CSNA news

CSNA NEWS

PETER GAUGHAN, national president, CSNA

Huge increases in PSO levy planned for October

Commercial energy users will charges onto hard pressed be alarmed with the news businesses from October from the regulatory authority this year. Whilst it is CRU which suggests that acknowledged that for increases for commercial users many there has been a of electricity will see their bills reduction in energy costs increasing significantly from over the past 12 months, October this year. these decreases only

Public Service Obligation manifest themselves for (PSO) levies are charged those who have not got in three distinct sectors: lengthy contract pricing domestic, small commercial with their energy providers. and medium/large Please review your commercial. energy contracts and

Small commercial customers satisfy yourself that you pay €10.35 per calendar are benefitting from lower month for the PSO levy; this From October, the PSO levy will increase by 137% for wholesale energy costs. will increase by 137% to per calendar month. €24.50 small commercial customers and by 175% for medium to large commercial users The extra PSO levy costs cannot be avoided;

For those medium to large The current PSO Levy is charged at unnecessarily high energy commercial users, the payment is by €1.22 per KMH but this will increase to costs can. way of KMH, which is based upon €3.36, a 175% increase from October. The CSNA can help all members your Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) These increases will put hundreds, in this matter, contact the office on rating. if not thousands of euro in additional 045-535050 or email info@csna.ie.

Scam alert: Fraudulent collections of cigarette returns

Recently there have been reports of individuals claiming to be from a wellknown courier company visiting stores to fraudulently collect cigarette returns. With many stores holding menthol cigarette returns, we urge all retailers to always ensure that you and your staff ask for ID from anyone collecting cigarette returns in your store.

Ensure staff always ask for ID from anyone collecting cigarette returns

Mayo CSNA member sells his fourth winning jackpot ticket

It was a case of ‘fourth time lucky’ for “The first big win was in 1989, two Ballinrobe newsagent and CSNA member weeks before the All-Ireland football Martin Murphy when he discovered his final between Mayo and Cork, when shop had sold the winning ticket for the Kevin O’Toole from Tourmakeady won recent €2.8m Lotto jackpot. £175,000. He was the PRO of the Mayo

It’s the fourth ‘big win’ ticket that GAA Board at the time so we thought it Murphy’s newsagency on Main Street was a good omen!” laughed Martin. in the South Mayo town has sold, and “The second time was when we sold comes five years after Martin’s brother-inthe winning Euromillions Lotto ticket in law bought his winning National Lottery 2014 for €315,000; that winner decided ticket there which resulted in a €6.38m to remain anonymous. windfall. “And, of course, our third big win was

“It’s great news, we’re absolutely when we sold the winning Lotto ticket for thrilled and delighted to have sold the €6.38m to my brother-in-law, Ger. That winning ticket,” said Martin Murphy. “I was unbelievable altogether! really hope it brings happiness, joy and good “We’ve sold lots of winning tickets in luck to whoever has won it. the shop over the years, but they’re the

“To win the Lotto any time is great, but biggest ones.” especially at a time like this and after what the last few months have been like for everyone,” he added.

Murphy’s newsagency was first opened in 1904 and Martin, who started working there when he was 15 years of age, has owned the business since 1975 — the year he also got married!

Since then he’s had three previous headlineBallinrobe newsagent Martin Murphy celebrating selling the making Lottery winners. winning Lotto ticket worth €2.8m

Upcoming CSNA Security Survey: Your perspective sought

At the CSNA, we don’t just listen to our members’ concerns, we act on them. As a national association, run by retailers, for retailers, we understand the issues that matter to you most and security is almost always at the top of that list.

Last year, we surveyed 1,820 retailers and created a security report and subsequent communications campaign to highlight these issues to the government, legislators, An Garda Síochána, the media and the wider public.

Since the publication of the report, we have become an integral part of the National Retail Consultation Forum. The CSNA and our members have engaged in many positive initiatives with An Garda Síochána, all the while continuing to lobby for change at all levels of government.

We will be rolling out another security survey to further this project in the coming weeks as we endeavour to keep the spotlight and pressure on the government, legislators and An Garda Síochána to make Ireland a safer place to do business for our members and the wider retail community as a whole.

Our 1,500 members together with non

The CSNA Security Survey will help make Ireland a safer place to do business

members from the convenience stores and newsagents sector, will be asked to engage with this research. Following analysis, we will embark on another well-rounded communications campaign to keep security a top priority for our country’s key decision-makers.

If you have a particular concern or security issue you would like us to address in this research project, now is your chance. Please do not hesitate to contact CSNA on 045 535050 or email info@csna.ie with your comments, suggestions and insights. Regardless of whether you are a member or not, in the interest of quality research, we would be delighted to welcome your contact. The CSNA has been informed by Irish Water that the proposed increases in business water charges scheduled to commence in May have been deferred until further notice due to the Covid situation and an unwillingness by Irish Water to drown its business customers in any additional costs.

We have asked An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Retail Damien English to make representations to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with regard to a similar deferral to the proposed increases to the Public Service Obligation (PSO) electricity levy. n

Irish Water has deferred the proposed increases in commercial water charges until further notice

CSNA CONTACT DETAILS

If you have any queries regarding CSNA services or membership please contact the office on Naas Road, Dublin 22 on 045-535050 or by email to info@csna.ie/www.csna.ie

ADVERTORIAL INTERVIEW

Today’s bread today … in a sustainable way!

Ivan Hammond, head of marketing at Brennans Bakeries, outlines why sustainability is a firm focus for this market-leading business in the months and years ahead

Broadcaster and TV presenter Lucy Kennedy with Ivan Hammond, head of marketing at Brennans Bakeries, launching its new sustainability campaign

Q: How important is sustainability to your business and why?

A: Brennans has been on a journey on integrating sustainability initiatives into the bakery for a number of years now. Sustainability is important to the business because it: • Creates a positive impact on the environment • Generates greater cost savings • Attracts and retains new and existing customers • Creates a greater sustainability culture within the business • Produces greater distinctiveness and competitive advantage in the marketplace • Improves our brand image and reputation with our consumers and retailers

Q: Can you give an example of the best sustainability practices you are adopting in your organisation?

A: One key area we are focusing on at the moment is the packaging for our bread products. Sustainable packaging is so important for the environment, now and for generations to come.

The wax paper which is used for many of our bread products has been tested in line with the EU Directives on packaging and packaging waste. It conforms to the highest EU standards (EN 13430 and EN13432) and is also independently certified by Cré, the Irish Compostable Certification Scheme.

Our wax paper packaging is 100% recyclable and industrial compostable so consumers now have a choice and they can place this packaging either in the recycling bin or compost bin. We would also encourage consumers to look out for the sustainability symbols on our wax paper packaging – the recycling symbol for the green bin and the Cré symbol for the compost bin.

Q: How do you see the agenda of sustainability shaping your business in the future?

A: Sustainability is and will continue to be a key business driver for Brennans Bakeries. We are committed to meeting our goals and in doing so, create longterm value for our business and our customers. We are on a journey with sustainability which has already resulted in many positive initiatives being implemented that we are proud of. We will continue to do what we can to create more sustainable solutions for the benefit of the environment, society and the business. We look forward to the next part of this journey.

Safe and secure

Post-Covid-19, it has become desirable for retailers to reduce the amount of cash handled by staff in order to lower the risk of spreading the virus, as well as helping to improve end-to-end security. Here, Premium Cash Solutions (PCS) explains more about the benefits offered by its closed cash management solution, SafePay, which allows retailers to still accept cash while

Closed cash management allows retailers to accept cash in-store while ensuring that staff

remaining vigilant in terms of security and hygiene

Premium Cash Solutions (PCS) is the exclusive distributor for Gunnebo cash automation products. Its partner Gunnebo or back office.

is the number one supplier in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) for retail cash automation solutions. PCS is also the nominated supplier to Musgrave, BWG, Circle K and Maxol.

Major advantages

Gunnebo’s portfolio includes SafePay, the most secure and cost-effective closed cash a typical return on investment of less than 18 months along with immediate benefits to the bottom line. As well as improved customer service, increased productivity and reduced costs, closed cash management provides the following benefits:  Reduction of staff involvement in cash handling by up to 95%  Greater cash process efficiency  Better end-to-end security  No robberies or discrepancies  Safer staff and customers  Improved hygiene  Full control over cash processes  No cash differences  Solid return on investment  Finance packages available

do not have to come into contact with it

Cash is typically manually handled six times in a retail environment from the moment it leaves the customer until it reaches the bank account. What if retailers could accept cash but eliminate the interaction with it? Closed cash management is a way of accepting cash transactions in-store and at the same time ensuring that staff do not have to come into contact with it. From the moment the customer pays, the cash can be kept secure until it is picked up by a collection service, so is there no need for manual handling of cash in the front management product in the marketplace with

Many people rely on cash for access to goods and services; it remains an essential means of payment. Closed cash management allows retailers to continue accepting cash while staying vigilant when it comes to security and hygiene.

From the moment the customer pays, cash can be kept secure until it is picked up by a collection service, so there is no need for manual handling of cash in the front or back office

Solutions to fit all retailers

SafePay is a secure and efficient way for retailers to handle cash transactions in a busy retail environment and the SafePay modules can be configured to suit the retail experience, with customer self-pay, customer self-service or cashier-operated options. PCS works with the retailer to determine the right solution for their store, staff, and customers.

The company has delivered the right SafePay solution to Centra, SuperValu, Spar, Circle K, Pelco and Maxol stores to name but a few and their feedback has been excellent, as shown below.

Centra: “By eliminating administrative tasks, it has given my management team more time on our sales floor, focusing our customer whilst driving sales and margin.”

Circle K: “Any retail company would be mad not to look at SafePay.”

Maxol: “Very supportive and easy to deal with support team.”

Spar: “Initially purchased SafePay for security reasons, however, the additional benefits were seen immediately.”

Quick and easy implementation

Installations are completed in one day and PCS provides a half day on-site training session on the go-live day in order to oversee a successful and seamless implementation.

Call PCS for a no obligation consultation on +353 1 561600 or visit the website www.pcsgroup.com. n