RN_Nov_24 issue

AS we ramp up in preparation for the busy Christmas season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've shared and express my heartfelt thanks for your continued partnership. In this fast-paced retail landscape, your trust and collaboration have been key to our mutual success, and for that, I am truly grateful.

This issue of Retail News features our annual Christmas Stocking feature, with a roundup of the hottest products for the festive season (Page 36-56). Also inside, we speak to Aldi Ireland MD, Niall O’Connor, as the retailer celebrates its 25th year in Ireland (Page 12), we report from the annual Gala Conference & Awards (Page 22) and reveal the winners at the ECR Ireland Shopper Awards (Page 64), while Kevin McPartlan of Fuels for Ireland makes the case for advanced synthetic and biofuels in our decarbonisation journey (page 70).

The festive season offers the perfect opportunity to pause, appreciate the efforts we've made together, and look ahead to even greater achievements in the coming year. At Retail News, we remain committed to helping you connect with your customers through impactful, creative advertising solutions. We are excited about the possibilities 2025 holds, and we're eager to continue supporting your growth in the new year.

Brian Clark Advertising & Marketing Director, Retail News

News

2 Retail group calls for review over Government “stealth” levies.

3 Does junk food have too much prominence on shelf space? ASAI hosts social media webinar.

4 Lidl Ireland to invest €200 million in new Cork Regional Distribution Centre; CCPC celebrates 10th birthday; Re-turn revel in return figures.

5 Back-to-school boosts grocery sales; BIA Innovator Campus and BIM announce strategic partnership.

6 ISME Partners with Fexco on crossborder payments; M&S launch festive recruitment drive; Olympian Ciara Mageean headlines LEAD Network Ireland event.

7 Pakman Awards honour sustainable champions; Issues with new Vape Bill highlighted by impact assessment.

Retail News Interview

12 Niall O’Connor, Group Managing Director, Aldi Ireland, discusses the challenges the retailer faced in establishing itself here and the many successes Aldi have enjoyed as they celebrate 25 years in Ireland.

Blas na hÉireann 2024

16 The winners of the Blas na hÉireann 2024 Irish food awards were announced recently in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

Gala Retail Excellence Awards

20 Gala Retail marked 25 years of excellence

in convenience retailing at the Gala Retail Excellence Awards.

Heineken Ireland

26 Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director, Heineken Ireland, highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability, quality and community.

Hale Vaping

28 Hale Vaping are driving the trends in the Irish vaping market.

National Organic Awards

32 The winners of the National Organic Awards are revealed.

Christmas Stocking

36 The annual Retail News guide to the products set to soar this festive season, including spirits (page 40), non-alcohol beer (page 44) and wines (page 49).

ECR Ireland Awards

64 The ECR Ireland Shopper Conference and Awards highlighted some of the finest marketing campaigns of the last 12 months.

Blended Retail

68 David McDonnell, Managing Director of Visual ID, details the rise of Click & Collect and value creation for physical stores.

Forecourt Focus: Special Report

70 Ireland’s road to decarbonisation must include more than just EVs, writes Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland.

Retail group calls for review over Government “stealth” levies

A SUPERMARKET owner in south Dublin claims to have paid €50,000 in increased energy levies since September 2022 “on top of horrendous increases in energy charges”. The retailer is “nervous about the future of the [energy levy] model because of the huge increases in costs,” Tara Buckley, Director General of RGDATA, told Retail News . “They can't see how they can get these costs back from their customers.” RGDATA have criticised Government over

Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA.

its “stealth” charges on retailer energy bills that are making the cost of doing business “untenable”. These charges include the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy, which is billed to all electricity customers in Ireland and supports the generation of electricity from sustainable, renewable and indigenous sources. Use of System charges are paid by larger commercial or business users of electricity and are designed to “build, maintain and operate” the Eirgrid transmission network. RGDATA claim that the PSO and Use of System amount “to an annual €9,000 increase in electricity charges for the average convenience store and a minimum €13,000 increase for a

supermarket”.

Convenience retailers appear to be disproportionately affected by these tariffs due to their energy use. “Our retailers have air conditioning systems, fridges, heating systems, lighting and we are open for long hours,” said Buckley. “Food retailers have a very high energy use. Energy prices went up when the war in Ukraine began but they haven't ever come back down again.”

The PSO levy is in place to help the roll-out of renewables by subsidising the generation of electricity from sustainable sources, such as wind and solar power. However, the retail sector is already investing in this area. “A lot of my members have invested significantly in solar power, energy saving doors on fridges and other energy reduction, consumption and conservation initiatives,” Buckley insisted. “There is a huge cost involved in energy efficiency measures. If you want to install solar panels, you may have to do structural work.”

Upgrading a store and installing solar panels can cost as much as €100,000, according to RGDATA. “Some of our members say they have brought their energy consumption down by 30%, but they're not seeing their bills reducing by

30%.”

Budget 2025 has seen initiatives to support struggling businesses, such as a new Power Up Grant of €4,000 per company. However, the grant only applies to businesses that pay less than €30,000 in commercial rates. The “most challenged” convenience retailers, according to RGDATA, employ between 50 and 100 people. Their wage bill “has gone up by 37%” and they are “not eligible” for the grant.

In Budget 2025, Government allocated €750 million to the national electricity grid, which plans to migrate away from fossil fuels toward renewables. Retailers are questioning why there has been an increase instead of a reduction of energy tariffs in light of this capital funding allocation.

RGDATA has written to Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, calling for an investigation into Government’s “hidden charges”. “We asked that his department ensure a full review is carried out. How is our money being spent? Is it being done efficiently? Our stores have increased efficiency and we've reduced our energy usage but we're still paying more in our bills,” explained Buckley.

Does junk food have too much prominence on-shelf?

SUPERMARKETS are allocating 98.5% of their high-prominence shelf space to unhealthy foods, according to a new study. The survey of 36 supermarkets across Dublin also found that 68% of overall shelf space is allocated to unhealthy foods – confectionery, sugary drinks, sweet biscuits and savoury snacks – compared to only 32% for fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables.

The survey, entitled ‘Availability and prominence of shelf space allocated to healthy and unhealthy foods in supermarkets in urban Ireland’, was conducted by UCD alongside the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and was the first of its kind in Ireland at this scale, according to Professor Eileen Gibney, director of UCD’s Institute of Food and Health.

“We looked at the location of foods within the supermarkets,” said Professor Gibney. “A lot of the foods that are higher in fat or sugar and salt are more likely to be in prominent shelf space.”

The report reads: “Of the shelf space measured in this study, 98.5% of the highprominence shelf space was filled with unhealthy foods, with 1.5% allocated to healthy food. Fresh fruit and vegetables filled most of the low prominence shelf space measured, 70.7%.”

Between October 2021 and February 2022, a team of researchers led by Sinéad O'Mahony, Reformulation Task Force Manager within the FSAI, surveyed the 36 supermarkets and measured not only the constituencies of food on the shelves but also their positions of prominence within a store. Three of Ireland’s five leading supermarket chains participated

anonymously in the research.

“The supermarkets worked closely with us and gave us access,” said Professor Gibney. “They want to try and make their environments better in any way that they can. So we didn't find any resistance at all. They were very welcome of the findings.”

Previous studies have shown a correlation between social deprivation and obesity, heart disease and other healthrelated issues. This research found no connection between allocation of junk food on shelves and socially deprived areas. “We didn't see a difference between the socio-economic deprived areas and other areas in Dublin - in terms of where the food was on the shelf or the composition of the food on the shelf,” said Professor Gibney.

However, one anonymous supermarket in a socially deprived area had a “higher proportion of unhealthy food being offered in areas of higher deprivation”, with 83% of its overall shelf space stocked with unhealthy foods compared to 76% in the more affluent areas.

The researchers were not surprised by their discoveries in general. “We were expecting those statistics. Studies like this

ASAI hosts social media webinar

THE Advertising Standards Authority, the independent advertising self-regulatory body responsible for promoting, regulating and enforcing the highest standards of marketing communications in Ireland, hosted a free webinar on Influencer Marketing that discussed guidelines for commercial content on social media, how to correctly label ads on social media, and the importance of trust and transparency in influencer marketing.

The webinar, which took place on Thursday, November 7, offered expert insight into advertising guidelines for influencers,

have been done around the world and if you look at the findings from Australia or New Zealand and Belgium, you will find very similar results,” noted Professor Gibney.

The implications of the report, according to its authors, highlight how the retail food environment can influence consumer food choice and dietary intakes. “Food availability will influence your choice. Studies show that if you make small interventional changes to the food sale environment, you can change food intake,” Professor Gibney noted

In 2018, health officials introduced a voluntary code, under the Government’s ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 – 2025’, that restricted the placement of junk food at shop check-outs. This new research, suggests Professor Gibney, gives the industry a baseline around which it can “implement policies or changes to find a better balance in stores and make the healthy choice an easy choice for consumers.”

helping participants gain a clear understanding of what #ad means, how to label commercial content correctly, and the responsibilities involved in promoting products or services on social media.

The panel was moderated by Scott Guthrie, Director General of Influencer Marketing Trade Body, and consisted of online comedian musician Garron Noone, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, and Mark Walsh, Head of Marketing Insights Unit at CCPC.

Lidl Ireland to invest €200 million in new Cork Regional Distribution Centre

LIDL Ireland are seeking planning permission to construct a €200 million Regional Distribution Centre in Wallingstown, Little Island in Cork as the retailer aims to enhance their logistical infrastructure to support ambitious expansion plans in the south and southeast of the country.

The proposed Regional Distribution Centre at Little Island would be Lidl’s fourth facility in the Republic of Ireland and the second to be located in Cork. Subject to planning permission, the Little Island Regional Distribution Centre will come on stream by 2030.

Lidl Ireland.

“It is a really exciting time for Lidl as we look to make a significant investment to future-proof our logistical infrastructure with a new, state-of-the-art Regional Distribution Centre at

CCPC celebrates 10th birthday

THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) recently celebrated its 10th birthday. Since its establishment in 2014, the CCPC has grown to the point where it now has over 200 employees working to protect and inform consumers.

“When we look back, we can stand proudly over our successes. The thousands of unsafe products we’ve removed from shelves. The fake car traders we’ve exposed. The unfair mergers we’ve blocked. The enhanced protections we’ve enforced. Consumers are better protected now. The Consumer Rights Act, which we championed, makes the marketplace work better for everyone,” read a CCPC statement celebrating the landmark anniversary, before promising to continue to push for greater powers for the CCPC to prosecute businesses that flout consumer law.

The event was led by Brian McHugh, Chair of the CCPC and attended by Emer Higgins TD, Minister of State for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. A series of panel discussions took place throughout the day, reflecting on the past 10 years and the future challenges facing the people of Ireland and the wider economy.

Little Island,” noted Tara O’Connor, Regional Managing Director for Munster at Lidl Ireland. “Our ambitious expansion plans to increase our store footprint across Munster and the south-east region over the next five years are well underway, with new stores set to welcome customers over the coming months. There are many other stores in the pipeline at various stages of the planning process, so this investment in a new distribution centre is vital to meet the future needs of the business and to ensure we can continue to provide great value to our customers across the region.”

Meanwhile, Lidl Ireland were named the Most Sustainable Retailer and third Most Sustainable Organisation overall in the Ireland RepTrak Sustainability Index 2024 study of 100 prominent organisations. The position is the retailer’s highest placing since the study began in 2011 and underscores Lidl’s commitment to tangible action to fight climate change, protect the environment and build a better social and economic future for the next generation.

“We continue to take our responsibility to be good stewards of the environment extremely seriously, from construction to responsible sourcing to industry-leading recycling initiatives; our A Better Tomorrow sustainability strategy is fully embedded in all areas of our business,” noted Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Re-turn revel in return figures

RE-TURN, the operator of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, recently announced that over 600 million plastic bottles and cans have been returned since the Scheme launched on February 1, 2024. The 600 millionth drinks container was returned on Saturday, October 12.

In June, the Deposit Return Scheme launched its charity initiative, ‘Return for Children’ which directly supports six national children’s charities: Barnardos Ireland, Barretstown, Childline by ISPCC, Jack and Jill, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, and Make-AWish Ireland. Thanks to the support of eventgoers throughout the summer, almost 900,000 drinks containers were returned at participating events. Over €70,000 was raised for the Return for Children charity initiative, with 470,000 containers donated. Designated Re-turn donation bins were present at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival, Taste of Dublin, and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium, while deposit return reverse vending machines (RVMs) were also provided at Electric Picnic.

“We’re delighted that our summer event initiatives have been such a success. Not only did it help reduce litter at these venues and contribute to the 600 million drinks containers returned to date, but it also provided much needed funds for Return for Children, our charity fundraising initiative,” noted Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn.

Tara O’Connor, Regional Managing Director for Munster at

Pictured are Brian McHugh, Chair of the CCPC, and Emer Higgins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn.

Back-to-school boosts grocery sales

TAKE-HOME grocery sales increased by 6.1% in the four weeks leading up to September 29, 2024, according to the latest data from Kantar. In September, as families got ready for school, sales volume increased by 3.6%, as people shopped more frequently, with a 1.5% rise in shopping trips. Grocery inflation stands at 2.67%, representing a slight decrease of 0.09 percentage points from the previous period.

As households settled into their autumn and back-to-school routines of preparing school lunches and dinners, Irish households spent an additional €2.6 million on fresh vegetables and €1.9 million on fresh fruit. They stocked up on pantry staples, spending an additional €1.4 million on ambient bakery breads, nearly €1 million more on frozen goods, and €1.5 million more on soft drink carbonates. Some shoppers got an early start preparing for the Halloween season, which was reflected in a significant €3 million increase in spending on confectionery.

“As shoppers returned to their back-to-school routines, they continued to purchase family-favourite brands,” explains Eimear Faughnan, Kantar’s Worldpanel Head of Retail. “Brand sales grew by 8% compared to last year, outperforming own-label products once again this period, increasing their value share of total spending to 48.2%.”

Even with branded products growing every month, own label ranges also saw their value sales increase by 3.9% this month compared to last year. Most of this growth came from standard private label products, which added an extra €50 million in value to the own label range. While premium own label represents a smaller portion of retailer offerings, it contributed an additional €9.2 million compared to last year.

Online sales have increased by 9.6% year-on-year, with shoppers spending an additional €17 million through this channel. Retailers are driving this growth by offering attractive online incentives, including money off vouchers and free delivery in some cases, which have encouraged shoppers to return more frequently. The latest 12-week data shows that this increase in platform visits was

the main contributor to the growth, rising by 12.3%.

Dunne Stores hold a 24% market share and saw value growth of 9.5% year-on-year. Dunnes have the strongest frequency growth among all retailers, at 9.3% year-on-year, which contributed an additional €67 million to their overall performance.

Tesco claim 23.4% of the market, with value up 10% year-on-year. This growth mainly came from recruiting new shoppers, alongside existing shoppers making more frequent and larger trips, which contributed an additional €47.5 million to their overall performance.

SuperValu maintain 19.6% of the market and saw growth of 1.7%. Their shoppers made more trips in-store than those of any other retailer, an average of 24 trips, which contributed an additional €13 million to their overall performance.

Lidl claim a 13.7% share of total spend and saw growth of 8% year-on-year. They continued to recruit new shoppers, contributing an additional €12 million to Lidl’s overall performance. Aldi hold an 11.7% market share, with growth of 0.6% year-on-year. More frequent trips contributed an additional €18 million to their overall performance.

BIA Innovator Campus and BIM announce strategic partnership

BIM and BIA Innovator Campus have announced a strategic partnership agreement to drive the sustainable development of the Irish seafood industry.

BIA Innovator Campus was officially opened in January this year and is designed to facilitate the launch and development of new and existing food businesses at all stages of their business journey. The 23,000 square feet campus located in Athenry, Co. Galway, includes food grade workspace, food production units, and culinary training centres with demonstration space and hot desks.

“This partnership is about finding creative and productive ways to add more value to our prized seafood resource and to empower entrepreneurship across industry, allowing businesses to test, develop and fast-track their seafood business ideas for market,” said Caroline Bocquel, CEO, BIM. “It will serve as an ideal base for BIM’s Seafood Academy, in particular for chefs and seafood retailers located in the West of Ireland.”

Derek Dunwoody, General Manager, BIA Innovator Campus, said: “We are delighted to have signed a Partnership Agreement with BIM in our efforts to support the sustainable development of the Irish seafood industry. This agreement forms the basis of a mutually beneficial relationship that will result in the delivery of key seafood projects at the BIA Innovator Campus driving innovation across the industry.”

Pictured are (l-r): Richard Donnelly, Development and Innovation Services Director; Derek Dunwoody, General Manager, BIA Innovator Campus; Caroline Bocquel, CEO, BIM; and Peter Feeney, Chair, BIA Innovator Campus.

ISME Partners with Fexco on cross-border payments

ISME have announced a partnership with Fexco International Payments, a leading provider of cross-border payment solutions. This collaboration aims to help Irish businesses compete globally, by offering innovative payment services that avoid the high costs and complexities of traditional banking providers.

“As an Irish business headquartered in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, Fexco understand the unique challenges faced by Irish SMEs when trading internationally,” noted Neil Mc Donnell, CEO of ISME. “Its tailored solutions are designed to make cross-border payments simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for our members compared to traditional banks.”

Sean Crowe, CEO, Fexco Financial Services, expressed his excitement:

“With over 40 years of experience in delivering payment solutions to companies of all sizes, we understand the crucial role that SMEs play in Ireland’s economy. We are thrilled to announce this partnership. Fexco is uniquely positioned to offer competitive exchange rates, low fees and a seamless user experience, backed by award-winning service and support to SMEs who send, receive, or make international payments.”

For more information, see internationalpayments.fexco.com/isme.

M&S launch festive recruitment drive

MARKS & Spencer have announced 210 seasonal job opportunities across their 16 stores in Ireland as part of a wider festive recruitment drive. The retailer is looking to fill Customer Assistant roles nationwide to support the busy Christmas period, with 210 positions available in both Foods and Clothing & Home departments.

“The contribution of our seasonal colleagues, from preparing orders to assisting customers with collections, is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful Christmas season for M&S,” revealed John Paul McShane, Regional Manager for Marks & Spencer Ireland. “Our store colleagues are core to delivering M&S’ renowned service during the busy Christmas season.

To guarantee exceptional customer service, we're investing in ensuring we have enough colleagues on the shop floor during the Christmas period.

“Many of our current colleagues started with M&S in seasonal roles and have progressed through internal programmes like Stepping Into Team Manager. With opportunities available across Ireland, we encourage anyone seeking a dynamic, flexible role this Christmas to apply.”

Olympian Ciara Mageean headlines LEAD Network Ireland event

CIARA Mageean, Olympian and Ireland’s first ever 1500m European Championship Gold Medalist, headlined the LEAD Network Ireland Chapter’s final event of the year. As one of the best athletes Ireland has ever produced, Mageean joined a stellar panel of inspirational speakers exploring the theme of 'The Power of Connections' at the event, which is run by volunteers across the retail and consumer goods sector working to attract, retain and advance women in the industry through education, leadership and male allyship.

The event, which marked one year since the launch of LEAD Network Ireland Chapter, also celebrated winning the prestigious Leadership Award at LEAD Network’s European Conference held in Budapest in early October.

“Reaching our one-year anniversary as the fastest growing LEAD Network Chapter in Europe is a fantastic milestone for the

LEAD Network Ireland Chapter,” noted Jane McEvoy, LEAD Ireland Co-Chair and Marketing Manager at Musgrave. “It’s been inspiring to work with such a wonderful Ireland Chapter committee. We are laser focused on the core priorities expressed by our members; tackling personal and structural barriers to gender equity, bringing the industry together to share practical solutions and challenge each other to drive change at pace. I am excited about the plan already in train for 2025 which will make a real impact on ensuring that our industry continues to attract the best talent."

LEAD Ireland Co-Chair and Head of High Growth Markets, Kellanova, Sarah Ferguson commented: “I am so proud of what we have achieved in just one year. This is a group of volunteers, coming together across the industry, working on top of their day jobs, to drive gender equity forwards.”

Pictured are (l-r): Neil McDonnell, CEO, ISME; John Barry, Payments and FX Consultant, Fexco; Damien Heffernan, Partnerships and Marketing Manager, ISME; and Sean Crowe, CEO, Fexco Financial Services.

LEAD Ireland Co-Chairs Sarah Ferguson, Kellanova, and Jane McEvoy, Musgrave.

Pakman Awards honour sustainable champions

THE 10th annual Pakman Awards, hosted by Repak, were recently presented at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel, where Lidl Ireland took home the Business Recycling Champion Award, Aldi Ireland won the Plastic Pledge Award for becoming the first major Irish retailer to introduce fully recyclable milk bottle caps, leading to the reuse of 70 tonnes of plastic, and Dawn Farm Foods Ltd were winners of the Waste Prevention Award.

Soltec (Ireland) Ltd won the prestigious Overall Pakman Award and the Waste Recycling and Recovery Facility Award, WeCan won the Best Deposit Return Initiative, and Eco-Friendly Cups Ireland took home the Best Single Use Plastic Initiative.

Also on the night, Dennis Spiegel, of Lidl Ireland, was awarded the ESG Leader award. Dennis Spiegel is a sustainability

leader at Lidl Ireland, known for his work in environmental management and corporate responsibility. Since joining Lidl in 2020, Dennis has gone above and beyond to educate others on the importance of socially and environmentally responsible consumption, as well as working towards a circular economy both on an individual and organisational level.

“The 2024 Pakman Awards showcase the remarkable achievements of individuals, businesses and communities working to create a more sustainable future,” noted Minister Ossian Smyth, Minister of State for Communications and Circular Economy. “These awards inspire all of us to take part in Ireland’s transition to a Circular Economy.”

Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of Repak, praised the participants, commenting: “This year’s entries were some of the most innovative

Pictured at the 2024 Pakman Awards are (l-r): Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland, with Hugh McAfee, Senior Logistics Project Manager at Lidl Ireland.

and impactful we’ve seen, setting an example for others to follow.”

For more information, visit pakmanawards.repak.ie.

Issues with new Vape Bill highlighted by impact assessment

VAPERS will be at risk of relapsing back to smoking and there may be a surge in smoking rates if all vape flavours are banned according to the regulatory impact assessment attached to the General Scheme of the Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024, warned BAT Ireland.

The General Scheme of the Bill outlines several new measures on vapes, including a ban on all flavours other than tobacco flavour and the standardisation of the colour of vape devices. According to the regulatory impact assessment, there is a risk that the proposals could lead to increases in smoking if there is a reduction in the number of smokers switching completely to vaping, or if current vapers relapse.

“The Government’s own research found that there is a serious risk that vapers will struggle to quit smoking or potentially relapse if flavours are restricted to tobacco,” noted David Melinn, Country Manager of BAT Ireland. “BAT Ireland supports restrictions on flavours that predominantly appeal to the underaged, but this Bill goes too far.

“Approximately half of Ireland’s 300,000 vapers have given up smoking and smoking rates in Ireland have remained stagnant at 18% for the last three years. This Bill will have serious implications for smokers and for vapers trying to stay smoke-free as, according to the Department of Health, vaping is the most successful switching tool for smokers in Ireland after will power alone.”

According to Healthy Ireland, one in four smokers who successfully quit smoking use vapes to do so and flavours play a central role in helping them move away from more harmful tobacco products. Melinn argues that “restricting vapes to the exact flavour that smokers are trying to move away from will drive them back to tobacco products.”

BAT Ireland believe that stronger regulation is needed to stop vapes being targeted at underage individuals, according to

Melinn, “including a ban on confectionery, dessert and soft drink flavoured vapes, as well responsible flavour descriptions and packaging.”

“A balance needs to be struck between protecting underage people and helping smokers to quit,” Melinn insisted. “Instead, this Bill punishes those who are using vapes to stay off cigarettes.”

The regulatory impact assessment states that the ban is unlikely to cause a substantial increase in illicit trade, but BAT Ireland is concerned that the Bill will exacerbate the illegal vape problem. Evidence from Denmark, Estonia and California, shows that vapers continue to access flavoured products even after they are banned.

“The continued delays to the retail licence system for vapes in Ireland, means that there are no controls over the number of shops selling vapes,” Melinn argued. “We already have a major illegal vape issue in Ireland with products appearing on shelves without Irish language health warnings. This Bill will massively increase demand for illegal products.”

David Melinn, Country Manager of BAT Ireland.

National Lottery names cancer charity as Good Cause of the Year

AN organisation which provides practical and emotional support services to families affected by cancer throughout Ireland has been named as the 2024 National Lottery Good Cause of the Year, winning €35,000 in prize money. Hand in Hand CLG works with families nationwide who are affected by cancer, giving on-the-ground support to minimise the impact that both the diagnosis and frequent long-distance travel for treatment has on family life. These supports are completely free of charge and aim to alleviate some of the stress associated with a cancer diagnosis. This year’s Good Causes Awards ceremony took place in Killashee House Hotel in Co. Kildare, where a special Hero of the Year Award was presented to Evelyn Neary, founder of Cian’s Kennels. Staff from Hand in Hand Cancer Charity in Galway are pictured celebrating alongside host Marty Whelan and Vivienne Jupp of PLI, as they were announced as the overall National Lottery Good Cause of the Year Award 2024.

Pringles team up with Paul McGrath for Movember

IRISH football legend Paul McGrath has joined forces with Pringles to champion men's mental health throughout Movember. McGrath will serve as Pringles ambassador for their Movember campaign, which is encouraging men to talk about their mental health. Recognising the importance of having open conversations about mental health, Pringles are going all in this Movember with their iconic Mr. P mascot sporting a QR code moustache on special edition Pringles tubes. The QR code will bring people to the Mo Conversations tool, which offers advice for people on how to open a dialogue with men about their mental health. The special edition Pringles tubes were first launched in Ireland in 2023 and resulted in 127,000 scans of the QR code, with 85% of respondents saying they would recommend the tool.

Aldi’s happiest store in Ireland named

ALDI’s store in Westside Retail Park, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, has been revealed as their ‘happiest store in Ireland’ following nationwide internal research by the retailer. The popular discount retailer conducted a survey of employees at all 162 of their Irish stores to determine which was the ‘happiest’ one, examining factors such as job satisfaction, colleague relationships and day-to-day emotions. The Ballincollig store, the joint-first Aldi in Ireland, was recognised for how enjoyable employees found their role, as well as the general happiness of customers who visit the store. Ballincollig employees recommended Aldi as a great place to work, saying that they “rave” about the store and were keen to recommend Ballincollig as a place to visit.

Good4U expands product range

GOOD4U, the familyrun business producing healthy snacks and meal toppers based in Sligo, are celebrating 20 years in business with a December launch planned into Morrisons in the UK and the introduction of an expanded range of their popular protein

ball snacks. New Mint Choc and Lemon Drizzle Good4U protein balls – which they like to refer to as ‘superfood truffles’ –have joined the popular Salted Caramel, Cocoa Orange and Raspberry Brownie flavours. Made from whole food plantbased ingredients, the range is high in fibre, gluten and nut free, containing 7g of protein and no added sugar. The new extended range of Good4U protein balls can be purchased in Tesco and Dunnes Stores nationwide. Michelle Butler, Innovation Director, is pictured with the new range.

Dealz and Pepco raise over €650,000 for Barretstown

DEALZ and Pepco recently marked the second anniversary of their ground-breaking charity partnership with Barretstown, with over €650,000 raised to date. The funds were raised through a strategic community-focused approach by Dealz and Pepco, harnessing the passion of their 78 stores, 2,500 colleagues, over two million customers and network of suppliers to support the vital work of Barretstown. Innovative campaigns such as ‘Pennies’ and the festive ‘Reindeer Food Appeal’ captured the imagination of the public. The Pennies campaign encourages customers to make a micro donation of 25 cents at Dealz and Pepco stores throughout the country, and due to the generosity of shoppers this is one of the most successful appeals to date. Pictured are (l-r): Thomas Macken, Paula Tyrell, Barretstown camper Katie Mooney and her mum Ciara, Fiona Eustace, Amy Fennell, Bonnie Coyle and Keri Kernan.

An Post, Cadbury and Coca-Cola sponsor

Christmas FM

CHRISTMAS FM, the much-loved radio station that ‘Switches Christmas On’ across Ireland every year, is delighted to announce that An Post, Cadbury and Coca Cola are on board again this year as Premier FM sponsors for the festive radio station. The radio station, which will return to the airwaves in late November for its 17th year, is also delighted to announce the return of an exciting competition for Irish businesses in 2024, offering a digital sponsorship package worth €5,000 to one lucky Irish company. Christmas FM will also be continuing with the hugely successful Magic of Christmas Appeal - raising money for three of Ireland’s leading children’s charities - Barnardos, Barretstown, and Make-A-Wish Ireland, along with a range of children’s charities across Ireland making a difference in local communities through Community Foundation Ireland. Pictured at the Christmas FM studios at the Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley, are Carla Reynolds, Seasonal Brand Manager at Cadbury; Garvan Rigby, Co-Founder of Christmas FM; Richard Miley, Marketing Lead, Commercial at An Post; and Gavin Gillespie, Marketing Director at The Coca-Cola Company.

Mace retailers Run to 40 for Debra Ireland

MACE retailers and their staff throughout Ireland are signing up to the Mace Run to 40 for Debra initiative, which is aimed at raising funds and supporting Debra Ireland. The Run to 40 concept marks a hugely significant milestone for Emma Fogarty, who is a Debra Patient Ambassador and Board Member and was born with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). To mark her miraculous 40th birthday, actor and Debra Ireland Ambassador Colin Farrell ran the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in Emma’s honour and Mace retailers and their staff helped to raise vital funds by either walking 40,000 steps or running 40km from October 21-27, and raising funds for Debra through fundraising in store and donations from selected Mace Own Brand products.

Dublin football star opens Lidl’s Kilcarbery store

DUBLIN Ladies

Gaelic Footballer

Hannah Tyrell was the guest of honour to cut the ribbon and officially open Lidl Ireland’s brand-new store at Kilcarbery, Old Nangor Road in Clondalkin, Dublin, on Halloween morning. Crowds gathered early to be amongst the first shoppers across the door to enjoy opening day entertainment and exclusive in-store offers. Lidl’s new store in Kilcarbery boasts a

large sales floor, offering customers a premium shopping experience, with wide aisles, two Deposit Return Scheme machines, long tills, customer restrooms and babychanging facilities, as well as an in-store bakery and off licence. Externally, the store benefits from regenerative landscaping and a spacious customer car park with dedicated EV charging spaces. Hannah is pictured with store manager Andrei Romanschi and John Maher, Sales Operation Manager, Lidl Ireland.

ALDI Ireland have signed a contract extension with poultry producer Manor Farm for a further year, worth €24 million to the supplier. Manor Farm, a prominent producer of Irish chicken since 1775, has been a valued partner of Aldi Ireland since 2011. Under the new extended contract, Manor Farm will introduce a number of new products at Aldi, including a Specially Selected Festive & Dressed Chicken launching in stores this December, just in

time for Christmas. “We are delighted to announce the continuation of our partnership with Manor Farm, who we’ve been proud to work with since 2011. This €24 million investment is testament to Manor Farm’s dedication to quality and innovation,” said Peter Bough, Buying Director, Aldi Ireland (right), pictured with Cathal Garvey, CEO, Manor Farm; and Fiona Twomey, Global Retail Specialist, Bord Bia.

REVOLUT have announced the launch of Revolut Terminal in the UK and Ireland, with pre-orders beginning today in the UK and in the next month for Ireland. A new point of sale device optimised for speed, Revolut Terminal will allow businesses to accept payments in seconds and meet the growing demand for quick, reliable pointof-sale (POS) devices. With their Terminal device, Revolut Business aim to deliver 99.9%+ platform uptime for uninterrupted sales, even during the busiest periods. Integrated WiFi and SIM connections and a battery that lasts all day ensure the device is always ready to take payments on the spot when it matters most.

Aldi announce contract extension with Manor Farm

Revolut launch POS terminal

Bewley's score world first in sustainable coffee production

Mondelēz partner with Amcor on recycled plastic packaging

ONE of the world’s leading conservationists has hailed Dublin company Bewley’s for their role in a global breakthrough in sustainable coffee production. Bewley’sbacked innovations in Honduras, Central America, will lead coffee’s response to the climate emergency, according to renowned environmentalist Dr Jane Goodall. Bewley’s have supported a world-first Integrated Open Canopy (IOC) system, which ensures 50% of a coffee farm consists of conserved or restored forest habitat. They are also backing a project using solar energy and biofuel to dry coffee, rather than clearing forest for firewood to power industrial coffee dryers. “Bewley’s Subirana coffee points the way to the future for the industry,” said Cathal Murphy, the company’s Head of Innovation and Sustainability (pictured). “This is the first coffee recognised by researchers to go beyond shade canopy to restoring and conserving actual forest habitat on farms. It also eliminates greenhouse gas emissions in drying and milling. It is regenerative and creates an ecological balance inside and outside the farm.”

Steaks are high at Tesco

TESCO Ireland have once again proven their excellence in the beef category by securing eight awards at the esteemed World Steak Challenge 2024. This significant achievement highlights Tesco’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation in meat production. The retailer secured one gold for its Rib Eye steak produced by Kettyle Irish Foods, as well as three silver and four bronze awards for several of its Tesco Irish and Tesco Finest Ribeye, Fillet and Striploin steaks. “We take great pride in the quality of the meat on offer in our stores and it is wonderful to see such a wide selection of our steaks achieving accolades like this on a global stage,” noted John Brennan, Category Director – Fresh Food, Tesco Ireland.

MONDELĒZ International have announced that their Cadbury core sharing bars, manufactured in Bournville and Coolock and sold in the UK & Ireland, will be wrapped in 80% certified recycled plastic packaging, which can be attributed to plastic sourced from advanced recycling technology. This move is the result of a collaboration with Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing more sustainable packaging solutions, and Jindal Films, an industry leader in the development and manufacture of recyclable films designed for flexible packaging. Starting from 2025, in a phased approach, the project aims to cover approximately 300 million sharing bars across the UK&I Cadbury core tablet portfolio. Pictured are James Murphy, apprentice technician, and production operators David Brady and Linda Kelly.

Lidl launch charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland

LIDL Ireland announced a new charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting around half a million family carers across the country. With a pledge to raise €1 million over the next three years, funds raised by Lidl colleagues and customers will support the vital work of Family Carers Ireland, who provide free supports and services such as emergency care planning, counselling, emergency respite and respite provision, advocacy, peer support groups and information on rights and entitlements. “Caring for a family member or loved one can have a huge impact on the caregiver’s life and, as a family retailer committed to supporting customers at every life stage, this new charity partnership will enable us to better support our valued customers, colleagues and the wider public,” said Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland (second from left), pictured with Gina Daly, Lidl Ireland ambassador; Johnny Ward, former Fair City and Love/Hate and panto star; and Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy, Family Carers Ireland.

Bakers to use NaviLens technology

PURINA’S Bakers

pet food is the first global pet food brand to announce it is incorporating NaviLens technology into the packaging of its main meal range, better supporting blind or partially sighted dog owners. NaviLens technology allows people with sight loss to more easily find the information they need on a product when shopping. The scannable NaviLens codes, similar to QR codes, will be integrated into Bakers packaging from early 2025. “The addition of NaviLens to our packs is an industry first and we are very proud to be able to offer this technology to make Bakers as accessible as possible,” revealed Joanne McKenna, Category Country Manager Ireland, Nestlé Purina PetCare.

Aldi: 25 years in Ireland

Niall O’Connor, Group Managing Director, Aldi Ireland, reflects on the retailer’s first quarter-century in Ireland, including how Aldi helped to change consumer perceptions of own label products, the biggest challenges they faced and the changing face of the Irish grocery landscape over that time.

NIALL O’Connor has been with Aldi for almost all of the retailer’s time in Ireland. The Cork native has been Group Managing Director of Aldi Ireland since 2020, and previously held a number of roles within the retailer, including serving as Group Buying Director for a decade from 2010 to 2020.

In a wide-ranging interview, he discusses the impact of Aldi on the Irish grocery market, the challenges the retailer faced in establishing itself here and the successes they have enjoyed over a quarter century of growth.

It’s been 25 years since Aldi first arrived in Ireland. Have you achieved what you hoped over that quarter century?

“I think we have. It sounds a bit grand, but we really wanted to make a change to the Irish grocery sector - and as Ireland’s first discount food retailer, I think we really have made a difference. We’ve demonstrated that we have been able to consistently deliver great quality products to Irish consumers, support Irish producers and deliver great value too since then. We have invested over €2 billion in capital infrastructure in that time. We now have 162 stores employing 4,650 people in

communities across every county in the country. We are truly an Irish business, providing local jobs for people in the communities we serve.”

The grocery industry of 1999 was very different to today. How do you think Aldi has contributed to that change?

“We have transformed the market. We introduced the discount retailer model to Ireland, which has succeeded in delivering low prices, excellent value, choice and competition to the retail market.

“Our business strategy throughout the last 25 years has always focused

on delivering value: for our people, our customers and our communities. This means unbeatable customer value, job creation and giving back to local charities. We have invested more than €10 billion with Irish suppliers since 1999, currently work with a network of more than 330 Irish businesses who are central to our offering, as well as having donated over €25 million to charities and local organisations in that time.”

Is it fair to say that Aldi has evolved its business model to accommodate the needs and wants of the Irish consumer?

“We’ve obviously evolved our offering to meet the changing demands of Irish shoppers. That includes increasing how many Irish-sourced products are on our shelves, as we know local provenance is important to our customers. Every second product in our customer baskets is a quality Irish product, and we are very proud of that.

“Our food offerings have also evolved to meet the ever more sophisticated tastes of shoppers in Ireland. We cater for those with gluten intolerances, meat free alternatives, an extensive range of protein-focused products and an overarching premium offering with our exclusive Specially

Selected category of products. All of this enables us to truly offer a full shop for the customer.

“As we adapt and grow with the times, some things remain the same. Our focus is always on value, and ensuring our business model is as efficient as possible so we can commit to keeping prices low – something our competitors simply can’t do.”

How different is the Aldi business in Ireland from other markets?

“The markets are obviously different from country to country – with different economic landscapes and cycles, different competitors, and different footprints across the globe. Fundamentally, the Aldi model of focusing on value and quality, however, is consistent in every market we operate in. In Ireland, we’re focused on stocking a wide range of Irish-sourced products and reflecting the broad taste profiles of the Irish consumer. The principle of sourcing locally, where possible, is important to Aldi globally.

“We regularly see competitors try to benchmark prices against Aldi – both here and in other countries. That just shows how we’re the market leaders when it comes to value. But what is absolutely the case, is that regardless of which market we operate

in, the only place to get Aldi prices is at Aldi!”

Aldi have certainly increased the proportion of Irish products on-shelf. How quickly did you realise this was an important move?

“Before we opened our first store. We have always known how important sourcing local produce is here in Ireland - so it formed part of our original strategy when we opened.

“In our first few years, we didn’t sell as many Irish-sourced products as we do today. Over the past quarter of a century, Aldi have really focused on expanding our network of local suppliers, fostering relationships that have allowed us to offer a diverse range of high-quality Irish products.

“We’ve been at the forefront of helping Irish suppliers grow their businesses, investing more than €10 million in our Grow with Aldi programme since 2018, and we are currently spending €1.1 billion with our Irish supply base each year. We’ve also played a leading role in encouraging and promoting greater access to value, quality and employment in regional Ireland. For example, 86% of Aldi roles in Ireland are located outside Dublin, compared to an average for all employment of just 70%.”

Staff at the opening of Aldi’s new €4 million store in Ennis, Co. Clare, in September, Aldi’s 162nd store nationwide.

The Retail News Interview

Aldi Plastic and Packaging Manager, Jason Carolan, and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, at the launch of Aldi’s Deposit Return Scheme.

Ireland in 1999 was extremely brand-loyal, with a perception amongst consumers that own-label equalled poor quality. How did Aldi set about changing this perception?

“We are obsessive about the quality of our products. Our exclusive brands are benchmarked against leading brands for quality, key ingredients and composition. Since we’ve been in Ireland, it’s been a guiding principle for us that value and low cost are never at the expense of quality.

“Shoppers no longer want to pay a price premium for the same quality just to shop at the brand-led supermarkets. Customers have realised they can get the same quality for less at Aldi by switching to private label.

“When we entered the market in 1999, own label products were not that fashionable but now every second product sold here in Ireland is own label.”

What other changes have Aldi helped to bring about in the market?

“Irish shoppers are more discerning; they are careful about managing household budgets, but still want to enjoy quality

products - we offer that. We have changed people’s perspective on the link between price and quality.

“Customer profiles have changed - they are smart and seek out value where they can find it, and we simply offer the best value. High quality products at incredible value is part of our DNA – we have always been known for this. People will boast to friends of how little they paid for something. That mindset is embedded in society now. We’ve also kept our pricing model simple and transparent; the price you see below the product is the price you pay.

“Environmental concerns have also had a huge impact. Customers are more demanding in terms of wanting sustainably sourced products. In recent years, we’ve eliminated more than 2,400 tonnes of virgin plastic from our store network, as well as replacing over 4,400 tonnes of non-recyclable packaging materials with recyclable alternatives.

“More recently, we rolled out the Deposit Return Scheme across our store network.

The new scheme has brought a major behavioural change for Irish shoppers but our customers have really engaged with it, not unlike the 2001 plastic bag levy, which fundamentally changed how customers shopped forever.”

What have been the biggest surprises along the way?

“Of course, Covid-19 was a huge surprise and unlike anything any of us had experienced before. Almost overnight, it changed how we lived, shopped and worked. We in retail were an essential service during Covid, and our team were essential workers. I’m very proud of the work that every single one of the Aldi team did in the most challenging of circumstances.”

What were the biggest challenges to overcome?

“The first was to establish our business in a market which had strong incumbent players. In 1999, we were unknown. Consumers, and to be fair, suppliers were somewhat sceptical, but they quickly got on board and now there is an advocacy about us and our offering. In 25 years, we’ve gone from being unknown to now being firmly embedded in the mainstream, having a loyal customer community across Ireland.

“Our time in Ireland has spanned the later years of the Celtic Tiger, the Global Recession, years of austerity, Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine invasion, and an unprecedented cost of living crisis. All of these have been major challenges to manage. Throughout them all, our focus has consistently been to provide customers with a compelling discount versus the big three supermarkets.”

More than 50% of staff who began working with Aldi in 1999 are still with the company today. How have you managed this?

“By being an employer that people are proud to work for, where they want to stay and grow their careers. We believe our colleagues are the best in the sector and we are committed to ensuring they are also the best paid.

“We also know that, especially in the current environment, the full benefits package matters in attracting and retaining staff. Aldi have consistently offered marketleading pay and have an extensive range of benefits for all colleagues, including our Employee Assistance Programme, maternity and paternity leave, market leading policy on sickness pay, as well as comprehensive training programmes.

“I’m actually incredibly proud that so many of the team that helped us start the journey 25 years ago are still with us today. Our success has in no small amount been down to their hard work and commitment across the years.”

Is the idea of a career in retail more acceptable now than it was 25 years ago?

“I think it’s always been a great career option, and one I’ve been involved in myself for 30 years, with Aldi and elsewhere, in Ireland and abroad. Some of the greatest entrepreneurs and business people have come from the retail sector.

“I think it’s great that more people want to work in retail, and we’re proud to play a part in supporting those jobs. A retail career is rewarding, challenging and offers great potential to develop. Working in retail puts us at the forefront of social, economic and technological change, whether working in stores, warehouses, management or any of the other areas involved in running a retail business and that’s exciting. It’s incredibly fast paced, dynamic and as Aldi has demonstrated, you can really make a difference to people’s lives.”

The Aldi brand continues to grow and resonate with Irish shoppers. Why do you think this is?

“We need to continue to offer unbeatable

The Retail News Interview

value for our customers. We know the market cannot match our quality at the same price and that is what we are famous for. This continues to resonate with longstanding loyal customers and new

ones, but we know we need to continue with this approach to ensure our customers remain loyal to us.

“Nine out of 10 consumers in Ireland shop with Aldi every year. We hope to continue to support this growing demand in the years ahead.”

How will you continue to grow the brand in the coming months and years?

“We are proud of our Irish business and most importantly, our people who deliver for our customers every day. As we look to the next 25 years and beyond, our ambition remains steadfast. We will continue to develop the Aldi business and invest in our people, our customers and our communities.

“We’re committed to looking for ways to embrace the latest technology, once it doesn’t disrupt our efficient low-cost business model and ultimately, offers value to our customers.

“We know we need to increase our footprint in Dublin and there are many towns across the country that we are yet to reach, so we have plenty of work to do yet!

“Despite all the changes, customers will always need high-quality, nutritious groceries, sourced in a way that’s kind to the planet and at prices they can afford. That is our steadfast commitment.”

Aldi IRFU Ambassador, Paul O’Connell, and Aldi National Sustainability Manager, Rachel Nugent, at the launch of the 2024 Community Grants programme that saw €137,500 donated nationally.

Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying & Services, Colin Breslin, and Dawn Meats CEO Niall Browne at the announcement of Aldi’s new €125 million contract with Dawn Meats.

The taste of success

The winners of the Blas na hÉireann 2024 Irish food awards were announced recently over a celebratory weekend in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

THE Blas na hÉireann 2024 Irish food awards took place recently in Dingle, Co. Kerry, where the great and the good from the Irish food and drink industry were announced in style over a three-day celebration in the Kerry town.

Rívesci was crowned as Supreme Champion for their Smoked Chilli Oil, while Valentia Island Vermouth was announced as Best Artisan Producer.

A previous finalist and gold medal winner at the Blas na hÉireann awards, Rívesci started as a food truck offering cookedfrom-scratch dishes from their vintage 1976 caravan, before lockdown forced the company to pivot their business into fulltime condiment makers.

Based in County Tipperary and founded by Shannon Forrest and Michelin-trained chef Declan Malone, the duo behind Rívesci pride themselves on their commitment to sustainability, using locally sourced ingredients to create products. Specialising in small-batch, hand-crafted condiments,

Rívesci has made a name for itself with its vibrant and flavourful relishes and sauces that elevate everyday meals. Since its launch, Rívesci has gained a loyal following for its high-quality offerings and has become a shining example of Tipperary's growing artisan food scene.

“We are thrilled and deeply honoured to be named Supreme Champion at the Irish Food Awards,” said Declan. “This recognition means the world to us and is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication we pour into all our products."

Shannon agreed: “To be acknowledged among so many talented producers across Ireland is a huge achievement and we are incredibly proud to represent the very best of Irish food and drink.”

Valentia Island Vermouth is a craft vermouth company founded by Anna and Orla Snook O’Carroll on Valentia Island, off the coast of County Kerry. Inspired by the island's unique flora, fauna and natural beauty, the wife-and-wife team set out

to create Ireland's first vermouth. Orla, whose father was a beekeeper from Co. Kerry, visited Valentia as a child, and it was there she learnt about the local plants and making of vermouth through her father’s knowledge. Valentia Island Vermouth uses foraged herbs, flowers and fruits from the island’s rich landscape to craft a distinctive, artisanal product that reflects the essence of its surroundings.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be named Best Artisan Producer at Blas," said Anna. "This is such an incredible honour for us both and our vermouth; we love being part of the Blas na hÉireann family and celebrating each year in Dingle with our peers, so to take home the Best Artisan award is a dream come true. We take immense pride in using locally sourced ingredients to create Valentia Island Vermouth so to be recognised alongside so many outstanding producers is a huge achievement for us.”

Speaking as the winners were

announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, “We are once again delighted to celebrate such deserving winners at Blas na hÉireann 2024. After 17 years of these awards, it’s inspiring to witness the continued innovation and quality in Ireland’s food and drink industry. Every year, the standard is raised even higher and it’s an honour for myself and the entire Blas team to showcase these exceptional products and the dedicated producers behind them to a national audience.”

Now in their 17th year, Blas na hÉireann saw another strong year from across all categories, along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time. During the judging, which took place over June and July, over 3,000 entries were evaluated. Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 170 food and drink categories, as well as key awards

like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer. As the competition intensifies each year, earning the prestigious Blas badge is a significant accomplishment, signifying that the shortlisted finalists and eventual winners represent the pinnacle of excellence in Irish food and drink.

Tesco Ireland’s top honours

Tesco Ireland took home 63 awards at this year’s Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, receiving awards across several medal classes, including beef, lamb, bacon, sausages, poultry, cured meats, seafood products, ready meals, morning baked goods, soups, dairy, cheese, breakfast cereal and preserves categories.

Tesco were awarded 21 gold medals, including Tesco Lamb Rack with a Mushroom & Herb Crumb, Tesco Finest Belgian Chocolate Vanilla and Salted Caramel Bar 90g, Tesco Finest Cream of Vegetable and Irish Chicken Soup 400g, Tesco Finest Poultry Gravy 300g, Tesco Finest Gherkin and Mustard Relish 190g, and Tesco Finest Honey & Irish Whiskey Ham Glaze 230g. Tesco also took home 25 silver and 17

Anna and Orla Snook O'Carroll, Valentia Island Vermouth, winners of the Best Artisan Producer Award.

Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone celebrate being crowed Supreme Champion for Rívesci’s Smoked Chilli Oil.

Tesco Finest Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice 1L won gold at Blas na hÉireann.

Blas na hÉireann 2024

bronze medals.

“The Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards are always a highlight in the calendar for the team and I,” admitted Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland. “It gives us time to catch up with our supplier partners and celebrate the hard work our collective teams have put into creating quality Tesco Own Label and Finest products for our customers.

“I’m proud that our products have been honoured with 63 awards – 21 gold, 25 silver and 17 bronze medals,” Joe continued. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of both our new and long-standing suppliers, and their unwavering passion and commitment to delivering the best for our customers. Congratulations to everyone involved!"

Tesco Ireland’s list of Gold winners included:

Tesco Finest Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice 1L

Tesco Finest Gherkin and Mustard Relish 190g

• Tesco Finest Cream Cheese

• Seeds & Grains Superseeded Loaf 400g

• Tesco Finest 6 Pork and Apple Sausages

• Tesco Finest Corn Fed BBQ Chicken Mini Fillet Skewers with Carolina Gold Sauce & Crispy Onion Sprinkle 380g

• Tesco Finest Corn Fed Skin-on Fillet 490g

• Tesco Lamb Rack with a Mushroom & Herb Crumb

• Tesco Finest Tea 40's

• Tesco Finest Honey & Irish Whiskey Ham Glaze 230g

• Tesco Finest Poultry Gravy 300g

• Tesco Finest Belgian Milk Chocolate Orange Bar 90g

• Tesco Finest Belgian Chocolate

Vanilla and Salted Caramel Bar 90g

• Tesco Finest Smoked Paprika and Chipotle Carved Irish Chicken Breast 130g

• Tesco Finest Plain Scone

• Tesco Finest Red Cabbage with Port & Cranberries 400g

Tesco Finest Mashed Potato 400g

• Tesco Finest Chicken, Bacon and Leek Pie 800g

• Tesco Finest Cream of Vegetable and Irish Chicken Soup 400g

• Tesco Natural Kefir 500g

• Tesco Whipped Cream 350ml

In June of this year, Tesco Ireland also received several top awards at the prestigious Monde Selection Awards in Brussels. Tesco won six gold medals for their Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Fillet Steak, Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Striploin Steak, Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Sirloin Steak, Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Beef Fillet Barrel with Bordeaux Red Wine and Ruby Port Sauce, Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Chateaubriand Beef Joint with Wild Garlic and Herb Butter, and their Tesco Finest Certified Irish Carvery Rib. For the first time, Tesco was also awarded two prestigious Grand Gold Awards for their Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Rib Eye Steak and Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus Rib Eye Joint with Black Pepper and Irish Atlantic Sea Salt.

102 wins for SuperValu

SuperValu producers celebrated another successful year at the Blas na hÉireann awards, taking home 102 awards in

Guaranteed Irish celebrate members’ Blas success

GUARANTEED Irish are proud to announce the success of several members who have won at the prestigious Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards 2024. Some of the Guaranteed Irish winners included SuperValu, Blakes Always Organic, Arthur Mallon Foods, Drummully Boxty, Dromod, Sorrento Pizza, Regale Biscuits, Gem Pack Foods, Coffee House Lane, Rívesci, and Ballyhoura Apple Farm.

“Guaranteed Irish will continue to work with these incredible brands as they represent the very best of Ireland’s food sector,” explained Bríd O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish.

“Their success is a testament to the thriving Irish food industry, their commitment and the importance of keeping production local. These businesses have reinforced their place at the top, producing highquality Irish food and drinks products. At Guaranteed Irish, we celebrate their achievements and ongoing contribution to supporting jobs, giving back to the local communities and using local supply chains.”

For more information about these award-winning members, visit guaranteedirish.ie

recognition of their outstanding products. This brings the total number of awards won by SuperValu producers over the last three years up to an incredible 315 awards across SuperValu Own Brand, SuperValu Signature Tastes, Food Academy, The Happy Pear and Moo’d Ice-Cream.

SuperValu’s Irish producer wins include 29 gold, 21 silver and 32 bronze awards, along with several speciality categories.

Bríd O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish.

SuperValu’s Irish producers took home a host of awards. Pictured are Sinead and Paul Farrelly, Edward Spelman, Marie Donelan, Rachel Grimes, Amanda Madden, Dermot and Liz Skehan, and Joanne Quinn.

Victory is sweet (and savoury).

Congratulations to our amazing local suppliers who won 63 awards at the 2024 Blas na hÉireann awards

Blas na hÉireann 2024

These wins celebrate the exceptional quality and innovation of SuperValu’s Irish producers, showcasing the depth and variety of products proudly sourced throughout the country.

SuperValu’s Signature Tastes and Own Brand range took home a total of 38 awards. Included in the gold award line up was SuperValu Signature Tastes Sweet Tomato & Chilli Chutney produced by Irish producer Folláin. Folláin, who took home a gold and two bronze awards, specialise in fresh fruit preserves, marmalades, jams, relishes, salsas and chutneys. Situated in the heart of rural West Cork, their delicious products are crafted from 100% natural ingredients.

Food Academy producers, a cornerstone of SuperValu’s support for start-up and early-stage food and drink Irish businesses, also celebrated a fantastic year, collecting an impressive 64 awards, including Supreme Champion for Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone from Rívesci in Co. Tipperary, Best Artisan Producer for Valentia Island Vermouth from Co. Kerry, and Best Start Up for Killadoon Milk from Co. Kildare. Food Academy producers also collected three Chef’s Larders for Coole Farm’s Mixed Leaves, Clonmore Farm’s Spinach Leaves and Roll It Pastry’s Puff Pastry.

Baska Bakery from Co. Meath, a fifthgeneration bakery and a Food Academy producer, won gold for their Organic White Country Sourdough. They specialise in naturally leavened sourdough bread made with just flour, water and salt. Using only organic flour, their bread undergoes a three-day fermentation process, enhancing its digestibility and giving it a unique, delicious flavour.

“2024 has been another incredible year for SuperValu’s Irish Producers at the Blas na hÉireann awards, with our local Irish producers once again being recognised for their exceptional quality, range and innovation,” noted Luke Hanlon, Managing Director, SuperValu. “This year, SuperValu’s Irish producers took home a total of 102 awards, including 64 awards for our Food Academy producers. Supporting Irish food producers is at the heart of what we do at SuperValu and it’s fantastic to see our producers gain the recognition they deserve. We remain committed to championing the best of quality Irish food.”

Centra celebrating at Blas

Centra’s Irish food producers claimed 19 awards at this year’s Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, including four gold awards, eight eilver awards and seven bronze

awards, across the Centra, Inspired by Centra, Superquinn and Moo’d brands.

The big wins include 10 products from the Inspired by Centra range, including three gold awards: Inspired By Centra Berry Coulis with Yogurt and Granola and Inspired By Centra Overnight Oats, Vanilla Yoghurt with Blueberries & Strawberries, both by FreshCut Food Services, as well as the Inspired By Centra Cold Pressed Turmeric Shot by Sunshine Juice. The Inspired by Centra range is expertly created to bring customers a range with value in mind without compromising on taste or quality.

Other award winners within the Inspired by Centra range include new salad ranges - Inspired by Centra Chicken & Miso Salad (bronze) and Inspired by Centra Torn Ham, Free Range Egg and Coleslaw Salad (silver), made by the producer Deli Lites.

Key award winners from the Centra range include customer favourites such as Centra Belgian Chocolate Brownie Slices four-pack by Couverture Desserts, Centra Crème Fraiche by Clona Dairy and Centra Irish Rapeseed Oil by Newgrange Gold.

“As the leading Irish convenience retailer, we take pride in offering high-quality Irish produce to our customers. The fact that our

and Liz

gold awards for their Inspired By Centra Overnight Oats and their Berry Coulis.

Local butchers shine at Blas na hÉireann

IRISH Butchers’ Guild finalists were amongst the gold awards winners at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards 2024. McCarthy’s of Kanturk, renowned traditional butchers with a heritage dating back to 1892, earned a gold award for their signature Traditional Spiced Beef, along with an additional bronze award for their Smoked Back Rashers. McCarthy’s were also honoured with the prestigious Irish Butchers’ Guild Award at this year’s event.

“We are absolutely honoured to be recognised with these awards,” said Jack McCarthy. “It’s a real testament to the hard work, dedication and passion that goes into every product we create.”

Fermoy based Fitzgerald’s Butchers were honoured with a Bord Bia Chef’s Larder Award for their exceptional home cured Guanciale. An “absolutely thrilled” Master Butcher Barry Fitzgerald, said: “It's moments like this that inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.”

Furlong’s Foodhall from Gorey took gold for their Cucumber Pickle and bronze for their Potato Salad, and Murphy’s Craft Butchers from Tullow received a gold award for their Black Charcoal Ribeye Steak and a silver award for their Traditional Pork Sausages.

Award to Jack McCarthy, McCarthy’s of Kanturk.

trusted suppliers have won 19 accolades at this year's awards is a testament to this commitment,” said Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of Centra. “The Blas accreditation highlights the quality of Centra's products from trusted Irish suppliers, available across our network of Centra stores nationwide.”

John Molloy, Irish Butchers’ Guild, is pictured presenting the Irish Butchers’ Guild

Dermot

Skehan, Fresh Cut, won

Pat Farrell of Folláin wins for Inspired By Centra Raspberry Jam.

Gala: 25 years of success

Gala Retail marked 25 years of excellence in convenience retailing at the Gala Retail Excellence Awards, which took place at Lawlor’s of Naas in County Kildare.

2024 has been a memorable year for Gala Retail, a leading name in the Irish convenience sector, as the group continued to celebrate its 25th anniversary. In a year packed with growth, store revamps and shopper giveaways, Gala Retail’s milestone culminated in September with the Gala Retail Excellence Awards.

The awards presentation took place at Lawlor’s of Naas in County Kildare and was an opportunity for the group to reflect

on their continued success in community retailing, bringing together Gala retailers from across the country for a night of recognition and celebration.

Focus on ‘local’ and ‘community’ values

A look back at the growth and milestones of the Group since it was founded in 1998, highlighted how Gala Retail’s focus on ‘local’ and ‘community’ values, combined with ongoing innovation, continues to deliver

success for the Group and its 200+ retailers throughout Ireland.

Commenting on Gala’s 25th year, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond, noted: “It is incredible to be celebrating the successes of the Gala Group in its 25th year in business. Gala was created by a Group of Irish wholesalers, who collectively had the vision to launch an Irish convenience group that put ‘community retailing’ front and centre for shoppers. To look back at

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, pictured with Brand Champion Award Winner, Sandra Nicholson from Nicholson’s Gala, Keel, Achill, and Tony Costigan from Mondelez, award sponsor.

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, is pictured presenting the Supplier of the Year award to John O’Connor, Managing Director of Tayto Snacks.

the Group’s achievements over the years reinforces the success that this vision has cultivated, and how the Group has grown in an extremely competitive sector.

“25 years on and our ‘local’ and ‘community’ values are still central for the Gala Group today,” Gary continued. “Our ‘Gala Home or Away’ marketing campaign for our 25th year has already thanked thousands of shoppers for their custom with holidays and consumer incentives, and we are soon to launch our ‘Gala Gifts For

Gala Retail Excellence Awards

All’ activation, which will deliver winners for every Gala store.”

Rewarding excellence

Hosted by sports broadcaster and chat show host Jacqui Hurley, the 2024 Gala Excellence Awards celebrated Gala stores from all corners of Ireland, recognising those that excel in quality in retailing throughout the Gala Group.

“This year, we saw more retailers than ever before being awarded a Gala

Retail Excellence Award,” explained Gary Desmond, following the awards. “It's a true testament to the dedication and commitment that our retailers bring to their communities. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, it's an especially poignant moment to recognise the outstanding efforts of our Gala stores across the country, who have gone above and beyond in delivering quality and service to their customers.”

Bringing the 25th-anniversary

Jacqui Hurley, RTÉ sports broadcaster and chat show host, MC’ed the Gala Retail Excellence Awards.

Gala Fresh Food Award Winner Shane Mulrooney from Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, pictured with Declan Fennelly from Tirlán, award sponsor, and Audrey Kelly from Gala Retail.

Comedian Barry Murphy keeps delegates entertained at the event marking 25 years of Gala on the Cote d’Azur.

Irish rugby legend and current La Rochelle coach, Ronan O’Gara, addresses delegates at the Gala event on the Cote D’Azur to celebrate the Group’s 25 years in operation.

Edwin Addison from Matthew Algie, award sponsor, pictured with Coffee Junction Award Winners, John and Francis McGuire from McGuire’s Gala, Rooskey, and Siobhán Grimes from Gala Retail.

Gala Retail Excellence Awards

celebrations to a close, a special Gala event, celebrated in style on the Cote d’Azur, brought together Gala retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. The event was compered by comedian Barry Murphy, with Irish rugby legend, Ronan O’Gara, as the guest of honour. During the celebration, Gala Retail recognised their category award winners, honouring achievements from customer service to community initiatives.

Among the standout winners were Nicholson’s Gala in Keel, Achill, which was named Brand Champion, and Tayto Snacks, which took home the coveted title of Supplier of the Year. These awards reflect the importance Gala places on both local partnerships and national expertise, ensuring that the Gala brand continues to deliver exceptional value to its customers.

The awards also serve as a reminder of Gala Retail’s commitment to constant improvement, with winners selected through a comprehensive and independent assessment process. Stores deemed ‘outstanding’ were celebrated for their ability to exceed customer expectations and uphold the highest standards in convenience retail.

Award winners

Taking home the top awards were:

• Gala Fresh Food Award, sponsored by Tirlán: Mulrooney’s

Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary Gala Bakers Corner Award, sponsored O’Brien Ingredients: Bracken’s Gala, Portlaoise

• Gala Chilled Award, sponsored by Arytza: Scollan’s Gala, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim

• Gala Customer Service Award, sponsored by Britvic: O’Shea’s Gala, Blennerville, Co. Kerry

• Gala Distill Off Licence Award, sponsored by Comans: Hanlon’s Gala, Longford

• Gala Social Media Award, sponsored by Tayto Snacks: Kane’s Gala, Carlow

• Gala Marketing Award, sponsored by JTI Ireland: Hennessey’s Gala, Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford

• Coffee Junction Award, sponsored by Matthew Algie: McGuire’s Gala, Rooskey, Co. Leitrim

• Community Initiative Award, sponsored by BAT Ireland: Camier’s Gala, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

• Special Merit Award, sponsored by Coca-Cola Hellenic: NHG Group, Limerick, Cork, Clare

• Brand Champion Award, sponsored by Mondelez: Nicholson’s Gala, Keel, Achill, Co. Mayo Supplier of the Year was awarded to Tayto Snacks who celebrated 70 years in business in 2024.

Keith Bradshaw from Arytza, award sponsor, is pictured with Gala Chilled Award Winner Karl Scollan from Scollan’s Gala, Drumshanbo, and Audrey Kelly from Gala Retail.

Kevin Donnelly from Britvic, award sponsor, pictured with Gala Customer Service Award Winner Kieran O’Shea from O’Shea’s Gala, Blennerville, and Tony Cluskey from Gala Retail.

Redmond Gavin from Comans, award sponsor, pictured with David Mayne, Regional Operations Manager, accepting the Gala Distill Off Licence Award on behalf of Hanlon’s Gala, Longford, and Tony Cluskey from Gala Retail.

Barry Filgate from Tayto Snacks, award sponsor, pictured with Gala Social Media Award Winner, Terry Kane from Kane’s Gala, Carlow, and Tony Cluskey from Gala Retail.

Gala Retail Excellence Awards

Brian O’Shea from JTI Ireland, award sponsor, pictured with Gala Marketing Award Winners, Majella and Damien Hennessey from Hennessey’s Gala, Kilmeaden, and Tony Cluskey from Gala Retail.

The Special Merit Award was presented to NHG Group with Gala Stores in Limerick, Cork, Clare and Tipperary. Pictured are (l-r): Siobhán Grimes, Gala Retail; Eoin O’Sullivan, M&P O’Sullivan Wholesale; Darragh Neill, NHG Group; and Conor Brennan from Coca-Cola Hellenic, award sponsor.

The Community Initiative Award was presented to Camier’s Gala, Ballydehob. Pictured are (l-r): Christina Coakley from Camier’s Gala; David Melinn from BAT Ireland, award sponsor; Ivan Camier from Camier’s Gala; and Siobhán Grimes from Gala Retail.

Gala Bakers Corner Award Winners, Maeve and Kevin Bracken from Bracken’s Gala, Portlaoise, are pictured with Peter Savage from O’Brien Ingredients, award sponsor, and Audrey Kelly from Gala Retail.

Heineken Ireland

A refreshing way to do business

Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director, Heineken Ireland, highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability, quality and community.

HEINEKEN Ireland has been a proud part of Ireland’s brewing tradition since Murphy’s brewery was founded in Cork 168 years ago. Over generations, we have continually evolved, always keeping our core purpose in mind, Brewing the Joy of True Togetherness.

Our current campaign, ‘A Refreshing Way to do Business’, brings you closer to the heart of Heineken Ireland, focusing on its dedication to quality and community – two pillars that are essential to our success.

A central element of this campaign are the storytellers, all of whom have worked in Heineken Ireland for many years, delivering for our consumers, customers, our teammates and for the wider community that we are part of.

Our beer is still brewed in the heart of Cork City today, and through ongoing investment and innovation, we are positioning ourselves to write further chapters of our Irish story and build on our rich heritage.

Brew a Better World

We are over three years into our Brew a Better World sustainability programme and have made significant strides during that time in social and environmental sustainability and championing responsible consumption. Last year, our global target to reach net zero in our full value chain by 2040 was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative and the company received the CPD Climate A List award. A key step towards this goal is to continue to drive efficiencies and explore methods to decarbonise how we brew our beer.

Pursuit of ‘pourfection’

We are making changes to our production process, while maintaining the highest

Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director, Heineken Ireland.

quality standards across our suite of products. At Heineken Ireland, quality is at the heart of what we do.

From our brewing process to our innovative Heineken 0.0, we are committed to delivering excellence in every sip. This pursuit of quality is exemplified by our achievements in the zero-alcohol category. Since its launch in 2018, Heineken 0.0 has taken a leading role in creating and growing the 0.0 category in Ireland and today it remains the market leader, with the highest share of the total market.

Consumer habits and choices in Ireland are changing, and we will continue to invest in the 0.0 category to provide additional choice for consumers. Heineken Ireland have already invested more than €30 million in our 0.0 brand to date, and this year we have been supporting the brand with a major advertising campaign.

Creating a positive social impact

As a leading brewer, we believe in fostering the joy of true togetherness and supporting the communities in which we operate.

A key focus for our business is supporting local farmers and suppliers, which in turn generates employment and has a positive economic impact. We source our pale malted barley from Irish farmers. Our business brings us into close contact with thousands of consumers and stakeholders daily. Where we have the opportunity to help communities prosper, we do so. To date, we have supported more than 50 charity groups across Ireland and this includes our 21-year partnership with the Cork Simon Community.

We have also partnered with AssistiV Ireland, an organisation that embraces technology to support people with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and autism into sustainable employment. We are working closely with AssistiV to bring this groundbreaking technology to pubs and bars across Ireland, with the aim of creating new employment opportunities and removing barriers to employment. The European Commission Country Report for Ireland 2023 noted that Ireland has one of the largest disability employment gaps in the EU, at 41.3%. Our collaboration with AssistiV aims to help address this and create inclusive workplaces in the hospitality sector, making a real difference to people’s lives.

At Heineken Ireland, we are proud of our past, energised by the present, and committed to a future where we continue to brew the joy of true togetherness.

To learn more about our initiatives, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn. Your support helps us continue making a positive impact in our communities and beyond.

The rise of the Big Puff Disposables

Big Puff Disposables are the big news when it comes to the vaping category, with Hale Vaping’s Lost Mary brand leading the way.

THE vaping category is extremely fast moving, driven by innovation and consumer demands. 2024 shows a significant and apparent trend in Big Puff Disposables, which have gained 7.41% of the market, according to NielsenIQ’s Scantrack data.

Lost Mary

Lost Mary is Ireland’s number one vaping brand and continues to grow each month, bringing innovation to each category. The latest is the Lost Mary BM6000, the ultimate upgrade for anyone who wants more from their disposable – more puffs, more flavour and more control.

The Lost Mary BM6000 lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard 600-puff disposable, with a screen showing battery life and an updated e-Liquid container.

Lasting up to 10 times longer than a standard 600-puff disposable, with a screen showing battery life and updated e-Liquid container, there's no more second-guessing if the device is going to last; the BM6000 has it all at a glance. It is available in a range of 10 incredible flavours from the Lost Mary range including Pineapple Ice, Blue Sour Raspberry and Watermelon Ice.

This new product is destined to grow the category further and delight consumers. Order exclusively through Creative Distribution/Hale Vaping.

Tappo

Tappo by Lost Mary is the number one closed system pod in Ireland at 30.55% value share with double digit growth since the start of the year (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Q2 2024).

The Tappo utilises a modern, innovative design and is the solution for disposable users looking for a more sustainable,

economical alternative to traditional disposable devices. Instead of having to throw away the entire device when depleted, the Tappo kit uses a selection of convenient, flavoured, pre-filled pods that users easily replace when finished.

Battery indicator and visible pod offer status check with a quick look. When the large 750mAh battery runs out, users simply have to charge it via USB-C port for another full day of usage.

The Tappo range has 25 flavour pods available, three of which are new to the market: Cherry Ice, Double Apple and Pineapple Ice.

Backed by Quaq Mesh, Cell and Capsule solutions, Tappo unleashes a taste burst and brings a supreme performance. This is the must stock closed pod system for retailers and consumers!

Order exclusively through Creative Distribution/Hale Vaping. For more information, contact your Hale rep.

Tappo by Lost Mary is the number one closed system pod in Ireland.

NEVER RUN OUT mid-vape

No more running out mid-puff. The Lost Mary BM6000 is the ultimate upgrade for anyone who wants more from their disposable – more puffs, more flavour and more control.

With up to 6000 puffs, a sleek design and an intuitive power display, the BM6000 keeps customers satisfied for longer. The visible liquid tank ensures they’ll never be caught off guard.

NO MORE GUESSING: POWER AT A GLANCE: 10X MORE PUFFS:

Hale Pro Salts: for all taste preferences

THE Hale Pro Salts range was designed with the view of creating the ultimate alternative to disposables and the current flavour trends in those devices. The Pro Salts range are made in Hale’s ISO 9001:2015 accredited manufacturing facility in Carlow. Their ingredients are fully certified and sourced within the EU from ISO certified suppliers. All liquids are fully registered with the EU and are fully compliant with the HSE and TPD legislation. Hale independently test all liquids to ensure they are of the highest quality.

Smoother vape

Unlike standard Hale e-Liquids, which use ‘freebase nicotine’, Hale Pro Salts come in 10mg and 20mg salt nicotine; this is the same type of nicotine that is used in disposable vapes. Nicotine salts have a faster absorption rate for a more satisfying, quicker response to cravings. Nicotine salts also have the added benefit of providing a smoother overall vape, without the harshness that usually comes with high nicotine. Undergoing months of testing, and hundreds of variations, the Pro Salts are perfectly balanced and offer flavours for all taste preferences.

Irish Distillers and Maynooth University partner on robotics project

IRISH Distillers and Maynooth University

Ireland are partnering on a pilot research project to develop an autonomous regenerative agriculture platform through robotics and sensing solutions, to improve the sustainability of cereal crop production. The project will use mobile farming robots, sensing solutions and vertical solar panels to monitor and manage cereal cultivation, with the aim of optimising grain yields and resource utilisation, while delivering a resilient ecosystem that nurtures soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental vitality. Pictured at Maynooth University's Robot Farm are Gerry Lacey, Professor of Electronic Engineering, Maynooth University, and Graham Caulwell, Head of Sustainability & Compliance, Irish Distillers.

Boatyard Distillery wins sustainability award

THE Boatyard Distillery from Co. Fermanagh won the award for most ‘Sustainable Spirits Product of the Year’ at the second annual Global Drinks Intel ESG Awards in Cannes. Their innovative approaches to ESG caught the eye of Global Drinks Intel’s experienced panel of judges alongside other big international brands such as Avolta, Brockmans Gin, Champagne Telmont and Diageo. Pictured are GDI Digital Editor Olly Wehring, The Boatyard Distillery Founder Joe McGirr and GDI Chief Operating Officer & Marketing Director Kate Wake-Walker.

Drinksology Kirker Greer gains B Corp Cert

DRINKSOLOGY Kirker Greer is now a Certified B Corporation, after achieving an assessment score of 84.8. This prestigious certification recognises the Belfast company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility and its dedication to balancing purpose with commercial growth. “Becoming B Corp Certified has been a major ambition for us, and it was important that every one of our companies and brands was included,” said Steven Pattison, CEO of Drinksology Kirker Greer.

Coca-Cola HBC reopens newly refurbished Visitor Experience Centre

COCA-Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland are excited to welcome the public through their doors once again with the reopening of their fully refurbished Visitor Experience Centre. Located at Coca-Cola HBC’s manufacturing facility at Knockmore Hill in Lisburn, the centre offers groups over the age of 13 an exclusive opportunity to get behind the scenes. Visitors can explore the manufacturing process, the rich history and marketing behind some of the world’s most popular drinks, including Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about locally produced brands like Deep RiverRock and Fruice. Pictured are (l-r): Cheryl Watterson, Visitor Experience Coordinator, CocaCola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland; Kieran Given, Plant Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland; Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Cllr Kurtis Dickson; Tom Burke, Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland; Alderman Amanda Grehan; Sandra Wrobel, Production Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland & Northern Ireland.

Diageo trial bespoke circular keg and dispense system for spirits

DIAGEO have announced the trial of Everpour, an innovative new keg and integrated bottle dispense system, initially with Smirnoff. The development of Everpour has been led by Diageo’s Breakthrough Innovation team in partnership with Hodges & Drake, and features reusable kegs which pipe spirits to a dispensing unit. The bespoke innovative technology automatically refills the bottle of Smirnoff once it is placed in the Everpour unit, and once the keg is empty, it is collected, cleaned and refilled by Diageo before being re-distributed to participating bars.

National Organic Awards

Winners revealed at the National Organic Awards

An exotic mushrooms producer, innovative social enterprise and well-established Irish organic businesses were amongst the National Organic Awards winners, which saw the first ever Irish Organic Champion crowned.

BORD Bia recently revealed the winners of the National Organic Awards, which included an award for the first-ever Irish Organic Sector Champion. Colin Keogh, Quality Manager, The Organic Trust, was selected as the inaugural recipient of the new award, which was announced at a ceremony which took place in the Bord Bia Global Hub, Dublin, on October 17. This accolade recognised Colin’s achievements as a true trailblazer for the Irish organic sector and reflected his dedication to the industry.

The National Organic Awards, held in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, celebrate the achievements and high standards of the increasing number of organic growers, producers and manufacturers in the country. A total of seven awards were presented including the New & Innovative Award, which went to Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms from Offaly, and the Business in the Community Award, which was presented to Limerick-based social enterprise, The Urban Co-op.

“It’s a pleasure to be here today at the National Organic Awards, and to see the quality, innovation and creativity happening within the organic sector in Ireland,” noted Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. “Today’s award-winners represent the very best of the high standard of organic food and drink production that this country has to offer.

“From my own experience of organic farming, I know the amount of work that

National Organic Awards. Garryhinch Wood Exotic

the winner of the Best New and Innovative Irish

goes into producing high quality organic produce but also how rewarding it is, and I want to congratulate everyone who was shortlisted for playing an important role in helping the Irish organic sector to thrive.

Bord Bia play a vital role in delivering market access for our premium organic

product. I’m hugely grateful for their commitment and am looking forward to their increasing investment in the organic sector.”

Emmet Doyle, Organic Sector Manager in Bord Bia, said, “The quality of submissions for this year's National Organic Awards

Jim O’Toole, CEO, Bord Bia, and Minister of State, Pippa

present Kenneth Keavey, Green Earth Organics, with the Direct to Consumer Excellence Award.

Pictured are (l-r): Minister of State, Pippa Hackett; Dolores and Joe Gorman, Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms; with Jim O’Toole, CEO, Bord Bia; at Bord Bia’s

Mushrooms was announced as

Organic Product.

Hackett,

National Organic Awards

Burren Smokehouse took home the Best Irish Organic Product Award at the 2024 National Organic Awards. Pictured are (l-r): Minister of State, Pippa Hackett; Birgitta Hedin-Curtin, Burren Smokehouse; and Jim O’Toole, CEO, Bord Bia.

was exceptionally high, and this is evident in the success of today's winners. They are proof that the organic sector in Ireland is thriving, and the dedication and hard work of our producers is key to this success. The National Organic Awards are a fantastic way of recognising this hard work and highlight our appreciation for the pioneers working within this sector. We would like to extend our congratulations to the winners today and thank all who entered this year.”

Award winners

The winners were selected from a shortlist of 16 Irish companies, competing across seven categories, which were judged by a panel of industry experts. As industry champions, they will receive a one-to-one session with Bord Bia’s Client Capability team, who will help develop a bespoke package of supports to meet individual company needs up to the value of €5,000.

• The Irish Organic Champion 2024: The overall winner of the award is Colin Keogh, from The Organic Trust (accepted on his behalf by Stephen Connolly, Chief Executive Officer, The Organic Trust), with a special recognition for the work of Sean McGloin from the National Organic Training Skillnet.

• New & Innovative Award: Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms based in

County Offaly for their Shiitake and White Beach offering.

• Business in the Community Award:

The Urban Co-Op, from County Limerick.

• Best Irish Organic Product Award: Clare-based Burren Smokehouse Ltd for the Burren Smoked Irish Organic Salmon.

• Direct to Consumer Award: Galway’s Green Earth Organics for their 100% Irish Farm Box.

• Best Irish Organic Export Product Award: Flahavan’s Organic Porridge

• Best Irish Organic Private Label Product Award: Wexford based Irish Country Meats, in association with Dunnes Stores, for their Organic Irish Lamb Centre Loin Chops.

Awards judges

Judging took place at the National Organic Food Fair in Merrion Square, Dublin, on Saturday, August 31. The line-up of judges included chef Clodagh McKenna, food writer Suzanne Campbell, chef Janine Kennedy, food consultant Annie Dunne, and retail expert John McDonagh.

The National Organic Awards are held every two years in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The event marks a true celebration of the best of Irish organic food as a wide selection of produce from all over the country is represented in the awards.

Nicola Bates and John Flahavan from Flahavan’s are pictured accepting the Best Irish Organic Export Product Award for Flahavan’s Organic Porridge Oats from Minister of State, Pippa Hackett and Jim O’Toole, CEO, Bord Bia.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

Budget 2025: opportunities and challenges ahead for Irish retailers

BUDGET 2025 was a mixed bag for retailers; while significant personal tax changes and cost of living measures will support retail spending over the coming months, acute labour cost concerns remain.

Money back into the domestic economy: Budget 2025 introduced several tax measures affecting individuals and households. These changes will leave more money in people’s pockets and will support retail spending and consumer sentiment in the run-up to Christmas. The increase in the Small Benefit Exemption annual limit from €1,000 to €1,500 and increasing the number of payments that can be made in a single year is also welcome in this regard.

Increase in minimum wage:

The retail sector still faces major labour cost challenges. Budget 2025 includes an 80c increase in the minimum wage, bringing it to €13.50 per hour. While this is a smaller increase than anticipated earlier in the year, it continues to put pressure on businesses grappling with tight margins. Given the Government's commitment to transition to a ‘Living Wage’ over the coming years, this will likely remain an issue as retailers struggle to balance operational costs with labour market demands.

Delay in pension and sick pay reforms:

sub-minimum rates and at the time, the Department of Enterprise said it would commission an economic impact assessment on the issue. Ibec has made a detailed submission to the Department setting out the case for the retention of these rates. The Government has confirmed that work on the assessment will take between six and nine months to complete. As such, it will be a matter for the next Government.

The Government announced a delay in the introduction of pension auto-enrolment to September 2025. This offers temporary relief, but it’s a cost retailers must still prepare for. While there was no mention of statutory sick pay in the Budget, the Government confirmed it is re-examining the plan to increase the number of paid statutory sick pay days, which is due to come into effect in January.

‘Power Up’ retail and hospitality grant:

The Government announced a new ‘Power Up Grant’ in the Budget, which will provide support to commercially rateable premises in the retail and hospitality sectors. The scheme, with an overall budget of €170 million, is targeted at SMEs and is a follow-up to the Increased Cost of Doing Business (ICOB) grant. A flat grant of €4,000 will be provided to companies that qualified for, and received, the second round of the ICOB grant, together with businesses which became rateable for the first time in 2024. Businesses with a 2023 commercial rates bill greater than €30,000 were not eligible for the ICOB grant.

Sub-minimum rates decision pushed out: In June, the Low Pay Commission recommended the abolition of the

Safety and security:

The significant increase in Garda funding in Budget 2025 is a welcome move to address rising security concerns in town and city centres. Retailers have long been calling for greater Garda presence to combat crime and improve response times. With Christmas around the corner, a stronger security presence in urban centres is crucial for reducing crime and creating a safer shopping environment. However, the challenge lies in how quickly these resources will translate into real, visible improvements on the ground.

Overall, while Budget 2025 offers some important positives for the retail sector, particularly in boosting consumer spending and providing some modest targeted financial support, underlying cost pressures remain a matter of real concern.

The next Government will inherit a strong economy, with robust growth figures and healthy public finances. However, employment costs are rising at an unsustainable rate. This is particularly the case in labour intensive sectors such as retail. If we are to safeguard jobs and protect vulnerable retail businesses into the future, further steps will be needed to address these serious challenges.

Tel: 01-6051558 | www.retailireland.ie

Need more?

FOR more information about Retail Ireland and details of how your retail business can benefit from our unique services and supports, please visit us at www.retailireland.ie.

Christmas Stocking: Essentials

Festive fare

Consumers are set to spend big this festive season, with the average Irish family spending over €2,300 on Christmas.

CHRISTMAS is a peak selling period for Irish retailers, with a record-breaking €1.4 billion passing through Ireland’s grocery tills in December 2023 (Source: Kantar). The average household spent an all-time high of €767 on groceries across the month, an increase of nearly €42 on 2022, and an even larger increase of €170 compared to spend in 2019.

Irish consumers’ desire for the traditional Christmas dinner remained strong in 2023, with volumes of potatoes, carrots, and broccoli up 3.1%, 1.9% and 7.5% respectively, and turkey up 19.8%, although Brussels sprouts and mince pies were slightly down on the previous year, 2.4% and 9.3% respectively.

Irish shoppers did not lose their sweet tooth altogether, with sales of seasonal biscuits, chilled desserts, and chocolate confectionery up 5.9%,12.6% and 3.2%, proving that dessert was still on the menu. With more hosting taking place over the Christmas period, Irish shoppers spent an additional €10.4 million on household and cleaning products and €2.2 million more on toiletries.

Recent research conducted by The Irish Times stressed how Irish people like to “treat themselves” at Christmas. Last year, Christmas grocery shoppers spent €14 billion at Irish supermarkets, up by more than €1.1 billion from the previous year. The research found that Irish families were

going to spend an average of €2,300 on Christmas this year, including food, alcohol, decorations, gifting, heating, lighting and socialising.

Nicky

Bring the magic of the festive season to your paper aisles this Christmas with Nicky’s range of high quality, decorated bathroom tissue and kitchen towels. Featuring the classic holiday favourite, The Snowman, Nicky’s range appeals to the whole family and helps create a warm, festive atmosphere in every home. With charming designs and superior quality, these products are sure to bring joy and convenience to your customers during the holiday season.

In addition, Nicky resonates with value-conscious family shoppers by offering a wide range of products that cater to all household needs. From gentle everyday toilet tissue, available in various pack formats for both large and small households, to larger mega packs that save time and offer great value, Nicky ensures convenience and affordability. The brand also offers an excellent range of kitchen towels ideal for everyday use, whether it's a multipurpose towel for tough tasks or a unique lemon-scented towel that adds a touch of freshness to the kitchen.

Nicky also offers sustainable packaging, whether the product is wrapped in paper

Nicky, one of Ireland’s favourite tissue brands, is bringing back the timeless classic themed The Snowman and The Snowdog range of bathroom tissue & kitchen towel in time for Christmas.

or recycled plastic, a more eco-friendly decision. Sofidel are committed to sustainability and continuously working towards reducing their environmental impact. This includes initiatives such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving waste management, and promoting eco-efficiency. By choosing Nicky's products, customers can feel confident that they are making a

Christmas Stocking: Essentials

responsible choice that supports a healthier planet. This commitment to sustainability not only helps protect the environment but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products.

“Nicky is a brand for everyone, catering to all households and buyers. It offers great quality products at exceptional value, ensuring that every family can enjoy the best without compromising on quality,” noted Shane Cassidy, Nicky Ireland’s Country Sales Manager.

For more information, please contact your local Tennent & Ruttle sales representative or visit nickytissue.ie

PostPoint

PostPoint, a subsidiary of An Post, offers retailers a chance to provide a wide range of convenient and essential services instore.

This Christmas, PostPoint retailers can drive sales with exclusive products like Christmas stamps and One4all gift cards, which encourage impulse buys and increase store traffic. Christmas stamps went on sale on October 31; order today by emailing aprs.orders@anpost.ie or calling 1800 300 150.

Get ready for an early Christmas treat! Retailers who order Christmas stamps are automatically entered into PostPoint’s seasonal competitions. Prizes include the latest iPhone 16, AirPods, and €500 One4all gift cards. Stay tuned for updates from PostPoint and follow them on social media for details on how to win.

From November 18, weight restrictions are being lifted on the An Post prepaid packaging to all destinations worldwide; ‘If it fits, it ships!’ The postage paid jiffy bags and boxes are the cheapest way to post gifts worldwide this Christmas. Pre-paid packaging is available in select Postpoint stores.

New flat rates to send gifts, up to 20kgs worldwide:

Christmas stamps went on sale on October 31 and retailers who order Christmas stamps are automatically entered into PostPoint’s seasonal competitions.

Zone 1 Ireland - €6.00 Jiffy or €9.00 Box

Zone 2 - €12.50 Jiffy or €14.50 Box

Zone 3 - €16.00 Jiffy or €18.50 Box

Zone 4 - €25.00 Jiffy or €38.00 Box

Zone 5 - €33.00 Jiffy or €50.00 Box

PostPoint introduced TFI Leap services to the Postpoint network in May 2023. Customers can purchase tickets and top-up their Leap cards at outlets nationwide, making it easier and more cost-effective to travel across Ireland’s urban and rural networks.

Turn your store into a customer hotspot! Offer services like bill payments, phone and Leap card topups, and easy pickup and returns for online shopping. PostPoint supports retailers with marketing year-round to help grow your business.

Pringles launch new festive tubes in Ireland

PRINGLES are bringing extra cheer to the festive season with the launch of their limited edition Christmas tubes in Ireland. Available in two beloved flavours, Original and Sour Cream & Onion, these festive tubes are set to make holiday celebrations even more delightful.

Pringles limited edition Christmas tubes are now available in two beloved flavours, Original and Sour Cream & Onion, in the newly launched paperbased tube.

The limited edition offering comes in the newly launched paper-based tube, ensuring that consumers’ favourite crisps stay fresh and delicious. The more widely recyclable Pringles tube is made from 90% paper and has a paper base, which means customers can put it straight in their home recycling bin. It has a plastic lid that can also be recycled. The paperbased tube has been rigorously tested by the company’s packaging experts to make sure it protects the iconic saddle-shaped crisps and keeps them fresh for 15 months, just like the original can.

The festive tubes are available nationwide since November 1, making it easy for everyone to join in the celebrations. Whether hosting a holiday party or enjoying a quiet night in, Pringles’ new Christmas tubes are the perfect snack to share with family and friends.

“Christmas is the most important period for retailers in Ireland,” noted Ann Rose Eng, Senior Brand Activation Manager, Pringles Ireland. “This year Pringles, which is the number one in large sharing crisps and snacks1 during this period (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Sales Value, four weeks ending 31/12/23), gets a limited edition festive makeover.”

Celebrate the festive season with Pringles’ new limited edition Christmas tubes. Once you pop, the celebrations don’t stop!

PostPoint retailers can drive sales with exclusive products like Christmas stamps and One4all gift cards, which encourage impulse buys and increase store traffic.

IRISH consumers have really embraced cocktails, as even a cursory visit to most bars around the country will prove. The rise of cocktail culture is not confined to the on-trade, however; the Covid pandemic, in particular, saw many Irish consumers get comfortable with recreating their favourite on-trade tipples at home, a trend that has continued post-pandemic.

Spirit sales in Ireland were up marginally in 2023, according to the latest report into the sector from Euromonitor International, who expect to see that positive volume growth continue in the coming months. According to Euromonitor, the spirits category is well-placed for future growth, based on consumer demand for novel flavours, in line with mixology trends, as well as premiumisation, based on the notion of more consumers choosing “quality over quantity”.

Funkin Cocktails

Founded in London in 1999, and now supplying over 20 countries worldwide, Funkin Cocktails work with top mixologists and bartenders across the world to lead the way in flavour innovation and trends in the drinks industry. Launching first into the ontrade, Funkin were the first to create 100% natural fruit purees, with their passion fruit puree being used in the original Pornstar Martini. Funkin then developed their range in order to provide a full offering of topquality cocktail solutions for the on-trade, diversifying into syrups, mixers and more.

Ensuring the right mix…

Spirits sales are expected to surge this festive season, as cocktail-loving Irish consumers embrace their inner mixologist to recreate their favourite drinks at home.

Funkin Cocktails’ Nitro-infused RTD range are made from real fruit and spirits, combined with a unique nitrogen infusion, creating silky-smooth barquality cocktails in a can.

Over 20 years’ experience culminated in the launch of Funkin Cocktails’ Nitro-infused RTD range in 2019. Real fruit and spirits, combined with a unique nitrogen infusion, creates silky-smooth bar-quality cocktails in a can.

Launching in a range of popular flavours, including the nation’s favourite, Passion Fruit Martini, Funkin’s nitro range shot to success, making them the UK’s number one cocktail

brand in both the on and off-trade (Source: Nielsen Pre-Mixed Alcoholic Drinks, Total Coverage Data MAT 13/05/2024).

Funkin proudly certified as B Corp in 2023, making them the first cocktail company in the UK to do so. This commitment to not only crafting delicious cocktails, but to using their business as a force for good continues, with sustainability and social responsibility sitting at the heart of their brand. Funkin also work with the Carbon Trust in order to hit the goal of becoming net-zero by 2050.

With 2024 marking 25 years of Funkin Cocktails, this multi-award winning brand is celebrating in style, continuing to lead the way in innovation, quality and ensuring great tasting cocktails are available to everyone - anytime, anywhere. Funkin Cocktails are distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Tia Maria

The Tia Espresso Martini has been the classic evening pick-me-up since its creation in the 1980s. Tia Maria is the must-have ingredient for this classic cocktail. It’s as delicious today as it’s always been. Tia Maria has been a favourite for coffee cocktail lovers the world over and it was even used in the very first Espresso Martini recipe over 40 years ago, by creator Dick Bradsell.

Among top bartenders in the UK, 67% stated they would use Tia Maria in their bar if they had a choice, surpassing other coffee liqueurs. Furthermore, 63% of them greatly appreciated the taste of an espresso martini made with Tia Maria, a higher preference

Christmas Stocking: Spirits

Tia Maria is a must-have ingredient for a host of cocktails, including the Espresso Martini.

than competitors.

100% high-quality Arabica Coffee beans, medium roasted, are coarsely ground to maximise extraction quality. This ground coffee is then filtered through the cold brew method. This process ensures the aromatic notes of coffee and provides balanced sweetness and smoothness with low acidity.

What sets Tia Maria apart is its commitment to offering a genuinely vegan product that meets the highest standards of quality. Tia Maria offers a real vegan coffee liqueur without compromise.

Thanks to the infusion of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, which is one of the world’s most prized vanillas, Tia Maria contains less sugar than its main competitor but keeps a perfect velvety sweetness that harmonises impeccably with the coffee flavour.

Check out TiaMaria.com for more cocktail inspiration. Tia Maria is distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Disaronno

Disaronno is an Italian style icon: smooth taste, unmistakable aroma, unique and distinctive design of the bottle, original square cap and the golden label that adds a sense of contemporary elegance and style.

Disaronno is the proud ambassador of the ‘Endless Dolce Vita’, telling a story through the iconic postcards of the Italian beauty, thanks to a new world of reference.

Disaronno captures the senses with its amber colour, rich aroma and incomparable taste, which has made it the world's favourite Italian liqueur. It has a sweet and fruity character, complemented by a warming sensation. The taste is intense, and has a persistent fragrance that remains unchanged, even with the addition of ice.

Widely enjoyed with cola over ice and a slice of lemon, Disaronno is versatile and

has an unmistakable taste when used as a key ingredient in cocktails. This Christmas, enjoy the iconic Disaronno Sour, in which the distinctive notes of Disaronno blend with the scent of freshly-squeezed lemons.

The most popular Disaronno cocktails include the Disaronno Sour, the Irish Godfather and the Disaronno Fizz. For more cocktail ideas from Disaronno, check out Disaronno.com. Disaronno is distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Baileys Chocolate Liqueur

Baileys has expanded its portfolio in Ireland with the new Baileys Chocolate Liqueur, a Double Gold award-winning delight that awakens all your senses. It combines two of the most indulgent pleasures, Baileys Original Irish Cream and real Belgian Chocolate, delivering a decadently rich chocolate experience for grown-ups. With its aromatic, velvety-smooth pour, rich texture, and the indulgence of melted Belgian chocolate, it’s Baileys like you’ve never experienced before, creating a delicious treat for chocolate lovers looking for the ultimate grown-up treat.

People in Ireland are the third biggest

New Baileys Chocolate Liqueur combines Baileys Original Irish Cream and real Belgian Chocolate, delivering a decadently rich chocolate experience for grown-ups.

chocolate consumers in the world and the introduction of Baileys Chocolate Liqueur caters to consumers seeking unique and indulgent drinking experiences.

“As the leading treating nation in Europe (Source: Morning Consult), it’s an exciting time for Baileys Chocolate Liqueur to launch in Ireland,” noted David Heaney, Marketing Head Of Spirits, Diageo Ireland. “This addition to our portfolio offers a new way to sip and enjoy dessert for an indulgent treat experience like never before.”

Designed to be mixed in a cocktail, drizzled over a lavish treat or simply sipped over ice, it brings adults a new way to sip and enjoy dessert at home this winter.

Available in select retail stores across Ireland including Tesco, Dunnes Stores and SuperValu at an RRP €22 per 50cl with ABV 15.7%.

Midleton Distillery

As the 2024 holiday season fast approaches, Irish Distillers, producers of some of the world’s best-known Irish whiskeys, are making gifting season easy with the Midleton Distillery Collection. The Midleton Distillery Collection includes Irish Distillers’ entire portfolio of award-winning Irish whiskeys, plus rare, exclusive gifts, including Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Powers, the Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness, and Knappogue Castle.

Whether consumers are searching for a gift for the whiskey aficionado in their life, seeking a new flavour for a spirits lover, or simply need a fail-safe crowd pleaser for clients or colleagues, Midleton Distillery Collection has something to suit your gifting requirement.

Those searching for a perfect whiskey to truly turn heads need look no further than the Personalised Redbreast 10 Year Old Distillery Edition. An evolution of the muchloved limited-edition Redbreast 10-Year-Old, this unique Irish whiskey, blended with a cask mix of sherry butts, bourbon barrels, European virgin oak and PX sherry butts, tastes luscious and full-bodied.

The Jameson Black Barrel Gift Set comes with a bottle of award-winning Jameson Black Barrel 700ml, a Jameson Black Barrel Miniature bottle (50ml) for tasting, two tumbler glasses for sharing with friends, along with an engraved Jameson Black Barrel hip flask (6oz).

The Midleton Distillery Collection also offers a Personalised Jameson Whiskey Gift Set, an exceptional gift for the Jameson fan in your life. The very popular gift set includes a Personalised Jameson Distillery Edition 700ml engraved with a name or thoughtful message, a Jameson hip flask,

Disaronno: the world's favourite Italian liqueur.

and two Jameson tumbler glasses. All beautifully presented in a Midleton Distillery Collection Gift box and ready for Jameson lovers everywhere to enjoy.

In addition to a selection of whiskeys across seven global brands, Midleton Distillery Collection also offers exclusive corporate gift sets available for all gifting season needs, like the Jameson Corporate Exclusive Bundle, which includes a Jameson Stainless Steel Hip Flask with built-in cup, a set of Jameson tumblers for sharing cheers, and an A5 Jameson notebook to help

The Jameson Black Barrel Gift Set from Midleton Distillery is sure to prove popular this festive season.

prepare for next year’s gift list.

The exclusive Jameson Office Buddy Bundle includes a signature Jameson Green Water Bottle with copper lid, a Jameson A5 notebook and a set of Jameson tumblers to toast cheers to the New Year!

Boann Distillery

Boann Distillery in Drogheda have a range of carefully crafted selections, offering something special for every whiskey connoisseur and gin lover on consumers’ Christmas shopping lists.

Boann Distillery combines traditional brewing and distilling methods with modern techniques to create its distinctive whiskeys. In June 2024, the distillery released its first Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys to the global market, offering three exceptional expressions: Marsala, Madeira, and P.X. Each whiskey was matured in a variety of casks, giving each its own unique flavour profile. Crafted using Boyne Valley well water and local grains, and bottled at 47% ABV with no added colour, each expression is presented in a bespoke package—an ideal gift for whiskey aficionados.

Silks Irish Gin, crafted in small batches by Boann Distillery, offers a contemporary

Christmas Stocking: Spirits

twist on classic gin. Created by mother-anddaughter beekeepers Sally-Anne and Marie Cooney, the gin features botanicals such as honey, apple blossom and elderflower, all foraged from Boann’s own orchards. This results in a crisp gin with bright citrus notes and delicate floral aromas. For the holiday season, a Silks Irish Gin gift pack (€50) includes a 70cl bottle of Silks Irish Gin, two branded gin glasses, and a jigger, making it a perfect present for gin lovers.

The Whistler Trilogy Mini Pack (€20) is an ideal introduction to Boann Distillery's

Boann Distillery’s Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys are available in three exceptional expressions: Marsala, Madeira, and P.X.

Whistler range. This set includes three 50ml bottles: The Whistler Double Oaked Irish Whiskey, The Whistler Irish Honey Liqueur, and The Whistler Irish Cream Liqueur. Each has been expertly crafted by Boann’s Head Distiller, Family Beekeeper and Blender, celebrating the finest Irish whiskey, honey and cream.

For the whiskey enthusiast, The

The Whistler Trilogy Mini Pack is an ideal introduction to Boann Distillery's Whistler range.

Whistler P.X. I Love You Single Malt is a memorable gift, aged in Pedro Ximenez (PX) sherry casks. This 100% malted barley whiskey is rich with notes of sherry, dried fruits and brown sugar after its nine months of aging.

Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur

This Christmas, Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur have introduced a new Christmas Minis Gift Set. Whether as a stocking filler, a hostess gift, or simply to enjoy during festive gatherings, this charming gift set contains three miniature bottles (50ml each) of the

Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur have introduced a new Christmas Minis Gift Set containing three miniature bottles of the award-winning Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur.

award-winning Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur.

The Silks Irish Gin gift pack includes a 70cl bottle of Silks Irish Gin, two branded gin glasses, and a jigger: perfect for gin lovers.

Perfectly portioned for festive celebrations, the gift set (RRP €15) is a taste of luxurious Irish cream made from fresh dairy sourced from five family-owned farms along the Wild Atlantic Way. The rich, indulgent blend, featuring 10% premium Irish whiskey, creates a smooth and full-bodied experience, ideal for sharing with friends or enjoying by the fire this holiday season.

Christmas Stocking: Non-Alcohol Beer

The zero heroes

The market for non-alcohol beer continues to increase in Ireland, and shows no signs of slowing down, as some of the biggest players in the market continue to support zero alcohol beer brands.

THE market for non-alcohol beer has been the success story of the Irish drinks industry over the last few years. According to the Drinks Ireland Irish Beer Market Report 2023, non-alcohol beer accounted for 2% of the market last year, an almost 100% increase in market share over the last four years.

The category’s growth has accelerated even further over recent months through the increased availability of 0.0 alternatives in pubs, restaurants, hotels and in the off trade, according to the Drinks Ireland report.

This continued growth is a result of strong consumer-driven demand, linked to the ongoing trend of moderation and consumers seeking balance in their drinking. This development is also supported by brewers through growing availability and awareness, with responsible advertising and promotion. It is a positive trend, driven by great innovation amongst drinks producers in delivering high quality non-alcohol alternatives and new offerings that support moderation.

Drinks Ireland argue that this is a global consumer trend and, pointing out that non-alcoholic products make up 14% of the Spanish market, for example, suggest that this growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Rockshore 0.0

Rockshore, the refreshingly Irish homegrown lager, recently announced the launch of Rockshore 0.0, delivering the same crisp and refreshing taste as Rockshore lager but at its purest form. Rockshore 0.0 is the next step in Diageo’s ongoing journey and investment in the nonalcohol category and represents an exciting milestone for the company.

It comes at a time when more and more consumers are choosing to moderate, with demand for non-alcoholic beer growing by 18% in 2023, according to Drinks Ireland. Rockshore recognised a gap in the market to provide a local non-alcoholic beer option and is brewing Rockshore 0.0 in Dublin’s St James’ Gate, using the same four quality ingredients as Rockshore Lager, where the alcohol is removed but

Rockshore 0.0 is now available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in a 500ml can four-pack.

the classic refreshing, light and crisp taste profile remains. This non-alcoholic beer balances sweetness and bright character, allowing consumers to enjoy all moments of refreshment, no matter the occasion.

The way people socialise continues to evolve and consumers are looking for even more options when choosing to moderate their alcohol consumption without compromising on quality and taste.

The Rockshore brewers at St James’ Gate

set out to create a refreshingly local beer that offered Rockshore fans and the wider cohort of beer connoisseurs an alternative option.

“Rockshore 0.0 is a perfect example of our commitment to innovation and our dedication to providing a choice for consumers, as they continue to look to brands they know and trust to offer nonalcohol alternatives of their favourite beer,” explains Hilary Quinn, Marketing Director at

Rockshore 0.0 offers choice for those looking for a low-calorie option, with only 14 calories per 100ml.

NEW REFRESHINGLY ALCOHOL FREE

IRISH REFRESHINGLY

Christmas Stocking: Non-Alcohol Beer

Diageo Ireland.

Rockshore 0.0 offers choice for those looking for a low-calorie option, with only 14 calories per 100ml. This means a standard can of alcohol-free Rockshore 0.0 contains just 70 calories.

"We're incredibly proud of Rockshore 0.0, an alcohol-free beer inspired by the refreshing spirit of Ireland’s west coast,” Quinn noted. “Rockshore 0.0 continues to deliver the quality and taste consumers have come to expect from Rockshore lager, just without the alcohol. Our brewers have poured their passion and expertise into creating this non-alcoholic beer that’s the perfect choice for those seeking to moderate through a refreshing, alcohol-free option.”

Since launching in September, Rockshore 0.0 is now available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in 4-pack x 500ml cans in supermarkets, before rolling out to other retailers.

Guinness 0.0 Diageo have announced a €30 million investment into the production of Guinness 0.0 at St James’ Gate, bringing the company’s total investment into the production of the non-alcoholic stout to over €60 million since its launch just three years ago.

This announcement will bring the Guinness 0.0 production capacity at St James’ Gate to 176 million pints of Guinness 0.0 a year for the domestic and international markets, almost doubling capacity, and supporting consumers’ need for choice, their concerted move towards moderation and underpinning Diageo’s commitment to Guinness 0.0 and the growth of the non-alcoholic category more broadly.

Protecting the undeniable taste and quality of Guinness is prioritised through the production process of Guinness 0.0 and something that Irish consumers have welcomed, with Guinness 0.0 draught experiencing an almost 50% increase in volume sales between the end of February 2023 and the end of February 2024 (Source: Total on- trade CGA / Nielsen; end Feb. 2023 – end Feb. 2024). The investment also underpins the unwavering quality control that goes into creating this high-quality non-alcoholic product, that provides the same premium experience as the original stout.

Aidan Crowe, Beer Operations Director, Diageo, said that the investment is “further evidence of our commitment to Guinness 0.0 and underpins the bright future we see for the non-alcoholic category. It will allow

Aidan Crowe, Director of Beer Operations, Diageo Ireland, pictured at the Guinness 0.0 vessels at St James’ Gate, Dublin 8.

us to double our capacity for Guinness 0.0 and meet the ever-growing demand from consumers as they move towards moderation and look for more choice when it comes to great tasting, premium non-alcohol products.

“Guinness has a long history of innovation and delivering products of the highest quality, and we continue to do that through Guinness 0.0producing the same great taste, quality and premium experience that people have come to expect from a brand like Guinness, just without the alcohol. St James’ Gate is the global hub of Guinness 0.0 production for markets around the world, and this investment goes a long way in supporting that work and continues the legacy of true innovation here in Dublin 8.”

Heineken 0.0

Heineken Ireland are committed to delivering “excellence in every sip”, from their brewing process to their innovative Heineken 0.0. This pursuit of quality is exemplified by the Heineken brand’s achievements in the zero-alcohol category. Since its launch in 2018, Heineken 0.0 has taken a leading role in creating and growing the 0.0 category in Ireland and today it remains the market leader, with the highest share of the total market.

“Consumer habits and choices in Ireland are changing, and we will continue to invest in the 0.0 category to provide additional choice for consumers,” said Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director, Heineken Ireland. “Heineken Ireland have already invested more than €30 million in our 0.0 brand to date, and this year we have been supporting the brand with a major advertising campaign.”

Since its launch in 2018, Heineken 0.0 has taken a leading role in creating and growing the 0.0 category in Ireland.

Christmas Stocking: Red Bull

Red Bull unveil Winter Edition

THE temperature is getting colder and the air brisk, but the fun is just getting started as Ireland looks forward to Red Bull unveiling this year’s Red Bull Winter Edition, Iced Vanilla Berry, available for a limited time only from November.

Whatever is on your winter adventure bucket list, discovering a new Red Bull Winter Edition is a fun way to find your wiiings. This year’s Red Bull Winter Edition serves up the taste of blueberry and vanilla with icy-fresh notes of eucalyptus, and is available in ice bluecoloured 250ml cans.

Expanding range

Available in over 170 countries worldwide, Red Bull’s expanding range of editions and beyond the ordinary marketing strategy continues to wing its way into Irish consumers’ hearts, minds and shopping baskets.

Founded in 1987, Red Bull established the energy drinks category, promising

to vitalise body and mind and has since seen over 100 billion cans of Red Bull Energy Drink consumed.

Red Bull Sugar Free and Red Bull Pink Edition (Forest Fruits) serve the no sugar category trend, while ApricotStrawberry, Curuba-Elderflower, Juneberry, Tropical, Watermelon and the brand new Red Bull Winter Edition (Iced Vanilla Berry) provide wings for every taste.

Supporting Irish athletes

Giving wings to people and ideas, Red Bull is a proud supporter of Irish athletes including hockey goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, gymnast Rhys McLeneghan, surfer Conor Maguire, downhill mountain bikers Greg Callaghan and Ronan Dunne, drifter Conor Shanahan and rugby player Mack Hansen.

For more inspiring content, visit www.redbull.ie or follow @RedBullIre on Instagram and Tik-Tok.

Red Bull Energy Drink and the new Red Bull Winter Edition, Iced Vanilla Berry, now available for a limited time only.

The vine inspiration

Jean Smullen looks at some of the wines to stock for the festive season, from sparkling wines and Champagnes to premium reds.

WITH Christmas fast approaching and after a give-away budget, it is anticipated that there will be a slight uplift in consumer confidence. It is hoped that this Christmas the consumer will trade up. One thing that recent figures confirm is the huge demand for lower alcohol wines.

It is interesting to note that wine market figures for 2023 indicate that for the first time in many years, sales of old and new world wines are now almost level pegging. The drop in the market share of wines from the New World versus European wine producers would reflect the trend for wines with a lower natural ABV. That demand is certainly benefiting Germany, whose Riesling with a natural ABV of between 8-11% is becoming very much a trending wine. There is also a lot more of it coming into the market, especially via the supermarket buyers.

The same can be said for Vinho Verde, another naturally low alcohol wine that has also become significantly fashionable. It also helps that the predominant grape now used to produce Vinho Verde is Alvarinho, the Portuguese name for the same grape; Albariño from Rias Biaxas is now the eighth most popular white grape variety on this

market. Albariño has really caught on here in terms of its popularity, especially in recent years. Portuguese wines are now gaining from that popularity and Vinho Verde, with its very low ABV, is very much a trending wine.

This is the also the time of year when there is a greater demand for premium wines and of course, for Champagne, especially from customers in the corporate sector looking for premium gifts.

Retail News has spoken to several key Irish wine importers and would now like to highlight some of the mid-priced and premium wines available for retailers to stock in the run up to Christmas 2024.

Kylie Minogue Wines

With Low and No alcohol trending, one of the most popular examples comes from the Kylie Minogue range. Two years ago, Kylie launched her 0% alcohol Sparkling Rosé to great applause. This wine is made from organic grapes blended with green tea sourced from China’s Yunnan province. The green tea adds bite to this sparkling Rosé, so it has a definite structure, with a lovely concentration of delicate floral flavours. Another big selling point is that

sold

million bottles since launch and are available to purchase in 31 countries.

Kylie Minogue Wines have

nine

Christmas Stocking: Wines

the Sparkling Rosé has only 22 calories per 100ml.

Kylie Minogue Wines are an exquisite, elegant portfolio of bespoke wines, crafted with passion and integrity. Launched in 2020 on Kylie’s birthday, May 28, the Rosé quickly became one of the most successful launches in its category ever. Kylie Minogue Wines have evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, with a glass of Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé sold every six seconds (Source: Nielsen EPOS volume sales, Total UK Off Trade to March 11, 2023).

Kylie Minogue Wines have sold nine million bottles since launch (that’s over 43 million glasses of Kylie Minogue Wine poured) and are available to purchase in 31 countries.

Kylie Minogue now has five Rosés in her wine portfolio - Sparkling Prosecco Spumante, Sparkling Prosecco Frizzante, Cotes des Provence, Signature Rosé and Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé. This Signature range comprises of two wines from France, including the delicate pale-dry Rosé made from Cabernet and Carignan grapes, and a light and zesty Sauvignon Blanc from Gascony.

The latest addition is the delicious Prosecco Frizzante, produced in the heart of Veneto on the picturesque hills of Gambellara. This wine is fresh and fragrant, with a marked aromatic character rich in floral scents of acacia and wisteria flowers.

“I am unbelievably humbled and thrilled by the global response to Kylie Minogue Wines,” noted the famous brand owner. “It has been incredible, and testimony to the amazing producers and winemakers Kylie Minogue Wines have been lucky enough to work alongside. I have been incredibly touched by the joy our wines have brought to so many people.”

Kylie Minogue Wines are distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Villa Maria

Also from Barry & Fitzwilliam, Vila Maria is Ireland’s number one New Zealand wine brand. Villa Maria's extensive portfolio is one of the most geographically and stylistically diverse and highly-awarded ranges of premium wines by any New Zealand producer, fuelling consumer adoration and success across the globe. In Ireland, we have the Private Bin range available, most famously known for the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, yet other varietals are available, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Villa Maria wines have a fresh new look for the Private Bin range; the wine is the same outstanding quality, just in a new

Bin range.

contemporary pack. The high tier Cellar Selection Pinot Noir and the Reserve Wairau Sauvignon Blanc are also available in the Irish market.

The most recent launch from Villa Maria is the beautiful Sauvignon Blush, Sauvignon Blanc with a hint of Merlot, which delivers the taste experience of New Zealand’s favourite white wine with a playful fun factor that opens up a whole new occasion for Sauvignon Blanc. It’s 90% Sauvignon Blanc, caressed with 10% Merlot for a beautiful ‘Provence-like’ blush. Looks like Rosé, tastes like Sauvignon Blanc.

Ampersand

This festive season, Ampersand Wines will be offering a selection of premium wines and Champagnes, perfect for retailers looking to elevate their Christmas offerings. Leading the line-up is the elegant Prestige des Sacres Champagne (€50), which recently won a gold medal for Best Champagne Under €80 at the Irish Wine Show. Steeped in French history from the Champagne region of Reims, Prestige

des Sacres is an ideal choice for holiday celebrations or as a luxury gift.

Other highlights include the Massey Dacta Sauvignon Blanc (€16) from New Zealand's renowned Marlborough region, awarded a gold medal for the best New World White Wine under €20 at NOffLA’s Gold Star Awards 2024-25. This has lots of lemon, lime, passionfruit and lemongrass, and offers excellent value at €16. Joining Massey Dacta are two other value-driven, Gold-star-winning wines, Parlez Vous Sauvignon Blanc (€9.99) and Antares Sauvignon Blanc (€9.99); both are quality wines at an affordable price point and give that crisp freshness and vibrant flavours so popular with today’s consumer, making them the perfect crowd-pleasers for any festive gathering.

In addition to these award-winning wines, Ampersand have a festive selection from Rioja Vega, the Rioja Vega Crianza and Rioja Vega Reserva, previously Wine of the Year winners, which now come with re-branded labels and gift boxes, making them ideal as Christmas gifts.

The limited edition Crianza comes in a striking branded tube, while the Gran Reserva is available in gift boxes and wooden boxes of three or six bottles, the ideal corporate gift for Rioja Vega enthusiasts.

Trivento

Trivento, from Vina Concha y Toro, is the number one Argentinean wine brand in the world, and its wines are becoming favourites in Ireland, where they go from strength to strength. Malbec from Argentina enjoys great recognition, and makes the perfect partner for hearty winter eating, coming as it does

Trivento Reserve

Malbec is currently the best-selling red wine in the UK and looks set to prove popular in Ireland too.

Villa Maria wines have a fresh new look for the Private

Christmas Stocking: Wines

from the land of the Asado (open grill).

Trivento’s range of Malbecs are perfectly placed for Christmas celebrations. Their Reserve Malbec, currently the best-selling red wine in the UK, is fresh, fruity and approachable, with just a hint of oak from six months in barrel, and offers unbeatable value. But for just a few euro more, Trivento Private Reserve Malbec, hailing from the high altitudes of Mendoza's Uco Valley at the foothills of the Andes, offers nutmeg and black pepper aromas and a gorgeous long finish, perfect for the big day itself. Trivento even make a brilliant white wine from Malbec; Trivento White Malbec has aromas of cherry and raspberry, and notes of green apple, with a lovely fresh finish.

Dada, one of the fastest growing wine brands in Ireland.

Comans Beverages

Dada is one of the fastest growing brands on the Irish wine market. The success story of this wine brand, since it was first launched six years ago, is phenomenal. The range is made up of Dada 1, made from a blend of Malbec and Bonarda, Dada 2 Merlot and Dada 3 Cabernet/Shiraz.

Mionetto

Prosecco is Italy’s favourite brand of Prosecco. The winery was founded in Valdobbiadene in 1887 by master winemaker Francesco Mionetta, where today the wine is still produced on the original site. On international markets, Mionetto Prosecco achieves the highest volume sales, where it outperforms many other leading Prosecco brands. Mionetto Prosecco, a global name in Prosecco, has become a firm favorite with Irish consumers.

Comans have expanded their Mionetto range to include the Bio Organic DOC Brut Prosecco and the Non-Alcoholic Frizzante Prosecco, which join the Spumante, Spumante Rosé and Frizzante to complete the range.

The wines of Perelada were first produced in the 14th century in a monastic settlement in the DO Empordà, located

The Mionetto range includes the Bio Organic DOC Brut Prosecco and the NonAlcoholic Frizzante Prosecco. close to the French border near the Costa Brava. The climate in Empordà is Mediterranean and influenced by the nearby Pyrenees mountains. This Perelada Brut Cava is made from a blend of Macabeo (30%), Xarel·lo (45%), Parellada (25%). The Brut is aged for 15 months in bottle before disgorgement and is a complex Cava, made to go with food. The Perelada Rosé is made from a blend of Garnatxa (70%), Pinot Noir (15%), Trepat (15%) and spends a minimum

of 12 months in bottle before disgorging. Comans are hoping to capitalise on the recent resurgence in the popularity of Cava with these quality wines at a competitive price point; look out for the Brut at €18-20 and the Rosé priced €19-21.

Comans also have two Chiantis from Tuscany. Chianti is still the dominant focus in Tuscan viticulture. It is the great wine of the central Tuscan hills and the delimited areas stretches from south of Florence to north of Siena in what is today the Classico district. The grape mix varies greatly in Chianti, depending on the style of wine required. In Classico, most estates

make their wines from 100% Sangiovese. The Mama Chianti DOC is worth a look; Sangiovese is the real soul of this wine. The climate and the soil of Certosa di Belriguardo give this wine a strong personality.

The Colombaio di Cencio Chianti Classico comes from Monticello, where the fruit is grown in the estate-owned vineyards in Loc. Cornia, Montelodoli and Vinci. A premium wine, this will appeal to the wine enthusiast as the perfect Christmas gift.

Bibendum Ireland

John Casella created [yellow tail] exclusively for the US market in 2001, but the brand, named after Australia’s YellowFooted Rock Wallaby, has created a huge niche for itself on this market since it was

Mama Chianti DOC and Colombaio di Cencio Chianti Classico, two Chiantis from Comans Beverages.

The Perelada Brut Cava and Perelada Rosé: quality wines at a competitive price point.

Christmas Stocking: Wines

founded 23 years ago. Relatively new to the Irish market is the PepperBox range, a more premium wine from the Casella stable, and the next level up in quality terms from the basic [yellowtail]. PepperBox comes in four varietals - Shiraz, Malbec, Chardonnay and Rosé - but the Shiraz and Chardonnay are the only varietals currently available here.

The fruit for PepperBox comes from South Australia, which runs from the Adelaide Hills down to Coonawarra. These are also vegan wines. The Shiraz is a benchmark wine style, with rich intense dark bramble forest floor fruit and lots of coffee and mocha aromas. The flagship of the collection, the Pepperbox Shiraz, is a must stock. The Pepperbox Chardonnay has all that lush buttery complexity, with the wood flavours elegantly in balance with the fruity top notes.

The Santa Rita 120 De-Alcoholised Cabernet Blanc 2021 won the Best NonAlcoholic White Wine Under €15 at the NOffLA Irish Wine Show Star Awards 2024-25.

25 recognise these alcohol free wines as part of their elite collection, marking them with distinctive Award symbols that make them easy to identify in stores. "We're proud to see our De-Alcoholised wines recognised at this year's Irish Wine Show Star Awards," said Terry Pennington, Regional Export Director (Worldwide) of Santa Rita Estate. "Our 0% alcohol wines provide a sophisticated and enjoyable alternative for anyone looking to celebrate this Christmas without the alcohol, and we’re excited to offer a premium nonalcoholic option that stands out in quality and taste."

Santa Rita’s 120 De-Alcoholised Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (RRP €7) and 120 DeAlcoholised Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (RRP €7) are part of a growing trend of high-quality, non-alcoholic wines that maintain the taste, sophistication and enjoyment of traditional wines.

Bottega wines and liqueurs have won more than 450 awards and accolades and can be found in more than 160 countries around the world and in major duty-free shops and airlines.

From the vineyard to the bottle, each moment of product creation is monitored with the utmost care and attention to detail. With a focus on simple, natural flavours connected with the territory where the grapes are grown, artisan style and quality make Bottega products unique and impossible to find elsewhere.

Bottega is certified by the IFS and BRC Global Standard for food safety with the AA level of excellence. Bottega is also ISO 9001 certified for its Quality Management System.

that is inspired by the colourful, artistic expressions of Venice, synonymous with innovation and Italian craftsmanship. The taste is fresh, light and pleasantly lively. It is elegant and refined, with hints of green apple, white peach and citrus fruits; it is characterised by delicate notes of acacia flowers on the finish.

Ramón Bilbao Reserva is a classic and perfect addition to the family dinner table this festive season. It embodies the essence of Ramón Bilbao’s heritage as a winery: craftsmanship, consistent quality, expertise in ageing, and the fresh, fruity style unique to Ramón Bilbao. All crafted with classic Rioja ingredients: Tempranillo, a touch of Graciano and Mazuelo, and of course, aged in American oak barrels.

PepperBox is not just a wine; it is a culinary experience in a bottle. It is aimed at the adventurous foody who likes to combine food and drink pairings, so make sure you stock it this Christmas.

With the winter season fast approaching, many are looking for festive alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages, so this Christmas, Santa Rita is offering a great solution for those who wish to enjoy the taste of wine without the alcohol. With the growing interest in health-conscious consumption, Santa Rita's De-Alcoholised wines are a testament to the evolution of modern winemaking. Awarded Best NonAlcoholic White and Red under €15 at the NOffLA Irish Wine Show Star Awards 202425, Santa Rita's 0% Alcohol wines have been recognised as the perfect option for all to enjoy, from family dinners to festive celebrations.

Introducing the Bottega Accademia Rainbow Range, a prosecco DOC Brut

The Irish Wine Show Star Awards 2024- colourful, artistic expressions of Venice.

This wine is made from grapes grown in vineyards from various estates in Rioja Alta, with vines over 40 years old, planted in a bush training system. The soil consists of sandy clay textures, promoting excellent drainage. Reserva expresses the pure style of Rioja Alta. It possesses distinctive complexity, with aromas of red fruit and an elegant, balanced oak character. It is fresh, with integrated acidity, great body, a long finish, and rounded tannins.

Cassidy Wines

This Christmas season, Cassidy Wines will have several exciting offers from three of their most wineries: Marques de Cáceres, Paco & Lola, and Zaccagnini.

Marques de Cáceres, founded in 1970 in the heart of La Rioja, Spain, is a familyrun winery that has revolutionised Rioja winemaking by blending traditional techniques with innovation. Marques de Cáceres embodies the richness of Rioja's terroir, where the winery controls over 985 hectares of vineyards to ensure consistent quality. This year’s offers include the Crianza 2020, available at a promotional price of €15.99, the Verdejo 2022 and Viura Rioja 2023 available at Ramón Bilbao Reserva: a classic and perfect addition to the family dinner table this festive season.

Christmas Stocking: Wines

€34.99. They also have a selection of these wines with special gift boxes available to stock.

From Spain’s Rías Baixas, Paco & Lola is famous for its vibrant Albariño, a fruity and fresh wine that has garnered international acclaim. This Christmas season, the Paco & Lola Albariño 2022 is available for €19.99, making it an ideal choice for the growing number of fans of this crisp, aromatic white wine style from north-west Spain.

Finally, Zaccagnini, hailing from Abruzzo, Italy, is celebrated for its artisanal approach to winemaking, particularly with the very popular line of ‘Twiggy’ wines. The entire selection, which includes Twiggy Pinot Grigio 2023, Pecorino 2023 and Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2021, are available at a promotional price of €17.99. Twiggy Montepulciano D’Abruzzo magnums and jeroboams are also available, perfect for those looking for an impressive Italian red to give as a gift this Christmas.

Edward Dillon & Co

Sacha Lichine of Château d’Esclans was the man responsible for global pink wine revolution with his Whispering Angel wine. The wine is a blend of 77% Grenache, 13% Rolle (Vermentino), 4% Cinsault, 3% Syrah and 3% Tibouren. The key to its success lies in the fact that there is less than 4 grams of sugar; the sugar levels are 0.54, which is about as dry as a Rosé is going to get. A modern marketing phenomenon, its success was achieved by high visibility at events where celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon, Lady Gaga and Heidi Klum were pictured with glass in hand. The upward trajectory that is Whispering Angel is not going to slow down any time soon. Today, it is a part of the LVMH portfolio. This Christmas, Edward Dillon are offering the Whispering Angel Rosé 2023 (RSP €26.65), Rock Angel Rosé 2023 (RSP €57) and the Château d'Esclans (RSP €46.20), the estate wine that is made exclusively from grapes grown on the estate in the Château’s own vineyards.

Château Minuty is a Rosé wine from the region of Provence. The winery was originally owned by the Matton-Farnet family, who created this collection of premium Rosé wines. Château Minuty is one of the last estates in the Côtes de Provence to harvest entirely by hand. Every year, over 100 people join Minuty’s usual team of 20, for the duration of ‘les vendanges’. Hand harvesting is preferred so that the grapes can arrive at the press intact and in perfect condition, with no maceration or oxidation. Today, Minuty is distributed in Ireland by Edward Dillon & Co. Look out for Minuty M (RSP €24), Minuty Prestige (RSP €28),

Château Minuty Rosé et Or (RSP €34) and Château Minuty 281 (RSP €61).

Finally, we look at a serious selection of Champagne houses distributed in Ireland by Edward Dillon. These are the crème de la crème of premium Champagne and are a must stock for the discerning customer. Make sure you stock the prestigious champagne from Krug, Ruinart and Dom Perignon. Each house is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and rich heritage, and these iconic champagnes are very much in demand, especially from the corporate sector.

Whispering Angel is a modern marketing phenomenon, whose popularity is not slowing down any time soon.

Since 1843, the House of Krug has produced some of the world’s greatest Champagne styles, including Krug Grand Cuvee 172 (RSP €295.50) Krug Rosé 28ème Édition (RSP €597.20) and Krug Vintage 2008 (RSP €1,430).

From the first established champagne Maison, R de Ruinart Brut (RSP €78.65) is the primary expression of the Maison’s signature crisp, floral style. Cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis ensures that this benchmark non-vintage champagne remains true to its original heritage, exhibiting the mineral clarity for which Ruinart is renowned.

Dom Pérignon is vintage only. Elegant, full-bodied, and classic, Dom Pérignon 2013 (RSP €286.25) or Dom Pérignon Rosé (RSP €491.05); with dominant fruit flavours and aromas, it is a true embodiment of the 2009 harvest, a vintage not to be missed.

Two of the best known and most popular Champagnes are also part of the Edward Dillon stable. This festive season, make sure you have Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot on your shelves.

Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial (RSP €61) is the signature expression of the House style or for the fans, the Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial (RSP €68.45)

The most recent vintage, Moët Grand Vintage 2016 (RSP €88.60) is on release

or for those who enjoy something sweet, Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial (RSP €78.25), the first and only champagne especially created to be enjoyed over ice.

The classic, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label (RSP €66) is Veuve Clicquot's signature champagne, created from a unique collection of reserve wines. Look out for its new look bottle. Veuve Clicquot Rosé (RSP €79.75) is the expression of Madame Clicquot’s ingenious and audacious spirit, when in 1818 she created the first blended Rosé Champagne.

In 2015 Veuve Clicquot declared Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2015 (RSP €90.55), the 67th vintage since 1810, the year when Madame Clicquot created the first vintage Champagne.

Look out for the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Puffy Style Bottle Holder (RSP €72.50), made with puffy recycled and

The Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Puffy Style Bottle Holder is made with puffy recycled and isotherm material that keeps the bottle cold for up to one hour.

isotherm material that keeps the bottle cold for up to one hour. Designed to be reused, it’s the ultimate fashion accessory, whatever the weather! Look out too for the brand new Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Cooler (RSP €72.50). Recyclable, designed to last and easy to carry with a rotative chromed handle, this cooler keeps champagne cold for up to two hours. Also available as the Veuve Clicquot Rosé Cooler (RSP €85).

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Arrow Giftbox (RSP €85) is made entirely without plastic; the new version of Arrow is further proof that beauty and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Finally, look out for the brand-new limited edition Veuve Clicquot Limited Edition Arrow Capsule Collection in blue, orange & green (RSP €80). The iconic Arrow box is dressed in the vibrant, powerful colours of dawn, and is available in Rosé (RSP €90) in a gradient pink, a reusable metal tin that perfectly matches the bottle inside.

At the IGBF we assist the families of over 300 of your colleagues every month. These f amilies are more unfortuna te than ourselv es and without y our support such assistanc e would not be possible... But we still need your help to

To Donate: ww.igbf. l For Assistance: ww.igbf.ie/help/our_help.html For Queries: info@igbf.ie continue making the difference.

If you are buying a security service your provider must be licensed by the PSA even if their primary business is not security.

Electricians, Property & Facilities Management Companies, and others providing security services must be licensed.

Using unlicensed providers puts your business at risk as you could:

•Face Prosecution

•Invalidate your insurance cover

•Compromise the safety of your staff and customers

To ensure that your security provider is licensed with the PSA visit www.psa-gov.ie

Excise duties pushing consumers to black market

Ireland’s high excise duties are pushing more and more tobacco consumers to the illicit trade, warn Retailers Against Smuggling.

IRELAND’S high taxes on cigarettes and tobacco are fuelling the illegal tobacco market, according to Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS), who stress that the recent seizure by Revenue of eight million cigarettes in County Meath, with a retail value of almost €7.2 million and a loss to the Exchequer of €5.7 million, is the 33rd major illegal cigarette seizure of 2024. The total number of illegal cigarette seizures for 2023 was 31.

RAS, which represents over 3,000 retailers across Ireland, are urgently calling on the government to reduce or freeze taxes which impact the price of consumer goods, including a freeze on tobacco excise. Ireland has one of the highest rates of illegal tobacco trade in Europe. So far this year, 85.4 million cigarettes have been seized by Revenue, with a total retail value of €81.7 million, a loss of €63 million to the Irish Exchequer. In terms of losses to the Irish Exchequer, August figures took this year’s figures past last year’s total. As of October, already the loss to the Exchequer is €18 million greater than last year. According to Tax Strategy Group

papers, two of which were recently published ahead of the Budget 2025, an increase of 50 cents in excise on a pack of 20 cigarettes would theoretically bring in €40.6 million. However, the Tax Strategy Group papers also note the notional loss to the exchequer from non-Irish duty paid cigarettes and illicit cigarettes was approximately €422 million in 2023.

Retailers Against Smuggling were “extremely disappointed” with the Government’s decision to increase excise on tobacco in Budget 2025, as RAS believe this excessive excise increase represents a big win for illegal tobacco sellers and represents a further blow to legitimate Irish retailers. RAS believe that the illicit trade is being directly fuelled by “excessive excise hikes”.

With prices on the black market reportedly as low as €5-6, the latest excise increase threatens the business of local retailers, which has already drastically shrunk in recent years.

“With criminal gangs increasingly being linked to illicit cigarette sales, this excise increase rewards criminal gangs ahead of the interests of legitimate retailers,”

argue RAS.

A review by RAS of the excise revenue received in the six years 2017-2022, shows that ahead of each budget, the Tax Strategy Group paper estimated over the six years that there would be cumulative additional receipts totalling €350 million. But, in reality, the actual revenue in that period fell from €1.397 million to €1.005 million, a €392 million decline.

“Given the tsunami of cigarette smuggling which has engulfed Ireland in 2024, further excise increase will only exacerbate the losses to the exchequer, while also causing significant loss in sales for legitimate retailers across Ireland, many of whom are small businesses already struggling,” maintain RAS.

In terms of operational activities to tackle the illicit trade in tobacco products, robust enforcement plays a central role, according to RAS, who are calling on the Government to increase funding for resources that will detect illicit market activity, including x-ray scanners, airport inspections and sniffer dog units.

Retailers can win with the JTI Ireland ‘Switch on the Lights to Win’ premium bundles promotion on Silk Cut, Ireland’s leading cigarette brand.

JTI Ireland

The most wonderful time of the year is here, which means it’s JTI Ireland’s annual premium bundles promotion! This year, JTI Ireland are turning up the excitement, giving away more instant prizes than ever before, with 250 instant wins!

They are inviting their trusted trade partners to ‘Switch on the Lights to Win’, with Ireland’s leading cigarette brand, Silk Cut, and Ireland's best-selling cigarette SKU, B&H Gold KS 20s (Source: NIQ Scan Track, INC, SOM, MAT, October 6, 2024. Correct at time of printing). Don’t miss out; find out if you’re among the many lucky winners this festive season!

Simply stock up on JTI Ireland’s limited edition festive outers, scan the QR code, and enter the unique code printed inside. Then, with a thrilling ‘pull’ of the virtual switch, discover whether you've won a Perx voucher or a spot in one of five of their grand prize draws (terms and conditions apply).

Keep an eye out for our festive-themed limited edition bundles and seize your chance to light up your holiday season with a premium prize! Wishing you all the best of luck and a joyous festive season.

Imperial Brands John Player

Imperial Brands John Player Ireland are

proud to provide adult smokers with both quality and value when it comes to their extensive range of cigarettes, Roll Your Own tobacco products and accessories. Whether it be premium or value brands, American or Virginia blend, Big Box, compact or combi formats, John Player have a product to meet the continually evolving preferences of Irish adult smokers.

From John Player Blue, a premium Irish brand with over 45 years in the market, to Superkings, a distinctive 100s format cigarette, L&B and Players Navy Cut to RYO brands such as Golden Virginia, Drum and Riverstone, plus accessories brands

JTI Ireland’s ‘Switch on the Lights to Win’ premium bundles promotion is running across B&H Gold King Size 20s, Ireland's bestselling cigarette SKU.

Riverstone Tobacco is a unique value offering in the Irish market, its unique cutting process produces an expandable tobacco and in turn creates more rolling potential. The Riverstone Tobacco Combi Pouch comes with tips and paper.

Rizla and Blas, John Player’s portfolio is varied in terms of blends, formats and value offerings, ensuring choice across the full range.

However, the jewel in the John Player crown and its fastest growing brand family is JPS. Since 1970, JPS has provided an expansive range of blends and pack sizes for all adult smokers. Since its relaunch in 2015, coupled with continuous product innovation, the brand has gone from strength to strength with current market share sitting at 13.90% (Source: Imperial Brands internal data, September 2024).

Each JPS product is unique in terms of blend and feature technology. From the Firm Filter offering on full flavour Blue & Red, the fresh and unique innovation of Cool Fusion and the smooth blend of Gold, JPS caters for the many differing tastes of adult smokers. JPS Gold King Size and 100s are still the best-priced cigarettes on the market, retailing at €15.30 for 20 sticks (prices correct at time of print, November 2024).

The range’s newest product, JPS Cool Fusion offers a unique experience that combines quality and satisfaction in every puff. Launched recently, this innovative blend is quickly gaining traction among adult tobacco smokers seeking a cool and smooth smoke. With a competitive price point of €15.75, JPS Cool Fusion delivers exceptional value, while ensuring a refreshing experience that keeps adult

JPS Gold is Ireland’s cheapest cigarette, making it an ideal choice when considering value; JPS Gold comes in King Size and 100s, containing 20 sticks.

JPS Cool Fusion is Imperial Brands John Player’s newest product, an innovative and never-before seen product that leverages filter technology to give adult tobacco smokers a fresh and cool sensation. Since its launch earlier this year, JPS Cool Fusion is quickly gaining traction and has certainly found its place within the JPS family.

smokers coming back (prices correct at time of print, November 2024).

Similarly, Riverstone Tobacco is a unique value offering in the Irish market, namely due to its unique cutting process, which produces an expandable tobacco and in turn creates more rolling potential. Riverstone 30g pack is competitively priced, retailing at €22.90, including papers and tips (prices correct at time of print, November 2024).

By stocking a full range of Imperial Brands John Player tobacco products and accessories, you can meet the varied needs of your value seeking adult smokers. For further detail or to stock up on any John Player’s brands, please visit www.johnplayer-ignite.ie, contact your local sales representative or call (01) 2434900.

Reaping the rewards of collaboration

The ECR Ireland Shopper Conference and Awards highlighted some of the finest marketing campaigns of the last 12 months.

THE ECR Ireland Shopper Conference & Awards took place on Thursday, October 10, in O’Reilly Hall in University College Dublin. The day was a celebration of best in class projects from retailers and suppliers over the last 12 months, from new product launches to rebrands and beyond. The conference also showcased fascinating insights into the latest developments in the retail grocery & CPG sector in Ireland.

Category Growth Award

In the Category Growth category, Joe Fitzmaurice, Beer & Cider Buying Manager, Tesco Ireland, presented on adapting the Tesco beer offering. Alcohol has seen very significant legislative changes, from structural separation to unit pricing and the Deposit Return Scheme, which would be challenging for any product. Delivering category growth in a well-established sector with such legislative challenges was never going to be easy. Using data from Dunhumby, Tesco understood that it was over-representing craft beers and the project saw a review of the macro space to leverage the popularity of hero products and premium brands and provide consumers with a more effective offering that delivered 26% growth in category sales in Tesco stores. This result was extremely impressive and shows the power that data driven insights can provide when it comes to revitalising a well-established category, despite the impact of legislative changes. Ecem Erol, Shopper Experience

Manager, and Sarah Hanley, Senior Category Manager, with Danone Ireland demonstrated how changes to the physical environment can drive category growth with their presentation on the creation of Actimel Immunity Bays. With 17% household penetration, the healthy yogurt category is well established, but does not generally excite consumers and Actimel asked the question 'why can’t the category be more exciting?' This project set out to create in-store theatre to produce a destination location in shops, simplify the shopping experience and improve segmentation. The project saw the creation of Ireland’s first branded dairy chilled bay and delivered 75% increase in shelf space for Danone. There was significant brand and category growth in the five shops where the project was trialled and Acitmel will look to replicate this initial success in shops around the country and drive category growth through in-store theatre. The winner of this category was Unilever for the Persil ‘Dirt is Good’ campaign for Persil Wonder Wash. Carla Mooney, Shopper Marketing Manager, Unilever, shared the impressive results of the project. With 93% household penetration already, growing the overall clothes washing category was a significant challenge. The team focused on increasing the number of purchases and volume of sales and achieved impressive growth by creating the quick wash proposition. By specifically designing the Persil Wonder

Wash product to overcome consumer pain points around malodour and residue, they successfully positioned the quick wash activity as a solution for customer needs. The project engaged Usain Bolt to promote the product, reinforcing the notion of speed at every turn. With extremely strong media coverage, as well as social media presence, out of home advertising and point of sale materials, Unilever and Persil delivered 6.7% overall category growth in an already very well-established category. By creating a unique product to meet specific needs and successfully differentiating it in the minds of consumers, the Persil brand saw very significant category growth despite challenging conditions and the project was an extremely deserving winner on the day.

Digital Path to Purchase Award

Helen Beecher, Group Digital Development Director, OMD, and Katherine Harris, Agency Partner, Tesco Media, discussed details of the Diageo and Tesco partnership to optimise Diageo brands in the Tesco space. This project demonstrated extremely close co-operation between supplier and retailer to create digital impressions and lead to in-store conversions. The campaign saw over seven million plays on Out of Home displays, with over four million shoppers reached and over 40 million impressions on the main Meta platforms. It also leveraged Relevant Sponsored Search tools on the Tesco website to promote

Diageo products to Tesco online shoppers. With a 506% return on ad spend and +19% uplift in online clubcard sales with RSS, this project was a great example of how to use all aspects of digital advertising to drive sales.

Claire O’Flynn, Commercial Manager of Elevate, shared details on their collaboration with Yoplait on the ‘Winter Gloom to Summer Bloom’ campaign. The project leveraged the strong connection between Ireland and Australia to offer a trip down under. Harnessing the power of the Elevate data from the SuperValu app, the campaign was able to successfully focus on young families that had purchased at least one Yoplait product over the previous four months. By creating a bespoke page on the SuperValu website, the campaign was able to track every interaction and generate +11% uplift in sales, +17% category penetration and +16% increase in new customers over the course of the campaign, demonstrating the clear power of harnessing data to create a campaign that drives sales.

The winner of this award was the collaboration between Heineken and Elevate to ‘Drive 0.0 Shopper Penetration with F1’. Elaine Kelleghan, Channel Manager, Heineken, and Emma Goulding, Brand Activation Manager, Elevate @ Musgrave, shared how this innovative campaign used the personality of F1 star Max Verstappen and the allure of racing virtually against competitors from all around the world. The campaign was very successful in reaching the 18-24 demographic who are notoriously difficult to influence. Featuring streaming platform Twitch integration, it generated over 5.5 million global plays with a scan and win mechanic.

ECR Ireland Awards

In Ireland, SuperValu was the chosen brand partner as it over-indexes in alcohol free shoppers. The results were very impressive; an initial email campaign produced a 7.4% coupon redemption rate, with 54% of those shoppers being new alcohol free shoppers in SuperValu and a +129% uplift in sales in SuperValu locations in the three weeks after the email campaign. With over 80,000 plays generated in Ireland, meaning over 10,000 weekly sign-ups from such a difficult demographic to reach, this project was hugely successful and was a very worthy winner of the category.

Sustainability Award

The inaugural sustainability award was

won by Tesco and Hilton Foods for the project to transform the packaging process and increase sustainability in fresh food packaging. Ciaran Doyle, Buying Manager, Tesco Ireland, and Mark Groome, National Account Manager, Hilton Foods, shared details of how, through close collaboration with Tesco, Hilton Foods were able to remove 90 tonnes of plastic packaging from Tesco’s own brand meat offering; representing a 70% reduction in the use of plastic packaging.

Tesco and Hilton Foods were first movers in this space in the Irish market and as well as successfully removing a significant volume of plastic from the system, the project also resulted in a +14% increase in customer satisfaction with Tesco’s own brand meat offering, demonstrating clearly

Elaine Kellaghan, Heineken, and Emma Goulding, Elevate, Winners of the ECR Digital P2P Award, pictured with the Heineken & Elevate teams.

Carla Mooney and Niamh Moran, Unilever – Winners of the ECR Category Management and ECR Shopper Marketing Awards, with the Unilever team.

Ciaran Doyle, Tesco, Winner of the ECR Sustainability Award, Tesco & Hilton Foods.

ECR Ireland Awards

that customers will embrace change as long as it is presented to them properly.

Shopper Marketing Award

In the Shopper Marketing Award category, Danone Ireland’s Stephanie Bourke, Shopper Experience and Category Manager, and Niall Murphy, Category Manager, shared their strategy to drive consumption of plant based milk alternatives for Danone. Research showed that plant based alternative under-indexed in home consumption compared to out of home use. By promoting in-home occasions in partnership with Tesco through social media, TV, earned media, in-store sampling and out of home media, the campaign generated a +45% increase in retail sales value through a 5% increase in home occasion usage, with an +87% uplift in Tesco partner stores.

By using insights to target specific occasions and promote them to relevant consumers, this project clearly demonstrated just how effective brands can be at developing new reasons for customers to choose their product.

Niamh Blighe, Senior Shopper Marketing Manager, and Sinead Rynne, Marketing

Manager, Britivic Ireland, shared the story of the Pepsi relaunch in Ireland. The relaunch set out to be unapologetically unmissable, with a target of achieving 1,000 displays, 100,000 brand in hand samples and a 20% volume increase. In the end, the project achieved over 1,600 displays, 135,000 samples distributed and a +25% increase in volume over 2023 levels. In Tesco partnered stores, the relaunch delivered a 100% uplift in 12-pack sales, with 72% of Tesco shoppers taking one of the branded Pepsi Deposit Return Scheme bags to help them with their recycling and increase brand awareness. These impressive results show how an established brand can use a relaunch to bring enthusiasm and excitement to their product.

Next up, Angela Crawley, Senior Commercial Marketing Lead, Kenvue, presented the successful messaging and differentiation that Listerine created with its ‘Making Mouthwash Matter’ campaign. The project leveraged the results of two longterm scientific studies of over 200 people, demonstrating that using mouthwash is five times more effective than flossing, in conjunction with the strong brand assets of Listerine to make sure consumers chose Listerine as their mouthwash of preference. The project drove category growth of +2.5%, with Listerine outperforming that at 5.9% growth and achieving a 59% share of the overall category. By executing a campaign based in provable science, backed with a strong brand identity in the category, this project showed very clearly how a brand can effectively communicate a message that drives category growth, as well as promoting the brand as the leader of the category.

Sean Mullen, Ireland Market Manager –Kind, and Ruth Donohoe, Brand Manager, Kind, explained how the ‘All the Flavour, Nothing to Hide’ campaign for Kind snacks

identified taste as the primary driver for why consumers choose a healthy snack. The campaign looked to generate in-store activation and sampling to communicate the Kind range’s superior taste to Irish consumers, as well as creative use of social media to reinforce their message. The project resulted in +6% increase in brand awareness, and generated an increase in market share of 1.1% through significant sales growth of +21.7% on the previous year.

The winner of the Shopper Marketing Award was the Lynx Fine Fragrance Collection. Niamh Moran, Shopper Marketing Manager, Unilever, explained that the target customer of this campaign was primarily the 11-34 year old male, and revealed how the project was extremely successful at leveraging their focus on smelling fresh. However, it also had to be cognisant of the fact that its audience may not be the primary purchaser of the

Angela Crawley, Kenvue, and Sarah Clinton, Goosebump, at the ECR Awards.

Sean Mullen, Ireland Market Manager, Kind Snacks.

Adam Baker, Client Capability Manager, Bord Bia, addresses delegates.

Declan Carolan and Tatiane Reiner, ECR Ireland.

ECR Ireland Awards

Sean Higgins, Future Proof Insights and Robert Flavin, V360.

product, with girlfriends and parents completing the path to purchase. Driving awareness and conversions in two distinct demographics made this a complex project.

The project reached all demographics with a broad range of tactics, including a high impact TV launch and TV advertising, strong social and digital marketing, PR

activities, sampling and in-store activities to reach every touch-point. Leveraging excellent differentiation, it resulted in a €700,000 increase in retail sales value, with +135,000 units sold, representing a 20% increase in sales value and 10% increase in total volume and 21% of shoppers executing a return purchase in the four weeks following conversion. With such impressive results, it was a highly deserving winner of the Shopper Marketing Award.

Insights and industry trends

The day also featured expert-led sessions, including presentations by Sinead O’Sullivan, Research Director at Amárach Research and Adam Baker, Industry Capability Manager at Bord Bia.

Sinead O’Sullivan’s presentation provided attendees with some reasons for concern as well as optimism. According to the data, consumer sentiment is getting stronger but is still not great, with some 52% of people worried that they will not be able buy all the necessities they need in the future. In terms of how to position your brand in

such a market, Sinéad explained that 88% of people will research and look for value before a purchase and 70% of people will look to buy during a sale. There are more legislative changes coming for the alcohol sector and significant changes will come for ICE vehicles over the coming years, so brands operating in those areas need to be conscious of the coming changes. The giveaway budget this year will likely improve consumer sentiment over the course of next year.

Adam Baker presented Cultivate, Bord Bia’s international trends platform that monitors and analyses emerging behavioural trends in global markets. His discussion highlighted the importance of recognisng and adapting to these trends to maintain a competitive edge in the fastevolving retail sector.

The keynote address saw Sinead Browne, Head of Elevate, Musgrave, celebrating the partnerships that make innovation in retail possible and emphasising Elevate’s commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in shopper marketing.

Ian Mahon and Dee Cunniam, Britvic Ireland, at the ECR Shopper Conference.

The Danone Ireland team, pictured at the ECR Ireland Shopper Conference and Awards.

Fiona Keenan, Country Manager, Kantar.

Shauna Grant-MacNamara, Lidl, Gabriela Taipe, Diageo, and Mitu Grewal, Symphony Retail AI.

David McDonnell, Managing Director of Visual ID, details the rise of Click & Collect and value creation for physical stores.

Getting the blend just right

CLICK & Collect has gone mainstream. By 2028, the e-commerce grocery market in Ireland is expected to grow 19%. Grocery stores aren’t the only ones seeing a boost from e-commerce either. In 2023, Ikea Ireland more than doubled the number of products purchased through a Click & Collect option.

This huge shift shows how shopping is becoming a blend of online and in-person experiences.

This ‘omnichannel’ retail style is a winwin for both businesses and shoppers. It gives everyone the freedom to decide when, where and how they want to shop. Plus, it opens up a world of new opportunities for retailers, blending the convenience of digital with the personal touch of physical stores.

Seizing the new middle ground The retail landscape is constantly being transformed by technology. And while the competition is fiercer than ever (thanks, Amazon!), Click & Collect bridges the gap between shopping online and visiting stores.

Click & Collect - or if you want to get all technical, "buy online, pick up in-store" (BOPIS) - lets you shop from your sofa and pick up goods from a store. Its take-up

skyrocketed during the pandemic. Research by the Central Statistics Office found that one in five firms offered a Click & Collect service during the pandemic.

But its appeal didn’t fade when lockdowns ended. In fact, people love the option so much that it’s only growing, with more stores pushing ‘Return-in-Store’ services too.

This hybrid experience lets shoppers enjoy the best of both worlds: browse online, grab deals, avoid checkout lines, and pick up their purchases when it's convenient. Plus, there's the bonus of being able to return unwanted items in-store straight away - no hassle, no shipping fees.

The benefits of blended retail for shoppers

There are many pros for the consumer of the blended retail model, combining shopping online and picking up or returning an order in-store. It’s pretty simple: it’s all about making life easier.

It allows customers to browse and purchase products whenever and wherever this is convenient for them, avoiding the hassles of long checkout lines and crowded stores, as well as opening hours.

It’s more cost effective. Shoppers can make use of online discounts and avoid shipping costs on orders (or smaller value

David McDonnell, Managing Director, Visual ID.

ones) and expensive next-day services.

It’s also time efficient. Consumers can add items to their favourites and subsequently their basket when it suits them, and pick up their order when they want it, rather than having to be at home for a delivery. They can also check their purchases in-store there and then and

return anything that’s unwanted.

Customers can access their purchases more quickly, which is especially convenient for grocery orders where same-day collection is often a priority.

Click & Collect also removes friction from the purchasing process. The inventory online is much larger than in-store, meaning customers are more likely to find the items in stock. There are also never any queues online.

Finally, it’s a more sustainable option for the eco-conscious shopper. Combining collection with other errands or walking to the store means less vehicle emissions and local traffic.

How it’s changing the game for retailers For retailers, Click & Collect offers some big perks:

1. Curated brand experiences

Click & Collect empowers consumers by giving them greater control over their shopping experience. But it also gives retailers more control over the experience too. Everything from the visual design, music and scent to the interactions with staff and the store layout all influence people’s opinion of the brand and their long-term loyalty to it.

2. Impulsive in-store purchases

Interestingly, while Click & Collect starts with an online purchase, it often results in impulsive in-store purchases. This presents an opportunity for retailers to promote instore offers and cross-sell other products with customer service on the shop floor, all increasing spend-per-head.

3. Reduced cart abandonment

For many e-commerce retailers, cart abandonment is a significant issue. High

shipping costs, long delivery times, or general indecisiveness can lead customers to abandon their online shopping baskets. Click & Collect solves these problems by offering an immediate solution. Customers who are on the fence about online purchases can complete their transaction with the knowledge that they’ll receive their items quickly and without shipping fees. This reduces cart abandonment and increases conversion rates

4. Broader product awareness

When consumers opt for Click & Collect services, it draws them into a physical store environment where they are exposed to more products and promotions. This can heighten awareness of the retailer’s full product range, which customers might not have explored fully online. It creates an opportunity for retailers to deepen their relationship with customers by presenting new products or services during the collection process.

5. Keeping up with expectations…and the competition

Click & Collect has also shaped consumer expectations. Many customers now expect fast turnaround times for both online and in-store shopping. The ability to collect an item the same day after purchasing it online has shifted consumer expectations of retail speed and service. Retailers who fail to meet these new demands may see their competitiveness drop.

6. Reduced pressure on delivery networks

For retailers, home delivery comes with significant logistical challenges and costs, especially during peak periods like holidays. Click & Collect alleviates some of this pressure, as it shifts the last-mile delivery burden from the retailer to the consumer.

About Visual ID VISUAL ID (visualid.com) have been around since 2008, over which time they developed an all-encompassing, cloud-based production solution for the management of all marketing, promotional and operational materials. This gave head office teams more control over what their franchisees produce, and local franchisees can access and create all of their marketing materials efficiently and compliantly from one online application. This year saw Visual ID merge with the Startle group (startlemusic.com), specialists in creating unique music and technology experiences for retail and hospitality brands.

This reduces shipping costs and allows for more efficient inventory management in physical stores.

But it doesn’t come without its challenges…

While Click & Collect offers numerous benefits, it also introduces new challenges and complexities for retailers.

Stores must integrate their e-commerce and in-store inventory systems to ensure that online purchases can be fulfilled accurately and quickly. This requires investment in technology and staff training. Additionally, stores need dedicated space and resources to manage online orders, which can strain existing operations. Increased demand for these services, including online returns, can present staffing challenges. Employees need to be trained to manage both online and inperson customers simultaneously, ensuring that online orders are processed quickly, without neglecting in-store shoppers. This dual responsibility can stretch staff, particularly during peak periods, and lead to a subpar customer experience if not managed effectively.

Finally, the rise of out-of-store collection points away from physical stores can limit the value of Click & Collect. Consumers get the convenience without the opportunity for retailers to cross-sell or benefit from impulsive purchases or the curated physical experience found in-store.

It’s all about striking the right balance between convenience and keeping foot traffic in stores.

The omnichannel retail style is a win-win for retailers and their customers.

The future for fuels…

Beyond Electric Vehicles: Ireland’s road to decarbonisation must include more than just EVs, writes Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland (FFI).

THE conversation around decarbonising transport in Ireland has, for too long, been framed as a binary choice: either embrace electric vehicles (EVs) or fail to meet our climate targets. This narrow perspective overlooks the complexity of the challenge we face and the diverse range of solutions available. Fuels for Ireland believes that while EVs are undoubtedly part of the solution, they are not the only solution. To truly cut carbon emissions in our transport sector, we need a broader, more inclusive strategy.

EV targets: ambition or overreach?

The Irish Government has set an ambitious target of having 945,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030. Yet, recent statistics from the Central Statistics Office suggest we are falling short. The number of new EVs licensed in the first nine months of 2024 dropped by 25% compared to the same period in 2023. Just 14% of all new

cars licensed were electric, down from 19% the previous year. In real terms, that’s a decrease from 20,517 EVs to 15,460.

This downturn raises serious questions about the feasibility of the Government’s target. Even if EV adoption increases, the reality is that internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) will still dominate our roads well beyond 2030. This year, the combined share of petrol and diesel cars among new private cars licensed (year-to-September) has remained at 55%, unchanged from last year. With no large used-EV market yet established and significant challenges in rural areas regarding EV infrastructure, it’s clear that we cannot rely on EVs alone to decarbonise transport.

The untapped potential of advanced fuels

While EVs represent one avenue towards decarbonisation, advanced synthetic and biofuels offer another. These fuels, which

can be used in existing internal combustion engines, provide a practical and immediate solution to reducing emissions from the millions of vehicles already on Irish roads. We are seeing advancements in fuel technologies, and many fuels that will be available in the next decade haven’t even been invented yet. Ignoring this potential would be a critical oversight.

According to SEAI figures, over 90% of Ireland’s transport energy currently comes from liquid fuels, a figure that will gradually decline as EVs and hybrids become more common over the next decade. However, synthetic and biofuels could bridge this gap more quickly, allowing for a smoother transition while we build out the necessary infrastructure to support widespread EV adoption.

A false binary: EVs vs fuels

One of the biggest challenges we are facing as an industry is the false binary that has

emerged in public discourse. Too many see it as a case of ‘goodies versus baddies,’ with EVs on one side and liquid fuels on the other. This polarisation ignores the fact that we are all working towards the same goal: reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a sustainable future.

Fuels for Ireland has repeatedly called on the Government to engage more meaningfully with the fuel sector. We are not asking to delay progress or undermine the push for EVs, but rather to work together in a more integrated way. The reality is that if Ireland is to meet its carbon reduction targets, every available tool must be used. This includes EVs, but it also includes advanced fuels.

Rural realities and infrastructure gaps Rural Ireland presents unique challenges when it comes to electrification. EV infrastructure is still underdeveloped in many areas. For many in Ireland, private transportation is not a convenience but

Forecourt Focus: Special Report

a necessity. For many rural drivers, EVs are simply not yet a viable option due to a range of issues, most particularly EV infrastructure.

The Government is currently developing ‘The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan’ as part of its ‘Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy’. While we await its publication with interest, its plans for rural Ireland have already been shown to be insufficient to meet the challenges. Government policy must acknowledge these realities. Relying solely on electrification risks leaving rural communities behind. A more balanced approach, one that encourages the use of advanced fuels while continuing to expand EV infrastructure, will ensure that Ireland’s path to decarbonisation is fair and inclusive for all.

Challenges and solutions: expanding EV infrastructure at forecourts

While forecourt operators are eager

to support the transition to a lowcarbon future by providing world-class EV infrastructure, several significant challenges hinder progress. Grid capacity constraints are a primary issue, as the existing electricity grid often cannot handle the demand for EV charging, particularly in urban areas. This is compounded by the high costs of connecting to the grid, especially where upgrades are necessary, creating a prohibitive financial barrier for operators.

Additionally, the bureaucratic process for obtaining the necessary permissions to install EV charging points is slow and inefficient, deterring investment in this vital infrastructure.

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation sets ambitious targets for EV charging infrastructure, yet current support is insufficient. Although the Government’s recent €21 million fund is a step in the right direction, it is merely a drop in the ocean compared to the scale

Rural Ireland presents unique challenges when it comes to electrification, with EV infrastructure remaining underdeveloped in many areas.

Forecourt Focus: Special Report

Case Study: Circle K’s EV Network

CIRCLE K’s forecourt EV charging network encompasses 51 locations nationwide, as of October 2024. This network includes high-powered chargers through partnerships with Ionity, ESB and Tesla, alongside Circle K’s own branded chargers, launched in 2023.

Over the past two years, Circle K have already invested more than €6 million in developing their EV network, with over €5.5 million to be invested by the end of 2024, and further investments planned for 2025.

Circle K plan to develop over 20 additional sites in the next year, resulting in approximately 36 new Circle K fast-charging locations across the country, ensuring customers enjoy easy, convenient and efficient charging.

To support EV adoption, Circle K focus on both two-charger site developments to ensure broad nationwide coverage, as well as strategic hub developments and large scale development across all key motorway locations. Key motorway sites like Fermoy and Carlow already see strong charging demand.

However, in order to support even more customers with the transition, Circle K advocate for streamlined planning processes, continuation in the development of government funding and grant schemes, and upgrades in grid infrastructure.

is to meet its carbon reduction targets, every available tool must be used. This includes EVs, but it also includes advanced fuels.”

Kevin McPartlan: “If Ireland

of investment needed to achieve these targets.

Forecourts, however, offer a safe and convenient location for motorists to charge their EVs. While charging, drivers have access to a wide range of fresh food, beverages and snacks, as well as toilet facilities and free WiFi, making the experience more comfortable and efficient. This added convenience is key as we expand infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs. To address these obstacles, FFI is advocating for a series of measures to accelerate the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure. These include streamlining the planning process to make it quicker, cheaper, and more efficient, reducing the financial burden on operators through matching funds provided by the government, and allowing forecourt providers access to the Climate Action Fund. FFI also supports waiving the PSO levy for forecourts that install EV chargers and rewarding forecourts with energy savings credits for quantifiable emissions reductions.

To support a wider adoption of EVs, it’s also crucial to extend this infrastructure beyond the primary road network. Charging stations should be strategically placed in urban centres, rural areas and other key locations to ensure that all drivers have access to reliable charging options. This expansion will help mitigate range anxiety and make EV ownership more feasible for a larger segment of the population.

Moreover, supporting the development of ultra-fast charging stations at forecourts is vital. These stations will facilitate quicker recharging and improve the overall efficiency of the EV network. The new Government should acknowledge that investment in this area is necessary to match the pace of EV adoption and ensure that charging infrastructure meets future demand. By addressing these challenges and implementing effective solutions, forecourt operators can play a central role in Ireland’s journey towards net zero, providing the infrastructure needed to support the shift to EVs while continuing to explore innovative fuel solutions.

The way forward: a collaborative approach Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future requires collaboration, not confrontation. Fuels for Ireland is ready and willing to be part of the solution, but we cannot do it alone. We urge the Government to

Forecourt Focus: Special Report

Case Study: Maxol Recharge at Newbridge

AS Maxol gear up for future mobility, one of the company’s most important programmes has been the development of their Ultra Rapid EV Charging Hubs, the latest of which opened in February this year at Maxol Newbridge at a cost of almost €1.2 million. This followed the launch in December 2022 of Northern Ireland’s first dedicated Ultra Rapid EV hub in Kinnegar, Co. Down, and Maxol Braid River, Ballymena, at the end of 2023.

The hub is a dedicated facility using the latest in canopy design, constructed from natural and recycled materials, to offer a state-ofthe-art destination for charging in a safe and well-lit section of the main Maxol service station. The latest modular power substation installed by ESB Networks supports the main power supply of c. 800kva.

The hub features six high-powered 200kw ultra-rapid chargers that can charge a single vehicle from 0-80% within approximately 15 minutes. Up to six vehicles can be charged at one time. The chargers are powered using renewable electricity. Customers do not need an app; payment is by debit or credit card or Maxol Chargecard at the payment terminal. The facility is open 24 hours.

While customers charge their car, they can grab a coffee and sit in the main seating area, visit the convenience store with an extensive range of locally produced food, or grab a bite to eat at the Maxol Deli or from Burger King. Feedback from customers has been hugely positive, and there has been a broad welcome for the Maxol Ultra Rapid EV hub, which serves both the local community and N7 commuters.

broaden its strategy, to include not only electric vehicles but also the enormous potential of advanced fuels, and give us a seat at the table when discussions are happening.

The future of transport in Ireland is not a question of one solution or another. It is

about finding the right mix of solutions that work together to achieve the best outcomes for our environment, our economy and our communities. By embracing this diversity, we can ensure that Ireland leads the way in creating a truly sustainable transport system.

Brian Donaldson, Maxol Group CEO, pictured at Maxol’s Ultra Rapid EV Charging Hub in Newbridge.

Texaco ‘Support For Sport’ campaign launched

THE Texaco Support for Sport funding initiative, which to date has seen over €500,000 distributed to more than 100 sports clubs across Ireland, has been launched for the fifth successive year.

Under the scheme, hosted by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, a fund of €130,000 will be distributed to 26 sports clubs on a county-by-county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 in each case.

Open to sports clubs across the 26 counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have been unsuccessful in their application previously), the initiative is one that recognises and supports the valuable contribution that sports clubs make to communities and throughout Irish society as a whole.

Launching the 2025 initiative, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, described sports clubs as “a key component in the fabric of Irish society and a focal point in so many communities, villages, towns and cities throughout the country”. He went on to say how pleased his company is to provide “a significant route to funding for sports clubs, many of which have faced financial challenges of one kind or another in recent times.”

Leading the adjudication process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan, who said, “The most heartening aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is the benefit it brings to Irish sports clubs by providing rare access to funds which are not linked to the popularity, membership size or the success of any club.”

For more information, visit www.TexacoSupportforSport.com

Certa launch new lower carbon biofuel for home heating

CERTA have become the first Irish operator to launch a new lower carbon blended biofuel for the home heating market as they continue to pursue a strategy of delivering cleaner energy solutions for domestic customers.

The company, which is part of DCC plc, has said that its new fuel could enable each of the 700,000 Irish households who currently use liquid fuel heaters to lower their home heating carbon emissions by up to 20%. Ireland’s residential sector currently accounts for 10% of national emissions.

The newly launched biofuel comprises a 20%/80% blend of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), which is produced from waste plant matter, and kerosene. Householders can use this instead of home heating oil directly without any need to replace or modify their boilers.

The new lower carbon fuel is being rolled out across Certa’s national network of 23 home heating depots, starting with their depot in Tallaght, which will supply customers in south and west Dublin and north county Kildare.

Kerosene is the most common fuel used in home heating systems in Ireland. Certa supply almost 100,000 customers with 265 million litres of home heating fuel each year. The average household consumes between 1,000 and 2,000 litres of home heating fuel per annum.

The new product launch will be supported by a full marketing campaign across print, digital and out of home to promote and further encourage customers to switch to the new blended biofuel.

Certa’s newly launched biofuel comprises a 20%/80% blend of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), which is produced from waste plant matter, and kerosene.

“Our goal at Certa is to make it easy for customers to transition to cleaner energy solutions that reduce their carbon footprint,” noted Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland. “We are leading the way in introducing solutions that are accessible and affordable. Switching to this lower carbon HVO-Kerosene fuel is easy. There is no requirement to upgrade your home heating boiler and it can be done with zero disruption to the household.

“We are delighted to be the first fuel supplier in Ireland to launch a new lower-carbon fuel for home heating. We will empower our customers to make positive and impactful environmental changes in their own homes and to help Ireland achieve its longer-term ambition of net zero by 2050.”

Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Maxol host Excellence Awards celebration in Madrid

MAXOL hosted their 2023 Excellence Awards winners' trip to Spain in September. Seven exceptional stores were announced as the winners earlier this year and Maxol celebrated their achievements with a special trip to Madrid.

The annual scheme promotes and rewards excellence in station and store standards, customer experience and community engagement across Ireland. The awards took place at the 5-star NH Collection Madrid Suecia hotel in the city’s historic centre, followed by a celebratory dinner in the Tragabuches Madrid Dani García restaurant.

Maxol rewards both company-owned and independent dealerowned service stations and standards are stringently assessed through a combination of Maxol audits by Regional Managers and the team from head office, along with mystery shopper visits.

The 2023 Excellence Awards saw two company-owned service stations in County Wexford top the league tables, with Maxol Gorey winning the Excellence in Standards category and Maxol Killeens picking up the award for Excellence in Customer Experience. Maxol on the Dublin Road in Dundalk won Excellence in Community Engagement for their commitment to Maxol’s charity partner, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, as well as their local initiatives. Maxol in Clonakilty took home the top prize, the highly coveted Store of the Year award for their top performance across all categories.

The independent dealer network winners were O'Sullivan's in Ballylynch, Tipperary, who were awarded the Excellence in Standards award; Sheahan's in Glenbeigh, Kerry, received the Excellence in Customer Experience award; and Dano's Spa Glen in Mallow, Cork, took home Store of the Year and Excellence in Community engagement awards.

Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group, said: “Providing a gold-star standard of service is vital for any business, but it is especially important when it comes to a nationwide network like Maxol. We’re absolutely thrilled to recognise and reward excellence in our retailers and their staff, who not only exemplify outstanding customer service but are also pillars of the communities they serve, and the bar is raised year after year. The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and reward their hard work.

“Holding the ceremony in Madrid gave the winners an opportunity to network with industry peers and colleagues but

also allowed them to partake in our host Repsol’s ‘Retail Safari.’ Our retailers got the chance to see new innovations in technology integration in Madrid and gained insight into the future of forecourt retail service on a pan-European scale. It proved to be an invaluable experience for all, as well as a time of great celebration and on behalf of the board of directors and senior executive team, I pass on our congratulations to all our winners.”

Company-owned winners:

• Excellence in Standards: Maxol in Gorey, Wexford, operated by Kevin Frayne.

• Excellence in Customer Experience: Maxol in Killeens, Wexford, operated by Tony & Sarah Butler.

• Excellence in Community Engagement: Maxol on the Dublin Road, Dundalk, operated by Colin Fee.

• Store of the Year: Maxol in Clonakilty, Co. Cork, operated by Shane Cantillon.

Independent Dealer network winners:

• Excellence in Standards: O'Sullivan's in Ballylynch, Tipperary, operated by Martin O’Sullivan & John Malone.

• Excellence in Customer Experience: Sheahan's in Glenbeigh, Kerry, operated by Aisling Sheahan.

Store of the Year & Excellence in Community Engagement: Dano's Spa Glen, in Mallow, Cork, operated by Donal O'Mahony.

Circle K launch spice bag wrap

CIRCLE K have launched their own unique take on one of Ireland’s most insatiably popular takeaways, the spice bag. The exciting new addition to Circle K’s deli menu includes all the key ingredients that the public have come to expect from the beloved Irish staple, including a succulent salt and chilli chicken fillet, chips and mixed peppers, topped with a tasty chipotle sauce. However, for the first time ever at the Circle K deli, these ingredients are served in a delicious tortilla wrap, a fresh and convenient way to enjoy such an iconic dish on-the-go.

“At Circle K, our goal is to keep innovating to provide customers with a strong variety of high-quality options,” revealed Gillian McGowran, Market Development Director, Circle K Ireland. “Our spicier deli menu items are amongst our most popular nationwide and there’s not many on-the-go meals that spice up our lives as much as Ireland’s infamous spice bag.”

new

or dinner on-the-go.

Maxol in Clonakilty took home the Store of the Year Award. Maxol CEO Brian Donalson is pictured with licensee Shane Cantillon.

The

spice bag wrap from Circle K wraps up Ireland’s spice bag staples into the perfect lunch

SUPERVALU expect to sell 100,000 Irish grown poinsettias in the run-up to Christmas. The vibrant red is a firm favourite with customers every Christmas. All poinsettias sold by SuperValu are Bord Bia-approved and carry the Bord Bia Quality Mark. This year marks the 29th year that the North Dublin based grower Uniplumo have worked with SuperValu to supply the popular festive plant. Pictured at the Uniplumo poinsettias glasshouses in Oldtown, Co. Dublin are Kayla, Theo and Uniplumo grower Paddy O’Dwyer.

IRISH fintech OptionsCard.ie, a leading multibrand digital gift card, have announced the appointment of Joris Rosmolen as General Manager, who joins the team from Apple. Joris brings 20 years of experience in consumer loyalty, employee motivation and the rewards industry to OptionsCard.ie, who have over 60 nationwide retail brands and feature cashback offers and discounts for customers.

A EURODREAMS player in Dublin is celebrating a thrilling win of €2,000 per month for five years, thanks to the special Halloween draw on October 31. The winning ticket was purchased on the day of the draw at Tesco, Rathfarnham Shopping Centre, Butterfield Avenue, Dublin 14. Staff at the Rathfarnham store, David Griffin, David Johnston, Jody Duffy, Megan Long, Sandra Hamilton, Danielle Harford, Karen Toomey and Emma Tallon, pictured here celebrating with Emma Monaghan from the National Lottery.

PAT Kinsley has stepped back from his role as Managing Director of Neworld, after 39 years at the helm of the one of Ireland’s most successful creative branding agencies. Pat is being succeeded by his longstanding business partners Gary Gleeson, who has taken on the role of Managing Director, while David Jordan will continue to lead Neworld’s Digital Division. One of the original brand thinkers in Ireland, Pat has had a profound impact on the creative industry, pioneering brand strategy in Ireland and applying his unique perspective to some of the nation’s best loved iconic Irish brands. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

SISÚ, one of Ireland’s leading functional drinks brands, owned and run by the McGann family of Limerick City, is having a stellar year with new product launches, strong sales performance, and a strengthened leadership team as Aisling McGann joins the family-run business as Chief Operating Officer. SiSú currently has 18 products in its range, including wellness shots, cold-pressed juices, a range of plant-based milks and kombuchas, with over 1.7 million SiSú products sold in Ireland this year alone.

WALSH:PR, one of Ireland’s most trusted and established PR agencies, marked 40 years in business with their clients at an intimate event in the Merrion Dublin last month. The event, MC’d by broadcast journalist Sarah McInerney, celebrated the agency’s significant milestone and offered clients across the food, health, sustainability and NGO sectors the opportunity to hear from a leading expert in behavioural change marketing, Peter Mitchell of Marketing for Change. Pictured at the event were Tara Buckley, RGDATA, with Maeve Governey, Walsh:PR.

TOO Good To Go, the social impact company behind the world’s largest surplus food app, has teamed up with a number of leading Irish brands to address the confusion surrounding food labels, and reduce unnecessary food waste. The LookSmell-Taste campaign aims to raise consumers awareness about the difference between Use

By and Best Before labels, encouraging the nation to use their senses to determine if food past its Best Before date may still be good to eat. Participating brands such as Guinness Food Products, Ballymaloe Foods, Danone, Kellogg’s, Wexford Cheese, The Plant-It Food Co., and others will now include a new ‘Look-Smell-Taste Don’t Waste’ label on their products to guide consumers. Pictured are Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with Machela

Sales Manager for Ireland at Too Good to Go.

SQUARE have launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in Ireland. Available within the Square Point of Sale, Square for Retail, and Square Appointments iOS apps, Tap to Pay on iPhone lets sellers of all sizes accept contactless payments directly from their iPhone, with no additional hardware required and at no additional cost.

TESCO Ireland have introduced Simon the Sloth, a new plush teddy that is available to buy in all Tesco stores nationwide now. Made from 100% recycled materials, Simon the Sloth will be available for €5, with all proceeds directly donated to Tesco’s charity partner, Children's Health Foundation. Simon was designed by Oisín, a 12-year-old boy from Greystones,

who

to the retailer explaining how important a

him and including drawings of

O'Leary,

Co. Wicklow,

wrote

Tesco Christmas teddy had been to

Simon the Sloth.

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