Retail News November 2015

NOVEMBER 2015

NEW

E-LITES CURV

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

A CURV MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

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

News 4

Festive Treats HALLOWEEN had only just gone when the Christmas ads began in earnest on the TV, which is a sure sign that the festive season is almost upon us. I’m sure we don’t have to remind you just how important Christmas is to the FMCG market and the good news is that Christmas 2015 should be the best for years.

Indeed, Retail Ireland predict the best performing Christmas in seven years for Irish retailers, with January tax cuts helping to raise consumer mood and boost spending as core retail sales for December 2015 are expected to reach €4.05 billion, up by 3.5% over 2014. Personal consumption expenditure on core retail goods during December will be equivalent to about €2,450 per household, approximately €600 more spending per household than in any other month of the year.

With this in mind, Retail News present our annual Christmas Stocking guide, focusing on the hottest grocery products for the yuletide season (Page 32), as well as the beers (Page 43), spirits (Page 46) and wines (Page 50) guaranteed to fly from your shelves.

Elsewhere, we report from the recent Retail Ireland Summit 2015, which provided a fascinating glimpse into the future of retailing (Page 16), we reveal the winners of the Londis Retailing Excellence Awards (Page 20), NDC Chief Executive, Zoë Kavanagh talks us through the high profile Win With Dairy campaign and we focus on the future of the supply chain at ECR Ireland’s Supply Chain Summit (Page 64).

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.

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Contents

Weight of expectation over calorie count initiative; Retail wages come under the microscope.

Tipperary, celebrates four decades in business this year.

Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015 20 Londis retailers

Christmas Stocking

celebrated the Retailing Excellence Awards 2015 at a special ceremony following the Londis Annual Retailer Conference in Carton House, where they looked forward to an exciting future as part of BWG Foods.

Grocery competition increases as Christmas countdown begins.

32 Retail News’ annual guide to the hottest products for the festive season.

Energy Efficiency

63 Cash for Kilowatts is an energy efficiency funding scheme from Energia that gives retailers up to 30% of the cost of energy saving projects.

24

64

6 6

Daybreak Store of the Year named; FSAI launch food allergen tool.

7

New SME specialist lender launches in Ireland.

8

RGDATA fires broadside at Local Authorities; REI unveil new gift card.

9

Retail Excellence Ireland Awards; Former Musgrave CEO rewarded; Moy Park wins top award; Appointment at PJ Carroll.

64 Collaboration and

information sharing are key to the development of the FMCG supply chain.

Such was the overarching message from ECR Ireland’s Supply Chain Summit.

24 National Dairy

Council CEO, Zoë Kavanagh on the success of the Win With Dairy campaign, which builds on the NDC’s association with rugby stars, Rob and Dave Kearney.

IGBF President’s Ball 66 The 2015 IGBF

President’s Ball was a huge success and once again proved itself one of the social highlights of the year.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 27 Positive reaction to

Budget 2016; Best Christmas trade for seven years predicted; Statistics update.

Retail Ireland Summit 16 The Retail Ireland

Summit 2015 shone a light on the future of retailing, and the technologies and trends fuelling that future.

Supply Chain

The Retail News Interview

NOffLA Gold Star Wines

70 Fifteen wines have

Cash & Carry Focus

won Gold Star Wine Awards from the National Off Licence Association.

28 BWG Foods’ Value

Centre cash & carry in Clonmel, Co.

REGULARS & REPORTS

facebook.com/RetailNews1 Managing Director: Patrick Aylward Editorial & Sales Director: Kathleen Belton kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie Editor: John Walshe johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie Advertising: Brian Clark brian@tarapublications.ie Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen Production: Ciara Conway Graphics: Catherine Doyle Printed by: W&G Baird

@RetailNews1

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Tel: (01) 6785165 Fax: (01) 6477127 Web: www.retailnews.ie Email: kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

10 32 42 46 50 56 72 74

Industry News Christmas Stocking: Essentials Christmas Stocking: Beer Christmas Stocking: Spirits Christmas Stocking: Wine Cigarettes and Tobacco Products Forecourt Focus: News Shelf Life

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

News

Weight of Expectation over Calorie Count Initiative THE introduction of mandatory calorie labelling on food products could cost retailers up to €20,000. Costs could include ongoing staff training and administration, as well as the redesign of menus and other point of display materials, according to RGDATA, the representative association for independent grocers.

“Non aligned independents may have to hire a consultant at €600 a day,” said Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General. “Non-aligned independent shops that don’t have food experts and nutritional experts at hand will have to keep the training ongoing because of new staff, products and concepts. It will have to be adapted and monitored constantly.”

Retail concerns follow a public consultation on the Mandatory Calorie Posting on Menus, part of the government’s proposed Health and Wellbeing Bill. The initiative encompasses non-pre-packaged food, served by food businesses for consumption on or off the premises.

“What the government decides to do will depend on the results of the consultation,” Jayne Ryder of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the organisation conducting the consultation, told Retail News. “We did a public consultation in 2012 in which we asked people if they wanted calorie labelling on menus. Around 80% of consumers wanted it.

Earlier this year, the [health] Minister announced that he’s going to legislate for it. The [food] industry wasn’t thrilled by the whole thing, but some of them wanted it.”

Symbol groups appear willing to commit. Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, who responded to the consultation, told Retail News they are committed, through SuperValu

Retail Wages Come Under the Microscope ALDI and Lidl’s decision to increase employee wages to €11.50 per hour has been greeted cautiously by the Irish food manufacturing and retail sector. The new rate of pay for entry-level staff at the discounters is 30% higher than the current minimum wage of €8.65, and higher than the new minimum wage of €9.15 which comes into effect in January 2016.

“There is a lot of concern amongst a whole range of employers across the retail sector,” Gerry Light of Mandate trade union told Retail News. “They’re now coming under pressure [to match these wages]. You have to look at the employment package in its totality, not solely in relation to a living wage or a statutory minimum wage. There has to be a key component of working hours before you make that call.”

Lidl Ireland’s introduction of the Living Wage was introduced on November 1. According to the discounter, 20% of its staff currently earning below this rate will benefit; other staff are already on higher salaries. Aldi will introduce its €11.50 rate from February 2016.

“We are committed to offering the best pay and benefits in the industry,” said Aldi Chief Executive, Matthew Barnes.

Meanwhile, serious questions are being asked about employee contracts in Irish retailing. According to a new

study into the prevalence of zero hours contracts among Irish employers, by the University of Limerick, contracts involving non-guaranteed hours of work are commonplace in Ireland. “It’s that uncertainty - not knowing from week to week,” said Light. “People are given low or minimum guarantees that are fluctuated up and down at the whim of the employer.”

The report revealed that zero hour contracts - in which employees are obliged to make themselves available for work - are less common than “if and when” contracts, which do not contractually require workers to be available.

“In zero hour contracts, at least there is provision. If the employer guarantees you hours, in the event of him not being able to provide those hours, there is a compensatory element. Under ‘if and when’, the employer has no obligation whatsoever,” Light maintains.

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

News and Centra, “to helping our consumers make healthier food choices. We have already taken a number of actions in-store in this regard. For example, as part of our Centra Live Well programme, calories are already on display on deli RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley. counters using countertop flip-charts. We will engage further with relevant authorities on this initiative.”

The concern, however, comes from independent retailers operating delis and food-to-go services, who cannot call on nutritional expertise from a symbol group. RGDATA members, for example, raise the issue of calculating calorie counts on custom made sandwiches.

“In most delis, you can order which style of bread you want, the amount and type of fillings, mayonnaise, butter,” said Buckley. “The combinations can run into thousands for one type of roll. While they try and be strict about a portion size, it depends on who is working on the deli - whether they’re a bit more generous with portions or not. Will they have to capture all that in some of format and label when the product is handed over to the customer?”

The FSAI suggests the challenge around customised sandwiches could be overcome through providing the Top 10

bestselling food items on a deli counter, rather than showing every possible option.

However, there is also the problem of similar products with varying calorie counts. “One retailer made the point about his homemade chicken goujons compared to frozen chicken nuggets,” said Buckley. “Calorie information is on a frozen pack of chicken nuggets, but he’d need expert advice to help him put the calorie count on his goujons.”

Proposals to list calories in Kilo-Calories and Kilojoules might only confuse customers, suggest retailers. Others have criticised MenuCal.ie - an FSAI scheme developed for food businesses to calculate calories - as being overly complicated to operate. There are also questions about how the labelling will be enforced and the potential penalties for retailers.

Following the consultation, retailers are playing the waiting game. “The logistics and everything will need to be figured out. It’s not going to be easy,” admitted Ryder.

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Health, “the analysis on this will commence in the coming weeks... It is not possible to comment, at this point, on the detail of the legislation nor related issues as the consultation has yet to be considered.”

Grocery Competition Increases as Christmas Countdown Begins THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending October 11, show a year-on-year growth in sales of Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend 2.1% across the Irish grocery market.

12 Weeks to 04 Jan 2015 change** 12 Weeks to 05 Jan 2014 %* %* % “This is the most positive performance the market has seen in over five years,” explains David Total Grocers 100.0% 100.0% 2.1 Total Multiples 88.9% 89.6% 2.8 Berry, Director at Kantar Worldpanel. “The growth Tesco 25.1% 24.5% -0.1 in sales this period was ahead of the rate of inflation, Total SuperValu 24.6% 24.4% 1.3 indicating that consumers are becoming less Dunnes 22.6% 23.2% 4.7 Total Discounters 16.6% 17.4% 7.1 restrictive in what they buy and adding extra items to Aldi 8.4% 8.6% 4.5 their baskets.

Lidl 8.2% 8.8% 9.8 “With the countdown to Christmas now underway Other Outlets** 11.1% 10.4% -4.2 *= Percentage Share of Total Grocers and seasonal items appearing on the shelves, the **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops battle to win during this vital season is on,” Berry notes. “Intense competition means that consumers are already seeing a range of strong offers as retailers try SuperValu has seen an improvement in performance this to outdo each other on price and quality, and this will only period, bringing its market share to within just 0.1% of continue as Christmas approaches.”

Tesco. “This can be attributed to a significant increase Among the big three retailers, Dunnes posted the in repeat shopping trips, with each shopper making an strongest performance this period, with sales growth of additional two visits to the retailer when compared with 4.7%, increasing their share of the market to 23.2%. This last year,” Berry maintains. marks the eleventh successive period of sales growth for Elsewhere, both Lidl and Aldi continued to gain Dunnes, as its ongoing ‘Shop and Save’ campaign encourages ground, with year-on-year increases in sales of 9.8% and shoppers to buy more items in each shop. Dunnes has also 4.5% respectively. For both retailers, the strongest source of focused on price promotions this period, with products on growth has been larger trips: each basket in Lidl contained offer accounting for 39% of all consumer spend in its stores on average two additional items when compared with last during the past 12 weeks. year, while Aldi’s baskets saw an increase of one item. Lidl Tesco has retained its position as the largest has also managed to successfully win new shoppers, with supermarket in Ireland, with sales performance continuing an additional 40,000 choosing to shop with the retailer this to stabilise and market share standing at 24.5%. However, year.

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News

Daybreak Store of the Year Named DAYBREAK Clonliffe Road in Drumcondra, Dublin 9, has been named Store of the Year at the annual Daybreak Store of the Year Awards, which took place recently at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.

Daybreak Clonliffe Road is owned by Damien Osborne and employs 16 people. As well as scooping the overall title, the store also won the top prize in the ‘Best Food and Beverage To Go’ category.

Daybreak is Ireland’s fastest growing convenience group with 200 stores nationwide. All stores are independently owned by local retailers, ensuring that each store can respond to the everyday needs of their local community.

The Daybreak Store of the Year Awards recognise retail excellence across Daybreak outlets nationwide. Nine retailers were shortlisted for the overall award that focuses on four key areas: Products & Services, Environment, Communications and People & Behaviours. Throughout the competition, a series of mystery shopper audits are conducted on store standards and stores are assessed against this criteria. Daybreak Clonliffe Road was awarded the top prize thanks to their impressive customer service and outstanding product offering.

As well as the coveted overall Store of the Year accolade, there were eight other awards on the night, focusing on key in-store categories: • Availability Award, won by Daybreak Ballina; • Mystery Shopper Award, won by Daybreak Blanchardstown; • Best Impulse Award, won by Daybreak Camolin, Co. Wexford; • Best Off Licence Award, won by Daybreak Clerihan, Co. Tipperary; • Best Forecourt, won by Daybreak Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; • Best Convenience, won by Daybreak Raven Terrace, Galway; • Best Wine, won by Daybreak Raven Terrace, Galway; • Best Food and Beverage To Go, won by Daybreak Clonliffe Road.

“These awards recognise and reward excellence across our

retail network and I would like to congratulate Damien and the team at Daybreak Clonliffe Road on their welldeserved win,” said Paul Kerrigan, Musgrave MarketPlace Director, Musgrave Wholesale Partners. “At Daybreak, we Pictured are (l-r): Paul Kerrigan, Musgrave are passionate MarketPlace Director, Musgrave Wholesale about providing Partners; Anna Hardnza, Csilla Kumera and Damien Osborne, from Daybreak Store of an excellent the year, Daybreak Clonliffe Road; and Noel and convenient Keeley, Managing Director of Musgrave customer Wholesale Partners. experience and Daybreak Clonliffe Road has really excelled this year.”

Store owner Damien Osborne said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been named store of the year and also get recognised in the food and beverage to go category. This award is testament to all the hard work that our team put in throughout the year. It’s always a huge team effort at our store and we are extremely customer service focused. I would also like to sincerely thank our loyal customers who continue to support us.”

At its annual awards, Daybreak also announced that it will partner with the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) in 2016 to raise much needed funds for the invaluable work of the charity. Daybreak will launch this initiative nationwide by supporting the Irish Heart Foundation’s Happy Heart Pins fundraising appeal next year, with lots of in-store and online activities,” said Kerrigan.

FSAI Launch Food Allergen Tool A NEW online and mobile compatible tool has been developed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to assist Ireland’s 22,000 food service businesses identify and manage allergens in the food they serve. The easy-to-use facility was launched recently by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD to help food businesses comply with their legal requirements to display allergen information on food so that consumers can make more informed choices about the food they purchase. The tool is an additional application as part of the FSAI’s MenuCal calorie calculator, which is available free-of-charge. MenuCal enables food service businesses to calculate calorie values in the food they serve to customers.

The legal requirement to display allergen information applies to all food businesses, including takeaways, contract caterers, food stalls, as well as businesses offering delivery services. Retail outlets such as shops and supermarkets selling prepacked food are also required to display allergen declarations for non-prepacked products. Written food allergen information must be easily located and accessible to the consumer and clearly identify the food allergen associated with individual food items. The 14 categories of allergens covered include gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, milk,

celery, eggs, fish and shellfish.

Minister Varadkar said: “Many people with allergies have to be extra careful when they eat out. Last year, I made it compulsory for food businesses to label allergens Pictured are: Minister for Health Leo on non-prepacked Varadkar, TD, and Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief food products.

Executive, Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

This new MenuCal facility is a really useful online tool that reminds businesses about allergens when they’re calculating the calorie content of their menus. Well done to the FSAI for designing MenuCal and I’m delighted that other countries are now looking to adopt it. I hope it makes life easier and safer for both customers and food providers.”

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News

New SME Specialist Lender Launches

www.ism-cologne.com

THE Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland has announced that Dublin based Finance Ireland is to oversee a new €50m loan facility for the SME sector.

Under the terms of the deal, SMEs will be able to access more and lower cost funding for equipment, machinery and vehicles through Finance Ireland, a Dublin based specialist lender.

It’s understood the preferential interest rates will be typically 2% lower than current market rates.

Finance Ireland Executive Chairman Billy Kane said the deal was excellent news for SMEs, many of whom face significant challenges accessing funding: “This deal will make more funding available to the SME sector, will do so at a lower cost and will also increase competition amongst lenders in the sector.

“Finance Ireland is delighted to be the first nonbank to be approved by the SBCI for SME lending and the expertise and established distribution channels we have built up will ensure that the advantage of lower cost funding is passed on in full to SMEs over the term of their loans.”

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SBCI Chief Executive Nick Ashmore said the Corporation was there to help solve problems in the SME lending market and help SMEs to support jobs and grow their business: “This deal brings a major new player to the market who will help drive competition in Irish SME lending. Greater competition will make it easier and cheaper for Irish SMEs to borrow. Finance Ireland will bring cheaper long term finance for SMEs who plan to invest in equipment, machinery or vehicles.”

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

News

RGDATA Fires Broadside at Local Authorities LOCAL Authorities in Ireland need to up their game when it comes to preventing the decline and decimation of Irish town and village centres, according to RGDATA. RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley said that all too often local authorities have demonstrated no vision for town centres and have doggedly pursued policies that have accelerated the decline of many formerly vibrant towns.

Addressing a conference in Kilkenny organised by the Heritage Council on Realising the Hidden Potential of Ireland’s Towns, Buckley claimed that many local authorities have aided the decline of town centres in Ireland by having a short sighted approach to planning and development in town centres and pursuing damaging town centre parking policies.

“Every week I hear from retailers who express their frustration at the approach of their local authority towards their town centres,” Buckley argued. “The Councils penalise people who want to park and shop in the town centre, while at the same time facilitating usually foreign multiples in out-of-town locations with free parking. The Councils are also the first with their hand out seeking rates and development contributions from town centre retailers when they extend or renovate their shops.”

Buckley said that local authorities need to radically change how they view town centres. She said that they need to recognise the contribution that town centres can make from a social, commercial and community perspective.

“Town centres are important social, economic and community hubs,” she said. “They are a unique and distinctive part of our character and heritage. In the context of the current debate on housing shortages, town centres are also places where people can live and sustainable communities can function. Local authorities need to recognise and value the contribution and potential of town centres. They need to stop pursuing policies that have the

effect of undermining town centres in Ireland and make Irish towns attractive and viable places to live, work, shop, socialise and visit.”

The RGDATA Director General said that Government had a role to provide national guidance and direction on town centre renewal and regeneration. “The regeneration of our towns and villages will not be achieved merely by hanging baskets and new paintwork. It will require a national approach which recognises the need for targeted incentive schemes to direct investment, a national town centre management programme and adherence to strategic planning policies.”

She called on local authorities to up their game in this area: “At the very least, they should desist from pursuing traffic and planning policies which actually contribute to ripping the heart out of Irish towns”.

REI Launch New Gift Card RETAIL Excellence Ireland have launched a new multi-store Irish gift card, FromMe2You, which will be welcomed in Ireland’s favourite stores. Available through participating Topaz stations countrywide, and online at www.Me2You.ie, FromMe2You is backed by Retail Excellence Ireland, which represents over 1,100 leading retailers, operating more than 13,000 stores in Ireland. There is a minimum value purchase of €15 on each FromMe2You gift card, but with no expiry date, the card value can be used anywhere at any time, giving flexibility and choice to shoppers of all ages across Ireland.

Pictured at the launch of FromMe2You are Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy and Chairperson of Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), REI’s John Wall and Paula Fogarty, David Fitzsimons, Chief Executive of REI, and Gillian McGowran, Topaz.

Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie|9

News

Retail Excellence Ireland Awards Presented IRISH retailers continue to be at the forefront of driving customer excellence and many of those leading the way were rewarded recently at the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, in association with Barclaycard.

Some of the big winners from the FMCG market included Topaz’s flagship service station at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, which was named Best Forecourt Store 2016; Joyces Supermarket, Headford, Galway, which won Best Grocery Store 2016; and Brendan Lydon from Nestor’s Supervalu, Galway, who was named Rising Star of the Year 2016.

Pictured at the presentation of the Best Forecourt Store 2016 award to Topaz Cashel, Co. Tipperary, at the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards are: RTE’s Hector O hEochagáin; Oonagh O’Hagan, Chairwoman of REI; Jennifer Brennan, Topaz Cashel; Sean Moriarty, Retail Director, Topaz; Paul Candon, Group Corporate Services Director, Topaz; Cronan Beare, Topaz; Sarah Culleton, Topaz South East & Midlands Area Manager; Alison Burns, Topaz Cashel, Manager; Richard Varrier, Barclaycard, award sponsor; Charles Fitzsimons, Topaz; and co-presenter RTE’s Evanne Ni Chuilin.

“The highest standard of service, customer engagement, display and levels of investment amongst Irish retailers made choosing this year’s winners particularly difficult,” noted David Fitzsimons, CEO, Retail Excellence Ireland.

Topaz Group Corporate Services Director, Paul Candon said being named Best Forecourt was due recognition for the hardworking team in Cashel: “Our aim when we developed Cashel was to make it a destination stop. To succeed, we had to have the best food offering, the best facilities, the best fuel and the most professional and friendly service available.

Cashel set the bar high from the start and they deserve great credit for maintaining the highest standards. Cashel, just like Topaz, never rests on its laurels and we are looking forward to a major redevelopment of the station and services on offer in Cashel in 2016.”

Former Musgrave CEO Rewarded

FORMER Managing Director, Chief Executive and Chairman of the Musgrave Group, Hugh Mackeown was presented with an Outstanding Achievement in Business Award at the Hugh Mackeown, former CEO of the recent Cork Chamber’s Musgrave Group, recipient of Cork Dublin Dinner, held in Chamber’s Outstanding Achievement in partnership with EY. Business Award; John Higgins, Partner, EY; Barrie O’Connell, President Cork Speaking at Chamber; and Conor Healy, CEO, Cork the event Barrie Chamber.

O’Connell, President of Cork Chamber, said that Hugh Mackeown “has been the driving force behind the growth and development of the Musgrave Group for over 40 years ....This is a real Cork success story.”

Appointment at PJ Carroll PJ Carroll & Company has announced the appointment of Martina Branconi as new Government Affairs Manager for Ireland. She takes over from Alan O’Kelly, who has been appointed Government Affairs Manager, UK. Branconi will be the primary point of contact in relation to the implementation of regulation in Ireland. Commenting on her new role, she said: “The Irish tobacco sector will be facing great challenges in the coming months, like the implementation of the new Tobacco Products Directive, a piece of legislation that will impact not only tobacco companies, but all economic operators involved in the production and sale of tobacco products. I am looking forward to developing constructive and open dialogue with key institutional stakeholders directly or indirectly responsible for shaping tobacco regulation and all commercial entities that make it possible for PJ Carroll to carry on its business in Ireland.”

Moy Park Wins Top Award MOY Park has been named overall company of the year at the UK’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards. The company won the coveted top award at the ceremony in London, as well as picking up the meat and poultry manufacturing company of the year award.

The awards are organised by Food Manufacture magazine, whose independent judging panel praised Moy Park’s strong category leadership and development, together with its focus on training, sustainability and assessing environmental impacts.

Moy Park’s safety initiative, the ‘Meerkat Way’ was described as “an inspired way of promoting best health and safety practises in busy working environments.”

Pictured are (l-r): Gary Leslie, Moy Park Director of Agri Fresh Operations, and Mike Mullan, Moy Park Executive HR Director, Europe.

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

Industry News STORK BAKES A WINNER

STORK, the famous baking spread with over 90 years of heritage, is a proud partner of TV3’s The Great Irish Bake Off. Stork aims to help fuel nationwide baking fever around the popular show and encourage people to visit BakeWithStork.com to try their hand at baking mouth-watering Bake Off-inspired recipes.

To support its product placement partnership with The Great Irish Bake Off, Stork is working with Ireland’s best known pastry chef and star of The Restaurant, Louise Lennox (pictured). The partnership and its activation includes: Stork product placement and branding; a recipe challenge using Stork on episode 5; a dedicated Stork microsite to host the full suite of Bake-Off inspired recipes and video tutorials with Louise will be hosted on the TV3 website: tv3.ie/bakewithstork. Louise Lennox will also appear in a series of 60-second recipe tutorials, shown during a break in the show, to demonstrate how to bake some show-stopping creations inspired by the challenges on the show with Stork. Louise will also appear once weekly on the 7 O’Clock Show for the duration of the series to provide her ‘take’ on the show’s technical challenges, using Stork. As well as leading a series of instore recipe demos in Dublin in November.

Gala Event for Television Awards GLAMOUR and glitz descended on Dublin’s Double Tree Hilton Hotel recently for the inaugural IFTA Gala Television Awards.

In the first year of Gala’s sponsorship of the awards, 25 awards were presented to the stars of Irish film and TV, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy for Brendan O’Carroll. The ceremony, presented by Amanda Byram, hosted almost 500 guests from the world of Irish television, who attended to celebrate and reward the very best of Irish creative talent and Irish home-grown TV programming. Other award winners on the evening included Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe, for Female Performance, and Enda Oates, Fair City, for Male Performance. “The IFTA Gala TV Awards was an amazing night, which celebrated the achievements and talents of our flourishing television industry. As an Irish retail group that strives for excellence within our stores, there’s a real synergy in being associated with the best of Irish television,” noted Gala CEO, Gary Desmond, pictured (right) with Gay Byrne and Brendan O’Carroll.

Mount Leinster Clothbound is Named The Big Cheese MOUNT Leinster Clothbound by Coolattin Chedder in Co. Carlow has been named the Supreme Champion at The Irish Cheese Awards 2015, as well as winning the Best Cow’s Milk Cheese Award. The results were announced recently at the inaugural Irish Cheese Awards Ceremony and Dinner in The Grainstore, Ballymaloe House, Co. Cork. 36 Irish cheesemakers were awarded at the most prestigious awards in the Irish cheese industry calendar. 145 cheeses from 29 companies from all over Ireland were judged in 12 classes by a panel of experts. For the first time at the Irish Cheese Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to cheese maker Veronica Steele from Milleen’s Cheese, for her outstanding contribution to the farmhouse cheese industry. Aidan Cotter, CEO of Bord Bia, is pictured presenting the Reserve Champion Award, Best Cow’s Milk Cheese, to Tom Burgess of Coolattin Cheddar for their Mount Leinster Clothbound. For more information, see www.irishcheese.ie.

SuperValu has Food For Thought

TEN local food businesses pitched their products to Musgrave Group representatives and SuperValu managers in Ennis recently, with a view to securing shelf space in SuperValu stores. The businesses are participants of the Food Academy Start Programme, an initiative of Bord Bia, SuperValu and Local Enterprise Office Clare, which is aimed at nurturing start-up food companies. The programme, which was held for the first time in autumn 2014, consisted of three full-day workshops and one-toone mentor visits for the participating businesses and concluded with the event at The Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis. Pictured are some of the Food Start participants, (l-r): Jose Mansilla, Posh Mash; Maeve Sheridan, Western Herd Brewing Company; Ciara Humphries, Local Project Support Manager, Musgrave; Food Start trainer Carmel Connaire, and Vera Muir, The Clare Jam Company.

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

Industry News GAA STARS LAUNCH SUPERVALU CAR AND HOME INSURANCE DUBLIN footballers Paddy Andrews, Jonny Cooper, Michael Darragh MacAuley and John Small were in SuperValu, Knocklyon, to launch SuperValu’s new car and home insurance offering in association with AIG. Following on from the successful introduction of its travel insurance offering late last year, SuperValu will now partner with AIG Insurance in Ireland to offer consumers quality, affordable insurance products as SuperValu continue to try and make life as easy as possible for its customers. SuperValu customers will be able to take advantage of multiple offers that will ultimately leave them with more money in their pockets. SuperValu will also reward customers who take out car or home insurance policies with Real Rewards vouchers which they can spend in SuperValu stores nationwide.

Bulmers Commissions Mammoth Art Installations BULMERS has been announced as a creative partner to The Metropolis Festival and has commissioned mammoth working art installations from four of Ireland’s most exciting artists. These mega-sized, working art installations took centre stage across different spaces in the RDS at the inaugural Metropolis Festival in November, as Bulmers commissioned Irish artists, James Earley, Sums One, Charlotte Francis and Rob McCann to develop mammoth, expansive and individually designed bar installations.

Contemporary muralist James Earley’s 95-feet x 30-feet installation (pictured) draws inspiration from his signature street art work, which references Irish natural heritage and his family’s rich artistic heritage within Irish stained glass.

“We had an opportunity to do something different at Metropolis, so we went for it,” said Belinda Kelly of Bulmers.

ICONIC BRANDS JOIN FORCES

TWO iconic Irish family brand, Flahavan’s and Keelings came together recently for National Porridge Week to celebrate sharing a breakfast moment of porridge and fruit together as one for all the family to enjoy. To mark the launch, Flahavan’s and Keelings commissioned a survey amongst mums, which revealed that most Irish mothers (73%) believe it’s more important to get the family ready for the day rather than have breakfast themselves. To encourage the Share a Breakfast Moment, Flahavan’s and Keelings offered a 50c discount coupon on each other’s brands in retail stores nationwide, while the campaign also saw The Brekkie Bus on the road inviting consumers onboard to taste delicious porridge and fruit combinations. Pictured with dietician Aveen Bannon are David Keeling from Keelings and John Flahavan from Flahavans during National Porridge Week.

Making Plastic Fantastic!

REPAK have commissioned a bespoke art installation made out of recycled plastic collected

from the general public on the streets of Dublin and recycled plastic from around the country.

The sculpture, entitled Fantastic Plastic, was created by Eoghain Phelan to celebrate Repak Recycle Week 2015. It is crafted from plastic drinking & toiletry bottles, airport security trays and old election posters – with a few plastic cable ties thrown in for good measure! A special collection bin was created and installed in Barnardos Square to allow the public to easily recycle their plastic and turn it into something fantastic. The campaign was designed and executed by Mediaworks, together with the Repak marketing team.

Glanbia Invest Millions in Ballitore Facility COLIN Gordon, CEO Glanbia Consumer Foods Ireland, and Eric Collins, Managing Director of Nampak Plastics Europe, are pictured at the sod turning ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new plastic blow moulding facility at Ballitore in Co. Kildare.

The multi-million euro investment will allow the Co. Kildare facility to manufacture its own High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic milk bottles for the first time. This latest development will bring total investment at Ballitore over the past five years to €27m, reaffirming the site as a centre of excellence for fresh milk production. The new facility will be run as part of a long-term partnership agreement between Glanbia Consumer Foods Ireland and Nampak Plastics, a global leader in milk packaging. The supply contract between the two companies is worth approximately €10m per annum. Nampak Plastics have nine blow moulding sites across the UK, seven of which have in-plant facilities. The new facility will remove 40 truck deliveries per week from the site and reduce carbon footprint at the plant by 250 tonnes per annum.

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

Industry News Heineken Opens New Dublin Office HEINEKEN Ireland has officially opened its new Dublin office at One Kilmainham Square, Dublin 8, having recently relocated from their previous facility in Belgard Road.

Heineken’s relocated Dublin office will house its Dublin based employees, including its sales and marketing teams. “We are delighted to open this new state of the art office in Dublin’s historical quarter in Kilmainham Square,” said Heineken Ireland MD Maggie Timoney. “We have a long and proud heritage in Ireland, brewing beer for over 160 years.

This office, along with our beautiful brewery in Cork, will be at the forefront of delivering the best, quality products to the Irish market.” Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence, and Heineken Ireland MD, Maggie Timoney, are pictured at the new Heineken Ireland office.

Connacht Gold Big Breakfast PICTURED are Pippa O’Connor, busy mum, business woman and campaign ambassador, with Dietician & Nutritionist Dr Mary McCreery, Ireland AM resident chef Joe Shannon, and champion Jockey Ruby Walsh at the Connacht Gold Big Breakfast event, broadcast live on Ireland AM, recently, to celebrate the launch of Connacht Gold’s Low Fat Butter #LoveTheTaste campaign. Guests and speakers included some well known faces from the worlds of cookery, sports, nutrition and lifestyle including TV3 presenter Alan Hughes, champion jockey Ruby Walsh, Dr Mary McCreery, Dietician & Clinical Nutritionist at the Blackrock Clinic, and TV3 resident chef, Joe Shannon, all of whom spoke about the versatility of the product, highlighting all of the ways in which it can be used, from breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea to melting it over vegetables at dinner time. See www.connachtgold.ie for more information.

Rustlers’ Biggest TV Campaign KEPAK Convenience Foods is supporting Rustlers, the leading micro-snacking brand, with its biggest ever TV campaign in Ireland. The multi-channel, four-week campaign, which breaks on November 23, will reach one million 16-34-year-olds and also includes wide-ranging social and digital media activity. “The combination of major brand investment and a proven, highly successful creative campaign, with the distinctive ‘Satisfy Your Hunger Monkey’ strapline, will generate a real buzz amongst micro-snackers. It will drive awareness of both the Rustlers brand and the broader category,” says Stuart Meikle, Kepak Convenience Foods’ Channel Director. “This significant endof-year push is another key element of our five year plan to grow penetration of the micro-snacking category by 25% over the next five years.”

Dealz Open 50th Store NOVEMBER 5 saw leading discount retailer Dealz reached a major milestone with the opening of its fiftieth store in Ireland, but also marks the brand’s fourth anniversary of trading, firmly positioning Dealz as a major retailer in the Irish market.

“We are delighted to be celebrating our fourth year of trading here in Ireland with the opening of our 50th Dealz store,” said CEO Jim McCarthy. “Now as a major retailer in the Irish market, we look towards year five and our 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.”

€2m Investment at Value Centre VALUE Centre has completed a €2m investment programme in its South Western network, involving the expansion of chilled and frozen facilities, the implementation of market leading technology solutions, and the rollout of a significantly enhanced distribution network to cater specifically for Kerry businesses.

As part of the first phase of the investment, Value Centre’s regional foodservice hub in Cork has seen its chilled food facility doubled in size and its frozen food facility completely refurbished, allowing for a trebling of capacity. The company has also added to its existing delivery fleet with 12 new multi-temperature trucks.

A key part of the investment sees the implementation of Value Centre’s new E-Order online ordering system and its extension to facilitate the distribution of chilled, frozen and ambient products in one delivery. As a result of the upgrade, over 1,800 chilled and frozen products are now available through the online ordering platform.

Pictured are (l-r): John Moane; BWG Foods Wholesale Managing Director; Vincent Brown, Value Centre Regional Manager; Jonathan Aylward; Value Centre Cork Manager; and Malachy Galvin; Value Centre Killarney Manager.

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

Retail Ireland Summit

Reaching the Summit of Retailing The Retail Ireland Summit 2015 shone a light on the future of retailing, and the technologies and trends fuelling that future.

THE Retail Ireland Summit 2015 at the Guinness Storehouse during October focused on “what’s in store”.

As well as exploring the trends currently driving growth in-store, the summit examined what is in store for the sector in the future.

In his welcoming address, Retail Ireland Chairman and Eason MD, Conor Whelan spoke passionately about the role that Retail Ireland plays within the sector. Through discussions with the government, the organisation has been able to influence policy around issues such as the minimum wage, alcohol regulations and electronic payments. Retail Ireland has also invested considerable time and effort in its education & training programme through the Retail Ireland Skillnet.

Given the scale of the damage done to the retail sector in the last six years, the role of creating networking events for its members has been more important than ever, Whelan noted and regardless of the nature of the next Government, Retail Ireland will continue to bring benefits to the sector.

Radically Changing Sector Retail Ireland has seen the sector change radically in the last five years, which the association attributes to two reasons. The country was hit with a deep and long lasting recession that has scarred the psyche of the Irish consumer, while at the same time the already rapid pace of technological advancement and adoption by Irish consumers has accelerated. The change is likely irreversible.

Ireland’s 30-45 year-olds were born between 1970 and 1985, and have been working with computers for almost their entire adult lives and they have been fairly routinely purchasing products such as airline flights online for well over a decade. They understand and they trust technology.

The “me me me” Millennials are now also entering the 30+ age group. All of these people have a relationship with technology that consumers have never had before. They are also extremely value conscious and possess ways and means to inform themselves and shop around that would have made previous generation’s heads spin.

The star attraction: global retail and branding guru, Doug Stephens, enthralling delegates with this exhilarating predictions for the future.

Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie|17

Retail Ireland Summit very likely follow the global trend.

However, Stephens argued that the future of retail has an awful lot of potential right now, but exactly how that is realised remains to be seen. The notion of “hourification” where an online purchase is delivered to the consumer in an hour or less, whether they made the purchase at home or when they were having a coffee in a city park, could make all bricks and mortar stores utterly irrelevant to the consumer and their path to purchase, or rather the path of purchase to the consumer.

He talked about drone deliveries and the evolution of 3D printing, effectively teleporting a product to the printer beside where the customer made the purchase. Stephens discussed predictive shipping analytics, the still lingering possibility that Amazon could really properly sink its teeth into ‘fresh’, combined with the potential internet of things, whereby routine replenishment shopping is something that the fridge and toilet do directly with online suppliers and the consumer never even notices, and never runs out of milk or toilet roll again.

MasterCard Lab’s Senior Business Leader, Kevin O’Connell (left) with keynote speaker and retail futurist Doug Stephens (centre), and Retail Ireland Director, Thomas Burke (right).

The Recovery Gerard O’Neill, Chairman of Amárach Research, thankfully confirmed that we are in recovery. However, in terms of consumer mood and sentiment, recovery is not being felt equally by everyone. 35-44 year olds are not feeling the benefits of recovery as much as other age groups, and in general, Dublin is feeling better than the rest of the country.

In some welcome news, O’Neill pointed out that sentiment amongst respondents to Amárach surveys suggests that Christmas 2015 may well see significant increases in the volume and value of purchases made by Irish consumers over the holiday season. He also revealed that while about 50% of respondents consider themselves to be very price sensitive, the overwhelming majority of Irish consumers consider themselves to be very value conscious.

The six pillars of the value experience of a customer are explored in more detail on www.cexi.org.

The Retail Prophet Doug Stephens, the keynote speaker for the summit, began his presentation quoting Marc Andreessen, who is one of the world’s most prolific technology investors.

Andreessen has said categorically that retail is dead, that software is eating retail.

Stephens pointed out that the data may support Andreesen’s assertion. Last year, e-commerce recorded $1.5 trillion in sales, a staggering 23% year-on-year growth. It is estimated that by 2025 as much as 30% of all transactions may be done online.

Although Irish consumers do lag behind UK and US consumers in terms of the volume of online purchases today, we have extremely high rates of smart phone penetration and mobile marketing and digital activity will

The Threat of Tech?

We live in interesting times, made so thanks to the development of incredible technology. But how much of a threat are these technological advances to retailing in Europe and in Ireland? The delivery company, DHL and the German post office are already engaged in limited use of drone delivery. 3D printers have reduced significantly in price and in a further 5-6 years, they will very likely have refined almost beyond current recognition, Stephens states.

Predictive shipping algorithms based on data and analytics are easy enough to generate. Google Glass and Gloves exist, albeit in their relative infancy, but developments in Google gloves mean that users will be able to routinely feel the fabric of garments they are looking at with the glasses, from their own living room.

Despite all of this, Stephens asserts that none of the above technologies really spell the end of bricks and mortar retail. There is no doubt that digital and mobile technology will change retail, and probably humanity. But not so very much. Two of the most important driving forces in our adoption of technology are (i) the inquisitive nature of the human being and (ii) the social nature of the human being.

Technology serves these needs; it does not create them.

On their way to the podium are (l-r): Gerard O’Neill, Chairman of Amárach Research, with Richard Bradley, MD of Boots Ireland, and Conor Whelan, MD of Eason and Chairperson of Retail Ireland (right).

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Retail Ireland Summit Technology looks set to offer a plethora of solutions to remove payment hassles, including biometric recognition, fingerprint recognition or how about Pay By Selfie, which would work via facial recognition software. In short, companies like Mastercard are working relentlessly on notions such as the Pay@Table app used in restaurant Wagamama in the UK: simple, easy, frictionless payment, in-store, online, any time. Again, the aim is to provide the consumer with an experience that is superior in every way to what they have encountered before.

Event MC, broadcasting icon Terry Prone.

Fundamentally, we are always going to want to leave our living rooms and get out there, sooner or later.

The simplest way to adapt to the changes that are coming is to forget there is any difference between the brick and the click. The augmented, virtual, social media, digital and real worlds will just be different ways that consumers experience life. The role of in-store elements in such a world transforms from that of a place where consumers can buy things (they can buy them anywhere) to a place where your brand can own the consumer’s experience for the first time; a place where you can exceed all their expectations, wow their senses and give them an experience event that makes them love you and your brand.

Securing Your Future Kevin O’Connell Senior Business Leader, Incubation, Mastercard also spoke enthusiastically about technology and presented some truly fascinating concepts in security and validation that will soon impact payment processes online MasterCard’s GM for Ireland, Jason Lalor, welcomes delegates to the future of retail. and in-store.

Passwords are annoying, we sometimes forget them, and such things are a hassle when it comes to buying things that marketers refer to them as a ‘pain point’. But at the same time, security and safety are huge concerns for consumers.

The Importance of Social Media Social media is also part of retail’s future, a fact highlighted

by Olly Sewell, Manager, SMB Partner Management Team, EMEA – Facebook and Instagram. No retailer should be ignoring social media anymore. According to Sewell, one in four minutes of time spent on smartphones in the UK is spent on Instagram or Facebook. If they were a country, it would have one of the largest populations on earth. This fits neatly into the Summit’s oft-repeated assertion that the difference between the digital and real world is gradually eroding because technology is integrating so seamlessly into the way we live our lives.

Facebook and Instagram are real places, where real people are doing real things like being social and inquisitive.

Video viewing on Facebook has had a very strong uptake and it will become more prevalent on Instagram. These social spaces are part of our lives now. They offer a multitude of touch-points between consumers and brands: consumers increasingly do not want those points to be populated with generic messages being directed at them; they want to be engaged by their social interactions. Brands that do that and add value to their customers’ digital lives will be able to build loyalty whether their customers are in-store or not.

The Retail Ireland Summit 2015 really felt like the future. There were plenty of inspirational ideas which might seem a little ahead of their time. However, Central Statistics Office figures clearly demonstrate that mobile and digital engagement in Ireland, while lagging behind other markets, is growing rapidly. Some of the above may not happen, but much of it likely will, and it should not be ignored if ‘the brick’ is to prosper alongside ‘the click’.

FaceBook and Instagram’s Olly Sewell (left) chats to leading ‘FashionTech’ entrepreneur Daniel Bobroff (right), with Director of Retail Ireland, Thomas Burke, centre.

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

Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015

A Bright Future for Londis Londis retailers celebrated the Retailing Excellence Awards 2015 at a special ceremony following the Londis Annual Retailer Conference in Carton House, where they looked forward to an exciting future as part of BWG Foods.

THE 2015 Londis Retailer Conference, ‘Brand New Beginnings’ marked the first official coming together of more than 200 Londis retailers and the brand’s new owner, BWG Foods, who were on hand to reveal plans for the business, including new retail concepts and innovations.

The occasion also provided an opportunity for Londis to celebrate Ireland’s most outstanding retailers through the Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015.

Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015 The Londis Retailing Excellence Awards recognises retailers that excel across all areas of store performance, including customer service, quality of fresh food offering, depth and breadth of product range, and commitment to upholding the highest standards of hygiene and food safety.

This year’s awards programme saw 53 Londis stores from across the country receive Gold, Silver and Bronze Retailing Excellence Awards, in addition to the prestigious

accolade of Overall Store of the Year.

Congratulating retailers at the awards ceremony, newly appointed Londis Sales Director, Conor Hayes said, “The winners of this year’s awards have all exhibited great passion and dedication for best practice retailing, putting them amongst the best in the industry. Their focus on continually exceeding customer expectations is a testament to the hard work of their staff, for which they should be very proud. I commend them all on this wonderful achievement.”

Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods, welcomed Londis retailers to the “BWG family”, extending his congratulations to all award winners.

“We are extremely proud that Londis has joined the BWG Foods retail family,” O’Byrne enthused. “It’s fantastic to see the wealth of outstanding expertise demonstrated by Londis retailers and in particular the very worthy winners of the Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015.”

Kelly’s Londis, Milltown, Co. Kerry were crowned Londis Overall Store of the Year 2015. Pictured are (l-r): Gerard Greaney, Londis Retail Development Manager; Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; Leo Crawford, Group CEO, BWG Group; Denis Curran, Store Manager; Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods; Jurate Laurinaitiene, Kelly’s Londis, Milltown; Seamus Kelly, store owner; and event MC, Marty Whelan. Kelly’s Londis Milltown also won a Gold Retailing Excellence Award and the Foodmarket Store of the Year Award on the night.

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Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015 Kelly’s Named Londis Store of the Year Kelly’s Londis in Milltown, Co. Kerry, was named Overall Londis Store of the Year 2015 at the Londis Retailing Excellence Awards, having picked up two separate awards on the night, Foodmarket Store of the Year 2015 and a Gold Retailing Excellence Award.

The family-run store has been operating for 15 years, having first opened in March 2000. The store, which has doubled in size as a result of an extensive recent refurbishment, has worked hard to accommodate the growth of the community between Tralee and Killarney and is now regarded as one of the Londis brand’s flagship stores, both in size and quality of offering.

An emphasis on fresh food has seen the store’s deli triple in size over the years, while its focus on unique individual departments has been greatly enhanced to include an off-licence, a bakery, an icecream parlour and much more.

The store owner, Seamus Kelly, has put the recent success of the business down to a strong value offering and an ability to meet the needs of their loyal customers, with a friendly and supportive local service.

“We are thrilled to receive these prestigious awards, which are testament to the extremely hard working team that we have in store,” noted the store owner as he accepted the awards. “These accolades are not only a mark of pride for our store and staff, but importantly it shows our customers that we are passionate about delivering a top quality service in recognition of their continued support. This is a very important point of differentiation in what is a very competitive marketplace and we’re honoured to have come out on top.”

Timothy’s Londis PLUS, Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon were the proud recipients of the Londis Supermarket of the Year Award, a Londis Gold Retailing Excellence Award, as well as collecting the accolade of Deli & Hot Food Store of the Year 2015. Pictured are (l-r): Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; store owners Annie and Vincent Timothy; and Marty Whelan.

Griffin’s Londis, The Atrium, Sandyford, was crowned Londis Convenience Store of the Year, while the Griffin Group also scooped five Gold Awards, three Silver Awards and one Bronze Award. Pictured are (l-r): Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; Seamus Griffin, Griffin Group Managing Director; Nick Wei, Assistant Store Manager; David Bridgette, Griffin Group Operations Director; and Marty Whelan.

Cindy and David Dillon, Dillon’s Londis, Fethard on Sea, Co. Wexford, receive a Gold Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

Seamus Kelly, Kelly’s Londis, Milltown, who were crowned Londis Store of the Year, accepting his Gold Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan (right) present Peadar and Nora Cunningham, Cunningham’s Londis PLUS, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, with a Gold Retailing Excellence Award.

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Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015 Store of the Year Awards

•

Overall Londis Store of the Year

Kelly’s Londis, Milltown, Co. Kerry

Silver Retailing Excellence Awards Hanley’s Londis PLUS, Castlebar, Co. Mayo O’Doherty’s Londis, Our Lady’s Island, Co. Wexford O’Connor’s Londis, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

• Supermarket Store of the Year Timothy’s Londis PLUS, Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon

Boggan’s Londis, Rosslare Strand, Co. Wexford

• Foodmarket Store of the Year Kelly’s Londis, Milltown, Co. Kerry

Watters’ Londis, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan

• Convenience Store of the Year Griffin’s Londis, The Atrium, Sandyford, Co. Dublin

Rath’s Londis, Castledermot, Athy, Co. Kildare Griffin’s Londis, 14-15 O’Connell St, Dublin 1 Marshall’s Londis PLUS, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath O’Shea’s Londis, Campile, Co. Wexford Griffin’s Londis, St James’ Hospital, Dublin 8 O’Neill’s Londis, Johnstown Bridge, Co. Kildare Griffin’s Londis, Westmoreland St, Dublin 1 Fahy’s Londis, The Village Pump, Batterstown, Co. Meath

Gold Retailing Excellence Awards Kelly’s Londis, Milltown, Co. Kerry Timothy’s Londis PLUS, Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon

Londis Cornelscourt, Dublin 18 Hiney’s Londis, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo Bogue’s Londis, Dublin Rd, Co. Monaghan

Gillan’s Londis, Castleknock, Dublin 15

Bronze Retailing Excellence Awards

Gillan’s Londis PLUS, Summerhill, Co. Meath

Londis Navan Road, Trim, Co. Meath

Shiel’s Londis PLUS, Malahide, Co. Dublin

McDermott’s Londis, Irishtown, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Hanrahan’s Londis, The Faythe, Co. Wexford

Griffin’s Londis, Fonthill, Dublin 22

Brodigan’s Londis, Quay St, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Meehan’s Londis PLUS, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway

Londis Station Road, Adare, Co. Limerick

Londis Callan, Co. Kilkenny

Martin’s Londis, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Grace’s Londis PLUS, Loughrea, Co. Galway

Roche’s Londis, Doneraile, Co. Cork

Doyle’s Londis, Coolcotts, Co. Wexford

Griffin’s Londis, The Atrium, Sandyford, Co. Dublin Griffin’s Londis, Grafton St, Dublin 2

Category Award Winners

Canavan’s Londis, Inch, Co. Wexford

Fruit & Veg Store of the Year Gillan’s Londis PLUS, Summerhill, Co. Meath

Dillon’s Londis, Fethard-On-Sea, Co. Wexford Byrne’s Londis, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow

Deli & Hot Food Store of the Year

Cunningham’s Londis PLUS, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

Timothy’s Londis PLUS, Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon

Hanratty’s Londis, Belturbet, Co. Cavan

Food Safety Store of the Year Roche’s Londis, Doneraile, Co. Cork

Griffin’s Londis, Beacon Court, Sandyford, Co. Dublin Browne’s Londis, Kilcock, Co. Kildare Reilly’s Londis, Abbeylands, Navan, Co. Meath

Off Licence Store of the Year Gillan’s Londis, Castleknock, Dublin 15

Gillen’s Londis, Dublin Road, Trim, Co. Meath

Newspapers & Magazines Store of the Year

Patterson’s Londis, Foxrock, Co. Dublin

McDermott’s Londis, Irishtown, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Burke’s Londis PLUS, Kinvara, Co. Galway Hynes’ Londis, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare

Butchery Store of the Year Shiel’s Londis PLUS, Malahide, Co. Dublin

Keating’s Londis PLUS, Newtown, Cobh, Co. Cork

Retail Employee of the Year

Rath’s Londis PLUS, Pollerton Road, Co. Carlow

Mairead Nixon, Brodigan’s Londis, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Aherne’s Londis, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Customer Service Store of the Year Burke’s Londis PLUS, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Griffin’s Londis, Lower College Green, Dublin 2 Griffin’s Londis, KCR, Terenue, Dublin 6W Sheehan’s Londis, Parkgate St, Dublin 8

Community Retailer of the Year Roche’s Londis, Doneraile, Co. Cork

Barry Gillen, Gillen’s Londis, Dublin Road, Trim, Co. Meath, accepts Paddy Patterson from Patterson’s Londis, Foxrock Ave, Co. Dublin, a Gold Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Hayes, Londis Sales accepts a Gold Londis Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Director, and Marty Whelan.

Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

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

Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2015

Gillan’s Londis PLUS, in Summerhill, Co. Meath, were proud recipients of a Londis Gold Retailing Excellence Award, as well as the Award for Fruit & Veg Store of the Year. Sheila and John Gillan are pictured with Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director (left) and Marty Whelan (right).

Mairead Nixon from Brodigan’s Londis, Quay St, Dundalk, was awarded the accolade of Londis Retail Employee of the Year. The store, which is owned and run by Andrew & Joanne Brodigan, was also the recipient of a Londis Gold Retailing Excellence Award.

Pictured are (l-r): Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; Mairead Nixon; Andrew Brodigan; and Marty Whelan.

Enda Hiney, store owner of Hiney’s Londis, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, receives a Silver Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

Deirdre Stoneham, store manager, and David Boylan of Martin’s Londis, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, receive a Gold Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

Laura Curley and Michelle Kilcar from Grace’s Londis PLUS, Loughrea, Co. Galway, accept a Bronze Retailing Excellence Award from Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

Store owner Teresa Byrne and Ann Marie Kenny from Byrne’s Londis, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, are pictured accepting a Londis Gold Retailing Excellence Award from Londis Sales Director, Conor Hayes, and Marty Whelan.

Pictured receiving a Londis Gold Retailing Excellence Award is Michael Hanrahan Jnr, from Hanrahan’s Londis, The Faythe, Co. Wexford, with Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director (left) and Marty Whelan.

Watters’ Londis, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, were proud recipients of a Londis Silver Retailing Excellence Award.

Pictured are (l-r): Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Zara Montgomery and Michelle Keenan, from Watters’ Londis, with Marty Whelan.

Michael McDermott, store owner, McDermott’s Londis, Irishtown, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, is presented with the Newspapers and Magazines Store of the Year Award by Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, and Marty Whelan.

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The Retail News Interview

The Dairy Best National Dairy Council Chief Executive, Zoë Kavanagh talks us through the high profile Win With Dairy campaign, which builds on the NDC’s hugely successful association with rugby stars, Rob and Dave Kearney.

THE National Dairy Council’s Win With Dairy campaign, which launched to coincide with the Rugby World Cup, builds on the association with NDC rugby ambassadors, Irish internationals, Rob and David Kearney, and the work they have been doing to help the NDC to promote the benefits of dairy as part of a balanced diet.

“The campaign celebrates the positive role that milk can play in sports nutrition, at whatever level you play or enjoy sports,” explains NDC Chief Executive, Zoë Kavanagh. “It also forms part of the NDC’s nutrition-led strategy, which embraces the versatile role of dairy throughout our lifestages.”

As part of the campaign, the NDC became exclusive sponsor of RTÉ Radio One & RTÉ 2FM’s Rugby World Cup coverage, supported by Win With Dairy radio and television advertising, with branding extending to televised highlights of the matches. The €500,000 campaign to promote Irish dairy this autumn also includes strong, visual use of outof-home media such as bus supersides, national 48-sheet and 96-sheet posters, combined with national print and consumer media advertisements. Digital media and social media are being used extensively to build the campaign in an engaging way, highlighting ways to make winning easier with nutritional advice, training tips from Irish sports people and regular competitions. Consumer information is being supported with a dedicated landing page, www.winwithdairy.ie.

Superb Role Models The CEO describes the Kearney brothers as “excellent ambassadors” for the National Dairy Council since the start of 2014, noting how they are superb role models, resonating with people of all ages, not just children.

“Communicating with children, parents and teachers is part of that,” she explains, “because unfortunately, national surveys have shown us that 37% of Irish girls and 28% of Irish boys aged from 5-12 years of age don’t get enough calcium in their diet, while 42% of teenage girls, and 23% of teenage boys have insufficient calcium intakes. Children and young adolescents are going through really important phases of growth and development, so these are worrying trends and our nutritional team works hard to help to highlight to families the recommendations of the Department of Health’s

Zoë Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council.

food pyramid.”

The rugby playing brothers, Kavanagh explains, were the perfect fit for the NDC: “They grew up on a farm in Co. Louth; they have been consumers of dairy as part of a balanced diet since childhood; and they support taking part in sport or exercise at any level,” she reveals. “In the context of sports nutrition, they understand entirely the importance of rehydration, refuelling and recovery and how milk and dairy fits within sports nutrition.”

Research from Loughborough and Northumbria Universities demonstrate the potential effectiveness of skimmed milk as a re-hydration drink after exercise; and the beneficial role milk and milk-based products may play in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage.

Hugely Successful Campaign The launch of Win With Dairy has proved hugely successful for the NDC, creating a further opportunity to hear from the popular brothers and to build on their association with the campaign through PR and social media platforms.

Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie|25

The Retail News Interview

Rob and Dave Kearney are the stars of the NDC’s Win With Dairy campaign.

For example, at the launch, Dave Kearney revealed that their parents, Siobhán and David, actively encouraged them to try their hand at every available sport when they were growing up. “Gaelic football, tennis, swimming, golf and rugby were just some of the activities which kept us engaged and out of mischief as children and it obviously sparked a competitive light in the early days,” he noted.

Rob, meanwhile, argued that starting healthy lifestyle habits when you are young will stand to you for the rest of your life. “Exploring and finding a sport or exercise you enjoy will stand to you in the long term, at whatever age you are and whatever level you are comfortable with,” the fullback explained. “However, parents have a real opportunity to encourage healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle from childhood – and good nutrition starts with a balanced diet, including dairy. It’s a winning combination.”

So, just how important are campaigns like Win With Dairy in raising consumer awareness of the health benefits of dairy in the diet?

“Very important,” reveals Zoë Kavanagh. “This campaign has had appeal to people of all ages, bringing home important nutritional messages in a way which is engaging and which does not involve lecturing or scaremongering.”

A Balanced Diet Consumers can do more to ensure they and their children are eating more healthily, and it doesn’t necessarily mean making massive lifestyle changes.

“Many of us are creatures of habit who plan our shopping and meals in particular ways that we have grown comfortable with or which are convenient,” Kavanagh explains. “Some others may rollercoast based on fad diets. It’s good to step back every now and then and think about what our bodies need. The ‘milk, yogurt and cheese’ food group has a role to

play as part of a healthy, balanced diet.”

Here in Ireland, the Department of Health recommends three servings from the ‘milk, yogurt and cheese’ food group each day, with five servings recommended for 9-18 year olds due to the importance of calcium during this life stage.

Calcium is needed for the growth and development of normal bones in children and contributes to the maintenance of bone health and strength throughout life.

The NDC nutritional team has evidence-based consumer information available at www.ndc.ie, including a new series of leaflets in the ‘Nutrition and You’ series, endorsed by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, which features nutritional advice for children, for adults and for the 50+ age group.

“Being aware of our body’s needs and making sure our diet and activity levels meet the recommendations can help us to stay strong, active and as healthy as possible, for as long as possible,” Kavanagh states. “Encouraging your family to take part in sport or exercise at any level is a great way to develop an enjoyable life-long habit which can offer many benefits to our health.”

The NDC Guarantee The NDC Guarantee gives consumers in the Republic of Ireland the assurance that milk or cream has been both farmed and processed locally. “It allows consumers to make an informed choice about origin because they can see clearly where it comes from and they know that their purchase supports local employment,” explains NDC Chief Executive Zoë Kavanagh.

26|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

The Retail News Interview www.ndc.ie www.ndc.ie

The winning mark for the local economy.

With quality Irish milk, we all win.

When you buy milk with the NDC guarantee, you’re buying milk that’s farmed and produced here in Ireland. You’re also supporting local farms and local co-ops. Which is good for employment, good for the economy, good for all of us.

#winwithdairy @NDC_ie

NDCIreland

The NDC Guarantee gives consumers in the Republic of Ireland the assurance that milk or cream has been both farmed and processed locally.

A Brief History of the NDC

Formerly known as the National Dairy Publicity Council, the NDC was established by the Minister of Agriculture in 1964, as a semi-state body, with the aim of maintaining and supporting the growth in the consumption of milk and dairy products.

The NDC became in industry-financed organisation in 1973, subsequent to Ireland joining the EEC. In 1978, the European Commission commenced a financial support programme to assist the undertaking of national promotional campaigns in an effort to increase dairy consumption and thereby reduce the problem of disposing of surplus milk production within the EEC. With the assistance of EU funding, the NDC has maintained and developed the popularity of dairy in Ireland through a host of well-known marketing and promotional campaigns, including ‘Butter is the Cream’ and ‘Dem Bones, Dem Bones Need Calcium’, as well as events like the Milk Fun Run, the Milk Rás and the Milk Music Awards playing a significant role in communicating the benefits of dairy produce to the Irish consumer.

“Showcasing the excellence of Irish pasture-based dairy farming and produce is part of the NDC’s strategy because we believe that quality is the cornerstone for the Irish dairy sector to look at new opportunities for growth,” says NDC Chief Executive Zoë Kavanagh.

One extremely important part of the Win With Dairy campaign is the manner in which it highlights the role dairy can play in healthy snacking.

“Milk and dairy produce are accessible, convenient and affordable sources of nutrition,” Kavanagh explains. “As well as providing calcium, milk, yogurt and cheese are natural sources of many other nutrients.

For example, milk provides protein, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, vitamin B2 and vitamin B12. We encourage families and children to make smart food choices given the natural mix of nutrients in milk; but let’s not lose sight that we also enjoy consuming fresh, cold milk as a refreshing and delicious drink; and the flavours of dairy produce either in snacks or as a quality ingredient when cooking.”

Helping to Combat Obesity Ireland is fast developing an unwanted reputation for obesity: how can dairy play a role in combating this?

“For those concerned with weight loss or maintaining weight, it’s important to remember that a nutritionally adequate diet is still important, even when trying to lose or control weight,” Kavanagh maintains.

“A healthy, balanced diet and a physically active lifestyle remain the cornerstone for effective weight management. Getting to know the healthy eating guidelines will help to make the necessary dietary changes which can benefit health in the long-term.”

Dairy is often misunderstood when it comes to body weight management, the CEO argues: “The fact is that the ‘milk, yogurt and cheese’ food group can easily be included in a weight loss or a weight maintenance diet. This food group offers a range of choices, with lower-fat options remaining important sources of nutrients. In addition, they are a convenient, tasty, readily available and affordable source of nutrition.

“Dairy offers many nutritional benefits for various life-stages. Milk, yogurt and cheese are important sources of calcium, which is needed for the growth, development and maintenance of bones, as well as being sources of protein, which contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.”

The National Dairy Council intends to play a vital role in protecting and promoting the image, quality, taste and nutritional credentials of Irish dairy produce to a wide variety of audiences, including consumers, health professionals, schools and stakeholders.

“Positioning dairy as playing a vital role in the nation’s overall health and wellbeing through the existing range and through future innovation will deliver added value for retailers, while providing consumers with natural, fresh, nutritious products,” the CEO concludes. “There is a growing body of scientific evidence reinforcing the benefits of dairy as part of a balanced healthy lifestyle, which will result in an accelerated innovation agenda, providing a range of exciting products across the population’s life-stages; infant formula, performance nutrition and healthy ageing.”

Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie|27

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

Positive Reaction to Budget 2016 GIVEN that the majority of the measures to be adopted will result in extra money in consumers’ pockets, there was a broadly positive reaction among retailers to Budget 2016.

Cuts in USC will likely trigger an increase in consumer spending in the coming weeks and months and will boost shoppers’ confidence about their financial position in advance of the critical Christmas trading period. The announcement of a much reduced and capped interchange fee on debit cards and credit cards is also very welcome news. This is an issue that Retail Ireland has campaigned strongly on in recent months and will result in reduced transaction costs and processing charges for retailers. In the context of the introduction of a levy on cash withdrawals from ATMs, this reduction in interchange fees becomes even more significant.

That said, disappointing developments under Budget 2016 include the limited benefit of the increase in the top rate band of employers’ PRSI, which will only partially offset the premature and ill-advised increase in the national minimum wage rate of an additional €0.50 per hour.

Retail Ireland’s post-Budget press statement stressed how important the consumer-friendly measures will be in further strengthening retail’s recovery.

We invite you to access a copy of the statement on our website, where you can also review Ibec’s excellent Budget 2016 analysis paper, explaining how the measures will impact business and consumers alike.

BEST CHRISTMAS TRADE FOR SEVEN YEARS PREDICTED IN tandem with hosting the Retail Ireland Summit 2015 on October 8, Retail Ireland released new consumer spending projections for 2015, which indicate that Irish retailers can look forward to the busiest and best performing Christmas trading period since 2008.

We now expect core retail sales for December 2015 to reach €4.05 billion, up by 3.5% over 2014.

Strong recovery in employment numbers and a much improved outlook for the domestic economy, together with enhanced consumer confidence, means that spending growth will top 3.1% in the full year of 2015 versus last year. Illustrating the importance of the Christmas sales period in further boosting retail’s recovery, Retail Ireland estimates that personal consumption expenditure on core retail goods during December will be equivalent to about €2,450 per household, approximately €600 more spending per household than in any other month of the year.

Data for the first eight months of the year shows solid growth across many retail categories. Despite the weak euro’s pressure on margins, retail’s recovery continues to be dominated by furniture and home accessories outlets and computers and electronics operators (+9.6% and +5.8% respective value growth to the end of August, versus 2014), indicative of increased activity in the property market and a release of pent-up demand for home improvements, whilst fashion and footwear stores, always a key barometer of consumer confidence, saw combined values rise by 5.8% in the year to the end of August, led by men’s apparel and women’s accessories. Meanwhile, the country’s leading department stores have reported much improved trading, with sales of mid-market and luxury brands soaring, boosted by record inbound tourism.

There is no doubt that retail’s fortunes are finally on the up. Positive trends during the year and a pro-consumer Budget 2016 will inject additional energy into the domestic economy, helping to create a positive backdrop to the makeor-break Christmas trading period.

STATISTICS UPDATE THE CSO’s Consumer Price Index for September 2015 indicated that on average, Irish consumer prices dropped by -0.3% when compared with the same month last year.

Mirroring the pattern we have seen in previous months, when comparing September 2015 with September 2014, the largest price falls were once again recorded in diesel (-16.2%), personal and home computing (-13.1%), petrol (-11.8%) and cameras (-10.2%). Meanwhile, combined tobacco products recorded another annualised increase of 4.3% and books were up by 4.2%. Some other categories returned marginal price increases, with fashion accessories and hair products both up 2.5% and newspapers and magazines seeing a 1.8% increase in average cover price during September.

Meanwhile, the CSO’s retail sales data for August indicated that on an annualised basis, the total value of Irish retail sales (excluding sales of cars and sales in bars) rose by a healthy 3.3% compared with August 2014, with a 7.7% increase in volume over the same period. Comparing sales in August to those in July, there was a rise of 0.3% in value terms, with a 0.9% corresponding increase in volume. Meanwhile, on a yearto-date basis, total sales value continues to grow: up 2.3% on the first eight months of 2014, with volume up by 6.2% over the same period.

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

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

28|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Cash & Carry Focus

Value Centre Celebrates 40 Years in Clonmel BWG Foods’ Value Centre cash & carry in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, celebrates four decades in business this year.

VALUE Centre Clonmel celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Branch Manager Martin Loughran and his staff are a passionate and dedicated team, focused on delivering the best possible service to all their customers.

“The customer is your boss.” explains Martin, who has been managing Value Centre Clonmel since 2013.

“You simply must give them the best service every time.

I have always had that attitude and I believe this is one of the reasons I was chosen to manage the branch.

The team here also have that attitude.”

This attitude has been reflected by achieving industry leading service levels of over 99%. During a recent external audit, Value Centre Clonmel’s high standards were highlighted, with the branch obtaining a score of over 98% in a number of areas, including customer service, range availability and in-branch innovation.

Pictured celebrating 40 years of Value Centre, Clonmel, are (l-r): Martin Loughran; Manager; John Moane, MD, BWG Foods Wholesale; with the branch’s original manager, Paul Coffey, and past managers, Jonathan Aylward and Michael Nolan.

Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie|29

Cash & Carry Focus Fact File Manager: Martin Loughran Location: Value Centre, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Size: 40,000 square feet No. of staff: 26 full time and part time (including sales team) Opening Hours: 09:00-17:30; Monday-Friday; 09:00-12:00, Saturday.

Over the course of the birthday celebration, €1,000 worth of stock was given away. Customers simply had to play the money grabber machine and collect as many notes as possible to be in with a chance to win!

Expanding Its Reach Over the past decade, Value Centre Clonmel has significantly extended its geographical reach into the wider Waterford and Tipperary counties, increasing the number of deliveries and its customer base. The branch also pioneered Telesales operations and implemented new technology to help improve the order picking process and increase customer service levels. This has all been possible through the considerable extension of the branch, which now has a footprint of over 40,000 square feet.

Value Centre Clonmel has the capability of delivering a top quality service, offers a huge range of products across grocery, confectionery, alcohol and non-food, with strong promotions on these key categories every three weeks.

The branch serves three key channels: the independent retail trade, licensed trade and the hospitality and catering sectors. Within the retail channel, Value Centre Clonmel is the main supplier to more than 20 local XL stores, as well as providing a top-up service to the rest of the BWG Foods symbol brands, including SPAR, MACE, and Londis.

Michael Pyke is the Assistant Manager and has been at Value Centre Clonmel for 26 years.

“If I had to describe the team in three words, they would be passionate, committed and dedicated,” he tells Retail News.

“Many of the staff at the branch have been at Value Centre for a long time. I worked my way up to management within the branch. There is a real family business feel here.

We really do care about the branch and about each other. There have been massive changes over the years but we A selection of spot prizes were given away to help celebrate Value have managed them all Centre, Clonmel’s 40th birthday. because of this attitude.”

Utilising Best Practice Value Centre Clonmel is a real life example of how an increased focus on customer service and improvements in supply chain efficiency have impacted on day-to-day operations. The interior of the branch is designed to be customer friendly at every point, with clear price tags, aisles easy to navigate and the local team always on hand to help. In fact, the team in Value Centre Clonmel are a great example of how ‘Best Practice’ approaches can drive improvements, even in the midst of organisational change.

Operations at the branch are quite autonomous, but it is very much part of a larger organisation, as Martin explains, “With the backing of BWG Foods, there is a tremendous sense of optimism and confidence in the branch and in the future of the sector. We are determined to keep offering great value, an ever increasing range and superior customer service.”

Rewarding Loyal Customers As with any business anniversary celebration, the event marking the 40th birthday was an opportunity to look for new trade, but was also a chance to reward loyal customers, with a host of visitors from the surrounding areas, including Cahir and Cashel, joining Clonmel customers in celebrating on the day. Many of these customers have been working with Value Centre Clonmel for over two decades and know Martin and his team extremely well.

The fact that Value Centre Clonmel celebrated its 40th anniversary is a testament to the hard work and commitment of both BWG Foods and the local team. Over the last four decades, the branch has adapted and grown even through periods of economic highs and lows, and has seen huge changes in the sector. Value Centre Clonmel has undergone a radical transition over the last 40 years. The last decade alone has seen large-scale developments and continual improvements in the way they work. By keeping a strong, skilled and local loyal team working together, Value Centre Clonmel has been able to adapt and to prosper through all these changes.

Value Centre customers could sample new products as well as avail of incredible offers as the Clonmel branch celebrated four decades in business.

igh

D o M o re in Sto re Christmas Stamp Booklet 2015 1 FREE Stamp Inside

26 Stamps €17.50

Part of the An Post Group, PostPoint was established in 2000 and has been helping local retailers and communities Do More in Store ever since.

PostPoint retailers process over 18 million transactions every year, including essential footfall driving services such as mobile phone top up, Bill Payment, Waste Management, Gift Cards, Tolling, Parking and international calling cards.

Our stores offer products and services which are useful, practical and simple. And, because PostPoint is part of An Post, customers can trust that all payments will be processed safely, securely and efficiently.

Call

PostPoint products include: • • • • • • • • •

Bill Payments Top Up Stamps & postal products Gift Cards TV License Renewal Irish Water Parking & Tolling products Online payment products Merchant Services

on 1890 20 5mm 42 20 High

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t h is C h r ist m a s Do More this Christmas

Part of the An Post Group

Christmas is the perfect time to choose PostPoint as your preferred electronic services supplier.

Retailers who join PostPoint this month can offer their customers festive favourites such as One4all Gift Cards and the Christmas Stamp Booklet. Both of these are very popular products which are well established in the Irish marketplace, and give PostPoint retailers a competitive advantage when trying to attract customers into their stores this Christmas season.

Part of the An Post Group, PostPoint was established in 2000 and was the first company in Ireland to perform an electronic top up. Shortly after, PostPoint also became the first electronic services provider to develop BillPay in retail stores.

Pay your bills here

ps Buy Stam Here Ask at the counter

Plus

150

Now, PostPoint supplies electronic services to over 2,000 retailers nationwide and works hand in hand with thousands of retailers in every town and every village across Ireland.

By joining PostPoint retailers enjoy the support of a dedicated customer services team as well as an award winning sales support team on the road.

more

PostPoint

5mm High

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5mm H

Top Up

A1 Stamps.indd

Bill Pay A1.indd 1

17/07/2015

10:32

22/07/2015 11:44

PostPoint works with all major retail brands including Spar, Centra, SuperValu, Tesco, Gala, Mace, Londis, Costcutter, Daybreak, Topaz and applegreen.

1

Point of sale is available free of charge for all PostPoint retailers.

The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multistore gift card and is exclusively sold through Post Offices and PostPoint outlets. The One4all Gift Card makes the perfect gift for any occasion as it is accepted in over 6,000 retail outlets nationwide.

PostPoint retailers can purchase stamps and One4all conveniently and quickly through the PostPoint helpdesk on 1890 20 42 20, and all orders are delivered free of charge straight to the retailers door.

If you would like more information about joining PostPoint please give us a call on 1890 20 42 20.

Delaney’s Centra, Aherla, Cork with new PostPoint external sign.

‘PostPoint would like to wish all our retailers and readers of Retail News a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.’

on 1890 20 42 20

32|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Essentials

Festive

Favourites Retail News presents its annual guide to the ‘must stock’ products, guaranteed to fly from your shelves this Christmas.

CHRISTMAS is coming and consumers all over the country are preparing to stock up on a whole range of FMCG items, from turkeys to breadcrumbs, chocolates to cream, and a whole lot more besides.

Retail Ireland are predicting that Irish retailers can expect this festive season to be the busiest and best performing Christmas trading period in seven years.

They predict core retail sales for December 2015 to reach €4.05 billion, up by 3.5% over 2014. Indeed, Retail Ireland estimates that personal consumption expenditure on core retail goods during December will be equivalent to about €2,450 per household, approximately €600 more spending per household than in any other month of the year.

Ferrero “Christmas is a vitally important for retailers, with the period between October and December representing 27% of the sales of chocolate confectionery (Source: Nielsen ROI: Total Confect, L12wks – Data up to 28.12.14),” says Levi Boorer, Customer Development Director, Ferrero UK

Ferrero are ramping up their Christmas offering this year with a raft of new seasonal products and an €850K marketing investment across their Pralines portfolio.

34|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Essentials & Ireland. “As the fastest growing company in chocolate confectionery (Source: Nielsen ROI: Total Confect, L12wks – Data up to 28.12.14), we’ll be ramping up our Christmas offering this year with a raft of new seasonal products and an €850K marketing investment across our Pralines portfolio.”

Kinder Joy 20g (RSP €1.29) will be returning by popular demand as a winter limited edition, sporting Christmas inspired packaging. The product has crispy cocoa wafer balls in a delicious milky and cocoa cream on one side, served with a spoon, and a fun toy on the other side. To highlight the uniqueness of the product, the brand will be investing in eyecatching out of home and shopper media support.

“Kinder Kids is now worth €9.2m and represents 20% share of the confectionery market in Ireland (Source: Nielsen, Kids Confectionery AYR & seasonal, MAT 12.07.15),” Boorer continues, “so we take new product development (NPD) that is based on consumer insight very seriously. Kinder Joy was a resounding success when it launched as a limited edition earlier this year, experiencing as much as +79% incremental sales for retailers and 40% of Kinder Joy consumers were new to the Kinder brand (Source: Retailer insight, 52 w/e 05.04.15). We’re really excited to reintroduce Kinder Joy as a Christmas exclusive.

The Christmas self-eat segment will be key to drive impulse sales this year, due to an even shorter trading period. Unique and successful NPD, like Kinder Joy, will be essential to generate growth for retailers.”

Kinder Chocolate Happy 102g (RSP: €3.02) will also join the seasonal line-up as a special sharing option this Christmas; a sharing bag of 12 individually foil wrapped Kinder Chocolates in seasonal shapes.

After the success of the Grand Ferrero Rocher 125g during Christmas 2014, a new and grander Grand Ferrero Rocher 240g (RSP: €11.99) will be available this Christmas, taking the figures and shapes category to another level and helping retailers to capitalise on the growing trend of premium gifting.

“To ensure Ferrero Rocher, Ferrero Collection and Raffaello are completely unmissable this year in the lead up to Christmas, we’ll be launching three multi-platform campaigns for the brands, worth a combined investment of circa €850k in media. We’ll also introduce a new design on pack for both Rocher and Raffaello,” says Boorer.

“Kicking off from the start of November, we’ll be ramping up the support for Raffaello with a fully integrated campaign worth €550k just in traditional media. The activity includes a brand new TV advert from November 2, video on demand, digital, print, extensive in-store media, nationwide sampling and experiential stunts. Ferrero Rocher is also live on TV from November 16 with the same loved creative from last year, with additional support including video on demand.

“With Ferrero Collection also receiving TV and video on demand support from December 7, our full core Pralines portfolio will feature on air from the start of November through to the end of the year, achieving a total of 29% SOV with our key three brands,” concludes Boorer.

To put Ferrero’s success last year into context, Ferrero Rocher T24 is the sixth biggest SKU in the category, growing all-year-round as the ideal special gifting option (Source: Nielsen ROI – Value Sales MAT w/e 12.07.15). Ferrero Collection also experienced a phenomenal Christmas with +231% MAT growth and 41.9% during December.

Mr. Crumb Ireland’s number one selling breadcrumb and stuffing brand, Mr. Crumb, is a must have for your customers this festive season. Mr. Crumb will be running an extensive consumer marketing campaign this Christmas on national radio and

in magazines to support the category.

Hand-made in small batches in Finea, Co. Westmeath, the multi award winning range includes Sage & Onion 225g, Garlic & Herb 225g, Lemon & Thyme 100g and Apple & Apricot 225g.

Mr. Crumb has also launched Gluten Free Breadcrumb 200g and Gluten Free Sage & Onion Stuffing 200g, which have received great feedback. All products are made using natural ingredients and heat in their own tray, taking just two and a half minutes in the microwave or 15 minutes in Mr. Crumb’s Gluten Free Sage the oven. & Onion Stuffing 200g has been Mr. Crumb Fresh warmly received by consumers.

Breadcrumbs are ideal for the consumer looking to make their own stuffing or Christmas pudding this festive season and come in both 200g and 400g packs.

Mr. Crumb has also secured a contract to produce a new range of 100g flavoured butter logs for a leading multiple in the UK and Ireland. The range includes Garlic & Herb, Red Chilli , Three Peppercorn and Chocolate Chip & Maple Syrup, which will be stocked in over 600 stores.

Mr. Crumb branded products are available through Musgrave, Tesco, Dunnes Stores and BWG.

Tesco to Deck the Aisles THE first of this year’s festive poinsettias have arrived in Tesco stores from Swords based grower Uniplumo.

Along with a range of festive floral baskets and luxury Irish wreaths, Uniplumo will be supplying a range of Bord Bia quality assured Irish-grown Six year-old Anna Rose Pitt is poinsettias, including pictured with the first Christmas limited edition white and poinsettias to hit Tesco stores pink colours. nationwide.

Specialist growers in the Irish horticulture market, Uniplumo operates from seven acres of heated glass houses near Swords in Dublin and employs over 40 staff. Increased plant trade this year in Tesco stores has resulted in an increase in festive orders from Uniplumo and marks the eighteenth year that the grower has supplied plants to Tesco stores.

Commenting about the announcement, Tom Summerville, General Manager Uniplumo said “Our supplier partnership with Tesco has strengthened over the past 18 years, with increased orders this year, particularly for our festive range of Bord Bia quality assured Irish grown poinsettias to nearly 120,000 plants. The festive plant and flower range also includes luxury Irish wreaths and planted gifts across a range of designs exclusive to Tesco.”

1.5m reasons to stock McCain this Christmas This year, our massive €1.5m through-the-line “Real Teatimes” campaign brought families together to celebrate the “Good Stuff” and simple joys at everyday mealtimes.

Our campaign will continue this December featuring our delicious Roast Potatoes and festive range of Wedges on outdoor, press, point of sale, sponsorship of Dermot and Dave on Today FM and fantastic value deals on our bestsellers in store.

Frozen Potato Brand Frozen Chip Brand Roast Potato Brand

Don’t forget to stock up now! www.mccain.ie

www.facebook.com/MccainIreland

*Source: Value Sales AC Nielsen, Scantrack Multiples Market, 26 weeks to 4 October 2015

36|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Essentials Sellotape When it comes to wrapping gifts, consumers want to rely on an instantly recognisable and trusted brand: the Sellotape brand from Henkel inspires that confidence.

Under the tagline ‘Every roll inspired by you’, Sellotape has launched a dispenser motivated by consumers.

Meeting identified needs from a premium dispenser (Source: Sellotape Dispenser Study 2011), Sellotape OnHand allows for variable tape lengths, ease of use and even keeps both hands free for wrapping! Sellotape aims to make the On-Hand Dispenser, a top drawer, must-have item for every household.

“In the development of the On-Hand Dispenser, we have Sellotape, trusted by kept the consumer’s wrapping consumers for generations. rituals at heart, trying to facilitate the process with On-Hand,” explains Julia Bauer, Sellotape Brand Manager.

“Developed through extensive market research, the OnHand dispenser is always there to help when wrapping or sealing presents, parcels and envelopes. This dispenser is an extension of you. It simply slots on the hand like a ring, allowing you to dispense the tape as you hold the wrapping paper in place.”

Sellotape has launched Festive On-Hand Refills, an exciting new range of pattern tapes for that extra special

Sellotape On-Hand is a dispenser that allows for variable tape lengths, ease of use and even keeps both hands free for wrapping.

Sellotape has launched Festive On-Hand Refills, an exciting new range of pattern tapes for that extra special touch at Christmas.

touch at Christmas.

Designed specifically for the Sellotape On-Hand Dispenser, Festive On-Hand Refills include one roll of Super Clear tape and two rolls of pattern tape. One of the pattern tapes shows an elegant white snowflake design, while the other shows a contrasting red and white Christmas tree pattern - both perfect for making Christmas gifts more special.

New Multi-Store Gift Card Launches FROM toys to gourmet goodies, furniture to fashion, and beauty to electronics, it’s easy for consumers to give the gift of choice this Christmas with the new multi-store Irish gift card, FromMe2You. Available through participating Topaz stations countrywide, and online at www.Me2You.ie, FromMe2You is backed by Retail Excellence Ireland. There is a minimum value purchase of €15 on each FromMe2You gift card, but with no expiry date, the card value can be used anywhere at any time, giving flexibility and choice to shoppers of all ages across Ireland.

Nivea NIVEA is the number one female face and body care brand in Ireland (Source: Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack, 52 week data to June 14, 2015) and the world’s number one male skincare brand (Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA in the category Men’s Skin Care; in retail value terms, 2013).

NIVEA Men Creme, a no-nonsense, all purpose moisturising cream, made especially for men, makes the perfect stocking filler. With a fresh, masculine scent, NIVEA Men Creme is suitable for face, body and hands, combating dry skin everywhere, with just one tin.

The light, non-greasy formula NIVEA Men Creme is a a no-nonsense, all purpose absorbs moisturising cream, made especially for men. super-fast

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials and leaves nothing behind but well-moisturised and healthy looking skin, making it ideal for the man who wants to look after his skin, but likes to keep his regime simple.

This festive season, NIVEA invites consumers to immerse themselves with NIVEA’s Christmas must-haves, showcasing this season’s amazing gifting purchases.

Whether consumers are in search of that essential stocking filler or fabulous gift bags for a loved one, NIVEA has something for everyone. Consumers can enjoy a variety of products, ranging from caring face creams to nourishing body lotions and shower gels – everything they will need for the perfect gift.

The NIVEA range of gift sets includes a host of options for men, from NIVEA Men Sensitive (RSP €6) to the NIVEA Men Ultimate Sports Kit (RSP €50), while for ladies, the range is even more extensive, ranging from NIVEA Minis For Her (RSP €6), through NIVEA Lip Treats (RSP €7), NIVEA Skin Delights (RSP €25) and the NIVEA Skin Heaven Gift Set (RSP €50), to name just four. For more information, please visit www.nivea.ie or www.facebook.com/ niveaireland Avonmore Cream A must for everyone’s shopping list this and every Christmas is Avonmore Cream. Ireland’s favourite cream has a wide range of creams to suit every occasion over the festive season, including Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream, which is already whipped for added convenience, delicious Avonmore Sour Cream for party dips and appetisers, indulgent Double Cream for cakes, sauces or soups, and Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream, a luxuriously thick cream, perfect for Christmas Pudding, mince pies and all consumers’ favourite Christmas treats.

Already whipped and ready to serve, Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas Puddings, mince pies, Irish coffees and Christmas desserts.

Research carried out by Avonmore shows that Avonmore Whipped Cream is particularly popular at Christmas due to its added convenience and 25% of consumers will purchase Avonmore Whipped Cream for Christmas desserts in addition to their regular cream.

Also very popular at Christmas, luxuriously thick Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream is perfect for pouring directly over festive desserts. The deliciously smooth, thick

Lild Christmas Deluxe Range LIDL has an extensive range of delicious Deluxe products fit for every occasion over the festive period.

The impressive Deluxe range now offers tasty alternative products like ostrich, goose and kangaroo, as well as favourites like fresh Irish turkeys and fine dining wines. The range includes a host of tasty cheeses, like Deluxe Irish Smoked Brie (142g, €1.99) and Deluxe Blue Cheese in Ceramic Pots (225g, €4.99), as well as a superb Serrano Gammon Joint (6500-7500g, €59.99), new to the Deluxe range. Their extensive Deluxe Seafood range includes mouthLidl’s 18 Month Matured Christmas watering treats Pudding (907g, €10.99), one of the like Deluxe Salmon highlights of their Deluxe range.

Carpaccio (100g, €2.99) and new Deluxe Fresh Oysters (360g, €3.49), while the decadent dessert range includes favourites like 18 Month Matured Christmas Pudding (907g, €10.99) and Deluxe Lemon and Lime Meringue Tarts (564g, €4.99).

consistency is the perfect accompaniment to mince pies, Christmas pudding, trifle and all consumers’ favourite Christmas treats. Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream is an extra thick cream and requires no additional whipping, providing consumers with added convenience during the busy festive occasion and is available in both a 250ml and 500ml resealable bottle.

Back by popular demand with a fresh new look, Baileys Whipped Cream in a 585ml pot combines the unique and great taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur and Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream. Luxurious and delicious on top of a chocolate cake, in a latte, or with any dessert, this is a combination of two great Irish products with one unforgettable taste.

Avonmore is the cream market leader, with 57% branded cream share (Source: MAT August 2015).

With such a wide range of cream products, Avonmore has a cream to suit every consumption occasion throughout this festive season and is a must stock item in stores.

Avonmore Cream will have a heavyweight support plan in place, comprising of radio and TV support, in-store sampling and Avonmore Whipped Cream is particularly popular at Christmas due to its added convenience. activation, digital and PR support.

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials Lindt Lindor As the perfect premium chocolate gift for any occasion, Lindt Lindor caters to all your customers’ needs, making Lindor the leading boxed chocolate this ‘Blissmas’!

Maintaining its position as the number one premium boxed chocolate brand, Lindt Lindor continues to outperform the market and now holds 9.3% market share, with 15% year-on-year growth (Source: ACNielsen, MAT, 52 weeks to September 23).

Lovingly crafted by the Lindt Master Chocolatiers, each The Lindor brand will be supported by a Lindor Milk truffle heavyweight national support plan this is surrounded by a Christmas, including TV advertising and shell of luxurious premium POS. premium chocolate that once broken, releases an irresistibly smooth melting filling. From the classic Lindor Milk to the irresistible Lindor White, consumers can choose from a wide range of exciting and delectable flavours.

Retailers can expect to see a heavyweight national support plan behind the Lindor brand this Christmas, with Lindor TV advertising returning to screens and a strong push in-store with premium point of sale and display.

With the Lindor brand set to go from strength to strength, give your shoppers the gift of bliss this Christmas with Lindt Lindor!

Lindt Lindor 200g retails at €6.99 and Lindor 337g retails at €9.99.

Aldi’s Favourite Things ALDI’S Christmas TV campaign begain airing across all TV channels on November 6, featuring All Your Favourite Things for this festive season. Aldi’s 120 stores nationwide are busy gearing up for the festive season, with approximately 3m mince pies, over 55,000 turkeys, 15m brussels sprouts and over 192 tonnes of Irish cheddar cheese expected to be sold this Christmas season. New food items to Aldi stores this Christmas include Specially Selected Cooked Canadian Lobster, Fresh Irish Free Range Goose and Carlingford Lough Oysters. Consumers can also indulge in all their annual favourites, including Specially Selected Irish Christmas Pudding, Specially Selected Exquisite Mince Pies, Specially Selected Luxury Irish Cheeseboard and delicious Specially Selected Irish Bronze Whole Turkey.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Cooked Canadian Lobster: on sale December 21 for €8.

Unilever The beauty of giving is something consumers cherish during the festive season. Shopping for a partner, loved one or kris kindle is on everyone’s to-do list and, this year, Unilever has something to suit all beauty and grooming needs.

Unilever’s new Dove DermaSpa gift set is a beautifully indulgent present for the ladies in your life.

The Lynx Black Essential Collection gift set is perfect for the male grooming enthusiast.

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials Unilever has a beautiful range of Christmas gift packs suitable for all ages and needs. Perfect as stocking fillers, these gorgeous and affordable Christmas packs are available nationwide from leading retailers. The Unilever Christmas packs feature a range of products from Unilever’s most beloved beauty and grooming brands including Dove, TRESemmé, Toni & Guy, Simple, Radox, Lynx, and Impulse.

The new Dove DermaSpa gift set is a beautifully indulgent present for mum, sister or girlfriend and the Lynx Black Essential Collection gift set is perfect for the male grooming enthusiast.

The range is now available nationwide, with prices ranging from €8.99 to €24.49 at RSP: why not stock some of Ireland’s most treasured beauty products this Christmas?

Moy Park Moy Park, Ireland’s number one poultry brand, is giving families across Ireland and the UK the chance to win the Christmas of a lifetime with two cash prizes up for grabs of €5,000 / £5,000. The on-pack competition runs across all packs of Moy Park’s breaded range from October 29 to December 11.

Keelings Christmas Fruit Platter features a selection of berries, including Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Green Grapes and Red Grapes.

Christmas platter will be available in stores nationwide from November 30, with an RSP of €5. Keelings Christmas Fruit Platter makes an ideal gift or a dinner party addition as part of a dessert or a cheese board accompaniment.

Boutique Bake Consumers can enjoy festive baking fun this Christmas with Boutique Bake’s Christmas Tree Brownies. These delicious brownies are the perfect seasonal treat and not only make gorgeous gifts but look great on a party platter too. Boutique Bake’s easy-to-make mixes mean that even the kids can help with the recipe.

Moy Park is giving families the chance to win the Christmas of a lifetime with two cash prizes up for grabs of €5,000 in a heavyweight on-pack promotion.

“We are delighted to be able to spread a little Christmas joy with this competition,” notes Briege Finnegan, Brand Marketing Manager for Moy Park. “At Moy Park, we are committed to creating engaging campaigns and giving added value to our consumers. Our on-pack Christmas promotion will be supported by a fully integrated marketing campaign, including advertising, PR, social media and sampling.”

Consumers can enter the competition by purchasing a pack from the Moy Park breaded range and following the instructions on the sticker. Terms and condition apply.

For more information, please visit www.moyparkwinchristmas.com.

Keelings The Christmas season presents challenges to our good food choices, but Keelings are making it easier for consumers with the launch of Keelings Christmas Fruit Platter.

Keelings Christmas Fruit Platter features a selection of berries, including Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Green Grapes and Red Grapes. This exclusive berry

Boutique Bake’s Christmas Tree Brownies: the perfect seasonal treat.

Consumers can make Christmas even sweeter and delight friends and family with some edible gifts, like Christmas Tree Meringue Cupcakes, the perfect homemade gift this Christmas by Boutique Bake. These brilliantly decorated festive treats are a feast for the eyes and taste buds!

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Christmas Stocking: Beer

Brewing Up A Storm Christmas should see a sales surge for beer, as consumers stock up on their favourite brands.

2014 saw a welcome 4% rise in beer consumption, according to receipts data from Revenue. Following a challenging decade, this is extremely good news and a welcome indicator of recovery for the sector, albeit from a very low base, according to the Irish Brewers Association Indeed, Ireland’s beer sector is thriving compared to recent years, with a host of new products hitting the market, from the biggest names in brewing to the wealth of fledgling microbreweries that have recently surfaced throughout the country.

Craft beer continued to see rapid growth in Ireland in 2014, as the number of brands available expanded further, according to the latest report into the Irish beer market

by Euromonitor International. While the vast majority of these products can be classed as premium, a growing range of private label products are also emerging, offering lower price points and thus serving to attract a growing number of consumers. Estimates put total craft beer value sales in the region of €15m for 2014, following a value growth of 50% over the previous year. Indeed craft beer sales are estimated to have risen by 180% since 2011, from a very low base.

Around the world, consumer demands for higher quality and greater variety have positively impacted the craft brewing industry. A recent study on the global craft brewing industry, conducted by yeast expert Alltech, discovered that there are more than 10,000 craft breweries worldwide, 86% of which are in North America and Europe.

“The rise of craft beer as a beverage of choice is indicative of consumers’ demand for differentiated, interesting and

quality products,” said Aidan Connolly, Chief Innovation Officer of Alltech.

“Craft beer has 2% of the market share in Ireland today, and it is predicted to rise, with a year-over-year growth of approximately 25%, and new local breweries mushrooming all over the country,” said Connolly.

Molson Canadian It has been a great year for Molson Canadian, now Ireland’s fastest growing top 10 lager brand in the off trade, growing 11% year on year and outperforming the market (Source: AC Nielsen, total off licence, MAT September 2015).

The brand’s phenomenally successful summer campaign drove massive consumer engagement. Molson Canadian focused on driving shopper engagement in-store, giving consumers the chance to win over 4,000 prizes, including steins, inflatable coolers, hoodies and mini fridges.

As part of its massive promotion, Molson Canadian sent two lucky winners to Canada for the trip of a lifetime. They also gave lovers of Molson Canadian lager the chance to win one of five Molson Canadian SMEG fridges to keep their favourite beer at just the right temperature.

The promotion came hot on the heels of a heavyweight TV campaign showcasing the iconic Molson Canadian beer fridge in Enniskerry, which ran across toprating shows and sporting events. They also sponsored Indiependence Molson Canadian has enjoyed a tremendous music festival, year of growth in the off trade.

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Christmas Stocking: Beer bringing music fans together to enjoy some of the hottest indie acts, while enjoying the Molson Canadian experience and increasing brand awareness.

Molson Canadian’s Christmas brand campaign is sure to be popular with consumers, driving engagement in-store as they ‘Follow the red glow’ of the famous red Molson Canadian fridge. The brand will be rolling out a suite of high impact POS in stores, which includes a limited edition illuminated POS display.

Molson Canadian’s “We are looking forward Christmas campaign to another exciting year for is sure to be popular Molson Canadian in Ireland as with consumers, driving the brand goes from strength engagement in-store as they ‘Follow the red glow’ to strength,” noted a company of the famous red Molson spokesperson. “Our customers can expect strong brand activity Canadian fridge. and in-store campaigns to engage shoppers and drive sales.”

For more information, call the Molson Coors team on (01) 6294101.

Damm Beers The history of the Damm family of beers, including the popular Estrella Damm, goes back over 140 years. Today, the Damm family of beers are enjoyed all over the world, including Ireland. Molson Coors expanded on their international portfolio with the addition of the Estrella, Inedit and Daura Damm beers earlier in 2015.

Estrella Damm is the beer of Barcelona that brings to life the essence of the Mediterranean “way of life”.

It is a beer that appeals to consumers who are seeking something authentic and cultured, who live their passionate, relaxed, funfilled lives Estrella Damm, the beer of surrounded Barcelona, available in Ireland by friends, from Molson Coors. art and creativity and are prepared to pay more for the experience.

Daura Damm is a light, smooth and refreshing lager with a fruity flavour which has been developed specifically for coeliacs and those who choose to live a gluten free life. Daura Damm is the result of a long research process, developed in partnership with the Damm Master Brewers and the Gluten Department of the Spanish National Research Council, using state-of-the-art technology.

A recent Nielsen report indicates that the Free From sector is growing at a Inedit has rate of 22% annually in Ireland (Source: been created AC Nielsen, total off licence, MAT, through a unique collaboration with September 2015). With this surge in demand, Daura Damm is a great addition world-renowned to the retail industry’s current Free From chef Ferran Adrià.

ranges and also gives a new option to consumers who want a refreshing, gluten free alternative without compromising on taste.

Inedit has been created through a unique collaboration with world-renowned chef Ferran Adrià. Inedit is a unique blend of barley, malt and wheat, flavoured with coriander, orange peel and liquorice, and has been specifically created to be paired with any dish.

For more information about the range of Damm family beers, contact the Molson Coors team on (01) 6294101.

Sharp’s Brewery Molson Coors are building on their current craft offering

Brú Scores with SuperValu SUPERVALU have announced details of a €200,000 contract with Brú Brewery, which includes the exclusive rights for the Irish microbrewery’s new 500ml format gluten free lager that is available in-store from this month.

Pictured are (l-r): Eamon Howell, Trading Director, SuperValu; David O’Hare, Co-Founder of Brú Brewery; and Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney TD.

Since Brú Brewery started trading with SuperValu in September 2013, the Irish microbrewer has doubled the amount of cases it supplies the grocery retailer each year. The company originally started in 2013 with two staff and now employs eight staff. It will now add three additional staff before the end of the year to meet growing demand. The latest contract comes after the Irish craft beer brewing company won three awards at the 2015 World Beer Awards.

SuperValu contributes €2m in sales to the Irish craft beer market each year. “We’re delighted to support this emerging sector and help Irish microbreweries grow, particularly as we are able to offer them the opportunity to supply to individual stores given our local ownership structure,” explained Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu.

David O’Hare, co-founder of Brú Brewery, said: “SuperValu is the biggest supporter of the Irish craft beer market amongst the grocery retailers and their support is enabling us and other microbreweries to thrive.”

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney TD, said: “Brú Brewery’s continued success reflects the huge potential of Ireland’s craft beer sector. Beyond the jobs created directly by Irish microbreweries, there are also additional knock-on benefits for the local economy and for farm families who supply locally sourced ingredients to companies like Brú Brewery. By giving Irish microbrewers like Brú Brewery the opportunity to grow sustainably, SuperValu is helping the Irish craft beer sector to build its reputation both domestically and abroad.”

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Christmas Stocking: Beer with the launch of two beers from the Cornish Sharp’s Brewery. Demand for craft beer in the Irish off trade market has increased by 30% this year (Source: ACNielsen, total off licence, MAT, September 2015), with a distinctive trend towards the more flavoursome beers. Consumers are looking to try new tastes and styles and this demand is reflected in the year-on-year sales increase.

In October, Molson Coors introduced Sharp’s Atlantic Pale Ale and Sharp’s Wolf Rock to the range to join Sharp’s Doom Bar, which is the number one premium ale in the UK market. Sharp’s Brewery was founded in 1994 in Rock, Cornwall, by Bill Sharp, whose beers are brewed with time honoured brewing techniques and the finest ingredients.

Sharp’s Atlantic Pale Ale is a light and refreshing drink, capturing the essence of Sharp’s home in Cornwall. The beer is a deep golden colour and has a subtle sweetness, leading to a fresh, assertive bitterness dominated by citrus flavours from the finest American aroma hops.

The dry and refreshing Doom Bar Amber Ale has an enticing aroma of resinous flower hop, sweet malt and delicate roasted notes. Sharp’s Doom Bar has won a number of awards, Sharp’s Atlantic Pale Ale, Sharp’s Wolf including The Food Rock and Sharp’s Doom Bar: now Reader Award for Best available from Molson Coors.

Drink 2014. Wolf Rock is an unusual fusion of Red Ale and IPA styles, delivering a distinctive flavour and enticing red hue. This award winning beer won the silver award in the prestigious Beer Challenge awards in 2014.

For more information about the range of Sharp’s beers, contact the Molson Coors team on (01) 6294101.

Guinness Golden Ale September saw the launch of Guinness Golden Ale, the latest release from The Brewers Project, St James’ Gate, Dublin.

Named after its Guinness Golden Ale, the latest release distinctive from The Brewers Project, St James’s Gate, golden colour, Dublin.

Guinness Golden Ale is brewed using Guinness yeast, Irish barley, the finest hops, and a specially selected amber malt that gives the new beer its rich golden hue. The subtle biscuit flavours from the malted barley perfectly complement the crisp bitterness and delicate hop aroma, giving way to a refreshingly clean finish.

Head of Innovation for Guinness, Nick Curtis-Davis said: “There has never been a more exciting time for beer and at Guinness, that inspires us. People are interested in beer again, and in trying new styles and varieties of beer.

Crafty News for Beer Lovers THE fourth Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair will take place in the Convention Centre, Dublin, on February 5-7, 2016. The Fair will host more than 60 Irish and international breweries and distilleries, and exhibitor space is already almost completely sold out.

Ireland ranks 20th in the locations for craft breweries globally. Irish craft beer is currently exported to 25 countries, with approximately 38% of Irish breweries in the business of exportation.

For further information, including ticket details, on the Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair please visit eu.alltechbrewsandfood.com.

Guinness Golden Ale gives beer lovers the chance to try something new from a much loved brand; a flavourful golden ale with all the character and quality that Guinness is famous for.”

O’Shea’s The approaching cooler months have inspired two new winter seasonal O’Shea’s ales, which are available now in 120 Aldi stores nationwide. Brewed by the Carlow Brewing Company, the O’Shea’s Spiced Winter Ale, and O’Shea’s Dry Hopped Amber Ale are on sale for €1.89 per 50cl bottle, offering outstanding value for beer fans.

O’Shea’s Spiced Winter Ale is a subtle blend of fruit and spices, creating a perfect seasonal balance. Bitterness is accentuated from both the hops and citrus zest, and the dry cinnamon finish is Brewed by the Carlow Brewing balanced with the sweetness Company, the O’Shea’s Spiced of crystal malt. Visually, it is Winter Ale and O’Shea’s Dry an amber ale with a lightly Hopped Amber Ale are now available in Aldi. carbonated white head.

O’Shea’s Dry Hopped Amber Ale is a blend of citrus hops and is full flavoured with a rich, malty body and a pleasant caramel character. The hops dominate the aroma from the dry hopping technique and the malt lends a caramel and biscuit characteristic.

Visually, it is bright amber in colour with a lightly carbonated head.

Barry & Fitzwilliam Global beer bands have seen a major increase in interest.

Barry & Fitzwilliam currently distribute the Wells & Young portfolio, the most popular of which are Banana Bread Beer, Waggle Dance and Bombardier and Coopers from Australia, which has gained a very loyal following over the years. New additions to the range include Anarchy and Marblehead.

B&F are delighted to be able to offer a fantastic new range of Irish craft beers and ciders, including St. Mel’s, Toby’s Cider, Kelly’s Mountain Brew, Mountain Man and Longueville Cider, The Cotton Ball Brewing Company and Killarney Brewing Co. Also from B&F, the W.K.D. range will be very supported again this winter with a combination of promotions, a social media campaign and traditional media.

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits

High Spirits New premium Irish brands and the continued rise of cocktail culture should fuel spirits sales this Christmas.

SPIRITS sales peak during the pre-Christmas period, as Irish consumers stock up on their favourite brands, both for home entertaining and gift-giving over the festive season Admittedly, the category suffered during the years of the recession, allied to a host of excise hikes, but the rise in popularity of cocktail culture throughout the on-trade should carry over to the off trade, particularly for the Christmas period, when entertaining and parties are the norm.

At the same time as the improvements in the overall economy, the growth of domestic spirits brands in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal, with new distilleries opening throughout the country, many of whom have already won awards for the premium nature of their products. Indeed, the Irish Whiskey Association estimates that there are currently 26 new or proposed distilleries across Ireland. But the explosion in home-grown spirit brands is not confined to whiskey, with new premium gins and vodkas also being produced here.

At the same time, international demand for Irish brands has never been higher, with Irish whiskey soaring to new heights. The flagship Jameson brand from Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard recently celebrated the major milestone of global sales of 5m cases of Jameson this year. So things are definitely looking up for spirits.

Barry & Fitzwilliam Barry & Fitzwilliam distribute a wide range of premium spirits, including Teachers Scotch, Courvoisier Cognac, Rémy Martin Cognac, The Famous Grouse Finest Scotch Whisky, Jim Beam Bourbon, Vladivar Vodka, Boru Vodka and Whyte and Mackay Scotch.

Barry & Fitzwilliam are also the exclusive distributor of The Kilbeggan Distillery’s range of whiskey which includes: Kilbeggan, Connemara and Tyrconnell. Greenore 8 year old has now been rebranded Kilbeggan 8 Year Old but will still

be in its distinctive decanter style bottle.

Christmas will see a major emphasis on the Jim Beam Range, i.e. Red Stag, Honey & Devils Cut, as well as major promotions on Jim Beam itself.

Cointreau is a cool experience on ice with a warm afterglow, surrounded by the exotic scent of oranges, while maintaining its elegant French heritage.

Cointreau is the perfect partner for cocktails, renowned for livening up a Margarita, making a long drink even longer with 7UP or the stylish party Cosmopolitan cocktail.

Bols Distilleries is one of the largest and oldest producers of fine spirits and liqueurs in the world, some dating back to the year 1575. Many of the unique flavours of Bols liqueurs are made with fruit juices, thereby creating the ideal platform for some of the best cocktails around. The selection of flavours available from Bols is vast and includes Bols Blue, Grenadine, Advocaat, Crème de Cacao, Cherry Brandy and many more. Among the classics, Bols Triple Sec Curacao is essential in a Cosmopolitan and Bols Crème de Cacao in a Brandy Alexander. More Bols cocktail recipes are available on

Barry & Fitzwilliam are the exclusive distributor of The Kilbeggan Distillery’s range of whiskey, including the hugely popular Kilbeggan brand.

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits www.bolscocktails.com. A new 200ml size has recently been added to the range and B&F will be launching Bols Elderflower in the winter and a number of new SKU’s to the Bols range this Christmas.

Sourz continues to perform well and is now available in Apple, Blackcurrant, Cherry and Tropical Blue flavours.

Jagermeister, the famous German schnapps, is a huge seller in the shooter market. It is a half-bitter German schnapps with a unique blend of 56 herbs and spices and is ideal served chilled. Sales are up again this year, which is an excellent performance and a reflection of its place in the top ten spirits in the on-trade. The 20ml size continues to do very well in the off trade and B&F have just listed a 50ml.

Tia Maria is a hugely popular coffee liqueur worldwide, particularly due to its mixability in cocktails, with coffee or in desserts, or mixed with milk and ice as a luxurious long drink. It will be heavily backed by a new press campaign focusing on its mixability.

Disaronno is described as a ‘cool’ brand. With its distinctive square glass decanter and smooth almond flavour, it has a secret recipe which is said to include the pure essence of 17 selected herbs and fruits, with an infusion of apricot kernel oil. The brand will be supported by a satellite TV campaign, while in the off trade, B&F will be focusing on Disaronno Cavalli.

Since the coming together of Beam Suntory, Barry & Fitzwilliam have acquired the distribution rights for Auchentoshan and Bowmore Scotch Whiskies. The Auchentoshan (pronounced Okken-toshan) distillery was established in the Dumbartonshire estate of Auchentoshan in 1823.

Auchentoshan, meaning `Corner of the field’ in Gaelic, produces a delicate, smooth and light single Malt Whisky.

The subtle aroma and flavour of its spirit is achieved by the unique triple distillation process, whereby the spirit is not distilled twice, as elsewhere in Scotland, but instead, distilled three times, producing even greater refinement to its character.

Bowmore was the first of Islay’s distilleries to receive a license, springing fully-formed into official existence in 1779.

It is likely that the founder of the distillery, one William Simson, had been distilling in Bowmore since shortly after his arrival in 1766.

Star of Bombay, a new, super premium gin, from the makers of Bombay Sapphire.

Edward Dillon & Co. Bombay Sapphire, the premium gin brand, has launched Star of Bombay, a new, super premium gin, slowly distilled to create a spirit of extraordinary beauty.

Produced in small quantities entirely at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England, Bombay Sapphire’s Master Distiller, Nik Fordham, was inspired by the innovative distillery and Thomas Heatherwickdesigned glasshouses to create a new expression of the Bombay signature style, with a distinctive, intriguing character of its very own.

Working together with

the Master of Botanicals, he searched the world for new botanicals that could play in harmony with the original Bombay Sapphire recipe. The recipe for Star Of Bombay begins with the eight precious botanicals that lie at the heart of all Bombay gins: Juniper, Coriander, Lemon Peel, Orris, Angelica, Almonds, Liquorice and Cassia Bark, and lifts them to a new dimension.

Gently dried bergamot orange peel, sourced from the mountains of Calabria, Southern Italy, provide a fragrant, rich citrus note; while the floral-musk of ambrette seeds, from the tropical yellow hibiscus flower grown in Ecuador, supply a singular graceful elegance.

“The single batch distillation method designed around Star Of Bombay is very much a craft process,” explained Nik Fordham. “It requires more hands-on control and monitoring to create a gin of extraordinary complexity that makes it feel more like an aged spirit. So much so, that you can drink it neat, over ice, which is an amazing surprise that gin can be drunk and enjoyed this way.”

Teeling Whiskey The Teeling Whiskey Company has released The Revival, a limited edition 15 Year Old Single Malt. The Revival has been produced to mark the opening of its new distillery, the first in Dublin for over 125 years.

The Revival bottling consists of 15 Year Old Single Malt Irish whiskey distilled in 1999, matured exclusively in ex-Rum casks and bottled at 46% with no chill filtration, creating a truly unique Irish whiskey taste experience. This celebratory bottling is limited to only 10,000 bottles and will be available through the Teeling Whiskey Company’s domestic and international distribution partners.

This new release also marks the upgrading of the

The Teeling Whiskey Company has released The Revival, a limited edition 15 Year Old Single Malt, to mark the opening of its Dublin distillery.

Teeling Vintage Reserve Collection, which consists of limited small batch releases of very old and rare Irish Single Malt whiskeys. Containing some of the oldest Single Malt Irish whiskey ever bottled, the Vintage Reserve Collection allows consumers to savour and appreciate Irish whiskey at its finest.

The updated Vintage Reserve Collection will comprise three different bottlings, ranging in age and price points.

The first release is The Revival, which will be followed by a 24 year old and a 33 year old bottling of Irish Single Malt whiskey.

Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company,

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits commented, “The opening of our new distillery was a major milestone in the history of Teeling Whiskey. It took three years of planning, hard work and significant capital investment, but now Teeling Whiskey is finally home. To mark this occasion, we have selected a very special whiskey to celebrate the Revival of distilling in Dublin.”

Wild Geese Exiles Gin The first and only super premium gin produced in Ireland, The Wild Geese Exiles Premium Irish Gin was recently named as the winner of the Gold Q Award for Drinks at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. Unveiled in late 2014, the premium gin has already amassed quite a following, having won a Gold medal at The Spirits Masters Series in London earlier this year.

The Exiles is part of a trio of new spirits in the Wild Geese portfolio, and the gold medal from the renowned Spirits Masters blind tasting series follows hot on the heels of various accolades achieved earlier this year for the Untamed Irish Vodka and the Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur.

The Wild Geese Exiles Irish Gin is the first super premium gin produced in Ireland. The spirit is produced using botanicals that grow in the wild across Ireland and is the only gin in the world containing shamrock: the unique recipe is subject to a patent application.

An artisan product from an eighthWild Geese Exiles Gin: winner of the generation gin-maker, this unique spirit Gold Q Award for is distilled five times for the ultimate Drinks at the Irish purity, resulting in a smooth and floral Quality Food & gin infused with Irish ingredients.

“This 15 year old malt is a distinctive product with a smooth texture and uncompromised taste notes, providing a truly special gift for any discerning whiskey lover,” said Eunan Ryan, Director, Jack Ryan Whiskey and son of Jack Ryan. “Its distinct pale gold colour, fruity aroma and flavours and its spicy, oak-infused finish are those of a premium whiskey.”

The contemporary Jack Ryan brand of whiskey is a descendant of the original Ryan’s Malt, commissioned by Thomas Ryan since 1913 and continually improved upon by his son Jack up until the 1950s.

Ryan’s Malt was sold in the family’s pubs which included, and still includes, Ryans Beggars Bush. Today, Jack Ryan is a brand built on craftmanship, heritage and the tradition of five generations and over 100 years in the licensing trade in Ireland.

Ruby Blue Vodka

Ardbeg Scores on Quality ARDBEG, from Edward Dillon & Co., has swept the board in a review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100 (€90) in the hugely influential Whisky Advocate magazine. The Islay Distillery’s unorthodox expression, Ardbeg Ten Years Old, was lauded for its exceptional quality and value, with Ardbeg expressions taking the top three spots in Whisky Advocate’s analysis.

The top of the single malt Scotch category is dominated by Ardbeg, the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay single malt. Ardbeg Ten Years Old took third place, with a rating of 93. Whisky Advocate praised its “powerful peat smoke” and “thick, oily palate”.

Drink Awards.

Jack Ryan Whiskey Marking the centenary of the birth of their inimitable father, Jack, the Ryan family of the Beggars Bush Pub, Haddington Road, Dublin, have released a Limited Edition 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt.

The Centenary Jack Ryan 15 Year Old Single Malt is the latest addition to what is a growing portfolio of premium whiskeys, expertly commissioned, from this independent and awardwinning brand.

Already the Jack Ryan 12 Year Old Single Malt released in 2013 Jack Ryan Limited Edition 15 Year Old has gained distinction, Single Malt from the Ryan family of winning the Best Single Beggars Bush.

Malt 12 Year Old and Under at the 2014 Irish Whiskey Awards.

Matured in Bourbon casks, the Centenary Jack Ryan 15 Year Old Single Malt has a production run limited to 500 bottles worldwide, the first 100 of which are being made available exclusively to the Irish market this month.

The multi-award winning Ardbeg brand of Scotch whisky from Edward Dillon & Co.

The praise from Whisky Advocate is the latest in a series of accolades for Ardbeg, which was voted Scotch Whisky of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and named World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2013.

“Ardbeg’s exceptional quality is a source of pride for the team at the Distillery,” noted Michael Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager. “We are committed to ensuring that whether someone is part of Ardbeg’s loyal following, the Committee, or are trying Ardbeg for the first time, people can always enjoy a dram of Ardbeg – the Ultimate Islay Malt.”

Ardbeg is available in all leading Irish Independents and retails at an RRP of €64.99.

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits Northern Ireland’s RubyBlue Irish Potato Vodka was recently awarded a silver medal at the prestigious New York World Wine and Spirits Competition.

The small batch vodka, which is produced by Hughes Craft Distillery at Lisburn in county Antrim, was launched in May by the company, which also produces RubyBlue berry liqueur.

“Winning a silver medal at the first attempt in such a prestigious international competition RubyBlue Irish Potato Vodka, small is quite an achievement batch vodka, produced by Hughes and is also a tremendous Craft Distillery at Lisburn in county boost for our small batch Antrim. vodka in the global marketplace,” said Barbara Hughes, Commercial Director of Hughes Craft Distillery, who runs the craft distillery with husband Stuart, the Managing Director of the small enterprise.

Dingle Whiskey After three years of careful maturation on the Corca Dhuibhne coast, the first public samples of Dingle Whiskey are just about ready to be pulled from cask and ready for bottling just in time for Christmas. Using Irish barley, Irish mash bills, and three small pot stills hand designed

Win

by legendary distiller John McDougall, the Dingle distillery aims to make both artisan single malt and single pot still expressions – the first of which is finally ready to call itself whiskey.

The Dingle Distillery, which also distills artisan vodka and gin, is part of The Porterhouse Brewing Company, which opened Ireland’s first brewpub in 1996 and led the early vanguard charge of The Dingle Distillery will have its first bottles of Ireland’s Dingle Whiskey available in time for Christmas. flourishing craft brewery movement.

The Dingle Distillery’s limited edition whiskey has an RSP of €350. See www.dingledistillery.ie for more information.

Findlater Wine & Spirit Group The only Irish whiskey matured in a mix of four different casks, the Tullamore DEW 10 Year Old Single Malt (€44.99) is finished in old bourbon, dry oloroso sherry, and port and Madeira casks. Ageing gives a glorious kaleidoscope of Christmas cake flavours: dried fruits, a hint of raisin and even figs at the end. Tullamore DEW 10 Year Old Single Malt is available this Christmas in a quality gift box.

Win a €100 One4all Gift Card

Win

and One4all are offering you the chance to win a €100 One4all Gift Card just in time for Christmas!

If you would like to stock One4all Gift Cards in your store please call the PostPoint helpdesk on 1890 20 42 20.

To be in with a chance of winning a €100 One4all Online Gift Card please answer the following question and send, together with your name, address and telephone number, on a postcard to POSTPOINT COMPETITION, Retail News, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 or email your details and correct answer to: info@retailnews.ie

With PostPoint, you can offer your customers:

A. Mobile Phone Top Ups B. BillPay C. One4all Gift Cards D. All of the above

Closing date: 10th December 2015. Terms and conditions apply. Judges decision is final. No cash alternative given.

50|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Wine

The Vine Inspiration Jean Smullen highlights the ‘must stock’ wines for the festive season.

AS the trade gears up for the busy pre-Christmas selling season, there is more optimism than in recent years. The number of wine events, wine fairs and consumer wine events taking place this autumn prove that once again, those working in the Irish wine industry have put the focus back on encouraging the wine customer to trade up. There was no duty increase in the 2016 budget, which is also important and to be welcomed, although wine excise in Ireland remains prohibitively high.

As the industry gears up for the most important trading period of the year, it’s time to take a look at some of the offers and promotions available in the run up to Christmas.

Barry & Fitzwilliam The NOffLA Gold Star Awards were announced in early October (see story on Page 70) and this year the Award Winning Champagne was awarded to Piper Heidsieck NV, which was voted best Champagne under €60 as part of the Gold Star collection.

The McGuigan Frizzante NV was a Silver Award winner in this year’s Gold Star Awards, for best Sparkling Wine Champagne under €25, though it currently retails at

€10 - €14. McGuigan have just launched this brand new style of sparkling wine, the McGuigan Frizzante, which aims to compete with Prosecco. Recognising that globally, the sparkling market has moved from a treat to an everyday drink, the McGuigan family has produced a low alcohol sparkling wine, made from the Semillon grape to meet growing consumer demand for sparkling wine. An ideal Christmas celebratory drink, McGuigan Frizzante will be backed up with a radio campaign: “Like Prosecco, Love McGuigan Frizzante”.

McGuigan wines continue to outperform the market, and according to a recent report, McGuigan is now the number one wine brand in the off trade. The Black Label range comprises of a Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Rosé. The range will have strong above the line marketing support for the winter, particularly on TV and radio, with a major emphasis on Neil McGuigan’s IWC award, where he was named the Best White Winemaker in the world for the third time.

Michael Barry, MD of Barry & Fitzwilliam, claims that they now have probably the most successful prestigious French wines on the market when you take account of the

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Christmas Stocking: Wine success of Michel Lynch, Guigal and the Gabriel Meffre range, which includes La Chasse du Pape.

Faiveley Burgundy Wines, Jolivet Loire Wines and Preiss-Zimmer Alsace wines complete what is now an outstanding portfolio of French wine.

Finca La Linda and Luigi Bosca Argentinean Wines have been added to their range and are amongst the finest producers of top class Argentinean wines, according to Michael Barry.

Mont Gras, a former ‘Chilean Producer of the Year’, continues to grow strongly, and B&F will be offering activity across the full range from entry level blends to the excellent Reserva Range. The Soleus range of Organic Wine produced

by Mont Gras is also going from strength to strength.

From the same country, Casa Silva is amongst the finest producers of top class premium Chilean wines, maintains Michael Barry.

A family owned winery, Villa Maria has been New Zealand’s leading wine award winner, both nationally and internationally since the early An ideal Christmas 1980s. The celebratory drink, repositioning McGuigan Frizzante of the Private will be backed up with Bin Range a radio campaign: has seen sales “Like Prosecco, Love surge recently.

McGuigan Frizzante”.

Villa Maria is now the number one New Zealand wine brand on the market.

Barry & Fitzwilliam have a very strong line up in the fortified wine sector. The company represents Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry, Croft Original Sherry, Tio Pepe Sherry and Cockburn’s. It is not overstating it when Michael Barry says that “they are very much the category captains of this sector” and are looking forward to a fortified Christmas.

Cockburn’s Port was set up in 1815

by Scotsman Robert Cockburn and his brother John. Today it is owned and run by the Symington family, who this year celebrate the bi-centenary with the launch of special edition gift tins.

C&C Gleeson retail customers on a ‘Buy 3 get one free’ basis, which generates an impressive margin offer. With Cava likely to be more in fashion this Christmas, this generous offer is worth taking up. Their Maschio dei Cavalieri Prosecco Spumante, with an RSP offer of €17.99, will also sell well and offers a good return.

From their still wine range, look out for 2012 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône (RSP €12.99) and another wine of the moment, their Spanish classic, the 2013 Raimat Abadia Chardonnay Albarino (RSP €12.99), Codorniu Cava Brut is on offer to C&C Gleeson retail which is also customers on a ‘Buy 3 get available on one free’ basis. a on a ‘buy 3, get one free’ basis to retail customers.

C&C Gleeson will also have a number of their classic wine range on offer this Christmas, including 2010 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, Rioja (RSP €18.99), 2013 Trimbach Alsace Pinot Blanc (RSP €13.99); 2013 Joseph Trimbach Alsace Pinot Drouhin Mâcon-Lugny (RSP €13.99) Blanc, a classic wine and 2013 Hunter’s Sauvignon Blanc, from C&C Gleeson, on offer for €13.99 this Marlborough (RSP €16.99) from New festive season.

Zealand’s greatest ever vintage.

Edward Dillon & Co. This Christmas, Moët & Chandon presents a limited edition collection, So Bubbly.

The So Bubbly limited edition includes a bottle of Moët & Chandon’s iconic Moët Impérial Champagne. For the first time ever, Moët & Chandon has elegantly deconstructed the Maison’s label on the bottle amongst a cluster of golden C&C Gleeson bubbles. Each bubble captures an element of the logo, C&C Gleeson are offering their sharing Moët & Chandon’s abundant celebration spirit, Laurent-Perrier Brut NV for a special bringing it to the holiday table. case price, which equates to an RSP of The So Bubbly gift box features an opulent design on its €45 for this sought after Champagne exterior, making it an effortlessly chic and glamorous gift, house. The Louis Bouillot Cremant while the limited edition So Bubbly gift bag is an elegant, de Bourgogne is also on offer, with an Laurent-Perrier Brut NV mirrored gift bag with black lace handles, showcasing the So RSP of €21.99, both offering a generous is available for a special Bubbly bottle to perfection. A great addition to a memorable retail margin. seasonal celebration, the So Bubble gift bag and gift box offer price of €45 for the Christmas season. (€50.49) are available in all leading independents.

Codorniu Cava Brut is on offer to

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Christmas Stocking: Wine Veuve Clicquot has unveiled its latest limited edition gift box, Veuve Clicquot Ready to Gift by Tsé Tsé, just in time for the festive period. One of the brand’s most striking gift boxes to date, Ready to Gift

by Tsé Tsé was designed

by Parisian designers, Catherine Levy and Sigolène Prébois, renowned for their unique design style.

Inspired by Parisian dancers from the beginning of the nineteenth century, Veuve Clicquot Ready to Gift by Tsé Tsé (RSP €55.69) plays homage to the era with costume details including both sequins and feathers featured in the design. The gift box encloses a bottle of the exquisite Veuve Clicquot Brut NV Yellow Label, an elegant champagne that truly is the epitome of Veuve Clicquot style. Dominated by Pinot Noir, Veuve Clicquot has a firm structure, rounded with a touch of Pinot Moët & Chandon presents Meunier. a limited edition collection, So Bubbly gift bag, featuring 2015 is a very special the iconic Moët Impérial year for Hennessy as it Champagne. marks its 250th anniversary across the world. This Christmas, consumers can enjoy Hennessy’s collection of timeless cognacs and celebrate this milestone with a luxurious limited edition Hennessy X.O, Hennessy Fine de

Veuve Clicquot Ready to Gift by Tsé Tsé was designed by Parisian designers, Catherine Levy and Sigolène Prébois.

Cognac gift box and Hennessy V.S gift; the perfect blend of tradition and craftsmanship.

Designer Tom Dixon unveils the last opus of his three year collaboration with Hennessy X.O, the Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection (RSP €144.59), especially this festive season.

The Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection from designer Tom Dixon has an RSP of €144.59.

Hennessy presents a limited edition Fine de Cognac gift box (RSP €48.29), covered in an intricate leather pattern in the Fine de Cognac signature grey, complete with bright orange overstitching and a large thick handle.

For Christmas 2015, Hennessy is also delighted to present the Hennessy V.S gift box (RSP €35.49), Hennessy V.S two glass gift box and V.S.O.P gift box (both RSP €36.49). The Hennessy V.S gift box encases the iconic Hennessy V.S in an eye-catching limited edition box. Through a play of perception, this new gift box reveals either a gold cup or a black bottle silhouette.

Hennessy also offers the Hennessy V.S glass gift pack in the Hennessy V.S Christmas gift collection. This luxurious gift pack contains a bottle of Hennessy V.S, two branded glasses and two delicious cocktail recipe ideas to try over the festive season. The V.S.O.P gift box includes a V.S.O.P 5cl miniature.

The 2007 Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva from Febvre & Co. is available with a gift canister at a special Christmas price of €19.99.

Febvre & Co. Febvre & Co. will be highlighting Rioja this Christmas and will be highlighting their 2007 Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva, which is available with a gift canister at a special Christmas Offer RSP of €19.99, down from its usual €32.99. The aged Rioja style is

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Christmas Stocking: Wine one to recommend as a good match for turkey, as the soft wine style complements red and white meat.

Febvre are also highlighting their NOffLA Gold Star Winner in the under €20 New World Red category, the 2012 d’Arenberg d’Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache McLaren Vale, from Australia. This wine will be on Special Christmas Offer at €18.99, down from €25.99. Febvre also won a NOfflLA Silver Star in the Under €15 Old World Wine category for their 2014 Les Fumes Blanches Sauvignon Blanc, with a Christmas Price offer of €12.99 down from €15.99.

Findlater Wine & Spirit Group To celebrate the release of the new James Bond film, Spectre, Bollinger, have released an impressive, limited edition gift set (RSP €160). Containing a bottle of the rare 2009 vintage, which will only be available exclusively in this edition, the speciallycommissioned box is made entirely of metal but rendered in such a way to make it feel like the fabric of a wellmade tuxedo, the ‘uniform’ of choice of the world’s best spy. The metal, The 2012 d’Arenberg textural case also doubles-up as a d’Arrys Original bottle cooler, keeping the elusive 2009 Shiraz Grenache vintage chilled for up to two hours. from Australia was The Bollinger James Bond Spectre a NOffLA Gold Star Crystal Set, meanwhile, includes a Winner in the under mouth-blown Saint-Louis crystal bowl, €20 New World Red category. which houses a magnum of Bollinger R.D. 1988. Limited to 307 pieces worldwide, Ireland has only one unit, available exclusively in Brown Thomas Dublin for €5,007.

Cono Sur is widely known as one of the best Pinot Noir

Bollinger continues its association with James Bond with the the release of a limited edition gift set to celebrate the new Bond movie, Spectre.

The Bollinger James Bond Spectre Crystal Set: the only one in Ireland is available for €5,007 from Brown Thomas Dublin.

producers in Chile, and 20 Barrels was a result of their vision to produce Chile’s first ultra-premium Pinot. It’s an elegant, voluptuous Pinot with complex cherry, strawberry, raspberry and plum, mingling with leather and a touch of smoke. This is a truly sophisticated wine, the result of New World fruit vinified in the traditional Burgundy style (RSP €28.99).

Cono Sur Sparkling Brut is made from the world-famous pairing of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The bottle is known for its flamboyant style, which this Christmas will be packaged in an understated, minimalist gift box.

Cava sales are on the increase as customers become

Cono Sur Sparkling Brut is available for Christmas in an understated, minimalist gift box.

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Christmas Stocking: Wine

Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port is aged in oak, resulting in that distinctive tawny colour.

From Burgundy, the hugely popular Louis Jadot’s Couvent de Jacobins Bourgogne Chardonnay.

more aware of the value and complexity this Spanish sparkling wine style offers. If you haven’t seen Segura Viudas Reserva Herdad before, then you’re missing out. One of the most eye-catching bottles, it has real pewter embellishments.

This Cava is aged on the lees for 30 months to add richness.

White Burgundy will be the wine of choice for many this Christmas and Louis Jadot’s Couvent de Jacobins Bourgogne Chardonnay (RSP €19.99) was voted NOffLA’s Best White Wine of 2014/15.

Torres have recently released their Pazo das Bruxas here, a 100% Albariño, which displays intense aromatics such as green apple and lemon peel over a lively and refreshing palate (RSP €16.99).

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines can be made with any proportion of up to 13 grape varieties, but Chapoutier’s La Bernardine is a more pure expression, only using mostly Grenache, with a dollop of Syrah and Mourvèdre (RSP €34.99).

Graham’s have an excellent collection of aged Tawny Ports available in Ireland - 10, 20, 30 & 40 year olds - each providing rich, nutty, dried fruit flavours with varying degrees of complexity, depending on the age of the wine.

This Christmas, each of the Tawny Port range will also be available in elegant gift tubes.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard This Christmas, the focus from Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard will be on Jacob’s Creek Sparkling. One of the best value new world sparkling wines on the market, this iconic Australian wine brand is a must stock. In terms of the Jacob’s Creek still wine range, the focus this year is on two varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. These wines will be on offer at various times before Christmas 2015 and will be highlighted in-store with merchandising units.

Watch out too for offers on Sandeman 3 Star and 5 Star Port. This is the time of year when fortified wine sales come into their own. The Sandeman 3 Star range is well known to the Irish consumer: a reliable ruby port, it has a loyal following and is worth stocking at this time of year.

The Sandeman 3 Star Ruby will be on offer, along with the Sandeman 5 Star, their great value Tawny port, in the runup to Christmas.

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Pinot Noir is one of the best value new world sparkling wines on the market.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard will have offers on Sandeman 3 Star Ruby Port and Sandeman 5 Star Tawny Port this festive season.

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Cigarettes and Tobacco Products

New Launches Light Up Tobacco Market A host of new product developments help to ensure Irish adult smokers have the biggest choice when it comes to picking the brand they want.

THE 50c excise hike on cigarettes, which came into effect after last month’s Budget, has been broadly condemned by retailer representative groups. “At a time when black market activity continues to pose a significant threat to legitimate retailers, such an increase without any further deterrent measures will only continue to incentivise such activity,” argued Retail Ireland Director, Thomas Burke.

Chief Executive of the CSNA, Vincent Jennings predicted that it “will undoubtedly provide extra custom to the illicit trade”. The CSNA were also concerned that the Minister did not take the opportunity to restrict the Personal Allowance for travellers bringing tobacco into the State.

The general consensus is that the price increase will push more consumers into the illicit trade, where cigarettes are still available for a fraction of the cost that legitimate retailers are required legally to charge.

JTI Ireland General Manager, Igor Dzaja, said: “We know that steep excise increases such as this stimulate the illegal trade. Yet every year we see the Government being pushed to introduce these policies without any assessment of their impact and negative consequences. These excessive annual tax hikes continue to create fertile ground for the

black market, so rather than raising revenues, it is playing into the hands of criminal smugglers.”

Dzaja noted how in the last two months alone, Revenue’s efforts led to 15 seizures of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco, totalling almost 14m cigarettes and 250kg of loose tobacco.

“These figures should leave nobody in any doubt that the illegal tobacco trade continues to be a serious problem in Ireland, with criminals benefitting from the State’s losses,” he said.

Meanwhile, 2016 should be a watershed year for tobacco sales in Ireland and the UK, with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling on the plain packaging of tobacco and cigarette products expected early in the new year.

The case that is currently before the CJEU concerns the EU Tobacco Products Directive and was referred by the High Court of England and Wales in November 2014 and the CJEU is expected to deliver its decision in early 2016.

The CJEU decision will bind all Member States and will be critically relevant to the entitlement of EU Member States to legislate for plain packaging.

Some of Ireland’s biggest tobacco companies, have also

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Cigarettes and Tobacco Products initiated separate legal challenges to the Government’s plain packaging legislation following its enactment in March.

The tobacco brand owners maintain that, irrespective of this specific challenge to the right of Ireland to enact or commence plain packaging under EU law, plain packaging itself is unlawful as it would infringe important principles of law and other fundamental rights – including trade mark rights – and go against obligations under WTO rules.

Strict new EU tobacco regulations are scheduled to come in to force across all Member States in May 2016, so retailers are sure to be watching this sector with baited breath.

Amber Leaf Ireland’s biggest Roll Yout Own (RYO) brand welcomed its newest addition this month with the launch of Amber Leaf 9g CPB from JTI Ireland.

Amber Leaf is the number one RYO brand in the Irish market with 70% SOM (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scan Track, RYO SOM, Latest 4 weeks to 04/10/15).

The launch of a new 9g CPB format is driven by the demand from existing RYO smokers for smaller pack formats at competitive price points.

The CPB is the most preferred RYO format New Amber Leaf 9g CPB, the latest in the Irish market, addition to the hugely popular accounting for over 50% Amber Leaf RYO portfolio. industry SOM (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scan Track, RYO SOM, Latest 4 weeks to 04/10/15).

With an RRP of €4.70, Amber Leaf 9g CPB contains 9g of quality Amber Leaf rolling Tobacco, 30 Extra Slim Filters and 50 medium weight Rolling Papers.

Mayfair King Size Plus JTI Ireland recently introduced Mayfair King Size Plus: Original Mayfair + freshness on demand. In Ireland alone, the flavour on demand segment has experienced over 500% volume growth in the last two years (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scantrack, FOD Sector Market Share: MAT 1.3% SOM 09/2013 vs MAT 8.5% SOM 09/2015), and now accounts for 9.7% share of market (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scantrack, Cigarette Volume Share, 04 WE 06/09/2015).

Meanwhile, Mayfair New from JTI Ireland: Mayfair continues to be the King Size Plus: Original Mayfair + market’s fastest growing freshness on demand. cigarette brand (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scantrack, YTD 06/09/2015). Priced

Dealing with the Tobacco Products Directive Preparation is key to managing the transition to the new rules, says JTI Ireland Sales Director, Derek Mooney.

FROM May 20, 2016, rules introduced by the new Tobacco Products Directive (TPD2) come into effect and will impact every country in the EU. Although TPD2 comes into effect in Ireland on May 20, 2016, full on shelf implementation is one year later.

This means that from May 20, 2017, only tobacco products that are compliant with TPD2 can be sold.

These new regulations will Derek Mooney, JTI Sales Director. change the way packs look and introduce minimum pouch sizes of 30g for loose tobacco, among other changes. JTI will continue to work closely with our trade partners to minimise any disruption during this period of transition.

Here is an outline of some of the main changes: • The minimum RYO pouch size will increase to 30g.

• Pictorial Health Warnings will cover 65% of the front and back of RMC packs, while Textual Health Warnings will cover 50% of the side of packs. RYO pouches will feature similar health warnings.

• Restrictions on descriptors (e.g. smooth, additive free) will mean that the names of some brand variants will change.

• Tar, Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide (TNCO) information will no longer be required or permitted on packaging.

• New restrictions on flavours will be introduced.

It is important to remember that while the packaging may change, JTI’s commitment to product quality will remain as strong as ever, and we will assist retailers in any way we can to manage the changeover to the new rules. Inevitably, there will be some degree of confusion among consumers following changes such as TPD2, so preparation is key. For example, RYO smokers may want to know why their preferred pouch size is no longer available, while others may wonder why the name of their chosen brand has changed.

We would encourage retailers to raise any questions they may have on TPD2 with their JTI sales representative, who will talk through the changes in more detail. The new regulations will bring big changes, but with a little preparation the transition will be manageable and JTI is here to help however we can.

NEW FROM

IRELAND’S NO.1RYO BRAND

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*Nielsen, Extended Scan Track, 70% SOM, Latest 4 weeks to 4th October 15 CPB - Crush Proof Box This advertisement is for Tobacco retailers only and should not be made available to the public nor should it be displayed in any area where it is visible to the public.

60|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Cigarettes and Tobacco Products at €9.00, Mayfair King Size Plus is the new full flavour, menthol capsule product from Ireland’s favourite value brand (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scantrack, 44.4% Value Sector Volume Share, YTD 06/09/2015). Mayfair – a modern expression of quality.

John Player John Player have some exciting changes within the JPS portfolio this winter. “As well as a dynamic new look for the JPS brand, we are launching JPS Blue for the first time in Ireland!” explains Judith Kinsella; Brand Marketing Executive for John Player.

JPS Blue will be available in King Size 20s, 100s, Big Box 24s and Big Box 29s and will replace JPS Black KS & 100s in the portfolio.

The value segment continues to grow and now accounts for over 21.4% of total FMC (Factory Made Cigarette) sales.

JPS Blue Big Box 24s and Big Box 29s should prove hugely popular in Ireland, as consumers embrace big box formats.

range, which will come on stream in November,” Kinsella reveals.

“JPS Red Tobacco 10g will be replaced by JPS Blue Tobacco 9g and JPS Silver Tobacco 10g will be replaced by JPS Silver 9g and we are reintroducing 20g pack sizes in both Blue and Silver. The range will be further invigorated by moving to a specialised blend of tobacco, formulated to be perfectly suited for both rolling and tubing. With keen price points of €4.00 for 9g and €8.70 for 20g, plus the inclusion of papers, the range will offer the best value tobacco products on the market. JPS Tobacco will have the same new, contemporary look and feel as the JPS cigarette range, resulting in range uniformity across the brand.”

Launching for the first time in Ireland, the JPS Blue portfolio includes King Size 20s and JPS Blue 100s.

The JPS family’s share of FMC has grown by 24.5% year-onyear. JPS currently accounts for 16.3% of the value segment, which is an increase of 20% year-on-year. JPS Red Big Box alone makes up 5.3% share of the Value segment (Source: Nielsen Data, MAT to 04/10/15).

Consumers continue to seek more value and Big Box formats are also gaining momentum, their share of FMC showing an increase of 34% year-on-year. JPS Red Big Box currently accounts for a massive 68.5% share of the value for money big box packs currently on the market (Source: Nielsen Data, MAT to 04/10/15).

Recently, we have seen the introduction of several ‘Bigger Box’ formats (29s & 30s) to the market. These pack sizes are gaining popularity with adult consumers and they currently account for 16.3% of Big Box sales (Source: Nielsen Data, MAT to 04/10/15).

The launch of an additional two big box packs within the JPS range, JPS Blue 24s at €9.80 and JPS Blue 29s at €12.00, will ensure that retailers can continue to offer their customers plenty of choice on pack size and price within the value segment.

JPS Silver 20s & 100s will also change from an American blend to a Virginia blend. This reflects the taste preferences of 83.9% of the Irish market (Source: Nielsen Data, MAT to 04/10/15). “The pack colour will also change from silver to white and silver to better represent the ‘smooth’ flavour of the product,” notes Judith Kinsella.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to tell you about some related changes to our JPS fine cut tobacco

Pall Mall Since its launch in 2008, the Pall Mall brand from PJ Carroll has been synonymous with innovation in Ireland.

Currently ranked in the top five global cigarette brands (Source: ACNielsen), Pall Mall offers adult smokers a range of choice. It is available in three different tar strengths: Red in 10mg, Blue in 7mg and Silver in 4mg.

Pall Mall is the only brand with a menthol Pall Mall Red Kingsize 24s, the capsule across its entire first big pack with a capsule to be range. Each cigarette launched on the Irish market. allows adult smokers to choose between their regular Pall Mall taste or, by simply clicking the filter, they can release a subtle fresh taste. Since 2013, the capsule segment has grown dramatically in Ireland and currently has 9.30% share (Source: EPOS Share P9 2015). Pall Mall Kingsize and 100s are currently available at €9.00 RRP for 20 cigarettes.

The latest edition to the brand family is Pall Mall Red Kingsize 24s. At €10.50 RRP, it is the only big pack with a capsule on the market at the time of printing. Share of big pack in the Irish market is growing month on month. The segment is up 3.47% on the SPLY (Source: EPOS Share P9 2015).

For more information on Pall Mall or other P.J.Carroll tobacco products, contact their telemarketing department on (01) 2052345.

62|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Cigarettes and Tobacco Products The BIC Effect

BIC is Ireland’s leading branded pocket lighter manufacturer, selling six million lighters worldwide every day. BIC has grown to establish itself as the industry leader in what is an increasingly competitive space through commitment to retailers and dedication to providing bestin-class products for a wide variety of consumers.

Market trends are constantly in transition and BIC recognises that this has a knock-on effect on the changing habits of the Irish consumer. Recent figures highlighting the steady growth of cigar sales across Ireland and the UK, following a brief dip in the market due to the economic downturn, indicate that Irish adult cigar smokers now value variety, choice and price more than ever (Source: Research and Markets: Global Cigar Market: Trends & Opportunities, 2014-2018). As a result, BIC aims to provide its retail partners with unrivalled consistency and quality, ultimately ensuring that despite the changing habits of Irish consumers, BIC products remain easy to stock and sell.

BIC offers a wide variety of lighter designs and décors, each specifically created to suit the needs and preferences of a broad spectrum of consumers. This suite includes a series of bespoke Irish designs, showcasing some of the country’s most iconic symbols and visuals, along with the female-focused ‘Miss BIC’ range, as well as a multitude of colours and sizes to suit every preference.

Combining this wide product range with impactful

in-store displays and unique designs, BIC offers a marketleading product which stands out, appeals to everyone, everywhere and can guarantee to drive your rate of sale.

In addition to its marketleading pocket lighters, BIC also boasts the BIC Megalighter range, a useful household essential which can be used in lighting household fires, candles and barbecues.

BIC offers a wide variety of lighter designs and décors, including a series of bespoke Irish designs, showcasing some of the country’s most iconic symbols and visuals.

Derrymore Woods in Bessbrook, Co Armagh.

natural & pure

Northern Ireland’s quality, award-winning food is enjoyed in over 70 countries worldwide.

Northern Ireland is known for its outstanding natural beauty and as a great place to visit. The land is rich and productive too.

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

Our dairy, bakery, meat, fish, poultry and vegetables are exported to over 70 countries worldwide.

Hungry for more?

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

www.buynifood.com

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Energy Efficiency

Energia Powers Ahead on Energy Efficiency

Cash for Kilowatts is an energy efficiency funding scheme from Energia that gives retailers up to 30% of the cost of energy saving projects.

AS a leading provider of energy to thousands of Irish retailers, Energia know that controlling costs is the sector is vital. Identifying where your business can save energy is a good place to start.

For example, switching the lighting in your premises from conventional fluorescent lighting to LED’s can reduce your lighting costs by up to 75%. Although the savings can be substantial, it can be a costly exercise in the short term to implement.

Up to 30% Funding Energia have an energy efficiency funding scheme, Cash for Kilowatts, that gives retailers up to 30% of the cost of the project. Replacing lighting, upgrading heating systems and refrigeration, variable speed drives and air compressors are all part of the funding scheme.

Energia will also provide expertise on and assistance with the implementation of projects. Whether you are implementing the project yourself or you require input from their carefully selected group of partners, Energia can help to get your project underway with safety and quality at the core.

‘Win Win’ for Retailers Not only will your business benefit from the funding provided by Energia but the additional cost savings from the reduction in energy usage means that these projects can literally pay for themselves.

It’s ‘win win’, as you save on the cost of implementation and save substantially on your energy bill.

Examples of the typical savings that can be achieved include: • Lighting: reduce your lighting costs by up to 75% by switching to LED.

•

•

Heating: installing modern heating controls can save at least 25% of annual fuel costs.

Refrigeration: upgrading refrigeration can bring savings of up to 30%.

Strong Business Sense Frank Keane BMW on the Naas Road in Dublin and Carroll’s Irish Gifts are just two of the many retailers that have availed of the project funding.

The project at Frank Keane BMW was Mark Bradley, Frank Keane BMW, is part of a major refit pictured with Cormac Mannion, Energy that saw large numbers Services Manager, Energia. of fluorescent tubes and spotlights replaced with energy efficient LED lights.

These changes have reduced their annual electricity use by 85%, cutting their carbon footprint by 39 tonnes of CO2 and generating yearly cost savings of almost €12,500.

“We are delighted with this energy efficiency work by Energia,” noted Mark Bradley, Head of Business, Frank Keane BMW. “It is helping us to significantly reduce our energy usage, which benefits the environment through a big CO2 saving. It also makes strong business sense as we save significant amounts on our energy costs.”

Major Savings Carroll’s Irish Gifts conducted lighting projects at two of their Dublin city centre stores and have reduced their annual electricity use for lighting by 76% as a result of the lighting refits. This means that they’ve shrunk their carbon footprint by 18 tonnes of CO2 each year, generating cost savings of almost €5,800.

“Given how easy the lighting upgrade was to action, the annual cost savings are really significant,” explained Lorcán O’Conner, Property and IT Director, Carroll’s Irish Gifts.

For full details on the new funding scheme from Energia and how you can avail of the scheme, email energyservices@energia.ie or log on to www.energia.ie/funding.

64|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Supply Chain

The Sharing Society?

Collaboration and information sharing are key to the development of the FMCG supply chain. Such was the over-arching message from ECR Ireland’s Supply Chain Summit.

THE third ECR Ireland Supply Chain Summit took place on October 21 with the theme, “driving growth through supply chain excellence”: as the recovery of the economy continues, ‘growth’ is something everyone is seeking to achieve.

David Berry, Commercial Director of Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, highlighted some important trends for manufacturers, distributors and retailers operating in Ireland to keep an eye on.

In particular, the areas of vouchering, loyalty, premiumisation and size of shopping trip.

An increased use of vouchers by Irish consumers has been driven primarily by Dunnes Stores, through strong successive seasonal campaigns. The positive reaction by Irish consumers to voucher driven shopping has seen a slight rise in retailer loyalty, up to 34.9% from a figure of about 32% since 2011. Kantar respondents also displayed a modest increase in the size of the shop, with shopping trips costing €50-€100 up by 4%, while trips of €2550 decreased by 2%. In addition to slightly larger shopping trip spend, Kantar also identified an increase in purchases of higher end, premium products, with sales of items costing more than €5 increasing by a modest, but positive, 2%.

The Logistics Perspective Mark Parsons, Chief Customer Officer with DHL, offered a third party logistics (3pl) perspective of the supply chain. DHL is one of the World’s leading 3pl companies and Parsons’ presentation echoed an emerging theme in supply chain standards. He explained that while the fundamental reasons for logistics (moving goods from point A to point B) is still integral to the supply chain, the transfer of associated information has become as important. Technology has made the sharing of information as important as the movement of the actual product.

DHL has seen the strong fragmentation in areas of responsibility in Ireland between manufacturers, distributors and retailers begin to diminish. The approach of ‘getting goods to market’, rather than moving items from A, to B, to C in isolation is becoming more common here. According to Parsons, the key to the supply chain now is information, who has it, how it is shared and how all members of the supply chain can collaborate to create new value.

The Power of Collaboration Richard Brown, OSA Manager, Wrigley UK, treated his audience to a fascinating presentation on how changes in technology, work processes and even product display cases have helped Wrigley’s and Tesco UK record significant decreases in chewing gum theft.

Pilferage, as well as other unnoticed shrinkage, can create ghost or phantom stock.

ECR Ireland General Manager, Declan Carolan presents Tony Harris, Supply Chain Innovation Manager at Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, with the ECR Supply Chain Award 2015

David Berry, Commercial Director, Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, and Denise Geraghty, Mars Ireland.

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Supply Chain Alistair Wright, Channel Manager, Retail Solutions, shared extremely valuable insights on how their collaboration with ASDA in the UK on stock accuracy and OSA has delivered Stg£25m in sales by eliminating stock errors and ensuring goods were always on shelf.

The presentations were concluded by Chris Sellicks, Customer Supply Chain Manager, Nestlé Ireland. As a global organisation shifting one billion units of product every day, Nestlé know how to sell and take the notion of on-shelf availability (OSA) very seriously. In keeping with the themes of the day, Nestlé are looking to use technology and collaboration with retailers to ensure continuous OSA, to deliver a superior brand experience and a sale, every time the opportunity exists.

While the retail recovery in Ireland remains slow, Nestlé Ireland believe that by tackling issues such as on-shelf availability (OSA), they can drive incremental sales growth across the markets in which they operate. Sellicks’ message was this: by keeping a clear focus, accurate and appropriate measurements and by engaging in improved collaboration, Nestlé Ireland see real potential to optimise existing demand in the market.

ECR Ireland Supply Chain Awards Highlighting how attitudes to the supply chain have progressed here, the summit saw presentations from the finalists in the ECR Ireland Supply Chain Awards 2015, including a collaboration between Coca-Cola and Tesco, and a benchmarking and innovation programme from Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland. Glanbia were, unfortunately, unable to attend the event on the day.

Alastair McIlroy, Customer Collaboration Manager with Coca-Cola HBC, explained how the organisation had reached the final of the awards. In Q4 of 2013, full control of all Coca-Cola inventory in Tesco warehouses was handed to the supplier in a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) model. VMI is the process whereby the supplier takes full responsibility for maintaining inventory levels at the buyer’s consumption location, i.e., store. As well as being a lesson in how organisations can trust each other, this process proved especially effective when it came to tackling OSA and promotional activity.

By freely sharing information, the two companies were able to develop very accurate ‘Collaborative Forecasting’, even during promotional activity, allowing Tesco to ensure OSA of the product and that when promotions ended, the retailer was not left with excess stock. According to McIlroy, the real innovations in the supply chain come when organisations are brave enough to consider radical new approaches to the ways things have always been done.

Multiples in the UK are increasingly entering into VMI arrangements and with a service level of 99% for this particular project, we may see more of it here.

Chris Sellicks, Customer Supply Chain Benchmarking Manager, Nestlé Ireland, addresses delegates. may not be a

Pictured are Richard Baird, Wasp Technologies, and Alastair McIlroy, Customer Collaboration Manager with Coca-Cola HBC.

Pictured are Bryan Delaney, General Manager, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard; Sean Connolly, Business Development Manager, Wincanton Ireland; and Eoin Butler, Distribution Centre Manager, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland.

particularly sexy or exciting word, but it can be an incredibly powerful tool, as ably demonstrated by Tony Harris, Supply Chain Innovation Manager at Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (MRPI), who discussed the company’s benchmarking and innovation programme. By looking at international best practice and the experience of other organisations in other markets, MRPI has been able to create roadmap for the organisation that will see fundamental changes introduced.

According to Harris, “This process involved a detailed study of best practice in many markets. With that detailed analysis, we are looking to develop an innovative supply chain model in MRPI, which brings the right product right through the system, especially that last 10 yards, to get it to the right customer at the right time, with the ability to optimise cost and service levels throughout the process.”

MRPI are clearly adopting a forward thinking attitude to the supply chain. The exhaustive research undertaken by this benchmarking exercise has led the organisation to state explicitly that by moving from a logistics to a supply chain model, it will introduce both cost savings and service improvements over the course of the next three years.

Indeed, while the Tesco & Coca Cola VMI was an extremely worthy finalist, MRPI’s Benchmarking and Innovation programme was announced as the ECR Ireland Supply Chain Award winner for 2015.

Conclusion Innovation, technology and collaboration were strong themes for the summit. There is no doubt that our ‘front of house’ activity in grocery retail in this country is some of the most innovative and successful in the world. We may have remained a little more traditional in our attitudes to transport and logistics, but through the efforts of ECR Ireland and organisations of the calibre of those mentioned above, those attitudes are changing fast and delivering real benefits in the process.

66|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF President’s Ball

Bells and Beaus of the Ball

The 2015 IGBF President’s Ball was a huge success and once again proved itself one of the social highlights of the year.

THE biggest names in the Irish FMCG market were out in force for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund President’s Ball, which took place at the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin, on October 17, and once again proved to be one of the social events of the year, while raising much-needed funds for this most worthy of causes.

Current President of Appeals, Noel Keeley Managing Director of Musgrave Wholesale Partners, explained that the theme of this year’s event, Reeling In The Years, was two-fold. “In the first instance, it represents the significant developments in the Irish grocery industry over the past 50 years or so and how our market has evolved to become one of the most modern and competitive in the world,” he

said. “Secondly, tonight is about celebrating and recognising the success that is the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund and paying tribute to the many people who have made that success possible.”

Keeley expressed his delight in following in the footsteps of many well-known names from the grocery trade, from the very first President of Appeals, Feargal Quinn in 1969, to now, as the organisation managed to raise more than €25m in support of colleagues in the grocery industry who, for one reason or another, fell or have fallen on hard times. Keeley described it as “a remarkable achievement” and highlighted the uniqueness of the FMCG industry in taking the time to support less fortunate colleagues in this way.

The President of Appeals thanked all the attendees for their support, and paid particular tribute to the event sponsors, including main sponsors, Aryzta and Mondelez, as well as Unilever, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, Britvic, Kerry Foods, Coman’s Wholesale, Diageo, Molson Coors, Musgrave Group, Bushmills, Green Isle, Johnson Brothers, Largo Foods, Tennant & Ruttle, Boyne Valley Group and Edward Dillon.

Hamper vouchers were sponsored by Valeo Foods, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, Findlater Wine & Spirit Group,

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IGBF President’s Ball Mondelez, Molson Coors, Tennant & Ruttle, Farmbake, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Primeline Sales & Marketing and The Musgrave Group.

There was a superb raffle on the night, with Derek Mooney, Sales Director of JTI, winning the first prize of a luxury Carribbean cruise for two to the value of €5,000, sponsored by Kerry Foods, while other prizes included a €2,000 holiday to Las Vegas, sponsored by Largo Foods, a weekend in Barcelona, sponsored by Molson Coors, and a host of weekend breaks in Ireland, sponsored by Hotel Solutions.

History of the IGBF The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund was founded in 1981 to provide financial relief for persons in need who have been involved in the food and beverage trades, including retail grocers, wholesalers, manufacturers and general suppliers to the industry.

During the past three decades, enormous work has been done to relieve hardship amongst members who have fallen on difficult times because of ill health, death in the family or unemployment. The Fund continues in its efforts to reach more people in need.

The Ball plays a big part in the IGBF’s annual fundraising and this year’s event was instrumental in raising over €82,000.

All photos taken by Clodagh Kilcoyne.

Adam Smart, Take Home Trade Channel Director at Diageo Ireland, and Claire Smart, pictured with Charmaine and Chris Sloan.

Mark Hargadon, Head of Sales, Aryzta Food Solutions; Yolanda Marlowe, and Shane Vaughan, Marketing Manager, Aryzta Food Solutions.

Paul Nimmo Vice Chairman of the IGBF and Senior Trading Controller at Musgrave, and his wife, Carol Nimmo, pictured enjoying the Ball.

Niall Whelan, National Channel Controller, Molson Coors, and his wife Barbara.

Noel Keeley, IGBF President of Appeals and Managing Director of Musgrave Wholesale Partners, and Paul Nimmo Vice Chairman of the IGBF and Senior Trading Controller at Musgrave .

68|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF President’s Ball

IGBF President of Appeals, Noel Keeley, is pictured with Celine Hayes, Sales & Marketing Manager at Couverture Deserts, and Paul Kerrigan, Director of Musgrave MarketPlace.

Cathal Murphy, Brand Manager, Unilever, and Rachel Murphy.

Joe Grennan, Honorary Secretary of the IGBF and his wife, Ann.

Kinga and Darren Payne, Commercial Strategy Manager at Kellogg Company.

Paul Kinch, Sales Director, Boyne Valley Group, and Alison Finnegan, FMI Ltd.

Treasa Flynn, National Account Manager, PJ Carroll; Gareth Thorp and Nicola Maguire, Trade Communications Manager, PJ Carroll.

Julie Goss and Redmond Gavin, Marketing Manager of Coman’s Wholesale and member of the IGBF’s National Executive Committee.

Yvonne and Brian O’Shea, Area Sales Manager, JTI Ireland.

Colette and Donal O’Ciobhain, store owners of SuperValu Swords.

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IGBF President’s Ball

Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods and former IGBF President of Appeals, with his wife Angela.

Noel Keeley, IGBF President of Appeals, and his wife Martha.

Leanne and Peter O’Connor, Project Manager at Stafford Lynch and member of the IGBF’s National Executive Committee.

Colm O’Kane, Head of Sales and Marketing – FMCG, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Grainne O’Brien, Murray Consultants; Eidy Hsu; and Derek Caswell, MD, BR Marketing.

Conor Shalloe, Sales Director, Barry’s Tea, pictured with Ray Farrell, Musgrave.

John Collins, Customer Service and Logistics Manager, Mondelez, and Debbie Collins.

Derek Mooney, Sales Director, JTI Ireland, and former IGBF President of Appeals, pictured with Catherine Bleahene and Donal O’Shea, IGBF Chairman and Sales Director of Nature’s Toyosi Yakub and Afolabi Yisa, Commercial Best.

Finance, Unilever UK and Ireland.

Enjoying the ball are (l-r): Richard Crean, Catherine Halligan, Musgrave Wholesale Partners Ireland; Musgrave MarketPlace Director, Paul Kerrigan; Liz Kerrigan, Cathy O’Neill and Dermot Connolly, Musgrave Wholesale Partners Ireland.

70|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

NOffLA Gold Star Wines

NOffLA Picks Wine Winners Fifteen wines have won Gold Star Wine Awards from the National Off Licence Association.

NOffLA Chairman, Gary O’Donovan.

The 15 winners of the NOffLA Gold Star Wine Awards celebrate.

Pictured are (l-r): Patrick McCarthy, Director of Taserra Wine Merchants, distributors of the Wine of the Year, Ondarre Rioja Reserva; Gary O’Donovan, Chairman of NOffLA; and Robert Smith, Sales Director of Mackenway Distributors, whose Suavia Soave Classico DOC was named White Wine of the Year.

THE National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has awarded Gold Star Wine Awards to 15 wines at SIP 2015. Now in its fifteenth year, these award winners will be available to consumers all over Ireland.

In excess of 600 wines were submitted to the Gold Star Award adjudication panel of NOffLA judges and independent wine writers. Points were awarded on the basis of appearance, smell, taste and value for money, and the winning 15 were selected as the best wines from key suppliers across a number of price categories.

Each of the winning wines will be sold in NOffLA member

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NOffLA Gold Star Wines NOffLA 2015 Gold Star Winners Category

Wine

Vintage

Company

Old World White Under €10 Old World White Under €15 Old World White Under €20 New World White Under €10 New World White Under €15 New World White Under €2 Old World Red Under €10 Old World Red Under €15 Old World Red Under €20 New World Red Under €10 New World Red Under €15

Portuga Vinho Regional Lisboa In Vino Erotico Blanc Suavia Soave Classico D.O.C. Meerestein Chenin / Pinot Grigio Danie De Wet Chardonnay Sur Lie Penfold’s Koonunga Hill Autumn Riesling Lab Vinho Regional Lisboa El Coto Crianza Ondarre Rioja Reserva Lindeman’s Cawarra Shiraz Cabernet Montes Classic Series Colchagua Merlot

2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2014 2014 2011 2010 2014 2013

Taserra Wine Merchants Taserra Wine Merchants Mackenway Distributors Ltd. Ampersand Wines Findlater Wine & Spirit Group Findlater Wine & Spirit Group Taserra Wine Merchants Mackenway Distributors Ltd. Taserra Wine Merchants Findlater Wine & Spirit Group Liberty Wines Ltd.

New World Red Under €20 Rose Under €15

d’Arenberg d’Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache Chivite Gran Feudo Rosé

2012 2014

Febvre & Company Ampersand Wines

Sparkling Wine Under €25 Champagne Under €60 Old World White Under €20

La Marca Prosecco Spumante Piper Heidsieck NV Suavia Soave Classico D.O.C. White Wine of the Year 2015-2016

NV NV 2014

Mackenway Distributors Ltd. Barry & Fitzwilliam Mackenway Distributors Ltd.

Old World Red Under €20

Ondarre Rioja Reserva Wine of the Year 2015-2016

2010

Taserra Wine Merchants

outlets, of which there are more than 315 nationwide. The chosen wines will be recognisable by distinctive Award symbols on each bottle. In the preChristmas period, NOffLA members will promote the Gold Star Awards 20152016 Collection as ideal Christmas gifts, in a variety of special gift packs.

Congratulating the winners, NOffLA Chairman, Gary O’Donovan, explained how this annual event “allows us to celebrate some of the finest products sold by our highly trained members around the country. NOffLA members are committed to excellence both in terms of personal service and the high quality wines we offer.”

Punitive Excise Increases However, O’Donovan warned that NOffLA members are “under serious threat if this tentative economic recovery d’Arenberg d’Arrys Original Shiraz does not reach Grenache from retailers and Febvre & Co., SMEs”. The winner of the New Chairman World Red Under reiterated that €20 category. his members are committed to supporting local communities but argued that the excise increases in Budget 2013 and 2014 prevent them from investing in their local economies, pointing out that since 2008, some 3,000 jobs (35%) have been lost in the sector and 546 offlicences have closed.

In Vino Erotico Blanc from Taserra Wine Merchants: Best Old World White Under €15.

“This Government has committed itself to full employment by 2018 but punitive taxes prevent independent retailers from playing an active part in reaching this goal,” he said. “Currently, Ireland has the highest taxation on wine, with Irish consumers paying 624% more than their European counterparts. Excise duty and employment are intertwined, with our members reporting that they have had to reduce staff due to duty increases.

In a recent survey Penfold’s Montes of our Koonunga Classic Series members, Hill Autumn Colchagua Riesling from 70% said Merlot from Findlater Wine they Liberty Wines: and Spirit would Best New Group: Best take on World Red New World more Under €15.

White Under staff if €15. excise was reduced. A further increase in excise duty would force 16.4% of outlets to close outright, with a further 51% struggling to remain open.”

NOffLA members are highly trained and responsible local retailers that contribute to their communities Barry & through both direct investment and local Fitzwilliam’s employment, O’Donovan concluded: “We are Piper Heidsieck calling on the Government to protect these NV, Best local businesses that underpin communities Champagne all across Ireland.”

Under €60.

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Forecourt Focus: News 250,000 Customers for Maxol’s Sutton Station MAXOL’S very first auto24 service station in the Republic of Ireland celebrated its 250,000th customer, with prizes of hotel breaks, fuel top-ups, car washes and lots of fun activity onsite. The auto24 service station on the Coast Road in Sutton, Dublin 13, has served over a quarter of a million customers in just over a year. Maxol’s Head of Retail and Marketing, Dermot O’Toole was on hand to surprise the 250,000th customer with a €100 fuel voucher and a hotel break at a choice of top hotel destinations in Ireland. “We’re delighted with the success of auto24 Sutton and to be in this position where we can bring an innovative fuel solution to motorists in Ireland,” O’Toole said.

“Aside from reaching this milestone in just over a year, we’ve recently opened our second auto24 at Trinity Street in Wexford, due to customer demand.”

Maxol auto24 Sutton’s 250,000 customer Niamh Farrell, a Malahide local, and two of her children, five-year-old Oisín and eight-year-old, Keela, with Maxol’s Head of Retail and Marketing, Dermot O’Toole .

Esso Takeover Gets Green Light

THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has approved Topaz’s purchase of Esso Ireland’s fuels and convenience business in Ireland.

“In just 10 years, Topaz has successfully taken on and bought out the Irish retail businesses of three of the largest oil companies in the world (Shell, Statoil and now Esso) to create a truly significant and innovative Irish business and a major Irish employer,” noted Topaz Chief Executive, Emmet O’Neill.

Following the acquisition, the Topaz network has 425 service stations, 162 of which will be company owned. The business will has a presence in every county on the island of Ireland, with a turnover of approximately €3.5 billion and approximately 2,000 staff.

Maxol Opens Dundalk Forecourt

THE Maxol Group’s newest service station opened its doors recently at Dublin Road in Dundalk.

Customers were welcomed

by Maxol staff to the vibrant convenience destination which showcases a brand new Maxol MACE store, Moreish café featuring the award-winning Moreish ‘Fresh Food At Maxol’ concept and a spacious forecourt. Situated opposite the Dundalk Institute of Technology, this is the Group’s fifth new site opening in just six months, and its 22nd in two years, as part of its extensive investment and expansion plans in Ireland.

Topaz and Goal Syrian Appeal

GOAL and Topaz have thanked the thousands of people from all over the country who donated over two tonnes of essential items to the charity’s Syrian Appeal.

The items, which were flown out on a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul recently, included bedding, waterproof boots and clothes. Topaz, which was partnered in the initiative by a number of organisations including the daa, Masterlink Logistics and Retail Excellence Ireland, facilitated the collection of the aid items by setting up drop centres at over 300 of its service stations nationwide. Pictured at Dublin Airport are Lynn Drumgoole from REI, Paul Candon, Group Corporate Services Director at Topaz, and Goal CEO Barry Andrews. The general public can still support GOAL’s appeal through its website www.goalglobal.org

Always FRESH MILK

and the SAME BEANS as our coffee shops

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Forecourt Focus: News New Start-Up Boxes Clever

START-UP company worldBOX.ie has signed a distribution deal with Topaz. The Dublin-based delivery service ships to 200 countries worldwide, with boxes ranging from 5kg to 20kg capacity.

“This deal is a terrific boost for a young start-up. The chance to partner with Topaz, one of Ireland’s leading retail brands, will provide worldBOX with an immense level of forecourt visibility and extends our availability beyond online, taking us directly in-store for the first time at dozens of locations in the Dublin area,” said Bernie Kinsella, founder and CEO, worldBOX.ie.

Sean Moriarty, Retail Director, Topaz Energy said “We are an innovative customer service driven business. Adding worldBOX.ie into our offering makes perfect sense, especially in the lead-up to Christmas when shipping to friends and family abroad will be very much in demand.”

For Topaz customers who purchase their worldBOX in-store at a cost of €2.50, boxes will be collected at specific

Tobin’s Top Performance

times of the day to suit them – whether it’s from their home, workplace or hotel and during daytime, evening or the weekends.

Importantly, you know the cost before you decide to ship.

Even better, Bernie Kinsella, founder and CEO of worldBOX. payment is ie, with Sean Moriary, Retail Director, Topaz online at www. Energy, at the announcement of the distribution worldbox.ie and deal. a tracking number allows you to keep tabs on your box’s progress as it travels to its final address.

TOBIN’S Topaz/SPAR Express in Letterkenny has won the National Q Mark Award for Best Forecourt for Hygiene and Food Category for the fifth year in a row. In addition to the Best Forecourt award, Tobins was named the Q Mark for Hygiene and Food Safety overall national winner at the awards ceremony in Dublin recently.

The multi award winning family-run business, which is based on the Port Road in Letterkenny, was established in 1980 and employs 37 people.

In recognition of the outstanding success the Tobins have had under the Topaz brand, they were also awarded the Brand Ambassador Eddie and Annette Tobin are Award at the company’s recent pictured receiving the Topaz Dealer Summit in the Slieve Russel Brand Ambassador Award from Hotel in Cavan.

Topaz Network Development Director Jonathan Diver (left).

Topaz Network Director, Jonathan Diver said: “To win the Forecourt Award for the fifth year in a row is a phenomenal achievement and testament to the extremely high standards they have set. Not only have they achieved those standards; they have maintained them down through the years.

It was fantastic to see their hard work and dedication to excellent service being recognised with the overall award and indeed with our own Brand Ambassador Award.”

Maxol Encourages Customers to Donate Pennies TELEVISION personality and ambassador for Make-AWish, Miriam O’Callaghan, is pictured launching Maxol’s coin collections for the charity, as the national rounding project for 1c and 2c coins commenced.

Maxol encouraged households to empty those jam-jars full of copper coins that most of us rarely use and Miriam O’Callaghan encouraged people to remember that every donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference to the life of a child through Make-AWish.

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

74|Retail News|November 2015|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life THE Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI), the independent self-regulatory body committed to promoting the highest standards of marketing communications, has appointed Orla Twomey as Chief Executive Officer.

Orla, who has over 26 years’ experience working with the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland in a number of positions, has served as Assistant Chief Executive with the ASAI since 2004.

Orla will replace outgoing CEO Frank Goodman, who is retiring after 11 years with the ASAI. DERMOT O’Toole has been appointed to the position of Head of Retail & Marketing at Maxol. Dermot will lead the activities of the field based retail team and assume responsibility for the group’s marketing function. He will have overall responsibility for the control of the day-to-day operation of the retail company-owned network, along with the development of the company’s independent dealer network on an all-Ireland basis. Dermot has extensive sales, marketing and business development experience in FMCG and foodservice environments, including Starbucks and the Irish Dairy Board (Ornua).

WESTMEATH-BASED Mr. Crumb has become the latest Irish company to be stocked in Tesco UK stores. Mr. Crumb has secured a contract to produce a new range of 100g flavoured butter logs for Tesco stores in the UK and Ireland. The range includes three savoury flavours, Garlic & Herb, Red Chilli and Three Peppercorn, and one sweet flavour, Chocolate Chip & Maple Syrup, which will be stocked in 668 Tesco UK stores. “The development of these products has been six months in the making and all of the products have received overwhelmingly positive feedback in customer taste panels. We look forward to working with the Tesco team to bring more exciting flavours to the range including limited editions and seasonal varieties,” said Bernard Coyle, Managing Director of Mr. Crumb, pictured with Sheila Gallagher, Commercial Director at Tesco Ireland.

GLENILEN Farm has launched its new range of Natural Yoghurt & Seeds and Natural Yoghurt Seeds & Fruit.

Incorporating the same great recipe as their 500g Natural unsweetened, plain yoghurt and available in two new variants, ‘Seeds’ and ‘Seeds & Fruit’, the new 500g pots are the perfect way for consumers to enjoy natural yoghurt with the added benefit of a mix of Seeds (Sunflower, Pumpkin, Chia & Poppy Seeds) and Seeds & Fruit (Raisins, Apricots, Pumpkin & Chia Seeds) stirred through. Each pot is priced at €1.99 and consists of creamy, unsweetened, natural live yoghurt with no artificial additives or preservatives.

THE man who can claim to have transformed the fortunes of the humble spud and re-ignited our nation’s love affair with the potato (in its many forms) has won the most sought after award in the marketing industry.

Tom Keogh of Keogh’s was announced as Marketer of the Year 2015 at a ceremony held in Dublin recently. The judging panel felt that his story was a standout in terms of ingenuity and inventiveness, adopting a clever, informed approach to marketing with product innovation and quality at its core. In addition, his clear focus on what customers want (and delivering this) plus the challenge of creating a premium brand in what was originally considered a commodity market are classic examples of a skilled marketer at work. “It’s a real honour to be recognized as best in my field,” said Tom (pictured) “I regard myself as a “Farm-eter” – a marketer who happens to be a farmer. Being the best is at the heart of the philosophy behind Keogh’s. It’s been a great journey so far and there’s much to do.”

LILY’S Tea have a range of brand new Pyramid Teas in new packaging on SuperValu shelves, all selected and blended by Lily and Dom, in sunny Termonfeckin. The new range includes Pure White, Pure Mint, Merry Berry and Earl Grey Rosé. This year, Lily’s Tea have won awards from Great Taste and Blas na hEireann. , THE National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) is saddened to report the death of long serving employee, John Kavanagh. John, who was 83, had been a retail development manager for more than 20 years in the Republic of Ireland, before becoming a recruiter two years ago. He joined the Federation after a long career as a tobacco rep and quickly become a popular figure in shops throughout the Republic. In 2013, John was awarded the Special Services to the Industry Award for his commitment to the NFRN and its members. Paying tribute, NFRN Republic of Ireland Rresident, Peter Steemers said, “We’ll miss John for his joviality, his wickedly witty good humour and his abundance of common sense… Alas, NFRN Ireland won’t be the same without him.”

UNIQUE Media, the Dublin based communications agency, has announced the appointment of Lisa Buckley as Account Director and Niall McHugh as Senior Account Executive.

Unique Media, which has a team of eight, provides a range of services including PR, media training, advertising, digital and social media solutions and event management.

Lisa Buckley has over nine years’ experience in the delivery of memorable and creative communications campaigns across consumer, corporate, voluntary, technology, health and enterprise sectors. Niall McHugh joined the Unique Media team in early 2014 after graduating from DKIT with a BA in Public Relations.

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