ulster grocer september 2013

At the heart of the Northern Ireland food industryGROCER™

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Volume 48, Number 8September 2013

Editor:Louise MurphyE: [email protected]:Laura Hyland and Brian McCaldenAdvertising Manager:Karen GrahamE: [email protected] Accounts Manager:Michelle KearneyE: [email protected] Editor:Catherine MercerDeputy Art Editor:Karen DonnellyProduction Manager:Stuart GrayAccounts:Gerardine CarsonPublishers:James and Gladys Greer

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16-25

PagE 4: Our guests on this month’s front cover Moy Park, Ireland’s number one chicken brand and celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year has re-launched the brand with a new marketing campaign.

PagE 12 & 13: And introducing Ballyeamon Eggs, Laura Hyland speaks to the owner Niall Delargy about his plans for the company’s future expansion.

PagE 16-25: Energy & Environment feature, sponsored by Power NI, includes interviews with two local retailers discussing how they are adapting their business to suit the new Green Age.

PagE 31: This month’s Day in the Life features Nigel Macauley, Regional Operations Manager, Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland.

PagE 34 TO 40: Northern Ireland food and drink companies celebrate having cleaned up again at this year’s Great Taste Awards. Ulster Grocer speaks to some of Winners who are part of this ongoing success story.

PagE 46: John Clarke, Regional Manager, Costcutter Supermarket Group tells Ulster Grocer about his experiences working in the local grocery trade.

34-40

4 12-13

4

Moy Park re-launches brand across IrelandMoy Park, Ireland’s number one chicken

brand has re-launched the brand with a new marketing campaign that will run throughout the island of Ireland.

The campaign will see a new TV ad, billboard advertising, a new website and a new look Moy Park logo on all packs. The TV ad introduces Moy Park as the ‘chicken experts’ and follows the stories of the characters behind the brand.

Andrew Nethercott, Director of Brand Marketing said, “We are committed to driving the Moy Park brand forward in Ireland. Consumers are telling us that they want simple, healthy, tasty products that they can trust and Moy Park has 70 years of experience in doing just that. We recently launched a new range of Ready to Cook products which are performing very well and we will continue to innovate and develop new ideas in response to consumer demand.

“Our new marketing campaign and new look packaging builds on our heritage and our down-to-earth approach. At our core, we’re all about tender, tasty, trusted chicken that is 100% Irish and Bord Bia Quality Assured, and this campaign reflects these values and shows consumers the light-hearted side of the Moy Park brand.”

The Moy Park brand is worth €20million at retail value and is purchased by almost 50% of Irish households. Moy Park launched its Ready to Cook range in July this year with listings in Tesco Ireland and Dunnes Stores. The oven ready range includes Cheese and

Bacon Chicken Breasts – topped with Irish cheddar and Irish smoked streaky bacon, Pesto Chicken Breasts and Garlic and Herb Chicken Breasts.

With independent research by RDSI showing that Moy Park is the top-of-mind

Welcome to Moy Park: Pictured on the set of the new Moy Park TV ad are Andrew Nethercott (3rd from left) and Briege Finnegan (8th from left) from Moy Park along with the cast of characters who star in the new ad

Dale Farm ‘Scoops’ Summer Ice Cream Sales

Ice Cream sales at Dale Farm, Northern Ireland’s leading dairy company,

have soared with this summer’s high temperatures. Dale Farm sold over one million ice lollies a week during July as a result of our scorching summer. During the second week of July alone, over 1.5 million lollies flew from the freezers as temperatures peaked to highs of 30°.

Having produced ice lollies and ice cream for over 50 years, including family favourites such as Polly Pineapple, Pear Picking Porky and Mr Frostie, Dale Farm’s ice cream business has gone from strength to strength in recent years.

Stephen Cameron, Commercial Director at Dale Farm said, “We’ve had one of our best months ever for sales of Dale Farm ice

chicken brand for consumers in Ireland, with eight out of ten people being aware of the brand, the newly completed re-branding and repackaging exercise comes at a significant time for the company which is celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year.

Julia Osinska, 5 years old from Portadown, enjoys the Summer sunshine at Belfast City Hall with a free treat from Dale Farm’s sampling team

cream, and this seems to be continuing into August as the temperatures remain high. The best sellers this summer, by far, have been our Pear Picking Porky and Polly Pineapple lollies – proving that our ‘classics’ range is as popular today as ever. However, scoop ice cream and our premium Rapture range have also been selling well this year as consumers treat themselves whilst staying cool.”

Stephen continued, “Our retailer outlets have been inundated with demand for our ice cream range in July, but with a great effort from our service team we managed to maintain stock levels - ensuring freezers across NI were full to the brim with Dale Farm family favourites!”

Moy Park Kitchen: Pictured on the set of the new Moy Park TV

ad are Briege Finnegan, Paul Burch and Andrew

Nethercott from Moy Park along with ‘Chef Michael’ who stars in

the new ad.

6

NEWS

Foster welcomes further decrease in unemployment rateFigures released for the period April

- July 2013 show that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate decreased by 0.7 percentage points over the quarter to 7.5%.

More recent figures for July 2013 show that the number of unemployment benefit claimants decreased by 500 over the month. There has been a fall of 2,500 in the claimant figures over the last 6 months.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “The decrease in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate to below that of the UK (7.8%) is welcome. This also compares favourably to the equivalent rates in the European Union (11.0%) and Republic of Ireland (13.6%).

“The more recent unemployment benefit figures for July continue to show encouraging signs as this is the sixth consecutive monthly decrease, the first time this level of sustained decrease has occurred for nearly six years. “

The Minister continued: “The labour market figures reported today reflect Northern Ireland’s strengthening economic position. The recent UK Trade and Investment report highlighted NI as one of the most successful regions within the UK, for inward investment.

“Our strategy aims to continue to develop high value-added, quality jobs as well as encouraging investment to further demonstrate that Northern Ireland is a great place to do business.

“The Jobs Fund was established by Invest NI in direct response to the downturn. The aim of the Fund is to help local businesses create jobs quickly and to date, it has promoted over 5,750 jobs and created over 3,150. I would encourage businesses that

have the ability to create jobs to explore how the Jobs Fund could support their growth plans. Additional support is also available from Invest NI for young people and those not currently in employment, education or training who wish to start a business.”

Armagh Rose Emma Gribben from Linwoods being congratulated by John Woods, Linwoods Managing Director.

Life’s a bed of roses for Linwoods’ EmmaEverything seems to be coming up roses for Linwoods first Digital Marketing Executive,

Emma Gribben, who won the title of Armagh Rose in the Rose of Tralee International Festival, one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals, this year celebrating its 54th anniversary.

Emma was inspired to enter the world-renowned contest after a Spring visit to Linwoods by last year’s Armagh Rose and the Rose of Tralee as part of their promotional tour of Northern Ireland. She says; “It seemed like a lot of fun as well as a great opportunity for exposure for me and, hopefully, our business too so I was thrilled to go forward as the Linwoods nominee … and even more excited when I won the Armagh Rose title!

She says, “I have to congratulate the Texas Rose Haley O’Sullivan who went on to win the 2013 Rose of Tralee – and we’d be delighted to welcome her to Linwoods and to County Armagh when next she visits Ireland! If she needs an extra boost of energy and wants to keep her natural good looks while she’s zapping through her hectic programme I’ll also happily supply her with some of our Linwoods Superfoods Healthy Seeds range!”

JoE SloaN, FouNdEr oF thE ShS Group, haS rEcEivEd aN hoNorary dEGrEE oF doctor oF SciENcE (dSc) From thE uNivErSity oF ulStEr iN rEcoGNitioN oF hiS SErvicES to buSiNESS aNd thE EcoNomy. dr SloaN iS chairmaN oF thE board oF thE ShS Group, a compaNy hE FouNdEd With hiS latE partNEr GEoFF SaltErS iN 1975 that haS bEcomE oNE oF NorthErN irElaNd’S larGESt privatE compaNiES.

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8

NEWS

New initiative sees Molloy’s Fish and Kettyle Irish Foods ‘set up shop’ in Tesco EnniskillenTESCO ENNISKILLEN WELCOMES MOLLOY’S FISH AND KETTYLE MEAT COUNTERS

In a coup for Tesco, two much-loved local food companies, Molloy’s Fish and Kettyle Irish Foods, have taken ‘up shop’ to run the fish and meat

counters at Tesco Enniskillen. Daily deliveries of fresh fish seven days a week plus 100% locally reared

beef, lamb, pork and premium poultry on the new Kettyle Irish Foods meat counter mean customers can be 100% confident of the freshness and quality of the fish and meat on sale, and enjoy the added benefit of expert advice.

Tesco Enniskillen Manager, Martin Geraghty, said: “It is very important to work with local companies like Molloy’s and Kettyle Irish Foods. This is a unique initiative within Tesco Enniskillen. We can now offer customers a level of service and knowledge on the fish and meat counters which is over and above what we had previously. We are very excited to be working with Molloy’s and Kettyle Irish Foods, and they are very excited to be working with us.

“We hope that our customers will be pleased that we have introduced these two highly-regarded companies to our store.”

“Shane Molloy, Director of Molloy’s Fish Market, Martin Geraghty, Tesco Enniskillen Manager and Maurice Kettyle, MD of Kettyle Irish Foods showcase some of the delicious, fresh, locally sourced produce available in-store”

Tuneful rewards as SPAR launches music initiative

Henderson Group, owners of the SPAR franchise in Northern Ireland, has

announced its latest customer initiative for stores across the country; SPAR Tunes.The 1p music download reward will be offered to customers who spend £5 or more in store,

and they will be able to access a library of music ready to be downloaded from SPARTunes.com.

Bronagh Henderson, Marketing Manager at Henderson Group commented; “Rewarding our customers for their loyalty is something we want to continue at SPAR and coming up with new and exciting ways to do so is high on our agenda.

“With the growing popularity of the new SPAR NI facebook and the launch of a

dedicated SPAR website, www.spar-ni.co.uk, this latest initiative will fit perfectly with our customer base who are clearly switched on to the digital era. We are encouraging our retailers to get behind SPAR Tunes and reap

the benefits of creating exciting incentives that will see SPAR maintain its position in Northern Ireland as the shoppers favourite convenience store (Millward Brown Tracker 2013).”

SPAR Tunes vouchers will be offered during the customers payment transaction, they can then go online to www.spartunes.com, enter the unique pin code on their voucher, search the music library from over four million tracks, which are updated weekly, and download the music onto their computer or mp3 device.

The library is packed with artists from major record labels including Sony, Warner, EMI and Universal, and comes with a full search and preview functionality. SPAR Tunes will be marketed with an extensive POS suite, leaflets distributed across NI by Royal Mail, radio, press and online advertising, plus a province wide outdoor campaign.

The Co-Operative pulls lads’ mags and sport for not covering up

The Co-operative Retail Trading Group has announced that it will no longer be selling lads’ mags, Front, Nuts and Zoo, in more than

4,000 Co-operative stores after the publishers refused to meet requests by the Group to put the magazines in sealed modesty bags.

The Midweek and Sunday Sport newspapers are also being pulled from all Co-operative stores, after the publisher said it was no longer able to fulfil its earlier undertaking that it would deliver all editions to Co-operative stores in modesty bags.

Steve Murrells, Chief Executive Retail for The Co-operative Group, said: “As a community-based retailer, we have listened to and acted upon the concerns of our customers and members, many of whom said they objected to their children being able to see overt sexual images in our stores.

“We believe individual, sealed modesty bags are the most effective

way of addressing theseconcerns, so we will no longer be stocking the titles that have failed to meet our request. This action will make our stores more attractive to families with young children, by creating a more family-friendly shopping environment.”

Kathy McGuinness, Co-Founder, Child Eyes, commented: “Child Eyes is delighted that The Co-operative has taken the lead to protect its customers’ children from sexualised images in its stores. We applaud The Co-operative for putting children’s welfare first, and hope other supermarkets will listen to their customers and follow suit.”

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There’s been a McLister shop in the seaside town of Ballycastle for well over 100 years, with Brian McLister representing the fourth generation with his Costcutter grocery/hardware store. Brian McCalden reports...

Delicate trading balance in scenic Ballycastle threatenedBallycastle lies within Glentasse, being

built around the sloping sides of this picturesque glen, running down to the sandy seashore and increasingly busy marina that also lies beside the Rathlin Ferry dock.

There’s a balance that exists between a busy shopping and market town and the seafront developments.

Both areas are complementary to each other with the recent reopening of the Marine

10

STORE FOCUS

Hotel and a huge investment in the seafront by Moyle District Council over the past decade paying dividends.

Brian said that business is good, but is finely balanced: “For example, the world famous Aul Lammas Fair closes off the whole area for the last week in August.

“But it brings 70,000 a day into Ballycastle and really helps keep it on the tourist map,” he said.

“But our business is down throughout the event, partly because access is so limited, but also because of the many types of other business taking place – most famously, horse-trading.

“That said, losing 50% of our normal trade that week can be balanced against the rest of the year as visitor numbers are therefore enhanced by new people gaining awareness of what the town and seaside has to offer.

“During the Fair, I dig out all our slower to move hardware lines and bring them all to the front of the shop and of course, bargain hunters will buy them in my half-price sale,” he said.

Brian knows the importance of adapting his business and is keen to point out how he is constantly innovating, even though he must be unique in still closing for a lunch hour, not opening on Sundays at all and closing at 6.00pm daily as part of his 44-hour trading week.

However, over two decades after Brian and his wife, Mary, a local GP, finally moved out of their extensive apartment above the shop and live at ground level – partly to assist in bringing up son Paul (26) who is wheelchair-bound – the challenges are greater than ever.

“Small things matter, especially in a time Brian’s son Paul works daily in the shop as well as in the office overseeing administrative issue such as placing orders from suppliers

of recession and the imposition of an hourly charge for car parking adjacent to the lower level store has had an impact on trade,” he said.

“The introduction of the Carrier Bag Levy has also seen customers only buying what they can carry in their arms and that all adds up in less trade.

“That said there has been a huge, very dramatic drop in the number of bags being purchased, so the counter argument is I don’t have to buy so many!”

The levy was hailed by many as a huge inconvenience, but Brian remains stoic: “My son Paul – who works daily in the shop – has been putting his Queen’s University degree to good use and made short work of the administration – as he does with all the multi-faceted tasks the store throws up.”

Other changes to the balance of trade in Ballycastle are much more difficult to deal with: “Traders exist and mostly prosper side-by-side with even a modest-sized Co-Op supermarket long established at The Diamond.

“Some haven’t been able to carry on in these difficult times though and those who are still in business now fear the long-anticipated arrival of a major Tesco store.

“In my opinion, it would be a disaster if the Tesco case to the Planning Appeals Commission were to be granted.

“Any such superstore and proposed petrol forecourt would upset the delicate balance of trade that exists at present. The local off sales might as well pack up, for example, if the store included – as most do – a drinks’ licence.

“Hopefully, the Planners will continue to see sense and rule against the proposal, “he added.

In storeBrian McLister’s Costcutter is an example of innovation that would be sadly missed should his trade tumble if Tesco set up its 14,000 sq. ft store nearby.

Indeed, it may well be unique across the whole Costcutter franchise being a ‘tardis-like’ grocery/hardware shop that contains so

many rooms and offerings as to be impossible to list in one article.

It is a total of 6,500 sq. ft. and ranges across three floors, plus a newly developed outbuilding that houses paints and heavier hardware products.

“While 80% of trade remains in grocery, we pride ourselves on constantly developing our offering,” he said.

“After over a century in business, 20 years of which has been with Costcutter we continue to add new products.

“I follow trends, be they cooking or in home ware and stock articles according to changing tastes – and that suit our eclectic customer base.

“I don’t sell newspapers as my brother’s shop next door caters for that market, but do sell most other things and many more that many similar shops haven’t thought of – such as probably the largest collection of ceramic mugs even seen outside of a specialist store.

“I don’t have a butchery counter, as these are catered for elsewhere in the finely balanced Ballycastle trading environment, but do have a busy Deli counter that does well.

“I have four scanning tills all linked to the office where son Paul holds sway as he uses his university education to run much of our administration and ordering from suppliers.

“I get a weekly delivery from Costcutter and deal with a range of suppliers for the other hardware products as well as other local suppliers for many locally sourced fresh goods.

“We have two lifts and several ramps in place across the multiple floor levels to ease access for older customers and mums with buggies representing a good investment, even though they cost up to £14,000 each to install,” he added.

“I am concerned for the future though as innovation has seen off the worst of recession – yet we still face the threat of the major multiple destroying Ballycastle’s delicate balance.

“I employ two busy managers, Sean Maloney and Linda Reid as well as four full-time and six part-time staff, many of whom have been with me for decades and want to protect them as well,” he added.

“I have managed to do that so far – as my grandfather James who started it all off just before the dawn of 1910 would have hoped me to do – but need an even playing field to continue.

“That said, I hope there will be McListers here and still trading in another 104 years time,” concluded the busy and increasingly dynamic grocer.

11

store FoCUs

After the heavy snowfall in March Ballyeamon Eggs are back from the brink. Laura Hyland speaks to owner Niall Delargy about his plans for the company’s future expansion.

Ballyeamon Eggs are hard to beat

The year 2013 has been a challenging one for Ballyeamon Eggs. As any farmer

knows only too well, the heavy snowfall in March brought with it devastation and absolute chaos. However, Ballyeamon Eggs owner Niall Delargy is keen to remain positive and get his business back on track.

12

INTERVIEW

Niall describes March of this year as the month he would prefer to forget “but never will.” The heavy snow caused one of his poultry houses and egg packing facilities to completely collapse leaving nothing except the debris of a successful egg business.

It basically left him back at square one;

however, he managed to keep his business running under very difficult conditions.

Niall began Ballyeamon Eggs fifteen years ago. He said: “I was keen to get into farming and started off with only twelve hens which were kept in a shed and that is how the business started. Small beginnings I know, but

Niall Delargy

you have to start somewhere.”The business now has a thriving hen

population of 16,000 located in the green glens of Antrim. Niall adds: “With the recent introduction of new and modern machinery we can now handle a much greater throughput, without compromise to quality. Our priority is directed to animal welfare and our production systems are free range and barn. This means not only do the hens have a lot of green grass and space to roam freely, they also have some of the nicest views in the country.” Ballyeamon Eggs is approved by the RSPCA’s Freedom Foods Scheme which is the only farm assurance scheme in the UK – it is completely independent from the food industry. The business is also accredited by the British Egg Industry Council (B.E.I.C) which gives the Lion mark symbol of quality. They also hope to gain the S.A.L.S.A (Safe And Local Supplier Approval) accreditation in the coming months.

When asked what a typical day involves, Niall laughed and said: “Anything and everything”. As any small business owner will tell you it really is hands on. Duties include daily inspection, grading and packing of produce, ensuring that our working environment is kept to a safe and hygienic standard, maintenance and upkeep, liaison with customers, delivering produce, keeping on top of sales, marketing and accounts. I truly am a jack of all trades!”

Niall believes that had it not been for the support and generosity of those people who helped him during the business’ difficult time this year it would have completely fallen apart. “It was a complete nightmare and an extremely difficult time, the business was practically wrecked and we are just getting back on our feet now.”

The refurbishment began a few days after the collapse of the poultry house on the 21st March and has just been completed a fortnight ago.

“We are still at the same premises but now have three times the amount of space we

previously had. The staff facilities are much improved and there is a higher standard in which our business can grow. We can definitely look forward to the future.”

Niall would firstly like to thank his customers for their loyalty during this period of inconvenience, also local friends and neighbours and those beyond who helped out in any way.

“I would specifically like to thank the Department of Agriculture officials, our veterinary team, Margaret Hardy from St. David’s poultry team, Ballygarvey Eggs and of course my wife and family for their continued support throughout everything.”

Niall adds: “What hasn’t killed us makes us stronger and this is a tough industry to be in, however there is no reason why we shouldn’t progress.

“Currently most of our supply/demand is to local businesses within Northern Ireland and we are keen to expand and develop our business further. We are always interested in talking to all types of businesses about stocking our eggs and the advantages of trading with Ballyeamon Eggs Ltd.”

If you would like to get in touch with Niall about Ballyeamon Eggs Ltd, you can e-mail him at [email protected] or telephone 028 2177 2710.

13

INTERVIEW

With the recent introduction of new and modern machinery, we can now handle a much greater throughput, without compromise to quality.”

14

NEWS

Henderson Wholesale products are shortlisted for the first ever ‘Irish Quality Food Awards’A number of Henderson Wholesale products supplied to SPAR,

EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores throughout Northern Ireland has been shortlisted for the finals of the first ever Irish Quality Food Awards.

The announcement follows 10 days of tough judging and a total of four Henderson Wholesale products have been shortlisted within the 30 food and drink product categories. They are now in with a chance to win one of the very first Irish Quality Food Awards in a glittering ceremony taking place on 18th September in the Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin.

The four shortlisted products include handmade double chocolate muffins created in store from locally sourced, natural ingredients, exclusive to SPAR and ViVO stores in Northern Ireland; the Cloughbane Farm Shop Chicken Curry which is a new addition to SPAR’s meal solutions category and epitomises Henderson’s aim of delivering high quality convenient products; SPAR Premium Pork and Apple sausages which are farmed, sourced and produced by Ballymena-based Doherty and Gray in Northern Ireland; and another locally sourced handmade ready to cook meal, Smokey Bourbon Steak Stir Fry dish supplied to SPAR and ViVO by McAtamney’s Butchers in Ballymena.

Neal Kelly, Fresh Food Director at the Henderson Group, is delighted with the news: “At the Henderson Group we appreciate the importance of our suppliers and our relationships with them. We have recently embarked on a journey of supplier category partnership in Fresh Foods, working jointly with suppliers to ensure we provide optimum merchandising and product range in our stores.

“Our newly established Fresh Foods Quality department offers advice and support to our numerous artisan, local producers in developing new, exciting and bespoke ranges of products. We are absolutely delighted that our local suppliers have reached the finals of

this prestigious Awards programme. ”All excess food from the judging was given to The Capuchin Centre

for Homeless People, which provides warm food and more than 1500 food hampers a week to vulnerable people in Dublin.

To find out more about the very first Irish Quality Food Awards, visit: www.irishqualityfoodawards.com.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: McAtamney: Steven Kennedy, Meat Trading Manager ( Henderson wholesale) & Gordy McAtamney – Product, Smokey Burbon Steak Stirfry Cloughbane – Nigel Dugan, Fresh Food Trading Controller (Henderson wholesale), Richard Robinson and his father Sam Robinson from Cloughbane Farm. Double Chocolate Muffin: Jade Matchett EUROSPAR Ashbury, Stuart Cordner, Regional Fresh Foods Manager (Henderson retail) & Chanelle Conway Food to Go Business Developer (Henderson Foodservice). Doherty & Gray: Steven Kennedy, Meat Trading Manager (Henderson wholesale) & Michael Stewart, Doherty & Gray

Aaron Dixon, Moy Park Group’s Executive Chef and the man at the helm of the company’s culinary team, explains more about his role and the success of the company, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, in this month’s...

15

Tell US aboUT yoUrSelf?My current role is Group Executive Chef for Moy Park. I joined the Moy Park culinary team over nine years ago and since then I have helped to build Moy Park’s reputation as a leading food company focusing on innovation, new product development and food quality. I am happily married to my wife Claire and have two children, Mia and Oran. My family, without a doubt, are my biggest inspiration, helping to not only keep me grounded but to motivate me both at home and at work.

Have yoU alwayS Had a paSSion for food?I developed my passion for food at a young age – watching Delia Smith on TV – and made a decision from early on that I would pursue a career within the food industry. I was classically trained and have now been a fully qualified chef for almost 25 years. I have been fortunate to have worked in some of the top restaurants and hotels across Northern

In the Hot Seat

perSonal foCUS

Ireland, as well as the award-winning Waterfront in the Isle of Man. As a result of being exposed to such a wide variety of culinary experiences, my interest in different flavours and passion for food from all areas has grown and developed over the years.

wHaT doeS a TypiCal day involve aS GroUp exeCUTive CHef aT Moy park? As a company, Moy Park supplies leading supermarkets and convenience stores throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe with a range of high-quality chicken products. I am responsible for ensuring that my team and I continue to create new and exciting recipes in response to consumer demand. We spend a great deal of time preparing, trialling and tasting dishes and engaging with people to assess what products they want to see on shelves. We also work closely with our colleagues in production who really help to bring our culinary vision to life. The pace and ever-changing nature of the industry, and

indeed of my job, means that no two days are the same and I am still being challenged and learning new things every day.

wHaT HaS been THe HiGHliGHT of yoUr Career To daTe?Since I joined Moy Park, my team and I have focused on building the Moy Park brand and developing an extensive range of delicious products and dishes for our shoppers. 50% of Irish households now buy the Moy Park brand – and we were delighted to play a part in this process.

Working with Moy Park has also given me the opportunity to work with some of the best and most inspirational people in the food industry. I have had the pleasure of working with Jamie Oliver and his team to develop a range of higher welfare chicken products that are produced by Moy Park and sold under the Jamie Oliver brand. It is a huge thrill to work with Jamie and his team, especially since these products marked the Jamie Oliver brand’s debut in chicken.

At the 2013 Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards, my team and I took home the top accolade of the night, winning the ‘Best New Product Award’ for the Jamie Oliver Masala Chicken casserole. This was a real high point in my career and we were delighted to receive recognition at such a prestigious event.

wHaT Can THe pUbliC expeCT froM Moy park in THe fUTUre? At Moy Park we are always looking at ways to adapt and grow in line with what shoppers want. Research is at the core of our strategy, which drives our innovation and product development. For example, we know there is a strong preference for locally sourced food and food that is healthy and quick to cook. Based on this, we have invested in new product development and our team has just launched our ‘Ready to Cook’ range under the Moy Park brand – made with 100% Irish chicken and available in three delicious varieties – ‘Cheese and Bacon’, ‘Pesto’ and ‘Garlic and Herb’.

We have just launched our new advertising campaign including our TV ad and new look packaging for all our products. We have also launched a new recipe section on our website moyparkchicken.com, so people can create their own culinary masterpieces at home.

wHaT iS THe beST adviCe yoU’ve ever reCeived? It’s a bit cheesy but I feel it is very true – team work makes the dream work!

wHoM do yoU MoST adMire? People like doctors, nurses and anyone who works with the sick.

How do yoU relax? A nice glass of Rioja and some rock music usually does the trick.

36 • Ulster Grocer | JANUARY 20118 • Ulster Grocer | JANUARY 201116

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Mixed Bag of Reaction from local retailers to the Plastic Bag Tax

According to BusinessWaste.co.uk, the 5p plastic bag levy introduced in Northern Ireland this year will almost certainly present similar results to Wales.

“A 5p levy was introduced in Wales last year and the effects have been dramatic,” said BusinessWaste.co.uk ‘s Commercial Director Mark Hall. “If that same 76% fall in usage were to be reflected across the entire United Kingdom, that would take six billion bags out of circulation.

“That number again: Six billion.”“In areas where there’s a plastic bag tax, the number one reason for having to pay the levy is

forgetfulness. People only buy bags if they really have to, and it’s usually because they’ve gone shopping and left their bags at home,” said Mark Hall.

“Once people get into the habit of reusing their bags, we should see year-on-year falls and fewer and fewer plastic bags in our country’s landfill.”According to official statistics from 2012 (Source:BusinessWaste.co.uk):• 8.1 billion plastic bags were given away by supermarkets, a fall from a peak of 12.2 billion bags in 2006.• Despite plastic bags using a third less plastic in their production than 2006, Britain still disposed of 70,400 tons of used supermarket bags• Customers bought over 408 million “bags for life”• The average shopper uses 10.7 plastic bags every month.• Discarded plastic bags are responsible for one million bird deaths globally each year

BusinessWaste.co.uk is a leading expert in recycling and waste disposal for businesses of all kinds.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has welcomed early indications of a significant reduction in the number of single use carrier bags dispensed in Northern Ireland.Figures from several major supermarkets point towards a possible annual reduction of well in excess of 80% in those stores.

Mark H Durkan said: “This is great news for the environment. Our streets and hedgerows, our fields and parks should no longer be places strewn with discarded bags. In many ways the public are ahead of government here, showing a great appetite for this legislation to be introduced. I commend people for their responsible attitude and willingness to come on board. They are making a personal contribution to addressing the threat of climate change and environmental damage. I very much urge them to keep up the momentum – keep reusing bags.”

The Minister added: “Retailers have played a big part in introducing the legislation as smoothly as possible. I congratulate them on that. I urge any business dispensing new single use bags, that hasn’t already done so, to register now at the NI Direct website. The process only takes a few minutes and will enable retailers to make the required returns to the Department.”

Responding to DOE Minister, Mark H Durkin’s statement that Carrier Bag usage is down, the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has called upon the Minister to withdraw plans to increase the levy to 10p.

NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “It is clearly positive that some retailers have reported a reduction in Carrier Bag usage but these are by no means comprehensive figures and do not include returns from independent retailers”

“If according to the Minister this levy is so successful at 5p per bag, then clearly there is no need to raise to 10p which will create even more expense for hard pressed consumers”

“NIIRTA would urge Minister Durkin to consider moving to the Welsh system, where local retailers decide on what local projects the levy raised from their own store will benefit.”

Ulster Grocer has contacted a number of local retailers to hear how the

introduction of the Carrier Bag Levy has affected their business since it’s introduction in April.

Darren Given (Swifts Supervalu, Lisnaskea) said any policy that helps them become more environmentally sustainable is welcomed. However it does come at a cost to businesses. The bag levy introduction has thrown up several problems for them. “Firstly we have the additional admin and returns to do. There is also the loss in sales. Quite a number of people aren’t willing to pay for the bag and only carry out what they can comfortably fit in their hands. This therefore impacts on sales and especially on impulse purchases in Store.”

He goes on to say ‘There is an issue with theft also. It’s hard to decipher genuine customers walking out the door with paid for products and those who have decided to walk out of the shop without paying. It opens up to a huge number of problems and makes us fear insulting customers who have indeed paid for their goods. It’s a mine field’

‘Perhaps if we saw where the revenue generated was going we might be a bit happier. Maybe the money generated should go directly into town centre regeneration projects that will help sustain town centres or provide rate relief to independent retailers within town centre locations.’

Brian McLister (Costcutter, Ballycastle) said while there was an additional administration task to do the returns to DOE and an obvious reduction in amounts purchased (only what men especially can

carry in their arms) this was counterbalanced with a huge reduction in bags needed, so he saves on the purchase of the single-use bags. He is therefore ‘neutral’ on the impact - but as a seafarer, (with his own superfast boat ‘The Bouncer’) he welcomes the vast reduction in numbers of plastic bags produced which have a very negative impact on the (especially marine) environment.

Bronagh Luke (Henderson Group) has now produced special posters for outside all company stores urging those without a bag to take a (used) cardboard box for their purchases as she too had seen a clear fall in the amount purchased per customer, again because they only buy what they can carry at one time.

Prior to the intro of the bag levy, JC Stewart Foodhall had experimented with a range of ideas to reduce the amount of carrier bags used. The only thing that had any real impact was giving a 2p per bag rebate for every bag their own customers used. The introduction of the levy has reduced usage of vest-type carriers by about 95%. The power of 5p is not to be under-estimated.

Darren Given

The Northern Ireland agri-food sector is vital to the local economy, employing

around 100,000 people and helping to sustain our own population as well as exporting high quality products all around the world.

After ten years of competition, Power NI continues to be Northern Ireland’s number one electricity supplier with over 35,000 business and farm customers.

Alan Egner, Commercial Sales and Marketing Manager at Power NI comments: “Power NI is very proud to be supporting all parts of the supply chain from farmers and growers to processors, packers and retailers. Whether you use electricity for lighting, heating, hot water or refrigeration, we are actively contributing to the success of local businesses by providing a competitively priced, reliable supply with various added value services including advice, financial support and special offers for energy saving.

“Since the beginning of this year, our commercial sector has seen eight months of steady growth with over 700 customers returning from other suppliers. Our customers are assured of a friendly, local service and the latest figures released this summer by the Consumer Council NI showed that Power NI received the lowest number of formal complaints per 100,000 customers than any other electricity supplier in Northern Ireland, for the second year running.

“At Power NI, we pride ourselves on our

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Power NI still No.1 for customer service

great value ways to save energy and money and from listening to our customers we know that this is more important than ever. For example, we have recently launched a new discount for our paperless billing service, Energy Online. Small business and farm customers who pay their bills by Direct Debit can get an additional 1% discount by activating their Energy Online account, on top of the 4% discount they are already getting for paying by Direct Debit. Energy Online gives customers 24/7 access to their account where they can view bills and payments, monitor usage and more. Energy Online also means that customers no longer receive paper bills, helping reduce their carbon footprint and do their bit for the environment.

“Over 19,000 Power NI customers have activated their Energy Online account and we are getting great feedback. Local shop and forecourt, Creightons of Finaghy, recently told us: “We activated our Energy Online

account because it’s a much more convenient way of managing our bills. It was really easy to set up and we would definitely recommend it to other businesses.”

Power NI also works with industry experts to bring customers a range of grants and offers for the latest energy saving and renewable technologies including lighting, heating, insulation and solar PV. If your premises has lots of refrigeration equipment, Power NI can also offer a grant for a variable speed drive, helping you make big energy savings.

Alan concludes: “Our competitive prices, great value and friendly, local service all add up to happier customers. With hundreds of customers switching back, stick with value and service from Northern Ireland’s number one energy company.”

To find out more on how Power NI can better your business, visit www.powerni.co.uk/business.

After ten years of competition, Power NI continues to be Northern Ireland’s number one electricity supplier with over 35,000 business and farm customers.”

Alan Egner, Commercial Sales & Marketing Manager, Power NI



A brighter future for energy efficient SPAR

Convenience retailer, Henderson Group is taking its environmental responsibilities very seriously. Currently the Group is five years into an on-going energy efficiency programme which is leading the sector. Brian McCalden reports.

It is hard not to notice the bright, open aspect of the recently rebuilt SPAR Shandon forecourt

store in Belfast.Demolished and rebuilt along the Knock Dual

Carriageway last year, the new SPAR is now a flagship for the Mallusk-based wholesaler whose drive is towards lowering CO2 output and reducing energy consumption.

Lynsey Wilson, Store Manager, moved from another SPAR store in Holywood in February 2013 to manage the new outlet.

She often works from 6am when the store opens and said even at that early hour she can’t help but notice the bright surroundings and feels the benefit of working in a well-lit and comfortable environment.

Although the store was custom-built to accommodate the latest designs, making

maximum use of natural light, it is in fact the hi-tech LED lighting that both makes it easier to work in and more attractive to shop in too.

Dr Glen Crumley is the Henderson Group Energy Manager. His appointment five years ago was the catalyst for massive change across the Group, with landmark developments like SPAR Shandon being just one example of his work.

“While this remains a ‘flagship’, in fact every new store that we open or refit is in fact a similar showcase for energy efficiency,” he said.

“Shandon was a complete rebuild and contains all the most efficient equipment, but we have also been retrofitting new lighting and timers and other specialised equipment right across the whole estate. We are also always encouraging franchisees to follow this example.” he continued.

36 • Ulster Grocer | JANUARY 20118 • Ulster Grocer | JANUARY 2011 19


Dr Crumley explained that the store has a lot of glazing and has no suspended ceiling which aids the open, bright feeling; he also added that the lighting was adapted to suit each section of the building.

“Many weeks were spent using hand-held controllers to get it just right, more or less through trial and error.

“Sensors now control each area and while these drop the power supplied to the sophisticated LED lights when no one is around, they don’t dim completely. They will very quickly shoot back up to full brightness when motion is detected.” he said.

There are two large items in the energy efficiency drive: lighting and heating/refrigeration and all of these are now controlled to the optimum levels.

Canopy lighting on the forecourt is also carefully controlled and while automated, it can be changed to suit the occasion: “In the approaching Autumn and Winter, when the lights under the canopy would come on at say 4.30pm, as last light fades, we would programme the lights to start to come on 15 minutes prior to this. These are, however, slow brightening lights that gradually brighten over a period of time. This helps to provide a more welcoming environment.” the expert said.

“We are after all in the retailing sector and as such must always consider the many facets of attracting passing trade.

“Those extra 15 minutes can make all the difference to an impulse buy with a passing motorist on the busy dual carriageway.”

The same thing applies in considering the delicate retailing balance on chiller cabinets. Any barrier – such as a highly efficient door – can mean the difference between an impulse purchase and none at all.

The use of customer baskets rather than trolleys in SPAR (leaving only one hand free) means such doors remain on limited trial as a result, despite showing 30% energy savings.

All staff are signed off on the company’s energy policy standards too. This all adds up as part of a balanced equation, so that Shandon is just like the 26 other SPAR retrofitted LED lit stores in achieving its target of greater energy efficiency.

Dr Crumley said that all new lighting across all the company-owned estate is now all state-of-the-art LED lit. This has resulted in a major investment from the company in order to ensure all existing stores had the appropriate fittings in place.

Inside Dr Crumley’s first three years in his post at the Henderson Group, all lights within Henderson owned stores have gone from 125W to 40W, representing a massive saving in power consumption of 60%.

“China used to dominate the supply of LEDs, but a tax and increased competition now means that lights and fittings come from within the EC – Holland in fact – and are much cheaper allowing all company-owned stores to now be LED-lit. A group of independent retailers are now trialling this lighting.

“On average it costs between £10,000 and £12,000 to replace a store’s lights and a further £20,000 to give outdated refrigeration the same treatment. Whilst a large investment we are convinced of the benefits.” he added.

The investment is on-going. For example, around £660,000 has been committed in the current tax year to the programme of work and there’s much more to follow.

Commenting on further investments Dr Crumley said: “Henderson’s remains very keen to invest in solar arrays (a group of eight lower level solar panels) as well as wind generation and that will see the next big change taking place.

“There is a very well advanced planning application for a wind turbine at the Mallusk warehouse, though this has been held back only by problems with wireless controls, which may mean it doesn’t proceed. There are also

immediate plans to install solar arrays on the various roofs at the warehouse.

“This will all cost approximately £1 million when completed, but thanks again to the new tax regime and increased competition from within Europe, these panels are down in price by about a third over the last year. This means the whole process is much more attractive.” he concluded.

One thing is for sure though, things will not stand still. The Henderson Group’s environmental efficiency continues to be ‘work-in-progress’, so that in five years time we could easily see not just arrays of solar panels at Mallusk, but also on all forecourt canopies – with huge reductions in energy costs and in CO2 production as a result.

SPAR Shandon’s manager Lynsey Wilson is already seeing the benefits: “The store is bright, warm and inviting. It is a more attractive and welcoming environment for customers to shop in and a much more comfortable workplace for our staff.

“As winter approaches, this is bound to be a good thing for an already very, very busy forecourt outlet ... and of course most importantly we are helping save the planet too.”



Dale Farm packages £3m deal for local businessesLeading dairy business Dale Farm has packaged up a new deal with Dungannon based

business Greiner Packaging, reconfirming its commitment to local supply relationships. The £3m contract will see over 200 million pots per year of yogurt, cream and desserts produced at the Co Tyrone factory which currently employs 230 people.

Having invested in a new state of the art printer and thermoforming equipment to increase the efficiency, quality and environmental credentials of its outputs, Greiner was successful in securing the local contract which has led to the creation of ten new jobs for the business.

James Anderson, Procurement Manager of Dale Farm said, “We’re delighted to announce our new partnership with Greiner packaging, helping to secure and create new jobs for the local economy. We were impressed by the efficiency and environmental credentials presented by Greiner, convincing us to move the sourcing of our packaging from a national supplier back to Northern Ireland.”

The new technology installed by Greiner Packaging will result in all of Dale Farm’s yogurt/cream pots switching from Polystyrene to a new material Polypropylene. Lighter and more environmentally friendly, the new packaging will cut materials by 100 tonnes per annum.

Jarek Zasadzinski, CEO of Greiner Packaging said “We are extremely excited and proud to be working with Dale Farm on such a significant and complicated project. Thanks to major innovation and investment we managed to divert significant amounts of plastics from landfill. On the other side we created ten jobs in Dungannon that are extremely vital to the local economy.”

James Anderson, Procurement Manager of Dale Farm and Jarek Zasadzinski, CEO of Greiner Packaging



Sainsbury’s is serious about Green CredentialsSainsbury’s colleagues right across Northern

Ireland and beyond have been celebrating the recent success of picking up Ulster Grocer’s ‘Best Green Business Award’. Sainsbury’s has 13 stores across Northern Ireland and is a business which has grown significantly here, since first established in Ballymena in 1996. Sourcing in the region of £250 million of products locally from more than 100 suppliers Sainsbury’s has a responsibility as a retailer to adhere to the highest standards and practices while minimising its impact on the environment.

Sainsbury’s has undertaken a number of initiatives in its stores here in Northern Ireland, which are helping the retailer work towards meeting its environmental targets.

This includes planting almost 20,000 trees in the last 12 months in partnership with the Woodland Trust, contributing to its no deforestation target.

Providing more locally sourced products for its customers, reducing packaging, waste, carbon emissions and water usage, and

reducing road miles through the introduction of double-deck trailers are among some of the areas in which Sainsbury’s in Northern Ireland has been focused.

Sainsbury’s stores are also built to the highest environmental specification and its store in Bangor, which opened in 2011, features a number of environmentally friendly features. These include a biomass boiler and rain water harvesting system, and a state of the art natural refrigeration system, reducing carbon emissions by 33 per cent.

The company has also installed 100,000 solar panels on over 200 stores across the UK helping to reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 9,785 tonnes per year.

Sainsbury’s commitment to improved environmental practices extends to its customer offer. In December 2012 the supermarket entered the home heating market in Northern Ireland offering customers access to the most energy efficient gas and oil boiler systems on the market. This includes installation and

maintenance through local partner Carillion energy.

Sainsbury’s food waste management systems are amongst the most advanced in the industry with none of its food waste sent to landfill. Through many different initiatives the company is fully committed to encouraging customers to make their food go further and reduce waste, whilst also working with suppliers to reduce their impact on the environment.

Tayto Group has partnered with

TomTom, adopting its fleet management technology to manage road risk and boost its duty of care to drivers.

The leading crisps & snack manufacturer has introduced a combined tracking, performance monitoring and fuel management system across its 117-strong vehicle fleet, providing improved visibility and insights into its mobile teams of sales, management and distribution professionals.

“By giving us the tools to monitor and improve driving performance, the TomTom solution offers us enormous potential to improve the safety of our mobile workforce while at the same time reducing our fuel consumption,” said Peter Rush, Tayto Group’s Purchasing Manager.

Tayto, supported by official TomTom partner Fleet Simplicity, has deployed LINK tracking units and ecoPLUS™ fuel management and diagnostics devices across its vehicles.

The system enables information on how vehicles are being driven – from speeding and idling to harsh braking and steering – to be collated via TomTom’s WEBFLEET management software in a live information dashboard or in a customisable report. It also provides live information on the location of the entire fleet.

In addition, ecoPLUS™ takes fuel consumption data directly from vehicles’ engine management systems to help optimise mpg.

Fleet Simplicity managed the implementation process of the TomTom system, including installation, training and system setup. It will also provide on-going support to ensure Tayto is updated on regular product and system updates to continually drive down costs and maximise efficiencies.

Tayto Group to reduce road risk and its carbon footprint

Dairy Cabinets • Cold Rooms Air Conditioning

Hot & Cold Deli Equipment

53 Main Street, Portglenone, Ballymena, BT44 [email protected]

Tel: 028 2582 1818 Fax: 028 2582 2295

PRS Ltd are experts in providing energy- saving advice and equipment and are pleased

to have been chosen to supply and install the new low-energy refrigeration into the Henderson Group’s Shandon Park store.

Many businesses have felt the pinch in the austere times of late, none more than those involved in the retail and agri-

production sectors. As retailers and producers struggle to keep their business viable, KES Solar are able to offer a solution to reduce one of the most crippling of all bills – that of electricity.

KES Solar is a local company based outside Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Business Development Manager Austin McGrath explains that: “having worked in the retail sector for the past 25 years I realise how tight margins are and by the time the retailer has taken into account all their costs it can be disappointing to see how the price of electricity can affect their profitability”.

Austin states that: “Solar PV is an option that is available to everyone; a PV system is an excellent investment for any retailer or business”. His ideology rings true when we balance the figures; base rates for all electricity suppliers have shown a steady increase year on year and we can only speculate that this trend is set to continue.

It has never been a better time to install a Solar PV system: “As electricity costs rise, PV system prices remain very competitive for the client, this means that we can offer a top quality install at an attractive price. The entire process is quick and stress free and we can also advise on the various grants and incentives as well as an ability to provide excellent finance packages for our customers. We have a wide range of clients that can explain the benefits that Solar PV has brought to their businesses”.

Solar PV has emerged as a ray of light in a turbulent financial climate, offering a way of saving on energy bills and earning a healthy income from ROCs. KES Solar are able to offer a range of finance routes to make sure that at last, a PV system is available to everyone.

Call KES Solar today on 028 8283 1022 or e-mail [email protected] for a free consultation.

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L-R: Paul Stewart (MD) JC Stewart’s Magherafelt, who have recently installed Solar panels from KES Solar, and Austin McGrath, Business Development Manager, KES Solar.

KES Solar – the retail experts



JC Stewart Foodhall: energy efficiency makes good business senseFew retailers have been as tenacious

as JC Stewart Foodhall in addressing environmental and energy issues. Yes, they’ve been trading since the 1800s and still stick to their grocery roots but when it comes to the environment JC Stewart Foodhall has been pioneering. So much so that the renowned Magherafelt grocer has picked up a number of national awards for their green credentials over the years.

Arriving at the glass fronted modern store, the first and most obvious evidence of energy initiatives is the large hopper filled with wood pellets that power the biomass boiler. Wood-pellets were chosen because a reliable and local supply is available, as a by-product of saw-milling from spruce and pine managed forests.

Green Energy Engineering of Craigavon

installed the 180kw wood pellet boiler for JC Stewart Foodhall a few years ago. It works in tandem with the business’s Heat Exchange Systems – these recover heat produced by the store’s refrigeration. Together, the wood pellet boiler and the heat exchangers service all the heating and hot water requirements of the 14,000 square foot store and offices. Paul Stewart (MD) says, ‘the move away from dependence on oil and its escalating prices saves us a significant amount on an ongoing basis’.

JC Stewart have also installed a Power Perfector unit and a Gatorboxx. These devices help to optimise electrical voltage requirements. And the move to state of the art fans in all the fridge cabinets (Electronically Commutated fans to be precise) has yielded energy efficiency gains from the ever-increasing amount of

refrigeration demanded by grocery retailing. Paul’s most recent pride and joy is solar

photovoltaic installation on the pitch roof. This was installed over a couple of days this summer by KES Solar from Co Tyrone. ‘There is something compelling about watching the units clock up on the monitor,’ says Paul. ‘Now we are generating power as well as using it. And we get feed-in payments as well. I can’t see it as any other than a win-win situation!’

As well as investing in these capital expenditure projects, lots of good practice has been put in place at JCs to make them more energy efficient. ‘We have movement sensitive lighting in the warehouse, blinds on the fridges, reduced lighting at off peak times and so on. Our current focus is on recycling. Magherafelt is one of the best councils for recycling so we are ever mindful of waste. We have separate bins for everything and that has helped us reduce waste costs. It also means that staff are up to speed on good recycling practices.’

Paul says, ‘There are two main drivers in all of this. Firstly we really do care about the environment. As part and parcel of the community in Magherafelt, we want to be good citizens, maybe even model citizens. And second, these investments make financial sense especially when you factor in support from the Carbon Trust, and the on-going efficiency savings.’Seven tonne storage bin for Biomass wood pellets

JC Stewart Foodhall, Magherafelt

Paul Stewart



Irwin’s Bakery conquers the ‘Green Mile’

Financial reward available to retailers willing to change to a renewable heat source

Irwin’s Bakery has successfully reduced its carbon footprint and estimates it has

removed over one million food miles from its supply chain with a comprehensive audit of distribution channels in Great Britain.

The number of miles Irwin’s has saved is equivalent to almost 40 trips around the world and is estimated to remove more than 138 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from the company’s ‘carbon footprint’ per year.*

Recognising the demand for authentically Irish products the Portadown based company’s export sales in the GB market continue to grow through its Rankin Selection Irish breads range, made in conjunction with top chef Paul Rankin - supermarket ‘own brand’ deals - and the sweet sponge treat ‘Jammy Joeys’, which have become hugely popular with GB consumers.

JP Carvill, Logistics Manager, Irwin’s

Bakery said: “As our export business in Great Britain has grown so much in recent years, we decided it was time to streamline our distribution channels by using a greater number of smaller logistics partners in key distribution areas rather than a single large scale distribution hub. This change has resulted in improved efficiency in the supply chain and, we’re delighted to say, a great benefit to the environment.”

JP Carvill, Logistics Manager Irwin’s Bakery

The renewable heat incentive has been set up by government to encourage business to make that transition to a renewable heat

source e.g. biomass by metering their fuel consumption and paying quarterly for every kilowatt hour of heat used. The primary objective for the RHI is to increase the uptake of renewable heat to 10% by 2020. In addition to achieving the set target, it is expected that the RHI will have a number of other wider benefits in terms of fuel security, lower emissions and ‘green jobs’.

WHO IS THE SCHEME FOR?The scheme includes many businesses, hospitals, schools, hotels, community groups and so on, as well as poultry farms and mushroom houses etc.

Green Energy Engineering Ltd (G.E.E) installed the wood pellet boiler in J C Stewarts food hall in 2008 - it heats the extensive food hall and the offices, alongside their hot water demands. The savings against oil in year 2010-2011 were in excess of £7900 and in addition to this J C Stewarts were able to offset 23 tonnes of carbon that year.

The government hopes to encourage many other businesses and organisations to explore the possibility of going down the renewables route.

Not only will businesses be reducing their carbon emissions and helping the environment, they will also receive the RHI that will cover the cost of their fuel. This money is an incentive reward for the willingness to embrace a Green technology and reduce carbon emissions.



Wilson’s Country Ltd: Environmental issues are an integral part of the daily business agenda

Zip along to Lidl and recycle your textiles to help children and young people with cancer

Wilson’s Country Ltd. is based in Craigavon, employs just under 90 employees, will have a turnover this year of approx £18 million and recently celebrated 21

years in business. The company supplies fresh prepack potatoes to a number of local supermarkets and fresh peeled potatoes to Food Service Distributors across Ireland. Overall the business handles approximately 1000 tonnes of potatoes per week.

Wilson’s work closely with farmers and the land, so they are acutely aware of the delicate balance of nature and the need for correct stewardship of our environment to ensure sustainability. As their business grew they became more aware of the need and cost of energy and natural resources, eg water. So they brought environmental issues very much to the daily business agenda, to ensure that the topic is always developing with the business, and environmental topics are not simply seen as a project that has a start and a finish point.

Their rationale was not to set themselves up on a pedestal but to simply act responsibly towards the environment in all of their business processes, also bearing in mind the everyday commercial challenges in maintaining a profitable and sustainable business. This rationale matched that of their customers as environmental issues over recent years is part of their agenda.

Overall the business has significantly reduced its environmental footprint, thereby increasing the sustainability of the business – the business has saved in a year the water equivalent to 26 Olympic sized swimming pools. The journey continues, having recently reviewed the feasibility of solar impact and is also engaging with prospective AD projects.

Supermarket giant Lidl and CLIC Sargent are teaming up to turn shoppers’ unwanted threads into gold by recycling clothes and other

textiles to raise money for children and young people with cancer.One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the new recycling banks,

which are being trialled at ten Lidl stores in the Midlands, will go to CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people. The trial is taking place until 19 October, with the possibility it may go nationwide if it is successful.

Lidl and CLIC Sargent have been in partnership since October 2013 and Lidl has pledged to raise £150,000 for the charity, a target that it has already exceeded. The partnership runs until December.

Mark Good, CLIC Sargent’s Recycling Coordinator, said: “This is good for the environment and has the potential to raise thousands to

help us support the ten children and young people who are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK.

Georgina O’Donnell, Lidl UK’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, said: “We are excited to be launching the recycling trial with CLIC Sargent because not only does it promise to generate much-needed funds for a cause that is very close to our hearts, but textile recycling is environmentally friendly which has always been a very strong focus for us as a company. We have always charged for plastic carrier bags, for example; we never airfreight products; we recycle 1,800 tonnes of mixed plastic each year alone. So the textile recycling trial not only adds another dimension to our fundraising partnership with CLIC Sargent, but it is also very much aligned with our environmental objectives.”

Brandy was successfully re-launched in 2012 and has shown excellent

growth during the past year, with the brand continuing to maintain its position as the number one Irish made dog food brand and the second largest branded dog food in the Northern Irish Market. Their Brandy re-launch has definitely helped to drive sales.

Brandy has a strong local heritage dating back to 1972. Brandy is made using only 100% Irish Meat sourced from across the

island of Ireland. The use of 100% Irish meat is unique to the brand. Brandy is also fully traceable from farm to can. Northern Irish consumers are concerned about the provenance and quality of the product they feed their dogs and they have really embraced the fact that Brandy uses only 100% Irish meat, has full traceability and is a local brand. Dog owners view their dog as a key member of the family so they want to feed them the best. Consumers are also looking for value and Brandy offers customers high quality products at a value price.

A new departure for Brandy was the introduction of two new chunk 6 packs, Brandy Variety Chunks in Jelly and Brandy Variety Chunks in Gravy, to complement its loaf product range. Both 6 packs have experienced excellent growth since their launch last year.

Brandy On Pack cOmPetitiOnOfferBrandy is delighted to announce that they have teamed up with Stena Line to run an on pack competition, offering customers the chance to ‘Win 1 of 50 Stena Line Trips for Your Family, Your Car & Your Dog!’ Each prize consists of a return crossing for the winner, their car, up to four passengers and of course

their family dog! Each competition winner can choose to travel on any of the five Stena Line Irish Sea Routes. There are also 300 runners up prizes of Brandy Travel Sets to be won. This on pack promotion will run from August to the end of December on all Brandy 6 Packs, including Traditional Loaf, Chunks in Jelly and Chunks in Gravy 6 packs. It will also feature on Brandy Complete Original 2.5kg and Brandy Complete Chicken & Rice 2.5kg bags. Customers will be able to access the competition via our website and via Facebook; www.macklepetfoods.com/brandy or www.facebook.com/brandydogfood. This on pack promotion will also be supported by a radio campaign running in October.

Brandy faceBOOk camPaignBrandy has also recently unveiled an exciting new Facebook campaign. This enables Brandy customers, dog owners and dog lovers alike the opportunity to engage with the brand and also to enjoy some doggy facts and features. Brandy has also launched a quirky ‘Dog Birthday Card App’, yes that’s right, send your dog a birthday card! Brandy will also be giving dog owners the chance to win various prizes by posting funny family dog clips which will feature on our new Brandy You Tube channel. The best clips will win a monthly prize. We will also be featuring ongoing interesting and factual dog posts.

feline friendsNot forgetting our feline friends the Cat Club brand continues to show growth. Cat Club is available as an ongoing Chunks in Jelly Variety 6 for 5 promotional pack and as a Chunks in Jelly Variety 12 for 10 promotional pack. Cat Club will continue to be supported by strong promotional activity for the remainder of 2013.

Brandy adVertOrial

Brandy ...100% Irish Meat ...100% Family

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Because they’re 100% family

PUT MORE MEAT ON YOUR PROFITS

Brandy is made using only 100% Ir ish Meat and isfully traceable from farm to can. Brandy is availablein Traditional Loaf, Chunks in Jelly and Chunks in Gravy Packs. Both Brandy and Brandy Complete, made with100% Natural Ingredients are loved by dogs and dog-lovers everywhere. Never left on the shelf, there’sno need to chase your sale with Brandy. Check out our Brandy Family Club on Facebook, which gives all our customers the chance to win super woofer prizes andto wax lyrical about their dogs.

Contact us on - Tel: 028 87784641

or visit www.macklepetfoods.com

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4098_Brandy_Press_210x297.indd 1 22/08/2013 09:16

36 • Ulster Grocer | JANUARY 2011

Spirited business for luxury ice-cream maker

8 • Ulster Grocer | JANUARY 201128

Visitors to the unique Kilbeggan Whiskey distillery in the Republic of Ireland are

now able to enjoy luxury ice cream made by Glastry Farm in Northern Ireland using the historic spirit. Glastry’s award winning Kilbeggan Ice Cream, launched in 2010 by the dairy farm based company, went on sale this week in the distillery, the oldest in the Republic, following a distribution deal with Buggy Foods, which is based near the distillery in Kilbeggan, county Westmeath.

The distribution deal, the second signed recently by Glastry in the Republic – the other with Limerick Frozen Foods – completes the

Northern Irish company’s coverage in what is now its fast growing market for luxury ice cream and low-fat sorbets.

Will Taylor, the county Down dairy farmer who launched the luxury ice cream business in 2007 as a farm diversification project, says:

“The deal by Buggy Foods means that our Kilbeggan Ice Cream, which has won a series of awards including UK Great Taste, is now on sale in the distillery’s visitor centre, an attraction that draws over 100,000 people annually. Established in 1757, Kilbeggan, now owned by Jim Beam of the US, is the Republic’s oldest pot whiskey distillery,” .

Northern Irish dairy wins £1m deal in ChinaDale Farm, the award winning Northern

Irish manufacturer of a wide range of dairy products, has won a £1 million deal in China. The company, Northern Ireland’s leading farmers’ co-operative, is to supply whey protein concentrate to a leading manufacturer in China.

The Belfast-based company, the processing arm of United Dairy Farmers, Northern Ireland’s biggest and most successful co-operative, already has an existing £5 million contract to supply whey powder to China. Dale Farm has invested extensively in its processing facilities to enable it to expand business in global markets particularly China and to meet the growing requirement there for consistently high quality and, above all, safe dairy products. The company which also sells butter, cheese, powders and other dairy products to almost 50 export markets, has processing operations in England and Scotland.

Northern Irish artisan business keen on healthy almonds

Keen Nutrition, a recently launched

Northern Irish company specializing in artisan nut butters, has won its first business in the Republic of Ireland from a link up with a leading distributor there.The company, based at Crawfordsburn in county Down, is now supplying its almond and hazelnut handcrafted butters to customers in Dublin through Artisan Food Marketing, based at Castlebellingham, county Louth. Keen Nutrition, established last year

by Aimee Beimers, a Canadian nutritionist living in Northern Ireland, is producing and marketing a range of seven artisan butters for retail. The almond and hazelnut butters are available in 190ml jars and retail at around £3 each. The butters are all handcrafted and already on sale in a network of delis across Northern Ireland. The artisan company is currently seeking a distributor to help develop sales in Britain.

EXPORT NEWS

New Irish Whiskey distillery starts productionEchlinville Distillery, the first licensed distillery in Northern Ireland in over 100 years, has begun

maturing Irish whiskey. The company, which gained a licence from HM Customs and Excise in May, recently stored its first output of spirit in wooden casks for at least three years.

The company, Northern Ireland’s second licensed distillery, has one established brand, Feckin Irish Whiskey, and has plans to develop a portfolio of products including a premium malt at its new distillery in county Down. The brand portfolio will also include Feckin Spiced Irish Whiskey, the only spirit of its type currently on the market. Apart from the US, the Feckin brand is now selling well in key European markets including France, Sweden and Norway.


RubyBlue Irish berry liqueurs in Lebanon deal

RubyBlue, the unique artisan berry liqueur produced in Northern Ireland, has won its

first business in the Middle East. The company, which handcrafts four liqueur products, is now supplying IKOF, a distributor of a range of spirits in the Lebanon and other parts of the middle east. The deal in the Lebanon is the latest export success for Ruby Blue, a product proving increasingly popular with mixologists in cocktail bars in Britain and Europe. The liqueurs are produced at Lisburn in Northern Ireland by a husband and wife team, Stuart and Barbara Hughes, who own Spirited Drinks, which crafts the award winning liqueurs at Hughes Craft Distillery. The liqueurs have recently rebranded as RubyBlue®. They were previously known as Boozeberries.

Cider business aims to taste export successArmagh Cider, the Northern Irish processor, has secured

investment to develop business in new markets including Europe and the US. The award winning cider producer is investing in new equipment such as a ‘tunnel pasteuriser’ to increase efficiency and assist a major international marketing drive.

The company, based at the heart of Northern Ireland’s orchard county and home to Armagh Bramley apples, which now have EU PGI status, has secured support from the Growth Loan Fund, which provides mezzanine finance to develop business, particularly exports.

Foster congratulates Elmgrove Foods on Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has commended Elmgrove Foods Limited on achieving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s

most prestigious award for business performance. Speaking during a reception at Hillsborough Castle hosted by the

Lord-Lieutenant for County Tyrone, Arlene Foster said: “The agri-food sector is central to the Northern Ireland economy and Elmgrove Foods is one of our most dynamic and progressive companies.

“The firm is an impressive role model of a small company which has been developing a reputation for producing quality products, which not only meet, but exceed client expectations. Its award recognises the company’s commitment to exporting innovative products to customers across the world.

“The meat sector will continue to be important for the economic development of Northern Ireland. It is an important part of the agri-food industry which sustains up to 92,000 jobs, and represents around 20% of total private sector employment. Elmgrove’s ethos of using the whole animal mirrors the priorities identified in the Agri Food Board’s strategy for the future growth and development of the sector.

“Its continued success in the Far East, Africa and mainland Europe reflects positively on the local Agri Food sector. The company plans to build on this, targeting business in new export markets with the support of Invest Northern Ireland.”

Stuart Dobson, Managing Director of Elmgrove Foods Limited said: “We’re extremely proud to receive the Queen’s Award for International Trade. The Queen’s Awards are widely recognised as the showcase for the United Kingdom’s most dynamic companies and is the direct result of the team working closely with customers and suppliers in developing innovative products and in providing excellent sales support.

“We are working with Invest NI to implement a sales and marketing strategy to help us expand into new markets, such as the Philippines and Thailand, and plan to recruit a new Sales Executive and a Translation Support Assistant to help maximise these opportunities.”

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Lord-Lieutenant of Tyrone Robert Scott congratulate Elmgrove Foods Managing Director Stuart Dobson and Marketing Executive Elaine Dobson on achieving The Queen’s Award for Enterprise at a reception at Hillsborough Castle. The Award - the first for a company in Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector - is in recognition of the creation and exporting of a range of innovative beef, lamb and pork offal products to a global market.

EXPORT NEWS

30

NEWS

Flora, the number one Spread brand from Unilever1, has announced a heavyweight

£12 million marketing campaign and rebranding exercise for 2013, its biggest ever marketing investment into the brand - to drive value growth back into the Butters and Spreads category.

Launching on September 5th and kick-starting a long-term commitment with continued investment into 2014, the fully integrated campaign will be led by advertising on mainstream TV as well as activated across a mix of additional platforms including OOH, digital, print and PR.

The campaign will highlight the great taste of Flora and will see the return of the iconic Flora sunflower – modernised for today’s shopper – which will remind consumers of the natural goodness of sunflowers2 found throughout the Flora range.

Flora - which delivered sales of £180

Flora launches biggest ever marketing campaign with £12m investment

million in the last year and has over 50 per cent penetration in UK households - will introduce a brand new in-store creative platform in its new campaign. Entitled ‘Bring a little goodness to everyday life’, the emphasis will be on the role of food in family life and promote the versatility of Flora as a tasty accompaniment to breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Patty Essick, Brand Building Director for Spreads at Unilever UK & Ireland, comments: “The new Flora campaign brings back the iconic sunflower that generations of mums know and love, whilst also celebrating the ups and downs of family life. Mums tell us that being a mum is the best job in the world, but it’s also one of the toughest. They have to provide food that everyone likes, fits with modern, busy lives, and will make their money go further. They need a great-tasting Flora that all the family love, whether on

toast, in packed lunches or when cooking and they want to know it’s good for their family too.”

“We’re confident that this integrated campaign will enable us to lead the reinvigoration of the butter and spreads category, which has a longstanding and welcomed place in families’ fridges.”

As part of the brand re-launch, the Flora packaging and logo have been redesigned, and now feature a colourful look and prominent Flora sunflowers.

The campaign will run until the end of November, with the new packaging flowing into supermarkets from late August.

The RRP of 500g tubs of Flora Buttery, Original Light and Lighter than Light is £1.70 with an RRP £3.00 for 1kg tubs. 1 IRI Data Mat Latest, Volume Sales and Volume Share, w/e 6th July 20132 Sunflower oil naturally contains omega-6. Flora contains omega-3 & 6 that helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels.

The Inaugural GroceryAid Golf DayThis was the first coming together of the Confectioners Benevolent

Fund and the Caravan committee’s golf day under the umbrella of “Grocery Aid”. After dinner were the awards, the cups presented have massive heritage and have been awarded to trade golfers since the 1950’s. Gene Fitzpatrick then took over and entertained the audience. OvErall WiNNErSTeams: 1st Hendersons score 89pts; 2nd Moore Stephens score 86ptsBest Wholesaler: Darren Hughes (Hendersons) 41ptsBest Visitor: Graham King (Moore Stephens Accountants) 34ptsBest Retailer: Stewart Blakely (Hamiltons News, Cregagh Road) 36ptsBest Manufacturer: Andrew Gillespie (Cadbury/Mondelez) 38ptsOverall Winner: Darren Hughes (Hendersons) 41ptsLongest Drive: Barry Saunders (Retailer)Nearest to the Pin: Bernard Brown (SHS)Best Lady: Christine Hagan (Moore Stephens Accountants)

Best Lady winner Christine Hagan with Adrian Moore. Best Visitor winner Graham King with Adrian Moore. Nearest to the Pin winner Bernard Brown with Adrian Moore.

Best Retailer winner Stewart Blakely with Adrian Moore, GroceryAid.

Best Manufacturer winner Andrew Gillespie with Adrian Moore.

Q&A

31

WhAt is your current role?I am the Regional Operations Manager for Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland which means ultimately I am responsible for Sainsbury’s day to day regional activities and trading. I oversee Sainsbury’s 13 stores here, work with our Store Support Centre in London to implement procedures and assist the management, teams and individuals who work together to make Sainsbury’s a great place to work and shop.

When did you tAke up this post?I have been with Sainsbury’s for quite some time but took up the role of Regional Operations Manager in October 2010.

A brief outline of your employment history to dAteI began work in retail as a Graduate trainee with Safeway PLC in South East England, before returning ‘home’ with Safeway to manage its Coleraine Store.

The changing retail market saw me spend time in Morrison’s and eventually ASDA as I led the store team through an important transition in the marketplace.

Eventually I decided to change direction and joined Sainsbury’s, initially as a store manager and where now I have the privilege of leading almost 3000 colleagues across 13 Stores in Northern Ireland.

WhAt does your role involve?Essentially my job role is to help make Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland a place where people love to work and shop.

My responsibility sits primarily with the retail arm of Sainsbury’s however I do have the opportunity to regularly collaborate across all our divisions in order to ensure our customers enjoy the very best service.

Sales and profit are of course key performance indicators for my team so we demand great retail standards and strong operational controls.

Our success is ultimately driven by our colleagues and without question the most rewarding responsibility I have is to encourage the flow of our talent through our stores which continue to produce retail leaders for the future of Sainsbury’s in Northern Ireland.

‘My Life in the Grocery Trade’Nigel Macauley, Regional Operations Manager, Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland

WhAt Are the best/Worst pArts of your job?The best part of any leadership role for me has got to be watching individuals grow and evolve into a team of colleagues who truly make a difference to the lives of our customers and community.

The worst part of my job is probably the travelling. I regularly commute to England to meet with colleagues from all areas of our business. I enjoy travelling but become frustrated when my day is finished but my plane is delayed or I have to wait around the airport for hours to catch the next flight home.

Give us A brief outline of WhAt A typicAl dAy involvesTypically I am awoken by a 6am alarm but I rarely spend a full day in the office. Most days I travel across Northern Ireland on store visits which includes talking and listening to our colleagues and customers. Communication and administration remain a key part of my role so I spend a lot of time talking to colleagues in both Northern Ireland and other parts of the business as well as answering and sending emails. This supports broader more strategic thinking which this role affords me and which I thoroughly enjoy.

WhAt hAs been the proudest moment of your cAreer to dAte?Most of my proudest achievements relate to the success of others. One of my most satisfying moments is rewarding people for a job well done. For example last year more colleagues than ever received a bonus last year recognising the fantastic job they do for customers day in and day out.

WhAt is the best thinG About beinG involved With the locAl retAil industry?While the general trading environment is tough there are lots of fantastic benefits to being involved in the local retail sector. I was born here, I live here and I make decisions that help drive investment in the local industry and benefit the local

community so it really feels like I am giving something back.

WhAt do you like to do to unWind AWAy from Work? I am fortunate to have a very close family network, spending time with the people nearest and dearest to me always helps me to find ways to unwind.

tell us somethinG About yourself thAt not mAny people mAy knoWI am currently in training to complete a charity bike ride from Newry to Carlisle taking in stops at Sainsbury’s stores along the route. This is a massive challenge which takes place in September and will see us raising money for local store charities and the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity.

Good Housekeeping Institute. Following some robust, and impartial, consumer testing, the Reader Recommended stamp of approval endorses products that have been best-tested by consumers at home and verified by the experts at the GHI.

Consumer test results show that New Plenty Super Strong is a popular choice for those tougher cleaning tasks. 97% were impressed it didn’t disintegrate in use3 and 91% of those surveyed said that Plenty Super Strong can cope with tough cleaning tasks – even when wet3.

After trialling Plenty Super Strong 78% were more likely to buy it over other brands of HHT3. Plus consumers are extending their usage repertoire with Plenty Super Strong; using it to clean the oven and hob3 and kitchen and bathroom surfaces3.

Completing the specialist offering, Plenty The Big One has all the advantages of the core range but with the added benefit of extra-large sheets4. Consumer test results show that these larger sheets are of real assistance to the consumer. 82% of those surveyed preferred the larger sized sheets for bigger tasks3, while another 80% agreed that the larger sheet helped to get the job done quicker3.

The core range, which includes Plenty The Original One and Plenty The Fat One, offers excellent absorbency and durability even when wet, thanks to its advanced paper technology. Continued product upgrades undertaken across the range underpins Plenty’s continued desire for improvement. The new Dura Lock emboss pattern has been launched (excluding Plenty Super Strong) and a new fabric offers improved visual appearance, which tested positively with

perspective

By Laura Burrows, Brand Manager for Plenty

Plenty, the UK’s number one household towel brand1, currently holds 23.8%

value share and is growing both in value and volume1. The SCA-owned brand has a growing customer base1, with the highest brand loyalty in the market, capturing 46.1% of its shoppers spend2.

The brand also has the most valuable shoppers in the market, on average they spend more on Plenty versus its nearest competitors and what’s more, Plenty shoppers will buy more rolls (14 per year) than any other brand shoppers2.

Currently, there is a great opportunity for household towel brands as consumers extend their HHT usage beyond the kitchen. Consumers increasingly recognise the benefits of using HHT as a core part of a household’s cleaning armoury – its role as an essential household item is becoming more apparent. The growing specialist segment has emerged thanks to this change in consumer behaviour and is in a period of strong growth at 47.0%1.

Plenty is perfectly placed to respond to this change in mind-set. The SCA owned brand offers the shopper a fantastic range of products, specifically tailored to meet these changing needs.

Responding specifically to this change, Plenty’s brand new piece of innovation launched into the specialist sector is Plenty Super Strong, which combines the cleaning power of a cloth in a paper towel. Supported with a heavyweight TTL campaign and a new TV advert, there will be continued support in store during Q4.

What’s more, consumers love the Plenty range too. Plenty has been awarded Reader Recommended for 2013, courtesy of the

Plenty shoppers5.Plenty’s range of versatile products has

resulted in consumers rating the brand higher for being indispensable around the home. Plenty leads in this area with 53% verses their nearest competitor with 38% respectively6.

Offering value beyond price, Plenty have also employed tactical on-pack promotions to disrupt the autopilot shopper. For 2013, Alton Towers 2-for-1 vouchers have been implemented on selected packs.

Having the strongest brand equity in the HHT market7 reinforces Plenty’s status as the leading brand and, what’s more, a continued investment of £10m for 2013 will help Plenty stand out from the crowd.

1 IRI data to 52 w/e 13th July 2013.2 Kantar Worldpanel data to w/e 9th June 2013.3 Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended test results, July 2013.4 vs. Plenty The Original One.5 vs. previous fabric, Perceptions, Consumer research, November 2012.6 Brand Image Overview, pg 27, Ipsos Brand Health Tracking 2012.7 Equity index 183 v 142 for closest competitor. Base 300, Equity and Price Index comparison – 2012, pg 20, Ipsos Brand Health Tracking 2012.

Please direct any enquiries to: [email protected]

Your new cleaning must-have: the multi-purpose range with Plenty to shout about

pLeNtY ADvertOriAL

32


GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2013

Producers in Northern Ireland celebrate...and it’s a double whammy for one!!Since 1994, Great Taste has been organised by

The Guild of Fine Food and over the last 19 years over 80,000 products have been blind-tasted by experts including key buyers, retailers, chefs and food writers to ensure they are fairly and independently assessed. The Great Taste Awards is the most trusted and recognised food and drink awards platform in the UK and Ireland.

Overall 627 products were entered by producers in Northern Ireland, 62 of these companies won awards and from these 62 companies an impressive 227 products won 1-star, 2-star or 3-star awards. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster praised the Northern Ireland food and drink companies which secured a record number of stars in the UK Great Taste Awards.

Praising the success of the companies, the Minister said: “This is marvellous news for food and drink, our biggest manufacturing industry, one which generates over £4 billion annually to the local economy.

“Our companies have surpassed last year’s tremendous successes in terms of products being recognised for the outstanding quality and innovation that retailers, foodservice organisations and consumers are seeking.”

Arlene Foster continued: “It is immensely encouraging to see Northern Ireland winners in virtually every category and this will further enhance the profile of our products and

processors in our key markets of the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, other parts of Europe and the US.

“Undoubtedly the Great Taste Awards have become a real centrepiece for Northern Ireland’s vibrant food and drink industry. They are a great celebration of the way in which people are using local produce to create fantastic products and they highlight how small local businesses are increasingly catching the eye of major international retailers and foodservice organisations.

“Food and drink here is a dynamic and progressive industry that’s positioned for even faster growth particularly in markets outside Northern Ireland. And it’s an industry the Executive and Invest Northern Ireland are keen to assist to achieve its undoubted potential.”

Fourteen products from seven local companies were awarded the highest accolade of three stars for their products including two outstanding local butchers Hannan Meats - last year’s Great Taste Supreme Champion with Moyallan Guanciale, and McCartney’s of Moira -the Supreme Champion in 2011 with corned beef.

The Glenarm Shorthorn beef was among seven beef products from Hannan Meats to gain the coveted three stars in this year’s Great Taste Awards. Seven three stars for one company is an all-time record in the awards and it was the first product to be listed by the UK Guild of Fine Food

as part of the prestigious Top 50 Foods in the Great Taste Awards 2013.

Northern Ireland’s McCartney’s Butchers has also been named among the Top 50 Foods for its unique mushroom, leek and smoked garlic tart. The company, based in Moira, gained three gold stars for the tart, the first recognition for a non-meat product. The Great Taste panel of judges described the tart as ‘very attractive’ and they loved every mouthful – from the crunchy topping and short pastry to the plentiful filling. As well as three stars for the tart, McCartney’s gained two gold stars each for a merguez sausage, chowder, breakfast pork sausage and one star each for white pudding, chicken liver pate and Chinese style pork ribs.

Another Northern Irish product to be listed in the Top 50 is a zingy sea buckthorn and lime jam from En Place Foods (UK), based in Cookstown..

Paul Clarke, En Place managing director, says: “We are delighted to gain this immensely important recognition for our innovative jam. It will be enormously beneficial as we seek to build our sales in Britain and further afield. Winning two three stars in the Great Taste Awards is hugely encouraging for everyone associated with En Place.”

En Place won two three gold stars in this year’s UK Great Taste Awards for its products. The awards included 3 stars for it Sea Salted Caramel with Fennel Pollen.

Hannan Beef GTA Top 50

En Place Foods UK Ltd, Sea Buckthorn and Lime Jam

Food NI: Our members are star performers all round!!!They’re known as the Food Oscars and no fewer than 23 of Food NI’s Producer members have struck Gold at this

year’s Great Taste Awards. The Meat Merchant, Peter Hannan is hotly tipped to be Supreme Champion for the second year in a row, but in the

meantime, he’s putting those little black and gold stickers on a whopping 25 products. His Salt-Aged Rack of Glenarm Shorthorn beef is one of the Top 50 foods in the UK. Jilly Dougan’s amazing Sea Salted Caramel with Fennel Pollen is another. She also triumphed with an unusual Sea Buckthorn and Lime Jam.

Other star performers were Bruce’s Hill Farm Shop; Dale Farm; Thompson’s Tea; Yellow Door; Irwin’s Bakery; the Heathlerlea and Mash Direct. We can’t leave out Suki Tea, Broighter Gold, Kettyle Foods, Forthill Farm, Bailies, Holmes Delicatessan, Kooky Cook, White’s Oats, the Armagh Cider Company and Linden Foods and the Good Food and Wine Company.

Just goes to prove our members are star performers all round!

Michele Shirlow



Dromona cheese and butter products made by NI’s leading dairy business, Dale Farm, have once again wowed expert judges claiming no less than

13 Gold star awards at the prestigious Great Taste Awards – double last year’s medal haul.

Dromona Pure Butter picked up one gold star award and Dromona’s range of cheddars – including Lighter Mature, Mature, Extra Mature and Vintage – were awarded eight gold star awards across their categories. Dale Farm, who is a major player in the GB market, was also awarded four gold stars for one of its GB branded products, Loseley Summer Meadow Butter.

Commenting on the awards, David Dobbin, Dale Farm’s Chief Executive said, “Gaining recognition at these events is further proof of our commitment to excellence and quality, having been rigorously judged by leading food experts from within the dairy sector and the wider food industry. These awards provide an independent seal of approval, so for our products to rank amongst the best of the best – and claim an incredible thirteen gold stars – is a fantastic feat.”

“We’ve recently completed a £40 million investment in our cheese plant in Dunmanbridge, doubling its capacity and making it one of the most modern facilities of any dairy company in Europe. With this additional capacity we are focussed on growing our exports of cheese – and therefore recognition through awards such as these is crucial to elevating our status as a world class dairy producer.

Following last year’s host of gold accolades at the 2012 Great Taste Awards, Irish coffee and tea company, Robert Roberts has

just been awarded four Golds at the Great Taste Awards 2013 for its Colombian Coffee, Java Beans Coffee, Luxury Fairtrade Tea and Espresso Segovia Beans.

Renowned for its quality tea and coffee products, this is the fifth consecutive year that Robert Roberts has been recognised by the Great Taste Awards.

Garath Scully, Master Coffee Roaster at Robert Roberts comments:

“In 2012, our Java Beans Coffee was awarded the highest-possible accolade, which was amazing achievement for the company and we are thrilled that Robert Roberts has been recognised yet again by the Guild of Fine Food.

“The awards underpin both the superior quality and consistency of our coffees and teas, which is why we roast four million bags of coffee annually for our thousands of retail and foodservice customers.

On explaining what makes winning gold at the Great Taste Awards so special to Robert Roberts, Brand Manager, Joanne McCracken adds:

“The illustrious Great Taste Awards logo is a clear indicator of quality food and drink products. As the world’s largest blind-tasted food and drink accreditation scheme, gold stars are widely-recognised and are a trusted benchmark for shoppers and our foodservice customers.

“Being awarded ‘gold’ conveys ‘the best of’, not just in Ireland but on an international level, and we’re thrilled that four of our products will proudly display the Great Taste Awards logo in the year ahead.”

In June 2013, Robert Roberts invested €350,000 in a new Brambatti roaster – Gaynor – a first for the company since 1989 – which will now roast all of the company’s coffee moving forward.

Gareth Scully, Master Coffee Roaster at Robert Roberts

Robert Roberts makes its mark at The Great Taste Awards

Dale Farm have the ‘wow’ factor



Thompson’s Family Teas make the ‘Perfect Everyday Cuppa’Local tea company, Thompson’s Family Teas,

who make Northern Ireland’s best-selling tea, Punjana, have won a record 11 Gold Stars in the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2013. Their recently launched ‘Thompsons Signature Blend’ won double Gold and their new speciality range made a dramatic entrance, winning Double Gold with their confidently named ‘Turkish Apple ... Amazing!’. ‘Passionfruit and Orange Cocktail’, ‘Lemon Smoothie’ and ‘Organic Green Tea Pineapple’ infusions also picked up Gold.

Cousins Ross and David Thompson blend the entire range of Thompson’s Family Teas and their claim to blending the ‘Perfect Everyday Cuppa’ was further strengthened when their hero brand Punjana won another Gold Star bringing its total to 10 Gold Stars over the last six years - a feat achieved by no other tea brand in the all-important ‘blended tea bag’ sector.

Ross Thompson, Joint Managing Director of Thompson’s Family Teas comments: “We are thrilled that our hero brand, Punjana, has won ten Gold Stars over the last six years, itself a feat achieved by no other blended tea bag in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. Our commitment to producing the ‘perfect everyday cuppa’ has long been a passion for us, and being recognised by the Guild of Fine Foods at the Great Taste Awards makes the ongoing investment in our products and our commitment

to producing premium tea blends at everyday prices worthwhile. We’re particularly proud this year of our speciality teas. Not many people are aware of the vast range of alternative products we have just launched in this sector - to win Gold on four different specialist products in their first year is a great accolade.”

David Thompson, fellow Joint Managing Director of Thompson’s Family Teas, added:

“For over 100 years our company has imported the world’s finest teas into our city. Throughout our history only a Thompson has taste-tested our teas and with this comes knowledge and expertise that has been handed down through three generations. Simply put, no other company we know of can lay claim to this level of experience, which we believe is why we consistently produce award winning products.”

Pictured (l-r) are joint Managing Directors of Thompson’s Family Teas, Ross and David Thompson

Judges go ‘Nutty’ for great taste of Irwin’sNorthern Ireland’s only indigenous plant bakery, Irwin’s is celebrating the news that its products have

again wowed the judges at Great Taste 2013, claiming a total of five stars in the world’s largest and most rigorous food awards - involving over 400 judges and thousands of hours of blind tasting.

Judges loved the taste and texture of the local bakery’s much loved Nutty Krust Loaf and also awarded gold stars to Irwin’s Rankin Selection Irish Potato Farls, Irish Soda Farls and Cinnamon and Raisin Loaf.

“We’re delighted to have been recognised for the great taste of our products,” explains Michael Murphy, Commercial Director at Irwin’s Bakery. “It is a further seal of approval for our commitment to excellence in

producing quality bread products. With over 100 years of baking experience behind us, we’re always keen to combine the traditional – like our iconic Nutty Krust batch bread - with the inventive and look at new ways to develop our product range and offer something new to the consumer.”



White’s Oats - worth it’s weight in Gold

The 2013 Great Taste results are now out and M&W Farm Meats have been awarded 2 stars In Great Taste result terms this means outstanding.

Finest Quality Angus and Hereford Beef.

M&W Farm Meats also recently won 3 top National awards:

We supply the Local Retail and Catering Trade.Tel: 028 3835 2626

Opening hours: 8.30am - 6.00pm 6 days a week.Unit 5 Scotch Street, Moy Road, Portadown. Follow us on

A record win for local oat miller and cereal brand White’s Oats at this year’s

prestigious great taste awards scooping up 12 gold stars for its oat based cereal products and taking its total number of awards to an impressive 32.

White’s Oats, Northern Ireland’s only oat cereal processor has now received the ‘Great Taste’ seal of approval for all of its oat based cereal products, a fantastic achievement within a highly competitive market.

Receiving a double seal of approval and best in category with two Gold Stars was Organic Quick Cook Oats and Toasted Oats Apple & Cinnamon Crunch, a Great Taste winner for the second year running. But topping the pack once again was White’s Organic Jumbo Oats which has received a Great Taste accolade for six successive years.

Toat’ly Oaty Original Instant Porridge has also had success for a second year running, being awarded one gold star alongside the recently launched Toat’ly Oaty with added multi seeds. White’s has also had success with its export brand; Irish Oatmeal Old Fashioned Oats picked up one gold star.

Danielle Mc Bride, Brand Manager of White’s Oats said: ‘’We are delighted that

our oat based cereals have been so highly recognised at this year’s Great Taste Awards which signals the huge amount of passion we have for our business and our products.

The Great Taste Awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the authoritative,

Independent Standard for Britain’s Fine Foods Sector awarding commitment to truly great tasting quality artisan products. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’.

Pictured celebrating White’s success was Farmer Tim McClelland from Tandragee and supplier to White’s Oats with his children Rachel aged 7, Cameron aged 9 and Hannah aged 3 together with White’s Oats Brand Manager Danielle McBride



Sprotts Bacon has come out on top

Avondale Foods thrilled to win

A small, traditional, family-run pork product company have recently been

highly enough acclaimed to win a ‘Great Taste Award’ for a recipe which has never changed in over 100 years, all the time the company has been in business – it has truly stood the test of time.

At William Sprotts in Portadown top of the range quality and customer satisfaction and service has always been a core value for the company and now those attributes have been rewarded with an award for taste at one of the most prestigious food awards, ‘The Great Taste Awards.’ The prize was awarded for Sprott’s Traditionally Dried Bacon – proving it’s both an oldie and a goodie.

The bacon wowed judges at Great Taste 2013, the world’s largest and most rigorous food awards scheme involving 400 judges and thousands of hours of blind tasting.

John Turkington, Sales Manager says, “I have always followed the Great Taste Awards but for some reason (probably modesty!) I never thought to put our product forward, but this year with the support of the management

team, we decided to go for it! Our bacon is one of our oldest recipes and completely unchanged since the company first opened 1880 and we decided to enter it into the awards. We are thrilled with the result and look forward to displaying the ‘Great Taste’ logo on the product and watch it fly off the shelves! It has been a great boost for all of our employees, who work tirelessly to supply a premium product on each one of our products. We are celebrating with bacon butties all round!’

Great taste is the largest and most trusted accreditation scheme for speciality and fine food and drink. It encourages and mentors artisan food producers and this year alone almost 10,000 products were blind-tasted by a panel of specialists: top chefs, cookery writers, food critics and fine food retailers, including Masterchef judge and restaurant critic Charles Champion, food buyers from Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Whole Food Markets and Michelin Star chef Russell Brown.

The competition has been tough but Sprotts bacon has come out on top!

McKee’s Country Store and Restaurant, already renowned in

North Down for their home-grown farm produce and commitment to quality local food, are delighted to have won a Great Taste award for their delicious fish cakes. Made to a special recipe from the freshest Portavogie catch, what was once a local delicacy is now a national treasure. Exclusively available at McKees - hook some when you’re next in the area!

2013 started well for Co. Armagh’s Mac Ivors Cider with a coveted Silver

Medal from The International Brewing Awards, often dubbed “The Oscars of the Brewing Industry”. A Great Taste Award followed. Even the G8 Leaders had the opportunity to enjoy it in their private quarters at The Lough Erne Resort. New listings followed both at home and abroad. “We’re always excited when people discover our local craft cider. They have had enough of dull flavours and want real taste.” said Greg MacNeice, Cider Maker.

Greg MacNeice

Avondale Foods have been producing innovative and quality fresh products at their Craigavon factory since

1965. It’s range includes Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Side Salads, Fresh Mayonnaise and Sauces, Vegetable Accompaniments, Doughballs and Fresh Soup. Products are available under leading retailer and foodservice own label brands, as well as the company’s Natures Best Mayonnaise, and Country Kitchen, Northern Ireland’s leading coleslaw and soup brand. Where possible the company sources locally and last year invested over £24million back into the Northern Ireland Economy.”

“Avondale Foods are delighted to have won Great Taste Awards for both their Country Kitchen Vegetable Broth, a traditional favourite for many years with the Northern Ireland consumer, and also their recently launched Sweet Chilli Noodle Salad, one of new additions to the exciting range of products produced in Craigavon.” said Colin Ferguson, Avondale Foods.



Eringrove Preserves – Winners of 9 Great Taste Awards

Erin Grove Preserves are quickly establishing themselves as the name synonymous with fine quality preserves, chutneys

and marmalades throughout Northern Ireland and further afield. Blending skill and tradition, all of their products are handmade in small batches in the traditional way, using only the basic ingredients required, to produce a range of preserves and chutneys that are bursting with colour and flavour – just like it should be! This commitment to quality has been endorsed again at the Great Taste Awards this year where they have won another three awards, bringing their tally to nine! So if you’re a retailer who would like to add an award winning range to your product offering or a catering establishment looking to give your business an edge, why not contact them today and see what Erin Grove can do for you!

Rich Sauces Double Double at the Great Taste Awards

“Our sweet chilli sauce and new Chipotle sauce each received

two stars at this year’s awards.Sweet Chilli is a big seller for us and

the Chipotle sauce is very much on trend.

GTA is confirmation of our quality and innovation that is helping Rich Sauces expand into different markets and offer our existing customers something new for their menus.

Thanks to Doc and the NPD for your hard work!”

Tim Kells, Rich Sauces

Great Taste and Texture of Homemade Food

Ewing Seafoods – First time Success

Mash Direct, the unique award winning family owned farm and food

production enterprise, received two Great Taste Gold Star Awards. They wowed judges with their traditional home grown Mashed Potato and Creamy Bubble and Squeak Mash Pot.

Great Taste is simply about taste, not clever branding or smart packaging. Mash Direct ensure they provide the Great Taste and texture of homemade food using their award winning steam cooked vegetables. With five generations of farming expertise to draw from, they are specialists in their field and select older heritage varieties of vegetables bursting with flavour, steam cook to perfection, gently prepared and pack on the family farm retaining the nutritional benefits.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this very prestigious award, getting a 3,2 and a 1 star

is brilliant news and to be one of 125 companies chosen from 10,000 is sensational! This is the first time Ewing’s

have ever entered the Great Taste Awards so words cannot say how proud we are of our long standing and committed staff members who have helped make this possible. Their commitment to quality, service and drive to keep us number one is first class.”

Lorraine Finlay, Ewing Seafoods

Millar Meats – It’s been a good Year

“As a sole independent trader, achieving this prestigious award is recognition of the hard work and long hours I have put into developing my own supply chain for my business. This year Millar Meats was also overall champion at the European Angus Steak Tasting Competition,

so it’s been a good year!!! My customers are delighted!”. Stephen Millar, Millar Meats



The Great Taste Awards focus on taste, not clever branding or attractive packaging. Each product is sampled anonymously, and out of

packaging, by Great Taste experts to decide which products truly deserve to be ranked among the best in the world.

The Good Food and Wine Company is owned by husband and wife team Nicholas and Michelle Lestas. As an addition to their already successful management consultancy company, The Good Food and Wine Company focuses on producing gourmet Irish Artisan products. The company is celebrating its Great Taste gold stars for its Marmalade with Irish Whiskey and 23 carat gold leaf, Pure Apple Juice and Pure Apple Juice infused with Cinnamon. Products will be available in key UK and European food halls this autumn.

Yummy Bakes NI, is delighted that its Shortbread Biscuit has been awarded a gold star. Owner Anna Taggart said, “this is the first time we have entered these awards and we are absolutely thrilled to win.”

“Using only the finest ingredients we lovingly hand make our biscuit range and instantly freeze the product so that it can be freshly baked-off.” Our products are available directly from yummybakesni.com and shortly will be available nationally from a major Food Service Distribution provider.

Blackthorn Foods, is thrilled that their Cranberry & White Chocolate Fudge, the best seller in the run-up to Christmas has been recognised for a Great Taste Award.

Dorothy Bittles told Ulster Grocer, “Our handmade Melting Pot Cranberry & White Chocolate Fudge was awarded a one star Gold Great Taste Award. This is our traditional butter fudge stirred with cranberries and chunks of white chocolate. The fudge is then finished with a grating of white chocolate. As with all our fudges everything is done by hand - we hand beat, hand cut and hand wrap for a truly artisan product.”

Hat-trick for the Good Food & Wine Company

Local artisan bakery strikes gold at Great Taste Awards

Great Taste judge, Charlie Turnbull, tasting beef at the

final round of judging.

A leading local craft bakery has won three accolades in the Great Taste Awards 2013,

organised by the Guild of Fine Food.McErlain’s Bakery scooped three gold stars

for its Genesis Crafty branded Oven Wheaten, Honey and Yogurt Wheaten and Madeira cake, in one of the world’s most trusted and recognised food and drink awards.

Described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world, the Awards bring together a 400-strong panel of fine food retailers, chefs, restaurant critics and food writers who judge almost 10,000 products in blind tasting sessions.

The judges particularly complimented the ‘lovely mix of flavours from the oats’ in the Genesis Crafty Honey and Yogurt Wheaten, the ‘beautifully risen loaf with a moist crumb’ of the Madeira Cake, and the ‘good buttery flavour’ of the Oven Wheaten.

Managing Director Brian McErlain said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised at the Great Taste Awards. We are passionate about the quality of food we produce and believe it is important to bake everything in the traditional way, hand-crafted and with the

best ingredients. With such a rigorous judging procedure, it’s a real achievement for three of our products to receive such high praise.”

The family-owned business, run by the six McErlain brothers, is going from strength to strength having recently announced plans to invest £1.4 million to help drive sales in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The expansion will see the bakery support production and expand new product development for existing and new markets.

The investment, assisted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Invest Northern Ireland, will also see the creation of 100 new jobs.

Brian continued: “The bakery was started in 1968 by our parents with a focus on baking using age old recipes, traditional methods and high quality ingredients to bake award winning products, and our success at the Great Taste Awards is testament of this.

“We recognise the need to further expand our sales beyond Northern Ireland and have focused on developing new innovative products and enhancing our branding, sales and marketing in a bid to secure new business.”


TOBACCO NEWS

A team of twenty strong Imperial Tobacco employees have just completed a mammoth cycle ride from London to Paris in aid

of GroceryAid, who provide help for retail industry workers in need around the UK.

The Imperial Wheelers rode over 300 miles, which included 12,000 ft. of climbs, in only 4 days. Despite broken bikes and repairs, the entire team who started crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees following in the footsteps of British Tour de France winners Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins!

Imperial Wheeler Ben Pettifor-Smith commented; “This trip has been life changing and I have made some amazing friends. Some of the roads were breathtaking, others punishing! But overall it was an unforgettable experience.”

Eugene Walsh, Imperial Tobacco UK General Manager added; “The GroceryAid charity provides vital support to those in need and Imperial Tobacco is proud to be associated with such a worthwhile cause.”

In total, the team raised £30,000 for the charity, which will go to assisting current and former retail industry workers.

United Kingdom, August 2013 – JTI is introducing a limited edition design for

Sterling to underpin its status as the UK’s No.1 selling cigarette brand. The design, stating “The UK’s No.1 Cigarette brand”, will be printed on the film wrap and will be introduced in September 2013 for eight weeks across the full Sterling base range.1 Sterling is celebrating a

New film wrap for the UK’s best-selling cigarette brandyear at the number one spot, having been the best-selling cigarette brand in the UK since September 2012.2 Available nationally in all channels, the new design will help retailers benefit from the continuing growth of the Value cigarette segment.

Jeremy Blackburn, JTI’s Head of Communications, said: “The Value cigarette segment continues to show strong growth, now accounting for almost 40%2 of the total cigarette market and selling more than 5 billion sticks a year.2 Sterling is the frontrunner of this growth, with more than 1 in 10 cigarettes sold in the UK now carrying the Sterling name.2 Capitalising on the success of the brand, capsule cigarette Sterling Fresh Taste on Demand is now the UK’s leading crush proposition.

“The new design is intended to reinforce Sterling’s position as the best-selling cigarette

brand in the country, giving retailers and existing adult smokers alike confidence that they’re purchasing the UK’s No.1 cigarette. Sterling is a must-stock brand and retailers should stock up on a full range of Sterling SKUs carrying the special edition film wrap to maximise their sales and capitalise on demand from existing adult smokers.”

The “UK’s No.1 Cigarette brand” film wrap will be featured on the base range only: all SKUs with the exception of Sterling Fresh Taste on Demand.

For further information, as well as bespoke cigarette merchandising and retailing advice to help maximise sales, retailers can contact their local JTI representative. To arrange a visit, call the JTI Customer Careline on 0800 163 503.

1 Excluding Sterling Fresh Taste on Demand. 2 Nielsen MarketTrack June 2013 YTD vs. May 2013 YTD

Imperial Wheelers saddle up for charity!

JTI extends Old Holborn range with new RYO offering & UK’s first ever 20g pack format. JTI is extending the range of its iconic Roll Your Own (RYO) brand

Old Holborn this month with the launch of new Holborn Smooth Taste. Capitalising on the quality and longstanding British heritage of its premium parent brand, Holborn Smooth Taste will be launched into the value RYO price segment and provide existing adult smokers with a smooth blend of top quality tobacco.

Available across all channels now in modern blue packaging, Holborn Smooth Taste will be available in 10g and in a 20g pack format - a first for the UK tobacco market, with respective RRPs of £2.90 and £5.70, for existing adult smokers who want a credible value RYO brand at an affordable price point.

Jeremy Blackburn, JTI’s Head of Communications, says: “Value is the fastest growing RYO price segment and we’ve identified a clear opportunity to drive even further growth. Looking at value RYO as it stands, it’s home to a mix of traditional brands and RMC extensions – Holborn Smooth Taste is JTI’s first ever traditional value RYO offering, and by plugging this gap we’re creating a real profit opportunity for retailers.

“Unlike its parent brand, the blend of which is darker in colour, Holborn Smooth Taste uses a unique mix of tobacco to provide a smoother taste, created for the growing number of adult ready-made cigarette smokers looking for an RYO product. As the RYO market continues to grow and evolve, retailers should ensure they’re not only stocking a range of price points, but also a mix of tobacco blends to cater for the various demands of adult smokers.”

For further information on the RYO blends available, as well as bespoke merchandising and retailing advice to help maximise sales, retailers can contact their local JTI representative. To arrange a visit call the JTI Customer Careline on 0800 163 503.

New brand from Old Holborn


TOBACCO NEWS

For many products, supersizing is either outlawed or discouraged as it encourages

excessive consumption; large takeaway fizzy drinks and chocolate bars spring to mind immediately. The EU proposal, in contradiction to this, wants to ban the sale of tobacco products in smaller packs.

Colin Wragg, Imperial Tobacco’s Head of UK Corporate and Legal Affairs, comments; “Should half bottles of spirits be banned? Or selling half pints of beer? Or allowing the sale of wine by the glass rather than the bottle? All these give consumers important choice in managing their consumption; this should also be extended to adult smokers.”

The entire tobacco supply chain, but especially the hard working retailer in

The proposals are a mishmash of ideas that will not accomplish the public health

objectives they claim they are intended to. The scale of these proposals is shocking - 34%1 of the current cigarette market, with a sales value of £4.5bn2 and nearly 80% of the current Roll Your Own market with a sales value of £1.5bn will be affected.

The proposals will also reduce visit frequency and the number of tobacco transactions, as well as the number of ancillary non-tobacco purchases made by tobacco shoppers, having a serious negative effect on retail outlets.

Conversely, the proposals, if adopted, will provide a huge incentive for criminals to further target the UK with counterfeit and contraband cigarettes, undermining the legitimate and controlled sale of tobacco.

Jeremy Blackburn, Head of Communications JTI UK, commented: “This proposal makes no sense at all and it has the potential to drive community stores across the

The EU is considering a number of proposals including the ban of pack sizes below 20 for cigarettes, a ban on packs below 40grams for RYO

products, a ban on popular products including menthol and slim cigarettes, the implementation of a standardized pack shape and size and the introduction of 75% health warnings. The European Commission’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD2) proposals are due to go to a plenary vote at the European Parliament at the end of

September, two of the UK’s leading tobacco companies Imperial Tobacco and JTI express their views below.

Reasons to Say “NOTHANKEU.COM”

Imperial Tobacco: ‘Supersizing, a raw deal for consumers...’the street, will be severely affected if this regulation is enforced. This directive will have severe consequences for job preservation, job creation and most importantly, retailers’ income, if introduced.

Currently 77%* of all RYO packs purchased by UK adult smokers are 25g or under, Colin continues; “Retailers will lose a valuable part of their revenue and adult smokers choice will be reduced - coupled with lost sales due to the illicit tobacco trade, this represents a double whammy!”

Colin concludes; “In the meantime we ask that if, like us, you want to stand up against enforced supersizing, support choice not control, and want consumers to have the freedom to purchase smaller pack sizes and

regulate their consumption please make your voice heard and sign the petition atwww.NoThankEU.com “Source: * Nielsen

Colin Wragg

JTI: Retailers should take action without delayUK out of business and at the same time play straight into the hands of local gangs who profit from the illegal cigarette trade.

“Think about it. Banning 10s and smaller pack sizes of RYO will mean the lowest price will now be the street price sold by criminals who peddle to anyone, including children. The UK will be an even more obvious target for illegal cigarettes; criminals and counterfeiters across the globe will never have had it so good.”

RETAIlERS ShOuld TAkE ACTION WIThOuT dElAy:

Step 1: Register at the Forest websitewww.nothankeu.com3

Step 2: Write to your local Member of the European Parliament at www.writetothem.com

Step 3: Tell your customers their packs will disappear if they don’t do something now!

1 Nielsen MarketTrack July 2012 - June 20132 JTI Estimates July 2012 - June 2013 3 “No Thank EU” is a Forest (Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco) campaign. Forest is supported by British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco Limited and Gallaher Limited (a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies).

Jeremy Blackburn

IN ASSOCIATION WITHSHELFLIFE

shelf lifeemail: [email protected] www.ulstergrocer.com

for more information visitwww.hunkydorys.ie

43

Lambrini launches new range of Fruit Ciders

Brandy is delighted to announce that we have teamed up with

Stena Line to run an on pack competition, offering customers the chance to ‘Win 1 of 50 Stena Line Trips for Your Family, Your Car & Your Dog!’ Each prize consists of a return crossing for the winner, their

car, up to four passengers and of course their family dog! Each competition

winner can choose to travel on any of the five Stena Line Irish Sea Routes. There are also 300 runners up prizes of Brandy Travel Sets to be won.

This on pack promotion will run from August to the end of December on all Brandy 6 Packs, including Traditional Loaf, Chunks in Jelly and Chunks in Gravy 6 packs. It will also feature on Brandy Complete Original 2.5kg and Brandy Complete Chicken & Rice 2.5kg bags.

Customers will be able to access the competition via our website www.macklepetfoods.com/brandy or via Facebook www.facebook.com/brandydogfood. This on pack promotion will also be supported by a radio campaign running in October.

An innovative, natural energy drink from a Belfast-based company is hitting the

UK and Irish shelves. It could boost brain power, reduce stress and even help you get your mojo back.

The drink is free from refined sugar, dairy, caffeine and gluten and all the ingredients have been carefully chosen for their physical and brain enhancing properties. CocoMojo is a refreshingly different beverage which gives a natural and replenishing lift to people with busy and active lifestyles, helping to maintain energy levels and prevent feelings of deflation and fatigue.

CocoMojo retails at £1.79 per carton and is available from stores across the UK.

Get your mojo back with CocoMojo!

Brandy on pack competition with Stena Line

Girls are in for a fruity treat, as a brand new range of sparkling fruit ciders from

Lambrini hits the shelves. The delicious girly tipple is available now in

three luscious flavours including Summer Fruits (pink), Forest Fruits (red) and Apple and Pear (green) – meaning there’s something for every lady, no matter what her taste.

Lambrini Brand Manager Emma Haughian said “Lambrini Cider is a fantastic addition to the hugely popular Lambrini brand and we’re delighted to launch the product in Northern Ireland. Lambrini cider is a female friendly cider with stylish packaging and a great taste, underpinned by a brand that resonates strongly with the female consumer.”

Lambrini Cider is available from United Wine Merchants now.

KittenSoft is firmly established as one of

Ireland’s favourite family toilet tissues. Recently acquired by the Intertissue Sofidel Group, KittenSoft has been redesigned to be longer and even softer than before.

The current re-launch of this much-loved brand, which is exclusive to the Irish marketplace, involves a packaging re-design and heavyweight TV and press advertising, with TV airing from mid-October. The re-launch is also supported by a comprehensive PR and social media campaign as well as strong promotions in-store.

The campaign will be supported by a strong digital platform including Facebook, website and an exciting new android App, which will be unveiled in the coming months. For more information, check out www.kittensoft.ie or follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.ie/KittenSoft.

Kittensoft longer andeven softer then before

to see your product featured on shelflife, contact laura GirVan at [email protected] or call 028 9078 3245SHELFLIFEshelf lifeemail. [email protected] www.ulstergrocer.com

in association WithSHELFLIFE

shelf lifeemail: [email protected] www.ulstergrocer.com

for more information visitwww.hunkydorys.ie

44

United Biscuits (UBUK), a leading manufacturer of biscuits and cakes will be boosting retailers’ profits this Halloween with the

launch of a spooky range of McVitie’s Mini products.Following the successful launch of McVitie’s Mini shapes at the

start of the year, UBUK is introducing two new Halloween variants – McVitie’s Mini Digestives Creepy Shapes and McVitie’s Minis Gruesome Gang.

Each rolling out through September with an MRRP of £1.00, the McVitie’s Mini Digestives Creepy Shapes come

in a multipack containing six 150g bags whilst the McVitie’s Minis Gruesome Gang are available in a carton with six two biscuit portions.

This Halloween will also see the return of the Limited Edition McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Lemon and Slime, which proved to be a spookily successful treat for consumers in 2012. Available in a 15 portion carton, each McVitie’s Jaffa Cake has a dark chocolate topping, light sponge base and a lemon and lime centre which will no doubt encourage spooktacular sales in the lead up to Halloween.

no tricks, just treats from McVitie’s this Halloween

Knorr, the number one food brand from Unilever UK, is building on the success of its Gravy Pot range with the

launch of a new Onion variant, available to retailers now. As the first jelly gravy to be introduced in July 2012, Knorr

Gravy Pots present one of the most innovative entries into the Gravy market in recent years and are already worth an impressive £2.7m, taking 2% of Total Gravy.

The new Knorr Gravy Pot Onion will be sold in packs of four with an RRP of £1.79* and is suitable for vegetarians.

*All prices quoted are recommended retail prices. Retailers are free at all times to set their own retail prices.

Local cereal and porridge

brand White’s Oats of Tandragee has launched a healthy multi-seed porridge into Tesco to join its successful range of Toat’ly Oaty instant porridge. White’s Toat’ly Oaty with added Multi Seeds is a wholesome blend of oats and crunchy seeds providing even more nutritional benefits than regular porridge.

Mum Julie O’Rorke was among the first to try it after working out with the Tribal Fitness Pramtastic class in the park with five month-old baby Reuben. The new porridge with added multiseeds is perfect for new mums aiming to get their figure back in shape or anyone looking for a nutritious and healthy start to the day. The range is available now from Tesco across Northern Ireland. For more info on the full range of Taste NI products at Tesco follow on www.facebook.com/tastenorthernireland

Knorr shakes up gravytrain with new range

Goldilocks & Baby Bear celebrate White’s Toat’ly Oaty


Hats off to new Ulster Business School visiting professors

The Ulster Business School (UBS) has announced the appointment of two new Visiting Professors. Tracy Hamilton, co founder and

Director of Mash Direct and Ian McConnell, Partner with PwC. Both are alumni of Ulster Business School and will assume their voluntary roles for a four year period.

Tracy Hamilton, co founder and Director of Mash Direct, agrees, “In today’s fast moving market place theory can quickly become outdated and irrelevant. The Ulster Business School’s close alignment with industry is really paying dividends evidenced by the high proportion of their graduates who are now successfully employed.

“The agri-food industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Northern Ireland and innovative marketing is making a significant contribution to its success. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences from Mash Direct, NIFDA and Food NI with the students towards enhancing their learning programme and thus helping to improve their future employability.”

The Ulster Business School has a cohort of over thirty Visiting Professors representing a wide range of competencies and industry expertise. Appointment is based on personal business achievement and the active contribution which the individual can potentially make in helping the Ulster Business School to provide the optimum educational experience for its students.

IGD’s free Leading Edge initiative brings its first training event to BelfastResearch and education charity IGD

is bringing its Leading Edge training initiative to Northern Ireland for the first time in November with a free evening masterclass on the topic of effective communication.

Exclusively open to those in the food and consumer goods industry, this two hour evening masterclass on 13th November

looks at why good communication skills are essential tools to have in the workplace and offers some practical examples of how adapting communication styles can influence the outcome of every situation.

Hosted at Holiday Inn Ormeau Avenue, the masterclass takes place between 6:30pm and 8:30pm, opening at 6pm for networking and

refreshments. For more information or to join Leading Edge visit www.leadingedge.igd.com.

Jim Eastwood visited Sixth Form pupils at Monkstown Community School, Belfast to impart wisdom on tackling any hurdles that may stand in the way of their chosen careers. As part of the Henderson Group and Business in the Community’s Business Class initiative, the former BBC The Apprentice finalist, pictured here with Deputy Head Girl Amy Johnston, Emma Gibson HR Manager at Henderson Group, Dervla Strong, Business Development Executive, Business in the Community and Head Boy Peter Hamilton. He encouraged the students to knuckle down in their final years of education to achieve their ambitions and career goals for the future.

Business Class pupils learn from the masterSixth form pupils from Monkstown Community School, Belfast were given the ultimate

lesson in business to start the school term, by none other than NI businessman and BBC The Apprentice finalist, Jim Eastwood.

As part of Business in the Community’s Business Class programme, in association with the Henderson Group, Jim Eastwood visited the sixth form pupils to pass on some wisdom for knuckling down and focusing on career and educational goals over the next 12 months.

Henderson Group, the family-owned, Mallusk based company which owns the SPAR, EUROSPAR, VIVO, VIVO Essentials and VIVOXTRA franchises in Northern Ireland is currently working with the Newtownabbey school on a long-term partnership aimed to support the education, training and development of the students at the school.

“We never stop learning, I often say that every day is a school day… you have to keep learning, to keep earning, and that is just what I shared with the pupils here today. School lays important educational foundations for the years ahead, they need to be motivated and excited about their future, so hopefully they will go away feeling that passion after today’s event.”

Over 40 sixth form pupils from Upper and Lower Sixth attended the Business Class careers day which set out to raise their levels of achievement and aspiration, help them gain relevant work-related skills and develop an understanding of the world of work.

Hats off to the new Ulster Business School Visiting Professors, Tracy Hamilton (right), Director Mash Direct and Ian McConnell, Partner PwC. Also in the picture is Professor Marie McHugh, Dean of the Ulster Business School.

BUSINESS NEWS

45

This month, trade people speaks to John Clarke – Regional Manager, Costcutter Supermarkets Group...

Your career to date.My late father-in-law introduced me to the wholesale business in 1980. At the time my job was to take goods in and deliver the orders he had taken. The business was bought by Palmer and Harvey in 1985, and I was offered the position of Sales Representative.

In 1989 I took the position of Sales Development Executive and four years later I joined, Costcutter Supermarkets Group as Area Manager. I’ve been Regional Sales Manager for Northern Ireland for the last four years.

What does a tYpical daY in Work involve.My laptop goes on at 7.00am to check my emails and make final preparations for the day ahead. My day is taken up visiting our members across Northern Ireland, as well as meeting with other retailers who are looking to join our business. I am responsible for a team of four colleagues covering Northern Ireland so I spend time with them to ensure we’re helping our members develop their businesses by reviewing sales reviews, forecasts and store development works.

First business lesson learned.Very simply, the customer is key. In my job there are two key customers – our members and their customers. My job is to make sure that our members have the right tools so that they can satisfy their customers’ needs.

Your greatest achievement.I’m pleased to say that the very first account I signed up to join Costcutter Supermarkets Group is still a member – 20 years later!

best advice ever received.Be honest and say it as it is.

Whom do You admire most.Our members. The dedication they put into their businesses is phenomenal. They work very long hours seven days a week to make sure they serve their communities.

Your most diFFicult task.I.T. The pace at which technology is changing is incredible and keeping on top of all these advancements is never ending but the benefits they can bring to convenience retailers is amazing.

enjoY most about Your job.Meeting retailers – old and new – and

building friendships as we help take their businesses forward.

What makes a good retail outlet.Several factors combine to make the basis for a good store. The location, size of the store and availability of the right range at the right price all packaged up in a well presented store, with friendly staff is a good start. Having a recognisable brand like Costcutter above door the also helps.

hoW do You Fend oFF the competition.We work with our retailers to understand their specific situation and create strategies to deal with competitors. We have a leading support programme for our retailers, delivered on the ground in Northern Ireland and from our head office in York.

46

intervieW

tradePEOPLE

Future plans/ambitions.Costcutter Supermarkets Group is on a very exciting journey as we get closer to moving to our new buy and supply system that gives us the control and flexibility to help our members develop their businesses further. We will also be launching several new initiatives including a totally new own brand range and new IT systems. It’s a really exciting time to be part of Costcutter Supermarkets Group and I am looking forward to rolling these out in Northern Ireland.

hoW do You relax.I’m a keen fisherman and enjoy salmon fishing, particularly in Donegal. I also spend summer weekends in Portrush, where we have a static caravan. It’s a great way to relax and unwind.

appointments

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RECRUITMENT, CONTRACTING & FIELD MARKETING CONSULTANTS3O YEAR’S RECRUITING IRELAND’S TOP SALES & MARKETING PERSONNEL

Unit A4, 17 Heron Road, Sydenham Business Park, Belfast, BT3 9LE. Tel: 028 9045 5040 • Fax: 028 9073 9058

PeoPleon the move

in association with


Henderson Group appointmentsName: Emma Armer Position: PR & Communications Officer Company: Henderson Group

Emma Armer has recently been appointed as Public Relations and Communications Officer for the Henderson Group. Within her role, she is responsible for analysing communication requirements, developing and delivering bespoke communication plans to improve the positive profile of the Henderson Group and its companies as well as successfully implementing staff communication programmes across the Group. Emma will also assist with the implementation of the Henderson Group online

communications, event management and effective implementation of internal communication systems.

Emma is a PR and Communications graduate who has over three years’ experience working in both PR agencies based in Belfast and also from a previous role working for Coca-Coca HBC

Name: Paula DalyPosition: Digital Marketing ExecutiveCompany: Henderson Group

Paula Daly has recently joined the Henderson Group marketing team to develop and execute digital marketing campaigns across all retail brands. Paula will also engage with the public via social media and drive traffic to online communication platforms such as Facebook and the company websites, through tactical marketing. Moving from Henderson Foodservice, a company owned by the Group, Paula brings with her a wealth of trading and marketing experience in the wholesale field. Paula previously completed

the BWG graduate programme in Dublin and was subsequently employed as a Marketing and Trading Executive by BWG Foods.

Two new appointments announced at Linwoods

Karla McAviney has been appointed Brand Manager with Linwoods Health Foods, based in Armagh. After gaining

a degree in International Business Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, Karla gained ten years marketing experience working in various marketing roles, predominantly in businesses in the food and drinks industry in Northern Ireland. Amongst her new job’s duties she will be responsible for the continued development of the Linwoods product range.

Emma Gribben has been appointed Digital Marketing Executive with Linwoods Health Foods, based in Armagh.

Emma brings two and a half years marketing and communications experience since graduating from the University of Ulster where she earned a first class degree in Communications, Advertising and Marketing and a postgraduate certificate in Digital Media Communication.

In her new role she will be responsible for devising and executing the digital marketing strategy for Linwoods Milled Seeds product range across UK, USA and European markets.

Dr Marian Scott has been elected Chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS). The organisation represents the professional interests of all agriculture and food science graduates working in Northern Ireland. She took on her new role at the recent NIIAS AGM, which was hosted by Moy Park Dungannon

A Research Nutritionist for Devenish Nutrition Ltd, Marian has a strong research background in both pig and poultry production.

appointments

PeoPleon the move

in association with


New Executive Board Director at Moy ParkMoy Park, one of Europe’s largest poultry producers, has appointed Ursula Lavery to the Moy Park Executive Board as Technical Director Europe with responsibility across Moy Park’s European business.

Recognised as a leading authority on food safety, Ms Lavery will play a key strategic role in establishing an integrated Europe-wide technical organisation, bringing extensive knowledge and expertise to all business units and functions currently operating across Europe.

Ms Lavery brings a wealth of experience to her new position, having worked steadily over the last 25 years to help build Moy Park’s reputation as a leading food company with a strong commitment to innovation, food safety and quality. She will be responsible for a team across the UK and

Europe and will continue to work with a number of prominent global research organisations on a diverse range of food safety and agriculture developments.

John DickeyMoy Park – Operations ManagerWe are pleased to announce that John Dickey has joined Moy Park as Operations Manager of the company’s Ballymena site. John joins Moy Park from Dale Farm, where he was Site Manager of Dromona Creamery. John holds a National Diploma in Food Science from Loughry College and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety Management from Queen’s University. John will oversee the operations for both chicken and turkey.

Paul LongstaffMoy Park – Supply Chain Optimisation ManagerWe are delighted to announce that Paul Longstaff has joined Moy Park as Supply Chain Operations Manager. Paul joins the Moy Park team from Microsoft where he was Channel Operations Director for two years, responsible for customer service across UK, France and Germany. Originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Paul holds an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Leeds University. Paul will be based at the company’s Craigavon site and will bring over 17 years of supply chain experience within the food industry to his new role.

Molson Coors appoints new Head of Marketing

Robert Blythe has been appointed Head of Marketing for Ireland, Scotland and Craft Beer at Molson Coors (UK) Ltd.

Robert, who in his new role will oversee all marketing activity for Molson Coors in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, joins the company from the Kerry Group where he was Marketing Manager of the Group’s Raw Meat business.

“This is an extraordinarily exciting time for Molson Coors in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,” commented Mr Blythe.

To date in 2013 Molson Coors has experienced year on year growth in Northern Ireland of 23 per cent in volume and 20 per cent value. These figures are all the more impressive against the backdrop of a Northern Ireland lager market that has declined by 9 per cent in volume and 8 per cent in value during the past year.

Molson Coors Ireland is the country’s fastest growing brewer with a brand portfolio in Northern Ireland that includes beers such as Coors Light, Carling, Grolsch, Cobra, Blue Moon and Corona.

47

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AT THE CHECKOUT

Costcutter Supermarkets group leads the way with contactless payments

Costcutter Supermarkets Group has become one of the first symbol operators to introduce new contactless payment technology

across more than 500 of its stores. With over 32.5 million contactless payment cards being issued in

UK by the majority banks and credit card operators, the installation of payment technology in Costcutter Supermarkets Group stores allows customers to make low value purchases – up to £20 per transaction – more quickly and more conveniently, for both retailers and consumers.

The implementation of the new technology is part of Costcutter Supermarkets Group’s commitment to delivering leading retail technology solutions to its members and the upgrade programme for the group’s managed payment services sees new terminals installed to replace legacy hardware.

The new VX 820 PIN pad terminals have been installed in collaboration with leading payment technology solutions provider Box Technologies. The units allow contactless and Near Field Communication (NFC) payment by smart phones. They are also fully PCI compliant.

Kevin Widdrington, IT Director for Costcutter Supermarkets Group, said: “This is a major achievement for Costcutter Supermarkets Group, the symbol group sector and independent retailers. Costcutter Supermarkets Group is one of the first symbol groups to install this technology across the independent retail sector and puts our retailers on a par with the multiple operators who use the same payment technology in their stores.”

He added: “Contactless payment speeds up transactions, making paying for your shopping quicker, and therefore more convenient. The ‘cost per transaction’ can also be significantly lower than traditional chip & PIN payments, offering potential cost savings for our members.”

The new terminals include a 3.5” LCD digital display that can be used to display adverts and key promotions. The hardware is fully backwards compatible and supports chip and PIN credit and debit transactions, and includes integrated NFC and contactless technology for alternative payments.

PayPoint launches Single Daily SettlementPayPoint, the UK’s leading retail payment services network, has

introduced the industry’s first net settlement system for retail payment services.

In a significant shift from having separate collections and payments to and from retailers for each of its products and services, PayPoint is now collecting or paying a ‘net’ amount each day. The timings of payments to retailers have not changed.

Previously, payments to retailers for the sums they pay out on CashOut, Western Union or through self-fill ATMs were made separately to the collection by PayPoint of the cash paid to retailers from bill-paying customers.

With Single Daily Settlement, amounts paid in are combined with amounts paid out to create a net amount that the retailer needs to deposit each day. So, for example, if a retailer’s ATM withdrawals, Western Union payouts, Simple Payment and CashOut payments on Monday amount to £250 and £1,000 in bill payments has been collected from customers across all PayPoint services on the same day, the retailer will only need to bank £750, which is the sum that will be debited from their bank account three days later.

For some retailers, especially those with high transacting PayPoint cash machines, this can result in a net payment into their bank account.

To help retailers understand what Single Daily Settlement can mean to them, PayPoint has created a unique Calculator - which they can find at http://www.paypoint.co.uk/retailers/SDS-calculator. Based on the actual value of transactions they process through the different PayPoint services and the banking costs they incur for cash banking and credit/debit payments, the calculator highlights the potential savings they can make as a result of Single Daily Settlement.

Single Daily Settlement is the latest in a series of improvements to the service PayPoint provides for its retailers, designed to make their relationship with PayPoint simpler and more profitable. Other recent improvements include the near doubling of its field force (at a time when most other companies serving the independent retail sector are reducing face-to-face contact) and its new retailer extranet, MyPayPoint, an online repository of financial statements, training materials and product information.

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

ulster grocer september 2013

Documents

moy park brand

chicken brand

new marketing campaign

moy park relaunches

cover moy park

new look moy park logo

new website

new ideas