March Issue, 2023 - ShelfLife Magazine

Crime epidemic

Retailers call for the introduction of specific offences to deal with retail crimes and abuse

Fresh concern

Julia O’Reilly reports on what’s at the root of the recent fruit and veg shortages

Pay day

Fionnuala Carolan reports on the flurry of large retailers highlighting pay increases and improved benefits for staff

Catch up with our retailers

The

Vagueness simply won’t make the grade in sustainability stakes

As ShelfLife headed to print, a new study emerged that perfectly aligns with the focus of our comprehensive Sustainability report, beginning on page 38 ‘The Transparency Edge’, a new survey conducted by Smurfit Kappa in partnership with the Financial Times, was conducted among 440 senior and executive business leaders across 11 major economies.

The report showed that despite half of businesses having set ambitious plans to achieve net zero, only 11% of respondents believe they have a robust and actionable sustainability strategy.

More than half (61%) said sustainability is changing the way they measure financial performance. Many of them have started to build sustainability into their leaders’ performance assessments and incentives. This underscores the impact that sustainability is already having across businesses. Almost half of businesses (47%) have prioritised packaging innovation as a way to meet their own net zero targets.

“Today’s report shows just how important transparency is as a factor in establishing and maintaining credibility when it comes to sustainability. Vagueness will no longer be tolerated by customers, investors or indeed any of our key stakeholders,” said Ken Bowles, Smurfit Kappa chief financial officer.

With that in mind, we are delighted to point out that all the companies and brands featured in our Sustainability report do not just have clear and actionable goals, but can also pinpoint significant quantifiable results.

In the current climate where ‘climate change’ is becoming ever harder to ignore, companies that don’t follow these brands’ example will simply find themselves left out in the cold.

Gillian Hamill, editor, ShelfLifemagazine

Contents March

22 Crime epidemic: 95% of retailers have been victims of crime over the last 12 months, a new RGDATA survey reveals

16 Mace store profile: Retailer Jewel Akber discusses his Co. Meath store and extraordinary career trajectory to date

18 Ciara Petty spoke to ShelfLife about her design business and the key trends emerging in the retail space at present

26 Pay day: Could pay increases and improved benefits for staff denote an overall crisis

32

NEWSGRID

The top news stories in FMCG and

retail

from across Ireland

Meath store named ‘National SuperValu Store of the Year 2023’

Heineken Ireland appoints new managing director

Heineken Ireland has appointed Sharon Walsh as the company’s new managing director Walsh, who succeeds Maarten Schuurman, was previously commercial director for Heineken Ireland and held other senior roles within the company and at the brewer’s global operations over the past 11 years. Schuurman is leaving Ireland to take up the role of managing director of Heineken’s East & West Africa region from 1 April 2023.

Supermarkets face fruit and veg shortages

A number of retailers in Ireland, including SuperValu, Tesco and Lidl, have confirmed their supply chains have been affected by the below freezing weather in countries like Spain. As a result, stocks of fruit and vegetables, including peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and even strawberries and raspberries have been low. Tesco has said it was experiencing “temporary availability issues of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and some salad products”. Both Lidl and SuperValu said they were engaging with suppliers in an attempt to replenish stock.

RGDATA welcomes reforms and extension of TBESS

RGDATA has welcomed the government’s announcement to extend the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) and increase the total monthly amount a single business can claim against electricity and fuel costs each month from €10,000 to €15,000 as well as extending the scheme until the end of May. In particular, RGDATA welcomed the reduction in the amount that companies will have to show their bills increased by, from 50% to 30%, and that this is being applied retrospectively to the beginning of the scheme

Smith’s SuperValu in Navan, Co Meath was crowned winner of the ‘National SuperValu Store of the Year’ 2023 at the SuperValu National Conference which was held in The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney last month. For further winners and details, turn to page 8

Applegreen to join Stonehouse Group

Applegreen is to join independent wholesale/ retail group Stonehouse Marketing Ltd, which is reportedly “delighted to welcome Applegreen into the Stonehouse family”. According to Stonehouse chief executive Tom Shipsey, “I have been a huge admirer of the growth and strategic direction of Applegreen, and Stonehouse looks forward to Applegreen joining Stonehouse as we strengthen and grow the Irish Independent retail sector.”

Nisbets opens Irish distribution centre

Nisbets has officially opened a new national distribution centre and showroom at the Blarney Business Park in Cork. One of Europe’s leading multinational distributors of catering equipment and restaurant supplies to the professional hospitality sector, Nisbets has more than 30,000 customers in Ireland and an omnichannel presence.

BWG Group agrees terms to acquire Tuffy Wholesale Ltd

BWG Group has agreed terms to acquire Co Sligo-based Tuffy Wholesale Ltd, a longestablished family-run wholesaler supplying the grocery retail, licensed trade and foodservice sectors and a member of the Gala Retail Group A spokesperson for BWG Group told ShelfLife: “The business has built a very strong presence across the west of Ireland over many years and its customer base would complement our existing operations across that region.” The transaction is subject to approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Irish grocery sales growth doubles in February

Dunnes holds highest retail share

Dunnes holds the highest share amongst all retailers at 23.6% with growth of 12.3% yearon-year, according to Kantar data. Tesco sits close behind in second place, with shopper footfall at its highest level since January 2020 SuperValu has 20.8% of the market and growth of 2.9% – the strongest level for the retailers since April 2021. Lidl has 12.6% share and growth of 10.9% year-on-year and Aldi has 11.7% and growth of 8.8% year-onyear

Take-home grocery sales growth more than doubled in the four weeks to 19 February 2023, according to data from Kantar Ireland. Value sales increased by 10.2%, compared to 5% in January, with record-breaking inflation the real driver behind this rather than more consumption. While the average price per pack soared 13.4% in February, Irish consumers are coping with the increased cost of living by shopping little and often. Kantar explained that volume per trip was down 10.9%, while frequency was up 7%. ■

Sharon Walsh

Janice Gibney, COO, Stonehouse Marketing Ltd; Fiona Matthews, MD, Applegreen Ireland; Tom Shipsey, CEO, Stonehouse Marketing Ltd and Deborah Howell, head of trading & distribution, Applegreen Ireland

Eoghan Donnellan, Nisbets; Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath: Noreen Lawrance, Nisbets: and Robin White, Nisbets UK and Ireland

O’Donnells Crisps now available in Marks & Spencer Ireland

O’Donnells, Ireland’s number one hand cooked crisp brand, is delighted to announce its crisps are now available in Marks & Spencer stores in Ireland.

Customers can now pick up Ireland’s most awarded crisps, in three tasty flavours: Mature Cheese & Red Onion Flavour, Ballymaloe Relish & Cheddar Cheese Flavour and Irish Cider Vinegar & Sea Salt Flavour, available across 18 Marks & Spencer stores in the Republic of Ireland.

Siblings behind the brand, Ed and Kate O’Donnell, said of the news: “We’re so proud of this development, it’s exciting to see the O’Donnells brand grow further and have the opportunity to reach an even broader Irish customer base We are delighted that Marks & Spencer Ireland have chosen to stock our brand and recognise the consumer appetite. As a proud Irish business, we believe this partnership will compliment Marks & Spencer, a strong and trusted brand for high quality food.”

O’Donnells crisps are made using homegrown Tipperary potatoes, cultivated on Seskin Farm, owned by the O’Donnells family for over seven generations. O’Donnells crisps are gluten free with no artificial colours or flavours and no MSG/GM ingredients. O’Donnells is working to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste and is making significant reductions on the amount of film used across its complete range

Gala Retail announces €80,000 in Gala Gifts For All campaign

O’Donnells crisps are made with homegrown Tipperary potatoes cultivated on Seskin Farm; owned by the O’Donnells for over seven generations

M&P O’Sullivan named SME Cork Company of the Year 2023

Food wholesale company M&P O’Sullivan Ltd. (M&P), which has seen significant growth in the last number of years, has been named SME Cork Company of the Year 2023 at the Cork Chamber Cork Company of the Year Awards 2023.

M&P O’Sullivan, a fourth-generation family-run wholesale food business which was founded in Cork in 1905, was recognised for its innovations, vision and significant growth trajectory In fact, the business has grown turnover by over 20% year-on-year over the past few years and is on track to double turnover in the coming five years.

With over 15,000 lines across frozen, ambient, minerals and catering equipment, a team of 65 employees currently support over 3,000 customers from its purpose-built, multi-temperature warehouse on Sarsfield Road in Cork city

With a massive €80,000 prize pot up for grabs, leading Irish convenience retail group, Gala Retail has launched its ‘Gala Gifts For All’ campaign.

The retail group teamed up with TV and radio presenter, Lucy Kennedy, to launch the 2023 initiative, which this year is supporting Gala shoppers with everyday essentials. Running since 20 February for five weeks, every Gala store throughout Ireland is gifting five shoppers €100, with the lucky winners selected at random over the duration of the promotion.

“It’s been a tough few years for everyone, and with the rising prices of utilities and everyday essentials, this year, we want to give back to local shoppers and reward as many of our customers as possible with €100 vouchers,” said CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond.

“Our shoppers have been loyal to our retailers, many of whom operate stores that are central to their communities. Our retailers have been there for our customers when they needed us most, and with a prize pot in excess of €80,000, Gala Retail stores will be awarding Gala Gifts of €100 to over 825 shoppers over the coming weeks,” he added.

The Gala Gifts for All promotion follows on from the Gala Retail Inspiration Awards, which over the past three years (2020 – 2022) has given away €78,000 to 78 inspirational people in Ireland to thank them for going above and beyond to help others in society

Gala Gifts for All invites Gala customers who spend over €10 in participating stores to enter into a draw to win €100 Gala store vouchers. The promotion will run until 26 March 2023, with terms and conditions applying.

The campaign will be supported on POS in-stores, a 10-day radio campaign across Today FM and Newstalk and via paid media activity across social channels.

Further information on Gala Gifts for All can be found on the Gala Retail social media accounts and at www.gala.ie/competitions

M&P recently made a number of strategic new hires, introduced a new online ordering platform and mobile app, and implemented a new warehouse management system. The group also invested in multi-temperature warehousing which enabled it to launch a frozen and chill food offering, extending the range by approximately 1,000 product lines.

After acquiring Brennan’s Caterworld in recent years, one of Cork’s oldest catering equipment companies, M&P broadened its non-food and catering equipment category by 5,000 product lines. It has also invested heavily in expanding its reach around the country

In addition, M&P O’Sullivan was recognised for its numerous initiatives to deliver the highest standard of customer service including staff training and customer loyalty initiatives guided by the principle of Total Customer Experience.

Accepting the award, co-directors Eoin & Patrick O’Sullivan said: “It is a great feeling to be recognised by the Cork business community and to be honoured for supporting local jobs, local suppliers and local communities in Cork for the last 11 decades. This award is not only for the O’Sullivan family but for everyone who has helped build M&P O’Sullivan’s into the company that it is today.”

For further information, visit www.mpos.ie

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, alongside TV and radio presenter, Lucy Kennedy

Eoin (right) and Patrick O’Sullivan, co-directors, of food wholesale company M&P O’Sullivan Ltd.

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TFI Leap is on the move… leap eap

TFI Leap Services will soon be exclusively available at PostPoint outlets and Post Offices nationwide. Add new sales with PostPoint, such as parcel collections and returns, stamps, One4all and many more.

Apply to become a PostPoint Agent today to ensure no interruption of TFI Leap services to your customers Sign up & add new sales Contact PostPoint now at 1800 300 150 or aprs.leap@anpost.ie

‘Best SuperValu in Ireland Award’ announced

Smith’s SuperValu in Navan, Co Meath has been crowned winner of the prestigious ‘National SuperValu Store of the Year’ title for 2023. The store was among a range of finalists from all corners of the country shortlisted for the award at the SuperValu National Conference which was held in The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.

Smith’s SuperValu also achieved the ‘Best Large SuperValu Store of the Year’ award at the conference, while Garvey’s SuperValu in Cobh, Co Cork won the ‘Best Medium SuperValu Store of the Year’ title Kavanagh’s SuperValu in Claremorris, Co Mayo took home the ‘Best Small SuperValu Store of the Year’ award

The team from Smith’s SuperValu were presented with their award by SuperValu managing director, Ian Allen and JF Michel, account director at Three Business, the competition’s sponsor The store employs 120 staff and is very active in supporting local charities and the Navan TidyTowns Committee, as well as being a champion of local suppliers.

Winning this title recognises the exceptional standards of the Smith’s SuperValu store. SuperValu stores throughout the Republic of Ireland were assessed and adjudicated by independent competition judge and retail consultant, Matthew Brown. The judging process focused on key criteria including product range and innovation, store presentation, fresh food offering, sustainability, customer care and store quality and hygiene standards.

On winning the award, store owner, Denis Smith, Smith’s SuperValu Navan, said the award was a testament to its team of dedicated staff and the support of its loyal customer base: “I’d like to thank our brilliant team

of employees back in the store – this award would not have been possible without their hard-work and passion day in and day out. I’d also like to thank our customers who have shown us so much support over the years and drive us on to keep providing fresh, local produce and the very best in customer service.”

TFI

Leap cards and top-ups exclusively available through An Post network

Energia has supported Fitzgerald’s of Sandycove’s efforts to become more environmentally friendly with a lighting upgrade which helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the well-known pub By availing of Energia’s lighting solutions offering, Fitzgerald’s has replaced outdated lighting with more energy efficient options, all while maintaining the atmosphere and character of the building. This has resulted in estimated lighting savings of 82%.

TFI Leap services are on the move

From May 2023, TFI Leap cards and retail top-ups will be available exclusively through the An Post network of Post Offices and PostPoint stores.

TFI Leap card is valid on all Bus Eireann services nationwide, including all city and town bus services. TFI Leap is also valid for journeys on the rapidly expanding TFI Local Link network in rural Ireland. As Ireland’s largest retail network, An Post/PostPoint can guarantee availability of TFI Leap to customers everywhere. PostPoint agents will start to offer TFI Leap services from mid-March on a phased rollout basis. The service will be switched over exclusively to An Post/PostPoint in May.

Becoming a PostPoint agent, not only allows retailers to continue offering TFI Leap services, but according to the company, offers a fantastic opportunity to grow footfall and add new sales with a variety of popular services.

PostPoint agents can accept parcels for customer pick up and return, as well as a host of bill payments, including local property tax and TV licence renewal. Agents can also sell stamps and One4all gift cards with comprehensive marketing support throughout the year

To ensure no interruption to your TFI Leap services, contact PostPoint directly by email at aprs.leap@anpost.ie or call 1800 300 150 to arrange installation of a PostPoint terminal in your store.

As a part of this process, Energia arranges for an energy audit to assess the current light levels in place and to capture the consumption data of the business. This data helps to prepare the upgraded lighting design, as well as to calculate the predicted savings. Energia also helps to arrange the installation of the new lighting products, from the initial ordering to the safe recycling of the old products. The upgrade costs are spread across a number of years while significant savings are seen as soon as the project is complete.

Will Agar manager at Fitzgerald’s of Sandycove said: “When we bought the bar in February one of our big priorities was to make the business more environmentally friendly Joining Energia has helped us to do that, not only with the lighting upgrade, but through the support and guidance we have received from them. The whole process was so quick and has made a big difference. We knew it would make the pub brighter, but it was important to us to have the option to dim the lights for a nice atmosphere. Energia worked with us to make sure that was a priority.”

For more information about Energia’s lighting solutions, visit https://www.energia.ie/business/lighting-solutions

Energia supports Fitzgerald’s of Sandycove with lighting upgrade

PostPoint agents will start to offer TFI Leap services from mid-March and the service will be switched over exclusively to An Post/PostPoint in May

Upgrades across Fitzgerald’s of Sandycove are helping to reduce energy use by 82%

Fiona McQuail, Denis Smith, David O’Rourke and Youssef Liyounssi with Ian Allen, managing director, SuperValu, Dan Curtin, sales director, SuperValu and JF Michel, accounts director, ‘3’, sponsor, in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney

The Chef’s Choice launches into retail

Established in 1915, Favourit is Ireland’s oldest manufacturer of herbs and spices, supplying the Irish foodservice sector for over one-hundred years with quality food ingredients.

Originally founded by William Moss, the family-run business was inspired to source only the finest herbs and spices from around the world and import directly to Belfast. Since 1915 the quality of the brand’s herbs, spices and seasonings has led to Favourit becoming a staple in chefs’ pantries and kitchens across the island of Ireland, building trust and credibility with customers.

Now the brand is delighted to announce its launch into retail, giving consumers the opportunity to bring ‘The Chef’s Choice’ into their home kitchen.

Commenting on the relaunch, Favourit managing director, Gerard McAdorey said: “Favourit has a rich heritage dating back to 1915 and has been proudly produced in Belfast for over 100 years. After a two-year development project, we’re delighted to now roll-out our retail extension which will be supported with a strong communication plan focused on the brand’s rich history and provenance. We’re looking forward to an exciting phase of growth for Favourit in the months ahead.”

Proud to be local, the new retail range which continues to be manufactured in Belfast, includes 38 products across herbs, spices, and seasonings, all of which are approved products of The Coeliac Society of Ireland. Packaging includes fully recyclable glass jars with aluminium lids, alongside polypot line-extensions which feature a redesigned brand logo with reference to the founding era of 1915 to celebrate the brand’s heritage

The retail launch will be supported through a heavyweight brand campaign which will include shopper, social, digital, events and brand ambassador campaigns across the island of Ireland. Inspired by home cooking, Favourit has partnered with food-led influencer @belfast_undercover_chef to bring tasty onepot meal ideas directly to your phone and you can follow all the recipe inspiration @favouritfoods.

Favourit is represented by GM Marketing Limited – for distribution and more information, contact sales@favouritfood.com or +44 28 9035 1673

Fyffes ‘double-down’ on fitness call to primary schools

Olympians

David Gillick and Phil Healy are encouraging schools to ‘double-down’ on their exercise and fitness routines

Walfrid Private to host ‘The Wealth Summit’ in May

Primary pupils whose schools are competing in the ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’ search are being encouraged by event patrons, olympians David Gillick and Phil Healy to ‘double-down’ on their exercise and fitness routines as the event heads towards its 31 March finishing line The winner will be announced in April.

In its second year, the six-month programme – in which 150 schools from 24 counties are competing – is supported by Fyffes and administered online Its purpose is to promote the importance of exercise, fitness and healthy eating amongst young people The winner last year was North Donegal primary school, Scoil Na Croise Naofa, in Dunfanaghy. Details can be seen online at www.fyffesfitsquad.ie

Walfrid Private recently hosted a ‘Wealth Management without Boundaries’ bootcamp for business owners at its HQ in Ballymount. A number of business owners from the retail sector were in attendance and gained invaluable knowledge from a host of speakers on topics such as tax efficient tactics, wealth development techniques and building assets for life.

Due to the successes of the recent event, Walfrid Private has now announced its next event, ‘The Wealth Summit’ which will be hosted on Thursday, 11 May 2023 in The Westin Hotel, Dublin. The event will have numerous guest speakers from the world of business, sport, economics, and wealth development.

Register your interest today by scanning the QR Code and the team will be in touch.

The new retail range from Favourit includes 38 products across herbs, spices, and seasonings

Musgrave named ‘Large Learning & Development Organisation of the Year’ at annual CIPD Awards

Musgrave has been named ‘Large Learning & Development Organisation of the Year’ at the annual Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) Awards.

The prestigious award recognises Musgrave as an organisation that has demonstrated strong links between organisational development activity, the achievement of business goals, and the implementation of a series of learning and development strategies to boost skills and improve team performance.

The award comes after Musgrave has invested significantly in developing leadership capabilities and future skills at entry level across the business.

“We believe anything is possible once we have the right mindset and skillset,” said Anne Rigney, director of Talent, Learning & Development, Musgrave. “It is fantastic to see programmes on our Leadership Pathway, and our future skills programmes such as Data, Bakery, Driver and Design academies, getting this level of recognition.”

In addition to winning ‘Large Learning & Development Organisation of the Year’, Musgrave was also shortlisted in the ‘Embedding a culture of workplace wellbeing’ and ‘Flexible and hybrid working’ categories.

Musgrave is proud to offer a wide range of exciting career opportunities across the business and all its brands; to find out more about the opportunities available and to apply, visit www.musgravegroup.com/careers

BWG Foods honoured at the Irish Logistics & Transport Awards

BWG Foods takes great pride in its recent win at the Irish Logistics & Transport Awards

New food network and festival launches in Galway

‘Blas Na Gaillimhe - A Taste of Galway’ is a new food network that celebrates the unique hospitality that Galway offers throughout the year An initiative by a small group of city restaurants and publicans with support from Galway County and City Councils, it was set up to promote the year-round food scene and food stories of Galway The hub will be an online space that showcases the very best of what Galway has on offer to eat, drink and stay when visiting, as well as the producers who supply the restaurants, cafés, and bars. Food events, promotions, and the latest news can be accessed on one platform.

“We are looking for foodservice businesses of all sizes to get involved in showcasing what they offer and celebrate the best of Galway food and drink,” said founding member, JP McMahon of Aniar and Cava Bodega.

BWG Foods was presented with the Own Account Transport Operator of the Year Award at the recent annual Irish Logistics & Transport Awards recently, held at the Crowne Plaza in Santry, Dublin.

The prestigious Irish Logistics & Transport Awards (ILTA) recognise the ingenuity, resilience and flexibility exemplified by the companies and teams operating in this important industry in the face of huge challenges.

The award recognises the excellence of BWG’s logistics and transport department headquartered at its National Distribution Centre in Kilcarbery which possesses one of the largest and most sustainable delivery fleets in the country that extends to approximately 120 vehicles.

BWG recently added the first electric heavy good vehicle (HGV) in the 20-tonne category, to the fleet and expects the new electric addition to its expansive low carbon delivery fleet to deliver approximately 80 tonnes of C02 savings annually when compared with conventional diesel power trucks, with the average BWG delivery truck covering 100,000 kilometres per year This milestone development brings BWG’s low carbon delivery fleet to 32 HGV vehicles, combining Biogas, Compressed Natural Gas and Electric, reinforcing the group’s status as having Ireland’s most sustainable delivery fleet.

“The heart of our success is a tremendously committed team of exceptional people who demonstrate an unrivalled passion for what they do,” said Joanne Mellon, logistics director, BWG Foods. “We take great pride in this award as it goes to the very core of our business and we are determined to continue building on our achievements in this regard.”

Blas Na Gaillimhe also plans on marking the month of May in a special way with ‘Blas Na Bealtaine - A Taste of May’. This monthlong celebration, in partnership with Galway City and Galway County Council, will present an exciting programme of events and experiences.

There is an administration fee for a yearly membership of €125 for restaurants, pubs, cafés, and B&Bs; €65 for food producers and food trucks; while hotels and hostels’ membership is €250 Membership fees include VAT.

To get involved and have your food business featured, visit www.atasteofgalway.com or email info@atasteofgalway.com ■

The Musgrave team celebrating their fantastic win

‘Blas Na Gaillimhe - A Taste of Galway’ will promote Galway’s vibrant year-round food scene

Save the date: CSNA AGM

I am delighted to announce that after three years we can finally hold a physical CSNA AGM on Thursday. 25 May, in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co Dublin.

We are looking forward to meeting you all in person again for what we expect to be a very enjoyable and informative AGM.

We would encourage members to register their interest in attending as soon as possible. To register, please call Laura in the office on 045-535050.

EM News responds to CSNA criticism of non-availability of Match Attax

The CSNA News and Magazine Sub-Committee sought responses to numerous complaints the association has received regarding the unacceptable delays that retailers were experiencing in their attempts to fulfil demands for the very popular football-related brand.

Following further investigations by Menzies UK management, it transpires that as a result of Brexit and what the publisher considered to be additional customs clearance requirements, ownership of allocations of Topps products was assumed by the publishers and these were sent to Dublin directly from the print site.

They have conceded that demand for this stock was “unexpected” and arranged for a reprint, an action that was

unplanned. It is expected (according to EM News) that the delivery they received recently will meet most, if not all, of the outstanding orders.

The supply issue is not limited to Match Attax, there have also been issues with Pokémon and Premier League card supplies. We have received assurances that the Irish and UK distributors will work more closely on behalf of their Irish retail customers. We would also encourage retailers to re-engage with EM and seek further supplies to match your known demands.

Supplier websites such as those operated by i-menzies and Newspread have a very high level of traffic, the CSNA News SubCommittee would be very interested to provide the

Reminder: Public Service Obligation Levy Payment 2022/23

Public Service Obligation Levy

Payments for 2022/23 commenced on 1 March 2023. Specifically, for PSO Payment Period 2022/23, monthly PSO Payments will be paid starting from 1 March 2023 until 31 September 2023. Therefore, payments due to customers will be shared equally over the remaining seven months of the 2022/23 PSO Year; see the table below for a breakdown for each customer category.

For example, a business with a KvA of 30 will get seven monthly refunds placed onto their bill of 30x €5.40=€162 per month and those with a 45KvA rating can expect

seven refunds of €243 totalling €1,701.

This refund will be placed onto your energy bill by your current supplier, even if you have switched providers since PSO Levies were last debited.

This most likely will be replicated next year if the wholesale prices remain stubbornly high; we cannot advise members to seek to reduce their existing rating until the market settles down.

PSO Levies are inherently unfair if they are calculated on capacity rather than usage.

Please contact your electricity provider if the payment/refund is not applied to your bill.

wholesalers with your observations, criticisms and suggestions for improvements to these sites.

We have placed a “Top 50 magazines” (by volume) supplied by EM News to their Republic of Ireland customer base in the Members Section of our website.

Cable ties are probably the worst single cause of the most expensive injury claims with settlements, including costs ranging between €50,000 and €100,000.

They simply must be cut and disposed of safely.

Simply saying, “we always do that”, is far from adequate. Post a notice to your staff where deliveries are received, and rubbish is disposed of. Tell them at a group meeting.

If such a claim is brought against you and you fail to show that this is a strictly enforced and practiced procedure your defence will be weakened.

Ensure you post a notice to staff on the safe disposal of cable ties, to demonstrate this is a strictly enforced procedure in your store

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney, Co Dublin, will host this year’s CSNA AGM

Always dispose of cable ties safely, advise CSNA and JDM Insurance

Topps Match Attax is a popular brand for Irish newsagents

JOHN PAUL LONERGAN

National President, CSNA

CSNA welcomes the recently announced supports for businesses

The government recently announced more measures to help businesses deal with cost-of-living increases. These measures included the extension of the 9% VAT rate for a further six months and also that the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) has been extended until the end of May.

Commenting on the extension of the TBESS for businesses, CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings said that “while also extending the scheme until May we are glad to see that the government have listened to CSNA and other representatives’ calls for the threshold for qualification to be reduced from a 50% increase in electricity or gas

bills to 30%. We feel that this will be a huge help to those businesses that are struggling with their current energy bills.”

CSNA is also happy to see that the relief will also increase from 40% to 50% of eligible costs from 1 March.

The CSNA has been informed by a member in the Laois area of a meter read discrepancy. Recently a ESB meter reader visited his store and took note of the most recent meter reading – fast forward two weeks and our member receives a bill for a 12-day period for €6,000!

After receiving this extortionate bill, our member checks his meter and finds a big discrepancy between the actual meter reading and the one that was submitted two weeks earlier. This was then brought to the attention of his electricity company and after much going back and forth and disputing the meter reading they had recorded, he was then issued a credit note against his account.

We would like to remind all

members to keep their meter readings up to date and to also double check what meter readings are on their bills. It never hurts to double check! ■

Double checking your meter reading could potentially save you a large amount of money

MORE WIPES. LESS PLASTIC.

The CSNA has welcomed the government’s extension of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS)

YOU WISH TO JOIN THE CSNA, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSOCIATION ON 045 535050

Short supply

In recent weeks, Irish retailers have expressed concern about a shortage in availability of certain fruit and vegetables with salad items such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers proving harder to source

Fiercely cold weather conditions in Morocco and Spain, which are some of Ireland’s chief supplier markets, as well as a reduction of output from Dutch glasshouse producers, has significantly disturbed our supply of fruits and vegetables, including peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries.

In recent weeks, Spain has seen temperatures drop to below freezing, while Morocco has been hit with bad weather conditions for growing crops, as well as cancelled ferries – all of which has affected the volume of produce reaching Ireland.

Soaring input costs

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, soaring energy costs forced greenhouse growers to reduce their output.

The Dutch greenhouse industry relies on cheap gas and electricity for winter operations. But Dutch growers’ group, Glastuinbouw Nederland, estimated that 40% of its 3,000 members have faced major financial challenges after gas prices drastically increased in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

“Likely to continue”

Justin Leonard, managing director of Jackie Leonard and Sons, a wholesale fruit and vegetable supplier in Dublin told the RTÉ

Radio News at One that the situation is likely to continue for “another two to three weeks, if not longer, because unfortunately we are also coming towards the end of the Spanish season”.

Leonard continued: “In the winter months, the bulk of all the produce we would eat in Europe would come from Spain and in the summer months the produce would come from Holland, the UK and ourselves, Irish, or local produce, as we call it.

“The Spanish season would generally end around the end of March. And the Dutch season would start in early April coming into May. But unfortunately, this year due to the energy crisis the Dutch growers are unfortunately not heating their glasshouses earlier than they would in order to get their product to market quicker It is just simply not viable to do so

“Where product is available, the quantities required to keep everybody happy are just not there,” added Leonard. “As a result, we have seen a nearly 300% increase in the cost of basic items like peppers. And that goes all the way down to the consumer, your local restaurant, cafe, supermarket, your local corner shop or greengrocer.”

Minimise disruption

Despite the upset, Ireland’s retailers are working hard to minimise disruption, and according to Retail Ireland, they are “actively working with their suppliers to overcome these difficulties, including looking to alternative sources of supply where possible.”

Wholesaler Justin Leonard of Jackie Leonard and Sons, says “we have seen a nearly 300% increase in the cost of basic items like peppers”

Supermarkets including SuperValu, Dunnes Stores, Aldi, Lidl and Tesco have all been impacted.

Lidl Ireland told ShelfLife that: “Like all retailers at present, Lidl is experiencing some availability issues with a small number of fruit and vegetable items due to poor weather conditions in Spain. We are working to secure sufficient quantities of stock at present and hope to have full availability of all fruit and vegetable product lines in due course.”

Meanwhile, SuperValu said its suppliers are doing everything they can to secure as much product as possible for Irish customers.

UK retailers

Conditions are harsher again in the UK, where some retailers have been forced to impose purchasing limits on certain fresh produce lines including peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. There, the unusual weather conditions are still to blame, but farming campaigners and food experts have pointed to Brexit for the particularly acute shortage in Britain.

UK consumers have been vocal about their struggles to buy certain items over the last few weeks, especially as they look towards Europe which does not seem to be having the same issues.

Unique circumstances

Indeed, Ireland and the UK are somewhat unique in their plight as most mainland European countries are not suffering shortages of their own. It seems geography is not on our side as it is simply less costly to deliver

As some of Ireland’s chief supplier markets face disruption, some fruit and veg produce aisles have become more sparce.

Julia O’Reilly looks at what’s at the root of the issue

produce to mainland Europe than to Ireland. As for the UK, the added cost of Brexitbureaucracy is clearly proving too steep for some producers.

Liz Webster from Save British Food went so far as to call for an urgent return of free trade with Europe to keep British supermarket shelves stocked.

Signs indicate that further shortages may be on the horizon. UK growers have warned that a leek shortage could see British-grown supplies exhausted by April, and the British Growers Association (BGA) has reportedly said supermarkets could experience shortages of carrots, cabbage, and cauliflower within weeks, and that the future of British apple and peargrowing is “on a knife edge”.

Resilience

In a bid to make itself more resilient, Iceland Foods chair Richard Walker told Nick Ferrari on LBC’s radio show Breakfast, that the retailer is trialling vertical lettuce farms.

“Of course, we’re frozen specialists, but you can’t freeze cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce. That’s the problem. This is a short-term issue, and it’s outside of everyone’s control.”

It now hopes to regain some of that control with high-tech “lettuce walls” housed in greenhouses, meaning Iceland does not need to worry that its supply will be affected by “climate change or bad weather”.

As Walker believes that extremes in weather could mean that food shortages are “something we’re just going to have to get more used to”, there may be some real need to reassess Ireland’s food supply chains.

Supply chain issues

As Ireland imports around 90% of its fresh tomatoes from Spain and North Africa, it is incredibly vulnerable to overseas supplier shortfalls such as this.

International trade is vital to guarantee food supply, and different regions are of course better suited to certain types of production than us. However, re-evaluating Ireland’s freshfood system could help us create a more sustainable Irish horticulture sector

Irish-grown

For vice-chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association’s (IFA) field vegetable and protected crops committee, Martin Flynn, these shortages showcase why retailers cannot be too reliant on imported produce.

“It’s clear from the current shortages of vegetables from Spain and Holland that retailers cannot rely on imported produce,” he said. “The first step that retailers must undertake is to listen to their grower suppliers of Irish produce.

“Without retail and government intervention, Ireland will see more horticulture growers exiting food production and an intermittent shortage of the country’s food supply,” he added.

Just like the Dutch, however Irish horticulture has been hard hit by massive input price increases. Growers have seen stark increases in energy, fertiliser, packaging, and labour costs, a report from the Teagasc Horticulture Development Department published last year found.

For field vegetable producers with already

tight margins, input price increases of 26% were thoroughly felt. In some cases, this has led to growers halting production of certain lines or leaving the sector altogether

While primary producers for the most part have received retail price increases in the last 12 months, the Teagasc report said the rapid pace of inflation means that achieving a margin over cost for many horticultural enterprises is becoming more challenging.

Local produce

What’s more, Irish winter vegetables are more scarce this year because of poor weather conditions, meaning we do not have sufficient supplies to fall back on.

Leonard noted that several days of freezing weather last December caused our “own product shortages: the likes of celery, carrots and cabbage they weren’t growing”, while last year’s extremely dry and hot summer caused yields to fall.

Now, Irish growers are “down about 30% on potato crops, we are down between 25 and 30% on carrot crops. So in turn we don’t have our own produce to fall back on.”

But there’s reasons to feel hopeful. Now that

spring is here, it won’t be long until domestic growers will be able to deliver their produce to market, which will help ease the deficit that has emptied our supermarket shelves.

Meanwhile, the Dutch greenhouse-industry is gearing up to rebound thanks to improved weather conditions. Speaking to Bloomberg, industry group Glastuinbouw Nederland said longer daylight hours and lower energy prices have allowed Dutch greenhouses to resume full operations, which in turn should take further pressure off supply chains. ■

“Where product is available, the quantities required to keep everybody happy are just not there. As a result, we have seen a nearly 300% increase in the cost of basic items like peppers. And that goes all the way down to the consumer, your local restaurant, cafe, supermarket, your local corner shop or greengrocer.”

Justin Leonard, MD, Jackie Leonard and Sons

According to Dutch industry group Glastuinbouw Nederland, longer daylight hours and lower energy prices have allowed Dutch greenhouses to resume full operations

“

Jewel

the

of Mace

Jewel in the crown

The harder I work, the luckier I get”; a well-known quote from Samuel Goldwyn comes to mind after speaking with Jewel Akber who comes across as a very humble person in spite of his considerable success. At just 37 years old, Akber, who comes from Bangladesh, has eight shops under his belt and all things going well, he hopes to have three more by this coming summer. Mace Bettystown is his latest endeavour while he simultaneously works on three more store openings around Dundalk at the same time. The mind boggles!

We obviously ask him to name all the stores wondering if he’ll leave one out. He doesn’t.

“I have three stores in Drogheda – Mace Wheaten Hall, Mace Blackbull and Mace West St, and then there’s Mace Bettystown, Mace Clongriffin, Mace Castlepollard in Co Westmeath, Mace Omeath, Co Louth and Mace Alphonsus Road in Dundalk.”

chief operations officer,” he says.

“I never hire a manager from outside the business. I hire staff who I see are hungry and have potential for growth. I train those people and I promote them and I look after them. There are always a few staff who are keen to take on the challenge,” he explains.

Bettystown

The Bettystown store is situated in Whitefield Hall, a new development with nearly 600 houses, the ideal location for a convenience store.

According to Akber, things are going very well since its opening in November 2022. “It’s flying. It’s very strong and has been right from the beginning,” he explains.

The first thing you notice when entering the store is a host of fresh food options from grab n’ go to rotisserie chickens and a full deli offering and then you move into the grocery section and an extensive off-licence so it’s a very substantial store geared towards the local community’s needs.

“It’s making its targets since it was open and we’ve actually well exceeded that. We have a very strong lunch trade with five or six staff on the deli and actually 30% of the business is fresh food already,” he reveals.

Keeping prices low

Akber says he receives great support from BWG especially with the marketing end of things and he credits Andrew McCann, his ROA (retail operations advisor) and Barry Flynn, his area manager as a great support and good friends too.

The secret to Akber’s success might be his determination to keep prices as low as possible as he tries to match the supermarkets as opposed to his competition in the convenience market. “We try to keep our prices similar to supermarkets. We would be 20% cheaper than [another c-store retailer] and are always trying to give our customers the best value,” he says.

“We’re not here only to make money, we’re here to give service too,” he plainly states. “We try to provide the best service and the best value so the customer will return. We buy lots of stock on promotion between all the stores so we can still offer good value to the customer and make a margin. We use a Value Centre and BWG ShopLink where we see all the Wow deals and buy in bulk,” he explains.

He has managed to keep his energy costs down this winter by turning off fridges where possible. “We don’t need to be running the beer fridges 24 hours a day so rather than having them on all the time, we would just have then on for around eight hours at a time. We can still provide cold beers for the customer at that,” he says.

The Temporary Business Energy Support

Akber is

owner

Bettystown and he epitomises the notion that hard graft pays off. Fionnuala Carolan spoke to him about his new Co. Meath store and his extraordinary career trajectory to date

A friendly, dedicated team deliver top-class customer service at Mace Bettystown, where retailer Jewel Akber says he always hires staff who are hungry for success with potential for growth

At just 37 years old, retailer Jewel Akber already has eight shops under his belt and hopes to have three more by this coming summer

The deli is an excellent performer in-store, with a very strong lunch trade with five or six staff working in that department

Scheme (TBESS) introduced by the government to ease the burden of high energy bills this winter hasn’t made much of a difference to his costs up to now he says. “For example my bill for two months used to be

€6,000/€7,000. That same bill has gone up to €17,000 and we received €800 back through the TBESS. That’s not making a big difference to us. We are planning to put solar panels on our stores wherever possible so I’m hoping that will help with energy costs in the future,” he explains.

Where it all began

Akber always had plans to have his own business and was obviously quite driven from a young age. He moved to Ireland from his home in Bangladesh when he was just 16 to live with relatives here. His parents’ vison was that he would learn English and then return home and work in the family business. “We have a motor parts business at home,” he explains. “We import everything from China and Japan. My family thought I would go back and work in the business after getting my education here.”

He enrolled in the Dublin Business School to study accountancy and business and while there he met his wife Liga, a Latvian native and that sealed his fate and put him on the path of making Ireland his home. His retail journey began soon after when he got a job with Griffin’s Londis on Westmoreland Street

to fund himself through college. He spent the next seven years gaining invaluable experience across the convenience and multiples spectrum.

“I finished my studies and I joined Dunnes Stores as a department manager in Blanchardstown and I worked for seven years as a manager across a number of stores,” he says. During that time he was promoted to second in command in Dunnes Cornelscourt where he stayed for a couple of years and he was then promoted to general manager in Dunnes Rathmines, a pretty high-stakes role.

“I worked with all the top players in Dunnes Stores and I learned a lot about the detail of retail during that time,” he explains.

“I had a dream even before I joined Dunnes Stores that I would do something independent myself. That was my plan but I wanted to get the knowledge first,” he reveals.

“When I was in Cornelscourt I decided it was time for me to go out on my own but then I was promoted to store manager in Rathmines, so I stayed on for another year and a half. They had just done a revamp in Rathmines and they gave me a target of a 20% increase. I went there and I increased it by 76%. When I said I was leaving they offered me an extra €15,000 salary to stay but I told them I had already started my own business and I was ready to leave,” he recalls.

Akber’s wife Riga, who also worked in Dunnes head office but in the textile

department, quit her job in order to run their first store in Drogheda while he continued to manage Dunnes in Rathmines.

“We took on Wheaten Hall in Drogheda in July 2015. I trained my wife in and she ran the business. I would work there is the evenings and on my days off. There was a big risk in the beginning but I think that if you are willing to work hard, you can do anything. We knew we had to do it while we are young,” he says.

These days it’s Mace Blackbull in Drogheda, BWG’s flagship store, where Akber has his head office. He says that this is the same store where Mace brand ambassador and rugby star Johnny Sexton’s ad was filmed as part of its €1m advertising campaign ‘Going the Extra Smile’.

Balanced life

Akber’s future plans are to have 11 stores and just try to maintain these businesses and make them a success. His life is very busy but also believe it or not, very balanced.

“I’m very passionate about my job and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” he says. “My wife loves travelling so we travel a lot. We have a busy life but at the end of the day you have to balance it up and live life too. We take Saturdays and Sundays off and we travel about 7/8 times a year What’s the point of it all if you can’t enjoy your own money?”

Amen to that we say and best of luck to them in their future endeavours. ■

Mace Bettystown has a vibrant, welcoming appearance; complemented by a great selection of colourful fresh flowers

Retailer Jewel Akber is determined to keep prices as low as possible, and the store also boasts strong value-for-money with its ‘Just Smile Deal’ Special Offers

For those on the hunt for a quick and tasty lunch or dinnertime option, they are spoilt for choice with the variety available at Mace Bettystown

Mace Bettystown’s extensive off-licence is an important part of its overall offering which is very much geared towards meeting all the local community’s needs

Q: How did you get into interior design for retail/hospitality?

A: After earning a BA in interior architecture in 2010, I relocated to London in 2011 where I spent the next decade advancing my career in various design agencies, focusing on retail and hospitality design. I had the opportunity to work with major global brands such as Lavazza, Jaeger, and Calvin Klein, as well as international food service operators including Strock Bakery in Austria, Burger Lab in South Korea, and Yogurtland in the US, and several global duty-free operators. This experience provided me with a strong understanding of maximising retail strategy through commercially led design principles.

In 2020, my husband, son, and I moved back to Ireland, where I decided to establish my own design studio. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of working on several exciting projects, including the flagship store design for OffBeat Donuts in Cork City, redesigning Quigley’s Bakery & Cafe across multiple outlets, and creating the Pizza SQ head office and kitchens in Dublin.

While still working with international brands, I’m now focused on leveraging my global experience to benefit local hospitality and retail operators in Ireland. Our studio works closely with clients to enhance foot traffic, establish new customer journeys,

Grand designs

The right design can transform a space and greatly enhance the customer experience. From big international brands to bespoke local businesses, Ciara Petty Design has worked across the board and can create unique spaces for even the smallest of businesses in order to enhance footfall, rejuvenate the customer experience and

rejuvenate the customer experience, and optimize operations for employees.

Q: What kinds of services do you offer alongside interior design?

A: At Ciara Petty Design Studio, we adopt a collaborative, immersive, and strategic approach that starts with listening and understanding to our client’s business and brand. Our comprehensive range of services encompasses retail strategy & development, interior design & branding, project oversight & management.

We work in tandem with our clients to devise a commercial strategy that can be translated into a physical experience. We produce detailed profile drawings for bespoke fixtures and fittings with definitive specifications for materials, furniture, and lighting. We also provide franchisors with design packs for their franchisees and support franchisees in adapting and constructing outlets that remain true to the brand.

Q: Is it difficult to get a foothold in the retail space because there are so many symbol brands with a unified look and very few independents in Ireland? Can you work with a client on a small area of a shop/business to give it something special and differentiate it from the other shops under the same brand?

A: There are still quite a lot of independent retailers in Ireland outside of the urban centres and many of these businesses seek to boost their revenue through straightforward design modifications. Some have expanded their operations online due to the pandemic and now seek to align their bricks and mortar stores with their online branding. Alongside these independent retailers, we also collaborate with franchise businesses and larger brands looking to expand nationally and internationally. Our services include designing shop-in-shop models that operate under a larger retail umbrella, such as a department

optimise operations for staff. She spoke to ShelfLife about her business and the key trends emerging in the retail space at present

Since opening her own studio in 2020, Ciara Petty has worked on several exciting projects, including the flagship store design for OffBeat Donuts in Cork City, redesigning Quigley’s Bakery & Cafe across multiple outlets, and creating the Pizza SQ head office and kitchens in Dublin

Ciara Petty has redesigned Quigley’s Bakery & Cafe across multiple outlets, including the Tullamore site shown here

store or supermarket. This approach can also benefit independent retailers seeking to showcase seasonal promotions or highlight specific brands within a broader store context, without the need for large design budgets.

Q: You have worked with OffBeat Donuts in a number of locations. Can you tell us about these projects?

A: We have worked with OffBeat Donuts for a number of years now, creating designs across all of their various formats. Our latest project involved managing the design of their flagship store in Cork City Our scope included retail and fixture design, brand implementation, planning submission support, and supplier coordination, to achieve an outcome that exudes a perfect blend of industrial chic, natural finishes, lively branding, and an amusing in-store encounter that stays true to the brand’s fundamental principles of ‘Making Magic’.

Q: What can good design do to a space?

A: At our core, we firmly believe in the transformative power of great design. We recognise that design has the ability to elevate a space, taking it from being dull and uninspiring to functional, aesthetically pleasing, and inviting. However, it’s worth noting that we always remain commercially focused, and never create designs simply for the sake of it. Our expertise lies in working with retailers and hospitality businesses to enhance their customer journeys and experiences, ultimately driving footfall and turnover

Q: Do you think a lot of businesses could benefit from design advice to make more of their spaces?

A: Yes, absolutely Design advice can be incredibly valuable especially for businesses wanting to make the most of their spaces. Good design takes into consideration not only the functionality of the space, but also the customer experience and overall aesthetic

appeal. By optimising the layout, lighting, fixtures, and displays, businesses can create an environment that is both visually appealing and easy to navigate, ultimately leading to increased foot traffic, higher sales, and greater customer loyalty Additionally, good design can help businesses to stand out from competitors, create a unique brand identity, and enhance their overall reputation. Overall, investing in design advice can be a wise decision for businesses looking to maximise their potential and grow their customer base.

Q: How do you work with a client on a reduced budget?

A: We offer an exploratory design service for businesses that are considering a layout change or a re-brand and through mood boards, plans, and sketches, we explore various options in a quick turnaround, giving our clients multiple options to review without incurring substantial costs.

Q: What are the key trends you see emerging in the retail space?

A: Currently, several trends are emerging, including the growing importance of online and omni-channel retail, the integration of technology into the shopping experience, and the increasing demand for personalised customer experiences. For example, some grocery retailers are using smart shelf technology to ensure that all shelves are perfectly optimised, processing stock quantities through heat mapping. Meanwhile, some fashion retailers are using digital mannequin technology, which allows consumers to select from different models representing various body types and ethnicities.

Experiential retail design is another trend that continues to grow in the retail space. Customers are increasingly seeking unique and personalised experiences, and retailers are responding by offering personalised products, as well as unique shopping experiences

whereby bricks and mortar shops are becoming destinations for a full brand experience.

Finally, sustainability and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important for consumers, and retailers are responding by adopting sustainable practices which is also visible in their in-store design approach.

Q: What is your proudest moment in business to date?

A: Starting my own business because it has instilled in me the confidence to take risks and the motivation to constantly push boundaries. This journey has required me to step out of my comfort zones and confront the noncreative aspects of entrepreneurship, such as business development, networking, and problem-solving. Overcoming obstacles and celebrating even the smallest victories are incredibly rewarding, especially when it’s my own busines.

For more information on Ciara Petty Design: www.ciarapetty.com

+353 858612525

ciara@ciarapetty.com ■

Ciara Petty’s design for OffBeat Donuts’ flagship store in Cork includes a blend of industrial chic, natural finishes, lively branding, and an amusing in-store encounter themed around ‘Making Magic’

Ciara Petty has redesigned Quigley’s Bakery & Cafe across multiple outlets, including the Tullamore site shown here

Arising at Arán!

and Bistro has capitalised

Blas na hÉireann Awards,

ultimate accolade, the Supreme Champion

a Gold Award for its Spelt Sourdough bread, with exciting plans afoot for further growth

Arán Bakery and Bistro is a popular artisan award-winning bistro and bakery in Kilkenny, which was opened by husbandand-wife team, Bart Pawlukojc and Nicole Server-Pawlukojc´.

Varied background

The duo certainly has an interesting and varied background. After finishing training as an interior designer, Bart Pawlukojc soon picked up a side job working in a kitchen in Ireland. Hungry for knowledge, he moved to Denmark where he lived and worked in restaurants for several years, including two years as butcher specialising in Italian charcuterie

Nicole Server-Pawlukojc has always been passionate about food. She initially trained as a chef in Italy, and returned to the Philippines where she trained and worked as a pastry chef Soon, she went to Denmark where she quickly got hired in some of the best restaurants in Denmark.

During their time in Denmark, Bart and Nicole met, and eventually married. They would go on to run the kitchen of Mielcke & Hurtigkarl together Opening a restaurant as a couple was always a dream they shared. They wanted their own space to use the skills and knowledge they had cultivated. After six years in Denmark, they decided it was time

Irish influence

On their honeymoon, they visited Ireland as

Bart was raised here. He and Nicole drove all around Dublin and Kilkenny. Nicole liked it, and together they decided to open a café with a small bakery in Kilkenny city, agreeing that they would shine a spotlight on bread and local food, using the best ingredients from the South East and beyond. They decided to focus on creating sandwiches that would showcase local produce and their house-made bread.

With her background as a pastry chef, Nicole knew much more about breads and baked goods. However, as Bart had been involved in a lot of research and development in many of the restaurants he worked in, he was interested in taking on the project of

setting up the bakery Bart also has a passion for food fermentation, so he decided the bakery would develop its own house-made sourdough bread.

Good food, first and foremost

Arán Bakery and Bistro opened in late 2019 From the standards showcased at this venue, it’s clear Bart and Nicole both share a huge drive and passion for restaurants and food. Arán allows them to offer a casual dining experience in an affordable and modern setting. The goal is to be sustainable, to work with local food suppliers and to be in a position to support the community Being an outlet for everyday people to enjoy very good food; food made with a lot of skill and effort, was a huge driver for the opening of Arán.

The bakery creates an ever-changing selection of sweet and savoury baked goods, with a spotlight on sourdough bread. The bistro serves brunch and dinner with a menu that changes with the season, and what local producers currently have on offer

Sourdough specialists

Their sourdough bread is made through fermentation, using bulk fermentation, autolyse and basket fermentation. The signature Arán Sourdough Bread is a mixture of 70% Ølands wheat and 30% white wheat flour It takes a total of 48 hours to make. Their ‘sourdough mother’ is fed twice a day. When the mother is ready, the dough is made

With sales leaping up, Arán Bakery

on its success at the latest

where the brand scooped both the

award, as well as

Husband-and-wife team, Bart Pawlukojc ´ and Nicole Server-Pawlukojc´, opened Arán Bakery and Bistro in Kilkenny in late 2019

Arán offers a casual dining experience in an affordable and modern setting

Arán’s overall goal is to be sustainable, to work with local food suppliers and to be in a position to support the community

and bulk fermented for a couple of hours. Then it is time to pre-shape, bench rest, and shape the actual breads. They are then proofed in baskets in the fridge for 24 hours. When they are rested, it’s time for baking. If everything in the last 48 hours went well, a wonderful sourdough is produced.

Arán works closely with The Little Mill in Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, just 10km away, to source all their local heritage flours.

Impact of pandemic

Then, when Covid-19 happened in early 2020, the bistro business model grew and adapted hastily around the regulations that came along with that. During this time, the bakery side of the business exploded, and the bakery team’s take-away sweet and savoury pastries became very popular Due to the high demand of their house-made baked goods and take-away service in 2020 and 2021, Arán opened a second location across the road from Arán Bistro on Barrack Street, which houses their now award-winning take-away Deli and Bakery Arán Bakery and Bistro began as a small cafe that uses their own bread, and swiftly evolved to be a bakery that has a café.

Award-winning brand

In 2022, Arán Bakery and Bistro won Supreme Champion of the Blas na hÉireann awards after winning Gold for their Spelt Sourdough

bread, the Gold winner for the second year in the row. Arán Spelt Bread is made from 80% spelt flour grown and milled in Kilkenny at The Little Mill, Bennettsbridge and 20% white flour sourced from France. Sweeping the Sourdough category, Arán also won the Bronze with their Heritage Sourdough Bread and Silver with their Multi-Seed Sourdough Bread. Arán won Gold in the Pastries-Tart category with their Citrus Tart, a lemon lime meringue tart, and ‘Best in County’ for Kilkenny. Hailed as being the Irish seal of approval Blas na hÉireann celebrates the very best in Irish food and drink, shining a spotlight on the talented producers dotted around the island.

“We have a huge amount of gratitude to the customers. We try, from the heart, to bring the best quality to them,” Bart said, commenting on the team’s impressive haul of accolades.

“To be recognised like this is wonderful,” he continued. “We are grateful to our team and our suppliers in Kilkenny and further afield who made this possible It is an honour to be recognised along with all the candidates. Winning the award was definitely one of the best days ever in my life, not just in business.”

Nicole was likewise thrilled, noting: “The Spelt Sourdough loaf of bread epitomises our entire approach at Arán start with the very best and then add a little love and skill. We couldn’t be more delighted for the whole

team it’s a real boost for everyone.”

In the week following the Blas na hÉireann Awards, Arán lost no time in benefitting from the momentum generated by their wins and opened in the evening for a dinner service.

Plans in the pipeline

Looking towards the future, Bart and Nicole’s plan is to continue to grow and stabilise There are imminent plans to bottle and sell signature sauces and fermented foods from the bistro. In the coming months, there will be an extension of the front of the bistro, to add more seating indoors, and also adding more outdoor seating.

Long-term, the plan is to move the bakery out of Barrack Street and develop into an industrial enterprise The bakery has the potential to expand massively Based on the huge demand for sourdough bread that exists within the Irish market, Bart and Nicole are looking for investors to support in this endeavour The bakery team has the necessary know-how firmly in place and the next step now is scaling up, which of course has a cost The plan is to have a warehouse where they can continue making their amazing bread on a bigger scale, so more people can enjoy their products and bread. With impressive plans in the pipeline, ShelfLife is confident our industry will be hearing more from this dynamic duo in the near future. ■

Seasonality is always a key consideration at the bistro, which serves mouth-watering brunch and dinner menu

The vision driving Arán Bakery and Bistro was always to serve good food made with a lot of skill and effort, at an affordable price

The signature Arán Sourdough Bread, which is a mixture of 70% Ølands wheat and 30% white wheat flour, takes a total of 48 hours to make

The bakery creates an ever-changing selection of sweet and savoury baked goods, with a spotlight on sourdough bread

Crime and punishment

As ShelfLife headed to print, details emerged of yet another shocking store robbery Sadly, it’s the latest case in a litany of similar incidents which have occurred in recent months.

The latest robbery took place on the Sandyford Road in Dundrum shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, 14 March. Three men, all aged in their 20s, fled from the scene on foot after taking cash and a phone.

Thankfully, we are pleased to report they were later arrested by gardaí in a follow-up operation. At the time of print, two of the men had been charged, while the third was due to be brought before the Criminal Courts of Justice following a bench warrant.

Details of recent incidents in 2023

Worryingly, this type of attack is far from rare. One of the most disturbing aspects of retail crime is the distress caused to staff. In January, staff members at one Dublin shop were threatened with a knife during a terrifying robbery on an otherwise ordinary Saturday morning. Gardaí rushed to the scene at a retail premises on Braemor Road, Churchtown, Dublin 16, at 7.30am when a man stormed inside wielding a knife. After threatening staff, the thief left the shop with a quantity of alcohol.

Shortly afterwards, gardaí arrested a man in

his 20s in relation to the incident, and he was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Rathfarnham Garda station.

Not long before that, following an armed robbery at a Tesco store in Inchicore, Dublin 8 on the morning of Sunday, 15 January, two men, aged in their 30s and 60s, were charged in connection with the crime.

And in the same week, a man was charged in connection with an alleged armed robbery from a shop in north Dublin. The robbery took place on Thursday, 12 January, on Mayor Street, North City Centre in the Dublin 1 area.

At approximately 6.30pm that day, two Garda members on patrol in the Mayor Street area were alerted by a member of the public about a robbery in progress at a shop nearby where a man was threatening staff with a knife and demanding cash. Following a physical intervention by the Garda members and the deployment of OC spray, a man in his 40s was arrested.

Earlier that month, a female member of staff was threatened with a knife by a man during an armed robbery in Newry on the morning of Tuesday, 3 January, PSNI Detective Sergeant Johnston said: “At around 8am, it was reported that a man entered a shop in the area. He produced a knife and threatened a female member of staff. He made off with a sum of money on foot towards the Monaghan Street area following the incident.”

While the above cases are all clearly separate incidents – and no doubt, terrifying for the staff members involved, when displayed together, they present a truly alarming picture of the level of retail crime taking place right across the country

Local shops are facing an epidemic of crime, with a new survey by RGDATA showing 95% of retailers have been victims of crime over the last 12 months. Here, we look at how the judicial system needs to change to protect retailers’ livelihoods

“Local family-owned shops are suffering significantly from hugely elevated levels of theft and a deep frustration that crimes such as shoplifting and fuel theft are considered “petty” and seen as acceptable and tolerated,” says Tara Buckley, RGDATA director general

Gardaí presence

Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward previously said that particularly in rural areas, An Garda Síochána need to be more visible. “The first and foremost thing we need to have is more Gardaí on the beat,” he said. “Which is why we have seen huge investment in the number of guards and that’s what’s going to solve this problem; it’s Gardaí in the community, in cars, on the beat who are going to detect crime.

“When people feel they’re going to get caught, that’s when they don’t commit crimes.”

RGDATA Crime Survey 2023

Independent retailers’ organisation RGDATA has persistently been vocal on this issue and the need for greater deterrents and penalties to be deployed. A new comprehensive survey by RGDATA has now revealed the farreaching extent to which retailers have been affected. In fact, a survey of RGDATA members has revealed that over 95% of shop owners have been victims of crime in the last 12 months.

The owners of over 400 convenience shops, forecourt stores and supermarkets throughout Ireland responded to the survey which highlights the serious challenges that local community-based retailers are facing in dealing with high levels of crime each day Sadly, over two thirds of retailers now feel more vulnerable in their shops than they did in the past.

The RGDATA Crime Survey reveals that a staggering 93% of respondents have been victims of shoplifting, 40% have suffered due to fraud in their shops and 25% have been the victims of robberies/burglaries.

Whilst 58% were satisfied with the response from the Gardaí to reports of criminal activity in their shops, most respondents felt that the Gardaí could do more to follow up with victims of retail crime.

Retailers commented positively on the Garda response for robberies and acts involving direct violence, however they were critical of the Garda response to reports about shoplifting and drive-offs.

Retailers in areas where Garda numbers have been reduced say this is having a direct impact on response times and the deterrent factor for criminals.

Failings of criminal justice system

Retailers were also deeply critical of the court system for failing to impose proper sanctions or deterrents against offenders convicted of retail crimes. There is a strong sense that people charged with crimes against retailers do not receive an adequate sentence for the offence committed and the impact that it has on the business owner

RGDATA adds that many retailers commented that there is a persistent problem with thefts carried out by minors, fuel driveoffs and repeat offenders, with the criminal justice system doing little to deter or educate

the offender or restore the victim to the status quo before the crime took place.

“The RGDATA survey clearly shows that there is an epidemic of crime hitting local community-based retailers in Ireland. Local family-owned shops are suffering significantly from hugely elevated levels of theft and a deep frustration that crimes such as shoplifting and fuel theft are considered “petty” and seen as acceptable and tolerated,” said Tara Buckley, RGDATA director general.

RGDATA’s survey found that weapons were used in over a quarter of the crimes, including knives, machetes and swords, wheel braces, hammers and crowbars, firearms, syringes, axes and bottles

“There are clear messages for An Garda Siochana and the judicial system,” Buckley continued. “The Gardaí need to be responsive to reports of retail crime and not let an impression be created that some crimes are too small to be investigated. There is no such thing as a petty crime for the business owner that has to fund the losses incurred and manage the impact on the mental health and morale of the staff working in the store. The Courts need to be stronger and more >>

AT A GLANCE: Summary of responses from RGDATA Crime Survey 2023

The RGDATA survey indicates that over the last 12 months:

• 93% of retailers have been victims of shoplifting.

• 40% have been victims of fraudulent activity

• 25% said that they had been subjected to violent burglaries and robberies in their shops.

• 75% felt that levels of crime have become more dangerous over the last 12 months and they feel more vulnerable and more concerned about the staff in their shops than in the past.

Weapons were used in over a quarter of the crimes, including;

• Knives, machetes and swords

• Wheel braces, hammers and crowbars

• Firearms

• Syringes

• Axes

• Bottles

Shop owners and their staff were also subject to many abusive behaviours by people engaging in criminal activity in their stores including:

• Screaming and shouting

• Spitting

• Punching & Kicking

• Sexual harassment

• False defamation claims

Gardaí were called in over 92% of cases, and response times ranged from:

• 0 - 15 minutes - 27%

• 15 - 30 minutes – 30%

• 30 - 60 minutes – 17 %

• Over an hour – 26%

• Over half of the retailers (58%) were satisfied with the Garda response to the crime and just under 55% have been kept updated on the investigation into the crime at their shop.

• In 10% of cases, a retailer’s home and family were threatened during a shop robbery and burglary

• More than 50% of perpetrators of crime were from the retailer’s locality while 48% came from outside the local area.

• Only 25% of the perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted – with nearly 75% not being pursued by the State.

• On those convicted only 19% received a custodial sentence.

*(Source: Survey sample – 405 retailers – survey conducted between 10th January and 1 February 2023)

consistent in sentencing policies for retail crimes, and in particular for repeat offenders. If the Courts are not imposing realistic penalties on those convicted of robbing shops, it is little wonder that the Gardai can seem to have little incentive to investigate and prosecute cases.”

RGDATA has subsequently presented the findings of the research to An Garda Siochana as well as the Minister for Justice, Simon Harris.

“RGDATA is calling for the introduction of specific offences dealing with retail crimes and abuse, harassment and violence towards shop owners and retail staff,” Buckley added.

“If the current patterns of offending continue, the risk to the personal safety of business owners and their employees and the viability of their businesses will result in many owners simply shutting up shop.”

Retailers have their say

“Shoplifting seems to be becoming an “acceptable” thing that retailers just have to “put up with”. That’s not right. We need education in schools, gardaí visiting schools, and a more proactive approach in crime prevention.”

Retailer – Mayo

“I’d like to see shoplifting taken more seriously and not considered a petty crime. The law is against the retailer as the onus is on them to prove the crime.”

Retailer – Clare

“Our recent robbery cost us €1200 plus upset staff - thankfully no one was injured. However, it’s frustrating that we never get back money robbed.”

Retailer – Cork City

“In terms of youth offending, nothing ever happens, we have two different groups of youth whom in my opinion cause havoc, not just in my stores but in the others. Most retailers in my area are fed up calling Garda, the youths abuse staff both verbally and have been known to throw items at my staff and nothing happens. Tonight, I had to call the Garda again; it is nuts and out of control.”

Retailer – Co. Dublin

“Staff have the right to a safe working environment. We do an honest day’s work and the stress of shoplifters is harmful to our health and wellbeing. We can’t catch all of them. We do our best. But small businesses suffer the most. A lot go out of business because of thugs that feel entitled to help themselves. Our area seems to be getting worse by the day and as Gardaí do not even turn up or answer their phone, we are all sitting ducks out here. Thieves know nothing will be done. I understand the staff limitations, but the government has to deal with this issue. Staff go onto social welfare because they can’t deal with the stress. So, the government are paying them anyway.

So why not stricter punishments and more power to the Guards? The mind boggles how thieves get away with everything. So sad in this day and age.”

Retailer – Co. Dublin

“Someone needs to start taking it seriously! I’m fed up with the attitudes of some of the Garda when they do arrive... I just can’t afford to keep writing the losses off!”

Retailer – Co. Dublin

“My interest in a theft ends when it is committed and turned over to Gardaí. There is zero chance of any goods either being paid for or damage caused compensated. The only outcome that is certain after a claim is that my insurance premium will go up on renewal.”

Retailer- Co. Meath

“There is no deterrent whatsoever to theft. Shoplifters have no fear of the law as usually they have nothing to lose in going to court. The burden of proof on retailers is so stressful that most either don’t bother reporting the crime or see it as a waste of resources.”

Retailer – Co. Kerry

“A number of those who have been barred out of the shop will threaten staff, to date just verbally: “I’ll put you to sleep” and “I’ll kill you at home in your bed.”

Retailer – Co. Carlow

“Even with an armed robbery there was little follow-up. We had to keep calling them. The only time we got follow-up was when a young lad hit the panic button for shoplifting. Then the gardaí wanted to give us a training lecture on the appropriate times to use the panic button.”

Retailer – Co. Dublin

“In most cases we want the perpetrators warned and barred, as most are minors. It feels like an exercise in futility to try to prosecute.”

Retailer – Co. Mayo ■

93% of retailers have been victims of shoplifting, according to RGDATA’s Crime Survey 2023

Pay day

For the past two months, there seems to have been a constant stream of press releases from the multiples airing the fact that they are about to introduce new pay rises and benefits to their staff The discounters (who have led the Living Wage commitment) have been putting it up to the likes of Dunnes, M&S and Tesco as they come under pressure to maintain staff

Irish grocery price inflation soared to new heights in February at 16.3%. According to Kantar’s LinkQ data, nearly 38% of shoppers claim to now always use a money saving voucher during their shopping trip Emer Healy, senior retail analyst at Kantar has said that households will now face an extra €1,159 on their annual shopping bills if they don’t change their behaviour to cut costs.

A survey commissioned by Aldi Ireland and conducted by Bounce Insights with 1,000 consumers showed that 77% of the population have financial worries due to the ongoing costof-living crisis.

The survey found that one in every three people are ‘fearful or anxious’ about the future. It also demonstrated that more than seven in ten people are conscious of the price of goods, and that almost half are seeking value for every cent they spend.

Aside from high inflation and living costs, other contributory factors that are making it difficult to maintain staff in the sector with traditionally low pay rates are the levels of harassment that retail staff are being subjected to and the aftermath of the pandemic on people’s work/life balance.

Harassment

One very prominent reason for staff leaving the sector is abuse New research from Circle K* highlights the depressing levels of harassment that retail workers are subjected to by the public. The survey showed that 83% of retail workers in Ireland have experienced harassment from customers with 68% experiencing incidents at least once a month.

Notably and of concern for the retail sector, of those who have experienced incidents of harassment, 70% of retail workers admit that their experiences of harassment from customers has made them consider seeking employment outside of retail.

The research surveyed 380 of its own colleagues across the country and 500 people employed across a broad range of retail settings in Ireland.

The research results point towards what is a significant challenge for the overall retail sector in Ireland, which employs over 300,000 people** from a total workforce in Ireland of over 2.5 million.

Commenting on the research findings, Gordon Lawlor, managing director of Circle K Ireland says that they have seen this issue develop firsthand. “While the vast majority of our customers behave appropriately, we are increasingly seeing incidents of unacceptable behaviour by certain customers towards our colleagues. Our research clearly demonstrates that this issue is not just confined to Circle K and is a challenge for the wider retail sector at large.”

Nikki Murran, director of Grocery Recruitment at Excel Recruitment, says that the primary reason cited by candidates when looking for a move outside of retail is work-life balance

The research states that 50% of Irish retail workers having witnessed a colleague being physically assaulted by a customer Director of Retail Ireland, Arnold Dillon also described the level of harassment experienced by retail staff as “an enormous concern”.

“The survey highlighted some very serious issues, including incidents of physical assault and verbal abuse, that retail workers have had to contend with,” Dillon said. “The consequences for staff are very real, including mental health issues, burnout and increased absence. At a time when there are labour shortages in many parts of the sector, it’s important that everything is done to make the sector an attractive place to work. We all have a part to play in supporting retail employees and together reducing the levels of harassment,” says Dillon.

Recruitment

The Covid pandemic changed people’s outlook on life and made people take stock and consider different career paths. It was an intense time for retail staff who were expected to go above and beyond the call of duty to keep the country moving with very little thanks or extra remuneration for their efforts.

Nikki Murran, director of Grocery Recruitment at Excel Recruitment, shines some light on the current plight of staff shortages.

“Despite the improved packages being offered by retailers, we are still seeing an abundance of unfilled vacancies across the grocery market, with nearly 7,000 live retail

It seems like retailers are falling over themselves to highlight pay increases and improved benefits for staff at the moment. Is this being done in acknowledgment of the cost-of-living crisis or does it denote an overall crisis in staffing for the sector, asks Fionnuala Carolan?

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney alongside Maeve McCleane, chief people officer at Lidl Ireland & Lidl Northern Ireland, who said the retailer has “significantly increased our investment in pay rises by 30% this year to support our employees as best we can”

roles on just one job board this week,” says Murran.

“There is a combination of factors at play here,” she continues. “A cohort of candidates returned to their homeland during Covid. Many junior candidates who would have traditionally stayed in retail after education opted to take the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, giving them breathing space to find a role outside of retail. And a labour crisis spanning countless sectors has opened up new opportunities to retailers looking for a change.”

Murran says that the primary reason cited by candidates when looking for a move outside of retail is work-life balance. “Even retailers offering reduced contracted hours cannot avoid the fact that many roles still include evening and weekend work and a shift pattern that may be hard to maintain when it conflicts so starkly with family or friends working 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday roles.

“For this reason, those retailers that are making the effort to offer flexibility around rotas, fair weekend rotations, and condensed working weeks are fast becoming the most attractive on the market.”

So what are the retailers offering?

It seems like retailers have realised that they need to dig deep in order to entice staff to stay Last month Lidl announced a €14 million investment in pay increases for its existing workforce in the Republic of Ireland with a further £3 million being invested in the retailer’s operations in Northern Ireland which it operates from its head office in Dublin.

This increase is in addition to the retailer’s commitment in October to paying the new Living Wage rate of €13.85.

Maeve McCleane, chief people officer at Lidl Ireland & Lidl Northern Ireland said this is being done “to recognise the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our team members”.

“We have significantly increased our investment in pay rises by 30% this year to support our employees as best we can, ensuring that we are offering the most competitive and all-encompassing suite of benefits in the jobs market at present.”

Tesco

Not to be outdone, Tesco Ireland has also confirmed a further enhancement of pay and benefits. From 1 April, staff will receive a 4% increase in their hourly pay. From 1 March, Tesco introduced an enhancement of its Colleague Clubcard, providing a monthly 15% discount event on top of the existing 10% discount available on purchases and a twiceyearly 20% discount on seasonal events.

“Our colleagues have told us how much the colleague discount we provide helps them and their families,” said Maurice Kelly, people director at Tesco Ireland.

“As part of our financial wellbeing programme, we’re pleased to be making this permanent investment in our total reward and benefits to further help colleagues and their families.”

A spokesperson for Tesco added that in the last 12 months alone, it has also invested significantly in benefits including paid maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave, along with the introduction of a more accessible industry leading retirement savings plan last year

In turn, Aldi has made a commitment to become the first supermarket to adopt the new recommended Living Wage since 1 February – increasing its minimum pay to €13.85 per hour

M&S has also made a new commitment which means its hourly rate of pay has increased 20% over last two years, alongside an extension of M&S’s industry-leading financial and wellbeing benefits.

It seems like employees are spoilt for choice at the moment but it is long overdue that retail staff are being acknowledged and rewarded for working in this tough industry Whether these pay rises will have the desired effect of retaining staff will become apparent in the next six months or so In the meantime, there will surely be plenty of movement in the industry while staff search for the best packages out there and move roles accordingly

*(Source: According to research of 380 Circle K retail workers and 500 customer facing employees across a broad range of Irish retailers)

**(Source: Ibec, 2022)

What pay and benefits retailers are offering

Aldi:

• Aldi Ireland increased its hourly pay rates for store colleagues from 1 February 2023, paying all store assistants up to €14.90 an hour, with an entry rate of €13.85 an hour

Lidl:

• From 1 March, 2023, all employees will receive on average, a 7.5% pay increase for approximately an additional €2,000 - €2,500 for every employee per annum.

• This is in addition to a commitment to paying the new Living Wage rate of €13.85

Tesco:

• From 1 April, staff will receive a 4% increase in their hourly pay, bringing the total pay increases awarded in past 12 months to 10%.

• From 1 March, the introduction of an enhancement of its Colleague Clubcard with a monthly 15% discount event on top of the existing 10% discount and a twice-yearly 20% discount on seasonal events

• Increasing the annual discount allowance by €200, bringing the annual total allowance to €1,500

• Providing free hot breakfast and lunch options and complimentary period care products for colleagues.

Marks and Spencer:

• M&S UK has announced a £57m investment in store colleague pay which is the retailer’s biggest ever investment in front line-colleague pay.

• Hourly rate of pay has increased 20% over last two years

• A generous pension contribution

• The opportunity to participate in colleague share schemes

• Access to a 24/7 virtual GP service for colleagues and their wider family

• Further benefits to support health and wellbeing, including free Check4Cancer support & risk assessments for the top five most common cancers in the UK - with free screenings for colleagues at higher risk. ■

Tesco Ireland has confirmed a further enhancement of pay and benefits, whereby from 1 April, staff will receive a 4% increase in their hourly pay

“Many junior candidates who would have traditionally stayed in retail after education opted to take the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, giving them breathing space to find a role outside of retail,” Nikki Murran, director, Excel Recruitment

COLIN GORDON marketing expert

Advertising’s role in today’s marketing mix

Too much focus on the glamourous ‘sharp end’ of marketing and too little on the all the necessary co-ordination that takes place behind the scenes to drive sales, has created marketing’s credibility issue in today’s business world, writes Colin

Gordon

It’s been around longer than most parts of what today we view as core elements of business models, much longer than ‘tools’ such as cost-benefit analysis and internal rates of return or shareholder value. Longer than most of what we now call HR, much, much longer than category captaincy, ‘black belt’ performance programmes, nearly all forms of financial engineering, and most of what we now include in (modern) corporate law We all talk

about advertising, many practice it, and the general public are the ‘receivers’ of it all the time. But what exactly is it? What is advertising and what role does it - or should it - play in day-to-day marketing in say grocery or B2B operations?

What exactly is advertising?

When you stand back a distance from the cut and thrust of the day job, you get references that paint advertising as

a ‘tactic’ of marketing, a ‘tool’ to market your offering (i.e. product or service), or a way to inform or influence the customer about what you’re trying to get them to buy

These references - just a small selection, randomly chosen from a casual Google search when thinking of how to approach this article - all point to two things: that advertising is an instrument, and not a strategy. Its role as an instrument is at, or near the end

“Marketing practitioners define their jobs (marketing) as more to do with advertising than does the general population. And this is the cause of so much of what I see as marketing’s credibility issue in today’s business world: there is too much focus on the ‘sharp end’ of the role of marketing and too little on all the (less glamorous?) stuff of coordinating sales and operations, pricing strategy, continuous product development, new pack formats, how to install sustainability into the customer proposition, customer service, etc.”

“Advertising is merely the means by which we tell the customers all about why they should put their faith and their money into buying your product,” writes Colin Gordon

of that part of the value chain that is within the control of the organisation’s operations; and secondly that, as part of this role, advertising depends on the organisation’s products or services – it doesn’t exist on its own or for its own sake.

Marketing’s credibility issue

On one level, this seems obvious but based on research I previously carried out, marketing practitioners define their jobs (marketing) as more to do with advertising than does the general population. And this is the cause of so much of what I see as marketing’s credibility issue in today’s business world: there is too much focus on the ‘sharp end’ of the role of marketing and too little on all the (less glamorous?) stuff of coordinating sales and operations, pricing strategy, continuous product development, new pack formats, how to install sustainability into the customer proposition, customer service, etc.

I emphasise ‘coordinating’ as that is what marketing is essentially about: pulling together all the various aspects of the business operations to best be able to have a product that the customer or consumer is willing to spend their hard-earned money on. And to do so repeatedly.

There is no reason in a company for HR,

finance, production and distribution without having a product to sell, a customer to supply Even a HR company has to supply a customer! There is even no reason for sales unless the various components of the overall product proposition are assembled in the most effective way. Selling is the executional part of the whole endeavour. It’s not the strategy, in the same way as advertising is not the whole of marketing.

In the same research I carried out into what marketing is all about; the general public overwhelmingly sees customer and client service as the most important function to the success of a business.

Importance of knowledgeable staff

There’s increasing commentary about the importance of knowledgeable or helpful service staff in the buying process. In other words, business is all about how you are servicing me, the customer, from the product design to the execution of the sale. If I could interpolate; customers see or hear your ads but are more concerned about how they are being serviced (in its broadest sense) if your business is to be successful. And when it comes to the customer, who else in the organisation, except for whoever is looking after the customer, will

be best at coordinating and fully representing the marketplace and the customer?

Expressing creativity

Advertising is exciting and offers a very obvious chance to express creativity But so too does solving complex pricing issues, or product reformulations, designing the most efficient customer pack (that is outer packs) or arranging ‘Net Promoter Score’ research and follow-ins, and so on. The marketer doesn’t have to actually do the work - that often will fall to functional experts. But somehow the customer and their loyalty has to be at the centre of all these various issues. Who else will champion the customer? And the beauty is that it doesn’t matter if the organisation even has a marketing department or a marketing person. What matters, at the core of any business operation is that someone is coordinating all the elements of the value chain to best monetise (horrible word!) the market opportunity

Advertising is merely the means by which we tell the customers all about why they should put their faith and their money into buying your product.

Advertising is a tool, nothing more. ■

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

Bad Sisters as I love Sharon Horgan. I’ve really enjoyed her series This Way Up as well.

2. Best place for coffee?

We’re really lucky in Kilcullen as two little coffee gems have recently opened, Base Coffee is also drive-through which makes it all the more convenient!

3. Top movie recommendation?

I really enjoyed Banshees of Inisheerin and am so delighted at the Oscar nomination success the Irish film industry has just received.

4. Top spot for a walk?

I love going for a walk in Gloster Woods outside Birr when I visit my mum in Offaly.

5. Top book recommendation?

With a two-year-old, most of my current reading involves Dr Seuss or the 100-acre wood!

6. Which social media platform do you use most? Instagram to browse but rarely posting.

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

Seán Burke; he’s an Irish comedian I find really funny.

8. Favourite grocery shop?

Everyone who stocks the Rudd’s brand of course!

9. Your favourite dish to make at home?

I make a mean salmon pasta bake.

10. First thing you would do if you were Taoiseach? Resign.

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

Germany as I’ve been there a lot with my wife’s family as her dad is German.

12. Greatest achievement to date?

I would have to say setting up and running my own business, albeit not the success I would have hoped for but at 26, I managed to build a national brand over seven years.

13. Best website?

BBC Good Food as I always need a recipe to follow, I can’t just ‘throw things together’.

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

I enjoy being out on the road meeting customers as well as at our production site where I can talk to the team face-to-face, but love that home-working is now an acceptable norm in Ireland.

15. Best piece of advice you ever received?

I was playing in a rugby trials match and my dad said to me “Wear pink rugby socks. Don’t ever be afraid to stand out.” That was great advice and I’ve never

forgotten it.

16. Biggest fear?

I’m not a strong swimmer so sea swimming terrifies me.

17. Top restaurant recommendation?

I was once a guest at the chef’s table in Chapter One which was an unforgettable experience.

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

Metallica in Slane as Covid put a stop to my concert-going for a while.

19. Best customer service you ever received?

Probably Carton House as I got married there and have been back on anniversaries and they’ve always acknowledged our stay with a handwritten note and it just makes the experience really special.

20. What’s the last compliment you received?

From my wife who complimented me that I always stay positive, no matter what life throws at us. ■

QUICK QUESTIONS WITH SIMON RUDD head of commercial, Rudd’s Fine Foods

Simon Rudd

Centra to invest €23 million in store expansion programme for 2023

Centra, Ireland’s leading convenience retailer, has announced a €23 million investment in its store expansion programme The investment will see it grow its nationwide presence with the opening of 18 new stores, creating at least 468 new jobs across local communities, bringing the total employment figure at Centra to over 12,000.

As part of the programme, Centra will also revamp and refresh 35 existing stores in 2023, with their bespoke award-winning store design. Centra’s store expansion and investment programme is in addition to the €25 million deployed last year which included the refresh of 33 outlets across its world-class retail estate.

2022 saw sales of over €1.98 billion achieved for the first time across 167 million consumer transactions. Customers found value in Centra stores during the pandemic and continue to enjoy the savings Centra offers, visiting regularly and often for their convenience needs. The brand has demonstrated strong resilience in the face of the ever-increasing economic challenges, which has resulted in a 17% increase in sales compared to 2019, the last non-Covid-19 impacted retail year

As 2022 saw the final lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, employees returned to offices in urban locations around the country This trend saw a significant uplift in demand for Centra’s convenience offering with the on-the-go breakfast and lunch options increasing sales by 13% on 2021. Lunchtime deli sales alone increased by almost 11%

(10.9%) compared to 2021 as the need for convenience lunch topped the agenda for consumers. Frank and Honest coffee sales were up 7%. In addition, Centra’s bakery also continued to grow in popularity, with sales increasing by 8% year on year as onthe-go favourites such as scones, pastries, rolls and baguettes continued to fill consumers baskets as convenience foods of choice.

However, 2022 was not without its challenges as we saw the cost-of-living crisis begin to take hold. Shopping trends showed that consumers made a shift in the latter part of 2022 and were focused more heavily on dining in, with the Centra Freshly Prepared range enjoying a 10% growth year on year As consumers continued to pursue value and shop ‘smarter’, Centra also saw demand for their own-brand

Ian Allen Managing Director Centra, Ian Cuddihy, Centra Council Chair & Cormac Dawson Sales Director Centra pictured at the annual Centra Conference at The Great Southern, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

range increase significantly, with sales growing by 10.3%, with customers who made the switch enjoying savings of up to 50%.

Speaking about the announcement, Centra Managing Director Ian Allen said: “At Centra, we strive to deliver the best value and exceptional quality Irish products to customers. Our in-depth understanding of the role of convenience in shopping decisions saw us adapt to the schedules of our time-poor shopper, meeting their needs at each hour of the day Today’s customers are shopping little and often and Centra is the perfect solution to meet this trend.

With nearly 500 stores, Centra is Ireland’s leading convenience retailer operating in every community across the country and is well-placed as a destination for top-up shopping. The breadth, scale and value offered through our Centra stores ensures that we can continue to meet the changing daily needs of our customers on their doorstep.

Ian Allen continued: “We are also cognisant that these are challenging times, with increased living costs and rising inflation. We’re continuously adapting to meet our customers’ needs and I would like to thank them for their loyalty, as well

as our retail partners in every community across Ireland for the role they have played in delivering this relentless value and service.”

This year and beyond, Centra will continue its focus to innovate and enhance its offerings to consumers.

In Q1 2023, Centra expects to expand its trial same-day delivery partnership with Just Eat & Deliveroo to six further locations. Customers have shown significant interest in the delivery service, which was rolled out across 34 locations in 2022.

Moo’d ice cream, our exclusive ice cream brand, enjoyed a 13% increase in sales in 2022, with growth fuelled by the installation of a further 34 new Moo’d ice-cream counters across the retail estate in 2022. The much-loved ice cream brand will see an expanding of gelato flavours, giving customers greater choice and enjoyment of the range.

In addition, Centra’s partnership with The Happy Pear continues to go from strength to strength, with a 21% growth in sales recorded in 2022, with soups, meals and cereals all proving popular amongst shoppers.

Sustainability will continue to be a leading priority for Centra, with 96% of

own-brand product packaging now recyclable, reusable or compostable, which positions the business ahead of targets to achieve 100% green packaging by 2025. Having launched the Musgrave Sustainability Fund in 2022 to the tune of €25 million, Centra stores across Ireland are undergoing sustainable upgrades. So far, 200 Centra stores in the Republic of Ireland have availed of the fund which has achieved a reduction of 1,714 tonnes of carbon to date. This fund is part of the company’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2040. Through the fund, Centra stores can avail of funding for LED lighting, refrigeration and freezer upgrades, electronic shelf edge labels (eSELs), solar panels, and electric delivery vans.

Centra stores continue to play an active role in their communities, making significant financial contributions through employment, sponsorships and supports to a number of charities, which remains a priority for the business throughout 2023. Last year, Centra stores raised over €105,000 for the Irish Cancer Society Centra also launched their in-store fundraiser in March 2022 to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine. This funding, combined with the Musgrave Group fundraising appeal contributed over €1 million to these efforts.

Employers should always follow best practice guidelines for probation management to avoid complaints under the industrial relations legislation

Probation management

Probation management can be seen as an extension of the recruitment and selection process. A probation period is a time period at the beginning of employment which allows the employer to assess the employee’s suitability for the role and address any performance-related issues, early in the employment. During the probationary period, it is easier for an employer to end an employee’s employment due to under performance, as they do not have the protection of the Unfair Dismissals Acts until they reach 12 months’ service. Nevertheless, employers should follow best practice guidelines for probation management to avoid complaints under the industrial relations legislation.

A probationary clause should be outlined in an employee’s contract and should state the length of the employee’s probation period. The passing of the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions)

Regulations 2022 saw changes made to the probation period. In Ireland, from 1 August 2022, in situations where an employee is subject to a probationary period at the commencement of their employment, that period must not exceed six months. The probationary period may on an exceptional basis, be longer but it must be in the interest of the employee and must not exceed 12 months.

Notice required

In exceptional circumstances, where the probation period is up to 12 months, employers should be cautious about ending probation at the 12-month mark. This is because under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, an employer is required to give an employee one week’s notice when terminating employment, if the employee has been employed for 13 weeks to two years and notice periods are included in the calculation of length of service. Therefore, in the case where an employee feels that they have been unfairly dismissed, they would have the required service to take a case under the Unfair Dismissals Acts.

Steps within probation review

The following steps can be used to successfully carry out a probation review:

• Invite the employee to their probation review by sending a letter via email.

• During the meeting, an employee should be provided with constructive feedback:

• The employer should begin by outlining the positive aspects of the employee’s performance and give an example(s).

• The employer should explain the area/s the employee needs to improve in and provide an example(s).

• The employer should outline goals that they would like the employee to achieve by the next probation review meeting.

• The employer should assure the employee that they will provide them with any support and assistance that will help them reach the standard expected of them.

• During the first probation review meeting, it is important to inform the employee that the employer/manager has the option to extend the probation period if they feel it is necessary but that this will not exceed six months. An employer should also outline that the employee may be at risk of failing their probation period if their performance does not reach the standards required for the role.

• After each probation review meeting, it is important to draft and send a follow-up letter to the employee with a detailed summary of what was discussed in the probation review meeting.

If an employee failed to reach the standard required and the employer has followed the above recommendations, the employee should be invited to a final probation review meeting where the employer informs them that their contract of employment is being terminated. It is important to note that the invite should clearly outline that the potential outcome of the meeting may be that the employee has failed their probation period. A final follow-up letter should then outline all the aspects of performance that were not improved upon, final date, notice period, reference for future employer, and a statement that any accrual of annual leave will be paid.

Over-C Technology

CONTACT 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 our office on (066) 7102887 or email us at info@thehrsuiteonline.com

Probation reviews which are conducted throughout the probation period allow an employer to assess the employee’s suitability for the role and match for the company Therefore, during an employee’s probation period, an employer should be meeting the employee on a regular basis. For example, if the employee’s probation period is six months, the employer should schedule a meeting with the employee on month 1, month 3 and month 5.

An important learning has emerged from the Over-C Technology case. The employee’s contract contained a clause which allowed his employment to be terminated for no reason during his probation period. It would be important that employers adopt this clause in employment contracts going forward.

Termination of a contract is permitted for poor performance and ‘fair procedures’ shall not apply However, it would be vital that employers continue to adhere to good HR practices as outlined above. In cases of misconduct or gross misconduct, it is not the probation process that should be used but rather the disciplinary procedure, and fair procedure and natural justice should apply ■

CAROLINE REIDY managing director, The HR Suite

The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy outlines all the steps needed to successfully conduct a probation review, including what to do if the contract of employment needs to be terminated

Power your personal balance sheet with Income Protection

While cashflow powers your business balance sheet, Retailwealth, powered by Walfrid Private Wa , explains how Income Protection powers your personal balance sheet

One of the most important things a business owner can do is to protect themselves against a loss of income. Your family and your lifestyle rely (to a certain degree) on your ability to earn income and as such, it should be treated as a commodity

It allows for a certain lifestyle that you have become accustomed to, and people need to be aware what would happen should the ability to earn an income be taken away for any reason.

Income Protection is a tax efficient solution covering individuals in the case that they may become unable to work, due to illness or injury, and offering them a guaranteed replacement source of income should the unwanted or unexpected happen.

When you think of insurance in general, such as car insurance, you take out the cover in case of you being in an accident rather than the guarantee that you will be in one. In this scenario, everybody knows it is better to have the insurance against the possibility, rather than not having the cover, should a crash occur It is exactly the same situation for income protection. You are insuring against a possibility, rather than a guarantee but unlike car insurance, personal income protection is not required by law and far too many business owners do not insure themselves against potentially losing their ability to earn a livable income.

Walfrid Private specialises in offering various levels and types of income protection for individuals (Personal Income Protection) and business owners (Executive Income Protection) Company directors can actually have their company pay for their premiums, which means it is a cost-effective expense to the business. Personal Income Protection is deductible against an individual’s income tax bill.

Income protection is a support that enables recipients to receive an income whilst being unable to work. Whilst in receipt of any claim, the premiums paid to the Life Insurance Company are put on hold so the

person can focus on recovery and when they return to work, the premiums can restart in case of any future illness/injury. The income received can be used to cover their bills or medical expenses whilst the recipient is out of work, or it can even be used to maintain doing things that make the recipient happy However the money is used, it is there as a support to the individual and their family and to assist with the purpose of recovery. The main reasons a person would need to incorporate income protection into their wealth development plan would be:

• If you are self employed/employed and do not receive sick pay

• Have dependants who rely upon your income

• Have no other income sources

• Do not have enough benefits to replace your lost income and/or cover your expenses

• If you do not have passive assets in your Holding Companies Protect your cashflow today. See it as an investment and not an expense. The cost of not protecting your cashflow far outweighs the cost of protecting it.

Retailwealth, powered by Walfrid Private, has been assisting company directors, sole traders and individuals in the retail sector for the last 10 years in terms of protecting what is most important to them...

• Their health

• Their wealth

• Their income

• And most importantly, their family. Contact Walfrid Private today to arrange a confidential, no obligation consultation to see how the team can help you protect what is important to you. ■

Baby in bloom!

According to Euromonitor Ireland, Irish consumers are likely to continue looking for higherquality baby food, with premium brands and value-added products set to continue driving sales growth. In particular, Euromonitor reports Irish parents are expected to continue preferring value-added products with additional features, with health and wellness likely to be a major focus. With that in mind, we highlight the leading brands and innovations that are top of the pack when it comes to delivering care and quality for precious little ones

When it comes to feeding their little ones, parents will always want the best products and quality they can get. Indeed, one report from Euromonitor Ireland published in September 2022 found that demand for high quality and premium brands is expected to go up as parents seek added value

The analyst reported Irish consumers are likely to continue looking for higher-quality baby food, with premium brands and valueadded products set to continue driving sales growth. In particular, Irish parents are expected to continue preferring value-added products with additional features, with health and wellness likely to be a major focus.

According to Euromonitor’s ‘Baby Food in Ireland’ report, although Ireland’s official population now tops five million, indicating that the country’s population is growing, closer analysis reveals that the main reason for the country’s expanding population is migration from other European countries. That said, Euromonitor finds that migration among young couples is likely to continue being a favourable factor for sales of baby food during the forecast five-year period. Low breastfeeding rates also maintain sales of baby food, especially milk formula, Euromonitor states.

Significantly, Ireland is one of the leading global exporters of infant milk formula, thanks to our thriving dairy farming industry In 2014, one in seven babies worldwide consumed products manufactured in Ireland.

A recent UK-based report by Mintel entitled ‘Baby Food and Drink Market Report 2022’ also revealed some interesting findings that are likewise pertinent to the Irish market. According to Mintel, parents’ high level of environmental concern around baby food and drink offers a call to action, especially in light of their increased eco-consciousness as a result of the pandemic. With recycling claims widespread in the category but holding little sway on purchase, Mintel argues that brands need to take a more proactive approach to sustainability also spelling out to consumers the tangible benefits of buying ‘greener’ products.

Specifically, Mintel found that 66% of parents of 0–4-year-olds report concern about the environmental impact of baby food and drink packaging. 66% of parents of 0–4-yearolds also give their children homemade food at least once a day.

While Mintel predicted that scratch cooking will increase, it also found that “many parents’ greater willingness to pay more for products intended for their children than for themselves should support sales to some extent”.

Looking towards future market trends until 2026, Mintel found that the trend for delayed motherhood could offer the “potential to grow value sales by facilitating trading up; older mothers tending to be better off financially”.

Cooking kits designed for parents and toddlers to use together are a promising area for brands to explore, Mintel reports. These products have the potential to appeal during

the income squeeze as a fun and relatively inexpensive activity for parents and children to do together while also teaching children valuable life skills.

Mintel also published a ‘UK Baby Products Market Report’ in 2021, which found that the babies’ and children’s personal care products, nappies and wipes category had grown in value for the first time in several years, rising by 2.8% in value to £676m in 2020 Mintel found that parents have acted more cautiously as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating stockpiling, bulk-buying and increased hygiene behaviours, which have driven higher spend across all three segments.

Mintel stated that Covid-19 has accelerated parents’ concerns towards babies’ skin health as 63% of parents of 0-4-year-olds who buy babies’ personal care products, nappies or wipes think that babies’ skin can be damaged by washing/cleaning a lot. Brands can look to innovate in moisturising claims, microbiomefriendly formulas and natural antibacterial ingredients to appeal to these concerns.

The analyst also found there are opportunities for the category to premiumise in line with eco-ethical trends, which show no sign of stalling; when it comes to babies’/ children’s personal care, 21% of parents who buy them are interested in biodegradable formulas. Moreover, emotional wellbeing has become more important, suggesting opportunities for aromatherapy ingredients, mood-boosting scents or massage applicators.

Keeping babies’ bottoms happy

Caldesene powder has been keeping babies’ bottoms happy by preventing and treating nappy rash for over 45 years. All parents or carers have to do is simply cleanse and dry the affected area, and sprinkle on Caldesene after each nappy change or as directed by a doctor

Caldesene is the only medicated powder available for nappy rash and is available in 20g, 55g, and 100g formats. Available in pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide, for more information go to www.caldesene.ie/

Ireland’s number one baby cereal

With an impressive 67%* market share, Milupa is Ireland’s number one baby cereal.

Milupa Cereals are ‘Tailored for Little Tummies’ through every step in the weaning journey. Milupa’s great flavours provide taste and texture progression for little ones all the way up to one year What’s more, Milupa Cereals contain no added sugar or salt** and no added flavourings, colours or preservatives.

*(Source: Nielsen Scantrack Sales Value MAT 29 Jan 2023) **(Contains naturally occurring sugars and sodium only)

Gold standard in baby nutrition

SMA Pro Follow-on-Milk recently received a Gold Award at the ninth annual National Product Awards (NPPAs) at a ceremony hosted by Ireland’s specialist parenting content agency, Zahra.

hosted Ireland’s

The NPPAs are Ireland’s first and only independently verified consumer awards of products and services for young families. Created by Zahra in partnership with Kantar, the NPPAs aim to uncover the most trusted products on today’s market, according to parents.

category

development

achieving highest

2022 has been the award’s most competitive year to date, with more than 200 products entered by brands across Ireland and overseas. SMA Pro Follow-on Milk’s win in the highly competitive ‘Best Follow-on Formula’ category is in recognition of the brand’s robust commitment to research and development in achieving the highest standards in baby nutritional products.

SMA Nutrition has been pioneering research in baby nutrition for over 100 years and has over 70 years’ breast milk research. The company has subsequently produced the SMA Pro range of Follow-on and Growing Up Milks, expertly created with nature in mind to support babies’ unique nutritional needs. SMA Pro Follow-on Milk is tailored for babies from six months as part of a varied weaning diet. It is enriched with iron to help support normal cognitive development in a baby’s brain. Inspired by research into nature’s wonderful nutrients, SMA Pro Follow-on Milk also contains 2’FL – the brand’s latest breakthrough in baby nutrition.

“We are delighted that SMA Pro Follow-on

SMA Pro Follow-on Milk’s Gold Award recognises the brand’s robust commitment to research and development in achieving the highest standards in baby nutritional products

Milk has received gold in the ‘Best Follow-on Formula’ category at this year’s National Product Awards,” said Catherine O’Connor, senior brand manager at Nestlé Nutrition Ireland.

“This win in a highly competitive category and in a year of record-high entries to the awards overall is testament to our commitment to pioneering research and excellence in baby nutrition,” she continued. “This award is particularly special for us as a team, given that it has been voted for by parents, which shows that SMA Pro Follow-on Milk is not only highly regarded within the industry, but is also a trusted product among our most important critics; Irish parents and their babies.” ■

Milupa is the Ireland’s leading baby cereal with 67% market share

Caldesene is available in 20g, 55g, and 100g formats

Ensuring staff retention

At a time when staff retention is firmly under the spotlight in Ireland’s retail industry, Excel Recruitment’s Nikki Murran analyses candidate feedback to give her thoughts on how to cultivate long-term employee loyalty

Irecently marked 10 years with Excel Recruitment, and I was amazed by how many people were surprised by this. The recruitment industry can be notorious for high staff turnover, but I always thought we were lucky as we have great staff retention.

But is it luck? Or is there a roadmap, a set of instructions other companies can mirror, which leads to the holy grail of staff longevity?

A hot topic amongst retailers in recent months has been staff retention. One of the most frustrating parts of being an employer or indeed manager is when you invest months in onboarding and training new people, only for them to move on within their first year. It often feels like time entirely wasted – you are only starting to get a return on your investment on the hours of training and they are gone! But why are they going?

Looking at feedback from candidates who have declared themselves “ready to move on”, there are some interesting observations that might answer this:

Salary

Whilst most retailers indicate the one thing they are doing to retain their people is to increase their salary, it’s

very often the last motivation cited by candidates looking for a move. Now don’t get me wrong – if someone feels they are undervalued or underpaid

it’s a top priority! But for the most part, retailers are paying their teams fairly to attract them in the first place. So, whilst salary increases may keep them from leaving – it won’t actually get them to stay if the other factors aren’t right.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance is the number one reason candidates go to the trouble of typing out a CV Since the pandemic, there has been a huge shift toward finding a better work-life balance. I don’t think that’s news to anyone. Most of the larger retailers have reduced their management’s contracted hours and many candidates are actively seeking out roles with these businesses. But it’s not all about the contracted hours. Something as simple as a fair distribution of evening and weekend shifts can be one of the best tools to retain staff.

Flexibility

Flexibility is probably the perk we hear most from candidates who decline a job move. In fact, I’m sure it’s part of what got me to the 10-year mark with Excel! With small kids, mornings can be hectic – actually, any time is hectic – but a little flexibility in my working week means I can balance interviews, meetings, bedtime stories, and school drop-offs. In a store setting, it definitely takes a bit more rota planning and tweaking –but I’m sure many would opt for this rather than doing yet another interview or induction!

Culture

The little things go a long way also. While candidates don’t explicitly say it – it’s the small things that add up and ultimately form the culture of the company. They say things like – “I like it here”, “I’m happy where I am”,

or “It would take a lot to make me move”. These things don’t cost retailers a lot – it’s showing kindness and gratitude for work done. Small tokens for staff on certain days and staff lunches or parties don’t often seem like a big deal but for such small gestures, these things come up more often than you might think when we ask candidates to tell us about their current jobs.

Annual leave quota

Another subject that comes up time and again is the annual leave quota. I was surprised initially by the strength of this one, but I have had everincreasing numbers of candidates turning down job offers as they didn’t want to lose their extra annual leave days. Often these extra days come with length of service. So many retailers don’t offer any additional days past statutory but take my word, the ones that do – have a better grip on their staff. When you think about it, it’s the ideal benefit, as you are giving those days to your most experienced people, the ones you really don’t want to lose. The more experienced and valuable they are –the more days they accrue – the harder it is to walk away from them! (and you!)

Empowerment

I was probably only with Excel for six months when I knew that this was somewhere I could stay long-term. I had gone to my CEO with an idea about a flyer and his nearly immediate response, was “if you think it’s a good idea, do it!” That sort of empowerment may seem unimportant, but to me it was pivotal. I felt valued. As the years have gone on and I’ve brought plenty more ideas his way (some better than others and some truly awful), I’ve always felt heard, I’ve always felt valued, and I’ve always felt like my opinion mattered. It’s hard to walk away from that ■

Seemingly small gestures such as showing kindness and gratitude for work done well, can all add up to a positive work culture which makes employees want to stay, writes Nikki Murran

NIKKI MURRAN Director, Grocery Retail Recruitment, Excel Recruitment www.excelrecruitment.com

Strides in sustainability

As consumers watch the climate crisis unfold, many have altered their consumption patterns to embrace more sustainable brands and products. Indeed, Accenture’s recent ‘The Sustainable Consumer: Bridging the Gap Between Aspiration and Action’ report found that 80% of people want to live more sustainably, and 75% are calling on businesses to do more to help

Meanwhile, research from Every Can Counts revealed that 95% of people living in Ireland want to see more done by businesses to protect the environment, with the onus first and foremost on companies improving their packaging recyclability Answering the call of these eco-conscious consumers, many brands

have significantly boosted their sustainable profiles in recent years, with the companies displayed on these pages providing great examples of this.

“Society expects organisations to play their part in the community, economy, and environment, dealing with the big issues that we face today, not just in Ireland but globally,” said Niamh Boyle, managing director, The Reputations Agency, which published the Ireland RepTrak Sustainability Index 2022* in October

“The results of the Ireland RepTrak Sustainability Index 2022, show us that the Irish public perceive over half of the 100 organisations studied to be doing either an

Sustainability at the heart of business

Waddington Europe, a Novolex brand, is a premier European food packaging specialist with a key manufacturing facility in Arklow, Co Wicklow. It is a highly experienced and trusted supplier of food packaging solutions across a wide range of categories including bakery, dairy, produce, protein, food-to-go, confectionery, pet food and more.

The brand’s site at Arklow (formally Holfeld Plastics); established in 1978 and acquired by Waddington Europe in 2014, has become a leading rigid plastics packaging manufacturer creating highquality, innovative products and solutions.

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of all its business decisions, and the company is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment. Waddington Europe, Arklow helps customers meet their own environmental commitments by offering high-recycled content and lower carbon footprint products. The brand designs sustainable food packaging products for recyclability and continually works to reduce the amount of material used in its products through downgauging.

inadequate (9%) or fairly mediocre (47%) job in sustainability, while the remaining 43% are perceived to have robust sustainability strategies in play,” Boyle added. “We know that many organisations are working hard and investing more each year in their sustainability agendas, but they continue to struggle to achieve cut through and to really embed themselves in consumers’ minds as leaders in sustainability.”

*(Source: The Ireland RepTrak Sustainability Index 2022 study was independently carried out by The Reputations Agency, based on the views of over 6,500 members of the public in the Republic of Ireland who participated in an online survey for over two months from 3 January to 14 March 2022)

Its Eco Blend Pura and Eco Blend 100 products are made of 100% recycled PET (rPET), most of which is purchased locally from Shabra, Ireland’s leading recycler and reprocessor of post-consumer waste (PCW). Eco Blend products are fully recyclable too, offering customers circularity in their packaging solutions at competitive prices.

Waddington Europe is also proud to have achieved Zero Waste to Landfill certification across all its production sites. Through exceptional service, execution and an unwavering focus on sustainable and innovative solutions, Waddington Europe strives to make a difference to its customers, communities and the planet every day. For more information, visit www.waddingtoneurope.com.

With research demonstrating that 80% of people want to live more sustainably, and 75% are calling on businesses to do more to help, companies that are making strides to improve their sustainability credentials are not only playing their part to protect our planet, but are also engaging eco-conscious customers and fortifying their brand loyalty as a result

We stay ahead of a constantly moving consumer world by being agile, innovative and passionate about the possibilities of packaging.

From design, tooling manufacturing to extrusion and thermoforming, we take care of everything in-house.

Working each day to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Because we know the huge role we play in creating a world that our children – and their children – can enjoy.

That’s why we do more than simply excel at packaging.

We take packaging personally.

Eduardo Gomes, managing director, Waddington Europe & withA

Q: What type of food packaging do you manufacture?

A: Our site at Arklow, formally Holfeld Plastics, manufactures rigid plastics packaging that is clear and lightweight, providing customers with high-quality, innovative products and sustainable solutions.

For example, we manufacture Eco Blend Pura, our premium range of 100% rPET (recycled PET) trays that are also fully recyclable. Made entirely from post-consumer plastic waste, these products demonstrate true circularity, keeping plastic out of landfills by turning discarded bottles, pots and tubs into new food trays. We’re one of only a few suppliers that can truly offer and maintain the supply of 100% recycled plastic at a competitive cost

Q: Do you design bespoke packaging for small companies or is it more large scale?

A: We cater to both large and small companies, but a majority of our customers are large scale We are a vertically integrated company. That means we can provide a complete endto-end packaging supply service, including design, extrusion, tooling manufacture and thermoforming.

It’s important to know that we use a flexible, streamlined approach to increase efficiency and give our customers more bang for their buck. We are constantly improving our processes to boost productivity, allowing us to manufacture at high volume with minimal waste.

Our teams are always working to bring unique product solutions to market, with a strong focus on innovative, sustainable solutions.

Q: What companies do you currently work with?

A: We work across a wide range of brands and retailers. We don’t measure them by size but rather the added value that we can bring to their businesses. Most of our customers are food packers and processors that supply the

Make the switch

Reach Delpac is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of customised and generic packaging with a large focus on sustainable food packaging.

As a leading packaging supplier, Reach Delpac recognises its responsibility to minimise heavy burden single-use plastics and other unsustainable packaging products. The company has therefore sourced a complete range of sustainable packaging products that are fully compostable and biodegradable

The company’s sustainable collection includes everything from cups, bags, cutlery, food packaging and much more - even with the option for a bespoke solution. Reach Delpac

big retailers, as well as independent brands and distributors. Increasingly, we are working closer with retailers, as their focus on sustainability drives them to be more closely involved with the supply chain at all levels. We are all about innovation. This means finding sustainable solutions, optimising the weight of packaging, protecting food from waste and ensuring the highest-quality products for our customers, and their customers.

Q: What makes your packaging eco-friendly?

A: Our commitment to environmental sustainability and the circular economy runs deep We design our sustainable food packaging products for easy and full recyclability, encourage the use of materials that promote circularity, and work to reduce the amount of material used in our products through downgauging. Our efforts include:

• Introducing Monoair, a mono material soft fruit punnet with built-in cushion technology that doesn’t need additional bubble padding to prevent fruit bruising. That creates less plastic and makes recycling much easier for consumers and the material recycling facilities (MRFs)

• Launching Piranha, a mono material modified atmospheric pack (MAP) tray that seals the film lid for greasy contents like meat, fish and poultry using a series of raised teeth. That eliminates the need to apply a layer of polyethylene or adhesive, which traditionally can cause contamination in the recycling stream.

• Making products with Eco Blend 100, which is 100% rPET, a mix of post-consumer and postindustrial waste that is fully recyclable

• Introducing Hot Fill rPET220 containers made from recycled plastic. These ground-breaking rPET products can withstand temperatures of up to 130°C, making them convenient packaging options for microwavable sauces, soups and ready meals.

carefully selects its products from leading brands in sustainable packaging such as Naturesse which is 100% climate neutral. All Naturesse products are made of rapidly renewable raw materials, completely compostable and of course aesthetically designed! Reach Delpac’s sustainable packaging is available on its website at www.reach-delpac.ie

The brand advises retailers to make the switch to sustainable packaging today with Reach Delpac.

www.reach-delpac.ie | custservices@reach-delpac.ie | +353 (0) 23 885 8107

Eduardo Gomes

• Teaming up with Shabra, Ireland’s leading recycler and reprocessor of post-consumer waste (PCW). We’re purchasing food-grade rPET sourced from bottles, pots, tubs and trays to manufacture new rPET food packaging products at our Arklow production site. We also actively work with all our suppliers, customers and contractors to improve their environmental performance and sustainability efforts as well.

Q: What do you believe needs to change with current food packaging solutions to ensure they are more sustainable?

A: At Waddington Europe we already design for recycling at scale as part of our new product development (NPD) process.

However, we still need everyone working together to resolve the wider issues of packaging and sustainability. This means producers, consumers, businesses and governments all must play a role.

It’s also important for everyone to focus on the whole carbon footprint of packaging not just what happens to it at the end of its life. Every product has an optimal substrate for its packaging, and we are here to help our customers find the best solution for their product. This approach will also help customers choose the right substrate with the optimum carbon footprint for the product it protects (wet, dry, frozen, etc.). Finally, it will help prevent a poor decision to move all products to just one sole form of packaging substrate, which will just lead to larger environmental issues and other problems down the line.

There is a place for all packaging material substrates. As plastic recycling is a wellunderstood waste stream, we can build on that by keeping plastic packaging circularity as local as possible, ensuring its carbon footprint stays as low as possible

Reach Delpac’s sustainable collection includes everything from cups, bags, cutlery, food packaging and much more

Russell and Garrett Walsh, co-founders of VivaGreen & withA

Q: What inspired you to launch a new product range in personal care products, particularly a hand wash, a body wash, and a shampoo?

A: The successful launch of our existing Tru Eco range of eco-friendly laundry and household cleaners combined with positive feedback from stores and customers asking for hand wash, body wash and shampoo products, inspired us to extend the range Developing these category-leading products not only allows for high volume sales but also allows us to substitute standard products with an ecofriendly alternative.

Our new Tru Eco personal care range is affordable, accessible, and effective to meet the needs of conscious consumers seeking kinder solutions for their skin and hair

consumers a healthy and more affordable option compared to similar products on the market The range is eco-friendly and refillable and by refilling consumers can save up to 36% while also reducing their plastic waste.

Tru Eco personal care products are for people who are mindful of the environmental and seeking kinder products for their skin and hair at an affordable price. The products are free from harmful chemicals and are formulated using gentle plant-based surfactants, natural fragrance oils and absent of colourants making them kind to all skin types including dry and sensitive skin.

By buying VivaGreen’s products, consumers are supporting a local, eco-friendly Irish business, and reducing their plastic waste footprint, and environmental impact as well as lowering carbon emissions.

Q: How have you developed the formulas for these products, and what kind of ingredients have you used?

oceans, which can affect water quality, habitats, and associated wildlife. It can also affect the quality of the water we drink.

As with the current Tru Eco range of laundry and household cleaners, the new personal care range focuses on a circular economy approach. Each bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic which is recyclable and refillable, creating a circular economy product range

Q: What is your overall marketing strategy for these products, and what kind of message do you want to convey to your target audience?

The Tru Eco range has now been expanded to include eco-friendly personal care products

Q: Who is your target audience for these products?

A: These products are perfect for conscious consumers who are looking for sustainable and affordable skin care items that are kind to their skin and hair, the planet, and their pockets. Typically, people who are environmentally conscious and want to reduce their impact on the planet. Our new Tru Eco personal care products are gentle with natural ingredients and safe for kids therefore parents who are concerned about the health and safety of their children are a key target audience. Also, Millennials and Gen Z, who are known for their concern for the environment and desire for sustainable products and health and wellness enthusiasts who prioritise their health and wellbeing and are interested in using ecofriendly personal care products that are free from harmful chemicals.

Q: What is the unique selling proposition (USP) of your product range? What sets it apart from other similar products in the market?

A: The Tru Eco personal care range offers

A: We developed our new personal care range with VivaGreen’s lead researcher, Dr Anne Marie Mahon. Dr Mahon is a marine biologist, ecologist, and environmental scientist with a background in research and development. Dr Mahon was involved in the research of these products and setting out the credentials and standards for the products in terms of efficacy, health, and environment. She managed the process of sourcing ingredients which would satisfy these criteria, for example, what oils would deliver the best results for skin and hair, determining the formulation and procedure of manufacturing and testing the final products through the Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment.

The new Tru Eco personal care range has undergone rigorous testing and has passed the Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment, which is mandatory for cosmetic products in the UK and EU “to confirm the product is within the safety limits as set by the UK and the EU” and involves all stability and microbiological testing required to place a cosmetic product on the market

Q: What kind of packaging have you chosen for your products?

A: About 8 million tonnes of plastic enters our oceans each year and plastic bottles are one of the top litter items found in the aquatic environment. Using products that have a refill option helps consumers to do their bit to protect the planet by preventing plastic from going into landfill and into our rivers and

A: We are investing in an exciting PR and marketing campaign that involves a combination of traditional PR, print and radio advertising and digital marketing including social media and search engine optimisation tailored to the target audience. The Tru Eco personal care range will also be supported in-store though promotions, shelf talkers, FSDUs and shelf-edge fins.

Q: Are you planning to use any celebrity endorsements for your products, and if so, who are you considering and why?

A: Yes, we are delighted to be working with Anna Daly, the award-winning TV broadcaster and owner of ethical lifestyle brand, Little Bliss. We really admire Anna’s enthusiasm, professionalism, and work ethic. We are both members of Guaranteed Irish and we believe she will resonate with our target audiences hugely It made sense for us - Anna is also a mother of three young boys and believes in what we are doing for the future of our planet. Watch out for Anna in April during the consumer campaign launch and via her social media channels.

future

VivaGreen co-founders Russell and Garrett Walsh, with Anna Daly, the award-winning TV broadcaster and owner of ethical lifestyle brand, Little Bliss, who is also an ambassador for VivaGreen

TV broadcaster Anna Daly believes in what VivaGreen and its Tru Eco range are doing for the

of our planet

Creating tomorrow together

Musgrave MarketPlace is leading by example to help combat some of the world’s biggest environmental and social issues at a local level with its ‘Creating Tomorrow Together’ initiative.

As well as its commitment to transforming the business to be net zero by 2040, with 40% of its transport using a sustainable fuel source by 2025, Musgrave MarketPlace currently works with over 800 Irish suppliers, 100% of its fresh beef and lamb is Irish, and all seven branches use 100% green electricity Now, Musgrave MarketPlace is dialling up its focus on becoming the leading foodservice partner brand on food waste.

Partnering with FoodCloud, Musgrave MarketPlace has provided 1.2m meals to local charities since 2016 – preventing over 1.6m kilos of CO2-equivalent emissions entering landfill. But how can they help customers with food waste? A recent EPA report estimated 150,000 tonnes of food waste is thrown out by the Irish foodservice industry every year! It’s a recurring area of concern for foodservice customers so, Musgrave MarketPlace is now working to help them.

On 4 April 2023, Musgrave MarketPlace will host a live event and webinar to support customers on their food waste journey. Joined by a range of guest speakers including Eoin Cluskey, owner of Bread 41, Niall Hill, foodservice industry consultant and food waste expert, and WRAP, which is using its resources and tools to support the

A uniting force

Musgrave is a proud Irish family-owned business, with a 145-year heritage in food and brand innovation. Its unique ownership structure and commitment to Ireland gives it an unrivalled passion and pulse in local communities. The independent retail model, means Musgrave takes a long-term sustainable view on the decisions it makes with retailers, ensuring Musgrave delivers a positive impact on the communities in which the group and its retailers operate.

In 2019, Musgrave was selected to become one of Ireland’s first SDG Champions due to its ongoing commitment to and leadership in operating a sustainable business.

A core value of Musgrave is long term stable relationships, which is evidenced in SuperValu’s 33-year partnership with TidyTowns and the successful extension of that partnership agreement to 2027 SuperValu is fully aligned to the fundamental core values of SuperValu TidyTowns, encouraging communities to improve their local environment and make their area a better place to live, work and visit.

foodservice industry in the reduction of food waste globally They will discuss managing food waste at every step, summer menu planning with food waste in mind, and top tips for getting started and making it happen in your business.

To find out more about the event, follow Musgrave MarketPlace on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Over the last 65 years, 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 over 33 years ago, the competition has grown from strength to strength. In 1990 there were 616 committees; today there are 1,000 active committees and a solid movement of almost 30,000 volunteers enhancing and improving towns and villages around the country

Over the last three decades SuperValu and the TidyTowns unit of the Department of Community and Rural Development, have worked hand in hand to develop and grow SuperValu TidyTowns to what it is today, a uniting force, gathering people from all parts of the community to work together for a common cause

SuperValu TidyTowns is a unique community movement, unparalleled in Europe which has a huge impact on our communities. The continued success and growth of SuperValu TidyTowns is an endorsement of the dedication, commitment and passion of the thousands of volunteers involved in the

At the SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards ceremony in the RDS, Dublin were Anthony Conlon and chairperson Brian Heffernan (holding trophy) with Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD (at left); and Ian Allen, managing director of SuperValu and Centra (right of centre); along with committee members as Trim, Co. Meath was announced as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2022

hundreds of committees across the length and breadth of Ireland.

SuperValu is very excited for the future of TidyTowns and convinced that it will have an even more critical role to play in sustainably developing our communities. SuperValu believes that positive change will start in our communities and is very excited for what the next five years of the sponsorship will deliver

Expect more from every cup

Nescafé, Ireland’s largest retail coffee brand*, is set to launch ‘Expect more from every cup’. A new campaign under the Nescafé Gold Blend, this aims to show how the brand focuses on sustainability from the farmers who grow coffee, to the way coffee is produced, packaged, and used.

The campaign launches in Ireland on 3 April and highlights some of the brand’s sustainability achievements. This includes 100% responsibly sourced coffee being used in all Nescafé products made in the UK, the use of coffee grounds to help power its Nescafé factory in the UK and the launch of a soft pack to refill glass jars.

Over the last decade, Nescafé has worked to make coffee farming practices more sustainable around the globe through the Nescafé Plan. Building on those efforts, the Nescafé Plan 2030 defines its sustainability vision for the next decade – to help coffee farmers transition to regenerative agriculture practices and in doing so, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve farmers’ livelihoods. With 6,000 cups of Nescafé consumed every second, the brand is committed to using its scale and reach to ensure it can make a positive impact in people’s lives and the planet, from farm to cup

For more information, visit nescafe.com/make-your-world

*(Source: Nielsen Retail Sales Value 52 w/e 29 Jan 2023)

Musgrave MarketPlace’s ‘Creating Tomorrow Together’ initiative outlines a comprehensive plan to help tackle global environmental and social issues on a local level

Plastic packaging recycling and your business

It is important that your business segregates all recyclable packaging

EU packaging recycling targets

The new EU plastic packaging recycling targets will be more challenging for Ireland to meet

In 2018 the European Union updated a number of directives covering waste as part of its overall Circular Economy Package As a result of these changes, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) was amended with higher targets for packaging reuse and recycling to help increase recycling rates for all packaging placed on the market across Europe

In 2020 the Irish government published an amendment to SI 282/2014 - European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014. This amendment (S.I. No 322/2020) increased recycling targets for packaging in line with the new European legislation.

As a result, Ireland’s recycling targets for 2025 and 2030 have increased for packaging overall as well as for each of the individual packaging materials placed on the Irish market.

The below table shows current and future EU packaging recycling targets:

A significant opportunity still remains to capture more plastic and other packaging from commercial premises

A challenge for Ireland

At present Ireland meets all of the previous EU targets set in the Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive. In fact, we already exceed 2025 targets for wood (66%) and paper & cardboard (75%). In the case of glass recycling, we already exceed our 2030 targets with a current recycling rate of 85%*.

However, the new plastic packaging recycling targets will be more challenging for Ireland to meet and present an opportunity for Ireland to change the way in which we manage these often complex materials which currently have a recycling rate of 33%**.

To achieve the new EU targets of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030 will require a dramatic change by all stakeholders in order to capture more of this material. This will require behavioural change amongst consumers, changes to how the materials are handled by businesses and treated by the waste industry as well as investments in local plastic recycling infrastructure here in Ireland..

The business opportunity

As a packaging compliance scheme, Repak funds the recycling of packaging waste in order to help Ireland meet its packaging recycling targets. A significant opportunity still remains to capture more plastic and other packaging from commercial premises.

Currently this is often not possible due to poor waste segregation practices on site as a result of:

• Recyclable plastic packaging being discarded in business general waste bins.

• Material being too contaminated when placed in a recycling bin, making it unsuitable for recycling.

• Waste collection infrastructure or services that do not meet the current needs of the businesses.

Although this is a concern, it must also present a significant opportunity to increase plastic packaging recycling rates given circa 50% of all packaging waste generated in Ireland arises at commercial premises.

What can you do?

First of all, it is important to note that there are legal obligations on Irish businesses when it comes to the segregation of packaging waste.

Regulation 5 of the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 as amended states that:

• Producers should ensure that packaging waste is separated at source, by material type.

• Packaging waste should be collected by a contractor for the purposes of recycling. Further regulations covering this area are due to be published in 2023. This will require that a three-bin system for recycling, food waste and general waste be provided to all businesses and that incentivised pricing be applied to maximise recycling and discourage placing recyclable items in general waste bins.

It is important therefore that your business is segregating all recyclable packaging. Plastic packaging materials such as plastic pallet

wrap, shrink hoods, case wrap and pallet sheets should be separated from other types of waste. If in doubt about what your waste contractor will accept in the recycling bin or in bales, ask them for their assistance.

It is also essential that these recyclable materials are kept as clean and dry as possible so that they are suitable for recycling at the point of collection.

What to expect from your waste contractor

Waste contractors have a significant role to play in helping you to maximise recycling at your premises. It is therefore critical to ensure that they are providing the following offering:

1. At least a three-bin service for recycling (general waste, organic waste and mixed dry recycling).

2. Support in order to source segregate by material where possible such as through the baling of plastic film, bottles and the >>

Creating recycled plastic pellets is usually the final step in the recycling process before the material is distributed for the industrial production stage

>> separation of other recyclable items such as drums or barrels. These items are usually manufactured from highly recyclable plastics such as Polyethylene (LDPE or HDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) or Polypropylene (PP).

3. A breakdown of what the waste contractor is doing with your waste showing:

• what materials are being recycled,

• what materials are being recovered or disposed,

• food waste collected,

• the associated cost of all of the above This can usually be provided on a

monthly basis and can help you track trends over the year to see how well you’re managing and any further improvements that might be needed.

The more material that is being recycled, the lower the cost In fact, it is important to note that source segregated material that has been baled is often collected free of charge.

Counteracting challenges

If you are having challenges achieving good segregation on-site due to the bins or balers you currently have, it is important to engage with your waste contractor who can advise on how you improve this and implement the changes within an agreed timeframe It is also

reinforcing the group’s status as having Ireland’s most sustainable delivery fleet.

Speaking about the launch of the new vehicle, Simon Marriott, chief operations officer, BWG Foods said, “This is another very significant moment in our transition away from fossil fuels in favour of cleaner, more sustainable fuel sources and we are deeply committed to continuing our journey by pioneering the newest breakthrough technologies across our entire supply chain. We already have plans to build on this momentum with the launch of Ireland’s first electric tractor unit this Spring, in further collaboration with our partners in Translink Express and Volvo, and it is our hope that these steps will help provide confidence to our peers across the wider business community that these solutions are viable and worthy investments.”

Ireland’s first electric 20-tonne HGV truck hits rish roads

BWG Foods, one of Ireland’s leading wholesale and retail groups, recently announced a significant development in its transition to a low carbon distribution operation through the launch of Ireland’s first electric heavy good vehicle (HGV) in the 20-tonne category, representing a €400,000 investment as part of a pioneering programme to test innovative low carbon technologies.

The 20 tonne Volvo electric truck, which has capacity for up to 33 pallet spaces, is powered by four 240 kWh batteries, providing a range of up to 250 kilometres. BWG Foods, owners and operators of the Spar, Eurospar, Londis, Mace and XL brands, has allocated the new vehicle to undertake inter depot delivery operations in addition to nationwide store deliveries, using fast charging to increase daily range

BWG Foods expects the new electric addition to its expansive low carbon delivery fleet to deliver approximately 80 tonnes of CO2 savings annually when compared with conventional diesel power trucks, with the average BWG delivery truck covering 100,000 kilometres per year This milestone development brings BWG’s low carbon delivery fleet to 32 HGV vehicles, combining Biogas, Compressed Natural Gas and Electric,

Commenting on the milestone, Member of European Parliament, Ciáran Cuffe said: “This is an exciting step in Ireland’s journey to a low carbon transport fleet and serves as an example of what is possible across Ireland’s distribution and logistics sector This new vehicle, the first of many electric HGVs that we will see on Irish roads in the coming years, provides a cleaner and quieter alternative and will be supported by a new major infrastructure plan that will look to provide significantly increased access to nationwide charging points over the coming years. We are also working on new legislation at the EU level that could see a phase-out date for new fossil fuel trucks adopted in the coming years, as we have already done for cars and vans. Europe is going electric, and early investors will lead the way to a more sustainable future.”

In addition, BWG Foods is also transitioning a number of its delivery trucks across to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), following a collaboration with Inver Energy Inver Energy’s HVO is a renewable fuel made from used cooking oil and is one of the most advanced biofuels on the market, providing a path to 90% CO2 reductions without capital intensive vehicle investment.

These latest developments follow the recent addition of 10 new bio-methane powered HGVs to BWG’s distribution fleet in December following a €2 million investment. BWG Foods contributes non-consumable food waste from its distribution operations to produce biogas fuel for its new biogas vehicles, making this a circular solution that is unique in Ireland.

BWG Foods’ award-winning logistics division is amongst the largest in the country,

important to note that improvements in recycling rates will not only help the environment but can reduce costs for your business.

Evaluate and review your waste services on a regular basis. A list of waste contractors (Repak approved recovery operators) is available on Repak’s website at www.repak.ie

If you need any additional support, you can also contact the packaging services team at Repak at preventandsave@repak.ie or call Repak on 01 467 0190

*(Source: Waste Packaging Statistics for Irelandhttps://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/ waste/national-waste-statistics/packaging/)

**(Source: Repak estimates for 2022)

supplying over 1,000 stores nationwide which together serve over one million people per day, along with a further 14,000 additional business customers across the retail, foodservice and licensed sectors.

Upcoming Deposit Return Scheme

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) going live in February 2024 will be an exciting step in the country’s transition to a more circular economy. Peter Whelan, sales manager Ireland, Tomra Collection UK & Ireland, explains that the scheme will help to tackle the estimated 1 billion plastic bottles and 1.6 million aluminium cans that are thought to currently end up in landfills/incinerators or littered in the environment (Source: Voice Ireland).

In a deposit return scheme, a refundable deposit is placed on single use drinks containers, which consumers pay when purchasing their drinks. This is then refunded to the consumer when they return their bottles and cans for recycling.

Ireland’s DRS will include PET plastic bottles and metal cans and is planned to be a ‘return to retail’ scheme This means that retailers will offer a return point for shoppers to return their empty bottles and cans for recycling and also pay back the deposit per container

There are two ways of offering a return point: manual take back or by using a reverse vending machine With manual take back, retailers accept bottles back over the counter, and scan and store them for collection. With a reverse vending machine, the machine automates the process: scanning the containers, storing them and paying out the deposit.

In other countries around the world, Whelan states that retailers who sell larger volumes of drinks containers usually see a benefit when automating returns with a reverse vending machine

Retailers will receive a handling fee from the scheme administrator, Re-Turn, for every eligible container that they collect. This handling fee is designed to cover the costs associated with DRS and the exact amount will be published as we get closer to the scheme go-live date

Retailers should register as a return point via the Re-Turn website. For those retailers planning to use reverse vending equipment, start thinking about where a machine could go in the store. Tomra offers machines as small as

Ciáran Cuffe, MEP with Simon Marriott, chief operating officer, BWG Foods pictured at the announcement that BWG Foods has added Ireland’s first electric heavy good vehicle (HGV) in the 20-tonne category to its sustainable fleet

0.6 sq. m, reducing how much space is needed.

Ireland’s deposit return scheme will be a change for retailers, but DRS is a tried and tested system running successfully in many countries including in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Germany, amongst others. In these countries, retailers successfully provide this recycling service for their shoppers, and it has become a part of the overall shopping experience expected by consumers.

To find out more about deposit return schemes and reverse vending technology, visit tomra.com

Net results!

Tesco Ireland recently launched a new re-usable netted bag for loose fruit and vegetables. The new bag, which can be used

Britvic Ireland appoints Sian Young as director of Sustainable Business

Britvic Ireland, one of Ireland’s leading soft drinks companies and home to iconic brands such as MiWadi, Ballygowan and Club, has appointed Sian Young to the Ireland executive team as director of Sustainable Business.

In this newly created role, Young will be responsible for Britvic Ireland’s ‘Healthier Planet’ strategy and delivery She will oversee strategic areas of delivery such as Beyond-the-Bottle, a key element of the business’ packaging transformation plan to develop new technologies that offer hydration options while helping reduce the use of plastic; and the business’ response to Ireland’s incoming Deposit & Return Recycling Scheme She will also manage other aspects of Healthier Planet across the

over and over, will replace the traditional pinch and pull plastic bag and offers customers a more sustainable option for bagging loose produce.

The bag is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, is washable and can be recycled at clothing and textile banks. They are priced at 49 cent and are now available across the retailer’s 164 stores nationwide

“We are always looking at new and innovative ways that reduce the use of plastic in our business,” said Joe Manning, commercial director, Tesco Ireland.

Indeed, Tesco Ireland has already made strides in making its packaging as sustainable as possible In 2019, the company made a series of sustainability commitments, including a pledge that all packaging on Tesco ownlabel products will be fully recyclable by 2025.

Among its achievements to date, the company has successfully removed all plasticwrapped multipacks, replacing them with plastic-free multibuys, removing 1.5 million pieces of plastic wrap each year from items such as tinned tomatoes, tuna, and sweetcorn.

The company is also the first retailer in Ireland to create a recycling solution for soft plastics. In-store collection points can be found in all stores and customers can simply remove unwanted soft plastic packaging

such as cling wrap or outer wrap from water bottle multi-packs – at the end of their shopping trip

Overall, Tesco Ireland has a net zero target of 2035 for its own operations and a commitment to cut emissions including those generated by the products it sells and across its supply chains to zero by 2050

specialist who has worked for Britvic for over 15 years.

In January 2020 she was appointed to ‘head of Sustainability’, giving her responsibility for the Sustainability Strategy across the whole Irish business. In October 2020 she was appointed head of People & Planet at Britvic Ireland, which brought together her responsibilities for Sustainability with also leading the People Strategy for Ireland, working closely with Britvic PLC to ensure that Britvic Ireland is aligned with the broader business.

Sian Young business, including carbon reduction, packaging evolution, water usage and waste.

An Experimental Psychology graduate of the University of Oxford, Young is an experienced marketeer and sustainability

Managing Director of Britvic Ireland, Kevin Donnelly said he was delighted to announce Sian Young’s appointment, noting: “This key appointment to the Irish executive team allows us to build on Sian’s previous work as head of People and Planet at Britvic Ireland and reflects the centrality of sustainability to the strategic direction and success of our business.” ■

Mulrines appoints managing director to lead company growth

Irish juice production company Mulrines has appointed Michael Lyttle as its new managing director With 20 years’ experience across the FMCG sector, Lyttle will play a key role in supporting the company’s growth plans which have recently seen it invest in new production capacity in the Ballybofey factory along with £10m in a new production facility in Sion Mills, creating 54 jobs over the next three years.

“Michael has a wealth of operational and supply chain leadership experience and his knowledge of both the Irish and UK retail and foodservice sectors and the drinks industry in general will be invaluable to the company in the years ahead,” said Peter Mulrine, chairman of Mulrines.

Lyttle joins the company from Hilton Foods Ireland where he spent the last two years as managing director A graduate of Ulster University and Hult Ashridge International Business School, he previously worked at Mulrines, and held senior roles in Moy Park and Lakeland Dairies.

David Broderick announced as new Small Firms Association director

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has appointed David Broderick as the new director of the Small Firms Association (SFA).

David Broderick returns to Ibec having had a distinguished career with the company over 12 years in the roles of

senior account executive and previously manager of the Global Graduate programme

After leaving Ibec four years ago, he worked in several senior commercial roles in Cafico International, Zendesk and most recently MarketStar (WhatsApp Business, Meta). He has also been a leading adviser to his family business, a global brand name in the food industry

Broderick has always pursued his passion for small business and has acted as an organisational strategy consultant and business mentor to small firms including through the EI and LEO mentor programmes, and during the Covid-19 crisis with the government’s “Business Continuity Voucher (BCV) programme”.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to represent the small business community, which is truly the backbone of the Irish economy and one of the most vibrant in the world,” David Broderick said of his new appointment.

“I look forward to continuing to engage with government and other key stakeholders in ensuring that the voice of the small business community is heard, and ambitious policies are delivered that support small firm viability and growth,” he added.

Broderick has an MSc in Business Strategy, a BBS in Management, a Diploma in High Performance Sales as well as professional qualifications in training and development, management and employment law.

Bakery specialist Aryzta puts emphasis on innovation with new appointment

International bakery company Aryzta is “underlining its commitment to accelerate growth” with the appointment of Hannah Sibley as product and innovation director, Aryzta UK & Ireland.

Based at the company’s state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Dublin, Sibley will play a pivotal role in strengthening and accelerating Aryzta’s new product development pipeline, with a clear focus on innovation.

“Hannah brings a wealth of experience and a finely tuned insight into the very latest global bakery trends which will enable us to add even more value to our grocery, retail convenience and foodservice partnerships,” said Nigel Scully, chief commercial officer at Aryzta UK & Ireland.

“Aryzta is renowned for its innovative approach to product development and is very well placed to enable retailers to meet growing consumer demand for new taste experiences across multiple bakery categories. I’m looking forward to using my passion for bakery to help bring category-boosting new speciality breads and other complementary products to market,” said Hannah Sibley.

Sibley joins Aryzta the GB Business Unit of Grupo Bimbo where most recently she was head of NPD and Innovation.

A member of the British Society of Baking, Sibley has over 18 years’ bakery experience, starting her career on Nature’s Way Foods’ graduate programme before progressing on to in-store bakery roles with two leading UK supermarket groups and at Winterbotham Darby in a senior NPD role

Prepared Consumer Foods announces new Council chair

Food Drink Ireland (FDI), the Ibec group that represents the food and drink sector, has appointed Kieran Conroy, managing director for Nestlé Ireland as the new chair of the Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) Council. He will be joined by a new vice-chair, Killian Barry, managing director of Danone Ireland.

“It is an honour to take up this role amid an ever-changing landscape for the food and beverage sector,” Kieran Conroy said. “The uncertainty of the pandemic has subsided, but it has birthed fresh issues around supply chain disruption, labour shortages and increased input business costs. However, there are great opportunities ahead for the prepared consumer food sector through sustainability commitments, evolving consumer choice and prospects in other markets.”

Jonathan McDade, deputy director of Food Drink Ireland, said he was delighted to welcome Kieran Conroy, noting that he will bring “a mix of energy and experience to the role over the next two years”.

The Prepared Consumer Foods sector employs over 22,000 people across 500 manufacturing facilities in all regions of Ireland. It has a gross output of over €5 billion, including €3 billion of exports. ■

Hannah Sibley

Peter Mulrine, chairman of Mulrines, and Michael Lyttle, managing director

David Broderick

Kieran Conroy

Legendairy!

One of Ireland’s oldest indigenous industries, dairy is a fundamental part of our national heritage Milk, cheese and yoghurt feature prominently at mealtimes in households across the country, according to findings of national research of 1,500 Irish adults by the European Milk Forum (EMF) as part of its “Dairy in a Healthy and Sustainable European Food System” campaign. Dairy remains a firm favourite among Irish consumers with 92% saying dairy features in

Goodness for immune systems

Every shot of Actimel is bursting with 10 billion L.casei cultures and is packed with vitamin D*, helping to support an individual’s immune system.

Each small but mighty bottle makes a tasty addition to your customers’ daily routine Actimel is available in a multitude of delicious flavours from Strawberry to Multifruit and even Actimel Kids flavours, Strawberry Banana and Peach Apricot. A dairy free option

their diet and over half (66%) believing meals would not be the same without their favourite dairy products. Key purchasing considerations for consumers are nutrition and taste with 77% regarding dairy as a healthy and nutritious addition to their diet; 66% value the delicious taste of dairy while 48% believe dairy products are fresh and not highly processed. Here, we take a closer look at the innovative brands continuing to drive sales in the category

The uniquely mild and creamy yogurt is packed with billions of live cultures, and hence why it’s “deliciously good for gut health”. With a unique blend of five ferments, Actimel’s billions of live cultures are strong enough to survive until they reach the gut.

From the delicious fruit range with carefully selected ingredients to no-added sugar and 0% fat pots, and all the way to its cereals range with fibre, there’s an Activia option for everyone From raw fruit to wholesome grains, Activia serves yogurts in your shoppers’ favourite flavours and formats.

*(Enjoy as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle calcium contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes)

*(Contains naturally occurring sugars)

Actimel Kids yogurt drinks are packed with one-third of the daily reference intake in Vitamin D, as well as Vitamin B6

of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle

“Just shake it up and drink it down and give the day your best shot!”

*(Actimel contains Vitamins B6 and D to help support the normal function of the immune system).

*(Enjoy as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle)

Deliciously good for gut health

Actimel contains Vitamins B6 and D to help support the normal function of the immune system

is also available, which comes in two tasty flavours, Mango Passion Fruit and Blueberry

The brand’s advice to consumers is straightforward: “Show some love to your immune system by consuming Actimel as part

Due to the significant role the gut plays within our bodies, Activia is proud to be passionate about its work in this area, and “deliciously good for your gut health”.

Indeed, Activia as “the gut health hero”, has been operating in this area for more than 30 years, which is why the brand keeps on innovating and finding delightful new ways to love guts.

From raw fruit to wholesome grains, Activia serves yogurts in your shoppers’ favourite flavours and formats

Activia Breakfast

Topper Vanilla

Yogurt and Granola is a source of fibre, calcium and proteins

Renowned for excellent standards, Ireland’s 17,500 dairy farmers work 365 days a year to produce the highest quality dairy produce which is revered all over the world. As Zoë Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council (NDC) highlights: “During challenging times people need to have trust in what they know; dairy is nutritious, accessible, and affordable and is recognised as a vital part of people’s diet and general health across the life stages, indispensable to Ireland’s social and economic well-being.”

With that in mind, here we outline the best-selling brands driving further category growth

Ultimate gut healthy snack

Glenilen Farm Kefir is made on Alan and Valerie Kingston’s farm in Drimoleague, West Cork.

The Kingston’s brand is proving key to the growing yoghurt gut health sub-category

Available in both a 350g pot and 4 x 125g formats, it is the ultimate gut healthy snack for consumers looking to nourish their gut.

Glenilen Farm Kefir is made by adding a carefully selected combination of 14 kefir cultures. These kefir cultures give the yoghurt the typical kefir flavour

The West Cork brand’s Kefir yoghurts can help create an environment where an individual’s body as a whole may feel better both physically and mentally when combined with exercise, a fibre-rich diet, reduced refined or processed food intake, adequate sleep and by managing stress

Chose Glenilen Farm’s Kefir range for your FDP category, providing your consumers the perfect gut-friendly daily dose of goodness.

Available in Natural, Passion Fruit, Raspberry and Vanilla varieties.

Ireland’s number one

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 because of our northerly latitude, we don’t naturally get enough vitamin D, which is a real issue when it comes to bone health, particularly in the early years. Avonmore Super Milk is positioned as a good source of vitamin D given that it has 100% of the recommended intake of vitamin D in a glass.

Available in Natural, Passion Fruit, Raspberry and Vanilla varieties, Glenilen

Farm Kefir provides the perfect gut-friendly daily dose of goodness

Glenilen Farm Kefir is available in both a 350g pot and 4 x 125g formats

Avonmore Protein Milk is a significant part of the brand’s success story in value added dairy Avonmore Pro-Oats is the newest member to the Avonmore Protein Milk range Available in a 500ml carton, it contains 27g protein and 23g gluten-free oats and is perfect for those who exercise in the mornings, seek to hit their protein goals, and grab breakfast on-the-go, all in one carton. Pro-Oats has a lovely vanilla flavour with a smooth texture.

Mooju flavoured milk is another successful brand in the portfolio Popular with a younger audience, success is built on

• Nomadic Breakfast Oats

A tasty and healthy way to start the day, this product offers delicious oats soaked in Nomadic’s nourishing yogurt combined with vanilla, raspberry, or blueberry

• Nomadic Protein Puddings

These indulgent protein packed puddings are a perfect snack any time of the day. With 20g of protein in each pot, they are also low in fat and contain no added sugar

From strength to strength

its quirky brand personality and its fantastic taste Avonmore Slimline Milk with added iron and vitamins meets the nutritional needs for those looking for a 0% fat option. Avonmore Lactose Free completes the value-added milks portfolio ensuring quality, taste and nutrition for all ages and stages of life.

Meanwhile, Avonmore Cream continues to perform well and is a must-stock for family gatherings at Easter time Avonmore Fresh Cream, Double Cream and Light Cream are now available in Tetra Top packaging, which contains 62% less plastic than the previous bottles and uses paperboard from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources where new forest growth replaces harvested trees.

Lindahls continues to innovate to provide great tasting, high protein products in a variety of versatile formats

Ready when you are!

Based in Donegal, Nomadic makes nourishing convenience food for people who need to get the job done Now in its 25th year, Nomadic has been supporting busy people on the move with a range of great tasting and convenient products.

The brand has a range of product solutions for different convenience needs:

• Nomadic Yogurt & Oat Clusters

The brand’s best-selling products, these combine nourishing yogurt, crunchy oat clusters and delicious fruit or chocolate

With a spoon included, they are a perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack. Available in four flavours.

• Nomadic Protein+ Granola Immune

Support

Delicious yogurt and granola pots boosted with added health benefits, each pot contains 100% of an individual’s daily vitamin D, 18g protein and gut-friendly cultures. With a spoon included, it’s perfect to enjoy on-the-go Available in two great tasting flavours.

Lindahls continues to go from strength to strength in Ireland, growing a whopping +87.2% year-on-year (YOY)*

Lindahls’ broad range of products consists of its core 150g Kvarg pots which contain 15g protein and are available in seven delicious flavours. Lindahls Kvarg pots have a thick and smooth texture; ideal to be consumed by themselves, topped with fruit or granola, and are a great addition to many recipes, making them extremely versatile and perfect for every occasion.

As well as its 150g Kvarg offering, the brand has also entered the ‘big pot’ category and launched 500g Kvarg in two of its most popular flavours: Raspberry and White Chocolate These large format pots have a generous 53g of protein per pot, are fat free and low in sugar

Alongside the core Kvarg range, Lindahls has also introduced a Pro+ range which is targeted towards avid gym-goers looking to up their protein intake. The Pro+ range has a unique 50:50 mix of whey protein and casein protein, and comes in tasty flavours such as Lemon Cheesecake and Banoffee Pie Lindahls

The Lindahls Pro+ range has a unique 50:50 mix of whey protein and casein protein

Pro+ range is available in convenient 150g pots which contain 18g of protein per serving.

The brand is also disrupting the world of desserts, with the launch of a range of Protein Puddings available in indulgent Chocolate and Salted Caramel flavours. These smooth, tasty desserts pack in 14g of protein per 140g pot and are low in both fat and sugar

Lindahls continues to put a great emphasis on innovation in order to provide great tasting, high protein products in a variety of versatile formats to its consumers.

You can find out more on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

*(Source: 52 w/e 06/11/2022 Value Sales, Nielsen Multiples Ireland)

*(It is important to have a varied diet as part of a healthy lifestyle)

*(Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass)

Popular with a younger audience, Mooju’s success is built on its quirky brand personality and its fantastic taste

Responsibly sourced & recyclable cartons

Dairy

producer Lee Strand’s strong environmental ethos demands responsibly sourced packaging.

By rolling out its 2L milk in our Tetra Rex® plant-based cartons, Lee Strand is providing its customers with recyclable and fully renewable cartons. Go to tetrapak.ie

Decarbonising Irish food systems through the circular economy

By Artur Dannenberg, key account director, UK and Ireland, Tetra Pak

Prioritising the circular economy is an important measure for improving the resilience of food systems, both in Ireland, and right across the globe Many macroeconomic and social factors today threaten the security and safety of food, from pandemics to political instability Only through careful consideration of materials and further industry innovation and collaboration on recycling infrastructure, can we hope to improve food access and security

One way to lessen the environmental impact of food systems is the adoption of a low-carbon circular economy. This requires collaboration from everyone involved in the food production process to consider the environmental impact of each raw material used throughout the value chain; push for recycling processes that can separate and reuse materials; and for innovation in packaging and food production.

Keeping food fresh and safe

According to the EPA, as much as 800,000 tonnes of food is wasted in Ireland every year, from both consumers and in the manufacturing process. This not only contributes to greenhouse emissions – as much as 10% annually – but also compounds the pressures placed on struggling food systems.

Food packaging and processing technologies play an essential role in

maintaining the resiliency of food systems today, to preserve and protect food and drink. For example, through the development of aseptic technologies, perishable food can be made shelf stable and keep dairy, juice and plant-based products safe and flavourful for 6 to 12 months, allowing them to maintain quality and nutritional value without the need for cooling or preservatives. Packaging such as this is especially crucial to ensuring food and drink remains available and safe to consume However, further innovation around keeping food safe and fresh is needed. Ireland is well placed to play a leading role regarding shelf life, reducing wastage, and limiting the energy needed to grow package and transport goods.

Improving recycling

Recycling is amongst the most important factors effecting the success of the circular economy today.

Ireland currently suffers from some significant infrastructure deficits, particularly in the recycling of paper, cardboard and plastics. As such, stronger collaboration amongst consumers, businesses and government, is needed to make improvements and increase education. Meaningful partnerships must take shape to create mutually beneficial networks that function effectively for all.

Looking ahead

Improving the resilience of food systems, while reducing the environmental burden of packaging and production, requires everyone to play a role in supporting a circular economy for Ireland.

Materials and production processes must be selected with sustainability in mind, and innovation in packaging and processing must limit unnecessary waste.

Recognising Ireland’s primary food producers

The National Dairy Council (NDC) is delighted to announce sponsorship of the Outstanding Contribution to Food Production award at this year’s Good Food Ireland Awards which will be held in April.

As Margaret Jeffares, founder and managing director of Good Food Ireland explained: “This honorary award from Good Food Ireland is to recognise and celebrate the thousands of farmers all over Ireland that provide the primary ingredients for what we eat and drink every day… the unsung heroes of our food industry.”

Now returning for the first time since pre-Covid, the highly coveted Good Food Ireland Awards will take place on Monday, 17 April at The K Club, County Kildare. The high-profile business lunch will be opened by guest of honour, Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and attended by some 300 guests including business owners, Irish and international chefs, buyers, food and drink writers, media and industry leaders.

“Now, more than ever, it is important to show all the hard work and innovation that is happening within the Irish farming industry,” added Zoë Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council.

The awards are proudly sponsored by the National Dairy Council, Kerrygold, Irish Farmers Association, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia. For full details on the individual awards, tickets to the event, and general information about Good Food Ireland, visit goodfoodireland.ie

For further information on NDC, visit www.ndc.ie ■

Another number one hit for Kylie Minogue Wines with 0%!

Legendary pop star Kylie Minogue has said she is “over the moon” with the response to her first 0% wine, which has sold over one million glasses since launch, with one bottle sold every ten seconds in the UK*.

In December 2022, Kylie Minogue Wines launched its first 0% alcohol Sparkling Rosé in the UK, with flavours and acidic balance mirroring that found in wine

Barry & Fitzwilliam, Ireland’s largest independent premium drinks distributor, distributes the range here, which can also be bought online from www.WinesOfTheWorld.ie

Through a blend of premium Organic European grapes and green tea selected from the Liu-Da Mountains of Yunnan province in China, Kylie Minogue Wines’ 0% alcohol production process is designed to provide maximum development of wine attributes without generating any alcohol. Brewed into a strong infusion and added to the grape ferment, the result is an additional mouthfeel and finish, rounded off with dried tannins to present a complex and finely balanced Sparkling Rosé, minus the alcohol.

*(Source; Internal Sales Data)

**(Source: DrinkAware.co.uk 125ml glass of 12% ABV Prosecco contains around 108 calories).

19 Crimes uncorks the ultimate treasure hunt this spring

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has re-introduced the much-loved consumer campaign for its innovative, high performing wine brand, 19 Crimes, which challenges the nation to find one of ten limited-edition ‘19th Corks’ worth €250 each, concealed within winning bottles of 19 Crimes.

Launched on 1 March, and running until 31 August, there will be ten winning 19th Crime Corks across the brand’s Red Wine, Uprising, and Sauv Block 750ml bottles, giving customers the chance to win a share of €2,500

The ultimate treasure hunt to track down a winning 19th Cork, aims to increase brand awareness, drive sales, and engage further with the brand’s key audiences. The promotion is a major tentpole activity in the brand’s annual calendar and is being supported by a significant through-the-line (TTL) package including social, PR, influencer, and in-store activity

The winning 19th Corks will be fairly and randomly distributed amongst promotional products and will feature a unique eight-digit code Once found, the winner will be directed to a 19th Cork dedicated website (www.the19thcork.ie) to claim their cash prize of €250 for finding a winning 19th Cork.

The 19 Crimes brand continues to go from strength to strength, disrupting the wine category and recruiting new consumers from a typically younger demographic. This campaign is expected to further capitalise on the brand’s success and encourage repeat purchase in the wine category

“This activity will allow us to better connect with our customers and drive deeper brand engagement, supporting our journey to showcase the innovation and quality behind the 19 Crimes brand,” said Ben Blake, marketing director at Treasury Wine Estates.

19 Crimes’ engaging new campaign will give customers the chance to win a share of €2,500

“Through the winning 19th cork campaign, we are striving to provide our customers with memorable and engaging experiences that push the boundaries of the wine category and encourage our consumers to discover more. The 19th Cork campaign is unique and we are confident it will drive visibility of the 19 Crimes brand.”

Barefoot Wine highlights tasty chocolate pairings to enjoy this Easter

Barefoot Wine, the number one USA wine brand in Ireland, is the perfect pairing for your customers’ favourite chocolate this Easter.

For many, Easter is the perfect excuse to tuck into chocolate treats and sip on a glass of wine Rather than reaching for the first bottle they come across, Barefoot Wine is encouraging wine lovers to think that little bit deeper about how their choice of wine brings out the flavours of their favourite chocolate, with a new guide featuring mouth-watering matches.

Here are just a couple of many great suggestions from Barefoot for combinations that are guaranteed to get taste buds tingling!

• Milk chocolate

Your shoppers can upgrade the classic choice of silky milk chocolate by pairing it with a glass of Barefoot Pink Moscato A combination of notes of ripe red fruits, mandarin orange and subtle raspberry tones, this vibrant wine brings out the sweetness of the chocolate

• Dark chocolate

For a classic wine and chocolate combination, pair sumptuous dark chocolate treats with Barefoot’s rich Merlot. The dark, fruity flavours of this full-bodied red wine has 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

The diverse Barefoot Wines range – of which just a few options are shown here - can be found at all good stockists (RRP: €10.50)

Kylie Minogue Wines’ Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rosé contains just 22 calories per 100ml which is around 80 less calories per glass than a standard glass of prosecco, making it a delicious, lighter alternative**

The Powerscourt Distillery celebrates six major accolades already for 2023

Wicklow’s Powerscourt Distillery, a leading producer of premium whiskey, has already won six major awards for 2023.

At the 2023 World Whiskies Awards, the distillery took home two Irish category wins, while at the 2023 Icons of Whiskey Ireland Awards, Powerscourt received another Highly Commended award for ‘Irish Whiskey Category Brand Ambassador 2023’, received by Alan Malone (the distillery’s European sales manager).

“We are delighted with these awards that reflect the hard work and dedication of the team since we started in 2018,” said John Cashman, head of NPD & brand at The Powerscourt Distillery

Both Category Winners - Fercullen ‘Estate Series 2: The Italian Gardens’ and ‘Distillery Select’ “reflect the best of our home, County Wicklow, both in concept and collaboration,” he added. “We look forward to these whiskeys taking their deserved place in the World’s Best Whiskey competition at the end of March.”

These recent accolades add to the hat trick of awards won at national level last November for the Powerscourt Distillery Visitor Centre. These include Best Visitor Attraction, accepted by Gerry Ginty, COO, recognition for Paul Corbett as Master Distiller/Master Blender, and a Highly Commended award within the Campaign Innovator category, accepted by Santina Kennedy, food & beverage specialist at Powerscourt Distillery

Obolon Beer finally arrives in Ireland

After partnering with independent drinks’ distributor Barry & Fitzwilliam, the largest domestic Ukrainian beverage producer ‘Obolon’, has now arrived on Irish shores.

Despite extremely difficult work conditions, Obolon tries to support its employees by providing them with jobs and salaries, as well as supporting the military’s courageous defense

Today, the sources of artesian water that are available to Obolon are used for water production including free distribution to the military and people in war-torn regions.

Obolon corporate enterprises have already provided more than 3 million litres of water free of charge To provide an additional 4 million litres of water, Obolon aims to raise 1 million dollars through one bottle of beer Specifically, the last bottle of Obolon Beer brewed in a peaceful Ukraine

The ‘Last Obolon’ will be auctioned at a Christie’s auction in NYC, with bids starting at $1 million.

Barry & Fitzwilliam is very proud of its partnership with Obolon. The first consignment has now landed, and Barry & Fitzwilliam will be donating to Obolon’s noble mission for every bottle sold in Ireland.

Barry & Fitzwilliam will donate on the first Monday of each month to the Irish Red Cross in aid of the humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine based on the case sales for the previous month.

Slattery’s brings the Buzz to Ireland!

After recently launching American sensation BuzzBallz Cocktails into the Irish market, The Slattery Group has reported “an amazing consumer response in both the on-trade and off-trade”.

Karl Slattery, MD of Michael Slattery Wines & Spirits, says BuzzBallz have brought fun, novelty and much-needed excitement into the entire drinks trade

Founded in 1998 by their father Michael, Slattery’s is now run by Karl and his brother Mark, Slattery’s finance director The company has grown to become one of the leading independent drinks suppliers in the country continuing the family mantra of exceptional value and excellent service, with all major

drink brands within its portfolio

With a strong tradition of building brands, Karl believes BuzzBallz Cocktails are the company’s most exciting project to date, showcasing brilliant taste, variety and “a quality cocktail in a unique package at a great price”.

All BuzzBallz Cocktails are produced with premium spirits, real fruit juices, natural flavours and ingredients. Unlike most premixed ready-to-drink brands, BuzzBallz are produced at bar-strength (13.5% ABV).

A smash hit in the USA selling over 100 million balls a year, BuzzBallz is now expanding across Europe, and Ireland is an important market within this development. ■

Karl Slattery showcasing BuzzBallz Cocktails, which are available in six flavours: Strawberry Rita, Tequila Rita, Espresso Martini, Choc Tease, Chili Mango and Lotta Colada

Fercullen ‘Estate Series 2: The Italian Gardens’ and ‘Distillery Select’ from Wicklow’s Powerscourt Distillery both won Gold Medal and Category Winner awards in the World Whiskies Awards Irish Category

Barry & Fitzwilliam will donate each month to the Irish Red Cross’ humanitarian fund for Ukraine, based on the case sales of Obolon for the previous month

Congratulations to all hugely deserving winners of the NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2023!

McHugh’s Off-Licence, Malahide Road awarded National Off-Licence of the Year at 27th industry Awards

Following the recent announcement of all the winners of the annual NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2023, the superb winning offlicences which impressed the judges are all photographed in this month’s issue

NOffLA, which was established in 1991, represents independent specialist off-licences across Ireland, with the sector representing 5,900 jobs in 26 counties. The awards recognise and showcase the excellence of independent off-licences and highlight those retailers that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards.

Speaking about the awards and the standard of entries this year, NOffLA chairman, Gary O’Donovan said: “We are thrilled to finally be back in-person celebrating the NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards, which champion the very best of community retailing and all that is great about the independent off-licence sector NOffLA members provide exceptional standards of service to their customers and exemplify the true ethos of ‘shopping local’.

A total of 46 finalists were awarded certificates of ‘Excellence’ and a

1. The NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year 2023 WINNER: McHugh’s Off-Licence, Malahide Road

2. The 19 Crimes Best First Time Entrant 2023 WINNER: Carry Out Muckross Road, Killarney

3. The Peroni Nastro Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2023 WINNER: 64 Wine, Glasthule

4. The El Coto Customer Service Award of the Year 2022 WINNER: Molloys Liberties

5. The Redbreast Spirit Specialist of the Year 2023

‘Customer Service Award’ based on their performance. Judging for the awards involves an examination of over 100 aspects of each entrant’s business. The final awards were allocated following this process, and each of the 13 winners are represented here:

6. The Guinness Beer Specialist of the Year 2023 WINNER: Carry Out Tramore

The NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year 2023 was presented to Frank Haughton, Cathal McHugh, and James Carroll of McHugh’s Malahide Road, by Gary O’Donovan, chairman, NOffLA

Richard Moriarty of Findlater & Co. presents The 19 Crimes Best First Time Entrant 2023 Award to John Fleming and Colm Foley of Carry Out Muckross Road, Killarney

Anthony Robineau of 64 Wine, Glasthule, Co. Dublin, accepts The Peroni Nastro Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2023 Award

WINNER: The Vintry, Rathgar

7. The Dona Paula Wine Specialist of the Year 2023 WINNER: Jus De Vine Portmarnock

8. The Hennessy Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 WINNER: Galvins Carry Out Carrigaline

9. The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Connacht/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 WINNER: Daly’s Drinks, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

10. The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 WINNER: The Wine Centre Kilkenny

11. The Bombay Sapphire Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2023 WINNER:

Award sponsored by: Award sponsored by: Award sponsored by: Award sponsored by: Award sponsored by:

Bren Smith of Mackenway Wines presents The El Coto Customer Service Award of the Year 2022 to Hazel Fitzgibbon, on behalf of Molloys Liberties

Mark Boyle of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard presents The Redbreast Spirit Specialist of the Year 2023 to David Lonergan, on behalf of The Vintry, Rathgar

Paul Nash of Diageo Ireland presents The Guinness Beer Specialist of the Year 2023 Award to Pat Keller, on behalf of Simon who was unable to attend, from Carry Out Tramore

Terry Pennington of Santa Rita Estates presents The Dona Paula Wine Specialist of the Year 2023 Award to Julie Cullen, on behalf of Jus De Vine Portmarnock

If you have any queries regarding NOffLA membership or services, please contact our administrator, Reggie Walsh, at Block D, Unit 6, Nutgrove Office Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin

by telephone

John Cassidy of Edward Dillon & Co. presents The Hennessy Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 to Barry Galvin and Victoria Alexander, on behalf of Galvins Carry Out Carrigaline

John Cassidy of Edward Dillon & Co. presents The Bombay Sapphire Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2023 Award to Damian Martin, of Martin’s Off-Licence, Fairview

Nigel Moran, on behalf of The Shed Distillery and Dalcassian Wines & Spirits, presents The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Connacht/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 to Carol and Geraldine Daly, on behalf of Daly’s Drinks, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Emily McEntee of C. McEntee’s, Kells, Co. Meath, receives The NOffLA RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2023, presented by NOffLA chairman, Gary O’Donovan

Shane Boyce of Liberty Wines, presents The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 Award to Dante Ruiz Gomez, on behalf of The Wine Centre Kilkenny

The NOffLA Responsible Retailer of the Year 2023 Award, was received by O’Donovans Off-Licence Group, represented by Ollie O’Neill and Gary O’Donovan

Martin’s Off-Licence, Fairview

12. The NOffLA RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2023 WINNER: Emily McEntee, C. McEntee’s, Kells, Co. Meath

Award sponsored by:

Discover Nestlé Ireland’s Golden Collection

Nestlé Ireland has launched ‘The Golden Collection’, featuring new flavours of Aero, Milkybar and Munchies.

Aero now has two new products – Aero Golden Honeycomb Melts sharing bag and Aero Golden Honeycomb block. Both bag and block formats feature golden bubbles with a delicious honeycomb flavour for a bubbly yet indulgent treat to share.

The new Munchies Gold sharing bag sees the brand’s traditional centre of soft caramel and crispy biscuit shell combined with ever-popular Caramac, creating a flavour combination that is bound to be a crowdpleaser

Milkybar has also received a golden makeover. The classic creamy milk chocolate has been given a caramel flavour twist to create new MilkyBar Gold sharing bag and Milkybar Gold block.

Maria McKenna, confectionery marketing manager at Nestlé Ireland said: “We are so excited to introduce our Nestlé Confectionery Golden Collection! We’ve taken some of the flavours we know Irish fans love best – caramel and honeycomb – and applied our chocolate-making wizardry to create new taste sensations.”

Shoppers can pick up the Golden Collection in supermarkets and retailers nationwide now.

Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2023 open this St. Patrick’s Day

Blas na hÉireann is the largest blindtasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink. Entry opens to producers across all categories of food and drink on 17 March with the early bird discounted rate for entries running until 5 April.

Following a two-year hiatus from an in-person event, the awards returned to Dingle last year and saw a huge increase in entries to over 3,000, the highest on record

“Being back together in person again last year reminded us all how important these awards are on so many levels,” said Blas na hÉireann chairman, Artie Clifford, “creating a sense of community and support, as well as a feeling of pride and ownership in that community The judges were blown away by the quality of the produce last year and the winners and finalists were genuinely so happy to be back in a room together again, celebrating their own wins and each other’s successes.”

Complete cleansing care with Nivea

Created to offer easy make-up removal, skin cleansing and care, the Nivea cleansing range delivers the most complete cleansing experience. The innovative collection of products helps to thoroughly cleanse the skin while gently caring and protecting its delicate moisture balance.

• Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water has an innovative formula which cleanses and removes make-up while moisturising the skin in one simple step

• Gently and effectively cleansing the skin while maintaining its natural balance, Nivea Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes thoroughly remove face and eye make-up while providing the skin with refreshing moisture.

• The Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover benefits from a gentle bi-phase formula which effectively dissolves eye makeup while caring for eyelashes and the delicate skin around eyes.

• The Refreshing Facial Wash Gel deeply cleanses and hydrates for a perfectly clean, refreshed skin look and feel.

The Nivea cleansing line comprises various formats to suit all cleansing preferences with dermatologically and ophthalmologically approved products.

SuperValu

West Cork Biscuits now in SuperValu stores nationwide

West Cork Biscuits’ handmade chocolate chip cookies have been chosen by SuperValu for nationwide distribution as part of its Taste of Local initiative, which highlights quality local Irish food and drink products in-store

West Cork Biscuits offer a selection of handmade cookies and biscuits baked at their small Dunmanway bakery including their Belgian chocolate chip cookies.

It is one of five producers from the Food Academy Programme, the business support programme for innovative food and drinks producers that are stocked as ‘Guest Stars’ in SuperValu stores nationwide for three weeks, beginning 2 March.

“SuperValu’s Food Academy gave our business a sense of security and opened doors for us which allowed us to develop our distribution channels into other stores,” said managing director Ger Devin.

“We believe in supporting local and most of our ingredients are sourced right here in West Cork, and our products are completely unique as each biscuit is made entirely by hand as opposed to from a machine.” ■

Unfortunate spelling error makes shoppers giggle

An unfortunate spelling error or typo can happen to the best of us at times, and so it is in the spirit of commiseration, rather than condemnation, that we share the following awkward example.

On a recent visit to Lidl, one eagle-eyed customer noticed something wasn’t quite right in the bun section. A handwritten sign notified shoppers to a tray of Belgian buns - but a small error changed the meaning of the popular treat.

Instead of reading ‘Sweet bun’ - the writer jotted down something most people wouldn’t be so keen on: “Sweat bun”.

Taking to Reddit to share the sign with the internet, the shopper wrote: “I’m not sure I like the idea of this new bakery item in Lidl...” People duly took to the comments section to share their enjoyment, The Daily Star reports. “It’s salty but sweet all at the same time...” one person joked. Another added: “I mean, try it, maybe it’s better than it sounds.” A third quipped: “Try it sweaty, you might like it.” Well, perhaps not, but thanks anyway ‘Sweatie’!

Following the Twitterati

■ @Trish_houlihan

I’m in Kerry in Ireland, not a single item missing from my fruit and veg order from Tesco Ireland. It included tomatoes, salad, loads of fruit, some veg and eggs etc. Nothing missing. Monday’s delivery early am. And the dates ranged from bb 26th Feb to right out to March.

■ @jurgenkloppTD

Seeing all the pictures of the northern lights being visible in Donegal reminded me of when I was a child in school, we learnt about them and then I was convinced one night I could see them but it was just the lights in the Dunnes Stores carpark in the distance.

■ @MrJRan

We all know Dunnes is posher than Tesco. But I was always of the opinion that SuperValu is classier too. Am I right? And how do the others fit in?

■ @damienmulley

The new @Aldi_Ireland extra thin crispy base pizza is divine Gouda, mushroom, salami, ham and pepperoni. Going to stock up as on special at the moment.

Grocery across the globe

France

Carrefour launches new local fresh food format: Potager City Carrefour has opened its first two Potager City stores in Paris to offer city dwellers “a range of fresh quality products at the right price”. The new format complements the e-commerce offer for the delivery of fruit and vegetable baskets deployed by Potager City for 10 years and reinforces Carrefour’s position as a leader in French local food retail, with pride of place in-store given to fruits and vegetables.

Spain

Mercadona strengthens commitment to photovoltaic energy: Mercadona, the physical supermarket and online sales company, plans to invest approximately €60 million in 2023 in the installation of solar panels on its roofs. By installing solar panels, Mercadona states each supermarket can save approximately 20% of its annual energy consumption, a reduction of approximately 30 tonnes of CO2 per store.

A pint of Guinness mixed with English sparkling wine was sold at Cheltenham this year with a price tag of £20

‘World’s most expensive pint of Guinness’ sold at Cheltenham

Here at ShelfLife, we thought reports of a pint of the black stuff costing €9.95 in an establishment in Dublin’s Temple Bar seemed pretty steep, but the annual Cheltenham Festival has gone one better!

Irish racing fans in Cheltenham were able to sample the world’s most expensive pint of Guinness. The £20 tipple featured the famous black stuff mixed with ‘English sparkling wine’ in a concoction its bookmaker creators, Fitzdares, described as “the finest” pint in the world.

The 50:50 mix, known as Club Black Velvet was launched to toast the government’s post-Brexit Northern Ireland trade deal with the European Union, the ‘Windsor Framework’, as well as to “gently rib” punters who annually complain about the price of a pint!

Doctors warn against ‘dangerous’ TikTok trend of using raw potato juice as throat infection cure

Doctors have warned against ‘dangerous’ claims made by influencers on TikTok that raw potato juice has the power to cure the bacterial infection known as ‘strep throat’.

The bug can be fatal for children and older adults if left untreated. Nevertheless, videos have racked up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, endorsing the idea that raw juiced potato can treat Strep A. Specifically, in one particular post, a blogger and author claimed to her 12,200 followers on TikTok that she had cured her 14-year-old daughter’s ‘super bad Strep’ homeopathically The video reached hundreds of thousands of views before it was deleted.

Doctors have debunked social media claims that raw potato juice can cure strep throat

USA

Doctors have warned that promoting the idea was “dangerous” because there is “no substantial evidence potatoes treat strep throat”. Not taking antibiotics allows the bacteria to spread to other parts of the body and can cause a range of complications including acute rheumatic fever and scarlet fever Hmm… just one more reason we’ll stick to receiving medical advice from our Doc over TikTok!

Walmart releases Q4 and FY23 earnings: Fourth-quarter highlights showed Walmart delivered strong revenue growth globally Total revenue was $164.0 billion, up 7.3%, or 7.9% in constant currency. “We’re excited about our momentum,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart. “The team delivered a strong quarter to finish the year, and as our results in the last two quarters show, they acted quickly and aggressively to address the inventory and cost challenges we faced last year.”

UK

Morrisons invests a further £25m in price cuts: Morrisons recently launched a new wave of price cuts across 64 own brand products. The chain invested £25 million to reduce prices by an average of 19% on products such as fresh produce like salad vegetables, carrots and potatoes and cupboard essentials including coffee and rice. To date, in the last six months, Morrisons states it has invested £148 million to cut the prices of popular, essential and entry level products. ■

Fancy a ‘Sweat Bun’ anyone? (Image: u/ macomateo - Reddit)

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