FMCG Business May 2021

fmcgbusiness.co.nz

L E A D I N G

I N D U S T R Y

N E W S

MAY 2021 – Volume 8 – No 4

PLUS! EASY MEALS n SENSATIONAL SPREADS n WHAT’S HOT n NZ EVENTS n NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST FMCG AUDIENCE

contents MAY 2021

UP FRONT 4

EDITOR’S NOTE

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INDUSTRY NEWS

7 PROFILE Beauty from within

SPECIAL FEATURES

20

12 SENSATIONAL SPREADS New products and category insights 16 EASY DOES IT What’s trending in convenience meals?

35 JAMES & WELLS Abolishment of Australian innovation patents

24 BETTER FOR OUR PLANET Shoppers look for more sustainable choices

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

10 BEST IN SEASON Fresh produce update 19 WHAT’S HOT New products in store

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32 NEW TOOLBOX HELPS BUSINESSES TAKE CLIMATE ACTION 34 FMCG BUSINESS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Another finalist revealed

REGULARS

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31 PROFILE Technology: no substitute for a skilled driver

20 PROFILE RJ’s – Making confectionery better

GOOD BUSINESS 22 INDUSTRY NEWS AND INSIGHTS 23 PROFILE Brand specialist HOOP expands offering with co-packing venture 25 THE DOLE PROMISE 27 PROFILE Coca-Cola Amatil joins the global RE100 Renewable Energy Initiative 28 LEGAL ADVICE 29 FGC COVID-washing or confirmation bias?

30 TRANSPORT & EXPORT

EVENTS 36 FOODTECH PACKTECH HIGHLIGHTS 38 TOP JUDGES ASSESS OUTSTANDING LOCAL PRODUCE 39 WHAT’S ON Events for your diary 40 THE FMCG BUSINESS MARKETING SUMMIT IS BACK 43 OUT & ABOUT Our people at work and events around the country

CONVENIENCE & IMPULSE RETAILING 44 EDITOR’S NOTE 45 FIVE CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE PROOFING YOUR FUEL AND CONVENIENCE BUSINESS 46 NZACS Winners and grinners at the annual NZACS golf tournament 48 SIGNATURE MARKETING NZ Surviving and thriving through COVID-19

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[ editorial ]

LOCAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS, NEW PRODUCTS AND EXPERT ADVICE The last few weeks have been super busy for our team. We visited Foodtech Packtech, celebrated the opening of Foodstuffs’ new campus in Auckland, joined the judging panel at the Outstanding NZ Food Producers Awards, and started planning the FMCG Business Marketing Summit, which returns to Auckland on 5th October.

We bring you some of the highlights from these and other local industry events in this issue and over on www.fmcgbusiness.co.nz , where you can also subscribe to our weekly news updates.

Find out what’s new in store, what’s best in season right now, and see (on page 16-17) how Delmaine’s passion for great tasting fresh pasta and pasta sauces is being reinvigorated with a massive investment.

We also visit RJ's in Levin (see pg 20-21), bring you category insights, Nielsen data, new products designed with sustainability in mind, and top tips from industry experts in this issue.

An interesting report* revealed earlier this year that 94% of New Zealanders now use the internet; 90% access the internet via mobile; 82% use social media; 88% searched for a product online in the past month and 72% visited an online store in the past month.

You can follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to receive FMCG Business as a print or digital magazine delivered to your inbox. *Source: Datareportal, Digital 2021 report, New Zealand Enjoy this issue,

PUBLISHED BY C&I Media (NZ) Ltd PO Box 109 342 Newmarket, Auckland 1149 MANAGING DIRECTOR Simon Grover COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Safa de Valois safa@c-store.com.au EDITORIAL DIRECTOR James Wells james@intermedia.com.au HEAD OF CONTENT Tamara Rubanowski trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 027 278 4761 MANAGING EDITOR – C&I NZ Deb Jackson d.jackson@c-store.com.au NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Vicky Bennett vbennett@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 021 626 115 SALES DIRECTOR Wendy Steele wsteele@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 021 300 473 ART DIRECTOR Leanne Hogbin leanne@intermedia.com.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au PUBLISHING ASSISTANT & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Eclypse Lee elee@intermedianz.co.nz

Tamara Rubanowski trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz www.fmcgbusiness.co.nz

C&I Media takes its Corporate and Social Responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities. As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine is printed on Impress stock from Spicers Paper using FSC-MIX source pulp from responsible sources and other controlled sources. We print using BIO-inks that contain base materials from renewable resources including wood resin (rosin, colophony), vegetable oils, linseed oil and soy bean oil. This magazine is printed by ICG, an ToitŪ enviromark gold certified printer.

ON THE COVER To find out more about the range of Manuka Doctor Honey products visit https://www.manukadoctor.co.nz/ and contact your Selling Solutions Rep to get the latest promos: Selling Solutions Info@sellingsolutions.co.nz

FMCG BUSINESS IS PROUDLY ASSOCIATED WITH

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FMCG Business is audited and verified by ABC. DISCLAIMER This publication is published by C&I Media (NZ) Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by New Zealand and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2021 - C&I Media (NZ) Ltd

Co-Packing & Re working your brand, locally

[ news ]

20 MOST TRUSTED BRANDS IN NZ REVEALED Whittaker’s has taken out the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted of all Brands award for the tenth consecutive year – an unprecedented achievement.

Fourth generation chocolate maker Holly Whittaker says chocolate is a Whittaker family passion dating back to 1896 and it’s the family’s “relentless quest for perfection” that has allowed it to consistently craft New Zealand’s finest chocolate.

“We are committed to making worldclass chocolate, and that means never compromising on quality, taste, or size.

We are also committed to supporting our wonderful staff, sourcing ethical and sustainable ingredients, and following best practice in manufacturing,” she said after hearing of the latest award.

The Whittaker’s team also recently launched a compostable peanut slab wrapper trial, continues its support of iconic Kiwi charities, invested in machinery and facility advancements, and is proud of its “above and beyond efforts” to nurture direct relationships with cocoa farmers.

A total of 72 categories featured in this year’s Trusted Brands survey commissioned by Reader’s Digest. More than 1800 New Zealanders from a broad demographic were asked to select three of their most trusted brands for each category. They then rated those brands on the 1-10 scale for trust.

Categories were varied, including for example banks, dog food, gas

and electricity providers, wine, pain relief, supermarkets, vitamins and supplements, and vegetarian foods.

Categories featured change with the times, and new ones are often added.

Newcomers this year include the Cookies category, (won by Cookie Time, with Farmbake and Cadbury highly commended); Honey category (won

by Arataki with Manuka Health and Airborne highly commended); and Coffee Roasted and Ground category (won by Robert Harris with Jed’s and Avalanche highly commended).

The top 20 winners (that scored higher in their respective categories than the other brands polled) are: 1. Whittaker’s 11. Weber 2. Toyota 12. Huntley & Palmers 3. Samsung 13. Sleepyhead 4. Tip Top 14. Resene 5. St John NZ 15. Bridgestone 6. Mainland 16. Yates 7. Dettol 17. Canon Holly Whittaker 8. Mitre 10 18. Griffins 9. Anchor 19. Dilmah 10. Sony 20. Persil Under each category, one winner and two highly commended placings were awarded. To see the full results of all 72 categories, visit www.trustedbrands.co.nz Whittaker’s also won NZ Iconic Brand Category for the ninth consecutive year.

WALTER & WILD ACQUIRES EMERALD FOODS Walter & Wild has finalised the acquisition of the Emerald Foods Group, the international premium ice cream company and owner of iconic, market-leading Kiwi brands – New Zealand Natural, Killinchy Gold, Zilch and Chateau. Emerald Foods Group also operate Mövenpick under licence in New Zealand.

Walter & Wild founder and owner Harry Hart says: “This is a major acquisition for our business and an avenue into an attractive growth sector of the FMCG, foodservice and retail markets. It is a good news story, bringing a New Zealand-founded business with well-loved brands back into New Zealand ownership.”

FOR MORE INDUSTRY NEWS FOLLOW US ON 6

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

The business was formed by Hart with the acquisition over time of four separate consumer foods companies: Hubbard Foods, Hansells Food Group, Greggs and I Love Food. Iconic brands such as Hubbards, Aunt Betty’s, Alfa One and Greggs are paired with more disruptive brands such as I Love, Vitasport and Snack Org. Emerald Foods joins this family of brands, which now encompasses more than 500 products, reaching consumers from breakfast to dessert.

The acquisition gives Walter & Wild 350+ staff across New Zealand and Australia.

CHECK OUT WWW.FMCGBUSINESS.CO.NZ

[ news ]

SHOPPERS FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION AND THE ENVIRONMENT Mintel has launched the Future of Nutrition, Health and Wellness 2021 Report, featuring the latest market research, product innovation insights, and consumer trends shaping the nutrition, health, and wellness space, as well as strategic recommendations for brands over the next five years.

Daisy Li, Associate Director, Mintel Food and Drink, APAC, says the pandemic has exposed critical truths related to nutrition, health, and wellness and shown that health is both a personal and public concern.

“The Future of Nutrition, Health and Wellness 2021 Report takes a look at shifts in consumer behaviour related to health, the role holistic solutions play, and the opportunities for healthy, affordable, accessible, and sustainable food,” says Li. Mintel’s key findings include a rising interest in holistic health and the now, next, and future of nutrition, health, and wellness. The research highlights that 70% of Chinese consumers regularly include immune-boosting food in

their diet because of COVID-19, and 50% plan to continue doing so in 2021.

In Brazil, 56% of consumers aspire to eat a diet that reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

The research also found 78% of US consumers say eating healthy is important for their emotional wellbeing, whereas in China, 44% of adults aged 18-59 believe having a good gut reduces anxiety.

“In the near future, reeling from the impacts of COVID-19, there will be a push towards more holistic health. Nutrition will be used as the foundation for health, both mentally and physically,” says Li. “Brands can address nutritional inequalities by facilitating localised solutions, improving the affordability and accessibility of nutritious food, and shifting to sustainable food systems.

“Over the next five years and beyond, sustainable nutrition and the focus on the environment will become the underlying factors at the core of consumers’ dietary choices and behaviour.”

[ profile ]

BEAUTY FROM WITHIN FROM HORLEYS SCULPT PURE MARINE COLLAGEN

Beautiful skin on the outside starts with a healthy foundation inside.

SCULPT Pure Marine Collagen is made from 100% pure fish collagen with added Vitamin C and Zinc to aid optimal skin structure and contribute to the maintenance of hair and nails. Added Magnesium helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue. Designed to fit your daily routine in a convenient re-sealable pouch so you can take it anywhere with no mess, no fuss and no spills.

Horleys is proud to present these four delightful new variants of Superior Type 1 Collagen products branded under the SCULPT “intelligent well-being” range.

Flavoured products are known as Chocolate Indulgence, Vanilla Radiance, Forest Berry Glow and the unflavoured is simply, Natural.

With between 85-99 grams of collagen per 100-gram pouch, these products are the Rolls Royce of collagen and yet very affordable.

Dairy free, soy free, gluten free, Pescatarian friendly and bioavailable (which enables optimal absorption).

Manufactured right here in New Zealand by Hansells Masterton, the owner of Horleys.

Contact your local Surge SMC Territory Sales Manager for further information.

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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BLACKMORES NZ’S MOST TRUSTED

VITAMIN & SUPPLEMENTS BRAND

Blackmores New Zealand are proud to have been voted New Zealand’s Most Trusted Vitamin & Supplements Brand in the 2021 Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand Awards.

The Blackmores vision is to connect every person on Earth to the healing power of nature by combining their knowledge of nature and science to deliver quality health solutions everywhere, every day.

Blackmores was founded in 1932

by Maurice Blackmore (1906-1977), whose passionate belief in the healthgiving properties of herbs and minerals was ahead of its time and led him to develop a whole system of healthcare based on naturopathic principles.

Over 85 years later, furthered by the work of Maurice’s son Marcus, Blackmores’ unrivalled heritage is at the heart of who they are today and guides their holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Blackmores are proud to be pioneers in natural healthcare and remain committed to delivering new and innovative products and unsurpassed quality. To help consumers make informed choices about their health and assist them on their wellbeing journeys, they offer supportive services such as the free Blackmores Naturopathic Advisory Service.

Recognising that you can’t have healthy people without a healthy planet,

Blackmores are strongly committed to embedding sustainability across their business, including their 2030 Net Zero Carbon Emissions target. They also proudly support Arthritis New Zealand and Macular Degeneration New Zealand, contributing 5% of sales from a number of Blackmores Bone, Joint, Muscle and Eye products.

As we transition into cooler weather, Blackmores encourage New Zealanders to protect their immune system by boosting their intake of key immune nutrients that might be missing from their diets. With a complete range of immune health products, it’s Blackmores’ differentiated Bio C range that should stand out to consumers wanting better natural solutions when first signs of winter ills and chills appear. Blackmores Bio C 1000 is a high-potency, one-a-day formula buffered with mineral ascorbates making it gentler on the stomach compared with ascorbic acid alone. Available in two strengths and a chewable version, Blackmore’s Bio C range also contains added bioflavonoids thought to support the efficacy of vitamin C and has antioxidant properties to help reduce free radicals formed in the body. Grab your daily immune boost today!

For personalised health advice information, call the free Blackmores Naturopathic Advisory Service on 0508 757 473 or visit www.blackmoresnz.co.nz.

“AT THE HEART OF OUR NATUROPATHIC PRINCIPLES IS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT GIVEN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, THE BODY CAN HEAL ITSELF.” MARCUS BLACKMORE

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[ health & wellness ]

ETHICS WINTER & PAIN RANGES – SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST “The Ethics Winter range continues to support your winter needs from cold and flu relief, sore throats, chest congestion, blocked nose, headaches and fever. It includes our Natural Relief Ills and Chills to support you naturally day and night,” says David Acott Sales & Marketing Manager at Multichem NZ Ltd. “With easy to swallow tablets and capsules in our adult’s range, throat lozenges, soothing chest rub and saline nasal spray we have you covered this Winter. There’s also some promotional Winter combo packs for even better value.”

“Ethics also supports your pain management needs for relief of headaches and fever.

With ibuprofen in tablet or liquid capsules, paracetamol tablets and Paracetamol Rapid tablets with a faster absorption* to get you fast relief when you need it most.”

“Trust Ethics this Winter with a wide quality range to choose from and value for money, they

are perfect to drive sales this Winter season and all year round,” says Acott.

For more information contact your Alliance Marketing Territory Manager or call Multichem on 09 488 0330. * compared to standard Ethics Paracetamol tablet

Ethics has you covered this winter.

High quality cold and flu range at a great price.

Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. Refer to the product packaging for information on active ingredient names and quantities, dosage, warnings, precautions, contraindication and side effects. Vitamins and minerals are supplementary to and not a replacement for a balanced diet.

Multichem NZ Ltd, Auckland. TAPS 2102DZ (21/011)

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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[ fresh produce ]

BEST IN SEASON With winter fast approaching, vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, silverbeet, leeks and celery will all be abundant.

Ohakune carrots, as well as parsnip, swede, potatoes and Brussels sprouts are in their peak and demand for these vegetables is always high.

Fruit-wise, kiwifruit and feijoas continue to be in good supply in May. A full range of apples, pears and Nashi pears are essential to keep your fruit area stocked at this time of year. Limes are also great value right now.

attention, as well as pre-packed options so consumers can grab a bag and go.

What to look for: Choose carrots that are firm and well formed, with a good orange colour. Smaller carrots tend to be sweeter and more tender.

Storage/handling: Store in a cool, dark place and keep hydrated.

Nutrition: Carrots are a good source of vitamin A for healthy skin and eyesight.

Persimmons

“CARROTS ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN A FOR HEALTHY SKIN AND EYESIGHT”

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After a tough 2020 season with COVID lockdown two weeks before harvest and lengthy drought conditions, the New Zealand persimmon industry is heading into this season with greater confidence.

Persimmons are actually a berry fruit and are only available in May and June. They are incredibly versatile and Kiwis have clearly clicked on with a 20% rise in fruit sold in the New Zealand market over just two years.

What to look for: Look for plump persimmons with smooth, shiny, orange skin free of cracks or blemishes. They will continue to ripen on the shelf and are ripe when crisp, so select fruit that is firm to touch.

Storage/handling: Persimmons are different to a lot of other fruit in that they keep longer if stored at room temperature – between 15-25 degrees.

Persimmons kept refrigerated will go soft more quickly than if they are left at room temperature.

Nutrition: Persimmons provide a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium which supports healthy growth and development.

Carrots The May Ohakune and South Island crop is currently in peak production with carrots fresh out of the ground. Although carrots are available year-round, they are at their best in the winter months. Merchandise carrots alongside other hard-line vegetables such as parsnip and swede. Be sure to display loose carrots to attract

Satsuma mandarins May brings the start of the Satsuma mandarin season, which will run through until mid-August. Many citrus varieties can withstand freezing temperatures, however Satsumas are extremely hardy and other than the kumquat, can deal with lower temperatures than other citrus fruit - as low as -9 degrees! They are sweet, juicy, seedless, easy-peel, immune-boosting and consumers love them. As they have a broad maturity time, fruit supplied throughout the season is always top quality.

What to look for: Select mandarins that are firm to slightly soft and are heavy for their size.

Storage/handling: Store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight for up to a week, but refrigerate after that to extend their shelf life of up to two weeks.

Ensure stock is always rotated.

Nutrition: Satsuma mandarins are a good source of vitamin C, which helps the body unlock energy and supports immunity. They are also a source of thiamin, which supports mental wellbeing.

Join us on

www.unitedfresh.co.nz

natural beauty FROM WITHIN

Sculpt Collagen is made from 100% pure fish collagen with added Vitamin C, Zinc and Magnesium to aid optimal skin structure and contribute to the maintenance of hair and nails.

Manufacturing: Hansells Masterton 0800 467 539 Sales: Surge SMC 0800 949 333

Dairy Free - Gluten Free - Soy Free - Pescetarian Friendly Convenient resealable pouch to retain freshness

SENSATIONAL SPREADS Nut butters and honey are firm favourites in New Zealand pantries.

Toast with honey, jam, or nut butter is still one of the easiest and most satisfying breakfast options, or enjoyed as a snack any time of the day.

Whether you like your spreads on fresh bread, scones, or spooned straight out of the jar, we’re blessed to have some excellent locally made products to choose from.

Happy Valley – a squeeze of happiness A morning routine is said to boost happiness. And that is exactly what Happy Valley have set out to do since 1975, creating happiness that you can taste, straight from the hive. The family owned and operated company has evolved their offering since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

Marketing Manager Narissa Harvey explains: “There has been a significant change in the dynamics of the honey category post-COVID and our borders have been shut. Without the steady stream of tourists and visiting family and friends taking back home their favourite Kiwi products, there has been a shift away from the premium high UMF level Manuka honey products to more of the everyday value options that Kiwi families love and can afford. That is why Happy Valley launched their Upside Down 100% Pure Liquid Honey range, a convenient squeezy bottle that the whole family can use. “Alongside squeezing straight onto toast, into smoothies and drizzling over yoghurt for that healthy morning routine, many families are looking to reduce sugar in cooking, baking, and cooking – and honey is a fabulous way to achieve this. One cup of sugar simply substituted with ½ a cup of honey is reducing the calorie intake by half, not to mention hat honey can add to flavour and not just sweeten. Now that’s happiness.”

Comvita’s most popular Mānuka Honey now in NZ grocery Comvita’s UMF5+ Mānuka Honey is now available in grocery stores for Kiwi families. UMF™ 5+ is Comvita’s most versatile and popular grade of authentic UMF™ certified Mānuka Honey, and shoppers can now include this family favourite in their regular grocery basket.

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UMF™ 5+ Mānuka Honey has a slightly milder flavour than it’s highgrade UMF™ counterparts, which makes it ideal for sweetening teas, tonics and smoothies naturally. It’s also the recommended UMF™ grade for snacking and incorporating into favourite recipes. With Comvita’s UMF5+ Manuka Honey now in grocery, it’s easier to get more manuka goodness into every day!

TIP: A heaped dessert spoon full of Comvita UMF5+ Mānuka Honey makes a great natural pre-workout energy boost! For more information and tips for using Mānuka Honey, visit www.comvita.co.nz.

Comvita UMF™5+ Mānuka Honey 500g and 250g size is now distributed exclusively for New Zealand grocery by Wilsons Consumer Products. For trade inquiries, please contact 0800 651 044.

WARNING: Honey is not suitable for children under one year of age.

Nut Brothers – New Zealand owned Nut Brothers is a 100% New Zealand owned and operated business. “We don’t just grind our nut butters right here in New Zealand, but we roast all our nuts right here in our dedicated nut roastery,” explains Co-founder Jono Wood.

“The surprising fact is that few premium nut butter brands actually roast their nuts here in New Zealand, many choose to use nuts roasted overseas - often close to four months old before they are finally milled or ground in NZ. “Hence our claim to be the freshest nut butters in New Zealand.

Rather than cranking up a big 5 tonne roast, we’re just constantly

100% Pure Honey by the Squeezeful Try it on your cheeseboard, in your smoothie, on your pancakes. It’ll be your new main squeeze!

happyvalley.co.nz For enquiries and further information contact your local Centurionz Sales Representative today.

New look packaging coming soon!

[ category insights ]

“PIC’S PEANUT & CHOCOLATE BUTTER COMBINES THE GOODNESS OF TWO ICONIC KIWI BRANDS”

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roasting 100kg at a time and then grinding them the very same day.

“Roasting fresh is like roasting coffee, it’s about the look, the feel, the cracking sound, the aroma and most importantly the great taste,” explains Wood.

“Why? Because we’re all about keeping it Kiwi, keeping it local, keeping it clean, keeping it fresh and keeping it free of GMO, with no added oils, emulsifiers, sugars or additives.

“We have a great wide range of options, big 500g jars for the more popular flavours and smaller 300g jars for the more indulgent options.

“Kiwis actually want good, healthy and honest NZ made products and at Nut Brothers we go out of our way to make that possible at great value for New Zealanders,” says Wood. nutbrothers.co.nz @nutbrothers @nutbrothersnz Contact your College Hill Agency Sales Representative for orders: https://www.cha.co.nz/

Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter – the every way, every day spread The most-asked question about the new Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter is “how do you eat it?”.

The answer is: every day in every way – because it’s full of goodness and lower in sugar compared to other spreads that contain chocolate.

The mainstay of Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter are the very same Pic’s signature Hi Oleic peanuts (76%) found in every jar of Pic’s Peanut Butter. That means you can eat Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter in many of the same ways you might eat Pic’s Peanut Butter – the only limit is people’s imagination.

The team at Pic’s has come up with a few

[ category insights ] suggestions to get people’s creative and culinary juices flowing: Try Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter with fruit; on your favourite granola; straight from the spoon; swirled into a banana loaf; or on top of a cake as icing. Spread it on pancakes or toast; use it as a celery filling; or dollop it on your favourite ice cream.

The possibilities are endless!

Packed full of protein for energy, Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter, as owner and founder of Pic’s Peanut Butter Pic Picot likes to say, contains “no weird stuff”. Even better, it’s crafted with New Zealand’s favourite Whittaker’s Five Roll Refined Creamy Milk and Dark Ghana 72% chocolate.

Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter combines the goodness of two iconic Kiwi brands that care about quality and insist on using only the best ingredients.

You could say it’s a match made in Aotearoa, and just like a Peanut Slab in a jar! Dedication to quality has helped to make products made by Pic’s and Whittaker’s firm household favourites, and Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter is no exception.

Pic’s Peanut & Chocolate Butter is available in supermarkets nationwide. picspeanutbutter.com @picspeanutbutter @picspeanutbutter For sales enquiries please contact Lisa-Jane Kerr: lisa-jane@picspeanutbutter.com Source: NIELSEN SCANTRACK Total Supermarkets - MAT to 28/03/21 Val $ Sales

Val % Chg YA

TOTAL SPREADS

155,423,789

-9.3%

PEANUT BUTTER

49,807,467

4.5%

HONEY

36,510,080

-30.5%

JAM

25,768,189

-4.8%

SWEET SPREADS

19,699,325

1.3%

VEGETABLE & YEAST EXTRACTS

15,552,442

-3.6%

MARMALADE

6,298,956

-1.5%

SAVOURY SPREADS

1,787,331

-17.7%

FMCG Business produces a monthly snapshot of category news and highlights, based on information from participating clients and Nielsen data available at time of print. To showcase your products in upcoming category reports, please contact trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz.

like A

pEAnut slab IN a jAR

EASY

DOES IT

New pastas, pies and plant-based meals arrive in store.

With more Kiwis enjoying the simple luxuries of cooking and eating at home, we’re seeing new trends emerge in both the convenience and heat and eat categories, says Tim Campbell, Category Manager at Foodstuffs South Island.

There is significant growth in product solutions that are designed to speed up the process of cooking from scratch and taking the hassle out of meal prep.

Campbell comments: “This category is seeing significant growth in both meat and plant-based products, with more meat and dairy alternatives becoming popular with customers. The recent launch of the Plantly and Abundance meal ranges are just some of the many new products customers are switching to, as more Kiwis move to a more flexitarian or plant-based lifestyle.

“We’re also seeing growth in the pie category with suppliers innovating through the use of gourmet products such as Angus Beef and gourmet cheese. As an easy on-the-go meal solution, plant-based pies are also becoming popular with our flexitarian customers. New products in this space include the Bakers Son’s range of vegan pies and the Irvine’s Beast range, which include new flavours such as Cheeseburger and Chicken and Hemp.”

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The FMCG Business team found some new and exciting convenience meals, from delicious fresh pastas and pasta sauces to plant-based dinners and vegan pies.

New look for fresh pasta & sauce -Delmaine makes huge investment Delmaine’s passion for great tasting fresh pasta and pasta sauces is being reinvigorated with capital investments of nearly $2 million in 2021.

Capacity at the Manukau-based manufacturing plant will double with the installation of new quality Italian pasta machinery. Included in this investment are new dies for pasta and distinctive new pottles for sauces.

The pack design for both ranges has also been reset with a photographic approach focussing on the quality, great tasting ingredients.

The Delmaine logo device and green and gold colours have been maintained as these core Delmaine brand assets are what shoppers look for on shelf. The new pasta packs are now also fully recyclable.

Delmaine’s co-owner and Managing Director, Rick Carlyon explains: “Not only has the focus been on packaging, but a lot of work has been done on flavours too, with every product being reformulated to improve taste and texture. Free range egg has been introduced across all our pasta ranges.”

[ category insights ]

“THE RELAUNCH WILL BE SUPPORTED BY DELMAINE’S BIGGEST COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN” RICK CARLYON, DELMAINE CO-OWNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR The Delmaine everyday range will now include new larger sized pastas with Tortelloni and Ravioloni shapes joining the range. This range features two completely new flavours; Roasted Pumpkin, Kumara & Sage Tortelloni (which uses batch roasted pumpkin & kumara locally grown in Northland) and Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Tortelloni (a blend of tasty Italian tomatoes, basil & local Mozzarella cheese).

The pasta sauce range will include two new and unique tomato-based sauces; Puttanesca combines tasty Italian tomatoes with chopped Kalamata olives and capers, whilst Porchetta combines a tasty Italian based tomato sauce with seared free farmed pork mince.

Carlyon says: “We will also be featuring two new products in our Premium Ravioli range with Free Range Chicken & Smoked Paprika and Free Farmed Pork & Fennel joining the range.

“The relaunch will be supported by Delmaine’s biggest communications campaign, with over $150k spent in the first six months.

Carlyon adds: “Delmaine has always been proud to bring great tasting Mediterranean-inspired food

to New Zealand consumers, and fresh pasta and pasta sauces have always been a core category for us.

We are proud to manufacture locally and distribute throughout New Zealand fresh all the way. We are committed to driving growth into this category and look forward to working with our retail partners to make this happen.”

To find out more about Delmaine’s fresh Pasta and Pasta Sauces, contact Delmaine’s Customer Services team on 0800 335 624.

Delicious vegan and family-size pies roll out The Baker’s Son and Dad’s Pies are a proud Familyowned business based just north of Auckland.

Their delicious pies are available from all good supermarkets up and down New Zealand.

The Baker’s Son range is now launching Vegan Buttery Chick’n 200g as well as a new 750gm family pie range for the chiller (Vegan Mince & Cheddar, Angus Mince & Cheese and Angus Steak & Cheese).

National Sales Manager Grant Nixon explains: “The vegan pie has been very well received. It is

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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[ category insights ] currently our top selling pie in the range, and is Core ranged in both Foodstuffs North and South Island and Countdown.

“We are seeing a trend towards more vegan options and the purchasers are not always vegans, but also

Source: NIELSEN SCANTRACK Total Supermarkets - MAT to 28/03/21 Val $ Sales

Val % Chg YA

TOTAL CHILLED CONVENIENCE FOODS

169,209,242

2.9%

FRESH MEAT PIES

59,507,240

5.5%

FRESH PASTA

22,680,384

7.2%

FRESH SOUP

21,682,122

-18.3%

FRESH PIZZA

19,438,738

13.2%

FRESH PIZZA BASES

16,535,869

13.5%

FRESH PESTO

9,123,484

13.3%

FRESH PASTA SAUCE (EXCL. PESTO)

7,220,389

-11.0%

CONVENIENCE FOOD

6,610,620

13.1%

QUICHE

3,841,372

-16.2%

FRESH SAUSAGE ROLlS & SAVOURIES

2,287,258

25.9%

FRESH NON PASTA COOKING SAUCE

281,764

20.9%

TOTAL FROZEN CONVENIENCE FOODS

196,378,506

13.7%

FROZEN MEAT FROZEN PIZZA FROZEN PARTY SNACK FROZEN SNACK MEALS FROZEN SAUSAGE ROLLS & SAVOURIES FROZEN FULL MEALS FROZEN VEGETARIAN FROZEN MEAT PIES FROZEN PIZZA BASES

39,546,668 31,595,537 30,476,668 26,729,048 24,729,074 18,927,865 13,825,771 10,534,067 13,808

23.5% 16.5% 21.5% 2.7% 10.6% 2.8% 11.5% 13.7% 111.2%

consumers that are wanting a meat-free option.

“The new family pies are the same great recipes just made into a more convenient 750gm size and at a price point that makes them more affordable to families.”

For orders please email info@thebakersson.co.nz .

New plant-based meals at Countdown Steve Mills, General Manager Merchandise and Replenishment told FMCG Business: “Over the last couple of years we’ve seen more and more Kiwis look to eat plant-based foods and to help make it even easier for our customers, we’ve developed a new range of own brand plant-based products called Plantitude.

“There are six delicious ready-to-eat plant-based meals that are dairy free, vegan, gluten free and free of artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

“Packed full of yumminess, there is Satay Tofu, Pad Thai Tofu, Massaman Tofu, Blackbean Tofu, Tex Mex Jackfruit and Green Curry Jackfruit in the range.

There are also delicious plant-based chocolate brownies and cake options in the bakery section; with the dairy swapped out for coconut cream,” explains Mills.

“WE’VE DEVELOPED A NEW RANGE OF OWN BRAND PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS CALLED PLANTITUDE”

FMCG Business produces a monthly snapshot of category news and highlights, based on information from participating clients and Nielsen data available at time of print. To showcase your products in upcoming category reports, please contact trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz.

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FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

RJ’s Fabulicious Tropical Sherbert Fizz 200g Fabulicious is one of the most exciting brands in confectionery with growth of 45%+ (IRI MAT to 28/3) and RJ’s are back to excite with a taste of summer. Fabulicious Tropical Sherbert Fizz is a tantalising mango chew carefully wrapped around a passionfruit sherbert centre – creating a fresh, zingy taste of the tropics. www.rjslicorice.co.nz +64 (06) 366 0270

Earthwise has the scoop!

New Whittaker’s blocks support Plunket Whittaker’s two new limited-edition 100g blocks are a delicious twist on iconic flavours – Carrot Cake and Strawberries and Waffles. Perfect for those who want a unique treat and also like to support a good cause, with twenty cents from every block sold going to Whānau Āwhina Plunket.

Available now in supermarkets nationwide. www.whittakers.co.nz

Kiwi owned and operated Earthwise continues to innovate sustainable packaging with the newest move of their Oxygenated Whitener from a plastic tub made from 100% recycled plastic into a fully recyclable cardboard box.

The new box also features a fully recyclable cardboard scoop (like the box itself) with zero impact on the product’s footprint or consumers’ wallets. Available soon in your local supermarket. www.earthwise.co.nz 0800 EARTHWISE

New plant-based meals from JUK Gourmet Everyday!

JUK Gourmet Everyday™ has launched four new amazing plantbased meals to complement their wildly successful range of readymade meals. Packed full of delicious plant-based proteins such as tempeh, jackfruit, tofu and chickpeas to boost the nutritional value and with plenty of gluten-free options — there’s a meal for everyone!

Available in the frozen aisle of your local supermarket today! www.gourmeteveryday.co.nz lynley@juk.co.nz +64 21 842 449

Glaceau Vitaminwater Defence Lemonade Glaceau Vitaminwater Defence Lemonade is nutrient enriched water with great flavour.

Hydration with a combination of vitamins and minerals. Glaceau Vitaminwater is available in 500mL bottles.

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[ profile ]

RJ’S – MAKING CONFECTIONERY BETTER The RJ’s story starts way back in 1995.

Levin local, licorice-loving Roger Halliwell and his son Regan James (that’s where they got the RJ’s name from!) started making licorice with the belief they could make it better than anything they could buy. After a far-flung trip to North Dakota to source some expert licorice making kit, they returned to New Zealand and quickly set about making the world’s best licorice.

By 1998 Roger and Regan had established RJ’s as New Zealand’s favourite licorice. The Kiwis had done it. The factory in Levin was cranking with tonnes of licorice made daily to satisfy demand.

Even with a booming factory and a team of lolly makers perfecting the recipe, Roger and Regan weren’t done. “What if we coated our licorice with chocolate?” they wondered.

Marrying licorice and chocolate was no easy feat and in a lightbulb moment (perfected under the sweet aroma of molasses) a thought occurred to them…. “what if we put the chocolate inside the licorice?”. And so, in the year 2000, this dream came true and the first licorice choc logs rolled off the production line. Global innovation at it finest and the beginning of what is today an iconic Kiwi treat.

RJ’s continued to grow and in 2018 an opportunity arose to purchase some iconic New Zealand confectionery brands. Overnight RJ’s became the home of childhood favourites such as Mackintosh’s, Oddfellows, Heards, Black Knight and Fabulicious. They were fast followed

by Lifesavers and even the legendary Jaffa’s brand. Over the space of 20 years, RJ’s had gone

RJ’s Founder Roger Halliwell

“WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE IN THE PIPELINE…” JASON CLEMENTS, GM NZ & INTERNATIONAL AT RJ’S

from humble beginnings to the home of New Zealand’s favourite lollies.

Fast forward to 2021 and, with a few more grey hairs, RJ’s is now the No. 2 manufacturer in non-chocolate confectionery and a key driver of category growth over the past five years. With a business almost four times larger than it was back in 2016 there have obviously been a few obstacles along the way but, with the support of their loyal team in Levin as well as much appreciated patience from suppliers and retail partners, they have entered 2021 well poised.

RJ’s remain proudly based in Levin and employ over 120 staff. RJ’s batch make approximately 50 million bags each year, of which a large percent head offshore to markets such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

What’s next?

Well, this RJ’s team doesn’t sit still and later this year the business will embark on a significant step change with a focus around ethical sourcing and sustainability.

Jason Clements, GM NZ & International, remains somewhat coy around specifics, but states “we are constantly looking at ways to ‘make it better’ and we listen closely to what consumers, both locally and internationally, are seeking. We are very excited about what we have in the pipeline and look forward to sharing that with our loyal customers later this year.”

If RJ’s are not a household name today – my bet is that they will be in the near future.

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[ good business ]

NEW WORLD ORMISTON DESIGNED WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND

Owner operator Hooi Hing with members of the New World Ormiston team.

A New World supermarket has opened in the newly built Ormiston Town Centre, custom designed to cater to the needs of the growing community.

New World stores are 100% New Zealand owned and operated, with store owners and their teams having the flexibility to cater to the specific needs of their locality. Hooi Hing, owner operator of New World Ormiston is excited to be back embracing his Auckland roots, having lived in the region for over 30 years. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge after owning several restaurants and a New World in New Plymouth.

“It’s been all systems go to ensure everything was perfect for opening day, we‘re so excited to share our new store with customers and have 70 team members, including experts in produce, butchery, bakery,

The store features the latest low-emissions C02 refrigeration.

seafood and deli all dedicated to providing great value, amazing fresh food and excellent customer service,” says Hooi.

Features of the store include a deli kitchen for demonstrations and tastings. “Our aim is to create a real sense of community here, providing great value and plenty of inspiration for our customers,” says Hooi.

The store is designed with sustainability in mind, making the most of natural light and featuring a highly efficient LED lighting system and the latest low-emissions C02 refrigeration. Customers are welcome to bring their own containers to the butchery, seafood, delicatessen, and the bakery serve overs.

New World Ormiston is located at 240 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush in Auckland and will be open seven days a week from 7am-10pm.

LATEST ONLINE SHOPPING TECH FOR CHRISTCHURCH SHOPPERS As demand for online shopping continues to grow in Christchurch, Countdown is introducing brand new technology to its Moorhouse store, which will increase the availability of online shopping in the city by an additional 4,000 orders per week.

Known as Order Storage Retrieval (OSR) units, these state-of-the-art semi-automated micro-fulfilment centres can hold up to 10,000 of the most in-demand grocery products for orders, freeing up Countdown’s team of personal shoppers to focus on selecting quality fresh food and perishable products for customers. The new OSR unit at Countdown Moorhouse can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week at full capacity, along with a dedicated team.

Countdown’s General Manager Brand and CountdownX, Sally Copland, says: “Our Christchurch customers’ expectations and demand for online shopping are continuing to rise, so investing in technology to support that is more important than ever. In the last year online shopping demand across Canterbury has increased by more than 30%, so we want to make sure we’re meeting this continued need.”

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FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

Countdown’s General Manager Brand and CountdownX, Sally Copland

Countdown’s Moorhouse store is the first customer-facing store in New Zealand to implement this technology and was selected due to high demand for online shopping in Christchurch.

[ good business ]

NAKED LOCALS SOUPS CELEBRATE LOCAL HEROES New Zealand’s premium chilled soup brand Naked Donations from sales of the hearty Farmer’s Market Locals is collaborating with Everybody Eats, Satisfy Vege and Quinoa Soup will go to Everybody Eats, a Food Rescue, and Gizzy Kai Rescue to support each pay-as-you-feel dining concept based in Auckland, charity’s vital work in reducing food waste and offering Tauranga, and Wellington that uses perfectly good nutritious meals to their fellow Kiwis. Three new soups surplus food to serve chef-prepared meals and help have been developed and matched to each charity, combat food waste, food poverty, and social isolation. with proceeds from every pack sold adding to the Meanwhile, proceeds from the sale of Naked donation made to their respective causes. The venture Locals Kumara and Coconut Soup will be donated will see Naked Locals donating up to $20,000 to to Gizzy Kai Rescue, a Gisborne-based not-for-profit each organisation, ultimately contributing a potential organisation that rescues food that would otherwise Proceeds from the new Naked Locals Lentil, $60,000 towards the charities. be destined for landfill or animal feed, reducing food Potato and Caramelised Onion Soup will go Proceeds from the new Naked Locals Lentil, waste and redirecting the healthy edible food to those to Satisfy Food Rescue.

Potato and Caramelised Onion Soup will be donated in need throughout the community. to Kaiapoi-based Satisfy Food Rescue, who work with local food retailers You can find out more about the new range on the Naked Locals and other organisations to redirect surplus perishable food to those who website or follow the charity collaboration journey on social media via need it most in the community. the #NakedLocals and #LocalHeroes hashtags.

[ profile ]

BRAND SPECIALIST HOOP EXPANDS OFFERING WITH CO-PACKING VENTURE

Hoop Co-Director Chris Hood

Hoop Co-Director Gavin Nixon

Whilst the words ‘brand activation’ and ‘co-packing’ aren’t widely known, they are important and useful services in the FMCG industry.

Businesses undertake brand activation activity when they have a new supermarket promotion they want to run, and co-packing is when product packaging gets reconfigured if the brand’s original packaging doesn’t suit New Zealand’s packaging requirements. Hoop is one of the few companies in New Zealand to offer these services.

“We created Hoop because we recognised there was a gap in the market for these services. We’ve had a lot of success helping businesses implement their marketing promotions, and we’re now focused on growing our co-packing operation,” says Hoop Co-Director Chris Hood.

“Customers probably don’t realise that product packaging can be

altered numerous times before it’s placed on shelves. A lot of brands sold in New Zealand are sourced from overseas, so the packaging may not suit New Zealand’s packaging requirement. This is where Hoop comes in - we make the product reconfiguration process happen seamlessly,” adds Hoop Co-Director Gavin Nixon.

“We had a partnership with Australian co-packer LJM last year but recently acquired their New Zealand based assets because we realised that we could manage the co-packing operation ourselves locally. Consequently, we’re proud to provide a one stop shop for co-packing and brand activation services and are looking forward to what the future holds for Hoop,” concludes Hood.

If you’re in need of brand activation or co-packing assistance, we’re here to help. Visit us at www.hoopnz.com FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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[ feature ]

BETTER FOR OUR PLANET Shoppers look for more sustainable choices in 2021.

Did you know that 70% of New Zealanders look for labels that ensure their choices are better for the environment or ensure higher animal welfare? And 67% would make eco-conscious choices, even if it was more expensive. These insights come from the Colmar-Brunton Better Futures 2020 report, outlining the top concerns for New Zealand consumers.

The good news is that the Rainforest Alliance’s seal, the green frog, helps New Zealand consumers make choices that are better for them, for people, and for nature.

The Rainforest Alliance has recently enhanced its certification programme based on public consultations with input from more than 1,000 people in nearly 50 countries, representing more than 200 organisations - from farmers to board room members.

“The new certification programme incorporates new tools to support farmers and companies to set clear sustainability targets and focus investments to improve positive impacts for people and nature,” says Ruth Rennie, Director of Standards and Assurance at the Rainforest Alliance. “These tools and innovations will support more resilient agriculture and help make responsible business the new normal. This is increasingly urgent in our age of climate change, biodiversity loss, and global inequality,” she added.

The Rainforest Alliance has started rolling out the certification programme around the world through a comprehensive global training programme and further development of supporting technology systems.

Independent research shows that certification has a positive environmental, social, and economic impact. Credible third-party certification systems enable businesses to demonstrate their commitment to tackling deforestation, protecting natural resources, and contributing towards a living income and decent work for producers and workers across the world.

The Rainforest Alliance seal The Rainforest Alliance proudly works with several iconic New Zealand brands such as Whittaker’s chocolate, Red Seal tea and Ti Ora. Other certified products include brands such as Moccona, Milo, Dole bananas and pineapples, as well as Countdown’s own-branded bananas and chocolate products.

The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organisation working in more than 70 countries at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests.

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FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

FAST FACTS • Brands that demonstrate clear sustainable benefits are winning consumers over (48% of consumers switched to a more sustainable brand option).

• Consumers want companies and government to take leadership and show the way (and the majority is prepared to pay for it) • 83% agree businesses aren’t doing enough to reduce environmental impact • 70% look for claims/labels that are environmentally/ animal friendly • 67% will make eco-conscious choices, even if more expensive.

• Companies with a clearly demonstrated commitment to sustainability outperform others.

The Rainforest Alliance has: • over five million hectares of global farmland certified against its sustainability standards • more than 100 projects directly benefiting farmers, forest communities, and nature • two million hectares of land covered by integrated landscape management programmes • 44,000 products with the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal or UTZ label available • over two million farmers following Rainforest Alliance standards, designed to improve livelihoods and protect nature • more than 400,000 certified coffee farmers; 900k+ certified cocoa farmers; 900k+ certified tea farmers; 2,000+ certified banana farmers

New Zealand’s first ‘upcycled’ snack brand launches sustainable range New Zealand’s first upcycled snack range is here! Brand new UP Bars and UP Bites from Wellington-based Upcycled Grain Project provide a sustainably delicious snack solution for today’s conscious consumer.

Upcycling is the process of transforming unwanted materials into new products of greater value and is seen as a key global tool in fighting food waste. Upcycled Grain Project (UGP) tackles the issue from a raw ingredient perspective by rescuing spent brewers’ grain. After producing beer, these discarded grains are sugar free, packed full of protein and fibre, and are incredibly flavoursome. By upcycling spent grains with other natural ingredients, UP Bars and UP Bites are born.

Cont. on pg 26 ➤

[ profile ]

THE

DOLE PROMISE Last year Dole New Zealand announced ‘The Dole Promise’; a global company initiative that aims to increase access to sustainable nutrition, and decrease food waste, packaging waste and carbon emissions for the benefit of its stakeholders, employees, customers, and the planet.

The Dole Promise will see Dole Packaged Foods and Dole Asia Fresh strive toward achieving the following goals.

Better for People • Access to sustainable nutrition for 1 billion people by 2025 • Moving towards zero processed sugar in all Dole products by 2025

Better for Planet • Moving towards zero fruit loss from Dole farms to markets by 2025 • Moving towards zero fossilbased plastic packaging by 2025 • Aiming for net zero carbon emissions in Dole operations by 2030

Better for all Stakeholders • Dole will continue to positively impact all farmers, communities and people working for Dole – through its commitment to equal opportunity, living wages, and an ever-increasing level of safety, nutrition, and wellbeing. The company also seeks to advance human rights within the direct operations and supply chains by building a culture of transparency and accountability. The company also aims for a 50% increase in the value of its business by 2025.

Dole NZ General Manager Steve Barton says that The Dole Promise reflects the company’s commitment to change that helps people and the planet, particularly considering the challenges of the current climate: “265 million additional people could be pushed to the brink of starvation as a result of COVID-19,” says Barton.

“Business as usual simply won’t cut it in the face of a looming food crisis, not to mention the ongoing issues of climate change, resource waste and declining natural resources. There’s no doubt it’s time for change, and naturally the first place for us to start is within our own business.”

The promise draws on the spirit of ‘Sampo Yoshi,’ an 18th century

Japanese philosophy that views the wellbeing of society and business as interdependent, and ensures the business is beneficial to the seller, buyer, and community.

“The triple-win Sampo Yoshi is a centuries-old concept, the longevity of which proves its success. This concept will be at the heart of our promises to make change that benefits Dole’s stakeholders, employees, customers and the planet for the future,” says Barton.

“We’re working towards a more equitable and sustainable future – it’s our responsibility as the people of today to provide a better planet for the generations of the future. Our younger generations are increasingly aware of the importance of looking after people and the planet, and we need to undo the damage we’ve generated over past years.”

In New Zealand, Dole is working towards achieving the Dole Promise with several local initiatives, including a partnership with OKE Charity, which provides South Auckland primary schools with sustainable fruit and vegetable gardens for children and their communities.

A sponsorship of the Motutapu Restoration Trust, an ecological restoration project to rebuild the natural and cultural landscapes of Motutapu Island, sees funding going toward a Kiwi release programme and habitat development for species like the Coromandel brown Kiwi, Takahe, and Tieke (saddleback).

During the March 2020 lockdown in New Zealand, Dole provided products to KidsCan, Love Soup and Foodbank Canterbury to support Kiwis in need. And an ongoing partnership with The Salvation Army, which was announced last year, will see at least 48,000 bananas donated to food centres nationwide over the year.

Dole also has a longstanding partnership with the Rainforest Alliance, a non-profit organisation that aligns farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers committed to creating a world where people and nature thrive in harmony. Dole’s Tropical Gold Pineapples, Ecuador bananas and Bobby Bananas are proudly certified by Rainforest Alliance, reinforcing Dole’s commitment to sustainability, worker’s wellbeing and high-quality products.

To see the full details of the Dole Promise and the Sunshine for All investment fund visit dole.co.nz .

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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UP Bars - wholesome on-the-go snack bars - come in Cranberry & Coconut, Chocolate & Peanut Butter and Oat & Almond and UP Bites – delicious, sustaining morsels – in Fruit & Nut, Chocolate & Cranberry and Super Seed.

Providing nutritious snacking options for today’s on-the-go, health-savvy and environmentally conscious consumer is at the heart of UGP. UGP owner Jan Meyer explains: “We started the UGP to play our part in minimising waste, reduce our reliance on new resources and make great tasting snacks that sustain us for longer. Helping consumers to make a difference to the planet without having to sacrifice!”

For more information check out www.upcycledgrainproject.co.nz or email office@randm.co.nz

All Good - New Zealand’s first zero carbon bananas After bringing New Zealand’s first Fairtrade bananas to our shores over ten years ago, Kiwi-owned All Good have reached another milestone, announcing that one of New Zealand’s most popular grocery items now has an environmentally friendly option.

All Good bananas are now Ekos-certified as Zero Carbon - a nationwide first.

Working in partnership with T&G Fresh and alongside Ekos, the banana journey was assessed. Onthe-ground actions contribute to reducing emissions at source by incorporating solar power, recycling all on-farm plastic and using organic fertilisers. The remaining carbon is being offset through rainforest projects in Peru, near where the bananas are grown in Ecuador. All Good bananas will be wrapped in a tape that is soft-plastic-recyclable.

With consumers more intent than ever on using their dollars to make a difference, it makes sense to have a guilt-free option on the shelves.

“Food production and consumption makes up a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions,” says All Good’s co-founder Simon Coley. “Our impact as consumers has the potential to make a massive change. The ultimate scenario, for everything we buy and consume, is to choose products that do as much good as possible for the people producing them, the planet, and ourselves.”

More information can be found at www.all-good.co.nz

Pioneering sustainable beauty for everyday women “At Essano Limited, people and our planet have always been at the forefront of our core values.

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FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

We pride ourselves on pioneering natural skincare products and making sustainable choices where available. A key part of our sustainability journey is documenting our achievements and progress, which helps us understand which areas we can improve on - this led us to create our first ever sustainability report,” says Senior Brand Manager, Shannon Green.

“The process of writing this report has been hugely valuable for us as a business,” adds CEO Craig Langley. “It has helped us identify and discuss areas of our operations that we need to improve and has challenged us to continue to think deeply about the kind of business we want to be. It has also provided us with an opportunity to revisit some of the great work we have undertaken and share our achievements.

Essano Limited are no strangers to pioneering sustainable beauty. Green says Essano was the first NZ brand to use 100% recycled PET plastic (rPET) in their shampoo and conditioner bottles. Body wash and lotion bottles followed suit, made from plastic collected from both commercial and kerbside recycling,” says Green.

Last year, essano then utilised a different type of post-consumer recycled plastic to package their Natural Deodorants - this was the first of its kind in Australasia.

Green explains: “As part of our commitment to reducing our plastic footprint, we signed the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration. This means we will make the switch to 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging across our global operations by 2025 or earlier.”

In line with their sustainability journey, last month Essano Limited announced their new sustainable source of rosehip for its no.1 natural skincare range*.

The rosehip oil is still 100% organically grown and cold pressed, but now it’s hand-picked and processed by smallholder farmers and their families who control and own the land they work on in Patagonia Austral.

The supplier that manages these growers and farmers also works with the Chilean government and local organisations to create a positive social impact to support the local community.

To read the Sustainability Report, please visit www. essano.co.nz/blogs/blog/our-sustainability-journey *Source: IRI NZ Grocery Value MAT 29.12.2019

[ feature ] Earthwise has the scoop Earthwise Managing Director, Jamie Peters says, “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and reducing our environmental footprint is key to this. Without an existing eco-friendly scoop option in our laundry powders, we had to think outside the box to develop a solution for our customers who have been asking for a scoop.

Making our products more consumer friendly to use was a bonus.”

Earthwise set out to create a fully recyclable cardboard scoop (like the laundry powder box itself ) with zero impact on the product’s footprint or consumers’ wallets. The solution, simply open your Earthwise Laundry Powder, tear away the scoop inside, fold it together and scoop away. With no extra cardboard being used, the scoops are made from the remaining cardboard that would have been fully recycled anyway, helping to close the loop. The cardboard is PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified too.

Earthwise is also moving their Oxygenated Whitener from a 100% recycled plastic tub to a fully recyclable cardboard box with an eco-scoop. The change will hit supermarkets from May 2021.

Peters says: “Earthwise is the #1 eco-friendly

cleaning brand in New Zealand grocery*, the brand was recently recognised globally at the 2021 World Star Packaging Awards, winning in the Household category.”

This award celebrated moving their locally manufactured bottles to at least 75% recycled plastic sourced from milk, water and juice bottles. Earthwise have reused and diverted approximately 550 tonnes of plastic from landfill since October 2018.

Yes to progress!

Discover the full range of Earthwise household cleaning and Earthwise Nourish personal care range at www.earthwise.co.nz. *Source: IRI total Value Sales $ NZ Grocery MAT to 07/02/21

[ profile ]

COCA-COLA AMATIL JOINS THE GLOBAL RE100 RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVE • Commits to 100% renewable electricity across entire operations by 2030 (by 2025 in ANZ) • Whole of business commitment will result in region-wide outcomes • Amatil joins more than 290 leading companies around the world committed to 100% renewable electricity Coca-Cola Amatil has announced it has joined the global RE100 renewable energy initiative and committed to power its entire operations, spanning six countries, with 100% renewable electricity by 2030 (by 2025 in New Zealand and Australia).

RE100 is led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP and brings together more than 290 leading companies around the world that are committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity.

According to Coca-Cola Amatil Group Managing Director Alison Watkins, joining RE100 is an important step in Amatil’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint following the launch of the company’s 20202040 Sustainability Ambitions.

“Amatil is proud to be joining RE100 and playing our part in delivering a low carbon future by contributing to the effort to accelerate the global transition to renewable electricity,” said Watkins.

“Moving to 100% renewable electricity across our entire operations by 2030 is critical to ensuring we meet our 2040 target of net zero direct carbon emissions” Head of Sustainability for Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand, Clarke Truscott, said joining RE100 is an important step in the company’s sustainability

Coca-Cola Amatil eyes 100% renewable electricity in New Zealand and Australia by 2025.

journey to ensure they meet their bold 2040 sustainability ambitions.

“The commitment to purchasing 100% renewable energy across all of our operating markets, including New Zealand, is an exciting announcement and critical to ensure we meet our 2040 target of net zero direct carbon emissions,” said Truscott.

Earlier this year Coca-Cola Amatil announced a range of 10 bold sustainability objectives in its ‘2020-2040 Sustainability Ambitions’, designed to make a distinct and positive contribution between now and 2040 to the communities and markets in which it operates.

This includes closed loop packaging by 2030, increased use of rPET (plastic made from recycled plastic) and working together with the government on a not-for-profit Container Return Scheme for New Zealand.

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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[ legal advice ]

‘COMMERCIAL CARTELS’ NOW A CRIMINAL OFFENCE

Claire Vordermann Commercial & Property Law Solicitor at Steindle Williams Legal swlegal.co.nz

From 8 April 2021, it will now be a criminal offense under section 30 of the Commerce Act 1986 to enter into a contract, arrangement or understanding that contains a cartel provision, or to give effect to a cartel provision. Previously, the Commerce Commission could only bring civil proceedings against a person or business who engaged in commercial cartel conduct, with the punishment limited to punitive penalties.

Now, under section 82B of the Commerce Act 1986, individuals who breach the cartel provisions in the Act could face criminal prosecution and a sentence of up to seven years’ imprisonment. The new law criminalising cartels will not only capture new agreements entered into after 8 April 2021, but will also capture cartel provisions in existing agreements which are given effect to after 8 April 2021.

A cartel provision is a provision in an agreement or an understanding between two parties which has the aim or effect of ‘price fixing’, ‘restricting output’ or ‘market allocating’ in relation to similar goods or services in New Zealand.

• The term ‘Price Fixing’ refers to an agreement between two or more parties, usually in competition with one another, to attempt to control the supply or acquisition price of certain goods and services in New Zealand. It also extends to any discounts, allowances, rebates or credits offered for certain goods or services.

• ‘Restricting Output’ on the other hand, is an arrangement between two or more parties which attempts to limit the production, distribution or supply of certain goods or services in the market.

• Finally, ‘Market Allocating’ is an arrangement between two or more parties in competition with one another not to carry on trade within a certain geographical area in which the other party operates,

or deal with particular persons or classes of persons.

While the parties to these types of arrangements are usually in competition with one another, the cartel provisions in the Act may also extend to other collaborative dealings between businesses such as suppliers, franchises, and businesses in partnership or joint venture with one another.

There are steep penalties for breaching the cartel provisions in the Act. Individuals who breach the Act may now face up to seven years imprisonment or a fine of up to $500,000.00.

Companies who breach the Act may be fined the greater of: (a) a fine of up to $10 million; (b) 3 x the commercial gain resulting from the breach; or (c) 10% of a company’s annual turnover during the accounting period in which any cartel provision was operating.

The intent of the parties and the likely effect of the provision on the market will be relevant in determining the seriousness of the breach. There are of course several exceptions. Under sections 31 – 33 of the Act, if you can establish on reasonable grounds that your arrangement comes within the definition of a ‘collaborative activity’, ‘vertical supply contract’ or ‘joint buying and promotion agreement’, then you may be able to escape liability.

These recent legislative changes are a reminder to review your current contracts to ensure that there are no provisions which could be construed as ‘price fixing’, ‘restricting output, or ‘market allocating’. If you believe you have breached the Act, you should seek legal advice as you may be eligible to apply to the Commerce Commission for leniency under the Commerce Commission’s Cartel Leniency and Immunity Policy. The policy encourages whistleblowers by granting leniency to the first members of a cartel to come forward.

“INDIVIDUALS WHO BREACH THE ACT MAY NOW FACE UP TO SEVEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE OF UP TO $500,000.00” 28

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

[ FGC ]

COVID-WASHING OR CONFIRMATION BIAS? Confirmation bias in research is a genuine problem.

Some researchers set out to prove a hypothesis and interpret all information to match the conspiracy.

That’s the only interpretation I can put on a study led

by Auckland University researchers aimed at investigating “the timing, nature and extent of COVID-washing on public social media accounts by New Zealand’s major food and drink brands in the initial stage of the pandemic after the first case was detected in New Zealand and when stay-at-home lockdown restrictions were in place”.

‘COVID-washing’, not a proper academic term, was deemed to have existed, and the academics were going to discover some, come hell or high water.

The study covered five big brands in confectionery, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and fast-food restaurants, across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube from February to May last year.

Academics trawled through posts and found 14 of 20 brands referenced COVID-19, with 27% of the 1,368 posts “COVID-19 themed”, dominated by fast-food companies.

The Food & Grocery Council doesn’t represent fast-food companies, so I’ll stick with examples of what the researchers said about our members.

For the record, our members, from Unilever and Coca-Cola, to Ferrero and others, went ‘dark’ with media campaigns during COVID. This made sense. When the country is at home anxious about a pandemic it would be inappropriate to have advertising showing happy people doing normal things. In some cases, companies donated airtime and booked slots to the Ministry for COVID messages.

Others donated significant amounts of products to charities or made big cash donations to social agencies.

While the academics call this sort of thing “COVID-washing”, most people would view it as charitable giving and reasonable responses from businesses wanting to help local communities.

The examples picked out by the academics indicate their perceptions are out of step with society. Looking closely at the images and messages they’ve tagged with the emotive and insulting ‘COVID-washing’, it’s clear it was well-intentioned.

Among the themes were “We know these are challenging times for all of us …” (Lindt), while one applauded front-line workers with “The world is forever grateful to you for not having a break right now. #ThankYou” (KitKat, Nestle). One I thought was quite beautiful was from Whittaker’s that had white chocolate bars in the shape of a cross wishing health workers well.

Other equally light-hearted single posts were for at-home activities. Arnott’s posted recipes for home-

made versions of their products, while Lewis Road published a colouring-in sheet of a cow.

None of the posts from members listed are anything other than respectful and reasonable communication.

As if to give their breathless findings more weight, the academics gave ‘COVID-washing’ a formal definition: “the misappropriation of social concern about the pandemic in order to promote unhealthy products and build brand loyalty”.

This has been an attempt to create the impression of something that didn’t exist – food companies misappropriating pandemic concerns to capture Kiwis in vulnerable moments. That’s not what people in our membership were thinking and the suggestion is insulting to those who worked extremely hard and put themselves at risk to make sure shelves were refilled.

The fact is those companies have always gone out of their way to give back to their communities, and that’s what happened here.

A few posts on Facebook reflecting what’s going on in the community and saying thanks to nurses and other health workers is not campaigning. It’s being in tune with real life. People in companies through their brands that have connections with Kiwis have the right to communicate with them to express their sympathy, empathy, and share their concerns.

And it wasn’t just about communicating with consumers, but demonstrating to their own people they were showing empathy with what was happening.

In the end, I believe most Kiwis see such messages in a positive light and accept the sentiment as being genuine. It’s a pity some try to interpret such activities in a darker light.

Katherine Rich Chief Executive NZ Food & Grocery Council www.fgc.org.nz

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

29

THERE’S LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR KIWI EXPORTERS

Catherine Beard is Executive Director of ExportNZ, which serves its members via regional offices throughout the country.

To find your nearest office go to www.exportnz.org.nz

30

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

As the world fixed its eyes on the 400-metre, 200,000 tonne container ship Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal, I couldn’t help but feel it was the tip of the iceberg for a multitude of challenges facing global logistics and supply chains.

The ship blocked maritime traffic for six days. About 30% of global container ship traffic passes through the canal and insurers estimate the blockage cost global trade about $US6-10 billion each day.

Some New Zealand cargo is likely to have been held up in the backlog of vessels or delayed. The indirect impact saw a further escalation of global sea freight congestion impacting New Zealand as global shipping schedules were disrupted and a reduced flow of empty containers from Europe to Asia added to container shortages.

In New Zealand, I’ve spoken to manufacturers and exporters who are renting extra warehouses to store inventory.

A lot of Kiwi businesses are surviving, but they’re not necessarily thriving. Exporters are struggling with the unpredictability of the system. The shipping lines have applied extra costs adding to the additional costs when there are not dedicated berth time slots.

Uncertainty and cost are weighing on businesses.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel for our exporters, as logistics and shipping channels are expected to slowly increase efficiencies and get back to normality.

The announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble opening is the first good news for our export and tourism sector for some time. Bums on seats will reduce freight costs to and from our second biggest trading partner.

As the global vaccine rollout progresses, I expect more borders to open and air freight costs to come down.

However, more than 99% of New Zealand’s import and export volumes are shipped by sea. This poses an enormous challenge for the country.

Behind the scenes officials are working hard to minimise supply chain congestion and reduce the significant delays in freight and shipping.

There was a sharp recovery in global consumer demand amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which is fantastic news for economies, but it has caused congestion in the containerised supply chain and disrupted international shipping, driving up costs and placing immense stress on businesses.

The Ministry of Transport recently hosted a workshop to discuss supply chain congestion issues with 43 representatives from a range of importers, exporters, shipping lines, ports, freight forwarders, and transport operators in attendance.

The group agreed on the problems in New Zealand and identified opportunities market players and government could explore to reduce the current congestion.

[ transport & logistics ] In terms of freight movements, the group identified a range of issues, including a lack of empty containers from overseas markets, congested container yards (resulting in delays and charges) and customers overbooking ships and then not using all the slots.

There are several short-term actions identified that need further coordination and collaboration across businesses and the wider industry. For example, aligning operating hours, investigating alternate routes and increasing container brokerage.

The group recommended increasing stockpiles of empty export containers, relocating distribution centres to enable more efficient freight movement and incentivising more efficient freight movement. Recently Maersk also announced a new service to reposition empty containers from North to South Island to aid exporters.

Be patient and realistic It is clear there is no quick fix for the shipping industry. We must wait patiently for the inefficiencies to be ironed out.

Next year will be a big year for trade - the World Trade Organisation’s latest global trade forecast predicts the volume of world merchandise trade is likely to increase 8% in 2021 after having fallen 5.3% in 2020.

“THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION’S LATEST GLOBAL TRADE FORECAST PREDICTS THE VOLUME OF WORLD MERCHANDISE TRADE IS LIKELY TO INCREASE 8% IN 2021” So, my advice for local operators venturing into export markets for the first time is to be patient and realistic.

Do your research and market entry strategy this year, consolidate local sales as that will fund your export journey and plan to travel in 2022.

There are courses and seminars through ExportNZ offices around New Zealand and while there are less foreign students in the country, tapping into the overseas diaspora at Universities is a very cost-effective way to do market research and focus group studies to test your product or service.

Most importantly for current exporters, hang in there, things are improving.

Visit www.exportnz.org.nz for updates.

[ profile ]

TECHNOLOGY: NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A SKILLED DRIVER Reversing cameras. Blind spot monitoring. Lane departure warning. Forward collision avoidance. These are all safety features that we’ve become used to finding in modern vehicles, and they’re some of our first considerations when selecting fleet vehicles.

But the safety features are only one part of the equation. “Safe driving begins and ends with the driver,” says Fleetcoach COO Craig Cockerton.

“Obviously businesses should invest in the safest fleet they can afford – but drivers also need to be equipped to make good decisions, and not let the technology overinflate their confidence.”

Fleetcoach is designed to do just that. The online driver training programme takes drivers through a series of engaging research-based courses designed to strengthen key skills. It covers what drivers should know, from the crucial skill of hazard perception through to topics

such as Distraction & Inattention, Speed, Stress and Fatigue.

“Drivers who’ve had training that’s focused on attitude and behaviour make better choices, understand what contributes to making those choices, and have a better understanding of their vehicle’s capability,” says Cockerton. “They understand that, even with all the safety technology, they remain responsible for their vehicle’s actions.”

Fleetcoach’s approach gives drivers a greater sense of their role behind the wheel and understand how to let the technology assist them, not rely on it. Its focus on wellbeing makes them more mindful of their driving and leads to better driving behaviour, with Cockerton explaining that “happy people make better drivers.”

To discover more about Fleetcoach’s driver safety training programmes, visit www.fleetcoach.com/driver-training FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

31

[ good business ]

NEW TOOLBOX TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES TAKE CLIMATE ACTION

You can improve your climate impact by switching to electric vehicles.

Small businesses in New Zealand now have an easy-to-use, free tool to help them reduce their carbon emissions. The tool, called the Climate Action Toolbox, has been created through a major collaboration between the public and private sector involving the Sustainable Business Network, business.govt.nz, Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency), New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA), BNZ, Meridian Energy and design agency DNA. The toolbox, which was released on business.govt.nz, helps businesses create a tailored step-by-step plan they can use to reduce emissions.

but significant, difference they can make to the future of our planet,” says Climate Change Minister James Shaw.

Rachel Brown, ONZM, CEO and founder of the Sustainable Business Network says the creation of the toolbox means there are no excuses for inaction on climate change any more.

“We know businesses want to do the right thing for our climate.

The challenge for many, particularly smaller businesses, is what to do.

This is why we collaborated to create the Climate Action Toolbox, which is an excellent resource for business. It’s free, super easy to use and can be tailored to the individual circumstances of any small to medium sized business.”

Prudence Marx is Director of Marx Design. She says: “We knew we needed to take action on climate. But, as a small business we were not sure what to do or what actions would be best for the environment and the impact those actions would have on our business. We found the toolbox really helpful, easy to follow and it’s given us a great action plan!”

How the Toolbox works

The Climate Change Commission identified a need for tools to help smaller businesses take action on climate change.

“Many small businesses want to act responsibly by taking action on climate. However, they may be unsure how to get started,” says Small Business Minister Stuart Nash.

“They often have limited funds and time and find the array of existing tools confusing. The Climate Action Toolbox makes it easy for small businesses to act, and it’s free.”

The Climate Action Toolbox provides tailored advice and support in five major areas: • Moving people • Moving goods • Office operations • Site operations and equipment • Designing and making products.

Businesses go through a self-assessment to identify which areas are relevant to them. Under each area, they can choose from a range of specific actions to improve their climate impact.

There are over 40 actions, including: • Switching to electric vehicles or shared vehicles

Small-to-medium businesses make up a large part of New Zealand’s economy and their combined efforts on climate change could have a significant effect on the country’s emissions.

“I am sure there will be plenty of small businesses out there looking at the scale of what we need to do to reduce emissions and wondering if the small steps they take can, or will, have an impact. But small differences can add up to big change. And so it’s good to see a toolbox being made available that can help business identify the small,

• Limiting non-essential travel • Installing LED lighting • Converting to clean energy equipment.

Inspiring case studies of New Zealand businesses are also provided, giving real-life examples of what they’re doing to lessen their climate impact.

View the Climate Action Toolbox: https://www.tools.business.govt.nz/climate/

Why the Climate Action Toolbox was created

32

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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[ innovation ]

NATURAL HYDRATING ROSEHIP RANGE FROM ESSANO •F

R EA

This month’s finalist for the FMCG BUSINESS DUCT OF T HE PRO Y CG PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Award is essano’s M FIN AL IST new and improved Hydrating Rosehip range. essano’s new rosehip oil is still 100% PRODUCT OF organically grown and cold pressed, but now THE YEAR it’s hand-picked and processed by smallholder farmers and their families who control and own the land they work on in Patagonia Austral - a pure untouched region in Chile renowned for the quality of rosehips. The supplier that manages these growers and farmers also works with the Chilean government and local organisations to create a positive social impact to support the local community.

Rosehip Oil provides amazing benefits to the skin with its natural corrective and regenerative properties. It is loaded with polyphenols (that act like antioxidants to help slow the signs of ageing), essential fatty acids (building blocks of healthy cells) and vitamins (to help moisturise, soothe, heal and generate repair). essano’s Hydrating Rosehip range is also packed with powerful active botanicals such as Açai Berry Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter to deeply hydrate skin and improve firmness. essano is a true leader in natural beauty and is now retailing in over 9,000 stores across the globe. They are proudly crafted, owned and operated in New Zealand with an amazing group of in-house chemists •F

R• EA

•

DUCT OF TH PRO EY CG M

“PROUDLY CRAFTED, OWNED AND OPERATED IN NEW ZEALAND” and an on-site lab and factory to ensure the manufacturing process is monitored every step of the way. essano is also proudly 100% cruelty-free.

G

UCT OF THE OD YE PR A

R G

R

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

•F M C

•

•

•F M C

FMCG BUSINESS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Do you have a Hero product that stands out from the crowd?

If there’s a tasty tastebud teaser, NPD rockstar, or best seller in your portfolio that deserves to be crowned ‘Product Of The Year’ - we’d love to hear from you!

We’ll showcase some of the finalists in upcoming issues and reveal the FMCG Business Product of the Year later in 2021.

UCT OF THE OD YE PR A

To find out more on how to enter please email: trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz 34

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

[ innovation ]

ABOLISHMENT OF AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION PATENTS Intellectual property protection has always been important to New Zealand’s food/beverage and packaging sector. Patents and registered designs are tools that are frequently used to protect new technologies in this space. But not all patents are created equal… and things are about to change.

Currently, Australia offers a form of IP that is not available in New Zealand – the innovation patent. This option provides a cost-effective way to obtain patent protection, and enables technological advancements to be protected relatively quickly and easily compared to standard patents. However, the ability to obtain an Australian innovation patent is about to be slowly phased out, so savvy inventors should take note of how this will affect them.

What is an innovation patent?

In effect, an innovation patent is available for any invention that is new and innovative at the time of application. The innovative step requirement is a lower threshold than the inventive step requirement of standard patents, which means that an innovation patent may often be used to protect a technological advancement that would not meet the requirements of a standard patent. In other words, an innovation patent can be used to protect ‘lowerlevel’ technological advancements. Innovation patents provide their owners with full patent rights, but only for a maximum term of eight years, compared to the maximum term of 20 years for standard patents.

What are the issues with innovation patents?

vulnerability to abuse, and the low take-up by Australian SME’s (the target audience for which the system was designed to assist), the Australian Government has decided to phase out the innovation patent system from 26 August 2021.

How does this affect your intellectual property protection strategy for Australia?

If you have developed new technology that you would like to protect in Australia and you have concerns about the level of inventiveness of that technology, you should consider filing an innovation patent application or a standard complete patent application for the technology in Australia before the cut-off date of 26 August.

Similarly, if you have a pending Australian provisional patent application and you have concerns about the inventiveness of that application, or if you are concerned that someone may attack your application or may infringe your patent rights, we suggest that you complete the provisional application before the cut-off date. By filing a complete application before the cut-off date, you will preserve the option to divide or convert the application to an innovation patent application at a later time.

Keeping your options open to obtain an innovation patent can be a complicated process, so if you think these legislative changes could impact your business, visit our website or get in touch for more information. https://www.jamesandwells.com/

Britta Fromow Patent Attorney, James & Wells James & Wells is one of New Zealand’s largest, privately owned, patent and trade mark attorney firms. Their award-winning team is widely recognised as one of the very best in Australasia.

Because the innovative step threshold is easily satisfied, innovation patents are difficult to successfully attack and so have become an effective tool for enforcing patent rights – even where those rights might appear to be somewhat dubious.

Due to concerns raised about the effect of innovation patents on stifling competition, its

“THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO PHASE OUT THE INNOVATION PATENT SYSTEM FROM 26 AUGUST 2021” FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

35

[ events ]

FOODTECH PACKTECH

HIGHLIGHTS 2021 Oji Fibre Solutions

Foodtech Packtech (FTPT) was held successfully in Auckland at the ASB Showgrounds from 13th-15th April. The event brought industry professionals and decision makers together, providing a forum for education, discussion and the sharing of knowledge and expertise, critical in the sustainability and growth of the industry.

The event provided visitors with the opportunity to come face-to-face with the experts and discover the freshest ideas, latest technologies and the newest developments entering the food and beverage manufacturing and packaging technology industries.

FTPT is New Zealand’s largest food manufacturing, packaging and processing technology trade show, which has been going strong for over 20 years. Featuring excellent seminars as well as the Materials Handling & Logistics Expo, the event attracted over 200 local and international exhibiting companies and some 4000+ qualified visitors.

It was a must attend event for anyone involved in one of New Zealand’s fastest growing industry sectors.

For more information visit https://www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz/

Visy’s packaging solutions were on display.

36

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

The Packaging Forum offered a seminar and useful information at the event.

The Eurotec team at Foodtech Packtech

Integrated Packaging

To book your table visit: grocerycharityball.org “Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”

Lewis Carroll PROUDLY SUPPORTING

TOP JUDGES ASSESS OUTSTANDING LOCAL PRODUCE

The judges at the Outstanding NZ Food Producers Awards

Specialty cheese, butter, preserves, honey, biscuits, seafood, charcuterie and drinks such as kefir and A2 milk were among 300 locally grown and made products that were judged in the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards on Saturday 17 April.

The annual awards celebrate outstanding produce harvested, grown and made in Aotearoa and in this – the fifth year – are enjoying a 30% surge in entries. Organisers Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell believe producers want to set themselves apart to take advantage of increased consumer demand for locally made food and drink products.

38

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

They also noted a sharp increase in the number of new products – again a reflection of the past year with many producers taking time during lockdown in 2020 to develop new products.

Thirty judges assessed the goods, including a specialist panel of three judges reviewing each entry for its sustainability. Judges from throughout New Zealand were led by food writer and champion of NZ food producers, Lauraine Jacobs. She was joined by a team of experienced palates, including chefs; foodwriters; broadcasters; founder of Emerson’s brewery, Richard Emerson and FMCG Business editor, Tamara Rubanowski, to name a few.

[ events ]

Fine Food New Zealand is back in June!

“GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 18 MAY”

WHAT’S ON IN 2021 MAY

JULY

1-31 NZ FOOD AWARDS

29-1 AUGUST THE FOOD SHOW

Entries open www.foodawards.co.nz 5 NZ CHAMPIONS OF CHEESE AWARDS DINNER SkyCity, Hamilton https://nzsca.org.nz/cheese-awards/ 18-20 FRUIT LOGISTICA SPECIAL EDITION

AUGUST 11-12 C&I EXPO Melbourne, Australia www.candiexpo.com.au

SEPTEMBER

https://www.fruitlogistica.com/

8-9 C&I EXPO NZ

Wellington, NZ

Auckland, NZ www.candiexpo.co.nz

www.foodshow.co.nz

25 GROCERY CHARITY BALL

JUNE

https://s2nevents.eventsair.

13-15 FINE FOOD

book/Site/Register

Auckland, NZ com/2021-grocery-charirty-ball/

NEW ZEALAND Auckland, NZ https://www.finefoodnz.co.nz/ 22 OUTSTANDING NZ FOOD PRODUCER AWARDS

15

www.foodshow.co.nz

Berlin, Germany

28-30 THE FOOD SHOW

Over the past four years the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards have assessed over 1000 products with 484 medals awarded, recognising producers whose dedication creates outstanding products and provides food lovers guarantee of a great product. Outstanding products are awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. Gold Medal winners are assessed for the Champion and Special Awards.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners will be announced on 18 May, with category and special award winners announced at the Champions Party 2021 on 22 June in Auckland.

Auckland, NZ

OCTOBER 5 FMCG BUSINESS MARKETING SUMMIT Auckland, NZ

COCKTAIL PARTY

www.fmcgsummit.co.nz

Auckland, NZ

14 NZ FOOD AWARDS

https://outstandingfoodproducer.

Powered by Massey University

co.nz/

www.foodawards.co.nz

15

Visit the websites and contact the event organisers for further details and updates.

To have your event listed in FMCG Business email: trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz.

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

39

[ events ] NZ FGC Chief Executive Katherine Rich presented at the 2020 Summit.

The event programme includes Q&A panel discussions.

MARK YOUR DIARY THE FMCG MARKETING SUMMIT IS BACK!

After two hugely successful editions, the FMCG Business Marketing Summit will be held again on Tuesday 5 October, 2021 at the Ellerslie Events Centre in Auckland.

The FMCG Business Marketing Summit offers a full programme of marketing insights that make FMCG brands successful. Join us at the one-day marketing masterclass, jam-packed with education, stimulation and curated sessions that will help attendees stay ahead of the game in New Zealand’s fast-moving grocery and retail sectors.

The summit will include presentations from recognised industry experts, Q&A panel discussions and valuable networking opportunities to connect with other professionals.

Fill your details in online at https://fmcgsummit.co.nz/ to be the first to hear when tickets go on sale and receive all the updates for this event.

The teams from Energi and Farmland caught up at the Summit.

Craig Irwin, MD IRi New Zealand & Hong Kong at last year’s Summit.

Interested in sponsoring?

The FMCG Business Marketing Summit will bring together marketing professionals, brand managers and business owners for a full day of industry insights, inspiring talks, excellent networking and a miniexpo focused on best business practice, commercial opportunities and success stories.

The mini-expo is where sponsors can demonstrate and discuss their products and services to delegates. It’s the ideal opportunity to showcase your company, launch new products/services, network, build existing relationships, create brand awareness while meeting the key decision makers in the groceries and retail industry.

To find out more about being part of the 2021 FMCG Business Marketing Summit, please call Ben Curtis, FMCG Business Marketing Summit Manager to discuss your options.

M: +61 415 404 264 E: bcurtis@intermedia.com.au https://fmcgsummit.co.nz/ 40

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

(L to R) Event manager Shaughan Woodcock; Pic Picot from Pic’s Peanutbutter; Ian Wentworth, Director – Innovation Domain Lead at Kantar, MC Trudi Nelson Morning tea, lunch and networking drinks are all included with your event ticket.

(L to R) Jennifer McMillan from Brother Design and Joanne Hall from Acton International Marketing.

MARKETING SUMMIT Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland

Save the Date Tuesday 5 October 2021 The one-day marketing masterclass for every FMCG professional BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM BEHIND FMCG BUSINESS

#FMCGmarketingsummit FOR MORE INFORMATION

M: +61 415 404 264

E: bcurtis@intermedia.com.au

www.fmcgsummit.co.nz

FOOD. IT’S yOUR BUSINESS.

Reinvigorate your passion.

Receive expert knowledge.

Reconnect with the industry.

Recover your business.

Enter the promo code FMCG for free entry Register before 12 June to avoid the $25 gate fee.

New Zealand’s leading foodservice, hospitality and food retail trade event - Fine Food New Zealand is set to be the most critical industry event in 2021.

13 – 15 June 2021 ASB SHOWGROUNDS AUCKLAND NZ finefoodnz.co.nz

WI

N!

Register now to be in to win $5,000 worth of tabletop and consumables of your choice, from Burns & Ferrall.

Strictly trade only.

Proudly sponsored by:

OUT & ABOUT

with brating the partnership with the Highlanders, cele ry student.

Harraways joined forces free match tickets for eve and ool Sch ary Prim nd breakfast at Green Isla

The Brothers Green team on their Hemp farm in Culverden, just before the harvest.

Countdown and its customers raised $123,000 for Rainbow YOUTH.

s of em ed 3,000 hour oject celebrat The Cookie Pr . es iliti ab dis for people with

wa rated at a fair ployment, gene

Has your team moved to new premises, or been part of a fun event, great harvest, or promotional activity? Send us your favourite snapshots to be in to win a gift basket from RJ’S (valued at $100).

Just email your high res image with a caption to trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

43

ge,

[ convenience & impulse retailing ]

THE FUTURE OF CONVENIENCE Deb Jackson, Managing Editor, C&I NZ

Welcome to Convenience & Impulse Retailing, created proudly in partnership with the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS).

This month we’ve got some great content, including an inside look at the 2021 NZACS golf tournament, a chat with Andrew Poore from Signature Marketing, and a look at the future of convenience retail.

NZACS Executive Director Dave Hooker shares some highlights from the annual golf tournament, which this year raised $4,000 that will go towards the Peter Jowett Scholarship to be held later in the year.

Signature Marketing’s General Manager, Poore, shares some highlights from 2020, which included winning Best Head Office Service and Support for a Medium Supplier at the NZACS award for the

sixth consecutive year. Poore also tells us about the successful launch of a toy category through BP, which has seen toys quadruple in sales.

We also share some insights from a newly launched report, The Shape of Food Retailing in the New Normal: Roadside Retail. The report provides input from 65 global leaders in petrol and convenience and in this issue, we offer up five considerations to ensure that your retail outlet is well prepared for the consumer of 2030.

We’d like to thank Dave Hooker, Andrew Poore, and the authors of The Shape of Food Retailing in the New Normal: Roadside Retail for speaking with us this month.

Until next time, Deb Jackson

“THIS MONTH WE’VE GOT SOME GREAT CONTENT, INCLUDING AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE 2021 NZACS GOLF TOURNAMENT.”

PETROL AND CONVENIENCE NEWS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY 44

FMCG BUSINESS - MAY 2021

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FIVE CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE PROOFING YOUR FUEL AND CONVENIENCE BUSINESS A group of 65 retail leaders from around the globe have come together to produce a report on the future of roadside retailing.

The petrol and convenience industry is facing a shift, with retailers needing to plan for the future and ask themselves: ‘Why will the consumer of 2030 visit my roadside outlet?’

A new report featuring insights from 65 global retail leaders and experts, has explored the need for fuel and convenience retailers to refocus their business models on the needs of people rather than vehicles.

The report, The Shape of Food Retailing in the New Normal: Roadside Retail, talks about the transformation of fuel retailing from an interruption during a travel journey to an intentional destination.

So how can you make your roadside retail outlet a destination?

1. Think bigger than electric vehicles: Retailers must think strategically when it comes to adapting their sites to cater to electric vehicles. Further to the obvious investment in electric charging stations, retailers need to think about what they can offer their consumer to occupy them while their vehicle charges.

“The rise in ownership in electric vehicles will increase the time spent by customers at fuel stations. Fresh food and beverage that reflect customers’ increased preference for healthy, organic or locally sourced ingredients is a large and unexplored opportunity for roadside retailers.

“Appropriate assortments and experience design need to be developed for the future roadside retail outlets, rather than copy-pasting neighbourhood or convenience store formats or renting out space to a few local shop-in-shop operators.

“Cashier-less stores, automation and scan-and-go features can be far more appropriate and financially viable at roadside retail outlets than at convenience stores within the city or neighbourhood. There is a large scope and potential for this format to grow and transform, provided we are willing to reimagine the possibilities and opportunities that this format offers in the days ahead,” Dipayan Baishya, CEO Strategy Future Group, India.

2. The future is data driven: Paul Boyle, CEO of UK-based Retail Insight, explores how leading retailers will leverage technology, including pivoting loyalty strategies from membership to personalisation, automating decisions, item-level inventory management, and more.

“Making sense of near-real-time customer data, intelligent mathematical models, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, can help brands offer highly personalised and

relevant recommendations to each individual shopper,” says Boyle.

“This personalisation will be aided by the growing penetration of mobile apps, paving the way for a new generation of offer capabilities utilising geo-location and proximity identification to deliver the right communication to the right person at the right time.”

3. Challenges and opportunities: The authors have identified the key growth areas for petrol and convenience retailers as being delivery, fresh food for today, daypart optimisation, and servicing a broad range of consumer mobility needs.

Creating food propositions that evolve throughout the day is a significant opportunity for roadside retail. The ability to service consumers across dayparts can drive incremental sales and footfall and helps operators to justify the level of labour needed to sustain extended food offers.

The authors have defined the dayparts as follows: Breakfast, midmorning break, lunch, afternoon snacking, dinner, hydration and energy, all-day snacking.

When it comes to home delivery, Theo Foukkare, the CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) questions how it will impact the industry long-term.

“We believe that this shift will continue to dominate the shape of convenience for years to come. The question... is if this will deliver a long-term benefit or become a major threat,” he said.

4. Four critical pillars of success: The authors contend that thriving retailers will have a foundation of four critical success pillars: consumer relevance, consistent execution, willingness to embrace new operating models and meaningful brand identity.

5. A winning proposition: The pandemic demonstrated the resiliency of the convenience and roadside retail model. The diversity of the offer from fuel and grocery to food and restaurants has enabled it to adapt to adverse trading conditions – dialling up one aspect of the business while another is dialled down.

With structural tailwinds in its favour, the potential for enormous scale through mergers and acquisitions, and the increasing role of technological innovation to drive consumer understanding, offer personalisation and operational profitability, there are huge opportunities for roadside retailers to win in the next five years and beyond.

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NZACS

RAISES MORE THAN $4,000 AT ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Dave Hooker, Executive Director, NZACS, shares a message of thanks to all who supported and participated in the 2021 annual golf tournament.

Thanks all to the players and sponsors of our annual golf tournament held at Takapuna this year.

We had a terrific field of more than 70 players across 18 and nine holes enjoying a warm day, and products from our sponsors. The competition was hot with a number of groups seeking repeat wins and bragging rights over others. Suppliers and retailers enjoyed the networking and drinks pre and post-match after dodging yet another COVID lockdown.

NZACS appreciates the increased support from suppliers and retailers in the areas of hole sponsorship, products, and prizes.

Bubbles & Bash

Longest Drive Women's Winner: Stephanie Scott, Signature Marketing

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This event was introduced a couple of years ago to encourage non-golfers to have a go. The one-hour session has proved extremely popular and sold out this year. We had 20 very enthusiastic ‘Bubbles & Bash’ players who hit balls off the second tier of the driving range. The group was assisted with expert coaching from three of the local professionals and competed fiercely in the putting competitions after the range. Instructors were asked to nominate prize winners as part of the event.

NZACS raised more than $4,000 to support our two prospective 2021 Peter Jowett scholarship winners later in the year.

Nearest the Pin Winner: Tom Frost, Goodman Fielder

[ convenience & impulse retailing ] Nominations open for 2021 Peter Jowett Scholarship The New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS) has opened nominations for the 2021 Peter Jowett Scholarship Award.

The Peter Jowett Scholarship gives NZACS retailer and supplier members aged between 21 and 36 the Longest Drive Bubbles & Bash Winner: Ryan Carter, Fonterra

Bubbles & Bash Comp Winners: Arun Chauhan - Fonterra, Geoff Smith - Coalface, Stephen Herbison - Ongas

opportunity to shine on the local stage and win fantastic prizes, including $1,000 personal travel prize and a $3,000 professional development grant.

The Peter Jowett Scholarship Award is a unique opportunity for NZACS members to challenge others in New Zealand in thinking about our industry.

The topic for 2021 is: “In light of COVID-19 and the changes in shopper behaviour

18-Hole Comp Winners: Mark Scott - Bluebird, Kerin Dickey - Bluebird, Mark Craig - Coalface, Anil Nathoo - BP2go

Rookie of the Year: Nina Turnbull, Goodman Fielder

and dynamics, what opportunities has this pandemic presented for convenience retailers to change the way they retail and look for areas to deliver sales growth and foot traffic for their businesses?”

Entrants will be scored on how well they have addressed the question, innovative thinking, the quality of their presentation, and how well their idea could be implemented.

Bubbles & Bash 'Most Likely to go Pro' Winner: Teresa Lawry, Mrs Mac's

Register your interest by 31 May 2021 by emailing Dave Hooker The Remedy Kombucha Team

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L-R: Andrew Poore, General Manager, Signature Marketing and Dave Hooker, Executive Director, NZACS

SIGNATURE MARKETING NZ

TALKS ABOUT SURVIVING AND THRIVING THROUGH COVID Andrew Poore, General Manager of Signature Marketing NZ, tells C&I about their latest successes and product launches.

C&I: What were the highlights for Signature Marketing NZ in 2020?

Poore: I’d probably say surviving COVID! But outside of that, one of the big things that we noticed was a channel switch from grocery to convenience. We certainly felt that we expanded our consumer, particularly with our audio products.

What we noticed was that particularly during the six-week lockdown, sales of our audio products were 50 per cent higher than what they would normally be. I think that with families all working and learning from home, our audio products were all of a sudden being consumed like Mars Bars.

At the end of 2019, we launched our Fuse Airbudz, and they have been really successful for us, and I think they have helped our credibility with the brand Fuse. We’ve also launched our Fuse True Wireless Sound in black, which is a slightly bigger and more fitted product and early indications of that are looking to be very strong. We really think we’ve 48

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got another winner there and we’ve got a lot of new product development in the works as well.

Finally, one of the biggest highlights for us was again winning the Best Head Office Service and Support for a Medium Supplier award at NZACS last year. We’ve won that award for six years running and it’s always a great honour for me to be able to stand up and accept the award on behalf of the success of our team.

C&I: What will be your primary focus in 2021?

Poore: We’ll be looking for continuance with our growth. In our mobile phone and audio categories we’re still tracking at about 15 per cent growth of sales. We represent about 95 to 96 per cent of the category now in New Zealand.

Tech is performing very well for us, but we also launched toys as a category last year, which has been very encouraging. We only distribute through BP now as a fantastic one or two bay offer, but the category

[ convenience & impulse retailing ]

has become big enough now that the other banners are starting to take notice. We’re only working with licensed brands, so Disney, Mattel, among others, and that has been a real evolution of our business.

Previously BP had a selection of plush fluffy toys on offer, but in working with us and these bigger, more recognisable brands, we have quadrupled that category within a year, and it continues to grow.

C&I: What would be your key message to the petrol & convenience channel this year?

Poore: I’d love to say travel overseas.

Obviously with us being one company with Pacific Optics in Australia, I’ve got another office over in Burleigh Heads in Queensland, and I would normally go there once a month for a few days, so I haven’t done that for over a year now. But what I’m really enjoying most is being able to participate in more face-to-face meetings.

Poore: Just to keep looking for new and exciting products. BP Connect has put together a great food offer in New Zealand, which is really new and refreshing.

From my point of view, from the size of a category, the mobile phone accessory products are continually growing. It’s around a $12 million category in New Zealand now and we represent around 95 per cent of it, so I think it’s continuance of seeing that growth in what is now a mature category.

We’ve also had great success with sunglasses this summer, with upwards of 20 per cent growth. We have the catchphrase, ‘they said you couldn’t grow the sunglass category’, because sunglasses have been available in service stations forever, but we have grown the category by about 80 per cent since we’ve brought sunglasses to the market, and that all comes down to quality and execution.

We manufacture ad supply all our displays and I am very particular about how our products are displayed.

Something to look out for is our new WalknTalk fast charge range, which we’ve just brought to market. Our fast charge can take you from zero to more than 50 per cent battery life in under half an hour. That comes in cables, wall units, car and fast cigarette lighter chargers. That is going to be driving new and exciting further growth for the channel.

C&I: What are you most looking forward to at the C&I Expo in September?

C&I: What’s your advice for retailers on educating the consumer on new products?

Poore: Being able to mix not just with retailers, but actually mixing with suppliers as well. Over the past year, we haven’t really had a lot of opportunity to get together and chew the fat, but sometimes by sharing knowledge with other suppliers you can actually work out different ways of approaching some of your retailers about certain things. That shared experience and knowledge is just so valuable.

Poore: It’s important to have clear and precise point of sale. For the first time we have introduced QR codes onto our fast charge products and point of sale, so the consumer can just scan the QR code and be taken to the fast charge website to learn all about the range. We’re also in the process of creating some short 15 second videos as well, which will be the next evolution of those QR codes.

C&I: Have you noticed any new or emerging trends through P&C? Poore: Consumers have been loving what we call our ‘true wireless stereo (TWS)’ solutions. As well as our Fuse Airbudz and our black Fuse TWS, we’ve also now got a TWS speaker system, which is just two wireless mini speakers. And there will be another TWS solution being released at the end of this year.

C&I: What are you personally looking forward to most in 2021?

“SOMETHING TO LOOK OUT FOR IS OUR NEW WALKNTALK FAST CHARGE RANGE, WHICH WE’VE JUST BROUGHT TO MARKET.” ANDREW POORE

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If you own or work in independent grocery or a convenience store, service station, dairy, corner store or mini-mart, C&I NZ is the one event you should not miss in 2021.

SAVE THE DATES ADMISSION IS FREE! OWNED BY: C&I Media Pty Ltd and organised by Interpoint Events Pty Ltd 41 Bridge Road Glebe NSW 2037 P: 1300 789 845 F: 02 9660 4419 E: exhibition@c-store.com.au

W: www.c-store.com.au

Association Partner

Reconnect - Renew - Rebuild

8 - 9 SEPTEMBER 2021 Convenience & Impulse New Zealand Expo 2021 The Cloud, Auckland

The Convenience & Impulse New Zealand Expo brings together New Zealand convenience retailers and suppliers from all banners and brands to gather for two days of education, networking and business building.

For more information visit www.candiexpo.co.nz

New ZealaNd’s

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*New Zealand’s most trusted vitamin and supplement brand as voted by New Zealanders in the 2021 Readers Digest Most Trusted Brand Survey.

Always read the label, use as directed. Vitamins and minerals are supplementary to and not a replacement for a balanced diet. Blackmores Auckland.