Did you know… Tesco has announced it will honour rivals discount vouchers? Tesco Ireland has announced it will honour its competitors Dunnes and SuperValu 'spend and save' vouchers at 43 of its stores for the ‘foreseeable future.’ While the offer to honour the coupons will apply in 30 Tesco stores in Dublin, and 13 across the country, it will not apply to Tesco Express stores. Richard McKeown of Tesco Ireland said, “We know how time-consuming and stressful it can be for shoppers to travel from one store to another to redeem their spend-and-save coupons. So we thought we would make it easier for them by allowing our customers to redeem competitor spend-and-save coupons at Tesco.” The campaign will be run alongside with its Price Promise initiative, which refunds customers with a coupon if their shopping was more expensive at Tesco than at Aldi and Lidl. Tesco has recently come under threat as its market share has fallen to 26%, while newly merged SuperValu and Superquinn make up 25.2% combined.
Did you know… Aldi Ireland has met the request to provide further information to Cavan County Council for its planning application? Aldi had submitted its application on November 21 last year for a ‘single storey discount foodstore to include off-licence use with a gross floor area of 1,550.5 sqm’. The Council requested further information, which Aldi has now supplied. A decision is expected in mid-March. The original planning application was met with four objections, including one from SuperValu and a submission from Tesco. Also, town traders have expressed their concern about the development in relation to affecting trade in the town.
Did you know… Aramark Ireland has acquired the business and assets of Sligo-based Lotus Facilities Management (Lotus FM)? The firm provides services including facilities management, project management and services to public and private sector organisations across Ireland. Lotus FM, which employs 16 people, will now be integrated into Aramark Ireland’s Workplace Solutions Division, which currently employs 400 people. Donal O’Brien, Chief Executive of Aramark Ireland said, “Lotus FM is an excellent fit with Aramark and this acquisition strengthens our position as Ireland’s largest provider of integrated services to Irish and multinational companies throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.” Martin Tracey, Operations Director, Lotus Facilities Management said, “Our combined businesses will allow us to better serve all of our clients across multiple industry sectors with a broader portfolio of services and we look forward to offering our clients and customers new and improved solutions.”
Did you know… Betty Crocker will attempt to break the World Pancake Stacking Record? To celebrate Pancake Tuesday today, Betty Crocker has partnered with the ISPCC and Frangos World Cuisine in Dundrum Town centre to attempt to break the world record for pancake stacking. Grainne Galvin, brand manager for Betty Crocker said, “Here at Betty Crocker, we’re very excited about trying to break the world record for stacking pancakes. Our pancake shaker mixes are available in all good supermarkets, so it couldn’t be easier for parents and kids to make them without any fuss.” Over the weekend, Betty Crocker were selling their pancakes in Dundrum Town centre for €2, with all proceeds going to the ISPCC. This year, Betty Crocker launched a new Chocolate Pancake mix to add to its Traditional Pancake and Breakfast Pancake range.
Did you know… A former Dunnes Stores employee has taken a case of unfair dismissal against the company? Karen Deegan who worked in Dunnes Stores, Knocknacarra, Galway, was fired after she was caught on camera eating €10 worth of chicken goujons and other hot food from the deli counter. A CCTV camera was installed without notifying staff after an anonymous phone call was made to head office that deli counter staff were eating the food and not paying for it. Deegan was recorded eating the food over two separate days with a value of €10. Deegan was suspended after a disciplinary meeting with store manager Ken Teehan on October 7, 2011. Up to seven other store employees were also found to be in breach of company policy by eating the deli food, however Deegan was dismissed.
Did you know… The Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) food complaints advice line received an increase in calls of 12.5% during 2013, compared to 2012? Of the 13,269 queries and complaints, 2,846 related specifically to complaints by consumers about food and food premises (up 12.5% on 2012), while 10,429 involved requests for advice across a range of food-related areas (up 9% on 2012). Complaints included a range of reports on food unfit to eat, inaccurate labeling, food poisoning and hygiene amongst others. The FSAI attributes the increase in calls to consumer awareness of the need to report bad practices in food businesses. Edel Smyth, Information Manager, FSAI believes the increase of complaints to the FSAI is a positive development. “On one hand, more food businesses are contacting us seeking to raise their food safety standards while, on the other, consumers are increasingly vigilant and aware of the need to report bad practice or experiences they’ve had where food safety has been compromised.”
Did you know… Lidl opened a new store in Cork city last week? The discounter officially opened its 140th store in the Cornmarket centre, creating 30 new jobs. The 20,000 sq ft basement level space is said to be taken on an undisclosed lease term. The Cornmarket centre will be a prime retail outlet for Lidl, with retailer TK Maxx located upstairs in the facility. Aldi recently announced has plans to open on the ground floor of the Elysian tower in Cork city.
Did you know… The Irish Craft Beer and Food Market returns to Dublin on St Patrick weekend? This year, the event will take place at the CHQ Building on George’s Dock. From Thursday 13th March to Monday 17th March, the Irish Craft Beer and Food Market will be offering a range of over 50 local craft beer and cider, both in bottle and draught form, as well as a selection of Irish whiskey, and a much more varied set of food stalls. With over 11,000 having attended last year’s festival, organisers are confident that with a new location and more varied and extensive offering, similar if not higher numbers will pass through the doors this month. Attendees will be entertained with traditional Irish music as well as listening in on the optional talks about the renaissance taking place within Irish craft industry. Seamus O’Hara, Owner of Carlow Brewing Company and Co-Founder of the Irish Craft Beer and Food Market, said; “The festival is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the tremendous upward curve happening within the craft beer, cider and whiskey industry in Ireland."
Did you know... Marks & Spencer’s has withdrawn its Lightly Dusted Salt and Pepper British Chicken Fillets from sale due to the presence of egg in a small number of packs?The ingredient is not currently declared on the label and so the product must be taken off shelves. The implicated product may be unsafe for those consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of egg and its constituents. The products withdrawn include all date codes, with a product code of 00893404. The Food and Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) listed the product on its website.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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