Musgrave Group, Nestlé, P&G Foods, SHS Sales & CV writing and other aspects of preparing for and seeking Marketing, Tesco, and Unilever were all involved. job opportunities. A team of colleagues from the business “As the largest private sector employer in Ireland, we facilitated the initiative and we hope the program will want to give young unemployed people an insight into the be of real benefit to the participants and the wider local range of careers available in the Irish food industry, with community.” a particular focus on our retail and wholesale businesses,” Those taking part in activities at Keeling’s Farm in said Adrian Grey, Musgrave Group HR Director. “This is a north Dublin experienced ‘A Day in the Life of a Strawberry’, fantastic initiative for participants to help them develop vital looking at how strawberries make it from the ground to a skills in terms of interview and CV preparation. It also lets store, while over at Kellogg’s, participants looked at ‘The them experience first-hand what a day in the life of someone Journey of Cornflakes’, learning about how one of Ireland’s working in the food industry is like. We hope to inspire favourite breakfast cereals is made. young people taking part in the initiative to pursue a career As part of its support for Skills for Work Week 2015, in the food sector, helping to boost one of the most important Unilever welcomed a group of local young people to its industries for the Irish economy.” offices in Citywest and its culinary development centre Frank O’Donnell, CEO of Coca-Cola, said, “As Ireland’s in Greenogue, Co. Dublin. Those participating enjoyed a programme of employability workshops, CV writing skills, marketing insights and store visits, culminating in a hands-on cookery experience with Unilever chefs on Friday afternoon.

“As one of the founding members of the Feeding Ireland’s Future initiative, we are delighted to again support Skills for Work week,” said Nick Johnson, Managing Director, Unilever Ireland. “Through our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, we are committed to helping to promote youth employability and this initiative is a key element of our skills training programme. During the week, we provided young people in Dublin and Cork with advice on interview preparations and CV writing. They also got a unique insight into brand development, food marketing and the operations of Ireland’s grocery business.”

Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland said; “Feeding Ireland’s Future is a great example of how the food To coincide with Unilever’s involvement in Skills for Work Week and grocery industry can collaborate to further the skills 2015, the company welcomed a group of local young people to its culinary centre in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, County of young job seekers in Ireland and better prepare them in Dublin. their quest for work.”

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

News Government Advised of Effects of Minimum Unit Pricing on Alcohol NEARLY 200 less alcohol-related deaths would occur every year in Ireland, if the Government introduced a minimum alcohol price of x1 per unit, while such a move would also see retailers’ revenues increased by almost €70m.

These were amongst the findings of research commissioned by the Irish and Northern Irish governments and carried out by the Sheffield University Alcohol Research Group as part of plans to introduce minimum pricing.

Dr John Holmes and Colin Angus of the Sheffield University Alcohol Research Group presented their findings to the Oireachtas Joint Health Committee recently, revealing that a minimum unit price of €1 per standard drink would result in: • 8.8% fall in overall consumption; • A 16% (197) drop in alcohol-related deaths, 20 years after the policy is introduced; • A 10% (5,900) drop in hospital admissions; • 1,500 less criminal offences in the first year; • 116,000 less days absent from work; • 1.7 billion in cost savings to society after 20 years; • 1.1bn in health savings, 103m in crime savings and 237m in workplace savings.

Dr Holmes argued that minimum unit pricing should be part of an overall strategy but stressed that it is particularly effective in targeting the cheap alcohol disproportionately purchased by heavier drinkers, and would not penalise lowrisk drinkers, irrespective of income, as they buy little of this cheap alcohol.

“The impact on retailers is likely to be positive as MUP is not a tax,” Holmes added. “We estimate that off trade retailers would receive approximately €69m extra from

alcohol sales.”

The introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Ireland is on hold currently, as the Government awaits a European Court of Justice ruling on the Scottish government’s plans to introduced similar legislation there.

SECAD Teams Up with Tesco Buyers THE South and East Cork Area Development company, SECAD, recently hosted a Meet the Buyer event for artisan food producers in the Cork region. Buyers from Tesco participated in the event, providing valuable advice and information on procurement procedures to the early stage food companies in attendance. SECAD supports microenterprises in the food sector through a number of ways, from funding to business mentoring and training. Ryan Howard, SECAD CEO, described the food industry as “a very significant growth sector which is creating viable and sustainable jobs in the region”, while Carolyn Gilks-Stokes, Local Technical Manager at Tesco Ireland explained that Tesco “are constantly looking for new local food and drink suppliers”. For more information, see www.secad.ie.

Double Digit Growth for Glanbia GLANBIA plc has reported its fifth consecutive year of double digit growth, in its results for the year ended January 3, 2015. Results highlights included the delivery of 10.1% growth in adjusted earnings per share, constant currency, and a 10% increase in dividends, while total Group revenues are €3,522m, up 6.9% on prior year, constant currency. The results included a strong performance by Global Performance Nutrition, with revenue growth of

13.5%, and a satisfactory performance by Global Ingredients in the context of challenging dairy market dynamics.

Siobhán Talbot, Group Managing Director, said, “The outlook for 2015 is positive and we are guiding 9% to 11% growth in adjusted earnings per share, constant currency.

We continue to successfully execute our growth strategy and this positions Glanbia well for the delivery of our objectives from 2015 to 2018.”

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

News ABC Figures Show Declining Newspaper Sales But Good News for Mags THE latest figures from the UK-based Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) show that newspaper sales continue to fall across the board.

The Irish Independent remains Ireland’s best selling daily newspaper, at 112,502 copies, with The Irish Times at 76,882, The Irish Examiner at 34,424 and The Herald at 49,512 (a drop of 11.8%). The Irish Times enjoyed increased digital subscriptions, however, which are up to 2,951 every day.

The Sunday Independent is the best selling newspaper in the country at 219,007 copies but even this is down by 4.5% since December 2013. The Sunday World stands at 189,562, while The Irish Mail on Sunday is at 89,107, The Sunday Times has 86,059 and The Sunday Business Post is at 33,233.

Meanwhile, much better ABC Ireland figures for the magazine sector show “the power of magazine brands,” according to Grace Aungier, CEO, Magazines Ireland.

“Magazine brands continue to inspire and influence their readers; they generate high levels of trust and engagement and reach sizeable audiences that are receptive to both the editorial and advertising content,” Aungier said.

“At a time when magazines in other markets are showing steep declines in circulation, it demonstrates that the print magazine sector in Ireland is extremely buoyant and that Irish people are continuing to buy Irish magazines,” noted

Ciaran Casey, CEO, Harmonia Publishing.

Rebecca Markey, Chairman, Magazines Ireland, admitted that “some of the figures are reflective of the challenging environment the Irish economy still finds itself in, but they also remind us of the changing dynamics in our sector. Our members are committed to providing excellent content on whatever platforms are important to our readers: print, tablet or mobile.”

Cold Move Completes MBO SUPPLY chain expert Cold Move Ltd has completed a management buy out, in a €4.5m deal structured by Donworth Capital. Cold Move provides temperature controlled and ambient supply chain management services to retailers, manufacturers, brand owners and food service operators.

This secures over 100 jobs (60 direct employees) in

four facilities based in Galway and Dublin, servicing customers in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Managing Director Jason Mallon said “Cold Move is now well placed to continue its development as a leader in the supply chain sector. The re-structuring brings expertise and a well-financed balance sheet, enabling the development of our business.”

Teagasc Appoints New Head of Food Research TEAGASC has appointed Dr Mark Fenelon (pictured) as Head of Food Research. Dr Fenelon will have responsibility for providing overall leadership for the Teagasc food research programme, which is delivered at the two research centres, Moorepark in Cork and Ashtown in Dublin. The food research programme in Teagasc has 130 staff and 70 Walsh Fellows (PhD) students located at its two sites, and a budget of €17m. It covers areas of food safety, food bioscience, food chemistry and technology and food industry development.

The programme is designed to meet the research and innovation needs of the Irish food industry.

Dr Fenelon will be based in Moorepark and will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Food Research Centre. He will lead Teagasc’s research input in the recently announced Dairy Processing Technology Centre, which involves numerous industry and academic partners. He will be involved in the development of Moorepark Technology Limited, a joint venture pilot plant, which offers facilities and services to companies in the food industry to scale up research and new product testing. He will build on Teagasc’s Food Research Alliance with UCC, and close collaborations with other Irish and international Universities, Institutes of Technology and Research

Institutions.

Having worked for Wyeth Nutritionals as a food scientist in liquid and powered infant formula from 2000 to 2004, Fenelon joined Teagasc in 2005 as a senior research officer in Moorepark, before being promoted to principal research officer and Head of the Food Chemistry and Technology Department in Teagasc. Since joining Teagasc, he has formed a number of large collaborative projects with the Irish dairy and infant formula sector.

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

Industry News MOY PARK JOINS PAUL AND NICK ON AMERICAN FOOD TRIP!

MOY Park has secured a sponsorship deal to support UTV Ireland’s popular culinary series featuring Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn. The third series, ‘Paul and Nick’s Big American Food Trip’ sees the duo embarking on a gastronomic food trip along the east coast of America to investigate the influence of Ulster Scots food on the present day cuisine of North America.

“Established in Northern Ireland in 1943, we are incredibly proud of our heritage and are passionate about producing high quality, locally sourced chicken and turkey. Paul and Nick share this ethos for good food and are real champions of local produce, which made sponsorship of the latest series a perfect fit,” noted Briege Finnegan, Brand Marketing Manager, Moy Park, pictured with Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn.

Fyffes Renews Dundalk FC Sponsorship

National Workplace Wellbeing Day 2015

DUNDALK-based banana importers Fyffes will continue its sponsorship of SSE Airtricity League champions Dundalk FC for the forthcoming 2015 season. “We wish Stephen and the team the very best of luck for the forthcoming season and we look forward to working with them in 2015 as part of our continued commitment to promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle across all age groups,” noted Fyffes Sales & Marketing Manager, Emma Hunt-Duffy, who is pictured at Oriel Park with Fyffes Ireland Managing Director, Gerry Cunningham, Dundalk FC goalkeeper, Gabriel Sava, captain Stephen O’Donnell and mascot Freddy Fyffes.

IRELAND’S workforce wants to get healthier and they believe their employers can play a role in helping them, according to new research commissioned by the Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF). 65% of employees recognise they need to consume healthier food and drinks. However, just 15% said their employers provide healthy food choices in company canteens or vending machines. Only one third of employees take the recommended weekly level of exercise for a healthy lifestyle, while four in 10 officebound workers say they are not physically active at all during their working day. 21% of inactive workers cite the overall lack of facilities, with 11% highlighting the lack of shower facilities. The nationwide survey of employees was undertaken to mark the announcement of Ireland’s first Workplace Wellbeing Day, which takes place on March 27. Pictured are (l-r): Prof. Niall Moyna, DCU, Chairman of NHS, Nutrition and Heath Foundation; Danny McCoy, CEO, Ibec; and Kate O’Flaherty, Director, Health and Wellbeing Programme, Department of Health.

Tesco Express Opens on Pearse Street PICTURED celebrating the opening of the new Tesco Express Store on Pearse Street in Dublin are (l-r): Claudia Greaney, a first year medicine student at Trinity College Dublin; Pamela Maxwell, store manager; and Stella Clarke, St Andrews resource centre. The opening of the new store has created 16 new jobs, with eight of the new staff coming off the Live Register. In keeping with Tesco’s commitment to supporting communities across the country, the store will also be part of the Tesco Community Fund scheme, an initiative that sees Tesco donate funds to local good causes in its localities. The local charities selected to participate are St Andrew’s Resource Centre, Pearse Street Old Folks Association and St Vincent De Paul.

Nespresso Aligns with Michelin Starred Chef NESPRESSO have announced their latest chef collaboration, with leading Irish Michelin starred Chef Kevin Thornton, continuing the Nespresso ethos of aligning with the quality of haute cuisine and fine dining. Kevin joins a long list of the world’s most lauded Michelin awarded chefs who have embraced Nespresso and its indulgent Grand Crus. “We are delighted to be collaborating with Kevin Thornton. Nespresso has a history of successful partnerships with culinary leaders and Kevin Thornton is the perfect partnership, his endorsement of Nespresso is testament to both parties commitment to excellence and innovation,” noted Ian McDonald, Commerical Manager Nespresso UK and Ireland, pictured with Kevin Thornton (right).

Retail News|March 2015|www.retailnews.ie|13

Industry News GALA’S PROSPEROUS NEW STORE A NEW 1,200 square feet, state-of-the-art Gala forecourt

store has just opened in Prosperous, Co. Kildare. King’s Gala, Prosperous, is the third Gala store to be opened by retailer Brian King and joins the existing King’s Gala stores in Ashbourne and Kiltale, Co. Meath. Finished to the highest standard, King’s Gala Prosperous features a full food-to-go hot and cold deli counter, as well as a Baker’s Corner - a popular offering from Gala, which stocks freshly baked pastries, scones and bread. “We’re thrilled for Brian King to be opening his third convenience store with the Gala Group,” noted CEO of Gala Retail Services, Gary Desmond.

“The opening of the forecourt store in Prosperous is a great addition and will cater well for commuters and convenience shoppers in the area.” Store owner Brian King is pictured with Sean McCormack at the ribbon cutting for the new store.

Energia Helps Keelings Go Greener KEELINGS are set to reduce their carbon footprint by a massive 94 tonnes of CO2 this year thanks to an energy efficiency upgrade project with Energia. Energia, who supply gas to Keelings, undertook a major energy efficiency upgrade project at Keelings’ facilities at Foodcentral, Ireland’s national food and drink park in North County Dublin. They replaced the facilities’ existing lighting with an energy efficient LED system and fitted insulation in the company’s storage facilities. As a result, Keeling’s are reducing their annual energy consumption by 187,000kWh, leading to a massive reduction in their carbon footprint. Energia is offering businesses funding of up to 30% of the cost of energy saving projects. Pictured at the announcement are Denis McCarthy, Energia, and Wasim Haskiya, Keelings’ Energy Manager.

Flahavan’s Back On TV FLAHAVAN’S have announced details of their new TV advertising campaign to support their Quick Oats Porridge convenience range. The new TV campaign, created specifically for the Irish market by ad agency, Irish International, is supported on radio, video on demand and via below-the-line activities. The TV ad taps into the growing consumer demand for a healthy and nutritious breakfast that can be enjoyed anywhere, be that on the go or in work. Staying true to its qunitessentially Irish and West Waterford roots, the ad was shot in Bray, Co. Wicklow, and features Waterford born Holly Browne as the lead actress alongside award winning Irish actor, Jack Lowe from Wicklow, and includes a cameo performance from Ellen Flahavan, daughter of John and Mary Flahavan, who own the family business. The commercial will be broadcast on 32 terrestrial and satellite channels, with the radio advertisements airing on both national and local radio stations. For more information, see www.flahavans.ie or www.facebook.com/flahavans.

Topaz Celebrates a Decade of Success TOPAZ has been recognised as one of the Best Workplaces in Ireland for the 10th time. To mark the achievement, the company was presented with a special Laureate award when the 2015 winners were announced. This year Topaz claimed 11th place, in the list of the Best Large Workplaces in Ireland.

The fully Irish owned and managed company was the highest placed retailer across all size categories and once again was the only fuels and convenience retailer to make the list of Best Workplaces in Ireland. Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz (left) is pictured receiving the award from Liam Kavanagh, Managing Director of The Irish Times.

Heinz Amoy Rings in Chinese New Year

TO promote its Amoy brand, Heinz teamed up with Kinetic, the Out Of Home (OOH) media agency and OMD to create an AMOYzing OOH campaign that coincided with Chinese New Year, which took place on February 19, and successfully demonstrated the Chinese heritage of the Amoy brand. To celebrate the Chinese theme, Kinetic created eye-catching 3D dragons sited on top of five bus shelters across key Dublin city centre locations, including Baggot Street, Howth Road, Stillorgan Road, Rathfarmham Road and Collins Avenue. All specials feature two 3D dragons situated on the rooftop of each bus shelter. Gold lighting is added to enhance shadowing around the dragons, and the Amoy logo is printed in 2D and affixed to light steel bars painted gold. The dragons on top of each bus shelter measure approximately 1.2 metres in height and 2 metres in width. Each dragon is hand-carved in polystyrene, covered in rubber material and hand-painted gold.

The campaign is also running nationally on standard Adshel panels.

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

Industry News CENTRA ON THE MARK FOR BREAST CANCER

CENTRA has helped raise three quarters of a million euro (€752,100) for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme. Centra smashed its original target of €400,000 with a campaign that saw communities pounding the pavements, donning pink vests and ‘painting it pink’ for a great cause. Over 250 Centra retailers rallied their local towns and villages to come together for Centra’s ‘Let’s Walk’ initiative, raising over €215,000 in total. Over 7,500 participants collectively walked through villages, towns and cities around Ireland to help drive awareness of breast cancer and raise badly needed funds, while Centra sold nearly 44,000 of their limited edition pink reflective vests and 1,100 of their special rose gift box, raising an additional €74,200, and the remaining €445,800 was raised through the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign. Pictured are (l-r): Maighread Cremin, Centra, Jeanette Prunty; Breast Cancer survivor, and Susie Cunningham, Irish Cancer Society, with Bella the dog (aged seven months).

Coca-Cola Ireland Launch SPAR Lines Out for Sick One Brand Strategy Children COCACOLA Ireland is to unify the Coca-Cola portfolio of products, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero and Coca-Cola Life, under a new “one brand” strategy to promote the full choice of Coca-Cola variants.

Recent research shows that not all Irish consumers fully understand the choice offered within the Coca-Cola trademark and the distinct benefits of each brand. For example, six out of 10 people do not realise that Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero are no sugar, no calorie drinks. Now, those brands will be integrated with Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Life under one brand – Coca-Cola. At the same time, new pack designs will emphasise the distinctive benefits of each Coca-Cola product, making choice clearer and easier for consumers. Under the “one-brand” marketing strategy, which is launching in May, Coca-Cola advertising will feature the full range of Coca-Cola variants.

Crafty Win for Great Danes

DENMARK’S Coisbo Beer took home the 2015 Dublin Craft Beer Cup for the second year in a row for its Eleven Russian Imperial Stout - Sherry Matured. The Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair competition boasted 469 beers from 24 countries across the globe in the professional beer competition.

Coisbo were also awarded a silver medal on the last day of the competition for their first cider, Apple Pie Cider. Coisbo’s award winning beers and ciders are distributed by the Rye River Brewing Company.

Pictured are Coisbo partners Thomas Knudsen, Anders Coisbo (founder) and Jesper Hansen.

RUGBY player, Mike McCarthy joined the SPAR Great Ireland Run recently to announce that The National Children’s Hospital Tallaght has been chosen as the official charity partner for the race. Mike will be in the Phoenix Park on April 11 to run the 10k event on behalf of The National Children’s Hospital Tallaght. Staged in the heart of one of Europe’s largest city parks, the SPAR Great Ireland Run challenges runners of all abilities and ambitions, from the 10k race, to the SPAR Mini Run and Junior Run. Pictured are (l-r): Ciara O’Grady, Director of Fundraising & Events at The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght; Joshua Doyle, aged two, from Leopardstown; Leinster Rugby player, Mike McCarthy; and Emma O’Carroll, SPAR Brand Manager.

SEAT Ireland Fuels Topaz Play or Park TOPAZ has announced a year-long partnership with SEAT Ireland for its Play or Park loyalty programme. Over 330,000 customers have signed up to Play or Park to date, collecting points with every refuel or purchase made at participating Topaz stores nationwide.

The partnership with SEAT Ireland will see four lucky winners drive away in brand new SEAT models in 2015, including a new SEAT Toledo SE I-TECH, a fivedoor 1.2 TSI SEAT Leon and a brand new SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE 1.6 TDI. Pictured are Joanne Hurley, CRM & Digital Marketing Manager of SEAT Ireland, with Elaine Kearney, Customer Loyalty Manager, Topaz.

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

- Managing Director Jim Barry - Winner of ‘Ireland’s Most Trusted Leader’ at 2015 Great Place To Work Awards

Barry Group puts the customer at the core of everything we do. Our committed and experienced team strive to put every available resource at a retailer’s disposal.

By working with Barry Group, you will be at the forefront of industry innovations and have 60 years of experience supporting you.

So get the benefits of Barry Group working for your business today.

For more visit barrygroup.ie.

barryhalf.indd 1

Strangford Lough, Co. Down

05/03/2015 13:53:10

Rich pastures mean rich pickings.

Northern Ireland is known for its stunning landscape, but the land is rich and productive too.

The combination of a temperate climate and our dedication to farming excellence and innovation means food produced in Northern Ireland wins awards for quality the world over.

fields & yields

We can help you access over 400 food and drink manufacturing companies, so feel free to call anytime to discuss any sourcing or NPD requirements you may have.

Whetted your appetite? Visit www.buynifood.com Shane McArdle, Food Business Development Director, Republic of Ireland & International Markets E: shane.mcardle@investni.com Mob: +44 (0)7817 173516 Drew McIvor, Food Business Development Executive, Republic of Ireland E: drew.mcivor@investni.com Tel: +44 (0)28 9069 8113

www.buynifood.com

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

Industry News TOPAZ PLAY OR PARK WINNER

MAUREEN Giles from Ballymena, Co. Antrim, has been announced as the February winner of Topaz Play or Park.

Maureen and a friend will jet off to sunny Sydney, after she won the once in a lifetime prize, which is worth a total of €15,500 and includes a 10-night stay in luxury 5 Star accommodation with amazing views overlooking the iconic Sydney Opera House and €3,000 in spending money. “I’ve never been to Australia before, though I have some friends who are travelling there and a very good friend who has lived there for years, so I’m really excited to get out there and see what I’ve been missing,” said Maureen, pictured with James McKee, General Manager of Topaz Direct NI.

World Class Cocktails from Diageo WORLD Class, the drinks industry’s most prestigious and respected mixology competition, returns to Ireland this year. The year-long journey of qualifiers and heats will see Ireland’s best and most talented bartenders compete to represent Ireland at the World Class Global Final in South Africa in July 2015. This elite competition will showcase the Diageo luxury spirits portfolio, including Ketel One, Cîroc, Zacapa,Tanqueray, Bulleit and Johnnie Walker. The Irish World Class final will take place on May 26. Pictured are Justin Smyth, Ketel One Ambassador, Deano Moncrieffe, Don Julio Ambassador, and Max La Rocca, World Class Ambassador, Western Europe.

Food Writers Guild Awards Announced

THE winners of the 2015 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Awards were announced at an industry event at l’Ecrivain Restaurant recently. Now in its 21st year, the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards recognise and reward producers of the highest quality food, BUDWEISER has revealed this year’s five Dream Job together with industry stalwarts who devote their lives to finalists, and the power is placed in the hands of the Irish supporting and promoting Irish food. What’s unusual is that public as voting is open on the Budweiser Facebook page. no one can enter themselves into these awards. Pictured Budweiser is asking people across the country to watch the are the winners of the 2015 Irish Food Writer’s Guild five finalist videos on the Facebook page, and vote for the person they believe deserves it most. Each finalist has already Food Awards: Isabelle Sheridan, On the Pig’s Back (Cork); Eugene and Helena Hickey, Skeaghanore Farm Fresh Ducks secured an equipment bursary of €2,000, and they now compete for the prize fund of €50,000, and invaluable industry (Cork); Fiona and Malcolm Falconer, Wild About (Wexford); David and Martina Burns, Richmount Elderflower Cordial guidance to help make their dream jobs a reality. This year’s (Longford); Siobhan and Paul Lawless, Foods of Athenry Budweiser Dream Job finalists are; concert pianist Sean Rooney from Dublin, Brazilian fashion designer Alex D’Paula, (Galway); Birgitta Curtin, Burren Smokehouse (Clare); and Louth comedian Lisa Casey, Stillorgan based music composer Veronica Molloy, Crossogue Preserves (Tipperary).

Scott Tobin (pictured) and Co. Clare director and playwright Mark Griffin. See www.facebook.com/Budweiser for more information.

ISM, the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair, saw 37,000 trade visitors come to experience and learn at the 45th gathering of the world’s largest and most important trade fair for sweets and snacks, 6% up on last year’s visitor numbers. “This year, the ISM has once again made it clear how important the fair is for the confectionery trade, both nationally and internationally,” commented Katharina C. Hamma, the Managing Director of Koelnmesse GmbH. Visitors came from 141 countries, while 1,513 providers from 65 countries participated this year. The New Product Showcase proved particularly popular, with 90 participating businesses, including SoundyCandy from Turkish company Toller, which was voted first in the Top Innovations. For more information, see www.ism-cologne.de.

Finalists Announced in Budweiser Dream Job

Sweet Success at ISM

SMOKING KILLS Irish Government Warning

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

RGDATA Focus

2015: The Challenges Ahead RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley outlines the key issues that Ireland’s representative association for independent family owned grocery/convenience stores will be addressing this year.

AS any independent retailer worth their salt can tell you, every year poses challenges. There are ongoing challenges that continue to niggle and new ones that have to be overcome. Then there are the ones that come from left wing and take you completely by surprise. Ensuring your shop is busy and profitable remains a key challenge for many of our members – particularly those in rural towns and villages.

2015 is certainly looking brighter for some, for others there are still many challenges to overcome. This means that RGDATA is as busy as ever fighting the cause for family owned stores.

2015 will be a challenging year for our members – the owners of 4,000 independent shops, convenience stores, forecourt stores and supermarkets. Local shops continue to feel the impact of the recession and consumer food shopping habits have changed for good. Independent shops have to continue to be nimble, agile and constantly adapting to deliver customer satisfaction, drive sales and stay ahead of the competition.

The Struggle Continues Not all boats are rising equally on the improved economic tide. Shops in many rural towns and villages continue to struggle to survive. All independent shops have to be extremely well managed if they are to take on the challenge from the German and British global multiples. 2015 will be the year that independent retailers take back their green flag from the pretenders. We are the genuine green grocers.

We always were and still are the best supporters of Irish producers and suppliers. Money spent in an independent store is worth three times more to the local community than that spent in a German or British supermarket. These are key messages that RGDATA will be highlighting this year as part of an exciting new campaign highlighting the true value of local shops.

A lot is happening is 2015. New legislation regarding tobacco and alcohol; the bedding down of the new National Lottery, proposed new Grocery regulations and a national

debate about wage rates and the minimum wage. And that’s just the first quarter of the year.

RGDATA will be to the fore, making submissions to Government and regulators on all of these issues and making sure that the views and interests of local family owned shops are taken into account and acted upon.

National Lottery Changeover RGDATA has been to the fore in ensuring that the National Lottery changeover does not impact on sales in shops and that there are no additional costs for retail agents. In 2015, we will continue to raise any concerns that our members bring to our attention with the National Lottery and the new Regulator.

Local shops continue to feel the impact of the recession and consumer food shopping habits have changed for good.

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RGDATA Focus

All independent shops have to be extremely well managed if they are to take on the challenge from global multiples.

RGDATA Submissions RGDATA is constantly interacting with government departments and regulators to ensure that new legislation and regulations take into account the issues and challenges facing independent shops. One of the first submissions of 2015 concerned the government’s plans to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products, a new licensing system for the sale of tobacco products and a ban on sales of tobacco products by under 18s.

In our submission, RGDATA said that a new licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products would be “an unnecessary and costly regulatory burden for independent retailers” in the context of the current functioning regime.

“There is no evidence to suggest that the current registration system is not working effectively and the sanctions that exist for non-compliance with the rules on the sale of tobacco are already strong and penal,” RGDATA pointed out.

RGDATA stated that no evidence has been provided to demonstrate the inadequacy or lack of effectiveness of the current structures, which were introduced relatively recently.

“The proposed cost structures for the licence have not been revealed but hard pressed retailers see this proposal as totally unjustified and merely a revenue raising initiative, rather than a genuine or required tobacco control initiative,” the submission continued.

RGDATA is also currently making submissions on the proposed new Grocery Regulations, changes to the alcohol legislation and apprenticeships in the retail sector.

Alarming Rise in Claims RGDATA also carries out member surveys regularly throughout the year to assist us in highlighting issues of importance to independent retailers. One of the first RGDATA survey results this year reveal that over 60% of retailers have been impacted by claims for trips, slips and minor injuries over the last 24 months and at least 10% of retailers have suffered more than five claims in that period.

During the same period, retailers have seen their insurance costs increase significantly. One shop owner reported that his insurance premium has jumped from €65,000 to €106,000 for his five outlets. Another shop owner reported that he had a 20% increase, even though the case is still pending.

All respondents confirmed that they are investing heavily in security and the upgrading of CCTV to help tackle bogus and spurious claims. The average upgrade in CCTV is costing €4,500, according to shop owners. Many indicated that these increased costs are putting their business at risk and damaging their potential to recruit additional staff.

The persistent complaint from retailers is that insurance companies are too eager to settle claims for a nuisance value and do not vigorously resist claims that are spurious or bogus. RGDATA has called for insurers to invest in resisting claims, rather than settling them for a nominal or nuisance value.

RGDATA also called on the insurance industry to maintain a database of solicitors’ firms that are most often involved in prosecuting claims that are found to be bogus or spurious. Solicitors on the database should be challenged by the Law Society to determine what steps they are taking to establish the veracity of these claims at an early stage.

RGDATA is also asking the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs to investigate the rising number of these claims and to seek a new commitment from the insurance sector to invest in resisting bogus and spurious claims.

RGDATA Members Helpline: (01) 2834188 Whether it’s information, a friendly ear or tailored advice for a tricky situation, RGDATA’s 24/7 Support Service is there for members. The newly revamped website has everything an independent retailer needs to know about running a successful shop – from sample contracts, responsible retailing advice and tips to improve footfall and sales to health and safety procedures.

RGDATA’s Helpline staff have over 20 years’ experience in the grocery retail sector. There is no problem that they can’t offer support or provide helpful advice on. The helpline is open to RGDATA members, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

New RGDATA President NEW RGDATA president, Colin Fee, an independent retailer from Co. Louth, took over at the February board meeting. A dynamic local entrepreneur from Co. Louth, Colin and his brother Eugene recently opened their third MACE store in Dundalk.

In his role as President of RGDATA, Colin will work with the Board and the Director General to address the challenges facing independent retailers and ensure that the issues of importance to family owned shops are heard by government, media, regulators and policy makers.

Colin is passionate about helping independent retailers to maximise their businesses, drive efficiencies and make profits. There are many challenges facing shop owners in the year ahead and Colin is committed to addressing these issues and ensuring the best outcome for RGDATA members.

New RGDATA President, Colin Fee, and his brother Eugene, pictured in one of their three Co. Louth-based MACE stores.

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

SuperValu Annual Results

SuperValu Records €2.58 Billion in Sales At its national conference, SuperValu announced €2.58 billion in sales for 2014, with plans to open four new stores and add 280 jobs this year.

SUPERVALU has announced that it recorded retail sales of €2.58 billion in 2014. This represents a new milestone for the brand, following the addition of 24 former Superquinn stores to the business in February 2014. As a result, SuperValu now holds 24.9% market share and serves over 2.6m customers every week.

SuperValu plans to invest €18m in opening four new stores in 2015, which will add 280 jobs to the SuperValu network. Some of the locations will include Athlone and Kilcock. Together with its retail partners, SuperValu employs approximately 14,500 colleagues, making it one of the State’s largest private sector employers.

Good Christmas Trading Period “We are satisfied with our current trading performance, having finished the year well with a good Christmas trading period,” noted Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, at the SuperValu National Conference in Killarney. “We believe that SuperValu can continue to go from strength to strength in 2015. We will continue to drive the momentum behind SuperValu into 2015 through our food leadership programme, commitment to local suppliers through initiatives like Food Academy, and exceptional value through quality own brand products and promotions.”

Quality is where SuperValu really stands out, the MD stressed. “We have butcher counters in-store and our fresh meat is 100% Irish, so we lead the market in terms of quality food that consumers can trust,” he said. “The fact that the majority of our stores are independently owned means that our retail partners can

source local products that you simply won’t find on shelves anywhere else. We have really leveraged this over the past year through the Food Academy Programme, helping over 200 small Irish suppliers gain their first listing with a grocery retailer.”

Food Academy Programme Indeed, the establishment of the Food Academy Programme, a joint initiative between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Office Network to support small food companies in Ireland, was one of the group’s major achievements in 2014.

By virtue of its community retailer model, whereby stores are independently owned by local entrepreneurs, SuperValu is able to give Food Academy participating companies the unique opportunity of starting their journey on a small scale.

Participants are mentored by SuperValu and are able to secure listings with individual stores, helping them grow to a point where they are on a commercial footing to supply a network of stores.

200 small food producers supported by the Food Academy will generate sales worth €10m with SuperValu in 2015. 30 high performing small food companies have also graduated to Food Academy Advance, the next stage of the programme, to allow them to scale up and secure national listings with SuperValu.

Thomas Caulfield, SuperValu Council Chairman (left); Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu; and Michael Morgan, SuperValu Sales Director (right) are pictured at the SuperValu national conference in Killarney.

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Search AIBMS CLOVER © 2015 First Merchant Processing (Ireland) Limited trading as AIB Merchant Services. The Clover trademark and logo are owned by Clover Network, Inc. a First Data company. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names referenced in this material are the property of their respective owners. First Merchant Processing (Ireland) Limited is a joint venture between Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. and First Data Corporation. The joint venture is a separate legal entity from Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. and its subsidiary companies. “AIB” and the AIB logo are the registered trademarks of Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. and are used under licence by First Merchant Processing (Ireland) Limited. First Merchant Processing (Ireland) Ltd, trading as AIB Merchant Services, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Card & Payments Awards 2015: Best Merchant Acquiring Customer Initiative. MPE Awards 2015: Best Acquirer Award.

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

BIM Young Fishmonger Competition

BIM Search for Ireland’s Best Young Fishmonger Bord Iascaigh Mhara have officially launched their awards scheme for young fishmongers across the country.

BORD Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries agency, have officially launched their annual BIM Young Fishmonger competition.

The competition aims to reward fishmongers (under 35 years) who demonstrate a high level of expertise and knowledge. BIM is inviting all interested fishmongers to apply before the deadline, which is 12 noon, on April 17, 2015.

The competition, now in its third year, is growing in popularity and as consumer demand for seafood increases, Ireland’s fishmongers are adapting to consumers’ needs. This Gerard Collier, the current holder of includes modern retail the BIM Young Fishmonger Award. outlets that offer an extensive range of fresh fish and shellfish, prepared ‘ready to cook’ seafood dishes and an array of accompaniments from crumbs and marinades to flavoured butters.

Donal Buckley, BIM’s Director of Business Development & Innovation, explains the importance of this growing retail sector: “With the Irish seafood retail market for seafood valued at nearly €200m, fishmongers have an important role to play in encouraging Irish consumers to eat more fish, be more adventurous and to try new species. This competition will raise the bar in terms of quality, customer service and seafood skills and knowledge. We are looking forward to this year’s competition - best of luck to all applicants.”

A Tough Judging Process The competition is extensively judged, with three rounds of judging, including an anonymous visit to the retail shop to assess the overall premises, the seafood offering, product knowledge and customer service.

Retailers Enjoy a Seafood Masterclass BIM hosted a Seafood Cookery workshop on Wednesday, February 11, aimed at Seafood Retailers in the agency’s Seafood Development Centre (SDC) in Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

Led by BIM’s graduate New Product Development Chef, Derrick Rose, the attending companies were treated to an extensive cookery demonstration with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a range of seafood dishes, from chowder to seafood fajitas to fish pie.

The aim of the workshop was to provide retailers with the knowledge to prepare ready-to-eat seafood meals in their own premises to boost sales and attract new customers or simply to gain more knowledge in terms of seafood cookery to advise their customers.

Due to popular demand, BIM will be hosting another Seafood Cookery workshop for retailers in BIM’s Head Office in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin on April 14 from 9am2pm. The cost is €50 per participant; this includes lunch and all recipes in electronic format for your business to use. Places are limited. To book, please contact Lorraine O’Byrne obyrne@bim.ie or (01) 2144185.

Pictured are (l-r): Derrick Rose; BIM New Product Development Chef, Peter Deasy, Glen Mar Shellfish, Union Hall, Co Cork; Michael Geary, Seafood Cuisine; Skibbereen, Co Cork; Gloria Corcoran, BIM; David Scully, Scully’s Butchers & Deli, Clonakilty; John Sadlier and Michelle Sadlier, GL Sadlier Seafoods, Limerick; and Tomas Cooper, BIM.

Retail News|March 2015|www.retailnews.ie|23

BIM Young Fishmonger Competition BIM Fish Handling & Filleting Workshop BIM’s recent Fish Handling & Filleting Workshop in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, was well attended by seafood retailers and chefs looking to hone their skills in fish preparation. Led by experienced trainer and filleting expert, Hal Dawson, the two-day workshop covered topics such as: species identification, hygiene and safety, safe knife preparation and various filleting techniques, including butterfly filleting, skinning, and flatfish filleting. Pictured at the workshop are (back row, l-r): Hal Dawson, facilitator; Noel Holland, Galway Bay Seafoods; Brian Gannon, Castlebar, Co. Mayo; Andrew Jacob, Bunclody, Co Wexford and Lorraine O’Byrne, BIM; (seated, l-r): Kieran Buckland, chef, Chapter One; Una Ni Charra, Eyeries, Beara, Co Cork; James Dobson, chef, Chapter One; and Barry O’Malley, Connemara Smokehouse.

to further develop our product offering this year. I am passionate about seafood and I am committed to continually improving the business and encouraging new customers to try a range of the excellent seafood off our coast.

“This competition not only recognises the importance of your local fishmonger: it also profiles Irish seafood and if we can get more people to eat more seafood, that will be a great result!” Gerard continued. “Good luck to all the young fishmongers that apply this year - it is a fantastic experience.”

Who Can Apply?

The BIM Young Fishmonger 2016 competition is open to persons employed full time in fish retail shops or on supermarket seafood counters. To be eligible, you must be:

• • • •

35 years of age or younger on 31/12/15; Work a minimum of 30 hours full time per week exclusively on the seafood counter; Have at least two years’ experience working in a fish shop or on a supermarket seafood counter; Have excellent seafood product knowledge, technical skills and seafood preparation skills and customer insight.

To apply to be Ireland’s Best Young Fishmonger, log on to www.bim.ie for an application form or contact Lorraine O’Byrne on (01) 2144185 or obyrne@bim.ie To hear more about last year’s winner and all the finalists – watch the video diaries on www.bim.ie.

Five fishmongers will be shortlisted to proceed to round two of the competition, which involves in-depth visits by experienced judges.

The final stages of the competition, to be held in the BIM Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty, Co. Cork, will include a filleting skills test, with all finalists expected to fillet and prepare a range of fish and shellfish under time constraints. A one to one interview regarding the finalist’s business plans, opportunities and challenges will also take place.

They will also receive a master class with a specialist seafood chef.

The Prizes!

The finalists will be presented with their prizes at an awards event in November, including a specially designed trophy, a set of professional knives and a cheque for €500. The winner will also receive a specially designed trophy and knives, in addition to a seafood study trip and a cheque for €1,000.

Last year’s competition was a resounding success, with five excellent young fishmongers competing for the title: Stevie Connelly, Connelly’s Fish Company, Rathmines, Dublin; Gary Quinn, Stephen’s Fish Market, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath; Gerard Collier, Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead, Co. Louth; Mateusz Kowalik, Doran’s on the Pier, Howth, Co. Dublin; and Neil Turner, Caviston’s Food Emporium, Glasthule, Co. Dublin.

The overall winner, Gerard Collier of Fisherman’s Catch continues to enjoy the benefits of the award: “I was thrilled to win the BIM Young Fishmonger 2015 competition. As well as the recognition and confidence boost it has given both me and the business, I learnt a great deal from the experience and it has inspired me

ARE YOU IRELAND’S BEST YOUNG FISHMONGER? BIM is fishing for Ireland’s most competent, capable, knowledgeable and progressive young fishmonger. Do you fit the bill?

WHO CAN APPLY? This competition is open to persons working full time in fish retail shops or on supermarket seafood counters.

To be eligible to apply you must: ■ ■

■

■

Be under 35 years of age on 31/12/15 Work a minimum 30 hours full-time per week exclusively on the seafood counter Have at least 2 years’ experience working in a fish shop or on a supermarket seafood counter Have excellent seafood product knowledge, technical and seafood preparation skills and customer in-sight

Note: All past winners are ineligible to enter the competition

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Lorraine O’Byrne Business Development & Innovation Division, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, PO Box 12, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Tel: (01) 214 4185 • Email: obyrne@bim.ie

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Baby Care

Bringing Up Baby Parents’ desires to give their babies the very best means that there is huge potential for growth in baby food and baby care.

WHILST baby food in Ireland is an already mature and diverse category, there remains much scope for development and diversification, according to the latest report into the sector by Euromonitor International.

The nature of baby food, with the constant turnover of the end user as new babies are weaned and older children are introduced to “grown up” foods lends to this, as does the desire for parents to provide the most nutritious foods possible for their children. Current developments see consumers seeking out products which, in an ideal world, they would prepare themselves at home, using the best ingredients and following the latest nutritional guidelines.

Organic products, for example, have gained greater traction in recent years as products have become more widely available, with an increase in the number and diversity of brands, formats and variations.

Euromonitor expect the baby food sector to grow by 1% per year in value over the coming years, with the overall maturity of the category limiting the potential for more dynamic growth. Furthermore, the continued reduction in unit prices in more expensive areas such as organic products will place added pressure on overall value growth, they maintain. Additionally, the strong position and brand loyalty associated with leading brands ensure continued stability in price terms over the forecast period, with birth rates overall expected to remain more or less constant during this time.

Across the world, baby and child-specific products was the second fastest growing category in total beauty and personal care in 2013. Here in Ireland, baby and childspecific products are worth in the region of €40m, according to Euromonitor, who expect this sector to remain relatively static in the coming years.

Cow & Gate’s new range of Little Gourmet plates and bowls will drive growth back into the premium baby food category.

Cow & Gate Cow & Gate have been supporting Irish babies for over 128 years in Ireland. Research tells us that Irish parents want to give their babies homemade food wherever possible, but between the aspiration and the reality comes Cow & Gate’s new range of Little Gourmet plates and bowls.

Offering Irish babies the opportunity to have interesting flavours throughout the week, Cow & Gate are launching a range of six new bowls (2 x 200g), with recipes such as Garden Vegetable Trio, Beef Provençale and Grandma’s Chicken Casserole.

The Cow & Gate Little Steamed Meal plates are being rebranded Cow & Gate Little Gourmet plates to offer a consistent range across two key formats for parents. The Bowls are suitable for 8+ months and the Plates are for 10+ months.

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Baby Care Nationwide Pampers Survey

Cow & Gate are delighted to announce the launch of a range of 16 new vegetable-based savoury pouches that will help babies learn to love vegetables as they are meant to be enjoyed.

Supported by in-store communication, price promotions and coupons, this range launch and re-brand will drive growth back into the premium baby food category.

Cow & Gate are also delighted to announce the launch of a range of 16 new vegetable-based savoury pouches that are specifically developed for baby’s first spoons to 10+ months.

This range is being launched in direct response to the growing need to encourage more consumption of vegetables in the diets of Irish babies. Babies are naturally predisposed to eating sweet and salty flavours, but are often given vegetables diluted by the addition of fruit. Behaviours learned as a baby will stay the whole way through life. With this range, they will learn to love vegetables as they are meant to be enjoyed.

This range consists of four primary vegetable flavours; carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and pea, with the addition of stage relevant ingredients as baby progresses through weaning.

PAMPERS recently conducted a nationwide #BabySleep survey to find out who mums in Ireland really turn to when it comes to modern day parenting.

As mothers agonise and weigh up numerous sources of advice including books, magazines, websites and more for every baby step of the way, the Pampers survey reveals that who they look to for advice is changing.

The Pampers #BabySleep survey found that seven out of ten Irish mums (70%) turn to their own mothers when seeking parenting advice for their first child.

This is followed by two-thirds of mums (66%) getting advice from other parents/friends, and 61% turning to parenting websites for parenting advice. Similarly for the second child, almost two-thirds of Irish mums (62%) turned to their own mothers for advice, while over a half went to other parents/friends (53%) or searched parenting websites (52%) for advice. There is a change in trends with the third child, as three-fifths of mums turn to other parents/ friends (59%) before going to their mothers (47%). The research also found that almost two-thirds (64%) of Irish mums spend longer researching and ask for more advice with their first child than their other children.

Over a quarter of mums (27%) across the country now trust their friends' and peers' advice more than their parents', while more than one in ten mums (14%) turn to social media regularly. Almost two fifths (38%) of mums in Ireland believe their own parent’s advice is sometimes outdated.

It’s often said that mums instinctively wake in anticipation of their babies cry and three quarters (75%) of Irish mums surveyed admit to experiencing this. More than half (56%) of Irish mums wake up more than their baby during the night and cited they wake an average of 1-3 times per night, while a further third (36%) wake between 3-6 times a night. With so many disruptions during the night, no wonder almost half (46%) of mums voted having a lie-in as the best support loved ones can give. nappies contain a unique combination of elements that work nappies contain a unique combination of elements that work together to offer up to 12 hours of dryness, giving a baby the sleep they need to wake up giggling. An Embossed Top Layer pulls liquid away quickly to keep baby’s bottom dry, whilst the Extra Sleep Layer acts as a barrier to stop the liquid coming back to baby’s skin. And the special Micro Pearls absorb up to 30 times their weight, locking in liquid better than ordinary nappies so parents can be reassured that a wet nappy won’t be the cause of a disturbed night’s sleep.

Pampers, together with renowned Sleep Consultant Jo Tantum, are asking all parents to share their Pearls of Wisdom for baby’s sleep. They want to know the treasured nuggets of advice, the most valuable and useful tips, which work for babies and which could help another baby to sleep through the night. For more information, see www.pampers.ie, www.facebook.com/PampersUKIre or tweet @Pampers_UK and use #babysleep.

Pampers Baby-Dry nappies contain a unique combination of elements that work together to offer up to 12 hours of dryness.

Pampers In the recent Pampers #BabySleep survey, mums across Ireland ranked nappies, baby wipes and soothers as the top three items to pack in a baby bag. Pampers Baby-Dry

Huggies Huggies Pull-Ups potty training pants, with their fun Disney graphics, offer a unique and practical approach to potty training. The only potty training pant equipped to help children learn the difference between wet and dry, the unique learning liner gives a brief sensation of wetness and the fading graphics help children recognise when accidents

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Baby Care

Huggies Pull-Ups potty training pants and Huggies Pull-Ups Night-Time, with their fun Disney graphics, offer a unique and practical approach to potty training.

happen.

Unlike nappies and other pull up style alternatives, Huggies Pull-Ups potty training pants are a great educational tool for children to use throughout the training process. They pull up and down easily and look and feel more like pants, making them perfect for the transitional stage between nappies and big boy and girl pants.

From the very beginning of a little one’s potty training journey, it is important to be consistent and put them in a pair of Huggies Pull-Ups potty training pants during the day and Huggies Pull-Ups Night-Time at bedtime. Huggies Pull-Ups Night-Time provide extra absorbency and increased protection, ensuring little ones stay dry during the night, without having to revert back to nappies, which can send mixed signals to a child.

Consumers can visit www.pottytraining.co.uk, where they will find help and resources for every stage, including tips from Emma Kenny, reward charts, games and lots of other free downloads to help make the potty training journey more enjoyable.

Bepanthen Bepanthen is the strong number two player in the nappy care market and is showing year on year growth. Bepanthen

unveils a brand new campaign positioned around the new generation of protection in April, encompassing video, digital and press. This campaign will be followed up with a new exciting PR campaign.

The 2015 campaign is focused on communicating that Bepanthen is the gentle and effective ointment to be used every day to protect against nappy rash and the brand will communicate this through video testimonials from Irish mums who are advocates of the brand and through an experienced clinical midwife manager.

According to Marion Rogan, Manager of the Derm. category at Bayer, “Mums are really interested in listening to what other experienced mums have to say, so I believe our videos will be a powerful communications tool.”

Bepanthen is partnering with EU Mom and Mummy pages in 2015 and will also be visible in targeted parenting press.

Bepanthen will also participate in added value promotional activity in-store and Bayer have had strong results on their bundle deal promotion to date. Attendance at the Pregnancy & Baby Fair is also an important part of the plan for Bepanthen in April and is a great opportunity to meet pregnant women who are starting on their new journey.

Bepanthen will unveil a brand new campaign in April, encompassing video, digital and press, followed up with a new exciting PR campaign.

WaterWipes WaterWipes launched their first ever nationwide TV campaign on March 2. The Irish company is spending €500,000 on a major TV advertising campaign, fully supported by digital, consumer and healthcare press advertising.

With scheduling optimised to target their core audience, mums with kids, across a variety of ratings-topping shows on RTE, TV3, UTV and Channel 4, WaterWipes CEO Edward McCloskey said he believes the innovative new campaign will

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Baby Care drive awareness of the brand that is growing rapidly across the world.

“It’s a very simple yet powerful ad campaign that stays true to the brand’s core values by speaking directly to mums and showcasing that these wipes truly are different,” he says. “We have a great, Irish made product that’s uniqueness is driving sales all around the world, from Australia to the US, where sales are phenomenal.”

WaterWipes are the world’s only chemical free wipes and are as gentle on a new born baby’s skin as cotton wool and cooled boiled water and 97% of midwives endorse that they are suitable for new born babies.

Unlike other baby wipes, WaterWipes contain only two ingredients: 99.9% purified water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract and they are the only baby wipes in the world that are endorsed by Allergy UK.

WaterWipes are performing extremely well both at home and abroad.

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Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

New Industry Trends Report from Retail Ireland Retail Ireland recently published the very first edition of our new quarterly economic commentary and industry analysis report, Retail Ireland Monitor.

RETAIL Ireland Monitor is our new quarterly analysis of the latest CSO Retail Sales Index, containing expert commentary on current market trends from a selection of our member companies and Ibec’s team of renowned economists. The Monitor aims to scratch below the surface of the sales data itself and provide genuine insight into industry trends. It also gives us a platform from which to speak in an educated and insightful way to media and other stakeholders about retail’s overall performance.

The first edition of Retail Ireland Monitor forecasts further improvements in retail’s performance this year. This follows positive trends during 2014 and a Christmas trading period up on 2013. Strong January VAT returns, which were €225m or 12.9% ahead of last year, suggest the recovery is certainly starting to gain traction.

Consumer spending is now estimated to rise by 2.7% in 2015, following growth of 1.3% last year. Key factors supporting further recovery over the coming months include an expected rise of 55,000 in the numbers at work, and a rise of 3.54% in disposable income. The dramatic fall in oil prices will also boost consumer spending power. Every $10 fall in the price of a barrel of oil translates into an additional €100m spending power for Irish consumers.

Consumers look set to benefit from yet another year of low inflation, with intense competition keeping prices down. Overall inflation in the economy will be just 0.4% this year. At present, goods inflation is at minus 2% annually as shops battle for footfall.

Key Trends For 2015 Other key trends set out in Retail Ireland Monitor include: • •

• • •

Supermarkets and convenience stores: The greater Dublin area continues to record the strongest recovery, with regional locations lagging behind; Service stations: Sales of unleaded petrol have been declining for some time as consumers switch to more fuel efficient vehicles, which, coupled with increased economic activity, continues to drive significant growth in diesel sales; Pharmacies: Sales of healthcare products are up as more people are getting coughs and colds compared to last year; Furniture: The recovery in the property market means that soaring furniture and homewares sales will continue to lead retail’s recovery. Sales of electronics are also benefitting; Books, newspapers: Sales continue to struggle against the migration to digital formats.

Irish retailers have had a number of very tough years, but key indicators suggest that fortunes are finally starting to look up.

More people are at work, disposable income is rising and falling oil prices will increase consumer spending power. This is good news not just for retail, but for the wider economy. It means more jobs, more spending and more tax revenue.

The Economic Reality Retail’s recovery is, however, still in its infancy and many pressures remain. The sector is still operating at levels far below that reached during the boom years. Turnover is down nearly

20%; employment in the sector has fallen by 44,000; and 3,500 retail units closed during the recession. Many businesses are still constrained by boom time costs and charges. Progress could easily be undone if costs, including wages, increase beyond what is affordable.

Talk from certain unions of large, wide-spread pay awards is utterly unrealistic and at odds with the reality facing retailers around the country. Creating unrealistic expectations will only result in harmful discord in workplaces and could force companies to rethink recruitment plans. Retail was one of the last sectors to feel the recovery and we still have a very long way to go.

Positive Feedback The first edition of Retail Ireland Monitor marks the culmination of a number of weeks of work and we are very pleased with the positive feedback from our member companies. We look forward to building on the success of the inaugural edition in future issues and we would like to thank those member companies which contributed to the content.

Meanwhile, we are very pleased with the significant amount of media attention generated. Our Monitor and accompanying press statement were picked up by a number of sources and widely reported in leading newspapers and online outlets. Our Director was also interviewed on a number of radio networks.

To access a copy of Retail Ireland Monitor, follow the link on our homepage at www.retailireland.ie.

Need More?

For more information about our work and to find out how your company can become a member of Retail Ireland, please visit us at www.retailireland.ie.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie

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Tobacco Regulation

Plain Speaking from Down Under

Former NFRN Ireland President Joe Sweeney recently made a visit to Australia, talking to retailers in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide about their experiences with Australian retail regulation in relation to tobacco. He tells us about his experiences.

TOBACCO regulation in Australia varies by state and by local government. In some states, there is a complete ban on smoking while driving, while in New South Wales, tobacco can only be sold at a designated till.

This was not the reason I travelled right around the world, however. I wanted to talk to retailers and their representatives to find out first-hand how tobacco regulation is impacting on shops and on smoking habits. Australian retailers have had to grapple with plain packaging for two years now and evidence suggests that it hasn’t worked.

“Plain packaging is a disaster and has cost businesses a lot of money,” is the view or Russell Zimmerman of the Australian Retail Association (ARA). He cites two reasons for this: it slows down retail transactions in legitimate retail outlets and, perhaps more damaging, it pushes more and more consumers into the black market.

A Growing Black Market Australia’s growing black market is a major concern for the ARA. Australia has seen a massive growth in the amount of tobacco being seized, with customs seizing an estimated 300m cigarettes last year alone.

The black market is a massive problem in Sydney, according to the range of store owners I spoke to there. While it may not be a major concern for the wealthy Central Business District (CBD), the store owners insisted that a visit to the western suburbs or Chinatown would enable me to find plenty of smuggled tobacco being sold on the streets. In some of the poorer western suburbs, it is estimated that the black market had eclipsed legal sales.

All the retailers agreed that impending tax increases would also give an even bigger boost to the black market trade. With cigarettes in Australia expected to cost as much as 27 Australian dollars (approximately €19) in the coming months, they said that they expect more and more people will be forced to smoke black market cigarettes.

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Tobacco Regulation

Joe is pictured with Russell Zimmerman of the Australian Retail Association.

Two Years Of Pain Australian retailers have had plain packaging in their stores for just over two years. The packs are hidden in closed cabinets behind the counter and when they open the doors, all you can see are rows of indistinguishable green packets.

Sydney store owner Daniel believes that plain packaging has had no impact on tobacco purchases. “It hasn’t worked; people are still coming in to buy their cigarettes”, he commented.

“The legislation makes no sense; packaging isn’t what makes people smoke.”

Daniel believes that “the Government is hurting shop owners and punishing the poorer people in our society who can’t afford to buy cigarettes.”

Cigarette sales make up 40% of his business and he said he can’t afford to lose any more sales to the black market. “Focus more on smugglers and then come back and regulate us,” he urged the Government. “I’d respect that.”

Another retailer, Omar estimated that tobacco accounts for more than 60% of his sales and admitted that it is becoming harder and harder to stay in business.

put off, they eventually became desensitised, as with graphic health warnings on-pack.

Andreas, who owns Nick’s Tobacconist in Sydney’s Kings Cross, believes that the black market is taking over in his area. “We are losing business big time,” he says, a point backed up by fellow retailer Karen from Kings Cross

The Desensitised Consumer Indeed, every shop owner I spoke to agreed that plain packs have had no effect on the number of people coming through their doors looking for cigarettes. While Sydney store owner Daniel believes that plain packaging has had no impact on tobacco purchasing in Australia. initially, people may have been

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Tobacco Regulation across any of their stores, but that plain packs “The legislation makes have cost them a lot of additional no sense; packaging resources. He highlighted isn’t what makes the example of people smoke.” another retailer who was caught selling smuggled cigarettes under the counter. Even though he was fined $65,000 and isn’t allowed to sell tobacco for three years, Zain believes the penalties are still not high enough to stop people from selling black market tobacco.

Joe is pictured with Sam from TSG Tobacco Station, who feels many of his customers are switching to cheaper cigarettes.

Newsagency. Andreas also points out that plain packs have made it very easy to make mistakes, and once the packet has been opened he can’t resell it, meaning that the store owner has to personally pay for every error made.

Sam from TSG Tobacco Station notes that while he is still selling the same number of cigarettes, many of his customers are switching to cheaper cigarettes, now that they can’t tell the difference between brands. Sydney tobacconist Ivrahim agreed that brand loyalty is now gone and he has seen lots of people switching from premium brands down to cheaper Charlie Shahin, brands, while still more are reaching Director of Peregrine out to the black market.

Under The Counter Sales One extremely worrying observation is that lots of the retailers I spoke to revealed that many shops are selling illegal cigarettes “under the counter”.

Bessim, from the City Convenience store in Sydney, was amazed that plain packaging is on the cards in Ireland and the UK, explaining that in his experience, it hasn’t made any difference to smoking rates in Australia but has merely fuelled the black market and led those who continue to smoke legal cigarettes to cheaper brands.

Zain, who works as part of a 14-store family run franchise in Sydney, argued that the number of cigarettes they sell has not dropped

An Enormous Cost To Business In Melbourne, I met up with Jos de Bruin, CEO of Master Grocers Australia, who represent independent supermarkets and retail outlets across the country. Like the retailers, Jos believes that plain packaging hasn’t stopped people from smoking, but is costing businesses money. “Plain packaging was a government initiative that was designed to reduce smoking in the community. It hasn’t worked, but it has been an enormous cost to businesses and consumers.”

Jos feels that governments would be better served educating people about the risks of smoking from an early age. “More regulation doesn’t mean a change in culture,” he reveals. “Education is what works. Plain packs just mean more red tape and more costs to business.”

Another problem experienced by Jos’ members is that plain packaging has made it harder for people working in shops to identify the different brands and shop owners now have to invest more time and money into training staff to deal with stock location issues. It also increases the risk of theft as it takes people longer to find packs. Indeed, Jos revealed that some of his members have reported instances of verbal abuse or even physical abuse from customers, having been inadvertently given the wrong brands.

Jos believes that tobacco regulation is getting so extreme that the next stop could be an all-out ban on selling to people born after a certain date, as suggested in Tasmania, while other “stupid ideas” put forward include restricting times of sales for cigarettes and restricting sales to certain licensed premises that serve only over 18s.

Corporation, who own 100 convenience stores and 150 tobacco shops, with Joe.

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Tobacco Regulation The Disaster of Plain Packaging Peregrine Corporation is one of Australia’s retail success stories. Current Director Charlie Shahin’s father started out with one shop in Southern Australia and now the business has expanded to 100 convenience stores and 150 tobacco shops. Based in Adelaide, Charlie owns the On The Run chain attached to BP petrol stations, as well as Smokemart and Giftbox.

Like the other retailers, Charlie told me “plain packaging is a disaster”, describing it as a “waste of time and added cost”. In terms of the effects of plain packs on the day to day life of retailers, there has been a 30% delay at each stage of the ordering/stocking/sales process in his stores. There has been a 30% increase in the time it takes stores to order plain packs, a 30% increase in the time it takes his shops to receive the plain pack deliveries and a 30% increase in the time it takes his stores to put away deliveries “More regulation because of plain packaging. All doesn’t mean a this wasted time change in culture,” he is costing his shops a lot of reveals. “Education money.

is what works. Plain packs just means more red tape and more costs to business.”

The MP’s View It is not just retailers themselves who are concerned by the impact of plain packaging, however.

Sydney-based

Jos de Bruin, CEO of the Melbourne-based Master Grocers Australia, pictured with Joe.

MP Alex Hawke is very worried by Government regulations that affect small businesses. Alex describes plain packaging as a “badly thought out” policy that puts a disproportionate burden on smaller businesses and retailers. Big supermarkets haven’t been as unfairly hit by the costs of plain packs, but it has created huge problems for smaller shops, he argues.

He believes that a combination of plain packaging and increased prices are “fuelling illegal trade” and the Australian Government needs to be “careful that it is not incentivising the black market”.

The MP believes that tobacco control policy has now gone past practical effect in Australia.

Instead of introducing regulation that has “no proven health outcomes”, harms small businesses and fuels the black market, Governments should use public health campaigns and information campaigns that are proven to work if they want to change smoking culture.

Sydney-based MP Alex Hawke feels plain packaging is a “badly thought out” policy that puts a disproportionate burden on smaller retailers.

Slippery Slope Alex sounded another warning note, explaining that the Australian government has already moved on to regulating other products, like alcohol, in a similar manner to the way that they have tackled tobacco, which is a real concern for Ireland as well.

Two years after its introduction, those on the ground believe that plain packaging hasn’t worked in terms of its objective of curbing smoking rates but has merely succeeded in pushing formerly loyal customers to the black market and making life more difficult and costly for already beleaguered retailers. Surely Ireland’s government needs to look at the mistakes made Down Under and realise that this policy simply doesn’t work.

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Cheese

The Big

CHEESE Irish consumers’ love affair with cheese shows no signs of abating.

IRISH consumers love cheese: fact. From cheddar to soft cheese, spreadable cheese and innovative farmhouse cheeses, Irish shoppers are indulging their taste buds in this growing market. Ireland produces a whole plethora of cheeses, which are sold everywhere from supermarkets to farmers’ markets.

According to the National Dairy Council, Ireland produces more farmhouse cheese varieties per capita than any other country in the world! Indeed, our reputation for quality extends overseas, with Ireland exporting 90% of the cheese it produces.

In their latest report into the Irish cheese market, Euromonitor describe cheese as an “extremely diverse and brand heavy category”, and one which they expect to record annual growth rates of 3% for the next four years.

Kilmeaden Kilmeaden is an award-winning cheddar cheese made from a unique, traditional recipe dating back to 1965. Part of the Glanbia portfolio, Kilmeaden is renowned for its

superior quality and unique taste, thanks to the traditional craftsmanship and care that goes into every block. The quality and uniqueness can be attributed to the strict selection process that is used in making Kilmeaden cheese.

Only summer milk is used to ensure the best possible taste, while a full time Irish cheese grader tastes Kilmeaden on a regular basis to ensure only the best cheese goes into Kilmeaden, hence the promise that they “select the best, and take away the rest”.

Typically matured for 10 months, Kilmeaden cheese is given all the time it needs to develop its rich, distinctive flavour and taste. It’s this unique process that makes Kilmeaden ‘The Fillet of Cheddar’.

The full Kilmeaden range underwent a packaging redesign in 2014. The new packaging highlights the grader, who plays such an important role in the production of Kilmeaden cheese, while maintaining the parchment look and feel, and original colour palette which consumers identify with.

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Cheese

Kilmeaden underwent a packaging redesign in 2014, highlighting the grader, who plays such an important role in the production of Kilmeaden cheese, while maintaining the parchment look and feel.

A4 Advert Front Cover V2.pdf

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Kilmeaden has a great range of products to suit all tastes.

Currently available in blocks and slices, Kilmeaden is also launching grated cheese in a convenient, ready to use, resealable bag format in March 2015.

Dubliner Cheese Dubliner Cheese from Carbery has recently launched a fresh new look across its award winning range of cheese, which

Dubliner Cheese has recently launched a fresh new look across its award winning range of cheese, which includes Dubliner Original, Vintage and Lighter varieties.

includes Dubliner Original, Vintage and Lighter varieties.

Dubliner Cheese packs now come in bright and bold colours which make it easier for cheese lovers to find their favourite cheese on supermarket shelves. While the packs look more modern and fresh, they still have a lovely traditional Irish craft feel, reinforcing the famous taste of Dubliner Cheese and the dedication to quality.

To complement the new look, Dubliner Light, the full flavoured reduced fat range, has been renamed Dubliner Lighter and now comes in striking navy and green colours.

The packs are extremely eye-catching when compared to the traditional pale colours normally associated with lowfat products. The pack also proudly states that Dubliner Lighter has ‘33% Less Fat’, perfect for those searching for a lighter, but tasty, cheese option to suit their lifestyle.

Dubliner Cheese comes in blocks, slices and grated formats that, coupled with a number of varieties, ensures that Dubliner Cheese will have something to suit every occasion! For more information see www.dublinercheese.ie or www.facebook.com/dublinercheese.

Dubliner Light, the full flavoured reduced fat range, has been renamed Dubliner Lighter and now comes in striking navy and green colours.

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Cheese The Farmhouse Revolution IRELAND produces some of the finest farmhouse cheeses in the world, thanks to the quality of the milk produced here, allied to the finest traditions of cheesemaking, some of which have been handed down through generations.

Each cheese is a reflection of its creator, as well as where it was made, from the wild winds of our Atlantic coast to lush, grass-filled valleys. A few like-minded dairy farmers began creating their own farmhouse cheeses during the late 1970s, and in 1983 the National Dairy Council facilitated the establishment of CAIS, the Irish Farmhouse Cheese-makers Association. Some of its founding members, such as the Willems family who produce Coolea and the Maher family who produce Cooleeney, are still active members today.

The intervening years have seen a wealth of Irish artisan cheesemakers producing cheeses which are the equal of any in the world, and Irish farmhouse cheeses are regular winners in cheese competitions across the globe.

Industry estimates value the Irish farmhouse cheese market at over €4m, with growth being driven by increased purchase frequency, as well as more households choosing to purchase farmhouse cheese, particularly in the form of cheese-boards, which are showing strong growth.

EU Cheese Promotion Initiative

Philadelphia Consumers can discover a delicious new cream cheese experience with Duo Cremoso from Ireland’s number one soft white cheese brand, Philadelphia (Source: Nielsen, Total Scantrack (excl. Dunnes & Discounters), Cream Cheese, Data w/e December 28, 2014).

Duo Cremoso is an indulgent combination of creamy Philadelphia with a delicate whipped core, bursting with selected flavours: Garlic & Fine Herbs, Vine-Ripened Tomato and Cracked Peppercorn. Perfect for sharing as an evening treat or for a special occasion, Duo Cremoso comes paperwrapped, ready to lift out and serve at the table.

The range has been heavily supported with above-theline TV and digital, in order to drive awareness, and with in-store POS and sampling to drive trial.

New Duo Cremoso is an indulgent combination of creamy Philadelphia with a delicate whipped core, bursting with selected flavours: Garlic & Fine Herbs, Vine-Ripened Tomato and Cracked Peppercorn.

THE European Commission has began a three year co-funded information and promotion campaign promoting cheese and cheese culture.

Zoë Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council, says that the programme creates an opportunity to showcase how delicious and versatile cheese can be, as well as the nutritional role it can play as part of a balanced diet. “Cheese can be appropriate for almost any consumption occasion, as it can be made available in a variety of forms, yet Irish consumers typically use cheese in a narrow range of occasions,” said Kavanagh.

The EU Cheese Programme is co-funded by the dairy industry, generating a total budget of €4,980,000 in four participating countries over three years, starting in 2015, with €720,328 allocated to promoting cheese in the Republic of Ireland during that period.

The proposal to the EU was co-ordinated through the European Milk Forum (EMF) on behalf of the organisations responsible for promoting dairy products in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Denmark and France, with the Irish submission supported by the NDC, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine.

The aim of the single campaign is to give consumers a clear understanding of the role cheese can play in the everyday diet identifying different occasions to eat cheese, different ways in which cheese can be used at mealtimes and new ways to use cheese.

National surveys demonstrate the contribution of cheese to calcium intake in the Irish diet: cheeses contributed 9% of calcium intake among Irish adults (18-64 years), as well as contributing 9% and 8% to the mean daily intake of calcium in the diet of Irish teenage girls and boys (13-17 years) respectively.

Corresponding figures for Irish children (5-12 years) were 6% for both boys and girls. In addition to calcium, cheese offers a range of other nutrients. For example, 25g cheddar cheese (matchbox size piece) provides a source of vitamin B12, phosphorus and protein.

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CATEX 2015

Foodservice Sector in Fine Health at CATEX

Garret Buckley, IFSA, organiser of CATEX, is pictured with Larry Smith, Commercial Sales Manager, Calor, and Seán Martin, Bunzl Ireland.

THE 50th Anniversary CATEX was the biggest showcase for the foodservice industry ever, welcoming more than 11,200 visitors to the RDS from February 17-19, indicating that the industry is well on course to be worth a predicted €6.5 billion by 2017 (Source: Bord Bia).

With the turnout far exceeding expectation, the Irish hospitality industry has been buoyed by the clear demonstration of the renewed health of the sector. The event, sponsored by Bunzl and Calor, featured over 250 companies, who exhibited over 4000 square metres, as well as staging some of the biggest national competitions in Ireland across the chef, barista and cocktail sectors. The biennial exhibition, organised by the Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA), is the foodservice industry’s biggest calendar fixture.

Landmark Show Speaking at the opening of the show, Minister for Tourism, Trade and Sport, Michael Ring TD, described CATEX 2015 as “a special landmark show”.

“The interest around local and traditional food producers continues to grow,” the Minister noted. “I am confident that the on-going hard work of the varied stakeholders in food tourism, matched with Government policy, can help maintain and grow the economic recovery in the tourism sector. Things are looking up in the tourism sector and I

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, CATEX 2015 at the RDS in Dublin welcomed more than 11,000 visitors through its doors over the three days, highlighting the health of the Irish foodservice sector, as well as showcasing national cocktail, barista and culinary competitions.

Pictured at the first day of CATEX 2015 are (l-r): Johnny Carroll, MC Chef Ireland; Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Liam Hore, National Heritage Park Wexford; and Eoin McDonnell, Wyatt Hotel.

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CATEX 2015 Calor Sponsors CATEX 2015

World pizza throwing champion 2013, Giuseppe Iapolla from Pizza Si, demonstrates his skill at CATEX 2015.

About the IFSA

AS part of its on-going support of the Irish foodservice industry, Calor sponsored Ireland’s largest and most influential foodservice event, CATEX, as they mark a major milestone of 50 years in 2015. Calor has a passion for excellence in catering and for more than 75 years has been delivering energy solutions to Irish hotels, restaurants and caterers nationwide.

Calor energy advisors were showcasing a range of gas appliances and demonstrating how they provide energy efficient solutions ‘beyond cooking’ to deliver energy savings across a business.

“Calor is at the heart of the Irish foodservice industry, and we are committed to adding value by providing service solutions to hotels, restaurants and caterers nationwide,” noted Larry Smith, Commercial Sales Manager, Calor. “We have always had a passion for excellence in catering and we are delighted to have sponsored CATEX 2015. We really enjoyed meeting many customers at the event and building opportunities for their brands through our expertise at Calor.”

Calor was also proud to sponsor Frank Corr’s book, ’50 Years’, which marks the 50th anniversary of CATEX. The book was commissioned by the Irish Food Service Alliance and includes a detailed history of the association, the development and expansion of CATEX and the evolution of the catering supplies sector over the past 50 years.

This year at CATEX, Calor provided a Calor appliance showcase which included a new range of industry cookers, a new range of hot plates, and Rinnai instant hot water heating appliance and generators.

The Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance was formed with the aim of establishing and maintaining a collective agreement of standards and objectives for the overall foodservice industry in Ireland. Enjoying the full support of the well-organised existing foodservice representative bodies, the objective of IFSA is to promote, develop and enhance the position of all the foodservice suppliers in the industry as not just a lobby group, but as a group that can collectively drive the whole industry forward. can assure you that I will continue to work with you and to support the industry at Government level.”

IFSA Chairman Sean Martin added, “We had expected a good turnout based on the early sell-out of exhibition stands but we are overwhelmed by the turnout of visitors. This is a very exciting and empowering time for us as an industry.

Confidence in the sector has clearly grown - at menu prices, the industry is worth €6 billion and is set to rise to over €6.5 billion by 2017. We can finally hold our heads high and look to future with conviction.”

Exciting Industry Competitions The country’s most promising talent in the foodservice industry took part in some of the most exciting industry competitions to date, organised by The Bartenders Association of Ireland, The Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (Irish Chapter) and Chef Ireland.

Mixology masters from across the country shook up the stage at Ireland’s biggest and most influential foodservice event for three major cocktail competitions, sponsored by Edward Dillon & Co. Taking first prize in the National Hospitality Student Cocktail Challenge was Finbarr Collins of Cork Institute for Technology, while the first prize for the Create it Mix it Shake it Conceptual Cocktail Competition

Larry Smith, Commercial Sales Manager, Calor, and Michael Ring TD, Minster of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, are pictured taking the Battle of the Bikes Energy Challenge at CATEX 2015, sponsored by Calor.

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CATEX 2015 went to Michael O’Shea at the Marker Hotel. Finally, the winner of the National Cocktail Competition 2015, who will go on to compete on behalf of Ireland at the World Cocktail Competition in Bulgaria later this year was Owen Hughes from Knockranny House Hotel in Westport, Co. Mayo.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s top baristas competed in the finals of their competitions, forming part of a packed schedule of events at the show, sponsored by Avonmore. The Irish Latte Art Champion 2015 is Dave Regan, while the Irish Cup Tasters Champion is Elvis Matiejunas. The winner of the Irish Barista Competition was Natalia Piotrowska, who will go on to compete for Ireland at the World Barista Championship in Washington in April.

Getting hot in the kitchen, the country’s most talented chefs engaged in a series of competitions (sponsored by Calor and Stephens Catering) including the Senior Duck Competition, which was won by Sebastian Nowak of the Annebrook Hotel, and the Fish Dish Competition, which was taken by Gareth Carberry of Clontarf Castle. The College Student Competition was won by Galway/Mayo IT students Cezary Sodel, Marek Hajdek, Shane Austin, Aisling Lee and Patrycja Sadowska. One of the newer competitions in the schedule this year was the Contract Caterers Culinary Challenge, won by Sodexo.

For further information on the show and all winners see www.catexexhibition.com

Tekspek Conveys Its Advantages TEKSPEK, based in Waterford, has been supplying food packaging and food conveying solutions since 2007. The biodegradable meal trays are available in one two or three compartment sizes, for both main meal and dessert, and can be chilled, frozen, microwaved or reheated in a conventional oven. Trays are used for ready meals in delis, restaurants as a “to go” option, hot meal delivery, oil rigs, outdoor events etc.

Tekspek also specialises in German highly insulated hot or cold insulated boxes for the storage or transport of hot food. Blu-Box Heated (95°C) / Chilled Food Conveyor Boxes are manufactured from anti-bacterial Silver Zeolite. Bulk food can be transported in Bain Marie containers with anti-spill lids, or loaded with ready meals for various applications such as hot meal delivery, event catering, etc.

Vehicle transported hot food can be boosted with the vehicle electrical power board available separately. The fan assisted heater system ensures uniform heat inside, meaning no more cold spots during transport.

Chilled food transportation can be achieved by the simple insertion of a dedicated cool slab.

For more information, contact Jim Kennedy on (051) 855623, email info@tekspek.ie or visit www.Tekspek.ie.

Norbert Thul and Martin Treacy from the Panel of Chefs, are pictured with Jim Kennedy, MD, Tekspek (centre).

Sandra Sheridan, Foodservices Manager, Glanbia, is pictured with Natalia Piotrowska, 2015 Irish Barista Competition winner, at CATEX 2015, who will go on to compete for Ireland at the World Barista Championship in Washington in April.

Popcake Pancake Wins New Fans at CATEX BELFAST-based North South Retail were delighted with their three days at Catex, with great interest in their Popcake machine. Popcake, a self service pancake machine, is the latest sensation to be rolled out in supermarkets and hotel bakeries across Ireland. It allows the user to make fresh, piping hot Gerry Murphy, Area Sales pancakes within a minute. It Representative from North is highly space efficient, fitting South Retail, pictured with on a counter-top, portable the Popcake machine. and uses far less power than waffle bakers. Add in ease of cleaning and maintenance and you start to see the benefits of this machine. For more information, contact Gerry Murphy on 083 4440077 or visit www. northsouthretail. com.

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Insight & Analysis

C-Stores and the Future of Assortment

How can large-store assortment options be made available in a convenience store format, asks Oliver Guy, retail expert at Software AG. THE property agent, CBRE recently commented that the increase in number of convenience stores by major UK grocers Tesco, Asda, J Sainsbury and William Morrisons, has cannibalised their own sales.

The proliferation of supermarkets has left consumers accustomed to a large assortment of options. But increasingly smaller convenience stores are popping up with less storage and shelf space. The very subject of convenience retail and the ever decreasing store footprint fascinates me because we all love choice when we buy our groceries.

The Rise of the Supermarket The supermarket format grew and grew over the 1980s and 1990s, with stores getting bigger and bigger, and with that choice in terms of assortment. To a grocer, assortment refers to the number of product choices that a customer has to select from. As time has gone on, this has got larger and larger, partly due to the competitive nature of consumer packaged goods manufacturers, who have given us more and more different products.

One example is coffee. When I was a child, there were three types of coffee that I remember in the supermarket

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Insight & Analysis About the Author

– Nescafe, Maxwell House and the supermarket’s own brand. All of these were instant. However, the choices available today are vast – in excess of a hundred in a typical supermarket. As consumer tastes have become more sophisticated, the assortment has got broader and broader.

More frequent and further distances that consumers have travelled on holiday have fuelled desire for new products that people can buy when they are at home.

The Changing Face of Shopping The reality is that to give consumers the choice, supermarkets had to get bigger. So now that habits are changing we have a different situation. Online shopping, discounters, space at home, customer’s wallets are all factors that are driving changing shopping behaviour, which is increasing the use of convenience stores. The difficulty is that these smaller footprint stores simply do not have the space to have the choice we have all become so used to.

In his book ‘Inside the Mind of the Shopper’, Herb Sorensen states that the average family over the course of a year will only buy 300-400 different items within a store.

Contrast this with the 10,000 plus choices available in a supermarket and perhaps we don’t need the choice. However, not every family will buy the same 300-400 items, so it could be argued that you still need a good sized assortment.

Although the hard discounters clearly have a different opinion, with assortments of less than 1,000 items in order to minimise costs.

OLIVER Guy is Retail Industry Director at Software AG, Europe’s fourth largest software company. Oliver advises and supports retailers across the globe, understanding retail technology solutions and how they can solve problems, drive growth, minimise risk and reduce cost as the industry evolves.

With over 12 years’ focused on retail, Oliver has worked with major global retailers such as Edcon, John Lewis, Ahold, Dixons, Metro, Best Buy, Morrisons, ICA, Panda, Vodafone, O2 and Boots to improve their business through the use of innovative technology solutions.

Prior to joining Software AG, Oliver was part of the European Management team at Oracle Retail – his team being responsible for retail focused solution consulting across Europe. Before that, Oliver worked for Infor in a solution consulting role. Oliver started his career in the technology industry, implementing supply chain planning and optimisation solutions for retail and consumer packaged goods companies across Europe and Asia Pacific for Manugistics (JDA).

Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store So what is the answer – how do we make a large-store assortment available in a convenience store? It could have many different components, of which buy-online, pick up in-store is a component. The logic here is to offer a core assortment in the convenience store, with other items dispatched from an alternate location to meet the specific customer’s order.

One example where this is currently being done is Boots.

Boots stores sit on pretty much every high-street in the UK and are growing store numbers in Ireland. In the UK, in particular, the size of the store correlates with the size of the specific town. Accordingly, they have many small stores - some perhaps as small as 200 or 300 square feet. Clearly these smaller stores will carry a narrow assortment and as an example, many ‘high-end’ cosmetic products are only carried in the very large stores in major towns and cities.

Boots have recently began advertising their version of ‘buy online - pick up in-store’ which allows customers to order their chosen item for collection from their local store whether it is stocked by that store or not. Consequently, the most exotic Clinique, Elizabeth Arden or Elemis cosmetic products can be acquired on every high street. They do not need the extensive estate of large stores in order to do this just some clever online, logistical and in-store processes. So is this the answer for the grocers with the extensive large store estate? Like I said, buy-online, pick up in-store is part of the answer. How big an answer this is I am not sure, but one thing is certain, Boots do not have the legacy of wondering what to do with so many large stores.

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On The Vine

Wines For Easter

Jean Smullen predicts the wines guaranteed to fly off your shelves as we approach the busy Easter season.

SPRING is here and Easter takes place at the first week in April, so it’s a perfect time to look at what is happening in terms of wine trends in the off trade and what to stock for the holiday period and the months ahead.

New research conducted by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) found that 70% of respondents had a better trading period over Christmas 2014, when compared with the previous year. The survey of 600 pubs, restaurants, hotels and independent off-licences found that almost half (47%) had to hire additional staff over the holiday period. Importantly, 64% of respondents said that the Government’s decision not to increase excise duty in the budget had a positive effect on Christmas trading.

Total off trade sales for wine in 2014 was around 5.4m cases, an increase of 2.7%.on the previous year, according to ACNielsen figures (MAT). The value of the market increased by 7.6%, although it should be noted that the average realised price for wine has not kept pace with duty increases. The average price for a bottle of wine in 2014 for the off trade was €7.89 per bottle, exactly the same as the previous year, before the second Government increase in wine duty.

Chile is growing strongly and has over taken from Australia in the off trade as the most popular country of origin. This is being strongly driven a number of key brands, including Santa Rita, as well as by Concha y Toro and Carmen.

France is also performing well. Even though it does not have any flagship brand per se, much of the growth can be attributed to price promotional activity.

Italy continues to grow strongly, mainly due to Pinot Grigio and Prosecco, though no individual brand seems to dominate. However, the demand for Italian wine is still very strong.

Spain is growing strongly. There are some great value offerings from interesting new wine regions which are driving this, but the very popular core wines from Campo Viejo, Faustino and Torres are also contributing to the growth.

Australian wine sales are declining, although Hardy’s is bucking the trend and is gaining traction in both volume and value sales.

CHILE Santa Rita, Vina Carmen, Dona Paula (C&C Gleeson) The Santa Rita range is now the number one wine brand on the Irish market. This incorporates the Vina Carmen range, as well as Dona Paula from Argentina.

C&C Gleeson will be running a major offer, targeting independent off licences, in March/April, which also involves a consumer competition. The promotion applies to the premium Santa Rita Estates Range, Santa Rita Reserva, Carmen Reserva and Dona Paula Estates (includes all varietals). The consumer will be encouraged to make a purchase from the range and can then enter into a competition to win a luxury weekend break in Ireland.

The promotional price will be RRP €12.99 across the range. For more information visit www.gleesongroup.ie or call (01) 5063900.

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On The Vine of its winemaking. For more information see www.enowine.ie or call (046) 9073613.

The Santa Rita range from C&C Gleeson includes Vina Carmen, Santa Rita Reserva and Dona Puala.

Casa Silva (Barry & Fitzwilliam) Casa Silva, one of Chile’s best known family vineyards, are now distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam. Based in Colchagua Valley, the winery is run by Mario Pablo Silva, who took over the winery from his dad at a relatively young age. Casa Silva was originally founded in 1892. For more information, see www.bandf.ie or call (021) 4320900.

USA E&J Gallo (10 International) The USA is showing good growth, with wines from E&J Gallo, especially their varietal range. The Barefoot brand is driving the increase in volume sales of these Californian wines. Gallo is distributed in Ireland by 10 International. For more information, see www.10internationalireland.com.

Cakebread, Benzinger, Joseph Phelps (Febvre & Co.) At premium level, Febvre & Company have a range of top Californian wines, most of which are organic, including Cakebread (Napa Valley), Benziger (Sonoma County) and Joseph Phelps (Napa Valley). For more information, visit www.febvre.ie or call (01) 2161400.

SPAIN The hugely Campo Viejo (Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard) popular Pink Moscato from Campo Viejo was founded in 1959 by José Ortigüela, as a Rioja quality brand. In 2012 it Gallo Family became the first Spanish winery to be Carbon Vineyards.

Neutral certified. It is the number one Rioja wine brand worldwide. Campo Viejo has been showing strong growth on the Irish market during 2014 with both volume and value sales increasing.

For more information, see www.irishdistillers.ie or call (01) 212 9000.

Baron de Ley (Eno Wines) This is a premium wine from the Rioja region and was awarded top marks in the March 2015 edition of Decanter.

Founded in 1985, the winery is based in an old fortified monastery. The 2010 DOCa Rioja Reserva by Baron de Lay is a modern style Rioja, and reflects “new Spain” in terms

ARGENTINA Finca la Linda and Luigi Bosca (Barry & Fitzwilliam) Argentina has been slowly increasing its market share and has overtaken Germany into ninth place, having doubled its market share to 2.1% of the market or 172,611 cases, up from 86,640 in 2012.

One of Argentina’s top wineries has recently moved to Barry & Fitzwilliam: a family estate based in Mendoza, the Arizu family sell their wines under two labels, Finca la Linda and Luigi Bosca. For more information, see www. bandf.ie or call (021) 4320900.

To promote Argentina and to celebrate World Malbec Day, the Argentine Wine Fair 2015 will take place on Thursday, April 16, at the Hilton Dublin Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2, from 12:00-18:00. Exhibitors include both of these wineries, as well as many others, including Dona Paula.

Campo Viejo: the number one Rioja brand worldwide.

ITALY Italian Pinot Grigio is starting to increase its prices, which has seen it gain in value but not in volume. Prosecco is another popular Italian wine style, contributing to the overall increase in popularity of Italian wine on the Irish market.

Antinori (Findlater Wine & Spirit Group) Although Pinot Grigio and Prosecco are driving Italian wine sales here, don’t forget there are many other classic Italian wine regions with some of the definitive wine styles.

Antinori are probably one of the most famous Italian houses.

Marchese Piero Antinori is Director of the company, assisted by his three daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia, all of whom are personally involved in running their business.

Antinori are one of the leading Italian producers of fine quality wines and their range includes a great portfolio of wines from their Tuscan Estates, from entry level to premium wines such as Tignanello. For more information see www.findlaterws.ie or call 1850 200 569.

Soligo Prosecco (Glug Wines) The Colli Del Soligo wine cellar is located in the centre of the natural amphitheatre formed by the hills ranging from Valdiobbiandene to Congegliano in the heart of the Prosecco superior DOCG production area. This Prosecco house is new to the market and is being distributed by Philip Sweeney of Glug. Philip, who used to work with Classic Drinks, has now set up his own company. For more information. call (01) 6978332 or email Philip@glug.ie.

Tom Franks RIP 1930-2015 Tom Franks passed away on February 18 in Leopardstown Park Hospital, a month shy of his 85th birthday. He was Chairman of the Wine Development Board of Ireland in the late 1980s and was heavily involved in wine education. He started his career with Harvey’s of Bristol before moving to Ireland in 1966 to take up a job with Edward Dillon & Co. where he worked until retirement. In later years he kept up his links with the wine world by writing the wine column for Retail News. Our condolences to his wife Joan and his daughters Jane, Susan and Sara.

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Drinks News Corona Moves to C&C Gleeson C&C Gleeson has expanded its beer portfolio, adding one of the world’s leading beer brands to its range and becoming the exclusive distributor of Corona Extra and Corona Light in Ireland. This announcement means that C&C Gleeson is now managing three of the top 10 beer brands in the world, as Corona joins Stella Artois and Brahma, which are already in the C&C Gleeson portfolio. “Corona leads the ‘Sunshine Beer’ category around the world and is a brand we have always admired and respected, so it’s a particularly welcome addition to our business,” noted Laura Faulkner, Brand Manager for Corona. “In terms of growing the C&C Gleeson business, acquiring exclusive distribution rights to Corona presents a fantastic opportunity for us to expand our trade reach, offering customers across the island of Ireland an extended collection of some of the most popular drinks brands not only in Ireland, but globally.”

RED BULL CRASHES INTO BELFAST

OVER 40,000 spectators came from across Ireland and further afield to Stormont Estate, over two days to watch some of the world’s best skaters take part in the Belfast leg of the Red Bull Crashed Ice. Over 140 competitors took part in the action-packed race on a heart-pumping assault course that has been specifically designed in front of Parliament Buildings. Winner, Scott Croxall was unstoppable in all five of his races down the spectacular 430-meter long track and sent the Belfast crowd into a frenzy with his scintillating performance in the finals of the world’s fastest sport on skates. It was an all-Canada sweep, with Dylan Moriarity taking second place and his twin brother Dean taking third. Red Bull Crashed Ice is a world series in the winter extreme sporting event of ice cross downhill.

GREAT YEAR FOR HEINEKEN IRELAND “2014 was another strong year for Heinken Ireland, which has seen us outperform a beer market that declined by 0.3% in 2014,” according to Maggie Timoney, CEO, Heineken Ireland, as the company unveiled its 2014 results. “Our cool innovation in marketing and product development continued in 2014 with the unveiling of the Heineken Sunrise responsibility campaign and the successful launch of Amstel Radler, a mid-strength beer and lemon offering, in the Irish market.” Revenues for Heineken Ireland remain strong at €505.5m. Lager remains the preferred beer of choice for the Irish consumer, with a 64% share of the total beer market. The Heineken brand remains Ireland’s number one lager, while 2014 was another year of growth for Coors Light, growing market share in both the on and off trade, and the Desperados and Tiger brands had a stellar year, both delivering double digit growth.

BAILEYS CELEBRATES 40TH BIRTHDAY MINISTER for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD visited the Baileys production facility on Dublin’s Nangor Rd recently to mark the brands 40th birthday and to announce a €600K partnership between Baileys and Enterprise Ireland. Baileys is the number one selling cream liqueur in the world and a major contributor to Ireland’s rural economy. The company, set up in 1974, uses over 250m litres of fresh Irish milk annually and 82m bottles of Baileys are sold worldwide each year to 180 countries around the world. The €600k partnership with Enterprise Ireland will bring the Nangor Rd site, where Baileys is produced and bottled, onto the next level of efficiencies. This includes upskilling of employees and the site itself, to increase the sustainability of the brand.

The partnership will also enhance the R&D element of this export driven brand, with the ultimate objective being to increase the business and therefore grow the rural economy.

Pictured is Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD and Colin O’ Brien, Managing Director of Baileys and Head of Supply with Diageo.

Blue Moon for Ballygowan & Energise Sport BALLYGOWAN Natural Mineral Water and Energise Sport, part of Britvic Ireland, have been unveiled as the official hydration partners of Dublin GAA in a new three year deal. Under the new partnership, Ballygowan and Energise Sport will support Dublin hurling and football teams across all age groups, including U21 and senior.

“Dublin GAA is a perfect partner for both Ballygowan and Energise Sport. The passion, pride and ambition that drives Dublin GAA towards their remarkable achievements is an inspiration to us all. Collaborating with Dublin GAA gives us a great platform to promote the benefits of healthy hydration for everyone,” said Leonie Doyle, Marketing Director, Britvic Ireland, pictured with Dublin senior footballer James McCarthy, left, and Dublin senior hurler Michael Carton.

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Market News MARYLAND’S MAJOR BOOST FOR BISCUIT AISLE

PIONEERING Burton’s Biscuit Company is breaking exciting new ground in Ireland’s sweet biscuit market with the introduction of a category-boosting first, Maryland Soft Baked cookies. The innovative breakthrough involves a substantial investment by Burton’s in new manufacturing technology to bring American-style soft cookies to the biscuit aisle. “Maryland Soft Baked stands apart from anything else currently available in the biscuit aisle. This is the sort of genuine product innovation that will really excite consumers, attracting them to the fixture, whilst helping to drive growth of Maryland and reinvigorate the category,” says David Costello, Burton’s Biscuit Company’s Head of Customer Category Management. Maryland Soft Baked will be available in two 200g variants, Caramel & Choc Chunk and Double Choc Chunk, in eye-catching gingham style packaging.

OOH ADVERTISING MARKET GROWS BY 5% RECENT figures published

by OMA/Nielsen have shown a positive increase in Out Of Home (OOH) advertising for 2014.

According to Kinetic, the Out of Home media agency, the market recorded an increase of 5%. Innovation was a central theme, with advertisers creating new and exciting ways to engage with consumers.

Traditional formats also played an important role with small format, which includes 6 Sheets, as well as small format digital OOH, accounting for 50% of total spend in 2014. Digital Out of Home Advertising was a key growth area, with a share of spend rising to 8% in 2014, compared to 5% in 2013. The introduction of new networks and formats has been attractive to advertisers across various sectors. Exterion Media’s new commuter dPods at rail stations (like the one pictured), the launch of JCDecaux Digital and CineD digital units from Wide Eye Media have all performed well.

DESPERADOS: IRELAND’S TOP PARTY BEER DESPERADOS, the full bodied beer with an edge of tequila, is perfect for getting any party started! Thanks to boundary breaking innovation in the off trade in 2014, Desperados continues to cement itself as Ireland’s number one party beer within the 18-24 year old target market.

2015 is set to be its biggest year yet, with occasions like Paddy’s Day, festivals and a beautiful summer ahead. 2014 saw the introduction of the Desperados 50cl can, which broadens the footprint of the brand on shelf and floor. Volumes soared for Desperados last year with the introduction of the can, which now accounts for 21% of ex-factory sales. This trend is set to continue into 2015 with the sku maintaining its EDLP RRP OF 4 cans for €10, plus a field sales focus in both the independent and convenience channels.

KINDER BUENO DARK LAUNCHES IN IRELAND FERRERO is set to build on the success of its popular chocolate countline brand, Kinder Bueno, with the introduction of a new exquisite tasting, limited edition Dark variant. Kinder Bueno Dark will be available exclusively through the Irish grocery channels, following a new on-pack offer for Kinder Bueno Classic in January. The limited edition Kinder Bueno Dark is a dark chocolate covered wafer, encased in a smooth, milky and hazelnut filling. “Limited editions are really effective in attracting new shoppers to the brand and also to the chocolate category,” explained Levi Boorer, Customer Development Director, Ferrero.

An array of Kinder Bueno Dark in-store display solutions will be available to order online at www.ferrero-trade.com

SWEEET DEAL FROM MCVITIE’S UNITED Biscuits (UB) is offering consumers a one in ten chance to win their very own McVitie’s sweeet friend character, representing one of the four animals featured in the hugely popular McVitie’s sweeet adverts.

UB has invested €1m in the on-pack promotion, including television advertising, as part of its broader commitment to help drive continued growth in the biscuit category. The competition features on over 35m packs across 36 different biscuit and cake SKUs. This includes the majority of the McVitie’s range, with household favourites such as McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives, Digestives, HobNobs and Rich Tea. Each pack contains a unique code which consumers send in to UB via text to find out instantly whether they are a potential winner.

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Shelf Life GOURMET yoghurt brand The Collective (www.thecollectivedairy. com) has created Ireland’s first alcoholic yoghurt with a deliciously unique Raspberry & Amaretto Limited Edition. A strictly grownup treat, The Collective’s latest flavour pairs the brand’s gourmet yoghurt with a tangy, fresh raspberry compote spiked with classic Italian almond liqueur. A generous double layer of this rich and boozy conserve is folded through luxurious and thick live yoghurt for that silky smooth texture and clean, creamy taste. The Collective’s Raspberry & Amaretto variety is available at Dunnes Stores and independent retailers nationwide.

EVENT and brand activation agency Verve and its client Coca-Cola Ireland have won a Gold Award at the MAA Worldwide GLOBE Awards. Verve, with offices in Dublin and London, is one of only two European agencies to be awarded a prestigious GLOBE award this year. Verve and Coca-Cola shared the top prize in the Best NonAlcoholic Beverages category for their work on the Share a Coke campaign in the summer of 2014. This was one of just 25 Gold awards handed out around the world. Together, Coca-Cola and Verve created a spectacular consumer experience launch event in Dublin’s Grand Canal, which was followed by a national roadshow.

KINSALE Bay Food Company, an Irish owned and operated artisan food producer, has signed a significant contract with Tesco Ireland to supply its products into 73 Tesco stores. The agreement follows the company’s involvement in the Tesco Bord Bia Supplier Development programme and is worth approximately €1m annually.

As a result of this investment, the company has recently expanded its workforce by 10 and now employs a total of 31 people. The multi-award winning Cork-based food manufacturing company specialises in signature soups, patés and seafood dishes that are free from artificial preservatives and additives and are also gluten free. Tesco Ireland will now stock 10 delicious products from Kinsale Bay Food Company’s portfolio, including a range of five new soups, the Kinsale Smokie, award winning Chicken Liver Paté & Smoked Salmon Paté. See www.kinsalebayfoodco.com for more information.

IRELAND’S Fairtrade Fortnight campaign ran at the start of March and focused on the banana supply chain. “We are asking all of the main retailers to be more transparent about how many Fairtrade bananas they supply. We are also asking retailers to commit to supplying more Fairtrade bananas,” said Melanie Drea, Project Manager with Fairtrade Ireland. “Here in Ireland, we consume about 5 million bananas every week. Unfortunately, only one in 12 bananas is Fairtrade Certified.” For more information, see www.fairtrade.ie or www.facebook.com/FairtradeIreland.

CONGRATULATIONS to Nick Grundy, Key Account Manager for Findlater Wine & Spirit Group, one of four successful Irish candidates who travelled to London to be awarded their WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits at a graduation ceremony held in London’s famous Guildhall recently. On collection of his award, Nick brought the number of Diploma holders in the company to an impressive five in total.

INDEPENDENT chilled and frozen food sales and distribution specialist PRM Group has marked its silver anniversary by commissioning its first Euro VI trucks bearing the silver star of Mercedes-Benz. The Lisburnbased company purchased the 15-tonne Atego 1518 and a 26-tonne Antos 2532 from Newtownabbey Dealer Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI). Both are fitted with insulated, temperature-controlled bodywork by Gray & Adams: the Atego is also the first truck in Ireland to be fitted with the manufacturer’s latest-generation, aerodynamically efficient cappings.

The Antos has joined PRM’s general distribution fleet, while the Atego is dedicated to the distribution throughout Northern Ireland of marketleading ice cream brands from the Unilever portfolio, including Cornetto, Magnum and Twister.

GUINNESS brewers have announced the release of Hop House 13 Lager, the latest beer from The Brewers Project at St James’ Gate.

Named after an early 1900’s hop store building at St James’ Gate where hops are still stored, Hop House 13 is a double-hopped lager made with Irish barley and aromatic hops and continues the 256 years of heritage and brewing excellence at St James’ Gate. Guinness brewers Fedora Heavey (left) Peter Simpson and Luis Ortega are pictured announcing the release of Hop House 13.

REAL butter is back: findings from the annual Nielsen Yellow Fats data show that Connacht Gold’s butter is performing well ahead of the category and is in continued growth yearon-year. This is a significant position for the brand as the overall yellow fats category is experiencing a decline in sales. Results from an independent sensory analysis competitor benchmarking report, conducted by St Angela’s Food Technology Centre, has resulted in Connacht Gold Low Fat Butter deemed the number one choice for taste and texture versus competitor brands in a blind tasting, and combined with the brand’s six Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann accolades in 2014, Connacht Gold is certainly winning the taste test. “We are thrilled with the success of Connacht Gold butter, the encouraging sales figures and positive outcome of the recent independent blind taste tests show that an excellent quality product can achieve growth, even in a challenging category,” enthused Lydia Rogers, Communications and Brand Manager, Aurivo Co-op.

DELI Lites Ireland has secured a new contract to provide Boots Ireland with a local ‘food to go’ solution across a network of its stores. Based in Warrenpoint in County Down, Deli Lites Ireland has started supplying a broad range of products, including gourmet sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, filled rolls, packaged salads and fresh fruit pots. Pictured are Brian Reid (right), MD of Deli Lites Ireland, with Gavin Rooney, Commercial Director of Boots Ireland.

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