FMCG April 2020

fmcgbusiness.co.nz

L E A D I N G

I N D U S T R Y

N E W S

APRIL 2020 – Volume 7 – No 3

PLUS! HOME OFFICE TIPS n NEW TECH n FIGHTING COVID-19 NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST FMCG AUDIENCE

contents APRIL 2020

UP FRONT 4

EDITOR’S NOTE

6

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECIAL FEATURES

32 FGC Celebrating NZ chocolate

12 SKINCARE & HAIRCARE TRENDS

EVENTS

16 IT’S SOUP SEASON

33 OUT & ABOUT Our people - spotted at work and events in NZ

REGULARS

34 OUTSTANDING NZ FOOD PRODUCERS AWARDS

14 A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS

16

8 BEST IN SEASON Fresh produce update 9 EXPORT Exporter inspired by Māori values

21

36 NZACS GOLF TOURNAMENT A HIT 38 C&I EXPO

10 HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE SHOUT

17 IN STORE Supermarkets respond to pandemic

3 EDITOR’S NOTE

18 NIELSEN COVID-19 updates for local business

34

30 GEAR The latest gear for work, rest and play

20 WHAT’S HOT New products in store

GOOD BUSINESS 21 TOP TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME 22 INDUSTRY NEWS AND INSIGHTS 25 WASTEMINZ A recipe for plastics recycling 26 Q&A Merchandising, marketing & PR 27 PROFILE Storetaste 29 LEGAL ADVICE

4 INDUSTRY NEWS AND INSIGHTS 6 COVID-19: KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SAFE 7 SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH Advice on how to stay positive during COVID-19 8 TAKING THE HARD LINE Is hard seltzer set to take off in New Zealand? We find out…

9 THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL WINE BRANDS 10 FINE WINES OF NEW ZEALAND Tasting notes from Cameron Douglas MS 12 THE BEERS OF WINTER John Oszajca delves into the delicious dark winter beers

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

3

[ editorial ]

ROBUST, RESILIENT NETWORK COVID-19 has changed everything - and more changes will become apparent by the day.

Due to the unprecedented pandemic, many of you will be working from home and businesses will be navigating through uncharted territory.

The FMCG industry and retailers will somehow have to try to keep going – manufacturing goods, despatching, and selling. Like health care and other parts of the economy, our government and citizens view food and groceries as priorities and essential services.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has outlined a multi-billion-dollar package to support New Zealanders and their jobs, during the global impact of COVID-19.

The FGC is working closely with their members, retailers and government and supporting them. If you aren’t a member already, now is an excellent time to join the FGC’s network. You’ll also find valuable industry updates from FGC Chief Executive Katherine Rich in every issue of FMCG Business.

I’d also like to recommend a new Nielsen Hub on all things COVID-19. You can access this by simply going to nielsen.com/covid-19 or nielsen.com/coronavirus. Check our special coverage in this issue for more resources for your business.

Many events and large gatherings of people are now destined to be cancelled or postponed. Check event websites for more information.

Some of you have already implemented different ways of working and protecting those who must continue in their roles in factories, stores and merchandising.

Shoppers buying excessive amounts of goods presented new challenges for suppliers and retailers, but we are blessed to live in a country with abundant fresh produce and food resources.

Where COVID-19 will be taking us in the next few months is still uncertain, but we are confident that the local food and grocery network is robust, resilient and responding to the challenge swiftly.

Stay safe and well.

Kia Kaha,

Tamara Rubanowski trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz www.fmcgbusiness.co.nz

PUBLISHED BY C&I Media (NZ) Ltd PO Box 109 342 Newmarket, Auckland 1149 MANAGING DIRECTOR Simon Grover COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Safa de Valois safa@c-store.com.au EDITORIAL DIRECTOR James Wells james@intermedia.com.au HEAD OF CONTENT Tamara Rubanowski trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 027 278 4761 NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Vicky Bennett vbennett@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 021 626 115 SALES DIRECTOR Wendy Steele wsteele@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 021 300 473 THE SHOUT EDITOR Charlotte Cowan ccowan@intermedianz.co.nz ph: 021 774 080 ART DIRECTOR Leanne Hogbin leanne@intermedia.com.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au PUBLISHING ASSISTANT Eclypse Lee elee@intermedianz.co.nz SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Eclypse Lee elee@intermedianz.co.nz

C&I Media takes its Corporate and Social Responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities. As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine is printed on Impress stock from Spicers Paper using FSC-MIX source pulp from responsible sources and other controlled sources. We print using BIO-inks that contain base materials from renewable resources including wood resin (rosin, colophony), vegetable oils, linseed oil and soy bean oil. This magazine is printed by ICG, an ToitŪ enviromark gold certified printer.

The wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is biodegradable.

ISSN 2382-1663

fmcgbusiness.co.nz

L E A D I N G

I N D U S T R Y

N E W S

APRIL 2020 – Volume 7 – No 3

ON THE COVER Paseo tissues are leading sustainable growth and the Cottonsoft Limited team are working hard to support retailers and shoppers alike with supply of Paseo. Find out more on pg 10.

PLUS! WHAT’S HOT n BREAKFAST PRODUCTS n EVENTS n EXPERT ADVICE NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST FMCG AUDIENCE

FMCG BUSINESS IS PROUDLY ASSOCIATED WITH

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

FMCG Business is audited and verified by ABC. DISCLAIMER This publication is published by C&I Media (NZ) Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by New Zealand and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information.

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Copyright © 2020 - C&I Media (NZ) Ltd

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For sales enquiries, please contact your local sales representative or email orders@missionestate.co.nz

[ news ]

SUPPORT FOR SUPERMARKET WORKERS New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 triggered extraordinary restrictions, forcing all but essential workers to remain home from 25th March to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, as supermarkets remain open for New Zealanders throughout the lockdown, they need to support key employees on the front-line and throughout the supply chain.

Foodstuffs announced that their supermarket staff will be paid 10% extra for working through the lockdown, while vulnerable workers can stay home on paid special leave. Foodstuffs said all waged front-line, distribution and transport employees across Pak ‘n Save, New World and Four Square brands would receive the pay boost.

The cooperatives also confirmed vulnerable employees would be paid and supported as they self-isolated at home during the lockdown period.

Meanwhile Countdown also announced it will pay its waged supermarket and distribution centre team members a bonus equivalent to an extra 10% per hour worked over the course of the four-week Alert Level 4 lockdown, in recognition of the essential service they are

providing New Zealanders at this challenging time.

Going forward, from September, Countdown team members with 12 months or more service will earn a minimum of the living wage of $21.15 an hour.

Countdown has been paying any of its team who is required to self-isolate due to travel since February, and is also paying any team members whom the government has deemed to be at high risk to COVID-19 including those over 70, immune deficient and those with serious chronic illness.

Salaried team in stores and distribution centres are also being paid for their additional hours in recognition they are going above and beyond their normal week.

Countdown Managing Director, Natalie Davis, said: “we’re also working directly with those in our team who are unable to work during the lockdown period for any reason, such as caring for dependents, to make sure they’re supported with discretionary leave. In terms of day to day support, we also provide all our frontline and DC team with meals during any of their shifts.”

HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds around the world, essential businesses and those that support them continue to provide the necessities of life for everyone in New Zealand during Alert Level 4, so that food, medicine, healthcare, energy, fuel, waste-removal, internet and financial support can be available.

Government agencies are checking that those businesses are operating in a safe way that minimises the risk of COVID-19 transmission and are also keeping an eye on some reported price increases.

Many businesses will receive help as a result of a very large economic rescue package as the Government responds to the crisis. Senior ministers announced the package at Parliament in March, making billions of dollars available immediately. The biggest boost is towards wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions.

Wage subsidies will be available for businesses in all parts of the country that can show they’ve had a 30% decline in revenue for any month between January and June 2020 compared to the year before.

For eligible businesses, employers will be paid $585.50 per week for full-time staff, and $350 for part-time staff.

A support package estimated to cost $126 million is also being made available for those people unable to work because they’re either

in quarantine, sick from COVID-19, or caring for family in either of those situations. These payments will be the same as the wage subsidy amounts but are only available for eight weeks and employers will be expected to meet all of their requirements in terms of sick leave.

If you’d like to reach out to our team to share how COVID-19 has affected your business, or offer expert tips and industry advice, please email trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz.

FOR MORE INDUSTRY NEWS FOLLOW US ON

CHECK OUT WWW.FMCGBUSINESS.CO.NZ

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

[ events ]

EVENTS AND EXPOS POSTPONED In the midst of the current COVID-19 outbreak, Foodstuffs assessed the risks of proceeding with their Expo in May 2020 and decided to postpone the event.

The Foodstuffs Expo team said: “We acknowledge that it is a key event in the Foodstuffs calendar because of the exposure and networking opportunities it offers. However, due to health and safety we believe it is in the best interest of our people, suppliers and attendees to postpone Expo to 2021.

“The Expo team is working hard to ensure 2021 will add value to our business through relationship building and networking opportunities at next year’s event.

“At this stage we do not have a confirmed date for Expo 2021 however, any progress will be reflected on the Expo Info site and communicated to all stores in due course.

“Current registrations will be carried over to the 2021 show. If you would no longer like to attend, please login and cancel your registration at any time. Any queries please email nationalexpo@foodstuffs.co.nz . “ Fine Food New Zealand and the C&I EXPO in Australia have also been postponed for now, along with many other industry events.

The Outstanding New Zealand Food Awards and NZ Chocolate Awards party in April had to be cancelled, due to the pandemic.

Visit the relevant event websites for up-to-date information.

Our taste is connected to our place

Aoraki Smoked Salmon is lighter, purer; taking you to the ice-cold fresh waters of Aoraki, Mt Cook.

Discover the difference aorakisalmon.co.nz

[ fresh produce ]

BEST IN SEASON The whole range of new season root crops including carrots, parsnip, swede, kūmara, potatoes, beetroot and yams will be in good supply this month - just as consumers start to demand more of these wintertype vegetables.

Apples and pears are plentiful and New Zealandgrown sub-tropicals including persimmons, feijoas and passionfruit are up for the

Passionfruit Passionfruit are now in the peak of their season and there will be limited supply through until July.

Although there are a few varieties, purple passionfruit is the only one grown commercially in New Zealand at present. Passionfruit are known for their rich, indulgent flavour and are best displayed in shallow containers alongside other exotics.

What to look for: Passionfruit are not actually picked from the vine - they fall to the ground when they are ready to be harvested. They are an even dark purple colour at this point and look their best like this, however they are sweetest when their skin is wrinkled.

Storage/handling: Passionfruit don’t bruise easily but their waxy skin will become marked if not handled carefully. Store at around 5 Celsius to prolong life, however they will store for a couple of weeks out of refrigeration.

Nutrition: Passionfruit are a good source of dietary fibre and a source of vitamins C and E which support healthy growth and development.

Kiwifruit

“FEIJOAS PROVIDE A SOURCE OF DIETARY FIBRE AND ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN C, WHICH HELPS SUPPORT IMMUNITY.”

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

taking. Exotic sub-tropicals, pitaya (also known as dragon fruit) and figs are now in season too.

The main crop of brassicas including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale are all available as well as favourites celery, silver beet, lettuce and leeks.

Feijoas Warm conditions over summer means growers have been able to produce a high-quality crop of feijoas in optimum condition. Fruit volumes are now at a level that will ensure consistent supply over the short season running from now until June.

What to look for: Choose plump and firm fruit.

When ripe, feijoas will be aromatic and slightly soft to touch.

Storage/handling: Ripen at room temperature and then store in the refrigerator. Handle with care as they bruise easily.

Nutrition: Feijoas provide a source of dietary fibre and are a good source of vitamin C, which helps support immunity.

The 2020 kiwifruit season has begun with fruit being picked in Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty. 155 million trays of Green and Gold kiwifruit are forecast to be harvested and 2020 is the first year that Red Zespri kiwifruit is picked as a commercial variety.

There are smaller volumes of the sweet, berry-tinged tasting fruit, but consumers will be interested in this new variety so stock up.

What to look for: Kiwifruit should be plump, fragrant and unblemished.

Storage/handling: New season kiwifruit will most likely be quite firm. If stored at room temperature they will take about 2-3 days to ripen.

Nutrition: Kiwifruit are good sources of vitamin C and folate, which both support mental wellbeing.

They are also a source of vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant to help protect the body against free radical damage.

Join us on

www.unitedfresh.co.nz

[ export ]

EXPORTER INSPIRED

BY MĀORI VALUES

Tama Toki’s tonics, mānuka honey and skincare products are inspired by traditional Māori herbal remedies.

The 28-year-old grew up on Great Barrier Island, known as ‘Aotea’ in Māori. Toki studied law at Auckland University and was an Olympics prospect for middle distance running before starting his business in 2016.

He decided to create a company driven by tikanga Māori (values). At the heart of that is the concept of kaitiakitanga or stewardship. Kaitiakitanga recognises the importance of holistically managing the natural world.

Toki says his greatest success is being able to give scholarships to kids in the wider community on Aotea to attend high school in Auckland.

“We are fortunate to be using our land and native IP for the products. Consequently, it’s only right there is some gratuity to the local community. We are stoked to be offering a small scholarship for Rangatahi Māori and intend to grow it as the business grows. We also are creating jobs for locals on the island which is also satisfying.”

He is also building a distillery and growing a mānuka plantation, among other flora, on Aotea.

“We’re looking to build more brand and back end infrastructure, than we are sales offshore this year.

Consequently, our sales growth is more modest, but we believe we’re growing more sustainably and in the right way.”

In the last financial year, it had turnover of about half a million dollars. Toki reinvests all extra cash into growth.

Three-quarters of Aotea Made’s products are exported. He says Japan, China and Vietnam have been particularly fruitful for exports, with about an even share of sales.

“I think New Zealand Inc is what has worked well.

The story and provenance, ingredients and aesthetic,” he says.

But exporting into Asia hasn’t been without hurdles.

Toki says managing distributor relationships and how the brand is marketed hasn’t been a walk in the park.

“As they all have their own languages, we have to work with their marketing team and make sure it’s been communicated in a way that is consistent with our current marketing and aesthetic and is consistent across territories.

“We provide the content and collateral which gives us some control, but if you’re sitting on a poor online or offline platform or channel it can hurt the brand image.”

Right now, Toki’s focus is on fitting out a small flagship store at the Commercial Bay development in Auckland.

“We’ve noticed that the channels we’re in - both online and offline - are flooded, and although it’s an unorthodox strategy, our story and brand are important to communicate directly to the consumer,” he says.

Growing fast He began selling his tonics at the Parnell Farmers Market in 2016. After a surge in popularity, he extended his product range and began selling in supermarkets and cafes. Toki’s products are now stocked in more than 300 cafes and supermarkets up and down the country.

He formed the company, Aotea Made, with the help of seed capital from First NZ Capital board member David Copley. Since then, the company has financed itself through cashflow.

Catherine Beard is Executive Director of ExportNZ, which serves its members via regional offices throughout the country.

To find your nearest office go to www.exportnz.org.nz

“KAITIAKITANGA RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF HOLISTICALLY MANAGING THE NATURAL WORLD.”

Tama Toki of Aotea Made

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

9

HEALTH & WELLNESS The definition of wellness has taken on a whole new meaning this year, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shoppers started panic buying in March, stocking up on facial tissues and all sorts of essential items as the viral infection reached our shores.

An unprecedented Level 4 Emergency was declared on 25th March, effectively placing New Zealand’s residents into self-isolation at home.

Self-care, natural immune support, as well as cold and flu medicines have never been more important to shoppers. So what are New Zealanders looking for right now, as the temperatures begin to cool all around the country?

Seasonal trends Natural Health is an important wellness tool for New Zealanders, says Vicky Morgan, Account Director, Retail at IRI. She explains: “Almost half of us have purchased vitamins, minerals and supplements products (VMS) in the last three months, with one-third of us claiming to take VMS regularly. The total New Zealand VMS market is worth over $470m and Grocery contributes $75m. Reflecting disruption in the retail market as Chemist Warehouse has aggressively entered the NZ market, over the last year we have seen a decline of -5% (MAT to 01/03/20) in Grocery VMS sales.

[ cover story ]

WINTER WELLNESS – PERFORMANCE AND A TOUCH OF LUXURY Paseo facial tissues continue to deliver premium UltraSoft 3Ply luxury, absorbency AND strength for quality tissue performance. Paseo’s indulgent Frangipani + Vitamin E tissues provide a subtle frangipani scent and enriching Vitamin E within a trendy, modern designer box.

Paseo tissues are leading sustainable growth at 34.9% (MAT Value Share to 8 March 2020), including strong performance within the 140-sheet designer range over peak summer pollen season. Category growth is supported with a premium price per tissue, delivering solid value sales and short inter-purchase intervals.

The category is facing unprecedented challenges this winter and the Cottonsoft Limited team are working hard to support our retailers and shoppers alike with supply of Paseo.

The NZ Ministry of Health advise that COVID-19 can be spread by people coughing or sneezing so covering coughs and sneezes with facial tissues is important to help keep yourself and the community safe.

Paseo tissues are made for Cottonsoft Ltd – a New Zealand manufacturer, marketer and distributor of paper and hygiene products, providing leading brands for Kiwis since 1988.

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

“COVERING COUGHS AND SNEEZES WITH FACIAL TISSUES IS IMPORTANT”

[ feature ] “Sales of Cold and Flu, Vitamin C and Immunity products peak during the month’s May and June, as the cooler weather sets in. This is in line with the ESR weekly Influenza-like illness rates which start to trend upwards from May and then peak in July. Cold and Flu, a key winter segment, is the largest Grocery VMS segment which makes up almost 16%. It has been one of the only segments to deliver sustained year-on-year growth for the last five years and in the latest MAT it has delivered value growth of +8.1%, accelerating in the latest quarter to +24.7%.

“If we look at what is driving this value growth in Cold and Flu, products including probiotics and prebiotics are in the top two, as consumers start to understand how probiotics may help boost their immune system and protect against infection. With the heightened awareness around immunity as COVID-19 takes hold, we anticipate that immunity products will be top of mind throughout 2020 which should translate into strong sales,” says Morgan.

COVID-19 INFO FOR NEW ZEALAND If you are feeling unwell and suspect you have contracted COVID-19, phone HEALTHLINE’s dedicated COVID-19 number 0800 358 5453.

For more information on the pandemic, as well as resources for your team and your business check the following websites.

• www.covid19.govt.nz • https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid19-novel-coronavirus

• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 • www.fgc.org.nz • https://www.mpi.govt.nz/covid-19-essential-primary-sectorservice-registration/ • https://www.mpi.govt.nz/exporting/coronavirus-and-the-effectson-trade/

QUICK FACTS • Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

• Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

• Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

[ Comvita™ ]

BEEKEEPING, SINCE 1974 In a small New Zealand town in the early 1970’s, two men formed a special partnership. Claude Stratford and Alan Boughen established Comvita in 1974 with a mission to create quality health products as close to their natural state as possible.

While honing their beekeeping skills they began making natural products with the honey they collected from native forests nearby.

They sold their products locally and ‘Comvita’ quickly became known for the quality and purity of its products, and for its ethics.

Claude and Alan’s beekeeping legacy has endured and Comvita is now New Zealand’s largest producer of genuine UMF™ Manuka Honey, operating over 27,000 hives in New Zealand. It is a globally recognised brand.

Manuka, a very special honey Manuka honey has some unique properties that are different to other types of honey. This is what makes Manuka Honey so unique.

However, the presence of these unique properties varies between Manuka species. Through its specialised horticultural program, Comvita has identified high-producing Manuka cultivars in the remote regions of New Zealand. Through careful species identification and advanced beekeeping

practices, Comvita is able to produce the highest quality Manuka honey possible. For quality assurance, all Comvita beekeeping is managed by Comvita Apiary Management System (AMS), allowing traceability of honey from source to shelf. Comvita has set the benchmark in NZ for Quality, reflected in its ‘level guarantee’ statement on every jar.

Being the market leaders, Comvita works closely with MPI to maintain and foster the product integrity in the honey industry.

UMF™, authentic New Zealand Manuka Honey UMF™ logo is an independently certified quality trademark for genuine manuka honey. Only the UMF™ standard verifies all three signature Manuka compounds - Leptosperin, Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and Methylglyoxal (MGO)* - are present in the honey. UMF™ Manuka honey is tested by an independent laboratory to ensure its quality, purity & authenticity. *MGO is a compound found in lots of honeys and is not a marker for authenticity on its own. MGO alone does not guarantee the honey is authentic New Zealand sourced Manuka Honey.

Now distributed to grocery

by Wilson Consumer Products For trade enquiries, please contact 0800 651 044 FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

11

SKINCARE HAIRCARE TRENDS &

Many shoppers are looking for natural ingredients and locally made products.

Ahhh create vibrant hair, bath and body products handcrafted in New Zealand using natural ingredients. Proving that natural and sustainable motivated beauty can also be playful, Ahhh products are colourful, smell divine and look good enough to eat while leaving your hair and skin feeling soft, cleansed and nourished.

Created in concentrated solid bar form, Ahhh allow you to receive more of the nourishing good stuff with less water usage and no need for bulky plastic packaging.

Ahhh introduce super nourishing solid moisturisers to their collection 12

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

of hand crafted, natural body products.

Care for your skin in a kinder way with natural moisturisers presented in vibrant eco-friendly packaging.

Ahhh’s NEW solid moisturisers offer you value for money whilst also being better for the environment, with each solid bar the equivalent of two 500ml conventional lotions without the need for added water or bulky plastic packaging. Ahhh’s new solid moisturisers combine a beautiful natural blend of cocoa butter, coconut oil and hemp seed oil - deeply nourishing ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as encouraging new cell generation and aiding to soften and soothe your skin.

Available in four delightful scents blending essential oils and natural fragrances: Sweet Orange & Grapefruit, Rose & Chamomile, Ocean Cruz and Raspberry & Vanilla.

Each bar is cleverly presented in cardboard packaging, which is safe to dispose of after use in home or commercial composts. Ahhh’s solid moisturisers are best used on warm skin after a shower or bath. Simply push the tube up and apply to skin, using hands to rub in evenly for super nourished, happy skin.

For sales enquiries contact Stuart Campbell - phone 027 326 1821 or email stuart@ahhh.nz.

[ category insights ] Earthwise Nourish – Homegrown Haircare, Naturally

Glow Lab - Natural Salon Quality That Works The next generation of conscious consumers are no longer settling for just natural, as green, sustainable beauty is now an integral part of the industry.

Fenella Brown – Brand Manager Glow Lab explains: “Consumers are more informed than ever, and natural personal care products must deliver proven results too; a testament to Glow Lab’s haircare range success, worth $1.8m and growing at +42.3%*.

The demand for silicone, sulphate, and nasty-free haircare is now industry standard.

“Proudly made in New Zealand, Glow Lab is redefining the haircare category in supermarkets with a true premium natural offer. Glow Lab’s unique position boosting its natural, ‘nasty free’ formulations with active ingredients (usually only seen in salon brands) at claimable levels, to deliver proven results. Glow Lab is providing supermarkets with a range to compete directly with high end salon brands and encourage channel switch.”

Brown says: “The hero ingredient across the range, FK Restore™ Functional Keratin®, is derived from New Zealand shorn sheep wool and proven to reduce hair breakage by up to 55% after 1 treatment. Other scientifically proven ingredients featured across the range include: • Rice Tein NPNF™ proven to increase hair volume by up to 32% • Floraester K-20W® proven to improve colour retention by up to 35% • Betaine proven to improve the condition of hair by up to 43% “With consumers becoming more environmentally aware the NEW Hydrating and Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner 600ml larger pack size offer a more convenient and sustainable choice. The bottles are also made from 100% recycled plastic, sourced from water and juice bottles, in line with rest of Glow Lab’s haircare range.”

Discover the full range of Glow Lab personal care products at www.glowlab.co.nz.

Consumers are embracing all things natural with many looking for natural ingredients and the transparency of local brands, especially when it comes to personal care.

Kerry Tomane - Marketing Manager Earthwise Group Ltd says: “Consumers are becoming more conscious about ‘green washing’ and what they are putting on their body, and haircare is no different.” Earthwise Nourish haircare worth $1.1m*, provides an entry level natural offer, making the move to natural more affordable for the mainstream household shopper. Made in New Zealand, this homegrown brand is crafted with essential oils and natural biodegradable ingredients. Free from silicones, parabens and synthetic dyes, and not tested on animals. Earthwise’s Nourish 320ml range of Balance, Revitalise, Protect, Volumising and Anti Dandruff, has something to suit everyone’s haircare needs from hydration, colour retention to sensitive scalps.

“As part of Earthwise’s broader company ethos on sustainability and reducing the use of virgin plastic, the Earthwise Nourish haircare bottles have moved to 100% recycled plastic, which are starting to hit supermarket shelves now. Since October 2018, Earthwise Group Ltd has diverted 200 Tonnes of plastic from landfills. Yes to progress!

“Discover the full range of Earthwise Nourish body care products including Haircare, Hand Wash, Body Wash and Bar Soap at www.earthwise.co.nz,” says Tomane

“PROUDLY MADE IN NEW ZEALAND, GLOW LAB IS REDEFINING THE HAIRCARE CATEGORY IN SUPERMARKETS WITH A TRUE PREMIUM NATURAL OFFER.”

*Source: IRI total Value Sales $ NZ Grocery MAT to 09/02/2020

Source: NIELSEN SCANTRACK Total Supermarkets - MAT to 08/03/2020 Val Sales

Val % Chg YA

Hair Care

140,501,512

-0.0%

Shampoo and Conditioners

99,882,805

1.0%

Hair Colourants

24,339,173

-3.3%

Hair Styling Aids

8,676,483

-0.9%

Hairspray

5,949,046

-1.9%

Topical Anti Parasitics

1,198,294

-1.7%

Hair Creams

455,710

-0.9%

* T. Grocery Natural Haircare Dollars Growth latest MAT to 9/2/20

FMCG Business produces a monthly snapshot of category news and highlights, based on information from participating clients and Nielsen data available at time of print. To showcase your products in upcoming category reports, please contact trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz.

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

13

A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS FMCG Business talked to Jim Bradley, Category Manager - Pet Nutrition Asia Pacific at Mars

Mars Petcare is a diverse and growing business with 75,000 Associates across 50+ countries dedicated to one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Jim Bradley explains: “With 75 years of experience, our portfolio of almost 50 brands serves the health and nutrition needs of almost half the world’s pets – including brands PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN®, NUTRO™, GREENIES™, SHEBA®, CESAR®, IAMS™ and EUKANUBA™ as well as The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition which has advanced research in the nutrition and health of pets for over 50 years. Mars Petcare is also the world’s largest veterinary health provider through a network of over 2,000 pet hospitals. We’re also at the forefront of emerging innovation and technology for pets, pet owners and veterinarians, with various programmes that drive innovation and disruption in the pet care industry. As a family business and guided by our principles of mutuality and freedom, we are privileged with the flexibility to fight for what we believe in – and we choose to fight for: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.”

Which brands do you have in NZ supermarkets?

Mars Inc currently has the following brands in the Pet Care & Food Category in Supermarkets and Multichannel Stores: • WHISKAS® Cat Dry & Wet Food • DINE™ Cat Wet Food & Cat Treats • DINE™ Desire Cat Wet Food • TEMPTATIONS™ Cat Treats • IAMS™ Cat & Dog Dry Food • PEDIGREE® Dog Dry & Wet Food 14

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

• PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX Dog Dental Treats • SCHMACKOS™ Dog Treats • MYDOG™ Original Wet Dog Food • MYDOG™ Naturally Crafted Wet Dog Food

Have you launched any new products?

In the last 12 months we have launched IAMS™ Cat & Dog dry food into supermarkets. This is a product that has been in the global market since 1946 and previously only available in pet specialty stores in New Zealand. This creates an amazing opportunity for a high-quality food to be available to a wider range of pet owners who want the best nutrition they can afford for their pets.

As well as this we launched DINE™ Perfect Portions for cats. This creates a split tray to allow pet parents the ability to use 1 tray for multiple meals. When a cat parent uses part of a tin or a tray for a meal and then stores the leftovers in the fridge it drastically reduces palatability for cats. This product means getting multiple meals without any waste from storing leftovers in the fridge. The good news also is that the split trays are recyclable.

We have also launched TEMPTATIONS™ Tubs which is a large format 454g tub of TEMPTATIONS™ at a great value price.

How have they progressed?

IAMS™ sales for Total Supermarkets from entry to 23/02/2020 have been $3.5M. T. IAMS™ cat food Supermarket sales have been $2.2M and has eclipsed other more established brands which have been in the market for

[ Q&A ] over 40 years. IAMS Cat food has 5% Market share which is 5th overall in market. As at 23/02/2020 it had only spent 26 weeks in supermarkets.

T. IAMS™ Dog food Supermarket sales have totalled $1.3M to 23/02/2020. IAMS Dog food has a 3.5% Market share in Dry Dog food which is 8th overall in market, now ahead of other brands with a long history of being in the market. As at 23/02/2020 it had only spent 26 weeks in supermarkets.

DINE™ Perfect Portions is now one of the Top 20 Wet Cat Promo groups in Total Supermarkets having sold $1.5M across supermarkets MAT. TEMPTATIONS™ Tubs has sold nearly $2M MAT in T. Supermarkets and is now the 4th ranking promo group in Cat Treats despite not being in the market a full year. Across T. Supermarkets TEMPTATIONS™ Chicken Tub 454g is the 3rd ranked Value Sales SKU in Cat Treats and its Beef and Seafood counterpart is within the top 20 ranked SKUs in Value Sales.

All stats quoted are Nielsen Scan Data to 23/02/2020.

What are the consumer trends in the Pet category?

In New Zealand we have quite a developed Pet Market and Pet Population. The population of cats and dogs is growing at only 0.5-1% each year and the make-up of this pet population is changing as the way we live changes. Urban populations and the middle class are on the rise meaning the type of pet that is wanted to fit these lifestyles are changing. Cat’s and small dogs are now becoming more and more popular as properties get smaller, lives get busier and cities more crowded. In these environment large dogs just aren’t as practical.

The changing population has shifted towards Millennials having kids later and using pets as a substitute. These pet owners are tech savvy and generally inform themselves through research and use trusted advisors such as vets and pet specialty salespeople to validate and guide their research. There are also empty nesting Baby Boomers who have experienced pet ownership before and therefore want to provide the best care and life for their current pet.

Both demographics are likely to own a smaller breed dog or a cat.

In amongst these trends the relationship of pets and their owners has transitioned to a pet and petparent relationship. As a result of this humanisation of pets, the pet owners’ wants and needs are being portrayed onto their pets.

These trends lead to a natural premiumisation of the pet food & care market. Owners now want better experiences for themselves and their pets. The rise of doggy-day cares are a perfect example of this. Where a pet was once an animal to keep you company at home, pet parents now want their dog to be able to have enrichment outside of evenings or weekends they spend at home with the pet.

A notable trend in the pet food market is the rise of health and wellbeing and new diets entering

mainstream markets. These diets such as paleo, keto, plant-based or super food diets have moved into pet foods. Shoppers are now more aware of what they put into their body and research ingredients and health facts and now do the same for their pets.

The result of pet humanisation is shown in four key areas of growth: 1. Customised nutrition where pet parents are looking for customised diets for their pet’s needs, 2. Nature Inspired Diets where pet parents have the idea that if they’re eating as clean and naturally as possible their pet should as well 3. Culinary Experiences, which is similar to Nature Inspired diets except the delicious cuisine or meals humans eat they would like their pet to experience as well to bring them closer together 4. Care & Treats which involve treating as a bonding experience or for a health benefit – in the same way a bliss ball is a treat with a health benefit for us, pet parents want their treats to benefit their pets health. These four areas are where growth in the pet industry will come from in the future.

The rise of Nature Inspired Diets has been rapid in the last 10 years. The Global Pet Expo in Orlando, which I attended in March 2019, had a dedicated Natural Food section which took up around 20% of expo space amongst 10,000+ pet vendors.

Within all these trends is the rise of online & click and collect shopping. The salience of technology in our lives (meaning we can research our pets’ food, treats and accessories which are peer reviewed and then order them online) challenges bricks and mortar stores. Pet Specialty will be challenged by this mostly where shoppers will need reasons to shop at the store as they are destination outlets. It also creates pressure for online retailers to be able to create incremental purchases through web design layout to make sure shoppers are experiencing products that are complimentary in the right space at the right time to fulfil their wants and needs.

“SHOPPERS ARE NOW MORE AWARE OF WHAT THEY PUT INTO THEIR BODY AND RESEARCH INGREDIENTS AND HEALTH FACTS AND NOW DO THE SAME FOR THEIR PETS.”

Source: NIELSEN SCANTRACK Total Supermarkets - MAT w/e 08/03/2020 Val Sales

Val % Chg YA

Petfood & Petcare

496,022,660

5.3%

Dry Cat Food

92,064,903

5.3%

Dry Dog Food

69,419,395

4.2%

Wet Dog Food

63,461,133

6.9%

Canned Cat Food

58,327,444

2.3%

Pouch Cat Food

56,261,657

7.0%

Dog Treat

39,518,093

8.1%

Wet Cat Food

28,662,085

7.2%

Cat & Dog Accessories

25,383,831

-0.5%

Canned Dog Food

24,934,552

4.3%

Cat Treat

20,805,787

12.5%

Bird Feed & Accessories

10,872,730

3.2%

Other Pet Accessories

2,786,670

2.7%

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

15

[ category insights ]

IT’S SOUP SEASON “KING SOUP HAS BEEN COOKING IN KIWI KITCHENS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS”

Many brands and retailers had to adapt to the disruption of normal purchase trends that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is presenting.

In New Zealand, we have witnessed incredible scenes of consumers depleting the shelves of all sorts of items in response to the pandemic.

Source: NIELSEN SCANTRACK Total Supermarkets - MAT w/e 08/03/2020 Val Sales

Val % Chg YA

Soup

56,903,941

-1.0%

Canned Soup

23,287,478

-3.4%

Instant Soup

16,927,321

-0.8%

Packet Soup

10,854,563

4.0%

Cereal Soup

3,553,410

-0.6%

Soup Mix & Pulses

2,281,170

0.8%

Categories such as canned goods, soups and especially dried soup mixes are seeing a new wave of growth as consumers continue to stockpile their pantries with shelf-stable food products.

Comforting and versatile Wilson Consumer Products markets King Traditional Soup.

King soup has been cooking in Kiwi kitchens for more than 60 years and it is still proudly made and grown in New Zealand.

Susan Harvey, Marketing and Business Development Manager says: “Being economical, comforting and versatile it is easy to see why Kiwis love King traditional soup mix. While many customers enjoy it as a soup, adding water or their own vegetables or meat, it is also a popular hearty base for casseroles and slow cooked meals.

“While cool weather is obviously a key trigger for soup purchases, wet weather also plays a big part in consumer’s appetite for soup.

“Making King Soup is a very traditional activity during winter months when you don’t want to go outside and need something warm and nourishing to eat. Unlike other soups King soup takes 1 ½ hours to cook. This is a benefit as it fills the house with wonderful cooking aromas which are warming and comforting and as King soup has been around for more than 60 years, it reminds many of family times together.

“We will be advertising on radio this year that King soup is homegrown and is the perfect soup for stay at home weather,” says Harvey.

FMCG Business produces a monthly snapshot of category news and highlights, based on information from participating clients and Nielsen data available at time of print. To showcase your products in upcoming category reports, please contact trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz.

16

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

[ in store ]

SUPERMARKETS RESPOND TO NATIONAL PANDEMIC PLAN On 25th March, New Zealand moved to the Alert 4 elimination phase of the Government plan designed to stem the spread of COVID-19.

“These are extraordinary times and if we are to protect New Zealanders then clear measures need to be taken,” said Foodstuffs Head Of Corporate Affairs, Antoinette Laird. “Our New World, PAK’nSAVE, Four Square, Gilmours and Trents stores remain 100% committed to ensuring New Zealanders have their grocery needs met and we are doing everything we can to make this happen with the support of Government and the authorities.

“Supermarkets are one of the essential services Government has identified and will remain open to meet the needs of New Zealanders.

But please know, the alert Level 4 status will now impact how our stores will operate to ensure customers safety: • Reduced store hours – locally owned individual stores will determine their own operating hours and may choose to reduce them to cope with the heightened measures now in place.

Individual stores will make this call based on the needs of their community and to ensure customers and staff maintain the recommended physical distance of 2m apart. Customers may also see some reduced services across some stores, and we recommend shoppers visit the brand website or their local store’s Facebook page to stay across trading hours.

• Managed customer numbers in-store – stores will be limiting the number of customers in store at any one time and will be operating a system at entry to manage the volume of people in store. This is incredibly important to ensure customers can move freely around the store to get their grocery essentials and maintain a safe distance away from other customers and staff. We ask customers to please be patient and listen to store staff and security to comply with this new store entry system and ask shoppers to please maintain the required 2m physical distancing.

• Reduced numbers of staff on shop floor – to maintain the recommended physical distance and to ensure a steady flow of traffic in and out of store.

• Staff protection measures – customers will begin to see various staff protection measures in place at their local store including staff wearing masks, perspex protective screens at checkout, floor decals communicating the appropriate 2m physical distancing length, physical distancing at self-checkout and checkout, and the implementation of customers packing their own bags. We ask all customers to please comply with store signage and staff direction to maintain physical distancing for customer and staff health and safety.

• Contactless payments – we encourage customers to use contactless payments such as payWave as another way of reducing contact between customers and staff.

• Nominate a family or household member to shop – to comply with physical distancing recommendations, and to ensure there is a steady flow of traffic in and out of stores we are asking New Zealanders who shop in person to please shop alone. This is to ensure the number of people in-store at any one time is kept to a minimum.

• Shop online (where available) – we have introduced contactless online shopping delivery for customers who are self-isolating, vulnerable or unwell – we ask customers to simply let the team know in the I Shop comments section when the order is placed. We also ask customers who are feeling unwell to please not come to the store to collect their Click & Collect order and to instead arrange a friend or family member to pick up your groceries.

• #shopnormal – we ask customers to not stockpile so everyone has a fair shot at buying their grocery essentials.

• Be kind – please support us as we work hard to continue meeting our goal of ensuring everyone has access to grocery essentials. We ask that all customers please remain patient and considerate to each other and staff during this time.”

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATES FOR LOCAL BUSINESS

A newly launched Nielsen Hub on all things COVID-19 can be accessed online at nielsen.com/covid-19 or nielsen.com/coronavirus.

Here are some of the recent findings from Nielsen.

COVID-19 CONCERNS A LIKELY TIPPING POINT FOR LOCAL BRAND GROWTH Never mind national pride, opting for locally produced products may fast become a necessity for retailers and consumers concerned about products originating from countries where novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread.

Local products and brands have been gaining popularity across the globe over the past couple of years. Consumers have typically closely associated products of local origin with supporting local business, aligning with home-grown heritage, or seeking fresh foods grown close to home that meet local palate preferences. But as fears about COVID-19 spread consumer thoughts and actions are changing around the globe— and this represents an opportunity for retailers and manufacturers that can leverage local’s appeal to mitigate consumer concerns.

Already, Nielsen’s ongoing investigation into the outbreak has found shoppers are exhibiting signs that they may steer away from products that travelled long distances with multiple human touchpoints, particularly products such as dairy, fruit, vegetables and meats. And that means that products that come off factory lines or rely on distribution systems from some of the hardest hit countries could face challenges, and multinational brands will need to work to maintain consumer confidence.

LOCKDOWN MEANS ‘LOCAL’ MAY SHINE Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, some markets have taken extreme measures to protect their populations by issuing widespread quarantines, halting manufacturing and disrupting supply chains. And even in some markets that haven’t taken such severe measures, demand has been disrupted due to consumer precautions. Globally, there is likely to be an impact on product and brand choices being made at the checkout due to these changes. And this impact may break longtime purchase habits irreversibly.

In recent years, consumers have generally displayed strong preferences for local dairy and fresh produce brands and products versus those coming from further afield.

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, anxieties around origins of products and ingredients are likely to fuel increased demand for even more local sourcing.

So what are consumers looking for? Firstly, they need to be reassured.

More than ever, shoppers want to understand the supply chain, with complete transparency from farm to factory to distribution, and they want details of the measures being taken to assure their safety.

In some countries, expanded transparency is already becoming the norm. In China, where populations are emerging from mass quarantines and widespread concerns prevail, scooter-riding couriers from online food retailers Meituan and Eleme present customers with a reassurance guarantee slip that includes details of the body temperature of the cooks, food packagers and couriers for every order, as well as their daily disinfecting routines. In other words, consumers are becoming used to this high level of transparency. They are likely to expect it in everything they buy, but especially when it comes to food products.

Similarly, in the U.S., a lack of paid sick leave for many workers in retail, and the food industry in particular, has raised shoppers’ concerns and is prompting some companies to adjust their policies. By giving employees additional paid sick leave, these retailers are signalling their proactive stance in preventing the spread of the illness, as well as reinforcing their safety measures to consumers.

Promoting a product’s local origins could help manufacturers and retailers assuage some consumer concerns. A Nielsen survey on disloyalty last year found that global consumers report being heavily swayed by origin: 11% of global consumers said they only bought products manufactured in their country while an additional 54% “mostly” bought local products. A further 19% of global consumers said they were always influenced to try or switch brands based on local attributes, with 34% more saying they were often influenced. Yet

“PROMOTING A PRODUCT’S LOCAL ORIGINS COULD HELP MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS ASSUAGE SOME CONSUMER CONCERNS.”

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

[ nielsen ] these numbers vary across local markets, and marketers need to be aware of their country’s level of interest in local brands.

Consumers surveyed in Italy, India, Thailand, Philippines, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and the U.S. all displayed a stronger preference for local products and are likely to further increase their consumption of these products. Meanwhile, consumers in countries that did not have a strong preference either way could well now tip the demand scales in favour of local products. These include Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Mexico and Costa Rica.

But marketers will need to understand the nuances of local concerns. And in this way, smaller local manufacturers may have another advantage as consumer concerns grow. With smaller operations, they may be able to respond faster and in more targeted ways than their bigger counterparts—and by doing so could win with local consumers in an appropriate and timely way. The growth of smaller players in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry across the U.S., Italy, Portugal, Spain, Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana has outpaced that of the bigger manufacturers in the past year. With varying levels of concern, response and impact by market, local producers and retailers have the added edge of focusing on an individual market. They are able to take swift, focused and singular actions that are relevant to a specific marketplace.

Furthermore, big, global and known brands are holding less sway with consumers these days—less than a third (28%) of global consumers say they are influenced to try or switch brands based on these halos alone. And this could further set the stage for local brands to rise and grow, cementing future loyalty through their actions of today.

GLOBAL TO DOUBLE DOWN ON ‘LOCAL’ It is easy to assume that multinational companies face the biggest challenges as they come up against small, agile national brands, market supply constraints and local consumer perceptions. However, many global organizations have invested in-market with vigorous local sourcing criteria and manufacturing operations, often unbeknown to consumers, and they may be able to turn that to their advantage.

The opportunity for these brands will lie in fortifying their positioning by providing visibility into their on-the-ground operations, supported by distinct communication around their ‘equally local’ supply status. Global quality assurances, large scale production to meet stock-up demand, verified health claims, industry body certification and track records of satisfying consumer needs could all help multinationals emphasize their origin benefits.

Depending on the duration and impact of COVID-19, there are other important implications to consider:

• Retailers may be forced to increasingly depend on local products as supply from beyond country borders is suspended and longer-term quarantines implemented.

• Retailers and manufacturers may want to consider additional protective packaging for global and local products, but will need to balance this against rising consumer concerns about environmental impact.

• Consumers may deepen their trust for locally sourced/produced products in all markets—affected and unaffected: if they can see it and identify it, they can trust it.

• Local credentials will be steadily sought out and possibly over-appreciated.

• Global companies will need to spotlight their global advantages together with their local elements amidst the heightened skepticism towards distance prone supply chains.

Driven by necessity or the need for greater transparency, local brands and retailers are optimally placed to alleviate and deliver against consumers’ product sourcing concerns. Local business will benefit from sharper messaging reinforcing supply chain visibility and focused distribution to reach consumers.

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

19

Proper Tortilla Chips are here!

Hola Amigos, we’re proud to present our New Proper Tortilla Chips! Our Proper Tortilla Chips are crafted in the same, traditional way they’ve been made in Mexico for generations.

Made with white GMO-free corn kernels and ground using volcanic stones.

Available in two flavours – Salted and Cheeza-peno.

Buen Apetitio! www.propercrisps.co.nz duncan@propercrisps.co.nz 03 546 8980

LiveBrew: A Fresh Probiotic Technology LiveBrew is a unique combination of fresh, live, and active probiotic lactobacilli and the beneficial metabolites (organic acids) produced by those microbes. LiveBrew is the only fresh probiotic with guaranteed viability throughout the entire shelf-life period. LiveBrew does not require refrigeration or any other special handling prior to opening. www.livebrew.co.nz (0508) BIOBREW andre@freshprobiotics.com

Snak Logs Welcomes New Flavour

Facebook “f ” Logo

Tasti Snak Logs, a much loved Kiwi classic made right here in New Zealand. Snak Logs has welcomed a new delicious flavour to the range in White Choc & Raspberry.

Made with a combination of oats, seeds, and fruit, dipped in white choc the recipe is both fueling and tasty! http://www.tasti.co.nz/products/snak-logs/snak-logs-white-choc-raspberry Email: tast@tasti.co.nz Freephone: 0800 827 841 @tastinz @tastinz CMYK / .eps

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CMYK / .eps

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

New TABASCO® Sriracha Sauce A Thai classic infused with a kick of TABASCO® Sauce crafted to meet food lovers’ growing appetite for global flavours. Its flavour and heat come from ripened, red jalapeño and barrel-aged tabasco peppers blended with other sweet and savoury flavours. Unlike other popular sriracha sauces, TABASCO® Sriracha Sauce is preservative free. It is also vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and fat free.

Contact MOI Agencies, Phone 09 479 3630

Proper Crisps x Trelise Cooper Collaboration Roses are red, violets are blue, these crisps are made just for you! Introducing Proper Crisps Pink Himalayan Salt Crisps in limited-edition packaging designed by iconic Kiwi designer Dame Trelise Cooper. Lightly seasoned with Pink Himalayan Salt, these bags are the newest addition to Proper Crisps’ growing range of products available in home compostable bags. www.propercrisps.co.nz duncan@propercrisps.co.nz 03 546 8980

[ good business ]

TOP TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented, fluid situation, with varying impacts across our global markets. Many companies are implementing measures to protect their people and business, while trying to ensure the continuity of services.

This means that many of us will be working from home for a while, if only to limit the spread of the virus.

Transitioning to work-from-home is easier said than done. How can parents balance work and looking after out-of-school children? How can managers ensure they’re supporting both productivity and their employees’ health and wellness?

With more people around the world working remotely now, we thought we’d share some tips on how to work from home.

There are four essential things that you’ll need to get started: • A device to work on, such as a company laptop or personally owned device • A network connection - to access the data and systems required • A security solution, such as antivirus software.

• A bit of know-how - on how to connect, where to find applications, how to back up your work to an external drive, USB stick, or cloud folder.

Stay focused and in touch • Set up a dedicated office space in a quiet part of your home with all the tech and resources required to work efficiently.

• Separate work life from home life when you work from home.

Establish an effective work routine and regular work hours, then try to stick to that.

• You’ll need to set some ground rules to avoid distractions, if your spouse/partner/roommate is at home too.

• Schedule regular phone calls and keep in touch with your team and clients via Skype or Zoom. Remote work doesn’t need to isolate people.

• Talk to your manager at regular intervals about deadlines and deliverables.

• Hold meetings and training by virtual sessions using Google meetings or other video conferencing software as required.

• Office phone numbers can be re-directed to mobile numbers Working from home comes with its own challenges, not least the additional costs that it imposes on employees. So, is it possible to claim a tax deduction for any of these extra costs? Happily, the answer is yes.

What tax deductions can you claim?

If you work from home, talk to your accountant to find out how to claim work-related proportions of household costs such as: • Power bills; • Costs of cleaning your home working area; • Depreciation of home office furniture and fittings; • Depreciation of office equipment and computers; • Costs of repairing home office equipment, furniture and furnishings; • Small capital items such as furniture and computer equipment costing less than $300 can be written off in full immediately (they don’t need to be depreciated); • Computer consumables (like printer ink) and stationery; and • Phone (mobile and/or landline) and internet expenses.

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

21

[ good business ]

REAL-TIME SALES APP FOR SUPPLIERS Countdown has launched a new app called with enough time to make a change for tomorrow. With Compass we’ll all have that Compass, which enables its suppliers to more knowledge. Likewise, if there’s a product closely monitor sales of their products in which isn’t selling as well as we expected, why Countdown stores. is that? Is there stock on the shelf, have we Available for free on both ios and Android, got the display right and what else could be Compass draws on historical sales patterns done to fix it? to calculate dynamic daily sales expectations “Not only does Compass let you view live for every product in every store. The planograms in every store as soon as they’re app generates alerts for suppliers if sales available, it also enables you to see stock on drop below expectations, giving them the hand, on order and in transit, price information knowledge and opportunity to quickly identify and presentation levels. One of the biggest and fix potential out-of-stocks or other issues. benefits of Compass however is the ability for Countdown’s General Manager Merchandise our suppliers’ reps to print shelf tickets. This & Replenishment, Steve Mills, says after seeing request sends the ticket directly to the printing the app in action in Australia, many local queue for our Price Integrity managers, which suppliers had been asking for it to be made speeds changes up,” says Mills. available here too.

“We see Compass as a genuine win-win “We’re expecting Compass to be a really because a lost sale for a supplier is most likely valuable tool for our suppliers, to help them Countdown’s General Manager Merchandise & an unsatisfied Countdown customer as well. understand what’s happening in any one store Replenishment, Steve Mills We believe that the introduction of Compass in real-time, but also to be able to act on that here has the potential to recoup real value for suppliers while improving knowledge. availability for our customers.”

“For example, there might be a product which is flying off the shelves For more information please contact Compass@countdown.co.nz somewhere but currently a supplier won’t always get that information

LEE KUM KEE SLOW COOK RANGE •F

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Lee Kum Kee is a global brand, represented in New DUCT OF T HE PRO Y CG M Zealand by Acton International Marketing. Product FIN ALI ST development for the Lee Kum Kee Slow Cook Range was originated in NZ using a local chef, and the PRODUCT OF packaging design was also developed locally, so THE YEAR that flavour and shelf appeal could be maximised to resonate with the NZ consumer.

The range of four slow cooked flavours allow consumers to experience the best of Asian cuisine at home, with a few easy steps meaning that they can enjoy a ready to serve, deliciously authentic family meal. The flavours are: Honey & Soy Chicken with its delicate sweet and savoury flavours of honey and ginger with soy sauce.

Cantonese Beef Stew: hearty rich beef and mushroom flavours with hints of ginger, garlic and spices.

Hoisin Ginger Pork combines the traditional Chinese flavours of sweet soy, five spice and ginger.

Asian Lamb Stew: cumin, garlic, ginger and five spice are the perfect partners for this rich dish.

• R

•F M C

UCT OF THE OD YE PR A

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•F M C

DUCT OF TH PRO EY CG M

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PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

•F

R• EA

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UCT OF THE OD YE PR A

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FMCG BUSINESS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Do you have a Hero product that stands out from the crowd?

If there’s a tasty tastebud teaser, NPD rockstar, or best seller in your portfolio that deserves to be crowned ‘Product Of The Year’ - we’d love to hear from you!

We’ll showcase some of the finalists in upcoming issues and reveal the FMCG Business Product of the Year later in 2020.

To find out more on how to enter please email: trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

Market Expansion Services by www.dksh.com

DKSH New Zealand Limited 279 Railway Road, Milson, Palmerston North 4470 Private Bag 11047, Palmerston North 4442 Phone +64 6 356 5323, Fax +64 6 356 4726 customerservice.nz@dksh.com, www.dksh.co.nz

[ good business ]

MPI REGISTER FOR SAFE PRACTICE The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set up a register for safe practice in the sector as New Zealand moves to National Alert Level Four in response to COVID-19, says Director-General Ray Smith.

Smith says MPI requires safety assurances from operators that their processes protect workers and the public by limiting interactions between staff and reducing the potential spread of COVID-19.

“The Government’s declaration of essential services approves those operating in the primary sector, but we just need to verify that operators are following safe practices.

“We are asking eleven critical questions about how you intend to stop any spread of COVID-19 (please see registration from here https://www.mpi.govt.nz/ covid-19-essential-primary-sector-serviceregistration/ ),” says Smith.

There are a couple of simple questions operators can ask themselves before registering:

1. Do you have five or fewer people (including the owner) working at each business site?

2. Can you achieve social distancing measures between staff in your workplace, including travelling, to and from work? - If you answer YES to both of those questions, then you do not need to fill in the form. - If you answered NO to either of these questions, you MUST fill in the form. If in doubt, fill in the form.

“Production chains should work to achieve separation between staff and adopt mitigation measures, such as protective gear and equipment, where possible,” says Smith.

“We’re all working together to ensure that our vital food production sectors can operate safely,” says Smith.

Primary sector businesses may contact Director-General Ray Smith

MPI at 0800 00 83 33 or info@mpi.govt.nz for further details.

[ Stables ]

STABLES, RIDING A WAVE OF SUCCESS Stables remains a local success story and is focused on becoming a categoryleading brand by driving rate of sale in store, growing distribution and establishing a strong brand presence. Following a successful packaging refresh of Stables and Stables Reserve in 2019, and achieving some major distribution gains, the growth of Stables is being supported with significant resource and brand investment.

A national integrated media campaign will be live in April and May, followed by another peak in July and August. The dedicated sales team will be armed with a new toolkit to support customers, and Stables wines have earned a raft of recent accolades reinforcing a commitment to quality.

Stables has been a favourite with wine lovers since 1981 and offers a line-up of vibrant and characterful wines across all major varietals. A trusted and recognised brand, Stables and Stables Reserve offer a consistent style loved by Stables drinkers for decades.

Talk to your local Stables representative about the nationwide in-store activity coming soon and check out the new website which is now live – stableswines.co.nz.

At Stables, success breeds success.

Stables is owned and distributed by Mission Estate Winery.

Email orders@missionestate.co.nz or telephone 06 845 9350

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

[ WasteMINZ ]

A RECIPE FOR PLASTICS RECYCLING A world-first research project from WasteMINZ shows that New Zealand households dispose of 1.76 billion plastic containers in their kerbside recycling and rubbish bins each year - and a staggering 39% of them end up in landfill.

The report underlines a terrifying set of statistics that suggest those sustainability goals remain a very distant target for many manufacturers and packagers.

But there’s a recipe to turn it around.

Start with high quality plastic …

Containers made from highly recyclable plastics 1 and 2 can be turned back into new plastic containers, over and over again.

With a high market value, they can be recycled both in New Zealand and offshore. Plastic 5, often used for ice cream and chilled foods, can be recycled in New Zealand if councils have the means to separate it out.

Plastics 3,4, 6 and 7 are trickier. If manufacturers switched to plastics 1, 2 and 5, all their packaging could be recycled onshore in Aotearoa.

Add some information …

The WasteMINZ audits show that an estimated 181 million containers don’t have clear labels. In fact, 36 of the 188 single-use plastic bottles the average NZ household throws out each year go straight to landfill, simply because they’re put in the wrong bin.

Plastic identification codes like 1, 2 and 5 help householders determine which plastic bottles and containers they can put in their kerbside recycling. Or go a step further with evidence-based recycling labels, such as the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), which provides information on the recyclability of a material depending on the proportion of a population that can dispose of that material in kerbside recycling.

In New Zealand, all councils accept plastic 1 and most take plastic 2. That’s “Recyclable” under the ARL. A plastic 3 container may be labelled “Conditionally Recyclable”; consumers need to check whether their council accepts it. Soft plastic?

“Not Recyclable.”

And it sounds obvious – but like the cherry on the cake, put your label somewhere it will be easily spotted, such as the lid.

Mix it all together with some innovative packaging design.

It may help to sell soft drinks, but colouring plastic reduces its ability to be recycled into new things.

And black plastic is not detected by optical sorters in recycling facilities.

Shrink-wrapped plastic sleeves aren’t a better option, either. They disguise the underlying plastic material so optical and manual sorters struggle to determine its type.

Furthermore, around 25 million bottles go into recycling bins still wearing their shrink-wrapped sleeves.

Try taking one off a bottle yourself - you may find it’s not as easy as the zip-strip and instructions imply!

Eat, drink and enjoy – and ensure New Zealand does too.

Like all successful long-lasting recipes, there are just a few key ingredients for a solution to this overwhelming problem. Packagers and manufacturers – choose your plastic carefully. Keep it clear. Label it carefully and visibly.

It’s simple. Design the problems out.

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

25

[ Q&A ]

MARKETING, MERCHANDISING & PR What are the ingredients for a successful PR, marketing, or merchandising campaign?

FMCG Business talked to a few experts in the field and found that you can achieve small miracles with a home-based office and a unique point of difference.

Village PR & Whare PR Village PR and Whare PR are based in the Bay of Plenty.

“We have a satellite office in Mount Maunganui used predominantly as a shared workspace for our consultants,” explains Bridgette Tapsell, CEO Whare PR/Village PR. “The majority of our consultants work remotely; we utilise tools such as Zoom to stay in contact with clients and conduct face-to-face meetings where appropriate (which isn’t right now!).

“Our clients are based all over New Zealand. While a number of clients have offices in the Bay of Plenty, we also have a significant proportion of our clients based in Auckland as well as others further afield such as Christchurch.

“Village and Whare PR are sister brands with a reputation for amplifying positive messages, changing perceptions, strategically advising on best communications practice and managing reputations.

“We’re experts in influencer marketing, working with clients in the horticultural and FMCG industries and working alongside iwi and Māori business ventures within a tikanga Māori context.

“We work in a way that's adaptive, responsive and intelligent, maximising the skills of each contributor and delivering outstanding tailored services to our growing list of clients.

“Our whakapapa speaks to our desire to uplift each other, to contribute positively to the journeys of our staff and clients,” says Tapsell.

What is your point of difference?

“I had the privilege of going to Silicon Valley a few years ago and meeting very successful entrepreneurs. The one common theme that they said was imperative to their success was to build teams of people who were expert at what they did and that you got along with. This has been my focus – and I believe a key reason to the success of Village PR and Whare PR. “At a more detailed POD – we have 10 clients in the horticulture 26

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

CEO Bridgette Tapsell with the Whare PR/Village PR team.

field, so we have a lot of specialised knowledge in these industries. For example, our clients include New Zealand Avocados, Blueberries New Zealand, 5+ A Day, as well as United Fresh.

“Whare PR provides communication services to the Māori economy, this is a big point of difference in the PR world.

Three top tips for a successful marketing campaign?

1. Messaging: Figuring out the messages for a campaign. It is so important to get this foundation right, everything springs from it.

2. Relevant: Keeping up the news – relevancy and timing are so important to how a campaign connects with its audience.

3. Collegial: Having a team that works well together – I can’t say enough how important this is to the final result. I love mixing pragmatists with dreamers, futurists with traditionists. We need people who play sport, with those who hang out in art galleries and read weird novels. This combination of a consultant’s mātauranga is what brings connection and success into campaigns.

Continued on pg 28

[ Storetaste ]

FACEBOOK VS STORETASTE SAMPLING - PICKING A WINNER Storetaste has taken an innovative approach to sales support (merchandising and sampling) creating a SaaS based shared work, shared results platform for FMCG brands, agencies and retailers. The objective is to reduce unproductive time in vehicles, administration time, the unnecessary use of resources while increasing product visibility in store.

FMCG brands are in a unique position with their customers not being the end consumers. The challenge for FMCG brands is finding a way to promote their products to the end consumers.

Surprisingly using the Storetaste platform, person to person sampling in the store the product is listed is competitive with Facebook advertising (brands can run their own reports on the Storetaste platform and make their own comparisons).

Storetaste believes measuring the results is vital, updating the message and repeating what works. Keeping your promo budget in proportion to sales is key.

Storetaste provides both sampling and merchandising services for a fixed fee giving visibility of your products status instore immediately after the session has been completed along with actionable online out of stock, distribution and promo reports.

Get in touch now if your brand is after Sampling & Merchandising at GREAT prices with ACTIONABLE online reports.

Contact Kelsey Maclean New Zealand Manager Ph: 0273305018 E: kelsey@storetaste.com W: www.storetaste.com

[ Q&A ] Best lesson you’ve learned in your business?

“Two years ago, I went against my accountant’s advice and changed my business model so that everybody took an agreed percentage of the overall billings, once they had worked for me for a set amount of time. They all worked from home. This increased everyone’s earnings and gave them more time with their loved ones. Productivity rose and business increased.

“It was an important lesson, aligning my personal values to my business. It was an incredibly difficult process, but with COVID-19 it meant we didn’t have a transition process to go through as my staff are used to the remote work life.

“Of course, it hasn’t made us immune to the huge and very sad fall out that is happening in our business community right now, but it has given me confidence to go against the grain and follow my gut and try and make sure my values are aligned to my business actions.”

Marvellous Marketing Marvellous Marketing has a unique footprint with two home-based offices. One in Auckland and one in Dunedin.

Director Kathie Bartley explains: “While working from home has become very fashionable in 2020, we have worked this way since we established the business in 2017 as we believe it’s an effective way to keep costs down, which in turn allows us to provide a quality service for clients without the overhead of a big city rental.

“We provide marketing communication services specialising in food, drink and lifestyle.

In practical terms this means we offer everything from marketing strategy through to activation.

Between the two of us (Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell) we have around 50 years of combined experience in FMCG, food, wine and drink marketing and public relations and it’s this experience and these relationships we draw upon to support our clients’ businesses.

We’re very clear about our offer and we use specialist suppliers to assist us in areas which we’re not strong in - for example we work with photographers, graphic designers, videographers and website developers when we’re delivering projects in this area.

“We believe there are some clear reasons to work with us.

Expert Industry Knowledge – our combined experience of years working on food, drink and lifestyle brands means we know and understand the industry, we have personal relationships with the key influencers and have a vast network of food, media, trade and specialist supplier contacts. We have a proven track record of making a difference – we’ve worked on successful brands such as Corbans; Eco Trellis; Air NZ Wine Awards; Penfolds; King Island Dairy and Cuisine, to name but a few. Also, we are the owners and event directors of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, which have recently celebrated four years with a record number 28

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

of entries and also the NZ Chocolate Awards. Clients who work with Marvellous Marketing always deal directly with us, the owners. We don’t hand clients over to juniors and interns when the business is won, we work directly with every client, which guarantees you the results and experience. Finally, as small business people we understand the importance of managing costs and therefore we work on project fees rather than hourly rates – our clients don’t have any ‘bill shock’ from Marvellous Marketing as all projects are run for fixed fees which are agreed in advance.

Three top tips for a successful campaign?

“Plan. Implement. Review. It sounds so simple, but too many campaigns start without a clear objective and therefore the planning goes awry.

Planning is key to the success of every marketing campaign - what is the business trying to achieve? What’s the most cost-effective method to achieve this? Once implementation has occurred its vital to take time and challenge the project - what was achieved and how could things be done differently to achieve a better result in the future.”

“TOO MANY CAMPAIGNS START WITHOUT A CLEAR OBJECTIVE” KATHIE BARTLEY, MARVELLOUS MARKETING DIRECTOR

Marvellous Marketing Directors Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell

[ legal advice ]

INFORMATION MATCHING IN THE INFORMATION AGE As we often hear, we live in the ‘information age’.

Although marketing has always required getting the right information to the right people at the right time, that is now more important than ever, particularly with the progression of mainstream media from a few mass markets to many customerchosen niches.

Information matching, being a comparison of different sets of information that relate to the same person, can prove an invaluable tool in that respect.

However, as some high-profile cases such as the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal have shown over the past few years, the clash between sharing useful information about individuals and those individuals’ right to privacy can be severe.

Helpfully, in New Zealand we have some underlying legal guidance in this area in the form of “Privacy Principles”, set out in the Privacy Act 1993.

Failure to adhere to these Principles risks investigation by the Privacy Commissioner, referral to the Human Rights Tribunal or the initiation of civil court proceedings.

An example of a common issue is when sharing information with advertising suppliers gives rise to risks that the information may subsequently become available to other clients of the advertiser, and in doing so breach the privacy of the individual.

Ensuring that each step in the advertising process is subject to appropriate terms and conditions is essential in the management of such risks.

A new Privacy Bill is currently making its way through parliament (it passed its second reading on 7 August 2019, though there is no date set for when it comes into force) that will be more in tune with the modern privacy environment; in particular, the needs of the digital age.

When enacted, the Bill will make it compulsory for an agency to report to the privacy commissioner and to any affected individuals, any privacy breach that causes or risks harm to people. It also recognises the global environment in which information now exists, by specifically regulating disclosure of information overseas. Importantly, an organisation will also remain accountable for information held by another organisation as its agent. Without these provisions, there is a danger that information will continue to become increasingly abstract - irretrievably removed from the individual concerned.

A ‘privacy statement’ that an individual can, before sharing their information, reasonably understand and agree to, is an essential tool in protecting any organisation. It is vital for any business that engages in information matching, to any extent, to keep its privacy statement current, relevant and written in plain English. While a privacy statement will not protect against all possible breaches of privacy principles, its importance cannot be overstated as the information age continues to become more complex and unavoidable, making privacy breaches harder and harder to prevent.

Philip Muir is part of the litigation team at Steindle Williams Legal, working on both civil and criminal matters. swlegal.co.nz

“A NEW PRIVACY BILL IS CURRENTLY MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH PARLIAMENT”

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

29

[ gear ]

SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ULTRA

Pat Pilcher’s monthly round up of all the tech worth knowing about, for work, rest and play.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra mightn't be a foldable phone, but it still costs a whopping $2,199. This supersized sticker price becomes a little more palatable, once you get your head around its super-advanced camera. Not only does it have a 100x zoom and an 8K capable quad-lens setup, it also packs a stunning large 6.9-inch AMOLED display. Its 120Hz refresh capabilities makes everything on screen silky-smooth. Then there's 5G network compatibility.

Samsung has done away with the headphone jack, and the camera bump on its back is sizeable. But there's no escaping the fact that the S20 Ultra is one of the most potent flagship phones currently available. $2,199 https://www.samsung.com/nz/ smartphones/galaxy-s20/

DLINK SMART SECURITY BUNDLE

The Dlink Smart Security bundle has a camera, motion sensor and door/window sensor. The smart wireless HD camera has built-in AI, which allows you to set zones and rules for how it detects and records motion by being able to differentiate between a human being and a pet.

The bundled window/door and motion sensors are also wall-mountable and have 3-year battery life. They'll work with the Google Assistant and Alexa and can also be linked to other smart home gadgets using services such as IFFT. This means that if the door sensor detects you are opening the door, smart lights such a Philips Hue can be switched on. At the same time, the camera records video which is sent to the MyDlink app for IOS and Android. $349.99 https://www.dlink.co.nz/home-solutions/connected-home/starterkits

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

LOGITECH HYPERBOOM BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

Logitech has all your music needs covered, thanks to their Ultimate Ears Hyperboom Bluetooth speaker. At roughly the size of an old school toolbox, it is no shrinking violet. While Hyperboom might sound a bit exaggerated, it really can thump out the audio.

Specs-wise there's a lot to like. A single charge will get you 24 hours of battery life. It can also deliver an ear-splitting 100 decibels of audio as well as bass that you'll feel as well as hear. Rounding things out, it has IPX4 water-resistant rating, making it ideal for use outdoors – if the weather delivers one of its many unexpected downpours mid BBQ, your speaker will be safe.

Big Bluetooth party speakers mightn't be anything new. Still, I find myself impressed at how good the Hyperboom sounds, even when at full volume. Most large Bluetooth speakers at best deliver a blurry mess of bass and distortion, but the Hyperboom stays cool and composed. $699 https://www.ultimateears. com/en-nz

[ gear ]

AMAZON ECHO STUDIO

Amazon's Alexa smart speakers have gained a solid foothold in the New Zealand market. There are good reasons for this, a growing number of kiwis are using their voice to turn on smart lights, seeing who's at the door, and getting weather forecasts. While Alexa can stream music, it has long been an Achilles heel for the Echo range as its audio was never a strong point.

Amazon reckons they’ve changed this for the better with the Echo Studio. They say it promises to be the smart speaker of choice for audiophiles. While it sports the same controls and a similar design to the echo, the Echo Studio is larger. Its squat design makes earlier models look positively skinny. That said, the audio it belts out from Amazon Music or Spotify is impressive, with roomfilling rich sound being the norm. If music is your thing and you're looking for a smart speaker, the Echo Studio is definitely worth checking out. $359 www.amazon.com

SAMSUNG ACTIVE 2 SMARTWATCH Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active 2 takes what was great with Samsung's Galaxy smartwatch and repackages it into a more compact and designer package. It’s also affordable, with a design that's ideal for both the gym and smart casual use.

Powered by Samsung's Tizen operating system, the Galaxy Watch Active has access to a growing pool of apps. It also comes with a heart rate monitor that can detect stress levels by noticing when your heart rate peaks. If this happens, it'll recommend breathing exercises until your heart rate settles. It's a helpful addition for anyone who wants to monitor their overall health in addition to fitness tracking. There's also a blood pressure monitor, which works through a service called "My BP Lab". It comes with a GPS tracker for mapping runs and workouts. There is also an auto-tracking capability that covers 39 different activities (such as running and cycling, even swimming). Last but not least is sleep tracking, which can give you a heads-up of sleep duration, REM activity etc. From a single charge, you can expect to get just under 2 days of typical use. $339 https://www.samsung.com/ nz/wearables/all-wearables/

SONY A9G MASTER SERIES TV

The Sony Master Series A9G OLED TV is not only affordable for an OLED TV, but also happens to be one of the best smart TVs currently available.

This is thanks to its incredible picture quality, excellent audio capabilities and the sheer versatility of its Android TV operating system. Its stunning picture is largely due to the combination of its OLED display and the Sony X1 image processor.

This combo delivers super punchy colours. It also distinguishes itself from LCD TVs by pumping out inky deep dark on-screen backs and tanning clinic level whites. The upshot of this is superb contrast levels. Add to this, HDR support, and it’ll deliver peeper pleasing cinema-like experiences in your lounge.

Like earlier Sony OLED TV models, the A9G's entire screen does double duty as a set of speakers. The audio cranked out is not only room-filling, but crisp and richly detailed. That said, home theatre experts will probably still want to connect it to surround amp.

Rounding things out is Android TV, which is the same operating system as used on smartphones but redesigned for TVs. There are tonnes of apps available, and you get the Google Assistant, which adds to the sheer versatility of the A9G. $2,998 https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/televisions/a9g-series FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

31

[ FGC ]

CELEBRATING NZ CHOCOLATE

Katherine Rich Chief Executive NZ Food & Grocery Council www.fgc.org.nz

Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak and the pressure on suppliers and retailers to keep supermarket shelves stocked, it’s essential we continue to celebrate the bright spots. One was the recent announcement of the Supreme Winner at the New Zealand Chocolate Awards!

As a result of the sensible trend to social distancing, instead of the announcements being spread out over several weeks and cumulating with the Supreme Winner at the Champions Party in April, all medal winners were announced on March 30 on the awards website (nzchocolateawards.co.nz).

Like most Kiwis, I admit to a soft spot for chocolate, being our family’s treat in the evening with Milo, so I always look forward to the awards as an opportunity to see what new ideas are out there, as well as being a celebration of New Zealand’s chocolate makers.

This year, the Supreme Winner was achieved after the judges smelt, tasted, and assessed an amazing array of our best chocolate. Organisers Kathie Bartley and Nicola McConnell put together five categories: Bean-to-Bar, Flavoured Chocolate Bar, Filled Chocolate – truffles and bonbons, Bark or Brittle/ Dipped Fruit and Nuts, and an Open Class. The gold medal winners from each category were re-tasted, with the one scoring the highest winning the title.

These are valuable awards because chocolate occupies an important place on retailers’ shelves, with 37 local brands, at latest count, to choose from.

They range from those made by FGC members and chocolate giants Whittaker’s, Nestle, Mars, Donovans, Ferrero, Lindt and Mondelez, to artisan chocolates crafted by two-person operations.

The judging panel at the NZ Chocolate Awards

32

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

For chocolate-lovers, that means a feast of options, including concoctions like Mangawhai Sea Salt, Cayenne & Cinnamon, Manuka Honeycomb, and Beekeeper, Horopito & Kawakawa, Nelson Pear & Manuka Honey, Hibiscus Flower & Macadamia Nut, and ‘Sheep Droppings’ (popular with tourists).

Our chocolate is a perfect example of entrepreneurs taking an imported ingredient (cocoa) and combining it with the best milk in the world to produce fantastic products.

A report on the industry in 2018 by FGC member Coriolis Research talked about the potential for chocolate companies of all sizes to export. It showed consumer-ready chocolate exports were worth $81 million in 2016 (undoubtedly worth a lot more now).

Chocolate makers are an important part of our industry and community. As well as exports, they take their community responsibilities seriously, with Whittaker’s and Mondelez, as examples, involved in sustainability, community and packaging initiatives.

Late last year, Mondelez launched a trial of its Cadbury Energy Bar in packaging made from 100% recyclable and sustainably resourced paper. The trial was to test the durability and effectiveness of the packaging in transport and gather consumer feedback.

It was the first time they had used a paper material that didn’t include laminates, foils or plastics for full-sealed flow-wrap packaging. It followed a breakthrough by Nestle, who introduced recyclable paper packaging to its “Yes!” snack bar range.

At Whittaker’s, 77% of packaging is now recyclable and they’re currently testing ideas to take them closer to 100%.

If you follow me on LinkedIn you’ll have seen many other worthy activities undertaken by our other chocolate members.

Our members also support of the Be Treatwise scheme, an industry initiative designed to explain to consumers, via the logo and accompanying information, that confectionery is a treat to be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle.

It’s great being able to enjoy chocolate knowing that behind it is an innovative industry that’s bringing joy to many, as well as contributing to our economy and community.

It was a pity the awards night had to be cancelled, but at least those of us who may be forced into selfisolation know they have some great new flavours to take with them – as long as we remember the moderation message!

Out & About

The judges at the NZ Cha

mpions of Cheese Awa

rds.

Deva Dhar and his team took home the trophy at the NZACS Golf tournament.

Iconic Kiwi chefs are again collaborating with The Collective to craft gourmet probiotic yoghurts, with proceeds going to charity. (L to R) Ben Bayly, Nick Watt, Sachie Nomura, Jo Pearson.

SNAP AND

WIN!

d ts’ (Russell an ing in his paren fe Casey.

Jeffries is follow n wi so his Ja th ip, wi rsh po of owne Square Teka After 30 years king over Four ) footsteps, ta Lesley Jeffries

Has your team moved to new premises, or been part of a fun event, great harvest, or promotional activity? Send us your favourite snapshots to be in to WIN a fiesta in a box with Proper Tortilla Chips (RRP $30). Proper’s new tortilla corn chips are crafted using the same traditional way they’ve been made in Mexico for generations. Using GMO-free white corn and small batch cooked by Proper chefs, you can guarantee these tortilla chips taste as good as they look – plus they come in home compostable packaging! Two flavours are now available, ready salted and ‘cheeza-peno’; a dairy free cheese alternative with a jalapeno kick.

Just email your high res image with a caption to trubanowski@intermedianz.co.nz

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

33

[ events ]

OUTSTANDING NZ FOOD PRODUCER AWARDS

Judge Kate Underwood

In a world that’s a little topsy-turvy it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to celebrate great New Zealand produce with the announcement of 2020 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal winners.

Twenty-five judges and eight stewards worked in panels to assess a record 225 food and drink entries at AUT School of Hospitality & Tourism in March 2020. Following the judges’ assessment of aroma, appearance, taste, texture and quality which accounted for 75% of marks, products were assessed for sustainability and brand story. Shoppers will recognise outstanding food and drink as they proudly wear Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards gold, silver and bronze medals—a guarantee of product quality.

For the fourth year judging was overseen by champion of NZ produce, Lauraine Jacobs. She noted it was exciting to see many more entries, all of which displayed great depth of innovation and attention to detail in production.

“The judging team welcomed back many long term producers and were pleased to note consistency and continued excellence in every aspect including presentation and sustainability, of our food. It was equally exciting to have the opportunity to examine many first time entries that were original, delicious and often inventive.”

“I encourage food lovers to seek out the medal winners’ products and show their support for our farmers and food producers by endeavouring to always buy local New Zealand produce when possible.”

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FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

Judge Lucy Corry

[ events ] The 15% of marks allocated for sustainability were assessed by two specialist judges; Fiona Stephenson and Holly Leach, both from the Sustainable Business Network. Following the assessments Fiona noted, “A growing number of New Zealand food businesses are recognising the importance of sustainability, and incorporating good environmental and social practices in their business operations, which is very encouraging. This includes consideration of ingredients, land use, water, waste, transport, energy, climate, packaging, community engagement and staff wellbeing.”

“Food businesses that address these issues are helping regenerate NZ’s food system to one that is more resilient, healthy and environmentally and socially-responsible. It’s good for our environment, good for people, and good for business.”

Delicious local products

Head Judge Lauraine Jacobs

Among this year’s Gold medal winners were Proper Tortilla Chips Cheeza-Peno, Appleby Farms ice creams and Blue Frog Breakfast, Manuka Honey & Hemp Heart Probiotic Porridge, for example.

Co-organiser of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, Kathie Bartley said “we had a varied range of products again this year – plenty of sausages and value added meat products such as flavoured beef, venison or chicken patties, a huge range of honey, dairy free yoghurt and ice cream, convenience pre-cooked meals, cereals packed with nuts, seeds and fruit. These sat alongside a stellar line up of NZ dairy including; specialty cheeses, butter, cow and sheep milk and ice cream.”

“This year we gave drink its own category and were pleased to see continued growth in kefir and kombucha entries as well as teas, fruit cordials and artesian mineral waters.”

Co-organiser Nicola McConnell said: “I urge food lovers to look for products with our Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal stickers. These stickers are an independent endorsement of quality—a promise that the food and drink products will be delicious!”

All Gold Medal winners are in contention for the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Supreme Champion, Category Champion and Special Awards, which will be announced on Tuesday 21 April. Awards to be announced are: Emerson’s Dairy Champion, Farro Earth Champion, Giesen Wines Paddock Champion, Seafood NZ Water Champion and Label & Litho Drink Champion; one of which will be also named 2020 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Supreme Champion. NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award, Outstanding Sustainability, FMCG Business Outstanding New Product, Fresh.co.nz Outstanding Startup Producer and Outstanding Free-From Product and Coast People’s Choice Awards for Outstanding Food Producer and Outstanding NZ Farmers’ Market will also be revealed then.

For a full list of all medal winners visit https://outstandingfoodproducer.co.nz/

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

35

NZACS GOLF TOURNAMENT A HIT It was a hole-in-one for the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores’ annual golf tournament, which was held in March.

The fundraising event is run to help fund a trip for two prospective Peter Jowett scholarship winners to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Las Vegas show in October.

More than 60 players tee-ed off for the 18 and nine hole games, as well as a special ‘bubbles and bash’ event for 15 players who were given a run through from expert coaches before hitting balls off the second tier of the driving range in Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore.

NZACS Executive Director Dave Hooker with Ben Brook, Michael Brooks, Deva Dhar and Anil Nathoo (18-hole round winners)

36

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

Winners on the day included Ben Brook, Michael Brooks, Deva Dhar and Anil Nathoo for the 18-hole round, as well as Ritesh Dave, Craig Eagleton, Spencer Jenkins and Rhodes Pillman for the nine hole.

The longest drive winner went to Anil Nathoo and nearest the pin winner was Scott Bell.

Hole sponsors for the day included Remedy, Meadow Fresh, Frucor Suntory and Vype. Among the prize sponsors were Caltex, Coca-Cola Amatil, Drinks Collective, Signature Marketing NZ, NZ Vapor, Twin growing NZ brands, OnGas and Mars Wrigley Confectionery.

The event has been held for more than 20 years.

[ events ]

David Singer and Sandra Steinberg

C&I Commercial Director Safa de Valois [second on the right] joined the putting class at the Bubbles & Bash event.

More than 60 players tee-ed off for the 18 and nine hole games.

Michelle Sowman and Geoff Smith won the Bubbles & Bash competition.

Michelle Hooker from NZACS

Scott Birley and Kayne Satchell

FMCG BUSINESS - APRIL 2020

37

24-25

MARCH 2021 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre C&I Expo brings retailers and suppliers together over two big days of business.

The retailer audience consists of owners and operators of convenience stores, service stations, independent supermarkets, corner stores, newsagents, mini marts and foodservice stores that have a convenience offer. Suppliers and wholesalers are also more than welcome to exhibit and attend.

Visitors experience the latest in convenience products, services and merchandising.

For more information visit www.candiexpo.com.au

RESCHEDULED DATES Australia’s largest and most important trade event for Convenience retailers

ORGANISED BY: Interpoint Events Pty Ltd in conjunction with C&I Media Pty Ltd and the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores 41 Bridge Road Glebe NSW 2037 Ph: 1300 789 845 | Fax: 02 9660 4419 Email: exhibition@c-store.com.au www.c-store.com.au

NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST LIQUOR AUDIENCE

APRIL 2020 | www.theshout.co.nz

SP E C I A L O N L I N E E DITION

COVID-19: Support for your business

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING ISOLATION BREWING IN THE NEW NORMAL THE MOST POWERFUL WINE BRANDS REVEALED

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LOW IES R O L CA P 125ML SE

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Same. But Different.

For four decades Giesen has crafted great Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Giesen O%* has inherited all its best qualities.

Made from our premium, full strength Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Giesen O%* is aromatically expressive and generously flavoured ‌ only with the alcohol gently removed.

Enjoy the world’s first alcohol-removed Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. *Contains not more than 0.5% Alcohol/Volume

contents

april

4 INDUSTRY NEWS AND INSIGHTS 6 COVID-19: KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SAFE

Tips on how you can help to safeguard your liquor business during the global pandemic The Shout Editor, Charlotte Cowan

2020

6

7 SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Advice on how to stay positive during COVID-19

STAY SAFE

In this difficult time for New Zealanders and our families globally, and here at The Shout NZ – together with our sister liquor publications in Australia – we are committed to providing the highest quality industry news, advice and insight, as well as information, guidance and support for those in the liquor sector. This month’s issue comes to you digitally, to ensure that all our readers can have access to it during the isolation period. At www.theshout.co.nz, facebook.co.nz/theshoutnz and @theshoutnz on Instagram, we will provide up-to-date information to those who continue to be affected

by COVID-19 and in this month’s issue we have tips to support your business and mental health on pgs 6-7. To all New Zealanders, let’s work together to stay safe, stay positive and get through this. From the team at Intermedia, Kia Kaha.

8 TAKING THE HARD LINE

Is hard seltzer set to take off in New Zealand? We find out…

9 THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL

12

10

WINE BRANDS

According to The Wine Intelligence Global Wine Power Index 2020

10 FINE WINES OF NEW ZEALAND

Tasting notes from Cameron Douglas MS

12 THE BEERS OF WINTER

8

John Oszajca delves into the delicious dark winter beers

7

FOLLOW US

For more amazing liquor news (and even a few giveaways), make sure you follow us on Instagram and Facebook @theshoutnz. And don't forget to check out our website where you can sign up to our fortnightly eNewsletter at www.theshout.co.nz

EDITOR’S PICKS PUBLISHED BY C&I Media (NZ) Ltd PO Box 109 342, Newmarket, Auckland 1149 Managing Director Simon Grover Editorial Director James Wells james@intermedia.com.au Commercial Director Safa de Valois safa@c-store.com.au Editor Charlotte Cowan ccowan@intermedianz.co.nz ph 021 774 080

1 NORTH END BREWING PIT BOSS Made using malt that’s smoked over a manuka wood fire, Pit Boss (named after North End’s head chef and BBQ ‘Pit Boss’) is a rich, smoky winter beer that’s perfect to sip in front of a fire. For more on the beers of winter, head to pgs 12-13.

2 FRAMINGHAM MARLBOROUGH NOBLE RIESLING 2019 When it comes to fine wine, New Zealand certainly had a number of stellar examples. From Chardonnay, to Pinot Noir to Riesling – such as this noble Riesling from Framingham – we are spoilt for choice.

Check out pgs 10-11 for more of Cameron Douglas MS’ top picks.

3 YELLOW TAIL The most powerful and influential wine brand in the world according to the Wine Intelligence Global Wine Power Index 2020, Yellow Tail is a staple in Australian stores. For more of the top wines on the list, take a look at pg 9.

THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020 3

awards news

Royal Easter Show Wine Awards: The winners Champion Pinot Noir VALLI Bendigo Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 Champion Gewürztraminer Old Coach Road Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019 Champion Medium Sweet or Sweet Wine Urlar Late Harvest Riesling Gladstone 2019 Champion Chardonnay Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2018 Champion Merlot & Blends Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards took place at The Pullman Hotel in Auckland last month, with Hawke’s Bay Church Road taking home Champion Wine of the Show for its McDonald Series Chardonnay 2018.

Other notable winners included Church Road’s Chris Scott who was named Winemaker of the Year and Whitehaven Marlborough ‘Greg’ Awatere Valley Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019 which was named Champion Export Wine.

Now in its 68th year, the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards is the country’s oldest wine competition and Awards Director Terry Dunleavy says the judges were impressed by overall general high quality of entries this year, particularly in the varieties Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

“Not only was there an increase in the number of Gold Medals awarded to the top Sauvignon Blancs, but the wines revealed greater diversity of styles, more complexity and showed stronger evidence of the flinty, minerally flavours that the variety can achieve,” he says.

“With Chardonnay, there was this year a less heavy-handed approaching to the winemaking, allowing the variety to better express New Zealand’s natural cool climate capacity to accentuate fruit flavours and varietal characters.”

Dunleavy says this year’s show demonstrated why there is such a demand from more than 100 countries throughout the world for New Zealand wines. “[The] clean and distinctive varietal characters distinguish our wines from those of older, longer established wine regions that sell for prices much higher than ours.

4 THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020

“Not only is our future as a wine export nation assured and capable of further growth, but when all the other goodies that we export come to a table overseas, it is only the bottle of wine with its label intact that proudly proclaims its country of origin,” he says.

The 2020 judging panel consisted of 22 judges, including eight associate judges in training and Jane Faulkner from Australia. For more information, head to www.wineshow.co.nz THE WINNERS… Champion Wine of the Show Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2018 Champion Sparkling Petite Cordon by Maison Mumm NV

Champion Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec 2018 Champion Export Wine Whitehaven Marlborough ‘Greg’ Awatere Valley Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Heritage Rosebowl Seifried Winemakers Collection Sweet Agnes Riesling 2009, 2014, 2019 Champion Syrah Church Road Grand Reserve Syrah 2017 Best Presented Screwcap Wine Bottle Lawson’s Dry Hills Pink Pinot 2019 Gold Medal for Winemaker of the Year Chris Scott (Church Road)

Champion Riesling Wairau River Summer Riesling 2019 Champion Pinot Gris Saddleback Pinot Gris 2019 Champion Rosé Babydoll Rosé 2019 Champion Sauvignon Blanc Saint Clair Pioneer Block 20 Cash Block Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Champion Wine, Other Varieties Matawhero Church House Chenin Blanc 2018

⊲ Church Road’s Chris Scott ⊳ Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2018

industry insights

WHAT’S (NOT) ON CANCELLED EVENTS AND NEW DATES FOR POSTPONED EVENTS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS HOPSTOCK 2020 Wellington CANCELLED www.craftbeercapital.com/hopstock/ HOP’N’VINE CRAFT BEER, WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL ILT Stadium, Invercargill POSTPONED until 10 October www.hopnvine.co.nz BEER-A-PALOOZA Hawke’s Bay POSTPONED – date TBC www.facebook.com/beerapalooza2020/

Brewing in the new normal At the time of writing this, many of the countries around the world have gone into lockdown and New Zealand is not far off. Bars are still open but business slowing to a trickle, supermarkets are struggling for staff to keep up with demand and everyone who can, is working from home. It is undoubtedly the most significant event to hit not only the hospitality and brewing scene but also the entire economy as a whole.

So what does this mean from a brewing perspective? How will this affect consumption in the short and long term and will bars recover?

In the initial stages of this crisis, it seems off-premise sales via supermarket and liquor stores is on the up. In fact, some brewers are Dylan Firth pointing to a higher demand than at Christmas.

Executive Director, Brewers However, this is very much offset by the Association of New Zealand on-premise trade which has dropped back considerably. This is likely to continue to be the trend, with more people at home and buying in bulk when they do get to the supermarket.

Something we always worry about is consumers drinking to higher levels of harm while under stress. Something nobody wants.

One difficulty for brewers and their ability to operate is if we see further restrictions is around being an essential service. Something that at this stage is not defined. While it is easy to argue that any product on a supermarket shelf should be maintained and its production continued, there will be some who disagree.

For those brewers who have moved their focus from supermarkets to taprooms, they will be undoubtedly worried. It is no secret that selling a beer straight from the source provides much better margins. If people are restricting movements. This will all but dry up. It looks likely that home delivery might be the big growth area for those brewers.

The new normal is likely not forever, but will take a while to come back from. So, I urge people to support businesses where you can, look after and reach out to those who will be going through hard times and enjoy your beer responsibly.

GREATER WELLINGTON BREWDAY Upper Hutt POSTPONED until 31 October www.brewday.co.nz/ HIGHBALL – NZ COCKTAIL & SPIRITS FESTIVAL New Zealand Dominion Museum building, Wellington POSTPONED until 9-10 October www.facebook.com/highballnz/ THE GISBORNE BEER FESTIVAL POSTPONED until 28 November www.gisbornebeerfestival.nz/ BEERVANA Sky Stadium, Wellington POSTPONED until 13-14 November www.beervana.co.nz/ WINETOPIA Auckland and Wellington POSTPONED – new dates TBC www.winetopia.co.nz/ F.A.W.C! Hawke’s Bay CANCELLED www.fawc.co.nz

Highball

THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020 5

covid-19

COVID-19:

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SAFE

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact companies globally, here is how you can help to safeguard your liquor business.

ASK FOR HELP The Government unveiled a $12.1 billion support package last month, with almost half going towards businesses affected by the pandemic. New Zealand businesses will be eligible to apply for wage subsidies if you can show a 30% decline in revenue for any month between January and June 2020 compared to the year before. If the application is approved, you will be paid $585.80 per week for full time staff, and $350 for part time staff. The payments have a limit of $150,000 per business, and it will be paid in a lump sum. For more information and to apply, visit to www.covid19.govt.nz.

Bridget MacDonald, Executive Director of the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council, says that during this uncertain time, it’s important that businesses know what help is available to them and how to make the best use of it. “We encourage businesses to familiarise themselves with, and register for, the support that government has announced around wage subsidies, cash flow and tax relief measures,” she says.

“It’s also important to take proactive steps – talk to your landlord, bank, IRD and suppliers to find out what your options are and how you can be supported.”

SELL ONLINE It’s no secret that with Kiwis self-isolating, in-store retail and cellar door sales will take a hit. But according to Rob McMillan, Executive Vice President and founder of the Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division: “There is no chance we will see sweeping abstinence as a consequence of the virus.” In other words – people will always want wine. But, says Bridget McDonald, as the landscape changes, “people will most likely have to reassess their business plans to consider any potential 6 THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020

diversifications to trading and services that could be implemented”.

So what is the option for Kiwi retailers?

If you’re not online already, try to do so as cost-effectively as possible. Then emphasise your online options. McMillan says there will be an increase in home consumption of wine and higher levels of online wine sales from retailers and smaller wineries who promote their online options. “Consider offering coupons for new consumers and discounts to existing club members for online ordering,” he

“IT’S VITAL THAT AS KIWIS WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ONE OTHER AND OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS IF WE COMMUNICATE, WORK TOGETHER, AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY OUR PART AND KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING.” BRIDGET MACDONALD

says. If you have been forced to close your retail store or cellar door, try selling gift cards, or offer free delivery – as done by wineries including Palliser Estate, Clearview Estate and Milton Estate – or curb-side pick-up as is being offered in the US. Note that many online deliveries are unavailable to be sent during Alert Level 4.

STAY CONNECTED Analysts are encouraging businesses to stay connected to their customers. Use social media – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – plus your website and emails to share important information with your customers and to encourage them to buy locally and order online. “Have a chat with your team about any ideas and initiatives they might have, and with your RTOs about regional #golocal campaigns,” says MacDonald. But ensure your online messaging is appropriate during the current national emergency. Facebook has a $100 million grant programme for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic – at the time of printing, the details of the 30 countries eligible were unknown, for more information, head to www.facebook.com/business/boost/ grants For more information about COVID-19 in New Zealand, visit www.covid19.govt.nz and keep up-to-date at www.theshout.co.nz, facebook.com/theshoutnz or @theshoutnz on Instagram.

covid-19

mental health SUPPORT YOUR

With as many essential FMCG workers still heading to work every day as those who are self-isolating, it’s important to take care of your mental health during this uncertain time.

KEEP IN TOUCH According to the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation: “Connecting with people who make you feel safe and loved is the most important thing you can do to look after your mental health and the mental health of people around you.” Try to stay connected with family, friends and colleagues - at least on a virtual level. Write emails or organise a time each day to call, FaceTime, Skype or video Messenger your family and friends.

If you don’t have anyone you feel you can talk to, these helplines are free to New Zealanders: • 1737 – Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.

• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or free text 4357 (HELP) • Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234 • Samaritans – 0800 726 666 JOIN A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY Join Facebook groups in the industry or your interests, there’s one for almost anything you can think of. The liquor industry already has one of the best communities there is, so be sure to tap into that on a virtual level. There are also

Facebook groups available to assist with your mental health and community groups for your local area who can provide support should you need supplies, help or just to chat.

Other ways to keep occupied and interact with other people include playing online video games or board games, joining or starting a virtual book club or listen to podcasts.

STAY ACTIVE Self-isolation can be difficult if you don’t have much space to move around. But it’s important to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to ease anxiety. Try doing mini-bootcamp, a yoga class or pilates class in your backyard or lounge. These can all be found online or on YouTube.

Go for a walk, run or bike-ride around the block (but ensure you always stay two metres away from others), or just turn on some loud music and dance, or walk up and down the stairs. Anything that you can do to get your heart-rate up and clear your mind is positive.

TIPS FROM WHO According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “It’s normal to feel stressed, confused and scared during a crisis. Talking to people you know and trust can help. And try not to read or watch too much news if it makes you anxious. Get your information from reliable sources once or twice a day.”

WHO’s tips for maintaining positive mental health also include: • Eat healthy to boost your immune system.

• Limit alcohol and sugary drinks.

• Don’t smoke. It can exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms and increase your risk of getting seriously sick.

• People working from home shouldn’t sit too long in the same position.

• Take a three-minute break every 30 minutes.

• Get your mind off of the crisis. Listen to music, read a book or play a game.

For more information, visit www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/

THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020 7

seltzer

the hard line

TAKING

Is hard seltzer set to take off in New Zealand? We find out…

t

he United States has often been an indicator of which trends could start happening in other markets including New Zealand, and according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, hard seltzer is set for massive growth.

Hard seltzer volume in the US is already sitting at around 82.5m nine-litre cases, which is already larger by volume than vodka, the leading spirits category in America. According to IWSR forecasts, by 2023 the category will more than triple to reach over 281m cases.

The IWSR Hard Seltzer report says that hard seltzer and other ‘seltzer-like’ products command a market share of 2.6% of all beverage alcohol in the US, up from only 0.85% a year ago.

“Hard seltzers are far from a fad, they’re growing at a spectacular rate, and increasingly, hard seltzer producers are pulling consumers from other beverage alcohol categories, not just beer,” says Brandy Rand, COO of the Americas at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

“Combined, hard seltzers and other canned seltzer-like products (vodka soda, as an example) will drive the total ready-todrink category, making it the fastest-growing beverage alcohol category in the US over the next five years.”

The IWSR also conducted a consumer opinion and attitude study about hard seltzers, and found that more than half (55%) of US alcohol consumers surveyed – of different ages and demographics - drink them at least once a week.

“The rise of hard seltzers shows there was a segment of consumers underserved by the current beverage alcohol market who were looking for alternatives that were refreshing and flavorful, but also low-calorie and low-sugar,” says Rand. “These products also meet the growing consumer demand for convenience, and appeal to people that enjoy popular cocktails like the vodka soda, and wine spritzers. We definitely expect to see more brands taking advantage of this fastgrowing trend.”

With New Zealand being a market that already embraces the RTD concept, the potential of hard seltzers in this country is huge.

8 THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020

The county’s first introduction to the popular US drink came in June 2019 with Native Sparkling – a Wellington-based company owned by a group of university friends. Made using fermented and distilled cane sugar as the base spirit, combined with sparkling water and fruit puree, Native Sparkling is 4.6% ABV and the company donates towards initiatives that protect and sustain native New Zealand species.

Lion has also jumped on board the hard seltzer train and is launching Smirnoff Seltzer later this month.

“Seltzer is starting to make an appearance in New Zealand given the market is already moving to this style of product and thanks to the success seltzers have seen in overseas markets, particularly the US,” says Brendon Lawry, CEO of Liquorland. “We are already seeing a switch in consumer purchasing habits and taste towards products in the ‘Better for Me’ category that include a number of similar products to hard seltzers such as Part Time Rangers, Clean Collective and Pals. Consumers are gravitating towards these products due to their lower levels of sugar and calories.

“The non-alcoholic seltzer offerings are currently quite small in New Zealand, however, with Smirnoff about to launch their seltzer, a strong well-known brand may well influence seltzer shopping behaviour here.”.

Edited from a story originally featured in National Liquor News.

“HARD SELTZERS ARE FAR FROM A FAD, THEY’RE GROWING AT A SPECTACULAR RATE.”

WHAT IS HARD SELTZER? Unlike typical RTDs, hard seltzer doesn’t use vodka, bourbon, rum or gin as its base spirit. Alcohol is usually made by fermenting cane sugar, and sometimes malted barley is used. The resulting alcohol is then combined with sparkling water and fruit flavouring, meaning the alcohol and calorie content is typically low.

wine

THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL

wine brands t

he Wine Intelligence Global Wine Power Index 2020 has been released with Australian brand Yellow Tail taking out the title of the most powerful and influential wine brand in the world.

The third annual survey from international wine research authority, Wine Intelligence, used feedback from more than 20,000 wine consumers in 21 markets, which the company says represents 380 million wine drinkers globally.

Markets included the UK, Australia, China, the Netherlands, and newcomers Mexico, Hong Kong and Finland – however, New Zealand was not included.

This year the Index tracked brand influence, consumer awareness and purchase levels and the consumer’ ‘affinity’ with the brand. The survey did not take into account the sales volumes or value, sales trends over time or opinions of those in the supply chain and/or influencers and media.

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo once again top the Global Wine Brand Power Index, claiming the top two spots, respectively. As such, Australian and Chilean brands perform very well in the index relative to the size of wine production in these countries.

In addition, one-third of the

top 15 is comprised of US brands – notably Gallo and Barefoot – which in part is due to the influence of the large US wine drinking population in the study, and the affinity American consumers show towards domestic wines.

“The advantages of a powerful brand are clearly demonstrated in the global wine market today,” says Wine Intelligence CEO Lulie Halstead.

“However the path to becoming a power brand is becoming harder, as consumer knowledge levels in the wine category decline and ‘noise’ from other drinks categories increases.”

Notable movers on the Global Wine Brand Power Index include Barefoot, which has jumped eight places to make it into the top five, and Frontera, which has climbed seven places to make eighth in the index. Santa Carolina has also climbed seven places to tie for 12th with Beringer. On the other hand, Mouton Cadet has fallen five places to 10th and Robert Mondavi has fallen seven places to sit at 14. Torres has also climbed two places to make it into the top 15 this year.

Jacob’s Creek is ranked fourth in the Index, dropping down from third in 2019, while Lindeman’s has moved up one place from 12th to 11th.

Edited from a story by Andy Young, originally featured on www.theshout.com.au

THE TOP 10...

1. YELLOW TAIL

Australia’s Yellow Tail scored in the top five with consumers from Canada, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the UK and the US.

2. CASILLERO DEL DIABLO

Highly regarded at home in Chile, as well as in Colombia and Ireland, Casillero del Diablo is owned by Chilean wine giant Concha Y Toro and is one of the company’s most valuable brands.

3. GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS

5. BAREFOOT

California wine giant Barefoot took out the number five spot and was the most popular brand in Canada, the US, and the UK.

6. GATO NEGRO

Chilean brand Gato Negro sells more than four million cases in 70 countries on five continents - that’s two bottles uncorked every second.

7. CARLO ROSSI

This 40-year-old brand is produced by the E & J Gallo Winery and was named after Charles Rossi, at the time a salesman for Gallo and a relation of the Gallo family by marriage.

8. FRONTERA

The top US scorer in the survey with 68/100, California’s E&J Gallo is responsible for 40% of all wine production in California. Its Gallo Family brand is the most lucrative and is one of the most widely distributed wines in the report.

This French wine with a curved bottleneck distributes to more than 160 countries and scored 29.8 in this year’s survey.

4. JACOB’S CREEK

10. MOUTON CADET

Falling one place since the 2019 survey, Australia’s Jacob’s Creek – owned by Pernod Ricard – often features in the list due to its wide distribution.

Also owned by Chile’s Concha Y Toro, Frontera jumped seven places from its 2019 score.

9. J.P. CHENET

Dropping significantly from last year, the French brand lost points across a number of factors, including brand awareness, rate of purchase, and affinity.

THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020 9

s e n i w e fin

EALAND:

OF NEW Z

T S I L E H T

AS MS

OUGL D N O R E M Y CA

B

w

hat are the best wines in New Zealand? Who could write such a list?

How would the wines be assessed? I suspect these questions have probably been dinner table conversations for many years, but an actual list has now been realised called Fine Wines of New Zealand.

The initiative and Patron of this programme is Air New Zealand, which assists with marketing and development of the programme.

Air New Zealand has always been a strong supporter of our wine industry.

From serving many millions of glasses of wine a year on international flights and in lounges to the Air New Zealand Wine Awards which clocked up more than 20 years’ support.

Beginning in 2016, seven Masters of Wine and one Master Sommelier (yours truly) were allocated a particular grape variety or category of wine to oversee, for example I am currently in charge of aromatics (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, plus a few others). We are required to suggest a list of wines to assess for inclusion in the final list, however all masters on the programme can and do make suggestions for all varieties and styles as well.

Every wine producer in New Zealand is invited to submit wine. You can imagine this is quite a large list to consider, so necessary criteria was set to help narrow down the list to a more manageable level. For example, having at least seven years in production of the exact wine or style and consistency in terms of origin of the fruit and style of finished wine. To guide the masters into finding these fine wines the lenses of provenance, consistency, excellence in winemaking and the demonstration of evolution of fine wine production were also applied. This immediately narrows the list of eligible producers, but will never eliminate them once they have produced the required minimum.

A number of wines that have historically and independently reached iconic status on their own merits have made the Fine Wines list, but these wines were also tasted and confirmed by the panel. Judges must meet consensus to have a wine included and because there are no medals, scores or stars awarded the wines are judged primarily on the criteria detailed above.

The process for selection begins by judging all new submissions blind, this must be the current release wine and if an average 95 points and above from the panel is achieved, then it moves to the next stage. This next stage brings in two more vintages of the same wine selected by the submitting producer. These are older vintages allowing the judges to assess consistency in style and evolution. If a producer submits a wine from a challenging vintage, then this will be discussed by the panel. Should the three wines meet this next level, then the current release wine only moves to the final stage and is judged against the wines that have already made the list. If the wine stands up to its peers, then it makes the Fine Wines of New Zealand list. All producers currently on the list must submit their new release wine to be tasted every year to maintain their inclusion on the list. It is important to note that price is not a consideration in the assessment of any wine.

The standards are very high for this list and as we go to print the final list for 2020 is complete. The announcement of which wines have been added to the list is embargoed until May, but the list has grown demonstrating that New Zealand does indeed produce fine wine. The wines tasted today include some outstanding examples of fine wine in New Zealand. Only time will tell if they have made the list!

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Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier. An experienced wine writer, commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant, he is academically in charge of the Wine and Beverage Programme at AUT University in Auckland and is Patron of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Douglas consults to a variety of establishments, taking care of their wine lists, wine and food pairings, and staff training matters and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.

10 THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020

tasting notes 5

NAUTILUS CUVÈE MARLBOROUGH BRUT NV Clive Jones and the Nautilus team have been producing fine sparkling wine for over 20 years. Made from a mix of current vintage fruit and some barrel-aged 5 reserve wine, the cuveè is a serious, savoury and seductive wine with bursts of citrus layered between a brioche-like autolysis, creamy fine moussed texture and long finish.

Points 96 RRP $39.00 Distributor: Negociants New Zealand Phone: (09) 531 5222 www.nautilusestate.com

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2 DOG POINT MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 The name Dog Point dates back to the earliest European settlement of Marlborough and the introduction of sheep to the district. It was named Dog Point by Shepherds whose dogs either wandered off or got lost. All the DP vineyards are now organically farmed which explains, in part, why this wine is so delicious. Aromas and flavours of barrel-ferment with a lees and electric acid texture, pure citrus, stone and tropical fruit expression and powerful long finish.

Points 96 RRP $28.00 Distributor: red+white cellar Phone: (09) 376 0760 www.dogpoint.co.nz BELL HILL NORTH CANTERBURY CHARDONNAY 2016 Founded by Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen in 1997, Bell Hill wines quickly become a sought after addition to winelists around the world. The Bell Hill is literally as the name suggests, a bell-shaped bulbous hill with gleaming white lime-rich soil upon which grows outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The wine itself has lovely purity and detail in the bouquet, a fine core of fruit, judicious use of oak, amazing complexity with fine tannins and a long harmonious finish.

Points 96 RRP $125.00 Distributor: Bell Hill Vineyard Phone: (03) 314 2100 www.bellhill.co.nz

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4 GRASSHOPPER ROCK EARNSCLEUGH VINEYARD CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2018 Grown on one of the world’s most southerly Pinot Noir vineyard

sites this tiny 7.8 hectare vineyard produces exceptional wine. Since the company was formed in 2001 Phil Handford and the winemaking team have established a world class brand. Pip Battley leads the winemaking team. This Pinot displays a floral, feminine charm, an elegant bouquet, core of fruit and incredible texture. Youthful yet fine, ripe tannins, pristine acidity and long complex finish.

Points 96 RRP $40.00 Distributor: Grasshopper Rock Phone: (021 853 908) www.grasshopperrock.co.nz/ VILLA MARIA RESERVE HAWKE’S BAY CABERNET MERLOT 2018 If you find the opportunity to read Kerry Tyack’s book about George Fistonich and the Villa Maria story then I can highly recommend it.

George has been an industry leader, mentor and guide to many in the NZ wine sector. George’s wine teams around the country grow and produce consistently high quality wine across many different varieties with Cabernet Sauvignon based blends among the best. This wine is plush and fresh, fruity, full-bodied and complex. Flavours of black fruits and dark spices of oak, polished tannins, bright acid line and long detailed finish.

Points 96 RRP $69.99 Distributor: Villa Maria Phone: (09) 255 0660 www.villamaria.co.nz

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FRAMINGHAM MARLBOROUGH NOBLE RIESLING 2019 Since 1981, Framingham wines have quietly been growing and producing some of New Zealand’s finest wines.

I learned a lot about winemaking and fine wine from original winemaker Andrew Hedley and how Riesling can captivate and intrigue.

Now with winemaker Andrew Brown at the helm the fine wine story continues seamlessly. This noble Riesling is superb – classic, honeyed tree and citrus fruits with a fleshy satin texture, razor sharp acid line and long concentrated finish.

Points 96 RRP $39.99 Distributor: Framingham Wines Ltd Phone: (03) 572 8884 www.framingham.co.nz

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MISHA’S VINEYARD CENTRAL OTAGO LIMELIGHT RIESLING 2017 The Misha’s vineyards overlook Lake Dunstan in Central Otago’s Bendigo sub-region. It’s hard to imagine such a fine wine could come from stony, schist, quartz-laden, rugged and wind-swept site, but it’s perfect.

The Riesling has a compelling, seductive and alluring bouquet with a distinctive floral and perfumed bouquet, flavours of Meyer lemon, lime-flower and apricot stone. Pure, fresh, silky texture and long finish.

This is a ‘wow’ example.

Points 95 RRP $30.00 Distributor: Negociants NZ Phone: (0800) 634 624 www.mishasvineyard.com

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PROPHET’S ROCK CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT GRIS 2018 Winemaker Paul Pujol has been crafting fine wine from this Bendigo site for nearly two decades. The vineyards are tucked quite high up into the hills overlooking Lake Dunstan and most of the ancient glacially formed valley floor. This Gris is complex, spicy, fruity and alluring.

With flavours of white-fleshed fruits, a soft creamy texture contrasted with a zing of acidity this is New Zealand Pinot Gris at its finest.

Points 95 RRP $39.99 Distributor: Prophet’s Rock Phone: (03) 443 8217 www.prophetsrock.co.nz

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RIPPON TINKER’S FIELD CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR 2017 It was 1975 when founder Rolf and Lois Mills planted the first experimental vines near the shores of Lake Wanaka. Little did they know back then (or maybe they did) that they were about to embark on an incredible wine adventure. Today with Nick Mills crafting superb wine across several varieties I think the expression of Pinot Noir stands out the most. The Tinker’s Pinot is tense and poised, vibrant and playful, detailed, fruity, fine and complex.

Points 95 RRP $115.00 Distributor: Negociants NZ Phone: (03) 443 8084 www.rippon.co.nz

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Wines are scored out of 100 points and are listed in no particular order.

Numbers are not indicative of a ranking.

THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020 11

beers

THE

OF WINTER

We may not indulge in fruity Christmassy winter beers like the Northern Hemisphere but that doesn’t mean New Zealand doesn’t produce some stellar examples.

w

ith the cold and dreary New the perfect impetus for brewers to offer a Zealand winter just a few wide array of seasonal releases, which are months away, many a fermenter then snapped up nearly as quickly as they is already brimming with some hit the bottle-shop shelves. However, in New bold and flavourful brew; Zealand the conditions are obviously very carefully crafted to warm our bones over the different. Without the flurry of holiday sales frigid months ahead. Winter Warmers – as they and celebrations, New Zealand’s winter beer are often called – have a long history, especially releases typically come with less pomp and in the craft beer world. These fireside brews are circumstance. Instead, the cold months tend known for being darker, stronger, and often to offer New Zealand brewers an opportunity maltier than the average beer. to release many traditional dark and strong We tend to seek out these stronger ales that wouldn’t otherwise be received well concoctions in the colder months during the warmer months of the year. because alcohol acts as what is called a “vasodilator”. A vasodilator is an agent HERE ARE FIVE BEER STYLES THAT ARE that increases blood flow to your skin, GUARANTEED TO GET YOU THROUGH which in turn makes the body feel THE NZ WINTER… warmer. Moreover, the bold flavours of these wintery brews coincide with RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT our primal inclination to seek out When you think about Winter Warmers, more calories during the lean months there is little question that the first thing of winter. that comes to mind is dark beer. And Here in New Zealand, we have it doesn’t get much darker than the a somewhat unique appreciation Russian Imperial Stout. An English beer for wintery beers. The majority of with a pedigree that goes back several the world experiences the peak centuries, when the style is said to have of winter around the Christmas been popular with the Russian Imperial holiday. So for many beer lovers, Court. Typically clocking in between 8% winter is associated with a yearning and 12% ABV, these intensely flavoured for Christmassy flavours such as beers are dark, roasty, and loaded with fruit, spice, candy, pudding, and chocolate and espresso-like flavours. the like. Winter in the Northern The balance of these bold beers can Hemisphere also comes amidst a vary between sweet to bitter, depending 8 Wired iStout flurry of socialising and consumerism; on each brewers interpretation, and it 12 THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020

John Oszajca To contact John Oszajca regarding beer features or samples, please email him at john@newzealandbrewer.co.nz

beer feature is not uncommon to find Imperial Stouts that have been aged in oak barrels. The intense flavours, and high ABV of the Imperial Stout makes it the perfect beer to be enjoyed by the fire during the short cold days of winter.

There are a number of fantastic Imperial Stouts brewed here in New Zealand including, but in no way limited to, Moa Oak Aged Imperial Stout, Kereru Night Spirit, and 8 Wired iStout.

OLD ALE Perhaps the rarest winter warmer on our list is the Old Ale. A traditional strong English Ale, Old Ales get their name due to the fact that the extended aging process is a key contributor to the beer’s flavour profile. Centuries ago the style was used as a ‘stock ale’ for blending and was also drunk at full strength. Old Ales are malty ales with a somewhat sweet finish and notes of caramel and treacle. Hopping rates can vary from PORTER moderately low to moderately high.

The forefather of the Stout, Porter is a They are somewhat similar to an English style that got its name due to its popularity Barleywine, though less alcoholic (5.5%amongst London’s street and river porter’s 9% ABV), and the extended aging of these in the 18th Century. The style was once beers tends to produce oxidative notes said to have been the most popular style similar to Sherry or Port. According to the of beer in the world. However, with the a strong Scotch Ale is a delicious way to legendary beer writer, Michael Jackson, rise in popularity of both Stout and pale pass the cold winter nights. an Old Ale “should be a warming beer of lagers, Porter was driven to near extinction A few delicious locally brewed the type that is best drunk in half pints by until it was revived in recent decades by examples of the style are in Sprig & Fern a warm fire on a cold winter’s night”. modern craft brewers.

Scotch Ale, McLeod’s Traders Scotch While Kiwi-brewed examples are There are many different interpretations Ale, and Renaissance Brewing Company not commonplace, they do exist. The of the Porter style. Where English Porters Stonecutter Ale. Twisted Hop Real Ale Brewery tend to taste somewhat like a roasty in Christchurch currently offers brown ale, the American Porter tends to DOPPLEBOCK Orwell’s Old Ale, which has taste like a slightly less roasty stout, Another popular winter proved much-loved by fans on but often with more hop bitterness. seasonal is the Doppelbock.

Untappd. Or if you’d like to try Unlike the Russian Imperial Stout, The original ‘liquid bread’, a something a little closer to this which hits the palate like a sledge Doppelbock is a traditional, author’s heart, try Kainui Brew hammer, the Porter is typically a strong Bavarian lager.

Co. Old Ale. A collaboration more sessionable beer that can be First brewed in Munich beer between yours truly and enjoyed by the pint, or with a meal. by the monks of St. Kainui Brew Co’s Head Brewer, That said, Imperial strength versions Francis, the popularity Gary Henwood. Our Old Ale was are also common. So if you’re of the Doppelbock brewed with English Treacle, looking for something dark and has endured into the Brettanomyces (a wild yeast complex, but with a little more modern era, and it that was commonly found in nuance than the average stout, remains a favourite style traditional examples of the style), North End Brewery Pitboss a Porter might just be the beer of many a modern beer and was fermented in oak barrels. for you. connoisseur. While Bock Cheers!

If you are looking for a locally beer is a strong German lager brewed Porter to get you in its own right, Doppelbock through the coming months, (Double Bock) is a maltier, more then Elemental Porter from alcoholic, version of that style.

Renaissance Brewing Company, Though pale versions exist, the Prohibition Porter from Liberty average Doppelbock is an Brewing, or Pioneer Porter from amber, malt-forward, clean Renaissance McLeod’s, are all incredible lager that is loaded with rich, Brewing Company examples of the style. bready, malt flavours. Hop Elemental Porter levels are moderately SCOTCH ALE low, giving the beer a Scotch Ale (aka Wee Heavy) is a traditional degree of sweetness, without style of strong, amber ale from Scotland. being cloying.

Scotch Ales are rich, complex, maltThough not abundantly brewed forward beers that range between 6.5% in New Zealand, one can still get and 10% ABV. Caramel, toast, bread, as their hands on a few incredible well as subdued chocolate and coffee examples of the style. The Doctor notes are all commonly found in Scotch from Sawmill Brewery is nearly a Ales. The relatively low hopping rate New Zealand craft beer classic, and of these beers gives them a somewhat Pitboss from North End Brewery is a sweet, often dessert-like flavour profile. delicious smoked version of the style.

If you like strong malty beers, without Monteith’s also offers a Doppelbock that the intense roasted flavours of a stout, is loved by many, and available at larger then you may find that a good book and chains throughout the country.

“THE COLD MONTHS TEND TO OFFER NEW ZEALAND BREWERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RELEASE MANY TRADITIONAL DARK AND STRONG ALES THAT WOULDN’T OTHERWISE BE RECEIVED WELL DURING THE WARMER MONTHS OF THE YEAR.”

THE SHOUT NZ – APRIL 2020 13