Retail News November 2017

NOVEMBER 2017

CELEBRATING

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7 - 20 1 5 7 9 GREAT YEARS

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This advertisement is for tobacco retailers only and should not be made available to the public nor should it be displayed in any area where it is visible to the public.

Toradh caithimh tobac – bås.

Smoking kills.

Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie|1

Yule Be Great!

IT seems just weeks ago that we were talking about the products to stock for summer and yet, here we are, gearing up for the hectic festive season.

The latest Retail Monitor from Retail Ireland sees the Ibec group predicting an improved performance on last year’s Christmas period, as pay increases and tax cuts help boost the consumer mood and increase spending power. “The coming eightweek period will make or break the year for many retailers, with some doing over 30% of their annual trade in this period,” predicts Retail Ireland Director, Thomas Burke. “Retailers are hopeful that this positive momentum can be carried into the crucial end of year trading period.”

To help retailers prepare for this crucial sales period, we provide our annual Retail News Christmas Stocking guide, highlighting the season’s ‘must stock’ products, from wine and spirits to confectionery (Page 46).

This year’s Retail Ireland Summit put the customer at the heart of the future of retailing, focusing on how improving Customer Experience (CX) will improve sales and profits (Page 28). Also inside, our Chief News Reporter, Pavel Barter reports from the frontline of the debate over structural separation in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill (Page 2); we reveal the winners of the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards (Page 32) and report from the Londis Retailing Awards, where the Londis Store of the Year 2017 was crowned (Page 22).

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director.

Health Minister to consult retailers over structural separation.

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Commercial rates squeeze shopkeepers; Solutions to latte levy?

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Centra store wins IGN Innovation Award; Small businesses losing out on €6k per year.

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SuperValu and Tesco tied for top spot; Foodservice market worth €7.8 billion.

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Mace announces new charity partner; Musgrave MarketPlace shines in national awards.

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Spiralling wages and insurance premiums a real concern; HSA launches work related stress campaign.

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Retail Ireland Summit 28

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 32

The Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 2017 highlighted the finest products from these shores across a host of categories.

IGBF President’s Ball 38

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John Blaney’s XL store in Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal, continues to serve the needs of its local community.

The Retail News Interview 18

The theme of this year's Retail Ireland Summit in the Guinness Storehouse was ‘Exploring Experiential Retail’.

The IGBF President’s Ball 2017 was a massive success and one of the social highlights of the year.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

Shop Profile 16

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YEA 6019572017

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Lir Chocolates is celebrating its 30th birthday with the launch of a stunning new chocolate range, just in time for Christmas. Managing Director, Ann Murray, talks us through the brand’s ingredients for success.

Retail Ireland highlights cost of doing business to Oireachtas Joint Committee; Supports for the domestic economy lacking in Budget 2018.

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Londis Retailing Awards 22

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Roche’s Londis Doneraile, Co. Cork, has been crowned Londis Store of the Year at the 2017 Londis Retailing Awards.

As preparations for the festive season hit full swing, we showcase the products Irish consumers want this Yuletide, from wines and spirits to chocolate treats and household essentials.

Focus on HR

Truly Irish 26

Christmas Stocking

‘Truly Yours.’ is an exciting new brand of flavoured, lactose free protein shakes from Truly Irish.

68

Workplace personality assessments can prove extremely useful at both recruitment and development stage.

Regulars & Reports 10 facebook.com/RetailNews1

@RetailNews1

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward Editorial & Sales Director:

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Kathleen Belton

kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Editor: John Walshe

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie

Tel: 00353 1 6785165 Fax: 00353 1 6477127

Sales: Brian Clark

brian@tarapublications.ie

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

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Production: Ciara Conway Printed by: W&G Baird

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Graphics: Catherine Doyle

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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Industry News

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Cigarettes & Tobacco

70

Forecourt Focus: News

72

What’s New

2|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

News

Health Minister to Consult Retailers Over Structural Separation MINISTER for Health, Simon Harris TD has agreed to consult with retailers over issues surrounding structural separation of alcohol products, as part of his department's controversial Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The minister, who had not met with retail representatives over the course of his deliberations for the Bill, made the pledge at Committee Stage in the Seanad on Wednesday, November 8.

“The Minister told the Seanad he is prepared to sit down and talk to retailers and their representative organisations about reaching a compromise,” said Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General, who was in attendance. “He said he's prepared to look at structural separation and see if there's a better way of doing it. I'm not sure how far he's prepared to move. I'm not sure he's going to deliver what we are seeking, but the fact he's prepared to meet us is welcome.”

The Minister's proposal followed a barrage of criticism against the bill in the Seanad. Senator Paudie Coffey said the bill should not “make pariahs out of responsible shopkeepers who are trying to manage their businesses”, while Senator Tim Lombard expressed his concern that the legislation would threaten the very existence of small retailers.

The Bill plans to introduce minimum unit pricing on alcohol, place restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship, and provide for strict labelling on alcohol bottles and cans.

Section 20 of the Bill, which states that all mixed trade stores must visually separate alcohol from other goods, either behind a cabinet or in a separate room, is of particular concern to retailers. It would require retailers installing new shelving units, and possible fire exits and work barriers, at a considerable cost.

“Every unit would have to be bespoke,” explained Vincent Jennings, CEO of Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director the Convenience Stores General. and Retail Association (CSNA). “That means new shelving, new covers to hold a door, new doors fitted throughout the entire store. Each unit will cost in excess of €1000, €1350 for a refrigerated unit. It could be anything up to €40,000.”

Alcohol makes up a small percentage of sales in small and medium-sized retail outlets, but retailers fear that strict structural separation will drive consumers into the arms of supermarkets and multiples.

“Alcohol is part of a mix that brings footfall. If we lose wine sales, or the few beers people might buy on their way home, we also lose the other incidental products,” said Buckley.

Off licenses are exempt from legislation proposed in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, the Department of Health confirmed to Retail News. “The provision regarding structural separation requirements does not apply to a premises to which an off licence is attached, in relation to which sales comprise wholly or mainly alcohol products,” said a spokesperson.

Large supermarkets could theoretically then set up standalone off-licences and comply with the law. “They could put members of staff in a separate unit with full window displays, door displays, and promotion activity. A standalone off-license can sell up to 49% of other products, outside alcohol,” continued Buckley.

Minister Harris previously published amendments to the Bill stating that small stores would be allowed to have two small units (with a combined storage capacity of no more than

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

News

Commercial Rates Squeeze Shopkeepers

CSNA CEO, Vincent Jennings. one cubic metre and a depth of no more than 25cm) to display alcohol. The industry, arguing this would only apply to around 5% of stores, responded with an outcry. The CSNA launched a petition, which quickly gathered over 80,000 signatures, calling for a repeal of structural separation proposals. The Minister subsequently withdrew his amendments.

“My understanding is he, or his officials, will set up a meeting,” said Buckley. “It's about reaching a compromise, whereby he addresses our concerns. We have said from day one, ‘we don't want to stand in the way of the Bill;, we just want to ensure this section is fair’.”

When Retail News approached the Department for clarification on plans to consult retailers, the response was subdued: “The Minister is currently reflecting on the views expressed [at the Seanad]”.

The CSNA is encouraging the Minister to implement amendments laid out by Fianna Fáil Senator Keith Swanick, which would require the separation of alcohol by means of a physical barrier, without the removal from public view.

“As well as extending the period of implementation from one year to two years, we'd like the Minister to remove the sections “not visible” and “not readily visible” from the Bill,” said Jennings. “If you remove those, you can meet the requirements of structural separation.”

The industry remains sceptical about the Department of Health's campaign, particularly since legislators effectively introduced the sale of below cost alcohol with the abolition of the Groceries Order in 2006, following which, alcohol prices plummeted (as foreseen by the retail sector).

“We told them very clearly, 'If you remove the Groceries Order, you will find that supermarkets will, in no time at all, sell liquor below cost, or at a level we would not consider to be socially responsible'. They ignored that,” recalls Jennings.

Retailers are entitled to wonder ‘Where was the Department of Health then?’

UP to 60% of retailers will see increases in their rates bills over the coming year, according to a new report. Reval 2017, a study from Retail Ireland, reveals that retailers are increasingly paying a greater share of the total commercial rates bill.

“The contribution from the retail sector in Kilkenny, Westmeath and South Dublin is greater than the commercial rates income of 21 local authorities,” said Thomas Burke, Director of Retail Ireland. “In South Dublin, for example, retailers contribute €28m in commercial rates, which is 12% of the total local authority annual budget. It is also the same amount that all businesses, Thomas Burke, Director, Retail Ireland. including shops, in neighbouring Wicklow pay each year.”

Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General, describes escalating rates as a significant problem. “We believe it's totally unfair on a small business to face a hike of anywhere over 10% in a year. How is it possible for a small or independent shop to budget for that kind of cost increase?”

The spike in the commercial rates bill arises from the Valuations Office's revaluation of commercial properties. This system has transferred bills from the hospitality sector to other sectors, including retail, according to the CSNA's CEO, Vincent Jennings.

“I hate setting one business against another. I would like all business to be treated fairly and equally, but this newly applied valuation, which is based upon the notional rental of a property, creates a distorted marketplace at the moment,” he said.

Buckley pointed out that many of the rates hikes take place in town centres, where retailers believe they are not properly serviced by their local economy.

“They believe there have been no benefits accrued to them from the introduction of property tax,” she said. “They were promised there would be a better sharing of the burden, but the prices keep going up. It's an unsustainable way of doing business.”

Solutions to Latte Levy?

ONE Irish coffee company has come up with a solution to the proposed ‘latte levy’ of 15c on disposable coffee cups. Java Republic is providing its customers with compostable coffee cups that are 100% biodegradable.

Java Republic’s Down2Earth Vegware Coffee Cups are manufacured in Co. Clare, can be disposed into the commercial & domestic food waste bins to be organically recycled in under 90 days. This process creates compost which can be spread onto local agricultural farm land, benefiting and improving soil crops in Ireland.

“Java Republic’s compostable cups are a concrete solution to Ireland’s waste problem as they can be organically recycled,” noted Managing Director of Java Republic, Grace O’Shaughnessy. “This means we provide a closed loop system from growing the crop to bringing it back to nature again by creating compost that can be used on Irish land.

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

News Centra Store Wins International IGN Innovation Award CENTRA Parnell Street has won IGD’s Innovative Store of the Year award. IGD analysts visited over 700 stores across 50 countries, including Ireland, the UK and the US, to shortlist just seven stores for their commitment to innovation, with Centra Parnell Street scooping the overall prize. Highly commended for pushing boundaries, Centra Parnell Street has been praised for its innovative and original store format which helps to improve the customer shopping experience.

Out of the seven stores shortlisted for the award, Centra Parnell Street scored the highest marks on key criteria, including shopper benefits, uniqueness, and the implementation of new thinking in retail brand strategy.

“We are delighted to receive this award from IGD, especially given the level of competition within the category,” enthused store owner Noel Dunne. “To be recognised on the world stage underlines the fact that Ireland is setting the standard globally and I am very humbled that my store has won this award. At Centra Parnell Street, we are constantly looking for new ways to enhance our offering and have been quick to incorporate new health ranges and the new gourmet coffee brand, Frank and Honest, in response to evolving consumer demand.”

“The Irish convenience market has long been a source of inspiration for food-to-go,” noted Angus Maciver, Chief Executive of McCurrach UK, award sponsors. “This store offers high-quality fresh food, brilliantly executed and really tailored to shoppers’ needs. Personalisation is at the heart of the range,

Pictured at the award presentation are (l-r): Fiona Bruce, broadcaster; Maighread Cremin, Food Leadership Brand Manager, Centra; Noel Dunne, winning Centra store owner; Cormac Dawson, National Sales Manager,Centra, and Angus Maciver, McCurrach UK, award sponsors. with a team of passionate foodies on hand to create theatre for shoppers, whether they’re after food to eat now or food for later.

“The other highly innovative aspect of this Centra store is that the model is a scalable franchise, as fit for a city centre store as it is for the more urban and rural locations to which it’s already being rolled out. Congratulations to Centra!”

Small Businesses Losing Out on €6k Per Year NEW research commissioned by Visa has revealed that Irish small businesses are at the risk of falling behind international peers in their adoption of digital payments technology. The research shows that Irish SMEs could individually save between €5,000 and €6,000 per year on cash handling costs by increasing the amount of electronic payments they process.

Irish consumers now spend more by card than cash, with shoppers spending an average of €10,465 on cards per capita each year, compared to €5,388 in cash (Source: www.bpfi.ie).

Contactless payments are one of the key drivers behind this trend, with the technology now accounting for one in three of all face-to-face Visa transactions in Ireland.

Despite Irish shoppers’ preference for cards, there is a perception among some parts of the Irish retail community that cash is less expensive for businesses to process. To explore this, Visa commissioned research to investigate the hidden costs of cash in terms of back office and security costs and better understand how they compare to card transactions. The research established that for the businesses involved in the study, it is cheaper to accept €1 as a card payment rather than cash, with cash handling costing 2.5 cents per euro of sales compared to 1.6 cents for a card transaction.

Card costs are, for certain merchants, fundamentally fixed, whereas the cost of handling cash has more variable elements.

For example, back office administration accounts for 25% of the cost of cash, with the physical volume handled representing the other 75%. As the volume of cash accepted increases, greater resources are needed for counting, checking and controls during the day and for banking purposes.

The research showed that time businesses spent counting cash transactions was on average 94 minutes a day, versus totalling card transactions, which was 28 minutes per day.

“The Irish retail sector is at a crossroads as consumers increasingly choose electronic payments over cash, opting

Philip Konopik, Country Manager, Ireland, Visa. for convenient and secure digital transactions instead,” noted Philip Konopik, Country Manager, Ireland, Visa. “We believe this trend is set to accelerate due to new innovations in contactless payments, particularly around mobile technology. The scale of change over the next 10 years will be even more dynamic, with developments in areas like biometrics and the Internet of Things.

“Despite consumers embracing electronic payments, Irish retailers who are unable to accept new payment methods risk missing out on sales and incurring excessive costs. Digital payments can also enable small Irish merchants to become more efficient and automated. New digital till systems have the potential to provide retailers with immediate data and insights into their business, helping them to reduce costs with automated accounting and inventory control. These additional benefits of accepting card transactions over cash have the potential to truly transform a small business.”

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

News SuperValu and Tesco Tied for Top Spot SUPERVALU and Tesco are neck and neck in the race to be Ireland’s Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend largest supermarket, with both groups claiming a 12 Weeks to 11 Sep 2016 12 Weeks to 10 Sep 2017 change** 22% share of the market, %* %* % according to the latest Total Grocers 100.0% 100.0% 2.1 grocery market share Total Multiples 89.0% 89.2% 2.3 figures from Kantar SuperValu 22.4% 22.0% 0.5 Worldpanel in Ireland, Tesco 21.6% 22.0% 4.2 for the 12 weeks ending Dunnes 22.0% 21.9% 1.7 October 8, 2017.

Lidl 11.6% 11.7% 3.0 “It’s tight at the top Aldi 11.5% 11.6% 2.8 for Tesco and SuperValu,” Other Outlets** 11.0% 10.8% 0.5 noted David Berry, Director at Kantar Worldpanel. *= Percentage Share of Total Grocers “Tesco’s strong sales **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops growth of 4.2% has boosted its share of the market to up 3.0% and 2.8% respectively. Lidl’s market share increased to 22%, an increase of 0.4 11.7%, while Aldi’s rose by 0.1 percentage point to 11.6%. percentage points from this time last year. SuperValu has also Over the past year, the grocery market has seen a shift seen an increase in sales, up 0.5%, putting the two stores’ back towards branded goods. “With the recent trend towards market shares on a level footing.” own-label items, there’s now some good news on the horizon Both retailers have benefited from customers spending for brands,” Berry revealed. “This time last year, sales of more each time they shop. “Though SuperValu has seen branded items dropped by 0.5% compared to the year before; consumers spend an additional 40 cents per basket on average, however, we’re now seeing a return to form – with sales up Tesco has encouraged its shoppers to add an extra €1 to every 1.3%. shop,” Berry revealed.

“At Christmas, shoppers tend to flock back to brands, Dunnes Stores has also increased its share of the grocery partly for sentimental reasons and also as people are tempted market, now standing at 21.9%. “With Dunnes Stores only 0.1 to trade up at this time of year, so with the countdown to the percentage point behind SuperValu and Tesco, the top three festive season now well and truly underway, it’s likely we’ll see Irish supermarkets are all fighting for the top spot,” Berry this trend continue into the new year.” continued. “With the festive period just around the corner, the Overall, deflation has eased to stand at 0.1% – compared to time of year when sales spike and shoppers aren’t afraid to 0.4% last month – and the grocery market remains in the black, spend that little bit extra, the competition shows no signs of with overall supermarket sales up 2.1% year on year. abating.”

For more information, see www.kantarworldpanel.com.

Meanwhile Lidl and Aldi both increased sales year on year,

Foodservice Market Worth €7.8 Billion than ever to create dataBORD Bia recently released driven solutions for our food the findings of its 2017 and beverage clients,” noted Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report at its annual Bord Bia Chief Executive Tara foodservice seminar in the McCarthy. “Today’s seminar and the new research that we Aviva Stadium, Dublin. The are bringing to the foodservice report shows that Ireland’s market reflects our ongoing foodservice market, which includes all food consumed commitment to delivering out of home, continues to relevant insights”.

Maureen Gahan, grow and is now valued Foodservice Specialist in Bord at a record €7.8 billion, Bord, added “We’re delighted to comprising over 33,000 report that the sector remains individual outlets. The report highlights that take on track to grow at a compound rate of 4.9% and to reach a value away, or grab-and-go Pictured are (l-r): Liam Cox, Regional Manager, Ireland, of €9 billion by 2020. Ireland has concepts, are one of the Deliveroo; Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist, Bord started to become known as a key drivers of foodservice Bia; and Jack Kirwan, Founder, Sprout, prior to the Bord ‘food destination’ and much of growth and that healthier Bia 2017 Irish Foodservice seminar. foods are trending and the investment operators have influencing menu ideation. made in quality and service upgrades have helped fuel the foodservice growth witnessed in the island of Ireland."

“During these uncertain times, it is more important

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

News Mace Announces New Charity Partner MACE has announced Down Syndrome Ireland as its new charity partner. Broadcaster and journalist Brendan O’Connor and registered dietitian and broadcaster Aoife Hearne were on hand to help launch the start of a two year charity partnership between Down Syndrome Ireland and the retail group, in which Mace has set out to raise €300,000 for the charity. Funds will be raised through a combination of counter top charity boxes in Mace stores across the country, a contribution from the sale of selected Mace own brand products and a number of fundraising activities throughout the year.

Funds raised will go towards funding additional Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) Regional Resource Officers around the country.

“We asked retailers to decide who their Mace charity partner should be and they voted for Down Syndrome Ireland because the charity is centred on a cause that touches a lot of people and carries out great work in local communities,” explained Daniel O’Connell, Mace Sales Director. “Down Syndrome Ireland has a nationwide footprint and this is very important to our retailers, who also operate right across the country.

We have an ambitious target to raise €300,000 for the

charity, so we will be working with our independent retailers on several national and store level initiatives, and hope that our customers will be keen to show their support.”

Pictured at the launch of a two-year charity partnership between Down Syndrome Ireland and Mace are Daniel O’Connell, Mace Sales Director, broadcaster and journalist Brendan O’Connor, registered dietitian and broadcaster Aoife Hearne, Down Syndrome Ireland President, Mary Doherty, with Lauren Newman (6) from Rathfarnham in Dublin, Martha O’Flynn (15) from Blackrock in Dublin and Aaron Doherty (9) from Dunshaughlin in Co. Meath.

Musgrave MarketPlace Shines in National Awards MUSGRAVE MarketPlace was announced as the overall ‘Gold Q’ winner in the Foodservice category at October’s Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. Musgrave MarketPlace won the award for its own-brand Butchers Select 8oz Fillet Pictured are (l-r): Tania O’Donnell, Steak, which was also editor, Qualityfoodanddrink.com; acknowledged as the John McGinnity, Musgrave Wholesale judges’ first choice in the Partners Sales Specialists Manager; Meal Solutions category.

James Canavan, Musgrave Wholesale Testament to the Partners, Trading Manager, Fresh Meat; range’s supreme quality David Donnellan, Account Manager, and exceptional taste, Kepak; and Helen Lyons, Publishing Butchers Select Fillet Director of event organisers, Steak and Butchers Select Metropolis Business Media.

French Trimmed Lamb Rack were also commended at September’s Blas na hÉireann ‘Irish Food Awards’. The Butchers Select Fillet Steak 8oz was specifically awarded the ‘Best Product in Leinster’, and also picked up the Gold Award in the ‘Prime Beef’ section and the ‘Best in County & Best in Farmer’s Market’ category. The French Trimmed Lamb Rack scooped the Gold Award in the ‘Prepared Lamb’ category.

“We are thrilled that all the hard work and passion the team has put into developing our food ranges in conjunction with Kepak, our partner supplier, has paid off, resulting in the delivery of our excellent and exclusive Butchers Select range,” enthused Sheena Forde, Musgrave MarketPlace Trading Director. “At Musgrave MarketPlace, we are passionate about supporting the Irish beef and lamb industry and about the quality of our foods, hence we are delighted to receive this recognition at the Irish Quality Food & Drink and Blas na hÉireann Awards.”

Student Food Entrepreneur Competition Launches SECONDARY school students across the country are now invited to take part in the new ‘Grow 2 CEO' competition as GIY and Cully & Sully have set about finding Ireland’s brightest young food entrepreneurs. ‘Grow 2 CEO’ combines food growing and entrepreneurship to inspire students to grow their own food, create a soup recipe using what they have grown and develop a potential new business. Through this initiative, growing kits will be delivered to 21,000 students across the country that apply to take part in the 2018 competition. Schools across the country are now invited to take part and applications are currently being accepted online via cullyandsully.com/

Pictured at the launch of the ‘Grow 2 CEO' Secondary School Food Entrepreneur Competition are the winners of last year's competition, Mary Ellen Kelly and Róisín Kiely from second year at St Augustine's College, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, along with the founder of GIY, Michael Kelly, and Cully and Sully.

RRP

€10.30

Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack YTD data to 8 th October 2017. (Copyright© 2017, The Nielsen Company).

This advertisement is for tobacco retailers only and should not be made available to the public nor should it be displayed in any area where it is visible to the public.

Toradh caithimh tobac – bás.

Smoking kills.

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

News Spiralling Wages and Insurance Premiums a Real Concern THREE in four Irish businesses are under pressure from spiralling costs, according to new research from business and credit risk analyst, Vision-net.ie.

The Vision-net.ie Cost of Doing Business Survey, carried out by Amárach Research, asked 250 Irish businesses across a broad range of sectors a series of questions on doing business in Ireland’s recovering economy.

79% of businesses said they have seen increased wage costs in the last 12 months; 54% said this had the greatest impact on their operations. 74% said their commercial insurance had also increased during this time.

60% of businesses are absorbing these costs themselves.

A further three-quarters of businesses believe that these costs will continue to rise over the next 12 months, with wages and insurance premiums again the biggest contributing factors.

Tellingly, two-thirds said business costs are higher today than they were before the recession and more than half of businesses (51%) claim that rising costs are diverting funds away from company growth and investment initiatives, including in technology and employee benefit schemes.

This may be contributing to Brexit complacency: despite the implications of the UK’s EU withdrawal, just 37% of respondents think it will increase their business costs. Among them, 60% said currency volatility was the biggest issue.

The majority, 70%, expect Brexit to have no benefits for their business.

“Most Irish businesses agree that Ireland is a more expensive place to do business today than it was before the crash,” noted Christine Cullen, Managing Director of Visionnet.ie. “Three-quarters believe that costs have risen over the last 12 months and will continue to do so into the future. Higher

Christine Cullen, Managing Director of Vision-net.ie. employee salaries and insurance premiums are squeezing cash flows, meaning most businesses must forego long-term investment.

“Against this backdrop, Brexit is low on businesses’ priority list. Only a minority feel that it will have any effect on their business. This likely means that few have contingency plans in place in case the UK departs the EU without a trade deal, or if new tariffs and regulations are introduced that negatively affect Irish exports. In short, Brexit is still the great unknown for Irish businesses.”

HSA Launches Work Related Stress Campaign THE Health and Safety Authority has launched a new information campaign aimed at raising awareness of the damaging effects of work related stress.

A 2016 study by the ESRI noted that stress, anxiety and depression are the second highest causes of work related illness in Ireland and are associated with the longest absence from work. A European-wide survey on working conditions conducted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work found that 22% of workers in Ireland experienced stress at work ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’. The proportion that ‘always’ experienced stress was the third highest in the EU15 and tenth highest among the 34 countries surveyed.

To assist employers manage this, the Health and Safety

Authority, in conjunction with the State Claims Agency, developed the ‘Work Positive’ online tool. Available at WorkPositive.ie, it helps employers to implement a structured and collaborative approach to managing work related stress. With employees at the heart of the process, the free tool provides clear guidance for employers to design and implement focused action plans and interventions.

According to Patricia Murray, Organisational Psychologist with the Health and Safety Authority, “High levels of work related stress are potentially very damaging for anyone, no matter what their job status or experience. It’s in everyone’s interest to address it together and the WorkPositve.ie tool is available to all employers free of charge to lead the way and start managing work related stress now.”

The new campaign includes a radio advertisement, outdoor formats and a digital / social media element. For more information visit www.hsa.ie or www.workpositive.ie.

Heat up

your sales this Christmas

Voltarol – Ireland’s No.1 Topical Pain Relief Brand*

*Quintiles IMS, Topical Pain, MAT ending September 2017 CHGBI/CHVOLT/0255/17

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

Industry News

Grocers Get Running for IGBF THE Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund, in conjunction with Pop Up Races, held the inaugural Grocers Fun Run charity race event in Corkagh Park, Dublin, on Sunday, October 8. Sponsored by Keelings, the Grocers Fun Run is a new fun family initiative which which saw over 420 invited people from the grocery industry, along with their families and friends, running, walking and even scooting their way to the finish line over either 2.5 or 5km. The run was generously supported by many companies, including Keelings Fruit Pots, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Cool Beans and Fulfil. There was a host of family entertainment on the day, including a magician, cartoonist, face painting and nail painting, while Fireman Sam even made an appearance on the morning, thanks to Profile Events.

All participants received a grocery goodie bag, t-shirt, a medal and refreshments provided by LR Suntory. “Keelings were delighted to be involved in the sponsorship of this new fundraising initiative with the IGBF,” noted Conor Kilduff, Keelings, and IGBF President of Appeals. “This event encourages people from within the grocery industry, together with their families and friends, to get active for a great charity cause. The turnout has been phenomenal and we are very thankful for this support from people within the industry.” The committee (pictured) is already planning the next Grocers Fun Run event in April 2018 in the Phoenix Park. For more details and to register, visit www.thegrocersfunrun.com.

Spar FitLive Takes Off in Cork

IRELAND’S fitness hub, FitLive.ie, brought its Run Series to Cork with the Cork Airport Midnight Runway Run recently. Event partners Derval O’Rourke, Karl Henry and Irish Olympian Mick Clohisey called on those looking for a unique and different running experience to join them as they took to the Cork runway for a 5km midnight run, the second leg of the Spar Fitlive series.

Cork Airport closed operations for one night only, on Friday, November 17, giving runners the opportunity to take on the flat, fast Cork Airport runway under the stars at night. “Health and wellbeing is a big focus for Spar as we are constantly looking at ways to promote a healthy lifestyle in the home and community,” noted Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director, pictured with fitness expert and TV broadcaster, Karl Henry, and Irish Olympians Derval O’Rourke and Mick Clohisey.

Cadbury Foundation Donates €56k to Aware THE Cadbury Foundation, which has been in operation for over 80 years, has donated €56,000 to Irish mental health organisation and Cadbury Ireland charity partner, Aware, to support their ‘Beat the Blues’ initiative for secondary schools.

Delivered over two class periods, the programme is designed to teach students about mental health and equip them with the tools to deal with life’s challenges.

“The whole team at Cadbury Ireland is very proud of our association with Aware and all of the positive work they do around mental health in Ireland. The ‘Beat the Blues’ programme is one of many great initiatives that Aware implements every year,” noted Eoin Kellett, Managing Director at Mondelez Ireland, pictured (right) with Dublin football stars and Aware campaigners, Kevin McManamon (left), Bernard Brogan (second from right) and Gerry O’Brien, Head of Fundraising at Aware.

East Coast Bakehouse Achieves

Origin Green Membership

EAST Coast Bakehouse have achieved Origin Green membership. “As a new biscuit manufacturing business, we are committed to embedding sustainability in everything we do,” said Alison Cowzer – co-founder of East Coast Bakehouse. “We look forward to collaborating with others in the food industry to achieve better outcomes for our customers, our local communities and for the environment.” To achieve Origin Green accreditation, East Coast Bakehouse had to show sustainability timelines and targets, which were then verified to an independent standard. Included in the plan were commitments to sustainable sourcing, environmentally friendly operations, and a range of community initiatives. Bord Bia CEO, Tara McCarthy, is pictured with Alison Cowzer.

Fresh Launches Own Brand Sandwich Range THE Dublin-based premium convenience retailer, Fresh The Good Food Market is working with local supplier The Delicious Food Company to launch its new ownbrand artisan sandwich range.

The new Fresh branded range will feature freshly hand-made gourmet sandwiches and wraps, made by the supplier in their facilities just 200 metres away from Fresh’s head office in Smithfield, taking the concept of local sourcing to a whole new level. The six figure deal is set to transform The Delicious Food Company’s business, whose mission is to “provide wonderful fresh artisan sandwiches and make sure the customer gets them in the shortest possible time”.

Pictured are the owners of The Delicious Food Company, Shirley and Derek O’Rourke.

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

Industry News

€7m SuperValu Opens in Dundalk NO fewer than 55 new jobs have been created with the opening of a new SuperValu store in Dundalk, Co. Louth. The new 17,600 square feet SuperValu Fairways store, which represents a total investment of €7m, is located in a new flagship retail development at the former Fairways Hotel Site in Dundalk. The Fairways development also includes a coffee shop, a pharmacy and residential units. The store is owned by local businessman Richard Tiernan, who has developed a tailored offering for the Dundalk community, with a variety of locally-sourced products available at the new store, including SuperValu Food Academy producers such as Kookie Dough, which specialises in making high-quality cookie products, and Sing Li, which produces curry sauce and pastes. Some of the other locallysourced products available at SuperValu Fairways include Moran Jams, Rafferty’s Fine Foods, Morgans Seafoods and McCloskey’s Bakery. The SuperValu Fairways store features a sizable bakery, as well as butchery and fish counters, and parking for 150 customers.

Pictured at the official opening are (l-r): Richard Tiernan, owner, SuperValu Fairways; local Special Olympian Kyle Norton, and Eoghan Jones, Regional Manager, SuperValu.

Londis Sponsors Second Season of Tastes Like Home with Catherine Fulvio TASTES Like Home with Catherine Fulvio is back for a second series on RTÉ One and is proudly sponsored once again by Londis. A cooking show with a dash of travel, Tastes Like Home sees Catherine Fulvio visiting six families from Belfast, Roscommon, Carrick on Suir, Dublin, Kildare and Sligo who will show her how to make their favourite Tastes Like Home dishes, before she jets off to locations around the world to recreate the dishes with their friends and family living abroad. This year, Catherine visited families in South Korea, Cape Town, Mexico, LA, Vancouver and Johannesburg. “We are delighted to be partnering with Catherine Fulvio and RTÉ for a second year on this TV series, bringing homely recipes to Irish families around the world,” noted Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, BWG Foods. “Much like Londis, Catherine values quality, local produce and bringing fresh contemporary ideas to the table, so it’s a perfect match for us to partner with.” Bernice Ann Beukes from Cape Town, South Africa, is pictured with Catherine Fulvio.

Fulfil Wins European Sales And Marketing Association Award

VITAMIN & Protein bar manufacturer, Fulfil has received the European Sales And Marketing Association Award for Manufacturer of Excellence 2017 at the ESMA Innovation Awards.

Since launching in early 2016, Fulfil has been shaking up the snack market with a better-foryou proposition, selling over 15m bars in its first year alone.

This latest award recognises the company’s phenomenal growth and innovation within the sector. David O’Neill CEO of the European Sales and Marketing Association, describedthe Fulfil team as “worthy winners of the ESMA Manufacturer Award of Excellence 2017 – our judges’ decision was based on the continuity of growth in a competitive market, while the extension of the brand across many international markets in its first eighteen months was very impressive.” Fulfil founders Tom Gannon and Neil McGrath are pictured with the ESMA Award.

HB Shares the Magic WITH Irish families leading busier lives than ever, HB Hazelbrook Farm has launched a new campaign fronted by television presenter and Mum of two, Karen Koster, encouraging families to “share a little magic” in their daily lives, by taking time to enjoy the simple things in life, whether that’s curling up under a blanket by the fire or enjoying a delicious ice cream wafer together. A recent survey conducted by HB Hazelbrook Farm found that 75% of those surveyed enjoy eating ice cream in autumn or winter just as much as over the summer months and the nation’s favourite way to enjoy ice cream is between two delicious wafers (24%). “Irish people enjoy sharing ice cream moments together regardless of the time of the year,” said Lynne Andrews, Brand Manager at HB Hazelbrook Farm. “With this campaign, we really wanted to celebrate the carefree moments that all families deserve to encourage them to cherish the simple and innocent things in life.” HB Hazelbrook Farm ambassador Karen Koster is pictured with Amelia Kavanagh, aged four, from Lucan, Co. Dublin , and Luke Dempsey, aged seven, from Sutton, Co. Dublin.

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

Industry News SuperValu and Centra Poultry Grower of the Year SUPERVALU and Centra recently announced Monaghan-based farmer Pat McGuirk as recipient of the inaugural SuperValu and Centra Poultry Grower of the Year Award. A supplier of chicken to SuperValu and Centra for almost 20 years, Pat was selected for his outstanding commitment to food safety and quality at farm level. The SuperValu and Centra Poultry Grower of the Year Award was established to recognise excellence in food safety standards, specifically looking at actions taken by farmers to improve biosecurity and minimise levels of Campylobacter in poultry meat, the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in Ireland and throughout the EU. Pat, a poultry farmer for Manor Farm, was selected after a series of inspections and tests of flocks on his farm throughout 2017, showed consistent improvements in Campylobacter levels and biosecurity standards. Pictured are (l-r): Ray Bowe, Head of Food Safety & Quality, SuperValu and Centra, with Pat McGuirk, winner of the SuperValu and Centra Poultry Grower of the Year.

Centra’s Live Well Yoga Challenge CREATED by yoga instructor Molly McKeever with the support of fitness expert Pat Divilly, Centra’s Live Well yoga challenge is perfect for people who struggle to find time to exercise or need a helping hand getting into a healthy living routine.

From improving flexibility to improving sleep, Centra is encouraging people to take the time out of their day to try the 15-minute yoga challenge this November.

Sign up on www.centra.ie/livewell for the full programme plan, along with yoga videos to follow along to. The yoga routines are coupled with a healthy eating planner that will keep consumer eating habits balanced.

Aldi Premieres Christmas Campaign KEVIN, the humble carrot who stole the nation’s heart last Christmas, returns for more adventures with Aldi, and he’s looking for someone special to share Christmas with. The diminutive hero is the star of Aldi’s Christmas campaign, finding Katie, the carrot of his dreams in the 60-second TV ad. Kevin and Katie will also be the stars of seven product oriented sub-campaigns running as 20 and 30 second TV executions, as well as being delivered across digital, social, press, radio and in-store. The sell-out Plush Kevin The Carrot soft toy will also be returning, joined by Plush Katie The Carrot. The toys launch in stores from November 23 for €3.99 in support of Aldi’s charity partner, Food Cloud.

Cáis Irish Cheese Awards Presented

THE 2017 Cáis Irish Cheese Awards took place recently at the Ballymaloe Grainstore, where Mount Leinster Cloth Bound Cheese from Coolattin Cheese was named Supreme Champion. This is the second year of the Irish Cheese Awards in its current form and the event received great support from key sponsors Pallas Foods and Bord Bia, along with Horgans Delicatessen Supplies and the Traditional Cheese Company. Awards were presented across 15 categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to Jane and Louis Grubbs from Cashel Blue in honour of their incredible accomplishments within the field of Irish cheesemaking.

“This country is up there with the best of them when it comes to the quality and reputation of the cheese we produce and to see our homegrown brands receive the recognition they deserve, not only here at home but also on an international level, is a very satisfying feeling,” noted Bord Bia CEO, Tara McCarthy, pictured presenting the Supreme Award to Tom Burgess of Coolattin Cheese. For more information, see www.irishcheese.ie.

Share More this Christmas with Lidl’s Deluxe Range LIDLhave launched their Deluxe product range, fit for every occasion over the festive period.

The impressive range sees all the favourites brought back, as well as more than 70 new tasty and affordable extras. From fresh Irish turkeys to mouth-watering Deluxe desserts, the Lidl Deluxe range is available in 153 stores nationwide. Side dishes like Deluxe Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberry and Deluxe Honey Glazed Parsnips are sure to prove popular, while there are a host of tapas meats, cheeses and canapés also available, as well as a fabulous wine selection.

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

Shop Profile

XL: A Local Success Story John Blaney’s XL store in Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal, has had its fair share of ups and downs, but thanks to the determination and tenacity of the store owner, it continues to serve the needs of its local community.

Pictured outside Blaney’s XL in Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal, are (l-r): staff members Breid Champney Warrener and Margaret Deeney; John Blaney, store owner; Martin Ryan, XL Development Manager; and Anthony Toland, Store Manager.

THE village of Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal, like many other rural communities across the country, has seen a decline in the amount of services available there over the past decades. Post offices, banks, and shops have closed their doors in communities like Kerrykeel, closures which have had a big impact on the quality of life of the people who live in these towns and villages.

John Blaney is a fantastic example of why indigenous enterprise is so important in curbing that trend. He has worked in grocery retail for his entire life and his business has survived some

extremely challenging times. Thanks to his tenacity and determination, as well as support from the BWG Group, Kerrykeel still has a local shop to be proud of and a post office to help serve the local community.

“I bought this site back in 1995,” John tells Retail News. “It was a much smaller shop then. At that time I joined the Mace group, the sector was developing very quickly then and standards were rising rapidly. Working with Mace meant using the Value Centre in Letterkenny and that was perfect for us.”

Expansion & Recession 2006 saw the store owner embarking on an ambitious expansion plan, demolishing the old shop entirely and building a brand new premises: “We increased the size of the shop significantly and it was at that time that we integrated the post office into the shop. Keeping a post office presence in the village makes a big difference; many have closed in rural communities and it makes life more difficult for people.”

We are all aware on the difficulties that began at the end of the last decade and the subsequent squeeze on Ireland’s

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Shop Profile retail trade, which resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs and some shops that had served their communities for generations. Blaney’s was not immune to the pressures of recession. However, John and his staff brought his business back from the brink. He maintained strong ties with BWG and the local Value Centre and they were able to keep the shop open, despite others in the town closing.

XL: An Excellent Choice When John was considering taking his shop into a symbol group partnership once again, he was always going to choose a BWG brand. “I had a great relationship with BWG and the team in the Letterkenny Value Centre are an absolutely fantastic bunch, so I was always looking to work with BWG on this latest partnership and I felt that XL was the one for me.”

John really admired the visual appeal of the XL brand, but XL also has the benefit of a committed team behind the brand, including Martin Ryan, XL Business Development Manager. “Martin is almost part of the staff here, a really dedicated individual ready to support my business in any way,” John reveals.

“From top to bottom, there is a proper sense of communication in the group, a real sense that there is a support network there, just waiting for any issue.”

Changing to the XL brand didn’t alter the footprint of the store, which had been significantly increased in 2006, but the entire interior was updated and the XL branding introduced. The project also entailed significant modernisation of the

store equipment, FACT FILE: with old inefficient Owner: coolers being upgraded and Location: new LED lighting Size: making the shop No. of Staff: brighter, while also reducing energy Opening Hours: costs.

“All of my customers think the shop is larger now,” the store owner grins. “We achieved that with LED lighting and by lowering the shelf height. It was very important to make the shop as easy as possible to navigate. We have a lot of space and we have a large hinterland around us. Although this shop is seasonal, and summer and Easter are by far our busiest periods, we are now the only shop in the town and we have to offer a wide selection at a good price point.”

John Blaney Main Street, Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal 2,000 square feet 15 full time & part time 08:00-21:00, Monday-Saturday; 09:00-21:00, Sunday.

Strong Value Proposition The fact that the shop houses the local post office means that it attracts a wide variety of locals and on Fridays in particular, the shop hums with activity as people meet and greet, perform errands and do some shopping.

Given the size of the shop and the nature of its customers, a strong value proposition is an essential component of success. “We can offer our customers a good value for money basket and the convenience of staying local,” John explains.

According to Martin Ryan, Business Development Manager, XL, “John and all his team are a fantastic bunch of people to work with. With services such as our

award winning national distribution centre ensuring regular chill deliveries and our new XL branding, we’re looking to help drive sales in businesses like John’s and help retailers realise the full potential of their businesses.”

In closing, John wants to thank the people who helped his store to survive and thrive: “I would just like to thank the team at BWG and XL, the team in Value Centre in Letterkenny and all my staff. We’ve been here a very long time, through good times and bad times.

Hopefully we’ll be here for a long time to come.”

Blaney’s XL in Kerrykeel is a proper local shop, physically and mentally at the heart of the community and it is thanks to the hard work and determination of people like John and the team at XL that life in these communities gets better, not worse.

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

Retail News Interview

The Sweet Taste of Success

Lir Chocolates is celebrating its 30th birthday with the launch of a stunning new chocolate collection, just in time for Christmas.

Managing Director, Ann Murray, talks us through the brand’s ingredients for success.

“I’VE become a chocolate snob since I started working here,” admits Ann Murray, Managing Director of Lir Chocolates. “I always loved chocolate but I’ve become far more discerning over the last 18 months.”

Having sampled Lir’s new chocolate collections, launching onto retail shelves in time for Christmas, Retail News can see why the MD is so enthusiastic. It is, quite simply, magnificent, and possibly the finest this confirmed chocaholic has ever had the pleasure of consuming.

“We are re-injecting a little of the energy and the ethos that Lir began with back into Lir this year, in terms of the brand positioning,” Murray notes.

“We have become a world of foodies; food provenance, the story of food, and Pictured are (l-r): Ann Murray, Managing Director, Lir Chocolates, and Connie Doody, company adventurous tastes and co-founder and Technical Director, at the Lir Chocolate Workshop installation on Dublin’s flavours are things that we Dame Lane recently. at Lir Chocolates do very Fool and Chocolate Brownie.

Since March 2017, all Lir cocoa well, and we are trying to “We know we’re positioning this is fully sustainable, sourced from the bring this to the consumer with our new collection at the higher end of the Cocoa Horizons Founadation, which branded chocolates. We wanted to bring market,” she admits, “but we believe Murray feels is “really important to something to the launch that was going that consumers will buy right across us, both in terms of our commitment to be different to what you see in other the pricing spectrum if you give them to sustainability and the quality of our chocolates.” a reason to. The confectionery sector ingredients”.

They have certainly achieved that has a squeezed middle, and we believe The new Lir Chocolates range point of differentiation with the two new that there is an opportunity at the will hit the market as the company Lir branded collections. The Discover premium end of the market for someone celebrates its 30th birthday with a Chocolate Collection features a selection doing things differently, adding value €300k investment that includes new of round chocolates with a textured, and providing a different USP for the product development, logo/packaging splashed colour on top and a range of consumer. Our chocolates are all handre-design and a comprehensive incredible flavour combinations inside, decorated and hand-topped, while our marketing campaign, which culminated including Raspberry & Pistachio and mixes are hand-made on-site: you will in a ‘Chocolate Workshop’ installation Cinnamon & Raisin Cream: these come not get a machine to create something on Dame Lane in Dublin city centre in in 180g and 360g sizes, retailing at €13 as beautiful as our chocolates and we November. There is also a new range of and €24. The Dessert Collection, which believe that they will really hit the sweet beautiful, hand-made Lir branded Easter will retail at just under €10, includes spot.” eggs in the pipeline for 2018. such delectable flavours as Raspberry

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Retail News Interview of Baileys, to officially ask for permission to put a Baileys chocolate within the Lir collection, which was granted,” Murray explains. “When Baileys was bought by Diageo, that relationship thrived and we received the first European licence to produce chocolate for Baileys back in 2007, and the licence for Guinness worldwide a few years later. It is a huge vote of confidence when two massive world brands like Guinness and Baileys entrust their brands, from a chocolate perspective, to a relatively small company like ourselves.”

Connie Doody and her granddaughter Eimear Hehir at the Lir chocolate workshop.

Chocolate Under the Stairs The company’s current turnover of €30m is a far cry from its humble beginnings.

Lir was set-up in the midst of a recession in 1987 by Connie Doody (still the company’s Technical Director) and Mary White (now a Senator) in Connie’s kitchen, where the duo hand-rolled truffles: at one stage, there was 30kg of chocolate being stored under Connie’s stairs in the run-up to Christmas.

Lir eventually moved out of the domestic kitchen to a small premises in Dublin’s East Wall, where it operated successfully for many years, relocating to its current purpose-built manufacturing plant in Navan, Co. Meath, in 2005: Lir opened a packing hall adjacent to the chocolate factory in 2016, and also has a warehouse in Mullaghboy Industrial Estate, also in Navan.

Some staff members have been with Lir since the very beginning, like Master Chocolatier, Patricia Brady, and Helen Kerrigan, who heads up the packing hall. Indeed, Lir now employs different generations of the same family amongst their 150 full-time employees, rising to 300 at seasonal peaks.

Retail Support Remains Key The retail trade has been a key ingredient in Lir’s success over the last three decades. Indeed, retailers like Quinnsworth and Superquinn were early supporters of Lir Chocolates, and the former proved instrumental in the brand’s entry to the UK market, as the MD explains. “When Quinnsworth was bought over by Tesco, the Irish

retailer acted as a bridge into the UK, championing Lir as a brand and facilitating our expansion into Tesco in the UK market.”

Marks & Spencer is another key retail client. Lir began producing chocolate for M&S in 2005 and the relationship with the retailer has really blossomed in the 12 years since.

Lir also has a close-knit relationship with Diageo, for whom it produces a wealth of chocolates under the Baileys and Guinness brand names. “That relationship began when Connie and Mary contacted David Dand, the founder

The Importance of Innovation Innovation has always been at the core of the Lir brand, from the company’s first truffles in 1987 to the sophisticated flavour combinations of today. The MD believes that it is this quest for innovation that has helped Lir to really excel at producing chocolate for retailer’s own brands.

“I personally hate the term ‘private label’ because to me it means nothing, so I’m very specific when I refer to a ‘retailer brand’ because that is what I believe the great retailers are doing,” Murray insists. “Look at what M&S are doing: it’s outstanding. Some of the work Tesco are doing is great. What Dunnes Stores are doing with Simply Better is phenomenal and they’re truly trying to bring a brand ethos into what they are doing. So there is a shift in what retailers are doing. This premiumisation of the retailer brand allows them a point of differentiation against what other retailers might be doing.

“Retailer brands, because they

The Discover Chocolate Collection features a selection of round chocolates with a textured, splashed colour on top and a range of incredible flavour combinations inside.

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Retail News Interview The Challenge of Brexit One of the big challenges ahead for Lir and the retailers they supply is, of course, Brexit. Murray insists that it “was always part of the strategic objective of this company to internationalise, to become less dependent on the Lir’s new Dessert Collection includes such delectable UK and on Sterling”. flavours as Raspberry Fool and Chocolate Brownie.

However, she is realistic enough operate across a whole spectrum of to admit that the UK market is always goods, tend to change much more going to be important to Ireland and to rapidly than brands. For retailers, having Lir. “So whatever Brexit throws at us, we new products is what motivates them, are going to cope with it: we are going to it’s what brings consumers in to their have to deal with it and manage through store and encourages them to choose it. It would be wonderful if we at least their brand. Many retailers are really understood what we were trying to plan applying a brand ethos to their in-house against in terms of Brexit. At the minute, brands.” we are planning for the worst and hoping The retail landscape is changing, for the best,” she insists. “It would be however, and the affable MD believes foolish, however, not to look to other that progressive retailers will thrive markets that will allow us a little more by offering the consumer more of an breathing space, so we are looking to experience in-store: “I believe that internationalise. We are looking at the it’s going to be more challenging for North American and Continental Europe retailers going forward and they will markets across three pillars: private have to change how they look at the label, the Diageo brands and our own Lir shopping experience so it’s not purely brand.” functional any more. We all talk about She is confident, however, that the introducing theatre to shopping.” She strong relationships built up over Lir’s cites the example of Alibaba in China as three decades of success will stand a wonderful illustration of how a bricks to them in the future: “Longevity of and mortar store is using innovations relationships has been a key cornerstone in technology to create an exceptional of Lir’s success, whether that is with experience for consumers and how they employees, suppliers or customers. It are really embracing omni-channel has seen us through some tough times, retailing. because suppliers and customers have

been supportive to us during the leaner years, so those relationships are critical to us. We have 30 years behind us, so why wouldn’t we be confident about the future?”

Having spent a number of years working in the Health & Beauty industry, Murray has been at the helm of the Irish chocolate company for 18 months now, and can see a number of similarities between the two sectors. “They live off innovation and consumer insight.

Everybody talked about the Lipstick Effect during the recession and the same

Salted Caramel Truffles, one of the wonderful chocolate creations from Lir. can be seen in chocolate. Consumers want to be able to decide for themselves how they’re going to treat themselves and I think chocolate will always be part of the equation. Our products give pleasure to people: how lucky are we?”

Innovation has always been at the heart of the Lir business, with new product launches capturing consumer attention down through the years.

THE SMARTER WAY TO SNACK

For more information please contact: Truly Irish Country Foods Ltd 069 78334 office@trulyirish.ie Commercial Director - Joe O Connor joe.oconnor@trulyirish.ie

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

Londis Retailing Awards

Rewards Top Stores

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; Leo Crawford, Group CEO, BWG Group; Majella Roche, Londis Doneraile, Co. Cork; Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods; John Roche, Londis Doneraile, Co. Cork; and Ger Greaney, Londis Regional Development Manager, at the Londis Retailing Awards 2017. Roche’s Londis Doneraile were proud recipients of the Londis Overall Store of the Year Award 2017.

Roche’s Londis Doneraile, Co. Cork, has been crowned Londis Store of the Year at the 2017 Londis Retailing Awards.

ROCHE’S Londis Doneraile was crowned the overall Londis Store of the Year Winner at the 2017 Londis Retailing Awards, held recently in the Powerscourt Hotel in Co. Wicklow.

The Londis Retailing Awards, which have been running for over 20 years, recognise stores that excel across all areas of store performance. Roche's Londis Doneraile also recieved the award for Londis Convenience Store of the Year, Londis Food Safety Store

of the Year and a Londis Retailing Excellence Award. “In the past year, the standards across the Londis retail estate have soared,” noted Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, congratulating retailers at the awards ceremony, with a special mention for Roche’s Londis Doneraile. “The winners of this year’s awards are among the top retailers in the country. This award is recognition of the commitment and ambition demonstrated by these retailers to keep providing the highest level of service to their customers. Their focus on continually exceeding customer expectations is a testament to the hard work of their staff, for which they should be very proud. I commend them all on this wonderful achievement.”

Accepting the overall Londis Store of the Year Award 2017, John Roche, owner of Londis Doneraile, said, “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award, which is testament to the extremely hard working team that we have in-store. This accolade is not only a mark of pride for our store and staff, but importantly it shows our customers that we are passionate about delivering a top

quality service. This is a very important point of differentiation in what is a very competitive marketplace and we’re honoured to have received this award.”

In winning these awards, the stores were independently examined across a range of criteria, including customer service, the quality of their fresh food offering, product range, and the store’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of hygiene and food safety.

These exemplary Londis retailers received their awards in recognition of their commitment to implementing exceptionally high standards throughout their stores, thereby providing an excellent customer experience to their local community.

This year’s awards were held as part of the Londis Conference 2017 entitled Londis Being the Best, which was chaired by sports journalist Joanne Cantwell. Special guests included Conor O’Shea, head coach of the Italian national rugby team; Davy Fitzgerald, manager of the Wexford senior hurling team; Irish international football star Stephanie Roche; and well-known chef Catherine Fulvio.

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Londis Retailing Awards Retail Excellence Award Winners Gillan's Londis Castleknock, Dublin 15 Shiel's Londis Plus, Malahide, Co. Dublin Browne's Londis Kilcock, Co. Kildare Watchorne's Londis Mountmellick, Co. Laois Gillan's Londis Plus Summerhill, Co. Meath McCleary's Londis, New Terrace, Monaghan O'Donovan's Londis Oola, Co. Limerick

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; Pamela O’Toole; Tina Byrne; Sandra Haughton; Catriona O’Brien; Ann Marie Cullen Kenny; Teresa Byrne; Kinga Kulig; Caoimhe Byrne; Peter Byrne; Brian Byrne and Sheila Nolan, Londis Aughrim; Dermot O’Neill, Londis Regional Development Manager; at the Londis Retailing Awards 2017. Byrne’s Londis Aughrim were proud recipients of the Londis Foodmarket Store of the Year Award 2017.

McDermott's Londis Irishtown Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Byrne's Londis Aughrim, Co. Wicklow Canavan's Londis Inch, Gorey, Co. Wexford O'Doherty's Londis Our Lady's Island, Co. Wexford Hanrahan's Londis Piercetown, Co. Wexford Dillon's Londis Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford Hanrahan's Londis The Faythe, Co. Wexford Doyle's Londis Carnew Road, Gorey, Co. Wexford Boggan's Londis Rosslare, Co. Wexford Londis Tomnalossett, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Casey's Londis Mount Kenneth, Co. Limerick Casey's Londis Dock Road, Limerick

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director; Kathleen McDonnell, Sheila Gillan, John Gillan and Jonathan Gillan, Londis Plus Summerhill; and Declan Boyle, Londis Regional Development Manager; at the Londis Retailing Awards 2017. Gillan’s Londis Plus Summerhill were proud recipients of the Londis Supermarket Store of the Year Award 2017.

Hernon's Londis Bandon, Co. Cork Roche's Londis Doneraile, Co. Cork Keating's Londis Plus Newtown, Cobh, Co. Cork McNamee's Londis Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare O'Sullivan's Londis Killorglin, Co. Kerry Londis Station Road Adare, Co. Limerick O'Connor's Londis Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Casey's Londis Castlebar, Co. Mayo Casey's Londis Renmore, Co. Galway Casey's Londis Ballina, Co. Mayo Corbett's Londis Newcastle Road, Galway Burke's Londis Plus Kinvara, Co. Galway

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Seamus Griffin, Griffin's Londis Grafton Street, accepting the Londis Deli and Hot Food Store of the Year Award 2017.

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Ciaran Reilly, Reilly's Londis Abbeylands, Navan, accepting the Londis Off Licence Store of the Year Award 2017.

Cunningham's Londis Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo Timothy's Londis Plus Abbeytown, Co. Roscommon Londis Tuam Road Athenry, Co. Galway Dunne's Londis Bellurgan, Dundalk, Co. Louth Brodigan's Londis Quay Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Gillen's Londis Dublin Road, Trim, Co. Meath Kennedy's Londis Boyle, Co. Roscommon Aherne's Londis Thurles, Co. Tipperary Londis Adamstown, Lucan, Co. Dublin Sheehan's Londis Parkgate Street, Dublin 7 Griffin's Londis Grafton Street, Dublin 2 Griffin's Londis Ballast House, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

Pictured are (l-r): Dermot O’Neill, Londis Regional Development Manager; Denis O’Doherty, Londis Our Lady’s Island; Paul and Val Boggan, Londis Rosslare; Marie O’Doherty, Londis Our Lady’s Island; Cindy Dillon; Emily Gleeson; Sandra Foley; Trish Furlong and David Dillon, Londis Fethard-onSea; at the Londis Retailing Awards 2017.

Griffin's Londis Lower College Green, Dublin 2 Griffin's Londis St James's Hospital, Dublin 8 Griffin's Londis Beacon Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18

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Londis Retailing Awards Retail Standard Award Winners Prenderville's Londis Cabra, Dublin 7 Patterson's Londis Foxrock, Co. Dublin Londis Cornelscourt, Co. Dublin Doolan's Londis Clane, Co. Kildare Styne's Londis Prosperous, Co. Kildare Watter's Londis Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan Rath's Londis Plus Carlow O'Reilly's Londis Hackettstown, Co. Carlow

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Annie and Vincent Timothy and Mike Crean, Timothy's Londis Plus Abbeytown, Roscommon, accepting the Londis Customer Service Store of the Year Award 2017.

Steen's Londis Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director with Tommy Murphy, Burke's Londis Plus Kinvara accepting the Londis Fruit and Veg Store of the Year Award 2017.

Londis Cleaboy, Co. Waterford Londis St John's Park, Waterford Byrne's Londis Carnew, Co. Wicklow O'Brien's Londis Larkins Cross, Barntown, Co. Wexford Doyle's Londis Coolcotts, Co. Wexford O'Shea's Londis Campile, Co. Wexford Casey's Londis Newbridge, Co. Kildare Hennessy's Londis Skibbereen, Co. Cork Walsh's Londis Clonakilty, Co. Cork Sheedy's Londis Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry McCarthy's Londis Rathmore, Co. Kerry Stack's Londis Lixnaw, Co. Kerry Mullin's Londis Shrule, Co. Mayo Mulroy's Londis Moneen Roundabout, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Neil Kennedy, Kennedy's Londis Boyle, accepting the Londis Butchery Store of the Year Award 2017.

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Majella and John Roche, Roche's Londis Doneraile, accepting the Londis Food Safety Store of the Year Award 2017.

Hiney's Londis Crossmolina, Co. Mayo Londis Plus Castlebar, Co. Mayo Londis Plus Castlebar, Co. Mayo Mulroy's Londis Breaffy Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Lowe's Londis Grange, Co. Sligo Corbett's Londis Mervue, Co. Galway McElearney's Londis Drogheda, Co. Louth Lowthe's Londis Duleek, Co. Louth Londis Navan Road, Trim, Co. Meath Reilly's Londis Abbeylands, Navan, Co. Meath Griffin's Londis Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 Griffin's Londis KCR, Dublin 6W Griffin's Londis Parkwest, Dublin 12

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Seamus Griffin and David Bridgette, Griffin's Londis Group, accepting the Londis Community Store of the Year Award 2017.

Griffin's Londis Carmanhall Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18

Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, with Barry Gillen, Gillen's Londis Trim, accepting the Londis Bakery Store of the Year Award 2017.

Griffin's Londis Fonthill, Dublin 22 Griffin's Londis 9 Westmoreland Street O'Neill's Londis Killeagh, Co. Cork

This advertisement is for tobacco retailers only and should not be made available to the public nor should it be displayed in any area where it is visible to the public.

Toradh caithimh tobac – bås.

Smoking kills.

26|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Truly Irish

Truly Irish Launches New Protein Shakes ‘Truly Yours.’ is an exciting new brand of flavoured, lactose free protein shakes from Truly Irish.

NEW from Truly Irish, Truly Yours. is an exciting new Irish brand offering flavoured lactose free protein shakes to the healthconscious individual leading an active busy lifestyle.

In recent years, health and wellness trends have been driving product innovation, resulting in the protein drinks market experiencing significant growth.

The market is also benefiting from an evolving and diverse consumer base.

According to a recent Teagasc report, the demand for high quality whey proteins is expected to increase as consumers realise their health benefits beyond the sports nutrition market (Source: Teagasc 2017).

Protein shakes are now being consumed by a broader market, including health conscious individuals, as well as the aging population. Personalisation of nutrient intake, with consumers making food choices based around what they think will make them feel better, has become common amongst consumers nowadays

(Source: Innova Market Insights 2017).

Extensive Market Research Truly Yours. is the result of two years of extensive in-house market research, supported by Bord Bia, as well as hightech product development processes led by industry experts, with this innovative product ready to meet the growing market demand. “We are positioning the milkshakes between sports nutrition and mainstream,” explained Joe O’ Connor, Commercial Director of Truly Irish.

So the question remains: why is protein consumption so important? In short, it can speed up metabolism and boost energy levels, as well as reduce appetite and miraculously can help lose body fat without losing muscle. This RTG (Ready To Go) shake contains 18g of protein (whey and casein) extracted from natural cow’s semi-skimmed milk concentrate: therefore, it is rich in calcium, essential for healthy muscles and strong bones. Protein can also

significantly benefit digestion due to the slow digesting nature of casein.

150 Calories Per Serving So why choose Truly Yours. protein shakes? They are nutritious and really tasty, with a smooth texture, and are super convenient for consumers on the go. The shakes come in three flavours; Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate. They have only 150 calories per serving. They have a high protein content but are also completely lactose free. “So this product aims to meet the needs of the rising lactose intolerant market, as well as those mindful of looking after their health and wellbeing who wish to complement such with a healthy protein supplement,” concluded Joe O’Connor.

For further information, please contact Joe O’Connor, Commercial Director, Truly Irish, by email at joe.oconnor@trulyirish.ie or office@trulyirish.ie, or visit www.trulyirish.ie.

New Truly Yours. protein shakes come in three flavours, Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate, with just 150 calories per serving.

Complete online training to be in with a chance to win a â‚Ź400 holiday voucher

28|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland Summit

CX the Key to Scaling the Retail Summit

Delegates at the 2017 Retail Ireland Summit on ‘Exploring Experiential Retailing’ learned how improving customer experience always results in increased sales and turnover.

Alan Henderson, Chief Customer Strategist at Pygmalios Analytics, spoke about measuring every aspect of the customer journey and quantifying the most valuable areas of customer experience.

THE Retail Ireland Summit 2017 took place recently in the Guinness Storeouse, with the theme, ‘Exploring Experiential Retail’. Experiential retail is a key part of the sector’s future, and integral to facing omni-channel challenges and engaging with an increasingly experiential hungry customer base.

Event MC was broadcaster and columnist Collette Fitzpatrick, who introduced a welcome address by Retail Ireland Chairman and Managing Director of BWG Foods, Willie O’Byrne.

O’Byrne remarked that he thought the Guinness Storehouse was a very appropriate and apt venue for Retail Ireland Summit 2017, as experiential tourism is a key plank of Ireland’s industry, with Guinness playing a huge part and leading the way with the Storehouse experience, the Gravity Bar and merchandise outlet.

O’Byrne reiterated the importance of retail to the Irish economy and state finances, as it contributes €7 billion in tax revenue, which constitutes 23% of Ireland’s total tax returns. Retail also

employs 280,000 people, which is 14% of national employment. Interestingly, 70% of retail jobs are outside of Dublin and retail wages in Ireland are the fourth highest in the EU. Despite this strong position, O’Byrne spelt out the ominous challenge of Brexit and the dramatic impact that fluctuating Sterling rates are already having on the sector. “No matter how people buy produces or groceries, they always buy from people they trust,” he said. “This is crucial to reconciling modern and tradition retail methods.”

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Retail Ireland Summit use specific footfall data to aid decision making for their business. “Data is one of your most valuable assets,” Henderson said. “It will show you where you are performing well, and where you are not.”

Thomas Burke, Retail Ireland Director; event MC, Colette Fitzpatrick; and Willie O’Byrne, Retail Ireland Chairman and MD of BWG Foods, pictured at the Retail Ireland Summit.

A Golden Age for Retail?

Danny McCoy, Ibec CEO, spoke about the current retail environment, macro opportunities and contemporary threats and trends facing the industry.

He warned that despite the economic recovery, retail was lagging a bit behind and had only enjoyed a relatively modest recovery. McCoy touched on the recent budget, and also elaborated on a household budget survey undertaken in the summer.

The average income of an Irish household is €1,100 a week or €55,000 a year, so Ireland now ranks alongside Luxembourg and Qatar in terms of household wealth. If Ireland is a high income country, and by far one of the richest countries in Europe, retailers must try and improve their standing.

“If you can’t shoot fish in a barrel in an environment that has one of the best economies in the world, forget about it,” he said. “The challenge today is to monetise this situation. The next phase for this industry is going to be quite dramatic. How do you get rich Irish people to part with more of their money?

You are on the cusp of a golden age for this industry.”

Making Data Work for You Alan Henderson, Chief Customer Strategist at Pygmalios Analytics, spoke about measuring every aspect of the customer journey and quantifying the most valuable areas of customer experience. Henderson has experience working with retailers all over the world.

“Measuring experience is an incredibly important part of determining what the customers want,” he said. “It informs improving the experience for them,

which in turn, will improve business for you.”

Henderson examined three areas: what can be measured in the retail environment, why this matters, and how this information can be used to improve the customer experience. If a customer spends 20 minutes or so in a physical store, this is examined by questioning what they looked at, and what decisions they made and how they made them.

E-commerce is an excellent platform to learn about customers, as it is so much easier to collect and process data in the age of Uber drivers and the ever increasing prominence of convenient tech solutions and applications to avail of a service or buy a product. One good example is footfall: it is undoubtedly something all retailers are very aware of, but very few

Shifting Consumer Expectations Andrew Busby, founder and CEO, Retail Reflections, delivered his keynote address on the subject ‘Shifting consumer expectations, what every retailer needs to know’. In a retail career spanning 20 years, Busby has worked at Kingfisher and Superdrug, as well as business development with Arcadia, Debenhams, John Lewis and Argos on transformational technology and services solutions, and is also an IBM futurist and regarded as one of the top retail influencers to follow in 2017.

Busby discussed what he calls “butterfly consumerism”, citing concepts from a book entitled Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek that appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list. He examined the attachments consumers form, and how they gravitate towards products described as craft, homemade or artisan. “Customers want to experience innovations and how you deliver this is the very heart of retail now,” he said.

Dave Palmer, Founding Partner and Executive Creative Director of Love, has over 15 years of experience in branding, design and advertising. He spoke about the rise of experience in retail. “It might sound a bit extreme, but some say retail is almost a dead industry,” he warned.

“In the future, we are going to review retail spaces as venues that deliver experiences.”

The key to delivering the best possible retail experience is a six-point

Founder and CEO of Retail Reflections, Andrew Busby delivered his keynote address on the subject ‘Shifting consumer expectations, what every retailer needs to know’.

30|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland Summit

Willie O’Byrne addresses the Retail Ireland Summit. approach that offers a check list for all retailers: hard-wire share-ability; accelerate experiences; embrace storytelling; be tech smart; believe in people not screens; and provide a place to a hang out rather than a shop.

Declan Ralph, Retail Development Director of BWG Foods, discussed “crafting” the retail experience. He referenced the local experience and knowledge of different branches of Spar and EuroSpar, referring in particular to a West Cork EuroSpar store that is heavily involved with its local community.

“We put the shopper at the centre of what we do,” he said. “We track where they go in the store and have a bit more engagement with them. We cannot rest on our laurels and we must always look at what is happening around the world, in our own market and all markets everywhere.” He also made an interesting point about “recycling failures” - namely, just because an idea didn't work once, doesn't necessarily mean it won't ever work.

The CX Factor Claire Bailey, Founder of The Retail Champion, is acclaimed as a 'Walking Encyclopedia of Retail', in addition to being held up one of the leading retail experts in the UK. She spoke about customer experience, or “CX” as it is now known in modern parlance, which is the product of an interaction between an organisation and a customer over the duration of their relationship.

She explained how CX always improves the bottom line and results in increased sales and turnover. People

rate and review brands and products instantaneously online on Twitter and other social media and online platforms, which sometimes can accelerate expectations.

“You have to be constantly innovating, and be very aware that what you might think is innovative can very quickly become old hat,” she said. Bailey urged fostering a “customer-centric” retail culture. She also said she believed that keeping good, dedicated staff is crucial to delivering good CX, as training new staff or having a high turnover of personnel can have a negative impact on creating an excellent customer experience that people will keep coming back for. If people increase their visits by 10%, it is highly likely sales will increase by 10%. If a store increases the quality of its customer experience, it will increase profits.

Staff loyalty informs customer loyalty, or as Bailey said: “The voice of the employee is the most important pillar in delivering great customer experience. You can never replace social interaction.”

Thomas Burke, Director, Retail Ireland, delivered a closing address that thanked all the speakers and attendees. Burke believes there are many reasons to be cheerful about retail in Ireland in the future, as it is the most geographically and socially diverse sector of the Irish economy. In exploring and interrogating what we do know about customers, rather than what we don't know, the sector can constantly improve and adapt to present and future challenges.

High Praise On his blog on RetailReflections.Org, Andrew Busby praised the event. “In the same week as Sears announced that it was shuttering all of its stores

Danny McCoy, Ibec CEO, at the Retail Ireland Summit. in Canada with the loss of 12,000 jobs, the Retail Ireland Summit provided plenty of insights into how retailers can attract and retain customers,” he wrote.

“In my role as a retail analyst and IBM Futurist, I get to attend a lot of retail conferences and seminars. Never before has the subject of customer experience and the consumer featured so strongly.

Faced with the stiffest competition ever seen, retailers are having to reinvent themselves and in particular this means their literal shop window, their stores, are having to completely rethink their role and the value that they can offer. No longer simply a place to visit to purchase goods off the shelf, stores must now become enjoyable destinations where we wish to spend time. But make no mistake, the reward for getting it right is there to be had – engage, inspire and connect.”

Delegates at the Retail Ireland Summit learned about the importance of putting customer experience at the heart of retail.

Overall IQFA

Retailer of the Year WINNER IRISH QUALITY FOOD

®

IRISH QUALITY FOOD

®

WINNER

WINNER

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

2017

AWARDS

2016

AWARDS

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

2016 & 2017

32|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards

Quality Shines Through at Food & Drink Awards

The Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 2017 highlighted the finest products from these shores across a host of categories.

All the winners at the 2017 Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards celebrate at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin.

THE winners of the 2017 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards were announced at a gala event held in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin, on October 26, where some of the finest food and drink products from these shores were rewarded. Indeed, the results are packed with products that prove Irish produce really is the best in the business!

The Gold Q Winner, the highest product accolade in the Quality Food Awards, was presented to O’Brien Fine Foods Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham. Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Dairymaid, was Dunnes Stores, who were praised by judges for their unerring

commitment to quality food and drink.

The Small Producer Award, which was sponsored by Dunnes Stores Simply Better, went to Meere’s Pork Products Traditional Black/White Puddings.

Consumers will soon find these delicious products on Dunnes’ shelves as they now get the opportunity to work with the retailer to get stock on shelf.

The Irish Quality Drink Awards overflowed with winners, including the Champagne award, which went to Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne from O Moore & Co., and a cider from Lidl, the Crafty Brewing Company Crafty Dry Cider/McCann’s Cider. Feeney’s Irish

Cream Liqueur won the Liqueurs & Speciality Spirits award.

Food Heroes Two new categories for this year's awards, The Irish Blogger of the Year Award and Irish Food Hero, were sponsored by Tesco Ireland. The Irish Quality Food Awards Blogger of the Year was Jolene Cox from www. yummymummy.com and the Irish Food Hero award, designed to recognise the real heroes of Irish food, was Gareth Brown, head chef at ‘A Slice of Heaven’.

All retailers, food producers and manufacturers across the Republic

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Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards

The team from O’Brien Fine Foods celebrate winning the overall Gold Q Award for their Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham. of Ireland and Northern Ireland were invited to enter products for the chance to achieve industry acclaim.

The awards included The Irish Quality Food Awards, products for the multiple and independent grocery retail market, and the Irish Quality Drink Awards, alcoholic drinks for the retail sector. New this year were the Irish Foodservice Awards, which recognise excellence in the foodservice sector, and the Irish Good Choice! Awards, for the ever-growing healthier options categories.

Stringent Judging Process A prestigious team of judges spent four weeks tasting entries from across Ireland at the Dublin Institute of Technology’s School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology.

“This year’s awards have been our best yet,” enthused Helen Lyons, Publishing Director of event organisers, Metropolis Business Media. “Our winners showcase the truly incredible

Meere’s Pork Products Traditional Black/White Puddings won the Small Producer Award, sponsored by Dunnes Stores Simply Better. Pictured are (l-r): event MC Paul Rankin; Barry Rees and Orlaigh Meere from Meere's Pork Products, and Diarmuid Murphy, Brand Manager, Dunnes Stores Simply Better. food and drink industry in Ireland: it was really tough for our judges to choose our winners from such a vast array of fantastic products. The Small Producer Award is particularly exciting as our

The team from Dunnes Stores celebrate being named Retailer of the Year.

winner will also see their product on the shelves at Dunnes. Our Food Hero, Gareth Brown is also a real winner – he illustrates all that is good about our industry.”

The Aldi Effect Aldi was one of the big winners on the night, scooping no fewer than 24 awards, including the Gold Q Value award for Aldi’s Oakhurst 6oz Beef Burger, while Aldi’s Specially Selected Salmon Side with Lemon & Pepper Marinade picked up the Christmas Q award.

Many of Aldi’s triumphant products are sourced from market leading Irish suppliers. Winning Irish sourced products include Aldi’s Roisin’s Chocolate & Orange Bar, produced by Áine Hand Made Chocolates of Co. Cavan, and Aldi’s O’Shea’s Irish Stout, brewed by the Carlow Brewing Company

34|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards of Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.

“We are delighted that many of our Irish sourced products have tasted national success once again,” noted Aldi Ireland’s Group Buying Director, Finbar McCarthy. “The Aldi team is focused on delivering the highest quality products at the very best prices. We are committed to working with great food and drink producers across Ireland to achieve this.

Our customers know it pays to shop at Aldi each week and these awards are proof that it also tastes better too.”

Aldi is committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of Irish products available in its stores.

In 2016, Aldi spent over €700m with Irish producers, manufacturers and suppliers, and more than half of the retailer’s sales in Ireland come from products sourced from Irish based suppliers. Aldi recently increased its support for small Irish suppliers by reducing its payment terms to 14 days for suppliers that transact up

Pictured accepting the Food To Go Award for Applegreen Vitality Salad are Jackie Reid, Deli Lites, and Michelle Twohig, Applegreen, with Paul Rankin, event MC, and Drew McIvor, Invest NI.

The Tesco Ireland team celebrate winning the Good Choice Retailer of the Year Award. to €300k annually with Aldi.

Irish Good Choice Quality Retailer of the Year Award Tesco Ireland also performed extremely well at the Awards, taking home an impressive 25 Gold Awards.

Spanning multiple categories Tesco own label products were awarded across Good Choice, Drink and Food Categories including fresh produce, meat, bakery, frozen, snacks and beers, wines and spirits, while Tesco Ireland also took home the coveted Irish Good Choice Quality Retailer of the Year Award.

“We’re thrilled to pick up so many awards for our own label products, awards we share with our supplier

partners,” enthused Sheila Gallagher, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland.

“Irish sourced products formed a huge part of our award wins at this year’s IQFA awards. We’re especially proud of our finest* meat award wins, which reinforces our 100% Irish meat, 100% of the time commitment and our continued support of over 13,000 Irish farm families.”

In the Irish Quality Drink Awards, Tesco Ireland took home four gold medals for its finest* red and white wines, champagne and vodka ranges.

In the Irish Good Choice Quality Awards Tesco was awarded seven product awards – two of which were for the Free From Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies.

Sponsors The awards were once again headline sponsored by innovative packaging company Graphic Packaging International. Other sponsors included Reflex Labels, Dairymaid, Invest Northern Ireland and Sacla’.

The Irish Good Choice! Quality Food Awards worked in partnership with the Coeliac Society of Ireland, who played an important role in the stringent judging process of the new awards, focusing on the healthier and ‘Free From’ market.

For more information, please visit the website: irish.qualityfoodawards.com.

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Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards

Irish Quality Food Awards Winners Gold Q Winner O’Brien Fine Foods Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham Gold Q Small Producer Winner Meere’s Pork Products Traditional Black/ White Pudding Gold Q Value Winner Aldi Oakhurst 6oz Beef Burger / Dawn Meats Gold Q Christmas Winner Dunnes Stores Simply Better Seasonally Spiced Cranberry & Orange Farmhouse Yoghurt / Killowen Farm

Cakes - Small Cakes Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade All Butter Irish Raspberry Bakewell Slices / Sam's Cookies Cereals Aldi Specially Selected Indulgent Granola Salted Caramel / Pioneer Foods Cereals - Porridge Aldi Kavanaghs Organic Porridge Oats / Whites Speedicook Cheese - Hard Lidl Rathdaragh Irish Extra Mature Cheddar / Dale Farm

Value Q - Ambient Lidl Simply Roasted & Salted Peanuts / Pittjes

Cheese - Soft Aldi Specially Selected Irish Buffalo Mozzarella / BaileyVale

Value Q - Chilled Tesco Vintage Irish White Cheddar / Adams Foods

Cheese - Speciality Aldi Specially Selected Flavoured Irish Goats Cheese Log Honey, Thyme & Garlic / Bluebell Falls

Value Q - Frozen Aldi Oakhurst 6oz Beef Burger / Dawn Meats Irish Blogger of the Year Jolene Cox www.oneyummymummy.com Irish Food Hero of the Year Gareth Brown, A Slice of Heaven Retailer of the Year Dunnes Stores

Category Winners Biscuits - Savoury Dunnes Stores Simply Better Irish Multi Seed Rye Crackers / Sheridan's Biscuits - Sweet Dunnes Stores Simply Better All Butter Oat & Cranberry Cookies / West Cork Biscuit Company Bread - Loaves and Rolls Dunnes Stores Signature Sourdough / Staffords Bread - Morning Goods Dunnes Stores Pain au Chocolat / Deli France

Cold Beverages - Juices SiSú Zesty Summer Fruits Cold Beverages - Soft Drinks Dunnes Stores Simply Better Irish Raspberry & Wexford Rhubarb Cordial / Naturally Cordial Cooking Sauces Dunnes Stores Simply Better Italian Puttanesca Pasta Sauce / Taste With Gusto Dairy - Butters and Spreads North Cork Cooperative Creameries Pure Irish Creamery Butter Dairy - Chilled Bainne Codladh Lullaby Milk Dairy - Yogurts Aldi Specially Selected Authentically Strained Flavoured Greek Style Yoghurt Mandarin and Lime / Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt

Children's Food Pip and Pear Fishy Dishy

Delicatessen - Antipasti Tesco Mediterranean Platter / Katsouris Brothers

Chocolate and Confectionery Aldi Roisins Chocolate & Orange Bar / Aine's Chocolates

Delicatessen - Continental Meats Dunnes Stores Simply Better Spanish Jamon De Bellota 100% Iberico / Redondo

Christmas Q – Bakery & Desserts Tesco Mince Logs / Golden Bake

Delicatessen - Dips Dunnes Stores Broad Bean & Pea Dip / Orexis

Christmas Q-Confectionery Dunnes Stores Simply Better Irish Handmade Belgian Chocolate Florentine Selection / Sam’s Cookies Christmas Q - Cakes Dunnes Stores Christmas Portuguese Tart / Mannings Bakery Christmas Q - Fish Aldi Specially Selected Salmon Side, Lemon Lime & Pepper Marinade / Morgans Fine Fish Christmas Q – Meat - Turkey Dunnes Stores Simply Better Bronze Turkey Crown with Cranberry, Apricot & Clementine Stuffing / Hogan's Farm

Bread - Speciality Breads The Breadski Brothers Spelt Bread

Christmas Q – Meat – Other Meat Products Tesco Irish Unsmoked Dry Cured Ham with Mulling Spices and a Honey and Apple Glaze / Hilton Foods

Bread – Wheaten and Soda Breads Aldi Specially Selected Fruited Wheaten / Stapletons

Christmas Q - Savoury Tesco Finest Camembert Sharing Bread / Bakkavor

Cakes - Large Cakes Dunnes Stores Bunting Celebration Cake / Brogans Bakery

Christmas Q – Chilled Sweet Dunnes Stores Simply Better Seasonally Spiced Cranberry & Orange Farmhouse Yogurt / Killowen Farm

Delicatessen - Pre-Cooked Meats: Joints O'Brien Fine Foods Brady Family Turf Smoked Ham Delicatessen - Pre-Cooked Meats: Prepacked O'Brien Fine Foods Homebird Irish Roast Chicken Delicatessen - Other Deli Products Mama Nagi's Sweet Bengali Chilli Paste Desserts and Puddings Dunnes Stores Light & Zesty Sicilian Lemon Cheesecake / Prestige Eggs Aldi Healys Farm Omega 3 Free Range Eggs 6 pack / The Nest Box Fish - Fresh & Frozen Dunnes Stores Simply Better Fresh Organic Irish Salmon Darnes / Keohane Seafoods Fish - Prepared The Fresh Fish Deli Traditional Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes Fish - Smoked Dunnes Stores Simply Better Oak & Hickory Smoked Trout / Dunns of Dublin

36|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards Food To Go Applegreen Vitality Salad / Deli Lites Fresh Produce Fruit: Prepared Dunnes Stores Melon Free Fruit / Freshcut Foods Fresh Produce Fruit: Unprepared Dunnes Stores Irish King Strawberries / Pat Clarke Fresh Produce Salad: Prepared Tesco Three Bean Salad / Nature's Best Fresh Produce Salad: Unprepared Tesco Finest Mini San Marzano Tomatoes / Total Produce Fresh Produce Vegetables: Prepared Dunnes Stores Crinkle Cut Sweet Potato Fries / Nature's Best Fresh Produce Vegetables: Unprepared Dunnes Stores Irish Wet Garlic Frozen Food - Savoury Aldi Specially Selected Sweet Potato Fries / Handy Foods Frozen Food - Sweet Tesco Finest Valencia Orange Juice Lollies / R&R Ice Cream Home Baking Dunnes Stores Baking At Home Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix / Gempack Jams, Sweet Spreads & Sauces Dunnes Stores Simply Better Limited Edition Handmade Seville Orange Marmalade / Wexford Home Preserves Meat - Bacon Aldi Specially Selected Bacon Medallions Smoked Honey / Oakpark Meat - Beef Tesco Finest Irish Angus Carvery Ribbon Roast / ABP Meat - Beef Steaks - Fillet Dunnes Stores Simply Better 14 Day Matured Irish Angus Fillet Steak / Tendermeats Meat - Beef Steaks - Rib Eye Aldi Specially Selected Black Angus Rib Eye Steak / ABP Ireland Meat - Beef Steaks Striploin/Sirloin Aldi Specially Selected Tipperary Dry Aged Black Angus Striploin Steak / ABP Ireland Meat - Burgers Dunnes Stores 2 Sundried Tomato & Mint 6oz Lamb Burgers / Meat & More Meat - Meatballs Tesco Finest Irish Beef Meatballs World Taste Italian Herb / Hilton Foods

Meat - Game Lidl Duck Breast with Garlic & Pepper / Silver Hill Foods

Snacks - Sweet Aldi Specially Selected Popcorn Extra Butter Toffee / CPAC Foods

Meat - Lamb Garrett's EasiCarve Leg of Lamb

Soups Dunnes Stores Coconut & Chilli Ramen Soup with Chicken

Meat - Pork James Whelan Butchers Heritage Cure Ham Meat - Poultry Garrett's EasiCarve Chicken Meat - Puddings Garrett's Nana Lizzie Black Pudding Meat - Sausages Tesco Finest Traditional Sausages / Hilton Foods Oils, Vinegars, Relishes & Chutney Dunnes Stores Simply Better Aceto Balsamico Di Modena IGP Balsamic Vinegar of Modena / Del Gusto Rice, Pasta & Grains Dunnes Stores Simply Better Italian Egg Bronze Die Lasagne Sheets / Taste with Gusto Pizzas Tesco Finest Wood Fired Spicy Italian Meat Pizza / Bakkavor Quiches, Pies and Pasties Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade West Cork Gubbeen Chorizo & Irish Potato Quiche / Zanna Cookhouse Ready Meals Lidl Chicken & Brocolli Bake / Emaan Meal Solutions Ready Meals - Ethnic Winner Simon’s Thai Prawn Curry Ready to Cook Aldi Butchers Selection Rotisserie Whole Chicken Cook in the Bag / Carton Bros. / Western Brand Sauces and Salad Dressings Fused Glorious Ginger Soy Sauce Side Dishes Dunnes Stores Broccoli, Quinoa & Kale with a Lemon and Chive Butter / Avondale Snacks - Savoury Crisps Keogh's Atlantic Sea Salt & Irish Cider Vinegar Potato Crisps Snacks - Savoury Tesco Finest Roasted Nut Selection / Besana Snacks - Savoury Popcorn Golden Popcorn Sweet & Salty Dynamic Duo

Teas & Other Hot Beverages Dunnes Stores Simply Better Irish Handmade Belgian Hot Chocolate & Seville Orange Swirl Stick / Aine's Handmade Chocolates

Irish Quality Drink Awards Winners Red Wine Under €12 Tesco Finest St Chinian / Les Vins Skalli Red Wine Over €12 Aldi Domaine Pere Papite Chateauneuf Du Pape/ Benoiot & Valerie Calvet Rosé Wine Aldi Exquisite Collection Cotes de Provence Rose / Lacheteau White Wine Under €12 Tesco Finest Albarino / Felix Solis White Wine Over €12 Dunnes Stores Simply Better Tiki Grey Label Sauvignon Blanc / Cassidy Wines Champagne Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne / O Moore & Co Sparkling Wine Dunnes Stores Simply Better Prosecco DOC Extra Dry / Cassidy Wines Beer Aldi O' Sheas Stout / Carlow Brewing Cider Lidl The Crafty Brewing Company Crafty Dry Cider / McCann's Cider Gin & Vodka Tesco Finest French Vodka / Distilleries de Matha (ROI) Brandy, Rum & Whiskey Hibernia Distillers Hyde Single Grain Irish Whiskey Liqueurs & Speciality Spirits Feeney's Irish Cream Liqueur

JOIN OUR NEW ERA OF RETAIL

l ongstanding Brand o ptimise your Business n ational Distribution Centre d evelopment and Innovation i ntelligent IT Retailing s ales + Profit through Partnership BWG Foods is investing over ¤8m in the Londis brand over the coming two years, giving our longstanding brand a new lease of life. We want you to be a part of this journey, so contact Sean Lavin to learn more about Londis and our new era of retail.

www.londis.ie

sean lavin tel: 086 254 1230 email: slavin@bwg.ie

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

IGBF President’s Ball

President’s Ball Strikes the Right Note The IGBF President’s Ball 2017 was a massive success and one of the social highlights of the year.

THE Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund President’s Ball took place on October 21 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin 4, where the great and the good from the Irish FMCG market took time out from their busy schedules to relax, dine and share some great company at the social event of the year, while simultaneously raising funds for the IGBF. The theme of this year’s event was ‘A Night At the Musicals’, which was a subject close to the heart of IGBF President of Appeals, Conor Kilduff. The Keelings Sales & Marketing Director loves nothing more than to sing with the Newbridge Musical Society, and Conor was joined by his family and fellow performers from the Kildare town to treat the audience to stunning renditions of some of the best-known songs to light up stage and screen.

“When not working professionally, I love nothing more than getting involved in the staging of musicals and have been known to tread the boards from time to time,” Conor informed those in attendance. “So tonight has been a great excuse for me to truly mix the grocery business and the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund work along with a little bit of my personal passion, music and musicals.”

Legendary broadcaster Marty Whelan was a fabulous MC for the night, with music also provided by the Camembert Quartet.

The President of Appeals thanked all the attendees for their continued support, particularly thanking the sponsors, who included: National Lottery, Diageo, Comans Beverages Ltd and Britvic Ireland.

The Ball plays a big part in the IGBF’s annual fundraising and this year’s event was superbly organised by the team at Hotel Solutions, who also sponsored the raffle.

History of the IGBF The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund was founded in 1981 to provide financial relief for persons in need who have been involved in the food and beverage trades, including retail grocers, wholesalers, manufacturers and general suppliers to the industry. It currently distributes approximately €550,000 annually to people in severe need across the country.

Conor Kilduff, IGBF President of Appeals and Sales & Marketing Director of Keelings, is pictured with event MC, Marty Whelan, and Donal O’Shea, IGBF Chairman.

Pictured are Donal O’Shea, IGBF Chairman, with Noel Keeley, Managing Director of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, and Leonard Hegarty, Vice Chairman, IGBF.

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IGBF President’s Ball

Event MC, Marty Whelan, pictured with Stonehouse CEO, Tom Shipsey.

Pictured are the team from the National Lottery with event MC, Marty Whelan, and IGBF President of Appeals, Conor Kilduff (l-r): Jenny Neary, Niamh Roche, Ronan Neary, Fergus Roche, Breda Andrews, Niall Andrews, Conor Kilduff, Declan Harrington, Marty Whelan, Linda Canavan, Loretta Harrington, George Canavan.

Leonard Hegarty, IGBF Vice Chairman, and Una Hegarty.

Niamh & Fergus Roche, Head of Technology, Premier Lotteries Ireland.

Ken Nugent, RTE, and Angela Nugent, Commercial Manager, Diageo Ireland.

Vincent Carton, Director, Manor Farm, and Liz Carton.

Michelle Thornton, MD, Hotel Solutions, and Alison Cowzer, Director, East Coast Bakehouse.

George Canavan, Sales Support Manager, National Lottery, and Linda Canavan.

Fiona and John Bohan, Project Manager, Musgrave.

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IGBF President’s Ball

Jeff Butler and Lorraine Butler, Managing Director, CPM.

IGBF Chairman Donal O'Shea; Catherine Bleahene; Carol Fielding; and Brian Conroy, co-founder of Pop Up Races.

Julie Gavin and Redmond Gavin, Coman’s Wholesale and IGBF Committee Member.

Frances Higgins, IGBF Committee Member; Conor Kilduff, IGBF President of Appeals and Sales & Marketing Director of Keelings; Sharon Yourell, MD, Think Plan Do Consulting and Chairperson of TWIG. Pictured are (l-r): Laurence Hayes; Margaret Lyons, founder, FMI; Libby Keeling, Director, FMI, and Gareth Lloyd.

Mary Collins and Nigel Scully, Managing Director, Aryzta Food Solutions.

Pictured are Joe Keane, former IGBF President of Appeals and Chairman; Rosemary O’Reilly; Ann Keane; and Gus O'Reilly, IGBF Executive Secretary.

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IGBF President’s Ball

Adam Smart, General Manager, PepsiCo Ireland, and Claire Smart.

Pictured are Tom Shipsey, CEO, Stonehouse; Deirdre Shipsey; Jim McNeill, MD, Kellogg’s; Yvonne McNeill; IGBF Past President Joe Keane; and Deirdre Keane.

Enjoying the ball are (l-r): Eamon Doherty; Paula Conlon, Customer Marketing Controller, Heineken Ireland; Nicola Murphy; and Fergus Murphy, MD, Primeline Sales & Marketing.

Declan McGinn, Head of Sales, JTI Ireland; and Joan McGinn.

David Hughes, Head of Corporate Acquisition, Three Ireland; Dee Hughes; Frances Barron and Gerry Barron.

Pictured are Donald Williamson, Commercial Director, BirdsEye Ireland; Deirdre Williamson; Sue Bunworth; and Colin Gordon, CEO of Glanbia Consumer Foods.

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Retail Ireland: Monthly Update RETAIL IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS COST OF DOING BUSINESS TO OIREACHTAS JOINT COMMITTEE IN October, Retail Ireland presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Committee, chaired by Mary Butler TD, has identified the ‘Cost of Doing Business’ as one of its priorities for consideration in the autumn session. The Committee intends to examine the areas highlighted in the written and verbal submissions received, with a view to completing a report, making recommendations to Government around how some of these business cost concerns can be addressed.

Retail Ireland recently made a written submission to the Committee to assist it with its work on this important topic.

Last month, Retail Ireland were invited to appear before the Committee to discuss further the issues of most concern to the Irish retail industry.

Retail Ireland’s submission stated that increasing costs in areas such as commercial rates, labour, insurance, crime and Brexit are negatively impacting our sector and our relative competitive position.

During the engagement, the Committee explored some of these areas in detail and were particularly interested in the issue of commercial rates and the impact recent rate increases, arising from the National Revaluation Programme, are having on Irish retailers.

Retail Ireland brought them through our recently produced rates paper, ‘Tackling the rates burden’ and outlined the paper’s five key recommendations: • • • • •

Introduce a centralised collection process; Stop linking rents to rates; Reform the revaluation system; Progress on local government reform; Increase local property tax intake.

There was cross party support from Committee members on Retail Ireland’s positioning for reform of our commercial rates system and overall, the engagement was positive and constructive.

In this post-Brexit era, control of costs and a focus on our competitiveness is essential if we are to sustain the recovery in Irish retail. Retail Ireland commends the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for prioritising this issue as part of their autumn schedule.

Supports for the Domestic Economy Lacking in Budget 2018 RETAIL Ireland members responded positively to the consumer-friendly elements of Budget 2018, but were disappointed that the Government didn’t address spiralling input costs or introduce measures to support the competitiveness of domestic Irish businesses, which are most exposed to Brexit pressures.

Measures to ease the tax burden on consumers were welcomed by our members. These measures, alongside recent improvements in the labour market, will significantly boost consumer confidence and increase spending power, which will in turn help sustain the ongoing recovery in the retail sector through the last quarter of the year.

However, the Budget decision to increase the National Minimum Wage to €9.55 in 2018, a cumulative increase of over 10% since January 2016, will significantly impact the retail sector’s ability to provide job opportunities to new entrants and grow employment in the regions. Over the past four years, employment growth in the retail sector has been slow, with only 6,300 new jobs created. A further increase in the National Minimum Wage from January 2018, along with an increase in

the employers’ National Training Fund levy, will only serve to further slow that growth. Furthermore, it will increase wage pressures for retailers at levels well above the National Minimum Wage rate.

Budget 2018 also failed to introduce targeted measures to support domestically focused businesses facing Brexit related challenges.

Research has found that the impact of Brexit will be felt most deeply by those employers that are embedded in the domestic economy. Therefore, Brexit leaves the Irish retail sector particularly exposed to higher logistic costs and supply chain disruption from the potential reintroduction of customs controls and duties. It is regrettable that Government did not take this opportunity to offset these additional costs in the supply chain.

Again, the Government have decided against introducing measures to incentivise the migration of Irish retailers into the e-commerce channel. Retail Ireland has long called for the introduction of a tax credit which would help Irish retailers, and the Exchequer, take a greater share of the increasing volume of online retail trade.

Retail Ireland believes that such supports would help wrestle back some of the 75% of total online spend which currently leaves Ireland to foreign based websites and would significantly increase tax take for the exchequer, with minimal investment.

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

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

Do More in Store This Christmas Christmas is the perfect time to choose PostPoint as your preferred electronic services supplier.

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

The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multi-store gift card and is exclusively sold through Post Offices and PostPoint outlets. The One4all Gift Card makes the perfect gift for any occasion as it is accepted in over 7,000 retail outlets nationwide.

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

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PostPoint Product Suite Top Up Products Through PostPoint, you can offer customers a range of convenient Top Up products, including Mobile Phone Credit, Park Magic, TollTag.ie and paysafecard.

Paysafecard can be used to pay for goods and services from over 4,500 websites, including Facebook, Skype, Spotify and Boylesports.

Bill Payments By joining PostPoint, your customers will be able to pay all major household bills in your store.

Transactions are quick and convenient for you and your staff. You simply scan a customer’s bill and accept payment over the counter in a matter of seconds.

Postal Products PostPoint stores can offer a range of postal products and services, including National and International Stamps, and Christmas Stamp Booklets. National and International stamps are in high demand all year round, with the average PostPoint retailer selling almost 9,000 stamps per year.

National Lottery You can now offer Ireland’s most popular National Lottery games in your store through your PostPoint terminal, including; Lotto, EuroMillions, Daily Millions, Telly Bingo, All Cash and Winning Streak.

One4all Gift Cards The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multi-store Gift Card and is sold exclusively through Post Offices and PostPoint stores. The One4all Gift Card makes the perfect gift for any customer as it is accepted in over 7,000 retail outlets nationwide.

PostPoint works with all major retail brands including Spar, Centra, SuperValu, Tesco, Gala, Mace, Londis, Costcutter, Daybreak, Topaz and applegreen. You can find more information about joining PostPoint at www.postpoint.ie, or you can call PostPoint Retail Support on 1890 20 42 20.

Quick and easy set up If you decide to choose PostPoint as your Card Payment provider a qualified An Post Engineer will visit your site to install your terminal.

Additional pin pad and terminal stand available upon request.

Excellent customer support Our award winning Sales Team and Engineers are available and on call nationwide should you require any assistance on site. Our dedicated Retail Support Desk and Technical Support Desk are also available to you should you have any queries.

Fast replacement terminal Our iCT250 Card Payment Terminal is one of the most reliable and robust systems in the market. However, if your system does become damaged it will be repaired or replaced by one of An Post’s 16 nationwide engineers the next working day after the fault is reported.

Clear transparent pricing structure Our pricing is completely clear and transparent. We detail exactly what you pay on each transaction, including interchange charges and scheme fees. Monthly statements also clearly break down these charges for you by transaction type.

So, you will be fully informed of the exact rates you are paying.

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

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials

Christmas

Crackers!

As preparations for the festive season hit full swing, we reveal the products and brands set to soar this Christmas.

WITH the festive season on the way, we provide the annual Retail News guide to Christmas Stocking, focusing on the products Irish consumers want this Yuletide, from chocolate treats to household essentials.

A recent survey into Irish consumers’ shopping habits revealed that half of Irish adults are in fullon Christmas shopping mode by November, with 11% having begun back in September, while there are still 12% of consumers who leave it until the last minute (Source: Tesco Ireland Christmas shopping survey, 2016).

Your festive offering in-store has to cater for everyone from early planners to last minute trolley dashers, so you’ll want to stock up on the big sellers across a host of seasonal categories and make sure you ensure visibility of seasonal products in-store, including seasonal POS solutions and secondary displays.

Mondelēz With Christmas just around the corner Mondelēz is gearing up for another exciting season. Christmas chocolate sales accounted for over €31m in value sales in 2016 with Mondelēz commanding a 37.8% share and recording an impressive +8.8% increase in unit sales (Source: Nielsen Christmas

Cadbury have a range of traditional chocolate treats available this Christmas, including the Cadbury Dairy Milk Classic Collection.

Review 2016).

As expected, Cadbury will go above and beyond to bring the magic of Christmas to life up and down the country this year, with the much anticipated return of ‘Cadvent’. The campaign promises to be unmissible, kicking off with a high reach ATL campaign incorporating TV, radio partnerships, always-on digital and best in class outdoor. This, coupled with exciting experiential events nationwide, best in class in-store POS and shopper marketing initiatives, will ensure Cadbury will be first choice for shoppers this festive season.

While traditional chocolate treats across selection boxes, advent calendars, boxed and novelties remain

must stock lines for retailers, this year Mondelēz have introduced new products across the Cadbury, Green & Black’s and Toblerone portfolios that will assist retailers in capitalising on lucrative impulse Green & Black's Dark purchases Chocolate Sea Salt during the Carton Bag 120g should Christmas prove a real winner this period. festive season.

The advice for retailers to maximise sales this season is to ensure visibility of seasonal chocolate formats, maximising the use of secondary store features using seasonal point of sale solutions and following proven merchandising principals for the confectionery aisle from early in the season.

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials Lindt Lindt is helping to ‘Bring the Magic Home’ with the launch of some of the most exciting new products just in time for Christmas 2017. Lovingly created by the Lindt master chocolatiers, shoppers can look forward to creating magical family moments with the adorable Lindt Teddy range.

With a wide range of flavours and attractive formats, including limited edition Lindor Hazelnut, Lindt Lindor are guaranteed to fly off shelves this Christmas.

Leading the new line-up and expressing the Christmas Jumper tradition, the Lindt Teddy with Christmas Jumper 200g is now available in festive green. Also new to the Lindt Christmas range, the limited edition Lindt Teddy Red and Pink 100g ensures there is a perfect gift for everyone in the family.

52 weeks to July 16, 2017, MAT). With a wide range of flavours and attractive formats, Lindt Lindor are guaranteed to cater to all your customers’ needs this Christmas.

The Lindt Excellence Advent Calendar provides two delicious thin and intense squares of Excellence to enjoy every day in the countdown to Christmas.

From the limited edition Lindor Hazelnut to the classic Lindor Milk recipe, the Lindor Cornet range will excite and engage your customers with a delicious range of flavours to choose from. As ever, Lindt continues to bring innovation to the market and this year sees the launch of the Lindor Christmas Tree, 125g of smooth melting bliss in a seasonal Christmas Tree shape.

Ferrero This Christmas, Ferrero will be unmissable on the nation’s screens, with four TV campaigns, backed by a €640k media investment. Ferrero is also launching a host of new products across its brands, including advent calendars from Thorntons and Kinder, as well as new boxed chocolate products, in response to the +7.5% growth Ferrero seasonal boxed enjoyed last year (Source: Nielsen ScanTrack, Total Ireland, 17 Weeks to 25/12/16).

Ferrero’s Golden Gallery, part of the brand’s new boxed chocolate range for Christmas.

A €300k investment across Ferrero Rocher and Raffaello will welcome a new TV creative for Ferrero Rocher in the lead-up to Christmas, ‘Make Your Moments Golden’, engaging younger audiences and reminding people of the great tastes that come from the brand.

In addition, Raffaello’s support will continue to focus on highlighting the sweet, smooth and nutty flavours of

The adorable Lindt Teddy range: the perfect gift for everyone in the family.

For dark chocolate lovers looking for a bit of sophistication this Christmas, Lindt is introducing the Lindt Excellence Advent Calendar, unique to the market, with two delicious thin and intense squares of Ireland’s number one dark chocolate brand (Source: AC Nielsen, 52 weeks to July 16, 2017, MAT), Excellence, to enjoy every day in the countdown to Christmas.

Boasting double digit growth of +16% and a market share of 11.3%, Lindt Lindor maintain their position as Ireland’s number one premium boxed chocolate brand (Source: AC Nielsen,

The Lindor Christmas Tree: 125g of smooth melting bliss in a seasonal Christmas Tree shape.

On the back of their strong performance in the market, Lindt will deliver a massively up-weighted national support plan behind the Lindor brand this Christmas, with Lindor TV advertising returning to your screens and a strong push in-store with premium point of sale and display.

Thorntons have a host of superb gift packs available for the festive season, including this beautiful Snowman and Snowdog gift set, based on the popular characters created by Raymond Briggs.

Make your sales blissful with Lindor

No.1 Boxed Brand*

STOCK UP NOW! *Source: AC Nielsen: Total Scantrack ROI (Mult/GRP4CT) Value Sales at MAT to 13th August 2017 vs YA

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials the product via TV, with an integrated approach across consumer touch points.

Worth €22.5m (Source: Nielsen ScanTrack, Total Ireland, 52 Weeks to 16/07/17), more than a quarter of Irish households buy into Nutella every single year (Source: Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, Total Ireland, 52 weeks to 18/06/17). Continuing to spread the love this Christmas, Nutella will be hitting TV screens for the first time, with a dedicated €177k Christmas campaign.

The popular spread will also feature festive Snowman sleeves on its 400g, 750g and 1kg packs.

The Kinder brand is being supported with a social media campaign, focused on making a children’s magical Christmas wishes come true.

Thorntons will continue to ‘Pass the Love On’ this Christmas with a significantly upweighted marketing campaign. Featuring a brand new creative, the ad will showcase the lovingly crafted range, perfect for showing appreciation to loved ones during the festive period.

Thorntons will also launch a new Thorntons Continental premium dark variant, in addition to the introduction of two new incremental boxed products; Thorntons Seasonal Selection, a small Christmas themed box of popular flavours including limited edition flavours, and Thorntons Christmas Selection, which includes popular favourites; Winter Fudge, Vanilla Snowflake and a festive Christmas Tree – perfect for the gifting occasion.

“By investing in heavyweight media campaigns and NPD, we believe we can provide retailers with the perfect gift this Christmas in the form of fantastic sales,” says Levi Boorer, Customer

The Breakfast of Champions THE Christmas Gift Pack from O’Neill’s Dry Cure Bacon Co. includes award winning Dry Cured Back Rashers, Dry Cured Streaky Rashers, Pork Sausages and Black & White Pudding, all consumers need to create a breakfast to remember.

O’Neill’s Dry Cured Back Rashers scooped three national awards this year, including 2 Gold Stars at the coveted Great Taste Awards, Gold in Blas na hEireann and Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Award 2017. The Christmas Gift Pack will be available from selected stores and will retail from €10. It can also be purchased through www.oneillsbacon.ie.

Development Director at Ferrero. “We are really proud of our brands’ scale, and are committed to developing an all-year round range that also caters for the explosion of special occasions during the festive season.”

Kinder Joy will return this Christmas with new collectable winter eggs (RRP €1.39). Available in three colours and four different designs, the range will include eight toys, perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree.

In addition, Kinder is launching a social media campaign, focused on making children’s magical Christmas wishes come true. One lucky family will win the chance to have their Christmas wishes delivered to their door by Kinder.

was introduced as part of Quality Street’s 80th birthday celebrations.

Last September’s announcement that Toffee Deluxe was to be replaced in the main selection sparked a huge reaction online as people flocked to social media to express a range of delight, horror and sheer ambivalence at the news.

Fans of the Honeycomb Crunch should not despair, however, as the newest sweet will also stay in tubs, tins and all other packs of the assortment.

That means a happy Christmas for everyone in the family, regardless of their favourite Quality Street sweet. This is the first time that Quality Street has

Nestlé Confectionery The Toffee Deluxe is making a triumphant return to Nestlé’s Quality Street assortment after a 12 month absence. The sweet, which features luxurious toffee wrapped in delicious milk chocolate, will be returning to Quality Street tubs and tins this Christmas, having been replaced last summer when the Honeycomb Crunch

The Quality Street range is reviewed and refreshed each Christmas season and this year includes a 750g tub.

The Toffee Deluxe is making a triumphant return to Nestlé’s Quality Street assortment after a 12 month absence

featured more than 12 individual sweets for a number of years.

“The reaction to Honeycomb Crunch replacing Toffee Deluxe last year was

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials incredible and, although a lot of the comments were tongue in cheek, it was obvious that there is still a great deal of fondness for the Toffee Deluxe out there,” noted Maria McKenna, Marketing Manager, Confectionery, Nestlé Ireland. “Quality Street is a brand that is all about bringing families and friends together through the love of each person’s individual favourite sweet, so we are delighted to be keeping both sweets in the assortment and giving consumers even more choice, moving from 12 to 13 different sweets overall.”

The Quality Street range is reviewed and refreshed each Christmas season and this year features a 750g tub alongside larger tins at 900g, 1.2kg and 1.5kg. As well as a mini 240g tin, 500g pouch and 600g jar, there are three carton options made up of the main selection, Toffees and Fudge and Fruit Cremes. Fans of The Purple One or Strawberry Delight can buy single sweet packs of their favourites in wrappers designed to look like giant versions of the individual sweet.

Avonmore Cream A must for everyone’s shopping list this and every Christmas is Avonmore Cream. With over 1.5m households in Ireland buying Avonmore Cream and almost 300 units bought every minute during Christmas week, Avonmore

Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas desserts.

cream is a must stock item for the Christmas Season and has a wide range of creams to suit every occasion, including Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream, which is already whipped for added convenience, delicious Avonmore Sour Cream for party dips and appetisers, and Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream, perfect for pouring straight over puddings and festive treats.

Already whipped and ready to serve, Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas puddings, mince pies, Irish coffees and Christmas desserts. Avonmore Whipped Cream is a key seller for Christmas and particularly popular due to its added convenience. In addition to standard whipped Cream, Avonmore has a number of flavoured whipped creams, perfect for the festive season and for consumers looking for an extra twist for their festive treats.

Back by popular demand, Baileys Whipped Cream combines the unique and great taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur and Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream. Delicious on top of a chocolate cake, in a latte, or with any dessert of your choice, it combines two great Irish products into one unforgettable taste.

Also back by popular demand, Avonmore’s Caramel Whipped Cream is a clear seasonal favourite with consumers. Infused with delicious Christmas caramel, this fabulous flavour appeals to consumers both young and old and is perfect for family dessert and treats.

For consumers who want a luxuriously thick pouring cream, Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream is a festive favourite. The deliciously smooth, thick consistency is the perfect accompaniment to mince pies, Christmas pudding, trifle & Christmas treats.

For information on all Avonmore seasonal favourites and a wide range of stunning Christmas recipes sure to impress guests, plus step by step video guides, consumers can visit cookwithAvonmore.ie.

Avonmore Cream will have a strong support plan in place to support its Christmas ‘Add a splash of Magic’ campaign. This seasonal campaign encourages consumers to ‘Add a Splash of Magic’ to all to their festive dishes and will be supported by a heavyweight campaign, including TV, outdoor, experiential sampling, digital & PR. With such a wide range of creams, it’s no wonder Avonmore is a festive favourite with consumers and the cream that makes Christmas.

Cuisine de France Boost your profits this Christmas with the Cuisine de France Festive Treats range. The exclusive range of products are perfect for the seasonal shopper looking to indulge in a tasty treat. The range offers delicious and convenient treats that can be eaten on the go or taken away to share. The Christmas range is supported by a POS bundle, including secondary display units.

Retailers can boost their profits this Christmas with the Cuisine de France Festive Treats range.

The Christmas range includes four delicious products which are sure to become festive favourites amongst consumers. La Brioche Chocolat is cocoa enriched brioche pastry with a creamy white chocolate & orange filling.

The Luxury Trifle Muffin is a twist on the classic fruit trifle dessert, a muffin featuring a moist sponge with mixed fruit throughout and vanilla crème patisserie topping. The Brandy Mince Puff features a buttery puff pastry encasing a festive filling of vine fruits, sultanas, currants and mixed spice. The Cranberry Twist is hand twisted buttery pastry filled with a crème patisserie and cranberries.

For more details, please call your local Aryzta Food Solutions Business Developer.

Nivea Nivea and Nivea Men have launched their new Christmas range with a fabulous selection of gift sets.

Nivea is the number one female face and body care brand in Ireland (Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Nivea by umbrella brand name in the categories Body Care, Face Care and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2014) and the world’s number one male after-shave brand (Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Nivea in the category Men's Post Shave; in retail value terms, 2016).

Nivea is delighted to launch its Christmas must-haves, showcasing this

ILLUSTRATIO

Lir, the legendary Irish chocolatier, is inspired by another Irish legend, the Children of Lir, an epic tale of love, beauty, magic, passion and transformation. 30 years ago,

with a simple vision of creating joy and happiness for lovers of fine, chocolate confections.

As part of their 30th birthday celebrations, Lir’s Master Chocolatier has created the beautiful ‘Discovery’ collection. The new range brings together Lir’s delicious chocolate exteriors with mouth-watering interiors, using ingredients sourced around the world, from Ireland to Madagascar and Tahiti. The ‘Discovery’ collection includes exciting new flavours, such as Persian Lime Truffle, Raspberry and Pistachio Duo, Dark Chocolate Torte and Chewy Pecan Caramel, alongside classic, much-loved favourites like Praline, Salted Caramel and Coffee.

In addition to the ‘Discovery’ collection, Lir has also created a delightful ‘Dessert Collection’ and three irresistible flavours of cocoa-dusted truffles: Salted Caramel, Marc de Champagne and Milk Chocolate. The Discovery Collection has an RRP of €13.00 (180g) and €24.00 (360g). The Dessert Collection’s RRP is €9.00 (145g) while the Truffles (168g) are priced at €9.50.

www.lirchocolates.com

THE SPLODGES

Since those early days, Lir has been devoted to the magic and the craft of turning the finest chocolate from around the world into hand-finished and hand-decorated works of art that are based on both traditional recipes and gloriously unfamiliar new combinations.

THE SPLATTER

Lir started out in humble fashion on the kitchen table of co-founder, Connie Doody,

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Christmas Stocking: Essentials

The Nivea Men Shave gift set includes Sensitive Shave Gel 200ml and Sensitive Post Shave Balm 100ml.

The Nivea Precious Skin gift set featuries Crème and Oil Pearls Lotus Shower 250ml, Crème and Oil Pearls Cherry Blossom Shower 250ml and a shower puff. season’s amazing gift sets. Whether consumers are in search of an essential stocking filler or fabulous gift bags for a loved one, Nivea has something to suit every budget, available from pharmacies and grocery stores nationwide.

For men, the range includes the Nivea Men Sensitive gift set (RRP €7), including Sensitive Shower Cream 250ml and Sensitive Protect Deodorant Spray 150ml; The Nivea Men Sport (RRP €7) gift set includes Sport Shower Gel 250ml and Sport Deodorant Spray 150ml. The Nivea Men Shave gift set (RRP €10) includes Sensitive Shave Gel 200ml and Sensitive Post Shave Balm 100ml. The Nivea Men Wash Kit (RRP v15) includes Sensitive Shower Cream 250ml, Sensitive Deodorant Spray 150ml, NM Crème 150ml and a wash bag.

For women, the range includes Nivea Precious Skin (RRP €7), featuring Crème and Oil Pearls Lotus Shower 250ml, Crème and Oil Pearls Cherry Blossom Shower 250ml and a shower puff. Nivea Luscious Lip Moments (RRP €8.50) includes Lip Butter Tin in redcurrant and blueberry, as well as two lip sticks, Original Care and Pearly Shine.

The Nivea Beautiful Skin gift set (RRP €14) includes Crème and Oil

The Nivea Smooth Skin gift set features 25 Daily Essentials Micellar Wipes, Silk Mousse Crème Soft Shower 200ml, Nivea Soft 200ml, Lip Hydrocare, Express Care Hand Cream 75ml, and a shower puff.

The Nivea Men Sport gift set includes Sport Shower Gel 250ml and Sport Deodorant Spray 150ml.

Pearls Cherry Blossom Shower 250ml, Rose & Argan Oil body lotion 200ml, Lip Pearly Shine, a shower puff and a twotone wash bag.

The Nivea Smooth Skin gift set (RRP €25) features 25 Daily Essentials Micellar Wipes, Silk Mousse Crème Soft Shower 200ml, Nivea Soft 200ml, Lip Hydrocare, Express Care Hand Cream 75ml, and a shower puff.

The Nivea Hydrated Skin gift set (RRP €10.50) contains Express Hydration Body Lotion 250ml, Express Care Hand Cream 75ml and Lip Stick Hydrocare.

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

SelloTape Henkel’s well-loved Sellotape brand is celebrating its 80th birthday with a nationwide anniversary campaign, ‘Let’s Stick Together’, that will see the launch of an exclusive limited edition product.

From humble beginnings in Acton Town, West London, in 1937, to earning an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1980, Sellotape has ascended into iconic status, selling nine million rolls a year (Source: GfK Panel market, adhesive tapes volume data 2016).

With five million rolls anticipated

Sellotape On-Hand allows for variable tape lengths, ease of use and even keeps both hands free for wrapping. to be sold in the run-up to the festive period, Sellotape is now the nation’s favourite sticky tape brand with tens of thousands stockists in Ireland & the UK

NIVEA.IE

WHOEVER YOU’RE BUYING FOR THIS CHRISTMAS, YOU’LL FIND THE PERFECT GIFT FROM NIVEA AND NIVEA MEN.

Aromatherapy and Moisture Absorber in One Product!

LOW temperatures and rainy weather are big contributors to excess moisture in the home, while a family of three members can produce an average of 12 litres per day of water vapour, increasing indoor humidity.

By protecting our home from the weather outside, we are also trapping all that moisture inside, and possibly contributing to problems like mould and mildew on the wall, condensation on or around windows and walls, peeling paint and musty smells.

UniBond Aero 360 is a product that can eliminate these problems in a safe and convenient way.

In 2016, Henkel launched its Aromatherapy range of scented moisture absorber tabs, tapping into the growing trend for fragrance and wellbeing. They combine effective moisture absorption with air freshening properties for an even more pleasant experience at home and come in three scents: Relaxing Lavender, Energising Fruit Sensation, and Comforting Vanilla.

UniBond has developed two device

sizes: The Pearl, designed for use in rooms up to 10m², and the Aero 360 for rooms up to 20m². The aerodynamic design of the devices and the ultraabsorbent refill design make them both

extremely efficient. The tab is exposed to the air on all its surfaces and this makes it far more efficient than crystals.

Impressively, the first drop comes within 12 hours and the tab is effective for up to three months. A level window is used to monitor the fluid in the tank. The Aero 360 device has an anti-spill protection mechanism for maximum safety and when the tank needs emptying, a spout is simply pulled out and the water can be easily poured away.

A very convenient refill tab format eliminates the need for dispensing messy, loose crystal from bags, which is a prevalent feature in older designs.

Instea,d the dry refill tab is easily loaded into the device with the use of the one touch loading tray.

Both Henkel’s UniBond Aero 360 and Pearl devices are attractively designed and offer versatility to place them in any location in the home and still look good.

For more information, contact Henkel’s Head of Sales, Crevan Byrne on (01) 4046438.

56|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Essentials to purchase from all major retailers.

Additional celebratory launches from the brand include Sellotape Glitter Tape that will go on sale later this month.

“Reaching 80 is an achievement for any business and we are immensely proud of where the brand is today,” noted Chao Roberts, Sellotape Brand Manager. “We are looking forward to celebrating our history and achieving this milestone over the coming months with our teams, customers and suppliers, who have collaborated with us over the years. We also look to the future, embracing all the developments we can offer to our end consumers.”

Proving indispensible in homes, schools and offices, to sealing first aid packs in World War II and covering windows as protection from shattering glass during the air raids, Sellotape has earned its status and has become a true household name.

Sellotape Festive On-Hand Refills are an exciting range of pattern tapes for that extra special touch at Christmas, designed specifically for the Sellotape On-Hand Dispenser (Source: GfK Panel market Adhesive tapes volume data 2016).

In light of its birthday and ahead of its busiest time of the year, Sellotape will be launching a limited edition tin.

Staying strong to its heritage, the tin is a nod to the first ever design that packaged the famous golden roll that was available to purchase in the 1930s.

Featuring the brand’s iconic logo, which has been turned gold for the commemorative birthday, the collectable tin will contain Sellotape Original Golden and will be available for customers

PostPoint Christmas is the perfect time for retailers to choose PostPoint as their preferred electronic services supplier.

Retailers who join PostPoint this month can offer their customers festive favourites such as One4all Gift Cards

The Christmas Stamp Booklet from An Post, hugely popular with Irish consumers every festive season.

The Sellotape brand celebrates its 80th birthday this year.

and the Christmas Stamp Booklet.

Both of these are very popular products which are well established in the Irish marketplace, and give PostPoint retailers a competitive advantage when trying to attract customers into their stores this Christmas season.

The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multi-store gift card and is exclusively sold through Post Offices and PostPoint outlets. The One4all Gift Card

The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multi-store gift card and is exclusively sold through Post Offices and PostPoint outlets. makes the perfect gift for any occasion as it is accepted in over 7,000 retail outlets nationwide.

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

Forest Feast Forest Feast have launched a new range of festive products just in time for the Christmas season.

The new 10 product range brings new innovative flavours with a festive twist to the snacking category.

Some examples include a Christmas Snacking warming Cashew & Cranberry Sweet Mix from Forest and Spicy Feast.

Caramelised Nut Mix, a Vanilla, Cashew and Cranberry Fruit & Nut with nuggets of Dark Chocolate covered Cranberries as well as a Luxury Hickory Smoke Mix, Hickory Smoked Nuts meet Spicy Corn & Sesame Sticks, perfect for pairing with consumers’ favourite seasonal tipple.

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Christmas Stocking: Wine With a host of special gift packs and festive favourites, Jean Smullen reveals the ‘must stock’ wines for the Christmas season.

Christmas Uncorked WITH the busy Christmas trading season now upon us, anecdotal evidence indicates that consumer confidence has returned. However, the retail sector is unconvinced that a busy Christmas period lies ahead for the wine trade. As far as the consumer is concerned, when it comes to purchasing wine it is still all about price and though trading up does happen at this time of year, a number of factors may influence consumers’ decisions. The Government’s decision not to decrease excise duty on alcohol in Budget 2018 leaves the independent off-licence sector desperately exposed to Brexit-related pressures, including increased cross-border shopping, due to devalued Sterling and the asymmetrical levels of VAT and excise.

“Since 2008, some 3,000 jobs, or

34% of the sector, have been lost and 554 off licences have closed,” said Evelyn Jones, Chair of NOffLA (National Off Licence Association) in her post Budget statement. “Business owners across Ireland still face significant difficulties and challenges and this has been exacerbated significantly by the impact of Brexit. While excise has not been increased in Budget 2018, it is important to note that consumers still have to pay the highest rate of excise on wine in the EU, which is 175% above the EU average.”

In 2016, the wine sector paid €380m in excise to the Exchequer, an increase of €25m from the previous year. While 14 EU counties pay no excise on wine, the excise rate in Ireland equates to €3.19 for a €9 bottle. This is 0.64 cent more

expensive than Finland, the second most expensive country in the EU. Attracting the Millennials The current joke in the wine trade is “Gin is the new white wine”, as the popularity of premium gin and craft beer, especially among wine consumers in the 25-34 age bracket, aka ‘millennials’, impacts the sector. Irish Wine Association figures from 2011 make for interesting reading. Six years ago, 25% of males and 24% of female millennials were purchasing wine. That year, the Baby Boomers (those born between mid1940s and mid-1960s) were drinking less wine. In 2011, in the 45-54 age bracket (Boomers), 22% of males and 24% females were consuming wine, and in the 55-64 age bracket, 14% of males

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Christmas Stocking: Wine and 15% of females were wine drinkers (Source: IWA Wine Market Report 2011).

Five years on, the IWA Report for 2016 shows that among the 45-54 age bracket, 21% of men and 19% of women drink wine, while in the 55-64 age bracket, 17% of men and 16% of women were wine consumers. Contrast that with the drop in wine consumption by millennials during the same period, from 25% in 2011 to 16% in 2016 and the trend is obvious (Source: IWA Wine Market Report 2017).

The importing trade are very conscious of price issues and the fragility of the market, so this year many have very good offers on the wine styles they expect to sell this Christmas.

Champagne and sparkling wines usually see a sales surge when people are in a celebratory mood. Party wines and lighter styles are also very much in demand. The Boomers tend to be a traditional lot, so make sure you have your Prosecco, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio, Rioja, Argentine Malbec and Châteauneuf du Pape in stock, because these are the wine styles that are going to walk off the shelves this Christmas.

Retail News has talked to the importing trade to see what the muststock items are this year: Irish Wine Star Award Winners The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) winners at the annual Irish Wine Show Star Awards will feature heavily this Christmas, especially in the independent sector. Over 600 wines were submitted to the adjudication panel of NOffLA judges and independent wine journalists. Points were awarded and the winning 15 were selected as the best wines from key suppliers across a

Eoin McConville and Kerri Judge of Febvre Wines are pictured accepting their awards for Wine of the Year and Red Wine of the Year at NOffLA’s Irish Wine Show Star Awards.

Febvre Wines' Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay was named Wine of the Year, as well as Best New World White Under €20, at the Irish Wine Show Star Awards.

number of price categories. All of the winning wines will be sold in NOffLA’s 300+ member outlets nationwide.

The winning wines carry a distinctive Awards symbol on each bottle, further highlighting their appeal to consumers, while many will feature in special gift packs for the festive season.

Febvre Wines won ‘Wine of the Year’ and ‘Red Wine of the Year’, as well as five Gold Awards from the nine overall Gold Star Awards.

The wine of the year was Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2015 from South Africa (RSP €20). The Red Wine of the Year was Bodegas Valdemar, Conde Valdemar Reserva 2010, Rioja, from Spain (RSP €17.50).

Febvre Wines also received Gold Awards in the following categories:

Old World White under €10: Legendary Sauvignon Blanc Feteasca Regală 2015, Romania (RSP €9.99) New World Red under €20: De Martino Gallardia Cinsault 2016, Itata Valley, Chile.

(RSP €18) Champagne under €60: NOffLA’s Red Wine Champagne of the Year was Deutz NV, France Bodegas Valdemar, (RSP €55).

Conde Valdemar Cassidy Wines’ Reserva 2010, Rioja, Marquis de from Febvre Wines. Goulaine

Sauvignon Blanc won the Gold Award for Old World White Wine under €15. This normally retails at €13.99 but this Christmas it will be on offer at a promotional price of €11.99.

Coman’s Beverages Coman’s Beverages have some great offers this Christmas.

Their Argentine star, Dada, which entered the Top 20 Wine Brands this year, goes from strength to strength. This Malbec/Bonarda blend has become enormously popular with the Irish consumer and is a must stock wine. The Dada Tri Pack will have an RRP of €36; while

From Febvre Wines, the Legendary Sauvignon Blanc Feteasca Regală 2015, Romania (RSP €9.99), winner of the Old World White under €10 at the Irish Wine Show Star Awards.

Winner of the New World Red Under €20 at the Irish Wine Show Star Awards: De Martino Gallardia Cinsault 2016, Itata Valley, Chile, from Febvre Wines.

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Christmas Stocking: Wine the Dada single bottle, which normally retails at €12, will be on promotion this Christmas at €10.

Also from Coman’s, Burke’s of Bordeaux is one of the more recent additions to the Wine Geese stable: a specially commissioned wine is made under the Burke’s of Bordeaux brand name from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Coman’s will have a Burke’s twin-pack on offer at €30.

Chile is still the number one country of Febvre Wines' Deutz origin for Irish Brut NV from France wine drinkers, was named Best with Australia, Champagne Under France and Spain €60 at the Irish Wine following after Show Star Awards. that. Coman’s Beverages will have their Undurraga ‘U’ Varietals on offer at an RRP of €10 this Christmas, while their Pocal Ruby Port will be available at €17.

Classic Drinks Classic Drinks are flying the flag for Spain with their Award winning Gran Baron Cava. A Bronze medal winner at International Wine Challenge, in 2015, this superb Cava will retail at €17.

Gilbeys Gilbeys will be selling a range of gift packs for some of their top wine brands this Christmas, with some very competitive pricing. Look out for the Santa Rita 120 two bottle gift packs, Santa Rita is the top selling wine brand in Ireland for the third year in a row and is enormously popular with the Irish wine buying public, so make sure you stock the gift pack.

Look out too for the Churchill’s Port Experience Pack on offer with a 3 pack x 35cl bottles of Reserve, White and 10 Year Old Port in a beautiful three-pack gift box. This is a perfect gift for the wine enthusiast and those who love fortified wines.

2017 Gold Star Award Winners Category

Wine

Old World White

Cramele Recas, Legendary

Under €10

Sauvignon Blanc Feteasca Regala

Old World White

Marquis de Goulaine Sauvignon

Under €15

Blanc

Old World White

San Marzano Estella Fiano

Vintage 2015

Febvre Wines

2016

Cassidy Wines

2016

Taserra Wine

Under €20 New World White

Company

Merchants Tierra Antica Sauvignon Blanc

2016

New World White

Château Los Boldos Tradition

2017

Liberty Wines

Under €15

Réserve Chardonnay

New World White

Jordan Barrel Fermented

2015

Febvre Wines

Under €20

Chardonnay

Old World Red

Casa Santos Lima Azulejo Tinto

2015

Taserra Wine

Under €10

Taserra Wine Merchants

Under €10

Merchants

Old World Red

Pasqua Lapaccio Primitivo Salento 2016

Ampersand

Under €15

IGT

Wines

Old World Red

Bodegas Valdemar, Conde

Under €20

Valdemar Reserva

New World Red

Saddle Creek Shiraz Cabernet

2010

Febvre Wines

2015

Taserra Wine

Under €10 New World Red

Merchants Andean Vineyards Reserve Malbec

2015

Findlater & Co.

New World Red

De Martino Gallardía Cinsault,

2016

Febvre Wines

Under €20

Itata Valley

Rose Under €15

Castaño Monastrell Rosado

2016

Liberty Wines

Sparkling Wine

Cecilia B. Spumante Rosé

NV

Ampersand

Under €15

Under €25 Champagne Under

Wines Champagne Deutz Brut Classic

NV

Febvre Wines

New World White

Jordan Barrel Fermented

2015

Mackenway

Under €20

Chardonnay

Distributors

WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR 2017-

Ltd.

€60

2018 Old World Red

Bodegas Valdemar, Conde

Under €20

Valdemar Reserva WINE OF THE YEAR 2017-2018

2010

Febvre Wines

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Christmas Stocking: Wine Sales of classic wine styles from the Burgundy region also peak at Christmas.

Joseph Drouhin, one of the top Burgundy houses, have produced a twin-pack featuring a red from Beaujolais and a white from Macon. Gilbeys also have the Laurent Perrier Rosé available in a distinctive gift box. One of the most luxurious Champagnes on the market, Laurent Perrier Rosé has a cult following, so look out for Gilbey’s offer on this too.

forward to a fortified Christmas.

The Barry & Fitzwilliam portfolio also includes Finca La Linda and Luigi Bosca, two of Argentina’s top wine producers. Mont Gras, a former “Chilean Producer of the Year”, also continues to grow strongly for them. Look out for a range of offers this Christmas across the full range, from entry level blends to the excellent Mont Gras Reserva Range. The Soleus range of Organic Wine produced

by Mont Gras is also performing well.

Barry & Fitzwilliam Michael Barry of Barry & Fitzwilliam claims that they now have probably the most successful prestigious French wines on the market when you take account of the success of Michel Lynch, Guigal and the Gabriel Meffre range, which includes La Chasse du Pape.

Faiveley Burgundy Wines, Jolivet Loire Wines and PreissZimmer Alsace wines complete what is now an outstanding portfolio of French Wine. As sales of the classic French wine style peak this Christmas, make sure you have the classics on your shelves too.

Villa Maria, another star in the Barry & Fitzwilliam stable, is New Zealand's leading wine brand on the Irish market.

The repositioning of the Private Villa Maria is now Bin Range has the number one seen sales New Zealand wine surge recently. brand on the market There will be and the fourth promotional most admired wine activity across brand in the world, all the major according to Drinks retailers on the International.

Private Bin Range from €10 across the Christmas period.

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

Findlater & Co. Findlater & Co. are another company with some of the most impressive wine names on their list. Their recent portfolio tasting introduced their customers to a very comprehensive range of new listings, as well as the new Findlater & Co. company name.

Names to look out for in the Findlater portfolio also include, from Bordeaux, Beychevelle, Chateau Lagrange, Chateau Magnol, Thomas Barton and Clos Puy Arnaud. From Burgundy, the range includes J Moreau & Fils and Louis Jadot.

Hugel from Alsace and Chapoutier from the Rhone are others to watch. Their new South African stars include Craven and Testalonga, while Bodega la Rosa from Argentina and Cono Sur both hail from Chile. From Australia comes Penfolds Katnook Estate and Deakin Estate, while Saint Clair and Matua come from New Zealand.

They also represent Graham’s Port.

For Christmas, Findlater & Co.’s festive favourites include Champagne Bollinger’s gorgeous new vintage rosé, Antinori Pèppoli award-winning Chianti Classico flagship wines from is made from Torres, as well as 90% Sangiovese, premium wines from blended with two of Italy’s oldest Merlot and Syrah wine families.

This Christmas, look out for Bollinger Special Cuvée from Findlater & Co. The ‘Bollinger Style’ is the perfect start to any celebration and can be enjoyed with many foods. This Christmas, Bollinger is available

with a classy contemporary gift box, Christmas usually means higher sales of high-end, premium wines.

Award winning wines usually get customer recognition, especially those who have won awards at international, independent competitions.

Torres, one of the world’s most admired wine brands, swept the boards this year at the International Wine Challenge (IWC). Two of their wines, Mas La Plana The hugely popular and Perpetual, Campofiorin from took home Masi, celebrating three trophies 50 years of iconic between them wine-making. and Milmanda, their iconic Chardonnay, was also awarded a Gold Medal.

Sisters Albiera, Alessia and Allegra are the 26th generation of the famous Antinori wine family, also part of the Findlater portfolio. They now head up this iconic company, which was founded in Florence in 1385. Their father Piero Antinori brought the family firm to international attention in the 1970s with the creation of the iconic Tignanello ‘Super Tuscan’ wines, which helped revolutionise the Italian wine scene.

Their Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico is made from 90% Sangiovese, blended with Merlot and Syrah. This is a rich and supple expression of modern Chianti and the latest vintage is also one of the first from the stunning new Antinori Chianti Classico winery and cellars at Bargino, Tuscany.

Campofiorin from Masi, also from Findlater, is currently celebrating 50 years, an historic date for Valpolicella.

Campofiorin introduced the world to the Ripasso method, which is a Masi interpretation of the traditional grapedrying technique used to make the Amarone wine style. Thanks to its excellent price-quality ratio, Campofiorin is an ideal wine to recommend for the Christmas table.

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Christmas Stocking: Drinks

A Glass Act! From spirits and mixers to premium cordials, we focus on the hottest drinks brands this festive season.

CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and consumers all over the country are set to stock up on their favourite drinks brands, whether to make fabulous festive cocktails, magnificent mixed drinks or simply to kick back with a beer.

Spirits sales, in particular, look set to soar as the category is undergoing vibrant growth. A new report from the Irish Spirits Association reveals that the number of licensed spirits producers in Ireland doubled between 2014 and 2016 and the majority of spirits consumed in Ireland (56%) are produced here.

A key trend in the Irish market has been the remarkable surge in the popularity of gin. Gin is the fastest growing spirits category among Irish consumers, growing by 31.6% in 2016.

Vodka remains Ireland’s most popular spirits drink, but sales have fallen by a quarter in the past decade.

Irish whiskey is the fastest growing spirits category in the world, with sales of premium Irish whiskey up by 135% in the last five years. The number of distilleries operating in Ireland has grown from just four a few years ago to 18 now. Irish whiskey exports are continuing to grow rapidly in 2017.

Redbreast 21 Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has been honoured with a top accolade in Jim Murray’s annual Whisky Bible 2018, where Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was named the world’s second-best whisk(e)y, narrowly losing out to Colonel EH Taylor 4 Grain Bottled in Bond Aged 12 Years. Scoring a near perfect 97/100, Murray, a worldrenowned whisky and whiskey expert, described the Redbreast 21 as “one of the most wonderful noses on this planet” which helps make it “one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic whiskeys”. This placement is the best result for an Irish entrant in Whisky Bible history and only the second time an Irish whiskey made the top three, the first time was in the 2016 Bible, when Irish Distillers’ Midleton Dair Ghaelach placed third.

“We are delighted that Redbreast 21 Years Old has been recognised with such a prestigious placing in the Whisky Bible,” noted Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers.

“Having secured third spot in the 2016 Bible and second spot this year has been a tremendous endorsement of the passion put into all our whiskeys by our

Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was named the world’s second-best whisk(e)y in Jim Murray’s annual Whisky Bible 2018, the best result ever for an Irish entrant. team in Midleton. Our team is incredibly proud that Redbreast 21, the ultimate expression of the renowned Redbreast range, has placed Irish whiskey in the

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Christmas Stocking: Drinks top echelons of world whiskeys.”

Produced in limited quantities the Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is the oldest and most complex in the Redbreast range. A selection of different pot still whiskeys, which have been triple distilled, are aged in 1st and 2nd fill sherry and bourbon casks for between 21 and 28 years. The whiskey selected is carefully blended

by Master Blender Billy Leighton, introducing new levels of depth, flavour and taste. It is a reflection of the older heavier style of pot still whiskey.

“This nod from Jim Murray is truly heartwarming for me and everyone at Midleton Distillery who has helped to make Redbreast such an enjoyed whiskey,” noted Billy Leighton. “We are humbled by this and it’s really encouraging to see traditional Irish pot still whiskey take one of the top spots in the world of whiskeys and whiskies.”

Midleton Very Rare Just two Master Distillers have had the privilege of preserving the legacy of Midleton Very Rare, also part of the Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard portfolio, with only a select number of casks deemed of sufficient excellence and rarity to bear the Midleton Very Rare name. Midleton Very Rare 2017 has been specially blended from a hand selected batch of ex-Bourbon Barrels ranging in age from 12 to 32 years. The 2017 edition also marks a redesign for the brand, featuring a unique bottle design and presentation box that further completes the overall Midleton Rare experience and better reflects the quality and rarity of

Midleton Very Rare 2017 has been specially blended from a hand selected batch of ex-Bourbon Barrels ranging in age from 12 to 32 years.

Naturally Cordial Christmas Gift Box NATURALLY Cordial has launched a gorgeous gift box which makes the perfect present for those who prefer a non-alcoholic tipple during the festive season. The bespoke box contains two of consumers’ favourite Naturally Cordial flavours and retails for €15. Bursting with flavour and made from organic citrus and Irish soft fruits, it’s the perfect alternative to the usual bottle of wine typically gifted at Christmas.

The Naturally Cordial range, made and produced in Wexford by Clodagh Davis, consists of ten great flavours, including: Lemon & Lime, Lemon & Raspberry, Orange & Lemon, Pink Grapefruit, Blackcurrant, Orange & Cranberry, Strawberry, Cucumber & Lime, Strawberry & Raspberry, Strawberry & Pink Grapefruit & Aromatic Lemon.

The cordials are not your typical run of the mill mixers. By keeping the recipe simple, Clodagh uses just four ingredients to ensure a fantastic taste; water, sugar, fruit and a small quantity of citric acid. Try mixing with still or sparkling water or enjoy hot mixed with spices like Star Anise, Cloves or Ginger. They are also a firm favourite of mixologists who use them to jazz up festive cocktails.

The Naturally Cordial gift boxes can be purchased through www.naturallycordial.ie. the whiskey inside. The elegant bottle takes inspiration from a writer’s ink well and a soft dip in the shoulder echoes the nib of a pen, creating a subtle link to Ireland’s literary legacy.

“It has been a privilege for me to continue the legacy of Midleton Very Rare that Barry Crockett started in 1984,” noted Brian Nation, Master Distiller. “Midleton Very Rare is rightfully regarded as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, with each vintage cherished by collectors and whiskey enthusiasts all over the world. Due to the handcrafted nature of this whiskey, there are slight variances in taste from year to year, which add to the special nature of this whiskey. The 2017 cask selection includes some 32-year-old Midleton Grain Whiskey, which will contribute the lighter floral perfume notes along with some citrus fruit. A 26-year-old Single Pot Still whiskey has also been selected, which delivers a wide spectrum of typical spice character, such as sweet cinnamon and clove.”

Bottled at 40% ABV and without chill-filtration, the new-look Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2017 is available at the RRP of €180.

The recently launched Midleton Very Rare Cask Circle Club invites whiskey enthusiasts and collectors to obtain their own cask of Midleton Very Rare Irish whiskey from a variety of exceptional casks hand selected by Master Distiller, Brian Nation for their quality and rarity.

The programme boasts an array of different whiskey styles and ages – from 12 to 30 years old – that have been matured in a range of cask types including Bourbon, Sherry, Malaga, Port, Irish Oak and Rum. 30 casks have been made available at launch, with prices available on request.

Teeling Whiskey Teeling Whiskey collected the award for ‘Best Overall Irish Whiskey’ at the recent Irish Whiskey Awards, where Teeling Whiskey Revival Volume IV, a 15-YearOld Irish Single Malt, was honoured as the overall winner.

Teeling Whiskey Revival Vol IV was initially honoured with the category award for ‘Best Irish Single Malt Over 13 Years Old’ and subsequently emerged victorious to claim the overall prize of ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ for its unique quality. This is the fourth release in the multi award-winning Revival range of Teeling Whiskey and consists of 15-YearOld Irish Single Malt which was finished in Muscat Port barrels.

“Over the last few years we have won over 115 International Awards but this is truly the greatest honour,” noted Jack Teeling, Founder and Managing Director of Teeling Whiskey. “To be judged by the most knowledgeable Irish whiskey connoisseurs in the world, and to be acknowledged for producing the best Irish whiskey in 2017, justifies the time and level of effort we put into

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Christmas Stocking: Drinks My Goodness, My Guinness

Teeling Whiskey Revival Volume IV, a 15-Year-Old was named Best Overall Irish Whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards. crafting our whiskeys. Irish whiskey is an industry is evolving with new producers and a growing thirst by Irish whiskey drinkers to discover new expressions. In light of the increase in competition, picking up this award means even more.”

The Revival series was initially released to celebrate the opening of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Newmarket in 2015, and has continued to be released in bi-annual unique bottlings of 10,000 bottles. The fifth and final Revival will be released next year ahead of Teeling Whiskey’s own Single Pot Still distilled in Dublin coming of age.

Teeling Whiskey Revival Vol IV is limited to 10,000 bottles with an RRP of €120.

Prizefight Irish Whiskey When Flor Prendergast decided to create a whiskey, he brought in his American friend and spirits maverick, Steven Grasse, who had an idea that required a transatlantic collaboration: whiskey from Ireland, finished in rye barrels from America. They formed Pugilist Spirits to bring

Prizefight Irish Whiskey: distilled and bottled in West Cork and finished in rye barrels sourced

by Tamworth Distilling in New Hampshire, USA.

GUINNESS has launched a series of collectible cans to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the birth of John Gilroy, the artist behind the iconic Guinness advertisements that date back from the 1930s to the 1960s. The charming limited-edition cans are illustrated with two of Gilroy’s iconic designs - the lobster and the smiling pint.

Gilroy is renowned for his vibrant, humorous and unforgettable designs, which not only put Guinness on the map as an iconic brand advertiser but also revolutionised the global face of advertising as a whole. In keeping with the style of Gilroy’s work, the vibrant illustrations are set against a white background - this time the canvas is the can – a striking contrast to the “black” or ruby red beer inside.

“Gilroy’s iconic Guinness campaigns are recognised around the world and we are thrilled to be celebrating the 120th anniversary of his birth with the launch of these limited-edition cans,” said Nin Taank, Guinness Brand Manager.

this idea to life, with whiskey distilled and aged in West Cork and rye barrels sourced by Grasse’s own Tamworth Distilling in the US. Inspired by the Irish-American connection, Grasse had the idea to call the whiskey Prizefight.

The brand tells the incredible stories of the Irish who came to America and became the greatest fighters of their day.

Each bottle commemorates the boxing legends who came with nothing and fought for everything.

Distilled and bottled in West Cork and finished in rye barrels sourced

by Tamworth Distilling, Tamworth, New Hampshire, USA, Prizefight Irish Whiskey has launched in New York and Boston. Prizefight Whiskey is available as a gift pack with an RRP of €50.

Schweppes Schweppes has unveiled a refined new look and iconic bottle design, inspired by champagne, that delivers a superior taste and pouring experience for cocktail-lovers across Ireland.

Schweppes unveils a fresh look and new iconic, Champagne-inspired bottle, 234 years since its first product launch.

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Christmas Stocking: Drinks Taking inspiration from its 234year heritage, but with a refined modern edge, the new design combines cues from the original ‘skittle’ bottle used by the brand’s creator and the inventor of bubbles, Jacob Schweppe.

The champagne-inspired design is ergonomically crafted to enhance Schweppes’ famously long-lasting and exceptional effervescence and so, deliver a superior taste.

“For me, a G&T isn’t a G&T without Schweppes, and that’s because of its superior taste and carbonation compared with other mixers,” explained Tony Conigliaro, Drinks Expert at Schweppes and owner of Bar Termini in London. “Bubbles are the engine of a gin and tonic, and this is where Schweppes’ effervescence comes into its own – the quality of the bubbles ensures it is the perfect engine to carry the taste, flavour, and aroma of the spirit it’s mixed with, right up until the end of the drink. Coupled with this, the bottle is hugely important to the overall drinking experience, and that’s why Schweppes has crafted this Champagne-inspired design, to create an even better pour that promotes both fizz and flavour, for the nation’s favourite and original mixer.”

Aedamar Howett, Marketing Director for Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland, said, “Schweppes is the nation’s favourite tonic and we know our products are the ultimate mixers. The brand’s effortless new look and luxury bottle shape complement the premium liquid, ensuring Schweppes will continue to be Ireland’s number one.”

The new-look Schweppes range is available in a number of sizes, including 125ml and 200ml glass bottles, 1L plastic bottles, and 12x150ml cans – perfect for any drinking occasion.

The glass bottle is also available in a 4x200ml basket pack for enjoying at home.

The Schweppes Classic flavours are: Tonic, Slimline Tonic, Bitter Lemon, Ginger Ale, Soda Water, and Lemonade.

Fentimans Fentimans botanically-brewed beverage range is currently reinvigorating the off trade market, as its superior tasting product range provides customers searching for premium tonics and lemonades with more choice.

A family brand, the origins of which date back to 1905, the tonic and soft drink artisanal range is brewed for seven days using a time-honoured botanical brewing process, which brings a smooth, fresh-tasting experience that consumers love.

Botanical brewing is a skilled

technique that uses a combination of infusion, blending and the fermentation of natural ingredients. The brewing techniques have been shared from generation to generation through the Fentimans family, with no compromise on the premium ingredients used nor the time required to create the perfect drink.

The ultimate palette refresher, the Fentimans product portfolio includes an extensive range of superior-tasting classic and light tonics and soft drinks.

Variants include the award-winning Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water, traditional Ginger Beer made using the finest, natural ginger root, a delicate Wild English Elderflower and a rather refreshing Rose Lemonade.

Ibiza Ice Launches Sparkling Fruit Wine IBIZA Ice (www.ibizaice.com) has created a new category in Ireland’s fruit wine market with the world’s first ever range of sparkling fruit wine and has secured listings in Spar, EuroSpar, Mace, Londis, Value Centre, XL, Express Stop and BWG Foodservice.

Ibiza Ice is a simple blend of Austrian mountain spring water and fruit wine made from apples and pears, relevant to an audience who demand quality ingredients and transparency in their drink choices. Ibiza Ice contains only 100% natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives or refined sugar, resulting in a unique and contemporary sparkling drink that will challenge current perceptions of fruit wine.

Fentimans botanically-brewed mixers range is currently wowing consumers across the country.

“Fentimans tonic water is not only the perfect soft drink but is the perfect pairing for a modern day G&T with a twist,” noted Justine Byrne, Fentimans’ Brand Manager. “The level of skill and knowledge required to create such a diverse range that doesn’t compromise on quality is really special, given how long the process can take to complete.

Mixing things up and catering for all tastes and preferences, Fentimans has brought vintage, old school flavours back to life, whilst simultaneously creating new and innovative products that satisfy today’s evolving trends and tastes.

“Gin and whiskey are hugely popular with consumers at the moment, with rum lining up to be the next hottest trend,” she continued. “The key to creating a great-tasting cocktail or indeed, a more pared-back style beverage is for all the ingredients, however few or many, to complement and not overpower one another. Choosing the right Fentimans to add to your drink will ensure the perfect balance of flavours, allowing you to taste all elements in perfect harmony.”

Fentimans is distributed by C&C Gleeson.

With a naturally lower ABV of 5.5%, Ibiza Ice is available in two varieties, both under 62 calories per 100ml: White Isle with lychee, lime and watermelon, and Sunset with pomegranate, both served in 330ml sustainable aluminium bottles that are 100% recyclable, shatter-proof and have a convenient ring pull cap.

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Cigarettes & Tobacco

Putting the Squeeze on Tobacco Budget 2018’s 50c excise hike on tobacco will push more consumers to the illicit trade, warn legitimate retailers.

THE decision to increase excise on tobacco in the Budget last month has angered retailers. The 50c excise hike brings the total cost of a packet of cigarettes to approximately €12, which representative group Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) believes will only serve to further incentivise smuggling and undermine Irish retailers.

The increase came despite the Tax Strategy Group clearly stating in July that an increase in excise on tobacco would not generate any additional revenue, given the resultant levels of smuggling and money lost to the Exchequer.

RAS spokesperson Benny Gilsenan described the increase as “another slap in the face to retailers that have been compliant with every decision made by this Government, and who want more resources to be given to Revenue to protect businesses from illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol and solid fuel.

“Excise increases only widen the gap between legitimate shop-owners that are earning an honest living, and gangs peddling €5 cigarette packets in our communities,” Gilsenan argued. “What’s more, this is little more than a stealth tax on our law-abiding customers, who choose to buy legitimate product rather than smuggled product from the street.”

In their pre-budget submission, RAS, who represent over 3,000 small and medium sized retailers across the country, called for not only a halt on excise increases, but also for more resources for Revenue; the registration of all solid fuel retailers and parliamentary support for the Sale of Illicit Goods Bill which is designed to address smuggling.

“If the Government is truly committed to helping retailers, these suggestions from our industry must be taken seriously,” Gilsenan continued “Our budget submission was reasonable and designed to protect small retailers nationwide. The government has completely ignored us yet again and

the ramifications will be obvious in the coming months.”

Illegal tobacco is a big problem right across the country and the constant excise hikes serve to make the sector more attractive to smokers and to smugglers. Only at the end of October, revenue officers seized 9.6m smuggled cigarettes, with an estimated value of nearly €4.5m, at Dublin Port. The cigarettes were found in a shipping container which had come from Rotterdam and was marked as containing tyres.

This is just the latest high profile seizure of smuggled tobacco and cigarettes, but many shipments of illegal product are making it through, as can be seen by a cursory walk through our city centre streets and markets, where illicit product is on open sale.

The implementation of TPD2 in May of this year saw a number of changes

to the way cigarettes and tobacco products are sold here. The legislation included a new minimum unit size of 30g for rolling tobacco products, while the traditional 12.5g pouch is still widely available through illicit channels.

All of this is serving to put more pressure on legitimate retailers, selling a legitimate product, while increasing the allure and the lucrativeness of the black market for smugglers and, unfortunately, consumers.

Mayfair Big just got better! Mayfair, Ireland’s number one value brand (Source: Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack Value Cigarette Share 4 weeks ending October 8, 2017) now brings even more affordable quality with the introduction of new Mayfair Original 30s. And big just got even bigger with the first

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Cigarettes & Tobacco Size cigarettes (RRP €12) and now American Spirit Original Blend 30g (RRP €17) hand rolling tobacco pouch with freshness seal. American Spirit: the taste of true tobacco. Please note that “additive free”, “unaltered tobacco”, “natural” and “without preservatives” do not mean less harmful tobacco.

With an RRP of €14, new Mayfair Original 30s and Mayfair Superkings Original 30s, from JTI Ireland, offer market leading quality at a competitive price.

Superkings Big Box in the market : new Mayfair Superkings Original 30s.

With an RRP of €14, new Mayfair Original 30s and Mayfair Superkings Original 30s, from JTI Ireland, offer market leading quality at a competitive price, in recognition of the changing behaviour of existing adult smokers.

Mayfair: a modern expression of quality.

Benson & Hedges Gold Benson & Hedges Gold, also from JTI Ireland, is not only Ireland’s leading cigarette SKU, but also the market leader for Big Box SKUs (Source: Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack Cigarette Share 4 weeks ending October 8, 2017). Benson & Hedges Gold was the first to introduce both Big Box in December 2011, now Benson & Hedges Gold 23s with an RRP of €13.30, and Maxi Box in August 2014, now Benson & Hedges Gold 29s, with an RRP of €16.50. Benson & Hedges: inspiring respect.

The American Spirit range includes American Spirit Blue and Yellow King Size cigarettes and American Spirit Original Blend 30g hand rolling tobacco pouch with freshness seal.

Silk Cut With over 22% share of the ready-made cigarette category, it is not surprising that Silk Cut is Ireland’s number one cigarette brand (Source: Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack Cigarette Share 4 weeks ending October 8, 2017). Despite the continuing downtrading trend from premium to value segments, Silk Cut’s share has remained resilient and the brand maintains its market leading position.

Silk Cut, part of the JTI Ireland portfolio, is recognised as one of Ireland’s most innovative cigarette brands. It was the first brand to introduce capsule products to the Irish market with Silk Cut Choice in 2011.

Now Flavour on Demand (capsule) is one of the most successful innovations in the Irish cigarette category, accounting

B&H Gold, Ireland’s leading cigarette brand and the market leader for Big Box SKUs. American Spirit For over 30 years, adult smokers have been enjoying American Spirit, a tobacco which is 100% itself, unaltered tobacco in its natural state, without any preservatives, aromas, moisturisers or flavour enhancers. The taste of the products comes solely and exclusively from the whole tobacco leaves which are grown using earth-friendly cultivation methods and processed in part by hand.

The range, from JTI Ireland, includes American Spirit Blue and Yellow King

Silk Cut Choice Double Capsule: the first product to offer existing adult smokers the choice of four flavours in one cigarette.

for over 11.1% RMC SOM and growing, +1.1pp YTD vs YTD LY (Source: Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack Cigarette Share YTD ending October 8, 2017).

Delivering on its reputation for innovation, Silk Cut extended its product range in the capsule segment with the launch of Silk Cut Choice Double Capsule in 2015, the first product to offer existing adult smokers the choice of four flavours in one cigarette - another breakthrough innovation from Ireland’s number one cigarette brand.

Amber Leaf With a reputation for superior quality and market leading innovation, it is not surprising that JTI Ireland’s Amber Leaf has been named Ireland’s Amber Leaf has number recently launched one Roll Amber Leaf Original 20 Your Own Cigarettes. brand again this year (Source: Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack RYO Share YTD ending October 8, 2017).

As market leader, Amber Leaf has pioneered the development of some of the key innovations within the Irish RYO category: it was the first to launch the Crush Proof Box (CPB) format and the first to include filters!

New tobacco legislation (EUTPD2) implemented in May 2017 has significantly changed the landscape of the RYO category in Ireland. Given new minimum pack size rules, Amber Leaf has recently transitioned its portfolio to new 30g compliant formats, delivering the same high quality tobacco but in new bigger formats. Amber Leaf Original & Amber Leaf Blonde are both available in a 30g pouch (including papers) and a 30g box (including papers & filters) with an RRP of €16.00 & 16.50 respectively.

Amber Leaf has continued to deliver on its reputation for innovation with this year’s most exciting new product launch, Amber Leaf Original 20 Cigarettes. New Amber Leaf Original 20 Cigarettes offers existing adult smokers great taste, quality tobacco and an affordable pricepoint from a brand they know and trust.

New Amber Leaf Original 20 Cigarettes is now available nationwide at an RRP of €10.30. Amber Leaf: expect more.

68|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Focus on HR

The Benefits of

Workplace Personality Assessments Workplace personality assessments can prove extremely useful at both recruitment and development stage.

WORKPLACE personality assessments are designed to provide businesses with information on an employee’s behavioural style and how it is likely to impact their performance at work. The reports resulting from workplace personality assessments can benefit organisations in several ways and assist with: • • • •

Recruiting high calibre professionals; Identifying the best-fit candidates for a role; Identifying future leaders; Building and developing effective teams.

Workplace personality assessments are mainly used to find employees whose personalities align with the workplace culture. The assessments generally measure personalities in line with the Big Five factor model – agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, emotional stability and openness. All five traits vary between two extremes, with most people lying somewhere in the middle. Through evaluation, employers

will also gain an insight into who will be a good fit for the company, the team and the environment. Typically, a positive level of conscientiousness and agreeableness are traits all employers will be looking out for in an ideal candidate.

Aptitude and practical skills testing are often common in assessing the suitability of a candidate for a particular role and now personality tests are becoming increasingly popular also.

These assessments measure employee characteristics and dispositions and give employers an idea of probable attitudes and behaviours that the company may face if they are to hire that employee.

Personality assessments will vary depending on the industry you are in and the traits that are important in

that industry. For example, in the retail industry, employers will be looking for extrovert candidates with integrity and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Staff Development The assessments can also be used with current staff and are an effective tool for improving the current work environment. Once a company discovers the differing traits and characteristics amongst employees, they can put a plan in place to develop areas highlighted by the results. This can be done through targeted training and development or by consciously teaming up individuals with varying personalities, with the aim of employees learning from each other.

Through personality testing, the employer can determine the role each

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Focus on HR About the Author

THE HR Suite provides a full range of HR and business services to organisations nationwide.

Our objective is to raise the standards and performance of your organisation, while ensuring legal compliance at all times. We take a best-practice approach to outsourced HR management and our services include dispute resolution, performance management, training, and disciplinary and grievance management. We have a dedicated recruitment department to assist our clients with recruitment and selection .Our team of qualified professionals offer a superior service to our clients via telephone and email support, on-site visits, and representation as required.

MD Caroline McEnery has over 20 years’ experience in providing HR services to Irish companies. She is a member on the Low Pay Commission and is also an adjudicator in the Workplace Relations Commission.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact our office on (066) 7102887 or (01) 9014335 or email info@thehrsuiteonline.com. Website: http://thehrsuiteonline.com. individual adopts in teams and can learn how their employees reason, reach outcomes and intermix. Personality tests will also identify the leaders in the workplace. Once the employer has gathered all of this information, they will be able to create the most knowledgeable and multi-skilled teams.

When creating these diverse teams, however, be mindful of the different personalities and assign duties and responsibilities to the most appropriate person.

When a vacancy arises, employers can make the mistake of taking the simple route of hiring quickly to fill the role and get things moving. The key thing is to know what you want: ensuring that you have a specific detail of job requirements and desired personal characteristics can be used as a hiring scorecard at screening and interview stage to determine suitability for the role.

Make sure you widen the search and use as many avenues and resources to search for the right candidate. This will attract a more diverse range of candidates and increase the potential of attracting good talent.

An employer should consider is the candidate qualified for the role? Will

they get along and fit in with the team?

Don’t hire just because you like them; ensure the candidate’s experience and strengths match the responsibilities of the position.

Remember, many people can do well in one interview. Sometimes a more probing second round interview, with competency based questions or a presentation, will give you a better insight into the candidate in addition to using an occupational personality test.

Ensuring the Relevance of the Test When choosing the most suitable personality test, make sure it is relevant to the job specification and consider at what stage of the recruitment process the test will be incorporated. You may decide to carry it out before or after second interviews. This will depend on the numbers at each stage of the recruitment project. It is generally advisable not to carry it out at first round interviews as this could be costly for the company if there are a large number of candidates at this stage. The test should always be carried out in conjunction with an interview, so you get a complete impression of the candidate. The interview will allow you an opportunity to assess the candidate’s manner, competencies and experience.

It is essential these assessments are administered by professionals who are trained to assess and interpret the results and that the tests are used in an appropriate professional and ethical manner. Tests should be designed by occupational psychologists and employers should ensure they source the test from a reliable source.

The tests are usually presented in a multiple choice format and tests are now mainly done online, although they can also be paper based. To assess the value of the testing, it is advisable to assess employees on a regular basis. Through regular appraisals, you will get an indication of how accurate and effective the testing is.

The Importance of Feedback It is also important to provide employees with feedback following completion of the test. Feedback will provide individuals with a better insight into their own behaviour and can improve their understanding of their traits and characteristics. With this insight and understanding, employees will be likely to take more responsibility towards developing themselves.

With this in mind, remember that the feedback proves as worthy as the results themselves, so ensure you make the time with both new and current employees to discuss the outcomes of their personality tests.

Finally, prior to choosing the assessment, ensure it is developed with a clear understanding of the characteristics or personal traits you want to measure - to give your business clear results on the suitability of every candidate. You should also remember that you cannot depend solely on tests as they may not measure a personal trait or ability accurately each time. It is important to interview and carry out any other relevant assessments to gain a rounded insight into the individual.

If you have questions on Occupational Personality Questionnaires or any HR issues, please contact the HR Suite on (066) 7102887.

70|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: News Carlow Forecourt Excels in Maxol Excellence Awards

Applegreen Throws 25 Year Birthday Party APPLEGREEN dealer partner site Casserly’s of Lanesborough, Co. Longford, hosted a family fun day to celebrate Applegreen’s 25year anniversary recently. The family-friendly event provided a great day, with lots of food, fun and face painters. “The day created a great buzz and excitement around the premises for the duration,” revealed Michael Casserly, who went on to explain how an enormous number of customers descended upon his forecourt to take part in the celebrations. “There were many children there to have their faces painted and receive goodies and balloons.”

Donegal Clubs Win Big with Topaz

Rory and Raymond Hannon, licencees at Maxol, Rathnapish, Co. Carlow, are pictured receiving their award for Excellence in Community Engagement 2016/17 from Dermot O'Toole, Head of Retail Operations, The Maxol Group.

MAXOL has announced the winners of its 2016-17 Excellence Awards, which took place in Quinta Do Lago, Portugal, recently. Hannon's Maxol Service Station in Rathnapish, Co. Carlow, has been honoured in the ‘Excellence in Community Engagement’ category. The Excellence Awards promote and reward excellence in retail standards, customer experience and community engagement throughout Maxol’s network of service stations across the island of Ireland.

“We are delighted to have won this award and of course travelling to Portugal to receive it made it even more special,” said Raymond Hannon, owner of Hannon’s Maxol Service Station. “At Hannon’s Maxol Service Station, we aim to exceed our customers’ needs and expectations. This wouldn’t be possible without our extended team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my staff for their hard work and dedication.”

The Maxol Excellence Awards are now in their 20th year. Awards were presented on merit in the following categories; Excellence in Community Engagement; Customer Experience; Best Standard; and Store of the Year.

TOPAZ has announced that three clubs from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, have been drawn as winners in its 2017 Cash for Clubs initiative, with a total of €15,000 being awarded across the clubs. Twin Towns Boxing Club, St Eunan’s GAA Club and Letterkenny RFC were each randomly selected as lucky cash prize winners as part of this year’s campaign, and were each presented with a cheque for €5,000.

This year, over 3,000 clubs registered for the initiative. Since its launch in 2015, Cash for Clubs has awarded €400,000 in prizes to clubs nationwide.

“Topaz Cash for Clubs was first set up in 2015 to reward the tireless work of clubs in Ireland that demonstrate commitment to their communities each day,” noted Sinead Moriarty, Marketing and Communications Manager at Topaz. “With 438 service stations across the island of Ireland, Topaz is very much at the heart of Irish communities, so we are thrilled to have the chance to reward the intrinsic roles that clubs play in their communities. We would like to extend our congratulations to the three prize winning clubs from Donegal this year - we hope that the prize money will help them to make a difference to their community in the coming years.”

Members of St Eunan’s GAA club, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, are pictured receiving a cheque for €5,000 from Topaz Area Managers, Enda O’Reilly and Eddie Tobin.

Always FRESH MILK

and the SAME BEANS as our coffee shops

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Forecourt Focus: News Top Oil Launches 2018 Calendar TOP Oil has launched its 2018 calendar, with the announcement that Walt Hollick is the winner of the Top Oil 2017 Amateur Photography Competition for his image ‘Sunset on the Blackstairs Mountains’, which features his dog, Socks. Walt’s stunning image will be the cover image of the Top Oil 2018 calendar, and he also picked up a prize of €1,000.

The annual photo competition, now in its 11th year, saw over 2,000 amateur photography hopefuls from across the island of Ireland competing for their photo to be the cover image of the popular 2018 calendar publication by Top Oil. The theme of this year’s competition was ‘Ireland Through the Lens’.

Susanna Braswell was chosen as the winner of the online ‘People’s Choice’ category for her photograph titled ‘Vroom with a View’, which was taken in Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow.

“Our annual calendar competition is a great opportunity to recognise Ireland’s beauty through photographs,” noted Gerard Pictured is Gerard Boylan, Chief Executive, Top Oil, with Boylan, Chief Executive, Top Oil. “This competition is popular with Top Oil 2017 Amateur Photography Competition winner both our customers and staff, as well as the amateur photographers Walt Hollick and his dog, Socks, and People’s Choice across the country. This year we had some spectacular images to Winner, Susanna Braswell. choose from; we chose Walt’s image because for us it truly captured this year’s theme of ‘Ireland Through the Lens’.”

Over 40,000 copies of the calendars will be available with home heating oil orders or for sale at selected Top Oil locations nationwide.

Maxol Marks 25-Year Anniversary of IURU Sponsorship MAXOL recently celebrated 25 years of Irish University Rugby Union sponsorship at the action packed Maxol IURU Rugby Festival 2017. Two men’s intervarsity competitions were held at the all-day event in Terenure College Rugby Club. With multiple teams from six universities playing, the Maxol IURU Rugby Festival is the largest third level rugby event in Ireland.

“With this being our 25th year, the relationship between Maxol and the IURU is now one of the longest and most established commercial partnerships in Irish rugby,” explained Caroline Burton, Head of Marketing, Maxol.

“Sport is massively important in Irish communities, and as a privately-owned business with a forecourt network of 235 sites, we at Maxol are proud to play a role in supporting that. Maxol are committed to the development of Irish student rugby and it was really rewarding to watch the players perform to such a high level.”

Irish international rugby star Garry Ringrose was on hand to watch proceedings and commended Maxol’s continued support for the competitions of the Irish University Rugby Union: “Thanks to Maxol, university players can fulfil their potential both on and off the pitch.”

Leinster and Ireland centre Garry Ringrose (right) had some fun in the rain with UCD rugby players at the Maxol IURU Rugby Festival 2017.

To find out what Costa Express can offer you contact: ROI tel: 021 500 3526 NI tel: 02892 580207

72|Retail News|November 2017|www.retailnews.ie

What’s New READY FOR NUTELLA IN A BISCUIT? NUTELLA, worth €6.8m (Source: KWP Ireland, 52-week 18/6/17), is moving into the biscuits category for the first time in the UK and Ireland, following a fantastic trial period and tremendous success in global markets. Available now as a single serve or multipack of six, Nutella B-Ready features a light, crunchy wafer shell, creamy Nutella filling and puffed wheat crispies in an individually wrapped bar. “Nutella B-ready is a complementary addition to the Ferrero range, offering shoppers more ‘sweet snacking’ solutions throughout the day,” noted Levi Boorer, Customer Development Director. “We see B-Ready as the ideal midmorning snack, containing fewer than 120 calories.” The launch will be supported by a €642,816 multimedia campaign spanning TV, video-on-demand and social. A full suite of POS solutions will be made available for retailers to order from Ferrero’s dedicated trade website, www.yourperfectstore.com.

NEW LABELLO LIP BUTTERS RENOWNED lip care brand, Labello has created a rich and indulgent collection of delicious lip butters to provide a long-lasting, 12-hour nourishing effect – the perfect indulgent saviour for dry, chapped lips. The moisturising formulae in the leading lip care provider’s Butters are enriched with Shea Butter, that provides a 12-hour nourishing and moisturising effect, as well as Almond Oil to soothe, nourish and protect to restore softness. The flavours are Labello Vanilla & Macadamia Lip Butter, a unique pampering product, and Labello Raspberry Rosé Lip Butter, which also adds a subtle rosy shine to the lips, leaving them hydrated with a silky glossy finish.

SOFIDEL REFRESHES THE REGINA BRAND A DECADE after its initial launch, Sofidel has refreshed the Regina brand with a new positioning and tag line. The brand, well known for the Regina Blitz paper towel and ‘Cleaning in a flash’, which achieved pop icon status among consumer goods, is now embarking on a new phase of expansion and development in European markets, including the UK, Ireland, Italy, and Poland. Regina is making its international-level début with a single campaign, ‘Paper for People’, a concept centred on emotion and the certainties that every individual needs in the place they feel most at ease: at home. The first campaign on air focuses on the kitchen towel product line, Regina Wish with its 'handy-sized sheets', helping consumers to waste less by using the right quantity for each task. The Regina update also involves a refresh of the historic logo and, starting from 2018, a new design for the packaging, as well as a renewed emphasis on Sofidel's sustainability guarantee.

MASH DIRECT HEALTHY NOURISH BOWLS FOR DUNNES STORES MASH Direct, the Northern Ireland specialist in vegetable sides and convenience meals, is to supply its recently launched Nourish Bowls to selected Dunnes Stores across the Republic of Ireland.

The Nourish Bowls, a healthy lunch-time option, are available in three tasty varieties, Taste of China, Taste of Morocco, and Taste of Italy, and are being listed by Dunnes initially for 12 Dunnes Stores throughout the Republic of Ireland, a key market for the company, which is based on the family farm at Comber, County Down. Mash Direct’s Nourish Bowls are already available in SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Nisa and independent stores across Northern Ireland. The convenient bowls feature salads, each with an accompanying spicy dip and are the result of work by the company in its development kitchen over two years.

HOT STUFF FROM CULLY & SULLY CULLY & Sully have launched a superb new range of broths and pies, sure to be a real hit with consumers across the country. The newly launched broth range includes Japanese Style Miso Broth, Nourishing Veggie Broth, 12-Hour Beef Broth, and Cleansing Chicken Broth, while the satisfying pie range includes Chicken, Leek & Cheddar, Rich & Beefy Cottage Pie, and Deliciously Creamy Fish Pie. All of the products are meals for two, made locally in Cork and have natural ingredients.

DIVE INTO A NEW NIVEA SHOWER WORLD THE new Nivea Care Shower Silk Mousse and Nivea Crème and Oil Pearls indulges the body and the senses, enveloping users in a new divine sensation right in the shower. With the new Nivea Silk Mousse, users can let their skin be caressed by the perfect combination of a precious silk extract and a heavenly soft mousse. The Nivea Crème & Oil Pearls range is the latest innovation in indulgent shower care: the ideal combination of intensive care for skin and an indulgence for the senses.

Each luxurious shower cream produces a rich lather, with a delicate but distinctive indulgent fragrance. Formulated with precious Argan oil, the pearls disappear on the skin, leaving it feeling intensively moisturised. Nivea has created a range of three indulging mousses: rich caring Creme Care, opulent floral Creme Smooth, and breezy light Creme Soft. Each of them is infused with its own special formula containing Nivea Essential Oils, Silk Extract, and Almond Oil. Nivea Crème & Oil Pearls range are also available in delicious fragrant scents. including Cherry Blossom, Lotus and Ylang Ylang.

INTRODUCING

IRELAND’S SUPERKINGS BIG BOX *

ORIGINAL 30s & SUPERKINGS ORIGINAL 30s

RRP

14.00

THE NEW ORIGINAL 30s & SUPERKINGS ORIGINAL 30s FORMATS COMPLETE OUR BIGGEST VALUE LINE UP *Nielsen ROI Extended Scantrack YTD data to 8th October 2017. (Copyright© 2017, The Nielsen Company).

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

Toradh caithimh tobac – bás.

Smoking kills.

RRP

€17.00

20 cigarettes

€12.00

Additive free natural tobacco does not mean less harmful tobacco.

This advertisement is for tobacco retailers only and should not be made available to the public nor should it be displayed in any area where it is visible to the public.

Toradh caithimh tobac – bás.

Smoking kills.

RRP

30g ryo pouch