SupermarketNews Magazine | September 2020

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10.95

September 2020 • Vol. 13 No. 9

Celebrating BEE AWARE Month (see page 24)

contents

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HELLO NEW ZEALAND!

Taking a pulse check on old and new COVID-19

STORE OF THE MONTH

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ATTENTION GROCERY SUPPLIERS The Food and Grocery Council is an industry association for grocery suppliers providing members networking, events, industry information and strong advocacy.

Contact us for information on the benefits of membership: katherine.rich@fgc.org.nz • Networking • Industry Updates • Conference and Events • Education and Training • Advocacy and Law Reform

food& grocery COUNCIL NEW ZEALAND

www.fgc.org.nz

CHECKOUT WHAT'S NEW

INSPIRATION FOR INNOVATION

BROOD BROTHERS HONEY

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FEELING GOOD IN THE FREEZER

SupermarketNews is published under license. Please direct all enquiries and correspondence to SupermarketNews. The opinions and material published in this edition of SupermarketNews are not necessarily those of the publishers unless specifically stated.

All material in this publication is copyright and may only be reproduced with the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2020

CHAIRMAN PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR ADVERTISING SALES SENIOR DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ISSN No.

PETER MITCHELL Tania Walters, tania@reviewmags.com Kieran Mitchell, kieran@reviewmags.com Sarah Mitchell, sarah@reviewmags.com Caitlan Mitchell, caitlan@reviewmags.com Felicity-Anne Flack, felicity@reviewmags.com Raymund Sarmiento, raymund@reviewmags.com Debby Wei, debby@reviewmags.com

1173-3365

Suite 9, Level 3, 20 Augustus Tce, Parnell, Auckland. PO Box 37140 Parnell, Auckland Tel (09) 3040142 Fax (09) 3772794

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food& grocery COUNCIL NEW ZEALAND

The NEW ZEALAND BEVERAGE COUNCIL is an industry association whose members cover all aspects of the non-alcoholic beverage market both in New Zealand and the export markets.

The Council members are spread throughout New Zealand and come together annually for a conference that covers industry issues and is addressed by international speakers. The organisation monitors product quality, sets standards for the industry and runs national competitions and awards.

THE NEW ZEALAND BEVERAGE COUNCIL (NZBC) P.O. Box 47, AUCKLAND 1140, New Zealand.

Email: info@nzbc.nz Phone: +64 9 309 6100 DDI: +64 9 302 9932

P R O U D LY P L A N T- P O W E R E D M N ZA D E I L OW I T N VE H

AT FOO D NATI O N , PL ANTS TAK E C E NTR E STAG E Food Nation is a plant-powered alternative loved by vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians alike. Jam-packed with fresh NZ ingredients and bursting with flavour, the range comes in recognisable formats including Magic Minces, Happy Patties and Amaze Balls.

Liven up your chiller and get a piece of the plant-powered action!

For sales contact buds@foodnation.co.nz

* Products containing hemp cannot be classified as Gluten Free.

I G :@ FO O D NATI O N N Z

FB :@ P RO U D LYP L ANT

FO O D NATI O N .C O. N Z September 2020

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KEEP YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN MOVING

Move Logistics is a New Zealandbased national third party logistics and transport provider which was established in 1989 in Christchurch.

MOVE Logistics was sold to the TIL Group two years ago. Included as part of the group are TIL Freight, NZL Group, Pacific Fuel Haul, TNL International, Mcauleys Transport Limited and Alpha Customs Services Limited.

Today, MOVE Logistics employs over 450 staff and deploys over 150 trucks around New Zealand. Many of the original staff remain to this day and have become mainstays in its operations across the MOVE network.

The team at MOVE Logistics believe that third party logistics is a people business and works closely in partnership with both current and future clients. MOVE builds solutions for its clients using its highly qualified, experienced local teams backed up by robust warehouse management and transport management platforms to enable end to end stock management and tracking.

Logistics management & supply chain operations often involve more mobile and technology resources than any other business function while also needing to integrate with a wide range of external systems and business processes.

Part of keeping its operations running smoothly and efficiently MOVE Logistics uses the latest

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technology and equipment. The combination of technical advances, price point reductions and solution integration sets the stage for widespread adoption of technologies across industries and all company sizes, with projects that deliver value in weeks, not months and years.

The team at MOVE Logistics pride themselves on the ability to provide real-time information to customers.

The capabilities of today’s smartphones and mobile data networks have expanded well beyond the rudimentary tracking solutions that have been used to manage resources on the road in the past. At the same time, the cost of technology has dropped dramatically while the functionality has expanded. Mobile data coverage has increased, as network providers have invested substantially in infrastructures to deliver broadband speeds over any distance to any location.

With this combination of advanced capabilities, MOVE have an unprecedented opportunity to capitalise on what technology should offer, whether that be tracking stock on hand, orders, container movements, proof of delivery services, interacting with back-end systems, and enabling real time confirmation of activities their teams are undertaking. Technology

systems in place include warehouse management system that is designed to operate in dynamic and fast-paced environments like that of the FMCG world. MOVE Logistics offer flexible and scalable interfacing solutions to many customers as they understand that finding the right warehousing solution is one of the keys to success.

The industry requires seamless integration and an order flow that requires no double keying of information, while also needing detailed reporting on stock on-hand, inventory, movements in and out and deliveries – all of which MOVE Logistics can provide.

MOVE Logistics provides efficient and innovative cost-benefit options for the management of your supply

chain needs whilst building strong, loyal relationships with its employees, customers, and business partners.

It’s been a fast journey, and the team are excited about the future, but they will always stay true to their humble, entrepreneurial origins. Its 18 sites across New Zealand in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hastings, Nelson, Blenheim and Christchurch will be sure to be able to provide the industry for all of its logistics needs. The team is highly experienced in FMCG and have dedicated teams that can provide all of your supply chain management needs under one roof.

For more information contact www.movelogistics.co.nz, or call 027 354 4891. n

5+ A DAY BREAKFAST CAMPAIGN

Make breakfast count with 5+A Day There has never been a more important time for Kiwis to eat 5+ A Day to boost immunity. Adding fresh fruit and vegetables to breakfast makes a great start.

A new nationwide survey of 1,000 people shows 82% of us eat breakfast on weekdays, rising to 85% on the weekend, however only 44% of Kiwis include fresh fruit and vegetables with their breakfast.

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust sees this as an opportunity to raise consumption by providing inspirational breakfast ideas and recipes which you will find on our social media platforms @5adaynz and our website www.5aday.co.nz

Follow us on social media @5adaynz

To learn more about the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust visit www.5aday.co.nz. We also have a dedicated website for teachers and educators www.5adayeducation.org.nz

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NOW IS THE TIME TO CREATE CHANGE With the supply chain challenges of the March and April Covid-19 lockdown and the Auckland Alert Level 3 border problems successfully behind them, suppliers of food and groceries are now able to turn their full attention to another issue – rebuilding their businesses and thinking about the future.

Katherine Rich

Chief Executive NZ Food & Grocery Council

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They’re also dealing with the consequences of new challenges brought about by changes to the Foodstuffs North Island Buying Model. Though a few companies have been able to use the model, LEAF, to their advantage, most suppliers are now paying more to the retailer for the promise of benefits to come.

The changes have been well flagged, and there could not have been more engagement and explanation about how it wished to move from head office co-op payments to a fixed-percentage rebate.

Initially, suppliers were told they would be able to opt out of that rebate, but in March the company said that would no longer happen, and opting out meant they wouldn’t be included in trade catalogues – a main driver of sales opportunities.

In an article in the September issue of Supermarket News, independent consumer goods consultancy Hexis Quadrant laid out the issues: at the time of negotiation, suppliers were not aware they would miss out on flyer activity if they opted out, and the structure of the new rebate would have ramifications in future negotiations.

The article listed incidents where Foodstuffs “heavily leaned on” suppliers who hadn’t signed up to LEAF, and summarised a range of inequities and issues in negotiations over the Centralised Store Display Co-op, which is designed to roll up suppliers’ discretionary store-level investment that ensures off-location display space in store. These included allusions to range deletion, cancelled promotional programmes, and inability to activate off-location displays, leaving many suppliers feeling they had little choice but to agree.

Now even the bigger companies are signed up, having extracted additional conditions and accountabilities, and all suppliers are watching to see how the new way of doing business beds in.

The next few months are critical, and the retailer has to demonstrate success that can show grocery suppliers that their extra costs are making the boat go faster for all passengers.

The supplier community has been very supportive and is wishing the retailer every success, but if success is not felt, then they will invest discretionary funds into areas where they can better predict what the outcome will be.

The Food & Grocery Council listened to suppliers talk about negotiation tactics that cross the line in terms of pressure, incorrect information, or implied threats. Some were given contracts with no exit clauses and told there was no chance to negotiate.

That’s in the past, but the issue ahead is whether stores will continue to seek contributions above the agreed percentage on the display co-op and double-dip. It’s hoped head office will take further steps to insist on adhering to the model.

Hexis Quadrant also said as a result of these sorts of reports it was time New Zealand developed a Grocery Code of Conduct similar to that in place in Australia for some years. “Now is the time to create the change necessary for protection of the hard-working supplier base in New Zealand”, they said.

After recent reports, it’s hard not to agree that it’s time for New Zealand to move forward.

So what’s the Australian Code of Conduct?

It was introduced in 2015 by Coles and Woolworths and the Australian Food & Grocery Council to address

how retailers negotiate with suppliers and their conduct while doing so.

While retailers are now treating suppliers better, a recent review identified areas that should be changed to achieve even higher standards of business dealings, and last year the Government agreed to most of them, including: • setting limits on acceptable conduct during price-rise negotiations • banning variations to agreements that have retrospective effect • supermarkets not being able to force suppliers to disclose sensitive information during negotiations • a 30-day limit on price-rise negotiations once both parties agree all relevant information has been provided.

But one of the bigger recommendations the Government intends taking up is the appointment of a ‘code arbiter’ with informationgathering powers to investigate complaints from suppliers and make binding decisions. This is similar to the adjudicator who oversees the UK’s Groceries Supply Code of Conduct.

In light of the latest experiences, FGC is asking members what they think about a code of conduct here. When we surveyed them last year, more than 75% agreed we should have one. I can only imagine that percentage is higher now.

To confirm, members are genuinely keen for the Foodstuffs changes to be a success, but they have to be introduced in a fair manner that delivers results for suppliers too. That’s why what happens at store level from this point is so critical. n

HELLO NEW ZEALAND!

Tony’s Chocolonely brings 100 percent slavefree chocolate mission to New Zealand.

Dutch impact company and one of the most trusted brands in the world, Tony’s Chocolonely exists to make 100 percent slave free the norm in chocolate. Not just its own chocolate, but all chocolate worldwide.

Now, the best-selling chocolate bar in the Netherlands is bringing its powerful mission to New Zealand with its colourful, chunky and delicious chocolate bars.

Tony’s Chocolonely was founded in 2005 by three journalists from the Dutch TV show ‘Keuringsdienst van Waarde’ after they discovered that the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers

were buying cocoa from plantations that used illegal child labour and modern slavery. Investigative journalist Teun van de Keuken decided that things had to change within the industry, so he set up his own impact company producing chocolate to inspire other chocolate companies to join their mission towards a 100% slave-free chocolate industry.

Tony’s Chocolonely shows that chocolate can be made differently.

Through direct, long-term relationships with cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast and by working closely together with partner Barry Callebaut,

Tony’s has created a completely transparent and traceable bean-to-bar process. Tony’s pays a higher price for the Fairtrade cocoa beans, provides business and agricultural training to increase productivity on farms and works together with cooperatives in which farmers are united and stand stronger together. Furthermore, one percent of Tony’s Chocolonely net revenue is donated to the Chocolonely Foundation, supporting projects to eradicate modern slavery in the cocoa chain. They want to inspire the industry as a whole to make 100% slave free the norm in chocolate.

Tony’s Chocolonely is crazy about chocolate, but serious about people.

Consumers will recognize them from the colourful wrappers that explode off the shelf, to the chunky unequally divided chocolate bars within, to reflect the social inequality of the chocolate industry. Tony’s Chocolonely Fairtrade bars spread its message in its purest form: things can be done differently.

The B-Corp certified company, which has become the bestselling chocolate brand in the Netherlands, has launched six 180g bars: Milk chocolate 32%, Extra dark chocolate 70% (DF), Milk chocolate caramel sea salt 32%, Dark chocolate almond sea salt 51% (DF), Milk chocolate hazelnut 32% and White chocolate

raspberry popping candy 28%.

Tony’s Chocolonely has offices in the Netherlands, USA, the UK and DACH. Locally, Tony’s Chocolonely is distributed by Nick Brown and Becs Caughey from Cook & Nelson. Trade enquiries please contact Becs Caughey on rebecca@cookandnelson.com or 021 886 024. Minimum Order Quantity 6 cases of 15 x 180g bars whole cases can be mixed across SKUs. Order by 10am weekdays for delivery next weekday Auckland, 1-2 days North Island, 2- 3 days South Island.

For more information visit www.cookandnelson.com or www.tonyschocolonely.com. n

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BUILDING TRUST IN A MORE DISCONNECTED WORLD

Gerry Lynch The Real Leadership Company

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Can you think about the people you trust the most and the ones you would n’t touch with a bargepole?

The extremes probably come to mind; what is it about someone you trust so much that has built that trust?

And what is it about someone you do not trust that has led to that?

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y guess is that the people you trust have built that by getting to know you and also sharing who they really are, they have not built it by just focusing on your work performance.

A few years ago I was coaching a leader and he was complaining that his team never opened up to him, he said he had tried lots of different ways of questioning but ‘it is like getting blood from a stone’.

I asked him ‘Have you ever opened up to them, shared something personal, shown some vulnerability?’

The answer was ‘no’. I then asked him ‘Why would someone open up to you, their boss, when you don’t open up to them?’. He thought about this and realised that that made sense.

The next time he was out with one of his team in the car he shared something about his family, something that was a little bit personal and he said he was amazed that his team member started sharing about one of their challenges in his life outside of work – it changed the relationship for the better from that point.

I have also observed leaders who focus solely on work at work, surely you are saying ‘that’s the point isn’t it?’ But getting to know your people is your key work, as that builds trust, and is the foundation of a relationship; finding out about their weekend or holiday, asking about their wife/husband/kids, shows that you take an interest in them as a person,

not just them as an employee.

There is a great analogy about a marble jar, trust gets built one marble at a time, imagine every time you take the time to appreciate, ask about, recognise, have coffee with, a marble is being put in the jar, the more marbles you have in the jar the higher the trust – But remember, damaging that trust is like breaking the jar!

In a more remote world it becomes harder to connect than face to face, but there is no reason you can’t use the first 5 minutes of your zoom meeting to find out about your team, how they are doing, their weekend – Technology should not be an excuse to continuing to build trust one marble at a time.

Gerry Lynch – Managing Director of The Real Leadership Company.

If you need a hand with your strategy or building a great culture drop me a line gerry@realleadershipnz.co.nz n

SAM HEVELDT

Own Brand Buyer, Countdown

Own Brand buyer, Sam Heveldt wanted to be a sports superstar when he was young. After realising that you have to be really good at sport to make that dream happen, Hevedlt fell into retail and realised what a broad industry it was with a huge amount of opportunity. He started his retail journey at Dick Smith.

“R

etail is something you can very quickly become passionate about, it helped I was in a day to day trading environment so there was always a target to strive for or incentive to help my team achieve,” expressed Heveldt.

Heveldt studied a Bachelor of Commerce at Canterbury University in marketing and strategic management, when he left it was during the global financial crisis and jobs were scarce. Heveldt ended up as a department manager at Dick Smith in Riccarton Mall which snowballed into a store management role after the first earthquake.

“I think it was very useful going from the theory in my study to actually working in operations and selling product,” Heveldt noted. “I certainly think I learnt more from the work experience than the study, but I do think it was a very important base for me to start from.”

When he returned from his OE at the end of 2015, Heveldt started at Countdown where he was in the general merchandise team for four years before moving into the private label team as a buyer at the beginning of this year. Prior to that, Heveldt spent three years at SKY UK in the retail team, working with their

“I think it was very useful going from the theory in my study to actually working in operations and selling product, I certainly think I learnt more from the work experience than the study, but I do think it was a very important base for me to start from.”

supermarket partnerships program.

Working with a group towards a team goal is one of Heveldt’s strengths which is great for a business such as Countdown where it takes a lot of people to make things happen.

While it is important to him that his team understand where things have gone wrong in the past and that they fix those errors, it is also important for Heveldt that they then celebrate when positive change has been made.

“I am very much a team orientated person. Bringing a group together and creating a fun and positive atmosphere is very important to me.”

According to Heveldt, putting yourself in a customer’s shoes is the best way to make sure the customers are being well looked after.

“At the end of the day we are all supermarket shoppers, so we all have our opinion on what we like and don’t like,” explained Heveldt.

“As a customer, one of the most frustrating things is not being able to get what you want when you go shopping, so for me the number one thing is availability. If the product is in the store and on display, there is a very high chance it will sell. It’s not overly complicated when you think about it like that.”

Getting new and exciting innovation on the shelf is Heveldt’s greatest challenge, there are so many products out there and unfortunately, he can’t fit them all in. Seeing customers walking out of the store with products he has worked hard to bring in, however, is one of the best parts of his job, while working closely with suppliers and building long lasting relationships is also very rewarding.

Hevedlt has counted himself lucky working under some great managers who have helped mould his skills.

“It helps when you are supported but also challenged in what you do. I always find that using these people as a sounding board for ideas can help you identify gaps in your thinking.”

He moved roles within the business so that he could understand food better, this is something Heveldt wants to continue to develop.

“For me, it is about continuing to learn and develop my skills so I can take the next step while still contributing to the overall team goal.”

When he’s not working Heveldt is an avid runner who has entered the Auckland marathon at the end of the year, this will be his sixth marathon.

“I find the training a really good way to switch off from work and improve my mental health. It’s a great way to ensure I maintain a good work/life balance.” n September 2020

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TAKING A PULSE CHECK ON OLD AND NEW COVID-19 SUPERMARKET TRENDS “The 100-day celebration of no COVID-19 community transmission came to an abrupt end in August when Auckland moved back to Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country to Alert Level 2.

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he return to life under lockdown, further cemented the shopping behaviours we saw take hold during our first lockdown, but also revealed new consumer trends and concerns.

Kiwis are still perfecting their cooking and baking skills but have also taken up more sewing and gardening since our return to lockdown. Another strong trend to come through is that more of us are turning to gardening as a form of active relaxation during the pandemic.

Perhaps it is because we are able to enjoy the great sense of accomplishment of being able to grow and provide our own food.

Or is it that gardening, in these

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uncertain economic times, gives us some certainty? We can be in total control of what we are cultivating and sometimes it’s a return to the simple things in life that can give us the most enjoyment.

The return of New World’s Little Garden couldn’t have come at a better time to provide New Zealanders with a device-free activity the whole family can get involved in, both outside in the garden and then to enjoy around the dinner table.

To help New Zealand get gardening, and to inspire our littlest of Kiwis to develop their green thumbs, every New World store in the country is donating at least one garden to a local school in their community.

But it’s not just our Littlest Gardeners getting inspired, data shows customers are making a more conscious effort to hit their 5+A Day and are being mindful to eat more fruit & vege as we head into summer.

Post-lockdown 2.0 we continue to see customers making less trips to the supermarket and when they go they are purchasing more items each time, sticking to a list, focusing on buying New Zealand brands and products, and reaching for private label brands which are kind on the wallet.

Reducing plastic from the supermarket shop remains important for most shoppers, with

three in four shoppers saying it is important. The impact of COVID-19 has not delayed our efforts to implement our Food in the Nude initiative across additional New World South Island stores - 36 stores (out of 43) now offer a naked produce department to customers.

The team decided to keep powering through the rollout of Food in the Nude across New World South Island stores despite the curveballs and twist & turns 2020 has thrown our way.

Whilst the future might be uncertain, we have a responsibility to continue to deliver for our customers – in ways which provide them with value and enjoyment while helping them live more sustainably and look after themselves and their families.” n

storeofthemonth

COUNTDOWN MILFORD

BRAD ROSSITER, STORE MANAGER

Having started out on checkouts part-time at Countdown Northlands in Christchurch, Brad Rossiter has held many roles within the business over the last 15 years, which has led him to his current position as Store Manager at Countdown Milford in Auckland.

“W

hat’s really great about being at Milford is that my first store manager appointment was only a few kilometres down the road at Hauraki Corner, and it has been really great to be based over on the North Shore again,” said Rossiter.

“I thoroughly enjoy the fast-paced nature of the supermarket industry and getting to work with the team to develop new initiatives and offer our customers a great shopping experience.”

Rossiter believes that the growth opportunities within the store can be seen in the health, wellness and fresh categories. “There are some great category opportunities in store at the moment, but as a team, it is what we can do to go that extra mile for our customers that is the greatest opportunity.”

With huge growth being seen in the health and wellness categories in grocery around the world, Rossiter is really proud of the space they have allocated in his store for the category that has recently been expanded. “Alongside this aisle expansion, we have implemented a dedicated food-to-go space where we’ve been able to source ready-to-eat food from a range of categories within the store to make available to customers in one convenient area.”

Countdown Milford’s food-to-go deli counter is also a must-see with heat and eat options available to customers with freshly made sandwiches daily.

Over the past year, Rossiter is particularly proud of his team, their positivity and excitement around the store refresh and the great customer feedback they have received.

“I am really proud of the offer that we present to our customers daily. The feedback has been really wonderful and motivating for the team. Our flexitarian range in-store has really taken off with a chiller down our health foods aisle also combining a lot of our vegan and meat free options alongside our health lines for our customers.”

Looking to the future, Rossiter would like to

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continue to incorporate the trends and products consumers are seeking in order to support the overall strategic plan of the business.

“We would like to take the store experience to the next level for our customers with offering them tastings of products, particularly those that are new to the store.” Countdown Milford is one of only three stores in Auckland with a flat bread machine in its bakery department.

“What’s great about this is its visibility to the customers. We run it during the day and offer fresh, hot-baked single flat bread that our customers can buy to have with their lunch.”

Rossiter highlights how proud he is of his team and how they look after the store’s customers.

Customers can often find little notes in their online shopping orders wishing them a great day from the team, and in-store customers known by name thanks to the great relationships they’ve built over the years.

“Some of the members of our team have been with Countdown for over 20 years at Milford, so some great experiences are able to be shared for the next generation that join the team.”

Over the years, Rossiter has considered it his greatest achievement to be able to support, develop and motivate his team to create a successful in-store and team environment.

“Someone saw leadership qualities in me years ago, and I want to be able to pass that on and coach and support my team so they can have a strong foundation and plan for their own future endeavours, whether it be within the grocery industry or other sectors.”

Cartology has recently been installed at the store, Countdown’s new stand-alone retail media business that explores new opportunities to help local suppliers better communicate and connect with customers.

“Kiws today are demanding much more personally relevant information from us than they ever have

Footprint 2,664 m2

97 staff

Checkouts: 7 regular

Re-opening Date: July 2020

9 self-checkouts

Owner/Operator: Brad Rossiter

before, whether that’s our Onecard programme, our in-store experience, digital or social media channels.

With a more streamlined approach to communication and insights, we can help create a much better shopping experience for customers, and help our local suppliers and their brands connect and be seen in much more relevant and timely ways,” said Sally Copland, Countdown’s general manager brand and CountdownX. Cartology New Zealand is set to officially launch in February 2021. It is part of Woolworths Group’s Cartology business in Australia. Countdown will work closely with its suppliers to transition their existing media buying across to the new model.

Countdown Milford has also recently partnered with Kiwi Harvest with a regular collection day, meaning it is now able to provide people in need in the community with food and beverages that would otherwise go to waste. n

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Relieve Pain – Fast

Additional to the successful Ethics pain relief range is new Paracetamol Rapid 20’s for fast effective temporary relief of pain and discomfort associated with headache/tension headache, migraine headache, toothache, muscular aches, cold and flu symptoms, sore throat and period pain. Also, helps reduce fever. When your customers need fast relief from pain new Rapid 20’s tablet breaks down up to 5 x faster than our Ethics standard paracetamol tablets ensuring it can go to work to relieve that pain - fast. Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

Incorrect use may be harmful.

For more information contact your Alliance Marketing Territory Manager or Multichem New Zealand Ltd, phone +64 9 488 0330. Fax +64 9 478 3841. Orders: sales@multichem.co.nz or visit www.multichem.co.nz.

TAPS DA 2004DZ (20/031)

Smooth Malt Character

Monteith’s Wayfarer Pilsner is a golden straw coloured crisp New Zealand Pilsner with thick hop bitterness and a smooth malty character.

Motueka hops give the brew a wonderful aroma and contribute to a pleasantly crisp finish in the body. Best paired with fresh salmon or a summery Caesar salad. Available in 6 and 12 packs.

New Household Favourites

Heartland Potato Chips have extended its range! The brand still offers its traditional Old Fashioned Wave Cut and Kettle Cooked, both household favourites but have introduced five new exciting products to extend the family of chips currently on offer.

The brand are proud to announce its ‘Nude’ chips! ‘Nude’ meaning no added salt and ‘Nearly

Nude’ low added salt. For those who want less salt in their, or their family’s diet, our Nude chips fit the bill.

Heartland Potato Chips have also announced its new ‘Thicket of the Thick’ range with some great new flavours. Cheeseburger, Sticky Ribs and of course, Southern Salt!

Snapping Up Seltzer

Time for something new? Kiwis fishing for the next big thing will soon be able to snap-up a few delicious new drink options with the launch of the alcoholic beverage brand Pure Piraña.

Low in sugar (1.7 grams per can) and containing fewer than 100 calories per can, Pure Piraña seltzers offer a fresh new option for a modern generation of consumers who are increasingly conscious of their consumption habits and lifestyle choices. In a style that has seen huge popularity overseas* Pure Piraña seltzers cater to consumer demand for naturally flavoured, fruity-but-not-sweet alcoholic drink options.

Pure Piraña seltzers are available in two exciting flavours:

PURE PIRAÑA LIME: With a crisp, refreshing zesty lime flavour, Pure Piraña Lime delivers pure citrus sharpness in a low sugar seltzer style.

PURE PIRAÑA RASPBERRY: A subtly sweet option with a clean finish, Pure Piraña Raspberry offers juicy raspberry flavour in an effervescent, dry seltzer style.

“For those wanting to dip their toe in and try something new this summer, Pure Piraña products are brewed to deliver a lighter style alcoholic beverage with delicious, refreshing fruit flavours,” said Fiona Marston, senior marketing manager at DB Breweries.

“A different style to what people might be used to, Pure Piraña products appear almost-clear, yet deliver a full, fruity, taste and a light, clean finish,” said Marston.

Pure Piraña products are all 5% ABV and will be available in 10 packs from supermarkets around the country from the 1st October 2020.

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Get Your Spoon Ready!

Fix & Fogg’s award-winning Everything Butter has met its match with its slighter sweeter but just as nutty, Granola Butter. A beautifully balanced butter made with toasted South Island oats, cashew nuts, coconut, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and peanuts.

With a hint of sweetness, a creamy base, and loaded with toasty texture, Granola Butter is your all-day breakfast in a jar.

The team at Fix & Fogg are so excited for you to try Everything Butter’s new best friend. It’s Granola but better. Lose the milk and find the spoon.

Deliciously Crisp

Solid New Addition

Ecostore is pleased to announce the addition of solid shampoo and conditioner bars to its popular and naturally derived hair care line.

The hair care bars are made from plant and mineral based ingredients, are mild pH - making them ideal for hair and scalp, are 100% soap-free, and made with naturally derived fragrances. The hair care bars are vegan and certified cruelty-free and provide approximately 60 washes per bar.

The hair care bars are packaged in cardboard so when finished, customers can just pop it into their recycling bin. No plastic bottle – just concentrated, hair loving ingredients to the bottom of the bar.

Ecostore shampoo bars are made to gently cleanse and nourish in three unique formulas: Normal Hydrating, Dry & Damaged, and Volumising, and the conditioner bar is Nourishing for all hair types.

A new addition to the core range, Tuatara Pacific Pale Ale is a delicious, crisp new drop. Showcasing Pacific hops (Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy), the brew is light in colour, but punches above its weight with its depth of flavour.

Taste: Light malt, balanced bitterness with tropical fruit hop notes Mouthfeel: medium body Finish: crisp finish, gentle lingering bitterness Aroma: floral, tropical fruit Look: light straw coloured ABV: 4.4% Available in supermarkets, liquor stores, restaurants and bars around New Zealand from September.

A Whole Lot More

Introducing Maltesers Extra Chocolate - a delicious spin on everybody’s favourite treat.

The legendary Maltesers just got an EXTRA coat of delicious milk chocolate.

The new Maltesers Extra Chocolate features the iconic crisp malt centre, wrapped in LOTS more chocolate, to satisfy even the biggest chocolate lover.

Shifting Consumer Behaviour

Latest Flavour Innovations

Marcel’s Fabulous Funfetti Petite Pancakes are here just in time to celebrate Marcel’s 20th birthday! Filled with delicious funfetti sprinkles, these special release petite pancakes are going to be a winner at parties, young and old, and as a treat in the lunchbox.

A bite sized morsel with a strong sweet flavour hit and pops of colour with every mouthful, this new flavour is sure to excite. So, what are you waiting for, join in on their birthday celebrations and get in touch with your Marcel’s rep today.

Marcel’s Friendly Fibre Pancakes are the latest innovation in creating a better for you pancake that has the additional benefits of a Good Source of Fibre and No Added Sugar.

Super crunchy in the toaster, health conscious shoppers are looking for functional breakfasts that are convenient, delectable and affordable.

Get in touch with your Marcel’s rep to place a pre-order, with both products launching in November.

Remedy Kombucha, leaders in the kombucha and better-for-you beverage categories, have launched a new 1.25L share pack, in-line with a shifted consumer behaviour to buy bulk and multi-serve packs to avoid multiple supermarket visits.

It’s current 1.25L consumers comprise of couples and families, making this the perfect pantry pack size for the ambient aisle.

Remedy Kombucha is able to be stored in and out of the fridge due to its traditional long-aged brew process which means there is no sugar, naturally.

Available in top selling and favourite flavours; Raspberry Lemonade, Ginger Lemon, Peach, and Lemon, Lime and Mint.

Stock up on the right stuff today.

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Flying Off Shelves For the first time in nearly two decades, iconic NZ brand Chelsea Sugar has this week released a new limited edition range of sugar tins, free with purchase local supermarkets.

The 2020 tins hit shelves over the weekend and feedback from supermarkets has been immediate – the tins are flying out the door.

The limited run consists of over 100,000 tins, with three 1kg designs available to collect – Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar, Icing Sugar and Caster Sugar.

Natural, Healthy Sodas

Two Brews Blend

When one of the Good George brewers said that he was going to Raglan for a session the rest of the team assumed he was heading for an afternoon of, uh, listening to Bob Marley. Turns out he was hanging with the Raglan Roast crew working on a blend of the brand’s flagship IPA and its cold brew Ethiopian Sidomo Coffee. The resulting brew has subtle notes of citrus fruit and lightly roasted coffee paired perfectly with the malt backbone of the IPA. 946ml squealer | 5.6%

World First

The New Zealand juice category has just gotten juicier with Almighty’s launch of the world’s first organic juice in a can.

Paying homage to the nostalgic feel of drinking juice out of an icy cold can, Almighty’s new juice range is a contemporary line-up of an old kiwi favourite which tastes as good as it looks. Almighty are all about making juices sustainably and organically from the best organic fruit and even some veg.

Just like the bottled juice range and Almighty Sparkling Waters, these fruity numbers support the next generation of gardeners and foodies. Part of Almighty’s commitment to New Zealanders is contributing 10% of profits or 3c from every drink sold to the company’s Edible Education partners.

The Edible Education initiative helps provide school children with the skills they need to grow and cook their own healthy food through enjoying some hands-on time in the garden and in the kitchen.

Available now to increase your juice sales. For more info contact sales@drinkalmighty.com.

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Petes Natural new functional beverage Beetroot and Manuka - 100% New Zealand Made fairtrade@home Pete’s passion is to create natural healthy sodas. Pete’s have a fairtrade@home philosophy which means that we use only NZ grown fruit, no imported concentrates or nasties in our drinks. Ten years have passed since our first soda hit the market and to celebrate, Pete created the Beetroot and Manuka Lemonade.

Healthy, no sugar and made sustainably.

Bottled in our solar powered factory and changing to the ‘infinite bottle’ means, we can ship more product and less air and reduce our impact on the environment.

Pete’s Natural Beetroot and Manuka: A bottle of health with a fizz that beets working.

First Ruby Chocolate Dessert

Magnum ice cream, the global authority on ice cream and chocolate, has introduced the new Magnum Ruby range and becomes the first ice cream brand to launch a flavour with the new Ruby chocolate. Giving pleasure seekers the opportunity to indulge in a completely new taste experience, Magnum Ruby coats indulgent ice cream with a Ruby chocolate coating, giving the taste experience a unique berry fruitiness, luscious smoothness, and unique natural pink colour.

Available in two variants, Magnum Ruby & Raspberry contains velvety white chocolate ice cream and a luscious raspberry swirl, and Magnum Ruby & Blood Orange has an indulgent vanilla ice cream with blood orange swirls.

A Worthy Pilsner

Crisp, refreshing and unfiltered this Hazy Pilsner has been crafted by Good George brewers to deliver a taste worthy of just about any occasion.

6 x 330ml cans | 5%

A Tropical Escape

Bursting with fresh passionfruit this is the beer equivalent of the tropical escape we’re all hanging out for. Taste a hit of juicy passionfruit balanced with soft, malty flavours of the hazy IPA. It’s a slice of beer paradise in a glass.

946ml squealer | 5.8%

Dessert-Inspired Biscuit Range

The baking experts at Arnott’s have been busy playing match maker, pairing some of its most iconic biscuits with our favourite desserts.

The new range includes Black Forest flavoured Monte Carlo, Mud Cake flavoured Shortbread Cream, and Salted Caramel Tart-flavoured Scotch Finger.

“Inspired by some of our favourite desserts, these biscuits are set to be a hit with sweet-toothed kiwis, said Michelle Kitchen, Arnott’s brand manager.

“Whether it’s the double chocolate Shortbread Cream Mud Cake, the jammy Monte Carlo Black Forest or the perfectly-dunkable Scotch Finger Salted Caramel Tart – this delectable collection has something for everyone.”

Talk To The Hand Haze Craze Meets Cider

Not to be outdone, Good George cider-makers have joined the haze craze that’s been sweeping the beer world.

Mango Haze takes tropical fresh ripe mango and adds it in to our cloudy cider base.

Hazy means unfiltered so you get a richer mouthfeel and all the fruit flavour. Give it a gentle shake before pouring, take a sip and descend in to the haze.

946ml squealer | 4.5%

Garage Project (Wellington) is launching Talk to the Hand 2020, a new beer to promote New Zealand Sign Language Week which runs 21st to the 27th September. Original label design by GP’s own Ryan Cassidy and proud member of the Deaf Community.

GP has also won the NZ Sign Language Employer Award, which recognises businesses who demonstrate a commitment to NZSL and to working with Deaf employees and individuals.

Talk to the Hand 2020 is a dry hopped unfiltered lager brewed using only the finest malts & New Zealand grown hops. The beer’s launch will see taprooms across New Zealand offering the beer alongside NZSL lessons with representatives from Deaf Aotearoa during New Zealand Sign Language week.

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breakfastfeature

Inspiration for Innovation Breakfast is one of those

categories that quickly reflects the ebb and flow of consumer trends.

Fluidity for brands is key, with flavour profiles, superfood additives, changes with on the go products, to at home all have an impact on the breakfast aisle.

N

ever have these changes been more apparent than in COVID times, consumers through lockdown had time to consider breakfast, it was not a grab and go only solution anymore, and those foods that didn’t usually see high sales did so.

Suddenly beans on toast was an option, consumers also looked for healthy alternatives along with products that had a long shelf life.

So, what’s in store for 2021?

Researchers are talking comfort and control and clockless eating as consumers reeling from pandemic pantries and uncertainly look to control at least what they are eating. Health and wellness have been trending for some years but expect a big spike as we enter 2021.

On the go probiotics, superfoods, microbiome, active aging, nootropics and protein alternatives will all feature through 2021.

Cannabis was trending in 2019 and has continued this year. Hemp products are still entering the market, from hemp oils to flour, baked items to granolas to crackers - hemp has provided inspiration for innovation this year. As a very good source of protein and fibre hemp can be added to granolas, as an oil it can be drizzled on oats – hemp has been seen in a wide variety of products so far and expect more in 2021.

Honey is booming – with many new players entering the market and hitting the local market as well as export. Given its health properties it’s not unexpected but the duplications in the category will prove worrisome.

With banner groups looking to reduce the number of skus in many categories, shoring up home brands as the alternative choice for consumers over representation in any category is something brands are mindful of.

Understanding trends is one thing, moving swiftly enough to benefit from the trend is another. Knowing which trend is the best fit for your brand, which will resonate with consumers and the time it takes to bring on NPD. These are all questions that brands need to consider and act on.

Brands need to move fast on NPD, something that COVID-19 has impacted with a noticeable drop in innovation this year and brands moving to shore up existing product lines with variants or new packaging.

Expect to see more collaborations as brands look to innovate by leveraging brand values.

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With the advent of zoom workers, those that have continued to work from home, and the increase in those distance learning, breakfast is trending upwards.

Clockless eating which has been around for years and has gently been moving meals to less structured formats emerged strongly with the lockdowns. Breakfast has benefited from this as a meal that can be eaten at any time.

More and more are consumers eating what they want when they want. All day breakfast/lunch concepts, pancakes and egg dishes until late afternoon products such as pumpkin, beet, avocado, egg, grains and fruits

finding their way into meal choices from sunrise to sundown. After all, why wouldn’t you want to eat a tasty yoghurt bowl loaded up with fruit, grains and nuts whenever you feel like it?

More flexible and individualised work times have coalesced in 2020 therefore consumers have embraced clockless eating, roaming through the day eating what they feel like when they feel like it. Moving from three meals per day to a more grazing six is becoming commonplace as the lines between work and private lives, between online and offline times see clockless eating as a serious trend to engage with. n

CONSUMER PROFILES

According to Synergy Taste UK for playing by the rules, and whilst health is important, they don’t believe it should come at the expense of fun!

The Food Philosopher takes a thoughtful approach to their food and drink, carefully considering the impact their choices make on the health of both themselves, their children and the planet.

The Rebalancer consumer is always on the lookout for healthier choices. Rather than beat themselves up for a cheat day, The Rebalancer takes pride in the small victories and is more focussed on their overall wellbeing, rather than specific targets at the gym.

The Game Changer is one of the fastest moving consumer profiles identified. They are not one

There are a number of different elements to the Globetrotter and ways in which they experience food. With the typical methods of experiencing new foods (global travel, street food festivals and restaurants) currently unavailable, the idea of the shrinking globe through digital means has become more important.

The Life Hacker – is perhaps the newest and fastest moving of our five consumers. The Life Hacker is all about improving day to day efficiency. Food can be fun, but if it can be condensed and streamlined then all the better. n

Most Innovative Cereal

Premium breakfast market leader, pure delish have had quite the year with the launch of two new product ranges! The first, a range of delicious snacking clusters and secondly a new collection of six premium functional health cereals.

The new cereal range focuses on 3 key consumer health trends - low carb, high protein and digestive health. With interesting flavours like, peach, pecan & vanilla, wild berry & hemp and kiwifruit crunch, the new cereals not only deliver on the all-important deliciousness factor, they also offer consumers products that are plant based along with being gluten, dairy and egg free.

Since the launch of their first premium breakfast cereal ‘Original Chunky Nut Muesli’ 13 years ago, the company have added another 11 cereals to their range.

These have included some of the most innovative cereals NZ has seen, such as the release in 2013 of NZ’s first paleo or grain-free granola – Raspberry & Maple Nut Nograin-ola, still the companies top selling cereal.

While many competitors have entered the space, pure delish have proven the key to staying ahead of

the game is innovation, tapping into key consumer trends and delivering products packed with quality ingredients that taste amazing. “We continue to deliver 3 times the sales of our nearest premium competitor in over $12.00 cereals (1), a great result for consumers and customers alike” explained Amanda Macdonald, marketing and export manager.

The company are always looking for ways to better improve the experience their consumers have with their products. This means constantly reviewing their range around ingredients, taste and nutritional profiles to see if they are meeting expectation. An example of this, was the relaunch in April of the reinvigorated Crunchy Muesli with Flakes.

This product was one of pure delish’s earlier muesli offerings and was identified as needing a refresh to better meet the needs of today’s consumer. The improved recipe now offers consumers a product that is high in fibre, has a 5-star health rating, contains more nuts and seeds and less sugars than the current recipe. While the changes to the recipe and flavour are subtle, pure delish are confident consumers will be pleased to see the improved health credentials.

With the increasing global demands for more premium food options across all categories, particularly around clean ingredient labels and functional health benefits, pure delish see their future growth coming from new product innovation, challenging established categories and evolving current offerings. Amanda confirmed,” With more exciting new products in the pipeline, 2021 is set to be a busy

one for the pure delish team!”

If you would like further information, please contact pure delish on 09 5745701 or email info@ puredelish.co.nz. n IRI Data (to end June 2020) 1 pure delish breakfast sales are over 3 times that of their next closest competitor in premium ($12+) cereals.

• pure delish have 9 of the top 20 selling premium muesli sku’s ($12+).

• pure delish is growing at 5.1% MAT.

Meet the newest innovation in breakfast cereals.

Six delicious hand crafted, health focused granola’s.

Designed with the latest consumer dietary requirements in mind. www.puredelish.co.nz

info@puredelish.co.nz

09 574 5701 or follow us on

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breakfastfeature Harraways Oats Partners Salvation Army to Feed Locals

Dunedin based Harraway & Sons, New Zealand’s only oat manufacturer, is working with the Salvation Army donating oats to locals in need. From September 2020, oats are beginning to flow through to the key South Island Salvation Army food bank depots in Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin, and Invercargill.

Over the next six months Harraways, alongside the Salvation Army, will provide over 100,000 South Islanders with a serve of nourishing porridge as the Salvation Army manages the 300 percent increase in food parcel demand.

“The Salvation Army centres around New Zealand are doing wonderful work to support Kiwis in need and the organisation stretches its’ effort even further in times of great challenge like we are seeing presently.

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They truly are ‘Always There’!”, said Henry Hawkins, Harraways CEO. The Harraways brand began within the southern gold rush of the 1860s. Over this 153-year journey, the still privately owned company is proud to have helped fuel Kiwis through world wars and global recessions with its distinctive, nutritious, plant-based food products. Oats overall are undoubtedly one of the classic comfort foods. This characteristic, combined with their strong nutritional value and excellent value for money, means that oats have been a staple plantbased food for countless generations.

This is certainly a good example of a successful, locally owned business helping local Kiwi families at a very tough time! n

LOOKING AHEAD:

Breakfast Trends 2021 and Beyond Breakfasts get fancy – soufflé pancakes anyone?

Everything Flavoured Butters & Spreads – moving on from the nut and seed butters – Watermelon Seed Butter and Chickpea Butters are coming in hot!

Conscious consumers are looking for great products that are not only better for them, but better for the planet. Watch out for edible packaging in food and beverage spaces.

Tribal Roots – food and beverage producers will be looking more towards traditional indigenous ingredients from some of the oldest civilisations including cucuaco, cassava, bijao leaves, cocona, aguaji and maracuya which are slowly becoming more mainstream.

Consumer nutritional demands increase – products will include more nutritional benefits like probiotics, prebiotics, collagen and so on. n

Perfect For Conscious Consumers

Focus On Passion

The Jordans family have been milling since 1855.

We are passionate about using natural ingredients, creating tasty recipes, and providing consumers with healthy breakfast cereals.

We have focused this passion for ingredients and knowledge of blending to ensure every spoonful contains the perfect balance of whole grain oats and the tasty combinations of fruits, nuts & seeds.

JORDANS is just what you need to help kick start your day!

Many consumers are looking to reduce sugar intake, and we have worked hard to develop a range of Low Sugar Granola with less than 5%

INTEGRATION

Chantal Organics has launched two delicious new granolas into the health & wellness category, specifically for the increasing number of customers looking to exclude gluten from their diets. The bright, soft plastics recyclable packaging and pure, organic ingredients are perfectly positioned to give conscious consumers in NZ what they need - foods that are naturally better for people & the planet – free from pesticides, synthetic chemicals & GMOs. Chantal Organics Gluten Free Ginger Crunch & Plum Granola is a smart start to your day, with a unique blend of ancient grains and superseeds. A crunchy base of buckwheat, quinoa and almonds with hemp, chia and flaxseed, all rolled together with NZ dried plum and ginger for the most delicious way to fuel busy mornings. This gluten free granola is high in prebiotic fibre, making it a healthy choice.

For anyone who prefers not to eat grains, Chantal Organics Paleo Caramel Apple Pie Supergranola is perfect. It’s made with a nutrient-dense base of organic coconut, almonds, chia, hemp and flaxseeds with a

sugar, that still has that crunchy granola texture & tasty ingredients. And, with no artificial colours or preservatives, and the help of chicory root fibre, JORDANS Low Sugar Granola is the perfect breakfast solution for a low sugar diet.

With two delicious flavours to choose from;

HQ MANAGEMENT

naturally sweet blend of dates, NZ apple pieces and apple syrup for a delectable burst of flavour with each bite. Adaptogenic maca is added for its health benefits, and smooth caramel flavour. This supergranola is high in fibre and protein.

Both granolas are routinely tested to ensure that they are gluten free to NZ standards.

For more information and sales enquiries contact sales@chantal.co.nz or 0800 254 766 www.chantalorganics.co.nz n

Cherry & Almond, or Almond & Hazelnut, we think the combinations taste pretty good too. So now there are even more reasons to enjoy our tasty crunchy granola.

For more information contact your local DKSH representative. n

MOBILE APP

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NDC

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Small goods, big dreams.

SMA

RAFTED handcrafted in

hawke’s bay

Beard Brothers is a Hawke’s Bay family business producing handcrafted small goods the old school way. Owned and operated by Rob and Lara Beard, the business started nine years ago in a shipping container.

Word soon got out and in 2016 the Beards shifted to new premises and their next chapter. Using pure ingredients, heritage recipes and traditional methods, they source their meat from trusted New Zealand suppliers, use natural casings, quality seasonings and no added MSG. Their sausages, patties and saveloys are delicious and available in selected North Island New World and Pak N Save supermarkets, and soon to be available in North Island Four Square supermarkets too.

MEET THE family

Crafted with care the old school way

Simple flavours, quality ingredients

Say hello to the Beard Brothers – three sons with a hunger for the great outdoors and appetites for great food. You could say these brothers were born into the right family.

Raised in rural Hawke’s Bay, parents Rob and Lara Beard grew up hunting, gathering, and cooking with a solid understanding of where the food on their table comes from; and now their sons do the same.

The Beard family vision is to produce the best handcrafted small goods from pure New Zealand ingredients and to share their craft with Kiwi families around the country.

Using heritage recipes and traditional methods, the family makes a range of sausages, patties and saveloys the oldfashioned way. The result? Bangers, burgers and saveloys the way they’re meant to be – full of flavour. They source their meat from a trusted network of suppliers committed to sourcing from sustainable Kiwi farmers.

It’s grass fed, free farmed and it tastes great.

Their sausage casings are natural and that makes a big difference. Better texture, better flavour and to put it simply, sausages that taste like they did when you were a kid.

The Beard family don’t cut corners.

They keep it real and choose natural wherever they can. That means local produce, pure ingredients, no added MSG and definitely no over-processed or filler meats. The seasonings they source are top quality and they use them sparingly.

They keep it simple for taste that packs a punch. But what the Beard clan really wants you to do is to get together, get cooking and make meals that make memories.

Welcome to the Beard Brothers family.

-OLD SCHOOL-

BEEF SAUSAGES

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-OLD SCHOOL-

BEEF PATTIES

-OLD SCHOOL-

SAVELOYS

-OLD SCHOOL-

PORK SAUSAGES

Award winning flavours

ROB’S CHOICE

Snags for dads for Father’s Day

2017 GOLD MEDAL SAVELOY New Zealand Sausage Competition.

2017 SIMON GAULT selected Boudon Noir as best in New Zealand.

2018/19 RUNNER UP Cuisine Magazine Producer of the Year.

2019 SILVER MEDAL Old School Saveloy – Devro Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.

2019 WINNER Inspire+ NZ Artisan Awards chilled section Artisan Producer of the Year.

Our Old School Goat Sausage is perfect for Sunday morning cooked breakfasts.

Made with natural sheep casings, they’re quick and easy to cook, and super tasty!

These bangers won the Chilled Section in the Inspire+ NZ Artisan Awards and were Runner Up in the Cuisine Magazine Artisan Producer of the Year. They’re superb matched with a couple of bacon rashers and some good free-range eggs.

Beard Brothers was behind one of Four Square North Island’s successful promotions earlier this year with their Father’s Day competition. Limited edition packs of The DAD sausage were up for grabs – 96 to be exact – to celebrate Four Square’s milestone birthday. Lucky happy dads around the country tucked into their first taste of Beard Brothers sausages this September and no doubt have appetites for more. Thankfully, Beard Brothers is rolling out a new range to selected North Island Four Square Supermarkets in time for barbecue season this summer.

-OLD SCHOOL-

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-OLD SCHOOL-

-OLD SCHOOL-

VENISON SAUSAGES VENISON PATTIES GOAT SAUSAGES

www.beardbrothers.co.nz

-OLD SCHOOL-

GOAT PATTIES

@BeardBrothersNewZealand

@BeardBrothersNZ

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New Zealand has a healthy bee population with around 972,000 registered hives.

But bees still need our love. They face ongoing threats from bugs, biosecurity, disease and pesticides. By doing a few simple things, you can help protect and care for our bees.

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CEL BEE MO

LEBRATING E AWARE ONTH

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honeyfeature BROOD BROTHERS HONEY Brood Brothers goals are to provide a sustainable approach to its business.

Its products are made from sustainable practices such as the Beeswax wraps, which are made from 100% natural New Zealand beeswax. Its range of seaweed health products are sourced from seaweed that has been washed up onto New Zealand’s beautiful beaches. Lastly, its Honey, made from the brands’ very own hives, the team taking just what they need and letting the bees keep enough to help sustain themselves through the winter months. The bees are carefully monitored and looked after to ensure that the environment around them are also cared for. All of these ranges are made in New Zealand with sustainability being the foundation of their genesis.

Being a small start-up company, Brood Brothers have had to continue to work full-time jobs and work on their friendship partnership over the last four years on the weekends, developing a website, finding like-minded companies that align with its values, and continue to care for the bees throughout the year. There have been many challenges along the way, patience has been tested, money has been tight, but their passion is strong. If you want things to change you first have to change yourself. “Passion for Better.” n

BORAGE AND BEE Borage and Bee Sparkling Mead is brand new to the market and uses beautiful New Zealand honey, sourced by family run businesses in the Twizel high country and Oxford in Canterbury.

The honey is then paired with nothing but water and yeast and naturally fermented. Its first mead comes in at 5% alcohol and the palette is dry, floral, refreshing and extremely easy to drink.

The dry mead contains less than 1% sugar (honey) per 330ml but more importantly contains; no sulphites, no preservatives, no colours, no artificial flavours, no extracts, no cane sugar, no gluten. The history of mead is rich, and in fact it is the oldest alcoholic beverage on earth with evidence of it being around since 7000BC. Now it is time to bring mead into the 21st century, by making the most of New Zealand’s fantastic honey and beautiful local produce and to put us on the map globally.

There are big plans ahead and many stories waiting to be told about New Zealand’s produce, seasons and regions through mead with the second variation, a semi-sweet brew being planned for early 2021.

For more information email chanelle@borageandbee.com or visit www.borageandbee.com.

LILYBEE

HAPPY VALLEY HONEY

The Happy Valley brand was created over 40 years ago.

Although today it has grown and evolved to reach more tables around New Zealand, many of the ways in which the products are crafted still use the same techniques as when the brand first started. With over 40 products using seven different ingredients from the hive, Happy Valley, is more than just honey. The brand uses all by-products from the hive for consumers’ complete health, wellbeing and happiness. The family-owned and operated business provides consumers with the very best quality products from New Zealand as possible – from their hive to your table. Happy Valley have recently expanded into liquid honey. Its new 100% Pure Liquid Honey is pure liquid with a no drip squeeze, convenient for the whole family and safe for even the littlest of hands. Honey is perfect to replace sugar in cooking and the new product is pure honey with no additives. With over 40 years’ experience, consumers can trust Happy Valley to deliver honey from hive to table.

For more information contact your local Centurionz rep today; phone Matt on 021 277 7233 or email matthew@centurionz.co.nz. n

LilyBee Wrap is changing the world of food storage and helping Kiwis turn their good intentions into actions. The bestselling beeswax wraps, snack and sandwich bags are 100% natural, reusable, compostable and as beautiful as they are effective. Easy to use, they are a simple switch from plastic cling wrap or bags, ideal for customers looking to make a feel-good change in their lifestyle or find a great gift in store.

LilyBee Wrap is a certified B Corp, meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.

WILDNESS ORGANIC CHOCOLATE

For more information contact Multichem New Zealand Ltd, phone 64 9 488 0330, sales@multichem.co.nz or visit www. multichem.co.nz. n

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Wildness is a social enterprise based in Wellington, at the Rimutaka Prison. The business is registered with Akina, the government’s entity for SE. The brand harness the energy and the skills of the inmates to print, pack and dispatch its range of chocolates to customers. Packed with eco-friendly, zero waste materials, its delicious organic chocolates are hand made using only the finest ingredients and environmentally sustainable methods.

Wildness is proud to work in NZ who share a passion for integrity, sustainability, environmental awareness, organic foods and fostering real social progress. Check out their range available for supermarkets.

For more information, email info@wildness.co.nz or visit www.wildness.co.nz. n

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#BEEINGKIND Bee Awareness Month is here, so the team at Manuka Doctor have developed a charity product to promote the importance of bees in our ecosphere by partnering with Palmers garden centre to celebrate the honey bee.

To do so, Manuka Doctor have created an exclusive, never before released 300g Squeezable Beech Forest Honey. The idea of the partnership is

to promote online and retail sales of the product for which we will donate 25c of each unit sold to the Garden to Table charitable trust.

The RRP is $4.99, so it is amongst the most affordable on the shelf.

The Garden to Table programme is teaching children the essential skills they need to be food-

resilient. All around the country, we want to see children enthusiastically getting their hands dirty and learning how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal food.

The programme is curriculum-integrated and provides real-world learning opportunities, taking learning outside the classroom.

There are three types of bees in a colony: the queen, the workers, and the drones. (National Geographic Kids) The queen bee is responsible for laying eggs, building the hive, and ruling over its colony. The worker bees — which are all female — collect pollen and nectar and do all the work around the hive. The drones (the male honeybees) don’t do much except copulate with the queen so that she can lay eggs.

Furthermore, the worker bee facts reveal that they are the busiest of all bees in the hive.

Bees have an exceptional sense of smell. (National Geographic Kids) Honeybee facts from National Geographic show that these creatures have approximately 170 odorant receptors, which allow them to tell the difference between the types of flowers they get their nectar and pollen from. They also use this amazing mechanism to communicate within the hive.

Bees communicate through movement. (ThoughtCo.) One of the interesting bee facts reveals that they communicate with one another through movement.

Some say that it looks like their dancing or head-butting each other, depending on the message that they’re trying to get across. n

The brain of a bee is the size of a sesame seed. (Golden Green) Nonetheless, they are extremely smart. For example, they can make complex calculations regarding their foraging efficiency and traveled distance. For us, this would take a lot of mental gymnastics. Yet, the bees can do it without much effort, despite the size of their brains.

Researchers discovered a 100-millionyear-old bee fossil in 2006. (Cornell Chronicle) Oregon State University researchers made this fantastic discovery in Myanmar’s Hukawng Valley. It was a brilliant find as the fossil is among the oldest ones that were found and acknowledged.

The fossil was preserved in amber, which is the main reason it didn’t degrade.

5 FACTS ABOUT BEES

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frozenfeature

FEELING GOOD IN THE FREEZER

Dr. Feelgood Frozen Pops are a game changer in the ice-cream multi-pack category with the innovative brand leading the way with 100 percent home compostable packaging.

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ith no plastic packaging in sight, Dr. Feelgood serves up a delightful range of fun flavours, made in New Zealand, using organic ingredients and absolutely no weird stuff. Dr. Feelgood Frozen Pops are ‘better for you’ and ‘better for the planet’.

The brands exciting new four-pack multi-pack range includes Chocoholic, Banoffee, and JellyTop Passionfruit & White Chocolate. Dr. Feelgood Frozen Pops are made with premium ingredients including organic NZ whole milk, fresh cream, organic banana, organic raw cacao and other special organic ingredients including the sweet nectar of coconut flowers.

Each pop contains no refined white sugar or weird unnatural ingredients.

“There are only five simple ingredients in Dr. Feelgood Chocoholic Frozen Pops, we don’t cut corners on quality and this decadent product really does prove that quality counts” said Marina Hirst Tristram, managing director of Tasman Bay Food Co. “We could see was an opportunity for NZ made, better quality, unique products in the ice-cream multipack category. Dr Feelgood Frozen Pops delivers this alongside the benefit of healthier ingredients and better for the planet packaging.”

Tasman Bay Food Co. is the business behind Dr Feelgood Frozen Pops and other frozen pop icons like Juicies and Moosies. During Covid-19, Tasman Bay Food Co. built a new manufacturing plant to scale up its production of Dr Feelgood Frozen Pops.

“Our brand-new frozen pop production line increases our manufacturing capability an incredible 14 times!’ said Hirst Tristram. “The new plant also brings our food safety compliance up to a global standard allowing us to carry out our export plans. This has been quite a year with Covid-19 causing plenty of delays and casting uncertainty and doubt. But we have continued to plough through this challenge with positivity and we do back ourselves to become New Zealand’s number one pop manufacturer.”

Tasman Bay Food Co. has big plans for Dr. Feelgood

Frozen Pops; with export markets offering significant growth for the brand they are preparing to launch in Australia, Japan, and USA markets.

With the business keen to reduce its environmental footprint, and with consumers’ interest in recyclable and eco-friendly packaging growing, Tasman Bay Food Co. and Dr. Feelgood Frozen Pops continue to invest in improvements to packaging, process & product.

“Our commitment means we have been working hard to make positive changes in all areas of our business, including with our supply chain partners.

Investing in Dr. Feelgood Frozen Pops is one of those changes that truly does feel good. Our pop boxes are perfect to ‘pop’ in your home compost or recycle. This means sweet tooths like me can choose fabulously yummy products that are better for the planet. But not only that … they are better for you.”

The trend towards healthier products that, importantly, taste ‘fantabulous’ has become more important to consumers. Dr Feelgood Frozen Pops offer that indulgent treat and nostalgic, classic flavours like Banoffee, but with portion control and a healthier twist. There is no shortage of innovation in the works with more quirky flavours that are both better for you and better for the planet available in the coming months.

For more information, contact: Rob Murdoch, National Sales Manager, Tasman Bay Food Co. rob@tasmanbay.co.nz 021 547 751 n

Our commitment to reducing our footprint on the environment means we have been working hard to make positive changes to our products and processes.

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100% HOME COMPOSTABL E

ORDER THESE PREMIUM POPS TODAY SALES@TASMANBAY.CO.NZ September 2020

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frozenfeature

THE FREEZER AISLE IS HEATING UP New Zealand’s favourite chicken brand Tegel has been putting chicken on Kiwi tables since 1961. Its extensive range of products offers consumers both free range and barn raised, satisfying New Zealand’s appetite for chicken, from nuggets to nibbles to whole roasts and butterfly birds.

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ales from the Tegel Take Outs Louisiana Style and Nashville Style range have surpassed the teams’ expectations since its launch back in October 2019 according to Karen Rodriguez, brand manager at Tegel.

“Not only was it the most successful freezer NPD in the market, but the Louisiana Tenders is now the number one ranked SKU by value in the category,” said Rodriguez. (source: IRI data MAT to 30/08/20).

The Take Outs products replicate the fried chicken take-away restaurant experience so consumers can enjoy restaurant quality chicken in the convenience of their own home, straight from the freezer. Tegel Take Outs is experiencing +141% value growth (QTR to 30/08/20) and is the biggest contributor to the category’s growth (+$9.9M at MAT 30/08/20).

Despite the frozen food category being a core grocery purchase for nearly all consumers, in recent years, the category has worked hard to engineer a significant growth in sales, with innovations seen in both product offering and in packaging to meet the needs of a changing consumer demand. Frozen foods were already experiencing a resurgence leading into this year, but with reduced access to restaurants and fast casual dining due to Covid-19, the demand for frozen foods has soared.

This has led to consumers seeking out more frozen staples and products with a longer shelf life. Tegel has also noted the resurgence of the category in the current climate, with value growth at +41% vs +6% in the prior year (Aztec IRI Scan Data MAT 30/08/2020).

“At a time where people are conscious of spending and perhaps a bit more cautious around dining out, the Tegel Frozen Range offers great value as an alternative to going to a restaurant or getting take-aways. They are also an ideal solution for easy entertaining at home as people try to stay connected.”

With the success of the Take Outs Louisiana Style Range and Nashville Style Portions, developing the Nashville Style Tenders was a natural progression for the brand. “We were receiving a lot of positive consumer feedback with specific requests for the Nashville Style Tenders so we were thrilled to be able to launch the addictively spicy tenders this September.”

Tegel also have recently launched a new range of pre-cooked, flavoured Tegel Chicken Breast Strips, which are made for consumers that have busy lifestyles.

According to IRI NZ Grocery State of the Industry Survey in 2019, around 60 percent of Kiwis wake up in the morning not knowing what they will be having

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for dinner that same night. In response to this finding, Tegel’s Frozen Chicken Breast Strips are the answer to this very problem as they can be cooked straight from the freezer. Available in three delicious and versatile flavours including Roast Chicken, Tandoori and Satay.

The range can be added to stir fry’s, pastas, or used as pizza toppings, the combinations are endless. A healthier option compared to many other frozen products available, the range can be ready in literally minutes, so they are perfect for consumers who are short on time.

October will see the company introduce a new range of Premium Free Range products under its Rangitikei brand. The range includes Buttermilk Tenderloins, Karaage Chicken and Thai Style Tenderloins, all of which are whole muscle with unique ruffled textured coatings. The Rangitikei range offers consumers a higher-end experience that replicates restaurant quality, but from the comfort of home. The team expect that the product’s authentic flavours and natural ingredients to be a sure fire hit when they hit shelves.

Convenience is one of the top purchasing drivers for frozen foods, with ease of preparation coming in as second to that driver. Consumers certainly recognise this convenience, but are quick to emphasise the quality and variety available in the category as well. The combination of quality and variety with convenience continues to drive category growth.

Frozen food offerings can deliver on convenience just as easily as deli-prepared or QSR’s can.

“The popularity of services like Uber Eats confirms that people want the same Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) experience from the comfort of their own homes and they want it instantly. Grocery brands, including Tegel, have responded with “Fake-aways” which seek to replicate the experience with QSR-style offerings.”

There has also been a considerable mind-shift in the way the frozen food category is being perceived.

Previously, the category has been associated with frozen pizzas or options that are less-healthy than

fresh. However, this perception has had a major overhaul with the exceptional new product development and innovation by brands, including Tegel.

“Healthy eating continues to be a growing trend and will get an extra dimension post-Covid-19 as people focus on improving their health. In the development of the Tegel Frozen Breast Strips, we have kept in mind today’s busy consumers who want healthy and easy options for dinner that take little skill and time to prepare, without having to compromise on flavour.”

The freezer category is often overlooked, but it surprisingly offers a wide variety of tasty, healthy and convenient meal solutions that can be cooked straight from the freezer and are typically ready in 30 minutes or less. The frozen category is really just the original meal kit. n

D E E N S Y A D D R A H easy NIGHTS NEW

FROM YOUR FREEZER TO THE

TABLE IN MINUTES

TION INNOVA E H F RO M T R FREEZE

The Natural Free Range Choice Easy entertaining straight from your freezer

N AT U R A L I N G R E D I E N T S

AU T H E N T I C F L AVO U R S

SIMPLE CONVENIENCE September 2020

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frozenfeature

MAGNUM LAUNCH THE FIRST RUBY CHOCOLATE DESSERT Magnum ice cream, the global authority on ice cream and chocolate, has introduced the new Magnum Ruby range and becomes the first ice cream brand to launch a flavour with the new Ruby chocolate.

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iving pleasure seekers the opportunity to indulge in a completely new taste experience, Magnum Ruby coats indulgent ice cream with a Ruby chocolate coating, giving the taste experience a unique berry fruitiness, luscious smoothness, and unique natural pink colour.

The biggest innovation in the chocolate world in 80 years, Ruby chocolate is the fourth variant of chocolate after dark, milk and white chocolates.

Unveiled in 2017, Ruby took 10 years of development, and was crafted by Barry Callebaut, BJ20201441 B&J Boots on The Moon Ad_v2_HR.pdf

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the world’s leading manufacturer of high- quality chocolates with over 175 years of expertise. Sourced from Ecuador, Brazil and the Ivory Coast of West Africa, Ruby chocolate is made with Ruby cocoa beans, carefully selected for their attributes.

The unique crafting process unlocks the naturally present berry-like flavour and pink colour tone.

Creating a new dimension of taste, Ruby chocolate is considered to be a true novelty by chefs and chocolatiers alike, due to its unique taste and stunning appearance.

Magnum is the first ice cream brand in the world to pair Ruby chocolate with ice cream – creating a decadent union of Magnum Ruby chocolate coating over an indulgent velvety ice cream and offering pleasure seekers the ultimate luxury ice-cream.

Available in two variants, Magnum Ruby & Raspberry contains velvety white chocolate ice cream and a luscious raspberry swirl, and Magnum Ruby & Blood Orange has an indulgent vanilla ice cream with blood orange swirls. n

NEW MAGNUM RUBY T H E 4 TH DISCOVERED C HOCOL ATE

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letters to theeditor To the Editor,

I would like to comment from our experience with FSNI recently with Project LEAF. We have found that our dealings with Foodstuffs North Island have become increasingly more challenging, and feel that there is a call for an enquiry into unfair practices. Initially, the presentations and discussions stated that it was non-compulsory and that there would be no adverse repercussions if you weren’t to sign up. This has evolved into threats of promotions being cancelled, products being deranged, and NPD being denied. There also seems to be a lot of confusion internally about how the process actually works with many conflicting opinions or interpretations on what impact it will have at the store level. Finally, the timing of this change has been opportunistic, with 2020 being a particularly challenging year for the obvious reasons, many suppliers just haven’t had the time or resource to fully analyse what impact this will have to their business. The supplier base worked exceptionally hard to ensure product was available and serviced when in store over the Covid-19 lockdown, and in return we are being asked for our margins to be squeezed even further.

Anon

To the Editor,

Covid-19 has forced consumer behaviour to a retail centric model as a result of lockdowns and social distancing practices. It is critical for our economy now more than ever to support all things local, we now value and support every job in New Zealand for our greater economic good. Therefore, the choices being made in the supermarket have a true impact on NZ’s retail supply industries, making these choices are vital for our local economic sustainability.

However, our retail shelves are being used by foreign owned companies to dump their subsidised products onto our shelves, often well disguised. They are lowering price points which in turn drives out locally produced products, as they cannot sustain the low margin pricing set by the subsidised products.

When it comes to global cheese trade, the EU in particular subsidises their farmers to produce a lowpriced milk solid. Also, global demand has skyrocketed for whey protein powders that go into making infant formula for Asia. Therefore, the large scale automated cheese plants in the EU now achieve a greater financial return from their whey by-products than their cheese. This has led to some cheeses becoming the by-products and whey protein powders their volume and revenue drivers. So, these EU cheese producers literally dump their cheese into whatever market that will take them, they freeze their stocks down and sea freight around the world to supermarket shelves via foreign owned corporate distributors. Landing to be sold on a low margin/high volume scale, with the profits going back to offshore foreign owned corporations. These foreign distribution models are disrupting our local producers with their low-cut pricing and their high-volume supply, scan data indicates they have a combined 25% market share of NZ’s specialty cheese retail market.

New Zealand cheese has come of age, we no longer look at EU products as being superior aspirational product, just like the NZ wine industry our domestic cheese production industry has come of age in quality, variety and we are even now leading some innovation. New Zealand cheeses now compete with the old-world product at international world championship level.

Consumers and retailers must understand their choices at the deli cabinet impact our industries and keep Kiwis in jobs. By buying local product we keep our valuable currency domestic, we support local farmers, producers and families, we fill kids school lunch boxes and fund our future education needs.

We need to understand the impact of supporting local products is now critical, spend the extra couple of dollars on all things local. Buy trusted NZ brands made with our own ingredients, inspect product of origin labelling and look for barcodes beginning with the 94 – only NZ produced products are allowed to use the 94-barcode prefix.

Buying imported products is only driving foreign corporate profits, extracting our valuable domestic funds from our economy to fund foreign offshore interests.

Keep it local. Your country needs you.

Simon Berry

NZSCA Spokesman on Tariffs and Trade, Whitestone Cheese MD

To the Editor,

While freedom of speech is a privilege in this country, I must object to your recent call for a Code of Practice clearly targeting the retail trade. As an owner, I surely have every right to determine how I run my business and if some of my opinions don’t always match with suppliers, then so be it, It’s not that many years since the boot was on the other foot and we were told what we could have - when and at what price. The simple fact is that we are now in control and the way we run the business is over to us store owners.

No one ever suggested a Code of Practice when suppliers held the reins.

Name withheld

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To the Editor,

Do the commercials trump the customer insights?

FSNI preface every supplier presentation with “being the most customer driven retailer in the world” However, the operating model negotiations with supplier are clearly led by margin and wrestling control of discretionary spend and deals and locking in this extra margin.

Every step of the negotiations is prefaced by the threat that if “you don’t sign up your ranging or shelf position will be affected” The planogram based on Dunhumby customer insights is modified based on the highest tender offered by suppliers and those that cannot meet the threshold find themselves on the bottom shelf or excluded altogether.

Larger suppliers are given a sweetheart deal whilst medium and smaller suppliers have little negotiating power as FSNI “pickoff” all the suppliers in the category and the option of being excluded from the range is clearly unpalatable.

The negotiating tactics of the FSNI commercial team have in many instances resembled a school bully standing over the smallest guy in school and shows again the market dominance of foodstuffs.

The uneven playing field for suppliers once again highlights the need for a Grocery code of Conduct as in the current round of negotiations not only will suppliers suffer but also consumers may well see their favourite products disappear from their New World store if it doesn’t meet the “commercials”.

Let’s hope whoever is elected to government will be prepared to pass some legislation with teeth to be able to rein in FSNI and other retailers when they use their market power to exploit suppliers.

PmB

To the Editor,

Centre Co-op & Store Display Co-op (aka Project Leaf ) Whilst we have no issue with a change to an operating process that theoretically will deliver more efficiencies and possibly eliminate unnecessary administrative costs between suppliers and stores the changing dynamic of Project Leaf is concerning.

Initial concerns regarding compliance by individual stores with what was proposed re ranging core lines and adherence to promotional activities has been experienced with some stores refusing to carry core ranged products. This combined with a lack of understanding or care by store management of the obligations of the contract has frustrated the process of implementation.

There have also been instances of store buyers demanding additional expenditure over and above what has been agreed contractually to continue to carry core lines.

The initial concept of Project Leaf outlined was 100% compliance by stores to all planned & agreed activity, this has subsequently been reduced to 60% guaranteed and 40% discretional at store level. This favours those suppliers that have the budget to offer more funds over the Co Op percentage already provided to extract more space and activity, not all suppliers have the margin or funds to adhere to both centralised discounting and then store specific discounting. Also noted is that the initial Centre Co-op and Store Display Co-op discounts negotiated on the basis of 100% compliance have not been reduced in line with the reduction in guaranteed store compliance.

It has been stated by FSNI in the Supplier Connect forums that it is entirely optional to sign Project Leaf, there is no mandatory requirement to trade with New Worlds and Four Squares, however it has been observed that those that do not sign have messages to stores pop up stating that “supplier has opted out” or “supplier refuses to sign” or even SAP blocks are put on products so that stores cannot order even if they wish to.

There have also been instances where NPD offered has been subject to signing Project Leaf before any NPD or range extensions will be considered.

Therefore, refusal to sign appears to trigger blocks in the store ordering process via SAP, messages to stores not to support any suppliers who have not signed and no access to Head Office promotional plans or ranging.

These factors determine whether a supplier’s product remains available for sale to stores and through to consumers. The power to maintain ongoing product ranging solely lies with FSNI under this process and excludes individual stores the opportunity to support any suppliers who do not conform.

There also appears to be significant disparity in understanding of what Centre Co-op and Store Display Co-op cover throughout the organisation in Foodstuffs North Island Head Office and in store management.

As a supplier, it is difficult to manage the negotiation process when differing messages are delivered dependent upon who one is talking to. An observation is that there are too many variables and too much ambiguity in the dynamics of the process along with ongoing changes by FSNI to what was originally proposed, and so creating internal confusion within Foodstuffs.

It is conceded that FSNI Category Management will act on advice of store noncompliance of ranging under Project Leaf and will remove incorrect SAP blocks on accepted ranged lines, but the time delays are costly in lost sales and it is only through our own field force that we are finding these problems.

Without this field team structure in place we would have no visibility on problems occurring in the system and the ability to correct problems killing sales.

I fear the roll out of Project Leaf has been too hasty and any warning signals that it will actually damage the customer offering and sales of New Worlds and Four Squares have been ignored in the pursuit of a margin shift from the suppliers to retailers in the interests of expediency.

Concerned supplier

September 2020

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The 2020 Inspire+ Artisan Awards received a fantastic and encouraging level of support and entries with 683 products being judged by the panel across the seven categories. Category winners have been announced along with the Supreme winner. Each category winner receives an advertising package and this year the Supreme winner takes home not only the b2b advertising package and association memberships and subscriptions, but they also receive a $10,000 advertising campaign from Mediaworks.

While judging delays were experienced due to Auckland's COVID-19 lockdowns, the judges worked solidly to catch up once levels were lifted. Competition was tough, so much so, that a new category was opened up to cater for the huge number of honey brands that entered the awards.

"This competition continues to support New Zealand artisanal producers, there is no charge for entry and the prize packages are geared around supporting the winning brands in the next step on their journey," said head judge and SupermarketNews publisher, Tania Walters. "We appreciate Mediaworks support of the awards this year with the addition of a $10,000 advertising campaign to the Supreme winner's prize."

The Inspire+ Artisan Awards have showcased the depth and breadth of New Zealand’s best and locally made produce something that resonates with New Zealand consumers in the new normal where consumers are all strongly identifying with buying local.

After a lengthy judging process, that analysed the product’s degree of innovation, fit for purpose, visual appeal, taste, price point, and shelf-life – the category winners and the supreme winner have been selected. All entrants should be proud of their efforts in bringing the best artisanal food and beverage to the New Zealand consumer.

Each category winner receives a $5,000 advertising campaign in their choice of SupermarketNews or Restaurant & Café magazines, along with a six-month Membership of FGC, Restaurant Association and NZ Chefs. All entrants receive a subscription to SupermarketNews and Restaurant & Cafe magazines. n

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FROZEN FRESH LTD This year our Supreme Winner is Frozen Fresh, they are also the winner of our Chilled, Fresh & Deli Category. The Tomorrow’s Meals range was created to fill a gap in the market for a longer shelf life chilled product range that didn’t compromise on taste. The range is locally made and produced in the Bay of Plenty. The six flavours include; Mexican Chicken, Pork Tagine, Spanish Beef Casserole, Eggplant Rendang, Japanese Tofu Curry, and Chilli Beef & Beans.

For more information, visit www.frozenfresh.co.nz/tomorrows-meals

AMBIENT: RUTHFORD & MEYER Rutherford & Meyer’s Cracker Bites come in three mouthwatering variants; sweet potato, chickpea and beetroot.

When creating these, the team were looking for something that was versatile, healthy and gluten-free. After investigating international offerings, the team was confident that there was a need for a health-conscious option for the New Zealand market. Made from a base of three seeds, chia, linseed and poppy, Rutherford & Meyer’s Cracker Bites are a great light and crispy snacking cracker that can be enjoyed on their own or topped with your favourite cheeses and dips.

For more information, visit www.rutherfordandmeyer.co.nz

BEVERAGE (ALCOHOLIC): CITIZEN COLLECTIVE

Citizen Collective, are a rescue and repurpose organisation. Citizen Collective’s Pale Ale and Pilsner are created from ‘rescued’ bread. Before the bread was taken to the dumps, Citizen Collective would gather them from supermarkets to be used in the production of their beer so nothing goes to waste. This innovative and creative process has scored them the title of Artisan Awards Alcoholic Beverages category winner for 2020.

For more information, visit www.citizen.co.nz September 2020

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BEVERAGE (NON-ALCOHOLIC): GOOD HERB SODA Fresh on the market, Good Herb Soda are the new kids on the block. Launching with two sparkling terpene drinks, this is a first for New Zealand. Unwind and InZone were created with good health and wellness in mind.

Plants such as cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, or salvia divinorum – if understood and consumed with positive intent – can allow an individual to experience altered states of mind. At Good Herb Soda, they want to imbibe this positive intent and create healthy products that complement the use of such plants. “We hope to generate more awareness around this topic and help people curate their experience.”

For more information, visit www.goodherbsoda.com

FROZEN: HOUSE OF DUMPLINGS

In 2019, Vicky Ha of House of Dumplings spoke to her dumpling lovers. While a lot of people loved the rich flavour and taste, they said the price point was too high. After investing in new machinery, thus reducing labour costs, the team was able to reduce the price from $18.99 to $10.99. The entire range of frozen dumplings are presteamed and now offer new flavours to respond to the growing demand of flexitarians and plant-based ingredients.

All of which are 100 percent natural ingredients, ethically sourced, and New Zealand produce when they can.

For more information, visit www.houseofdumplings.co.nz

HONEY: TAYLOR PASS HONEY CO

Special category winner Taylor Pass Honey Co created a gift pack of three premium New Zealand honeys. There was a gap in the market for a smaller travel-size honey tasting set and the team spent a lot of time researching what consumers were looking for. This premium set of honey delivers on design, taste, and price.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE: AHHH BODYCARE

Eliminating bulky plastic packaging, Ahhh Bodycare has created a range of solid moisturisers in 80g tubes.

With three variants, Raspberry & Vanilla, Rose & Chamomile, and Ocean Cruz, the team wanted to develop a sustainable range of environmentally-friendly beauty products. It was vital to the products that they created a range of vegan-friendly, efficient and don’t compromise on quality. One of the most important aspects of the products is that it is completely zero-waste. Once finished, the cardboard tube can be composted in home compost bins. The ink is plant-based and biodegradable.

For more information, visit www.ahhh.nz

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BEVERAGE (Non-Alcoholic): GIESEN GROUP LTD (Highly Commended)

A workplace focus on health and wellbeing sparked the idea for producing this wine. “The Heineken Zero percent beer had just come out and at the time we were doing a ‘fit 24’ challenge,” explained Nikolai St George chief winemaker. “For the likes of someone like me, I still need to have something in my hand and not feel like I’m missing out.” Twelve months later, they were able to make a zero percent wine. They note that this was because of new technology available which was brought to New Zealand over six months ago.

The growing demand of health and wellness is rapidly taking the world by storm. Consumers are looking to reduce their alcohol intake for a wide variety of reasons, and this is the perfect solution.

For more information, visit www.giesen.co.nz

BEVERAGE (Alcoholic): TIRAU LTD (Highly Commended) Koakoa is Te Reo for happiness and offers handcrafted liqueurs and spirits from the Kapati Coast. Packaged in quality French glass bottles, Kokoa Limoncello can be used as a captivating cocktail base. Efficient and delicious, made from the best quality of New Zealand fruit. Bright and zesty with a hint of sherbet lemons and bonbons.

It has a soft, creamy lemon start with a flash of citrus blossom and lemon meringue pie.

For more information, visit www.koakoa.nz

AMBIENT: HEILALA (Highly Commended)

HONEY: MANUKA DOCTOR LIMITED (Highly Commended)

Manuka Doctor’s Squeezy Honey is an all-natural sweet treat. The Manuka Doctor Honey squeezy honey range is easy to use, and can be used as a spread, a sweetener in drinks, drizzled on breakfast bowls and ice cream or eaten straight from the pot as a sweet treat.

For more information, visit www.manukadoctor.co.nz

Proudly made in Te Puna, Tauranga, Heilala Vanilla has been a crowd favourite for its unique vanilla extract offerings. With passionate home bakers in mind they’ve developed a vanilla extract speckled with vanilla bean seeds so the sweet taste of vanilla is bold - straight from the bottle. Other innovative offerings include coffee, berry, cocoa, pumpkin spice, peppermint and oak aged vanilla extracts. Their expanded offering allows them to employ more growers and farmers in Tonga, the chain of islands in the South Pacific. In addition to running their own farms in Tonga, Heilala Vanilla works with local growers to set up a transparent, ethical supply chain of vanilla beans, vanilla paste, vanilla extract and flavoured vanilla extracts.

For more information, visit www.heilalavanilla.co.nz

FRESH/CHILLED/DELI: FOOD NATION FROZEN: SETTEBELLO (Highly Commended) Dough It is a 1800g pouch bag that is packed full of frozen pizza dough, Romanstyle, for home use. Made from local ingredients and Italian flour, the dough is prepared by professional pizza makers in their family pizzeria according to classic Roman traditions. After shaping the dough, it gets frozen to maximise the freshness and quality. After defrosting at home, simply stretch it out and add your favourite toppings to have a quality, authentic pizzeria experience.

For more information, visit www.settebello.co.nz

(Highly Commended)

Responding to a market dominated by products full of soy, starch, and fillers, Food Nation is an innovative new food brand on a mission to get more people eating more plants for their health, and the health of the planet. Unlike other faux-meat options, Food Nation is proudly plant-based and celebrates it. The packaging visually disrupts shoppers with its bold and bright designs, holding its own in the meat aisle. Priced to compete with meat products, it offers good value to consumers and an easy and tasty solution for the whole family.

For more information, visit www.foodnation.co.nz.

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Supplying quality Italian smallgoods to New Zealand supermarkets, hospitality trade and delicatessen wholesalers.

Call us now for authentic quality Italian smallgoods. www.ghiotti.co.nz

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