Did you know…Figures from Bord Bia have revealed that the Irish organic retail market has grown by 9% this year? Entrepreneurship Manager at Bord Bia, Eileen Bentley told the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture that the value of the Irish organic retail market is now just over €110 million, or approximately 1% of the overall food and drink market in Ireland, Agriland reported. However, she added that sales of organic goods are still not back to pre-recession levels.
Did you know… Investment management firm Blackrock has sold shares worth more than €20 million in Kerry Group, according to the Irish Independent. The paper reported that Blackrock sold more than 260,000 shares in the food giant, which sees its stake in the company fall to around 3.85 per cent.
Did you know… Tánaiste Joan Burton broke ground on the new ‘Grow HQ’ at Ardkeen in Waterford City yesterday (Monday, December 14th)? Set to open in September 2016, the Grow HQ education centre will be the focal point of non-profit GIY’s (Grow It Yourself) efforts to make nutritious food accessible to all by helping people grow their own food at home, school, work and in their communities.
Did you know… Aldi has unveiled a series of floral products for the Christmas period as part of its weekly Specialbuys range? The range includes gift bouquets, a Christmas wreath, Irish-grown poinsettias and gift bouquets. The range goes on sale later this week at 122 Aldi stores nationwide.
Did you know… Northern Irish company Passion Preserved has won its first significant business outside of Northern Ireland, in Kuwait? It will supply its Indian-inspired tomato relish to Kuwait’s Saveco Hypermarkets through Dublin-based Global Irish Food Traders (GIFT). GIFT also plans to supply Passion Preserved products to other businesses across its network in Kuwait, which include Carrefour and LuLu.
Did you know... China has introduced new food safety laws that could prove a boost for Irish exporters? According to the Irish Examiner, the new rules require that all products purchased from overseas are now subject to the same quality controls as those bought locally, due to a rise in online purchasing in the country. The regulations cover the infant formula market, in which Ireland is a major player.
Did you know… Northern Irish meat processor Dunbia is being readied for sale, according to the Irish Independent? The paper reported that the Co. Tyrone business is being prepared for a formal sales process, with interest likely to come from outside Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Did you know… Historic British coffee brand Layton Fern, founded in 1893, has been acquired by the 2468 group? 2468 has main offices in Dunboyne, Co. Meath and Warrington in England, as well as offices in Waterford and Athlone. According to The Sunday Business Post, the move will add 1,000 new clients to 2468’s coffee business, which already has 7,000.
Did you know… Soap opera Fair City has welcomed a new look Spar outlet to its fictional Dublin suburb setting of Carrigstown? Retailer Ger Ralph, who runs a Spar in Swords and both Spar Dublin Airport stores, was on hand to unveil the updated shop, which features ‘various new departments including Spar's Tasty Deli, Grab and Go, bakery, off-licence, fruit and veg,’ according to the Fingal Independent.
Did you know… Maker of Nurofen, Reckitt Benckiser has been ordered to remove several of its products from the Australian market? A Federal Court has ruled that Nurofen Back Pain, Nurofen Period Pain, Nurofen Migraine Pain and Nurofen Tension Headache are identical products, and that the company had “engaged in misleading conduct” by labelling them for different ailments, says Reuters.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
