Retail News July/August 2013

JULY/AUGUST 2013

Join us on

R eg is n te oW R enfR fo on tRee R lin e Y

Ireland’s most vibrant food, drink, hospitality and retail event

@FHIexhibition

www.foodhospitality.ie

Organised by

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013|Contents|3

Contents decisions impact on your rent discussions?

John Hogan, Leman Solicitors, provides some tips and analysis of recent trends in landlord and tenant cases on rent.

News

Consumer Confidence a Priority WITH this year’s Budget set to take place on October 15 rather than in December, as has happened in recent years, Ireland’s retail trade has been putting together its pre-Budget submissions.

Obviously, re-invigorating consumer confidence is high on the agenda for the entire FMCG market, with all the main players urging the Government to take steps to get the country spending again, thereby stimulating growth in the domestic economy, with a knock-on effect for jobs. Our Chief News Reporter, Pavel Barter, talks to some of the biggest names in Irish retail grocery to find out their wish list for Budget 2014 (Page 4).

Our news pages also reveal the UK Government’s reversal on plans to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products, claiming a lack of evidence that it would have a significant impact as the main reason (Page 6), while Derek Mooney, Sales Director, JTI Ireland, argues that “there is no credible evidence” that plain packaging will work in Ireland (Page 46).

Elsewhere, John Hogan, Leman Solicitors, offers advice on what options are open to those of you locked into upwards only rent leases (Page 22), asking how the recent Bewleys decision can impact on your rent discussions with your landlord. John Rice, National Payments Programme-SEPA Programme Manager at the Central Bank of Ireland, tells FMCG companies to start preparing now for the advent of the Single Euro Payments Area and discusses the hugely controversial new Direct Debit regulations (Page 26).

Finally, if you are planning an event, don’t miss our Event Management special feature (Page 55-67), focusing on the do’s and don’ts of organising everything from a breakfast seminar to a multi-day conference.

Kathleen Belton Editorial & Marketing Director kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

4

26

4

Consumer Confidence the Key Concern as Budget Looms.

5

“Crack the Whip on Banks”: RGDATA.

6

Discounters Share Continues to Grow; UK Stubs Out Plans for Plain Packaging on Tobacco; Topaz and AXA Launch New Fuel Card.

7

SuperValu Opens in Miltown Malbay; Gala Launches Mobile App.

8

DIGI Calls for Fresh Approach to Alcohol Misuse; SME Lending Growing; Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards; Flogas Wins High Court Actions.

10

New BIM Strategy Launched; Contactless Payments Reach 500,000; Second Annual Show Me I.D Awareness Week.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 20

Rent Issues

22

How can recent legal

52

32 Homestead Anniversary

Now celebrating its 30th birthday, the Homestead brand continues to evolve, with a striking new logo rolling-out on-pack.

Tobacco 46

In light of the recent announcement by the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD,

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

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

Editorial & Marketing 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

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie brian@tarapublications.ie

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Production: Jim Heron

48

Food and Hospitality Ireland 2013, which incorporates SHOP, has been developed to meet the needs of retailers, chefs, hoteliers and all of those in the food and drink sectors.

GS1 Ireland

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Advertising: Brian Clark

Food & Hospitality Ireland 2013

52

32

Sales Fall for Third Consecutive Month; Retail Ireland Prepares for Budget 2014; Retail Ireland Meets with the InterDepartmental Group on Retail.

John Rice, National Payments Programme-SEPA Programme Manager at the Central Bank of Ireland, advises on what FMCG companies need to do to prepare for the Single Euro Payments Area next February, and discusses the hugely controversial new Direct Debit regulations.

to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in Ireland, Derek Mooney, Sales Director for JTI Ireland, gives us his views on illicit trade, branding and the retail industry.

Printed by: W&G Baird

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

The humble retail barcode celebrates its 40th birthday this year, having revolutionised the way we do business.

Event Management 55 When it comes to

organising a business event, planning is everything. We provide the do’s and don’ts of running a successful event, while Michelle Thornton, MD, Hotel Solutions, offers some practical advice for Irish FMCG companies.

Regulars & Reports

12 18 36 42 69 70

Industry News Drinks News Back To School: Lunch Box Back To School: Stationery Market News Shelf Life

4|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

News

Consumer Confidence the Key Concern as Budget Looms

IMPROVING consumer confidence is foremost on retailer wish-lists for Budget 2014. While retailers recognise the need for continued austerity, they want the Government to send a signal to consumers that the future is not bleak, so “they can loosen their purse strings and give themselves a life rather than living in fear of additional charges,” according to Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA).

Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods, noted that previous budget cuts created a sense of uncertainty and fear. The build up to the property tax introduction, for example, unnerved consumers and stalled 2012 Christmas spending. “The same is true of water tax and other future taxes threatened,” warned O’Byrne. “BWG Foods would like to see such taxes articulated clearly and precisely at the earliest possible stage, leaving no room for speculation and scaremongering.”

Avine McNally, Acting Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA), said the Government needs to deliver a clear message that there will not be further taxes or extra payments imposed upon consumers: “There should be some indication to give people the confidence to

go out and spend a bit more money than they would have in the past.”

In its pre-Budget submission, RGDATA is calling for “a forensic examination of all Budgetary measures to ensure that they do not add to the cost of employment or hinder job retention/ job creation in the independent retail sector”, according to Director General, Tara Buckley.

This includes urging the Government not to reintroduce the obsolete and unconstitutional Joint Labour Committee wage setting body, as well as calling for a 15% reduction in commercial rates and a cap on any increase in commercial rates as a result of the ongoing Revaluation process. “SMEs have had to cut their costs to survive, Local Authorities must do the same and pass on these savings in lower commercial rates,” Tara Buckley said.

Local authorities also have a job to do in relation to town centre rejuvenation and lowering parking charges, according to RGDATA, who are calling for each Local Authority to have a dedicated Town Centre Team and for national guidance to ensure similar parking regimes across the country.

Budget 2014 is expected to make €3.1 billion in adjustments, entailing €2 billion of spending cuts and €1.1 billion of tax increases, following €3.5 billion of adjustments in the last budget.

IBEC has called for the government to drop €500m of planned tax hikes, a desire echoed by the grocery sector. “We believe there is scope to row back on the austerity agenda and use the €1 billion generated from the promissory note deal to mitigate the budget cuts originally earmarked for Budget 2013,” said Willie O’Byrne.

Due to recent developments and initiatives, the sector is positive about what lies ahead. “I think this will be the last austerity budget and it will be communicated with authority and transparency,” said David Fitzsimons, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland. “I think we can look forward to future budgets that will be less aggressive and more supportive. I think sentiment will continue to improve. We’re through the worst of the storm: onwards and upwards.”

A degree of the positivity emanates from the timing of Budget 2014 on October 15. In recent years, budgets have been held in December, the peak time for consumer retail spending.

Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods.

“We thank and praise the Minister for that decision,” said Vincent Jennings.

“December always caused massive difficulties in the stock end of things. If there was bad news or negative feeling at a time of the largest sales period, it really reflects in our tills.”

BWG also welcomed the change in Budget date: “It removes from the most critical selling season of the year the low consumer confidence generated from kite flying and media speculation as to the severity of austerity measures,” according to Willie O’Byrne.

Nevertheless, retailers want a number of measures introduced in Budget 2014. At the forefront: Government-controlled costs of business, which can hamper competition as well as profitability.

Rates, particularly in rural areas, are an ongoing issue. McNally highlights the cost of parking for small retail businesses throughout the country, which can dissuade people from shopping in town centres. Ireland’s energy and transport costs are amongst the highest in Europe.

“There are other costs at local government level,” added Mark Fielding, CEO of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME). “If you want to put two chairs and a table outside a deli, they are on top of you for all sorts of levies. If you want to put a sign up, there’s a charge.”

RGDATA is calling for the introduction of a supplier code to stop utility providers compelling retailers to tie scarce capital up in the provision of a deposit in return for supply or service.

Electricity charges appear skewed.

“Bigger businesses are paying a little over 6% less than the EU average. Small and medium businesses are paying

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013| Retail News |5

News

David Fitzsimons, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland.

exactly the same amount above the EU average. These figures were confirmed by Forfás recently,” said ISME’s Mark Fielding.

Evelyn Jones, Chairperson of NOffLA, wants a reduction in employers PRSI: 10.75% for the off trade. Retailers are also calling for no increase on mandatory sick pay or pension provision.

“If you’re trying to create employment and make sure small businesses are creating jobs, you can’t keep putting the cost back onto employers,” said McNally. “They won’t take on people. They’ll just either retain staff or, if the cost gets too high, they may reduce hours or make people redundant. This has to follow through on the Government’s stance of job creation.”

Incentives for the industry include SME tax incentives and benefits. Retail Excellence Ireland, for example,

want micro-initiatives such as rewarding retailers who implement a labour intensive business model. “It’s the difference between a Tesco Extra, which invests about 5.5% of turnover in salaries, versus the retailers who invest 14% or 15%,” said Fitzsimons. “It allows for a reward to be given to employers who invest a significant proportion of turnover in labour costs.”

In June, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, proposed increasing the minimum wage, sending shockwaves throughout the

Mark Fielding, CEO of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME).

retail sector. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Richard Bruton TD has since denied he has any plans to do so, but the industry condemned Burton for untoward kite-flying. Burton’s Jobs Plus scheme, which rewards employers for hiring candidates unemployed for a year

or more, has had a largely warm reception, though.

Previously, the social welfare system was notoriously inflexible.

BWG Foods’ Willie O’Byrne welcomed the programme as “particularly helpful to the retail sector”, although the CSNA’s Jennings said the scheme was restrictive: “Why shouldn’t I also be able to hire someone six months out of work?”

While welcoming the lower rate of PRSI applicable to new employees under the Employer Job (PRSI) incentive scheme as “a very important tool for the creation of new employment in the retail grocery trade”, RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley wants the Government, when considering any new schemes, to consult with the independent retail sector “to seek our views on how to tailor the scheme to make it cost effective and ensure that the right people are targeted to train to work in the convenience retail sector”.

Retailers are calling for a freeze on taxes and duties in Budget 2014.

“We’re taxed to death,” said Retail Ireland Chairman, Frank Gleeson. “No more VAT increases or duty increases. We can’t afford them.” This includes a freeze on hikes on cigarette excise.

“We’ve reached the stage of diminishing return. Any more tax on tobacco will lead to

more black market activity.”

Jennings concurred: “Even the Department of Finance issued a paper that showed we had already reached the level of diminishing returns on tobacco, so you’re not doing it from a revenue raising perspective.”

Off license sales suffered from excise hikes in the last budget, which imposed a 41% increase on wine (an additional €1 excise duty on bottles), 22% on beer and cider, and 18% increase on spirits.

“We’re looking for a reversal on the 2013 increases because they’re not yielding the revenue they were supposed to,” said NOffLA’s Evelyn Jones. “75% of our members stated they were experiencing volume decline in their businesses.

10 independent off licences closed this year. Volumes are down on wine by 9.8%, beer 13%, spirits 16.3% and cider 16.3%. They expected to raise €180m. Between January and May, they only raised €29m.”

Despite such concerns, industry representatives we spoke to are broadly positive about the future. “I went to a global economic forum in Madrid two weeks ago,” said Gleeson. ”Everybody is optimistic about Ireland. They take an objective view that we seem to be doing all the right things.”

This positivity now needs to be reflected in Budget 2014.

“Crack the Whip on Banks”: RGDATA RGDATA has urged the Government to scrutinize the impact that changes in banking terms and conditions may have on creating and sustaining jobs in the retail sector.

Speaking to the Government’s Interdepartmental Group which is tasked with progressing the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 in the retail sector, an RGDATA delegation called for state action on banking fees.

“The Action Plan for Jobs will not be delivered unless the Government is prepared to crack the whip on the banks,” warned RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley. “Recent increases in bank lodgement fees and other changes aimed at making banks more efficient are having a direct impact on our members, their security and the security of their staff and

families.”

The delegation from RGDATA, including Dundalk retailer and RGDATA Director Colin Fee and second generation retailer Hugh Doyle of Donnybrook Fair in Dublin, also outlined other issues impacting on competitiveness for independent retailers.

Colin Fee urged the group to consider the impact any reintroduction of the JLC wage regime would have on job retention and creation. He also called for the enforcement of regulatory requirements to stop competitors operating outside the law.

Hugh Doyle spoke of employment initiatives and locational incentives for retailers based in town centres. He also suggested a scheme to allow retailers to expand their businesses without immediate development contributions.

RGDATA member Hugh Doyle of Donnybrook Fair, Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA, and RGDATA Director Colin Fee are pictured outside the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation after meeting with the Government’s Interdepartmental Group tasked with progressing the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 in the retail sector.

6|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

News Discounters Share Continues to Grow THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending July 7, show shoppers with children are coming under intense pressure, with families spending less on their weekly shops and switching to value stores.

“Although inflation is stabilising, price increases are nearly double the rate they were this time last year,” explains Mark Thomson, Director at Kantar Worldpanel.

“Consumers are responding by cutting back, with families spending, on average over this year, €67 less than they did in 2012. As a result, we have seen the overall market decline by 0.2%.”

For retailers, it is a testing period. Aldi, Lidl and SuperValu are the only retailers to increase market share, growing to 7.0%, 7.4%

and 19.5% respectively.

“The discounters continue to benefit from shoppers who are looking to actively manage their grocery spend,” Thomson continues. “If this performance carries on for the rest of the year, Aldi and Lidl’s combined share

of the Irish market will hit 15% by December. The other retailers face a range of opportunities. Dunnes needs to concentrate on retaining its family customers, while Tesco and SuperValu must encourage existing family shoppers to spend more in

store.”

Tesco’s share of 27.6% is in line with its 2011 performance, but a drop from the 28.8% recorded in 2012.

Dunnes’ share now stands at 21.5%, down from 22.2% last year and Superquinn has held share at 5.4%.

Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend 12 Weeks to 13 May 2012 %*

12 Weeks to 12 May 2013 %*

change** %

100.0% 88.0% 28.8% 22.2% 19.4% 5.4% 12.2% 5.5% 6.7% 12.0%

100.0% 88.4% 27.6% 21.5% 19.5% 5.4% 14.4% 7.0% 7.4% 11.6%

-0.2 0.2 -4.4 -3.3 0.1 -0.8 18.1 27.6 10.3 -3.1

Total Grocers Total Multiples Tesco Dunnes SuperValu Superquinn Total Discounters Aldi Lidl Other Outlets**

*= 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

UK Stub Out Plans for Plain Packaging on Tobacco FOLLOWING a year-long consultation process, UK authorities have axed any plans to introduce plain packaging legislation for cigarettes and tobacco products. UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has decided not to introduce new regulations requiring plain packaging, claiming there is not enough evidence it would have a significant impact.

Meanwhile, the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee (ITMAC) have welcomed the seizure of 10.4m cigarettes at Dublin Port recently, which had a street value of €4.6m and a potential loss to the exchequer of €3.7m.

“With the high price of legitimate tobacco and the paltry fines being handed down to those who are convicted of being involved in the illegal trade, it’s not hard to see why a third of the convictions for smuggling tobacco in the country last year were for individuals with addresses outside of this country,” noted an ITMAC spokesperson. “The problem is not going away and this seizure highlights that the criminals are simply not being deterred.”

Topaz and AXA Launch New Fuel Card

Pictured at the launch of the new fuel card are (l-r): Liam Mulcahy, Commercial Director at Topaz, and Colm Mc Grattan, Executive Director at AXA.

AXA are rewarding customer loyalty by partnering with Topaz to provide a new fuel card, as part of the AXA Plus Programme.

The fuel card guarantees 2 cent off per litre on Topaz petrol and diesel at any of the 320 Topaz service stations in the Republic of Ireland.

“This new fuel card is simple to use and will save AXA customers money every time they purchase fuel at a Topaz service station,” said Liam Mulcahy, Commercial Director at Topaz. “Card users will also be able to enter the Topaz Play or Park loyalty scheme, which offers customers the chance to win fantastic prizes every month.”

Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie|7

News SuperValu Opens in Miltown Malbay SUPERVALU’S new store in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, was officially opened recently by RTE TV and GAA sports presenter Marty Morrissey. The new store represents a total local investment of €5.5m by local businessman John Jones and is set to create 50 new jobs.

At 12,500 square feet, the store will boast a superb fresh food offering, which includes an expert butchery department and fish counter, an excellent fresh fruit and vegetable selection and a range of exclusive breads from its own in-store bakery department. A full off-licence will also offer a wide range of world wines, beers and spirits.

“This is a tremendous achievement for us to continue to build on a business that has been in our family through the generations,” said store owner John Jones.

“We are delighted to be able to offer the local Miltown

Three generations of the Jones family, Cyril, Caimin and current store owner John Jones, are pictured at the opening of SuperValu’s new store in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.

Malbay community a top class store that provides a quality shopping experience with an extensive range at the best possible value.”

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Morgan, SuperValu Sales Director, said: “We are

delighted to be expanding the SuperValu network with this latest local store and bringing our unique shopping experience to a new community. This significant investment and job creation from John, a Miltown Malbay native, is a real

demonstration of SuperValu and its retailers commitment to building vibrant local communities. Customers can look forward to excellent customer service, top quality fresh food at exceptional value and a commitment to Irish and local sourcing.”

Gala Launches smartphone App SMARTPHONE users can now enjoy a brand new mobile app from Gala stores, available for free download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The convenience store app offers users the chance to enter a monthly photo competition and to keep up to date with local store and community news.

The app features include: • Offers, allowing users to discover and redeem the latest offers from Gala stores around Ireland. They can save their favourite offers to redeem next time they are in a Gala store; • Store Finder, allowing users to find the closest Gala store to them, anywhere in Ireland; • News: where users can catch up on the latest national and local Gala news and announcements; • Photo competitions: users can enter Gala’s monthly photo competition by submitting their photos via the app for a chance to win great prizes.

To launch the app, Gala’s first photo competition offers users a chance to win a €1,000 shopping voucher for Gala with their ‘What’s The Weather Like?’ theme. Users can simply upload an image that reflects the theme, from inside-out umbrellas to beautiful sunsets, and if other app users ‘like’ the photo, they’re in with a chance to win.

“We are delighted to launch our new mobile app at Gala,” noted Gala Head of IT, Eamonn King. “As we continue to open more Gala stores around the country, our loyal customer base is growing and the app gives us a chance to give back to the customers – with the prizes, offers and updates, as well as a chance for them to keep in touch with all of their local community news. We are excited about our first competition too. Mobile phone users are constantly snapping away on their phones, taking so many great photos, so we are looking forward to users sharing their favourites with us on the app!”

Model Roz Purcell is pictured with Gala Head of IT, Eamonn King, at the launch of the new Gala smartphone app.

PREPRESS CHECK LIST

8|Retail News|July News|July/August August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Width 210mm Height 297mm

News

CHECK SIZE SPELLCHECK LASER PROOF

DIGI Calls for Fresh Approach to Alcohol Misuse

PROOF READ OVERPRINT

THE recent report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications on Sponsorship of Sports by the Alcohol Drinks Industry, which effectively opposed any proposed ban on sports sponsorship by alcoholic drinks companies, was broadly welcomed by the trade.

Common sense, it seems, has prevailed.

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), the wider representative body for the drinks industry in Ireland, welcomed the Report’s publication and called for the Government to engage with the industry to find evidence-based solutions to the challenge of alcohol misuse.

The Chairperson of DIGI and Diageo’s European Corporate Relations Director, Peter O’Brien said that the Government needs to engage with all stakeholders – and that includes those that man-

RASTER FX

ufacture and sell alcohol – in finding 2ND CHECK evidence-based solutions that will have a PDF CHECK real impact on effecting societal change in HI RES SCANS this country.

CYAN “We want to work with the GovernMAGENTA ment, with medical organisations and key YELLOW stakeholders in order to address the abuse BLACK of our products in this country. There are challenges for everyone in dealing with the abuse of alcohol. The industry is up to this challenge,” he said.

He went on to note how, “the misuse of alcohol is not in the interests of our industry or its sustainable development.

It damages our members, it damages our brands and it damages the societies in which we operate. So let us work together to put in place measures that will have Peter O’Brien, Chairperson of DIGI and Diageo’s European Corporate Relaa real and lasting impact to change our tions Director. cultural acceptance of alcohol misuse.”

Great response to Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards ORGANISERS of the inaugural Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have been “absolutely delighted” with the response they received from Irish food and drink manufacturers, with more than 300 entries submitted, prior to the judging, which took place over two weeks at the end of July.

Organisers will announce a shortlist in early August, with many of the shortlisted products on display in the shortlist showcase at Food and Hospitality Ireland, which takes place at the RDS on September 18 and 19, with the winners announced at a glittering gala dinner in Dublin on September 18.

IRISH

2013

SME Lending Growing NEW lending drawn down by SMEs during the first quarter of 2013 grew by 10.1% year-on-year to €464m, according to figures from the Central Bank. This represents the second consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth (although Q1 2011 was quite weak). The average quarterly level of lending over the past year rose above €500m for the first time since Q1 2012. While the Central Bank figures also show that total credit outstanding to SMEs fell by 4.6% over the year, this reflects the fact that businesses are repaying existing debt more than they are taking out new credit.

Flogas Wins High Court Actions in property rights case

aspects of illegal cylinder filling activiFLOGAS Ireland Limited has won two ty.” The Court prohibited Tru Gas Ltd, Commercial High Court actions against Patrick Morgan and Langan Fuels Ltd, Tru Gas Limited, Patrick Morgan and their respective servants or agents from separately Langan Fuels Limited. filling, selling or in any way interfering The proceedings included claims by with, or in the case of Tru Gas Ltd Flogas Ireland Limited that Tru Gas www.irishqualityfoodawards.com and Patrick Morgan, Ltd of Castlebellingham, Co. Louth, handling or taking was a leading “pirate filler”, supplying possession of retailers of liquid petroleum gas (“LPG”) Flogas branded cylinders involved in a will take The first Irishnationwide Qualityand Food Awards cylinders. joint operation with Langan Fuels Ltd place on 18 September of Kilmacow, Waterford, in unlawfully interfering with and selling Flogas LPG sector For the Irish retail and food service cylinders.excellence “Flogas is very that development Recognising inpleased product its property rights have been upheld by Contact Lyons foractivities more information the Helen Court and that the of the defendants in this case have been heav00353 (0)1 817 6360 ily punished by the Court,” said Richard helen@irishqualityfoodawards.com Martin, Managing Director of Flogas Ireland, following the decision of the High Court. “It sends a powerful signal In partnership with: to the market about the damaging

book your places now

!

EW N

Media partner:

Tear open the Unwrap Gold packs... if you find it’s GOLD inside you’re a WINNER. If not, enter the code inside the pack into www.cadbury.ie, 1 in 8 chances to win!

It ’s It’s

It’s an instant win - one of the best ways to drive impulse sales.

Local radio and Press PR around the winners and local area where product was purchased.

Your Your shoppers shoppers snacking snacking behaviour behaviour Chocolate Single Sales Chocolate singles make up almost half of all chocolate confectionery sales!*

ck On-Pation Promo

€1 million Marketing Marketing Support Support

re In-StoOW’ ‘W

No.1 Chocolate Singles

Mondeléz International is the No.1 manufacturer in Chocolate Singles and Total Chocolate, with a 48% value share.*

e Surprigsht i l e &D PR

Driving Growth for the Category Cadbury Dairy Milk is Ireland’s largest confectionery brand and is driving growth for the category.*

weight Heavy door Out Digital

*Source: AC Nielsen Market Track MAT w/e 6th January 2013.

TV OV8237

10|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

News Contactless Payments Reach 500,000 HALF a million contactless payments have taken place in Ireland since the recent introduction of Visa Debit contactless cards. Visa Europe, the payments technology business, predicts that two million contactless payments with Visa Debit cards will take place by the end of the year, eliminating approximately €10m in cash usage in the next six months alone. By the end of the year, it is estimated that 70% of all Irish adults

with bank accounts will have a Visa Debit contactless card.

Anyone with a Visa Debit contactless card can pay for transactions of €15 or less simply by touching their card to the terminal without the need to enter their PIN (personal identification number), offering customers a faster, more convenient and safe way to pay, while helping retailers to reduce the time shoppers spend queuing.

New Londis ‘Local Like New BIM Strategy Launched You’ Campaign LONDIS has launched a multi-faceted media campaign to cement its position within the Irish grocery market. The group will invest more than €1m in the campaign over the next 12 months, which includes TV advertisements, digital activity and in-store promotion.

The campaign highlights exactly what makes Pictured at the launch of the Londis ‘Lo- Londis different from cal Like You’ competition are model Roz other retailers in Ireland.

Because Londis is owned Purcell and broadcaster Hector Ó hEoand run by locals and bechagáin, who joined forces with Londis cause each Londis retailer to search for Ireland’s local gems. is a part of the community they serve, each Londis is shaped by, and for, the local community in which it operates. In other words – it’s ‘Local Like You’. The new advert cleverly portrays this, demonstrating a Londis retailer who is incorporated into various parts of community life, including a still life art class, the local five a side team, a family movie night and the local needlework club.

To coincide with the launch of the new campaign, Londis will also launch a facebook initiative calling on consumers to show just how local they are by suggesting a great family break in their county to be in with the chance to win a break in a location of their choosing. See www.facebook.com/londisireland for more information.

Pictured is BIM Chairman Kieran Calnan, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD and BIM CEO Jason Whooley at the launch of the Bord Iascaigh Mhara 2013-2017 strategy.

BORD Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is set to deliver 1,200 jobs and €1 billion seafood sales by building scale and enhancing competitiveness in the Irish seafood sector. Such was the message from

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, when he launched the agency’s 2013-2017 strategy, entitled ‘Capturing Ireland’s Share of The Global Seafood Opportunity’.

Second Annual Show Me I.D Awareness Week THE second annual ‘Show Me I.D - Be Age Ok’ Awareness Week took place recently with the unveiling of smartphone and tablet accessible online training at www.showmeid.ie. This development makes it easier for retail staff to keep up-to-date on how best to ensure that minors do not have access to age-restricted products by simply using their smartphones and tablets to complete the training. Certificates of completion will be available to all staff on completion of the programme.

The 2013 Awareness Week included

a Show Me I.D poster campaign, which appeared in over 1,200 retail outlets around Ireland. To raise awareness of this initiative amongst retailers, a nationwide media campaign was also rolled out.

“The key aim of this campaign is to assist retailers and their employees in ensuring that minors don’t have access to age-restricted products,” explained John Freda, General Manager, JTI Ireland. “In fact, the majority of Ireland’s retailers are compliant with the laws.

We have a bigger problem with youth

access to tobacco products and that is in the black market. I believe it is imperative to highlight that minors can easily purchase illegal tobacco in the black market, as criminal gangs do not care who they sell to: therefore, I would call on the Minister for Health to introduce measures to ensure minors cannot access tobacco products from illegal channels.”

Resource materials and a staff training programme are available on www.showmeid.ie which aims to advise retailers on how to avoid the underage sale of tobacco products.

Enjoy Coors Light Sensibly. Visit

12|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Nestlé Ireland Raise €582k for Jack & Jill THE staff at Nestlé Ireland have renewed their partnership with the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation as their ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2013. Jonathan Irwin, CEO of the Jack & Jill Foundation, said that the company and its staff have been instrumental in raising a whopping €582,000 for the charity since 2010. Jack & Jill provide intensive nursing care in the home, funding and support to families of children under 4 years with severe develop-

ment delay as a result of brain damage who need 24-hour care. Since the partnership began, Nestlé Ireland staff have jumped out of planes, ran marathons, held quiz nights, pushed beds through the Irish countryside and painted themselves blue as Smurfs.

Pictured at the announcement are Deirdre O’Donoghue, Nestlé Ireland, Country Manager; Rebekah Verling (5), Oisín Ó’Luasa (8), and Jonathan Irwin, CEO, Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.

Gala Partners with Disney for MU GARY Desmond, CEO of Gala, is pictured with Maureen Ryan, Promotions and Publicity Manager, Disney Ireland, at the Dublin premiere of Monsters University, at the Odeon on June 30.

Gala hosted five additional preview screenings across the country as part of a partnership with Disney for the film launch this summer in Galway, Cork, Laois, Limerick and Sligo, offering families across Ireland a chance to be among the first to see the film before it went live nationwide on July 12. Gala goody bags were provided for each guest to enjoy at the screening, with contributions from various suppliers.

Rio Calls for Topaz Winner LUCKY Louise Hegarty will be swapping a cold and dark Dublin for a sizzling Rio de Janeiro in December after winning a fabulous holiday worth €20,000 in Topaz’s Play or Park loyalty game. Louise is the latest monthly winner of a Play or Park Experience of a Lifetime.

She’s already looking forward to jetting off with a friend for seven nights in the stunning 5-star Copacabana Palace, the most luxurious hotel in Rio. The prize will allow Louise to soak up sun-

shine on Rio’s dazzling beaches and splash out in the fabulous shopping district of Ipanema with €2,000 in spending money.

Louise is pictured (right) with Laura Murphy, Topaz Loyalty Manager, and Brazilian Adelson Maia.

Berry Nice Performance ACCORDING to a new Kantar report, there was a 33% increase in the retail value of strawberry sales to consumers in the 25-34 year old category in the last 12 months compared to the previous year, to reach €8m. These figures were released for National Strawberry Week in June. Total retail sales of strawberries in Ireland are currently worth €51.7m. Pictured enjoying seasonal strawberries in the Gold Medal winning garden ‘Love to Grow’ at the recent Bloom in the Park festival, are David Keeling, Keeling’s; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD; and Jane McCorkell, garden designer

A Taste of the Caribbean WITH a 38.7% value share, McCain continues to innovate in wedges, bringing new tastes from around the world to the Irish consumer, driving incremental sales in the wedges category, which is already valued at over €2.7m (Source: ACNielsen Scantrack, MAT up to June 16, 2013). Following the success of McCain Mexican Wedges, McCain have just launched new limited edition Caribbean Wedges. Made from specially selected potatoes and seasoned with spices and Caribbean attitude, these wedges are perfect for sharing with friends, at BBQs or just relaxing with a good movie. To support new Caribbean Wedges, McCain have launched a Summer of Sharing campaign with a free Sharing Bowl on-pack promotion. With strong outdoor advertising and radio support, as well as POS in-store, make sure you stock up now to boost your summer sales.

rge Chocolate la d at e lu a v e r a s k bloc

n o i l l i m 9 2 â‚Ź growing by 11%.

and are

Place your order NOW! OV8236

14|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Londis Plus Opens in Mullingar MARSHALL’s Londis PLUS in Mullingar officially opened its doors recently. Owned by the Marshall family for 60 years until its purchase in 2009 by Owen Doyle, the store employs 38 staff in total, and includes a recently upgraded hot and cold deli, including the Londis Fresh range of freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and ready meals.

“We have made significant enhancements to our offering as part of this process and are delighted to bring the Londis PLUS brand to our customers in Mullingar,” noted store owner Owen Doyle. “With Londis, we will bring a vastly enhanced value offering, a vibrant product range and a very enjoyable shopping experience to our customers.”

Consumers will continue to enjoy the traditional butchery, famed for its high quality meats, whilst a premium coffee offering, ‘The Plantation Coffee Company’, will serve the perfect cup alongside the store’s premium range of freshly baked goods. A wide selection of well-priced beers and wines completes the store’s broad offering and brings the best of range and value for money to the local Mullingar community.

The store has also launched a loyalty scheme as an additional reward for shoppers and has invested €10,000 in an exciting Summer Holiday Giveaway, with five lucky customers set to

Paddy Dolan, brother of the late Joe Dolan and long standing customer, officially opens Marshall’s Londis PLUS in Mullingar, accompanied by (l-r): Conor Hayes, Head of Sales and Development with ADM Londis plc; Owen Doyle, store owner; Stephen O’Riordan, CEO, ADM Londis plc; and Gavin and Adrienne Doyle.

walk away with holiday vouchers to the value of €2,000!

Speaking of the new partnership, Stephen O’Riordan, Londis Chief Executive said: “The launch of Marshall’s Londis Plus represents an exciting time for Owen, his excellent team and the customers who have supported the store over the years. The Marshall fam-

New Lotto Advertising Campaign

THE National Lottery has launched a brand new Lotto advertising campaign: ‘What’s the first thing you’d do?’, a theme which everyone can relate to. The campaign launched with a 60-second TV ad showing across prime time slots on RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3, TG4 and lots of other stations.

The engaging, entertaining and dramatic TV advert is split into two parts, the first strand tells the story of a young man who has won the Lotto and takes all his friends on holiday, while the s second strand is set abroad and follows the exploits of the group on their holiday. The overall campaign will include Outdoor, Digital, Cinema, and Point of Sale advertising for the months of July and August.

A strong element of player engagement will be encouraged throughout the campaign, including a new micro-site, www.lottery.ie/firstthing, inviting players to share the first thing they would do if they won the Lotto jackpot.

ily name is well recognised in Mullingar and Owen and his team are hugely committed to serving it well. Customers will enjoy a breadth of product range, together with a value oriented grocery offering, whilst retaining the warmth, familiarity and commitment to service that the store has been so long recognised for locally.”

Centra Own Brand Supports Irish Economy CENTRA is helping to boost the Irish economy through its recently launched Own Brand range of 900 products.

110 of the 150 suppliers who produce this new and innovative range are Irish and projected retail sales in 2013 for these Irish companies is expected to be in excess of €150m.

Initial performance of the range has been strong, with sales of €40m achieved since its launch in April; a figure that is only set to grow as awareness increases.

“Local suppliers of all sizes play a key role in our new product offering. By continuing to source high quality produce from local

suppliers, we are reinforcing our commitment to communities throughout Ireland,” said Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Centra, pictured (right) with Ian Allen, Centra Sales Director.

r e m Sum g n i r a h of S Stock up Now! FREE sharing bowl with any two packs.

See pack for details

16|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Gala Partners with Jack & Jill GALA Retail Services will be hosting a ‘Summer BBQ Series’ as part of their fundraising initiative with the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. There will be up to 50 barbeques held nationwide at various Gala stores throughout the summer as part of the partnership, an extension of the retailer’s CSR campaign to date with the charity. All across Ireland, local Gala stores will be hosting community days, inviting customers

to enjoy a day of fun and fundraising for the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, with all voluntary donations gathered at the events going directly to the charity. See www.facebook.com/galaretail for more information. Pictured turning up the heat at the launch of Gala Retail ‘Summer BBQ Series’ were Gala Fresh Food Managers John Ireland and Ben McGinn with models Daniella Moyles and Pippa O’Connor.

Calor Teams up with Irish Pride TWO much loved and iconic Irish brands, Calor and Irish Pride, have joined forces once again this summer to provide the essential ingredients to help Irish consumers prepare to barbeque in style. 18 lucky people have the chance to win a fabulous and very stylish BBQ from Calor, while weekly winners will receive a BBQ utensils pack and Calor vouchers for a free refill of their 6kg lightweight cylinder, as well as a super Bunster hamper full of Irish Pride products. The on-pack promotion with Irish Pride Bunsters is visible instore and on packs across the country as part of the 18-week promotion, which runs until September 13.

Aoife Dromey, Cylinder Channel Manager for Calor, and Cathy McCorry, Marketing Manager, Irish Pride, are pictured at the announcement

SuperValu to sell €25m of Irish Potatoes CHRIS Fortune of Kilmore Potatoes, Kilmore, Wexford, is pictured at the announcement that SuperValu is set to sell €25m worth of Irish potatoes nationwide in 2013. The largest purchaser of Irish potatoes, SuperValu annually sources approximately 20,000 tonnes of potatoes from growers in Dublin, Cork, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Donegal, Carlow, Wicklow and Wexford. Irish farmers

are currently harvesting the new season Irish potato crop, which are available in all 197 SuperValu stores throughout the country.

Topaz Wins Sales Awards

TOPAZ’S Dealer Team and Dealer Business Manager, Jonathan Diver, were winners of two of the top awards at the Irish Sales Champion Awards which took place recently at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Jonathan picked up one of the key individual awards on the night, Champion Field Sales Manager of the Year 2013, while the

Dealer Team won the Best Sales Training Programme Award. The ISC Awards celebrate the competitive spirit, ingenuity and tenacity of Irish sales personnel on the front line. Jonathan Diver is pictured (centre) with the Topaz team of Dealer Area Managers (l-r): Richard Stones, Peter O’Connor, Tony Buckley and Declan Murphy.

Musgrave 2013 Triathlon Launched ALANNA McEntaggart (7), model Daniella Moyles, radio presenter Matt Cooper and Faye McEntaggart (7) are pictured at the launch of the annual Mugrave Triathlon, which to-date has raised €3.3 million in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and Breakthrough Cancer Research. The triathlon, which attracts over 500 participants every year, is now in its eleventh year and has set an even higher target for 2013, which is to raise a staggering €250,000 through this one-day event, which will take place in Farran Woods, Farran, Co. Cork, on Saturday, August 31. “We are really proud of our Triathlon and the incredible funds it continues to generate each year,” noted Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Musgrave.

Despite having no evidence that it will achieve a reduction in youth smoking, on the 28th of May 2013, the Department of Health announced their intention to introduce Plain Packaging for Tobacco Products in Ireland.

?

Ireland

Australia

Example of Benson & Hedges Gold 20s pack

Example of ‘plain packaging’ introduced in 2012

The impact on illicit trade • Moves to take branding off of packs will make it easier to produce fakes – price will become the main drive rather than quality

The impact on legitimate retailers

• Organised criminal gangs will profit by taking money out of retailers’ tills

• Damage competition in the market, by creating an increased focus on price

LosT ILLIcIT = LosT = = LosT ProfITs TrADE JoBs fooTfALL

• Fewer legitimate sales as counterfeit and smuggling increase, reducing associated purchases such as confectionery and soft drinks

Layering of legislation Tobacco branding is already InvIsIBLE In IrELAnD! Pictorial health warnings

2013

Retailers register

2009

Self-service vending machine regulation

2009

Ban on Point of sale and Display Advertising

2009

Legal age raised to 18 & ban on sale of 10s

2007

Ban on Smoking in workplaces/pubs

2004

Taxation increases

onGoInG

“The tobacco industry is at the forefront of legislation at the moment but recent media coverage shows that other categories that convenience store retailers rely on to maintain a profitable business are under pressure.

Retailers should engage in the debate to protect their legitimate business interests.”

Derek Mooney, Sales Director, JTI

€

Speak to your tive ta JTI Represen

18|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Drinks News Febvre to Distribute José Cuervo and Proximo PROXIMO Spirits UK have announced the appointment of Febvre & Company Limited as the distributor of its spirits portfolio and of Jose Cuervo Tequila in Ireland.

This exciting and dynamic portfolio includes Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Boodles Gin and Maestro Dobel Tequila, along with the Jose Cuervo Tequila portfolio.

The new portfolio is the latest important addition to The Bar Library in Febvre. “We have been fortunate to work with Kraken and Maestro Dobel over the past year and are delighted to see the portfolio expand to include the broader Proximo Spirits and world renowned Jose Cuervo portfolios,” said Anthony Alken, Managing Director, Febvre & Company.

Budweiser launch Dream Job Campaign HOLLYWOOD star and ‘Entourage’ star, Kevin Dillon was in Dublin to launch Budweiser’s inspiring new project, Budweiser Dream Job, which is offering talented and passionate people in Ireland the opportunity to kick-start their dream career. Budweiser is offering someone a chance to pursue their dream job for a year with a prize fund valued at €50,000. The Dream Job prize fund is comprised of a €40,000 cash prize, which will allow the overall winner the freedom to take real steps towards securing their dream job over a 12 month period. It also includes a €5,000 equipment bursary as well as practical mentoring sessions with experts in the winner’s area of interest. The four runner-up finalists will each receive an equipment bursary of €2,000. See www.facebook.com/Budweiser for more information.

Rocking the Distillery GLOBAL stars Of Monsters And Men (pictured) and Jake Bugg, together with friends Foy Vance, Willy Mason and Iain Archer, gave electrifying performances at Bushmills Live, the festival of handcrafted whiskey and music, which took place among the barrels at the Old Bushmills Distillery.

The intimate two-day festival on Ireland’s north coast was attended by just 500 music and whiskey fans from around the world, including attendees from countries spanning from the USA to Bulgaria and Portugal to Russia. Artists more used to playing to crowds of thousands performed a series of small Distillery, where the art of whiskey-making has been gigs in centuries-old buildings at the Old Bushmills practiced for generations.

Arthur Guinness Projects Champion Creativity GUINNESS has launched a major new cultural initiative, Arthur Guinness Projects, designed to champion and celebrate people whose ideas, passion and spirit are enhancing and shaping our culture and identity across music, sport, arts and food.

Together with a mentoring and promotional support programme, Arthur Guinness Projects will invest €3m in people and their projects across Ireland over the next three years, with up to 20 projects benefiting annually. Comprised of 16 experts, four within each category, the panel will be spearheaded by world-renowned Irish band, The Script, who will also be performing at the Arthur’s Day 2013 celebrations on September 26, food guru Dylan McGrath, Donegal inter-county manager and sports consultant, Jim McGuinness, and celebrated Irish actor, Chris O’ Dowd, all of whom are pictured at its launch. Applications can be submitted via www.ArthurGuinnessProjects.com.

Black Tower Design Winner Announced REBECCA Beesley has been selected as the winner of the Black Tower ‘Design Your Own Bottle’ competition. The inspiration for her wonderful winning design, featuring piano keys and musical notes, was that “everyone likes to end their day with a glass of Black Tower whilst their favourite music plays in the background”.

Rebecca’s prize is a weekend for two in New York, as well as seeing her unique design on half a million bottles of Black Tower Fruity White.

This Limited Edition bottle will be available on-shelf in all major supermarkets and independents across Ireland and the UK.

20|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update Sales Fall for Third Consecutive Month

Stephen Lynam, Retail ireland Director

RETAIL Ireland has said that CSO figures published for retail sales in May showed a third consecutive annual fall and pointed to the serious need for a set of new measures to help the domestic economy. The value of sales, excluding motor trades and bars, fell by 1.2% in May compared with the same month last year.

Commenting on the figures, Retail Ireland Director Stephen Lynam said: “These figures are another sign of a weakening domestic economy. Compared to last May, sales of groceries, fuel, pharmaceuticals, clothing, furniture, electricals and books are all down. Only sales in department stores and hardware outlets have increased.”

Sales are now down on an annual basis for three months in a row. What we hoped was just a blip has become a trend.

This data comes on foot of poor consumer spending figures for the first quarter of the year that showed the biggest quarter-onquarter drop since the pit of the recession in 2009.

The retail sector must be put on a sustainable path to recovery. Until that happens, the domestic economy cannot hope to see growth.

Retail Ireland Prepares for Budget 2014 THE Budget is earlier than usual this year, with Minister Noonan making his speech on the afternoon on October 15. While the timing is better for retailers, avoiding the Christmas period, the contents may or may not be good for the sector.

Retail Ireland’s pre-Budget submission calls for no increase in labour costs, which are already unsustainable and cannot be tolerated by store owners. It also calls for a freeze on all taxes and duties, including excise duties and carbon taxes.

We propose measures to stimulate the domestic economy, within the context of the difficult fiscal environment the Government is in, and a ban on announcements that lead to fear and uncertainty amongst consumers.

We also call for action on the black market that costs retailers hundreds of millions of euro every year.

We will be making these points to senior politicians and the media in the run-up to Budget 2014 and hope for a positive, retailer-friendly outcome.

Our submission closely mirrors that of IBEC, our parent body, which in July called for the fiscal readjustment of €3.1 billion reduced to €2.6 billion and the cancellation of the planned €500m in new taxes.

Retail Ireland Meets with the InterDepartmental Group on Retail RETAIL Ireland met with the newly formed InterDepartmental Group on Retail in June to help them in their work in drafting policy proposals to help the retail sector. The formation of the group, which Retail Ireland requested, is a positive sign that the importance of retail is beginning to be recognised in the decision making process.

We explained the current state of the sector and articulated our vision for the group that it leads to an understanding of the importance of retail when making policy choices, that a suite of workable proposals are forthcoming, and that a lasting retailer-focused policy making framework is left in place after the inter-Departmental group falls away.

We explained the four pillars of what we believe the group should recommend, including the recognition of the potential for the sector to create jobs and framing policy accordingly, the consideration of the impact of public pronouncements on consumer confidence, a freeze on all new charges, costs and regulations facing retailers and action on the black market.

We shall continue to engage with the group and believe it offers a great opportunity to promote the retail agenda in Government.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie

New Shop New Shop(s) Whatever way you look at it - as a National Lottery Agent – your shop is onto a sure fire winner.

And it’s about to get even better with the launch of our brand new muliti-media advertising campaign spanning TV, outdoor, digital, point of sale and cinema throughout July and August.

Last year over €45 million in commission was shared by National Lottery Agents and €225 million was raised for good causes throughout Ireland.

Everyone’s a winner.

it could be you

lottery.ie

22|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Rent Issues

Nothing Going On With The Rent How can recent legal decisions impact on your rent discussions? John Hogan, Leman Solicitors, provides some tips and analysis of recent trends in landlord and tenant cases on rent.

THE Bewleys case in April of this year was hailed by some commentators as a watershed for tenants. The media loved the idea that a tenant had somehow won over a high profile landlord and rumours spread about possible knock-on effects for retail rents. What has happened since? Well, very little, really.

Bewleys entered their lease in the 1980s at a market rent. Over time, that rent rose until their latest review, when they said they could not take it anymore. They challenged the assumption that their rent review was “upwards only”. In the High Court, they won. Their rent will now be assessed at current market levels, which could save them 50%. The judge in the case said the language in their lease was not clear enough to be definitely “upwards only”. The judgment is only five pages long and well worth a read.

So, how can other tenants benefit?

If you have a lease dating from the period 1980-2002, you should have it

reviewed. Many tenants have been negotiating with landlords in recent years but have only achieved short term deals – one, two or three year concessions, with the landlords hoping the rent levels will re-establish themselves. Landlords have been holding onto their leases (with those famous “upwards only” reviews – which have been banned since 2010) and tenants operating with the sword of Damocles over them – ready to fall. This has held back investment in shops, expansion, hiring, everything.

Check Your Lease If you have a Bewleys-style lease and a rent review due or overdue, now is

“

Playing silly buggers by refusing to pay any rent because ‘of the Troika’ or ‘the economy has collapsed’ is not a good idea… It will almost always result in a legal case and legal costs.

”

Bewleys landmark store on Dublin’s Grafton Street: their High Court win has had very little impact on the commercial rent market.

the time to get your lease checked and see if you can use that case (which is the law now) to completely re-set your lease. We looked at 10 leases for one of our clients. 30% of them were vulnerable – that is a lot.

What else can tenants do?

If you have the funds, you can consider Examinership. It is expensive but the Government are planning to allow it into the Circuit Court later this year.

That will reduce the costs considerably and it is a way to put a gun to a belligerent landlord’s head. Remember, in Examinership, the Court cannot change lease terms. It can only uphold or repudiate a lease. When landlords are faced with the nuclear option, they will often negotiate rather than lose a tenant entirely. Constructive discussion with your landlord is always the best way forward.

What if a tenant winds up the company?

This is the final solution for a tenant.

This is always only worth considering if you think you can do it cleanly. Check if your lease contains a guarantee.

Even if it does, the recent case of Reox Holdings plc (owners of Dairygold) shows that tenants can have a tactical

FROM OUR LAND TO YOURS.

CANADIAN FINDS A NEW HOME They’ve given us brilliant comedians like Jim Carrey and equally amazing bands like Arcade Fire, and now we have their most iconic lager! Crafted by leading global brewer Molson Coors, Molson Canadian or ‘Canadian,’ as it’s more commonly known, offers a refreshing new alternative to the more commonplace lagers that have held court in bars and Off Licences across the country for decades. Its successful launch in Ireland earlier this year, marked the first time the beer has been officially launched outside North America, and represents the biggest lager launch in Ireland in over ten years.

Brewed with premium barley, the choicest hops and no preservatives, Canadian is a crisp, clean and refreshing lager of medium body and low bitterness. Its aroma has an estery nose with fresh hop notes and its aftertaste provides a sharp, clean finish. The golden and light amber colour is capped off with a frothy white foam that you’d expect from the best lagers.

Backed by a heavyweight promotional campaign Canadian is instantly recognisable by its iconic red and blue alternating type face and iconic red maple leaf branding, which adorns the bottles, cans, glassware and countermounts. The maple leaf is very similar to the one featured on the Canadian flag, but interestingly pre-dates it by several years – Molson Canadian has used the maple leaf since it launched in 1959, compared to the Canadian flag, which wasn’t adopted until 1965.

Since its launch, Canadian has received a hugely positive reaction from consumers, publicans and retailers alike and is now available in hundreds of accounts across the country. It will be the exclusively poured lager at the Indiependence music festival in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork during the August Bank Holiday weekend, where thousands of revelers will enjoy the refreshing taste of Canadian while watching some fantastic music acts including Bastille, De La Soul and Kodaline.

To add some excitement back into your lager offering, drive footfall and answer consumer demand for new beers, join in with the biggest lager launch in more than a decade by getting in touch with the Molson Coors team at 01-629-4101.

@Canadian_IRE Enjoy Molson Canadian Sensibly. Visit

24|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Rent Issues

John Hogan, partner in charge of Commercial Property at Leman Solicitors.

advantage. In that case, the landlord tried to force the guarantor to take on a new lease. The court said that was fine but the new lease had no “upwards only” rent reviews – they have been banned. It was a tactical victory for the tenant and definitely a case to follow if you have a guaranteed lease situation.

So, can a tenant just stop paying?

Most lease agreements are pretty simple – landlord provides accommodation, tenant pays rent. Playing silly buggers by refusing to pay any rent because “of the Troika” or “the economy has collapsed” is not a good idea.

Strategic default on its own is not a great plan. It will almost always result in a legal case and legal costs.

Taking a Strategic Approach If you have a genuine dispute over rent, we recommend that you take a strategic approach: 1. Review your lease to make sure the landlord is holding up their end; 2. Check for any Bew leys-style gaps; 3. Advise your landlord that

you will reduce your rent to current market rent levels if you can afford those, with effect from say next month; 4. Provide your accounts (up to date, management information – not last year’s news) to your landlord and details of why you feel you need a reduction (e.g. lots of vacant units in the centre, common areas not being looked after, footfall down by x%); 5.Research the local market to make sure you know what a fair rent is; 6.Pay your rates, insurance and service charges; 7.Put some of the arrears money you build up aside to allow you have a nest egg for agreement with the landlord.

If you follow these steps, either (a) you will get the landlord to the table or (b) you will be sued. If, however, steps 1 and 2 have been in your favour, you may be in a strong position to fight.

You will know exactly what your risks are and can budget for a fight if that is what it takes.

Sharing the Risk NAMA have recently stated that they have agreed rent reductions in 80% of the applications made to them. That is good to know. Tenants should feel confident in their business plans and be ready to reach deals with landlords where

About the Author JOHN Hogan is partner in charge of Commercial Property at Leman Solicitors. A retail specialist, he has advised many large and small store owners about how to deal with rental issues.

they share some risk with them. The kinds of deals we see are: 1.Landlord seeks a top-up on rent if turnover breaks an agreed level; 2.Arrears paid over a period of time (with a discount – using a stepped rent); 3.Tenant offers to extend their break option or to provide longer notice to break; 4.Tenant offers a director guarantee for the concession period; 5.Tenant agrees to move to another smaller premises in a development in return for re-setting their lease.

If tenants are creative and willing to work with their landlords, solutions are possible for most problems.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do A final word on break options: many tenants

entered leases in the good times for terms of 20, 25 and even more years.

They may have a break option at the end of year 10 and are holding on grimly to get that far. Tenants should

be very careful to check the details of break option well in advance. In a 2012 case in the UK (Merol), a tenant missed out on a break worth £300,000 because they incorrectly calculated some interest due to the landlord – amounting to less than £200. Ouch. Also landlords are well used to the Russian Roulette game played by tenants who serve their break notices….but don’t want to go! If a tenant does not vacate when they should, their break option may be completely useless to them. It is always better to get into your discussions with the landlord early.

Bringing them to the brink is not a healthy experience for anyone. Constructive early engagement will get results. If you have to go, get ready to go.

If you have a lease problem, take advice and act professionally. Most land-

lords and tenants will take advice and if they are properly advised, will end up at a negotiation table. These recent cases show that the courts are taking these disputes seriously and some creative thinking can often unlock difficult relationships.

26|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

Are You SEPA Ready?

John Rice, National Payments Programme-SEPA Programme Manager at the Central Bank of Ireland, advises on what FMCG companies need to do to prepare for the Single Euro Payments Area next February, and discusses the hugely controversial new Direct Debit regulations.

FEBRUARY 1, 2014, will change the way electronic payments are made right across Europe, including Ireland.

Are you ready for the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)?

The SEPA area of 33 countries includes 28 EU member states, together with Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland.

“SEPA is a single pan-European payment system, covering credit transfers and direct debits” explains John Rice, National Payments Programme-SEPA Programme Manager at the Central Bank of Ireland. “At the moment, each of the 33 countries who will participate in SEPA has their own electronic payment systems, built to their own specifications and standards.

SEPA will build a common electronic

payment system across the 33 countries which will ultimately lead to more efficient, cost effective payments.” For the euro members of this area, the deadline for migration is February 1, 2014, with a deadline of October 2016 for non-euro countries.

Simplifying Banking SEPA will essentially allow anybody, an individual or a company, to run all their payments, right across Europe, from one single bank account. So, for example, a multinational with accounts in numerous countries, will be able to consolidate into one single country and account for all credit transfers and direct debits. For consumers, a bank account in Ireland or any other country in SEPA will work just fine to

make or receive electronic payments right across the SEPA area. However, Rice points out, this particular SEPA regulation impacts online payments, direct debits and credit transfers, but not cheques or credit cards. So what do you have to do to prepare for SEPA? It depends on what type of company you are, essentially.

Instead of your Irish bank account number and sort code, your bank account will now change to an IBAN (International Bank Account Number), while your sort code will be replaced by a BIC (Bank Identifier Code): both of these have been available on bank statements since 2008.

“This is the only real change for the consumer,” Rice notes. “It is the same for small businesses who make

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013|Retail News|27

Retail News Interview electronic payments singly, who, for example, pay staff and creditors one at a time. For them, like consumers, the impact will be minimal, as payment details for individuals and companies will be automatically and seamlessly converted to BICs and IBANs by their bank.”

Bulk File Submitters The next level up in terms of complexity includes companies known as “bulk file submitters”, of which there are approximately 50,000 in Ireland. These are businesses that make a single payroll or creditor file: for example, they might have 25 or 500 staff but send a single file to their bank or pay multiple creditors in one file, Rice explains.

For these companies, the first port of call is their existing software supplier. Depending on your supplier and the type of contract you have with them, they may upgrade all of your software to make it SEPA-ready, essentially converting your data (NSCs and account numbers), and creating a new file format, ISO XML 20022, which is the new SEPA standard. The next step is to contact your bank, let them know who your software provider is, inform them when you are upgrading to the new file formats and your bank will effectively plug you into the system.

If, however, your software provider will not be ready in time for SEPA, your bank can be that third party software supplier, and will make your files

“

Accountability ultimately lands with you to ensure your files are ready because your payments won’t be processed if they are not in the right format after February 1 next year. Don’t leave it to chance.

The introduction of the Single Euro Payments Area on February 1, 2014, will change the way electronic payments are made right across Europe.

”

SEPA-ready. “At the moment, banks are not charging for this service, but they are incurring costs and they will probably look to recoup that over time,” Rice admits. “But you have to weigh it up against what a software provider would charge for the same service. In time, you will have to provide the new payment formats to your bank, so it makes sense to organise SEPA upgrades from your software as soon as is practical.”

Rice advises every FMCG business, from the independent corner shop to the multinational distributor, the Cash & Carry to the multiple retailer, to act now. “Accountability ultimately lands with you to ensure your files are ready because your payments won’t be processed if they are not in the right format after February 1 next year,” he warns. “Don’t leave it to chance.”

He advises business owners to shop around if their existing software provider and bank aren’t forthcoming.

“You are free to look around because there are plenty of software providers and banks who are currently able to help you meet the requirements,” he says.

New Direct Debit Regulations The most complex changes will occur for companies who are direct debit originators (i.e. their customers pay them by direct debit), according to Rice, who estimates that there are approximately 5,000 such companies in Ireland. Of

28|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview that 5,000, however, a small number of companies account for up to 90% of volume, including service providers like electricity, gas and mobile operators, who collect a large proportion of their revenue via direct debit.

The rule changes for direct debits are far more complex than for credit transfers, and far more controversial.

Up until now, banks retained direct debit mandates, but that will no longer be the case from February 1, 2014, with the onus on the direct debit originator to manage direct debit mandates themselves. “In the new world, that relationship, that contract, is directly between the consumer and the business,” Rice explains. “What this means, in effect, is that every direct debit originator must have a mandate management process in place, which, amongst other changes, will require them to generate a unique reference number for every direct debit mandate.”

This means that banks cannot technically offer a conversion service for direct debits: only software suppliers can. If you are a direct debit originator, you need to talk to your software provider immediately, as Rice feels that many of the existing 120 software suppliers in Ireland will not offer software upgrades, because it may prove prohibitively expensive for them.

“If you haven’t got confidence in your supplier, you need to start looking around in terms of who else can supply these complex software changes,” he says. “Some of the software suppliers I have met have thought through the rules and their solutions are pretty slick. You want a competent software provider who can show you that all the rule changes are embedded in their software, and that your bank is ready to start testing the system, as soon as you have your new files in place.

“The financial system has to migrate 50,000 companies (Both SCT and SDD) across to the new SEPA system, which can’t be done in a week or a month, so in order to ensure businesses aren’t disrupted in terms of making or receiving payments, the sooner they get this done, the better.”

The Most Contentious Issue The big “flashing light” with the new rules, however, is in relation to new consumer rights for direct debits.

One of these rights allows consumers to limit the amount of any direct debit. For example, a consumer can decide that they don’t want their bi-monthly electricity bill to exceed €200, and if a debit comes through for €201, it will be rejected. It doesn’t mean the consumer doesn’t owe more than

“

If you are in the distribution business, be it food, pharma, oil or any other sector, the right to refund a direct debit causes the business model to be challenged.

You will be taking on more credit risk so you need to ask yourself if it is worth staying in the direct debit scheme and ensure that you understand the risks.

”

€200, but it allows them to manage their cash-flow.

This is not the most contentious issue, however. That dubious honour is reserved for another rule change, which gives consumers and businesses the right to claw back a direct debit for anything up to eight weeks for goods and services that have already been used/consumed.

“The way the scheme rules are written is that even if you have signed a direct debit mandate with your originator, you can still walk into your bank and say ‘I want that direct debit unpaid’ for anything up to eight weeks, after February 1 next year,” Rice explains. “It is a ‘no questions asked’ refund at the moment, so your bank automatically has to give you that money back and debit the originator.

“There is still debate going on about this at a European level but the European Payments Council, the owners of the scheme, have been clear that in the

John Rice, National Payments Programme-SEPA Programme Manager at the Central Bank of Ireland.

Business-to-Consumer space, this is the way it will be,” Rice insists.

Challenging Your Business Model The real problems, however, come in the Business-to-Business environment, primarily because of the absence of a SEPA Business–to-Business scheme.

The provision of such a scheme is not mandatory and most Irish Banks have opted not to provide it at this stage. “If you are in the distribution business, be it food, pharma, oil or any other sector, that right to refund a direct debit causes the business model to be challenged,” Rice admits. “You will be taking on more credit risk so you need to ask yourself if it is worth staying in the direct debit scheme and ensure that you understand the risks.”

So what are the options?

“You can opt out of the direct debit system, collect your money electronically, reconcile your receipts and only release the next lot of goods under your normal credit terms,” Rice says. “If you are dealing with 20 or 30 businesses, that might be manageable but if you are dealing with, say, 600, that becomes a logistical challenge. But the risk/reward ratio may mean that you

Ireland’s No.1 Wholebean Instant coffee* proudly presents an exclusive partnership with Orla Kiely

Limited Edition ceramic travel mug designed by Orla Kiely FREE with Kenco Millicano Tin and Refill LIMITED AVAILABILITY

IRISH EXCLUSIVE

Heavyweight €600k marketing support including Press, T.V, PR, Online, Consumer Promotions and in-store POS

*Source: ACNielsen MAT June 16th 2013

30|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview Your first port of call for SEPA is your existing software supplier.

have no choice.

“If you have a good and long-established working relationship with and good credit knowledge of your clients, you may be happy enough to risk the direct debit scheme because it’s efficient, effective and reconcilable,” he continues.

“Or you might be happy for a proportion of your customers to stay on the DD scheme and for another proportion to pay you electronically. These are the choices facing you right now.”

Managing the Risk Both IPSO (the Irish Payments Service Organisation) and the Central Bank are trying to help companies to manage that risk, while adhering to the regulations and scheme rules, Rice explains.

“IPSO have already written to the EPC for derogation and been refused, so we can’t set up our own domestic B2B scheme: it has to be a European scheme, even though 99% of debits are domestic.”

That said, he feels in the longer term, common sense will prevail in terms of leg-

islation. This year’s review of the Payment Service Directive, may, for example set out more specific rules for refund rights, which may in turn “soften this stark rule from the EPC”.

Otherwise, the real fear is that a company in a tight cash-flow situation decides to reverse direct debits for goods that have already been consumed or even worse, that a receiver or liquidator uses the same facility to claw back eight weeks of direct debits. “It is extremely prohibitive for companies where margins are fine but cash volumes are big, including the grocery and fuel sectors,” Rice admits. Both the Central Bank and IPSO are investigating an interim solution to help businesses in this regard.

“We are surprised that this rule is as hard and fast as it is,” Rice concludes, “as it goes beyond both the current Payment Service Directive and the SEPA migration end-date regulation. It is a fabulous consumer protection right but it does challenge the Business-to-Busi-

ness model, particularly in the current absence of a SEPA B2B offering by the majority of Irish banks.”

The key message Rice finishes with is to prepare

early and move to the new SEPA systems as soon as possible. This will avoid any unnecessary disruption to your payments come February 1, 2014.

SEPA at a Glance What are the main changes that SEPA brings?

• From February 1, 2014, existing national payment schemes will be closed down, following which euro electronic payments will be processed through new SEPA schemes.

• By that stage, all national direct debits and credit transfers must be SEPA-compliant. This will include everything from staff payroll to paying creditors or receiving a euro electronic payment from customers within SEPA. • National sort codes and account numbers will be replaced by an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and a Bank Identifier Code (BIC).

What will it mean for businesses?

From 1 February 2014, all euro direct debits and credit transfers within the designated 33-country area will be executed under the same conditions. This will create a more efficient borderless payment area by standardising euro electronic payments.

All businesses must be ready for SEPA, as all existing national systems will close on February 1 2014. You will need to ensure that your pay-roll, direct debit and accounting systems are SEPA ready before February 1, 2014, so that you are able to make euro electronic payments after that date. A key benefit for businesses is that faster settlement and simplified processes will improve cash-flow and potentially reduce cost.

No.1 Lighter brand worldwide & No.1 choice for consumers in Ireland.*

A bright idea for the home.

ISO22702

BBQs, Gas cookers, Candles, Open fires...

Available from: BWG, Musgrave & Stonehouse. www.bicworld.com * Source: Online Harris Research: Consumer preferences for cigarette lighters in Southern Ireland, January 2013 – 502 respondents.

32|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Homestead Anniversary

Happy 30th Birthday Homestead Now celebrating its 30th birthday, the Homestead brand continues to evolve, with a striking new logo rolling-out on-pack.

Pictured celebrating Homestead’s 30th birthday are Tom Shipsey, CEO, Stonehouse Marketing; and Janice Gibney, Homestead Brand Manager.

THE Homestead brand is celebrating 30 years of bringing value home this year. Over the last three decades, this multi-award winning brand has delivered quality, affordable solutions right across the grocery spectrum, from fire-lighters to toilet tissue, tea bags to tuna. From just a handful of products in 1983 to 100-plus products today, Homestead is now a household name throughout the country. It is estimated to have sold almost €500m worth of products, many Irish made, over the past 30 years.

But the grocery spectrum in Ireland is very different now from when Homestead was born, back in 1983.

“The early 1980s was a period of recession and industrial unrest,” recalls Frank Barry, M&P O’Sullivan Ltd, Cork, one of the founders of the Homestead brand. It was a time when then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey told us that as a country we were living way beyond our means.

“More pressing matters focused the minds of National Wholesale Groceries Alliance (NWGA) members with the arrival on the Irish grocery market of cheap unbranded generic products, such as yellow pack and red label, which were having a devastating effect on member sales,” Frank explains.

To combat this new threat, the NWGA Board established a working committee charged with formulating a plan to launch their own range of products.

“The easy option would have been to go generic,” Frank explains, “but credit their collective foresight not to follow this route. Their ambitious proposal was to establish a branded range of quality products with visually attractive packaging that would reflect the Irishness of the group itself and also buy into the very successful ‘Buy Irish’ campaign.”

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013| Retail News |33

Homestead Anniversary

The first production run of Homestead matches in 1983, watched over by Michael Shannon (right), CEO of NWGA, and George Cooke(left), Director, NWGA, with staff from M&P.

Homestead Through The Years 1983: The Homestead brand is born.

1988: Homestead is one of the most recognised brands in the country.

1995: Homestead wins an award for Best Use of Irish in a radio commercial.

2001: Homestead beats off all comers to win the Radio Ad of the Century Award.

2003: Homestead becomes a Friend of the Special Olympics.

2007: Homestead is listed in the Irish Independent’s Great Irish Brands.

2008-2012: Homestead raises a whopping €800,000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

2013: Homestead celebrates its 30th birthday with the launch of a new logo.

Homestead made an immediate impact on the market, thanks to the quality and value it offered consumers.

Homestead: The Birth of a Legend And thus, the Homestead brand was born, following much research and consumer focus groups. “This name was seen to reflect an aura of warmth, security and friendliness,” Frank notes.

“It also gave a good wholesome associa-

tion with food and grocery. The original plan was for a thatched cottage but that was quickly modified to reflect a more modern Ireland.”

Right from the beginning, the Homestead brand featured prices flashed on-pack, showing the con-

sumer that the brand would ‘Bring Value Home’. The brand’s founders approached a host of major Irish manufacturers, such as Jacobs, Jeyes, Batchelors, McDonnells and Lairds, asking them to provide the Homestead brand with premium quality products.

“The result was remarkable,”

34|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Homestead Anniversary

This year will see the roll-out of the new Homestead logo across the entire Homestead range.

Indeed, in 1995, Homestead won the award for the best use of the Irish language in a commercial, while 2001 saw the brand proudly lifting the Radio Ad of the Century Award, beating many multinational companies in the process, many with budgets hundreds of times greater than that of Homestead, the Stonehouse CEO notes proudly.

November 2007 saw Homestead included in the prestigious Irish Independent Newspapers’ Great Irish Brands’, alongside such luminaries as Guinness, Jameson, Lyons Tea, Kerrygold and Tayto.

World Special Olympics came to Ireland in 2003, while the last five years saw Homestead adopting Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, as their charity of choice, raising over €800,000 for not only the latest life saving equipment but also the creation of two ‘Homestead Homes from Home’ within the hospital. One facility is used by parents of long term stay patients as an area to relax, catch up on the news, have a cup of coffee or simply have a few minutes to themselves at a time of great stress and emotion, while a similar Homestead unit has now been furnished in the Intensive Care unit for the nursing staff.

“After five years support of the Children’s Hospital we now have turned our Corporate Social Responsibility to

A Good Corporate Citizen “Homestead has always remained true to what we are,” Shipsey insists. “We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We have supported most local charities around the country and on a number of occasions put our weight and efforts behind organisations like St.Luke’s Hospital, sponsoring the successful Homestead Food for Thought Book that featured on the Irish Best Sellers List in 1997.”

The Homestead brand became a Friend of the Special Olympics when the

Homestead’s elegant new logo retains all the warmth and investment in the Homestead house.

The Homestead range has grown from a handful of products in 1983 to 100-plus products, as evidenced by this 2012 range shot.

notes Tom Shipsey, CEO, Stonehouse Marketing (which formed in 2000 from the merger of NWGA and Keencost Centres). “Other suppliers like Chivers, Mitchelstown, Kerry, Dwans and Odlums soon came on board. Retailers and consumers quickly realised that here was a range of high quality products at a value price.”

Innovative Advertising Campaigns In 1988, just five years after the brand was launched using the familiar jingle ‘Homestead Brings Value Home’, research showed the brand as one of the most recognised in its category.

From the get-go, Homestead was supported with heavyweight TV and radio campaigns, including using high value slots on key domestic programmes like The Late Late Show on TV and the Gay Byrne Show on radio, while the brand also teamed up with the likes of Rosaleen Linehan and the irrepressible Zig & Zag to add a sense of fun to their advertising.

“We cleverly used both advertising in English and Irish to get across our sense of place and heritage, winning many awards in the process,” Shipsey stresses.

another area of great need in our community, namely The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul,” Tom Shipsey notes.

“Over the coming months, a Homestead Hamper Campaign for the SVP will be presented to all members to roll out in the autumn.”

Homestead continues to do what it set out to do back in 1983, bringing value to both retailer and consumer. It has survived the onslaught of price slashing, discounter brands and the arrival of UK and European multiples. It continues to thrive and prosper.

New Homestead Logo This year has seen the continuous evolution of the Homestead logo. “Reflecting the 21st Century consumer, we have introduced a design representing a more simple and contemporary style, with more emphasis on the word Homestead, while retaining all the warmth and investment in the Homestead house,” Tom Shipsey notes.

The new logo will be rolled out across the entire Homestead range, with a host of new packaging designs set to ensure the brand remains top-of-mind with Irish consumers for years to come. “This new elegant Homestead logo continues to enhance and expand the core tenets of the brand,” Shipsey notes. “Consumers have come to understand what the Homestead brand stands for: quality goods at a fair price.”

NEW READY TO COOK

RANGE

* SERVING SUGGESTION

HUNGRY?GOOD. Cheese & Bacon Chicken Breasts

Garlic & Herb Chicken Breasts

Pesto Chicken Breasts

2 Irish Chicken Breast Fillets stuffed full of Irish Cheddar & wrapped in succulent Irish Smoked Bacon

2 Irish Chicken Breast Fillets marinated in rustic garlic & herbs

2 Irish Chicken Breast Fillets with a colourful mix of fresh basil pesto, spinach & cherry tomatoes

Moy Park chicken is 100% Irish chicken, and guaranteed Bord Bia Quality Assured so you know it’s good.

Combining convenience with great flavour, Moy Park’s new Ready To Cook range provides your customers with a sense of luxury at home. Convenient, quick and easy to cook, this new range will deliver the perfect solution to any mealtime dilemma and is ideal for those busy lifestyles.

To discuss this exciting new range please contact our Commercial Team in Ireland on +44 (0) 28 3835 2233.

36|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Back To School: Lunch Box

Well Schooled!

The Back To School/Lunch Box sector can be a very lucrative one for retailers, if handled correctly.

THE shopping period for Back To School starts approximately three weeks before schools return from the summer holidays and stretches out a further two to three weeks “back at school”, with the main spike in sales is generally seen during the last weeks in August. It’s also one of the most lucrative times of the year for retailers, as families all over the country stock up on Back To School essentials, from lunches to stationery supplies. Effective Point of Sale displays are crucial during this time, highlighting Back to School offers, bundles etc to consumers.

The Back to School market includes everything from stationery supplies to lunch box fillers, snacks, drinks and even cereals, with the latter category showing strong growth during this key sales period. The start of the school year, as well as being busy in its own right, is also the time when habits are formed that last the rest of the year.

Of course, the Lunch Box market is broader than school lunches, with more and more adults taking lunch to work now rather than eating out during their break. The recession has bitten consumers badly and large numbers of workers are desk-dining as a means to cut costs without compromising on quality. This is good news for retailers, who can capitalise in this growing trend with a well-stocked lunch category in-store.

Burton’s Biscuit Company Burton’s Biscuit Company is continuing to innovate and invest in its market-leading power brands with the introduction of Maryland Gooeys, a new and innovative range of Maryland Cookies from Ireland’s number one cookie brand (Source: Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, 52 w/e May 12, 2013).

Maryland Gooeys offer consumers a brand new eating journey. These

Maryland Gooeys are crunchy choc chip cookies, filled with a delicious gooey chocolatey centre, available in three variants: Chocolate, Hazelnut and Triple Choc.

Also available in Hazelnut and Triple Choc

Ground breaking innovation from Maryland Maryland is Ireland’s number 1 cookie brand with a value of ₏1.8m*

Source: Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, 52 w/e 12th May 2013

38|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Back To School: Lunch Box crunchy choc chip cookies are filled with a delicious gooey chocolatey centre, offering a new experience in the biscuits category. The three variants – Chocolate, Hazelnut and Triple Choc – are available in 160g packs (10 cookies per pack). Research by Burton’s Biscuit Company shows that Maryland Gooeys are very appealing to families and scored significantly higher than competitors.

The Maryland range includes the classic Maryland Choc Chip Cookie, Double Choc and also Choc Chip & Hazelnut Cookies, available in both pricemarked packs (PMPs) and non-pricemarked packs, Maryland Monster bags (available in Choc Chip and Double Choc), Maryland Big & Chunky Cookies in four delicious variants and also mini Maryland Cookies snack packs.

And now with Maryland Gooeys to add to the range, there really is something for everyone.

Burton’s Biscuit Company, one of Kantar’s top 100 brands (Source: Burtons Biscuits Range, ranked 86th by Kantar Worldpanel 2013) will continue to invest in Maryland, one of its power brands, and bring exciting innovation to the biscuit category.

Johnston Mooney & O’Brien Following on from the hugely successful bread product, Goodness of Both, Johnston Mooney & O’Brien have just launched Goodness of Both Rolls in time for the Back To School period. These two new lines combine the great taste of white bread rolls with the nutritional goodness of wholemeal to deliver a new favourite, which will appeal to all the family.

Kids like variety in their lunchbox and parents are keen for their lunch to be as nutritious and as tasty as possible, and are also looking for value

New Goodness of Both Lunch Rolls from Johnston Mooney & O’Brien combine the great taste of white bread rolls with the nutritional goodness of wholemeal.

Oreo – Make the Kitchen Your Playground

for money. Goodness of Both Rolls meet all these needs in a new and innovative way.

Goodness of Both Lunch Rolls are aimed primarily at the school lunch box, while the Deli Rolls product are more likely to appeal to adults and parents. Retailing at €1.49 and available through JMOB’s extensive fleet of bread delivery vans, be sure to stock up on Goodness of Both Rolls in time for Back To School.

Chive, in multipacks of 5 x 25g packs (RSP €2.49) and are ideal for lunchboxes.

McVitie’s Oddities are irresistibly light and crispy,

UB Ireland baked snack biscuits, which come in three delicious With savoury biscuits repreflavours, Smoky Bacon, Salt & Vinegar and Sour senting a fantastic opportunity Cream & Chive, in multipacks of 5 x 25g packs. for retailers to grow sales, UB Ireland is launching McVitie’s McVitie’s Oddities will be supported Oddities, an exciting new range of by a fully integrated media campaign bite-sized savoury biscuits. The launch later this year to drive awareness and of Oddities will accelerate the growth trial amongst shoppers, including TV, of the savoury biscuits category by press advertising, sampling and inattracting new, younger consumers store activation. through this fun and engaging new From the same company, McVitie’s product.

Penguin has been a family favourite Oddities was developed following for an amazing 80 years. This perfect rigorous consumer research and is lunch box treat offers parents the already a proven success in the UK reassurance that they can give their market. Launched in 2011 by UB UK, children a balanced and convenient, Oddities grew rapidly to become a value for money chocolate biscuit bar £9.8m RSV brand (Source: ACNielsen, that will put a smile on everyone’s face.

16/02/13) after just one year of being Over the years, the Penguin range on sale and received the accolade of has grown considerably and now being voted Savoury Snack Product of includes cakes and wafer variants, as the Year in 2013, following a survey of well as a variety of flavours including 10,005 people by TNS. mint, orange and toffee. All Penguin Available from July in Ireland, products contain added calcium, no hyMcVitie’s Oddities are irresistibly drogenated fat and no artificial colours light and crispy, baked snack biscuits. or flavours.

These tasty bite sized snacks come in Check out the range, update your an amusing mix of unexpected shapes Penguin knowledge and see what with no artificial colours or flavours.

McVities are doing to protect Penguins McVitie’s Oddites are available in on www.penguinbiscuits.com. You can three delicious flavours, Smoky Bacon, also watch Dublin Zoo’s 14 Humboldt Salt & Vinegar and Sour Cream &

40|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Back To School: Lunch Box

McVitie’s Penguin has been a family favourite for an amazing 80 years.

Penguins without them knowing you’re there on McVities live Webcam. It’s a great way to get close to penguins and, of course, feeding time is always a real highlight.

Gem Pack Foods Ltd The Sun-Maid raisin brand, distributed in Ireland by Gem Pack Foods Ltd, is one of the 10 most recognised brands in the world. Introduced onto to the Irish market in 1994, Sun-Maid has become a popular brand, and consists of wholly natural raisins with no oils or glazing agents.

Children love the freedom of snacking with their own minibox of Sun-Maid Raisins, making them ideal for lunch boxes. They are also great for everyone in the family – stick Sun-Maid Raisin Mini Snacks go anywhere, are always ready to eat, won’t spoil, don’t require refrigeration, and are 100% natural.

several in your bag, one in your pocket, a couple of them in your desk. And don’t forget to add them to packed lunches or set them out for quick snacks.

Nutrition experts advise you to include 5-to-9 servings of fruit and vegetables in your daily diet: Sun-Maid Mini Snacks are a sure way to do that. Sun-Maid Raisin Mini Snacks go anywhere, are always ready to eat, won’t spoil, don’t require refrigeration, and are 100% natural.

Gleeson Group A ‘must-stock’ brand this Back to School period, Tipperary Kidz water is the perfect water for packed lunches and for quick re-hydration throughout the day. Designed specially for kids, Tipperary Kidz water comes in an easy to hold bottle with a fun flip-cap for instant refreshment. Not only is it fun for kids but parents can be happy too in the knowledge that water is the healthiest

Hot And Healthier @ Gala GALA have introduced a new Hot and Healthier @Gala, a delicious deli sandwich range that allows customers to build a personalised sandwich while being calorie conscious.

John Ireland and Ben McGinn, Fresh Food Managers from Gala, commented: “Busy lifestyles mean that lunch on the go is part of our daily routine. However, it’s not always easy to count the calorie Gala Fresh Food Managers John Ireland and Ben cost of these manic meals and McGinn are pictured at the launch of the new Hot with healthy eating at the top of and Healthier @ Gala. the national agenda, Gala wants to make it as easy as possible for its customers to make informed choices about their daily diet. We have launched this concept as a pilot programme in over 50 selected stores and plan to roll this out nationwide by the end of 2013.”

Customers can build their personalised, healthy and scrumptious sandwich in just three simple steps, choosing from a delicious bread selection, scrumptious fillings and tasty sauces. Gala stores will also offer calorie conscious customers a delicious Sandwich of the Day option for just €3 in participating stores.

Tipperary Kidz will be available in a variety of promotional packs during the Back To School period, including a €2.99 price flashed 10-pack.

option. Tipperary Kidz continues to lead the way in the kids’ water category and is a pure, natural mineral water, winning nine international Gold Medals for taste, quality and excellence, so you can rest assured that your little ones are only getting the very best.

Tipperary Kidz is available in a variety of packs, including two exciting flavours – Fruit Blast and Tiger Juice! The standard Tipperary Kidz is also available in an innovative and handy ‘six-pack’. Look out for exciting promotional activity during the Back To School period, including a ‘15 for 10 pack’ and a ‘€2.99 price flashed 10pack’. All packs will be supported with full POS in-store.

Clarke’s Fresh Fruit Fresh juicy strawberries are an ideal lunch box treat as the kids go back to school. Clarke’s Fresh Fruit Farm’s commitment to stem pick and pack and dispatch strawberries on the same day means that when consumers buy a punnet of strawberries, they are as fresh as they can possibly be - full of flavour and vitamins, and ready to give children the natural energy boost to help them through their school day.

A fantastic source of vitamin C, strawberries are ideal as part of a child’s healthy eating plan. Unlike many manufactured treats, they are not calorie laden with artificial sugars.

A serving of 8-10 tasty fresh strawberries contains only 27 calories.

Of course, consumers can go further and combine the strawberries with a number of fruits to create a really tasty fruit salad. Simple recipes, such as a fruit salad, mean that even younger children can be involved in making a tasty treat for school.

Being such a versatile fruit, it’s not just in the lunch box that the strawberries can be incorporated into a child’s

www.retailnews.ie |July/August 2013|Retail News|41

Back To School: Lunch Box red and black to highlight the fiery flavour of the product. The roll-out of Pot Noodle Piri Piri Chicken will add to the 11 delicious variants currently available - which includes Chicken and Mushroom, Original Curry and Beef and Tomato.

Retailers should respond to this trend by ensuring their Hot Snack offering reflects changing consumer tastes. Stocking standard varieties, as well the stronger, spicier flavours that are growing in popularity, will encourage consumers to increase their repertoire and result in an uplift in sales The launch of Pot Noodle Piri Piri is benefiting from a multi-million euro marketing campaign, spearheaded by a new version of its popular ‘Wag’ TV advert, and including radio & FHM partnership, digital support, PR, experiential and in-store marketing and sampling.

Clarke’s Fresh Fruit Farm’s commitment to stem pick and pack and dispatch strawberries on the same day means that when consumers buy a punnet of strawberries, they are as fresh as possible.

diet. Strawberry smoothies are always a big hit, as are strawberries and yogurt.

There’s even a place for strawberries at the breakfast table before school with strawberries an ideal natural sweetener on a number of cereals, rather than spoonfuls of sugar.

For special school treats and occasions, consumers can also add the strawberries to cupcakes, shortbreads and homemade ice pops.

Clarke’s Fresh Fruit Farm have been at the forefront of Ireland’s strawberry production for 50 years, maintaining the values of a family business, while continually expanding in the corporate world. In 2013, they will produce more than 800 tonnes of strawberries, which will be supplied to major stores throughout the island of Ireland.

In addition to the Clarke family’s fresh fruit business, they have also developed a range of premium fruit jams, which has been extremely successful and is stocked in major stores across the country.

Unilever The instant hot snacks category is currently showing strong growth, with pot snacks the real winner. Pot Noodle, the iconic snack brand from Unilever, claims leadership of the instant hot snacks category.

Volume sales of pot snacks have seen significant growth in the past year, demonstrating consumer enthusiasm for quick and tasty food in a

Clarke’s Fresh Fruit have developed a range of premium fruit jams, which has proved extremely successful.

convenient format. Spicy and hot variants are becoming increasingly popular as consumers are prepared to be more adventurous and try new tastes and flavours. Unilever has responded to this demand by expanding their range of Pot Noodle flavours to include a new spicy variant for 2013, Piri Piri Chicken.

Pot Noodle’s new Piri Piri Chicken flavour is in the same pot format as the existing Pot Noodle range, with packaging colours of deep Pot Noodle’s new Piri Piri Chicken flavour is in the same pot format as the existing Pot Noodle range, with packaging colours of deep red and black to highlight its fiery flavour.

Danone Danone have launched their brand new innovation - a high protein yoghurt range, Danio, to the Irish market.

The thick, tasty high protein yoghurt over a layer of fruit comes in a choice of low fat and 0% fat flavours: peach, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and passion fruit in single serve pots of 160g portions.

Danone Danio is made to Danone’s strained yoghurt recipe, which uses more milk than standard yoghurt, resulting in a yoghurt that is high in protein and spoon-bendingly thick!

“Danone’s new Danio range combines a thick and smooth texture with

Danone have launched their brand new innovation, a high protein yoghurt range, Danio, to the Irish market.

a great taste and high protein content,” noted Cathy Sweeney, Brand Manager of Danone Danio in Ireland.

“We believe that Irish consumers will really enjoy this delicious yoghurt, which comes in both low fat and 0% fat options, while providing nutrients like protein and calcium. Danio is perfect as a snack any time of day.”

Danio contains up to 8.2g protein per 100g, and has no artificial flavours, sweeteners or preservatives.

42|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Back To School: Stationery

Stationery Moving Ahead Stationery sales are estimated to rise by over a third during the busy Back To School period.

A WELL stocked stationery display can reap real rewards as the Back To School season approaches. We examine some of the main players in the market, focusing on new innovations for what promises to be a busy Back To School 2013.

Newspread Newspread are delighted to announce the launch of their fantastic Licensed Back To School Free Standing Display Unit, which is guaranteed to cause a stir in-store.

The unit features top selling kids licenses such as Peppa Pig, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Furby, Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Turtles and The Gruffalo, all of which are available on a full sale or return basis, and deliver a retail margin of 25% based on recommended

retail prices.

Available since July 1, the Free Standing Display Unit is a sure fire way to attract consumers to the category and drive sales at this busy time.

Also a big draw for the busy Back To School period, Newspread’s new Notes stationery range covers all your stationery needs, including refill pads, pens, copier paper, envelopes, copy-books, filing essentials and much more. Newspread are offering next day delivery anywhere in Ireland, with no minimum order.

Newspread also distribute a branded stationery range from Staedtler, BIC and Aisling.

“We are delighted to be launching this comprehensive stationery range which introduces our new competitively priced budget range, ‘Notes’, as well

as household names such as BIC and Aisling,” said Ian Keogh, Newspread CEO. “Stock will be available from the beginning of August and retailers can simply order online at www.newspread.ie for next day delivery. The fact that we have no minimum order restriction means that retailers can be sure that they don’t run out of any key lines during the Back To School frenzy.”

Newspread’s fantastic For more Back To School Free information on the Standing Display Unit.

44|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Back To School: Stationery It simply slots on the hand like a ring, allowing you to dispense the tape as you hold the wrapping paper in place.”

The Newspread stationery portfolio covers all your stationery needs, including paper from TEAM.

Back To School Free Standing Display Unit or to avail of Newspread’s fantastic introductory offer on their new stationery range, simply log onto www.newspread.ie or call 023 8863850.

Hand allows for variable tape lengths, ease of use and even two hands wrapping!

Sellotape aims to make this new dispenser a top draw must-have item for every household.

Developed through extensive market research, Sellotape’s OnHand dispenser is always there to help when wrapping or sealing presents, parcels and envelopes.

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

Under the tagline “Every roll inspired by you”, Sellotape has launched a brand new dispenser motivated by consumers. Meeting identified needs (Source: Sellotape Dispenser Study 2011) from a premium dispenser, On-

Helen Griffiths, Sellotape Brand Manager, says, “In the development of this innovation, we have kept the consumer’s wrapping rituals at heart trying to facilitate the process with On-Hand.

Developed through extensive market research, the On-Hand dispenser is always there to help when wrapping or sealing presents, parcels and envelopes. This new dispenser is an extension of you.

BIC Stationery BIC, one of Ireland’s leading stationery brands, has launched an exciting new range of products for pupils returning to their desks this September.

Kids will love getting creative with the BIC Kids Visa (€3.99) range of felt tip pens. Boasting a selection of vibrant colours sure to make imaginations run wild, the pens can be left uncapped for up to three months without drying out. The ink, made from a water-based formula, can be easily washed out, so school uniforms remain stain free, no matter how creative BIC Kids Tropicolours pencils kids get. are made from a special woodBIC 4Colour Fashion free resin, which makes them (€3.20), one of the latest adresilient and won’t splinter. ditions to the classic 4Colour range, brings an edgy twist can help fuel their creativity, to the pencil-case favourite. with new products that are Available in a lime green both fun and educational. shade, the new pens include The new range for Back To the choice of four colours; vivSchool 2013 adds a real burst id pink, polished purple, light of colour to pencil cases and blue and lime-green. Or, for – with category sales tradiunderstated style, the classic tionally rising by over a third BIC 4Colours (€3.20) includes during this key sales period the traditional mix of black, we anticipate strong demand red, blue and green, all in one over the coming months.” handy pen.

For budding little artists, BIC Kids Tropicolours pencils (€3.25) are just the thing. These bright packs of colouring pencils are easy to sharpen, making them perfect for detailed drawings and colouring large areas. What’s more, the pencils are made from a special woodfree resin, which makes them resilient and, unlike normal pencils, won’t splinter, keeping small hands safe.

Ulrike Amaya, BIC UK and Ireland‘s Marketing Manager, said; “Children have the most Kids will love getting creative wonderful minds and with the BIC Kids Visa range of at BIC, we are continually felt tip pens. looking at ways in which we

Stick with the best.

Freephone: 1800 340 156 (ROI) or 08000 390 156 (NI) Email: sales.ireland@uk.henkel.com

46|Retail News|June/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Tobacco

Plain Speaking In light of the recent announcement by the Minister for Health James Reilly to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in Ireland, Derek Mooney, Sales Director for JTI Ireland, gives us his views on illicit trade, branding and the retail industry.

Derek Mooney, Sales Director, JTI Ireland.

IN December 2012, the Australian Government became the first country in the world to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products. May 27 of this year saw the Irish Government, through Health Minister, James Reilly TD, announce its intention to make Ireland only the second country in the world to adopt plain packaging for tobacco products.

Retailers and manufacturers of tobacco products argue that the removal of brand identity is a gross distortion of free market practices, damages the retail sector and effectively provides criminal groups with a more open playing field in which to sell illegal products.

Minister for Health, James Reilly TD contends that the introduction of plain packaging will “increase the effectiveness of health warnings; reduce false health beliefs about cigarettes; and reduce brand appeal particularly among youth and young adults.”

“There is no credible evidence that this proposal will work,” says Derek Mooney, Sales Director of JTI, Ireland’s leading tobacco company. “Plain packaging is not based on, or consistent with, a credible and scientifically rigorous understanding of smoking behaviour. There is no reliable evidence to support the introduction of plain packaging, nor that it will have any health effects or discourage children from purchasing tobacco products.

“We believe that, rather than putting people off tobacco products, the intended legislation will in fact lead to a commoditisation of the market, potentially resulting in jobs losses, and ultimately further increase the illicit trade of tobacco products.”

Retail Profits Branded products are footfall generators and provide the retail industry with a large majority of their profits. “The sale of tobacco products account for some 10-30% of retailers’ turnover, with premium brands, such as Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges bringing customers into stores and generating cross-purchasing” explains Derek.

“Plain packaging will have a negative effect on the small retail industry. It may lead to the loss of jobs for those involved with the packaging industry, including design agencies and pack manufacturers.”

He also points out that margins will be negatively affected. “Should plain packaging legislation be introduced, premium brands will no longer have a home. This will lead to a commoditisation of the market-place and shift purchasing behaviour, whereby smokers will down-trade. This will affect retailer’s bottom line, and jobs will be lost.”

Responsibility Minister James Reilly recently called those that sell tobacco “purveyors of death”. These are strange words for people who engage in the legitimate, licensed trade of tobacco products, and bring significant tax revenue into Government coffers in the process.

Derek notes that the tobacco industry is working hard with retailers to ensure that young people don’t have access to tobacco products: “The retail trade complies rigidly with tobacco-related legislation. With over 98% compliance, retailers are very aware of the law.” Education initiatives

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013|Retail News|47

Tobacco

Ireland has one of the highest rates of illegal trade in tobacco products in the EU, much of it being imported in huge container-loads through our ports.

have helped with this process, he contends: “The Show Me I.D programme (www.showmeid.ie) has created an online system to help train staff members in retail as to how to prevent sales to those under 18 years of age.”

He responds angrily to Minister Reilly’s claims that the tobacco industry targets children. “We certainly do not target children and through initiatives like Show Me I.D, we do everything possible to help retailers guard against sales to minors,” he stresses.

The same cannot be said of the illicit trade, however. “Black market operatives don’t care about selling to children. Evidence suggests that they even use children to sell the product, and you can pick up whatever you want at half the price of the genuine product.”

Illegal Trade Ireland has one of the highest rates of illegal trade in tobacco products in the EU. According to Government figures, some 20% of tobacco sales in Ireland are illegal. Tax on tobacco products has risen steadily over the last number of years, which according to Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, serves to make the state “a particularly attractive market for tobacco smugglers.”

According to Derek, the introduc-

tion of plain packaging will drive the illegal trade of tobacco products. “This gangster’s charter provides an opportunity for criminals to import more product and further hamper the efforts of law enforcement in the detection of what is counterfeit from what isn’t,” he argues.

“Identical, unbranded packs will only serve the interests of criminal gangs and counterfeiters,” he adds, “as it will make it easier and cheaper for the underworld to manufacture fakes; putting money in the pockets of criminals and taking money out of the tills of shopkeepers across Ireland.”

The Australian Situation Derek points out that the effects of the introduction of plain packaging on the Australian market have yet to be seen.

“After the first six months, there’s no evidence to suggest that plain packaging has been effective in Australia; in fact, they are seeing more illicit activity since its introduction.”

Other countries are following developments in Australia. The UK held a consultation process and decided not to introduce plain packaging until they had further evidence that it would work. New Zealand is waiting on the result of the World Trade Organisation court case on the subject before mak-

ing any moves on the issue.

This is a sensible approach, according to Derek “We call on the Minister to invite all relevant stakeholders to submit to the consultation process and ensure a detailed RIA (Regulatory Impact Assessment) on the cost/benefit of plain packaging is completed.”

Alternative Options So, what are the alternatives? Derek believes that there are other options to be considered, which would not have such negative consequences. “Why not have administrative sanctions for the purchase or attempted purchase, and the consumption, of tobacco products by minors?” he asks. “The Government should also provide greater resources and manpower for effective, targeted enforcement strategies to deal with the illicit trade.”

He also thinks that education is vital. “Programs such as Show Me I.D – Be Age OK, aimed at raising awareness and preventing youth access to tobacco, are also better targeted and have more impact,” he concludes. “Additionally, there should also be a strengthening of targeted public information campaigns to quickly and effectively raise awareness of the negative licensing scheme and the criminalisation of proxy and purchasing by minors.”

48|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Food & Hospitality Ireland 2013

A Fresh Welcome at Food & Hospitality Ireland 2013 Food and Hospitality Ireland 2013, which incorporates SHOP, has been developed to meet the needs of retailers, chefs, hoteliers and all of those in the food and drink sectors.

THE organisers of world-renowned trade events, IFE and Hotelympia, Fresh Montgomery, and its Dublin office, Irish Services Montgomery, are about to open the doors to Food & Hospitality Ireland 2013 – a trade event that’s been specifically tailored to meet the needs of today’s retailers, restaurateurs, chefs, hoteliers and all of those in the food and drink sectors.

Taking place on September 18 and 19 at the Industries Hall in the RDS, Dublin 4, the event - which incorporates SHOP - has been developed in association with long-standing show partners, and new relationships have also being established.

Thousands of visitors are expected over the two-day event in a bid to discover innovative and exciting products and services, gain new-found knowledge and watch the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland’s mem-

bers compete in the ACBI’s annual competitions.

So if you’re a butcher, baker, independent grocer, retailer, deli owner, restaurateur or hotelier – in fact, if you’re involved in any aspect of the retail, food, drink or hospitality sectors – Food & Hospitality Ireland is a must-attend event this September.

A Good Partnership Free-to-attend, the show is a comprehensive blend of exhibitors, world-class talent and business expertise. Partners include the Restaurants Association of Ireland, the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland, Retail Ireland and the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards.

Crafty Business Hundreds of butchers are set to descend on the Industries Hall for the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland’s most prestigious awards.

Including the announce-

ment of the coveted ‘Shop of the Year’ title, the ACBI will be hosting the finals of its National Sausage & Puddings Competition, which will see 48 butchers vying for the top prize. The Speciality Foods competition will take place on the last day and is an ‘on-the-day’ event with butchers encouraged to enter

products into three categories - Ready to Eat; Ready to Cook; and Ready to Heat.

“In addition to our awards, this year’s event will deliver exhibitors, knowledge and new products that our members will benefit from. It’s the ideal platform for butchers to come together, network and benefit from

IRISH

2013

book your places now www.irishqualityfoodawards.com The first Irish Quality Food Awards will take place on 18 September For the Irish retail and food service sector Recognising excellence in product development Contact Helen Lyons for more information 00353 (0)1 817 6360 helen@irishqualityfoodawards.com

Media partner:

Ireland’s most vibrant food, drink, hospitality and retail event

!

EW N

In partnership with:

50|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Food & Hospitality Ireland 2013

meat cutting demonstrations and discussions on their sector,” notes Dave Lang, Project and Development Manager with the ACBI. Awarding Quality New for 2013 is the show’s partnership with the first-ever Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. Food & Hospitality Ireland will become the exclusive home for the finalists’ products on the first day, with the overall award winners being announced at a Gala dinner in the Mansion House on Wednesday, September 18.

On day two, the winning products will take centre stage in the Irish Quality Food & Drink feature area at Food & Hospitality Ireland.

Exciting Exhibitors “This year, we’ve added hospitality to the bill as there’s huge cross-over within the industries and our vast

range of exhibitors really will cater for everyone in the food, drink, retail and hospitality sectors,” explained Tim Graham from Irish Services Montgomery, organisers of the event.

“We’re exceptionally pleased that many former exhibitors are reinvigorated by the new format and have pledged their support,” he continued. “They will be

joined by a host of other big brand names and new suppliers who will be introducing new products and services to the market, as well as offering exceptional show-only discounts.”

For foodies, companies exhibiting include ChocoMe Ireland, Mrs Doyle’s Tea Company, Rosie & Jim’s Gourmet Chicken products and The Blue Haven Collec-

tion.

South Cork, West Cork, Kildare and Donegal County Enterprise boards are all attending and will be hosting some of the best artisan producers from their respective counties, as will Invest Northern Ireland, who will showcase the best of Northern Irish produce.

Catering for visitors from the retail and hospitality sectors, exhibitors include EPoS solutions provider, CBE, Milano Coffee Systems, DWS Supplies, Airlux, Timepoint, AS Gaard, Cummins Allison and quality butchery and catering equipment provider, AR Systems.

UK company, Velox Grills is new to the show, as is Cremin & Radley Drinklink. There’s also Advanced Pneumatic Technology Ltd from Balbriggan, Write The Record recording systems, Alan Nuttall interior fit-out and displays and Lyreco office supplies, amongst others.

Cooking Up a Storm In part two of the Food & Hospitality Ireland preview, we’ll feature the Spotlight Stage schedule of speakers and take an in-depth look at the Restaurant Association of Ireland’s Chef’s Table feature, which is set to marry the very best in cooking with local artisan products.

Food & Hospitality Ireland takes place on September 18 and 19, 2013, at the Industries Hall in the RDS, Dublin 4. Become part of the conversation by following the show on twitter @FHIexhibition. For further information and to pre-register your attendance, please log onto www. foodhospitality.ie

52|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

GS1 Ireland

40 Years of Barcodes It’s black and white ….. and read all over the world. The retail barcode celebrates its 40th birthday this year.

DID you know that more than five billion GS1 Barcodes are scanned every day, right across the globe, enabling faster checkout times, better stock management and automated reordering systems?

In 1973, industry leaders came together to select a single standard for product identification – the barcode.

What started as a way to speed grocery store checkout has become the global language of business: a common way for trading partners around the world to identify, capture, and share information about products, locations and more.

Today, GS1 is helping diverse industries drive efficiency, safety and growth through the adoption and use of standards. From retail to healthcare, fresh foods to foodservice, electronics to transportation, GS1 Standards continue to transform all of our lives. In fact, the retail grocery industry was the first to champion standards back in the early 1970s.

GS1: A Brief History For 40 years, GS1 has been bringing industries together to revolutionise the way they do business.

The GS1 organisation, formerly known as EAN, was established here in Ireland in 1980 as a preparatory step towards the introduction of supermarket checkout scanning. The founding fathers of the then named Article Numbering Association of Ireland (ANAI) were (now Senator) Feargal Quinn of Superquinn and Don Tidey of Quinnsworth, who along with other

visionaries, set about bringing supermarket scanning to Ireland.

However, back in the early 1980s, just 10% of products in Ireland had barcode numbers. There was a long road ahead of the industry pioneers to achieve the critical mass of 75-80% of products being barcoded, which was necessary to drive the introduction of checkout scanning. That ambition was ultimately achieved when in late 1983 the (then) L&N Supermarket in Ballincollig became the first store in Ireland to introduce scanning.

While 2013 is the 40th anniversary year of the barcode, GS1 is in fact celebrating the full breadth of supply chain standards that have evolved as a result

Barcode Facts and Stats •

Did you know that the first barcode ever scanned was on a packet of Wrigley’s chewing gum?

•

It is reported that Norman Joseph Woodland, who died just last December, came up with the idea for the barcode by drawing lines in the sand on Miami Beach.

•

Did you know that the first barcode number bank issued in Ireland was 5011001 to Batchelors and incredibly it is still active today, identifying grocery staples such as marrowfat peas and baked beans.

of the introduction of barcode scanning.

GS1 has today become the world’s leading supply chain standards organisation, facilitating collaboration amongst trading partners, organisations and technology partners to solve business challenges and ensure visibility along the entire supply chain.

“The GS1 System of Standards provides the optimum way to accurately identify, capture and share information about products, assets, services and locations,” stresses Mike Byrne, CEO of GS1 Ireland. “The standards have significantly evolved over the past 40 years and now include numbers for the identification of objects, standards for data carriers (barcodes and radio frequency identification tags) and standards for exchanging electronic messages between trading partners.”

So what’s next for the barcode?

The GS1 barcode, whose “beep” is heard some five billion times every day around the world, was the first product in the GS1 system. It has led to the development of standards that have contributed to efficiency in the retail supply chain, helped make healthcare safer, created a competitive advantage in transportation and logistics and heightened visibility in the consumer electronics industry. As technology evolves, new products will be developed, particularly involving mobile devices.

The GS1 retail barcode was the first of the revolutionary leaps GS1 made,

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013|Retail News|53

GS1 Ireland tion, no matter what language their internal hardware or software systems, or their employees, may speak.

-The GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN) provides a powerful environment for secure and continuous synchronisation of accurate product master data, enabling companies to always have correct information in their systems.

Pictured at the launch of the Scanning Code of Practice for Retailers, circa 1991, are (l-r): Tommy McCabe, Secretary, ANAI; Pat Loughrey, Batchelors & Chairman, ANAI; Pat Moroney, Quinnsworth & Vice Chairman, ANAI; and (seated) William Fagan, Director of Consumer Affairs.

and is now used globally, but today the GS1 system also includes: -GS1DataBar: the tiny, next generation of the GS1 barcode. Smaller than the original, yet capable of containing more information, GS1 DataBar can be placed on small individual items such as pieces of fruit, enabling both identification and traceability.

-The Electronic Product Code (EPC), for use on

40 Years of Barcoding GS1’s global website includes a fascinating documentary on the history of the barcode and its impact right across the world. The 18-minute documentary features commentary from many well-known global grocery industry figures and academics, including Mike McNamara, Chief Information Officer, Tesco; Danny Wegman, CEO, Wegman Food Markets; and José Lopez, Executive Vice President of Operations, Nestlé. See http://40.gs1. org/documentary.php for the full documentary. Elsewhere, Bob Carpenter, President and CEO of GS1 US, talks to the Wall Street Journal’s MoneyBeat programme about the continued evolution of the barcode: http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2013/05/01/happybirthday-bar-code/

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, increases supply chain visibility and efficiency and enables higher quality information flow between companies and their key trading partners. EPC helps companies all over the world to manage shipments, inventories and assets, in real time.

-GS1 eCom Standards provide clear guidelines for creating electronic versions of business documents, such as invoices and orders, so that trading partners can smoothly exchange informa-

Continued Evolution An efficient innovation stream has ensured that GS1 can offer full visibility solutions along all aspects of the supply chain, including a single traceability process to meet all quality and regulatory requirements. GS1 standards help ensure food safety, which allows food and food ingredients to be traced on a global scale, no matter how many companies or contract growers are involved or how many borders are crossed, as items travel from the beginning of the supply chain all the way to the consumer.

Commenting on the future for GS1 Standards, Mike Byrne notes how, “Four decades on from the birth of the Barcode, GS1 is today looking ahead to the next 40 years of innovation, driven by the growth in online,

Today’s consumer increasingly requires real-time product updates and the ability to obtain ‘beyond-the-label’ data: GS1 is positioning itself at the forefront of this change.

Mike Byrne, CEO of GS1 Ireland.

mobile and social media technologies. Today’s consumer increasingly requires real-time product updates and the ability to obtain ‘beyond-the-label’ data, such as product origin, ingredients and manufacturing conditions. GS1 is positioning itself at the forefront of this change, building a global data environment to meet the needs of modern business and consumers alike.”

For more information about GS1 Services and GS1 40th anniversary, visit www.gs1ie.org

Win your next meeting at The Sheraton Athlone Hotel egate l e D Day from s e t a R

€25pp

• Full Day Meeting for up to 24 people • Room Hire for 24 people • Morning Tea/Coffee & Biscuits Break • Soup Sandwich Lunch • Afternoon Tea/Coffee & Biscuits Break • Car Parking Total Value of this booking: €700.00

Providing Excellence to the Conference Market through…

State of the Art Technology: • Complimentary WiFi • Complimentary broadband Internet access • Wireless printing technology • Onsite IT engineer support on request Outstanding Facilities: • Purpose built conference suites in each hotel • Conference capacity for up to 630 delegates • Car parking • Comprehensive & complimentary AV equipment Exceptional Food & Service: • Award winning cuisine • Signature conference breaks to enhance & refuel the mind • Loyalty Program • Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Starwood Preferred Guest & Planner programmes

For further information or to make a booking call Sheraton Hotel Athlone on 090 6451000 or email: reservations@sheratonathlonehotel.com

www.sheratonathlonehotel.com

Sheraton Athlone Hotel More than a place to meet

To be in with a chance of winning your next company meeting for 24, please answer the following question and send, together with your name, address, telephone number and email to:

SHERATON ATHLONE COMPETITION, Retail News, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Or email your details and correct answer to retailnews@tarapublications.ie Q. WHAT COUNTY IS ATHLONE TOWN IN? Closing date for entries is September 6th 2013.

Terms and conditions apply and judge’s decision is final.

No cash alternative will be offered.

www.retailnews.ie |July/August 2013|Retail News|55

Event Management

Top Tips for Event Planning

When it comes to organising a business event, planning is everything. We provide the do’s and don’ts of running a successful event.

THE key to running a successful event, be it a sales meeting, breakfast seminar, full-day conference or a multi-day event, is planning. The old adage, ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ is certainly true of event management.

However, before you start to organise your event you should set out very clearly its objectives, whether it is a morale or team-building exercise, a means of generating positive press coverage for your company or organisation, a think-thank to formulate new strategy etc.

Clearly define your target audience.

Once you understand who you are aiming at, the other major decisions should fall into place a lot easier in terms of location, budget, format and

even content.

You then need to work out the best way to achieve your objectives, focusing on your target audience and how best to reach them. All event management experts agree that you need to identify the USP (unique selling point) of your event and make it your key message in any advertising/marketing.

When it comes to content, you need to ensure that every aspect of your event is relevant to more than 80% of the audience. Ideally, your attendees should leave with real tactics to improve their business and their career trajectory.

Such a structured approach will help you to remain focused on achieving your goals and not allowing the

scope to become too broad or watered down.

The Importance of Budget Given the current climate, budget is probably more important than ever.

The good news is that event costs are down approximately 30% since the Celtic Tiger years, so getting value for money has never been easier.

However, you still need to decide on your budget and create a simple to follow format, such as a budget spreadsheet, which you must keep up to date and review regularly.

Before you book your venue or sign any contracts, however, it may be worthwhile to start signing sponsors first, or selling tickets in advance, to

56|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management Lyrath Estate Hotel & Convention Centre days notice prior to your event Lyrath Estate Hotel comprises of 139 fully air-conditioned spacious bedrooms, including executive rooms and luxury suites. All rooms are equipped with broadband, highspeed internet access.

With an impressive selection of bars, restaurants, a health club, a state-of-the-art conference centre and an award-winning spa, allied to the extensive grounds and many activities on-site, Lyrath Estate is perfect

AT the heart of Lyrath Estate is a gorgeous 17th century house, which has been sensitively restored and added to by a series of chic, contemporary spaces to create a luxurious Five Star resort, set in almost 200 acres of lush green parkland and historic gardens, just on the doorstep of vibrant Kilkenny City and only one hour’s drive from Dublin.

The Kilkenny Convention Centre at Lyrath Estate Hotel is a first class purpose-built convention centre, with its own private entrance, reception and pre-conference area, along with 500 complimentary car parking spaces. The convention centre offers the flexibility to host conferences, award ceremonies, trade exhibitions and gala dinners.

Their numerous range of meeting spaces allows them to accommodate delegate numbers from 2 to 1,500 people.

The largest meeting space measures 972m² and sub divides into three sections. Additional smaller break-out rooms and boardroom facilities are available within the Kilkenny Convention Centre.

Built-in AV equipment, including an LCD screen, is fitted into every meeting room within the Convention Centre and is included in room hire at no additional charge. Every meeting space within the Convention Centre offers natural daylight, while each meeting room opens out onto a patio area. Black-out facilities are also available within each meeting

space. Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel, including the convention centre.

Indeed, Lyrath Estate has recently invested in a state of the art Ruckus Ultra High Capacity Multimedia Wi-Fi System, providing managed Wi-Fi coverage for bedrooms, public areas and the convention centre, which can handle up to 1,200 concurrent Wi-Fi connections from all known devices. The system ensures users get connected quickly and enjoy a consistent performance, coupled with their standard 5mb complimentary Airspeed internet connect, which can be boosted to 150mb at a small cost and with five

for team building exercises.

Lyrath Estate Hotel & Convention Centre is a luxury Five Star retreat that blends history with cutting-edge technology, the handsome grandeur of the past with all the comforts of the present, fine foods and wines from all corners of the globe with a genuine sense of Irish hospitality, coupled with a rigorous attention to detail.

For more information, see www.lyrath.com or call 056 7760088.

58|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management

You need to make sure that all members of the planning team know exactly what is expected of them and that they aren’t afraid to double-check, rather than guessing.

season or time of year. Make sure to check that your event doesn’t overlap with any religious holidays and it’s generally best to avoid scheduling during major sporting events.

You should seek out feedback from delegates to allow you to improve on your performance the following year.

make sure there is enough interest in your idea to fund it.

You should carry out a cost analysis, allocating costs to different tasks, such as speaker fees, refreshments, venue hire etc. Most event planners also set aside 10% of their budget for emergencies or last-minute charges. Larger organisations will probably establish a planning team, reporting to a project manager at regular meetings. You need to make sure that all members of the planning team know exactly what is expected of them and that they aren’t afraid to double-check, rather than guessing.

Choosing a Venue When it comes to choosing a venue, you should put together a list of ‘must haves’ and remember to research a number of venues, checking availability, seating and catering capacity, prices, parking etc. You should al-

ways check if there are any other events taking place on the same day, particularly those which might impact on your target audience.

When it comes to inspecting potential venues, one good tip is to show up early for scheduled site inspection, and interact with staff as if you were a guest, while not being afraid to ask difficult questions. This will give you a good idea if the venue meets the standards you want for potential guests.

As important as your venue, however, is the timing of your event, which depends on the type of event you are running. Is it better suited to the day or evening?

Should it take place during the week or at a weekend?

Weigh up the pro’s and con’s of each.

If your event doesn’t have a deadline, you need to ascertain if it might be best to hold it during a specific

Marketing Your Event You also need to look at advertising/marketing opportunities for your event, potential sponsorship opportunities, etc. Create a marketing plan for the event.

The more organised you are, the more professional your event will be. Marketing is key to ensuring the most important part of an event: bums on seats.

Be sure to tell your target market what they will learn, who they will meet and why they should be there, even if it seems obvious to you.

Don’t be afraid to use social media like Twitter and Facebook to help promote your events and to help you to establish a sense of online community around your event. Twitter hashtags, in particular, are a very effective way of doing this.

You should also use technology to make it easy for delegates to sign up. Online registration is a must in terms of securing attendees as early as possible, while old-fashioned registration methods will put many potential attendees off.

Offering discounts for early

registration is another incentive that could pay off.

When it comes to catering, you should seek referrals from previous clients, and if possible, attend a tasting. You should also establish any special diet menus, such as coeliac options etc.

If you are organising parking for delegates, you need to ensure they have passes or parking permits in advance of the event. You must also check accessibility and parking for wheelchair users, disabled or infirm attendees.

Guest Speakers If you are organising entertainment or guest speakers, try to contact them as early as possible to secure their services. You also need to ensure that your venue of choice can accommodate their needs, and if you need a licence, ensure you have all paperwork in order. You need to make sure that any speakers or performers have a clear itinerary and that they know exactly what is expected of them, at what time and for how long.

You should also ensure that all bookings, whether with keynote speakers or caterers, are confirmed in writing and where possible, ensure that the final balance payment is made on the day at the venue. There is nothing so frustrating as having

BEFORE YOU TALK TO THEM, TALK TO US At Fota Island Resort we offer you seven superb conference and meeting rooms. Catering to your every need, all our meeting rooms are conveniently located near our business centre.

To ensure your event runs smoothly, we provide: • Seven meeting rooms, seating up to 440 in theatre style & 300 for dinner • Climate control and state of the art lighting systems • Complimentary wireless internet access in all bedrooms and throughout the hotel for delegates and guests See how we can make your event effortless and unique.

Call our Sales & Events Department on (021) 488 3700 or go to www.fotaisland.ie

HOTEL SPA GOLF CLUB GOLF ACADEMY LODGES Fota Island Resort, Fota Island, Cork, Ireland www.fotaisland.ie

Find us on

60|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management Fota Island Resort

NESTLED in the heart of the peaceful Fota Island Resort is an impressive venue surrounded by gorgeous scenery and lying in a 780acre estate, the ideal choice in which to entertain clients, employees and host corporate events of any size.

For small meetings, intimate dinners or launches, choose from one of five meeting and conference rooms on the ground floor. Accommodating groups from 8 to 60 attendees, all rooms offer the latest in audiovisual technology, free high speed internet access and are fully furnished and air-conditioned.

When hosting a larger event, the Resort’s main function room, the Smith Barry Suite, is an excellent venue, comfortably accommodating 280 for dinner or 400 theatre style. It is equally impressive for conferences, exhibitions, black-tie events and gala dinners, with an outdoor terrace, water features and

landscaped lawn also ideal for outdoor pictures and events.

For something truly unique, the Fota Island Resort also has a beautiful function room with dining options for up to 120 guests in the Clubhouse at Fota Island Resort. An appealing space with elegant décor in comfortable surroundings, the room overlooks the Deerpark Golf Course and lush woodlands beyond.

Fota Island Resort has a fantastic reputation for its wonderful food and uses the finest ingredients and local produce to provide a menu selection carefully prepared by the team of chefs.

When work is over, Fota Island Resort is the perfect playground. The island is home to a championship golf course, wildlife park and a world-class spa with 18 treatment rooms, perfect for pre and post-work pampering. This is a special place – relaxed, indulgent and beautiful – somewhere you will never want to leave.

For more information, see www.fotaisland.ie or call 021 488 3700.

a key ingredient of your event fail to show up on the day, despite having been paid in advance.

Be Flexible Once you become embroiled in the nitty gritty of event planning, don’t be surprised if your event changes in terms of size, location or in other ways that you didn’t expect. Flexibility is a good thing, once you remain focused on the reason you are holding the event in the first place and keep sight of your goals.

When it comes to the day of the event, ensure your venue is well signposted so attendees can establish where they need to go. You might consider issuing badges or coloured bands to identify guests or groups: this also helps when it comes to managing numbers from a health and safety perspective.

One person should be in charge on the day. This person is the point of contact for all staff on-site, from caterers to speakers, and they obviously need to be extremely organised, unflappable and able to stage-manage the day. If that person is you, you need to be ready for when things go wrong. Not every event runs without a hitch, but you need to be able to cope and move on. You should also seek out feedback from delegates and be prepared for bad as well as good.

Sometimes, simple planning can make all the difference to a successful event. For example, empty tables in front of the stage at a conference or, worse still, a banquet, aren’t the best image to portray to a keynote speaker. To ensure the tables or seats at the front fill up, you should put ‘reserved’ signs on the last two rows of tables/seats, thereby forcing people to look closer to the front. Once those front seats are filled, you than remove the ‘reserved’ signs and watch your event fill up.

It all comes back to planning properly, looking at what needs to be done, predicting potential pitfalls and being able to react if something goes awry. The devil, as they say, is in the details.

62|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management

Sourcing the Right Solution Michelle Thornton, MD, Hotel Solutions, advises on the key areas to look at and potential pitfalls to avoid when planning an event.

“THE most important thing or the deciding factor on any event is location,” argues Michelle Thornton, MD of Hotel Solutions, one of Ireland’s leading venue finding and event management companies. “If you are bringing people together from all over Ireland, there are cost implications in getting them there, so you might look at a midlands location to reduce those costs before the meeting even starts. Then you need to decide what type of venue you have in mind. Depending on your needs, you might want to go for something very modern or very ‘old world’.”

Price and service are the other key factors, according to the Hotel Solu-

tions MD. The good news is that prices have dropped by approximately 30% since the heady days of the Celtic Tiger, while service levels have improved over the same period..

“People are price conscious now, and you can get phenomenal value in the current market,” she says. “Now is a time to meet, to get people together motivate your team, and you can do that without spending the earth.”

One potential cost to watch out for, particularly in the Dublin area, is car-parking, which can be a costly business, with some hotels reducing their bedroom price but increasing their car parking rates. “If you are bringing cars,

the city centre quickly becomes uncompetitive,” reveals Michelle.

Realising Your Vision Once you’ve decided on a venue, you need to set out exactly what you want your event to achieve. “We would ask all of our clients to describe their vision for the event, to lay out what they hope to achieve, and work out what type of set-up they require to do that,” Michelle explains.

This set-up is changing rapidly, however. “We used to run every meeting or event with a traditional, theatre-style seating arrangement,” she explains. “Then it become a classroom style, if there was work to be done.

About eight years ago, we introduced a cabaret-style seating arrangement, using half a round table so delegates’ backs aren’t to the screen. In recent times, we have introduced a ‘no limits’ style.”

This ‘no limits’ approach is more in-

The charm of the Burlington lives on - it’s simply refreshed daily Deep-rooted tradition with a cosmopolitan twist, The Burlington Hotel is Dublin’s premier 4 Star Hotel boasting 500 luxury bedrooms in Dublin City and a long-standing favourite of times past and present.

Ample car parking and immediate proximity to Dublin’s City centre, Bus, Aircoach and DART lines mean that guests can enjoy this Dublin City hotel as an ideal base from which to explore the city and its surrounds.

The Burlington Hotel bars and restaurants are a buzzing hive of activity by night - the new Bellini’s bar adding a hint of panache to an evening where guests can sip a cocktail in a low-lit ambience, amidst the busy chatter of local clientele.

The Burlington, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

T: +353 (1) 618 5600. F: +353 (1) 618 5693. E: reservations@burlingtonhotel.ie W: www.burlingtonhotel.ie

A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF CONFERENCE & EVENT VENUES

• Event Property of the Year 2012 • 15 Professionally Appointed Conference & Banqueting Suites • Capacities up to 800 Theatre Style & 500 for Banquets • Self Contained Exhibition Area • 143 Deluxe Bedrooms & Suites

• 48 Self Catering Lodges on the Resort • Tatler Spa of the Year 2012 • Award Winning Christy O’Connor designed 18 Hole GolfCourse • Green Site Areas for Outdoor Activities • 500 Complimentary Parking Spaces

A TRANQUIL RESORT, THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR YOUR BUSINESS Contact: Sheena McCanny Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club, Tullow, Co Carlow T: 059 9108100 E: smccanny@mountwolseley.ie W: www.mountwolseley.ie

64|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management formal and exciting, according to the Hotel a barrier, so we’re stepping away from that. We have encouraged two hotels in Ireland to introduce innovation meeting rooms. We’re talking about comfy couches so there is no barrier: we are going to have a much more open conversation if we’re not putting up a barrier. Some clients even use bean-bags.

“You have to be aware of how the industry is changing and how people want to meet,” she avows. “A lot of companies are looking for something more innovative.”

Innovation Even the food served at events is changing. “10 years ago, it was tea, coffee and scones,” Michelle explains, “but that day is gone. We ran a Britvic conference a few years ago where we worked with the hotel to run an orange theme throughout the event: each bedroom had an orange cut in two, so they were talking to our senses, while the refreshments were all orange, from orange smoothies to scones with marmalade instead of jam. There are ways to be innovative without having to spend a fortune.”

Innovative ideas can help to make your event memorable and fun, according to Michelle. “When it comes to dreaming up ideas, you can get very creative,” she avows. “We’ve ran events with different themes, from the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Ball, which had a casino theme, to another FMCG brand for whom we brought a Bond theme to proceedings.”

With the quest for value, there has been a growth in shorter, one-day or half-day conferences, but even larger two or three day events have dropped significantly in price, while more and more venues are offering LCD screens etc as standard.

“There has never been a better time to organise an event, in terms of price and also in terms of service

Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club

MOUNT Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club is perfectly located to offer a central venue for national corporate and association conferences. Situated in Tullow, Co. Carlow, this four-star deluxe resort property is just one hour from Dublin and is truly the jewel in the crown of conference venues in the South East.

Host to an array of prestigious conferences and events, Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Country Club offers 13 professionally appointed conference, meeting and dining rooms.

The flexible portfolio of rooms can cater for a wide range of configurations, with a maximum capacity of 800 theatre-style and 500 for dining. The self contained Conference & Banqueting Suite offers a private entrance and reception area, ideal for pre-registration and tea/coffee breaks. There is ample space for exhibition purposes and the layout ensures delegates pass through the exhibition area to ensure maximum exposure for exhibitors.

The extensive meeting facilities are complemented by 143 deluxe bedrooms, with the added advantage of 48 self-catering lodges on the estate, offering a mix of three and four bedrooms each. This large compliment of bedrooms allows Mount Wolseley to bid for the larger residential conferences requiring accommodation for up to 600 delegates.

With access to the freshest local ingredients, the team of internationally trained chefs can provide a discerning selection of menus to suit all tastes, requirements and budgets.

The luxurious leisure and spa facilities, along with the renowned Mount Wolseley Golf Course, enables this regal property to offer the complete experience for corporate and leisure guests alike. Additionally, there are up to 500 complimentary parking spaces on site, which is a huge advantage.

Boasting an impressive list of awards, Mount Wolseley was named the Event Property of the Year for 2012 at the Event Industry Awards, while the luxurious Wolseley Spa was awarded the Tatler Spa of the Year Award for 2012. Holder of the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor, the property consistently delivers quality service, with the accolades to show for this commitment.

This property is managed by the Morrissey family, who are on hand daily to ensure guests receive a professional and friendly service throughout all areas of the hotel. It is this consistent attention to detail that gives Mount Wolseley the edge over its competitors in this difficult climate.

Competitive 24-hour and day delegate rates are available and the Conference & Banqueting Team are proficient in working with conference organisers to ensure budget and operational requirements are met at all times. Mount Wolseley ticks all the boxes when looking for the ideal conference venue.

For enquiries call, Sheena McCanny, Conference & Events Sales Manager, Mount Wolseley Hotel, on 059 9180100. Email smccanny@mountwolseley.ie or visit www.mountwolseley.ie and www.facebook.com/mountwolseley or follow Mount Wolseley on Twitter: @mountwolseley.

Closer than you think?

Belfast

Dublin Cavan’s Conference Destination Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan Tel: 049 9526444 www.slieverussell.ie

With 33 Maldron Hotels and Partner Hotels located in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the U.K... we have your requirements covered!

33 Hotels

Conference suite capacity for up to 4000 delegates theatre style or up to 2000 delegates banquet style.

You do a good deal better at Dalata Hotel Group

Catering for everything from smaller boardroom meetings to events and larger national conferences.

Arklow • Athlone • Belfast • Cardiff, Wales • Cavan • Clonmel • Cork • Dublin Galway • Kilkenny • Laois • Limerick • Mayo • Monaghan • Sligo • Wexford For more information contact our Sales and Marketing team on +353 (0)1 2974088 or visit www.dalatahotelgroup.com

66|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management Slieve Russell Hotel Golf & Country Club

standards,” Michelle concludes. “Prices are way down on just a few years ago, while service standards are increasing and indeed, can be the big differentiator when it comes to choosing the right venue and organising the right event.

Whether your event is about getting your brand out there, motivating your sales team or looking after customers, it’s all about interfacing and there is no substitute for that.” Solutions MD. “The meeting room is changing,” she says.

“If you have a lot of tables in front of you, it’s creating

About Hotel Solutions AS a leading provider and a valued conference venue within Ireland, the Slieve Russell Hotel Golf & Country Club know the things that are important to the client, so it is no surprise that they invested heavily in WiFi in order to offer this service complimentary to all clients.

Free WiFi is just one of the many tangible parts of their overall offering. They believe it is important to understand what clients expect and need, and what they can offer to make their experience the best it can be.

Whether it is free WiFi, conference space for 1,200 delegates or residential capability with 222 guest rooms that the venue already offers or a personalised service that involves going the extra mile, the team at the Slieve Russell Hotel & Golf Resort want to work with you in 2013.

Why choose the Slieve Russell Hotel for your Conference? It’s easy to see why the Four-Star Slieve Russell Hotel Golf & Country Club is one of the most popular conference venues in Ireland. With a choice of nine purpose-built conference and banqueting suites, extensive audio-visual equipment, catering for 2-1,200 delegates, the Slieve Russell caters for all your conference needs.

Set on grounds with over 300 acres of impeccably groomed gardens, with two golf courses on site and a world class spa and wellness centre, the Slieve Russell Hotel Golf and Country Club is synonymous with the highest quality of excellent cuisine, professional service and attention to detail.

For more information, visit their website, www.slieverussell.ie, or contact their sales department on 049 9526444 for a personalised conference quote.

Michelle Thornton, second from left, with the Hotel Solutions team: Ciara Halpin, Roisin Higgins and Gael Cooke Allen.

HOTEL Solutions was established by Michelle Thornton in 2002, offering a venue-finding service to clients.

Over the last 11 years, the business has developed into a full service event management company, with a broad range of loyal clients, including many in the FMCG sector. The company still offers a completely free venue-finding service to all clients, however.

“We will go out and look at a number of hotels and find you the best value in the Irish market, free of charge,” Michelle boasts. “We know every hotel in the conference and events market. We’re 11 years in business and we have developed a strong reputation, which we protect very seriously. Because we deal with pretty much every hotel in the country, we tend to get great service and great value from those hotels.” For more information, see www.hotel-solutions.ie.

Win A luxury two night break in Dublin

R

etail News is giving you a chance to win a luxury two night break in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in the heart of Dublin city. Included in your prize is the award winning Super Buffet Breakfast each morning and a delicious dinner in V’nV restaurant.

Located on the crossroads of Golden Lane and Chancery Lane, this dazzlingly stylish hotel is within minutes stroll from all the key shopping areas, theatres and nightlife of this busy and exciting city! Located in what has become Dublin’s hottest spot, with fantastic restaurants and bars on its doorstep, the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is perfect for your city break.

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous two night break for two, please answer the following question and send, together with your name, address, telephone number and email to

RADISSON BLU COMPETITION,

Retail News, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Or email your details and correct answer to retailnews@tarapublications.ie

Q: Who wheeled her wheelbarrow through streets broad and narrow?

Closing date for entries is September 6th 2013.

Terms and conditions apply and judge’s decision is final.

No cash alternative will be offered.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Golden Lane, Dublin 8, Ireland

Tel: +353 1 8982900 www.radissonblu.ie/royalhotel-dublin

Ireland’s Most Innovative Meeting Room has Arrived

Th ink Inside the Circle

Perfect for: • Brainstorming Events • Product Launches • Team Building • Strategic Meetings • Alternative Boardroom Meetings

For more information visit: www.castleknockhotel.com/thinkingfactory T: +353 (0) 1 640 6300 E: events@chcc.ie

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2013|Retail News|69

Market News Moy Park ‘Ready to Cook’ Range MOY Park has launched a new and exciting range of Moy Park branded ‘Ready to Cook’ products, which highlights the company’s dedication new product development and innovation. Created using 100% Irish chicken and using the finest in locally sourced ingredients, the new product range includes Moy Park Chicken and Bacon Breasts – topped with Irish cheddar and Irish smoked streaky bacon; Moy Park Pesto Chicken Breasts – with a basil and parmesan pesto, spinach and cherry tomatoes; and Moy Park Garlic and Herb Chicken Breasts – marinated in extra virgin olive oil, garlic and herbs. All products within the ‘Ready to Cook’ range are oven-ready in a foil THIS summer, Belvita tray, making them easy to prepare. See Breakfast is adding a delicious new Apricot & www.moypark.com for more information.

Live Yogurt variant to its already extensive biscuit range, giving the nation this summer. What’s more, even more reasons to get Belvita Breakfast biscuits are into the breakfast habit this scientifically proven to slowly year. With Belvita Breakfast, release carbohydrates over which comes in individually PERSIL, the number one laundry brand from Unilever Ireland four hours – giving you energy wrapped servings, you (Source: SIG data to May 11, 2013), is revolutionising the for the whole morning (proven can enjoy breakfast your laundry category with the re-launch of Persil Small & Mighty in six clinical studies when way, whether at home, liquids, to include a new superior formulation and eaten as part of a balanced on the go, or at work, so innovative pack design. Providing consumers with breakfast i.e. with an apple & there’s no excuse not to a small but mighty dose, the revamped range is not a latte). have a balanced breakfast only more shelf efficient for retailers, the new formula also offers quicker and cooler washes, with less impact on the environment. Boasting an innovative Triple Cleaning System formulation for superior stain removal, the re-launch will run across all Small & Mighty bio, non-bio and colour packs.

Marking Unilever’s biggest brand campaign ever for Persil, the re-launch is being supported by a substantial €1.5m marketing investment, comprising PR, outdoor, in-store, digital, press, and VOD alongside TV.

New Belvita Breakfast Flavour

Mighty Sales Opportunity from Persil

Marlboro Ice Blast Launches

Barny Comes to Ireland BARNY is a unique new product launch from the Mondelez International biscuit category and follows on from the brand’s success in other countries. We know from research that mums are looking for a variety of snacks to keep their kids’ diets interesting and mums with younger kids are looking for a range of snacks that satisfy the need for different textures and flavours (Source: Mondelez International Qualitative Research, Dec. 2012).

We also know that mums are looking for something convenient. Barny’s soft sponge texture and hidden centre makes it a fun snack that mums can feel confident that their kids can enjoy.

PHILIP Morris Ireland is set to launch New Marlboro Ice Blast into the Irish market, offering adult smokers a unique smoking experience. Unlike other capsule products, Marlboro Ice Blast offers a cooling flavour from the start. The fresh taste can be further enhanced by crushing the Iceball capsule, allowing the adult smoker to experience a powerful burst of high cooling freshness.

The breakthrough product development of Marlboro Ice Blast aims to offer a unique, stimulating alternative to adult smokers.

Kilmeaden Scoops Top Award KILMEADEN Cheese was awarded Gold in the Mature Cheddar Category at the 2013 Irish Cheese Awards at Bloom 2013. Now in their fourth year, the Irish Cheese Awards are organised in association with Sheridans Cheesemongers, Bord Bia, Euro-Toques and Cáis. Kilmeaden is renowned for superior quality and a unique taste, thanks to the traditional craftsmanship and care that goes into every block. Eithne O’Hara, Marketing Manager, Kilmeaden, noted how winning awards like this is “a great cause for celebration and further consolidates Kilmeaden’s position as Ireland’s number one selling block and ‘The Fillet of Cheddar’.”

70|Retail News|July/August 2013|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life GAA fan and Celebrity Apprentice Daniella Moyles and Kildare GAA’s Eamonn Callaghan are pictured at the launch of the Brady Family Ham GAA promotion, which is taking place in SuperValu stores nationwide.

Every SuperValu customer who purchases a minimum €4 of Brady Family Ham at the deli counter is eligible to enter a draw to win an all expenses trip for two to see a GAA match in any of the 400-plus GAA clubs scattered across the globe. One lucky SuperValu customer will win flights, accommodation and spending money for two people for a fantastic 14 day trip of a lifetime courtesy of Brady Family Ham. PAYZONE has expanded its parking payment service in Dublin. Dublin drivers can now pay for on street parking in one of Payzone’s 650 retail agents with Retail Parking Tag. A complementary offering to the hugely successful Parking Tag, the pay in-store option allows drivers to go to the nearest Payzone retail agent and pay for their parking. Customers provide the agent in store with their car registration, the zone that they are parked in and duration of stay. They are not required to return to their car; they simply pay and walk away. The transaction is processed in real time, which gives parking enforcers visibility of the payment made on their handheld units. Pictured at the launch in Centra Rathmines are (l-r): Councillor Mary Freehill; Jim Deignan, Managing Director, Payzone; and Tara Buckley RGDATA Director General.

SLANE Castle Whiskey has officially announced the creation of 25 full time jobs for its €12m whiskey distillery and visitors centre development. The project, due to commence construction later this year, will see the regeneration of the estate’s 18th Century stable yards adjacent to the iconic castle and expects to attract up to 50,000 visitors annually. The innovative venture, headed

by Alex Mount Charles (pictured), Managing Director, together with his father Henry, The Marquess Conyngham, who acts as Chairman, has already secured core funding for the project and plans to raise additional capital to complete the €12m-plus project through private investment and the launching of an EIIS scheme.

GERMOLENE has changed its name to Bepantiseptic. Bayer Bepanthen has launched an exciting campaign aimed at giving a modern makeover to one of Ireland’s most reliable first aid creams, Germolene. Now known as Bepantisepic, this reliable, much loved product features all of the great benefits of Germolene.

The brand overhaul and renaming has been created to mirror the ever-evolving consumer. The name change will be supported with a national press campaign and in-store advertising in August as it is important to highlight the change to the consumer.

JTI Ireland Ltd has welcomed Dublin City Council’s plan to set up a group targeting the sale of illegal tobacco products in the city centre of Dublin. “It’s great to see law enforcement, the Government, business and local politicians working together to address an issue that is affecting communities everywhere”, says John Freda, General Manager at JTI Ireland. “My hope is that initiatives such as this one will be rolled out by councils across the country, not just in Dublin.” This announcement is particularly timely, as new industry figures show that the illegal tobacco trade in Ireland is at an all-time high, with over 27% of cigarettes consumed coming from sources where Irish tax duty was not paid.

IRISH Breeze has won the prestigious Families First 2013 award for ‘Best Baby Wipes’ in the Irish market. WaterWipes, Irish Breeze’s flagship product, saw off competition from large multinationals. “This award shows that a dedicated Irish company can compete with and surpass multinationals that have millions of euro at their disposal. Irish Breeze is a small company, but we put baby’s skin health at the heart of our development,” explained Christophe Bernigaud, Head of Online, Irish Breeze.

CONGRATULATIONS to Paul Cullen from Gala, Adamstown, Co. Wexford, who is the lucky winner of a weekend for two in Carlton House Hotel, courtesy of Moy Park and Retail News.

OVER 52% of people would prefer to picnic in their back garden rather than anywhere else, according to the results of a survey conducted

by Cuisine de France.

The survey found that Dublin’s Phoenix Park came in second place, with 15% of respondents preferring to picnic at the national park. The survey also found that 10% would choose the beach to picnic, while 12% favour Powerscourt in County Wicklow. The survey results come as Cuisine de France launch a dedicated picnic information website PicnicTime.ie, designed to re-introduce the traditional picnic to bring families, friends and colleagues together in some of the most stunning locations around Ireland. Lily Broderick, age 22 months, is pictured celebrating the launch of picnictime.ie in the sunshine in the Phoenix Park.

IRELAND’S only snail farm is meeting some of the international shortage of Escargot.

Gaelic Escargot is a young company, run by Eva Milka (pictured), in south county Carlow, with support from Carlow County Enterprise Board. She originally started her snail breeding programme in containers in her bedroom! Eva now has a special breeding house and polytunnel for her snails, which are then moved to a specially constructed outdoor area to grow. Demand for snails in Italy averages around 194m tonnes each year, while in France, it is 115m tonnes.