Top stories in the papers this week 23 – 30 April 2010
Australia to ban branding on cigarette packs; Retailers accused of unnecessary cuts; Asda gives Northern shoppers ‘cast iron’ price promise
Print30 April 2010
1. Australia to ban branding on cigarette packs from July 2012
New legislation introduced in Australia this week will force all cigarettes to be sold under plain, logo-free wrappers, from July 2012. The Irish Times reports that what Australian PM Kevin Rudd calls “the most hardline regime in the world,” will see all packets carry a compulsory prominent government health warning with the brand name relegated to tiny, generic print at the bottom. A policy to simultaneously raise cigarette taxes has been criticised by retailers, who say it will bolster the black market.
2. Retailers accused of unnecessary cuts
Trade union Mandate has accused some retailers of taking advantage of the economic downturn by forcing lay-offs, wage cuts and reduced working conditions on low-paid staff despite healthy profits, The Irish Times reports. Mandate general secretary John Douglas has argued profitable retailers are prolonging Ireland’s recession, by paying retail workers – who tend to spend almost all of their income in the local economy – less and creating a financial “vicious circle.”
3. Asda gives Northern shoppers ‘cast iron’ price promise
Supermarket giant Asda has launched the ‘Asda Price Guarantee’ (APG) in the north, to guarantee shoppers it won’t be beaten on price. According to Asda CEO Andy Bond, the initiative will “put an end to phoney price wars.” The Belfast Telegraph reports consumers can see how much more they would have paid for the same items elsewhere at www.asda.com/priceguarantee, and if they discover they could have paid less, then Asda will issue a printable voucher for the price difference.
4. Industry cool on proposals to restrict alcohol sales
The drinks industry has expressed concern about new proposals to restrict the sale of alcohol which are being drawn up by the Government’s ‘National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group.’ The Irish Times reports that the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland, which is represented on the group, are concerned that some are more concerned with “reducing the average person’s level of consumption rather than [examining] specific actions targeted at those misusing alcohol.”
Draft proposals being examined are understood to include minimum prices for alcoholic drinks, new charges on retailers selling large volumes and laws requiring alcohol to be sold separately from other products.
5. Racy crisps ads not so Hunky Dory, say rugby chiefs
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has claimed Hunky Dory’s racy rugby ads wrongly implied the company was a major donor to the game. "This advertising campaign is in very bad taste and one which the IRFU would not want to be associated with in any way," said spokesman Padraig Power in The Irish Independent." IRFU solicitors has subsequently requested Largo Foods immediately withdraw the campaign. However boss Raymond Coyle has defended the advertising on the grounds that Largo sponsors All-Ireland League Division 3 side Navan, and that the ads bring a touch of “levity” during the current economic gloom.
Also:
C&C sells spirits division for €300 million (Irish Times)
Confidence rises as consumers start to spend again (Irish Examiner)
City retailers plan to bring back 100,000 shoppers with weekend festival (Irish Independent)
IFA: Misleading labelling on food products must be stopped (Irish Examiner)
Respite for retailers as trips to North wane (Irish Independent)
Retail Ireland says code of practice would hurt consumer (Sunday Business Post)
‘Mr Newry’ says number of Southern shoppers down 50% (Sunday Tribune)
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