Retail News September 2020 by Retail News

Retail News SEPTEMBER 2020

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Contents News

Coping with Covid… THERE is no sector of Irish life and business that has been left unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Chief News Reporter, Pavel Barter, speaks to the country’s biggest retail representative organisations about what they believe the Government needs to do in October’s Budget to prepare the country for the twin assault of Covid and Brexit (Page 2). Unsurprisingly, most retail voices are singing from the same hymn-sheet when it comes to restarting the economy and there are signs that the Government are starting to hear their pleas. Bank of Ireland’s Head of Retail, Owen Clifford, pinpoints the effects of Covid-19 on the retail market. In a wideranging interview (Page 14), Clifford praises the country’s grocery retailers as “beacons for their local communities and wonderful ambassadors for the wider retail sector”, discusses the effects of lower footfall in our city centres and advises on how convenience stores can start to grow again. Elsewhere, GS1 Ireland’s Maria Svejdar advises on the benefits of joining Lean & Green to create a sustainability action plan for your business, cut carbon emissions and reduce your energy consumption (Page 18); Barley Laing argues that using Eircodes and geocodes is critical in providing better logistics and faster deliveries for Ireland’s retailers (Page 26); and Kevin McPartlan, CEO, Fuels for Ireland, explains how the fuels industry is determined to become carbon neutral by 2050 (Page 53).

Counting the cost of Covid: Budget wish lists explained.

BWG Foods launches mobile selfcheckout technology.

Retailers worried about cigarette smuggling; Aldi to open four new stores over next six months.

Buymie and Lidl launch online grocery service in Cork; Bord Bia campaign promotes Irish whitefish.

Sponsorship deals down, but supermarkets shine; Nestlé partners with FoodCloud; Lidl Ireland ‘kickstarts’ new Irish suppliers.

The Retail News Interview

Owen Clifford, Head of Retail, Bank of Ireland, discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the Irish grocery sector, predicts a change of focus for convenience stores in the coming months, advises city centre stores on how to excel despite lower footfall and proves how a store revamp can have a positive impact on profits.

Join Lean & Green to create a sustainability action plan for your business, to cut carbon emissions and reduce your energy consumption, writes Maria Svejdar, Head of Marketing and CX, GS1 Ireland.

The Official Premier League Adrenalyn XL Trading Card Collection is now available.

On the Vine 45

Jean Smullen looks at the latest Wine Market Report from Drinks Ireland, reveals some interesting wine market news, and highlights some wines to stock for the autumn season.

Grow with Aldi 50

This year’s winners of the Grow with Aldi supplier development programme have been revealed.

The NDC Trademark provides consumers with a guarantee that the grass-fed milk bearing the green rosette has been farmed and packed in the Republic of Ireland.

Diageo recently celebrated the conclusion of its 2015-2020 Sustainability and Responsibility achievements.

Forecourt Focus 53

Retail Efficiency 62

Dairy

Simon Hedaux, Rethink Productivity, advises on five essential tools to equip staff with to improve efficiency.

Covid-19 Pandemic 64

Mike Owen of Modo Marketing examines the changing psychology of grocery shoppers and how retailers can take advantage.

Regulars & Reports

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Collectables

Lean & Green 18

Why retailers must embrace Eircodes and geocodes, by Barley Laing, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Melissa.

Sustainability & Responsibility

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

Production: Morgan Stokes

The unwavering support of the Spar group has helped Eugene and Dymphna Sharkey’s store in Tuam, Co. Galway, to continue to serve their community through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Logistics & Delivery

Tesco Ireland completes multi-million store revamps; Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards judging postponed; VAT reduction - know your obligations; Annual General Meeting of the IGBF.

Retail News

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Irish grocery edges back to normality but online hits new peak; Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland changes name.

Kathleen Belton Editorial & Marketing Director

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

Shop Profile

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Industry News Confectionery Vaping Retail Ireland: Monthly Update Drinks News Fuels What’s New Shelf Life

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Counting the cost of Covid

IRISH retail representatives believe there is a real need for an extraordinary Budget 2021 to meet our extraordinary times. 2020 has not been an easy year for anyone involved in business. But while Covid-19 brought the country to its knees, retailers were in part responsible for picking it back up again, adapting to circumstances and continuing to provide people with their needs. Likewise, the Government made positive interventions. A Musgrave spokesperson name-checks “the temporary wage subsidy scheme, raising the contactless threshold in collaboration with the banks, and working collaboratively with the grocery sector to ensure the food supply chain remained robust during the lockdown,” as examples of how our elected representatives stepped up to the plate. Nevertheless, the country is now facing two combined crises: Brexit and Covid. “For businesses in the sector, this year will be one like no other,” noted Evelyn Jones, Government Affairs Director for the National Off Licence Association (NOffLA). “No tourists, shuttered premises, social distancing requirements, reduced production capacity, new supply chain logistics, as well as a potential cliff-edge

Tara Buckley, Director General of RGDATA.

Brexit.” A daunting prospect, but retail representatives who we spoke to for our annual budget wish-list say they are ready to meet the challenges, as long as Government hear their voices. “We need a process in place to restart the economy,” stated Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA). “Whatever we implement has to support Irish businesses. That’s the framework of our pre-Budget submission.” The pandemic has brought some financial areas into focus that may not have been considered before by grocers and supermarkets. During the crisis, many traditional bricks and mortar stores turned to online to get products to their customers. “Home deliveries and online have increased and will not go away. Nor should they,” said Jennings. “But we believe there should be accelerated capital allowances for people who are buying infrastructural hardware: be that IT systems or vehicles, or whatever.” Some RGDATA members applied for grants as part of the €5.5m Covid-19 online retail scheme, introduced in July’s Stimulus Package, and RGDATA believes that the scheme should be renewed. The Musgrave spokesperson agreed, arguing that the scheme “warrants being reintroduced after its closure in September, in order to further support independent retail businesses.” Every year, retailers highlight the costs of business in their pre-Budget submissions. Given the developing recession, this demand is more important than ever. Commercial rates continue to pose a challenge for independently owned retail businesses. While the six-month commercial rates waiver, introduced in March, eased financial pressure, Retail Ireland believes it should be extended until footfall returns to normal.

Musgrave, meanwhile, hopes to engage “in dialogue with government in the context of Budget 2021 around the need to reform the commercial property revaluation process.” The pandemic has also brought banking costs into the spotlight. According to RGDATA, the cost of depositing cash has increased four-fold from €0.20 per €100 to €0.80 per €100. “We want the Government to monitor the banks in the area of the cost of handling cash and contactless payments,” said RGDATA’s Tara Buckley. “Already we see notices going out in some of the banks about adding charges for cash handling and contactless payments. These are sneaky, underhand charges that add up for a retailer.”

Vincent Jennings, CEO, CSNA. Insurance remains a huge concern for business owners, placing “a significant cost burden on independent retailers, particularly in relation to personal injury claims”, according to Musgrave. The grocery group “welcomes the findings of the Cost of Insurance Working Group’s most recent report and looks forward to the publication of new personal injury guidelines in October, which we hope will ultimately limit claim amounts.” Retailers are adamant there should be no increase in the National Minimum Wage in Budget 2021. “It offends common sense to talk about wage increases when people have lost their jobs,” noted Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME. “Luxemburg is the only country in Europe with a minimum wage higher than ours. I think that on its own is self-explanatory.” Outside the realm of business costs, RGDATA are campaigning for a €50m investment in town centre renewal as part of the Budget. This, they believe, is necessary for rolling out a “town centre first” policy commitment in the Programme for Government. Some retail groups’ submissions are specific to the needs of their members.

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Arnold Dillon, Director of Retail Ireland. CSNA, for example, want the state to stop allowing tobacco companies to set the price of their products. “No other consumer good in our stores has its price set by our suppliers,” said Jennings. NOffLA has called on the Government to reduce alcohol excise duty by 15% in Budget 2021, which they feel “would unwind the Budget 2013 austerityrelated excise increase, from which many businesses still feel the effects.” Such a reduction “would stimulate consumer demand and allow individual businesses to maximise profit for reinvesting in staff, protective equipment, new supply chain logistics and innovation,” said Jones. But retailers of all shapes and sizes will be impacted by Brexit, whatever form it might take. “If the UK leaves without, or even with, a new trade deal, there’s going to be significant implications for retailers

importing goods from the UK,” said Arnold Dillon. Last year, Government published an Omnibus Bill to mitigate a no-deal. That bill has since expired, “so we need to get some of that legislation back onto the statutes to best prepare the business community for the fall-out that might happen,” added Dillon. Jennings is cautiously optimistic that common sense may still prevail: “I have concerns for the potential for additional costs as a result of tariffs, were there a no deal, and costs to the Irish consumer for so many products. The notion that the Irish importers would be restricted from using the land bridge would potentially prove very difficult, but nothing is insurmountable.” The Budget, all retailers believe, should incentivise people to start spending again. We are, after all, approaching the trade’s most lucrative time of the year: the window between Black Friday and Christmas. Retail Ireland has called for an

Evelyn Jones, Government Affairs Director, NOffLA.

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME. increase in the Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, which allows employers to give their staff a €500 tax free voucher that can be redeemed to purchase goods or services in Ireland. Retail Ireland want this sum raised to €2,000, “tapping into some of the savings that have been made during this period of Covid and lockdown”. Following the appointment of Damien English TD as Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, the sector now has a person to voice their budgetary desires to. CSNA describe the appointment of a dedicated minister for retail as “one of our longstanding calls”. Dillon noted that English comes from a retail background and so may be in tune with the sector. “We’re hopeful that when it comes to policy, the economic plan, and the new budget,” said Dillon, “retail interests will be reflected within the wider Government approach.”

BWG Foods launches mobile self-checkout technology BWG Foods has become the first retail and FMCG business in Ireland to launch an innovative Scan, Pay & Go checkout technology, developed by MishiPay, as part of a new pilot scheme taking place across its retail network. The pioneering pilot scheme, which is the next evolution of the mobilescan checkout, is being trialled at Spar Cherrywood in Dublin and Londis Newcastle in Galway. On successful completion of the pilot scheme, BWG Foods will look to provide the solution to independent retailers across its network of more than 1,000 Spar, EuroSpar, Mace, Londis, and XL stores, representing the largest rollout of the mobile technology globally. The new Scan, Pay & Go technology is entirely contactless and frictionless, meaning it will facilitate greater in-store social distancing by allowing customers to scan and pay for items using their own mobile phone, and is unique to the FMCG market. In addition, the software allows retailers to place limits on the quantity of goods purchased by each user, thereby helping to ensure better stock management. Other benefits of the technology include greater convenience for customers, with less time queuing at checkouts, while also allowing customers to scan products

remotely from home for Click & Collect or Home Delivery services, reducing time spent in-store. It is anticipated that the technology will allow retailers to improve operational efficiencies by freeing up staff from checkouts to meet increasing demand in other areas of store operations, including foodservice. This innovative mobile checkout technology integrates with retailers’ existing IT systems without requiring any additional hardware, which will facilitate a rapid roll-

BWG Foods IT Director Chris Donnelly using the MishiPay application in SPAR Cherrywood

out if required. “The current pandemic has accelerated the need for consumer-facing businesses to embrace new technologies that make shopping experiences safer, quicker and altogether more convenient,” noted Chris Donnelly, IT Director, BWG Foods. “We’ve been exploring a number of different advanced solutions to enhance the convenience of our retailers’ offerings and we believe this innovation represents the next great evolution of grocery retailing in Ireland. We’re delighted to be partnering with a reputable and innovative business such as MishiPay, whose solution marks the ultimate consumerisation of technology and has the potential to deliver major benefits to both consumers and retailers alike.” Mustafa Khanwala, founder and CEO, MishiPay, said: “BWG Foods are well known for their food retailing innovation and their high footfall stores are a perfect environment for our technology. In the face of the pandemic, we are honoured to be able to play a part in keeping shops safer for both staff and shoppers and have worked hard to develop a solution that is practical and scalable across all stores. We are delighted to bring our exciting customer experience to BWG’s brands and their shoppers in Ireland and look forward to our continued expansion.”

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Retailers worried about cigarette smuggling REVENUE officials seized 31.2m cigarettes during first six months of 2020, almost five times more than the 6.6m seized in the same period last year. Retailers Against Smugging (RAS) have expressed unease over the huge increase, indicating that Ireland continues to be a target for tobacco smugglers in spite of restrictions on travel. “We commend and fully support the hard work undertaken by Revenue and An Garda Síochána in the fight against illicit trade,” said Benny Gilsenan, national spokesperson for RAS and Dublin-based retailer. “However, the smuggling of tobacco remains a significant concern to registered and legitimate tobacco retailers across Ireland, whose legal cigarette trade can account for 20-30% of their business. The fact that over 31m illegal cigarettes have been confiscated by Revenue during the first half of this year alone

demonstrates that criminals continue to target Ireland and are adapting their methods in response to restrictions on personal travel by focusing their efforts on large consignments of smuggled products. It is just another indicator as to why it is becoming increasingly hard for legitimate retailers to compete with the black market. “It demonstrates that while current travel restrictions due to Covid-19 have resulted in low levels of Non-Irish Duty Paid (NIDP) entering the market, it is clear that criminal enterprises are continuing to seek out ways of ensuring smuggled products enter the country.” RAS believe that there is still more that can be done and in its recent pe-Budget submission to the Minister for Finance, the group called for “the detection and seizure of illegal tobacco products to remain a priority for Irish authorities, with increased awareness of the elaborate means criminal gangs

Benny Gilsenan, spokesperson, Retailers Against Smuggling. are utilising to transport these huge volumes.” According to Gilsenan, the increased numbers of cigarettes seized in 2020 indicates that an even greater number of cigarettes could potentially be making its way to the black market. “This criminality is directly affecting livelihoods and local retail businesses across the country who are already facing enormous pressures as a result of Covid-19,” he warned.

Aldi to open four new stores over next six months

Niall O’Connor, Group Managing Director, Aldi Ireland. ALDI Ireland has announced plans to open four new stores over the next six months, creating 80 new jobs. Aldi will open stores in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, and Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, in October and November respectively, with stores in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, and Sutton, Co. Dublin, to follow before the end of February 2021. Recruitment is now underway for each store. Aldi is particularly focused on working to double its footprint of stores within Dublin, adding to the 22 it already operates. The announcement was made as Aldi also confirmed that it will be resuming its Project Fresh store refurbishment programme from September, revamping nine Aldi stores before the end of February next year. Four Aldi stores received Project Fresh upgrades in early 2020, before the programme was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Aldi’s Arklow store will be the first store refurbished following the resumption, with work commencing on September 14. Meanwhile, Aldi also recently agreed a new 15-year lease to

move its 120-strong Buying and Marketing teams to a state-ofthe-art corporate office at Birch House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare, in order to meet the needs of its expanding Irish sourcing operation and workforce. The space is currently being refitted and will be ready to occupy from early 2021 by Aldi’s Irish National Buying and Marketing teams. The 41,000 square-feet office space will be fitted with facilities to the highest environmental, technological and public health standards. It will feature Aldi’s ‘Taste Kitchen’, a state-ofthe-art development kitchen where Aldi’s Buying team will be able to create and test new Irish products. “This is a very exciting move for all at Aldi and reflects our long-term commitment to investment and expansion in Ireland,” revealed Niall O’Connor, Group Managing Director, Aldi Ireland. “The Buying and Marketing teams serve our entire operation around the country and are the driving forces behind our supplier relationships, our amazing products and of course our dynamic marketing and communications campaigns. This new facility will position us strongly to maintain our leading position and for further growth in the years ahead. They will also help us attract the brightest and most creative minds to join our winning team.” Aldi has also confirmed it is extending its temporary shorter payment terms initiative for small and medium suppliers to the end of the year, to further help its supply base impacted by Covid-19, ensuring they get paid as quickly as possible. The group further announced that it increased its spend on Irish-produced food and drink by over 24% since the start of the pandemic. “The feedback from our supply base has been that the shorter payment terms we introduced as a temporary measure to last the duration of the Covid-19 crisis have made a real difference, greatly improving their cash-flow requirements and helping them pay their farmers and suppliers along the chain promptly,” revealed John Curtin, Aldi Ireland’s Group Buying Director.

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Irish grocery edges back to normality but online hits new peak TAKE-home grocery sales growth in Ireland slowed to 18% year-on-year during the 12 weeks to August 9, 2020, according to the latest figures from Kantar. While still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, grocery spend of €930m over the latest four weeks was the lowest since February as the country eases out of lockdown. “With restrictions on movement and eating out lifting, grocery spend is climbing down from the record-breaking heights we saw in previous months,” explains Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar. “A year-on-year comparison shows that shoppers still visited stores four fewer times over the 12 weeks, but trends are less stark than they were at the peak of lockdown. “The relaxing of rules across much of Ireland means shoppers are less inclined to favour large, infrequent shops. People spent approximately €5 less per trip over the past four weeks compared with April, picking up fewer items in store as they start to return to pre-Covid-19 habits.” However, online sales continued to accelerate. A staggering growth rate of over 125% drove the channel to a record market share of 4.6% of total sales this period, contributing an additional €75.1m to the market. Online isn’t the only stand-out performer, as Healy reveals: “Economic uncertainty and predictions of recession have failed to dampen consumer appetite for branded groceries. Brands have managed to capture an impressive proportion of consumer spend over the

MARKET SHARE - TOTAL GROCERY

Includes expenditure across Food, Beverages, Alcohol, Household and Health & Beauty categories Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend 12 Weeks to 11/08/19 Total Outlets

12 Weeks to 19/08/20

% Change in value sales

% 18.0%

100.0%

Total Multiples

89.2%

89.3%

18.2%

Dunnes

21.6%

20.5%

11.7%

Tesco

21.5%

21.1%

15.4%

SuperValu

21.4%

22.3%

23.5%

Aldi

12.6%

18.4%

Lidl

12.0%

12.8%

25.0%

Other Outlets**

10.8%

10.7%

16.8%

* = Percentage Share of Total Grocers ** = Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers and Cross Border shops Source: Worldpanel FMCG

latest period, amounting to an additional €245m and outpacing private label to grow by 23.4%. It suggests that people are choosing to treat themselves instore with little luxuries while we’re all spending more time at home.” Aldi and Lidl have both seen branded sales soar, but the retailers’ reputation for value means they also stand to benefit should shoppers look to tighten their belts. Aldi recorded strong growth of 18.4% this month. Meanwhile, it has been a busy few weeks for Lidl, which launched its rewards scheme, Lidl Plus, and achieved the strongest growth rate of all the major retailers this period, helping it to its highest ever market share of 12.8%. Despite a wet and rainy summer, the Irish Government made a strong case for

Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland changes name SUNTORY Beverage & Food Ireland (SBFI) is now the new publicly facing name of Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland (LRSI) in a move designed to bring the company closer to the Suntory Group’s global brand identity. A new corporate brand look will accompany the name changes to reflect the company’s global identity. “This rebrand is one of the many things we are initiating as part of our Growing for Good vision in Ireland,” said Mark Aherne, General Manager, SBFI. “We’ve been proud members of the Suntory Group, one of the most innovative food and drink companies in the world, since 2014 and this name change further demonstrates our commitment to work as One Suntory. Our new name reflects an exciting step for our team, and we look forward to this next phase of growth.” The newly styled SBFI is already renowned for making some of the nation’s most iconic heritage brands, including Lucozade, Ribena and Orangina.

holidaying within Ireland’s borders when it introduced its Stay and Spend tax incentive in July. “The bad weather didn’t dampen spirits and sales of firelighters and logs were boosted by people’s new summer plans, growing by 77% over the latest four weeks as we enjoyed barbecues and camp fires. Hotel breakfasts were swapped for homemade alternatives, and eggs, bacon and sausages all grew ahead of the market in the same period,” Healy maintains. After months of exceptionally strong growth, take-home alcohol sales have begun to taper: “Alcohol sales are up by 56% over the past 12 weeks, but this represents a significant slowdown from the 76% growth rate we saw last month, as people get used to new rules and are more inclined to socialise out of home.” All of Ireland’s traditional retailers registered growth over the latest 12 weeks. Buoyed by their online offers, SuperValu continues to hold the highest market share at 22.3%, with Tesco in second place at 21.1%. SuperValu remains the only retailer to attract new shoppers this period, contributing an additional €624,000 to its growth. Bigger baskets, with volumes up 25%, and higher average prices drove growth for Tesco this month. It was a similar story for Dunnes; the retailer again recorded the highest average spend per trip, while also experiencing an increase in volumes and higher average prices to hold a 20.5% market share. Grocery market inflation stands at 2.2% for the 12-week period ending August 9, 2020.

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Tesco Ireland completes multi-million store revamps TESCO Ireland has completed two high profile store expansions and refits in recent weeks, with the €2.7m expansion of its Swords Airside store, followed by the €1m refit of its Dundrum Town Centre store. The Swords expansion sees the total footprint of the North Dublin store increase to over 28,000 square feet, including the addition of new services like the F&F clothing range and a new dedicated Tesco Mobile phone-shop, as well as a dedicated electric car charging point and a Click & Collect service. “We are delighted to have completed the expansion works on our Swords Airside store,” noted Geoff Byrne, Chief Operating Officer at Tesco Ireland. “Our customers in Swords and the surrounding North Dublin area have welcomed these new services and the store into its community.” The refit of Tesco’s Dundrum Town Centre store also added new services, including F&F clothing, Smokin’ Bean coffee station and an enhanced Tesco Mobile area, while also providing customers customers with a Scan as You Shop facility in-store. As well as being able to track their spend as they do their weekly shop, particularly now with Covid-19 in mind, customers want to navigate the shop quickly and Scan as You Shop offers just that. All works were carried out “with the customer shopping experience firmly in mind” according to Geoff Byrne: “We are very thankful to our colleagues and customers for their patience and support as we all worked to respond to Covid-19,

all the time reviewing operations to introduce measures to protect health and safety in line with public health advice.” Meanwhile, Tesco Ireland announced it is extending its amended payment terms for its smaller suppliers until January 31, 2021. Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland, said, “We recognise the ongoing challenges in the food sector, especially for small suppliers, so it is vital that we do our best to support the small supplier partners we work closely with.”

Pictured are Geoff Byrne, Chief Operating Officer, Tesco Ireland, and Tony Pannu, Store Manager, Tesco Swords Holywell.

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards judging postponed FOLLOWING the recent Irish Government announcement and updated Covid-19 guidelines, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards team have made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone their 2020 judging period to November. After discussing all options with their key stakeholders, which include longstanding sponsors Invest NI and Dunnes Stores, it was agreed that this is the best course of action to ensure the optimal safety for entrants, judges and team members. The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards intend to host the judging from November 4-13 at their new judging venue, the Cooks Academy in Dublin. The 2020 winners will be announced virtually at the end of November. For 2020, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have adapted their judging process and criteria to award outstanding products based on their own individual merits. This year, more than ever, the awards team felt it was important to continue to bring the food and drink community together, championing the great products and acknowledging those fantastic producers and retailers who have continued to provide for the people of Ireland during the pandemic. In previous years, products have been critiqued alongside similar goods submitted by competitors and winners decided at a category level; this year, judging will focus on evaluating each item individually and awarding merit as a stand-alone product. The revised judging timeline means there is still time to enter both the product awards and the performance awards, which recognise individuals and companies. The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards continue to monitor all official guidance and will issue further information on their website as necessary. For more information on the above and to enter, please visit irish.qualityfoodawards.com or contact Beth Treleaven, Business Development and Key Account Manager, Tel: (01) 8176360. Email: beth.treleaven@qualityfoodawards.com.

VAT reduction: know your obligations AS part of the Government’s July Stimulus Package, the standard rate of VAT has been reduced from 23% to 21%, effective from September 1 until February 28, 2021. It is important that businesses understand their obligations when setting and displaying new prices as, even during a temporary VAT reduction, the rules still apply. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is encouraging businesses, where feasible, to consider passing some or all of the saving on to consumers. However, it is important to note that businesses are not obliged to pass on the VAT saving and are free to set and review their prices at any time.

Annual General Meeting of the IGBF

THE Annual General Meeting of the IGBF will take place on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Due to circumstances brought about by Covid-19, further details regarding location / time will be confirmed to IGBF members nearer the date.

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Buymie and Lidl launch online grocery service in Cork BUYMIE has teamed-up with Lidl Ireland to offer home grocery deliveries and full personal shopping services to over 86,000 Cork households. Earlier this year, Buymie announced the creation of 200 additional personal shopping roles for Ireland in response to demand for same-day grocery delivery. 50 of these jobs have been earmarked for Cork. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be announcing our official launch into Cork with our retail partner, Lidl Ireland,” noted Devan Hughes, CEO and cofounder of Buymie. “This expansion will mean Buymie is available to around 2m people across 750,000 households in Ireland and the UK. 2020/21 will see rapid expansion the same day-delivery channel as consumers confront a new reality for the foreseeable future.” Conor Nagle, Regional Director for Lidl in Munster, added, “Given that not everyone is in a position to visit their local Lidl at present, we are delighted to extend the Buymie service to six stores in Cork city, ensuring thousands of shoppers have access to the incredible value that Lidl offers in a more accessible way.” Meanwhile, Lidl has launched a

planning application for a new stateof-the-art store as part of a wider development in Blarney, Co. Cork. If approved, the new store will expand the retailer’s Co. Cork portfolio to 21 stores. The planned store will incorporate a range of sustainability features including an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System, electric vehicle charger spaces and a solar panel system.

As part of Lidl’s bespoke design, the retailer plans to include a green roof. Partially covered in vegetation, the green roof absorbs rainwater and provides insulation, reducing the need for in-store drainage systems. Green roofs help to cool urban environments, improve air quality, sequester carbon and increase urban biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife.

Bord Bia campaign promotes Irish whitefish BORD Bia is calling on consumers to try something different with Irish whitefish, with a new campaign brimming with mouth-watering recipes and virtual cook-alongs. With 48% of us claiming to regularly purchase whitefish, the campaign is encouraging the public to support local fishermen by embracing Irish whitefish for its local provenance, versatility and health benefits. Recent market insights show that while the Irish seafood sector has grown by 4% to €85m in the four months to June 2020, driven by sales of frozen fish, fresh Irish whitefish came under pressure as consumers changed their frequency of shopping as a result of Covid-19, instead opting for foods with a longer shelf life. To support the campaign, Bord Bia has released the findings of two research studies on consumer attitudes towards whitefish carried out prior to and after Covid-19. The key findings of this research include: • Of those who eat whitefish, one in four people (26%) say they eat whitefish once per week. This increases significantly to two in three in the 65+ age group, while those aged between 25-34 are the least likely to eat white fish once per week (15%). • In terms of buying behaviour, those aged 25-34 (25%) are the most likely to have started buying whitefish for its health benefits during Covid-19. • Almost a quarter (24%) say that they are eating more whitefish at home since Covid-19, with 16% saying it’s because of the health benefits of whitefish and 12% doing so to support the Irish seafood sector. • 36% of those aged 18-24 said the pandemic prompted them to experiment with buying a new species of whitefish.

• More than two thirds of those surveyed (68%) admitted that they would like their household to eat more whitefish than they currently do, with over half recognising its health benefits (57%). Commenting on the campaign, TV chef and food writer Catherine Fulvio, who is a keen supporter of using fresh, local produce in her cooking, said “I’m delighted to work with Bord Bia and our Irish fishing industry to highlight just how tasty, versatile and nutritious Irish whitefish really is.” Bord Bia Brand Marketing Manager Teresa Brophy explains the backdrop to the campaign: “This campaign highlights the versatility and quality of beautiful Irish whitefish that is caught locally along our coastline. With shopper behaviour showing an appetite for trying new types of fish, this presents a real opportunity for us to support the seafood sector, our fishermen and our fishmongers, and encourage people to cook new dishes with hake, haddock and whiting.” Bord Bia has developed a suite of easy-to-prepare recipes; perfect for those who want to cook simple yet nutritious meals or a showstopping main when entertaining family and friends at BordBia.ie/Fish.

8|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

News

Sponsorship deals down, but supermarkets shine THE number of new reported sponsorship deals in Ireland dropped 46% in the first half of 2020 versus the same period last year, while supermarkets dominated the public’s vote for stand-out sponsors in the past quarter, according to new research by sponsorship consultants Onside. SuperValu, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl made up the top four of more than 35 sponsors seen by the Irish public to stand out during the Covid-19 crisis by using sponsorship to help communities in the past three months, with three in 10 of the public singling out these sponsors for special recognition, in the Onside Quarterly Sponsorship Review. “Our survey chimes with other gauges of public sentiment toward supermarkets generally at present,” noted John Trainor, founder and CEO of Onside, “and effective sponsorship execution helps in the ongoing battle of supermarket and convenience store brands to gain market share from competitors. In highly competitive spaces like retail, an edge has been achieved by these four supermarket brands over others in the market.”

The research also revealed that sport continues to command a lion’s share of the reduced sponsorship activity in Ireland, with eight in 10 deals so far in 2020 played out in the sports space. “2020 opened strong in terms of high-profile major renewal deals including Aldi and PwC’s multi-year extension of their Irish Rugby sponsorships, Allianz’s sponsorship renewal of GAA Leagues, and a steady stream of sponsorships in horse-racing by major sponsors including Paddy Power and Dubai Duty Free. However, since March, sponsorship industry dealdoing has switched to adjusting existing arrangements between top sponsors and rights holders to account for the impact of Covid-19 on current deals, rather than any significant volumes of new deals,” Trainor revealed. Trainor warned that the sponsorship rights industry is at risk of shrinking in value by more than 10% this year if there is enduring damage from the pandemic through autumn and winter, with some sponsors seeking relief or opting out of deals. Trainor believes the

Nestlé partners with FoodCloud NESTLÉ Ireland is helping thousands of Irish families who might otherwise go hungry, as the company recently announced a €110,000 investment to work with social enterprise FoodCloud. The funding will be used to improve access to food that specifically meets the nutritional needs of families and children, that FoodCloud’s current surplus supply cannot always meet. “The impact of Covid-19 will be far reaching but we must all take this chance to consider how we can do things differently for the future and contribute to a strong recovery,” said Andrew Shaw, Country Manager Nestlé Ireland. “Nestlé Ireland will focus its efforts over the coming months to build a more flexible and diverse workplace, adapt our business, help improve access to food, contribute to a green recovery and support youth employment.” Iseult Ward, Co-Founder and CEO, FoodCloud, said: “FoodCloud is very grateful for this generous support from Nestlé, which will enable us to work with our community partners to improve access to food that specifically meets the nutritional needs of the families and children they support during this critical time.”

Andrew Shaw, Nestlé Ireland Country Manager, with FoodCloud co-founder Iseult Ward.

coronavirus pandemic, “which has forced an unprecedented backlog of events in the coming months, will require brands and rights holders to work far more collaboratively, strategically and creatively to build new experiences for fans. As we gear up for a huge year of sport in 2021, with hopefully the return of mega-events like the Olympics, the Euros and the Ryder Cup, pivoting fan engagement in new ways around the live event will be the name of the game.”

John Trainor, founder and CEO of Onside.

Lidl Ireland ‘Kickstarts’ new Irish suppliers LIDL Ireland’s successful supplier development programme, Kickstart, recently returned for a fourth consecutive year, bringing the retailer’s customers 68 exciting new Irish-made products from July 30, for a limited time. The programme, which is backed by Bord Bia, is designed to support small and medium Irish food and drink businesses grow their brand and build their supply network, particularly during this time of economic uncertainty. Since 2017, Lidl has invested €1m in the programme and this year, 33 Irish suppliers were given the opportunity to showcase their products on the shelves of all 202 Lidl stores across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The 2020 Kickstart suppliers include Harvest Moon for their Vegan Hummus selection, Holo Kombucha for their Organic Kombucha in two flavours (Original and Mango & Pineapple), Wellness Baking from Listowel, who make artisan brown soda bread, Ballykilcavan Brewing Co. from Stradbally, Co. Laois, for two ales, and Galway Roast with their delicious ground coffee.

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10|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News New App to ‘shake up’ how people play National Lottery games NEW figures released by the National Lottery show that almost three quarters of players prefer to choose Quick Pick tickets, as opposed to choosing their own numbers, when playing National Lottery draw-based games such as Lotto, EuroMillions and Daily Million. This news comes as the National Lottery announced the launch of its new app, which aims to make playing National Lottery games more fun, easier and more secure. The updated app has an exciting new ‘Shake, Pick & Play’ feature where users can choose their preferred game (i.e. Lotto, EuroMillions or Daily Million), give their phone a shake and a line of numbers will be randomly selected and appear on screen. Players have the choice to play these randomly generated shaken numbers, edit and swap a number or numbers they don’t like, or shake again for a whole new line. Lotto presenter and broadcaster Bláthnaid Treacy is pictured launching the new National Lottery App.

Musgrave MarketPlace opens Limerick Food Emporium

Brendan McLoughlin appointed Country Manager at Mars Ireland

MUSGRAVE MarketPlace officially unveiled a new Food Emporium at Musgrave MarketPlace, Limerick, on August 11, following a €1.7m upgrade. The transformation of the Limerick branch into a state-of-the-art Food Emporium forms part of a €12.6m total investment in the Musgrave MarketPlace brand over the past four years, as it continues to redefine wholesale on the island of Ireland despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “The opening of our newly revamped Limerick Food Emporium marks another important milestone in our brand journey. We are investing significantly in our branches to create Food Emporiums within Musgrave MarketPlace which not only offer a first-class customer experience but also challenge the perception of the traditional cash-and-carry business,” noted Michael McCormack, Managing Director, Musgrave MarketPlace. Pictured at the official opening are Irish rugby star and Limerick native, Sean Cronin, with Michael McCormack, MD, Musgrave MarketPlace; Paul O’Donnell, Flow Manager; Martin Slattery, Head of Operations; and Jim Bourke, General Manager.

MARS Ireland has announced the appointment of Brendan McLoughlin as Country Manager to head up its business in Ireland. Brendan joins Mars from Johnson & Johnson, where he led the company’s Consumer Healthcare business as Country Manager. McLoughlin replaces Bill Heague, who returned to his native Australia to run the Mars food business in Australia earlier this year. A 17-year veteran of the FMCG & consumer healthcare industry, McLoughlin assumes leadership of the Mars business in Ireland, which incorporates some of Ireland’s best loved brands including M&M’s, Dolmio, Pedigree and Wrigley’s Extra. “While I am new to the Mars family and have not had the opportunity to physically meet with all our associates, I have been humbled by the quality of their work, dedication to overcoming the challenges presented by the pandemic and support for healthcare professionals through our Feed The Heroes partnership,” said McLoughlin. “In this regard, I am proud to take on this position and together with the team help navigate our path forward.”

Aldi opens new Belmullet store ALDI’S nationwide expansion continued with the recent opening of a new flagship store in Belmullet, creating 16 new jobs, with 11 staff members having been recruited from the local Belmullet area. It is Aldi’s fourth store in Mayo and its 143rd store across the country. Featuring Aldi’s award-winning Project Fresh layout and design, the new store boasts a large shop floor spanning 1,140 square metres, 100 free car parking spaces, eight bike racks allowing for 16 bikes, wide aisles and hi-spec fixtures and fittings. “Our new Aldi store in Belmullet is fantastic news for people in the locality. The spacious design means it is easier for customers to pick up what they need, and our aim is to ensure every customer has an enjoyable shop,” noted Colin Cronin, Store Manager, who is pictured with his team.

Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie|11

Industry News SuperValu unveils compostable packaging on organic produce SUPERVALU has announced that all packaging on 19 organic produce lines in-store is now fully compostable. Organic products now sold in compostable packaging include avocados, aubergine, tomatoes, ginger, sweet potatoes, fresh beetroot, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, mango, butternut squash, kale, turnip and leeks, with further product lines moving to compostable packaging in the coming months. The compostable packaging can be disposed of in the brown bin that is found in most homes and many businesses; it is then fully broken down once taken to industrial composting. An additional four product lines are now sold in compostable nets, including onions, red onions, garlic and lemons. “The move to compostable packaging on our produce lines ensures customers can make more sustainable choices than ever in SuperValu stores around Ireland,” said Ray Kelly, Interim Managing Director, SuperValu.

Cobh mum has Ireland’s best banana bread

Flahavan’s launches recipe Oat Drinks range

Flahavan’s has launched its first-ever Oat Drink range. Made using only the highest quality Irish oats, the new range of plant-based, vegan friendly Oat Drinks has a tasty and delicate oaty flavour, contains no added sugar and works extremely well with breakfast cereals, hot drinks, in smoothies and for baking (RRP €2.49 per litre). The three new variants include Vitamin Rich, Organic and Barista and are all made with locally sourced Irish oats. The Organic Oat Drink was created for those who prefer to choose organic products, the Vitamin Plus for those that want a plant-based beverage with calcium and added vitamins; and the Barista variant for those who enjoy frothy toppings on their barista-quality coffee at home or at work. For more information, visit flahavans.ie.

GILLIAN Carney from Cobh has Ireland’s best banana bread recipe, having been chosen overall winner in a recent nationwide competition to find the many ways to bake this favourite food, conducted by celebrity chef and RTE presenter, Donal Skehan, with the support of banana distributors, Fyffes. Gillian initially topped the category for ‘Best Ingredient’ and then fought off stiff competition from the large volume of entries received to be crowned the overall winner for her ‘Nutella and coconut banana bread’ recipe.

Lidl welcomes planning decision for Lusk store LIDL Ireland has welcomed the decision from An Board Pleánala in relation to its development in Lusk, Co. Dublin this week. The site sits in a prime location in the newly developed Lusk Village Quarter, which will also contain multiple shops, cafés, a creche, public square, playground and 150 new family homes. The design of the planned store has been tailored to keep in line with existing surrounding businesses on the site. The store will also incorporate a range of sustainability features, including a certified Energy Management System, high preforming energy efficient technologies, on-site electric vehicle charger spaces and the installation of highly efficient solar panels. “We welcome the decision from An Bord Plenala on our proposed site in Lusk, and are eager to support the local community with significant investment, job creation and the highest quality at the best prices when we begin trading. We have been blown away by the local community support for this store and we are looking forward to welcoming our new customers in autumn 2021,” noted Kevin Duffy, Regional Portfolio & Facilities Executive, Lidl Ireland.

SSE Airtricity donates €150,000 to Simon Communities SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest supplier of 100% green energy, has made a €150,000 contribution to Simon Communities in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The support of SSE Airtricity is not only helping the charity to respond to the Covid-19 crisis, it will also have a huge impact on Simon Communities services across Ireland. “SSE Airtricity’s incredibly generous support is playing a critical role in Simon Communities’ ongoing response to Covid-19 by helping us to recover the huge cost of PPE, which is vital to protecting our staff and clients. We are operating in uncertain times and SSE’s support will help us to make up for funds lost throughout this crisis,” said Jennifer Kitson, National Partnerships Manager at Dublin Simon Community, pictured (centre) with Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, and Stuart Hobbs, Head of SSE Airtricity Energy Services.

12|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Lidl signs €1m solar power contract with Enerpower

LIDL Ireland has announced the appointment of Waterford-based energy solutions provider, Enerpower, to install more than €1m worth of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on 10 store projects across Ireland over the next 12 months. This builds on an existing long-term partnership with the Irish energy solutions provider, who previously worked to install Ireland’s largest array of PV solar panels at Lidl’s 58,000 square metre Newbridge regional distribution centre in 2019. Through the new contract with Enerpower and the existing PV solar panel array across Lidl’s store and distribution centre network, Lidl will have invested €4m in PV solar energy by the end of 2020. At present, Lidl’s PV solar panel array across 22 stores and its Newbridge distribution centre generates enough energy to power more than 950 Irish homes each year. Pictured are Dr John Carty (left) and Owen Power (right) from Enerpower with Alan Barry, Director of Property & Central Services for Lidl.

After Eight launches Gin & Tonic & Mint flavour AFTER Eight fans will be sure to be excited by the news that there is a brand-new, limited-edition flavour from their favourite fondant mint. Available in a 200g carton, deliciously zingy After Eight Gin & Tonic & Mint features gin and tonic-flavoured mint fondant enrobed in rich dark chocolate, made with cocoa responsibly sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. “Gin has rapidly become the nation’s spirit of choice, so what could be better than combining the flavours of our favourite tipple with the delicious mint fondant and dark chocolate that has made After Eight so popular for almost sixty years,” noted Maria McKenna, Confectionery Marketing Manager for Nestlé Ireland. “After Eight Gin & Tonic & Mint is a delightfully fresh, zesty twist on a classic, and we believe this limited-edition flavour will prove a very popular addition to the After Eight range between now and Christmas. Gin O’Clock has officially arrived!”

Hospice Coffee Morning together with Bewley’s returns TOGETHER for Hospice, which consists of fundraising representatives of Hospice and specialist palliative homecare services throughout the country, has launched this year’s Hospice Coffee Morning together with Bewley’s. The campaign is celebrating its 28th year and journalist and broadcaster, Sharon Ní Bheoláin, officially launched this year’s campaign, which is asking people across the country to support this important initiative by hosting a socially distanced or virtual coffee morning. Those who cannot attend coffee morning can simply text COFFEE to 50300 donate €4 to support, with every euro raised locally staying locally, supporting local hospice and homecare services and helping give patients the best quality of life during their illness.

Donegal village celebrates €2.4m Lotto win THE small village of Convoy in east Donegal was celebrating recently after the winning Lotto ticket, for a €2,482,715 jackpot, was sold at Harris’ service station in the village, which has a population of just over 1,500 people. “This is huge for the village of Convoy and I know that we’re going to be talking about this Lotto win for many years to come,” revealed Evelyn Harris, owner of the winning store (pictured). “Any of our customers will tell you that I am absolutely stone mad but I have been promising them that I would deliver a Lotto win to the town and it’s finally happened!”

Tesco stocks Avozilla avocados TESCO stores nationwide have seen the return of the much talked about Avozilla avocados. The limited supply of the giant avocados, which are five times the size of a standard avocado, are priced at €4, while stocks last. The famous Avozillas are exclusively sourced for Tesco Ireland in the lush natural forest around Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo, in South Africa, home to the wild mothertree. These avocados are not genetically modified, have not been treated with any growthenhancing chemicals and can weigh between 850g-1.9kg.

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14|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

The Retail News Interview

Banking on future success Owen Clifford, Head of Retail, Bank of Ireland, discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the Irish grocery sector, predicts a change of focus for convenience stores in the coming months, advises city centre stores on how to excel despite lower footfall and proves how a store revamp can have a positive impact on profits. AS Bank of Ireland’s Head of Retail, Owen Clifford is ideally placed to comment on the overall effect of Covid-19 on the market. The fact that Clifford’s background includes a lengthy spell with Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland means he really understands the grocery industry, and is sensitive to trends and challenges that impact on the FMCG sector, and nothing has impacted the market in 2020 like Covid-19. “Grocery retailers and their staff really stood up during the pandemic they were both beacons for their local communities and wonderful ambassadors for the wider retail sector,” he sums up. “The supply chain system proved robust and

weathered spikes in supply linked to unprecedented lock-down driven consumer shopping trends. We witnessed the return of the big weekly shop and this favoured larger operators – SuperValu, Dunnes, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl. SuperValu in particular, given their community focused, owner-operator model and extensive regional footprint, were strong performers in recent months.” Grocery retailers are continuing to deliver a strong trading performance, with annual sales increases of 20%+ being reported nationwide, according to Clifford. “The less frequent, big weekly shop trend still continues with consumers, driven by health and safety concerns, visiting stores less often but spending more when in-store,” he explains. “An interesting dynamic will emerge in the coming months with the larger operators seeking to retain market share and the convenience operators seeking to win it back.” A quick change for convenience? Recent years have seen convenience retailers reduce their grocery offering considerably, focusing on food-to-go, essentially becoming foodservice operators with a limited grocery

offering, but the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the overnight collapse of the foodservice industry, has meant a u-turn for many stores, Clifford reveals. “I would expect the convenience operators to pivot back towards grocery, from being purely food-to-go and coffeeto-go focused, and present themselves as a more accessible top-up option for the consumer,” Clifford reveals. “I expect that these retailers will focus particularly on the increased number of customers now working remotely/from home. There is an opportunity for some of these retailers (particularly some of the larger forecourt stores) to facilitate meeting spaces/temporary work-hubs for customers operating remotely.” As the weather gets colder and wetter, shoppers will also opt for convenience over queues, the Bank of Ireland Head of Retail, believes: “Will we as consumers be prepared to queue in the rain and cold outside larger stores during the winter months? There is certainly an opportunity for local, community focused stores to win back and retain market share.” Some city centre grocery stores have been hit particularly badly by the lockdown and the lack of footfall. “City centre and commuter-focused forecourt stores will monitor with interest the continued emergence of remote working habits – how will they re-purpose and re-position themselves as a go-to destination for the convenience-led consumer?” Clifford muses “These stores were disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 restrictions and will be hoping that further restrictions/disruption linked to a potential second wave of the virus can be averted as much as possible.” So what can these stores do to

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The Retail News Interview

Covid-19 has meant a return to the less frequent, big weekly shop, driven by health and safety concerns, with consumers visiting stores less often but spending more when in-store. ensure their survival? “City centre stores will need to proactively assess all aspects of their business plan: target customers, margin development, shrinkage, cost base, property costs etc,” he avows. “They will need to focus more on city centre dwellers as opposed to city centre employees – partner with foodservice, provide effective delivery options etc to engage a new recurring customer base.” The Head of Retail, however, does not include town centre stores in this group, arguing that town centres can benefit from the increased number of employees now working remotely: “There is an opportunity for towns/suburbs across the country to demonstrate that they are an alternative, accessible option to the larger cities for our shopping requirements. If anything good is to emerge from Covid, perhaps a more vibrant regional town landscape can develop as we all shop and engage with our local towns with greater frequency, given that more of us are now based outside of the larger city centres on a daily basis.” Ensuring a safe shop As we continue to live with the spectre of Covid-19, the health and safety of staff and customers remains of paramount importance. “The consumer will be seeking an accessible, frictionless experience,” Clifford stresses. “They

will want to feel safe and will expect excellent hygiene and in-store standards – especially as we move into back to school/winter season. Retailers mobilised really quickly in March/ April with Perspex screens, one-way systems, the increase in the contactless payment limit to €50. This will need to be maintained and further developed over the next few months.” He believes the continuous training and development of staff will be an imperative, involving constant feedback from staff and customers, as retailers continue to ask themselves ‘how can we do it better and continue to meet your expectations?’

“

The demand for value Unquestionably, the consumer will be seeking a value proposition as economic uncertainty lingers linked to Covid-19, Clifford maintains. “Tesco has sought price reductions from suppliers to deliver its ‘Everyday low pricing strategy’, which will see it use fewer promotions in-store. This strategy is particularly relevant to their UK operation, which has come under increased pressure from Aldi and Lidl’s increased store footprint,” Clifford insists. “The value message will be key for all Irish grocery and convenience retailers in the coming months. It will be interesting to see if all focus on a purely price-led model. I believe that a more rounded approach is now required.” He doesn’t foresee the return of deep discounting as standard and the ‘race to the bottom’ on price that we witnessed after the global crash in 2008: “I expect to see price-led initiatives but believe that independent grocers need to focus on a value-based proposition, as a purely price-based model can lead to an unsustainable discount spiral taking place.” So, what shape might a value-based or ‘rounded’ approach take? “Covid19 has reminded us all of the importance of health, wellness and community,” Clifford states. “Irish shoppers will certainly be more mindful of their sense of value to the community and the planet in their purchasing decisions in the future. Competitive pricing will be important but the consumer will also expect more from their retailers. Price is but one element of value. Retailers will need to demonstrate that they are delivering excellent quality produce and service, product authenticity, product traceability, health & wellness focused products and services and a strong community-led and environmentally friendly mission. “It is incumbent on retailers to make the Irish consumer aware of their efforts and their bona fides in this regard –

If anything good is to emerge from Covid, perhaps a more vibrant regional town landscape can develop as we all shop and engage with our local towns with greater frequency, given that more of us are now based outside of the larger city centres on a daily basis.

”

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The Retail News Interview

The future of online grocery sales will be under the spotlight in the coming months. active communication and engagement will be required to demonstrate the real value that they provide to their customer and their community.” The benefits of a store revamp Grocery and convenience retail, in comparison with many other sectors, has always been a high volume, lower margin focused model. “Cost management and margin preservation will be key elements for independent and symbol group grocery retailers in a post Covid-19 world,” Clifford stresses. A store revamp can support both cost savings and margin preservation, whilst also preserving customer engagement, reveals the BoI Retail Head, who predicts an increased volume of revamp activity during the remainder of the year, linked to Covid-19 based restrictions in H1 2020. Retail News wondered, however, if concern for the economy will ensure that many retailers remain in protectionist, non-capital spending mode? “Store revamp activity and associated funding requests have been very strong in July and August, as retailers roll out their plans that were disrupted in H1 2020,” Clifford reveals. “The Irish consumer is extremely discerning and expects excellent in-store standards. Irish grocery retailers are renowned for their innovation in store design and understand that to maintain customer engagement that investment in their stores is an imperative. A store revamp can assist the retailer in delivering a more cost-efficient store, whilst also enabling an improved margin performance.” He has the figures to back up his argument: “Over the last two years, we have seen store revamps deliver a sales increase of circa 5%-10% and a margin increase of circa 0.5%-1% on average for our grocery/convenience customers.” He explains that detailed analysis pre- and post-revamp will be “an imperative to ensure that the maximum return on investment is delivered via sales mix improvement, margin preservation/growth and cost saving. “A robust investment plan draws on feedback from existing and targeted customers, employees and suppliers; it’s a holistic, interactive process, ensuring that the retailer remains engaged with the customer and the wider community,” Clifford states.

The sustainability agenda Any capital investment project must be cognisant of the environment and the sustainability agenda, the BoI Retail Head reveals: “I am seeing a particular focus on energy efficiency and sustainability: electronic shelf labels, refrigeration, lighting, recycling, reduction of single-use plastic. The majority of the leading grocery brands have committed to reducing their carbon footprint, and consumers will expect action in this regard.” Clifford also predicts increased collaboration and more partnership agreements between grocery retailers and producers / restaurants / foodservice operators, as retailers seek to provide a healthy, nutrition focused point of differentiation that helps them to stand out from the crowd. “Market activity amongst leading wholesalers and retail groups will, therefore, continue through brand extension and acquisition, as the groups seek to also capture increased consumer data/insights and to drive internal efficiencies,” Clifford opines.

The future for online sales The future of online grocery will also be under the spotlight in the coming months. The number of shoppers using online grocery skyrocketed during Covid, notwithstanding the travails of retailers to keep up with demand: “The existing platforms were unable to deal with the unprecedented volumes during the Covid-19 lockdown, leading to some consumer disengagement with the channel.” So, will shoppers continue to use the convenience of online shopping as things revert to some kind of normal? “I expect that online grocery sales will continue to grow in the immediate future, especially given the low penetration of online in the market pre-Covid. The development of this channel will be noteworthy, especially the efforts of retailers to ensure that it’s a sustainable, profitable model.” The big challenge for retailers is the cost of picking and delivery linked to the online channel, but Clifford believes that they will “continue to develop and promote more advanced click-and-collect options for the consumer as it presents a more cost-effective model for their business”. “The current low levels (under 5% of total grocery sales) conducted via online demonstrate that a real growth

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The Retail News Interview opportunity is available if a frictionless, efficient, reliable service can be delivered,” he continues. “Again, it will be interesting to see if further partnership models develop via Ocado, Buymie, Deliveroo, Just-Eat or internal ‘dark stores’.” He cites the example of our neighbours across the Irish Sea, where the UK has seen greater penetration from the online channel, growing from approximately 8% to 13% in recent months. “Amazon Fresh are investing heavily to increase their market share. Ocado will unveil their new partnership with M&S in the coming weeks; they previously were partnered with Waitrose. Many analysts are querying whether they will fully retain their customer base or will some leave Ocado to follow Waitrose. Tesco are offering free delivery to Premium Club Card holders – which provides shoppers with an incentive to pay an increased monthly subscription. “Will tiered loyalty schemes emerge in Ireland with incentives such as free delivery underpinning them?” he ponders. “Any developments in this area will be monitored with interest.” Utilising data effectively Loyalty card schemes are one of the key ways in which retailers collect customer data. Most retailers and brand owners invest in data collection, but they don’t always utilise that data in the most efficient way. What more can retailers

do to ensure the vast amounts of data that they collect is used more efficiently? “Retailers are investing in their data analytics capability to mine more personalised, effective information from the reams of data that they currently collect,” Clifford stresses. “I strongly believe that this data needs to be overlaid and complemented with in-store and out-of-store customer engagement – only then can the true feedback and opportunities be ascertained. Customers will expect that their data is used for their benefit – better service, more personalised offers; if this fails to materialise, the quality of the data received in the future is likely to deteriorate.” A recent study from Deloitte has outlined that consumers really trust Irish grocery retailers with their personal data, Clifford highlights, with grocery ranking second only to medical organisations. “Grocery retailers need to use this data appropriately – deliver a personalised, tailored offer to the consumer and ensure that their cyber security platforms are robust,” Clifford insists. “Data, like oil, is only useful when refined; retailers are proactively investing in Data Analytics teams to ensure that it is utilised appropriately.” Clifford is realistic but optimistic about the future for the Irish grocery retail sector. “We have world-class, resilient, innovative retailers in Ireland who are well equipped to face the future in a positive manner,” he concludes. “In Bank of Ireland, we remain committed to supporting Irish grocery and convenience retailers with the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Ireland has “world-class, resilient, innovative retailers… who are well equipped to face the future in a positive manner.”

18|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Lean & Green

Your sustainability journey starts with Lean & Green

Join Lean & Green to create a sustainability action plan for your business, to cut carbon emissions and reduce your energy consumption, writes Maria Svejdar, Head of Marketing and CX, GS1 Ireland. THE time has come for Irish businesses to take focused, programmed action on setting and achieving sustainability targets. The post-pandemic environment provides the ideal driver for change as we design the ‘new normal’ and seek economic recovery. If the year 2020 demonstrates anything, it is our ability as a nation to take quick, decisive action and to use our ingenuity and enterprising spirit to make transformative changes. Supply chains, and where products come from, have never been more sharply in focus and the pivot towards buying local has been unprecedented. This is the ideal moment to build a new normal, based on greener, more sustainable practices. Consumers and

business owners alike are asking, “What do I need to do to make change happen, and where do I start?” Organisations have seriously begun to make transformative changes to satisfy consumer demands for validated sustainability claims and to future-proof their business’ economic viability through cost reduction and the minimisation of the future impact of rising carbon tax rates. In terms of regulation, the ambition of the EU Green Deal is to make Europe climate neutral in 2050. It proposes a new growth strategy that transforms the Union into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy with no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, with a 50%-55% cut in emissions by 2030 (compared with 1990 levels). Every major facet of the European economy, from energy generation to food consumption and from manufacturing and construction to transport & logistics, will have to be overhauled. Lean & Green is the ideal starting point for tackling your journey towards 0% logistics carbon emissions. Take action today with Lean & Green The Lean & Green Programme is a framework for tackling carbon emissions developed by the Connekt Foundation in the Netherlands and already has over 600 subscribers across Europe. It is available in Ireland through GS1. A key aspect of the programme is not only to realise and validate the reductions in emissions but to recognise and reward participating organisations for those achievements. This is done through the 5 Star Award Programme.

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Why Lean & Green? The programme aims to encourage businesses to become leaders in sustainability by taking measures that not only cut their costs but also reduce their impact on the environment. The programme is about creating a measured reduction in carbon output, that is independently verified and recognised by industry partners. Competitive advantage The 5 Star Award Programme is designed to meet the complex challenges of identifying, measuring and reducing your carbon emissions and costs, across transport, logistics and warehousing operations. By improving these processes on an ongoing basis, organisations not only make a positive and visible contribution to the environment but also strengthen their competitive position. Through Lean & Green, organisations demonstrate that they are taking active steps towards making their logistics processes more sustainable. This progress is formally recognised by the cumulative award of 1 to 5 Stars as each reduction target is met. The 5-Star Award system The Lean & Green journey begins by creating a plan of action to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20% over an initial five-year period. Participants analyse their logistics processes and implement sustainable practices that bring cost savings, along with the desired emissions reduction. Modern systems, such as ‘Big Mile’ and ‘EcoTraxx’ can be used to help with analysis. Once a company reaches its goal of a 20% reduction (over a maximum of an initial five-year period), the organisation is

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Lean & Green

Lean & Green reduces the complexity associated with CO2 footprint reduction, creating an overall view of your organisation’s logistics emissions, and  setting realistic KPIs to help you on the road to independently verified and accredited  CO2 emissions reduction.

awarded its first Lean & Green Star. The second Lean & Green Star is presented to organisations for achieving a further 10% reduction over a maximum of three years. Lean & Green reduces the complexity associated with CO2 footprint reduction, creating an overall view of your organisation’s logistics emissions, and setting realistic KPIs to help you on the road to independently verified and accredited CO2 emissions reduction. Who can join Lean & Green? Lean & Green specifically focuses on addressing CO2 emission reductions in the areas of warehousing, transport and logistics, as well as for air, rail and shipping freight operations. Participation is open to all supply chain stakeholders, from retailers to manufacturers and distributors, and to all categories of logistics provider. How can GS1 Ireland help? The team at GS1 Ireland are available to support organisations to define and measure their supply chain effectiveness and to work collaboratively to implement standards and solutions that reduce

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waste, energy and raw materials consumption. GS1 standards and the Lean & Green Programme can help your business to identify, track and measure your business inputs and outputs. To collaborate with other industry leaders to implement real-world solutions to reduce CO2, save operating costs and create a less wasteful, more sustainable future, contact GS1 Ireland for details or go to www.gs1ie.org/lean-green/register to register your interest.

What is sustainability?

SUSTAINABILITY is defined as the maintenance of a given state of existence and avoiding the depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance. There are so many aspects to economic and environmental sustainability - from circular economy, to plastic packaging; from food waste and food loss to zero waste; and from carbon emissions and carbon footprints to food miles; it can be difficult to know where to start.

The Lean & Green programme aims to encourage businesses to become leaders in sustainability by taking measures that not only cut their costs but also reduce their impact on the environment.

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Dairy

NDC: the mark of milk The NDC Trademark provides consumers with a guarantee that the grass-fed milk bearing the green rosette has been farmed and packed in the Republic of Ireland. THE NDC Guarantee appears on some 340 milk and cream products in the Republic of Ireland, ranging from brand leaders to ‘private label’ or ‘own label’ products, which are sold across Irish retail, with Tesco and SuperValu committing in particular to a locally-sourced, NDC Trademarked portfolio. “Origin and quality are top of mind for consumers when it comes to food safety and in the context of the heightened awareness of the need to support our local economy during a challenging year,” says Zoe Kavanagh, CEO, NDC. “Our recent B&A research (August 2020) tells us that 72% of consumers care about locally sourced product. There is also a growing appreciation for the superb pasture basis for dairy farming, which is a very natural environment for cows. Local dairy farming represents a style of sustainable dairy farming that consumers are also increasingly interested in.” Uncertainty caused by Covid-19 Covid-19 created a huge amount of uncertainty for consumers and businesses; this uncertainty is related not just to health concerns, but also economic, financial, jobs and even food supply.

The NDC Guarantee appears on some 340 milk and cream products in the Republic of Ireland.

In April 2020, NDC launched a campaign reminding consumers that Irish dairy farmers work long and hard to keep our fridges stocked with quality, fresh Irish milk. The trademark was highlighted in the call to action (CTA): ‘Support them [Irish dairy farmers] by choosing milk with the green rosette, our guarantee of local freshness’. Since Covid, 40% of Irish consumers under-35 reported an increase in their dairy consumption. The NDC issues a provenance trademark to co-ops/dairy producers that guarantee end-to-end production and processing in the Republic of Ireland; this gives consumers the reassurance that milk bearing the quality trademark comes from grassfed herds on family farms in Ireland, supporting jobs in their community. How does the Guarantee Mark work? The NDC trademark is given to all products farmed and manufactured within the Republic of Ireland that are fully traceable. The NDC is responsible for the registration and maintenance of the trademark. Once an entity is a member of the NDC, pays its levy and complies with the terms of an executed trademark licence, it is permitted to use the mark with a small annual administration contribution. The NDC appointed a Trademark Monitoring Committee to monitor and control the use of the trademark and to ensure conformance to the rules and regulations of the Licence Agreement.

Why are Centra, SuperValu and Tesco so big on locally sourced and packaged milk with the NDC trademark? It’s a question of commitment. With the NDC trademark – proof of locally sourced milk from farm to fridge – you can ensure you’re getting fresh, locally farmed and packaged milk.

To show your support for local Irish communities, jobs and fresh produce, you know where to go and what to look out for on pack – the NDC Trademark.

www.ndc.ie

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Shop Profile

A vital hub of the community The unwavering support of the Spar group has helped Eugene and Dymphna Sharkey’s store in Tuam, Co. Galway to continue to serve their community through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dymphna and Eugene Sharkey, pictured outside their Tuam store.

The unwavering support of the Spar group has helped Eugene and Dymphna Sharkey’s store in Tuam, Co. Galway, to continue to serve their community through the Covid-19 pandemic. LIKE most businesses across the country, Eugene and Dymphna Sharkey’s Spar store in Tuam, Co. Galway, has been hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the support of their symbol group partner, the shop has been able not just to trade safely through the pandemic but to provide a vital service to its local community. “Spar has been absolutely fantastic during Covid-19,” Eugene stresses. “As an independent retailer, we have always been able to take advantage of the body of knowledge that Spar has about retail. The knowledge and expertise of Spar is world class. From the outset of the Covid-19 crisis they have been tremendously supportive in every way. They truly have gone above and beyond to ensure all Spar retailers and our customers are catered for.”

The support from Spar has been crucial since Covid-19 brought much of the country to a standstill back in March, as Dymphna explains: “Since the first day of the pandemic, we have been receiving daily email updates from Spar on exactly what was going on and what to do. When the lockdown started, there was a lot of confusion and concern among retailers and staff members.

Eugene serves a customer in the busy Spar shop.

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Shop Profile People were unsure of what to do, how to act, how to stay safe. Obviously, we stayed trading through the lockdown and Spar played such an important role in helping us do that safely. “We were concerned for our safety, the safety of our staff and of our customers,” she continues. “It could have gone very badly, but things worked out extremely well. We know most of our customers very well and they had the same concerns that we had. Because we were able to give clear instruction based on accurate information, our customers were happy to co-operate with the way they had to use the shop during lockdown.” Changing sales mix The store’s sales mix has changed considerably since the advent of the lockdown, as Eugene explains: “We have always had quite strong grocery sales for a forecourt, but during lockdown, things changed dramatically. Fruit and veg sales doubled or tripled; our fresh meat sales jumped from a very low level to us selling all we could offer. Some people felt that they were safer shopping in a small shop rather than a large supermarket, so they shopped with us rather than at a multiple and we were delivering to large numbers of elderly customers who were cocooning. We were so busy, people from the local community offered to help us do the deliveries. Everybody pulled together in the most extraordinary way.” Dymphna pays tribute to the hard work of the Spar group for maintaining its supply chain during the global crisis, despite the challenges. “The sales

The expanded Spar Deli at Spar Tuam has proven extremely successful and has played a key part in how the Sharkeys have been able to grow their business. pattern in the shop changed dramatically during a time of global supply chain disruption and still Spar kept the deliveries coming so we could play our part in keeping our community safe,” she notes. “We have always had a great relationship with Spar but this year they really have shown how much they value their retailers through their supportive actions.” A strong relationship The relationship between the Sharkeys’ shop and the Spar group stretches back

to 2011, when Dymphna and Eugene Sharkey took over the lease on their forecourt site in Tuam and began working with Spar straight away. The couple were able to get off to a very good start in retail through a combination of good staff, hard work and support from BWG Foods, who own and operate the Spar brand in Ireland. In 2014, the Sharkeys were in a position to move from leasing to owning when they purchased the site. “We managed to grow our business very quickly after we opened and it did not take us very long to move to buying the

The Sharkeys’ Tuam Spar store enjoys a far wider sales mix than a typical forecourt store.

f the

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Shop Profile we look to Spar to provide advice and support for us on those ideas.” Preparing for the future While the Sharkeys acknowledge that there is still a huge amount of uncertainty about the continued presence of Covid-19 in our communities, particularly as we enter the winter months, they know that with the support of Spar, they are prepared for whatever fate throws at them. “Things will change, face-masks are now mandatory and there may be more changes to come, or even regional lockdowns,” Eugene muses. “No-one knows for sure what the rest of the year will bring, but the one thing we can count on is that Spar will be there to support us. “I would like to thank each and every one of our staff, who have been incredible The well-stocked off-licence is another important element in the success of through this crisis. We would also like to Spar Tuam. thank every member of the Spar team, stresses. “They are a very strong national who have been such a great support shop instead of leasing,” Eugene recalls. since we very first opened our shop,” and international brand, with strong “In 2015, we made another investment he concludes, paying particular tribute national advertising. Spar are always and entirely revamped the interior of the former BWG Sales Manager, Sean Carter: there to support us when we wish to do shop, introducing a new image and a News|January / February“Sean was inspirational for us in the 2019|www.retailnews.ie|19 any local advertising of our own, giving number of new elements within the shop. Retail early days and while he is retired, now advice, printing posters, whatever we At that time, we improved our coffee he has become a family friend and the offering, expanded the deli, and created a need. Eugene and I would be very handscurrent team at Spar continues to deliver on; we work very hard in the shop and on sit-down area in the shop.” world class support to help us serve our the shop floor and we are very proactive. The sit-down area and coffee offering community.” We are always coming up with ideas and was further expanded in spring 2019, as the Sharkeys continued to invest in their business. “In some ways, we are unusual Every possible for a forecourt,” Dymphna states. “We thought has have a strong mix of trade across foodOwner: Paddy and Lorraine Rabbitte been given Owners: Eugene & Dymphna Sharkey to-go, through to ambient grocery and to meet the fuel sales. We get more repeat local trade Location: Shanowen Rd, Santry, Dublin 9 Location: Tuam, Co. Galway rather than passing trade due to our needs of every Size: 2,400 square feet Size: 2,700 square feet location. potential “We operate more like a local village No.ofof Staff: 16 full time & part time No. staff: 25 (10 full time, 15 part time) customer. shop than a traditional fuel-focused “The store forecourt,” she continues. “Our Spar Opening Hours: 07:00-23:00, Monday-Friday; Opening Hours: 06:30-23:00, Monday-Saturday; 08:00-23:00, Sunday. Deli is extremely successful and has looks, feels 08:00-23:00, Saturday-Sunday. played a key part in how we have been and functions able to grow the business. We started brilliantly,” off with one staff member running the deli; we now need seven staff to deal with Paddy explains. “We have customers and promotional cycles, we can offer our lunchtime and dinner in the deli.” who still come in and remark on how customers key value items that keep In fact, the Sharkeys’ Spar Deli has great the new store looks. even though them coming back.” received numerous awards and the shop they have been here many times performs extremely well in the annual Spar 365 Standards Customer Care since we reopened. We can offer our Passion & Commitment Awards Programme. The Spar team customers a truly superior shopping Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director, recognise the quality of the Sharkeys’ experience and, thanks to the buying notes; “Retailers like Lorraine and shop and the hard work and investment the couple continue to make to ensure power of Spar and BWG, we can offer a Paddy are the heart and soul of the the store stays at the cutting edge of strong value for money offering. It’s not Spar group. We, as their partner, need community retailing. In turn, the couple about going head-to-head with discount to equal their passion and commitment have always enjoyed a fantastic working supermarkets, but with the Wow offers relationship with their symbol group to their business. Lorraine and Paddy stock area in partner. “Spar have always provided us with Fresh food and grocery is a hugely important element of the sales mix. the best possible support,” Dymphna

wner, my duty is aine explains. “An k room is an inch

Shop Profile

FACT FILE:

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Logistics & Delivery

Why retailers must embrace Eircodes and geocodes

Barley Laing, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Melissa, argues that using Eircodes and geocodes is critical in providing better logistics and faster deliveries for Ireland’s retailers. THE advent of Covid-19 has led to huge changes in where shoppers purchase their groceries. Prior to the pandemic, it was usually in-store, but now there’s understandably a strong trend towards online. This is backed up by recent research from Kantar that reveals online grocery sales in Ireland were 76% higher than a year ago, with 15% of Irish households receiving at least one delivery in the last 12 weeks. This points to how essential it is that even the smaller grocery chains not only have a stand-out online presence for market share growth, but that they also have an efficient and fast logistics and delivery service to ensure happy customers. Improve logistics and delivery Ireland’s postal code system, Eircodes, play a key role here. Obtaining and using accurate Eircodes helps to precisely locate individual addresses or premises, which is critical in providing

better logistics and faster deliveries. It’s even more important since over 600,000 properties, or about 35% of all addresses in Ireland, have no name or number. It’s possible to further improve logistics and delivery, particularly to those in rural areas, with geocodes. Used alongside Eircodes, geocodes can further help grocers to improve the customer experience and stand out from the competition. Pinpoint accuracy Geocodes deliver latitude and longitude coordinates in order to gain pinpoint (rooftop) accuracy. This way, retailers can obtain precise, plotted coordinates to improve logistics and decrease shipping costs, while reducing the chance of the dreaded and costly, both in monetary and customer experience terms, ‘return to sender’ scenarios. Geocoding is particularly important in logistics because location and address aren’t necessarily the same thing. This makes a specific latitude and longitude location the most accurate. It also makes it possible to accurately determine the shopper’s distance from distribution points, which generates a real-time calculation of shipping costs, whilst also identifying the quickest distribution route to the customer. This information, in turn, enables retailers to offer a number of delivery options and price levels, depending on how fast the customer wants to receive their order. Driving store visits Both Eircodes and geocodes can power retail store location and

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Logistics & Delivery local search look-ups to help generate store visits and increase customer satisfaction. Customer experience can also be enhanced, with geolocational offers targeting individuals based on their location and the nearest outlet or distribution point to them. Sales and marketing Geocodes and Eircodes have value beyond logistics and can aid broader sales and marketing efforts, such as via sales clustering, because of the analytics opportunities they provide. This makes it possible to map the location of customers and find like-minded prospects in specific geographic areas and approach them with offers.

Will online shopping habits stick?

Clean data is key To effectively use Eircodes and geocodes, you must start with accurate customer address data. This can be delivered via industry leading data cleansing, standardisation and verification services that provide data quality in batch – as well as data entry accuracy with an address autocomplete service – in realtime. This latter tool is crucial, since many shoppers are filling in contact forms on their mobiles, and therefore are more liable to make mistakes. In fact, approximately 20% of addresses entered online contain errors, including spelling mistakes, wrong house numbers, and inaccurate Eircodes, which delays deliveries of products and can lead to ‘return to sender’. As grocers increasingly operate online, they should seriously consider using geocodes and Eircodes together because of the many benefits they offer. These include improving logistics and delivery performance for a standout customer service, and even helping to drive footfall in-store.

About the author:

BARLEY Laing is UK and Ireland Managing Director at Melissa, which he joined in 2014 during an exciting expansion phase of the California headquartered company. As UK and Ireland Managing Director with 16 years of data industry experience, his role is focused on meeting the data quality and compliance needs for organisations in both countries. The team that Barley heads up provides sales, data consultancy and technical support for their wide range of software solutions, which help businesses to achieve efficient data management and meet ID, AntiMoney Laundering (AML) and Know your Customer (KYC) requirements. Under his leadership, Melissa’s UK and Ireland office has experienced strong growth during the last four years, with a 77% increase in annual turnover in 2018. Over this period, he has significantly grown the client base, which includes: Creditsafe, MetaBank, Tranzfar, BAE Systems, GSK, NHS, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retail clients include: HUF; Wiggle: Chain Reaction Cycles; Mephisto and Time.

THE global pandemic has seen a dramatic rise in online shopping, including grocery shopping. But what does that mean for your business? A new report into The Stickiness of Online Shopping from IGD OmniVista has the following advice: As many new shoppers intend to stick with online, suppliers should invest in online operations by focusing on the capacity for more orders, better service and quicker and easier fulfilment. You should develop online strategies to account for shoppers at different stages of their online shopping development; consider the onboarding process and different paths to purchase. Online delivery saver schemes are a tactic to drive shopper loyalty through reduced delivery charges. Are there opportunities for suppliers to support shopper uptake of retailer delivery saver passes by offering preferential product offers to pass members? Providing shoppers with a seamless online and offline experiences will encourage shoppers both online and in-store and increase retailer loyalty. Ensure exclusive omnichannel offers and promotions are simple to avoid confusing shoppers. For now, focus on showcasing in-store efforts to prioritise shopper safety. Going forwards, helping shoppers save time in-store, making it easy for them to find healthy options and offering clear promotions should help keep these shoppers in-store.

(Source: The Stickiness of Online Shopping by Ellie Tew, Shopper Insight Analyst, IGD OmniVista)

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Collectables

Panini launches Premier League trading cards The Official Premier League Adrenalyn XL Trading Card Collection is now available and proving extremely popular with football fans. HOT on the heels of the incredibly successful Official Premier League Football 2020 Sticker collection, comes the launch of the 2020/21 season Official Premier League Adrenalyn XL Trading Cards. With a new look, new special cards and more fun than ever before, Adrenalyn XL is the only official Premier League trading card collection and the

Fans can kickstart their collection with a Starter Pack, which includes a high-quality collector’s binder, two-player gameboard and poster, 18 trading cards, an exhaustive magazine game guide plus two guaranteed Limited Edition cards.

only collection which includes all 20 Premier League clubs from one of the world’s best and most exciting leagues. This superb collection features 468 trading cards plus 30 Limited Edition cards to look out for. Boasting a striking new design and logo refresh, the collection features awesome card sections such as Top Keeper, Lightning, Hero, Game Breaker, Golden Ballers and Elite cards. Collectors should be sure to keep their eyes peeled for the Invincible card as well! Collect, play and trade your way to the top, but most of all, have fun collecting the stars of the Premier League! Heavyweight media campaign Available since August 20, the collection will benefit from a heavyweight media campaign, to include TV, radio, digital and social media investment. Panini has also forged new football magazine cover mount partnerships which, alongside Panini’s own football magazine Strike-It!, will facilitate the sampling of millions of packets to footballloving kids across the British Isles. Cross-promotional partnerships with Sky and Nike will further endorse the collection, in addition to support from some of the highest profile football influencers. Fans can kickstart their collection with a Starter Pack, which includes a high-quality collector’s binder, twoplayer gameboard and poster, 18 trading cards, an exhaustive magazine game guide plus two guaranteed Limited Edition cards. A new level “Panini is taking Premier League trading cards to a new level for the 2020/21 season,” enthused Mike Riddell, Managing Director of Panini UK. “Premier League Adrenalyn XL 2020/21 is a dynamic new collection which will be refreshed as new players transfer into

the world’s most exciting league.” Will Brass, Commercial Director, Premier League, said: “We’re excited to kick off our second season with Panini. The new-look Adrenalyn XL trading cards are a great way to get the Premier League into the hands of fans across the UK and Republic of Ireland!” Chris Clover, Head of Marketing – Sport at Panini UK: “I cannot wait for collectors to get their hands on these new cards. The design team at Panini UK have created something really special for all Premier League fans to enjoy, switching up and improving every element from last season. There really will be no mistaking which trading card collection for the 2020/21 season is officially Premier League.” Point of sale promotional packs will be sent from wholesale with supplies. In addition, FSDU’s are available on request.

OFFICIAL TRADING CARDS

ALL NEW for the 2020/21 season. The only OFFICIAL trading cards of the Premier League.

ON SALE NOW!

WHO’S IN YOUR SQUAD? © The Football Association Premier League 2020

paniniadrenalynpl.com

GOT GOT NEED

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Confectionery

Sweet success

Irish consumers’ collective sweet tooth has been evident during the current pandemic. IRISH consumers love sweet treats, as evidenced by the fact that per capita consumption of chocolate in Ireland is the third highest in the world, after Germany and Switzerland. The Covid-19 pandemic has been good for the category too, as consumers increasingly treat themselves at home. Figures from Kantar for the 12 weeks to July 12, 2020, reveal that sales of confectionery are up by 35% compared to the same period last year. Pre-pandemic, there were a number of distinct market trends, including the drive for healthy snacking, which saw many of the industry’s biggest names introducing low sugar chocolate confectionery, manufactured using new techniques. Premiumisation is another established trend, according to the latest report into the category by Euromonitor International, particularly in seasonal chocolate such as Easter eggs and in boxed assortments. A number of Irish consumers are reducing the amount of chocolate they eat but are prepared, due to increasing disposable incomes (prepandemic at least), to pay a little more for premium chocolate and to consume it more frequently. In the sugar confectionery category, many brands are extending their ranges

Cadbury Dairy Milk plain 53g bar is the number one bestselling impulse SKU in the Irish market. to cater to a growing number of vegan consumers, according to Euromonitor, who also point out a degree of polarisation in the category, as Irish consumers seek economy or premium options. The trend towards natural products with reduced or no sugar is also prevalent in sugar confectionery. Meanwhile, health-conscious consumers and dentists’ recommendations drive sales of sugarfree gum, according to Euromonitor, while innovations in packaging such as branded in-car holders have also boosted sales. Cadbury Ireland’s favourite chocolate brand, Cadbury Dairy Milk is now worth almost €72m and growing +9.2%; the brand claims a 21.8% share of the chocolate category (Source: Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack, excluding Dunnes &

Following the huge success of Cadbury’s Premier League sponsorship and celebrating the return of football to our TVs, Cadbury FC continues its incredible activation and innovation.

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Confectionery

Cadbury’s ‘Match & Win’ promotion is sure to excite Premier League football fans. Discounters, MAT, June 14, 2020). Cadbury has been making chocolate in Ireland since 1932, when the first Cadbury factory opened in Dublin, with Cadbury Dairy Milk production starting the following year in 1933. The jewel in the crown is the shopper favourite Cadbury Dairy Milk plain 53g bar, manufactured in Ireland; this is the number one bestselling impulse SKU in the market and alone worth €6.6m, which is over €3m more than the next best seller (Source: Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack, excluding Dunnes & Discounters, MAT, June 14, 2020). Consumer focused innovation has proven a recipe for success for Cadbury Dairy Milk and this is coupled with investment in exciting consumer communication and customer support. Following the huge success of Cadbury’s Premier League sponsorship and celebrating the return of football to our TVs, Cadbury FC continues its incredible activation and innovation to bring the perfect night in with tasty treats and compelling in-store and online shopper engagement. Newly launched is a follow up to the huge 2019 launch of Cadbury Dairy Milk Freddo Treasures, with the new space

Cadbury’s ‘Match & Win’ promotion offers consumers the chance to win thousands of football related prizes. themed toy range plus new white chocolate Treasures. Plus following the Irish success of Roscommon native Callum Clogher in the Cadbury Inventor competition when his bar, Cadbury Dairy Milk Choca-Latte, won the 2019 prize, Cadbury Inventor returns. Entrants can choose up to three ingredients for a chance to have their dream bar physically created and sold in-store; voting is open for the latest creations on www.cadburyinventor.com. Cadbury has also kicked off a ‘Match & Win’ promotion that’s sure to excite Premier League football fans. Cadbury

is working with Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FC, to offer consumers the chance to win thousands of football related prizes. The competition runs from August 22 until November 15 across packs of Cadbury chocolate, including Cadbury Twirl, Cadbury Boost, Cadbury Wispa, Cadbury Crunchie and Cadbury Double Decker, including a range of formats, such as singles, tablets, bags, and multipacks.

Cadbury’s ‘Match & Win’ competition runs until November 15 across packs of Cadbury chocolate. To enter, shoppers will need to buy any participating Cadbury product, visit the matchandwin.co.uk website, and enter the barcode and batch code to receive a personalised score for an upcoming football game. If the predicted score matches the actual match score, they are guaranteed to win a prize. Prizes include VIP Matchday experiences, match tickets and Club Shop e-vouchers. Players such as Harry Kane, Cesar Azpilicueta, Joe Gomez, Kieran Tierney, Aymeric Laporte, and Aaron Wan Bissaka will feature in an advertising campaign to support the competition. A large marketing campaign will support the competition, including POS material, Out-of-Home advertising, social media support on Cadbury’s social media channels and partnerships with Balls.ie and Off The Ball. For more information, visit matchandwin.cadburyfc.com.

Players such as Harry Kane, Cesar Azpilicueta, Joe Gomez, Kieran Tierney, Aymeric Laporte, and Aaron Wan Bissaka will feature in an advertising campaign to support the Cadbury ‘Match & Win’ competition. Nestlé While the past few months have been a challenge for the total confectionery market, Nestlé has continued to outperform the market and drive value sales growth +14% (latest 12 weeks). This has been achieved through strong growth across take home formats and new product innovation across singles. Earlier this summer, Nestlé introduced a completely new way for consumers to enjoy the colour and fun of Smarties, with the launch of Smarties Bites. Smarties Bites are disc-shaped milk chocolate sweets each containing mini Smarties and are available both in a single and sharing bag. Maria McKenna, Marketing Manager for Nestlé Ireland

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Confectionery and KitKat Chunky Peanut Butter. New for Christmas 2020 is the KitKat Santa, a novelty shaped chocolate single that doesn’t just taste delicious but will no doubt be in high demand as it is also gluten free. Within the CBB category, KitKat will launch two new flavours to its two-finger nine-pack range, KitKat Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and KitKat Honeycomb, both of which are sure to prove popular, especially with the increase of the ‘working from home’ coffee break.

Smarties Bites are disc-shaped milk chocolate sweets, each containing mini Smarties. Confectionery, describes it as “Smarties reimagined” and a tasty new way of enjoying this well-loved brand. Within sugar singles, Rowntree’s Fruit Gums are now available in a bag format with softer fruit shaped sweets included within the mix.

KitKat Chunky Cookie Dough features a crisp wafer finger coated in a thick layer of cookie dough filling with chocolatey pieces, all covered in a delicious layer of thick KitKat chocolate. Munchies are already one of Nestlé Confectionery’s most popular sharing bags, no doubt due to new variants such as the Munchies Cookie Dough and Munchies Chocolate Fudge Brownie variants and launching next month, the Munchies White Chocolate variant.

Rowntree’s Fruit Gums are now available in a bag format with softer fruit shaped sweets included within the mix. Nestlé Confectionery’s number one brand, KitKat, first launched a chunky variant in 1999 and over the years, KitKat Chunky has been frequently innovated to deliver exciting flavours including Peanut Butter, Hazelnut, Coconut, and Salted Caramel Fudge. This month sees the return of two of the brand’s most popular flavour variants, KitKat Chunky Cookie Dough and KitKat Chunky Mint. KitKat Chunky Cookie Dough features a crisp wafer finger coated in a thick layer of cookie dough filling with chocolatey pieces, all covered in a delicious layer of thick KitKat chocolate. Meanwhile, KitKat Chunky Mint features a crisp wafer finger covered in moreish mint flavour milk chocolate. KitKat Chunky Mint is a limited edition and with just one production run planned, retailers should stock up while they can. The KitKat brand will be celebrating the ultimate collection of Chunky flavours with an outdoor and social media and broadcast campaign that will also include KitKat Chunky Milk

New Quality Street Intrigue are individually wrapped chocolate truffles in two variants, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Praline.

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Confectionery Aero, a brand renowned for its unique bubbly texture, continues to see double digit share growth YTD and this is set to continue following the recent launch of the rather indulgent Aero Caramel sharing block. Aero has also extended into gifting with Aero Bliss, a box of individually wrapped, smooth milk chocolates filled with a cocoa, salted caramel or praline aerated centre and delicious chocolate pieces. White chocolate fans will welcome the arrival of the a Milkybar Cookies & Cream sharing block from the number one white chocolate brand. Quality Street is launching a new premium gift range with Quality Street Intrigue. These individually wrapped chocolate truffles come in two variants, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Praline. Quality Street will be supported with an extensive advertising campaign across TV, outdoor, social and digital in the run-up to Christmas. Other new news in Nestlé’s seasonal range includes the After EIght Gin & Tonic & Mint limited edition, a ‘spirited’ take on the number one after dinner mint.

moment of escape and relaxation in your busy day - a smooth melting ‘me moment’. The tempting Lindor Treat Bars are a product of the care and passion that Lindt’s Swiss Master Chocolatiers put into creating each and every recipe. With a selection of flavours to choose from, consumers can treat themselves to moment of bliss wherever they go with the Lindor Treat Bar! Ampersand

Lindt Now worth over €2m in RSV, the smooth melting Lindor Treat Bar is Ireland’s number one premium chocolate countline and is a proven must stock range for retailers this year (Source: Nielsen Scantrack MAT, Snacking Countline Market, to May 17, 2020).

Sonas Sweets from Ampersand is a quality confectionery range with vibrant packaging.

Lindor Treat Bar is available in three flavours: the classic Lindor milk recipe, the irresistibly smooth melting mint filling and a zesty orange flavoured milk chocolate. Available in a slim stick format, it is the perfect on-the-go treat and is available in three delectable flavours: the classic Lindor milk recipe, the irresistibly smooth melting mint filling and a zesty orange flavoured milk chocolate for those looking for something with a little twist, each flavour promising to be a “blissful” experience on consumers’ taste buds. Following on from the success of the Lindor Treat Bar range, also available are the Lindor Milk and Orange Multipacks, the same slim stick packaging but in a convenient multipack format, which are perfect for filling lunch boxes or as a little picnic treat while consumers are out and about. The Lindor Multipack is available in all leading retailers and retails at €2.69. The Lindor Treat Bar 38g range retails at €1.29 and is available nationwide. Lindt Lindor is the epitome of indulgence as it creates a

The Lindor Treat Bar creates a moment of escape and relaxation in a busy day - a smooth melting ‘me moment’.

Now more than ever, we know the importance for Irish consumers, retailers and businesses to support each other in these challenging times. By supporting Irish brands and companies and by shopping local, we are all working together to rebuild the economy and support Irish businesses and jobs. For retailers looking to support Irish brands in their store, Sonas Sweets is an Irish confectionery brand that has been developed and distributed by Ampersand. The word ‘Sonas’ comes from the Irish word meaning happiness, and this confectionery range brings a little happiness and sunshine to Irish consumers every day! After seeing the demand in Ireland, Ampersand created their own brand of sweets in 2018 and launched Sonas Sweets, a quality range with vibrant packaging that gives a nod to its Irish heritage. The Sonas Sweets range includes a €2 mix-up bag and a €1 hanging bag range, which has now been extended to 23 different varieties since its launch. The Sonas Sweets range has all the favourites, including jellies, sour sweets, bonbons, and liquorice pencils. The 100g hanging bags are a perfect treat-sized portion priced at €1. The 230g mix-up bags are great for sharing and on-the-go convenience, ideal for after school treats or car journeys and as the bags can be resealed, it means they don’t have to be eaten in one sitting. Retailers and consumers can rest assured that Sonas Sweets are a premium quality offering and the highest standards of food safety are employed throughout the production and packing processes. Also from Ampersand, Cleeve’s is an iconic Irish brand, fondly remembered as being an integral part of Ireland’s

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36|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Confectionery

Cleeve’s is an iconic Irish brand, which Ampersand have brought back to Irish retail shelves after a 30-year absence. exported all over the world. Original Slab confectionery industry for most of the Toffee is also now available on the market 20th century. Much to consumers’ again through Ampersand. delight, Ampersand brought the brand Ampersand have also developed back to Irish retail shelves after a 30a range of different compact display year absence. Ampersand are experts options to merchandise Cleeve’s in-store in the convenience sector and have and assist retailers in driving sales of steadily extended their snacking and impulse confectionery and Irish brands confectionery portfolio over the last five while offering more choice to consumers. years. For more information, please call the Today, Cleeve’s 2,000 square metre Ampersand sales line on (01) 4130150 or factory is located in Newbridge, Co. email info@ampersandsales.ie. Kildare, and employs 22 people in the factory and supports Irish jobs right Shelton throughout the supply chain. The As the retail trade recovers from social new confectionery line distributed by distancing and lower impulse footfall, Ampersand features a quality range of Shelton, based in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, delicious milk chocolate confectionery, continues to serve the Irish consumers by bars, toffee and caramel products, bringing premium quality confectionery which continue the Cleeve’s tradition of with proven brand integrity to market. using the finest Irish dairy ingredients, With keen RSPs and featuring unique a tradition dating back to 1882 when ‘Shop-in-Shop’ concept point-of-sale the Cleeve brothers first established fixtures, Shelton’s brands are proving the business in Limerick. The vintage invaluable to Irish retailers looking to Cleeve’s branding remains today, with a deliver increasing sales volumes and logo very similar to the original from 120 consistent margins. Walker’s Non-Such, years ago. Look-O-Look, Pez, Trolli, Cavendish & The Cleeve’s range of bars has been Harvey, Red Band, Hamlet, and Zaini all recently extended with a new Orange bring that extra touch of class and value, Crisp flavour. The chocolate bar range which appeal to the discerning Irish also includes Original Macaroon, Sea consumer. Salt Caramel Crisp, Mint Crisp, Classic Look-O-Look celebrated its 50th Milk Chocolate, Classic Dark Chocolate birthday in 2019, and presents its new and Honey Crisp. All priced at €1, the logo and brand vision with the 2020 range bars have been very popular on the Irish of Look-O-Look Hanging Bags (RSP €2). market with consumers who want a These feature a grown-up approach to quality product that offers something a satisfy the latest trends, and appeal to little different while also offering great their loyal fans who have grown up with value for money. these products over many years. Each The Cleeve’s range also includes a bag will feature a uniquely designed selection of six hanging bag lines with header card, with fresh graphics, and an RSP of €2: Iced Caramels, Original extensive nutritional information. Toffee, Chocolate Caramels, Original Walker’s Non-Such has been Fudge, Macaroon Bites and Irish Golden manufacturing the finest quality toffees Days. for several generations. Double Dipped Cleeve’s was best known for slab Chocolate Toffees (RSP €2) are the latest toffee, which was originally produced unique and special treat. Creamy rich in Limerick from the late 1800s and

butter toffees are enrobed in quality milk chocolate, and then double-dipped in chocolate again, to give an intense and full-flavour taste, with each piece individually flow-wrapped to seal in that fabulous flavour. Pez is famous for producing collectible character candy dispensers, and features many leading licensing brands, including Harry Potter, Frozen 2, Toy Story 4, Peppa Pig, and other Disney hero brands. Pez is easily marketed in store, with dedicated floor-stands, shelf displays and clip-strips all available. The dispensers retail at €2, with packs of 8 x refills in fruit, fizzy and sour flavours now on offer. The Trolli Gummi Burger Display stand has proven to be an extremely effective in-store fixture. It is compact, can be set up in seconds, and offers 50g of delicious Gummi Jelly Burger bites for fantastic impulse purchases, with RSPs of €1 or £1 ideally priced for a one-coin purchase across the island of Ireland. “Tastefully Intense Mints” is how Barkleys describe their range of premium designed tins of breath-mints (RSP €2). Cinnamon, Ginger, Liquorice, Peppermint and Spearmint flavours comprise the range currently available in Ireland, with counter-stands and floor-stands on call. With global sales establishing Cavendish & Harvey Travel Tins of hard candies as the leading international brand, the latest innovation is sugar-free candies. The regular range of 11 flavours includes Mixed Fruit Drops, Wild Berries, Multivitamin, and Tropical Mix. The best sellers are now also available in sugarfree tins, for those looking to reduce their sugar intake. Priced from €2.50, the Cavendish & Harvey range also includes gift jars for seasonal gifting. For more information, visit www.shelton.ie, email info@shelton.ie or call (01) 4018455.

New Double Dipped Chocolate Toffees, the latest treat from Walker’s Non-Such.

Breaking down the design behind Vypeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vaping devices At Vype, our aim is to build the most reliable products possible. We care about our consumers and your customers, which is why we have worked hard to develop a product that consumers can enjoy, with the peace of mind that their vaping device meets the quality standards they expect. We believe that quality and customer satisfaction should be at the heart of all innovation and product development. To achieve this, we look at every part of the design of our devices to ensure they meet the highest possible standards. Understanding your device options For your customers, understanding a product should be the first step in making a purchase, and this is where we can help. There are two types of vaping devices that your customers can purchase, an open system and a closed system device â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also known as Pod Mods. Open system devices allow vapers to open the tank in the device and fill it up using a bottle of E-Liquid. Whereas closed systems differ as the E-Liquid comes in pre-filled, closed cartridges that clip into the device. Full control of the E-liquid Closed vaping devices offer more security as they are accompanied by the pods that are intended to be used with that device. We test both our liquid pods and devices together, as our E-Liquids are specifically formulated for each Vype device. This provides more control over what liquid is used and the way the liquid is heated compared to open systems. Not only does this take away the risk of using an E-Liquid that should not be used with that device, but it also protects against contamination. We seal our liquid Pod Mods in specialised packaging, which protects the E-Liquid from product tampering. Each batch is then individually tested and given a unique number to ensure full traceability. Safety features of our Pod Mods Across the range of vaping devices available, there are a wide range of differing designs for batteries and heating elements in e-cigarettes, which can affect the characteristics of the vapour. We want to make sure that our consumers are met with the

best possible vaping experience, which is why we assess and refine every element of our devices, down to the electronics. Not only do we conduct rigorous tests, but all Vype devices are tested by independent third-party testing laboratories to ensure they are CE certified. This means that they meet the required health, safety, and environmental protection standards. Our devices are also designed to meet the correct voltage, electrical and battery safety standards. All of these parts ensure that the device meets the required safety criteria. We understand and support the strict

measures that our products need to meet. We also think it is vital that retailers and consumers also understand the design of the product they are purchasing, to have confidence that they will experience the best possible vaping experience. That is why we want to start this conversation, to provide retailers and consumers with the tools and knowledge that is needed to make an informed purchase decision. If you would like to join the conversation and find out more about our approach to design, please visit our Vape Quality Matters section at govype.com.

38|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Vaping

Vaping on the rise Vaping continues to grow in popularity as a means to help reduce smoking. OVER 200,000 Irish consumers to date have made the choice to switch to vaping in order to help reduce smoking, according to Vape Business Ireland (VBI), one of the country’s leading vaping trade associations. Vaping products contain nicotine, they do not contain tobacco and do not burn any organic material. This is why many organisations, such as Public Health England in the UK, have stated that vaping is a less harmful alternative to smoking. In its report on the results of the public consultation on the draft health technology assessment (HTA) of smoking cessation interventions, analysis by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) showed that increased uptake of vaping products as an aid to quitting would increase the number of people who successfully quit. Vape Business Ireland has been very active in trying to debunk some of the myths around vaping, such as the belief that vaping products aren’t regulated, and we don’t know what’s in them. All vaping products sold in Ireland must be notified to the Department of Health six months in advance of launch. All Irish and EU vaping devices and liquids are regulated by the Tobacco Products Directive (TPDII). TPDII regulates nicotine strengths, bottle sizes and ensures communications about products are factual and clear. The ingredients that make up all Irish regulated vaping

products must be provided to the Health Service Executive, with detailed information including chemical studies and risk assessments. These regulations act as an important barrier to any products that do not adhere to EU standards entering the Irish market and can be contrasted sharply with the absence of similar regulations in the US and elsewhere. For example, Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent added to cannabis vaping liquid in the US, is banned in all Irish-regulated nicotine vaping products under EU legislation. Another myth suggests that vaping is being targeted at young people, a claim that is strenuously denied by VBI. TPDII and the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) Code of Conduct ensures that products are only targeted at adults. Advertising on TV and social media is heavily restricted. Despite numerous calls by Vape Business Ireland and public health activists, the Government has still not made the sale of vaping products to under 18’s illegal. This could be done by a simple amendment to the Public Health (Tobacco) Act, according to VBI. “For years we’ve been calling on Government to make the sale of vaping products to under 18’s illegal, both to protect young people and to create an environment in which it is fully understood that vaping products are for

adult smokers,” notes the VBI website. In the absence of this legislation, all VBI members must follow a strict Code of Conduct to ensure no underage sales which requires members to only sell vaping products to those 18 and over and to always request ID if there is any doubt about a person’s age. VBI has continuously called on the Government and HSE to embrace vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking and offer smokers clear, factual, information on its Quit.ie website. “The Government has an ambitious plan for a Tobacco Free Ireland which has a target of 5% smoking prevalence by 2025 but the figure is currently stuck at 17%,” notes the VBI website. “Vaping can help our public health if we listen to the science.” Logic Compact It is no surprise that Logic is the number one brand in retail as JTI Ireland Ltd has been a major innovator in this space since entering the e-vapour category in 2015. Within 18 months, its Logic brand was Ireland’s leading e-cigarette brand (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Value Share, October 30, 2016), and Logic continues to be the country’s leading e-vapour brand (Source: Nielsen Scantrack Value Share, August 9, 2020). JTI is proud to announce the latest launch of its new Intense range. Compact Intense nicotine salt

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40|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Vaping

Compact Intense nicotine salt e-liquids are designed to create a richer vapour and more intense flavour for a more satisfying and enhanced vaping experience. e-liquids are designed to create a richer vapour and more intense flavour for a more satisfying and enhanced vaping experience. The new e-liquid range is launching across five flavours - American Tobacco, Spearmint, Peppermint, Polar Menthol and Mixed Berries - so your vaping customers now have even more options to choose from for use with Logic’s newest and smartest device. The five new flavours are available in 18mg/ml nicotine strengths. Logic’s mission is to make vaping simple for Ireland’s adult vapers, and with Logic Compact, things couldn’t be simpler. The pre-filled e-liquid pods click into place magnetically, meaning there is no re-filling, no mess and no fuss. It really is that simple. This user-friendly approach has clearly worked: Ireland’s vapers have responded by making it the leading pod device on the market since its launch in 2019 (Source: Source: Nielsen, period ending August 9, 2020), and the launch of the Intense range means there are now more reasons to choose Logic Compact. To optimise vaping’s potential instore, it is important to know the category and know your customer, educate your staff, merchandise correctly and stay stocked up. JTI’s sales force and customer services team is on hand to provide expert support and advice about Logic Compact, the wider Logic range and the overall vaping category. You can order Logic products through the JTI Engage web ordering portal, your local JTI trade marketer, by calling JTI customer services on (01) 4045400, or through cash and carry. Juul Labs Juul Labs was founded with the goal of helping to transition the world’s one billion adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes. Since launching in Ireland in May 2019, Juul Labs has

built a number of partnerships across key retail sectors in Ireland, as well as the vape channel.

e5d6fea3a59a4720b081893e11fe299e. pdf), with sales of traditional cigarettes continuing to decline in volume terms, down by 6.1% year on year (Source: Nielsen Data, December 2019). Some 5% of the Irish population now use ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems), with one in every three smokers who transition away from traditional tobacco moving to ENDS. The ENDS category in Ireland is divided into two types of product: ‘open’ systems, a device containing a ‘tank’ which they can manually fill with e-liquid, and ‘closed’ systems, which use prefilled ‘cartridges’ which are not designed to be refillable by users, such as Juul. Nielsen data shows the ENDS category in Ireland is growing at 36% on an MAT value basis, with closed systems growing at 47% and accounting for almost 50% of all sales. Juul Labs’ Irish operations are underpinned by its code of practice, going above and beyond to ensure responsible advertising, marketing and age-gated product access. All retail partners must comply with Juul Labs’ ‘Challenge 25’ policy, whereby any customer who looks under the age of 25 must produce ID to prove they are over 18, and retailers are regularly monitored through a mystery shopping auditing programme to ensure adherence. For any stockist enquiries, please contact: iesales@juul.com.

The Juul starter kit is extremely popular with Irish users. vvvvJuul devices and a range of flavoured pods, designed for adult smoker palettes, are available in outlets such as Circle K, BWG Foods, Applegreen, the Barry Group, Tesco and Hale Vape stores, as well as a number of independent retailers across the country. “Our mission is to transition the world’s billion adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes, eliminate their use, and combat underage usage of our products,” says Alan Peyton, Commercial Director with Juul Labs Ireland. The 2019 Healthy Ireland survey revealed that 17% of Irish adults smoke, down from 20% the year before (Source: Healthy Ireland Survey 2019: https://assets.gov.ie/41141/

Alan Peyton, Commercial Director with Juul Labs Ireland.

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Cuimsíonn an táirge seo nicitín, ar substaint an-andúile é. This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

42|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED ON COMMERCIAL RENTS THE old maxim, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;may you live in interesting timesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is massively apt for the times we live in, although you always wonder if this is meant as a blessing or a curse. It cannot be said that we are now living in uninteresting times as we deal with everything that 2020 has thrown up so far for the sector. With the ongoing uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic, it looks like there will be further difficult issues facing the sector as we enter into quarter three and four of this year. Many sectors have been affected by the public health measures introduced for the suppression of the virus and the retail sector has stepped up to the mark in ensuring a safe environment for consumers and staff in their stores. Many retailers took it upon themselves at the outset of the pandemic to install protective measures, such as plastic separation at checkouts, sanitiser at entry points and maintaining social distancing in their stores. Retailers are happy to do this as part of the national effort to supress the virus. Some of retailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues have been addressed by Government, such as local authority rates, some liquidity supports and the reduction of VAT, which were announced as part of the much welcomed July Stimulus Package, but one of the glaring oversights has been the lack of engagement around commercial rents. Action needed on commercial rents The situation with the commercial rent sector is quickly becoming one that could snowball and cause unnecessary damage to jobs and businesses across the country unless it is addressed now. Recent media reports reveal a growing incidence of legal action taken by landlords against tenants.

Retail Ireland are calling on the Government to introduce systems to deal with rent disputes, such as a legally binding arbitration process, to prevent legal procedures clogging up the courts system.

This will become the norm until the Government steps up and intervenes. We in Retail Ireland have been in recent meetings with the Minister for Finance Pascal Donohue TD and have impressed upon him the need for measures in this area. Without systems in place, such as a legally binding arbitration process, there is the potential for legal procedures to begin to clog up the courts system, with the inevitable lengthy waiting times for all parties involved. From speaking to our members, we understand that this is a precarious time, with cash flow and future liquidity becoming a major issue in the months ahead. It is vital for landlords to engage in a constructive way with their tenants before any legal route is examined. Wariness over liquidity measures Along with the issue of commercial rents, there is an issue of liquidity in the sector, especially amongst businesses that were closed for a considerable period of time. While we have welcomed the announcement of measures contained in the July Stimulus Package, there is still some unease in the sector over the nature of some of these liquidity measures. Businesses are still wary of taking extra debt onto their balance sheets and while Government loans have relatively low interest rates, this continues to be a source of caution. As we are entering a period where Budget 2021 negotiations are beginning, Retail Ireland and our members are hopeful that the Government will use this opportunity to inject some much-needed stability and liquidity into a still struggling sector.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie Need more? For more information about what we do and how your retail business can benefit from our unique services and supports, please visit us at www.retailireland.ie.

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44|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Drinks News C&C Group plc changes name to Bulmers Ireland C&C Group plc has announced the rebranding of its business in Ireland to combine its two main operating businesses, C&C Gleeson and Bulmers Limited, under the unified trading name of Bulmers Ireland. The objective is “to better align our business units in Ireland under one corporate identity, which reflects the strength and standing of Bulmers, one of Ireland’s most iconic brands. The modernisation and simplification of our business model in Ireland will support our customer base and enhance our service,” according to the company statement. The company also announced the launch of its new online ordering platform and customer portal system, Bulmers Direct, which customers can access from any digital device. The company also launched the LOCAL app and website www.mylocaldelivers.ie, which connects customers with local food and drinks businesses by facilitating home deliveries, click-and-collect and on-premise table service.

New look for Tia Maria

Budweiser launches major marketing campaign

BUDWEISER Brewing Group (BBG) has launched a major advertising campaign for the Budweiser brand in the Republic of Ireland, focusing on its superior smooth taste. The new advertising campaign will run across all major TV stations, TV Players, YouTube and other online channels. The campaign aims to reconnect with younger audiences and renew its relationship with Irish consumers. Budweiser also launched its new brand visual identity, which will be rolled out as part of the campaign. “Our new campaign focuses on the unique attributes of Budweiser – a smoother taste which is the result of a longer fermentation process than other lagers,” revealed Christophe Jadoul, Marketing Manager, Budweiser Europe, BBG Group, who revealed that the brand’s “new modernised pint glasses and redesigned bottles and cans will reflect our unique brand attributes and support our overall ‘King of Beers’ message.”

ICONIC brand Tia Maria is introducing a new look and design for the classic Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur bottle, but the recipe for the dark liqueur brand will remain exactly the same. Tia Maria dates back to the mid-17th century, when a young Spanish aristocrat fled the Colonial War in Jamaica, and her maid saved one family treasure, a small jewellery box with black pearl earrings and an ancient manuscript with the recipe for a mysterious liqueur. The recipe was named after the courageous woman and Tia Maria was born. The recipe was rediscovered in the 1940s by Dr Kenneth Leigh Evans, who began to produce and market it. Tia Maria is a favourite with coffee cocktail lovers the world over and was even used in the very first Espresso Martini recipe over 40 years ago.

Rockshore unveils ultimate coastal adventure ROCKSHORE has unveiled the ultimate coastal adventure for one winner and their housemates as they announce the ‘Rockshore Island Hop’. The competition will give one group of up to four housemates the chance to win epic coastal experiences on four of Ireland’s most Insta-worthy islands; Glamping under the stars on Inis Mór, lighthouse living on Clare Island (pictured), surfing on Achill Island and a private island takeover at Collanmore Island Lodge. “Rockshore was inspired by the West Coast and has worked with amazing coastal partners since our launch in 2018,” noted Hannah Todd, Rockshore Senior Brand Manager. “We’re excited to collaborate with them again for Rockshore Island Hop, offering one group of housemates the chance to take part in some of the most amazing island experiences.” For more information, see www.rockshore.ie.

Bulmers reveals new ATL campaign

BULMERS Irish Cider has launched an exciting ATL campaign, ‘The Drum – When Time Bears Fruit’. The new ad builds on previous successful campaigns from the home of Irish cider, celebrating Bulmers’ renowned rich refreshment and nuanced fermentation process, and highlighting Bulmers’ dedication to craft over time. Fermented for up to 18 months, Bulmers Original Irish Cider proves that there is no shortcut to greatness. ‘The Drum – When Time Bears Fruit’ contributes to a big year for Bulmers, with the cultural icon celebrating a successful summer in the Clonmel Orchards, whilst welcoming a new brand vision and updated product to the Bulmers family, Bulmers Rose. “We’re delighted to launch this refreshing new campaign, which hinges on Bulmers’ craft and dedication to achieving perfection,” noted Karl Donnelly, Bulmers Marketing Director. “The events of the last few months have shown the value of patience, highly prized at the home of Irish cider, and this campaign alludes to the rewards that come to those who practise it.”

Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie|45

On the Vine

Wines for autumn Jean Smullen looks at the latest Wine Market Report from Drinks Ireland, reveals some interesting wine market news, and highlights some wines to stock for the autumn season. THE 2019 Wine Market Report from Drinks Ireland - Wine makes for interesting reading. 2019 saw a +1.42% increase in wine sales, which means the total market for wine in 2019 once again reached nine million cases (still slightly below the market peak in 2017 of 9.1m cases). In addition, wine has made some ground in its overall share of the alcohol beverage market increasing by +0.2% to 27.2%, making it the nation’s second favourite alcohol beverage, after beer. 83% of all wine sold in 2019 was in the off-trade sector. The popularity of rosé boomed and it now has a 6% market share. White wine is still the most popular, with a 48% market share, and red wine consumption stands at 46%.

The other constant is that Ireland is still the most taxed European nation when it comes to buying wine. Our excise rates on alcohol are the highest in Europe; Irish consumers pay €3.19 in excise per standard bottle of wine (13% ABV). Put bluntly, spend €12 on a bottle of wine and the Government is taking 49% of this in tax. It’s even worse at cheaper price points, which is what most people can afford. If you decide to treat yourself to a bottle of wine at the weekend to share with friends or family and pay €9 (which is the average price point), 54% of this cost goes straight into the Irish exchequer. In 2019, the wine sector paid €378m, a marginal increase of €2m on the previous year, into Government coffers. Over the past decade, wine excise has amounted to tax payments of over €3 billion in terms of revenue. The Irish wine drinker continues to generously support the Irish economy, that’s for sure! In terms of what the Irish consumer is drinking, the biggest news was that Spain moved into second place for volume sales, overtaking Australia, who had enjoyed number one on this market for over 25 years before Chile took the top slot in 2014.

Graham Norton hits 10m bottles

GRAHAM Norton’s collaboration with Kiwi producers, Invivo & Co., goes from strength to strength as the business partners are set to produce their ten millionth bottle of wine this year, a landmark moment since their first run of 14,000 bottles of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 2014. The news comes as Norton is set to release his sixth vintage of Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc with Invivo & Co this September in the UK and Ireland, after making it at home this year, thanks to the pandemic. Invivo Co-founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron had couriered six Sauvignon Blanc samples to Graham, harvested in Marlborough, New Zealand, in March this year, along with a winemaking kit filled with beakers, which Graham set-up at home. Over a two-hour Zoom call, the trio collaborated to create and sign off Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc 2020, distributed in Ireland by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Graham Norton held a virtual meeting with Invivo co-founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron to create the sixth vintage of Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc.

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On the Vine From the mid-1990s, Wine Australia was one of the most active generic bodies here and contributed enormously to creating greater visibility for Australian wine through their marketing efforts. However, the reality of the market was that most Australian wines sales were entry level, varietal brands. In the last five years, that changed; pre-Covid, the Irish consumer was choosing to ‘drink less, but better’; Wine Australia started to chase the €15-20+ category to help Australian producers grow their price points. Australia’s move away from volume sales towards the more premium end of the market reflects their fall in volume sales, with Australia now increasingly focused on the value market. Spain was perfectly poised to step into second place; unlike Australia, their market share is based on both a mix of brands and wines in the mid-price and premium category. Spain has a significant amount of entry level private label value wines on sale here in the supermarkets from regions such as La Mancha and Valdependas. However, they are also quite strong in the midprice sector. An example of this is the enormous popularity of wines from the DOCa Rioja region; Ireland is the 11th most important market globally for Rioja wines. However, sales of Spanish wine are not just about one region, the growth in popularity of Albariño from DOC Rias Baixas and Verdejo from DO Rueda, have also been a factor in the increase in sales of Spanish wine here. Other key regions include DO Ribera del Duero, DO Navarra and the DO Penedes region, all known for their mid-priced and premium wines. Chile continues to be market leader with 27.5% of the volume market. This is due to the enormous popularity of two Chilean producers: Santa Rita, which is the number one wine brand on the Irish market, and Concha y Toro, who are in second place. After Chile, the order of volume sales by country of origin, breaks down as follows: Spain is second with 14%, Australia is third with 12.8%, just ahead of France on 12.6%, with Italy completing the top five on 9.8%. Industry News The agency for the Coravin Wine Preservation System has moved to Cassidy Wines, who took over distribution for this unique wine preservation system on August 1, 2020. Coravin allows restaurants and wine bars to pour wine by the glass without pulling the cork. Thanks to Coravin’s

proprietary technology, customers can now taste, share, compare and enjoy a range of wines without opening the bottle, which preserves the wine for future use. The standard model is priced at €120 and the aerator is €10.90 for a two-pack. Coravin has a range of accessories at varying price points. For more information, contact Amanda Cardiff at Cassidy Wines. Liberty Wines, who already represent Château de Beaucastel and Miraval, have taken over the distribution in Ireland and the UK of the Famille Perrin portfolio of wines, covering all the best appellations from Côtes du Rhône to Châteauneuf du Pape. David Gleave MW, Managing Director of Liberty Wines, said that he has long admired the Perrin family, whose signature stamp of quality is derived from their work in the vineyards of the Southern Rhône, and looks forward to introducing the wine range to their customer base in Ireland. On August 24, leading Irish wine distributor Gilbeys of Ireland officially changed their name to Bibendum Ireland. The company is owned by C&C Group. The change to Bibendum Ireland follows the partnership between Gilbeys and Bibendum, after C&C’s acquisition of the Matthew Clark and Bibendum businesses in 2018. The new company portfolio combines the established brands distributed by Gilbeys of Ireland with Bibendum’s range of premium artisanal wines. Spanish Wine Week is back, Wines of Spain will be running a series of wine events, tastings and promotions from October 12-18, 2020. A new feature of this year’s event will include two tastings and seminars for the trade. More information from Sara Crespo: screspo@ comercio.mineco.es. Autumn wines Now that autumn is here, consumer wine preferences change. As the evenings draw close and the kids go back to

school, people look for comfort foods and comfort wines. The landscape has changed utterly in 2020 and so too have wine choices. The popularity of rosé means that it is no longer seasonal and now sells all year round. The preference for white wine means sales of the popular white varietals continue during autumn and winter. Wine brands remain strong post-Covid and many of the supermarkets have adopted a simplify and rationalise approach, with tried and trusted brands dominating our shelves. A recent report by Wine Intelligence indicates that once the global restrictions are over, the switch to athome drinking will remain a medium to

Brand new from Comans Beverages is Oops!, a Chilean wine brand that is sure to appeal to Irish consumers.

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On the Vine the Albariño grape, the decision to add a white wine to the Campo Viejo portfolio reflects the growing importance of the Galician wine region. Given the current popularity of the Albariño grape, this new wine is bound to generate significant sales; make sure you have it on your shelves this autumn. Campo Viejo sells very well on the Irish market, where it is the 11th most popular brand. The range includes the Campo Viejo Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva and all the wines are produced on their estate on the outskirts of the town of Logrono in the heart of Rioja Alta. Given the popularity of Chile here, it is no surprise that a brandnew Chilean wine brand has just landed on the Irish market. Comans Beverages is highlighting its new Chilean brand, Oops! The brand was created when the wine The premium Argentine brand, Trapiche, from Comans maker “accidently” Beverages, will benefit from promotional activity this mixed up the blend. autumn. The name will certainly appeal long-term trend. They also suggest that to a younger audience and Oops! has the pre-Covid boom for alternative and a red and a white wine in the portfolio. sustainable methods of wine production The white is made from grapes sourced (e.g. natural and organic wines) may not in Leyda, one of Chile’s premium white survive the crisis, as the increasingly wine regions, and is made from a blend price-conscious consumer returns to of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The fundamental choices; plainly speaking, red is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec. Both will a return to brand loyalty and price retail in the €8-10 price point. monitoring. Argentina still continues to grow Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard have apace and the demand for Argentine just launched a brand-new addition to wine shows no sign of abating. Comans the Campo Viejo range, Campo Viejo Beverages’ premium Argentine brand, Albariño. The white comes from the DO Trapiche, won New World Winery of the Rias Baixas and is made from 100% Year in 2019 at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Albariño. Reflecting the enormous Star award. This autumn, promotional interest in this Spanish wine region and

activity will focus on both the Trapiche Reserve range and the core varietals, using some new POS. Trapiche Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec are available in SuperValu and Spar (RRP €12 but regularly €9 on promo). The Reserve range is available in Dunnes, Fine Wines, Molloy’s and Nolan’s Clontarf (RRP €1314).

La Côte Sauvage Cairanne, is a new wine from Comans Beverages, which is produced in the Rhône Valley.

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On the Vine Comans Beverages has also added three new wines produced in the Rhône Valley by Boutinot aimed at independent off licences. They are Les Coteaux Côtes du Rhône Villages (RRP €17-19), La Côte Sauvage Cairanne (RRP €22.99) and Le Cerisiers Côtes Du Rhône Rosé

(RRP €15). Bibendum Ireland is running a promotion for Doña Paula, its range of Argentine wines, with NOffLA in September. Look out for a case offer price of €95 (RRP €14 per bottle) for the 2016 Doña Paula Estate

Black Edition, 2016 Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 2016 Doña Paula Estate Malbec. They also have a case offer price of €136 (RRP €40 per bottle) on the 2012 Doña Paula Seleccion de Bodega Malbec and finally a case offer price of €65 (RRP €19 per bottle) for the 2014 Doña Paula 1100 Malbec. Classic Drinks is now distributing wines from one of Bordeaux’s most recent Wine Geese wineries: Château Puynard. Andrew Eakin and his wife, Naomi Murtagh, both from Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, started their wine careers in London when they set up the Bottle Apostle group of off licences in the UK. In 2016, they bought Château Puynard, which has had a seven-generation history of winemaking. The Eakins intend to carry this legacy into the future with their commitment to the environment; they will receive their official organic certification this year. Classic Drinks has three wines from the estate in its portfolio: Château Puynard Traditional (RRP €21-22), Château Puynard The Steps (RRP €25-26), and Château Puynard Prestige (RRP €40-41).

Bibendum Ireland is running a promotion for Doña Paula with NOffLA in September, with special offers available for the 2016 Doña Paula Estate Black Edition, 2016 Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 2016 Doña Paula Estate Malbec.

Kylie Minogue Wines launch new variants THE latest two wines in the Kylie Minogue Wines portfolio, the Signature Sauvignon Blanc and the Signature Merlot, have been launched, completing the long-awaited Kylie Minogue Wines’ Signature Range, which also includes the wildly popular and best-selling Signature Rosé, debuted in May by pop icon Kylie Minogue. The Signature Sauvignon Blanc originates from Gascony, in the south-west of France, while the Signature Merlot features grapes grown in the sun-drenched Pays d’Oc region in the south of France. Kylie Minogue Wines are distributed in Ireland by Barry & Fitzwilliam. For more information, visit www.kylieminoguewines.com.

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Grow with Aldi

Grow with Aldi winners named This year’s winners of the Grow with Aldi supplier development programme have been revealed. SIX artisan food & drink producers have won a new contract with Aldi as part of the Grow with Aldi supplier development programme. Products from the six winning companies have been chosen to form part of the core range of products, and will launch in all 142 Aldi stores nationwide over the coming weeks and months. The six winners of this year’s Grow with Aldi Supplier Development Programme are: • • • • • •

Dromod Boxty (Dromod, Co. Leitrim) Saturday Pizzas (Little Island, Co. Cork) Hellbent Boerewors Sausage (Newtownards, Co. Down) The Popcorn Factory Candy Floss (Coleraine, Co. Derry) Prokulture Organic Kombucha (Sallins, Co. Kildare) The Piccolo Pizza Co. Pizza Sauce (Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow)

The six winners were part of 45 suppliers that won a place on the programme earlier this year. The 45 suppliers produced over 75 products between them, which went onto the shelves in Aldi in at the end of May for two weeks. A life-changing experience Louis Ludik of Hellbent described being one of the winners as “a once in a lifetime opportunity and a life-changing experience. Grow with Aldi gives us, a small company, an opportunity to supply to a massive retail store, and therefore grow as a company and people. The Grow with Aldi staff have

been nothing but extremely helpful and a pleasure to work with. We can’t be more excited about being a permanent listing in a great store like Aldi. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from our customers.” Aldi has invested over €2.5m in the Grow with Aldi programme since it began in 2018. Developed in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi supports small and medium sized Irish suppliers to gain exposure and experience with a major retailer in Ireland. Suppliers receive tailored mentoring, workshops from the Aldi Buying Team and Bord Bia technical experts, teaching them the skills to help grow and develop their product, brand and business. Delivering for everyone “Now in its third year, Grow with Aldi has consistently delivered for everyone involved,” enthused John Curtin, Aldi Group Buying Director. “Small and medium sized Irish suppliers get the opportunity to have their product sold nationally, shoppers get to enjoy the best Irish-made products being created and Aldi gets to work with even more Irish suppliers. We would like to congratulate the six winners of this year’s programme – they represent the very best of Ireland’s food industry and we are looking forward to seeing these products on shelves in all 142 Aldi stores nationwide. With all that has happened worldwide over the past few months, there couldn’t be a better time to be buying more Irish.” Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO, said: “Now more than ever, supporting Irish producers is hugely important. Retail programmes like Grow with Aldi not only help to meet that consumer demand for Irish products, but also support small and medium Irish suppliers as they develop the skills and capabilities their businesses need in the current climate.” The next phase of the Grow with Aldi programme will see Irish products with a festive feel on the shelves of Aldi’s 143 stores nationwide for Christmas 2020.

Pictured are the winners of the Grow with Aldi Supplier Development Programme (l-r): CJ Stander (Hellbent); Karen Tyner, Bord Bia; Philip Dennhardt (Saturday Pizzas); Laura Harper, Buying Director, Aldi; Joel Dunlop (Popcorn Factory); Rob Rainsford (Prokulture Organic Kombucha); Janet Drew (The Piccolo Pizza Co.); and Aine Faughnan (Dromod Boxty).

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Sustainability & Responsibility

Diageo celebrates sustainability achievements Diageo recently celebrated the conclusion of its 2015-2020 Sustainability and Responsibility achievements. DIAGEO recently celebrated the conclusion of its highly ambitious 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Goals. Originally set in 2008, and refreshed in 2015, the goals were among the most ambitious and stretching in the industry. Diageo was among the first companies to set its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets in line with the principles of the Science Based Targets initiative and an early adopter of absolute, rather than relative, GHG reduction targets. On water stewardship, in 2019 Diageo was appointed a Global Goals Business Avenger as the business champion for UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’. This financial year, Diageo has replenished 1.4m cubic metres of water, the equivalent of 560 Olympic sized swimming pools, in water-stressed areas. “As we close our 2020 targets, we are incredibly proud of the progress we have made and grateful to our employees and selected partners who have helped us deliver transformational progress,” noted Ewan Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer. “Through our programmes, we have made a positive impact on millions of people, in communities all around the world. We have been agile and moved quickly to adapt to the global changes around us. We are excited about the decade of action ahead and will continue to lead the way, driven by the knowledge that our future success is intertwined with the success of the living planet around us.”

Key highlights The 2020 targets were selected to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and designed to cover Diageo’s three main focus areas: reducing environmental impact, building thriving communities and promoting positive drinking. Key highlights delivered include: • Cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from direct operations by 509,000 metric tonnes. delivering on its commitment to reduce absolute emissions by 50%. • Reducing emissions by over a third (33.7%) across its total value chain, going beyond its original 30% target. • In water stressed areas, replenished 100% of the water used in its final product. • Ensured that over 99.5% of its packaging is recyclable and achieved 45% recycled content in its packaging. • Achieved zero waste to landfill in all operational sites and offices. • Supported more than 250,000 people through its projects focused on clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 2020. • Empowered 435,000 women to date through its community programmes. • Championed diversity such that 39% of leadership positions are now held by women, going beyond its original target of 35%. Reducing harmful drinking Diageo has also long supported the World Health Organization’s goal of reducing harmful drinking by 10% across the world by 2025 and has set itself stretching targets to reach in this area over the next five years. So far, it has reached over 229m people with moderation messages via its brands and helped educate 1m young people, parents and teachers about the dangers of underage drinking. Key reflections Reflections from the last five years of working towards these goals are: • The importance of linking sustainability to core business strategies. Diageo’s clean water, sanitation and hygiene programme is an integral part of its water

Ewan Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Diageo. strategy, focusing on communities directly connected to its core business, while supporting Diageo’s successful drive to replenish water in water-stressed areas. • How important it is to have total alignment within the business and strong sponsorship from leaders, as well as effective execution monitoring. • Inclusion and gender equality should be built into every community programme, rather than treated as a separate objective. • Early investment in infrastructure and a process of continuous improvement are key to success. It is possible to increase Diageo’s impact through long-term, strategic NGO partnerships with organisations like Care International UK and WaterAid. Diageo benefits from its partners’ indepth knowledge of local contexts and programme design, so that together they can address issues such as inequality, water stress and climate change. In the coming months, the company will also be announcing a new set of targets to help further support in the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals over the critical decade to 2030.

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Forecourt Focus: Fuels for Ireland

Fuels for Ireland faces the future

Kevin McPartlan, CEO, Fuels for Ireland, explains how the fuels industry is determined to continue to power Irish motoring, heating, agriculture, industry and travel to 2050 and beyond, while gradually decreasing our dependence on oil. ALMOST 30 years ago, petrol station operators, home heating suppliers and other essential businesses came together to form the Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA). The organisation became a strong advocate for its members on issues around fuel specifications, revenue and safety and as the years passed, our focus on environmental concerns increased. Now, as our global climate emergency rightly dominates almost all policy discussions, including those taking place within our industry, the focus of our association also has shifted. We all must play our part in achieving carbon neutrality in Ireland by 2050 and for our members, this means fundamentally transforming the way we do business and the liquid fuels we provide. Unsustainable dependence on fossil fuels One thing is abundantly clear; our current level of dependence on fossil fuels is entirely unsustainable. Fossil fuels cannot be the basis of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term energy plans, or the basis of our industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term business strategy. But, with Ireland still heavily dependent on oil, turning off the tap

on supply is simply not a realistic option. Without liquid fuels, almost 700,000 homes would be without heat, our supermarket shelves would be empty, our critical infrastructure and emergency services would be substantially degraded, our farms would be rendered completely unmanageable,

flights would be permanently grounded, international trade would be frozen and our family connections and social and professional lives would be enormously disrupted. We are engaged in a transition from huge dependence on fossil fuels to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

The fuels on which on which we depend today will not be those that power Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tomorrow.

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Forecourt Focus: Fuels for Ireland While we are absolutely determined to continue to power Irish motoring, heating, agriculture, industry and travel to 2050 and beyond, we need to do so while gradually decreasing our dependence on oil. Some of the alternatives such as FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) and ethanol have already been widely introduced and we are only beginning to explore the potential of others, like hydrogen and green compressed natural gas. We will explore every avenue, and take every necessary step, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the products we bring to the Irish market. We have already demonstrated our adaptability and willingness to embrace new products and practices. The total number of EV (electric vehicle) charging points in place across the networks has increased by almost 50% in the last five years alone, and 330,000 tonnes of carbon emissions are being prevented through current biofuel blending in road transport fuels. However, in order to help Ireland hit its target of net carbon-zero by 2050, we will need to go much further. Decreasing reliance on petrol, diesel and kerosene The fuels on which on which we depend today will not be those that power Ireland’s tomorrow. In the next few decades, our reliance on petrol, diesel and kerosene will reduce and may ultimately be eliminated entirely, but our society must continue to function. We will still need liquid fuels to drive our cars, to enable hauliers to deliver goods, to heat our homes, to allow businesspeople and holidaymakers fly overseas and to allow shipping companies to bring cargo to and from our island.

About the author: KEVIN McPartlan is CEO of Fuels for Ireland - formerly known as the Irish Petroleum Industry Association, which brings together companies involved in the importation, distribution and marketing of petroleum products, low carbon liquid fuels and other means to power transport, heating, agriculture, aviation and industry in Ireland. Its membership is made up of Applegreen, Circle K, Corrib Oil, East Cork Oil, Emo, Inver Energy, Irving Oil, LCC, Maxol, Top Oil and Valero.

Our fuels will change, and as such, our association must also change. We are no longer an Irish Petroleum Industry Association. Instead, we are a group of those who provide Fuels for Ireland. We are determined to make Ireland’s energy transition a reality, and one that works for all of society. Working together, Fuels for Ireland will play a key role in building an environmentally sustainable future. To read ‘Powering today and tomorrow’, Fuel for Ireland’s vision for our role through the transition to carbon neutrality and beyond, please go to www.fuelsforireland.ie.

Fuels for Ireland wants Government to allow ethanol changes ‘POWERING today and tomorrow’ is the Fuels for Ireland strategy which sets out the organisation’s plans for the industry to become carbon neutral by 2050. “The liquid fuels we provide are being transformed. With the right supports, Fuels for Ireland can play a leading role in making Ireland’s energy transition a reality,” notes Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland. “Remarkable improvements in engine technology and efficiency have already transformed how we use fuels; now the challenge will be how to change our overall fuel mix to dramatically cut and ultimately eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.” To meet the needs of Irish motorists, more and more forecourt operators are now supporting electric vehicle charging, while liquid fuels are being progressively transformed as the amount of biofuel which can be added to motor fuel increases, 330,000 tonnes of carbon emissions are already prevented annually by blending zero-carbon biofuels into petrol and diesel. To accelerate this process, Fuels for Ireland is calling on the new Government to mandate the doubling of ethanol in petrol sold in Ireland as a matter of urgency. The current E5 blend means that ethanol makes up 5% of the petrol which is used in Ireland’s cars. Doubling the amount of ethanol used by switching to E10 would result in an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 90,000 tonnes: which would be the equivalent of taking 50,000 cars off the road. The transformation of liquid fuels goes far beyond the

More and more forecourt operators now support electric vehicle charging. greater utilisation of biofuels, however. Emissions-free hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are likely to play a big role, and plans are in place to establish up to 80 hydrogen fuel stations by 2030. Other exciting new fuel technologies are also going to present major opportunities for fuelling transport while slashing emissions, including compressed natural gas (CNG) and e-fuels. “Everyone realises that the country cannot change overnight, given the essential role that our members’ products currently play in sustaining our economy and supporting our way of life,” says McPartlan. “But the technological improvements and innovations already underway are transforming liquid fuels, and the pace of change is going to accelerate. Working together, we will become carbon neutral by 2050, while continuing to provide Irish people with the fuel they need. “To bring this positive change about as quickly as possible, we want all solutions to be on the table, because we want all our citizens to have the fuels they need for the lives they lead: now and long into the future.”

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Forecourt Focus: News Maxol Ardbrae reopens after €1.7m investment MAXOL Ardbrae, located on Vevay Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow, reopened recently following a substantial investment of €1.7m, with a range of fantastic in-store upgrades including new food offerings and customer seating. The investment included the introduction of a new Maxol Deli and Mexican food offering, Taste of Mexi-Co, giving customers a wide choice of freshly made sandwiches and tasty burritos from early morning to evening every day. The refurbishment also includes improvements to the car wash facility, eight additional car parking spaces, a new seating area for 26 customers, free customer WiFi and the introduction of Maxol’s new premium fuel range. Licensee of Maxol Ardbrae, Jim Shanahan was presented with a special cake to mark 40 years at the company. “We are thrilled to reopen our doors and welcome back our customers,” he said. “The last few months have been challenging for all of us in many ways and we are very delighted to be in a position where we can offer an improved customer experience with two new food offerings and a brand new seating area, which will of course be managed in line with current social distancing rules.”

Circle K customers are ‘Here for Ireland’ CIRCLE K is reaffirming its commitment to supporting Team Ireland athletes, by announcing the continuation of the ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative. Both the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have been postponed until 2021, meaning that for Team Ireland athletes, the journey to Japan has become a little longer. Through the ‘Here for Ireland’ Judy Glover, Senior Market initiative, Circle K customers Director, Circle K Ireland. can show their support for Team Ireland athletes as they strive to achieve Olympic and Paralympic glory in Tokyo next year, by simply scanning either the Circle K app or their Play or Park loyalty tag in-store. In so doing, they will automatically generate digital coins, which Team Ireland athletes can then use to fuel their journey to Tokyo. Over the course of the initiative to date, Circle K customers have generated more than 117m digital coins, worth over €82,500, for the athletes to use, all of which have been shared evenly amongst them. “As an extremely proud partner of both the Irish Olympic and Paralympic Teams, we remain deeply committed to supporting our homegrown champions and fuelling their journey to the Tokyo Games next year,” said Judy Glover, Senior Market Director, Circle K Ireland.

Brian Donaldson, Group CEO, Maxol, is pictured with licensee of Maxol Ardbrae, Jim Shanahan, as Jim celebrates 40 years with the company.

Applegreen celebrates birthday in style APPLEGREEN celebrated its birthday on July 24 (24-7) by spreading some fun and cheer during these challenging times. The company reduced the price of fuel to just 24.7 cent per litre for one day only, as Pictured is Applegreen’s Chief part of its special ‘24/7’ birthday Operating Officer, Joe Barrett celebrations., in 24 with Kate O’Shaughnessy, Applegreen outlets Applegreen (left) and Fiona around Ireland. The Matthews, Applegreen (right) last time fuel was on at Applegreen Mount Merrion, Dublin 4, to launch Applegreen’s sale at a comparable price in Ireland was birthday celebration on July 24. in the early 1960s. “This is our way of sharing our ‘24/7’ birthday with customers and reaffirming our commitment to value and community,” said Joe Barrett, Chief Operating Officer of Applegreen.

New look for Maxol Dooradoyle MAXOL Dooradoyle, located on St Nessan’s Road, Co. Limerick, has recently undergone a substantial investment of almost €1m, which has seen a range of upgrades and great new features, including the transformation of the site’s food offering, new seating, a new car wash facility, more parking and the addition of Maxol’s new premium fuel range, as well as contactless payment at the services area. “We are very excited to welcome our customers into our newly improved store and forecourt, many of whom are very loyal to us and are like family,” noted licensee of Maxol Dooradoyle, Kieran O’Shea. “Despite recent challenging months, we consider ourselves lucky to be in a position where John Hadnett, Regional Manager, Maxol, we can provide an enhanced customer offering with our new premium fuels pictured with Siobhan and Kieran range, new and exciting food options and a new seating area, which will of O’Shea, licensees of Maxol, Dooradoyle in course be carefully managed to abide by social distancing rules.” the forecourt’s new look seating area.

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POP, PLAY, EAT, RECYCLE: PRINGLES REVEALS NEW PAPER CAN Pringles trials new recyclable paper tube in partnership with Tesco The iconic Pringles can is set for a major eco makeover as the company announces the trial of a new tube made of recycled paper which is widely recyclable. Launched in partnership with Tesco, the trial is taking place in a small number of UK stores since September 9. Invented by organic chemist and food storage technician, Fredric John Baur, the famous Pringles can has been a defining feature of the product since it was launched in 1967 in the USA. The current tube is made up of a combination of foil, paper board, metal and plastic, meaning it can be difficult to recycle through the existing household recycling system set-up. But the make-up of the new-look can means people will be able to pop this in their home recycling bins. The paper cans will be trialled with two different lids, a paper lid and a plastic lid. Both can be recycled. It’s taken a team at Kellogg, the company which owns Pringles, almost 12 months to create the new tube. It has been specially

designed to protect its iconic hyperbolic paraboloid shaped crisp, maintain long shelf life while ensuring the crisps remain crunchy, and be widely recyclable. If successful, the company could roll out the new look packaging across Europe. The new paper Pringles tube test in the UK follows a similar trial of a recyclable steel can in Italy at the end of last year. The development of new solutions for the Pringles can is part of Kellogg’s commitment to ensure 100% of its packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by end of 2025. Aside from packaging, Pringles has already reduced its impact on the environment in many ways. Over the last decade, changes to production have meant Pringles uses 18% less water, 16% less carbon emissions and 16% less waste per gram of packaged product. Speaking about the pilot, Miranda Prins, Pringles vice-president, said: “We are eager to play our part and reduce our impact on the planet. And, Pringles fans expect that of us too. So, we’ve worked hard to come up with this new can, which is widely recyclable and keeps our chips fresh and tasty and protects them from breaking up – which helps to reduce food waste. “The important thing for us now is getting the trial up and running with Tesco and collecting all the data and consumer feedback. At this stage it is too early to say whether we’ll roll out this new paper tube, however, the information

we collect will help us understand if people like it and if it works on the supermarket shelf and at home. This trial will help us create the Pringles can of the future.” The Tesco based trial of the new paper can will last for six weeks. In-depth studies will be conducted to help Pringles understand the reaction of shoppers – including high-tech eye tracking analysis to show how people visually react to the new packaging on shelf. Also this year, Pringles has reduced salt by 10% and saturated fat by 12% in seven of its flavours.

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Fuels

Becoming a Calor retailer

Calor Gas is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of LPG and the only supplier of renewable BioLPG.

our products or you can take part in Calor’s Health & Safety training courses. To support its network of retailers, Calor includes all its partner retailers in the Calor Retailer map on its website. To promote your business, Calor offers marketing support throughout the year, with seasonal campaigns and regular advertising in trade publications. Calor also provides support to retailers to develop their own social media profile through its Social Media Academy, helping you drive sales across all your product lines.

Calor is available in a range of cylinder sizes and types, including propane, butane and patio gas cylinders. IN nearly every town and village across the island, Calor is a trusted partner for retailers of all types and sizes, including hardware stores, petrol stations, fuel merchants and grocery stores. A recognised brand with over 80 years’ experience, Calor Gas is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of LPG and the only supplier of renewable BioLPG. Retailer benefits As a Calor retailer, you have access to a dedicated and experienced local representative to support and grow your cylinder gas sales. Calor retailers and their customers have peace of mind as all cylinders go through a vigorous seven-point safety check before being transported to your store. Cylinder support teams are on hand to give you advice on any aspect of

Calor cylinders To ensure customers’ needs are met, Calor is available in a range of cylinder sizes and types, including propane, butane and patio gas cylinders. Across the range of cylinders, you will have all year-round business with winter heat and summer leisure products. Calor is also the only company in Ireland which supplies BioLPG, the first renewable format of the convenient energy source. So, for customers who ask about sustainability, you can offer them a solution with Calor BioLPG. Calor BioLPG patio gas cylinders are available in 11kg and 6kg. Calor’s 6kg patio gas cylinder is made of lightweight material and comes with a handy contents gauge to ensure users never run out of gas for those busy summer days. These cylinder sizes, which are aimed at the outdoor recreation market, have experienced strong growth in recent years. For more information on joining Calor’s network of retailers, contact 1850 812450 or visit calorgas.ie.

Calor is the only company in Ireland which supplies BioLPG, the first renewable format of the convenient energy source

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Fuels

Fuels market heats up

Consumers are increasingly seeking home heating and fuel products as the weather turns colder, with spot-heating the home growing in popularity as consumers look to control their home heating bills. Nugget product in a 20kg convenience size bag, complemented by a smaller

AS the weather turns autumnal, now is the perfect time to stock up on home heating and fuel products. More and more consumers are bidding to keep their central heating costs down by returning to the lighting of open fires or using mobile heating appliances, demand for which is increasing. Spot heating the home is growing in popularity, as consumers can save money by heating specific areas, rather than running their central heating throughout the whole house. Bord na Móna Bord na Móna Home Heating will continue providing warmth to over a million people in increasing sustainable ways. For many decades, Bord na Móna has brought the comfort and magic of a real fire into Irish homes and today continues to lead the way in designing an innovative and convenient range of home heating solutions for Irish consumers. It all started with the Briquette, a traditional part of Irish heritage. Briquettes consistently deliver a quality performance, are easy to light, with a high heat output, long burn time and are suitable for stoves and open fires. Briquettes remains a firm favourite of Irish fireplaces today.

The convenient 10kg Bord na Móna Peat Nugget pack size, perfect for a fast lighting warm fire. Bord na Móna confirms its commitment to the retail sector with continued innovation and development of a convenient product range to meet the needs of the consumer shopping in this channel. Growing in popularity and demand with the consumer is the Peat

Bord na Móna Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs are easy to display, easy to store and designed to meet the needs of the modern retail and convenience shopper.

Fuel Up Your Sales Stock up today

Call us on 1850 744 755 Or contact your local Business Development Executive

60|Retail News|September 2020|www.retailnews.ie

Fuels

Bord na Móna’s extra fast lighting Quicklog is a great success with consumers, creating the perfect base to get a fire established conveniently, cleanly and quickly. 10kg bag format with an easy to carry handle. The nugget, with all the great benefits of the original iconic briquette, is perfect for time poor consumers looking to enjoy a fast lighting, warm fire with a

bright golden flame. Also available is a sustainably sourced 100% natural carbon neutral wood log range. This includes premium quality Kiln Dried Hardwood logs, Kiln Dried

Flogas Superser heaters are the perfect solution for your cost-conscious customers who want to instantly spot-heat a room: www.flogas.ie.

Kindling and Air Dried Logs, all available in convenient carry home pack, easy to display, easy to store and all designed to meet the needs of the modern retail and convenience shopper. Other high quality products showing an increase in demand from shoppers in the convenience category are the Bord na Móna Firelogs, Firelighters and ECO Logs. The Eco Logs are 100% natural made from sawdust and wood chips and clean to handle. Their condensed design is dry, easy to light and creates an odourless fire. The business continues to offer more choice to the shopper and the introduction of the extra fast lighting Quicklog was a great success with consumers, creating the perfect base to get a fire established conveniently, cleanly and quickly and is readily available to purchase in a take home convenient box size of 10 Quicklogs. The full Bord na Móna range of home heating solid fuel solutions are suitable for users of both open fires and stoves. Bord na Móna provide a tailored after sales service, including product specific signage, available to their customers to educate and support a great consumer shopping experience. Further information is available from the business development team or contact the customer support team at 1850 744755. Flogas Retail customers are always seeking cost-effective solutions to help their customers to control their home heating bills and Flogas Superser heaters are a recognisable and proven bestseller. The new look, contemporary and stylish Flogas Superser Radiant is fitted with easy glide castors for trouble-free moving from room to room. “Flogas Superser heaters are the perfect solution for cost-conscious customers. They are extremely useful as an instant, economic and portable way to ‘spot-heat’ a room quickly, as many customers find it far cheaper than turning on the central heating for an hour or two,” said Eoin O’Flynn of Flogas Ireland,

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Fuels the exclusive distributor for Superser in Ireland and the UK. For more info, see www.flogas.ie. Homestead After the launch of the Homestead brand in 1986, the firelighter range quickly became a staple product within the brand’s portfolio, generating considerable

Homestead’s Firelighters range generates considerable sales in the category.

sales in this category. It is estimated that Homestead Firelighters account for 53% of total firelighter sales within symbol groups and independent retailers, while rivalling the two leading brands in Ireland. The Homestead fuels range consists of two skus of firelighters, 30’s and 60’s, and a Firelog which was introduced to the range in early 2005. Less than 70% of households now have open fires and this is impacting the ignition sector, according to Homestead. However, private label, including Homestead, still dominates the market with 67% value and 77% volume share, the company maintains. Homestead has remained loyal to its heritage and continues to ‘Bring Value Home’ to the consumer with high quality product that is produced is here in Ireland.

It is estimated that Homestead Firelighters account for 53% of total firelighter sales within symbol groups and independent retailers.

The hugely popular Homestead Firelog, part of the brand’s portfolio since 2005.

Keep them snug nug with Superserr Exclusive distributor for Superser heaters in Ireland In this chilly current climate, your customers will be looking for new ways to heat their homes this Winter. So why not oﬀer them a super snug alternative? Super economical, super-eﬃcient and exclusive from Flogas. Superser is the simplest way to heat any room in an instant. • The original mobile gas heater • Leading brand – highest quality

Superse r Exclusiv ely from Flo gas

• Modern Design with latest safety features

To order contact Flogas on T: 041 983 1041 | E: info@ﬂogas.ie | W: ﬂogas.ie/business/dealershop

Wherever you are

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In-Store Efficiency

The future is multi-

skilled! Simon Hedaux, founder and CEO of Rethink Productivity, advises on five essential tools to equip staff with to improve efficiency and your bottom line. WHEN I first started in retail, there was clear divide between warehouse teams and shopfloor based teams. They even used to wear different uniforms. Since the roll-out of Epos, retailers have used technology to improve efficiency. The days of a colleague looking after a defined section of the floor and being supported by an extensive hierarchy of managers are long gone. Now in-store colleagues turn their hand to everything, and leadership structures are flatter. Technology has enabled this leaner operation and tough competition has made an efficient operating model essential for survival. Retail Economics, an independent UK-based economics consultancy, reported in October 2019 that store profit margins had halved in the last eight years. Retail has never been tougher, and we need to equip our teams with the right tools to be successful. The store technology that has grown in use during this year is contactless payment. It reduces the risk of virus transmission and it’s a great way to speed up payment times too. From time and motion studies, we know that contactless payment takes less than half the time for chip and pin, and it’s quicker than cash too. Encouraging greater uptake of contactless is a win for your customer, your colleagues, and your bottom line. Another facility that is becoming increasingly important is the ability to order stock for customers in-store. As omnichannel customers want easy access to the widest range offered by a retailer, the ability to place orders in-store is essential. Retailers have tried using kiosk technology; however,

it has not been taken up by customers. In-store ordering works best when a colleague has engaged with the customer and offers to order products for them. How that’s achieved isn’t as important as the fact it can be done quickly and easily. Some brands use iPads and tablets to leverage website functionality. It’s an option that works well if there isn’t a prolonged hunt to find the iPad when its needed. Other brands have added the functionality to their tills. Payment options and placing in-store orders are now essential tools for stores. What are the other tools that are essential for colleagues? 1. A tool for easy logging in and confirming hand-out of clickand-collect parcels is a must. Click-and-collect customers tend to be loyal and valuable. They shop multiple channels and often buy extra items while they are in-store picking up their parcel. So don’t give your team a paper checklist or a long-winded till function to manage their part of the operation. Scan the order in at the back door and out again when the customer collects it. It needs to be easy for everyone to use; there’s nothing worse than turning up to the store, only to find the click-and-collect experts have finished for the day and those remaining are not sure how to manage handing over what you’ve already paid for. 2. Colleagues need a tool to make it easy to do all the stock

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In-Store Efficiency tasks that keep the shelves well stocked. When we spend time instore during work/study projects, it’s amazing how often teams struggle with systems that don’t talk to each other and require a manual data entry work-around. Or we sometimes see old, unreliable HHTs in use that are long overdue replacement, or even brands with great tools but a poor WiFi signal so they can’t be used in far corners of the store or in a basement. Putting stock on the shelves is one of the core tasks for a store team and stock management activities take up a large proportion of store time. It makes sense to have simple-to-use tools that everyone can use for stock tasks. 3.

As leadership structures have got leaner, tools for managers have needed a rethink. Gone are the days when a manager could spend the morning in their office poring over pages of head office missives to work out what they need to do and when. Some retailers use a form of diary that logs all the regular activities it’s important not to forget, such as fire alarm and fridge temperature checks. The most efficient deploy a task management system that keeps the store up-todate with the regular tasks and plans in one-off actions via a digital portal. The systems help with compliance, as the store team confirm they’ve completed the task and often have options to upload a photograph or to log feedback to make the process easier next time. The system requires initial investment and a head office colleague to keep it up to date and saves time for managers in every store.

Retail technology, such as the advent of payment using smart-phones, smart-watches etc, has improved the shopping experience for consumers and sped up the payment process for all. 4.

Workforce management systems have been in existence since the days when factory workers had to punch a card to clock in and out each day. Most offer colleagues tools to help them manage their working time. With the ability to check their rota, request holidays and even sign up for extra shifts via an app, these are tools that colleagues appreciate and help teams work flexibly to match the business need. For many businesses, the advice and recommendations they provide are a differentiator for them and drive extra revenue. Yet too often, product knowledge training is an afterthought or relies on colleagues

reading brochures during their breaks. As brands leverage their websites to provide product information to customers, smart retailers make that content available to help their teams too. Information via a tablet or even the colleague’s own phone can power higher transaction values and link selling. Retail used to be simple. Armed with a price gun and a till, you could get most things done at one time. The world and customers are more sophisticated now and business is more challenging. Deploying the right tools gives your teams a head-start in doing a great job for you in return.

About the author:

As brands leverage their websites to provide product information to customers, smart retailers make that content available to help their teams too, often via a tablet.

Simon Hedaux is founder and CEO of Rethink Productivity, a world leading productivity partner which helps businesses to drive efficiency, boost productivity and optimise budgets. For more information, see rethinkproductivity.co.uk.

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Covid-19 Pandemic

Ta p p i n g i n t o t h e new psychology of shoppers

Mike Owen of Modo Marketing examines the changing psychology of grocery shoppers and how retailers can take advantage. THE grocery sector has always been the bedrock of traditional bricks and mortar retailing and it is not surprising why. How many people have wanted to check first-hand the ripeness of a tomato or how fresh the lettuce looks? The up-front examination is everything. The Covid-19 pandemic has, however, accelerated a change in the psychology of grocery shoppers. Health guidelines like ‘lockdown’ and ‘working from home’ have focused the mind of many people on health consciousness, with a need to keep financial stability in the throes of unemployment or furlough. Purse strings are tightened; more home cooking and fewer luxuries mean there is no longer any need to buy specialist products when basic provisions can be met at home. Home is the HQ Staying at home means larger purchase sizes. This has led to fewer trips to the supermarket, bigger basket/cart sizes when you get there and an increase in private label purchases. People have also become more conscious of what they are putting into their bodies. Social distancing has resulted in many people resorting to online purchasing of groceries instead of doing a physical shop in-store. As long as there is availability, at a right price and within an efficient delivery time, consumers are prepared to forego their normal habits for the sake of convenience and time-saving, and obviously the surge in online purchasing for groceries during the Covid-19 pandemic has also been due to health concerns, as shoppers limit their journeys outside the home. Interestingly, the market has seen an exponential increase in conversion in the over-50 age group, who might have been thought to resist the move to online grocery shopping. Health concerns drive shoppers online According to Accenture, there is expected to be a 160% increase in eCommerce purchases from new and low frequency users

(https://www.accenture.com/lu-en/insights/retail/coronavirusconsumer-behavior-research). The vast majority of consumers who have increased their use of digital and omnichannel services, such as home delivery, curb-side pickup or shopping via social media platforms, expect to sustain these activities into the future. This is backed up by research carried out in Ireland by Empathy, which demonstrates that the move to online for grocery shopping rose significantly during the pandemic (https://www.adworld.ie/2020/04/24/new-research-showsfirst-timers-embrace-online-shopping-during-lockdown/). Of the increase in online shopping, which saw penetration rise to 12% from its normal 5%, over a third were ‘first-timers’, and of these, 24% were from the over-65 age group, many of whom were cocooning during the pandemic. The WundermanThompson Future Shopper Report 2020 highlights that online shopping, and shopping on Amazon in particular, is a popular choice across most industry sectors, including health and pharmaceutical, entertainment and toys. However, the report also found that 30% of those purchasing luxury products and 40% of those buying groceries would never buy these products online. But with lockdown measures still firmly in place for most countries, consumer resolve is likely to be tested and loyalty to physical stores waning. Consumers are taking stock of their own concerns in terms of home cooking and shopping for local produce and the process of reducing food waste. They are also taking time over what they will need for food or grocery items, with many choices being made before consumers enter the supermarket and much of the research for product information carried out online. Research undertaken by Bazaarvoice saw that whilst there was an increase in online orders during the pandemic, 41% of respondents said that they were currently shopping online for things they would normally shop for in-store (https://www. marketingweek.com/how-covid-19-has-changed-shopper-

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Covid-19 Pandemic

Mike Owen, Modo Marketing. behaviour/). By April, they were spending more time online and they were pushing online grocery purchasing out of the number one essential’ category. This may have been caused by people getting used to spending longer periods of time at home, moving past the essential necessity phase, product shortages having eased and, as a result, they were now looking to prioritise purchases in different product categories. Changing mood for greater online experiences Every generation’s lives and shopping behaviours are now intertwined with digital commerce. They are driven even more strongly by factors such as range, ease, speed and convenience. Online grocery shopping, both delivery and pickup, reduces the number of trips people have to take out of home and the number of people they interact with, while also helping to lower the risk for store personnel. For retailers, inserting a row of fresh vegetables on Walmart Grocery or Amazon Fresh or a company website, using the same grid style as the one they use to sell laptops or smartphone cases, can look clinical and confusing, like an auto-parts catalogue of a supermarket rather than a digital storefront. Most food shoppers want to touch the tomatoes, for example. Slicing the grocery store up into individual, pixelated goods doesn’t feel like grocery shopping anymore. Relevant, accurate information is the key Bryan Leach, CEO of shopping promotions company IBotta, predicts that shoppers “won’t lose the ability to manipulate the avocados, pick something up on short notice, or just browse aimlessly for meal inspiration”. Retailers will have to up their game to

provide improved customer experience in product presentation and selection online. Some grocery retailers are already providing online menus and the ingredients to cook for specific meals. Internet-grocery fetchers might come to be seen more as the small shopkeepers of the turn of the century, or perhaps as community-supported agriculture services, delivering fresh, local goods or providing specialised groceries or services. eCommerce sites which provide specialised product information, through chatbots, specialised product range and/or knowledgeable staff, will further enhance the experience and value. Some companies, such as Fortuitas and Javelin Group, are supporting retail brands to provide better and more accurate product information to their eCommerce websites with the help of product information management systems. The provision of consistent data in an omni-channel environment means that up-to-date product knowledge and availability can be accessible on an ongoing basis, leading to better trust and increased online sales. Whilst the access to marketplaces such as Google, Amazon Fresh and Ocado during the pandemic continues to grow for grocery products, some marketplaces have defined certain tactics to keep customers engaged during the pandemic through the effective use of product information. These include: 1. Prevent panic buying with product badging This has been utilised where marketplaces need to adopt proactive steps to discourage panic buying and encourage responsible shopping behaviours. This ensures more than just rationing of products, and influences how customers view your brand, one that empathises with customers through social concerns. A good way to do this is

through product badging, where you limit the purchase of essential products per user. 2. Promote stay-at-home This works by offering a unique opportunity to improve customer experiences by promoting product categories that are most popular at a given time. Stay-at-home and workfrom-home lifestyles are presenting new and unique requirements for users. There is a need to create relevant product categories designed for work from home and promote them on your website. 3. Back-in-stock notifications / recommendations for similar products Creating a landing page with relevant recommendations for similar products that other users have purchased can serve as a way to improve customer experience on your website. There is no doubt that Covid-19 has changed the grocery purchasing mentality for shoppers and it is likely to develop further during the pandemic. The big question is whether many of these habits are likely to remain postCovid? What is certain, however, is that increasing accuracy of product information will be key to a continued growth for sales, both online and in-store. About the author: HAVING worked with tech and marketing departments with many international companies for over 20 years, Modo Marketing uses a strong knowledge base to now write on how advanced and exciting technologies are impacting marketing and business practices in markets through digital transformation. For more information, visit www.modomarketing.com.

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated a change in the psychology of grocery shoppers.

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What's New BIC GEL-OCITY – THE ULTRA-FAST DRYING RANGE OF GEL PENS BIC Gel-ocity Quick Dry Gel pens are the perfect writing instrument for fast thinkers. Using its ultrafast drying ink, the gel pen glides smoothly across the page, avoiding those irritating smudges, drips and leaks, resulting in a vibrant and concise writing style. With a medium 0.7mm-point, the design lights up the page with luminous ink options, adding a pop of colour to any notes, and the range offers 13 classic and vibrant writing colours - blue, black, red, green, purple, turquoise, pink, orange, light orange, lime green, light purple, dark pink and sea green – ideal for turning note-taking into something memorable. When it comes to durability, the full-grip barrel featured on the range is made for the best handling and ultimate writing comfort to help avoid hand-ache.

GLENISK LAUNCHES NEW QUARK RANGE FOUNDER of Pure Results and Irish television personality, Kathryn Thomas, has partnered with Glenisk to launch its new health-focused Quark range. Glenisk’s Quark range comes in four heavenly flavours: Luscious Mixed Berry, Mango & Passionfruit, Coconut & Vanilla and Perfect Peach. Each 150g Pot RRP’s at €1.39, and 4 x 100g Pots RRP’s at €2.99. The range will be available in all great retailers in August. For further information, visit Glenisk.com.

SUPERVALU LAUNCHES NEW REUSABLE FRUIT, VEG & BAKERY BAGS SUPERVALU has launched a new, more sustainable option for bagging loose produce. The new bags are washable and certified food safe. This reusable option will keep food fresher for longer, as the breathable material doesn’t sweat in the fridge. Customers can now purchase the new Fruit, Veg & Bakery bags at 2 for €1 at designated points in most stores nationwide. “We are thrilled to roll out yet another sustainable initiative in stores around the country,” noted Ray Kelly, Interim Managing Director, SuperValu. “SuperValu is working hard to offer our customers sustainable choices with continuous measures being introduced to meet this.”

BRENNANS BREAD LAUNCHES SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BRENNANS Bread has announced that its wax paper packaging used for many of its products, including the popular Family Pan white sliced pan, is now 100% recyclable and industrial compostable. This means the Brennans wax paper wrapping can go into either the green recyclable bin or the brown compost bin. It comes as a new survey reveals 84% of Irish adults didn’t know this was possible, despite the fact that 88% of respondents said they would have some level of confidence in terms of knowing whether a product is recyclable or not. Just 22% claim they are very confident, while 10% said they would not be confident at all in knowing if a product is recyclable or not. “Our survey shows there is still some confusion out there and that’s why we decided to launch this sustainability campaign,” said Derek Beatty, Commercial Director, Brennans Bakeries. “Now, by choosing Brennans Bread, consumers can enjoy the same great tasting fresh quality bread but can be confident in the knowledge that they are contributing positively towards sustainability and the environment.” Broadcaster and TV presenter Lucy Kennedy is pictured with Ivan Hammond, Head of Marketing at Brennans Bakeries, launching its new sustainability campaign. For more information, visit www.brennansbread.ie.

LILY’S KITCHEN REVEALS MOROCCANINSPIRED LAMB TAGINE RECIPE LEADING natural pet food company, Lily’s Kitchen is setting tongues and tails wagging with a brand new lamb tagine recipe for dogs. The newest wet recipe to be added to the Lily’s Kitchen dog menu is inspired by the classic flavours of Morocco and is made with freshly prepared lamb, couscous, and vibrant fruit and vegetables, such as broccoli and apricots. As with all Lily’s Kitchen wet and dry food, health benefits were a key consideration in developing this mouth-watering recipe, which includes cinnamon for its anti-inflammatory properties and squash for its high fibre content. It is the latest in a fresh wave of tasty recipes from the brand, which recently revamped its dry food portfolio for dogs and cats, as well as its full packaging suite to a more vibrant, contemporary feel.

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What's New GLOBAL HYDRATE MAKES A SPLASH DIVING into a saturated market of Irish water brands and manufacturers, Borrisoleigh Bottling Limited (BBL) has launched one of Ireland’s first Tetra Top cartons of water under its Global Hydrate brand. The company aims to use its sustainable, environment-friendly product packaging to become a market leader in the eco-space and stay ahead of the curve in the Irish water industry. The Global Hydrate packaging is 100% recyclable, with a full 88% of its packaging originating directly from renewable plant-based materials, including 54% paperboard and 34% plant-based plastic from sugar cane. Global Hydrate sources its great tasting, natural still water from a historic well in Tipperary and its eco-friendly carton is perfect for consumers on-the-go, in the car or for picnics in the park. For more information, visit www.globalhydrate.ie.

CARNATION GOES VEGAN NESTLÉ has launched a new vegan alternative condensed milk to the iconic Carnation range, made from a blend of oat and rice flour. The milk is certified by the Vegan Society as suitable for anyone following a vegan diet and wants to get busy baking. The key baking ingredient, used in some of Carnation’s recipes like banoffee pie and fudge, is on sale from September onwards in key retailers. “Our new Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative has been in development for 18 months, bringing the plant-based, dairy-free trend straight into the kitchen for home baking,” noted Brian Murphy, Country Category Manager for Beverage & Dairy, Nestlé Ireland. “Carnation Vegan has a very simple taste with a hint of lightly toasted oats, which makes it very versatile for a wide variety of baking and sweet treats.”

BACOFOIL UNVEILS NEW ZIPPER BAG TV CAMPAIGN

KILMEADEN LAUNCHES NEW SNACKING LINE AWARD-winning cheddar cheese brand Kilmeaden has boldly taken its first step into the snacking world with a snack bar that is effortlessly natural, containing just one ingredient; cheese! The new 20g snack bar is naturally high in protein, something that tops many consumers’ nutrient list. It helps to satisfy those cravings with only 78 calories per bar! The low carb, low sugar snack will maintain healthy bones thanks to its high calcium count, without any additives, perfect for professionals and kids alike.

ICONIC family-loved brand, Bacofoil has launched its first TV creative in the Irish market supporting its All-Purpose Zipper Bags, investing over €300k in ATL to support its new campaign, ‘For everything that is important to you’, this Back to School season. The targeted TV ad launched on August 10 and runs for nine weeks across RTÉ, Virgin Media, Sky TV, and Channel 4, supported by VOD to maximise reach. The ad highlight Bacofoil’s unique All-Purpose Zipper Bags, perfect for batch cooking family dinners, prepping healthy smoothies or saving some leftovers for lunch with a secure zip seal. The reusable Zipper bags are incredibly versatile and easy to use, keeping freshness locked inside. Bacofoil’s All Purpose Zipper Bags come in small (15 bags, RRP €2.50) and medium (12 bags, RRP €3).

Kilmeaden is now going head to head with other snack bars as the brand enters a new category, with the new product available in multipacks of 5 x 20g bars (RRP €2.70), or as single 20g bars to eat when on-the-go (RRP 70c).

ALDI TRIALS 100% RECYCLABLE PACKAGING ON PAPER PRODUCTS ALDI Ireland is trialling new 100% recyclable paper packaging across two of its toilet paper and kitchen towel products. If successful, the new paper packaging could help remove 166 tonnes of non-recyclable plastic packaging from stores in Ireland each year across Aldi’s toilet paper and kitchen towel ranges. Sales of Aldi’s toilet paper and kitchen towels have grown in recent months, increasing year-on-year by over 25% between March and June. Since August 3, customers can find the new 100% recyclable paper packaging around Aldi’s Saxon Blast Kitchen Towels and Luxury Toilet Paper 9-pack. The trial is part of Aldi’s long-term plastic reduction programme, which aims to reduce plastic packaging across its 142 Irish stores by 50% by 2025.

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Shelf Life BONNIE Ryan recently joined Londis and Nestlé Ireland to announce that all proceeds from KitKat four-finger chocolate bars sold in Londis stores nationwide from September 3-6 were being donated to Pieta. Rachel Murphy, Fundraising Director at Pieta, said, “I want to thank Londis and Nestlé Ireland for coming together and supporting Pieta through this initiative. In so doing, they are signalling the value and necessity of suicide prevention – a strong gesture of solidarity for all those silently suffering. We know the services of Pieta are now needed more than ever in these times of crisis, and it is important that people know that we are here and they are not alone.”

TIPPERARY Pure Irish Water, produced and distributed by C&C Group plc, was announced as the Official Water Sponsor of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). Sourced in Clonmel, Tipperary Pure Irish Water will refresh and hydrate all of Ireland’s international teams, from the Under-15 Boy’s and Girl’s sides, up to the Senior Men’s and Women’s International Teams, as both sides aim to qualify for their respective upcoming European Championships in 2021 and 2022. The three-year sponsorship agreement also includes the FAI’s Grassroots and Football For All inclusion initiatives, which will engage with communities all over the country. Pictured are Republic of Ireland manager, Stephen Kenny and Sarah Leahy, Tipperary Water Brand Manager.

ONE4ALL has announced that the sixth annual Shop4Crumlin charity campaign is taking place from September 19-27, 2020. As always, all money raised through the campaign will go directly to the CMRF Giggle Fund, dedicated to bringing joy to the young patients at Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin and to brightening their lives, one giggle at a time. During Shop4Crumlin, One4all will donate 50c to CMRF Crumlin for every transaction made using a One4all Gift Card or One4all Digital Gift Card.

CORPORATE fundraising got back in the swing of things on August 6, with the annual Dublin Golf Outing of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF) teeing off at Palmerstown House Estate in Johnstown, County Kildare. Pictured is Rebecca Hoban; Nocco and Barebells Marketing Activation Manager, who helped fuel up the golfers before they started their round, and Colm Dowling, Primeline Sales & Marketing Retail & Wholesale Channel Director, who supported the event with goodie bags from their principals’ FMCG range, which includes Nocco functional drinks, Barebells protein bars and SynerChi kombucha, as well as YR Sauce and Colgate.

AS schools re-open, Keelings’ Berry Breakfast Time initiative aims to provide parents with healthy recipes that are easy to prepare so families can reduce morning anxieties and spend some quality time together. Recipes include Berry Breakfast Time Granola Tarts, Berry Breakfast Time Bread and Butter Pudding, and Berry Breakfast Time Berry Toast Faces. Breakfast is an important mealtime for getting fresh fruit into a child’s diet in order to provide them with the right fuel for school. For more information, visit: https://keelings.ie/ berrybreakfasttime.

IRISH company VivaGreen has launched a new range of refillable, eco-friendly laundry and household cleaning products for eco-conscious consumers. The VivaGreen Tru Eco range is made from plant-based and biodegradable ingredients, and is free from harsh chemicals, and includes All-Purpose Cleaner (500ml and 1.5L), WashingUp Liquid (500ml and 1.5L), Non-Bio Laundry Detergent (1.5L), and Fabric Softener (1.5L). Tru Eco bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic, and they are reusable, recyclable, and refillable. For more information, visit www.vivagreen.ie.

LIDL Ireland has recently facilitated an export deal for its Dublin-based supplier, Fusco Foods, which will be the supplier’s first Lidl contract outside of Ireland. Fusco Foods supplies Lidl Ireland with a range of roulades under the retailer’s Deluxe brand and the recent supply deal will see Fusco Foods export to an additional Lidl market with a range of new and exciting roulade flavours in a deal worth over €2m.

TESCO Ireland and Glenpatrick Spring Water have teamed up to raise much-needed funds for Temple Street Foundation, with 20c from every 10-pack of Tesco Slievenamon kids water purchased in stores or online put towards the purchase of life-saving equipment for CHI at Temple Street. “Partnering with Glenpatrick for this on-pack donation will help raise much-needed funds to purchase further equipment for the hospital,” noted Richard Wood, Category Director, Tesco Ireland.

THE organisers of IFEX 2020 have taken the difficult decision to cancel the event, with IFEX now taking place in March 2022. Having consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, the overwhelming sentiment was that they would like to see the event put off for this year. “While our team has put together a multitude of initiatives to safeguard individual and collective safety and maintain the quality of business exchanges and inspiration, in balance we consider cancelling the event to be the unfortunate but best course of action at this time,” said an IFEX spokesperson.

BIOTIFUL Dairy, the UK’s number one gut-friendly kefir drinks and snacks, has expanded into the Irish market, launching eight products from its portfolio across up to 108 Tesco Ireland stores. Biotiful Dairy ferments milk with authentic live kefir grains and add real fruit to create a nutritious, light and fruity cultured product, with billions of gut-friendly bacteria. The range includes Biotiful Original Kefir (250ml & 500ml) and Biotiful Strawberry Kefir, Biotiful Kefir Protein Mango & Passionfruit and Blackcurrant, and Biotiful Kids Kefir Slurpy Pouch - Strawberry and Mango. For more information, visit biotifuldairy.com.

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