Top stories in the papers this week 8 – 15 October 2010
Spar Ireland to unveil cut-price product range; Dublin business group seeks to revive rejuvenation plans for 'city markets'; New €15m deal for Gala own-brand range
Print14 October 2010
1. Spar Ireland to unveil cut-price product range
Spar is a launching a new S-Budget line including 50 own brand products. The company is introducing the new line, on average 40% cheaper than leading brands, because its own brand label sales have grown 12.4% year on year. The Sunday Business Post reports half the products will be sourced through the company’s bilateral agreement with Spar Austria, and the other half from local Irish producers. The new range follows an 8% drop in sales at Spar Ireland last year, in a bid to stem ‘‘the recent shift in market share to the discounters.”
2. Dublin business group seeks to revive rejuvenation plans for ‘city markets’
Plans to redevelop Dublin city’s Victorian fruit and vegetable markets and the surrounding area are being revived by the Dublin City Business Association (DCBA). The Irish Times reports the Markets Framework Plan, a €425 million urban regeneration scheme for the north inner city area, was first published in 2005, but collapsed two years later when a consortium led by developer Paddy Kelly failed to get the necessary agreements signed. DCBA has now published the Capel Street and City Markets report, to create a “gastronomic centre for the city” without relying on property developers.
3. New €15m deal for Gala own-brand range
Gala has agreed a distribution deal to support the roll out of a new range of own brand products to 200 retail partners nationwide. The Sunday Business Post writes that under the terms of the three-year deal, Retail Direct Distribution, a privately owned Irish company, will distribute the own-brand range, which has 200 product lines, to Gala retailers nationwide. Gala expects the range, which will require investment of €500,000 over five years, to generate revenues of €15 million in 2011.
4. Ballina the ‘gridlock capital of Ireland,’ say Facebook campaigners
Retailers have been able to voice their concerns on the impact Ballina’s new traffic system is having on trade, on a new Facebook page called ‘Ballina, Gridlock Capital of Ireland.’ The Mayo News reports the controversial traffic scheme has resulted in severe delays on outlying routes and previously bustling shopping streets such as O’Rehilly Street, ending up practically deserted at 2pm, according to locals commenting on the social networking webpage. One woman said she will be carrying out her shopping in Castlebar, as it is "less hassle."
To visit the Facebook page, ‘Ballina, Gridlock Capital of Ireland,’ click here.
5. Topaz to ramp up promotional spend
Topaz, whose €50 million rebranding from Shell and Statoil set a new Irish record, is now spending €500,000 in a TV and PR-driven campaign to promote its own fuel. The Sunday Business Post reports the group states its fuel is more economical to use than competitors’ offerings. Topaz is currently in expansion mode, and is working on a joint project with McDonald’s for a motorway stop near the town of Cashel, Co Tipperary. Future marketing initiatives will also stress mobile activity, with plans to include service-station finder applications and other app-based special offers targeted at motorists.
Also:
Spreading its branches (Sunday Business Post)
-Profile on Spar International’s expansion plans for which Dubliner Leo Crawford, the group’s global president, has overall responsibility.
Dealers selling cigarettes illegally in housing estates (Irish Times)
IFA calls on Tesco to pass back realistic prices to producers (Irish Examiner)
ISME launches new online training programme for retailers (Clare Herald)
M4 motorway service opens at Enfield, Co Kildare (Galway Independent)
Top French award for Caherbag white pudding range a real boost (Irish Examiner)
ICMSA says liquid milk price offer will not cover cost of production (Roscommon Herald)
British retail sales growth slows sharply (Irish Examiner)
O’Keeffe urged to use ‘imagination’ over graduate jobless (Irish Times)
– Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe says graduate recruitment has increased by 26% in retail, wholesale and purchasing.
Empire of brick undone by €16m debt (Irish Times)
-Profile of construction company, Pierse Contracting, which together with Applegreen and Top Oil, was part of the SuperStop consortium
The rise of the savvy shopper (Irish Times)
– According to the NCA, 72% of consumers say the recession has focused them on thinking carefully about what they buy, reports Conor Pope
Retailer still enjoying rub of the green (Irish Times)
– Selling Irish tourist-related paraphernalia earned retailer Carrolls of Dublin an an after-tax profit of €894,213 in the year to the end of November 2009.
Brown Thomas and Argos need 850 seasonal workers (Irish Times)
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