Retail News October 2010

October 2010

n a o t k o o L A New e t i r u o v a F h s Iri

Ireland’s Favourite Frozen Vegetable Brand October Cover.indd 1

08/10/2010 12:25

OTC_RN_210x297_23SEP10_Layout 1 23/09/2010 16:45 Page 1

If they ask for cigarettes you have to ask for ID because if you sell cigarettes to under 18s you could face a fine of up to â‚Ź3,000 and be banned from selling tobacco products LoCall 1890 333100

www.otc.ie

October10Contents

Carling Nations Cup Fixtures Announced

n inside view

Belt Tightening & The Nature of Altruism WITH December’s Budget expected to be one of the harshest in living memory, Ireland’s grocery industry is keen to make its voice heard and get its points across to the powers that be in the Department of Finance. In this month’s News section (Page 4), our Chief News Reporter Pavel Barter talks to a host of the great and the good from the grocery sector to ascertain what they would like to see addressed in this year’s Budget.

Unsurprisingly, encouraging consumers to spend again is high on the agenda, while other hot topics include improving and stimulating access to credit, plus the thorny issues of rates, local government charges and energy costs. On the latter topic, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland provide advice on simple but effective ways to reduce your monthly energy costs in-store (Page 35).

In a time of belt-tightening, it’s sometimes hard to focus on handing out money, and yet charities like the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund have never needed your money more. Donald Williamson, the IGBF’s current President of Appeals, explains how the Fund has “a growing population of people who need our help” (Page 30) and asks individual retailers to get more involved in the charity, from a funding and organisational point of view.

One way you can contribute to the IGBF and have a great time in the process is to attend the Annual IGBF Christmas Lunch, which takes place in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on November 26. See www.igbf.ie or telephone 01 2152216 for more information on this fantastic event, which always signals the start of the holiday season for those involved in the Irish grocery trade.

“Over 53 years

.

Kathleen Belton, Editorial & Marketing Director

serving the Irish grocery trade.”

Managing Director: Fergus Farrell Editorial & Marketing Director: Kathleen Belton Editor: John Walshe

johnwalshe@tarapublishingco.com

Advertising: Kathleen Belton

kathleen@tarapublishingco.com

pat@tarapublishingco.com

Pat Murray

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter

Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

T A R A Published by: Tara Publishing Co. Ltd., Poolbeg House, 1/2 Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2.

Tel: (01) 2413095 Fax: (01) 2413010 Web: www.retailnews.ie Email: retailnews@tarapublishingco.com Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: aoife@tarapublishingco.com Origination by: Rooney Media Graphics

Printed by: W&G Baird

THE Carling Nations Cup has moved one step closer to its February 2011 kick-off in Dublin with the announcement of the fixtures and dates for the matches, along with the unveiling of the comPictured at the announcement petition’s new logo. of the Carling Nations Cup The logo incorfixture list are (l-r): Northern porates the colours Ireland manager Nigel Worthington, Molson Coors of the four particiIreland Country Manager Niall pating nations and Phelan and Ireland manager highlights Carling’s Giovanni Trapattoni. long association with football throughout the UK and Ireland.

Managers of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland attended the launch event, where it was announced that The Carling Nations Cup will kick off on Tuesday February 8, 2011, with a match between Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland and Wales.

The full list of fixtures are: Tuesday February 8 Republic of Ireland v Wednesday February 9 Northern Ireland v Monday May 23 Republic of Ireland v Tuesday May 24 Wales v Thursday May 26 Wales v Friday May 27 Republic of Ireland v

Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Scotland Northern Ireland Scotland

The Carling Nations Cup will be the first senior international tournament hosted in Ireland and will be played in a league format, with six matches between the four neighbouring teams. Tickets will go on sale in November.

“The announcement of the fixtures is sure to fuel excitement amongst football fans throughout the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as the National teams prepare to go head to head in the inaugural Carling Nations Cup,” noted Niall Phelan, Molson Coors Country Manager for Ireland. “We are delighted to launch the new logo for the tournament as it gives the Carling Nations Cup a strong identity and a place alongside our other football sponsorships such as the Carling Cup.”

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

1

Two Superser Heaters To Be Won From The exclusive distributor of Superser heaters in Ireland!

Flogas is delighted to offer two Retail News readers the chance to win a Flogas Superser heater to stay cosy this Autumn and Winter.

Retailers looking to stock up before the cold weather hits can source them exclusively from Flogas on 041-9831041 or www.flogas.ie For instant, controllable heat that’s both stylish and cost-effective, Flogas supplies the Superser Radiant and Superser Catalytic heaters. The Superser Catalytic burns without a flame and has lower touch temperatures. Both models are fitted with easy glide castors for trouble-free moving from room to room.

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF TWO SUPERSER HEATERS Simply answer the following question:

Which Flogas Superser model burns without a flame?

Send your answer together with your name, address and telephone number on postcard to Flogas Superser Competition, Retail News, Poolbeg House, 1-2 Poolbeg St. Dublin 2. Alternatively, email your details and correct answer to  retailnews@tarapublishingco.com

CLOSING DATE : 19th November 2010.

Terms and conditions apply. Judges decision is final and no cash alternatives given.

October10Contents

Contents October 2010

News 4Grocery Sector Calls

Shop Profile 14Graham Mahony has

for Budget to Stimulate Spending.

just taken over Costcutter, Birr, Co. Offaly, but already has plans in place to revamp the store and build its strong local trade.

5Fine Gael Slams Test Purchasing Alcohol Scheme; ISME Sceptical of Proposed Loan Guarantee Scheme.

6Tobacco Smugglers Use Legitimate Cover; MEPs Call for New Law to Protect Farmers.

7Applegreen Wins Top Award; Wine Recovery Welcomed.

829% of Pre-Packed Sandwiches Stored at Wrong Temperature; Rewarding Excellence at SHOP 2010.

26

14 Karen Meenan’s News Rack 16Karen Meenan looks at the importance of newspapers to your News Rack’s profitability, while also highlighting the opportunity to use newspapers to create more sales in-store through cross-purchases.

ADM Londis Retailer Conference 26‘Join Our Journey’ was the theme of this year’s annual Londis Conference, where the group’s Retailing Excellence Awards were presented.

42

The Retail News Interview 30Donald Williamson, the Irish Grocers’ Benevolvent Fund’s President of Appeals, on why the Fund remains as important as it ever was in these straitened economic times and how individual retailers can do more to get involved.

Energy Efficiency 35The Sustainable Energy

Forecourt Focus 46We travel to Athboy

Authority of Ireland advises on significantly cutting your energy costs in-store; Energy Savings Brewing at Café Sol; Daikin Convenipack: Helping to Save You Money.

in County Meath to see the latest addition to the McCormack Retail Group.

Costcutter Annual Conference 40Costcutter focused on ‘survival and growth’ at its recent Annual Conference.

Jim Barry, MD, Barry Group, talks us through the Group’s ambitious plans.

On The Vine 44Jean Smullen looks at the continued rise of Spanish wines on the Irish market.

Shelf Life 48All the latest news and gossip from the trade.

Regulars 10 Industry News 45 Drinks News Sectoral Reports 22 Soup 32 OTC Medicines & Vitamins 38 Frozen Food/Ready Meals 42 Jams, Spreads & Condiments

3

October10News

Grocery Sector Calls for Budget to Stimulate Spending DECEMBER is expected to bring one of Ireland’s toughest budgets to date and the grocery industry is keen to make its voice heard before decisions are taken.

Retail News has spoken to a number of different people across the sector about topics such as the minimum wage, local government charges, rates, energy costs and access to credit. Amongst the highest concerns was the need to restore growth and repair the country’s spiralling deficit.

“The main challenge for Government in this Budget as I see it is to achieve the cuts expected of them by the international market, while fostering the stimuli that Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, will impact BWG Foods. positively on consumer sentiment in order to help the grocery sector,” summed up Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods.

From the perspective of Danny McCoy, Director General of employer’s group IBEC, it is essential the Government does not overtax the country in the midst of economic recovery. Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General, said Ireland should introduce measures that will stimulate employment and not curb spending.

“We are saying to the Minister of Finance, the most important thing is to stimulate the economy,” said Buckley, “to try and get people back to work and get them spending.”

Willie O’Byrne wants “a stimulus to encourage consumer spending designed to release into the economy some of the personal savings evident in Central Bank data. These funds are crucial to refloating our domestic economy, and confidence is the key to reversing the hoarding pattern established during the recession.

Spending excessive savings are a painless way to boost the retail sector and restore growth to the economy.”

State-influenced business costs need reform, said Mark Fielding, CEO of Irish 4

Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME).

“Local charges, energy, transport, should be addressed because our cost competitiveness has gone out the window. The deteriorating labour market also needs to be addressed. The Government should introduce initiatives on employment retention and creation: something better than the piecemeal stuff they have done over the last two years, starting and stopping like the West Clare railway.

They allocated €250m to an employment subsidy scheme last year, then stopped after they spent €133m.”

Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, told Retail News there should be no more bank charge increases, hitting hard-pressed businesses for additional costs. Meanwhile, Stephen O’Riordan, CEO of Londis, called for action to streamline the level of compliance and red tape imposed on retailers, and for measures to free up access to credit for small businesses. Money was also on the mind of Tom Shipsey, Chief Executive of Irish wholesale group Stonehouse.

“2010 has proved an extremely difficult year for all in our sector,” he told Retail News. “The biggest factor affecting our members is cash flow. Retailers, hoteliers, publicans are finding it difficult to pay us and the pressure in turn on us is immense. Banks have reduced or even cancelled overdraft facilities for my members and unless we find some loosening of credit facilities, we will have to change our arrangements with our customers. This will without doubt lead to businesses closing and more people ending up on the live register.”

Willie O’Byrne also encouraged Government to examine ways to get credit flowing again. “Small businesses - like those operated by SPAR, MACE

and XL retailers - are the lifeblood of local economies, providing much needed employment in the local villages, towns and cities in which they operate,” he argued. “Credit facilities which allow these businesses to continue to innovate and ride out the economic storm will be crucial in positioning our retailers and their businesses for the upturn.”

Most of the people we spoke to called for a rethink of the wage structure.

Stephen O’Riordan said reform of the JLC and minimum wage rates is essential “to reflect the current economic environment”. RGDATA are lobbying the Minister for the scrapping of JLC’s and the CSNA wants the national minimum wage to be available to all newcomers into the grocery trade. “If retail is to have a part of the recovery, then we need to be competitive. It is quite clear the JLC rates are a hindrance to competition,” said Jennings.

It is a long shopping list and whether the Minister for Finance delivers, come December, remains to be seen. “In a sense, this is a letter to Santa,” said Mark Fielding, CEO of ISME. “But even Santa couldn’t fix the mess we’re in.”

Low Budget Christmas Ahead?

53% of Irish people are planning a low budget Christmas this year, according to an online poll carried out by the National Consumer Agency. More than a fifth of those who responded to the question ‘Are you saving for Christmas?’ said that they had been saving a little all year, while 18% hadn’t started saving yet, but would start soon. Only 6% said that they plan to use a credit card.

October10News

Fine Gael Slams Test Purchasing Alcohol Scheme FINE Gael have described plans to use teenagers to carry out test purchases of alcohol in off-licenses as “bizarre and illconceived”. Under the Test Purchasing Alcohol Scheme, introduced by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern TD, on October 1, Gardaí can send teenagers aged 15, 16, or 17 into a licensed premises to attempt to buy alcohol. If a sale takes place, the premises will be prosecuted.

However, Fine Gael said the scheme amounts to entrapment and may exploit the teenagers concerned, especially if their ruse is uncovered by the local off-license owner. “They substantially ignore the stress and dangers that could be caused to a young person used as a test purchaser of alcohol,” said Alan Shatter TD, Fine Gael’s spokesman on justice.

Retailers, on the other hand, are largely supportive of the scheme. Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, noted the legalities of the measure, as well as its transparency. “It is a model of transparency in comparison to the way the Health Service Executive and the Office of Tobacco Control carried out their

protocols for test purchasing,” he told Retail News. “If you look at the website [www.justice.ie], you’ll see the whole risk assessment that was undertaken. I congratulate the department for putting that on the website and showing the protocols. From a legal perspective, this matter of test purchasing has already been determined in the high court. Justice Roderick Murphy quite clearly stated that.”

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley said retailers should ensure their staff are informed as to the consequences of selling alcohol or cigarettes to underage people, but expressed discomfort with the scheme. “It’s not so much that it amounts to entrapment, but in terms of the young people themselves, we don’t think this is the way to go about doing this,” she said.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland also welcomed the scheme but contended it should be combined with the upcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill to intro-

duce a mandatory Garda ID age card for all those over the age of 18. Jennings echoed this sentiment.

“Though the Garda Card is incredibly robust, they lost an opportunity in getting it amended,” he said. “Currently, the law as it stands says you can’t apply for it until you are 18. It should be available for people to apply for during their 17th year, and have it posted and sent to the Garda station to collect on their 18th birthday.”

All retailers should introduce stringent policies in their shops, said Tara Buckley.

Although neither teenage testers nor Garda Cards will rule out the problem of people, aged 18+, buying the alcohol then passing it on to younger people.

ISME Sceptical of Proposed Loan Guarantee Scheme A REPRESENTATIVE of over 8,500 small and medium Irish businesses has expressed his scepticism, to Retail News, about plans to introduce a Government-backed loan guaran-

Mark Fielding, ISME Chief Executive.

tee scheme for small business. Batt O’Keeffe TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, recently announced plans to introduce the scheme at the annual conference of the Small Firms Association (SFA).

However, Mark Fielding, CEO of Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME), told Retail News he was not optimistic about the scheme coming to fruition.

“If you read the announcement, all it says is that the officials are looking into it,” said Fielding. “That’s like a hole in the ground in County Monaghan and the guards are looking into it. He [Minister O’Keeffe] tends to be the Minister for Announcements. We are looking for concrete proposals. He has announced, for instance, the SME management grants at least three times, but we still haven’t seen anything concrete.”

Government guarantee schemes are in place across 24 of the 27 EU countries and may assist struggling businesses in Ireland, finding it difficult to access finance in the current economic climate.

“A Government guarantee for small businesses would certainly help bring marginal proposals across the winning line,” continued Fielding.

However, having approached the Department of Finance on numerous occasions, in regard to implementing such a scheme, he doubts they would consider such a proposal. “Any time we brought it up at meetings, the Department of Finance seem to pooh-pooh it. They weren’t interested because they felt it was another guarantee for the banks, rather than a guarantee for SMEs. A guarantee for small businesses was taking away risk from the banks again.”

5

October10News

Tobacco Smugglers Use Legitimate Cover CIGARETTE smuggling is becoming increasingly difficult to detect, since crime gangs are using legitimate companies as cover, a new report reveals.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) report says smugglers are using tax registration details to throw customs officials off-track and suggests revenue should “explore other methodologies for estimating evasion”.

Some measures are proving fruitful. For example, a new cigarette smuggling hotline received 113 calls since it was established in July. The confidential hotline, set up by the Revenue Commissioners, encourages people to submit information about illicit ciga-

rette trade in markets, workplaces, local shops, and estates.

The number of cigarettes confiscated increased from 74.5m in 2007 to 218.5m in 2009. However, the number of seizures fell by about 30% during the same time, which suggests illegal cigarettes are coming into the country in greater numbers, but their consignments are more difficult to spot. The C&AG reports suggest X-ray scanners in Irish ports are having limited success in detecting contraband tobacco. Last year, crime gangs are estimated to have sold 40m packets of cigarettes, at a value of around €160m.

MEPs Call for New Law to Protect Farmers THE European Parliament has called for a new law to protect farmers from dominant supermarket groups, creating a better functioning food supply chain. Independent MEP Marian Harkin is amongst those who want a fairer share of revenue for farmers.

“Since 1996, the only actor in the chain who is not getting an increasing share is the primary producer,” she told Retail News. “Over the years, there has been huge growth in the food chain: when products like wheat spiked

Independent MEP Marian Harkin.

6

in price, consumer prices reflected that, but when the price of these raw materials decreased, the consumer price did not decrease at the same rate.”

Harkin, who spoke in support of the report at the European Parliament, told Retail News there are numerous ways in which farmers might be better protected, such as a reform of contracts between the various players and the establishment of an effective ombudsman. The report also called for a ban on below-cost selling: an about turn for Ireland after the repeal of the Groceries Order. Harkin believes it was a mistake to remove the ban on below cost goods.

“I remember at the time, listening to Michael Martin and Eddie Hobbs,” she said. “They ensured us that when the Groceries Order was repealed, prices would fall. It didn’t happen. I opposed the repeal of the Groceries Order. In some countries, they ban below cost selling: in some countries it is for particular products;in other countries it is a blanket ban.”

However, Harkin said reforms to the food chain needed to remain competitive. “You need to be very careful where you intervene, because there is always the law of unintended consequences,” she warned.

Cereal Prices to Rise FOOD product prices could be hit by a sudden growth in the cost of cereals. After a threeyear downward trend, cereal prices have shot up by 50% in recent months. The change in circumstance will be of benefit to grain growers, especially after troublesome droughts in Russia, but could affect grain-dependent food products.

October10News

Wine Recovery Welcomed WINE sales are experiencing a recovery in 2010, after two years of decline.

According to new figures, sales have increased by 3.8% since the start of the year, a phenomenon that can be attributed to Brian Lenihan’s cut in excise duty in the last budget, and a decrease in people shopping in Northern Ireland, according to Philip Robinson, Irish Wine Association Chairman.

Wine experienced massive growth in Ireland during the boom years. In 1990, around 1.5m cases of wine were sold in Ireland; by 2007, this had increased fivefold. But the onset of the economic crisis in 2008 led to a sudden fall-off in sales.

Despite this year’s recovery, Irish consumption of wine is still one of the lowest in Europe. Is there room for more growth? “It is important to remem-

ber that France, Germany, Italy and Spain are all wine producing countries, therefore the culture of wine in those countries is different,” Robinson, also Director of Marketing for Findlater Wine and Spirits, told Retail News.

“Wine is a major indigenous industry in those places. You’d need to benchmark us against the UK. But I believe wine has good long term growth prospects.”

Applegreen Wins Top Award APPLEGREEN has won the Insight NACS 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award for format innovation and CSR initiatives at its flagship Mount Merrion site in Dublin.

The International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award, now in its second year, was sponsored by Imperial Tobacco and Baro Lighting, and this year’s competition attracted a record number of entries from retailers around the globe, spanning five continents.

Accepting the Award during the Insight NACS Future of International Convenience Retailing event, Applegreen Director, Joe Barrett, said: “We see the

Award as very much a team effort. We are very passionate about what we do and we love our business. Applegreen is 100% Irish-owned and operated and we develop most of the innovations and concepts that you see in-store within the company itself. They are a demonstration of what creative, hardworking Irish people can create. Our new Motorway Service Areas are already being described as the best in Europe and we will continue to strive to innovate in the sector. This award from Insight NACS gives us global recognition for the work we do and I’m delighted to accept it on behalf of the Applegreen team.”

BillPay Sales Continue to Climb Statistics reveal that BillPay sales are climbing annually, growing by over 50% year-on-year since its introduction to the market: not only that, but further PostPoint research identified that BillPay sales increase by up to 60% between the months of October and December.

Don’t miss out on this excellent revenue opportunity: make sure you are advertising BillPay in store during these peak months.

If you would like to order BillPay POS, please contact PostPoint on 1890 20 42 20 or go online to www.postpoint.ie.

If you would like to speak to a sales representative about setting up BillPay in your store please contact 1890 20 42 20 or check out www.postpoint.ie.

Over 120 bills and growing are now payable in your store through PostPoint, once again proving PostPoint is the electronic service provider retailers can trust.

BIL

Pictured at the presentation of the Insight NACS 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award are Terry Byrne, Managing Director, Baro Retail Lighting (Award Sponsor); Joe Barrett, Director, Applegreen Ireland (Award Winner); and Ramon Kuijpers, International Key Accounts Manager, Imperial Tobacco (Award Sponsor).

L PAY

www.postpoint.ie 7

October10News

29% of Pre-Packed Sandwiches Stored at Wrong Temperature A STUDY published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to assess the microbiological safety of pre-packaged sandwiches shows that 99% were satisfactory when tested for the foodborne bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and coagulase positive staphylococci. However, of concern was the fact that 29% of sandwiches tested were stored or displayed at temperatures higher than 5˚C. The study, which saw the HSE testing 948 pre-packaged sandwiches from retailers and caterers across the country, found that four of the five sandwiches which were classified as unsatisfactory or unacceptable/potentially hazardous were stored above 8˚C, with one sand-

wich displayed unrefrigerated at 17.9˚C. For three of these sandwiches, there was at least one day remaining until the use-by date expired, which could have allowed even more bacteria to grow.

While the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes infection is rare in Ireland, there is a high mortality rate (up to 40%) and only small numbers need to be consumed to cause serious infection.

Professor Alan Reilly, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that the survey highlighted an unacceptable disregard for temperature control: “Storing prepackaged sandwiches at the incorrect temperature can lead to food poisoning. The onus is on retailers and cater-

ers to ensure pre-packaged sandwiches are refrigerated at the recommended temperature of 5˚C or cooler,” he noted, going on to stress how “manufacturers must ensure that accurate and realistic use-by dates are applied to the sandwiches they make”.

A full copy of the report is available on www.fsai.ie

Rewarding Excellence at SHOP 2010 and I am delighted that out product, in the eyes of the judges, was the best for quality, innovation and high food standards.”

The SHOP Product of the Show Awards, sponsored by Marla.ie is now firmly established as the major event in the Irish food and drink retail industry. “It is our second year of sponsorship and we are delighted at Rosita Moyles, Simply Honest Food Company, accepts the award for Overall Product of the Show, SHOP 2010, the quality of entrants,” from judge John Hickey and Sheila Gallogy, Marla.ie, noted Sheila Gallogy award sponsors. from sponsors Marla.ie.

“The Simply Honest Food REWARDING excellence in the Irish food Company’s product was an all-round sector, the highly anticipated Product of winner and has huge potential. As the the Show awards, sponsored by Marla. overall prize, we’ll be working with our ie, took place at SHOP 2010 and saw team to provide marketing/design and the Simply Honest Food Company walk web strategy expertise and advice worth away with the Overall Product of the €2,000 to further the brand.”

Show award. Its Chicken and Chili Vol Last year’s winner of the Overall Au Vent also claimed the award for Best Product of the Show, The Blue Haven New Taste 2010.

Company, is a great testament to “To win the Best New Taste award the success that winning the award is a fantastic honour, but to win the can bring. Loretto Kirwan, General Overall Product of the Show Award, Manager of Blue Haven Food Company, with our new Chicken and Chili Vol Au explains: “What we found most useful Vent, is an amazing endorsement from was the team’s ability to challenge our our industry,” commented Rosita Moyles thinking, and assist us in shaping our of Simply Honest Food Company. “The company vision.” competition was very high this year, 8

There were six categories in total.

The winners are: Best for Innovative Product – Activeion (Eurpoe) Gmbh; Best of Irish Product – Mash Direct; Best New Taste – Simply Honest Food Company; Best Value for Money Award – Floortech; Best Branded Product – Galbert Salads; The People’s Product of the Show Award 2010 – Irish Atlantic Salt Ltd. See next month’s Retail News for a full report into SHOP 2010.

Aldi Expansion on Hold ALDI is holding off on plans to build a €100m distribution centre. Aldi have attributed this postponement to difficulties in the planning process: as a result the regional distribution centre will not open until 2013, when it is expected to create 140 jobs. “The lack of planning permissions for new stores is the only factor contributing to the delay in opening the new regional distribution centre,” an Aldi spokesperson recently told the Irish Examiner.

‘Since I joined Daybreak my store has gone from strength to strength.

The support I receive from the Musgrave team is second to none.’

Stephen Clayton, Daybreak Kilcullen

‘Open up to better profits’ Are you looking to improve the profitability of your store?

If so, then Daybreak is the smart choice. Here are five good reasons to choose Daybreak: Real Value for Money As part of the Musgrave Group, we will enhance your sales and your margins with our competitive pricing and deep cut promotions.

A fresh look at ‘Food to go’ Our new food solutions will drive your profitability.

Saving you money Our development costs are much more competitive than other symbols.

Our team An experienced and responsive team are always at your disposal.

Our vibrant new image We’ve invested substantially to create a fresh new look.

For more information call us on

086 771 4666

October10Industry

News

EUROSPAR Moyross to Create 50 New Jobs EUROSPAR Watch House Cross has officially opened its doors for business, with the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Bryne, cutting the ribbon on the supermarket, which was originally destined for closure – the Mayor is pictured with General Manager Derek Coyle. The

launch celebration coincides with the recent announcement that 54 jobs have been secured and up to 50 more positions are likely to be created over the next two years.

An investment of €600,000 has gone into the refurbishment of the store, which now features a ‘Chill’ off-licence,

Centra Store on Ros na Rún ROS Na Rún actresses Linda Breathnach and Lisa Ni Laoire are pictured outside the new Centra shop on the set of the popular show. The new Centra outlet, which is situated on the main street of the busy fictional village, was unveiled when Ros na Rún returned recently for its 15th season.

Similar to local Centra stores throughout Ireland, the local ‘Siopa’ plays a central role in the Ros na Rún community as it is where much of the drama unfolds in the village. This year, Ros na Rún viewers will see the character Bríd, a dynamic businesswoman, take over the running of the ‘Siopa’, signing a deal with Centra to open a contemporary flagship store in the village.

fresh food and deli counter, ‘Baker’s Tray’ and general grocery area, with an aisle dedicated to discount deals.

“This is a very happy day for our staff and our customers, who were facing the prospect of their only neighbourhood supermarket closing,” noted owner, Maurice Smith.

Lucozade Sport Sponsors Coaching Conference KILKENNY hurler Henry Shefflin and legendary broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh are pictured at the Lucozade Sport sponsored 10th Coaching Ireland Conference held at The Convention Centre, Dublin.

A host of well known stars from all corners of the sporting world were on hand to share their knowledge and experience. Among the top sports names leading the ‘From Playground to Podium’ forum and presenting keynote addresses on a wide range of sporting topics were Henry Shefflin, GAA All-Star and seven-time All Ireland hurling medal winner, international soccer manager Brian Kerr, GAA President Christy Cooney, and Billy Walsh, high performance boxing coach.

TOP Opens Motorway Fuel Card Truck Stops TOP launched six Motorway Fuel Card Truck Stops in September as part of the National Roads Authority, Motorway Service Area (MSA) facilities. These fuel card truck stops represent a major development in our roads network, providing the haulage industry with best in class facilities comparable to those seen in continental Europe.

There are two TOP Fuel Card Truck Stops at three different locations, providing facilities on both sides of the Motorways, totalling six Truck Stop sites. The locations include Lusk on the M1, Dundalk on the M1 and Enfield on the M4. The Fuel Card Truck Stops will accept all Major Fuel Cards. Pictured are Eamon Martin, National Fuel Card Manager, and Martin Daly from TOP.

Lily O’Brien’s Sign Deal with Energia IRISH chocolate makers Lily O’Brien’s are going green in a new renewable energy deal with leading independent energy provider Energia. The new deal will see Energia supplying Lily O’Brien’s production facility in Newbridge, Co Kildare, with 1GwHs (gigawatt hours) of green electricity each year. The deal is valued at roughly €115,000 annually. Pictured announcing the deal are John King, Key Account Manager, Energia, and Suzanne Walsh, Marketing Manager, Lily O’Brien’s, who noted how “driving the business forward in a more ecologically friendly and cost effective manner has been a strategic priority for Lily O’Brien’s over the past number of years and the move to Energia simply marks another milestone in Lily O’Brien’s ‘green’ journey.”

10

October10Industry

News

OTC Campaign to Crack Down on Tobacco Sales to Minors IT’S an offence for a person to sell tobacco products to those under-18 years of age. While the majority of retailers comply with the law, research by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) shows that one third of retailers appear to be less rigorous in their commitment to upholding the law. Given the key role played by retailers in our communities, this is regrettable.

In October, the OTC will be running an advertising campaign, ‘Don’t kID yourself’, to support retailers and their staff in asking young people for ID. The campaign creates an expectation that young people will be asked for ID if they ask for cigarettes or tobacco products. It also highlights the penalties for retailers who don’t comply with the law, including fines of up to €3,000 and a ban on selling tobacco products.

Selling tobacco to under-18s is in breach of the law and it is facilitating access to a product that is highly addictive and kills one in two users. Most smokers die prematurely and lose between 10 and 15 quality life years. Everyone has a responsibility to protect our young people’s health. There’s nothing minor about the consequences of selling tobacco products to children.

Superquinn’s Golden Ticket

Driving Better Ideas Further

SUPERQUINN has launched one of its biggest ever instore promotions, the ‘Superquinn Golden Ticket’.

Launched as part of the retailer’s 50th birthday celebrations, with a €50,000 prize fund, consumers also have the chance to win hundreds of thousands of free Golden Ticket products. Supported by brands such as Fairy, Lyons, Tayto, Country Crest, Andrex, Coca Cola, Traditional Cheese Co., Denny, Danone, AIBP and Donnelly’s, the promotion runs for a period of 50 days, up November 10. Pictured at the launch of Superquinn’s Golden Ticket are (l-r): Liz Kennedy, Brand Manager, Fairy; Ray Connolly, AIBP; Ciaran Donnelly, Donnellys; Philip Lynch, National Account Manager, Danone Ireland; Ciaran Stone, National Account Manager, Kerry Foods; Suzanne McHugh, Brand Marketing Manager, Superquinn; Tony Doyle, Commercial Manager, Country Crest; Michael Graham, National Account Manager, Largo Foods; Jennifer Fielden, Customer Account Manager, Kimberly Clark; and Grainne Whalley, Managing Director, Traditional Cheese Co.

PICTURED are (l-r): Terence Mangan, District Governor of Lions Clubs International, and Brian Donaldson, General Manager, Marketing & Retail Ireland, Maxol, at the announcement of the Travelling Lions Awards with Maxol, which have been introduced to recognise and encourage travel amongst the 3,000 members of the 120 Lions Clubs operating on the island of Ireland. As participants in the Travelling Lions Awards scheme, Maxol will sponsor fuel vouchers which will be presented at the Lions Annual Convention and Awards Event, to be held in Dublin in February 2011. The vouchers will be used to reward those individual members who actively travel in support of the Lions charity and fund raising events outside of their normal district.

News International On the Ball PICTURED at the announcement that News International newspaper titles The Irish Sun and The Irish News of the World are the new sponsors of the Premier League coverage on RTÉ are (seated): Darragh Moloney, presenter of Premier League coverage on RTÉ Television; Trevor Steven, panellist on Premier League coverage on RTÉ and former England and Everton footballer; Aengus O Hanlon, Assistant Editor, The Irish Sun; Kenny Cunningham, panellist on Premier League coverage on RTÉ and former Irish international; and (standing) Kevin Lynch, Sports Editor, The Irish News of the World; and Geoff Thompson, Sports Editor, The Irish Sun. The deal covers the entire Premier League season and includes sponsorship of coverage on RTÉ Television, RTÉ Radio and RTÉ Online.

11

October10Industry

News

Tallanstown is Ireland’s Tidiest Town PICTURED at the TidyTowns award ceremony at The Helix, Dublin, recently were the winners of the overall award from Tallanstown, Co. Louth with Minister for Environment, Health and Local Government, John Gormley TD, and Ray Kelly, Marketing Director, SuperValu, the competition’s national sponsor. The Minister thanked SuperValu for its continued support of Tidy Towns: “In these economic times, where money is scarcer, we value the continued support of SuperValu all the more and I thank them for their commitment both at a national level and in the work that all of the SuperValu stores do with local TidyTowns groups.” SuperValu have sponsored the National TidyTowns competition since 1992.

Bulmers Sponsors Tall Ships Races 2011 BULMERS Ltd has announced the sponsorship of Ireland’s largest free summer festival in 2011, the Tall Ships Races 2011, which will take place in Waterford next summer from June 30 to July 3. The event is expected to attract over 500,000 visitors over four days and is anticipated to represent a boost of €35m to the city of Waterford. “The Tall Ships Races in Waterford is going to be one of the highlights of 2011 and is a natural fit for Bulmers, both in terms of location and the Bulmers Live music offering,” said Marcus Goodwin of Bulmers Ltd. “One of our key associations will be on the evening entertainment programme and the music that will help bring the event to life over the four days. We look forward to working with our trade partners in Waterford and being part of something very special in our home region.”

Pictured at the launch are Des Whelan, Chairman of the Tall Ships Races 2011, with Marcus Goodwin and Barry Moran of Bulmers.

Boyne Valley Honey Days

PICTURED at the launch of the Down Syndrome Ireland Boyne Valley Honey Days campaign are (l-r): Pat Clarke, Chief Executive, Down Syndrome Ireland; Des Jones (11) and Nicola Jones (7) from Ballivor, Co. Meath; and Gillian Hennessy, Brand Manager, Boyne Valley. Running throughout the month of October, the campaign sees the return of the mini Boyne Valley Honey pots on sale for €2 from volunteers nationwide. You can also support the campaign online by purchasing a virtual Boyne Valley Honey pot at www.downsyndrome.ie. “This is our 15th year supporting Down Syndrome Ireland and we are delighted that monies raised this October will go directly to supporting the frontline services that are invaluable to families across the country,” said Jennifer Richards, Marketing Director, Boyne Valley Honey.

12

Jameson Named Spirits Brand of the Year in the US JAMESON Irish Whiskey has been awarded the prestigious Market Watch Spirit Brand of the Year in the United States.

In its acknowledgment of the award to Jameson, Market Watch said: “This year’s Spirit Brand of the Year is a brand that, simply put, built a category.” The annual award is voted upon by a group of more than 200 active retail leaders from across 52 states. “We are honoured to receive this great award from Market Watch and congratulate all who have been a part of Jameson’s remarkable success in the United States,” said Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and Chief Executive, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard. “We have great ambitions for the Jameson brand over the coming decade and we fully expect to deliver on these and to ensure that Jameson will be firmly established amongst the world’s elite spirits brands by 2020.”

October10Shop

Profile

Big Plans for Costcutter Birr Graham Mahony has just taken over Costcutter, Birr, Co. Offaly, but already has plans in place to revamp the store and build its strong local trade.

Graham

Pictured outside Costcutter Birr are David Smith, Fruit and Veg. Advisor; Graham Mahony, store owner; Gerard Heffernan, Store Developer; and Alan Hogan, Account Manager, Costcutter.

Mahony had only taken charge of the Costcutter store in Birr, Co. Offaly three weeks before the visit of Retail News, but he has big plans to build the business and an exceptionally good working relationship with Costcutter and the Barry Group.

In 2008, Graham joined the Barry Group as an account manager. One of the shops in his region was Flynn’s Costcutter in Birr. When the chance came to take over the Birr store and move from account manager to retailer, Graham couldn’t resist the opportunity, even during a recession.

“I knew this shop well,” Graham explains. “Aidan Flynn had built up a loyal local custom and established a reputation for good value for money. I also knew the Barry Group very well. Barry’s, although a large and professional organisation, is still at its core a family-owned business. There is fantastic accessibility to everyone in the organisation up to and including Jim Barry.”

14

Having worked as an Account Manager with Costcutter, Graham was aware of just how strong the support provided to Costcutter retailers is: “so despite the fact that I have never owned my own shop before, I am confident that this venture will be a success. The relationship with Costcutter and the retailer is 100% a partnership. Costcutter shops are where the brand meets the consumer. It is here that we provide the fresh, modern, friendly shopping environment and it is here that the consumer experiences the value for money offering that partnership with Costcutter allows retailers to provide.”

Expert Support Graham cites the level of support from the Barry Group as critical to the partnership: “Costcutter provides retailers with expert support in category management, in business planning, in local marketing, in every single area that the retailer needs. I would not and could not have taken over this shop without that support and expertise being made available to me.”

The large supermarket format of Mahony’s Costcutter gives Graham plenty of scope to redesign the interior layout and update the format of the shop. The current plan is to retain and promote the pre-existing strengths of the business, to keep the loyal local customer base happy and to introduce a high convenience element, focused on the entrance and off-licence, to allow the shop to maximise its exploitation of passing trade and impulse purchases.

In the main body of the shop, aisles will be widened and aisle shelf heights lowered to create a more pleasant shopping experience for the trolley shopper. The shop already has a great

October10Shop

Profile

involve staff in the planning process, actively seeking their input, along with that of Costcutter.”

Graham recently attended the Costcutter Annual Conference, where “the mood was one of cautious optimism.

There’s no denying times are tough but the Barry Group and Costcutter have grown through this recession. There are more shops in the Group now and the buying power is stronger than ever. I think any retailer has to be at least slightly optimistic to stay in business: with that optimism, allied to a lot of hard work and the support of the Group, Costcutter retailers have managed to keep trading successfully through this recession.”

Key Strengths reputation for fresh food, with an extensive offering of top quality fresh meat and fish, as well as an outstanding selection of freshly baked, locally sourced breads. These will be promoted even more heavily in the redesigned layout.

The Price Point Critical to the success of the venture is getting the price point right. The Barry Group and Costcutter has the buying power to offer its retailers branded good offers that not only wow the consumer but still allow, in some cases, a double digit margin for the retailer. Along with Graham’s plans to update and strengthen Point of Sale promotion for value offers, this is a plan that should keep retailer and consumer alike smiling, even in troubling trading times.

By taking over a pre-existing Costcutter, Graham has enjoyed the advantage of being able to retain all the existing staff. “As much as the right image and right pricing strategy, the right staff are critical to achieving a return on my investment in this shop,” the store owner admits. “I am very lucky to have inherited excellent staff and this is an area where again Costcutter provides me with comprehensive support and advice. Morale is high and everyone is looking forward to the redesign process. I have looked to

Graham knows exactly where Costcutter Birr’s strengths lie and is keen to build on them. “This shop is going to stay at the heart of this community,” he stresses. “We will continue to provide locals with great value for money on a quality product and a shopping experience that is even better than they are used to. I want this to become a destination shop for repeat customers and, through our improved high convenience offering, for regular passing trade.”

His views are echoed by Alan Hogan, Account Manager with Costcutter: “Working with retailers like Graham is a privilege. His determination to build the success of this business matches our determination to build the reputation of the Costcutter brand. Our job is to provide him with all the support and advice he needs, along with a wholesale strategy that provides him with a strong margin, because the success and quality of his business is the success and quality of the Costcutter Group.”

Graham’s investment in Mahony’s Costcutter displays a confidence that is rooted in the knowledge that Costcutter and the Barry Group are completely committed to their partnership with retailers like him and to the Fact File success of his busiOwner: Graham Mahony ness. Confidence Location: Townsend Street, Birr, Co Offaly built on that Size: 7,500 square feet strong foundaNumber of tion will help Staff: 31 full & part time Graham retain Opening the optimism Hours: 08:00-21:00, Monday-Thursday that is so impor& Sunday; 08:00-22:00, Friday & tant to the spirit of Saturday. entrepreneurship.

15

October10Karen

Meenan’s News Rack

Have I Got News for You Karen Meenan looks at the importance of newspapers to your News Rack’s profitability, while also highlighting the opportunity to use newspapers to create more sales in-store through cross-purchases.

The

recent Joint National Readership Survey (JNRS) is very significant for Irish newsagents. This survey reveals that 86% of our population regularly reads a newspaper and most read more than one title a week. This compares with 33% of British people and 30% of Americans who said that they had read a newspaper the previous day.

Yet, if you had listed to the radio when the results were published, you could have sworn that newspapers were in decline and the future was bleak. This is far from the case, with nine out of 10 Irish people claiming that they read a newspaper the previous day.

Yes, sales are in decline: overall readership has dropped in the last 12 months but the drop is less than half of one percent. There are still three and a half million readers (3,522,000 readers!) of newspapers each day in Ireland. One of the reasons given for this slight decline (0.28%) has been cited as less people in work so less people buying newspapers each day.

As retailers, we could actually argue the opposite and report that our observations are that people who are newly unemployed are still buying daily newspapers to keep abreast of the current situation, and more importantly, the purchase of a newspaper is a very inexpensive way to occupy a couple of hours, with crosswords and sudoku and a free TV listing each day.

16

Capitalising on Newspaper Sales We have a unique opportunity to really capitalise on these newspaper sales and allow the daily planned purchase of a newspaper to create more sales in-store. Where do you display newspapers in your shop?

Are they on a tower beside the door The Irish Times sells approximately 359,000 or at the till point? Or do you display copies each day, according to the latest newspapers on a plinth underneath Joint National Readership Survey. your magazine stand at the front of If you compare the daily your store? If you display newspapers planned purchases of cigarettes and on a tower, you are losing the oppornewspapers, you can examine ways tunity to make a cross purchase of a to increase the overall sale at the till. magazine.

Tobacco is the driver – the customer has made a decision to stop at your stop to buy cigarettes, but often the smoker will leave with an impulse purchase of chewing gum, mints or a lighter. Similarly, if you locate newspapers on the plinth below a well planned display of magazines, then you can combine the planned purchase with an impulse purchase of a magazine.

If The Irish Times is located just beneath serious magazine titles like Newsweek, Time, The Economist or more specific interest titles like Focus, New Scientist or National Geographic, then you have a really good opportunity to take a planned purchase of less than €2 and turn it into a fiver at the till point. You will The hugely popular Newsweek provides comprehensive coverage not get the same opportunity if The of global affairs, business, society, Irish Times is on a tower, nor if you science and technology, along with have this located beneath comics. arts and entertainment.

Are you ready?

Ireland v Australia

Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

23rd october

croke Park, dublin.

30th october

Get ReAdy And WIn tIckets to one of these GAmes simply call 01-637 5917 and we will send you a promotional pack to help support the Irish daily mail International Rules series.

October10Karen

Meenan’s News Rack

Taking a Fresh Look at Newsagency A newspaper is still a daily planned purchase – it is still the freshest item for sale in your store. It arrives fresh each morning and you can return all un-solds for full credit when the retail day is over, ready for another delivery of fresh news in the morning.

This area of your business is predictable, has no waste, does not rely on seasons or weather and does not need to be chilled, frozen, heated, probed or weighed.

All of this sounds very obvious – but take a new look at the newsagency as a department which despite the recession is still giving a steady 25% full sale-or-return margin.

You don’t need any special equipment, and energy costs do not need to be factored into the net margin, as there is no need for walk in freezers, cold rooms, ovens or hot serve-overs.

The best thing about newsagency is that all sales are 25% full saleor-return so there is no risk to you.

All you have to do is re-work your planogram, concentrate on placing magazine titles in the best selling location in the stand to avail of this cross purchase opportunity. And of course – take care with the paperwork – attention to detail of the daily recall notes, delivery notes and credits processed notes are vital is you are to attain this 25% margin.

Newspapers just need to be counted each morning (including Saturday and Sunday) to ensure that you get the quantity stated on the delivery docket and then they need to be made available for sale. At the end of the day, the newspapers that didn’t sell need to be parcelled up and returned to the correct supplier with an old delivery note to show the supplier your account number and bar code and left in a security bin, so you get full credit on the next invoice. Simple! But if it really is that simple, why do so many retailers talk about ‘losing their shirt’ on the newsagency and refer to this department as a ‘nightmare’? We’ll talk more about this later.

Serious News for Serious Times Some retailers say that in a recession or an economic downturn, people turn 18

to more serious newspapers to try to make sense of what is happening to the local and global economy – for example, The Economist is having a bumper year, ‘serious news for serious times’.

Other titles performing well in the ‘serious news’ category include Newsweek, Time, Focus, New Scientist and National Geographic, along with other titles closer to home like Business Plus, Business & Finance and a more satirical look from the eyes of Private Eye and Phoenix.

Newsweek provides comprehensive coverage of global affairs, business, society, science and technology, along with arts and entertainment. It was founded in 1933 and has award winning journalists located around the world – this title appears in more than 190 countries. Newsweek. com provides 24-hour breaking news coverage and viewers can read the entire print magazine online.

Private Eye is the UK’s bestselling news and current affairs magazine, with a mix of groundbreaking news stories, cartoons, spoofs and jokes. Edited by Ian Hislop, known to many for his appearances on ‘Have I Got News For You’, the magazine features some of the best journalists, writers and cartoonists in Britain.

Phoenix is the Irish equivalent of Private Eye and takes a very satirical view of our politicians and regularly lampoons the Irish Government.

Other UK titles which are not so well known but have a cult following

Spectator might not be a household name, but enjoys a cult following in Ireland.

Investors Chronicle grew its sales by 12% last year and this year celebrates its 150th anniversary.

are Spectator, Investors Chronicle and Business Week. ‘Serious titles for serious times’ – this is certainly true in the case of Investors Chronicle, which grew sales by 12% last year.

This year, the magazine celebrates its 150th anniversary and is read by private investors, covering the whole of the investment spectrum from stocks and share to derivatives, bonds and funds.

Bloomberg Businessweek is a trusted source of essential, comprehensive insight that business leaders depend on to get ahead.

Combining the innovation and scale of Bloomberg with the insight and depth of Businessweek, the new Bloomberg Businessweek offers a global perspective to help senior executives profit from smarter, faster, and more informed decisions. Drawing on 1,700 journalists in 146 bureaus across 72 countries, Bloomberg Businessweek is capable of covering the business world like no one else can. Founded in 1929, the magazine is a market leader, with more than 4.7m readers each week in 140 countries Irish titles Business Plus and Business & Finance give a unique view on all that is relevant to Irish business leaders: many of these titles focus on case studies of businesses that have hit hard times and solutions offered by many different strategists.

Why are these titles so popular now? There are a number of common world-wide themes: the recession is a global one and now more than ever our interests are spread wider

Associated Newspapers Post Strong Readership Results IN the latest Joint National Readership Survey (JNRS 0910), Associated Newspapers were the only newspaper group to show total growth against the last reporting period, increasing market share in circulation and readership in both the daily and Sunday markets. The latest six-monthly ABC results also show growth for both the Irish Daily Mail, with sales of 51,338, and The Irish Mail on Sunday, with sales of 121,641 against the last reporting period.

“In a tough economic climate we have maintained our level of investment in the marketing and quality of our products,” noted David Vaz, Circulation Manager, Associated Newspapers Ireland. “As a result of our continued investment we have increased our share in circulation and readership in both the Daily and Sunday markets.

“We also proud that the GAA announced the Irish Daily Mail to be the title sponsor of this year’s

Pictured are (l-r): Anthony Tohill, Ronan Redmond, Niamh NicLiam, Marketing Manager, and Paul Henderson, Managing Director, Associated Newspapers, with Bruce Davis, Ken O’Brien and Sean Og de Paor.

International Rules Series,” he continued. “This is our largest sponsorship investment to date. We are passionate about sport and understand that retailers and our readers share this passion - especially for the GAA.” The first match of the Irish Daily Mail International Rules Series will take place at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on October 23 when Ireland face Australia and seven days later the second test takes place at Croke Park.

The company are offering retailers the chance to play their part in the Irish Daily Mail International Rules Series and at the same time a chance to win tickets for either match. “Simply confirm that you have displayed our point of sale and you will be entered into our draw,” explained David Vaz, who concluded by promising that Associated Newspapers will “continue to invest in our products, ensuring that we understand and hold the reader at the heart of all of our activities.”

October10Karen

Meenan’s News Rack

Bloomberg Businessweek is a trusted source of essential, comprehensive insight that business leaders depend on to get ahead.

than Ireland or indeed Europe. We are watching each country with interest to see ‘green shoots’ of market recovery and comparing with Ireland to see where we rank worldwide.

Interestingly, Newsweek Magazine featured Brian Cowen as one of the Top 10 most influential world leaders in an August issue: I wonder will that help increase newsagency sales…

Another common theme is the impact of global warming – if you look at the front covers of many of these titles, this is front cover news for at least one issue every quarter.

Climate change and natural disasters sell newspapers – they also sell niche sub-categories such as New Scientist, Focus and National Geographic mentioned above. Have you noticed recently more sell-outs than normal for newspapers? Was this linked to the floods in Pakistan? Or earlier in the year, did you notice more sales of newspapers when the earthquake hit Haiti with such disastrous consequences?

Bad news sells newspapers and this recession does not seem to be having the same effect on the newsagency as on other categories. Sales, while down, are only down by less than half of one percent: compare this sector with many others and the benefits of getting good at newsagency are enormous.

To Have and To Hold The sales of newspapers could be threatened with on-line versions but books and magazines still have a hugely loyal following. People like 20

to have and to hold and part of the appeal of buying magazines is the feel of flicking pages of a glossy title.

Magazines have often been described as ‘bubble gum for the eyes’.

People buy magazines in good times and in bad. In the boom years, we bought magazines with abandon, but now we are still buying magazines: this time, however, we are replacing old shopping habits with new ones.

Treats are affordable little luxuries.

So if the family foreign holiday is knocked on the head and replaced with a couple of days ‘staycation’ and the meals out are replaced with take away pizza instead - one thing that remains constant is ‘a little bit of what you fancy does you good’.

And if what you fancy is golf, fashion, music or cinema, there is a magazine on the shelf of your local newsagency to suit you. Car magazines have been selling well – with or without the scrappage scheme, and brides will still buy a monthly title to keep up with the latest fashion trends, albeit with a smaller budget than in years gone by. So magazine purchases now are viewed not just as an extra purchase popped idly in the trolley or basket as part of a weekly or top-up shop, but as a carefully thought out and well deserved treat.

Newspapers can be viewed online – this is a world wide problem, it is difficult to sell something that is readily available free of charge. Sales of Sunday titles in particular have fallen: The Sunday Business Post had a 14% drop in sales compared with 2009 and The Sunday Tribune, which has just been re-launched as a tabloid, saw a drop of 17% in the same period.

The Irish Times had re-positioned itself last year as a Saturday/Sunday newspaper, offering more supplements, and has encouraged retailers to keep the newspaper on display for two full days for return on Monday. Most retailers are still taking the newspaper off sale on Saturday evening, however, losing the 5% of sales which are estimated to be generated the next day. Space is an issue in all stores, but it is worth chasing every sale these days, so alternatives such as an extra wide plinth are solutions to the space problem.

Understanding the Category The main problem seems to be that many retailers don’t fully understand the newsagency process and more importantly, don’t understand that returns have to be completed every day and returned to the correct supplier on time in order to receive full credit – and therein lies the problem. If the retailer doesn’t fully understand the process, then the person managing the newsagency is at a loss when things go wrong and credits are rejected and codes appear on the credit advice note – all indicating lost margin.

Newspread have just removed the weekly credit advice viewer from their website and have replaced with daily credits processed viewers. What this means is that credits must be checked every single day and shortages reported on the day or money will be lost. For example, if you returned six copies of the Tuesday issue of the Irish Independent Broadsheet and were only credited for five, you must report that shortage on the day it appears on your daily processed viewer or you will lose the credit for this newspaper. Many retailers are very confused by this new system, so just check that you are fully aware of what the daily checking entails, to avoid loss in your margin. If you are not achieving 25% or more in this category, there is something wrong with your system that needs fixing.

The Daily Profit works very closely with retailers, wholesalers and publishers, troubleshooting and acting as a buffer between retailer and supplier. The Daily Profit becomes a third party that manages the standing order for the retailer, ensuring that the right supply and the right range of titles for that particular store is kept so that the retailer can build sales, reduce losses and reduce wage costs. The retailer has to take a leap from being a shop that sells magazines to a destination newsagent to achieve all those extra sales.

For further details please contact Karen Meenan, The Daily Profit, 3 Warren house Road, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 on 086 6027711 or email kmeenan@eircom.net

The Daily Profit W h e re Re t a i l e rs Make More Profit

lassic C Muffins ...................

exclusively from ...................

Drive your sales : Classic Muffins are purchased by males and females as a fresh mid morning/ afternoon treat for consumption at home or at work.

Cuisine de France Classic Muffin offers consumers a delicious fresh treat at a great value price of â‚Ź1.50.

Classic Muffins will feature in national press throughout October

for details contact your category specialist or contact telesales on: 1850-777-000 (ROI)

0800-973-282 (NI)

October10Soup

Bowled Over!!!

Stocking up on soups makes sound business sense as we enter the peak selling period for this €49.9m market.

Ireland’s

soup market is a valuable one, accounting for almost €50m of sales annually. We are currently entering the peak selling period for soups, as the temperature drops, the nights draw in and consumers reach for comfort food. Indeed, soup ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to Irish consumers, being convenient, nutritious, healthy and tasty.

According to industry sources, over 80% of soup sales are in the four most popular varieties: Mixed Veg, Chicken Tomato and Beef. Oxtail is a unique Irish flavour within beef. Indeed, Knorr Oxtail 825ml is the top selling SKU in total soup and represents 3% of total soup sales and 27% of beef soup sales.

However, the category’s main manufacturers are constantly introducing new flavours and varieties to capture consumers’ attention. The number of consumers who purchase soup, particularly fresh soup, is rising, so there is plenty of scope for further growth in the market in the months and years ahead.

Knorr benefits from a wide reach in the soup market, where it operates within the packet, instant and wet ambient soup markets.

packet and instant soup with a market share leadership of 81.7% in the packet sector and 59.1% in the instant sector (Source: ACNielsen, Extended Scantrack, MAT to August 8, 2010).

Knorr’s offering in pouch soup, Special Recipe Soup, now claims 47.8% of the pouch soup market, due in part to the launch of an Organic pouch Knorr have enjoyed tremendous success with their soup range which helped Special Recipe Soups pouch range. deliver further growth this year.

Knorr Organic Pouch soups Knorr Soup are available in three delicious The soup market is worth €49.9m annually in Ireland and claiming an overall share of 37.4%, Knorr is proud to be the number one brand in this market.

Knorr benefits from a wide reach in the soup market, where it operates within the packet, instant and wet ambient Knorr claims leadership of the Irish packet soup market, soup markets and is with an 81.7% share (Source: ACNielsen, Extended Scantrack, market leader in both MAT to August 8, 2010).

Knorr Quick Soup: a firm favourite with Irish consumers.

22

flavours: Creamy Tomato, Creamy Mushroom and Vegetable.

Knorr is extremely proud of its continued growth trend in share, despite the economic cli mate. This autumn, Knorr will look to continue to build on this success with new recipe renovation in pouch soups and an exciting activation on the way with above-the-line support, ensuring that Knorr will be very much front of mind

October10Soup

for almost 20 years.

The brand is also proud to be a part of the independent food organisation, Love Irish Food, which continues to promote Irish manufactured food and drink brands to consumers in an effort to safeguard the future of Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.

for consumers this winter! In addition, there will also be a wide range of recipe inspiration and family mealtime tips available to consumers through the www. knorrsoups.ie website.

Avonmore

Avonmore Fresh Cully & Sully Soup is again Cully & Sully have proving why been getting bolder it is the fresh with their soups Avonmore Fresh Soup has just introduced new pack sizes and designs soup category and new hotpots, to market, including a 400g, 660g and 1kg pack. leader by coming months. Avonmore bringing brand innovation in the Fresh Soup continues to develform of new pack sizes and designs op the fresh soup category by to market. The new pack sizes are investing heavily in advertisdesigned to fit individuals’ and ing and promotions, thereby families’ needs for tasty products attracting new consumers to at great value for money prices. the category, as well as upAvailable in stores countrywide since weighting loyal fresh soup September 20, the new packs are consumers.

400g, for that convenient lunch for The new pack sizes are one, 660g, perfect for the kids’ snack available in 12 family-pleasing after school, and 1kg, which has recipes and are packed fresh New Thai Chicken Soup from Cully & Sully: Saturday lunch time for the whole gluten free and healthy, containing two of to seal in the wholesome flafamily covered. This development consumers’ recommended five daily vour and freshness. Avonmore is a direct response to changing vegetable portions.

Fresh Soup is the leading consumer demand and provides manufacturer of soup in the country, Irish consumers with a tasty and recently releasing a Thai Chicken with production taking place in the convenient meal solution that fits Soup, a Chili Con Carne Hotpot heart of the country in Co. Kilkenny with their lifestyle. and a Chicken Tikka Hotpot. The As market leader, commanding 58.2% (volume) share of the total fresh soup category (MAT Aug 2010), Avonmore Fresh Soup is driving the category and is a basket staple for 40% of Irish shoppers – a figure that is set to continue to grow over the

Top Soup Flavours Mixed Veg Chicken Tomato Beef Mushroom Single Veg Minestrone Other (Source: ACNielsen) 24

30.2% 26.3% 12.7% 11.7% 6.2% 4.2% 1.3% 7.4% Cully & Sully have been getting bolder with their soups and new hotpots, which are super convenient and super healthy.

October10Soup

multi-award-winning soups are all smooth, gluten free and super healthy, containing two of consumers’ recommended five daily vegetable portions. The new Hotpots are super convenient, designed to be eaten out of the pack and some are surprisingly low in fat: The Irish Stew is only 1.8g /100g!

The full range of Hotpots includes new Chili Con Carne and Chicken Tikka, alongside Cheeky Chicken Curry, Chicken Casserole, Irish Stew and Beef Stew. The full range of soups includes new Thai Chicken Soup, along with Chicken and Vegetable Soup, Vegetable Soup, White Winter Vegetable Soup, Honey Carrot & Coriander Soup, Creamy Tomato & Basil Soup, Mushroom Soup, Pea & Mint Soup.

“What we are finding is a lot of people trading up to soups or as the

hotpots are more filling and more convenient than a soup, as they are designed to be eaten out of the container, people are buying them when soup just isn’t substantial enough,” notes Cully. “Guys love them because they are more substantial and girls love them because

some of them are so low in fat: the Irish Stew is only 1.8 g/100g and the Beef Stew is 2.8g/100g. Our new Chili Con Carne and Chicken Tikka also have been solid favourites at the Ploughing Championships and Electric Picnic, where we were handing out free samples.”

Chilled Soups Grow in Volume ACCORDING to recent figures from Kantar Worldpanel, the chilled soup market in Ireland was worth €16.4m for the year ending June 30, 2010. Volumes grew by 8.9% but the value of the category fell by 6.2% or €1.08m over the period.

The category is dominated by brands, which account for 84.2%, a growth of 1.2% over the previous 12 months. The number of buyers in the category grew by 3.8%, which suggests that new buyers have been recruited to the category, while the frequency of purchase fell by 2.5%, implying that basket sizes were bigger.

The average price per kilo fell by around 14% to €3.72 per kilo.

This reflects the growth in products sold under promotion in the fresh soups category, which increased from 20.1% to 28.6% over the 12-month period, as manufacturers offered a number of promotions to maintain and grow volumes.

For Irish soup manufacturers, there continues to be opportunities to grow the market by bringing in new shoppers through promotions and launching new flavours either as seasonal or year round offers.

(Source: Bord Bia) 25

October10ADM

Londis Retailer Conference

Londis’ Epic ‘Join Our Journey’ was the theme of this year’s annual Londis Conference, where the group’s Retailing Excellence Awards were presented.

The

annual Londis Conference and Retailing Excellence Awards took place in the Radisson Hotel in Galway at the end of September.

Londis retailers from all over Ireland were treated to a day of insightful and energising speeches, followed by a wonderful evening banquet and an awards ceremony recognising retailing excellence within the group.

The 2010 theme, ‘Join our Journey’, encapsulates the journey of Londis retailers and the Group Support Office through this difficult economic period and considers how to move on into 2011 an even stronger force.

Well known broadcaster and journalist Matt Cooper took time out from his role hosting the Last Word on Today FM and joined Londis as the MC for the morning conference, introducing each of the speakers, as well as offering his own insights on the topics in question. Matt also stressed the historic importance of the decisions that were to be made by Government in the subsequent fortnight and pointed towards a possible renegotiation of the terms of Irish debt as a potential road to recovery.

26

Londis CEO Stephen O’Riordan, Londis Regional Development Manager Leo Jones and host Marty Whelan present Majella and John Roche with the 2010 Londis Store of the Year Award at the 2010 Londis Retail Excellence Awards.

Recovery in Consumer Spending Chairman of Amárach Research, Gerard O’Neill was first to speak, detailing extensive research which pointed towards a recovery in consumer spending through 2011.

Gerard offered data based advice to retailers on how to prepare for any upcoming recovery in the economy and offered an insight into how consumers may behave towards various goods and services in the future.

Retailing Consultant James Burke delivered an excellent presentation, crammed full of simple yet often overlooked tips which can help turn any retail business into a success, from encouraging retailers to become renowned in their communities for delicious home baking or locally produced artisan foods, to identifying marketing initiatives that can have a huge impact on the bottom line.

Peter Foley, Londis Commercial Director, identified the significant margins that Londis has been able to offer its retailers, highlighting

Stephen O’Riordan, Londis CEO, Peter Foley Londis Commercial Director and guest speaker Sir Ranulph Fiennes are pictured at the 2010 ADM Londis Retailer Conference.

October10ADM

Londis Retailer Conference

Journey Continues Photo 1: Event MC, Matt Cooper, Today FM. Photo 2: Retailing Consultant James Burke addresses delegates at the 2010 ADM Londis Retailer Conference.

Photo 1

Photo 4

Photo 3: Independent Retailer, David Sands provided a fantastic presentation on the importance of trading at the heart of the community Photo 4: Gerard O’Neill, Chairman of Amárach Research, addresses the Conference.

Photo 5:

Photo 2

Photo 5

Londis Commercial Director Peter Foley presents Ray and Maura Keating from Keating’s Londis Plus, Cobh with the Category Award for Best Customer Service at the 2010 Londis Retail Excellence Awards.

Photo 6: Londis Commercial Director Peter Foley presents Seamus and Ger Griffin from Griffin’s Londis, Stephens Green with the Category Award for Best Deli and Hot Food Offering at the 2010 Londis Retail Excellence Awards.

Photo 3

developments such as the expansion of the Heritage Range for 2010. Since its introduction in 2009, the Heritage Range has proven extremely popular with Londis customers and has continued to deliver significant margin growth for Londis retailers, especially when compared with competitors.

Peter also took time to highlight a number of extremely competitive offerings available to Londis retailers, including their excellent wine range

Photo 6

and reinforced his position that the door is always open to suppliers who want to work with Londis in order to provide greater margins for its retailers.

Independent retailer, David Sands gave a fantastic presentation on the importance of trading at the heart of the community. Voted UK Convenience Retailer of the Year at the Convenience Tracking Programme Awards and with 29 stores across

Scotland, David has established an extremely successful model based at the heart of local communities.

David’s stores are proud to boast that they source over 22% of their products locally and each store focuses on a recruitment strategy which aims to develop the best local people to work with them. David outlined how being a small player didn’t mean you couldn’t compete on value; moreover, it meant that you had to work harder 27

October10ADM

Londis Retailer Conference

Londis Commercial Director Peter Foley presents Laura Grace of Grace’s Londis Plus, Loughrea with the Category Award for Best Off Licence at the 2010 Londis Retail Excellence Awards.

Londis Commercial Director Peter Foley presents Tommy Devlin, Londis Retail Manager with the Joint Category Award for Best Fruit & Vegetables on behalf of Kennedy’s Londis Plus, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan.

Everest until May 2009, when he completed the feat at the age of 65.

His presentation ended with a lively questions and answers session with Matt Cooper, who was particularly interested in what motivated a man to continue attempting these dangerous expeditions even after all he had achieved and in spite of his advancing years.

Following the morning conference, the Londis Trade Show gave retailers ample opportunity to engage with a wide variety of suppliers offering excellent promotional opportunities, introductions to new products and systems and countless engaging solutions on how best to deliver added value for both the store and the customer.

Retailing Excellence Awards

Martin Mulligan from the NRFN presents Michael McDemott from Mc Dermottís Londis, Irishtown Clonmel with the Category Award for Best Newspaper and Magazine Offering at the 2010 Londis Retail Excellence Awards.

to develop the right partnerships with suppliers to give your customers the best offering possible. Identifying local marketing initiatives and sponsorship opportunities, David highlighted the importance of listening to the community and responding in a personal way to their needs. With these beliefs at the core of his business, David Sands has achieved excellent growth and established a brand which people throughout Scotland can trust.

Achieving Outstanding Goals After an engaging questions and answers session hosted by Matt Cooper, the last speaker of the day was introduced. Described by the Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s greatest living explorer”, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has led over 20 gruelling expeditions to remote parts of the world, with each expedition rais28

Londis Commercial Director Peter Foley presents Shiela Gillan of Gillan’s Londis Plus Summerhill, with the Joint Category Award for Best Fruit & Vegetables at the 2010 Londis Retail Excellence Awards.

ing vast sums for charity. An innate planner, Sir Ranulph illustrated what it takes to achieve outstanding goals. His 50-minute presentation took the audience from the sands of Africa to the harsh winters of both the South and North Poles, revealing the exceptional inner strength and meticulous planning that was at the core of achieving goals which had previously stood unattainable to other explorers.

Sir Ranulph’s extremely engaging and at times hilarious anecdotes were without doubt the highlight of the morning conference. To listen first hand to tales of unparalleled challenges and to share in the historic achievements will live long in the memory. Over the course of his life Sir Ranulph has overcome significant setbacks, including a serious heart operation and subsequent complications, which threatened to put an end to his dream of scaling

Described as the Oscars of the Londis Retailer Conference, the Retailing Excellence Awards once again recognised outstanding standards across all categories of store management and presentation. The main award of the evening went to John and Majella Roche of Londis Doneraile, whose exceptional attention to detail, hard work, and outstanding customer service made them deserved winners of the 2010 Londis Store of the Year Award.

A clearly delighted John Roche spoke afterwards to thank his loyal staff and customers, as well as the Londis support team led by Regional Development Manager Leo Jones.

John spoke passionately about the prospects for a group owned by retailers to achieve growth and prosperity for all through co-operation and consistency. His own store has undergone significant changes in the last number of years and John thanked Londis for the creative initiatives, support and learnings which had delivered added value to his proposition and ultimately to his customers.

Overall, 31 Londis stores received a Gold Retailing Excellence Award, with a further nine stores receiving category awards, ranging from Best in Off Licence to Food Safety. 15 Londis stores received a Silver, and 10 received the Bronze Retailing Excellence Award.

NOW THE…

NO.4 LAGER BRAND NATIONALLY* *SOURCE: AC NIELSEN MAT MAY 2010

No.1 LAGER BOTTLE IN THE ON TRADE* NEW HEAVYWEIGHT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN EXCITING NEW IN-OUTLET VISIBILITY INNOVATIVE ON-PACK PROMOTION CONTACT YOUR HEINEKEN IRELAND REP TO FIND OUT HOW COORS LIGHT CAN INCREASE YOUR SALES THIS YEAR

Enjoy COORS LIGHT Sensibly. Visit

October10Retail

News Interview

Donald Williamson, the Irish Grocers’ Benevolvent Fund’s President of Appeals, on why the Fund remains as important as it ever was in these straitened economic times and how individual retailers can do more to get involved.

Charity Begins at Work…

It’s

a tough time to be in business in Ireland, but it’s even harder for those who aren’t working, whose luck has deserted them or whose circumstances have changed due to illness or some other unforeseen event. Such is the message from Donald Williamson, the Irish Grocers’ Benevolent Fund’s President of Appeals.

“Not one of the people we are supporting started out with a view that they would be looking for help from a charity,” Williamson notes. “They all had aspirations of what they wanted to do; they all had hopes and dreams but something went wrong – maybe a wife or husband got sick and the family had to change what they do and the way they work, maybe the breadwinner died in a family, which has two kids going to university and suddenly their future is at risk – the fund can pop in and help with the college fees for a year or two. There is a very thin line today between somebody needing help and somebody being OK. We have more people slipping onto the ‘needing help’ list because of the economy, because of jobs, because of businesses closing down in Ireland.”

While the current economic climate isn’t the ideal time to go cap-in-hand looking for donations, Williamson – whose day job sees him as Britvic Ireland’s Commercial Director – has no regrets of taking on the role.

“It’s just like in business: if you analyse it, it’s never a good time to do anything,” he smiles. “It’s about how you get it done and how you use the resources of the IGBF, which is made up of hardworking volunteers who devote a huge amount of time and effort into running things. It’s been a fantastic year, a great challenge and the result is going to be better than I ever would have expected.”

One of the big challenges faced by the IGBF in terms of getting their message across is the fact that their work is kept extremely private. “It isn’t in the public domain who we help, because it is a very private and difficult thing, 30

when someone has to go looking for help,” Williamson explains. “And lots of times, it’s not the people themselves who approach us: it may be somebody who used to work with them, who realises that something has happened to the family, and Jim O’Connor [Executive Secretary] will go and talk to them and see their circumstances and what help we can provide.”

The fact that the Fund was designed solely for the grocery industry means that all money raised is going directly back to people involved in the sector. However, this brings its own problems, as Williamson explains.

“Because we are a charity which is industry only, we can’t go out and collect on the streets, so we are dependent on retailers, wholesalers and suppliers to either run events or attend events. We can’t get grants and we can’t collect from the public, but unfortunately, we have a growing population of people who need our help.”

Forthcoming Events The main way the IGBF raises funds is through its busy event calendar, with golf outings around the country becoming a staple of the industry’s social calendar, while the IGBF’s Dublin Ball has long been an annual highlight.

Along with the Christmas lunch, the Ball is one of the Fund’s main fundraising events, and Williamson is keen to encourage retailers, wholesalers and suppliers to attend, support the Fund and have a great time in the process.

“We are very conscious that it is difficult; we’re saying to companies that, historically they may have taken a table at the Ball, which might be tough this year, but we’re asking them to take two or three seats. The economy will change and we will get back to where we were, but in the meantime, it’s about keeping the charity alive and the events going, so for the Ball and the Christmas Lunch, it’s about putting bums on seats.”

October10Retail

Williamson is quick to point out that while these two events bring in a sizeable proportion of funding, there are other regular events held throughout the country which contribute greatly: “I am in awe of the regional committees who, against a lot of odds – the local supply base has closed down and a lot of suppliers to our industry have pulled back their horns – have spread their wings and raised a lot of money for the Fund. Some of these are very big events.”

A Growing Concern With the country’s and the grocery industry’s current woes, running a charity like this is something of a double-edged sword, whereby there are more people who need the Fund’s help, and yet most people and companies have less to give. When you have so many charities looking for donations, why should retailers, wholesalers and suppliers give to the IGBF? “All charities are struggling this year and there is no real reason why

“Because we are a charity which is industry only, we can’t go out and collect on the streets, so we are dependent on retailers, wholesalers and suppliers to either run events or attend events, but we have a growing population of people who need our help.”

you can say that one charity is better than another,” he admits. “So we are in the pot to fight against some charities who deserve as much help as we do. The single biggest difference is that most of those charities have the ability to raise their funds outside their industry: we don’t. We can’t get a collection box and stand outside a church. But we only help people within our industry. We are helping up to 30 families in almost every county in Ireland. What we’re asking local retailers, local suppliers and local manufacturers, is to realise that these are people in their local community: we can’t put a face or a name to them because it’s not a public thing. But they know that the money is helping people in their community, and all money raised is going straight back in: there is no administration fee.”

In the coming years, he would like the IGBF to feature more prominently on companies’ collective radar when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility, one of the buzz terms in business today. “For a lot of companies, part of their CSR could be a €20k or €25k donation to the IGBF. By doing that, they are giving back to the industry and helping people who have shaped this industry.”

He is also keen to target some business sectors who rely on the grocery business, such as the motor industry, the banks, as well as electricity and service providers: “All of those types of suppliers, who rely on our industry but give nothing back to the industry, how can we get them involved in supporting what is the lifeblood of their business?”

News Interview

What Can Retailers Do? While the President of Appeals is delighted with the support the Fund receives from Ireland’s supply base and from the symbol group head offices, he feels that the IGBF would benefit greatly from “more retailers, on an individual basis, being more supportive”.

“On a basic level, I’m asking them to write a cheque for €100 and send it in. There are thousands of shops out there, and if they all gave just €100 or €50, it would make a huge difference to the Fund,” he stresses. “But I’d also ask them to become involved with the Fund. On our website, www.igbf. ie, we have a list of all our local committees, which are spread throughout the country, and I’d ask them to pick up the phone and call them and ask, ‘How can I help?’”

Williamson remains committed to the IGBF’s ethos, and its importance to the trade. “This is a fantastic organisation run by people who put in tremendous effort,” he concludes.

“Nobody who is involved in the IGBF is there to be thanked; they’re there because they realise that this could happen to anybody and it’s often the small things that make the difference.

The Fund doesn’t keep people forever.

It allows people a little breathing space and helps them to get back on their feet.

“For somebody to write to us, ‘When your cheque comes in, I can pay my electricity bill and I can sleep at night’, you realise just how important the IGBF is. Even when you think things are tough, think of the people who’d love to be in your position.”

Teeing Off for the IGBF OVER 200 golfers played The Faldo Course at Lough Erne Resort recently in aid of The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund. Retail companies across Ireland supported the Fund by making up some of the 50 teams involved, including Kellogg’s Ireland, Britvic, SuperValu, Bulmers, EuroSpar, Cadbury, C&C and Allied Foods. Pictured are (l-r): Donald Williamson, IGBF President of Appeals and Commercial Director, BritVic Ireland; Brendan Cathal; Noel Smyth; Packie Bonner; Frank Hannon; Peter O’Connor, Project Manager, Lough Erne Resort and organiser of The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Golf Event.

31

October10OTC

Medicines & Vitamins

Over-the-Counter Culture The Over-the-Counter medicines and vitamins market shows no signs of slowing down, as Irish consumers embrace the ethos of self-medication.

Sales

drink. This Lemsip product offers consumers the opportunity to choose how to use it. The launch will be heavily supported throughout the Cold & Flu season with TV, outdoor and press. It will also be supported heavily in-store with eye-catching Point of Sale to highlight its presence in store.

Nine out of 10 people will see a Lemsip TV ad this winter (Source: Zenith Optimedia, September-Dec 2010) with three new Lemsip TV ads on air throughout the season.

of consumer healthcare products continued to post a positive growth in 2009, despite the economic climate, according to the latest report into the sector from Euromonitor.

Convenience was one of the key factors, as many consumers did not want to or simply did not have the time to have an appointment New Lemsip Cold & Flu 500mg tablets can be with a doctor in order to get a Strepsils swallowed as a tablet or dissolved in water to prescription.

Also from Reckitt Benckiser, Strepsils make a hot drink, offering consumers the choice Many OTC products, claim a 40% share of the grocery of how to use them. including analgesics, digestive market and have made the largest remedies, medicated skin care, share gains in the category over and cough, cold and allergy medicines, the past 12 months at +3% (Source: Lemsip are viewed as necessary purchases ACNielsen, MAT, June 2009-July The Lemsip range, from Reckitt and have become relatively immune 2010). Strepsils provide fast, soothing Benckiser, is the number one to changes in the wider economy, relief from the discomfort of sore selling Cold & Flu range in grocery, while the cost of seeing a doctor is throats. commanding 80% market share YTD considered by many consumers to be September 2010 sees the launch of (Source: ACNielsen, MAT, Jan-July prohibitive, further benefiting the secNew Strepsils Warm Lozenges, pro2010). tor. The swine flu pandemic, which viding all the warmth and comfort of a This season, Lemsip is repackagreached its peak in summer 2009, hot drink and the anti bacterial action ing the range and making it easier boosted sales of analgesics and some of Strepsils. Strepsils Warm delivfor consumers to understand which cough, cold and allergy remedies, as Lemsip product is for consumers bought products for fluthem. Lemsip is availlike symptoms. able in several different Meanwhile, many consumers want variants, which treat to prevent rather than relieve illness, different symptoms of and so the vitamins and dietary supCold & Flu, and sevplements sector continues to be at eral different flavours, the forefront of the market. Moreover, including Hot Lemon, the pursuit of health means a difLemon and Menthol and ferent thing from one consumer to Blackcurrant. another, with some wanting to always Lemsip is also launchhave energy, others wanting to look ing Lemsip Cold & Flu younger for longer, and older consum500mg tablets. Lemsip ers wanting to maintain a healthy Cold & Flu 500mg tabcholesterol level, leading to increasing lets can be swallowed New Strepsils Warm Lozenges, providing all the opportunities to grow this sector even as a tablet or dissolved warmth and comfort of a hot drink and the anti further. in water to make a hot bacterial action of Strepsils.

32

October10OTC

ered the best ever consumer tests for Strepsils when tested with consumers.

As well as the traditional Strepsils blister pack, Strepsils Warm is also available in a convenient tube for effective relief of sore throats anytime, anywhere.

Strepsils will be supported very heavily this season with TV, outdoor and eye-catching Point of Sale. Nine out of 10 people will see a Strepsils TV ad this Cold & Flu season.

Disprin acts as a key brand beacon for the analgesic category and is supported in store with strong Point of Sale material.

Disprin Disprin, from Reckitt Benckiser, is the top-selling aspirin analgesic in grocery, based on Nielsen Value Sales (MAT April 2010). The Disprin range includes Disprin Extra Strength 500mg Effervescent Tablets, Disprin Direct 300mg Chewable Tablets (which should be allowed to dissolve on the tongue), Disprin Original 300mg Dispersible Tablets and Paracetamol Tablets from the makers of Disprin. Disprin acts as a key brand beacon for the analgesic category and is supported in store with strong Point of Sale material.

Medicines & Vitamins

Paracetamol Tablets from the makers of Anadin.

Research indicates that consumers use different products from the Anadin range, depending on the particular complaint from which they are suffering, e.g. headache, backache, period pain or sympThe Gaviscon range includes liquid and tablets that provide long toms of colds and lasting relief from the pain and discomfort of heartburn. flu etc. Thus, for retailers, it is important that they offer consumers MAT, June 2009-July 2010). a full choice by stocking the complete The Gaviscon range includes liquid Anadin range. Ask your representaand tablets that provide long lasting tive for eye-catching shelf edgers relief from the pain and discomfort of which will assist consumers in choosheartburn. Gaviscon helps stop acid ing their product choice. rising from the stomach by forming a protective layer on top of the stomach contents.

Gaviscon’s strong TV campaign will ensure that nine out of 10 of your consumers will have seen a Gaviscon ad this year, with Gaviscon ranking as the number one category investor.

June 2009-July 2010 & IMS MAT June 2009July 2010). It is also the fastest growing brand in the category in grocery (Source: ACNielsen,

Anadin The Anadin range, from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, is one of the longest established and most well known brands in the Irish OTC market and as such is a ‘must stock’ range, particularly in the convenience sector, where consumers want to find the product they are looking for quickly.

There are four Anadin formulations available in grocery channels: Anadin Tablets, Anadin Maximum Strength Capsules, ParaPlus and

The Anadin range, from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, is one of the longest established and most well known brands in the Irish OTC market.

Tramil Tramil is another popular analgesic from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which Irish grocers can offer their

Gaviscon Reckitt Benckiser’s Gaviscon range is the number one choice for Irish Consumers for heartburn and indigestion (Source: ACNielsen, MAT,

Paracetamol based, Tramil is indicated for the treatment of headache, migraine, period pain and to treat the symptoms of colds and ‘flu.

33

October10OTC

Medicines & Vitamins

customers. Paracetamol based, Tramil is indicated for the treatment of headache, migraine, period pain and to treat the symptoms of colds and flu.

Available in attractive silver packs, Tramil offers ‘Fast Pain Relief which is Easy to Swallow’.

Antacid Market Share 1. Rennie: 49.1% (tablets)

Rennie Rennie, from Bayer Healthcare, claims to be the clear number one market leader (in value & volume) in the antacid category with a total market share value of 49.1% (Source: AC Nielsen, YTD Sept10, Total scantrack, Antacid /Market Share Value).

Rennie is a chewable antacid tablet that comes in several flavours and formats. It provides relief from symptoms of heartburn and acid indigestion.

Rennie treats at the source of the problem by gently neutralising the excess stomach acid into water and other natural substances.

Rennie has a heavyweight media campaign throughout the year and

2. Gaviscon: 24.9% (tablets & liquids) 3. Alka-Seltzer: 11.3% (tablets) 4. Andrews: 6.2% (Liver salts) Rennie is a chewable antacid tablet that relief from symptoms of heartburn and acid indigestion.

5. Milk of Magnesia: 4.9% (liquid)

has increased it SOV (Share of Voice) to 42% (Source: Carat/ACNielsen, DDS).

Rennie will continue to show support to the sales channels, with in-store POS material and TV for Q4 2010. See www.rennie.ie for more information.

7. Bisodol:1.5 % (tablets)

6. Remegel: 1.8% (soft chew) 8. Others:0.2 % Source: ACNielsen / Total Scantrack/ Symbols/ YTDSept10 /Value market share %

HOW DO I SWITCH?

Switch and SAVE on your energy bills

Switching is easy and the transfer is seamless. There will be no interruption to your current electricity or gas supply.

Switch in minutes Call: 1850 719 376 visit energia.ie

WHO ARE ENERGIA?

WHY SWITCH TO ENERGIA?

• Largest independent energy supply company in Ireland with 10 years experience.

• Currently supply electricity & gas to over 50,000 business customers in Ireland.

• €1billion investment in renewable and

conventional generation in Ireland.

• Energia produces 17% of the electricity used in Ireland.

• Cheaper than ESB/Bord Gais*.

• Easy to transfer from ESB/Bord Gais - We do it.

• No connection fee.

• No new meters.

• No new wires required.

• Excellent customer care.

• It’s the same electricity – just at a better price!

• Provider of energy efficiency services.

*Savings versus ESB LVMD, GP, GPNS / Bord Gáis MBU/SBU energy rates as at 1st March 2010. See esb.ie/bordgais.ie. Standing charges are set by the Commission for Energy Regulation and are not discounted. Prices subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply. See www.energia.ie for more details.

34

October10Energy

Efficiency

How to Reduce Your Energy Costs One

of the biggest problems facing Irish retailers is the cost of doing business here, as evidenced by the findings of last year’s Competition Authority report into the Irish grocery sector. Undoubtedly, energy costs are high on the agenda, with big increases in recent times impacting on SMEs in particular. But how can they be reduced?

Significant energy savings can be made in shops and stores by making small changes to routine operation and maintenance actions. A 20% cut in energy costs represents the same bottom line benefit as a 5% increase in sales.

• Go through your energy bills with your supplier so you understand any penalty charges and how they can be reduced or avoided and consider any guidance or suggestions for reducing your bills; • Check that lights are switched off when not required, and appropriate lighting levels for different tasks e.g. reduce lighting levels up to 5 minutes before store opening; • Ensure all light switches are labelled with a note on when they should be switched on and off; • Ensure display lighting is focused on displays and not used for general store illumination; • Make sure that air curtains, heating and ventilation equipment are clear of obstructions and are switched off out of trading hours; • If possible, load refrigerated cabinets in the evening/night for the following day to take advantage of night rate electricity to chill products; • For non-perishable goods stored in refrigerated cabinets or vending machines, e.g. soft drinks, ensure that units are switched off outside of opening hours; • For replacement equipment, choose items listed on SEAI’s Accelerated Capital Allowance list.

Lighting & Heating New developments in low energy lighting will immediately lead to major gains, with the payback for introducing

these systems almost immediate.

Technological improvements mean that these systems are no longer costprohibitive to buy and install.

Heating costs can also be a major drain on energy resources.

The maximum recommended heating level is 20-23 degrees. For each extra degree, costs rise by 8%.

• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter; • Check that timer controls are correctly set and reflect occupancy hours; • Bleed radiators at the start of the heating season; • Check that heat emitters are unobstructed e.g. ensure radiators are not blocked by furniture; • Ensure heating and cooling ceiling mounted cassette units are not working against each other in the same space (heat up to 19°C and cool at 24°C); • Ensure boilers are serviced annually and controls are recalibrated

Refrigeration Systems • Refrigerators and freezers should be located away from heat sources.

• Keep condensers and evaporators clean and free of dust and dirt.

• Check air flow around refrigeration units and remote compressors to ensure that they are not obstructed and that grilles are not blocked.

• Check and maintain strip curtains on walk-in refrigerated spaces.

• Ensure seals and gaskets are in good condition.

• In larger refrigeration systems, check for bubbles in the refrigerant cooling liquid sight-glass as they indicate a leak that should be repaired.

• Service refrigeration system and components, and calibrate controls yearly.

See www.seai.ie for more information.

Energy Savings Brewing at Café Sol CAFÉ Sol have signed a major new electricity deal with leading independent energy suppliers Energia. Energia will supply Café Sol with 780 Kilowatt hours of electricity each year. This will go to power the group’s 13 cafes and 2 offices in Dublin. In total, the deal is estimated to be worth €130,000 annually.

“Café Sol are the latest Irish business to recognise that switching to Energia for electricity, or gas, means real cost savings,” noted Alan Mulcahy, Energia. “Well over 50,000 other Irish businesses have made a similar switch to Energia.”

Energia sources conventional power from the Group’s power stations in north Dublin, where the company has invested €500m in the capability to supply up to 17% of electricity requirements on an all-island basis.

Pictured announcing the electricity deal between Energia and Café Sol are Alan Mulcahy, Business Markets Manager, Energia, and David Pfeiffer, Director, Café Sol. 35

October10Energy

Efficiency

Daikin Conveni-pack: Helping to Save You Money Conveni-pack, from Daikin Europe NV, minimises total energy demand due to its unique, integrated approach to refrigeration and air conditioning.

Retailers

are faced with a growing need for fresh goods, prepared meals and chilled drinks.

At the same time, environmental and zoning requirements are stricter than ever, and energy costs must be kept under control.

Daikin Europe NV’s Conveni-pack is a compact, low noise system which integrates high and low temperature refrigeration and air conditioning (including heating) into one system, helping retailers save energy and the environment.

Conveni-pack is unique in combining refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in one total solution using the latest controls and inverter technology in order to maximise energy efficiency. The system can be connected to basically all refrigeration applications and is supplied with a wide range of air conditioning indoor units to respond to all shop requirements.

An optional booster unit is available for low temperature refrigeration.

Indeed, Daikin has expanded its ultra-efficient Conveni-pack range for convenience shops. The existing AC 15 has been augmented with the new AC 17 that boasts higher heating and refrigeration capacity, introduces the use of R-410A refrigerant for more efficient refrigeration and even lower environmental impact, greater compatibility with indoor units, and longer piping lengths.

Advantages of Conveni-pack • Inverter driven outdoor units match system output to actual demand in order to reach optimum efficiency under all conditions.

• Conveni-pack supports a wide variety of refrigeration and cooling units.

• By recovering the heat extracted from the connected refrigeration appliances and by using sophisticated controls, energy savings of up to 50% or more can be reached.

• Small footprint, reduced piping, quiet operation: ideal for densely populated urban areas.

• The heat extracted from the refrigeration showcases or evaporators can be re-used for comfort heating of the shop at no extra cost!

Case Study Total operates a premium

Conveni-pack integrates high and low network of 490 petrol stations temperature refrigeration and air conditioning (including heating) into one along major roadways and in system, helping retailers save energy and the large metropolitan areas in the environment.

Belgium. These facilities include 36

convenience shops where customers can purchase a variety of frozen and chilled foods and drinks. A typical shop includes a mix of refrigerated showcases, refrigerators, a freezer room, a display counter and comfort heating/cooling units. In 2008, the Total station in Wavre was fitted with Convenipack. Its performance was compared to a similar station in Cambre, which had a traditional refrigeration, cooling and heating set-up.

Between June 2008 and February 2010, the Conveni-pack equipped station in Wavre used almost 60% less energy than the traditionally equipped shop in Cambre. CO2 emissions were also reduced by more than half during the same period.

The Full Range As well as Conveni-pack, Daikin offers a wide range of refrigeration units for commercial, professional and industrial applications. Daikin refrigeration units combine efficiency and reliability with easy installation and maintenance.

Their range includes: • Commercial Condensing units: “plug & play” condensing units, which offer a perfect solution for companies in need of an extremely compact, simple and affordable system.

• Large Variable Capacity Condensing units, which are real workhorses, designed for maximum performance in minimum space.

• Zeas Condensing units: inverter controlled scroll compressorsopen the door to VRV ® technology for commercial refrigeration.

For more information, see www daikin.ie

Conveni-Pack Integrated refrigeration, heating and air conditioning system Successful Daikin Conveni-pack range expanded Daikin Europe NV announces the expansion of its ultra-efficient Convenipack range for convenience shops. The existing AC 15 has been augmented with the new AC 17 that boasts higher heating and refrigeration capacity, introduces the use of R-410A refrigerant for more efficient refrigeration and even lower environmental impact, greater compatibility with indoor units, and longer piping lengths.

50% energy savings for shops Convenipack’s comprehensive approach to cooling, heating and refrigeration results in drastically reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions, low noise levels, as well as a very compact footprint. A sophisticated control system, inverter technology and the ability to use heat recovered from refrigerated showcases and coldrooms to heat the building when necessary result in proven energy savings of up to 50% compared to traditional systems.

Convenipack consists of one or more inverter driven outdoor units and a system controller. Indoor units can be added as needed: Daikin air conditioning units for comfort heating and cooling, third-party showcases or evaporators for medium temperature applications. Low temperature showcases/evaporators for frozen products can be connected via an optional Daikin booster unit. Convenipack’s modular and scalable design and very low noise levels makes it suitable for a large range of applications. Larger installations can be supported via multiple outdoor units in a variety of configurations (blocks, rows, or distributed throughout the building).

Now even wider application The Conveni-pack concept, successfully rolled out in Japan, the UK and Europe, has now been expanded to make it suitable to a wider range of applications. The new AC 17 units use R-410A refrigerant, extending the range of possible AC indoor units. For comfort cooling and heating, indoor unit possibilities include 2-way, and round flow cassettes, ceiling suspended units and high ESP and low ESP ducted units as well as the Biddle air curtain. A wide range of third » Energy consumption party cooling and refrigeration units are also supported. reduction up to 50%!

Piping lengths have been increased » Lower associated CO2 in the AC 17 to 130 metres, with support emissions for level differences up to 35 metres. » Applicable for small to Indoor installation of the outdoor unit is also possible. Refrigeration capacity has medium size applications been upped to 21.8 kW (T0= -10°C and » Space saving and Tamb = +32°C), heat recovery to 31 kW. installation flexibility The new range also includes more options » Improved in-store for noise reduction.

In short, with the AC 17 line, comfort the Convenipack success story has been » Low noise level extended to cover even more applications, while retaining the all the benefits of an integrated total solution for the retail food To learn more about industry.

Conveni-pack, visit www.daikin.ie Liam Kirwan 01-6423430 info@daikin.ie

October10Frozen

Food/Ready Meals

Frozen Assets The frozen foods category continues to grow, due to its convenience and value for money properties.

The

“good food” values, and developing consistently good quality products, the Green Isle brand has got the range and variety to cover all side-of-plate needs.

Now claiming leadership of the frozen vegetable sector, Green Isle claims a 37% share Green Isle have developed a range of Frozen Herbs that will and is also growbring new consumers and sales to your freezer. ing its share of the are easily merchandised in a convenchips sector (Source: ient display case.

ACNielsen, July 2010). The brand There are two other great reasons boasts a must-stock range for every to increase space for the Green Isle freezer. Within the veg category, conbrand this winter. With a fresh new sumers seek variety as well as value green livery, the veg range has even and the ongoing ‘Buy any 2 for €2.50’ greater impact in the freezer and for that Green Isle offers delivers on this the key Christmas period, Green Isle need. Green Isle Peas have grown by will be offering 50% extra free on key 24% in sales value since last year and veg and potato lines.

Green Isle is the number one brand in all other vegetable categories (Source: ACNielsen, July 2010).

Chicago Town Always on the look-out for new Chicago Town has launched the first opportunities, Green Isle have develever official The X Factor Pizza in a oped a range of Frozen Herbs that will deal with Fremantle Media Enterprises bring new consumers and sales to your (FME), licensor for The X Factor brand. freezer.

The range of freshly frozen The X Factor Pizza features an on-pack Green Isle Garlic, Parsley, Basil and Coriander promotion, offering consumers the Long seen as a family favourite offers all the flavour of fresh but withchance to win pairs of tickets to watch in Ireland, the Green Isle brand out the waste that customers find frusthe show live every month from October, is leading the way in growing the trating when fresh herbs go out-of-date. along with The X Factor merchandise, frozen food category. Viewed by Irish Presented in premium foil packs, they including karaoke machines and consumers as delivering trusted Chicago Town Pizza Packs, consisting of oven gloves, pizza cutters, wet wipes and money off vouchers.

Keith Farrell, Marketing Manager, Dr. Oetker Ireland, explains the strategy behind the launch: “The X Factor is one of the biggest and most anticipated TV programmes Within the veg category, consumers seek variety as well as value and the ongoing of the year, attracting ‘Buy any 2 for €2.50’ that Green Isle offers delivers on this need.

recession has actually been good for some sectors of Ireland’s grocery industry, with frozen food a particular beneficiary. Convenience remains king when it comes to Irish customers, and this is where frozen foods really come into their own, particularly when it comes to ready meals.

According to Euromonitor’s most recent report into the sector, a number of players in the frozen foods product category improved and extended their product ranges.

According to Euromonitor, frozen processed food enjoyed a 7% value growth in 2009, with frozen poultry products enjoying a 13% value increase.

Frozen food is extremely convenient, and yet doesn’t compromise on quality. Indeed, the frozen food sector has managed to effectively convey the message to consumers that it is healthy and nutritious, via a number of high profile, big budget campaigns, orchestrated by the biggest players in the sector. Manufacturers have also responded to consumer concerns by reducing fat, sugar and salt levels across the entire frozen food spectrum.

38

October10Frozen

with 34.8% value share of the frozen ready meal market which is valued at €17.8m (Source: TNS). Manufactured in Dundalk, County Louth, the Weight Watchers from Heinz range of frozen ready meals continues to drive the frozen ready meal category with convenient meal solutions in both traditional and ethnic varieties.

The range has everything to offer consumers who are seeking to lead a healthy lifestyle but who expect not to compromise on taste.

The Weight Watchers from Heinz frozen ready meal range offers an extensive range of market leading recipes such as Chicken Tikka Masala,

Food/Ready Meals

such as Chicken Italiano and Ham & Pineapple, as well as Weight Watchers from Heinz Oven Chips and Roast Potatoes, all of which further meet consumers’ demand for healthier versions of the foods they love that they can enjoy every day.

All products within the Weight Watchers from Heinz range exclusively feature the Weight Watchers Points Value per serving on pack.

McCain Foods

McCain claims domination of the Chicago Town has launched the first ever frozen potato sector - with a tasty official The X Factor Pizza, featuring an 71% value share of the frozen oven on-pack promotion, offering consumers the chip market, and a 33% value share chance to win pairs of tickets to watch of the prepared potato market. the show live every month, along with The X Factor merchandise.

McCain Home Fries is a real family favourite and a must-stock over 800,000 Irish viewers for last product for any retailer. However, year’s final (2009). The strategy McCain also cater for consumwith our Takeaway brand has ers who want healthier options, always been about driving new including McCain Oven Chips, consumers into the category and with only 5% fat, and McCain building on the ‘weekend/ big night Rustic Oven Chips, with their in’ eating occasion.” skins left on for goodness. Other Additionally, the launch is part kids’ favourites include McCain of a €1m investment in above and Crispy French Fries, Curly Fries below the line activity, including and Micro Chips. a 4-week TV advertising schedule, With the recent re-launch as well as on and offline PR and a of their Prepared Potato range, social media campaign.

McCain has been cooking up a Chicago Town’s digital plan The Weight Watchers from Heinz frozen ready meal storm. Eye-catching new pack includes the launch of a Facebook range offers an extensive range of market leading designs feature a ‘Real Potato Party Planner app, which will enarecipes, including Chicken Tikka Masala.

Goodness’ stamp and recipe ideas ble fans to invite their friends to a that transform the products into excitCreamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Chicago Town Takeaway party at their ing meal solutions. and Ocean Pie. homes. One of those fans will then be McCain Lightly Spiced Wedges are Proving that consumers can still selected to win the ‘Ultimate Saturday perfect with any meal and a super idea have the naughty treats that they Night In Party’, with a personal for parties or snacks, while McCain love, Weight Watchers from Heinz appearance from one of last year’s Home Roasts and Simply Gorgeous also offers a delicious range of frozen finalists right in their living room.

Roasts are the great tasting, condesserts, including delectable recipes Mark Rosenegk, VP Brand venient option for any Sunday roast. such as Belgian Eclairs and Double Partnerships UK for FME, says: “Both The range also includes new McCain Chocolate Brownies.

The X Factor and Chicago Town Footballs and the McCain Pizza Range Other successful offerings Takeaway share similar brand values, – Pizza Maximo and Pizza Anytime – from Weight Watchers from Heinz both lend themselves to a social occaideal for kids, snacking or parties. include pizza in popular varieties sion, appeal to families, have a sense of fun and entertainment and are enjoyed at home. This new partnership demonstrates the value of the brand outside of the TV show, and we are always pleased to extend the brand into new areas.”

Weight Watchers From Heinz Weight Watchers from Heinz is the undisputed leading brand in the frozen ready meal sector

The hugely popular frozen potato range from McCain Foods.

39

October10Costcutter

Annual Conference

Costcutter Bucks the Trend Costcutter focused on ‘survival and growth’ at its recent Annual Conference.

Costcutter

retailers from all over Ireland came together recently for the awards ceremony at the Annual Costcutter Conference held at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Costcutter franchise, which was set up in 2000 by the Barry Group.

Speaking to more than 250 retailers at the Conference, entitled ‘Adapt to Survive & Grow Stronger’, Jim Barry, Managing Director, The Barry Group, spoke optimistically about Costcutter’s approach to the challenges presented by the current economic climate and the renewed focus on growth for the coming year. He also outlined the Group’s active support and advisory system that retailers can avail of, particularly given the challenging financial backdrop.

“I am delighted to report that Costcutter significantly outperformed the symbol group market last year,” he told delegates. “This is a tribute to the outstanding work of Costcutter franchisees throughout the country, particularly in the midst of this very tough economic climate. As we all know, excellent customer care is the cornerstone of the Costcutter offering.

Jim Barry, MD, Barry Group presents Sue and Matt Kearney of Costcutter Grenagh with the award for Costcutter Foodmarket of the Year 2010.

40

This will remain crucial to our growth plans and a key challenge for all of us will be to make sure we are well positioned to exploit Barry Group MD, Jim Barry presents Mary and Tom Liddy of Costcutter Roslevan, Ennis with the Costcutter future opportunities in Supermarket of the Year 2010 Award. the marketplace as they become available.”

Costcutter Best New Store Image Other keynote speakers at the 2010: Costcutter, Castlebar. Co. Mayo Conference included John McAllen, Commercial Director; Ray O’Driscoll, Pre-Emptive Strikes Finance Director; Sarah O’Mahony, Retail News spoke to the Barry Group Marketing Manager; and Niall MD about their particularly strong Hartnett, Human Resources and results, asking how their profits are Logistics Director, The Barry Group. up by 12% in the midst of a massive recession.

“We were quick to react to the drop Costcutter Store of the in the trading market - we took quick Year 2010 Awards and pre-emptive strikes, namely by Celebrating the outstanding work significantly reducing our cost base as carried out by Costcutter franchisees, well as upping our levels of frontline the Costcutter Store of the Year 2010 services to our customers, providing awards were announced at the Grand excellent value for money for retailers Banquet Dinner and included: who, in turn, passed on value to their Costcutter Supermarket of the customers,” Jim Barry notes. “We can Year 2010: Costcutter Roslevan, also attribute growth to our fantastic Ennis. Co. Clare team of people at the Barry Group, Costcutter Foodmarket Store of who have worked exceptionally hard The Year 2010: Costcutter Grenagh, to deliver cost savings in line with Co. Cork improved performance and results, Costcutter Express Store of the right across the board. Another reason Year 2010: Costcutter Bray, Co. for increasing our net profit on a Wicklow reduced turnover was through careful Costcutter Foodmarket Wine management of credit risk in line with Section of the Year 2010: aggressively managing our cost base.”

Costcutter Kells, Co. Meath Significant growth was achieved Costcutter Off Licence of the Year through Carry Out and BuyLo, the 2010: Costcutter, Wellington Bridge, Group’s new branded discount chain Co. Wexford that has outlets successfully running Costcutter Best In Fresh Produce in Ashbourne, Mullingar and Tralee.

2010: Costcutter Roslevan, Ennis, Co. “Our desire to grow and outperform Clare the market is deep-rooted and we Costcutter Best Food To Go 2010: continued to invest heavily last year Costcutter, Dundrum, Dublin first in acquiring Carry Out specialist Costcutter Forecourt Store of the off licence business at the tail-end Year 2010: Costcutter, Kilmallock of 2009 - the full benefit of that take Road, Limerick

October10Costcutter

Annual Conference

- Growing their team and most “From a retailer recently, investing in their €1.5m perspective, reduced credit state of the art central distribufacilities offered by banks is tion centre in Mallow, “which will having a huge impact and provide a timely catalyst to us this will be the case for the doubling growth across our core next few years to come, I business centres in the next 18-24 suspect,” he continues. “It will months”; make it harder to set up a - Developing the Costcutter franbusiness and invest in growing chise over the last 10 years into a a business. That said, we’re “current profitable retail solution”; seeing a lot more demand from - Developing their Central potential frachisees wanting Distribution Centre over the years to get BuyLo involved in “to be one of the best in the counCostcutter, BuyLo, Carry Out Jim Barry, MD, Barry Group, presents Mark and Tara Malone of Costcutter Bray with an award for and/or Quik Pick as they see try in our sector”; ‘Costcutter Express of the Year 2010’.

- Being a winner of a Deloitte Best the margins we offer are very Managed Companies Award; competitive and people can forge a over is expected to add €42m to our - Being a finalist in the Ernst & good career and retail offering through annualised turnover reported next Young Entrepreneur of the Year our brands. year. We also recently invested €1.5m 2010.

“The Irish retail environment in doubling the capacity in our central Barry also cites the importance of continues to be extremely competitive distribution facility,” he explains. having a good team in place. and operating margins continue to be “This new 145,000 square feet central driven downwards,” he notes. “Our distribution will help accelerate the profits last year were boosted by us Barry Group’s ambitious three year re-inventing our retailer offering to growth plans, which includes opening ensure we were delivering value for another eight new BuyLo stores before our customers at every turn. We cut the end of 2010, bringing the total costs without losing a single job, a number of BuyLo stores to six, and result which we are very proud of. doubling the number of Carry Out We upped our game, kept faithful specialist off licence stores by 2012, to our strategy and thankfully the bringing the number to over 100.” results are paying off.”

One aspect of retailing that A Very Different hasn’t changed, according to the Market MD, is “the principle that the In the decade since the Barry Group Costcutter MD Jim Barry, pictured with his wife customer is king”, which he feels acquired the Costcutter franchise Niamh and their family. should never change. in Ireland, our retail market has “ ‘Achieving Excellence Through changed “almost beyond recogniPeople’ is the ethos that lies at the tion”, according to Jim Barry. “It has A Decade in Retailing heart the Barry Group, both as a evolved to become much more comLooking back over their decade in business and a team,” he boasts. petitive and with the arrivals of the Ireland, Barry describes it as “a peri“Being awarded the Gold Standard for discounters, the consumer has more od of sustained and exciting growth.

Excellence Through People award is choice than ever when shopping for Our frontline services - finance, purtestament to the company’s continued quality goods and value. chasing, IT systems, shop display dedication in achieving this vision.” etc - have improved greatly over the And so to the future, about which decade: we now offer one of the best the MD is extremely optimistic. “At resourced frontline service teams in Barry Group, we’re financially wellthe industry. Our retailers say this is geared to continue to invest in our one of the big advantages of working core business and grow it further with the Barry Group: the support through strategic expansion and they get is excellent, dependable and acquisitions. While we are being we continue to provide value to them prudent in our cost savings and at every opportunity.” credit risk, we have a strong appetite When asked to describe the to invest and grow the business, highlights of the decade, he cites the even in the face of a sustained following; downturn - we have the people, the - Rewarding best-in-class performJim Barry MD, Barry Group, presents Ger resources and the excellent brands ances among their retailers each Cruise of Costcutter Wellington Bridge, and business models to support this year at the Costcutter of the Year Co. Wexford, with an award for ‘Express growth and make it realisable.” awards; Wine Section of the Year 2010’.

41

October10Jams,

Spreads & Condiments

Spreading the Love Irish consumers’ love affair with jams, spreads and condiments shows no signs of abating.

Irish

consumers love jams, marmalades, spreads and condiments: fact. While this is generally regarded as a mature sector, new product development, such as the creation of lower fat spreads and new flavours, allied to the premiumisation of the category, leaves room for sustained (albeit modest) growth. Indeed, this sector has an extremely loyal and brand-conscious customer base.

The spreads sector includes six sub-categories: jams & preserves (including marmalade), honey, nutbased spreads, chocolate spreads, savoury spreads and yellow fats. The jams and preserves market is still dominant, but generally shows the lowest growth rates due to its maturity. The advent of organic options and super-premium products, however, are adding extra vitality to the sector, while nut-based spreads have been showing the most dynamic growth in value terms, albeit from a low base.

Bonne Maman Bonne Maman, the premium French jam from Boyne Valley Group, has full distribution throughout Ireland and has seen a very impressive 25% growth year to date. For many years, Bonne Maman has been the uncontested leader in its market, with a continuing strategy to sustain growing consumer demand.

Bonne Maman, with its unique design and ‘home made’ image, really stands out in-store and appears very

attractive to the consumer. Irish consumers are trading into premium offerings in jam with an emphasis on quality and Bonne Maman jams boast a minimum of 50% whole fruit per 100g of jam product.

Bonne Maman is available in Strawberry, Apricot, Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Raspberry, Peach, Damson Plum, Berries and Cherries, Wild Blueberry, Orange Marmalade and Mandarin Marmalade flavours.

Bonne Maman Jams are a 100% natural product and are free from preservatives, flavouring and colouring.

Bonne Maman’s success will continue thoughout 2010 with a heavyweight national promotional campaign.

Boyne Valley Honey

of growth in the honey category, with Boyne Valley Honey has been consumers recognising its various available to Irish consumers for health benefits. The Boyne Valley almost 50 years and is the most Manuka range also includes Boyne popular brand of honey in Ireland.

Valley Manuka Active 10+ and Boyne Boyne Valley Honey is 100% pure Valley Manuka Active 7+. and natural. It is available in a range of formats, from the 250g Bizzy Bee kid’s squeezy right up to the 907g jar. The 250g squeezy has been specifically developed with young consumers in mind and Panda have updated their Chocolate Spreads range with a features brand new look and a delicious new recipe.

Bonne Maman, the premium French jam, has seen a very impressive 25% growth year to date.

42

Boyne Valley Honey has been available to Irish consumers for almost 50 years.

the ‘Bizzy Bee’ character.

The latest exciting launch, Boyne Valley Manuka Active 15+ Honey, is available in 330g jars. Manuka Honey is one of the key drivers

Panda Panda Chocolate Spread, from Boyne Valley Group, has always been a real favourite with Irish households, but now the range has been updated with a brand new look and a delicious new recipe. This range includes Superb Chocolate Spread, Hazelnutty Chocolate Spread and Tongue Twisting Two Tone Spread. The eye catching packaging is sure to appeal to children.

October10Jams,

“The Irish fruit crop has been better this year than in the recent past,” said Peadar O Lionaird, Folláin, “and we have bought a good tonnage of Irish strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and wild blackberries, in Wexford, Meath and Cork.” Indeed, he points out that Folláin are actively looking for more Irish fruit growers to supply their growing need for quality Irish fruit.

Folláin are active members of the Love Irish Food campaign and have taken part in Bloom, as well as instore and other promotions run by the campaign, including a coupon promotion on the Love Irish Food website.

This exciting new look also features on the Panda Peanut Butter range.

Panda Peanut Butter comes in two flavours, Smooth and Crunchy. Panda Peanut Butter has a special recipe to give an authentic American style taste.

Panda Dippers are a brand new addition to the Panda range. These little pots include mini crunchy breadsticks and hazelnut and vanilla dip. Available in a four-pack, Panda Dippers are sure to be a hit for school lunchboxes, picnics and handy treats.

Folláin Folláin have been working on new designs for their core and no added sugar ranges, with a fresh new image about to be launched to supermarket shelves, complete with bespoke lids.

The new look highlights Folláin’s core strengths of premium products, Irish manufacture, family business and local employment.

Folláin have also been busy winning awards, lifting a 2 Star Gold Award at the Great Taste Awards 2010 for their No Added Sugar Blackcurrant Jam, while three Folláin products have also been short-listed for the Blas na hEireann awards,

Spreads & Condiments

Capilano Manuka Honey

Folláin have a fresh new image about to be launched to supermarket shelves.

where Folláin took gold in the jams category over the past two years.

Lakeshore Have Condiments Covered Chilli Sauce, which really packs a Lakeshore, from Boyne Valley punch, in a 450g size.

Group, has recently launched its Lakeshore Mustards are now latest brand extension, its new available in the squeezable range, range of ‘squeezable’ products that answering the genuine consumer match the current consumer demand need for confor ease of use and maximum venience and convenience at affordable prices. easy-to-use prodThis extension to the ucts. Lakeshore Lakeshore brand, will be backed Wholegrain by media and in-store extra fill Mustard with promotions, and is sure to be Honey is a a winner with both consumers crunchy mustard, and retailers, aided by updated bursting with display units that will maximise flavour, with a the in-store visual impact of this twist of honey enticing new range. for a naturally The new range includes sweet taste, and Tomato Ketchup, made from is available in deliciously juicy tomatoes; a 210g pack.

Fruity Brown Sauce, which has Lakeshore Extra extra ingredients that set it Hot Irish Mustard apart from other brown sauces, has an intensely making it mouth wateringly New squeezable spicy taste, and tasty and tangy; Superb Salad Lakeshore Tomato Ketchup, made from is available in a Cream, with a creamy and full deliciously juicy 220g pack. flavour in a 410g size; and Fiery tomatoes.

Capilano Bee Vital Manuka Honey is a 100% natural product, sourced from wild manuka trees in the unspoilt native bushlands of Australia and New Zealand. It contains no fat or additives.

Capilano Manuka Honey is available in 8+, 10+ and 15+, depending on the level of activity consumers wish.

8+ used on a daily basis acts as an aid to general well-being and boosts our immune systems; 10+ fights off colds, flus and sore throats and the high activity aids recovery too; 15+ helps maintain a healthy digestive system, protecting the stomach and the intestine from conditions such as acid reflux.

Capilano Manuka Honey 8+ used on a daily basis acts as an aid to general well-being and boosts our immune systems

Capilano is distributed by BR Marketing, and is available in all retailers nationwide.

43

October10On

the Vine

The Spanish Armada Jean Smullen looks at the continued rise of Spanish wines.

SPAIN is a country which receives a huge number of holiday visitors from Ireland every year, which helps to further create greater recognition for Spanish wines with the Irish wine buying consumer. Spain is the third largest wine producing country in the world and offers a wide selection of both good value and iconic wines.

Indigenous grapes such as the white Godella or the red Mencia and Monastrel, as well as Spain’s most prolific red grape, which is the backbone of wine growing in most Mediterranean countries, Garnachia (known in France as Grenache). In short, Spain offers a wide selection and is definitely worth having a closer look at when it comes to stocking your wine shelves.

Increasing Volumes The figures for 2009 appear to back this up. Spanish wine increased their volume sales by 0.4% last year. This achievement is even more remarkable given that the market for wine overall dropped by approximately 6.8% in 2009. Growth for Spanish wine was particularly strong at entry level, where its volume share grew by over 250%, but also in the mid-price section where sales of Spanish wine in the €10-10.99 price bracket increased by 35%.

Spain is the second biggest country in Western Europe after France.

However, it is quite lightly populated, which goes a long way towards explaining how it manages to have Europe’s largest acreage under vine, without being Europe’s largest wine producer.

There are now 70 Denominations of

Origin (DO) in Spain. Wines with this classification have their geographical, varietal and production methods strictly regulated. DO is usually a guarantee of quality based around traditional wine making regions.

Vino de la Tierra (VDT) is another very strong category in terms of Spanish wine styles. This denotes wines from larger areas than the DO and involves wines made from grape varieties that are not indigenous to the region or country (e.g. French grape varieties). This classification allows for more innovative winemaking and tends to be used by the new style producers.

Spanish Wine Fair At the recent Spanish Wine Fair in Dublin, there was a very good showing of a range of Spanish wines.

Organised by the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain, in association with the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), 21 Irish importing companies, who specialise in Spanish wines showed their current range. A further 10 wineries, seeking representation in Ireland, also took part.

One of the best known Spanish Importers on the Irish market, Raphael Alvarez from Approach Trade Ireland was there, with some of his top Spanish wines, including Martin Codax, Vinos Telmo Rodriguez, Bodegas Sierra de Guara, Luis Gurpegui Muga and Finca Loranque, to name a few (www. approachwines.com).

Sparkling giants Raimat and Codorniu were represented by Barry

Premier Wine PREMIER Wine Training has just been established by Maureen O’Hara, who has 20 years of experience in the Irish wine trade, including 13 years lecturing experience. Recognising that there are more Irish people than ever drinking wine, Premier Wine Training offers a broad range of courses, from basic wine appreciation to internationally-recognised WSET qualifications, which start in October. Details/booking/brochures are available through www.premierwinetraining.com or by directly contacting 086 2401916.

44

Torres Wines, distributed by Findlater Wines & Spirit Group, continue to be a massively successful Old World wine brand in Ireland.

& Fitzwilliam (www.bandf.ie). Cassidy wines have recently taken over the agency for Marques de Caceres (www. cassidywines.com). Febvre were there with the excellent Conde de Valdemar range (www.febvre.ie). The Findlater Wine & Spirit company were flying the flag for Torres (www.findlaters.ie).

Gilbeys Wines (now incorporated with Gleeson Group) had Marques de Murrieta and Faustino (www.gilbeys.ie). Greenlea Wines (Boyne Valley Group), another specialist in Spanish wines, have their Don Carlos range of wines and Barbadillo, as well as Vega Real and Cavas Masachs (www.greenleawines.com).

Mackenway Distributors handle the excellent El Coto de Rioja (www.mackenway.com), while Spanish wine specialist Searsons Wine Merchants have a range which includes Bodegas Luis Canas, Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez, Bodegas Val de Vid and Bodegas Martin Berdugo (www.searsons.com).

For more information about Wines from Spain, see www.winesfromspain.com, while enquiries about Spanish Wines can be made to Embassy of Spain Commercial Office Tel: (01) 661 6313; email: Dublin@comercio.mityc.es.

October10Drinks

New Ballygowan Pink Bottle

News

William Grant Opens Dublin Office

BALLYGOWAN Pink is continuing to build on the success of its launch last February, where following huge consumer response it achieved 4% share of the water market within the first eight weeks of launch. Ballygowan Pink is now launching a new 60cl sportscap bottle to the range to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.

Targeted specifically at young female consumers, the new bottle will permanently replace the original blue version. The new 60cl bottle will be available in local convenience stores and supermarkets along with the range’s existing 500ml, 2 Litre bottles and 6x1.5L packs.

PREMIUM spirits business and independent Scottish family distillers, William Grant & Sons have announced the establishment of their new Global Marketing Office in Dublin. Employing 17 professionals, this office will manage the entire global marketing operations for William Grant & Sons’ non-Scotch brands, including Sailor Jerry, Hendrick’s Gin and the newly acquired Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, and will work alongside the company’s existing global marketing office in Richmond, London. The Dublin office will also lead the Group’s global planning and innovation function.

Smirnoff Global Nightlife Exchange

THE Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project is an ambitious global initiative to discover and celebrate the best of nightlife from around the world, and continues the brand’s ‘Be There’ campaign. A call-to-action inviting consumer-generated ideas from 14 markets that are captured online, packed up in a crate and transformed into exciting event experiences, the Nightlife Exchange Project culminates in a finale on November 27, when the world swaps nights and each of the 14 countries swap the best of their nightlife with a partner country. Siobhan O’Dowd (pictured) has been chosen to lead the search in Ireland. Siobhan is Director of Marketing at POD, a well known music venue, and has been one of the driving forces behind the bespoke Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival.

Arthur’s Day a Massive Success THOUSANDS of people came together at 17.59 on September 23 to raise a toast to Arthur Guinness, the pioneering brewer and philanthropist who introduced Guinness to the world.

Over 1,500 events took place across the island of Ireland, with over 150 confirmed artists and 200 hours of live music performances, including Snow Patrol, Brandon Flowers, David Gray, Manic Street Preachers and Paolo Nutini.

Pictured is Tim O’Leary, the lucky winner of the Guinness ‘Win the Ultimate Arthur’s Day Experience at Home’ competition, with DJ Dave Glennon, who provided the entertainment, and top chef Gavin Pederson, who cooked up a feast on the day.

Tipperary Races Ahead DERMOT Ahern is pictured with cycling legend Seán Kelly and Laura Byrne, Tipperary Water Brand Manager, at the 2010 Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford.

“Little did I know when I took a call from the ‘iconic metal man’ in 2007 to become the ‘Official Mineral Water’ sponsor that the event would grow from 700 riders to 4500 riders in 2010,” said Marie Cooney, Director, Tipperary Natural Mineral Water.

“Cyclists from seven to 70 from every county in Ireland, from the UK, Europe and even the US took part across the three events, the Kelly Comeragh Challenge, 50k Kelly Cruise, and the Kelly Coast Route.” All proceeds from the event were donated to the Irish Cancer Society.

45

October10Forecourt

Focus

MACE to the Fore in Meath Retail News travels to Athboy in County Meath to see the latest addition to the McCormack Retail Group.

As

with all forecourts owned by John McCormack and the McCormack Retail Group, the latest addition to the Group at Athboy is an Excol/MACE forecourt and filling station. The McCormack Retail Group took over the site in July 2010 and in just over a month, the size of the forecourt shop was doubled, the Excol Oil brand was introduced to the forecourt and the latest MACE image was launched in the forecourt shop.

The Athboy store brings the number of shops within the McCormack Retail Group to eight, all of which are forecourt stores. Indeed, Irene Donegan, CEO, McCormack Retail Group, reveals that research carried out by the Group suggests that symbol group shops on forecourts have been trading better through the recession than stand-alone shops.

“The concept behind all our McCormack MACE shops is to have an Excol forecourt and a MACE shop, with all the shops retaining a similar internal layout,” she explains. “We

46

Pictured outside the Athboy store are (l-r): Trevor Murray, MACE Athboy; John Flanagan, Retail Operations Manager, McCormack Retail Group; Irene Donegan, CEO, McCormack Retail Group; store owner John McCormack, MD, McCormack Retail Group; and Barry Flynn, Retail Operations Advisor, BWG Foods.

want customers to know that they are in a McCormack’s MACE, no matter which of our shops they visit. With a consistently high level of customer service, quality produce and competitive prices, we are building the strength of the partnership.”

Changing Market Conditions Like all retailers in the grocery sector, the McCormack Retail Group have had to react to the changing market conditions of the last few years, according to John Flanagan, Retail Operations Manager with McCormack Retail Group: “The market research we have undertaken revealed that as customers moved from top-up shops back to traditional large weekend shopping trips, with a view to saving money, they have ended up with an increased amount of waste as items hit their best before date before they are consumed. Our philosophy is to supply quality produce at com-

petitive prices. While we cannot compete head-on with the discounters on price, we can offer a quick and enjoyable shopping experience for a competitively priced basket of goods and because they are purchasing products for consumption within a day or two, there is no waste.”

The brand building that McCormack’s has undertaken is paying dividends, “The partnership between McCormacks, MACE and Excol is very prominent in the west,” notes Barry Flynn, Retail Operations Advisor, MACE. “With the shops in

October10Forecourt

Virginia and now Athboy, that concept is being introduced to the east coast as well. The McCormack Retail Group operates all its shops to the very highest standards. All the shops perform well in the MACE Excellence Awards and are a credit to the MACE group.

“MACE has invested heavily in developing and refining the package we offer retailers, from the image, to back office systems, support, training, advice and marketing, through to the value that BWG can offer in terms of wholesale prices for branded and own brand goods, along with ‘WOW’ offers.”

Fruitful Partnership The relationship between the McCormack Retail Group and MACE has proved a long and fruitful partnership. John McCormack entered the forecourt business in 1984. In 1996, he

introduced his first MACE forecourt shop and thus began a partnership that is still going strong. This is not the first recession that John has traded through and he is very confident that investment in the McCormack Retail Group will produce the returns he is looking for.

“We are in the process of upgrading every shop in the McCormack Group to the latest MACE image,” he states.

“The investment is part of our plan to improve the McCormack MACE partnership. Across all our shops, we have adapted to customer demand, reducing prices across branded goods, heavily promoting WOW offers at point of sale and increasing the selection of MACE own brand goods. We also operate a very aggressive pricing strategy on wines. Our deli offering includes a far higher proportion of healthy and premium options than five or 10 years ago.

“People are still looking for high standards and high quality from their shopping experience,” he continues.

“It is just that they are now much more price conscious. The Maud’s Premium Ice Cream element is another aspect of the MACE package which fits in exactly with our aim to give customers an easy, pleasant shopping experience.”

Top Quality Standards The standards and the quality of finish in the Athboy filling station are of the highest level. The vibrant dash of orange that accents the interior of the shop is part of the intricately detailed MACE concept. The

Focus

wooden finish on the fresh fruit and veg and bread shelving maximises the impact of the top quality produce on display. The tea and coffee, ice cream and deli elements invite customers to treat themselves, while the friendly well-trained staff put the final gloss on a trip to the local shop.

The increase in size in the shop has allowed McCormack’s MACE Athboy to offer an increased range of grocery, while value offers are promoted with strong Point-of-Sale materials.

So far, the formula is working.

The Athboy store already enjoys a loyal following from both local and passing trade on the road to Trim and Dublin. It has surpassed original sales expectations, while retaining all existing staff and, in fact, increasing employment in the town. Positioned at the heart of the community it serves, McCormack’s MACE provides Athboy with the quality and service levels that the town deserves, and this new store is a credit both to the McCormack Retail Group and to MACE.

Fact File Owner: John McCormack, McCormack Retail Group Location: Lower Bridge Street, Athboy, Co. Meath Size: 1,400 square feet retail space Number of Staff: 11 full time & part time Opening Hours: 06:00-23:00, Monday-Friday; 07:0023:00, Saturday: 08:00-23:00, Sunday.

47

October10Shelf

Life

Shelf Life CONGRATULATIONS to Dungarvan Brewing Company, who were named Best New Producer at the third annual Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, presented recently in Dingle. The award, which is sponsored by Superquinn, gives the brewery an opportunity to be showcased nationally through Superquinn’s mentoring and development programme. Dungarvan Brewing Company brew and bottle a range of bottle-conditioned ales in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford with an emphasis on quality, craft and tradition. Their core products are Black Rock Irish Stout, Copper Coast Red Ale and Helvick Gold Blonde Ale. Pictured at the announcement are (l-r): Artie Clifford, Chairman, Blas na hEireann; Tom Dalton Dungarvan Brewing Company; Angela Blaney, Superquinn; Cormac O’Dwyer, Dungarvan Brewing Company; and Peter Ward from Country Choice in Nenagh.

MICHAEL Fennelly has been appointed as Corporate Sales Representative at The Gift Voucher Shop (GVS), Ireland’s largest supplier of gift cards and vouchers to the corporate sector. In his new role, he will be responsible for the acquisition of new business from both existing and new customers, while also focusing on relationship management across some of Ireland’s largest employers. Michael joined the Retail Relationship Team at GVS in 2008. He has extensive sales experience, particularly in the FMCG sector and previously worked with MJ Gleeson.

LIDL has won 4 Blas na hÉireann National Irish Food Awards for its own brand products supplied by Irish producers. Lidl’s winning products included Deluxe Irish Premium Devon Toffee Favoured Yogurt (pictured), made by Irish Yogurt, which took Gold in the Dairy category. A relative newcomer to Lidl shelves, Bridge Bakery Luxury Lemon Cake, which has only been in Lidl stores for a number of weeks, made a massive impact on the judges and won Bronze in the Best Newcomer Category, which is a fantastic achievement for family run Seery’s Limited. In the drinks category, Lidl took Gold for its Irish Valley Irish Country Cream, which has been developed in close consultation with the producer, Terra Limited, exclusively for Lidl. The same category saw Lidl win Bronze with its Carrick Glen Cranberry and Raspberry flavoured sparkling water, made by Glenpatrick and sold only through Lidl for 69c per litre.

48

A NEW book of gags and satire aimed at capturing the zeitgeist of our troubled times has just been launched

by Irish publisher Gregmar Books.

Entitled ‘Ash, Sure What Of It’, the 120-page hardback’s author is Michael Cullen, editor of Marketing.ie and Campaign Brief columnist with the Evening Herald. ‘Ash, Sure What Of It’ is illustrated with original cartoons

by Aidan Dowling, whose work features in such publications as Phoenix, Private Eye and Marketing.ie magazine. “The book is about experiences that prompt laughter or just a little smile,” Cullen said. “Great gags are a boost to the morale, even when what is lampooned is not to be taken lightly.”

To order copies of ‘Ash, Sure What Of It’, contact Gregmar Books on 01-280 7735, or email cullen@marketing.ie.

Check out the book’s blog at http://ashsurewhatofit.com/.

THREE Irish butchers were awarded medals at the 2010 Brotherhood of the Knights of the Black Pudding Awards. Based in Normandy, France, the Brotherhood is one of the world’s greatest authorities on Black pudding and so impressed were the French by the quality of the puddings presented by the Irish entries that they decided to visit Ireland to bestow the awards in person and welcome McCarthy’s of Kanturk, Rosscarbery Recipes and Kelly’s of Newport to the Fraternity.

WILKINSON Sword have introduced a serious contender for the number one male handles slot with a revolutionary new razor and its biggest ever support package. Hydro from Wilkinson Sword is set to invigorate the male grooming category with a world-first that puts skincare at the heart of shaving. Following six years of research and development and record levels of testing, the Hydro system features ground-breaking technological advancements with the razor actively hydrating the skin with every stroke.

Hydro is being supported by a massive marketing investment, including TV, print and digital advertising.

Since launching in the USA in April, Hydro has already become the number one male system handle, selling over one million handles in its first two months alone.

REBECCA Lawless has been promoted to Account Manager at consumer PR agency, Burrell Marketing and Publicity. Rebecca joined Burrell Marketing and Publicity in 2007 and currently manages key accounts, including Irish Distillers and Procter & Gamble, working on brands such as Jameson Whiskey, Havana Club, Daz and Fairy, along with consumer website Pigsback.com.

16173 - JP JPS AD RETAIL NEWS SEPT 2010

12/10/2010

09:34

Page 1

JPS IS THE TOP MARGIN CIGARETTE BRAND

IN THIS GROWING SEGMENT* JPS GIVES YOU PER PACK SOLD ITS A WIN WIN SITUATION

79c

*The low cigarette segment is growing at 1.9ppt 6mm Feb '10 v's PY. AC Nielsen.

FOR INFORMATION OF TOBACCO TRADERS ONLY

80% of your shoppers know that one more makes all the difference.

Naturally Good Food

loveirishfood.ie