Retail News|June 2020|www.retailnews.ie|9
Industry News Tesco Ireland introduces new customer counter technology TESCO Ireland recently announced plans for a technology-based customer number and queue management system to be rolled out across its stores nationwide as it continues to respond to Covid-19. Following a successful trial at its Greystones store (pictured), the company will now introduce the monitor-based 3D imaging system nationwide, which will count customer numbers entering and exiting stores, to ensure an accurate steady flow of people throughout the day. The new screen technology is rolling roll out across the majority of stores, starting with its 60 largest Superstore and Extra outlets, in the coming weeks, with a tailored version for its Express stores in due course. This technology indicates the number of people in store at any one time, highlighting for customers when it is safe to enter, with directional arrows permitting entry, or a stop sign to advise them to wait. “This new technology is a simple, accurate way of reducing queue times and allows our colleagues spend more time helping customers,” noted Geoff Byrne, Chief Operating Officer, Tesco Ireland.
Aldi shoppers raise €20k for Our Hospital Heroes charity
ALDI Ireland has donated €20,000 to Our Hospital Heroes charity from funds raised within a week of its fundraising ‘Irish Nurses Thank You’ bouquets going on sale across all 142 Aldi stores in Ireland. Such was the response from the public to the initiative, marking International Nurses’ Day on May 12, that all bouquets sold out, with 100% of the proceeds presented to the charity. Aldi also announced a combined donation of 100,000 medical grade facemasks to Our Hospital Heroes and Age Action, the national charity working to protect older people in Ireland. Pictured are Vyautaus Antulis and John Kavanagh from Aldi Parnell Street, Dublin, with Mary Moorhead, Our Hospital Heroes.
SuperValu to sell €16.5m of Irish lamb SUPERVALU forecasts sales of €16.5m of Irish lamb in its stores across Ireland this year, as consumer demand for new season fresh Irish lamb surges. All of SuperValu’s lamb is 100% Irish-born and bred and sourced from Bord Bia quality-assured farmers. The rise in demand for lamb comes as increasingly, consumers turn to homecooked meals. One of SuperValu’s lamb suppliers is Willie Fox, a fourth-generation lamb farmer based in Co. Westmeath, and his nephew Hugh (pictured). The Fox family have been supplying SuperValu for 30 years now. “We use traditional techniques, which have been passed on for generations, as well as the latest advanced techniques. This combination of the traditional and the modern mean that we supply SuperValu with the highest quality of meat,” said Hugh.
News Ireland donates €28,000 to Alone NEWS Ireland publications The Sunday Times, The Irish Sun, The Times Ireland (online) and Wireless Ireland radio stations recently donated €28,000 to Alone, helping to fund its vital work with older people facing social, health and isolation problems. The generous donation is part of the News Corp Giving programme that donates £100,000 (€111,980) to UK and Irish charities each year. As in previous years, staff were invited to vote from a list of worthy charities, with a focus this year on organisations that are providing essential services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lidl Ireland partners with West Cork supplier to produce hand sanitiser LIDL Ireland has joined forces with their Cork-based spirits supplier, West Cork Distillers, to produce alcoholbased hand sanitiser in response to the coronavirus pandemic shortage. The 100ml bottles have been available in-store since May 21. “This initiative exemplifies the agility, innovation and strength of our long standing partnership with West Cork Distillers,” said Kevin Haverty, Buying Director, Lidl Ireland, “and we’re extremely proud to rise to the challenge of producing and distributing much needed hand sanitiser for our employees, and now our customers in the communities we serve across the island during these challenging times.”
