Did you know… The Government has announced a €40 million investment for Irish beef farmers? The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney says the investment will help support the Irish suckler industry. The Government has allocated €23 million on a geonomics programme with €10 million going toward a Beef Data programme. The remaining €7 million will be spent on the Beef Technology Adoption programme and residual payments. Exports of Beef generated €2.1 billion last year, with the sector looking forward to a promising future as Japan announced the lift of its ban on Irish beef in December, opening up the Asian beef export market once again.
Did you know… RGDATA has rejected the decision to reintroduce JLCs for the retail grocery trade? The representative body condemned the decision made by Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton, as it claims the legislation will negatively impact on the competitiveness of shops and employment costs. Tara Buckley, Director General RGDATA commented, "Ultimately this decision will hinder the recovery of a sector of the domestic economy which has bourn the brunt of the recession. The JLC for the Retail Grocery Trade was fundamentally unfair as it imposed different laws on wage rates for different shops in the same streets or shopping centres. It was also underpinning inequality in the terms and conditions applying to people working in different formats of shops." RGDATA will be looking at its legal options regarding the Minister’s decision.
Did you know… SuperValu and Superquinn are celebrating coming together under the SuperValu brand with a food and wine showcase in Dublin on Wednesday 12th February? The retailers will host a three-course meal, specially prepared by Chef Kevin Dundon, which will include a selection from the Signature Tastes range. A statement from SuperValu said, "Combining these two great brands will make SuperValu the largest Irish food retailer with customers enjoying all that they love about their local Superquinn with the additional benefit of the SuperValu fresh quality and value offering." Elsewhere in the SuperValu portfolio, the retailer in Lusk, Co. Dublin is running a speed dating event to mark Valentine’s Day. According to the event press release, "Shopping for your dinner, and a new partner, brings a healthy mix of passion and practicality to the normal grocery shop. Flirting by the fresh food counter is a new concept on the Irish dating scene." The event will be run in association with dating events site GetOut.ie and will include tastings of wine, beer, cheese and Signature Tastes samples to encourage mingling.
Did you know… The manufacturing sector has grown for eight consecutive months, despite a slight slowdown in December 2013? The Investec Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index remained at 52.8 in January, reduced from 53.5 in December, but showing expansion. While production growth slowed in January, new orders continued to come in, with improved demand reported from both domestic and export customers. The majority of these came from the UK market, as per usual. Investec Ireland chief economist Philip O’Sullivan said, "Today’s report represents a solid, if unspectacular, start to 2014 for the manufacturing sector. Broadly speaking, with activity having grown in every month since June 2013, the underlying trend remains intact. Employment in investment, intermediate and consumer goods was also shown to have grown in the index, from 52.8 in December to 53.9."
Did you know… Greencore may hold its next AGM outside of Ireland, after a resolution to hold future General Meetings 'outside the State' was passed at its 2014 AGM in Santry last week? Greencore currently trades on the London Stock Exchange, and it is believed that it will be seeking to hold future meetings in the London area.
Did you know… Irish people are eating more fast food, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)? Scientists noted that Ireland had the third highest increase in fast food consumption between 1999 and 2008. Researcher were studying the effects of fast food on body mass index. The WHO has recommended that governments address obesity issues by introducing regulations to control the consumption of fast food.
Did you know… The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is running a series of free 'Taking Care of Buisiness' events for SMEs? The half-day events are for anyone who currently owns or manages a small business or is thinking of starting a new business. A range of state offices and agencies will give short presentations and answer questions about assistance available to each business and key regulations. Areas covered will include: Supports from enterprise agencies and Local Authorities; Access to Finance programmes; Tax, employment and Health & Safety obligations; and Legal requirements for setting up and running a business. The events will take place in Limerick on Tuesday March 11th in the Strand Hotel; Galway on Tuesday March 25th in the Radisson Blu Hotel; and Cork on Tuesday April 1st in the Silver Springs Moran Hotel. The 'Taking Care of Business' roadshow builds on a pilot event attended by over 500 people in October 2013 in Dublin Castle. To find out more about these events and to register, visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie
Did you know… RGDATA has launched an objection to a new Aldi store in Knocknacarra, Galway? RGDATA, the representative for independent grocers in Ireland, claim that the store would result in a breach of the convenience retail requirement for the area. The group also maintain that there is inadequate car parking facilities at the proposed site. Aldi has lodged a planning application for a 1,500 square metre single storey store at a site close to the Western Distributor Road and Link Road, a scaled back version of its plans from 2009. RGDATA argues that since the adoption of the city development plan. City planners have asked Aldi to submit more information before they make a decision.
Did you know… Irish adults watch 3 hours and 28 minutes of TV every day? According to official TAM Ireland/Nielsen figures for 2013, TV dominates our leisure time in Ireland, with over 24 hours per week spent watching it. Live TV viewing accounts for 91% of all viewing time while just 9% is time-shifted. 54% of all TV homes in Ireland now have a PVR (e.g. Sky+ or UPC+ box), which gives viewers an increased choice and flexibility. Interestingly, the average adult viewer watched 39 adverts a day in 2013, with the biggest advertisers being Procter & Gamble. Over three million people admitted to watching TV every day - that includes 1.29 million people under the age of 35. TAM Ireland separately commissioned Ipsos MRBI to carry out a study of viewing on other devices in late 2012 and found that people spend 89% of their total viewing time with their TV and 11% viewing on other devices.
Did you know… Lidl has withdrawn its planning application for its proposed second store in Swords, County Dublin? Lidl already have a store on Rathbeale Road, near JC Savage’s supermarket, and has now withdrawn its plans to build a store on the Dublin Road. Tony Bamford Planning, the representative of Lidl Ireland said that, "We have been instructed by our client to withdraw the above planning application forthwith." Residents nearby the proposed site were concerned that the new store will cause traffic congestion and disrupt the peace in the area. Hughes Planning & Development Consultants, appointed by the Lord Mayor Pub, said the store would cause a detrimental effect on the viability and vitality of the core retailing areas of the town, contrary to the development plan of Swords.
Did you know… United Biscuits is investing £50 million to relaunch its McVitie’s brand? Part of the investment in the brand includes a £12 million advertising campaign for McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes and Digestive brands and £50 million will be used to develop new packaging options within the McVitie's range. CEO Martin Glenn said, "The business has been undermanaged. While the products are strong the biscuits are beginning to look old fashioned so we are launching new pack formats." In 2006, McVities was bought by private equity firms PAI and Blackstone and the business sold its KP snacks business last year.
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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