Retail And FMCG Leaders To Launch First Irish Chapter Of Leading Executives Advancing Diversity (LEAD) Network
Checkout Magazine
Ireland's Industry Magazine For The Grocery Retail And FMCG Sectors.
Checkout Magazine
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November 8, 2023
For the first time, industry leaders and competitors alike across the retail and FMCG sector have come together for an inspirational cause – to launch the first Ireland Chapter of the Leading Executives Advancing Diversity (LEAD) Network. Coming to Irish shores for the first time, LEAD’s goal is to 'attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer goods industry through education, leadership and male allyship.' Since originally being established in 2011, LEAD has grown 'astronomically' to more than 18,000 members, 10 country chapters, with over 200 manufacturers and in excess of 100 retailers who are 'all working to bring about gender equality at all levels of the industry.' The LEAD Ireland chapter launch event will take place on 14 November from 2pm – 4pm hosted by LinkedIn and will include key speakers including Grainne Seoige, Allyson Zimmerman (CEO, LEAD), Deborah Somorin (People & Experience Lead, EY), Nelofar Pazira (Journalist & Filmmaker) and David McRedmond (CEO, An Post).
BWG Foodservice Launches Christmas 2023 Brochure
BWG Foodservice has launched its Christmas brochure, A Taste of Christmas. The retailer noted that the publication is packed with products that have won accolades from the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards (IQFA). From its plant-based Chocolate Ganache Ice Cream – the IQFA Foodservice Product of the Year – to the exclusive range of highest-quality meats from William’s Gate, BWG Foodservice is available to service every menu request and designed to provide value-added solutions to every customer. Central to the BWG Foodservice offering is a ‘strong commitment to supporting local Irish suppliers, as well as ensuring the provenance of products across the Christmas range, including a large selection of options from Irish artisan suppliers like Wexford’s Coolhull Farm and Galway’s Foods of Athenry.’
Primark Owner AB Foods Expects Growth In New Year After Profit Rises 5%
Associated British Foods forecast 'meaningful progress' in its new financial year, driven by a strong recovery in the margin of its Primark fashion business thanks to lower material and freight costs, and a big improvement in its sugar business. The group, which reported profit growth of 5% for 2022/23, anticipates further growth in Primark's sales in the 2023/24 year, driven by some 1 million square feet of new retail space and 'modest' levels of like-for-like sales growth. It said lower material and freight costs should result in a 'substantial recovery' in Primark's gross margin and overall it expects Primark's adjusted operating profit margin to recover strongly from the 8.2% made in 2022/23. 'At this early stage we believe that the adjusted operating profit margin will be above 10% with further improvement dependent on levels of consumer demand,' it said.
Aldi Named ‘Retailer of the Year’ At Free From Awards, Scooping 44 Accolades
Aldi has announced that it was named ‘Retailer of the Year’ at the Free From Food Awards, which took place on 3 November in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin. The discounter also scooped 44 awards across 21 categories – including 13 gold awards, seven silver awards, 17 bronze awards and six merits – at this year’s event. Now in their eighth year, the Free From Food Awards continue to ‘champion the quality and innovation of Irish free-from food producers who provide excellent alternatives to those with special dietary requirements for their consumers’. The categories are judged blind by a panel of industry experts, including food bloggers, food writers, and consumers of free-from products. The judging panel makes its evaluation based on quality, flavour, aroma, texture, ingredients, price, and – most importantly – free-from declarations, without prior knowledge of the names of producers and manufacturers.
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Dublin Retail Spending Increases, But At Slow Pace In Third Quarter 2023
The value of retail spending among consumers in Dublin increased, but at a slow pace in the third quarter of 2023, research shows. According to the latest MasterCard SpendingPulse, produced on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities, Household Goods was the only segment in which meaningful spending growth was seen during the period. Expenditure on such goods – which typically consist of high-value ‘white products’ – grew by 0.7%, which was largely in line with previous quarters. Spending on necessities and discretionary goods was stable during the period. Entertainment spending, which had recovered at sharp rates by the end of the pandemic era, was also stable in the quarter.
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