38|Retail News|April 2020|www.retailnews.ie
Drinks News Guinness announces €1.5m fund to support Irish communities GUINNESS has announced the establishment of a €1.5m fund providing support to communities affected by Covid-19 in Ireland. The fund will see €1.2m go to support bar staff, alongside a further €300,000 to elderly vulnerable people through a partnership with Alone, and its Befriending service. “We have been supporting the licensed trade through what is an unprecedented period as we all work together to keep people safe through the closure of licensed premises across the country,” said Oliver Loomes, Country Director of Diageo Ireland. Sean Moynihan, CEO of Alone, said, “Guinness have been supporting us for over three years in a bid to address social isolation, but it’s now that we need this most. Today’s news of an additional €300,000 is going to make a significant impact. This support will help us to continue to provide vital services to older people who need additional support and are experiencing increased social isolation at this time.”
Matt D’Arcy wins prestigious whiskey awards IRELAND’S newest whiskey brand, Matt D’Arcy & Co Limited has won multiple awards at the internationallyacclaimed San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020. The brand’s super-premium 17-yr-old single malt (pictured) won Best Irish Whiskey and Best Irish Single Malt, having just launched to market earlier this year. Among the other awards for the Newry-based whiskey company was a Double Gold medal for its super-premium 17-year-old single malt, which is only awarded when all judges unanimously deem a product to be of gold-medal standard. The company was also awarded Gold in the Blended Irish Whiskey category for its 10-year-old port-finished blend - a whiskey that is rich on the palate with plenty of dried fruit sweetness and a touch of oak. While Matt D’Arcy was a prominent name in whiskey making in the 1800s and 1900s, production stopped at the Newry distillery more than 100 years ago. It has since been revived by historian and founder Michael McKeown and the company launched to market in March.
Roku Gin unveiled in Dublin
NOffLA calls for MUP to be commenced within first 100 days of next Government
THE first premium Japanese Craft Gin available for purchase in Ireland, Roku Gin, made its presence known in Dublin recently with an intimate Japanese spirits dinner in Balfes restaurant at the Westbury. Guests were treated to a unique tasting experience across flavours and scents from Japan, with a three-course dinner, each course paired with a Japanese spirit and a bespoke cocktail. The event was hosted by Kevin Hurley, GM of Balfes, and Zoran Peric, International brand ambassador for The House of Suntory. Meaning ‘six’ in Japanese, Roku incorporates six traditional Japanese botanicals which are infused, distilled and blended by the Japanese artisans of The House Of Suntory Spirits in Osaka, Japan. With history dating back to 1899, Suntory has earned its reputation as one of Japan’s most awarded spirits producers, mastering the skill of making gin since 1936.
THE National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has made a submission to the negotiating teams of all political parties, calling for a commitment to commence Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) within the first 100 days of entering Government. NOffLA’s call came in early March, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, as Dublin hosted the 6th Global Alcohol Policy Conference, the world’s leading forum for alcohol policy makers and advocates. NOffLA’s Government Affairs Director, Evelyn Jones (pictured), said, “It is ironic that Ireland is playing host to the Global Alcohol Policy Conference despite our failure to introduce MUP. We know that Minister Harris is was initially seeking to introduce MUP immediately, but groundless concerns regarding cross-border shopping were voiced and so Government changed its position. We cannot allow economic considerations to take priority over public health. Further delays to implementing MUP in the Republic is facilitating over-consumption of alcohol and costing lives.”
C&C releases trading update C&C Group plc has announced its trading update for the 12 months ended February 29, 2020, with Earnings Before Interest and Taxes expected to be marginally ahead of current market estimates. Adjusted EPS (Earnings per Share) growth of above 10% is in line with the Group’s stated guidance for FY20 and follows prior year double-digit EPS growth. Consistent with recent performance, free cash flow generation and conversion continues to be strong, consequently leading to a net debt/EBITDA multiple below the Group’s stated target of 2.0x. Delivery of C&C’s brand-led distribution model progressed to plan in FY20, with Matthew Clark and Bibendum reporting blended operating margins within the stated range of guidance for this time following acquisition. These businesses continue to perform well against key financial metrics and performance targets, with identified synergy benefits being realised. The company also noted that the process to appoint a new CEO is progressing, with global executive search firm Spencer Stuart formally engaged.