Retail News Magazine September 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022

Available Now

Nordic Spirit contains nicotine.

Nicotine is an addictive substance.

LIMITED EDITION WATERMELON FLAVOUR

A TASTE OF

SUMMER NICOTINE POUCHES REGULAR STRENGTH

For more information go to:

WWW.NORDICSPIRIT.IE nordicspirit_ie

nordicspiritie

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|1

Contents

News 2 3 4

A winter of discontent?

AS the days get shorter and the summer fades into the past, thoughts inevitably turn to the seasons ahead. The biggest issue on everyone’s lips this year isn’t the forthcoming festive season, however, but the almost weekly announcements that energy providers are increasing their costs substantially.

Government are very much aware of the problem, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, tells Retail News Editor, John Walshe (Page 14). In a wide-ranging interview, the Minister discusses how the forthcoming Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain will “have teeth” and how we need to build on the success of Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme to safeguard the future of our food industry.

Elsewhere, the great and the good of the grocery industry gathered for the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch in the Aviva Stadium recently (Page 19), where a star-studded sporting panel proved hugely entertaining and inspirational.

In the first of a series of articles on the topic of sustainability, Irish entrepreneur and former CEO of Thornton’s Budgens, Andrew Thornton explains the benefits of using a ‘heart-centred approach’ to addressing the climate crisis (Page 40), we reveal the Irish winners at the Great Taste Awards (Page 54) and what you need to know about paid sick leave legislation (Page 59).

Kathleen Belton Editorial & Marketing Director

5

6

7

Time’s up for supermarket best before labels.

Aldi reveal €63m West of Ireland expansion programme; Lidl remove mandatory retirement age.

Musgrave call for urgent financial supports for SME food retailers; Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Annual General Meeting.

Tesco Ireland to invest €50m in new stores and upgrades this year; Skillnet Ireland announces €1m fund to establish new Skillnet Business Networks; Just Eat for Business launches in Ireland.

51

Grocery inflation hits 14-year high.

Retail Ireland outlines key priorities in Budget submission.

Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, discusses the issue of rising costs, particularly energy costs, and what the new Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain will mean for retailer-supplier relationships.

14

IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch 19

The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Sporting Legends Lunch was back in the Aviva Stadium recently, with a panel of sporting superstars.

19

The right merchandising team can be the difference between success and failure in the FMCG market, and can have a huge impact on your brand’s bottom line.

Great Taste Awards 54

Irish companies took home 511 Great Taste Awards this year, while Northern Ireland scooped a total of 159 Awards.

54

Employment Law 59

Niamh Crotty and Linda Hynes of Lewis Silkin Ireland report on the introduction of paid sick leave and its implications for employers in the retail sector.

On the Vine 62

Chilean wine brand Santa Rita is a global success story with an Irish twist.

Jean Smullen talks to Terry Pennington, Export Commercial Director, EMEA, Santa Rita Wine Estates.

62

Regulars & Reports

Ireland’s Longest Established Grocery Magazine

facebook.com/RetailNews1

@RetailNews1

Editorial & Marketing Director: Kathleen Belton

Merchandising / Shopper Marketing

Retail News Interview 14

The biggest issue facing businesses today is the climate crisis, but too many businesses are ‘greenwashing’, taking things they feel people want to hear and making claims that don’t really mean anything in practice, writes Irish entrepreneur and retail expert, Andrew Thornton.

40

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update 12

40

Glanbia Ireland reveal new identity.

Retail News Managing Director: Patrick Aylward

Sustainability

kathleenbelton@retailnews.ie

Editor: John Walshe

johnwalshe@tarapublications.ie

Published by: Tara Publishing Ltd,

Sales: Brian Clark

brian@retailnews.ie

14 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

Sales: Aaron Stewart

aaron.stewart@retailnews.ie

Tel: 00353 1 6785165 Fax: 00353 1 6477127

Chief News Reporter:

Pavel Barter

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

Production: Ciara Conway

ciara@tarapublications.ie

Subscription to Retail News: e95 plus VAT

Wine Correspondent:

Jean Smullen

Email: ciara@tarapublications.ie

Graphics: Niall Mc Hugh

Printed by: W&G Baird

Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibited.

8 22 25 29 43 64 66 67 68

Industry News Breakfast: Cereals Breakfast: Out-of-Home Confectionery Vaping Drinks News Forecourt Focus: News What’s New Shelf Life

2|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

News

Time’s up for supermarket

IRISH supermarkets are removing best before dates from fresh food products in an effort to reduce food waste. A spokesperson for SuperValu told Retail News the supermarket chain have extended the shelf life of 20% of their fruit and vegetable products and removed dates from certain own brand fruit and vegetable products.

“In addition, a further 20% of our fruit and vegetable products are sold as loose and do not have dates applied, allowing consumers to make an informed choice,” said the spokesperson. “At SuperValu, we are committed to reducing food waste while preserving the safety and premium-quality standard we are renowned for. Waste reduction is an important element of our sustainability agenda.”

In recent weeks, a number of supermarkets in the UK have scrapped best before dates. Waitrose removed this labelling from nearly 500 of their fresh-food products. Marks and Spencer axed best before dates from over 300 products; Asda have done the same for 250 products. Aldi, this month, pledged to remove labels from 60 of their fruit and vegetable items.

Irish retailers insisted they were ahead of the curve. Tesco Ireland removed best before dates on fresh food products such as bananas, apples, melons, garlic, loose courgette, lemons and peppers, as “far back as 2018”. Lidl have done the same for “a number of years,” according to Aoife Noonan, Head of Quality Assurance, Lidl Ireland.

“All our unprocessed fruit and vegetable range in Lidl stores do not display best before dates, apart from a small selection of items which are required to by law as they have been washed and prepared by the supplier,” she told Retail News.

Under EU legislation, a best before date is not required to be labelled on “fresh fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, which have not been peeled, cut or similarly treated”. However, it is “illegal for food to be sold past its use-by date because that date is a safety deadline”, Jane Ryder of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) told us.

“It is not illegal to sell past its best before date because that date is a guideline of when the food quality - for example the flavour, smell or texture - deteriorates.”

Dr Linda Gordon, chief specialist in food science at safefood, which promotes food safety in Ireland, said that removing best before dates from products will not cause a food safety risk. However, confusion amongst consumers about the difference between “best before” and “use-by” labelling “is an issue that comes up time and time again. People do not understand the difference between the two. Some people suggest we should remove best before dates altogether, because of this confusion. We are in favour of consumers being given appropriate information in order for them to make the proper choices when shopping.”

Aoife Noonan at Lidl Ireland called for “increased consumer education” to allow shoppers to understand the difference between “best before” and “use-by”: “The best before date is about the quality of the food, while the use-by date is about the food safety.”

Supermarkets in Ireland said they are removing best before labels to reduce their environmental impact. According to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency, published earlier in 2022, Irish households generate around 250,000 tonnes in food waste per annum, which equated to €700 per household. According to the report, 55% of people throw out food due to expired best before dates.

Irish supermarkets are now exploring

According to a recent EPA report, Irish households generate around 250,000 tonnes in food waste per annum, which equated to €700 per household.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|3

News

best before labels other avenues of food waste reduction.

Lidl stores, for example, have a Waste Not area where chilled products, at best before dates, are available to purchase at a reduced price.

Tesco Ireland told Retail News it achieved “zero waste to landfill since 2009” by working with waste providers, segregating waste in their stores, distribution centres and head office, “to ensure we can reuse, recycle recover and finally dispose of our waste in the right ways”. In 2020, the supermarket teamed up with Green Generation, an Irish company that converts food and food production waste into renewable biogas, electricity and high quality organic fertiliser. Lidl Ireland also use Anaerobic Digestion to convert their food waste into energy.

This process means fewer “trucks on the road collecting bins from stores, and an annual reduction of 250 tonnes of CO2,” said a Tesco Ireland spokesperson, adding that the partnership allowed Tesco to “purchase renewable gas made from our own surplus

food to power stores”.

Researchers are now exploring the feasibility of standardised environmental labelling on food products. A new study, by the University of Oxford, analysed over 57,000 food and drink products in the UK and Ireland. The research categorised food types according to the environmental impact of their production: low (sugary beverages, fruits, breads), intermediate (desserts, pastries), to high (meat, fish, cheese). However, assessing the carbon nuances for every single product, when ingredients are sourced from different manufacturers and nations, may be unfeasible.

The effort to remove best before labels is taking place against a backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis. According to a report last month from Kantar, grocery inflation in Ireland has hit its highest level in 14 years with the average household’s shopping basket potentially rising by €662 per annum. Aoife Noonan told Retail News that Lidl Ireland is “working with suppliers to

reduce the impact of rising inflation and increased cost of production”.

The supermarket’s “long-term investment in solar energy has helped offset some of the costs associated with increasing energy prices”, as have “reductions in packaging and increasing automation and digitalisation of processes”.

Both Lidl Ireland and Tesco Ireland are partners with FoodCloud, an Irish social enterprise that redistributes surplus food to charity.

How will supermarkets maintain the freshness of produce, in-store, without best before labels? Lidl Ireland said they have ‘Green Leaders’ who conduct freshness checks before products are transported from warehouses to stores. SuperValu’s spokesperson told us their stores will retain best before dates on some perishable fruit and vegetable products, such as fresh berries but “will continue to actively review this issue over the coming months and make further changes as appropriate.”

Glanbia Ireland reveal new identity GLANBIA Co-operative Society Limited and Glanbia Ireland, a world-class food and nutrition business, are changing their name to Tirlán, a new identity crafted to reflect the unique characteristics that define this dynamic organisation.

Combining the Irish words ‘Tír’ for land and ‘Lán’ for full, Tirlán stands for ‘Land of Abundance’ and represents the deep connection and relationship between the Co-op, its people and the land they nurture together to farm and sustain.

Tirlán was unveiled simultaneously to employees and farmer shareholders during a webinar hosted in the Co-op’s new collaboration centre at Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny City.

It is just the latest step on an exciting new journey for the Co-op. In December 2021, farmer shareholders voted in favour of purchasing the remaining 40% stake in Glanbia Ireland from Glanbia plc to become the outright owners of the Irish dairy and grain business. Co-op shareholders will be asked to vote to approve the name change for the Co-op in the coming weeks.

Glanbia plc will retain and continue to operate under the Glanbia name as an entirely separate entity. Tirlán will remain

year history. Entering this new phase of the largest shareholder in Glanbia plc, with a our co-op’s journey, Tirlán has ambitions 31.9% shareholding. for an ever-increasing role in the wider Tirlán’s portfolio includes many of economy, the international food and Ireland’s best known and most loved Irish nutrition sectors, and especially in rural dairy brands, such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden, communities across the country. We Premier, Wexford and international brands are so proud of our history and heritage such as Gain Animal Nutrition, Truly Grass and determined that the sense of pride Fed, Millac and Solmiko nutritional milk and identity is always at the heart of our proteins. business. That is what Tirlán represents.”

As a co-operative, Tirlán is 100% farmer-owned, with 11 high-tech processing facilities, 52 agribranches and over 2,100 employees. Sales revenue this year is forecast to exceed €3 billion.

“It is with a sense of history and optimism that we unveil Tirlán as an ambitious, innovative, and modern co-op that combines the best of our heritage, all our people, and Pictured at Tirlán’s unveiling is brand ambassador, our expertise,” said Irish rugby international Tadhg Furlong with (l-r): John CEO Jim Bergin. “Our Murphy, Chairman, Tirlán; Jim Bergin, CEO, Tirlán; and organisation has evolved over our 100Nicola O’Connell, Head of Commercial, Tirlán.

4|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

News

Aldi reveal €63m West of Ireland expansion programme ALDI Ireland have announced a dedicated West of Ireland expansion programme which will see the company invest over €63m and create 140 new full-time jobs and 350 construction jobs across Connacht over the next two years.

This €63m investment, which underlines Aldi’s commitment to the region, will see new Aldi stores in Ballina, Tuam, Mountbellew, Athenry, Ballyhaunis, and Monivea Road in Galway, along with store upgrades in Portumna, Clifden, Galway Retail Park and Ballinasloe, some of which are already complete.

The expansion programme will see the creation of 490 new jobs, including 140 full-time roles in Aldi and 350 indirect construction jobs.

“This €63m investment by Aldi in the West and the 140 new permanent jobs it will create over the next two years is really great news,” said Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD. “A further 350 jobs will be created through the construction of new shops and the upgrade of some existing ones. The Government is committed to creating a job for everyone that wants one, in the county of their choice, so I’m glad to see a good spread of investment, with further investment potentially on the horizon. Aldi offer a living wage to their workers, which is an important priority of mine too. I know this news will be welcomed by suppliers as well as the local communities and I wish everyone involved the very best of luck with it.”

Making the announcement, Niall O’Connor, Aldi Group Managing Director, said: “We are investing in our network of stores and the communities we operate in across the West, creating jobs and doublingdown on our commitment to providing access to the best value groceries in Ireland right across the region. Within two years, today’s announcement will bring an additional six stores and 140 new permanent roles in the area.”

Pictured are John Sweeney, Aldi Property Manager, with Alan Dillon, Fine Gael TD, at Aldi’s newly opened store in Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Lidl remove mandatory retirement age LIDL Ireland are set to become the first company in Ireland to announce the removal of the mandatory retirement age clause for current and prospective employees. Continuing to be a diverse and inclusive employer, Lidl Ireland are giving all employees the option to continue their service beyond the current retirement age of 65.

Lidl currently offer a top of the range pension programme to all employees, and those who choose to continue their service can opt to extend their pension plan on an individual basis. The decision will also allow the retailer to attract more mature and life-experienced talent, as well as offering more flexibility to current employees.

Not only will Lidl become the first company to announce the official removal of the retirement age, Lidl are also committed to supporting employees through workshops across the island of Ireland, working with the Retirement Council of Ireland and LaterLife. The courses and workshops provided offer Lidl employees a holistic approach to retirement planning, encouraging employees to think seriously about all aspects of their retirement.

“As one of the largest workforces in the country, we are aware of the broad scope of employees and age groups that work at Lidl, and we want to support those who would like to choose to continue working with us and are not limited by the mandatory retirement age,” explained Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Bernadette Gilligan, Lidl Customer Assistant and Till Responsible People (TRP), Lidl Ennis, has been working with Lidl for almost 20 years, and welcomed the news: “I’m 65 in April next year and am so pleased that Lidl have made this announcement on retirement.

Not everyone wants to retire at 65, and if you’re in good health, continuing to work keeps your mind ticking and working. I think it’s important that we have the choice to continue to work and it’s brilliant that we’re getting that option.”

Pictured is Bernadette Gilligan, Lidl Customer Assistant and Till Responsible People (TRP), Lidl Ennis.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|5

News Musgrave call for urgent financial supports for SME food retailers MUSGRAVE are calling on the Government to introduce a temporary financial support package for SME food retailers currently experiencing devastating energy price increases. The package should include the introduction of an energy rate cap, the suspension of commercial rates, capital allowance superdeduction, VAT warehousing and the inclusion of food retailers in existing and future support schemes. Such a package, according to Musgrave, is urgently needed to protect livelihoods and jobs in local communities and ensure food retailers and wholesalers, which provide Irish families with access to food and keep the food supply chain open and clean, can continue to operate.

The average energy bill for a SuperValu and Centra is expected to treble, and in some cases quadruple from September since last year. Based on current outlook, the average Centra store will see energy bills rise from circa €50,000 in 2021 to up to as much as €200,000 in September 2022.

“The current inflationary environment, coupled with soaring energy costs, has put our retail partners under pressure like never before,” explained Ian Allen, MD of SuperValu and Centra.

“Energy is the second highest bill, after labour, a store owner must meet and with sales volumes back on last year, the new crisis of rapidly surging energy costs is compounding the cost of doing business in a high volume and low margin sector. The average energy bill for a SuperValu and Centra will treble, and in some cases quadruple since last year. This is unsustainable.

Without swift intervention, there will be structural changes to these family-owned local businesses and implications for their ability to sustain employment, continue to support sporting organisations, charities, and services in local communities and service debt.”

The MD emphasised that food retail is particularly energy intensive, given the perishable nature of the products for sale and the need to run heating, air conditioning, cold storage, fridges, and freezers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We are asking Government to support the food retail industry, which employs thousands of people in communities across the country and ensures people have access to food locally,” he said.

Musgrave are calling for the following temporary financial support package: 1. The introduction of an energy price cap; 2. Rebate for food retailers when energy costs as a percentage of turnover increase over predefined thresholds; 3. Temporary suspension of commercial rates; 4. VAT warehousing; 5. Capital Allowance Super-Deduction, which would encourage retailers to continue to invest in their businesses through building development and the purchase of energy reducing technology; 6. Include food retailers in existing, and future, support schemes, including: (a) the Government’s electricity credit for households and any similar future schemes; (b) the Government’s €55m ‘Green Transition’ fund to help businesses move away from fossil fuels. Food retailers are currently not eligible under the scheme.

“At Musgrave, we are acutely aware of the impact inflation is having on our shoppers and we are working hard to ensure we continue to deliver the best value and quality products,” Ian Allen concluded. “We have significantly increased our own brand alternatives this year. SuperValu currently has over 2,000 own brand products and we offer 2,000 promotions and offers across all product categories. We also work closely with our suppliers on an on-going basis to deliver options to help minimise the impact of inflation. We are doing everything we can for shoppers during these inflationary times, but independent food retailers also need support so they can continue to provide services, employment and support in their local communities.”

Ian Allen, MD of SuperValu and Centra

Notice to IGBF Members: Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Annual General Meeting THE Annual General Meeting of the IGBF will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2022. As you know, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last two AGMs were conducted virtually. For this year’s AGM, further details regarding location and time will be confirmed to members nearer the time.

6|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

News

Tesco Ireland to invest €50m in new stores and upgrades this year

Natasha Adams, Tesco Ireland CEO.

TESCO Ireland are set to spend circa €50m this year in store upgrades, maintenance, and new openings. There is also a separate rebrand and redesign programme getting underway with Tesco’s recently acquired portfolio of nine stores across Galway city and county owned by the Joyce family, which was completed in June.

In Dublin, two new Tesco Express stores recently opened in Spencer Dock and South Lotts Road, with two further Tesco Express stores opening in Smithfield and Charlemont Square before the end of the year. Tesco also opened their brand new 11,000 square feet large store at White Pines in Rathfarnham in February, while a similar size store will also open its doors at Adamstown in West Dublin later this year. In addition, a major

refurbishment and extension of Tesco’s Artane Castle store, a pillar of the community for 39 years, has been completed and a refit programme of older stores is also continuing across the country.

Tesco Ireland CEO, Natasha Adams, says the strong pipeline of store openings and refurbishments planned over the immediate and medium term, spells good news for consumers: “For 25 years, Tesco have been committed to delivering real value to customers and our ambitious development strategy sets us up for the next chapter of investment in our business in Ireland. We are continuously expanding and maintaining our estates and we are adding new employment with every store opening.”

Skillnet Ireland announces €1m fund to establish new Skillnet Business Networks SKILLNET Ireland are calling for applications to set up new Skillnet Business Networks aimed at meeting key business challenges through talent development and developing a highly skilled workforce.

With funding of up to €1m available, Skillnet Ireland are seeking applications from interested industry bodies or business groups which will complement the work already being carried out across their 72 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide. Industry bodies such as Chambers Ireland, Ibec, ISME, Irish Centre for Business Excellence and the Irish Farmers Association are currently engaged with Skillnet Ireland and see the benefits this brings.

Pictured are (l-r): Aoife O’Sullivan, Development Advisor; Shane Beirne, Engineering Skillnet; and Tracey Donnery, Director of Communications & Policy, Skillnet Ireland.

“Skillnet Ireland is seeing a growing appetite from businesses in tackling strategic skills challenges such as digitalisation, leadership development and sustainability Launching the campaign,” noted Tracey Donnery, Director of Policy and Communications, Skillnet Ireland.

“This is a great opportunity for new sectors and industry bodies to partner with us and develop the talent and skills companies need to meet changing business needs. Skillnet Ireland’s enterprise-led model offers businesses a great opportunity to collaborate and design innovative upskilling initiatives.”

Full information is available at www.skillnetireland.ie/about/setting-upa-network/.

Just Eat for Business launches in Ireland JUST Eat, part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, and Ireland’s leading online food delivery marketplace, have announced the launch of an employee benefit service for businesses across Ireland through their corporate arm, Just Eat for Business.

Just Eat Pay serves as a digital food platform that allows small, medium and large businesses to provide employees with a daily or monthly allowance to order a meal from a wide variety of food options via Just Eats’ 3,525 Irish restaurant and convenience partners. There are no fixed costs for Just Eat Pay and companies can manage their account online through a customised dashboard.

As part of the Just Eat Pay launch, the company has also announced availability of the Just Eat Pay Card. The new debit card will not only work through the Just Eat website and app, but also at selected Mastercard and Maestro merchants in Ireland, meaning users can access hundreds of additional food & beverage outlets inperson. Irish retail and grocery outlets who are available on Just Eat

Takeaway’s platform across Ireland include Daybreak, Centra, Londis, Spar and Mace.

“With a complete overhaul of how we work post pandemic, Just Eat Pay will allow corporations to offer its employees next level food benefits, no matter where they choose to work,” noted Amanda RocheKelly, Managing Director of Just Eat Takeaway Ireland. “The best part about this offering is, it doesn’t matter if employees are working remotely, on-the-go, travelling abroad or working in the office, they have lots of food choices. Just Eat Pay is also not restricted to the Just Eat Amanda Roche-Kelly, Managing website, meaning employees can make choices that fit with Director of Just Eat Takeaway their lifestyle and preferences.” Ireland.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|7

News

Grocery inflation hits 14-year high GROCERY inflation in Ireland remains a key challenge, having hit 9.5%, the highest level seen since July 2008, according to the latest figures from Kantar.

Irish consumers’ spending on take-home groceries fell slightly by 0.7% over the 12 weeks to August 7, 2022. However, for the first time since February 2021, the last four weeks of the period saw value sales grow 1.6%, with shoppers spending an additional €14.5m. They are returning to stores more often, with the number of shopping trips rising 2.3% to an average of 19 trips per consumer over the last four weeks, but they are buying less per trip, as volume sales have fallen 9.2%.

“Food and drink prices are continuing to climb, with consumers paying 8.1% more per item during the month of August than they were last year,” noted Emer Healy, Senior Retail Analyst with Kantar. “The impact of this on shopping budgets is now unavoidable for many Irish consumers.”

Everyday essentials such as butter, milk, flour, eggs and bread are seeing some of the biggest price rises, according to Emer: “This rise means that the average annual shop could rise by a staggering €662 if consumers buy the same products as they did last year. It is no surprise that we are seeing Irish shoppers making lifestyle changes to deal with the extra pressures on their household budgets.”

Branded items are continuing to feel the impact of shoppers looking for ways to mitigate rising prices. In the latest 12-week data, Irish consumers spent €42.6m less on branded goods, a decline of 3.1%. Many shoppers are turning to retailer own label offerings, with sales up by 3.5% (€44.5m), with value ranges within own label seeing the biggest increase, up 14.7%. Own label now accounts for 46.7% of the total Irish grocery market spend, up 2.7% from 2020.

With inflation at an all-time high and Ireland facing a potential recession later this year, differences between the current situation and the last economic downturn in 2008 are becoming clear. For instance, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to hunt out deals in-store: the percentage of groceries being sold on promotion in the last 12 weeks stands at 24.6%, compared to 34.2% in 2010.

Online shopping has been a standout performer during the pandemic, and this has not changed. In the last 12 weeks, online

spend on take-home groceries soared by 8.9% as shoppers spent an additional €11.9m, with own label ranges growing ahead of the market at 21%. “Online shopping makes it easier for shoppers to track their spending, while avoiding their own petrol costs,” Emer revealed. “It is no surprise that online has welcomed a 13.2% increase in new shoppers, with 16.7% of the Irish population now purchasing their groceries online. When shoppers are online, they continue to put more items in their basket than they do in-store, with year-on-year volume growth up 3.6% in the last 12 weeks; though they are shopping less frequently, with online ‘trips’ down 12%.”

Competition among the major retailers remains intense: both Dunnes and Tesco hold a 21.9% share of total spend within the Irish grocery market. Dunnes have the strongest growth amongst all retailers, with sales value up 4.5% and a 4.7% rise in new shoppers. Tesco have welcomed new shoppers to their store offerings, which has contributed an additional €4.3m to their overall performance. Alongside this, existing shoppers are visiting more frequently, with trips up 3%.

SuperValu hold a 21.5% share of the market, and are the retailer that shoppers visit most frequently, with shoppers making an average of 21 trips per year. Lidl hold a 13.4% share, boosting their penetration by 3.8% and contributing an additional €13.6m to their overall performance. Aldi maintain a 12.7% share and have welcomed new shoppers, adding €4.2m to their overall performance, while existing shoppers are returning to the store more often, with trips up 3.6%.

8|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Pilgrim’s Food Masters open Ireland office MINISTER for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD officially opened the new Pilgrim’s Food Masters office in Sandyford, Co. Dublin, recently.

Pilgrim’s Food Masters Ireland were established in September 2021, following the acquisition of Kerry Group plc’s consumer foods, meats and meals business and they now employ over 1,500 staff in the Republic of Ireland. The Sandyford office will serve as the HQ for the Pilgrim’s Food Masters team, whose stable includes some of Ireland’s most loved brands, including Denny, Galtee, Shaw’s and Ballyfree.

Pilgrim’s also manufacture many private label products for Ireland’s leading supermarkets, including sliced cooked meats and breakfast meats from their facilities in Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow, and frozen ready meals for UK and Irish retailers from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.

Pictured are (l-r): Richard Irvine, Managing Director, Pilgrim’s Food Masters; Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe TD; Oswaldo Quiros, Commercial Director; and Julie-Ann Twomey, Marketing and Innovation Controller.

Mars Ireland partner with SOS Children’s Villages

MARS Ireland have announced a new three-year partnership with SOS Children’s Villages for the Chew for Change initiative, through the Mars’ Extra chewing gum line. The two organisations are working together to continue Extra’s decade-long Chew for Change campaign, which provides oral health care to children in Botswana, with funding also going towards the delivery of support programmes to vulnerable families in Chipata, Zambia. Mars Ireland will make a minimum donation of €40,000 per year to SOS Children’s Villages, based on Extra units sold in the Republic of Ireland, building on the success of the campaign in the Nordic countries to date.

BWG Foods wins award from Simon Community SIMON Community recently awarded BWG Foods’ Wholesale Division with their inaugural Lasting Impact Award in recognition of BWG’s contribution to Simon Community’s ‘House of Cards’ Christmas campaign over the years. BWG Foods Wholesale have contributed to the annual Christmas appeal for 12 years and are also one of the main cogs in supporting their ‘Food For Simon’ appeal.

The artwork was presented to Simon Marriott, Chief Operations Officer, BWG Foods, by Simon Community CEO, Sam McGuinness, who commented: “BWG Foods have been long-time supporters of the Simon Community and the generosity of their contributions have a tangible and positive impact on the Simon Community’s support for the most vulnerable people in our society. It is through contributions like those of BWG Foods that we are able to affect our mission and empower people to access and retain a home by providing housing, prevention, addiction treatment, emergency response and other targeted interventions, through advocacy and partnership. On their behalf, this ‘Lasting Impact Award’ acknowledges the great impact BWG Foods has had and continues to have.”

Galway store celebrates 15.5m Lotto win

Lidl Ireland appoint Kathryn Thomas as brand ambassador LIDL Ireland have announced well-known TV and radio broadcaster, Kathryn Thomas as their new Lupilu brand ambassador for the retailer’s award-winning baby and toddler range. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lidl and Lupilu,” Kathryn said. “As a second time mum, I’m trying to utilise the experience from the first time around and I hope to be able to pass on some of those learnings.

Raising two young children has its challenges but the Lupilu range has been a huge help and I look forward to sharing my tips with other Lidl customers.”

NEWSPOINT newsagent in Galway was revealed as the selling location for the August 3 Lotto jackpot winning ticket worth €5,541,001. “I’m absolutely over the moon and delighted. We’re a small newsagent open about a year and we employ eight people. This is our first ever big win! Our shop motto is, ‘local newsagent for local people’, so we’re hoping that it’s a local person or syndicate that’s won the big prize,” noted store owner Billy Shearer, pictured with Ciara Kilmartin, Liam Shearer and Leah Purcell.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|9

Industry News Flogas launch offer for unused electricity FLOGAS’ new SolarGen promotion is now paying the highest rate on the market, at 20c per kWh, for unused electricity generated by homeowners, businesses and farms using solar panels. The 20c per kWh rate is guaranteed until March 2023. Under the Government’s Microgeneration Support Scheme, eligible homeowners using renewable energy like solar panels can sell surplus solar electricity back to their supplier. The same applies to farmers, business owners and non-profits with small amounts (up to 5.9kW) of solar panels on their rooftops. “Our 20c rate for unused electricity is a real incentive for homes and small businesses looking to offset energy bills or those who are seriously considering the move towards solar energy. As an energy supplier, it is critical that we help our customers to make changes to their use of energy to help reduce their bills and support a greener, more sustainable future,” noted John Rooney, Managing Director, pictured with Caitlin Curley, Marketing Executive, Flogas Ireland, and performer Hannah Wright.

Seamus Coleman launches Spar’s Better Choices campaign SEAMUS Coleman, Republic of Ireland captain and father of three, was on hand recently to launch Spar’s Better Choices campaign, which aims to highlight the better choices available in Spar stores nationwide.

As parents and children across the country prepared for the return to school, Spar are making lunch box options more exciting and appetising for children and parents alike through recipes and an extensive range of fresh and healthy produce. Spar and Seamus have produced a ‘Seamus Says’ video series which sees the Ireland and Everton captain provide top tips for keeping children active after school and at the weekends. Spar are also giving families the chance to win a kitchen kit of essential kitchen utensils and a €50 Spar voucher to stock up on healthy choices ingredients. To be in with a chance of winning and to also access all of Seamus’ top tips, simply visit Spar’s social media accounts.

Aldi plant over 12,000 trees in Mayo TO celebrate the opening of the new Aldi Ballina store, which opened on September 1, staff teamed up with Green Belt and local landowners John and Stella Drummond to plant over 12,000 trees in Coollagagh, Co. Mayo. Aldi are the first retailer in Ireland to commit to planting one million native Irish woodland trees by 2025 in partnership with Green Belt. The native trees will create a wildlife corridor for native species and enhance biodiversity, while also removing more than 160,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over their 100-year life span.

Pictured at the site of the tree planting in Coollagagh are Charlene Kilgallon, Aldi Ballina Store Manager, and Ronan Gallagher, Green Belt Forester.

Blanco Niño unveil recyclable packaging

Galway store sells €1m winning ticket COSTCUTTER in Bealadangan, Co. Galway, sold the winning ticket for the EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle draw worth €1,005,000 on August 19. This was the second time in a year that the store had a big win, having made another local millionaire in November 2021. Store owner Noel Daniels was over the moon: “I’m shocked and delighted that we’d had such a big second win in such a short period of time,” he said. “I took over the business 12 months ago, so I must be bringing some element of luck myself!” Pictured celebrating the win are Conor Donohue, National Lottery (centre), with staff Rebecca Nic Dhonnacha, Annabel Ní Chonghaile, Evan Ó Gríofa, Anna Canavan and Barbara Seoige.

BLANCO Niño, the premium corn tortilla and tortilla chip producer based in Tipperary, are rolling out fully recyclable packaging for their award-winning range of corn tortilla chips. Blanco Niño’s new packaging is made from a plastic resin called polypropylene 5 which is widely recycled. The innovative new design keeps the product fresher for longer. “It’s a momentous step for Blanco Niño in reducing our impact on the environment,” noted Philip Martin (pictured), founder and CEO of Blanco Niño. “We saw an opportunity to develop fully recyclable packaging and I’m extremely proud to say that we’re one of the first in our category to do so.”

10|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Industry News Fyffes begin search for Ireland’s fittest school FOR the second year in succession, Irish Olympians, Cork sprinter Phil Healy and fellow athlete, Dubliner David Gillick, have teamed up with banana importer Fyffes in a quest to find the fittest school in the country. Registration for the competition, which runs until March 31, can now be made online at www.fyffesfitsquad.ie, with the overall winner to be announced in April. Together, Healy and Gillick have recorded a series of workouts which they say are ‘fit for even the least active’ – exercise routines they hope schools will adopt as part of their PE curriculum. Coupled with monthly and spot prize rewards, one successful school will have the distinction of being chosen as ‘Ireland’s Fittest School 2023’, the prize for which will be a visit from the Fit Squad ambassadors Healy and Gillick and €5,000 worth of sports equipment.

Avonmore switch to new Tetra Top cartons for fresh cream

AVONMORE have switched to Tetra Top cartons for their fresh cream range, saving up to 40 tonnes of plastic every year, or the equivalent weight of two fully loaded tour buses. Avonmore Fresh Cream, Double Cream and Light Cream will now be available in Tetra Top packaging, which contains 62% less plastic than the previous bottles and uses paperboard from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources where new forest growth replaces harvested trees. “The Avonmore Cream inside our new Tetra Top packaging is the freshest and highest quality cream.

Nothing has changed taste-wise,” explained Miriam Walker (pictured), Director of Domestic Consumer at Avonmore. “As part of Avonmore’s sustainability strategy, our aim is that 100% of our product packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. We are recommending that consumers also play their part in this sustainability journey and that they wash, squash and recycle Avonmore Cream Tetra Top cartons.”

Insomnia and Dairyglen launch new ice cream partnership INSOMNIA Coffee Co. and Dairyglen Products have joined forces to launch their new 2022 menu, featuring milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, affogatos and their famous Icecap range. The new partnership will feature in Insomnia stores all over Ireland, as well as several stores in the UK. “We’re really pleased to welcome Insomnia to the family, such a loved and widely respected Irish brand,” noted Dairyglen’s Brand Manager, Alexandra Smith.

“The remote technology system we’ve developed here in Dairyglen has been a huge part of our growth plans, allowing us to support major retailers like Insomnia properly by connecting to our machines via Bluetooth.” The new product selection includes a wide variety of locally sourced, Irish milkshake and ice cream flavours designed to excite Irish tastebuds, including their bestselling Rock Shandy milkshake and some of the classics, Nutella and Kinder Bueno.

Defiant schoolkids opt for pure genius water PHILLY McMahon, Dublin GAA All-Star and sporting dad, is backing the launch of the country’s brand new bottled water brand, Defiant, alongside sisters Mia and Gabriella Nelson O’Neill. An ideal addition to school bags, Defiant is pure and simple 100% H20, purified seven times. A new Defiant Supervits variety has all-natural fruit flavourings, and comes in mandarin, lemon & lime, and strawberry & lime varieties. Each is loaded with vitamin B12 to help reduce fatigue, and vitamin C, which boosts immunity. The all-natural filtered water drink has zero sugars and low calories, just 3kcals per 500ml serving. Defiant is available in Spar, Mace, Gala and Tesco, packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable plastic bottles.

Hollywood star launches Bewley’s big Coffee Morning BRENDAN Gleeson urged coffee lovers to get brewing in a bid to raise €1.5m for “life affirming” Hospice services across Ireland. The Hollywood star kick-started Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice, which has raised over €41.5m since its inception and this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. He joined Hospice hosts and volunteers at the iconic Bewley’s café on Grafton Street to ask the nation to organise a coffee morning social on Thursday, September 22. Brendan is pictured with Fintan Fagan, CEO at St Francis Hospice; Audrey Houlihan, Chairperson of Together for Hospice and CEO at Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services; and Cól Campbell, Bewley’s.

Real Dairy Ice Cream & Cadbury Flake Pieces with Chocolate or Strawberry Sauce

12|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Retail Ireland: Monthly Update

RETAIL IRELAND OUTLINES KEY PRIORITIES IN BUDGET SUBMISSION RETAIL is central to the economic and social fabric of the country and the success of the sector is central to the success of the wider economy.

Budget 2023, however, takes place against the backdrop of major economic challenges. Having been through the disruption of Brexit and Covid, acute inflationary pressures now risk undermining a sustainable recovery.

Retailers are particularly concerned that cost pressures across the economy will be compounded by the cumulative cost of ongoing and planned labour market reforms. These measures, taken together, will heap enormous pressure on businesses already navigating an incredibly difficult economic environment.

The roll-out of pension autoenrolment, the introduction of a statutory Living Wage, statutory sick pay, and other leave proposals already announced will add 9% to average labour costs in Ireland over the coming decade.

However, for labour intensive retail businesses, particularly SMEs, the cost of implementing increases in pensions coverage and wage floors will be much, much higher, and much more challenging to manage.

Although many of the labour market reforms have merit on their own terms, together they represent a major change to the Irish labour market model, which many retail businesses will struggle to adapt to in the current climate. This needs to be recognised and responded to by Government.

Labour market transition rebate In addition to better co-ordinating the phased introduction of labour market reforms, retail businesses exposed to these dramatic cost increases will need ongoing transition supports over the coming years, beginning in Budget 2023.

Specifically, Retail Ireland is calling for a new labour market transition rebate, funded from the National Training Fund (NTF). A new scheme should take the form of both a break from NTF payments, 1% of payroll, for the period of where the viability of a business is challenged and a further rebate of up to 2% of payroll (or two years payments) equivalent in training, skills or productivity vouchers, funded from the NTF surplus.

Rising energy costs Of course, labour market costs are not the only cause for concern. The energyintensive nature of retail operations, including the cost of transport, refrigeration, and lighting, means many businesses in the sector are also particularly exposed to energy price hikes.

Many businesses are facing energy bills between three to five times higher than this time last year. This is putting enormous pressure on the ability of many retail businesses to maintain profitability, with knock-on implications for investment and jobs.

Budget 2023 must ensure that current and future support schemes designed to assist businesses to manage spiralling energy costs are open to retail businesses.

Low margin, domestic facing sectors, which provide valuable employment Tel: 01-6051558 |

across the country, are just as exposed to the crisis as exporters and manufacturers. They should not be left behind.

Reinvigorating our town centres While ongoing cost pressures are a major concern, more measure are also needed to promote long-term investment in our town and city centres.

Covid undermined the economic and social vitality of many of our key urban areas. A concerted efforted, involving all of Government, is still needed to relaunch and reinvigorate our town and city centres.

This will require immediate steps to attract people back, along with long-term strategies to foster vibrant, accessible, attractive, safe and liveable towns and cities. More money is needed to upgrade our urban spaces and make them more attractive to visitors. At the same time, crime and anti-social behaviour remain a major challenge for many retail businesses in affected areas.

Individual businesses are doing what they can to prevent crimes occurring, but without high frequency Garda patrols, there is little that individual retailers can do to alleviate this in the longer term.

Budget 2023 should increase funding levels to An Garda Síochána to allow them to effectively deploy resources to reduce retail crime levels and provide additional funding to expand the National Fraud Unit.

A twin-track approach of managing immediate pressure points, while also providing the basis for the sustainable growth and development of the retail sector over the coming decade, is now required.

Spiralling energy costs mean that many businesses are facing energy bills that are up to five times higher than this time last year.

www.retailireland.ie

Need more?

For more information about Retail Ireland and details of how your retail business can benefit from our unique services and supports, please visit us at www.retailireland.ie.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|13

Vaping

Vaping

Demand soars for Elf Bar Elf Bar is a leading disposable vaping brand which is taking the market by storm.

The ease of use of these devices, coupled with the powerful, mouth-watering flavours, have quickly established Elf Bar as a perfect option for smokers looking to switch to vaping, and vapers looking for a secondary device. They are available now in Centra, SuperValu, BWG & Applegreen stores throughout Ireland.

“The 10 pack CDU is proving a very popular option in the convenience sector, providing a straightforward solution for the retailer,” added Shane Horrigan, Managing Director, Tyco Distribution.

Leading distributors of vaping products Elf Bar offers adult consumers a convenient way to enjoy their favourite flavour of e-liquid without having to deal with any messy refills or coils that need replacing. It’s ideal for those on the go and the perfect solution for retailers.

Elf Bar is distributed exclusively in Ireland by Tyco Distribution and Creative Distribution, the teams that brought the Hale Vaping brand to retail. One of Ireland’s leading distributors of vaping products, they cover grocery, convenience and the vape specialist sectors.

Ordering Elf Bar products couldn’t be simpler; call Tyco Distribution (01) 554 0172 or Creative Distribution on (01) 450 4642.

SOARING demand for e-cigarettes and e-liquids is set to power the global vaping market ahead to €40 billion ($43 billion) in the next few years. This represents growth of around 20.8% up to 2023. Elf Bar is one of the leading brands in the disposable vaping category.

Elf Bar offers a strong opportunity to drive footfall, with all of the associated benefits of incremental sales across other categories.

Elf Bar is a leading disposable vape, which is sweeping across the retail sector; fully TPD compliant with 20mg Nicotine and 2ml tank, it is ready to go with no buttons to press. Exclusively distributed in the Republic of Ireland by Tyco Distribution and Creative Distribution, Elf Bar offers the opportunity for increasing revenue across the vaping category.

Explosion in popularity The Elf Bar range of disposable eCigarettes has seen an explosion in popularity in the last number of months. They are pre-filled devices with up to 600 puffs, and are available in a range of 12 exciting flavours. They come with a precharged battery so consumers can get started straight away. These premium devices contain 20mg (2%) Nicotine Salt which delivers a smooth, yet satisfying hit.

Huge interest in retail sector “We are seeing a big interest in the product from the retail sector,” notes Charlie McKenna, Sales Director, Creative Distribution. “Elf Bar is a very exciting product and demand is very strong.”

The Elf Bar range of disposable eCigarettes come in a range of 12 exciting flavours.

14|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

Facing up to challenging times Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, discusses the issue of rising costs, particularly energy costs, and what the new Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain will mean for retailer-supplier relationships.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|15

Retail News Interview THE rising cost of living is affecting every family across the country, as well as every business owner, including retailers. The Government are all too aware of the issues, most of which stem from macro-economic events out of their or our control, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which have pushed commodity and energy prices to previously unseen heights.

“It has been a challenging time,” admits Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine. “It’s something the Government has been monitoring very closely. We have made a number of interventions to try to address the cost of living challenges that families are facing, that consumers are facing, and also in the agriculture and food space, to try to support food producers as well in relation to the costs that are there, and this is something we will continue to monitor as we get closer to the Budget in the autumn.”

The challenges around rising energy costs will move into sharper focus as we move into autumn, the Minister acknowledges, promising that he and his Cabinet colleagues will look at that “particular consideration”.

His Department have made significant

investments in introducing schemes to alleviate pressure on Irish agri-food, focusing on the sectors most exposed by macro-economic events, including pigmeat and horticulture in particular, while also introducing a tillage incentive scheme and a fodder support scheme to support the foodproducing sector.

“We can’t do it all, but it is something we are very conscious of and will continue to be the key priority for this Government in terms of the Budget package this autumn,” the Minister acknowledges, admitting that “the challenges around energy and fuel costs are particularly difficult”, with no easy fix.

“It becomes an erosion of resources and an erosion of wealth, which doesn’t really benefit anybody,” the Minister admits.

“Prudent and sensible management is vital, to try to support people as best you can without exacerbating the problem. These costs have to be factored into the supply chain but we all have to work to minimise their impact and at the end of the supply chain is the consumer, and the Government is going to have to be very conscious of in relation to the Budgetary packages to help and support families.”

“The Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain is an independent and credible statutory actor that can oversee the food supply chain to try to ensure there is fairness throughout, to influence and set good practice.”

In a worst case scenario, where there could be potential rationing of oil and gas supplies, the agri-food sector would “absolutely” be prioritised, according to the Minister: “The same as it was during the pandemic, the production of food is an essential activity and were there to be any challenges around fuel, and every effort is being made to ensure that is not the case,

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD and Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett TD, joined Stephen Watkins, Managing Director, Boots Ireland, in Kilnavara, Co. Cavan, in January 2022 as Boots began their initiative to plant 15,000 native woodland trees such as Oak, Scots Pine, Birch and Hazel across the 11-acre site in celebration of their 25 years of business in Ireland.

16|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

Former Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD at Capitol Hill in Washington officially launching Irish lamb to the US market in April 2022.

but if there were to be, the production of food would have to be prioritised and that is something that is agreed at Government.”

A perfect macro-economic storm?

Events of the last couple of years, with the twin challenges of Covid and Brexit, followed by the invasion of Ukraine, have delivered one macro-economic storm after another. It’s been a challenging time to be Agriculture Minister.

“There have been big challenges there,” he sighs. “Brexit was the big challenge at the outset of my term; it was the big concern in relation to whether we would have a Trade and Co-operation Deal or not, whether there would be tariffs, making the preparations in relation to the introduction of the various checks [at our borders], and what it would mean in relation to trade.

Thankfully, the agri-food sector has proven very resilient and stood up very well and has kicked on. That was followed by the Covid pandemic and now this [the invasion of Ukraine], so I think it’s fair to say that these challenges have been structurally bigger than what would be normal. But I think the sector has responded well to Brexit, responded well to keeping supply chains going during the pandemic and is responding well now to the effects of what is happening in Ukraine.”

Office for Fairness and Transparency The last few years have proved the agility of Ireland’s food and retail sector in adapting to huge change. In the coming months, the biggest change coming down the tracks is legislative, in the shape of the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Bill, which will establish a new independent statutory Authority to be

known as the Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain.

The objective of the new Office will be to promote the principles of fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain, and it will principally do this in two ways: by performing a

Minister McConalogue: “When I am engaging with customers internationally through trade missions and meetings, our sustainability credentials resonate and connect with them.”

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|17

Retail News Interview

Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD (right), pictured with Kieran Fitzgerald, Regional Director, Middle East, Bord Bia (left) and award-winning chef Eka Mochamad, at the announcement of the chef’s appointment to the Chefs’ Irish Beef Club (CIBC) in Dubai. price / market analysis and reporting function, and by becoming the State’s designated enforcement authority for enforcing the rules on Unfair Trading Practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain.

“It’s about introducing more trust and transparency into the supply chain by establishing an office on a statutory footing which is separate and independent, and can speak and act with authority in relation to improving supply chain relationships,” explains Minister McConalogue.

One of the arguments in the past was that while certain regulations may have been in place, those charged with enforcing them didn’t have the power to impact on the sector. This, the Minister promises, will be different and the new office will have teeth.

“It certainly will have teeth,” he insists.

“We haven’t had an Office like this before; this is about an independent and credible statutory actor that can oversee the food supply chain to try to ensure there is

fairness throughout, to influence and set good practice. You can’t set prices – some people would like to see that but it’s not how a market economy works – and 90% of the food we produce goes abroad, so the price you get for your product is determined by international markets, things we don’t control; we can control the quality of our product and try to add value, to premiumise it as much as we can, to ensure that we have the best quality possible to export so we can get the best price on independent markets. What we need to do is to trace that back to the various actors in the supply chain, so we can shine more transparency on that, and bring confidence and fairness to the supply chain and in doing so, apply as much pressure as possible on the system to ensure that the farmers and producers get fair treatment for the massive contribution they make.

Having someone who is independent, has a defined role and isn’t aligned with any stakeholder, is vital.”

The Minister feels that the new law will “strengthen the position of smaller

suppliers who are dealing with larger entities…putting in place fines and penalties where the position of power is abused”.

When the new Office is in place, overseeing the supply chain and adjudicating on Unfair Trading Practices will move from the Department of Agriculture to the new office. The Minister is confident the Bill will move through both houses of the Oireachtas without delay and indeed, the recruitment process for the new Office is already underway, with the Minister stressing how “the leadership team and the role of CEO will be very important in driving good practice in the supply chain.”

Food Vision 2030 This time last year, the Minister and his department were putting the finishing touches to Food Vision 2030. A year later, it has been published, tying in with the Climate Action Plan, all moving in the same direction towards a sustainable future, and reducing emissions.

18|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Retail News Interview

Minister McConalogue, pictured at an event to mark the 10th anniversary of Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme.

“We have timelined the various actions to deliver on the Food Vision 2030 plan and people are getting behind it,” he notes. “The fact that all stakeholders and all legislation is pointing in the same direction is vitally important. It is about continuing to produce quality food, while striving in any way we can to minimise the emissions footprint of how that food is being produced.”

Producing food sustainably is not just important from an environmental point of view but will also make a difference to companies’ and farmers’ balance sheets, the Minister stresses. “Adopting lots of these measures can improve the bottom line from a farmer’s point of view. Of course, it’s also hugely important in terms of the quickly evolving consumer attitudes, not just nationally but internationally, in relation to how people perceive food, its health credentials, its nutrition credentials and also its sustainability credentials. Is food being produced in the most carbonefficient manner possible? Is it produced in a way that is positive for biodiversity and the environment? People want to see that, they want proof of that, and they increasingly want to purchase food that can show that. So for a number of reasons, it’s important that we go in that direction.”

Ireland has led in the sustainability arena through initiatives like Bord Bia’s Origin Green, the multi-stakeholder, whole of industry approach to sustainability, which fast became the envy of other agrifood economies and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

“Origin Green really was ahead of its time,” the Minister notes. “That initiative has been really important in relation to telling the story of Irish food, and it is going to be more important to deepen and

broaden that story. Irish food quality is well known around the world but it is important that we double-down on that, which will be what keeps our place in the markets internationally, and that we play our part in reducing emissions as a sector.”

So how can Ireland capitalise on the sustainable food systems on which Food Vision 2030 is built? Well, we have a great starting point, explains the Minister, in that “our landscape and climate help to give us a natural competitive positioning”.

“The sustainability and environmental credentials of our food, thanks in part to the natural gifts the country has, puts us in a really good starting position. As an industry, that is something we have built on through initiatives like Origin Green, but it is going to be really important that we maintain that position and build on it through becoming more sustainable and reducing emissions.

I find when I am engaging with customers internationally through trade missions and meetings, our sustainability credentials resonate and connect with them; this is what they want to hear because it’s what their customers want to hear and they want to be able to prove to their consumers that the food they offer is sustainably produced. It is what distinguishes Ireland amongst other competitive countries. In fact, sustainability is equally as important as the quality and nutrition value of the food.”

PGI status for Irish beef One bright spot potentially on the horizon is the proposed Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef. The application for PGI status is being made on an all-island basis, with the Minister and his Department working closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

“The all-island aspect, where Northern Ireland is working with us, is a positive thing in itself,” he enthuses. “I have had good engagement with Minister Edwin Poots [Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland] on this issue and we hope to see it come to fruition.”

The process is already “well progressed at European level”, the Minister stresses and PGI status would be of huge benefit for Irish beef: “PGI status is something that is well recognised across Europe. It adds to the credentials of Irish beef as a premium, grass-fed product; there is a huge difference in quality and taste between the primarily grass-fed beef that comes from Ireland and the more heavily grain-fed product that comes from other parts of the world.

PGI status is something which will help to communicate to the quality of the beef, how it is produced, its nutritional qualities and its taste and sustainability credentials.”

The fact that this is an all-island initiative is a good news story, particularly in the wake of the negative publicity around the Northern Irish Protocol. Perhaps it could be a beacon for future north-south collaboration?

“It’s been very encouraging and energising, being able to work with Minister Poots and the Northern Irish Department, and being on the same page,” the Minister smiles. “The grass in Derry is the same as the grass in Donegal.

We have a grass-based production system, north and south, and we should advertise and communicate that. We are an all-island food nation, with all-island health standards, so it makes sense that we should look to market our food as an island-of-Ireland product.”

Facing the challenges ahead Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the Minister admits that it’s going to be a challenge. “Across the economy, we’re going to continue to be under pressure from a cost perspective, driven by macroeconomic factors like the rising energy costs and the continued effects of Brexit.

As a Government, it is something we are very alert to; we have done a lot on it and will be doing more, particularly in advance of the autumn and winter months with the Budget.

“Looking ahead, it is a manner of continuing to monitor events closely, working together and ensuring that farm families are supported and that the rural economy is supported.”

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|19

IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch

Good sports

The Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Sporting Legends Lunch was back in the Aviva Stadium recently, with a panel of sporting superstars.

The IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch returned to the Aviva Stadium Wonderful panel on Friday, September 2. Hosted by Des Cahill, the 2022 line-up The Sporting Legends Lunch has become one of the most featured a star-studded panel of sporting legends including former anticipated afternoons in the IGBF’s calendar of events and this Ireland and Manchester United legend Roy Keane, football star year’s was no exception, as guests enjoyed a super meal, followed Stephanie Roche and former snooker world champion Ken Doherty. by an entertaining and enlightening conversation with the three 315 people were in attendance on the day and the main stars of soccer and snooker, expertly guided by the easy-going sponsors were National Lottery, Musgraves, Grenade, while charm of Des Cahill. supporting sponsors were Alpro, Mars, DHL and Kellogg’s, with support from Tesco, Diageo and FMI. Eoin Kellett, Managing Director of Mondelez Ireland, organiser of the event since its inception, welcomed attendees on behalf of the IGBF, explaining how each contribution to the Fund makes a huge difference to the work it carries out and the families around the country that it Pictured at the Aviva Stadium are MC Des Cahill with the IGBF Sporting Legends panel: Stephanie helps.

Roche, Roy Keane and Ken Doherty.

20|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch

Eoin Kellett, Mondelez Ireland, speaking on behalf of the IGBF at the Aviva Stadium.

The team from the National Lottery, pictured enjoying the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch.

The team from Tayto Ireland at the IGBF Sporting Legends lunch in the Aviva Stadium.

The Stonehouse team, enjoying the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch.

Stephanie Roche spoke about the emergence of the Irish women’s soccer team in recent years and the dichotomy between their performances on the pitch and the way they were often treated off it, drawing parallels between their quest for fair treatment and Roy Keane’s infamous stand in Saipan.

Ken Doherty provided a wealth of anecdotes from his stellar snooker career, many involving his hero, the late Alex Higgins, while another story revealed how he ended up on the receiving end of the “Roy Keane stare”.

Roy Keane has proven himself one of the most entertaining sporting guests in the country, renowned for his passion and honesty. Roy spoke about his time as a player, revealing that he once came close to signing for Bayern Munich, while also providing an insight into the mindset that saw him become one Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I’s team are pictured at the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch. of the most effective and feared midfielders in world football.

The Mars Ireland team, pictured at the Aviva Stadium.

The team from Aryzta Ireland at the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|21

IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch Generous raffle prizes All three generously posed for selfies with attendees, while Des gamefully stepped into the role as raffle co-ordinator, picking the winning tickets for the many prizes, which included a weekend in a top European capital, premium tickets to see Garth Brooks and tickets to see Ireland take on Australia in the autumn rugby international.

For more information on the work of the IGBF and forthcoming events, visit www.igbf.ie.

The team from PepsiCo, pictured at the Aviva Stadium.

The team from Britvic Ireland, pictured enjoying the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Sporting Legends Lunch.

The Kellogg’s team, enjoying the IGBF event at the Aviva Stadium.

The Alpro team are pictured at the IGBF Sporting Legends lunch.

The Nutricia Ireland team, pictured at the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch.

The team from Grenade, pictured enjoying the IGBF Sporting Legends Lunch at the Aviva Stadium.

22|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Breakfast: Cereals

Cereal

winners!

Breakfast cereals grew in popularity during the pandemic, with new product development ensuring excitement and interest in the category remains high.

BREAKFAST cereals was one of the big category winners during the Covid-19 pandemic, as shoppers had more time to prepare their own breakfast during lockdowns. Many people also opted to customise these products through the addition of fruit, seeds, sugar or health-related ingredients, including coconut or protein powder, according to the latest report into the sector by Euromonitor International.

One sector that experienced challenges, according to Euromonitor, was children’s cereals, as consumers’ increasing health consciousness includes greater awareness of the risk of obesity in children, with a corresponding move towards healthier products such as muesli and hot cereals.

The health and wellness trend prompts a return to the basics and the traditional, Euromonitor predict, with demand for muesli and granola set to grow in the coming years, further strengthened by consumers’ heightened awareness of the need to maintain a strong immune system since the pandemic and ongoing presence of the virus in the global community. Natural products, including organic and free from breakfast cereal, will fuel category growth.

The rising cost of living, allied to a general consumer preference for supermarkets and discounters when shopping for breakfast cereals, will impact on the sector going forward, Euromonitor believe, including a boost for sales of private label cereals. Euromonitor also believe that new customs developed during the pandemic, such as the home consumption of breakfast, will remain, which is good news for the category going forward.

Kellogg’s Kellogg’s cereal is a firm favourite among Irish shoppers as it is consumed in over 1.1m households, which is more than any other cereal brand in the market (Source: Kantar Total Outlets Latest 52 w/e April 17, 2022). Kellogg’s have a 34% share of all cereal category sales in the Irish market and 41% of all ready-to-eat cereal sales, delivering more sales value for retailers than any other New Special K Crunchy Oat Granola has 30% less sugar on average than other granola branded cereal in the market. products and comes in two flavours: Mixed Berries and Dark Chocolate Curls.

Kellogg’s continue to innovate

24|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Breakfast: Cereals and launch new products annually. Most recently, Kellogg’s Special K announced their brand-new granola, Special K Crunchy Oat Granola, which has 30% less sugar, making it the perfect breakfast choice (30% less sugar on average than other granolas, IRI UK 2021). It comes in two tasty flavours: for those who like a fruity twist, Mixed Berries with blackcurrants and cranberries, or for those chocolate lovers, Dark Chocolate Curls with 64% cocoa. Special K’s latest innovation has an oat-rich base with puffed grains, making it a tasty, light textured granola. It’s also high in oat grain fibre to support gut health; Special K Crunchy Oat Granola Mixed Berries / Dark Chocolate Curls contains 6.5g / 6.0g oat grain fibre per 100g. Oat grain fibre contributes to an increase in faecal bulk. Enjoy as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

New Coco Pops Hazelnut Choc Flavour has 30% less sugar than other chocolate flavoured cereals, and combines cocoa with notes of hazelnut.

“It’s so important to get your day off to a good start and it’s easy when you’ve got something that tastes so delicious!” noted Neil Rogers, Brand and Activation Manager for Kellogg’s Ireland. “Our food development experts have created a new Special K Crunchy Oat Granola to give people a great tasting high fibre option with 30% less sugar than other granolas. With so many different ways you can enjoy Special K Crunchy Oat Granola for breakfast, it’s sure to be a household favourite!”

Earlier this year, Kellogg’s Coco Pops got a whole lot nuttier, as they announced the launch of a new flavour of their muchloved chocolatey cereal, Coco Pops Hazelnut Choc Flavour. With 30% less sugar than other chocolate flavoured cereals, the tasty new breakfast option magically transforms milk into a chocolatey hazelnut flavour (30%

cereals (Dipsticks Consumption Tracker).

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, cereal benefits from being one of the lowest cost meals per serving, so it is an affordable way to help the family kick off the day and keep going until lunchtime.

Retailers should ensure they’re stocking a variety of products, focused on a core range of best-sellers, including Weetabix Original, Alpen, Weetabix Minis, Weetos and Ready Brek. Innovation is important for bringing in new customers to the category and this year, Weetabix have seen success with the launch of Weetos Orange Chocolatey Hoops and Oatibix Nutty Crunch.

All the Weetabix-branded kitchencupboard classics are already HFSS (High in Fat, Salt & Sugar) compliant, including their more indulgent products, such as New Kellogg’s Krave Cookies and Cream Weetabix Chocolate Crispy Minis and the Flavour has a dark cocoa shell, perfectly delicious Weetabix Melts. complementing the creamy filling.

Back to school is the second biggest trading period for cereals. This is driven by less sugar on average than other chocolate families returning to their morning routines flavoured toasted rice cereals. IRI UK 2021, after the summer break. As a result, it’s www.cocopops.com). Kellogg’s Coco Pops’ family favourite products such as Weetabix experts spent over a year perfecting the new that perform really well during this time taste, which combines cocoa with notes of (Source: Nielsen Answers, Total Coverage, hazelnut. rolling 4 week data w/e 23/4/22). Cereal Kellogg’s also launched a new flavour rightly has a strong health perception, with of Krave this year for the first time in two previous studies showing that a healthy years. New Kellogg’s Krave Cookies and breakfast can enhance children’s learning Cream Flavour has a dark cocoa shell, ability (Source: Public Health Nutrition, perfectly complementing the creamy filling; it 2015), which puts it in a good place to is everything people love about cookies and capitalise this time of year. cream in cereal form!

As we all get out and about more, Kellogg’s brand new cereal products Weetabix are seeing people return to are available now in supermarkets across previous behaviours such as picking up a Ireland. snack bar or breakfast drink on the way to work or buying breakfast with their Weetabix morning coffee. As a result, Weetabix are Cereal is the number one breakfast product advising retailers to keep Weetabix On The and Weetabix is one of Ireland’s favourite Go in the chiller to maximise sales.

Weetabix: a perennial favourite with Irish consumers.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|25

Breakfast: Out-of-Home

Morning glory A new report highlights opportunities for food operators in Ireland’s out-of-home breakfast landscape.

IRELAND’S out-of-home (OOH) breakfast market is growing, with 22% of consumers now eating breakfast away from home during the week, and 18% over the weekend, according to new research from Délifrance.

To help food operators understand the nation’s attitudes towards breakfast, the bakery products supplier surveyed 500 consumers from across the country to create ‘Prove it: Breakfast in Ireland: unlocking the opportunities in the occasion’. Revealing trending Irish breakfasts and key drivers for OOH breakfast diners, the report highlights how food operators can adapt their offering and operations to attract and retain consumers in this growing sector.

Younger consumers driving market growth The OOH market is driven by younger consumers. Almost a quarter (22%) of 18-24-year-olds now eat breakfast on-the-go every day or most days. Dine-in breakfasts are most popular with the 25-34s, and 14% of these dine in at least once a week.

Good value is key to almost half (49%) of dine-in breakfasters, and the average price paid for a dine in breakfast is €8.51 – 60% more than a grab-and-go breakfast. This could explain the popularity of subscriptions and loyalty schemes, which 51% of OOH breakfasters use. These are also proving effective, generating repeat custom for operators, with three

The Covid effect One of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic was that breakfasts were eaten predominantly at home over the last few years due to lockdowns and the increase in home-working.

Perhaps explaining why breakfast has become more of an institution, the research reveals almost one in four (24%) of Irish consumers now eat breakfast more frequently.

Reflecting overarching trends that emerged during the pandemic, weekday breakfasts have a strong focus on health, with cereal, toast and oat-based breakfasts as the top three choices. At the weekends, however, more than a quarter (27%) of consumers choose breakfasts because they feel like a treat, versus less than one in 10 in mid-week; the majority (44%) indulge in a cooked breakfast, with toast (37%) and cereal or granola (34%) taking second and third place. The full Irish breakfast remains hugely popular, particularly at the weekend.

26|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Breakfast: Out-of-Home quarters of OOH breakfasters that use them ‘always’ or ‘usually’ going to that particular food outlet.

“The allure of the full Irish is impossible to resist for the majority of consumers at the weekend!” revealed Stéphanie Brillouet, Marketing Director for Northern Europe and North America at Délifrance. “For those dining on-the-go during the week, hot sandwiches, smoothies and pastries like the ubiquitous Irish jambon are the top three choices, with on-the-go breakfasters more likely to be seeking a treat. Clearly Irish breakfasters love their food!”

Breakfast offers a great talking point too. Almost a third (31%) like ‘the craic’ over breakfast at home, as compared to less than one in four (23%) of British consumers.

And more than two thirds (68%) revealed that their breakfast choices are guided by friends and family or social media.

Social Media plays a big role in influencing consumer choice for breakfast ideas.

“It’s great to see the OOH breakfast market picking up, particularly after the last few years,” said Stéphanie. “However, today’s OOH breakfaster expects greater variety, being less likely to eat the same breakfast most days, plus price is key for both on-the-go and dine-in breakfasters. The big challenge for food operators is providing cost-effective options that meet consumer trends for indulgence, health and more, on a limited inventory.

So we’ve added breakfast ideas in the report, aimed at helping operators meet several trends in just one dish.”

38% of those who purchase OOH breakfast buy it at the eating occasion, while 48% buy in advance and 13% order online in advance.

Breakfast on-the-go When it comes to eating breakfast on-the-go, 8% of ROI consumers eat breakfast on-the-go during the week, and 7% at the weekends. However, 18-24 year-olds are more likely to eat breakfast on-the-go during the week (25%) – 17% at the weekend.

They also eat on the move most frequently, with more than one in five (22%) eating on-the-go every day or most days. Those who eat breakfast on-the-go are more likely to say they are better at making breakfast (19%) and are enjoying more choice (17%), though 33% of those looking to change their breakfast habits are looking for even more choice.

A third (33%) of on-the-go breakfast consumers buy their

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|27

Breakfast: Out-of-Home food from a supermarket or convenience store, with a further 19% buying at a forecourt store, while 37% of consumers use bakery chains, 33% use café chains and 27% buy from a coffee shop chain [NB – consumers buy from more than one type of outlet].

Bee Farrell, food anthropologist and report partner, says, “It’s fascinating to see how both the occasion and food choices have changed over the last few years – influenced by a wide range of factors. External influences like social media are having Stéphanie Brillouet, Marketing a powerful effect on the Director for Northern Europe dishes chosen by consumers. and North America at And trends like indulgence Délifrance. and health are adding subtle nuances to traditional breakfast dishes: porridge made with plantbased milk for example, or toasted sourdough and jam.”

Bee Farrell, culinary anthropologist.

The out-of-home breakfast market is growing, driven primarily by younger consumers.

Recommendations from family and friends are the biggest inspiration for all respondents, with 43% saying that they guide their breakfast choices. Next up for ideas, however, are social media (25%) recipe books (19%) and health and fitness apps (14%). Another factor explaining the growing interest in healthy breakfast options.

To learn more about the ROI breakfast market, changing consumer attitudes, and how best to capitalise on new market needs, read the Delifrance report ‘Prove it: Breakfast in Ireland: unlocking the opportunities in the occasion’ at www.delifrance.com/uk/irish-breakfastreport.

About Délifrance FOR more than 30 years Délifrance have been developing bread, viennoiserie, pâtisserie and savoury products for foodservice providers, retailers and bakers in about 100 countries around the world.

28|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Nivea

Complete cleansing care with Nivea – no compromise CREATED to offer easy make-up removal, skin cleansing and care, the Nivea cleansing range delivers the most complete cleansing experience.

The innovative collection of products from Ireland’s number one face brand helps to thoroughly cleanse the skin, while gently caring and protecting its delicate moisture balance. The Nivea cleansing line comprises various formats to suit all cleansing preferences, with dermatologically and ophthalmologically approved products.

Daily Essentials Sensitive 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water: This award-winning product has an innovative formula which cleanses and removes make-up, while moisturising the skin, in one simple step.

It respects the skin’s natural balance, requires no rinsing and is free of perfumes, colourants and parabens, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes: Gently and effectively cleansing the skin while maintaining its natural balance, these wipes thoroughly remove face and eye make-up, while providing the skin with refreshing moisture. These soft and gentle wipes are made with 100% renewable plant fibres, are biodegradable, and are enriched with specially selected organic Argan Oil and organic Aloe Vera, ensuring they are suitable for even sensitive skin.

Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover: This wonder product benefits from a gentle bi-phase formula which effectively dissolves eye make-up while caring for eyelashes and the delicate skin around eyes. The ‘oil phase’ is designed to remove waterproof mascara and eye make-up without irritation. The ‘aqueous

The Nivea cleansing range comprises various formats to suit all cleansing preferences, with dermatologically and ophthalmologically approved products. phase’ is formulated to protect and care for lashes without leaving any oily residue. The highly effective yet caring formula is also enriched with cornflower extract, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Refreshing Facial Wash Gel: This wash gel deeply cleanses and hydrates for a perfectly clean, refreshed skin look and feel. The formula combines effective cleansing with the mild and moisturising benefits of Vitamin E to help strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, while effectively moisturising to support your skin in maintaining its natural moisture balance every time you cleanse.

©2021 NielsenIQ data, value & unit sales, Male Face care, 52 w/e 02.01.2022 ROI Total Scantrack

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|29

Confectionery

Sweets of strength Ireland’s love affair with confectionery continues, as we approach the peak selling period, with a combination of new products and old favourites sure to tempt taste buds.

IRISH consumers’ collective sweet tooth has been well documented. We regularly appear towards the top of the global table for chocolate eaters, with only Switzerland and Germany generally consuming more than the Irish.

Major companies, like Mondelēz Ireland, Nestlé Ireland and Mars Ireland dominate the chocolate confectionery market, according to the latest report into the sector by Euromonitor International, who argue that their extensive portfolio of well-known brands, the capability to offer a diverse range of flavours, packaging types and acquire successful brands combine to give them an unassailable lead in chocolate confectionery.

However, recent years have seen the growth of premium brands like Lindt, Lily O’Brien’s, Lir and others, who have gained significant market share in particular categories.

With inflation rising in 2022, the heavy focus on price may well overshadow product development, Euromonitor predict. However, consumers are still looking for new and more sophisticated products that deliver a novel taste or format and that are more ethical.

In the sugar confectionery sector, Euromonitor believe that producers will introduce larger packaging sizes to create more affordable options for consumers. Private label will flourish as they already have a good position across

all categories, according to Euromonitor, things sweet shows little sign of abating, forcing heavyweight brands to deliver price particularly as we enter the peak selling and promotional deals. period for confectionery, the festive season.

Euromonitor expect that healthy trends are likely to impact the shape of the sugar Nestlé Ireland confectionery market in the coming years, Product innovation and new flavour variants with brands focusing on reducing the have long been drivers of value growth amount of sugar and adding extra vitamins within the Irish confectionery category, with to provide some nutritional value, which consumers more likely to trial innovation will be seen primarily in jellies and other from well established brands. sugar confectionery products. Manufacturers will focus on modifying and improving recipes of existing brands, which will likely reduce the amount of sugar to help support the category moving forward.

Proposals and talks between the Irish Government and the European Union suggest the possibility of future taxes on the sugar content in food, a tax that has been present in Irish sweetened drinks for several years.

This could push producers to adapt products to allow for tax avoidance, although consumers would need to adjust their taste buds KitKat Chunky Caramel consists of a thick layer of accordingly. runny caramel on top of the brand’s classic wafer, In the meantime, all covered by KitKat’s trademark smooth milk our love affair with all chocolate.

30|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Confectionery KitKat Chunky launched in 1999 as part of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, and and since then has launched a series contain no artificial colours, flavours, of limited edition flavours, including or preservatives.

Salted Caramel Popcorn, Cookie The science and technology Dough, Coconut, Chocolate Fudge behind the Aero brand, with its and New York Cheesecake. The latest unique combination of chocolate and addition to the line-up features a bubbles that melt effortlessly, made it flavour much-loved amongst Irish a unique offering from the start. Since consumers. Available in both a single then, Nestlé have continually looked and multipack format, KitKat Chunky for new ways to allow consumers Caramel consists of a thick layer of to experience the brand’s famous runny caramel on top of the brand’s bubbles and this year launched a new classic wafer, all covered by KitKat’s innovation, Aero Melts. Launching trademark smooth milk chocolate. within chocolate sharing bags, Aero “Caramel is a much-loved flavour Melts are delicious discs of light and among Irish consumers, and we’ve bubbly chocolate that melt effortlessly taken it to the next level by combining in the mouth and are available in a a delicious layer of runny caramel milk chocolate and a caramel flavour. with our crisp KitKat wafer to create a Smarties have been synonymous taste sensation,” noted Maria McKenna, with colourful, chocolatey fun for 85 Confectionery Marketing Manager at years – and earlier this year the brand Nestlé Ireland. celebrated its landmark birthday That’s not all in terms of new with the launch of white chocolate Chunky variants as KitKat has also Smarties. In recent years, white launched KitKat Chunky Lotus Biscoff chocolate is becoming increasingly featuring the brand’s trademark crispy Within chocolate sharing bags, KitKat Bites are popular and a white chocolate variant KitKat, but not as you know it! wafer topped with a delicious Lotus of Smarties has long been the number Biscoff filling, all covered with milk one request from Smarties fans. category. KitKat Bites are KitKat, but not chocolate.

Smarties White initially launched Earlier this year, KitKat also introduced as you know it! With a deliciously smooth in a single tube format, followed by a and chocolatey centre, crunchy wafer a zesty treat with the launch of a KitKat 4 sharing bag and white chocolate fans will pieces and a milk chocolate shell, KitKat Finger Orange single and multipack and welcome the news that there will also be Bites offer consumers a more indulgent an indulgent new offering, KitKat 2 Finger a Smarties White giant tube launching White, the classic two finger biscuit variant way to enjoy a break. this Christmas. Like the rest of the range, Like the rest of the KitKat range, these covered in smooth white chocolate. these new variants come in recyclable variants use Rainforest Alliance certified Within chocolate sharing bags, KitKat paper packaging, following Smarties’ cocoa that has been responsibly sourced Bites are another exciting addition to the move in 2021 to become the first global

Aero Melts are delicious discs of light and bubbly chocolate that melt effortlessly in the mouth and are available in a milk chocolate and a caramel flavour.

Smarties White satisfied consumer demand for a white chocolate variant of Smarties, which had long been the number one request from Smarties fans.

32|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Confectionery confectionery brand to move all its products to paper.

Given the increased interest in gifting sharing blocks over the past few years it is clear that consumers are seeking out new ways to enjoy seasonal confectionery. Just in time for Christmas, Nestlé will launch two new sharing blocks inspired by two of Quality Street’s most popular flavours. The Quality Street Favourites Orange Crunch bar features a milk chocolate shell with an orange flavour filling and crunchy orange flavour pieces, while the Quality Street Favourites The Purple One features a layer of caramel on a milk chocolate base filled with hazelnuts. Each of these flavours have fantastic breadth of appeal, so these variants will offer significant growth opportunity within the sharing block category.

Meanwhile, After Eight celebrates their 60th birthday this year and what better way to Celebr’Eight’ this chocolate mint than with a special edition pack design on their core 300g offering. Also new for Christmas 2022 is the launch of After Eight - The Collection, a boxed in-laid delectable selection of indulgent milk, white and dark chocolates that bring something new, while remaining true to all consumers love about After Eight.

Rowntrees is a brand long synonymous with sugar confectionery and earlier in 2022, Rowntrees expanded their vegan friendly offering within sugar confectionery to ensure as many people as possible can now enjoy their fruity chews. Vegan friendly Rowntrees Fruit Gums and Rowntrees Pick & Mix joined the existing range, alongside vegan friendly Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles and Rowntrees Jelly Tots.

Suitable for those following vegetarian, vegan and religious diets, these new offerings are likely to attract incremental shoppers. The full Rowntrees range of singles, multipacks and sharing bags also contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Retailers should maximise the sales opportunity of new launches by making sure they are given unmissable visibility in-store and Nestlé have developed a suite of impactful POS material to help support this.

Mondelēz International Once again, Mondelēz International will bring the nation their festive favourites this year with a raft of delicious confectionery and biscuit treats for everyone to enjoy. Christmas can be the most magical time of year for retailers’ seasonal sales, and Mondelēz International

will be helping them to make Milk Classics, Cadbury Heroes & the most of it with treats Cadbury Roses are firm favourites from iconic brands such as and top performing in the category Cadbury, Oreo, Maynards (Source: NielsenIQ, Total Scantrack Bassetts and Green & (excl. Dunnes and Discounters), Black’s.

Christmas Choc, Unit Sales, 17 w/e Mondelēz International December 26, 2021). are central to Christmas In October, the upcoming confectionery, leading seasonal occasions are prevalent the market & are in shoppers’ minds, and many number one in five will be looking out for selfsub-categories, treat and sharing novelties. including advent Cadbury Puds made a muchcalendars, anticipated return last year, selection boxes and were quickly a huge hit and pouches. with shoppers, cementing It’s clear that their place in the Cadbury shoppers trust Christmas portfolio. This year, Mondelēz to bring they’re back and sure to delight them the products Puds fans once again in ‘22. they love come

By November, the Christmas-time, countdown to Christmas has with total seasonal truly begun. Shoppers will start sales growing over to begin preparations for the 11.8% last year festive season with the purchase (Source: NielsenIQ, of Advent calendars and tree Total Scantrack decorations. One in every two (excl. Dunnes Advent calendars purchased is a & Discounters), Cadbury’s Advent calendar, with Christmas Choc, the Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Value sales, 17 Calendar consistently coming w/e December out as Ireland’s favourite year 26, 2021). In after year (Source: NielsenIQ, seasonal biscuits, Cadbury Hollow Santa: the Total Scantrack (excl. Dunnes & Mondelēz also has perfect self-treat or small gift Discounters), Christmas Choc, a strong presence, to engage your shoppers.

Value sales, 17 w/e December growing at 6% 26, 2021). last year, with top-performing products Finally, as we enter December and from Cadbury Biscuits and Oreo seasonal the big day approaches, retailers can biscuits (Source: Scantrack excluding deliver real Christmas magic by stocking Dunnes and Discounters to MAT to January up on those larger gifting and sharing 2, 2022).

This year, they have rolled out a broad redesign across their seasonal range, which sees many products with new, eyecatching, and elevated packaging.

This new look will help to drive further value for retailer and shoppers as their festive favourites will have a new touch of Christmas magic, and they’re sure to create excitement in-store.

The season starts as early as September, with shoppers beginning to cosy up inside due to the darker nights and colder weather. As a result, retailers may see an increase in ‘Big Night In’ sharing occasions, which they can cater to with sharing packs, multipacks and block formats. Cadbury’s Cadbury Puds made a much-anticipated return delicious range of sharing last year, and were such a huge hit with pouches such as Cadbury Dairy shoppers that they’re back for Christmas ‘22.

NielsenIQ, Total Scantrack excl. Dunnes & Disc, Christmas Impulse Choc, Value Sales, 17 w/e 26.12.21

*

34|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Confectionery and Christmas is the perfect time for shoppers to trade up and treat themselves and those around them. That’s why Mondelēz International has developed a new Toblerone Selection Box, filled with three 100g bars and 14 treat-sized Tinies in delicious milk, white, and dark flavours. This selection box is perfect for retailers who want to tap into the high-end seasonal gifting opportunity with a well-loved premium chocolate brand.

Finally, the brand new Cadbury Favourites selection box is ideal for seasonal indulgence, offering shoppers several of their favourite Cadbury Dairy Milk treats in one, including a sharing bag of Buttons, a box of Fingers, a Twirl bar and 100g tablet. The impactful design sets out the product proposition clearly for the shopper, and includes the label “for someone special”, making it a perfect personalised gift for any festive occasions.

The Cadbury Chunk Collection includes individually wrapped delicious chunks of various Cadbury chocolate, including Cadbury White, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and Cadbury Dairy Milk Wholenut.

Lindt Consumers can experience the bliss of Lindor in a delicious milk chocolate bar. Since 1845, Lindt has been dedicated to producing the finest chocolates using recipes expertly created by the Lindt Master Chocolatiers. They have weaved their magic and transformed the iconic Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles into an equally irresistible chocolate bar.

formats. This year, Mondelēz International are rolling out a brand new treat for all to enjoy: the Cadbury Chunk Collection. The collection includes individually wrapped delicious chunks of various Cadbury chocolate, including Cadbury White, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and Cadbury Dairy Milk Wholenut. This collection’s elegant packaging stands out on-shelf, but also has an aspect of versatility which allows retailers to tap into various seasonal shopper gifting occasions. The Chunk Collection is available in a 243g Carton format, with an eye-catching design that is sure to stand out on-shelf.

The iconic Cadbury Heroes Tin will also be available in an exciting new game edition that is sure to bring the entire family together: Who Am I? Cadbury Heroes Who Am I? features all of the treat-sized shopper favourites you’d expect, but with a brand-new in-built game for all to enjoy while they share and indulge in their treats.

These gifting and sharing formats are essential to those The Lindor Treat Bar range is driving growth in convenience stores festive moments, and are a fantastic opportunity to drive ahead of the market and is a proven ‘must stock’ range for retailers maximum sales from shoppers by providing the option this year. to trade up their treats.

Lindt & Sprüngli are leaders in the confectionary category, Cadbury Dairy Milk Winter Mint Crisp will be available in a offering a wide selection of premium quality chocolate. Lindt 360g block format this Christmas, making it the perfect small gift continues to grow for Cadbury lovers. What’s more, it’ll be rolled out with a new and from strength to impactful gifting design that is sure to stand out on-shelf, driving strength in Ireland. incremental sales and encouraging shoppers to trade up.

As the number one Chocolate Santas are a must-have for chocolate lovers when premium chocolate it comes to the festive season, making them a fundamental part countline, the of any retailer’s Christmas confectionery offering. Mondelēz International will be returning with their 2 Hollow Santa Offerings, Lindor Treat Bar is 50g and 100g version, the perfect self-treat or small gift to engage driving growth in convenience stores your shoppers. ahead of the market Tins are a growing category in Christmas confectionery, which and is a proven drives value and offers shoppers the opportunity to trade up. ‘must stock’ range This year, Cadbury are launching two new beautifully designed for retailers this year tins filled with delicious Cadbury Chunks. Tins make a great (Source: Nielsen gifting proposition for the festive season, and these new additions Total Scantrack, will give shoppers two different sizes to choose from for their Lindor Milk 38g Bar, Lindt’s Lindor brand continues to grow recipient, 396g or 850g.

Value ROS Average in popularity with Irish shoppers.

Toblerone is popular with premium chocolate shoppers,

Lindt Master Chocolatier since 1845

36|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Confectionery - latest 12 weeks to 22/05/22 vs. prior 12-week period).

Available in a slim stick 38g format, it is the perfect on-the go treat and is available in a range of delectable flavours.

The number one product in the range is the classic Lindor milk with a smooth milk chocolate hiding an irresistibly creamy filling, followed by Lindt’s most recent edition, Salted Caramel, smooth melting milk chocolate with salt crystals, an irresistible combination. Each flavour promises to be a “blissful” experience on consumers’ taste buds. Available in retailers nation-wide.

Ferrero Following the pandemic, impulsive on-thego purchase occasions have been affected as consumers continue to work from home and adopt flexible working programmes.

This has meant that the trend for shoppers opting for multipacks and take-home formats to share with family and friends has continued. As a result, premium boxed chocolate has proven to be one of the most resilient sectors in confectionery, reflected in the Ferrero boxed range which is in +20% year-on-year growth. “Our Ferrero Rocher 300g format is the ideal premium offering which has supported retailers in driving bigger basket spend,” explains Jason Sutherland, UK & Ireland Sales Director, Ferrero.

Ferrero Rocher is now available in a 90g tablet bar with three delicious chocolate varieties to choose from: white chocolate, milk chocolate and a dark chocolate variety.

Ferrero Rocher: hugely popular with Irish consumers.

Premium boxed confectionery will continue to play an important role for retailers wanting to drive confectionery sales, so it’s key that the right pack formats are offered in-store, Jason notes: “For example, Ferrero Rocher 300g and Thorntons Classic 262g are ideal offerings that make it easier for customers to trade up to these premium brands and support retailers in driving bigger basket sales.

We also expanded our boxed chocolate range in August 2021 with the launch

New Thorntons Pearls are available in two deliciously premium flavours: Hazelnut Delight and Salted Caramel Sensation

ENJOY THE TASTE OF FERRERO ROCHER ONE SQUARE AT A TIME

* NIELSEN ROI | TOTAL ROI | PREMIUM TABLETS SKUS | VALUE SALES MAT TY VS YA ABS. CHANGE | W/E 14.08.2022

38|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Confectionery of Thorntons Pearls in two deliciously premium flavours - Hazelnut Delight and Salted Caramel Sensation; the range is perfect to enjoy while sharing moments of delight with loved ones. Developed using Thorntons expertise in caramel and Ferrero expertise in hazelnut, the two flavours, with a fine chocolate shell and delicious centre of taste and texture, are well placed to give consumers a quality sharing chocolate experience.”

Ferrero’s diverse portfolio contains a wide range of confectionery options that cover different occasions. Ferrero Rocher is now available in a 90g tablet bar with three delicious chocolate varieties to choose from: white chocolate, milk chocolate and a dark chocolate variety. As a well-known and instantly recognisable brand, Ferrero Rocher is perfectly placed to bring a premium chocolate tablet bar to the market, encouraging lovers of the brand to try the chocolate in a different way, and tempting traditional chocolate tablet bar shoppers to trade up to something special.

“The launch of both our Ferrero Rocher tablet bars and Thorntons Pearls into the market allows consumers to enjoy the taste of Ferrero and Thorntons in a new way,” notes Jason. “By offering multiple formats, retailers can offer their shoppers a variety of products to suit every need.”

Ferrero recently relaunched their ‘Your Perfect Store’ website, providing retailers with resources to help get the most out of products and in-store merchandising.

You can order branded POS units and displays to help market products clearly in your store, or alongside complementary products such as wine or gift cards. This will ensure that shoppers don’t forget to add confectionery to their basket, and

allow them to cover a full celebratory or gifting solution in one trip.

Jason’s top tips for retailers include using key products to create bundle deals, while also stocking confectionery next to your newspapers/magazines fixture or within your food-to-go section, next to items such as soft drinks or single serve snacks. Finally, with the festive season on the horizon, he had this advice for retailers: “Ahead of gifting and sharing occasions, shoppers are likely to turn to brands they know and love, so we would encourage retailers to stock up on those lines to ensure the range appeals to a wide range of shoppers.”

Lily O’Brien’s Lily O’Brien’s are celebrating 30 years in business this year and the passion for chocolate that first inspired Mary Ann O’Brien three decades ago is still at the core of the business today.

Known and loved for their premium box chocolate collections and share bag range, Lily O’Briens products are perfect for gifting and sharing with family and friends. The iconic Desserts Collection and the Ultimate Chocolate collection are firm family favourites and ranked in the top five premium chocolate collections and growing well ahead of the market (Source: Nielsen MAT, December 2021).

Celebrating 30 Years of business, Lily O’Brien’s are now launching a new range of delicious truffle recipes. The team have spent the last 12 months developing a range of decadently delicious chocolate truffles in the world’s best loved flavours - Milk Chocolate Truffle, Salted Caramel Truffle and Vanilla Truffle. Using Lily

O’Brien’s signature chocolate recipe, the thick milk chocolate shell melts away to reveal a silky-smooth indulgent centre that oozes flavour and provides a taste experience like no other.

Presented in eye-catching 200g cartons and individually wrapped, Lily O’Brien’s truffles are the perfect addition for any occasion, whether for gifting to loved ones or sharing with family and friends. The range is displayed in space efficient shelf ready packaging for instant in-store display and shelf standout.

The exciting new launch from Lily O’Brien’s is supported with an ATL Digital & Print campaign and impactful POS displays for Q4 to drive awareness and trial with consumers. For a successful Christmas season and to continue to grow your sales this year, make sure to stock Lily O’Brien’s this Christmas season; available to order through Tennant & Ruttle. See www.lilyobriens.ie for more information.

Presented in eye-catching 200g cartons and individually wrapped, new Lily O’Brien’s truffles are the perfect addition for any occasion

for the ones you really know.

h...

that’s

new!

Decadent Milk Chocolate with a soft, velvety centre. ooh! So delicious.

40|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Sustainability

Guilty of greenwashing?

Try a heart-centred approach In the first of a series of articles on the topic of sustainability, Irish entrepreneur and retail expert, Andrew Thornton advises retail businesses to try using a heart-centred approach to addressing the climate crisis.

RIGHT now, business leaders face so many crises – the war in Ukraine and the knock-on impact on costs and supply chains, adjusting to the post Covid period, the so-called Great Resignation, to name but a few. Arguably the biggest issue all businesses face today, however, is the climate crisis.

While you can reasonably argue that it is governments’ job to legislate accordingly and businesses’ job to implement, I look at it another way. The issues associated with the heating up of the planet need to be addressed now and governments are moving too slowly as they start to legislate. In this phase, I believe businesses need to take action and that those who do this early on will have a first mover advantage.

At this stage in the process, pretty much every business on the planet has some sort of sustainability plan – some will make a huge difference with those plans, while others will make less of an impact. And sadly, too many businesses are ‘greenwashing’, taking things they feel people want to hear and making claims that don’t really mean anything in practice.

In my view, the businesses who do make the huge difference (and therefore will not be accused of greenwashing) will be the ones who have a clear purpose and connect their sustainability strategy to that purpose – in fact, an effective sustainability strategy must be interwoven into every aspect of the organisation, and not just run by a separate department operating on its own.

When I owned the London supermarket Thornton’s Budgens,

we won numerous sustainability awards. We had a clear purpose (‘we are the community supermarket that really cares about people and planet’) and a manifesto that outlined how we could deliver that purpose through our ‘heartsets’ (others would call them values) and we had habits to deliver those. We had a heart-based approach to engaging with our team that meant we used a ‘coaching approach’ to problem solving, as opposed to a ‘boss knows the answer approach’; we taught people to actively listen and we regularly appreciated people, rather than always pointing out what wasn’t working. We created what my colleagues called a ‘family’.

Creating a community people want to join I think if you run a purpose-driven and heart-centred organisation, you create a community that people want to be part of. Post-Covid, we are all crying out for community and connection, and we as business leaders can create those communities and at the same time create the most extraordinary loyalty, and deliver solutions that will move us towards a net zero world.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|41

Sustainability

An effective sustainability strategy must be interwoven into every aspect of the organisation, and not just run by a separate department operating on its own.

One of our proudest achievements was the plastic free initiative we ran in 2018.

Having met an organisation called A Plastic Planet (APP) and together watched the film A Plastic Ocean, we knew that with our purpose, we needed to do something. We had seen Dutch retailer Ekoplaza launch the world’s first plastic free aisle and we decided to build on what they had done.

We set ourselves the target of launching 1,500 plastic free lines in 26 zones across every category in the store – and we gave ourselves 10 weeks in which to do it! On November 8, 2018, we ended up launching 1,800 plastic free products, allowing our customers to do a whole plastic-free weekly shop if they wanted to. In so doing, we helped them reduce their plastic usage and helped reduce our environmental footprint.

However, with one store, this wasn’t really going to do much towards a net zero world; our bigger objective was to show the major retailers that plastic reduction was much easier than they were suggesting. If little old us could produce 1,800 plastic free lines in 10 weeks, what was taking them so long?

Andrew Thornton, author and former CEO and founder of Thornton’s Budgens.

Store sales up by 4% We achieved results on so many levels. At a pure financial level, our total store sales increased by 4% over the market, a big number in grocery retailing. We did this by increasing sales to existing customers,

who had a need to reduce their plastic use that no retailer was meeting, and through attracting new customers who also had a need to use less plastic.

At a team level, we created an extraordinary team spirit; the day we launched our plastic free initiative, I had a number of my team tell me it was the proudest day of their working life. We as humans want to have meaning in our lives and to make a difference; as a business leader, you can tap into that desire.

And at a global level, I had several major retailer CEOs from across the world tell me that we had changed the relationship between supermarkets and plastic worldwide. Not a bad achievement for one shop!

Our customers told us they loved the fact that we were actually doing something now – something real and tangible they could see. And they criticised our competitors (especially the multiples) for ‘greenwashing’ – they defined this as making grand promises to be delivered at some point in the future, but with no visible indication of how they were going

42|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Sustainability to get there. I remember visiting one a branch of one of the major UK chains where I saw a huge sign as I left saying that they were reducing plastic by x% by some date way out into the future. Yet I could see no indication of any plastic reduction ideas anywhere in the store. Contrast that to our store, where in every category we had a plastic free section where people could see exactly what we were doing at that moment. We were living it - our competitors were just talking about it.

I believe the intention of our competitors was genuine, but their approach didn’t run through the veins of the company in the way ours did and their customers could sense it.

Delivering extraordinary results on the journey to net zero Hopefully, I have demonstrated that having such a clear purpose and all our heart work allowed us to deliver extraordinary results; and this is an approach you can also use to play your part in the global drive to net zero.

And if you as a business leader need any convincing that this is an issue you have a responsibility to address, just remember that record-busting week at the end of July – the front cover of The Irish Times on July 19 had a photo of what’s known locally as ‘Hole in the Wall’ beach in Sutton, where I grew up – the number of people on the beach was probably hundreds if not thousands of times the maximum number of people I’d ever seen on the beach.

We are all in this together and you can play your part by getting your business to start to take this seriously NOW. I guarantee that as well as having a lighter conscience, you will also get a significant competitive advantage!

Post-Covid, we are all crying out for community and connection, and we as business leaders can create those communities and at the same time create the most extraordinary loyalty, and deliver solutions that will move us towards a net zero world.

“

“

ABOUT THE AUTHOR IRISH entrepreneur Andrew Thornton was founder and CEO of award-winning independent supermarket, Thornton’s Budgens, which was the UK’s first supermarket with plastic free zones.

They also implemented Andrew’s heart-centred way of doing business, which aimed to put people and planet first while trusting that profit would still follow.

In fact, his store sales increased by 4% over the market and he created an extraordinary team spirit.

Andrew and his partner Eudora have co-authored ‘Putting the Heart Back into Business: How to place people, planet and purpose at the core of what you do’, which is out now, available on Amazon.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|43

Vaping

New Bill to impact vaping market Vaping continues to grow in popularity, but new legislation looks set to impact the market here.

CHANGES are on the way to vaping legislation in Ireland, with the forthcoming Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill aiming to extend many of the restrictions which apply to tobacco sales to the sale of vaping products.

Earlier this year, the Joint Committee on Health undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill and provided recommendations on areas, particularly in relation to vaping products.

“The Committee’s focus at hearings on the issue was largely on the regulation of e-cigarettes as this legislation would introduce a new regulatory regime for the sale of nicotine inhaling products in Ireland,” noted Committee Chair, Seán Crowe TD. “The Committee welcomes the introduction of a licencing system for e-cigarettes and for tobacco products.”

The “easy accessibility and marketing” of vaping products, came under particular scrutiny, according to Crowe.

The Committee identified 22 key issues, including recommendations that some of the provisions which relate to tobacco products in Part 3 of the Bill should also be extended to e-cigarette products, including regulation of sale of products from points of sale and restrictions on the sale of such products at places intended for children. “Furthermore,

the Committee believes the legislation should be extended to regulate flavouring and marketing of e-cigarettes, which is not currently provided for under the General Scheme,” noted Crowe. The Committee recommended a ban on certain flavourings, like ‘tutti-fruiti’ or ‘chocolate milkshake’, which it claims are used to attract younger users.

The report also recommended that the Health Research Board and other state bodies should continually review scientific evidence in relation to e-cigarettes, given the speed of change and development in the nature of nicotine inhaling products.

Among the recommendations contained in the report are: • The legislation should be reviewed following the first year of enactment.

• The sale of e-cigarettes to those under-18 should be restricted as provided for in the General Scheme.

• State agencies should effectively utilise and promote the findings of the Health Research Board evidence review and proactively communicate such findings to smokers and users of e-cigarettes.

• Funding for state supports for those quitting cigarettes should be substantially increased. These supports should be universally available at no cost to those wishing to

quit cigarettes.

• The prohibition on the sale of tobacco products from temporary or movable premises should be extended to e-cigarettes.

• Restrictions on the sale of tobacco products from a counter or point of sale only should be extended to e-cigarettes.

• Restrictions on the sale of tobacco products at events or places intended for children should be extended to e-cigarettes.

Logic Compact While the vaping category has continued to grow and evolve, one aspect that remains is JTI’s commitment to providing high quality products that meet strict standards.

Since JTI launched Logic Compact three years ago, they have consistently innovated, adding new flavours, and grown their product range to meet adult consumers’ and customers’ needs.

Logic Compact is a rechargeable (re-usable) pod system which you can easily change flavours without cleaning or maintenance.

They don’t stand still at Logic; you will see continued innovation and product enhancement for Logic Compact as they

44|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Vaping Retailers do not need to do anything! There are no changes to barcodes as this is an upgrade to the current ePod device.

The ePod 2 will just flow through as retailers place orders when their current stock runs out. You will start to notice the upgraded devices packs in shops soon.

“There are a lot of more exciting things to come for the Vuse brand this year and we look forward to sharing more with our retail partners soon,” promised a brand spokesperson. “Watch this space.”

If you wish to place any orders for Vuse products, visit their website, b2b.pjcarroll.ie, or speak to your BAT representative.

Logic Compact, from JTI Ireland, has consistently innovated since its launch in Ireland three years ago. maintain their focus and resources on the growing Pod segment.

JTI’s sales force and their customer services team are on hand to provide expert support and advice about the Logic range and help you maximise vaping category sales. You can order Logic products through their web ordering portal, JTI Engage, your local JTI trade marketer, by calling JTI customer services on (01) 4045400, or through cash and carry.

Vuse With the Vype to Vuse transition, BAT Ireland promised further innovation from the Vuse brand and they are upgrading their current ePod device to the ePod 2.

With this upgraded device, Vuse are giving consumers a product that fits seamlessly into their lives, combining convenience and power in a sleek and distinctive, angular design.

The new design allows consumers to stand out and express themselves through two premium metallic colours, while enhanced features like fast charging, vape while charging, and splash-proof design solve key needs and make a difference in the everyday vaping experience.

Vuse, from BAT Ireland, are upgrading their current ePod device to the ePod 2, with enhanced features like fast charging, vape while charging, and splash-proof design.

Vuse Go In a growing vape market, disposables are currently moving the fastest. To help retailers capitalise on the opportunity, BAT Ireland has entered the category with Vuse Go. Vuse Go is the latest addition to the Vuse brand and combines single-use simplicity with on-the-go convenience. It’s a prefilled, ready to use vape that lasts up to 500 puffs (based on

NEW VUSE GO DISPOSABLES FULLY CHARGED FLAVOUR STOCK UP NOW Order at

b2b.pjcarroll.ie Dispose of responsibly

Vuse e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is addictive. Read leaflet in pack.

46|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Vaping

Vuse Go is a pre-filled, ready to use vape that combines single-use simplicity with onthe-go convenience.

laboratory testing of newly manufactured product and may vary depending on individuals’ usage behaviour). It offers a broad choice of all flavours, including the six flavours currently most popular with adult consumers.

All Vuse Go flavours are in 20mg/ml nicotine strengths but different strengths will be coming soon.

To cater further for adult consumers’ evolving demands, the six Vuse Go flavours have also been developed in Vuse ePod and will be available for order later this year.

BAT have invested significantly to achieve their leading position with Vuse. Vuse Go is the latest stage of their journey and a fantastic opportunity for retailers to grow their sales of alternative nicotine products.

Speak to your BAT Ireland rep if you want to know more about Vuse Go!

Just Mist Vape Bars O’Reilly’s Wholesale are running at the front once again, having introduced Just Mist Vape Bars into their everexpanding portfolio of over 6,000 product lines. Just Mist Vapes were established in 2011, the longest established vape chain in Ireland.

O’Reilly’s are always on the look-out for new products that will provide a point of difference for their customers. They were the first wholesaler on the island of Ireland to sell Just Mist Vapes and for a number of months now have seen the product rise in popularity.

O’Reilly’s Wholesale stepped up and brought the brand to increasing levels of visibility. Now everyone wants to stock it.

O’Reilly’s are providing their customers with such high margins from the Just Mist range, the customers are prepared to stock the full portfolio of flavours and as they are such a lucrative option, these vapes are gaining

The Just Mist Vape Bar brand from O’Reilly’s Wholesale has been growing from strength to strength. popularity at an exponential rate.

“For many reasons, we are seeing a decline in cigarette sales but there’s always something to fill that gap,” explained Derek O’Reilly. “With the retail price currently at €6 and with a POR in region of 38%, it is easy to see why Just Mist in particular and e-cigs in general are gaining strength”.

The Just Mist Bars have a unique selling point, with 28 different flavours, the most popular of which are Blue Razz, Strawberry & Watermelon, Grape Ice, and Strawberry Ice. Derek advised that all the product flavours are on the MRHA approved list and are also on the European portal so have been approved to sell. They have a battery life of 450 mah and are always strong enough to deliver the 2mls of liquid, giving 600 puffs. Each unit contains 2mgs of nicotine.

“The reason this product has grown so fast is basically down to • 28 flavours the fact it is keenly priced and is • Battery life 450 mah disposable,” Derek summarised.

• 2mls liquid “Consumers are not concerned • 600 puffs about going out for a night and • 2mgs nicotine losing their E-cig container and • MRHA approved liquid refill, which can be pricey.

• European portal approved This way, once they have had their 600 puffs and their unit is finished, • Disposable they just dispose of it responsibly.”

Enquiries to +44 28 30250650

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE — CONTAINS NICOTINE NICOTINE IS AN ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE

COMPACT DEVICE

LogicVapesIE

logicvapes_ie

*RRP - Recommended Retail Price €15.00 for Logic Compact Device.

LO G I C VA P E S . I E

€7

*

Merchandising Solutions that give your brand a competitive edge

Our Offering Our Technology

Our Field Team

Detailed reports & actionable insights

Full time & seasonal staff available

Our Promise Greater efficiencies & accountability

www.fmi.ie

WWW.CLONAKILTYFOODCO.IE A family of great taste

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|51

Merchandising / Shopper Marketing

The right merchandising team can be the difference between success and failure in the FMCG market, and can have a huge impact on your brand’s bottom line.

THE role of merchandisers in the FMCG market has long been efforts, establishing what works, what doesn’t and why, so that acknowledged in helping brands, particularly new products, to gain future campaigns are tweaked to ensure the brand-owners get the significant traction with consumers. Essentially, merchandisers maximum return on investment. help to ensure their brand’s shelf space is optimised at maximum and it looks better than the competition.

FMI It can sometimes be small things, like making sure the The retail environment is the final frontier in a complex journey packaging faces forward so the shelf looks better and grabs designed to help persuade consumers to add products to their shoppers’ attention or double-checking that the price is visible and shopping baskets. Retail merchandising is a highly competitive, clear. Most of the time, however, it relates to shelf space, ensuring your brand is in the best store and shelf position to have the most impact, whether that’s on a normal shelf at eye-level or on promotional display at an aisle-end etc. There’s a lot of science behind the best place in-store to get your brand noticed, and effective merchandisers utilise this to help your brand.

Good merchandisers get into the mindset of shoppers, asking questions that consumers are likely to come up with while in-store and using that to develop effective merchandising and shopper marketing strategies, whether that’s crossmerchandising complementary products, utilising the latest digital merchandising trends in-store or even having physical demonstrations in-store to really engage consumers at a sensory level, so they can touch, smell and try the product.

FMI are rolling out Movista, a flexible retail execution and workforce The best merchandisers and marketers management technology that helps to coordinate the work of their 750-strong will always analyse the results from their team of field representatives.

52|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Merchandising / Shopper Marketing difficult and often messy environment, where brands vie for the optimal shelf position and compete for more shelf space in the final battle to ultimately convince consumers to purchase their product.

It is both a science and an artform and, due to consumers’ changing shopping behaviour, the goal-posts are continuously changing.

To keep abreast of these changes, FMI are the first and only field marketing agency in Ireland to be rolling out Movista, a flexible retail execution and workforce management technology that helps to coordinate the work of their 750-strong team of field representatives. The all-in-one platform enables the team to plan, manage and analyse the work done in-store, enabling consistency of work at scale.

The app-based platform provides a mobile solution that empowers FMI field representatives and area managers to easily ensure the quality and timely execution of merchandising and sales work. The data captured allows the FMI head office team to deliver detailed reports and actionable insights that give their brand partners the information required to win in stores, and in so doing, to effectively maximise their investment.

This level of insight and visibility provided by FMI from using Movista is a welcome change for FMCG category managers, who recognise the value of retail merchandising data and who are seeking greater clarity as to what is happening on the ground in real-time to drive performance.

If you are looking for a compelling competitive advantage for your brand merchandising, get in touch with FMI today. Visit www.fmi.ie for more information.

Hopkins Merchandising With over 30 years’ experience in the FMCG, pharmaceutical, off trade and down-trade sectors, Hopkins Merchandising have extensive trade knowledge, experience and expertise to assist you in developing and growing your business in a more complex retail space.

Their exceptional compliance and installation record for completed campaigns, as well as invaluable feedback, reporting and ongoing assistance, are crucial for maximising sales.

Founded in 1990, Hopkins are premium sales, merchandising, tactical and warehousing specialists, with a one-stop-shop solution and a vastly experienced & professional team in excess of 180 people. Initially established as primarily a merchandising company, the following three decades saw Hopkins create three further departments (tactical, cosmetics and warehousing).

Merchandising, however, remains at the core and heart of the business, and the team have invaluable experience and trade knowledge in the FMCG and numerous retail sectors when it comes to merchandising, ensuring clients receive the highest levels of service and reacting quickly to their needs so their brand presence is maintained within their different categories.

Their merchandising team covers all aspects of the role, including visual merchandising, sales calls, box counts, display builds, display top-ups, price checks, product recalls and trade shows.

Their tactical department offers an array of services, including in-trade POS and display installations, sales drives for brands, in-store stock audits to measure availability, planogram implementations and more. Hopkins represent many of Ireland’s leading cosmetic brands across grocery, pharmacy and Primark, and the company also has 35,000 square feet of racked warehousing space where they store everything from clients’ POS and stock to cosmetic stands, kiosks and event mobiles.

Hopkins Merchandising Ltd recently launched a new eCommerce platform, whereby their warehousing team download all orders twice a day, which are then picked & packed and efficiently prepared for distribution within 24-28 hours.

For more information, call Hopkins on (01) 8999083 or email: info@hopkinsgroup.ie.

Founded in 1990, Hopkins are premium sales, merchandising, tactical and warehousing specialists, with a one-stopshop solution and a vastly experienced & professional team in excess of 180 people.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|53

Merchandising / Shopper Marketing

CPM: the evolution of merchandising CPM have been evolving to meet their customers’ needs for 36 years.

AS autumn approaches, the cost-of-living crisis is really beginning to bite both consumers and businesses. All predictions suggest that we are facing a ‘winter of discontent’, due to confluence unprecedented factors – the Ukraine War, the cost of energy, utility inflation, increased labour costs and higher rents. Some businesses, meanwhile, are still experiencing supply chain issues and others very much feeling the impact of Brexit years later.

It’s now more important than ever for businesses to analyse their business models to ensure that they are fit for purpose by mitigating against cost increases as much as possible, while continuing to keep an eye on their medium and long-term goals. The objective is to find sustainable, effective solutions - at a time when the only constant seems to be growing uncertainty.

Agile, customer-focused service “At CPM, we work with clients across virtually every sector, and all understand that success depends on being agile and doing business with their customers the way their customers want - in person, online, through technology or, in many cases, a combination of all three,” reveals John Healy, General Manager, CPM Ireland.

“We work seamlessly with our clients, helping them to deliver the best service to their customers day in, day out. We ensure the CPM team have the best tools and platforms to enable them to provide the best solutions and results for clients in a bespoke, yet very flexible, manner. That approach enables us to grow client brands and increase their sales - by providing integrated sales solutions - that increase their profitability.”

John explains that CPM’s client offering is expansive, yet constantly evolving, across sales & merchandising, customer care, experiential, technical service and maintenance & call centres: “We are hungry for new ideas and capitalise on

John Healy, General Manager, CPM Ireland. innovation, new opportunities and the latest technology. We are ‘People, People’ at CPM – understanding what makes our team and our clients tick is the key to our many years of success.”

36 years later, CPM are Ireland’s longest established and largest Field Marketing Agency. Part of the Omnicom Group, a global top four media conglomerate, CPM operate internationally across Ireland, UK, Europe, India & Australia, providing outsourced Sales & Field Marketing Teams for clients including Diageo, Suntory, PepsiCo, Haleon, Amazon, Microsoft, Samsung, Vodafone and many other global brands. In Ireland, they have c.900 employees – 500 permanent staff and c.400 on a campaign basis.

Evolving their offering “Our offering evolves as the world around us does,” John notes. “Our Axis division provides data, analytics and insights to help our clients make smarter, commercial decisions. We recently launched Action, a video/live content solution, integrating reality and the digital world, enabling customers to get online customer faceto-face training or customer care –

improving efficiency. Two years ago, we developed *shopt, our own digital app, that we created to be a ‘Virtual Sales Rep’ for brands & retailers, driving sales, distribution and compliance in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way. We provide auditing – online, face-to-face and through mystery shopping. Our adaptable sales force delivers industry-leading multi-channel expertise, throughout retail, B2B and B2C, maximising deployment of the salesforce to delivery optimum ROI.” All CPM employees are trained, coached and developed to build their careers with the company, as many have. They have a robust long-term CSR strategy, which John stresses, the four pillars being Community, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Environment and Governance.

CPM also have commercial and community sponsorships, including TWIG, Today’s Women in Grocery, part of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund.

Want to know more and how CPM could help you accelerate your business performance? Contact CPM Ireland at +353(1)708 0300 or info@cpmire.com.

54|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Great Taste Awards

Great Taste Awards winners revealed Irish companies took home 511 Great Taste Awards this year, while Northern Ireland scooped a total of 159 Awards.

IRISH and Northern Irish artisan food producers were amongst the winners at the Great Taste Awards, announced recently, having been blind-judged by more than 500 judges.

2022 was a bumper year for Ireland, with 511 awards in the world’s largest food and drink accreditation scheme based entirely on taste. This included an impressive 11 3-Star awards, 116 2-Star awards and 384 1-Star awards this year. Only 1.7% of this year’s 14,205 entries received a 3-Star Award for extraordinarily tasty food & drink, while 8.7% of entries received a Great Taste 2-star for being “above and beyond delicious”, and 28.7% received a 1-Star Award for “food & drink that delivers fantastic flavour”.

Northern Ireland took home 159 Great Taste Awards, comprised of five 3-Star Awards, 21 2-Star Awards and 133 1-Stars, across a host of categories from chorizo picante to breakfast tea and Christmas pudding.

Stringent judging process Recognised as a stamp of excellence and actively sought out by food lovers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else. All products in the lineup for judging are blind-tasted: every product is removed from

its packaging so it cannot be identified, before entering a robust, layered judging process.

“Whenever I see a black and gold Great Taste sticker on a product, I just have to buy it, especially if it’s a 2- or 3-star,” explained one regular Great Taste judge. “I know how hard it is to get that rating, and how good it will taste. Even if it’s something random like anchovy paste, you can bet it’s the best tasting anchovy paste you’ll ever have tasted!”

This year, the judging took place over 90 days across two judging locations (Dorset and London) with a panel of more than 500 judges. This year’s line-up saw food and drink products submitted from a staggering 110 different countries from across the world.

Great Taste’s prestigious judging panel is made up of over 500 food & drink professionals, including critics, chefs, recipe creators, buyers, retailers, journalists, broadcasters, and experts in the field.

2022’s judging line-up included head buyers from Selfridges, Whole Foods, Fortnum & Mason and Waitrose, BBC Good Food editor Keith Kendrick, delicious editor Karen Barnes, Bake Off contestant and author Chetna Makan, MasterChef Professionals finalist Santosh Shah, food and drink consultant Mallika Basu, BBC’s Nigel

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|55

Great Taste Awards Barden, national television presenters Lotte Duncan and Juliet Sear, journalists including Felicity Cloake (The Guardian), Xanthe Clay (Telegraph) and Joanna Blythman (multiple national titles), as well as food writers Gill Meller, Melissa Thompson, and Georgina Hayden, among many others. This experienced panel, each with trusted palates, have together tasted and re-judged the 3-Star winning products to crown the Golden Fork trophy winners, as well as the Great Taste 2022 Supreme Champion.

An exceptional year for food “It’s been another exceptional year of high quality, innovation, and creativity,” noted John Farrand, Managing Director at the Guild of Fine Food. “We’re seeing a steady increase in plant-based products year-on-year and the fermented and functional foods are really starting to hold their own in terms of taste.

“I was extremely impressed to see that many of the entries have come from businesses which started trading in the last year or two,” he continued. “These are companies who incorporated in the middle of the most challenging period in economic and social history. And they’re thriving.”

John acknowledged that it isn’t easy doing what these producers do, neither for the start-ups nor the established businesses: “Growing a business and a brand in the food industry has so many variables to consider, from standards, to policies, learning to sell and market your products, and that’s before you think about aiming for excellence in the taste and flavour of your products. I have the utmost admiration for them all.”

Golden Fork Awards The 5,556 products which received a Great Taste Award can now proudly display the iconic black and gold Great Taste logo on their award-winning products, which states the year and whether the product

Scúp Gelato, Ireland, were the Golden Fork Award winners for Ireland: Pictured are Scúp Gelato’s Siobhan, Willie and Will Devereux was awarded 1, 2 or 3 Gold Stars. Past Fresh Green Kampot Peppercorns from winners have claimed that displaying a Kadode Kampot Pepper UK winning the Great Taste sticker has increased sales overall honour. by as much as 50%, as food-lovers from “Unveiling the Great Taste Golden around the globe clamour to taste the Fork winners is a huge honour,” said John best food and drinks products of 2022.

The Golden Fork Ceremony, which took place on September 5, celebrates the best from each region.

The Golden Fork winner for Ireland, sponsored by Bord Bia, was revealed as Scúp Gelato from Kerlogue, for their Natural Yogurt, described as “fresh and light, with a lactic tang and West of Ireland Lamb Rack from Dawn Meats Group, one of citrus notes”.

Ireland’s 3-Star Award winners.

The Scúp

Gelato Natural Yogurt is made using only the highest quality raw material sourced locally and internationally, starting firstly with Ireland’s amazing milk and cream.

Wild Sika Venison Loin from Baronscourt Estate took the Golden Fork for Northern Ireland.

Described as having “flavours of game and natural sweetness which balance beautifully and sing out” and “a rich red colour”, the Wild Sika Venison Loin comes from wild sika deer that roam Northern Ireland’s Baronscourt Estate.

Plus, the ultimate winner of Great Taste 2022 – The Supreme Champion – was also Dunnes Stores Simply Better Hand Cut Irish Ham crowned at the September Fillet: a 3-Star Great Taste Award winner. ceremony, with Fermented

Farrand. “After months of rigorous blindtasting and judging, it is fantastic to reveal the award-winning products and celebrate the producers’ hard work and innovation.

It’s been an exceptional year for creativity and inspirational food and drink entries.”

Established in 1994, Great Taste is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and is the world’s largest, longest standing and most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers.

The Guild of Fine Food is a community of business owners sharing the same passion for good food & drink: formed for mutual support and protection to maintain standards through training and raising awareness of good food and drink. The Guild of Fine Food exists to support, protect, represent, and raise awareness of all good independent food

56|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Great Taste Awards Huge success for New Ross company WEXFORD Home Preserves have just pulled off an astonishing feat by winning the coveted 3-Star Great Taste Award for their handmade Seville marmalade for the second year in a row.

The judges also awarded Wexford Home Preserves with a coveted 2-Star award for their Sicilian Clementine Marmalade and for their Wexford Blackcurrant Jam. Their family favourite, the Three Fruit Marmalade, and the Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, the Irish Gooseberry Jam and the Raspberry Jam all received 1-Star awards.

Tom and Laura Sinnott, owners of Wexford Home Preserves, put their success down to their dedication to

using the best fruit, sourced as locally as possible and to their commitment to quality. “We still make all of our products by hand and cook using the open pot boiling method,” noted Laura. “We are determined that every jar that goes out our door gives the customer the best experience possible. It is a challenge to keep to the artisan principles and to source from smaller growers, while supplying some of the largest retailers across the country but we do it. We pride ourselves on the service we provide to our retail customers and we get good feedback on it.”

For information, call (051) 426646 or visit www.wexfordpreserves.ie.

and drink businesses, at a local, national, international, and governmental level: building a supportive and informative community of producers, retailers and food lovers who protect standards and champion well-made food & drink.

The full list of this year’s winners and where to buy them can be found at www.greattasteawards.co.uk.

Three-Star Award winners from Ireland KRD Wild Irish Smoked Salmon: KRD Fishery Smokehouse (Fishery Smokehouse Ltd) West of Ireland Lamb Rack: Dawn Meats Group Wexford Home Preserves Handmade Seville Marmalade: Wexford Home Preserves Dunnes Stores Simply Better Hand Cut Irish Ham Fillet: Dunnes Stores Dunnes Stores Delicate & Smooth Crème Fraiche produced by Green Pastures (Donegal) SuperValu Lamb Tomahawks: Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland SuperValu Sour Cream: Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland Mileeven Pure Honeycomb, Straight From The Hive: Mileeven Fine Foods SuperValu Cowboy Steak: Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland

The Sinnott family, Tom, Lila, Laura and Robbie, celebrating their second 3-Star win.

Signature Tastes Gubbeen Cheese: Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland Natural Yogurt: Scúp Gelato / Natural Ice Cream Wholesale

Northern Ireland’s 3-Star Award winners Signature Tastes Gorgonzola Cheese: Musgrave Retail Partners NI The Single Rose, Ballylisk of Armagh farmhouse brie: Ballylisk Dairies Ltd Morelli’s Raspberry Sorbet: Morelli’s Ice Cream Wild Sika Venison Loin: Baronscourt Estate Judging for the 2022 Great Taste Awards took place over 90 days across two judging locations, Dorset and London.

Corndale Chorizo Picante: Corndale Charcuterie

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|57

Great Taste Awards SuperValu and Centra top 150 Awards SUPERVALU and Centra were amongst the big winners at the 2022 Great Taste Awards, with SuperValu taking home 108 awards and Centra taking home 50 awards.This marks the most successful year ever for the brands at the Great Taste Awards, and places them at number one in the Irish market.

SuperValu won 108 awards, making them number one in the multiple market in Ireland. SuperValu’s Signature Tastes range won 58 awards, further solidifying its position as the number one Premium Range for taste and quality in an Irish supermarket.

Centra took home a total of 50 awards, SuperValu took home no fewer than 108 making it the number Great Taste Awards. one convenience retailer in the country, including 19 awards for the Inspired by Centra premium range.

This year, SuperValu picked up five 3-Star awards, the highest by any Irish retailer. Three of the SuperValu Own Brand range were awarded the coveted 3-Star accolade. These winning products were SuperValu Sour Cream, SuperValu Summer Eating Irish Lamb Tomahawk Chops and SuperValu over-the-counter Cowboy Steak. The retailer’s Signature Tastes range also picked up two further three-

Tesco Ireland’s finest* range wins 31 awards at the Great Taste Awards TESCO Ireland’s finest* range picked up 31 awards at the Great Taste Awards, across different categories in store and online, including meat, fish and poultry. A number of products from the Tesco finest* beef range received 1-Star, which is a proud achievement as all Tesco Ireland beef is 100% Irish, coming from Bord Bia approved farms.

“Sourcing Irish food is a hugely important part of our business, and we are proud of the role that Tesco plays in supporting the Irish agri-food sector, so we’re delighted that the finest* range has achieved 31 awards in total,” revealed Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland. “Last year, we started work with Silver Pail Dairies to produce our own-brand finest* ice cream, and Crust and Crumb for our finest* wood fired pizzas, and we’re delighted the Great Tesco finest* Belgian Taste Awards recognise the Chocolate Orange ice dedication we all have to creating quality products for cream took home a 2-Star our customers.”

Great Taste Award.

star awards for Signature Tastes Gorgonzola Cheese and Signature Tastes Gubbeen Cheese. Centra followed suit by picking up three-star awards for both Centra Sour Cream and Centra over-the-counter Cowboy Steak.

Other key highlights within the winners are five awards for coffee brand Frank & Honest, one award for The Happy Pear and two awards for Moo’d ice cream.

“This was another successful year for both SuperValu and Centra at the Great Taste Awards,” noted Ian Allen, Managing Director, SuperValu and Centra. “Our retailers took home over 100 awards, including the five 3-Star awards and were once again the best performing Irish supermarket and best performing Irish convenience retailer. Through SuperValu and Centra, we work with over 1,800 Irish suppliers and we are delighted that so many of our products and local producers have received the recognition they deserve at these prestigious awards which are the world’s largest blindCentra products brought home 50 tasted food Great Taste Awards. awards.”

Aldi celebrates Great Taste Awards wins ALDI picked up 38 awards, including four 2-Star and 34 1-Star accolades at this year’s Great Taste Awards, including 2-Stars for Specially Selected Dublin Bay Prawns Pil Pil, Specially Selected Aromatic Duck Breast Fillets, Chanchan Garlic Chilli Rayu and Pure Pressed Apple Juice.

“The entire team here at Aldi is beyond proud to once again be among the winners at this year’s Great Taste Awards,” noted John Curtin, Group Buying Director, Aldi Ireland. “At Aldi, we are passionate about delivering taste, quality and provenance, whilst always guaranteeing unbeatable value. We know our customers want products that are not only delicious but also produced locally.

That’s why we always strive to source as many Irish-made products as possible. To see these products triumph on the international stage is immensely satisfying to Aldi Specially Selected Irish us and a testament to our Black Angus Rib Eye Steak, amazing suppliers.”

For more information, visit winner of a 2-Star Great Taste Award. www.aldi.ie.

If you need a world class partner to drive sales and brand execution in retail...

Come and talk to us.

Handmade Seville Marmalade Wins Three Star Award for the 2nd Year in a Row!

The Sinnott family celebrates at Kilmokea Gardens, Wexford

B2B and B2C Sales

Customer Experience & Events

Merchandising & Compliance

Shopper Marketing

Data and Insights

Product Sampling & Demonstrations

Wexford Home Preserves have been making award-winning jams, marmalades and savoury preserves by hand with all natural ingredients since 1988.

Contact our team at info@cpmire.com or visit us at cpmire.com

To order from any of our ranges including organic and no added sugar,call 051 426646 or email info@wexfordpreserves.ie

www.wexfordpreserves.ie We inspire and influence human behaviour.

ISO CERTIFICATION ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 / ISO 50001 ENVIRONMENT

HEALTH & SAFETY

ENERGY

CYBER ESSENTIALS ¤59 DISCOUNT CODE: RN2022 *USE CODE ON OUR WEBSITE

ISO TRAINING

CONFIDENCE | ASSURANCE | CERTAINTY

+353 (0) 1 642 9300 certificationeurope.com info@certificationeurope.com Retail News Cyber Essentials Print Ad 2022.indd 1

19/04/2022 15:46:32

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|59

Employment Law

Paid sick leave:

Image by rawpixel.com

what you need to know

Niamh Crotty and Linda Hynes of Lewis Silkin Ireland report on the introduction of paid sick leave and its implications for employers in the retail sector.

PAID sick leave entitlement is to start in Ireland. The much-anticipated sick leave legislation, the Sick Leave Act 2022, was passed by the Oireachtas earlier this summer.

This means that employees in Ireland will, for the first time, have a legal right to sick leave pay from their employer.

Confusingly for both employers and employees, at the time of writing, the exact implementation date has not yet been confirmed. This means that the precise date from which employers need to start providing paid sick leave is unknown. Nevertheless, it is expected to be fairly imminent.

Given the significance of this change, it’s likely that employees are aware that the legislation has been passed and are already asking their employer about their entitlements. To assist in answering these questions, we explain more about the new legislation below.

Why has paid sick leave been introduced?

Statutory sick pay is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Government in recent years which are aimed at improving social protections for employees in Ireland. Up until now, Ireland has been an outlier in Europe as employers in almost all European countries are required by law to pay some level of sick pay to their employees. In the UK, statutory sick pay has been in place for many years; it is paid by the employer to eligible employees from the fourth consecutive day of sickness absence, up to a maximum of 28 weeks.

While employer paid sick pay has been on the political agenda for a while,

the Covid-19 pandemic was undoubtedly the catalyst for the Government introducing draft legislation in 2021. The pandemic exposed a divergence between workers with and without paid sick leave, which highlighted the need for a statutory sick pay scheme. This became particularly relevant when workers were told to stay out of work for two weeks if they had symptoms of Covid-19, or were identified as a close contact, with no legal right to sick pay from their employer. In some cases, employees who could not work from home (which would include employees in the retail sector) hid their symptoms or close contact status to avoid having to take unpaid time off work.

What are the benefits of paid sick leave?

One benefit of a mandatory sick pay scheme is that it is reported to result in employees feeling less pressurised to come into work when they are unwell. This promotes a safer work environment, both enabling the employees to recover and also reducing the spread of any infectious illness in the workplace, therefore

60|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Employment Law protecting productivity and staffing levels.

Interestingly, research by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development suggests that increasing the responsibility of employers for sick pay could actually improve absence rates. This is because it encourages employers to engage more directly in the management of sick leave and incentivises them to engage in preventive measures and return to work planning with their employees.

The introduction of paid sick leave is of course a positive development in terms of social protections for employees in the retail sector and a necessary step for Ireland to catch up with the rest of Europe. There will be a cost, however, and this will be felt particularly by small retail employers, who are less likely to already have a sick pay scheme in place. This comes at a time when employers in the retail sector are already facing increased regulation, inflation and rising costs of doing business. There will inevitably be some teething issues so we may also see some fine tuning as the scheme plays out in practice.

To assist retail employers, we’ve set out some further detail on the legislation below.

The key provisions for employers How many paid sick days are employers obliged to pay?

The entitlement to employer paid sick leave will start at three days’ paid sick leave in 2022, increasing incrementally with the intention that employers will cover five days in 2023, seven days in 2024 and

eventually 10 days from 2026. This phasingin of sick pay is intended to take account of the current economic climate and the existing financial pressures on businesses.

These factors will continue to be monitored as the scheme progresses.

How much will employers have to pay?

The rate of sick pay will initially be set at 70% of an employee’s normal pay, subject to a daily maximum of €110. This threshold may be reviewed and amended over time in line with changes in income or inflation.

Do employees need to provide any evidence of illness or have any minimum service to receive pay?

Employees have to provide a medical certificate to qualify for statutory sick pay (see further below) and the entitlement to sick pay is dependent on the employee having worked for their employer for a minimum of 13 weeks.

Is there a waiting period before employees can receive sick pay?

There is no waiting period so, unlike the current social welfare regime, employees are entitled to sick pay from the first day of absence.

What about State Illness Benefit?

Employees can avail themselves of State Illness Benefit once they exceed their sick pay entitlement but remain on certified sick leave. This means that sick pay in the first year of the scheme will effectively fill the gap in coverage caused by illness benefit waiting days (currently three days). It is not clear what will happen next year – will

Employees have to provide a medical certificate to qualify for statutory sick pay.

illness benefit waiting days be increased to reflect the increase in paid sick leave? It’s presumed, however, that employees won’t be able to benefit from both, or if they do, any illness benefit due to the employee while they are in receipt of sick pay will be reimbursed to the employer. Currently, where employers (voluntarily) pay sick pay, they normally include a provision in contracts or policies which provides that employees will refund the employer any illness benefit they have received, or it will be deducted from their sick pay amount.

Practical considerations for retail employers What about those employers who already provide paid sick leave to their employees?

The statutory scheme aims to provide minimum protection, although some employers may already provide some sick pay to their employees over and above the statutory entitlement. If this is the case, employers should update their contracts and policies to provide that contractual sick pay is inclusive of statutory sick pay.

In any event, employers should consider reviewing their policies and contracts to ensure they comply with the minimum statutory entitlements under the scheme.

What should I do if I currently don’t pay for any sick leave?

Employers who don’t already pay sick pay will need to ensure appropriate processes and systems are in place to administer sick pay and to maintain records.

Do I need to keep records of paid sick leave?

Yes, employers are required to maintain records of sick pay payments to employees. These must be kept for four years.

What do I need to consider in relation to medical certificates?

An employee must submit a medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner, even where they are only off sick for one day.

Many current sick pay policies don’t require a medical certificate for the first three days of absence, so employers may wish to update their policies accordingly. The employee bears the cost of obtaining a medical certificate which could, in practice, amount to a considerable cost for them, particularly where they take one day’s sick leave on numerous separate occasions throughout the course of the year (as they will be required

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|61

Employment Law Image by rawpixel.com

Statutory sick pay is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Government in recent years which are aimed at improving social protections for employees in Ireland. to provide a medical certificate for each absence in order to be entitled to sick pay under the legislation). Given the purpose of the scheme is to provide protection to employees in low-paid and precarious employment, who are traditionally less likely to receive company sick pay, this could diminish the value of the scheme to the very employees the scheme is intended to protect. This consequence has been acknowledged by the Government and may be addressed in some way as the scheme progresses.

What costs will employers in the retail sector face?

The Government has said that the statutory sick pay scheme is not intended to impose significant costs on employers. However, some additional costs for employers are inevitable. There are two primary costs associated with implementing the sick pay scheme which will be relevant to employers in the retail sector, many of whom will not already have company sick pay schemes in place: firstly, the payroll costs of paying an employee who is on sick leave (initially three days per year) and secondly, the administrative costs in relation to setting up and implementing the scheme and

maintaining records for each employee.

Under the legislation, the Labour Court may grant an exemption from the sick pay obligations to employers who are experiencing severe financial difficulties, but this is subject to a number of conditions being met.

Consequences for an employer in not complying If an employee believes their employer has failed to comply with the legislation, they can bring a claim to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the maximum compensation they can be awarded is four weeks’ remuneration. A fine can also be imposed on an employer who fails to keep adequate records of statutory sick leave. This is likely to be enforced through inspections by the WRC. Key takeaways for retail employers Although the commencement date for employer sick pay obligations is still awaited (at the time of writing), retail employers should start reviewing their current sick leave processes in preparation for the sick pay obligations. This review should include: • reviewing contracts of employment and

absence management procedures to take account of the new legislation; • reviewing current payroll and record keeping processes to ensure they are ready for the new obligations; • considering how any updates to policies and procedures will be communicated to employees.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS FOR further information on this topic please contact Linda Hynes (Linda.

Hynes@lewissilkin.com), Partner, or Niamh Crotty (Niamh.Crotty@ lewissiklin.com), Senior Associate, on the Employment, Immigration and Reward team at Lewis Silkin Ireland.

This article is for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice should be sought in any given set of circumstances.

62|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

On the Vine

Santa Rita’s success story Chilean wine brand Santa Rita is a global success story with an Irish twist. Jean Smullen talks to Terry Pennington, Export Commercial Director, EMEA, Santa Rita Wine Estates.

VIÑA Santa Rita was founded in 1880 by Don Domingo Fernández Concha; 1880 is the official foundation date, as that is the date Don Dominigo first built the winery.

Unoffically, vines have been grown at their Estate since 1643. Today, the Hotel Casa Real, a boutique luxury hotel in the middle of a 40-hectare park, is one of the bestpreserved in Central Chile and a historical reminder of the winery’s early days.

The modern-day success of Santa Rita can be attributed to Chilean billionaire, the late Ricardo Claro who had interests in shipping, packaging, ports, mining equipment and media.

Claro, who studied law, gained a degree from the Universidad de Chile in 1958, where he later served as a Professor of Economics. Claro became one of Chile’s most successful industrialists and his investment established Santa Rita as a global international brand. Ricardo Claro died suddenly in 2008, but the foundation set up by Claro and his wife María Luisa still owns 84% of the estate.

The Santa Rita portfolio includes the Santa Rita wine brands, as well as Viña Carmen, the Sur Andino group and the Doña Paula Estate in Argentina. Each winery has its own unique identity, which is a significant factor in their success.

Having purchased Santa Rita in 1980,

The Santa Rita vineyards in Chile’s Maipo Valley.

Claro played an instrumental role in propelling the Chilean wine category to the top position it now enjoys in key global markets by investing heavily in both the winery and vineyards. Interestingly enough, although the group are sixth overall globally in terms of vineyard ownership, they are still considered to be a mid-sized producer.

Santa Rita 120: the Irish connection Santa Rita 120 is the number one selling wine brand on the Chilean home market and is also one of the top wine brands in 12 key global markets, including China, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Here in Ireland, Santa Rita 120 has remained Ireland’s top selling wine brand for eight consecutive years. It is interesting to look back at the progression in terms of the success of Chilean wine on the Irish market. In 1991, the Irish wine market was comprised of 1.7 million cases; France was the most popular country of origin at the time, with 54% of the that market. Three decades later, in 2021 the Irish wine market hit a peak of 10 million case sales. Chile now dominates, with 25.8% of that market. Currently 59.5% of all wines sold on the Irish market are new world wines and 40.5% come from Europe (Source: Drinks Ireland Wine Report 2021).

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|63

On the Vine Santa Rita 120 has a strong Irish connection, the 120 refers to the 120 rebels who took refuge in the cellars at Santa Rita during Chile’s war of independence, over two hundred years ago. The revolution was led by Bernardo O’Higgins (1778-1842). Bernardo was the son of Don Ambrosio O’Higgins Neale, Marquis of Osorno (1720-1801) or Ambrose O’ hUiginn, who was born in Ballinary, Co. Sligo. As an Irishman and a Catholic, he was able to legally emigrate to Spanish America in 1756. He quickly rose through the ranks and became Governor General of Chile from 1788 to 1796. Ambrose had a relationship with Lady Isabel Riquelme, whose family were part of the Spanish ruling class. Their son, Bernardo would later lead Chile to its independence from the Spanish empire in the war of independence which began in 1810.

Santa Rita have always emphasised that Irish connection; I remember their very successful Local Heroes campaign, that ran for a number of years in the mid-noughties. It was a community initiative, inviting local areas to nominate exceptional people for their good works.

A group of finalists were acknowledged for their contribution to Irish society at an awards ceremony sponsored by Santa Rita. The overall winners received a prize, which included a trip to Chile to visit the Hotel Casa Real, as guests of Santa Rita.

The power of choice Retail News recently met with Terry Pennington, Santa Rita’s Export Commercial Director, EMEA, to have a chat about the success of Santa Rita Estates on these shores. Terry has worked in the wine industry in Ireland for over 30 years. He began his career with Robert Roberts/Woodford Bourne as Commercial Director, with responsibility for the wine division, a position he held for nine years. He followed that with a move to the wine importing arm of Diageo, Gilbeys of Ireland, where he remained as Commercial Director for the next decade, before signing off on the eventual sale of Gilbeys to Pat Cooney of M&J Gleeson in 2010. He then joined Santa Rita Estates in his current position, and Terry is the only European at senior management level working for Santa Rita Estates.

“Ireland is a wonderful market in terms of the choice it offers,” Terry says of our island. “We have to keep that choice in situ or we run the risk of homogenisation.

More choice keeps wines accessible to our customers.”

Ahead of the curve, Santa Rita are

now extending their range.

Anticipating the growth in No & Low Alcohol consumption and the move towards healthier lifestyles and more moderate alcohol consumption, Santa Rita have launched both a low alcohol Santa Rita 120 ‘De-light’ and a 0% alcohol Santa Rita ‘Dealcoholised’ range to meet this demand.

World class winemakers Terry also attributes the group’s success to the fact that Santa Rita Estates are working with four world class winemakers: Sebastián Labbé, who works with the ultra-premium brands; Teresita Ovalle, a relative of Ricardo and María Luisa Claro who works as second wine maker; Óscar Salas, the group Technical Director responsible for the Santa Rita Reserva wines; and César Catalán, in charge of the Santa Rita varietal range.

Terry also highlighted the Medalla Real Reserva wines, the next level up. Medalla Real was created in 1983 and in Terry Pennington is the only European at senior 1987, before the Maipo Valley management level working for Santa Rita gained global recognition, a Estates. bottle of 1984 Medalla Real already been to Chile three times this Cabernet Sauvignon changed history for year and spends three or four months Chilean wine by becoming the first Chilean a year travelling to the key markets in wine to win a gold medal in the Olympiade Europe, the Middle East and Asia on du Vin organised by Gault & Millau in Paris. behalf of Santa Rita.

The Santa Rita Medalla Real Reserva wines Modern technology has allowed us are made by Óscar Salas and their latest all to do business from home, but Terry addition to the range, currently available feels that although this new technology on the Irish market, includes four single has its advantages, in the wine business varietals: Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc, face-to-face contact is also very Limarí Chardonnay and Syrah and a Maipo important. Within that small nugget Cabernet Sauvignon. of information lies the secret of his For Terry, Viña Carmen is another success, attention to detail, the personal important part of the Santa Rita story. touch and a lifetime of experience Winemaker Emily Faulconer, who has been working at the coal-face of the global Carmen’s Chief Winemaker since 2017, was wine market. acknowledged as one of the top winemakers from South America in 2018 by Tim Atkin MW in his article ‘Rising stars: Winemakers SANTA Rita Estates are distributed in to watch in Chile and Argentina’.

Ireland by Bibendum Ireland. Contact Terry also notes that the Irish wine Brand Manager, Annita Forte: trade can look forward to a visit to Dublin annita.forte@bulmers.ie.

by Martin Kaiser, Head Winemaker at Doña Paula Estate, in October.

Viña Carmen is distributed in Ireland (both in the Republic of Ireland and Face-to-face contact Northern Ireland) by United Wines.

Post-pandemic, Terry is travelling again, Contact Martin McAuley: having spent lockdown at home in Dublin Martin@unitedwines.co.uk. with his wife and five children. He has

64|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Drinks News New head of DIGI named IRISH Distillers’ Communications and Corporate Affairs Director Kathryn D’Arcy was unveiled as the new head of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), succeeding outgoing Chairperson, Liam Reid of Diageo Ireland, following his two-year term. DIGI also launched their 2022 campaign, which seeks to highlight the importance of the drinks and hospitality industry to Ireland and address the strain the sector is currently experiencing as a result of increased costs, while also seeking tangible and actionable policy supports to help it operate sustainably over the coming years. “As the industry remains in a state of post-Covid recovery - particularly in rural Ireland – and amid an uncertain and inflationary period and operating environment, we need to see tangible and actionable supports which are easily implemented,” said Kathryn D’Arcy. “Central to this is introducing policy measures which can make both an immediate difference and a long-term impact in terms of delivering sustainable policy.

DIGI is seeking a reduction in Ireland’s high excise tax rate which would deliver on this.”

Robinsons introduce new Benefit Drops BELOVED squash range Robinsons are inviting consumers to discover their #MainSqueeze and power up their water as they introduce a new pocket squash range with added vitamins. The new Robinsons Benefit Drops range will help consumers make tastier, healthier choices while on the go. Robinsons Benefit Drops are available in four delicious flavours, each containing a different added functional benefit such as vitamins B3 and B6, vitamin C, and Zinc: Immunity - Orange & Guava flavour with added vitamin C; Boost - Raspberry, Strawberry & Acai with added vitamin B6; Focus - Lemon, Lime & Ginseng with added vitamin B3 (Niacin) and Zinc; Vitality - Peach, Mango & Passion Fruits with added vitamin B3 (Niacin). Each bottle contains enough squash to make 20 tasty drinks wherever you are and the full range is sugar-free!

Wine sales declined by 13% in 2021 WINE sales in Ireland declined by 13% in 2021 to their lowest level since 2015, according to the Wine Market Report 2021 from Drinks Ireland – Wine. The report details how wine sales increased during lockdowns in 2020, despite overall alcohol consumption declining during this time, but the reopening of the on-trade sector later last year saw sales of wine fall. White wine remains the most popular in Ireland with a 48% market share, with red wine holding a 45% share, both unchanged from 2020. Rosé has become increasingly popular in Ireland in recent years, particularly during summer months. While its market share remained static in 2021, it has grown from 3% in 2016 to 7% in 2021. The market share of sparkling wine was marginally down from 2.3% in 2020 to 2% in 2021.

Meanwhile, Chilean, Spanish and Australian wine are the top three most popular in Ireland respectively, but their market share all declined last year. French wines remain the fourth most popular, with France one of the few countries that saw an increase in its market share. The report shows that wine is the nation’s second most popular drink after beer, with a market share of 29.3%, down by 2.9% last year.

With 54% of a standard bottle of wine going to tax, Drinks Ireland - Wine has called for excise to be cut. “We are calling for a 15% decrease on excise on wine over the next two budgets,” said Jonathan McDade, Director of Wine at Drinks Ireland. “As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, Irish consumers face the highest excise on wine in the EU, which is €3.19 on a standard bottle. For sparkling wine drinkers, the excise hit is doubled with a rate of €6.37 on a standard bottle. This is effectively a tax on life’s celebrations and special occasions. This disproportionate high level of tax must urgently be addressed at this challenging time.”

Gavin James headlines Bulmers Secret Orchard

THE Secret Orchard Live at Bulmers Clonmel returned on September 10, following a successful launch in 2021, featuring headliner act, Gavin James, taking to the stage at the exclusive event. This year’s event featured performances from alt-electro pop project, 1000 Beasts, an explosive set from one of Ireland’s best-known DJs, Marcus O’Laoire, and a headlining gig from renowned musician, Gavin James. Attendees discovered the magic and mystery of the Bulmers Orchard, with a private tour of where the brand grows its 17 varieties of apples, spoken word performances from a seanchaí, an Irish storyteller, plus plenty of secret surprises.

Boann save century-old Spanish wine barrels AN Irish distillery has saved 100-year old Spanish wine barrels, which are now being used to mature whiskey. Almost 70 extremely rare Oloroso casks from Córdoba in Andalucía, southern Spain, have been shipped to Co. Meath, where Boann Distillery, outside Drogheda, will use them to mature whiskey. “I’m always looking for rare casks,” noted Peter Cooney of Boann, who believes that “by saving these hand-made casks, we are giving them another lease of life and they can conceivably be used to mature whiskey for another 100 years.” To honour the heritage of the barrels, the family-run firm are filling them with a mashbill or ingredients which were used to make Irish whiskey in the 1920s.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|65

Drinks News Irish Distillers announce €250m new distillery for Midleton IRISH Distillers are set to invest €250m to build a new distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork, in order to meet demand and ensure the necessary future production capacity for their portfolio of Irish whiskeys globally. The distillery will produce some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, including Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, the Spot family and Method and Madness.

The new distillery will be situated on a 55-acre site adjacent and connected to the world-famous Midleton Distillery. The new distillery is expected to generate up to 100 highly skilled new jobs for the region over time, once the distillery is operational in 2025, and circa 800 jobs during the construction phase. “The new distillery will be a beautiful, landmark development with sustainability at its core and will serve to further demonstrate our commitment to Midleton and East Cork,” noted Nodjame Fouad, Chairman and CEO at Irish Distillers, “generating more jobs for the region and further driving recognition of Midleton Distillery as the beating heart of Irish

Powerscourt Distillery expand their team

POWERSCOURT Distillery have announced two new additions to their team. Award-winning Distiller & Blender Paul Corbett has joined to head up the Distillery Team and all aspects of production as Distillery Manager, while Karen Noble has joined The Powerscourt Distillery team as Visitor Centre Manager. Paul worked as a Lead Distiller at the Teeling Whiskey Company and gained further valuable experience as Head Distiller of the Clonakilty Distillery, where he oversaw the construction of their distillery and won best Irish new make spirit at the World Whiskey Awards in their first year of production.

SHS launch Nexba Kombucha LEADING Australian soft drinks brand, Nexba, have appointed SHS Sales and Marketing Ireland to look after the sales and distribution of their Kombucha portfolio in Ireland. SHS Ireland launched Australia’s number one all natural sugar-free drinks brand, Nexba, providing healthy alternatives to sugar-filled soft drinks.

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage which contains healthy components such as B vitamins, organic acids, live cultures and antioxidants. Nexba’s new range of Kombucha is available in three flavours - Strawberry & Peach, Mango and Mixed Berry. The drinks are full of live culture probiotics and are made using the globally patented ‘Nexba Natural Sweetener Blend’, which allows each drink to be completely sugar-free and contains nothing artificial, yet retains its bold, and fruity flavours.

Spirits sector rebounds post-Covid IRELAND’S spirits sector showed resilience last year in the face of the domestic and global challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, with exports up by roughly 25%, according to the Spirits Market Report 2021 from Drinks Ireland – Spirits. Overall exports were valued at around €1.2 billion, while domestic spirits sales rebounded last year, as hospitality venues reopened in the second half of the year, up by 8% to 2.55m litres sold. Vodka (29.9%), Irish Whiskey (25.04%) and Gin (14.43%) were the most popular spirits in Ireland. Drinks Ireland - Spirits have called for an excise cut on spirits. “With the third highest excise on spirits in the EU, Ireland levies a disproportionate percentage of the tax burden on distilleries who are promoting Ireland on the global stage,” noted Bryan Fallon (pictured), Managing Director of Heaven Hill Ireland, and

Walsh Whiskey and Dick Mack’s collaborate on super-premium whiskey TWO of Ireland’s leading artisan drinks-producing families, Walsh Whiskey of Carlow and Dick Mack’s of Dingle, have collaborated to create a once-off, super-premium Irish whiskey, finished in a rare craft beer cask. The Irishman - The Harvest Brown Berry Beer Cask Finish is a triple-distilled, non-chill filtered, marriage of aged Single Malt and Single Pot Still Irish whiskeys by Walsh Whiskey in Carlow. This rare single cask of whiskey is bottled at 50.04% ABV. Just 264 bottles were produced of this incredibly rare Irish whiskey, the fourth collaboration between Walsh Whiskey and Dick Mack’s Brewhouse.

66|Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Forecourt Focus: News Maxol open Kilkenny service station MAXOL are expanding their dealer network with the latest addition of Spar Irishtown in the heart of Kilkenny city, bringing the total number of new dealers this year to seven.

With over 30 years’ industry experience, John Eivers, owner of the Irishtown site, is no stranger to the forecourt convenience retail business. Since partnering with Maxol earlier this year, the forecourt has had a major overhaul, with the installation of a new Maxol canopy and comprehensive forecourt upgrade.

“The switch to Maxol has been more than rewarding, not just in terms of an uplift in sales but also as part of our plan for future-proofing our business,” John explained. “It was important for us to partner with a reputable Irish business with extensive industry knowledge and an excellent track record in retail convenience and forecourt infrastructure. We haven’t been disappointed with our decision.”

Maxol’s independent network of service stations across the island of Ireland enjoy a range of benefits, including a dedicated regional manager and support team, forecourt design and development expertise, marketing support and a customer standards and excellence programme.

To find out more about the becoming a Maxol independent dealer, visit www.maxol.ie.

Pictured outside the Maxol/Spar service station in Irishtown, Kilkenny City, are (l-r): Dermot Cogan, Regional Manager, Maxol Group, and John Eivers, owner of Maxol Irishtown, Kilkenny.

Applegreen mark ‘24/7’ birthday

To spread the word about their 24/7 mega sale birthday celebration, Applegreen enlisted the help of their ambassadors, the 2 Johnnies.

APPLEGREEN celebrated the company’s birthday on Sunday, July 24, with a selection of incredible 24 cent and €2.47 offers in Applegreen stores nationwide.

Some of the Applegreen 24/7 offers included slushies, croissants, chocolate bars, muffins, crisps and drinks for just 24 cent; and breakfast rolls, burgers and Applegreen’s legendary chicken fillet rolls for €2.47. Other highlights included Fulfil sports nutrition bars, 2 for €2.47 and Monster Original Ultra White (four-pack) for €2.47.

To spread the word about their 24/7 mega sale birthday celebration, Applegreen enlisted the help of their ambassadors, the 2 Johnnies. The popular comedy duo, who have teamed up with Applegreen on many occasions, also fronted a hilarious radio ad campaign to promote the one-off birthday celebrations.

Retail News|September 2022|www.retailnews.ie|67

What’s New NORDIC SPIRIT WATERMELON

MAKE THE OCCASION WITH NEW TAYTO LAUNCH

NORDIC Spirit are extending their flavour range, for a limited time only, with the addition of a new Watermelon flavour. Experience Watermelon’s refreshing taste of the tropics, available now in ‘Regular’ strength. Nordic Spirit is also available in Spearmint, Smooth Mint and Berry Citrus flavours, in both ‘Regular’ and ‘Strong’ nicotine strengths.

With Nordic Spirit, there are no limits. Nordic Spirit can be used anytime, anywhere with its tobaccofree, vapourfree, discreet design. Simply place a pouch under your upper lip and enjoy. Stock up now to discover your true Nordic Spirit!

TAYTO are delighted to launch the latest product offering to their Occasions Range: Tayto Occasions Corn Straws. A spicy flavour on a corn-based snack makes it perfect for every occasion & celebration. With its sizzling scrumptious taste, it’s the glitter-ball of party treats. The kind of party snack that puts smiles on faces, laughter in the air and makes every get-together one to remember. Don’t wait for the occasion, make the occasion and go on and invite Tayto Occasions Corn Straws to be the life and soul of your party. Tayto Occasions Corn Straws have a sweet chilli pepper flavour, no artificial colours, no artificial flavours, no added MSG and are suitable for vegetarians. Find them in stores nationwide now.

O’DONNELLS INTRODUCE SOUR CREAM AND ONION FLAVOUR

NEW PLANT-BASED MILK ALTERNATIVE FOR TODDLERS FROM SMA NUTRITION

O’DONNELLS have been making delectable, premium crisps for over 12 years, and now have a delicious new flavour to join their stellar line-up. Get ready for O’Donnells Sour Cream and Onion crisps, as the impeccable measure of tangy sour cream and mild onion seasoning is perfectly balanced to bring you a true taste sensation.

O’Donnells crisps are made using home grown Tipperary potatoes, cultivated on Seskin Farm, owned by the O’Donnells family for over seven generations. O’Donnells Sour Cream and Onion are available in 50g single serve and 125g share bags, and are the perfect snack to savour by yourself or to enjoy with friends.

OREO TWISTS THINGS UP OREO are twisting things up with two new playful flavours: Oreo Twists Vanilla and Caramel and Oreo Twists Vanilla and Raspberry.

The new range doubles up on the fun by combining one layer of vanilla creme with either caramel or raspberry flavours, adding a playful twist to the original Oreo cookie. “The double layered Oreo cookies, Vanilla and Caramel flavour and Vanilla and Raspberry flavour, tap into the latest flavour trends and will be sure to tingle taste buds and spark many a playful moment,” noted Seamus Harahan, Biscuits Brand Manager (Ireland) at Mondelēz International.

SMA Nutrition are bringing a new yummy plant-based drink, Little Steps Plantygrow Plant-based Growing Up Drink, that is nutritionally designed for toddlers from 1-3 years of age as part of a varied and balanced diet. This tasty plant-based milk alternative is a great and versatile choice for parents looking to diversify their toddler’s diet. It can be mixed into a toddler’s favourite breakfast, added to yummy smoothies and shakes or just as a drink in a toddler’s cup! It’s great for tots because it has no added sugars, is a good source of Vitamins A, C, B2, B12 & Iron and has been enriched with iodine and Omega 3 & 6. The drink also contains Calcium and Vitamin D which are needed for normal growth and bone development in children.

It is available in convenient on-the-go 200ml or 1 litre resealable cartons that are easy to pour and can be kept in the fridge.

68|Retail News|September[ 2022|www.retailnews.ie

Shelf Life CENTRA have announced new sustainable deli packaging changes as part of their commitment to eliminate, reduce and replace unsustainable packaging. Centra aim to deliver 100% sustainable deli packaging in delis nationwide by 2025. Centra deli packaging innovations include compostable salad bowls and soup cups, reusable knives and forks and new compostable sandwich wrapping paper (pictured).

The move towards more sustainable deli packaging, the latest step in Centra’s sustainability journey, will see over 234 tonnes of waste being diverted from landfills. “We are proud to be leading the way amongst other convenience retailers in Ireland, eliminating where we can and ensuring as soon as new sustainable packaging options come on stream that they are rolled out in our stores to help us continue our journey to 100% sustainable deli packaging,” noted Ian Allen, MD, Centra.

CONGRATULATIONS to two brave and determined Smurfit Kappa employees, who recently completed a gruelling 8,500-kilometre cycle in aid of Ukraine. The cycle set off from Gibraltar, Spain, and went on to cross 10 different countries before finishing in Nordkapp, the most northerly point of Norway. The challenge, which lasted approximately 100 days and ran from May to August, was completed by Philippe Rechoulet from France and José Luis Tani Stanghellini from Italy, who visited 36 Smurfit Kappa sites along the way. The purpose of the cycle was not only to provide further support to Ukrainian communities impacted by the war, but also to raise awareness of climate change and the benefits of an active lifestyle, which is a pillar of Smurfit Kappa’s Wellbeing for Life initiative.

LIDL Ireland have announced a new, exclusive deal with Carrick Farms from Rush, Co. Dublin, valued at more than €2m, which will bring their fresh Irish vegetables to Lidl’s network of stores nationwide. “I’m delighted to see such recognition and investment in local Irish farming from such a prominent retailer as Lidl,” noted Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pictured at Carrick Farms with James O’Regan, Begley Brothers; John McDonagh, Lidl Ireland Purchasing Director; Gillian Jenner, Lidl Ireland Senior Buyer for Food; and Brian Carrick, Carrick Farms.

TWO companies known for their passion for social justice have fallen bar-over-spoon for each other into a Chocolate Love A-Fair. Ben & Jerry’s have joined Tony’s Chocolonely’s mission to end modern slavery and child labour in the chocolate industry. To celebrate their commitment, the ice cream and chocolate makers’ flavour gurus got busy making delicious desserts inspired by each other. Chocolatey Love A-Fair is a new flavour from Ben & Jerry’s based on Tony’s popular milk caramel sea salt bar; and Tony’s Chocolate Love A-Fair are two new Tony’s bars inspired by Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream flavours. It’s love at first bite.

ALDI Ireland have agreed a new exclusive three-year deal worth almost €5m with Limerick-based Twomey’s Bakery to supply all of Aldi’s 150 Irish stores with their delicious breads, baked scones, tarts, and sponges.

Twomey’s Bakery, based in Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick, have partnered with Aldi since 2019 and currently supply the retailer with their delicious Ancient Grain Batch Loaf, Apple Tart, Fruit Scones, Apple Sponge and Apple Crumble. As part of the new deal, Twomey’s will also be introducing a tasty new rhubarb crumble. Pictured are (l-r): Peter Bough, Buying Director, Aldi Ireland, with Patrick and Eileen Twomey of Twomey’s Bakery.

NEWS Ireland have appointed internal candidates to three senior commercial roles. Sorcha Cunningham has been appointed Head of Publishing and Digital for The Sunday Times Ireland, while Karl Kavanagh will become the Head of Publishing and Digital for The Irish Sun. Both Sorcha and Karl, who have been with News Ireland for 15 years, bring a wealth of trading and management experience to their new roles and will work to grow revenue across both print and digital. Alongside Sorcha and Karl, Dave Doyle, who has been with News Ireland for eight years, has taken on an expanded remit in his role as Head of Trading in Ireland.

The position now includes a range of wider responsibilities, such as leading News Ireland’s overall digital growth strategy, while also further developing trading agreements with both key agency groups and key direct clients in the Irish market.

BUYMIE, the big-basket same-day grocery delivery platform, are reducing the price of their ‘buymie plus’ yearly subscription to €79.99, a reduction of €20, to reward the loyalty of users and offer a helping hand. The ‘buymie plus’ yearly subscription entitles members to free delivery on every order, exclusive discounts and promotions with buymie retail partners, including access to the €10 off €50 offer from retail partner Dunnes Stores, priority access to Christmas slots.

OVER the summer, Brennans Bread and Folk Wunderman Thompson unveiled a Dublin Airport campaign that celebrates the joy of returning home from holidays to the familiar, firm favourite that is Brennans Bread. While foreign travel and sun holidays made a long-awaited return following a two-year hiatus, ongoing airline delays and airport queues served to make that much anticipated return to travel a little less appealing.

“As exotic as the destinations may have been, the thought of a fresh loaf of Brennans Bread and a lovely cup of tea when you land home are the perfect remedy to leaving the holidays behind,” noted Ivan Hammond, Head of Marketing at Brennans.

A MATCH MADE

n e v a e H in SMART RETAILERS CHOOSE DAIRYGLEN