Retail News March 2017

MARCH 2017

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HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND A GREAT TOMORROW WITH HEINEKEN® LIGHT Last year, Ireland was the first European market to welcome Heineken® Light onto its shores. Heineken® Light, which has won global awards for its great taste, is lower in calories and has an ABV of 3%.

The launch was driven by recent changes in consumer behaviour and a trend towards healthier propositions and moderation in general.

HEINEKEN®’s master brewers crafted Heineken® Light to deliver the trademark great crisp taste and flavour that fans experience from Heineken®.

HEINEKEN® encourages its customers to have it all with a lower calorie, lower alcohol, light beer that doesn’t compromise on taste. With Heineken® Light, you can have a great night and a great tomorrow.

Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie|3

News

Bogging On About BOGOFs? PROMOTIONAL offers like ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGOF) may be forbidden under a new retail charter, proposed

by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD. Speaking at the launch of the National Forum on Food Waste hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minister announced a series of measures to tackle food waste in Ireland. These include the establishment of Ireland’s first ever Action Group on Food Waste in the Retail Sector, chaired by Eamonn Quinn and including representatives from the country’s biggest retail groups.

The Action Group is widely expected to agree a charter, similar to the one currently operating in Denmark, which includes a ban on quantity discounts, instead focusing discounts on single items. See full story on Page 7.

Elsewhere in this issue, we talk to Heineken Ireland’s new Marketing Director, Radina Shkutova (Page 18), who took on the role in September 2016, after 11 years working in Heineken’s marketing team in Bulgaria.

In a wide-ranging interview, Radina discusses how her experience in Bulgaria will help in her new role, the changing face of the Irish off trade, not least due to legislation, and how Heineken is leading by example, playing an active role in promoting responsible and moderate consumption of alcohol.

We also hear from Conor Kilduff, Sales & Marketing Director of Keelings, on his role as President of Appeals for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund and the legacy he hopes to leave behind (Page 40).

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.

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EFSA proposes reduced red tape for retailers.

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Dunnes Stores retains top spot in grocery wars; RGDATA questions lottery regulator.

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Irish grocery spending rises for seventh consecutive quarter; Avian Flu threatens free range status.

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Bye to BOGOFs as Minister tackles food waste? Nestlé to cut 10% of sugar from confectionery range.

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Seafood co-op lifts Green Business Award; Apple Pay available in Ireland.

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11 companies sign up for FoodService Academy; John Player launch new corporate identity.

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Eurospar retailers honoured at awards ceremony; Irish Food Writers Guild awards presented.

After 11 years working with Heineken in her native Bulgaria, Radina Shkutova is ready for the challenge of her new role as Marketing Director of Heineken Ireland.

Grocery Trends 22

Bryan Cox, Director, Red C Research, examines changing trends in grocery shopping, relating to food labelling, the search for ‘true value’ and the role of online grocery shopping.

SuperValu reached new heights with record sales of €2.67 billion in 2016.

Irish Magazines 25

ABC Ireland figures for magazine sales in 2016 make for heartening reading, with many titles increasing

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circulation over the course of the year.

Tobacco Legislation 30

From May 20, 2017, all tobacco products sold in Ireland must comply with new European tobacco regulations: TPD2. JTI Ireland Sales Director, Derek Mooney talks us through the steps to take in the run up to the May deadline.

IGBF Interview 40

The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund’s President of Appeals, Conor Kilduff from Keelings, talks us through his hopes for the year ahead and why the Fund remains relevant today.

44

Discount retailer Dealz recently celebrated five years of hugely successful trading in Ireland.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 45

Retail Ireland submission to low pay commission; Retail sales outperforming 2016 so far.

Focus On HR 46

Bullying and harassment is an area that can cause concern for even the most experienced people managers, writes Caroline McEnery, Managing Director of The HR Suite.

On The Vine 52

The Old World is fighting back, with Italy, France and Spain showcasing some excellent wines in the Irish market, writes Jean Smullen.

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Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

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Industry News Protein Products Baby Care Drinks News What’s New Forecourt Focus: News Shelf Life

4|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News

EFSA Proposes Reduced Red Tape for Retailers A SIMPLIFIED approach to food safety may save retailers regulatory headaches at the deli counter, according to a new proposal from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

EFSA’s report proposes simplified methods for food preparation at five different types of small retail outlet. Retailers are normally required to know each specific hazard in the food preparation process, but EFSA’s report claims this is not necessary.

“In HACCP, you need to need to know all the biological hazards,” Michaela Hempen, a scientific officer in EFSA’s Biocontam unit, told Retail News. “Is there a risk for salmonella?

Is there a risk for listeria? Our panel says [a retailer’s knowledge of] this is not necessary.

Now we are saying, it’s enough to know that biological, chemical, physical or allergen hazards may be present. You don’t need to do the whole food HACCP plan.”

The European Commission asked EFSA to produce the report following a fact-finding mission across member states, which revealed that smaller retailers were struggling to comply with burdensome regulations.

“Some retailers find it very difficult to implement the HACCP approach,” said Hempen. “There’s a high burden in terms of expertise and documentation. They find it hard to implement. It takes a lot of effort. There were complaints from industry.”

Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), said any proposal that maintained product safety, while reducing compliance and regulatory burden, should be applauded.

“Should we have to engage food specialists and consultants to assist us in deciphering highly technical requirements, written by food scientists or technicians? It takes up an enormous amount of time,” said Jennings. “The CSNA always argued that we shouldn’t look for Hewlett-Packard solutions, a large 5,000-7,000 employer holding the same requirement for everybody. The law should modify and take account the risk and level of complexity Michaela Hempen, scientific [of food preparation], while never compromising consumer officer in EFSA’s Biocontam unit. safety. This is something we have consistently sought from various departments and semi-state bodies.”

The majority of RGDATA members operate in-house delis.

“They may have in-house kitchens and various obligations under HACCP,” said Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General.

“Food safety is something we take seriously, but there is a burden of regulation on small businesses in regards to food provision. Some of it is vital and understandable. Sometimes we wonder about some of the red tape and regulations and what impact it’s having.”

EFSA proposed individual food safety processes for five small retail outlets: a butcher’s shop, grocery, bakery, fishmonger, and ice cream shop.

“Fish, meat, and vegetables all have different types of risk expectance,” explained Hempen. “Then you have the bakery where there is chemical risk in heat treatments. The ice cream shop was the most difficult for us, in the beginning, because we don’t have a lot of information related to ice cream production.

The freezing part, for example, needs to be considered.”

The Biocontam unit sought advice from stakeholders in each sector and created a simplified approach through flow diagrams for each retail outlet.

“For each step in the flow diagram, the panel looked at what activities increased or decreased risk,” Hempen noted.

“First of all, what type of hazards you would find: biological, chemical, physical or allergen. The panel decided it was not necessary to identify biological hazards.”

Lisa O’Connor, Senior Food Scientist at Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), told Retail News that member states have struggled to enforce food safety legislation in a harmonised way: “The legislation encouraged the sectors to get together and produce guides to good hygienic practice. Many of these small sectors struggle to produce these guides. In Ireland, instead of the sector leading on producing the guide, the regulatory authorities led.”

FSAI produces the Safe Catering Pack to assist the sector.

O’Connor believed there was no intention to change the legislation following EFSA’s proposal. However, Hempen said the Commission “may do an extension to legislation, adding additional material for small retailers. Now the commission will go back to member states and discuss this with them. It’s not the case that everybody has to comply with the opinion. I’m presenting it to a committee and I’m sure the Commission plan to discuss this document. Political procedure will then follow. I don’t know if they are going to change legislation for retailers at Commission level.”

In the meantime, it’s business as usual at deli counters around Ireland.

“Our members appreciate that good food safety standards are necessary,” said Buckley. “In terms of the reputation of their business, food safety is absolutely primary to them.

There’s a lot of necessary regulation.”

Jennings added: “The broader picture is the acknowledgement that small businesses do not need to have overburdening compliance.”

Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie|5

News

Dunnes Stores Retains Top Spot in Grocery Wars FOR the first time, Dunnes Stores has held its position as Ireland’s largest grocer for two Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend consecutive months, according to the latest supermarket share 12 Weeks to 28 Feb 2016 12 Weeks to 26 Feb 2017 change** figures from Kantar Worldpanel %* %* % in Ireland, for the 12 weeks Total Grocers 100.0% 100.0% 3.0 ending February 26, 2017.

Total Multiples 89.3% 88.6% 2.1 “Dunnes’ shoppers are SuperValu 23.2% 22.6% 0.5 adding more to their baskets, Tesco 22.6% 21.7% -1.0 helping the retailer to maintain Dunnes 22.5% 22.9% 4.6 the title of Ireland’s largest Lidl 10.5% 10.6% 4.1 supermarket this month,” Aldi 10.5% 10.8% 5.3 explained David Berry, Director Other Outlets** 10.7% 11.4% 10.4 at Kantar Worldpanel. “The grocer’s ‘Shop & Save’ *= Percentage Share of Total Grocers initiative is continuing to **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops influence customers, with the average basket featuring an for the retailer. Despite the industrial action only affecting extra one and a half items – an additional €3 per trip and €25m eight stores, there has been a clear impact on the retailer’s for the retailer in the past 12 weeks.” performance, with market share falling by 0.9 percentage Sales at Dunnes grew by 4.6% and the retailer increased its points to 21.7%. market share to 22.9%, up from 22.5% last year, with SuperValu Aldi’s and Lidl’s success is continuing, with sales rising hot on their heels, with a 22.6% share of the market. SuperValu by 5.3% and 4.1% respectively. Over the past 12 weeks, Aldi also managed to convince shoppers to “splash a little more managed to attract an additional 20,000 customers into its cash,” Berry revealed. “The average customer spent over €1 stores, while also encouraging them to visit more frequently. more per trip, causing sales to grow by 0.5%, amounting to Lidl’s uplift in sales enabled the retailer to increase its share of an extra €3m for the grocer. With SuperValu planning to open the market to 10.6%. three new stores and refurbish a host of others, the retailer will Grocery market inflation stands at 0.5% for the 12 week be expecting to experience a boost in sales later in the year.” period ending February 26, down from the 0.7% seen last Following three months of steady growth, Tesco sales month. dropped by 1% as 11 days of staff strikes led to disruption For more information, see www.kantarworldpanel.com.

RGDATA Questions Lottery Regulator RGDATA has expressed its concerns about the National Lottery regulator not doing its job. “The regulator has now been in place for three years,” RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley told Retail News. “We feel they’ve been invisible. This [the National Lottery] is a brand that our members helped build into something worth €405m. It’s important we retain the integrity of the brand. The regulator is supposed to be the independent body making sure everything is done properly and in the best interest of the players. The National Lottery regulator needs to be more visible and proactive.”

In 2014, Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) paid the Irish State €405m for a 20-year licence to operate the National Lottery. The National Lottery Act 2013 established the regulator. Buckley accused the regulator of failing to act over online sites, not related to the National Lottery, that allow people to gamble on the results of lotteries around the world, rather than purchase tickets through official National Lottery channels.

“When you go into a shop and buy a ticket, people are aware they are contributing to good causes. When you go online and play on these platforms, you’re not,” she argued.

“We believe there is a concern for the government, as the owner of the National Lottery license. The UK authorities are looking at introducing legislation to protect the integrity of their National Lottery. We believe it may be necessary to do

the same thing.”

When contacted by Retail News, a spokesperson for PLI, said: “Premier Lotteries Ireland is committed to providing the highest quality of service and support to its customers and retailers. We work closely with the Regulator of the National Lottery and directly with our retailers, including members RGDATA Director of RGDATA, to ensure that all General, Tara Buckley. requirements of the National Lottery Licence are met, in order to deliver a modern, world-class lottery to the people of Ireland, and in doing so ensure maximised returns for Good Causes. In 2016, approximately €45m was paid to retailers in commission on sales of over €750m.

“The National Lottery is committed to operating in a socially responsible way. We are conscious of our responsibilities in relation to protecting players’ interests and consider these paramount. The National Lottery offers a number of levels of protection for its players, to assist them in making decisions, so they can play responsibly and for fun.

The National Lottery’s responsible gaming programme is independently audited by KPMG.”

6|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News Irish Grocery Spending Rises for Seventh Consecutive Quarter THE amount Irish consumers spent on everyday grocery items, such as food, drinks and toiletries, increased yearon-year for the seventh consecutive quarter, according to Nielsen retail performance data released recently.

The amount people spent on groceries increased +2.1% in Q4 2016 versus Q4 2015. The 2.1% rise was based on a 1.5% increase in the volume of groceries purchased and a 0.6% rise in the average prices paid. The Irish market outperformed both Europe as a whole (1.8% rise) and the UK (0.7% rise).

Alongside this, consumer confidence in Ireland at the end of 2016 was at its highest level since the recession and is now the sixth most confident country in Europe, according to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions.

The Republic of Ireland’s Consumer Confidence Index score, which measures attitudes each quarter on topics including personal finances and job prospects, hit 100 in the final two quarters of 2016, the first time it’s reached this mark in nine years (Q4 2007). A score over 100 indicates degrees of optimism, below 100, degrees of pessimism.

The latest quarterly study shows the proportion of Irish consumers: •

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Who’ve switched to cheaper grocery brands to save money, an activity often regarded as a barometer of consumer sentiment and behaviour, hit its lowest level since the recession (32%); Who’ve changed spending habits to save money hit its

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lowest level since the recession (59%), Feeling positive about their personal finances and feeling now is a good time to make purchases stood at 52%, Feeling positive about their job prospects hit its highest level since the recession (58%), the third highest in Europe, behind the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

“Irish consumer confidence has been steadily rising for the last few years and has been stable enough to withstand recent unsettling events such as the UK Brexit and the US election,” said Matt Clark, Nielsen’s Commercial Director in Ireland.

“Although we’re a long way from seeing a return to the days of the Celtic Tiger, this confidence has slowly been translating into increasing spend among consumers. A good barometer of this is year-on-year grocery spend rising for seven consecutive quarters, plus the volume of groceries purchased jumping by its highest level for a year. This provides encouraging signs for the future, particularly with a flat consumer price index and ECB interest rates remaining at a record low.”

Avian Flu Threatens Free Range Status FREE range egg producers will be unable to market their eggs as ‘free range’ if their birds are kept indoors for more than 12 weeks as they comply with compulsory disease control regulations, according to Mairead McGuinness MEP and VicePresident of the European Parliament.

The problem is acute in some member states and concerns about avian influenza have increased, with over 20,000 birds slaughtered in the UK due to the virus, McGuinness has warned.

“Thankfully, in Ireland, we have managed to keep the virus out of commercial flocks by keeping hens indoors and using strict bio-security measures. However, a problem is now emerging which could hit the profitability of

free range egg producers, who are complying with disease control rules but face losing their ‘free range’ status should birds be indoors for more than 12 weeks,” she said.

McGuinness added that responsible flock owners are complying with the disease control requirements, but the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, has ruled out any derogation from the 12-week rule. As a result, eggs produced from traditional free range birds, which are housed for disease control measures beyond 12 weeks cannot be sold as ‘free range’.

“This means a potential drop in the price producers receive for their eggs and a requirement to rebrand their product at further cost,” McGuinness underlined.

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News Bye to BOGOFs as Minister Tackles Food Waste?

CERTAIN promotions such as ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ (BOGOF) could become a thing of the past if Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD gets his way.

The Minister has launched a series of measures to tackle food waste in Ireland, including the establishment of Ireland’s first ever Action Group on Food Waste in the Retail Sector chaired by Eamonn Quinn, and including representatives from the country’s biggest retail groups, including Spar, Musgrave Group, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl.

It is expected that the retailers will agree a new charter, similar to the one currently operating in Denmark, which includes a ban on quantity discounts, instead focusing discounts on single items, which could mean the end of BOGOFs. “I am appalled that as a small nation we Minister for Communications, generate two tonnes Climate Action and Environment, of food waste every Denis Naughten TD. minute, yet one person in every eight go hungry in Ireland,” said Minister Naughten at the launch of the National Forum on Food Waste hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency. “The damage our appetite for excess is doing to our world is substantial. It is a conundrum of our time that deprivation exists alongside a wasteful culture and what we do about it. Older generations laid much store by the adage ‘Waste Not, Want Not’. They understood the seasonal and cyclical nature of abundance and need. In a modern society, where everything is available all year round and at every price point, new insight is required as to how we can live within the capacity of our planet in terms of the materials we consume and the waste we must manage.”

The Minister argued that it is too easy to blame certain groups, from farmers to supermarkets or consumers, yet the reality, he said, is that we all play a role and we can all be part

of the solution.

“Factors that often contribute to food waste by consumers is confusion over sell-by and best-before dates,” he noted.

“Reduced, or better food packaging also has a role to play - excessive or unsustainably sourced packing forms part of the environmental cost of food. The appearance of fruit and vegetables is known to influence consumer buying. A significant part of total food wastage occurs at the consumer level.

Therefore, one of the initiatives is the establishment of Ireland’s first ever Action Group on Wasted Food in the Retail Sector, chaired by retail expert Eamonn Quinn.”

The food waste initiatives proposed by Minister Naughten include: • • •

•

For families, more financial support for community initiatives to educate householders in reducing food waste and use of the brown bin; For business, an Action Group on Wasted Food in the Retail Sector to agree and implement changes in retail to reduce food waste; For the agri-food sector, collaboration with Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme to ensure agri-food producers give high priority to food waste prevention throughout the food chain – primary producers, food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators; For everyone concerned by food waste, a Food Waste Charter which encourages people to express their commitment to fight food waste and to translate that into specific agreed actions.

Lidl gave the Minister’s efforts a broad welcome. “As a value driven retailer, we are committed to always offering our customers the best possible price,” noted a company spokesperson. “Our weekly ‘Supersavers’ offer on fresh produce focuses on a price discount per unit instead of the more traditional ‘Buy one get one free’ model favoured by other retailers. At present, under 2% of all promotions follow a ‘Buy one get one free’ model but from today we will phase this out.”

Information on the Food Waste Charter and all food waste prevention measures supported by the Minister Naughten can be accessed at www.stopfoodwaste.ie.

Nestlé To Cut 10% of Sugar from Confectionery Range NESTLÉ Ireland is stepping up to the sugar challenge by stripping out 10% of sugar from its confectionery portfolio by 2018. The move will see around 400 tonnes of sugar removed across a number of wellknown brands in Ireland through a range of methods and initiatives.

The changes will largely be achieved by replacing sugar with higher quantities of existing ingredients or other, non-artificial ingredients and ensuring products are below a certain amount of calories. Nestlé’s continuing investment in research

and development will also deliver new technology and innovation to further improve products in the future. “Nestlé is at the forefront of efforts to research and develop new technology that makes food products better for our consumers. These innovations will help us to reduce sugar in confectionery when they are combined with other, more common methods like reformulating recipes and swapping sugar for other, non artificial ingredients,” noted Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland.

Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland.

8|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News Seafood Co-op Lifts Green Business Award IRELAND’S largest Fisherman’s Co-op, Castletownbere Fisherman’s Co-operative Society won the top accolade at the prestigious Green Awards 2017, being named Green Business of the Year. Beating off stiff competition from a range of well-known successful Irish companies, including Flavahan’s, Kerry Group and Glanbia, Castletownbere Fisherman’s Co-op were also the proud recipients of the Green Seafood Business Award sponsored

by BIM, Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency.

“As a business that is wholly owned by fishermen, we are absolutely delighted and honoured to have won the Green Seafood Business of the Year Award,” enthused Donal Pictured receiving the Green Seafood Business Award is Donal O’Sullivan (left), Assistant O’Sulllivan, Assistant Manager of Manager of Castletownbere Fisherman’s Co-operative Society and Donal Buckley, the Co-op. “After over 40 years Business Development & Innovation Director, BIM. trading fish, we are keenly aware of our responsibility to our local environment and our fishing resource. Working with BIM and explains: “Sustainability has become a critical requirement our Green team has resulted in a 3.5% reduction in electricity for accessing higher premium markets and doing business usage and a 36% reduction in waste to landfill, despite a with global food companies. BIM will continue to focus on production increase of nearly 400 tonnes. We installed solar positioning our seafood industry at the cutting edge of green panels late last year which are expected to save us €18,000 a business; enabling our businesses to adopt green business year in electricity costs. All our fish are certified, traced and strategies that deliver in terms of competitive advantage, cost fished within EU quotas, with many vessels certified to the efficiencies and employee engagement. Considering this is the Marine Stewardship Council and BIM’s Responsibly Sourced second time in only three years an Irish seafood company has Standard.” won the overall Green Award, there is no disputing the Irish The business of sustainability is a priority for BIM as Donal seafood sector’s achievements and leadership in this field.”

Buckley, Director of Business Development and Innovation

Apple Pay Available in Ireland APPLE Pay has arrived in Ireland with the news that Visa debit and credit cardholders from Ulster Bank can now use Apple Pay, giving users an easy, secure and private way to pay. Apple Pay can be used with any of the contactless point-of-sale terminals which are already used by Visa cardholders every day throughout Ireland.

Security and privacy is at the core of Apple Pay. When you use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on your device. Each transaction is authorised with a one-time unique dynamic security code.

“Consumer demand for mobile contactless payments, combined with the fact that an overwhelming percentage of people in Ireland own a smartphone, means that the pieces

of the puzzle are coming together for a shift from plastic to digital,” said Philip Konopik, Country Manager, Ireland, Visa. “With today’s launch of Apple Pay, it is clear that mobile solutions will fast become a preferred way to use a personal credit or debit card.”

Apple Pay can also be used with apps, such as boon with Apple Pay from Wirecard. After the initial launch to the UK, France and Switzerland, Ireland is the fourth market where people can use boon with Apple Pay. The fully digitised mobile payment app, boon is offering its customers mobile payments that are independent from any bank or telecom operator.

Boon is based on an automatic app-to-wallet integration via a prepaid account with a digital MasterCard, issued by Wirecard Card Solutions. This allows users to top-up their account via wire transfer, debit or credit card.

Boon works at any NFC-enabled terminal everywhere the MasterCard Contactless logo appears.

Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie|9

News 11 Companies Sign Up for FoodService Academy SUSTAINABLY grown seaweed, whiskey flavoured popcorn and gluten-free fresh chilli sauce are just some of the innovative products selected to join this year’s FoodService Academy. Run

by Bord Bia and Musgrave MarketPlace, the programme aims to help participants grow sales within the foodservice market.

The initiative also offers the opportunity to achieve growth within Musgrave MarketPlace’s foodservice business, supplying over 6,000 customers each week.

Coordinated by Bord Bia and now in its second year, FoodService Academy will take place over four months and comprise of both workshops and mentoring. Representatives from Musgrave MarketPlace will participate in the workshops, sharing invaluable practical insights and experience to help the companies better understand areas such as supplier set-up, food safety requirements and distribution model, as well as sales and marketing support.

“Foodservice in Ireland offers major opportunities for suppliers providing innovative products and solutions to meet changing consumer needs,” noted Maureen Gahan, Bord Bia’s Foodservice Specialist. “We’re delighted to roll out the second year of our FoodService Academy initiative, supporting our belief that food businesses should increasingly look to the foodservice sector as a viable route to market. Now worth €7.5 billion and forecast to grow to over €9 billion by 2020, this route to market is delivering real growth and value for Irish food and drink companies.”

Sheena Forde, Trading Director, Musgrave MarketPlace, added that, “Following on from the success of our FoodService Academy last year and that of the SuperValu Food Academy, we are now looking forward to the second year of our programme to support Irish foodservice producers through Musgrave MarketPlace. A number of the participating companies are Food Academy graduates, so we are proud to be in a position to help grow their businesses by introducing their products to our foodservice customer base.”

Participants for the 2017 programme include: • Clarafields, a ‘Dulche de Leche’ / caramel sauce manufacturer based in Co. Offaly; • Fresh Soup Company, Meath based manufacturers of a range of soups and sauces, free from preservatives, artificial colours or flavours; • MSC Ventures Ltd, producers of a range of fresh pestos, pastas and pizza doughs, based in Glanmire, Co. Cork; • Mungo Murphy’s Seaweed Co., harvesters of sustainably

Pictured at the launch of the 2017 FoodService Academy are (l-r): Keith Symes, Wicklow Rapeseed Oils; Padraig Brennan and Maureen Gahan, Bord Bia; Sheena Forde, Trading Director, Musgrave Wholesale Partners; and Tracey Kelly, Rosie & Jim. • • •

• • • •

grown seaweed from Connemara; Natasha’s Living Food, suppliers of a vegan and raw food snack range; Kildare based Nutmost, producers of a range of activated nut-based snack products; Popsy Daisy, a Dublin producer of gourmet caramel popcorn using the best quality ingredients from local producers. Flavours include Teeling’s Whiskey Salted Caramel and Apple Crumble; Cork’s Rebel Chilli, for their alternative range of gluten free, fresh chilli sauces; Rosie&Jim Dublin, a 100% gluten free plant producing whole chicken fillets in breaded coatings and employing over 30 staff; Sea of Vitality, an innovative Dungarvan based company producing a range of award winning, value added seaweed based food products and run by a husband and wife team; Wicklow Rapeseed Oils, for their range of standard and flavoured culinary oils made from rapeseed grown on the farm in Co. Wicklow

John Player Launch New Corporate Identity JOHN Player, Ireland’s fastest growing tobacco company (Source: ACNielsen Scantrack MAT 29/01/17) have launched a new corporate identity, bringing together the unrivalled heritage of John Player in the Irish market and the global strength of Imperial Tobacco.

“John Player (& Sons) can boast a long tradition and proud history of producing and selling tobacco products of the highest quality, with one of its original organisations dating as far back as 1789,” noted a company spokesperson. “In 1901, John Player (& Sons) amalgamated with 12 other tobacco and cigarette companies to form the Imperial Tobacco Company.

Fast forward to today and the Imperial Tobacco Company, now known as Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, is a UK-based, FTSE Top 25 company which produces and sells a wide range of tobacco products for consumers in 150 different global markets.”

To officially recognise this impressive history, the company is launching a new corporate identity, which adopts the Imperial Tobacco logo and colours, bringing alignment with its other member companies and ensuring the brand is recognisable both locally and internationally, whilst still retaining the John Player name. “Confident that this combination of the unmistakable seal of quality that John Player represents in the Irish market, allied to the international prowess of Imperial Tobacco Group, our new identity will add considerable value to both businesses,” the company spokesperson predicted.

10|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News Eurospar Retailers Honoured at Awards Ceremony A TOTAL of 10 Eurospar supermarkets were presented with a prestigious Customer First @ Eurospar Award at the annual Eurospar Guild, which took place at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Co Westmeath, recently.

Customer First @ Eurospar is a new retail operations standards programme that has been implemented across the Eurospar supermarket group. The criteria are fully aligned to the Eurospar Six Pillar Retail Strategy that has been unanimously endorsed by their retailers as best practice in retail.

The assessment criteria are structured to focus on best practice and innovation in supermarket retailing, resulting in 13 individual assessment elements, focused on all areas of store operations, with a heavy emphasis on innovation in fresh food departments.

The programme also includes the EIQA Food Safety assessment criteria. The essence of the new Customer First @ Eurospar Programme is its departmental breakdown by strategy pillar, enabling store management to charge staff in each department with responsibility for reaching the desired standards.

“The new Eurospar Standards Programme was developed with our retailers and for our retailers, to ensure that our supermarkets are leading the way in terms of fresh food retailing, innovation, food safety and customer service,” explained Malachy Hanberry, Managing Director, Eurospar.

“Eurospar stores around Ireland are becoming ‘Famous for Fresh Foods’ and the Customer First @ Eurospar programme

Pictured at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath, at the 2017 Eurospar Guild was Malachy Hanberry, Managing Director, Eurospar, with James McCarthy from Eurospar Kilkenny, one of the 10 winners of the Customer First @ Eurospar Awards, and Leo Crawford, CEO, BWG Foods. works to assist retailers in achieving this aim.”

The stores that achieved Customer First @ Eurospar were: Eurospar Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow; Eurospar Barnhall, Co. Kildare; Eurospar Bayside, Dublin 13; Eurospar Dunboyne, Co. Meath; Eurospar Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; Eurospar Hartstown, Dublin 15; Eurospar Kilcullen, Co. Kildare; Eurospar Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny; Eurospar Lucan, Co. Dublin; and Eurospar Skerries, Co. Dublin.

Irish Food Writers Guild Awards Presented SIX Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Award winners for 2017 were announced at a ceremony at the two-Michelin-star Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud recently, together with the Guild’s first posthumous award, which honoured a pioneer of the Irish craft beer revolution, the late Oliver Hughes.

The 2017 IFWG Food Award winners included The Friendly Farmer for his pasture-reared chickens, Ummera Irish Smokehouse for Ummera Smoked Silver Hill Duck Breast and Cuinneog for Irish Farmhouse Country Butter and Natural Buttermilk. Bertha’s Revenge Irish Milk Gin received this year’s Irish Drink Award and Mag Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm was presented with a Special Contribution to Irish Food Award. The 2017 IFWG Environmental Award went to The Little Milk Company for its innovative approach to fostering sustainable family farms. The family of Oliver Pictured are the winners of the 2017 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards: Ronan Byrne, The Friendly Farmer (front) with Conor & Viki Hughes, the pioneering co-founder of The Mulhall, The Little Milk Company; Breda Butler, Cuinneog Milk and Porterhouse and Dingle Distillery, accepted Butter; Ger & Mag Kirwan, Goatsbridge Trout Farm; Anthony Creswell, his posthumous award.

Ummera Irish Smokehouse; and Antony Jackson, Bertha’s Revenge Irish “This year’s award winners are Milk Gin. representative of so much that is great about the food and drink industry in Ireland,” winners is their mutual respect for tradition, yet this group said Aoife Carrigy, chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild. of dynamic people is also united by their forward-thinking “Our winners have created sustainable family businesses, approach. They have each been chosen because of the continued and built upon the work of their forefathers or innovative approach they take to their craft as well as the collaborated with like-minded people to create products of an distinguishing quality of their produce and their continued exceptional standard. The common thread that binds the 2017 dedication to Irish food.”

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12|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

Lyons Raises €30k for Pieta House THE Lyons Tea Time To Talk nationwide campaign has raised €30,000 for Pieta House, the non-profit Suicide and Self Harm Crisis Centres. The campaign launched last October and comprised of special Pieta House takeover packs of Lyons Original and Gold Blend 80s boxes. “The campaign has been a very special partnership for us and we are delighted to be able to help Pieta House. We know many a conversation has been shared in households around the country with a cup of Lyons Tea. I hope that the ‘Time To Talk’ campaign has gone some way to helping others open up about whatever might be on their minds and reminded anyone in need that Pieta House is there to offer help and support,” noted Pauline Browne, Marketing Director of Lyons Tea, pictured with Brian Higgins, CEO of Pieta House, and Jim Reeves, Customer Director at Unilever Food Solutions.

Tasty Sponsorship for Londis LONDIS are proud to continue their support of Tastes Like Home. Much loved TV chef and author Catherine Fulvio is calling on new participants to bring their recipes to the table, for a chance to feature on a fresh new series of Tastes Like Home. RTE’s ‘Tastes Like Home’ proudly sponsored by Londis, is a cooking and travel show which follows six families living in Ireland, as they share their quintessential family favourite recipe, and bring a taste of home to a loved one living abroad. “We are delighted to be sponsoring Tastes like Home for a second year and look forward to helping our local customers get involved and submit that winning application to feature a spot on the show this year,” noted Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director.

Contestant Nuala Bradley from Fanad, Donegal, is pictured with Catherine Fulvio.

New Country Manager for Coca-Cola THE Coca-Cola Company has announced that Petre Sandru has been appointed Country Manager of Coca-Cola Ireland. In this role, Petre will lead the Irish team as it supports the growth of each brand in the Coca-Cola portfolio by developing and implementing well-defined business strategies. Petre replaces Aedamar Howlett, who was recently appointed as Marketing Director of Coca-Cola’s UK and Irish operations. Petre has 12 years’ experience within Coca-Cola, including roles as Commercial Director for Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria and Albania and later Country Manager for Romania & Moldova.

Moy Park to Rule the Roost MOY Park has launched its latest consumer marketing campaign, Rule the Roost, a new Saturday night gameshow targeting families across Ireland. Presented by Hector Ó hEochagáin and Mairead Ronan, Rule the Roost will be screened through Moy Park’s official Facebook page on Saturday evenings this spring, as Mairead and Hector visit four families to challenge them to a series of games to find out who ‘Rules the Roost’ in each home. The campaign will be supported with fully integrated marketing activity, including PR, a media partnership with Today FM and retailer marketing support. “People love the format of a traditional Saturday night gameshow, and we thought why not bring it to life on social media. The activity is the perfect fit for the Moy Park brand - in keeping with our overarching brand strategy of ‘Share the Goodness’, which focuses on fun, family and happiness,” noted Aisling Graham, Interim Brand Marketing Manager, Moy Park, pictured with Hector Ó hEochagáin and RTE’s Mairead Ronan.

Lidl Joins Origin Green LIDL Ireland has become a verified member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green Sustainability Programme, emphasising its commitment to sustainability in the Irish retail sector. To become a member of the programme, Lidl Ireland has committed to a comprehensive development plan that sets out clear targets in key areas such as waste emissions, energy, water, responsible sourcing of products, health and nutrition and social sustainability. 24 clear targets have been set out by Lidl Ireland across several areas of the business including; responsible sourcing, environmental impact, employees and the community, all to be achieved by 2020. For example, by end of 2020, 50% of Lidl’s Irish listed food suppliers will be verified Origin Green members and by the end of 2017, Lidl will have zero waste diverted to landfill. Pictured at the announcement at Lidl Ireland’s Head Office in Tallaght are John Paul Scally, Managing Director for Lidl Ireland, and Tara McCarthy, Chief Executive of Bord Bia.

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14|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

Spar 5 Star Awards Presented 194 SPAR and Spar Express stores were awarded one of retail’s highest honours at the annual Spar 5 Star Awards, held at Killashee House, Co. Kildare, recently. The Spar 5 Star Awards, held in association with the Excellence Ireland Quality Association, were presented to Spar and Spar Express stores that demonstrated outstanding industry excellence following a year of comprehensive inspections, visits from mystery shoppers and audits. The winners excelled in all areas of inspection, displaying exemplary standards across their stores. 194 stores received 5 Star Awards, including a special group of 96 stores which received recognition for winning 5 Star Awards for five years in a row.

“Spar and Spar Express stores are renowned for demonstrating industry leading standards,” explained Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director. “The Spar 5 Star Awards Scheme is one that retailers must be committed to year round. Maintaining the highest standards in customer care and food safety consistently on a daily basis is no easy feat and these retailers work extremely hard in order to achieve this.

I’m delighted to see so many stores achieve the mark this year and get the recognition they deserve.”

Pictured at the annual Spar 5 Star Awards were: Colin Donnelly Spar Sales Director; Shirley Bagnall, Spar Parkwest, Dublin; Dorotea Zwierzynska, Spar Express, Listowel; Tamas Kovacs, Spar Celbridge; Monty Singh and Joe Byrne, Spar IFSC and Spar Custom House Square, Dublin; Angela Connor, Spar Dominic Street, Mullingar; Tommy Conroy, Spar Corrib Oil, Ballyhaunis; Tom Meehan, Spar Roscam, Galway; Robert Nutty, Maria Fanning & Damien West, Spar University of Limerick; and Annette Tobin, Spar Express Letterkenny.

Campaign Fyffes Renews Dundalk New Mace Advertising MACE has unveiled its latest multiplatform advertising campaign Support following a €900,000 investment by AS part of its ongoing commitment to promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle across all age groups, banana importers Fyffes has renewed its support of SSE Airtricity League of Ireland champions Dundalk FC for the 2017 season. The partnership, which is now entering its sixth year, will see Fyffes support the club at local and national level, whilst continuing as high-profile shirt sponsor for the entire season as Dundalk FC seeks to become only the second Irish club to secure four consecutive league titles.

Fyffes Ireland Marketing Manager, Emma HuntDuffy, is pictured at Oriel Park with Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny at the announcement of Fyffes’ continued sponsorship of the League of Ireland champions.

its brand owner, BWG Foods. The imaginative campaign, which builds on Mace’s unique brand proposition entitled ‘Going the extra smile’, is anchored by a colourful and upbeat TV advert. Accompanied by a series of disruptive digital and social media activities, the campaign has been designed to visually transport viewers into a vibrant and uplifting world, encouraging customers to embrace their ‘Mace face’ and smile throughout the day. The TV commercial is supported by outdoor and radio advertising, as well as in-store promotions, including special seasonal promotions such as Mace’s St Patrick’s Day offers. Pictured are Alex Banahan, Mace Sales Director, with Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods, and Colin and Eugene Fee, owners of the Mace store where the advert was filmed.

Aldi Grows Fairtrade Roses Sales

ALDI recently reported it achieved a year-on-year increase of 20% in sales of its Fairtrade Roses in 2016. In terms of volumes, Aldi is now the largest seller of Fairtrade flowers in Ireland, selling two million Fairtrade roses in 2016. Aldi is the only purchaser of Ethiopian Fairtrade flowers, with all its Fairtrade Roses purchased from the Sher Project, the largest Ethiopian flower growing farm.

Kantar Worldpanel Shines in Workplace Awards KANTAR Worldpanel Ireland has been recognised as one of the best places to work in 2017 at the Best Workplaces in Ireland awards. The company was ranked the seventh best small workplace in Ireland, up from 11th position last year. “We are committed to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment so we’re delighted that our efforts have been recognised by this award,” noted Tim Kidd, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Kantar Worldpanel. “We were particularly commended for the ways in which we show our staff they matter, such as the numerous awards programmes we run to recognise and reward hard work. We support our employees to develop both professionally and personally, whether by encouraging them to attend training or take a sabbatical. We believe that supported and motivated staff produce better work for clients, so this approach is central to our commercial success too. Our employees are our greatest asset – they deserve to be treated well.”

16|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

WEEE Ireland Smashes EU Battery Recycling Target WEEE Ireland, Ireland’s largest battery recycling scheme recycled 812 tonnes, the equivalent of 32m AA batteries, in Ireland in 2016. With a target to recycle 45% of all batteries placed on the market in Ireland by their members in 2016, WEEE Ireland called on the Irish public to re-charge their recycling habits to help Ireland achieve its target. Not only was the target achieved, the Irish public went above and beyond, recycling 11m more AA batteries than 2015. By achieving these huge battery recycling figures, WEEE Ireland has been able to provide critical funding for the palliative care services for children with life limiting conditions cared for at LauraLynn, WEEE Ireland’s charity partner since 2011. With the help of old friend, Bosco, WEEE Ireland is delighted to deliver a further donation of €50,000 to LauraLynn, bringing its overall donation since 2011 up to a staggering €285,000. Pictured at the announcement are WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donavon, WEEE ambassador Bosco and Sarah Meagre, LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

BWG Launches Chef’s Book at Catex BWG Foodservice exhibited at Catex for the first time this year, using the show to launch its new food service book, The Chef’s Book.

The new publication showcases the full range of products and information that one needs to run a food business, including interviews, photos, information on suppliers and calories.

“A huge body of work has gone into the production of this book and we are extremely proud of the finished product, which includes wonderful photography and vital information for those working in the foodservice industry,” noted Ricky O’Brien, Commercial Manager, BWG Foodservice. “The Chef’s Book also highlights the volume of Irish suppliers we work with, which is hugely important to us to make sure the food that BWG Foodservice delivers to our customers is the best quality, home grown fare on the market.” Ricky is pictured (left) at Catex 2017 with John Moane, Managing Director, Wholesale, BWG Foods; Jenny Egan, Marketing Manager, BWG Foods Wholesale Division, and Leo Crawford, CEO, BWG Group (right).

Daybreak Raises Over €42k for Irish Heart DAYBREAK stores across Ireland raised over €42,000 for charity partner, Irish Heart, in 2016 through a wide range of national and local community fundraising activities. As part of the charity partnership, 200 Daybreak stores across the country supported initiatives, including the annual Valentine’s Day Happy Heart Day, as well as World Heart Day fundraising activities. Daybreak employees also participated in a variety of national events, including the Daybreak Coffee Morning and Jolly Jumpers Day. Pictured at the Daybreak Blanchardstown store are Terry Donnan, Regional Daybreak Sales and Development Manager; Damien Osborne, Daybreak Retail Chairman; Tom Treacy, Daybreak Managing Director; and Nancy Ward, Irish Heart National Community Fundraising Manager.

Keelings’ Visits

Children’s Hospital KEELINGS visited Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, recently to celebrate Pancake Tuesday. Pictured at the hospital are (l-r): Stephanie O’Connor, Keelings Giant Strawberry Zoe, Ciaran Melody, Stella Sweetnam, Elizabeth Fearns and Cathy Fox.

Mace Supports Mental Health Awareness

MACE supported Mental Health Ireland on February 28 in aid of their ‘Smiley Pancake Campaign.’ Mace is all about ‘Going the Extra Smile’ as they know that a smile can make a huge difference to their customers’ day. Mental Health Ireland promotes positive mental health and what better way to do that than with a smile. This is a smile with a difference though, as Mace asked the public to make their pancake smile on Pancake Tuesday and text MHI to 50300 to donate €4 to Mental Health Ireland. “We’re delighted to team up with Mental Health Ireland for this fun pancake campaign,” noted Alex Banahan, Mace Sales Director. “Mental Health Ireland do a great job promoting positive mental health and wellbeing to all individuals and communities in Ireland. We’d encourage everyone to upload their pancake pics and donate €4. It’s always worth going the extra smile!”

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18|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

Heineken’s Rising Star

After 11 years working with Heineken in her native Bulgaria, Radina Shkutova is ready for the challenge of her new role as Marketing Director of Heineken Ireland.

RADINA Shkutova took over the role of Heineken Ireland’s Marketing Director in September 2016, having spent 11 years working in Heineken’s marketing team in Bulgaria, most recently as Marketing Director, where she drove significant business growth for the Heineken business.

Under her stewardship, her team achieved the leading position in the premium beer category in Bulgaria, as well as shaping the cider category with the launch of Strongbow in 2015, followed by Apple Thief cider in 2016, based on Heineken Ireland’s Orchard Thieves. Apple Thief was launched within a six-week window and delivered an

impressive 25% market share of the cider category in year one. She was awarded the Advertiser of the Year Award in Bulgaria in both 2014 and 2016.

On her appointment, Maggie Timoney, Managing Director of Heineken Ireland, said that Radina “brings a wealth of experience and passion for the business with her to our company and we are delighted to have her on our team.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Radina discusses her move, how her experience in Bulgaria will help in her new role, and the changing face of the Irish off trade.

How are you enjoying your new role as Marketing Director of Heineken Ireland so far?

I moved to Ireland in September last year to take up the position as Marketing Director with Heineken Ireland and I am thoroughly enjoying my new role. I have been working with Heineken for 11 years, all of it based in Bulgaria, and so I was very excited to come to a new market to head up, what I knew to be, a very successful marketing team. My husband, four-year-old daughter and I already love Ireland and have been made to feel very welcome here.

Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie|19

Retail News Interview

Heineken: loved by Irish consumers.

You have worked with Heineken since 2005: how does the Irish market compare with your work in Bulgaria?

At a first glance, the Irish and Bulgarian markets are quite similar – for example, the beer and cider market are of a similar size. However, a big difference is that the on trade share in Ireland is significantly higher than in other European markets, including Bulgaria. In Ireland, the off trade channel accounts for 37%, whereas in Bulgaria it accounts for 65%. Pack types are also different cans are the leading pack type here compared with PET in Bulgaria. Also, the beer category here includes lager, ale and stout, whereas in Bulgaria it is dominated by lager.

How do you think your experience in Bulgaria will help you in your new role in Ireland?

My experience in both the brand and agency side will really stand to me in my new role in Heineken Ireland. I started my career in account management with Publicis MARC Advertising in Bulgaria and joined Heineken Bulgaria in 2005. In 2013, I became the Marketing Director,

responsible for the full beer and cider brand portfolio.

The structure of the Heineken business around the world is pretty similar, which makes moving people around the markets relatively easy and very valuable. When you move to a new market, you bring a different experience and give a new and fresh perspective to the team, while at the same time you learn a lot and grow from the different market experience.

How is the Irish off trade changing?

Key drivers that will shape the alcohol market to 2020 include legislation, economic, demographic changes and shopper trends.

Technology will continue to shape the off trade channel, as shoppers continue to use mobile technology to research and plan their shopping trips.

Offering rich experiences will also be a key trend in ensuring continued growth for the channel in 2017 and beyond, with health and wellbeing and innovation continuing to be macro factors shaping the long alcohol drinks (LAD) market.

How will the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill affect the off trade and Heineken Ireland in particular?

It’s too early for me to predict how the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill will play out, but given the importance that the role of advertising plays in new product development and innovation and the respect we have for existing Marketing Codes and Rules, I hope that all parties involved in the conversation will continue to work together to ensure that responsible drinking is at the forefront of consumers’ minds.

Will the Bill tackle alcohol misuse in society or is it just another example of over-regulation by a nanny state?

Tackling alcohol misuse is extremely important to Heineken Global, Heineken Ireland and to me. It is a complex issue and no one policy intervention will solve the problem. Key to solving the issue is for all stakeholders to work together, including Government, suppliers and retailers.

Parts of the draft Bill, including the excessive restrictions on advertising and the construction of physical barriers in the off licence area in retail outlets, do seem excessive. I believe that a

20|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview balance could and should be struck between promoting public health and safeguarding jobs and local business in our communities.

What, in your view, could be done to tackle alcohol misuse?

Partnership and working towards a common aim of reducing alcohol misuse in Ireland is what is needed if we are to really solve this important issue.

Heineken Ireland plays an active role, as a company, and at an industry level, to deliver on our responsible consumption commitment, as well as campaigning to make moderation aspirational and cool.

You have talked about a campaign promoting moderation in alcohol use.

What would such a campaign entail?

As marketers, we have a role to play

Orchard Thieves Light has been a hugely successful launch for Heineken Ireland. in promoting moderation. Since 2014, we have been doing that in Heineken Ireland with a number of marketing communication campaigns where we use the strength of our brands, and particularly our Heineken brand, to help the moderation message resonate with consumers. Campaigns such as ‘Sunrise Belongs to Moderate Drinkers’, ‘Dance More Drink Slow’ and most recently, our ‘When You Drive, Never Drink’ campaign with Sir Jackie Stewart, have led the debate on moderation in recent years.

Campaigns promoting moderate consumption of alcohol have ran in other European countries. How successful have they been?

We are definitely seeing changes in consumer behaviour and lifestyle choices and a trend towards healthier propositions and moderation in general.

Our moderation campaigns can certainly play a role in this trend. As an industry leader, we believe we should lead by example, playing an active role in promoting responsible and moderate consumption of alcohol.

Ireland was the first market in Europe to bring Heineken Light to consumers seeking moderate occasions.

How can you get the moderation message across?

All our brands promote responsible consumption through statements on packaging, messages in advertising and through standards we employ in the

promotion of our brands at events and at point of sale.

The launch of Heineken Light, last year, which has a lower alcohol content, is also part of our commitment to deliver on moderation. In addition, Heineken’s ‘When You Drive, Never Drink’ campaign is the latest chapter in our long term commitment to encourage responsible drinking. The campaign, featuring global Formula 1 legend, Sir Jackie Stewart, delivers a compelling don’t drink and drive message, where consumers are left in no doubt – when you drive, you never drink.

This latest campaign reinforces Heineken’s view that when you’re behind the wheel, never drink and success for this campaign would be a reduction in the number of people who drink and drive.

During the economic downturn, Irish consumers moved from the on to the off trade. Since fortunes have begun to improve, have consumers moved back to the on trade or is the Irish off trade still as vibrant?

During the recession, consumers favoured the off trade and while we are seeing more consumers return to the on trade, the off trade channel outperformed the on trade in 2016. The off trade LAD market grew by +2.9% in 2016, with beer volumes increasing

Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie|21

Retail News Interview +1.9% and cider showing a strong recovery from its decline in 2015 to +7.9% in 2016, driven by a strong summer performance for this category in the off trade. We anticipate continued growth in the off trade in 2017.

How has the development of the craft beer sector impacted on the off trade and on Heineken Ireland’s business here?

Craft is having a positive influence on beer. It has brought more people into the category, driven a renewed interest in beer and added value to the category.

This applies both across the on and off trade channels.

Our brewers in Cork have also developed our own craft beer label, Cute Hoor, which is now available in both channels.

Orchard Thieves has helped to drive growth in the cider category.

Have consumer tastes changed?

Consumer tastes are always changing.

What we can see is that for every trend, there is a counter trend. This can be clearly demonstrated from the consumer demand for authentic, quality, stronger flavors to lighter tastes for different occasions. The latter can clearly be seen from the growth in cider through the launch of Orchard Thieves and also Heineken Light, which delivers a great tasting, lower calorie and lower alcohol option.

How important are new product launches to the off trade, particularly in beer and cider, with brands like Orchard Thieves and Heineken Light?

Innovation plays a key role in delivering growth for Heineken Ireland. Last year, we launched Heineken Light and were the first market in Europe to bring this new innovation to consumers seeking moderate occasions. We know that beer drinkers are looking for choice and variety within the beer category: they want brands that match their lifestyles.

From a cider perspective, Orchard Thieves, launched in 2016, is now the number one category driver, delivering over 80% of the growth in cider, demonstrating that innovation that resonates with shoppers is a key growth driver for retailers.

How important is category management for off licence owners?

Our customers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of category management. Having the right range in the right location in such a competitive market is paramount.

Category management is not only about having the tools to analyse performance; it is about having the expertise to turn the insight into action and to implement strategies that will grow category performance. In the current competitive climate, our customers in both modern retail and traditional outlets are taking a category approach to identify gaps through unique category projects and initiatives.

How do you ensure you maximise sales in a particular category?

The key is to work with our customers to understand their challenges and align our solutions accordingly. True collaboration ensures that we are working on the things that will truly make a difference and deliver long term sustainable growth for the category.

How important are promotions to the Irish off trade?

Promotions continue to play an important role in the off trade, with shoppers becoming even more savvy and seeking out value for money. This is borne out by the increased consolidation in the marketplace at the top and is also evidenced by the growth of discounters.

What is the importance of sponsorship to Heineken Ireland?

Sponsorship is extremely important to Heineken Ireland across many levels of the business. We are involved in a large variety of partnerships, mainly across sport and music. Our European wide rugby deal with the European

Professional Club Rugby (EPRC), as their official partner of the Champions and Challenge Cups, and our involvement in music festivals around the country provides us with the ability to do great activations with our retail partners. In 2017, we look forward to developing these activations further across all of our brands in retail outlets across the country.

The Heineken brand has a strong association with sport, both soccer and rugby. Is it easy to translate these international sponsorship deals into an Irish context?

It is hugely important that Heineken Ireland is relevant to our consumers in Ireland. Our sponsorship activation activity ensures this. We activate and promote sponsorships that are relevant, ensuring that we bring it to life with our customers and consumers in a way that resonates with the brand and the event.

Finally, what plans have you in place over the coming year?

We are looking forward to a strong year in 2017, working with our customers, leveraging our world class sponsorships to drive category penetration. We will share and build on our research learnings to maximise opportunities to grow the category, build on our innovation platforms and challenge the innovative mind-set, not just from a product point of view but also from a way of doing things. It is vital that we continue to engage both our customers and shoppers in the year ahead.

22|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Grocery Trends

Red Hot Insights from Red C Bryan Cox, Director, Red C Research, examines changing trends in grocery shopping, relating to food labelling, the search for ‘true value’ and the role of online grocery shopping.

Food Labelling GROCERY MARKET IN IRELAND A key trend G PPIN SHO ITS uncovered is B HA F CHANNEL SELECTION 77% CE O G RTAN the growing IMPO LABELLIN G SHOPPERS Supermarkets D IN FOO SHOPP STATE N DOMINATE GROCERY SHOPPER importance of WHE AVAILABLITY 97% Shop here OF FRESH food labelling FOOD MORE past 2 weeks IMPORTANT THAN PRICE on products Local Butchers at the point VERY IMPORTANT BUYING ON PROMOTION LESS COMMON BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT 67% Visit here HALF PRICE of purchase.

NOW past 2 weeks From 35% 49% Discounters nutritional PREVIOUSLY Reduced High Low/ BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT Salt Fat Reduced Sugar 55% Visit here information BULK BUYING LESS IMPORTANT past 2 weeks OTHER ASPECTS OF IMPORTANCE to quality 12% assurance Online SHOPPERS 13% Have ever DOING on products grocery THIS MORE shopped Symbol of Quality Country of Origin purchased, OFTEN online 28% Always 31% Always Check Check food labels are getting more important. While it is still not a legal requirement to display nutritional THE grocery market in Ireland has information on front of pack, more matured significantly over the past consumers consider nutritional 10 years. Supermarket brands are information at the point of purchase. carving up their niche and aiming for From a recent study conducted by the premium, mainstream or discount Bord Bia (PERIscope 2015), we know market. The convenience sector is reduced salt information on pack is growing in size and is offering a wider considered very important at the point of range of choice; there is a growth in purchase in grocery shopping, with 43% speciality stores; and the value of the of grocery shoppers stating this, and sector has rebounded on the back of 34% stating that low/reduced sugar is improved economic conditions, lower important, while 33% state high protein unemployment and higher disposable is important. In the same study, 31% of income.

Irish adults always check for country Consumers themselves are of origin, while 28% claim to check changing and the retail trends team in symbols of quality when purchasing food Red C have been examining changing products. consumer demand in order to We have also witnessed a growth in predict where future demand will lie. niche food categories, all pointing to an Throughout our analysis, we uncovered increase in consumers’ appreciation of three trends of importance within the health and wellbeing. While still a small grocery market: percentage, 4% claim to purchase gluten free food weekly. Awareness of the term • The importance of food labelling at Superfoods is claimed by 30% of Irish the point of purchase; consumers, with 4% actively trying to • The new savvy shopper – value buy Superfoods recently. more important than price; • Consumer selection of shopping The Savvy Shopper channel – consumers turning their The savvy shopper of today is more likely backs on online shopping.

43%

35%

34%

OFFERS

QTY. PRICE

Source: Bord Bia PERIscope 2015

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2

€1.27 ADD

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to purchase based on perceived overall value versus lowest price. 77% of grocery shoppers state that availability of fresh food is more important than price.

Bryan Cox, Director, Red Value is less C Research. likely to be sought by shopping around a range of stores now than it was earlier on this decade. Bulk buying also is less common than it was previously, as is buying on promotion. Consumers have tried and tested the traditional means of attaining value but ultimately simplicity is key: fresh food at a good price, all under one roof with no gimmicks.

Channel Selection Finally, when we examine channel selection, the vast majority of grocery shoppers in Ireland continue to shop in supermarkets (97%). Growth channels in the market are discounters, which are now visited 55% in the past two weeks, and local butchers, with 67% visiting at least once in the past two weeks.

Online shopping has been slow to take off in Ireland relative to the UK market. Just 13% of all adults have ever ordered grocery shopping online, compared with 30% in the UK. Also among online users in Ireland, the frequency of using this channel is significantly lower than in the UK. The common theme tying all the trends together is simplicity of offer, fresh produce and an assurance of health in terms of the products that they purchase in store. It’s definitely a case of ‘less is more’!

See what’s really behind shopper choices

Shopper decisions are often made at the speed of thought in the context of their busy lives.

RED C uses the latest behavioural economics, implicit, stated and ethnographic evaluation and monitoring approaches to truly understand people’s shopping behaviour.

See More, Clearly (w) redcresearch.ie (e) info@redcresearch.ie (t) +353 1 8186316

24|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

SuperValu National Conference

Record Sales for SuperValu SuperValu reached new heights with record sales of €2.67 billion in 2016.

SUPERVALU recorded retail sales of €2.67 billion in 2016, it was announced at the SuperValu National Conference in Killarney recently. Building on this strong performance, SuperValu plans to open three new stores in 2017, adding 190 jobs to the SuperValu network, part of an overall investment of €35m in store revamps.

“Our latest record performance of €2.67 billion in sales in 2016, an increase of 2.4% over the previous year, demonstrates consumers’ positive response to our fresh food leadership and ongoing commitment to innovation,” noted Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu. “As Ireland’s leading food retailer, we pride ourselves on delivering an unrivalled shopping experience with a unique and tailored offer of locally-sourced, quality Irish produce complemented by in-store experts. SuperValu independent retailers continue to set us apart and drive the success of the brand.”

SuperValu sources from over 2,200 Irish suppliers, more than any other grocery retailer in the Irish market, equating to an annual economic contribution of €2.19 billion. SuperValu’s fresh food leadership strategy, bringing the best of fresh, quality Irish produce to consumers with a tailored, local offer in every store, continues to act as a core driver of the retailer’s performance. Through Food Academy, a unique initiative with Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Office, SuperValu has now helped over 300 small Irish food producers to secure a retail listing, supporting over 1,100 jobs and retail sales of €25m as a result. Successful food companies such as Dr Coys, Tipperary Kitchen and The Happy Pear, which began by supplying one SuperValu store, have grown their relationship with SuperValu to supply the entire network of 219 stores.

Real Rewards One of the key business milestones for SuperValu in 2016 was the expansion of

Pictured are Michael Morgan, SuperValu Sales Director; Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director; and Liam Ryan, SuperValu Council Chair at the SuperValu Retailers conference in Killarney. its Real Rewards loyalty scheme. With over one million members, six national partners (including Aer Lingus, Bank of Ireland and Electric Ireland), and plans to announce further exciting partnerships this year, SuperValu is well on its way to delivering on its ambition for Real Rewards to become the number one loyalty programme in the country.

“In 2017, we look forward to adding 190 jobs to the SuperValu network with the opening of three new stores and to continuing our support for important local community initiatives such as SuperValu TidyTowns,” Martin Kelleher explained.

“As part of our innovation agenda, we will also invest in new product ranges and services to offer consumers and provide even more ways for customers to save money on their weekly shop through our market-leading loyalty programme, Real Rewards.”

SuperValu online shopping was another key sales driver for the brand, growing by 22% in 2016.

The shift to mobile was a key trend,

with visits from customers browsing SuperValu.ie on smartphones up by 180%. SuperValu’s new eSHOPS site, an extension of the Real Rewards programme, which incorporates 125 leading online brands, is also tapping into this trend, enabling the retailer to reward its customers’ loyalty when they shop with SuperValu, but also benefit every time they purchase online with partners including eBay, Expedia, Debenhams and Eason.

Ongoing Innovations SuperValu’s Health & Wellness range, introduced in 2015, delivered sales of over €36m last year, underlining the growing demand from consumers for this innovative range of vitamins and supplements, sports nutrition and weight management products, benefit foods and whole foods.

Ongoing food innovations, such as SuperValu Signature Tastes Irish Hampshire Pork, a fully traceable, premium 100% Irish pork range launched last year, also boosted the retailer’s performance.

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Magazines

Irish Mags Prove Their Mettle ABC Ireland figures for magazine sales in 2016 make for heartening reading, with many titles increasing circulation over the course of the year.

THE latest ABC Ireland figures, released on February 16, cover the year from January 1 to December 31, 2016, and show a strong resurgence across the sector, with many Irish magazine titles increasing their circulation over the year.

“The latest ABC report serves as a reminder of the unique power of Irish consumer and business magazines to engage and influence readers,” enthused Grace Aungier, CEO, Magazines Ireland. “There is a huge appetite for professionally-created and intelligently-curated content under the banner of a trusted magazine brand.”

“Magazine shoppers spend more in store than non-magazine shoppers,” reveals Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA). “They also shop more frequently, allowing you the opportunity maximise their pleasure by having a varied range of reading material available to them. To grow sales, you must know your customer, providing them with the right selection of titles. Find a balance between best sellers and specialist choice.”

How you display your magazines will influence how many magazines your customers buy. Promotions have

Zahra Media Group’s flagship magazines, Easy Parenting and Easy Food, both grew their circulation, up by 12.4% and 3.7% respectively.

a positive impact on magazine sales, according to the CSNA Chief.

The CSNA have three simple steps to selling more magazines:

1. Focus on the best range of magazines for your customers.

Request your sales information from EM News and Newspread or you can access your sales history via their website.

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Magazines About Magazines Ireland

RTÉ Guide Still On Top MAGAZINES still hold their place in Irish life.

FREE MAGAZINE! “At the RTÉ Guide, we are constantly looking to evolve and innovate to maintain our position as the country’s number one selling magazine. We challenge ourselves to come up with new and different ways to do things, but it’s evolution not revolution. And with over 2.4m copies Now that I’m 37, I care less about how I sold annually of the magazine, the strategy look and more Elaine about how I feel is delivering robust sales and profitability,” Crowley on new starts enthuses Philippa Gee, Marketing Manager.

Fortitude The ongoing success of the RTÉ Guide on set with Dennis Quaid is achieved by delivering quality editorial Dancing Kathryn Dessie content and is built around the three pillars Thomas on DWTS of entertainment, lifestyle and listings. “By on happiness, finding ‘the one’ and being easy in her own skin continuing to respond to audience needs in an ever changing consumer media landscape, we give our readers what they want,” Philippa notes.

“We partner with successful brands such as The RTÉ Guide is Ireland’s top Weightwatchers and Operation Transformation, selling magazine, with over to provide free magazines and extended features; 2.4m copies sold annually. we team up with book publishers to give readers a first look at new recipe books from renowned Irish chefs. We’ve also created our own range of mini magazines based on the lifestyle genres which work so well within the magazine – now brand extensions Fashion! Dig! And Eat! generate increased sales and revenue for us.”

To connect to its audiences, the magazine has developed an events strategy around one-to-one engagement with our audience via exclusive RTÉ Guide movie preview screenings; meet the authors; reader food events; plus a strong presence at national consumer events around the country, like the National Ploughing Championships and Bloom in the Phoenix Park.

In addition, the team at the RTÉ Guide have continued to develop successful new concepts based around key calendar events. “For the last two years, we’ve published a special Easter edition, a perfect-bound bumper issue which carries nine days of listings to take the reader through the Easter holidays, plus Easter-themed lifestyle content,” she explains. “The RTÉ Guide Pink issue is produced in association with Breast Cancer Ireland. The entire issue went Pink from cover to cover, to help raise awareness of the issue and raise vital funds, with a donation of 20c for every copy sold

going to the charity. And in 2016 we launched the September issue, a special issue which aims to give readers a taste and guide to the unmissable TV and movies coming their way all the way to Christmas.”

2016 also saw the special double Christmas edition achieve sales in excess of 300,000: no mean feat in these challenging times and an Irish publishing phenomenon. The cover, designed es

by Laureate na NÓg PJ Lynch, was inu nt co on iti ed ristmas The RTÉ Guide Ch warmly received and this is ly mi part of an Irish fa to be an essential reflected in the huge sales Christmas. volume of this edition, proving

that the RTÉ Guide Christmas edition continues to be an essential part of an Irish family Christmas.

The RTÉ Guide team received five nominations at this year’s Magazine Ireland awards and won, for the second year in a row, the much sought-after Consumer Cover of the Year. The win was for the Christmas cover 2015 and the judges’ citation read “An illustration by Niall O’Loughlin, Ireland’s leading caricature artist, was successful at capturing the public imagination with its humour. The decision to depart from the seasonal photo shoot was a risk worth taking for the engagement and positive feedback that this cover generated.”

LISTINGS: JANUARY 21-27, 2017

Magazines Ireland is the association of magazine publishers and represents 39 Irish publishers who together produce over 185 magazines, both consumer, business and custom titles in print and on digital channels. For further information about Magazines Ireland, contact Grace Aungier, CEO, Magazines Ireland.

Tel: (01) 6675579 or grace@ magazinesireland.ie or visit www.magazinesireland.ie

EXCLUSIVE!

PRICE: €1.95 N IRELAND: £1.55

Review your sales by category and rank your top selling titles. Remove non-sellers, and filter lowest selling titles from overcrowded categories.

Cross reference against the top ranked titles and identify any titles that are missing that would appeal to your customers. Order (and cancel) accordingly.

2. Implement your new Planogram.

Start with the categories which contribute the most to sales.

Full face key titles in each main category: in addition to drawing attention to the title, it also acts as a signpost for your customers to approach the fixture.

3. Maintaining your new range and Planogram Once the new Planogram is in place, just keep replenishing to the same Planogram on a daily basis. Once a week, take a few moments to review your range against the top ranked titles: do you need to amend your order on any of the titles now they are more visible? Once a month, review what is selling and what’s not – adjust if necessary. Keep up to date with product launches, promotions. Always treat magazines as a key impulse purchase: consider displaying promoted or newly arrived titles at the till point. Mix and change the full face titles to highlight something fresh to your customers.

A Real Appetite The latest ABC figures reveal a real appetite amongst Irish consumers for magazine titles that are relevant to them.

Leader of the pack!

Ireland’s no. 1 selling magazine 389,000 weekly readers 2.4m annual sales

The first choice for brands and consumers!

Data source ABC 2016 and TGI 2016

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Magazines Managing Your Magazines Your daily checklist for magazines should consist of the following: • • •

• •

Count all magazines received.

Check the actual quantity against the daily summary sheet and the content of each parcel. There could be a parcel not received but listed on the summary sheet.

RRP- check the RRP with your EPOS system. There could be a price change on a regular title or you could have received a new title which is not on your EPOS system.

Sale: have all titles early in the morning to catch all potential sales.

Replenish magazines from your stock holding area or left on plinth on magazine unit.

Remember that all shortage and non-delivery queries MUST be raised before 2pm on the day of delivery. This is essential if you are to receive credit. Credits cannot be processed for any claims received after this time. Retailers must provide a safe and secure location for deliveries and collection of returns. Claims for shortages or non-deliveries cannot be processed where there is not a secure delivery location.

Queries on invoices must be made within one week of invoice date.

With very rare exceptions (part works and firm sale titles), all magazines that are unsold may be returned to the publisher and wholesaler that delivered them to you.

Both EM News and Newspread provide separate daily recall sheets for newspapers and magazines that are due for return the following morning. Some retailers have a limited collection/returns service available to them and are provided with a weekly summary recall docket for all titles to be returned. The largest errors from retailers that we encounter is neglecting to observe some basic rules.

1. Return only (as a maximum) the quantity that was delivered by that wholesaler. The best way of ensuring that you and your staff eliminate costly rejections is to have a different identification sticker on the cover of the magazines, perhaps incorporated into the price labeldifferent colours/styles for the two main distributors.

“The latest circulation figures released by ABC represent an impressive year for Irish magazines as a whole, with strong indications for a healthy future for the market,” explained Ciaran Casey, CEO, Harmonia Publishing. “At Harmonia, we are very pleased with the performance of our portfolio of magazines. We are particularly delighted to publish the single best-selling Irish women’s magazine in Ireland in terms of active sales with our core women’s titles holding 50% of the annual women’s market.”

The RTÉ Guide remains Ireland’s top selling magazine, with an average circulation of 48,089 copies. “The RTÉ Guide is Ireland’s largest selling magazine, with over 2.4m copies sold annually,” stated Philippa Gee,

2. Return the magazine in accordance with the recall docket. You are free to return any publication in advance of recall: just remember to note it on your recall documents to verify it is correctly credited.

3. Always ensure that each parcel is properly labelled, with your account number clearly visible and legible. It is very important to ensure that boxes containing stickers are clearly identifiable separately with your account number.

Do not include them with magazines or newspapers as they are scanned in a different way.

4. Ensure that your staff know the difference between titles as every week, hundreds of euro of rejections are caused through lack of attention to detail. On each recall docket, the name, issue date or number and RRP is printed. By confirming that the product selected by your staff member for return has these three properties, you will eliminate costly errors and unintended early returns.

5. Avoid returning parcels that are not properly secured.

Your parcels will be transported by as many as four different carriers. If the parcel breaks, it is unlikely that it will be correctly re-assembled complete with documentation and all returned copies.

6. Scanning of returns generally takes place not longer than five days after collection/return, with most returns process within three days. if your collection has not been scanned after five days, contact the wholesaler, as it will avoid the possibility that some of the titles will be rejected as “out of date”.

7. The returns process is not 100% perfect; sometimes quantities returned are not credited correctly. if you are satisfied that the figure you claim to have returned is more than the quantity credited, notify the wholesaler and pursue a returns claim, noting the claim reference number on the stockbook.

(Source: CSNA)

U Magazine and Woman’s Way: two hugely popular titles from Harmonia Publishing.

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Magazines

The hugely popular Irish Country Magazine enjoys an average circulation of 24,309 copies.

Marketing Manager. “The magazine continues to maintain its robust sales and profitability in a challenging market environment. The ongoing success of the RTÉ Guide is achieved by delivering quality editorial content and evolving to appeal to new readers.”

Zahra Media Group’s flagship magazines, Easy Parenting and Easy Food, both grew their circulation, up by 12.4% and 3.7% respectively.

“We are delighted our two core titles, Easy

Title

Average Circulation

Business Plus

10,498

Easy Food

17,534

Easy Parenting

7,130

Food & Wine

7,560

Hot Press

17,836

Image

22,702

Image Interiors & Living

7,175

Ireland’s Homes Interiors and Living Magazine

6,483

Ireland’s Wedding Journal

14,064

Irish Country Magazine

24,309

Irish Golfer Magazine

11,599

Irish Tatler

21,056

Irish Tatler Man

5,215

Irish Wedding Diary

5,515

Ni4Kids

69,105

RSVP

28,415

RTE Guide

48,089

Social & Personal

22,737

Social & Personal Weddings

4,886

Stellar

16,509

The Irish Garden

8,094

TV Now!

23,008

U Magazine

24,134

Ulster Tatler

10,996

VIP Magazine

24,435

Woman’s Way

20,711

Audited Bureau of Circulation figures for Irish magazines to the end of December, 2016.

Parenting and Easy Food, have both shown healthy circulation growth, rewarding our increased investment in editorial and production,” noted John Mullins, CEO, Zahra Media Group. “Irish consumers are prepared to part with their hard-earned cash for the right combination of quality editorial content and high production values.”

Food & Wine, one of the impressive titles from Harmonia Publishing.

Outperforming the Category One of the big successes is Irish Country Magazine, which launched in the midst of the recession in 2012, and enjoys and average circulation of 24,309.

“I am so delighted that we have taken one of the top spots in our category again this year,” enthused Jennifer Stevens, Editor, Irish Country Magazine.

“Irish Country Magazine is just five years old this March, so to be outperforming in our category is a huge achievement for the team.

This is an even greater success when you know that it happened in a year when we increased our frequency of publication. Irish magazines are fantastic and it’s great to see so many readers support us and our industry.

Here’s to a brilliant 2017.”

RSVP enjoyed tremendous yearon-year growth of 22% to 28,415 copies. “We are delighted to have become the number one magazine in our category,” noted editor, Paula Lenihan. “The consistent growth is a testament to the relationships our talented, committed and enthusiastic team have developed with our readers. We would like to say thank you to all of our supporters and look forward to sharing some more great times during 2017.”

A magazine is still seen as an affordable treat and a little everyday luxury, and the latest figures from ABC Ireland prove that Irish consumers’ love affair with homegrown magazine brands shows no signs of abating.

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Tobacco Legislation

Taking Stock of

TPD2

From May 20, 2017, all tobacco products sold in Ireland must comply with new European tobacco regulations: TPD2. With that date fast approaching, rigorous management of tobacco stock is absolutely crucial for retailers in the weeks and months ahead. JTI Ireland Sales Director, Derek Mooney tells Retail News about the steps to take in the run-up to the May deadline.

FOR anyone involved with the retail of tobacco products, it will be obvious that the category is currently going through some significant changes.

New European regulations, TPD2, that are currently being phased in mean changes to all tobacco packaging and the introduction of a minimum pack size of 30g for Roll Your Own tobacco (RYO), for example. From this May, only products that comply with TPD2 can be sold at retail, and indeed many products have already made the transition.

In the context of this ongoing change, JTI Ireland has been working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new rules. During September and October of 2016, we took the lead and held an extensive series of roadshows attended by retailers from across the country to go through the changes that TPD2 will bring. As Ireland’s number one tobacco company, we recognise the part we play in bringing all of our trade partners up to speed on the key elements of the new regulations.

Simple Guidelines to Follow Now, as we approach the May deadline, retailers’ management of their tobacco stocks takes on increased importance, so we have devised a number of simple guidelines to follow. These guidelines involve simple but really effective steps that when implemented, will greatly minimise potential disruption during the transition to TPD2.

There are a number of steps that should be taken as soon as possible.

For example, retailers should carry out a full store stock check to identify any obsolete tobacco products that may

Derek Mooney, JTI Ireland Sales Director. still be in their possession, and notify the relevant supplier to remove these products. Similarly, we would advise all store owners to appoint a tobacco category specialist. This person will have responsibility for management and replenishment of the store’s tobacco stock, and will be central in arranging the removal of any obsolete packs and ensuring non-TPD2 stock is sold through ahead of May 20 this year.

Smooth Transition to TPD2 Looking slightly further ahead, there are some specific steps we would advise retailers to take in each of the four weeks before May’s deadline. These guidelines offer advice ranging from stock rotation to ensure non-TPD2 stock

is sold first, to guidance on specific ordering dates. Again, these are simple actions that will be very effective in maintaining a smooth transition to TPD2 for retailers.

As ever, JTI’s award winning national sales force will be in stores throughout the country on a regular basis, supporting our trade partners in implementing these stock management guidelines. As well as providing materials illustrating the guidelines, our representatives will offer advice and give any assistance required by retailers to effectively manage their tobacco stock during this transition period. As May gets closer, I would urge retailers to take these simple steps, and JTI will be there to support you every step of the way.

NEW TOBACCO REGULATIONS:

The Journey Ahead

TPD2 WHAT TO DO NOW

20TH MAY

2017 Only TPD2-compliant products can be sold

APPOINT A TOBACCO CATEGORY SPECIALIST, with responsibility for stock management and replenishment, and potentially ordering

COMPLETE FULL STORE STOCK CHECK, a full and thorough back store stock check of all tobacco products

IDENTIFY ANY PRODUCTS, that are obsolete such as price marked packs, discontinued packs, old stock

NOTIFY SUPPLIERS Notify the relevant supplier to remove products that can’t be sold ASAP

JTI IS YOUR KEY PARTNER For more information, speak to your JTI contact, call 01 404 0240, email customerservices.ireland@jti.com or visit jti.com/ireland

PAPER-OUTERS AND BOXES FROM JTI MARKED TPD2 COMPLIANT

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Protein Products

Protein Shakes Up the Market

Protein products have become a mass market phenomenon, as health conscious consumers tap into the benefits of adding more protein to their diet.

PROTEIN is a relatively low-calorie, natural source of energy, a fact which is becoming increasingly important with growing numbers of consumers, keen to improve their health and wellbeing and unafraid to spend their cash on products that help them do just that.

Indeed, the rise of protein in the global health and wellbeing arena has been nothing short of phenomenal, with respected media brands like Men’s Health and Cosmopolitan, as well as mainstream media outlets, regularly reporting on the health benefits of eating more protein.

Once the preserve of gym addicts and muscle-bound men in tight t-shirts, protein is now going mainstream, with a host of foods now adding extra protein into their formulations, as consumers increasingly recognise the fact that protein can help prevent obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Recent years have seen protein-enriched

milk, breakfast cereals, yogurts and, of course, snack bars gaining serious traction, as Ireland’s increasingly health conscious consumers look for foods with added functionality. What’s perhaps even more telling, however, is the rate at which mainstream retailers in the US are turning to protein, with many investing in private label varieties.

A longtime favourite in the sports nutrition market, protein is growing in popularity with more casual consumers, thanks in the main to the advent of convenience formats and products, as well as greater education about its health benefits, with plant proteins, in particular, exploding in popularity.

The latest report into the Irish sports nutrition sector by Euromonitor International reveals that the sector experienced value growth of 12% in 2016: “sports nutrition continues to boom as it becomes more widely available and as it broadens its appeal

beyond athletes and body builders,” the report reveals, predicting value growth of 8% per year to 2020, with sales set to reach €15m in 2021, as interest in health and wellness is predicted to remain strong amongst Irish consumers.

Weetabix Whilst the overall breakfast category is in decline (-2%), Weetabix, the nation’s favourite breakfast cereal (Source: AC Nielsen, retail sales vale for UK and Republic of Ireland, 52 weeks to 06/12/2016), is one of the few brands currently in growth, with value sales up +3% and volume sales up +4% (Source: Nielsen 52 w/e 24/12/16). There are clear sub-categories that are performing well and boosting sales within the category, including Protein.

Protein Cereals is now the fastest growing segment of the breakfast category, and Weetabix continues to drive this sector with its Weetabix

OUR PORTFOLIO IS

PROTEIN PACKED.

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Protein Products Weetabix Protein Crunch Original and Chocolate, plus its convenient breakfast drink Weetabix Protein On The Go, available in three variants; Vanilla, Strawberry & Raspberry and a new Chocolate Weetabix is bringing back its famous ‘Have flavour.

You Had Your Weetabix?’ strapline with a new Tapping into heavyweight advertising campaign, using the the trend for timeless story of Jack and the Beanstalk. convenient morning meals, and with strapline is a powerful and distinctive an alarming number of 18-35 brand asset,” notes Kevin Verbruggen. year olds foregoing a daily sit“The meaning is widely relevant and the down breakfast, the Weetabix line is so familiar that people still use Weetabix Protein has proven On The Go range offers a tasty it. We will be using the timeless story of to be a huge hit with health-conscious combination of milk, protein, Jack and the Beanstalk and dramatising consumers, attracting shoppers back to the soluble wheat fibre, and the this in our campaign – with Weetabix cereal aisle, and adding value to the category. addition of fruit in some of playing a critical role in a twist in the the variants, blended into a deliciously tale!”

Protein biscuits, the brand’s biggest smooth breakfast drink that comes in Meanwhile, the Weetabix packaging piece of NPD in 2016, recently taking resealable 250ml bottles. has a bold new look, Verbruggen adds: home a Product of the Year Award.

Breakfast drinks made giant leaps “We’ve simplified our pack designs to Weetabix supported the launch of in 2016, as did Weetabix On the Go. Gavin focus on the main brand cues. We’re Weetabix Protein with a €1.5m ATL Loftus, Head of Brand for Weetabix On committed to making it quicker for campaign and further investment will The Go, says: “We know people need shoppers to find our packs and easier to continue throughout 2017.

20% of their recommended intake of navigate the cluttered cereal fixture.”

“Weetabix Protein has proven to protein at breakfast time, but as a nation, The new packaging also features the be a huge hit with health-conscious we under-consume. We’re making ‘Have You Had Yours?’ strapline and calls consumers, attracting shoppers back to protein more accessible to the masses at out Weetabix’s status as the ‘Nation’s the cereal aisle, and adding value to the breakfast time.

We’re expecting protein Favourite Cereal. Following its recent category,” notes Kevin Verbruggen, Head drinks to go from strength to strength in win, Weetabix Protein will also include of Brand for Weetabix. “Many consumers 2017.” the Product of the Year logo. are keen to fill up with a high-protein Weetabix is bringing back its famous breakfast. Weetabix Protein contains ‘Have You Had Your Weetabix?’ strapline Fulfil only naturally occurring wheat protein, with a new advertising campaign that In 2016, protein bars dominated the is high in fibre and low in sugar. Since its aims to encourage consumers to think sports nutrition category by driving introduction, we’ve been overwhelmed of the brand as the first choice for growth in the market locally by over with consumers’ responses.” breakfast. Supported with a heavyweight 200%. Fulfil, a brand developed from The Weetabix Protein range €11.5m investment and a bold new pack research into global trends, is positioned comprises Weetabix Protein biscuits, design, the brand aims to extend its lead in the breakfast cereal category.

Live since March 6 and on air throughout the year, the impactful advertising campaign reinforces the brand promise that Weetabix equips you for a positive start to the day. “Our research shows that the ‘Have Weetabix On The Go offers a tasty combination of Fulfil has really captured consumers’ attention, milk, protein, soluble wheat fibre and sometimes fruit, You Had Your with sales of €5.2m in its first year.

Weetabix?’ blended into a deliciously smooth breakfast drink.

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Protein Products

Fulfil is a bar with benefits, with each bar containing less than 3g of sugar, 20g of protein and nine vitamins. as a bar with benefits, with each bar containing less than 3g of sugar, 20g of protein and nine vitamins. When the brand launched onto the Irish market in early 2016, it saw its four original flavours accelerate the protein bar market through sales of €5.2m in its first year.

The vitamin and protein bar is the brainchild of Niall McGrath and Tom Gannon, who have been working on the product for nearly two years. McGrath

described Fulfil’s target market as health conscious, on-the-go consumers across Ireland and Europe: people looking for tasty but low sugar, low calorie snacks with the benefit of 20g of protein and a full multi-vitamin.

“It is the ultimate convenient and tasty treat, without any of the residual guilt from a chocolate bar,” McGrath said. The Fulfil founder pointed to a greater understanding among consumers, both in Ireland and

Fulfil Partners with FAI FULFIL is now the Official Snack Sponsor of the FAI, capping off an incredible year for the brand which sold over 15m bars in 2016. The innovative sponsorship will come as excellent news to the Republic of Ireland players, who were a key part of how the partnership came about. It all began when Fulfil heard some of the players loved the bars, so they sent more for the team to fill up on and the partnership went from there. Fulfil bars are the perfect fit for the players’ active lifestyle, with low sugar, high protein and the RDA of 9 vitamins, all while tasting like a delicious, indulgent treat.

Fulfil co-founders Niall McGrath and Tom Gannon are passionate about Irish football, both playing and coaching junior teams, and wanted to use the sponsorship to make a real difference. Through the partnership, Fulfil will give back to the football community by investing in a passing skills machine used by teams including Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Pictured are Irish team manager Martin O’Neill and assistant manager, Roy Keane, with Fulfil co-founders Niall McGrath and Tom Gannon.

overseas, about the benefits of protein and the disadvantages of sugary snacks.

He said healthier eating patterns were being established as growing numbers of consumers showed themselves anxious to find better snacks which were as convenient as junk-filled alternatives.

“Our aim was to create a protein bar that actually tastes great, is accessible to everyone and has all the recommended multi-vitamins, making it a truly healthy snack,” he explained.

In a very competitive category, it’s vital that brands maintain functionality and invest in new product development.

Fulfil, now with eight variants available, has been key to driving the overall category’s revenue and holds 55% value share in the total Republic of Ireland protein bar market through securing 40% of overall protein bar sales.

Fulfil is now the fastest growing confectionery brand on the Irish market and has proved to be a huge hit with consumers nationwide. For more information, visit Facebook and Instagram Fulfil_nutrition @ FULFILnutrition; Twitter @fulfil, Snapchat @Fulfil.

Kinetica Sports Irish sports nutrition experts Kinetica Sports offer consumers a nutritious, tasty and convenient snacking option in the Protein Deluxe high protein bar range.

Perfect for those looking for a low sugar, high protein fix while on-thego, Protein Deluxe is available in two delicious flavours: Cookies & Cream, a crunchy vanilla biscuit flavoured bar with a layer of caramel and milk chocolate coating, and Chocolate Brownie, an indulgent chocolate bar with caramel

Kinetica’s high protein ready-to-drink milk beverage comes in banana, strawberry and vanilla caramel flavours, delivering 27g of protein per 330ml bottle.

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Protein Products

Protein Deluxe Cookies & Cream is a crunchy vanilla biscuit flavoured bar with a layer of caramel and milk chocolate coating.

store, and offering additional OOH and impulse opportunities.

“Last year, we established a strong position for our Big Pot soya alternative to yogurt range with a high-profile marketing campaign and ongoing NPD, designed to inspire and extend consumer usage,” Upton explains. “This has paid off with sales continuing to grow. But we don’t see this as job done, far from it in fact. That’s why we’re continuing to innovate and be first to market with ground-breaking additions such as Go On to our soya alternatives to yogurt portfolio.”

There are three different Go On fruit base varieties – Passion Fruit, Blackcurrant and Mango – which are available in 150g pots. With 87kcal per 100g, 5g of high quality soya protein and 0.5g of saturated fat, they offer a healthy plant-based option within the broader yogurts category. Go On is available across Ireland at an MRSP of €1.59.

and milk chocolate coating.

Protein Deluxe offers the much sought after balance between high protein and superior taste, without the guilt.

Kinetica’s high protein ready-to-drink milk beverage offers a super convenient way to consume high quality protein for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It delivers 27g of protein per 330ml bottle, is fat free, gluten free and Nutramino contains only 170kcals. The Last September saw the launch of tasty RTDs are available the Nutramino range of sports and in banana, strawberry and lifestyle nutrition products from Glanbia vanilla caramel flavours and Performance Nutrition, a division of the contain fresh pasteurised Glanbia group. The Nutramino range skimmed milk, in addition available in Ireland includes protein to high quality milk bars and recovery shakes, energy proteins. Kinetica’s RTD drinks, protein water, protein powders does not contain any added and energy shots. sugar or maltodextrin, only Whilst new to Ireland, Nutramino containing sugars naturally originally hails from Denmark and was occurring in milk, and is founded in 2002 by Thomas Kjærgård free of any artificial flavours and Per Jensen. Their goal was simple; and colours. to satisfy the nutritional needs of Kinetica’s wide range athletes, fitness enthusiasts, body of nutrition products builders and consumers by creating are widely available in Alpro Go On is a single serve soya protein bars and shakes together with SuperValu, Applegreen, alternative to yogurt that is high in plant whey protein supplements. Fast forward Topaz, Esso, Spar, protein with a thick, smooth texture sitting 14 years, and the idea of including EuroSpar, Mace, Londis, on a layer of real fruit. protein more and more as part of a Costcutter and other balanced and nutritional daily eating selected stores, providing delicious fruit base, and is also naturally plan has become as commonplace for Irish retailers with a strong and trusted low in fat, so it makes the perfect snack many as their morning cup of tea. homegrown option which delivers the for any time of the day.”

Whilst some people find protein highest quality in protein products in The launch forms part of Alpro’s onproducts unpalatable, Marianna a convenient and accessible format, going strategy to expand its plant-based Daddiego, Nutramino’s Global Brand appealing to all customers. offer into new usage occasions, with Director, explains that the Irish-owned products featured in multiple fixtures in nutrition brand has successfully raised Alpro Go On Alpro Go On is a single serve soya alternative to yogurt that is high in plant protein with a thick, smooth texture sitting on a layer of real fruit.

“We know there is consumer demand for more plant-based options, particularly convenient products that fit in with their busy lifestyles. That’s why we launched Go On,” explains Vicky Upton, Marketing Controller at Alpro UK and Ireland. “It’s high in plant protein, Nutramino Dark Chocolate & Orange contains 19g quality protein. offering a thick, satisfying texture over a

38|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Protein Products the bar in both taste and texture: “We use premium, high quality ingredients across our entire product range to satisfy different tastes.

From protein bars with flavours such as chocolate caramel, coconut, chocolate brownie and chunky peanut & caramel, to protein shakes with flavours including chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, there really is a Nutramino product for everyone.

Whilst they all taste great, more importantly the Nutramino product range offers 20-50g of high quality protein per serving, so it’s a win-win for anyone looking for a greatMichael and Jane Murphy of M&J Nutrition, with their proteintasting, proteinpacked fortified yogurt brand, ProU. rich product.”

Product Vitamin D requirements and over 60% of innovation is key to the success of your daily calcium requirements.

Nutramino, and the brand recently “We have been getting a fantastic launched its first protein bar made from response from consumers since our rich, dark chocolate, Nutramino Dark launch, particularly through in-store Chocolate & Orange contains 19g quality tastings and events,” notes Michael. protein and is a great way to refuel your “ProU’s nutritional benefits are a key body following a workout or simply enjoy selling point for today’s health conscious a little taste of something special, on the shopper. We see a growing demand in go. the future as naturally fortified foods “We’re different to many other such as ProU will become increasingly sports nutrition brands as we take important, as they can play a role in account of people’s different nutrition mitigating age related conditions and requirements and activity intensity extending our active years. Currently levels,” notes Daddiego. “There’s no there are 540,000 people over 65 in one size fits all, as no two training days are the same and Nutramino has developed a range of sports nutrition products that is as diverse as the people who love them. We make it easy for people to pick up a protein snack on-the-go” ProU In ProU, former Bord Bia executive Michael Murphy and his wife Jane have developed a delicious, locallyproduced fortified yogurt which has twice the protein and three times the calcium of regular yogurts. Containing all natural ingredients, a 150g pot of ProU has 10g protein, all your daily

The Syntha-6 Edge Bar packs 20g of protein.

Ireland, approximately 12% of our population. This is set to rise to 1.4m by 2041.

“ProU has the best of Irish produce and natural ingredients and research tells us that one third of Irish consumers are looking for healthier options - ProU meets that need,” Murphy concluded.

ProU yogurt is available in both 150g and 375g pots in four variants: natural, raspberry, strawberry, and mango & passionfruit.

Syntha-6 Edge UFC World Champion, Conor McGregor has partnered with BSN to launch the Syntha-6 Edge Protein Bar in the Irish market. The launch last September saw a Conor McGregor themed ‘Takeover’ of 160 Topaz forecourts nationwide, where consumers had a chance to win a trip to a McGregor headline fight.

In 2015, the Syntha-6 Edge Protein shake was launched in Europe and was voted the best tasting protein powder in the UK. The launch of the new Syntha-6 Edge Protein Bar now offers a great tasting high protein on-the-go option, perfect for post workout or to boost protein anytime!

Packing 20g grams of protein, the Syntha-6 Edge Bar is available in five delicious flavours: Chocolate Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate Brownie, and Vanilla Chocolate Fudge.

Kyron Sadik, Commercial Manager for Glanbia Performance Nutrition Ireland, said: “In Conor McGregor, we are witnessing an athlete who pushes himself and his sport past previous limits, something BSN has continued to do in the sports nutrition world. With this new on-the-go Syntha-6 Edge Protein Bar now available in convenience outlets, thousands more active consumers will get a chance to experience the cutting edge taste and nutrition that BSN has been offering athletes for 15 years.”

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Nivea

Nivea Daily Essentials 3 in 1 Cleansing Micellar Wipes NIVEA has launched its new Daily Essentials 3 in 1 Cleansing Micellar Wipes, in the wake of the Product of the Year award winning Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive Caring Micellar Water.

Created to offer easy make-up removal, skin cleansing and care in one single step, the wipes deliver the most thorough cleansing experience yet, removing make-up like a magnet.

The superior cleansing technology allows oil, dirt, and make-up to be easily absorbed without harming the skin’s natural barrier, while the product protects the eyelashes and skin. The wipes contain Vitamin E to leave the skin feeling deeply nourished, and the smooth texture further ensures that the product does not irritate even the most sensitive skin.

To look its best, our skin needs a regular cleansing

routine. “Today’s hectic lifestyles expose us to more dirt and grime, from make-up, pollution and environmental factors, making it more important than ever that women have an effective cleansing regime. This includes cleansing both morning and night,” notes Dr Svenja Möllgaard, face care expert at Nivea.

The ease with which the wipes clean the skin makes Nivea’s New Daily Essentials 3 in 1 Cleansing Micellar Wipes the perfect accompaniment for all stages of the day – whether removing make-up to start again before a night out, refreshing skin after a gym workout or as part of a cleansing regime before going to bed.

For more information, please visit www.nivea.ie or www.facebook.com/niveaireland.

CLEANSING FROM |

40|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF Interview

Conor Kilduff, Sales & Marketing Director, Keelings, and IGBF President of Appeals.

An Appealing Proposition The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund’s President of Appeals, Conor Kilduff from Keelings, talks us through his hopes for the year ahead and why the Fund remains relevant today.

CONOR Kilduff wasn’t totally convinced when he was first approached by the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Chairman, Donal O’Shea, about becoming the next President of Appeals.

“I’ve always looked up to the

position of President of Appeals so I never felt very qualified, to be honest,” smiles Conor, Sales & Marketing Director, Keelings. “I was honoured to be considered for the role. Donal twisted my arm by telling me there wasn’t much

work involved,” he laughs.

Conor feels that the role of President of Appeals has perhaps become slightly less demanding in recent years, thanks to the fact that the Executive Committee is so effective

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IGBF Interview a number of new, smaller suppliers to the FMCG sector will come together and exhibit their goods in a Food Market setting to the general public . “Out of that, the charity gets supported, you are introducing these companies to the fact that the IGBF exists and the companies themselves get to interact with potential customers,” Conor enthuses.

at organising the day-to-day business of the Fund, leaving the President of Appeals free to do what they do best: sourcing funding from the FMCG market and organising some of the year’s key fundraising events.

“Much of the IGBF essentially runs as a well-oiled machine, thanks to the great work of the voluntary committees, both nationally and regionally, so the role of President is more of an ambassadorial role than maybe it was in the past,” Conor notes. “When you take it to its basest level, there are a number of brilliant committees all around the country who organise fundraising events and raise between €650,000 and €800,000 per year. Some of these people have been volunteering for many years, raising money for those in need.”

When it comes to his own tenure, Conor would love to leave a legacy behind “whereby we did something a little different or a little new”.

“I remember in the past going to the President’s Ball was a very big event for me and I’d love to make that bigger than it has become,” he admits. “I’d like to be seen to be active, so that when there are events around the country, I’d like to support as many as I can.”

He also hopes to expand the funding base into new areas: “Traditionally, the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund has received a lot of funding from suppliers and from the wholesale/retail trade, but it has been difficult to rope in other suppliers, like packaging suppliers, marketing agencies and service providers: I’d like to try to get more of those companies involved that haven’t

supported the Fund heretofore.”

Introducing New Events The 2017 President of Appeals is also very open to help organising new events that broaden the support base for the Fund: “One of the members of the Executive Committee, Joe Wogan (BWG Foodservice), has a great idea to introduce a new event, called the Great Grocers’ Run, probably in September, and I’d like to get involved in helping him to do that because I think it sounds like a great thing. It would be very different from some of the events which have run in the past and which continue to run successfully, like the golf outings.”

Another initiative which is helping to change the face of the IGBF is TWIG, Today’s Women in Grocery, which launched last year with a networking lunch on September 16, attended by more than 160 senior leaders from across the grocery sector. “The launch of TWIG last year was huge for the IGBF and their event this year in May is going to be much bigger than that.

Their inaugural lunch sold out within two days of announcing the event, so there is huge interest there because it’s a great opportunity to network. I think the success of TWIG will bring the IGBF somewhere new as a group and allow us to develop in a new way. It’s great to see a very large women’s event this year, which will bring interest beyond our golf events, which tend to be very maledominated.”

The IGBF’s Southern Region Committee are also planning to introduce another new event whereby

“I think the success of TWIG will bring the IGBF somewhere new as a group and allow us to develop in a new way. It’s great to see a very large women’s event this year, which will bring interest beyond our golf events, which tend to be very male-dominated.”

”

Jim O’Connor, retiring Executive Secretary of the IGBF. Juggling Two Roles So far, the work of the President of Appeals hasn’t interfered with the day job too much, but all that could change, particularly when the busy golf season kicks off later in the year. “I’ve been at a number of meetings with the executive committee and with the team at Hotel Solutions. We’ve also had the Southern Regional Ball and the Mid West Regional Ball so far this year and now it gets a bit quiet until the golf outings begin, but then it gets very busy,” he admits.

“Everything I’m doing so far has been outside of company time but I’d like to play at the upcoming golf events and that will involve a little more planning and juggling of work to ensure everything still gets done.”

He’s enjoying it so far. “I like people, so when you are going around the country, meeting people on the various committees who are putting so much into the Fund voluntarily, and have done so for many years, in most cases, I am full of admiration for these people.”

Conor is adamant that the role of the Fund remains just as important as it ever was. “I think the Fund is very relevant,” he insists. “Having a support group who are genuinely looking

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IGBF Interview after people in need in a category like grocery, which is a huge category, is a lovely thing. It’s very unique. Last year, donations to families from the Fund were in the region of €560,000, and every time we get better at getting funding in, the likelihood is that you are going to have to support more people, and that is a good thing.

“Like most people, when I got married at the start, we had nothing. We would do our grocery shop extremely tightly with £75 in our hand. If we could do our shop for £49, then we had £26 discretionary spend for the week. I lived like that for about four or five years but there are people who are in that circumstance now, and some of these people have lived very well but suddenly they can’t because somebody is made redundant or somebody becomes very sick. Isn’t it a good thing that the IGBF can support some of these people?”

A Keen Supporter Conor has spent almost 30 years working in the Irish grocery trade, much of it with Unilever Ireland prior to joining Keelings, and he has always been a keen supporter of the IGBF: “When I was a young-fella, if there was a Grocers Benevolent Fund outing of any kind, we supported it. I came from the supply side where we were a very traditional business, with a very big sales force all around the country, so any event that happened across the country, we used it to have the local rep

“There is an onus on senior management to show example and continue in the great tradition of those who went before them in supporting events to help those less fortunate in our industry.”

or the local merchandiser invite some customers out for the day to play a round of golf or whatever it may have been.

As time has gone on, some companies have reduced or outsourced their sales force, and many companies don’t have sales teams on the road, so there are probably many companies in the grocery trade, particularly newer entrants to the market, who don’t know the IGBF exists and we need to do a little more to publicise it. It’s a wonderful way to get to know people and network across the trade.”

Even the IGBF Christmas Lunch, one of the social highlights of the year, could potentially do more to promote the work the Fund carries out, he believes. “Even though it’s a huge event, I’m not sure all the people who attend get the charity angle.”

Has the increased focus on Corporate Social Responsibility impacted on the IGBF? Does it make it harder for the IGBF, when so many companies have a ‘charity partner’ these days?

“If you ask me that question in six months’ time, I can probably give you a more accurate answer,” he says.

“But my own view is that we are in the retail grocery trade and the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund supports people within our trade who have fallen on hard times.

Therefore, if you are contributing to the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund, you are in a sense contributing to your own people, who may fall on hard times in the future. I don’t think that’s a hard sell.”

Incoming Executive Secretary of the IGBF, Gus O’Reilly.

Giving Something Back He also points out that IGBF

”

events tend to give something back to attendees. “For example, take the Grocers Lunch, which comes at a time of year that allows me to say thanks to a few of my people. Would I thank them anyway? The answer is probably ‘yes’. Would I go for dinner somewhere?

Again, the answer is probably ‘yes’. So why don’t I just schedule that thanks for the IGBF Christmas Lunch or President’s Ball and use it to thank my staff or customers.”

He also feels that the President’s Ball has a special place in the sector’s social landscape: “I have a view that many of the senior management teams don’t get out as management teams together, with partners, because we are all so busy. But there is a President’s Ball once a year, and if you invite your management team and their partners, in the process of doing that, which is probably something you should do anyway, you are giving something back to the IGBF. So I don’t think it’s that hard to contribute. There is an onus on senior management to show example and continue in the great tradition of those who went before them in supporting events to help those less fortunate in our industry. Similarly, the Sports Lunch is a great opportunity to invite some customers. It doesn’t feel like you are just handing out. You will be seeking entertainment, whether it’s for customers or to reward your own people, and you should use the Grocers Benevolent Fund events that way.”

Conor pays particular tribute to outgoing Executive Secretary, Jim O’Connor, who is leaving after almost two decades in the role, whereby he was the face of the Fund when it came to meeting the families around the country who needed its help.

“Jim cares passionately about the Fund. He was the face of the IGBF for the families it helped. In many instances, it wasn’t just about the financial help but it was also about the hour or so that he sat down with the people the Fund helps, so there is almost a bit of counselling as well,” Conor stresses. “Jim has done that so successfully for nearly 20 years and now he is in the process of handing over to his replacement, Gus O’Reilly.”

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IGBF Interview

TWIG Growing Connections

Pictured enjoying the reception at last year’s inaugural Todays’ Women in Grocery (TWIG) networking luncheon in the Westbury Hotel are the TWIG committee (l-r): Frances Higgins, BWG; Anne O’Brien, Musgraves; Brigid O’Neill, Birds Eye; Sharon Yourell Lawlor, Think Plan Do Consulting; Paula Donoghue, Bord Bia; Paula Conlon, Heineken Ireland; and Lorraine Butler, CPM. LEADING women from the Irish grocery industry are invited to gather at the InterContinental Hotel Ballsbridge, at the second ‘Today’s Women in Grocery’ (TWIG) networking lunch on Friday, May 19, 2017.

The TWIG group was created by the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF) as a platform for women in grocery to grow their connections, learn from leading inspirational women, discuss issues of concern and to network with each other. Its key focus is on raising the profile of women in the grocery sector and fundraising for the IGBF. The event, which will attract many senior leaders across the grocery sector, will feature speakers including: Louise Ryan, Managing Director, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard; Áine Maguire, Managing Director, Persuasion; Aoibheann O’Brien, CEO of FoodCloud Hub; and Sheila Gallagher, Commercial Director, Tesco.

It will again be

compèred by Melanie Morris, EditorIn-Chief of Image Magazine.

“We are delighted to be hosting this year’s TWIG luncheon in the Intercontinental Hotel to facilitate ‘networking’ amongst the women in our industry,” noted Sharon Yourell Lawlor, Chair of the Committee and MD of Think Plan Do Consulting. “The luncheon will give women in grocery the opportunity to connect and foster important connections with fellow retailers, agencies and suppliers. It will also give them an opportunity to listen to the inspirational stories and experiences of ‘Growing Connections’ in the careers of our insightful speakers.”

Research carried out after last year’s inaugural event revealed some interesting statistics. Work life balance was named as the number

one issue facing women in the Irish grocery sector. The research found that more than one in three women (38%) attending felt balancing family life and work was a key concern.

General support in the workplace for women and gender imbalance in management were also prevalent issues, with one in four women (25%) reporting that support for women in the workforce was an issue for them in their careers. This rose to more than a third (36%) of women aged 50 years of age and older.

TWIG is unique to the Irish grocery sector, offering networking opportunities targeted to a female audience in a supportive open environment. This is reflected in the fact that almost two thirds (60%) of women connected with up to 10 people on the day.

TWIG, as part of the IGBF, is striving to encourage more female participation in industry events and initiatives. The event opens with a champagne and networking reception followed by lunch. The cost of a table of 10 is €1,750, or €175 per ticket. For further information, contact Roisin Higgins in Hotel Solutions roisin@hotel-solutions.ie / 01 6309211.

44|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Dealz

Five Years of Great Dealz Discount retailer Dealz recently celebrated five years of hugely successful trading in Ireland.

SINCE opening its first stores in September 2011, Dealz has successfully launched 56 stores nationwide in Ireland, creating over 1,500 Irish jobs and investing over €30m million into the Irish economy. 2017 will see a further commitment with the opening of further Dealz stores across the country, creating additional jobs.

“We are delighted to have celebrated our fifth year of trading in Ireland,” explains regional manager Brendan Doyle, who has been with the brand throughout the last five years. “Since opening our first stores in Portlaoise and Blanchardstown in 2011, it has been a privilege to work with a brand that has grown to be a major value retailer in the Irish market. I now look towards year six with this exciting brand and towards Dealz exciting expansion plans, which will not only continue to create new job opportunities for Irish workers but will

allow us to bring our amazing value and customer experience to more Irish shoppers across the country.

“At Dealz, we are dedicated to bringing value to our Irish customers every day with our €1.50 price point and are looking forward to even more savvy Irish shoppers having the opportunity to experience our fantastic range of great products and well-known brands. We look forward to welcoming old and new shoppers in our new stores next year.”

Top For Customer Experience Popular with Irish consumers, Dealz was recently listed as one of the top 30 companies in Ireland for customer experience in 2016 in a survey carried out by Amárach Research for CEXi.org.

Furthermore, Dealz was also awarded Best for Value in the CXi Excellence Awards, cementing Dealz as a firm favourite for shoppers.

Pictured are Marjut Ellis, Corporate Fundraising Officer, Make-A-Wish Foundation, with Brendan Doyle, Regional Manager, Dealz (right) and members of the Dealz staff.

Make-A-Wish child ambassador, Abby Sheerin hugs a giant teddy bear at the celebrations of Dealz’ fifth anniversary in Ireland.

“We are delighted to be recognised as a leading brand in Ireland,” Doyle admitted. “Customers are at the heart of everything we do. At Dealz, not only do we strive to provide our shoppers with amazing value everyday across a variety of categories, including leading brands, but we try hard to ensure that their shopping experience is exceptional.”

Charity Parther: Make-A-Wish Ireland Dealz is also proud of the work it has done with charity partner, MakeA-Wish Ireland, over the past five years, as stores and colleagues have proudly supported the charity, which grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life threatening illnesses. To date, Dealz has raised over €200,000 for the charity through various fundraising activities, including in-store themed fundraisers, selling MakeA-Wish merchandise and by raising awareness of the charity association at each new Dealz store opening.

“We are incredibly lucky to be working with Dealz colleagues across Ireland,” said Gareth Crowe, Corporate Manager at Make-a-Wish. “On behalf of all at Make-a-Wish, particularly our wish children, thank you! It is a pleasure to work with you and be associated with your stores, customers and colleagues: we have a bright future ahead together making magical wishes a reality for Ireland’s bravest children.”

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Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

RETAIL IRELAND SUBMISSION TO LOW PAY COMMISSION IN recent weeks, Retail Ireland made a submission to the Low Pay Commission on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage.

The Low Pay Commission is seeking submissions on the minimum wage itself in preparation for submission of its third recommendation to government on the appropriate rate of the minimum wage.

In our detailed submission to the Low Pay Commission, Retail Ireland said that there is no case for further increasing the minimum wage rate, and that the minimum wage should be maintained at its current €9.25 level.

The retail sector is facing very acute challenges from declining consumer confidence and the weak sterling, along with rising input costs in the sector. Any further cost burdens imposed by wage increases would be extremely difficult for retailers to withstand. The focus now for the retail sector has to be on maintaining competitiveness and jobs.

Our submission focuses on the following key priorities: • • •

There is no evidence base for any further increase in the level of the National Minimum Wage in 2018; A further increase in the National Minimum Wage at this point would negatively impact upon the creation of new jobs in retail as the sector continues to recover; A further increase in the National Minimum Wage could

•

potentially lead to job losses in the sector and/ or reduced hours for employees in those businesses who could not afford to pay the increase; • A further increase in the National Minimum Wage has the potential to negatively impact upon investment in the sector; • A further increase in the National Minimum Wage will only further add to wage inflation across the sector due to relativity wage claims; An increase in the National Minimum Wage has the potential to negatively impact upon competitiveness in the sector.

Retail Ireland stressed to the Commission that the last two increases in the minimum wage have put considerable pressure on the sector, which is still 13% behind pre-crash sales levels, and has added not only to wage costs for retailers but also to tax liabilities in the form of employers’ PRSI. Retail Ireland is strongly of the view that the level of the National Minimum Wage should reflect changes in the cost of living and should only be increased in line with trends evidenced by hard economic data.

Retail Sales Outperforming 2016 So Far RETAIL Ireland has welcomed the strong retail sales in January as evidenced by numbers released by the CSO recently. Retail sales values, excluding bars and car sales, increased by 3.3% in the year to the end of January, pointing to a strong performance over the post-Christmas January sales period.

There was also strong volume growth across the retail sector in January, with sales volumes increasing 1.5% in the month and by 6.3% in the year to the end of January 2017. Among the best performing categories were furniture and lighting, electrical goods and hardware.

“Given the disappointing trading levels during the usually busy month of December, it is encouraging to see 2017 start so strongly in terms of activity at Irish tills,” noted Retail Ireland Director, Thomas Burke. “Post-holiday sales can sometimes fall flat after a busy pre-Christmas period but it would appear that the reverse is the

case this year. What is most encouraging is that all retail categories outperformed the same period in 2016 and this should offer hope for the coming months.”

However, Burke sounded a note of caution when assessing the hopes for the sector over the coming year. “Retailers are operating in increasingly uncertain times and the fluctuation in performance of the sector month-on-month clearly points to growing uncertainty amongst consumers and a rapidly changing external environment,” he warned. “Furthermore, it is clear that the impact of Brexit and the growing migration of Irish consumers to foreign based online retail channels will continue to present real threats to the sector in the year ahead. This constantly changing picture makes planning ever more difficult for retailers and many continue to operate on short term planning cycles in order to remain agile and flexible to the quickly changing trading environment.”

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

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

46|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Focus on HR

How to Deal with Bullying or Harassment at Work Bullying and harassment is an area that can cause concern for even the most experienced people managers. Following her recent interview on Newstalk, Caroline McEnery, Managing Director of The HR Suite, was inundated with queries in relation to this often delicate and difficult topic.

THE purpose of a Dignity & Respect at Work Policy is to create a working environment that is free from bullying and harassment.

The Labour Relations Commission Code of Practice on addressing bullying in the workplace defines bullying as “repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual’s right to dignity at work.

An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work but, as a once-off incident, is not considered to be bullying.”

It may involve single or repeated

incidents, ranging from extreme forms, of intimidating behaviour, such as physical violence, to more subtle forms, such as ignoring someone. It can often occur without witnesses.

Harassment is defined as “any act of conduct which is unwelcome and offensive, humiliating or intimidating on a discriminatory ground, including spoken words, gestures, or the production, display or circulation of written material or pictures.”

Sexual Harassment is defined as any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the person. Many forms of behaviour can constitute sexual harassment. A

single incident may constitute sexual harassment.

Drafting a Dignity & Respect at Work Policy The first step in drafting a Dignity & Respect at Work policy is to ensure that both bullying and harassment are clearly defined.

It is also important to outline the scope of the policy and to address who it applies to and in what scenarios.

For example, the policy should apply to employees both in the workplace and at work associated events, such as meetings, conferences and office parties, whether on or off the premises. The policy should also apply to harassment not only by fellow employees but also by a customer or other business contacts with which an

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Focus on HR on a strictly confidential basis, from their manager or someone in the organisation. The above contact person should listen patiently, be supportive and discuss the various options open to the employee concerned.

A complainant may decide, for whatever reason, and must always have the option, to by-pass the informal procedure.

employee might reasonably expect to come into contact within the course of their employment.

There should be an informal and formal procedure to deal with the issue of bullying or harassment at work. Any employee who makes a complaint of bullying or harassment should have the option of which procedure they wish to follow.

Dealing Informally with a Problem Of course, it is often preferable for all concerned that complaints of bullying or harassment are dealt with informally whenever possible, as an informal approach can often resolve matters with minimal time and interruption to normal work. As a general rule, therefore, an attempt should be made to address an allegation of bullying or harassment as informally as possible by means of an agreed informal procedure. The objective should be to resolve the difficulty quickly and effectively, with the minimum of conflict and stress for the individuals.

Though described as ‘informal’, it is still important to note that there should be a predetermined, written procedure for dealing informally with a complaint of bullying or harassment.

This could involve instructing an employee who believes he or she is being bullied or harassed to explain clearly to the alleged perpetrator(s) that the behaviour in question is unacceptable. If the complainant finds it difficult to approach the alleged perpetrator(s) directly, there should be an option to seek help and advice,

Formal Procedures If an informal approach is inappropriate or if, after the informal stage, the bullying or harassment persists, the formal procedures should be invoked.

Again, these need to be predetermined written procedures that employees are made aware of through a Company Handbook or Company Policies and Procedures document.

There can be slight variations to the formal procedure from company to company, but all procedures need to ensure that the following principles are adhered to: •

•

•

The complainant should make a formal complaint, in writing. The complaint should be confined to precise details of actual incidents of bullying or harassment: for example, state the name of the alleged perpetrator, the nature of the complaint, dates and times, witnesses, and any action that the complainant may already have taken, if any.

The alleged perpetrator(s) should be notified in writing that an allegation of bullying has been made against them. They should be given a copy of the complainant’s statement and advised that they shall be afforded a fair opportunity to respond to the allegation(s), within specified time limits.

Both parties must have the right to be accompanied by a representative at all meetings.

• The complaint should be subject to an initial examination by a designated manager or senior person in the organisation, who can be considered impartial, with a view to determining an appropriate course of action.

• No assumptions should be made by the company about the guilt or otherwise of the alleged harasser, or about the motivation or intent of the complainant.

About the Author THE HR Suite is based in Tralee, Co. Kerry, and provides human resources consultancy, employment law advice, training and recruitment services to businesses throughout Ireland. MD Caroline McEnery has over 20 years’ experience in providing HR services to Irish companies. She is a member on the Low Pay Commission and is also an adjudicator in the new Work Place Relations Commission.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact our office on (066) 7102887 or (01) 9014335 or email info@thehrsuiteonline.com. Website: thehrsuiteonline.com.

•

An appropriate course of action at this stage could be exploring a mediated solution or a view that the issue can be resolved informally.

Should either of these approaches be deemed inappropriate or inconclusive, a formal investigation of the complaint should take place with a view to determining the facts and the credibility or otherwise of the allegation(s).

Although procedures will vary slightly between organisations, the important thing to remember is to ensure that your company procedure is followed.

This procedure must be open and transparent and must be in line with the rules of natural justice.

Confidentiality Confidentiality is also a key factor in ensuring that a complaint of bullying or harassment is dealt with, with as little disruption as possible. It is important to ensure that the person dealing with or investigating a complaint of bullying or harassment is adequately trained and aware of the company’s internal procedure.

All employees must, by law, be issued a copy of the Company’s Dignity & Respect at Work Policy within 28 days of commencing employment. Best Practice HR management is to issue this immediately on commencement, along with the employee’s contract of employment.

If you require further information or advice on drafting a Dignity & Respect at Work Policy, or on any current issues, please do not hesitate to contact one of our HR Consultants on (01) 9014335 or on (066) 7102887 or email us at info@thehrsuiteonline.com.

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Baby Care

Child’s Play The baby care and baby food categories are big business, as Irish parents treat their little ones to the best products available.

RATES of childbirth in Ireland remain one of the highest in the EU, which is good news for the baby care and baby food categories. The age demographics of mothers are also favourable towards these categories: the average age of women giving birth in Ireland in 2016 was approximately 30 years.

Older mothers, being in general more amenable to health and wellness trends, remain more predisposed to spending extra on baby, which has again favoured the upward movement of unit prices (Source: Euromonitor International).

Baby food in Ireland has experienced current value growth of 2% in 2016, with it set to reach sales of €91m, according to the latest report into the sector by Euromonitor International. Part of this can be attributed to the rising unit price of baby food, facilitated by the general economic improvement within Ireland as a whole. The tendency towards organic and more natural products also continued in 2016. Euromonitor predict annual growth of 1% in the coming years for the baby food sector, with sales projected to reach €97m by 2021.

The market for baby and childspecific products is also rising, and is valued at €42m (Source: Euromonitor International), and is expected to rise at

the same 1% annual rate, with sales set to grow to €44m by 2020. Euromonitor predict that volume sales are likely to continue growing in all baby and childspecific products categories, with the exception of baby and child-specific sun care, due to the unpredictability of the Irish weather.

Aptamil Profutura Inspired by 40 years of breastmilk research, Aptamil’s experts have developed Aptamil Profutura Follow On and Growing Up milks, their most advanced formulas yet. They contain specific nutrients tailored to complement a baby’s diet in order to support them as they undergo significant growth and cognitive development.

Aptamil Profutura Follow On and Growing Up milk contain a unique blend of ingredients, including their highest ever levels of DHA (Omega 3 LCP), which supports normal visual development.

Indeed, Aptamil Profutura Follow On milk contains 33% more DHA (Omega 3 LCP) than in all Aptamil Follow On milks, while Aptamil Profutura Growing Up milk contains 35% more DHA (Omega 3 LCP) than in all Aptamil Growing Up milks. Aptamil Profutura Follow On and Growing Up milk also contains sources

Aptamil Profutura Follow On and Growing Up milks contain specific nutrients tailored to complement a baby’s diet in order to support them as they undergo significant growth and cognitive development.

www.facebook.com/AptaclubIreland

www.youtube.com/AptaclubIreland

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Baby Care of calcium and vitamin D which support normal growth and development of bone.

Aptamil Profutura Follow On and Growing Up milk is now available in their most innovative pack ever, the Smart Pack. The 800g Smart Pack features a tamper-proof lid for added security, a built-in leveller on both the left and right hand side, making scooping easier, an underlid scoop storage, as well as a scoop rest for storing the scoop between use for improved hygiene.

Breastfeeding is best for babies.

Aptamil Profutura Follow On milk is only for babies aged 6 months and over as part of a varied weaning diet and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. All formula milks should be used on the advice of your healthcare professional. Aptamil Profutura Growing Up milk should be used as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Huggies Newborn Wipes Mums understand that newborn skin is fragile and needs special care. Yet over a third of mums don’t use baby wipes straight from day one, with just 63% of mums using baby wipes from birth. This provides a strong opportunity for growth.

Huggies have developed Newborn Wipes, their softest, thickest, most natural wipe yet. Made with gentle natural fibres, 99% water and free from alcohol, phenoxyethanol and parabens, Huggies Newborn Wipes are specially designed for the most sensitive skin.

71% of shoppers agree they would buy Huggies Wipes because they are made from natural fibres.

To find out more about how Huggies is naturally different, contact their sales team: sales@huggieswipes.co.uk.

The Huggies Wipes range is extremely popular with Irish consumers.

Milton Milton, the leading expert in sterilising, has launched its new Milton Washing Up Liquid, designed to ensure thorough cleaning of babies’ feeding equipment before sterilising.

The new washing up liquid has a transparent gel texture and comes in a 500ml dispenser bottle with a pump.

Created for ease of use, one push on the dispenser releases a small amount of liquid that, when added to warm water, makes a luxurious white foam Huggies have developed Newborn Wipes, their for cleaning a range softest, thickest, most natural wipe yet, specially designed for the most sensitive skin.

Investment in the new product launch is the highest in recent years, with multi-channel brand support instore and at home, as well as baby care advice from experts and online channels such as bloggers, social media and parenting communities. By targeting mums during pregnancy, Huggies Wipes are developing early relationships and building brand affinity even before baby’s birth.

77% of shoppers would consider buying Huggies Newborn Wipes, while

of products, including babies’ bottles, teats, teethers, toys, breastpump components, breastfeeding accessories and family dishes.

The foam is also easy to rinse off and free from fragrance, colouring and parabens.

All baby feeding equipment must be pre-cleaned to be sterilised effectively: milk often creates a white film on feeding equipment which can be difficult to remove and if left on bottles New Milton can create a Washing Up Liquid, dangerous breeding ground designed to ensure thorough cleaning for bacteria to of babies’ feeding grow. equipment before “Parents sterilising. often complain of babies bottles containing a residual smell of washing up liquid after cleaning with regular liquid, and many worry about the harmful effects of milk residue on babies’ health,” notes Christine Dugendre, Brand Manager at Milton.

“Our new washing up liquid alleviates these concerns: it cleans effectively and has no fragrance.”

Milton’s new washing up liquid is dermatologically tested and formulated for sensitive skin, delivering optimum skin comfort even after washing up baby feeding accessories multiple times.

The Milton range of sterilising products: trusted by generations of Irish parents.

e l n a o r ugh u t a N w b e o n rns* r o f Only 63%† of mums use baby wipes from birth. That’s why we’re introducing Huggies® Newborn Wipes; our softest, most natural baby wipe, designed specifically to care for even the most sensitive skin.

Made with gentle, natural fibres and 99% water.

Clinically tested as safe from day one.

77%‡ of shoppers would consider buying.

For more information about the Huggies® Wipes range and how we can add value to your category visit our website.

www.huggieswipes.co.uk *Huggies® Newborn Baby Wipes are made with 70% natural fibres, 99% water, 0% Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parabens and Perfume. †Kantar Worldpanel, April 2016. ‡Toluna, 2016. ®Registered Trademark Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. ©KCWW.

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On the Vine

The European Question

The Old World is fighting back, with Italy, France and Spain showcasing some excellent wines in the Irish market.

IT is heartening to see the amount of generic and general promotional activity in the trade for European wines so far this year. The wine market in Ireland definitely needs this kind of support and the return of the generics as well as event focused tastings all go a long way in terms of educating customers and most importantly, selling wine!

The Return of Italy Italy is back, judging by the amount of generic support and promotional activity so far this year. IWA figures to December 2015 show that Italian wine continues to increase its market share here in Ireland. The enormous success of Italian wines styles such as Pinot Grigio and Prosecco have helped to create greater awareness with the Irish consumer for a whole range of Italian wine styles. Sales of Italian wines have increased from 438,000 cases (5.5%) in 2008 to 613,679 (11.6%) in 2015 (Source IWA Sept 2016).

The 2017 Borsa Vini tasting took place on January 17, 2017, in the Conrad Hotel, where a special one-day wine tasting highlighting 30 different producers from four Italian regions took place. The event was organised

Masi are celebrating 50 years of Campofiorin with the release on the market this spring of the 2014 Campofiorin.

by the Italian Trade Commission and was extremely well attended. A number of winemakers and winery owners flew to Dublin from Campania, Calabria, Puglia, and Sicily specially for the tasting and most were seeking representation.

Expect to see a lot more wines from these regions available here in the coming year.

“We were delighted to return to Ireland in January to present these wines and the producers to the Irish wine buyers,” noted Fortunato Celi Zullo, Director of the Italian Trade Commission in London who organised the event. “Our focus was to connect key businesses with each other to encourage more trade between both

countries.”

Findlater Wine & Spirit Group also highlighted their Italian range at their portfolio tasting in early March, which featured wines from their Italian principal’s Masi & Antinori and their sister houses Serego Alighieri, Bossi Antinori Santa Fedrigotti, Cristina Rosso Prunotto, and Antinori Tormaresca and Santa Cristina the boutique Campogrande Abruzzo winery Orvieto are on Torre Dei special offer, down Beati. Giacomo from €14.99 to Boscaini from €13.49. the Masi family attended, as did Antinori Export Director, Filippo Pulisci.

Masi are celebrating 50 years of Campofiorin with the release on the market this spring of the 2014 Campofiorin. The first vintage of Campofiorin was harvested on September 30, 1964, with the bottle being available on-shelf for the first time in 1967. It was the first ‘ripasso’ style of wine.

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On the Vine In the last half century, more than 300m people in over 100 countries in the world have enjoyed Campofiorin.

To celebrate 50 years of this very popular wine style, Masi are launching new packaging with a major advertising The Antinori Peppoli campaign at VinItaly in Chianti Classico and Villa Antinori Toscana Verona from April 9-12, Rosso are on special 2017. The offer for a limited new 50th time.

Anniversary bottle (the 2014 vintage) will be on our shelves in Ireland during March and April 2017.

Antinori will be also discounting their core range of off trade wines this Easter. Look out for the Antinori Santa Cristina Rosso and Antinori Santa Cristina Campogrande Orvieto, both down from €14.99 to €13.49, while the Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso was €22.49 and is now €19.49, and the Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico is down to €19.99 from €22.99.

Coman’s Beverages also have their Italian Bella Luna Garganega Pinot Grigio on offer in March/April, look out for the special sale price of €8.50-€9.

Liberty Wines (Ireland), another company with an extensive range of Italian wines, also highlighted their Italian offering at a portfolio tasting in early March 2017.

France A Wild Geese wine is always a sure bet, especially in March around St Patrick’s Day. As the Michel Lynch brand celebrates its 30th anniversary, look out for their brand new packaging.

Michel Lynch was the grandson of an Irish immigrant and was the owner of the Bages Estate in the 18th Century.

He was Mayor of Pauillac during the French Revolution and was a key figure in Bordeaux’s history. Two centuries on, his name lives on in Chateau Lynch Bages. In 1986, the current owner of the estate created the Michel Lynch brand as a tribute to the estate’s historic Irish owner. The Michel Lynch range is a great expression of a range of Bordeaux wine

styles.

The Michel Lynch Classique range includes the 2015 Michel Lynch Merlot/ Cabernet, a lightly oaked fruit forward style of modern Bordeaux red wine making. They also have 100% Merlot in the range and a white, the 2015 Michel Lynch, which is 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

The Rosé wine is also good and is made from 70% Cabernet Franc. Look out for their new Michel Lynch Nature red and white, made from organically grown The 2015 Michel grapes.

Lynch Merlot/ At premium level, Cabernet, a the 2014 Michel Lynch lightly oaked Reserve Medoc is fruit forward outstanding, made style of modern from 50% Merlot/ Bordeaux red Cabernet from wine making. a pretty serious Bordeaux vintage: this is definitely a fine wine to put on your shelves. Michel Lynch is distributed in Ireland by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Staying in France, Febvre & Co will have Louis Latour Cote de Beaune Villages on a special promotional price at €19, down from €24, from the end of March through early April.

The 2011 Louis Latour GevreyChamberton will also be on offer during the same period at €37, down from €48.

Coman’s Febvre & Co have Louis Beverages Latour Cote de Beaune have another Villages and the 2011 Wine Geese Louis Latour Gevreywine on Chamberton available at a special promotional offer at the moment. price from the end of March through to early Burkes of Bordeaux April.

(Superieur) in both the red and white are on special in March/April at €11-12. Their

Mommessin Chablis is also on offer at a special price of €17-18.

Spain Spanish wine promotions continue here as they have for the last decade. A press trip to Ribero del Duero in March is bound to raise awareness for the region in the national wine press in the coming months. Ribera del Duero is famous for its powerful, yet elegant red wines, made predominantly from the Tempranillo grape.

In 1838, an estate in Ribera del Duero was bought by a Basque landowner who later imported and planted Bordeaux grape varietals. In 1864, that estate created Bodega Vega Sicilia, later to become Spain’s most lauded winery.

Today, Ribera del Duero is made up of lots of small, family-owned vineyards, as well as larger plots owner by over 200 medium and large size wineries, many of which are available here on the Irish market.

Sherry is definitely making a small comeback in Ireland. The Irish wine enthusiast has been well served by a number of promotional events organised by the Spanish Commercial Office in the last two years. Mostly consumer focused, these tastings and the Sherry Wine Week have really helped raise the bar for this very underestimated wine style. Barry & Fitzwilliam will have their Tio Pepe range of Fino Sherry on offer during March at €14.

Staying in Spain, Barry & Febvre & Co. will have Fitzwilliam their wonderful Conde have their Valdemar Gran Reserva D.O.Ca on offer in March Tio Pepe range of Fino and April for a €19 promotional price, down Sherry on offer during from €33.45.

Coman’s Beverages March at €14. have their Cava on offer in March/April: look out for Perelada Brut Reserve Cava on sale at €17-18.

Ampersand Wines also have some brand new Spanish wines in their portfolio. Look out for Penelope Sanchez, a new wine from the Campo de Borja region in Spain and the El Cabron Digno Reserva (The Dignified Goat), a stunning wine from the Valdepenas Region in Spain.

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Drinks News New Cider Launches OUTCIDER is a brand new cider from the makers of Bulmers. A sweet cider with plenty of edge, a just-right balance of bitter and sweet Irish apples means that it’s appley sweet without being sickly sweet. “This new cider is going to appeal to a whole new audience that likes a certain sweetness to their drink and is looking for something new,” noted Belinda Kelly, Marketing Director for Outcider. “It’s a brand for those who are street smart and who like to do things differently. They don’t mind standing out from the crowd and wear their uniqueness as a badge of honour.

This attitude is reflected in Outcider’s artwork, which has been designed by Dublin graffiti artist, James Earley. It’s totally in your face and like nothing else out there. This individuality, this sense of free spirt is what Outcider is all about.” Made in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Outcider is now available in the off-trade in 500ml can and 8-pack can formats, with an ABV of 4.5%. Designer James Earley and Marketing Director, Belinda Kelly are pictured with the new Outcider cans, with disctinctive multi-coloured packing of blue, pink, yellow and red against a clean white backdrop.

Big Wins for Boyne Brewhouse BOYNE Brewhouse scooped nine awards at the Alltech Dublin Craft Beer Cup 2017, including three gold medals, one ‘Best in Category’ award, two silver medals and three bronze medals. It was the only brewery to be awarded three gold medals and the Boyne Brewery Saison was just pipped at the post by a Hungarian Saison witbier as overall winner of the Dublin Craft Beer Cup. The Saison won a gold medal and the Best in Category – Speciality Award, while Boyne Brewhouse IPA and Boyne Brewhouse Limited Edition Imperial Stout – Sherry Cask were the other gold medal winners. The core Boyne Brewhouse craft beer range is available in both 500ml bottle and on draught, with 330ml cans soon to follow. New additions to the range, IPA, Saison and Oatmeal Stout, launched at the fair and will be available in 500ml bottle and draught from the end of March. The limited edition, award winning Vienna Lager is available in 24x330ml and will be followed by the Imperial Stout 24x330ml at the end of March.

Heineken Grows in LAD Market “2016 saw growth for Heineken Ireland across both the on trade and off trade channels,” noted Maggie Timoney, MD Heineken Ireland. “Our share of Long Alcohol Drinks (LAD) market grew by 0.8%, driven by growth in Heineken and a strong innovation performance, led by Orchard Thieves.” The Irish Long Alcohol Drinks (LAD) market grew by 2.1%, with volumes now at 4.97m hectolitres. Heineken Ireland’s share of the total cider market jumped to 11.2%, driven by Orchard Thieves, which is now the number two cider brand in the market place in both channels, commanding 10.3% of the total cider market.

Indeed, the overall cider category has returned to positive growth (+6.5%), following a decline in 2015 (-3.3%). 2016 was also another year of share growth for Coors Light (+0.4%), maintaining its position as the number one bottled beer in the on trade. 2016 saw the total on trade channel return to growth (volume +1.3%), while volume in the off trade channel grew by +1.9%, with value growth ahead at +2.7%.

Irish Distillers Launch Super Premium Whiskey Range METHOD and Madness is a new range of experimental super premium whiskeys from Irish Distillers, designed to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey.

The Method And Madness range launches with four new Irish whiskeys, each with its own twist; a Single Grain Irish Whiskey finished in Virgin Spanish Oak; a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey finished in French Chestnut; a Single Malt Irish Whiskey enhanced with French Limousin Oak; and a 31 Year Old Single Cask, Single Grain Limited Edition bottled at cask strength. Method And Madness aims to harness the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters through the fresh talent of its apprentices. Method And Madness is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (Madness), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery (Method).

Bolly Good Show CHAMPAGNE Bollinger took top spot in Drinks International magazine’s list of the ‘Most Admired Champagne Brands 2017’. This is the fourth year of the rankings, with Bollinger coming first in three of these: 2014, 2015, and now 2017. The voting panel is drawn from 74 leading retailers, marketers, educators and top wine journalists, who are asked to name their top five champagne brands from a list of 50 houses and cooperative producers.

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What’s New FLORETTE SMOOTHIE MIXES LEADING salad brand, Florette, is looking to shake up the fresh category with the launch of its Energy Boost and Superfood Smoothie Mixes. Florette’s new Smoothie Mix range presents customers with an innovative and easy way of preparing a tasty and nutritious smoothie. Incorporating Florette’s much loved, fresh and healthy ingredients, Smoothie Mix comprises a prepared bag of mixed salad leaves and vegetables, as well as a sachet of seeds and dried fruit. All that’s left to do is to add in fresh fruit and juice and blend until smooth. Florette’s Superfood Smoothie Mix includes spinach, beetroot, carrot, ruby chard with a sachet of sunflower, pumpkin and hemp seeds with dried blueberries; and Energy Boost contains beetroot, spinach, baby kale, ruby chard with a sachet of sunflower and flax seeds and dried cranberries.

JPS SILVER AND BLUE VOLUME TOBACCO 30G JPS Blue and Silver Volume Tobacco appeals to a wide range of adult smokers, from those who roll their own to those who use a cigarette making machine. The innovative production process gives the tobacco its volume, which works in conjunction with the unique blend to provide consumers with a quality smoking experience. JPS Blue and Silver Volume Tobacco 30g packs offer market leading value for adult smokers. Retailing at €13, adult consumers can roll up to 90 sticks (based on using 0.33g per stick), 30 more sticks when compared to 30g of standard rolling tobacco. For more information on JPS Silver and Blue Volume Tobacco 30g or to place your order, please contact the John Player Customer Services Team on (01) 2434900 or speak to your John Player sales representative.

NIVEA’S NEW HAND CARE RANGE FOLLOWING years dedicated to developing effective products for the skin, Nivea’s new Hand Care Range is the latest addition to Nivea’s skincare collection. Just 75ml in size and enriched with a variety of caring oils, Nivea’s new Hand Creams are the perfect hand bag or gym bag essential to ensure hands stay well protected and irresistibly smooth at all times. The range has five variants: Nivea Intensive Care Hand Cream (RRP €3.39); Nivea Smooth Care Hand Cream (RRP €3.39); Nivea Express Care Hand (RRP €3.39); Nivea Anti-Age Care Hand Cream (RRP €4.40); Nivea Repair & Care Hand Cream (RRP €4.29). For more information, see www.nivea.ie.

KNORR LAUNCHES ASIAN SOUPS RANGE CONSUMERS can taste the world in minutes with the new range of Asianinspired soups from Knorr. Drawing on the flavours of the Orient, Knorr has created a selection of delicious, easy to prepare soups, including Japanese Miso Soup, Chinese Sichuan Soup, Vietnamese Noodle Soup, Thai Chicken Soup, Asian Red Curry Soup with Chicken and Thai Curry Soup with Chicken. Knorr’s new range of easy-toprepare meals combines flavoursome vegetables, oriental herbs and spices, signature Asian noodles and perfectly seasoned soup. RRP for 39g is €1.89 & 390g is €2.99. Recommended serving portions can be found on pack.

For more information, see www.knorr.ie.

GOGO’S FROM KERRY FOODS KERRY Foods is set to explode adult cheese snacking through the launch of its new range, entitled GoGo’s, which offers shoppers the chance to snack on tasty cheese bites alongside a range of delicious and nutritionally packed ingredient combinations, creating more moments for shoppers to love cheese. Initially, the new line-up includes three varieties, with further flavour and ingredient combinations rolling out throughout 2017. The new range includes: Full of Beans, roasted edamame beans & chilli and lime peas, reduced fat cheese bites and dark chocolate covered coffee beans and pretzel sticks; Oat–Tastic, spicy roasted corn & roasted edamame beans, reduced fat cheese bites and fruity and seeded flapjacks; Protein Power, soy broad beans & roasted edamame beans, reduced fat cheese bites and Chorizo bites.

New Lucozade Zero Range NEW Lucozade Zero offers consumers a zero calorie drink that maintains the great taste synonymous with Lucozade products.

The Zero range offers three variants; Lucozade Zero Original, Lucozade Zero Orange and Lucozade Zero Pink Lemonade, all in 380ml. The launch is supported by a heavyweight consumer awareness campaign that will make it one of the largest soft drink launches of 2017. The campaign will include extensive media, OOH, social media and shopper activity. In addition, there will be a major sampling campaign that will target up to 500,000 consumers from April through to October.

The launch of Lucozade Zero in the Republic of Ireland is on the back of a highly successful debut of Lucozade Zero Orange and Pink in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in summer 2016.

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Forecourt Focus: News Serious Appointments at Sirio Retail TOP Oil has announced senior appointments at its company owned division, Sirio Retail Operations Limited.

The company has announced Enda McEntire as Project Manager, Sarah Corrigan as Fresh Food Manager, and Pauline Casey as Human Resources Manager for Sirio’s retail division.

Pictured are (l-r): Pauline Casey; CEO of Sirio, Trevor O’Reilly; Sarah Corrigan; and Enda McEntire of Sirio retail division.

Enda McEntire, Project Manager, has over 10 years’ extensive industry experience in project management, project engineering and scheduling. Enda will add new levels of capability and expertise to the project management team as they continue to work on new projects and site developments for the company.

Sarah Corrigan joins the team as Fresh Food Manager and will be responsible for the management of all aspects of the foodservice and beverage operation across all the current and developing locations. Sarah brings significant retail experience, having spent the last 10 years with Aryzta Food Solutions.

Pauline Casey, Human Resources Manager, has over 15 years’ retail experience with Xtra-vision Entertainment Limited & HMV, and will be responsible for all HR disciplines within the Sirio retail division.

“I am delighted to welcome Enda, Sarah and Pauline to our retail team,” said Trevor O’Reilly, CEO, Sirio Retail Operations Limited. “They bring with them extensive experience that will further strengthen our retail operations team. We have seen considerable growth in recent times and now directly employ 220 people within the Sirio division. This level of growth has enabled us to attract such talent, which will help to underpin the delivery of our retail strategy into the future.”

Top Oil acquired Sirio Retail Operations Limited in April 2016 as part of its Company Owned and Operated development strategy.

Maxol Refurbishes Former Esso Sites MAXOL has announced the creation of 50 jobs with the completion of three new Leinster sites located on the N7 Naas Road, Kill, Co.Kildare; Greenhills Road, Greenhills, Dublin 12; and the junction of the Naas Road and the Long Mile Road, Pictured at the new Maxol Greenhills station Walkinstown, Dublin was CEO Brian Donaldson, along with licensees 12, all of which were Raj Chandi and Arun Kumar. Tadka House is the formerly owned by first Indian food offering for Maxol, which has Esso and acquired by recently introduced at Maxol Greenhills.

Maxol last summer.

The latest additions to the Maxol network follows an investment of €2m and sees the introduction of new franchises, including Chopped and Insomnia, at Maxol, Long Mile Road; O’Brien’s and Abrakebabra at Maxol N7 Naas Road and the company’s first ever Indian Cuisine concept at Maxol Greenhills Road, with the introduction of a range of products from Tadka House, due to launch this month. “We have been keen to strengthen our presence in Leinster and these three service stations allow Maxol to serve a great many new customers in Ireland’s most densely populated region,” said Maxol CEO, Brian Donaldson.

“We look forward to working with our independent licensees, Thomas Ennis, Jason and Rachel McMullan and Arun Kumar and Raj Chandi in delivering our innovative approach to forecourt convenience retailing in their local communities.”

Topaz Play or Park Winner for January TOPAZ has announced Lisa Harte from Carrigohane, Co. Cork as the January 2017 winner of Topaz Play or Park. After choosing to play her points at her local O’Reilly’s Topaz in Carrigrohane, Lisa will now drive away in a brand new Seat Ateca SUV, worth €26,450.

Always FRESH MILK

Pictured is Topaz Play or Park winner, Lisa Harte, with Topaz Head of Loyalty Paul Guy; Tony Buckley, Dealer Area Manager, Topaz; Joanne Hurley, Seat Digital Marketing Manager; and Sean O’Reilly, Topaz Carrigrohane Road, at Topaz Carrigrohane, Co. Cork.

and the SAME BEANS as our coffee shops

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Forecourt Focus: News Topaz and McDonalds to Create 230 New Jobs TOPAZ has announced it will be creating a total of 230 jobs in conjunction with McDonald’s, across two Motorway Service Areas strategically located on the M8 Cork/ Dublin Road in Fermoy and the M9 Dublin/Waterford Road at Rathcrogue, Co. Carlow.

Additionally, during the construction phase of both developments, a total of 100 jobs will Pictured at the site of the new Topaz Motorway be created across Service Area at Junction 5 on the M9 are David Caraher, Engineering Manager, Topaz, and Nigel both sites. The Fermoy development Maguire, Head of Development, McDonald’s. will be in direct conjunction with local developer JR Oronco and is due to open in Autumn 2017. Topaz Junction 5, M9, Co. Carlow is due to open this month.

The overall Topaz investment in the construction of both of the new state-of-the-art service stations will be €14m, which will both feature McDonald’s restaurants, representing a €2m investment by the restaurant chain, and bringing the total investment to €16m.

The state-of-the-art service areas will feature a robust and varied retail and food court offering, to include Topaz’s renowned healthy ‘food on the go’ offer, Re.Store, its latest Mexican offering, Cantina, a McDonald’s restaurant, and extensive self-service customer refreshment facilities. There will be a large indoor seating area, as well as external picnic and seating areas for the summer months.

Once opened, the service areas will be in operation 24 hours a day, providing a full range of services to all road users, day and night. There will be in excess of 140 parking spaces at each station, to include generous truck parking, coach parking, and additional facilities such as secure ADR parking.

“The Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Waterford routes are two of the busiest routes in Ireland, and we are excited to announce this development of two new full-service stations to serve Irish motorists,” noted Niall Anderton, MD of Topaz. “The development represents a very significant investment by Topaz, and we are also delighted to be able to bring a large number of jobs to both Cork and Carlow.”

Maxol Opens at Longmile Road MAXOL recently celebrated the official opening of a new service station at Dublin’s Longmile Road.

The Maxol team had plenty of activities in store, including delicious sampling and free lunches from Maxol’s own food brand, Moreish, and other treats from the site’s new Pictured at the official launch food franchises, Insomnia of Maxol Longmile Road are licensee Thomas Ennis and and Chopped. This is the second Chopped offering Maxol Regional Manager, Mark Walsh. to open within the Maxol Group, following the introduction of the healthy food brand to Maxol M3 Mulhuddart Services last summer.

The state-of-the-art service station features pay-atpump convenience services, a healthy food offering, self-service customer refreshment facilities, as well as a modern indoor seating area.

Top Oil Fuels Sligo Rovers TOP Oil is continuing its sponsorship of Sligo Rovers Football Club as official fuel sponsor.

The two-year sponsorship agreement was announced at a Pictured are (l-r): Ross Wilkinson, Top launch recently, Oil; Raffaelle Cretaro and Michael attended by Schlingermann, Sligo Rovers; and Martin Sligo Rovers Walsh, Top Oil. FC team stars Raffaelle Cretaro and Michael Schlingermann. The partnership will see Top Oil get behind the ‘Bit O’Red’ team as they battle it out in this season’s SSE Airtricity League. “We’ve had great success in Top Oil through our association with Sligo Rovers and also at local level with the community,” noted Gerard Boylan, Chief Executive of Top Oil. “We are delighted to be sponsoring the team once again this season and we wish them all the best.”

To find out what Costa Express can offer you contact: ROI tel: 021 500 3526 NI tel: 02892 689204

58|Retail News|March 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life FOODSERVICE providers can now serve a richer tasting tea with the new Lyons Gold Blend, now available in a premium envelope format. Lyons Gold 200 enveloped tea bags are made using the finest Kenyan, Assam and Ceylon tea to create an intense, rich and full bodied flavour. Lyons is the number one tea brand for foodservice (Source: ROI Sales Out Value Sales 52 w/e October 30, 2016) and continues to lead Ireland’s tea market in the republic. The introduction of the envelope format for Gold Blend will further enhance this position in the foodservice sector. For more information on the Lyons Gold 200 enveloped tea bags, go to ufs.com/LyonsEnvelope

CLANDEBOYE Estate, the Northern Ireland producer of premium yogurts, is launching a new snack pot product for delis and high-end independent retailers. The farm-based business, located near Bangor in Co. Down, has developed Clandeboye Reserve, a new brand, to emphasise the exclusive nature of the snack pots for upmarket retailers. The unique branding also features D&A crest which represents the company’s heritage as a development encouraged by Lady Dufferin, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, owner of the 2,000 acre Clandeboye Estate. The 140g snack pots feature the company’s multi-award winning Greek style yogurt layered over flavoured compotes and topped with a luxury granola that’s nut-free.

The first flavours are Senga Strawberry and Mango.

BEST of luck from everyone at Retail News to Denise Lord, who has been Customer Service Manager of Gala for more than 15 years, as she moves on to pastures new. Thanks for all the support over the last decade and a half and we’re sure your colleagues in Gala will miss you as much as we will.

Febvre Wine Company, distributors for Bermar Wine Preservations Systems, distributed the latest wine preservation model from Bermar, Le Verre de Vin Tower, at Catex 2017. The latest offering is the most versatile model yet: it can be placed anywhere in the bar or restaurant, is a stylish and compact counter-top unit and still offers the 21st century’s answer to the serving of wine by the glass. Le Verre de Vin preserves any open bottle of wine or Champagne for 21 days in perfect serving conditions.

WATERFORD oat millers Flahavan’s and Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate have beaten off stern competition from Tayto to be voted Ireland’s favourite food brands, according to the Love Irish Food Favourites Survey. Covering all things Irish from food products to farmer’s markets, the Love Irish Food Favourites Survey received a total of 2150 votes across 10 categories. The results of the survey, which was conducted on Facebook, arrived just days ahead of the most Irish day of the year, St Patrick’s Day, and place Irish bread makers McCambridge fourth, just ahead of relish experts, Ballymaloe Foods, in the list of Ireland’s favourite brands. When it comes to the most missed product for Irish abroad, there is no surprise that tea tops the list, followed by butter and bread.

ENTRIES have closed for this year’s Workplace Wellbeing Awards, which recognise public and private sector employers who are excelling at promoting workplace wellbeing within their organisations, and are organised by Food Drink Ireland. The awards are among a host of activities taking place across the country to mark Workplace Wellbeing Day, which is supported by Ibec. Pictured launching the Workplace Wellbeing Awards are (l-r): awards judge Alan Quinlan, Principal - Mercer Health and Wellness, who also sponsor the awards; awards judge Mary Connaughton, Director, CIPD Ireland; Dermot Doherty, Project Manager, FDI Health Initiative; and awards judge John Tracey, CEO, Irish Sports Council. Full details are available at www.fooddrinkireland.ie/wellbeing KELLOGG’S is on the lookout for new apprentices at its Manchester factory in a bid to nurture ambitious talent of the future. The cereal giant is encouraging passionate and driven individuals, who want a career in the manufacturing industry to apply online by March 31. The scheme allows apprentices to earn while they learn, gaining qualifications including an NVQ Level 3 in Food manufacturing Excellence and a HNC in Electrical/ Mechanical engineering. The five-year apprenticeship consists of a year in college, following by four years working both on the factory floor and hitting the books. All apprentices work in operations during the programme on high speed machinery. For more information, see www.kelloggcareers.com.

FMI are delighted to welcome Greg Marks as Financial Controller. Greg joins the Senior Management Team, having previously being Managing Director of his own Financial Accounting and Services Company. Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and growth, Greg has assisted companies to focus on financial control, budgeting and strategy, predominantly operating in the retail, services, telecoms and software sectors. Greg was previously Finance Director for Click.ie and European Finance Director for Indiqu Inc, a US multinational software company headquartered in San Diego, who developed applications for the mobile entertainment sector, and Financial and Operations Director of Eircom Phone Watch.

AMAZON’S revolutionary drive-thru grocery store is preparing to open in Amazon’s home town of Seattle, USA, having just applied for its alcohol licence. Plans for the 9,700 square-foot building describe it as “a new model of grocery shopping”: shoppers place their orders online, then drive in for their 15-minute to two-hour window, and have their groceries delivered straight to their cars. The development has led many commentators to predict that Amazon drive-ins will reach the UK as early as this year.

M&S has egg-celled itself this year with a selection of beautiful and innovative Collection Easter Eggs. Specifically designed for adults, the luxurious range uses single origin chocolate, unique intricate designs, and hand finishing techniques to create the ultimate Easter egg. Highlights include the Which Came First Milk & Dark Chocolate Chicken & Egg, the Single Origin Milk Chocolate Shimmered Teardrop with Shimmered Truffles and Single Origin Milk Chocolate Golden Swirl Egg with Marc De Champagne Truffle.

Introducing OUTCIDER, a sweet cider with plenty of edge and a perfect balance of bitter and sweet Irish apples

What OUTCIDER offers; OUTstanding impact on- shelf: OUTCIDER’s creative look has been designed by Dublin graffiti artist, James Earley.

A greater choice for street-savvy cider lovers.

A great-tasting fresh apple juice cider that’s produced in Ireland.

Available NOW in single can & 8 pack cans.

Supported by a heavy-weight marketing campaign.

* Nielsen MAT Jan ‘17