Avonmore unveiled its new advertising campaign yesterday, which the Glanbia Consumer Foods brand says is the 'biggest campaign in the fresh milk category in recent years'. Called 'Playground of Life', the campaign for Avonmore Super Milk was developed by Irish International. “We wanted the campaign to firstly highlight the Vitamin D benefit, but also that no matter what age you are, bone health is important," commented Tim Ryan, marketing controller, Glanbia Consumer Foods.
Single price retailer Poundland, which operates the Dealz franchise in Ireland, has acquired one of its core rivals on the UK high street, 99p Stores. The business paid £55 million to acquire its rival, however the deal is still subject to competition authority clearance. Jim McCarthy, Poundland's chief executive described the move as a "good deal for both businesses and will benefit customers and shareholders."
Minister for Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney is taking part in a key trade promotion to the US this week, marking the lifting of the US import ban on Irish beef. The trade mission will visit three cities, New York, Washington DC, and Boston, with promotional events for Irish beef planned for each city. “We are visiting now to quickly build on the momentum generated by the US announcement last month that Ireland is the only EU Member State approved for access there," he said. "This confers a real first-mover advantage on Irish beef, which we will be exploiting to its fullest next week."
Japan Tobacco International has released its full year results for the 12 months to December 31st, which indicate that while total shipment volume declined 4.7% to 398 billion cigarette equivalent units last year, the North & Central Europe region, which includes Ireland, saw shipment volumes increase 0.8%. Total shipment volume for the Silk Cut maker grew in the Benelux markets, the Caucasus, Germany, Hungary, Middle East and African markets and Turkey, however this was offset by declines in Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine. Fine cut shipment volume grew in Ireland, the Benelux markets, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland and the UK.
Lakeland Dairies is set to begin a €36 million expansion of its milk powder processing operations at Bailieboro, Co Cavan, ahead of the abolition of milk quotas next month. The investment is expected to create 81 jobs over five years. The expansion include the installation of a new seven tonne per hour milk drying facility at Bailieboro, where milk powder production capacity will increase to 19 tonnes per hour. According to a statement released by the co-operative, “The development by Lakeland Dairies is designed to ensure that the co-operative is well positioned to take advantage of all future market opportunities for its milk producers.”
County Down based food processor, Willowbrook Fine Foods, has announcd that it intends to create 55 new jobs, according to The Irish Times. Invest Northern Ireland has contributed £192,500 towards the creation of the new jobs which include roles in food processing and 16 senior management and marketing positions.
16 Irish food companies, including Butlers Chocolates, Dairygold and Chia Bia, are in Dubai for industry trade event Gulfood this week. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, which is set to host nearly 5,000 exhibitors. Irish food exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council region (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman) increased by 28% in 2014 to exceed €177 million.
Topaz has teamed up with Permanent TSB to offer consumers that are approved for a car loan the chance to win a €500 Topaz gift card. The card can be used to buy petrol or diesel in any of Topaz’s branches. Customers will be automatically entered in the draw at their local Permanent TSB branch, while those approved through Open24 phone and internet banking will be entered at the branch linked to their loan approval.
Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash has appointed University of Limerick to carry out a into the prevalence and impact of zero and low hour contracts. The survey will cover all sectors of the economy, but will have a particular focus on retail, hospitality, education and health. Supermarket Dunnes Stores has recently come under fire from Mandate Trade Union for its reported use of said contracts.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine
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