Warm and cosy!
As the chilly nights start to draw in, consumers will be looking for hassle-free fuel options to get a roaring fire going and once again, Ireland’s solid fuel manufacturers have not disappointed as the latest innovation and high level of investment demonstrates
Print10 October 2016
AT A GLANCE: FUEL
- Over 70% of Irish households have open fires
- Zip is Ireland’s favourite firelighter brand and the market leader in the solid firelighter category
- Bord na Móna is continuing its investment in a sustainable future, with planning permission recently granted for a new smokeless coal and bio-mass enhanced ‘Ovoid’ manufacturing facility at Foynes, Co. Limerick
- Bord na Móna is the largest supplier of solid fuel in Ireland
- It is estimated that Homestead Firelighters account for 53% of the total firelighter sales within symbol groups and independent retailers, while rivalling the two leading brands in Ireland
- Homestead has increased its investment in the Homestead Fire Log which will mean deeper, more frequent promotion activity in line with the market
- Flogas supplies two stylish mobile heaters, the Superser Radiant and Superser Catalytic
- According to Bic, it is critical to drive visibility of the range of lighters to maximise trial as studies have proven that 89% of users are likely to buy again with 75% also likely to recommend it to others*
- As the majority of lighter purchases are made on impulse**, retailers should invest in impactful displays that engage the customer. Finally, siting lighters alongside both firelighters and candles will help maximise conversion***
*(Source: Utility European Consumer Survey – Harris Interactive, Jan 2012)
**(Source: Utility European Consumer Survey – Harris Interactive, Jan 2012)
***(Source: Colour Change Multi-Purpose Lighter – Harris Interactive, March 2014 – 2,000 respondents)
As frosty winter beckons, retailers will be considering how to make the most of the ignition category – the second largest sector within the total household category. Demonstrating the heart-warming strength of the sector, last year total ignition was up +4.6% in value and +7.5% in volume versus the previous year. Blocked firelighters make up the biggest portion of the ignition segment, with 88% value share*. Options such as bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also provide a convenient and efficient means of heating. Bottled gas is a versatile, portable and manageable fuel that is easily stored and supplied and that delivers for consumers and retailers alike. Portable heaters are also extremely useful as an instant, economic and portable way to ‘spot-heat’ a room quickly; cutting down on costly central heating bills.
*(Source: Nielsen – MAT Aug 2015)
Give your fire some Zip!
Zip’s 100% Natural Stove Log is made from Irish willow and natural wax, making it completely clean burning
Zip, Ireland’s favourite firelighter brand, is the market leader in the solid firelighter category. Known for its reliability, the Zip brand is recognized by consumers for its quality, safety and value. Over the years, Zip has developed a comprehensive range of products to fulfil every fire lighting need. The company believes its passion for developing the safest, highest performing products, along with the ambition to bring people together, has allowed Zip to successfully warm the homes, and hearts, of consumers for nearly 80 years.
Whether you’re gathering around your chiminea with friends on a summer’s evening, or snuggling up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate on a chilly winter’s night, Zip believes that every fire occasion is something to be enjoyed and savoured. When life gets busy, let Zip do the hard work so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy the end result.
The Zip Starterlog replaces the need for newspaper, kindling and separate firelighters; burning for up to 90 minutes
Zip has recently introduced two new firelogs into its range, both of which have been designed with optimum consumer convenience in mind. Namely, the hassle-free Starterlog and the revolutionary Stove Log.
The Zip Starterlog is the most convenient and mess free way to get your fire going fast. Replacing the need for newspaper, kindling and separate firelighters, this single log will burn for up to 90 minutes. Made in Ireland, using locally sourced materials, the Starterlog can be used safely in fireplaces, chimineas and firepits, offering up a warm cosy fire at the touch of a match.
Not all firelogs can be used in wood burning stoves as the high burn temperature can cause the stove glass to crack. With this in mind, Zip has formulated a log especially for use in stoves and wood burning range cookers. The 100% Natural Stove Log is the first of its kind. Created for convenience, the Stove Log is made from Irish willow and natural wax, making it completely clean burning, meaning less ash build-up on the glass. Also with a burn time of 90 minutes, the 100% Natural Stove Log not only closes a gap in the market, the company states it also provides the un-paralleled performance which is synonymous with the Zip brand.
Zip products are available nationwide. For more information or merchandising support for the complete Zip range, contact Dan Reynolds, business account manager, Tennant & Ruttle Distribution, 2010 Orchard Avenue, Dublin 24. Email: dreynolds@tandr.ie Phone: 00353 1 4666652.
Forging onwards in innovation and convenience
Bord na Móna is the largest supplier of solid fuel in Ireland
Bord na Móna, the largest supplier of solid fuel in Ireland, has led the way in designing an innovative and convenient range of quality solid fuel solutions for Irish consumers for decades.
Bord na Móna’s Irish Peat briquette brings value, comfort and warmth into Irish homes
“We are continuing our investment in a sustainable future, with planning permission granted for our new smokeless coal and bio-mass enhanced ‘Ovoid’ manufacturing facility at Foynes, Co. Limerick,” a spokesperson for Bord na Móna said. “We look forward to developing new and exciting products in the bio-mass area and to lead the market with high quality smokeless solid fuel solutions.”
Planning permission has been granted for Bord na Móna’s new smokeless coal and bio-mass enhanced ‘Ovoid’ manufacturing facility at Foynes, Co. Limerick
At the heart of the Bord na Móna range is the Irish Peat Briquette, bringing value, comfort, magic and warmth into Irish homes. The business recently invested in the revamping of its Smokeless coal range with new packaging and new 10kg and 20kg products. The range now features a new high quality smokeless Lignite Nugget, providing quick ignition time, consistent product shape and size with suitability for both stoves and open fires.
Bord na Móna recently invested in revamping its smokeless coal range with new packaging and new 10kg and 20kg products
Bord na Móna’s solid fuel range also includes kiln Dried Wood in convenient carry-home packs as well as large crate formats. The wood, firelog and convenience category is showing substantial growth in line with category performance in the market and Bord na Móna states its range is well positioned to meet increasing consumer demand in this area as solid fuel continues to be the main source of heating in Irish homes.
The company is supporting its products and customers for winter 2016 with a national marketing campaign across TV, radio, outdoor, digital and a range of in-store point of sale (POS) materials.
At Bord na Mona, the company states sustainability is the heartbeat of the business and the team continues to develop new high quality, low smoke fuels, offering more choice for customers and consumers in the future.
No place like home!
After the launch of the Homestead brand in 1986, the firelighter range quickly became a stable product within the brand’s portfolio, generating considerable sales in this category.
There are two Homestead Firelighter SKUs; 30s and 60s
It is estimated that Homestead Firelighters account for 53% of the total firelighter sales within symbol groups and independent retailers, while rivaling the two leading brands in Ireland.
Over 70% of households have open fires and the ignition sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the household category.
The Homestead fuels range consists of two SKUs of firelighters, 30s and 60s and a fire log which was introduced to the range in early 2005.
With the increase in trading of fire logs in the Irish market, a full review of the Homestead promotion plan has taken place which has resulted in an increase of investment in the Homestead Fire Log which will mean deeper, more frequent promotion activity in line with the market.
Homestead brand manager Janice Gibney says she is delighted to come to the table with this increased investment which will still give retailers the healthy margin they know and love from Homestead while continuing to bring value home to its consumers.
Heating up in style!
The Flogas Superser Radiant and Catalytic heaters, exclusively available from Flogas. To order, call 041-9831041 or visit www.flogas.ie
Retail customers are always seeking cost-effective solutions to control their home heating bills and Flogas Superser heaters are a recognisable and proven bestseller.
“Flogas Superser heaters are the perfect solution for cost-conscious customers. They are extremely useful as an instant, economic and portable way to ‘spot-heat’ a room quickly, as many customers find it far cheaper than turning on the central heating for an hour or two,” said Eoin O’Flynn of Flogas Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Superser in Ireland and the UK. Contact Flogas on 041-9831041 or www.flogas.ie.
Flogas supplies two contemporary looking and stylish mobile heaters, the Superser Radiant and Superser Catalytic. In particular, the Superser Catalytic burns without a flame and has lower touch temperatures, making it safer and it’s fitted with easy glide castors, which allows for trouble-free moving from room to room.
The lightweight solution
Portable and stylish yet extremely functional, Flogas reports the Flogas Gaslight cylinders have been a great success; getting an excellent response from customers due to the benefits they offer.
Not only are the Flogas Gaslight cylinders about half the weight of the traditional steel cylinders, the semi-translucent exterior allows customers to see exactly how much gas they have left.
The Flogas Gaslight cylinders are as safe as steel cylinders and won’t leave rust marks on patios or decks. They fit all leading brands of LPG appliances, making it ideal for caravans, campervans, motor homes, barbecues and patio heaters. The cylinders are available in 5kg and 10Kg sizes in selected outlets nationwide.
Enjoy roaring sales this winter!
The Bic Megalighter is a user-friendly, safe and reliable tool that assists in getting any fire started
With the days getting shorter and darker, winter is the perfect time to cosy up by the roaring fire for those cold nights. Bic Megalighter is here for all your fire and candle lighting needs, as a user-friendly, safe, reliable tool that assists in getting any fire started.
The Bic Megalighter comes in a range of colours (black, turquoise, red and fluo) and two different sizes (6cm straight wand and 11cm flexible wand). It is critical to drive visibility of the range to maximise trial as studies have proven that 89% of users are likely to buy again with 75% also likely to recommend it to others*. As the majority of purchases are made on impulse**, you should invest in impactful displays that engage the customer. Finally, siting it alongside both firelighters and candles will help maximise conversion***.
A small, convenient and consistently reliable utility lighter delivering up to 750 lights is perfect for lighting every fire place or large candle thanks to its 6cm wand. With a retractable hook for easy storage and a visible gas supply meaning it’s easy to check the gas level, Bic believes this compact and trendy lighter with a curved body shape for comfortable handling is a must-have for homes this winter.
*(Source: Utility European Consumer Survey – Harris Interactive, Jan 2012)
**(Source: Utility European Consumer Survey – Harris Interactive, Jan 2012)
***(Source: Colour Change Multi-Purpose Lighter – Harris Interactive, March 2014 – 2,000 respondents)
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