‘Delivering Choice for Consumers’ was the central theme at Gala Retail’s annual conference, which took place last week (29 September) at the Malton Hotel, Killarney.
At the event, Gala Retail announced that it is to invest over €300,000 in a new healthy-eating campaign, 'Your Choice With Gala', which will include both in-store activation through an initiative with Unislim Ireland as well as a major sponsorship with parkrun Ireland.
Commenting on the six figure investment, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond said; “At Gala, we’re all about offering consumers choice, and that’s why we’re investing significantly in our new strategy to ensure it really delivers for our shoppers – both in-store and in their lives.
“Research shows that 1 in 10 adults in Ireland are thought to be on a slimming plan, with over 1 in 2 trying to lose weight. Therefore, our new product development with Unislim will deliver meal options that are convenient, healthy and don’t compromise on taste for our busy shoppers."
The partnership with Unislim will involves a Gala healthy choices range which will initially include a range of healthier offerings for Gala’s in-store deli bars that will work within Unislim’s meal plans.
The range will be launched in the New Year and over 10,000 Unislim members will be amongst the first to taste Gala’s Healthy Options with Unislim.
Gala's commercial sponsorship deal with parkrun Ireland (the first of its kind) will run for three years and will cover the free, weekly, 5km runs that have grown to almost 40 locations nationwide as well as junior parkrun, which is to be launched soon.
With almost 70,000 registered parkrunners in Ireland, parkrun Ireland has grown significantly since the first Irish parkrun in Malahide Demense Castle and Gardens in November 2012. parkrun now stretches across 17 counties in Ireland, with three further counties – Donegal, Limerick and Roscommon - introducing parkruns over the coming months.
“We’ve ambitious targets for parkrun in Ireland and hope to have at least 70 events by the end of 2016,” said Matt Shields, Country Manager with parkrun Ireland. “The three-year deal with Gala Retail is incredibly important to parkrun, in order to help us achieve our growth via Gala’s network of stores and to ensure that we always maintain the ethos of parkrun, which includes free participation for everyone.”
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
