The ShelfLife Grocery Management Awards 2021 take pride of place on our cover this month, featuring all the winners and news from this year’s gala event and a full interview with our Supreme Champion, Karl Fitzgerald of Applegreen Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.

Elsewhere, with Greencore’s chief executive Patrick Coveney set to leave at the end of March, Dan White takes an unflinching look at the company’s performance to date. And Fionnuala Carolan looks at the new entrants in the Christmas ads hall of fame this year.

Julia O’Reilly caught up with Padraig Broderick, owner of Broderick’s Spar in Croom, Co. Limerick, to discuss revamps, social media, and the importance of a good team. Mace retailer Donnchadh McCarthy also filled us in on his recent impressive store redesign in north Cork.

Within our Advisor section, Colin Gordon delves into the complexities of neuromarketing, Excel Recruitment’s Barry Whelan reflects on the lasting impacts of ‘The Great Resignation’ phenomenon and The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy underscores the importance of conducting thorough end of year performance reviews.

As always, our category features provide an in-depth look at the trends, brands and innovations driving sales in-store, with this month’s issue focusing on the vaping and weight management features. Our Best of the Year feature also provides a comprehensive overview of 2021’s brand heroes that are must-stocks for 2022.