Drinks industry to strengthen standards for online alcohol sales; Bord Bia encourages food industry to ‘Think Digital

Drinks industry to strengthen standards for online alcohol sales

IRELAND’S drinks industry has signed up to a new alliance with online retailers, and e-commerce and delivery platforms to strengthen standards for the online sale of alcohol, to further safeguard Irish consumers. The move comes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, according to Drinks Ireland, saw e-commerce sales of alcohol increase in Ireland last year, with this trend set to continue in 2021. While the closure of the hospitality sector resulted in overall alcohol consumption declining in 2020 in Ireland, with Revenue clearance data showing that it fell by 4.5% between January and September 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, Drinks Ireland said it’s important that consumers that are buying alcohol online are protected. A range of Irish based drinks producers were among the 12 leading global beer, wine, and spirits producers and 12 prominent global and regional online retailers, and e-commerce and delivery platforms, to form this global alliance to implement industry standards for the sale of alcohol online. It was established through the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), of which Drinks Ireland is a member. The new alliance aims to prevent the online sale and delivery of alcohol to minors and to reduce harmful drinking among adults. “The rise of e-commerce offers opportunities for Irish producers to break into new markets and reach new consumer segments and this will only grow in 2021,” noted Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland. “But Irish producers are committed to doing this in a responsible manner and are delighted to join this global collaboration between drinks companies and e-commerce platforms, which is the first of its kind.” The new alliance will develop global standards of responsibility that:

• Enhance safeguards and security measures so minors are unable to buy alcohol online; • Put in place mechanisms to prevent beer, wine and spirits being delivered to minors or to individuals showing visible signs of intoxication; • Promote global standards as a resource to support the development of national in-country codes and practices for the online sale and delivery of alcohol, which build on local and national regulation.

Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland.

Bord Bia encourages food industry to ‘Think Digital’

BORD Bia has launched a comprehensive new suite of digital services under its Think Digital programme to support Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture sectors as they continue to face the severe and ongoing impacts of Covid-19 and the challenges of post-Brexit trading. The new services have been designed with a focus on unlocking the e-commerce potential within the sector to deliver much needed growth. A new online retailing study from Bord Bia shows that in the three years since 2017, online shopping has grown by 75%. In the next three years to 2023, this is forecast to grow by a further 55% (Source: Statista). Covid-19 has led to a profound shift in the adoption of online grocery shopping, and is continuing to grow as physical distancing restrictions remain in place. Some 34% of Irish consumers who bought their groceries online in 2020 were ‘first-timers’, while 33% of EU online grocery shoppers only started in the past six months. The Bord Bia report also showed that whilst grocery traditionally trails other categories in transitioning to online, it is now the fastest-growing category. In addition to exploring online retail habits, Bord Bia was particularly focused on identifying opportunities for selling Irish meat and seafood online. Although approximately 94% of the EU population eat meat and/or seafood, the study highlighted that only 56% buy those products online. However, 44% of online grocery shoppers who are currently not buying meat online are open to buying beef online, and 54% of online shoppers who are currently not buying seafood online are open to it, which suggests untapped potential for both sectors.

Adam Baker, Client Capability Manager at Bord Bia, believes the time has come for Ireland’s food sector to become digital adopters: “Diversification into new markets has been a crucial component for growth across the food industry over the last decade. Today, the growth in online shopping and grocery e-commerce offers our sector another growing, and potentially very valuable, alternative route to market. Through this new Think Digital programme, Bord Bia want to ensure that Ireland’s food industry has the requisite skills and knowledge it needs to successfully compete in a digital world.” The new services will be primarily provided through a series of virtual workshops, webinars and self-service digital marketing guidebooks. According to Bord Bia, companies can also apply for bespoke, one-to-one digital mentoring, digital project management and branding supports. Bord Bia is encouraging all companies in the food, drink and horticulture sectors to register for ‘Think Digital’ services on www.bordbia.ie or for further information on available supports, email thinkdigital@bordbia.ie.