Ulster Grocer January Yearbook 2021 by Helen Wright

JANUARY 2021

GROCER ULSTER

JANUARY 2021

N O. 1 M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E LO C A L G R O C E R Y S E C TO R

Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL AGREED IN FINAL WEEKS OF BREXIT TRANSITION

ocal retail and agri-food representatives have welcomed agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol, only weeks before the Brexit transition period ends on December 31. Following concerns customs systems were not ready to handle GB to NI food shipments from January 1, a threemonth grace period has been agreed to prevent any delay in supply, extended to six months for chilled meats. The grace period is to be followed by a trusted trader scheme. However, clarity has been sought on whether the additional transition period applies solely to supermarket supplies, or all produce crossing the Irish Sea to the Northern Ireland market. Concerns have also been expressed the same issues around customs paperwork, and its impact on food supply and pricing, will remain once the grace period comes to an end. While a Brexit deal had yet to be secured at time of writing, EC President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on the morning of December 16 a narrow path still existed to reaching agreement. Two outstanding issues remained a level playing field and fisheries. If Prime Minister Boris Johnson fails to secure a tariff- and quota-free deal with

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YEAR IN PICTURES: 2020 OFFERED UP MANY CHALLENGES BUT A FEW HIGHLIGHTS AS WELL, SUCH AS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A £2M INVESTMENT IN CLANDEBOYE ESTATE’S YOGHURT BUSINESS

the EU, reports suggest laborious trade negotiations could go on for years. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove and EC Vice President reached agreement in principle on implementation of the NI Protocol on December 8. The Protocol pledges to protect unfettered access to the rest of the UK market for NI businesses; NI’s tariff-free place in the UK customs territory; and a smooth GB-NI trade flow. Aimed at protecting the Good Friday Agreement and preventing a hard border between NI and the Republic of Ireland, the Protocol creates a unique trading position for NI which, unlike GB, remains in the single market and will have unfettered access to EU markets. Even if the UK secures a tariff-free trade deal with the EU by the end of 2020, GB will still be subject to regulatory checks. Announcing the Protocol agreement in the House of Commons, Gove said: “Our agreement prevents any disruption at the end of the transition period to the movement of chilled meats. British sausages will continue to make their way to Belfast and Ballymena in the New Year.” The deal ensures NI stays out of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, said Gove, with freedom afforded to the Executive to set its own agricultural subsidies and

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ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2021: LAUNCHING THE 33RD ANNUAL AWARDS, SET TO BE HELD DURING THE GROCERYAID GROCERS’ BALL IN THE CULLODEN HOTEL & SPA ON MAY 21

support for fishermen, while exempt from EU state aid rules. “Following Michael Gove’s statement, Retail NI has asked for immediate clarification that the three-month supermarket grace period applies to our wholesale and independent retailer members,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “It is absolutely unacceptable that the UK government could make a major statement and not have this information available, which could potentially result in a third of our local independent food and grocery sector being at a competitive disadvantage to large supermarkets.” Victor Chestnutt, president, UFU, said: “The NI Protocol agreement addresses regulatory controls, but we need to build on this momentum. We need continued progress and a positive outcome on the UK/EU free trade agreement to ensure that we have as free and frictionless trade as possible. “This will not only avoid the possibility of tariffs/customs being introduced and the huge additional complications and market distortions that would entail, but will also potentially simplify the regulatory controls that are to be implemented under the NI Protocol.”

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RINGING IN THE NEW: TREVOR MAGILL, NEW MD OF MUSGRAVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, TELLS UG ABOUT AN UNFORGETTABLE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN THE ROLE AND THE GROUP’S PLANS FOR 2021

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NOW’S THE TIME: LOCAL BUSINESSES NEED SUPPORT TO GRASP THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY NI’S UNIQUE STATUS AFTER BREXIT, SAYS MANUFACTURING NI CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEPHEN KELLY

email: info@ulstergrocer.com Volume 56 Number 1 JANUARY 2021 Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Sam Butler, Donald C McFetridge Sales Manager: Chris Keenan E: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4266

FOREWORD

SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF NORTHERN IRELAND’S FOOD & DRINK SECTOR KEVIN HOLLAND, CEO OF INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND, REFLECTS ON 2020 AND OUTLINES HOW THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE SECTOR IN 2021

NOW, AS WE ENTER 2021, WE LOOK TO A NEW FUTURE. ONE WHERE TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND UNDERSTANDING CONSUMER TRENDS REAL-TIME WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

Art Editor: Helen Wright Production Manager: Irene Fitzsimmons Ulster Grocer c/o Independent News & Media Ltd, Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3BG www.ulstergrocer.com @ulstergrocer www.facebook.com/ulstergrocer Subscriptions: £27.50 per annum £37.50 per annum (outside UK) Designed & Produced by: Independent News & Media Ltd Tel: 028 9026 4000 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim Tel: 028 9446 3911

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ooking back at the Ulster Grocer Yearbook 2020, it’s clear that our priorities and plans for the year have turned out just so, so different. One of the headlines advised Fasten your seatbelts for a bumpy ride – that much at least was very true. 2020 was a challenging year for us all, and one that saw many businesses transform to new operating environments in the wake of a global pandemic. The food and drink sector, as others, faced a rapid, dramatic shift in consumer and business demand. In tandem, Northern Ireland businesses were also future proofing their operations in preparation for the end of the EU Exit transition period. I congratulate the food and drink sector for weathering the 2020 storms and look forward to supporting you into 2021. Much of our Invest NI work in 2020 focused on supporting businesses to adjust, respond to the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities from the dramatic market shifts.

We supported the NI Executive to deliver several emergency Covid-19 response schemes, our business resource website – nibusinessinfo.co.uk – became a central source of up-to-date information on UK and NI Executive support schemes, and we launched a number of new Covid-19 recovery schemes to help businesses find new ways of working. We also worked hand in hand with businesses delivering initiatives to prepare for EU Exit with workshops, advice, and free webinars on essential subjects including trading goods and services, immigration, data protection and VAT. Our Brexit Preparation Grant provided over £4.2m of support to businesses to help towards associated costs. Now, as we enter 2021, we look to a new future. One where technology, innovation and understanding consumer trends real-time will play an important role. Technology has been shaping the way we do business for some time, but even more so as the world responded to a global pandemic. We have been no different, pivoting much of our support for trade and export online and expanding accessibility. We currently deliver our trade support

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email: info@ulstergrocer.com through webinars, online masterclasses and virtual exhibitions. Our in-market teams around the world are also now representing NI businesses live at international trade events ensuring companies can still explore new markets even if they can’t travel. For food and drink companies in particular, we have introduced virtual ‘meet the buyer’ events, ensuring that NI food companies are still able to present their products to a large number of key buyers across retail and food service. These have worked well so far and as a direct result, many NI food and drink companies secured new and additional listings with Asda, Artisan Food Club, Fortnum & Mason, Morrison’s and Lidl Ireland during 2020. We will continue to provide this digital approach but look forward to some live interactions too in 2021. There is clearly an appetite for NI produce with our world class, awardwinning products sold in many countries around the world. Despite 2020’s challenges, we saw businesses continue to secure new export deals: Hinch Distillery will supply its products to 23 global markets and White’s Speedicook in Tandragee secured a significant £1m deal in the UAE. We also saw significant investments by companies as they continued to grow their business: a £2m investment by Clandeboye Estate; a £5m investment and 88 jobs by Crust and Crumb, Fermanagh; a £9m investment and 36 jobs by Echlinville Distillery, Co. Down; and a £5m investment and 30-plus jobs at Mackle Petfoods, Dungannon. As we look to the future with optimism, I can assure you that we will work closely with NI’s food and drink producers to help them export, innovate, create jobs and invest in their teams. We will continue to stimulate innovation and new product development through our support schemes. Recognising that consumereating habits continue to rapidly change, we have committed significant resources to Consumer Insights to support companies with their market intelligence, which will ultimately help them drive sales and ensure continued success. We are here to help you where we can and welcome your input on working best together to adapt the new world. I wish the sector much success in 2021.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

www.ulstergrocer.com

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR RETAIL & MANUFACTURE IN 2021

elcome to the Ulster Grocer Yearbook 2021. In this edition, you will find reflection from across the trade on what all agree to be a very strange and challenging past year. To the many voices congratulating the grocery sector on its hard work throughout 2020, we add our thanks to everyone in the supply chain, from farming, manufacturing and logistics to the sector organisations working all hours to represent their members in unprecedented circumstances. Particular gratitude is due to the retail staff who became frontline workers from March onwards, dealing with anxious and occasionally abusive shoppers without respite. The Ulster Grocer team is also thankful to our readers and advertisers who stuck with us throughout 2020, and we hope to merit your support in the year to come. While news stories such as the 20% boost in sales for the 12 weeks to the end of November (p9) suggest grocery is booming as other sectors struggle, our commentaries and profiles inside illustrate a more complex picture. Grocery sales are strong but many lucrative categories such as impulse, ice cream and coffee were diminished for click-and-collect or delivered shops; foodservice and petrol trade plummeted; and shop owners had to make substantial investment in safety measures and additional staffing. And of course, the trade now finds itself heading into 2021 with little idea of what to expect from Brexit in terms of supply and pricing. At time of writing, two weeks from the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31, negotiations between the UK and EU are yet to reach a deal, although at least implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been agreed. Whatever happens, however, there were a few words which kept popping up in the Yearbook interviews and spell out

a positive future for the grocery trade in 2021 and beyond. The first is resilience, with the grocery sector rising to the challenge of Covid-19, keeping shops stocked, staffed and safe. The same fortitude will undoubtedly see us through Brexit. Next is agility; the impressive ability of the grocery sector to rapidly adapt to the evolving demands of consumers and the trading environment. Within days, shops had social distancing systems and apps for online orders in place, food packaging manufacturers were making face screens and foodservice suppliers were picking up new retail trade. And the final, and perhaps most exciting, word which was often repeated was opportunity. Reading through the interviews, a clear message emerged of a desire to seize opportunity amid the havoc caused by the pandemic and Brexit. In the retail sector, the pandemic accelerated an existing revival in the fortunes of independent local shops, while the dire situation for hospitality and non-essential retail in the lockdown focused government attention on the plight of our empty high streets and town centres. With the pandemic having highlighted the vital role of local shops, our sector organisations are hopeful momentum will continue and investment and strategy will be forthcoming for the rebuilding of strong local community hubs. And in food and drink manufacturing, meanwhile, our new status under the Northern Ireland Protocol offers the huge opportunity of unfettered access to EU markets not available to the rest of the UK. Again, investment is required in people, automation and marketing. While the grocery and wider agri-food sectors have the resilience and agility to grasp these opportunities, the right support and investment from government is needed to realise their potential.

NEWS

COVID-19 LOCKDOWN TAKES ITS TOLL ON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY BY MARGARET CANNING

orthern Ireland’s latest lockdown led to economic decline in November, with output from firms down at the fastest rate of 12 UK regions. The Ulster Bank purchasing managers’ index said new orders had fallen at the joint-fastest level in the UK. And employment also fell during November, while inflationary pressures increased. And signs of short-term rebound are not encouraging, Ulster Bank Chief Economist Richard Ramsey said. The services and retail sectors were bearing the brunt of decline. Restaurants, cafes and bars serving food were closed from October 16 until December 11, while non-essential retail

also shut for two weeks from November 27. “2020 has been characterised by imposing and lifting lockdown restrictions,” said Ramsay. “As a result, private sector activity has been switched off and on to a greater or lesser degree. “Not surprisingly, renewed containment measures in November saw local private sector output contract at a significant rate, albeit not on the scale witnessed between March and June. “New orders are signalling that no meaningful improvement in activity is anticipated in the near-term, with the pace of decline accelerating in November.” He said most UK regions had reported a

CONCERNS AIRED OVER POST-BREXIT AVAILABILITY OF BREEDING STOCK

ocal farmers are concerned they may not be able to bring in vital breeding stock from Great Britain after Brexit on January 1. Designation of Great Britain as a ‘third country’ exporter would complicate movement of livestock from GB to NI, said the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), potentially threatening local farmers’ access to vital genetics. “Despite the announcement in the House of Commons, no acceptable solution was found for sanitary and phytosanitary checks for animals moving from GB to NI,” said Andrew McCammond, UFU animal health and welfare chairman, referring to Cabinet Minister Michael Gove’s confirmation of agreement reached with the EC on implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. “Implementing new rules that interfere with the GB/NI trade will have

a detrimental effect on our pedigree and commercial animals. NI farmers rely heavily on sourcing breeding stock from GB and the inability to access these animals in the future is a huge threat to our farmers.” “In the UK government Command Paper, it stated that the co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee are ‘securing additional flexibilities and adaptations to support NI businesses’. The issue of livestock trade between GB and NI affects family farm businesses across the country and the UFU is hopeful they will find a solution as soon as possible. “Continuing GB/NI trade is essential for the future of NI’s breeding stock. Without the ability to source animals from outside NI’s gene pool, farmers will find it difficult to identify new bloodlines within a very short period of time.”

BALMORAL R SHOW POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 2021

oyal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) has announced the 2021 Balmoral Show will move from its usual May date for one year only, to be held over September 22-25. “It was a huge disappointment for so many when we had to cancel this year’s Show due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and so we are pleased to bring Balmoral back for 2021,” said Alan

fall in output and new orders last month, and all 12 had cut staff levels for the ninth month in a row. However, the rate of decline here was not as steep as the UK average. But output and orders were falling fast with output down at the fastest rate in the UK, and new orders at the joint-fastest. And demand from export markets and in particular, from the Republic - was declining at a faster rate than demand at home. Business costs were also increasing, posing another challenge, according to the PMI, which is carried out by IHS Markit. Ulster Bank said: “Rising wage, raw material and shipping costs saw input cost inflation accelerate to a 15-month high.”

UFU CONDEMNS CONSULTATION ON BANNING LIVESTOCK EXPORTS A UK government consultation on potentially banning livestock exports from England and Wales, while not applying to Northern Ireland, has been condemned by UFU as setting a dangerous precedent. UFU Deputy President William Irvine said this is not the first time the government has failed to recognise the importance of live exports, with any undermining of the trade representing a particular threat to Northern Ireland. In 2019, UFU and the National Sheep Association wrote a joint letter to UK ministers criticising plans to stop the live export of sheep and restrict transport journeys by requiring farmers to sell stock to local abattoirs after Brexit. Crowe, chief executive, RUAS. “We believe that moving the Show to mid-September allows more time for restrictions to be eased, the roll out of the vaccine to take place and life to get back to normality. We all greatly missed the Balmoral Show this year and cannot wait to get planning for 2021.” The 2022 Show is scheduled to take place over May 11-14.

NEWS

ocal grocery sales enjoyed a 20% boost, with the latest lockdown driving sales of alcohol and frozen food as consumers stocked up for Christmas, according to the latest figures from Kantar. In the 12 weeks to November 29, sales of alcohol rose by close to a third and frozen food by almost a quarter year on year as shoppers responded to new Covid-19 restrictions introduced on October 16. Looking at 52-week data to November 29, Lidl was again the clear winner in year-on-year value sales growth, posting a 17.4% increase to 6.4% of the Northern Ireland grocery market. Total market sales were up 11.7% for the year, led by symbol groups at 22.5%; other outlets such as butchers, greengrocers and independent stores at 17.4%; and multiple retailers at 10.1%. “Tesco, which holds over a third of the market in Northern Ireland, increased sales by 11.3% year on year,” said Emer Healy, retail analyst at Kantar. “Lockdown impacted shopping patterns at the grocer as customers visited less frequently and made bigger trips each time. Shoppers picked up 20 items per shop on average, an increase of 16.9% compared with last year that added an additional £186m to Tesco’s takings. “Sainsbury’s performed slightly ahead of Tesco at 11.6% while Asda’s yearon-year growth improved from last

LOCKDOWN BOOSTS PRE-CHRISTMAS GROCERY SALES

month to 7.0%. As was the case at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, shoppers visited the supermarkets less frequently and it was bigger trips that helped to drive growth. Shoppers adding more items to their baskets meant an extra £42.1m spent in Sainsbury’s and £125.5m in Asda this period. “Lidl continues to achieve doubledigit growth. The grocer encouraged additional shoppers through its doors, something other retailers struggled to achieve, and these new customers

contributed an additional £7.1m to Lidl’s overall growth this period. “With Christmas just around the corner, alcohol sales have grown well ahead of the market at 31.4% in the latest 12 weeks. This represents an additional £18.5m spent on beer, wine and cider as pubs and bars remained closed. While some shoppers stuck to their home-cooking guns in lockdown 2.0, it appears many of us have swapped cooking from scratch for convenience as sales of frozen food were up 22.9%.”

ISSA BROTHERS’ ASDA 100% PLANT-BASED TAKEOVER UNDER REVIEW BY FOODS DEFINITION AGREED FOR FIRST TIME COMPETITION REGULATORS

S owner Walmart’s £6.8bn sale of Asda to British brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, agreed in October, is to be reviewed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Blackburn-based brothers, who operate around 6,000 forecourts across the UK and Europe, made the offer through their EG Group and private equity partners TDR Capital. The CMA probe is likely to focus on any lessening of competition in the UK’s petrol forecourt market and will reach a decision on whether to proceed with a full investigation by February 18. “As we expected, the CMA have launched a phase one investigation into the acquisition of Asda following a referral from the European Commission,” said a spokesman for the Issa brothers and TDR Capital. “We are looking forward to working constructively with the CMA to address any questions they may have.” Back in 2019, CMA blocked an attempted merger between Asda and Sainsbury’s.

SI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published the first standard to establish clear and simple criteria defining 100% plant-based food. As plant-based food continues to rise in popularity, due to perceived health and environmental benefits, publication of the standard is aimed at ensuring a level playing field and fair practices in communication and labelling. “We have recently seen considerable investment from companies across the spectrum, creating a growing market in new plant-based products for consumers,” said Sara Walton, food standards lead at BSI. “More and more of these products can be found on the supermarkets’ growing ‘alternative’ shelves. PAS 224 is the first consensus standard to define 100% plant-based foods. Its publication will help to enable consumers to make informed choices.” This standard was produced by a steering group of consumers and technical experts representing manufacturers and producers. 9

GROCERY SECTOR ANALYSIS

COVID-19 AND THE CHANGING CONSUMER: THE IMPACT ON, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR, THE NI RETAIL GROCERY SECTOR IN 2021 BY DONALD C MCFETRIDGE, INDEPENDENT RETAIL ANALYST

ll good retailers know - or ought to know - that (when involved in planning, strategy or developmental changes) they need to give prime consideration to their consumers. Therefore, I believe that it is important to start with the response of the changing consumer to what was an horrendous year for many involved in the retail grocery sector in Northern Ireland. THE RESPONSE OF THE CHANGING CONSUMER Before the arrival of Covid-19, Northern Ireland’s consumers were rightly regarded as being extremely discerning, discriminating and demanding; now they are even more so. In addition to this, there is also a number of additional key considerations to be taken into account by retailers. The consumer has changed irrevocably and is now also carefully weighing up the following pros and cons; so, too, should retailers: PRICE is, understandably, now an even bigger consideration, especially during this pandemic and many consumers are still concerned about the prospect of job losses and potentially years of high unemployment as we enter 2021. While some analysts argue that price is often regarded as being a very blunt instrument, I do not foresee that being the case in 2021. CONVENIENCE too is more important than ever. During 2020 we witnessed a not inconsiderable surge in consumers shopping locally, using local greengrocers, bakeries, local supermarkets, et cetera. This has undoubtedly had a very positive impact on neighbourhood shopping and has also been of tremendous financial benefit to the local convenience sector who should be looking to capitalise on this and try to keep those new customers coming through their doors well into 2021 and beyond. The multiples have been busy renewing interest in their loyalty card schemes in order to retain their loyal customer base, and the convenience sector should take careful note of this. 10

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS are of enormous importance and those retailers who have rigorously implemented the safety guidelines for the benefit of their staff and customers will hopefully continue to reap the rewards and benefits of this well into 2021 and beyond. However, it is worth noting that consumers can be very promiscuous when it comes to shopper loyalty – something which can never be taken for granted.

DURING 2020 WE WITNESSED A NOT INCONSIDERABLE SURGE IN CONSUMERS SHOPPING LOCALLY… THIS HAS UNDOUBTEDLY HAD A VERY POSITIVE IMPACT ON NEIGHBOURHOOD SHOPPING AND HAS ALSO BEEN OF TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL BENEFIT TO THE LOCAL CONVENIENCE SECTOR WHO SHOULD BE LOOKING TO CAPITALISE ON THIS AND TRY TO KEEP THOSE NEW CUSTOMERS COMING THROUGH THEIR DOORS. PRODUCT RANGE RATIONALISATION was one of the initial short-term responses, particularly from the larger supermarkets. Customers, however, no matter how bad the pandemic situation, continue to want to see breadth and depth in the product ranges on offer, and this is something to which the convenience sector and the major multiple chains should give careful consideration. Interestingly, Northern Ireland consumers are notoriously leading manufacturer brand-led and this is something which I do not see changing greatly in 2021. Hopefully the days of panic buying, stockpiling and long queues at the doors of our supermarkets are soon (post-vaccine) going to be a thing of the past; consumers will continue to demand the very best retail offerings possible. It is, of course, up to the

retail sector to see to it that this demand is met. THE RESPONSE OF THE RETAIL SECTOR... ...WAS RAPID: protective screens were quickly installed, floor markings were clearly delineated, hand sanitising stations were hastily provided at the entrances and exits of supermarkets (and other retail outlets) and store staff did their very best to ensure social distancing was observed. In addition to this, extended shopping hours, priority shopping for key workers and a greater emphasis on, and expansion in the number of, home delivery slots were other factors which were also greatly appreciated by consumers as we faced down a very difficult and unprecedented situation. ...WAS TREMENDOUSLY RESPONSIBLE and took full account of both their customers and their staff. Customer and staff safety was rightly regarded as being of paramount importance - and for this alone the supermarkets and the retail food sector in general are worthy of high praise. ...WAS HIGHLY COMMENDABLE Arguably, in some respects, the behaviour and overall response of the retail grocery sector - and particularly in Northern Ireland - was much better planned, implemented and strategically worthy than the often ill-conceived and haphazard response from Stormont. So, a very sincere word of thanks and great respect to all involved in a very successful retail strategy which worked to the advantage of everyone. OUTLOOK FOR THE NI CONVENIENCE RETAIL SECTOR As we look forward to another year in the retail calendar, many in the grocery sector are obviously, and not unduly, concerned about the prospects for their businesses in 2021, but I remain largely optimistic; hopefully, I’ll be proved correct. In that respect (as I write) the oftenrepeated, and prophetic, words of our wonderful Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, in 1972, remain uppermost in my mind: “If we can winter this one out, we can summer anywhere.”

2020 IN PICTURES

YEAR IN REVIEW

New Year MBE in the 2020 ect is awarded an sector. Dir d sh oo ri-f Ma ag of d n Irelan Tracy Hamilto to the Northern es vic ser r he Honours list for

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LOOK

H & CH LIGHTS ALLE OF 20 NGES 20

Retail NI hosts a meeting of over 200 independent retailers who believe they were mis-sold plasma screens under the misapprehension advertising would pay for their purchase. Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, addresses the crowd.

Past winners and sponsors attend an official launch event for the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards 2020 at the Culloden Estate & Spa on February 20. From left, Chris Keenan (Ulster Grocer), Gary Taylor (Aqua Twist), Bronagh Clarke (Forest Feast), Alan Cunningham (Electric Ireland), Debra Henderson (Henderson Food Machinery), Fiona Derry (Carn Coldstore), Alyson Magee (Ulster Grocer), Allie McAuley (MXB), Clare Forster (Mash Direct), Geoff Spence (Invest NI), Sean Clarke (MBNI Truck & Van) and Martin McClinton (Hunky Dorys).

Peter McBrid e, owner of M cBrideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SPAR customer Mrs Gortin Road Wilson at a Cu greets long-v stomer Appr recent refurb alued eciation Day ishment of th held to mark e store. the

As Covid-19 becomes a pandemic, a range of social distancing measures are implemented to safeguard customers and staff in Musgraveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 200plus SuperValu, Centra and MACE stores experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand.

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2020 IN PICTURES

Ian Stevenson, chief executive of the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland, celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme.

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the appointment of Trevor Musgrave NI announces g director. Magill as its new managin

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Represen tatives fr om the re enforcem tail secto ent of a r call for zero-tole to abuse rance ap of shop proach workers Covid-19 during th pandem e ic, of mand atory ma following introd uction sk Executiv e on Aug wearing in shop s by the ust 10.

L CH A L E N

Drinks company Boost reports a record year in Northern Ireland with an increase in sales of almost 6% in 2019. From left, Simon Gray, founder and MD, Boost Energy, and Gareth Hardy, MD, Hardy Sales and Marketing.

range. From nd enjoy local bakery . expands its own bra ham, Grahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery Gra Henderson Wholesale Tim and sale ole derson Wh left, Jonny Agnew, Hen

2020 IN PICTURES

One of Belfast’s leading restaurants, shut down by the pandemic, pivots into a food hall in July. Pictured is Ashley French, managing director of French Village Bakery, at the French Village Food Hall on the Lisburn Road.

Moy Park champions retail heroes through a partnership with Food Force Ireland. From left, Ellen Wright, Marisa Quinn, Estelle Robinson and Gavin Emerson.

Dale Farm reports a solid year’s performance for the financial year ending March 2020. From left, Nick Whelan, CEO, and Fred Allen, chairman, Dale Farm.

Clandeboye Estate announces plans to invest £2m in its yoghurt business. From left, John Hood, Invest NI; Bryan Boggs, Clandeboye Yoghurt; Lady Dufferin, Estate owner (who sadly passed away on October 26); Mark Logan, Estate manager; and Mark Bleakney, Invest NI. Maxol renews its strategic alliance with the Henderson Group in a deal valued at £425m over five years. From left, Paddy Doody, sales and marketing director and Ron Whitten, chief financial officer, Henderson Group, and Brian Donaldson, CEO, Maxol Group.

McCool’s r winners including its Store of the Yea Peter McCool ner ow h wit Musgrave unveils ed tur pic oney. The team is SuperValu Ballym (back centre).

ViVO, the convenience store bran d owned by the Henderson Grou p, celebrates its 100th store in Nort hern Ireland, ViVO Essentials Tatty reagh. Laura and Andrew Short are pictu red with Paddy Doody, sales and marketing director, Henderson Group.

Michael Hall, founder and managing director of Kestrel Foods, is awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours in recognition of his services to economic development in Northern Ireland.

HRH The Prince of Wales is pictured with Martin Agnew, joint MD of the Henderson Group, during his visit to the Group’s Wholesale warehouse to thank frontline logistics and retail staff for their commitment during lockdown.

2020 IN PICTURES

Usually handed out during the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, which was postponed and then cancelled due to the pandemic, winners of the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards 2020 are recognised at a socially distanced photocall in the Culloden on October 16. Pictured are Bronagh Henderson from Henderson Wholesale, picking up Best Marketing Campaign for Festive In’spar’ation with Clare Forster of category sponsor Mash Direct.

a new cake is launches afters, Local bakery Genes Chisholm. en ph Ste ner win Irish Bake Off

Tommy Char teris retires af ter 32 years Hutchinson, at Tayto. From chairman; To left, Stephen mmy Charteris executive, Ta ; and Fergal yto Group. McCann, chie f

range, with The Gre

Lidl Northern Ireland announces plans to invest more than £32m in five new state-of-the-art stores across Belfast. From left Drew McIvor food business development manager at Invest NI; Alan Barry, executive director and director of property & construction at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland; and Conor Boyle, regional director of Lidl Northern.

Finnebrogue Artisan Chairman Denis Lynn is named Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 in The Grocer Gold Awards.

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L CH A L E N

Henderson Group reports turnover up 7.6% to £918.1m with like-forlike sales up 3.9% in 2019, boosted by gains in footfall and basket spend. From left, Ron Whitten, chief financial officer, and Patrick Doody, sales and marketing director, Henderson Group.

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 FOOD NI

COMMENTARY

FOOD & DRINK FIRMS THE BRIGHTEST STARS DURING GLOOMY YEAR

reat encouragement, during what was a difficult year for most of us, was provided by the number of food and drink companies winning awards for brilliant products offering premium quality and stunning flavours. They were bright spots in an often-tragic year in which business life was anything but normal. Just recently, for example, three local companies won prestigious awards in the highly influential UK Quality Awards. Flying the flag for our food industry were: Dunbia in Dungannon, which won recognition for its sirloin steak and premium burgers for German discounter Lidl; Finnebrogue Artisan in Downpatrick lifted awards for its Naked nitrite-free streaky bacon and reduced fat sausages; and Comber’s Mash Direct for its acclaimed Beer Battered Chips. The unique chips also featured in the Great British Food Awards. Other local winners in this UK challenge included: Ewing’s Seafoods in Belfast; Burren Balsamics in Richhill; and Ballylagan Organic Farm in Straid. Furthermore, four of our companies were shortlisted in the UK’s most important food event, Food Manufacture Excellence. The contenders are: Dunbia, Moy Park, Mash Direct and Finnebrogue Artisan. And there were further successes in the pivotal UK Great Taste awards and the annual Blas na hEireann Irish National Food Awards. Seaweed innovators emerged as the most successful at Blas, a demonstration of our role in a natural product that’s seen as a superfood. Crawford’s Rock in Kilkeel, Co Down was named Best New Product for its unique Seaweed Seasoning with Garlic and Rosemary. The Best Seafood Product award at Blas went to Islander Seafood on Rathlin Island in Co Antrim for its Spicy Kelp Relish developed with En Place Foods in Cookstown. These smaller companies are at the very forefront of natural foods created from seaweed varieties, such as kelp, dulse and carageen moss, harvested from the pristine waters surrounding Northern Ireland. There were gold awards at Blas for companies covering virtually every food category especially meat, charcuterie, ice cream, culinary oils, confectionery,

Michele Shirlow, chief executive, Food NI.

THESE AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN MAJOR AWARDS ARE ALSO INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE QUALITY OF OUR FOOD AND DRINK AMONG RETAILERS AND SHOPPERS IN THE REPUBLIC, OUR MOST IMPORTANT EXPORT MARKET WHICH IS WORTH AROUND £800M TO AN INDUSTRY THAT CURRENTLY GENERATES OVER £5BN TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND EMPLOYS UPWARDS OF 100,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE VAST SUPPLY CHAIN. bakery and potato crisps. Around 60 awards were won by Northern Ireland companies including 16 golds at Blas. These followed the successes in the Great Taste awards in September where 82 producers won 172 awards including five achieving the coveted three-star status. The Northern

Ireland Regional Fork was also awarded to a small producer with a very original product - Craic Foods in Armagh for its Black Garlic and Porcini Sea Salt. Sales to Britain currently generate almost £3bn for the local economy. It’s vitally important then that we continue to focus our marketing and sales activities there. These and other achievements in major awards are also increasing awareness of the quality of our food and drink among retailers and shoppers in the Republic, our most important export market which is worth around £800m to an industry that currently generates over £5bn to the local economy and employs upwards of 100,000 people across the vast supply chain. In addition, our farmers and processors made – and continue to make - a very significant contribution to the ‘feed the nation’ campaign against the background of the cruel Covid-19 pandemic. They rose magnificently to the formidable challenges presented by the coronavirus and associated lockdown to provide wholesome food. While there have been a number of bright spots in the gloom that have been immensely encouraging, particularly the progress on a vaccine, it’s a fact that we are not out of the woods yet. Covid-19 will still remain a serious problem certainly during the first quarter of 2021. And at least one more ‘circuit breaker’ could be required. I certainly hope that another costly lockdown can be avoided. Furthermore, we will face a different challenge in the shape of Brexit and trade threats which may develop from our unique position as the only part of the UK remaining within the EU. It’s clear there are going to be border checks on agri-food materials at our ports and much more bureaucracy. Concerns have already been raised by some supermarkets and wholesalers about what may be ahead for us all in this new business environment. It seems likely that uncertainty will be a feature for much of the first half of the year ahead. What I can say with certainty is that Food NI will continue to support and encourage our food and drink companies as they seek to develop business here and abroad. The cream always rises to the top, and in Northern Ireland we really do have the cream of the crop. ■

COMMUNITY SPIRIT KEEPS US CLOSER TOGETHER

n the face of global market conditions that continue to be challenging, Moy Park works closely with customers to deliver a strong performance - one that is rooted in a culture of constant innovation and a focus on people. The UK retail and food manufacturing market is highly competitive and there are a number of external challenges which impact us collectively, including the global pandemic and the end of the Brexit transition period. Rising input costs across several areas also put a greater emphasis on continuous improvement and driving efficiency. Meeting consumer expectations of great value, a desire for increasingly healthy, convenient choices whilst also addressing environmental and sustainability issues is, as always, a challenge. Therein however lies the opportunity to innovate; a challenge our colleagues, farming and supply chain partners continue to embrace. We have launched many new products

Chris Kirke, president, Moy Park.

and initiatives over the last year including our innovative BBQ range of Buttermilk Chicken King Kebab and on-trend new flavours with our Buffalo wings, plus new formats like Mediterranean Meatballs, Hunters Hasselback and Crispy Katsu Chicken Tenders. We were also proud to recently launch our ‘Ideal Home’ project, an initiative that will see us create a resourceful and energy-efficient solution to poultry houses, as the farming industry looks to meet the sustainability target of

net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Safety has always been a condition at Moy Park and the emphasis we place on health and safety allowed us to lead the industry in quickly implementing new measures last year. Earlier in 2020 we established a £1m fund to support groups and organisations local to our operations across Europe. The fund is aimed at enriching the lives of those in need across local communities and will help provide extra assistance to our neighbours over at least a 24-month period. The last number of years have been significant for Moy Park following a number of investments and developments across our key business pillars – people focused, customer focused, food safety and quality, agriculture heritage, operational excellence, CSR – which have left us well positioned for future growth. As we move into 2021, we will continue to invest in these main pillars, ensuring our teams and indeed future agri-food leaders are inspired by the innovations being delivered. ■

 MOY PARK

COMMENTARY

020 has certainly been a challenging year for businesses not only here in Northern Ireland, but globally. Locally, city centre locations are of course struggling. Office workers are working from home and so vital footfall has drastically decreased. Stores in residential areas however are seeing their sales spike, with the most successful stores found in the middle of chimney pots. It’s this irregularity that means whatever type of store owner you are, there’s never been a more important time to ensure that you are working with trusted advisers. With more and more businesses choosing to outsource their financial requirements, such as accounting and payroll, the benefits of doing so are now clearer than ever. Retailers are offered the opportunity to save time, increase their profitability and reduce risk – and crucially, allow them time to focus on their business strategy with access to information in real time.

Stephen McConnell, business services partner, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore.

Looking beyond Covid-19, whenever that might be, and into 2021, we know already that Brexit will have a major impact on the variety of foods that will come into Northern Ireland - and that could have an impact on sales. Major supermarkets have already said that new regulations will see a reduction in the amount of different types of products that will be available on shelves. Where once we might have had the choice of seven different brands of pasta, now we’ll have three or four. We anticipate a similar picture in 2021 for convenience retailers as we predict that, until a vaccine is rolled out across the country, customers will continue to shop locally in their own communities. Baker Tilly Mooney Moore is an accountancy and business advisory firm based in Belfast and specialises in providing services to convenience retailers across Northern Ireland. ■ 17

 BAKER TILLY MOONEY MOORE

POTENTIAL TO SAVE TIME, INCREASE PROFITABILITY & REDUCE RISK

 LIDL NORTHERN IRELAND

COMMENTARY

DELIVERING QUALITY LOCAL PRODUCTS AT MARKET-LEADING PRICES

JP Scally, CEO, Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland.

ince establishing in Northern Ireland in 1999, we have enjoyed unparalleled success in the retail sector and are delighted to have cemented our position as the region’s fastestgrowing supermarket. With hundreds of thousands of weekly customers, our commitment to consistently deliver high-quality locally produced products at market-leading prices has helped to drive our phenomenal growth for more

than two decades. We’re proud that Lidl NI contributes £180m to the local economy every year and sustains around 3,500 jobs. Not only that, but we spend £270m sourcing quality products from NI farms and producers. In November 2020, we celebrated the opening of our 40th store in the region at Holywood Exchange in Belfast. We marked a significant milestone with over 1,000 permanent retail staff now employed across our entire store network and regional distribution centre in Nutt’s Corner, Co Antrim. We continue to invest in Northern Ireland as a major market for our business. Over the next 24 months, we have committed a multi-million-pound investment into new state-of-theart stores across the region and our ambitious growth plan will see us reach a total of over 50 stores in this new decade. A key focus for us is our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint. In recent times, we’ve rolled out impactful initiatives including

becoming first supermarket to remove non-recyclable black plastic packaging from our entire fruit and veg range, discontinuing the sale of single-use plastic items and committing to several ambitious plastic reduction targets. I look forward to launching a pioneering new environmental strategy in 2021. Community is at the very heart of what we do, and we are delighted that our Community Works programme continues to have a significant impact. Over the last two years, we have invested more than £260,000 into local sports clubs and schools through our Sport for Good initiative. We are proud to continue to support our charity partner, NSPCC Northern Ireland, raising more than £400,000 for the charity through a range of initiatives driven by Lidl NI staff members and supported locally by our valued customers. Looking forward, we will continue to lead the way in spearheading new initiatives to benefit not only our growth, but the economy and society of NI. ■

GROCERYAID: HERE FOR GROCERY COLLEAGUES MORE THAN EVER

 GROCERYAID

s we penned our contributions last year, who could have predicted the year ahead? GroceryAid has been at the heart of the food and drink industry for over 160 years supporting colleagues through crises. Covid-19 is one of the largest challenges our trade has faced and everyone across the grocery industry has done a fantastic job during the pandemic to keep communities fed. To support grocery colleagues specifically through the Covid crisis, GroceryAid established a £1.5m fund in April. This provides enhanced mental health support and financial assistance for those in our grocery community who need it during this unprecedented period: Mental Health Support: offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for grocery colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, a Health & Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our

friendly Artificial Intelligence Robot App. Crisis Grants: non-repayable support for grocery colleagues that face unexpected financial emergencies due to Covid-19. Bereavement Financial Assistance: Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to grocery colleagues who lose a partner or the spouse/partner of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our trade. Whilst Covid has dominated the agenda for 2020, we are pleased to report continued progress in supporting colleagues in Northern Ireland. Our financial grants to those who need a helping hand have doubled year-on-year and a massive thanks to those individuals and organisations that have assisted us in raising greater awareness of the trade charity. We anticipate, vaccines permitting, that by the time we pen this contribution in

Steve Barnes, chief executive, GroceryAid.

2021, Covid will be a painful memory. We also sincerely hope that the contribution made by our grocery colleagues to support their communities during the pandemic will not have been forgotten. GroceryAid is proud to support those who make such an important contribution to society and please take a look at our website to see how we can help. ■

 S&W WHOLESALE

COMMENTARY

S&W WHOLESALE OFFERS A WHOLE LOT MORE S

&W Wholesale based in Newry, one of the top 100 NI businesses and one of the largest independent wholesalers on the island of Ireland, services over 2,000 customers. 2020 has been an unforgettable year, for all the wrong reasons with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the wholesale grocery industry, S&W is delighted to have been able to offer a continuous supply to the trade this year. S&W has experienced phenomenal growth over the last five years, with an annual growth in excess of 17% on 2019. This increase is down to the ability to service both independent and symbol retailers, as well as the growth of the symbol brands Today’s and Primo throughout Ireland. S&W has ambitious plans for further growth, supported by a team of 250 across sales, trading, customer services and marketing. The latter part of 2020 marked a new exciting direction for the new refreshed

S&W brand, which introduced a new look and feel for the business. Bringing to the fore our brand promise to offer A Whole Lot More to our customers, clients, suppliers and wider communities within Ireland. The brand direction summarises what we do and going above and beyond for customers is the key factor in what has made S&W successful. For us, A Whole Lot More is what we promise our customers. It’s what we offer and the service that underpins that - we believe it’s important to offer the product but just as important is the service, so our customers can easily order what they need and know they’ll get it from us when they need it. Importantly, the business is committed to driving its footprint in the local community, with plans to build on its 250-plus strong workforce and to work with local organisations in making a positive difference in the community. Looking to the future, continued

Michael Skelton, managing director, S&W Wholesale.

investment is planned for our symbol brands, providing the support and the independence that many retailers desire from a retail partner. S&W plans to offer A Whole Lot More going forward in 2021 and beyond. ■

ike every other business across the country, 2020 has been a challenging year for us. We experienced new staffing pressures, supply chain delays, major declines in foodservice, and fluid consumer consumption patterns which impacted retail. Despite all this, we have been very lucky that our brands have remained strong and relevant with our customers and consumers, and by pivoting our approach and portfolio into new areas we have had strong gains in performance. Early this year, we invested in our core Forest Feast Premium Dried Fruit range with a refreshed design, supported with a renewed marketing and sales drive. This resulted in new listings and we are now the number one dried mango across the UK and Ireland. We also introduced some new products, including a Peeled Dried Williams Pear awarded a gold star in this year’s Great Taste. Our innovative spirit means we are always searching for the new and the better by looking at consumer behaviours

Michael Hall, managing director, Forest Feast

and trends. We have witnessed the strong continued growth in premium snacking paired with provenance, and so we launched a superb range of Seasoned & Slow Roasted Nuts under the Forest Feast brand. We also introduced new Signature Chocolate Nuts including Belgian Milk Chocolate Brazil Nuts and Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds.

ACTI-SNACK was launched to meet a consumer need for a more pointed healthy plant-based snack to fuel active lives. It was born from the insight and belief that we should give our bodies real food, not supplements or food substitutes. The range was developed with likeminded nutritionists, athletes, and healthy consumers, resulting in a range of natural energy trail mixes. We also launched some Keto snacks in the range to meet the growing demand for low-sugar and low-carb products. 2020 proved to be an exciting year onsite. We opened new sales and marketing offices and commissioned a second manufacturing site to increase capability and capacity. Over the coming months we are investing further with the opening of a new dedicated glutenfree roasting facility, adding further packing lines and commencing a new warehouse extension. We very much look forward to 2021 being another progressive year for our business and brands. ■ 19

 FOREST FEAST

INNOVATING TO MAINTAIN STRONG, RELEVANT BRANDS

 COSTCUTTER

COMMENTARY

SWITCHING TO VALUE FUNDAMENTAL FOR RETAILERS IN 2021 Darcy Willson-Rymer, chief executive, Costcutter Supermarkets.

ndependent retailers play an invaluable role supporting their local communities, and the lengths they have gone to during the Covid-19 pandemic throughout 2020 has brought that into even greater focus. Our focus now is to help our independent retailers convert new shoppers, who saw their local store as a lifeline during lockdown, into lifelong loyal customers. That means working in partnership with our retailers to help them deliver a strong retail offer, centred on fresh foods, great quality and value. An estimated 47% of shoppers are

changing their spending habits to focus on value and 25% are shopping more often at their closest, most convenient stores*. Switching to value will be fundamental for retailers to adapt to changing shopper needs as we head into 2021. We’ll be working closely with our retailers to help them to understand more about their shopper base and what that means for their range, promotions and marketing. At the heart of our support for retailers is our unique Shopper First: Drive Five to Thrive business growth programme, which provides in-depth shopper insights and data to help tailor every aspect of a store. Participating retailers have seen a

minimum of 20% sales growth. Shoppers are now looking for more than top-up and impulse from their local convenience store. They’re more prepared to do a full shop, so a strong fresh offer is fundamental, which is where access to Co-op own brand is proving to be a real winner for our retailers. There is also continued growth in demand for healthier options, alongside vegetarian, vegan and free-from options. Supporting our independent retailers to increase their engagement with shoppers and local communities through training and support on social media and sector leading marketing support will also continue to be a focus for us in 2021. CSG continues to attract progressive retailers who see the value we bring to their business through our dedicated support and innovative business solutions. Embracing new opportunities and adapting to new challenges will be fundamental to that continued growth next year and we look forward to helping more retailers to thrive. ■ * Source: Nielsen

A YEAR OF BOUNCING BACK IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE

 GRANT THORNTON

ooking back on last year’s Ulster Grocer Yearbook, one topic has dominated – Brexit. It was again expected to be the pre-eminent concern in 2020 but as we now all know, Covid-19 had another agenda. As a result, for the food and drink industry, it has been a tale of two subsectors in many respects. For those operating in foodservice, the initial lockdown saw uncertainty virtually overnight with the need for urgent plans to make facilities safe for staff and customers. And yet it became a very different picture for suppliers to supermarkets and convenience stores as they benefited from rocketing sales due to increased home eating. With a vaccination programme on the horizon, the future pathway is becoming clearer. As I write, a final agreement regarding the ongoing trading

relationship between the UK and the EU, particularly in relation to the flow of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has not been reached. Challenges will undoubtedly remain. While we expect some restructuring due to the increased levels of debt in the market, we predict a rise in mergers and acquisitions activity prompted by the drive to reduce costs and obtain market position in growing sub-sectors. There is also the well-publicised prospect of a rise in Capital Gains Tax to start paying for Covid-19 government support, so there is a sense that 2021 will be the year of bouncing back. Local food and drink producers will work to fill any potential gaps opened by the impact of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol. Meanwhile, in the foodservice sector, those firms focused on the domestic market will likely fare better with the return of external spending through

Charlie Kerlin, head of food and beverage, Grant Thornton.

localised tourism, but the lucrative cruise ship and conference business expenditure is expected to return more slowly. Whatever happens, the resilience of Northern Ireland’s food and beverage sector remains and will be further tested in 2021. Business must remain nimble and exploit opportunities in a market that is still predicted to grow in the long term. ■

 LOGISTICS UK

COMMENTARY

YEAR OF ADAPTING TO FOLLOW YEAR OF REACTING W

hen we finally get to look back at 2020, in terms of logistics it will have been a year of upheaval and reacting caused by Covid. There has also been significant anxiety when looking towards the end of the Brexit transition period. The pandemic’s impact on our daily lives and the economy has been devastating for many but for the varied businesses in logistics, its impacts have differed depending on the sectors they serviced, and commodities transported. Many operators who primarily specialised in transporting food experienced high demand for services due to the growth in food retail brought about by Covid restrictions. Other operators who relied on the movement of certain manufactured goods and other retail such as clothing saw their supply chains almost grind to a halt overnight. The impact was some operators parking up trucks and furloughing staff while others had a surge in demand on a par with typical Christmas season supply

Seamus Leheny, policy manager NI, Logistics UK.

chains. At perhaps the worst possible timing, logistics operators are also having to plan for the changes to how we move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1st January 2021. Because the NI Protocol has been a source of contention and negotiation

between the UK and EU, clarity has been lacking around the new procedures that will be required. The lack of preparation can be seen at our three ports where the border control posts due to be operational for the start of the NI Protocol for the management of SPS goods (plant and animal origin) into NI from GB, were only awarded tender for construction in October 2020 with no work begun to date. Logistics UK has consistently requested from both the UK and EU that a period of grace or implementation period is agreed for the start of 2021 to enable the continuity of vital retail trade and that a Retail Movement System is enabled and implemented. This would reduce the formalities and costs for such trusted traders thus ensuring our retail supply chains between GB and NI are uninterrupted as much as possible. If 2020 was the year of reacting, 2021 looks to be the year for adapting due to involuntary changes that Covid and Brexit have brought us. ■

BOOST STILL NUMBER ONE IN NI* AFTER TOUGH YEAR oost has maintained its position as the number one selling soft drink in the convenience sector* after an incredibly difficult year due to Covid-19. At the beginning of 2020, all of us at Boost Drinks were looking forward to a year full of exciting plans and interaction with our customers – which was unfortunately thrown into turmoil by the global Covid-19 pandemic. We started the year by announcing our backing, for the second consecutive year, of Air Ambulance NI (AANI) with the aim of fundraising as much as possible through the Three Peak Challenge in September, an event we helped set up in 2019. Of course, the event was ultimately cancelled but we continued to raise much needed funds for this vital charity. In March, due to growing public demand, we launched our new Iced Coffee product in the NI market, introducing two new 250ml cans Caffe Latte and Double Espresso. By September, following a range of sales drives and PR and marketing activities,

we were the second largest and fastest selling Iced Coffee brand within the local independent convenience sector*. As the pandemic hit, Boost jumped into action with a response to help customers through a worrying time. Staying true to our We Love Local ethos, we supported our NI trade customers through various local initiatives, such as providing more than 1,500 urgently needed Covid-19 safety point-of-sale kits to retailers, along with advice on helping the channel navigate the virus in-store. September also saw us launch our biggest and most exciting marketing campaign to date - Choose Now with a complete brand reposition and refresh with a whopping £1.2m injected into the promotion. We were so proud that our partnership with AANI was highly commended in the Best CSR/Charity Initiative at the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards 2020 in October. In November, Boost Sport, NI’s fastest selling sports drink*, gave a total of

Adrian Hipkiss, marketing director, Boost Drinks.

£5,000 to seven amateur clubs across the province. Take care, stay safe and we look forward to working with all our trade partners in 2021. ■ * Source: IRI Marketplace Data Symbols and Independents 52 weeks unit sales to 6th September 2020. 21

 BOOST DRINKS

 NFRN

COMMENTARY

INDEPENDENT RETAILERS HAVE RISEN TO THE CHALLENGE T

o say 2020 has been challenging for most businesses would be a massive understatement. But the independent retail sector has really stepped up to the mark in these unprecedented times, and the NFRN has continued to offer support and advice to all our members throughout. At the height of the first national lockdown, our Covid-19 Hardship Fund was created to alleviate some of the financial pressures that independent retailers may be facing. Thanks to generous donations from the Federation’s districts, branches and individual members, as well as from suppliers and publishers, the fund reached an impressive total of £241,621. Since launching in April, 95 independent retailers have benefitted and nearly £120,000 has been paid out. We also launched a highly successful poster campaign to encourage shoppers to shop local and shop little. The campaign received fantastic coverage in the national media and was supported by MPs nationwide.

Stuart Reddish, national president, NFRN.

Following on from this, we launched the Shop Local, Shop Little Heroes Awards to recognise the outstanding efforts of our members who have gone above and beyond to support their local communities. Among new member benefits were free vouchers from our partner, national wholesaler Booker. In September, all our members received free vouchers for premium brands worth over £500. More

than 3,000 members benefitted from the promotion. Members saved hundreds of thousands of pounds through partnerships with Jisp to provide home delivery and click & collect services, and with tech company Bionic to allow members to switch to the best energy and broadband deals. Our members continued to benefit from joining our Newspro Retail Group with latest data revealing that magazine sales in Newspro stores were 13.3% higher in August than in other retail groups, with newspaper sales up 11.1%. In November, delegates from our Northern Ireland district met via a Zoom call with EM News representatives for a good, open and honest discussion to resolve problems and issues. I am extremely proud of the Federation and our members for the way we have all pulled together during 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will see things return to some sort of normality, but whatever happens we will always be there for independent retailers. ■

INGENUITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TASTE OF HOME

 TAYTO

his time last year, with Brexit on the horizon, most businesses, including ours, knew that change was afoot. However, none of us could have predicted the scale of the changes we would have to make in the face of a global pandemic. With the input of all our staff and their decision making, we are navigating a route map through it. The health and wellbeing of our staff remains our number one priority. It would be easy to talk of the challenges that this year brought – from seeing a significant shift in our sales channels with hospitality and foodservice badly impacted, suspension of the famous Tayto Tours, implementing social distancing, following government guidelines and facing the additional cost of increased PPE, to name but a few. At Tayto we prefer to look at the positives and enter 2021 with optimism that the world will begin to return to

normality once more. Our 350 employees at Tayto Castle, and a further 1,600 as part of the wider Tayto Group, have gone beyond their usual remits to protect the essential supply chains to our grocery retailers and keep each other safe. Tayto crisps are some of the most popular snacks in Northern Ireland and we continued to see a high demand during lockdown. Sales of our bigger multipacks and sharing lines have been particularly strong. Our online sales are worldwide and at one point this year sales more than doubled compared to last year. As we source a significant amount of our ingredients from local suppliers, our supply chain has remained resilient and we are grateful for those longstanding partnerships. We have not allowed ourselves to lose focus on our other business objectives. Tayto has had a zero waste to landfill policy in place for many years and we

continue to invest in sustainability. We have always worked closely with our local community and are very pleased to support local charities with supplies of our products. Like many food manufacturers, we are calling for certainty over the post-Brexit trading position Northern Ireland will be in come January. However, if 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we are all more adaptable and resourceful than perhaps we thought. ■

Fergal McCann, chief executive, Tayto.

 LIVESTOCK AND MEAT COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

COMMENTARY

RISING TO EMBRACE AND OVERCOME CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

ooking back on 2020, the year got off to a good start with the Northern Ireland Assembly getting up and running again and a new Agriculture Minister appointed to lead the brief in this critically important area as the EU and UK transitioned to a new relationship after the UK departure. 2020 was expected to be a challenging and uncertain year for industry as it continued to supply high quality beef and lamb to its many customers in domestic and export markets whilst trying to prepare for the complex trading environment which lay ahead. Little did anyone know that the Covid-19 coronavirus would develop into a global pandemic with huge consequences for public health, global economies and disruption to every-day life and choices. When the first lockdown came into effect in March 2020, beef and lamb markets took a significant tumble as foodservice and catering businesses were forced to suspend operations. The

downward pressure on these markets came at a time when supply chains were investing huge resources in Covid-19 mitigation measures to keep staff and suppliers safe, to continue operating and to keep the nation fed through retail and other available outlets. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, people from Northern Ireland are often characterised by having creative, driven and dynamic personality traits. Northern Ireland industry leaders set the benchmark for developing and implementing Covid-19 safe operating protocols in food processing, the Northern Ireland Executive led the way in getting targeted financial support to farms to compensate for Covid-19 losses and the Northern Ireland public responded magnificently well to support local businesses and their families, friends and neighbours through the most trying of times. As we move into 2021, it is LMC’s view that the ways of doing things digitally which came to the fore during lockdown

Ian Stevenson, chief executive, LMC.

will be here to stay for some time to come whether that is remote working, remote meetings and webinars, online advertising or greater use of social media to communicate information and engage with consumers and wider society. It is also LMC’s view that Northern Ireland’s world-class beef and lamb industry will rise to embrace and overcome whatever challenges and opportunities come its way during 2021. ■ ■

Maria Jennings, director, FSA NI.

his time last year we knew that 2020 would be challenging and our primary concern was the transition period and preparing to exit from the EU. We didn’t predict the Covid-19 pandemic and how difficult it would be for the food industry. Adapting to these challenges will continue into 2021 as this year brings a new era for our organisation. For the first time in almost 50 years, the UK resumes ownership of food safety and standards regulations.

One of the key responsibilities FSA is taking on is risk analysis, where we assess, manage and communicate food and animal feed safety risks. The FSA will in future carry out the risk analysis of new food products and processes and advise ministers on risk management options. It will ensure the UK continues to enjoy high standards of food and feed safety and consumer protection. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, however, food and feed placed on the NI market, whether produced in NI or elsewhere, must continue to comply with EU regulations. The resulting changes in some food law and labelling requirements will add to the additional pressures faced by the food industry. It will also be difficult for environmental health teams in district councils responsible for enforcing the new rules. They are faced with delivering a quality service with reduced resources and rapidly changing requirements. FSA can help food and drink

manufacturers, caterers, retailers and suppliers impacted by these legal changes. We recognise that it will take time to adapt. We are working with partners across government and industry to ensure that businesses understand the new rules. Our website Food.gov will continue to be updated and is our source of advice for business on matters including new requirements for products of animal origin, using up existing packaging and the differing requirements for supplying into other countries. District council environmental health officers will always be best placed to support local businesses to navigate their specific issues or concerns. It is the FSA’s duty as an independent, science and evidence-based government department, working with Food Standards Scotland, to make it easy for businesses across the UK to do the right thing and provide food we can all trust. ■ 23

 FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

HELPING INDUSTRY PROVIDE FOOD WE CAN TRUST

 NISA

COMMENTARY

ADAPTING TO CIRCUMSTANCES WITH AGILITY AND SPEED I

t’s been quite a year which nobody could have foreseen but one in which the independent retail sector really has demonstrated their value. The response to Covid-19 has been incredible and I’ve seen countless examples of real heroes among our Nisa partners who have gone to great lengths in response to the needs of their communities. The last 12 months have seen Nisa partners adapting to circumstances in a way that is unique to independent retailers with such agility and speed. At Nisa, we’ve also adapted to ensure we’ve been able to support our partners. We’ve sourced Covid equipment for partners to make their stores safe for staff and shoppers and worked with our suppliers to ensure we’ve received our fair share of products and so enabling our partners to respond to customers’ needs. And with an increased capacity for data analysis and insights, we’ve improved our support to partners by sharing information to help guide them and

Ken Towle, CEO, Nisa.

their business decisions. A comprehensive own-brand offer has become increasingly relevant this year and, with more than 2,200 Co-op SKUs available to Nisa partners, they’re well placed to provide this. Our expert category management support is helping retailers meet changing customer demand and through Co-op own brand, Nisa partners have been able to provide a fantastic offer across all categories

including those that have grown in importance over the last year such as fresh, frozen and meal for tonight. Through our Making a Difference Locally charity, our partners have been able to support their communities financially this year when the need has never been greater. This year we also launched our new Nisa Express store to cater for retailers with smaller stores and next year we’ll roll this out as both new and existing partners adopt the format. We know there are still tricky times ahead with Brexit on the horizon. We’ve worked closely with the Co-op and its other key suppliers to plan for what may lie ahead. This new landscape will pose significant challenges for all those in our sector. However, we’re fully focused on the needs of Nisa partners and continue monitoring developments. Nisa has a great history and an exciting future and we’re proud to serve our partners and look forward to doing so throughout 2021 and beyond. ■

HELPING CUSTOMERS SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE DURING COVID-19

Philip Conlon, M&S head of region for Northern Ireland.

 M&S

he impact of Covid-19 throughout 2020 has presented challenges for everyone and at M&S we have been working really hard to help keep all our customers and colleagues well. Our food halls have continued to trade throughout the pandemic, where we have implemented additional social distancing measures and enhanced cleaning regimes. We’ve made great efforts to deliver

new digital services to help our customers shop with confidence and that’s why we accelerated the rollout of Mobile Pay Go to all our stores. We’ve also seen the rollout of our Sparks Book & Shop online reservation service which allows customers to use the M&S website to book a guaranteed slot to shop at their local M&S store. We have been working with our suppliers to increase production of local food products. Sourcing locally is really important to M&S and Northern Ireland is one of our biggest supply regions with 11 direct suppliers and around 1,600 farms producing for us including milk, eggs, beef, lamb, pork and bread. One of the most indulgent treats in this year’s Christmas range, on sale now in M&S stores across the UK, is produced by Niche Drinks based in Derry~Londonderry. Our Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownie Cream Liqueur is made with fresh cream from Ballyrashane Creamery in Coleraine.

We’re extremely proud of our food redistribution programme with Neighbourly that helps provide meals for those in need in our local communities. Across Northern Ireland, 670,253 meals have been donated to local charities and community groups since the scheme began. Throughout the pandemic, it has been really important for us to give back to the NHS and I’m delighted we have been able to support Northern Ireland’s Nightingale Hospital, based at Belfast City Hospital, by providing individual clothing care packs for patients. Our colleagues took part in the weekly Clap for Our Carers campaign, both in store and at home, and we continue to do our bit to help our fantastic frontline NHS teams through schemes like our Sparks loyalty programme, where customers can choose NHS Charities Together to receive a donation from M&S every time they scan their card. ■

 MUSGRAVE

COMMENTARY

A BUSINESS BUILT ON SOLID FOUNDATIONS

020 has been a year that has disrupted our way of life and business on a scale previously unknown to many of us. I couldn’t have imagined when I stepped into the role of CEO in January how radically the world would change over the coming months; what didn’t surprise me was the determination and commitment of our people and retail partners in their response to this crisis. The resilience and attitude that our teams have demonstrated throughout this year has been inspirational. Never was this more apparent than in the collective efforts of so many of our people from our business and brands across Northern Ireland since March. Colleagues throughout the supply chain worked long hours at the height of the pandemic to keep shelves stocked, and our retail partners made donations to local hospitals and charities to ensure people who needed vital supplies could access them. In every store, in every warehouse and throughout our distribution centres across

Noel Keeley, CEO, Musgrave.

Northern Ireland, our teams continue to work tirelessly every day. Every one of our colleagues shares the same purpose – to take care of one another and support the local communities they serve. As we look out into 2021, there are challenges ahead: Brexit will cause disruption, we will be living with Covid for some time yet; and the economy will take some time to recover. Yet there is cause for optimism. The resilience that we have all shown will stand us in good stead into the future. We know that we have learnt much during this time, we will take the best of it and build upon

it. I believe that when we look back on this time, we will take pride in how we responded to one of the biggest challenges any of us have faced. As a business that has been at the very heart of local life for more than 140 years, Musgrave is built on solid foundations, with people who care passionately about the work that they do and the communities they serve. We remain more committed than ever to our purpose of Growing Good Business; delivering sustainable growth to benefit our people, partners and communities; and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. ■

Michael Bell, executive director, NIFDA.

020 was a year unlike anything we have witnessed in our lifetimes. In March, we all faced an unprecedented situation to which the food and drink industry had to respond at a rapid pace. In a very short period of time, our food and drink companies transformed their factories – re-engineering and reorganising processes from top to bottom and implementing social distancing

measures to ensure the safety of staff as they carried on with the vital work of feeding the nation. We are also facing another serious challenge in the coming year as Brexit begins in earnest and we embark on a new trading relationship with the EU. Deal or no-deal, it is vital that the government and EU work together to minimise frictions in GB–NI trade. The sector is highly integrated across these islands, and additional administrative burdens or other barriers to trade will ultimately mean increased cost and decreased choice for the consumer. At the same time, our industry is renowned for both its resilience and its ability to adapt to new market demands. We can make a success of Brexit and recover from the pandemic, if government gives us the tools to succeed and provides the right level of support. A processor capital grant would drive innovation, productivity and win valueadding business to the sector here.

We remain the only nation in the UK that doesn’t currently have such a scheme in place and we would urge the Executive to urgently address this serious competitive disadvantage. We also urgently need a value-adding export marketing body up and running to exploit any opportunities that may arise post-Brexit and boost our exports. Again, our neighbouring jurisdictions are already doing this and have been reaping the awards. We cannot afford to be left behind. Despite the difficulties of 2020 and the challenges that lie ahead, Northern Ireland food and drink remains strong. We are a £5bn industry, supporting some 100,000 jobs and our companies are truly world leading when it comes to quality, innovation and commercial success. Our sector remains a force for economic growth and ultimately a strong food and drink industry will be crucial to securing Northern Ireland’s economic recovery from Covid-19. ■ 25

 NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD AND DRINK ASSOCIATION

NORTHERN IRELAND CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LEFT BEHIND AFTER BREXIT

 HENDERSON GROUP

COMMENTARY

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

t is safe to say that the unpredictability of 2020 was entirely… unpredictable. As the pandemic took hold, frontline retail workers had to show leadership and navigate these unchartered waters as best we could. Not only were we experiencing a huge surge in bulk buying affecting our supply chain, but our community retailers had to make their stores Covid compliant, setting the standard for safe shopping and adapting as best we could. After a successful 2019, where turnover grew to £918m for Henderson Group, with sales up 7.6% on 2018, we were in the fortunate position to heavily invest in the two areas shoppers told us were most important to them during the pandemic – value and safety. We invested an extra £1.5m in our value proposition for the year, and in Q4 we delivered even more deals across our network of SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO stores and supermarkets. We also invested over £1m in safety measures to give shoppers peace of mind when they’re shopping with us and recruited locally to service our new

Martin Agnew, joint managing director, Henderson Group.

operations. Henderson Technology has implemented retail technology solutions to make stores safer and more efficient. Recently, we announced the integration

of the Glory Cash Infinity solution in a number of stores, eliminating the handling of cash but retaining human interaction. Henderson Retail now operates 97 stores and supermarkets, including our first VIVOXTRA Supermarket on Newry Road, which opened last month. Postlockdown, we opened three new stores, investing £7.5m and providing over 80 new jobs. We also celebrated a milestone 100th ViVO store opening, making it the fastest growing retail brand in Northern Ireland. As we move into 2021, in which we’re celebrating SPAR’s 60th anniversary in Northern Ireland, we’re remaining cautiously optimistic as we continue to negotiate Covid alongside Brexit. We have pledged our continued support to our local farmers to protect welfare standards, and it is imperative we get an acceptable free trade agreement and avoid a no-deal Brexit. We need to ensure minimal disruption to the supply chain and potential increase in food prices, so we will continue to invest with our local retailers and dedicate our support to our local agri-food industry. ■

LEADING THE WAY FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS

 MANFREIGHT

t is certainly no secret that our world is changing, and changing fast, which requires both boldness and flexibility. Today, we are far more than hauliers. We are also ambassadors of customer experience and we can make a real difference to the people who work with us directly by not only delivering farther but delivering further as well. What I mean by this is that we prove ourselves to our customers by forming a lasting relationship – looking at their 12, 18, 24-month business plan and aligning ourselves so as to maximise success for both parties. In the past 12 months we have undertaken a dramatic transformation, technologically, culturally and physically in the logistics industry; we have cemented the strength of our offering and embraced the future whilst continuing to put people – customers and staff – at the heart of everything we do. We are increasingly moving

towards agile partnerships in such a manner that both ourselves and our clients will be able to leverage our respective expertise to provide more innovative solutions to face existing business challenges as well as a rapidly changing world. Extensive strategic investments in a wide variety of areas across the business have both maximised our core capabilities and created a wider, more diverse offering. After gathering the best talent we can find and rethinking what a logistics provider really needs to provide, we now offer a service to our clients that goes above and beyond in what is a difficult and challenging workplace environment. As our workforce has grown, we continue to cherish and nurture the uniqueness of all our employees, tailor opportunities to their needs, and encourage leadership through empathy and collaboration. We remain open to new ideas, practices, technology

Chris Slowey, managing director, Manfreight.

and opportunities, we can adapt to the world, anticipate change, and enable continuous, dynamic transformation. We want to make the world a better place and ensure that our impact on the industry is a positive one. Which is why we support local communities, take our corporate responsibility seriously and continue to take major steps towards reducing our carbon footprint with sustainable practices and the highest ethical standards. ■

 ULSTER FARMERS’ UNION

COMMENTARY

FARMERS PERFORM A TRULY ESSENTIAL TASK

orthern Ireland has 24,000 farmers, many of whom are part-time and yet through our family farming systems, we produce enough food to feed 10 million, creating 100,000 industry jobs. We have so much to be proud of. The agriculture and food industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector employing more than four million people and contributing £121bn to the UK economy. We farmers do perform a truly essential task. I do not underestimate the responsibility and importance of decisions that are coming to a head as we face a new dawn with Brexit; a new agriculture policy, climate change, ammonia, north/ south protocols, east/west protocols and trade deals throughout the world along with Covid-19. Furthermore, and most importantly, our food standards are something to be proud of. I have been appointed this year to a 15-person Trade & Agriculture Commission, the role of which is to produce a report for Westminster to

Victor Chestnutt, president, UFU.

debate on the impact of trade deals on the UK’s food and farming sector. I believe we are better inside putting forward our points than outside throwing stones and I will represent farming interests to the best of my ability. Covid-19 has surely taught society

that food security is important. I believe where possible, we should shorten food chains. To me it makes no sense to have a chicken processing plant in Ballymena and be selling chicken from China in the same town. Food cannot be treated like any other commodity where the reduction of costs and increased profits are the only factors that matter. It is alarming to hear politicians say that they need flexibility in standards to allow them to do trade deals around the world. However, we must have trust and confidence in UK consumers and society. There must also be a concern regarding consumers’ budgets. Their intentions outside of the shop can be very different from when they step inside. Yes, we need trade deals, but we need to look after our home UK market first. We must arrive at a place where the vast majority of our income is coming from the marketplace as I fear government support will be very hard to secure due to the costs of Covid-19. ■ ■

George Rankin, senior director, Asda NI.

ow do I begin to review 2020, and avoid using the word ‘unprecedented’ in the process? For Asda, and the supermarket sector in general, it has been a year of incredible change, pace and responsiveness, beginning and ending with preparations for Brexit, but with the vast majority of

our time being consumed by our response to Covid-19. When lockdown was imposed in March, Asda faced a multitude of unforeseen challenges. We responded quickly and efficiently by introducing vital safety measures in store which enabled us to protect our customers and colleagues while also playing our part helping to feed the nation. Our online capacity expanded rapidly – catering for local households and prioritising slots for those shielding, including 1.4million free-of-charge slots delivered to our clinically vulnerable customers. We also made 3,500 slots available for small care homes and provided 250,000 medical grade masks to care workers, as well as a £5m donation to FareShare and the Trussell Trust. We applaud all those in our supply chain for their agility, effort and resilience which ensured our shelves were stocked during those particularly crazy weeks in the spring and early summer. But 2020 will also be remembered as a time of celebration for Asda, as we were

named NI’s Responsible Company of the Year by Business in the Community. Our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our operations, the goods and services we sell, and the suppliers who produce them for us, have and continue to be a top priority. Above all, no reflection on 2020 could pass without recognising and applauding the absolutely herculean efforts of our 4,500-strong team of colleagues across Northern Ireland who have, and continue to go that extra mile to deliver exceptional service. So, what will 2021 bring? At time of writing, Brexit negotiations are rounding the final turn and the stakes are high. Like other supermarkets, we are keen to see policy makers reach an agreement to protect shoppers in Northern Ireland from delays, lack of choice and extra costs. Time will tell. We end 2020 with good news and hopes of expansion with a new store application for Newtownabbey now at the final stage of the planning process. ■ 27

 ASDA NORTHERN IRELAND

YEAR OF CHANGE & RESPONSIVENESS

STORE FOCUS

CENTRA CURR ROAD, BERAGH NAOMI CURRY’S FIRST YEAR IN OPERATION MAY HAVE BEEN ONE TO REMEMBER, OPENING HER NEW STORE ONLY MONTHS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT A BRIGHT & WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT & EXTENSIVE FOOD-TO-GO RANGE SOON PULLED IN THE LOCALS, SHE TELLS UG Naomi Curry, Nigel Maxwell, Centra sales director, and Martin Curry.

“W

e wanted to create the feel of a destination,” says Naomi Curry, owner of Centra Curr Road in Beragh. “We always envisaged it would be full of transient customers, families, friends and ladies meeting up for coffee. We’ve had families meeting up and having a birthday party in the seating area and could see the potential starting to grow at the beginning of 2020 when it was becoming a destination on this route for people to meet.” Naomi, who has a background in property, purchased the site back in 2014 and leased it out as a small Day Today store before making her own foray into

retail. With the A5 an important link for travellers from Belfast to Derry, as well as cross border, she identified greater potential for the Co Tyrone site. “We had thought about doing an extension to the current shop and then decided to go full steam ahead and redevelop the whole site,” says Naomi, with work commencing in June and completed in November 2019. A strong food-to-go offer, the popular Frank and Honest coffee brand and Centra’s fresh design concept sealed the deal for Naomi in choosing Musgrave NI as her retail partner for the redevelopment project. FANTASTIC FOOD TO GO A particularly appealing feature of the Musgrave food-to-go proposition was “the support package that came along with it, the systems and procedures already in place to help everything run smoothly from an operations perspective,” says Rosaleen Molloy, foodto-go manager. With the new store totalling 3,000 square feet, its extensive food-to-go

range encompasses a deli counter, gourmet sandwich bar, carvery station, hot serve counter including pre-packed dishes, Frank and Honest coffee dock and Parlour 64 – its own brand of ice cream, milkshakes, and sundaes. Alongside all the staples you would expect to find, an extensive grocery range includes Musgrave’s high-quality chilled produce lines, a strong bakery offering supplemented by local brands such as McCloskey’s, and an off licence. Fully accessible rest services include restrooms, toilets, a baby change facility, a seating area, WiFi, USB charging ports and an ATM, while parking access was just completed last month for heavy

STORE FOCUS

goods vehicles alongside regular car parking, picnic facilities and an extensive forecourt operation. “We have a strong fuel brand in partnership with Emo,” says Naomi, with the forecourt including a standalone AdBlue pump for newer cars and lorries and Air-Serv air and water facilities. The business is open until 10pm each day, from 5.30am Monday to Friday, 6.30am on Saturday and 7am on Sunday. It employs a staff of 30 full- and part-time workers, “and we now have highly-skilled counter assistants,” says Naomi. Dealing with the pandemic has been a mixed experience, she says. “It’s been challenging to protect our customers and staff. The key was to keep everyone safe, and it’s always at the back of your mind. We’ve all our procedures in place for Covid; floor markings and screens in full compliance with all Government guidelines.” Nigel Maxwell, Centra sales director, is quick to praise Naomi and her team for their agile approach during the store’s first year in business. “To operate so well during what has been a challenging year for retail is testament to the great team in place at Curr Road,” he says. DIVERSE CUSTOMER BASE “There was a lot of uncertainty back in March because we knew we were on a transient site and relied heavily on commuters, but on the flip side, our local community supported us and continue to do so,” says Naomi. “We have built relationships with our local customers over the last eight months as we offer so much more than a pit stop. We are a food market store and, at a time when customers are choosing to support local, we are delighted to be there for our community. “Our aim was to create a destination for everyone, and I am very proud that we have achieved this. Our customers really appreciate the vast array of services and facilities we are providing.” Naomi believes the quality of her offer and the store’s unique position on the north side of the A5 place it well in terms of competitiveness. “The key thing is we

are a cross-border corridor and the road needed an offering like this for such a long time,” she says. FOCUS ON DIGITAL “What we’re seeing more recently is people are now shopping our offers and the promotions currently running, and we’re getting that message across to the public by social media,” says Rosaleen. Marketing is focused on building a strong social media following for the business. “We’ve just recently implemented our marketing plan,” she says. “Naomi and I and are in the first stages of bringing that to life and, to start off, we hired a local company here from Omagh to produce a video of all the facilities on site.” The slick footage, showing off the store “to its full glory” says Naomi, is featured on the store’s Facebook page. “That was the first thing that really kicked off our first-year anniversary celebrations.” And from December 1, Centra Curr Road ran a 12 days of Christmas giveaway instore and on Facebook, rewarding local customers with an opportunity to win a prize each day. Over Halloween, staff dressed up to raise funds for Action Cancer, Centra’s long-standing charity partner. “The locals loved that,” says Naomi. “It really perked everybody up during Covid as well.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Like many businesses, Brexit is a concern. Looking ahead, “let’s hope January 2021 can go smoothly,” says Naomi. “We do a lot of cross-border trade, so we’ll be looking at that carefully in the New Year to see if things keep moving.” Nonetheless Naomi is optimistic about prospects for the shop in 2021 and has big plans to expand its range and tap into greater opportunities for food to go in the summer. “Ice cream really trended in the summer and that is something we’d like to look at for next summer - ice cream and picnic facilities,” says Naomi. “We do have a lot of trade from passers-by and many people travelling with their dogs who have welcomed the opportunity to stop, take a break and have a walk around.” “There’s so much potential for our store which I am excited to untap. While 2020 has kept us busy, we have been restricted in terms of what the store can achieve. I’m looking forward to 2021 with optimism and seeing what else is in store for Centra Curr Road – watch this space.”

RETAIL NEWS – INDEPENDENTS

USING TECH TO DRIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY THROUGH GIFT CARD PROGRAMMES

owns and cities in Northern Ireland are using technology to drive local economic recovery through gift card programmes that lock spend into the local economy. Town and City Gift Card programmes are already active across Northern Ireland in Belfast, Antrim, the Causeway Coast and Glens, Strabane and Enniskillen. Cards are branded to the town or city and work like local currency. Recipients of the gift card can redeem it with registered businesses in that place. The Town and City Gift Cards programme from Scottish tech firm Miconex picked up the award for best use of prepaid at the Incentive Awards in September, and over 50 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland now have programmes. The most recent addition to the scheme in Northern Ireland, the Antrim Gift Card, can be redeemed with over 35 traders in the town and supports the council’s Back in Business campaign. “The idea for a gift card programme first came when a large local employer called me and asked if we had a gift card for the town as they wanted to buy some to reward their staff,”

Antrim Castle Mall Manager Pamela Minford and Mayor Cllr Jim Montgomery get behind Back in Business.

said Karen Uprichard of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. “We have a whole range of traders ready to accept the Antrim Gift Card, from food and beverage to health and beauty, shopping, florists, high street stores and small independent shops too. “The council’s Back in Business campaign featured some live entertainment in Antrim and staff

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE WILL HIT INDEPENDENT RETAILERS HARD A

n increase in the national minimum wage will have a negative impact on thousands of small businesses, warns the Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN). Rather than boosting many shop workers’ incomes, the proposed increase of 2.2% to £8.91 an hour, announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak in his Spending Review, will have the opposite effect of threatening jobs in the sector. “We would all like to pay our staff more, but the headline increase in the wage rate does not include the increase in national insurance and pension contributions that employers also have to pay,” said Stuart Reddish, national president, NFRN.

“Given that many of the items on sale in our 11,000 members’ stores – particularly newspapers and magazines – are price marked, retailers are unable to increase prices to cover these additional payroll costs. “Independent retailers have already been hit hard by the Covid pandemic, with many having to reduce staff levels and hours and take on more of the work themselves. This increase to the national minimum wage will only make matters worse. “At a time when small businesses need help and support more than ever, this move by the government feels like a kick in the teeth for those that are already struggling to survive.”

distributed face coverings and hand sanitiser as part of our efforts to welcome people back to the town.” Meanwhile, over 155 businesses are currently registered to receive the Belfast City Centre Gift Card across retail, health and beauty, bars, restaurants and hotels, and Enniskillen launched a Mi Rewards loyalty programme to complement its gift card in December.

ONE4ALL GIFT CARDS EXPANDS ITS OFFERING WITH PANDORA

ulti-store gift card One4all Gift Cards has announced a new retail partnership with high street jewellery brand, Pandora. Pandora, the biggest jewellery brand in the world with the UK its second largest market, is now accepting the One4all Gift Card across its network of UK stores and online. The news comes a year after One4all Gift Cards’ expansion into the UK’s leading supermarkets, with listings at Tesco, Morrisons and Co-op stores as of 2019, to accompany its existing listing online and in the Post Office. One4all Gift Cards are now accepted by over 55,000 national brands in-store and online across the UK, including M&S, Topshop, Wagamama, Argos, Currys and John Lewis.

RETAIL NEWS - SYMBOLS

HENDERSON TECHNOLOGY APP PULLS IN NEW TRADE FOR RETAILERS

ocal SPAR and VIVO retailers are said to be attracting new customers who have not shopped with them before following the introduction of a new home delivery and click ‘n’ collect app. Appetite, created in a partnership between Blu Dot Technologies and Henderson Technology, is fully integrated into the EDGEPoS system meaning stock levels are live and automatically updated so shoppers have their pick of what is on shelves in real-time. The app was developed in 2020 and saw a surge in retailers installing the service during lockdown when they started to offer home deliveries, with one retailer reporting 80% of its users are completely new customers. “Retailers are fully supported by our training team which means the software, order terminal and printer can all be installed with full stock uploaded and training completed in around two days,” said Darren Nickels, retail technology operations director at Henderson Technology. “This is a game changer for independent retailers. Already our trial stores have experienced fantastic sales and are attracting new shoppers, with VIVO Glenarm Road in Larne reporting 80% of their orders coming from those who had

Chris Campbell from ViVO Glenarm Road has reported new customers and healthy sales since implementing the Appetite home delivery and click ‘n’ collect app from Henderson Technology and Blu Dot Technologies. He is pictured with Darren Nickels, retail technology operations director at Henderson Technology, and Frank Kilpatrick of Blu Dot Technologies.

never shopped with them before.” Chris Campbell, owner of VIVO Glenarm Road, said: “The App has made a big difference to our business, especially at a time where some in our community are cautious about going to the shops. Thanks to the diversity of the app, we’re planning on adding our hot food deli range which will include Sunday dinners, which have been hugely popular lately as families are caring for elderly and vulnerable relatives.”

Frank Kilpatrick, CEO of Blu Dot Technologies, said: “Appetite will enable shoppers across Northern Ireland, using Smartphone, Web and Kiosk devices, to pre-order and pre-pay for grocery and Deli items, with options to collect from the store or choose a home delivery slot. “We will add our pay@pump solution, which will enable motorists to order and pay for fuel using the Appetite App on their smartphone.”

CHARITY PARTNERSHIP RAISES £300,000 TO HELP STROKE SURVIVORS & FAMILIES S From left, John Brodie, Scotmid chief executive; Harry Cairney, Scotmid president; and Lawrence Cowan, director of fundraising & communications at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland representing all the charity partners at a recent socially distanced cheque presentation.

taff and customers of Semichem, part of the Scotmid Co-operative family, have helped raise £300,000 to help stroke survivors rebuild their lives and to survive and thrive. The one-year partnership, which was extended due to the Covid pandemic, raised funds for services provided by Northern Ireland Chest, Heart & Stroke (NICHS), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and UK charity Different Strokes.

Semichem stores in Northern Ireland got behind the great work of NICHS through a number of initiatives, including selling Magic Reindeer food and Christmas baubles. “Every pound matters in the fight against chest, heart and stroke illnesses,” said Declan Cunnane, CEO of Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke. “The contribution of Semichem stores to our work has been fantastic and we want to say a huge thank you for all of their hard work and enthusiasm.”

RETAIL NEWS - MULTIPLES

LIDL NI CELEBRATES MILESTONE 40TH STORE IN HOLYWOOD

From left, Sophie Kingston, Queens Gymnastics; Eoin Doherty, Holywood Exchange store manager; and Isla Parkes, Queens Gymnastics.

idl Northern Ireland has officially opened the doors of its new store in Holywood Exchange Retail Park, creating 30 new local jobs and marking the retailer’s 40th store since establishing in Northern Ireland in 1999. The store was opened by representatives from local sporting club

Queens Gymnastics, who officially cut the ribbon and welcomed customers to the new store. Based in Queens Leisure Complex in Holywood, the gymnastics club were named winners of Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport for Good competition last year and received a £4,000 boost from the retailer to support the club. The Holywood Exchange store represents an investment of £3m and creates 30 new jobs for the local area. Occupying a 1,400-square-metre sales floor and a total internal area of 2,050 square metres, the new store boasts a high-quality shopping environment with more space, wider aisles, longer tills, restrooms and baby-changing facilities. Customers can also avail of a new Lidlto-Go coffee machine and a larger bakery area offering a wider range of freshly baked goods. The store also includes

ASDA LISTS INNOVATIVE NEW MASH DIRECT LINES C

o Down-based family farming and food enterprise Mash Direct has won a supply contract which will see two new lines stocked in nearly 50 Asda stores across Northern Ireland and Scotland. Mash Direct combines From left, Lance Hamilton, sales director, Mash Direct, and six generations of the Emma Swan, Asda buying manager for Northern Ireland. Hamilton family’s farming expertise to produce an fresh and healthy, gluten-free product. extensive range of award-winning ‘field “The Cauliflower Bites are freshly to fork’ vegetable accompaniments. cooked cauliflower florets, fried in a The new products, Salt and Chilli crispy coating with a light spice. They Wedges and Cauliflower Bites, were make for the perfect alternative to the created to reflect emerging consumer popular buffalo wings and popcorn trends for new spice flavours and meat- chicken formats, that can be enjoyed as free alternatives. a tapas style snack or a side dish.” “As the consumers’ demand Emma Swan, Asda buying manager for freshness, global flavours and for Northern Ireland, said: “At Asda we healthier alternatives grows, our are always impressed by the offering team has worked to create products from Mash Direct – they have a wide that match these requirements,” said range of award-winning products Lance Hamilton, sales director, Mash and are dedicated to the creation of Direct. “Our salt and chilli wedges innovative new vegetable dishes. are a perfect example of our new “We have stocked their products product development ethos - to provide since 2006 and it’s wonderful to see customers with authentic flavours in a the Salt and Chilli wedges and the

improved facilities for store staff such as a larger canteen, welfare area and shower facilities. “Lidl is committed to delivering high quality, locally-produced products at market-leading prices and it has long been our ambition to bring this winning formula to the local area,” said Eoin Doherty, Holywood Exchange store manager. “We’re thrilled to open the store just in time for the festive season and, with enhanced and established safety measures in place, customers can enjoy all that Lidl has to offer in a welcoming and safe environment.” Lidl Northern Ireland also opened new stores in Ballymoney and Limavady in 2020, while plans have been announced to open five new stores in the Belfast City region.

Cauliflower Bites join the many Mash Direct products we have on our shelves. Our customers will be spoilt for choice this Christmas.” Mash Direct’s Salt and Chilli Wedges and Cauliflower Bites are available in selected Asda stores now.

ASDA INTRODUCES ‘HAPPY TO CHAT’ DELIVERY DRIVERS’ BADGES Asda launched a new initiative to help combat loneliness, especially heightened by recent lockdown measures, in the lead up to Christmas. With help from Royal Voluntary Service, Asda worked with its delivery drivers and in-store Community Champions to tackle social isolation in the community with the aim of delivering a little Christmas kindness this year. Its 7,500 delivery drivers had the option to add a new element to their uniform: a ‘Happy to Chat’ badge to let customers know they were happy to have a quick chat with them while their shopping was being delivered.

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

LAUNCHING THE 33RD ANNUAL ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS ✸ ENTRY CLOSES ON MARCH 5, WITH WINNERS SET TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE GROCERS’ BALL ON MAY 21 ✸ Hopes are high the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball will return on May 21, hosting the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards 2021 and potentially the first post-pandemic get together of the grocery trade. The GroceryAid NI Committee has provisionally booked its usual venue of the Culloden Hotel & Spa for the prestigious event, which was postponed and then cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. While the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards 2020 winners were only announced in October, following pandemic-related delays, we are now launching the 2021 Awards. Never perhaps has there been a more important time to recognise outstanding work in Northern Ireland grocery, after the intense and unrelenting pressure faced by the sector in 2020. While regular marketing activity continued, alongside solid grocery sales as consumers in lockdown spent more on food and drink, many retailers and suppliers also tailored their campaigns to reassure shoppers over safety measures and voice their support for the brave workers keeping us fed and watered throughout the pandemic. The 33rd annual Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards will feature 10 categories, with our new award introduced last year - Leader in Marketing – falling under the standard application process in 2021 (unlike last year when entry was via an informal email nomination). All entry will be via an onlineonly mechanism at https://www. belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ulstergrocer/ and will close on March 5, 2021. Greater detail on the judges’ scoring criteria will run in the February edition of Ulster Grocer to aid the application process and offer greater transparency to contestants. The 10 awards are: Leader in Marketing, Best Digital Marketing Campaign, Best Sustainability

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Initiative, Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Brand, Best In-Store Consumer Sales Promotion, Best New Product Launch/Relaunch, Best CSR Initiative/ Charity Partnership and Best Export Marketing. The Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards are an opportunity for companies operating in the Northern Ireland grocery sector to shine a light on their successes and achievements. The awards are held during the annual GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, the highlight of the sector’s social calendar attracting upwards of 400 guests and serving as the main fundraiser of the year for the grocery charity. Awards entry is open to all grocery stakeholders from producers, suppliers, wholesalers and independent retailers to retail groups. And the diverse range of award categories allows both well established and up-and-coming companies to enjoy valuable media exposure and branding at the Grocers’ Ball, and across the print copies, websites and social media of Ulster Grocer magazine and its sister titles at Independent News & Media. Widely regarded as the highest marketing accolade Northern Ireland grocery stakeholders can achieve, the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards are recognised as a mark of professionalism, raising awareness for companies shortlisted, highly commended and winning each category.

G ✸TICKROCERS’ B ETS A A Ticket VAILA LL 2021 sales a BLE N re no OW✸ 2021, w open for th t o be h e Groc Cullo e ers’ Ba 1 as th den Hote ld at the ll l e & Spa o year fo main fun n d To boo r the Groc raising ev ent of eryA k tick Groce ets, contact id charity. the ryAid J im Mc NI jim.mc alea@ Committee Alea, yahoo : .co.uk

May 2

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

ANNOUNCING THE 10 CATEGORIES OF THE ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2021

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LEADER IN MARKETING Now in its second year, this accolade complements the prestigious Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer Award by recognising individuals at a more advanced stage, or the end, of their career; having made a notable contribution to the field of sales and marketing within the wider grocery sector. Entries should identify an outstanding contribution to marketing in the grocery sector, from companies, brands, roles and campaigns on which the nominated individual has worked to any additional contribution of note such as mentoring or CSR work.

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ENTRY IS ONLINE ONLY AT belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ulstergrocer/

CLOSING ON MARCH 5, 2021

BEST DIGITAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN

While digital is well established as part of the media mix ✸ considered by judges across the awards categories, this award exclusively focuses on online marketing activity, looking at campaigns which have successfully utilised tools such as social media, email, influencer engagement, content marketing and apps. Open to all grocery sector stakeholders (and both inhouse and agency marketing teams), judges will consider results achieved in relation to the size of the business with the onus on applicants to demonstrate a clear link between their digital campaign and any subsequent boost in sales.

BEST SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

LORRAINE HALL YOUNG MARKETEER AWARD

This category is open to all grocery industry stakeholders from food and drinks producers and other service providers to retailers. Entries should quantify green gains they have made, such as reductions in water, energy or their overall carbon footprint, highlighting the eco measures behind those gains from local sourcing to LED lighting, solar panels and any other energy and waste reduction systems. In particular, companies should demonstrate how they have communicated their green programmes and gains to clients and consumers.

The Lorraine Hall Young Marketeer Award will seek to recognise passion and drive among the up-and-coming ✸ marketing stars of the future; those who show they have

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BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN Our headline award, Best Marketing Campaign, could potentially involve a corporate, brand or project campaign with food and drinks suppliers, grocery wholesalers and retailers all eligible to enter. While the subject matter of the campaign may be any aspect of grocery retailing, the marketing campaign should include some or all of the following elements - press, TV, radio, OOH, in-store POS/merchandising, PR, website, leaflet, digital and SMS activity.

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BEST IN-STORE CONSUMER SALES PROMOTION Best In-Store Consumer Sales Promotion could be a standalone promotion by a retailer or supplier. Equally, it could potentially involve a joint promotion between two companies; for example, two manufacturers/brand owners running a cross-promotion on complementary products or a retail group and a manufacturer working together on a promotion. Entries are welcome involving both exclusive singlestore promotions and activity running across a group of stores.

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already, in their short careers, made significant contributions to their respective company and industry. The judges will look for evidence of a candidate’s success across a variety of marketing challenges, their on-going desire to learn and innovate, and their understanding of the ever-growing array of marketing tools and channels at their disposal.

BEST BRAND

Among the most prestigious and hard-fought categories, Best ✸ Brand welcomes entries outlining marketing activity aimed at building a brand of any size in the Northern Ireland grocery market. The brand could be, but is not limited to, food and drink, and equally could be a retail brand from independent stores through to multiple and discount retailers. Judges will examine the effectiveness of any brand-building activity in relation to PR, advertising and marketing campaigns, brand equity, visibility and customer loyalty, and take into account the results achieved in relation to the size of the business.

BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH/RELAUNCH

For Best New Product Launch/Relaunch, entries are invited from ✸ brand owners outlining their marketing activity to launch any new grocery product (not limited to, but including, food and drink) into the marketplace. This may include any of the following: press, TV, radio, outdoor, in-store POS/ merchandising, PR, website, leaflet, digital and SMS activity. Pre-existing products which have been relaunched with new branding, and a complementary marketing strategy, are also eligible for entry. Please note: this category covers the marketing of new or relaunched products, rather than the new product development process.

BEST CSR INITIATIVE/CHARITY PARTNERSHIP

BEST EXPORT MARKETING

Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative or Charity Partnership is focused on the strength and commitment shown by retailers, producers, wholesalers and suppliers to CSR/ charity initiatives and partnerships rather than the marketing of such activity. Open to any business operating in the retail grocery sector, from small producers and independent retailers through to large suppliers and multiple retailers, this category will also be judged on tangible results from the partnerships.

Exports are a vital part of the business mix for Northern Ireland producers, and this award recognises efforts to ✸ successfully market, gain access and launch local products into

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international markets (from the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to the other side of the world). Any local food, drink or other grocery product which has successfully gained access to new markets or grown their export sales/market share, secured new customers in existing markets or boosted existing export contracts is eligible for entry.

ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

RAISE AWARENESS OF YOUR BRAND WITH SPONSORSHIP OF THE ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS 2021

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Overall and individual category sponsorship opportunities are available for the 33rd annual Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards, set to be held at the Culloden Hotel & Spa on May 21. Sponsors enjoy exposure throughout the year across an official launch event held in February; shortlisting of entries pre-event; onstage presence at Northern Ireland’s largest and most prestigious event for the grocery sector; and extensive event and post-event coverage. For further information on sponsorship opportunities, email Ulster Grocer Sales Manager Chris Keenan at c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk

UNPARALLELED EXPOSURE OFFERED BY ULSTER GROCER MARKETING AWARDS

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

✸PRE-EVENT • Full-page advertisement in Ulster Grocer • Inclusion in photograph and mention of brand in launch article in Ulster Grocer • Inclusion in photograph and mention of brand in launch article in Belfast Telegraph • Inclusion of your brand in entry-driver and ticket sales print ads in Ulster Grocer • Inclusion of your brand in entry-driver print ads in Belfast Telegraph • A branded post on our social platforms driving entries to your category • Promotion on the Ulster Business website • Logo included within editorial piece

✸AT THE EVENT • Two seats at the GroceryAid Grocers’ Ball, Culloden Hotel & Spa, May 21 • Main stage screen and side panels branded with your logo • Representative to present award at the event • Logo on shortlist card at each placesetting • Promotional material placed in hampers for guests at event • Photographic opportunities • Social media coverage

✸POST-EVENT Editorial coverage in the Ulster Grocer special event feature including: • Branding • A message from the sponsor • Event photographs • Editorial coverage in Belfast Telegraph

COVER STORY

OPERATING AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME STRONG INVESTMENT & INNOVATION IS ENSURING CONTINUED GROWTH FOR THE HENDERSON GROUP, DESPITE A CHALLENGING RETAIL ENVIRONMENT FROM THE PANDEMIC TO BREXIT, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR PADDY DOODY TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

Paddy Doody.

s a stalwart of the grocery industry in Northern Ireland, the Henderson Group has hit many milestones in its 100-plus year history. 2021 will be no different, with the SPAR brand set to celebrate its own anniversary – 60 years in Northern Ireland. It’s a conscious intention for the company to make the first cover story for 2021 a celebration, not just of its most impactful brand, but of those retailers making it a huge success over the years. Before looking towards a new year, Henderson Group Sales and Marketing Director Paddy Doody says looking back on 2020 highlights the Group’s continued investment in its other brands across towns and villages in Northern Ireland, with ViVOXTRA stepping into the limelight. A new Newry Road, Banbridge site is the eighth store to open in Northern Ireland under the ViVOXTRA supermarket format, and the first owned by Henderson Retail. Earlier this year the Group celebrated opening its 100th store under the ViVO brand, with its ViVO and ViVOXTRA portfolio totalling 109 shops at last count. The majority of the Henderson Group’s 470 stores in Northern Ireland carry SPAR and EUROSPAR branding, with the large format brand also benefitting from growth in recent years. After 20 years in Northern Ireland, the Community Supermarket niche brand has revolutionised neighbourhood retailing, and there are now 68 stores here. 36

WE’RE LUCKY IN THAT 75% OF OUR FRESH FOODS ARE SOURCED HERE ON THE ISLAND, MOST OF IT IN NORTHERN IRELAND, SO WE’RE A LITTLE BIT INSULATED BUT THERE WILL STILL BE AMBIENT PRODUCT GETTING ACROSS AND THAT’S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT ONE GOING FORWARD IF WE DON’T GET A DEAL. But ViVO also benefitted from a push to drive the brand forward in 2020. “We created the brand in April 1998, and it’s an exciting area for expansion,” says Paddy. “We’ve got some fantastic ViVO retailers out there, and Banbridge is just a superb example. “I would love a lot of independent retailers, particularly from some of our competitors, to go and have a look at our store because it incorporates an awful lot of our new thinking.” A new-build store, representing a £4m investment, ViVOXTRA Banbridge stands as a blueprint for retail innovation by the Henderson Group, from its store design and Covid-19 safety measures to electronic shelf-edge labels and selfcheckouts. It’s the first in Northern Ireland to install a new closed-loop payment system created by Glory Cash Infinity to align with Henderson Technology’s EDGE-POS software. “The till operator and back office staff don’t touch cash,” says Paddy. “It’s all automated so the shopper goes in and pays and gets their change, and it goes into a safe under the till and is emptied by G4S. We don’t see any of the cash and it’s timesaving for the store staff, more secure and money gets into our account quicker.” Further features of the 6,000-squarefoot store include a Quail’s Butchery counter, in-store bakery, F’real milkshakes, Barista Bar coffee, six-pump MAXOL

forecourt and 72-space car park. “Initial sales have been significantly ahead of our expectation, so we’re really pleased with it,” says Paddy. “There’s a unit attached to it as well, so we expect to put something in there over the next 12-18 months. Whatever it is will be a draw to the site.” While the Banbridge store is company owned, ViVOXTRAs operated by retail partners in towns such as Warrenpoint, Castlederg, Saintfield and Ballynahinch are also performing well. “We’re getting a good spread throughout the country, and we’ll be looking to expand that further over the next 12 to 24 months,” says Paddy. “It just gives us a little bit of brand differentiation.” ViVO and ViVOXTRAs benefit from the same Group services, including wholesale and marketing investment, business support and store design, but do not carry SPAR and EUROSPAR own-label lines. Currently, ViVO own label is limited to staples such as bread, milk and eggs but has been identified as an area for development alongside growth in shop numbers. RETAILING IN A PANDEMIC Acknowledging grocery retailing as one of the luckier sectors amid the chaos and lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, Paddy says 2020 has nonetheless been a challenging year. “It’s been a mixed bag for us,” he says, “because on the one side, food sales in our retail stores - both independent and company-owned - have been exceptionally good. It has not worked for a few stores, maybe because of their location near an educational establishment or a high transit area, but over 90% of our estate has shown double-digit growth. “On the downside, our fuel volumes fell off a cliff; they dropped to negative 75% at one stage in the first few weeks when there were no cars on the road.” Fuel sales did recover to around -10% of normal levels in the summer but fell back to -20% during the second autumn lockdown. “When you have that, your food to go and coffee sales are impacted, and it impacts on your profitability so that hasn’t been great,” says Paddy. Perhaps worst hit, however, was Henderson Foodservice, with the Group unfortunately undertaking redundancies

COVER STORY

ViVOXTRA Newry Road, Banbridge.

and rationalisation of depots to concentrate operations at its Mallusk headquarters. “Hospitality on an all-Ireland basis has been very badly hit across pubs, restaurants, hotels and schools, and our foodservice business has contracts with all of those so there’s been a significant drop in sales,” he says. “I suppose the Group is probably holding its own, and we’re lucky we’re broadly based in terms of how we sell food.” Redesigning stores to keep workers and shoppers safe during the pandemic has been a focus throughout the year. “We’ve made a significant investment, both ourselves and our independent retailers, in safety measures from floor marking, queue management and Perspex screens to additional cleaning regimes,” says Paddy, with monitors also installed in the entrance of companyowned stores to safely control inflow of shoppers. “One of the biggest issues for independent retailers is the additional cost they’ve been hit with and you have to remember for a lot of these stores, particularly single-site retailers, if you have a member of staff having to self-isolate, you could lose three or four members of staff and that’s a cost as well. You’re trying to get more staff in, and everyone has to work longer hours.” Incidents of shoppers abusing workers have thankfully been few, he says. “The vast majority of customers are sensible, law abiding and helpful, and are very appreciative of the work our staff do.” While lockdown restrictions have caused delays, the Group has pushed ahead with a programme of new openings in 2020 including retail partner and company-owned sites; the latter now totalling 97 SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA stores. NPD has also continued apace on own-label lines for SPAR and EUROSPAR, including The Chef range of high-quality

ready meals created at the Group’s own production facility near Randalstown. “We’ll continue to roll it out throughout 2021,” says Paddy, “and we’ll continue to focus on being famous for fresh and driving our fresh food credentials.” And an ongoing focus is investment in the Group’s value proposition across wholesale and retail pricing, offering better value for both retailers and shoppers. “That’s a significant part of our investment, and we back it up with very strong marketing campaigns,” says Paddy. “We have about £5.1m spend across the Group to help support the brands, whether it’s leaflets, TV or price support and looking at areas such as our local credentials, safety with Covid, and our quality fresh food.” EXPECTATIONS FOR 2021 As if the pandemic was not enough to deal with in 2020, another area of concern for the Henderson Group is Brexit on December 31. “Brexit remains, at the time of talking, unresolved and a real serious danger to our business,” says Paddy. “If we don’t get a deal sorted out in some shape or form, and I’m talking particularly about the movement of goods from GB into Northern Ireland, that’s an area of concern for us. “We’re lucky in that 75% of our fresh foods are sourced here on the island, most of it in Northern Ireland, so we’re a little bit insulated but there will still be ambient product getting across and that’s definitely going to be a difficult one going forward if we don’t get a deal. “A no-deal hard Brexit is pretty much a disaster for Northern Ireland; in particular, for our food industry. You’re going to have tariffs, an increase in food prices and an increase in complexity of getting product in and no-one wins in that situation.”

SPAR Carnmoney Hill.

Henderson Group nonetheless hopes to proceed with strong investment in 2021. “We’ve probably got a spend north of £40m, between what we’re spending and what our independent retailers are spending in developing their stores,” says Paddy. “It’s a huge spend, near the same level we’ve spent this year, and is what has kept our position strong in the market. “Continuous investment in how our stores look and feel, marketing and new product development, that’s always been our forte and why we continue to be successful in Northern Ireland against some very worthy competitors. “We have some fantastic competitors out there to challenge us and keep us on our toes, and we welcome that because it gives us our edge. We’ve got a sound strategy, a fantastic set of independent retailers operating at the top of their game and our brands have proven to be favourites of shoppers, particularly over the pandemic. “If you look at how our independent retailers performed over the pandemic, they were keeping food on people’s tables and in the heart of every community because we’re represented in every city, town, village, hamlet in Northern Ireland.” And one brand favourite reaches a landmark anniversary in 2021, with SPAR celebrating 60 years in Northern Ireland. “SPAR has been our bread and butter, never one to stand still and has evolved over the past 60 years to become shoppers’ lifeline, whether they’re out on the road or doing their weekly shop,” says Paddy. “It is a robust and trusted brand to trade under, and with Henderson’s behind it in Northern Ireland, we know it will continue to evolve and adapt for future shoppers and enjoy many more years of success.” 37

RETAIL PROFILE

HEROES OF THE FRONTLINE IT’S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR RETAIL BUT ONE SILVER LIVING OF THE PANDEMIC IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECONSTRUCT & REINVENT OUR TOWN CENTRES, RETAIL NI CHIEF EXECUTIVE GLYN ROBERTS TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

Retail NI celebrated the sector with its Independent Retail Awards announced in August 2020.

“T

he one thing 2020 has shown is the important role convenience retail plays in the local community,” says Glyn. “We’ve seen so many of our members step up and help, particularly in small towns and rural villages where many people couldn’t get to the big out-of-town supermarkets. “Local convenience stores were a lifeline and, in many respects, a community and public service because we were getting food and other important products through to vulnerable people. “There’s a long list of heroes in this pandemic and, without a doubt, our members of staff deserve to be on that list because of the role they’ve played throughout 2020. “Crises like this often bring out the best in people; it shows the innovation and creativity of our members to adjust to a completely new way of doing business and I’ve no doubt that change process will continue throughout 2021 as well.” While the Northern Ireland Executive’s slow response to decision making around Covid-19 restrictions has at times been frustrating, Glyn is grateful that at least Stormont is back up and running. “Certainly, having local ministers did 38

make a difference, because they’re able to listen and act on policy positions we put forward to them,” he says. “We were central to discussions about getting the one-year rates relief, and the four-month rates relief for all businesses, as well as the small business grants and some of the

other funding streams and grants. “We were, right from the very beginning, urging ministers to consider a voucher scheme, and we were absolutely delighted when ministers acted upon that with the high street voucher scheme due to be rolled out in early 2021.” Retail NI is currently engaging with NI Finance Minister Conor Murphy with the hope of securing another six months of rates relief for members most in need from April to October 2021. “Overall, I think the grants and rates relief have been very helpful to our members,” says Glyn. “I think it’s helped them steer a very difficult course and I hope that this will give them, with the prospect of a vaccine and a better year in 2021, the ability to chart a future for their business.” As well as lobbying on their behalf, Retail NI has produced practical resources for its members throughout the year including a one-page response guide for positive Covid-19 tests and a simple five-point plan for safe and responsible shopping. Its membership has surged in 2020, largely non-food retailers from sectors such as fashion, hardware and kitchenware. “Many of those are in the non-essential bracket and have been

Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, engages with First Minister Arlene Foster and, far right, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

RETAIL PROFILE

LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORES WERE A LIFELINE AND, IN MANY RESPECTS, A COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE BECAUSE WE WERE GETTING FOOD AND OTHER IMPORTANT PRODUCTS THROUGH TO VULNERABLE PEOPLE. closed twice this year, so it has been incredibly difficult for them,” he says. However, even for Retail NI’s core convenience store members able to continue trading throughout 2020, Glyn says it has not been a walk in the park. “They’ve had to spend a huge amount of money in making sure their store is compliant with the regulations, investing in Perspex, PPE and a cleaning regime that ensures their staff and customers are safe,” says Glyn. “Retailers in town centres and on high streets have seen a dramatic loss in footfall because hospitality and nonessential retail has closed at various times and offices have been closed. For many members, their footfall has dramatically decreased, and it’s had a clear impact on their sales.” REPRESENTING RETAILERS Another issue on which Glyn has consistently engaged with government departments and ministers in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Westminster is, of course, Brexit on January 1.

At time of writing, Retail NI was pushing for clarification on whether a three-month grace period extended to supermarkets for introducing customs checks would also apply to independent retailers and wholesalers. “There’s a worry we could have a scenario with the supermarkets’ branded trucks waved through, but many of our members’ trucks could be stopped and checked,” he says. “We’ve got to ensure whatever deal is arrived at works for all retailers no matter their size and protects the whole just-in-time supply chain. Ultimately what this is all about is ensuring local families don’t pay more for their groceries or are restricted in choice in products.” And Retail NI is also contributing to policy areas such as an independent review of skills, the new Programme for Government in Northern Ireland, and calls to overhaul the business rates system. As part of Trade NI, it has produced a 10-year plan aimed at creating 65,000 local jobs, while further areas of focus include the plasma screen issue and National Living Wage. As covered in the 2020 Yearbook, Retail NI is supporting its members facing bills of up to £10,000 associated with the sale of screens by Viewble Media UK on the basis of advertising, which never materialised, covering their costs. “It’s still ongoing, and I want to pay tribute to many of our members who have taken the lead on this issue,” says Glyn. “We’ve been supporting them throughout this year, in terms of advice, legal engagement and financially as well. “This is a grassroots campaign led

by local independent retailers and they have done an amazing job. I would be reasonably confident we will get some resolution sooner rather than later.” With wages, in November the UK government announced a new National Living Wage coming into force from April 2021, increasing by 2.2% to £8.91 and extended to 23-24-year-olds. And the Living Wage Foundation recommended a hike in the voluntary ‘real’ Living Wage to £9.50 across the UK, stating over a quarter of jobs in NI pay below the Living Wage. “We have to very careful about all of this because obviously the retail sector has gone through huge systemic change and most of it not for the good,” says Glyn. “We want to get to a point where our members can pay their staff a lot more, but many retailers haven’t even got

WE WERE, RIGHT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, URGING MINISTERS TO CONSIDER A VOUCHER SCHEME, AND WE WERE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED WHEN MINISTERS ACTED UPON THAT WITH THE HIGH STREET VOUCHER SCHEME DUE TO BE ROLLED OUT IN EARLY 2021. out of the survival phase into the recovery phase.” He is hopeful the new high street task force, announced by the NI Executive in August, will be instrumental in the recovery phase. “It’s a partnership between government and business about coordinating policy on town centres and high streets but also charting a way forward,” says Glyn. “We’ve got to ask the question, what does success look like post-pandemic, and I think for us it’s about completely reconstructing and reinventing our town centres and implementing the concept of localism. “As Mary Portas said, it’s about reimagining them as destinations for socialising, culture, health, wellbeing, creativity and learning, and empowering people to reshape and repurpose their local villages, towns and cities. “Our members will be at the cutting edge of creating those new 21st century post-pandemic high streets, particularly food and convenience retailers, and shaping the new economy as well.” 39

RETAIL PROFILE

A FEAT OF LOGISTICAL MAGIC RETAILERS HAVE RISEN TO THE OCCASION AMID THE MANY CHALLENGES POSED BY THE PANDEMIC, BUT ARE NOW FACING POTENTIAL SUPPLY ISSUES AND RISING PRICES WITH BREXIT, NIRC DIRECTOR AODHÁN CONNOLLY TELLS ALYSON MAGEE Aodhán Connolly, director, NIRC.

n a year of dire warnings about the consequences of failure to follow regulations or guidelines, there has perhaps not been enough gratitude, says Aodhán Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). “We’re genuinely thankful for the people who are following the regulations,” he says, “but also for staff in all shops from convenience right up to supermarkets who’ve gone the extra mile this year. “There’s a misperception out there that the grocery sector has been doing unbelievably well and, yes, we’ve had an uplift in sales, but we’ve also had a real uplift in costs.” Northern Ireland retailers have spent around £15m on safety measures instore, from social distancing systems to screens and hand sanitiser. And a huge amount of additional work has gone on behind the scenes to facilitate evolving shopping patterns. “There has been a lot of infrastructure that has had to come into play,” he says. 40

“Some of the big retailers are doing levels of click and collect and delivery they thought they would be doing eight years from now.” To meet the extra demand, retailers have had to buy more lorries and vans and employ more drivers, as well as bringing in more staff to pack shelves at quiet times to allow for social distancing and to replace colleagues who are shielding or self-isolating. “During the worst of this pandemic, supermarket sales were actually down

IT WAS ACTUALLY PEOPLE OVERBUYING THAT PUT A LOT OF STRAIN ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN. WE WERE DOING CHRISTMAS LEVEL SALES EVERY DAY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, AND USUALLY WE START PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST.

about 12% and the convenience stores were up about 30%,” says Aodhán. Impulse purchases, typically around 12.5% to 15% of grocery spend, plummeted among shoppers using click and collect or delivery services. “At the start of this pandemic, our supply chains were robust,” he says. “It was actually people overbuying that put a lot of strain on the supply chain. We were doing Christmas level sales every day for several weeks, and usually we start preparing for Christmas in August. In March, there was absolutely no preparation done.” While retailers proved adept at moving their supply chains to meet the increased demand, the rapid changes added costs to the supply chain. “Plus, it was a feat of logistical magic to get everything in the right place at the right time, so we have to be very proud of what retailers have done over this past year,” says Aodhán. A further issue faced by retailers has been abuse of workers, and NIRC is supporting Usdaw in its shopworker protection campaign. “I have to say a big

RETAIL PROFILE

THIS HAS BEEN A LEARNING CURVE FOR GOVERNMENT, AS MUCH AS IT HAS FOR US IN INDUSTRY. DECISIONS DO NOT HAPPEN IN A VACUUM SO WHEN THEY DECIDED TO CLOSE HOSPITALITY, THAT HAS A FOOTFALL IMPACT ON THE HIGH STREET AND ON RETAIL. thank you to the 90% of people who do follow the regulations; wash their hands, keep their distance and cover their face,” says Aodhán. “There are 10% or less who make it very awkward for people around them, who make it very awkward for staff and are even abusive to staff. “We know that people are frustrated, but there’s absolutely no excuse for abusing staff. They’re doing a wonderful job in very difficult circumstances. “One of the big concerns I have, not just for our industry but everyone, is because this has been a very difficult year with a lot of pressures and there hasn’t been a let up, we are saving up mental health issues for the future and it’s something we need to work on.” Aodhán, who ran two half marathons in aid of local mental health charity AWARE in 2020, says breaking down the stigma around mental health is an issue close to his own heart. Beyond the financial, logistical and mental challenges posed by the pandemic, Stormont’s implementation of restrictions throughout the year has at times caused confusion and frustration for the retail sector. “This has been a learning curve for government, as much as it has for us in industry,” says Aodhán. “Decisions do not happen in a vacuum so when they decided to close hospitality, that has a footfall impact on the high street and on retail.” A particular problem has been the lacking, or retrospective, detail around regulations. For example, with the latest closure of non-essential shops for two weeks from November 27, retailers were informed the same restrictions as the March lockdown would apply only to be told halfway through the two weeks that stores must feature 50%-plus essential goods to remain open. “For me, that was a terrible miscommunication and cost lots of

money because people had bought extra Christmas stock thinking they would be open,” he says. A more welcome initiative has been the NI Executive’s voucher scheme, issuing pre-paid credit cards to households for spending in brick-and-mortar stores in the New Year. Those hardest hit financially by the pandemic can use it for essentials, and others will likely spend it on the high street, says Aodhán. UNCERTAINTY AROUND BREXIT While a Brexit deal may well be reached in the final few weeks before December 31, uncertainty prevails at time of writing. “We have an idea of some things but haven’t got the technical detail we have been asking for from the start of the year,” says Aodhán. Three major infrastructure projects, the customs declaration system, Trader Support Service and Goods Vehicle Movement Service, should be operational on January 1, but “there’s not a lot of confidence that those government systems will be ready,” he says, and “we still don’t know what is happening with products of animal origin. “On a mixed load coming in from GB to NI, export health certificates on their own can add tens of thousands of pounds on a load. So, we are very clear that businesses are not ready and we don’t think the government systems will be ready, so the big thing we’re asking for now is an implementation adjustment period.” Even if a deal is reached before Brexit, it will undoubtedly involve additional paperwork, manpower, delays and costs, says Aodhán, and as “the retail industry is a very high-profit, low-margin industry, that means we can’t afford to absorb those costs. “Up until Q4 of 2018, there had been five years of grocery deflation, so everyone is working to a very lean model. On the other side of things, the Northern Ireland consumer has half the discretionary income of GB households and that means they can’t afford to absorb the costs either.” Some suppliers may stop sending goods to NI if their profit margins become too tight, while any delays could undermine the viability of sending perishable produce. “Loads going into Northern Ireland are put onto picking bays to go out to stores,” he says. “If you miss your timeslot in that picking bay, then it will not be going out to that store. And if you’re talking about things like processed

fruit or salad with a very short shelf life, it will have an impact on both freshness and availability.” NIRC has been in regular contact with the Cabinet Office, EU Task Force, NI Executive and Irish government throughout, campaigning for the local retail industry and consumers. A letter sent by the NI First Minister and Deputy First Minister to EC Vice President Maros Sefcovic in November, highlighting concerns over the NI Protocol and agrifood goods coming into NI from GB, was welcomed by the sector. “I do think there has been a coming together over this past year,” says Aodhán. “You cannot underestimate how powerful it is when the five major parties of the coalition stand up to be counted together. That is a hugely powerful message that reverberates both in Westminster and in Brussels. “One of the few good things from this Brexit process is we now have the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group and, whatever happens on January 1, the Group will continue to fight on to get the best possible outcome for businesses and households in Northern Ireland.” Looking beyond the pandemic and Brexit, NIRC will continue to campaign for reform of “simply not-fit-for-purpose” business rates, look at marketing issues around alcohol licensing, and focus on encouraging the retail sector to set aside internal competition for collaboration. “There’s been a worrying trend for people to paint retail as fighting among itself, small versus large, grocery versus non-grocery and that sort of thing,” says Aodhán. “I think one of the things we need to do in 2021 is work closer together rather than taking pot shots at each other because we are all in this together. There is a symbiotic relationship between all types of retail and there is enough for us to work on to benefit each other rather than trying to be at odds with each other.”

THERE’S BEEN A WORRYING TREND FOR PEOPLE TO PAINT RETAIL AS FIGHTING AMONG ITSELF, SMALL VERSUS LARGE, GROCERY VERSUS NONGROCERY… I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO IN 2021 IS WORK CLOSER TOGETHER. 41

ADVERTORIAL

“WE WISH WE’D BECOME A SPAR RETAILER SOONER!”

WHEN THE SPENCE FAMILY DECIDED TO RE-BRAND THEIR STORE AND BECOME PART OF THE SPAR NI NETWORK LAST YEAR, THEY HAD NO IDEA JUST WHAT A VITAL DECISION THIS WOULD BE FOR THEM

fter the most tumultuous trading year in recent times, Spence’s SPAR in Ballywalter has been able to navigate this challenging time all the better with Henderson Group, the owners of the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland, in their corner. Evelyn Spence told Ulster Grocer: “We decided to change our store to a SPAR and began the process in February 2020, right before the pandemic hit us fully. We couldn’t believe it, but we got through it thanks to the safety net of such an established, organised and professional outfit at Henderson Group.” Evelyn and her husband Peter run Spence’s SPAR on Main Street in Ballywalter, with their daughter Sheena and sons William and James also working in the business. Granddaughter Alisha has recently joined the team while she studies at university. “It is a family business, and always has been. My parents, Harry and Jeannie opened a fruit and veg shop after my 42

father returned from the Second World War. He had acquired property, number 37 Main Street, and now we have expanded across number 39 and 41. I have been in retail for over 50 years, as I started in the shop with them, as my children have done with us.” With family values running through the Spence store, it was important their new brand echoed this. “When we met with the team at Hendersons, we immediately felt part of it; we got introduced to their fantastic range of own-brand products, their full fresh and ambient range, and a tour of their warehouse facilities, we were really blown away.” The visit sealed the deal, and Spence’s became a SPAR in February 2020. The store was halfway through its refit when builders had to down tools due to the lockdown in March, but the store was needed by the community more than ever. Evelyn continues: “As one of the only businesses on the street able to remain open, we were in the spotlight of how to keep our shoppers safe.

“Thankfully, Henderson Group delivered an outstanding level of service to their retailers; we received in-store communications, signage, sanitiser – everything we needed to operate effectively and safely. “We have always done home delivery and, in lockdown, we increased our slots to twice a week. It’s a service many depend on in our area as we’d collect prescriptions for our neighbours too. They appreciate it amongst the uncertainty of Covid.” That uncertainty hit the family when all six had to self-isolate for 14 days. “That was the rug being pulled out from under us. How were we going to manage to keep the store running? Thankfully, our Henderson’s team scooped us up. I texted them on a Sunday morning and they had all processes worked out for us that afternoon. We had our deep clean, they brought in support, they took care of everything from our merchandising to our ordering. We simply wouldn’t have survived that period without them.” Evelyn credits the Group with allowing their independent retailers to act as just that: “We are really delighted with the freedom of decision making we have as a SPAR. We can adapt how we need to for our local community, not as a one size fits all, which is the most important thing for us. “With everything from the colours to the layout of the store, we were able to make the decisions and work closely with Hendersons to ensure we had what we wanted. Plus, we can continue to stock our own local suppliers alongside the fantastic range of locally sourced products that are on Henderson’s planogram. It is so important our local businesses are still supported by us.” As the family moves into their second year as a SPAR, they have plenty to look forward to, including being part of the SPAR 60th anniversary in Northern Ireland. A Post Office will also open in the store, and, of course the team will continue to support local charities. Evelyn says: “The town has been without a Post Office for 18 months, which is not acceptable. Ours will open on 11 December, just in time for the last Christmas post. Last year we supported charities as much as we could during the lockdown, and we’ll continue to support SPAR’s partner Marie Curie, Tearfund and also the Air Ambulance, as well as our local football team.” When asked if she has any regrets? “I just wish we’d become a SPAR retailer sooner!”

There for

your community

As a SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO retailer, you have always been there for your local communities, but no more so than this past year. You and your teams stepped up to the challenge, set the standard for safe shopping and didn’t let your local communities down. All at Henderson Group want to say a huge thank you to our local retailers, delivery drivers, warehouse operatives and the teams behind the scenes who have helped us all navigate 2020. We are so proud of how we worked together to deliver £20,000 to community groups with our Community Cashback Grant, supported Marie Curie and Cancer Fund for Children with the Pick Me Up Picnic and took part in Age NI’s Big Wheesht. We encouraged kids to keep moving by sponsoring Healthy Kidz Virtual Sports Day as well as supporting the NI Big Community Sew giving the most vulnerable in our community access to a face covering. Our retailers went above and beyond for their local communities from donating tablets to care homes so families were connected to care packages and food for homeless shelters.

Thank you for keeping us connected and safe. www.henderson-group.com

ADVERTORIAL

DELIVERING A STRONG RETAIL OFFER BY SEAN RUSSELL, MARKETING DIRECTOR, COSTCUTTER SUPERMARKETS GROUP

ndependent retailers across the UK play an invaluable role supporting their local communities and the lengths they have gone to during the Covid-19 crisis has brought that into even greater focus. Our aim now is to help our independent retailers convert new shoppers, who saw their local store as a lifeline during lockdown, into lifelong loyal customers. That means working in partnership with our retailers to help them deliver a strong retail offer, centred on fresh foods, great quality and value. As a result of the economic downturn, an estimated 47% of shoppers are changing their spending habits to focus on value and 25% are shopping more often at their closest, most convenient stores*. Switching to value will be fundamental for retailers to adapt to changing shopper needs and we are working closely with our retailers to help them respond to the needs of both existing and potential shoppers and what that means for their range, promotions and marketing. One size doesn’t fit all, which is why at the heart of our support for retailers is our unique Shopper First: Drive Five

to Thrive business growth programme. It provides in-depth shopper insights and data to help tailor every aspect of the store – from range and missions to actionable insights. Retailers who have participated in our Shopper First programme have seen a minimum of 20% sales growth. Local promotion strategies can be tailored to meet the key shopper “personas” identified by Shopper First. Multi-buy promotions can be great value, for example, but for some shoppers, price

reductions are more popular, particularly on single items to minimise waste. It’s not all about price and value, of course. People are also trading up and treating themselves as out-of-home dining decreases under the restrictions. Shoppers are also looking for more than top-up and impulse from their local convenience store. They’re more prepared to do a full shop in store and are looking for meal solutions and fresh ingredients for scratch cooking. This is where access to Co-op own brand is vital for our retailers. With over 2,000 products, this has been a proven

driver of increased footfall, basket spend and sales. There is great trust in the brand and the quality of the products, particularly fresh foods. There is also a continued growth in demand for vegetarian, vegan and free-from options, which will be another key theme for 2021. Growth in demand for online and lastmile delivery will also continue to grow, so our partnership with Uber Eats is a great opportunity for retailers, offering a readymade solution in many areas. Our substantial investment in the right technology, as well as support we offer our independent retailers to increase their engagement with shoppers and local communities through training and support on social media and our sector-leading marketing will also continue to be a focus for us in 2021. Our partnership with data experts Talysis, for example, gives retailers vital insights on shopper trends, pricing, range and promotions, to help them manage costs and maximise sales. We’re also further developing our pre-sell system on ActivOC in order to simplify the process and enable retailers to view and order more efficiently. CSG continues to attract progressive retailers who see the value we bring to their business through our dedicated support and innovative business solutions. Embracing new opportunities and adapting to new challenges will be fundamental to that continued growth over the next year and we look forward to helping more retailers to thrive. *Source: Nielsen

ADVERTORIAL

A WHOLE LOT MORE IN 2021 OVER 100 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN WHOLESALE Based conveniently in Newry, S&W has a unique access point to key markets in NI and RoI. Their history dates back to 1916 with Newry Cash & Carry, before merging with J&E Whitten in 2000 to become Savage and Whitten or S&W as they are known today. POSITIONED FOR GROWTH Today, S&W is a top 100 NI business and one of the largest independent wholesalers on the island of Ireland, servicing over 2,000 customers. The growth of their business is down to the ability to service both independent and symbol retailers, as well as the growth of the symbol brands it owns and operates. With a management team headed by Managing Director Michael Skelton, S&W has ambitious plans for further growth. The plans are supported by a team of 250 across sales, trading, customer services and marketing. OFFERING A WHOLE LOT MORE Going above and beyond for customers is the key factor in what has made S&W successful and a key part of how the business plans to offer A Whole Lot More going forward as it introduces a new look and feel for the business. Summing up the refreshed brand direction, Michael said: “For us, A Whole Lot More is what we promise our customers. It’s what we offer and the service that underpins that - we believe it’s important to offer the product but just as important is the service, so our customers can easily order what they need and know they’ll get it from us when they need it.”

A Whole Lot More is underpinned by the offering which includes: • Next day delivery to many parts of the island of Ireland with a fleet of 60 vehicles. • 24/7 ordering facilitated through a full e-commerce website. • An extensive offering of more than 4,000 products, as well as 4,000 lines of full central billing. • A comprehensive Chilled, Fresh and Frozen offering serviced by a 100,000 sq. ft warehouse. • 17 promotional campaigns per year in sterling and euro. • Flexible symbol brands with bespoke signage and branding packages without membership fees. INVESTING IN RETAILERS AND THE COMMUNITY Looking to the future, S&W has invested significantly in its technology with a full stock management system, voice picking technology and in its retailer EPOS and Rescan Till Systems. Another key element of future growth

WE BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT TO OFFER THE PRODUCT BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT IS THE SERVICE, SO OUR CUSTOMERS CAN EASILY ORDER WHAT THEY NEED AND KNOW THEY’LL GET IT FROM US WHEN THEY NEED IT. will be continued investment in its symbol brands, providing the support and the independence that many retailers desire from a retail partner. Importantly, the business is committed to driving its footprint in the local community, with plans to build on its 200+ strong workforce and to work with local organisations in making a positive difference in the community. To learn more, visit www.sandwni.com or contact a member of the S&W team: info@sandwni.com

ADVERTORIAL

OFFERING A COMPLETE RETAIL SUPPORT PACKAGE

isa is the proven partner of choice for many market-leading, independently minded retailers in Ireland and already works with multi award-winning stores including The Milestone, Crawford’s, Dolan’s, The Fiveways and Joyce’s to name a few, A record number of retailers moved to Nisa Retail in 2020, and those investing in new and upgraded stores enjoyed average sales uplifts of 12%. For more than 40 years, we’ve worked with independent retailers, helping them to grow their businesses through our comprehensive support package and, as part of the Co-op group since May 2018, we are even better placed to do that, making greater investment in price and promotions and improving our offer to partners. We also enjoy increased buying power and a broader product range. With Nisa, retailers can operate under a choice of symbol fascias, Nisa Local, Nisa Extra and dual branded whereby a retailer maintains their local identity whilst benefiting from the strength of the Nisa brand. Alternatively, retailers can trade under their own independent fascia. The acquisition of Nisa by the Co-op provided newfound business stability and improved financial strength, enabling Nisa partners to trade their businesses in the independent way they have always enjoyed, backed by competitive prices, promotions and a deeper own brand range which is so important in today’s market in order to drive a real point of difference. Nisa provides a complete retail support package to its retailers to ensure they remain competitive. This comprises a strong retail focused team, covering retail development managers and regional retail managers, in addition to fresh food development managers, who encourage retailers to make the most of this important category, and store development managers who help to further develop stores. Also offered is an enhanced category management system

providing personalised planograms, a recently improved e-learning staff training facility and a comprehensive marketing package incorporating bespoke leaflets, point of sale material, a personalised Nisa FM and national advertising. Alongside our bespoke EPOS solution, Evolution, our latest technology offering is a new mobile app which launched in June 2020. Free to download from the

NISA PROVIDES A COMPLETE RETAIL SUPPORT PACKAGE TO ITS RETAILERS TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN COMPETITIVE. Apple Store and Google Play, it offers many advantages to retailers making it much easier to trade with Nisa and has been widely adopted by Nisa partners. Nisa’s Evolution store format has seen great success and in 2020 the Nisa Express was launched, catering for retailers who operate smaller stores but want to ensure their business is contemporary and provides their customers with the best shopping

environment. Nisa retailers have access to an impressive range, comprising some 13,000 SKUs including more than 2,200 products in the award-winning Co-op own label range. They can also source local products and have them invoiced centrally, creating a simpler, time efficient process. All orders are placed directly with individual suppliers, deliveries are made direct to store, but the invoicing and administration is managed centrally. This is all delivered by Nisa’s industry leading supply chain which retailers can trust with an impressive 99.9% of deliveries made on the day and 95.2% successfully made on time. With convenience stores at the heart of their communities we know community involvement is key, and our retailers can support their local area through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity. Since the charity’s formation in 2008, more than £12m has been raised for good causes and charities with more than £1m raised in 2020. To find out more, complete the form on www.nisalocally.co.uk or contact our development team on 0800 542 7490.

RETAIL PROFILE

RINGING IN THE NEW AT MUSGRAVE NORTHERN IRELAND TREVOR MAGILL, RECENTLY APPOINTED MD OF MUSGRAVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, TELLS UG ABOUT AN UNFORGETTABLE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN THE ROLE AND PLANS FOR 2021

n August 2020, Musgrave announced the appointment of Trevor Magill as the retail and wholesale group’s new managing director for Northern Ireland. Having joined the business in 2012, Trevor held the roles of MACE sales director, wholesale director and more recently director for retail operations. COVID RESPONSE As the newly appointed MD, the first six months in the role was, needless to say, a baptism of fire. Taking up the reins in the middle of a pandemic presented challenges that no-one could predict but Trevor is quick to praise the agile approach across the business. “Our independent retailers and suppliers as well as our colleagues - in our stores and branches, on the road, in our warehouses and head office - must be congratulated for their professionalism and the stoic reliability they have demonstrated since March as we have all tried to collectively navigate the new norm we find ourselves in,” says Trevor. “The pandemic has had a significant impact across all of our business. We had to adjust but most importantly we had 50

to work closely with our retail partners as the situation evolved. For our wholesale business, the closure of the hospitality sector was a significant challenge and one that we continue to navigate with our customers.” Community is a big focus for Musgrave with stores and branches located across Northern Ireland and Trevor stressed the pivotal role they play at a local level. “While uncertainty remains regarding what restrictions will be in place in the coming months, we are in a better position in terms of managing them,” he says. “We will continue to be the cornerstones of local communities, offering a safe and comfortable shopping environment for our customers whilst

encouraging responsible and respectful shopping practices.” “Our people are the lynchpin of our whole organisation, without whom we wouldn’t be able to keep serving the local communities that rely on our SuperValu, Centra and MACE brands.” RECOGNITION Being able to celebrate the individual efforts of its retailers and recognise those colleagues going above and beyond was important for Musgrave. Its annual Store of the Year awards went ahead, albeit virtually, while SuperValu and Centra colleagues were recognised as Local Store Heroes in June, receiving nominations from their communities.

The team at SuperValu Ballymoney with owner Peter McCool (right).

Una Lilley (left) and her team at Centra Dublin Road, Enniskillen.

RETAIL PROFILE “I am proud that we have been able to recognise the efforts of our colleagues and their hard work throughout the last year,” says Trevor. “To honour our winners for the 2020 Store of the Year awards was extremely important for us - recognising those retailers who are redefining convenience retail and Daire Ryan, owner of Centra A1 with brand ambassador operating some of the best community Pete Snodden. stores in Northern Ireland. “Our stores are at the very heart of says. “These included the sale of NHS their communities and are dedicated to support stickers, Halloween pumpkin delivering best-in-class customer service. donations and most recently the arrival Never has this been more evident than of charity Christmas decorations to our during the Covid-19 pandemic and our MACE stores and Action Cancer face heroes initiative, receiving over 2,000 masks to SuperValu and Centra stores. nominations from customers, allowed us Our limited-edition face masks are still to give colleagues the recognition they available in stores with all profits going deserve.” directly to Action Cancer.” “It is important we look back and The limited-edition face acknowledge the efforts, the bravery masks are not just a and the sheer goodwill that nod to the new has been displayed by not way of shopping only our own colleagues but a chance to but those across the further support retail industry and a worthy cause all frontline workers while adhering across the NHS, to new transport, childcare regulations and so many more,” and making says Trevor. the shopping “To my colleagues Limited edition Action Cancer environment safe especially, I am deeply face masks available in and comfortable appreciative of the levels SuperValu and Centra stores. for staff and of professionalism that have customers. been displayed and for keeping this great engine going at a time when CONTINUED INVESTMENT our retailers, customers and communities Despite the challenging year, the needed us most.” Musgrave team has worked hard to ensure that their plans did not get CHARITY AT THE CORE shelved even as the business navigated 2020 was also the year for giving back, through the biggest crisis to the for digging deep and for nurturing our economy and the health sector we have social consciences. Musgrave has always arguably ever faced. placed a huge focus on CSR with valued “As the world shut down around partnerships with Action Cancer and NI us, we looked at where we could Chest, Heart and Stroke, and this year instead open doors and that is was no different. Being able to support why we’re especially proud of the their partners when it was needed most continued investment in new stores, was extremely important to the business. the refurbishment of existing stores and “Our charity partners have featured continuing to innovate when it comes to prominently across the year through product lines,” he says. various fundraising initiatives,” Trevor Notable store openings included Centra A1 at Banbridge which was a landmark first for the brand with the island’s first Frank and Honest Drive-Thru facility while Centra Mallusk opened its doors before Christmas. In addition, the group opened MACE Cloughmills and two new SuperValu stores in Ballynahinch and Garvaghy Road, MACE Waringstown manager Sharon Portadown – all great additions to the Horsall and owner Deirdre Toland. Musgrave portfolio.

Carlisle’s SuperValu Ballynahinch.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Looking ahead to 2021, Musgrave will continue with investment in its brands adapting to consumer trends, shopping behaviours and with a focus on value. “While it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel with the news of a vaccine, it would be foolish to think we are out of the woods yet,” he says. “We may be ringing in the new once more, but for the time being, our new normal way of living, working and shopping will remain. “We will move on with our ambitious growth strategy, set against a backdrop of Covid-19 and Brexit – both of which are challenges that require agility and foresight, but neither are challenges that are insurmountable. We have proven that already this year.” BREXIT READY 2021 will be a challenging year for businesses adapting to the new systems that will come as a result of the UK leaving the EU. While challenges are inevitable, at the moment it is unknowns that cause frustration. “At Musgrave, we have a dedicated Brexit team who have been planning to minimise the potential impacts including working through all the scenarios with our suppliers. We are as prepared as we can be, given what we know. “However, there remains concern that there will be disruption resulting from potential delays at ports on stock coming from GB to NI. As well as the potential admin burdens for businesses and the readiness of the government systems for processing goods entering Northern Ireland.” Finishing 2020 on a hopeful note, Trevor is looking forward to the New Year. “We look to 2021 with anticipation and enthusiasm, taking the best parts of this tough year with us as learnings for the next,” he says. “We move forward with our plans and commitment to innovation while providing quality, choice, value for money and exceptional levels of customer service.” 51

MY LIFE IN THE GROCERY TRADE GLEN HOUSTON, OWNER, GRANNY SHAW’S TRADING POST, BALLYMENA WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE? I am the business owner of Granny Shaw’s Trading Post in Ballymena’s Tower Centre alongside my wife Rhonda. It opened in July 2020 to provide an old time feel and welcoming atmosphere not dissimilar to Trader Joe’s, the successful US chain. BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY My employment to date has been a mix of music and food. I studied music in London, and this was predominately my line of work for many years from performing to teaching with the SEELB and to eventually setting up my own entertainments company almost 20 years ago; a business which is still going strong. My introduction to the food industry came seven years ago as we started to make our own small batches of fudge. This eventually grew into a full business trading at fine food shows and artisan markets. Our first shop was Granny Shaw’s Fudge Factory on Glenarm Castle Estate. However, the onset of Covid and the lockdown meant we had to change to our business model. So, we decided to open Granny Shaw’s as a trading post in Ballymena, specialising in fine foods and confections from the island of Ireland. We also continue to make our own fudge. WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

My role within the business is still as a maker of fudge. As the business is growing, I am also constantly looking and searching for standout local foods that will appeal to our customers. The normal day-to-day tasks of ordering, rotas, quality control and marketing are also taken care of. WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? The best part is always meeting, greeting and giving customer advice on how blessed we are to have such amazing food producers in Ireland and in particular Northern Ireland, right on our doorstep. Food education is so important to understanding the true quality of the products they are buying. BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY The day starts with deliveries from fresh food suppliers including bakery at around 6am. We restock the shop for opening at 9am. I’ll be working in the shop until closing at 5pm and talking to existing and potential suppliers. The role also involves organising our free online delivery service for Friday and Saturday. PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? My proudest moment is to see my wife and business partner Rhonda working in the shop every day. Rhonda was

diagnosed with Grade 3 Brain Cancer seven years ago and in 2019/2020 a second tumour growth required further chemotherapy. During all of her treatment and to date, she has never taken a day off work. I’m not sure I would be that strong; I probably don’t tell her enough but she is my inspiration daily. BEST THING ABOUT BEING INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL RETAIL INDUSTRY? Without doubt, getting to know all of our amazing suppliers and creating new friendships. We are also small food makers and understand that connection and support with each other is so important. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? Currently I have started to indulge in audio books particularly focusing on mind set. So a good audio book and glass of a recommended red from Robb Brothers Wines in a quiet room is perfection. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW I made an unexpected appearance on The Big Breakfast show in the early 90s with Chris Evans, Paula Yates and Gabby Roslin to promote a Children’s flute event called Flutewise in the Barbican, London. I think, however, we got the brief wrong as my performance was with a group of fellow flute professionals called The Chippenflutes.

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

HARRODS LISTS AWARD-WINNING VINEGARS FROM BURREN BALSAMICS

Bob McDonald and Susie Hamilton Stubber of Burren Balsamics in Co Armagh.

urren Balsamics, an award-winning producer of infused balsamic vinegars in Northern Ireland, has won its first business with Harrods, the prestigious department store in London. Based at Richhill in Co Armagh, Burren Balsamics has supplied a range of nine products including its recently launched Irish Peat Smoked and Irish Heritage Apple White Balsamic to the store. The important order for the small business, which has won a string of UK Great Taste and Blas na hÉireann awards for its unique vinegars, also includes Balsamic Salt. The Irish Peat Smoked was recently awarded Best New Product at the Great British Food Awards. The products have been created by Susie Hamilton Stubber, who founded the innovation-led enterprise in February 2014, and

business partner Bob McDonald. “We are very excited to be supplying such a significant and influential retailer with so many of our products,” said Hamilton Stubber. “The listing is a tremendous boost for us especially at this very challenging time for businesses everywhere. “This is an immensely important breakthrough for us with what is probably the world’s best-known store with superb food halls which attracts customers from most parts of London, other regions of Britain and from across the world. “We first met a senior buyer from Harrods at the Blas na Éireann Irish National Food Awards in Dingle, Co Kerry in 2017.” Hamilton Stubber originally developed the unique and distinctive vinegars using natural ingredients including fruits sourced from growers in Armagh to enable professional chefs and home cooks to add deliciously different flavours to their dishes.

SEVEN LOCAL SPORTS CLUBS RECEIVE SHARE OF £5,000 FROM BOOST SPORT

alone Rugby Football Club Women’s Team has scored £2,000 for their club after being announced as the overall winner of a nationwide Boost Sport Grant initiative, with six county winners also chosen to receive £500 to help achieve their goals. Provincial winners include Speed Development Project Track Club from Co Londonderry, St Mary’s GAC Club Aghagallon from Co Antrim, Lurgan Town FC from Co Armagh, East Belfast GAA from Co Down, Artigarvan FC from Co Tyrone and Enniskillen Royal Boat Club from Co Fermanagh. Covid-19 restrictions have put a huge burden onto sports clubs this year with a lack of income coming in to support and run much loved community-based grass-roots clubs, so Boost Drinks made sure to help by providing an essential boost in funds to seven clubs. Over 50 applications were received from across NI before a judging panel (including Belfast Telegraph Group Sports Editor Jim Gracey) selected a well-deserving overall winner and six county winners. The overall winner was chosen due to their vision of providing more opportunities for people of all abilities, from different backgrounds and communities. Malone RFC is the first club in Ulster to provide a team for participants with mixed abilities which caught the judges attention. “This initiative was very important to us as we appreciate times have been difficult for many in NI and sports have taken a big hit with little support,” said Adrian Hipkiss, marketing director, Boost.

MANUFACTURING PROFILE

NOW’S THE TIME

HAVING DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE AGILITY DURING COVID-19, LOCAL BUSINESSES NEED SUPPORT TO GRASP THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY NORTHERN IRELAND’S UNIQUE STATUS AFTER BREXIT, MANUFACTURING NI CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEPHEN KELLY TELLS ALYSON MAGEE

rom maintaining supply during the stockpiling phase of lockdown to finding new markets when foodservice collapsed, Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector has risen to the challenges of the past year, says Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI. “The whole foodservice industry basically disappeared overnight and businesses supplying to bars, restaurants, hotels, cafeterias and canteens suddenly saw a rising demand from people eating at home rather than eating out,” he says. “That created big challenges in terms of the supply side that needed to be met really quickly. “A further issue was ensuring we had a safe workplace at a time when the public health advice and the safety advice was shifting around so much. The fact they kept supply going during the initial phase of stockpiling by consumers meant these businesses were heroic in many ways.” Isolated outbreaks within manufacturing, such as 35 workers testing positive at Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena during the summer, were swiftly addressed with the pork processor shutting down the site for two weeks and successfully preventing further spread. The pandemic’s impact on manufacturing has been a mixed bag. “Aside from hospitality, the largest number of people on furlough has been in the manufacturing sector,” says Stephen. “While there are some who have been really busy, others have quickly repurposed to meet the demands of the front line.” A survey of the sector at the beginning of the summer found 600 manufacturers had repurposed in part or entirely to create vital products such as PPE, including Strabane sportswear firm O’Neills’ rapid conversion to production of medical scrubs.

“Bloc Blinds and Huhtamaki took over a leisure centre in Magherafelt and employed 450 people to make and distribute face shields,” says Stephen, “and in fact, both of those companies have now created new businesses out of their response to the pandemic, which says a lot about our resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.” Among the workers were Huhtamaki staff redirected from manufacturing food packaging for fast food chains such as McDonalds and KFC, shut during the lockdown. Initially making the shields by hand, the companies have since invested in automation to achieve more competitive unit prices. The pandemic has highlighted the dangers of procurement policies favouring cheaper imported goods. “Government has been more interested in driving down the price than it has been

in supply chain resilience, but I think now they’ve recognised they’ve been horribly exposed by that policy,” says Stephen. “Government needs to recognise it’s not just price that’s important, but also knowing when they call upon it, the production is there locally and can deliver when required.” Price will always be critical, he says, but companies need to be allowed the space and time for investments to pay off and reach a productive level. BREXIT OPPORTUNITIES At time of writing, Stephen is hopeful Brexit talks between the UK government and EU will conclude in a deal before year’s end. “The likelihood is there will be a deal, but sadly not the comprehensive free trade agreement we were all promised would be the easiest deal in the world to achieve,” he says. More likely, it will be a very basic skeleton deal without tariffs or quotas but lacking other elements needed to “make life for business easier and life for consumers cheaper”. Even a skeleton deal would at least “create the critical scaffolding required for the UK as a sovereign nation to, over time, agree these things that are just common sense with the EU outside of the heat of negotiation or the bartering

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BENEFITS FROM THE NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL, AND NORTHERN IRELAND WILL HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IN TERMS OF OUR GOODS BEING ABLE TO FREELY CIRCULATE IN THE EU’S MARKETS.

MANUFACTURING PROFILE

of winning and losing,” he says. “There are many things that won’t be achieved in this negotiation but hopefully when Brexit comes off the front pages, the UK will see positive reasons to align more greatly with the EU as a market. “There are a number of benefits from the Northern Ireland Protocol, and Northern Ireland will have a unique opportunity in terms of our goods being able to freely circulate in the EU’s markets. However, the cost of that opportunity comes in the new checks and controls and costs which will be put in place between Great Britain and Northern Ireland so, whilst we can freely circulate our goods in the EU and have unfettered access into the rest of the UK marketplace, there are going to be significant controls coming the opposite direction which will impact on not just food but all parts of manufacturing.” A survey of Manufacturing NI’s members found only 7% felt prepared for customs controls from January 1. “At this point in time, we neither have the full detail nor the time to make the necessary adjustments and have been calling for some sort of grace period of up to a year to allow the UK and the EU, but particularly businesses in Northern Ireland, to be prepared and ready for those changes that come with the Protocol,” says Stephen. “We need to, as an economy, get our head around mitigating some of

the problems but also grasping the opportunities that this new status creates for us. “What are we doing to market Northern Ireland as a place to invest, particularly in organisations or firms that produce goods. How are we grasping this unique status in a positive way for us to benefit from both UK and EU market access that no other part of the UK will have as freely as Northern Ireland. “We have had a number of firms who have been individually playing on that opportunity but, as an economy as a whole, we haven’t really got our head around the benefits the protocol can bring and to sell those benefits and to sell Northern Ireland as a place to invest.” Overall, the manufacturing sector is fairly buoyant, says Stephen, with a number of the companies losing their foodservice clients managing to gain new retail business to fill the gap in 2020. “If we can get that hospitality side of the market reopened, we would probably find our firms are back in terms of sales and demand,” he says, “but there are still challenges on two fronts. One is the need to recruit skilled people to work in the industry and, two, the need to automate more. “We have, in the past, fuelled the growth of our food businesses by employing more people at the expense

of productivity, whereas a lot of our competitors have done a lot more automation. “They’ve employed more people, but they’ve also deployed automation, becoming more competitive, quicker, cheaper and better. So, those are two challenges we’re facing, particularly in the context of Brexit, where it’s not going to be easy to bring EU foreign nationals into the processing industry.” A greater focus on marketing will be vital to fully grasp the opportunities offered by Brexit. “It’s going to be more difficult for our large supermarkets for example to bring stuff in from GB, so we need to make sure our local producers are getting signed to those UK and international multiples,” says Stephen. “If we up the game on the marketing side and at the same time invest in being more productive, there’s a lot of growth can come from the food industry.” Referring to long-time calls for an NI food and drink marketing body, he says: “If we’re ever going to do it, now’s the time. We have to rebuild our economy, get people back into employment and make sure people are earning more. “The economy has had such a shock from Covid, it’s going to be exacerbated by Brexit, and now it’s time for policymakers to really listen to industry and make the sort of investments that industry knows will bear fruit.” 57

ADVERTORIAL

CO ARMAGH-BASED WHITE’S OATS GOES LIVE WITH ITS 2021 ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

on linear TV including ITV and C4, with the supporting creative assets landing on multiple digital channels including Facebook, Instagram and google display advertising. Danielle McBride, brand manager at White’s Oats, commented: “We have invested heavily in our branded communications to drive greater awareness of White’s as Northern Ireland’s only local porridge oats producer, offering a range of quality products from traditional oats, organic oats, granolas and mueslis. We are passionate about our provenance, commitment to quality and local supply, and want to encourage people to try our award winning creamy oats produced right here on their doorstep. “Our 2021 ad campaign falls under the strapline of You Don’t Know Oats Until You’ve Tried White’s, which we really believe to be the case.”

ocal porridge and oat cereal producer, White’s Oats, has launched its TV and digital advertising campaign for 2021 which highlights the provenance of the brand which sources from 35 local growers in Northern Ireland and its expertise in milling quality oats for 180 years. White’s heavy weight campaign will run until March 2021 and will appear

WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR PROVENANCE, COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND LOCAL SUPPLY, AND WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TRY OUR AWARD WINNING CREAMY OATS PRODUCED RIGHT HERE ON THEIR DOORSTEP.

WHITE’S INNOVATION SUPPORTS BRAND GROWTH

hite’s Oats, Northern Ireland’s leading porridge and oat cereal brand, has announced that it has secured a new contract with Tesco and Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland for its new low-sugar granola. The new product which also has planned listings in SPAR and SuperValu is estimated to be worth over £250,000 to the business. Through a continued programme of product development in response to consumer trends, White’s has recorded impressive growth across its range of oat based cereals, which are up 16% year on year* and the launch of its low-sugar granola will further strengthen its ready 60

over 40 Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores across Northern Ireland. “Low sugar is increasingly important to customers who, according to recent research**, found that sugar content is the most important factor for people when making healthy food choices – overriding fat and salt. The granola is made from ingredients which are suitable for vegans, delivering on the trend for healthy nutritious plant-based foods, and doesn’t comprise on the taste and great flavour that White’s granolas are known for.” **February 28, 2020, University of Nottingham: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics *Dunnhumby Sales 52 weeks ending August 2020

to eat portfolio. Stuart Best, business development manager for White’s Oats, commented: “At White’s, we are committed to delivering quality products, meeting our customer needs and innovating to broaden our appeal, and our new lowsugar nuts and seeds granola, made from all natural ingredients, has less than 5% sugar and is proving to be hugely popular with the health conscious consumer. We already have a strong market share for granola with our current offerings and with sales growing by 19% year on year*, our new low sugar granola complements this range and will now be available in

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

SUKI AND OLD BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY COLLABORATE ON UNIQUE TEA BLEND

uki Tea Makers in Belfast has collaborated with Old Bushmills Distillery in Co Antrim to create a limited-edition tea using its award-winning Black Bush blend. The latest initiative in a developing business relationship between Suki and Old Bushmills is a loose-leaf black tea in pyramid bags, produced in an attractively branded caddy tin for storage. “We are proud to be working with the world’s oldest licensed distillery to create a unique, hand blended Black Bush inspired tea blend,” said Oscar Woolley, joint founder and MD of Suki Tea Makers. “Taking influence from the rich, smooth notes of Black Bush, we’ve created a blend busting with aromatic, warm spices and a finishing flavour of sweet, dried fruit, mirroring the big robust flavours

and velvety smooth character of Black Bush Irish Whiskey.” The blend, which doesn’t contain any whiskey, is made from the Rooibos plant already used by Suki in many of most popular teas. Suki Tea Makers took part in Black Bush Stories, a series of whiskey and tea blending masterclasses celebrating innovators from a range of craft industries across the island of Ireland, last year. Formed in 2005 by Oscar and business partner Anne Irwin, Suki Tea employs around 15 people and is recognised as a leading innovation in loose-leaf teas and fruit infusions for retail and foodservice customers in the UK and Ireland. It also has business in many international markets including Europe, Africa and

Oscar Woolley, joint founder and MD of Suki Tea Makers.

Asia, and has a flourishing online sales operation. Suki recently moved away from the use of plastic packaging as part of a longstanding commitment to the environment. Its tea pyramids in the Black Bush caddies, for instance, are made from paper, yarn and a special material called Soilon. Boxes for retailers are also made from sustainably sourced cardboard (FSC or PEFC) and pre-printed using vegetablebased inks.

Many thanks are due to our advertisers, award sponsors and esteemed readers for their continued support throughout a very tough year in 2020. It is also very important to express our gratitude to the industry as a whole for its hard work, bravery and innovation in keeping the nation fed throughout the pandemic. Our commitment to the industry remains as high as ever, as we look at how best to deliver news to our audience. We continue to offer both digital and print formats of Ulster Grocer, with our average monthly print circulation currently sitting at around 5,300 copies, maintaining our position as Northern Ireland’s largest grocery magazine. This will be no different in 2021. Our owner Mediahuis is a European leader in maximising digital opportunities, and we look forward to tapping into its experience to enhance our offer in the year ahead. Watch this space.

Happy New Year Chris Keenan, sales manager From email: c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk

www.ulstergrocer.com

facebook.com/UlsterGrocer

twitter.com/ulstergrocer

Happy New

Chris Keenan, sale

e: c.keenan@independentm

GROCERYAID

GROCERYAID: HERE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND MORE THAN EVER

roceryAid has been at the heart of the grocery trade since 1857 and provides emotional, practical and financial support for both retired and working age grocery colleagues across the whole industry. We understand that problems can arise at any time and to help we offer free emotional support and advice on many concerns including mental health issues, finance and debt worries, relationship breakdowns, legal questions and careers support. We may also consider financial assistance. Each application is assessed based on individual circumstances. Over the past year, we have seen the number of people we have helped in Northern Ireland grow by 250% and we have awarded double the number of financial grants year on year April to September. This is thanks to all the fantastic support we have from local retailers, manufacturers and suppliers in driving awareness and we thank everyone for their commitment. But we need to keep this momentum going. Everyone across the Northern Ireland grocery trade has done an amazing job going into work during the pandemic to keep the nation fed. Whilst they will be looking after physical health in these uncertain times by washing hands, covering faces and keeping social distances, it’s also important to take time for mental wellbeing. When you’re busy with work and trying to cope with new, unusual circumstances it can be difficult to make time for yourself. This may feel even more difficult if you are working long hours or under a lot of pressure. But even doing small things for yourself can make a big difference to your mental wellbeing and it is more important than ever that everyone is aware of the support available. At GroceryAid we offer ‘in the moment’ emotional support for colleagues dealing with anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors at the end of the telephone, 24/7 365 days a year so there is always someone to talk to. On our website you can access support through our Health & Wellbeing portal and find out how to connect with Woebot, our friendly Artificial Intelligence App. All these services are available to all grocery colleagues and their partners from day one of working in our industry and throughout their retirement. Find out more at www.groceryaid.org.uk 66

The GroceryAid NI Committee: from left, back row, Aidan Fisher, Jim McAlea, Alan McKeown and Mark Gowdy; and front row, Jonathan Mawhinney, Chris Keenan, Bronagh Luke, Trevor Magill and Bryan Sterling.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED IN GROCERYAID, CONTACT OUR NI COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Angus O’Neill (chairman) angus.oneill@sainsburys.co.uk

Jim McAlea jim.mcalea@yahoo.co.uk

THE GROCERYAID HELPLINE IS AVAILABLE 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR

ADVERTORIAL

CLASSIC MINERAL WATER COMPANY LIMITED

fter a hectic two years, everybody at The Classic Mineral Water is looking forward to another exciting year in 2021, and ‘hectic’ in Classic Mineral Water does not mean the ‘B’ or ‘C’ words! Whilst unfortunately Brexit and Covid-19 have dominated the landscape of people’s lives in recent times, at Classic Mineral Water a lot of positive developments have taken place since the purchase of the company by Liam Duffy and Gerard Watters in November 2018 after 70 years of successful ownership by three generations of the McKee family. The new owners are very conscious of and understand the important heritage and goodwill associated with The Classic

Mineral Water Company in Northern Ireland. They will be using all the skills and knowledge built up within the loyal workforce to help shape the future of one of Northern Ireland’s most respected companies. THE SOURCE It goes without saying that you cannot be a great water bottling company without great water. At Classic Mineral Water we are extremely lucky with the water source that we are sitting on. We are one of the very few companies that hold Mineral Water status and we have access to over 100,000 litres of water per hour from our borewells on site.

In 1980 the company carried out extensive geological research in the local area. This resulted in the discovery of a chalk aquifer 150 metres below ground level, which has a water source that is extremely palatable and of high beneficial mineral content. The composition and quality of this water source has remained unchanged for centuries because of the geological structure of the surrounding area. The unique location of Ireland on the western edge of Europe has resulted in an environment that is unspoilt and high in natural resources. For more than 60 million years, basalt lava overlaying chalk has been subject to weathering and erosion, which has resulted in the formation of a multi-layered mass of rock – an excellent filter 150 meters deep which permits only slow percolation of ground water. It is this long slow filtration that gives Classic Mineral Water its exceptional purity and unique mineral composition. Mineral Water status is recognised as the highest standard for bottled water. THE HISTORY Classic Mineral Water is Ireland’s oldest water bottling company. Founded in 1948 by the late James McKee, originally the company sold soft drinks directly to consumers’ homes. These products were

ADVERTORIAL companies have highlighted how many great companies there are in Northern Ireland that can compete on both quality and price with the larger multinational companies. Whilst many might not approve of the idea, in a strange way perhaps, Brexit has focused us all in NI on driving efficiencies in our businesses, becoming more creative, resilient and has encouraged us to support fellow NI companies.

made from town water at the time. After the discovery in 1980 of this unique mineral water source, the McKee family decided to diversify its product range and commenced production of bottled and flavoured water. This allowed the company to start supplying directly to shops and supermarkets which resulted in The Classic Mineral Water being listed as a preferred supplier to all the key retailers in Ireland. During the subsequent 40 years, the company has developed a wide portfolio of quality products and to this day is one of the few bottling companies that can produce a full suite of products to its customers which include still and sparkling water, flavoured waters and a popular mixer range. QUALITY Food safety is of critical importance when working in the food supply chain. We at Classic Mineral Water take our responsibilities around quality assurance very seriously. Every batch of product produced is lab tested before release for public consumption. We recently retained our AA BRC accreditation. This certification is achieved by undertaking a third-party audit against standard requirements set by an accredited certification body. The AA accreditation currently held by Classic Mineral Water is the highest grade achievable and this gives the Classic brand an internationally recognised mark of food quality, safety and responsibility. When you purchase a product produced at Classic Mineral Water, you can be assured that you have a product of the absolute highest quality. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS (2019-2020) In the past two years the new owners have invested over £5m on the installation of two new high-speed bottling lines, a new syrup room and the construction of a new 10,000 square foot storage facility on its site in the middle of Lurgan, Co Armagh. The new bottling lines have allowed us to widen our product range and we can now offer our customers various bottle sizes including 250ml, 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1 Litre, 1.5 Litre, 2 Litre and 5 Litre. Classic Mineral Water now has the capacity to produce over 120 million bottles of water per annum. Recently we have also rebranded our product portfolio. This new look on all the company’s products will ensure Classic Mineral Water’s range will connect with all audiences, set the products apart

from competitor offerings and raise public awareness that Classic Mineral Water is a very modern and progressive company. During this time we have increased our staff numbers from 25 to 65 full-time staff. As part of this recruitment drive, the company now has a very strong management team in place, with decades of water bottling experience in all key areas of production, quality, maintenance, logistics, sales and administration. THE B WORD Very few business people in Northern Ireland embrace Brexit. Unfortunately, we all just have to accept it and prepare as best we can to protect employee jobs and continue to provide our products/services to the consumers in a manner which is profitable without any compromise on quality. Over the past year Classic Mineral Water has negotiated supply agreements with companies in Northern Ireland for all our raw material requirements. This means that the company’s raw material supply chain is as brexit proof as it can be. These discussions with fellow NI

THE FUTURE Everybody involved with The Classic Mineral Water is very excited about what the future holds for the company. All the work over the past two years has been focused on preparing the company for the future, safeguarding the jobs of all the staff, becoming as Brexit ready as possible and ensuring the company can adapt to meet rising levels of demand going forward by increasing the scalability of our operations. The company can currently boast a customer base which includes Aldi, Aqua Twist, Dunnes Stores, Hendersons, Lidl, Musgraves and Tesco. Classic Mineral Water supplies a mix of both private label and branded products to these customers. Sales of products have increased from 10m bottles per annum in 2018 to 60m bottles in 2020. Based on contracts recently won, the management are confident that Classic Mineral Water will supply over 100m bottles to the NI and RoI markets in 2021. Whilst Classic Mineral Water has already established itself as the leading water bottling company in Northern Ireland, the management’s key aim for 2021 is to make Classic Mineral Water the preferred water product supplier for all leading retailers, wholesalers and food service companies in Northern Ireland. Shelves all across Northern Ireland are still occupied by imported private label and branded water products. Everybody at Classic Mineral Water will be working hard in 2021 to get the message across to all potential customers that the solution to their procurement of all water products is on their very own doorstep in Northern Ireland and that they don’t need to look elsewhere for either quality or value. The proximity of top-quality companies and suppliers in NI was most re-assuring to Classic Mineral Water during our Brexit preparation activities and so we hope that subsequently potential new customers of Classic Mineral Water will be equally delighted to discover the same quality, value and service is also on their doorstep when they speak to us. 69

ADVERTORIAL

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS FOR 2021

eflecting on the past year, 2020 has been a very busy time for Interbev Ireland, capitalising on market opportunities outside of Northern Ireland to grow our business. This has been achieved through market intelligence and consumer insight; key factors in driving the business forward. A family-run food and drink distribution business working on both sides of the border, established in 2002, Interbev Ireland has enjoyed almost 20 years of trading locally and gone from strength to strength in its growth within the retail market. The business has increased employment and its delivery fleet in recent times, which has created more employment locally. Interbev Ireland has an extensive range of soft drinks, water and biscuits including Reese’s and Hershey’s (American biscuits), Obsession, No added sugar biscuits, functional cookies with Vitamins and Mini bites. It stocks toiletries has vitamins and has a vast range of Belux Care anti-bacterial products including

wipes, liquid soap, bar soap and hand sanitiser. Most recently, Interbev has developed its own nut brand. Interbev Ireland offers excellent customer service, providing its customers with a dedicated business development manager who will be responsible for managing the account. Going forward, the business will be running consumer promotional activity every month and local marketing campaigns.

Interbev Ireland is delighted to announce it will be working in partnership with Marie Curie to help the charity raise badly needed funds.

For every Belux Care product sold with a Marie Curie sticker (see page opposite) up until December 31, 2021, Interbev Ireland will donate to the endeavouring charity, which in return will help families get the support they need throughout these difficult times. PLEASE SEE BELOW THE RANGE: • Belux Anti-Bacterial wipes - 72 wipes • Belux Anti-Bacterial Liquid Soap 354mls • Belux Anti-Bacterial Bar Soap - 100g “Despite the significant challenges ahead, I’m confident that the resilience, innovation and commitment of our staff at Interbev Ireland will ensure we continue to thrive and strive and rise to any challenge that lies ahead,” said Shanine Rice, business development manager. If you would like a brochure or to find out more about Interbev Ireland, get in touch by emailing our sales team on sales@interbevireland.com or ring the office on 028 37525544.

TOBACCO

IMPERIAL LAUNCHES NEW CRUSH VARIANTS FOR JPS PLAYERS & L&B BLUE

mperial Tobacco has announced the launch of New Crush variants for two of its leading brands, L&B Blue and JPS Players. Designed specifically with excrushball consumers in mind, the latest innovations present retailers with fresh opportunities for growth in the wake of the menthol ban. Rolling out in stores now, the New Crush variants will benefit from various new product features developed to appeal to former crushball smokers. These include a unique filter that delivers a cooling sensation during smoking, as well as a white-tipped firm filter that retains its shape and structure until the end of the smoke. Both JPS Players and L&B New Crush variants will be available to buy in packs of 20 cigarettes at an MRRP of £9.50*, with 10 packs per outer. Chris Street, market manager UK at Imperial Tobacco, comments: “Since the arrival of the menthol ban, former crushball consumers have been trialling different options before settling on their product of choice but many are yet to find the right product to suit their nicotine needs. Our New Crush variants have been designed specifically with these consumers in mind, providing all the 72

familiar features without the crushball, from two of our leading brands. “L&B Blue commands a sizeable share of the total Factory Made Cigarettes category with 11% and JPS Players is even stronger with 18% market share, earning it the accolade of the No.1 FMC brand in the UK[i]. With lots of consumers still looking for the best product fit for them, these latest innovations from the UK’s biggest brands will give retailers the perfect propositions to meet demand.” * Retailers are free at all times to determine the selling prices of their products.

OUR NEW CRUSH VARIANTS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY WITH THESE CONSUMERS IN MIND, PROVIDING ALL THE FAMILIAR FEATURES WITHOUT THE CRUSHBALL, FROM TWO OF OUR LEADING BRANDS.

For further information please contact a member of the team via imperial@publicasity.co.uk or call 020 3757 6800 ABOUT IMPERIAL TOBACCO Imperial Tobacco Limited is the largest tobacco manufacturer in the United Kingdom, headquartered in Bristol, England. Our product portfolio includes leading tobacco brands Lambert & Butler, JPS, Players, and Golden Virginia. Imperial Tobacco Limited is part of Imperial Brands PLC. With a strong track record of creating value for our shareholders, our core business is built around a tobacco portfolio that offers consumers comprehensive brand choice, and we’re also creating new consumer experiences through our non-tobacco subsidiary Fontem Ventures. For more information, visit www.imperialbrandsplc.com

BUSINESS NEWS

MOY PARK BOOSTS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN THROUGH NEW PARTNERSHIP

omen working at Moy Park are to gain access to an industry-leading suite of career development tools and mentoring opportunities thanks to a new strategic partnership with Meat Business Women (MBW), a female-led group championing women in the global meat industry. As a sponsor and strategic partner, Moy Park will get priority access to MBW’s programme of events, networking opportunities and mentorship schemes. It will also provide expertise and input into the group’s strategic direction and support its wider mission of raising the profile of women in the meat industry. “I feel there is a natural affinity between MBW and Moy Park,” said Chris Kirke, president, Moy Park. “We share the common desire to encourage

Chris Kirke, president, Moy Park.

and nurture female talent throughout our organisation and across the sector, supporting development with great opportunities, to drive genuine progression across the industry. “We have outstanding, talented women in key roles throughout Moy Park and I want to encourage more. I am immensely proud to work together with MBW and our industry peers to demonstrate the meat industry is forward

SUCCESSION PLANS VITAL FOR THE FUTURE OF FAMILY FARMS

David Brown, deputy president, UFU.

lster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is encouraging farm families to discuss the future of their farm business and to put a succession plan in place. The statement comes following the release of new research by the University of Exeter in collaboration with NFU Mutual, highlighting that fewer than one in seven farmers in Northern Ireland expect to fully retire. In comparison with their English and Scottish counterparts, NI farmers are also less likely to have a will. “I urge farmers to take into account that, in order to ensure that their farm business which they have invested blood, sweat and tears into can continue to thrive and flourish, a succession plan is essential,” said David Brown, deputy president, UFU.

John McCallister, officer of the Land Mobility scheme in NI, said: “The Land Mobility programme can play a vital role in providing options for older farmers. It can help identify a possible successor and assist in the transition. Those options might well range from full retirement to stepping back in a gradual way.” Martin Malone, regional manager at NFU Mutual, said: “One option favoured by many farming families is to set up a partnership which can give the younger generation a stake in the business. “If you are planning to hand on assets during your lifetime, one of the taxes you need to be aware of is Capital Gains Tax (CGT). A lot of people don’t realise that you can pay CGT when you make a gift. There are some tax breaks available to help you defer the tax, so getting the right advice is vital.” Farmers can access NFU’s guide by visiting: https://www.nfumutual. co.uk/farming/farm-handover/. Local charity Rural support can also provide assistance on retirement and succession planning at: https://www.ruralsupport. org.uk/

thinking, relevant and a fantastic industry to be part of.” Laura Ryan, chair of Meat Business Women, said: “We are delighted to welcome Moy Park as one of our strategic partners and look forward to working even more closely with its brilliant team. We know from speaking to hundreds of women in the global meat industry that networking and mentoring can make a huge difference to women’s career paths.” Earlier this year, a report commissioned by Meat Business Women revealed that women make up just 36% of the meat industry’s global workforce and hold just 5% of chief executive roles. To learn more about MBW, visit meatbusinesswomen.org

SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS TO DRIVE GROWTH IN FOOD & DRINK SECTOR

our in five small businesses in the food and drink sector are targeting growth through sustainability and have made ‘becoming more green’ a top business priority for 2021, according to new research by E.ON1. The pandemic has caused a significant shift in consumer behaviour, with more than a third of the British public now purchasing more sustainable goods and services than they did before while, for food and drink, company websites (39%) and product packaging (36%) are the places consumers will check most frequently for sustainability information. “It’s clear there is a real opportunity for small businesses in the food and drink industry to embrace the green economic recovery and lead the charge in providing customers with the sustainable products they demand,” said Michael Lewis, CEO of E.ON UK. 1 E.ON commissioned Censuswide to survey 2,000 consumers and 800 senior managers (or above) in SMEs. The research took place over September 11-16, 2020.

APPOINTMENTS

POST OFFICE APPOINTS NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR K

Katie Secretan.

atie Secretan has been appointed to the newly created role of strategic partnerships director at the Post Office. Formerly partnerships director UK and Ireland at Costa Coffee, Secretan will be responsible for broadening and deepening Post Office’s engagement with its current strategic retail partners to ensure customers continue to benefit from access to its mails and parcels services, banking services and bill payments. In parallel, she will set the strategy to extend the reach of Post Office services through new and innovative partners to meet customers’ needs both now and in the future. “I’m excited to be taking on this new role to support our partners at a time when traditional retailers are facing some of the toughest trading conditions seen for many years,” said Secretan. “We generate significant footfall for our retail partners. “I am committed to working even more closely together, to maximise revenues whilst continuing to provide essential services to the local communities that rely on them. We are an attractive partner for retailers and others, and we’ll be exploring new partnerships in the New Year too.” Dan Zinner, chief operating officer at the Post Office, said: “I’m delighted to have appointed Katie to this important position. Some of our retail partners are having a challenging time at the moment and it’s important they know there’s a dedicated team at Post Office working to make sure operating our services are as straightforward as possible.” Post Office has 11,500 branches with around 2,000 Post Office branches operated by strategic retail partners.

MEATLESS FARM APPOINTS BEN DAVY TO DRIVE NPD

he UK’s fastest-growing plantbased company, Meatless Farm, has appointed Ben Davy as its new culinary development chef. Davy will be heading up the taste and texture development of new and existing products within the company’s portfolio. He has over seven years’ experience as a development chef, having worked for a range of both high end and mainstream outlets including the Ox Club, Belgrave Music Hall and Water Lane Boathouse. His experience includes

venues famed for their meat dishes and some at which he innovated and expanded their plant-based offering. “My experience has a focus on creating sustainable dishes and championing ethical food, often including meat,” said Davy. “Joining Meatless Farm is a natural extension of that ethos, and an important step for me and I can’t wait to use my knowledge of flavour to help develop Meatless Farm’s next generation meat alternatives. Despite foodservice facing

Ben Davy.

huge challenges, there is growing demand for quality plant-based food on menus in addition to on shelf.”

SHELFLIFE

To see your product featured in Shelf Life, contact Chris Keenan at c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk or Tel: 028 9026 4267

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FINSBURY FOOD GROUP LAUNCH NEW CHOCOLATE TREAT BLONDIE BARS

insbury Food Group, in partnership with Baileys, has stepped into the snacking category with the launch of new Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars. With more time spent at home and consumers making more frequent trips to the kitchen for treats, Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars (RRP £1.50) from Finsbury, offer a blondie sponge filling, topped with traditional Baileys tasting frosting, wrapped in a thick layer of milk chocolate. Finsbury brings an air of sophistication to the snacking category with adultonly, alcohol infused, Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars, giving consumers that infamous Baileys experience to be enjoyed in a more casual setting throughout the week. “Snacking was a no-brainer for us, we’re a nation of ‘snackers’ and the at-home snacking category has seen a rise due to lockdown,” said Jack CookBroussine, brand manager at Finsbury Food Group. “We’ve always wanted to delve into snacking with Diageo and Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars are the perfect hybrid product to be enjoyed at home, or when the world returns to

normal, on the go.” Declan Hassett, senior licensing manager at Diageo, said: “Snacking products are something we’ve wanted to put our Baileys stamp on for a while; we’ve been working hard to stay ahead of the curve and to deliver that delicious, indulgent, signature Baileys experience for consumers to enjoy wherever they are.” Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars are available now in Tesco, Asda and Co-Op.

PREMIUM CHOCOLATE CREATED IN LOCAL CRAFT COLLABORATION

limited-edition, premium chocolate bar has been created in a collaboration between two craft enterprises located in the Mourne Mountains. The two companies are Killowen Distillery and NearyNógs Chocolate Makers, both located near Newry in Co Down. NearyNógs is Northern Ireland’s only producer of bean to bar stoneground fine chocolate, while Killowen is a producer of Irish whiskey blends finished in rare casks sourced from across the world. The chocolate, which is already being enjoyed in Denmark and Norway, uses

THAT PROTEIN LAUNCHES NEW HIGH-PROTEIN PORRIDGE

whiskey matured in Solara dark rum casks by Killowen’s Master Distiller Brendan Carty for the rum and raisin flavour.

hat Protein, an award-winning innovator and producer of plantbased superfood powders, has launched a new organic porridge. Blissful Double Choc Protein Porridge is the latest in a series of plant-based protein products developed by the Belfast-based small business, which has won Nourish Awards for the quality and innovation of its superfoods. Darlene McCormick, founder and managing director of That Protein and a qualified clinical nutritionist, said the new porridge is suitable for vegans, plant-based, and high in plant protein, fibre and energising B vitamin. The main ingredients are organic oats, plant protein, raw cacao, cacao nibs and Palmyra nectar, which is dried sap from the Asian Palmyra Tree. “The new protein porridge is a great way to start the day,” said McCormick. “It’s a healthy product that can also be used in smoothies and for creative baking.”

The premium chocolate, a 68% cacao from growers in Peru’s Ucayali region which links with the Amazon, was sourced by Shane Neary, who founded NearyNógs with wife Dorothy in 2011. “We are both neighbours in the Mournes and had been talking about linking up to produce something quite different for some considerable time,” said Shane. “Brendan suggested we could produce a limited-edition bar using Killowen’s recently launched whiskey from the dark rum cask. “This led me to start researching a suitable supplier of premium cacao beans from our network of contacts in South America. I settled on the Peruvian beans because of their fine and flowery flavour which I reckoned would blend perfectly with Killowen’s rum cask whiskey.”

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

ALLEGRO SALES & MARKETING Innovation Factory Springfield Road Belfast BT12 7DG T: 028 9068 3040 W: www.allegro.ie PERSONNEL: Market Manager: David McCullough Purchasing/Logistics: Andrew Duff Commercial Assistant: Robyn Beattie Account Manager Nivea: Jillian Savage Mob: 07810 791256 Territory Manager: Padraig Martin (NI) Mob: 07736 213066 Territory Manager: Brian Collington Mob: 07834 727655 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Sales, Marketing and Distribution

AGENT&COMPANYINDEX RETAILERSGUIDE

MAIN BRANDS: Nivea Nivea Men Elastoplast Atrixo Weetabix Weetos Alpen Oatibix McKinneys Sugar Pink Stuff Starbrands Superglo Firelighters Bassetts Vitamins Mac Potters Throaties Victory V Kiwi Glade Mr Muscle Oust Pledge Toilet Duck Brillo Goddards Shout Raid Valley Gold Diabetic Marmalade Rescue Remedy Spatone Arnicare Teetha Lil Lets Ecover Method East Coast Bakehouse

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

ADVANCED PNEUMATIC TECHNOLOGY LTD 17 Balbriggan Business Park Balbriggan Co. Dublin T: +353 1 8413005 E: info@safelink.ie W: safelink.ie PERSONNELL: Sales Manager: John Hughes T: +35387 2284637 E: sales@safelink.ie TYPE OF BUSINESS: Cash Tube Systems and Safes. Safe-linK is an established system that is a must for every retailer. Not only does our cash tube system secure your cash directly into a locked safe but it also secures peace of mind.

O’BRIEN FINE FOODS BRADY FAMILY HAM Timahoe, Donadea Naas,Co.Kildare E: info@obrienfinefoods.ie W: www.bradyfamily.ie T: +353 (0)45 – 863650 PERSONNEL: Managing Director: John O’Brien Head of Sales: Adrian Whyte E: Adrian.Whyte@obrienfinefoods.ie T: +353 45 247 046 Ext: 1146 M: 087 8136022 TYPE OF BUSINESS: O’Brien Fine Foods, owners of the Brady Family & Green Farm brands, specialise in the production of both deli and pre-pack sliced cooked meats. The family owned company produces award winning own label and branded ranges. Brady Family continues to prosper within the cooked meats category and is currently the number 1 brand in the premium segment in ROI. Brady Family has consistently improved its ranking in the Top 100 Grocery Brands in Ireland and is now in the top 28 grocery brands in the country. It is also the leader in the pre-packed sliced meats category for the third year in a row, based on Kantar Data. Brady Family is made from 100% Irish pork, using only one single pork joint, with no added water. Green Farm is a natural, healthy, and tasty cooked-meat choice that is currently the No.1 white meat brand in ROI. Green Farm’s 100% natural award-winning range contains both sliced and pieces products that are high in protein, contain essential vitamins, and are free from all artificial flavours and preservatives.

BROW PACKAGING 1 Prince Regent Road Castlereagh, Belfast BT5 6SA T: 028 9079 8171 F: 028 9040 1095 E: sales@browpack.com W: www.browpack.com PERSONNEL: Sales Office Contact: Jean Gillespie 028 9079 8171 TYPE OF BUSINESS: We are Manufacturers of flexible film products and bags, using modern machinery to supply many customers reliant on good service levels, from a certified plant, making products to each customers specification. We are also a Distributor of 3,000+ packaging lines and cleaning chemicals. We are Specialist Packaging Suppliers to the bakery, butchery, food to go, food manufacturers and industrial sectors. Please refer to www.browpack.com for a full list of products showing what we make and what we stock. We have one of the biggest stock holdings in Ireland with a comprehensive showroom. A family business with 77 years of experience, supplying throughout Ireland and into Europe, we would be happy to help you!

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

CAVANAGH FREE RANGE EGGS LTD 58 Clonkee Road Cavanagh Newtownbutler Co. Fermanagh BT92 8FH Tel: 02867737889 Email: hello@cavanagheggs.co.uk Website: www.cavanagheggs.co.uk PERSONNEL: Joint Managing Directors: John & Eileen Hall TYPE OF BUSINESS: Produce, grade, pack and deliver multi-awardwinning British Lion free range eggs to the Retail and Foodservice sectors

COCA-COLA HBC NORTHERN IRELAND LIMITED Knockmore Hill 12 Lissue Road Lisburn BT28 2SZ T: 028 9262 0520 E: customer.service@cchellenic.com W: www.ie.coca-colahellenic.com Personnel: Managing Director: Miles Karemacher Sales Director: Simon Fitzpatrick Marketing Director: Andrea Whyte Type of Business: Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has been providing refreshment by producing and distributing soft drinks of the highest quality since 1939. As bottling partner to The Coca-Cola Company on the island, Coca-Cola HBC’s plant and largest operation is based in Knockmore Hill, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.

With a vision to become the leading 24/7 beverage partner, Coca-Cola HBC continues to diversify its offering; providing the drinks that its consumers and customers want, serving more occasions and channels around the clock. Its portfolio includes international soft drink brands Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes and Monster, and local brands Deep RiverRock and Fruice. Over the last two years, the company has also entered new categories. It has expanded its Premium Spirits offering with partnerships with Glendalough, The Campari Group and Edrington, and in 2020, the company began distributing Costa Coffee in a range of formats including roast and ground beans, pods, and ready-to-drink variants. Together with The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola HBC recently launched introduced Topo Chico Hard Seltzer to the Northern Ireland market, a sparkling water with alcohol and natural flavours. Coca-Cola HBC is firmly committed to sustainable operations and was awarded ‘Europe’s most sustainable beverage company’ for the 7th time in 8 years in 2020.

Main brands: Sparkling Soft Drinks Coffee at Home - Costa Signature Blend • Coca-Cola • Diet Coke • Coca-Cola Zero • Nespresso compatible • Dolce Gusto Sugar • Fanta • Sprite • Lilt • Dr Pepper Compatible • Roast & Ground • Beans Mixers Premium Spirits • Schweppes• Schweppes Signature Collection • Aperol • Campari • Glendalough Gin Water, Juice & Tea • Glendalough Whiskey • Wild Turkey • Deep RiverRock • Fruice • Oasis Bourbon • Espolón Tequila • Appletiser • Fuzetea • Bulldog Dry Gin Sports & Energy • Skyy Vodka • Grand Marnier • Powerade • Coca-Cola Energy • Monster • Appleton Estate rum • Cinzano Vermouth • Monster Hydro • BPM • Reign • Frangelico RTD Coffee RTD Alcohol • Costa Coffee • Monster Espresso •Topo Chico Hard Seltzer

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

THE CLASSIC MINERAL WATER COMPANY LIMITED Thornleigh Lurgan Co Antrim, BT66 6ER T: 028 38 323392 E: orders@classic-mineral-water.com PERSONNEL: CEO Liam Duffy Mobile: 00353 874128292 Email: liam@classic-mineral-water.com Sales Manager Thomas Morgan Mobile: 07866 445504 Email: tom@classic-mineral-water.com Marketing & Administration Manager Louise McKevitt Mobile: 00353 871205183 Email: louise@classic-mineral-water.com TYPE OF BUSINESS: Manufacturer of bottled water in still, sparkling, flavoured and 1L mixer range. DISTRIBUTION: NI, ROI and GB.

COOKSTOWN KARRO FOOD GROUP 70 Molesworth Road Cookstown Co. Tyrone BT80 8PJ T: 028 8676 3321 F: 028 8676 8524 W: www.karro.co.uk W: www.cookstownbrand.com PERSONNEL: Sales and Marketing: Kingsley Burrows TYPE OF BUSINESS: Pork manufacturer of Cookstown branded products, Private Own Label, Food service & Commodity products. DISTRIBUTOR/AGENT: Pallas Foods MAIN BRANDS: Cookstown McGeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Butcher

DALE FARM LTD 15 Dargan Road Belfast BT3 9LS T: 028 9037 2200 F: 028 9037 2211 E: info@dalefarm.co.uk W: www.dalefarm.co.uk Personnel: Group Commercial Director: Stephen Cameron Type of Business: Dairy manufacturer Main brands: Dale Farm Dromona Spelga Rowan Glen Mullins Ice Cream

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

DCS Ltd AquaTwist 89a Moy Road, Tullygoonigan Industrial Estate, Armagh, Co. Armagh BT61 8DR PERSONNEL: Sales Director John Hamilton Mobile: 07802 965735 Email: john@dcsupplies.co.uk Sales & Marketing Director Gary Taylor Mobile: 07815 177018 Email: gary@aquatwist.com Business Administrator Stacey McKinstry Tel: 028 3752 6764 Email: admin@dcsupplies.co.uk

ELEVATOR 2 Pilot’s View 18 Heron Road Belfast BT3 9LE T: 028 9073 0899 E: info@elevatorpromotions.com W: www.elevatorpromotions.com Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Specialist promotional marketing agency creating effective campaigns for brands for 25 years. What we do is all about joining the dots to make connections between brands and their consumers in an innovative, creative and relevant way. We are digital, we are social, we are engaged, we are experiential. At our very core, we are experts in marketing campaigns that deliver results for our grocery and retail clients, including: Tayto, Boost Drinks, Dale Farm, Irwin’s, Mackle Petfoods, Coca-Cola HBC, Linwoods, Arthur Mallon Foods, Henderson Wholesale, White’s Oats and Tennent’s NI.

AMERICAN CONFECTIONERY AND DRINKS

KESTREL FOODS LTD Unit 8 Carn Drive Carn Industrial Estate Portadown Tel: +44(0)28 38350934 Email: Enquiries@forestfeast.com Web: www.forestfeast.com Web: www.acti-snack.com COMMERCIAL TEAM Sales Director: Johnny Weir Marketing Director: Bronagh Clarke NAM, Supermarkets: Paul Ryan NAM, Convenience: Barry Tyndall KEY BRANDS Forest Feast, ACTI-SNACK PRODUCTS Dried Fruit, Nuts, Savoury Snacks, Trail Mixes, Chocolate Coated Fruit & Nuts, Granola ABOUT US We are a team of active food enthusiasts who naturally love to be fuelled by great snacks! Since 1998 we’ve been exploring the globe making it our mission to find, craft and create the best snacks! Our aim is to create innovative snacks that are both delicious and nutritious. It’s in our DNA to be discovering & exploring so we know the value in energy boosting snacks to help you get the most out of life. We live and breathe by our ethos as the ‘original snack explorers’ and we have decades of collective experience working and travelling across the globe, bringing home the best ingredients and inspiration for new recipes and snacks. We do all this with a strong focus on ethical trading, an ongoing commitment to sustainable sourcing and a continued focus on giving back to the community. Our snacks are hand-crafted in our production facility in Portadown, making the most of our in-house roasting and flavouring capabilities. Innovative techniques and flavour combinations are combined to produce our award winning snacks. A brand new state of the art dedicated Gluten Free roasting facility will be open early 2021, providing a further capacity of 1500MT to fuel the growing demand for our ranges.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

GRADEALL INTERNATIONAL LTD 9 Farlough Road Dungannon BT71 4DT T: 028 8774 0484 E: sales@gradeall.com W: www.gradeall.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Stephen Murphy General Manager: Conor Murphy Service/Spares: Gary McGeown Design: Alan Hylands Accounts: Brigid Nugent/Fiona Murphy TYPE OF BUSINESS: Gradeall design and manufacture a range of equipment for waste management and recycling. Supplying a vast array of businesses across the UK, Ireland and further afield for over 30 years. With an in-house design department we are able to make bespoke machinery that works in the exact way your business requires.

HENDERSON FOOD MACHINERY LIMITED Unit 4, Hillfarm 1 Cluntagh Road Crossgar Co. Down BT30 9ET T: 028 9099 4202 E: sales@hendersonfoodmachinery.com W: www.hendersonfoodmachinery.com TYPE OF BUSINESS: We work closely with quality suppliers of new and used machinery, when sourcing equipment on behalf of customers, we make sure a complete assessment is performed on all machines before dispatch. You will have peace of mind that when making your purchase from HFM you will receive quality equipment with the highest level of service. We are here to help, do not hesitate to get in touch, if you have any questions on any of the machines, we have on our website email or call us now on 02890 994 202 Global supplier of New and Used Food Processing and Packaging equipment Catering for all sectors including: • Contract Packers • Bakeries • Ready Meals • Seafood • Desserts • Meat Cutting Plants • Vegetable & Fruit Processors, Pet Food Companies and many more. DISTRIBUTOR FOR: • Brokelmann Food Machinery • CRM Meat Slicing Equipment • Deighton Equipment Burger & Cookie Formers, Battering, Breading, Coating & Frying Equipment • Frimaq Packaging Equipment • Hiwell Food Machinery • Metalbud Nowicki Bowlcutters, Injectors, Vacuum Tumblers & Grinders • N&N Food Processing Equipment, Mixers, Tumblers, Grinders • OK International Ltd Bag Sealer Systems • Ramon Food Processing & Butchery Equipment • Rational Cooking Systems • Robot Coupe Commercial Catering Equipment • Rotech Sleevers and Printers • Siat Box Taping and end of line equipment • Thissen & Stecher Cooking & Cooling Vessels • Winyard Food Equipment

HENDERSON GROUP Hightown Avenue Mallusk Newtownabbey Co. Antrim BT36 4RT T: 028 9034 2733 E: info@henderson-group.com W: www.henderson-group.com PERSONNEL: Chairman and Joint Managing Directors: Martin Agnew & Geoffrey Agnew Chief Financial Officer: Ron Whitten Group Finance Director: Billy Moore Retail Director: (Henderson Retail): Mark McCammond Group Logistics Director: Pat McGarry Trading Director: Alan Fitzsimmins Fresh Foods Director: Neal Kelly Group Property Director: Mark Adrain Human Resources Director: Sam Davidson Sales & Marketing Director: Paddy Doody Information Services Director: Danny Hutchinson Managing Director Henderson Foodservice Ltd: Cathal Geoghegan Retail Technology Operations Director, Henderson Technology Ltd: Darren Nickels Head of Corporate Marketing: Bronagh Luke Head of Brand Marketing: Brenda Mulligan Channel Sales Managers: Stephen Gibson, Sarah Halliday Regional Sales Manager (Supermarkets): Paul Deans Regional Sales Managers: David Bennett, Jonathan Finlay, Donal Bryce, Justin Hayes, Robert Caughey, Connor McCann & Laura Johnston Trading Controller: Glen Howe Fresh Foods Trading Controller: Nigel Dugan Head of Henderson Print: Alan Ritchie TYPE OF BUSINESS: Symbol Group Wholesaler for SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXtra and ViVO Essentials in NI. NUMBER OF STORES: HENDERSON WHOLESALE LTD SERVICE 470 STORES ACROSS THE FIVE BRANDS.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

HOVIS BAKERIES® IRELAND Apollo Road Belfast BT12 6LP T: 08707 288 888 (office hours) F: 028 9038 8558 W: www.hovis.co.uk W: www.ormobakery.co.uk PERSONNEL: Commercial Director (Ireland): Trevor McCrum Business Unit Controller: Ben Daggett

IMPERIAL TOBACCO UK&I 121, Winterstoke Road, Bristol BS3 2LL Telephone: 0117 963 6636 Website: www.imperial-trade.co.uk Twitter: twitter.com/ImpTobUK PERSONNEL: General Manager UK & Ireland: Ales Struminsky Area Business Manager, Northern Ireland: David Atkinson

Business Unit Manager: Billy Thompson

Head of UK & Ireland Corporate & Legal Affairs: Duncan Cunningham

Key Account Manager: Chris Hyland

UK Communications Executive: Olivia Harrison

Brand Manager: Candida Corscadden

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Imperial Tobacco Limited is headquartered in Bristol, England. Our core business is built around a tobacco portfolio that offers consumers comprehensive brand choice, while we also create new experiences – including the e-vapour product blu – through our nontobacco subsidiary, Fontem Ventures. Imperial Tobacco Limited is part of Imperial Brands PLC, a multinational tobacco company with international strength in cigarettes and world leadership in fine cut tobacco, premium cigars, rolling papers and tubes. The Group currently has 44 manufacturing sites, around 33,0000 employees and our products are available in over 160 markets.

Category Insights Manager: Barry Spence NPD Manager: Keith Fulton TYPE OF BUSINESS: Hovis Bakeries® Ireland bakes and distributes quality, bakery brands including Hovis®, Nimble, ORMO® and Mothers’s Pride®. The company also bakes retailer branded and Food Service breads and Morning Goods for customers in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. MAIN BRANDS: Hovis® Ormo® Mothers Pride® Nimble DISTRIBUTOR: New York Bakery Co.Bagels, Mr Kipling and Cadbury Cakes Mission Wraps

NORTHERN SNACK FOODS LTD Lissue Industrial Estate East Lisburn BT28 2LU T: 028 9262 2820 PERSONNEL: Martin McClinton M: 07850 410917 Contact Belfast and Co. Down: Nigel Morton M: 07720 967492 Contact North West and North Antrim: Des Jackson M: 07545 927064 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Direct to Store (Van Sales) Distributor of Snack foods MAIN BRANDS: Hunky Dorys Crisps, O’Donnells, King, KP Meanies Rancheros

For more information, visit www.imperialbrandsplc.com MAIN BRANDS: Our product portfolio includes leading tobacco brands Lambert & Butler, JPS, Player’s and Golden Virginia, as well as the best-selling e-vapour brand, blu.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

INTERACTIVE (IRLAND) LTD Units 6/7 Grange Park Trench Road Mallusk Newtownabbey BT36 4LA T: 028 9083 1730 F: 028 9083 1731 E: mark.stuart@inter-active.org Website: www.inter-active.org

LYNAS FOODSERVICE Lynas Foodservice offers over 6,000 products across frozen, chilled, ambient and non-foods on 1 invoice and 1 delivery.

PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Mark Stuart M: 07919 122946 Commercial Manager: Sinead O`Kane M: 0778 5695903 Sales Manager: Ian Cochrane M: 07867 306343 Business Development Executive: Enda McDaid M: 07920 148780 Business Development Executive: Colin Espie M: 07900 584163 Business Development Executive: Paul Ritchie M: 07920 148580 Van Sales Manager: Neil Hunter M: 07866 442920 Van Sales Executive: Philip Stevenson M: 07919 122944

Falcon House Ballough Cross Lusk Ireland T: 048 7035 0600 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Sales, Marketing and Distribution to the Grocery trade. MAIN BRANDS: House & Home: Duracell; Fairy; Febreze; Flash; Viakal; Ace; Ariel; Bold; Daz; Fairy Non Bio; Lenor. Personal Care & Beauty: Tampax; Always; Always Discreet; Aussie; Head & Shoulders; Herbal Essence; Pantene; Shockwaves; Silvikrin; Wash & Go; Wella; Max Factor; Clairol Nice N Easy; Olay; Old Spice; Gillette; Rimmel; Sally Hansen, Sun Shimmer; Adidas Health & Wellbeing: Vicks; Crest; Fixodent; Clear Blue; Oral-B; Lypsyl; Dentek; Baby & Family: Pampers; Infacare; Ashton & Parsons Ambient: Carleton Cakes; Rose Confectionary; Purity Soft Drinks; Cristaline Spring Water; Electrical Personal Appliances: Braun; Breville; George Foreman; Russell Hobbs; Trevor Sorbie; Remington; Nicky Clarke Electrical; Carmen; Glamouriser; Dreamland Electric Blankets; Warmnite Electric Blankets MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to fulfil customer satisfaction within our distribution channels and to represent our principals according to their world leading standards of innovation, service and quality.

Loughanhill Industrial Estate Coleraine BT52 2NR T: 028 7035 0600 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com

4 Sholto Crescent Righead Industrial Estate Bellshill ML4 3LX T: 0141 308 8712 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com Managing Director: Andrew Lynas Deputy Managing Director: Ian Crowe Finance Director: Alastair Magee Sales & Trading Director: Mel Bacon Operations & Retail Director: Gary Mills Lynas Food Outlet: Our chain of stores provide convenience and value for your foodservice operation Visit: www.lynasfoodservice.com/food-outlet Outlets located in: Ballymena Bangor Belfast – Boucher Road Belfast – Montgomery Road Coleraine Cookstown Derry/L’Derry Newry Causeway Prime: The culture and the heritage of rearing stock on the farmlands of Ireland allow us to produce the finest cuts of meat within our very own craft butchery. T: 028 7035 0600 E: webenquiries@lynasfoodservice.com W: www.lynasfoodservice.com/causeway-prime

McCOLGAN’S QUALITY FOODS LTD Dublin Road Industrial Estate Strabane BT82 9EA T: 028 7138 2797 E: sales@mccolgans.ie W: www.mccolgans.ie PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Grainne Hampton Head Of Sales Chris McGaw T: 07545425824 Account Manager Alex MacArthur T: 07593572917 TYPE OF BUSINESS: Manufacturer of convenience food including pies, slices, pasties, sausage rolls, jambons, quiche. Foodservice and retail, chilled and frozen. Own label specialists. Brands include McColgans, Bakers Best, Strathmourne Foods, McColgans Choice Cuisine. DISTRIBUTION: Multi temperature deliveries across NI, ROI and GB daily.

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

MOY PARK LTD The Food Park 39 Seagoe Ind. Estate Portadown Craigavon Co. Armagh BT63 5QE T: 028 3835 2233 W: www.moypark.com PERSONNEL: Senior Brand Marketing Manager: Moira Mills Brand Marketing Executive: Ellen Wright TYPE OF BUSINESS: Moy Park is one of the UK’s top 15 food companies, Northern Ireland’s largest private sector business and one of Europe’s leading poultry producers. Moy Park supplies branded and own label chicken products to leading retailers and foodservice providers throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

MUSGRAVE NI 1 – 19 Dargan Drive, Belfast, BT3 9JG T: 028 9078 7100 F: 028 9078 7101 E: mrpni@musgrave.ie W: www.musgravegroup.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Trevor Magill Trading Director (Interim): Julie Cherry SuperValu Centra Sales Director: Nigel Maxwell Wholesale Director: Richard Mayne Marketing Director: Desi Derby Head of Finance: Ciara Meegan Head of HR: Kathy Simpson Head of Retail Operations: Caroline Rowan SuperValu Centra MACE - Senior Business Development Manager: Adrian McCourt Wholesale Sales Manager: Tom Kinnier SuperValu and Centra Customer Manager: Norman Bennett Musgrave MarketPlace Belfast Manager: Garry Williams Musgrave MarketPlace Derry Manager: Emir Sheppard Musgrave MarketPlace Lurgan Manager: Colin O’Hare

DISTRIBUTOR/AGENT: Neil McMullan Ltd 28 Halfpenny Gate Road Moira Craigavon Co.Armagh Northern Ireland BT67 OHW

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Musgrave (NI) comprises the retail and wholesale segments of Musgrave Group in Northern Ireland and supports over 300 independent retailers through the SuperValu, Centra, MACE and DayToday brands and over 3,000 wholesale customers through the Musgrave MarketPlace brand across the province.

MAIN BRANDS: Moy Park O’Kane ZAP!

MAIN BRANDS: SuperValu, Centra, MACE, Musgrave MarketPlace, DayToday and Frank and Honest

NISA RETAIL LIMITED Nisa Retail Limited Partner Support Centre Waldo Way Normanby Enterprise Park Scunthorpe DN15 9GE T: 017 2428 2028 E: firstname.surname@nisaretail.com W: www.nisaretail.com FASCIAS: Nisa Extra, Nisa Local, Nisa Express, dual branded, independent fascia Chief Executive Officer: Ken Towle Chief Operating Officer: John McNeill Finance Director: Scott Etherington Sales Director: Steve Leach Trading Director: Ayaz Alam Business Manager Ireland: Jonathan Verner T: 077 8842 3322 Regional Retail Manager: Pat Leneghan T: 079 5035 5991 Retail Development Manager NI: Paul Hewitt T: 077 1663 8523 Retail Development Manager: Steven O’Doherty T: 00 353 87 291 3016 IT Engineer: Bryan Lurring

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

O’REILLY’S WHOLESALE LTD 1 Ashtree Enterprise Park, Rathfriland Road, Newry BT34 1BY Tel: 028 30250650 Email: info@orys.biz Web: www.oreillyswholesale.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Derek O’Reilly T: 028 30250650 SALES MANAGER: Ian Russell T: 07967 172324 HEAD OF OPERATIONAL CHANNELS: Anne O’Reilly T: 028 30250650 TRADING TEAM: Eamon Quinn Gavin O’Reilly Robert Hempkin T: 028 30250650 WAREHOUSE MANAGER: Bryan O’Hare T: 028 30250650 TYPE OF BUSINESS: O’Reilly’s Wholesale Ltd are an FMCG company in our 60th year of trading in this industry. We are ideally placed to service both the Northern Ireland and ROI marketplace. Our range of 5000+ product portfolio includes Confectionary, Soft drinks, Crisps & Snacks, Grocery, Tobacco, Household and Healthcare. We negotiate and challenge our supplier networks in order to provide the best pricing structure to help you grow your business.

PREPHOUSE Prephouse Kilmore Road, Crossgar, Northern Ireland BT30 9HJ T: 02844 831837 E: info@prephouse.co.uk PERSONNEL Managing Director: Paul Bell Sales Director: David Bell Sales Manager: William Collim Hollah Sales: Trudy Hodkinson NPD: Lynne Berry NPD Consultant: Avril Boyd Technical: Sinead Cunningham Project Management Consultant: David Dougan Type Of Business We are PrepHouse, a family run business based in County Down with over 30 years expertise. We produce awarding winning sauces, dressings and dips for manufacturers, foodservice and retail customers. Continuing our love of all things flavoursome, in 2020 we purchased local icon Hollah. From our purpose built, state of the art factory in Crossgar, complete with bespoke specialist equipment and dedicated NPD team we are on a mission to Bring Flavour Home! Main Products PrepHouse award winning chilled sauces, gravies, dips, dressings. Hollah chutneys, chilli jams and sauces.

PRM GROUP 16 Rathdown Road, Lissue Industrial Estate, Moira Road, Lisburn BT28 2RE T: 028 92 620200 E: sales@prmgroup.co.uk W: www.prmgroup.co.uk PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Philip Morrow Director: Lynne Morrow Senior National Account Manager for NI: Stephen Colgan Key Account Sales Development Manager for NI: Gary Hopkins Operations Manager: Colin Davis Transport Manager: Michael Tohill Business Development Manager: Patrick Black TYPE OF BUSINESS: Chilled and Frozen Food Sales and Distribution KEY BRANDS: Müller, Alpro, Clandeboye Estate, Fage, Onken, Nomadic Dairy, Bernard Matthews, Carbery Cracker, Cully & Sully, William Carr, Fresh Food Kitchen, Spring Fresh, Galberts, Cottage Desserts, Kinder Chilled, Isle of Man, Innocent Drinks, Sunny D, HB, Ben & Jerry’s

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

STEPHENS CATERING EQUIPMENT COMPANY LTD 205 Carnalbanagh Road Broughshane, Ballymena Co. Antrim, BT42 4NY Telephone: 028 2586 1711 Fax: 028 2586 2006 Email: info@stephens-catering.com Web: www.stephenscateringequipment.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ StephensCateringEquipmentCo DIRECTORS: Paul Caves, Julie Morrissey, Ian Manson, Colm O’Neill, Conrad Greene SALES DIRECTOR: Ian Manson OPERATIONS MANAGER: Allen Witherspoon SENIOR SERVICE MANAGER: Con Carey AREA SALES MANAGERS: Patrick Graham - Area Sales Manager (Retail) Matthew Moorhead - Area Sales Manager (South Down, Armagh, Louth) Peter Smith – Regional Manager (Tyrone, Londonderry & Mid Ulster) Mark Green - Regional Manager (Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh & Leitrim) Wilnor O’Neill - (Showroom Sales Manager & North Antrim) Lisa Southgate – Area Sales Manager (UK Mainland Development) Sean Bouvette – Regional Manager (Belfast) David Graham – Regional Manager (Scotland) Live demo & test kitchen for training and demonstrating new technologies in energy & labour savings. SOLE DISTRIBUTORS FOR: Manitowoc, Merrychef, Frima, Vario Cooking

Centre, Hobart dishwashing, mixing and cooking equipment, Garland Catering Equipment, Foster Refrigeration, Frymaster fryers, Moffat Catering Equipment, Rational combi ovens, Ice-o-matic ice machines, Ubert hot and cold deli, Vizu SFC equipment, Florigo fish frying ranges, Bertos modular catering equipment, Carimali coffee machines, Salva bakery ovens, Panasonic microwaves, SCE in-house stainless steel fabrication. AGENTS FOR: Burshaw boilers, Mechline, Dualit toasters, Mermaid containers, Nuttall, Pestakill flykillers, Robot Coupe veg prep equipment, Seal glass cabinets, Frank Ford fish frying ranges, Lincat, Marco boilers, Williams Refrigeration, Winterhalter, IMC bar equipment, waste disposal and food prep, Falcon, Woodstone, Nuttall WHOLESALERS FOR: Garland ranges and Cooking Equipment, Frymaster fryers, Hobart warewashing and food prep, Rational Combi Ovens, Foster Refrigeration, Ice-o-matic ice makers, Bertos cooking equipment, Panasonic microwaves, Ubert deli counters and rotisseries SERVICE: All equipment supplied is guaranteed for parts and labour covered by manufacturer trained engineers directly employed by Stephens for fast efficient service. NORTHERN IRELAND: Test demonstration kitchen, full range of light equipment and contract furniture at: Stephens Catering Equipment Belfast Site 2 81 Dargan Road Belfast BT3 9JU Telephone: 028 9077 0195 Fax: 028 9037 0238 SALES PERSONNEL FOR STEPHENS BELFAST: Alison Braithwaite (Showroom Sales)

SHS SALES & MARKETING 199 Airport Road West Belfast, BT3 9ED T: 028 9045 4647 E: Info@shs-sales.ie W: www.shs-sales.ie TYPE OF BUSINESS: FMCG Distributor MAIN BRANDS: Airwick Askeys Batchelors Soups Batchelors Canned Vegetables Biobag Bloo Bonjela Bottlegreen Branston Beans Brasso Cillit Bang Colgate Cookeen Crisp & Dry oils Crosse & Blackwell Canned Vegetables Crucials Sauces Dettol Durex E45 Farmlea Finish Flora Oils Gaviscon Harpic Jammie Dodgers Jeyes Jordans Jucee Lemsip Lyons

Maguire & Paterson Matches Marigold Mars Cookies Maryland Cookies Meridian Mr Sheen Napolina Nurofen Organix Baby Food Palmolive Parsons Primula Princes Food & Drink Royal Edinburgh Ryvita Sanex Shloer Senekot Silvo Steradent Strepsils Terry’s Toffypops Tunnocks Vanish Vileda Viscount Wagon Wheels Windolene Woodwards Gripe Water

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

SOLV-X LTD 112 Camlough Rd Newry & 20 Park Street Dundalk, Co.Louth T: 028 3086 8486 T (ROI): 042 9377055 E: Sales@solv-x.com W: www.solv-x.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Colm O’Neill Financial Controller: Barry Duffy Purchasing Manager: Andrew O’Neill Operations Manager: Shane Kieran Office Manager: Doreen O’Neill TYPE OF BUSINESS: Solv-X supply 18 non-food product categories including Audio & Mobile,Personal, Baby, Stationery, Party, Hardware, Kitchen, Household, Candles, Car, Pet, Seasonal, Health & Vaping products. We supply a combination of quality own brand Solv-X lines sourced direct from factory as well as brand leaders such as Edge, Rethink, FIFO, Bic, Murphy& Barrett Candles, Bob Martin, Favour, Little tree, Holts, Pretty Legs & SHS sanitisers. We offer a full merchandising service with a range of display options. MAIN BRANDS: Solv-X, Fifo, Edge, Rethink, Bob Martin, Favour, Little Tree, Murphy & Barrett Candles, Bic, Object, Pretty legs & Safe Hands Sanitisers.

STRATHROY DAIRY LTD Shergrim Omagh Co.Tyrone BT79 7JD T: 028 8224 0948 F: 028 8224 6280 E: info@strathroydairy.com W: www.strathroy.co.uk PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Patrick Cunningham Operations Director: Aidan McCarron Director ROI: Ruairi Cunningham Commercial Director NI: Eamon Lynch E: eamon@strathroydairy.com Commercial Director ROI: Phelim McCarron E: phelim@strathroydairy.ie Financial Controller: Jim McCann IT Manager: Damien Harkin Quality Control Manager: Tracy Doyle TYPE OF BUSINESS: Dairy Processing: Milk & Cream MAIN BRANDS: Strathroy Bainne Ur Various Private Label Brands

S&W Wholesale Ltd Unit 1 A Carnbane Business Park Newry BT35 6QH NI T: 028 3026 3521 ROI T: 042 600 6100 E: info@sandwni.com W: sandwni.com PERSONNEL: S&W Team Managing Director: Michael Skelton Operations Director: Norman Savage Trading Director: Alan Dorman Marketing Director: Julie Burden Chief Financial Officer: Anthony McVeigh Operations Manager: Victor Carson People & Culture Manager: Niaomh Rice Health, Safety & Environment Officer: Niamh McCarry Head of IT: Jonathon Matthews Wholesale Sales Manager: David Wharton Today’s & PRIMO Team: Today’s NI Sales Manager: Maurice Little Business Development Managers NI: Paul McMullen & Damian Campbell Customer Relationship Manager: Rachel Holmes Head of Retail & Development ROI: Arron Potts Today’s & Primo ROI Sales Manager: Jason McSteen Business Development Manager ROI: Stephen Vincent Facilitation Manager: Stephen Farrell Type of Business S&W are the symbol group wholesaler for Today’s NI, Today’s ROI & Primo, based conveniently in Newry with unique access point to key markets in NI and ROI. One of the top 100 NI Businesses and one of the largest independent wholesalers in Ireland servicing over 2,000 customers on both symbol and independent retailers. Going above and beyond for customers is the key factor in what has made S&W successful and how the business plans to offer ‘A Whole Lot More’ in 2021. Main Brands: Today’s NI Today’s ROI PRIMO Cuppa Coffee

AGENT & COMPANY INDEX

VALEO FOODS 10 Flush Park Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 2DX T: 028 9267 3316 F: 028 9263 1131 Dublin Office: T: 00353 1 4051500 PERSONNEL: Commercial Manager: Maria Losty Marketing Manager: Joanne Beattie TYPE OF BUSINESS: FMCG Valeo Foods is a leading producer and innovator of high quality, category defining, branded food products, with a proud history that dates back to 1845. We are passionate about food and our portfolio of iconic food brands, which are tried and trusted by consumers for their quality, wholesomeness, nutrition and fun. We operate a diverse FMCG business across many categories with both company owned brands and those of brand partners. This combines food production, brand development and innovation, distribution and sales.

WHITEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SPEEDICOOK LTD Scarva Road Tandragee Co. Armagh BT62 2BZ T: 028 3884 0592 F: 028 3884 1895 E: whites@whitesoats.com W: www.whitesoats.co.uk PERSONNEL: General Manager: James Mathers Sales And Marketing Manager: Mark Gowdy Business Development Manager: Stuart Best Brand Manager: Danielle McBride TYPE OF BUSINESS: Oat Manufacturer, Breakfast Cereals - Porridge Organic Oats, Granolas, Mueslis MAIN BRANDS: Whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

RETAILER GUIDE THE CO-OP 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG T: 0800 0686 727 W: www.coop.co.uk Area Manager: Briege Ashley T: 07740958133

MULTIPLE RETAILERS ASDA Northern Ireland Office 150 Junction One International Outlet Antrim BT41 4GY T: 028 9448 5700 Senior Buying Manager: Michael McCallion DUNNES STORES HEAD OFFICE 46-50 South Great George’s Street Dublin 2 T: 0844 264 3185 W: www.dunnesstores.com ICELAND HEAD OFFICE Second Avenue DeesideIndustrial Park Deeside Flintshire CH5 2NW T: 0800 328 0800 W: www.iceland.co.uk LIDL NORTHERN IRELAND Tallaght Main Street Dublin 24 T: 00353 1 4212000 W: www.lidl-ni.co.uk MARKS & SPENCER HEAD OFFICE Waterside House 35 North Wharf Road London W2 1NW T: 020 7935 4422 W: www.marksandspencer.com Chief Executive: Steve Rowe Divisional Head for NI: Laura Mitchell SAINSBURY’S SUPERMARKETS LTD NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE Forestside Shopping Centre Upper Galwally Road Belfast BT8 4FX W: www.sainsburys.co.uk Head of Stores: Nigel Macaulay Category Trading Manager: Karen O’Connor T: 020 7695 0031 Regional Supply Chain Manager: Lee-roy Allen 92

T: 028 9064 7386 NI Commercial Buyer: Claire McAlinney T: 028 9064 6913

PERSONNEL: Chairman and Joint Managing Directors: Martin Agnew & Geoffrey Agnew

TESCO NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE Abbey Retail Park Church Road Newtownabbey BT36 7GU T: 0345 677 9373 W: www.tesco.com

Chief Financial Officer: Ron Whitten

Store Director for NI: Brendan Guidera Local Sourcing Manager UK: Tess Osborne

Group Finance Director: Billy Moore Retail Director: (Henderson Retail): Mark McCammond Group Logistics Director: Pat McGarry Trading Director: Alan Fitzsimmins

NI Buying Managers: Fresh: Sandra Weir

Fresh Foods Director: Neal Kelly

Packaging & Concessions: Jonathan McWhinney

Group Property Director: Mark Adrain

SYMBOL GROUPS

Human Resources Director: Sam Davidson

COSTCUTTER SUPERMARKETS GROUP LTD (NORTHERN IRELAND) Unit 1B McKinney Industrial Estate Mallusk Road Newtownabbey BT36 4PX T: 028 9034 2660 / 01904 232505 W: www.costcuttersupermarketsgroup.com

Sales & Marketing Director: Paddy Doody

Chief Executive Officer: Darcy Willson-Rymer Trading Director: Mike Owen Marketing Director: Sean Russell Retail Director: Mike Hollis IT Director: Dave Morris Wholesale Business Director: Francesca Haynes Regional Business Director: Adrian O’Brien Business Development Managers: Damien O’Donnell, Jim Cummings, Simon Scott HENDERSON GROUP Hightown Avenue Mallusk Newtownabbey Co. Antrim BT36 4RT T: 028 9034 2733 E: info@henderson-group.com W: www.henderson-group.com

Information Services Director: Danny Hutchinson Managing Director Henderson Foodservice Ltd: Cathal Geoghegan Retail Technology Operations Director, Henderson Technology Ltd: Darren Nickels Head of Corporate Marketing: Bronagh Luke Head of Brand Marketing: Brenda Mulligan Channel Sales Managers: Stephen Gibson, Sarah Halliday Regional Sales Manager (Supermarkets): Paul Deans Regional Sales Managers: David Bennett, Jonathan Finlay, Donal Bryce, Justin Hayes, Robert Caughey, Connor McCann & Laura Johnston Trading Controller: Glen Howe Fresh Foods Trading Controller: Nigel Dugan Head of Henderson Print: Alan Ritchie TYPE OF BUSINESS: Symbol Group Wholesaler for SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXtra and ViVO Essentials in NI.

RETAILER GUIDE MUSGRAVE NI 1 – 19 Dargan Drive, Belfast, BT3 9JG T: 028 9078 7100 F: 028 9078 7101 E: mrpni@musgrave.ie W: www.musgravegroup.com PERSONNEL: Managing Director: Trevor Magill Trading Director (Interim): Julie Cherry SuperValu Centra Sales Director: Nigel Maxwell Wholesale Director: Richard Mayne Marketing Director: Desi Derby Head of Finance: Ciara Meegan Head of HR: Kathy Simpson Head of Retail Operations: Caroline Rowan SuperValu Centra MACE - Senior Business Development Manager: Adrian McCourt Wholesale Sales Manager: Tom Kinnier SuperValu and Centra Customer Manager: Norman Bennett Musgrave MarketPlace Belfast Manager: Garry Williams

Chief Executive Officer: Ken Towle Chief Operating Officer: John McNeill Finance Director: Scott Etherington Sales Director: Steve Leach Trading Director: Ayaz Alam Business Manager Ireland: Jonathan Verner T: 077 8842 3322 Regional Retail Manager: Pat Leneghan T: 079 5035 5991 Retail Development Manager NI: Paul Hewitt T: 077 1663 8523 Retail Development Manager: Steven O’Doherty T: 00 353 87 291 3016 IT Engineer: Bryan Lurring TODAY’S PRIMO S&W Wholesale Ltd Unit 1 A Carnbane Business Park Newry BT35 6QH NI T: 028 3026 3521 ROI T: 042 600 6100 E: info@sandwni.com W: sandwni.com

Today’s & PRIMO Team: Today’s NI Sales Manager: Maurice Little Business Development Managers NI: Paul McMullen & Damian Campbell Customer Relationship Manager: Rachel Holmes Head of Retail & Development ROI: Arron Potts Today’s & Primo ROI Sales Manager: Jason McSteen Business Development Manager ROI: Stephen Vincent Facilitation Manager: Stephen Farrell Type of Business S&W are the symbol group wholesaler for Today’s NI, Today’s ROI & Primo, based conveniently in Newry with unique access point to key markets in NI and ROI. One of the top 100 NI Businesses and one of the largest independent wholesalers in Ireland servicing over 2,000 customers on both symbol and independent retailers. Going above and beyond for customers is the key factor in what has made S&W successful and how the business plans to offer ‘A Whole Lot More’ in 2021.

FOOD FORCE IRELAND LTD 7 West Bank Road Belfast BT3 9 JL

Musgrave MarketPlace Derry Manager: Emir Sheppard

PERSONNEL: S&W Team Managing Director: Michael Skelton

Musgrave MarketPlace Lurgan Manager: Colin O’Hare

Operations Director: Norman Savage

Trading Controller: Debra Johnston T: 028 9092 3130 E: foodforceireland@btconnect.com

Trading Director: Alan Dorman

TRADE ORGANISATIONS

NISA Nisa Retail Limited Partner Support Centre Waldo Way Normanby Enterprise Park Scunthorpe DN15 9GE T: 017 2428 2028 E: firstname.surname@nisaretail.com W: www.nisaretail.com FASCIAS: Nisa Extra, Nisa Local, Nisa Express, dual branded, independent fascia

Marketing Director: Julie Burden Chief Financial Officer: Anthony McVeigh Operations Manager: Victor Carson People & Culture Manager: Niaomh Rice Health, Safety & Environment Officer: Niamh McCarry Head of IT: Jonathon Matthews Wholesale Sales Manager: David Wharton

DAIRY COUNCIL NORTHERN IRELAND Shaftesbury House Edgewater Business Park Belfast BT3 9JQ T: 028 9077 0113 F: 028 9078 1224 E: info@dairycouncil.co.uk W: www.dairycouncil.co.uk FOOD NI LIMITED BELFAST MILLS 71-75 Percy Street Belfast BT13 2HW T: 028 9024 9449 E: info@nigoodfood.com W: www.nigoodfood.com Facebook.com/ foodni Twitter: @Food_NI Chief Executive: Michele Shirlow 93

RETAILER GUIDE Company Secretary: Valerie McCann

FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY Northern Ireland 10A - 10C Clarendon Road Belfast BT1 3BG T: 028 9041 7700 F: 028 9041 7726 E: infofsani@food.gov.uk W: www.food.gov.uk/northern-ireland Facebook.com/FSAinNI Twitter: @FSAinNI Director: Maria Jennings Twitter: @MariaJenningsNI THE LIVESTOCK AND MEAT COMMISSION (NI) Lissue Industrial Estate East 1a Lissue Walk Lisburn BT28 2LU T: 028 9263 3000 F: 02892 63 3001 E: info@lmcni.com W: www.lmcni.com Chief Executive: Ian Stevenson Education and Services Manager: Cherrie Kenny NATIONAL FEDERATION OF RETAIL NEWSAGENTS Yeoman House Sekforde Street London EC1R 0HF Head Office: 020 7253 4225 Helpline: 0800 121 6376 W: www.nfrnonline.com NI District Vice-President: Gwen Patterson NATIONAL PHARMACY ASSOCIATION 38-42 Peter’s Street St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3NP T: 017 2785 8687 E: npa@npa.co.uk W: www.npa.co.uk Representation Manager NI: Anne McAlister T: 028 9266 1730 NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD CHAIN CERTIFICATION Lissue Industrial Estate East 1a Lissue Walk Lisburn BT28 2LU T: 028 9263 3017 F: 028 9263 3003 E: info@nifcc.co.uk W: www.nifcc.co.uk Operations Manager: Noel Lavery 94

NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD & DRINK ASSOCIATION Belfast Mills 71-75 Percy Street Belfast BT13 2HW T: 028 9024 1010 F: 028 9024 0500 E: info@nifda.co.uk W: www.nifda.co.uk Executive Director: Michael Bell E: mbell@nifda.co.uk Executive Assistant: Jill Devenney E: jill@nifda.co.uk RETAIL NI 245 Upper Newtownards Road Ballyhackamore Belfast BT4 3JF T: 028 9022 0004 F: 028 9022 0005 E: info@retailni.com W: www.retailni.com Facebook.com/retail-ni Twitter: @retail-ni Chief Executive: Glyn Roberts Office Manager: Lisa McMaster President: Peter McBride Chairman: Nigel Maxwell NORTHERN IRELAND PORK & BACON FORUM 475 Antrim Road Belfast BT15 3DA T: 028 9037 0222 F: 028 9037 1231 Executive Director: Deirdre McIvor E: deirdre.mcivor@ufuhq.com PETROL RETAILERS ASSOCIATION/ RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY FEDERATION 201 Great Portland Street London WIW 5AB T: 020 7580 9122 F: 020 7307 3406 W: www.rmif.co.uk Membership Manager for PRA: Steve Coombe T: 078 3137 3205 E: steve.coombe@rmif.co.uk SAFEFOOD 7 Eastgate Avenue

Eastgate Little Island Co. Cork Ireland T45 RX01 T: 00 353 21 230 4100 Helpline (NI): 0800 085 1683 E: info@safefood.eu Twitter: @safefoodnetwork Chief Executive: Ray Dolan ULSTER CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION 2nd Floor Strand House 102 Holywood Road BELFAST BT4 1NU T: 028 9065 6576 E: info@uca.org.uk W: www.uca.org.uk Operations Manager: Adrienne Clugston ULSTER FARMERS’ UNION 4075 Antrim Road Belfast BT15 3DA T: 028 9037 0222 F: 028 9037 1231 W: www.ufuni.org Chief Executive: Wesley Aston E: wesley@ufuhq.com

CLASSIFIEDS

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WANT YOUR COMPANY TO GET NOTICED? ADVERTISE HERE... CONTACT CHRIS KEENAN ON 028 9264 4267 OR EMAIL:

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GROCER ULSTER

Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry

CLASSIFIEDS

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I am a 39-year-old man, married with 12 kids and eight grandkids. I live in Carlingford Lough near Greencastle. I like family, good food, music, people, creating things, faith and nature. I’m originally from North Belfast but have lived in south Co Down for the past 12 years.

IN THE HOT SEAT SHANE NEARY, DIRECTOR, NEARYNÓGS CHOCOLATE MAKERS

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? Waking up, brush my teeth every morning, get kids ready for school, out to work. Feed our chickens, duck and pet sheep. Usually sorting cocoa beans, planning the orders and deliveries with my wife. Cleaning, roasting, breaking the cocoa beans and loading the grinders to make chocolate liquor for orders, followed by phone calls and emails. At weekends we have family over where possible, which usually is 20-plus people minimum and that’s before we invite anybody outside the family. We work very hard to make artisan produce and are constantly thinking and creating better ways to improve our craft, products and services. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Purchasing a property for the business and watching it grow to become a real dream come true. This year, we managed to help Fortnum and Mason and the Grenada chocolate company create a farm to store 99% emission free chocolate which involved sailboats from all over the western and eastern Atlantic and North Sea. That was fun. Also stocking new shops that we always wanted to and giving chocolate to famous Irish musicians and Star Wars actors. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Meeting people and working in an environment where the business is helping improve the quality of workers and the industry as a whole. I love making a difference and an impact. Chocolate has given us a platform to make a difference and to be recognised for that is a huge positive. Going forward we hope to be a benefit to our local community and that the local people can share in the joy of our growing business. WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK? Making enough chocolate for demand. Chocolate takes three to four days to do 98

it right and make a quality product. Customers may not see all the work that goes into cocoa production so sometimes are surprised that we charge more and it takes longer. Coffee has about 11 steps from berry to hot coffee cup, chocolate has 26 steps, so it is a lot more laborious. Sourcing ethical cocoa beans is not always easy and also getting a healthy price point where you can keep your business afloat.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS/ AMBITIONS? To be able to work ON my business instead of working IN it full-time. To be able to visit cocoa farms and meet the farmers.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? “Take a break, but don’t quit.” “You can’t see the stars without the darkness.”

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE? On top of the Mournes or with my kids and family watching a good movie.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GRIPE? Sorting cocoa beans by hand. WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? To be really good at DIY and also accounting (it takes me a while).

WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? Business owners whom I know, that have succeeded with integrity and have a super relaxed composure under pressure when they have heaps of responsibility.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? Any potato product. HOW DO YOU RELAX? Food, music, going for a walk, a drive, watching a new episode on TV (Mandalorian), talking with friends and family, going for a run, playing sport.