Did you know… Plans for a new Aldi store in Knocknacarra, Galway has been approved despite local retailers objections? The Galway city planners have agreed to allow Aldi to develop a single storey store of 1,542 square metres with an off licence and parking for 96 cars. The Aldi store will be located at Knocknacarra District Centre by the Western Distributor Road. RGDATA, the representatives for independent family retailers in Ireland, had objected to the plans on the grounds that it will exceed the retail needs of the area and impact negatively on the city centre. RGDATA added that the development is unsustainable and contrary to the provisions of the city’s Development Plan. City planners have granted the planning permission with 21 conditions that include a revised layout plan be submitted in which car parking areas are paved and the details and colour of the paving agreed by planners. In addition the store’s opening hours are restricted as are construction hours.
Did you know… the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA) has elected a new president, vice president and national executive? At the Annual General Meeting of the Association last week, Carmel Felle from Dublin 15 was elected the national president. Felle said, “It is a great honour for me to become President of the CSNA in this, its 26th year. While growing up, I was fortunate enough to watch and learn from my late parents who ran their own Florist shop. They taught me what it takes to run a business and the hard work that is needed to achieve your goals.” Felle thanked the outgoing president Stephen Daly and the executive committee. She spoke of the ongoing challenges in retail, and said as president she will fight for CSNA members at every opportunity to stop extra expenses like upwardly rent rates and increasing bank charges affecting them. Also appointed were Denis O’Flynn as national vice president and as national executives: Joe Tierney, Ann Martyn, Joe Mannion, Jim Bird, Noel Kelly, and Tom O’Toole.
Did you know… Cuisine de France owner Aryzta saw its revenue rise 16.5% in Q3, posting revenues of €1.37 billion in the three months to the end of April? Impressive growth in its European and North American operations means that Aryzta's revenue for the first nine months of the year are now 7.1% higher than in the same period last year. According to Cathal Kenny of Davy Stockbrokers, "The step-up in organic growth, particularly in Europe, will be well received. Through its change programme, Aryzta is laying the foundations for the next phase of development while creating a more sustainable business model. Across the food sector, unique B2B models continue to demonstrate robust levels of operational delivery."
Did you know… The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) believes the discovery of an illegal cigarette factory means the trade in counterfeit tobacco is growing? A joint operation of Revenue’s Custom Service and An Garda Síochána seized three tonnes of tobacco at a illegal factory in Proleek, Louth, worth an estimated retail value of €1.2 million and a potential €1 million loss to the exchequer. Peter Steemers, president of the NFRN said, “It is clear that Ireland has a serious problem with illicit tobacco. This is costing the government large amounts of revenue and it is costing jobs in the retail sector. When it comes to illicit trade, our politicians talk the talk but we have yet to see any concrete action taken to deal with the issue.”
Did you know… Some batches of O’Conaill Irish Handmade Dark Couverture Chocolate Bar have been recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)? Milk protein was detected in a batch of the dark chocolate (70% cocoa content), which was labelled as 'dairy free'. This may make this batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk or its constituents. People with an allergy to or intolerance of milk or milk ingredients should avoid eating all batches of the above product until the dairy free status is assured. The affected batch has a best before date of December 31 2014, pack size 250g.
Did you know… The National Lottery raised €205.9 million for good causes in 2013? This brings the overall level of funds raised since the launch of the National Lottery to €4.4 billion. The lottery operator said that sales of €685.2 million were achieved in a 'challenging retail environment'. Lotto related draw games represented 45% of overall turnover with sales of €310.4 million in 2013, including Lotto sales of €229.5 million, Lotto Plus sales of €67.9 million and Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 sales of €13 million. Scratch Card sales continued to increase, up 2.5% to €167.7 million from €163.5 million in the previous year. National Lottery chairman Donal Connell said: “2013 was a significant year in the development of Ireland’s National Lottery. In early October, Premier Lotteries Ireland - a consortium of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, An Post and An Post Pension Funds - was named as the preferred bidder for the new 20 year National Lottery licence, following a tender process.” In 2013, players shared winnings of €382.7 million representing 56% of sales. In addition to this, there were two EuroMillions jackpot winners, winning €94 million and €12.8 million each during the year.
Did you know… Kevin Dennis of Dennis Garden Design was awarded the top prize at Bloom for his garden design? Called Renault Zoe: City Life Garden, Dennis from Raheny said his design was inspired by the environment and making the most of green living through a city garden. Gary Graham, Bloom Show Manager, Bord Bia said that the judges were blown away by the standard of gardens at Bloom this year. “The designers have shown great imagination, skill and dedication in producing their breath-taking creations. From peaceful havens, lush and colourful wetlands to inspiration from none other than Mrs Brown herself, the gardens deliver not just visually, but emotionally in both the ‘concept’ and ‘show garden’ categories.” There were 11 gold medals awarded in the Floral and Nursery Marquee, with the Best in Show award going to W.S Warmenhoven. This year, Bloom welcomed over 106,000 visitors creating an estimated €5.5 million in onsite sales. Bloom was officially opened by the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins on Thursday and ran until Monday June 2.
Did you know… Irish Distillers has launched a free mobile application to educate consumers about responsible drinking? The launch of ‘Wise Drinking’ coincides with the fourth annual ‘Responsib’All Day’, a day of action involving the company’s 500 employees, geared towards the implementation of practical measures in 80 countries around the world to combat inappropriate or harmful drinking. The app is available in 37 languages on iPhone and Android, enabling users to calculate the number of units of alcohol they consume in real time. The application takes into account the type of drinks consumed (wine, spirits or other), their volume, as well as the user’s gender and weight. This breakdown enables users to track their consumption over a given period of up to four weeks. Speaking at ‘Responsib’All Day’, Anna Malmhake, Chief Executive Officer of Irish Distillers, said, “It is incredibly important to Irish Distillers to be educating our employees in the area of responsible drinking. Responsible drinking has always been at the heart of our policy of social responsibility and we remain highly committed, as shown once again by the mobilisation of our 500 employees throughout Ireland on the occasion of this fourth ‘Responsib’All Day’."
Did you know… Shortcross Gin has been launched in Northern Ireland by Rademon Estate Distillery? The craft distillery is launching the region’s first gin for over a century, which is described as “an aromatic and exceptionally long, smooth gin that redefines what an Irish gin should be.” Founded in 2012 by David Boyd-Armstrong and wife Fiona, Rademon Estate Distillery is located on the family’s estate in Crossgar, Co. Down. Shortcross Gin is currently being distributed in Northern Ireland and is now available in bars and restaurants. The company is implementing plans to sell the gin outside Northern Ireland, especially in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Did you know…. Lidl Ireland has teamed up with RTE to produce a new TV show? The show invites new food producers to pitch their product idea to win the opportunity to have it stocked in Lidl stores across the country, of which there are 140. The show, called ‘The Taste of Success’, will be an eight part series. The top prize is valued at €100,000, which includes €50,000 cash, 3% royalty on the product for its minimum stocking period in Lidl of six months (which could be worth up to €25,000), as well as €25,000 for development and marketing support. Lidl brand ambassador Paul Flynn said, “This is a life-changing prize. And it’s testament to the passion Lidl have for Irish food. This is a massive investment and commitment to Irish producers.” The closing date for applications is Wednesday June 11.
Did you know… Unilever has launched another two limited edition Magnums? The firm launched Marc de Champagne earlier this year and will also launch Magnum Gold and Magnum Pistachio to celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary. Brand manager for Magnum, Nicola Rolfe said, “The relaunch of two classic Magnum flavours; Magnum Gold and Magnum Pistachio, will capture the interest of loyal Magnum fans while the new packaging, specially designed to highlight our 25th birthday, will attract shoppers to freezer cabinets and encourage them to trade up into the Premium sector.” The new editions will be available in cases of ten.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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