OCTOBER 2015
winwithdairy.ie
NDCIreland @NDC_ie
#WinWithDairy
The Irish Quality Food Awards 2015!
Tastes like
A WINNER...
With over 140 awards since May alone, including 29 Irish Quality Food Awards... ...we have Stars in our eyes!
Lidl would like to say a big thank you to all our dedicated suppliers for their tireless efforts to bring top quality food to your table. Enjoy Alcohol Sensibly. Visit Permitted hours of sale of alcohol are Mon - Sat 10.30 - 22.00, Sun 12.30 - 22.00
Choose to live a little
Retail News|October 2015| www.retailnews.ie|3
Contents
News 4
Budgeting for Success BUDGET 2016 has been broadly welcomed by the retail trade as the most consumer-friendly Budget in years. The fact that there is a General Election coming down the line in spring 2016 is, of course, purely coincidental. Political manoeuvring aside, however, Michael Noonan effectively put more money in ordinary people’s pockets, which is great for consumer confidence. Hopefully, this will translate into increased consumer spending, which will benefit the entire economy, with a rising tide lifting all ships, including retail. It wasn’t all good news, however, as the increase in the price of cigarettes will undoubtedly push more consumers into the illicit trade, while the increased minimum wage will impact on some stores, who are already struggling with the high cost of staff. These and other issues are examined in our lead news story (Page 4), where we assess reaction to the Budget from retail representative organisations including RGDATA, the CSNA and Retail Ireland, as well as the National Off Licence Association and other drinks representative bodies. Also in our news section, we report on a new government scheme that promises to help regenerate rural areas (Page 6). Is the €30m Village and Town Renewal Scheme a step in the right direction for rural Ireland or mere tokenism on behalf of the Government? Elsewhere, we talk to Brian Donaldson, General Manager of the Maxol Group, about the changing face of Irish forecourts (Page 18), we reveal the big winners at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards (Page 22) and solicitor Maree Gallagher advises on crisis management (Page 35). Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.
Cautious welcome for Budget 2016; Grocery appointment at Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
The Retail News Interview
Crisis Management
35 Have you got a plan
18 Maxol Group General
in place to manage a crisis or product recall in your business? Solicitor Maree Gallagher advises on the best way to prepare for the worst.
Manager, Brian Donaldson explains how the company has evolved into one of the most progressive forecourt operators in the country.
4
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 5
Tesco Ireland reports sales increase.
6
Can a new Government fund inject life back into rural retail?
7
Barry Group appoints new Sales Director; UK newsagents in row with The Star; Taoiseach opens news hub for INM.
8
Lidl launches ‘new concept’ store in Gorey; SuperValu unveil home and car insurance.
9
BWG Foods announces new plans for Londis; RGDATA launches online training initiative.
10 Tesco returns to
growth; IMRO and PPI join forces.
Costcutter Store of the Year 44 Costcutter Store of the Year Awards saw the top stores countrywide rewarded across a host of categories.
22
ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress
22 The winners of the
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2015 were announced at a glittering ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House.
56
Food & Hospitality Ireland 2015
28 Food & Hospitality
Ireland served up a tasty event at Citywest, with exhibitors reporting brisk trade and visitors impressed by the strong line-up of events.
56 Some of the biggest
names in the Irish grocery sector were amongst the speakers at the ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress 2015, Winning Across Channels.
Gala Annual Conference
32 Gala’s Annual
Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 16 Calorie content
legislation on the way; New €20 banknote coming in November.
Conference saw the progressive retail group investing €300,000 in creating more choice for its shoppers via the new health and wellness strategy, Your Choice with Gala.
On The Vine
64 Jean Smullen reports from Wines From Spain’s 12th annual wine fair and the launch of Barry Group’s exclusive alcohol portfolio.
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
Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. 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.
12 38 48 51 59 60 62 66
Industry News Biscuits Poultry
OTC & Healthcare Market News
Forecourt Focus: News Drinks News Shelf Life
4|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
News
Cautious Welcome For Budget BUDGET 2016 has received a broad thumbs-up from the retail and grocery trade, with most commentators welcoming new measures to put additional money in consumers’ pockets. “Cuts to income tax will boost consumer spending and support job creation. The budget will put more money back into people’s pockets, and further support recovery in the sector,” stressed Retail Ireland Director, Thomas Burke. He noted that the announcement is particularly welcome ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period, which Retail Ireland predict will be the best for Irish retailers in seven years. It is expected that consumers will spend over €4 billion in the month of December, 3.5% ahead of the same period in 2014. “Independent retailers welcome the measures to put extra money in people’s pockets,” said Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA. “We urge them to spend it in a genuine Irish local shop to make sure their local community gets the benefit.” “Retailers will see a number of positives in this Budget as the focus on putting extra money into consumers’ pockets should translate RGDATA Director General, Tara into Buckley. additional expenditure,” agreed Vincent Jennings, CSNA CEO. He went on to note, however, that employers PRSI rates have not been adjusted sufficiently to reduce the significant extra costs that will follow for those employing staff on or near the National Minimum Wage. “There is little doubt that some employees will find their hours reduced as their employers cannot at this point in time increase their wage bill,” he warned. His views were echoed by Retail Ireland, who expressed disappointment at the increase in the minimum wage without any meaningful measures to offset costs for
employers. “The minimum wage increase is premature and will disproportionately impact the retail sector, where labour costs make up a large proportion of the cost base,” Thomas Burke noted. “The reduction in employers PRSI, aimed at offsetting the cost for employers, is simply not enough to encourage the creation of new jobs.” RGDATA welcomed the tax credit for the self employed as “a step in the right direction”, as the organisation has been campaigning for a long time for equal tax treatment for self-employed business owners. The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) also welcomed the decision to narrow the gap in tax credits between the self-employed and PAYE workers. For years, the VFI has been calling for more equality for the self-employed as for too long they have been left out in the cold, noted the VFI, who also welcomed the measures around the reduction in capital gains tax for entrepreneurs. RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley also praised the new measures to encourage electronic transactions, including legal caps on the multilateral interchange fee on debit and credit card transactions, and doubling the transaction limit for contactless payment cards. “These costs need to be kept under close review if we want to encourage
Grocery Appointment at Competition and Consumer Protection Commission THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has engaged the services of Damien Carolan (pictured) to advise the Commission on the grocery industry and in particular in the context of the forthcoming Grocery Regulations. The Grocery Regulations, which are currently being finalised by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, aim to make grocery markets work better by promoting transparency and predictability in the relationships between suppliers and retailers. Damien Carolan has 39 years of direct experience in the grocery industry and extensive knowledge of
commercial relationships between grocery retailers and suppliers. He also has 10 years of experience as an independent consultant in the sector. He will, therefore, bring significant insights into historical, current and potential commercial practices in the grocery sector.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|5
News shopkeepers to accept card payments for low transactions and encourage less cash in society,” Buckley noted. “Encouraging consumers’ use and retailers’ acceptance of electronic transactions over cumbersome and costly cash will save money and time, as Ireland continues its transformation to a cashless society,” agreed Retail Ireland’s Thomas Burke. Not all measures were so popular, however. RGDATA described as “regrettable” the fact that the budget hasn’t Retail Ireland Director, addressed the need for specific Thomas Burke. tax initiatives to assist the regeneration of rural towns and villages. The 50c excise hike on cigarettes has been broadly condemned by retailers. “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 Burke. Vincent Jennings predicted Vincent Jennings, Chief that it “will undoubtedly provide Executive, CSNA. extra custom to the illicit trade”. The CSNA CEO also expressed his concern that the Minister did not take the opportunity to restrict the Personal Allowance for travellers bringing tobacco into the State. 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, Evelyn Jones, Government Affairs Director, NOffLA. with criminals benefitting from the State’s losses,” he said. Drinks representative groups, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) and the VFI both described the government’s decision not to decrease excise duties as a “missed opportunity”. “An excise reduction would have supported consumers,” argued Peter O’Brien, Chair of DIGI. “Irish excise levels are among the highest in the world. We have the third highest rate of excise tax on spirits and beer in the EU and the highest excise tax on wine in the EU. Ireland is now the most expensive country in the world to buy alcohol, with beer excise up by a staggering 44% since 2012.” The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) took a more positive slant, welcoming the fact that there was no increase in excise duty on alcohol. “While independent SMEs are still operating in a very challenging economic environment, today’s announcement does provide an element of reassurance to business owners all over the country,” noted Evelyn Jones, Government Affairs Director, who however, described the fact that Irish consumers have to pay 624% more excise on every bottle of wine purchased when compared to other EU countries as “unsustainable” and “needs to be addressed by the Government going forward.” NOffLA went on to call on the Government to illustrate its commitment to the health of communities all across Ireland via a ban on the below invoice cost selling of alcohol. “The availability of cheap alcohol as a means to drive footfall in multiples encourages irresponsible retailing and is a threat to the broader community through alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour. Such a ban would save the exchequer €24m per annum,” Jones concluded.
Tesco Ireland Sales Increase TESCO Ireland has reported revenues of €1,239m in the 26 weeks ending August 29, 2015, with a 3.7% growth in like-for-like sales performance. Tesco has invested significantly in lowering the prices of everyday items through Staying Down prices. To date, the response from customers has been encouraging, with an increase in sales transactions, positive volume growth and an improvement in customer loyalty in the first half of the year. This investment in price has lowered the cost of shopping at Tesco over the period. “We have brought the cost of shopping in Tesco down by giving customers simple value prices on the everyday products that matter most to them,” noted Andrew Yaxley, CEO, Tesco Ireland. “We’re improving the experience in our stores and online by investing in customer service and by simplifying our range to remove duplication and improve availability of our customers’ favourite products.”
The CEO described the grocery retail market in Ireland as one of the most competitive in Europe but noted how Tesco Ireland are “really encouraged to see customers respond positively to this investment” and vowed to continue to work hard to give customers “the best overall shopping experience every time”. Tesco Ireland CEO, “Over the last six months, Andrew Yaxley. our priority has been to simplify our business so that we can maximise our investment in price and service, and going forward, simplification and managing operating costs will continue to be a priority so that we are able to invest in our customers,” Yaxley concluded.
6|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
News
Can a New Government Fund Inject Life Back into Rural Retail? THE retail community has mixed emotions about a new government scheme that promises to help regenerate rural areas. The Village and Town Renewal Scheme, which ministers Alan Kelly and Ann Phelan launched last month, creates a €30m investment package for rural Ireland. However, the fund may not be enough to assist some parts of the country. RGDATA gave it a “guarded” welcome. “We like to see government looking at this area and doing something, but we don’t believe it goes far enough,” Tara Buckley told Retail News. “The €30m for all towns and villages in Ireland is a very small pool of money. There are fundamental issues impacting them that won’t change by freshening up the look of a place.” Vincent Jennings concurred. “You don’t want to sound horribly ungrateful. No one is suggesting it is an elixir. We welcome it - it’s a reasonable commitment as a first step, but it needs to be part of an overall progression.” Thomas Burke, Director of Retail Ireland, described the scheme as a “positive” first step in the process. “The first and most important step in this initiative is to acknowledge there is a problem in the regions, not to gloss over that fact,” he said. “We can’t lose sight of the fact that economic recovery is not even or in every part of the country. This [scheme] can’t just be cosmetic. It has to be deep-rooted and long-term.” Opposition parties have been more forthright in their criticism for the scheme, which they argue is an attempt to placate regional voters in the run-up to a national election. “This is simply an effort to hoodwink the electorate by trying to insinuate there is something being done,” Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands-North-West constituency, told Retail News. By his reckoning, €30m spread over five years will only give each county around €240,000 per annum, and he dismissed it as “tokenism”. “It’s not going to make any impact at all. It makes a good headline, but when you get down to it, €240,000 per county per year isn’t going to make an impact. You couldn’t carry out a streetscape in an ordinary village for that,” he said. At the launch of the scheme, at the National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois, even Taoiseach Enda Kenny agreed that the €30m would not “sort out all the problems by any means”. Retail groups insist that fundamental policy changes are required to attract people to return to rural towns and
villages. While urban areas are in recovery mode, regional towns and villages have yet to bounce back. “We’re seeing empty shop units on high streets,” said Burke. “Many areas have been left decimated by depopulation. The key shopping demographics, 18-30 year olds, have either emigrated or moved to urban centres in search of a job. It leaves regional areas unbalanced and starved of money.” Jennings continued: “There isn’t enough reason for people to stay there. There aren’t enough opportunities. There’s a lack of jobs and infrastructure.” Cuts to the Leader rural development programme have not helped matters. In 2015, for example, County Tipperary has seen a €15m loss to its Leader programmes - half the entire budget for the Village and Town Renewal Scheme. Between 2007 and 2014, the Leader programme for Cork county was allocated €49m. This has been cut to €14m for the 2015 to 2020 programme. Retailers have called for a stimulus package to create jobs, secure investment and entice people back to rural areas. “We have towns now with vacant buildings and vacant space over shops,” said Buckley. “Some of the buildings need to be revitalised as community facilities. Others need to be revitalised as domestic dwellings. We’re talking about a housing crisis. We think the Government should look at the existing stock in town centres and we’re putting together a policy on this to present to Government. There are issues around building regulations that need to be adapted to suit town centre dwellings. Maybe we need to learn from other countries that have vibrant town centre communities.” Funding from the Village and Town Renewal Scheme will be allocated toward improving public utilities, such as street lighting, and projects that include greenways, cycleways, upgrading parks and civic areas, as well as renovating derelict buildings. A Fine Gael Minister for the Environment, spokesperson told Retail Community and Local News there has yet to be Government, Alan Kelly TD.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|7
News a “breakdown of where the money is going and when. What counties, or how it’s going to be allocated.” Retail Ireland called for ministers Kelly and Phelan to be clearer about their intentions for the scheme, and proposed the establishment of a town fund. “We’ve introduced a competitive tendering process, where towns would bid to access some of this funding, and use it to put a town centre manager in place,” explained Burke. “The manager’s role would be to make the area more attractive, reinvigorate the high street, attract back consumers, and act as a gobetween with businesses. They would play a key role in regenerating the area. That benefits not only the retailer but also the exchequer. Hopefully the net benefit would be further shopping in the high street and a more attractive town or village.” In the meantime, perhaps a lick of paint really can make a difference in areas caught in the throes of recession. “It might be a small and inexpensive thing, but what it does for the quality of a place and the people living and working in the area is unquantifiable,” said Jennings. “It matters in the overall feeling of a place. These small things sometimes are the catalyst for bigger movements. Why would we stand in the way of that?”
Barry Group appoints new Sales Director BARRY Group has announced the appointment of Edwina Lucey to the position of Sales Director. Edwina joined the Barry Group in 1986. Her steadfast dedication and strong performance saw her assume various roles within the business, before being appointed as Sales Director - Trading in 2008. She takes over the role of overall Sales Director with immediate effect. “Edwina has many outstanding qualities that she will bring to the role,” noted Jim Barry, MD, Barry Group. “I’ve worked closely with Edwina over the years and her commitment to honesty, fairness and her general work ethic is impeccable. This is an important appointment for Barry Group going forward and I’ve no doubt Edwina will play a major part in continuing to keep the company moving forward.”
UK Newsagents in Star Row IN a first for independent retail newagents in the UK, the recently formed multiple group, N3, has instructed wholesalers to cancel supply of The Star titles for its members until further notice. This followed an announcement from the publisher that halves cover prices and retailer margins and a subsequent approach to Northern and Shell demanding a restoration of terms,
which was rejected. This is a unique step by UK independent newsagents who were previously prevented by competition legislation from joining in collective actions to protect their position. However, as a single entity with authority from its members to control news supplies over the group’s stores, N3 is in a position to make decisions as would any multiple head office.
Taoiseach Opens News Hub for INM Assault On Batteries AN Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, is pictured formally opening the new digital-led news hub for Independent News & Media. Located at the company’s Talbot Street office in Dublin 1, this new centralised news hub will facilitate and manage editorial and content for the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, The Herald, Sunday World and Independent.ie.
THE European Association of National Collection Schemes for Batteries (Eucobat) and their Irish representative, WEEE Ireland, recently joined forces to ask the people of Ireland to simply look around their homes and office for any small waste batteries that need to be recycled. WEEE Ireland collected over 500 tonnes of waste portable batteries in 2014, the equivalent in weight of 26m AA batteries. Astonishingly, more than 120m AA batteries were placed on the Irish market last year, which shines a light on Ireland’s inconsistency to recycle and asks the questions of where these millions of batteries are hiding. Unfortunately, two out of three people in Ireland are still guilty of not recycling their small waste batteries. WEEE Ireland is asking people to recycle more batteries and help LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice in the process. WEEE Ireland have pledged to donate a further €65,000 to LauraLynn in the next year should Ireland reach their 2016 EU target. For every battery recycled in the WEEE Ireland blue battery boxes throughout 2015 and 2016, WEEE Ireland will continue to make a monetary donation to the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.
8|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
News
Lidl Unveils ‘New Concept’ Store in Gorey LIDL Ireland recently celebrated the launch of its very first ‘new concept’ store in Gorey, Co. Wexford, following five and a half months of construction. Representing a multi-million euro investment into the locality by the retailer, the state-ofthe-art building, which measures nearly 30,000 square feet and stands at eight metres high, is the largest Lidl store in Ireland and the first of its kind to be built in the country. This latest opening sees the store team grow to 27, bringing the total number of Lidl stores in Ireland to 143 and the number of employees to over 3,800. Boasting a brand new architectural design and spacious layout, incorporating a bigger warehouse, wider aisles, and improved staff and customer facilities, the building represents the future of Lidl stores in Ireland. The innovative, lean orientated design also features high spec operational facilities to maximise efficiency and streamline processes, which will allow staff to spend more time in a customer facing role, further improving the customer shopping experience. The new store will also ensure a greater focus on energy efficiency, with a reduction of around 40-50% on standard electricity costs via features like a smart lighting system and an energy efficient heating system. “Having recently celebrated our fifteenth birthday here in Ireland, it’s exciting for us to be celebrating another milestone so soon with the launch of our very first ‘new concept’ store,” said Niall Murray, Regional Director, Lidl Ireland. “This state-of-the-art design will allow us
to streamline our processes and enhance our customer shopping experience even further, while still offering top quality products at market-leading prices. And this is just the beginning for us; we will continue to invest in new stores and modernisations over the coming months and years, bringing the best of Irish produce to customers in towns and cities right across the country.” Meanwhile, Lidl Ireland are the first major retailer in the country to commit to paying the living wage of €11.50 per hour to their workers from November 1, benefitting up to 20% of staff currently earning below that rate.
Rugby legend Gordon D’Arcy launches Lidl Ireland’s ‘new concept’ store in Gorey, Co. Wexford: the largest Lidl store in the country.
SuperValu Launch Home and Car Insurance SUPERVALU have established a financial services division to launch home and car insurance products, with the creation of 20 new jobs. The grocery retailer has joined forces with AIG to offer loyal customers discounted rates for car and home insurance, following feedback from SuperValu’s 2.6m weekly customers that it was one of a number of services they would like to see offered by the grocery retailer. Research conducted by Red C on behalf of SuperValu showed that consumers are on the lookout to switch from their current car or home insurance provider. 58% of car insurance and 38% of home insurance policy holders said that they were likely to switch from their current provider, underlining the potential opportunity for the grocery retailer (Source: Consumer Financial Service Products research carried out by Red C, September 2013, on behalf of Musgrave). SuperValu will focus on their customer base by rewarding shoppers who sign-
Pictured are Edel Russell, Innovation, Consumer & IT Director SuperValu; and Aidan Connaughton, Consumer Lines Manager, EMEA, South Zone, AIG.
up for home or car insurance with money off vouchers up to the value of €20 to spend in-store and also give them the opportunity to avail of a 30% multi policy discount for customers who have a Real Rewards number. SuperValu chose to partner with AIG on the new insurance products after searching for a partner with high levels of trust and financial strength. AIG are the world’s leading general insurance organisation, with a 90-year history, serving more than 40m insurance clients in over 160 countries. Both insurance products will be underwritten by AIG. Key benefits of SuperValu’s Home Insurance product include a 20% discount if the policy holder has a monitored burglar alarm, a 24 hour Home Emergency Assist Helpline and up to €1,000 in SuperValu Vouchers to replace freezer contents. SuperValu’s Car Insurance product also offers a range of features, including breakdown assist and home start as standard, as well as offering protection for possessions in a customer’s car for up to €300. “With trust in financial institutions at record lows, we had a lot of interest from customers who were looking to avail of a range of services from SuperValu beyond our traditional food offer,” explains Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu. “As one of Ireland’s most trusted brands, we believe that we can combine great discounts for our customers with the quality and service you would expect from SuperValu. By partnering with AIG, we have been able to fulfill this vision and roll out car and home insurance that rewards the customer.” For more information, see www.supervalu.ie/insurance.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|9
News
BWG Foods Announces New Plans for Londis BWG Foods have unveiled new plans for the Londis brand, including a multi-million euro investment, at the annual Londis Retailer Conference held in Kildare and attended by more than 140 retailers from around the country. The announcement follows the successful integration of the Londis business, since it was acquired by BWG in July 2015. Significant funds have been allocated to assist Londis retailers with refurbishment and expansion plans, as part of an upgrade and modernisation of the store design and the launch and roll-out of several new food and drink concepts over the coming year. “Following the successful integration of the Londis business into BWG Foods over the past few months, this conference marked an important milestone in setting out new plans and the future direction for the business,” noted BWG Group CEO, Leo Crawford. “The Londis brand has significant heritage and equity in the marketplace and it our intention to build on this by working and co-investing with retailers to grow and develop their individual businesses and the brand overall. This event was an ideal opportunity for us to communicate our intentions for realising this ambition, with exciting plans to evolve Londis and make it even more relevant to today’s shoppers.” Crawford congratulated Conor Hayes on his appointment to the position of Londis Sales Director and acknowledged the contribution of former Londis CEO, Stephen O’Riordan, as O’Riordan announced he would be
stepping down from the role, following the successful completion of BWG’s acquisition of the business. BWG unveiled several new food and drink offerings to Londis retailers at the conference, including a new Pictured at the Londis Retailer Conference bakery and new in Carton House, Co. Kildare are (l-r): Willie deli concept ‘Bia O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods; Blas’, along with Leo Crawford, Group Chief Executive, BWG three new coffee Group; and Conor Hayes, Londis Sales offerings. It also Director. announced plans to implement a new category management system, to expand the brand’s private label offering, as well as new marketing investment. Along with business strategy updates from management, this year’s annual Londis Conference featured high profile speakers from the sporting and media worlds, including former Donegal GAA Manager Jim McGuinness, economist Dan O’Brien and MC Ivan Yates.
RGDATA Launches Sweet News from Online Training Initiative Germany RGDATA has launched a new initiative for training owners and staff in shops that are licensed to sell alcohol. The company behind the development of the new programme, Alcohol.ie has offered fully endorsed training in responsible serving practices to the Irish Alcohol Industry since 1999, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Failte Ireland. The RRA Training Programme is an interactive, online program for all staff working in shops, supermarkets, convenience stores and forecourt outlets where alcohol is sold. It is designed to inform staff about their obligations under the RRAI Voluntary Code of Practice, which has been agreed by the mixed trading sector. Following extensive global research and in consultation with key industry personnel, RRA Online is approved by medical and legal experts. The new initiative is a 90-minute online (e-learning) course, consisting of an interactive learning component, examination and certification. “Responsible Retailing of Alcohol (RRA) training is designed to support the real needs of the industry, instilling confidence to make decisions and act decisively when the need arises,” noted Mary Kennedy, owner of Alcohol.ie and developer of the RRA Programme. “Customer safety, protection of minors and moderate consumption of alcohol are key elements of responsible retailing and its importance to our country’s health welfare is crucial.” Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA, stated: “We are delighted to bring this online training initiative to our members to ensure all staff are trained to the highest level in the sale of alcohol.”
THE recent half-day confectionery showcase event, Sweets from Germany, which took place as part of the Food & Hospitality Ireland exhibition in Dublin, provided a great insight into the Paul Lynam,President of the German confectionery German Irish Chamber and Siemens market and latest CEO, addresses delegates at the trends to an audience confectionery showcase event. of Irish stakeholders in the industry, including representatives from wholesale, retail, HORECA, manufacturing and importing. The showcase was aimed at developing German-Irish business relationships in the confectionery sector and featured a wide range of German confectionery from 11 German companies, many of whom are interested in taking their first steps into the Irish market. “Germany is very well qualified to know a lot about sweets,” says Karin Stieldorf from German Sweets, the representative body for over 100 German confectionery manufacturers. “By market volume, it is the fourth largest market for confectionery products in the world, and there are two German companies in the top 10 confectionery producers worldwide. Our relationship with Ireland is also good: Germany is the second most important foreign supplier of confectionery products to Ireland, behind the UK.”
10|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
News
Tesco Returns to Growth TESCO Ireland has returned to growth for the first time since March 2013. Such is the big news from the latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending September 13. The report shows a year-on-year growth in sales of 1.8% across the Irish grocery market, making it 18 months of sustained growth, the longest such period since October 2013. “After an unprecedented period of decline, Tesco has posted growth of 0.3%,” explained Georgieann Harrington, Insight Director at Kantar Worldpanel. “This is the first time sales have increased for the retailer since early 2013. Making the most of the Back to School season, the grocer has seen its spend from families with children, a heartland for the retailer, increase by 4%. A modest increase in shopper numbers overall has certainly played a part in Tesco’s recovery, and its customers are also buying more products per shop in the latest period, helping to boost the retailer’s performance.” Meanwhile, discount retailer Lidl posted the strongest sales for the 12 week period, growing well ahead of the market with an increase of 9.5%. It was closely followed by Dunnes, which grew sales by 5.2%. “Getting shoppers through the doors continues to be the biggest driver of growth for Lidl, with 40,000 new customers visiting the retailer this year,” noted Georgieann Harrington. “Lidl has utilised clever marketing campaigns like ‘Stikeez’ to encourage customers to spend more per visit, with the average spend increasing by 5% to €22.84. “Dunnes’ strong performance continues,” she continues. “Shoppers now spend almost €50 more than they did last year, thanks largely to the ‘Shop & Save’ campaign. The retailer continues to gain share in shopping trips worth over
IMRO and PPI Join Forces THE Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and Phonographic Performance Ireland (PPI) have announced that starting on January 1, 2016, businesses that play music will be able to obtain a dual music licence, rather than two separate music licences from both organisations. Currently under copyright legislation, businesses in Ireland that play recorded music in public are obliged to obtain two licences covering two separate copyrights – one which covers the public performance of the musical work on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers (currently administered by IMRO), and the other which covers the public performance of the sound recording on behalf of record producers and performers (currently administered by PPI). From January 1 next year, a dual copyright music licence covering both copyrights will replace the current twolicence system and will be administered by IMRO. “The new dual music licence will provide businesses which play music with clarity as to what they need to do to be legally compliant,” noted Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO. “It means that one contract covering all music copyrights will be available from IMRO, rather than two separate licence contracts from two different organisations. This will reduce the administrative burden for businesses in Ireland and save time. As we phase in the new system, we will be contacting affected businesses to explain the changes.”
Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend Total Grocers Total Multiples Tesco Dunnes Total SuperValu Total Discounters Aldi Lidl Other Outlets**
12 Weeks to 05 Jan 2014 %*
12 Weeks to 04 Jan 2015 %*
change** %
100.0% 88.8% 25.2% 22.0% 24.7% 16.9% 8.5% 8.4% 11.2%
100.0% 89.5% 24.8% 22.7% 24.3% 17.7% 8.7% 9.0% 10.5%
1.8 2.7 0.3 5.2 0.2 6.5 3.6 9.5 -4.6
*= Percentage Share of Total Grocers **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops
€100 and has benefitted from customers buying more items, with volume sales increasing by 5%. However, Dunnes has actually seen a drop in shopper numbers, with around 70,000 leaving its stores in the latest period.” Aldi’s growth of 3.6% is ahead of the market, with the retailer improving its share by 0.2 percentage points to 8.7%. Like Dunnes, Aldi has seen the number of customers entering its stores fall this period, but nevertheless continues to grow its sales. The retailer has also seen the average shopper spend increase by 6% to €170. SuperValu’s growth continues at a slower pace, but the retailer maintains second position, capturing 24.3% of market share. The number of visits to its stores increased by 5% this period, with shoppers spending €16 more on average than they did last year. Grocery market inflation stands at 1.8% for the 12-week period ending September 13, up from 1.3% last period. For more information, see www.kantarworldpanel.com.
Asia Oyster Group Achieve Origin Green Membership ASIA Oyster Group, made up of four Irish oyster companies, recently achieved Origin Green member status following assistance from Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Bord Bia. Majestic Oysters and Irish Premium Oysters from Donegal,Waterford’s Harty’s Oysters and Carlingford Oyster Company from Louth shared their resources to develop a unique market position in the Chinese seafood market.
Pictured receiving their BIM ECOPACT and Origin Green membership at BIM Head Office are: Des Moore, Majestic Oysters, Donegal; Sharon Colgan, Bord Bia; Ray Harty, Harty’s Oysters, Waterford; Ed Gallagher, Irish Premium Oysters; Donegal; Kian Louet Feisser, Carlingford Oyster Company, Co. Louth, and Mo Mathies, BIM.
12|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Industry News FYFFES TEAM RETURNS FROM SOUTH SUDAN
A contingent representing banana importers Fyffes and members of the international children’s aid organisation UNICEF has returned from a fact-finding mission to South Sudan to assess the extent of polio in that country and the administration of a vaccination programme being funded by Fyffes. The campaign to immunise as many young children as possible, aged five years and under, against the deadly virus, will follow similar lines to last year when, with Fyffes’ backing, UNICEF administered polio vaccinations to over 1m young children in Nigeria, with the result that the deadly virus has since been effectively eradicated in that country. Pictured are Fyffes Ireland Managing Director, Gerry Cunningham, and Irish rugby star and UNICEF Ireland ambassador, Donncha O’Callaghan, in South Sudan.
SuperValu’s Corn Stars SUPERVALU expects to sell 50,000 home-grown Irish corn on the cobs this autumn. Supplied by Cork-based producer Rowland Newenham (pictured), this is the first time that Irish grown corn on the cobs will be available on a national scale in Ireland, with SuperValu the first retailer in the country to offer this fresh Irish product nationally. The Irish corn on the cob is available at SuperValu’s 221 stores nationwide. Rowland Newenham sowed two crops of four varieties in late April and early May, grown under biodegradable plastic for early planting.
Musgrave MarketPlace Scoops Café Awards MUSGRAVE MarketPlace scooped a range of awards for its own-brand produce in the first ever Irish Café Quality Food & Drink Awards. Musgrave Marketplace received the best ‘Added Ingredients-Savoury Product’ award for its Musgrave Excellence Curry Sauce, and was highly commended for its Musgrave Excellence Salted Caramel Muffins within the ‘Sweet Treats Category’. The Irish Café Quality Food and Drink Awards were created to celebrate excellence in food and drink product development within the buoyant Irish multiple and independent café sector. Pictured are (l-r): Mary O’Toole, Musgrave MarketPlace Own Brand Trading Manager; Lara Newton, Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards Group Events Manager; and Gwen Wolfe, Musgrave MarketPlace Assistant Brand Manager.
Tesco Ploughs into Autumn Harvests
TESCO returned to the 2015 National Ploughing Championships with lots in store for visitors to the event, showcasing fresh and in season produce from over 40 Irish suppliers. The same week saw the start of Autumn harvests for pumpkins, which have been growing since mid-May in Castlebellingham in Louth with the first pumpkins of the season in stores. This year, Tesco Ireland expects to sell over 100,000 pumpkins with Irish pumpkins sourced from Keelings’ grower Oisin O’Gradaigh (pictured).
Top Award for Tobin’s SPAR Express
TOBIN’S SPAR Express in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, has been named the Q Mark for Hygiene and Food Safety National Winner at this year’s National Q Mark Awards. Congratulating the team at Tobin’s SPAR Express, Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods, said: “It’s a massive honour for our brand to see a store within our network excel nationally by winning this hugely coveted award. The team at Tobin’s SPAR Express have once again proved that they are best-inclass and I would like to congratulate them on this achievement and wish the store continued success.” Pictured are (l-r): Irene Collins, Managing Director EIQA; An Tánaiste Joan Burton TD; Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI; Eddie and Annette Tobin; Marian McGarrigle; Michelle McGowan; and event MC, Martin King.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|13
Industry News SUPERVALU OPENS TWO NEW STORES SUPERVALU has created 125 jobs with the opening of two new stores in September. 70 jobs have been created at its new 13,000 square feet Newbridge store, which represents an investment of €2.2m, is located on the Athgarvan Road and is owned and operated by local businessman Andrew Cross, who owns three other stores in Kildare: Centra Hazelmere in Naas, Centra Roseberry Hill in Newbridge and Centra Hillside Kilcullen. Meanwhile, the new 10,000 square feet SuperValu store on Ballymahon Road, Athlone, operated by local retailer Mary Croughan, represents a total investment of €5.3m and the creation of 55 new jobs. These developments are indicative of the growing momentum behind the SuperValu brand, with the retailer investing €18m in store developments in 2015, adding 280 jobs to the SuperValu network. Pictured at the opening of SuperValu Athlone are Special Olympics gold medalist Shauna Stewart from Athlone; Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu; and Mary Croughan, store owner.
Gala Sponsors IFTAs GALA Retail has been announced as headline sponsor for the Irish Film & Television Academy awards. CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond says: “As an Irish brand that always strives for excellence within our stores, there is a real synergy with celebrating in the best in Irish television. Irish programmemakers and Irish creative talent are truly raising the bar in delivering high quality TV programmes to Irish audiences and Gala is proud to support the Academy in highlighting these achievements. We’re confident that partnering with such an iconic Irish Institution, IFTA, to celebrate the best in Irish television will resonate with our shoppers, as they’ll play a central role in which show wins the Gala TV Show of the Year, and as the awards are broadcast on TV3, everyone can enjoy the show at home!” Television presenters, Martin King (TV3), Alison Comyn (UTV Ireland), Miriam O Callaghan (RTÉ) and Tristan Rosenstock (TG4) join IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty and Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, at the launch of the IFTA Gala Television Awards. The IFTA Gala Television Awards took place on October 22 at the Double Tree Hotel in Dublin.
Centra Retailers Sponsor Meath Garda Youth Awards CENTRA and Meath Garda Síochána have launched the inaugural ‘Meath Garda Youth Awards’ in Dunne’s Centra, Stamullen, Co. Meath. Centra and An Garda Síochána recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in Meath and these awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 who make their communities a better place to live in. Pictured at the launch are (l-r): Mary Therese and Sean McGuirk, McGuirk’s Centra Blackcastle; Raymond Hannon, Hannon’s Centra, Commons Road; Sergeant Brian Dineen; Catriona Farrelly, Farrelly’s Centra, Abbey Crescent; and Juvenile Liaison Officer, Catherine Cronin.
RECORD NUMBERS COMMIT TO SHOW ME I.D. IN 2015, over 1,400 shopkeepers and staff completed training in how to identify underage shoppers and how to prevent under-18’s gaining illegal access to cigarettes. Show me I.D. is an initiative aimed at preventing under-18s gaining illegal access to cigarettes through supporting shopkeepers and staff to identify under-18s, recognise correct identification, and keep records of refusals. Three retailers, in Dublin, Cork and Kildare, have won special awards for their dedication to the campaign and commitment to staff training, with each store rewarded with a €1,000 cheque. Olivia Hannify, manager of Brennan’s MACE Maxol, Ballymany Newbridge, Co. Kildare, is pictured accepting the prize on behalf of her staff, from Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, and Noel Kelly, CSNA Vice President.
14|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Industry News Centra Walks the World for Breast Cancer TV presenter and fitness enthusiast Kathryn Thomas recently launched Centra’s ‘Walk the World’ initiative as the convenience retailer aimed to get thousands of people to collectively walk 40,075km, the circumference of the earth! On Saturday October 17, over 200 Centra stores hosted a walk in their local community to promote walking and help raise much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme. In order to ‘Walk the World’, Centra needed only 8,000 people to walk 5km each. Along with the ‘Walk the World’ initiative, Centra stores are selling a new limited edition cotton bag for €3 that is the ultimate must-have accessory for your grocery shop, while the popular pink reflective vest has also returned and will be sold in all participating stores for €5. Pictured at the launch are (l-r): Kathryn Thomas, Laura Curtin, Communications Manager; Centra, and Mark Mellet; Head of Fundraising; Irish Cancer Society.
Pampers and UNICEF Celebrate 10 Years PAMPERS and UNICEF recently marked the 10th anniversary of their longstanding partnership by announcing the elimination of maternal and newborn tetanus (MNT) in 17 countries. To launch the 10th anniversary campaign, celebrity mum Emma Bunton joined Pampers and UNICEF at a global summit in New York, to celebrate the progress and successes of the campaign, at the very place the partnership began a decade ago. The visit also included Emma attending the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, where former President Bill Clinton celebrated the successes of the partnership in his speech. Since the Pampers-UNICEF “1 pack = 1 vaccine” campaign began, an estimated 500,000 newborn babies have been saved and a vaccine has reached a mother and her baby every second.
Hula Hoops Dreams Big THE draw for the 2015-2016 Hula Hoops National Basketball Cups has taken place, with all 38 National League teams gathering at the National Basketball Arena for the Cup draw and the National League season launch. July saw Hula Hoops signing up as sponsors of the cups, which are the biggest annual event in Irish basketball. “We are delighted to announce the new sponsorship of Basketball Ireland’s Hula Hoops National Cup 2016,” noted Hula Hoops Brand Manager, Niamh O’Dea. “Basketball is one of the fastest growing and most exciting sports in Ireland and Hula Hoops are the country’s favourite take home snack, which make this team a winning combination. Together Hula Hoops and Basketball Ireland hope to promote fun and fitness for all ages because Fun Never Grows Up!”
LETTERKENNY NAMED IRELAND’S TIDIEST TOWN LETTERKENNY, Co. Donegal is Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2015, having beaten off competition from the other 861 towns and villages throughout the country that entered this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The announcement was greeted by great celebration at an awards ceremony at The Helix in Dublin recently, where it was also revealed that Clonegal, Co. Carlow, claimed the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Village. Other winners included Listowel, Co. Kerry, receiving the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town; Westport, Co. Mayo, received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town, while Letterkenny was also declared as Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre. Presenting the Awards, Alan Kelly TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, thanked SuperValu for their continued sponsorship for the past 24 years: “SuperValu has been integral to sustaining and developing the competition, not only through their financial sponsorship but also through the support provided to local TidyTowns groups by their network of local retailers.” Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, said: “At SuperValu, we believe in building vibrant local communities and the SuperValu TidyTowns competition goes to the heart of what community is all about. The incredible dedication shown by the volunteers involved is truly admirable and continues to amaze us year after year. Their relentless commitment to working for the good of their local community is what makes this competition the success it is today.”
Pictured at the SuperValu TidyTowns competition are Anne McGowan, Chairperson of Letterkenny Tidy Towns, with Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu (left) and Alan Kelly, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
NEW
FROM IRELAND’S NO.1 VALUE BRAND*
INTRODUCING
MAYFAIR PLUS ORIGINAL MAYFAIR FRESHNESS ON DEMAND
*AC Nielsen, Extended Scantrack. Value Sector Volume Share, 52 WE 09/08/2015 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.
A MODERN EXPRESSION OF QUALITY
16|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Retail Ireland: Monthly Update
Calorie Content Legislation NEW €20 on the Way BANKNOTE RETAIL Ireland recently met with senior officials at the Department of Health for an initial discussion about the proposed legislation obligating retailers and food service businesses to provide calorie count information under the Government’s wider Obesity Policy and Action Plan. The goal of the legislation is to better inform consumers of the calorific content of their food choices and the Department gave us an assurance that this is to be achieved in a method that is reasonable and realistic and does not place an unfair burden on retailers and foodservice operators. To this end, the Department, in cooperation with the FSAI, is currently finalising an industry questionnaire which will directly inform the shape and scope of the legislation, the obligations thereunder and the enforcement considerations. We understand that the consultation process will also involve a review of the effectiveness of the MenuCal system and levels of usage of the existing voluntary scheme. The Department expressed its keen desire to engage closely with industry to ensure that the goals can be achieved whilst growing, rather than impeding, retail’s recovery. For our part, we stressed the point that education and awareness are key to managing Ireland’s obesity crisis and that retailers, although responsible business operators who are cognisant of their role in society, cannot be expected to change consumer behaviour single-handedly. We look forward to engaging in the formal consultation process on behalf of our members, in advance of which we welcome your observations and insights.
NATIONAL ROUNDING CONVENTION RETAIL Ireland continues to engage closely with the Central Bank and the Department of Finance in advance of the launch of the National Rounding Convention. Retail operators are encouraged to be cognisant of the following: • •
The official commencement date is October 28; The Central Bank is still attempting to engage with EPOS and self serve terminal suppliers on behalf of the entire industry; • September 28 saw the launch of retailer preparation packs which came with window stickers, POS signage and an A3-sized poster to drive staff and customer awareness (larger operators will be allocated up to three such packs); • The consumer awareness campaign was formally launched on October 19. This is to include national radio adverts as well as print adverts in national press. It will run for one week before and approximately 10 days after the commencement date; • A reminder that a special website with information and supports for both retailers and consumers has now been launched and can be accessed at www.betterallround.ie. Given the significant role to be played by retail in promoting and facilitating this important public policy initiative, Retail Ireland endeavours to keep members fully briefed on all relevant developments and we encourage you to contact us should you wish to discuss any aspect in greater detail.
COMING IN NOVEMBER
AT the latest meeting of the National Cash Forum, the Central Bank’s quarterly cash and payments stakeholder working group, on which Retail Ireland retains a permanent seat, there was a reminder that the new €20 banknote will enter circulation on November 25. Retailers are being urged to ensure that software, payment terminals and staff are prepared in advance. As always, the Central Bank is facilitating training and awareness and has stocks of new notes available for on-site familiarisation exercises. Please address all questions to euroseries2@centralbank.ie.
Latest consumer price statistics The CSO’s Consumer Price Index for August 2015 indicated that on average, Irish consumer prices remained unchanged when compared with the same month last year. Comparing August 2015 with August 2014, the largest price falls were once again recorded in diesel (-12.9%), cameras (-11.6%), personal and home computing (-11.5%), petrol (-8.4%), and furniture (-7.7%). Conversely, combined tobacco products recorded another annualised increase of 5.5% and books were up by 5%. Interestingly, jewellery, clocks and watches returned a combined increase of 3.5%, whilst newspapers and magazines saw a 1.8% increase in average cover price during August.
Working Group Examines Labelling Issues RETAIL Ireland recently participated in the second meeting of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation’s new working group on streamlining business regulations, which aims to devise solutions to some of the regulatory compliance issues impacting retail businesses. This second meeting dealt with food labelling and specifically looked at the compliance complexities posed by the recently introduced legislation on the provision of allergen advice on loose or nonpackaged foods. We are excited to play a role in this worthwhile initiative and look forward to keeping members updated on the group’s activities and outputs.
Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie Need more? For more information about our work and how your retail business can benefit from our unique services and supports, please visit us at www.retailireland.ie
Go NUTS with KP
Ireland’s No. 1 Nuts brand*
Contact Largo Foods - info@largo.ie *As measured by Nielsen Markettrack MAT April ‘14 - April ’15.
18|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
The Retail News Interview
Fuelled For Forward Thinking Maxol Group General Manager, Brian Donaldson explains how the company has evolved into one of the most progressive forecourt operators in the country. THE Irish forecourt sector is in a very different place than it was just five years ago. Back then, we were in the depths of the worst recession in a generation, investment was minimal and forecourt closures were, sadly, not infrequent. This is no longer the case. Over the last 18 months, Ireland’s forecourt sector has made a complete turnaround and has started to boom once again. Maxol is one of the companies leading this transition. “The perception of Maxol today is significantly different to what it would have been three years ago,” admits Brian Donaldson, Group General Manager. “It is quite common for long-standing brands to become seen as a little bit tired and it’s important to stay fresh and modern, in keeping with societal and technological change. I won’t deny that our own brand was in need of a makeover, so we have invested very heavily in a new forecourt image, extended our retail network and improved the types and quality of services available to our customers. We did this by asking our customers what was important to them, and have since worked very hard across our network to improve the perception of Maxol in the mind of the consumer. I am proud to say that Maxol is now a brand that appeals to a wide range of consumers. It is seen as innovative and at the forefront of convenience retailing.” The last time Retail News spoke to Brian Donaldson was early 2013, when Ireland Inc. was only considering sticking its nose above the economic parapet. At the time, Maxol’s investment plan could be said to have been highly ambitious, but it has proved extremely successful, with the company now in a tremendous position as our economic status continues to improve. “We are seeing reinvestment starting to happen right across the sector,” Donaldson notes. He attributes this widespread reinvestment primarily to our broader economic recovery but stresses that improvements are regionalised. “These are challenging times for retailers, especially once you go outside the main population centres,” he maintains. “It is still a fragile economy but these things take time and the market is starting to show signs of growth. There is more consumer confidence, more business-to-business activity and
we are seeing an increase in traffic volumes.” It’s not just Maxol who are reinvesting in their store portfolio, Donaldson notes. “Some of our competitors have been able to remove a lot of their legacy debt, and are now well funded, which means there is now a good deal of investment in the forecourt and convenience sector, not just Brian Donaldson, General Manager, Maxol Group. from Maxol but from our competitors too.” The Foodservice Revolution Perhaps the biggest change in forecourt retailing, and one which continues to evolve, is the change in emphasis on the forecourt, whereby fuel is fast becoming just one part of the product mix in a forecourt store, and the fresh food offering is now a vital component. “There is no overemphasising the importance of foodservice and making sure that you offer the right instore experience. This includes everything from having good seating areas, complementary WiFi and upmarket washrooms consistently maintained to high standards. However, the forecourt remains very important,” he stresses. “It’s vital to ensure that your forecourt is designed correctly, making sure you have ample parking, the best pump configuration to help traffic flow, reduce queue time, that you have pay-at-pump facilities for the consumers who just want to fill their vehicle and go. I don’t think we should lose sight of the importance of the forecourt, because that is a major attraction and draw for a large part of our customer base, and always will be. “The point I am making is that forecourts are no longer just about fuel, or even motorists. They are convenience destinations for people who are passing by or live locally; they could, in fact, be pedestrians or cyclists. You need to make your facilities appeal to as wide an audience as
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|19
The Retail News Interview accustomed to availing of motorway facilities, so they now expect more from traditional forecourts as well. I think that is where a lot of the growth and development of foodservice is coming from, because consumers are saying: ‘I can get this in a motorway service station, so why can’t I get it in my local forecourt store?’” Donaldson foresees Ireland’s motorway network continuing to expand in line with Ireland’s transport infrastructure needs, while he also predicts continued new site openings close to motorways from Maxol and their competitors: “Owing to the large number of vehicles passing these sites, there are significant opportunities to create destinations for both the transient consumer looking for a rest break, as well as catering for the wider hinterland of households.” Fuel is still very important in terms of driving traffic and footfall into your location, admits Donaldson, “but the big change is the focus in-store, the move towards fresh food and the choice available to customers. We want Maxol outlets to become full retail The launch of Maxol’s fresh foodservice brand, Moreish, has proved hugely successful in destinations, a one stop shop for all the short time since its launch. consumers’ needs.” possible. With margins in our core business extremely tight, To this end, one of the big initiatives for Maxol was it’s about making sure that you derive as much revenue as the launch of their own fresh foodservice brand, Moreish, you can from each of your locations by having the right mix which has already proved hugely successful in the short time of offers. This is about hitting all the key touch-points, so the since it launched. “It gives us a crucial point of difference,” forecourt remains important but you need to have your fresh explains the General Manager. “It meets the needs of a wide food offering absolutey on point and ensure you have a good range of consumers for all times of the day, from breakfast convenience offering for people to do a basket shop if they right through to evening. But that being said, we won’t stop wish, at all key locations.” there. The big challenge remains how to keep that offer While fuel prices play a part in attracting consumers, interesting to our customers.” Donaldson believes that “ultimately it’s down to the Ensuring healthy options is vital, Donaldson notes, as convenience of the location and the suitably tailored offer you today’s consumers are much more savvy in terms of calorie are building at that location to make sure that store becomes intake: “They want to see what you have to offer in terms a true destination.” of super salads, healthy breakfast options, be that porridge, Unleaded petrol sales have been falling in recent years, granola, fruit pots and healthy juices. The consumer is far as more consumers opt for diesel engines; Donaldson believes more discerning than ever before, and why shouldn’t they that the recent negative press around diesel, surrounding the be?” emissions scandals in particular, could see more motorists reverting to petrol engines when it comes to choosing a vehicle. “There may well come a point when petrol becomes more attractive again, as part of a petrol/hybrid vehicle,” he notes, while admitting that “fuel consumption in general is likely to decline, as vehicles become more fuel efficient and more hybrid cars enter the market.” Motorways Driving Change One of the reasons why our forecourt sector is changing is the impact of motorway service stations on the overall forecourt business and consumer expectation, according to the Maxol GM. “A growing number of the population are now using the country’s main motorways and have become
An aerial view of the site at Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, which will open in 2016 as Maxol’s largest new development to date.
20|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
The Retail News Interview
Maxol want to have “reach and representation in all key population centres across Ireland.”
The Age of the ‘Transumer’ We are entering the age of the ‘transumer’ or transient consumer, explains the GM. This is a motorist who wants to pull in and either get something ‘to go’ while on the move or sit down and use your facilities if they have a little more time to spare. “What you’re really seeing is people wanting to reap the benefits of the forecourt, not just to fuel their vehicles but to fuel themselves. That is a major change of habit we have seen. The economic recovery is helping that somewhat, in that people are feeling better off than before. They are quite prepared to use the foodservice facilities at a forecourt store because they now have confidence in the quality of the facilities and the product offering and, most importantly, in the value they are getting from the whole experience.” Value remains a critical concern for Irish consumers, according to Donaldson, but it’s not necessarily a race to the bottom in terms of pricing. “People look for value in different ways,” he says. “Value isn’t just the lowest price on the market. It is about offering a very good quality product at a reasonable price. For example, in our Moreish deli, our signature range of sandwiches are priced at €4, which is extremely good value for the quality of the ingredients and the size of the sandwich. You are getting a decent quantity of great quality food for your money. Our focus has been to steer away from having a low price point and more towards adding value to the product itself. There is still a consumer mindset to search out value, but that’s not necessarily the lowest price point, but rather where they get the best value for their hard-earned euro.” Engaging with Retail Partners It’s not just their relationship with the end consumer that Maxol have developed, Donaldson notes, but also “how we engage with our independent retailers, who are fundamental to our business model.” Out of Maxol’s 236 forecourts nationwide, 103 are company owned, which are stand-alone businesses operated by licensees, and the other 133 are owned and operated by independent retailers, known as dealers. “We have been trying to work closer with all of our retailers in improving
the level of service and facilities we provide for them,” Donaldson explains. “We have made solid progress over the last 18 months. We have done this by involving our retailers in the early stages of projects, thereby promoting a more inclusive listening culture, pride and sense of involvement.” Maxol recently opened their 22nd new forecourt site this year in Dundalk, with ambitious plans already in place for 2016, including the company’s largest new development to date at Mulhuddart, close to Blanchardstown, for which work is already well advanced. The company is heavily engaged in new site development, buying greenfield sites or existing businesses, and building or converting them into modern Maxol forecourts. Improving revenue streams through the company’s existing store network is also a priority, however, as Donaldson explains. “We’ve asked ourselves how can we drive more sales through each of our locations,” he says. “The answer is simple; it’s about making sure we have the right offer at each of our locations and using the space to best effect. It really is as simple as that. The Moreish deli and café brand is a big part of that and we are introducing seven further off-licences in the next three months.” Donaldson reveals that the company is also actively seeking out other potential partnerships for more franchises to extend their foodservice offer, “with perhaps another two or three franchise offerings sitting beside the Maxol/MACE and Moreish brands, depending on the retail footprint and what is possible in each store.” Growth Potential Other areas of growth potential for Maxol include the company’s business fuel card offering, the purpose of which is “to drive as much activity onto our forecourts as possible, helping to grow fuel volumes, shop sales and of course increase car wash sales”. As Maxol’s network of company sites grows, new business opportunities arise. So what do Maxol look for in a prospective licensee partner? “We are looking for someone with strong business acumen and with a serious flair for retail. That doesn’t necessarily mean someone who has come from a forecourt;
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|21
The Retail News Interview it could be someone who was involved in high street retailing, or in the restaurant or fast food business. The main thing is that it is someone with a real passion for delivering excellence in terms of the customer experience, combined with the drive, determination and ability to run a business successfully. Partnering with Maxol is about working hand in glove together and being like-minded in our primary objective of creating a destination forecourt that inspires and entertains our customers every time they come onto the forecourt.” CSR The idea of Corporate Social Responsibility is one which is being taken very seriously by most FMCG companies Pictured are (l-r): Martin King, Make-A-Wish ambassador; Susan O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish at present, and especially by Ireland (back); Fergal Harrington, Group Brand Development Manager of Maxol; Tony Harnett, Maxol Maxol, whose partnership Licensee; and six-year-old Caoimhe, at the launch of the ‘Wash for Wishes’ carwash campaign. with the Make-A-Wish Foundation has proven hugely successful over the last One important aspect of TLC is online feedback from number of years. consumers, both positive and negative. “That is invaluable “We are a family business, now with members of the information for our retailers and to Maxol as a company, fourth generation of the McMullan family on the board,” whether that is reinforcing that we have provided great Donaldson notes. “The idea of ‘family’ is at the heart of service, resulting in a satisfied customer, or maybe it is our business and our brand values, and it is about helping about a situation that wasn’t handled as well as it could have families who are sadly not in the same fortunate situations been, in which case we then have an opportunity to turn as ourselves, whether that be financially or through illness. that into a positive by reacting to the consumer and dealing As well as supporting a main national charity, we also work with their concerns,” Donaldson explains. “It’s also a great with our retailers, who have local projects with local needs. way of training staff and repositioning how a situation was It’s not just about sponsoring a rugby shirt, a hurling shirt dealt with and ensuring that, in the future, it is dealt with or whatever; it’s about rolling up the sleeves and getting out appropriately. there and doing something to make a difference. So many of “Ultimately, the TLC awards are a great tool for Maxol our retailers have been fantastic in getting involved in local in providing recognition and reward for great standards, community initiatives. It’s been truly impressive and very great service and great community work by our retailers and humbling and I do believe that everyone gets benefit out of it their staff. It is about recognising exceptional performance in some way.” and rewarding them for it.” He cites the example of Maxol’s support of the Tidy Towns initiative in Dublin’s Templeogue, with weekly The Future meetings housed in the service station’s café, where Looking to the future, Donaldson foresees Ireland’s forecourt delegates are supplied with free coffee, and another project in sector remaining extremely competitive. “I think the heavy Tipperary, where “Maxol continues to support a local charity investment by all the players in the forecourt convenience that provides alternative therapies for cancer patients.” sector will continue and from the consumer perspective, the offer will only get better and better.” TLC Programme As for Maxol, the GM predicts continued growth, through Another key campaign for Maxol is Today’s Local Champions new store openings, investing in their current store portfolio (TLC), which encourages consumers to provide feedback and attracting new independent retailers to become part of to Maxol on their experience in-store with monthly the Maxol brand and network. opportunities to win fuel vouchers, as well as rewarding the “We feel it is important to have reach and representation group’s top retailers, with the group of 2014 winners just in all key population centres across Ireland,” he states. “It’s back from a prize trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. going to be a very competitive marketplace in the months “Retail is all about detail,” the GM notes. “It is about and years ahead. We need to develop bigger, better sites looking at the key touch-points where you engage with and extend our footprint to offer more services, attracting consumers. The focus of the TLC programme is to ensure and appealing to as wide a customer base as possible. The that the standards of customer service and cleanliness on potential in the market as a result of the improvement the forecourt, in-store and back-office, are as high as we can in economic conditions means that there will be exciting get them. It is about benchmarking and helping retailers to times ahead in the next three to five years, with much more achieve the highest standard in terms of presentation and investment, an even stronger consumer offering and even delivery.” better opportunities for our retail partners.”
22|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards
Celebration Time The winners of the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2015 were announced at a glittering ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House. THE winners have been announced for this year’s Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards with the top prize of the Overall Gold Q award going to James Whelan Butchers, whose Dry Cure Rack of Bacon triumphed over more than 1,000 products in 85 categories. The other Gold Award winners included Meere’s Pork Products, whose Meere’s Square White Pudding took the Gold Small Producer Award, while the Gold Value Q Winner went to Dunnes Stores My Family Favourites 4 Irish Beef Quarter Pounders from Kepak, and the Gold Christmas Q award went to Dunnes Stores Simply Better Stuffed Fresh Irish Turkey Breast Joint from Hogan’s Farm. Wildberry Bakery’s Orange and Almond Cake won the prestigious Small Producer of the Year award, sponsored by Tesco Ireland, and judged by a team from the company. In addition to the award, Tesco Ireland will provide Wildberry Bakery with a prize of €2,500 and a place on the next Tesco Taste Bud supplier development programme, run in partnership with Bord Bia. Wildberry Bakery will receive mentoring from the Taste Bud team and participate in a seven-month programme of workshops, helping the company to secure, grow and maintain a listing with Tesco. The winners were announced by Derry Clarke, celebrity chef and proprietor of the Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Ecrivain, at the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin, where the great and the good of the Irish grocery and FMCG market gathered for a superb night of fine food and celebration. Having recently received the news that L’Ecrivain had retained its Michelin star, an ebullient Derry Clarke paid tribute to the quality and provenance of Irish food and the expertise and hard work that goes into producing it.
Pat Whelan from James Whelan Butchers is pictured receiving the Gold Q Award from Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods & Restaurants, Harrods (left) and Derry Clarke.
Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods & Restaurants, Harrods, and Derry Clarke present Orla and Patrick Meere, Meere’s Pork Products, with the Gold Small Producer Award.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|23
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards These prestigious accolades, now in their third year, set out to recognise excellence in food and drink product development from a wide variety of companies across Ireland. The awards were open to all food and drink retailers, producers and manufacturers across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and saw over 350 food and drink products shortlisted in 85 categories. The awards themselves are organised into two distinct sections: Quality Food Awards, products for the multiple and independent grocery retail market, and Quality Drink Awards, alcoholic drinks for the retail sector. “This has been the most exciting year for all of us here at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards,” noted Lara Newton, Group Events Manager at event organisers, Metropolis Business Media. “We have been absolutely amazed at the incredibly high standard of both the food and
John Walshe, Retail News Editor, and Derry Clarke, present the award for Soups to Rachel Doggett, Promotions and Events Manager, Tesco, and Liliana Caruto, Chilled Convenience Buying Manager, Tesco, for Tesco Finest Vine Ripened Tomato and Lentil Soup from Bakkavor.
Pictured at the presentation of the Gold Value Q for Dunnes Stores My Family Favourites 4 Irish Beef Quarter Pounders (Kepak), are (l-r): Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods & Restaurants, Harrods; Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager, Dunnes Stores; Heather Kingston, NPD Manager, Dunnes Stores; Joanne Kett, Frozen Buyer, Dunnes Stores; James Wilson, Grocery Director, Dunnes Stores; and Derry Clarke.
The Gold Christmas Q went to Dunnes Stores Simply Better Stuffed Fresh Irish Turkey Breast Joint (Hogan’s Farm). Pictured are (l-r): Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods & Restaurants, Harrods; Daniel Hill; Susan O’Shaughnessy, Simply Better Product Development Manager, Dunnes Stores; Niamh Craughan; Paul Burke; Paul Hogan; Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager, Dunnes Stores; and Derry Clarke.
Cereal Thriller from Gourmet Irish Granola MARIA Betts has been celebrating after winning Best Cereal in Ireland for her Maria Lucia Bakes Cranberry, Coconut and Chia Seed granola at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. “Winning such a prestigious award in the highly competitive cereal category against so many well established brands has given our small business a major boost of confidence,” said Maria. “This award will give both retailers and consumers alike the motivation to give our granola a try and I feel it will really help to grow our business.” See www.marialuciabakes.com for more information. Donal O’Shea, Sales Director at Nature’s Best and IGBF Chairman, addresses the audience at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards.
Tom Fehily and Susan Robbins Fehily from Wildberry Bakery are presented with the Tesco Small Producer Award by Malachy O’Connor, Fresh Food Director, Tesco Ireland (left) and Derry Clarke.
24|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards Moy Park Bags Top Award MOY Park has won a prestigious Irish Quality Food Award for its innovative Roast in the Bag chicken. Pictured at the awards ceremony are (l-r): Helen Lyons, Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards; Mairead McGurk, Brand Product Development & Innovation Manager, Moy Park; Paul Burch, Accounts Director for Ireland, Moy Park; and celebrity chef Derry Clarke.
Gina Miltiadou, Publisher, Easy Food magazine, and Derry Clarke, present the Cold Beverages, Juice Award for Tesco Finest Orange Juice from Keelings to Niamh Grogan, Technical Manager for Juices, Tesco Ireland.
SPAR Select Chicken Karahi/Kohinoor was the winning product in the Ready Meals – Ethnic category. Pictured are (l-r): Dee Laffan, freelance editor, journalist and food writer; Simon Rudd, Sales & Marketing Director, Emaan Meal Solutions; Jean Watson, Head of Fresh Food Trading, BWG Foods; and Derry Clarke.
drink put forward this year. It has been a difficult job for our teams of expert judges but we are very proud of all our winners and finalists and hope their success will help them grow their business and reward their dedication and hard work.” Headline sponsor for the awards is innovative packaging company, Graphic Packaging International. The awards are also sponsored by the Coeliac Society of Ireland, who played an important role during the stringent judging process of the ‘Free From’ categories, as well as Dairymaid, Invest Northern Ireland and Tesco. This is the third year of these prestigious awards, and over the course of those three years “this illustrious event has championed, toasted and rewarded some of the finest food and drink products that are available in Irish supermarkets today, casting a spotlight on products with the finest ingredients lists, delicious tastes and aromas, beautiful packaging , and of course, terrific value for money,” explained Helen Lyons, event director. 2015 was another record-breaking year in terms of both quality and the quantity of entries, which were put through their paces by some of the industry’s finest food and drink experts, Lyons noted. Lyons revealed that the 2016 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards will feature the new ‘People’s Choice Quality Food Awards’ in association with Food at Limerick Institute of Technology. “All next year’s winning products will go to a second phase of consumer sensory analysis, to determine a range of ‘People’s Choice Irish Quality Food Awards’,” she explained.
“Moy Park are delighted to win an Irish Quality Food Award for our Roast in the Bag chicken,” said Paul Burch. “To be recognised for producing the best poultry product on the market in Ireland is truly outstanding. We are honoured by the award. This Moy Park range offers consumers a convenient shelf-to-oven roast in the bag chicken, that is innovative, flavoursome and of the highest product quality. The product has proved to be hugely successful and this award is further acknowledgement of our pioneering approach to product innovation.”
The Grocery Sweet - Ambient Award went to Lidl Kilderg Pure Canadian Medium Maple Syrup from Healy’s Honey. Pictured are (l-r): Paul Tye, Business Development Director, Graphic Packaging International; Linda Fitzgerald, Brand Manager, Lidl; and Derry Clarke.
Winner of the Bacon category was SuperValu Signature Tastes Cherrywood Dry Cure Smoked Rashers from Oliver Carty. Helen Lyons, Event Director, Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, presents the award to Sarah Arnold, Tradiing Manager, SuperValu; Ted Carty, Manager, Oliver Carty; and Derry Clarke.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|25
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards Hellishly Good Win for Fire & Smoke
Aldi Stores Specially Selected Angus Fillet Steak from ABP Cahir won in the Meat - Beef Steaks category. Pictured are (l-r): Brian Frazer; Helen Lyons, Event Director, Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards; David Evans, Corporate Buying Director, Aldi; and Derry Clarke.
KERRY Foods are on fire as they’ve nabbed a coveted Irish Quality Food and Drink Award for their recently launched Fire and Smoke meats range. Fire and Smoke’s fire grilled sweet BBQ ham took home the top prize in the Delicatessen – Other Deli Products category, beating off stiff competition with its exceptional and distinctive taste. See our fantastic competition on page 55 for your chance to win a rustic wood Fire & Smoke serving board and a hamper full of hellishly good Fire & Smoke meats.
Agnes Bouchier-Hayes, IQFA Kitchen Manager, and Derry Clarke, present the Award to Brian Kelly, National Account Manager, Kerry Foods; and Hilary Hughes, Senior Brand Manager Fire & Smoke – Kerry Foods.
Michael McKillop, Managing Director, Glens of Antrim Potatoes, accepts the Award for Vegetables: Un Prepared from John Walshe, Retail News Editor, and Derry Clarke.
Retail Therapy Lidl Ireland enjoyed their best ever performance at the awards, lifting no fewer than 29 awards, spanning Lidl’s entire everyday range, from Inismara Hake Fillet with Bombay Curry Sauce, produced by Keohane Seafoods in Kinsale, Co. Cork, to Meadow Fresh Grab & Go Chicken Basil Tomato Pasta Salad, produced by Nature’s Best in Drogheda, Co. Louth. “We are delighted that so many of our products won awards at this year’s Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards,” enthused Linda Fitzgerald, Brands Manager at Lidl. “As one of the most respected award schemes in Ireland, recognition of our products at this level is a clear indication of the emphasis our local buying team places on sourcing and producing the highest quality products at great value prices. As a retailer, we are committed to supporting local suppliers and currently work with over 180 Irish suppliers across a broad range of categories, a number which is growing each year. We would like to say a big thank you to all of our dedicated suppliers for their tireless efforts to bring top quality food to your table.” Aldi scooped nine awards on the night, including everything from gluten free breads to prime fillet steaks, healthy Mediterranean salads to premium Irish whiskey. Their award winning seasonal products included Specially Selected Cranberry, Apricot and Orange Stuffing and Specially Selected Irish Boned Whole Stuffed Duck with Orange Glaze, which will be on sale from December 20. Dunnes Stores lifted 18 awards, including two overall Gold Awards, the Gold Value Q for Dunnes Stores My Family Favourites 4 Irish Beef Quarter Pounders from Kepak, and the Gold Christmas Q Award for Dunnes Stores Simply Better Stuffed Fresh Irish Turkey Breast Joint from Hogan’s Farm.
Northern Exposure Northern Irish companies performed extremely well at this year’s awards, with over 30 products from 22 Northern Ireland companies, both large and small, proving successful in key categories, including Cereals-Porridge (White’s Oats, Tandragee, Co. Armagh), Breads - Wheaten and Soda (McErlain’s, Magherafelt, Co. Derry, and Linwood’s Bakery, Armagh), Dairy – Yoghurts (Clandeboye Estate, Bangor, Co. Down), Cold Beverages – Soft Drinks (CocoMojo, Lisburn, Co. Antrim), Eggs (Cavanagh Free Range Eggs, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh), and Ciders (DJ Juices and Ciders, Lisburn, Co. Antrim; Kilmegan, Dundrum, Co. Down; and Mac Ivors, Craigavon, Co. Armagh). Other category winners from Northern Ireland included Craigavon-based Moy Park in poultry, Dungannon-based Linden Foods in Meat, Burgers and Meatballs, Willowbrook Foods from Killinchy, Co. Down, in Salads – Prepared, TS Foods from Castlewellan, Co. Down, in Side Dishes, and Glens of Antrim Potatoes in Vegetables – Unprepared. IGBF Raffle One of the highlights of a stunning night’s entertainment was the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund raffle, which raised a whopping €5,000 for the charity and saw lucky winners leaving the Mansion House with stunning prizes, including a holiday for two in Cancun, Mexico, and a weekend break in any European City, while a spot auction saw one guest taking home a pair of tickets to see U2 in the 3 Arena. For More Full details about the awards are available at irish.qualityfoodawards.com. Make sure you stay up to date with the latest news and competitions via the IQFA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ IrishQualityFoodAwards and on Twitter @IrishQFAs, #IQFA. Retail News is proud to be media partner of these prestigious awards, which reward the exceptional quality of Irish food and drink products.
26|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards Winners 2015 • Overall Gold Winner: Dry Cure
Stores Brandy Cream / Aurivo
• Free From – Chilled: SuperValu
Marinated Irish Chicken Topped
Rack of Bacon / James Whelan Butchers
• Christmas Q - Fish: Dunnes Stores
Lactose Free Milk / North Cork
with Pancetta and Butter Beans /
• Gold Winner – Christmas Q:
Simply Better Oak and Hickory Smoked
Co-op
Ballymaguire
Dunnes Stores Simply Better Stuffed
Salmon Gift Pack / Dunn’s Seafare
• Free From – Savoury: Kari Tropical
• Salad – Prepared: Aldi Stores
Fresh Irish Turkey Breast Joint /
• Christmas Q - Grocery Ambient:
/ Spice Devils
Specially Selected Mediterranean Salad
Hogan’s Farm
Dunnes Stores Simply Better
• Free From – Sweet: Orange and
Bowl / Willowbrook Foods
• Gold Winner – Value Q: Dunnes
Handmade Orange and Honey Ham
Almond Cake / Wildberry Bakery
• Salad - Un Prepared: Dunnes Stores
Stores My Family Favourites 4 Irish
Glaze / Wexford Home Preserves
• Frozen Food – Sweet: Sweet
Irish Piccolo Tomato / Jim O’Rourke
Beef Quarter Pounders / Kepak
• Christmas Q – Meat: Dunnes
Shortcrust Pastry / Roll It Pastry
• Sauces and Salad Dressings –
• Gold Winner – Small Producer:
Stores Simply Better Stuffed Fresh
• Fruit: SuperValu Signature Tastes
Ambient: SuperValu Signature Tastes
Meere’s Square White Pudding / Meere’s
Irish Turkey Breast Joint / Hogan’s
Gold Kiwi Tray / Keelings
Ketchup / Magro Foods
Pork Products
Farm
• Grocery Savoury - Ambient &
• Sauces and Salad Dressings –
• Gold Drinks Winner: The Exiles
• Christmas Q – Sweet: Dunnes
Chilled: Butter Masala Sauce / Bombay
Chilled: Lidl Meadow Fresh Basil Pesto
Irish Gin - Avalon Group Inc.
Stores Simply Better Handmade
Pantry
/ Galmere Fresh Foods
• Tesco Small Producer of the Year:
Raspberry Sherry Trifle / Prestige Foods
• Grocery Sweet – Ambient: Lidl
• Seasonal Occasions: Dunnes
Orange and Almond Cake / Wildberry
• Coffee: SuperValu Signature Tastes
Kilderg Pure Canadian Medium Maple
Stores Simply Better Irish All Butter
Bakery
Ristretto Coffee Capsules / Euro-caps
Syrup / Healy’s Honey
Hot Cross Buns / La Boulangerie Des
BV
• Home Baking: Tesco Finest Plain
Gourmet
FOOD WINNERS
• Cold Beverages – Juices: Tesco
Cooking Chocolate – 85% Cocoa Solids /
• Side Dishes: Aldi Stores Specially
• Bagged Snacks: Mature Irish
Finest Orange Juice / Keelings
LDH (La Doria)
Selected Cranberry, Apricot and Orange
Cheese and Red Onion Crisps /
• Cold Beverages - Soft Drinks:
• Meat – Bacon: SuperValu Signature
Stuffing / T.S Foods
O’Donnells
CocoSoul / CocoMojo
Tastes Cherrywood Dry Cure Smoked
• Soups: Tesco Finest Vine Ripened
• Biscuits – Savoury: Dunnes
• Dairy and Milk Products - Butters
Rashers / Oliver Carty
Tomato and Lentil Soup / Bakkavor
Stores Simply Better Irish Multi
and Spreads: Golden Cow Butter /
• Meat – Beef: Dunnes Stores Simply
• Tea: Organic Green Tea Chai / Solaris
Seed Rye Crackers / Sheridans
Kerry Foods
Better 28 Day Matured Irish Angus
Tea
Cheesemongers
• Dairy and Milk Products –
Wing Rib Roast / Tendermeats
• Value Q – Ambient: Dunnes Stores
• Biscuits – Sweet: Lidl Triple
Creams: Aldi Stores Sour Cream /
• Meat - Beef Steaks: Aldi Stores
My Family Favourites Strawberry Jam /
Chocolate Chip Cookies / Dawn
Green Pastures
Specially Selected Angus Fillet Steak /
Histon Sweet Spreads
Foods
• Dairy and Milk Products –
ABP Cahir
• Value Q – Chilled: Tesco Everyday
• Bread - Large Loaves: Lidl White
Yogurts: Greek Style Yoghurt /
• Meat - Burgers and Meatballs:
Value French Brie / Lactalis McLelland
Sourdough Loaf / Aryzta Bakeries
Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt
Lidl Inisvale Selection Irish Hereford
• Value Q – Frozen: Dunnes Stores
• Bread - Morning Goods: Tesco
• Dairy and Milk Products – Eggs:
Cheddar and Onion Beef Burgers /
My Family Favourites 4 Irish Beef
Iconic Savoury Feta and Caramelised
6 Very Large Free Range Eggs /
Linden Foods
Quarter Pounders / Kepak
Red Onion Scone / Aryzta Bakeries
Cavanagh Free Range Eggs
• Meat – Game: Aldi Stores Specially
• Vegetables – Prepared: SuperValu
• Bread - Small Breads and Rolls:
• Dairy and Milk Products – Milk:
Selected Irish Boned Whole Stuffed
Bolognese Kit / Wonderfoods
Tesco Seeded Roll / Panelto Foods
Aldi Stores Butter Milk / Arabawn
Duck with an Orange Glaze / Silver Hill
• Vegetables - Un Prepared: Russet
• Bread - Speciality Breads: The Rye
• Delicatessen – Antipasti: Aldi
Foods
Potatoes / Glens of Antrim Potatoes
One With The Fresh Cranberries / The
Stores The Deli Sour Cream and Chive
• Meat – Innovation: Dry Cure Rack
Breadski Brothers
Dip / Galmere
of Bacon / James Whelan Butchers
DRINKS WINNERS
• Bread – Wheaten and Soda
Delicatessen – Continental Meats:
• Meat – Lamb: Dunnes Stores Simply
• Ales and Beers: Black Lightning / 9
Breads: SuperValu Sean’s Brown Par-
Lidl Glensallagh Selection Irish
Better Connemara Hill Fresh Irish Rack
White Deer Brewery
Baked / McErlain’s Bakery
Silverside Pastrami / Glen Aine
of Lamb / Tendermeats
• Ciders: Tempted? Strawberry Cider /
• Cakes and Morning Goods - Large
• Delicatessen - Other Deli Counter
• Meat – Pork: Lidl Stuffed Irish Pork
dj’s juice and cider
Cakes: Dunnes Stores Simply Better
Products: Fire and Smoke Fire Grilled
Loin Joint / Honeyvale Foods
• Lagers: Lidl The Crafty Brewing
Handmade Belgian Chocolate Brownie
Sweet BBQ Ham / Kerry Foods
• Meat – Poultry: Good Kitchen Roast
Company Irish Lager / Rye River
Layer Cake / Sam’s Cookies
• Desserts and Puddings: Homemade
in the Bag / Moy Park
Brewing Co
• Cakes and Morning Goods - Small
Sticky Toffee Pudding / What’s for
• Meat - Black Puddings: Square
• Red Wines - Over €10: Musgrave
Cakes: Tesco Mini Carrot Loaf Cake /
Pudding?
Black Pudding / Meere’s Pork Products
Retail Partners Intrigo Negroamaro /
Aryzta Bakeries
• Fish - Fresh Fish: Lidl Inismara
Meat - White Puddings: Square White
Myliko International Wines
• Cereals: Cranberry, Coconut and
Hake Fillet with Bombay Curry Sauce /
Pudding / Meere’s Pork Products
• Sparkling Wines: Tesco Finest
Chia Seed Granola / Maria Lucia
Keohane Seafoods
• Meat – Sausages: Superquinn
Vintage Cava / PLB Group
Bakes
• Fish - Fresh Fish Dishes: Seafood
Award Winning Irish Sausages / ABP
• White and Red Wines - Under
• Cereals – Porridge: Lidl Deluxe
Sausages / Kilmore Quay Fine
Cahir
€10: Tesco Finest Garnacha / United
Organic Wafer Oats / White’s
Foods
• Pastas: Dunnes Stores Simply
Wineries
Speedicook
• Fish - Frozen Fish: Tesco Breaded
Better Italian Egg Tagliatelle / Valeo
• White Wines - Over €10: Musgrave
Cheese - Hard Cheese: Dunnes Stores
Haddock Fillets / Thistle Seafoods
Foods
Retail Partners Kings Ridge Pinot Gris /
Simply Better Cave Aged Gruyère /
• Fish - Smoked Fish: Burren Smoked
• Quiches, Pies and Pasties: Dunnes
Myliko International Wines
Traditional Cheese Co.
Irish Organic Hot Smoked Salmon
Stores Simply Better Handmade Irish
• Liqueurs and Speciality Spirits:
• Cheese - Soft Cheese: Dunnes
Marinated with Honey, Lemon and Dill
Goats Cheese and Caramelised Red
The Dubliner Honeycomb and Caramel /
Stores Simply Better French Brie de
/ Burren Smokehouse
Onion Quiche / Zanna Cookhouse
Quintessential Brands
Meaux / Traditional Cheese Co.
• Food To Go: Lidl Meadow Fresh
• Ready Meals: Cool Beans Hot Chilli
• Spirits: The Exiles Irish Gin / Avalon
• Cheese – Speciality: Dunnes Stores
Grab ‘n’ Go Chicken, Tomato and Basil
Flavour / Cool Bean Company
Group Inc.
Gubbeen / Traditional Cheese Co.
Pasta Salad / Nature’s Best
• Ready Meals – Ethnic: SPAR Select
Whiskies: Aldi Stores Clontarf 10 Year
• Chocolate and Confectionery: The
• Free From - Baked Goods: Aldi
Chicken Karahi / Kohinoor
Old / Castle Brands Inc
Dessert Menu / Butlers Chocolates
Stores Gluten Free Wholegrain Rolls /
• Ready to Cook Meals: SuperValu
• Christmas Q – Chilled: Dunnes
Gallagher’s Bakery
Signature Tastes Tuscan Inspired
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|27
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards
Super Performance from SuperValu SuperValu scooped 11 awards at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. SUPERVALU has scooped 11 awards at the prestigious Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. These accolades awarded to the SuperValu range is an endorsement of the quality produce supplied to SuperValu’s 223 stores nationwide. Further to this, Cork-based SuperValu Food Academy producer WildBerry Bakery clinched the Small Producer of the Year title for its Orange & Almond Cake. Based in Balineen, Co. Cork, the award-winning bakery produces a range of handmade baked goods, including the everpopular Orange & Almond Cake. The product is available in SuperValu stores, as part of the Food Academy range. “We are very proud of all of our suppliers who won awards at this year’s Irish Quality Food & Drink awards,” noted Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu. “Together, we are committed to providing customers with quality produce they can really trust and we are delighted that this commitment has been recognised with these
Some of the SuperValu’s winning product range: SuperValu Sean’s Brown Par-Baked / McErlain’s Bakery; SuperValu Signature Tastes Ketchup / Magro Foods; : Superquinn Award Winning Irish Sausages and SuperValu Signature Tastes Ristretto Coffee Capsules.
prestigious awards. As the number one supporter of the Irish agri-food industry, we source from over 2,200 Irish suppliers. In fact, 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland.” He went on to highlight how SuperValu’s commitment to Irish suppliers represents an annual contribution of almost €2 billion to the Irish economy. “That’s what makes SuperValu different,” Kelleher stressed. “By shopping at SuperValu, our customers know that they are getting the very best in quality, taste and value while also helping to support jobs and the economy of the local community.”
SuperValu Winners: 1.
SuperValu Signature Tastes Ristretto Coffee Capsules from Eurocaps BV took the Award in the Coffee category. Pictured are (l-r): Paul Tye, Business Development Director, Graphic Packaging International; Miriam Crowley, Product Developer, SuperValu; and Derry Clarke.
Winner of the Free From - Chilled category was SuperValu Lactose Free Milk from North Cork Co-op. Pictured are (l-r): Gráinne Denning, CEO, Coeliac Society of Ireland; Linda O’Connor, SuperValu Own Brand Manager; Aoife Lynch, North Cork Co-op; and Derry Clarke.
Meat - Bacon: SuperValu Signature Tastes Cherrywood Dry Cure Smoked Rashers, supplied by Oliver Carty 2. Meat - Sausages: Superquinn Award Winning Irish Sausages, supplied by ABP Cahir 3. Milk: SuperValu Lactose Free Milk, supplied by North Cork Co-op 4. Fruit: SuperValu Signature Tastes Gold Kiwi Tray, supplied by Keelings 5. Vegetables: SuperValu Bolognese Kit, supplied by Wonderfoods 6. Bread - Wheaten and Soda Breads: SuperValu Sean’s Brown Par-Baked, supplied by McErlain’s Bakery 7. Ready to Cook Meals: SuperValu Signature Tastes Tuscan Inspired Marinated Irish Chicken Topped with Pancetta and Butter Beans, supplied by Ballymaguire Foods 8. Sauces and Salad Dressings: SuperValu Signature Tastes Ketchup, supplied by Magro Foods 9. Coffee: SuperValu Signature Tastes Ristretto Coffee Capsules, supplied by Euro-caps BV 10. Red Wines: SuperValu Specially Sourced Intrigo Negroamar, supplied by Myliko International Wines 11. White Wine Over €10: SuperValu Specially Sourced Kings Ridge Pinot Gris, supplied by Myliko International Wines
28|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Food & Hospitality Ireland
Showing Its Class Food & Hospitality Ireland served up a tasty event at Citywest, with exhibitors reporting brisk trade and visitors impressed by the strong line-up of events and exhibitors. SEPTEMBER’S Food & Hospitality Ireland exhibition, incorporating the first-ever Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland and the Great Taste Market, delivered thousands of visitors to the 2015 event, with exhibitors reporting brisk trade and business being done. Taking place on September 16 and 17, visitors from the food, retail and hospitality industries travelled to the Citywest Events Centre to uncover innovative new products, taste the latest in artisan food and make contact with new suppliers. With over 120 companies showcasing their products and services, the two-day event also served up a host of awards, inspirational talks from speakers and expert cooking demonstrations. From the Craft Butchers Shop of the Year awards to the Product of the Show winners, Food & Hospitality Ireland celebrated the very best of Ireland’s thriving food, retail and hospitality industries. “Over the past eight months, Food & Hospitality Ireland and Speciality & Fine Food Ireland have worked with our partners to ensure that Food &
FHI Product of the Show winner James Kearney of CBL Equipment with Bobby Kerr, Chairman of Insomnia Coffee Company.
Bruce Langlands, Director of Food & Restaurants, Harrods, addressed the Dublin Food Chain and helped to judge the Product of the Show Awards.
Retail News| October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|29
Food & Hospitality Ireland
Winner of the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland Product of the Show, Birgitta Hedin Curtin from The Burren Smokehouse, is pictured with Bobby Kerr, Chairman of Insomnia Coffee Company, and Toby Wand, MD, Fresh Montgomery, show organisers.
Hospitality Ireland 2015 delivered features that were of real benefit to the sectors,” explains Toby Wand, Managing Director of Fresh Montgomery – organisers of Food & Hospitality Ireland. “From the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland to the CSNA, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Retail Ireland and the Coeliac Society of Ireland, our goal was to ensure there was something for everyone at this year’s event. The feedback from both visitors and our partners has been excellent and we feel that FHI really did deliver something for everyone.” Shining A Spotlight The Spotlight Stage was one of the most hotly-anticipated features and was home to a line-up of industry experts over the two days. Martin O’Shea, Buyer at Musgraves, presented to a full house, speaking on ‘How to have your product sold through Ireland’s biggest stores’, while Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland was joined by Olivia Duff of Boyne Valley Foods Series for a talk on ‘How to build your own food tourism strategy’. The Spotlight Stage also hosted some lively cookery demonstrations from Dublin restaurateur and chef, Conor Dempsey of Amuse Restaurant and chef Sean Owens of the Butchery Excellence Scheme. From ‘The finest food hall in the world’, Director of Food and Restaurants at Harrods, Bruce Langlands addressed a 120-strong meeting of the Dublin Food Chain, delivering golden nuggets of advice to attendees on ‘How to get your product listed in the Food Hall.’
FullFill Co. were one of the innovative exhibitors at Food & Hospitality Ireland: their products combine Greek style yoghurt, fruit puree (or chocolate!) and whey, with 20g of top quality protein in every bottle.
30|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Food & Hospitality Ireland New Products & Services With everything from handmade granola to prosecco and wine on tap, Food & Hospitality Ireland housed thousands of new products and services under one roof. To honour the quality products and business solutions available at the event this year, the Product of the Show awards recognised 13 companies as finalists. Judged by an independent panel of judges that included Bruce Langlands, Director of Food and Restaurants at Harrods, Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) and John Hickey from the Craft Butchers, along with Kim Leonard of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, two exhibitors were crowned with the top awards. Taking home the Food & Hospitality Ireland Award was CBL Equipment, who won the award for their Castle Chafer product, a newly-patented waterless chafing dish that reduces fuel cost to under €0.25 per hour. “CBL Equipment are thrilled to receive the award for the Food & Hospitality Ireland Product of the Show for our ‘Castle Chafer’ product,” said James Kearney, company founder. “All of the finalists were of such a high standard and it’s wonderful to see the exciting new innovations coming from Irish companies in the food and hospitality sector.” The Speciality & Fine Food Fair Product of the Show Award went to multi award-winning Burren Smokehouse for its Smoked Organic Salmon with Seaweed. Please see separate panel for the full list of winners from the Product of the Show Awards. Ireland’s Best Butcher Announced Long-standing show partner, the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI) held its annual awards on day one of Food & Hospitality Ireland. Insomnia Chairman and radio presenter, Bobby Kerr was joined by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD, to present the ACBI’s most prestigious awards – Shop of the Year.
Food & Hospitality Ireland Product of the Show Finalists:
• • • • • •
CBL Equipment for Castle Chafer (Overall Winner) Money Point Ltd. for Bodurcube – Intelligent Cash Deposit Safe Nutritics for Nutritics Hugh Jordan for the Revol Arboresence Peppercorn Plate Martin Food Equipment for the Turbo Rapid Cook Oven Stuewer GmbH for the Regiomat – Meat Vending Machine
Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland Product of the Show Finalists:
• • • • • • •
Leaves for Pasta with Benefits Tideford Organics for Organic Red Lentil Soup with Apricots and Chillies Bonnie Yau’s Food Products for Yau’s Binchotan Charcoal Noodles Toons Bridge Dairy for Straw Smoked Scamorza Long Meadow Cider for Blossom Burst Cider The Real Pork Crackling Company for English Mustard Pork Crackling The Burren Smokehouse for Organic Smoked Salmon with Seaweed (Overall Winner)
Craft Butchers Shop of the Year went to Grogan & Brown Artisan Butchers of Loughboy, Co. Kilkenny, who also secured the award for Best Butchers on a High Street. Accepting the award was co-proprietor Jonathan Brown, who said: “We’re thrilled to have won the award for Craft Butchers Shop of the Year, it is such a prestigious award and a great honour for us to bring this, along with the Best Butchers on a High Street award, home to Kilkenny.” Other category winners were O’Brien’s Butchers of in Kilkenny Shopping Centre, Loughboy, who won Best Butcher’s Shop in a Shopping Centre, and O’Gorman’s Butchers of Castledermot, Kildare, for Best Rural Butcher’s Shop. For further information on Food & Hospitality Ireland 2016, incorporating the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland, please email FHIteam@ freshmontgomery.co.uk. To keep updated on the plans for 2016, follow the show on twitter @FHIexhibition, search ‘Speciality & Fine Food Fair Ireland’ on Facebook or check the website The range of organic soups, sauces and porridges from Tideford proved very popular at Food & www.foodhospitality.ie. Hospitality Ireland.
LIGHTEN YOUR COSTS Up to 30% funding available!
Reduce lighting costs by up to 75% by switching to LED
EFFIC I GY
N
ME
Cash for Kilowatts
Savings for YOUR BUSINESS!
E
FU
DI
CY EN
ENE R
PLUS Get up to 30% of the project cost back in funding with Energia’s Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme
NG SCH
Funding available for Lighting, Heating, Refrigeration and more. Email: energyservices@energia.ie or visit www.energia.ie/funding
32|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Gala Annual Conference
Gala Delivers for Shoppers
Pictured at the Gala Annual Conference are (l-r): rugby pundit Brent Pope; Fiona Gratzer, Managing Director, Unislim; Matt Shields, Country Manager, parkrun Ireland; Pat Falvey, adventurer; and Gary Desmond, CEO, Gala Retail.
Gala’s Annual Conference saw the progressive retail group investing €300,000 in creating more choice for its shoppers via the new health and wellness strategy, Your Choice with Gala. DELIVERING choice for consumers was the central theme at Gala Retail’s annual conference, which took place at the end of September at the Malton Hotel in Killarney. Attended by Gala retailers, Gala CEO, Gary Desmond was joined by guest speakers, including former Rugby International and TV pundit, Brent Pope, and adventurer, Pat Falvey, to announce the group’s new health and wellness strategy which will deliver more choice for its shoppers: Your Choice with Gala. The Gala group has pledged to invest over €300,000 in Your Choice with Gala, which includes both in-store activation through an initiative with Unislim Ireland, and a major sponsorship with parkrun Ireland. Commenting on the six figure investment in ‘Your Choice with Gala, Gary Desmond says: “At Gala, we’re all about offering consumers choice and that’s why we’re investing significantly in our new strategy to ensure it really delivers for our shoppers – both in-store and in their lives. “Research shows that one in 10 adults in Ireland are thought to be on a slimming plan, with over one in two
trying to lose weight (Source: Nielsen Global Health & Wellness Survey 2014). Therefore, our new product development with Unislim will deliver meal options that are convenient, healthy and don’t compromise on taste for our busy shoppers,” he continues. The Gala healthy choices range with Unislim, Ireland’s longest-established slimming and health organisation, will initially include a range of healthier offerings for Gala’s in-store deli bars that will have a wide-appeal, and will work within Unislim’s meal plans. “Unislim are thrilled to be working with Gala on this exciting and new initiative, which is a real opportunity to introduce innovative and exciting healthy options at Gala deli counters,” enthuses Fiona Gratzer, Managing Director from Unislim. “Our members lead busy lives and having convenient yet healthy food choices for lunch, endorsed by Unislim, in Gala stores across Ireland will be hugely beneficial.” The range will be launched in the New Year and
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|33
Gala Annual Conference
CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond, is pictured at the Gala Annual Conference with Fiona Gratzer, MD, Unislim, and Matt Shields, Country Manager, parkrun Ireland.
over 10,000 Unislim members will be amongst the first to taste Gala’s Healthy Options with Unislim. Promoting Healthier Lifestyles In a three-year deal, Gala will become the first commercial sponsor of parkrun Ireland – the free, weekly, 5km runs that have grown to almost 40 locations nationwide – and of junior parkrun, which is soon to launch. Gala’s sponsorship of parkrun Ireland embraces ‘Your Choice with Gala’ as parkrunners can choose to walk, run or jog at the weekly parkruns and there’s no age limit on participation. “We’re not here to tell our shoppers how to live their lives,” notes Gary Desmond. “Instead, it’s all about helping to deliver choice and promote healthier lifestyles.”
Guest speakers, renowned rugby pundit Brent Pope (left) and adventurer Pat Falvey (right), are pictured with Gala CEO, Gary Desmond.
Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award Winners • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Mullin’s Gala, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim Gala Raheen, New Ross, Co. Wexford Candy’s Gala, Carnew, Co. Wicklow Worrell’s Gala, Kildangan, Co. Kildare Cullen’s Gala, Adamstown, Co. Wexford Corrigan’s Gala, Moyne, Co. Longford Frayne’s Gala, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Egan’s Gala, Monkstown, Co. Dublin Gala, Holles St, Dublin 2 Harkin’s Gala, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal Kane’s Gala, Carlow, Co. Carlow Gala Express, Bosheen, New Ross, Co. Wexford King’s Gala, Ashbourne, Co. Meath Lunney’s Gala, Carrick On Shannon, Co. Leitrim Mullins’ Gala, Pearse Rd, Sligo Hegarty’s Gala, Carlow, Co. Carlow Smith’s Gala, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan Murphy’s Gala, Kilanerin, Co. Wexford Coyle’s Gala Express, Belmullet, Co. Mayo Gala Emmet Stores, Mountmellick, Co. Laois Crowley’s Gala, Ballygarvan Co. Cork Durkan’s Gala, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo Bracken’s Gala, Portlaoise, Co. Laois McGloin’s Gala, Foxford, Co. Mayo Larkin’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Tipperary Tuffy’s Gala, Bonniconlon, Co. Mayo Mc Dermott’s Gala, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick Shea’s Gala, Blennerville, Tralee, Co. Kerry Crowe’s Gala, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary Gala Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Tuffy’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Mayo
34|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Gala Annual Conference Gala B.E.S.T Award Category Winners: • • • • • • • • • Deirdre Kennedy, Director of K&K Produce, is pictured accepting the Gala B.E.S.T Supplier of the Year Award from Gala CEO, Gary Desmond.
•
Customer Service Award, sponsored by Mars: Kane’s Gala, Carlow, Co. Carlow Community Initiative Award, sponsored by Nestlé: Gala Kilmallock, Co. Limerick Alcohol Award, sponsored by Coca Cola: Hegarty’s Gala, Carlow, Co. Carlow Marketing Initiative Award, sponsored by Largo: King’s Gala, Ashbourne, Co. Meath Special Merit Award, sponsored by JTI: Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary Brand Champion Award, sponsored by Mondelez: McDermott’s Gala, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick Chilled Retailer Award, sponsored by Kerry Foods: Gala Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Bakers Corner Award, sponsored by O’Brien Ingredients: Gala, Moyvane, Co. Kerry Fresh Food Award, sponsored by Aryzta: Harkin’s Gala, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal Gala Supplier of the Year Award: K&K Produce
Commenting on becoming the first commercial sponsor of parkrun Ireland, Gary Desmond continues: “parkrun Ireland events are community run and as they’re free, they remove cost as a barrier to participation. It’s this sense of community and helping our communities to become healthier that appealed to us, and as Gala is recognised throughout Ireland as the community convenience retailer, sponsoring parkrun Ireland was the perfect fit.” With almost 70,000 registered parkrunners in Ireland, parkrun Ireland has grown significantly since the first Irish parkrun in Malahide Demense Castle and Gardens on November 10, 2012. parkrun now stretches across 17 counties in Ireland, with three further counties, Donegal, Limerick and Roscommon, introducing The Gala Retail Annual Conference took place at the end of September at the Malton Hotel in parkruns over the coming months. Killarney and attracted a large number of delegates. “We’ve ambitious targets for parkrun in Ireland and hope to have at least 70 events by and bronze awards, a host of Gala retailers were recognised the end of 2016,” explains Matt Shields, Country Manager for excellence within convenience retailing. with parkrun Ireland. “The three-year deal with Gala The ‘Gold Standard’ is awarded following a Retail is incredibly important to parkrun, in order to help comprehensive and independent assessment process us achieve our growth via Gala’s network of stores and to under the Gala Business Excellence Standards Tool ensure that we always maintain the ethos of parkrun, which programme, and 32 stores were recipients of the top accolade, includes free participation for everyone.” demonstrating the volume of progressive retailers within the Group. A further 29 retailers received either silver or bronze, Gala B.E.S.T Awards and are now on the journey to gold, and there were 10 One of the highlights of the conference was Gala’s annual category award winners, including K&K Produce from North B.E.S.T awards, which were presented at the evening event Co. Dublin, suppliers of fresh potatoes, fruit and vegetables, by TV personality, Lorraine Keane. Receiving gold, silver who were awarded ‘Supplier of the Year’ by Gala.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|35
Crisis Management
Flirting With Disaster? Have you got a plan in place to manage a crisis or product recall in your business? Solicitor Maree Gallagher advises on the best way to prepare for the worst.
IT’S AMAZING how, in theory, everyone knows how to properly manage a food crisis, yet when the inevitable happens, those “in the know” usually fall disconcertingly silent, or, worse, they fall apart. A crisis of any sort in any business is a serious wake-up call for management and the board. It is also a time of great concern and stress for employees and indeed for consumers when the crisis in question might pose a risk to human health or indeed to life itself. There is often a belief that “it won’t happen to us” but several international studies show that the number of product recalls globally is on the increase and with higher standards being demanded by consumers and regulators alike, this increase is set to continue. In the food industry, as in any other business, mistakes happen and situations arise that are often nobody’s fault and outside the control of the bestrun businesses. However, when you are dealing with products that people actually consume and put into their bodies, there has to be a zero tolerance approach to risk. Time Is of the Essence One of the fundamental errors that food business operators (FBOs) make is taking too long assessing whether or not they have an issue. There is a reluctance to do anything or tell anyone outside the
business, until the FBO has investigated the issue and has gathered the relevant information. All too often, by the time a business accepts it has a problem and needs help to manage it, days or weeks have passed when the problem has gradually escalated, testing has been done, meetings and calls have happened but everyone is still hoping that the problem will blow over and there will be no need for action. FBOs should understand that time is critical when it comes to successfully managing and controlling a potential issue; it is better to act fast and discover that the situation can be reasonably easily dealt with, rather than try to keep a
Delay in dealing with a problem can have catastrophic legal and financial implications for a business and these must be taken seriously.
36|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Crisis Management lid on it and end up fire-fighting and on the back foot. The speed at which a decision is made to treat a situation as a potential crisis is usually what determines how successfully a business emerges unscathed from a crisis. There is also evidence to show that reacting quickly and decisively can minimise the cost of product recall or withdrawal in the long term. Delay in dealing with a problem can have catastrophic legal and financial implications for a business and these must be taken seriously. European Food Crises In Europe, we have experienced several continent shaking food scares over the last 20 years. The first and arguably the most significant of these was the BSE crisis, which emerged in the mid-1990s. That crisis led to a complete refocusing of priorities in the minds of European consumers, food businesses, policy makers and regulators. People were genuinely terrified to think that food they may have consumed many years previously could potentially result in them contracting a very debilitating and ultimately fatal disease. It had all the elements of a bad horror movie but in the case of BSE in Europe in 1996, it was far too real. The fallout from that crisis – aside from the fact that governments fell and it shook the institutions of the EU to its core – was that the consumer in Europe was firmly placed centre stage. Following the example of the Irish authorities, who have cemented a reputation of always being out front when it comes to dealing with food safety issues, food safety authorities sprung up throughout Europe in the late 1990s. Their raison d’etre was to protect consumers and to rebuild confidence in food safety in Europe. The European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Safety at the time was the eminent Irish lawyer, David Byrne, and he set about the very challenging process of reframing European food laws to ensure that consumer protection through food safety was at the core of policy and law. As a result of this, Europe has developed an effective and unique way of dealing with food safety crises and, for the most part, EU consumers have confidence in the food they eat and consume. They also, remarkably, have confidence in the regulators and those charged with ensuring that food safety standards are met, unlike consumers in other jurisdictions such as the US, China and New Zealand, where public suspicion of the authorities is much higher. Vigilant Enforcement That does not mean that managing a food crisis in Europe is easy: far from it. The fact that the laws and systems are relatively modern means that they anticipate many of the issues which food businesses can face in 2015. It also means that enforcement officials are very vigilant and can apply the letter of the law very strictly. This is further complicated by the fact that there are of course 28 different Member States in the EU and 24 official languages. Whilst in principle, the laws governing food crises are harmonised across Europe, the reality is that, culturally, very different approaches can be taken in different countries and even in different parts of countries. The crucial point for FBOs to understand is that the law throughout Europe requires immediate notification where there is or is suspected to be a food safety issue (noting that the EU law definition of unsafe food means food that is ‘injurious to health” but also, “food that may be unacceptable to consumers”, even though it might not be harmful). This can be challenging for food businesses but as stated previously, delay or any indication that a food business is not being fully transparent with the authorities can result in a business losing control over an issue and suffering irreparable damage as a result.
About the Author Maree Gallagher is an Irish solicitor with over 20 years’ experience advising the food, retail and consumer product sectors on product recall and crisis management. She has an established global network and regularly manages domestic and international recalls and withdrawals for clients. For more information, call (01) 6787700 or email Maree@mga.ie.
Knowledge (and Experience) is Power Knowing what the law requires and how a particular situation is likely to be dealt with is an essential part of effective crisis preparedness for selling products in Ireland and abroad. Building good relationships with lawmakers and regulators in peacetime is a risk management strategy that can pay off when things go wrong. It makes it much easier to have difficult conversations and work together when there is an existing relationship, and FBOs who have emerged from the other side of a product recall or crisis scenario will often prioritise such engagement after the event, in a way that they may not have done previously. Where a company is exporting product, it is equally important to understand (or have somebody available to the business who understands) the recall and crisis management processes in that country, as different markets have different requirements and obligations. With increased globalisation of the food industry and differing safety and legal requirements in different markets, knowing how to access the correct information is important. Not having access to local expertise can further add to delays in managing problems. Accurate and timely information gathering cannot be over-emphasised. Get the facts and do not rely on estimates
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|37
Crisis Management or conjecture. If you don’t know the details or if you are waiting for confirmation (of test results, affected batches etc), then say that but do not make any categoric statements unless you can stand over them 100%. A badly managed product recall is one that is not dealt with quickly, that drags on longer than it should and one where effective communication to the powers that be, consumers and shareholders, is compromised, resulting in untold damage to your brand and to When you are dealing with products that people actually consume and put into their bodies, there has to be a your bottom line. zero tolerance approach to risk. Product recall insurance should be considered but it is equally important international product recall, a strong global network, good to understand that access to the right advice is a means of regulatory relationships and commercial awareness are key ensuring that your business does not make costly mistakes. when retaining a crisis manager. PR and communication is very important in times of What Should You Do? crisis but it absolutely has to be aligned with the legal So what is best practice? Putting together and practising constraints imposed on businesses in crisis. A casual or a crisis management plan is the most common, and basic, unvetted PR statement or interview (usually done in haste at step for any business. Ask the question: what do we do when the beginning of an incident) can have a catastrophic effect things go wrong? In my experience, though, such plans on the management of a crisis and can also cause litigation often lie buried in a filing cabinet or drawer somewhere and headaches further down the road, because one thing is rarely see the light of day. When they are dusted off, often certain in any crisis: someone pays. the contact details of the crisis team have changed or the This is particularly relevant today, given the prevalence particular person is no longer in the business. Also, in times of social media and real-time communication. A very tight, of real panic and crisis, who has the time to work through streamlined approach is required, which complies with the the well thought out series of questions and protocols in a applicable law but which does not compromise the business crisis management plan? unnecessarily. Your crisis manager will input into this and My advice to FBOs is to keep a short but up-to-date will work with your PR advisers to ensure that a consistent contact list of the key people you may need to contact in the message is communicated and that social media is monitored event of a potential crisis. This should include the CEO, and used in an effective way. the production manager, the quality manager, the logistics manager, the marketing manager, the sales manager, the Media Training for Managers CFO. Mobile numbers, email addresses, home numbers and Ensuring that at least one key manager is media trained is any other contact details should be on this list. It should a good idea as it is sometimes appropriate for management also have details of the business’ legal, insurance and PR to give interviews but care needs to be taken with this, as advisers. If you do nothing else to prepare for a potential media interviews can backfire. An alternative, which also crisis in your business, do this, as getting in touch with the ties in with a good social media strategy, is to prepare a right people in good time can make all the difference. professionally moderated video interview with a senior manager that the business can then post online. Experienced Crisis Manager To best protect your business and your brand, your In addition to an up-to-date contact list, every FBO retained crisis manager should be a high level advisor to should have access to an experienced crisis manager who the board. The right person in this role will firstly work to understands the global food industry and who can advise on properly understand your business, which will then allow the specific laws and requirements that affect your product them to assist the business prepare for issues that may arise in the markets in which you are selling. This person should and help devise strategies to avoid full blown crises. be familiar with the applicable laws regarding food safety, However, the real insurance policy for your business defective product and product safety. But more than that, is that you know if you ever have a problem that requires you must have confidence that the person advising you liaising with the authorities or conducting a full recall, you understands the bigger picture in terms of protecting your have immediate access to the relevant expertise and that, in brand and the integrity of your business. Experience in times of crisis, could prove to be of incalculable value.
38|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Biscuits
Crunch Time Irish consumers love biscuits, munching their way through almost €273m worth of them each year. IRISH consumers adore biscuits, with the latest report into the sector from Euromonitor International estimating the Irish biscuit market to be worth a massive €273m, a 6% increase on the previous year. All product offerings within the biscuits category recorded strong growth rates in 2014, according to Euromonitor, with plain biscuits and sandwich biscuits seeing significant growth levels due to ever-increasing new product developments within breakfast biscuits. Euromonitor predict annual growth rates of 3% over the coming years, with sales of €312m projected by 2019. While all categories are expected to see an increase in sales, they estimate that growth is likely to be slower than in recent years, as sales of new product innovations, such as breakfast biscuits, will begin to drop back as they reach their maturity and fewer product extensions are developed. The Irish biscuits category is set to be further shaken up in 2016 when East Coast Bakehouse, the new Irish biscuit manufacturer, starts production from its state-ofthe-art plant in Drogheda, Ireland’s first large scale biscuit manufacturing facility since the closure of the old Jacob’s plant in 2009. The experienced management team are targeting both own label and branded biscuit business, so next year should be a huge one for the sector. Jacob’s Jacob’s have launched their new ‘Make It Yours’ campaign, which sees firm family favourites Kimberley, Mikado and Coconut Creams (amongst others) return to our screens and billboards in a fun and memorable way! Having baked biscuits to perfection since 1851, Jacob’s prides itself on understanding Irish life and tastes like no other. No wonder then that Jacob’s is the number one biscuit brand in Ireland and the fifth most popular brand in FMCG (Source: Kantar Brand Footprint 2015). The brand’s popularity just keeps on growing, with a spectacular return to share growth from 18.3% to 19.2% in the past 12 months and more consumers buying more often than ever before
The ever-popular Mikado brand from Jacob’s.
Club Milk, one of the nation’s favourite brands.
(Source: Kantar Worldpanel, 52 weeks ending September 13, 2015). Jacob’s story lies in all the different memories around their biscuits that people share with families and friends – and they’ve heard loads! Whether it’s hiding Elite Tea Cakes in a locked suitcase in a car boot (one mum actually confessed to doing this to save them from her kids) only to end up sharing them anyway, climbing over fences to take a tin of Afternoon Tea to an elderly neighbour at Christmas or
40|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Biscuits opening a pack of Mikado as a treat on a Friday after school, memories and biscuits go hand in hand. Consumers have their own little rituals that enhance the taste of Jacob’s, whether it’s eating the chocolate from the top of a Tea Cake, scooping the jam out of a Mikado or nibbling ALL the chocolate from around a Club Milk before dunking it in a warming cuppa - and Jacob’s new TTL campaign is set to bring them all to life. The ‘Make It Yours’ campaign will include National OOH, digital & radio spots and its mission is to get people to enjoy their biscuit moments more than ever before. “Consumers may like to nibble them slow or gorge on the go, whichever you choose, love that you make them yours,” enthused a company spokesperson. “Because at Jacob’s, well…we just bake the biscuits.” McVitie’s Enjoyed by Irish families for generations, McVitie’s has a large biscuit portfolio of much-loved iconic products. It’s a brand with a long history of delivering the products that consumers want. With the continuous focus on product quality, winning innovation, investment in brand support and responding to changing market needs, they have been able to sustain that position over the years. The Christmas best seller, McVitie’s Victoria will be back on TV this festive season.
Last year, United Biscuits embarked on a major relaunch of its McVitie’s brand to rejuvenate and create fresh interest in the massively popular sweet biscuit brand. As part of the overarching Masterbrand strategy, UB unveiled its new design, created to drive an ownable, distinctive and consistent brand identity across the entire McVitie’s range, including McVitie’s Digestives, Jaffa Cakes, Rich Tea and Hob Nobs. Having enjoyed huge success in 2014, the company continued to invest in product development this year. New McVitie’s DeliChoc, a thickly-coated Belgian chocolate biscuit, marked the beginning of another great year for McVitie’s, while the re-launch of the iconic Penguin made McVitie’s irresistible at Back to School. In addition to the redesign, the most significant element of the McVitie’s re-launch programme was a brand new approach to its advertising. The re-launch kicked off in February 2014 and is being continuously supported this year with a €1m multi-media “Sweeet” campaign, which hits all consumer touch points, extending from TV, digital and press to bespoke in-store shopper marketing activity. New TV adverts were created, each focusing on one of the following McVitie’s biscuit brands: Jaffa Cakes, Digestives, McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives: one of the star performers in the Chocolate Digestives and DeliChoc. The Christmas best portfolio. seller, McVitie’s Victoria (Source: Nielsen Scantrack, 12 w/e December 28, 2014) was also supported with a new TV ad, which received great feedback both from consumers and retailers. This year, the ad will be on air again in November and December. McVitie’s has been also investing heavily in shopper marketing activities and working closely Last year, United Biscuits embarked on a major re-launch of its McVitie’s brand, with a distinctive and consistent brand with retailers as category identity across the entire McVitie’s range.
42|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Biscuits advisers. “It’s all about understanding what your shoppers want,” explains Niamh Barden, Customer Marketing & Insights Manager. “This starts with getting to grips with the key trends in the Irish grocery market and understanding how they affect your categories. For instance, the recession has left most of us with a very different perception of what value for money means than it may have three years ago. There is no denying that price is a key driver in the market, but we must feel we are still getting Burton’s Biscuit Company has launched its phenomenally successful 1980s savoury quality and value for our euro - which snack brand, Fish ‘n’ Chips, into Ireland. means the cheapest price is not always the right price. “Attractive promotions can be a lot more enticing than a biscuits market with the launch of Cathedral City Baked low base price and this, coupled with standout point of sale Bites, completing its savoury offering. to interrupt the shopper throughout the store, can lead to Growth in savoury snacking is being driven by consumer incremental sales and impulse purchases,” she continues. “Of trends towards both convenience and more permissible course this won’t happen if the right range is not on the shelf snacking, with savoury biscuits benefitting from the “baked and given the right space. Understanding when and why not fried” and portion packed aspects. the shopper buys biscuits and how this comes to life at the Burton’s Fish ‘n’ Chips are available in multipacks of fixture can help retailers and buyers resist the temptation to five 25g bags, 125g bags (both with an RRP of €2.49) and over-list and focus on the areas of growth and products that 40g packs (RRP €0.99). will deliver this.” Originally launched in Salt & Vinegar flavour, demand Harnessing the power of the McVitie’s brand, UB plans for Fish ‘n’ Chips has been accelerated with the recent to modernise and grow it by unlocking new occasions and introduction of Pickled Onion and Curry Sauce variants. creating fresh interest in biscuits to drive category growth and, therefore, sales for retailers. The re-launch has been successful in the year to date, increasing sweet biscuits market share by +0.5 pts to 20.7% in value, while the overall Sweet biscuit market is declining by -4.4% (Source: AC Nielsen September 2015). Burton’s Burton’s Biscuit Company has launched its phenomenally successful 1980s savoury snack brand, Fish ‘n’ Chips, into Ireland. It marks the first time the snack, which was re-introduced in the UK in early 2014 in response to overwhelming public demand, has been made available in Ireland. “Burton’s Fish ‘n’ Chips has been the star performer in the UK savoury biscuits market for the last 12 months,” says David Costello, Head of Customer Category Management at Burton’s Biscuit Company. “The incredible consumer demand and success of the Fish ‘n’ Chips brand is testimony to our continued commitment to innovation, with savoury being a driving force behind the growth of the wider biscuit category. We are confident that the introduction of this iconic brand will play a key role in driving category growth within Ireland’s €273m biscuit market.” Alongside Fish ‘n’ Chips, Burton’s has added Burton’s has added significant value to the significant value savoury biscuits market with the launch of Cathedral City Baked Bites. to the savoury
Homestead’s biscuit brands are a hugely popular part of the brand portfolio.
Homestead Consumers continue to look to brands that offer value, quality and pedigree. Homestead is as relevant today as it was back in 1983 when it was created. With over 100 products in the range, Homestead continues to bring value home to a whole new generation and Homestead’s biscuit brands are a hugely important and popular part of the portfolio.
BOOST YOUR SAVOURY SALES!
Introducing bags more choice to the fast-growing savoury biscuits sector
•Burton’s Fish ‘n’ Chips, available in three distinctive flavours –Salt & Vinegar, Pickled Onion and Curry Sauce
•Cathedral City Baked Bites – the deliciously cheesy, surprisingly crunchy snack, baked with real grated Cathedral City cheddar
•Pack sizes and formats available to suit both single and sharing occasions
STOCK UP NOW! All Cathedral City trademarks and copyright are owned by Dairy Crest Ltd and used under licence.
FREE • Equipment • Advice • Promotions
44|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Costcutter Store of the Year
Costcutter Rewards Top Quality
The Costcutter Store of the Year Awards saw the top stores countrywide rewarded across a host of categories.
UP to 40 new stores will open in the coming year under the Costcutter/ Carry Out retail franchise brands in Ireland, it was announced at the Costcutter Store of The Year Awards, held recently at The City West Hotel, Saggart, Co. Dublin. Jim Barry, Managing Director of the Barry Group, who support the 120-strong independent Costcutter group, said that the locally owned stores have invested substantially in new technology, range and services in the past year, and that business is very much “on the up”, reflecting the big demand for community based retailing. Superb Work Ethic The MD thanked the team at the Barry Group for “upping the bar” over the last year.
Jim Barry presents the Foodmarket of the Year Gold Award to Eoin Durkin, store owner, Costcutter Tully, Connemara, Co. Galway.
Tom Liddy is pictured accepting the Costcutter Supermarket of the Year Gold Award from Jim Barry.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|45
Costcutter Store of the Year Costcutter of the Year Awards Costcutter Supermarket of the Year Gold Award: Liddy’s Costcutter, Roslevin, Ennis, Co. Clare Silver Award: Doherty’s Costcutter, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal Bronze Award: McDonnaghadh’s Costcutter, Connemara, Co. Galway Costcutter Foodmarket of the Year Gold Award: Durkin’s Costcutter, Connemara, Co. Galway Silver Award: Cunningham’s Costcutter, Mountbellew, Co. Galway Bronze Award: Moran’s Costcutter, Dingle, Co. Kerry Costcutter Express of the Year Gold Award: Fitzpatrick’s Costcutter Express, Kilmihil, Co. Clare Silver Award: Skelly’s Costcutter Express, Virginia, Co. Cavan Bronze Award: Stafford’s Costcutter Express, Clonard, Co. Meath Forecourt of the Year O’Brien’s Costcutter, Bishopstown, Co. Cork Outstanding Customer Service: Carroll’s Costcutter, Mountrath, Co. Laois Food To Go: Costcutter Amber, Fermoy, Co. Cork Michael Fitzpatrick, store owner of Costcutter Express, Kilmihil, Co. Clare, accepts the Gold Award for Costcutter Express of the Year from Jim Barry.
Acknowledging that the Irish grocery market remains a difficult environment, Barry did admit that the landscape is changing for the better and that Barry Group was in a good position for the coming years. In a wide ranging speech addressing attendees, Barry stressed that there are still significant obstacles for small businesses. He argued that the current government still fails to understand this, citing plain package cigarettes, below cost selling of alcohol and excessive excise duty as major threats to the industry.
Best Fresh Produce: Cunningham’s Costcutter, Mountbellew, Co. Galway Off Licence of the Year Gold Award: Tuohy’s Costcutter Foodmarket, Birr, Co. Offaly Silver Award: O’Neill’s Costcutter, Dorset Street, Dublin 1 Bronze Award: Daniels’ Costcutter, Ballina, Co. Mayo Convenience Wine Department of the Year Gold Award: Allen’s Costcutter, Phibsboro, Dublin 7 Silver Award: Tierney’s Costcutter, Ennis, Co. Clare Bronze Award: Staunton’s Costcutter, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Foodmarket Wine Department of the Year Gold Award: Murphy’s Costcutter, Macroom, Co. Cork Silver Award: Carney’s Costcutter, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo Bronze Award: Kelly’s Costcutter, Foynes, Co. Limerick Supplier of the Year: Pat the Baker Most Engaging Supplier: K&K Produce Best Ambient Supplier: Proctor & Gamble Best Alcohol Supplier: Heineken Ireland Best Equipment Supplier: Emmerson Palmer Innerworkings Chill & Fresh Supplier: Pat the Baker Best Frozen Supplier: Dr Oetker
Anthony O’Brien, store owner of Costcutter Bishopstown, Co. Cork, accepts the Best Forecourt Award 2015 from Jim Barry, CEO, Barry Group.
Best Innovation in Retail: Aryzta Food Solutions
46|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Costcutter Store of the Year
Eugene Baker, Head of Sales & Marketing, Pat the Baker, is pictured being presented with the Overall Supplier of the Year Award from Barry Group CEO, Jim Barry.
In terms of the Barry Group, the Managing Director expressed his pride at the work his team have put in this year and said they will continue to up the bar in terms of customer service. Costcutter has enjoyed robust growth in 2015 and Barry is buoyant about the group’s possibilities going into 2016: “We’ve come out of a very difficult trading period for the wholesale sector and while we must remain vigilant, we are now in a great position to drive on. We will continue to invest in new technologies and services and we will continue to constantly ask ourselves how we can improve in order to offer every conceivable advantage to our retailers.”
Jim Barry presents the Best Off Licence of the Year Gold Award 2015 to Derek Tuohy, Costcutter Birr, Co. Offaly.
David Ryan from Amber Costcutter, Fermoy, Co. Cork, collects the Best Food To Go Award 2015 from Jim Barry.
Winning Ways! Liddy’s Costcutter in Roslevan was one of the big winners on the night, taking home the Supermarket of the Year award, while Durkin’s Costcutter in Connemara was named the Foodmarket of the Year. Fitzpatrick’s Costcutter in Clare was named the Convenience Store of the Year for the third year running. Other significant winners included O’Brien’s of Bishopstown, which was named the Forecourt of the Year, and Costcutter Birr which took home the Off Licence of the Year award. Congratulating the winners, Jim Barry spoke of his pride of the standard right across the Costcutter network: “We have eight new winners this year, which was fantastic, and all the winners are terrific standard bearers for the Costcutter group. The standard right across all the categories was extremely high and we’re seeing a continued rise in standards each year.” Sixty Years in Irish Retail Barry Group is celebrating its 60th year in business this year and guests were treated to a video montage marking the significant moments in the Mallow based company’s history. The company have already significantly marked this milestone year by being the only wholesaler in the country to be named as both a Great Place to Work and one of Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies, while Jim Barry himself has been named Ireland’s Most Trusted Leader and a National Champion in the 2015 European Business Awards.
Barry Group salutes a great history and looks forward to a great future. The family ethos is at the heart of everything Barry Group does. With more and more retail groups changing ownership and creating volatility in the market, Barry Group aims to be the family symbol group for a family business. “Understanding the needs of other family businesses and offering them the stability and the platform they need to ensure their business is successful” – that’s the key to the unique customer service Barry Group offers says Managing Director Jim Barry. Supplying 265 franchises under the Costcutter, Carry Out Off Licence and Quik Pick symbols, as well as a large number of independent retailers and wholesalers based in Ireland, Barry Group is established as one of the most respected wholesale distribution companies in Ireland. With this year marking the company’s 60th year in business, Barry Group can point to its longevity in the market as the perfect partner for any prospective retailer. Yet as the company reflects on its history during this milestone year, it’s also the ability to see ahead and a commitment to innovation that ensures Barry Group offers its retailers every conceivable advantage in the market. “Customer service is at the core of everything we do. We are always challenging ourselves to do better, to offer something new or to refine a process to ensure our retailers have everything they need to help their business thrive” Jim Barry explains. Barry Group has enjoyed three significant seals of approval this year with the company being named as both a Great Place To Work and a Deloitte Best Managed Company. MD Jim Barry was also named as Ireland’s ‘Most Trusted Leader’ at the 2015 GPTW awards along with being named as a National Champion in the 2015 European Business Awards. These awards were seen as vindication of the processes put in place by Barry Group over the last 18 months. “The market is increasingly changing with outside influences affecting more and more businesses, we offer a retailer stability and we offer them that understanding of a family business” With 60 years of experience behind it and an award winning team driving it forward, Barry Group is the perfect partner for your business. For more see barrygroup.ie.
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
48|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Poultry
Chicken Lookin’ Good
Irish people are amongst the highest consumers of poultry in Europe.
IN Ireland, consumption of poultry meat accounts for a third of total meat consumption, equating to almost 26kg per capita per annum, one of the highest levels of consumption across Europe. The category is showing strong growth, with the value of chicken sales growing by 9% to €200m in 2014, while in the same period, egg sales rose by 6% to €98m and are expected to hit €103m this year. Addressing last year’s Poultry and Egg Conference, organised by Bord Bia, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD, described poultry as “a valuable and integral part of the Irish agricultural economy”. The Minister said that in this very competitive sector where Ireland is over 100% self-sufficient, it is important to have the edge and Bord Bia`s Quality Assurance Scheme provides this on the shelves. “Bord Bia estimates that over 90% of poultry meat produced on the island of Ireland is quality assured and the inherent added value this gives to the product does not escape the consumer,” he said. With almost 96% of all poultry and egg producer members of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme, a strong and resilient home market is critically important for the success of the industry. Since 2006, consumer awareness of Bord Bia’s Quality Mark has grown from 62% to over 90% in 2014.
Moy Park Ireland’s number one poultry brand, Moy Park continues to be a market leader in the poultry sector, according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel. Representing 6.3% value share of the poultry market across 52 weeks, the Moy Park brand reaches 46.1% of households across the year. Brand growth has accelerated in the latest 12 weeks with value performance up by 33% versus the same period last year (Source: Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, 52 Week and 12 Week data, ending July 19). Moy Park have successfully recruited new shoppers, whilst also encouraging shoppers to purchase the brand more frequently. This increase in market performance is reflective of Moy Park’s commitment to innovation and response to consumer demand. In April of this year, Moy Park launched the first roast-in-the-bag chicken product to use cutting edge thermoformed packaging technology. The state of the art packaging is a printed, sealed pack that can go straight into the oven. The new ‘shelf to oven’ whole chicken product, which was recently recognised with a prestigious Irish Quality Food Award, was launched under the Moy Park ‘Good Kitchen’ range, which was developed to target a growing market for added-value fresh chicken products. Launched in the ROI and NI marketplace in April, the products achieved listings with Dunnes Stores and Tesco Ireland, as well as through the convenience channels in Ireland and have successfully resonated with the Irish consumer. Profile analysis from dunnhumby indicates that the products appeal to a family orientated and younger demographic, in line with the market positioning as a convenient meal solution for the time poor shopper (Source: dunnhumby SHOP ‘Shopper Profile Analysis – Added Value
Moy Park continues to be a market leader in the poultry sector, with innovative new products fuelling consumer demand.
GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS A CHANCE TO WIN
with our upcoming Christmas on pack promotion y! Stock ange toda up on the Moy Park breaded r 3835 2233 Contac t your commercial team: +44 (0) 28
50|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Poultry Wholebirds’ Data, April 13 to July 26, 2015). “As Ireland’s number one poultry brand, we are delighted with the latest results,” commented Brand Marketing Manager, Briege Finnegan. “The FMCG market is in a constant state of flux and with that, we have to be one step ahead and meet consumer demands and expectations at every level, whilst responding to the ever-changing marketplace. We place a strong emphasis on innovation and bringing something new to the market, as demonstrated by our recent product launch, and we plan to continue this positive work going into 2016.” Manor Farm Convenience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing on taste or quality, as proved by the new Manor Farm cook-in-the-bag whole chicken: Really Easy Chicken. Since launching the new cook-in-bag chicken earlier this year, Ireland’s oldest chicken producer, Manor Farm, has encouraged even the more novice cooks in the nation to roast a whole chicken. “Roast chicken is the nation’s favourite meal and yet our research has shown that more than four out of 10 adults have never roasted a whole chicken,” says Vincent Carton, Managing Director of Manor Farm. “Confidence is the major obstacle. People are unsure of how to go about cooking a whole chicken. Our new Really Easy Chicken is the failsafe way to roast a chicken the whole family will enjoy.” The Irish chicken is in sealed packaging that can go straight into the oven. The consumer doesn’t need to handle the chicken. They simply need to pierce the packaging once, place the chicken in a preheated oven as per cooking time on the label, and relax. The result is deliciously, juicy and succulent chicken every time.
Eggciting News A RECENT study by Kantar Worldpanel reveals that Irish people are buying 7% more eggs than they were last year and are buying eggs more frequently than before and in bigger volumes ( Source: Overview of the Irish Egg Market, Kantar Worldpanel, July 19, 2015). Frequency of egg purchase is up 2.5%, while packs of 10 or more eggs account for 60% of all egg sales in 2015, which is a 6% increase on 2014. Irish consumers are now spending €103m per year on eggs. To accommodate the growth in consumption, Ireland is now producing 551m eggs annually. Bord Bia recently helped celebrate World Egg Day with a suite of new egg recipes, developed by Daniel Davey, Senior Performance Nutritionist at Leinster Rugby and Dublin GAA and co-founder of popular food nutrition platform FoodFlicker. Daniel’s recipes included Mediterranean Ham and Spinach Tart, Beef Keftas with Tomatoes and Eggs, Baked Eggs with Ham and Quinoa Frittata with Spinach and Feta Cheese. See www.bordbia.ie/eggs for more information.
Rugby players Fergus McFadden and Sophie Spence joined with Bord Bia and sports nutritionist Daniel Davey to celebrate World Egg Day and to raise awareness of the versatility and nutritional benefits of eating eggs as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Since launching Really Easy Chicken earlier this year, Manor Farm has encouraged even the more novice cooks in the nation to roast a whole chicken.
Manor Farm was recently named winner of the 2015 EIQA Best in Food Production for Hygiene and Food Safety award. The 240-year-old chicken producer has won the prestigious Q mark for this category each year since 2012. “Manor Farm always has the best interests of the customer in mind,” notes Vincent Carton. “We’re honoured to win this important award again this year. We’ve always endeavoured to operate to the highest standard possible when it comes to food safety and hygiene. It’s the bedrock of our success as one of Ireland’s longest established food producers.”
Pictured receiving the Award for Hygiene and Food Safety at this year’s National Q Mark Awards from Irene Collins, Managing Director, EIQA (left), are Lynn Farrelly, Quality & Food Safety Manager, Manor Farm, and Joyce Johnston, John McHale, Lynette Pritchard, Hayley Keenan, Collen Vallely, all from Manor Farm Quality Department.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|51
OTC & Healthcare
Medicine Chest
The consumer healthcare market continues to increase, with innovative products fuelling growth.
THE high costs of doctors and medical visits in general have contributed to a growth in consumer healthcare products in recent years, including Over The Counter (OTC) medicines. Growth in consumer health in Ireland remained consistent and stable over the past few years, according to Euromonitor International. Branded products continue to dominate the analgesics market, despite the emergence of generic products in recent years, as many consumers often remain convinced that branded counterparts offer better quality and superior levels of pain relief, Euromonitor report. Indeed, Euromonitor expect the analgesics sector to increase in value by 2% per year in the coming years. As a category which is already mature, scope for further significant growth is limited, with the key brands already well represented. While the outlook for volume growth for low-cost non-branded and generic OTC generics is positive, actual value sales of these products are likely to remain comparatively low, especially in comparison with the leading brands, due to the relatively low average unit price and the high level of brand loyalty which prevails in the category. The impact of changing consumer attitudes also needs to be considered, however. Rising awareness of the potential health implications of the overuse of analgesic products has increased, particularly since the change in status of codeine containing products, with consumers taking greater consideration of the necessity of using products for minor pain and discomfort. The decline of paediatric cough/cold remedies remains the most significant feature of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies in Ireland. Since the recently renamed Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), formerly the Irish Medicines Board (IMB), changed its recommendations relating to which products are suitable for children under six years of age in 2011, paediatric cough/cold remedies have recorded declines within the range of -5% and -7% per annum. The list of ingredients for which these recommendations were changed is extensive, encompassing products across antitussives, expectorants, nasal decongestants and antihistamines. The new advice outlines that, while for children aged between six and 12 years old, non-prescription medicines could continue to be used wherever considered necessary, the risk-benefit balance for children aged under six years old had not been shown to be favourable. As such, these products are now only available through pharmacies, where provisional advice can be given regarding their use. Still, Euromonitor predict annual growth rates of 1% for cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies, despite the fact that it is a mature category. When it comes to digestive remedies, Euromonitor predict a 2% annual increase in coming years, due mainly to the self-
52|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
OTC & Healthcare management of symptoms, as a greater range of products and medicinal ingredients in certain categories, such as proton pump inhibitors, are expected to override the maturity of the majority of existing categories. Consumer segmentation in multivitamins in Ireland continues to expand, with a particular focus on the elderly, children and women. Combination products with added omega fatty acids and probiotics continue to make advances. Heart health and cognitive function are the most important drivers for growth of fish oils and omega 3-6-9 as manufacturers in these categories focus on the cardiovascular and brain boosting benefits of such products, especially for the older population. Intense marketing campaigns from producers, marketers and private label, meanwhile, form the core of attempts to drive consumer uptake of the latest formats. Chewable variants have risen in popularity in recent years, with gummies proving especially appealing to children, whilst adults are increasingly looking to soluble formats, especially products within energy boosting formulas. Euromonitor expect annual growth rates of 2% for vitamins and dietary supplements. Pfizer Paracetamol
As well as looking great on-shelf, the range is attractively priced, ensuring that in today’s value-led environment, your customers will be pleased. The range is backed with TV advertising, which has helped drive sales for retailers. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare reminds retailers to keep all medicines out of the reach of children and to read the package instructions carefully. Caldesene The Caldesene range from Clonmel Healthcare has seen great expansion over recent years and now consists of Caldesene Powder, Caldease Ointment and CaldeSpray. Caldesene Powder is a medicated baby powder that prevents and treats nappy rash. It works by attacking harmful bacteria and soothing skin irritation. Its special formulation also means that it forms a barrier against wetness on the baby’s skin. Caldesene Powder is available in three handy sizes: 20g, 55g and 100g. Caldease Ointment also relieves the symptoms of nappy rash. Caldease protects irritated skin and soothes minor skin irritations, superficial wounds and burns. Caldease Ointment can be applied before the powder and works to actually put back fluids to the skin area and act as a moisturiser, helping prevent recurrence of nappy rash. Caldease is available in both 30g and the new larger 100g tube.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
Caldesene Powder is a medicated baby powder that prevents and treats nappy rash.
Pfizer Paracetamol and Pfizer ParaExtra have been a big hit with Irish consumers since their launch almost two years ago.
Developed following extensive consumer research and leveraging the strength of Pfizer, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer Paracetamol and Pfizer ParaExtra have been a big hit with Irish consumers since their launch almost two years ago. Consumer research revealed that two thirds of respondents expressed a liking for the product packaging, which uses metpol board for a premium look and feel. Significantly, a massive 80% said that they would be likely to buy the product, with over half of these being positively influenced by the Pfizer branding. Adding to the on-shelf impact, the Pfizer range is presented in recyclable cardboard display trays, enhancing standout and assisting with recognition and ease of selection for consumers.
CaldeSpray is a zinc oxide milk spray for nappy rash, with excellent skin adherent and skin protective properties, which form a protective barrier against wetness.
CY
CMY
K
54|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
OTC & Healthcare
CaldeBaby Teething Gel allows parents to help their child during teething.
CaldeSpray, the latest addition to the family, is a zinc oxide milk spray for nappy rash. This concentrated spray has excellent skin adherent and skin protective properties, which form a protective barrier against wetness. CaldeSpray is the ideal choice for busy mums and dads on the go, thanks to its easy application, with no need to rub, no direct contact with skin, and no need to touch baby’s delicate skin. CaldeSpray contains zinc oxide 10% w/w. Caldesene Medicated Powder contains calcium undecylenate 10% w/w. Caldease Medicated Ointment contains Zinc Oxide 15% w/w. From the same company comes CaldeBaby Teething Gel. Cutting their first teeth often means a disturbing time for babies and CaldeBaby Teething Gel allows parents to help their child: parents simply gently massage a pea-sized dab of gel onto the gum using a clean finger or cotton bud, two or three times a day. CaldeBaby Teething Gel cools and soothes irritated gums and provides gentle care of the baby’s mouth. In addition, it is sugar-free and has a pleasant honey flavour. The Caldesene range is distributed by ClonMedica, the OTC division of Clonmel Healthcare. GSK Consumer Healthcare Oilatum, the renowned skin health brand from GSK Consumer Healthcare, is strengthening its Oilatum Cream with a new claim to highlight its benefits; ‘clinically proven to significantly reduce itching for up to eight hours’. Eczema is regarded as a minor skin disease but it has a profound impact on the quality of life for both adults and children. Research conducted by GSK looked at the impact that skin conditions can have on families. 87% of mums agreed that Oilatum Cream soothed their child’s skin, along with 88% choosing to continue to use Oilatum Cream after the study had finished. Oilatum has been recognised for its strong performance and the new claims will help to further the brand’s trusted consumer reputation. Oilatum is perfectly positioned to provide a range of products to help families manage skin conditions and eczema. “We have developed the claims in partnership with
mums; the results from our research tell us that mums perceive the Oilatum range, and specifically Oilatum Cream to be highly effective and therefore the preferred choice for our target audience,” Finn Lyons, Marketing Manager for Oilatum, comments. “With our strong credentials, we are delighted to be able to strengthen our portfolio with a number of consumer preference claims, along with the ‘clinically proven to significantly reduce itching for up to eight hours’ claim for Oilatum Cream. “We will be driving consumer awareness via a number of touch points, including out of home advertising, print advertising and digital partnerships with our core audience, mums. As a brand with long, trusted heritage, Oilatum in the skin category is growing at +8% and we are confident that the launch of the exciting new Oilatum claims gives us a unique selling proposition that will help drive category penetration and continue to be a firm favourite with our target consumers.” Chia Bia Following continued investment, Waterford based healthfood company, Chia Bia has launched Europe’s first plant based source of Omega 3 Chia Oil. Chia Bia is one of only two companies in the world to introduce this sustainable and vegan alternative of Omega 3 with no fishy taste and are the first to bring the product to the European market. More commonly derived from fish oil, the introduction of the alternative plant based Omega 3 oil comes as part of the Tramore based company’s commitment to pioneer the ways in which Chia and its by-products can be brought to the consumer. The human body needs Omega 3 and Chia Oil is a Waterford based healthunique and sustainable source of food company, Chia Bia Omega 3 ALA which contributes has launched Europe’s to the maintenance of normal first plant based source of blood cholesterol levels. A Omega 3 Chia Oil. natural supplement, derived by an innovative process that cold presses Chia seeds, the oil is encapsulated in a small seaweed based capsule, making it a vegan friendly source of Omega 3 that has no fishy taste. For more information, see www.chiabia.com.
Oilatum is strengthening its Oilatum Cream with a new claim to highlight its benefits; “clinically proven to significantly reduce itching for up to eight hours”.
Kinder Sales to Hit New Heights The Kinder Kids brand, now worth Ä10m (Source: AC Nielsen Ireland 06/09/15) is helping parents celebrate their children as they grow, with the launch of a new on-pack promotion, ‘Win Personalised Height Charts’, with over 8,500 prizes to be given away. Running for 12 weeks, parents will be able to win height charts for their children, personalised with their child’s name and desired profession. They will also be able to customise the colour and select a Kinder character to sit proudly on the design. Entries are made via the dedicated microsite on www.kinderchocolate.com, with parents required to either submit a short description or a picture/drawing showcasing what their child would like to be when they grow up. “Kinder Chocolate is going from strength to strength and our new campaign is set to be the latest part of our success story to date,” notes Levi Boorer, Customer Development Director. The on-pack promotion will be supported in true Kinder style, including TV support and VOD.
Change is on the Cards With the Payments Council predicting that cash will make up less than 50% of payments in 2015 (Source: wired.co.uk) and one in three consumers regularly leave the house without any cash (Source: www.pennies.org.uk), offering the ability to pay by card is vital for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). By investing in Chip and PIN facilities, SMEs can stay ahead of the curve and meet customers’ growing demand to pay by plastic, helping them secure more sales and grow their business. Luckily, implementing or upgrading payment processing equipment, such as Chip and PIN terminals, is now more affordable and more easily deployable than ever, with independent payment services often offering small retailers better deals and stronger support packages than the traditional business banking partners. Retail Merchant Services is the UK & Ireland’s largest independent card processing provider, delivering secure and trusted services for SMEs. With flexible, cost effective, electronic payment options, including chip and pin terminals, contactless, online payments and mobile terminals, Retail Merchant Services enables Irish merchants to accept payments anywhere, anytime. See www.retailmerchantservices.ie or call (01) 4854946.
Win! Win!
FIRE & SMOKE CELEBRATE
A HELLISHLY GOOD WIN AT THE 2015 IRISH QUALITY FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS Kerry Foods are on fire as they’ve just nabbed a coveted Irish Quality Food & Drink Award for their recently launched Fire and Smoke meats range. Fire and Smoke’s fire grilled sweet BBQ ham took home the top prize in the Delicatessen – Other Deli Products category, beating off stiff competition with its exceptional and distinctive taste. To celebrate this prestigious win, Henry Denny’s Fire and Smoke want you to try out their sensational premium cooked meats range for yourself. The hellishly good range comes in seven different flavours and has taken inspiration from the pitmaster craft of the American Deep South, using fire and smoke cooking methods. Delicious joints of meat are cooked low and slow, glazed, then fire grilled over flames and smoked with oak wood chips for an extra bit of “hell yeah”. For your chance to WIN a rustic wood Fire & Smoke serving board and a hamper full of hellishly good Fire & Smoke meats, tell us where did the inspiration for Fire and Smoke come from? Hint: See www.fireandsmoke.ie
To enter go to
facebook.com/RetailNews1 or
@RetailNews1
Closing date 20th November 2015 Please refer to www.retailnews.ie for terms and conditions.
56|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress
Channelling Your Retail Talent
Ivan Yates addresses the ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress.
Some of the biggest names in the Irish grocery sector were amongst the speakers at the ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress 2015, Winning Across Channels. THE ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress 2015 took place in O’Reilly Hall in UCD recently, and the theme, Winning Across Channels, meant that developments in technology would present as much of a focus as developments with the Irish consumer. Attendees were treated to a morning of insights and foresights, as well as some less than encouraging news about the psyche of the Irish consumer, still deeply scarred as it is by the boom/bust cycle at the start of this millennium. Recession Depression? One issue of concern to any brand operating in the FMCG sector was presented by Matt Clarke, Commercial Director, Nielsen Ireland. His figures show that according to Nielsen Ireland, a massive 72% of Irish respondents believe the country is still in recession and of them, 59% believe we will be in recession for a further 12 months. This is neither true nor encouraging from the point of view of a resurgence in consumer spending. Consumer confidence is recovering, although still not to pre-bust levels. The total value of the FMCG market here has contracted to €15.2 billion, recording a contraction in units sold and market value: however, this contraction is larger when tobacco and alcohol are excluded.
The rise of the discounter, a trend highlighted at previous ECR events, continues apace, with Aldi and Lidl now accounting for 17% of the total value of the FMCG market in Ireland. The companies continue to invest in their expansion, with Lidl and Aldi accounting for over 20% each of advertising spend, ahead of competitors with larger market share. The Irish consumer has changed fundamentally over the course of the Matt Clark, Commercial Director, recession, a recession Nielsen Ireland. some of which believe we are still in. There’s still a distinctly Darwinian aspect to our FMCG sector and it is not necessarily the biggest or strongest brands that will survive, but the most adaptable. The message remains that the Irish consumer is still looking for value for money, with price continuing to play a big role in what they determine as good value. Indeed, 76% of Irish respondents say they put in “a lot of effort to buy groceries at the lowest prices”. Kings of Convenience Willie O’Byrne, MD of BWG Foods, provided an insight into the convenience channel. He pointed out that while GDP levels are now above those of 2008, consumer spending lags
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|57
ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress behind at roughly 97% of 2008 levels. FMCG operators in Ireland are all chasing market value that is still smaller than it was seven years ago. Despite that, BWG, as with all operators in the channel, have been investing heavily in new concepts, store designs, own brands, technology, distribution networks, and the list goes on. Not only that, they are engaging with their customers through more touchpoints, digital & POS, than ever before. The standards in the Irish convenience channel are among the best in the world and are widely acknowledged as such. For a tiny island nation with a population of roughly 4.5m, it is incredible to think of the amount of international retailers who visit stores here to see what their future could look like if they get it right.
Even some of the wildest distribution methods currently being considered in the digital age, such as drone deliveries, are going to need a source, and a system to manage and organise deliveries. Musgrave Wholesale Partners have invested heavily in creating an ordering and delivery system that is personalised to its customers’ needs, i.e., the retailer. Significant improvements in accuracy, speed and ease of use mean that stock ordering takes up less of a retailer’s valuable time, allowing them to focus on their own customers.
Noel Keely, MD of Musgrave Wholesale Partners, informed attendees about developments in the wholesale channel.
Willie O’Byrne, MD, BWG Foods, provided insights into the convenience channel.
In closing, O’Byrne raised the issue of surcharges on in-store payment services, which has caused concerns with politicians and consumers. The reality is that payment to the retailer is in some cases less than the charges associated with processing transactions. With value in the FMCG market still reduced and competition in the sector as strong as ever, the issue of in-store payment services is likely to make a few more headlines.
Forecourts to the Fore Topaz Energy’s Paul Candon, Group Corporate Services Director, and Sean Moriarty, Retail Director, were joined by Maxol’s Group General Manager, Brian Donaldson, for an engaging discussion on the forecourt channel. Closely aligned with the convenience channel, standards in Irish forecourt retailing are the envy of the world, as evidenced by the plethora of international awards garnered by Irish forecourts. However, competition is also fierce. According to Paul Candon, Topaz has noticed a strong recovery in the market in and around Dublin, but any recovery is much weaker in rural areas. The development of the motorway network has meant that some forecourt sites have become extremely valuable real estate, but it has negatively impacted on other forecourts, which are now bypassed. Candon highlighted other trends affecting the forecourt channel, including the continued exit of the oil majors from direct competition in the market and the continuing growth in importance of the ‘transumer’, or transient consumer. Food and beverage sales have been increasingly important drivers in the forecourt channel for the last 20-plus years here. However, the quality, range and standards in the channel have taken yet another serious leap forward in the last few years.
Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland.
Wholesale Changes? Noel Keely, MD of Musgrave Wholesale Partners, informed attendees about developments in the wholesale channel. Anyone paying attention to the FMCG sector may have noticed the word ‘personalisation’ cropping up a lot with regard to consumers in terms of the product, the marketing and even the manner of engagement. So is there even a place for wholesale (or mass production for that matter) in ‘the internet of things’? The simple answer is yes.
Pictured are (l-r): Mike Byrne, CEO, GS1 Ireland; keynote speaker Ivan Yates; Maria Svejdar, Marketing and Communications Manager, GS1 Ireland; and Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland.
58|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress That point was ably demonstrated by Maxol’s Brian Donaldson, as he spoke about the brand’s Moreish concept (www.moreish.ie), which illustrates how the forecourt sector here has embraced food to go and the transumer, as well as ideas such as personalisation. With three simple steps, consumers get just what they want, down to artisan bread. We are not just going to petrol stations anymore, but world class food service facilities that also sell fuel.
Maxol’s Group General Manager, Brian Donaldson, addresses the Congress.
Paul Candon, Group Corporate Services Director, Topaz Energy.
Ivan Yates, keynote speaker, was insightful, entertaining and frequently hilarious.
payment and the post conversion relationship. Of note is the fact that online grocery shopping in the UK is very strong and time-poor Irish consumers will inevitably gravitate towards it. Sean Moriarty, Retail Director, Topaz Eneregy.
Succeeding in the Supermarket Channel From Tesco Ireland, Joe Manning, Category Director, and Tadgh Dolly, Head of E-Commerce, were joined by Paddy Murney, Commercial Director, Coca-Cola, and the trio advised on how to succeed in the supermarket channel. As with all FMCG operators, Tesco has seen discounter rivals gain market share in a shrinking market. This is a serious challenge. Tesco’s approach has been to engage with their customers and the entire supply chain in order to adapt to the demands of the Irish consumer. With a focus on retailers’, suppliers’ and customers’ needs, there is a differentiation process that discounters cannot exactly replicate without changing their broader model. Tesco does not want to be seen as too big to care, but big enough to care a lot. This point was expanded upon by Tadgh Dolly, who explored winning in the online channel. Although online grocery shopping in Ireland is still in its relative infancy, it is not new, and it is growing. However, once again, Irish consumers are very demanding. Convenience is the major driver behind online grocery shopping, which means that any organisation looking to succeed must invest significantly in everything from supply to distribution and ordering,
The Issue of Insolvency Broadcaster, businessman and former politician, Ivan Yates proved to be a cracking choice for keynote speaker to close the congress. While he touched on many issues, Yates spoke very eloquently in particular on the notion of insolvency, an issue that has directly affected him. Having had direct experience of the bankruptcy process in Ireland versus that of the UK, Ivan spoke passionately about the need to make the system more like that across the Irish Sea – a process not designed to reward bad business, but one that would help Irish entrepreneurs to recover, rather than punishing them. He described the use of a ‘personal guarantee’ in the business process in Ireland as “an excuse for financial institutions not to do due diligence by passing on the entire risk”, a description that is perhaps as incisive as it is witty.
Pictured are (l-r): Deirdre O’Donoghue, Marketing Manager, Confectionery Division, Nestlé Ireland; Declan Carolan, ECR Ireland General Manager; and John Blythe, European Development Director at CPM.
Pictured are (l-r): Willie O’Byrne, MD, BWG Foods; Ed Roberts, founder, Talysis; and Alex Banahan, Sales Director, MACE, BWG Foods.
Overall, the ECR Ireland Leaders’ Congress 2015 offered some encouragement to operators in the Irish FMCG sector. The Irish consumer is still wary, but optimism is returning, particularly in larger urban areas. Standards in some channels have surged so high that they are among the best in the world and the Irish consumer is seeing the benefits. At this stage, it seems it won’t be too much longer before Irish consumers will collectively exhale, and really start to believe that “It” is over and things are better now.
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|59
Market News NEW FLAHAVAN’S QUICK OATS SACHETS FLAHAVAN’S have launched two new exciting Quick Oat sachet varieties, Red Berry and Lemon Curd, that are sure to be a hit with Irish consumers this winter. Produced in Co. Waterford, these new additions to the Quick Oats brand are made with traditional Flahavan’s Irish oats which are sourced within a 60 mile radius of the mill in Kilmacthomas and both new products contain no additives or preservatives. These two new variants come in a new 5-pack ‘handy pack’ format which contains five 40g sachets for a consumer friendly RRP of €2. Adapting to consumers’ desire for a smaller pack format, they are ideal for home or for use at work and they also feature a handy liquid measure on the sachet pack which makes preparation even easier. The product comes in a shelf-ready case for easy merchandising, with eight packs per case, and the new varieties will complement the already existing range of Quick Oats sachet products: Natural; Multi Seed; Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon; Golden Syrup and Organic.
FRANCISCAN WELL REWARDED CORK’S Franciscan Well Brewery has once again impressed judges at the World Beer Awards, with its Summer Saison winning the Best Seasonal Pale Ale. The award, which equates to the Summer Saison being considered by judges as the top seasonal Pale Ale in the world, is the Brewery’s highest achievement to date. The multi-award winning brewery has won a string of internationally recognised awards this year, with the Summer Saison previously winning gold in the European Seasonal Pale Ale category of the World Beer Awards.
GUINNESS CELEBRATES RUGBY CHARACTER GUINNESS has launched a brand new campaign, celebrating stories of strength of character and integrity from the world of rugby. Rather than focus on physical attributes of what makes a rugby player, this campaign looks to inner qualities like courage, empathy and resilience. Gareth Thomas: Never Alone tells the story of how the former Wales captain’s greatest fear wasn’t the opposition he faced on the pitch, but the fear of rejection from everything he had known, because of his sexuality. Ashwin Willemse: The Right Path tells the story of a man who had a choice of two paths when growing up, one dictated by a notorious Cape Town gang, and one he would need to make for himself, to follow a path to the pinnacle of rugby.
MAYFAIR KING SIZE PLUS INTRODUCING 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 continues to be the market’s fastest growing cigarette brand (Source: Nielsen, Extended Scantrack, YTD 06/09/2015). Priced 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.
POPCHIPS LAUNCH NEW FLAVOUR SNACK brand popchips has launched a new flavour, Mature Cheddar & Onion, which is set to thrill taste buds nationwide. With its rich tantalising flavour, Mature Cheddar & Onion delivers a naturally delicious and healthier alternative to satisfy even the strongest of snack cravings. Launched to fill a void in the snacking category, popchips addresses a key snacking need for a tasty and better-for-you product, without any compromise. Never fried, never baked, popchips are gently popped using a little heat and pressure, with all the flavour and less than half the fat of fried crisps. With tasty natural seasoning, Mature Cheddar & Onion packs a punch, without sacrificing on taste!
60|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Forecourt Focus: News Maxol Races Ahead
THE community of Muff in Co Donegal has been rallying around their local Maxol station owner Joe McGonigle, who ensured second place overall in the 2015 Irish Tarmac Championship and first overall in the R5 Category with a fifth place finish in the Cork 20 International Rally 2015 recently. Joe is well known by the community as he and his family own and run the Maxol Service Station in Muff. Maxol has been a consistent supporter and sponsor of Joe over many years as he moved from karting up through the rallying classes with his Honda Civic, Citroen C2, Renault Clio and his current Skoda Fabia S2000. Speaking about Joe’s recent performance, Fergal Harrington, Group Brand Development Manager, Maxol Group, commented: “All of us at Maxol are very proud of Joe’s achievements of late, and we’ve been delighted to be part of his journey along the way. We wish Joe even greater success in Irish rallying in the coming years: he truly is Pictured taking part in the Cork 20 International Rally are Joe a local champion, both for Maxol and the whole of Donegal.” McGonigle and his navigator, Ciaran Geaney.
Forecourts Score in Customer Experience Report FOUR of Ireland’s leading fuel and forecourt retailers were amongst the big winners in the first ever survey of Irish brands based on the experiences of customers, with Topaz, Applegreen, Maxol and Esso in the top 100. According to CEXi, the purpose of the report is to raise the game of customer experience management in Ireland, to establish a league table by which companies can benchmark their progress in this area and to measure how customer experience in Ireland compares
Applegreen Profits on the Rise
APPLEGREEN have announced a 43% increase in pre-tax profits to €5.2m for the six months to June, with revenues rising by 16% to €517m. Applegreen increased its number of sites from 152 at the beginning of the year to
175 by the end of June. Applegreen CEO Bob Etchingham reflected on this strong performance: “Growth was evenly spread across both the Republic of Ireland and the UK, with the latter’s contribution also adding about €500,000 in additional profits due to the strength of sterling against the pound during this period.”
internationally. The survey was carried out by Amarách Consulting for CEXi.org based on a template provided by KPMG Nunwood, which has published similar reports in the UK, USA and Australia. According to CEXi, the key messages which emerged from the survey were the expectation gap which Irish consumers experience, the fact that great customer experience doesn’t necessarily mean high prices and that motivated staff provide the best customer experiences.
Taking Care of Retailers
MAXOL recently treated 2014’s Today’s Local Champion ((TLC) winners to a fabulous trip to the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. The Maxol team and their winning retailers are pictured enjoying the sights. The group was awarded for outstanding excellence in retail standards as part of the company’s ‘Today’s Local Champion’ (TLC) Awards, which reward retailers for their high standards and excellent customer service.
Always FRESH MILK
and the SAME BEANS as our coffee shops
Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|61
Forecourt Focus: News Barron’s MACE Wins National Title
BARRON’S MACE forecourt in Raheen, Co. Limerick, has been named as the Best Delicatessen in Ireland for Hygiene and Food Safety at this year’s National Q Mark Awards. Opened five years ago, Barron’s MACE/TOP store is a family run convenience store and forecourt with a staff of 13. “The publicity that we got from being nominated was fantastic but winning this national award puts us on a much higher pedestal,” said a delighted Alannah Barron. Irene Collins, Managing Director of The National Q Mark Awards, said, “Gerry and his team of 13 constantly have their customers’ concerns for food safety at the forefront of their daily activities. This award fulfils that!”
Irene Collins, Managing Director, EIQA, presents the National Q Mark title to store owners, Alannah, Gerry and Pauline Barron.
He’s Alright, Jack!
Pictured are (l-r): Brian Byrne, Lantern Events; Claire Durack, Maxol; singer Jack L; Barry Ennis, Lantern Events; and Patrick Durack, Maxol.
TO celebrate the announcement of Maxol as official fuel partner to Wexford Spiegeltent Festival 2015, renowned singer Jack L dropped by Maxol Auto24 at Trinity Street in Wexford recently. “We were very excited to welcome Jack L and festival organisers, Lantern Events to our new Auto24 Station on Trinity St,” noted Fergal Harrington, Group Brand Development Manager, Maxol Group. “Maxol is delighted to be at the heart of the community in partnering with Wexford Spiegeltent Festival. As proud fuel sponsor, we love the family friendly nature of the festival and we’re very much looking forward to two weeks of fun, music and good food.” Maxol Auto24 are fully automated, pay-at-the-pump service stations, allowing motorists to re-fuel with petrol and diesel 24 hours a day, at even more competitive prices.
Petrol Station Compliance Improves: NSAI 2014 saw a sharp rise in metrology compliance rates among petrol stations, according to the NSAI’s annual report for 2014. Of the 5,941 petrol/diesel pumps tested by NSAI Legal Metrology inspectors to ensure they were calibrated correctly, just 393 failed (7%). “NSAI’s inspectors not only protect consumers, they also look out for traders as well,” said Head of NSAI’s Legal Metrology Division, Paul Turner. “We have had instances where petrol pumps can over-dispense. Ensuring petrol pump instruments are tested on an annual basis, not only increases consumer confidence, but also can potentially save business owners thousands of euros in lost petrol/diesel.” Throughout 2014, NSAI’s Legal Metrology inspectors conducted 5,659 site visits to businesses, testing 15,032 instruments, from alcohol or liquor dispensers to scales for retail and points of sale. Commenting on NSAI’s annual report, Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD said: “Standards
affect every part of our lives, but most of the time we don’t even notice them. Most of the goods and services we buy are designed, tested and measured against rigorous standards to ensure that we can have confidence in the products we use. To remain competitive, Irish businesses must operate to the highest standards – those who buy Irish products and services not only within our domestic market but also in Europe and internationally expect nothing less. Increasingly, certification to standards is becoming the expected norm for international trade and for inward investment.”
To find out what Costa Express can offer you contact: ROI tel: 021 500 3526 NI tel: 02892 689204
62|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Drinks News Jameson Hits 5m Cases IRISH Distillers recently celebrated the major milestone of global sales of 5m cases of Jameson this year and the opening of its new microdistillery in Midleton, Co. Cork by special guest, An Tánaiste, Joan Burton TD. Anna Malmhake, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, described it as “a major milestone for Irish Distillers. Jameson is an unparalleled export success story, having sold less than 500,000 cases in 1996 to over 5m this year, and it is poised to continue its phenomenal trajectory. We have recently doubled-production capacity here in Midleton to keep pace with the astronomical growth prospects, and we expect to have to expand capacity again in the next few years to keep up with demand.” Pictured are Irish Distillers CEO, Anna Malmhake, with Karen Cotter, Distiller at the Microdistillery in Midleton, Co. Cork.
TEELING DISTILLERY WELCOMES 10,000TH VISITOR SEPTEMBER marked a special milestone for the Teeling Whiskey Distillery as it welcomed the 10,000th tour guest to the increasingly popular visitor centre. Officially launched in June of this year, the distillery in The Liberties has swiftly proven to be a must-see attraction for tourists from across the globe and local whiskey enthusiasts alike. To celebrate its growing success, the 10,000th visitor, Robert Kennedy of Ocean County, New Jersey, was presented with a bespoke bottle of Single Malt Irish Whiskey by the Teeling brothers, Jack and Stephen (pictured). Making the occasion even more memorable, Robert filled the bottle straight from the cask and added a further personal touch by signing its label. For more information, see www.teelingwhiskey.com.
GUINNESS LAUNCH PREMIUM ALE GUINNESS has launched Guinness Golden Ale, the latest release from The Brewers Project, St James’ Gate, Dublin. Named after its distinctive golden colour, 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. 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.”
DESPERADOS TURNS HEADS
DESPERADOS is continuing to bring ‘the normal + the absurd’ to Ireland as part of its year-long marketing campaign with an exciting new media innovation. Inspired by the combination of ‘beer + tequila = Way of The Desperados,’ it has launched an innovative OOH campaign on Dublin’s Wexford Street: ‘Billboard + Turntable’. Joining forces with Kinetic, the Out Of Home media agency, and Starcom, Heineken Ireland’s media buying agency, the team have developed an eye-catching OOH campaign to inspire fans to embrace ‘The Way of the Desperados’.The exciting campaign combines a seemingly normal billboard with an unexpected, fun 3D turntable and successfully brings the ‘normal + the absurd’ campaign to life for passers-by. The 3D turntable, which features a record 5.5 metres in diameter, turns slowly and extends to include a 3D needle which is lit with high powered LED lighting. As a reward for checking out the billboard, consumers will be led to Spotify where a custom-built Desperados playlist lives, supplying the ultimate pre-party playlist!
Tullamore Distillery Celebrates Birthday WILLIAM Grant & Sons Ltd, the independent, family-owned distiller and owner of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, celebrates one year since the laying down of 22,392 casks, which are quietly maturing, at its state-of-the-art whiskey distillery in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. These production capabilities are set to double in 2016, with the addition of six new fermenters and two new pot stills over the coming months. They celebrated the one-year anniversary in style, with international journalists treated to pub and culture tours, a visit around the Distillery, and even lessons in hurling and fly fishing. The Tullamore Distillery is set to open its doors to the public this autumn, giving whiskey enthusiasts the chance to go behind the scenes with the Tullamore Distillery Ambassador, explore the state-of-the-art production process from Still House to Warehouse, and even create their own unique blend of whiskey in the Blending Room.
www.retailnews.ie|October 2015|Retail News|63
Drinks News Queen to Rock Beer Market ICONIC rock band Queen are releasing their own beer to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their biggest hit single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. It is a handcrafted Pilsner lager brewed in the Kingdom of Bohemia in the Czech Republic and has four key ingredients; soft water from source, Czech Moravian Malt, Nobel Saaz Hops, and yeast from the Protovin Brewery. The Queen crest will feature on the label and was originally designed by Freddie Mercury while he was a student at Ealing Art College, where he earned a diploma in art and graphic design, and it also features the iconic cover from the original single of the same name. Barry & Fitzwilliam have been appointed the Irish agents for the beer, which is now available here, with a six-pack of 4.7% ABV 33cl bottles expected to retail for between €12.49 and €12.99.
POWERSCOURT TO OPEN CRAFT DISTILLERY POWERSCOURT Distillery have lodged a planning application for the construction of a craft distillery and visitor centre at Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Local entrepreneurs Gerry Ginty and Ashley Gardiner are co-founders of the new venture and are planning a €10m investment that will create 30 jobs in the construction phase and 18 full-time jobs, once the business is fully operational. Master Distiller Roy Court will mix barley grown in the surrounding fields with certified mineral water from Powerscourt Estate’s well, using traditional pot still techniques, to create a portfolio of unique whiskeys. At full production, the distillery will have the potential to produce over one million bottles of whiskey per year. Pictured are Powerscourt Distillery CEO and co-founder, Gerry Ginty; Sarah Slazenger, Managing Director of Powerscourt Estate; and Powerscourt Distillery co-founder, Ashley Gardiner.
JAMESON INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAMME HITS 300 THE Jameson International Graduate Programme officially welcomed its 300th graduate to its global network of Brand Ambassadors at the launch of the 2015/16 programme recently. Conor Timmons (pictured), from Cabinteely, Co. Dublin, is the 300th graduate to be recruited and will shortly be heading to Tokyo where he will support the marketing and sales team in promoting Jameson amongst the triple digit growth it is currently experiencing there. Conor is one of 23 graduates; including two Distiller Graduates, who were chosen as part of the 2015/16 programme. The remaining graduates will be allocated to various global markets across five continents, making it the largest programme on offer to Irish graduates within the Irish spirits sector.
NEW DISTILLERY FOR DROGHEDA MINISTER for Jobs Richard Bruton TD was on hand recently at the announcement that the Boann Distillery and Visitor Centre, a state-of-theart distillery to open next year in Drogheda, will create over 80 new jobs as part of its ambitious plans to become one of Ireland’s leading independent distilleries and craft brewery initiatives. The stunning €20m Drogheda based facility will include a whiskey distillery, craft brewery and taproom, an architecturally designed visitor centre which will host distillery and brewery tours, a 120-seater restaurant, whiskey bar, private event space and a gift shop. The Boann whiskey distillery will create a range of Irish single malt, pot still and blended whiskies from technologically advanced nano-copper pot stills. A small batch premium gin will also be produced in a custom made 500L Bennett Still. Pictured are (l-r): Marie Cooney, Boann Distillery; Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton TD; Pat Cooney, Boann Distillery, and Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland.
NOffLA Selects Gold Star Wines THE National OffLicence Association (NOffLA) has awarded Gold Star Wine Awards to 15 wines at SIP 2015. 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 criteria, 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 outlets, of which there are more than 315 nationwide. The chosen wines will be recognisable by distinctive Award symbols on each bottle. In the pre-Christmas period, NOffLA members will promote the Gold Star Awards 2015-2016 Collection as ideal Christmas gifts, in a variety of special gift packs. Speaking at the awards, Gary O’Donovan, Chairman of NOffLA (pictured) congratulated the winners but noted how NOffLA’s offering is under serious threat if this tentative economic recovery does not reach retailers and SMEs, calling for a reduction in “punitive” excise duties on wine. There will be a full report on the NOffLA Gold Star wines in next month’s Retail News.
64|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
On The Vine
The Spanish Invasion Jean Smullen reports from Wines From Spain’s 12th annual wine fair. THE 12th Annual Wines from Spain Fair organised by the Spanish Commercial Office in association with ICEX Spain (Trade & Investment) was a great success. 26 Irish Importing companies took part, showing 350 wines from 47 Spanish DO’s and VT regions to an estimated 150-plus trade and press guests. As well as the Wine Fair, the show also incorporated a Spanish Gastronomy Area featuring a selection of Spanish Tapas dishes for guests to match with the wines. The themed table featured wines from the Canary Islands, which was especially interesting, given the number of Irish visitors who travel there every year. There were three master-classes available. The first, Sherry and Spanish Tapas was co-presented by Cesar Saldana, General Manager of Sherry Designation of Origin, and one of Ireland’s rising stars, JP McMahon of Cava Bodega in Galway. A talk about Wines from the Canary Islands by Jonatan Garcia was well attended, as was the final tasting which matched Sherry with Iberico Ham. We are seeing more and more Spanish wine imported into Ireland and Spanish wine sales have been steadily growing for a number of years now, from 6.8% in 2008 to 11.8% last year (Source: IWA). Indeed, Spain as a producing country punches well above its weight in terms of the price/ quality ratio.
is definitely making a come-back with the consumer. The 2013 Raimat Abadia Blanc (€12.99), made from a blend of Chardonnay and Albarino, is a great example of new style Spanish white, while the 2012 Raimat Abadia Tinto (€12.99), made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, is another very good wine (www.gleesongroup.ie). • Campo Viejo Cava Brut Reserva NV €16.75 (Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard) Campo Viejo, with its distinctive yellow/orange label, is a strong and innovative Spanish brand, and I really like the 2013 Campo Viejo Garnacha Doca Rioja (€11.82), with lots of ripe summer fruit flavours and a soft finish (www.irishdistillers.ie).
Mario Hiraldo, Spanish Iberico Ham master carver, is pictured with Cesar Saldaña, General Manager of Sherry Designation of Origin.
Pictured at the Wines From Spain Fair are Jaime Ansorena, General Manager DOP Islas Canarias; Alfonso Janeiro, Wines from Spain; Javier Moral, Spanish Economic and Commercial Counsellor; and Jose Maria Rodriguez Coso, The Ambassador of Spain.
Spanish Cava There was a lot of interest in Cava this year. With production of Prosecco at a low level following two poor harvests in Northern Italy and prices starting to escalate, it would appear now is the time to take another look at this classic Spanish sparkling wine style. A few of the Cava’s tasted at the Spanish Wine fair, included: • Cava Vallformosa Brut Nature NV €23.99 (Classic Drinks) A stunning wine, this is bone dry and very crisp and fresh. They also have an interesting Rosat Cava in the range, the 2013 Cava Valleformosa Brut €21.99, made from Garnacha and Monastrell (www.classicdrinks.ie). • Codorniu Cava Brut NV €21.99 (C&C Gleeson) C&C Gleeson have recently added the Codorniu agency to their list and Des King of C&C Gleeson believes that Cava
Stand-Out Wines Some of the other stand-out wines from the tasting include: • 2014 Abadal Picapoll €18.99 (Mitchell & Sons Wine Merchants) Picapoll or Picpol is currently the darling of the restaurant wine list and this one was a Gold Medal Winner at the 2015 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (www.mitchellandson.com). • 2014 Gran Fuedo Rosé €10.99 (Ampersand) A lovely dry Rosé from DO Navarra, made from 100% Garnacha (www.ampersandsales.ie). • 2013 Negre dels Aspres DO Emporda €25 (Greenlea Wines) A ‘push the boat out’ wine from a small region near Andorra, made from a blend of Carinena, Garnacha Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. See also the outstanding 2011 Salou made from the same grapes (www.greenleawines.ie). • 2014 Protos Verdejo DO Rueda €13 (Comans Wines) Verdejo is very much the white grape of the moment and this is a light, fresh and modern Spanish white (www.comans.ie). • 2012 Emilio Moro DO Ribero del Duero €16.99 (Cassidy Wines) A lovely wine from one of Spain’s most sought after red wine regions (www.cassidywines.com). • 2014 Monasterio de las Vinas Tinto €10.95 (Taserra Wine Merchants) A house wine in Jamie Oliver’s restaurants in the UK, this is a great value wine at this price (www.taserra.ie).
www.retailnews.ie|October 2015|Retail News|65
On The Vine
Barry Group Launch Drinks Portfolio Jean Smullen reports from the launch of Barry Group’s exclusive alcohol portfolio. THE Barry Group celebrated 60 years in business by launching, to considerable fanfare, their Exclusive / Private Label Alcohol Portfolio at Andrew Rudd’s Medley in South Anne Street. The launch event certainly had the wow factor, with tapas style food, swing music and a carnival atmosphere. Jim Barry, Managing Director of the group, told us that for the past six years the Barry Group have committed considerable resources to expanding their alcohol category by developing an exclusive range of alcohol products for their Costcutter and Carry Out franchises. Costcutter now has over 120 locations situated in the heart of communities all over the country, while Carry Out is fast evolving to become one of the leading off licence franchise groups in Ireland. Indeed, Carry Out opened its 100th store in September, and recently tripled its footprint in Dublin. This was achieved in co-operation with the Louis Fitzgerald pub group, who are branding their nine ancillary off licences as Carry Out. Carry Out Growing Fast The growth of Carry Out is relatively recent, from a starting point in 2009 when the Barry Group purchased 40 Galvin’s Wines & Spirit’s off licences in Munster, to the present day, where the group now has over 100 Carry Out off licences throughout the country. According to Jim Barry, increasingly tough trading conditions make it prudent and sensible for the smaller off licence to join up with the buying power and marketing ability of a larger group. The Carry Out franchise offers prospective members a knowledge base and expertise in terms of store layout and design, as well as the buying power of a large group with its own private label range. Staff training, courtesy of Group Wine Buyer, Gary Ring, is another key selling point. In terms of their wine offering, the exclusive/private label products offered by Barry Group are an integral part of their success story. Eight of their top 10 selling wines are private label and this creates a vital point of difference for the Barry Group network. They currently have over 100 private label
The Aviary label from Chile offers a good selection of varietal wines.
wines, offering terrific value, and sales of these are performing strongly. Currently, 18% of all wine sales in the group are own brand and Jim hopes to grow this to 25% in the coming 12 months. As well as their wine range, the group also has a core group of own label beers and spirits. Special guests at the launch event included Ricardo Court, owner of Casa Del Toqui Winery in Chile, and Carlos Kinast, son-in-law of Aurelio Montes and a key figure in the Chilean wine trade in his own right. Cedric Duquenoy, representing LGI Wines in Carcassonne, was also present, showing his range of value and mid-priced French wines from many regions. Michael O’Brien from Lanchester highlighted an excellent range of new world wines from Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, which are part of the private label range.
The Barry Group portfolio includes good quality entry level French red and white called Pretty Gorgeous.
Key Wine Styles The wines certainly reflect current consumer preferences. All the key styles were there, including a competitively priced New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Argentine Malbec that retails at €9.99, and a range of good quality entry level French red and white called Pretty Gorgeous. Italy was well represented, with a range of Prosecco at different quality levels, while Chile had the well-priced Aviary label offering a good selection of varietal wines, and the Australian Pinot Grigio also created a point of difference. Overall, the labelling on the wines is modern and appealing, and the Carry Out exclusive range certainly has a lot to offer in terms of its range and the price/quality offering. As well as the wine offering, a number of brewers and distillers were also showing their portfolio: these included Ewelina Hylińska & Przemysław Wezgraj from Perla Brewery in Poland and Benedicte Rio of Groupe Belvedere (Sobieski) Vodka. The range also included a traditional Irish apple cider. For enquires about Barry Group’s franchises, contact Paul Roche, Head of Marketing & PR: paul.roche@barrys.ie.
Pontbello Pinot Grigio from Australia creates a key point of difference for Barry Group.
66|Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie
Shelf Life THIS Halloween, Keelings Fruit has cast a spell on its eating apples. The cauldron has been stirred with the brewing broom, Keelings apples have been turned into Monster Apples, perfect for frightfully good Halloween fun, including bobbing for apples and snap apple. MEDIA agency, Kinetic is celebrating 25 years of communicating brand messages through Out of Home advertising this month. Kinetic operates on a 32-county basis, with offices in Dublin and Belfast, and their extensive client list includes household names like Coca Cola, Irish Distillers and Heineken. Kinetic, originally named ‘Poster Plan’ was established in 1990, and was the brainchild of Simon Durham and Carol Hogan, pictured at the company’s 25th party at House Dublin. Meanwhile, recent figures released by OMA/Nielsen, which for the first time includes ‘targeted media’ spend, have once again shown a positive increase in the first half of 2015. Spend increased by 4% when compared to the same period last year. Overall expenditure for Out of Home (OOH) was €50.4m across large format billboards, 6 sheets, transport, targeted media and digital OOH formats.
PICTURED announcing SuperValu’s sponsorship of Moncrieff on Newstalk 106-108fm are Charlotte Buckley from Musgrave, presenter Sean Moncrieff and Garry O’Sullivan from Musgrave. THE owner of Newscentre in Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Joe Sweeney was named the Collectable Product Retailer of the Year at the prestigious NFRN Awards at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London recently. Joe is pictured receiving his trophy and scroll from Steve Conner from Topps who sponsored the award (left) and radio presenter Nick Ferrari, who hosted the glittering presentation evening. Joe received the award in recognition of the way he promotes trading cards and other collectable products. MUSGRAVE Wholesale Partners chose quiet, efficient and fuel-saving solutions from Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, for their new and modernised refrigerated truck fleet. Thermo King equipped 50 Musgrave trucks with dual temperature T1000 Spectrum units featuring Whisper technology for minimum noise pollution. For additional peace of mind, all the units are covered with a comprehensive maintenance contract through Ballinlough Refrigeration, the Thermo King dealer in Ireland. A €3,000 Food Garden has been donated to Cork Association for Autism following the successful ‘Grow at Work’ Campaign with Grow It Yourself (GIY) and Cully & Sully. Earlier this year, GIY and Cully & Sully teamed up to launch a fun Grow at Work campaign dubbed #GivePeasAChance, challenging teams to grow food at work and offering the winners a food garden worth €3,000 to donate to a charity or community group of their choice and €2,000 worth of vouchers for Ballymaloe House and Cookery School for the winning team. Chiropractors from Optimal Chiropractic in Cork (pictured) were announced as the first ever ‘Grow at Work’ winners with their chosen charity the Cork Association for Autism presented with €3,000 for their GIY Food Garden.
,
NATIONAL Potato Day took place on Friday, October 2, and Country Crest, one of Ireland’s largest suppliers and growers of quality potatoes in Ireland, celebrated by hosting a family fun day at the Country Crest Farm Shop at Jones Garden Centre, Swords Road, Donabate, Co. Dublin, where guests could meet Dublin football star Paul Flynn, try Country Crest’s delicious potatoes baked using an old steam engine, and engage in fun potato-themed activities for the kiddies, including potato-head decorating, potato arts and crafts, face painting and great competitions. See www.countrycrest.ie for more information.
NORTHERN Ireland’s RubyBlue Irish Potato Vodka has been awarded a silver medal at the prestigious New York World Wine and Spirits competition at the first entry. The small batch vodka, which is produced by Hughes Craft Distillery at Lisburn, Co. Antrim, was launched in May by the company, which also produces RubyBlue Berry Liqueur. Pictured with RubyBlue Irish Potato Vodka are Stuart and Barbara Hughes, directors of Hughes Craft Distillery. BANANA importers Fyffes has produced a new video telling the story of Dundalk FC, which aims to expand its Irish and international fan base. Following the success of their first video, which attracted over 70,000 views within two weeks of its launch last year, the new production focuses on the importance of the club to the region through interviews with supporters. Fyffes Sales and Marketing Manager, Emma HuntDuffy is joined at Oriel Park by Dundalk FC players Sean Gannon, Ronan Finn and Ciaran Kilduff at the launch.
WE MAKE NUMBERS COUNT
At Value Centre, our solutions are built around your needs in the retail, licensed and hospitality trades.
We stock an extensive range at great value prices and offer exciting promotions regularly.
We’re in 22 locations nationwide and offer a 24hr online ordering service for your convenience.
Let the success of our numbers increase yours.
CALL IN BRANCH TODAY / ORDER NOW LoCall 1890 626 426
valuecentre.ie
Your local wholesaler
WARMING UP YOUR MEALTIMES