RN Jan/Feb 2014

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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PLAIN PACKAGING ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN IRELAND The Minister for Health has plans to introduce plain packaging on tobacco products in Ireland. He refers to packaging as the ‘last billboard of the tobacco industry’ as all other forms of consumer commercial information are prohibited.

Germany is following an alternative approach, focussed on education, and has a lower youth smoking initiation rate than Ireland. Yet tobacco products are advertised on actual billboards in German cities and are still displayed in retail shops.

IF IN DOUBT - LEAVE THEM OUT

Tobacco products are for adults only and should rightly be regulated. But shouldn’t regulation be based on independent evidence of their effectiveness?

There are already calls by the World Health Organisation for warning labels and further restrictions on alcohol and fatty foods. Welcome to the future.

Smoking is for adults and John Player believes that children should not smoke. Please be ever vigilant.

If there is any doubt about a person’s age - always refuse the sale. Information for Trade Customers Only.

www.retailnews.ie|January/February 2014|Contents|3

Contents

The Mighty Quinn AS the country’s 24 Superquinn stores are rebranded as SuperValu, it seems an apt time to talk to the man who is arguably the face of Irish grocery retailing, despite the fact that he hasn’t actually owned a grocery store in nine years, since he sold his beloved Superquinn to Select Retail Holdings.

In an exclusive and hard-hitting interview, Senator Feargal Quinn tells Retail News editor, John Walshe, why the Government could be doing so much more to help Ireland’s beleaguered retail sector (Page 16-20). He discusses the high costs of doing business here, tackles the thorny subject of Local Authority rates and reveals his Bill to abolish upward only rent reviews.

Never one to shy away from contentious issues, Quinn questions whether the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products will have the desired effect on youth smoking levels or will merely push consumers towards the black market. He discusses such a move’s likely effects on small retailers and his general dislike of the move towards a “nanny state”.

Elsewhere, we report on Feeding Ireland’s Future, a new initiative from ECR Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, which involves food and grocery companies throughout Ireland, as well as service providers to the sector, providing free preemployment skills for young people during a designated ‘Skills for Work Week’ from March 3-7 this year (Page 20). We also examine Retail Ireland’s Strategy for Retail 2014-2016 (Page 32) and report on the big winners from the NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards (Page 40).

News 4 Wage against the

16

machine: the return of the JLC’s.

5

Superquinn stores rebrand as SuperValu; New legislation to safeguard retailersupplier relationships?

5

6

7

Londis and Stonehouse sign strategic membership agreement; Latest supermarket share figures.

Rushe Retail Group converts to SuperValu and Centra; Food and drink exports hit record levels.

6

8

SuperValu donates €100,000 to Focus Ireland; RGDATA seeks loyalty payment from new lottery operator; IGBF Golf Event.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 15 Retail Ireland

Kathleen Belton Editorial Director kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview 16 Senator Feargal

Quinn discusses the big issues facing Ireland’s retail sector, including upward-only rent reviews, the high cost of doing business in Ireland and the proposed introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products.

Feeding Ireland’s Future 20 Feeding Ireland’s

Future is a new initiative by the Irish food and grocery industry to support unemployed young people in their search for work.

Centra Retailer Conference 23 Centra’s National

Retailer Conference saw the group announce a retail sales increase of 3.5% in 2013, along with plans for 20 new stores set to join the network in 2014.

conference line-up announced; Consumer spending to rise by over 1%; Retail Ireland launches Strategy for Retail: 2014-2016.

23

Strategy For Retail 32 Retail Ireland’s

Strategy for Retail 2014-2016 maintains that the Irish retail sector can create up to 40,000 new jobs by 2020 if it can be put on a sustainable path to recovery.

NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards 40 The 2014 NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards are a testament to the quality of independent off licences, even in difficult trading conditions.

40

Commercial Transport 42 The Continental

Irish Van of the Year Awards are a good indicator of some of the best commercial transport options for your business.

42

Food For Simon 44 The Food For

Simon initiative has generated €1m in cost savings for the Simon Community since its implementation.

REGULARS & REPORTS Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

Tel: (01) 6785165 Fax: (01) 6477127

Editorial Director: Kathleen Belton kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

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

Editor: John Walshe

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie

Advertising: Brian Clark

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie brian@tarapublications.ie

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Production: Jim Heron

Printed by: W&G Baird

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

10 Industry News 24 Paper Products 34 Healthy Options 38 Easter Treats 45 Market News 46 Shelf Life

4|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News

Wage Against the Machine

Vincent Jennings, CSNA Chief Executive.

THE Government is planning a return to Joint Labour Committee (JLC) wage rates, forcing retail proprietors to pay rates higher than the minimum wage, across all areas of grocery retail.

In a review published last October, the Labour Court recommended that multiple operators and symbol groups should be bundled together as part of reformed JLC rates, while independent shops would be left alone.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD has now indicated that JLC’s will return to their former state for retail grocery, independents included.

Retail representatives insist JLC’s should be disbanded. “We’re no different now to where we were before our expensive review,” Vincent Jennings, Convenience Stores &

Newsagents Association (CSNA) Chief Executive, told Retail News.

Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General, questioned the logic of returning to an antiquated system. “The Retail Grocery and Allied Trades is based on a list of things they would sell in a shop. Are they reverting back to that list? The list was devised 40 years ago.”

Retailers believe the JLC system is out of sync with modern retail. Stores not on the JLC radar now sell items that were once exclusive to grocery stores.

“The Competition Authority’s review of the

grocery market included household cosmetics, dried goods etc., found in a range of outlets not covered under the old JLC rules,” continued Jennings. “If we sell flowers, CDs, or alcohol, in our grocery stores, we are bracketed as part of the JLC. Yet florists, music shops, off licences, are not.”

JLC’s date back to 1946, when employers and unions agreed legally binding wages and working conditions.

After a High Court case in 2011, JLC’s were found to be unconstitutional and suspended, pending a review.

RGDATA contend there are legal implications from the

Minister’s decision.

According to a spokesperson for IBEC, there is no clear timescale for reintroduction of JLC’s.

Minister Bruton is to ask Kieran Mulvey of the Labour Court to appoint chairpersons to each of the JLC's that were in suspension. “They will call meetings for the independent JLC’s to set rates. Those initial meetings will be procedural, rather than getting straight down into the business of striking a rate,” said Jennings.

For the time being, minimum wage rates apply to new retail employees. “An employer in conjunction with their employee can change terms and conditions,” said Buckley. “From our understanding, the vast majority of our members have maintained their staff on the rates they were on before JLC’s were suspended.”

While a Government spokesperson said JLC’s were being reintroduced to protect vulnerable employees, RGDATA insists grocery retail employees are content: “We can not understand why you would distinctively categorise retail grocery workers as vulnerable and not others.

We think the people who work in independent shops value their staff. If they were treating their staff badly, the local community wouldn’t support their shop.”

PLANNING AHEAD RECESSION, what recession? That seems to be the message from Tesco, who are opening store after store despite the economic climate. The supermarket giant has opened a new 6,000 square metre replacement outlet in Gorey, and is building a similar sized shop in Dundalk. New Tesco stores include Rush (2,000 square metres), Cabra (4,000 square metres), and Naas (8,000 square metres). The retailer recently purchased sites at Liffey Valley and Swords for the purpose of building more outlets.

Meanwhile, RGDATA has objected to plans to build an Aldi store in

Knocknacarra, Galway. The discounter is planning a 1,500 square metre singlestorey store. RGDATA contends the store would be in breach of the convenience retail requirement for the city.

Aldi, however, is continuing with a broad expansion plan, with up to 20 new stores planned throughout the country, including Douglas, Macroom and Charleville in Cork, Tipperary and Wexford towns, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, and Mulhuddart and Terenure in Dublin.

Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie|5

News NEW LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD RETAILER-SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS? MINISTER for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney’s pledge to introduce legislation to safeguard retail-supplier relations has yet to materialise.

In December, Coveney said “we’ll certainly see [legislation] in January or February”. At the time of press, the Bill has yet to materialise, although a spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise told us, “drafting of the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, which will include enabling provisions to regulate for certain practices in the grocery goods sector, is at an advanced stage and it is expected that the Bill will be published shortly.”

Coveney’s announcement came on foot of a pre-Christmas supermarket price war, in which stores sold 1kg bags of onions, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and other vegetables, for rock bottom prices. Confronted with bags of vegetables sold for 5c, the Irish Farming Association (IFA) swung into action.

“My sister was doing her shopping online and thought she was buying individual carrots, because they were so cheap, but ended up buying 30 bags of carrots,” an IFA spokesperson told Retail News. “It was ridiculous.

Our farmers went into different

supermarkets and bought up all the cheap veg. The consumer was very much on the side of the farmer. They understood you can’t produce food this cheaply.”

While supermarket groups maintain that they absorbed the cost of the price cuts and didn’t pass them on to producers, the IFA spokesperson alleges that at least one vegetable grower “who had been farming for five generations” is going out of business as a result of these price promotions.

Retail representatives are largely sympathetic toward the food producers. “We are firmly opposed to that type of below cost selling, clearly done to maximise the ability of a large purchaser to gain market share. It’s reprehensible,” said Vincent Jennings, CSNA. “It is unbelievable that the National Consumer Agency applauded the matter. Actions like this are designed, if not directly, then indirectly, to reduce competition.”

While the incoming Competition and Consumer Protection Bill will not set prices, it will protect primary producers and ensure contracts are respected. Minister Coveney has said that “hello money” and the idea of having to buy shelf space will also be controlled.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD.

Whether or not the Bill will have any effect on the market is a different matter. “We have a Competition Act that specifically provides for whistle blowing and complaints, from suppliers who find themselves unfairly put upon. Nobody has used that,” said Jennings. “A statutory code of practice will be no more efficient than Competition Act provisions.”

Superquinn Stores Rebrand as SuperValu ALL 24 Superquinn stores have been renamed as SuperValu, since Thursday, February 13, creating an unrivalled Irish retail brand. SuperValu is also currently implementing a €20m in-store investment programme, which will see the former Superquinn network upgraded with a new focus on service, range, quality and value. This is in addition to €10m invested during 2013. The expanded SuperValu network will now consist of 223 stores with a turnover of €2.6 billion, employing 14,500 employees and handling 2.6m transactions a week.

One in four Irish consumers will shop in SuperValu stores during 2014. With a total of 42 stores and 22% market

share in Dublin, SuperValu will also bring real competition to the capital.

Describing the move as “one of the most exciting developments in Irish retailing”, Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director, said, “Combining SuperValu and Superquinn brings together the best of both brands. Since announcing our plans to rename Superquinn as SuperValu in August, the consumer response has been very positive, demonstrating that both brands are better together.

Superquinn shoppers have really bought into the quality and value SuperValu offers. We are also keeping all that is great from Superquinn’s heritage. We

Pictured are (l-r): staff members Jonathan Swaine, Rachel Redmond and Claire Griffin of SuperValu Walkinstown, with Store Manager, James Brennan.

have made the Superquinn sausage available across the SuperValu network nationwide and we are now selling twice as many as before - 30 tonnes of sausages every week. In addition, the award-winning

SuperValu Own Brand range is three times the size of what was previously available at Superquinn. The consumer response has been fantastic, with own brand sales doubling in only three months.”

6|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News LONDIS AND STONEHOUSE SIGN STRATEGIC MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT ADM Londis plc and the Stonehouse Group have reached agreement to combine their buying power in a move that will see the Stonehouse Group expand its membership to include ADM Londis.

Stonehouse is Ireland’s leading independently owned wholesale grocery and food service company. Comprising a network of 25 family run businesses operating out of 31 wholesale depots, their portfolio also includes symbol group stores Costcutter and Gala, along with food services company, Horeca, and the long established own label brands Homestead and White Hat. ADM Londis plc provides independent retailers with franchise opportunities in both the convenience and supermarket retail segments and its 200 stores nationwide will increase the Stonehouse Group’s turnover by one third and will push the Group’s

retail sales towards €1.5 billion through its 600 symbol stores nationwide.

The agreement will have no impact on ADM Londis’ ownership by its franchisees and participating symbol groups will continue to compete with one another but with the benefit of improved buying terms and enhanced opportunities for supply chain synergies.

“This agreement is great news for Stonehouse members, for our retailers, both symbol and independent, and for the Irish convenience retail sector,” said Tom Shipsey, CEO of Stonehouse.

“Adding the strengths of Londis to those of Stonehouse will help strengthen our retailers as they compete with international multiple and discount chains. A healthy, competitive sector is very important to the supplier base, our customers and to the wider economy as a whole.”

Tom Shipsey, CEO of Stonehouse, and Stephen O’Riordan, CEO of ADM Londis, at the signing of the strategic agreement between both companies.

Londis CEO, Stephen O’Riordan described the agreement as “a step change for participating symbol group shops that are integral to the communities they serve”.

“Arising from this agreement, local, independently owned stores

will have the purchasing power of the major retailers but with the convenience and service that appeals to consumers,” he said.

“At Londis, we see this deal delivering even lower prices to our consumers and enhancing margin and efficiency for our retailers.”

A Christmas Boost for SuperValu as Sales Surge THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending January 5, show SuperValu and the discounters as the big winners over Christmas.

“Christmas was a bumper season for SuperValu as it attracted 43,000 more households to come and shop over the holidays,” David Berry, Commercial Director at Kantar Worldpanel, explains. “This helped the retailer post market-beating sales growth of 1.3% and edged its market share above 20% for the first time since October 2009.

Alcoholic drinks are an important part of the Christmas shop and SuperValu has grown its take home sales by 10% in this category, which has helped it perform ahead of the market.”

SuperValu were understandably delighted with the results. “The latest Kantar analysis underlines the momentum behind the SuperValu brand,” enthused Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director.

“SuperValu has grown by 30% over the last 10 years, with over two million transactions per week and achieves annual retail sales of just over €2 billion.

Shoppers are voting with their feet and coming to SuperValu because of our combination of price, promotions, quality and sourcing from Irish

suppliers wherever possible.”

Discount retailers Aldi and Lidl were the other big winners, with both enjoying double-digit growth in the final 12 weeks of the year. The German retailers’ December voucher campaigns in the Sunday newspapers look to have had a positive impact, with the average shop growing by more than €2 in each store.

“While Tesco still maintains a clear lead at the top, it has lost ground, with its market share falling from 27.8% last year to 26.2% now,” Berry notes. “The sales decline is beginning to show signs

of slowing, which is welcome news for Tesco, with a slight improvement from -6.5% in October to -6.2%. Dunnes’ sales dropped by 0.9% compared with last year, resulting in a slight dip in market share to 23.9% following four months of positive sales growth for the retailer.”

Price inflation has dropped from 3.4% last month to 2.9%, helped by the pre-Christmas ‘vegetable wars’ seen in a number of retailers. The price of vegetables dropped considerably, with shoppers buying 4% more compared with last Christmas, despite spending 10% less.

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

12 Weeks to 06 January 2013 %*

12 Weeks to 05 January 2014 %*

change** %

100.0% 88.8% 27.8% 24.1% 19.8% 5.5% 11.6% 5.9% 5.7% 11.2%

100.0% 88.8% 26.2% 23.9% 20.1% 5.2% 13.5% 7.1% 6.4% 11.2%

-0.2 -0.2 -6.2 -0.9 1.3 -6.4 16.2 20.1 12.2 -0.4

*= Percentage Share of Total Grocers **= Refers to share growth or growth or decline not change in market share ***= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops

Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie|7

News RUSHE RETAIL GROUP CONVERTS TO SUPERVALU AND CENTRA THE Rushe Retail Group has formally joined the SuperValu and Centra network, which will see three new SuperValu stores open in Killiney, Dalkey and Naas, and a new Centra store open in Stillorgan. €1.25m will be invested in the refurbishment and expansion of the stores, with particular focus on the Killiney & Naas stores. The four stores, which are owned

by John and Marcella Rushe, employ over 200 people.

The addition of the Rushe Group will bring the total number of SuperValu stores nationwide to 201, with a further 24 Superquinn stores set to change their names

to SuperValu’s in February 2014. The total number of Centra stores is now 466.

“This investment will ensure that we provide our customers with the best offer in the marketplace by delivering excellent value and top quality food, while supporting Irish suppliers,” noted Shane Rushe, Operations Director, Rushe Group. “We will expand our butcher and fishmonger counters, while upgrading our in-store bakeries. We will also be able to leverage the SuperValu and Centra brands by offering Own Brand ranges, which are up to 33% cheaper than equivalent brands.”

John and Marcella Rushe, owners, The Rushe Retail Group.

Food and Drink Exports Hit Record Levels THE value of Irish food and drink exports in 2013 has approached €10 billion for the first time, according to Bord Bia figures. This represents an increase of 9% on the previous year and 40% in the last four years, with revenues almost €3 billion higher than in 2009. Export values for dairy product and ingredients exceeded €3 billion for the first time and strong performances for meat and livestock (€3.3billion) and prepared foods (€1.65 billion) all contributed to the positive outcome.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD said “Significant growth in 2013 has brought export values in the Irish food and drink sector to record levels.

This leading performance in what was a challenging year for the industry, highlights the key role of agri-food, Ireland’s largest indigenous sector, in underpinning exports and economic activity. Export values of almost €10 billion are really impressive, and demonstrate the clear opportunity and benefit of investing in a sector with proven resilience, a significant domestic economic footprint and strong ability to grow. With increasing demand from more affluent consumers in key world markets, there is little doubt that the €12 billion export target set out in the industry-led strategy for the agri sector Food Harvest 2020 is well in sight.”

Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, described the highlights of 2013 as the double digit growth in dairy and beef export values, the strong recovery

Michael Carey, Chairman (left), and Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, are pictured at the announcement that the value of Irish food and drink exports approached €10 billion for the first time in 2013.

in sales to eurozone destinations, and the exceptional performance of the industry in China, now Ireland’s second largest dairy and third largest pork market. “The industry is well positioned to exploit the relentless growth in the global demand for food, underpinned by its grass-based production systems and its ability to build its presence on both new and established markets,” he said.

Bord Bia Chairman, Michael Carey, noted how the significant export growth achieved by the Irish food and drink industry, in the face of an increasingly competitive environment for exporters “confirms the dedication, ambition and resilience that is abundant in the sector. This impressive growth

in exports by our largest indigenous industry reflects its persistent focus on innovation and differentiation as it seeks, successfully, to boost its position across key markets.”

The UK remains the largest export destination for Irish food and drink, accounting for 42% of exports worth an estimated €4.1 billion, while exports of food and drink to other EU markets increased by 11%, reaching €3.2 billion.

Strong exports to Asia and Russia contributed positively toward an increase of 6% in the value of trade to international markets, which exceeded €2.6 billion in the period. Exports to China grew by over 40%, with values trebling over the last three years to reach €390 million in 2013.

8|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News SUPERVALU DONATES €100,000 TO FOCUS IRELAND SUPERVALU has donated €100,000 to Focus Ireland.

As part of SuperValu’s ongoing commitment to Irish communities, 14 cent from every 19 cent bag of carrots, net of brussel sprouts and melons sold in the days before Christmas 2013 were donated to Focus Ireland.

SuperValu continues to invest more in communities across the country than any other grocery retailer.

“We are delighted to accept this significant donation from SuperValu and its customers, which will help fund our vital work, providing over 70 services to combat and prevent homelessness across Ireland,” said Mark Byrne, Acting CEO, Focus Ireland.

“Every single euro of this donation will support this

Pictured are (l-r): Mark Byrne, Acting CEO, Focus Ireland, and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu.

work to help children and families who are homeless and trapped in an awful situation. It will also support our work to prevent many families and people from losing their home in the first place.”

RGDATA Seeks Loyalty Payment from New Lottery Operator RGDATA is seeking a once-off ‘loyalty payment’ of €15,000 respectively for retailers from the new lottery operator.

In a letter to the winning consortium, Premier Lotteries Ireland, RGDATA seeks the payment in recognition of the role played by its members in growing the business.

“It would seem only fair that if the staff of the National Lottery and the new operators of the lottery are in line for a significant return on the new investment, the Tara Buckley, RGDATA retail agents, who play such Director General. a central part in the success of the lottery should also be recognised,” argued Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA. RGDATA stipulated that the proposed payout to retailers would not come from the players’ prize pot, contributions to good causes or from the retailers’ commission, which are guaranteed under the terms of the new contract.

The letter from RGDATA was prompted by reports that National Lottery staff are seeking a “recognition payment” as part of the transfer arrangements.

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, said “At SuperValu, our retailers play an active part in their local communities so Focus Ireland, through its nationwide support of

individuals and communities, was a natural fit. The decision to make a donation from the sale of fruit and vegetables ensured we would support a worthy cause, while also following through on our on-going commitment to Irish suppliers.

“Furthermore, our decision to not follow the market in reducing prices, and instead offer a significant percentage of every sale to charity, enabled our customers to make a contribution to a worthy cause, while also supporting Irish suppliers. Offering our customers choice as well as quality and value is at the core of the SuperValu offering and we work hard to bring these values to our customers everyday across all our stores.”

IGBF GOLF EVENT THE next Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Golf Outing takes place on Thursday, May 22, at Palmerstown Stud Golf Club near Naas, Co. Kildare, from the Hermitage Golf Club.

The cost for a team of four is €1,450 and this includes the following: • Team of 4 (shotgun start 9am & 2pm); - Tee times will be allocated on a first come,

first served basis; - Format will be a scramble again this year; • Tee sponsorship for your company (if you wish); • Light breakfast for morning shotgun starters; • Light lunch for all golfers; • Dinner for all golfers at prize giving; • Goodie bag for all golfers; • Entry of all golfers into Beat the Pro competition; • Unlimited use of driving range before your round; • Use of the clubs Steam room and Sauna after your round.

“This is always an excellent event and an excellent opportunity to network with all our colleagues in the grocery trade throughout the day,” notes Leonard Hegarty, IGBF. For further details or a booking form, email leonard@trl.ie.

MATCH YOUR HALF

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PLUS HUNDREDS OF PRIZES TO BE WON DAILY AVAILABLE ON PROMOTIONAL 12 & 20 PACK BOTTLE / 8 & 12 PACK CAN ENGAGING TTL CAMPAIGN – TV, DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORTED BY INNOVATIVE POS & IN-STORE THEATRE NATIONWIDE 7 WEEK PROMOTIONAL PERIOD FROM THE 3RD OF MARCH.

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROMOTION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ONLY. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.

10|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Value Centre Sligo Gets €600,000 Upgrade VALUE Centre Sligo has just completed a major re-haul, following a €600,000 investment from owners BWG Foods. The cash & carry, now 30 years in business, has been completely renovated and expanded to 25,000 square feet. The new look site boasts an enhanced range of products, with even more emphasis on value and special offers, and a new layout that will improve the shopping experience for customers.

“This upgrade project is very exciting for us and has arisen out of the need for increased capacity and efficiencies. We have serviced local businesses in the North West for over three decades and we look forward to serving our loyal customers into the future from our new improved Cash & Carry,” noted Jacquie Conlon, Manager, pictured with Donal Kelly, Sales Developer; Jim Scollen, Assistant Manager; and Ciaran Morris, Sales Developer.

Applegreen Exceeds Charity Expectations

New Subs Franchise Launches 60 new jobs will be created with the opening of a new food-to-go franchise, Nom Nom Subs. This franchise has been developed by Complete Cuisine, a family run business with more than 40 years’ experience within the food industry.

The franchise concept began in 2011 and has seen an investment by Complete Cuisine of more than €500,000 in developing this new venture. Following the successful opening of its first store on Westland Row in Dublin, Nom Nom Subs now plan further store openings, and expect to create over 60 new jobs over the coming 18-month period as a result of 10 new store openings nationwide. “We wanted to create a strong brand with a fun personality,” said Dermot Hanrahan, Sales Director, Complete Cuisine (pictured).

THE Applegreen Charitable Fund, now in its fifth year, has exceeded expectations by donating more than €405k to be split between its charity partners The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation and Console, 59% higher than the target set for this two-year charity drive involving Applegreen’s customers and Applegreen service stations nationwide. Funds raised came from Applegreen’s 1 cent campaign, whereby 1 cent from every shop and shop and fuel transaction was automatically added to the receipt with no additional cost to the customer. In addition, money also came from the charity boxes placed in all Applegreen Service Stations and a large number of charity site events organised by the staff in the service stations, such as fun runs, car wash days and static cycles. Pictured at the Applegreen service station, Mount Merrion, Dublin are: Paul Kelly, Founder & CEO, Console; Brendan O’Connor; RTE; Joe Barrett; COO; Applegreen; Aidan Power, RTE; and Jonathan Irwin, Founder & CEO, Jack & Jill.

Retail Solutions signs contracts with SPAR Scotland RETAIL Solutions, based in Tuam, Co. Galway, has signed contract with CJ Lang & Son Limited who are based in Dundee since 1919 and are Scotland’s largest independent retailing and distribution company.

They are a master SPAR franchise holder with over 300 supermarkets. “In our view, Retail Solutions have the most complete EPOS solution for our type of Convenience Store Operation,” said Graham Murdoch. IT Director from CJ Lang and Son Limited, pictured (second from right) with Seamus Quinn, Retail Solutions; Albert Czaja, Cunninghams EPOS UK; and Chris O’ Neill, MD, Retail Solutions.

Topaz Opens Airport Service Station

TOPAZ has opened a new state-of-the-art service station at Dublin Airport.

The €3m redevelopment of the site has transformed it into one of the most modern and best equipped in the country. 20 people are employed full-time at the 24/7 station. The new site features live Departures/ Arrivals information which will be very useful for travellers. It also has a cafe, hot food deli, Wi-Fi internet access, EV charger, car wash and a pay-atpump facility. Pictured at the opening are (l-r): John Williamson, Chief Executive of Topaz; model Angelia Salomao; and Kevin Toland, Chief Executive of Dublin Airport Authority.

now

everyone’s

going to want one...

...so stock up today.

McVitie’s, enjoyed by Irish families for generations, is about to get even more popular!

Our new, €1 million McVitie’s sweeetTM campaign spans TV, digital, PR and bespoke shopper activity.

A campaign so impactful, our biscuits will fly off the shelves.

12|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Kearneys Sign for National Dairy Council PROFESSIONAL Irish rugby icons Rob and Dave Kearney will line out as ambassadors to the National Dairy Council in this, the 50th anniversary year of the NDC. “The Kearney brothers are terrific role models who resonate with adults and children alike,” said NDC Chief Executive Zoë Kavanagh.

“They bring together an established and a rising star of Irish sports – and are collectively an embodiment of balanced diet and active lifestyle.” Dave and Rob Kearney are pictured with National Dairy Council nutritionists Dr. Catherine Logan and Caroline O’Donovan. As part of their work with the NDC in the coming year, the Kearney brothers will film a new television advertisement. The NDC wants to highlight that good nutrition starts with a balanced diet - including dairy and that good eating habits start when you’re young.

Food & Hospitality Ireland Moves To CityWest CEMENTING its place within the food, drink and hospitality industries, Food & Hospitality Ireland is returning with a bigger event and a new location in 2014. Taking place on September 17 and 18, 2014, the event is relocating to the CityWest Events Centre to facilitate the growing number of exhibitors and visitors who are attending the event from across the county.

Following the inaugural show - which incorporated the SHOP expo - the event organisers, Fresh Montgomery and its Irish partner, Irish Services Montgomery, have decided that now is the time to build on the trade show to ensure its status as one of Ireland’s flagship trade events. Returning to Food & Hospitality Ireland will be its trade partners, the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, while plans are in place to ensure there’s a dedicated section of the event that’s specifically tailored to offer products, solutions and insights for the retail sector, whilst the organisers will also be seeking out food and drink producers and manufacturers. See www.foodhospitality.ie for more.

Gala Performance for Disney Movie PICTURED at the Disney premiere of Frozen at Movies@ Dundrum are Gala CEO, Gary Desmond, and Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh, RTE. Gala partnered with Disney to also host exclusive preview screenings of the new Disney movie in Galway, Cork, Limerick, Laois and Leitrim. This was Gala’s third partnership with Disney, with previous screenings of Monster’s University and Wreck It Ralph. Gala has also partnered with Disney’s Frozen to give Facebook fans the chance to win a luxury weekend at Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa.

Topaz Partners with Toyota

TOPAZ and Toyota have announced details of a new partnership which will see the car manufacturer supply four new cars for the Topaz loyalty game, Play or Park, in 2014.

Over 200,000 people play the loyalty game, which kicked off in January, with a striking five-door, six-speed Toyota Auris up for grabs. Pictured at the launch of the new partnership are Paul Candon (left), Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz; Laura Murphy, Loyalty Manager, Topaz; and Steve Tormey, Deputy MD at Toyota Ireland.

ISM Lifetime Award Presented HERMAN Goelitz Rowland Sr, Chairman of the Board of the Jelly Belly Candy Company, is the first award winner of the ISM Lifetime Award. The new international award, from the world’s largest and most important trade fair for confectionery and snack items, ISM in Cologne, was presented to him during a formal gala dinner on January 26, 2014. The prize pays tribute to exceptional services in the confectionery and snack item sector, as was emphasised during the prize-giving ceremony. Today, Jelly Belly Beans are loved, devoured and enjoyed in over 70 countries across the globe. The Jelly Belly Candy Company can produce 46,000 beans a day, that makes 347 sweets a second. The range has expanded from eight flavours up to today’s lineup of 50 official sorts.

CRIMINALS WILL MAKE A PACKET!

CONSUMERS WILL SEE

CRIMINALS WILL SEE

The complexity and sophistication involved in the production of tobacco packaging ensures products are difficult to reproduce by counterfeiters. Any move to plain packaging will only benefit the counterfeiter and criminals who produce fake products.

Plain packaging for tobacco products, if implemented, would result in the removal of all forms of branding i.e. trademarks, logos, colours and graphics. The brand name would be presented in a uniform typeface for all brands and the packs would be in one plain neutral colour.

Illicit traders will effectively be given a blueprint of how to make every pack.

Non Irish Duty Paid (NIDP) already accounts for between 20% and 28% of all tobacco consumed in Ireland. Criminals are reportedly generating approximately â‚Ź3 million per week from illegal tobacco sales.

If implemented, plain packaging will only make illicit trade worse.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE

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Industry News Donnelly’s Fresh Approach DONNELLY’S Prepared Produce division, Wonderfoods, has announced the roll-out of nationwide in-store sampling and cooking demonstrations of its freshly prepared vegetable and salad products. The in-store sampling will be executed by consumer marketing and event management specialists, BrandTactics, and will take place in a range of Superquinn, EUROSPAR and SuperValu stores across the country.

The Donnelly promotional activity will lead directly to the creation of eight new roles within BrandTactics. Donnelly’s Wonderfoods company produce great tasting deli salads, ready to eat salad leaves, and prepared vegetables in their North Co. Dublin premises. Alan Waters, Marketing Manager for Donnelly’s, is pictured with sampling staff.

JMOB Toast to Irish Cricket

IRELAND’S oldest bakery, Johnston Mooney & O’Brien have renewed their sponsorship deal with Cricket Ireland, which will see the Irish-owned company continuing as official baked goods supplier to Irish Cricket for a further two years. “We are delighted to renew our sponsorship support of Cricket Ireland for the next two years,” said Johnston Mooney & O’Brien Managing Director, John Rooney.

“We wish them continued success at this year’s ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh and are excited about the build up to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.” Pictured at the announcement are members of the Irish Cricket team, Alex Cusack, Kevin O’ Brien and Max Sorensen, with Denis Cousins, Cricket Ireland, and John Rooney, Managing Director, Johnston Mooney & O’Brien.

Topaz Play Their Part in NY Win CORK’S Edward Creedon is celebrating after he won an all expenses paid luxury trip for four to New York along with €8,000 spending money in Topaz’s latest Play or Park loyalty game.

Edward is pictured receiving his prize from Laura Murphy, Topaz Loyalty Manager.

Cobh Steps Up for Cholesterol Challenge

THE town of Cobh in Co. Cork has signed up to take part in a three-week healthy eating and activity challenge aimed at raising awareness of cholesterol, one of the main causes of coronary heart disease in Ireland. The challenge, entitled It Takes A Town, is being activated by Flora pro-activ in a bid to encourage people across Ireland to make easy lifestyle changes to reduce their cholesterol. Everyone who takes part in Cobh will receive one-to-one healthy eating consultations, a variety of healthy recipe tips and the chance to engage in a range of group fitness activities. Pictured are (l-r): Cobh Mayor, John Mulvihill; celebrity Chef Martin Shanahan; and Flora pro.activ Marketing Manager, Suzanne O’Hara, with Cobh residents at the launch of It Takes A Town.

SEAI Energy Show 2014 THE Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Energy Show 2014 will take place at the RDS in Dublin on March 12 and 13. The annual two-day business event, now in its fourteenth year, is the key energy showcase in the Irish calendar – a must for those who want to be up to speed on the latest energy saving solutions. The Energy Show 2014 will feature a trade exhibition, presenting leading suppliers of sustainable energy products and services, a seminar programme covering current topics in the energy sector, a live best practice energy retrofit demonstration area, an international markets networking area, events, workshops, and lots more. For more information, see www.seai.ie/EnergyShow.

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Retail Ireland: Monthly Update RETAIL IRELAND CONFERENCE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED RETAIL Ireland has announced some of the line-up for its 2014 conference, taking place on May 6 at the Gibson Hotel, in partnership with MasterCard.

The keynote speaker will be The Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe. She began her retail career in 1997 when she joined Tesco as Group Director of Corporate Affairs. She went on to become Company Secretary (20042006), before being appointed to the Board of Tesco plc where she was Executive Director of Corporate and Legal Affairs from 2006 to January 2013.

Previous to her career in retail, she served as a senior civil servant in a number of UK Government departments, starting with the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, where she was private secretary to the Minister. In 2007 she won a European Women of Achievement Award.

Chairing the conference will be publishing entrepreneur Norah Casey. Norah is owner and CEO of Harmonia, Ireland’s largest magazine publishing company, printing over four million magazines annually for the Irish, British and US market.

Norah was also a Dragon in RTE’s show Dragons Den (2011 and 2012) and is a regular contributor to current affairs and women’s programmes.

Tickets and more information are available on www.retailireland.ie

Norah Casey, publishing entrepreneur and CEO of Harmonia, will chair the Conference.

The Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe, keynote speaker at the Retail Ireland Conference, in partnership with MasterCard.

Retail Ireland Launches Strategy for Retail: 2014-2016 RETAIL Ireland has published its Strategy for Retail: 2014-2016. This significant piece of research sets out what can be achieved if the retail industry is supported on a sustainable path to recovery.

Key findings discussed in the paper, included the following: • Retail directly employs over 275,000 people and is the largest employer in Ireland; • 75% of retail jobs are located outside Dublin; • Retail generates over €5 billion in taxes every year and pays over €8 billion in wages; • 90% of retail businesses are Irishowned and 77% are family owned; • If retail sales can start to grow by 3-4% per annum from 2016, the sector can create as many as 40,000 new jobs.

“Our Strategy for Retail has been warmly received and has already been circulated to industry leaders, Government Ministers and key public policy decision-makers,” noted Stephen Lynam, Director of Retail Ireland. “The Strategy will be used to support Retail Ireland’s advocacy work over the next two years.”

See full report on Page 32.

To access a copy of the paper, visit www.retailireland.ie.

CONSUMER SPENDING TO RISE

BY OVER 1% RETAIL Ireland recently launched its New Year’s statement, forecasting that consumer spending will rise by 1.3% in 2014, the first such increase since the start of the recession. Despite ongoing pressures in the retail sector, there have been several positive indications that consumer confidence is building. While forecasted growth of 1.3% is admittedly low, it is a significant move in the right direction. Consumer spending fell in 2012 and was largely static in 2013. At present, goods inflation is in negative territory as shops battle for footfall. This intense competition in the retail sector is likely to keep prices down in 2014, thus stimulating consumer activity, resulting in a welcome increase in spending.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie

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Retail News Interview

Super Quinn Senator Feargal Quinn discusses the big issues facing Ireland’s retail sector, including upward-only rent reviews, the high cost of doing business in Ireland and the proposed introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products.

SENATOR Feargal Quinn is probably Ireland’s best known and loved grocery retailer, despite the fact that he hasn’t been a practicing retailer since 2005, when his beloved Superquinn was sold.

Since forming Quinn’s Supermarkets in Dundalk in 1960, Quinn quickly established himself as arguably Ireland’s most progressive retailer. For 45 years, he was a familiar figure on the shop floor, greeting customers personally and listening to their needs, even when Superquinn grew to become one of the foremost names in Irish grocery retailing. His philosophy

of ‘Crowning The Customer’ is one that served him well and helped to change Irish retailing forever.

A member of the Seanad since 1993, the affable workaholic has for years provided the voice of reason when it comes to the retail grocery sector, never afraid to take on the Government when he feels policy changes will effect retailers and retail jobs. Indeed, recent years have seen Quinn famously help other retailers via RTE’s ‘Feargal Quinn’s Retail Therapy’, whereby he uses his business acumen to aid ailing store owners to turn their business around.

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Retail News Interview Not one to rest on his laurels, Seanad reform is currently high on Quinn’s agenda. “I believe that when the Referendum was lost by the Government, it was lost to people who wanted to see a reformed Seanad and not just a retained Seanad,” he says. “I’m putting my heart, soul and effort into seeing if we can convince the Government to have a reformed Seanad, one that would be more democratic, in which every citizen would have a vote. Ireland would have a much better democracy if the citizens owned the Seanad.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Quinn is typically forthright in his views on the state of Ireland’s grocery market in 2014, the issues affecting the sector and how the Government can help the category back to growth.

Do you think that the Government is doing enough in terms of helping Ireland’s beleaguered retail industry?

I think the Government is doing its best but there is so much more it could do. For instance, it can make it much easier to set up a business. Firstly, according to The World Bank’s Cost of Doing Business Report 2014, it takes four procedures and as long as 10 days to start a business in Ireland. In New Zealand, it takes just one procedure and half a day to set-up a business, costing just €100. We should be aiming towards this.

Also, the Government could look at getting rid of old legislation and redtape that hinders the retail industry.

In the UK, they introduced a system called ‘one in – one out’ whereby if the Government introduced one measure that affected business, they would have to take another one out. They have moved further on that now and the new system is called ‘one in – two out’ whereby the Government pledges to remove two pieces of legislation for every one they introduce. These measures have saved UK businesses around £1bn in burdens since 2010. We should be looking to do this here.

On this note, the Government should examine the possibility of not imposing the same burdens on small retailers or SMES as those placed on a multinational company. Should we impose the same legislation on a company of, say 500 people and a company of, say, four, people? Look at France, where many regulations come into force once firms employ 50 workers. We should consider doing similar here.

The retail grocery sector is a massive source of employment in Ireland.

How do you think employment in this

sector could be increased?

We are seeing much more competition in this area, which is always a good thing for the customer. I think that something that is often not mentioned is the fact that in the natural scheme of things, we are going to see more employment in the grocery retail sector, given that Ireland has the fastest growing population in the EU. This is an amazing opportunity. We are going to need more grocery retailers and staff in the sector to serve the bigger population.

Many small businesses, including grocery retailers, feel they cannot increase staff levels due to the high costs of doing business in Ireland (labour, energy, Local Authority charges etc). What can be done to relieve the burden on retailers, so they can start to hire new staff?

We could give more tax breaks and consider some new ideas. What if we were to allow tax-credits to be converted to cash if a business hires an employee? That is, what if the tax credits that start-ups have at the end of the year could be converted into cash now? What SMEs and especially start-up companies need is immediate cash and cash-flow. If a start-up hired an employee, then the tax-credit could be converted into cash – this is what happened in the US and it was a big success. This cash incentive worked and I believe the Government should try this idea out.

The cost of labour, in particular, is extremely high here. The Government’s plans to reintroduce JLC rates has been broadly slammed by the trade. Where do you stand on this issue?

More barriers on business at this time where the economy is starting to recover is not the way to go. The Government should first tackle issues like Sunday pay, which can be a massive cost on business. I welcome that Government is moving in this area with regard to hotels and restaurants.

Another massive cost is rent, with a large proportion of landlords either refusing to engage with tenants on rent reductions or imposing upwardonly rent reviews. The Government initially proposed to reform and streamline landlord and tenant law for businesses but subsequently rowed back on this. You brought a bill do abolish upward-only rent reviews to the Seanad. What more do you think can be done?

I have worked for over a year with experts to come up with a viable

solution – a piece of legislation that overcomes the argument that we cannot get rid of upward-only rent reviews because of the Constitution.

My Bill will get rid of upward-only rent reviews and aims to give business leeway to agree a level of rent that reflects the current rental values along their street - a value that reflects the economic realities of 2013, not a value which is stuck in 2006. This is a real and concrete example of what the Seanad can do - to bring a sensible solution to an issue which the Government has simply not tackled.

The Government can simply get behind my Bill. If we can get rid of upwardonly rent reviews for businesses that are locked into massive rents, then we can set the conditions for more growth in the retail sector. The Government will simply be fulfilling an election promise if they support my Bill on upward only rents.

How can landlords be made to realise that they are better off with a tenant paying a reduced rent, in line with the market, than to have a vacant property on their books?

In the normal life of a business, businesspeople are able to renegotiate on almost a daily basis to keep their business viable. I know this situation very well. However, at the moment, the painful status quo means that businesses have to pay exorbitant rates come hell or high water. In terms of businesses stuck in Celtic Tiger era rents, if the Government supported my Upward Only Rent (Clauses and

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Retail News Interview Reviews) Bill 2013 Bill, it would give businesses the freedom to renegotiate their rents and landlords would soon realise they are better off getting a reduced rent than have a vacant property.

The rates issue is not going away, with many retailers struggling to pay Local Authority Rates, which they feel are excessive and anti-competitive How can this issue be addressed?

This is something the Government has to look at urgently especially in terms of even more charges like water charges being imposed on retailers.

We need not only to think of new business – but to make sure that existing businesses survive. This can be done by examining all regulations, taxes and barriers on businesses and perhaps giving temporary relief at this challenging time.

Again, some retailers feel rates are unfairly calculated, in that they are based on store size rather than turnover. Surely a rural store with low footfall and consequently low turnover is at a disadvantage when compared to a small, high density urban store? How can this be addressed?

This is a difficult question as there are so many variables. The rural store may have a very small rent compared to the city centre shop.

Again I would say that all barriers need to be examined and perhaps some temporary relief can be granted by the Government.

The energy market is another source of high costs. Cost increases from both ESB and Bord Gais will put added pressure on already stressed retailers and suppliers. What more can be done to ensure Ireland’s energy costs are in line with our European neighbours?

This is a massive concern for businesses up and down the country. I think that reduced VAT rates on some of those services for some businesses could be one way to go to make sure that retailers survive this turbulent time. I have never understood the idea that the ESB is not profitable enough and we have to put prices up to encourage competition. We need to continue this drive towards competitiveness and continue to bring down rent, wages and energy prices, amongst other costs.

Unfortunately in Ireland, there is no debate on alternative sources of energy such as hydraulic fracturing.

Shale gas has slashed energy costs for businesses and households in the US and provided a massive stimulus to the economy. I am not saying this is the right or wrong way to go but I am

saddened to see a lack of debate on some issues that are simply considered ‘taboo’ with politicians just looking at the next election and not on the national, long-term level.

Access to credit has been a major problem for retailers, since the economy went into recession. On one hand, the banks insist they are offering loans to SMEs, yet anecdotal evidence suggests that it is now harder to get credit than ever before.

What can the Government do to ensure that our small businesses, the lifeblood of our economy, can access the necessary credit in order to survive?

I think that banks need to be analysed much more closely in this regard. I am not sure that enough is being done to monitor if loans are getting to the right SMEs. In credit to the Government, they have supported several microfinance schemes but for one reason or another, there has not been a large take-up. Much more needs to be done in this regard to make SMEs aware of such credit. Also, we need to encourage SMEs to look beyond the banks and consider crowd-funding.

Linked Finance, where I am involved, is a great example - businesses have to prove to customers and supporters online that they are worthy of credit.

It is an easy and straightforward way to access credit and I believe it is the future.

There has been a lot of debate on the issue of below cost selling and calls for a Grocery Code of Practice to regulate supplier-retailer relationships.

As someone with extensive experience of the grocery trade, do you feel there is a need for a statutory code of practice and an ombudsman?

I don’t think there is a need for a Code of Conduct and an Ombudsman, as the retail sector employs a massive number of people and I am wary of job losses that may result due to more regulations and costs put on business.

I think it worth re-iterating the arguments of Retail Ireland when it comes to the possibility of introducing a Code of Conduct in the grocery goods sector. They have made the very valid point that the Competition Authority has already stated that the retail sector is competitive. I know from my own experience as a retailer, that it is an extremely competitive sector where you cannot stand still for a minute. I had to make sure that customers came to my shop instead of my competitors down the street. That meant giving them the right product at the right price at the right time. We had to

“We have a low smoking rate compared to most of the world and often we forget this.

I don’t think that lumping more taxes on cigarettes at each budget is the way forward. We are just forcing people to the black market, where arguably even more dangerous products are available.” innovate to do that. Indeed, there were very tight margins. Given the crossborder nature of retail, I would be slightly concerned that if Ireland was to go alone here, we would be making ourselves less competitive. Ireland, going alone with a statutory Code of Conduct, may not be the best idea at the moment. Perhaps if this was done on the EU-wide level, there would be more of an argument.

Minister Reilly’s proposal to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products in Ireland will probably have many unintended consequences for retailers. How do you think plain packaging will directly impact on the retail trade in Ireland?

While everyone is well aware of how harmful cigarettes are, this measure will likely impact negatively on small retailers. There is an argument that the measure actually aid counterfeiters and fuels the black market, impacting especially upon smaller retailers. We should be doing everything to cut out the black market, and that includes areas like fuel laundering, which is thriving, largely due to high taxes on fuel. Also, there are a lot of other concerns surrounding plain packaging, such as the fact it may take longer to serve customers and customers are much more likely to get the wrong product. It may also be difficult to see what exactly effect plain packaging

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Retail News Interview itself has on reducing smoking.

How do you believe the introduction of such a measure may impact on the illicit tobacco trade in Ireland, which is already at unacceptable levels and costing the state in excess of €250 million per annum?

I think the Government forgets the Laffer Curve in this regard – now that the cost of cigarettes is around €10, it is fuelling the black market. The Government forgets that sometimes if you lower taxes, you bring in more revenue and you stifle the black market at the same time. Any proposal to raise taxes should take into account the very basic principle of the Laffer Curve.

Do you believe this will lead to a reduction in youth smoking in Ireland or should the Government consider alternatives to help achieve this aim?

We have a low smoking rate compared to most of the world and often we forget this. I don’t think that lumping more taxes on cigarettes at each budget is the way forward. We are just forcing people to the black market, where arguably even more dangerous products are available. One of the interesting findings of recent studies is that young people have little problem getting cigarettes from their parents and this is an area that deserves more attention.

What are your thoughts on the slippery slope argument, that it is tobacco today and potentially alcohol tomorrow? Don’t you believe this will cast a lot of doubt on Ireland as a place to do business?

Now that we have regained our economic sovereignty, I would like to see more public debate on freedom in all levels of society. I think that people are too passive when it comes to Government making laws. Politicians make laws which often put

more restrictions on people’s lives but Government never withdraws laws – I hate to see a move towards the nanny state. Indeed, often the Gardaí are used by the Government to check tax on cars for instance, rather than concentrating on areas of concern to citizens such as burglaries or violence. There is no debate on how the Gardaí are manipulated. In terms of business, Governments put more and more regulations on business but they never withdraw them – that is something the Seanad could do, removing laws so that the environment is easier for businesses.

The quest for value has seen huge price slashing and deep discounting right across the FMCG spectrum.

Have we bottomed out?

We probably have hit somewhere near the bottom.

This competition is good for the customer but it is not really sustainable over the longer term. There is a general sense in the retail trade that there is a recovery ongoing, and there is a lot more confidence.

Therefore, I think it is safe to say that there is a general inflationary trend with an improving economy.

You have always been an advocate of crowning the customer. Yet, in the current climate, value and price has taken precedence over

customer service. How can this be addressed?

In particular, SMEs can take advantage at this time – they can offer something different that the big multiples are no-longer offering – superior customer service. I feel that many businesses often got a ‘free pass’ during the boom years and took their customers for granted. Businesses must step up to the plate and increase their standards in spite of the economic environment. They are the ones that are succeeding. I know of one business from Retail Therapy that we worked with which had a 100% increase in sales in just a few months when it improved its business, in particular its customer service. Retailers should be looking for ‘The Boomerang Effect’ - “You want the customer to come right back to you – superior customer service will result in more business”.

Does customer service still matter as much as it did in the heyday of Superquinn?

It certainly does. SMEs must have a unique selling point that will make them stand out from the competition and attract customers to their door. In many cases, it is your own personality that brings the customer back! It is so important to be great at one thing so that customers will bypass the competition.

There must be one thing that people say, ‘I’m going

to go past that shop across the road, at the other end of town or next door, because I really want what that retailer has.’

How did you feel when Superquinn was sold to the Musgrave Group and the subsequent news that its stores are to be rebranded as SuperValu?

I was of course sad to see the Superquinn name go, given the fact that the brand is so well known and it carries such cache in marketing terms. I can understand the wish to bring the company’s brands into line, but I think simply disposing of a brand that customers love and trust with a reputation that took over 40 years to buildup is something that could be a questionable move.

In general terms, how do you feel Ireland’s indigenous retailers can help to lift the economy out of recession?

They are helping and many are thriving in the current climate. They are the main drivers of recovery. What I would say is that retailers have to take account of the fact that Ireland has the fastest growing population in the EU so there is a need for even more retailers to provide for the growing population. They need to look at the medium and long-term, which is very bright for retail in Ireland.

Economies by their nature are cyclical– prosperity will come back. I have lived through several economic downturns – there will be good times and harder times.

I opened in a recession, so they don’t scare me hugely.

When I go back and think of when I started in 1960, I was 23. The economy was very poor at the time. In the 1970s, we had expanded and things were very bad at that stage as well. When you look back into the 1980s, things were tough in those times too. I didn’t know what a recession was – all the time was a challenge for business.

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Feeding Ireland’s Future

Grocery Industry Aims to Grow Employment

Pictured are Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD, with Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland; and Jill Ross, Managing Director, Unilever Ireland.

Feeding Ireland’s Future is a new initiative by the Irish food and grocery industry to support unemployed young people in their search for work.

FEEDING Ireland’s Future is a new initiative which involves food and grocery companies throughout Ireland, as well as service providers to the sector, providing free pre-employment skills for young people during a designated Skills for Work Week from March 3-7 this year.

The companies will provide a range of initiatives, including free on-site skills workshops and site visits

for young people at locations across Ireland during Skills for Work Week.

The focus will be on developing preemployment skills and will include advice on CVs, interview training and behind the scenes tours of factories, depots and offices.

The initiative is being promoted

by ECR Ireland, with the support of its members, in partnership with the Department of Social Protection

through its Intreo service, which helps those unemployed with their employment and income support services needs. The percentage of young people on the Live Register in December 2013 was 15%. Whilst this is down from 17.1% in December 2011, responding to this situation is a key priority for the Government.

“We are in a crisis of our times, with a huge amount of young,

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Feeding Ireland’s Future unemployed people in the country,” noted Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland. “One in four young people in Ireland are unemployed,” he said, “hence the reason and rationale for prioritising Feeding Ireland’s Future.”

Opportunities For Everybody Speaking at the launch, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, said: “It is absolutely critical, as we move from a very difficult phase in the country’s history to a recovery phase that we really open out the opportunities of recovery to everybody, in particular to people who, mostly through no fault of their own, have found themselves unemployed, some for a very long period of time.”

The skills mix of young people seeking jobs is vast, Minister Burton noted. “We need to offer a diversity of options for young jobseekers because they are not a homogenous group. We have young people with significant qualifications but who lack work experience and others who left school early and have few if any qualifications but who may possess an aptitude which would be of immense benefit to any employer. Their needs are very different and we have to provide for this diversity of needs.

This initiative is a key component in meeting those needs.”

She cited the examples of numerous highly qualified people, some even with PhDs, who “came out of college at the wrong time, in the middle of a great recession and simply couldn’t find work”, while others haven’t been able to get the “starter or middle entry jobs that would normally have been available”.

The Minister referred to other EU countries, where youth unemployment levels are far lower than in Ireland.

The missing link here, she said, has been the active participation and partnership of employers.

She promised that her department will work very closely with employers to help to get people back into employment. “We have ambitious plans this year to see the numbers of people unemployed fall. We know that the level of economic recovery in the economy is gaining strength. This should be reflected in more people going back to work. Some of those jobs will be going to people who are coming out of school or college as we speak, but my aim would be that a significant number of those jobs should go to people who have been on the Live Register, because it is that mix that will really cement the economic recovery in the country.”

Sustained Success of the Grocery Industry Feeding Ireland’s Future is being led by two board members of ECR Ireland, Jill Ross, Managing Director of Unilever Ireland, and David O’Neill, Managing Director of SHS Sales & Marketing. Explaining why the issue brought so many industry players together, Jill Ross noted how “today’s young people are tomorrow’s workforce and I think this initiative marks a real step-change for us as a food and grocery industry, stepping up collectively to invest more and really inspire our young people. It’s not just the right thing to do for society, but actually it’s critical for the sustained success of our industry.”

The inspiration for the initiative came from Feeding Britain’s Future in the UK, which has grown to become a Skills For Work month, and last year saw 190 companies in the UK offering skills interventions at 1,200 locations across the UK. Indeed, Ross noted how she is “excited about potential of this initiative over the years to come”.

She thanked the Minister for working so collaboratively with the FMCG industry on this initiative. “It is only by collaborating and working together that we can have such an impact.”

“It has been refreshing working with the Department of Social Protection and seeing their commitment to working with industry in achieving this ideal,” agreed Declan Carolan. “They have the important task of liaising with every single company involved to source the young, unemployed people for every single event that is taking place.”

Over the course of the next month, the Department of Social Protection will be identifying and contacting young people who would benefit from this unique opportunity to enhance their employability skills via the expertise and advice of employers in their locality.

Carolan argued that sometimes there can be a disconnect between employers and potential employees when it comes to the job search and that job seekers aren’t the only ones who will benefit from the initiative.

“We think employers have something to learn from the process, particularly in giving feedback to young people who are unsuccessful in their applications.

In many cases, there isn’t a vehicle or a medium for them to do that.”

Why Get Involved?

Carolan summed up the reasons why companies should get involved in Feeding Ireland’s Future:

To invest in young people.

When Feeding Britain’s Future took place in the UK, 98% of participants felt more confident about applying for work as a result; • To be proud of the food and grocery sector, which is one of the biggest employers in Ireland; • To motivate your team. “One of the softer benefits to come out of Feeding Britain’s Future was that 85% of participating businesses said that those who helped with the delivery of the training benefited from their involvement,” he noted; • To spot talent.

“I hope as many companies as possible participate so that future employers will favourably recognise those applicants who have participated in the Skills for Work week,” he said.

“Our industry needs to collectively step up and help inspire young people and I believe that Feeding Ireland’s Future can play a significant role in this ideal.”

Companies already signed up for Feeding Ireland’s Future include some of Ireland’s leading names in the grocery industry, from retailers such as Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, Tesco, Maxol and Topaz to manufacturers and suppliers, including Cuisine de France, J&J, Keelings, Kellogg's, Kerry Foods, Mars, Mondelez, Nestle, P&G, SHS Sales & Marketing and Unilever, who will open their doors to give young unemployed people firsthand experience of the workings of production and marketing.

Furthermore, logistics companies such as the PRL Group and Pulse Logistics are also signed-up.

These companies will provide a range of initiatives for young people right across the country, including •

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Feeding Ireland’s Future

Pictured at the launch of Feeding Ireland’s Future at the offices of PwC were: David O’Neill, Managing Director, SHS Sales & Marketing; Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD; Declan Carolan, General Manager, ECR Ireland; Jill Ross, Managing Director, Unilever Ireland.

site visits, advice on CVs, conducting mock interviews, providing feedback, interview tips and techniques, as well as behind the scenes tours of factories, depots and offices.

Highlighting the Career Path A lot of young people see the grocery retail and FMCG sector as a part-time career or merely a stepping stone to something else. How can an initiative like Feeding Ireland’s Future show our young people that there is a potential career path in this industry?

“This initiative has got

participation from right across the grocery industry,” noted Jill Ross.

“With retailers, we have everyone from Tesco and Musgrave to Topaz and Maxol. We have the breadth of suppliers and manufacturers, from Kerry and Keelings, to service providers, like Kantar etc. What young people will have exposure to is the breadth of careers within FMCG. “I think that the wide range of opportunities within our industry often aren’t that visible to people who may be looking for work,” she continued.

“One of the things we hope to get out of

Member Companies of Feeding Ireland’s Future Allied Logistics Category Solutions Cuisine de France Galmere Fresh Foods GS1 Ireland Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard J&J Johnson Brothers Kantar Worldpanel

Keelings Kellogg's Kerry Foods Largo Foods Mars The Maxol Group Mondelez International The Musgrave Group Nestle P&G

PRL Group PwC Pulse Logistics SHS Sales & Marketing STL Logistics Spirit Executive Tesco Ireland Topaz Energy Unilever Valeo Foods

this is that people see that breadth of opportunity. One of the statistics from Feeding Britain’s Future was that 93% of people who participated would be more likely to consider a career in the industry as a result.”

Declan Carolan agrees that there are a plethora of opportunities available in the FMCG sector, from HR to finance, supply chain to marketing, category management to store management. “Maybe we don’t market ourselves well enough,” he says.

The other thing about the grocery sector is that it is a real meritocracy,” argued Ross. “There are numerous examples, both in Ireland and other countries, where you can come in at the bottom and work your way right to the top. It is full of entrepreneurs, and who better to hear from in terms of inspiring young people to take that first step into the industry?”

The last word, however, goes to the Minister: “It is the most critical national job for all of us in Government, in partnership with employers, to try to give everybody an opportunity to participate in the Irish economy.”

ECR member companies interested in participating in Feeding Ireland’s Future should contact: declancarolan@ecrireland.ie or T 087 235 2148

Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie|23

Centra Retailer Conference

Centra Sales Hit €1.48 Billion Martin Kelleher, Centra Managing Director, addresses delegates at the Centra National Retailer Conference.

Centra’s National Retailer Conference saw the group announce a retail sales increase of 3.5% in 2013, along with plans for 20 new stores set to join the network in 2014.

CENTRA recorded retail sales of €1.48 billion in 2013, a 3.5% increase on the previous year’s performance.

Centra also revealed that it will add approximately 400 jobs, as 20 new stores are added to its network in 2014.

“2013 was a very successful year for Centra, despite the on-going challenges of the current economic climate. The increases recorded in sales and market share clearly demonstrate that consumers recognise the value, choice and quality offered by Centra,” commented Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra, at the brand’s National Retailer Conference in Killarney. “This performance was particularly driven by the Centra Own Brand range, in addition to new store openings and refurbishments.”

Three Million Customers Each Week The Centra brand also increased its overall market share in the convenience market, serving three million customers per week, further

cementing its status as the market leader in the convenience market. Centra’s growth was underpinned by sales of the Centra Own Brand range, which rose by 17%, while the company also achieved record sales during the summer period and over the Christmas holidays.

“Last year, the Centra Own Brand launch was the biggest in Centra’s 35 year history, with a total of 800 products and an investment of €8m,” Kelleher revealed. “This range has proved highly popular with consumers, delivering a 17% increase in sales over the course of the year.” The MD revealed that a further 120 new products will be added to this range in 2014.

“Buoyed by our sales performance, our retail partners also invested over €7m in new stores, extensions and refurbishments, with 20 new stores and 45,000 square feet of additional retail space,” he continued.

he said. “In 2014, we will continue to lead the market by delivering real value to consumers, ensuring Centra is top-of-mind, thanks to our headline grabbing offers and driving our Own Brand range,” Kelleher concluded. “Added to this, we will continue our support for communities across Ireland through our on-going partnership with the GAA and support for charitable causes such as Action Breast Cancer.”

Headline Grabbing Offers The Centra brand will not rest on its laurels this year,

Martin Kelleher, Centra Managing Director, Ian Allen, Centra Sales Director, and Diarmuid McHugh, Chairman, Centra Retailer Council, pictured at the 2014 Centra Conference in the Malton Hotel Killarney.

With 465 stores, Centra employs almost 10,000 people and remains committed to local employment. Centra purchases from Irish producers, selling over €1 billion of Irish goods, with 75% of all products sold in store produced or sourced in Ireland. This included €130m of Irish fresh food, in addition to over €40m spent by Centra store owners on products sourced from suppliers within their local community.

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Paper Products

The Paper Chase One of the most competitive categories in-store, the paper products market enjoys huge household penetration.

THE paper products sector is ultra-competitive, with household names and private labels competing for market share. While the sector suffered during the economic uncertainty in recent times, with consumers trading down from premium to economy brands, many commentators expect the paper products sector to bounce back stronger than ever as our economy strengthens.

According to the latest report into the sector from Euromonitor, private label has attracted a host of new consumers. However, Irish consumers love brands and the paper products sector has some of the most recognised brands in the entire grocery spectrum.

While it is a mature category, NPD can and does create excitement and demand amongst consumers. Indeed, it is expected that environmental concerns will drive future trends in the sector, as consumers become more environmentally-minded

and choose more recycled or reusable products, alongside the development of more absorbent products.

According to Euromonitor, retail tissue is a largely mature product area, with high household penetration.

There is, thus, little scope for dynamic volume growth, with future growth likely to be driven mainly by population growth, and is expected to stand at around 4%.

SCA Ireland SCA is a global hygiene and forest company that develops and produces personal care products, tissue and forest products, with sales being conducted in some hundred countries. SCA Ireland distributes and markets some well-known brands, including Cushelle and Velvet toilet tissue, Plenty household towel, Velvet and Tempo facial tissue, Bodyform towels and liners, Demak’Up cotton pads and the

2014 will see the Plenty brand continue to focus on strong marketing investment through TV advertising and shopper marketing activity to drive rate of sale.

Juan’s plenty good reasons for stocking Plenty: • • • •

’Tis the No.1 household towel brand* Has the highest brand loyalty (those crazy fans)* With the most valuable shoppers (they spend more!)* Sales Value of nearly €6M*

Have you put plenty of Plenty on your shelves, yes? *Kantar Worldpanel data w/e 8th December 2013.

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Paper Products

Cushelle has performed well and has seen a growth in spend of 16.2% year-on-year.

world-leading incontinence brand, Tena.

Plenty household towel is the number one brand in the category with over 17% value share (Source: Kantar Worldpanel, MAT, Value Share w/e December 8, 2013). 2014 will see the Plenty brand continue to focus on strong marketing investment through TV advertising and shopper marketing activity to drive rate of sale. In 2013, Plenty had a fantastic new line extension to the range with Plenty Super Strong, which delivers the cleaning power of a cloth in a paper towel.

For more information, visit www.plenty.ie.

Cushelle holds 11% value share (Source: Kantar Worldpanel, MAT, Value Share w/e December 8, 2013) of the toilet tissue category. Cushelle has performed well and has seen a growth in spend of 16.2% year-on-year (Source: Kantar

Velvet will continue to support its campaign for trees in 2014, which has already seen four million extra trees replanted through the ‘three trees promise’.

Worldpanel, MAT, Value Share w/e December 8, 2013), which has been driven by an increase in the number of shoppers and volume per buyer. In 2014, the brand will continue to drive growth with a new TV advert and strong shopper marketing activity. Ever wondered what makes Cushelle so irresistibly cushiony soft? Check out www.cushelle.ie for more information.

Velvet will continue to support its campaign for trees in 2014, which has already seen four million extra trees replanted through the ‘three trees promise’, which states that for every tree used in the manufacture of Velvet, three more will be replaced. There will also be a new pack refresh taking place in 2014 in order to reinvigorate the brand and deliver stand-out on-shelf.

For additional information around the Velvet campaign for trees, visit www.velvet.ie.

SCA is participating in the next round of the world Volvo Ocean Race in 2014-2015 with an all-female crew on an SCA branded boat. About 80% of SCA’s consumers globally are women, and this significant figure is behind SCA’s decision to sign an all-female crew for one of the sporting world’s most challenging events. The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the most demanding and challenging ocean races in existence. The teams will compete on a nine-leg race around the world, covering over 39,000 miles of the world most challenging oceans and conditions. See more at: www.sca.com.

Andrex: When Size Matters ANDREX, from Kimberly Clark Ireland, is the nation’s favourite toilet tissue, but did you know that its Classic White variant is up to 38% longer than other brands, giving consumers the benefit of needing to change the roll less often?

Andrex has invested significantly in a new cross-channel approach to raise awareness of the benefit of Andrex, and has launched a multi-platform campaign including: • A three-month heavyweight TV advertising campaign, from January to March, 2014; • Extensive OOH advertising; • In-store support, including POS and product packaging; • Digital and online campaign activation; • PR and social media

support.

Andrex is already the market leader but has a strategic focus to add value back into the category, and the new campaign aims to drive incremental growth of its mainline product, the brand’s favourite and largest contributor!

One of Ireland’s Leading Paper Manufacturers

This year, sales look good on paper...

• Plenty, Cushelle & Velvet have a total MAT Value of €23M* • Nearly one in every two ROI households bought these brands in 2013 (nearly 800K households)* • Look out for the new 2014 TV campaign for Velvet and Cushelle • Packaging refresh for Velvet and Cushelle in 2014

Stock and display Plenty, Cushelle & Velvet in your store and watch your sales soar! *Source: Kantar Worldpanel, data to w/e Dec 8th 2013

www.sca.com

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Paper Products Homestead The Homestead paper range continues to be one of the strongest categories within the Homestead portfolio. 2013 was an extremely competitive year in this category and the sales of Homestead Tissue continue to be extremely positive year-on-year.

Products like the Homestead Comfort 16 Roll (RRP â‚Ź4.99) delivered a great quality product at a very competitive price to the consumer and it was promotions like this that ensured consumer support for the Homestead Tissue Brand in 2013.

The paper range, which includes a variety of toilet rolls, kitchen towels and mansize tissues, is produced to the highest quality using 100% virgin pulp paper sourced from well managed forests.

The selection rivals any market leader, while remaining well priced in order to compete successfully in the private label market.

2013 also saw the Homestead Soft Toilet Tissue become a stronger and softer roll, allowing the consumer to benefit from increased quality at no added cost.

The rebranding of the Homestead range and the introduction of price marked packs has ensured continued day-to-day value for the consumer: these include Homestead Splash Kitchen Towels 2 Roll & 4 Roll along with the new Homestead Soft Toilet Tissue 9 Roll.

Homestead Brand Manager, Janice Gibney added, “As the market becomes increasingly competitive, it is imperative that we review our pricing on a continual basis and we look forward to bringing more savings to our consumer in 2014 to ensure we continue to bring value home.�

Products like the Homestead Comfort 16 Roll deliver a great quality product at a very competitive price to the consumer.

2013 saw the Homestead Soft Toilet Tissue become a stronger and softer roll, allowing the consumer to benefit from increased quality at no added cost.

Homestead Mansize Tissues, an integral part of the hugely popular Homestead paper range.

The Homestead paper range continues to be one of the strongest categories within the Homestead portfolio, with Splash kitchen towels a star performer.

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Paper Products Sofidel Group Kittensoft, one of Ireland’s favourite family toilet tissues was recently acquired by the Sofidel Group. The move has seen the brand undergo a redesign to become bigger and softer than before.

In October 2013, the brand was relaunched in the Irish market with huge success, and is now worth over €12.5m at retail value (Source: Kantar Worldpanel), endorsing the strength of the Kittensoft brand and the loyalty of its consumers.

The brand re-launch was supported by a hugely popular TV advert, on line give-aways and in-store promotions.

Following the re-launch, Kittensoft limited edition Winter Snow 18 & 24 roll retailers. From Nicky Soft Touch 2 ply Toilet Tissue to the Kittensoft Adorably Soft: one of the best-selling products in the Kittensoft portfolio. packs were launched and will remain available until March 2014.

2014 will bring even more exciting developments for the new Nicky Elite 3 ply Aloe Vera premium variant, the Nicky Kittensoft Brand. ‘Emma’, the popular TV advertisement, brand offers great choice to the consumer. will be back in February and again later in the year.

In the Kitchen towel area, Nicky Lemon, a decorated Limited edition packs will be available throughout the kitchen towel with a lemon scented core, is a huge hit year, displaying different themes for different seasons and with the Irish consumer. 2013 saw this popular product the Sofidel Group will also be launching some new superlaunched in a 4 roll pack size, alongside its 2 roll variant, as premium variants in April to add to the current Kittensoft consumers demand larger size packs.

Adorably Soft product.

2014 celebrates Nicky’s 10th birthday in the Irish market It will be a very exciting year for the Kittensoft brand and to mark this occasion, the brand will become a partner and the consumer will benefit from give-aways, in-store of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, which provides promotions, additional super-premium offerings and of direct funding to families of children with brain damage course great quality, transforming Kittensoft back to one of who suffer severe intellectual and physical developmental Ireland’s most loved tissue brands. delay, enabling them to purchase home respite care. The 2013 was another great year for Nicky, also from the Sofidel Group, as it was the only household paper brand to feature in Kantar’s Top 100 ‘Master Brands at Home’ in June. This, coupled with over 14% volume growth (Source; Kantar Worldpanel) in 2013, means that 2014 should be another great year for the brand in the Irish market.

This volume growth confirmed its loyal customer base in Ireland and that the Nicky brand continues to deliver quality, innovation and great value for money to the Irish consumer.

Offering a product portfolio for all segments of the toilet tissue market, the Nicky paper brand is a must stock for all

Irish consumers love Regina Blitz, which ensures consumer confidence when tackling tough jobs around the house.

2014 celebrates Nicky’s 10th Birthday in the Irish market and to mark this occasion, the brand will become a partner of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.

Foundation gives these families the gift of time: time to do the things that we so often take for granted like shopping, taking their other children to the park, a night’s sleep etc.

The Nicky premium products will carry the Jack & Jill logo and a brief explanation on the back of pack of the great work carried out by the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.

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Paper Products “We are extremely humbled to partner this great charity,” says Brian Clinton, Country Sales Manager for the Sofidel Group. “The Sofidel Group is committed to Social Responsibility in the areas where we sell our brands and it makes us very happy to help make a difference to Irish families by partnering the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.”

See www.nicky.ie for more information.

Also from the Sofidel Group, the Regina tissue brand was launched in Ireland in 2007 and today takes its place as one of the country’s leading premium brands. 2013 saw another strong year for Regina in the Irish market, with growth of over 5% year-on-year (Source: Kantar Worldpanel).

Innovation is at the heart of the Regina Brand, from Regina Blitz 3 ply Household Towel to Regina Softis 4 ply Double Quilted Toilet Tissue.

Regina gives the consumer a super-premium offering at an affordable price, like Regina Softis, a 4 ply double quilted patented toilet tissue which has air filled layers to promote softness, one of the key attributes for the Irish consumer.

Since its launch in 2010, Regina Softis is now the largest selling toilet tissue in the Regina family.

2014 will see Regina Softis return to TV screens, which, along with continued promotional support in-store, makes this product a must stock line for any retailer.

The Regina paper range will be supported continuously in the year Regina Blitz Household Towel, another innovative to come with TV advertising, in-store marketing and product from the producers of Regina, continues to perform promotional campaigns. extremely well in the Household Towel category, enjoying The Regina paper range will be supported continuously in year-on-year growth. Irish consumers love Regina Blitz, the year to come with TV advertising, in-store marketing and which ensures consumer confidence when tackling tough jobs promotional campaigns, ensuring the consumer is rewarded around the house. by purchasing this hugely successful premium brand.

Simply call 01-6614844 or visit our online licensing service at www.imro.ie

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Strategy For Retail

Retail Ireland Predict Bright Future Ahead Retail Ireland’s Strategy for Retail 2014-2016 maintains that the Irish retail sector can create up to 40,000 new jobs by 2020 if it can be put on a sustainable path to recovery.

RETAIL Ireland is hugely optimistic for the future of the Irish retail sector, providing the right steps are taken to ensure a sustainable path to recovery. These steps are highlighted in the group’s Strategy For Retail 20142016.

“If the economy improves, and we put in place the right policies to support the development of the sector, we have the potential to create up to 40,000 new jobs,” Retail Ireland Director, Stephen Lynam says.

So have we finally turned a corner in terms of Irish retailing: is the worst behind us?

“Time will tell,” Lynam warns. “There is certainly the potential for growth now. Tens of thousands of new jobs are being created, consumer confidence is at a six-year high, the property market has stopped contracting in Dublin.

Our strategy makes no predictions, however. What we do is say that if retail sales can stabilise, and then grow by a pretty modest 3-4% from 2016 onwards, we have the potential to create 40,000 new retail jobs in every town in the country.”

Describing a healthy retail sector as vital to the

• •

•

Stephen Lynam, Director, Retail Ireland.

Irish economy and to the commercial life of our towns and cities, the Strategy explains that any significant increase in retail activity will immediately lead to job creation. “A resurgent retail sector will also have a direct impact on the social and commercial lives of our towns and cities, which have been badly hit by shop closures and the resulting job losses,” Lynam reveals.

Key Findings Key findings the strategy include: • At present, the Irish retail sector employs 275,000 people, making it the largest employer in the country. This is the same as the

•

•

•

numbers employed in IT, agriculture, forestry and fishing and the financial and insurance sector combined.

75% of retail jobs are located outside Dublin; The sector employs between 24% and 30% of the private sector workforce in all Irish regions; Retail generates €5 billion in taxes every year, including €1 billion in employment taxes, more than 20% of the total tax take from business.

The retail and wholesale sector spent about €8.2 billion in wages and salaries in 2010, or an average of €30,000 per person; 90% of Irish retail businesses are Irish owned and 77% are family owned; 38% of retailers have a turnover of less than €200,000 and 77% of retailers have a turnover of less than €1m.

The Vision For Retail Retail Ireland consulted with its members on their vision for the sector in the years to come. They believe that the Irish retail sector shall, in the coming years, “grow on the basis of increased, sustainable

demand, while proudly playing its role as a sizeable and responsible employer, recognised and widely respected as a significant contributor to the Irish economy”.

To achieve this vision, they have identified four strategic objectives: • A return to growth in the retail sector and making Ireland a recognised world leader in retail; • A maximisation of the benefit of increased consumer spend to retail by operating within a competitive and consumer-focused policy environment; • An increase in the scope and pace of innovation in order to benefit from any upturn in consumer spending from 2014; • The promotion of retail as an exciting, progressive sector that is at the forefront of design and innovation.

Key Actions To support these strategic objectives a number of actions to be carried out by Retail Ireland are identified under the following themes: Ecosystem: Retail Ireland will help create the appropriate policymaking ecosystem

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Strategy For Retail

Responsible Retailing: Retail Ireland will enhance the sector’s reputation as a responsible member of the community, including the furthering of responsibility initiatives on the sale of alcohol, children’s clothing, healthy food and fair business practices. They will highlight the contribution of retail to stated policy goals such as achieving balanced regional development and promoting youth employment. Retail Ireland will also encourage all Irish grocery retailers to become signatories to the Principles of Good Practice in Vertical Relations in the Food Supply Chain, agreed by retailers and suppliers at EU level. They also plan to track and promote retailer investment in the Irish economy, including the purchase of Irish produce. eCommerce: Retail Ireland will assist Irish retailers operating bricks and mortar outlets to gain a larger share in the growing online market, via promoting polices that tackle barriers to entry to online trading. They plan to survey members annually regarding their existing online presence, their plans to develop that presence and their experience of online retailing. They will also work with the Ibec Retail Skillnet to provide advice and training to retailers seeking

20

People and Talent: Retail Ireland will assist the retail sector to up-skill its workforce in the face of a constantly evolving retail landscape, through actions like promoting the Ibec Retail Skillnet and the opportunity it offers to help retailers transform the public image of a “job in a shop” to “a career in retail”.

On the basis of annual growth in retail sales of 3-4% until 2020, the Irish retail sector has the potential to reach €46 billion in value terms. Such growth would lead to total employment in the retail sector of over 310,000 people – an increase of almost 40,000 on the current number.

y teg il ra eta St r R 16 fo 14-20

that adequately reflects the importance of the retail sector, through stakeholder engagement, alliance building and deepening of EU ties. This includes building on the work of the 2013 Inter-Departmental Group on Retail by assisting, where possible, in the implementation of its recommendations, as well as continuing regular consultation with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation as the sponsoring department of the sector. They also propose to engage in greater cooperation with Enterprise Ireland, building on existing retailer schemes such as the Innovation Development Programme and Foodworks, as well as deepening their engagement with the National Consumer Agency (NCA) and its successor, with Retail Ireland acting as a point of first contact on relevant consumer issues and initiatives.

www.retailireland.ie

Retail Ireland have published their Strategy For Retail 2014-2016.

“At the moment, proposals are tested against everything from the amount of red tape they’ll create to the impact they will have on poverty.

Consumer confidence doesn’t get a mention.

If, before a policy is announced, the impact on consumer confidence is considered, that will help a lot.” to trade online, or improve their online offering.

Driving Economic Growth So how can the retail sector drive Ireland’s economic growth? According to the Strategy, Ireland can reach pre-crisis levels of output by 2016 if the economy grows by 3-4% per annum in that period and can achieve GDP of €240 billion by 2020. Using this model, but building in a delay in retail sales recovery due to the overhang of high household debt, the consumer market can reach pre-crisis levels by 2017.

Improved Consumer Confidence Improved consumer confidence and spending is at the heart of Retail Ireland’s vision for the future. What can be done to help ensure that consumer confidence continues to improve?

“As the Strategy states, we need to create a retailer-friendly ‘eco system’ where the Government and others with an interest in a vibrant economy consider the impact of decisions on consumers and, by extension, retailers,” Stephen Lynam insists. “At the moment, proposals are tested against everything from the amount of red tape they’ll create to the impact they will have on poverty. Consumer confidence doesn’t get a mention. If, before a policy is announced, the impact on consumer confidence is considered, that will help a lot.”

So what more can the Government do to help the revitalisation of Ireland’s retail sector?

“The strategy sets out what Government can do, but also what retailers can themselves do. It’s a quid pro quo,” Lynam reveals. “If the Government considers retailers when it is deciding on policy and costs, so too retailers will meet their commitments in terms of, for example, investing in the up-skilling and training of staff.

“E-commerce is another huge issue for the Government to act on,” he continues. “We have identified barriers to trading, like the absence of postcodes, delivery costs, start-up costs and so on, and it is an important job for them to do. We have already had positive engagement with the Department of Communications on foot of the publication of the Strategy.”

In short, Retail Ireland’s Strategy sets out what needs to be done if we are to realise Irish retail’s true potential, including putting in place a retailerfriendly policy environment, improving the skills of retail staff and developing the online potential of stores. “The retail sector has borne the brunt of the recession, with store closures and thousands of job losses,” admits Lynam.

“If the tide turns, however, there is enormous scope for growth and job creation.”

Retail Ireland’s Strategy for Retail 2014-2016 is available online at www.retailireland.ie.

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Healthy Options

Health Matters

Healthy and ‘better for you’ products are no longer a niche category, as consumers consider their health as part of normal food decisions in-store.

THE move towards healthier products continues unabated, despite the economic pressures of the last few years. Concerns about health and obesity have led consumers to really think about the products they buy in terms of their overall effect on our health and wellness. Indeed, health and weight management is

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drink is available in a 250ml single serve, resealable bottle in three different flavours: Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla.

not a special category any more, as consumers consider their health as part of their normal, everyday food and drink decisions.

Products that promise natural energy look set to feature heavily across 2014. Indeed, the word ‘natural’ is gaining in strength all the time, as consumers seek out naturally functional foods. Other trends include the move towards slow energy release, the growth of gluten free foods, the explosion of ‘free from’ and, of course, a continued interest in healthy snacking.

The move towards five or six smaller meals throughout a day is driving trends in healthy or ‘better for you’ snacking. Innovation right across the snacks category involves the development of more natural and healthy products containing fewer artificial additives, and lower levels of sodium and trans fats.

Weetabix Leading breakfast brand Weetabix has unveiled its latest Weetabix On The Go product as the company explores more ways to deliver breakfast to the nation – wherever and whenever they need it.

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drink is a deliciously smooth portable drink, designed specifically for

breakfast times. Delivering quick and easy breakfast fuel, it has all the energy, fibre and protein of a Weetabix cereal in milk. Its announcement is a pioneering move for the breakfast category, which attempts to provide alternative consumption options that are better placed to meet the needs of a more mobile and time-sensitive generation of consumers, without forcing them to compromise on taste or nutrition.

With a vision to identify key drivers in order to unlock breakfast growth through innovation, Weetabix is the first to market breakfast drinks and aims to capitalise on a category with massive potential. Indeed, Weetabix are investing significantly into an above the line advertising and multimedia campaign to promote the new breakfast drink, whilst also continuing to significantly invest in Weetabix’ core cereal brand.

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drink aims to replicate similar nutritional breakfast requirements by being the only drink that can offer the same protein, energy and fibre, equivalents as a Weetabix cereal in milk, and fortified with vitamins and minerals. With an ambition to fuel modern lifestyles, the milkshake drink

NEW

s t i f o r p r u o y l Fue o g e h t n o x i b a t with Wee

Weetabix

is launching a deliciously smooth new breakfast drink 1 in 5 state they eat breakfast on the go Available in Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry – 8 x 250ml SRP cases Supplied ambient, serve chilled – sell from the chiller to boost your breakfast sales

Stock up now by calling your local representative For more information, visit www.weetabixonthego.co.uk

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Healthy Options

New Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Biscuits boast the famous Weetabix wholegrain fuel credentials for those mornings when there isn’t time for a bowl of breakfast cereal.

is available in a 250ml single serve, resealable bottle in three different flavours: Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla.

The Breakfast Drink should be located within the ambient cereal aisle for shoppers to chill at home. It will also be available ready-chilled in metropolitan and corner stores plus garage forecourts for consumers who purchase breakfast whilst commuting.

“The breakfast on the move category is expected to grow more over the next three years and we want Weetabix to be leading the charge,” noted Francesca Davies, Marketing Manager from Weetabix.

The launch of the breakfast drink, follows last year’s Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Biscuits. The crunchy breakfast biscuits, baked in the distinctive Weetabix lozenge shape, are available in two delicious flavours, Milk & Cereal and Apple with a hint of Cinnamon, to appeal to a wide range of consumers who are looking for a tasty on-the-go breakfast solution and know and trust Weetabix to deliver the fuel they need.

Sam Dennigan and Company Sam Dennigan and Company have recently launched their Green Giant™ Fresh Range. The range is centred around the concept of healthy convenient vegetables aimed at those who lead a busy lifestyle and still want to eat and snack in a healthy way. There are seven products within the range, five of which are packed in re-sealable pouches to aid the concept of healthy snacking on-the-go.

The Mighty Crisp Gem Hearts are excellent as a sandwich filler or tossed in a fresh salad. The Crunchable Bite Sized Cucumbers are perfect for a snack on-the-go: they can be chopped into a salad and make for a great

Green Giant™ Seedless Sweet Snack Peppers make for a great addition to the work or school lunch box.

Green Giant™ Crunchy Quick Celery Sticks are perfect as a snack on the run: crisp, crunchy and delicious with cream cheese or hummus.

addition to a dipping platter.

Juicy Sweet Pear Tomatoes are extremely tasty and sweet: they are a quick and easy delicious snack and make for a tasty tomato sauce for pasta and pizza. Sweet Crunch Baby Broccoli are fresh Florettes which taste delicious raw in a salad or steamed as part of your ‘5 a day’.

Crunchy Quick Celery Sticks are perfect as a snack on the run: they are crisp, crunchy and delicious with cream cheese or hummus. Crisp & Light Cosmo Lettuce is a hybrid between iceberg lettuce and cos romaine: with its firmness and leafy texture, this lettuce is great as a healthy wrap. The Seedless Sweet Snack Peppers make for a great addition to the work or school lunch box: these sweet peppers are perfect as a flavoursome, quick snack or stuffed with cream cheese as a starter.

This initial Green Giant™ Fresh range is only the beginning, with many more exciting products in the pipeline.

The range is available in SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, Vivo, XL, Londis, SuperValu and a number of independents throughout Ireland. If you are interested in this range and would like further information, please email info@ greengiantfresh.ie and/or visit www.greengiantfresh.ie.

Flahavan’s For generations, families in Ireland have enjoyed the unique taste of Flahavan’s porridge oats. Oats are a

Flahavan’s Quick Oats appeals to on-the-go consumers because they are simple and quick to make for an instantly nutritious breakfast!

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Healthy Options nutritious warming food that are high in fibre, low in salt and saturated fat, with no artificial flavours.

They contain all the healthy ingredients needed to warm up any cold morning.

Grown, milled and produced in Ireland, Flahavan’s Quick Oats range provides a wholesome breakfast that’s packed with taste, ready in minutes and keeps consumers going right up to lunch, making breakfast a pleasure every day. Flahavan’s Quick Oats appeal to on-the-go consumers because they are simple and quick to make for an instantly nutritious breakfast! The range includes Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon sachets, Golden Syrup sachets and natural, multiseed and organic sachets, as well as drum and portable porridge pots in natural, multiseed, strawberry and organic varieties.

Flahavan’s has also introduced a new individual sachet format, where consumers can use the free reusable liquid measure provided or simply pour milk or water directly into the sachet and fill to the splash line, making it the ideal portable healthy start to any day either at home or in the office.

As an independent Irish family business, Flahavan’s has been milling quality oats at the family mill beside the River Mahon in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford for over 200 years.

Flahavan’s is Ireland’s favourite porridge oat brand and has been delivering continuous growth to the oats category in line with consumers’ increasing interest in porridge as a healthy breakfast cereal choice.

Flahavan’s is proud to support Love Irish Food - an initiative led by Irish manufacturing brands seeking to promote Irish food and drink brands in Ireland. For more information, see www.flahavans.com or www.facebook. com/flahavans.

Oishii Sushi Oishii Sushi has been bringing a taste of Japan to Ireland since 2006.

All their products are healthy and delicious; low in fat, low in sugar and high in protein, the perfect recipe for a nutritional and low fat meal. Oishii Sushi pieces contain less than 200kcal per 100g and are packed full of the minerals and nutrients your body needs.

Sushi has been proven to have

minerals for a healthy body.

William Rochford, MD of BR Foods, said: “There are many major preventable diseases that affect the over 50s including Sarcopenia, the steady loss of muscle mass, and Osteoporosis. Our aim in developing True Life Shake Up 50+ was to create an easy

Oishii Sushi: low in fat and sugar and high in protein.

amazing health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol, benefiting joints, heart protection and improved circulation. Oishii Sushi use ingredients packed full of vitamins and minerals.

Knowing full well the benefits of sushi, Managing Director of Oishii Foods, Ciara Troy, said, “We buy our fish whole and prep it from scratch so that we have full control over our toppings & fillings."

For those looking for a hot, healthy and low fat winter warmer, Oishii Noodles are low in fat and sugar and high in protein. These warming noodle soups are available in select Dunnes Stores, Superquinn and SuperValu stores.

BR Foods Produced in Ireland using 100% Irish Whey Protein, True Life Shake Up 50+ is an all-in-one lifestyle product designed especially for the over 50s. It is the first of its kind on the market, developed to help fight the serious health problems associated with ageing.

The all-in-one food supplement comes in a premium 250g pouch (RRP €10.99) and is easily made up into a tasty, nutritious shake by adding to cold water or milk. It comes in three delicious flavours: vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.

Created by BR Foods with a team of food scientists, technologists and nutritionists, True Life Shake Up 50+ promotes healthy muscle, bones and gut and improves energy levels among the over 50s. It is high in protein, calcium, vitamin D3 (100% RDA per serving) and fibre and is low in fat, gluten free, has no added sugar. It also contains essential vitamins and

William Rochford, MD of BR Foods, pictured with True Life Shake Up 50+.

to use, natural and enjoyable lifestyle product that helps promote wellbeing and maintain a healthy body. It is also perfect for coeliacs, diabetics and vegetarians.”

Linwood Health Foods Health and super-foods specialist, Linwood Health Foods has been in business for over 30 years, manufacturing a range of Premium Bakery, Fresh Dairy and Healthy Super Food products. They deliver bakery and dairy produce to over 1,600 customers daily and distribute their Healthy Super Food range throughout Ireland, UK, Spain and Holland. The company recently won an eircom Spider Award, the most prestigious digital awards in the country.

38|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Easter Treats

Egg-citing Easter Ahead The Easter trading period has emerged as one of the biggest seasonal consumer events of the year, for Easter eggs and seasonal treats.

Sales of Easter Basket Eggs have been growing for Caffreys in recent years and the company expects a 20% increase this year.

EASTER is one of the biggest events of the year for the Irish confectionery market. Indeed, Irish consumers munched their way through almost 10 million Easter eggs last year, with signs that 2014 looks set to be even bigger.

Of course, Easter is about more than just eggs, as the seasonal treats and mini eggs sector continues to grow, and also offers an opportunity to generate early season sales. Over recent years, consumers’ appetite for Easter-themed products and traditional baked goods has also increased dramatically.

The key to successfully delivering incremental sales this Easter is providing consumers with a good choice of Easter classics and novelties.

Retailers can maximise Easter sales

by using theatre and dedicated floor displays to drive purchase. These should be located in high traffic areas and stock must be checked regularly to maximise returns. Easter impulse displays for convenience products are the perfect way to launch the Easter season.

Caffreys Caffreys have been manufacturing confectionery for over 70 years, where quality has been a family tradition.

Indeed, the company is now a third generation Irish family business with that personal touch.

Caffreys are the oldest established Irish family-owned chocolate company trading under their own family name, still family owned and managed, now operating from a 50,000 square

feet factory with its own chocolate manufacturing plant. Caffreys are one of the few wholly independent chocolate manufacturers in Ireland.

With Easter just around the corner, Caffreys have found their traditional products in huge demand. Sales of Easter Mallows and Easter Baskets have been increasing for the Dublin based company in recent years. For Easter 2014, Caffreys are expecting an increase of 20% on Easter 2013.

Caffreys introduced Easter Basket Eggs to the Irish market over 25 years ago and have extended the range over the years. These Basket Eggs are now synonymous with Easter. The Easter Basket Eggs range in price from €10 to €100, offering the consumer quality and value for money with a special Irishmade product.

Also available is Caffreys Easter Mallow range, which has been manufactured with Thomas Caffrey’s famous mallow recipe since the 1940s.

Millions of mallow Easter Eggs have been sold over the years and are still in great demand today. Many generations have grown up with Caffreys, who produce quality products at competitive price points.

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Easter Treats creamy Maltesers centre is set to hop off shelves once again this Easter. The bunny shape portrays the lighthearted fun of the Maltesers

Caffreys Easter Mallow range has been manufactured with Thomas Caffrey’s famous mallow recipe since the 1940s.

As Irish manufacturers, Caffreys are conscious of supporting Irish suppliers and therefore, they are introducing a new range of Irish toffee, fudge and chocolates. These new products will be produced using Irish milk and butter, supporting Irish farmers and Irish packaging companies and helping to maintain and

Caffreys introduced Easter Basket Eggs to the Irish market over 25 years ago and have extended the range over the years.

increase Irish jobs.

“We at Caffreys would like to thank the Irish retail trade for their support over the years,” noted Elizabeth Phillips, Sales Director, Caffreys Confectionery.

Mars Ireland Mars Ireland’s MaltEaster is back for Easter 2014. The delicious milk chocolate bunny with a crunchy and

market and a truly iconic Easter product. The Lindt Gold Bunny is available in 10g, 50g, 100g, 200g and 500g sizes and is a must stock Easter line! In 2014, Lindt will once again be ‘Making Easter Sweet for Temple Street’. This is the seventh year of the Lindt Make Easter Sweet for Temple Street campaign, which to – date has raised over €325,000 for hospital equipment. Lindt fans can find further information on: www.facebook.com/ lindtchocolateireland, or on Twitter at: Lindt_IRL.

Ferrero Ferrero’s enjoyed an exceptional performance spring 2013, particularly in the run-up to Easter.

Year-round best-sellers, Ferrero Rocher 16 pack MaltEaster: the bunny is back and 24 pack have also been for Easter 2014. instrumental to category growth, demonstrating the brand in a novel alternative importance for them to be at the centre of the display area to Easter Eggs. during seasonal events.

Maltesers is one of Easter chocolate novelties Ireland’s biggest and best performed extremely well loved confectionery brands, and Ferrero was a key and MaltEaster will kickdriver of this growth with start the Easter season with the launch of the 100g a massive brand re-launch Ferrero Bunny. Retailers programme. This includes who increased their range a heavyweight advertising of novelties in early spring campaign, including TV, saw higher sales than those outdoor and online, as who increased at Easter well as a strong sampling specifically. programme and a huge inBuilding on the success store presence. of the 100g Ferrero Bunny, Ferrero is launching a 60g Lindt novelty Bunny with an The family favourite, the updated tag communicating Lindt Gold Bunny will be the ‘Great Taste’ Award the making a welcome return bunny was given. The classic to supermarket shelves Ferrero Rocher flavour this Easter. The Lindt makes this little indulgence Gold Bunny is now the perfect for shoppers seeking number one novelty in the an impulsive seasonal treat.

Ferrero is also introducing an exciting new premium offering for Easter 2014 – the Ferrero Rocher Plastic Egg. The unique Ferrero seasonal gift pack is a luxurious The Lindt Gold Bunny will be making a alternative to welcome return to supermarket shelves this traditional Easter Easter.

Eggs and a perfect tasty treat for grown-ups. The egg contains 16 Ferrero Rocher, making it a great way to share with friends this Easter.

Kinder is launching the Kinder Surprise Bunny in time for Easter. With a makeover for 2014, the Kinder Bunny has a brand new shape, appealing new look and a surprise toy inside.

In February 2014, there will be a second burst of Kinder Surprise Pink and Blue Eggs, with exciting toys from Marvel Heroes and Disney Princess. Every coloured single egg will

The 100g Ferrero Bunny was a star performer for Easter 2013 and is expected to prove equally popular this year.

feature a licensed toy, while each three-pack will contain one licensed toy and two Kinder Surprise toys. Kinder is also launching new Kinder Surprise Pink and Blue Easter Eggs this spring. The large 100g Easter Eggs will contain Polly Pocket and Batman toys.

The company will further drive category growth with a multi-million euro marketing investment on Kinder, including TV advertising over the spring season, to ensure that they are front of mind with consumers looking for the perfect treats for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter. Kinder Pink and Blue activity will be supported with a 10-second tag on the Kinder Surprise TV ad to announce the new limited edition toys. Ferrero Rocher will also be back on TV during spring with a media campaign.

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NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards

All the winners at the NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards 2014.

Independent Off Licences Rewarded at NOffLA Awards The 2014 NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards are a testament to the quality of independent off licences, even in difficult trading conditions.

THE National Off Licence Association (NOffLA) presented 30 Awards for excellence at their annual Off Licence of the Year Awards 2014, held recently at the Honourable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin. The awards, which have been running for 18 years, were developed by NOffLA to recognise and showcase the off licences around the country that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards.

“The last few years have been very difficult for the off licence sector,” noted NOffLA Chairperson Evelyn Jones, speaking at the Awards. “Two severe excise duty hikes have hit the sector very hard and as a direct result, a number of businesses have closed and jobs been lost. 14 businesses have closed in total since January 2013. On top of that, we have seen an increase in cross-border shopping and a rise in illicit trade. Government must understand that excise is not the answer and instead focus on bringing

forward the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, which we hope will properly regulate the sector.”

She went on to note how the NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards demonstrate that “even in the toughest operating environments, our members can maintain the highest standards when responsibly retailing alcohol and never fail to offer the best service to customers”.

Blueprint For Success Dicey’s Off Licence in Ballyshannon Co. Donegal was named National Off Licence of the Year. Owner Brendan O’Reilly professed himself absolutely delighted with the win.

“The NOffLA Awards always provide great feedback from the judges after every round, which can provide a blueprint for your business, going forward. It helps you to better yourself and your shop,” he told Retail News. Crucially, the win also makes a difference when it comes to getting

customers in the door: “When people see you win awards like this one, they really do take notice.”

A lot has been written about how difficult the last few years have been for independent off licences. How has Dicey’s managed to thrive in this difficult time?

“These are tough times, there is no doubt about it,” Brendan admitted.

“Also, being close to the border brings added pressures. But over the last number of years, we have grown our wine selection. We have studied the market. My wife, Sinead, has a Higher Diploma in Wines & Spirits. So we have good product knowledge. We source a lot of boutique wines from smaller wineries, alongside well-known brands. So we can offer something different and something more than supermarkets can offer, which is a wider selection, coupled with greater product knowledge.”

It’s not just in terms of wine that Dicey’s excels, however. “For the last

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NOffLA Off Licence of the Year Awards

NOffLA Chairperson, Evelyn Jones, addresses delegates at the NOffLA Awards.

Judith Boyle, Next Door @ J.Boyles, Market Square, Kildare, is pictured accepting the Award for RTC Online Trainee of the Year from Gary Mahon, Enovation Solutions.

10 years, we have also grown our world beer and craft beer sector,” Brendan enthused. “Anything new on the market, we get it in. We also brew here on-site from our microbrewery, behind the off licence, which brews Donegal Blonde. We are always looking for new ways to increase business.”

So as we enter into 2014, have we turned a corner?

“We have turned a corner and I think people have adjusted to the economic situation we have in Ireland at the minute,” Brendan professed.

“They are gaining more confidence to spend. A lot of things are happening, from craft breweries to small distilleries opening. I think the year ahead is looking pretty good, and it’s really about knowing your product and knowing your consumer.”

Growing Customer Confidence Returning consumer confidence is key to performance in 2014, according to another award winner. John Shiel, whose Londis PLUS store in Malahide, Co. Dublin was named Food Retailer Off Licence of the Year 2014. “Disposable income is a big determinant in our sector,” he said. “If there is more consumer confidence in the economy, then I think consumers will loosen their purse strings.”

Can the Government do more to help in this regard?

“They have done a lot, but let’s not frighten people,” John noted. “We spent the last two years frightening consumers unnecessarily about the property tax and I think that undermined confidence. We need to be able to keep perspective on things and not upset the consumer, because it is very fragile out there.”

2014 is the third year in a row that Shiel’s has been named Food Retailer Off Licence of the Year, which is quite an accolade. So how has Shiel’s proved so successful?

“I love this competition because

it measures you against a very high standard, against very good operators,” the store owner admitted. “I think we were 12 years entering the competition before we won anything. Every year, our standard improved and we took the criteria for the competition and examined it closely. We tried to look at the business through our customers’ eyes to see what we had to do. So every year, we improved.”

Staff training is a vital component in Shiel’s success. “All of our staff are trained in wine,” he said. “We run regular tastings and sampling so that everybody knows the product and our staff are aware of the importance of customer service. The customer is

Sinead and Brendan O’Reilly, Dicey’s Off Licence, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, are pictured with the National Off-Licence of the Year Award 2014.

looking for something extra and the more help you can give the customer, the better.

“I think the offer we have instore is better than you will get in a multiple. Everybody needs advice, guidance and help at times, when they are looking at a product that they

Laura Faulkner, Tipperary Water, presents John Shiel and Niamh McNamara, Shiel’s Londis PLUS, Malahide, Co. Dublin, with the Food Retailer Off Licence of the Year Award 2014.

David Noble from the Molloy Group, accepts the Responsible Retailer of the Year Award from Anita O’Connell, NOffLA.

might not be familiar with. If you can deliver on service, then price becomes less relevant. That’s not to say it’s not important but it becomes less so.”

The Award Winners Other award winners on the night included The Molloy Group, Dublin, who were named Responsible Retailer of the Year, and Judith Boyle, Next Door @ J.Boyles, Market Square, Kildare, who was the RTC Online Trainee of the Year.

In addition, all 40 finalists were awarded certificates of either ‘Standard’, ‘Merit’ or ‘Excellence’ based on their performance.

Other awards on the night included: • Specialist Off Licence Group of the Year 2014 – O’Donovan’s, Cork • Best First Time Entrant 2014 – Blackrock Cellar, Dublin • Customer Service Award of the Year 2014 – Martin’s Off Licence, Fairview • Spirit Specialist of the Year 2014 – Mitchell & Son Wine Merchants, CHQ Building • Beer Specialist of the Year 2014 – Baggot Street Wines, Dublin 4 • Wine Specialist of the Year 2014 – Jus de Vine, Portmarnock • Munster Off Licence of the Year 2014 – World Wide Wines, Waterford • Connaught/Ulster Off Licence of the Year 2014 – McCambridge’s, Galway • Leinster Off Licence of the Year 2014 – The Wine Centre, Kilkenny • Dublin Off Licence of the Year 2014 – Gibneys Off Licence, Malahide Judging for the awards began in June 2013, which was the beginning of a tough but rewarding journey for all of this year’s award winners. The process culminated in a blind wine tasting which involved participants answering questions about the unidentified wines.

Final awards were allocated following this process.

42|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Commercial Transport

Driving Your

Business

Forward The Continental Irish Van of the Year Awards are a good indicator of some of the best commercial transport options for your business.

THE Continental Van of the Year Awards 2014 are the ultimate national accolades for the commercial transport sector in Ireland. Voted for by the special ninemember Van Jury of the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA), the winners of the Irish Van of the Year, Commercial SUV of the Year and Car Derived Van of the Year Awards are some of the finest commercial transport options for your business in 2014.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was named Continental Irish Van of the Year 2014, with the Ssangyong Korando Commercial voted Commercial SUV of the Year and the Toyota Auris Van taking the Car Derived Van title.

All nine voting members of the IMWA Van Jury took part in the vote.

In deciding on these category winners, the jury based their vote on a range of criteria, including safety, drive

Pictured accepting the Continental Irish Van of the Year Award is Stephen Byrne, Chief Executive, Mercedes Benz (third from left), with Gerry Murphy, Chairman, IMWA; Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland; model Adrienne Murphy; Fergus Conheady, Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager, Mercedes Benz; and Brian Byrne, Chairman, IMWA Van of the Year Jury.

quality, load capacity, reliability, overall versatility, cost of ownership and drive comfort.

Brian Byrne, Chairman of the IMWA van jury, said: “In assessing candidates for the Continental Irish Van of the Year category awards, our jurors pay close attention to how the vehicles meet the particular requirements of the Irish market – that is why these recommendations are so useful to Irish van / commercial drivers and fleet managers.”

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Commercial Transport “The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter brings a new level of comfort, driving dynamics and economy to the commercial sector and it is no surprise that the members of the IMWA have voted it the best van in Ireland,” said Tom Dennigan of award sponsors, Continental Tyres Ireland.

Presenting the awards to Toyota Ireland and SsangYong Ireland, Dennigan noted: “In today’s tough commercial vehicle market, these two vehicles have been singled out by the Irish Motoring Writers Association van experts. I am sure that these awards will provide a huge boost for both the Auris Van and Korando Commercial.”

The success for Mercedes-Benz achieved by the new Sprinter replicates the achievement of its predecessor, which also won the Irish Van of the Year award in the year of its introduction. Since then, the popular Vito was also recognised with the 2011 Irish Van of the Year award.

“We are very proud to have been chosen once again as Ireland’s best van, an achievement in step with that of previous years in which each generation of Sprinter launched in Ireland was honoured with the award,” enthused MercedesBenz Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager, Fergus Conheady. See www.mercedes-benz.ie for more information.

Continental Irish SUV of The Year 2014 SsangYong Motors Ireland have imported a large order of their award winning Korando Commercials following the announcement that the IMWA voted the Korando Commercial Continental Irish SUV of the Year 2014.

“The nomination confirmed that we have a market-leading product which is relevant to small, medium

The award winning SsangYong Korando Commercial is a compact SUV which has been adapted to suit the commercial market.

and large businesses nationwide,” noted Dealer Development Manager, John Keogh. “Based on the growing interest from business owners over recent months, we had made a large order of Korando Commercials, which arrived just days after the victory was announced.”

The award winning SsangYong Korando Commercial is a compact SUV which has been adapted to suit the commercial market. Practicality, efficiency and cost effectiveness to maintain are its strong points. It is also attractive and offers excellent value in relation to specifications.

It features a driver and passenger seating area, which is protected by a mesh bulkhead protector, and features a large cargo area at the back.

“Our plan was to begin contacting businesses but since the announcement of our victory, businesses have been contacting us,” Keogh noted. “They want to know what sets the Korando Commercial apart. For us, it’s simple: a fuel efficient diesel engine, an extra large cargo space and a stylish exterior that will impress the most important of clients.”

To celebrate the Irish Continental IMWA victory, SsangYong have announced a

The Korando Commercial from SsangYong Motors Ireland , the Korando Commercial Continental Irish SUV of the Year 2014.

special offer for the Korando Commercial. They have decided to extend their four years’ free servicing and one year free road tax offer currently running on the passenger Korando to cover the Korando Commercial also. “The four years’ 150,000km free servicing, five years’ 150,000km warranty and five years’ roadside assistance that now cover all Korando Commercials will ensure that for only €24,846 inc. VAT, businesses will have a reliable, practical and extremely cost effective solution to their business needs,” John Keogh said.

For more information, visit www.ssangyong.ie

The Toyota Auris Van: Irish Continental Car Derived Van of the Year 2014.

Car Derived Van of the Year “We’re delighted that the Toyota Auris Van has won the Irish Continental Car Derived Van of the Year 2014 award,” noted a spokesperson for Toyota Ireland.

“Priced from only €18,495, and delivering new levels of quality, economy and comfort for the driver, the Auris Van is a smart business decision and one we expect many small and large businesses to make in 2014!”

For more information, see www.toyota.ie.

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Food For Simon

Simon Says ‘Thank You’ to Food Industry The Food For Simon initiative has generated €1m in cost savings for the Simon Community since its implementation.

SIMON Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recently joined key players from the food industry to mark a special milestone in the success of the Food For Simon initiative. Since it was launched in 2009, Food For Simon has generated €1m in cost savings for the Simon Community.

The initiative encourages companies to donate food, services and other essential items, which would usually be purchased by the Simon Community to maintain and run its homeless services.

Congratulating the food industry on this “fantastic achievement”, Minister Coveney stressed that companies in the food sector have shown tremendous support for the Simon Community and those who are homeless or at risk, despite a tough market over recent years.

The Minister also used the event as the chance to discuss new initiatives and look at how the sector can do more to help those who rely on Simon services. Indeed, the floor was opened up to debate on the importance of the food sector being socially responsible.

“The room was awash with ideas and enthusiasm for the future of Food For Simon,” said Michael Carey, founder, Food For Simon. “We had a refreshing debate that looked at how we in the food sector can push the

Pictured celebrating Food For Simon’s landmark achievement are (l-r): Padraig McKeon, Simon Board Member and Communications Consultant; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD; Mairead Butler from Rabobank; event MC Bryan Dobson, RTE; and Nigel Ward from Valeo Foods.

boundaries and look at new ways to help the Simon Community provide essential services, at a time when demand is at crisis levels. It’s good to celebrate this success, but even more important to challenge this group to build on that success to make a greater positive impact.”

Generosity & Support Speaking at the event, Sam McGuinness of Dublin Simon

How It Works • Food For Simon was established in 2009

by Michael Carey with the objective to reduce costs of products and services at Simon Community.

• The programme originally included food products only. However, it was later recognised that the programme could be expanded to include other costs, such as cleaning supplies, medical supplies and other services.

• BWG Foods agree to act as a central pivot, taking telephone orders from each Simon service for items on an agreed list and deliver those items (free of charge).

• At the end of each quarter, BWG Foods compute a total of each item delivered and informs the participating firm of those quantities. The participating firms then replenish BWG warehouse with an equivalent quantity free of charge.

If your company is interested in becoming involved in Food For Simon, please email corporate@dubsimon.ie or call (01) 6728966.

Community congratulated and thanked companies for their generosity and support: “At a time when homeless services are being stretched more than ever, the commitment of our friends who support the Food For Simon programme makes an enormous difference in the day-today running of the services we provide to people who are vulnerable and have nowhere else to turn.

“It is critical that we further develop the programme and build the list of goods and services in Food for Simon, such as cleaning materials, baked goods and poultry, in order to make significant cost savings throughout the organisation, to enable us to focus on providing accommodation and support to the people we support each day.”

Companies that support Food for Simon include: Kellogg’s, Barry Tea, Valeo Foods, Donnelly Fresh Foods, Nestlé Ireland, Boyne Valley Group, Gem, Rabobank, United Drug, LeasePlan, and Ion Equity through Topaz.

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Market News NEW KENCO MILLICANO SUNLIGHT BLEND KENCO Millicano Sunlight Blend is a fresh, citrusy new version of Ireland’s number one wholebean instant coffee (Source: ACNielsen Data, W/e Dec 29, 2013) launched just in time for spring. Medium roasted for a vibrant aroma, Kenco Millicano Sunlight Blend contains a unique combination of instant coffee and milled coffee beans, giving coffee lovers the taste and aroma reminiscent of roast and ground coffee in an instant. “We have taken Kenco Millicano, which we know many people already love, and created a completely new, even brighter variant,” said Mary Moran, Mondelez Ireland. Kenco Millicano Sunlight Blend will be supported with outdoor and press advertising, digital, sampling and in-store POS.

UNILEVER MALE COMPRESSED RANGE UNILEVER Ireland continues to push boundaries within the deodorants category by launching its innovative compressed technology across its male portfolio, a first for male deodorants. Building on the huge success of the female launch in February 2013, the male launch will be supported by a €2m marketing spend throughout 2014 in Ireland, including TV, outdoor, online, PR, social, press and in-store. All 150ml and 250ml variants of the existing Sure Men, Dove Men +Care, Lynx and Vaseline male deodorants are now available in packs up to half their size. What’s more, each male compressed pack comes with unique benefits: Lynx will feature new longer lasting fragrances; Sure Men will include a new motionsense microspray; Dove Men +Care will have a new formula featuring Vitamin E; and Vaseline will offer new 48-hour protection with pro Derma Technology.

€1M RELAUNCH FOR MCVITIE’S UNITED Biscuits is embarking on a major re-launch of its McVitie’s brand to rejuvenate and drive strong growth into the biscuits category. The re-launch will kick off with a brand redesign and a €1m multi media campaign, UB’s biggest ever. As part of the overarching Masterbrand strategy, UB will be moving all of its sweet brands (with the exception of go ahead!) to sit under the McVitie’s Masterbrand to help simplify the shopping experience. McVitie’s unveiled its new design created to drive an ownable, distinctive and consistent brand identity across the entire McVitie’s range. In addition to the redesign, the most significant element of the McVitie’s relaunch programme is a brand new approach to its advertising, while UB is bringing back McVitie’s Chocolate & Orange Digestives after an absence of around four years.

FLAHAVAN’S LAUNCH NEW CAMPAIGN ENERGY For Life is a new advertising campaign launched by Flahavan’s, producers of Ireland’s leading porridge oats brand. The campaign started with a new TV commercial, which will air over 450 times across 28 terrestrial and satellite channels, while the radio advertisements will be broadcast on national and local radio stations. The Flahavan’s campaign is delivered through a series of modern, active and healthy living situations highlighting the Energy For Life theme. The commercial includes short vignettes of daily life around breakfast time that are often missed or taken for granted. These everyday lifestyle situations are used to highlight the importance of a natural Flahavan’s porridge breakfast to provide the slow release energy, which gives you Energy For Life.

DUBLIN COFFEE & TEA FESTIVAL THE Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) and the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE, Irish branch) are proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Dublin Coffee & Tea Festival, which takes place on September 12-14 at the Industries Hall in the RDS, Dublin. From harvesting to brewing and catering to equipment, the Dublin Coffee & Tea Festival will showcase every aspect of the coffee & tea world and all the enjoyment that goes with it. Highlights will include: The Roaster’s Village, The National Home Barista Championships, The Food Village and national barista competitions. Pictured are (l-r): Patrick Bewley, Bewleys; Garath Scully, Master Roaster for Robt Roberts; Stephen Morrissey, former World Barista Champion; and Colin Harmon, current National Barista Champion. For more information, see www.dublincoffeefestival.com.

46|Retail News|January/February 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life TESCO Ireland is launching an all new lifestyle magazine that will be available free of charge for its customers to enjoy from April 2014. The magazine will be Ireland’s largest customer lifestyle magazine, based on number of copies and readership, with Tesco printing over 200,000 copies, which will be distributed in every store throughout the country.

Dunnhumby, the world’s leading customer science company, will handle advertising sales, as well as research and insight into the Tesco shopper. The magazine will be published 10 times a year and is designed to engage with readers and customers along three core pillars – food, family and living. It will be packed full of special offers, tasty recipe and food ideas for the family, beauty news, fashion buys and lots of opportunities for customers to win fantastic prizes!

TV presenter and Chef Kevin Dundon has launched Focus Ireland’s Grand Bake Fest, which is supported by Siúcra for the second year running. Kevin was joined

by Sarah O’Hara who was recently crowned Ireland’s Best Young Baker. Focus Ireland is calling on everyone to get involved and whisk up a Grand Bake Fest from February 24- 28 by baking and selling cakes and treats to help raise vital funds for people who are homeless and those at risk of losing their homes. Kevin Dundon is pictured at the launch of Focus Ireland’s Grand Bake Fest with 11-year-old Sarah O’Hara, Ireland’s Best Young Baker.

PANINI have launched their much-anticipated Union J Sticker Collection. With over 1.36m Twitter followers, 903,000 Facebook likes and 24m views on their YouTube channel, Union J are fast becoming one of the hottest boy bands! Drawing on their success, this exciting collection from Panini is packed full of awesome imagery, with a cool pull-out wall chart of the boys, along with rainbow foil and glitter stickers to keep an eye out for. The collection is jam-packed with 200 stickers, which includes 40 special stickers. The collection launch will be backed by a multi-channel marketing campaign, including voucher activity, sampling, an integrated press and advertising campaign, cover-mounting on key teen titles and investment at retail across key listings.

EVERYONE at Retail News would like to send our best wishes to Sue Lamon Diver, former Head of Communications at Musgrave, in her new role as Internal Communications & Employee Communications Director EMEA at Kerry Ingredients & Flavours. During all our dealings with Sue, she was always available at the end of a phone and extremely courteous and helpful, no matter how urgent the deadline.

We’re sure she’ll be a massive addition to the Kerry team.

LEADING Irish and UK retail marketing specialist CJ Services has adopted a new brand name, unveiling its first wholly redesigned logo since being founded in 1995, along with a major corporate repositioning. The rebranding follows a period of expansion and solutions innovation for the business and will see the company trading under the new name CJ Retail Solutions (www.cjretailsolutions.co.uk).

“We are taking the opportunity to strengthen and modernise how we represent ourselves to clients across the range of retail markets that we serve,” says CJ Retail Solutions Managing Director, Chris Langford (pictured).

NORTHERN Ireland’s Henderson Retail is to roll out an online learning platform from Upskill People across its SPAR and EUROSPAR retail brands. The roll-out follows a successful pilot across 10 stores and will now include online training for more than 70 stores as part of a structured induction programme for all new employees. A total of seven courses are provided and include a general introduction to retail, health and safety, age restricted sales and merchandising, all to be taken over a 13-week induction period. Additional training courses will be made available to new and existing staff in 2014. For more information, see www.upskillpeople.com.

80 international journalists voted for their top innovation in the New Product Showcase at the International Confectionery Fair 2014 in Cologne recently. The top three new products were: Pop Corners, the new way to enjoy popcorn from Intersnack Knabber Gebäck, which is golden corn, popped slowly and carefully into crispy triangles and finished with tasty seasoning; Finger Pup‘pets, delicious chocolate and carefully created characters from Belfine BVBA; and Likies, ‘thumbs-up’ shaped biscuits from Verdener Keks und Waffelfabrik Hans Freitag. For more information, see http://newproducts.ism-cologne.de/produktliste.html.

BEST wishes from all at Retail News to former Topaz Retail Director, Frank Gleeson on his new role as Managing Director of Food Services at Aramark Ireland. Frank is also a member of the advisory board of Aramark Ireland and a member of the Executive Leadership Council of Aramark Corp., Philadelphia, USA. Frank joined Topaz from Statoil Ireland Limited, having previously held the position of Vice President of Retail. Prior to that, Frank spent most of his career in the retail sector, including roles at O’Brien’s Off Licence Group and Xtravision Plc. A graduate of the Irish Management Institute, Frank is Chairman of Retail Ireland, a National Council member of IBEC, and a Director Of RRAI. He is also a member of the board of NACS (The association of Petroleum and Convenience USA). In his spare time, he is Chairman of Parnell’s GAA club.

“I am delighted to be joining Aramark, one of Ireland’s most successful companies at a time when the company is entering an exciting phase of growth,” Frank said.

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We believe there is a better way.

Consideration should be given to targeted and proportionate ways of achieving shared public policy objectives in Ireland such as: Penalising the purchase, or attempted purchase of tobacco products by minors, and the purchase by adults on behalf of minors (“proxy” purchasing) Reinforcing retail access prevention measures, such as the ‘Show Me I.D Be Age Ok’ programme; www.showmeid.ie More effective, targeted enforcement of the illicit tobacco trade. Evidence suggests that minors in Ireland are currently being used to sell illegal tobacco products in street markets across Ireland. Minors can also easily purchase tobacco from illegal channels as criminals don’t ask for identification Renewing targeted public information campaigns to quickly and effectively raise the awareness of tobacco control measures, such as the criminalisation of proxy-purchasing by minors and negative licensing regime

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