Author: Christine Kennedy

SuperValu and Centra Northern Ireland on track to plant 50,000 trees by 2032

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

Northern Ireland groups benefit from Musgrave NI sustainability initiative

Leading convenience retail brands, SuperValu and Centra part of Musgrave NI, have planted another 5,000 native trees across Northern Ireland this year, bringing them a step closer to their goal of planting 50,000 trees by 2032.

In partnership with Trees on the Land, a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation, the initiative launched last year and saw 5,000 trees planted across 13 locations in Northern Ireland, while this year a further 5,000 have been planted in 17 locations.

Groups to have received trees this year include Enniskillen Integrated Primary School, Armoy Community Association, Colin Wildlife Group in Dunmurry, Strathroy Community Garden & Shed in Omagh, and St Colum’s Primary School in Portstewart.

Colleagues from SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland supported the initiative by pulling on their wellies and visiting many of the tree planting locations.

Desi Derby, Director of Marketing for SuperValu and Centra, said:

“This project is extremely important to us all at SuperValu and Centra. We are committed to doing all we can to help the environment and become a more sustainable business and tree planting is just one of the many ways we are giving back to the environment.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Trees on the Land once again to plant a further 5,000 trees, helping to absorb more carbon dioxide, improve air quality and enhance biodiversity across Northern Ireland.”

Imogen Rabone, Project Co-ordinator and Founder of Trees on the Land, added: “This is now our second year working with Musgrave NI and we are delighted to have them on board with such an amazing project. We had an extremely successful year last year planting 5,000 trees across 13 locations, and have distributed another 5,000 trees this year across 17 locations.

“Our vision at Trees on the Land is to establish tree cover and woodland in rural and urban areas that will grow for many years and provide valuable resources for future generations. It is thanks to partnerships like this with Musgrave NI that makes this possible.”

A commitment to planting 50,000 trees is one in a list of steps being taken by SuperValu and Centra to make their stores and communities more sustainable.

“We all have a responsibility to care for the environment and we believe small changes can make a big impact. Together with our customers, we can build a more sustainable future by helping to look after the planet we all share,” Desi said.

Photo: Declan McCann, who owns a small holding in Dromara, received 275 native trees from the SuperValu and Centra project, including Alder, Birch, Hazel, Oak, Rowan and Scots Pine to extend hedgerows for shelter and to increase biodiversity in the area which is home to a number of Red Kites. He is joined by Carol Marshall, brand communications manager for SuperValu and Centra.

Deli Lites lands £500k deal with Musgrave for Planet Cafe heat and eat range

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

Local food-to-go producer, DELI LITES has landed a deal with Musgrave NI to supply its new Planet Café brand to Centra, SuperValu and Mace stores across Northern Ireland.

With an expected deal value of £500,000, the range has been piloted at McGoveran’s Centra in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast and will be rolled out in stores across NI over the next six months.

Planet Café is a heat-to-eat range designed to be cooked in its packaging, with products inspired by tastes from across the world including tóstas, burritos and paninis with vegetarian and vegan options available.

The launch is part of Musgrave’s ongoing partnership with Warrenpoint-based DELI LITES. Since the partnership began in 2012, the DELI LITES range has sold in excess of £10 million worth of products across Musgrave NI’s portfolio of stores.

In 2019, Musgrave extended its collaboration with the company to launch its own brand of food-to-go products, Fresh For You, which has over 30 product lines including sandwiches, wraps, salads and ‘heat-to-eat’ options.

Commenting on the deal, Julie Cherry, Trading Director at Musgrave NI said:

“Providing convenient and tasty food-to-go products for our busy customers is a priority for us and we are excited to launch the brand new Planet Café range in our stores.

“The pilot at McGoveran’s Centra in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is proving to be a success and is extremely beneficial during the busy lunch time period to ensure continuous availability. As we roll out to our retailers around Northern Ireland, we expect its success to continue.

“Our ten-year partnership with DELI LITES is a sign of Musgrave’s commitment to supporting local suppliers and stocking local, quality produce. As a family-owned company, we are continually on the lookout for new local high-quality food and drinks brands to add to our shelves to support our local economy.”

Barbara Hawkins, National Account Manager, DELI LITES added:

“Our Planet Café brand has been nearly two years in development and we are excited to launch the range throughout Musgrave’s extensive portfolio of stores. To be enjoyed hot, the new products can be heated in store in their packaging. They can also be stored in a heated environment for up to 90 minutes, so customers can grab and go.

“We have seen an increase in demand for a hot food offering which suggests people are looking for affordable luxuries. Whether it’s people working from home, in the office or simply those who fancy a tasty lunch treat, Planet Café is there to meet this demand, offering convenience with tasty flavours from around the world.” 

Picture caption: Musgrave NI Trading Manager Michelle McDonnell (left) and Deli Lites National Account Manager Barbara Hawkins launch the new Planet Café range at McGoveran’s Centra Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.

Musgrave invests €25 million in stores as part of net zero journey

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

Musgrave has today announced a €25 million investment in SuperValu and Centra stores across the island of Ireland as part of a new sustainability fund aimed at empowering retailers to achieve net zero carbon by 2040. The fund, which is part of Musgrave’s all-island sustainability strategy, will result in an estimated 12% carbon reduction by the company over a two-year period.

The 12% carbon reduction is equivalent to removing over 10,000 tonnes of carbon, planting 380,000 trees across the island of Ireland or powering over 5,000 homes.

Musgrave’s new sustainability strategy aims to reduce its carbon emissions to reach net zero carbon by 2040, provide consumers with more sustainable shopping choices in-store and work with retailers to make every community in Ireland a sustainable one.

In the Republic of Ireland, Musgrave is committing €50,000 per SuperValu store and €28,000 per Centra store. Retailers can select suitable initiatives based on each store’s needs and set-up, including upgrading freezers and refrigeration units, LED lighting retrofit, solar panels, and electronic shelf edge labels (eSEL).

Noel Keeley, CEO, Musgrave Group said: “There has never been a time in human history when our collective effort will matter more than in dealing with the climate crisis. As a business with a presence in every community across the island of Ireland, we have a responsibility to act, while putting in place genuine and meaningful sustainability policies. Building on our work in this area over many years, the Musgrave Sustainability Fund is an important catalyst for real change and will accelerate our ambitious drive to net zero.

SuperValu and Centra have an exceptional network of retail partners, made up of 1,000 SMEs and local entrepreneurs who are passionate about their communities. They are committed to sustainability and making a real difference in people’s lives every day. Leveraging the passion and focus of this network of local business leaders gives us the unique ability to help make every community in Ireland a sustainable one. We look forward to working with all our retail partners and customers as we build towards a more sustainable Ireland for all.”

As part of its strategy, Musgrave has committed to:

  • Reducing or eliminating its own branding packaging where possible, and where packaging is necessary, 100% of it will be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
    • Currently over 90% of its own brand packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable.
  • 100% of fruit and veg packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025
  • 100% of instore packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025
  • By 2025 all stores will have LED lighting
  • By 2025 over 75% of stores will have doors on their refrigeration
  • By 2025 100 stores will be fitted with solar panels

Gerry Doherty, SuperValu and Centra Store owner in Donegal said: “SuperValu and Centra retailers across Ireland are committed to building sustainable communities and achieving the important target of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2040. The Musgrave Sustainability Fund will make a real difference to stores like ours nationwide and will help us in making significant steps towards achieving our environmental targets. In my own stores, we have already reduced our environmental impact through investment in energy efficiencies. This new fund will ensure we can build on these efforts and achieve lasting, sustainable changes that will also help our business grow and thrive for years to come.”

In 2016, Musgrave became the first food retail and wholesale group in Ireland to become a verified member of the Origin Green sustainability programme (Ireland’s national sustainability programme for the food and drink industry). Since 2019, Musgrave has been the Irish Government’s Sustainable Development Goals Champion, which recognises ongoing commitment to operating as a sustainable business and the achievements made as part of its sustainability strategy.

Further details on Musgrave’s sustainability strategy can be found at: https://www.musgravegroup.com/sustainability/.

SuperValu encourage Irish shoppers to shop sustainably

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

Research shows majority of Irish people (89%) believe buying local can help the environment

77% of Irish shoppers feel it is important to buy sustainable products

In the past year, 76% of Irish people say they have recycled more, 69% say they have reduced their use of single use plastic and 68% say they have reduced waste in their household

SuperValu, Ireland’s leading food retailer, is partnering with Guaranteed Irish to encourage shoppers to shop sustainably, buy Irish and support local this June as part of Guaranteed Irish Food Month. The call comes as new research shows that the vast majority (89%) of Irish people believe buying local products can help the environment, while 77 per cent of Irish shoppers feel it is important to buy sustainable products.

Over the past 12 months, shoppers say they have actively increased their efforts reduce their impact on the environment with three-quarters of people recycling more (76%), 69% reducing their use of single use plastic and 68% reducing waste in their household. Some 84% believe it is important to buy products that are in sustainable packaging.

The new research highlighted that three-quarters of people (76 per cent) prefer to buy more sustainable products whenever possible. More than two-thirds (69%) say they have made a more conscious decision to buy more sustainable products over the last 12 months.

Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Irish shoppers have bought more locally produced goods in the past 12 months. Buying Irish products is not just important for the local economy, it is also positive for the environment. Some 89 per cent of people believe buying local helps the environment, while more than half of shoppers say that low food miles are an important consideration when doing their shopping (58%).

When asked what environmentally sustainable actions by business they value, one-third of respondents said waste reduction (33%), a quarter said using sustainable packaging, 14 per cent said reducing carbon footprint, while more than one in ten (13 per cent) said protecting and supporting biodiversity.

Ray Kelly, Marketing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners said: “We are at a point in history where action must be taken in order to ensure that we pass on a sustainable world to future generations. It is heartening to see the importance Irish people place on shopping in a sustainable way. At SuperValu, we have been investing time, resources and finances into becoming a more sustainable business. We’ve operated a zero food waste to landfill policy for over 15 years, we have recycling rates of 97% and over 90% of the plastic packaging for our own brand products is now recyclable.

“While we still have work to do in this area, another key focus of ours is in supporting and developing sustainable Irish producers. The survey findings prove that shoppers are making conscious decisions to shop sustainably and view Irish and local products as the most environmentally-friendly. At SuperValu we are committed to providing our customers with more sustainable choices. We recently launched the Taste of Local initiative, which showcases hundreds of small Irish food and drink producers in stores across the country, while SuperValu’s Food Academy programme for early-stage food and drink producers supports 320 Irish food and drink producers, 52 weeks of the year.

“Shopping local and buying Irish has numerous sustainability benefits from choosing products with the least amount of packaging to reduced food miles. This June, we are encouraging shoppers to buy

Irish and support local whether it’s your local food producer, shop or café for Guaranteed Irish Food Month.”

Speaking about the launch, Bríd O’Connell, CEO Guaranteed Irish said: “We are delighted that SuperValu are once again supporting Guaranteed Irish Food Month this June. 365 days of the year, SuperValu encourage their customers to choose sustainable, Irish products that support local food producers and local jobs. Through buying Irish products, consumers are actively driving the multiplier effect and contributing to building sustainable communities – every €100 spent in the local economy is actually worth €500 to that same local economy.** This new research highlights Irish people’s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and shop local. We are encouraging customers to continue to buy more Irish products, not only for the month of June, but all year round, so we can all play a part in contributing to a greener future, while supporting the local economy.”

Centra reveals sales of €1.98 billion in 2021

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

The retailer announces a €25m investment in-store expansion programme with plans to open 18 new stores in 2022 creating 430 new jobs

16 May 2022: Centra, Ireland’s leading convenience retailer, has reported strong sales of €1.98 billion and 2.5% annual growth for 2021. This robust performance was driven by growth in Centra’s convenience offering, including its award-winning own-brand ranges and Inspired By Centra, and Freshly Prepared meals as well as Frank and Honest coffee. The performance was also underpinned by increasing consumer demand for wide-ranging product offerings and Centra’s position as a local top-up grocery shopping destination.

The retailer has also announced a €25 million investment in an ambitious expansion programme. The expansion will see 18 new Centra stores open in 2022, creating over 430 new jobs in local communities around the country. The expansion programme is in addition to the 11 new Centra stores opened in 2021 and the €17 million deployed last year to revamp and refresh 64 existing stores. Centra supports over 38,000 jobs and directly employs 11,716 people across the 483 stores operating in Ireland.

Throughout the pandemic, shoppers sought convenient meal solutions and tasty treats, driving demand for Centra’s cook at home prepared ranges. Moo’d Ice Cream, Centra’s high-quality Irish Ice Cream concept, recorded sales of €10m last year, up over 52% on 2020. The Inspired By Centra range saw strong growth with a 40% increase in sales, while the Freshly Prepared range of meals also saw a 40% jump in sales, demonstrating growing consumer demand for convenient, own-brand products and meals.

Speaking about the announcement, Centra Managing Director Ian Allen said: “This robust sales performance underscores our position as Ireland’s leading convenience retailer. We have seen significant growth driven by increasing consumer demand for healthy and high-quality own-brand products at reasonable prices. We are continuously redefining convenience retail to ensure we satisfy the evolving needs of our shoppers by offering market-leading ranges. We are acutely aware of the rising cost of living challenges and we are working hard with our suppliers and retail partners to continue delivering the best value and quality to our customers.”

The announcement follows the publication of an economic impact report by leading economist Jim Power. The report highlights the financial contribution of Centra stores is valued at an estimated €646.7 million. Direct employment by Centra creates approximately €38 million in employment taxes and generates a total net wage of €160.4 million, which is injected into local economies.

Speaking about the report, Centra Managing Director Ian Allen added: “The economic impact report highlights the hugely positive role Centra continues to play in providing support and employment to localities nationwide. Local Centra stores play a very active role in their communities and make a significant financial contribution through employment but also the various sponsorships and support for numerous charities. In 2021, Centra stores spent €2.1 million on local sponsorships and payments to a wide array of local and national charities. We are immensely proud of Centra’s position at the heart of communities around Ireland, and we look forward to bringing our high-quality convenience offering and unrivalled customer service to new communities across the country while continuing to support local Irish producers and suppliers.”

Centra is renowned for high-quality standards, as demonstrated by the awards that the stores win for product standards and people awards.

Pictured: Ciaran Mangan, Centra Council Chair; Ian Allen, Managing Director Retail; Cormac Dawson, Centra Sales Director

SuperValu launches Taste of Local initiative showcasing local producers as survey reveals majority believe buying Irish is important

Posted on by Christine Kennedy
  • Research reveals 81% of people think buying Irish is important
  • 33 local producers complete Food Academy programme and will be showcased in new Taste of Local section in SuperValu stores
  • Food Academy supports 320 producers and 1,500 local jobs nationwide, 52 weeks of the year

SuperValu, Ireland’s leading retailer, has announced the launch of its Taste of Local initiative which showcases small Irish food and drink producers in stores across the country. The launch comes as new research reveals 81% of people think it is important to buy Irish products. From today, 33 new Irish food and drink producers who have completed this year’s Food Academy programme will have their products available in the Taste of Local section in-store.

The Taste of Local initiative, which highlights quality local Irish food and drink products, showcases the producers who have gone through the Food Academy Programme as well as highlighting hyperlocal products that are unique to local stores.

According to the new consumer research, the main reasons people buy Irish is to support local jobs (59%) and Irish businesses (54%). More than three-quarters of respondents (77%) said they agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of buying more Irish products. Some 77 per cent of respondents said they prefer to buy local whenever possible, while nearly two-thirds (64%) said they have made a conscious decision in the past 12 months to buy more Irish and local products.

The Food Academy programme, which is delivered in conjunction with Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Offices, gives early-stage food and drink producers an opportunity to get their products on SuperValu shelves 52 weeks of the year. The programme has been an established part of the Irish food industry for nine years now and supports 1,500 jobs nationwide.

Currently, the Food Academy Programme supports 320 Irish food and drink producers. Their products are available 52 weeks of the year in their local SuperValu stores. Food Academy producers achieved sales of over €30 million and 6% growth in the last year highlighting the continuous support from customers for local and Irish products. Food Academy producers have sold a combined €200 million of produce in SuperValu since 2013.

Carmel Biggane, Food Academy Manager at SuperValu, said: “Supporting local, Irish communities and businesses is at the heart of everything we do at SuperValu. Food Academy producers are delivering consistently high quality, great tasting products that are at the cutting edge of innovation. Producers are very finely tuned to the needs of today’s consumer and embody a fantastic entrepreneurial spirit to deliver exciting brands for the future.

We are delighted to launch another 33 new producers from this year’s Food Academy programme, which will be showcased in Taste of Local. This year’s new entrants have a wide range of products from plant-based offerings, organic produce, healthy convenience, sustainably foraged and harvested, as well as innovative non-alcoholic drink.

Uniquely, our Food Academy programme supports producers 52 weeks of the year, so shoppers will be able to buy these great tasting products throughout the year, making a big difference to these small local producers. I’d like to extend our congratulations to the 33 producers who successfully completed this year’s programme, we look forward to seeing your products on our shelves around the country.”

Tara McCarthy, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, said: “Ireland’s food and drink producers are known at home and internationally for their high quality, distinctive products and sustainable manufacturing practices. Bord Bia is proud to be in partnership with SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Offices to deliver the Food Academy programme which enables small businesses to navigate through their initial growth phase. We believe that in a demanding trading environment growing companies’ skills and capabilities in consumer understanding, branding and business development provides them with a strong foundation. We wish the 33 graduates from this year’s programme continued growth and success.”

Padraic McElwee, chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices added: “We are committed to fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship and the Food Academy programme partnering with SuperValu and Bord Bia is an example of our commitment in action. We have a proud tradition of food entrepreneurship in Ireland and the high-quality of Food Academy producers is a testament to this. For small businesses in the sector, Local Enterprise Offices can help them start-up through the Digital School of Food and the Food Starter programme, get them ‘market-ready’ through the Food Academy programme and help them to grow even further through specific business training and mentoring.  It’s fantastic to see these 33 small businesses follow in the footsteps of so many others and we look forward to continuing to support them grow over the coming years.”

For more information on Food Academy, please visit: https://supervalu.ie/real-people/food-academy-programme.

The launch of Taste of Local comes ahead of Guaranteed Irish’s Food Month, which begins in June. SuperValu’s partnership with Guaranteed Irish is another example of how the company supports Irish producers. This partnership raises awareness of the benefits of purchasing Irish brands and encourages shoppers to buy Irish and support local.

SuperValu partners with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to bring Save The Bees Campaign to schools around Ireland

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

SuperValu is helping to create over 3,000 refuelling spots for busy bees in schools across the country

SuperValu and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD have today launched the Save The Bees Campaign in partnership with the All-Ireland Pollinator plan and SuperValu TidyTowns. All 3,241 primary schools in Ireland will be sent a SuperValu Save the Bees Pollinator Pack so they can create their own bee-friendly garden.

This SuperValu Save the Bees Pollinator Pack was co-created with Dr Una Fitzpatrick, Head of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and is endorsed by SuperValu TidyTowns. It contains guidebooks, posters and bookmarks in addition to a pollinator-friendly garden kit with flower seeds and a garden sign. All elements of the Save the Bees Pollinator pack have been sustainably sourced and are recyclable.

To further promote awareness and action, families will receive their own Save the Bees cards in SuperValu with every spend over €30. These cards are added to each school’s Save the Bees poster, which, once completed, can be entered into a draw to win a share of €50,000 for the school.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said “Protecting our pollinators helps in turn to protect our planet which is why I am thrilled to launch the SuperValu Save the Bees campaign. Educating our children and communities about the importance of pollinators is vitally important and I look forward to seeing bee-friendly school gardens pop up across the country in the coming weeks and months.” 

Through the Save the Bees campaign, SuperValu will work with schools and communities across Ireland to help educate people on the very real and current threat facing Ireland’s bees. As it stands, nearly one-third of Irish bees are in danger of becoming extinct. The loss of such a large portion of our bee population would be catastrophic. More than 75 per cent of our plant species are animal pollinated. Bees are important pollinators of Irish produce like strawberries and apples and they ensure diverse wild plant communities across the countryside that help regulate climate, provide healthy spaces for recreation, and support other wildlife.

Commenting on the campaign, Ian Allen, SuperValu Managing Director said

“At SuperValu, we are huge supporters of Irish producers and suppliers. We source 75 per cent of our goods in Ireland, and we want to keep buying and supporting Irish and local, which is why we are so committed to protecting pollinators. We are delighted to work with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to make change through our Save the Bees campaign. There are simple steps we can all take to make Ireland a habitable ecosystem for bees and our SuperValu Save The Bees packs will provide support awareness, education and action for children across the country. This initiative will also give children the fantastic opportunity to win a share of €50,000 for their primary school.”

SuperValu want to help local communities, schools and families lead the way in creating an Ireland where pollinators can thrive. It is vital that bees and pollinators have enough to forage and safe places to use for nesting, among vegetation, the soil and hedges. The SuperValu Save the Bees campaign will not only help schools understand pollinators and how to protect them but also help them make Ireland more pollinator friendly.

The SuperValu TidyTowns competition also recognises the value and importance of biodiversity. Nearly half (46 per cent) of all TidyTowns committees say that biodiversity is their main priority area. More than 200 SuperValu TidyTowns committees have engaged with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and made their local areas significantly pollinator friendly. In 2021, Buncrana, Co. Donegal won the SuperValu TidyTowns’ All Ireland Pollinator Plan Local Authority Pollinator Award.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD continued “The Save the Bees campaign is a great addition to the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition which continues to bring biodiversity and sustainability to the fore. Committees around the country have been rewilding spaces and creating new green areas in our communities, not only helping our pollinators but improving our shared spaces for the whole community.”  

Dr. Una Fitzpatrick, Head of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan included,

“The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is our opportunity to step forward and take action to save Ireland’s bee population from the threat of serious decline. This is why we’re delighted to partner with SuperValu for the ‘Save the Bees’ campaign, which is about educating ourselves and playing an effective role in saving our garden allies. We look forward to seeing the great impact that children across Ireland’s primary schools will have in helping to create a better future for bees.”

Professor Jane Stout, Deputy Chair of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan said

“While bees are busy collecting nectar and pollen from flowers to feed themselves and their families, they disperse pollen that enables plants to produce fruits and seeds. These are essential to maintain plant communities and beautiful landscapes, as well as supporting other wildlife, including birds, mammals and other insects. In addition, fruits and seeds contribute to a huge amount of the world’s food supply, with more than 75 per cent of leading food crops benefitting from animal pollination. We can help reverse the decline in bees by doing something as simple as returning the favour and making sure their habitats are rich with flowers to forage on and free of harmful threats, which is why this SuperValu Save the Bees campaign is so important.”

SuperValu is one of Ireland’s leading food retailers with 223 stores nationwide serving over 2.6 million customers every week. SuperValu has served the people of Ireland for over 30 years and has become a well-established landmark across Irish communities.

Together with its retail partners, SuperValu employs approximately 15,900 colleagues, making it one of the State’s largest private-sector employers. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible, which helps to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

For more information on the SuperValu Save the Bees campaign visit https://supervalu.ie/real-people/save-the-bees

SuperValu Take Home Top Accolade at the National Grocery Retail Awards

Posted on by Christine Kennedy

SuperValu is revealed as Ireland’s Retailer of the Year

SuperValu has been announced as winner of the top award at the inaugural National Grocery Retail Awards this week. The awards were held by Checkout, Ireland’s leading magazine for the grocery retail industry and winners were announced virtually at the ceremony on 20th December. Along with being crowned Retailer of the Year, SuperValu took home the award for Fresh Food Retailer of the Year and several individual awards for their retailers.

The judges highlighted SuperValu’s ability to innovate and respond to key trends – from sustainability initiatives to supporting local and Irish producers and helping customers lead a healthier lifestyle – as to why they were ultimately crowned Retailer of the Year. The judges said of the win, “SuperValu has been a longstanding champion of Irish brands and has acted as a springboard for many businesses that are now household names around the country.

When it comes to the shopping experience in store, SuperValu offers an excellent path to purchase. This can be attributed to both its first-rate customer service teams and to the high quality and creativity of the branding, signage, displays, and storytelling that is evident throughout its estate.”

From retail store of the year awards to winners of best retail categories, SuperValu retailers across Ireland picked up 14 awards, including:

  • Scally’s SuperValu Clonakilty winner of Retail Store of the Year (Large Supermarket) and Excellence in Fresh Food Retailing in a Large Supermarket
  • Garvey’s SuperValu Corbally winner of Retail Store of the Year (Medium Supermarket)
  • Rushe’s SuperValu Killiney winner of Retail Store of the Year (Small Supermarket)
  • Quish’s SuperValu Ballincollig winner of Ireland’s Best Food-to-Go Offering
  • Tarpey’s SuperValu Cavan winner of Ireland’s Best Deli Offering
  • Quish’s SuperValu Tramore winner of Ireland’s Best In-Store Off-Licence
  • Kavanagh’s SuperValu Westport winner of Ireland’s Best Fresh Fish / Seafood Offering
  • SuperValu Blackrock winner of Ireland’s Best Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Offering
  • SuperValu Lucan winner of Ireland’s Best Bakery Offering
  • O’Keeffe’s SuperValu Bantry winner of Ireland’s Best Fresh Dairy Offering
  • Tarpey’s SuperValu Cavan winner of Ireland’s Most Creative Fresh Food Retailer
  • SuperValu Rathborne winner of Excellence in Fresh Food Retailing in a Small Supermarket
  • Kavanagh’s SuperValu Westport winner of Excellence in Fresh Food Retailing in a Medium Supermarket

Ian Allen, Managing Director, SuperValu said, “In the first year of the National Grocery Retail Awards we are delighted to be the top performing supermarket with remarkable wins in both the overall categories and for our individual retailers. Winning Ireland’s Retailer of the Year Award is an endorsement of the excellence we bring to our customers in all 223 stores in communities around Ireland every day. Our retailers also took home 14 awards, we’re immensely proud of each of our retailers and it’s wonderful to see them receive the recognition they deserve, particularly after a challenging time during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The National Grocery Retail Awards is an amalgam of Ireland’s premier awards for fresh food retailing, the Checkout Best in Fresh awards, and the leading awards for suppliers to the industry, the Checkout National Retail Supplier awards. The awards highlight best in class retailing and honour the companies and suppliers that help Ireland’s pioneering stores and retail chains to achieve levels of service and product excellence that set them apart from their competitors. The awards, hosted by Checkout, are the most prestigious and inclusive awards for the grocery retail sector in Ireland.

Minister Humphreys announces Ennis Co. Clare as winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2021

Posted on by Christine Kennedy
  • €1.5 Million announced in grant aid for over 1,000 TidyTowns groups nationwide.
  • Glaslough TidyTowns, Co. Monaghan named as the inaugural winner of the Young Persons in TidyTowns Award.
  • Minister Humphreys praises role played by TidyTowns volunteers during unprecedented period

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today (12th November) announced Ennis, Co. Clare as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2021.

The announcement was made at a scaled-back event held in the RDS today with a small number of representatives present from this year’s entries to the Competition.

The event was streamed live to thousands of TidyTowns volunteers around the country who were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners.

The SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been in existence since 1958 and Ennis, was judged to be the best from a number of 847 entries to the competition this year.

The announcement was greeted with much celebration and excitement at today’s awards ceremony at The RDS in Dublin.

On hand to announce the results of the 2021 competition with Minister Humphreys, T.D., was Mr. Ray Kelly, Marketing Director of SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor for the 30th year.

Some of the other big winners on the day included:

  • Geashill, Co. Offaly awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Village.
  • Abbeyleix, Co. Laois awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town.
  • Cobh, Cork South awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.
  • Ennis, Co. Clare awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Minister Humphreys said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Ennis who are very deserving winners.  Ennis first entered the SuperValu TidyTowns competition in 1959 and continue to showcase all that is good about community and volunteerism. They have been consistently achieving high standards in the competition at local, regional, national and European level and won the competition previously in 2005. Given the tremendous interest in the competition and the increasing efforts made by all entrants, it is a wonderful achievement to take the national title for a second time; this really demonstrates that resilience and determination do reap rewards.

“I want to congratulate Ennis and all of the other deserving prize-winners announced today.  It has not been easy for TidyTowns groups during what has been an unprecedented period.

“Like all sections of society, the pandemic has prohibited us from participating in the things we enjoy within our own communities.

“I want to commend the hundreds of groups and thousands of volunteers who, in the face of adversity, put their community first and continued to make their areas better places to live and work and to visit, all the while, adhering to social distancing and public health guidelines.

“For that, on my own behalf and that of the Government, I want to say Thank You.”

Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of €1.5 million in funding to support the work of individual TidyTowns Committees around the country to assist them in their continued efforts to enhance their towns and villages.

This is the fifth consecutive year that funding has been provided to support these Committees and brings the total allocated since 2017 to €6.7 Million.

The Minister said:

“The sense of belonging and pride of place that is achieved by being part of a TidyTowns group creates a wonderful welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors alike.

“Given the challenges faced by TidyTowns groups during the pandemic and the way in which they moved to an online entry process, I am delighted to be able to announce that I have secured funding of €1.5 million to directly support the TidyTowns committees who, through their efforts, bring out the best in their towns and villages.

“In total, 1,022 TidyTowns groups across the country will be eligible to benefit from this investment.”

The Minister also thanked SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor, adding:

“Today, I want to congratulate SuperValu who celebrate their 30th anniversary of partnership with TidyTowns and sponsorship of the competition. The competition continues to attract new entrants and new awards and it is getting stronger every year.

SuperValu continue to show fantastic support for the competition through their financial sponsorship, their commitment to improving and growing the competition and through the dedicated support at a local level provided to TidyTowns groups by their network of local retailers.”

Mr. Ian Allen, Managing Director, SuperValu commented after the awards:

“On behalf of SuperValu I would like to congratulate Ennis for being named Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2021. It is a fantastic achievement and is the result of incredible work and dedication by the committee.

The outstanding efforts and achievements of the category winners, and indeed all of our committees across the country deserves significant praise and recognition. 2021 was another landmark year for SuperValu TidyTowns. We now have a record 1,022 groups engaging in the competition, with a record 847 entries this year. I’d particularly like to mention the new committees and encourage their participation into the future. The level and quality of the projects that you all delivered across all categories is astounding.

 At its heart, the SuperValu TidyTowns competition is the public expression of the work countless individuals undertake to build community spirit and make their local area a better place in which to live and work. The incredible committee members, in collaboration with our network of independent retailers, share our desire to build thriving, sustainable communities.

Mr. Allen went on to say,

“As long-term supporters of TidyTowns, we at SuperValu have seen first-hand the competition grow and evolve over time. This year, perhaps more than ever, we have seen an increasing number of wonderful initiatives that focus on biodiversity, conservation and other important issues that are critical to creating sustainable communities. This is something I welcome and encourage.”

The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu who have sponsored the competition since 1991.

Full details of all this year’s winners are available at www.tidytowns.ie and at www.supervalu.ie

Musgrave doubles down on UAE market following strong customer demand

Posted on by Christine Kennedy
  • 250 SuperValu products now available on noon Grocery, the UAE’s largest online grocery marketplace
  • Announcement made as part of three-day trade Enterprise Ireland visit to the region led by Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Minister Robert Troy T.D.

Musgrave announced today that it is doubling its SuperValu product range sold on noon Grocery, the Middle East’s largest online grocery marketplace and noon.com’s dedicated fresh grocery platform.The announcement will now see 250 SuperValu products available across the UAE on noon, soon to include items from SuperValu’s fresh food range.

The partnership between SuperValu’s parent company, Musgrave and noon, first commenced in June, making the Irish food retailer the first direct distribution partner with Saudi e-tailer noon. As the partnership continues, Musgrave aims for up to 500 products available by the end of 2022 on noon Grocery.

The announcement was made at a trade meeting held at noon’s office in  Downtown Dubai, attended by Ireland’s Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Minister Robert Troy T.D., Ali Kafil-Hussain, Chief of Staff at noon.com, and Liam Hyland, Director of Export and International Trade at Musgrave.

Leading Enterprise Ireland’s trade visit to the Middle East, Robert Troy T.D., Ireland’s Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said, “This is a very welcome announcement today. I want to congratulate Noon and Musgrave International in what is a significant step forward in their partnership and will help introduce people across the UAE to a significant range of quality Irish food products that are widely enjoyed back in Ireland.

“This Government, through its agency Enterprise Ireland, is committed to supporting Irish businesses expand and diversify into new markets as well as to reinforce established presence in existing markets. Announcements such as the one today are a strong endorsement of Enterprise Ireland’s work in the region. I wish both Noon and Musgrave the very best and that they continue to strengthen their partnership into the future. Through such close collaborations, consumers really benefit from more choice, high quality products, combined with the convenience of home delivery.”

Dubai remains a hub for e-commerce growth in the MENA region. With the pandemic changing consumer habits during the pandemic, the growth of digital shopping has accelerated, resulting in many companies investing in online sales activity and omni-channel methods.

Ali Kafil-Hussain, Chief of Staff, noon, said: “Grocery is increasingly moving online, especially as e-commerce penetration has surged significantly in this region. noon Grocery, our next-day fresh grocery delivery service, currently stocks more than 60,000 products. Focusing on grocery as a priority area, we have invested heavily in cold-chain capabilities, including a state-of-the-art dedicated grocery warehouse, to ensure the best produce arrives at our customers’ doorsteps in the freshest way possible.

“When we launched the SuperValu range by Musgrave earlier this year,” Kafil continued, “we received an overwhelming response from our customers in Dubai, particularly those in the expat community, who were delighted to now be able to get a part of home delivered to their second home here in the UAE. Through this important partnership, Musgrave is providing a significant and growing range of their products to the market.”

According to a study by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the UAE’s retail e-commerce market reached a record $3.9 billion in 2020, a 53% year-over-year increase driven by the Covid-19-led digital shift, while e-commerce accounted for 8% share of the retail market during the same year.

 According to Liam Hyland, Director of Export and International Trade at Musgrave, said: “SuperValu products went live on the noon Grocery grocery on-line platform only four months ago and we have already hit the 250-product milestone. We aim to reach 500 products by the end of 2022 and are very excited to further extend our service later this year to include weekly airfreight deliveries of SuperValu chilled products from our fantastic Irish producer base.”

Accompanying Minister Troy on the trade visit, Kevin Sherry, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland, said: “The world has its eyes on the Irish market, and the Middle East has increasingly been adopting innovative solutions from Ireland’s companies. The success of this partnership between Musgrave and noon shows us that the UAE presents incredible commercial opportunities for Irish companies. The region is continuing the shift to online shopping, presenting new ecommerce opportunities. Enterprise Ireland are proud to have supported Musgrave with the introduction to noon, and to very positive growth in just four months since market launch.”

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