ShelfLife – April 2022

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Our cover interview this month features Michael Skelton, MD of S&W Wholesale, who is celebrating the first anniversary of the Nearby brand, as well as overseeing the business’s plans for its new 180,000sq ft distribution hub on Chancellors Road in Newry, currently underway.
This month’s issue also includes a special supplement on the ShelfLife C-Store Awards 2021, with all the winners and news from the postponed 2021 gala awards ceremony. Within this, Fionnuala Carolan speaks to overall winner Gavin Moran of Spar/Texaco, Junction 14 in Monasterevin about overcoming all obstacles to bring home the Supreme Champion Award.

Elsewhere, Dan White examines how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a spike in grain prices that threatens to turn the current energy-driven inflation into a more deep-rooted 1970s-style stagflation.

Retailer Mark Power also tells ShelfLife about the launch of Centra Millers Glen in Swords and how the store is showcasing new concepts for the brand.
Within our monthly Advisor section, Barry Whelan of Excel Recruitment outlines how encouraging an employee to reconsider resigning can save companies a huge amount of time and money. The HR Suite’s Caroline Reidy explains how to use and not abuse fixed term contracts, and Colin Gordon examines how to achieve a balance between art and science to deliver effective marketing.
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 Irish whiskey, alternative protein, and sugar confectionery sectors.