HMV has partnered with Tesco to open concessions in 80 of the supermarket’s outlets in Ireland by the end of this year. HMV @ Tesco will offer music, DVDs and games at branded standalone alone units in the stores. Commenting on the news, a Tesco Ireland spokesperson told Retail Intelligence: "We are making exciting changes to our customer offering and we expect to make an announcement in the coming months."
Kilmore Quay seafood has launched a gluten-free children’s range, Capt'n Jacks, offering fish fingers, fish bites and fish burgers, made from haddock and vegetables. The range is also low fat and free from artificial ingredients.
Lidl has unveiled plans for a new outlet in Portmarnock, as part of a ‘retail-led development’ in the centre of the village, according to the Fingal Independent. Rossdon Ltd has applied for permission to build a two-storey retail premises at the old church site, while Lidl has agreed to prepare and submit a planning application to be part of the development.
Ferrero has acquired 29.9% of UK-based chocolate brand Thorntons, and has pledged to buy the rest of the business in time. The maker of Nutella and Ferrero Rocher has come to an agreement on the terms of a cash offer, valuing Thornton’s at around £111.9 million (€155.9 million).
Diageo has announced plans to invest £100,000 over the next two years to promote Belfast as a tourist destination, according to The Belfast Telegraph. The drinks manufacturer, which employs more than 300 over three locations in Northern Ireland, announced the partnership with Visit Belfast at the opening of the tourism body’s new offices in Belfast city centre.
Banana giant Fyffes has said that it is "confident about the future prospects of its business", and has increased its target EBITDA ranges for FY2015 to between €55 million and €61 million. In a statement, the group hailed its "robust business model and its ability to quickly adapt to prevailing market conditions."
C&C Group has reportedly signed a contract to produce Leprechaun Premium Cider, a Texas-based cider brand. According to The Sunday Times, the cider maker is taking on more contract business to offset flagging sales of its Woodchuck Cider in the US.
Mars Chocolate has unveiled the new Galaxy Duet to the UK market; which includes two differently-flavoured bars in each pack for consumers to mix and match to their taste. Galaxy Duet will launch this August as a single pack format in Cookies and Cream and Caramel and Shortcake, with a RRP of 60p (84c).
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