Retail News November 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

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www.retailnews.ie|November 2014|Contents|3

Contents

Are You ‘Festive Fit’?

WANT to know what wine styles are hot this Christmas? Wondering which whiskeys to offer the customer that wants something different? Or how about those last minute essentials that consumers will always remember you for?

As the hectic Christmas period fast approaches, we provide our annual guide to the products guaranteed to fly from your shelves this festive season (Page 26-47), focusing on sure-fire winners across wines, spirits, beers and festive essentials.

As ever, the retailers who highlight their festive fare with in-store theatre and eye-catching displays are the ones who will reap the biggest rewards. With consumer confidence on the rise after what seems like an age of discontent, allied to what was generally considered the most consumer-friendly budget since the heady days of the Celtic Tiger, expectations are high that Christmas 2014 will be the most lucrative and profitable for years.

Elsewhere in this issue, we report from the Bord Bia Irish Foodservice Seminar 2014, held recently at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, which provided a fascinating glimpse into some of the latest trends affecting the Foodservice sector, both in Ireland and internationally, including advice on marketing to millennials (Page 48).

The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Rock & Royalty Ball, which took place at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, on October 17, was pretty much a ‘who’s who’ of the Irish FMCG trade, while proving to be one of the social events of the year and raising much-needed funds for this most worthy of causes (Page 60).

News 4 Tesco Ireland suffers from UK accounting fiasco.

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Kathleen Belton Editorial Director kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Foodservice Seminar provided plenty of food for thought for those in the foodservice and food-to-go sectors, including advice on marketing to millennials.

Dunnes workers make demands at Labour Court; SPAR Dame Street wins Store of the Year award.

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Bord Bia Foodservice Seminar 48 The Bord Bia Irish

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Gala Retail Conference 18 The Gala Retail

Conference saw the retail group celebrating another successful year’s trading, while looking ahead to the roll-out of Chilled Distribution nationwide.

SuperValu enters insurance market; New app highlights local retailers.

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Musgrave to acquire Allied Logistics from DCC; Senior appointments at Tesco Ireland.

SuperValu and discounters gain ground; Diageo sells Bushmills to Jose Cuervo.

Eye-tracking technology provides insight to OOH research; Denis Brosnan to receive lifetime achievement award.

Minister Flanagan opens Glanbia oats mill in Portlaoise; EU Agriculture Commissioner-elect visits Total Produce; Shannon Duty Free relaunches.

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 22 The new faces of Retail

Ireland; Warm welcome for consumer-friendly Budget measures; Retail Consultation Forum.

the must-stocks for this festive season, from biscuits to beers, whiskeys to wine.

Tel: (01) 6785165 Fax: (01) 6477127

Editorial Director: Kathleen Belton kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Web: www.retailnews.ie Email: kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Editor: John Walshe

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Production: Jim Heron

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Christmas Stocking 26 Our annual guide to

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

brian@tarapublications.ie

President’s Ball proved to be one of the social highlights of the year.

rent review case is not a template for all landlords to follow, writes Bart D. Daly, Barrister at Law.

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie

IGBF Ball 2014 60 The 2014 IGBF

Legal Matters 64 This year’s Bewley’s

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Advertising: Brian Clark

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Printed by: W&G Baird

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

REGULARS & REPORTS

11 12 52 58 66

Tax & Finance Industry News Tobacco Market News Shelf Life

4|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News

Tesco Ireland Suffers From UK Accounting Fiasco THE recent high profile accounting irregularities at Tesco UK, combined with a change in market conditions, has changed the landscape for Ireland’s biggest retailer.

Tesco Ireland sales fell 4.6% in the three months to October 12, shrinking its market share to 25.1%. The retailer is now only 5 points ahead of SuperValu, which clocked a 24.6% market share for the same period.

Revised profit estimates at the retail giant are also likely to affect investment in Irish stores.

“I can’t see Tesco going back to like-for-like growth for some time,” David Gray, retail analyst at Planet Retail, told us. The probe into Tesco UK’s accounting practices “is damaging for the brand because it’s an issue of trust,” he added.

Earlier this year, it emerged the retailer was overstating profits by £263m (€333m), after they booked income before it was earned.

David Gray, retail analyst, Planet Retail.

Auditors Deloitte initiated a probe that involved reviewing 18,000 invoices.

The UK’s Serious Fraud Office are now investigating the company’s accounting practices.

“Tesco want to be completely open,” said Gray.

“If you get the investigators in, you can get a clean bill of health. That will help restore the brand’s reputation. In Britain, Tesco’s issues have

been front page news. It may affect a certain percentage of customers, but the majority choose their store based on proximity. I don’t think it will have a huge impact.”

In Ireland, the supermarket chain faces potentially bigger problems.

Last year, Tesco’s sales here fell an estimated 5.5%.

“Ireland was probably one of the worst performing markets for them,” Gray notes. “In Ireland, they are scaling back investment in terms of store expansion.

They have taken measures to reduce costs, buying from the UK supply network, but that led to some negative impact and a consumer backlash. Performance in Ireland is not good at all.”

Market share has been sliding largely due to pressure from Aldi and Lidl.

According to figures from Kantar Worldpanel, the discounters grew sales by over 14% year-on-year in the 12 weeks to October 12.

Georgieann Harrington, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar Worldpanel Ireland.

Last month, Tesco Ireland opened its fourth store in 2014: a 32,000 square feet outlet in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. The other stores were Park Pointe in Dublin, a Dundalk Extra, and a revamped store in Edenderry, Co. Offaly.

Tesco plans to open two more stores in Dublin, in

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|5

News Aungier Street and Pearse Street, by the end of the year. However, the retailer has seen two consecutive years of profit decline since it unveiled its £1bn (€1.2bn) turnaround plan in the UK. After the accountancy scandal, investment is being withdrawn and store

refurbishment targets are not being met. “There has been a delay in opening bigger stores, and a return to focusing on smaller format Tesco Extras,” said Georgieann Harrington, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar Worldpanel Ireland. “We’ll have to wait

to see how that impacts their investment, number of stores and staff. In terms of how shoppers interact with the brand, the challenge is to get shoppers to spend more.”

In the UK, Tesco has swung into action. Chairman Richard Broadbent resigned and eight senior employees

were suspended. Here in Ireland, Tesco still has the largest market share of Irish supermarkets. According to Kantar Worldpanel, 80% of Irish households shop with them. Now the supermarket’s challenge is to retain that lead and return to growth.

Dunnes Workers Make Demands at Labour Court A DELEGATION of Dunnes Stores workers attended a Labour Court hearing at the end of October, where they put forward their case for secure hours and earnings for all workers at the Irish retailer.

The workers, who are all members of Mandate Trade Union, attended the hearing as part of their Decency for Dunnes Workers campaign, which has four key demands: • Decent hours and earnings; • Job security; • Fair pay; and • The right to trade union representation.

“Our main issue is more secure hours and earnings,” argued Dunnes worker Muireann Dalton.

“Thousands of us in Dunnes don’t know how many hours

we’re going to work from week to week. It could range anywhere between 15 one week and 40 hours the next.

It’s virtually impossible to plan your life and pay bills and rent, not knowing how much you’re going to earn one week to the next.”

She added, “All we’re asking for is a little bit of fairness.”

Former Dunnes Stores worker, now Mandate Trade Union official, Karen Wall, said: “It’s completely unfair that workers in Tesco, Penneys, SuperValu and other major retailers can avail of secure hours, but because these workers are employed by Dunnes Stores, they can’t.

“A banded-hour contract would provide workers with secure hours but still

allows a level of flexibility for both the company and their employees. What our members in Dunnes are asking for is not unreasonable and can easily be facilitated by senior management if they just have a little bit of respect for their staff. After all, it is the workers who have helped to make Dunnes the massive success it is today.”

Commenting on the fact Dunnes management didn’t turn up to the Labour Court, Gerry Light, Mandate Trade Union Assistant General Secretary, said: “It’s extremely disappointing they didn’t turn up to hear from their own workers today. They refuse to meet with their workers’ representatives, Mandate Trade Union, and refuse

Gerry Light, Mandate Trade Union Assistant General Secretary.

to engage with the state’s industrial relations bodies, including the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) and the Labour Court. This is completely unacceptable in 2014.”

SPAR Dame Street Wins Store of the Year Award DUBLIN City’s SPAR Dame Street has been awarded the coveted Store of the Year title at the annual Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, held recently in Galway. Following over 600 entries to the awards programme, the city centre store was recognised amongst its peers as being best-inclass within the 2,500-5,000 square feet category.

“We are delighted and humbled to have been recognised as a leader in our industry,” noted Catherine McCarthy of SPAR Dame Street. “Being a city centre store, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to satisfy our customers’ needs and expectations.

We continue to benchmark ourselves against the highest standards in retailing and as a result, are committed to continually evolving our product and service offering.”

Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods, said: “Considering the massive competition faced within this category and the overall retail industry, it’s a great honour to see a store within the BWG network receive national recognition for being

best-in-class. SPAR Dame Street is one of the busiest stores in the capital and it is testament to the outstanding work of their team that they continue to set the standard in terms of convenience retailing in Ireland. I congratulate Charles, Catherine and the wider team on this great achievement and wish them continued success with the business.”

Having recently redesigned the store in 2012, Peter Sweeney of Barclaycard (event sponsors) and SPAR Dame Street is one of the brand’s flagship stores Oonagh O’Hagan, Chairperson of Retail Excellence Ireland, are pictured with winning Store of the Year with an expansive offering team: Catherine McCarthy, Majella Caffolla and across its key departments, William Nesbitt of SPAR Dame Street at the Retail including a hot and cold Excellence Ireland Awards 2014. deli, seating area, Insomnia barista, full off licence, ATM Other winners included Topaz and Lotto. The popular store Dublin Airport, which won in the Store has also attracted attention from SPAR International in the past, having of the Year 1,000-2,500 square feet category; and John Burke of Caulfield’s hosted delegates from SPAR Shanxi SuperValu, Loughboy, Co. Kilkenny, in China while on a look and learn who was named Manager of the Year. business development tour.

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News

SuperValu Enters Insurance Market the first in a range of insurSUPERVALU has launched ance products which we will SuperValu Travel Insurance, introduce over the coming the first in a range of insurmonths,” said Martin Kelleance products to be offered by her, Managing Director, Suthe company. perValu. “Our move into the SuperValu Travel Insurinsurance business is a furance provides cover for the ther demonstration of Superimportant items such as trip Valu’s innovative approach cancellation and medical to offering our customers a expenses when on holidays. broad range of services from Another key advantage is a brand that they trust. We that SuperValu Travel Insurhave entered the insurance ance offers a range of comsector after much research petitive fixed price options, and feedback from customers which mean that customers that they are looking for an will only pay for what they insurance provider that they want, be it a domestic trip, already have an affinity to European or worldwide cover, and one that they feel will single or family. As with all Pictured at the arrival of SuperValu Travel Insurance are Rozanna offer them real value and travel insurance, terms and Purcell and Darren Regazzoli. assurance that they can travel conditions apply. with peace of mind.”

SuperValu Insurance is The Irish retailer is currently in discusCustomers looking to purchase Suregulated by the Central Bank of Iresions with a number of other companies perValu Travel Insurance will be able to land and SuperValu has partnered with with a view to launching more insurbuy it online at ACE European Group Ltd, one of the ance products into the market in 2015. www.supervalutravelinsurance.ie or by world’s largest insurance providers, to “We are delighted to announce the calling 1890 719 425. underwrite its travel insurance product. launch of SuperValu Travel Insurance,

New App Highlights Local Retailers THE recent Dublin Web Summit was not just about 3D printing, virtual reality, or social networks. Some entrepreneurs had retail on their minds.

Shelfz.com, a start-up application showcased at the conference, is a local shopping app designed to use the power of mobile connectivity to drive footfall back into stores.

“Shopping locally, as opposed to online, has many advantages,” Florian Klemt, founder of Shelfz.com, told Retail News. “You get assistance in the shop. You can see the product. There’s a variety of products people don’t want to buy online: fresh produce, for example, that goes off. The experience of picking your own fruit - making sure the produce hasn’t been lying on shelves for too long - is something people don’t want to leave someone else to do.”

How does it work?

Retailers upload a short description and a photo of

an item onto the free iPad app. “We don’t think you have to cover your whole stock. Maybe get some key items that identify your store. Put in a couple of details like where you are located, the name of your shop, then take photos from the app, like you do from the Twitter app. Add a description, the price, and it’s live.”

Shoppers in the area

use a consumer version of the app, for iPhone or iPad, and look at a stream of recommended products, or search for a particular brand. “Hit a button, open up a Google map, and get directions to the shop and the product,” Klemt reveals.

The retailer’s app includes a proximity sensor, informing the shopkeeper when a new customer enters the store.

It pinpoints the three most relevant products for that customer. “Without having seen this person in their entire life, the retailer already has a glimpse of what they are looking for,” said Klemt. The app includes data analytics, customer recommendations and feedback.

Manufacturers can also upload content: “A cheese producer whose products are sold across five different shops, for example.”

Shelfz is still in a development phase. The app would require a degree of ubiquity and success before it is worthwhile to retailers, but Klemt is convinced of a gap in the market.

“Everything is online now,” he said. “But bricks and mortar shops are not going to go away. If you give people the right tools and enable them to do the same things people do in the online world, it will give them more power to survive.”

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News

Musgrave to Acquire Allied Logistics from DCC MUSGRAVE Retail Partners Ireland has agreed to acquire the Allied Logistics business from DCC plc. The acquisition is conditional on clearance from the Irish Competition Authority.

Allied Logistics provides ambient and temperature controlled storage and distribution services in Ireland and the acquisition will provide Musgrave with access to a highly efficient frozen supply chain. Earlier this year, Musgrave acquired the foodservice division of Allied Foods and will continue to provide supply chain services to all of Allied Logistics’ existing customers.

“Allied Logistics is an excellent strategic fit for our operations in Ireland and there is a natural synergy between both organisations,” commented Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland. “We have a long-standing trading relationship and look forward to the employees of Allied Logistics joining Musgrave.”

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland.

Senior Appointments at Tesco Ireland

TESCO Ireland has announced the appointments of Geoff Byrne as Chief Operating Officer and Geraldine Casey as Personnel & IT Director. Both Geoff and Geraldine are members of Tesco Ireland’s Senior Leadership team.

With over 25 years’ experience working in Tesco, Geoff Byrne brings a wealth of industry knowledge to his new role. He joined Tesco in 1989 as a

Project Marketing Manager and has since held various roles within the business, including Store Manager, Store Operations Manager, Head of Employee Relations, Store Director and Business Change Director, which included responsibility for business planning, new business development, retail services, online retailing, Tesco Mobile and IT. Prior to assuming his

current position, Geoff held the role of Personnel and Business Change Director from 2012 to 2014.

Geraldine Casey joined Tesco in 2001 and has over 16 years’ experience in the Irish retail industry. Geraldine joined Tesco from Xtra-Vision where she held the role of District Manager from 2000 to 2001. Since joining Tesco, Geraldine has developed her career within the company from Senior Fresh Trade Manager and Store Manager to Area Manager. By June 2009, Geraldine progressed to the role of Store Director and in May 2013 was appointed as the Operations Director for Tesco Ireland.

“Both Geoff and Geraldine have collectively nearly 40 years’ experience working in Tesco Ireland and bring a wealth of expertise and industry experience to their new roles,” noted Phil J. Clarke, CEO, Tesco Ireland.

“Geoff and Geraldine are key members of what is a strong local senior leadership team that is focused on giving our customers the best overall value, range and experience every time they shop in Tesco.”

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News SuperValu and Discounters Gain Ground THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending October 12, show SuperValu to be the only major grocer to be in growth other than the discount retailers. It also highlights a continued strong performance from Aldi and Lidl, as the two reach a combined market share record of 16.5%.

Georgieann Harrington, Consumer Insight Director at Kantar Worldpanel, explains: “While SuperValu’s growth has been moderate, its performance has been consistent. It continues to perform well through ‘top-up’ shops and smaller convenience trips, and the acquisition of Superquinn has given it an improved balance of store locations across the country, with 223 outlets to choose from and a vastly increased presence in Dublin.”

Aldi and Lidl both continue to enjoy strong growth, with shares in the market growing by 14.3% and 14.9% respectively over the past year.

Aldi has successfully attracted more shoppers through its doors and is increasing its share of baskets between €50 and €100, as consumers pick up a wider range of product lines and do their entire weekly shop with the retailer. Meanwhile, Lidl has seen shoppers increase their average spend by €18 in the 12 weeks to October

12, while also visiting the store more often.

After posting five months of consecutive growth, Dunnes Stores has seen a slight reduction in sales of 0.4%. Average spend has fallen by almost €7, which has been a significant factor in its recent performance. Yet despite losing sales, the retailer has captured a larger share of the market, as its main rival, Tesco continues to drop back. Dunnes’ current market share of 22.7% is its highest since February of this year, and it has made moderate gains with shopper numbers, attracting an extra 13,000 shoppers into its stores. Meanwhile its share in the ‘big shop’ (baskets over €100) is the

highest among all retailers, at 37.2%.

In a similar story to the UK, Tesco Ireland has seen less share loss than in recent months, posting a sales decline of 4.6%. However, customers are continuing to increase the number of trips they make to Tesco stores, meaning that if the retailer can persuade shoppers to add to their in-store spend, it could be turning a corner in terms of performance.

Grocery inflation stands at 2.4% for the 12-week period ending October 12, up slightly from 1.6% last period, which was one of the lowest levels of inflation in almost three years.

For more information, see www.kantarworldpanel.com.

Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend 12 Weeks to 13 Sep 2013 %*

12 Weeks to 12 Oct 2014 %*

change** %

100.0% 88.8% 26.5% 22.9% 24.7% 14.6% 7.4% 7.2% 11.2%

100.0% 88.9% 25.1% 22.7% 24.6% 16.5% 8.4% 8.2% 11.1%

0.9 1.0 -4.6 -0.4 0.2 14.6 14.3 14.9 -0.2

Total Grocers Total Multiples Tesco Dunnes Total SuperValu Total Discounters Aldi Lidl Other Outlets**

*= Percentage Share of Total Grocers **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops

Diageo Sells Bushmills to Jose Cuervo DIAGEO has sold the Bushmills Irish whiskey brand to Jose Cuervo, as part of a deal to acquire full control of Tequila Don Julio and $408m in cash. Under the deal, Diageo will take control of the remaining 50% of Don Julio that it does not already own.

“Bushmills Irish Whiskey is a brand built on great history, heritage and passionate people and has been a cherished part of the Diageo family for more than nine years,” noted Colin O’Brien, Operations Director, Diageo. “During this time, we have invested over £80m to build capacity, infrastructure and maturing inventory at the Distillery, which has supported the continued growth of the brand.

“We are immensely proud of these achievements, and while we recognise that today’s announcement does represent a change for Bushmills, we are confident that Jose Cuervo - a company with a proven commitment to its people and to valuing the history

and heritage of its brands - will continue to nurture Bushmills in the future.”

O’Brien said that the transaction “represents further progress in Diageo’s strategy to build its presence in the world’s fastest growing markets and to strengthen its global position in tequila”.

Jose Cuervo CEO, Juan Domingo Beckmann, described the acquisition as the “most important purchase made

by Cuervo in its entire history”.

He noted that no jobs would be

lost at Bushmills as a result of the acquisition.

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News Eye-Tracking Technology Provides Insight to OOH Research

Simon Durham, Director of Kinetic, pictured revealing the results of the new research.

NEW research reveals that on average, 74% of grocery shoppers look at Out of Home media formats on their ‘Path to Purchase’, according to a Grocery Shopping Research project carried out by Kinetic, Mindshare and GroupM in September 2014. Grocery shoppers in Dublin and Cork were intercepted to watch footage of a typical trip to the supermarket taken from a shopper’s point of view.

Eye-tracking technology was used in the study to measure the point of gaze, length of gaze and eye pupil fixation at various points along the route. The eye-tracking component measured second by second eyeball movement and iris focus during the lifetime of the video. Exit interviews were also conducted and used to compare heat map data and dwell time against recall of advertising. 54% of respondents successfully recalled the advertising creative, while just under a quarter of potential viewing time was spent looking at media formats along the way.

Grocery shoppers’ assessment of their own shopping habits, merged with eye-tracking mapping, has provided pioneering data

on how different shopper segments interact with Out of Home (OOH) media formats and advertising creative. This results in firsttime knowledge for brand owners to use when planning their communication relationship with grocery shoppers.

As a result, brands can now plan their media formats along the Path to Purchase according to the appropriate audience.

They can also start to use a variety of creative messages consistent with the key communication advantage of the media format, its target grocery shopper and their proximity to the grocery store. An average 52 minutes are available for brands to compel targeted engagement with the appropriate segment that are in decision-making mode while shopping.

The study highlighted additional insights into grocery shopping habits in Ireland including: • Over 30s are more likely to buy leading brands; • Under 35s are less likely to use loyalty cards or vouchers; • Over 35s and those with a household income over €30k shop for fresh food most days;

• Women spend on average 41 minutes in the supermarket; • Men spend an average of 36 minutes in the supermarket; • Most main-shop grocery shopping is taking place between 2 and 3pm, while most top-up shopping is done at 6pm; • Only 41% of adults usually make a shopping list and try to stick to it; • The mean frequency of visiting the outlets

surveyed was just under twice a week; • People who like to buy fresh produce shopped at the surveyed outlets 2-3 times a week; • Women are more likely to be healthy food buyers; • Men are more likely to be bargain hunters and price conscious.

According to Grainne Dilleen, Communications Director in Kinetic, the Shopper Research Project provides “a valuable insight into grocery shoppers and their interaction with Out of Home formats”.

“The role of each format along the Path to Purchase is now clearly defined and we have very clear action points on how brands can connect with the appropriate grocery shopper at all stages,” noted Hilary Tracey, Business Planning Director from Mindshare.

“Interestingly, the research also revealed that outside consumers are more likely to have a purposeful look, while with indoor OOH consumers are twice as likely to look.”

Denis Brosnan to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award ONE of Ireland’s most respected businessmen, Denis Brosnan is the recipient of the inaugural Listowel Food Fair Lifetime Achievement Award 2014. Brosnan’s “pivotal role as Chief Executive in the development and expansion of Kerry Group into a global food giant which today employs over 20,000 people is well documented and testament to his incredible acumen, drive and vision,” according to the Chairman of the Listowel Food Fair Committee, Pierce Walsh. The Gala Awards are the highlight of the Listowel Food Fair’s 20th anniversary programme, which also included a Craft Beer Symposium, cookery competitions, ‘Farm to Fork Seminar’, craft fair, an expanded programme of workshops for all ages, with a focus on children and the continuation of the prestigious Best Emerging Artisan Food Producer Awards. For more information on the programme of events over the 20th annual Listowel Food Fair, visit www.listowelfoodfair.ie.

10|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News Minister Flanagan opens Glanbia Agribusiness Oats Mill in Portlaoise MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD officially opened the new Glanbia state-of-the- art oats processing facility in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The ‘oats only’ processing plant is the first such facility to be built in Ireland in recent years and has significant capacity for export to US and European consumer food markets.

The facility, which operates to the highest international food safety standards, (Grade A BRC accreditation) was developed following the establishment of Glanbia’s exclusive partnership with the US based Sturm Foods, for the McCann’s Irish Oatmeal brand. This brand is positioned at the premium end of the US Oatmeal market and has been on sale

in the US for over 150 years.

This exclusive partnership enabled Glanbia to expand its existing milling facilities in Portlaoise and build this innovative standalone, food-grade oats mill on the same site.

The premium quality oats grown by Irish growers, are also exported under the Glanbia Nutritionals, OatPure (gluten-free) brand in Europe. This new innovative plant is also unique in being able to process oat ingredients to guarantee a certified glutenfree product.

“This investment by Glanbia Agribusiness represents a significant expansion up the value food chain, integrating a high quality oats supply with world class food brands,” noted Minister Flanagan. “I compliment

Shannon Duty Free Relaunches

Andrew Murphy, Chief Commercial Officer, Shannon Airport, pictured with ‘Marilyn Monroe’ at the relaunch of Shannon Duty Free.

THE Shannon Group have announced the relaunch of Shannon Duty Free, taking it back to its original title, but with a new brand and improved product and service offering. The relaunch sees the introduction of new signage and branding, a new supplier in the world renowned Gebr Heinemann, and new product lines and layouts are in the process of being implemented as Shannon Duty Free strives to establish a more effective, exciting and profitable retail outlet. Established almost 70 years ago, the duty free at Shannon Airport is the first and oldest duty free in the world. This pioneering initiative in Shannon has spawned a world-wide industry, with thousands of Duty Free Shops around the world now generating billion of euros in revenue annually.

Performing the official opening of the Glanbia Agribusiness Oats Mill in Portlaoise are (l-r): Colm Eustace, CEO, Glanbia Agribusiness; Siobhan Talbot, Glanbia Group MD; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, and Glanbia Group Chairman, Liam Herlihy.

Glanbia, which is leveraging its vast experience in quality assurance in this development which meets the highest international food safety standards – this facility is BRC (Grade A) accredited, and FDA

registered. This expertise has led to the development of an exceptionally pure, gluten-free oat at this facility, which is a high quality, value added product being sold into the branded consumer goods markets.“

EU Agriculture Commissioner-elect visits Total Produce ON the eve of assuming office, incoming EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan visited Irish fresh produce multi-national, Total Produce. With an annual turnover in excess of €3 billion, Total Produce is Europe’s market leader Pictured are Jim O’Rourke, grower; Phil Hogan, incoming and one of the world’s EU Commissioner for Agriculture largest fresh produce and Rural Development; and Rory providers. The tour began at Total Produce Byrne, Chief Executive, Total grower, Jim O’Rourke’s Produce. glasshouses in Swords, Co. Dublin, before moving on to the nearby Total Produce Central Distribution Centre in Swords. Accompanied

by Total Produce Chief Executive, Rory Byrne, Hogan took the opportunity to discuss the wider European fresh produce industry, the broader economic and environmental factors currently driving the sector and the implications for stakeholders across the supply chain. “The impressive growth of Total Produce’s business illustrates the potential of our indigenous agri-food industry and the opportunities inherent across the broader European agricultural sector and the horticultural sector in particular,” noted Hogan.

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|11

Tax & Finance

How does Budget 2015 affect Retailers?

WITH the release of the most recent Budget, it is important to look at how it will affect both you and your business.

€1,000; 2. The higher rate of income tax will reduce from 41% to 40%; 3. New Universal Social Charge rates are as Business Tax follows: 1. The excise duty on a - 1.5% up to €12,012 packet of 20 cigarettes - 3.5% from €12,012.01 has been increased to €17,576 by 40 cent (including - 7% from €17,576.01 to VAT) with a pro-rata €70,444 Director: Martin Hyland, increase on other tobacco ACCA, AITI Chartered Tax Adviser, - 8% from €70,444.01 to products, since midnight Tax Accounting Ireland. €100,000 on October 14, 2014; - 8% any PAYE income certain capital gains) of 2. No change in excise duty over €100,000 new start-up companies on alcohol; - 11% self-employed in their first three years 3. No change in excise duty income over €100,000 of trading. This relief is on petrol or diesel; 4. PRSI rates are staying being extended to new 4. No change in VAT rates; the same. start-ups in 2015. A 5. No change in Corporation With the above taking review of the operation tax rate; effect from January 1, 2015, of this measure will take 6. The 3 Year Relief for it will mean a married place in 2015.

Start-up Companies couple, with two salaries, provides relief from where one or both are Personal Tax corporation tax on proprietary directors in a 1. The standard rate tax trading income (and limited company earning a band will by15:47 Page 0314-TAI01 Retail News HP PressAd-v2_Layout 1 increase 30/03/2014 1

TAX ACCOUNTING

IRELAND

BUSINESS & TAXATION CONSULTANTS

Director: Derek Keating, BBS, ACA, Tax Accounting Ireland.

combined income of €85,000 will have a tax saving of €943 compared to 2014 with the same earnings.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us at: Tax Accounting Ireland, 23 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 662 4977 or by email / website as detailed below.

Our mission is to add value to our clients business in an efficient and cost effective manner whilst maintaining high professional standards.

Our Services include: 4 Accounting, auditing, computerised bookkeeping, monthly/quarterly management accounts, full inhouse payroll and taxation advice in the food & beverage and retail industries especially in the ownermanaged sector.

4 Store location & acquisition, sources of finance, IT software selection & implementation, recruitment & training of staff, internal controls & security measures, cost reduction & improved efficiency.

4 Detailed departmental analysis with comparison of actual gross margin per department to scanning gross margin per department.

We have over 25 years’ experience in industry & practice with a high level of involvement with each client. For further details please do not hesitate to contact us or visit our website.

T: 01 662 4977 E: info@taxaccountingireland.ie

www.taxaccountingireland.ie

12|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

NEW CEO FOR TOPAZ IN 2015 EMMET O’Neill is to take over as Chief Executive of Topaz Energy Ireland Ltd on February 1, 2015. O’Neill (35) is one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs, with a number of interests across the economy. In 2005, he founded Smiles Dental as a radical and innovative patient-focused dentistry business.

Over the following years, he grew the business to become one of the largest providers of general and specialist dental services in Ireland and the UK, with 78 branches between the two countries, before selling the business earlier this year. In March of this year, he was appointed to the Board of Topaz and he has led a number of projects at the company in recent months. Described

by Topaz Chairman, John Callaghan, as “visionary and passionate”, O’Neill’s stated aim is “to build a world class retail and fuel business and to expand our operations significantly over the coming years”.

New Style Avonmore Nestlé Ireland Aim to Raise €120k for Irish Autism Action Milk Cartons NESTLÉ’S employees in Ireland have committed to raise over €120,000 for Irish Autism Action (IAA) in a three-year partnership. The new partnership with IAA involves over 700 employees from Nestlé Ireland, Citywest and Nestlé’s Wyeth Nutrition infant formula plant in Askeaton, Co. Limerick, who are planning a wide range of fundraising initiatives for the duration of the partnership. “Our staff voted the IAA as their staff charity of the year due to their compelling story of the practical support they provide, both in and out of the home, to families who are impacted by autism,” noted Deirdre O’Donoghue, Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland. “The work of IAA makes a real difference to the potential development of children with autism and plays a hugely positive role to assist them live their lives to their fullest potential. We are proud and delighted to partner with IAA to assist them realise their ambitions and objectives.” Pictured at the announcement are: (l-r) Charlie Webb (age 5); Billy Webb (age 5); Keith Duffy, Patron, Irish Autism Action; Deirdre O’Donoghue, Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland.

AVONMORE has launched an innovative new design for its milk cartons, which makes them easier to open, pour more smoothly and flatten more conveniently for recycling. The new Elopak carton (PurePak® Sense) is a first for the Irish market and is being introduced across the Avonmore milk range, starting with Avonmore Super Milk. The new packs have a twist cap that seals in the freshness but is simple to open with just one twist. It is wider than the existing caps, so pouring is smoother and special folds in the cartons make flattening the carton for the green bin simpler. The cartons also look even more attractive on display and ensure shelf standout, with a bright new modern look and family feel to the design, right across the range. The new design also allows for additional space on the pack to reinforce the Avonmore brand story. Kyle Moloney (aged 5), Kate Cepeda (aged 6) and Matthew MacDougald (aged 8) are pictured with Sarah Leahy, Glanbia Consumer Foods, at the launch of Avonmore’s new milk carton.

Ronan O’Gara Leads Ben’s Beginners IRELAND and Munster rugby legend and dad of five, Ronan O’Gara is leading out the Ben’s Beginners programme, which seeks to encourage Irish mums and dads to get cooking with their children, and nurture a lifelong love for wholesome food. Ben’s Beginners believes that when parents and children move from setting the table to cooking together, it leads to a better relationship with food, with healthy meal preparation and with each other. Introducing children to the food they eat is crucial to nurturing their relationship with healthy food, as recent research undertaken by Ben’s Beginners indicates that in children under seven years, 30% could not identify a red pepper and 85% cannot correctly name a leek, while only a third of children surveyed knew what chips are made from. Working with TV chef Phelim Byrne, Ronan has created a number of recipes to get families cooking. All are posted on the Uncle Ben’s facebook page along with details of the competition: www.facebook.com/UncleBensIreland. Ronan is pictured at the launch of Ben’s Beginners with Bailey Wilson (aged 6) and Aoife O’Brien (aged 6).

ALL-NEW FORD MONDEO COMING SOON ford.ie

14|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News

KINETICA’S CONVENIENCE OPPORTUNITY Since its launch in 2009, Irish sports nutrition company, Kinetica Sports has established itself as Ireland’s leading and most trusted supplier of sports nutritional products. The sports nutrition market has experienced a shift in consumer purchase behaviour, with a growing demand for convenience and on-the-go sports nutrition products. Currently, Kinetica is available in Applegreen, Topaz, Esso, SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, Londis, Costcutter and selected SuperValu stores. The Cork-based company has worked with closely with Richmond Marketing through the retail convenience channel to meet the growing demand from consumers for more health-based snacks. Kinetica has now secured further distribution through Holland and Barrett nationwide.

Kinetica’s range of convenience products offer retailers margin potential to develop a new and growing category. Pictured outside Holland and Barrett, Grafton Street, Dublin, are Greg Caddies, Manager, Holland and Barrett, Sean Prunty, Kinetica, and Richie Power, Kinetica and Kilkenny hurler.

Safety First For New Fish Shop Manor Farm THE newly opened Fish Market Rewarded at in Roselawn Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, is the Repak Awards latest fish shop to sign up for BIM’s Food Safety Programme for Seafood Retailers. Owners George and Anne Stephens (pictured) want to ensure that all seafood offered for sale meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. The programme consists of an interactive food safety workbook specifically developed for seafood retailers, which provides guidance for complying with food safety legislation and best hygiene practices, across topics such as: cold chain management, cleaning, personal hygiene, allergen management, cross contamination, labelling, traceability and HACCP. BIM’s food safety team provide on-site mentoring on food safety and hygiene issues and assistance in completing the workbook. George and Anne now plan to implement the programme in their other two shops: Stephens’ Fish Market in Maynooth and Mullingar. For more information on BIM’s Food Safety Programme, contact Eileen Soraghan on (01) 2144112 or email soraghan@bim.ie.

Parcel Connect Gears Up for Festive Boom PAYZONE and Fastway, one of Ireland’s leading courier operators, are gearing up for an expected surge in online shopping this peak season with their online delivery service, Parcel Connect, www.parcelconnect.ie, which allows customers to send, collect and return online goods via their local Payzone branded convenience stores nationwide. Having launched with only 300 stores last year, the network has grown substantially and now has over 1,000 Payzone agents offering Parcel Connect services, throughout every county in Ireland. One of the key features of the new mobile optimised Parcelconnect.ie website is the ability for customers to use the newly launched Parcel Connect Virtual Address service to avail of free UK delivery into Parcel Connect’s Northern Ireland depot address and simply pay the lower cost of having parcels delivered to the local Payzone store.

Danny Hughes, CEO at Parcel Connect, is pictured handing over the Parcel Connect package to online shopper Emma at the launch of the new enhanced Parcel Connect personalised delivery service.

MANOR Farm and Irish Packaging Recycling Ltd were the big winners at this year’s Repak Recycling Awards, with Manor Farm winning the Repak Member of the Year Award and Irish Packaging Recycling Ltd being named the Recovery Operator of the Year – Large Company. In total, nine awards were presented, as Repak honoured its members and contractors who had made major contributions to Ireland’s environment through their sustainable recycling habits.

The Repak Member of the Year Award reflects Manor Farm’s continued efforts to reduce packaging waste by moving away from heavy plastic packaging to lighter, more easily recyclable packaging from sustainable sources. “The Repak Recycling Awards recognises the continuous efforts of our partners and members who do their upmost to help us achieve our packaging and recycling goals”, said Seamus Clancy, CEO of Repak.

Pictured at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny at the 2014 Repak Recycling awards with the Repak Member of the Year Award are Joyce Johnston and Vincent Carton of Manor Farm and Seamus Clancy, CEO, Repak.

16|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News TWO NEW TOPAZ FORECOURTS TO CREATE 110 JOBS TOPAZ is to create 110 new jobs between two major new service stations opening in North Dublin and Co. Laois in January, developed at a cost of €10m. One of the stations is located at Junction 3, adjacent to where the M50 meets the M1 at Clonshaugh in North County Dublin, while the other is at Junction 3 on the Dublin-Cork [M8] motorway near Ballacolla in County Laois. Both stations will open in January 2015. “Topaz is in job creation and expansion mode and we are constantly looking at sites with good potential – particularly near motorways,” noted Paul Candon, Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz, pictured (left) with Topaz Retail Network Development Manager, Jonathan Diver, and Topaz staff member, Deirdre Bruton.

Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair

BIM Young Fishmonger 2015

THE Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair, Ireland’s largest international craft beer festival, will return to Dublin’s Convention Centre from February 27 to March 1, 2015.

The event will bring together craft beer enthusiasts from all over the world to sample more than 150 beers and artisan foods over three days. This will be the third time Alltech has hosted the event, which welcomed more than 6,000 visitors this year, who tasted a range of craft beers from more than 45 brewers from 18 countries around the world. For more information, see eu.alltechbrewsandfood.com. Pictured officially launching the fair are (l-r): Dave Cummins, Manager of the Bull & Castle pub in Dublin; Aisling Worth, Alltech Ireland Beverage Division, and Andy Byrne, Galway Bay Brewery.

THE five finalists in the BIM Young Fishmonger 2015 competition are pulling all the stops out to impress the judges before the winner is announced at the awards event in the Radisson St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin, at the end of November. Gerard Collier (Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead); Stevie Connolly (Connolly’s Fish Company, Rathmines) Mateusz Kowalik (Dorans on the Pier, Howth), Gary Quinn, (Stephens’ Fish Market, Mullingar) and Neil Turner (Caviston’s Food Emporium, Glasthule) have already been extensively judged with in-depth visits to their respective shops to assess their knowledge of seafood, their understanding of quality issues, skills, techniques and customer service. Their practical skills were tested on November 12, with each finalist required to fillet and prepare a range of fish and shellfish under time constraints in BIM’s Seafood Development Centre, Clonakilty.

Butlers Chocolates Christmas Cookery Classes CONSUMERS can impress their family and friends this festive season along with discovering new and delicious ways to enjoy Butlers Chocolates by booking a Butlers Christmas Cookery Class on Saturday November 29. From 1-3.30pm, they can learn how to bake wonderful chocolate treats, with Ballymaloe trained chef, Yvonne Carty, at the Butlers Chocolate Experience in Dublin 17. Chocolate lovers will have a chance to watch an up-close demonstration of eight sumptuous chocolate recipes and enjoy tastings of everything prepared during the chocolate demo. For those who can’t make the cookery class, there are a collection of Butlers Chocolates favourite recipes using Butlers milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate available online at www.butlerschocolates.com/happiness/all-recipes/.

Two Decades of Terroirs THIS month marks 20 years of Terroirs wine store in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, a significant milestone for Seán and Françoise Gilley (pictured). November 1994 saw newly married Seán and Françoise, with their quality driven passion for good wine and food, create a special environment for true wine lovers, where the very best of wines were available with the finest speciality foods, wine accessories and gifts. The Gilleys continue to offer everyday best value quality, in addition to a range of sumptuous and rare fine wines.

18|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Gala Retail Conference

Gala Performance by Retail Group Pictured are (l-r): motivational speaker Paul McNeive; Liam Peters, Chairman, Gala Retail Services; Gary Desmond, CEO, Gala Retail Services, and guest speaker, football icon Niall Quinn.

The Gala Retail Conference saw the retail group celebrating another successful year’s trading, while looking ahead to the roll-out of Chilled Distribution nationwide.

GALA Retail Services celebrated another successful year in the retail industry at its annual Gala Retail Conference, which was held over two days in October at the five star Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois.

Over 200 Gala group retailers, wholesalers and support staff, enjoyed a packed schedule of business, social activities and engaging entertainment, including the business conference, annual trade fair exhibition, Gala’s B.E.S.T awards, and a hilarious after dinner routine by the irrepressible king of comedic impressions, Mario Rosenstock of Gift Grub fame.

Iconic Guest Speakers Kicking off the conference, Gala’s Chairman Liam Peters introduced the audience to this year’s special guest speakers, Niall Quinn and Paul McNeive. Iconic footballer, Niall Quinn gave an insight into the successes and challenges he faced through his varied career as a player, former Chairman at

Sunderland FC and his current hugely successful business career.

Attendees also enjoyed hearing from Paul McNeive, the inspirational leader and motivational speaker whose autobiographical book on business and motivation, ‘Small Steps’, is a best seller and reveals how losing his legs drove McNeive on to lead a €50m business. McNeive explored the theme of unleashing potential and gave guests fantastic advice on improving customer service and increasing sales potential.

The CEO’s Address CEO of Gala Retail Services, Gary Desmond, took to the stage to update attendees on the Gala network’s growth and progress achieved in 2014. Covering some of the key marketing wins from the year, Desmond referenced the significant growth of its social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, the popular Disney partnership, the group’s

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|19

Gala Retail Conference grocery brands to save money, while 31% have cut down on or buy cheaper brands of alcohol.

He highlighted some of the positive economic indicators, including the fact that Ireland’s unemployment rate is due to fall to 11% by the end of the year and that business sentiment was at its highest point for seven and a half years in early 2014. Desmond also analysed the convenience market, with some interesting insights, including the fact that convenience shopping accounts for 27% of all shopping occasions, and that 79% of convenience shoppers are satisfied with their shopping experience.

Nationwide Chilled Distribution As well as briefing the audience on the strategy and marketing plans for 2015, the CEO also updated retailers on the highly anticipated launch of Chilled Distribution, which has started to roll out to all stores nationwide.

The Chilled Distribution Solution represents a significant investment for the group, following months of planning and an initial trial period in several stores under the guidance of Audrey Kelly.

The CEO highlighted Gala’s belief that now is the right time for the group to introduce the chilled Gala CEO, Gary Desmond, pictured with guest speaker, Paul McNeive. distribution network, as it offers a range of important benefits to the hugely successful Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation brand’s growing network of retailers. The solution offers all charity campaign, and the regional radio sponsorships which retailers greater access and availability across a wide range aired nationwide.

He went on to discuss key economic and consumer trends, of products and allows them to be even more competitive on price and more efficient in terms of the ordering process. The including the fact that 71% of us have switched to cheaper

Pictured accepting the Marketing Initiative Award are Colin Ferguson of Nestlé Ireland, with Terry Kane from Gala Carlow, and Tony Cluskey, Gala Marketing & Ambient Trading Manager.

Pictured receiving the Fresh Food Award is Liju Gala, Tuffy’s Gala Ballina, and Audrey Kelly, Gala Chilled/Frozen Trading Manager.

20|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Gala Retail Conference

Pictured at the presentation of the Customer Service Award are (l-r):- Barry Filgate of Largo Foods; Jack & Patricia Coyle from Coyle’s Gala Express, Belmullet; and Denise Lord, Gala Customer Services Manager.

Guest speaker Niall Quinn, pictured with Gala CEO, Gary Desmond.

Tuffy’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Mayo, was a Gold Award Winner: Pictured are Billy Massey, Retail Operations Manager, Gala Retail Services, with Eileen Diamond & Grace O’Malley, Tuffy’s, and event MC, Lorraine Keane.

system will also reduce administration work for busy retailers and will allow for increased margins and better stock control management.

The bespoke online ordering system GLOS (Gala Logistics Operating System), which sees all Gala retailers equipped with free iPads, was developed to be very easy for retailers to use, while an extensive consultation process ensured the end product’s viability and value for retailers.

The Chilled Distribution system has been rigorously tested through an extensive pilot scheme over the past number of months across Gala Express, Gala convenience and Gala forecourt formats, Desmond explained. He advised that retailers participating in the trials have been very positive in their feedback, remarking on improved service levels, consistent product supplies and better value for customers.

Sean and Colm Mulrooney from Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, are pictured receiving their Gold Award from Billy Massey of Gala and Lorraine Keane.

King’s Gala from Ashbourne, Co. Meath, was a Gold Award winner. Gala’s Jerry McDonnell and event MC, Lorraine Keane, present the award to Lorraine Byrne and Robert Cunningham.

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|21

Gala Retail Conference

Jerry McDonnell Retail Operations Manager at Gala Retail Services, presents a Gold Award to Alan and Dolores Hegarty and John Smith, from Hegarty’s Gala, Carlow, with event MC, Lorraine Keane.

Andy and Jame Durkan, from Durkan’s Gala, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, are pictured receiving their Gold Award from Billy Massey of Gala and Lorraine Keane.

Gala B.E.S.T Awards As always, a highlight of the conference was the annual B.E.S.T awards and banquet dinner, which was hosted this year by TV presenter Lorraine Keane. The B.E.S.T (Business Excellence Standards Tool) Awards celebrate excellence in retail standards and customer service throughout Gala stores. Every year a number of stores are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze for their commitment to excellence across a range of categories, from training to HR. In addition, key awards including Marketing Initiative Award, Customer Service Awards, Community Initiative Award, Alcohol Dept. Award, Gala Brand Champion, Fresh Food Award and the Bakers Corner Award, were presented to six key Gala retailers on the night.

This year saw Britvic awarded the prestigious Gala’s Supplier of the Year award, highlighting their excellent work with Gala and retailers alike over the past year. The award was accepted by Brian Magennis Jerry McDonnell, Retail Operations Manager at Gala Retail Services, and MC Lorraine Keane, are pictured presenting a Gold Award to Gerard of Britvic, who commended both the Britvic and Gala Crawford, Harkin’s Gala, Ballybofey Co. Donegal. teams on their efforts over the past year, which has culminated in this award.

Gary Desmond, Gala CEO, presents the Supplier of the Year Award to Brian Magennis and Kieran Groarke of Britvic.

Pictured are (l-r): Billy Massey, Retail Operations Manager, Gala Retail Services, Sammy Salem, PJ Holmes & Josephine Reale, all from Gold Award winners Holmes’ Gala Express, Murroe, Co. Limerick, with Lorraine Keane.

22|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

Warm Welcome for Consumer-Friendly Budget Measures RETAIL Ireland members responded very positively to the consumer-friendly elements of Budget 2015, which will provide welcome support to a sector which has borne the full brunt of years of recession.

Given that retail sales have tumbled by 25% since 2008, resulting in 50,000 job losses in the industry, Retail Ireland has long called on the Government to boost confidence and increase spending power by easing the income tax burden and putting money back into consumers’ pockets.

Budget 2015 offered the best opportunity in years for the Government to re-energise retail and support the industry’s emerging recovery. The very timely announcements on income tax reductions and changes to the USC are a clear signal that we have reached the end of austerity, providing an enormous boost to consumer sentiment in the run-up to the busy Christmas trading period.

The Budget measures announced in October will help to reduce pressure on our embattled industry, thereby promoting employment, stimulating investment and boosting revenues for the State, generated by retail sales.

Although retail’s recovery cannot be taken for granted and a sustained, proactive commitment from Government will be necessary over the years ahead, the measures adopted under Budget 2015 will go some way to further strengthen the recent positive trends in the market, helping to safeguard retail’s proud position as Ireland’s largest industry and most geographicallydiverse employer.

Retail Sales Show Strengthening Recovery The CSO’s Retail Sales Index for September 2014 showed that when sales of new cars and sales in bars are excluded, the total combined value of retail sales rose by 1.1% compared with the same month last year, while the volume of sales was up by 3.5% over the same period. This represents the tenth consecutive monthly year-on-year rise in both the value and volume of Irish retail sales.

Albeit modest, the latest growth in retail sales is to be welcomed as another indication of enhanced confidence and increased spending by Irish consumers.

The figures for September showed a particularly strong performance by nonfood specialised stores, but specialist outlets such as butchers, bakeries and off licences saw a combined fall of 5.7% in the value of their sales, with pharmacies down by 2.4% and fashion outlet sales down by 1.9%. That said, considering the consumer friendly measures adopted by Budget 2015 and the increased numbers of people back in employment, we look forward to a busy Christmas trading period, always the most crucial time of the year for our industry.

Retail Ireland participates in Third Session of Retail Consultation Forum RETAIL Ireland recently participated in the third session of the Government’s Retail Consultation Forum, chaired by Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ged Nash TD. The agenda included a discussion of proposals for pro-retail initiatives under the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 and a debate on the extent to which general business costs impact on retail’s performance.

Retail Ireland is proud to represent our member companies on the Forum, the first dedicated platform of engagement between Government Departments and retailers. The Forum affords us an excellent opportunity to raise awareness in Government circles of the realities of doing business as an Irish retailer, thereby helping to influence public policy decisions to the benefit of the entire industry.

THE NEW FACES OF RETAIL IRELAND WE are pleased to confirm that Thomas Burke has formally taken up his new role as Director of Retail Ireland.

Thomas has been part of the Ibec team since 2005. He joins Retail Ireland from the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), Thomas Burke, Director, Retail Ireland. another industry representative group within the Ibec family, where he served as Senior Executive with special responsibility for the Irish Brewers Association and the Irish Cider Association since March 2012. Previous to this, he spent a number of years as Economic Affairs Executive at Ibec’s Food and Drink Conor Whelan, Chairperson, Industry Ireland (FDII). Retail Ireland and Managing Director of Eason.

Meanwhile, we are delighted to welcome Conor Whelan, Managing Director of Eason, as the new Chairperson of the Board of Retail Ireland. Conor replaces Frank Gleeson, who recently reached the end of his tenure with us. We are enormously appreciative of Frank’s dedication and valuable contribution to our work over the last two and a half years and we wish him every success in his future pursuits.

Working together with our member companies, Retail Ireland’s new team looks forward to cultivating a positive business environment, allowing the Irish retail sector to return to prosperity and achieve its full potential.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie

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PostPoint branding in Casey’s Quickstop, Castlebar.

Do More in Store P

art of the An Post Group, PostPoint was established

in 2000 and has been helping local retailers and communities Do More in Store ever since.

PostPoint retailers process over 18 million transactions every year, including essential footfall driving services such as mobile phone top up, Bill Payment, Waste Management, Gift Cards, Tolling, Parking and international calling cards.

Our stores offer products and services which are useful, practical and simple. And, because PostPoint is part of An Post, customers can trust that all payments will be processed safely, securely and efficiently.

Over the last year, PostPoint has boosted its Bill Payment facility to over 150 billers, one of the largest in the country, allowing customers to pay the majority of national and regional bills through their local PostPoint shop.

In addition to regular utility bills, customers can also pay their Local Property Tax and TV Licence Renewal as well as many of their local waste payments and local City and County Council Payments through PostPoint.

Added to these services are exclusive An Post products such as Postal Products, Stamps, TV licence renewal

and One4all Gift Cards, as well as new innovative online payment products like Ukash and paysafecard.

DO MORE IN STORE THIS CHRISTMAS Christmas is the perfect time to choose PostPoint as your preferred electronic services supplier. Retailers who join PostPoint this month can offer their customers festive favourites such as One4all Gift Cards and the Christmas Stamp Booklet. Both of these are very popular products which are well established in the Irish marketplace, and give PostPoint retailers a competitive advantage when trying to attract customers into their stores this Christmas season.

The One4all Gift Card is Ireland’s leading multi-store gift card and is exclusively sold through Post Offices and PostPoint outlets. The One4all Gift Card makes the perfect gift for any occasion as it is accepted in over 5,400 retail outlets nationwide.

PostPoint retailers can purchase stamps and One4all conveniently and quickly through the PostPoint helpdesk on 1890 20 42 20, and all orders are delivered free of charge straight to the retailers door.

PART OF THE AN POST GROUP Part of the An Post Group, PostPoint was established in 2000 and was the first company in Ireland to perform an electronic top up. Shortly after, PostPoint also became the first electronic services provider to develop BillPay in retail stores.

Now, PostPoint supplies electronic services to over 2,000 retailers nationwide and works hand in hand with thousands of retailers in every town and every village across Ireland. By joining PostPoint retailers enjoy the support of a dedicated customer services team as well as an award winning sales support team on the road.

PostPoint works with all major retail brands including Spar, Centra, SuperValu, Tesco, Gala, Mace, Londis, Costcutter, Daybreak, Topaz and applegreen.

If you would like more information about joining PostPoint please give us a call on 1890 20 42 20.

would like to wish all our retailers and readers of Retail News a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

26|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Festive Fare

Festive Fever We look at the products guaranteed to fly off your shelves this festive season.

CHRISTMAS is coming and consumers all over the country are starting to think about what they need this festive season. This is undoubtedly good news for retailers, as is the fact that consumer confidence seems to be returning, following years of recession and economic turmoil. This should mean that Christmas 2014 is a bumper one for the retail trade.

The Christmas season isn’t just about turkey and chocolate, however, as consumers stock up on everything from biscuits to wrapping paper, from paté to port wine, as the bumper gifting, home entertaining and socialising season takes hold.

Sellotape When it comes to wrapping gifts, consumers want to rely on an instantly recognisable and trusted brand, the brand Sellotape, from Henkel, inspires that confidence.

Under the tagline “Every roll inspired by you”, Sellotape has launched a dispenser motivated by consumers. Meeting identified needs from a premium dispenser (Sellotape Dispenser Study 2011), Sellotape OnHand Dispenser allows for variable tape lengths, ease of use and even

The Sellotape On-Hand Dispenser slots on the hand like a ring, allowing consumers to dispense the tape as they hold the wrapping paper in place.

keeps both hands free for wrapping!

Sellotape aims to make the On-Hand Dispenser a top draw and must-have item for every household.

“In the development of the OnHand Dispenser, we have kept the consumer’s wrapping rituals at heart, trying to facilitate the process with On-Hand,” noted Julia Bauer, Sellotape Brand Manager. “Developed through extensive market research, the OnHand Dispenser is always there to help when wrapping or sealing presents, parcels and envelopes. This dispenser

New for 2014, Sellotape has launched Festive On-Hand Refills, an exciting new range of pattern tapes for that extra special touch at Christmas.

is an extension of you. It simply slots on the hand like a ring, allowing you to dispense the tape as you hold the wrapping paper in place.”

New for 2014, Sellotape has launched Festive On-Hand Refills, an exciting new range of pattern tapes for that extra special touch at Christmas.

Designed specifically for the Sellotape On-Hand Dispenser, Festive On-Hand Refills include one roll of Super Clear tape and two rolls of pattern tape. One of the pattern tapes shows an elegant

Partridge Pear tree On-Hand Dispenser

Our On-Hand Dispenser fits perfectly on your hand, leaving you free to wrap any gift this Christmas with ease, even a partridge in a pear tree.

And for that extra special touch, try our new Festive Refills.

Every roll inspired by you

28|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Festive Fare white snowflake design, while the other shows a contrasting red and white Christmas tree pattern, both perfect for making Christmas gifts more special!

tubs. Jacob’s Chocolate Mallows completes the line-up, which are all well-established seasonal favourites and a stable part of the Irish family Christmas.

Jacob’s Elite Chocolate Kimberley: a huge favourite with Irish consumers for Christmas.

Sellotape On-Hand Dispenser allows for variable tape lengths, ease of use and even keeps both hands free for wrapping.

Jacob’s Biscuits When it comes to biscuits, Jacob’s is the

Avonmore Cream A must for everyone’s shopping list this and every Christmas is Avonmore Cream. Ireland’s favourite cream has a wide range of creams to suit every occasion over the festive season, including Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream, which is already whipped for added convenience, delicious Avonmore Sour Cream for party dips or a traditional hot jacket potato, indulgent Double Cream for the perfect soup or

‘unChristmasable’ favourite in Ireland.

Afternoon Tea 1kg is the quintessential gift that brings a smile to the faces of all the family. The delicious assortment caters for everyone’s tastes and is the perfect gifting offering. Traditional favourite, USA is an iconic staple in all homes during the festive season and at 1kg offers great value for money.

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a tin of Elite Chocolate Kimberley. Also available in the Elite family are tins of Elite Chocolate Mikado, delectable mallow biscuits smothered in smooth milk chocolate.

The iconic trio of Jacob’s Kimberley, Mikado and Coconut Creams are available in stay fresh, resealable

Festive Flower Power at SuperValu SUPERVALU expects to sell 125,000 Irish poinsettias this Christmas.

SuperValu will stock 100% Bord Bia quality assured Irish grown poinsettias supplied by Dublin based grower, Uniplumo. Now in its 18th year, Uniplumo’s partnership with SuperValu has led the grower to increase the number of poinsettias grown by 25% over the past three years to meet customer demand. Uniplumo are specialist growers in the Irish horticulture market, operating from seven acres of heated glasshouses near Swords, County Dublin.

The company employs over 40 staff.

“Our long-standing partnership with Uniplumo enables us to bring locally produced poinsettias of the highest quality to SuperValu customers all over the country,” enthused Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu. “Our relationship with Uniplumo has helped the company to continue to grow in order to meet customer demand for the extremely popular poinsettia.”

Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream: a luxuriously thick cream, perfect for Christmas Pudding, Mince Pies and all consumers’ favourite Christmas treats.

Pictured is Annabelle Edwards (4) from Swords, Co. Dublin, and Tom Summerville, General Manager, Uniplumo, as SuperValu announces that it expects to sell 125,000 Irish poinsettias this Christmas.

pasta and new Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream, a luxuriously thick cream, perfect for Christmas Pudding, Mince Pies and all consumers’ favourite Christmas treats.

Luxuriously thick and ready to pour, Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream is perfect for pouring directly over consumers’ favourite festive desserts. The deliciously smooth, thick consistency is the perfect accompaniment to mince pies, Christmas pudding, trifle and all our favourite Christmas treats. Avonmore Fresh Dessert Cream is an extra thick cream and requires no additional whipping, providing consumers with

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Christmas Stocking: Festive Fare added convenience during Unilever the busy festive occasion and Hellmann’s, the number is available in both a 250ml one mayonnaise brand and 500ml resealable bottle. from Unilever UK and Avonmore Fresh Dessert Ireland (Source: Nielsen cream is a must stock item Data, August 2014, Value for all consumers’ festive sales MAT), has launched desserts. a special edition jar for the Back by popular demand Christmas season, available with a fresh new look, to retailers now.

Baileys Whipped Cream in Aiming to grow the €14m a 585ml pot combines the unique and great taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur and Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream.

Luxurious and delicious on top of a chocolate cake, in a latte, or with any dessert of your choice, this is two great Irish products, with one unforgettable taste.

Avonmore is the cream market leader with 60%% branded cream share (MAT August 2014). With such a wide range of cream products, Avonmore has a cream to suit every consumption occasion throughout this festive season and is a must stock item in stores.

Avonmore Cream will have a heavyweight support plan in place, comprising of radio and TV support, in-store Hellmann’s has launched a special sampling and activation, edition jar for the Christmas heavyweight digital and PR season, sure to stand out on-shelf. support.

mayonnaise market (Source: Nielsen Data, August 2014, Value sales MAT) by encouraging consumers to replenish their stocks in the run-up to Christmas, the limited edition Real Mayonnaise jar features Hellmann’s signature blue ribbon alongside Christmas cues on pack, including a

Hellmann’s at Unilever UK and Ireland. “By launching a special Christmas Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise jar, we’re looking to drive incremental sales for the dressings category at this key time.

“We know that consumers use more mayonnaise around

New male gift sets for 2014 include Lynx Peace, which was supported by a ground-breaking marketing campaign during the year, Make Love Not War.

season’s greetings card, snowflakes and the words ‘Ho Ho Ho’ in place of the Hellmann’s logo; all emphasising the product’s relevance to eating occasions during the festive season.

“Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise is our biggest

Christmas, particularly with leftover turkey and at buffets,” she continued. “Our new packaging taps into this and retailers should stock up to take advantage of the new pack design to grow Christmas sales.”

Hellmann’s Christmas

Aldi’s Christmas Campaign

New for 2014, the Dove Happiness Gift Pack includes Dove Supreme Fine Silk Bath Cream (500ml), Dove Silk Body Cream (300ml), Dove Silk Glow Body Wash (250ml) and a luxury candle.

ALDI Stores Ireland unveiled its Christmas 2014 campaign recently by transforming the banqueting hall of Smock Alley Theatre into a Winter Wonderland. Aldi’s Christmas expert Peter Kelly, a.k.a. Franc, and his team created a magical space for invited guests who enjoyed a three-course banquet as they were entertained by award winning artist Gemma Hayes. Gemma performed the track ‘Making My Way Back’ from her new album Bones + Longing which will feature on this year’s Christmas TV ad from Aldi.

seller over the festive period, generating over €1.4m in the 12-week lead up to Christmas last year in Ireland (Source: Nielsen Data, Value Sales, 12WE December 2013),” explained Kirsty Chalmers, Assistant Brand Manager for

Real Mayonnaise is available in 400g jars, with an RRP of €2.75, 600g jars with an RRP of €3.67 and 800g jars with an RRP of €4.99.

Unilever also has an extensive portfolio of health and beauty products. For the festive season, Unilever

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ShelfFare Life Christmas Stocking: Festive 250ml and a shower puff.

The Lynx Peace THIS Christmas, Lidl has carefully selected Washbag Gift Set (RRP: the finest range of mouth-watering Deluxe €16.99) contains: Lynx products from acclaimed Irish suppliers to Peace Revitalising make the festive season the best and tastiest Shower Gel 250ml, yet. There is a huge collection of seasonal Lynx Peace Body Spray starters, moreish mains and delectable 150ml and Lynx Peace desserts available for the festive season.

Hair Cream Tin 75ml.

The range includes everything from Scallops Unilever’s hugely with Deluxe Garlic & Parsley Butter to an popular Dove Men Iberian ham leg, ostrich steaks to frozen +Care range is available lobster, alongside a host of sensational cheeses in a shower gift pack and Sicilian Lemon and Belgian Chocolate (RRP €10.99), including Cheesecakes, as well as a selection of festive the brand’s innovative wines and winter warmers.

Dove Men+Care premium Shower Tool.

Dove offers a is extending its portfolio with a luxurious selection of number of new and revamped pampering beauty gift sets, gift packs across leading brands: intended to leave recipients Dove, Lynx, Impulse, Vaseline, looking gorgeous and feeling Radox, Simple, TONI&GUY, VO5 great. New for 2014 is Dove and TRESemmé.

Happiness Gift Pack (RRP “As one of the category €15.99), which includes leaders, it is important that we Dove Supreme Fine Silk continue to innovate in line with Bath Cream (500ml), Dove key consumer trends to ensure Silk Body Cream (300ml), we’re always one step ahead of Dove Silk Glow Body Wash the game,” noted Lucy Attley, (250ml) and a luxury candle.

Category Director, Gifting. “We New for 2014, Radox has expect the latest updates and launched a Fresh & Fruity additions to not only drive sales gift set featuring the Berry and excitement into the category Radox has launched a Fresh & Fruity gift set featuring the (250ml) and Coconut (250ml) during the key gifting period, but Berry (250ml) and Coconut (250ml) Shower Gels, wrapped in a Shower Gels, wrapped in also cater to the growing consumer weekend wash bag. a weekend wash bag (RRP demand for both affordable and the brand’s most recently launched €10.49). premium Christmas gift packs.” fragrance, featuring a combination of Impulse has fragrances covered this The Lynx range is available in a crisp, bright citrus notes mixed with festive season, with gift packs offering range of RRPs and with 16 gift packs exotic spices and luxurious molten a range of bright body sprays and Eau to choose from, there is something for chocolate. de Toilettes, including the revamped everyone’s grooming needs. New male For the ladies, there’s a new Lynx Impulse Serendipity Gift Pack (RRP: gift sets for 2014 include Lynx Peace, Attract for Her wash bag (RRP €12.49), €10.99), which contains Impulse True which was supported by a groundfeaturing 150ml Deodorant Body Love Body Spray 75ml, Impulse Eau de breaking marketing campaign at Spray, 250ml Revitalising Shower Gel Toilette True Love 30ml. launch, and Lynx Gold Temptation,

A Lidl Luxury at Christmas

Festive Cheer From Tesco TESCO unveiled its 2014 Christmas range recently when it transformed No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place into a festive fiesta.

Guests were tempted with delicious festive treats from traditional Irish turkey and flavoursome ham bites to Tesco Finest canapés, festive cheese boards and seasonal baked goods.

Seasonal bakery items are in-store now, including Tesco Finest Christmas puddings, available in 227g, 454g and 907g which are produced by Seery’s bakery in Carlow and boast a six-month maturation period. New to the seasonal bakery range this year is a selection of bombes, including a mouth-watering salted caramel bombe and a Belgian chocolate version.

Available in stores from the end of November, this year’s Tesco range of festive party food includes 51 delicious dishes to tempt friends and family, from potato skins loaded with bacon and mature cheddar cheese to brie and cranberry parcels or succulent prawns and delicate souflettes.

Tesco also announced details of its 2014 turkey pre-ordering, available in stores and online since November 10.

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Christmas Stocking: Beers

The Beer Facts

Christmas is a peak selling period for beers, as consumers stock up on their favourite brands for entertaining at home.

ACCORDING to the latest report into the Irish beer market by Euromonitor International, off trade volume sales of beer returned to marginally positive territory in 2013, thanks to falling unit prices in constant terms. The off trade has performed strongly at the expense of the on trade, which continues to struggle as consumers still seek out ways to economise, and drinking at home rather than in the pub is seen as an easy way to make considerable savings. This is good news for Ireland’s off licences, particularly as the festive season approaches and consumers stock up on their favourite brands for entertaining at home.

Heineken Ireland This Christmas, Heineken, the leading lager brand of choice in the off trade, is ensuring that all festive needs are fully catered for. To support its iconic packaging in-store, a suite of festive themed POS and in-store theatre will be available to highlight the brand at the point of purchase and ensure Heineken remains the shoppers’ festive favourite.

A citywide outdoor campaign will

Heineken’s iconic packaging will be supported in-store with a suite of festive themed POS and in-store theatre.

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Shelf Life Christmas Stocking: Beers

Coors Light’s new Expedition advert follows the journey of three friends seeking good times and a Coors Light in the Rockies.

also run for the month of December, capturing the magic of Heineken in a subtle yet distinctive manner.

The results of just some of Heineken’s campaigns over the last year have led to growth of +14% for Heineken in the off trade. From a year to date perspective, it is the number one brand, with a volume share of 15.4%, and is the beer of choice at home with 18.1% value share of the lager category (Source: ACNielsen, MAT, Aug 2014, TNS ONEquity Dashboard MAT Aug 14). A driving force behind this strong performance was the brand’s ability to leverage massive sponsorship properties and world class advertising, whilst delivering innovative in-store activations.

“We are delighted Heineken has achieved the number one position this year,” noted John Kelly, Off Trade Director, Heineken Ireland. “It’s a great reflection of the strength of the brand and the marketing activities executed over the last year. In addition, our customers have been instrumental

to the success of the brand over the last year. We look forward to developing more innovative and exciting marketing initiatives and value-adding promotions with our customers.”

Heineken will continue its focus on implementing both its local and global sponsorship platforms in the off trade in 2015.

Also from Heineken Ireland, a new TV advert for Coors Light, entitled Expedition, has been launched in Ireland. The €900,000 campaign, which also includes outdoor and digital advertising, was developed by Irish agency CKSK for Heineken Ireland, distributors of Coors Light in the Irish market.

Directed by BAFTA winning director, Damien O’Donnell and produced by Russell Curran, Expedition is set high in the Rocky Mountains, the home of Coors Light.

Armed with a clue, a mobile phone and a thirst for Coors Light, we follow the journey of three friends seeking good times and a Coors Light in the Rockies.

“Coors Light remains the fastest growing premium lager brand in Ireland,” said Coors Light Marketing Manager, John O’Callaghan. “Our latest campaign is yet another example of our long-term commitment to growing Coors Light in the Irish market and building on the success we have enjoyed over recent years.

Expedition was created by an Irish agency and directed by an Irish director. Building on the success of recent campaigns featuring our Coors Light guys, our new ad details how an expedition with friends can result in a memorable experience which can be replayed and enjoyed over a refreshing pint of Coors Light.”

Diageo Guinness recently announced the release of two brand new beers – Guinness Dublin Porter and Guinness West Indies Porter, inspired by

Guinness Dublin Porter and Guinness West Indies Porter, inspired by authentic recipes whose origins lie in the historic Guinness’ brewers’ diaries from the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Guinness Made of More Rugby Campaign MUNSTER’s historic 12-0 victory over New Zealand in 1978 is retold in a new Guinness ad campaign which focuses on telling the story of how a group of ordinary men came together and defied circumstance to achieve something extraordinary. Following on from the recent ‘Sapeurs’ and ‘Basketball’ ads, the new campaign will continue the series of iconic Guinness ‘Made Of More’ adverts which showcase people from around the world who choose to act with

extraordinary integrity and character. Guinness has a long-standing association

with Irish rugby, which includes partnerships with Munster and Leinster, as

well as Irish Rugby, and the Guinness Pro 12.

Stephen O’ Kelly, Guinness Marketing Director for Western Europe said: “We have a long and proud association with rugby. Munster’s story of their win over New Zealand demonstrates the inspirational character and integrity that is central to the sport.”

The adverts were created by advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, together with director Dan Maslen.

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Christmas Stocking: Beers authentic recipes whose origins lie in the historic Guinness’ brewers’ diaries from the late 1700s and early 1800s.

The two new porters are the first releases from a new brewing project at the St James’ Gate brewery in Dublin.

‘The Brewers Project’ gives Guinness’ enterprising brewers license to explore new recipes, reinterpret old ones and collaborate freely to bring exciting beers to life.

With origins in a 1796 entry in Guinness’ brewers’ diaries, Guinness Dublin Porter was inspired by the golden age of porter in the 1800s; a time when porter was the working man’s beer. Guinness West Indies Porter is based on an 1801 diary entry for the first Guinness purposely brewed to maintain its freshness from one end of the world to another. To guarantee the best quality upon arrival, Guinness brewers made a porter with more hops and a higher gravity. With their distinctive tastes, these new porters will offer beer lovers in Ireland and the UK something different and a fresh take on what’s been enjoyed for centuries.

Barry & Fitzwilliam Corona Extra, from Barry & Fitzwilliam, has grown dramatically in both the on and the off trade over the last few years and the trend already this year is for more of the same. Corona is currently backed by an intensive radio and poster campaign.

Corona Light continues its success with the calorie conscious consumer. In Unislim parlance, it only has 1 yum by comparison to 2 or 3 for most other light beers and ciders. In layman’s language Corona Extra continues it has only 99 to perform extremely calories per 35.5cl well in Ireland. bottle.

Also from Barry & Fitzwilliam, Ginger Joe is an alcoholic ginger beer with an ABV of

4%. It is produced

by Stones, who are famous for their Ginger Wine. It is available in 33cl bottles.

Barry & Fitzwilliam also distribute a host of global beer brands, including the Wells & Young portfolio, the most popular of which are Banana Bread Beer, Waggle Dance and Bombardier and Coopers from Australia, which has gained a very loyal following over the years.

A new addition to their range for Christmas is Charles Wells Corona Light has been Dogfish Head an instant hit with DNA. the calorie conscious Barry & consumer since its Fitzwilliam also launch. offer a fantastic new range of Irish craft beers and ciders, including St. Mel’s, Toby’s Cider, Kellys Mountain Brew, Mountain Main and Longueville Cider, to name a few.

They also distribute the W.K.D. range, which will be very supported again this winter with a combination of promotions, a social media campaign as well as traditional media.

Rye River Brewing Company Irish brewery and distributor, Rye River Brewing Company has agreed a partnership with Bavaria to distribute and market the brand in Ireland. The Swinkels family, brewers of Bavaria and the Netherlands’ second largest brewer, have moved the distribution rights for its Irish operation to Rye River Brewing Co. to pump up sales and boost growth in the Irish market.

“What we needed is a challenging distributor who is prepared to disrupt the market by creating postive waves and extolling the value proposition Bavaria offers to the Irish market,” noted Frank Swinkels, CFO of Bavaria NV. “We believe Rye River Brewing will introduce our beers to a whole new generation of loyal fans and deliver a refreshing choice for people at home or in the pubs.”

Niall Phelan, co-founder and

Managing Director of The Rye River Brewing Company, commented, “As a fast growing and energetic Irish business, we have the potential to grow Bavaria in the market and gain back significant share through our unique vision, experience and commitmment to deliver a greater choice and more importantly the great taste Irish beer drinkers expect.”

The Rye River Brewing Company also distributes the hugely popular Spanish beer, San Miguel, niche Danish craft beer, Coisbo, and McGargles, a range of beer designed for people choosing craft beer for the first time or for people who don’t like overly hopped beers.

The McGargles range includes Granny Mary Red Ale, Knock Knock Ned Indian Pale Ale, Gravy Maevey Pilsner, Rye River Brewing Company has taken Cousin Rosie’s Pale Ale, and Fancy Frank’s over the distribution and marketing of Lager.

Bavaria in Ireland.

Rye River Brewing Company plans to boost growth of Bavaria in the Irish market.

TRY OUR BRAND NEW BEER ( FROM 1796 )

*

IN THE 1800s, PORTER WAS THE WORKING MAN’S BEER. THE MOST RESPECTED PORTER OF THE TIME WAS GUINNESS. OUR BREWERS HAVE REINTERPRETED OUR EARLIEST PORTER RECIPES — A TASTY, SWEET, SMOOTH BEER WITH WARM NOTES OF DARK CARAMEL.

*Based on brewers reinterpretation of original 1796 recipes.

The GUINNESS word, HARP device and associated logos are trade marks. © Guinness & Co. 2014

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits

The Festive Spirits!

Christmas is expected to be a busy period for spirits sales, as consumers stock up for gift giving and entertaining.

THE spirits category has been perhaps the hardest hit by the economic downturn in recent years, allied to a host of excise hikes. However, according to the latest report into the Irish spirits market by Euromonitor International, the sector reported positive growth during 2013, in line with the growing trend towards athome consumption. This is good news for Ireland’s retail trade, particularly in the run-up to the festive season, when consumers across the country stock up on their favourite spirits brands, both for gifting and at home entertaining.

According to Euromonitor, Irish Distillers Ltd remained the leading player in spirits in Ireland in 2013 with a 31% volume share, closely followed by Diageo Ireland Ltd with a 30% volume share. Each of these companies maintains a strong brand portfolio of leading brands, including Smirnoff Red with an 18% volume share, Jameson with an 8% volume share, Huzzar with a 5% volume share and Captain Morgan with a 4% volume share. In addition to the Jameson Irish whiskey brand and the Huzzar vodka

brand, Irish Distillers Ltd’s position is further supported by Irish whiskey brands Paddy and Powers, as well as Absolut in vodka and Cork Dry Gin. Euromonitor predict positive 2% annual growth in spirits in the coming years, as consumer sentiment improves and spending rises.

Barry & Fitzwilliam Barry & Fitzwilliam distribute a wide range of premium spirits. They include Teachers Scotch, Courvoisier Cognac, Rémy Martin Cognac, The Famous Grouse Finest Scotch Whisky, Jim Beam Bourbon, Vladivar Vodka, Boru Vodka and Whyte and Mackay Scotch.

Barry & Fitzwilliam are the exclusive distributor of The Kilbeggan Distillery’s range of whiskey which includes: Kilbeggan, Connemara and Tyrconnell. Kilbeggan has had a makeover with a totally redesigned package, which has been instrumental in its current success.

Christmas will see a major emphasis on the Jim Beam Range, i.e.

Red Stag, Honey and Devils Cut, as well as major promotions on Jim Beam

Kilbeggan has had a makeover with a totally redesigned package, which has been instrumental in its current success.

Dublin is famous the world over for its rich literary culture, a culture that dates back over a thousand

years. From ancient scholars to modern day writers,

Dublin’s talent for great writing is enjoyed and revered throughout the world.

So to capture the spirit and essence that is Dublin

culture, The Dubliner Irish Whiskey Liqueur was born.

With its unique blend of honeycomb, caramel and

whiskey avours married together to create a unique

eclectic taste, The Dubliner Irish Whiskey Liqueur is truly inspirational.

Not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Please drink responsibly.

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits itself. are hoping to emulate that here. The Cointreau is a cool experience on brand will be supported by a satellite ice with a warm afterglow, surrounded TV campaign. This Christmas, B&F by the exotic scent of oranges, while will be focusing on the 50cl bottle, maintaining its elegant French highlighting the fact that Disaronno heritage. Cointreau is the perfect and orange juice offers the perfect mix partner for cocktails, renowned for for Christmas. livening up a Margarita, making a long drink even longer with 7UP or the First Ireland Spirits stylish party Cosmopolitan cocktail.

One of the most visually striking Bols Distilleries is one of the largest bottles on the shelves this Christmas is and oldest producers of fine spirits The Dubliner, an Irish whiskey and liqueurs in the world, some dating liqueur that is part of the back to the year 1575. Many of the First Ireland Spirits stable. unique flavours of Bols liqueurs are The Dubliner’s made with fruit juices, thereby creating distinctive presentation the ideal platform for some of the evokes images of Dublin best cocktails around. The selection City’s incredible whiskey of flavours available from Bols is vast heritage, which is and includes Bols Blue, Grenadine, underlined by the Advocaat, Crème de Cacao, Cherry immortal words of James Brandy and many more. Among the Joyce: “When I die, classics, Bols Triple Sec Curacao Dublin will be written is essential in a Cosmopolitan and in my heart”.

Bols Crème de Cacao (brown) in The Dubliner a Brandy Alexander. More Bols is an Irish whiskey cocktail recipes are available on liqueur and a truly www.bolscocktails.com. A new delicious marriage 200ml size has recently been added of flavours: heavenly to the range and B&F will be blend of honeycomb, launching Bols Elderflower in the caramel and whiskey winter and a number of new SKUs combine to create to the Bols range this Christmas. the product’s unique, Sourz continues to be a great accessible taste. success. It has a unique, dual Best served on the sweet and sour flavour that is both rocks, The Dubliner refreshing and tangy. Sourz is now is also delicious in available in Apple, Blackcurrant, coffee, makes an Cherry and Tropical Blue. excellent addition to Jagermeister, the famous any cocktail or as a German schnapps, is a huge seller The Dubliner Irish long drink with soda in the shooter market, particularly whiskey liqueur: one water or ginger ale! among trend setters, and is growing of the most visually The Dubliner striking bottles on the is distributed by internationally. It is a half-bitter shelves this Christmas. Dalcassian Wines German schnapps with a unique blend of 56 herbs and spices and & Spirits into the is ideal served chilled. Sales are up on trade and is also listed in Dunnes again this year, which is an excellent Stores, SuperValu, The Celtic Whiskey performance and a reflection of its place in the top three spirits in the on trade. The 20cl size continues to do very well in the off trade and B&F have also just listed a 50cl.

Tia Maria is a hugely popular coffee liqueur worldwide, particularly due to its mixability in cocktails, with coffee or in desserts, or mixed with milk and ice as a luxurious long drink. It will be heavily backed by a new TV and press campaign focusing on its mixability.

Disaronno is described as a ‘cool’ brand. With its distinctive square glass decanter and smooth almond flavour, it has a secret recipe which is said to include the pure essence of 17 selected herbs and fruits, with an infusion of The Dubliner is an Irish whiskey liqueur and apricot kernel oil. Disaronno is hugely a truly delicious marriage of honeycomb, popular internationally and B&F caramel and whiskey.

Shop & at the DAA. Located in Abbeyleix with a full time staff of 40, First Ireland Spirits exports 90% of its production to over 35 countries worldwide. Established in 1993, First Ireland Spirits joined the Quintessential Brands Group in April 2014. The Quintessential Brands Group was founded by Enzo Visone, former CEO of Gruppo Campari, and former investment banker, Warren Scott, in 2011. The Group includes the companies Quintessential Brands, G&J Distillers, the distilling and bottling division, and Essential Drinks, the business to business supply division.

The Quintessential Brands portfolio includes Greenall’s Original Gin, BLOOM Gin, Berkeley Square London Dry Gin, Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin and Toussaint Coffee Rum Liqueur, which are all produced by G&J Distillers.

Avalon Group The Avalon Group recently released three new spirits at the 30th annual Duty Free & Travel Retail Global Summit in Cannes, France, representing the first super-premium Irish gin, vodka and honey liqueur, all three of which embody the rich Irish history celebrated by The Wild Geese.

The new spirits are infused with authentic Irish ingredients and carry distinctive Irish themes. Though superpremium products, they will be sold at competitive prices, giving significant added value to consumers.

These products offer the distributor and retailer a unique opportunity that takes advantage of the fastest growing spirits category by giving depth and breadth to the The Exiles Irish Gin premium Irish spirits is the first and only category that does not super premium yet exist and that is gin produced in otherwise limited to Ireland and the just whiskey and Irish only gin in the Cream. world containing shamrock.

The Exiles Irish Gin is the first and only super premium gin produced in Ireland. The spirit is produced using botanicals that grow in the wild across Ireland and is the only gin in the world containing shamrock, the unique recipe is subject to a patent application. The Exiles Irish Gin is an artisanal product

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Shelf Life Christmas Stocking: Spirits from an eighthgeneration gin-maker.

The producer’s family has been distilling gin for over 300 years.

This unique spirit is distilled five times for the ultimate purity, resulting in a smooth and floral gin infused with Irish ingredients.

The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur is a super premium Untamed Irish Vodka is honey liqueur made with Irish apples produced in and premium grain, the Ireland, offering unique recipe of which an alternative is subject to a patent for traditional application. whiskey drinkers, and a mild introduction to the spirit for new consumers. The ingredients are specially selected to complement the taste of the multi – award winning The Wild Geese Irish Whiskey. The aromas of honey and spice are expertly

integrated to suit a multi-layered complex palate and give a long-lasting finish.

Untamed Irish Vodka is a super premium vodka produced in Ireland, made with Irish apples and premium grain, the unique recipe of which is subject to a patent application. Small batches pot still distillation using carefully selected Irish apples achieves optimal purity and a distinctly smooth taste. It has no added sugar, flavouring or any kind of additive, only 100% natural ingredients bottled to 40% abv using pure Irish water.

Teeling Whiskey Company The Teeling Whiskey Company has released a new bottling of Single Malt Irish Whiskey, one of only a handful of such expressions in the world. Teeling Single Malt is the third release in the Premium range of Teeling expressions, completing their full range of nonaged statement Irish whiskeys. To add a unique depth of character and flavour, Teeling Single Malt consists of aged malt whiskey up to 23 years old that has been matured in five different wine casks, including Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy and Cabernet Sauvignon. This combination of cask maturation techniques has never been done before in Irish whiskey and creates a truly innovative Irish

whiskey, bursting with personality.

This special combination of casks creates a very distinctive, rich colour, while imparting a vibrant and balanced flavour of dry fruits, citrus, vanilla, spice and cloves. The proprietary maturation and vatting technique produces a very special Irish whiskey of distinctive character, while still being remarkably easy to drink.

The Teeling Whiskey Company recently picked up three top awards for its range of premium Irish whiskeys at the second annual Irish Whiskey Awards.

Teeling Whiskey was The Teeling Whiskey awarded Best Company has released a new bottling of Single Irish Poitin, Malt Irish Whiskey, which Best Irish consists of aged malt Single Grain and Best Irish whiskey up to 23 years old that has been matured in Single Malt five different wine casks.

Irish Whiskey Awards Showcase Best in Class THE diversity and quality of Irish Whiskey were celebrated at the second annual Irish Whiskey Awards, which took place at Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath, recently. The event, which was organised by the Celtic Whiskey Shop, showcased and honoured this rapidly growing indigenous Irish industry over 17 categories.

The judging panel, consisting of members from the Celtic Whiskey Club and the Irish Whiskey Society, chose the winners based on blind tastings. Redbreast 21 Year Old Whiskey was awarded Overall Best Whiskey 2014, while Dick Mack’s in Dingle won The Whiskey Bar of the Year.

The Irish Whiskey Award winners for 2014 include: Overall Best Irish Whiskey 2014: Redbreast 21 Year Old Whiskey Irish Single Pot Whiskey: Redbreast 21 Year Old Whiskey Irish Single Malt Whiskey (12 Years & Younger): Jack Ryans 12 Year Old Whiskey Irish Single Malt Whiskey (13

Pictured at the Irish Whiskey Awards is Grace O’Sullivan of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard who was awarded the Overall Best Irish Whiskey 2014 for Redbreast 21 Year Old Whiskey. The company was also awarded the Irish Blended Whiskey RRP of less than €60 - Powers 12 Year Old Whiskey; and Irish Blended Whiskey RRP of more than €60 - Jameson Gold Reserve; Irish Cask Strength Whiskey - Redbreast Cask Strength.

Years and Older): Teeling 21 Year Old Whiskey Irish Blended Whiskey (RRP of less than €60): Powers 12 Year Old Whiskey Irish Blended Whiskey (RRP of more than €60): Jameson Gold Reserve Irish Single Cask Whiskey: Celtic Cask Naoi Irish Cask Strength Whiskey: Redbreast Cask Strength Irish Single Grain Whiskey: Teeling Whiskey Single Grain Irish Poitin: Teeling Whiskey Company Poitin Irish Liqueur: Coole Swan Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged Irish Craft Beer: Franciscan Well Jameson Stout Ally Alpine, founder of the Irish Whiskey Awards, noted how “over 20 new distilleries are due to open in the near future. The standard and popularity of Irish Whiskey continues to rise and this is why it is important to honour those who are contributing to the huge growth in this sector in recent years.”

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Christmas Stocking: Spirits

Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, pictured at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2014 where TWC picked up three awards for Best Irish Poitin, Best Irish Single Grain and Best Irish Single Malt More than 13 Years.

Whiskey (13 Years & Over). In just over two years, the Teeling Whiskey family of premium Irish whiskeys has picked up over 40 awards and honours worldwide.

“We are truly honoured for our Whiskeys and Poitin to have been judged by these knowledgeable palates to be the best in its class,” noted Jack Teeling, founder of The Teeling Whiskey Company. “With construction of our new distillery in Dublin underway, we hope to be able to build on these awards and continue to provide high quality and unique expressions to Irish whiskey drinkers around the world.”

The Teeling Whiskey Company was founded by Jack Teeling in 2012 to revive his family-old trademark of Irish whiskey and bring distilling back to Dublin, where Walter Teeling had a distillery in the Liberties in the 18th century. In January 2014, The Teeling Whiskey Company announced a €10m investment in a new distillery and visitor centre at Newmarket in The Liberties. Work started on site in August and when completed in 2015, it will be the first new distillery in the city in 125 years.

For more on The Teeling Whiskey Company and its award winning Irish Whiskeys, visit www.teelingwhiskey.com Jack Ryans Whiskey Jack Ryans Whiskey was awarded the coveted title of Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey in the 12 years and younger category at the Irish Whiskey Awards.

Having launched at the end of 2013, this is a great achievement for a small independent whiskey brand and a fitting tribute to the long tradition of the Ryan family in the licensed trade.

The Ryan Family have been the proprietors of the Beggars Bush Public House on Haddington Road, Dublin, since 1913, and to celebrate their centenary year, they recreated the atmosphere and flavour of ‘Ryan’s Malt’, which they originally produced in association with Dublin Whiskey Distillery until this famous distillery closed its doors in 1946.

Jack Ryans ‘Beggars Bush’ Single Malt Irish Whiskey 46% has been aged

Pictured at the Irish Whiskey Awards are Eunan Ryan and Sarah Jane McClure of Ryans Beggars Bush, who were awarded the Irish Single Malt 12 Years and Younger award for Jack Ryans 12 Year Old Whiskey.

for 12 years, with no chill filtration, allowing the true flavours of the whiskey to be retained. The whiskey has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels hand-picked by the family themselves, to deliver a unique taste.

“Winning an award with such a significant endorsement from respected whiskey connoisseurs gives Jack Ryans Whiskey the strong credibility and confidence needed to develop the brand in very competitive export markets,” said Eunan Ryan, family member and founder of the Jack Ryans Whiskey Company. “From a personal point of view, this accolade is a true honour to my late father, Jack.”

SuperValu Signs €1.2m Deal With Irish Spirits Suppliers SUPERVALU has signed deals worth €1.2m with three Irish spirits suppliers. Coole Swan, Darling Cocktails and West Cork Distillers will create 25 jobs through the contracts, supplying a diverse range of innovative whiskeys, cocktails and cream liqueurs to SuperValu’s stores nationwide.

Coole Swan is a superior Irish cream liqueur manufactured in Navan, Co. Meath. West Cork Distillers supply SuperValu stores with their popular Drombeg, Lough Hyne and Kennedy whiskey ranges. Darling Cocktails is the first luxury craft cocktails range on the Irish market, combining premium Irish spirits, quality liqueurs and natural flavours.

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu said, “SuperValu is committed to supporting over 600 Irish suppliers and sourcing locally wherever possible, which represents a contribution of almost €2 billion to the Irish economy annually. These latest

contracts highlight how we are helping Irish suppliers develop into the market leading companies of the future.”

Mary Sadlier, Coole Swan said, “We began supplying SuperValu stores in 2011 and within nine months we were supplying 60% of their stores across Ireland. We work exclusively with SuperValu because their approach to supplier relationships is that of a partnership. This allows us to support and manage our product without compromising on our business principles.”

John O’Connell, West Cork Distillers, said, “As a key supporter of local producers, SuperValu was a natural choice when looking to secure our first retail listing and a key element of our company’s growth.

SuperValu’s flexible, supportive and responsive approach, tailored to producers according to their capability, encourages the producer to push the boundaries and strive to continuously

improve their offering.”

Liz Iannelli, Darling Cocktails, said, “We began by supplying our cocktail range to some local SuperValu retailers. Since then, we’ve gone from strength to strength and now supply the entire SuperValu network.”

The team at West Cork Distillers, one of the Irish spirits suppliers to sign a valuable deal with SuperValu: Ger McCarthy, Denis McCarthy and John O’Connell.

Win a €100 One4all Gift Card and One4all are offering you the chance to win a €100 One4all Gift Card just in time for Christmas!

If you would like to stock One4all Gift Cards in your store please call the PostPoint helpdesk on 1890 20 42 20.

To be in with a chance of winning a €100 One4all Online Gift Card please answer the following question and send, together with your name, address and telephone number, on a postcard to POSTPOINT COMPETITION, Retail News, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 or email your details and correct answer to: info@retailnews.ie

With PostPoint, you can offer your customers:

A. Mobile Phone Top Ups B. BillPay C. One4all Gift Cards D. All of the above

Closing date: 8th December 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Judges decision is final. No cash alternative given.

postpoint competition.indd 1

OPEN UP YOUR OFF LICENCE TO BETTER VALUE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS & BETTER MARGINS FOR YOU

11/11/2014 09:54

Barry Group, Upper Quartertown, Mallow, Co. Cork Contact: David O’Keefe 086-7740885 www.barrygroup.ie

42|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Wine

Winning Wines for Winter Jean Smullen looks at must-stock party and special occasion wines for the festive season.

As the year winds down and the busy holiday selling season begins, it’s time to take a look at the range of wines that are going to sell as your customer makes decisions about what to enjoy at Christmas. Mid-priced and top end wines tend to sell better at this time of year. So too do sparkling wines, as well as Champagne, Port and Cognac.

Champagne and Sparkling Wine differ from still light wines in that they have a second fermentation known as the “method Champenoise”; the wine is fermented a second time when a small amount of sweetened wine is added to the bottle, which is then injected with yeast culture and tightly sealed. As the bottle is closed tight, the CO2 can’t escape and it becomes part of the wine.

Many New World countries produce sparkling wine. They either ferment the wine a second time in a tank cuvee close (which is also by the way a cheaper production method) or they use the method champenoise, which means the second fermentation takes place in the bottle.

Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, is probably one of the best known in Ireland. The driest wines are labelled ‘brut’, and the sweeter ones ‘extra dry’. Prosecco used to be both the name of the grape and the wine but in 2009, the wine laws of the region were changed and the grape is now known as Glera. The wine is made sparkling using the tank method, whereby the second fermentation takes place in a large tank rather than in a bottle. It is then filtered and bottled under pressure. Prosecco has lovely pear fruit flavours and is perfect for parties and celebrations.

Port is a fortified wine. Fortified wines are wines to which extra alcohol has been added during their production.

There are two different reasons for doing this, for Port, alcohol (in this case, grape brandy) is added during fermentation while quite a lot of sugar still remains in the

juice. The spirit kills the yeasts, stops the fermentation and the wine retains some of its natural sugar. The resulting young port is therefore very sweet, very spirity and needs a few years ageing in wooden casks for it to mature.

Champagne and Sparkling Wines C&C Gleeson have a cracking Cremant de Bourgogne in their portfolio. Louis Bouillot is based in Nuit St Georges and was founded in 1877. Their Cremants are extremely good and will retail at €22.99 this Christmas. A very good alternative to Champagne and one to definitely recommend to your customers.

Edward Dillon & Co. have some great Christmas offerings on their Champagne brands for Christmas 2014.

First up is the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut with a Ready to Offer Gift Wrap (€54.39). This is comprised of the iconic yellow box, complete with a decorative bow. This champagne is made from a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. Moët & Chandon are also offering a luxurious Christmas pack, the Moët & Chandon So Bubbly Festive Box (€49.49).

From C&C Gleeson, Louis Findlater Wine & Spirits have Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne is Bollinger Special Cuvee on offer extremely good and will retail at this Christmas. The normal RSP is €22.99 this Christmas.

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ShelfWine Life Christmas Stocking: €65, but it will retail at approximately €55. This is a very rich Champagne style, with Pinot Noir dominating, which gives Bollinger its distinct crisp dry style. A very well made non-vintage Champagne with lots of dry biscuit flavours.

Coman’s Wines have the excellent Joseph Perrier Royale Brut n/v (€44).

The house was established in 1825 and today Joseph Perrier is still family owned and run. The ‘Royale’ tag acknowledges that this was the favourite champagne of Queen Victoria.

It is made from 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier, and the Brut n/v is cellared for three years before disgorgement.

Prosecco Cassidy Wines have Bottega Gold (€36), a premium product which is perfect for the customer looking for top quality Prosecco. With its distinctive gold bottle, this would make a wonderful stocking filler. The Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco Doc by Bottega retails at €20.99 and is a full spumante version.

Mackenway have the La Marca Prosecco (€11.99) one of the NOffLA Gold Star Award winning wines: this Frizzante version offers excellent value.

Port & Sherry Barry & Fitzwilliam will have a range of Christmas offers on some of their key sherry brands, including Croft Original, which is a pale cream sherry. They also have Tio Pepe, the flagship Fino from Gonzalez Byass, and Harvey’s Bristol Cream, with its distinctive blue glass

bottle, all reduced by €1-2 per bottle in the run-up to Christmas.

Findlater Wines & Spirits will have A Winter’s Tale Amontillado (RSP €15.99), on offer for €12.50 during November and December 2014.

Amontillado is blend of cream and dry sherry and is great served with Christmas pudding.

Findlaters are also offering the Graham’s Tawny Port range in lovely gift packaging which makes them the ideal Christmas gift. The range includes Graham’s 10 year old Tawny (RSP €34.49), Graham’s 20 Year old Tawny (RSP €54.49), Graham’s 30 Year Old Tawny (RSP €102.49) and Graham’s 40 Year old Tawny (RSP €149.99). Tawny port is wine that has been aged for many years in old seasoned barrels before being sold.

Irish Distillers/Pernod Ricard will have a price offer on Sandeman, including a price offer on their excellent 3 star Ruby Port and on the Sandy 5 star Tawny Port, with pre-packed mixed displays also available.

Party & Special Occasion Wines Mackenway have a great value wine from Romania, their Umbrelle Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot retails at under €10. Part of NOffLA’s Gold Star range, these were voted in the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Value Wines of 2013.

Richmond Marketing, now the sole distributor of Barton & Guestier wines in Ireland, will be selling the B&G AOP and varietal wines. Bordeaux wines are always popular with the consumer

during winter time. Good food wines, they go well with winter stews and are always a keen seller at Christmas.

Barry & Fitzwilliam will be offering the Michel Lynch range from Bordeaux, both red and white, on sale at €10 in the runup to Christmas.

Good quality Burgundy is always in demand at Christmas, and Tindal Wine Merchants distribute Bouchard Pere et Fils, one of the oldest wine estates in Burgundy.

Findlater Wine & Spirits have a great festive party wine from Black Tower which goes on release this month. The stunning new, limited edition bottle design will feature on Ireland’s favourite Black Tower Fruity White. They are also running a big consumer competition, with the prize being an unforgettable weekend experience for two at the iconic Ice Hotel in Sweden.

The competition will be run in association with the retail sector and promises Trimbach Pino great visibility for this Blanc from brand.

C&C Gleeson Irish Distillers/ is on offer at Pernod Ricard will be €16.99 for the running a major campaign festive season. around Brancott Estate.

Luigi Bosca & Finca La Linda Move to Barry & Fitzwilliam BARRY & Fitzwilliam has secured the Irish distribution rights to the premium Argentinean brands, Luigi Bosca and Finca La Linda.

Familia Arizu has been working in the Argentinean wine-producing industry for over 100 years. Currently led by its third and fourth generation, Bodega Luigi Bosca is one of the few wine-producing places that remains in the hands of the founding family throughout the decades, and has become the paradigm of the national wine.

The pillars on which they have managed to consolidate their experience have been their international expansion, their prestige,

based on their know-how passed on over the years, and the constant and homogeneous quality of the wines, and a permanent search for excellence through innovation, dynamism, and state-of-the-art technology.

Included in the Luigi Bosca family of wines is the Finca La Linda brand.

“Luigi Bosca and Finca La Linda brands are amongst the finest producers of top class Argentinean wines,” said Michael Barry, Managing Director of Barry & Fitzwilliam.

“The addition of these two premium brands to our current wine portfolio will give our customers an unrivalled choice from Argentina.”

44|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Wine They will have a new TV advert running over the Christmas period. The advert will be supported by digital and press advertising. In-store, they will have extensive floor displays with a price offer on the Brancott range.

around Stonewell Road in the Marananga district of the Barossa.

The grapes for Stonewell Shiraz are not limited to this one vineyard and come from individual growers in a number of Barossa sub-districts, particularly those to the west and the north where hard dry soils give rise to low-yielding shiraz of great quality.

price offering. Hardy’s is now the fifth best selling wine in the off trade.

Paul Masson is one of the great success stories from California in the last number of years. Sales continue to do well here in Ireland. Distinctive by its carafe-shaped bottle, the red, white and rosé represent Mid-Priced Wines excellent value for money. Paul The following are Masson is now available Barry & Fitzwilliam some good mid-priced Michael Barry, MD of Barry in both litres and 75cl wines to look out for carafes. & Fitzwilliam, claims that this Christmas.

Also from California, they now have probably the C&C Gleeson Robert Mondavi Winery most successful prestigious have their Trimbach still embodies its French wines on the Pinot Blanc on offer founder’s commitment market when you take at €16.99, while the to excellence, innovation account of the success of Jabolet Parallel 45 is and creative spirit Michel Lynch, Guigal and €12.99. Marques de after 40 years, while the Gabriel Meffre range, Murietta will also be continuing to produce which includes La Chasse on offer, retailing at wines that stand in the du Pape. Faiveley Burgundy €19.99. company of the world’s Wines, Jolivet Loire Wines Findlater Wine finest. The Woodbridge and Preiss-Zimmer Alsace & Spirits also have range will be promoted wines complete what is now some very good aggressively, during the an outstanding portfolio of offers for this year’s Christmas season.

French Wine.

Christmas selling The Echo Falls range, From Australia, period. The Cono Sur also from California, McGuigan wines continue to Reserva Especial will see significant outperform the market, Pinot Noir RSP promotional activity this according to a recent €15, will be down Christmas. report, which puts C&C Gleeson’s to€12 for NovemberA family owned New McGuigan as the number Marques de Zealand winery. Villa one wine brand in the Murietta will be December. Look out Cockburn’s Fine Ruby, Maria has been New off trade. The Black on offer for the for Chateau Musar one of the stars in Barry festive season, €25 as an alternative Zealand’s leading Label range comprises & Fitzwilliam’s fortified retailing at Christmas tipple, or wine award winner, of a Cabernet, Shiraz, wine portfolio. €19.99. the iconic Wolf Blass both nationally and Merlot, Chardonnay, range Silver Label internationally since Sauvignon Blanc, (€22), Gold Label the early 1980s. The repositioning of Pinot Grigio and Rosé. The €25), Platinum Label (€80) or the Private Bin Range has seen sales range will have strong above Black Label (€100). surge in the last 12 months. Villa the line marketing support Cassidy Wines also have Maria is now one of the leading wine for the winter, particularly their Argentine star Catena brands on the market. in the national press, Malbec and Chardonnay (RSP Mont Gras, a former “Chilean with a major emphasis €16.99) on offer at €14.99 until Producer of the Year”, continues to on Neil McGuigan’s Christmas. Their Narly Head grow strongly. B&F will be offering IWC award as “the Best Zinfindal (RSP €18.99) will activity across the full range, from White Winemaker in the also be on offer at €15.99. entry level Blends to the excellent world” for the third time.

Coman’s Wines have the Reserva Range. The Soleus range of The McGuigan Estate Undurraga TH Sauvignon Organic Wine produced by Mont Gras Range will be used as a Blanc and Pinot Noir Single is also going from strength to strength. promotional price offering.

Vineyard €23. Production of From South Africa, the Kumala From the same this white wine is limited range will be actively promoted this country, the great Thomas to 1,380 cases, and is made winter with particular emphasis on the Hardy legacy lives on from 100% Sauvignon Blanc Zenith range. The Kumala packaging today at The Hardy Wine grapes from the Leyda has been totally revamped and now Company. Quality, flavour Vineyards. Look out too for exudes a premiumness that befits the and character remain their premium wines from brand. the cornerstones of its Peter Lehmann, including Barry & Fitzwilliam have a very contemporary wines, while the Barossa Shiraz (€16), the strong line up in the Fortified Wine respect for Hardy family Eight Songs Shiraz (€45) and Sector. The company represents history ensures the wines the iconic Stonewell Shiraz Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry, Croft benefit from the lessons (€66). First made in 1987, the Original Sherry, Tio Pepe Sherry and of long tradition. The name Stonewell was chosen in Cockburn’s. It is not overstating it Hardy’s Bin Range and From C&C Gleeson, recognition of the high quality Jabolet Parallel 45 is when Michael Barry says that they are Hardy’s Crest Range will shiraz grapes being grown “very much the category captains of be used as a promotional available for €12.99.

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Christmas Stocking: Wine this sector”. The promotion campaign for Harvey’s will have its main emphasis on ‘Harvey’s Rocks’.

B&G Réserve varietals are a premium range of French varietal wines from the South of France.

The Thomas Barton Réserve range is a prestigious range of wines from the heart of the greatest appellations: Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux, Saint Emilion, Graves Blanc and Sauternes.

wines from the South of France. In the Languedoc, Laurent Prada works with a small selection of wine growers to produce the B&G Réserve Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Rosé, all classified IGP Pays d’Oc. The B&G Réserve Pinot Noir is produced on the Island of Beauty or Corsica, IGP Ile de Beauté, and the B&G Réserve Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Gascony area, classified IGP Côtes de Gascogne. Says Laurent Prada, “Each wine is round, fruity and elegant, boasting the typical character of the grape variety.”

This year, Barton & Guestier made its entry in the TOP 50 of World Most Admired Wine Brands. The company celebrates its 290th anniversary next year! For more, see www.barton-guestier.com.

Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd Regarded as one of the greatest Champagne houses, Veuve Clicquot is the perfect present for the holiday period. Wrapped with creativity, this year Vevue Clicquot unveils its latest festive offering, the Veuve Clicquot Ready to Offer Gift Wrap (€54.39).

Encasing a bottle of Yellow Label, with a decorative bow and artful sheen, the beautiful box conceals a bubbly surprise that can turn any celebration into a memorable occasion.

The flagship of the iconic brand, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is ideal for those with the most discerning taste.

The strength of this golden-yellow wine is immensely pleasing to the nose, while its complexity explodes on the palette. With a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut is consistently excellent.

Bringing a real sense of the occasion to Christmas, Moët & Chandon’s So Bubbly Festive Box is the ultimate tribute to luxury this season. The striking gift set and its lustrous finish perfectly capture the vivacious bubbles.

Eye catching and unique, Moët &

The ultimate luxury gift, the Dom Pérignon Metamorphosis by Iris van Herpen gift box features a bottle of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004.

Richmond Marketing The Thomas Barton Réserve range is the ultimate homage to the founder of the Barton & Guestier company, The Veuve Clicquot Ready to Offer Gift Thomas Barton, the Irishman from Wrap (€54.39) encases a bottle of Veuve County Fermanagh, who settled in Clicquot Yellow Label inside a beautiful gift Bordeaux in 1725 where he quickly box with a decorative bow and artful sheen. became the most important wine merchant, building a solid reputation Chandon’s So Bubbly Festive Box among prestigious customers all over makes for a special gift this year.

Europe.

Celebrate Christmas this year with His spirit has been perpetuated in an exclusive gift from Dom Pérignon; this prestigious range of wines its new collaboration from the heart of the greatest between champagne appellations: Bordeaux, Médoc, and world-renowned Margaux, Saint Emilion, Graves designer Iris van Blanc and Sauternes. “These rich, Herpen: Dom Pérignon fruity and elegantly oaked wines Metamorphosis by Iris are the modern equivalent of the van Herpen (€184.99). great wines of the 18th century, The ultimate luxury those that Thomas Barton gift, the Dom Pérignon might have chosen and enjoyed Metamorphosis by himself,” noted Laurent Prada, Iris van Herpen gift Barton & Guestier’s winemaker. box features a bottle Barton & Guestier also brings of Dom Pérignon the B&G Réserve varietals, a Moët & Chandon’s So Bubbly Festive Box is the ultimate tribute Vintage 2004 - a rich premium range of French varietal to luxury this season. and bodied champagne,

46|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Christmas Stocking: Wine with aromas of almond and powdered cocoa on the nose, which develop gradually into white fruit with hints of dried flowers. Classic toasted notes give a rounded finish and denote a fully realised maturity on the palate.

Febvre & Co. In line with French law, Beaujolais Nouveau 2014 is released around the world on the third Thursday

is the most popular ‘vin de primeur’, fermented for just a few weeks and then officially released for sale. By law, Beaujolais Grapes must be harvested by hand and grown on individual, free standing vines. Beaujolais Nouveau is harvested, produced, bottled and shipped within two months. It owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, or whole-berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine.

Beaujolais Nouveau is known internationally as the wine of friendship and hospitality. Every year, in celebration of the harvest, Georges Duboeuf unveils another interpretation of his highly anticipated Beaujolais Nouveau. Known for its colourful presentation, Duboeuf’s specially 2014 Nouveau label, specially designed by French artist Alain Vavro, who also went on to work with Paul Bocuse, is vibrant and avant-garde, offering definite celebratory appeal!

Findlater Wine & Spirit Group This year has been a landmark one for the iconic Bollinger: in May it was named Most Admired Champagne Brand for 2014 by renowned trade magazine Drinks International. Then, the release of the 2002 vintage of their legendary Bollinger R.D. - made only in select years - marked the 50th Febvre took delivery of Duboeuf Beaujolais anniversary of this cuvée that made Nouveau 2014 just in time to have it waves when first released, and still delivered to off licences and restaurants does so today. around Ireland in November.

Bollinger La Grande Année 2004 (RSP €105) is the best of a in November. As distributor for vintage in the pure house style.

Georges Duboeuf in Ireland, Febvre With 66% Pinot Noir, fermentation took delivery of Duboeuf Beaujolais and ageing in oak barrels, and Nouveau 2014 just in time to have utilising the highest proportion it delivered to off licences and of Premier and Grand Cru wines restaurants around Ireland for that of any other house, this is a big, day. Beaujolais Nouveau is exported impressive and extraordinary to 110 countries throughout the Champagne to enjoy now or lay world. More than 60m bottles of down.

Beaujolais Nouveau, representing Antinori, the famous one third of the total wine Tuscan wine family, have production of the Beaujolais been making wines for region, are produced each year.

27 generations since RRP for Beaujolais Nouveau 1180 and, though most 2014 is €12.99 and it is available famous for Tignanello, nationwide.

Georges Duboeuf is known their premium whites are for its popularisation and also critically lauded. The production of Beaujolais wines, walled Castello della Sala leading to Duboeuf’s nickname estate, purchased by the of Le Roi du Beaujolais (The Antinori family in 1940, is King of Beaujolais) or sometimes located 18 kilometers from Pape du Beaujolais (Pope of the city of Orvieto and its Beaujolais). cool microclimate is Made from 100% Gamay Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot ideal for Chardonnay, Noir 2011 is now available grapes, which have thinner which makes up 90% in Ireland, representing skins than most grapes, of their Cervaro della outstanding value for this causing a lower tannin Sala (RSP €51.95). The quality wine. level, Beaujolais Nouveau

local Grechetto grape makes up the remainder, resulting in a wine that perfectly balances citrus and tropical

Hennessy Limited Edition Gift Collection THIS Christmas, Hennessy offers a limited edition collection of luxurious gift ideas, including Hennessy Very Special edition gift box (€34.99), Fine de Cognac limited edition gift box (€48.29) and the exquisite Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection by Tom Dixon (€141.44).

A perfect gift this Christmas, Hennessy introduces its new Hennessy Very Special edition gift box: an elegant and contemporary black and gold design with festive sparkles, touches of holly and stars mixed with the emblematic vine, finished with a gold ribbon. The distinctive character of Hennessy Very Special is the result of a precise selection of eaux-de-vie, carefully controlled aging and the final and subtle blending conducted by the Hennessy Master Blender and the Tasting Committee.

Hennessy Fine de Cognac is a balanced blend, combining eaux-devies characterised by the finesse of floral notes and the delicate accents of fruits; all preserved by a subtle aging.

For the new Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection by Tom Dixon, the acclaimed British designer has created an object of gemlike depth, purity and brilliance.

Inspired by the traditional French cut-crystal carafe, Tom Dixon recast the idea in a modern way by exploring The Hennessy Very the state-of-the- Special edition gift art technique of box: a luxurious gift for tessellation.

Christmas.

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ShelfWine Life Christmas Stocking: fruit with toasty butteriness, perfect all through a Christmas meal.

Cono Sur make arguably the best Pinot Noir in Chile, and in a comprehensive endorsement of their mastery of the grape grape their 20 Barrels Pinot Noir 2011 (RSP €25.99) was shortlisted for the “Champion Red Wine Award”, colloquially known as the ‘The Best Red Wine in the World’ award at last year’s International Wine Challenge held in London. On its way, the 20 Barrels Pinot Noir was awarded a Gold Medal before scooping up both the Chilean Pinot Noir Trophy and the overall Chilean Red Trophy, qualifying it for a shortlisted place in the premier league of red wines of the world. The 2011 vintage is now available in Ireland, so there’s no better time to sample the very best of the very best for ridiculously good value.

What makes the Marqués de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva (RSP €50.99) so special is not just its release in 2001 to celebrate the eponymous anniversary of the The impending company. What makes release of the this wine somewhat 2010 vintage of Torres Mas La unique is the inclusion of Plana (RSP €48) 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, in Ireland marks as Marqués de Riscal the 40th year are one of the very few since the debut of producers in Rioja to be this iconic wine. allowed to do this due to their foresight in planting the variety over 100 years ago.

The impending release of the 2010 vintage of Torres Mas La Plana (RSP €48) in Ireland marks the 40th anniversary since the debut of this iconic wine, which, without any sense overstatement, can be said to have put Spanish wine firmly on the fine wine map. But for now you can enjoy - or lay down - the excellent 2008 currently available on the shelves.

2011 was a stunner of a vintage in Portugal, so Graham’s was pleased to announce their decision to declare it as a “Vintage Year,” only the third vintage year since 2000. Amazingly the Graham’s 2011 Vintage Port (RSP €110) is drinkable now, giving

ripe red fruit and bitter chocolate in a concentrated, full-bodied wine. But given a few years – decades even – this wine will develop beautifully and

mature into that dusty, nutty, luscious drop that vintage Ports are famous for becoming: a truly long-lasting, rare gift for that serious wine lover.

2014 NOFFLA Gold Star Wine Awards THE National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) recently announced the 15 winners of this year’s annual Gold Star Wine Awards.

The NOffLA Gold Star Wine Award winners are pictured with their awards.

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Liberty Wines

Old World White Under €20 and White Wine of the Year 2014-15

Louis Jadot “Couvent des Jacobins” Bourgogne Chardonnay

2013

Findlater Wine & Spirit Group

Old World Red Under €15 and Wine of the Year 2014-15

Duca del Salento Salice Salentino Riserva

2010

Taserra Wine Merchants

48|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Bord Bia Foodservice Seminar

The Future of Foodservice The Bord Bia Irish Foodservice Seminar provided plenty of food for thought for those in the foodservice and food-to-go sectors, including advice on marketing to millennials.

THE Bord Bia Irish Foodservice Seminar 2014, held recently at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, provided a fascinating glimpse into some of the latest trends affecting the Foodservice sector, both in Ireland and internationally.

The seminar featured seven guest speakers over the course of an information-filled seminar that included data driven insights, as well as practical hints and tips for anyone involved in the rapidly evolving and highly competitive Foodservice sector.

The morning featured excellent indigenous Irish enterprises, with presentations from Pallas Foods and Goodness Grains. Compass Group Ireland also gave an inside look at the importance that the organisation places on data driven insights, as well as innovation.

Optimistic Outlook “Optimism without complacency� was the message from Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist with Bord Bia. This optimism comes from the latest economic data for the country. The total value of the Foodservice sector in Ireland in 2014 will be $6.13 billion.

Within the sector, every category, except for the pub trade, will have achieved compound annual growth rates in the region of 2% over the course of 2014. That growth rate is expected to be maintained by the sector as a whole during 2015 and 2016, which means that by 2017, the total value of the Foodservice sector in Ireland could have risen to as much as â‚Ź6.476 billion.

Gahan was keen to point out to delegates that while growth figures are positive, that is no reason to become complacent. She stressed the important

for organisations to keep monitoring potential risks and opportunities, to keep in mind the importance of distribution relationships and to focus on strengthening relationships with key trading partners.

With the fact that commercial channels are benefiting from wider economic growth, consumer confidence and rising tourist numbers, combined with the fact that institutional channels are likely to remain flat, she closed her address with the notion that it is more important than ever to (i) watch closely how consumers are behaving, (ii) think convenience, (iii) think technology, (iv) think health and (v) think provenance.

The Global View David Henkes, Vice President of Technomic, a leading US based consulting and research firm focused

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|49

Bord Bia Foodservice Seminar or earlier and “healthy foods” are (a) low cal, (b) low fat (c) low taste! Not so the functional superfoods of the new millennium. Consumers want healthy foods, but they have shifted the goal posts. Healthy is now (a) natural, (b) no additives, (c) nutritious, (d) bespoke, (e) local. And of course, tasty too!

on the Food sector, gave an excellent presentation on the global trends in Foodservice.

He identified five key trends to be aware of: • Foodservice Globalisation Increasingly, market share for companies in the Foodservice sector is an international, rather than just a domestic issue. The US is still the world’s largest economy. However, it is now the case that more than half of sales by QSRs (quick service restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Starbucks and Subway) are coming from non-US markets. These multinational globalised companies have their eyes firmly planted on markets

like Ireland and, if you will excuse the pun, they are hungry to drive up their market share overseas.

• Localisation As a foil to the expansionist activities of global brands in the Foodservice sector, Henkes pointed out that ‘Local is Better’, at least in consumers’ eyes. Around the world, consumers identify locally produced goods with notions like socially responsible, fresh, natural, quality, healthy, sustainable – and all of these attributes are seen as attractive USPs by consumers.

• Functional Foods Pop back to the early 1990s,

Geraldine O’Shea and Michael Kelleher from Goodness Grains, with Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist, Bord Bia.

• Increased Day-Part Demand This international trend has seen proportional increases in Ireland that are ahead of rates overseas.

Ireland currently has one of the highest rates of OOH (out of home) breakfast consumption in Europe.

Grab ’n’ Go snacking has seen extremely strong growth. With consumers increasingly demanding food at non-traditional hours and locations, operators have been using daypart expansion to drive incremental sales. In fact, rates of late night eating are also on the up on the island of Ireland.

• Premiumisation Increasingly, consumers see authentic as equalling quality. Fast Casual Restaurants (FCR) are set to see the strongest growth, taking customers from QSR and CDR competitors.

Henkes highlighted the rise of Chipotle as a prime example: consumers can still get relatively quick service in such restaurants, but they also get that customisation and bespoke preparation that they increasingly equate with quality, and in an atmosphere that is friendly and not too formal.

Dashboard Dining Derek Murphy, Foodservice Manager with Topaz, treated attendees at the seminar to intriguing insights into how Topaz is evolving, as well as issuing an inspiring call to action to anyone with a dashboard dining solution.

Murphy described the evolution of the Topaz brand from a fuel company

that also sold grocery, to a Foodservice company that also sells premium fuel.

With over 330 stores across the country, serving over 800,000 customers every week, Topaz has been ideally positioned to generate insights on the changing face of forecourt retail in Ireland.

With premium petrols, ever more fuel efficient cars and changing consumer driving habits and shopping habits , Topaz has seen fuel and grocery sales deliver decreasing returns while grab ’n’ go food and, in particular, coffee sales (bean to cup and premium filter) have become an ever more important part of its business. This trend has led Topaz to invest heavily in the development and launch of the Re.Store brand and to shift the focus of the organisation to that of a Foodservice company.

Topaz is actively looking to develop and deliver dashboard dining solutions.

It is keen to work with industry partners in doing this. If you are reading this article and you have a dashboard dining solution that you are looking to pitch, then Topaz is waiting to hear from you. Go to www.topaz.ie and contact them and you could play a crucial role in working with the group as it expands its presence in the Foodservice sector.

Courting the Millennials The final presentation featured is that of Grace Binchy, Bord Bia Insights and Innovation Specialist, on the hot topic of how to court the millennial consumer.

They are in their 20s and 30s, they are ‘hunters’, ‘gatherers’, ‘nurturers’ and ‘grazers’, in short, they are the millennials and they are an increasingly important market segment. But how exactly do you market to this savvy shopping tech-tastic generation? As part of her presentation, Grace offered a number of top tips: Question - If you are the owner of a product or a

50|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Bord Bia Foodservice Seminar

Geraldine O’Shea, Sales & Marketing Manager, Goodness Grains, addresses the seminar.

Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist, Bord Bia, with David Tester, Marketing Manager Insight, Compass Group Ireland & UK, and Mark Lee, Commercial Director, Compass Ireland.

brand, consider this for a moment, do you think a millennial would be happy to hang out with your product/brand at a festival? If the answer is yes, that’s good; if, however, the answer is no or you don’t understand the question, then have a look at Grace’s top tips.

(1) Be Healthful. Not healthy, healthful is about fitting into lifestyles where fitness is very much in. Health is holistic to a millennial, not just low fat and it should not taste bad.

(2) Be Fast. Make sure your product or service fits easily into the fast paced lives of millennials. Millennials

want to have it all, which means they have experience rich, but time poor, lives. If you can give them what they want quickly and easily, they will take it.

(3) Be Naughty. Millennials gorge, they live healthy (fit and active) lives mid-week but on the weekend it’s box-set binging and delicious treats and rewards for all that good living mid-week. Pick your moment and lay on the luxury: they will find the funds for it.

(4) Be a Fajita. In other words, create opportunities for shared experiences. Millennials love to

share experiences with friends and family. Restaurants such as Crackbird and My Meat Wagon in Dublin, where customers share big buckets of chicken or platters of pork, give Millennials that real world experience that helps them distinguish their actual friends from the Facebook friends.

(5) Be Beautiful. Millennials are a very visual generation: they love things that look good. They love to share images on Instagram and Snapchat and a host of other visual-based apps and social media websites, Pinterest, Ello, etc. If you catch their eye, they will do your marketing for you.

(6) Be Revealing. Millennials are curious and Google proficient. Do not try to hide facts about your organisation from them. Be honest, open, transparent and authentic and they will respect you.

(7) Be Generous. Not just a millennial thing, but they really do love a bogof (Buy One Get One Free) or any kind of little bonus treat – great for continued loyalty and getting them waxing lyrical on Twitter.

(8) Be Brave. Millennials love finding new things and new products. Don’t be afraid to try out unusual ideas on them: it might make you a first mover on the next big trend.

(9) Be Interested. Listen to your customers, a traditional marketing mantra too but for the millennial generation, that act of listening has become ever more important because of the huge number of touch points that now exist. Listen and respond on Facebook, on Twitter, on whichever platform your millennial customer is using to contact you – and reply. Start a dialogue and you start a relationship with a millennial.

If all of that has left you feeling that marketing to millennials sounds like a lot of hard work, then consider this: there are roughly 500,000 millennials in Ireland and 7.6m in the UK market. They are an influential, trendsetting generation that is towards the beginning of their customer life cycle. If you can crack them now, you might have just started a beautiful relationship. On your marks…

The overall message from the Bord Bia 2014 Foodservice seminar was summed up very well by Maureen Gahan: for companies operating in the Foodservice sector, the worst of the recession is over. Sustained growth has returned to the sector. It will continue to be competitive but there are real reasons to invest in new products and new target markets to help drive that growth and exploit new opportunities, right now and into the future.

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52|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Tobacco

Tobacco Trade Takes on the EU Philip Morris International have been given the go-ahead to challenge the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

A NEW and interesting development in the European tobacco market could have far-reaching implications for tobacco legislation, and indeed, how tobacco is sold throughout the EU. Philip Morris International have been given the green light by an English Court to challenge the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/ EU) before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Key questions regarding the Directive’s validity will be referred to the CJEU as ordered by Mr. Justice Turner during a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.

“This marks an important first step for our challenge of the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive,” commented Marc Firestone, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Philip Morris International. “We believe the Directive disrupts the balance that the EU treaties establish between the Union and the Member States, and we are looking forward to a thorough, objective review by the EU’s highest

court.

“There is no disagreement that tobacco products should be strictly regulated, but measures must honour the EU treaties. The Directive purports to improve the internal tobacco market, yet instead includes a mix of product bans, mandates, and delegations of authority that raise serious questions under the EU Treaties about consumer choice, the free movement of goods, and competition.”

PMI requested the reference to the CJEU when it filed its case on June 27, 2014. The company is seeking a review of whether the Directive complies with the EU Treaties in the following areas: Legal Competence: The EU’s power to adopt the Directive under the EU Treaties is limited to measures that improve the internal market in tobacco products. While the Directive claims to serve that objective, it demonstrably lacks any real internal market rationale. For example, the Directive claims to be harmonising

differences in Member State laws by forcing Member States to ban menthol, even though menthol is legal in all 28 Member States. Meanwhile, it actively encourages disharmonisation by inviting Member States to adopt a patchwork of other measures such as “plain packaging”, even though they obstruct the free movement of goods and violate EU law. Provisions such as these ignore clear precedent from the CJEU establishing the limits of the EU’s authority under the Treaties, and create obvious incentives for illegal trade.

Fundamental Rights: The Directive appears to ban truthful and non-misleading claims on the packaging of tobacco products. PMI intends to seek review of whether this ban respects the fundamental rights of consumers to information about the products they are choosing.

Delegated Acts: The Directive delegates a number of powers to the Commission to enact rules on essential aspects of the Directive. PMI intends to seek review of whether these delegations of power comply with the EU Treaties.

The CJEU is expected to issue a judgment within two years.

Illicit Growth Here in Ireland, one of the biggest problems facing legitimate tobacco

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Tobacco retailers in Ireland is the size of the illicit trade, which is estimated to be costing the retail trade €450m annually, according to JTI Ireland Ltd’s recent report into Ireland’s illicit tobacco trade. Indeed, Ireland has one of the highest rates of illegal tobacco trade in Europe: one in four cigarettes consumed are not taxed.

In 2013, the joint industry Empty Pack Survey (EPS) indicated that the level of non Irish duty paid (NIDP) tobacco in Ireland was at 28.3%, a marginal increase on the 28.2% recorded in 2012. This is in line with trends over the past three years, which have shown a consistent gradual increase.

Non Irish duty paid products are made up of illegal tobacco products sold in Ireland and legal cross border purchases. Revenue’s latest estimate puts the level of NIDP tobacco products consumed in Ireland at 19%. Industry estimates, which take account of the growth of the roll your own (RYO) segment, estimate that the Irish Exchequer fails to collect duty on nearly one in four of all cigarettes consumed in the State.

“Every country with high tobacco taxes has an illegal tobacco problem,” Gerard Moran, Assistant Secretary, Revenue Commissioners, told the Oireachtas Health Committee Hearing in January of this year. “Ireland, which has exceptionally high tobacco taxes and tobacco prices, has a significant problem.”

Cigarettes in Ireland remain the most expensive within the Eurozone region and the recent Budget 2015 decision to increase excise tax on cigarettes by 40c, will push more consumers into the illicit trade, argues JTI Ireland General Manager, Igor Dzaja, as well as going against the Government’s objective to raise revenue.

“One in four of all cigarettes consumed in Ireland avoids Irish tax, with the Exchequer estimated to be losing €240m annually at a time when taxpayers are being asked to pay water charges,” noted Igor Dzaja. “Sudden and steep tobacco tax increases influence consumers’ choices, leading them to buy cheap, illegal tobacco.

This move is counterproductive, as the Exchequer risks losing revenue at the expense of illegal trade and criminality in local communities. It will be warmly welcomed by cigarette smugglers, who already see Ireland as a lucrative target.”

The Tipping Point?

Responding to a parliamentary

question in June of this year, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said: “... economic research conducted by Revenue has shown that (further) cigarette price rises, particularly at the higher end of the range, are unlikely to increase Excise receipts from the sale of cigarettes and this is supported by experience in recent years.”

According to Dzaja, this latest increase will have a disastrous effect on the retail industry by further incentivising consumers to purchase through the illicit trade. With retailers around the country already struggling, the Minister’s decision is likely to prove the tipping point for many.

Past evidence shows that increases such as this do not have the desired impact of driving down consumption, but rather have the opposite effect.

In Budget 2012, the Government announced, along with an increase in the VAT rate to 23%, a 25c increase in tobacco excise. This amounted to a 45c increase in the price of premium tobacco products which was predicted to raise €41m in additional funding for the Exchequer. Instead, in 2012 the Exchequer’s tobacco excise receipts decreased from €1,126m to €1,113m, with smoking rates remaining stable.

“Planned, long-term and balanced tax policies best meet government objectives to raise stable tax revenues,” Dzaja concluded. “The Minister is ignoring his own advice and is adopting a strategy that is likely to result in serious consequences for the Exchequer and retailers.”

Revenue Seizes The Opportunity In 2013, the Revenue Customs Service, having made 6,888 seizures, confiscated a total of 40.8m cigarettes, with a retail value of approximately €18.9m, and 4,203kg of loose tobacco worth approximately €1.7m.

More than 60% of cigarettes seized in 2013 by the Revenue Customs Service were illegal whites. These illegal cigarettes are manufactured by small indigenous tobacco companies legitimately operating in their own countries but with absolutely no connection to any of the tobacco companies that legally supply tobacco products in Ireland.

In 2013, the Revenue Customs Service secured convictions against 87 people for smuggling or other illegal tobacco offences. The courts imposed 37 custodial sentences, 19 of which were suspended, ranging from two months to three years. This equates to average fines for tobacco related excise offences of €2,800, with a fine total of €169,750.

It is estimated that criminal gangs make in the region of €3m each week from the illicit tobacco trade (Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime, Retail Ireland, 2012).

Legitimate tobacco retailers continue to call on the Government to do more to tackle the illicit trade, which is having such a crippling effect on their business, costing money and jobs.

John Player In the last 12 months, Big Box formats have grown to claim 11.6% of the Factory Made Cigarette (FMC) category, with John Player brands accounting for a massive 48.8% of the total Big Box share of FMC (Source: ACNielsen Data MAT to 05/10/14).

After only three months on the market and priced at €11, John Player Blue 25s already account for 24.4% of the entire Big Box segment, with an increase of 2.8% in the last four weeks alone. The John Player Family’s share of FMC is currently 13.3%, which is an increase of 0.7pp vs last year (Source: ACNielsen Data MAT to 05/10/14).

Although the premium segment has been losing share to value brands, it is still possible and preferable to offer

After only three months on the market and priced at €11, John Player Blue 25s already account for 24.4% of the entire Big Box segment.

Carrolls Number One Available in Big Pack 23s CARROLLS Number One, the iconic Irish cigarette brand, is now available in a big box 23s format. The introduction of a big pack into the Carrolls family highlights the desire to cater to all Carrolls adult smokers’ needs.

Carrolls Number One is a premium, 10mg full flavour Virginia cigarette. It has been a trusted brand in Ireland for over 55 years. Carrolls Number One 23s currently have an RRP of €10.50. Carrolls adult smokers can expect the best Carrolls quality.

The past year has been an exciting time for the Carrolls family, with the introduction of three new SKUs, Carrolls Additive Free* Red and Blue in December 2013 followed by Carrolls Number One 23s in July 2014.

For further information, please contact PJ Carrolls telemarketing department on (01) 2052345. *No additives in the tobacco blend does NOT mean a less harmful cigarette.

Toradh caithimh tobac - bás Smoking Kills

56|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Tobacco

JPS Red 25s, which are priced at €10, account for 1% of the FMC Market and have reached 8.6% share of Big Boxes.

shoppers a value proposition within their first choice brand family.

JPS Red 25s, which are still only €10, account for 1% of the FMC Market and have reached 8.6% share of Big Boxes over the last four weeks. The JPS Family currently has 2.8% share of FMC, an increase of 1pp vs last year (Source: ACNielsen Data MAT to 05/10/14).

“In a heavily taxed market such as Ireland, where brand loyalty is being challenged and shoppers are becoming more aware of cheaper alternatives, it is important that retailers offer their customers plenty of choice in both price and format,” noted a company spokesperson. “Big Boxes help to give that choice.”

Burning Issues • The tobacco category was worth €1.7bn in 2013, down -5% in value and -4.3% in volume. This is a slower decline than in 2012, when volume declined by -5.3%.

• Six brands out of Ireland’s Top 10 Brand Ranking are tobacco brands.

Silk Cut, Benson & Hedges, John Player Blue and Marlboro are the top four, with Mayfair ranked 8th.

Amber Leaf RYO is ranked 9th up from 23rd position in 2012.

• Tobacco still ranks third in the grocery industry’s percentage share of retail value and still accounts for between 33% and 43% of symbol and forecourt sales.

(Source: JTI 2013 Category Review)

BIC’s Big Profit Opportunity EVERY day, BIC produces and sells six million lighters around the world, making it the number one branded pocket lighter worldwide and also number one in Ireland (Source: Online Harris Research: Consumer preferences for cigarette lighters in Southern Ireland. January 2013 – 502 respondents)!

BIC understands how competitive a category the lighter market is in Ireland and, as with everything the brand does, wants to ensure that stocking and selling the BIC lighter ranges is made as easy as possible for their retail partners.

Research has proven that impactful displays increase lighter sales by 120% (Source: Action Plus, Ireland Lighter Shopper Study Report, July 2011, involving 800 shoppers and interviews in-store).

With this in mind, BIC are investing in an innovative suite of bespoke tobacco gantry branding. The branded gantries aim to create in-store theatre via impactful display, while

Every day, BIC produces and sells six million lighters around the world.

Research has proven that impactful displays increase lighter sales by 120%.

ensuring that BIC lighters stand out and drive your rate of sale!

Consumers can choose from a wide range of BIC’s different lighter décors.

Varieties of the pocket lighter include Miss BIC, a

flint lighter range aimed at females, and bespoke Irish décors, which showcase some of the country’s iconic symbols.

Not only do BIC lead the way in the branded pocket lighter market but

BIC also boasts the BIC Household Megalighter, an essential household accessory that, with its renowned safety features, is ideal for lighting household fires, candles and barbeques.

58 |www.retailnews.ie|November |Retail News|November 2014|2014|Retail www.retailnews.ie 58 News

news Market News KINETICA’S CONVENIENCE OPPORTUNITY KINETICA Sports has worked with closely with Richmond Marketing through the retail convenience channel to meet the growing demand from consumers for more health-based snacks.

Kinetica’s range of convenience products offer retailers margin potential to develop a new and growing category. Kinetica’s high protein ready-to-drink milk beverage (pictured) is the most convenient way to consume high quality protein on the run and delivers 27g of protein per 330ml bottle, while Kinetica’s Milk Pro Bar contains 20g of natural milk proteins and is gelatin free. Currently, Kinetica is available in Applegreen, Topaz, Esso, SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, Londis, Costcutter and selected SuperValu stores.

NEW LOOK CADBURY ECLAIRS

COMFORT LAUNCHES FESTIVE FABRIC CONDITIONER COMFORT is set to introduce a limited edition festive fragrance to its successful Comfort Creations range ahead of the fast approaching festive season, Snowdrops & Winter Berries. Blended by perfume experts, it boasts warm, woody base notes and features the floral influence of snowdrops and fruity top notes of winter berries. The formula also includes the brand’s encapsulated fragrance technology and is designed to give customers the longer-lasting, festive fragrance they desire over the winter months. “The festive nature of the packaging also lends itself to dual siting in-store, in both the laundry and seasonal aisle, doubling the sales opportunity for retailers,” explains Fernanda TubiniRoberts, Senior Brand Manager for Comfort at Unilever.

THIS August, Kraft is introducing a new pack format and design for its ever popular Cadbury Eclairs brand. In line with shopper trends, the iconic brand will move from a roll-pack to a pocket bag format, which will improve visibility and stand-out. The new design highlights the rich ERIN has introduced a new of world mealthe solutions which to the centre’ that consumers love about the product. The and indulgent associations withrange the brand and inspired incorporates unique ‘journey allows anyone to cook a restaurant quality meal in less than 20 minutes. product which has a RRP of 75 cent will launch at a special offer price of 2 for €1.20 and will be supported with in-store POS. Erin’s latest innovation comes in four delicious variants, Thai Green Curry, Tikka Masala, Sweet & Sour and Korma, and is available from all major retailers priced at €2.99. Each Erin Dine-Ins kit contains two pots: the first pot contains a flavoured concentrated paste with oil & stock and the CROZIER BLUE TEAMS UP WITH TESCO second pot contains ground herbs & spices. The pots are gluten free with ONE of Ireland’s best known(MSG), cheesenomakers has teamed up with Tesco Ireland to promote and boost consumption of Crozier Blue, no monosodium glutamate hydrogenated fats and no artificial the only blue cheese in this country made from sheep’s milk.page: The promotion sees Crozier hosting tastings in Tesco Ireland outlets preservatives.

For more information, visit the Erin Facebook www.facebook.com/Erinfoods. throughout the country, offering significant discounts for consumers, in what is a major marketing opportunity for Crozier Blue, cheesemaker Sarah Furno explained. Her parents, Jane and Louis Grubb, who also created Cashel Blue, first began making the cheese in their Tipperary dairy 20 years ago next year. “Crozier Blue is one of the best cheeses to be found in Ireland,” said Tesco Ireland’s cheese buyer, Barra McFeely. “The cheese is performing well in our shops and it is an important part of our range. We are proud to&stock suchisaallprestigious Irish cheese.”

Jane and Louis Grubb’s MARKS Spencer about delicious, innovative food and drink that willnephew be sureHenry Clifton Brown is pictured with Crozier Blue range. to wow friends and family alike, with almost 300 new lines launching this Christmas.

ERIN’S NEW DINE-INS RANGE

CHRISTMAS AT M&S

M&S experts have created their very own festive flavour, featuring a combination of Cranberry, Clementine and Pomegranate. This fruity ensemble truly embodies the flavours of Christmas and can be found in a whole host of foods, including a Turkey Glaze, a Bucks Fizz Cocktail and a Non-Alcoholic Pressé. Gluten FreeROBINSONS continues to FRUIT SHOOT NOT be a big trend this Christmas, with all M&S stuffing and sausages completely Gluten PJ CARROLL & Co. Ltd is driving innovation in the cigarette IMPACTED

BY UK RECALL Free, along with over a third of their party food. Irish supplier Horgan’s have created category with the launch of Vogue Perle Capsule. “Vogue Perle an Irish cheese board which will be rolled out to all M&S stores across Ireland Ireland and has confirmed that Robinsons Fruit Shoot BRITVIC Capsule has been developed to accelerate the growth of the the UK (pictured), featuring three Irish cheeses, including Cashel Blue, Mature Red produced and sold by it in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) is not Vogue range and meet adult smokers’ desire for continued Cheddar and Cooleeney. Glenpatrick from Tipperary have created two bespokebynon-alcoholic drinks the festive season, including impacted a precautionary andfor voluntary product recall innovation within the category,” comments Martin Keevers, Trade a Cranberry & Clementine Pressé and a Mulled Punch which can be enjoyed hot or cold. occurring in the United Kingdom.

This is because Fruit Shoot Development Manager at P J Carroll. “Vogue Perle Capsule adds sold by Britvic Ireland in the ROI is fitted with a standard cap a whole new dimension with a Spearmint flavoured capsule, so and not the new design cap – ‘Magicap’ - that has given rise when clicked, Vogue Perle Capsule delivers a refreshing burst to packaging safety issues in the UK. In the unlikely event that in comparison to other menthol-flavoured capsule cigarettes.”

BASED the beautiful town Capsule of Lismore Waterford, The Lismore Food consumers encounter Fruit Shoot packs sourced from other Vogue Perle willincontain the same Priced atin€8.20, Company has just as launched delicious range of beautifully fine and bearing the Magicap pictured below, they should smooth 7mg blend current aVogue Perle Bronze, which it presentedmarkets biscuits.from These five distinctive sweet biscuits arefor traditional with a it to the retailer for a full refund. For further information, return replaces July onwards.

To tasting purchase products, and contemporary twist. The range includes the can classic Butter details of their nearest launch deals, retailers callAll 1800 604Irish Shortbread, call Britvic Ireland’s Customer Contact Centre: 1890 704804.. which melts in the mouth, as well as a deliciously fragrant Dark Chocolate and 500.

Cardamom, a scrumptious Mediterranean Lemon Polenta, a heart-warming Hazelnut, Cinnamon and Raisin, along with Golden Ginger and Cacao Nibs, a divine gluten free option. Both the handmade quality of the biscuits together with the beautiful packaging create a luxurious and premium feel. See www.thelismorefoodcompany.com for more information.

VOGUE PERLE CAPSULE

QUALITY BISCUITS FROM LISMORE

60|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF Ball 2014

IGBF Ball a Rocking Royal Success The 2014 IGBF President’s Ball proved to be one of the social highlights of the year.

THE great and the good from the Irish FMCG market were out in force for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Rock & Royalty Ball, which took place at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, on October 17, and once again proved to be one of the social events of the year, while raising much-needed funds for this most worthy of causes.

Current President of Appeals, Willie O’Byrne, MD of BWG Foods, thanked all the attendees for their support, and paid particular tribute to the event sponsors, including Cuisine de France and Mondelez International.

The night provided a superb line-up of entertainment, including magician Rodrigo Furtado, who astounded guests with a host of stunning tricks, and music from James Peake, who served up a tasty selection of rock classics, including hits from Queen and Meat Loaf.

Willie O’Byrne, IGBF President of Appeals, is pictured with his wife Angela There were a host of fantastic prizes won on (left) and Evanne NíChuillinn, RTE Sport, who was the MC on the night. the night, with the top prize of a diamond won by Margaret Magennis, the wife of Britvic Ireland’s Director of Symbols and Wholesale, Brian Magennis.

One lucky person at each table won a prize, ranging from two nights B&B in the five-star Heritage Hotel & Spa in Killenard, Co. Laois, to two nights at Dublin’s famous Shelbourne Hotel, with each table winner being subsequently entered into the Grand Prize Draw for a luxury holiday worth €2,000, which was won by Ben Taylor, Key Account Manager at the National Lottery.

History of the IGBF The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund was founded in 1981 to provide financial relief for persons in need who have been involved in the food and beverage trades, including retail grocers, wholesalers, manufacturers and general suppliers to the industry.

During the past three decades, enormous work has been done to relieve hardship amongst members who have fallen on difficult times because of ill health, death in the family or unemployment. The Fund continues in its efforts to reach more people in need.

The Ball plays a big part in the IGBF’s annual fundraising and this year’s event was instrumental in raising over €61,000.

National Lottery Director Dermot Griffin and his wife Brenda.

All photos taken by Clodagh Kilcoyne.

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|61

IGBF Ball 2014

Previous President of Appeals, Leonard Hegarty, General Manager at G&M Industrial Cleaning Products and Textile Recycling Limited, and his wife, Una.

Bryan and Karen O’Sullivan, pictured with Margaret and Brian Magennis, Britvic Ireland’s Director of Symbols and Wholesale.

Jim O’Connor, IGBF General Secretary, and his wife Marie.

Paul Condon, Marketing and Corporate Services Nigel Scully. Commercial Director - Retail at Aryzta Foods Solutions, and his wife, Andrea.

Director at Topaz, and his wife Barbara.

Emer O’Rourke, BWG Foods, and Michael Bevan.

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IGBF Ball 2014

Joe Keane, IGBF Chairman, and his wife Anne.

Director of Musgrave MarketPlace, Paul Kerrigan, and his wife Liz.

Pictured are (l-r): Alex Banahan, Sales Director, MACE, Bernadette Banahan, Willie Ciaran Woods, Customer Account Manager at Unilever Ireland, and his wife Barbara.

O’Byrne, IGBF President of Appeals and MD of BWG Foods, and Angela O’Byrne.

Niall McFerran, Aryzta Foods Solutions, and Claire McFerran, Kellogg’s.

Eugene Baker, Head of Sales & Marketing, Pat the Baker, and his son, Glenn, Media Co-ordinator, Pat the Baker.

Kate Hegarty and Ronan O’Byrne, BWG Foods.

Claire and Martin Ahern, Suntory.

Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie|63

IGBF Ball 2014

Alan Crawford, Emma Taylor, Adrienne and Leo Crawford, CEO, BWG Group, and Chairman of SPAR Ireland.

Derek Mooney, Sales Director, JTI Ireland, and former IGBF President of Appeals, pictured with his wife Barbara.

Brian Staunton, Musgrave MarketPlace, Michelle Fennell, Centra Marketing Manager, and Claire Staunton.

Carroll Cuisine Managing Director, John Comerford, pictured with his wife Anne.

Valeo Foods Account Director Cormac Leonard and his wife Delia.

Emma Priestman, Business Operations Analyst, and Emer Carroll, Business Operations Manager, both from Unilever Ireland.

John O’Connor, Commercial Director, Largo Foods, with his wife Julie.

Emma Hargreaves and Kellie Whelan, both Senior Marketing Recruitment Consultants for Next Generation Recruitment.

64|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Legal Matters

A Glimmer of Rent Relief?

This year’s Bewley’s rent review case is not a template for all landlords to follow, writes Bart D. Daly, Barrister at Law. THE Supreme Court decision earlier this year, which ruled that Bewley’s Grafton Street café must continue to pay €1.46m in rent up to 2017, was an interesting one, but it’s certainly not a template for similar cases.

This was an appeal from the High Court regarding the rent of the premises on Grafton Street. Since the bite of the recession, upward only rents have become a raw issue, particularly in the city centre where businesses were actually closing down, not because of the recession, but because of high rents against a background of reduced income.

While the outcome of this Supreme Court appeal was, on face value, a massive blow for tenants, there was a very important statement by the court which has largely been overlooked by the media. The opening paragraph of the Supreme Court judgment said: “…it is appropriate to emphasise that the issue of construction which has arisen between the Landlord and the Tenant is not an issue of general application to rent review clauses.

Rather it is concerned only with the proper interpretation of a specific clause in the Lease in the specific

One cannot stress enough that at the time of contracting, it is imperative that both parties know exactly what they are signing up to.

context in which it is used”.

This is the ray of light for tenants.

Normally, a judgment of the Supreme Court would be binding on all lower courts and would become the precedent upon which legal advice would be based. However, this statement is pretty clear in what it is saying and that is, the judgment in this case (i.e.

Ickendel Ltd v Bewley’s Café Grafton Street Ltd) is specific to the lease in that particular case. The phrase “is not an issue of general application to rent review clauses” is a big hurrah for tenants. Often a court will make a ‘by the way’ observation known an Obiter Dicta: such statements are not binding but can be of influence. But in

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Legal Matters

Many leases are straightforward but it is always best to get legal advice from a commercial property lawyer, just to be sure.

this case, the judges did not make the statement as Obiter but in fact part of their judgment. This writer believes this was deliberate by the court and the statement was made at the outset of their judgment and not buried at the end of the judgment where the Obiter is normally located.

Be Careful What You Sign It is often the case that a company spends time looking for the right premises and then when they’ve found it, they are determined to get it. Here, caution is advised as the signing of the lease is extremely important. Many leases have strange language and these terms can come back in the future and become very troublesome.

Many leases are straightforward but it is always best to get legal advice from a commercial property lawyer, just to be sure. Money spent at this stage could save substantial legal fees if lease problems crop up later.

The lease in the Bewley’s case did not fall into the standard lease category. In this case, the parties had to go to the High Court (then appealed to the Supreme Court) for the interpretation of a clause in the lease.

The phrase in the Lease which the High Court was asked to construe was the actual demise and the reddendum (this clause contains the reservations and exceptions which a grantor wishes to place in the deed). It was the additional provisions in the lease in relation to rent that made the Bewley’s lease more complicated than is usually the norm and where the parties failed to agree.

One cannot stress enough that at the time of contracting, it is imperative that both parties know exactly what they are signing up to. The Supreme Court in their judgment referred to another Supreme Court case (Marlan Homes Ltd) that stated: “It is important, however, to note that where the parties have committed their responsibilities to written form, in a particular manner, it must be assumed that they have intended to give effect to their obligations in that way. Such must be recognised as their right, both commercially and under contract law…”

Wording in Lease The court was asked to construe the meaning of one of the clauses in the lease. It is worth quoting this to see if other retailers have exactly the same wording in their leases. Remember,

the wording has to be identical for the severity of the Bewley’s judgment to affect such leases: “YIELDING AND PAYING therefore . . . during each of the years of the term up to [and] including . . . [31st December 1991] . . . FIRST the clear YEARLY RENT of . . . [IR£168,000] and thereafter during each of the successive periods of five years of which the first shall begin on [1st January 1992] a rent (hereinafter called “the first revised rent”) equal to the greater of (a) the rent payable hereunder during the preceding period or (b) such revised rent as may from time to time be ascertained in accordance with the provisions in that behalf contained in Clause 6 hereof (whichever shall be the greater) . . . SECONDLY during each of the years of the term up to and including . . . [31st December 1991] . . . the clear yearly rent of . .

[IR£15,000] and thereafter during each of the successive periods of five years of which the first shall begin on [1st January, 1992] a rent (hereinafter called “the second revised rent”) equal to the greater of (a) the rent payable hereunder during the preceding period, or, (b) such revised rent as may from time to time be ascertained in accordance with the provisions in that behalf contained in clause 7 hereof . . .”

What Does This Mean for Tenants?

Contrary to the doom and gloom media coverage of this Supreme Court judgement, this writer does not believe this judgement has precedent value.

The judgment deals with a specific case and I believe another landlord would have problems relying on this judgement to support their justification for upward only rents. The one exception to that is if their commercial lease is identical to the lease in the Bewley’s lease.

Perhaps because of the uniqueness of the lease in the Bewley’s case, the law on upward only leases has not advanced any and the dilemma still remains unresolved (Ickendel Ltd v Bewley’s Café Grafton Street Ltd Supreme Court [2014] IESC 41).

About The Author

The uniqueness of the lease in the Bewley’s case means that the law on upward only leases has not advanced any and the dilemma still remains unresolved.

BART D. Daly is managing director of Frontier Legal Research Ltd, a Dublin based legal research company (bartdaly@ firstlaw.ie).

66|Retail News|November 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life SUPERVALU has signed a deal with On the Pigs Back, a Cork-based paté and terrine producer, worth €100,000. The deal will see two new jobs created at the company and further capital investment, as they extend their range across the entire SuperValu network.

On the Pigs Back were selected as winners of the Small Producer of the Year Award at the Irish Food Quality Awards recently. Sponsored by SuperValu, the award is designed to celebrate artisan food and drink in Ireland. The company will now have the opportunity to supply a wider range of their gourmet products to SuperValu’s 222 stores nationwide and will benefit from significant sales and marketing support from the retailer.

PORTADOWN-based Irwin’s Bakery has ‘proved’ the proof is in the pudding by winning big at top food awards in 2014. Northern Ireland’s only indigenous plant bakery received accolades for its Rankin Selection soda and potato farls at Great Taste 2014 and a Gold Blas na hÉireann - Irish Food Award for its traditional Irish Barm Brack with whiskey. Brendan Lappin, Irwin’s Bakery Business Development Manager, is pictured (centre) picking up the Gold Blas na hÉireann - Irish Food Award with Blas Patron, Birgitta Hedin Curtin of the Burren Smokehouse and Colin Lavery of Andrew Ingredients, a Blas Sponsor.

CONNACHT Gold is expanding its gourmet butter range with two new flavoured butters launching this month. Building on the success of its multi-award winning real butter range, Connacht Gold is now delighted to add Butter with Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Butter (pictured) to its range.

Connacht Gold Butter with Sea Salt is rich gourmet butter combined with sea salt crystals for a deliciously enhanced flavour. Connacht Gold’s new Cracked Pepper Butter will accompany the existing, award winning Connacht Gold Garlic & Herb Butter in the dairy cabinet in the same 100g stick format, expanding its flavoured butter range. See www.connachtgold.ie for more information.

ICELAND has unveiled its Christmas range for 2014; a delicious variety of party food options and traditional festive favourites, combined with some new additions for the ultimate ‘season’s eatings’. Iceland is renowned for its innovative festive food, which this year includes the 5 Bird Roast (pictured), with duck, chicken, turkey, goose and guinea fowl topped with streaky bacon and a cranberry and port glaze, and a cooked Whole Canadian Lobster for just €6.

TESCO are stocking a festive range of plants from Swords based grower, Uniplumo.

Along with a larger than ever order of Irish poinsettias, festive floral baskets and luxury Irish wreaths, Uniplumo are supplying a special limited edition Kalanchoe Tisento plant at a cost of €3.99 with €0.50 from each purchase going directly to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Increased plant trade this year in Tesco stores has resulted in a 20% increase in orders from Uniplumo and marks the seventeenth year that the grower has supplied plants to Tesco stores. Pictured are model Corina Grant with Cara Leigh Doyle, aged seven.

BUDWEISER teamed up with ‘Game of Thrones’ star and veteran Irish stage and screen actor Liam Cunningham to announce details of its Dream Job project, which is giving passionate and dedicated people in Ireland an opportunity to fulfil their dreams by helping to kick-start an exciting new career path. Budweiser Dream Job is back for the second year, and once again is offering the chance to win your dream job for one year which includes a €40,000 cash prize, a €5,000 equipment bursary, an internship placement and support from relevant experts. For more information see Facebook.com/BudweiserIreland.

COCA-COLA Ireland have announced that CocaCola Life, the newest addition to the Coca-Cola Trademark, will be available in Ireland from the end of January 2015. Piloted in Argentina and Chile in 2013 and recently launched in the UK, this lower-calorie cola contains a third less sugar and a third fewer calories than regular cola.

Sweetened with a blend of sugar and naturallysourced stevia leaf extract, a 330ml can of Coca-Cola Life contains 89 calories and features striking green branding. Coca-Cola Life is the latest innovation by Coca-Cola to be launched in Ireland since the arrival of Coca-Cola Zero in 2006. Diet Coke has been available in Ireland since 1983.

ONE of Northern Ireland’s largest privately owned companies, the SHS Group, has appointed Elaine Birchall as Chief Executive Officer. Bringing more than two decades of international business experience, including senior positions in Colgate Palmolive and PZ Cussons plc, Birchall replaces Michael Howard, who announced retirement plans earlier this year. “I am honoured and excited by the chance to build on the great achievements the SHS Group has secured in recent years and lead such a successful and committed team,” she said. “We have earned an enviable position within the market due to our ability to develop brands to their full potential and forge strong relationships with our strategic partners. I look forward to building on that approach and working with all areas of the business to identify and secure future growth.”

NEW! KittenSoft now has a bigger and Softer family.

Following in the pawprints of our adorably soft paper, KittenSoft is now available in two new varieties.

New luxuriously soft 4 ply Quilted Dreams and a new beautifully enriched 3 ply Aloe Vera.

Simply purrrfect!

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