4|Retail News|July - August 2022|www.retailnews.ie
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Spar reveal latest retailing solutions SPAR Ireland recently hosted a Spar Innovation Event, when hundreds of retailers from across Ireland gathered at the business forum, showcasing the latest thinking in retailing trends, along with revealing a number of technologies and other solutions to support retailers’ businesses due to roll-out over the next 12 months. Among the new solutions showcased on the day was BWG Foods’ new predictive AI stock management system, ShopLink Pro, which leverages hundreds of complex data points to predict consumer demand for in-store products, allowing for smarter forecasting of stock requirements, while also considering business promotions and category management to deliver 21day, 14-day and seven-day sales forecasts. The BWG team also revealed an innovative new HR Support service to support retailers with managing this very important part of their business. Spar also showcased a number of their latest food and beverage concepts, including Háo Chi Bar, The Local Tea Company, Popsicle, Pazza @ Home and I-Scream, the exclusive ice cream offering. Discussions on the day included presentations from Spar and BWG Foods management focused on the continued development and expansion of the Spar retail network across Ireland, and plans in
place to launch new offerings, including an expanded Spar Own Brand Range. “Our network of Spar retailers is very much a tightknit community of likeminded businesspeople, so it was fantastic to gather socially and to share conversations regarding the future of our business, our offerings and our iconic brand,” noted Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director. “SPAR have always been at the very forefront of retail innovation in Ireland and across the world, Colin Donnelly, Spar Sales Director. and this meeting was Olympic Gold Medallist and Spar Brand the perfect platform Ambassador, Kellie Harrington, TV and to share ideas and to present our exciting Radio’s Baz Ashmawy, Social Media plans.” strategist Greg Fry and Managing Director The event, which took place at the of the Meagher’s Pharmacy group, Oonagh Mount Wolseley Hotel in Carlow and O’Hagan. included guest contributions from
Government fuel policy is hitting those with the least ability to pay INCREASES in fuel prices are having a limited impact on consumer behaviour, while disproportionately hitting rural dwellers and those on low incomes, according to a new study by Grant Thornton. Significant increases in fuel excise and carbon taxes in recent years have led to a situation where taxes and subsidies now account for around 62% of petrol prices and 58% of diesel prices, according to the report. Even after the recent temporary reduction in excise duty, sharp global increases in fuel prices have seen Government tax revenue soar. “This study Kevin McPartlan, Chief confirms what Executive of Fuels for many of us Ireland. have suspected
in showing that consumers generally remain ‘inelastic’ to fuel price rises,” said Kevin McPartlan, Chief Executive of Fuels for Ireland, the industry body which commissioned the report. “Given that the vast majority of vehicles use liquid fuel, and because of the disproportionately rural nature of Ireland and the lack of alternative transport options, this policy of continuously increasing taxes does not actually reduce fuel consumption. What it does do is inflict real hardship on people, and Grant Thornton’s review clearly showed that rural dwellers on lower incomes are the most inelastic to fuel price hikes. Hitting people with the least ability to pay, and no alternatives available, is completely contrary to the principles of a just transition.” The Grant Thornton analysis showed that Ireland has one of the highest levels of taxes and duties on diesel, with France, Belgium and Italy being the only EU countries where diesel was taxed more heavily. “Whether through reduction in VAT or excise duty, or adopting a dynamic approach
to carbon tax rates, the Government must act urgently to reduce the burden on Irish motorists,” McPartlan argued. In the longer-term, however, he said that there needs to be a more far-reaching reappraisal of the State’s energy and climate policies, one which was focused on reducing pressure on hard-pressed consumers while accelerating the transition to carbon neutrality. “Private road transport is going to continue to be essential for many years to come, and it is time for the Government to consider the full range of options which exist for decarbonising transport - including biofuels, hydrogen and other low-carbon alternatives - and how to incentivise their uptake,” McPartlan said. “An energy transition is vital, but it needs to be a just transition. Let’s promote a move to fuels which greatly reduce our emissions and let’s give people the tools they need to decarbonise. As a first step, the Government should abandon the erroneous notion that taxing people reduces their consumption of fuels, when the evidence clearly shows it does not.”
