RN July/August 2014

JULY/AUGUST 2014

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www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2014|Contents|3

Contents

Budgetary Concerns WHILE next year’s Budget is not set to be unveiled by Finance Minister Michael Noonan TD until October 14, now is the time when most interested parties will be compiling their Budget submissions for the Minister.

Top of the retail wish-list for Minister Noonan is the reintroduction of the 4.25% Employers’ PRSI rate, which RGDATA estimate is costing independent retailers between €20,000 and 80,000 a year (See news story on page 6).

RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley noted how “the policies adopted by the Government in Budget 2015 will have a direct impact on the capacity of the SME sector to create employment, particularly in sectors of the economy that have suffered the brunt of recession.” Indeed, the grocery trade organisation estimate that if the Government were to reinstall the lower employers’ PRSI rate, up to 10,000 jobs could be created.

All the major retail groups agree that getting consumers spending again is vital if we are to witness a real retail recovery in Ireland. Indeed, the recent Retail Ireland Annual Conference saw the majority of speakers making this very point, with Ibec CEO Danny McCoy calling on the Government to reduce the tax burden on workers, with the corresponding increase in spending more than making up the balance in the Government’s coffers.

Other items on the agenda include Upward Only Rent Reviews, with Senator Feargal Quinn hopeful that his bill will pass through the Dáil in September (Page 6), while retail representative bodies are also calling on the Taoiseach to confirm that the current tobacco licensing system will remain unchanged, following former Health Minister James Reilly TD’s proposal to introduce a new licensing system with annual fees payable to that Department (Page 7).

If you have a suggestion to make as to how Budget 2015 can work for the retail sector, now is the time to talk to your representative group.

Kathleen Belton Editorial Director kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

News 4 Irish publishers

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charged promotional fee for airport listing.

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7

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Upward Only Rent Bill to go before Dáil in September; RGDATA calls for return of 4.25% employers’ PRSI. Shopper Nation report revealed; Retail groups slam tobacco license fee; Tesco CEO to step down.

Grocery sales growing at fastest rate since March 2013; SuperValu listings to create 300 jobs; CBRE releases shopping centre survey.

The Retail News Interview 22 Sheenagh McCullagh, President of the Irish Security Industry Association, talks us through new security legislation and what it means for retailers.

Food & Hospitality Ireland 24 Food & Hospitality

Ireland is set to welcome thousands of visitors to the Citywest Events Centre on September 17 and 18.

requirements come into play in December.

Shop Profile 16 Skelly’s Costcutter in Virginia, Co. Cavan, is a shining example of a successful partnership between store owners and symbol group.

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responsibility, running costs and reliability were major factors for FSM when replacing their fleet of tractor units.

been shortlisted across 50 categories for the 2014 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.

Tel: (01) 6785165 Fax: (01) 6477127

Editorial Director: Kathleen Belton kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Web: www.retailnews.ie Email: kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Editor: John Walshe

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie

Chief News Reporter: Pavel Barter Wine Correspondent: Jean Smullen

Production: Jim Heron

playing fair in the arena of fair procedures when it comes to your employees, asks Gerry McCanny, Principle in the firm of McCanny & Co. Solicitors.

On The Vine 58 Jean Smullen profiles Ireland’s top selling wine brands.

Branding 62 New research from

TNS reveals why we love brands with the highest ‘IQ’, and highlights the eight drivers of brand irresistibility.

Food Works

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Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 44 180 products have

Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

brian@tarapublications.ie

Legal Matters 56 Is your business

Recovery/Recycling 43 Environmental

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update Your voice at Retail Consultation Forum; How to rejuvenate town centres; Retail Ireland supports Food & Hospitality Ireland 2014.

48

Labelling 38 New food labelling

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie

of Hotel Solutions advises on how to plan an event, from a small meeting to a large domestic and international conference

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Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Advertising: Brian Clark

Event Management 48 Michelle Thornton

Printed by: W&G Baird

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

The Food Works training and development programme has already yielded some impressive results.

REGULARS & REPORTS

9 10 26 32 42 65 66

Tax & Finance Industry News Back To School: Lunch Box Back To School: Stationery Drinks News Market News Shelf Life

4|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News

Irish Publishers Charged Fee for Airport Listing IRISH publishers have described as is unaffordable. “outrageous” a plan to charge them “We are a small independent £500 [€630] per title, per annum, to publisher and don’t get involved in the stock magazines in WH Smith airport politics of magazine publishing,” said stores in Ireland.

Nick Maxwell, who owns Wordwell Retail News has been given access Publishing. “We have three titles: to an email, sent last month, which History Ireland, Archaeology Ireland stated “as and from 21st July 2014 your and Books Ireland. They are looking for title will be delisted - unless [you] come £500 per title. That’s a total of £1500 to an agreement with WHS to get your [€1890] every year. We simply can’t title ranged for your next issue.” afford it.”

According to the letter from WH According to the letter, publishers Smith, “The promotional fee for being cannot distribute to WH Smith listed in the airports is £500, which Stores “unless you have a commercial ensures a listing for a 12-month agreement and obtained an period. This is by ‘authorisation code’ week commencing from WHS, in advance”.

21st July any Maxwell contacted titles that do not Lucid Direct, the UK have a commercial company that supplies agreement with WH Smith’s airport WHS will be delisted planograms but received (sic).” “no offer of agreement”.

The apparently He continued: “We are compulsory effectively delisted. I “promotional fee” have written to them pertains to seven complaining about this.

WH Smith stores Lucid got back with an in Dublin airports offer to meet, but after and one in Shannon. the deadline of July 21, For some Irish and so there is no offer Nick Maxwell, owner, Wordwell publishers, the cost Publishing. on the fee issue. So we

are still delisted.”

Easons originally held the contract for shops at Dublin Airport before WH Smith took over a year ago. However, this is the first time publishers have been charged “promotional fees” for listings. According to Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenient Stores and Newsagents Association, the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, which will pave the way for a grocery watchdog, does not provide for newspaper or magazine distribution.

Jennings said: “Sinn Fein Deputy Peadar Tóibín, at our request, sought to have an amendment to the Competition and Consumer Bill, providing for an extension of products sold within grocery shops, such as electrical materials, potted plants, newspapers, magazines, telephones, etc. It’s a misnomer to suggest a grocery store only stocks grocery products. We got no satisfaction from the Minister, who has limited it only to grocery products.”

Most publishers Retail News spoke to wished to remain anonymous. Some publishers have agreed to pay the fee; others have not. The Competition Authority confirmed they had been notified about the letter, but declined to comment.

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|5

News

Magazines Ireland described the issue as “an ominous and unwarranted development” and have written to WH Smith and to Lucid Direct to express their concerns. Magazines Ireland has described it as an “anti-competitive development” and notes that “while individual publishers may feel pressurised to pay these fees, they do so under protest”.

“Irish publishers are concerned that retailers might wish to make these fees standard in the Irish magazine industry,” noted a Magazines Ireland spokesperson. “This would be seriously damaging to the profitability of Irish magazines, which are already competing with the might of large-scale British publishing, for which these fees are a small matter.”

“There isn’t a fair or free market if people make determinations based on UK considerations,” said Vincent

Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenient Stores and Newsagents Association.

Jennings.

There may also be repercussions for the newspaper industry.

“National Newspapers Ireland (NNI) are disappointed to see this ‘promotional charge’ for Irish magazine publications in WH Smith stores in Irish airports,” an NNI representative told us. “We would be gravely concerned if a similar approach was adopted for NNI members.

We would see this as an infringement on the public’s right to be informed.

Newspapers perform a very important role in society, contributing to media pluralism where different voices can be heard. Limiting the number of publications to those prepared to pay the ‘promotional charge’ will create a barrier for citizens’ access to professional and trusted news content.”

Nick Maxwell added: “There is a cultural impact from this fee. I have written to the new Minister of the Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht to point that out.”

Vincent Jennings called for a competitive environment for Irish magazines. “If they become weaker and less able to compete with larger publications, then they wither away on the vine.

There are some wellknown and successful Irish publications. There are also niche publications within

those publishers. If they don’t get the oxygen of being put up on the shelf, if they can’t get a free and fair basis, then they will die out.”

Retail News contacted WH Smith, where a spokesperson noted how “as a matter of policy, we are unable to comment on specific commercial arrangements with any particular supplier.”

However, WH Smith noted how they make a limited and fixed margin from magazines, which does not cover the costs of their operation in prime travel sites such as airports, in view of the premium rental charges at these locations: “In order to maintain a wide range of publications for customers in such key locations, we therefore work with our supply partners who provide support towards certain of the promotional and marketing costs.”

The board of Magazines Ireland is concerned that this levy is in breach of certain sections of the Code of Practice for the Press Industry (COPPI) which publishers, wholesalers and retailers have all signed up to through their representative bodies.

The Code was agreed after a lengthy period of consultation across 10 industry associations, including CSNA, RGDATA and NFRN. The Code is designed to prevent restrictive practices; to bring greater consistency to the industry, particularly in relation to the supply chain; and reinforces the highest possible standards of customer service, ensuring that all customers have optimum access to newspapers and magazines.

“Magazines Ireland regards this as an abuse of dominant position in the airport and anticompetitive,” noted a spokesperson. “Additionally, these charges are contrary to Government policy and recently transcribed EU directives calling for increased competition in the sector.”

6|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News RGDATA Calls for Return of 4.25% Upward Only Rent Employers’ PRSI Bill to Go Before Dáil in September

Pictured at the launch of the RGDATA Retailer Toolkit app are (l-r): Simon Healy, AIB Retail Sector Specialist; Ken Burke, Head of Business Banking, AIB; and Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA.

IF you want to create and retain jobs in towns and villages reinstate the 4.25% Employers’ PRSI. Such was the message from RGDATA to the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

The RGDATA delegation, led by Director General Tara Buckley, said that independent food retailers were key to ensuring vibrant towns and villages and creating and retaining jobs in retail.

“The reintroduction of the 8.5% Employers’ PRSI for workers earning less than €356 since January 1 this year has added €20,000-€80,000 to RGDATA members’ wage bills,” noted RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley. “This money has to come from the wages bill so it adds up to a lot of hours and a lot of jobs in the retail sector. 2,200 further retail jobs have been lost in the most recent CSO statistics. Reinstate this lower rate of Employers’ PRSI and independent retailers will create new jobs.”

RGDATA asked the policymakers to fulfil the promise of a 25% reduction in business regulation costs. RGDATA said that retailers have not seen any evidence of this reduction.

“All we hear about is new, additional charges or red tape. We understand that the Health Minister was at the Cabinet meeting seeking to impose an additional new annual tobacco licence costing €500-1,000,

even though retailers are already registered and regulated by the Office for Tobacco Control and have paid a €50 fee,” said Tara Buckley.

The group also raised the issues of banking charges, electronic payments charges, car parking, commercial rates, town centre regeneration policies and incentives and upward only rents.

“Let business people get on with running their businesses, creating new employment and serving their communities. The State needs to take a light touch to adding any new rules, regulations or costs that impact on the sector. Local authorities need to adopt a more holistic approach to town centre management and retail and demonstrate to people that they are getting value for their rates spend,” concluded Tara Buckley.

Meanwhile, RGDATA became Ireland’s first retail trade association to launch an app. The RGDATA Retailer Toolkit, developed with the support of AIB, was conceived and designed by independent retailers, and contains a practical calculator and insider video tips from retailers and industry experts. It will also keep retailers up to date on all industry and RGDATA news.

The app is available for download on iOS on the app store and Android on Google Play. It can be found by searching ‘rgdata’ in the respective store.

INDEPENDENT Senator Feargal Quinn has told RetailNews he is “hopeful” he can convince the Government to introduce a bill banning upward only rents. “The bill has already passed the Seanad and should be allowed to go through the Dáil, It’s going to be introduced in the Dáil in September.

Even if they disagree with it, they should let it go through, so the President can send it to the Supreme Court to Senator Feargal vouch whether it is Quinn: his bill constitutional or not,” banning upward only he said. rent reviews is due The Senator before the Dáil this described a recent September.

Supreme Court ruling to uphold an upward only rent clause for Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street as “an isolated case, which the judge described as a one off and it was not to be taken as an example.”

In 2013, a High Court supported the reduction of Bewley’s rent to reflect market conditions. The case had little effect on other retail tenants, as it applied to an ambiguous legal clause within the lease.

While Quinn is relatively optimistic about the opportunity to re-address upward only rents, Mark Fielding, CEO of Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association is less so. “Frances Fitzgerald [Minister for Justice and Equality] said the Government’s position on this will not change. They are not going to revisit existing leases because that would cost too much to implement,” said Fielding.

The Government initially planned to introduce legislation to deal with upward only rents, but rowed back over fears it would effect NAMA properties.

ISME has proposed giving tax breaks to affected tenants. “The market says one thing, legislation says another. The Government are not for turning on it, which is crazy,” Fielding noted. “We’ve seen companies going into examinership just to get rid of their upward only rent. But the legal costs of going into examinership are horrendous. It’s not a solution. The solution for some businesses is just to go out of business.”

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|7

News

Shopper Nation Report Revealed ONLY 2% of Irish shoppers do their full grocery shop in one store, while 90% of shoppers say that price is one of the main contributing factors when choosing where to shop, according to new research conducted by shopper marketing specialists, Visualise.

The results form part of Shopper Nation 2014, a new study which examines the shifting behaviours, attitudes and perceptions of over 1,000 Irish shoppers. Key findings include the fact that 67% of those surveyed shop 2-3 times a week, with 31% shopping once a week and 9% daily. Shoppers spend an average of 31–45 minutes in-store, doing their grocery shopping, while 18% shop for 45 minutes or more.

Irish shoppers spend an average of €76-100 on their weekly shop, but shoppers with kids and those aged 45-54, spend €101-150 on their weekly shop.

When it comes to store choices for their main shop, the five most popular stores were Aldi (24%), Tesco (24%), Dunnes Stores (19%), Lidl (19%) and SuperValu (16%).

The most important factor for

Shopper Nation 2014, a new study which examines the shifting behaviours, attitudes and perceptions of over 1,000 Irish shoppers.

shoppers when choosing which store to do their main shopping is price, followed by quality of fresh produce and range of products on offer, convenience and parking.

When it comes to secondary/topup shops, Lidl were the most popular (45%), followed by Tesco (41%), Aldi (39%), SuperValu (35%), Dunnes Stores (32%), convenience stoers (30%) and speciality stores (20%).

Shopper Nation also revealed that the Tesco club-card is the most prevalent retailer loyalty card, with 81% of all shoppers having one,

followed by Dunnes Stores at 73% and SuperValu at 56%. The report also revealed that 43% of shoppers use coupons at least once a month.

“Irish shoppers’ attitudes and behaviours have shifted dramatically in recent years, with more and more moving away from the traditional once a week shop to shopping more frequently across a number of different stores,” noted Eoghan Phelan, General Manager, Visualise. “It is essential that FMCG brands and retailers understand the implications of this new mind-set.

Shoppers have more options than ever before and are actively seeking better value for money and improved in-store experiences.

“Analysing the research data, we can clearly see that there are excellent opportunities for brands and retailers to add value for the shopper in-store without relying on an unsustainable discounting strategy. There is also strong scope for innovations in the area of couponing and in-store marketing, to name just two key areas.”

The full report is available at: www.visualise.ie/shopper-nation-2014part-1-shopping-habits/

Retail Groups Slam Tobacco License Fee

RETAIL representative bodies, CSNA, RGDATA, Retail Excellence Ireland and ISME have joined in their condemnation of proposals from the former Minister for Health James Reilly TD to introduce a new licensing system with annual fees payable directly to his Department.

“This is a tax upon retailers, a punishment from the formerMinister for selling a product that is sold in response to a demand; it is not promoted or marketed in our stores yet is vital for

our continued survival,” said a spokesman for the group.

“Retailers should be provided with a clear message from the Taoiseach that these proposals are contrary to everything that this Government is trying to do for retail and small business in Ireland.”

There are 13,500 tobacco retailers currently registered in Ireland. 7,500 of these are hotels, clubs and pubs that could not be considered to sell tobacco as a core product within their businesses, and would be unlikely to continue

to register if the cost of the annual fee exceeded the profit earned from sales.

The Department of Health has suggested that all existing retailers would be required to pay a fee that would net €5m per annum.

The purpose of licensing/ registration is to ensure that if there are transgressions of tobacco control laws, the Courts can apply a removal from the register if the Judge deems the facts of the case to merit such sanction. As retailers are already registered, there is no pressing legislative need for this measure, argue the retail groups.

Despite repeated requests since last October from the retailer groups to meet to discuss the proposals, former Minister Reilly consistently refused to engage in any way with the representatives of the 6,000 stores affected by the proposals to extract this “punishment tax” from their members.

Tesco CEO To Step Down TESCO’s CEO, Philip Clarke is to step down on October 1, when he will be replaced by former Unilever executive Dave Lewis. The surprise announcement by the UK company came as they issued a profit warning that current trading conditions were more challenging than anticipated at the time of its first quarter interim management statement on June 4, and that sales and trading profit in the first half of the year were below expectations.

8|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

News

Grocery Sales Growing at 2% THE latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, for the 12 weeks ending June 22 , show that grocery sales grew by 2% this quarter, the fastest rate since March 2013, and certainly in stark contrast to sales declines of 4.5% experienced just four years ago. This period’s sales growth comes amid falling inflation, down to 2.3% from 2.6% last period.

“The fall in grocery inflation is providing welcome relief for households,” explained Mark Thomson, Business Unit Director at Kantar Worldpanel. “Among the big grocers, SuperValu is the stand-out performer, attracting 87,000 new shoppers this quarter – more than any other retailer over the latest period. Almost three quarters of Irish households shopped in SuperValu over the latest quarter.”

Aldi and Lidl continue to deliver outstanding growth, increasing sales by 19.5 and 12.4 percentage points, and market shares to 8.1% and 8.2% respectively. “Meanwhile at the other end of the market, Tesco and Dunnes are both lagging, with their corresponding shares standing at 26.1% and 21.1%,” Thomson noted.

Although Aldi and Lidl are continuing to benefit from increasing numbers of sales, both retailers are

experiencing growth, mainly as a result of their existing customers spending more. The average Aldi shopper in Ireland spent €161 over the latest period; up €15.60 compared with this time last year.

“Footfall is increasing for all the large retailers at a time when customers aren’t wedded to a particular grocer week by week,” Thomson concluded. “The opportunity for Tesco and Dunnes lies around encouraging shoppers to spend more per shopping trip, which is something that Aldi and

Lidl are already doing successfully.”

A delighted Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, said that the results “underline the momentum behind the SuperValu brand. SuperValu was the strongest supermarket at +1.3% in the period, demonstrating that shoppers are continuing to vote with their feet and shop with SuperValu because of our unique combination of value, fresh food leadership and our commitment to Irish suppliers and local communities across the country.”

Total Take Home Grocery - Ireland Consumer Spend Total Grocers Total Multiples Tesco Dunnes Total SuperValu SuperValu Superquinn Total Discounters Aldi Lidl Other Outlets**

12 Weeks to 23 Jun 2013 %*

12 Weeks to 22 Jun 2014 %*

change** %

100.0% 88.3% 27.6% 21.4% 24.9% 19.4% 5.5% 14.4% 6.9% 7.4% 11.7%

100.0% 88.3% 26.1% 21.1% 24.8% 16.3% 8.1% 8.2% 11.7%

2.0 2.o -3.4 0.5 1.3 15.8 19.5 12.4 2.0

*= Percentage Share of Total Grocers **= Includes stores such as M&S, Boots, Spar, Centra, Greengrocers, Butchers And Cross Border shops

SuperValu Listings To Create 300 Jobs retailers are able to source directly from local suppliers on a one-to-one basis, enabling these start-up food businesses to gain their first retail listings in stores in their community. SuperValu is also working with the companies involved to get their products listed in a cluster of nearby stores in order to set Pictured are Sean O’Sullivan, them on a long term path CEO LEO, South Cork; Minister to supplying their network for Agriculture, Food and of 223 stores.

Marine Simon Coveney TD; “These planned 300 Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, and Aidan jobs are predominantly in enterprises employing Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia. fewer than five people, MORE than 300 jobs mostly in start-up food are being created in food businesses in urban business start-ups as a and rural areas, and result of the Food Academy will further enhance the Start programme, a reputation of our food collaborative initiative sector nationally and between the Local internationally,” noted Enterprise Offices, Bord Minister for Agriculture, Bia and SuperValu; Food and the Marine, As stores are Simon Coveney TD, independently owned speaking at the Cork and and operated, SuperValu

Kerry Food Forum, one of Ireland’s largest artisan food markets, recently.

Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director, noted how “more than 200 small food businesses will work with their local SuperValu retailers, resulting in sales worth €5m in the next year and leading to the creation of 300 jobs.”

Welcoming the jobs announcement, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, commented, “Selection and participation in the Food Academy Start programme provides artisan food producers with direct access to expertise in branding, market research, purchasing, packaging and retail distribution. This invaluable insight helps support small companies through the challenging initial phases of growth and greatly enhances their chances of market success.”

CBRE Shopping Centre Survey WHEN it comes to deciding where to shop, Irish consumers look to have their basic needs of value, cleanliness and security met first above all else, according to new research from global property advisor CBRE. The offer of free parking in a location can also be particularly influential for the consumer, who on average ranks these more important than the range of shops on offer.

Travel convenience is another critical factor for the Irish consumer, with 56% of consumers travelling between 11 and 30 minutes to their main shopping location- slightly longer than the majority of European consumers, who travel less than 15 minutes to their preferred shopping location.

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|9

Tax & Finance

Importance of KPI’s & Departmental Analysis for Retailers WITH today’s level of intense competition in the retail sector, it is now more important than ever to have accurate financial information readily available. We find the best and most successful retailers produce weekly Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and would produce management accounts monthly/quarterly including Profit & Loss Account and Full Departmental Analysis (analysis of actual gross profit margin to scanning gross profit margin per department).

Indicators (KPI’s)?

• Allows you monitor store performance on a weekly basis; • Enables you to identify problem departments before losses become too great; • Enables you to benchmark your store performance; • Enables you to advise your key management and department heads on areas to focus on.

KPI’s

What are the best Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)?

• Weekly sales; • Weekly Wages as a % of sales; • Weekly wastage; • Weekly variance between actual gross profit margins and scanning margins on key departments such as fresh food, cigarettes and alcohol.

•

Director: Derek Keating, BBS, ACA, Tax Accounting Ireland.

Departmental Analysis

How often should you produce management accounts including Profit & Loss Account along with a Full Departmental Analysis?

• For new stores and stores that have a variance of greater than 1.2% between their actual gross profit margin and scanning margin, we would recommend production of monthly Director: Martin Hyland, management accounts for ACCA, AITI Chartered Tax Adviser, What are the real benefits a period of three months to News HP PressAd-v2_Layout 1 30/03/2014 15:47 Page aggressively 1 Tax Accounting Ireland. of 0314-TAI01 weekly Key Retail Performance address the

TAX ACCOUNTING

IRELAND

BUSINESS & TAXATION CONSULTANTS

problem; For more established stores and stores that have a variance of less than 1.2% between their actual gross profit margin and scanning margin, we would recommend production of quarterly management accounts.

What are benefits of accurate and timely Management Accounts?

• Problem departments can be identified at an earlier stage to prevent the build-up of large losses; • Allows for the performance of the department heads and managers to be monitored and assessed on a regular basis; • Allows for the monitoring of all costs throughout the year on a regular basis.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us at: Tax Accounting Ireland, 32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 662 4977 or by email/website as detailed below.

Our mission is to add value to our clients business in an efficient and cost effective manner whilst maintaining high professional standards.

Our Services include: 4 Accounting, auditing, computerised bookkeeping, monthly/quarterly management accounts, full inhouse payroll and taxation advice in the food & beverage and retail industries especially in the ownermanaged sector.

4 Store location & acquisition, sources of finance, IT software selection & implementation, recruitment & training of staff, internal controls & security measures, cost reduction & improved efficiency.

4 Detailed departmental analysis with comparison of actual gross margin per department to scanning gross margin per department.

We have over 25 years’ experience in industry & practice with a high level of involvement with each client. For further details please do not hesitate to contact us or visit our website.

T: 01 662 4977 E: info@taxaccountingireland.ie

www.taxaccountingireland.ie

10|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR IRISH SUPPLIERS WITH SPAR TWO local Irish suppliers were given the opportunity to pitch their wares to the trading directors of SPAR International, whose collective buying power exceeds €20 billion, when the group descended on Ireland for the annual international supplier ‘speed dating’ expo, which took place in Dublin recently. Donegal-based Mulrines, who specialise in juices, smoothies and sauces, and Mackle Petfoods from Armagh, met one-on-one with SPAR International, as well as representatives from each of the attending countries who make up the Buying International Group SPAR (BIGS). The BIGS attendees were hoping to source new products for the brand’s growing private label range and individual markets are free to do deals with suppliers independently of the group. Pictured are (l-r): John Mackle, Mackle Petfoods; David McLoughlin, Mulrines; Simon Marriott, Trading Director, SPAR Ireland; and Dr Gordon Campbell, Managing Director, SPAR International.

Musgrave MarketPlace Expands Delivery Service MUSGRAVE MarketPlace has announced an expansion of its delivery service to include counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. Currently supplying over 45,000 retailers, pubs, hotels, restaurants and hospitality customers, Musgrave MarketPlace offers an extensive range of over 12,000 confectionery, dry goods, chilled, fresh and frozen food products. The Musgrave Marketplace team and suppliers were on hand to meet with local foodservice and retail customers and showcase their extensive product range at the launch event. Pictured are (l-r): Mark Heffernan, Daybreak Tullamore Retailer, and Noel Keeley, Managing Director, Musgrave MarketPlace.

Charity Begins at Work MUSGRAVE Group, Topaz and Marks and Spencer (Ireland) Ltd contributed €560,500 euro to the community in 2013.

The companies contributed over €170,000 in cash donations, €365,227 in employee fundraising and over €23,800 in in-kind donations. This information is being captured by Business in the Community Ireland on an online interactive map, entitled the Business Impact Map. The three firms are amongst 49 socially minded, large Irish companies to take part in the map. “In a year that has seen a decline in charitable donations in Ireland, and as times are getting tougher, what we have noticed is that companies are contributing more in the way of in kind donation, pro bono support and employee volunteering hours,” said Tina Roche, CEO of Business in the Community Ireland (pictured). “This shows that companies are still keen to have an impact on society and on their local areas but are providing support in different ways and using their own skillset to provide job placements, mentoring, pro bono work, or other products and services free of charge to local groups and charities on a long term basis.” National statistics show that over €24m was contributed by business to the community and voluntary sector in Ireland, while employees also volunteered over 162,000 hours to local groups and projects during the year. See www.bitc.ie for more information.

Nick Johnson Appointed Head of Unilever Ireland NICK Johnson (pictured) has been appointed Managing Director and Vice President Customer Development for Unilever Ireland, succeeding Jill Ross in the leadership role.

Nick has held various senior posts since joining Unilever in 2011, most recently as Shopper Marketing and Category Management Director with Unilever UK, and took up the new role in Ireland in July. Based in Unilever Ireland’s head office in CityWest, Nick will lead the company’s Irish sales and marketing team to ensure that Irish customers receive quality Unilever products at affordable prices. He will be responsible for Unilever’s business development in Ireland, working in close partnership with the company’s retail and wholesale customers.

CPM Wins at Irish Sales Award CPM, one of Ireland’s leading field sales companies, was recognised for the fourth year in a row at the 2014 Irish Sales Champion Awards, held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This year, CPM was recognised for Champion Field Sales Manager 2014 in the FMCG category. This prestigious award went to Paul Purcell for his commitment, passion and drive for results as the National Sales Manager for CPM’s Britvic account. In previous years, CPM has been recognised in the areas of Field Sales Champion and Field Sales Manager, Best use of Sales Technology and Best Sales Support Technology. Paul Purcell is pictured receiving his Award from Alan Hyland, National Sales Training Manager, Hyundai Ireland.

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Industry News TAYTO TEAMS UP WITH IRISH GUIDE DOGS TWO of Ireland’s most recognisable organisations have teamed up in a unique charity partnership. Irish Guide Dogs is proud to be selected as one of Tayto/ Largo Foods’ Charities of the Year in 2014. Corporate Fundraising Manager, Rose O’Dea (pictured) was recently at Tayto Park, Co. Meath, to collect a generous donation of €2,000. “We are thrilled to be the recipient of this generous donation,” she noted. “All support is greatly appreciated and used to support people that are vision impaired and families of children with autism nationwide.” As charity partner, staff at Largo Foods will have the chance to meet wonderful Guide and Assistance Dogs, as well as raise much-needed funds for the national charity while hosting fun events and encouraging team building.

Maxol Makes Wishes Come True

MAXOL Group Brand Development Manager, Fergal Harrington is pictured presenting a cheque to the value of €65,733 to Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Exeutive, MakeA-Wish Ireland. In April 2013, The Maxol Group announced a two-year partnership with MakeA-Wish Ireland as their new charity of the year.

The aim of the partnership is to support the charitable work of Make-A-Wish Ireland in granting wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 17 years who are living with life threatening medical conditions. The agreement included the provision of Make-A-Wish collection boxes in over 160 Maxol service stations throughout Ireland. In addition to collection boxes, money was also raised through a “wash for wishes” carwash campaign and coffee promotion, where a percentage of sales went directly to Make-A-Wish. Maxol retailers also showed support by selling Make-A-Wish merchandise in-store.

Linwoods Fuels Dublin GAA PICTURED at Croke Park at the announcement of Linwoods as the Official Health Food Supplier for Dublin GAA are (l-r): Joanne Hayden, Linwoods’ Sales and Marketing Manager; Danny Sutcliffe, Dublin senior hurler, and Emma Gribben, Linwoods Digital Marketing. Dublin GAA is getting a healthy boost by partnering with the award-winning Armagh-based health food company Linwoods, in a bid to ensure its athletes’ nutrition is as carefully managed as their onpitch performance. The Linwoods Superfoods range, which includes a selection of milled and blended seeds, nuts and berries, Co-enzyme Q10 and Bio Cultures, will ensure that Dublin GAA have the right fuel to get them to lift the cup at the end of their All-Ireland series. For more information, see www.linwoodshealthfoods.com.

Topaz Drives Success DONABATE resident Gabor Petranyi is driving into the summer in style after winning a brand new Toyota Yaris in Topaz’s new Play or Park loyalty game. 37-yearold Gabor is now the proud owner of a stylish Yaris 1.0L Sol after he claimed the Play or Park prize for May. The overall package, valued at over €20K, includes free fuel for a year.

“Play or Park is our interactive loyalty game and it’s all about rewarding regular customers like Gabor,” noted Charles Fitzsimons, Topaz Area Manager for Dublin North West. “He really wanted a new car and we’re delighted he’s now got one. The prizes are amazing and included everything from round the world trips to holidays in Bali or the Bahamas, to shopping trips to New York, road trips in California as well as brand new Toyotas.” Gabor, who is originally from Hungary, has been living in Ireland for six years. His son Mark, who’s five, is clearly delighted with the win!

Brewing Up A Storm TO celebrate the news that Ireland has been chosen to host the prestigious World Barista Championships in 2016, the coffee and tea industry will give the public a fascinating insight into café culture this September with the launch of the inaugural Dublin Coffee & Tea Festival 2014. A first-time event for Ireland, it will celebrate the ever-more sophisticated tastes for coffee and tea in the country, and takes place at the Industries Hall, RDS, Dublin, on September 12-14. Created by both the Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) and the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE- Irish branch) the Festival will celebrate every aspect of the coffee and tea world. Irishman Pete Williams is pictured competing in the World Barista Championships 2014. For more, see www.dublincoffeefestival.com.

Biscuit tin treats to top up your sales

Stock up now!

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Industry News MAXOL LAUNCHES MOREISH FOOD BRAND MAXOL launched its new temptingly Moreish food brand at its recently opened Maxol MACE Kingsmeadow service station on the Cork Road, Waterford. At Moreish, consumers can enjoy a new speciality sandwich range; design their own in three simple steps; and enjoy freshly ground coffee and a range of teas. The new Moreish menu is available for download at www.maxol.ie/moreish. The Speciality sandwich range includes, The Brunch Buster, Turkey Hero, Moreish Club, Crunchy Tuna Club and The Italian Chicken Fresco. The range of fresh and healthy food options includes salad boxes and fresh fruit pots, and the product lines will be extended in the months ahead. Moreish has partnered with Bewley’s for its coffee and teas. Pictured are (l-r): Fergal Harrington, Maxol Group Brand Development Manager; Julie Curran, MACE Marketing Executive; Des Duffy, Maxol Group Retail Manager; Jana Solovjova, Maxol Digital and Promotions Executive; Valdas Kirelis, Maxol Kingsmeadow Licensee; Phillip O’Brien, MACE Retail Operations Advisor; Eddie Devine, Maxol Regional Manager Maxol; and Caitriona Cousins, MACE Marketing Manager.

SuperValu Scores on Fresh Meat SUPERVALU sells more Bord Bia approved meat than any other retailer, according to the latest Kantar Market Data. The figures show that SuperValu outperformed all competitors, selling over 41,000 tonnes of Irish sourced Bord Bia approved fresh meat in the 52 weeks to June 22, 2014. In addition, a recent Red C poll showed that SuperValu meat quality consistently scores significantly higher than all competitors amongst Irish shoppers.

SuperValu stocks 100% fresh Irish meat – beef, pork, chicken and lamb – and last year the retailer became the first in Ireland to adopt the DNA Traceback Programme for pigmeat products. In a further demonstration of SuperValu’s commitment to quality and innovation, Hurley’s SuperValu in Midleton was the first store in the country to secure the Bord Bia Quality Assured Butcher Counter. Pictured at the announcement in Hurley’s are (l-r) Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia; Mike Cashman, Butcher, Hurley’s SuperValu Midleton; and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu.

Sales Person of the Year LEADING Irish recruitment agency Sales Placement sponsored the Sales Person of the Year Award at the fourth annual Irish Sales Champion Awards 2014, which recognise sales professionals who continually deliver results with enthusiasm and integrity, despite the economic climate. They also recognise those who support, motivate and train them and the technology that supports them. Pictured receiving his Sales Person of the Year Award is Colm O’Brien, Vodafone Ireland (right), with Seamus Farrelly, CEO of Sales Placement, and Norah Casey, CEO, Harmonia Ltd.

New Head of IT at BWG Foods BWG Foods has appointed Sean Dennison to the position of Head of IT, where he will be responsible for the company’s Information Systems and Information Technology. Sean holds a degree in Engineering and a Masters in Management of Information Systems from Trinity College, Dublin. He has over 25 years’ experience in technology, specialising in the FMCG and retail sectors in particular. Sean previously held senior IT roles with Statoil/ Topaz, Kerry Foods and Curam Software.

Bijou Artisan Picnic Basket CONSUMERS can grab the opportunity to make the most of the unpredictable sun and head to the nearest park or beach with a Bijou Deli Artisan Picnic Hamper from Bijou Deli in Dublin’s Rathgar. The picnic baskets generously cater for two people and cost €25. Picnic-goers can choose two options from a range of wraps, rolls and salads including a Chicken Caesar Salad with Bacon and Croutons, or a Focaccia Roll with Ham, Cucumber and Mayo. Then choose between two Scotch Eggs or two Small Quiches from the deli’s savory section. Two chocolate ‘Surprises’ are also included in the basket and a choice between Orange Juice or Homemade Lemonade, as well as a cheese and cracker selection.

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Shop Profile

Pictured in Skelly’s Costcutter in Virginia are (l-r): Ingars Jurgutis, Judy Skelly and Peter Skelly.

Skelly’s Success Story

Skelly’s Costcutter in Virginia, Co. Cavan, is a shining example of a successful partnership between store owners and symbol group.

SKELLY’S Costcutter in Virginia, County Cavan, has an exceptional team behind its success. Most of the Skelly family are involved in the running of the shop and a family ethic of hard work and commitment to excellence permeates every aspect of the business.

The shop began trading in early December last year and since then, the family and their symbol group partner have worked tirelessly to give their customers everything they need.

The Skelly family has considerable experience in grocery retail and the shop in Virginia is their third symbol group store, although it is their first with Costcutter, which is operated by

Barry Group. When they were planning this latest venture in 2013, they were approached by a number of symbol groups, all eager to work with them on this project.

“We have already established a good reputation in Cavan with our other shops,” Judy Skelly tells Retail News . “In particular, the bakery in our Ballyjamesduff shop has become quite well known for made-to-order cakes.

This location on the Dublin road in Virginia town, with off street parking for 40 cars, had amazing potential. A number of symbol groups came to us looking to be our partner on this project because they were all well aware of the

potential.”

Eventually, Costcutter was their symbol partner of choice, as Judy explains: “We felt that Costcutter offered the best overall fit for this project. I had a very clear vision for how I wanted the finished shop to be, even before we spoke to any groups.

Costcutter seemed to offer us the best partner for developing the shop that we felt this site needed.”

Strong Partnership From the outset, there was a strong sense of partnership between Costcutter and the Skelly family. Judy and her family worked closely with the

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Shop Profile

group to achieve the best possible end product. In particular, the Country Deli, very much a Judy Skelly inspired design, is extremely impressive. Hot and cold food-to-go is a strength of all the Skelly owned shops and Judy was particularly keen to make sure that the deli in Virginia was presented precisely as she wanted it. Likewise, the spacious and comfortable sit-down area is ideal for visitors staying at Skelly’s B&B, located directly above the shop itself, with a monitor to let patrons keep an eye on when the next Bus Eireann bus is due to arrive in the town.

“We wanted to create a shop that really gives our customers what they need, whether that is somewhere to shop, to sit down and wait for a bus, or even somewhere to have dinner,” Judy explains. “The best quality does not necessarily mean the most expensive and that is our philosophy across the shop: we balance the very best quality with a competitive price and all with an eye to giving our customers the best possible experience every time they visit us.”

Exceeding Expectations All the hard work has really paid off. The shop is trading well above even the most optimistic predictions.

Participation in the deli is extremely high, not just because of the flawless finish of the Country Kitchen but because of the very high quality of ingredients that Judy insists upon.

The deli staff make all the shop’s preprepared sandwiches in-store and the Country Kitchen branded sandwiches sell very well after the deli closes down later in the evening.

The bakery in the family’s Ballyjamesduff shop provides the Virginia Costcutter with a mouthwatering array of fresh baked treats every day. Their gluten-free range is already very popular but it is the bespoke cakes that steal the show and residents already know how and where to get that cake to make any

occasion even more special. Skelly’s can also provide a full catering service to special events, bringing their quality to customers beyond the doors of the shop.

With an ATM on the way, the shop really is brimming over with amenities for customers. Particularly popular is the off licence and part of its strong sales is the BYOB policy in the adjacent restaurant. It has proven very popular with customers and benefits the Skelly’s business and the restaurant, a very encouraging example of how local Irish businesses can work together to the benefit of both.

The Right Staff The final part of the puzzle, after the immaculate finish, quality products and right price point, is the staff.

Judy is very hands-on with staff, from interview through to training.

“The interaction between staff and customers can totally change the experience for our customers,” she reveals. “All our staff are very highly trained, but also friendly. The staff are crucial to the success of every part of the shop and I would like to thank them all for their hard work.”

Judy Skelly and the entire Skelly

family have the right attitude for retail.

They care that their customers have a great experience every time they come into the shop, not just because it helps the shop be a success but because they genuinely care about the people in their community. That commitment to customers is shared by their symbol group partner, Costcutter. “We are absolutely delighted to work with a retailer of the calibre of Judy,” stresses Costcutter Regional Account Manager Damien Johnston. “She and her family give their business 100% in every area and our job as their partner is to match that hard work and commitment and give them every support to help their business thrive.”

Fact File Owner: Judy Skelly Location:

Dublin Road, Virginia, Co Cavan

Size:

2800 square feet

No of staff:

16 full time & part time

Opening Hours:

06:00-22:00, Monday-Friday; 07:30-22:00, Saturday & Sunday

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Industry News

Tesco Gets Young Dubliners Back to Work 46 YOUNG unemployed Dublin people have received their graduation certificates as part of the latest phase of the Tesco Positive2Work Skillnet programme. The graduates took part in six-week FETAC certified retail and distribution skills training programmes based in Tallaght, Donabate and Ballymun (supported by Keelings).

This brings the number of graduates from the latest phase of the Tesco Positive2Work Skillnet programme to 180, with the programme, now in its second year, a collaboration between the Department of Social Protection, Tesco Ireland, The Tesco Positive2Work Skillnet graduates are pictured Positive2Work Skillnet, Keelings and with their certificates at the Davenport Hotel ceremony the Department of Education & Skills in Dublin, along with representatives from the various and Training Boards. organisations involved.

Mandate Welcomes 3% Pay Increase For Dunnes Workers MANDATE Trade Union, which represents more than 4,000 workers in Dunnes Stores, has welcomed an announcement that Dunnes are to implement a 3% pay increase back dated to June 2014. Dunnes Stores employs more than 10,000 workers in the Republic of Ireland in 116 stores.

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light said, “Obviously this news is very welcome, but the hourly increase only

Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary.

partially addresses the claim which we recently served on

the company as part of our campaign.”

The pay increase for Dunnes workers forms part of a comprehensive claim by the union as part of its Decency for Dunnes Workers campaign, launched in April 2014, which includes the introduction of banded hour contracts, a review of pay scales and pay rates currently in operation in the business and a review of temporary contracts that are being over utilised.

Centra Supports Local Communities CENTRA spent €241.1m in local communities around its 460 stores in 2013. Centra’s ‘Community Impact Study’ shows this spend averages €4.5m per week through a combination of payments to local suppliers, acquisition of local business services, wages, charitable donations and local sponsorships.

The study reveals that Centra stores sourced €59m worth of products, from over 1,400 local suppliers, and contributes €2.5m in donations or sponsorship commitments to over 5,500 local charities, community groups, schools and sports clubs.

As well as supporting local suppliers, Centra stores also spent a substantial €12.6m with a vast amount of businesses in communities where its stores are located in 2013.

Picturee are (l-r): Bonnie Conlon (9) “Unlike some other retailers whose profits leave Ireland, from St Margarets; Marting Kelleher, our customers’ hard-earned euros are going back in to the Centra MD; Hannah Mahony (7) from community where they are from,” noted Centra Managing Swords and Evan Wilkes (9) from Director, Martin Kelleher. “We value their business and try Artane in every way possible to share our success with them. For the last 35 years, support of communities has and will continue to be, at the very heart of what makes Centra a successful business. We have ambitious growth plans and if performance continues as we expect, €1 billion will have been invested back into communities between 2013 and 2016.”

Ireland Tops EU Alcohol and Tobacco Price Scale IRELAND has the highest price levels for alcoholic beverages and tobacco in the EU at 178% of the average, according to the latest figures published by Eurostat. Overall consumer prices in Ireland were fifth highest in the EU in 2013 at 118% of the EU average.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages were also above average in Ireland, at 117% of the EU average, but well below Denmark in top place at 140% of the average.

Majority of Irish People Not Opposed to Alcohol Sponsorship THE Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland have welcomed new research from empathy research/ Retail Intelligence which shows that most people are not opposed to alcohol sponsorship.

The group reinstated that lack of evidence links sponsorship with increased consumption. In the survey, 39% of Irish adults surveyed disagreed or strongly disagreed that there should be a ban on alcohol sponsorship of sporting events, with 30% saying they neither agree nor disagree, effectively meaning that 69% of Irish people are not opposed to alcohol sponsorship.

Indeed, 43% of respondents said that alcohol brand sponsorship helps to improve the running of sporting events.

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20|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update YOUR VOICE AT RETAIL CONSULTATION FORUM EARLY in June, Retail Ireland participated in the inaugural session of the Government’s new Retail Consultation Forum. We have long campaigned for the establishment of a dedicated engagement forum between Government and the retail industry and as such, we warmly welcomed the decision to establish the Retail Consultation Forum under the Action Plan for Jobs 2014. It is part of our ongoing campaign to place retail firmly at the heart of Government thinking.

At the inaugural meeting, Retail Ireland had the opportunity to engage with both Minister Bruton and Minister Perry to propose fiscal measures and other initiatives to support the industry under Budget 2015. We used this long-awaited opportunity to stress the critical need to stimulate spending by reducing the tax burden on consumers and ensuring that there are no extra costs placed on retailers.

The forum will meet quarterly, with a different topic under consideration at each session. Future meetings will focus on broader policy issues, such as skills/training, online shopping and reinvigoration of regional town centres, etc.

We look forward to Government finally paying heed to the significant role played by the Irish retail industry in employment and economic development, right across the country, by making decisions which help to foster, rather than hinder, retail’s recovery.

Mixed Results for Retail Sales Data THE CSO’s retail sales figures for May showed continuing growth, but this is tempered somewhat when the impact of new car sales is factored out of the data. While the value of sales rose by over 4.1%, sales excluding motor trades and bars rose by 1.1% during May, when compared with the same month in 2013.

Meanwhile, there was an increase of 3.4% in the volume of those sales over the same period, highlighting the fact that retailers continue to discount prices to drive footfall.

In our commentary to the media, we said there was strong growth in the sale of fashion and footwear, furniture, lighting and electronics. This suggests that consumers who shied away from

buying certain big ticket items are now starting to purchase them again. Sales in supermarkets and department stores also rose.

However, there were falls in specialist food stores like bakeries and butchers, in pharmacies, in hardware outlets and in book stores. These numbers show that many retailers are continuing to struggle.

Retail Ireland continues to stress that retail sales growth is key to ensuring that the economic recovery results in significant job creation. Budget 2015 offers the Government an opportunity to put money back into the pockets of hard-pressed consumers, encouraging them to spend more and giving retailers a reason to start hiring new staff.

How To Rejuvenate Town Centres

ON June 17, the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation held the first of a series of hearings to discuss policy options and strategies to support business growth and job creation in Irish town centres. Given Retail Ireland’s previous advocacy work in this area, we were very pleased to have been invited to the first session to contribute our suggestions and proposals on how best to rejuvenate Irish towns.

It was a productive discussion, with debates centred on anti-social behaviour, criminality, rates, rents and the impact of online sales. Our own presentation focused on three areas: • At local authority level, we encourage councillors to ensure that commercial rates are frozen or reduced.

• At national level, the Government should support Senator Feargal Quinn’s Bill on upward only rent reviews • Finally, at all levels, we encourage decisionmakers to ensure that resources are properly invested into making towns and city centres better places to live, visit, shop and do business.

The Committee will publish a set of recommendations in the autumn, which will then be considered by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Retail Consultation Forum.

As always, we will continue to push hard to get a concrete set of effective actions implemented to reinvigorate our towns, cities and communities.

Retail Ireland Supports Food & Hospitality Ireland 2014 RETAIL Ireland is very pleased to have been asked to support the Food & Hospitality Ireland event for the second consecutive year. September’s event looks set to offer our member companies a valuable opportunity to network and engage with other retailers, suppliers and industry experts, sharing insights and learning from experiences, and we look forward to another successful partnership. As part of the “Spotlight Stage” series of discussions, Retail Ireland’s Chairperson, Frank Gleeson, will chair a debate on the future of food retail along with a cohort of other high profile names. The event takes place at the Citywest Conference & Events Centre on 17 and 18 September. More details at www.foodhospitality.ie.

Tel: 01-6051558 www.retailireland.ie

Move over to Costcutter.

Proud to be local

Contact: Ollie Savage 086 6036142 Barry Ba B a Group, Upper Quartertown, Mallow, Co. Cork www.barrygroup.ie

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The Retail News Interview

Securing Your Livelihood Sheenagh McCullagh, President of the Irish Security Industry Association, talks us through new security legislation and what it means for retailers.

SHEENAGH McCullagh of Stanley Security Ireland was elected the first female president of the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) in 2013 and this year saw her re-elected for a further term. In an exclusive interview, she discusses the key security changes that retailers should consider, new security legislation and what it means for retailers and the recent spate of high profile robberies.

On a personal level, how did you feel when you were elected the first female president of the ISIA in 2013, and when you were re-elected this year?

It was a huge honour to be elected as President of the ISIA. It is a longestablished association with over 40 year of history promoting quality of service and standards within the private security industry. It is a privilege to lead an association which drives positive change and acts as a voice for the industry. I am truly enjoying representing our members.

How do you balance your work for the ISIA with your day-job in Stanley Security Ireland?

Balancing our work is something we all have to do in the workplace and time management is key to that. However, I depend hugely on the Communications Director at the ISIA, Sarah O’Donnell,

to ensure that we manage the work that is required to achieve our strategic direction. The members of the ISIA’s Council of Management are also critical to the success of the association. They are the elected representatives of the eight divisions of the ISIA. Each council member drives the work that is most important to their division. They are instrumental not only in the successes of the ISIA, but to the success of the industry overall.

What are the key changes in security that retailers should consider in 2014?

The economic downturn has seen an increased level of strain on security budgets, meaning solutions are needed to reduce direct immediate costs, reduce ongoing costs and still add increased flexibility to security and loss prevention solutions.

Within the technical side of the

industry, there has been a significant development in capability from traditional analogue to IP based solutions and this can be challenging for buyers to understand the differing capabilities now available to them.

High resolution IP cameras can provide many benefits through enhanced image quality, providing detailed evidence of any incidents that may occur. IP cameras can be integrated with existing legacy cameras and can work out more cost effective than maintaining older analogue systems. With the new IP CCTV solutions that are coming through, the days of the conventional DVR are numbered, as centrally hosted and Digital CCTV recording gives Loss Prevention Managers and business owners high definition visual store access at the click of button from anywhere in the world via a laptop, PDA or smart phone.

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|23

The Retail News Interview Getting added value from your security system to maximise return on your investment is critical. All retail outlets can benefit from electronic security installations from a security perspective as well as secondary uses, such as stock management and people counting. CCTV systems can solve many practical problems that retailers face: for example, you now have the ability to view footage remotely so that a manager can view and monitor live camera footage from home or other locations.

and you should also consider using a time delay if there is the potential for a hold up during business hours. Having a security guard on site allows for real time response that technology does not always allow for.

What advice would you give to a retailer, particularly a grocery retailer who may be open unsociable hours, regarding security systems?

Although round-the-clock retail has become more commonplace, the sector has probably been There are a number of legislative slow in adapting to the fresh changes which have come and security challenges that such an are coming into force: can you operation brings. By adopting summarise them for us? an open-minded and innovative Within electronic security, approach to security technology, it is now a requirement to retailers can reduce their risks only source alarm, CCTV and and respond faster when crime access control installations and does occur. maintenance services from a Aside from the more licensed security contractor. This traditional alarm and CCTV Sheenagh McCullagh, ISIA President, pictured addressing is a change from only having to solutions, newer technology use licensed contractors for alarm the Irish Security Industry Association Awards. such as lone worker protection installations. devices or panic alarms are A further change is in the company could easily claim that also becoming increasingly area of Cash-in-Transit. Up until last you are not insured if you employ popular in a retail setting. Equipped year, only the security companies had an unlicensed guard, an unlicensed with mobile phone technology, such to be licensed. Now all CIT operatives contractor to install or maintain your devices can connect employees quickly must have a license. Retailers will have electronics systems or to collect your and discreetly with an emergency visual evidence that the individual or cash. response. Lone worker devices provide individuals collecting their cash hold a retail employees with peace of mind valid license from the PSA. There have been a number of high and added protection and can also help In the next year or so, retailers profile retail robberies in recent retailers to mitigate business risk and should also be aware that locksmiths, months. Why do you think that is? along with installers of safes, will need minimise both the reputational and The Exchequer is currently losing to hold a license. Getting into the habit financial impact of crime as a result. €861m per year as a result of black of dealing with licensed providers and This is particularly relevant where market retail activity. Some of this speaking to their current contractors to retail employees are required to work activity is ‘theft to order’. Organised ensure they are prepared for licensing alone as this exposes employees to an crime gangs are taking advantage will help retailers to ensure they are increased risk from robbery or violence, of our economic situation and poor compliant when licensing does come in particularly now that retail outlets are security in the retail environment to for this sector of private security. maximise their own illegal profits. open for longer hours and staff take on In understanding this, I believe that additional tasks that take them away What does this mean for businesses, retailers should be investing in their from the point of sale. particularly retail businesses, who security solutions and loss prevention I would also advise retailers to are hiring security firms, be they plans to minimise the risk of robberies. engage with local An Garda Síochána locksmiths, security guards, alarm in relation to local crime prevention installers, CCTV suppliers etc?

What is the best way to dissuade advice.

It is not only illegal to carry out potential burglars from your Whilst the retail industry may have installations and maintenance if you premises? a more positive outlook than in past don’t have a license, but the business There are a number of ways. Obvious years, retail theft and shrinkage will procuring the services could face security presence such as CCTV continue to be a challenge for many penalties if they source services from cameras and intruder alarm boxes retail businesses. Many retailers are unlicensed contractors. Doing so is a provide an effective visual deterrent under pressure to reduce staffing costs clear breach of the legislation. to any unwanted attention. Use of and remain more customer centric. window stickers and warning boards The high cost of ownership of security How important is it to ensure that any to highlight that the site is protected technology is an issue for many security supplier you use is registered/ is extremely useful. Also, having good retailers in particular. However, there licensed? practice with stock management and are some licensed contractors who will Extremely, otherwise you risk storage. Other areas that should be offer flexible payment terms that will prosecution against the Private considered include having a correctly avoid any large capital investment.

Security Services Act. Your insurance rated safe, tagging items of high value

24|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Food & Hospitality Ireland

Food & Hospitality Ireland to Shine Food & Hospitality Ireland is set to welcome thousands of visitors to the Citywest Events Centre on September 17 and 18.

AT September’s Food & Hospitality Ireland, the food, retail and hospitality sectors will be firmly in the spotlight.

Taking centre stage will be almost 100 exhibitors, international keynote speakers and influential local players, excellence awards, and engaging demonstrations that will impart new skills.

Food & Hospitality Ireland, taking place on September 17 and 18 at the Citywest Events Centre, is set to welcome thousands of visitors over the two days and as the final stages are put in place, this year’s event is shaping up to be a real food and hospitality feast.

Toby Wand, Managing Director of Fresh Montgomery, organisers of Food & Hospitality Ireland, explains: “We have worked with our show partners to create show features that we believe will add real value to visitors’ businesses.

“For 2014, we’ve introduced a new feature with the CSNA and Associated Craft Butchers – Profit Shop – which will demonstrate to retailers how they can best deliver and improve profit margins within their businesses. With the Restaurants Association of Ireland, we have built upon last year’s Chef’s

Table feature and will be launching The Skillery at F&HI.” Spotlight Stage Following on from the success of the Spotlight Stage at the 2013 event, this year’s line-up of speakers is not to be missed. “From our years’ experience organising Hotelympia and IFE, we have built a wealth of contacts across the world and we’re bringing some of the leading experts in food and hospitality to the Citywest event,” boasts Wand.

Featuring an engaging line-up of presentations, interviews and panel discussions, some of the highlights include: • Keynote interview by former Dragon and CEO of Insomnia, Bobby Kerr with Superquinn’s former marketing director and deputy chairman, Eamonn Quinn on ‘Entrepreneurship’s role in food retail success’; • Presentation - ‘How to maximise brand presence online and grow sales’ from Andrea Coffey, Online Media Consultant, Google Ireland; • Panel discussion focusing on demystifying the red tape for

Hailing from the shores of Loch Ness, Cobbs Cakes is bringing its award-winning products to Ireland for the first time.

retailers and restaurateurs; • Panel discussion, chaired by Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive, RAI, on ‘Creating successful hospitality concepts.’ This panel will feature some of the UK and Ireland’s foremost experts in the field, including Robbie Bargh, Founder and Director, Gorgeous Group, and Matt Farrell Snr, Director, Diep Group Restaurants; • Panel discussion on ‘The Future of Food Retail’ chaired by Frank Gleeson, Managing Director of Food Services at Aramark Ireland and Chairperson of Retail Ireland.

Focusing On Profit Specifically designed to help retailers’ businesses moving forward, Profit Shop, in association with the CSNA

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Food & Hospitality Ireland

Former Dragon and CEO of Insomnia, Bobby Kerr, is conducting a keynote interview with Superquinn’s former marketing director and deputy chairman, Eamonn Quinn on ‘Entrepreneurship’s role in food retail success’.

and ACBI, will demonstrate how retailers can maximise floor space, implement new technologies and add value to their businesses, to deliver more profit.

The Profit Shop, designed

by Maria O’Neill from Maria O’Neill Designs, will consist of two adjoining shops – one reflecting convenience retailing and one to appeal to craft butchers. Both shops will have a connected back office that will illustrate the importance of delivering profit through systems in addition to sales.

Insightful Advice One of this year’s show partners is Retail Ireland.

Chairperson of Retail Ireland and Managing Director of Food Services at Aramark Ireland, Frank Gleeson, will be taking to the Spotlight Stage to Chair a panel discussion on ‘The Future of Food Retail’.

Speaking in advance of the event, Stephen Lynam, Director of Retail Ireland, said: “Retail Ireland is very pleased to have been asked to support Food & Hospitality Ireland for the second consecutive year.

September’s event looks set to offer our member companies a valuable opportunity to network and engage with other retailers, suppliers and industry experts, sharing insights and

learning from experiences, and we look forward to another successful partnership.”

Charity partner for the event is the Coeliac Society of Ireland. It is believed that there are as many as one in 100 coeliacs in Ireland, and according to a May 2014 Euromonitor report, the value of the gluten free food market grew by 9.2% in 2012/13.

“The Coeliac Society of Ireland is delighted to be a partner in this event. As the national coeliac charity, we see this as an opportunity to promote awareness of coeliac disease and the growing gluten-free market in trade, retail and hospitality,” adds Emma Clarke Conway, PR & Communications Manager with the Coeliac Society.

Innovative Products and Smart Solutions Central to F&HI is the 100-plus exhibitors who will be launching the very latest products and services to the industry. Over 50% of exhibitors from 2013 are returning and there are lots of new companies who are hoping to make invaluable contacts and generate sales.

Housing artisan products from the Cork region, Taste of Cork is committed to the show, alongside a number of Local Enterprise Offices, who will each bring a

Trailblazer BBQs: just one of the new exhibitors at Food & Hospitality Ireland.

selection of companies from their area.

Hailing from the shores of Loch Ness, Cobbs Cakes is bringing its awardwinning products to Ireland for the first time. Cobbs Cakes produces a range of cakes and tray-bakes using traditional recipes handed down through the generations, and at Food & Hospitality Ireland, the company is looking to develop new relationships and connect with an Irish distributor.

“We’re a high profile company with a vast knowledge of the tourism, café, visitor centres and high street markets,” notes Fraser Campbell, Managing Director, Cobbs Cakes. “We

Food & Hospitality Ireland is shaping up to be a real food and hospitality feast.

understand the hospitality industry and we’re confident that our products would sit well in the Irish market.”

An Post will be showcasing its Admailer.ie product at F&HI. “At the event, we will get the opportunity to meet local businesses face-to-face and talk about how they can attract new customers from their local areas using Admailer.ie,” explains Amie Peters, Head of Direct Mail at An Post. “Many food and retail companies have already had fantastic results using Admailer.ie, so we’d like to offer attendees the opportunity to experience the sales success that Admailer.ie can deliver for their business.”

Other exhibitors include Armagh Bramley Apples PGI, Montgomery Food Consulting, Trailblazer BBQs, Blue Star Coffee Company, Pathos Continental Foods, Rosie & Jim Gourmet Chicken Products, Advanced Labels, Velox Grills, CBE, Catalyic, Delpac Packaging, A.S.A.P Ltd. and Hugh Jordan.

Food & Hospitality Ireland is taking place on September 17 and 18, 2014, at the Citywest Events Centre. For full details on new features, exhibitors and partners, please log onto www.foodhospitality.ie or follow the show on twitter @ FHIexhibition.

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Back To School: Lunch Box

Lunching Above Their Weight The lucrative Back To School season is upon us, with canny retailers set to reap the rewards.

THE Back To School season seems to get earlier and earlier each year, and while some consumers don’t want to be reminded that the summer is indeed finite, those in the know suggest that retailers and brand owners who prepare properly and treat Back To School as a significant market in its own right, akin to Easter or Christmas, will reap the rewards.

With many schools starting term-time in late August, that means August should be prime time for Back To School displays and promotions. According to research from Carat, (Pulse survey 2013) 60% of parents do their Back To School shopping during the summer holidays: 25% in June, 36% in July and 24% in August and only 3% leaving it until September.

Carat also looked at the motivating factors for parents when choosing what goes in to their children’s’ lunchboxes.

Ensuring that the contents of the lunchbox are nutritious comes out on top as the most important motivating factor for parents (89%). This is followed by taste (72%) as the second most important determining factor. The most significant increases come in the guise of food origin (18%), peer pressure (10%) and packaging (9%), which have seen a three-fold increase in perceived importance when compared to 2012’s findings.

The Back to School market includes everything from stationery supplies to lunch box fillers, snacks, drinks and even cereals, with the latter category showing strong growth during this key sales period. The start of the school year, as well as being busy in its own right, is also the time when habits are formed that last the rest of the year.

Of course, the Lunch Box market is broader than school lunches, with more and more adults taking lunch to work and desk-dining. This is good news for retailers, who can capitalise in this growing trend with a well-stocked lunch category in-store.

N

EW

Enjoyed by Irish families for generations, Carr’s is leading the taste revolution in the savoury biscuits sector with new range extensions including Carr’s Crispbreads, Cream Crackers and Flatbreads.

Our new €1m Carr’s “Because Taste Matters” campaign spans TV, outdoor, PR and bespoke shopper activity.

A campaign so impactful, our crackers will fly off the shelves!

BECAUSE

MATTERS

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Back To School: Lunch Box

go ahead! now emphasises its distinctly fruity offering with a fresh new look.

Sandwich Thins are perfect for adults who are interested in leading a healthy balanced lifestyle but do not want to compromise on taste.

Johnson Mooney & O’Brien The health conscious Irish shopper has a strong desire to try new products, hence the success of products like wraps, bagels, and more recently, the new category, Sandwich Thins.

Customers are looking for tasty and nutritious alternatives to traditional bread and have a strong desire to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Sandwich Thins are perfect for adults who are interested in leading a healthy balanced lifestyle but do not want to compromise on taste. Low in fat and sugar and a good source of fibre and protein, Sandwich Thins come in three delicious varieties, Multiseed, Chia & Sesame and Goodness of Both, guaranteeing both great taste and nutrition. They also contain only 90-

Low in fat and sugar and a good source of fibre and protein, Sandwich Thins will be supported with an extensive TV and outdoor campaign.

110 calories per Thin.

The NPD launch support for the new range includes an extensive TV and outdoor campaign and a complete plan of digital activities and initiatives.

The launch will be endorsed by David Gillick, Olympic athlete and most recently Celebrity Master Chef Winner 2013, as brand ambassador. David will feature in both the TV and outdoor campaigns, along with delivering product demonstrations in a number of select stores. David is the perfect fit to endorse the taste and health benefits of our Sandwich Thins.

In addition, there will be a strong BTL plan to support the launch, which will involve product demonstrations at Unislim meetings, boot-camps and selected retail outlets. The BTL goal is to create new product awareness, drive widespread consumer trial and ultimately create brand advocates. go ahead!

United Biscuits is pleased to announce the launch of a new modern look for go ahead! as part of its overarching brand strategy, which was unveiled earlier this year.

Including a new logo and a fresh new look for its packaging, the launch will ensure the brand is easy to recognise and quicker to find on-shelf to boost healthier biscuit sales for retailers.

The move sees go ahead! emphasising its distinctly fruity offering with a fresh new look.

Following a simplified change in lettering, the go ahead! logo is contained within a green circle and features prominently on packs across the range. Each pack is colour co-

ordinated across ranges and flavours, so shoppers will be able to quickly find their favourite go ahead! product on the fixture.

“Healthier biscuits are worth €12m with strong growth year on year, making it a very important part of a retailer’s fixture,” explained Darren Abbott, Commercial Marketing Director of Sweet Biscuits at UB. “With its eye-catching new look, go ahead! will be sure to grab the shopper’s attention and attract new and existing shoppers to the healthier biscuits fixture and grow sales for retailers.

As one of the largest healthier biscuit brands, retailers should make sure they stock up on the new look range now to take advantage of the sales on offer through the new design for go ahead!”

United Biscuits has unveiled a new modern look for go ahead! as part of its overarching brand strategy, including a new logo and a fresh new look for its packaging.

Carr’s Up 9% in value year to date and the fastest-growing snack food category (Source: ACNielsen, May 2014), the savoury biscuit market shows no sign of slowing, as United Biscuits continues its strategy to drive strong category growth. United Biscuits was the fastest growing manufacturer within savoury last year, driven by the successful

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Back To School: Lunch Box

The Oddities range is being relaunched under the Carr’s Masterbrand, with Salt & Vinegar, Bacon and new Cheese & Onion flavours.

Carr’s Cream Crackers Snack Pack format contains eight individually wrapped packs for freshness.

launches of Oddities and Flatbreads and 2014 looks to be even stronger as

From the nation’s favourite Table Water cracker brand comes a new great tasting Carr’s cream cracker range.

UB embarks on a major re-launch of its savoury portfolio. As part of the overarching Masterbrand strategy, UB will be moving all of its savoury brands to sit under the Carr’s Masterbrand to help simplify the shopping experience.

Renowned for its quality and a firm favourite with Irish families for generations, Carr’s is now expanding its range further with the launch of a number of exciting new products. The Carr’s Masterbrand will continue to drive the savoury biscuits growth by unlocking new occasions and recruiting younger consumers. Available now, the launches include new Carr’s Crispbreads, New Carr’s Cream Cracker range and a flavour refresh with new additions to the Oddities & Flatbread ranges.

Following its successful launch in 2013, the Oddities range is

being relaunched under the Carr’s Masterbrand. In addition to the popular Salt & Vinegar and Bacon flavours, a new Cheese & Onion flavour is now available, replacing Sour Cream & Chive flavour. UB will also be adding more fun by including eight new shapes, including pineapples, owls, windmills and boats, to excite and delight consumers.

From the nation’s favourite Table Water cracker brand comes a new great tasting Carr’s cream cracker range. The range consists of three variants, including a standard 200g pack, a larger 300g pack and a handy Snack Pack format, which has eight individually wrapped packs for freshness. The new Cream Cracker range is perfect for all the family; as an afternoon snacking solution or as a key lunch box component.

The Carr’s re-launch kicked off in July and will be supported with a €1m multi media campaign. A brand new TV ad has been developed by Irish advertising agency, DDFH&B, to create awareness and drive trial of the new Carr’s ranges. The through the line campaign will hit all consumer touch points, extending from TV, digital and press to bespoke in-store shopper marketing activity.

There is something from Carr’s to suit every meal time occasion and taste preference, allowing consumers young and old to enjoy Carr’s any way they like.

Tipperary Kidz A must stock brand for this year’s Back To School period, Tipperary Kidz water, from C&C Gleeson, is an

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Back To School: Lunch Box seven delicious flavours, including two fat free varieties. All kids have to do is choose which delicious flavour to have.

In September, Danone Actimel will be supported with a heavyweight marketing campaign called ‘Breakfast for the Immune System’ - Vitamins B6 & D help support the normal function of the immune system.

“Our TV advertising will connect with Irish families and remind them of the benefits of looking after the immune system at this key time of year. Our brand’s ATL media will be complemented by strong in-store activation with impactful point of sale,” notes Colette Coughlan, Senior Brand Manager, Danone Ireland.

Tipperary Kidz is available in a promotional €2.99 price flashed 10-pack, which is sure to prove extremely popular.

ideal water for packed lunches and for quick rehydration throughout the day. Designed especially for kids, Tipperary Kidz water comes in an easy to hold bottle with a flip cap for instant refreshment. Not only is it fun for kids, but parents can be happy too in the knowledge that water is the healthiest option for their children.

Tipperary Kidz are also proud partners of the ISPCC’s Anti-Bullying campaign, which aims to help children and young people deal with the impact and challenges of bullying.

Tipperary Kidz continues to lead the way in the children’s water category. It is a pure, natural mineral water, winning 10 international Gold Medals for taste, quality and excellence from the BBI. Parents can rest assured that their little ones are only getting the very best. Tipperary Kidz is available in a variety of packs, including two innovative flavours; Fruit Blast and Tiger Juice. The standard Tipperary Kidz is also available in a

handy six-pack. Retailers should be on the look-out for the promotional €2.99 price flashed 10-pack. All promotional packs will be supported with full POS in-store.

Danone Actimel As September approaches, Back To School is on the mind of every parent.

With the busy school term activities and changeable weather, it’s important to look after the immune system at this time of year. Drinking yogurts and yogurts make a great addition to a healthy breakfast and lunchbox and help to meet the recommended three portions of dairy a day.

Danone Actimel, Ireland’s favourite drinking yogurt, provides key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B6, and even vitamin D, essential vitamins that help support the immune system, which parents know is very important.

Danone Actimel also contains 10 billion L. casei cultures, and is available in

Danone Actimel provides key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B6, and even vitamin D, essential vitamins that help support the immune system.

Cheestrings Back To School is a particularly busy time for parents as they try to balance what is acceptable for kids and schools.

Kerry Foods, the expert in chilled, are passionate about providing parents with Back To School solutions, whilst unlocking the sales opportunity for retailers, through unique customer-led insights and portfolio of innovative products.

Cheestrings is available in multipacks and individual 20g portions, which are ideal for lunchboxes and as a snack.

Preparing lunchboxes is becoming increasingly complicated, with parents wanting to give kids wholesome options, whilst being dependent on school rules, fridge availability and promotions.

Kerry Foods’ research shows that parents are looking to get goodness, variety and a bit of fun into school lunchboxes, with products that kids are guaranteed to eat so they are fuelled until the after-school snack. Currently, only 7% of lunchboxes contain a cheese snack but Kerry Foods is committed to converting more lunchboxes by offering great choice. Cheestrings is naturally rich in calcium, helping kids to develop strong bones at a young age.

Cheestrings is available in multipacks and individual 20g portions, which are ideal for lunchboxes and as a snack.

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Back To School: Stationery

Stationery Not Standing Still

A well-stocked stationery display can reap real rewards as the Back To School season approaches.

BACK To School is about more than just lunch time, with stationery a key category at this crucial sales period, as students stock up on pens, pencils, erasers, pencil cases, copies, refill pads and much more for the return to the class rooms.

Indeed, industry experts reveal a huge seasonal surge in stationery sales in the weeks leading up to school term, with clever retailers sure to add value to their stationery department by stocking some of the leading names, including a wealth of big brands, who have innovative new products and licensed ranges, based on everything from pop acts to animated movies.

A dedicated Back To School display or a free standing display unit (FSDU) could make a big difference to your bottom line this season, with many of the best sellers being impulse purchases.

We examine some of the main players in the market, focusing in what’s new for what promises to be a busy Back To School 2014.

BIC As students stock up their pencil cases for the new school year, BIC, Ireland’s leading stationery brand (Source: Online YouGov Plc Brand Awareness Study: Consumer preferences for stationery in Southern Ireland, June 2014, 515 ROI adult respondents), offers a range of products to kickstart the term.

Back To School shopping can present a dilemma for parents wanting to find the best educational tools, often juggling between keeping BIC’s wood-free kids happy, Tropicolors pencils provide shatter-free while managing leads. a tight budget

and finding the right product in the quickest time. Each year, price and promotion are key considerations for shoppers; however, durability and good value are primary benefits that Irish customers value when purchasing stationery (Source: Online YouGov Plc Brand Awareness Study).

With over 93% brand awareness in Ireland, BIC The BIC 4 Colours is will be highly a great way to inject visible on-shelf, colour into notes to with a range of structure learning.

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Back To School: Stationery Newspread’s online ordering system makes your Back To School ordering very easy and convenient. Simply log onto www.newspread.ie and access your personal account using your account number and unique pin. From there, you can order anything from a top-up on a line

The hugely popular BIC Kids Visa felt tips can be left uncapped for up to three months without drying out.

Part of the BIC portfolio, Tipp-Ex is hugely popular with Irish consumers, offering a wealth of correction options.

With over 93% brand awareness in Ireland, BIC will be highly visible on-shelf, with a range of instantly recognisable and brightly packaged products, like the iconic Bic Cristal assorted pen pack.

The iconic Bic Cristal Medium pen - created in 1950.

instantly recognisable and brightly packaged products.

The BIC brand will excite shoppers with impactful display solutions, aimed at driving impulse purchases, as well as retailers’ rate of sale.

With 65% of intent purchase, ballpoint pens are the most likely stationery products to be bought this year

by Irish consumers, followed by correction products at 40% and colouring tools at 39% (Source: Online YouGov Plc Brand Awareness Study). BIC understands consumers’ needs and offers a relevant selection of Back To School essentials to exceed expectations. Created in 1950, the iconic BIC Cristal Medium pen can write up to 3km (Source: SGS testing: average writing length: 3,000m, SGS tests 2012/2013 for blue and black cartridges), making it a reliable classroom choice.

The BIC 4 Colours is a great

way to inject colour into notes to structure learning. With extensions to the range including BIC 4 Colours Fashion and BIC 4 Colours Grip Pro, there’s now even more choice.

Part of the BIC portfolio, Tipp-Ex offers consumers various correction options: bottles to cover large areas, tape for instant rewriting or pens for precise correction.

Colouring products also represent a significant proportion of Back To School sales.

Recommended by 88% of teachers, BIC Kids offers quality and fun colouring products that are both practical and inspire creativity (average score of 88% product recommendation in BIC KIDS colouring range, based on two studies conducted by Market effect research firm in France in 0111-2013, with 227 teachers, and 05-06-2014, with 387 teachers).

BIC Kids Visa felt tips can be left uncapped for up to three months without drying out (excludes black ink), while wood-free Tropicolors pencils provide shatter-free leads.

Undoubtedly, BIC’s range of reliable and value for money products will represent the perfect Back To School purchases.

Newspread Newspread has developed a comprehensive stationery range, offering everyday branded lines along with a value own brand range, all very competitively priced. Top brands include Aisling, Staedtler, BIC, Silvine and Tippex. Newspread’s Notes range will deliver superb value to your customers, whilst offering you a great margin at the same time.

Newspread are offering promotions on their own value Notes stationery brand, with 40% retail margin.

that’s out of stock in your store to a complete Back To School order. Any orders placed before 1pm will qualify for next day delivery. Newspread has a series of promotional Back To School offers, including branded Helix and Staedtler Free Standing Display Units and promotions on their own value brand Notes at 40% retail margin. Watch out for their great price promotions on A4 80gsm copier paper during the Back To School season too, where the price of a box of copier paper gets reduced dramatically.

Term-time essentials from Staedtler, available from Newspread with an eye-catching free standing display unit.

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Back To School: Stationery October. The FSDU includes art sets and stationery sets, amongst others - perfect gifts for Christmas! Order today through Customer Services with delivery at the beginning of October.

Newspread also currently stocks Rainbow Fun Bands Refills and Starter Kits, the latest playground craze.

Retailers can order online for next day delivery but are warned to hurry as stock sells out quickly. Watch out for Glitter bands and Glow in the Dark bands coming soon!

Henkel Pritt was the world’s first ever glue stick, introduced in Dusseldorf in 1969.

Henkel has sold over 1 billion glue sticks in 121 countries, distinguishing Pritt as a leading global brand. Pritt

Pritt Stick is also up to three times stronger and lasts up to 2.4 times longer than any other glue stick on the market.

longer than any other glue stick on the market. Famous for bringing us the first ever glue stick, the Pritt range also includes rainbow sticks, liquid glue, correction rollers, glue dots and much more and is perfect for all crafting tasks.

Pritt’s long-term goal is to continue the tradition of coming up with new ideas and concepts that meet the needs of everyday life for those who use Pritt

Following the unprecedented success of the Disney movie, Frozen, Newspread is already taking orders for a Disney Frozen FSDU offer due in this October.

Even better news is that there are no minimum orders.

In addition to a core stationery range, Newspread has also secured exclusive distribution rights on a fantastic licensed stationery range, not currently available through any other wholesaler. This range includes best-selling brands such as Disney’s Frozen, Despicable Me Minions, Marvel Superheroes, Breaking Bad, Hello Kitty, Peppa Pig, One Direction and many more! These lines are sure to be hot favourites this Back To School season so simply order online at www.newspread.ie under the category “Licensed Stationery”. Again, all orders placed before 1pm qualify for next day delivery, with no minimum order quantities.

Following the unprecedented success of the Disney movie, Frozen, Newspread is already taking orders for a Disney Frozen FSDU offer due in this

Pritt was the world’s first ever glue stick, introduced in Dusseldorf in 1969.

Sticks have always been immensely popular with children and have become a big hit in office culture too, which has revolutionised our gluing habits. It currently has its best ever formulation as its made from 90% natural and renewable resources and is the only glue stick in the market that can make this claim. Over 45 years later, a Pritt Stick is purchased almost every second of the day – testament to the brand’s popularity amongst both children and adults.

Pritt Stick is also up to three times stronger and lasts up to 2.4 times

A Pritt Stick is purchased almost every second of the day – testament to the brand’s popularity amongst both children and adults.

on a daily basis. Time doesn’t stand still and neither will Pritt; its products will become stronger, faster, safer and more colourful as time goes on, which is why it will always be the nation’s favourite glue.

Value your customers with Pritt.

Get them ready for school...

WASHABLE EVEN WHEN DRY

...and don’t forget Pritt is... up to stronger 3thanx competitors* 2.4x more efficient*

* Independent testing carried out by

Immediate bonding strength against glue sticks > 5% market share in EU

To place an order contact: 01 404 6438

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Labelling

New Labelling Laws On the Way New Food Labelling Requirements in EU Food Information Regulation 1169/2011 come into play in December 2014, writes Raymond O’Rourke, Food & Consumer Lawyer.

EP & Council Regulation 1169/2011/EC merges while at the same time amends EP & Council Directive 2000/13/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs and Council Directive 90/496/EEC on nutrition labelling for foodstuffs.

The first issue to note is that the Regulation covers food information rather than food labelling. The definition of food information is “information concerning a food and made available to the final consumer by

means of a label, other accompanying material, or any other means including modern technology tools or verbal communication”.

In that case, any information industry provides by means of website or via social media will now fall within the ambit of this Regulation and therefore, you could be prosecuted for using information on a website that is not in line with the obligations contained in the Regulation.

Mandatory Nutrition Declarations One of the major reforms in this

legislation is that Nutritional Declarations [Nutrition Facts box] will now be mandatory and must include: • energy value; • amounts of fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt [N.B. – order has changed with fats first etc.]; • the following items can be added to the declaration as a supplement mono-unsaturates; polyunsaturates; polyols; starch; fibre; vitamins or minerals (in Annex XIII); • trans-fats – the European Commission is to complete a report by the end of 2014 on the scientific evidence in Member States, diets, dietary guidelines etc as a means of assessing the need for a mandatory declaration for trans-fats; • Declaration in addition to per 100g/100ml shall also include: a per portion basis or per consumption unit; • All nutrition particulars will be presented in the same field of

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Labelling vision, in a set font size ; Additional nutritional information can be provided once it is based on sound and scientifically valid consumer research, is objective, non-discriminatory and does not create obstacles to the free movement of goods.

Nutritional information can be provided front-of-pack whether in a Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA) or traffic lights format as suggested by Member States. During the adoption of this Regulation, consumer groups and the UK Government wanted traffic lights to become mandatory, while industry wanted GDAs to be mandatory. The outcome was the ‘status quo’ – Member States being permitted to recommend to food business whatever front-of-pack nutritional format they prefer, once notified to the Commission.

•

Country Of Origin Labelling Country of Origin labelling will now be mandatory not only for beef as at present, but also for lamb, pork, goat and chicken. The Commission Implementing Rules on how the place of origin or provenance of lamb, pork, goat or chicken will be indicated [place of rearing and place of slaughtering] have been rejected by the European Parliament. The Commission will have to respond to the new Parliament in the coming months on this issue.

The European Commission published a Report on origin labelling meat used as an ingredient in processed foods (e.g. sausages, salamis) in December 2013, which contained no Implementing Rules. In the opinion of the Commission, there wasn’t sufficient evidence that consumers sought such information and in addition, it was likely to be very costly for industry.

The French Government sought

Food & Consumer Lawyer, Raymond O’Rourke.

a debate on this Report at the Agriculture Council on March 24, 2014. There were diverging views,

CBE Solution Assists with Allergen Labelling CBE, Irelands largest supplier of retail IT systems, has launched an innovative solution which will allow retailers, deli managers and butchers to comply with new legislation around allergens, ingredients and country of origin.

The Food Information to Consumers legislation (Regulation 1169/2011/EU) replaces the current labelling rules and will apply from December 13, 2014. Key points for deli operators are: • All foods, whether packaged or sold loose, must indicate the presence of allergens.

Therefore, any product (sold over the counter or pre-packed) must inform the customer if any allergens exist; • The legislation requires that all ingredients must now be listed on pre-packaged

foodstuffs and that the presence of recognised allergens must be clearly labelled.

For retailers, deli operators and butchers, these new legislation changes could prove extremely difficult to implement as in some cases, they have no way of entering the information and in other cases, the deli scales are unable to print large amounts of data.

Fortunately, CBE’s new Scale to Sale innovation will manage this new legislation change. The Scale to Sale package includes a Bizerba XC Deli Scales and a software add-on module to their WinRetail back office package.

The scales uses a ‘linerless’ label with limitless space to display information for each PLU and all allergen and ingredient text can be directly

CBE’s Scale to Sale package includes a Bizerba XC Deli Scales and a software add-on module to their WinRetail back office package.

All allergen and ingredient text can be directly inputted and amended from the back office without the need to set up the products on both the scales and the tills.

inputted and amended from the back office without the need to set up the products on both the scales and the tills.

“With more and more legislation coming on board, deli managers will have to implement systems that will enable them to comply with future directives,” noted Sean Kenna, CBE’s MD. “Thankfully, CBE’s Scale to Sale technology will allow them to do this and, more importantly, allow them to do it in a clear and simple way.”

To find out more about CBE’s Scale to Sale technology call 1890 373000, email sales@cbe.ie or visit www.cbe.ie

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Labelling

One of the major reforms in the new labelling legislation is that Nutritional Declarations will now be mandatory.

but the outcome was that the European Commission have been mandated to investigate further the costs of mandatory origin labelling for meat used as an ingredient in processed foods and to provide refined estimates for different scenarios (e.g. minimum amount of meat – 50%, 30%, 25% - in a product would make origin labelling compulsory, beginning initially with mandatory labelling for beef as an ingredient in processed food).

Additionally, the European Commission will prepare a Report by the end of 2014 on the feasibility of origin labelling for other meats (rabbit), milk, milk used as an ingredient; unprocessed foods, single ingredient products, ingredients that represent more than 50% of the product.

Allergens Allergens as listed in Annex II [including cereals, nuts, peanuts, soybeans, milk, crustaceans, fish, eggs, celery, sesame seeds, mustard, sulphur dioxide, lupin, molluscs] shall be indicated on the food label for emphasis by means of a typeset that clearly distinguishes them from other ingredients e.g. by

means of the font, style or background colour. In the absence of a list of ingredients, the allergen should be indicated as: ‘contains…’

Allergen information will now be mandatory for ‘non pre-packed food’ (e.g. farmers markets, cafés, restaurants etc). Member States can adopt national rules as to the means by which this information is provided to the consumer – so a Member State could decide that it can be given orally or by other means. National rules have been submitted to the Commission for approval

by Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Other Requirements Other food labelling requirements include:

• •

•

•

•

•

•

Minimum font size of 1.2mm x height; European Commission is to prepare a report on the possibility of ingredient labelling for alcohol products; Vegetable oils must state their origin i.e. rapeseed, corn, sunflower or palm oil; If the product is a mixture of refined oils of vegetable origin, it must state the origin of each and can follow that with the phrase ‘in varying proportions’; Added ingredients (proteins) and water for meat products must now be labelled; Sausage casings must be labelled as ‘natural casing’ or ‘artificial casing’; Milk should only be labelled ‘fresh’, when its

BIM Host Labelling Seminars

Pictured at the BIM Labelling Seminar for the Seafood Industry in the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport are Donal Buckley, BIM Director of Business Development & Innovation; Amanda O’Brien, Food Safety Unit, SFPA, David Lyons, Marine Contracts, FSAI, and Sinéad Ní Bhriain, Public Health Nutrition Section, FSAI. BORD Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in partnership with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) are hosting a series of seminars in Sligo, Dublin and Cork to inform the seafood industry regarding the labelling of seafood and what they will be required to do under the new food labelling legislation (EU) No. 1169/2011, and regulation (EU) 1379/2013 on the common organisation of the markets in Fishery and Aquaculture products due to be in place by the December 13 this year. Donal Buckley, BIM’s Director of Business Development and Innovation, said that the seminars are “designed to inform you how best to work within the current and new legislation to ensure your product label is communicating the right information to your customers, both in terms of provenance and nutrition.”

For further information or clarification on seafood labelling, please contact Eileen Soraghan, BIM, on 01 2144112. For updates on food legislation and to access the information booklet ‘Overview of changes to food labelling introduced under the food information regulation’, please visit the FSAI website, www.fsai.ie.

use-by-date is less than seven days after the filling date; • European Commission is to prepare a report on the feasibility of providing information to consumers with relevant animal welfare information, such as slaughtering techniques which could include Halal Labelling; • Frozen foods must include additional labelling information where consumers would be misled or the product would not be suitable for re-freezing as a result of being defrosted.

This information will be mandatory for prepacked frozen meat, frozen meat preparations and frozen unprocessed fishery products; • Any product, including nanomaterials, must be clearly indicated in the list of ingredients using the word ‘nano’. [Implementing legislation containing a definition of ‘engineered nanomaterial’ submitted by the Commission was rejected by the European Parliament on March 12, 2014 and by the Council on March 19, 2014.

The Commission will now have to review and amend the implementing legislation and re-submit it to the Parliament and Council in the coming months].

All of these additional requirements and allergen labelling rules will apply in Ireland and all other Member States as of December 13, 2014. The new Nutrition Declaration format will apply from December 13, 2016. In that case, food companies should immediately complete an inventory of their food labels to ensure they are in line with the new requirements contained in EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of Food Information to Consumers.

W

WIN A

IN

HAMPER WITH AN IPAD MINI RETINA This summer, Brandy, Ireland’s number one Irish made dog food brand, presents an exciting promotional on-pack offer, not to be missed by retailers and customers alike. While their dog enjoys their Brandy dinner, by collecting 2 tokens from our promotional Brandy 6 Pack range (Loaf, Chunks in Jelly, Chunks in Gravy) customers can collect a cute Brandy Bernese Mountain Dog Cuddly Toy for themselves. This promotion runs on-pack from July to the end of September and will be supported by an all-Ireland radio advertising campaign and a strong digital campaign.

To celebrate this exciting on-pack promotion, we are also giving Retail News readers the chance to win a Brandy Hamper to include an iPad Mini Retina to keep both you and your dog happy!

To be in with a chance of winning, please answer the following question and send, together with your name, address and telephone number, on a postcard to:

BRANDY COMPETITION, Retail News, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 or email your details and correct answer to: retailnews@tarapublications.ie Q. What is the breed of the Brandy Cuddly Toy? Closing date for entries is 19th September 2014.

Terms and conditions apply. Judge’s decision is final.

No cash alternative will be offered.

Actual prize may vary in colour. /brandydogfood www.macklepetfoods.com/brandy

Mackle.indd 1

28/07/2014 16:06

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42|www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2014|Retail News

Drinks News Desperados Launches New 50cl Can DESPERADOS has launched a new 50cl can into the Irish off trade. This is the latest innovation in what has been Desperados’ biggest and most innovative year to date. Leading the charge as Ireland’s authority on all things party, Desperados has had a very successful year so far, launching ‘RAID’, an interactive, online game for Irish party people, and now, the Desperados 50cl can. Available nationwide from July, Desperados latest off trade offering is set to excite fans as the nation’s favourite tequila flavoured beer is now perfect for festivals and house parties. Retailing at an RRP of 4 x 50cl cans for €10 or €3 per single can, Desperados is now a more affordable option within the Desperados portfolio and its better value will drive recruitment of new shoppers and consumers with the 18-24 year old demographic. An ATL support campaign was launched ahead of the highly anticipated August bank holiday with “shopperlites” appearing in handpicked stores to drive purchase.

BUSHMILLS STRIKES THE RIGHT NOTE BUSHMILLS Master Blender Helen Mulholland has handcrafted two exclusive single malt whiskies for Bushmills Live headliners, The 1975 and Gary Lightbody’s supergroup, Tired Pony. The whiskies have been inspired by the bands who played at the exclusive festival on June 12 at the Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s north coast, where the art of whiskey-making, perfected over generations, is practised every day. Pictured are (l-r): Richard Colburn (Belle & Sebastian), Bushmills Master Blender, Helen Mulholland, Peter Buck (REM), Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol), songwriter Iain Archer and Colum Egan, Bushmills Master Distiller.

Share a Coke Returns THE Coca-Cola Company’s hugely successful ‘Share a Coke’ is returning with over 500 additional names now available on 500ml bottles and 330ml cans of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero. The company has teamed up with Mediacom, Content and Connection Specialists and Kinetic, the Out of Home media planning and buying specialists, to run a nationwide drive to promote the new names, which also includes nicknames and family members. To create excitement around the campaign, The Coca-Cola Company is running an interior Luas special in Dublin on the Green Line. Ireland’s leading brand has covered 60 seats on one Luas tram in Coca-Cola’s iconic red, with each one embroidered with a name on the back of each seat.

An internal tram domination is also booked with Coca-Cola creative dominating the straplines, portraits and ceiling formats on the Luas. Pictured are (l-r): Georgina Cunningham, Brand Manager, Coca-Cola; Rachel Long, Account Director, Mediacom; Aoife Nagle, Senior Brand Manager, Coca-Cola; and Brian Nolan, Account Director, Kinetic

TOP MARKS FOR IRISH WINE RETAILER GRAHAM Kearney, manager of Blackrock Cellar in Dublin, came first in the 26th Miguel Torres Wine Course held at the Torres winery in Vilafranca del Penedès, a fantastic achievement for anyone involved in the wine trade and an especially prestigious one, given the large international field of highly-trained candidates vying for the top spot. The Miguel Torres Wine Course is an invite-only fourday event attended by wine professionals from around the world, where participants are immersed in Torres wine and culture with visits to vineyards, winemaking centres and the winery.

Graham is pictured receiving his Silver Diploma from Juan Torres.

GUINNESS AMPLIFIES EMERGING TALENT GUINNESS have unveiled a new and very exciting music programme with the launch of Guinness Amplify. Guinness Amplify will connect the freshest new music talent in Ireland with audiences all over Ireland, as well as providing them with some of the resources and expertise they need to help them along the way. The programme has a number of key components designed to cater for the different needs of emerging talent. Guinness Amplify Live offers the opportunity to perform in hundreds of pubs all over Ireland across five weekends, along with surprise gigs from big names like Kodaline and Ellie Goulding.

Guinness Amplify Studios offers 60 days of free studio time to musicians, while Guinness Amplify Workshops will feature music industry experts advising musicians. Kodaline are pictured with Snow Patrol’s Jonny Quinn at the launch. See www.guinnessamplify.com for more details.

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|43

Recovery & Recycling

FSM Launch New Commercial Fleet

Nial and Adam Lord, FSM, pictured with the new fleet.

Environmental responsibility, efficient running costs and vehicle reliability were major factors in the decision for Food Surplus Management when replacing their fleet of tractor units.

FOOD Surplus Management Limited (FSM) recently collected the keys to their nine new Volvo FM11 tractor units from Irish Commercials. This purchase represents the on-going investment of FSM in their company, their commitment to excellence and their customers.

For the Irish owned company, who specialise in recovery and recycling of short dated and out-of-date products and packaging for the manufacturing, wholesale and retail food and drinks industry, it was time to address their fleet and identify what best served the needs of the company and, in turn, their customers.

Environmental Compliance Given the nature of their business and the time their fleet spends on the road, environmental compliance was very import to FSM. The new Volvo FM is one of the most fuel efficient tractor units in its class. From a business perspective, transparency in operational costs of the fleet was vital.

This was achieved through contract hire, which includes Volvo’s Gold Pictured are (l-r): Conor Horan, Irish Maintenance Contract.

Commercials; Niall Lord, FSM; Adam Lord, Thanks to their impressive FSM; and Jim Bergin, Irish Commercials. flexibility and transport efficiency, FSM’s new fleet of Volvo FM tractor experience and knowledge of the units include Volvo’s Dynamic Steering, problems faced by the food industry offering unique driving characteristics, with surplus product enables them I-shift gearbox and remote monitoring to provide a service that is not only technology, which will allow FSM more cost effective than composting to monitor the condition of the and landfill, but also the most trucks’ vital parts and adjust their environmentally compliant method of maintenance schedules accordingly. handling food. ”This virtually eliminates the risk FSM operate two DAFF licensed of unplanned downtime and gives Plants in County Meath for the us great peace of mind,” noted FSM recovery of packaged food in Ireland.

Managing Director, Niall Lord, ”as They are capable of handling all types well as the ability to run our fleet on of packaged foods, including meats, 24-hour shifts, and nobody can beat dairy, cereal, vegetable, drinks, canned Volvo’s 100% uptime guarantee.” The food and glass. obvious impact to his customers was in Using their own fleet of trucks, FSM the enhanced reliability offered by the collect product from manufacturers, new FSM fleet of Volvo trucks. wholesalers and retailers from the length and breadth of Ireland. FSM’s state of the art plants enable them to About FSM recover 95% of all food collected for the FSM have 15 years’ experience in the pet food and biogas industries. handling of packaged food. FSM’s

44|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

Finalists Announced for Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards Judges evaluated the huge number of entries for the 2014 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards over eight days.

180 products have been shortlisted across 50 categories for the 2014 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.

FOLLOWING a huge wave of entries and eight days of tough judging, the shortlisted products for the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have been announced. The 180 shortlisted food and drink products in 50 categories are now in with a chance to win one of the prestigious awards in a glittering ceremony hosted by TV chef and author, Catherine Fulvio, on September 11 in the Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin.

This year, for the first time, a panel of judges from Musgrave Retail Partners chose finalists for the Small Producer of the Year Award, designed

to celebrate artisan foods and drink in Ireland and sponsored by SuperValu.

The winner will be offered a prestigious listing in SuperValu stores. Finalists are: • Chicken Liver Paté with Garlic & Brandy - On The Pig’s Back c/o La Charcuterie Irlandaise Ltd; • Scotts Irish Cider - Big Hand Brewing Company Ltd; • Sweet BBQ Pulled Pork - Jack & Keith Molloy Bros. Ltd. Organiser, Helen Lyons is thrilled with the success of the awards so far and said the judging was a “fantastic eight days, which brought together some of the very best food and drink on sale in Ireland and many of the nation’s top foodies”.

Rewarding Excellence The Irish Quality Food Awards set out to recognise excellence in product development for food and drink producers, retailers and catering companies in Ireland only, with Q Awards being awarded across 50 different categories. The Overall Gold Q is awarded to the one product that stands out among all the other entries and is chosen from the winners of the main categories, representing the very

best of the best.

The awards are open to all retailers, food producers, wholesalers and food service operators across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

They are a unique collaboration between Food and Hospitality Ireland and the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards (now in its 33rd year) and sponsored by top UK packaging manufacturer, Benson Group, as well as Invest Northern Ireland and MLS Labelling & Printing Systems.

Helping Those in Need All excess food from the judging was given to The Capuchin Centre for Homeless People, which provides warm food each day and more than 1800 food hampers a week to vulnerable people in Dublin, and FareShare.

The awards repeat last year’s trade media partnership with Retail News magazine, while forming a consumermedia partnership with Easy Food magazine.

To find out more about the second Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, visit: www.irishqualityfoodawards.com, become a friend on Facebook: www. facebook.com/IrishQualityFoodAwards, or follow them on Twitter, @IrishQFAs.

The Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards 2014 11 September 2014 Round Room Mansion House, Dublin

Book your table now 2014 Timeline 11 – 13 March Awards launch

16 June Deadline for all entries

7 – 18 July Judging

11 September Awards presentation

Over 50 food and drink categories

To book please visit: www.irishqualityfoodawards.com For more details please contact: Lara Monahan lara.monahan@irishqualityfoodawards.com +44 20 8253 8663 / Ireland 01 817 6363 Sponsored by:

In association with:

46|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards Shortlist 2014 IRISH QUALITY FOOD AWARDS BAGGED SNACKS

No Shortlist - Judges’ choice winner

BISCUITS – SAVOURY AND SWEET

Broderick’s 6 Assorted and Indulgent Mini-Bites - Ina’s Kitchen Desserts My Family Favourites Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Wafer Dunnes Stores / CKS Simply Better All Butter White Chocolate and Raspberry Cookies - Dunnes Stores / Regale Biscuit Company Simply Better Irish Wholemeal Crackers - Dunnes Stores / Regale Biscuit Company

BREAD SMALL BREADS AND ROLLS

Black Olive Roll - Tesco / Panelto Foods Italian Style White Baguette - Lidl / Panelto Foods Multigrain Tuscan Roll - Lidl / Panelto Foods

BREAD - LARGE LOAVES

Fruit Loaf - Tesco / Irwin’s Bakery Low GI Multiseed Cob - Lidl / Mannings Bakery Multiseed Vienna - Lidl & Cuisine de France / Aryzta

BREAD - MORNING GOODS

Finest Muesli Bread - Tesco / Arytza Genesis Crafty Blueberry Pancakes – Genesis Crafty Genesis Crafty Mini Sultana Scones – Genesis Crafty

BREAD - SPECIALITY BREADS Cinnamon & Raisin Soda Bread Lidl / WD Irwins & Sons Four Cheese Loaf - Cuisine de France Stout Bread - Lidl / WD Irwins & Sons

BREAD - WHEATEN AND SODA BREADS Aldi Specially Selected Rustic Wheaten - Aldi / Stapletons Bakery Genesis Crafty Toaster Wheaten Genesis Crafty Simply Better Buttermilk Soda Bread - Dunnes Stores / Neville’s Bakery Wheaten Soda Bannoch - Musgrave Retail Partners / McErlains Bakery

CAKES AND MORNING GOODS Apple & Blackberry Lattice Bar Tesco / Golden Bake Large Red Berry Scone - Lidl / Cuisine de France

Mini Carrot Cake Loaf - Tesco / Aryzta

CEREALS

Aldi Organic Porridge - Aldi / Stafford Lynch Kavanagh’s Luxury Fruit Porridge with Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon Dusted Cranberries – Aldi / Stafford Lynch Simply Better Irish Handmade Red Berry Granola - Dunnes Stores / The Foods of Athenry

CHEESE

Irish Extra Mature Cheddar - Lidl / Dale Farm Dairies Irish Vintage Cheddar - Lidl / Dale Farm Dairies Simply Better Cashel Blue - Dunnes Stores / Traditional Cheese Company Simply Better Cooleeney - Dunnes Stores / Traditional Cheese Company

CHOCOLATE AND CONFECTIONERY

Irish Chocolate Selection - Lidl / Lir Chocolates Irish Cream Liqueur Chocolates Lidl / Lir Chocolates Yellowman Honeycomb Covered in Dark Chocolate - The Good Food & Wine Company Ltd

CHRISTMAS Q CHRISTMAS CAKES, BAKERY AND DESSERTS

Aldi Specially Selected 907g Irish Christmas Pudding - Aldi / Seerys Bakery Aldi Specially Selected Chocolate Centred Christmas Pudding - Aldi / Seerys Bakery Dunnes Stores 6 Deep Filled All Butter Mince Pies - Dunnes Stores / Sargeants Bakeries Novelty Christmas Cake - Dunnes Stores / Sam’s Cookies SuperValu Pear & Cream Liqueur Chocolate Log - Musgrave Retail Partners / Sean Stafford’s Bakery

CHRISTMAS Q CHRISTMAS CHILLED, GROCERY AMBIENT, MEAT, FISH & SAVOURY

Aldi Irish Cheese Hamper - Aldi / Traditional Cheese Company Fresh Three Bird Roast - Lidl / Hogan’s Turkeys Simply Better Cranberry Sauce Dunnes Stores / Wexford Preserves Simply Better Ham Glaze - Dunnes Stores / Wexford Preserves

COLD BEVERAGES

Finest Orange Juice - Tesco / Keeling F Juices Ltd

Green Apple Beer (non-alcoholic) The Good Food & Wine Company Ltd Simply Better Valencia Orange Juice - Dunnes Stores / Keeling F Juices Ltd

DAIRY AND MILK PRODUCTS BUTTERS AND SPREADS

Connacht Gold Low Fat Butter Aurivo Consumer Foods Ltd Dairy Manor Irish Creamery Butter Town of Monaghan Co-Op Dairy Manor Unsalted Butter - Town of Monaghan Co-Op Dairymaid Premium Spread – JDS Foods Golden Cow Butter – Kerry Foods

DAIRY AND MILK PRODUCTS YOGHURTS

Aldi Specially Selected Handmade Farmhouse Raspberry Yogurt - Aldi / Killowen Simply Better Handmade Blackberry & Apple Farmhouse Yoghurt - Dunnes Stores / Green Valley Farms Ltd Simply Better Handmade Lemon Curd Farmhouse Yoghurt - Dunnes Stores / Green Valley Farms Ltd SuperValu Signature Tastes Rhubarb Layer Yogurt - Musgrave Retail Partners / Killowen SuperValu Signature Tastes Strawberry Yogurt - Musgrave Retail Partners / Irish Yoghurts Ltd

DELICATESSEN – ANTIPASTI

Carved Cajun Chicken Breast Slices - Lidl / Green Farm Foods Dunnes Stores Italian Salami Milano - Dunnes Stores / Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies Ltd Dunnes Stores Peppered Salami Dunnes Stores / Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies Ltd Pastrami Irish Beef - Tesco / O’Brien Fine Foods

DELICATESSEN - OTHER DELI COUNTER PRODUCTS

Aldi Specially Selected Torn Ham with Herb & Onion - Aldi / Country Style Brady Family Glazed Ham on the Bone - O’Brien Fine Foods Denny Deli Style 100% Natural Ingredients Crumbed Ham - Kerry Foods Duck Liver Paté - On The Pig’s Back c/o La Charcuterie Irlandaise Ltd Wild About Nettle Pesto - Wild About Wiltshire Cured Ham on the Bone Musgrave Retail Partners / O’ Brien Fine Foods

DESSERTS AND PUDDINGS

Lemon Cheesecake - Lidl / Prestige Foods SuperValu Signature Tastes

Apple Tarte Tatin with Caramel Sauce - Musgrave Retail Partners / Couverture SuperValu Signature Tastes Panacotta - Musgrave Retail Partners / Prestige Foods Tesco Luxury All Butter Apple Tart Tesco / Mannings Bakery

FISH - FRESH FISH

Burren Smoked Irish Organic Salmon with Seaweed Marinade Burren Smokehouse Ltd Burren Hot Smoked Irish Organic Salmon with Honey, Lemon & Dill Burren Smokehouse Ltd Glenarm Organic Smoked Salmon Glenarm Organic Salmon Simply Better Dublin Bay Prawn Cocktail - Dunnes Stores / Nolan Seafoods Simply Better Honey and Dill Smoked Salmon - Dunnes Stores / Burren Smokehouse Ltd

FISH - FRESH FISH DISHES

Cajun Salmon Darnes – Tesco / Goodfish Dublin Bay Prawn Cocktail - Lidl / William Carr & Sons Fish For Two Salmon With Soy Sauce and Ginger - Musgrave Retail Partners / Dunn’s of Dublin Seafood Chowder - Lidl / Galmere

FOOD TO GO

Chicken With Garam Masala Soup - Musgrave Retail Partners / Ballymaguire Classic Fruit Salad - Lidl / Fresh Cut Food Services Tesco Open Salmon Sandwich on Soda Bread - Tesco / Freshways Tesco Pearl Barley Salad with Basil Dressing - Tesco / Nature’s Best

FREE FROM - CHILLED & SAVOURY

Aldi ‘Has No’ Baps (White) - Aldi / Gallaghers Bakery Aldi ‘Has No’ Delicious Soft White Bread - Aldi / Gallaghers Bakery Mallon’s Gluten Free/Low Fat Leek & Pepper Sausages - Arthur Mallon Foods Mallon’s Gluten Free and Low Fat Sausages - Arthur Mallon Foods Rudd’s Gluten Free Sausages O’Brien Fine Foods

FREE FROM – SWEET

Aldi ‘Has No’ Muffins (Lemon) - Aldi / Gallaghers Bakery Cashew, Almond and Cinnamon Gluten Free Granola – Maria Lucia Bakes Ltd Cranberry, Coconut and Chia Seed Gluten Free Granola – Maria Lucia Bakes Ltd

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|47

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards FRESH MEAT, GAME AND POULTRY – BACON

Irish Honeycure Back Bacon Rashers - Lidl / Honeyvale Foods Irish Smoked Maple Cure Back Bacon Rashers - Lidl / Honeyvale Foods Simply Better Dry Cured Irish Rashers - Dunnes Stores / Callan Bacon SuperValu Thick Cut Rasher with 100% Natural Ingredients Musgrave Retail Partners / Carty Ltd SuperValu Signature Tastes Smoked Rack Of Bacon - Musgrave Retail Partners / Carty Ltd

FRESH MEAT, GAME AND POULTRY - BEEF STEAKS

Musgrave Retail Partners / Freshcut Foods SuperValu Kids Range Apple and Pear Pouch - Musgrave Retail Partners / Keelings Retail SuperValu Signature Tastes Supersweet Nectarine Tray Musgrave Retail Partners / Donnelly Fruit and Veg

FRESH PRODUCE – SALAD

Finest Irish Piccolo Cherry Tomatoes - Tesco / Total Produce SuperValu Signature Tastes Seasonal Leaf and Walnut Salad Musgrave Retail Partners / Wonderfoods

FRESH PRODUCE – VEGETABLES

21 Day Matured European Angus Sirloin Steak - Blackberry Hill Farm Aldi Specially Selected 28 Day Dry Aged Rib Eye - Aldi / ABP Cahir Inisvale Irish Hereford Fillet Steaks - Linden Foods Irish Hereford Striploin Steaks - Lidl / Linden Foods

Easy Cook 7 Minute Baby New Potatoes – Keogh’s SuperValu Signature Tastes Butternut Squash Stirfry with Edamame Beans & Coriander Musgrave Retail Partners / Wonderfoods

FRESH MEAT, GAME AND POULTRY – POULTRY

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Beef Quarter Pounders with Cheddar Cheese and Red Onion - Aldi / Kepak Foods Aldi Specially Selected Irish Beef Quarter Pounders with Cheddar Cheese and Sweet Chilli - Aldi / Kepak Foods Dunnes Mega Burger - Dunnes Stores / Kepak Foods

Confit of Duck - Silver Hill Farm Duck Breast with Garlic and Pepper - Lidl / Silver Hill Foods Yummy Duck – Silver Hill Farm

FRESH MEAT, GAME AND POULTRY - SAUSAGES, BURGERS AND MEATBALLS

Irish Beef Sausage with Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper - Tesco / Hilton Foods Moroccan Lamb Burger - Tesco / Hilton Foods Simply Better 6 Superior Honey & Mustard Irish Pork Sausages Dunnes Stores / Arthur Mallon Foods Simply Better 6 Superior Spring Onion & Cracked Black Pepper Irish Pork Sausages - Dunnes Stores / Arthur Mallon Foods The Co-Operative Chipotle Chilli Meatball Bake – Dunbia

FRESH MEAT, GAME AND POULTRY - PORK, LAMB AND OTHER JOINTS

Butchers Select Lamb Rack French Trim - Musgrave Wholesale / Kepak Simply Better Dry Cured Irish Bacon Loin Joint with Acacia Honey & Mustard Glaze - Dunnes Stores / Oliver Carty Stuffed Irish Lamb Leg - Lidl / Irish Country Meats SuperValu Piri Piri Marinade Pork Steak - Musgrave Retail Partners / Oliver Carty SuperValu Smokey BBQ Marinade Pork Steak - Musgrave Retail Partners / Oliver Carty

FRESH PRODUCE – FRUIT

Classic Fruit Salad - Lidl / Fresh Cut Food Services SuperValu Fruit Salad Mix -

FROZEN FOOD – SAVOURY

FROZEN FOOD – SWEET

Raspberry & White Chocolate Gelato - Quinn’s Gelato Limited Roll It Sweet All Butter Shortcrust Pastry - Roll It Pastry Tesco Vanilla Flavoured Ice Cream 1 pint - Tesco / Lakelands

GROCERY AMBIENT – SAVOURY

Honeyed Fig, Rhubarb & Chilli Savoury Jam - Irish Bee Sensations Kari Tropical – Spice Devils Musgrave Excellence Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Musgrave Wholesale / Pan Euro Foods Simply Better Luxury Irish Country Relish - Dunnes Stores / Folláin SuperValu Signature Tastes Roasted Red Pepper Relish - Musgrave Retail Partners / Folláin

GROCERY AMBIENT – SWEET

Aldi Organic Honey - Aldi / Healys Honey Blackcurrant and Rum Jam - Lidl / Abbey Farm Foods Deluxe Acacia Honey with Cut Comb - Lidl / Mileeven Fine Foods Simply Better Three Fruit Marmalade - Dunnes Stores / Wexford Home Preserves SuperValu Signature Tastes Raspberry Conserve - Musgrave Retail Partners / Folláin

HOT BEVERAGES

Cinnamon Hot Toddy (non-Alcoholic) - The Good Food & Wine Company Ltd Homestead Original Blend Tea Homestead Brands / Stonehouse Marketing Ltd McGrath’s Reserve Blend Tea - Aldi / Robert Roberts My Family Favourites Gold Blend 80s Teabags - Dunnes Stores / Barry’s Tea SuperValu Gold Blend Teabags Musgrave Retail Partners / Barber Daly

PIZZAS

My Family Favourites 3 Pepperoni Pizzas - Dunnes Stores / Green Isle Foods Pizzado - Choice Pizza Ltd Tesco Bistro Italiano Chargrilled Peppers, Goats Cheese & Spinach Pesto Pizza - Tesco / Green Isle Foods

READY MEALS

Aldi Tasty Chicken Tikka Masala - Aldi / Kohinoor Ltd T/A Emaan Worldcuisine Bombay Chicken Curry - Bombay Pantry SuperValu Signature Tastes Lamb Tagine - Musgrave Retail Partners / Ballymaguire SuperValu Signature Tastes Smoked Haddock Fillet in a Mornay Sauce - Musgrave Retail Partners / Ballymaguire

SAUCES AND SALAD DRESSINGS Creamy Peppercorn Sauce Lidl / Spice’o’Life SuperValu Squeezy Light Mayonnaise - Musgrave Retail Partners / Blenders Vine Tomato & Jalapeno Pasta Sauce - The Scullery

SEASONAL OCCASIONS

Aldi Chocolate Box (Mother’s Day) – Aldi Aldi Roisins Honeycomb Easter Egg – Aldi Iced Easter Madeira Cake - Dunnes Stores / Sam’s Cookies

SIDE DISHES

Dunnes Stores Simply Better Cranberry, Apricot & Clementine Stuffing - Dunnes Stores / Mr Crumb Mini Stuffed Mushrooms with Garlic & Cream Cheese - Lidl / Unimush Ireland SuperValu Signature Tastes Braised Red Cabbage - Musgrave Retail Partners / Ballymaguire

SOUPS

Cream of Tomato Soup - Lidl / Princes Fresh & Chunky Minestrone Soup Newgrange Fine Foods Just Food HiLo Super Greens Soup - Just Food Sri Lankan Chicken Soup - Lidl /

Ballymaguire Foods

VALUE Q

Daily Basics Jaffa Cakes - Musgrave Retail Partners / Bisquiva GmbH & Co. KG My Family Favourites Irish Fruit Loaf - Dunnes Stores / Neville’s Bakery My Family Favourites Strawberry Jam - Dunnes Stores / Histon Sweet Spreads

SUPERVALU SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD Shortlisted to win a listing with SuperValu: Chicken Liver Paté with Garlic & Brandy - On The Pig’s Back c/o La Charcuterie Irlandaise Ltd Scotts Irish Cider - Big Hand Brewing Company Ltd Sweet BBQ Pulled Pork - Jack & Keith Molloy Bros. Ltd

IRISH QUALITY DRINK AWARDS CIDER

Dan Kelly’s Cider – Dan Kelly’s Cider Fresh & Zesty Cider - The Good Food & Wine Company Ltd Tempted? Special Reserve Irish Craft Cider - dj’s juice and cider Tempted? Summer Sweet Irish Craft Cider - dj’s juice and cider

LAGERS & ALES

Aldi “O’Shea’s” Traditional Irish Pale Ale - Aldi / Carlow Brewing Co. Independent Pale - Independent Brewing Company of Ireland Independent Stout - Independent Brewing Company of Ireland

SPARKLING WINE

Crémant d’Alsace Brut AOC - Lidl / S.C.V.B Prosecco DOC Frizzante - Lidl / La Marca Vini E Spumanti

SPIRITS - LIQUEURS AND SPECIALITY SPIRITS

Coole Swan – Coole Swan Deluxe Irish Cream Liqueur 17% Lidl / Terra Ltd

SPIRITS – WHISKIES

Aldi Clontarf Classic Blend Whiskey - Aldi / Castle Brands Inc Dundalgan Irish Whiskey - Lidl / Terra Ltd

WINE

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc Winemaker’s Selection - Lidl Pinot Grigio Rosé – Lidl St. Emilion Gran Cru AOC, 2011 - Lidl / Union de Producteurs de Saint-Emilion

48|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

Event Management

Planning For Every Contingency Michelle Thornton of Hotel Solutions advises on how to plan an event, from a small meeting to a large domestic and international conference.

THERE are four basic requirements when it comes to planning an event: • Objectives • Budget • Location • Time management Objectives: Have you determined your objectives for your event? Is it intended for training, motivation, to launch a product or provide information?

Budget: To define your budget, factors to take into consideration are: • How many days do you want your event to run for?

• Will you invite partners, as this will affect your accommodation costs?

• What grade of hotel do you require,

3 *, 4* or 5*? Rate will vary depending on season; for example, if you hold a conference in January, this will offer better value for money.

• How will you fund this this event?

Will it be through sponsorship / delegate fees?

Location: Determine which region in Ireland you require. If you are organising an international event, it would be important to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure and accessibility in the surrounding areas.

Time Management: This is a big factor for many people: “time” when planning your event and more importantly, the time it takes to organise everything running up to the

Michelle Thornton, Managing Director, Hotel Solutions.

event. It is imperative to start working on your event as early as possible, in

FRESH & MODERN MEETING SPACES FOR TODAY’S BUSINESS DA R E TO B E D I F F E R E N T

THE SPENCER

THE MORGAN

THE BEACON

Dublin City location Meetings from 1-155 delegates Zen Garden & Penthouse East Restaurant Spencer Cocktail Bar Gym with 18m pool Free wi-fi Summer BBQ’S Newly designed rooms

Dublin City location Meetings from 2-80 delegates The Morgan Bar Penthouse with Rooftop Terrace Parisian Style Courtyard Crunch Fitness Premier Free wi-fi Penthouse parties Beautifully designed rooms

Sandyford, South Dublin Meetings from 2-45 delegates My Thai Restaurant The Crystal Bar Penthouse parties Fitness studio Free wi-fi The Courtyard Boutique style rooms

e: meetings@thespencerhotel.com t: 01 4338844 www.thespencerhotel.com

e: meetings@themorgan.com t: 01 643 7057 www.themorgan.com

e: meetings@thebeacon.com t: 01 6437057 www.thebeacon.com

COOKING CLASSES | TEAMBUILDING | COCKTAIL MAKING CLASSES | OFFICE PARTIES WITH A DESIGNER TWIST

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Event Management

The team at Hotel Solutions: Jeff Thornton, Roisin Higgins, Michelle Thornton, Ciara Halpin and Stuart Thornton.

particular for large conferences. We recommend you start looking at least 18 months in advance. This is to ensure availability for your chosen dates, April, May, September and October are the busiest conference months in the year, so book early to have a better choice of availability.

This is where Hotel Solutions can help. When all of the above is determined, this is where Hotel Solutions can step in by offering you our free venue finding service and expertise in sourcing the right hotel or venue at the right price for you.

Time is money and this is a big factor for most people nowadays: this is where our service can be invaluable.

Hotel Solutions know all about hotels and critically, hotels have to earn their reputation through offering our clients the highest level of service and customer satisfaction. Hotel Solutions can do all the ground-work and give you a shortlist of hotels and venues to meet your requirements. However, this is only half the battle. There are

Killashee House Hotel THE Killashee House Hotel boasts a new Innovation Centre, the state of the art conference centre, which has been newly renovated from the Original Nun’s Kitchen, dating back to 1861, and is filled with a wealth of history and character. The Innovation Centre is situated in the original house and consists of one main plenary room, five Break Out Rooms, each accommodating between 10 and 20 delegates in a boardroom style, a Brainstorming Room, Business Centre, Central Networking Area and a private courtyard. There is an abundance of natural daylight in all meeting rooms and direct access onto the Fountain Gardens and Emma’s Butterfly Garden.

The Brainstorming Room is an innovative concept room where the walls are covered with ‘Smart Wall Paint’ and act as white boards, allowing delegates to put their ideas on the walls for maximum creativity. This

The Brainstorming Room’s walls are covered with ‘Smart Wall Paint’ and act as white boards, allowing delegates to put their ideas on the walls for maximum creativity.

The Killashee House Hotel boasts a brand new Innovation Centre, which is sure to prove hugely popular for events.

room encourages productivity, team building, collaborative, creative expression and networking, while delegates brainstorm on the comfy bean bags.

The syndicate rooms all have state of the art equipment, acoustic wall panelling and leather swivel chairs.

The Business Centre has five individual work stations with internet connection and power points.

The Central Networking Area has a self-service coffee machine, a large TV screen and a working stove. The area is also set with arm-chairs, coffee tables and high stools to encourage delegates to interact. The networking area has direct access to the beautiful secluded private courtyard.

There is 100MB of complementary WIFI throughout the Innovation Centre.

For more information, call 045 879277 or visit www.killasheehouse.com.

Conference with Confidence Killashee House Hotel is set amidst over 280 acres of historic & intriguing gardens, walk ways & parkland, with magnificent views over the Kildare countryside.

A hotel that is timeless, natural & elegant where they understand space, fun & food, Killashee delivers an efficient, confident & discreet conference with all the resources you would expect from this beautiful country estate.

• Extensive meeting options to cater for your specific needs, from 2 to 600 delegates & everything in between.

• 20 meeting rooms, from traditional to contemporary, syndicate space & breakouts, all with natural daylight, 100MB of WIFI & meeting room technology.

• The new, all inclusive private Innovation Centre including ‘The Brainstorming Room’.

• 141 bedrooms, 2 Restaurants, ‘The Snug’ Traditional Irish Pub, The Stunning Villa Spa & State of the Art Leisure Centre.

• Extensive Private Dining options available.

• 350 Complementary Car-Parking Spaces.

• Designated Team Building Area adjacent to hotel, offering an ideal location for any Outdoor Activity or Team Building Exercise and the Killashee Off-Road Driving Centre.

• Killashee Courtesy 23 Seater Coach.

Tel: 045 879277 sales@killasheehouse.com www.killasheehouse.com

at Killashee House Hotel

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Event Management Kilkea Castle Hotel BUILT in 1180, the magnificent Kilkea Castle still stands gloriously on the County Kildare landscape. Kilkea Castle Hotel has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and is fast becoming one of the most luxurious and technologically advanced hotels in Leinster; yet still retains the charm and history of the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland. It is the perfect hotel for a conference or golfing holiday, combining modern comforts with the elegance of the past.

Only 50 minutes from Kilkea Castle is an impressive sight, set in Dublin, Kilkea offers excellent 150 acres of verdant landscape. access to the airport and all major routes throughout Ireland. Conveniently located on the M9 motorway, Kilkea Castle is easily accessible.

Today it stands as truly an impressive sight. Set on 150 acres of verdant landscape, it offers its visitors over 100 well-appointed bedrooms, a luxury spa and gym with pool. In addition, guests can avail of the Kilkea Castle 18-hole, par-70 championship golf course.

Dining at Kilkea Castle is an experience to behold; the estate Restaurant has magnificent views of the formal gardens and the beautiful County Kildare countryside. Our banqueting facilities are the perfect venue for your next gathering.

The conference centre can host up to 300 delegates theatre style, accompanied by break-out rooms, and state-of-the-art audio and visual facilities.

Indeed, Kilkea Castle Hotel can offer a wonderful combination of business and leisure facilities, creating a perfect location for any conference, incentive or team building event.

The Castle is steeped in history, and now, refurbished with all the luxuries of the modern world, is a premier setting for any occasion - the perfect combination of past grandeur with the pleasures of today.

Kilkea Castle - luxury since 1180. A hidden and unique gem that has to be experienced to be appreciated.

For enquiries, contact our team at 059 9145555; Email: info@ kilkeacastle.ie.

Web: www.kilkeacastle.ie.

Kilkea Castle is the perfect combination of past grandeur with the pleasures of today.

other measures that you must take when planning an event, especially the larger ones.

• Should you require a branded conference, you should get working on your design as this will need to be booked well in advance. Hotels Solutions, through their extensive range of suppliers, can source this for you, as well as your sound, audio visual and lighting. This is extremely important in getting your brand image across; • Ensure you have your presenters/ speakers booked early and visas organised, if required; • Arrange transportation and meet and greet at airports; • Marketing the event - PR/press; • Manage rooming lists; • Organise name badges, conference packs, print, literature etc; • Online registration and designing a web site is extremely important, in particular for international events; • Will you require an area for exhibition stands? Sometimes you can cover the costs of this with exhibitors; • Social programme: are there places of interest and amenities close to the venues you are considering?

• Team building: some hotels have this facility on site, which can reduce travel costs; • Entertainment; • Insurance.

It is also vital to view your venue before signing your contract to ensure it ticks all the boxes.

Hidden Costs /Things to watch out for Audio Visual – 95% of Hotels include an LCD and screen as standard. However, there are still some hotels that will charge for this. This is a factor that some people overlook and it can have a huge effect on your final budget.

Parking – some hotels now charge for car parking, even outside Dublin. Again, this amount can be significant, particularly for a large event.

Be sure your event date does not clash with any large social events within the region, as accommodation costs will be considerably higher.

Clients should carefully read all contracts and fully understand and manage the attrition policy and payment schedule.

Bringing In The Professionals Should the idea of all this work overwhelm you, call in the experts. Sometimes it’s cheaper to outsource your event to the professionals. Hotels Solutions can offer a full event management service at an additional cost.

We will then manage all the details, including action lists, cost schedules, attrition policies and run your event on the

KILKEA CASTLE LUXURY SINCE 1180

Re-opening after 5 years and extensive refurbishment

Built in 1180, the recently refurbished Kilkea Castle Hotel still stands gloriously upon the County Kildare landscape. Only 50 minutes from Dublin, Kilkea offers excellent access to Dublin Airport and all major routes throughout Ireland.

Now taking bookings for 2015

The conference centre at Kilkea Castle can host up to 320 delegates theatre style, accompanied by break-out rooms, and state-of-the-art audio and visual facilities.

Kilkea Castle Hotel also offers a wonderful combination of business and leisure facilities, creating a perfect location for any conference, incentive or team-building event.

Today, Kilkea Castle is truly an impressive sight. Set on 150 acres of verdant landscape, the hotel offers over 100 well-appointed bedrooms, a luxury spa and gym, including a 15 metre pool.

In addition, guests can avail of the championship par 70, 18-hole golf course.This includes mature landscape with a river and many water features.

The Castle overlooks the original walled formal gardens and the River Greese meanders through the landscape.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM ON: 059 914 5555 | 059 914 5505 | INFO@KILKEACASTLE.IE | WWW.KILKEACASTLE.IE KILKEA CASTLE | CASTLEDERMOT | CO. KILDARE

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Event Management day. We will also ensure all the small details are not overlooked.

Hotel Solutions, now in their 12th successful year in business, are continuing to evolve and develop in this dynamic business environment to remain at the forefront of their sector as one of Ireland’s leading venue finding and event management companies. The main focus to date has been on sourcing suitable venues for clients, from a small meeting to large domestic and international conference.

This venue finding service, which is free of charge to their broad and varied range of clients, includes the sourcing of space for BBQs, family fun days, weddings, team building and golf days, both corporate and social.

On-Site Event Management Hotel Solutions also provides an on-site event management service to their clients who want to enjoy their particular event and leave the running of it to the experts. Michelle Thornton and her team are delighted to be involved with the annual IGBF Ball and Lunch for many years, and their client base spans many sectors,

including pharmaceutical, IT, trade union, FMCG and trade associations.

Evolution in Meeting Styles Hotel Solutions are now in a position to offer a “No limits” style meeting room option to their clients, where changes in meeting styles have developed, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where a less formal environment is proving very popular.

The once traditional “classroom” style, which then moved forward with a “cabaret” style, has evolved towards a much more relaxed set-up, with comfy couches and bean bags and an absence of tables or “barriers to communication” to productive engagement. This is reflective of a Google-type approach to staff interaction.

This meeting room style is proving to be very popular with clients, with the main challenges being access and availability for specific dates. Two hotels who have really embraced this style are Castleknock Hotel and Country Club in Dublin, with their ‘Thinking Factory’, a spectacular and clever use of space, which is bright and colourful, informal and

conducive to productive innovative meetings, and Killashee House Hotel, Naas, who opened a complete floor of meeting spaces under the name of the ‘Innovation Centre’, where the clever use of space and colour provide for an informal and productive environment.

Being at the forefront of change is what myself and the team at Hotel Solutions can offer our clients, while ensuring that everybody will gain.

We can ensure good staff relations for companies and venue providers who continue to develop and evolve their products can then offer options suitable for a wide variety of requirements.

Innovation is now an important part of any business strategy and Hotel Solutions are well placed to continue on this path into the future.

The team at Hotel Solutions have vast experience in locating the right venue for and managing all kinds of events. Michelle’s son Stuart recently joined the company after completing his business degree in the National College of Ireland and is in the final stages of a Masters in Strategy and Innovation in NUI Maynooth. For more information, see www.hotel-solutions.ie.

Mount Wolseley Hotel 4 bedrooms each. This large complement of bedrooms allows Mount Wolseley to bid for larger residential conferences requiring accommodation for up to 600 delegates.

With access to the freshest local ingredients, the team of internationally trained chefs can provide a discerning selection of menus to suit all tastes, requirements and budgets.

The luxurious Leisure and Spa facilities, along with the renowned Mount Wolseley Golf Course, enable this regal property to offer the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Country Club is the perfect venue for national complete experience for corporate and leisure corporate and association conferences. guests alike. Additionally, there are up to 500 complementary parking spaces on site, which is MOUNT Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Country Club is perfectly a huge advantage when catering to the national conference located to offer a central venue for national corporate and market. association conferences. Situated in Tullow, Co. Carlow, Holder of a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor this 4* Deluxe Resort property is just one hour from Dublin 2013, the property consistently delivers quality service, and is truly the jewel in the crown of conference venues in with the accolades to show for this commitment. the south-east.

Competitive 24-hour and day delegate rates are Host to an array of prestigious conferences and events, available and Mount Wolseley’s conference and banqueting Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Country Club offers 13 team are proficient in working with conference organisers professionally appointed conference, meeting and dining to ensure budget and operational requirements are met at rooms. The flexible portfolio of rooms can cater for a wide all times. range of configurations, with a maximum capacity of With the extensive facilities on offer, Mount Wolseley 800 theatre style and 500 for dining. The self-contained certainly ticks a lot of boxes when looking for the ideal Conference and Banqueting Suite offers a private entrance conference venue. and reception area, ideal for pre-registration and tea/coffee For enquiries, contact Sheena McCanny, Conference breaks. There is ample space for exhibition purposes and and Events Sales Manager, Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and the layout ensures delegates pass through the exhibition Country Club, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Tel: 059 9180100 area to ensure maximum exposure for exhibitors.

Email: smccanny@mountwolseley.ie.

The extensive meeting facilities are complemented Web: www.mountwolseley.ie. Facebook: by 143 deluxe bedrooms with the added advantage of 48 www.facebook.com/mountwolseley. Twitter: @mountwolseley self-catering lodges on the estate, offering a mix of 3 and

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A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF CONFERENCE & EVENT VENUES

• 15 Professionally Appointed Conference & Banqueting Suites • Capacities up to 800 Theatre Style & 500 for Banquets • Self Contained Exhibition Area • 143 Deluxe Bedrooms & Suites

• 32 Self Catering Lodges on the Resort • Award Winning Christy O’Connor designed 18 Hole GolfCourse • Green Site Areas for Outdoor Activities • 500 Complimentary Parking Spaces

A TRANQUIL RESORT, THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR YOUR BUSINESS Contact: Sheena McCanny Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Tullow, Co Carlow T: 059 9180100 E: smccanny@mountwolseley.ie W: www.mountwolseley.ie

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Legal Matters

Protecting Yourself From Litigation Is your business playing fair in the arena of fair procedures when it comes to your employees, asks Gerry McCanny, Principle in the firm of McCanny & Co. Solicitors.

WHEN it comes to employment law, things seem simple enough - play fair and you have nothing to fear. However, the reality is you have no chance of protecting yourself against a claim from an employee if you don’t invest the time and effort into every area of the relationship, such as recruitment, redundancy, illness and absence, disciplinary matters and complaints. It

is crucial that employers tread carefully in their handling of a relationship that can sometimes culminate in a fractious and stressful situation for all parties involved.

Fair Procedures or Financial Consequences Just what are fair procedures and how are they defined? In ensuring their

obligations are fully met, the employer must consider each and every problem that is brought to their attention carefully. They must listen to each side of the story and a hearing for the parties involved may be required. The employee may be entitled to external representation and an unbiased decision must be reached.

If you don’t abide by fair procedures, you might as well get out the cheque book! Once you fail this test, all your good work in other areas doesn’t count. You must accept that the system is heavily weighted in favour of the employee: otherwise you will get very frustrated with the process.

Due to the extensive implications of non-compliance - such as claims in unfair dismissal, orders under the

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Legal Matters Employment Equality Acts, High Court injunctions etc - it is crucial that employers are fully aware of the importance of putting fair procedures into practice at all levels in the employer-employee relationship.

The case of Caulfield v Verbatim (1993) EAT stated that “regardless of the guilt or otherwise of the claimant… the procedures used by the company to effect the decision must…be open and transparent and the company’s behaviour must be seen to be reasonable.”

Protect Yourself Just how can an employer effectively ensure that their company has the ability to control a situation which has the potential to escalate quickly, incurring financial loss and major headaches for all? The starting point for any employer is the employee contract and staff handbook which, if properly drafted, can clearly outline the procedures to be employed in the event it needs to be utilised. It must be noted that there is also an equal obligation on the employee to follow the procedures in the staff handbook.

The simplest way to get your head around the whole concept is to examine a number of recent cases and their implications for the workplace.

Case Studies In An Employee v An Employer UD 211/2011 MN 207/2011, the claimant, who was employed as a pharmacy counter assistant, had a number of allegations made against her, such as throwing a stapler at her employer, stamping her feet and not wanting to serve customers. The employer did not inform her that she was under investigation. She attended meetings which addressed her potential dismissal but was not informed of the purpose of the meetings by the employer. The Tribunal ultimately noted that there was no acceptable procedure in the dismissal, no contract of employment and no grievance procedure in place. The claimant was awarded €25,000.

On the opposite end of the scale, in Denyseuych v AIBP, the employer had contracts of employment, grievance and disciplinary procedures available in the native tongue of their employees to allow for understanding by all workers.

By following the procedures, the employers defended the claim of unfair dismissal made against them.

In 2012, the number of unfair dismissals amounted to 31% of all complaints to the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Despite employers having

as a result of the incident. No written account of a dismissal procedure was furnished to the Claimant within 28 days of entering into the contract and the employer’s disciplinary policy was unclear as to whether the claimant could be dismissed for a first breach of company policy. It was found that, in addition to the matter not being sufficient to warrant her dismissal, there was a lack of fair procedures employed in their handling of the incident. She was awarded €17,500.

Gerry McCanny, Principle, McCanny & Co. Solicitors, Sligo.

cause for a legitimate dismissal in a large proportion of these cases, it was and is often the case that reasonableness is not implemented in the lead-up to a dismissal. This ultimately renders the employer’s position indefensible.

Death By A Thousand Cuts?

In Livia Hromadkova v Ard Services Ltd, which was heard in June and October of 2013, the EAT were unhappy with the level of fairness of the procedures utilised in the leadup to the claimant’s resignation and her claim of constructive dismissal against her employer. The claimant’s case concerned accusations of bullying against her manager. The Tribunal found the procedural aspect employed

by Ard Services lacking for reasons such as informing the claimant of meetings by text, the lack of minutes recorded and the provision of an investigation report on a compliment slip which was sent to the claimant. In this instance, the claimant was found to have been constructively dismissed and was awarded €14,000.

It is important to note that it is not unusual to hear an employer complaining that “all this nonsense is so time consuming. I will take my chances”. This is the equivalent to a death by a thousand cuts!

In Salma Ayouby v Marks and Spencer Ireland Ltd UD 731/2012, the Employment Appeals Tribunal made the observation that a genuine mistake had occurred by the claimant, whereby she had overpaid a customer’s gift card the sum of €95. She had alerted her manager to the matter but she was let go from her job in the employer’s store for gross misconduct

Keeping A Paper Trail In Gabriel O’Farrell v Mercury Engineering, the claimant was awarded €22,000 by the Equality Tribunal for discrimination on grounds of age and the Tribunal commented that there had been a “serious lack of fair procedures”.

They referred to a lack of a paper trail explaining the company’s possibly legitimate decision-making process and it was stated that if this had been present in the company’s file, it may have explained their reasoning and could have possibly defended the claim that was made against them.

More recently, in June of this year, a convicted drug dealer was awarded €11,000 by the EAT after they found that his dismissal as a charge hand from a Tesco outlet was procedurally unfair. His 15-year work record had been untainted prior to informing his employers of the conviction in July 2011 and he was then placed on suspension with pay just two months after the courts found him guilty. His dismissal was on the grounds of gross misconduct for a serious criminal offence and the company justified this by stating that they felt this would bring the company’s good name into disrepute. The EAT found that the employer did not consider any alternative remedies in addressing the matter and found in favour of the claimant.

What valuable lessons can the above teach employers? Never underestimate the importance of contracts of employment or records and ensure there is a consistent review of procedures in place which must take into account the needs of the ever-changing face of the workforce.

There will never be a “one size fits all” solution for all workplaces but transparency and objectivity is king in the arena of fair procedures.

About the Author GERRY McCanny is founding partner of McCanny Solicitors, Pollexfen House, Wine Street, Sligo. Tel: 071 9145928; Email: mccanny@eircom.net

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On The Vine

Grape Expectations Jean Smullen profiles Ireland’s top selling wine brands.

NEW figures from Eurostat reveal that alcohol prices in Ireland are the highest in Europe and are 178% higher than the EU average, higher even than the Scandinavian countries where sales of alcohol are controlled by state monopolies.

According to Eurostat, “this large price variation is mainly due to differences in taxation of these products”. In less than 12 months (between December 2012 and October 2013) the Irish government increased: • excise on beer by 44%; • excise on spirits by 37%; • excise on wine by 62%.

Recent data compiled by Tony Foley, Economist at DCU, showed that the drinks industry employs 92,000 people in every corner of Ireland, buying €1.1 billion worth of Irish inputs.

The impact of these duty increases, especially on wine, which has been the hardest hit, is evident in the figures. Recent data from Nielsen and

International Wine & Spirit Record (IWSR) show that the wine market is now 7.96m cases, down from 8.363m total case sales for 2013, of which still wines accounted for 7.7m cases, down from 8.05m cases. Sparkling wine in 2013 stood at 0.146m cases, down from 0.165m cases, and fortified wine for 2013 was 0.055 cases. In 2012, before two duty increases, the wine market was 8.9m cases, down from its highest point of 9m case sales in 2011.

From ACNielsen on an MAT basis for 2013, we can see that the off trade sales for all wine is at circa 6.346m cases, declining by -4.4%. However, the value of the market increased by +7.2%, with excise duty increases being largely responsible for this growth.

The average price for a bottle of wine in 2013 for the off trade was €7.89 per bottle.

This trend continues in 2014; latest figures indicate that the wine market was in positive growth in value and

in decline in terms of volume sales.

Scantrack, who monitored the market for the 12 week period to May 18, 2014, show that the sales of wine delivered €89m in value during this period, which equates to growth of +2.2%, with excise again being responsible for much of this. Volume sales, however, tell a different story; at 7.8m litres, they declined by -3.2%.

According to Scantrack, in May 2014 the average price for Chilean wine is €8.31, for Australian wine €8.66, for Spanish wine €7.98, for New Zealand wine €10.35, and for Argentinean wine is €8.87 Chile has finally overtaken Australia in volume terms as the largest country of origin, accounting for 21.9% volume share of the wine market. Australia’s market share is in decline as it moves into second place.

France, showing flat sales, remains in third place. After that, there is a significant gap in volume sales and the

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On The Vine country of origin figures put USA in 5th place, Spain 6th, Italy 7th, South Africa and New Zealand 8th, Argentina 9th and Germany 10th. Of these, South Africa is the only country of origin showing significant decline while sales of the others remain flat.

The new world markets continue to be led by brands, while the old world, with France and Italy especially, are very fragmented, with no clear leaders.

Source: Irish Wine Association (IWA)/ Nielsen/IWSR/ Drinks Industry Group (DIGI)/Eurostat/ Scantrack.

McGuigan Australia (Barry & Fitzwilliam)

Neil McGuigan has twice been voted IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) white wine maker of the year. The McGuigan brands are mostly sold under the flagship brand McGuigan: the McGuigan Black number one Label. They also sell Australian brand in wines under the the Irish off trade.

Nepenthe label, as well as other own label wines.

Blossom Hill – California, USA (C&C Gleeson)

The Blossom Hill range includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, White Grenache and of course the much loved White Zinfandel, as well as the newest addition to the range, Sparkling Zinfandel.

Innovative wines like their reduced alcohol wine based Vie (5.5% ABV), which was recently launched in Ireland, are gaining more recognition.

The massively popular Blossom Hill White Zinfandel.

Santa Rita - Chile

(C&C Gleeson)

According to IWSR, the largest single wine producer supplying wine to Irish consumers is Santa Rita Estates

eries established in Australia, Accolade Wines has evolved into a global wine company with some of the world’s best-known wines. Accolade manages a diverse portfolio of brands, including the historic Hardy’s, which is one of the most powerful Australian wine brands in the world. Hardy’s Stamp of Australia is focused on Hardy’s Nottage Hill, though they also have a good range in the mid-price sector, mostly single varietal and blends, sold as the Private Bin collection.

Santa Rita 120: a real winner with Irish consumers.

(Chile). With 361k cases on the market, they have the highest overall sales through their stable of wine brands, which includes Carmen, Dona Paula, Santa Rita and Sur Andino. Santa Rita has a reputation for making some of the most internationally acclaimed wines from Chile. Premium wines are strong with this label; they include Casa Real, Medalla Real, Pehuen and Floresta, produced from the company’s own vineyards in Limari, Casablanca, Leyda, Maipo and Curico Valleys in Chile.

Wolf Blass - Australia (Findlater Wine & Spirit Company)

The second biggest group supplying wine on the Irish wine market is Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates, with some of the most recognised and awarded wines in the world, including Beringer Vineyards, Lindeman’s, Penfolds, Rosemount Estate and Wolf Blass. Wolf Blass support their partnership of Leinster Rugby by running exclusive competitions in the off trade for fans of Wolf Blass, including interpro tickets up for grabs this August and September. In July last year, Chief Red Winemaker Chris Hatcher was awarded the Red Winemaker of the Year award by IWC. The company topped off an outstanding year by being named ‘International Winemaker of the Year’ at the 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition in November.

Hardy’s - Australia (Barry & Fitzwilliam)

Scantrack indicates that for the period to May 2014 all brands are in volume decline, with the exception of Santa Rita and Hardy’s. Drawing on a proud heritage based on one of the first win-

The Hardy’s Crest Range: available at a promotional price offering this summer.

Jacob’s Creek Australia (Irish Distillers/ Pernod Ricard)

First launched in 1976 and named after a creek that runs through the renowned Barossa Valley wine region in South Australia, Jacob’s Creek has stayed true to winemaking traditions established by Orlando Wines’ founder, Johann Gramp, when he planted his first vines over 160 years ago. Jacob’s Creek has over 7,000 medals in wine shows and was voted third in Drinks International’s ‘World Most Admired Wine Brands’ in 2011, This summer, Jacobs Creek will launch their Moscato in Ireland with an opportunity to tap into consumer desire for light & fruity wines with a light frizzante, which will appeal to the female consumer in the 20-30 age bracket.

Torres - Spain

(Findlater Wine & Spirit Group)

Torres Gran Sangre de Toro received an impressive 90 point score from Robert Parker’s famous Wine Advocate in May 2014. Torres has consistently been named Ireland’s favourite Spanish wine brand for their wines, such as Sangre de Toro and Viña Sol. Torres has recently introduced a range of wines exclusively for the Irish independent off-trade and which will not be available in any multiples or on-trade.

The Viña Brava range is aimed at introducing Irish consumers to a range of approachable wines produced from indigenous Spanish grape varieties, and has an RSP of €11.99.

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On The Vine Castillero Del Diablo / Concha Y Toro - Chile

E&J Gallo – California, USA

Drinks International voted Concha y Toro the “Most Admired Brand” for wines globally in May 2012. Though Concha y Toro is a company rather than a brand, their two key wine brands, Cono Sur and Castillero del Diabolo, both feature strongly in the Irish market.

Gallo Family Vineyards continues to outperform both the overall wine market and particularly the USA category through the addition of new and innovative wines to this varietal correct portfolio. New varietals include the increasingly popular Moscato and Pink Moscato, while launching lighter style wines of Summer White and Summer Rosé. Philip Lynch, Country Manager, E&J Gallo Winery, has attributed Gallo Family Vineyards’ success to the quality wines produced by the winery which retail for €10, coupled with strong promotional activity which resonates with today’s ever value-conscious consumer.

Pink Moscato Also part of the from Gallo Family E&J Gallo portfolio, Vineyards, growing Barefoot Wines, in popular in California’s most Ireland. awarded wine under $15, recorded its strongest year’s sales in Ireland. ‘Fun, Flavoursome & Affordable’ is the Barefoot image and they certainly seem to have fun recruiting new consumers, whether it’s getting Barefoot at Sea Sessions, Ireland’s number one surf & music festival, or stepping out for over 20 years with the LGBT community. New additions to the range in the last year include Barefoot Bubbly Moscato, bringing to three the number of Moscatos in the range.

(Richmond Marketing)

Cono Sur - Chile (Findlater Wine & Spirit Group)

Cono Sur continues to go from strength to strength on the Irish market, thanks to Findlater’s marketing team. The company’s “green” credentials, clever marketing and clear concise labelling have all helped to create greater awareness for this brand.

Cono Sur Brut: a new world sparkling wine that’s extremely popular with Irish wine drinkers.

Vina Carmen – Chile

(C&C Gleeson)

Chilean producer Santa Rita Estates have unveiled their new wine under the Carmen label, Carmen Wave, along with plans for a consumer tastings this summer. Using two grape varieties Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, this new Chilean brand is aiming to capture New Zealand wine drinkers. The wine has a softer Chilean style and is called ‘Left Wave Sauvignon Blanc’ and ‘Right Wave Pinot Noir’. The concept was developed by Carmen Winemaker Sebastian Labbe who started surfing when he was 10.

Grapes are sourced from Leyda Valley and the wine will retail in the off trade at €14.99. A series of promotional activities, including in-store sampling and sampling at outdoor events, will feature this summer. The focal point is the 1974 VW Wave camper van, with its sampling trailer, surf boards and barbeque, which will tour the festivals this year.

(10 International)

Oyster Bay - New Zealand

(Delegats Wine Estate)

Established in 1947, Delegat’s Wine Estate is the proud producer and marketer of the internationally acclaimed Oyster Bay range of wines. Delegats established an office in Dublin during 2011.

As the number one New Zealand wine brand in Ireland, Oyster Bay continues to lead New Zealand category growth across its range of

Super Premium cool climate wines. In 2014, for the third year running, Oyster Bay was named one of the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands by Drinks International magazine. In addition, Oyster Bay received the ‘Hot Brand’ award for the third consecutive year from New York’s Impact magazine.

[yellow tail] Australia (C&C Gleeson)

John Casella created [yellow tail] 13 years ago with one mission in mind – to provide consumers with a fun, affordable and approachable wine brand. He identified a gap in the global wine market for a good quality Australian wine that was a step away from more serious products on the shelf at the time. He wanted to demystify wine for his consumers, make it fun, less intimidating and to enhance people’s social lives. In the first two years, [yellow tail] superseded its own fore[yellow tail] cast of 50,000 cases to wines are sell more than 1m. Now, enjoyed in more than 12m cases 50 countries of [yellow tail] wine across the are enjoyed in world.

50 countries around the world every year.

Villa Maria New Zealand

(Barry & Fitzwilliam)

Founded in 1961 by its current owner and Managing Director, George Fistonich, Villa Maria celebrates 53 years in business this year. In Ireland, sales continue to be focused in the supermarket sector.

The Private Bin range is a good example of good quality mid-priced varietal wines from New Zealand.

Villa Maria has been New Zealand’s leading wine award winner, both nationally and internationally, since the early 1980s.

www.retailnews.ie|July/August 2014|Retail News|61

On The Vine Faustino – Spain (C&C Gleeson)

Bodegas Faustino is a family-run estate founded in 1861.

The Faustino brand, launched here in 1960, is the best-selling Rioja in Ireland, particularly for its price/quality value. The entry level wine Faustino VII has good brand recognition and the Gran Reserva Faustino I is a “must stock”. Faustino accounts for one in every three bottles of Rioja wine sold in Ireland.

The ‘must stock’ Faustino 1 Gran Reserva.

Campo Viejo – Spain (Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard)

In 2013, Spanish wine accounted for 10% of the Irish market, approximately 866,430 cases. Of that, Rioja accounts for approximately 40% of all Spanish wines sold on the Irish market, roughly 350,000 cases. Campo Viejo was founded in 1959 by José Ortigüela, as a Rioja quality brand. In 2012, it became the first Spanish winery to be Carbon Neutral certified. It is the number one Rioja wine brand worldwide.

lished the Upper Hunter Valley’s first vineyard and ran a successful winery until the early 1900s under the name Rosemount. Bob Oatley established Rosemount Estate in 1969 after a career in the coffee industry.

Rosemount Estate is best known for its distinctive Diamond Label wines

Brancott Estate – New Zealand (Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard)

Brancott Estate, the pioneering New Zealand wine brand, will launch Brancott Estate Sauvignon Gris in the summer of 2014. It’s the first New Zealand brand to launch a Sauvignon Gris, an exciting and innovative varietal estate pioneered in Marlborough by Brancott.

This new varietal supports their brand positioning as the pioneers of the Marlborough region; Brancott Estate (formerly Montana) were the New Brancott first winery to plant Estate Sauvignin Sauvignon Blanc Gris, an exciting in the Marlborough and innovative region in 1971. varietal, is set to take the wine They changed market by storm. how the world enjoys Sauvignon Blanc and now wish to continue to explore other expressions of this region. Sauvignon Gris has all the aromatic vibrancy of Sauvignon Blanc, though with a softer, rounder mouth feel.

Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc has just been launched to the Irish market, bringing a variety beloved by Irish consumers from a region not usually associated with Sauvignon Blanc. They continue to invest heavily in ATL promotion, with campaigns running in the Daily Mail’s YOU Magazine and via popular online websites such as Evoke.ie and Joe.ie.

Undurraga - Chile (Coman’s Wines)

Viña Undurraga was founded in 1885

by Don Francisco Undurraga. In 2012, for the second year running it was named Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirit magazine. Undurraga owns approximately 1,800 hectares of vineyards spread over Chile’s best wine producing areas. They launched the McKenna range exclusively for the Irish market to celebrate the life of Captain John Juan McKenna (Seán Mac Cionaoith), who, though born in County Monaghan, took an important role in Chilean war of independence in 1810. As well as the McKenna, Undurraga also have a varietal entry level range and some very good premium wines sold under the TH label. The TH winemaking project is led by Undurraga’s Head Winemaker, Rafael Urrejola. The TH Pinot Noir comes from a small selected plot in Leyda Valley, which has proven to be ideally suited to Dijon clone Pinot Noir. The Sauvignon Blanc is limited to 1,380 cases, and is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Leyda Vineyards.

Lindemans - Australia (Findlater Wine & Spirit Group)

Campo Viejo is the number one Rioja brand worldwide.

Rosemount Australia (Richmond Marketing)

An Australian star that consistently holds its own in terms of sales on the Irish market, Rosemount is one of Australia’s best known wineries. In 1864, German immigrant, Carl Brecht estab-

Perceptions of Australian wines have changed considerably over the last decade, with the consumer now accepting that Australia produces very good wines in the medium price range. Lindeman’s Bin Range is a perfect example of this, offering up approachable, affordable wines. James Halliday, in a review of the Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon, rated it 90 points in the Australian Wine Companion 2012, when he said “Exceptional value … has the bouquet, flavour and structure of a far more expensive Cabernet”. Lindeman’s

Viña Undurraga launched the McKenna range exclusively for the Irish market to celebrate the life of Captain John Juan McKenna who played an important role in Chilean war of independence in 1810.

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Branding

Unlocking Your Brand’s Potential

Audi’s promise of refinement and class and its emotively linked product promise of cutting-edge technology and design informs every aspect of its identity.

New research from TNS reveals why we love brands with the highest ‘IQ’, and highlights the eight drivers of brand irresistibility.

GROUND-BREAKING new research from TNS has revealed the drivers of irresistibility, telling us specifically why the world loves brands like L’Oreal, Red Bull and Audi – and why other brands never quite make the cut.

Experts at TNS have analysed over 1,000 household names to identify the collective components of the world’s most irresistible brands. What was once thought to be an intangible quality has now been quantified by TNS and companies can access the tools to make their brands more desirable than ever.

The Irresistibility Quotient To diagnose irresistibility, TNS has developed the Irresistibility Quotient (IQ) based on how well a brand meets the needs of its target consumers.

Using NeedScope, a proprietary research system, TNS has uncovered what lies at the heart of irresistibility, which will be critical to helping brands actively improve their IQ. Eight drivers of irresistibility contribute to a brand’s IQ: Know-how, Momentum, Differentiation, Emotion, Symbolism, Nexus, Alignment and Unity. It is only

when applied as a complete framework that businesses can take their brands a step closer to becoming an irresistible choice.

A perfectly irresistible brand would have an IQ of 100 against a particular

consumer desire. Only 4% of brands evaluated achieve a score of 80 or higher, underlining how few have unlocked the secret of irresistibility.

Unsurprisingly, there is a correlation between those brands with a high IQ and commercial success.

Potential For Irresistibility When Johnnie Walker, the number one Scotch whisky brand in the world, was assessed against its target consumer desires, it was found to have

Red Bull’s bold, adventurous proposition ladders through all layers of the brand. The social identity is young and cool, the product has many active ingredients and promises to vitalise body and mind by giving you wings.

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Branding

Roz Calder, Director, TNS NeedScope International.

greatest potential for irresistibility with consumers who want to feel assertive and confident. A deliberate focus on activating the eight drivers of irresistibility has helped the brand globally score an impressive IQ of 79 with these consumers.

“Competitor brands have long wondered what gives Johnnie Walker a hold on the market,” noted Roz Calder, Director of TNS’s NeedScope

International. “We now know that it is irresistible because the brand has become almost synonymous with what these consumers want; once they decide they want a whisky, there is only one choice they can make. This makes competing with them very difficult – unless you are equipped with your brand’s IQ and can unlock the drivers of its irresistibility.”

For every brand with a high IQ, TNS found hundreds that are insufficiently applying the drivers Johnnie Walker, the number one Scotch whisky brand in the world, of irresistibility scored an impressive IQ of 79 in the TNS irresistibility survey. and therefore their consumers’ primary needs and underperforming. the motivations behind their purchase Almost one in three brands (29%) have decisions. an IQ under 50, failing to recognise

The Eight Drivers of Brand Irresistibility 1. Know-how: Is your brand a credible expert?

Credible know-how is a basic hygiene factor for any would-be irresistible brand, providing the System 2 brain with conscious proof that this particular brand knows what it is doing. Know-how can be earned over time by product performance (Bang & Olufsen), instantly achieved through technological breakthroughs (Dyson) or acquired through expert endorsement (Nike and sport).

2. Momentum: Can you stay ahead of the game?

Irresistible brands evolve in ways that keep consumers interested and engaged. They remain true to the characteristics that made them irresistible while anticipating and leading change. For Coca-Cola, gradual evolution over the course of a century has delivered exactly the cadence required; for Samsung, in a category defined by constant change, a wave of high-quality innovation has been required to deliver real momentum.

3. Differentiation: Do you have the courage to stand for something?

Irresistible brands don’t just need a point of difference; they need a point of difference that really matters to consumers, and the courage to focus on this point of difference, even when it means rejection by some. In Dove’s case, a differentiated and decisive brand positioning around ‘Real Beauty’ has enabled it to claim ownership of product qualities, such as moisturising, in a way that others find difficult to challenge.

4. Emotion: Do you know what your emotive meaning is?

Emotion gives irresistible brands unique meaning in the eyes of their consumers, and an instinctive attraction that goes beyond rational reasons for purchase. Mastery of emotion in relation to particular consumer needs lies behind the magic of irresistible brands. For instance, a pharmaceutical brand may use white laboratories and lab coats to address an emotive need for reassurance and control; financial institutions may use symbols of tradition and power to evoke emotions of stability. Irresistible brands know what their emotive meaning needs to be.

5. Symbolism: Do you have your own emotive language?

Symbolism is the language of emotion and a key set of triggers for decisions by our fast, intuitive brain. Irresistible brands understand the symbolic meaning in everything and apply the secret language of colours, shapes and images to evoke particular emotions. In the fragrance category, perfume brands rarely use words to describe their products, but differentiate themselves through symbols such as the materials of the packaging, shape of the bottle and the colour of the liquid within it.

6. Nexus: Do the different elements of your brand add up?

Brands satisfy three layers of conscious or unconscious consumer need: functional, social and emotional. When the ways in which it addresses these needs flow naturally from one another, the brand has high Nexus. These types of brands are more convincing as the

emotions they stir are strongly reflected in their function and social identity. Red Bull’s bold, adventurous proposition ladders through all layers of the brand. The social identity is young and cool, the product has many active ingredients and promises to vitalise body and mind by giving you wings.

7. Alignment: Is your brand consistent across touch-points?

Aligning look, message and emotion across every different touch-point is one of the greatest challenges for would-be irresistible brands. Once achieved, alignment enhances irresistibility and maximises marketing budgets.

Audi’s promise of refinement and class and emotively linked product promise of cuttingedge technology and design, informs every aspect of its identity: from brand logo to retail showrooms: every touch-point is a temple to design and technology.

8. Unity: Could your brand remain recognisable across products and categories?

Irresistible brands provide owners with a powerful asset that can often be leveraged across several products and categories, stretching their appeal, while retaining an inherent unity of brand architecture. Virgin has proved an irresistible brand in categories broadly related to entertainment, where its maverick emotive positioning has strong resonance; when it stretched into cola, however, this brand unity was challenged.

In contrast, Johnnie Walker has maintained impressive unity of brand architecture across a range of variants that enable it to appeal at many different price points.

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Food Works

A Recipe for Success

The Food Works training and development programme has already yielded some impressive results.

DAIRY free ice-cream, biodegradable chewing gum, premium Irish vodka and sustainable seafood butter are just some of the new and soon-to-be launched innovative food and drink products developed by Irish entrepreneurs participating in Food Works, a training and development programme jointly run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc.

Established in 2012, Food Works was set up to identify and nurture exportorientated entrepreneurs through a series of workshops, one-to-one mentoring and practical business supports. The available supports include consumer market research, business plan development, technical advice and commercial viability testing, in addition to access to fast track access to research and development facilities and possible investors and state funding.

Over the past two years, following a competitive process attracting in excess of 150 applications, a total of 43 start-ups from dairy, snacks, meat, seafood and beverages have participated in the programme. Registration for Food Works 2015 is now open.

2014 Programme The 2014 Food Works programme featured Kombucha Tea, from Laura Murphy. Based in Gweedore, Co. Donegal, Laura is the innovator behind the Synerchi Kombucha brand and she has recently secured investment from Raymond Coyle of Largo Foods. While

Recent and former Food Works ‘graduates’, Simon Lynch (left) and Quincey Fennelly (right), co-founders of Wicklow Wolf craft beers, with Patrick Shelley, founder of Origin Spirits (centre).

final distribution planning is underway, the key outlets will be retail, pharmacies, wholesalers and health shops. The company is projecting a sales turnover of €8m within the next three years, predominantly focusing on the UK and Ireland markets.

This year’s programme also included: Patrick Shelley, founder of Origin Spirits and formerly Commercial Director, LVMH Moët Hennessy Russia, who is launching a new upper premium Irish vodka for international markets; Robert and Louise Doyle from Irepak, the company

behind a new non-fat gluten free greek yogurt with high protein content aimed at active men; Simon Lynch and Quincey Fennelly, cofounders of Wicklow Wolf craft beers; and Liam Ryan and Eamon Murphy from Mr. Gum Innovation, who have developed a biodegradable chewing gum. While the companies and entrepreneurs are at various stages of development, each is working towards exporting their products within the next 12 months.

Success Stories Elivar, the world’s first range of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals tailored specifically for athletes and active sports people over 35 years of age, participated in the inaugural Food Works programme in 2012/13. Another success story from 2012/13 was IASC, a Cork based company who produce a range of Irish shellfish butters using Irish mussels, brown crabmeat and wild Pictured are recent and former Food foraged Dillisk seaweed.

Works ‘graduates’James Grimes, IASC In addition to listings Seafood, and Laura Murphy, Synerchi Kombucha. with 30 Musgrave

outlets nationwide, the products are currently used by more than 300 foodservice outlets and restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

Following a 20-year career as an investment banker in Toronto and New York, Dermot Hanley signed up last year to help develop and launch Nusli - a healthy, natural yogurt using local ingredients, including Killowen Yogurts, Kells Wholemeal, Flahavan’s Oats and Ballycross Apples.

Dermot has launched three new products from an initial concept to retail shelves, including SPAR, SuperValu, Dunnes Stores and Applegreen.

The award winning Orpens Cider is the brainchild of Matthew Tindall and Chris Hill, two former wine industry professionals. Orpens completed the programme in 2013 and following a successful initial trial, February 2014 saw them securing a listing with 65 Tesco stores nationwide, growing their presence in the Irish market. Orpens have recently secured a distributor in the UK and the export market is now the key priority for them.

Food Works 2015 The Food Works team is now recruiting for next year’s programme and over the coming months, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc will run a series of ‘drop in clinics’ nationwide to assist potential participants with their applications. For more information on the clinics or to register your interest in Food Works 2015, visit www.foodworksireland.ie.

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Market News ZANTAC LAUNCHES INTO GROCERY LYNX ATTRACT RETURNS TO TV

OMEGA is launching the popular heartburn indigestion Zantac EARLIERPharma this year, Lynx launched its Lynx Attract - and For acid Him and For Herreliever, range with a multiplatform marketing campaign. The brand into grocery for the first time.

The move coincides with a re-launch of the brand, which continues to cause chaos with its return to TV, as part of a €4.4m marketing campaign.isThe introduction of Lynx Attract - For Him the number one H2 Antagonist in Ireland (Source: IMS Value Sales June 2014) and has and For Her was an historic moment for brand as it brought the ‘Lynx Effect’ to women for the first time in its 27-year history. “Lynx a 30-year heritage providing long-lasting relief from heartburn and acid indigestion. The Attract is continuing to unleash the full power of the ‘Lynx Effect’ to men and women across Ireland with its return to TV,” said re-launch will include a robust ATL campaign, including TV advertising, Video On Demand Selina Sykes, Lynx Marketing Manager. “The TV advert is set to remind people of the chaos that can be caused by the incredibly and a digital presence, along with PR support. Zantac is fast acting and has the power seductive fragrances, which have been designed to make the mating game doubly exciting.” See www.facebook.com/lynxeffectuk to relieve heartburn and indigestion for up to 12 hours, thereby providing all day or all for more information. night relief. Zantac 75 is available in 6s at an RRP €3.99. For more information, email customer.service@omegapharma.co.uk or call 01 8790600.

NEW LOOK TENA LADY RANGE MCVITIE’S CHEDDARS CRISPYFOR BACON BLADDER oneCrispy in fourBacon. women and can occurBacon at anyflavour age, yet it remains source of UNITED Biscuits has announced the launch ofweakness McVitie’s affects Cheddars The new Crispy addition to thea McVitie’s embarrassment for many.

The TENA Lady range has recently been repackaged with a fresh, feminine Cheddars range will be available in the same 150g roll wrap format as other products in the McVitie’s Cheddars range, with the addition of colour palette, to look more appealing to women.

Clear performance cue icons are also now visibly a purple colour at one end to differentiate from the core range. Retailers can stock it alongside existing savoury biscuit lines and the splash and The uniformly featured packs, highlighting features as Triple Protection, InstaDry and LIE of colour will create standout on-shelf. product will be on supported by an initial trial pricesuch mechanic, as well as price-links to existing DOWN Protection.

TENA Lady has a range of pads to keep women feeling fresh, confident and McVitie’s Cheddars lines. secure. The range includes Mini, Normal, Extra Plus, Maxi Night, Protective Discreet Underwear and Protective Discreet Extra. See www.tena.ie for more information.

NEW LOOK CADBURY ECLAIRS NEW ODLUMS BAKE YOUR OWN MIXES

THIS August, Kraft is introducing a new pack format and design for its ever popular Cadbury Eclairs brand. In line with shopper trends, the ODLUMS haswill just introduced its new Bake Own of mixes, perfect for novice iconic brand move from a roll-pack to a Your pocket bagrange format, which will improve visibility and stand-out. The new design highlights the rich bakers and time-pressed baking enthusiasts!

The new beautifully packaged range hascentre’ that consumers love about the product. The and indulgent associations with the brand and incorporates the unique ‘journey to the all the quality fromwill Odlums and €1.20 and will be supported with in-store POS. product whichyou haswould a RRPexpect of 75 cent launch at includes a specialthree offer scrumptious price of 2 for scone mixes and five tasty bread mixes. One of Ireland’s best known bakers, Catherine Leyden worked with Odlums’ expert team to create the new and improved mixes using the finest ingredients, which allow users to enjoy all the joys of baking with minimal effort and delicious results. Delicious flavours include Tomato & Fennel, Irish Farmhouse Brown, CROZIER TEAMS UP WITH TESCObreads, as well as classic Irish Crusty White, BLUE Fruit Soda and Stoneground Wholemeal White Scones, Irish Fruit Scones or Irish Brown mixes.up All with the mixes free from preservatives and artificial flavours.of Crozier Blue, ONE of Ireland’s best known cheese makers Scone has teamed Tescoare Ireland to promote and boost consumption the only blue cheese in this country made from sheep’s milk. The promotion sees Crozier hosting tastings in Tesco Ireland outlets throughout the country, offeringFIRST significant discounts for consumers, in what isKEELINGS a major marketing opportunity for Crozier Blue, IRISH BLACKBERRIES FROM cheesemaker Sarah Furno explained. Her parents, Jane and Louis Grubb, who also created Cashel Blue, first began making the KEELINGS have harvested their first crop of Irish blackberries. Blackberries are naturally low in fat, cheese in their Tipperary dairy 20 years ago next year. “Crozier Blue is one of the best cheeses to be found in Ireland,” said Tesco sugar and calories and are high in vitamin C! Keeling’s head blackberry grower, Donal Counihan Ireland’s cheese buyer, Barra McFeely. “The cheese is performing well in our shops and it is an important part of our range. We are forecasts approximately 30,000 tonnes of Irish blackberries will be harvested on Keelings farm proud to stock such a prestigious Irish cheese.”

Jane Louis Keelings Grubb’s nephew Henryare Clifton Brown is in pictured with Crozier from now until the endand October.

Blackberries now available Dunnes, Tesco andBlue range.

Centra stores nationwide. 125g punnets of Keelings Blackberries are available, 2 for €5 in all good retailers. Blackberries are great source of vitamin A & C, folate, fibre, and potassium.

GREENSAX MINIS VOGUE PERLE CAPSULE GREENSAX, the makers of

PJ CARROLL & Co. Ltd is driving innovation in the cigarette 100% compostable bags, category with the launch of Vogue Perle Capsule.

“Vogue Perle have extended their product Capsule has been developed torange accelerate the growth of the to include GreenSax Vogue range and meet adult smokers’ desire for continued Minis, compostable multiinnovation within the category,”purpose comments Martin Keevers, bags which can Trade Development Manager at P J Carroll.

“Vogue Perle Capsule adds be used for dog waste, a whole new dimension with a Spearmint flavoured capsule, so nappies, compostable kitchen wasteclicked, etc. GreenSax compostable areamade from burst when Vogue Perle Capsule bags delivers refreshing 100% natural materials so they break down completely in comparison to other menthol-flavoured capsule cigarettes.” and quickly in composting, to will return nutrients to Vogue Perlehelping Capsule contain the same Priced at €8.20, the earth7mg andblend support a new generation of Bronze, growth, which unlike it smooth as current Vogue Perle biodegradable bags, which do fully break down and and for are replaces from July onwards.

Tonot purchase products, not compostable, GreenSax thecall foodstuff details of their nearest launchreturn deals,nutrients retailers in can 1800 604 and garden waste back to the earth within two to four weeks.

500.

Available from Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes and SPAR, along with a number of independent retailers, GreenSax bags come in a selection of sizes from the mini compostable and pedal bin (13L) to the outside brown wheelie bin (240L). The RRP is €1.95 for a roll of 20 bags.

NEW IRISH E-CIGARETTE LAUNCHED ROBINSONS FRUIT SHOOT NOT IRISH company Healthier Smoker IMPACTED UKofRECALL Limited have launchedBY a range highBRITVIC quality e-cigarette Ireland has products, confirmed that Robinsons Fruit Shoot under the Wicked e-Juice produced and sold by it in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) is not trademarked brand, that are impacted by a precautionary and voluntary product recall manufactured at their new facility occurring in the United Kingdom. This is because Fruit Shoot in Ireland. Based in Waterford, the sold by Britvic Ireland in the ROI is fitted with a standard cap company’s new facility produces and not the new design cap – ‘Magicap’ - that has given rise a variety of e-cigarettes and to packaging safety issues in the UK. In the unlikely event that e-cigarette liquids.

These products consumers encounter Fruit Shoot packs sourced from other are manufactured in Ireland using markets and bearing the Magicap pictured below, they should only certified ingredients sourced return it to the retailer for a full from European manufacturers.

Therefund. For further information, e-cigarettes on saleCustomer through Contact Centre: 1890 704804.. call Britvicare Ireland’s 100 retail outlets around Ireland and on www.healthiersmoker.ie and cost €19.99 for a single battery pack and bottles of e-juice cost €5 for12ml. The battery lasts 4-6 months and each bottle of juice will last an average smoker one week. Karen Fitzpatrick is pictured at the launch.

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Shelf Life DUBLIN has become the latest city to have a bee colony housed on a commercial building, with the news that there is a new apiary, with over 200,000 honeybees located on the sixth story roof of AIB Bankcentre in Ballsbridge in an initiative led by Drogheda-based Boyne Valley Honey in partnership with AIB. The Boyne Valley Group has been a longstanding customer of AIB for 58 years and the move helps to support Boyne Valley’s work on the sustainability of the Irish bee population.

“The apiary illustrates our commitment to do all that we can to support our corporate banking customers, while enhancing the environment in the local area,” noted Simon Scroope, Head of AIB Corporate Banking, pictured (right) with Philip McCabe, President of the European Commission of Apimondia (left), and Boyne Valley Group President, Malachy McCloskey (centre).

CONSUMERS can keep their kids learning all summer with APC’s new free Living Gut App for iPad and Alimentary Assault 3D for Android. Exploring the depths of our gastrointestinal tracts, kids (of any and all ages) will learn all about the organs of our digestive tracts and the bacteria which can be found living in each area of the gut. And they can have lots of fun destroying the bad guys (pathogens) with their armoury (probiotics, of course)!

Developed by James Finn as part of his MSc in Interactive Media in collaboration with Dr Sabin Tabirca in UCC’s School of Computer Science and Information Technology and APC’s Marc McCarthy, Living Gut and Alimentary Assault-3D are proving to be innovative new learning tools, with more than 700 (mostly international) downloads of Living Gut in advance of launch!

ENGLAND’s early exit from the World Cup was a costly one for retailers, with shopper intelligence firm IRI estimating the departure of Roy Hodgson’s team cost UK supermarkets up to up to £55m (€69.6m) in lost sales over the following two weeks of the tournament.

THE Drinks Industry Group (DIGI) recently launched a major national campaign called ‘Support Your Local’ to highlight the significant social and economic contribution made by the Irish drinks industry.

The campaign is bringing the message about the positive role that the industry plays in Ireland around the country. Log onto www.

SupportYourLocal.ie or follow #supporturlocal

TOPAZ has announced that the customer who makes the one millionth play in their loyalty game Play or Park will win an experience of a lifetime of their choice.

Over 250,000 Topaz customers have already registered for Play or Park and the chance to win fantastic prizes every month. It’s expected the one millionth play will be made during the summer and the lucky winner will be presented with their choice of the 12 amazing prizes on offer.

The initiative is part of a major two month advertising and promotional campaign aimed at encouraging more customers to sign up for the award winning loyalty programme. Pictured at the launch of the campaign in Herbert Park are Topaz Marketing and Corporate Services Director, Paul Candon, twins Ellie and Brooke O’Hanlon, aged 6, Daniel Braide aged 4, Laura Murphy, Loyalty Manager at Topaz, and Topsy, the Play or Park mascot.

A GALWAY-BASED independent supermarket chain continues its expansion plans in 2014 with the addition of a fifth outlet. Joyce’s Supermarket, a family-run supermarket group based in Headford, Galway, has acquired Siopa an Phobail, located in the Gaeltacht area of Inverin, Co. Galway. In receivership since January 2012, Siopa an Phobail has over 40 full and part-time employees, and the Joyce Group now employs over 350 people. Pictured are Pat Joyce, Managing Director, Joyce’s Supermarkets, with Patrick Joyce, Manager of Joyce’s Supermarket group flagship store in Headford. For more details go to www.joycesupermarkets.ie.

CBRE Ireland has appointed two Senior Directors to their retail team in Dublin.

Simon Cooper and Bernadine Hogan have joined the property consultancy firm from Savills and offer combined experience of over 30 years in the Irish retail commercial property sector. Both Simon and Bernadine have unrivalled knowledge of the retail market in Ireland, having worked on a number of the leading Irish shopping centres, including Dundrum Town Centre, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Jervis Shopping Centre, Pavillons Swords and Victoria Square Belfast.

Pictured are (l-r): Simon Cooper, Senior Director, CBRE Ireland Retail; Florence Stanley, Deputy MD, CBRE Ireland, and Bernadine Hogan, Senior Director, CBRE Ireland Retail.

CONGRATULATIONS to Irish-based European event and brand activation firm, Verve, on securing the highest possible global standard in recognition of its sustainability management systems. Verve, who partner with companies such as Diageo, Coca-Cola and Google across Western Europe, attained the ISO 20121 standard, an internationally recognised mark of event sustainability management systems. The accreditation was awarded following several audits and demonstrates Verve’s commitment to ensuring that sustainability is considered at all stages of the rollout of the products it delivers.

THE latest survey of fresh meat in supermarkets has shown that Aldi continues to sell the highest proportion of fresh Irish meat labelled with the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Mark. The latest Bord Bia Retail Audit on the Bord Bia Quality Mark found that 77% of Aldi’s fresh meat range displayed the Quality Mark, giving Aldi the highest ranking of the nine supermarket and convenience store chains surveyed.

Meanwhile, Karl Albrecht, the founder of the Aldi organisation, passed away on July 16, 2014, aged 94. Retail News would like to pass on our sympathies to all at Aldi and the Albrecht family.

It’s your Call‌ You

At the IGBF we assist the families of over 300 of your colleagues every month. These families are more unfortunate than ourselves and without your support such assistance would not be possible...

But we still need your help to continue to make the difference.

To Donate: h p://www.igbf.ie/dona ons/dona ons.html For Assistance: h p://www.igbf.ie/help/our_help.html For Queries: info@igbf.ie

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