Brú Brewery Secures €200,000 Contract With SuperValu And Launches Exclusive New Gluten Free Craft Lager

SuperValu, the leading Irish grocery retailer, has announced that it contributes €2 million in sales to the Irish craft beer market each year. SuperValu also announced details of a €200,000 contract with Brú Brewery, which includes the exclusive rights for the Irish microbrewery’s new 500ml format gluten free lager that will be available in-store from November. The deal will enable the brewery to create three jobs.

Since Brú Brewery started trading with SuperValu in September 2013, the Irish microbrewer has doubled the amount of cases it supplies the grocery retailer each year. The company originally started in 2013 with two staff and now employs eight staff. It will now add three additional staff before the end of the year to meet growing demand. The latest contract comes after the Irish craft beer brewing company won three awards at the 2015 World Beer Awards.

The Irish craft beer market has grown rapidly over the past number of years due to consumers increasingly opting for premium beer brands. Over the past year alone over 400 new beers have been launched in Ireland. As part of its support for Irish suppliers, SuperValu identified the trend early and has supported a range of Irish microbreweries by stocking their brands in-store. As a result, SuperValu now holds 20% share of the Irish craft beer market and is outperforming the market, particularly in the ale category with a 66% year-on-year increase in sales.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney TD, said: “Brú Brewery’s continued success reflects the huge potential of Ireland’s craft beer sector. Beyond the jobs created directly by Irish microbreweries, there are also additional knock-on benefits for the local economy and for farm families who supply locally sourced ingredients to companies like Brú Brewery. By giving Irish microbrewers like Brú Brewery the opportunity to grow sustainably, SuperValu is helping the Irish craft beer sector to build its reputation both domestically and abroad.”

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, added: “We source Irish wherever possible, which equates to an annual contribution of almost €2 billion to the economy. We’re delighted to support this emerging sector and help Irish microbreweries grow, particularly as we are able to offer them the opportunity to supply to individual stores given our local ownership structure. That’s why we support over 2,200 Irish suppliers, which is over four times more than any of the international retailers, putting more back into the local economy and creating jobs like the three new positions at Brú Brewery”

David O’Hare, co-founder of Brú Brewery, said: “We are delighted that our partnership with SuperValu continues to grow. They have been fantastic to work with over the past two years and it is great that we can create three new jobs as a result of this deal. SuperValu is the biggest supporter of the Irish craft beer market amongst the grocery retailer and their support is enabling us and other microbreweries to thrive. Today’s milestone reflects the hard work of everyone on our team and we plan on going from strength to strength into 2016.”

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week and has 223 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers, which helps sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

SuperValu Joins Forces With AIG To Offer Discounted Rates To The Grocery Retailer’s customer base.

SuperValu, the leading Irish grocery retailer, has announced that it has created 20 new jobs after establishing a financial services division to launch home and car insurance products. The grocery retailer has joined forces with AIG to offer loyal customers discounted rates for car and home insurance following feedback from SuperValu’s 2.6 million weekly customers that it was one of a number of services they would like to see offered by the grocery retailer.

Research conducted by Red C on behalf of SuperValu showed that consumers are on the lookout to switch from their current car or home insurance provider*. 58% of car insurance and 38% of home insurance policy holders said that they were likely to switch from their current provider, underlining the potential opportunity for the grocery retailer.

SuperValu will focus on their customer base by rewarding shoppers who sign-up for home or car insurance with money off vouchers up to the value of €20** to spend in-store and also give them the opportunity to avail of a 30% multi policy discount***.

SuperValu chose to partner with AIG on the new insurance products after searching for a partner with high levels of trust and financial strength. AIG are the world’s leading general insurance organisation with a 90–year history, serving more than 40 million insurance clients in over 160 countries. The insurance company’s A+ rating ensured that SuperValu customers would have peace of mind in two brands they can trust. Both insurance products will be underwritten by AIG.

Key benefits of SuperValu’s Home Insurance product include a 20% discount if the policy holder has a monitored burglar alarm, a 24 hour Home Emergency Assist Helpline and up to €1000 in SuperValu Vouchers to replace freezer contents.

SuperValu’s Car Insurance product also offers a range of features including breakdown assist and home start as standard, as well as offering protection for possessions in a customer’s car for up to €300.

Commenting about the launch of the new insurance products, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, said: “With trust in financial institutions at record lows, we had a lot of interest from customers who were looking to avail of a range of services from SuperValu beyond our traditional food offer. As one of Ireland’s most trusted brands, we believe that we can combine great discounts for our customers with the quality and service you would expect from SuperValu. By partnering with AIG we have been able to fulfil this vision and roll out an car and home insurance that rewards the customer.”

Aidan Connaughton, Consumer Lines Manager, EMEA, South Zone, AIG commented; “AIG is a global brand with an A+ rating. We are delighted to be in a position to partner with SuperValu, the leading Irish grocery retailer, to offer consumers both excellent variety and value in car and home insurance.”

Customers looking to purchase SuperValu Home, Car or Travel Insurance will be able to buy it online at www.supervalu.ie/insurance or by calling 1890 719 425.

63 Food Academy and 34 SuperValu Own Brand products nominated for awards

SuperValu, the leading Irish grocery retailer, announced today that a record number of SuperValu suppliers and Food Academy producers have been shortlisted for awards at this year’s Blas na hEireann National Irish Food Awards. 63 Food Academy and 34 SuperValu Own Brand products have been nominated for these prestigious food accolades.

The record number of nominations for SuperValu suppliers recognises the unrivalled quality Irish produce being produced locally and supplied to SuperValu – a further endorsement of SuperValu as the number one supporter of the Irish agri-food industry.

The nominations also highlight the success of Food Academy participants; Food Academy is a unique training programme run by SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Board, which supports and nurtures start-up food businesses. Over 200 Food Academy producers are now selling their products in SuperValu stores across Ireland.

46 Food Academy producers are shortlisted for the awards across a range of categories such as DeRoiste fresh Irish puddings, oriental tea from Lily’s Tea Shop, Nobo’s ice-cream and Patel’s authentic curries. Among the 34 SuperValu Own Brand products nominated for awards are renowned Irish suppliers such as Dunns Seafare, Kepak, Ballymaguire Foods, Couveture Desserts and Follain.

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu said, “We are immensely proud to see a record number of SuperValu Own Brand and Food Academy products recognised in the shortlist for this year’s awards. Their passion for food, commitment to quality and relentless hard work is admirable and it is fitting that they should be recognised among the very best of food producers in Ireland. Supporting over 2,200 local Irish suppliers, SuperValu is committed to local sourcing and the nominations are also an endorsement of the quality, taste and value that underpins our quality, fresh food.”

Blas na hEireann, The Irish Food Awards, is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Over 2500 products have been entered into this year’s competition to win Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in over 90 food and drink categories. The Blas na hEireann awards will be presented on Saturday, 3^rd October 2015.

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week and now has 223 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers, which helps sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

Nominated suppliers: Left-right – Coffee House Lane, Cool Beans, Dunns Seafare