SupermarketNews // October 2016

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October 2016 • Vol. 9 No. 10

BEVERAGE COUNCIL CONFERENCE (See page 17)

editorialcomment BEATING OFF THE MALIGNERS Peter Mitchell Publisher

diarynotes OCTOBER 16-20: SIAL Paris

Why has it all suddenly gone wrong in our food and beverage industry. We are under attack from many quarters and it is just a question of which sector might be picked on next.

We have been through the tobacco furore and after succeeding in the rather pointless packaging changes, those who choose to malign anything they don’t agree with are moving on to other key issues. Sugar is now the demon despite it certainly not being the key component of obesity.

Overall, the food and beverage industry appears to be a key target for those who want instant fame and press recognition – predominantly academics and a strident group from Auckland University.

And because no-one is listening to what the industry has to say about its incredible work and repositioning in this market, the politicians will introduce the guillotine for this sector.

At the Beverage Council conference the other day, the question was what could be done to rebut much of the nonsense spoken about the blame being laid on soft drinks.

The answer, of course, is very little and a sugar tax will be laid on us shortly. And like tobacco, when that proves to be of little value, we must be concerned about what is next.

I’ll bet a dollar or two that an offshoot of this will be refundable bottles and perhaps alcohol labelling, all of which causes pain to our industry that is already working extremely responsibly.

And then perhaps the public might also see through the fanaticism that has been created by a few academics whose brief is to destroy, not cooperate.

NOVEMBER 10: Convenience Industry Leaders’ Summit, Auckland

APRIL 4-6 2017: ProFood Tech, Chicago, USA

NOVEMBER 15-17: Food & Hotel Penang 2016, Malaysia DECEMBER 5-7: SIAL Middle East, Abu Dhabi

NOVEMBER 2-4: FGC’s Annual Conference, Gold Coast, Australia

MAY 17-17 2017: SIAL China, Shanghai OCTOBER 7-11 2017: ANUGA, Cologne, Germany APRIL 24-27 2018: FHA2018, Singapore

contents

04 News 16 Beverage News 20 Smallgoods Feature 25 Rising Star 27 What’s New

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THE NEW ZEALAND BEVERAGE COUNCIL (NZBC) P.O. Box 47, AUCKLAND 1140, New Zealand.

Email: info@nzbc.nz Phone: +64 9 309 6100 DDI: +64 9 302 9932

–––––––

––––––– JAN 29 – FEB 1 2017: ISM Cologne, Germany

NOVEMBER 7-9: Yummex Middle East, Dubai

MAY 8-11 2017: ProWine Asia, Hong Kong

The NEW ZEALAND BEVERAGE COUNCIL is an industry association whose members cover all aspects of the non-alcoholic beverage market both in New Zealand and the export markets.

The Council members are spread throughout New Zealand and come together annually for an industry conference that covers industry issues and is addressed by international speakers. The organisation monitors product quality and sets standards for the industry and runs national competitions and awards.

14 17 30 SupermarketNews is published under license. Please direct all enquiries and correspondence to SupermarketNews. The opinions and material published in this edition of SupermarketNews are not necessarily those of the publishers unless specifically stated. All material in this publication is copyright and may only be reproduced with the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2015

PUBLISHER Peter Mitchell, peter@reviewmags.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rossella Quaranta, rossella@reviewmags.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR Tania Walters, tania@reviewmags.com

ADVERTISING SALES Felicity-Anne Flack, felicity@reviewmags.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Mitchell, sarah@reviewmags.com

SENIOR DESIGNER Raymund Sarmiento, raymund@reviewmags.com

ATTENTION GROCERY SUPPLIERS The Food and Grocery Council is an industry association for grocery suppliers providing members networking, events, industry information and strong advocacy.

Contact us for information on the benefits of membership: Katherine.rich@fgc.org.nz • Networking • Industry Updates • Conference and Events • Education and Training • Advocacy and Law Reform

Design Assistant: Hannah Sames CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Kieran Mitchell, kieran@reviewmags.com

ISSN NO. 1173-3365

Suite 9, Level 3, 20 Augustus Tce, Parnell, Auckland, PO Box 37140 Parnell, Auckland. Tel (09) 3040142 Fax (09) 3772794

www.fgc.org.nz

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CAN’T WE JUST BE FRENZ?

BATTLE FOR LOYALTY

Kiwis are among the world’s most prolific users of loyalty cards, which begs one major question: are loyalty schemes worth the effort? According to Sue Chetwin, chief executive of Consumer NZ, while shoppers have nothing to lose by using them, “they shouldn’t become brand followers. Sign up to all schemes, so you’re not limited to any shop.”

Reports have often suggested that loyalty programmes are ineffective in delivering realistic rewards, offering just a few points for each $100 spent. Nonetheless, loyalty cards have become the latest battlefront for New Zealand’s biggest supermarket chains, Foodstuffs (with New World) and Progressive Enterprises (with Countdown).

Started two years ago in the South Island only, the New World Clubcard programme is now rolling out nationally.

One million ‘valued New World customers’ in the North Island have just received their cards. As Loyalty NZ (which operates Fly Buys) and Air New Zealand have parted ways, shoppers who are signing up to the programme will

need to choose if they want to collect Fly Buys points or earn Airpoints Dollars.

Up to four times a year, they also get the opportunity to convert their Fly Buys points into New World dollars (cash that can be spent in-store), regardless of which of the 50 plus Fly Buys partners they were earned from. On its part, Loyalty NZ said that Fly Buys will soon offer a larger range of travel propositions, no longer be limited to Air NZ. Meanwhile, Countdown and AA Smartfuel have unveiled their revamped Onecard loyalty programme, which offers its 3.5 million cardholders new ways to save money. Onecard’s customers will now benefit from exclusive Onecard Club prices at Countdown, while also getting instant fuel savings of 6 cents per litre at AA Smartfuel partners BP and Caltex, whenever they spend $40 or more at the pump. At any time, consumers are allowed to choose which type of reward suits them best, either accumulating fuel savings through AA Smartfuel or earning Onecard Rewards Vouchers through Countdown. n

‘Free-range’ is a loose, tricky term, whose meaning can be twisted, stretched and bent. Not for Frenz, though, which sees free-range as a non-negotiable value.

Owner Rob Darby started the egg producing company in the ‘80s from a single farm in Pukekohe. Despite some downward pressures within the market, with free-range standards being rewritten a few times to include industrial-sized players, Frenz has never compromised on its high morals. Today, it’s the only national egg company Certified Bio-Gro, which means their 18 owner-operated farms meet the strictest free-range standards. “If we were to apply for any other standards, we would have to lower ours to meet them,” said Frenz sales manager Olivia Kelly.

The company has recently invested in expansion. “We understand this market is changing, as competition for the freerange segment grows and the market is swamped by large industrial players. Yet, to be true free-range, henhouses must be open 24/7 requiring small flock sizes so the land can be farmed sustainably, with farmers rotating their flocks through different paddocks to keep the grass nice and fresh.”

As the saying goes, ‘the early bird catches the worm’, and that’s literally

FRENZ IN NUMBERS

SUPPLY: 360,000 eggs per week, with a 30 percent growth target every year STOCK DENSITY: max 500 birds per acre outside, on a rotation basis (ave 400 birds/ acre); max 2,000 birds per shed.(ave 1,450)

what true free-range hens are ‘free’ to do. A good deal of technology is also involved, but in the right way. Frenz’s new million-dollar grader investment separates the eggs based on weight, quality and colour, making sure retail get the best grade (as brown as possible with no blemishes). The company has been the first in NZ to produce ‘Kitchen-Safe’ eggs, which are washed, dried and sanitised using an organic solution and UV sanitisation. Moreover, their machines feature an in-built inkjet printer that can safely print messages, logos and even Christmas wishes on the egg shell.

The challenge now is to grow without losing its core values. The company has decided to add more farms rather than increasing the size of its existing ones, and 30 farmers are already interested in joining Frenz. “With the majority of so-called free-range hens never seeing the light of day let alone green pasture it is important to maintain the Frenz mantra ‘keeping it real’”, and that means farming sustainable small flocks so that the added value in taste and nutrients that pasture raised brings can be delivered to the customer.” n

BITTER START FOR NEW LOGO BEST OF THE BEST

The 2016 NZ Food Awards’ winners have been finally revealed at a gala dinner held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and attended by 400 guests.

Entries were up 62 percent on last year, making for a prestigious and intense competition. As proud sponsors of the Artisan category, we were glad to award some of NZ’s outstanding small producers.

Due to the impressive number of entries we had received, totalling 141, we chose five ‘Highly Commended’ products and three top prizes. We want to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone that entered. More details on our November issue.

NIELSEN

BY THE NUMBERS FAST FAMILY FOOD MORE THAN HALF OF HEAVY FROZEN FOOD BUYERS ARE PARENTS (23% MORE LIKELY THAN THE POPULATION).

THINKERS AND DRINKERS MORE THAN 1 IN 3 PEOPLE WHO HAD A WINE WITH THEIR MEAL IN THE LAST MONTH ARE AVID NEWSPAPER READERS.

1st: Blue Frog Breakfast, Zesty Orange Syrup 2nd: The Seriously Good Food Co, Salt & Pepper Range 3rd: The Clareville Bakery, Lavash Style Crackers

CATCHY ADS MAKE A QUARTER OF UNDER 50s WANT TO TRY NEW PRODUCTS. OVER 50s ARE 29% LESS LIKELY TO AGREE.

Heidi Brittenden, Mark Brittenden, Sophie Brittenden, Tom Brittenden, Jack Allen, Xavier Allen, Tiarna Allen

Highly commended:

Mr Pops Ice Blocks, Flat White & Juicy Apple Ice Blocks / Soda Press Co, Raspberry and Mint Soda Syrup / Something to Crow About, Roasted Seed Range / Who Ate All The Pies, Family Range / The Larder Project, Sesame and Linseed Bread Mix n

Contact us as nielsen.com/nz for more information.

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advocacy group to backtrack.

“We’ve decided to pull the logo off our website and look into changing the shape for that reason,” said FIZZ founder Gerhard Sundborn. The group includes researchers and doctors who want a sugar tax and a nationwide school ban on sugary drinks, with the ultimate goal of freeing NZ from fizzy beverages by 2025. The introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks has also been a key topic at the latest Beverage Council Conference (see page 17). n

Here is a list of our winners

JINGLE SELLS, JINGLE SELLS!

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Health advocacy group FIZZ unveiled NZ’s first ‘no sugary drinks’ logo this month, to be displayed in schools, businesses, workplaces, public spaces and event venues just like a smoke-free sign. Things, however, didn’t go quite as planned.

Not long after the logo had been officially revealed, representatives from the food and beverage industry started slamming FIZZ for the use of the iconic curved Coke bottle silhouette. “It’s not fair that they’re singling out one drink in their campaign,” said FGC’s chief executive Katherine Rich in a statement. Coca-Cola itself sent FIZZ a formal complaint, prompting the health

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NEW WORLD FAMILY EXPANDS

A year has passed since construction began on New World Te Kuiti, and now the 2,448 sqm supermarket has finally opened its doors to public. “It would be fair to say this project has been allconsuming for the past year, but during that time the constant community feedback has been amazing,” said owneroperator Mark Brittenden.

The new building features the latest design, plenty of natural light, energyefficient refrigeration and eco-friendly LED lighting with automatic dimmers to minimise power usage. Compared to the previous store, New World Te Kuiti has also created 15 additional jobs, bringing the total number of staff to 95. n

UNITED FRESH MARKS MILESTONE

NATIONAL SWEET TOOTH

United Fresh, the pan-produce organisation, is marking 25 years of horticulture industry collaboration. The organisation, now led by new president Jerry Prendergast of MG Marketing, has included new varieties, sustainability and new technologies as part of its future strategic plan.

The fresh and horticulture industry in New Zealand is enjoying stellar growth throughout the value chain, both supply and retail and its 5+ A Day and Fruit in Schools campaign have won widespread plaudits. The Fruit in Schools programme is now providing 23 million pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables to around 115,000 children annually. n

Kiwis have a sweet tooth, and the clearest proof of this are the 2016 Brands I love rankings, recently released by Colmar Brunton.

There are now three confectionery brands in the top six, namely Whittaker’s (first), Cadbury (fifth) and Pascall Pineapple Lumps (sixth).

While Whittaker’s remains New Zealanders’ favourite brand, leading the way alongside perennial top four like All Blacks (second), Air New Zealand (third) and Tip Top (fourth), Cadbury has managed to come from outside the top 10 last year into the top five.

This is, of course, particularly

JERRY PRENDERGAST

news satisfying for James Kane, who was appointed as Mondelez International’s NZ country head exactly one year ago.

“The confectionery category continues to have a number of muchloved brands in it, which is great news,” Kane told us. “We know that the category is one of the biggest and fastest-growing in supermarkets, so brand love like this is really important.” n

CONVENIENCE SUMMIT SOON

COFFEE AND TEA GIANT CREATED It’s business as usual for the new industry giant in the coffee and tea business in New Zealand – the acquisition of the Brew Group

by Jacobs Douwe Egberts ANZ. The Brew Group, better known as the Bell Tea and Coffee Company, was recently renamed after it was purchased from Foodstuffs by Pencarrow Private Equity and senior staff in 2013.

Bell Tea is an iconic brand originally based in Dunedin but part of the Foodstuffs portfolio for many years, while the JDE business with its popular Moccona brand is an international success. No forward plans have been announced for the highly complementary businesses, but the enlarged operation will have an enviable range and be the largest retail coffee and tea supplier in New Zealand. The JDE New Zealand operation is currently headed by Country Manager Brian Tomlinson and the Brew Group by Mark Hamilton. The deal is still subject to approval by the NZ Overseas Investment Office. n

The New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS) is running a one day Convenience Leaders Summit in Auckland on November 10.

The event being staged at the Crowne Plaza has a number of leading speakers followed by an industry dinner. More information from ACS executive director Dave Hooker at dave@retailworx.co.nz. n MARK HAMILTON

MEDIA TRAINING FOR FMCG EXECUTIVES

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FOR THE RECORD

To celebrate its 21st birthday, Levin-based company RJ’s Licorice has achieved the Guinness World Record for the largest liquorice allsort. Over 1,000 people attended the event at the company’s factory in Levin and helped eat the one-ton green, black and white sweet. The company has decided to offer all attendees the giant allsort as a birthday cake and donate leftovers to The Salvation Army. n

$10 MILLION FACILITY

NEW EXTERNAL RELATIONS MANAGER

Prime Minister John Key and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel have officiated the opening of Original Foods Baking Co.’s new $10 million production facility, which also marks the company’s 25th birthday. Guests were treated to a ‘Design Your Own Donut’ bar, jazz music and baked goods. The new premises cover an area of 2,800 sqm and will allow OFBC to boost its production to meet domestic and international demand. n

Former Farro Fresh’s marketing manager, Ahi McKenzie, has been named as Foodstuffs’ new external relations manager. Before Farro, she has been head of marketing and design at The Aromatherapy Company. McKenzie will be working across both Foodstuffs companies, Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island.

“We are thrilled that Ahi is joining the team,” said Antoinette Laird, head of external relations, Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd. “Not only does she have a broad range of skills to offer, but her creative background is also a real asset. We are constantly looking for new and exciting ways we can surprise and delight our customers and Ahi’s fresh view on how we can go about this is very much welcomed.” n

FOREVER YOUNG

Eighty-year-old Lorna King started out as a meatpacker in 1970. Forty-six years later, she still works at the same store, New World Green Bay, Auckland, now being in charge of the bread and confectionery department. King says that her secret to staying young is working, so she doesn’t intend to retire anytime soon, ‘not until I’m carried out.’ “She’s the most positive person you’ll ever meet, and she’s an absolute pleasure to have in the store,” said Clive Webber, owner-operator of NW Green Bay. n

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Zealand, pointed out that the company’s building, with its balance of form, function, innovation and efficiency, is a perfect metaphor for what packaging should achieve.

The PIDAs (‘Packaging & Processing, Innovation and Design Awards’) aim to demonstrate how the packaging industry delivers on functionality through creativity, innovation and design.

“Getting it off the ground is about how we secure partnerships, rather than sponsorships,” said Sharon Humphreys, executive director, Packaging Council of New Zealand.

To learn more about the partnership opportunities available, email sharon@packaging.org.nz or call 09 271 4044. n

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representation of our brands,” Phillimore said.

Committed to building lasting and mutually profitable relationships with the companies they represent, College Hill Agencies focus on a tight portfolio of brands, most of which sit in the premium segment.

Wellington sensation, Havana Coffee is just the latest addition to their customer base. “All of our clients are brands with passion, brands with a story and they’re NZ family-owned BRIAN PHILLIMORE businesses for the most. By building a portfolio of brands that work together we leverage their strengths for the benefit of all ” Phillimore said.

Although their current priority is to grow the brands within their portfolio, CHA are willing to take more clients on board, provided they’re the right fit. “We partner with brands we believe in and who share our values and goals.” n

Zealan d

New

The Packaging Council of New Zealand has officially launched the new, much-anticipated PIDA Awards (or PIDAs), which mark an Australasian collaboration between the World Packaging Organisation and three respected industry association; the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Manufacturers Association (APPMA) and the Packaging Council of New Zealand. The inaugural presentation will take place in Australia on 8 March 2017.

The joint platform and its partnership packages were presented this month at Fonterra’s new HQ in Auckland. Leon Clement, managing director of Fonterra Brands New

Having represented premium FMCG businesses for nearly thirty years, College Hill Agencies know what it takes to secure long term growth, brand profitability and buy level on shelf. To achieve these results—especially in a highlycompetitive environment like the grocery market—an unconventional and creative approach is crucial.

“We look to harness our people’s energy and ideas and let them loose with accountability for results,” said Brian Phillimore, College Hill’s managing director. “We are proactive and innovative in building relationships at all levels of the industry with an eye to mutual benefit. We like to be at the table for NPD and sales strategy and the more input the better.”

Previously known as Anstiss Sales & Marketing and recently renamed to College Hill, the agency was founded in 1988 by Maurice Anstiss. Staff members have on average ten years’ tenure and bring passion and enthusiasm along with lasting relationships, with two of them having been supermarket owners. “We value our team and they are at the heart of our business. By ensuring we have a long serving, happy and motivated team we can ensure the best possible

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AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING AWARDS

NOT YOUR CONVENTIONAL SALES AGENCY

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Free to roam on open pastures 24/7

We wash our eggs so you don’t have to

Early bird catches the worm, because they can

Our hens don’t do drugs, free to grow in small flocks

Keeping it real, the way it has been for thousands of years

All our organic eggs are certified by BioGro

Trusted brand, 3 decades pioneering Free Ranging

100% Traceability, flock locator on every pack

Fresh Air + Green Pastures = The Happiest Hens on Earth. frenzeggs.co.nz FRNZ0063 Why Frenz A1 Poster_v3.indd 1

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Unlocking Category Growth with Moccona Experience Moccona’s Finest New Moccona Wholebean, with the taste & aroma of freshly ground coffee.

Driving further premiumisation within the instant coffee segment.

n g e a � s � e � � � c N e w c�o

Indulgent New Flavour Innovation A delectable new ‘Choc Lovers Range’ joins the Moccona Café Classics portfolio. These indulgent flavours are sure to drive excitement for shoppers and incremental sales for the category.

Wake Up In Style!

This November Moccona & Peter Alexander will help shoppers ‘Wake Up In Style’ with this range of 4 x 200g collector jars.

This promotion will create instore excitement and drive category AWOP.

Masterbrand Activity $1m Advertising Ratecard July – December August

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November

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Masterbrand TVC TV on Demand Facebook Wholebean Instant Support Peter Alexander October 2016

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COKE LANDS NEW FACILITY

PR: YOUR ‘OTHER’ LOYALTY SCHEME

By Mark Blackham, Director of BlacklandPR Absolute customer loyalty is a pipedream for at least two-thirds of companies. Up to 90 percent of their customers also buy product from competitors. It’s a fact of business life, and can still be handsomely profitable.

Marketing efforts like coupons, competitions and loyalty programmes aim to disrupt consumer polygamy by encouraging habit through tangible rewards. Research shows that many of these have ambivalent or temporary results.

That’s because they underline the part of the customer relationship with you that is transactional. It can be easily replicated by competitors.

Emotions play a big role in the degree of loyalty. We prefer to deal with those organisations and products who satisfy the social and personality needs of our egos.

Emotional loyalty is more resilient than transactional loyalty. We are prepared to put up with higher costs for people and values with which we feel affinity, similarity, and

familiarity.

Emotional loyalty is virtually the only factor you have in tough times like product recalls and adverse customer experiences.

Customers can overlook the setback if they trust you to fix the problem, if they feel good about you, and if sticking with you says something virtuous about themselves.

Contaminated food at US fast food chain Jack in the Box infamously killed customers in 1993. The transactional focus of their customer-relationship meant it took at least two years for sales to recover. In contrast, a contamination event across multiple Chipotle restaurants last year cut sales for only about nine months. The earnestness of its corporate style seems to have given customers trust to return to the restaurants.

This sort of emotional loyalty comes only through investment in your relationship with the public; through customer service, and expressing your values and style in everyday decision-making.

There’s an argument for treating public relations as a loyalty scheme. You spend money on reward points given out with every positive service experience, every good media story, every thumbs up in social media, and every moment of integration into ordinary social life. The more PR points each customer has, the more likely they are to choose you in their polygamous relationships. n

Coca-Cola Amatil has opened its brand-new Keri juice manufacturing plant, located at the Landing Business Park near Auckland Airport.

The start-of-the-art facility occupies an area of 10,000 sqm and is able to produce 800,000 bottles every day, doubling the capacity of previous plants while also allowing the company to reduce its environmental footprint through the use of the latest

innovations in design and packaging.

The new factory is set to produce 84 products across a number of different brands, including Keri juices, Powerade, Fuze Tea, Baker Halls, E2 and Glaceau, just to name a few.

Both Coke’s marketing manager Tracey Evans and managing director NZ Chris Litchfield said they wereespecially proud of all the low-calorie options now available across almost all brands. “People want to have more choice, so we have also introduced smaller pack sizes across different categories,” Evans told.

“Everything we do is based on consumer insights, so we are always optimising our products in terms of formulations and formats. For example, the new Powerade bottle uses less plastic and is more squeezable, which allows for a faster hydration and a smaller environmental impact.”

According to Evans, Coca-Cola is seeing growing opportunities within the coconut water and the bottled water segments, while new formulations and ingredients continue to drive innovation in the sports drink category. n

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FREE COFFEES SAVE THE PLANET

New World Regent is rewarding its environmentally-conscious customers with free coffee, provided they use at least one reusable bag and make six purchases of $20 or more.

Owner Lillian Leathem said the initiative had received outstanding feedback, with 8,000-10,000 fewer bags going to landfill and around 120 coffees being awarded every week. From early November, the store plans to take the programme to the next level by serving its hot drinks in biodegradable cups. n

REDUCED SUGAR CONTENT IN KIDS’ YOGHURT Fonterra’s brand Anchor Uno, market leader with 52 percent share in the kids’ yoghurt segment, is taking a stand against sugary products by lowering the sugar content in its kids’ yoghurt range. Its new Uno formulation contains 40 percent less sugar than the original one—a reduction that has been achieved with no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.

According to Angela Rowan, general manager of Nutrition, Fonterra, the move is in line with recommendations from public health authorities such as the World Health Organisation. n

READY TO TANTALISE KIWIS’ TASTE BUDS “Our company’s

Snack lovers have a new option to try.

Established in 2013, TasteHQ was acquired in July 2016 by Suraj Jewani with the precise aim to introduce innovative, healthy snack alternatives and international flavours to the New Zealand market. The company focuses on a range of mouth-watering Pretzel Crisps that come in four different variants; Original, Garlic Parmesan, Buffalo Wing and Sesame.

For Jewani, it was love at first taste.

“The product itself prompted me to purchase this business. Pretzel Crisps have great potential and are still unknown to many consumers,” he said.

With over 20 years’ background in sales and management within national and international brands such as Bacardi, Chateau d’Ori, New World and NZ Post/Kiwibank, Jewani instantly saw an opportunity to improve product awareness and sales through social media, marketing and advertisement. To date, Pretzel Crisps are available at select New World, Pak’nSave, Four Square, Nosh and Fresh Choice stores.

mission is to promote a balanced lifestyle and increase the selection of healthy snack alternatives,” Jewani said. Being versatile, very low to no fat, lower calorie and zero-cholesterol, Taste HQ’s products are targeted at consumers aged 10 to 40 years who purchase snacks on taste, ingredients and convenience.

The company is about to broaden its offering with new Pretzel Pieces in four flavours, 100% Natural Coconut Water in slim aluminium cans, and Organic spices in smart value pack jars. “Growing distribution is always a challenge, and having new products on board will provide opportunities to improve it, as Pretzel Pieces can be sold at fuel stations which are also our target retailers.”

TasteHQ plans to expand internationally over the next couple of years, with Australia and India being on the list. In the meantime, the focus is firmly on New Zealand, and Jewani is confident that Pretzel’s truly unique products will tantalise consumers’ taste SURAJ JEWANI buds. n

news PROMOTING FOOD LITERACY Healthybalance.nz is the new website launched by the FGC to improve food literacy among New Zealanders, prompting and supporting their health and wellbeing with evidence-based advice.

“We all know that food literacy is vital to enable consumers to choose, prepare and consume a healthy diet, but these days, given the many sources of different information available to use, information on healthy eating can be confusing and contradictory,” said Katherine Rich, chief executive, FGC. n

COMMUTERS ARE SERVED Countdown has introduced secure Click&Collect lockers at five transport hubs that over 95,000 Auckland commuters use on a daily basis. Currently being rolled out as a six-month trial, the service allows shoppers to collect their groceries on the way home, catering to an increasingly cosmopolitan crowd. n

From paddock to plate, our chips move safely on Loscam – New Zealand’s safest rackable wooden hire pallet.

Mike McLeod

Supply Chain Manager (far left)

Phyllis Smith

Export Coordinator (middle)

Junior Lupena

Logistics Team Leader (far right)

Scan this QR Code to find out more about the LOSCAM pallets.

www.loscam.com shaun.sievwright@loscam.com

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BUTCHERS MAKE NZ PROUD Some of New Zealand’s best retail butchers have recently headed off to the Gold Coast to showcase their skills at the 2016 World Butchers’ Challenge, with two of them taking out top prizes.

Teams from NZ, Australia, UK and France took part in the coveted competition, which saw Countdown Ponsonby apprentice Hohepa Smith win the title of World Butchers’ Champion Apprentice, while Pak’nSave Clarence St butcher Alana Empson, from Hamilton, was crowned as the International Young Butcher of the year. n

DON’T FORGET IT

The 2017 NZ Grocery Buyer’s Guide is circulated to all retail buyers including all chain and independents through FMCG, oil channel and convenience. It regularly introduces new mainstream importers and local producers, and details the emergence of artisan products that are building a place in the market.

Don’t forget to fill in your SN Buyer’s Guide listing. To get a form, contact felicity@reviewmags.com.

THEY’RE ON FIRE

MICHAEL VAN DE ELZEN

YOU ARE NOT TOO BUSY Are we too busy to eat healthily?

According to a recent survey, 94 percent of Kiwis don’t believe it would take under 15 minutes to prepare a healthy meal.

To debunk this hard-to-kill myth, Mars-owned brand Uncle Ben’s and renowned chef Michael Van de Elzen have invited food journalists and bloggers to a demonstration, where

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Van de Elzen successfully cooked two recipes in a just a few minutes, using Uncle Ben’s parboiled rice.

“This is something I would serve my kids,” said Van de Elzen, who has two young daughters, Hazel and Ivy. “I think this is a good rule: when you cook food that you are happy to serve your kids, it can’t get any better than that.” n

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Onfire Design has welcomed design specialist and founder of Studio Alexander, Grant Alexander, into its team. As Onfire’s new design director, Alexander will bring his extensive experience in developing many

NZ’s best-known brands.

He also co-founded awardwinning company Designworks and won several Best Design Awards as well as a lifelong DINZ Outstanding Achievement Award in 2006. n

MAJOR FLOUR MILL FOR YARROWS A former meatworks site in the mid-Waikato town of Tirau has been transformed into a stateof-the-art flour mill in a joint venture between national baker Yarrows and a private consortium.

On the same site is a separate Yarrows plant known as the Mighty Bakery that is creating and distributing baked products through the central region.

The plant partnership between John and Rosaleen Yarrow and the father and son combination of Gary and Niki Urwin is only a couple of months old and, while initially supplying the main Yarrow operation, there are major plans to expand its sales.

The plant has a 40,000 ton annual capacity providing bulk flour processed from top quality Australian wheat imported through the Port of Tauranga. While it does supply commercial quantities, plans are afoot for a packaging facility catering for retail packs and a future sales and marketing team.

Known as New Zealand Flour Mills, the company is milling high-grade flour whereas as most other mills in New Zealand are producing lesser grades.

The highly automated plant employs only six people and was originally planned to be Tauranga-based, but Tirau is particularly central and the company was offered strong local support.

Gary Urwin is well-known having spent over 50 years in the flour industry including time with DH Brown, Defiance and Goodman Fielder as well as eight years in Canada and Australia. He and his son Niki are managing the Tirau plant. n

BECOMING CUSTOMER AND DATA-LED Tim Donaldson

General Manager Retail, Foodstuffs South Island Ltd

It’s now two years since Foodstuffs South Island launched a journey into the unknown with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programme called New World Clubcard – a journey that’s shed new light on our shoppers’ preferences, and helped us get closer to them with tailored and relevant rewards.

Of course, CRM is not a new concept and there were already numerous examples overseas for us to study and gain a perspective on the good, the bad and the ugly.

The most startling insight that really hit home came from our own data and showed that 10 percent of our customers contribute 60 percent of our stores’ revenue, and conversely, 60 percent of our customers contribute 10 percent of revenue.

More importantly, though, we didn’t really know who those customers were and certainly didn’t have

a mechanism to provide them with differentiated offers.

It quickly became clear to us that there was a real cost to not knowing your customers, for example you can’t tell when a valuable customer is lost. And, most importantly, you miss the opportunity to reward loyal customers with targeted offers tailored to their individual needs, increasing loyalty, brand engagement and growing categories in partnership with our suppliers.

ENTER NEW WORLD CLUBCARD.

How does the score card look two years down the track? Today we have over 450,000 active Clubcard customers, and their Clubcards account for 69 percent of New World transactions and a phenomenal 85 percent of turnover.

These numbers are well beyond our expectations at this stage of the programme, and are the result of outstanding in-store engagement led by New World owners, instore discounts called Club Deals, and the ability for our customers to collect the rewards that suit them best – Fly Buys or Air New Zealand AirpointsTM. We’ve also introduced personalised offers for customers, and significantly increased supplier involvement in the programme. It would be fair to say that we have all been learning what does and does not work, especially with respect to offers that drive customer engagement, and whilst it is still early in the evolution of both our understanding and

capability, we are certainly making rapid progress – and of course having fun.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

Development is currently underway to enable true one-to-one personalisation for customer offers on a larger scale. This development will also introduce predictive technology utilising ‘secret sauce’ algorithms that allow us to provide offers to customers based on their preferences and their behaviour.

From an operational perspective, the team is looking forward to increasing the use of customer data to measure innovation and new product success – using a customer lens to drive category growth strategically and implement customer-centric range optimisation.

This last point is critical to ensuring the loyalty of our most valuable customers. For years we used sales velocity to determine ranging. Now we are able to determine how important a particular product is to our most valuable customer groups, rather than simply how many units are sold.

The continued development of our CRM capabilities combined with our store owners’ passion for providing an exceptional shopping experience, mean the future is both challenging and exciting, and a lot easier to navigate now we have the Clubcard data to help guide the way.

And of course, the journey is just about to get underway for our colleagues in the North Island with the launch of Clubcard. n October 2016

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internationalaisle GOD SAVE THE MARMITE

For an entire day, UK shoppers feared they would never see Marmite on store shelves again—at least not at Tesco’s. After having been locked in a short yet fierce battle over wholesale prices, the supermarket chain and the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods company have reached a resolution.

Unilever had asked all major retailers to raise its prices by 10 percent, as a result of falling pound value.

When Tesco, among others, refused to agree to the price hike, Unilever pulled 200 of its brands from Tesco’s shelves, including Marmite, Ben & Jerry’s and Persil.

Some analysts pointed out that Unilever was using Brexit as an excuse, regardless of the fact that most of its goods were made in Britain with local ingredients.

Now the two giants have buried the hatchet, to the satisfaction of both sides.

“Unilever is pleased to confirm that the supply situation with Tesco in the UK and Ireland has now been successfully resolved,” a statement read. n

COLLATERAL DAMAGE UK supermarkets are planning to launch products with smaller packets and less expensive ingredients to offset Brexit’s negative impact on the pound’s value. According to the Bank of England, companies are facing higher import costs. The report also pointed out that retailers are very cautious about any increases

in prices, ‘given that consumers remained highly price sensitive.’

“Shrinking products can be a sneaky way of increasing prices,” said James Daley, director of consumer magazine Which?. “We want manufacturers and supermarkets to be upfront about shrinking products so consumers aren’t misled.” n

DISCOUNTER HEADED DOWNUNDER According to media reports, German discount supermarket Lidl is gearing up to open its first stores in Australia.

The chain will try to gain market share from all-time rival Aldi, who launched in Australia in 2001 and currently operates more than 400

NEW EXPORT PORTAL

ExportPortal.com has launched a brand-new website, open to global sellers, buyers and shippers who are involved in international trade.

Based in Los Angeles, Export Portal offers businesses new ways of marketing their products internationally, by serving as a seller’s virtual showroom where products are displayed to potential buyers around the world.

Additionally, EP unifies legal services, international payments and shipping under the same umbrella.

For more information, visit exportportal.com. n

supermarkets around the country.

The two largest chains, Woolworths and Coles, still account for 60 percent of the Australian grocery market with 950 and 770 stores each, but the competition is set to become much tougher over the coming months. n

PROWINE ASIA TO HIT HONG KONG As part of the ProWein World’s family of international trade shows, the next ProWine Asia will take place in Hong Kong from May 8 to 11, 2017.

The four-day event will assemble a wealth of globally-established wines and spirits, connecting international producers and distributors to the booming markets of China and South East Asia.

To secure a spot, visit www. prowineasia.com/hk. n

WHAT DOES TOMORROW TASTE LIKE?

Christmas Muffin Wraps Our Christmas muffin wraps are perfect for promoting your muffins and cakes.

Our stock lines include both plain and printed varieties in either a white or brown, and our new range of funky seasonal prints are also available for this festive season.

Freephone: 0800 107 620 Email: info@confoil.co.nz

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To answer this question, global food and beverage trade show Anuga will return in Cologne, Germany, from October 7 to 11, 2017.

With its ten separate fairs under one roof and a clear focus on the trends of the future, Anuga provides its exhibitors and visitors with precious

networking opportunities.

Around 160,000 trade visitors from 192 countries attended the five-day event in 2015, as a clear testimony of the growing importance of Anuga on the world stage.

To register your participation, visit www.anuga.com. n

A SWEET COMEBACK The world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks, ISM, is gearing up for its 47th year. The event will return to Cologne, Germany, from January 29th to February 1st, 2017, with 1,600 exhibitors from 65 countries being expected. ProSweets Cologne, the international supplier fair for the sweets and snacks industry, will be staged parallel to ISM. As a perfect companion to chocolate and biscuits, coffee and hot drinks will take centre stage, opening up new perspectives for buyers from the sales channels café,

confectioners, bakeries and cake shops. This attractive combination also works in the food retail trade, where sweets, biscuits and hot drinks are often presented on neighbouring shelves.

For more information, visit www.ism-cologne.com. n

Distributed by Federal Merchants & Co | P: 0800 846 824 | E: info@federalmerchants.co.nz

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beveragenews

2016 VARIETAL CHAMPIONS

OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF RETAIL WINES

A wealth of 1,319 wines was entered in the New World Wine Awards this year.

Judges awarded 779 medals (88 Gold, 192 Silver and 499 Bronze medals), and new vintage wines took out a total of 137 medals, including 15 gold medals and three varietal Champion awards.

“The quality of the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc entries, predominantly from New Zealand vineyards, exceeded the judging panel’s expectations,” said Jim Harré, chair of the judging panel.

Eligible wines must retail for $25 or

THREE OF 2016 VARIETAL CHAMPIONS JIM HARRÉ

less, and there must be at least 5,000 bottles available for sale. In the past, the event has driven sales growth across the New World’s network of stores.

NEW BEGINNING

Sacred Hill Wine Company has just rebranded to Quench Collective, with the new look and name allowing flexibility and diversification.

“The journey has been a successful one so far and now the time has come to move on from the Sacred Hill name and set Quench Collective on a new course,” said David Mason, founder and managing director of Sacred Hill Vineyards. While wine will remain a major pillar of the business, the company looks to expand its portfolio in premium beer, cider and other beverage categories. n

Following the announcement of the 2015 results last year, 323,000 bottles of wine sold within the first six weeks.

Now the Top 50 gold medal-winning wines are on New World’s shelves nationwide. n

• Champion Sauvignon Blanc: Mount Vernon Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 • Champion Chardonnay: Clearview Estate Beachhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2015 • Champion Pinot Gris: Thornbury Waipara Pinot Gris 2016 • Champion Riesling: Giesen Riesling 2015 • Champion Rosé: Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Rosé 2016 • Champion Bubbles: Brancott Estate Brut Cuvée NV • Champion Pinot Noir: Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 • Champion Shiraz & Syrah: Mission Estate Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015 • Champion Single Varietal Red: Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 • Champion Red Blend: Robert Oatley GSM 2015

SPACE WINE China has literally launched Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir vines into space to test their resistance to drought and cold weather. Scientists hope that growing the vines on China’s new ‘space palace’ laboratory will trigger genetic mutations that may make the plants more resistant to harsh climate. n

Mentos is growing at +27%* New flavours drive incremental category sales

*Aztec Scan Data MAT to 14/08/16

NEW WATERMELON FLAVOUR SUGARFREE NOW MINTS Contact your DKSH New Zealand Limited representative for more information.

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BEVERAGE COUNCIL CONFERENCE An industry under fire is facing challenges from sectors that simply don’t appreciate the changes already afoot.

BARKERS AND SIMPLY SQUEEZED WIN TOP AWARDS

BEVERAGE COUNCIL HAMMERS CRITICS The beverage industry remains under attack not just from the anti-sugar brigade, but from a number of groups looking for populist scapegoats to push a range of agenda, said NZ Beverage Council executive officer Kerry Tyack at the group’s annual meeting this month.

“These include those with an anti-business bias, those with political aspirations, those with a jaundiced view of multi-nationals, those with a need to attract research funds to cement their academic careers and those who feel they have an absolute right to determine how we live our lives,” he told over 80 delegates from the industry.

Tyack said that while the groups must be acknowledged they needed to be reminded that they had no mandate to burn the industry books nor was there any justification for their arrogant positioning of members of the industry. “It is the consumer we need to have understand that what they are being told about non-alcoholic beverages by any of these groups is in many cases untrue, unproven, unreliable and unwarranted.

“This industry has a huge and undeniable responsibility to the consumer and we must ensure we don’t lead them down paths that put them at any level of risk and we provide them with informed, positive and beneficial choices,” he said. “Their rights and concerns must be paramount – nothing less will do.”

Tyack also made the point that while the focus was on beverage manufacturers, it was important that all associated with the industry was at some level of risk from the claims being made to malign the industry.

“That means that if you are looking to protect your vested interests, you must accept the responsibility to become involved. Standing on the sideline opting not to take an active stance was simply not enough to guarantee protection from negative claims, punitive taxes, bad press, lower sales and loss of jobs,” said Tyack.

KERRY TYACK

It is the consumer we need to have understand that what they are being told about non-alcoholic beverages by any of these groups is in many cases untrue, unproven, unreliable and unwarranted.

The New Zealand Beverage Council’s annual awards have this year been topped by Barkers of Geraldine and Simply Squeezed Ltd. The two companies took out the supreme awards for small and large producers.

These top awards were sponsored by Sensient Technology and Supermarket News magazine. Barkers won the award for its Unsweetened Blackadder Blackcurrant Juice and Simply Squeezed to the honours with its Super Juice of Lemon, Ginger & Honey. Both companies won their best juice-based beverage categories leading up to the main award.

The best lifestyle beverage awards went to The Manuka Honey Drinks Co (small manufacturers) with its Manukee branded Manuka Honey, Lemon & Elderflower and to Frucor Beverages (large manufacturer) with its V Pure.

The award for the best carbonated beverage also went to Frucor with its new product called Humble.

The best innovation in bottled water went to the Infinity Lifestyle Group with its Nak’d Artesian Sparkling Water. The Beverage Council is currently considering the future of the awards following a disappointing level of interest this year. This year only 48 products were entered by 15 member companies. n

BEVERAGE LEADERS Olly Munro of Directus International has been re-elected as president of the New Zealand Beverage Council for the third time. His new executive team is Paul Frewin (Enza Foods), Kerry Jacobs (NZ Sugar), Alleyn MacGregor (Frucor Beverages), Nick Sawyer (Sensient Technologies), Karen Thompson (CocaCola Oceania) and Ruth Leary (ADM Wild). Kerry Tyack continues as executive officer.

OLLY MUNRO

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WE’VE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION Our three-part journey with World Tour by SIAL has now come to an end.

These are the last finalists competing for the top prize, with the global winner being announced at the SIAL 2016 exhibition in Paris.

NETHERLANDS: Bitterballen and Croquetten, Kwekkeboom Oven

CZECH REPUBLIC: Crawnchies, Lifefood

ISRAEL: Schnitzel Series, of Tov

Lifefood Crawnchies are the world’s first raw vegan stackable chips, made with flax seeds, nutritious veggies and fine herbs. Available in four flavours, including Pumpkin Curcuma seasoned with turmeric, they respond to consumers’ demand for healthy, great tasting food made with premium ingredients.

Made using 100 percent natural ingredients and chicken raised without antibiotics or added hormones, Of Tov’s Schnitzel Series has revitalised the ready-to-eat meals category. The range comes in different variants and shapes that appeal to kids, such as mini-dinosaurs and numbers.

CANADA: nuPasta

UK: Coconut Almond Butter, Pip & Nut

IRELAND: Hiro, Roisin

Thanks to its unique formulation, NuPasta is a pasta substitute with high fibre content and one-tenth of the calories of its traditional counterpart. The formula was created in Canada using konjac root, which has been consumed in Japan for hundreds of years.

Determined to keep things simple and healthy, UK brand Pip&Nut removed refined sugar and palm oil from its nut butter recipes, adding other natural ingredients for extra flavour. Coconut and almond turned out to be a match made in heaven.

Dutch savoury snacks are famous all over the world; however, most of them are deep-fried and not a healthy option. With the recent launch of its Oven range, wellknown and respected brand Kwekkeboom has finally provided the market with an alternative option.

AUSTRALIA: Bodie’z Protein Water This innovative ‘super beverage’ is packed with a scientifically tailored vitamin and electrolyte mix, containing less than one gramme of sugar, fat and carbohydrates, without preservatives, artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.

POLAND: High-Protein Yogurt, Bakoma Men This high-protein yoghurt appeals to active males aged 2555 with secondary or higher education, who live in medium/large cities and care about their appearance. Each SKU contains up to eight percent of protein.

ARGENTINA: Limonada, Terma

Argentinian leading national brands like Terma have recently been introducing innovative and healthier products into categories that had remained unchanged for a long time. This natural, tasty lemonade comes in three variants: ginger & lemongrass, lime & mint, and raspberry & elderberry.

ITALY: Flan Di Verdure “Magie Della Natura”, Valbona

The HIRO range includes three flavour options: Chicken Ramen Noodle Broth, Prawn Miso Noodle Brot and Chicken Stir Fry. Made using carbohydrate-free noodles that contain revolutionary konjac flour, this chilled meal has a unique and well-balanced nutritional profile; ultra low carb, fat-free, low-sugar and high-protein.

Thirty seconds in the microwave is all you need to cook this range of six fresh vegetable flans, containing spinach, tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, radicchio salads and mushrooms. Being gluten-free, low in calories, high in fibre and ready-toeat within minutes, these products meet all modern consumers’ needs, and are perfect both as an ingredient and as a side dish.

A SHARED PLAN TO WIN IN SUMMER Dave Chambers

Managing Director COUNTDOWN

Christmas. Months of planning goes into ensuring we have plenty of stock, raw ingredients, packaging, buffer supplies, advertising booked and for us, that we have more team on the floor, particularly at those times when we know our customers are under pressure and just need to get the shopping done.

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This time of year is full-on, and it can be really easy to get to 25 December and just be thankful that it’s over for another year.

But every year January and February see poor stock availability for our customers because collectively we’re not keeping our eye on having the right amount of stock available in that busy early summer period.

Recently at our Supplier Update, Liz May, Countdown’s General Manager of Logistics, talked with suppliers about ‘winning in summer’. At Countdown, we want to work with our suppliers to win together, and encourage you to consider changing your mindset from focusing only on Christmas, to planning and preparing for the entire summer season.

Put simply, if we don’t have your stock then we both can’t supply goods to our customers, and that is a lost opportunity for everyone. Every year we know suppliers have best-laid plans in place, but in all honesty, every year the lack of stock in summer means we are OWNED

losing millions of dollars of potential sales of your products.

Summer holiday patterns mean that supermarkets in the big cities have less people visiting, and suddenly small towns become extremely busy. As a retailer, we need to be nimble and move more stock around our stores as efficiently as possible, and make sure that we’re ready for whatever summer throws at us - whether that’s a heatwave in Dunedin, a storm or two on the Coromandel, or a long hot summer down south.

This year we have the added pressure of two three-day weeks because of where the public holidays fall. It’s vital that together we have a plan in place to increase supplies over the next couple of months, so that you have a surplus of products on hand or even better, already stored-up stock waiting for distribution to cover customer demand across the whole of the summer period. We need to be able to get hold of your business quickly if there’s an opportunity to fill, and to know how our suppliers are

supporting seven-day trade even on those short weeks.

At the end of September, our team met with 70 key suppliers and implemented a strategy to help create certainty that stock will be at maximum levels, and a shared plan to get it delivered on time. We also discussed executing well in stores with merchandising and promotional tieups. If you were not able to attend this meeting and would like a checklist and tips on how to prepare for the busiest months of the retail calendar, please email Shirley Pereira (shirley.pereira@ countdown.co.nz).

If we can make a concerted effort to find the time to build aligned plans, then collectively we can ensure that there are plenty of the right products through our network, getting on our store shelves at the right time.

This is a massive sales opportunity for all of us and with the planning and hard work this side of Christmas, then that summer holiday will be even more enjoyable. n

. . . e g n a R e e r F Waitoa

& y t t i n l u o a c u n q e e wh rang

Waitoa’s passion and care for free range innovation has seen it become a leading brand of choice.

First in the freezer, first for gluten free; from fresh, to value enhanced and frozen convenience, our products are produced with your customers in mind.

Breadth of range Category growth and extension SPCA Blue Tick independently audited and approved

www.waitoafreerange.co.nz

proudly

Free Range

Sales Office: P.O. Box 247, Te Aroha, 624 Waihekau Road, Ngarua R.D. WAITOA. FREE PHONE: 0508 800 785 Fax: (07) 884 6542

ACU_ING_11411

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VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS LEAD THE SCENE

In the smallgoods category as much as in any other segments, Kiwis are increasingly looking for healthier, beneficial food products, free of nasties, traceable and made as fresh as possible to simple recipes. As convenience has become a decisive factor, valueadded products are set to lead the battle for consumers’ hearts and minds for some time to come.

ICONIC BRAND ENTERS NEW PHASE

Premier Beehive, New Zealand’s no.

1 bacon and ham brand, is excited to announce a new addition to the Beehive family of products.* The Beehive brand is already well known to New Zealand consumers, having pioneered the launch of Streaky Bacon into NZ market and through its successful range of prepacked Shaved Meats.

After successfully launching three

new Beehive Fresh Sausages (Angus Beef, Mint & Rosemary Lamb and Old English Pork) into the market late last year, these succulent gourmet sausages have proven such a hit that two new flavours have been added to the range for this summer – Honey Mustard Pork and Pork & Fennel.

To complement the Fresh range, Beehive has also launched a range of Precooked Sausages to extend their presence within the sausage category.

These are available in five great flavours - Original, Tasty Cheese, Savoury, Cocktails and Frankfurters, all available in an innovative new 1kg resealable bag.

As with all Beehive products, the range is focussed around delivering superior product quality and are gluten,

LASCo Salami - Your healthy choice!

soy and MSG-free.

With the launch of the two new sausage ranges, Beehive has entered a new phase and sees a great opportunity to grow its presence across a wider portfolio of products, leveraging upon the brand’s success to date. Most importantly, however, the team at Premier Beehive are just excited at the

FROM GOLD TO SUPREME Heir to a long line of butchers that dates back to Gorg Heller, a German immigrant who started supplying the gold miners with smallgoods during the 1880s, Todd Heller established his first butcher shop in New Brighton, Christchurch, over 30 years ago. In 1993, Todd Heller Meats moved to its current location, Kaiapoi North Canterbury, and began supplying throughout the South Island.

Today, the company employs over 400 staff, 600 at peak times, working in modern plants that produce up to 400 tonnes of bacon, ham and sausages in 80 different varieties a week. “Our product range of sausages is pretty strong and varied,” said brand manager Brydon Heller. “We have traditional flavours that sell very well, along with our range of fresh and tasty flavoured products. London Pride is still our biggest fresh flavoured seller, but we are seeing other flavours like Sticky Ginger Beef and New Yorker Porker growing as well.”

The company strives to offer consumers a strong, diversified product range. “We invest a lot in

Made from 100% NZ beef and venison. pork free | gluten free | soy free | dairy free | sulphite free

Marlborough Garlic Pepperoni Italian New York Cut Kaitaia Fire Chorizo

See more at www.nzsalami.co.nz

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opportunity to provide greater choice for consumers and to deliver incremental sales growth for the sausage category.

“Over the coming year, we plan to invest in our core brand to drive brand awareness and purchase and cement our position as a much-loved brand with NZ consumers,” said Matt Harman, national sales manager, Premier Beehive.

“We have recently undertaken a refresh with new Beehive packaging, soon to be hitting the shelves across the full range. The continued desire to grow the Beehive brand in New Zealand has led to a strong emphasis on marketing investment, with the development of consumer campaigns and an overall media strategy to drive stronger connections with consumers.” *Aztec Value MAT, 6 months and Qtr to 28.08.16 n

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NPD and have some new tasty sausages coming out in November for the summer BBQ season. We also have other ideas planned for the New Year, which we are really excited about.”

Often travelling for work and pleasure, Hellers are always looking for new trends happening in the world, picking up ideas that could work back here in NZ. Additionally, they still make sausages in the traditional way, just on larger equipment, and they are not afraid to take a risk with flavours. This approach has so far earned them two Supreme Sausage of the Year awards.

Other major milestones were the recent launch into Costco in Australia and the introduction of innovative packaging in 2007, which was a game changer for how sausages were presented in NZ. “But we do not rest on what we have done in the past.

Dad has always said that the best sausage has not been invented yet.” n

The art of sausage making is a Hellers’ family tradition. Five generations of butchers have combined their passion to make Hellers sausages sensationally tasty.

Through exclusive family recipes and inspired, quality ingredients they are easily New Zealand’s most popular and most awarded sausage.* Their choice is mouthwatering – from Supreme Sausage Award winners London Pride and Cheese Kranskys; to New Zealand’s Next Top Sausage winners the New York Porker and Sticky Ginger Beef. And all are only available here in New Zealand – funny that.

No one masters sausages like Hellers. *Hellers is NZ’s most award-winning sausage maker, with over 100 awards in NZ’s premier sausage judging event, the NZ Retail Meat Sausage Competition.

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FROM EUROPE WITH LOVE Family business Eurodell Ltd celebrates its 20th birthday this year. The company started out as a small business sourcing and importing European specialities that were difficult to find in NZ at that time, as well as ingredients and products that the Farac family was missing from their native homeland, Croatia.

Over the past two decades, Eurodell has evolved dramatically. They now represent and distribute some of the major brands in Europe – Mutti Tomatoes, Divella Pasta and Olitalia olive oil, to name a few. They employ 26 staff and distribute nationwide.

“The supermarket industry is still a major part of our wholesale business, and we work closely with the stores in particular around with our antipasto (Pronto E Fresco) and smallgoods (Tibaldi) brands,” said general

manager Anita Butkovic.

“We supply each store with their own in-store folder which gives staff all the information they need on one page – Product info, image, ingredients, allergens, uses, storage and handling info. Smallgoods products, in particular, need a lot of care and maintenance while in the deli cabinet so that they remain fresh and appealing to the consumer. “ The main products within Eurodell’s Australian smallgoods range are freerange, chilli and sopresso salamis, air-dried chorizos, coppa, porchetta and mortadella.

Additionally, they are the agents for Italia Alimentari from Parma, Italy, and a leading supplier to both the supermarket and foodservice trade for sliced Italian Prosciutto and Di Parma. n

A BETTER WAY TO EAT Anyone suffering food allergies or intolerances will know how difficult finding delicious food can be.

LASCo’s founder, Jeff Ryan, had a background in farming and horticulture and a serious interest in food. He knew there had to be a better way to produce a far more healthy salami. With extensive research and a lot of trial-and-error, LASCo salami was developed in Mount Maunganui

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and has been available in supermarkets for the past five or so years.

New Zealand Natural Meat Products Ltd purchased LASCo a year ago and is still in the throws of rebuilding the brand.

“With extensive knowledge and new technology, we are better able to understand the health benefits of eating good-quality, high-protein food and for this reason LASCo Salami is free from pork, gluten, soy, dairy and sulphites,” said Paula Vigus, general manager of

NZ Natural Meat Products.

“LASCo Salami is low in fat naturally as we use 100 percent NZ beef and venison with top-quality ingredients sourced mainly from NZ suppliers, e.g.,. Marlborough Garlic and Kaitaia Fire Habanero Chillis.”

The company is currently working on expansion into the export market after overcoming some serious packaging issues 18 months ago. Also, there are some very exciting new products under trial. Watch this space. n

TOP-QUALITY TASTE OF YESTERYEAR New Zealand’s first successful ‘Hot Box Pork’ product, and that’s just the start.”

According to Taylor, the company’s point of difference lies in producing meat with integrity. “This means that we use modern processes, yet we can supply products that truly reflect eating experiences of yesteryear.”

Traceability is also pivotal. Thanks to recently formed partnerships, NZ Deli

sources directly from local farm gates as well as traditional supply lines.

The company’s reach is not limited to the domestic market; it’s expanding internationally with a number of new products hitting the shores of the US, Asia and Australia.

“Now that we are an export registered plant, we see significant opportunities in the export markets and the challenge will be securing the correct partners in which to grow.” n

HERE’S NZ TOP SAUSAGES

HAYES TAYLOR AND HUNTER DOLAN

Since its inception, 23 years ago, NZ Deli has been true to its commitment to providing top-quality, locally produced deli meats, using only the finest ingredients. This focus on quality, taste and craftsmanship has earned them consumers’ trust and loyalty.

As part of ongoing expansion plans and to meet growing demand, the company has recently relocated to bigger premises at 46 Greenmount Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland.

“Approximately ten years ago, Supreme Meats and NZ Deli joined to form a one-stop meat supply business, and to this day no one has successfully replicated our model,” said Hayes Taylor, managing director, NZ Deli.

“We don’t fuss with mission statements; our only interest is to provide great meats to all market segments

smallgoods

including FMCG, large caterers and national restaurant brands.”

The company employs over 40 staff, including their R&D manager David Dwyer, who has plenty of innovation up his sleeve. “Our offer of fresh meats and small goods is the most comprehensive in the NZ marketplace, and we are excited about the development of new brands and exciting products. We introduced

As the ‘barbecue season’ is just about to kick off, approximately 500 sausages have been cooked, tasted and judged by a panel of 24 industry experts, to find NZ’s supreme sausage. Sponsored by Devro, Kerry Ingredients, Hally Labels and Alto Packaging, the Devro Great New Zealand Sausage Competition comprises of 12 categories, including beef, pork, poultry, precooked, gourmet and continental. Each sausage was judged on its visual appearance as well as its taste, aroma, texture and composition. This year’s winners were announced on October 14, dubbed as National Sausage Day. New World Rolleston took out the People’s Choice Award for its Pork & Tasmanian Apple Cider sausage. A number of supermarkets were also presented with medals.

Among the GOLD medallists were Pak’nSave Riccarton (Country Pork, Pork category), New World Stonefields (Fresh Chorizo, Continental Fresh category), New World Rangiora (Free Farmed Pork ‘n’ Fennel, Traditional Flavour category), New World Rolleston (Pork & Tasmanian Apple Cider, Gourmet Pork category).

SILVER medallists: Pak’nSave Riccarton and Pak’nSave Moorhouse (Old English Beef and Traditional Beef, Beef category), Raeward Fresh Richmond (Boerewors, Continental Fresh category), Pak’nSave Riccarton (Bacon, Cheese & Tomato, Gourmet Beef category), New World Bishopdale (Creamy Blue Cheese & Beef, Gourmet Beef category), New World Stanmore (Lamb, Pumpkin, Feta & Chives, Gourmet Varietal category).

BRONZE medallists: Countdown (Pork Flavoured, Flavoured category), Pak’nSave Rangiora (Premium New World Rolleston’s Pork & Pork & Mustard, Gourmet Pork).

Tasmanian Apple Cider

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Entertaining with Tibaldi Tibaldi have been creating premium quality Italian Salamis & Deli Meats since 1934 using traditional recipes and techniques.

That’s tradition, that’s Tibaldi Exclusively available from Eurodell Ltd, Importers & Distributors of Fine Foods www.eurodell.co.nz October 2016

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storecheck Storecheck is designed to rate each store to a set of criteria and is not a comparison of one store to another but a rating system on how well each store performed against the areas listed. An A+ means that the store has exceeded all shopper expectations, grading down to E where little or no expectations have been met. nb: In store pharmacies are not included in storecheck.

TIRAU FOODMARKET: C It’s a shame that, in a small town, advantage is

not taken by the sole grocery outlet. This store had sparse displays and empty shelves with single products lined up and many close to their use-by’s. Products were over-priced and, even in a deserted shop, there was little interest in the only customer. The BP Connect down the road was busy. Great opportunity here for a good Four Square.

NGATEA LOTTO & FOODMARKET: B Nice little well merchandised store on the main road that was clean and tidy. Staff were on the ball and friendly. Parking outside the door was a bonus in this country town. Layout was simple and effective. With a Four Square at the other end of the shopping strip, the local area was well-served.

MATAMATA NEW WORLD: A This is by far the best grocery outlet in the town with a recent store design, tons of parking and a substantial product range in both fresh and centre store. A very tidy operation with wide aisles, near new trolleys and a very friendly staff. The store was busy at the visit time and, while there were a few out of stocks, the team was busy filling gaps. Well-merchandised and a credit to the operator.

MATAMATA COUNTDOWN: C Clearly this store was headed for the bulldozer and we felt sorry for the management having to handle a less than adequate building. A shocking entrance and a less than adequate car park although the few customers took up little space. It’s hard to compete with such poor premises although the operator was doing his best. This store doesn’t do much for the Countdown market positioning.

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STORE EXTERIOR

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• Was the outside of the building and grounds clean, tidy free of rubbish and with adequate trolley bays? (5 pts.)

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2

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• Were the windows and exterior clean and tidy? (5 pts.)

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• Was the signage well presented and up to date? (5 pts.)

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• Were there enough car parks? (5 pts.)

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• Trolley conditions? (5 pts.)

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STORE INTERIOR

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• Were your first impressions positive?

(5 pts.)

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1

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• Was the floor clean and free of broken/damaged stock? (5 pts.)

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• Adequately lighting/heating? (5 pts.)

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• Instore signage clear adequate? (5 pts.)

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• Was there good visibility of promo/ seasonal products? (5 pts.)

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• Was there end of aisle promotions?

(5 pts.)

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• Were the fridges and freezers clean and tidy? (5 pts.)

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STORE LAYOUT

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• Were the aisles wide enough? (5 pts.)

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• Were all shelf edge labels clearly visible? (5 pts.)

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• Were all shelves clean, neat and tidy?

(5 pts.)

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• Was there an adequate number of trolleys/baskets available? (5 pts.)

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PRODUCTS

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• Was there a good range of products to choose from? (5 pts.)

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• Was there full availability of products? (5 pts.) products? (5 pts.)

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• Was all product packaging in good condition?

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• Range of general merchandise, newspapers, 2 magazines and cards, condition & complete. (5 pts.)

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• Were the batteries and general merchandise tidy? (5 pts.)

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STAFF

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• Were all staff fully dressed in uniforms and name badges? (5 pts.)

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• Were there adequate checkouts, considering the time of day? (5 pts.)

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• Were you greeted in a friendly manner? (5 pts.)

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• Were you served in a speedy and efficient manner? (5 pts.)

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• Were you thanked for your transaction? (5 pts.)

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• Checkout area, tidy, merchandised? (5 pts.)

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PUTARURU COUNTDOWN: B Being the only supermarket in this main road

small town, this older Countdown was doing a good job serving the local community. It was an extremely busy compact store that was wellranged and merchandised and apparently was popular with the travelling public and the local community. A small but full carpark had easy access. The aisles were a little tight but despite the smaller footprint, the operation was wellmaintained, clean and with very friendly and helpful staff.

FRESH FOOD

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• Appeal & layout fresh products, including Produce, Meat, Fish, Deli, Bakery

PRODUCE (5 pts.)

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5 3

FISH (5 pts.)

1 2 4

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MEAT (5 pts.)

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DELI (5 pts.)

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BAKERY (5 pts.)

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• Range & stock levels of fresh products including Produce, Meat, Fish, Deli, Bakery

PAEROA FOUR SQUARE: B It’s always difficult to be buried in a run of

strip shopping, but this older Four Square has made the most of the site. Its street signage is prominent and clearly the locals know where it is and the popular people running it. There are clearly range restrictions with the small footprint and the trolleys have to live on the footpath. But the store is clean, tidy and wellmerchandised and staff were friendly locals.

Obviously a big improvement over its previous owners.

A+ A B C D E

Exceeded shopper expectations to provide the gold class of shopper experience Meets all shopper expectations across areas rated Meets most of shopper expectations across areas rated Basics covered with some extras but not all shopper expectations met, improvements required Attention needed to areas rated, poor overall shopper experience Poor level of achievement in shopper expectations across areas rated

PRODUCE (5 pts.)

2 3 5

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4 4

FISH (5 pts.)

1 2 4

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4 4

MEAT (5 pts.)

1

2

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DELI (5 pts.)

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2

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BAKERY (5 pts.)

1 3 5

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4 3

• Counter staffed to levels compatible with customer numbers

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• Deli items varied, well stocked, and clean

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• Gourmet, indulgence or Artisan products

1 2 5

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• Overall shopper experience

2

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HOW THEY SCORE?

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Maximum available score: 200 pts 91: C 146: B 195: A 144: C

TOP SCORE

185: B 171: B

AMY JONES

Award-winning butcher, New World, Taumaranui

Is there still anyone here who thinks butchering is no job for a lady? Prepare to meet 26-year-old Amy Jones from Taumaranui New World, who has recently beat all of her male counterparts to be crowned as the 2016 Alto Young Butcher of the Year.

“I love my job, I could talk about meat all day,” she told us. “It’s a great career path and there’s no reason why women can’t be butchers. I think people are surprised to see women in the industry, as I do get asked that question a lot, but we have a number of women in our company becoming butchers and doing really well.”

This love of meat cutting was passed from generation to generation in her family.

Her father worked in butchery, her Nana boned beef while growing up in an orphanage and four great uncles were all butchers in Te Kuiti.

When Jones was growing up, she dreamt of becoming a chef and was interested in learning about the different cuts of meats one can cook with. Butchering came as a natural progression of this idea and, even though Jones knew very little about it when she started, the New World butchery apprentice programme was educational and detailed enough to be a powerful launching pad for her career. Importantly, the company supported her and paid while she was learning.

“It was great to gain this qualification with no student loan,” Jones said. “Since becoming qualified, in 2014, I have been given the opportunity to keep learning and perfecting my skills. Jeremy Lamb, my boss at New World Taumaranui, has been very supportive and inspired me to enter the ‘Young Butcher of the Year’ competition.”

Among the things she enjoys the most about her job are being part of the community, helping regular customers with delicious ideas for dinner, experimenting with new, interesting options and working with an inspiring team.

“One of my colleagues at Taumaranui, Dave Wilson, has been a butcher for more than 40 years. I have learnt a lot from him, especially different techniques that the

younger guys just don’t know.”

But selling meat products is not just a matter of ‘knifemanship’; it requires attention to detail, aimed at pleasing the eye as well as the appetite. Indeed, ‘display’ was one of the skills she had to demonstrate at the Young Butcher Competition, alongside knife skills, workmanship, innovation and finish. “My colleagues say I can make meat look impressive, which surely helps sales. I always put in a lot of time and dedication to ensure I’m on top of my game.”

Winning this coveted award has given her added confidence and new skills, which she’s keen to keep sharing with her customers. With this in mind, Jones looks to refine her technique even further. “I have completed Management Development Year 1, and would like to finish years 2-3, with a goal of becoming a Butchery Manager at a large New World.”

Meanwhile, having only travelled around New Zealand, she’s ‘beyond excited’ about her first trip overseas—the international study tour to Europe she won as part of her prize package. “I am still waiting to hear where we are going, but I know I will get to meet a range of international butchers.” n October 2016

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POWER OF CHARCOAL

Garnier Pure Active Charcoal Anti-Blackhead 3-in-1 is a swift, three-way solution that does it all against blackheads and spots. Perfect for men and women of all ages, it combines the absorption power of charcoal and the soothing effects of blueberry extracts, fighting acne and helping consumers achieve a flawless complexion. The product is specifically designed for anyone who suffers from oily to combination skin, problematic skin or acne-prone skin, and can be used daily as a cleanser and up to three times a week as a mask.

INTENSE BENEFITS

Designed to visibly reduce blackheads and even prevent future outbreaks, the new Witch Skincare Blackhead Clearing Gel’s formula helps clear and contract pores while removing dead skin cells and impurities. Like all Witch Skincare products, it contains powerful Witch Hazel extract, an active ingredient that is known for its intense moisturising benefits and promotion of even skin tone. Moreover, its oil-free formula is ideal for sensitive and oil-excessive complexions.

HEALTH-BOOSTING INGREDIENT

Turmeric deserves Super Spice status which is why Matakana SuperFoods has introduced Organic Turmeric Powder to its range of health-boosting ingredients that can easily be added to cooking, baking or smoothies. Being organically-grown provides a key point of difference, and its 120g pouch size is ideal for those consumers looking for larger quantities of this amazing spice. Extremely versatile, organic turmeric is the perfect way to give a daily diet a superfood boost.

FOR PREMIUMLOOKING LIPS

Chapstick is putting Kiwis’ lips under the spotlight with the launch of four new Total Hydration products—100% Natural in two flavours, Fresh Citrus and Honey Blossom, and 100% Natural + Tint in two variants, Merlot and Rose Petal. All products have been specially designed to suit every age. While 100% Natural formulas are enriched with advanced ingredients such as argan oil, avocado, mango and shea butter for youthful-looking lips, 100% Natural + Tint contain rosehip and jojoba oils, and deliver a long-lasting moisture with a hint of colour. Chapstick Total Hydration products are premium at an affordable price.

PLANT-BASED GOODNESS

With the rise in plant-based diets, Matakana SuperFoods new Plant-based Superprotein Powder is an exciting new product that caters to the growing demand for natural, ‘free from’ and organic products. Made from three carefully selected organic protein-rich superfoods, ground vanilla beans and Peruvian super fruit lucuma, this blend is the perfect addition to smoothies, baking, raw treats or oats. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and paleo and contains no preservatives, additives, fillers or cane sugars.

BRINGING TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY TOGETHER Working Group, whose membership is a cross-section of the industry: Mondelez, Tribe, Twin Agencies, Asaleo, Unilever, Progressive, T&G, Goodman Fielder, Bluebird, Mars, and Foodstuffs. The expo was born out of that group and conversations they had with others in the industry, including Foodstuffs’ luminary Baden Ngan Kee. There was a feeling the industry was missing out on some of the best talent because other industries, such as IT, were regarded as more glamorous and had clearer career paths. The group realised that FMCG was not widely known or understood despite its size and breadth across the economy, employing directly or indirectly around 400,000 people, or one in five of the workforce.

Not only did the industry need to attract talent, but it needed to develop it as well.

So the aim was to build awareness and raise the profile of careers so we could build the industry as the industry of choice – and what better way than to take it to where the talent is or is about to become available.

Together with Career Development and Employer Services at the university, the working group devised

Katherine Rich

Chief Executive NZ Food & Grocery Council

All I had in mind was going to the store to get what I need without knowing anything that was happening for it to be there.

“It has hugely impacted my view of this industry as they have opened up another whole world that I didn’t know was out there.”

Those comments sum up both the reason behind the Food and Grocery Council’s recent careers seminar at Auckland University and its success.

The expo was the brainchild of Kelly Smith, of Bizadvisor, the Chair of FGC’s Talent and Retention

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an event that would take the industry to the students to help them see up close what was on offer in FMCG by talking to representatives of the big companies and the two big retailers.

The result exceeded our expectations, with something like 1000 students flooding into the expo.

To say we achieved our objective would be an understatement, and it was a great start on a journey to ensure the industry is top of mind for graduates when choosing a career path. We achieved excellent promotion and awareness of the diversity in our industry, the type of functions and roles in it, what it takes to succeed in it, and how to enter it.

The feedback was extremely positive. An email survey after it revealed some telling statistics: while 65 percent of those who attended admitted knowing “very little” or “nothing” about the industry, and just 52 percent said they had considered working in the industry prior to attending, a whopping 98 percent said the expo encouraged them to consider working in the industry. It was just what we wanted to hear. To back that up, several companies have taken on graduates as a result of contacts made at the expo.

FGC is now working with the team at Auckland University on creating case studies for their courses, and we’re building a website as a landing page for anyone interested in an FMCG career. This will allow us to reach out through Grad and School Connect to get a broader penetration of understanding and promotion into tertiary and secondary institutions.

And we’re planning next year’s event.

We’ve also produced three videos of interviews we conducted with industry leaders at the expo that we want to share as an overview of the industry.

They cover three topics: ‘Why it’s great to work in FMCG’, ‘What makes an FMCG superstar’, and ‘How to get into FMCG’. They’re available on FGC’s channel on YouTube, and we’re encouraging companies to share them so they can be seen by young people with an interest in exploring career possibilities.

I’ll finish with another quote from a student at the expo: “It was an awesome night networking with all of you guys. Thank you for coming to uni to help me understand I have more options out there for future careers.” n

A Soul Revival

Kiwis looking for a sparkling alcohol-free indulgence to suit any occasion can stimulate their taste buds with one of Soul Sodas’ newest flavours, Soul Margarita. An irresistible combination of refreshingly zingy lemon and lime citrus flavours, with a dash of almost honeyed agave, this drink is based on one of the world’s most famous cocktails. Soul Margarita will soon be available alongside the brand’s two other signature flavours, Cosmopolitan and Mojito, at even more venues across New Zealand and the globe, in individual bottles or a handy four-pack. Ideal for any occasion and for the non-drinkers who still want to have fun and enjoy themselves—it’s a soul revival. For more information, visit www.soulsodas.com

Specialising In High-Quality Oils

Harvest Oils is a proud Kiwi company that offers the widest range of cooking oils in the country. To fill up a gap in the growing market for quality and accessible olive oils, Harvest is launching its premium Spanish Extra Virgin Olive oil 1L and Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil 750ml in this end of 2016. The Harvest team has a vast experience in sourcing quality oils across the globe and the brand offers from Canola and Vegetable to Rice bran, Sesame, Coconut and Olive oils. The company’s marketing team has big plans for 2017, with a complete range of oils and time to educate the end consumer on the best way to use them. “The end consumer will be able to rely on Harvest for cooking and health tips for each of our oils. This is a great way to add value to the cooking oil category,” said Bruna Rodrigues, Harvest National Sales Manager.

Same Great Taste

Mi Sedaap has launched new-look packaging for their instant Mi Goreng noodle cup. A larger cup size means these noodles fit perfectly between a cup noodle and noodle bowl, providing more noodles in a convenient on the go size. The new black background give the cup a sleek look with added images of a traditional serving suggestion. Mi Sedaap delivers springy noodles, authentic flavour packets and extra crunchy onion pieces, for a quality product. Perfect on its own to fill you up on the go or as a base to a meal; simply add vegetables or meat of your choice. Now available in a smaller carton size of 12 for an easier fit onto supermarket shelves.

For more information on Mi Sedaap contact: Oriental Merchant (NZ) Ltd, call 0800 10 33 05 or email nzenquiries@oriental.com.au.

80 Years Of Deliciousness To celebrating its first 80 years in the NZ market, Tip Tip has released a limited-edition birthday flavour, Tip Top’s Birthday Cake Swirl, which combines real cake pieces and sprinkles with creamy cake and raspberry-flavoured ice cream. “We want to celebrate with New Zealanders and see them enjoying it this summertime. The best part? It’s made from fresh New Zealand milk and cream, with only natural colours and flavours,” said marketing manager Mel McKenzie. Available in 2L tubs while stocks last.

Hello Summer Free from ‘badditives’ and packed full of natural ingredients, OVI Watermelon is the latest addition to the OVI hydration family.

Natural and hydrating, this newbie takes the best bits of water, fruit juice, honey and natural minerals and combines them with antioxidants from green tea to create a great tasting drink. The range already includes Peach, Berry and Citrus.

Healthy Energy Boost

Trusted brand Berocca has released Berocca Forward, a brand-new energy drink available in two flavours, Tropical Orange and Red Berries. Berocca Forward has 50 percent less sugar than average full-sugar energy drinks and doesn’t contain artificial stimulants.

Made in NZ, this product is packed full of B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc.

Coming Soon To Kiwi Kitchens

Tegel is serving up something new with the launch of Tegel Take Outs Extra Crunchy Burgers. The Tegel Take Outs range is worth $4.5 million and popular with kids and adults alike (IRI MarketEdge Grocery - MAT ending 9/1/2016).

A convenient, easy-to-eat and cage-free option, they’re sure to be a hit in Kiwi kitchens across the country. This isn’t the only innovation coming from Tegel either. The brand has a vibrant new design, giving it a cohesive look and ensuring it stands out on supermarket shelves. Stock up by contacting your Tegel representative, or call 0800 730 850.

Refreshingly Fruity

Mentos is bringing new news to the mints category to drive incremental category sales, launching the refreshingly fruity sugar-free Mentos NOWmints watermelon flavour. This complements the existing range of NOWmints available, including Fresh Mint, Spearmint, Strawberry and Orange flavours. With this launch comes a new inner design, which allows better visuals of the product on shelf. In time the existing flavours will also transition to the new shape design.

Mentos is brought to you by DKSH New Zealand limited.

Weight Management Made Easy

Weight management isn’t all hard work with Red Seal BODY RIGHT™. With summer around the corner, Red Seal launches BODY RIGHT™, a new range of three flavoursome fruit teas containing Garcinia Cambogia and no added sugar.

A great complement to a weight management programme or a balanced diet and regular exercise, these teas can be brewed straight from cold water.

The launch will be accompanied by a $500,000 support plan for the Hot & Cold teas range. Order from your Red Seal account manager or contact customer service on 0800 733 732.

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Monstrously Good

Artisan Touch To BBQ

Just in time for the warmer months, Kapiti Artisan Bakehouse has released two new Artisan breads that will most certainly be a must-have at the next BBQ or family dinner. The first addition is a KAB first, a Tomato, Cheese and Bacon Focaccia, while the second is a Cheese, Onion and Garlic Ciabatta, which packs a powerful punch of flavours. All Kapiti Artisan Bakehouse’s breads are totally natural with no preservatives, no additives and no artificial ingredients. To order, call 06 364 0446 or contact your Rothfords representative.

Number one wrap brand Farrah’s has launched a range of snack wraps aimed at kids, coming in two monstrously good varieties; white and cheese. The wraps are perfectly sized for little hands and contain no artificial colours or flavours. This range focuses on incremental growth by exciting and delighting not only Farrah’s existing customers, but bringing new consumers into the category. Order with Twin Agencies on 0800 258 946.

Breakfast With Personality

A brainchild of Scotty Baragwanath, Auckland-based brand Blue Frog Breakfast is all about wholefood ingredients, ingenious flavour combinations and top-notch innovation, with no compromise on quality. The company has just relaunched its award-winning product range with new packaging to drive strong taste cues and provide clear on-shelf navigation. In addition, it has introduced its new Zesty Raspberry, Coconut and Toasted Almond cereal, which was a finalist in the 2016 Food Awards. Finally, the brand has also created the first premium Kids Cereal range in collaboration with premium category enhancing partners such as All Good Bananas, OOB and Fix & Fogg Peanut Butter. Blue Frog’s range is now ready to roll out nationally. For more information, visit bluefrogbreakfast.co.nz.

The Ultimate Powerful Snack

Thanks to Mother Earth, nuts are now available in a new blend, Deluxe Mix Low GI. A mix of freshly batch-roasted cashews, almonds and hazelnuts combined with dried apricots and dark chocolate, the product has a low glycemic index (GI), meaning that carbohydrates are digested more slowly. This results in a more stable blood glucose level and more sustained energy release. RRP $5.49.

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Look out for Lisa’s new World of Flavours dips, which are inspired by flavours from around the world. The new range comes in three delicious variants—Mexican Chipotle dip with Coriander, Lime & Red Kidney Beans; Greek Yoghurt dip with Lemon, Mint & Butter Beans; and Spicy Thai Sriracha dip with Roasted Capsicum, Sweet Chilli and Butter Beans. Sure to be flavour hits this summer, and made with beans, not chickpeas, Lisa’s World of Flavours dips are gluten-free and carry four Health Star ratings.

Ideal Balance Of Authentic Flavours Phoenix Organic has crafted a range of delicious premium mixers, made from the finest organic* ingredients. The new mixers enhance the finest spirits with the ideal balance of clean, authentic flavours and perfect carbonation. Sicilian lemons, Fijian ginger root, Otakiri artesian water and quinine derived from Chinchona bark are just some of the premium quality ingredients. The Phoenix Organic* Premium Mixer range included five variations; Tonic Water, Ginger Ale, Soda Water, Dry Lemonade and Premium Cola. They are available in convenient four-packs. *Phoenix Soda Water is not certified Organic - water cannot be certified organic. www.phoenixorganics.co.nz

Labels That Tell A Story

The history of Carlsberg can be traced back to 1800s, when Chresten Jacobsen founded a brewery in Copenhagen. To celebrate this rich history, the Danish beer company is relaunching six of its vintage labels in a limited-edition series. “Each iconic label tells its own story. Such as when Carlsberg placed a ship on its labels to avoid bootleggers, way before piracy was even a phenomenon. Or when individual brewer’s names were put on the labels in a true spirit of co-creation,” said Kris Hansen, international beer and cider category manager, Boundary Road Brewery.

Carlsberg Vintage Labels are available throughout NZ at a RRP of $22.99.

Flavour Hits

Guilt-Free Treat For Summer Hand-Selected, All-Natural Teas

To kickstart the day with a feeling of wellbeing, there’s nothing better than a premium range of allnatural, hand-selected teas. Made using only the finest ingredients from around the world and native New Zealand botanicals, Ti Ora Teas are available in five flavours, two of which are blended with Kawakawa leaf (Ginger & Lemongrass Green Tea with Kawakawa, Peppermint & Spearmint Tea with Kawakawa), and three with Manuka leaf (Breakfast Tea with Manuka Leaf, Earl Grey and Lemongrass Tea with Manuka Leaf and Summer Fruit Tea with Manuka Leaf ). Also, all teas come in a resealable pouch for optimum freshness, with each pack containing 15 silky pyramid bags for superior brewing. RRP $6.49.

Fibre One is a tasty new low-calorie snack.

The soft-baked squares have just 90 calories each and are also high in fibre (5g per square) and lower in fat. With two different variants, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Lemon Drizzle Squares, there is no compromise on taste. This summer, Kiwis can forget the vending machine and indulge in these guiltfree afternoon snacks. RRP $4.99.

Pure Vanilla

On-The-Go Sachet Convenience

Existing Blue Coconut oil users will love the convenience of these handy, portable coconut oil sachets for enjoying on-the-go. Sachets are ideal for recreational activities like cycling, mountain biking and gym-goers for the sports bag. They contain the perfect amount and are light to carry for walkers, trampers, backpackers and an easy energy boost for endurance athletes. 10 x 20gm Sachets are available at a RRP of $8.99 per pack.

There’s a new alcohol-free pure vanilla product in town, Alcohol Free Vanilla with Seeds. Developed

by Heilala Vanilla in conjunction with Massey University food technologists, the product offers exceptional flavour and aroma, using water and vegetable glycerin rather than water and alcohol. Suitable for baking, desserts and puddings, Alcohol Free Vanilla with Seeds was a finalist in the Foodbowl Novel Ingredients category at the 2016 NZ Food Awards.

Ice Cream In A Bottle

For its decadent milk flavours, Puhoi Valley has adapted two of its award-winning ice cream recipes that are currently only available at Puhoi café. Inspired by the Matakana Roasted Coffee Affogato ice cream, Puhoi Valley Colombian Espresso milk takes on the vibrant and strong values of Colombian coffee, balanced by the creaminess of fresh whole milk. A perfect chilled milk on a summer’s day, Puhoi Valley Spiced White Chocolate milk is based on the Chai Latte ice cream. Needless to say, both are perfect when paired with a premium cookie.

High-Quality Indulgence

Dark Orange Mini Slabs and Tweats are the latest addition to Whittaker’s Mini Slab range. The Tweats Mini Slabs are made with five-roll refined creamy milk chocolate with popping candy, moulded in the shape of some of NZ’s favourite native characters: kiwi, moa, morepork, tuatara, kakapo and penguin. The smooth Whittaker’s Dark Orange Mini Slabs feature decadent 50 percent dark chocolate infused with a high-quality Brazilian orange oil.

“We always say that chocolate is a small indulgence and Mini Slabs are perfect for that purpose,” said marketing manager Holly Whittaker.

Peak Of Refreshment

The Speight’s family is growing with the release of two refreshing, 4 percent flavoured beers, Summit Lime Lager and Summit Apple Lager. “Flavoured beer has been growing in popularity overseas, and Summit’s new flavours are a great example of this distinctive beer style, with an added twist,” said Dave Pearce, director of Innovation and Insights at Lion. Moreover, the iconic Summit Lager is now debuting in a new clear bottle.

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Prior to being appointed as Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand’s managing director, Blenheim-born Chris Litchfield has managed to climb the CCA ladder one step at a time, working in more than ten different roles over the past 24 years—from stacking shelves to becoming the first Kiwi at the helm of CCA’s New Zealand division.

Chris Litchfield Managing director New Zealand & Fiji, Coca-Cola Amatil

Litchfield joined the company in 1992, while completing his BComm in Accounting and Economics at the University of Canterbury. He started as a merchandiser at Pak’nSave, which gave him first-hand knowledge of FMCG. He worked his way up through a number of key sales and commercial roles, including area, regional and national sales manager. In 2007 Litchfield worked as GM of sales and marketing, until he was offered the chance to be the first Kiwi to lead Coca-Cola Amatil in July 2014.

“Convenience and grocery are both great. Everything you learn in the convenience sector can easily be applied across different industries,” he told us. “Plus, having such a diversity of brands in our portfolio, Coca-Cola Amatil is a great place to expand one’s skill set.”

As the soft drink giant CocaCola’s bottler and distributor in New Zealand, Coca-Cola Amatil currently employs more than 1,000 staff throughout the country, and has a major focus on diversity and inclusion and doing the right thing by its people

lastword

The recent showcasing of the grocery industry to university students couldn’t have been more timely. There is little doubt that in the past few years the best talent was going elsewhere as graduates wanted to join more exciting and more innovative industries. Certainly, this new programme will counter years of poor engagement by suppliers, especially in the marketing arena where there has been little reference to really moving stock at retail.

The move by Foodies North Island to integrate the successful South Island-driven Club Card certainly puts FSNI back in the loyalty game after Fly Buys became a less than interesting project for many consumers. Fly Buys did play a role but times have moved on and it was time for better rewards and a more exciting activity.

I was pondering the other day what our parents did to kill boredom before the advent of television and the internet.

In fact, I asked my 23 brothers and sisters and they didn’t know either.

Talking about more exciting activities, the grocery industry is almost alone in running promotions with both the major players constantly introducing collectables and low prices. Both groups have done exceptionally well and while

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their activities have probably only maintained the market share status quo, they have put life into grocery shopping.

I’ve never seen any statistical proof these promotions support consumer changes or even substantially lift sales, but they certainly focus attention on grocery.

It’s those darned pensioners responsible for stealing shopping baskets from our supermarkets. After all they’re the only ones who buy small quantities and can steam away on their mobility scooters.

Fact is that hundreds of these baskets are going missing all the time and its starting to cost us money.

Surely it’s only a matter of time before we decide to introduce a Grocery Code of Practice like the Aussies now have in place. It’s a bit of a shame that the Code is so one-sided and I feel sorry for the retail groups who are faced with a document that starts every sentence with “Thou shall not …” There are some instances where the supplier sometimes doesn’t meet his obligations as well. But let’s have a code and cut out the verbal agreements that seem to have crept in.

On that subject of toeing the line, it’s also interesting that the Food & Grocery Council has instigated a merchandiser OWNED

and the communities in which it operates.

As an indication that the company is on the right path, CCA was recently recognised by being awarded the AON Hewitt Best Employer Accreditation in Australasia for its high employee engagement and excellent people practices.

“A few years ago we started really listening to our people, we wanted them to let us know what we as a company could do to improve.

Motivation comes from individuals, and we know it’s important to understand the community we represent here in New Zealand.

Diversity and inclusion are among our core values and we take them very seriously,” said Litchfield. “We invest in recruiting great talent and help our staff to develop and grow their skills.”

He said at Coca-Cola Amatil and FMCG in general the ability to meet customer demand is also pivotal.

“We have a strong focus on what we want to be and the vision we are chasing. We continue to add new valuable businesses and brands into our company’s portfolio, including our

strategic deal with Monster within the energy drink category.”

Crucial are their numerous event sponsorships, including the 2016 Rio Olympics—Litchfield’s third so far.

“The feeling you get from attending the Olympics is just amazing. It literally brings the world together, and hearing our National Anthem played is definitely an Olympic highlight.”

Litchfield is a dedicated family man with a ten-year-old boy and two girls aged seven and five, and he doesn’t like to be away from them or his wife Sara for too long. The family tries to spend as much quality time together as possible, sometimes in a bach, completely remote, with no mobile or Wi-Fi reception.

Meanwhile, Litchfield wants to see Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand continue to develop its already impressive credentials as an employer and as a successful business, and doesn’t plan on going anywhere soon. “I will look at my options the day I stop learning. But that hasn’t happened in 24 years.” n

survey. It should also apply to sales people visiting stores who may not feel comfortable in reporting issues they are faced with. There’s no doubt that some operators, and particularly their second in commands, can make life a little difficult – not particularly a safety risk but at least mental stress through poor treatment. The more we highlight these issues, the better the end result will be.

nationally without a substantial cash injection, but there were some good ideas that deserved support.

This guy walked into the supermarket lunchroom and said he had a Colt 45 loaded with six bullets and one in the spout. ”I want to know who’s been sleeping with my wife?” he demanded. A voice from the back of the room called: “You need more ammo.”

Getting involved with a national artisan award programme proved exciting for our publishing team, but it also highlighted the over-enthusiasm by some of these new and small suppliers over correct labelling.

The problem lay particularly with two issues – supplier name and address and label claims. In what must be a record, we had entries from 141 small companies wanting to break onto the grocery shelves and it highlighted the opportunity for many supermarkets around the country to support the limited local production.

Certainly few of them could supply

There’s some great checkout operators. In the store’s express lane the other day for a couple of items and this woman pushed in front of me with a trolley load of groceries.

The checkout operator looked into the cart, smiled sweetly and asked: “So which six of these items would you like to buy?”

The Reckitt Benckiser case brought by the Commerce Commission highlighted the issue of getting more shelf facings with line extensions that were substantially the same – or in the Nurofen case, exactly the same.

We often see line extensions from many companies that really don’t add much to the offering. Perhaps an additional flavour or packaging modification. Truth is that if we are not careful, much of these will be culled out as supermarkets go down the sku reduction path – and the first to go will be line extensions, many of which don’t add much to the market.

Peter Mitchell Publisher

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October 2016

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