The March Issue of ShelfLife

Under pressure

Growing cost of employment putting local stores and jobs at risk

+

Sustainability champions

We shine a spotlight on the FMCG brands that have worked hard to offer more sustainable solutions

10 top recruitment tips

Excel Recruitment’s Nikki Murran explains how to attract the best candidates within today’s competitive jobs market

ShelfLife

Editor GILLIAN HAMILL (01) 294 7776 gillian.hamill@mediateam.ie

Staff

Contributors

DONNA AHERN

CAROLINE

NIKKI MURRAN

Head

IAN MULVANEY (01) 294 7766 ian.mulvaney@mediateam.ie

Account manager

MARK MORGAN (01) 294 7767 mark.morgan@mediateam.ie

Circulation

subs@mediateam.ie

Publisher

JOHN McDONALD (01) 294 7744 john.mcdonald@mediateam.ie

Printing

Planned ROI fuel price hikes cause concern for border retailers

With four price hikes in the cost of petrol and diesel planned for consumers over the next 12 months, border retailers are understandably concerned about the increasing gap between fuel prices in the north and south.

The Irish Independent reports that the four rises are likely to add around 15c to the cost per litre of petrol and around 12c to a litre of diesel.

Speaking in Washington in advance of St Patrick’s Day, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said there would be no wavering from the planned excise duty hikes. He highlighted that the

government had reduced excise duty on motor fuel in 2022 in response to higher prices caused by the war in Ukraine, at a time when petrol and diesel were about €2 a litre.

However, Kevin McPartlan of Fuels for Ireland, pointed out that the UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt had extended an reduction in excise duty for 12 months. “There could be a 15c a litre difference in the price of petrol between retailers on both sides of the border by August,” he said.

“Undoubtedly, this would mean that retailers in counties Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal would be under such huge pressure that many could go out of business.”

Fuel for Ireland has subsequently called for the establishment of an expert group by the Department of Finance to review the taxation of energy for transport and heating. We will continue to report on this important news in the coming weeks and months. It represents yet another concerning development, coming on the heels of the increased payroll costs faced by retailers, as outlined on page 16.

Meanwhile, on page 51, ShelfLifeannounces some exciting news with the appointment of Donna Ahern as the magazine’s new editor. On behalf of all the team, we are delighted to welcome Donna on-board. Next month’s issue will therefore be my final one, and as always, if you have news or views that you would like to share with your industry colleagues, please do not hesitate to contact me at gillian.hamill@mediateam.ie.

Gillian Hamill, editor, ShelfLifemagazine

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ISSN:

NEWSGRID

The top news stories in FMCG and retail from across Ireland

Average price pack rose 3.7% in February: Kantar

Take-home grocery sales increased by 5.4% in the four weeks to 18 February 2024, according to the latest data from Kantar, with grocery price inflation driving value sales growth rather than consumers buying more. In February, the average price per pack rose 3.7%, while volumes per trip fell this month by 3.1%. Frequency of trips continues to be a main contributor to the market’s growth, up 3% year-on-year

BWG Foods shortlisted for sustainability award

Dunnes leads the way as Ireland’s top grocer

Independent retailers seek Fianna Fail’s aid amid escalating wage pressures

An RGDATA delegation led by president Colin Fee with members from all over the country recently made an impassioned plea to the Fianna Fail parliamentary party to support immediate interventions to assist local food retailers to manage escalating wage bills. Independent retailers told Fianna Fail ministers, TDs and senators that they operate in an extremely competitive market with very tight margins and they need assistance to fund the introduction of all the new labour legislation measures in such a short timeframe

Londis celebrates major European sponsorship award win

BWG Foods’ retail development team has been shortlisted for the PwC Sustainable Business Awards (Energy projects), which will be held on 21 March. BWG’s entry, which focuses on “how to minimise the energy consumption of refrigeration systems, particularly in the retail convenience industry,” is shortlisted in the Sustainable Project of the Year category The concept, which is active in more than 100 BWG sites, is a next-generation refrigeration display case that utilises airflow movements to enhance energy efficiency, developed in conjunction with Anglo Irish refrigeration and Wirth Research.

Unemployment rate falls to 4.2%

The main unemployment rate was 4.2% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, down from 4.5% in January and up from 4.1% in February 2023. There was an increase of 6,500 in the seasonally adjusted number of people unemployed in February 2024 compared with a year earlier “Despite challenges such as geopolitical uncertainty and a global economic slowdown, the labour market remains robust,” said Jack Kennedy, senior economist, Indeed.

Lidl invests €15m in staff pay rises

Dunnes Stores leads the way as Ireland’s top grocer, in the four weeks to 18 February 2024 the latest data from Kantar shows Dunnes has 24.3% market share with growth of 8.9% year-on-year .This growth stems from more frequent trips, up 5.9%, which contributed an additional €46.7 million to the overall performance. Meanwhile, Tesco holds 23.5% of the market, SuperValu 20.6%, Lidl 12.8%, and Aldi 10.9%.

C&C Group opens new distribution depot in Heathrow

C&C Group, the UK’s largest drinks distributor and owner, has unveiled its new London distribution depot, Orbital West, in Heathrow The new move to the 113,600 sq. ft. facility, which is 40% bigger than the previous London depot, forms a key part of C&C’s extensive depot network across the UK and Ireland. “Our new depot is crucial for our growth plans, allowing us to streamline our operations through advanced technology which will enable us to service our customers in and around London more effectively,” said COO Andrea Pozzi.

Number of new cars licensed in February increased by 5% YOY: CSO

Londis and its media partner Core recently won the ‘Best Media Sponsorship’ for ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’ at the European Sponsorship Awards (ESA Awards). “The driving force behind the success of Ireland’s Fittest Family sponsorship was a strong collaboration between the teams in Core Sponsorship, Zenith, RTE Media Sales and Londis,” said Gillian Rigley, marketing manager at Londis, which has been sponsoring Ireland’s Fittest Family for the past six seasons.

Lidl has recently announced a further €15 million investment in pay increases for its existing workforce in the Republic of Ireland. The discounter will invest a further £3 million in its operations in Northern Ireland. According to Lidl, it has invested €32 million in pay rises for employees in the Republic with employees benefitting from an approximate 13.5% increase since February 2023. This latest investment will result in every Lidl employee benefitting from an approximate 6% pay rise, equal to, on average, a €2,000 additional pay increase for every employee per annum.

The number of new cars licensed in February 2024 increased by 695 vehicles (5%) compared with February 2023, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures.

In the first two months of 2024, 14% of all new cars licensed for the first time were electric, compared with 15% in the same period in 2023, while petrol cars accounted for 29%. Slightly over one-fifth (22%) of new private cars licensed in the first two months of 2024 were diesel; marking no change from the same period last year ■

Jack Kennedy, senior economist, Indeed

Alpro comes on

board as a sponsor

of the ShelfLife National Grocery Management Awards

Alpro is proud to be part of this year’s ShelfLife National Grocery Management Awards, coming on board as sponsor of the Best In-Store Café Manager category The 2024 awards which take place in May are Ireland’s premier scheme for recognising, rewarding and showcasing Irish retail management excellence.

At Alpro, the team knows that good food starts with good ingredients and the Alpro Barista range welcomes customers to a whole new world of plant-based deliciousness that’s great for coffee and good for you!*

Alpro has four dedicated Barista products which include Oat, Almond, Soya and Coconut. This means there is a plant-based product to match your customers’ every mood, occasion and desire. Even more importantly, the Barista range has been created to deliver the perfect coffee shop experience, brilliant

performance and fabulous foam, every single time

Whether your shoppers enjoy their coffee as a frothy cappuccino, a creamy flat white, piping hot or poured over ice, the Alpro Barista range will make an everyday cup of coffee at home extra special. Your customers can become their own barista and elevate their coffee experience, trying one of the four exciting flavours from Alpro Barista; Oat, Almond, Soya and Coconut.

Alpro Barista is stocked in supermarkets nationwide including Tesco, SuperValu and Dunnes Stores.

*(Source: Alpro Barista Almond, Barista Coconut & Barista Soya are a source of calcium. Barista Oat is a source of vitamin D2. Both calcium and vitamin D2 contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function. A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are recommended for good health).

Daybreak raises ¤62,588 for Irish Heart Foundation in 2023

Daybreak is thrilled to announce it has raised €62,588 for long-term charity partner the Irish Heart Foundation in 2023. Throughout 2023, Daybreak organised a series of fundraising activities to raise muchneeded funds for the charity Notable among these initiatives was the ‘Keep it Moving’ campaign in September, which saw 150 Daybreak stores nationwide participate in an active ‘marathon in a month’ challenge to raise funds.

In April 2023, Daybreak hosted a coffee morning where all proceeds from hot drink sales were generously donated to the charity Customers were encouraged to give back, all while enjoying a hot beverage

In addition to these national campaigns, Daybreak stores across Ireland engaged in localised activities within their communities. These included spin-a-thons, year-round till donations, and various community events.

Molly Byrne, assistant brand manager, Daybreak, said: “We want to thank our Daybreak colleagues for their fundraising efforts throughout the year and, of course our generous customers for their continued support. Daybreak stores are at the heart of communities across Ireland, and we are so proud to partner with the Irish Heart Foundation to continue supporting its incredible work to reduce unnecessary deaths due to cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

The Irish Heart Foundation has been Daybreak’s chosen charity partner since 2016, and since then, Daybreak has helped the charity provide much-needed support to communities across Ireland. The Irish Heart Foundation offers various crucial services both online and in-person. These resources include patient advocacy, education, CPR training, and counselling support services.

The Irish Heart Foundation also helped support Daybreak stores and local communities by offering blood pressure services via its Mobile Health Unit. Here, Daybreak staff members and the general public could avail of free blood pressure checks and lifestyle advice.

“We want to say a huge thank you to the Daybreak team and customers for their continued support,” said Cliodhna Burke, senior business development manager Irish Heart Foundation. “The fundraising efforts in 2023 were phenomenal and we look forward to what is to come in 2024!”

Firstsign.ie makes

home extra special

self-testing

possible across a range of common conditions

The Covid pandemic was a worldwide phenomenon, and hard to bear for most people But, we learned a few things along the way including how to test yourself for viruses. We all learned how to open the test kit, take a swab of the throat, add the buffer solution and apply the liquid to the test kit, and learned within ten minutes if we had the dreaded bug or not.

As well as testing for a virus like Covid-19, self-testing can be used to detect many different items, such as bacteria, hormones or viruses

Up to that time, testing was something performed by the doctor or nurse, and took two visits to the GP, one for the sample, and another for the result, which can often take up to ten days to find out.

If you can test yourself for a virus like Covid-19, you can test yourself for many different items, such as bacteria, hormones or viruses. After all, we are used to self-testing for pregnancy, which detects a hormone in urine

Self-testing for diseases and infections is now growing globally, as people realise how cost effective and quick it is. Whereas two visits to the doctor could cost about €120, the test kits are available for less than €20 and provide results in 10 to 15 minutes. Accurate and prompt diagnosis can mean faster treatment and therefore faster recovery in the case of infections, such as Strep A or faster management of symptoms such as the menopause

Firstsign.ie is a website designed for people who want to actively manage their health and to get speedy and low cost diagnoses for themselves and their families. Most of these tests are similar to a Covid test

The Firstsign.ie website shows what can be detected by anyone using a quick test kit. Many common illnesses or conditions such as flu, chest infections, menopause urinary tract infections etc. can be self-diagnosed.

Daybreak is delighted to have assisted the Irish Heart Foundation in 2023 by organising a series of fundraising activities

The Alpro Barista range will make an everyday cup of coffee at

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have learned how to test ourselves for viruses

Bring your brand to taste of Dublin 2024

Taste of Dublin, Ireland’s premium food and drink festival, offers both trade and consumer opportunities for your business. Recently announced, the festival will move from the Iveagh Gardens to the iconic location of Merrion Square in 2024 The new location will lend a larger footprint to the event, allowing for a more immersive visitor experience with sponsors and brand partners able to scale up their presence on-site. The event first launched in Dublin Castle before moving to the Iveagh Gardens in 2007, and has since grown in both footfall and exhibitors, while celebrating the beauty of the city itself

Following a record-breaking year for ticket sales in 2023, the event expects over 35 thousand visitors this year over the four days, taking place from the 13-16 June Whether you’re an artisan producer or a big brand, Taste of Dublin celebrates the Irish food industry with a myriad of quality restaurants, world-class chefs, diverse and exciting producers, coupled with a

relaxing and stunning alfresco setting, making the event a winning formula for all involved.

Taste of Dublin allows brands the opportunity to communicate key brand messages, promote food and drink ranges and associate yourself with the most prestigious brands, chefs and restaurants in the industry The festival team are

BWG Foods invests ¤35m in Mace retail business expansion

Pictured (L-R) are Johnny Sexton, Daniel O’Connell; retail director, BWG Foods; Sinead Roche, chair, Mace Retail Council; Keith Crawford, sales director, Mace; and Louise Quinn, Republic of Ireland football international (Photo: Don MacMonagle)

BWG Foods has announced a new €35 million investment programme for its Mace business, which is aimed at supporting the convenience retail network’s growth and expansion plans.

The investment programme was announced to retailers and partners at Mace’s retailer conference event in the Europe Hotel in Killarney. The new strategy entitled ‘Partners for Ambition’, aims to drive increased shopper footfall and spend, protect and enhance retailer profitability

This follows three years of accelerated growth for the Mace business, driven by a €28.5 million investment by BWG Foods and Mace retailers from 2020 which delivered cumulative growth of 41% during the period. Mace registered record sales of €400 million in 2023, marking a 6.5% increase on 2022, significantly outperforming the market and making Mace the fastest growing convenience retail group in Ireland.

A key factor in Mace’s recent performance has been major investment in brand related activations and Mace store re-developments, including national advertising and targeted digital media campaigns, such as its partnership with brand ambassador Johnny Sexton. Growth has also been underpinned by investment in footfall-driving departments such as Mace’s For Food Sake deli and its wide ranging off-licence offering.

BWG Foods is now forecasting further growth of 5% for the Mace business in 2024 which would push retail sales to €420 million. Over €1 million is to be invested this year in a new marketing campaign, featuring brand ambassador Johnny Sexton, to support 2024 growth ambitions.

Mace is led by sales director Keith Crawford who was appointed to the role in 2023 to oversee the development and implementation of its new business strategy in close collaboration with the Mace Retail Council, chaired by retailer Sinead Roche

fully committed to creating a special and memorable event in this new celebrated location.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are now available as well as limited VIP and corporate hospitality packages. Contact info@tasteofdublin.ie for more information.

SuperValu launches 2024 Food Academy to seek next wave of Irish food and drink producers

SuperValu has launched the Food Academy programme for 2024 The programme is actively seeking applications from budding start-up and early-stage food and drink producers across Ireland. Now in its 11th year, this extended commitment highlights the sustained success and positive impact the Food Academy has had on the local Irish food and drink industry

The Food Academy is a unique and tailored business development initiative for start-up and early-stage producers, which is supported by SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Office. This programme not only helps indigenous businesses but also contributes to the overall growth and sustainability of the Irish food industry Additionally, it serves as a platform for showcasing the excellence of quality Irish products and the innovative spirit of food and drink producers across the nation.

Over the past 11 years, more than 1,000 producers from all 26 counties of Ireland have successfully completed the Food Academy programme; showcasing their innovative products on SuperValu shelves all year round. Since its inception in 2013, Food Academy producers have collectively generated €230 million in product sales within SuperValu, supporting 1,500 jobs in the economy.

The programme also offers educational components and mentorship opportunities, assisting participants in navigating the complexities of the food retail industry Furthermore, the programme aligns with current consumer trends, emphasising sustainability, provenance, and a preference for locally sourced goods.

Apply for the Food Academy today through your Local Enterprise Office: www.localenterprise.ie/FoodSupports/FoodAcademy-Programme

The closing date for applications is 5 April 2024

Pictured at the launch of the Food Academy 2024 Recruitment, are Food Academy participants and entrepreneurs, Gerry Scullion, Dee Schroeder and Erica Sheehan alongside Food Academy project manager, Carmel Biggane

Taste of Dublin celebrates the Irish food industry with a myriad of quality restaurants, world-class chefs and diverse and exciting producers

Pepsi unveils major rebrand to shake up the cola category

Pepsi is unveiling a complete rebrand this month, with exciting new pack designs for all formats rolling out across grocery, wholesale, licence, and convenience. The rebrand will create a consistent identity across the Pepsi Max, diet, regular and flavoured cola ranges, with new packaging visuals, in-store materials and displays

The roll-out will be supported by a fully integrated campaign, including TV, digital, outof-home, in-store branding and experiential marketing. In line with Pepsi’s ‘Thirsty for More’ campaign, it will highlight Pepsi’s commitment to celebrating those who challenge conventions and want to have fun, while forging deeper connections through shared passions. The campaign underscores how the great, bold taste

of Pepsi fuels these moments of enjoyment.

As Ireland’s fastest growing cola brand*, this rebrand forms part of Pepsi’s vision to ensure long-term growth in the cola category Pepsi Max, a €28.5 million brand**, continues to recruit more buyers into the cola category than any other brand***. In a blind taste challenge, 66% of Irish people preferred the taste of Pepsi Max****. The new design focuses on great taste and refreshment, aligning with research showing that taste is a key driver for carbonated soft drinks*****. By modernising its flagship Pepsi brand with bolder, more vibrant packaging, this refresh helps retailers capitalise on sales amid evolving consumer tastes, in particular the no

sugar category which has grown by over 13% in 2023*.

The vibrant new look will grab attention at shelf, playing a key role in enticing new consumers into the category Pepsi and Pepsi Max are well-known and loved by many, but as a brand with such a rich history, it’s vital to evolve its look and feel, driving relevance for the next generation.

*(Source: Nielsen Total Scantrack, Sales Value, MAT data to 31st December 2023. **(Source: Kantar Latest 52 weeks, data to 24 December 2023

***(Source: In a blind taste challenge on the island of Ireland from 13.09.22 to 04.12.22, ****(Source: 10,014 out of 15,200 people surveyed (66%) preferred the taste of Pepsi Max to IOI’s biggest selling full sugar cola. For verification, see www.pepsimax.ie). *****(Source: Empathy Brand & Usage Tracker, July to September 2023).

Pettitt’s SuperValu, St. Aidan’s, Wexford wins coveted SuperValu Store of the Year Award for 2024

Pettitt’s SuperValu, St Aidan’s, in Wexford town, Co Wexford, has been crowned winner of the prestigious ‘National SuperValu Store of the Year’ for 2024

Along with nine other finalist stores from around the country, Pettitt’s SuperValu, St Aidan’s, was shortlisted for the much-coveted accolade at the SuperValu National Conference, which was held in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney. The store also achieved the Best Large SuperValu Store of the Year award at the conference. The Best Medium Store Award was scooped by Quish’s SuperValu Tramore while the Best Small Store Award was awarded to McGuinness’s & Cosgrove’s SuperValu Strokestown

The shortlist was audited and adjudicated by independent competition judge and retail consultant, Paul Ellison. The store audits focused on product range and quality, customer service, store presentation and innovation, fresh food offering, store hygiene standards and sustainability

This award, sponsored by Three Ireland, acknowledges the exceptional standards consistently achieved by the team at Pettitt’s SuperValu, St Aidan’s, with outstanding performance noted in key categories such as bakery, kitchen, cook at home and the florist offering. The store was also noted for its professionalism in leadership and management and for supporting a dedicated team who

consistently delivered excellence in service, as well as its dedication to the community through partnerships with both the Wexford senior hurling and football teams.

In addition, the store’s sustainability advancements were cited, recording an impressive 60% reduction in C02 emissions following the installation of new refrigerators and solar panels.

“These awards are a longstanding competition for the SuperValu brand and every year we are truly blown away by the standards set by finalists, with this year being no different,” said SuperValu MD Ian Allen, who particularly praised the “considerable sustainability initiatives that have been implemented”. ■

Pictured are (Top Row) Declan Dempsey, Ann Kane, Shona Clynch, Cormac Pettitt, Ian Allen, SuperValu managing director; Nicky Byrne, Niamh Dunne, Rosaleen Casey and (Bottom Row) Paul Murphy, Pat Maher, Graham Staples, Callum Quirke, from Pettitt’s SuperValu, St. Aidan’s, Wexford

Niall Shanaghy, Ciaran Quish and Cormac Quish from Quish’s SuperValu, Tramore, Co. Waterford who won the award for Best Medium SuperValu Store of the Year for 2024, alongside SuperValu managing director, Ian Allen, and SuperValu sales director, Dan Curtin

Edel McGuinness, Des Cosgrove, Martha Cosgrove, Stephen McGuinness, Wioleta Wronlewska, Martin Mullen and Aaron O’Boyle from McGuinness’s & Cosgrove’s SuperValu Strokestown Co. Roscommon who won the award for Best Small SuperValu Store of the Year for 2024, alongside SuperValu managing director, Ian Allen and SuperValu sales director, Dan Curtin

No more ‘last chance’ for retailers selling

With school midterms and Easter holidays approaching, please be aware that the below information is a very important reminder for your staff as test purchasers will be out in force over the coming school holidays.

We have been made aware from several sources in different parts of the country that the Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) have been instructed to advise stores that have been caught selling tobacco products to people under the age of 18 that they will be recommending that the person named on the Tobacco Retailers Register, be prosecuted under Section 45 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 as amended.

CSNA AGM: Save the date 2024!

The CSNA AGM brings together members from all over the country to meet and discuss the issues that are facing our sector. Join us on 28 May in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, Dublin to meet with like-minded retailers and join in discussions on the issues and opportunities for our stores. We are looking forward to seeing you all for what we promise will be an informative and enjoyable AGM.

You can register for this year’s AGM by calling Laura on 045-535050.

The CSNA is looking forward to hosting an informative and enjoyable AGM on 28 May

It has been noticeable over the past few months that the courts

tobacco products to minors

have dealt more severely with those charged with selling cigarettes to children who had volunteered to assist the HSE in a Test Purchase operation.

The courts are imposing substantial fines in the order of €1,000, granting the prosecution of their costs (which frequently are in the order of €1,500) and are also imposing Closure Orders on stores which prohibit the sale of tobacco products for a period of one to two weeks.

In almost every case we investigate, the sale to the minor has been carried out by a new, inexperienced and untrained member of staff

This is so simple to prevent –advise your staff that ID is required for all age-controlled products,

It is essential to advise your staff that ID is required for all agecontrolled products, including vaping products

including vaping products.

For your sake, make sure that all staff, especially new, casual and weekend staff are diligent in adhering to your legal obligations.

Insurance matters to consider for a Reverse Vending Machine

Have you recently installed a Reverse Vending Machine? Did you know that there are factors that may affect stores from an insurance point of view? The CSNA has received the below points from our insurance partners JDM Insurance. Please take note and contact your insurance company to ensure that all details within your policy are up to date.

Value of the units

Make sure that you increase the value of your plant/machinery/ fixtures/fittings under your existing insurance policy so that you cover the additional value of the Reverse Vending Machine. These machines can vary in price so it is important that your insurance policies have the correct sums insured when including the additional machine. It is very important to ensure that you are now not under-insured with the addition of the Reverse Vending Machine to your store.

Location of the units

Please be aware of the location of the units at your store. If they are located outside, please make sure that the machines are locked and secured correctly. If they are located inside, please make sure

that you place mats in front of the machines to catch any spillages from the cans and bottles.

Re-Turn pleads with retailers to complete registration process

More than 300 retailers who have spent a very considerable amount of money acquiring Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) will not be getting paid for any product that has been returned through their RVMs. Payments are due midMarch but unless you are fully registered you stand to get nothing The reason?

While you might think you are in the system, you may not be.

Did you download your certificate? - this is the simplest way to prove to yourself that your RVM is registered and the returns data is flowing back to Re-Turn, enabling you to get paid the handling fees and credited for refunded deposits.

Don’t delay - make contact with Re-Turn and seek confirmation that they have all the necessary information, including the serial number of the RVM to ensure payment is made.

JDM Insurance has pointed out a number of key insurance points to consider in relation to Reverse Vending Machines

From mid-March, Local Authorities will be making contact with you, advising you of the details of their websites in regard to the increase in the Cost of Business Grant Scheme.

You can find information on the grant on the Galway, Monaghan and Waterford Local Authority websites; please be aware that applications can be made online on your Local Authority website in mid-to-late March.

Please see below communication from the Department in relation to queries that we have raised.

“Hi Vincent, As you know, the Increased Cost of Business Grant Scheme (ICOB) is being funded by this Department and rolled out by the 31 Local Authorities.

On 15th February, the Department of Public Expenditure

Applications

NDP Delivery and Reform sanctioned the operationalisation of the scheme which allowed the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to begin the preparation for roll-out. Service

and signed following sanction. The Local Authorities are in the process of putting a system in place to roll-out the grant as efficiently and securely as possibly.

Government responds to CSNA queries regarding increase in Cost of Business Grant Scheme CSNA NEWS IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE CSNA, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSOCIATION ON 045 535050 13 CSNA NEWS SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE MER RI ON SQ UA RE 1316 JU NE www.tasteofdublin.ie info@tasteofdublin.ie WHERE FOOD LOVERS FEAST Brought to you by

Authorities’ websites.

This was originally intended to go out as a universal letter but the Local Authorities felt that this approach was better value for money. A communications campaign by the Local Authorities should be taking place simultaneously.

According to this information the system is due to be available in midMarch and each Local Authority has provided a contact number and in some cases a dedicated email address for any queries from businesses. You should tell your members to check out their Local Authority website for information on the scheme.”

Principal officer, Retail and Locally Traded Enterprise Unit An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. ■

Since opening on 17 July 2023, the team at Hurleys Mace Carrignavar in Co. Cork, have worked hard to make their store a true one-stop shop for the local village, where friendly service is paramount, writes

Gillian Hamill

At the heart of the village

For many next-generation family retailers, their grà for retail started at a young age; rolling up their sleeves to tackle a formative first parttime job while still at school However, when it comes to early starts in this business, few can beat Cian Hurley’s record, as a fourth-generation retailer on his mother’s side of the family On the day Cian was born, his parents Pat and Josephine brought him straight from hospital to the family store, before they had even yet headed home Little wonder then that Cian today gamely laughs:“So, it was kind of always destined to be!”

The store in question, now Mace Model Farm Road, was opened by Cian’s parents some 35 years ago. It was here that a young Cian cut his teeth in the industry, with the requisite summer job, naturally.Yet even before that, he recalls:“I remember packing crisps when I was four or five years of age, spending my time doing that, so I’ve grown up in and around the business. Then when I got a little older, I decided to work in a sports shop for a couple of years. I needed to get an experience of what it was like in the working world, not working with my family. I thought that was important to just grow myself as a business person. After a couple of years, I went back home to the family business and I’ve been there ever since.”

Serving the village

Today, he is in charge of the family’s second store, Mace Carrignavar, approximately half an hour’s drive from Mace Model Farm Road. Opened on 17 July 2023, this new venture has already impressed the village’s locals with its friendly, warm service and one-stop-shop approach Explaining more about the two stores ’ demographics, Cian notes:“They would be very different We’re a rural, local community store here whereas the Model Farm Road store is next to a college and it’s much more student-based Mace Carrignavar is the shop in the local village.”

“We’re smack-bang in the centre of the village,” adds Cian,“so we have a primary school up the road, a secondary school down the road and the church next door; it’s great to see all the faces.”

Meeting customers’ needs

Even before Mace Carrignavar opened, the Hurleys were determined to meet the locals’ needs.“Before we actually opened the doors, we did get some feedback that people would have been very disappointed to lose the post office,” Cian explains.“So, despite the fact that we have no experience running a post office, I got in contact with An Post and arranged for some training We listened to what people wanted; they wanted their

post office so we did our best to give that to them and it’s been thriving ever since.” On this front, Cian was trained for a month by Finbar Kelly from An Post, with a further two staff members now working in the post office.

Indeed, delivering everything locals wanted, has been vital for the team throughout the store.“The most important thing we said when we were opening up is that we wanted to try and squeeze as much into the shop as possible because we wanted to have a great range, ” says Cian “I think you can provide people with everything they need under one roof, so we focused on fitting as much in as possible while still being comfortable to walk and shop around. We have two coffee machines, a Smooch machine, an off-licence, full For Food’s Sake hot and cold deli, fresh meats and fresh fruit and veg. ”

Spacious layout

A major renovation was involved to get everything on the Hurleys’ wish list.“There was a store here before us that had closed for about eight months. We said that if we were going to come in and do this, that we would do this properly,” says Cian “We put the whole store back to four walls, and not even four walls, I’d say we knocked two of them! But then we just built it from the

With two coffee machines in the store, Bewley’s is performing strongly, and Cian praises the brand’s “top notch” customer service

“I’m young, I’m hungry, I know I’ve a lot to learn but I look forward to getting up every day and getting into work and learning and improving myself in the business,” says retailer Cian Hurley, who has learnt from his parents Pat and Josephine Hurley’s example

The in-store off-licence has recorded “fantastic” sales, Cian reports, with a full range of beers, spirits and wines, including two bays of wines, one bay of spirits and a dedicated beer fridge

ground up, because we said we can do it right once instead of half doing it, and then it’s done.” They expanded the size of the store by narrowing one of the stockrooms and moving that upstairs This increased the square footage of the shopfloor and therefore provided more range for customers This effort has certainly paid-off with a bright and airy store that can be comfortably navigated “We get a lot of comments and compliments about how we managed to fit so much into the store while still being spacious enough to walk around it comfortably,” says Cian, with“space to accommodate wheelchairs and buggies, so you’re not struggling in any sense. ”

Support from Mace

Throughout the construction process, Mace’s advice proved particularly invaluable.“I think going with Mace the first day is one of the best decisions we ever made,” affirms Cian, in a resoundingly positive review of the brand.“The support from them has been absolutely phenomenal and to be honest, it would be remiss, if I didn’t namedrop two people here and that’s Liam Attridge and Colin Brady, they’ve been absolutely fantastic, they’ve gone above and beyond for both stores; more so than we could ever have asked them to. For anyone else out there, who is considering it, I could not recommend Mace more.”

Having never opened a store before, Cian found their hands-on approach hugely helpful, particularly “spending a lot of time on-site”during construction, “giving their input and advice on the layout of the store, the products, the store’s demographics and merchandising.Any question I had, they were only a phone call away and they are still only a phone call away.”

Josephine confirms that she and Pat have likewise experienced similarly strong support from the Mace brand during their partnership at the Model Farm Road store.“For around 25 years we were independent and then we realised that we needed to be part of a group going forward.We spoke to all the different brands at the time, and came to the decision that Mace was the way forward. Our experience at Model Farm Road with them where they were so brilliant to deal with, meant it was a no-brainer really for Carrignavar to go the same way. ”

Positive attitude of staff

With four full-time and eight part-time staff, the Hurleys are clearly extremely proud of their team.“We

employ a lot of locals; I would say nearly everyone we employ is local and they’re all fantastic in fairness to them,” says Cian.“I can’t believe that we’ve gotten so lucky with the amount of positive attitude that we have coming into work; they’ve done all the modules in their training, they were fantastic and passed with flying colours. I get compliments from the customers constantly about how great the staff are here and I couldn’t agree more with them.”

In fact, it’s the staff that make the store really stand out, according to Cian “The people are so unbelievably welcoming and friendly and there’s just a great atmosphere in the shop day to day.You walk into the shop and there’s immediately a buzz in the place.” This is hugely important, especially for elderly customers, as Josephine points out.“Several people have actually said that to us, that since Covid, older people are a bit nervous about coming out, but now they have their local shop that they can walk down to for their few bits, have a chat and it makes their day.”

Local focus

The store originally opened with a‘soft’, unofficial opening at 10am on 17 July 2023, but the Hurleys were delighted to find“a huge crowd” had already gathered outside the store that morning and starting clapping on their way in.“We were all kind of looking around at each other like‘wow!’” says Cian Since then, the store has strengthened its reputation even further with a visit from Santa in December, where the kids received free selection boxes.

This focus on giving back to the local community is also illustrated in the store’s support for local suppliers. “At the moment, we have two local egg suppliers and we’re in talks with a number of other local suppliers,”

says Cian “The plan is to maybe divide out a section in the shelving for locally sourced products.” Meanwhile, another department that has proved“prodigiously popular” is the store’s Smooch Ice Cream offering.

“There’s an outdoor swimming pool down the road from the shop, and the kids go there in the summer so they’re all coming in and out for their ice creams. I thought Smooch was going to take off and fly up in space it was going so hard the first few weeks we were open,” Cian laughs. Bewley’s is another strong performer in-store as well, and on this front, Cian praises the“top notch” customer support he has received from Alan at Bewley’s

Experimenting with new products

The bakery department is also performing strongly, offering a wide selection of everything from croissants and apple tarts to muffins and donuts. The apple tarts baked fresh in the store are particularly popular with diehard local fans, especially at the weekends The deli is likewise hugely important in-store with the team always keen to experiment with new offerings, and a catering service is also faring well As Josephine explains:“Our deli supervisor is experienced, so all the time, we’re trying new products We run the products for a period and then see what feedback we’re getting, and analyse everything Every month we have a meeting with our supervisor, where we sit down and go through what our bestsellers are, what we need to cut back on, and look at reducing our waste and trying new products. It’s trial and error really, because we’re new to the area as well, so we just need to see what the customers expectations are, but so far it’s been really positive.” This approach will undoubtedly serve the Hurleys well with future success at Mace Carrignavar! ■

“Our people are so unbelievably welcoming and friendly and there’s just a great atmosphere in the shop day to day,” Cian says of the store’s team

The goal at Mace Carrignavar was to fit as much as possible into the store, while maintaining an open and airy feel throughout

The For Food’s Sake Deli is a key department at Mace Carrignavar, with a range of appetising, healthy options available

Under pressure

Rising energy prices, steep inflation, and the rising cost of employment are putting local independent community shops and supermarkets under immense pressure. Donna Ahern reports

Challenging times

high inflation,interest and energy costs.

Speaking to ShelfLife,Mark O’Rourke,managing director of Bibby Financial Services Ireland,said:“As we move through 2024,many businesses in the retail sector may find themselves at a crossroads between increased costs and the cashflow required to grow and develop their business operations.Those in the manufacturing, wholesale,food and beverage,and retail sectors have the additional burden of the Brexit label requirement which has been in place sinceAugust 2023.These new expenses are adding another layer of complexity to business operations,making it essential for SMEs to take the time to recalibrate their financial strategies to accommodate these changes while ensuring the sustainability of their operations.”

Another concern is the looming deadline for the repayment of warehoused debt While it is good news that Minister for Finance Michael McGrath announced the interest rate will reduce to 0%,and leniency towards arrangements being made to repay – deferring the inevitable is not a sustainable option.

“Strong cashflow is the lifeblood of any business,so it’s always important to continually review the source of your cashflow when running,sustaining and growing a business. And remember - while improving your business’s cashflow is a crucial step in surviving,it also offers the opportunity to thrive,realise new opportunities,take on new orders or expand and invest in your business,”he added.

Tara Buckley,director general,RGDATA,highlighted that the costs of employment and doing business are currently the most challenging issue for local independent community shops and supermarkets.

The national minimum hourly pay rate became €12.70 on 1 January 2024 (for those aged 20 and above).

“The increase in the National MinimumWage (NMW) has put huge pressure on retail employers to increase wages throughout the store,”she noted.

“On top of that,shop owners are dealing with increased costs associated with the move from three to five days’paid sick leave,increased commercial rates,no significant lowering of insurance costs and the significant costs associated with the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme

“These are low margin businesses that cannot just magic up the sums of money required to meet all of these additional costs.RGDATA is seeking meaningful interventions from government to support high employment,low margin essential community shops and supermarkets to assist in dealing with all of these additional costs.

“We believe there should be an immediate moratorium on all national and local government cost increases until a full analysis has been done on the actual impact on essential retail and the full-time and part-time jobs they provide in local communities.”

Buckley suggested that Employer PRSI should be cut by 50% for employees earning up to €45,000 in these essential local SME food shops

“Employers that need to put a substitute worker in place

“We have incurred a barrage of government-ordained costs that threaten the viability of businesses that are well run and providing great service to the communities they serve,” says CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings

when another employee is on paid sick leave should be compensated,”she added.

“Grants should be provided to ensure that the Deposit Return Scheme is cost neutral for non-producer retailers as promised Government needs to put genuine SME representatives in place in the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF).

“Government must also undertake an immediate campaign to reduce business costs including banking and payments costs,insurance costs,costs associated with retail crime, commercial rates and water charges and the plethora of other costs that are causing huge challenges and concerns for viable but vulnerable local community shops and supermarkets.”

Vincent Jennings,CEO,CSNA,shared Buckley’s sentiment.“Retailers in our sector have applied the 12.4% increase to the NMW,alongside significant additional PRSI costs,”Jennings said “The cumulative increases in costs of payroll in retail and hospitality have been proven to be a much sharper increase compared to other sectors,according to the recently published Department of Enterprise Report

“We have incurred a barrage of government-ordained costs that threaten the viability of businesses that are well run and providing great service to the communities they serve. Convenience retailers operate on tight margins; changes that have been imposed by the State are causing huge anxieties to the industry.”

“The increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) has put huge pressure on retail employers to increase wages throughout the store,” says Tara Buckley, director general, RGDATA

New measures such as the pension auto-enrolment scheme and a recently increased minimum wage level are putting even more pressure on businesses that are already struggling with

3 top tips

Mark O’Rourke, managing director of Bibby Financial Services Ireland, outlines“three easy steps for SMEs to take now to address the concerns”:

1. Review your cashflow position and do your cashflow projections:A proper understanding of your cashflow position will ensure a business can deal with the range of issues currently facing them as well as any big upcoming payments such as a DebtWarehousing bill.

2. Review your customer base: Businesses should continually review their revenue stream to ensure there is no overreliance on one or two key sectors or customers.Ensuring a wide customer base will limit your exposure to bad debt and enhance cashflow A good rule of thumb is not to have 20% of your business with one customer,as losing that business would represent a sizeable hit to your income

3. Review your funding solutions:SMEs can’t just rely on the mainstream funders coming to their rescue at the last minute,as it can be a slow and complicated process.This is where alternative lending solutions can deliver real value and a range of benefits above and beyond access to finance,including in-depth specialist market knowledge and strong client relationships Invoice Finance,for example,allows businesses to convert their unpaid invoices into cash,providing an immediate and ongoing supply of cash that grows with a business.Up to 90% of the value of an invoice can be paid within 24 hours – allowing business owners to pay staff,suppliers,pay a bill or take on new orders.Because it is not a loan,it doesn’t involve any additional debt,helping to keep cashflow healthy.Equally,unlike taking out a business loan,there are no fixed monthly repayments involved.” ■

TWIG reveals line-up for networking fundraiser and names new chair

Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG), a subcommittee of the Irish Grocers’ Benevolent Fund (IGBF), has announced the speakers for its forthcoming networking fundraiser event.

Now in its 8th year, the sold-out TWIG event will take place on Friday, 3 May 2024, at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.

Sonya Lennon will return as the MC and will host a panel discussion with industry experts who will address an audience of key figures in Ireland’s grocery sector

The speakers come from various sectors of the grocery industry and include:

• Mandy Hennebry, head of Ireland, Unilever

• Michelle Vance, chief executive officer, Lily O’Brien’s

• Charlene Flanagan, entrepreneur and co-founder of Ella & Jo Cosmetics

• Maeve McCleane chief people officer, Lidl Ireland & Lidl Northern Ireland

• Brendan Courtney, presenter, entrepreneur and co-founder, Lennon Courtney ‘Defining you’

This year’s theme, ‘Defining you’, will invite the panel to ‘share their journey to success in the industry, diving into the experiences and decisions that have contributed to their personal growth and professional success’.

From pivotal decisions to impactful relationships, the panel will offer candid insights into the transformative moments that have shaped their careers.

Speaking on the theme, Frances Higgins, chair of the IGBF and TWIG committee member, said, “This year’s theme, ‘Defining You’, is a great opportunity to discuss how some of our greatest challenges can play an important role in our personal and professional growth.”

The TWIG Committee are preparing for another successful event on Friday, 3 May 2024

New chair

This year’s networking event is the first under the new leadership of Mary McBride, head of retail at Bewleys Coffee Ltd., who has assumed the role of chairperson for TWIG.

She succeeds Sharon Yourell Lawlor and Michelle Darlington in her new role

Speaking ahead of the event, McBride, said: “Our annual networking event provides a great opportunity to bring women in our sector together to not only build their connections, but to learn about and share insights into various aspects of our industry

“My predecessors have been key in advancing this organisation and I look forward to leading TWIG further in its mission of empowering women in the grocery industry.”

This year’s lunch will be sponsored by Musgrave, Diageo, CPM and Suntory Beverage and Food Ireland.

TWIG noted that all of the funds raised from its luncheon will enable the IGBF to continue supporting fellow colleagues across the trade who have experienced loss, or unexpected personal/financial difficulties. ■

‘Save jobs –sign the pledge’ campaign launches

RGDATA, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), The Irish SME Association (ISME) and a number of other trade organisations have recently launched a major nationwide campaign to address rising labour costs.

In a statement, CSNA noted that it is calling for greater representation for small businesses on the Labour Employer Economic Forum and the Low Pay Commission.

The campaign slogan is ‘Save jobs – sign the pledge’ and the groups are calling for wider support on reform of the national minimum wage, tax reform and industrial relations reform.

Speaking on the launch of the campaign Vincent Jennings, CEO, CSNA, commented: “It is grossly unfair to have small businesses wages benchmarked against those bigger firms and the public sector – small businesses simply cannot afford to stay in business with the rise in labour costs.” ■

Mark O’Rourke, managing director of Bibby Financial Services Ireland

The Centra Hi-Convenience Store of the Year 2023, Frayne’s Centra on Dublin’s Westland Row, is undoubtedly a hugely successful store. This success looks set to continue into the future, with the next-generation of the family business, store manager, Bronagh Frayne, impressing attendees at the 2024 Centra Conference with a speech on her experiences as a young retailer. Gillian Hamill reports

A bright future ahead

Despite the frenetic pace of life in a bustling high-convenience city centre store, Frayne’s Centra on Westland Row has nevertheless created a real sense of community through its warm, engaging staff and involvement in local initiatives. Notably, sponsoring Trinity Ladies GAA, partnering with the Trinity Business School to help launch new products created by students, such as the popular X-Life seltzer range, and decorating the store with aplomb to celebrate key events such as the Pride Festival, which passes by the shop each year, and represents its busiest day of the year

Indeed, as the winner of the Hi-Convenience Store of the Year Award at the latest Pride of Centra Awards, owner Ronan Frayne is constantly reflecting on new ways to improve the store; a trait he has clearly passed on to his daughter Bronagh, who manages the store.

A thriving deli

Innovation is evident throughout Centra Westland Row, where the Fraynes have already completed two extensive revamps since purchasing the store in January

2008.“The deli and café accounts for 27% of our business; that’s the major driver in-store,” explains Ronan.“We’re well-known for having a really good deli and because it’s so busy, it’s absolutely fresh and fastmoving; that’s the footfall driver.”After the first staff members arrive at the deli at 5am each morning, it remains open right throughout the day until 9pm each night.“We’re busy right until close, confirms Ronan.

Located next to Trinity College, students are naturally a huge part of the store’s demographic and while innovative new ideas are key for Ronan and Bronagh, the stalwart that is the classic chicken fillet baguette remains students’ firm favourite.“Six months of the year we have Trinity College at full tilt,” says Ronan,“so our busiest period is September until April when they’re around. The chicken fillet baguette deal is the best-selling item in the store; there’s just colossal, tremendous queues, as soon as their lectures are over, you’d have them over straightaway at 11.10, 12.10, and 1.10, devouring chicken fillet baguettes,” laughs Ronan, “so the students are hugely important for us.”

Successful categories

Frank and Honest Coffee is another high-performing offering within the store; an all-the-more impressive feat given the intense level of coffee competition surrounding Westland Row.“On our street alone, there’s seven or eight different coffee places,” says Ronan,“so I’m very happy with our coffee contribution.” The high brand recognition and reputation of Frank and Honest is a key factor in this success.“Frank and Honest was important for us; we’ve had it about six years now, ” says Ronan.“We had good coffee sales beforehand, but from the day we put it in, people came in and said,‘Oh, you’ve got Frank and Honest, I love that!’ and they started buying their coffee from us. It really has its own market.”

Another burgeoning category driven by students and the store’s prime location close to Trinity’s gym, is highprotein products.“There’s a huge sway towards healthy, high-protein options so we have an extensive range, ” says Ronan. He has observed many customers using an app called Yuka to check the nutritional content of products, and as a result, the store also uses the app

With the first staff beginning work in the deli each morning at 5am, it is busy right throughout the day, up until the deli’s closure at 9pm every night

Due to its strong brand recognition and reputation, Frank and Honest Coffee has recorded an impressive performance, despite the high level of competition within coffee nearby

Store owner Ronan Frayne with his daughter and store manager, Bronagh Frayne

before deciding which new lines to stock.“You just scan the barcode and it has quite a database built up at this stage which rates the food with a score out of 100,” explains Ronan.“We see a lot of customers using that, so we try to pre-empt that and check the app in advance.”

Impressive results

Impressively, Centra Westland Row’s overall sales rose by 16% last year, chiefly driven by the deli category “That is a colossal number in a mature business,” says Ronan,“but to put that in perspective, it’s a 5.5% increase on 2019. 2019 was previously the busiest year we ever had. We probably would have grown a little bit more had Covid not happened, but I’m very happy with last year’s performance, because footfall is still not back to 2019 levels in the city centre.”A key factor affecting this are the greater numbers of people who continue to work from home, but Ronan has observed a continual improvement on this front in recent times. Lower footfall is“noticeable on Mondays and Fridays compared to before,” he notes“but it does seem to be creeping back all the time People we hadn’t seen in a few years are back in now and instead of one day per week, they’re now working two or three days in the workplace, so companies are definitely getting people to come back into the office more and that’s good for us.”

Future Proof

Of course, reacting to change is a constant in retail, and this is something Bronagh has very much experienced

since she first started working full-time in the store at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Although she has a degree in business management and theory, in terms of hands-on experience, she laughs that she has effectively learnt no less than“everything!” from her dad. Bronagh recently spoke at the 2024 Centra Conference about some of the challenges facing young, next-generation retailers taking over the ropes at their family businesses and the support and advice she has received from fellow retailers in a similar situation through Centra’s Future Proof networking programme She received an excellent response to her speech, with many fellow retailers identifying with her experiences.

Explaining the benefits of the Future Proof programme, Bronagh says:“I can’t speak highly enough about it. Prior to this programme, I didn’t know anybody in a similar situation to me I didn’t have any friends who first of all, worked in retail management, but then also worked for their parents as well, so I felt that I didn’t really have anybody who could relate to me or who I could speak to about challenges.

“Going into Future Proof, I met a whole group of people who were in the exact same position It’s been wonderful, because we have created our own network of people now whereas beforehand, the retailers I would have known, were through dad, so they would be his age group. Now we have our own group, at a similar age and position in their life, and by chance, it happens to be the sons and daughters of friends of dad’s. It’s been so beneficial, I really would recommend it to anybody in retail to get involved in it.”

The group has met a number of times with a facilitator to share their experiences, any problems they have encountered, and the solutions that worked for them “We also have a Whatsapp group and we’re able to pop a message in and say‘I’ve found this has really helped me ’ or‘I’m having an issue with this, any ideas?’, so it’s fantastic to have that support.”

Sense of pride

In terms of her advice to others, Bronagh says:“There’s a different sense of pride you get from working for your family business; from knowing how much your parents have put into it and all their hard work and dedication I would recommend that even if people think that they’re not interested in retail, it’s different for a family

business. I thought that I wasn’t interested in retail, and here I am now; give it a go, you’ll be surprised! There’s a great buzz from retail. Of course, there are challenges but no matter what you do, there will be challenges; nothing is easy and if it’s easy, it’s probably not worth it!”

Ronan likewise had a family connection to retail, with two uncles who owned shops in Mullingar, one a shoe shop and the other a bakery He subsequently worked at Quinnsworth for six years, joining as a trainee manager and working his way up to a manager position, and then worked 13 years with SuperValu, where he rose to a regional manager position However, it had long been Ronan’s goal to open his own store, and today he is delighted that both Bronagh and her younger brother Conor, who started working full-time with the business in September, after finishing a Bachelor of Science degree, are now both involved.

Overall, he attributes Centra Westland Row’s success to the positive atmosphere created by the store’s team “It’s the friendly family atmosphere that our staff create that is our point of our difference,” he says.“It’s not something you would expect in a fastmoving, busy city centre type store by definition, but we genuinely are friendly. We’ve a really good deli and a fantastic location, we have all the elements that are absolutely critical to the success of the business, but when you’re here, you will be treated very well and in a very friendly manner by our staff – we can be certain of that, and we’ll stand up on that.” ■

Centra Westland Row has a vibrant and modern appearance throughout the store

For busy students and commuters, Centra Westland Row has a wide selection of healthy grab-and-go options, ideal for its location which has both Pearse Station and Trinity College just a stone’s throw away

Competitive value-for-money with quality at an attractive price-point, is evident throughout the off-licence department

The café is in an ideal location for students on their way to lectures, office workers grabbing a spot of lunch or those heading off on their travels from Pearse Station

Record results drive ambition

Following the 2024 Centra retailer conference in Killarney, the leading convenience brand reported record sales of €2.1bn in 2023. Here, we look at Centra’s results in greater detail, alongside its ambitions for the year ahead, with a €27m investment planned across new store openings and revamps of existing stores

Growth and investment

Ambitions for the Centra brand remain strong for 2024 as it looks to expand the store retail footprint further Centra has experienced significant growth in its nationwide presence in recent years and today it is Ireland’s largest convenience store network with 496 stores across the country. Centra is committed to enhancing customer experience, ensuring customers can shop for what they want, when they want This year Centra will see an investment of €27m into a programme that will see its footprint surpassing 500 stores nationwide for the first time, with an anticipated 20 new stores opening. This is an important milestone for the brand, as it brings convenience stores to even more locations and communities around Ireland, making Centra Ireland’s largest convenience brand.

Revamps

The investment programme will also include revamps of 40 existing Centra stores this year,

demonstrating Centra’s continuous commitment to excellence and leadership in convenience retail. As a leader in convenience, Centra is continuously evolving its offering in order to meet customers’ changing needs and shopping habits. The revamps will elevate the customer experience while also improving sustainability initiatives, building on the investment made over the past five years in which time Centra has invested up to €100 million in the revamp and refresh of 355 stores.

Category growth

Centra’s growth last year was underpinned by a healthy performance in all of its core categories. This was a strong reflection of Centra’s leadership in key areas such as on-the-go breakfast and lunch, convenience meals, and coffee. Centra saw improved sales in its deli and food-to-go department (up 11%), breads and cakes (up 7%), ready meals (up 17%) and its own brand range rose by 12%, as consumers continued to look for the best value and quality convenience offering. Centra has

invested significantly to expand its own-brand range, being acutely conscious of the impact that the cost-of-living crisis has had on consumers.

Frank and Honest

Frank & Honest, the number one gourmet bean-to-cup coffee brand in Ireland, continues to go from strength to strength, with year-onyear growth increasing by 9% in 2023. The nextgeneration range includes innovative new lines like iced coffee, already available and in 65 stores and proving hugely popular

Centra Managing Director Ian Allen, Centra Council Chairman Ray Keane of Keane’s Centra Clonakilty, and Centra Sales Director Cormac Dawson

The number one gourmet bean-to-cup coffee brand in Ireland, Frank & Honest achieved year-on-year growth of 9% in 2023

Moo’d Ice Cream

Moo’d Ice Cream, which is Centra’s exclusive ice cream brand, saw sales increase by 8% in 2023 and is now available in 314 stores across the retail estate. Centra is constantly evolving this specialist offering and 2024 will see the continued expansion of gelato flavours, toppings, and sauces to make Moo’d ice cream a firm favourite with their shoppers. This enhancement will be key entering into the summer months to ensure they are offering the best proposition possible to their customers.

Sustainability

Centra continues to make progress on their sustainability journey and have successfully achieved their target of 12% carbon reduction across the brand last year, following the launch of the Musgrave Sustainability Fund in May 2022. This fund facilitated and supported Centra retailers to invest and incorporate energy saving upgrades into their stores. Centra has set a target to ensure that 100% of its in-store packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. Currently, the brand has achieved a commendable 97% progress towards this goal.

Centra, SuperValu and its retail partners have jointly invested €28 million to deploy 675 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) across the store estates, 331 of which are in Centra, as part of the national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and as part of its commitment to building more sustainable communities. 321 Centra stores have committed to the national scheme. Convenience is the essence of Centra and the scale and geographical spread of the machines in Centra stores ensures that customers in large urban areas, as well as smaller communities across the country, can make their returns nearby with greater ease. In tandem with this, Centra has sought to ensure that the machines are located in the most convenient and accessible locations for all customers, based on the insights from a trial programme they ran in the lead-up to the scheme’s introduction. Investments have also been allocated towards enhancing sustainability upgrades in Centra stores. Environmental initiatives undertaken by retailers, include the installation of solar panels, the implementation of fridge doors for energy conservation and LED lighting. Centra will continue to maintain a relentless focus on advancing in their sustainability journey in the years ahead.

Future Proofing

As Centra has ambitious plans for 2024, it is also looking further into the future and towards the next generation of retailers. Many of Centra’s stores are family businesses, which are passed along from generation to generation. Centra established a collaborative dynamic group that connects the next generation of retailers who are in the early stages of their retail careers, ensuring they are getting the right support, and allowing them to build a network where they can learn and develop their craft and continue to positively impact every community their business operates in.

Conclusion

Centra retailers are at the heart of every community in Ireland, and they will remain laser-focused on delivering the best possible convenience, value, service, and quality to their customers in 2024. Centra looks forward to continuing to evolve and innovate, growing its footprint further this year, creating more employment, more opportunities for Irish suppliers and realising its ambition to be a world class leader in convenience retail. ■

Environmental initiatives undertaken by Centra retailers include the implementation of fridge doors for energy conservation and LED lighting, as well as the installation of solar panels

Centra’s sales of breads and cakes increased by 7% in 2023

Retailer Bronagh Frayne of Centra Westland Row spoke at the conference on Centra’s Future Proof Network, a collaborative dynamic group, connecting the next generation of retailers who are in the early stages of their retail careers

Centra’s exclusive ice cream brand, Moo’d Ice Cream, is now available in 314 stores across the retail estate, and saw sales increase by 8% in 2023

Grocery/Convenience sector continues to perform strongly. Retailers navigating a turbulent economic environment linked to inflation, access to personnel and fluctuating consumer sentiment.

Retail Convenience: 2023 Review

Summary

• Robust performance: Robust performance delivered by the sector in 2023. A shift in consumer behaviour to increased frequency patterns coupled with increased engagement with own-brand ranges.

• Inflation: The unprecedented level of food inflation became the subject of political focus - easing in commodity prices started to filter through to shop shelves in H2 2023

• Consolidation: Increased consolidation has become a feature of the market with larger grocery/fuel operators expanding their store network and diversifying their sales mix.

2023 Key Trends

• Strong growth in take-home grocery sales continued. Whilst inflation levels across the sector hit unprecedented levels (17%) linked to post Covid-19 supply and Ukraine war issues in H1, a significant retraction in same occurred in H2 reflecting a decrease in international commodity prices 1 The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (“CCPC”) also reported that there was “no evidence to suggest excessive pricing in the Irish grocery market”.2

• Dunnes continues to hold the number 1 position in respect of grocery market share driven by a particularly strong performance in the wider Dublin region. Tesco market share increased in the period reflecting the integration of the Joyce group stores within their portfolio.

• The large supermarket operators have been proactive in addressing cost of living concerns with targeted ad campaigns and voucher offers being strongly promoted. An expanded own-brand offering has also resonated with consumers with c10.5% growth delivered across unbranded lines in the pivotal Christmas period.3

• Margin growth and preservation have become an imperative for retailers linked to an increased cost framework driven by personnel, insurance and energy overheads.

Sector Developments – Key Numbers

60

The milestone birthday celebrated by Spar Ireland in 2023.4

€85m

2 million

26,500

Profit figure reported by Tesco Ireland for y/e February 2023 –first time that its Irish financials reported on a stand-alone basis.5

Number of plastic bottles/ aluminum cans collected by Lidl Ireland in two DRS trial stores up to November 2023.6

Number of solar panels installed across 100 Supervalu & Centra stores supporting a carbon reduction of 12%.7

Key Activity in the Sector in 2023

• Shopping patterns reflected cost of living concerns with increased frequency (shopping little & often) becoming a feature of the market. As expected, food inflation, linked to a significant decline in international food commodity prices in recent months retracted significantly in H2 2023.

• As many food/drink manufacturers absorbed increased costs in 2023 to remain price competitive – it is expected that robust price negotiations will be a feature of the market in early 2024. Balancing consumer and supplier relationships will be key in this respect.

• Retailers are continuing to implement pragmatic succession planning structures to ensure that appropriate long-term value is delivered from their business. COVID-19 has been a catalyst for some retailers to investigate future options in respect of both ownership and operational models.

Approval Activity Value %

2023 Approvals

2022 Approvals by Value

• The increased cost and regulatory burden presented by the proposed living wage structure, pension autoenrolment and insurance in a competitive environment has led to an up weighted focus on margin development/ preservation from retailers, wholesalers and their advisors. Recruitment and retention of personnel in a “full-employment” environment continues to be a key challenge for the sector.

• Consolidation and cross-sectoral partnerships remains a feature of the wider Irish grocery/convenience/forecourt market. Tesco integrating nine Joyce group stores within their network, Applegreen and Marks & Spencers agreeing a 10 year “brand within a brand” partnership and Musgrave purchasing fine-food distributor, Ritter Courivaud a flavour of some of the transaction activity in 2023. Individual store sale activity increased significantly linked to succession planning, landlord de-leveraging and independent retailers expanding their store portfolios.

• The de-carbonisation of end to end operations remains a key focus for leading operators linked to supplier, Government and consumer expectations/requirements. Multi-million euro investments linked to improving energy efficiency profile across the fleet, logistics and store network was a feature of sector announcements/ strategies in 2023. The requirements of International suppliers seeking to reduce their scope 3 emission profile will continue to act as a driver/incentive in the green transition of the Irish grocery/convenience sector.

• Recent studies across Europe have demonstrated that saving money on food remains a top priority across all income groups. This has led to increased engagement with own brand products and a discernible improvement in own-brand range/ options across the sector. The proactive delivery of premium, healthy and sustainable products across the own-brand range will be required to meet customer expectations and preserve retailer margin.8

Sector Developments: Investment & Economic

• A significant level of new store openings/extensive store revamps occurred in 2023 across all regions supporting job creation and the wider Irish business eco-system. This reflects both the competitive nature, robust financial health and positive outlook of the leading brands in respect of the Irish market.

Retail Convenience 2024 Outlook

2024 Key Numbers

60

100%

€10m

€44m

Number of Applegreen stores that will carry M&S products linked to a 10 year partnership agreement.9

Level of energy across Aldi Ireland store portfolio that is generated via green/renewable sources.10

Value of partnership between Maxol and Bewley’s coffee which will be rolled out across 72 Maxol owned stores.11

Daily spend on groceries conducted via card/digital wallet in Ireland.12

2024 Retail Convenience Outlook

• Robust Outlook: Overall a resilient sector to economic shocks; Strong sales performance to continue but increased focus on margin preservation and cost management required to maintain profitability levels/leeway for investment.

• Funding Activity: Strong active pipeline of store purchase and associated revamp proposals– retailers recognise that customer experience/excellent standards will be key to attract and retain market share.

Market

•As consumers seek cheaper alternatives across some product lines, all leading operators recognise that a strong, diversified own-brand offering will be critical to maintain customer engagement as the inflationary cycle continues. However, Own-brand is not all about price/value – the development of premium, proprietary in-house food solutions can provide a strong margin-generating differentiation point for retailers when delivered effectively.

ESG

• Irish retailers are cognisant that a robust strategy for the de-carbonisation of their business model is required to meet Government, investor and consumer expectations/ requirements into the future. Corporate social responsibility linked to sustainable and environmentally friendly in-store activities will therefore be a key area of focus for all retailersenergy efficient equipment, elimination of single-use plastic, improved recycling facilities and reduction of food waste. This will enable an improved cost base whilst meeting consumer expectations in respect of ethical trading. The proposed rollout of the Irish deposit return scheme under the auspices of Re-Turn will be monitored with interest. The commencement date is 1st February 2024.

• Studies have identified that c90% of all emissions related to Retail are Scope 3 – linked to suppliers/consumers as opposed to direct emissions from the business itself/ purchased energy (Scope 1 and 2).13 To move the dial on Scope 3, retailers are starting to establish joint initiatives and incentivisation plans with their suppliers to support improved emission targets and the sharing of related data. In respect of consumer engagement - apps/tools that support customers to set and monitor climate targets for their shopping baskets are also on the horizon.

Funding Activity

• In a competitive labour market – sourcing and retaining the best people is vital to sustain a retail business. A structured employee development plan that incorporates role variety, up-skill opportunities and competitive remuneration needs to be embedded within the culture of the business. The smart use of digital/automation tools can deliver the dual goal of increased efficiency and an improved working environment.

• Linked to the development of all personnel within the sector, The Irish chapter of LEAD has been recently established with the goal of attracting, retaining and advancing women in the retail and consumer goods industry through education, leadership and male allyship.

• Significant revamp programme will continue to be rolled out in 2024 nationwide by leading grocery operators as the ever more discerning consumer seeks excellence in store standards. Movement on revamp costs linked to fluctuating material supply base to be monitored closely

• Detailed analysis pre and post revamp will be an imperative to ensure that a maximum return on investment is delivered via sales mix improvement, margin growth and cost saving. The “localisation” trend will continue with store revamps taking a more bespoke, community focused approach.

• ESG Investment: Increased investment in environmentally focused store network, waste management, circular operational framework and fleet fuel consumption to support targeted reduction in carbon emissions from the sector. 8

•Store purchase strategies will continue to develop in 2024. COVID-19 has been the catalyst for increased levels of succession planning/retirement which is driving this activity.

•Revamp funding to continue with a particular focus on energy efficient equipment and processes.

•Robust refinance activity projected linked to loan book purchasers seeking to deleverage.

Bank of Ireland

•In Bank of Ireland we recognise that we have a unique opportunity to support our customers and to enable Irish businesses and the communities we jointly serve to thrive

•Our proven financial capabilities and appetite, combined with comprehensive sector expertise, provide us with a strong platform to meet the funding requirements of Irish retailers

•We understand the investment cycle, including the need for regular expenditure to maintain growth and profitability in this dynamic sector, and we have a strong appetite to support progressive, innovative retailers in the further development of their businesses in 2024.

Protecting whistleblowers

The main aim of Ireland’s Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 is to reposition the EU Whistleblowing Directive, which seeks to harmonise whistleblowing standards and protection in Europe. Here, The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy outlines what your business needs to know about this important legislation

Whistleblowing involves publicly exposing private wrongdoings, often preventing harm or loss to the public: a crucial element in governance This is more commonly called making a protected disclosure Examples of wrongdoings include failing to comply with legal obligations, endangering the health and safety of individuals, engaging in criminal offences, damaging the environment, misusing funds and concealing or destroying information about any wrongdoings

The primary piece of legislation that exists in the area of whistleblowing is the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.

Protected disclosures

A protected disclosure is made when a worker discloses any relevant information that came to their attention in connection with their work and they believe is wrong Employees can report wrongdoing to their employer or to a third party. If an employee makes

a protected disclosure they should not be treated differently or unfairly and their job should not be at risk because of this.

Relevant information is defined in the act as:

• In the reasonable belief of the worker, it tends to show one or more relevant wrongdoings, and

• it came to the attention of the worker in a work-related context It is important that the disclosure is made:

• In good faith

• In the reasonable belief of the individual making the disclosure that it tends to show malpractice, impropriety, or any breach of company policy, and that they make the disclosure to an appropriate person

It is important to note that no protection from internal disciplinary procedures is offered to those who choose not to use the procedure or who breach company policy

The Protected Disclosures Act applies to people in the public,

private and not-for-profit sectors who report concerns about wrongdoing which they have encountered in the course of their work

Amendments to previous act

The amendments made to Ireland’s Protected Disclosures Act in 2022 will oblige companies to establish and maintain internal reporting channels and procedures for employees to make protected disclosures.

• The scope of the act now includes board members, volunteers, shareholders and job applicants.

• Since 1 January 2023, all organisations with 250 or more employees must establish internal reporting channels, and since 17 December 2023, all organisations with 50 or more employees must also establish internal reporting channels

• All public sector organisations regardless of size must establish internal reporting channels

• Internal reporting channels must include specific timelines

• A designated person or function must be trained on how to deal with reports/disclosures for the internal reporting channel.

• Employees must be made aware of external reporting channels and the role of the prescribed person.

There can now be criminal penalties for penalisation in certain cases, including breaching the duty of confidentiality in regards to the identity of a reporting person

The new act also allows the WRC or Labour Court to award compensation of up to €15,000 for individuals who are impacted from making a protected disclosure This is in addition to the existing penalties of up to five times the annual salary for breaching employees’rights. Previously, the burden of proof in cases of penalisation under the 2014 act lay with the person alleging a wrongdoing. The new act now reverses this burden of proof. Penalisation would be presumed to have occurred because of or in retaliation to having made a protected disclosure unless the employer could prove the act or omission was on duly justified grounds.

CAROLINE REIDY

Managing director

The HR Suite

If you are an organisation based in the Republic of Ireland and require further information or advice relating to HR, please do not hesitate to contact The HR Suite’s office on (066)7102887 or email info@thehrsuite.com

The act creates several new offences including:

• The hindering of, or attempting to hinder, a worker in regard to making a report

• Penalising, threatening penalisation and/or causing or permitting any other person to penalise or threaten penalisation

• Failing to establish, maintain and operate internal reporting channels and procedures. Offences like this can attract penalties in the form of fines ranging between €75,000 and €250,000 and/or a maximum of two years’imprisonment.

Anonymous reporting

An employer is not obliged to accept and follow-up on an anonymous report/disclosure. However, if the employer decides it is appropriate to do so, a follow-up on a matter may be considered.

Conclusion

Employers must familiarise themselves with the basics of the Protected Disclosures Act 2022. They must establish internal reporting channels and designate responsible, trained personnel to deal with any disclosures reported. The employer must communicate the organisation’s policy and channels for reporting protected disclosures to its employees. Protected disclosures must be handled promptly, comply with data protection and protect against penalisation. Employers must regularly review their procedures and ensure they comply with the act. ■

Breaching the duty of confidentiality in regards to the identity of a whistle blower can now incur criminal penalties

Great Managers Make Great Teams

Venue: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Date of Event: May 9 2024

For seat/table sales, and sponsorship opportunities please contact; markmorgan@mediateam.ie and/or ianmulvaney@mediateam.ie

Categories Available for Sponsorship

Off-Licence Manager of the Year 2024

New and Available Categories for 2024

Retail Butcher Manager of the Year 2024

In the bustling streets of Dublin, a legacy was born in 1946

From the O’Leary family’s butcher shop a passion for premium meats ignited the spark that would become the Dublin Meat Company – home of Fit Foods - Ireland’s number 1 branded ready meal. With an unwavering dedication to taste and quality, they quickly became renowned for their commitment to value for money without ever compromising on taste or quality.

As the years have unfolded, the O’Leary’s noticed a shift in eating behaviours. Sensing the demand for quick, healthier meal options, they took a bold step forward in 2014 with the creation of Fit Foods selling through their own Dublin Meat Company shops.

Fit Foods swiftly rose to prominence and is now Ireland’s Number 1 branded ready meal available in most major supermarkets and convenience stores. In 2023, Fit Foods began exporting to mainland Europe

The ethos of Fit Foods is Fit For Life recognising the busy nature of every day life. The range of ready meals is designed to be easier, healthier, and tastier – high in protein, low in fat and above all convenient.

“I’m constantly inspired by how much our customers genuinely love our products. No matter where they’re at in life we’re all in the same boat when it comes to being short on

time and wanting to eat better” say Brian O’Leary, CEO of Fit Foods

“At our core, we’re all about everyday food and embody the very Irish ethos of “no notions”. Fit Foods is everyday food for ordinary people just trying to do their best.

With our rich heritage and industry knowledge, you can trust that our meals will always taste great and be provide a healthier alternative to take aways or other ready meals in the space – especially on the days when you’re short on time”.

In recent years, Fit Foods has expanded its offerings to include gut friendly yogurts to high-protein puddings, and even a cook-athome high protein range for those in the mood for cooking ensuring quick, healthier solutions for every eating occasion.

“We’ve implemented a robust new product development plan to ensure our range stages

fresh and interesting and to catering to our customers’ ever evolving tastes and lives” continues Brian O’Leary “We’re also committed to an off-the-island approach and have an aggressive export plan in place, which is already proving successful with our range now available in Belgium”.

Marketing has been pivotal in propelling the brand to the success it enjoys today. “We’ve made significant investments in outdoor marketing, especially during key times of the year when healthy habits are top of mind for our customers” says Gillian Clarke, Marketing Director

This year, Fit Foods is taking to the road with their new food sampling trailer “We know negative perceptions can exist around ready meals but once people try Fit Foods, they fall in love with them and the benefits they provide Our unparalleled taste and quality speak for themselves”.

The sampling trailer will be stationed outside retailers and at major events throughout the year, offering free samples to showcase Fit Foods’ products.

“This year we’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Cairn Homes Community Games as the official food partner The Community Games promotes active, healthy lifestyles, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion for families, schools, and communities across Ireland.

Fit Foods is proud to fuel the games as the official food partner, offering free Fit Foods’ samples to participants, volunteers, and attendees at Community Games events throughout the year

“It’s a perfect match, as we share the same values and commitment to promoting health and wellbeing in communities across the country”

Additionally, Fit Foods maintain an alwayson digital strategy and close collaboration with their retail partners is key to the continued success of the brand. “Our comprehensive marketing approach keeps Fit Foods top of mind and ensures we’re on the shopping list before customers even start their shopping journey” she continues.

Significant investment in the business 2022 by the BGF group resulted in the purchase of a state-of-the-art BRC AA+ certified facility in Monaghan, now a corner stone in local employment.

Still proudly Irish-owned and run by the brothers Brian and David O’Leary, Fit Foods now operates under the DMC Foods banner The commitment to value for money without ever compromising in taste or quality remains to this day.

Easier Tastier Healthier – Fit Foods For Life.

10 top recruitment tips

In today’s labour market, it can be challenging to find the right staff for your business. With that in mind, Excel Recruitment’s Nikki Murran shares her top advice on how you can put your best foot forward within this competitive space

One of my clients is getting ready to open a brand-new convenience store. It’s such an exciting time, but he contacted me concerned that he was going to be unable to staff the store ahead of his impending opening date. I am looking after his key roles, but he asked me for some advice to help him through his upcoming staff recruitment drive.

It prompted me to put together a list for this month’s article of my top ten tips when recruiting staff for a retail job. Obviously, this list varies slightly with each role, but below are some nice guidelines which some may find useful

1. Advertising: When you are writing a job advertisement, whether it’s for a shopfront window or an online job board, you should quantify the role clearly. Make sure to state the tasks, hours, location, salary and contact details and how to apply. It may seem simple but with over 1,500 retail jobs on just one of the job boards as of today, it’s worth ensuring yours has the information potential candidates look for! You should seek to include details that will matter most to prospective employees such as pay and shift pattern, rather than use this space to over elaborate on what the role entails and what you are looking for.

2. Sell the job: Ensure your advert is going to attract candidates to apply – rather than dissuade them from doing so. Oftentimes, retailers compose a job advert that is

“With over 1,500 retail jobs on just one of the job boards as of today, it’s worth ensuring yours has the information potential candidates look for,” writes Nikki Murran

they can post the advert on their website directly for a wider reach.

similar to a wish list of their perfect candidate: listing endless skills and experience they must have in order to apply. This can lead to few or no relevant applications. Write the advert with the potential candidate in mind – think“We offer” rather than“You must have!”

3. Advertise in your locality: Local noticeboards, public spaces, libraries, and community colleges are all great sources of local talent and have the added bonus of hitting the exact demographic you are looking for. With“shorter commute times”, one of the top reasons for making a move cited by jobseekers, it is well worth advertising locally to appeal to local hidden talent!

4. Look at online job boards’ paid and unpaid options: These can be worthwhile to attract a decent volume of candidates, but remember they are only as good as the job advertisement you write. Make the role something you would like to apply to! When writing a job advert to go online, ensure you are using phrases which a job seeker is likely to type into a search bar.“Sales assistant” will always attract more applicants than“sales executive” and“deli assistant” will appear in far more searches than“fresh food counter hand”. If your store is part of a retail brand, it is also worth reaching out to see if

5. Social media: This can be a really useful tool Use your company’s Facebook account and share your job (with a picture) with dedicated groups – such as job fairy boards –but remember to keep an eye on your comment section as well as inbox for responses.

6. Referrals: Past employees, current employees and customers can be great advocates for your business and you as an employer! Get networking!

7. Use an agency: (Ahem, shameless plug here!) Recruitment agencies are professional recruiters. At Excel, we have a database of over 85,000 retail candidates and a team of specialist recruiters who understand the industry. This can be a particularly useful option when you are looking for management or specialist candidates as it can be challenging to find the right expertise on your own.

8. Move with urgency: In this current market, you need to respond quickly to candidates who meet your criteria. It goes without saying – still go

NIKKI MURRAN Director, Grocery

Retail Recruitment, Excel Recruitment www.excelrecruitment.com

through your screening and vetting process – but it’s recommended doing them slightly quicker than before!

9. Job offers: When you are offering the job to your preferred candidate, offer the full package – list every available benefit and include them in your job offer letter. From free parking to free coffees, pensions and holidays – get it all down so that you can relay it to your chosen candidate and get them excited to join your business!

10. Retain your talent: Following a survey of our database we have listed the top reasons candidates choose to remain with their current employer The more of these you can offer to your team, the less likely they are to leave your business!

• Career opportunities

• A voice in the workplace

• Progression

• Flexibility

• Fair pay

• Fun perks

• Work life balance

• Additional annual leave days

• Inclusive culture

Happy recruiting and good luck! ■

QUICK QUESTIONS WITH AISLING FITZGERALD graphic designer, Ballymaloe Foods

1. Best series you recently watched on a streaming platform?

I watched a TV series on Disney+ called The Bear. It’s about a fine dining chef returning to run a family sandwich shop after his brother died. Jeremy Allen White stars in it and his performance is brilliant.

2. Best place for coffee?

I love a good flat white from Monty’s in Midleton or Three Fools Coffee in Cork City.

3. Top movie recommendation?

I watched Oppenheimer recently, it was lonngggg but excellent. It’s great to see Irish actors like Cillian Murphy, Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan having such a big impact in Hollywood at the moment.

4. Top spot for a walk?

For me it would be hard to beat the Ballycotten Cliff Walk. The views are breathtaking. Luckily, it’s only about a 15 minute drive from where I live.

5. Top book recommendation?

My favourite book so far is Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. More recently, I read West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge and it was such a sweet story.

6. Favourite influencer/content creator if you have one?

For a good laugh Carl Mullen is great or for nice recipe/food ideas, Donal Skehan or Lilly Higgins.

7. Best ad on telly?

I’m a sucker for a sentimental Christmas advert but I also love Paul Mescal in the Denny advert.

8. Worst ad on telly?

Sometimes the worst adverts are the ones that stick in your head so perhaps there’s something good about them after all!

9. Favourite grocery shop?

Any grocery shop that stocks Ballymaloe Relish!

10 Your favourite dish to make at home?

I love chicken, chorizo and chickpea stew, so tasty and the ultimate comfort food.

11. First thing you would do if you were Taoiseach?

From a personal level, my son is dyslexic and I’m baffled that dyslexic students don’t get extra time during state exams. Accommodations are available to students with dyslexia across most of Europe but not here. We have a long way to go in Ireland to level the playing field for students with different learning profiles.

12. If you had to live in another country, where would you choose?

I love Spain, particularly the Basque area, the sun, lifestyle, food and of course the Txakoli!

13. Greatest achievement to date? Being a mum to two lovely boys, Andrew and Cathal.

14. Do you prefer working from home or in the office/on-site?

Truthfully, I like a balance of both, it’s great to work from home and fully immerse yourself in a project but I also love being around the team collaborating and brainstorming ideas.

15. Biggest fear?

That something awful would happen to my family. I think I’m listening to too many true crime podcasts at the moment!

16. City or beach break?

I love to stroll around a city trying local cuisine, visiting markets, craft shops and people watching.

17. Top restaurant recommendation?

My husband took me to Lignum in Galway for my 40th birthday and it was an unreal dining experience.

18. Who is the last artist/group you saw live?

We saw Hermitage Green just before Christmas, they are incredible live and are amazing musicians.

19. Best customer service you ever received?

When I had my first son Cathal, it was during the recession and unfortunately I found myself in a position where I was on maternity leave and also the company I worked for ceased business so I was also made redundant. I wanted to send thank you cards for all the lovely gifts I’d received for my first born and when I sent the cards I’d designed to print at a printer I used regularly for work they printed them free of charge. Shout out to John at Waterman’s printers in Cork for their kindness!

20. What’s the last compliment you received? From my boys - I make the best pancakes. ■

Aisling Fitzgerald

Sustainability champions

More than nine in ten (95%) people living in Ireland* want to see more done by businesses to protect the environment. With that in mind, Gillian Hamill highlights the brands that have worked hard to offer sustainable solutions

The 13th edition of the EY Future Consumer Index highlighted the extent to which climate change is a leading concern for global consumers who are now more intentional about what they buy

Published in November 2023, the study which surveyed more than 22,000 consumers across 28 countries, examined consumers’ attitudes to sustainability in detail.

The cost of living (94%) and climate change (89%) are front of mind for consumers. After a year of extreme weather events, consumers are increasingly being confronted with the real-time impacts of a changing climate, the EY Future Consumer Index states. More than four in ten (42%) global consumers report they are thinking of changing the food they eat because climate change has pushed up prices or limited availability, and almost three in ten (29%) say they have been forced to make new choices already More than twothirds (67%) of respondents attribute their efforts to drive change to their deep concern for the fragility of the planet.

Interestingly, the report finds differing responses to this concern across the

generations. Older generations are more active in adopting lifestyle behaviours to reduce their impact: 65% of baby boomers bring reusable bags to the store compared with just 43% of Gen Z, and 63% of baby boomers recycle or reuse packaging after use, compared with 48% of millennials. Yet, when it comes to spending more sustainably, younger generations are speaking with their wallets and double-checking company claims. Thirtyseven percent of Gen Z indicated that they are willing to pay for more sustainable goods and services compared with 29% of baby boomers. Thirty-one percent of Gen Z have checked the sustainability ratings of products compared with 18% of baby boomers.

Particularly during the past decade, across the board, industry has become cognisant of the need for change As this feature clearly demonstates, leading companies have made real strides to lessen their impact on the planet. A recent article from London Packaging Week organisers Easyfairs, highlighted that sustainable packaging has now become well-established. “Study after study shows consumers increasingly actively

With the EU ban on T5/T8 fluorescent lighting coming into effect since 1 September 2023, now is the perfect time to make the switch to LED lighting. LED light bulbs are more energyefficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. There are many advantages to LED lighting, as discussed below:

Advantages of LED lighting:

1. Long life span

LED bulbs have an exceptionally long lifespan compared to traditional bulbs with an average lifespan of about 50,000 hours. For businesses that operate an 8–10 hour day, you’ll only need to change your light bulbs every 14-17 years. When it comes to long life, there’s no better lighting solution out there.

2. Energy efficient

Modern LEDs are the most energy-efficient lighting solution for businesses currently on

look for sustainable claims when deciding what to purchase, and they claim to be willing to swap brands and pay more to shop more sustainably This is borne out by the raw numbers, which show that products making ESG claims have averaged 28% cumulative growth over the past five years compared to 20% for products that made no mention of ESG, according to a McKinsey report,” Easyfairs wrote.

Of course, it is not just in packaging that improvements have occurred. Brands have taken impressive strides to improve sustainability across all aspects of the supply chain. Retailers across Ireland have also made significant investments to improve their sustainability credentials and improve the efficiency of their stores. Examples of this include the installation of solar panels, allfridge doors, and LED lighting, as well as stocking locally produced, Irish products, and supporting Ireland’s new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

*(Research from not-for-profit, Every Can Counts; published June 2022)

the market. Waste, in the form of generated heat, is greatly reduced as 90% of electricity can be transformed into light. Less energy is needed to light an LED bulb, thus lowering monthly energy bills for your business.

3. Durable and resistant

LEDs are far more resistant to breakage as they’re based solely on semiconductor materials. The outer layer of bulbs is made from aluminium and plastic, which makes them very durable They don’t contain any glass, neon tubes, or filaments that could be easily damaged.

4. Safe for employees

LED light bulbs aren’t as hot as traditional bulbs due to low heat production. Employees can rest assured that there’s no risk of getting burned, these bulbs can be safely touched even after long hours of remaining lit.

Secondly, LEDs don’t contain harmful

contaminants which makes them less toxic than other commercial lighting solutions.

5. Eco-friendly

As mentioned, there are no toxic materials present. Approximately 95% of materials used to produce this commercial LED light can also be recycled. Businesses can greatly lower their carbon footprint by switching to LED lighting today.

6. Save money

After upgrading your businesses lighting, you’ll see a great reduction in monthly energy bills. Thousands of euros can be saved on electricity costs by making the switch to LED bulbs. Because bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours, money doesn’t have to be spent on regular replacements.

To find out more about a lighting solution upgrade from Energia, visit energia.ie/lighting

Born plant-based!

Alpro was born plant-based, way back in 1980, and the brand has been banging that big, plant-based drum ever since! Alpro’s goal is the same now as it was then, to make delicious products and help people make positive choices when it comes to food,

aligning with its parent company, Danone’s ‘One Planet One Health’ mission.

The business is proud to have been a certified B Corp company since 2018. The company is part of a global movement that believes businesses can be a force for good in society, and should do things in a caring, sustainable way that has a positive impact on people and planet.

Sustainability is important to the company, and it is working hard to ensure lower footprints for both carbon and land use for Alpro products. It is aware that some ingredients have high water consumption (such as almond and coconut) and therefore continues to work to source sustainably grown ingredients and to further reduce its environmental impact.

As well as being selective about ingredients, the business is always trying hard to make the way it produces foods even more sustainable too. Alpro’s almonds come exclusively from farms around the Mediterranean and all its soya is rainforest (and GMO) free Most is grown right here in Europe (in France, Belgium and The Netherlands), the rest comes from Canada. With far-reaching sustainability targets firmly in place, the business is continually exploring

Investing in long-term sustainability

Musgrave is a sixth-generation, Irish, familyowned business, with a 147-year-old history that has proven itself to be sustainable, having been passed on from generation to generation. Musgrave is a business that wants its businesses and brands to do good in the communities in which they operate. Musgrave’s overarching ambition is to grow a world-class food and beverage business, and in order to do this, Musgrave will continue to invest in its brands, in its partnerships with independent retail partners, and to invest in the long-term sustainability of the business, and society as a whole

Musgrave’s sustainability ambition is to achieve net zero by 2040; it continues to make progress on its sustainability journey, having successfully achieved its target of 12% carbon reduction across SuperValu and Centra stores last year, following the launch of the Musgrave Sustainability Fund in May 2022. This fund facilitated and supported SuperValu and Centra retailers to invest and

incorporate energy saving upgrades into their stores, such as the installation of solar panels, the implementation of fridge doors for energy conservation, LED lighting, and the use of electronic shelf labels. These collective actions show the commitment to reducing their overall climate impact and growing sustainably every day. In line with achieving net zero by 2040, all of Musgrave’s own-brand packaging will be made from recyclable, reusable or compostable material by 2025. SuperValu and Centra have already achieved 97% of this target.

Another key step on Musgrave’s journey to net zero, is working and collaborating with suppliers, producers and partners, across the island of Ireland, to deliver an unprecedented reduction in emissions. Musgrave is aware how vital supplier collaboration is to achieve its targets on packaging, biodiversity, circular economy and creating vibrant communities. Musgrave’s sustainability strategy centres around caring for the planet, creating vibrant communities, and sourcing for good. Building

Danone is working hard to ensure lower footprints for both carbon and land use for Alpro products

better ways to improve its process and packaging. Alpro is on a journey towards sustainable sourcing, which it turn, helps the business to be more sustainably produced; a double win! With 40 years of leading the food revolution, here’s to the plant-based future with even more irresistibly tasty foods!

sustainable communities is hugely important. Musgrave’s commitment to sustainability and creating vibrant communities is evident through the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition, which has developed into one of Europe’s largest community sustainability and biodiversity initiatives. Over the last 65 years, SuperValu TidyTowns has become a hugely effective and important sustainability initiative in Ireland, both from an environmental and community perspective. Since the inception of the partnership between SuperValu and TidyTowns in 1991, the competition has grown from strength to strength as today there are 1,000 active committees and almost 30,000 volunteers enhancing and improving towns and villages around the country SuperValu is very excited for the future of SuperValu TidyTowns and confident that it will have a greater role to play in sustainably developing our communities.

Musgrave, with one of Ireland’s largest business truck fleets, announced last year the rollout of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel, across its network of almost 500 vehicles. By 2030, half of the fleet will operate on alternative fuel, with the ambitious goal of achieving a net-zero fleet by 2040

Musgrave’s commitment to sustainability is evident in SuperValu’s partnership with the not-for-profit social enterprise, GIY. By the end of 2024, 100,000 primary school children will have been educated in growing food through the ‘SuperValu Let’s Grow’ initiative, having been supplied with the resources to grow their own fresh food for free at school

Every time we buy from our local producers, every time we cut our food waste, every time we pitch in for our communities, that’s real action.

Because every local action makes a global impact. Visit SuperValu.ie/sustainability to learn more

Supporting 1,800 Irish suppliers

Sourcing for Good FOOD

300 Food Academy Producers supporting 1,500 jobs in local communities nationwide.

Caring for the Planet

96%

of our own brand packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable

Creating Vibrant Communities

reduction

12% in carbon emissions in our stores in the last 2 years. The energy saved is equivalent to powering 3,000 homes per year

Donated over 101,400 footballs to local clubs and invested €34m+ supporting GAA since 2010 Lets

Trees planted by TidyTowns committees since January 2019 children learning how to grow food at school, in partnership with GIY Real Food, Real People, Real Action

Vape retailer compliance urged to avoid fines of up to ¤2,000

WEEE Ireland is warning retailers to be vigilant about the regulatory landscape surrounding disposable and rechargeable vape devices and e-cigarettes, as noncompliance could result in significant fines and legal consequences.

Launching its Vape Retailer Compliance Awareness campaign, the e-waste and battery recycling scheme said that purchasing vapes from an unregistered supplier could lead to fines ranging from €500 to €2,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Enforcement campaigns are currently underway across the distribution and retail sector to ensure companies supplying e-cigarettes and vape devices are in compliance with the regulations.

“Disposable and rechargeable vapes, as well as e-cigarette devices and their batteries, fall under the scope of the European WEEE Directive, European Battery Regulations, and Irish WEEE Regulations,” said Elizabeth O’Reilly, head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland.

“Some importers may not be meeting their legal obligations and acting at an illegal competitive advantage over compliant producers.

“For distributors and retailers, purchasing products from an unregistered supply chain can incur extended producer responsibility under these regulations.

“This includes registration with the Producer Register Ltd, reporting monthly

Ireland’s first zero energy emissions spirit

Ahascragh Distillery in Galway has announced a significant milestone for sustainability in the Irish drinks industry with the introduction of Ireland’s first zero energy emissions spirit. ‘New Born’, the first new-make spirit from Ahascragh Distillery can be classified as zero energy emissions because fossil fuels or gas are not used to drive the production process in the purpose-made distillery This is a first

sales in Ireland, and financing take-back and recycling solutions for waste vapes and batteries from end-users.

“We encourage distributors and retailers to review new and existing supply chains and request confirmation of EEE and Battery Producer Registration in Ireland as part of procurement due diligence.

“Supplying unregistered products to other retailers or directly to consumers can lead to breaches of regulations and enforcement action.”

To support compliance, WEEE Ireland said retailers should check if their supplier is registered as a producer on the PRL website (www.producerregister.ie/producers).

Speaking of a retailer’s recycling obligations when it comes to vape devices, O’Reilly said it is essential for retailers to understand that so called disposable or single-use, and rechargeable vape devices contain batteries and are categorised as Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE) products.

“Like any used electronic item, vapes can and should be recycled at the end of their life cycle Retailers are obligated to take these back on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis in-store or on delivery,” said O’Reilly

“WEEE Ireland facilitates the collective take back of this e-waste for free recycling, via our Blue Battery Box System. These boxes are available for delivery and collection to retailers free of charge, to ensure the easy recycling of these waste devices.”

“Authorised waste electrical and battery recycling protects the environment and human

health, supports climate action, and ensures the recovery of valuable resources.

“We encourage retailers to participate in registered supply chains for electrical equipment and batteries, supporting responsible recycling to prevent resources from going to landfill, being illegally dumped, exported, or handled by unauthorised operators, and having a significant environmental impact.”

For more information, visit WEEE Ireland’s Vape and E-Cigarette Device Recycling page at: www.weeeireland.ie/vape-e-cigarettedevice-recycling/

More information on Fixed Penalty Notices can be found on the EPA website at: www.epa.ie/our-services/complianceenforcement/waste/weee/weee-andbatteries---fixed-payment-notices/

for the industry

Nestled in the village of Ahascragh in the heart of County Galway, Ahascragh Distillery is Ireland’s first eco-distillery as it is powered exclusively by renewable energy Housed in a newly renovated mill, Ahascragh Distillery has changed the way whiskey is made in Ireland through the innovative use of wind and solar energy combined with very high temperature heat pump technology coupled with optimal heat recovery and energy storage systems. This milestone is underpinned by years of

hard work to get to this point by Ahascragh Distillery founders, Gareth and Michelle McAllister.

While waiting on the first spirit to flow from the distillery, the McAllisters brought their award-winning sourced Family Bond series of hand-selected releases to market; which includes Clan Colla Irish Whiskey, UAIS Irish Whiskey and Xin Gin. Upon reaching maturation, the zero energy emissions ‘New Born’ spirit will first flow into UAIS.

Elizabeth O’Reilly, head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland

Purchasing vapes from an unregistered supplier could lead to fines ranging from ¤500 to ¤2,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

WEEE Ireland facilitates the collective take back of vaping e-waste for free recycling, via its Blue Battery Box System

‘New Food’ alternatives can meet demand for more sustainable food

With 60% more food needed to feed the world’s growing population by 2050, Ida Svensson, transformation manager, New Food, Tetra Pak, examines how ‘new foods’ can help meet this demand

Demand for more sustainable food is growing, with recent research by Tetra Pak finding almost half (47%) of UK consumers now consider the environment when buying food. Despite this, the food system still accounts for one third of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide – while 60% more food will be needed to feed the world’s growing population by 2050 We must therefore find ways of meeting this demand, while also managing this pressure on global food supplies. But how can this be done?

Introducing ‘new food’ alternatives

Supplementing ongoing innovations in the dairy and agricultural industries with ‘new foods’ that are less dependent on agriculture is one way of meeting this demand. This includes developing alternatives to both animal and plant-based protein sources to

Committed to limiting food waste

BWG Foods, one of Ireland’s leading wholesale and retail operations, is very conscious of the role food waste plays in reducing carbon emissions and is committed to supporting initiatives such as Ireland’s Food Waste Charter, which is a national initiative led by the EPA. BWG Foods has been a committed signatory of the EPA Food Waste Charter since 2017 Food waste is a key priority in BWG’s ESG initiatives, including:

• Foodcloud: BWG has partnered with Foodcloud since 2015 and has donated 313.7 tonnes of surplus product equivalent to 747,023 meals and over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent avoided. BWG Foods expanded its network of donation sites across four branches of its Value Centre network in 2023 as part of its ESG commitments.

• Waste management: BWG’s waste management solutions facilitate the redirection of food not fit for donation to be processed by anaerobic digestion allowing waste to be converted into energy

• Too Good to Go: BWG partnered with Too Good to Go in 2020 with an initial trial of four stores. A total of 41 stores are now signed up across the BWG network. This has equated to 7,959 meals donated to date, with an equivalent to 19,897kg of CO2 saved. BWG has plans to expand the partnership with its retail brands, Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis and XL.

As a commitment to its waste management strategy, BWG works very closely with its various waste partners and is committed to a waste reduction of 3% each year as part of its current Origin Green commitments.

complement the ones we already have, such as fish or soy.

One example is biomass fermentation, in which microorganisms are grown and harvested in a bioreactor These bioreactors can create ingredients to mimic and replace products such as chicken nuggets, providing an effective alternative to animal proteins while also meeting consumer requirements on taste and texture.

Another option is precision fermentation, where microorganisms are used as a ‘factory’ to produce specific ingredients such as proteins, vitamins or fat that can then serve as functional ingredients in food production. This cutting-edge innovation is rapidly growing in popularity, with investment reaching almost $3.7 billion between 2012 and 2022 alone

Our future global food system

With demand for more sustainable food continuing to grow, it’s important we find ways of reducing our food system’s impact on the environment. Alternative methods of food sourcing and production can meet this need, contributing to the creation of a more secure food system in the future.

Ida Svensson

All-sustainable wine portfolio

Findlater & Co is proudly announcing a significant shift in its business approach: starting this year, its portfolio will exclusively feature sustainable wineries. This move signifies the company’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility and its leadership role in guiding the wine industry towards a more sustainable future.

The decision is in line with its Give Wine A Future movement, which was established in 2021 in response to the climate emergency, supporting wine producers who positively impact the environment.

The Give Wine a Future movement emerged from the urgent need for Ireland’s wine industry to confront climate change With Europe facing severe climate-related events like wildfires, floods, heatwaves, and drought, immediate action is crucial to prevent escalating this crisis.

To celebrate this milestone and discuss the opportunities of this strategic change, Findlater & Co was excited to host the second Give Wine A Future portfolio tasting event on 5 March at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

This trade-only event served as a platform for industry leaders, sustainability experts, and trade customers to explore sustainable viticulture and discuss the future of wine

The event featured themed seminars, tastings, and discussions led by renowned wine experts and sustainability advocates, showcasing wines that meet the highest quality standards and reflect environmental stewardship

Findlater & Co believes that collective efforts can drive meaningful change in the face of the climate crisis. Its commitment to a fully sustainable wine portfolio is a step towards this goal.

Exceptional commitment to combating climate change

Sustainable practice has been ingrained in the patchwork of West Cork Distillers from the very beginning, shaping decision-making across all levels. When John, Ger and Denis commenced production in Union hall, they

believed it was essential to examine their carbon footprint and what they could do to reduce it.

As well as using renewable electricity, West Cork Distillers prioritises minimising waste production as a cornerstone of operations. Its by-products are used to supply animal feed for local farms, and significantly, to create biogas at Timoleague Agri Gen.

Subsequently the distillery purchases back this green electricity from the national grid. Timoleague also uses its by-products to produce organic fertiliser, bolstering crop growth, particularly barley, a key ingredient in its much-loved whiskey

West Cork Distillers stands firmly behind its beliefs. So much so, the distillery has become one of the select few companies in Ireland to achieve the esteemed Butterfly Mark Certification, awarded by Positive Luxury This recognition is reserved for businesses demonstrating exceptional commitment to combating climate change through sustainable practices across all facets of their operations.

Leading the way for vape recycling

Founded in 2013 to support smokers that want to quit, and entirely Irish owned, Hale Vaping distributes and sells a wide range of vaping devices and e-liquids with its partners in the supermarket, convenience and forecourt retail sectors, and through its own Halebranded stores and franchisees.

The recent increase in popularity of single use vaping devicescommonly referred to as ‘disposables’ – has created concerns around their environmental impacts and what are the best ways to recover and recycle these products. Vaping devices are considered waste electronic and electrical equipment (or WEEE) under waste management regulations because they contain a battery They also contain plastics, some metals and very small amounts of residue, food grade, e-liquids.

Used vapes should and can be returned to any retail outlet and placed in one of the blue battery recycling boxes provided by WEEE Ireland. These are widely available right across the retail sector These boxes are collected and emptied by WEEE Ireland and the used vapes are processed into their different parts and recycled. Recent research has shown that up to 80% of the materials in disposable vapes can be successfully recycled.

As market leader, Hape Vaping is working with WEEE Ireland to increase awareness among consumers that the blue boxes can be used for waste vaping devices, including disposables. This will involve signage and additional information on the blue boxes to make this clearer Hale is also using larger vape recycling boxes in its stores and across multiple petrol forecourts.

As Ireland’s leading producer and retailer of vaping products, Hale Vaping recognises its responsibilities and supports the recovery and recycling of used vaping devices. Hale Vaping contributes to WEEE Ireland for every vaping device it sells to ensure WEEE Ireland has the necessary resources to fund this important programme

Hale Vaping contributes to WEEE Ireland for every vaping device it sells to support WEEE’s blue battery boxes recycling programme

Findlater & Co’s Give Wine a Future movement emerged from the urgent need for Ireland’s wine industry to confront climate change

West Cork Distillers has achieved the esteemed Butterfly Mark Certification, awarded by Positive Luxury, which is reserved for businesses demonstrating exceptional commitment to combating climate change

Tetra Rex® cartons are fully renewable and made from responsibly sourced materials.

Manufactured with paperboard from FSC® certified forests and other controlled sources, with Bonsucro certified polymers derived from sugarcane.

Make an informed choice, consider Tetra Pak cartons for your chilled dairy products.

www.tetrapak.ie

The FSC license code for Tetra Pak is FSC® C014047

Sustainable viticulture and artisanal excellence

Ampersand Wines is committed to sustainability and organic practices in wine sourcing. This is evident in its introduction of Melea, a beautifully packaged range of organic and vegan wines with a unique story Named after the rare bee Anthophora Melea, these wines represent a fusion of environmental consciousness and high-quality wines at everyday low prices.

Hailing from the Cuenca area of La Mancha in Spain, Melea wines embody the essence of their terroir The vineyard employs dry-farming methods and adheres to traditional vineyard management techniques, abstaining from toxic chemicals that could harm local wildlife, particularly bees and other insects crucial to the ecosystem.

What sets Melea wines apart is their reliance on natural yeasts for fermentation, a process facilitated by local insects, including the endangered Anthophora Melea bee These natural yeasts, carried by bees as they pollinate the vineyard’s wildflowers, imbue the wines with distinctive flavours and aromas, reflective of their unique origins.

Melea Wines is also the first Spanish wine brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet – a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions. As a business member, Melea has committed to donate the equivalent of 1% of gross sales to directly support environmental non-profit solutions.

The collaboration behind Melea wines is as inspiring as the wines themselves. Managed by producers William Long and his wife Barbara Long, a mixed media artist who designed the bee motif for the label - the project is a testament to their shared passion for sustainability and artistry Their son, Freddie, oversees the design process, ensuring that every aspect of Melea wines, from production to presentation, embodies their vision. The label’s attention to detail and commitment to sustainability have gathered acclaim, with Drinks Business Magazine recognising it as one of the standout wine launches in the UK.

With Melea wines, Ampersand Wines not only delivers exceptional quality but also sets a benchmark for ethical winemaking practices in the industry If you would like more information or would like to stock Melea, contact your Ampersand Wines representative, call the Ampersand sales line on 01-4130150, or send an email to info@ampersandsales.ie

Conscious of impact on the planet

The mission at Nobó is to make better, healthier alternatives so the group takes great

Green mindset embedded across operations

In a packed function room at the Clayton Hotel Burlington on Tuesday, 27 February, the Green Awards brought together those in the business community who put sustainability at the top of their agendas. Launched in 2008 as a platform for sustainability intelligence, leadership and innovation in best green practice in Ireland, the Green Awards have since grown in stature and attendance.

Meath-based business Meade Farm won the Green Food and Beverage Award in a highly contested category, where it featured alongside pioneers of sustainable food and drink in Ireland - ABP Food Group, Aurivo, Coca-Cola, Fyffes, O’Brien Fine Foods, Tirlán and Wyeth Nutrition.

“To be in the presence of some of our heroes in the agribusiness and food industry was an honour We are delighted to receive this recognition,” said Eleanor Meade, business operations manager, who received the award “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, especially in terms of import substitution, waste reduction, energy efficiency and packaging optimisation.”

Meade’s sustainability committee is drawn from all areas of the business, ensuring that a green mindset is embedded in all its operations - growing, packing, distributing and service provision of fresh produce. The judges were impressed with the company’s commitment to import substitution and expansion of its Irish growing operations through strategic partnerships.

Meade Farm has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including: increased Irish sourcing to reduce carbon footprint; addition of 500 kW of solar panels to increase its on-site energy generation; installation of a new potato chitting store to enable earlier planting and harvesting and innovative bio-based crop nutrition trials.

“We have some exciting new initiatives in social sustainability on the way as part of our Bord Bia Origin Green strategic plan and winning an award like this gives us a boost to continue forging ahead!” explains Jeni Meade communications and sustainability manager

Employing close to 400 people, Meade Farm is a leading grower of organic and conventional potatoes, carrots, onions and

care in the suppliers it works with, and the ingredients it uses.

Nobó never ever uses palm oil, refined sugar or artificial ultra-processed ingredients. Its plant-based chocolate is made using ethically sourced single-origin Cacao sourced from a family farm in Colombia which is certified BCorp

Nobó works to create products with reduced sugar content, its chocolate is sweetened with Organic Coconut Sugar which has a Lower GI load, and it uses 50-60% less than typical milk chocolate

The brand uses compostable packaging wherever possible and the innovative chocolate wrapper on its 25g bars is made from fully compostable plant-based material. Its inner foil style lining is made from a sustainable plantation of eucalyptus trees. Nobó is conscious of its impact on the planet and its kinder chocolate is plant-based and vegan-friendly In its Ranelagh store, Nobó is plastic-free and uses compostable packaging for all takeaway items including seasonal items like Easter eggs.

New Nobó Protein Bites are launching next month.

brassicas, sourcing and packing the full range of fresh produce for retail customers nationwide Meade Farm’s focus on innovation and sustainability has also led it to produce gluten-free potato starch - a chef and foodie favourite for thickening sauces, soups and stews, binding and coating ingredients, as well as air-frying and baking.

Meade’s commercial manager Rodney Kingston; sponsor Louise Carrick, head of marketing & customer experience at Calor Gas; and business operations manager

Eleanor Meade with the Green Food and Beverage Award

The innovative chocolate wrapper on Nobó’s 25g bars is made from fully compostable plant-based material

Providing accurate carbon reporting to clients at a granular level

McGowans Print is Ireland’s leading business printing and large format printing company with locations in Dublin and Belfast. Here, we learn more about the business’s sustainability journey

Q: What are the main measures you have implemented recently to improve your sustainability credentials?

A: Our key measures include:

• Achieved independent measurement and certification of our carbon footprint by Carbon Quota, making us the pioneering Irish print and packaging company in this initiative.

• Installed 5000 square meters of solar panels on our roof, generating 25% of our power requirements.

• Replaced over 400 inefficient fluorescent fittings with LED lights for enhanced energy efficiency.

• Made a significant €6 million machinery investment in sustainable and innovative packaging production solutions.

• Implemented a thorough waste management system, separating and recycling all paper, card, and plastic waste.

• Utilised Carbon Balanced Paper to measure and offset our paper’s carbon impact through the World Land Trust’s initiatives.

Q: Why is sustainability such an important focus for your business?

A: Carbon accounting is the new modern currency in business decision making. Driven by consumer behaviour and forwardthinking organisations, carbon accounting is here to stay The transparency of how products are made and the impact they have on the environment, are rapidly moving to the top spot of decision-making. With our investment and adoption of Carbon Quota, we now provide accurate carbon reporting to our clients at a granular level, empowering our clients with relevant data and knowledge to expedite rapid and deep emission reductions. Our clients are seeking transparency on the carbon consumed in the manufacture of their requirements. They trust McGowans to provide credible independent labelling and scientific measurement standards. Clients want to make purchasing and product decisions driven by a product’s carbon impact.

Q: What are the biggest challenges/hurdles to overcome for your business and industry to improve sustainability further?

A: “Style versus Substance”. Many in our industry make claims with well-worded and colourful strategies that often impress, but if these are not backed up with significant investment and changed ways of working, they are often meaningless and inaccurate

At McGowans, we are following the path of scientific and reliable data: baselining our customers’ consumption, our own carbon footprint and measuring all future initiatives to record carbon reduction. A challenge for all industries is the lack of access to 100% green power supply We need government to take a more ambitious approach to fast tracking national, certified green power so companies like ourselves can finally and truthfully lay claim to 100% green power supply Our solar panel roof investment in 2022 allows us to certify only 23% of our total consumption, sourcing a certified supplier would remove 561 tonnes of carbon from our manufacturing footprint. This single move alone would drive us within touching distance of net zero emissions.

Since Too Good To Go’s launch in Ireland in 2021, the app has garnered an impressive user base of over 500,000 to date

New record in preventing food waste

Too Good To Go, the social impact company behind the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food, has recently published its 2023 Impact Report. The publication highlights a new record: Breaking the 100 million meals saved barrier in just one year by helping to save 121,686,720 meals from going to waste. This achievement demonstrates the success of Too Good To Go’s ‘win-win-win’ business model: Users get access to good food at great value for money; business partners unlock value from their surplus food; and together they make a tangible impact in tackling climate change by reducing food waste.

In Ireland in particular, since Too Good To Go’s launch in 2021, the app has garnered an incredible user base of over 500,000 to date In 2023, an additional 953 new partners came on board, including Aldi and Supervalu, bringing the current number of food businesses on the marketplace to 1,800 In 2023 alone, Too Good To Go successfully saved 511,817 bags of food in Ireland, with the

Supporting sustainable farming

Dairygold has announced a new partnership with Bank of Ireland to offer the Enviroflex loan package to Dairygold milk suppliers. Now available to over a third of all Irish dairy farmers, Enviroflex is designed to support Dairygold milk suppliers who are actively engaged in implementing environmentally sustainable initiatives to reduce their farms’ environmental footprint.

A sustainability-linked loan first launched in November 2023, Enviroflex has already proven popular with dairy farmers, with discounted flexible finance provided to farmers conducting milking parlour upgrades, installing wastewater and slurry storage facilities and investing in renewable and solar technologies.

As the leading lender to Ireland’s agriculture industry with over 82,000 farm customers on its books, it also furthers Bank of Ireland’s ambition of providing a range of sustainable finance products that are carefully designed to help make real, impactful changes.

Eligible applicants must be a member of

most active counties using the app being Dublin and Galway

Most recently, the organisation also launched the Too Good To Go Platform - a new modular end-to-end surplus food management solution to enable retailers to unlock value from excess inventory The platform encompasses five modules in a single interface, offering partners a pick-and-choose modular solution to tailor their surplus food management strategy These modules include Expiry Date Management, Recommendations, Intelligent Discounting, Marketplace, and Donations.

Top tips to reduce food waste

Too Good To Go recently shared some top tips on how to reduce environmental impact and ensure consumers get the most from their grocery shop, marking National Stop Food Waste Day which took place on Friday, 1 March.

Sophie Trueman, country director of the world’s largest surplus food app Too Good To Go, put together five top tips to save food from going to waste:

1. Put a damp tea towel in with greens, like spinach or salad leaves: The moisturewicking material stops excess moisture from causing the spinach to deteriorate prematurely

2. Store carrots and celery in water: The water keeps the water content of carrots high, ensuring they stay crisp and fresh.

3. Be mindful of which foods you store together: Certain produce items release chemicals which can speed up the ripening for other fruits and veggies. For example, the moisture and gases released by onions cause potatoes to speed up their sprouting process, so while both veggies should be stored in the same conditions (roomtemperature, dark, ventilated areas), they should be stored as far apart as possible

Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited and be a participant of the Dairygold Grassroots Sustainability Programme Applicants will be required to provide evidence of participation in the Grassroots programme and will need to agree to provide Bank of Ireland with the carbon footprint of their farm.

“This agreement with Bank of Ireland is another example of the range of supports

4.Remove the tops straight away: Sometimes, root vegetables like carrots or beetroots come with the top still attached. These draw away moisture from the root part of the vegetable, causing it to wrinkle and wilt more quickly As soon as you get the veggies home, remove the leafy tops and set them aside to be chopped into a salad, boiled into a stock, or whizzed into a pesto or smoothie

5. Store raw vegetables in water to keep their crunch: Certain vegetables like carrots, celery or cucumber can go soft if left for a while To avoid this, simply chop into sticks and place in a jar of cold water in your fridge (make sure it’s airtight!). Just remember to change the water every day or so to maintain the freshness. Top tip: this hack also works to revive vegetables that have already softened!

For more information, visit stopfoodwaste.ie/ and www.toogoodtogo.com

Good To Go

Dairygold has introduced to enhance our milk supplier farms’ sustainability,” said general manager, Dairygold agri business, Liam O’Flaherty “We will continue to work with our milk suppliers to make the transition to more sustainable farming easier for all involved. Working together with our stakeholders, including milk suppliers, members, customers and banks, is crucial for us to meet our sustainability targets and make the future of farming more sustainable.”

“Bank of Ireland is the leading lender to Ireland’s agriculture industry and plays a key role in supporting the sector’s transition to lowering its environmental footprint,” added John Fitzgerald, Bank of Ireland agri development manager “We welcome Dairygold milk suppliers to the Enviroflex scheme, now available to over a third of all Irish dairy farmers.”

Enviroflex is part of Dairygold’s longstanding commitment to working closely with milk suppliers to promote the adoption of best practices in various aspects of dairy farming, including quality milk production, financial management, and sustainability ■

Sophie Trueman, country director, Too

At the launch of Dairygold’s new Enviroflex partnership with Bank of Ireland were Orlaith Tynan, Dairygold Group head of sustainability; John Fitzgerald, agri manager, Bank of Ireland; Anne O’Mahony, Dairygold Group financial controller; and Liam O’Flaherty, Dairygold agri business general manager

Lengendairy results!

With Ireland’s dairy famers renowned for their quality standards, leading brands within Ireland’s diary sector have capitalised on consumers’ increasing desire to maximise the nutritional value of their food choices, by offering products with added nutritional benefits

Dairy stands as a cornerstone of Ireland’s rich heritage and culinary culture, gracing tables with milk, cheese, and yoghurt across the nation. Insights from a survey conducted by the European Milk Forum (EMF) reveal that 92% of Irish adults embrace dairy in their daily diets, with two-thirds declaring their meals incomplete without

Super success

As Ireland’s number one dairy brand, Avonmore products are enjoyed on a daily basis in households across Ireland. The success factors have been around sustained investment in the brand; partnerships with customers to really drive growth; and delivering a consistent quality product as a priority – ensuring the best tasting milk reaches consumers.

Avonmore Super Milk has a key role to play in the fresh milk sector Given that we don’t get enough sunshine in Ireland because of our northerly latitude, we don’t get enough vitamin D. From young children to older families, vitamin D is incredibly important across every life-stage Avonmore Super Milk is enriched with vitamin D which not only supports our bone health but our immune systems too. Avonmore Super Milk is also enriched with vitamins B and E, extra calcium and folic acid, making it a great choice for all the family

Avonmore Super Milk is strongly supported

these beloved products. When selecting dairy consumers prioritise both nutrition and flavour, with 77% recognizing its health benefits and 66% savouring its delicious taste

A global report by Mintel on the ‘Future of Dairy and Non-Dairy 2023’ states that while milk is a staple for many consumers, brands need to prove their value to maintain appeal.

throughout the year with TV, radio, digital, PR and trade activity and is currently running an exciting on-pack offer to give consumers the chance to win one of five Sunshine Getaways This exciting competition which runs to 31 March celebrates family togetherness as well as aligning to the core vitamin D proposition and will be fully supported above-the-line amd below-the-line to drive rate of sale in-store

Bring your all!

Avonmore Protein Milk has gone from strength to strength since launching a single SKU, 1L Original in 2014, to now having a range of ten SKUs, of various flavours, formats, and added benefits, appealing to everyone involved in sports and exercise

Avonmore Protein Milk is fresh Irish milk with added whey and casein protein, vitamins and minerals. It is consumed by those who seek additional protein in their diets.

Within the range, there is an option to suit

A focus on core nutritional qualities, coupled with functional benefits and strong ethical and sustainability credentials are needed to secure a profitable future of dairy products.

Here, we take a closer look at the innovative brands continuing to drive sales in the category

all occasions and tastes. There are three 1L options for those who purchase for home use

The core range consists of Original, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Chocolate with 25-27g protein per 500ml pack.

For those who seek an even higher protein amount, Avonmore Protein Gold, available in Chocolate and Vanilla, packs 33g of protein per pack, and is enjoyed by those who typically have finished a heavy sporting or exercise session.

Finally, the latest addition to the range, is Pro-Oats Vanilla Pro-Oats contains 27g of protein but also the added benefit of 23g of gluten-free oats, making it the perfect accompaniment for those who exercise in the morning before going on to work.

From a communications perspective, Avonmore Protein Milk is very active and has recently activated its latest campaign ‘Bring Your All’ featuring athletes across a variety of sports, on TikTok, Instagram, and out-of-home (OOH).

Avonmore Protein Milk’s latest campaign ‘Bring Your All’ features athletes across a variety of sports, on TikTok, Instagram, and out-of-home (OOH)

Avonmore Super Milk is enriched with vitamins D, B and E, as well as extra calcium and folic acid

The Avonmore Protein Milk core range consists of Original, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Chocolate varieties, alongside Avonmore Protein Gold and Pro-Oats Vanilla

Unbelievable, but believably delicious!

Mooju is Ireland’s number one flavoured milk* and sure why wouldn’t it be, it’s unbelievably delicious! Chocolate Mooju is by far the nation’s favourite, however, consumers are also tempted by Mooju’s other flavours of Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, and Vanilla.

Vanilla Mooju is the latest edition to the range and according to the brand, tastes as amazing as it looks. Launched in September 2023, it is a limited edition SKU.

Everyone’s dairy

In 2024, Irish dairy needs a central, consolidated voice, one that champions the industry amongst the people on the street – the consumer of dairy products – those who, ultimately, grant us our social licence to produce. The National Dairy Council (NDC) will be that voice by connecting the farmer to the consumer The NDC re-connects the dairy farmer with the dairy consumer, building greater understanding of what farming is and what the farmer does, building trust in the production system and restoring pride in Irish dairy

The NDC raises awareness of Irish dairy’s impact against the pillars of sustainability –economy, society, community and environment – developing understanding of what sustainability means for Irish dairy and showcasing the initiatives that are improving the industry’s performance. The NDC works to promote the nutritional benefits of dairy products and their place in a healthy, balanced and sustainable diet. It counteracts misinformation and is a source of trusted nutritional information, as well as recipes which celebrate Irish dairy

In 2009, the NDC introduced a packaging mark giving consumers in the Republic of Ireland the reassurance of knowing that their milk or cream purchases were farmed and processed locally The NDC trademark is a guarantee of origin, strengthening the presence of Irish dairy on the shelf and

From a communications perspective, Mooju is continually active across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, partnering with Ireland’s top content creators, and is also present in the computer gaming scene by hosting gaming tournaments and appearing at GamerFest, Ireland’s biggest gaming convention.

Mooju’s current campaign, ‘Mooju it’s unbelievable, but believably delicious’, amplifies the delicious taste and lively personality of the product and went live across social media and OOH media, during February/March.

*(Source: Nielsen Scantrack YTD w/e 31 Dec 2023)

On-the-go perfection

Nomadic has started 2024 with the launch of ‘Good To Go’, its first-ever range of pouched snacks, designed for hard-working people ‘who need to get the job done’.

Each 150g pouch combines smooth oats and yogurt with fruit, for Nomadic’s most convenient snack yet. With all-natural ingredients and free from any added sugar, the three flavours (Mango & Passionfruit, Raspberry & Blueberry, Banana & Honey) further enhance the company’s now wide range of nourishing and convenient food products.

Aside from being firmly aimed at busy people who need handy, easy-to-consume and great tasting snacks, Good To Go pouches are the first in the market to be targeted at adults

that contain smooth oats. This helps make them a great source of both protein and fibre. Portable, filling and nourishing, they’re perfect for people who have to keep moving, or are on the go, all-day long.

While best served chilled, the pouches are ambient stable, opening up the opportunity to display outside of chiller cabinets.

In line with the launch of the new range, Nomadic as a proud sponsor of the St Patrick’s Festival was delighted to sample its Good To Go pouches at the St Patrick’s Day Parade The partnership not only saw Nomadic ‘Fuelling the Festival’ by providing the frontline staff with products to keep them going throughout the day, but the team also handed out samples to the many parade goers and was also honoured to provide Good To Go Pouches for the new Relaxed Parade Space area which was a new initiative launched this year

The NDC’s role is to tell the story of Irish dairy and restore pride and trust in its quality, its sustainability and its role in a balanced, healthy diet

highlighting Irish dairy products as clear choices for sustainable, balanced, and nutritious eating.

The NDC’s job, in 2024, is to tell the story of Irish dairy and restore pride and trust in its quality, its sustainability and its role in a balanced, healthy diet.

The handy Kerrygold 100-gram Butter Stick offers food lovers greater variety for a host of usage occasions

Making life golden!

Launched over 60 years ago, Kerrygold is Ireland’s most successful food brand, having reached €1 billion in annual sales in 2019 With over 11 million packs of butter and cheese sold globally each week, the brand has made its way to the hearts and homes of consumers all around the world. Following the growth in popularity of the Kerrygold Butter Stick in markets like the United States, where it is the number two butter brand, the new 100-gram stick arrived on shelves in Ireland – the home of the Kerrygold brand – for the first time in October 2023.

Ireland’s leading butter brand, Kerrygold, is the secret ingredient for every kitchen moment. The full line-up of Kerrygold products now includes the Kerrygold 100gram Butter Stick. The handy 100-gram format offers food lovers greater variety for a host of usage occasions while delivering the unmistakable great taste that Kerrygold is known for all over the world. Whether you are

Mooju is Ireland’s number one flavoured milk

Nomadic’s most convenient snack yet, each 150g pouch of Good To Go combines smooth oats and yogurt with fruit

Mooju is available in Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, and Vanilla flavours

abudding chef,adab hand at baking, or simply seeking thatextraedge to up your kitchen game,Kerrygold offers food lovers an abundanceofchoicetomatch every occasion. It’s the little things thatmakelifegolden and adding the delicious taste of Kerrygold will bring extraindulgencetosimple meals this Easter.

TheKerrygold Butter Stick is nowavailable nationwide at mostmajor supermarkets, convenienceand independent retailers in addition to the core range of Kerrygold Butter products including: Salted and Unsalted, Kerrygold Spreadable and Kerrygold Softer Love

every bit!

Müller Yogurt &Desserts has unveiled anew multimillion euromasterbrand TV campaign as part of amajor brand refresh.

Following consumer research which identified howthe brand can resonate further with consumers and driveMüller reappraisal, the big-hearted adverts celebratethe unique rituals consumers have when eating and drinking Müller products.

From aschool teacher debating whether she should lick the lid of her Müller Corner in front of the class, afamily divided by the cold versus warm Müller Ricedebate,toaTVnews reader ignoring his livecountdown while he finishes his lastdropofFRijj, the campaign shows howeating and drinking Müller products help people to ‘love every bit’ofthe moment.

Thebusinesshas also redesign its branded packaging to makeitmorecohesive, distinctiveand easytofind and buy.Fromlate

Müller’s new campaign shows how eating and drinking Müller products help people to ‘love every bit’ of the moment

lastyear,Müller began aroll out of new packaging designs acrossall of its branded yogurts, desserts and drinksproducts: Müller Corner,Müllerlight, Müller Rice, Müller Bliss and Müller FRijj.

Themove follows recent positivegrowth in the dairy company’sbranded range.The businesswill utilise the campaign and brand refresh to continue driving category growth.

Pure yoghurt goodness

West Cork brand, Glenilen Farm wasthe first Irish brand to launch an Irish-made kids yoghurt pouch lastJune.The brand carried out extensiveresearch and found consumers

Support your every step,with completeprotein

Thenew GetPro range which combines high-protein and greattaste,has been developed forpeople who want to get moreout of their workout or can even be enjoyedasahealthysnack. Whether you areanexercise enthusiastorafitness fanatic, the journeytoyour fitnessgoal begins with youand GetProsupports you

on every step of your journey*, with complete protein**.

GetProbrings you11high protein dairy snack options including delicious and nutritious yogurts, puddings, mousses and drinks, to be enjoyedathome and on the go after aworkout. So,whether youprefera smooth and creamycaramel pudding, or a juicystrawberry drink, GetProhas everyone covered.

were looking fornutritional yoghurts with multiple benefits in aconvenient format.

The90g pouch is available nationwide in twovarieties, Vanilla and Strawberry.The pouch offers anomess, healthysnack forkids’ lunchboxesorwhen on the go

TheIrish-made kids pouch offers innovation in the kid’syoghurt category which is dominatedbyimported brands.

On the back of the enormous success of the kids pouch range,Glenilen Farm has now launched amultipack pouch solution. With four pouches in each pack, Glenilen Farm yoghurt pouches arepureyoghurt goodness, jam-packed with gut friendly cultures.

Glenilen Farm Multipack Kids Yoghurt Pouches (4 x90g) areavailable in Vanilla and Strawberry varieties.

protein with greattasting flavours and textures, the mostdelicious way to followa workout and support consumers on their fitnessjourney. Noweveryone can enjoy greattasting, high-protein snackswhen theyare needed thankstoGetPro-with no added sugars and lowor0%fat.***

TheGetProrange is available nowin-store and online in Dunnes Stores, Tesco, SuperValu and Centrastoresnationwide,and prices range from €1.59to€2.99 RRP ■ *(GetProcontains protein which contributes to the maintenanceand growth of muscle mass. Enjoyaspart of abalanced diet and healthylifestyle)

**(Likeall dairy products)

GetProisproud to also announcethatitis the newofficial protein partner of Dublin GAA. This partnership will see GetProand Dublin GAAwork together to champion ahealthy lifestyle and raise awarenessofthe role of protein in supporting your fitnessjourney*.

Containing between 15 –25grams of protein per serve, GetPro’srange of delicious products include high-protein yogurts, mousses, puddings, and drinks(both fresh and long life).Each product in the range is high in

***(GetProproducts contain naturally occurring sugars only.GetProyogurt, fresh and long-lifedrink products are 0% fat, GetPromousses and puddings arelow in fat).

Glenilen Farm Kids Yoghurt Pouches offer a no mess, healthy snack for kids’ lunchboxes or when on the go

ShelfLife appoints Donna Ahern as new editor

ShelfLife has announced the appointment of Donna Ahern as its new editor, effective from 1 May 2024

Ahern will succeed Gillian Hamill in her new role Commenting on the announcement, Donna Ahern, said: “It is an honour to be asked to edit ShelfLife, and work closely with its team, during what is a very exciting time for the Irish grocery industry

“I am looking forward to bringing our readers the relevant news and stories on the sector I would also like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Gillian Hamill, and I hope to build, in the future, upon her outstanding work.”

Publisher of ShelfLife, John McDonald, welcomed Ahern to the ShelfLife team commenting that the importance of clear and accurate journalism would continue under her tenure.

“Quality editorial with news, stories and features that are essential to the retail trade are the bread and butter of ShelfLife,” he said.

Prior to her new position at ShelfLife, the Cork-native worked as the online & news editor of Checkout She also worked as the editor of a number of national titles, including Licensing World, Xposé Ultimate Weddings,

Easy Parenting, and also Infant & Maternity

In her career, she held positions as a commercial supplement manager for Irish newspaper titles, such as: The Irish Daily Mail, The Irish Mail on Sunday, The Sunday Tribune, and The Sunday Business Post Donna has extensive experience of trade publishing and the grocery trade

ShelfLife’s outgoing editor Gillian Hamill commented: “It has been an enormous pleasure to work with my colleagues at ShelfLife and Ireland’s wider grocery industry for the past 16 years.

“Throughout this time, I have been continually inspired by the perspectives of retailers the length and breadth of the country, who truly are at the heart of the local communities they serve day-in, day-out. As a result, they have ensured Ireland’s reputation as an internally renowned beacon of best practice for the FMCG industry continues to thrive.

“Under Donna’s editorship, I am fully confident ShelfLife will continue to go from strength to strength as a trusted news source for this vital sector.”

Bank of Ireland appoints Alan Durcan as director of distribution channels

Bank of Ireland has appointed Alan Durcan as director of distribution channels in its Retail Ireland division. He will lead Bank of Ireland’s branch network, which includes over 1,600 colleagues supporting customers’ financial needs across a broad range of products and services, in-branch, remotely and at their place of work.

Durcan joined Bank of Ireland in 2008 and has held a number of senior roles within the group He has extensive experience across a diverse range of areas including personal and business banking, branch operations, customer and colleague engagement, and wealth management.

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Alan Durcan as director of distribution channels for our Retail Ireland division,” said Susan Russell, CEO, Bank of Ireland Retail Ireland. “Alan brings vast experience to the role having delivered strongly in a range of previous positions within the company.

“Our distribution channels include 169 branches nationwide and support thousands of customers every

Circle K Ireland has appointed Ann Kelly as its new finance and real estate director She will take over from Ciara Foxton who was appointed in January as the new managing director of Circle K Ireland.

Ann Kelly will be responsible for overseeing financial strategies, budgets and reporting, ensuring fiscal health and compliance for optimal organisational success, as well as the development and expansion of Circle K’s real estate footprint. She has amassed a wealth of experience across her career both at home and abroad. She has worked for Circle K since 2019; most recently serving as

day. Alan and his team will be central to this vitally important work, ensuring we are there when our customers need us and that we continue to support their financial wellbeing.”

Bank of Ireland’s Retail Ireland customers have access to a range of channels to fulfil their banking requirements including branches, 24/7 ATMs, digital, contact centre, and Bank of Ireland’s post office partnership for day-today banking services. The bank recently announced an investment of more than €60 million in branch improvements, including its largest single investment in ATMs in the last decade

A native of Mayo, Durcan recently served as director, retail & business banking for Area North and regional director for Connaught Ulster.

He is a Business Information Systems graduate of National University Ireland Galway, and holds a Master of Sciences qualification in Financial Services from University College Dublin and the Institute of Bankers.

K Ireland

senior manager of financial planning and analysis for over two years. Her previous experience includes audit roles at PwC in both Ireland and Australia, and as finance manager at Australia’s leading retailer, Coles Group

Kelly holds a BA in Management Science and Information System Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a Professional Diploma in Leadership and Management from UCD Professional Academy. She is also a Fellow of Chartered Accountant Ireland. ■

Ann Kelly appointed new finance and real estate director at Circle

Donna Ahern

Alan Durcan

Ann Kelly

Enjoying a fantastic night of networking and catching up with colleagues in the off-trade sector

Not only were the recent National Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2024 an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication of leading off-licences across the country, but the event was also an ideal occasion for retailers to catch up with colleagues in the trade.

“It’s great to be back together again in the Honorable Society of King’s Inns,” said National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) administrator Reggie Walsh, speaking on the night.

“Through challenging times, you have all exhibited the highest levels of professionalism as local community businesses, and for that –you should all be proud,” she added.

“Tonight’s celebrations are a well-earned tribute to all our members who have demonstrated their commitment to adopting ‘best practice’ as their motto, by putting their names forward for this important awards

Social diary

Spot anyone you know amongst well-known faces in the trade?

competition. The very fact of entering this competition is proof of the aspirations of our members each year to invite critical assessment of their performance and to put their expertise to the test.”

Now in their 28th year, Walsh emphasised that the awards would not have been possible without the genuine commitment of NOffLA’s sponsors. “Their sponsorship is a source of great encouragement to the National Off-Licence Association,” she said.

On behalf of the association, Walsh also extended best wishes for a successful 2024 to all sponsors and members.

NOffLA is particularly grateful to the following:

19 Crimes – Findlater & Co

El Coto – Mackenway Wines

Redbreast – Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard

Guinness – Diageo Ireland

Dona Paula – Santa Rita Estates

Jack Daniels – Edward Dillon

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

Alpha Zeta – Liberty Wines

Bacardi – Edward Dillon

Barefoot Wine shares tasty chocolate pairings to get your taste buds tingling this Easter

Barefoot Wine, the number one USA wine brand in Ireland, has got you covered this Easter with a guide on how to successfully pair your glass of wine with your chocolatefrom milk, dark and white chocolate to salted caramel and orange infused chocolate treats.

• Milk Chocolate with Barefoot Pink Moscato

Upgrade your classic choice of silky milk chocolate by pairing it with a glass of Barefoot Wine’s Pink Moscato A combination of ripe red fruit notes, mandarin orange and subtle raspberry tones, this vibrant wine brings out the sweetness of the chocolate

• Dark Chocolate with Barefoot Merlot

The dark, fruity flavours of this full-bodied red wine have a gorgeous hint of smoky vanilla oak and black cherries, making for a highly luxurious flavour sensation when combined with the bitterness of dark chocolate

• White Chocolate with Barefoot Chardonnay and Barefoot Buttery Chardonnay

Buttery in taste and texture, pair white chocolate with an equally as smooth medium-bodied Barefoot Wine Chardonnay.

The tempting vanilla and fruity nature of chardonnay blends perfectly with the sweet flavours of white chocolate Amp it up a notch by choosing Barefoot Wine Buttery Chardonnay, which is just as decadently smooth as white chocolate

• Salted Caramel Chocolate with Barefoot Moscato

Salted caramel’s delightful blend of sweet and salty is complemented well by Barefoot’s juicy Moscato Notes of peach, ripe apricots and citrus make this the perfect dessert wine, bringing out the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel, while still letting the salty goodness take centre stage

• Orange Infused Chocolate with Barefoot Pinot Grigio

The zesty nature of orange infused chocolate pairs perfectly with fruity and crisp Barefoot Pinot Grigio Thanks to its cool, light-bodied style, the wine will complement the strong flavours of orange chocolate rather than being on the OTT side

Barefoot Wine is available from all good stockists, RRP €10.50

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret launches a decadent gin for free spirited souls

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret is a new limited release gin for dreamers, artists and free-spirited souls. It is inspired by a historic fruit-based libation that was in vogue in Paris in the early 20th Century

Imbued with untamed exuberance and poetry, Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret boasts a rich ensemble of bright flavours that seduce the senses. The exquisitely extravagant expression will be the biggest release yet from Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosities and will be available in over 50 markets internationally

Hendrick’s master distiller, Lesley Gracie, was inspired after reading about a stone fruit eau de vie that was served with a dash of gin and scented with rose, which gained popularity at fashionable Parisian parties in the early 1900s. This eau de vie was in turn inspired by a 17th Century revelation: the distilling of stone fruit yielded a wildly indulgent tasty portion.

Lesley has long been tantalised by the notion of experimenting with unusual combinations of botanical fruits, and yet this was the first time she has selected stone fruits to anchor a rich cabaret of flavours in a gin.

Barefoot Wine is helping to get those taste buds tingling this Easter with its suggestions for an iconic combo - wine and chocolate!

For more information, visit www.barefootwine.ie, www.facebook.com/barefootwineuk and www.instagram.com/barefootwineuk/

Roe & Co launches Solera Single Malt Irish Whiskey (First Edition)

Roe & Co Irish Whiskey has announced the launch of its latest expression, Roe & Co Solera Single Malt Irish Whiskey A vibrant, permanent addition to the Roe & Co family, it uses the solera method, which incorporates fractional finishing of whiskey across a range of ages and cask types, including the first ever casks produced at the Roe & Co Distillery

Roe & Co Solera Single Malt Irish Whiskey is produced using a fractional finishing process, where the whiskey is finished in one layer (criadera) of the solera system before a portion of it is cascaded through to the next layer. Each layer uses a different cask type to create an ever-evolving flavour profile over time At the end of the process, a portion of the lower layers (criaderas) are bottled to create the final whiskey expression.

As the solera process is a constant filling and refilling, the process offers a continuous evolution of the flavour profile, with remnants of the first ever distillery distilled cask, remaining ever-present in future releases.

“This is a bright, bold gin that has a rich depth and layers of flavour and yet is still refreshing and light – it’s ideal in a Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret and Tonic,” said Ally Martin, Hendrick’s global brand ambassador

The Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret bottle bursts onto the scene with a luxurious purple hue, and the signature apothecary bottle is adorned with an eclectic mix of intriguing icons, including a stunning chandelier - a nod to the extravagant gatherings which inspired the liquid’s creation.

Pirouettes of decadent stone fruit share the stage with sweet herbs and make for an elegant sensory feast that is deliciously indulgent and yet as light as silk

A first for the brand, and a process rarely used in the Irish whiskey industry, the new launch re-imagines the possibilities of flavour using four criaderas of hand-selected casks. This specific finishing process is comprised of both refill and first fill American Oak ex Bourbon barrels, newly Alligator charred American oak barrels, Chestnut barrels with two custom toasting profiles to access a full 360-degree profile of the wood from spicy and sweet to nutty and tannic, and four different types of Sherry casks. Bottled at 46% ABV, it is available in key outlets nationwide, and via the Roe & Co Distillery for €85. For more information, visit www.roeandcowhiskey.com ■

Roe & Co head distiller Lora Hemy recommends enjoying its new special edition whichever way you like, be it neat, on the rocks, with a dash of water, or as a delicious cocktail

You’ll be in good company at MACE

Line up with MACE brand ambassador Johnny Sexton and the rest of our winning team.

AtMACE, we’re looking for retailers who bring a smile to work every day to join our amazing team.

Our new stores are designed to be both bright and welcoming, to place you at the heart of the community in which you serve.

Speaking of service, our quality fresh foods and innovations meet the ever-changing needs of people and have been proven to drive profitable sales increases for MACE Retailers.

You will have the support of our experienced team around Ireland, along with award winning marketing to grow your business.

Take the first step and get in touch with Andrew or Liam who can give you a full introduction to what the MACE brand and MACE team can do for your business.

To find out more, contact:

Andrew McCann (Regional Manager North) amccann@bwg.ie / 086 041 4334

Liam Attridge (Regional Manager South) lattridge@bwg.ie / 086 852 1362

www.mace.ie

Lucozade turns market blue with exciting new Blucozade launch

Lucozade is preparing to turn the market blue with the launch of three new drinks this month. Lucozade Sport Blue Force, Lucozade Energy Blue Burst and Lucozade Alert Blue Rush will all join the existing Lucozade range, uniting the sub-brands together for the first time in a huge change in Lucozade’s marketing strategy

The launch of Blucozade is the first time that all three Lucozade subbrands will appear side by side in a single launch, with new drinks across function, flavour and format. This cross-category innovation creates an exciting line-up of new drinks across the Lucozade brand, adding a splash of colour to retailers’ chillers and creating real excitement for shoppers. Each of the three new drinks in the Blucozade range is uniquely flavoured.

Following “an incredible year for Lucozade,” Conor Farrell, head of marketing at Suntory Beverage & Food Ireland described the move as “our biggest ever Lucozade launch, bringing together our Sport, Energy and Alert brands for the very first time and kick starting even more exciting plans to follow this year.”

The change will be supported through brilliantly impactful in-store POS across wholesale and convenience, as well as a shopper-facing campaign through May to drive awareness and create real demand at launch.

Nivea

Celebrate the different stages of ageing with Nivea Q10 range

Impressively, Nivea was the first brand in the skincare market to launch an antiwrinkle range that contains pure, skin identical co-enzyme Q10, a renowned Nobel prizewinning ingredient innovation, and the brand has been celebrating this hero ingredient for more than 25 years.

Nivea’s skin identical Q10 range is known for its ability to recharge and rejuvenate the skin daily, specially formulated to support the skin’s natural creation of Q10 to protect cells from damage and slow the formation of fine lines, whilst also supporting the production of collagen, naturally

• The Q10 Energy range has an improved formula with three antioxidants for full anti-oxidative power: Q10, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

• The Q10 Power range combines two powerful ingredients, Q10 and Creatine, for maximum anti-wrinkle and firming power: clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

• The Q10 60+ range is specially designed for the needs of skin over the age of 60, replenishing nutrients whilst providing deep nourishment with Argan Oil.

In fact, Nivea is the only brand offering a bespoke identical version of the Q10 molecule, which is structurally 100% identical to that which we produce in our own skin cells – known as ‘skin identical’.

Monster forging ahead with vision to be the leading 24/7 beverage partner

Monster is both the number one instant consumption energy drink and number one single serve energy drink in the Republic of Ireland and has seen accelerated results within the fullflavour segment with a 35.7% increase to date, and within the Ultra range, a 21.2% increase to date

As part of Monster’s vision to be the leading 24/7 beverage partner, offering a drink for all occasions around the clock, Monster is successfully evolving its portfolio The brand offers an exceptional portfolio of energy drinks categorised in four distinctive platforms: Monster Core, Monster Additions, Monster Juiced and Monster Ultra, catering for a wide range of needs.

Monster’s success looks set to continue with an exciting marketing calendar and plans to expand with the launch of new flavours, including Reserve White Pineapple and Ultra Peachy Keen. To add to the brand’s already growing zero-sugar segment - an increase of 27.6% in 2023Monster will also be launching a zero-sugar option of its most popular flavour, the flagship original Monster. It will keep the iconic appearance and the original flavour but features a zero sugar ‘band’ and a distinctive green end cap An ideal choice for those looking for a conscious and ingredient-driven choice.

nge cream inspired sharing bags

Nestlé launches new ice

Nestlé has launched four new variations of some of its best-loved brands – Aero, Milkybar, Munchies, and Rowntree’s Randoms reimagining them with a nostalgic, ice cream twist.

The new range of sharing bags inspired by popular ice cream flavours includes Neapolitan flavour Aero Melts, Raspberry Ripple flavour Milkybar pieces, Cookie Dough ice cream flavour Munchies, and ice cream shaped Rowntree’s Randoms Foamies.

Leading the chillingly good line up is Aero, with the all-new Aero Neapolitan Sharing Bag, which contains bubbly milk chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavour melts.

The Munchies Cookie Dough Flavour Sharing Bag sees the brand’s traditional soft caramel and crispy biscuit filling replaced with a cookie dough flavour core and chocolate biscuit shell, creating a crowd-pleasing creamy and crunchy combination!

Milkybar has also received a makeover. The creamy discs have been given a Raspberry Ripple flavour twist to create the new Milkybar Raspberry Ripple Sharing Bag, filled with marbled white and pink raspberry flavour pieces.

Within sugar bags, Rowntree’s iconic Randoms has also been reimagined and will feature strawberry & biscuit and vanilla & biscuit flavour foamy Rowntree’s Randoms Cones It’s all the fun of an ice cream without the mess!

Racing ahead!

The team at O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey celebrated the inaugural sponsorship of the iconic Leopardstown Chase on Sunday, 4 February at the sold-out Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

Amongst those spotted at Leopardstown enjoying a tipple in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey area, were former Wexford politician and bookmaker Ivan Yates, former Premiership

and Irish football international Kevin Doyle and several other recognisable faces, including the current Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt and Miss Universe Ashishah Akorede

Across the weekend, O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey offered a special race day package to racegoers - the offer included an O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey ‘Paddy Cap’, Tote Bag and ‘Hot Toddy’ sample, with 50% of the proceeds

Dressed to impress

It was a masterclass in winter racing style at the Connolly’s Red Mills Race Day at Gowran Park on Saturday, 17 February Racegoers and fashionistas travelled from across the south east to enjoy the combination of premier grade racing and the annual Best Dressed event.

Hoping to vie for the top spots and win

being donated to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.

O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey was recently announced as the pouring whiskey for all HRI racecourses, underpinning the brand’s commitment to Irish horse racing.

For more information, visit Instagram: @odriscollswhiskey, @leopardstownrc and @irishinjuredjockeys

prizes including a stay at the fabulous Mount Juliet and a shopping spree in Kilkenny city, both the ladies and gents put on their glad rags and piled into the style quarter hoping to catch the eye of celebrity judge Jake Carter and MC and stylist Marietta Doran. Gillian Gilbourne was crowned Best Dressed Lady while Raymond Gilbourne was named Best

Dressed Gent.

Visitors to the style quarter were also treated to fashion shows with all the latest exclusive brands from the Red Mills store in Kilkenny, hosted by Marietta Doran who was on hand to offer style tips and advice, alongside a pop up shop from redmillsstore.ie

Charlotte Gardiner, Sean Gardiner, Michael Stafford, Sarah Gardiner (Stafford), Annabelle Gardiner, Diana O’Dea (Stafford), John O’Dea and Henry de Bromhead

Best Dressed Couple Gillian and Raymond Gilbourne

Cathy O’Farrell and Joe Connolly

Edward Hayden and Siobhan Donoghue

Jasmine Gerhardt (Miss Ireland 2023) and Ashishah Akorede (Miss Universe 2023)

Ivan Yates

Faith Amond and Gareth Connolly

Kevin Doyle (left) and Michael Stafford (right)

Gillian Rohan, Heather and Marie Aherne

Team up with Nearby.

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As a symbol store, you will receive a fresh new look, promotional activity and central billing, all while keeping total control of your business. Drive your store forward today by teaming up with the experts at Nearby.

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