Niamh Hennessy
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News of changes to the hugely popular Dunnes Stores Shop and Save grocery voucher scheme is sending shockwaves through the savvy shopper community right now. The supermarket giant, it seems, is making changes to its voucher scheme but not in a way that shoppers are happy about. To be fair to Dunnes, they have had huge success with their voucher initiative. Whoever came up with the idea is sitting right up there in the Marketing Hall of Fame with the person who invented the Wild Atlantic Way. The Dunnes Stores €10-off-€50 voucher scheme has been a major hit with shoppers and has no doubt attracted thousands of customers to Dunnes when they may have not shopped there traditionally. Seeing that you have only a day left to spend your voucher can be a big incentive to stop by the store and spend €50 to save €10. However, news broke this week that the most recent Shop and Save Vouchers Dunnes were issuing to customers were now only valid for ten days rather than the traditional 14 days. When asked about the change there was no reply from Dunnes but this move could have far-ranging consequences for shoppers. There could be weeks when a grocery shop is missed due to holidays or other life events and if that is the case, then the voucher will be useless. However, there is a Facebook page to rescue for hardcore Dunnes shoppers in the form of the ‘Dunnes Voucher Group’ which has more than 109,000 members and strict voucher-swapping rules. It is a very active group and you can swap vouchers that may be going out of date or ask for vouchers also. Of course, Dunnes Stores isn’t the only supermarket to lure customers with loyalty schemes and vouchers. TESCO
Tesco were the first big supermarket to bring in the idea of a loyalty scheme and that was around 25 years ago. In recent years however, Tesco has changed how it is operating its loyalty card and now you can expect to pay a lot more for your groceries in Tesco if you don’t use your Tesco Clubcard. This is not without consequences however, and the watchdog in the UK has just announced that it is launching a review of loyalty schemes like Tesco’s one to see if it is fair that members should be entitled to lower-priced goods than those who are not members of the scheme. For now, however, it is business as usual and anyone who shops at Tesco and uses their Clubcard will be well rewarded. The price difference can be significant too. For example, at the moment a large tin of Pringles will cost €3.49 in Tesco without a Clubcard and will cost just €1.50 if you scan your card. A Christmas box of Cadbury's Heroes will cost €6.50 at the till but if you scan your card you will bring the price down to €3.99. SUPERVALU
SuperValu also has reinvented its loyalty scheme called ‘Real Rewards’ in the past year and now offers more regular weekly vouchers to loyal customers. They also include coupons on their app for various items such as 75 cent off own-brand toilet rolls or 80 cent off own-brand kids' waters. SuperValu also runs a very popular turkey scheme each Christmas and is doing so again this year. They offer anyone with 500 tokens the chance to buy a half-price turkey. You get tokens each time you shop in the store. It is also worth keeping an eye on SuperValu’s ‘Flash Deals’ as alcohol is not included in the voucher scheme for any supermarket but SuperValu does have flash deals on alcohol aside from the general money-saving scheme. ALDI
Aldi does not have any loyalty scheme but Lidl introduced one a few years ago and that is also proving very popular with shoppers. With the Lidl scheme, everything is done on the app and they offer customers ‘treats’ each week. These come in the form of significantly discounted items which you can save money on by scanning your app. For example, recent treats include 50% off the price of cherry tomatoes or free gift wrapping paper with certain toys. They also had a recent selection of discounts on wines and proseccos with up to 31% off the full price of some bottles if you scan the app at the till. MARKS & SPENCER
As Christmas approaches too, all eyes will be on Marks and Spencer and they won’t be left out in the cold when it comes to loyalty schemes. They have their ‘Sparks’ scheme running in Ireland for shoppers. This takes the form of an app also and each week shoppers will be offered different ‘treats’. For example one of the latest ones was a free Swiss chocolate bar once you swipe the app. They also have a ‘12 Days of Christmas’ offer starting soon which will see shoppers being offered a different reward each day and these include things like a free pack of Percy Pig sweets or free pastries. CAVEAT EMPTOR...
Loyalty schemes are a big deal for supermarkets and figures show that nearly three-quarters of Irish shoppers are signed up to some loyalty programme in the major stores. However supermarkets are not offering these schemes because they care about you as a person, these schemes give these supermarkets valuable insight into you as a shopper and they also reward loyalty so they use them as a way to lure you back to their store. Dunnes want you to come back to their shop and not head across the road to Tesco which is why there is a time limit on using their vouchers. Aldi, the only big supermarket in Ireland not to run a loyalty scheme did some research last year and said that shoppers they surveyed said that they intentionally overspent or bought things they didn’t need in order to hit the required spend for vouchers or loyalty schemes. Of course, as a store that doesn’t run a loyalty scheme, they are biased here but there can be some truth to the claim that shoppers can see the end prize rather than looking at what they really need. Read More

Your complete guide to all supermarket loyalty schemes as Dunnes Stores shortens voucher window

"In addition to the Click and Collect offerings at the supermarkets there are also options for home delivery and most of the supermarkets offer this service also." Consumer Corner: Most supermarkets now run very slick Click and Collect offerings and we decided to take a look at the pros and cons of each so you don’t have to. Wed, 29 Nov, 2023 - 18:00
Niamh Hennessy
    
The supermarket car parks are starting to get crowded now as the race for cranberry sauce and goose fat starts to heat up. With Christmas just around the corner, food is on peoples' minds. There’s no fear like the journey to a supermarket for the Christmas shop and wondering just how long the queue will be to get in. That is why you should be clever about your food shop this Christmas. Stock up now on the items that can hold like the sauces and condiments and use your freezer also. You can buy your cauliflower cheese now and pop it in the freezer so you can avoid the big rush on Christmas Eve to Marks'. Also, keep an eye on the deals. You will see them advertised and if you see something on offer pick it up now and save yourself a bit of money. It all adds up. Another option for the weekly shop is Click-and-Collect, which has become more popular over the last few years. Most supermarkets now run very slick Click-and-Collect offerings and we decided to take a look at the pros and cons of each so you don’t have to. Firstly a common theme at the moment is that all supermarkets now offer a chance for you to book your Christmas slot. This could be a useful thing to do as the slots will undoubtedly book up fast closer to C-day. ALDI
First up is Aldi and the Click-and-Collect system here is very straightforward. When shopping on a Wednesday night there were slots available as early as Thursday morning and right through the weekend. Aldi says that all their C&C orders are packed into compostable tray liners to make packing and unpacking shopping more efficient. Like most supermarkets, they are also quick to point out that their pickers are trained to choose the freshest option adding “just as you would if you were shopping in-store.”
Aldi’s C&C operates by a text message system. You park your car in the designated bay and text a number to say you have arrived. They then bring your groceries to the car. Also, their online shopping system is very easy to navigate, too. However, for the luxury of C&C with Aldi, you will pay €6.49 which is a bit excessive given other supermarkets offer the service for free. LIDL? Lidl does not offer a Click and Collect service. They say that “to help us maintain our customer-oriented and efficient manner the only way to purchase our goods is by visiting our stores”. TESCO
Tesco are the OGs of Click-and-Collect and has been offering the service for a while so they have it well thought out. You will find easily accessible bays at the supermarkets and you can book your slot online. Tesco also points out that there are “a number of people involved in your shopping trip, all of whom are dedicated to making sure you receive great service and great quality.”
They say their shoppers pick from the back of the shelves to ensure you get the freshest produce and the longest sell-by dates. “They also carefully select fruit and vegetables as if they were shopping for themselves,” they point out. They also add that when packing your produce their team is trained to separate food from non-food, chilled from frozen and heavy items at the bottom to avoid any squashing. Although the service is free with Tesco, they do say that a minimum €3 basket charge will be added to Click-and-Collect orders that are under €30. DUNNES STORES
Dunnes Stores also started offering grocery Click and Collect too and they operate a similar system to Tesco and Aldi. You phone the telephone number displayed on the sign at the parking bay to let the store know you’ve arrived and they bring the groceries to your car. They say that there is “currently” no charge for their Click and Collect service and you can also use your €10 off €50 vouchers when shopping, also. They too point out that their shoppers pick the freshest produce, too. SUPERVALU
SuperValu also has a very slick Click-and-Collect offering and it is also free of charge. They have an easy-to-use website for shopping for groceries and you pick the store you want to collect the groceries from and reserve your slot and time. You can also use your Real Rewards card for C&C shopping at SuperValu which is handy for building up points. HOME DELIVERY NOTES
In addition to the Click-and-Collect offerings at the supermarkets there are also options for home delivery and most of the supermarkets offer this service also. Tesco does various deals whereby you can get free home delivery if you are over 65 years of age and they also offer package deals for delivery service such as a three-month plan where you pay €15 a month for three months. Delivery is another option too but it will generally be more costly than Click-and-Collect. Read More

Consumer Corner: Comparing supermarket click-and-collect services - how do they measure up?

Group’s foodservice sector saw a huge growth over the year
The SuperValu owner saw revenues increase to €4.7bn during 2022 as profit margins remained under "significant pressure". Tue, 21 Nov, 2023 - 07:00
Ronan Smyth
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Despite soaring operational costs and rising inflation, Cork-headquartered Musgrave Group saw revenue grow steadily last year with profits after tax reaching nearly €100m. In its recently published annual report for 2022 and financial statements, the SuperValu and Centra owner said its results for the year were “solid” but margins were under “significant pressure”. According to the results, revenue at Musgrave Group increased from €4.5bn in 2021 to €47bn which on the back of, the company generated a gross profit of €875.1m. However, the company saw an increase in operational costs, up 4.4% to €617m, and administrative costs, up 4.7% to €149m. Staff costs amounted to €418m during 2022 - up from €395.2m. This left the Musgrave Group with an operating profit of €116m which dropped to a profit of €99m after taxes were deducted. This is still an increase of €6.3m year-on-year. Nicky Hartery, chairman of the Musgrave Group, said the results for 2022 were “solid” and despite obstacles such as inflation and the impact the war in Ukraine had on global supply-chains. “Margins have been under significant pressure due to high inflation, rising cost of goods and operational costs, and unpredictable energy prices. Moreover, global supply- chain disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine and the growing impact of climate change have presented persistent logistical challenges,” he said. Of the company’s recorded €4.7bn in turnover, €3.9bn was generated in the Republic of Ireland with €600m generated in Northern Ireland. The remaining €200m was generated in the company’s Spanish outlets. The Musgrave Group operates 12 brands on the island of Ireland and in Spain including Frank and Honest, Donnybrook Fair, Daybreak, and Mace. The company employs 41,000 people across its businesses. During the year, SuperValu recorded the Group’s largest sales with a total value of €3.3bn followed by Centra at €2.3bn. Daybreak generated €300m in sales. SuperValu has 222 stores nationwide and an additional 37 in Northern Ireland, while Centra has 489 stores in the Republic and 102 in Northern Ireland. Daybreak has 300 stores in the Republic with Donnybrook Fair having six outlets here. The company has a net cash position of €238m up from €193m. While the company’s grocery business gradually returned to normal during 2022 following the pandemic, it was Musgrave’s foodservice sector which saw a huge growth over the year. Sales to hotels and restaurants were up 51% year-on-year and is now serving approximately 45,000 customers across the island of Ireland. Noel Keeley, chief executive of the Musgrave Group, said the company will continue to grow its retail and foodservice businesses through “investment and acquisition, as well as exploring further strategic diversification as opportunities arise”. Dividends paid out in the family-owned company amounted to €25.2m during the year up from 18.6m in 2021. In its financial statement for the year, the company has identified a number of potential risks going forward chief among them is the continued impact on inflation which impacted consumer spending and shopping behaviours. In addition, the identified labour availability as another risk factor.

Musgrave Group sees revenue and profit grow steadily despite rising costs and inflation

Breakthru Beverage Group Names Executive Vice Presidents for Florida, California Markets
Breakthru Beverage Group today announced Executive Vice President appointments for the Florida and California markets. Jeff Ortmeier assumes the role of Executive Vice President, Breakthru Beverage Florida, effective November 13, and Tandy Harvey will assume the role of Executive Vice President, Breakthru Beverage California, effective December 1. Ortmeier is joining Breakthru after a career with Coca-Cola, while Harvey comes from United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI). Both will work with Region Presidents—Will Fulghom in the East U.S. and Jeremy Tostrup in the West U.S.— to oversee all statewide operations with a particular focus on growing and strengthening the teams in these dynamic markets. “With more than 20 years’ of progressive experience in field sales and operations with Coca-Cola, a strong understanding of the Florida market and its consumer base, and proven success building top-performing teams that expertly execute a strategic vision, Jeff will be a tremendous asset to the Breakthru Florida team,” said Fulghom. “The Florida market is booming and we’re seeing incredible growth there, which is why we need an in-market leader who can rise to the opportunities it presents. We believe Jeff is just that person and look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership on our position in the market.”
“Tandy is a highly accomplished leader with the vision, experience and ambition it takes to lead a diverse and expansive market like California,” said Tostrup. “As we continue to onboard the market following our acquisition of Wine Warehouse earlier this year, we were looking for a dynamic and experienced candidate who could hit the ground running and quickly take the business to new heights, and we found that person in Tandy. Her experience driving exceptional sales performance, managing large teams through unprecedented challenges and collaborating with partners to deliver mutually beneficial results will serve us very well in California.”
Ortmeier began his career with Coca-Cola in 1991 and held various roles of expanding responsibility and experience. As Vice President, Franchise Field Operations for Coke’s Florida market, he managed a market that produced $1.9B in annual revenue with 47 counties and 18 facilities stretching from Jacksonville to Key West, along with a team of 3,400 associates that earned numerous Bottler of the Year awards from customers. Ortmeier will bring this experience to his role at Breakthru where he will be responsible for building the organization, including setting and executing strategy to win share and achieve the company’s long-term vision, overseeing all commercial and distributor operations and fostering a dynamic workplace culture that develops talent for the future. “Breakthru’s reputation speaks for itself, and I am excited to join such a dynamic team that is making strategic investments to achieve their ambitious growth plans and position the company for the future,” said Ortmeier. “This is a tremendous opportunity and I look forward to leveraging my experience with the Florida market and local consumer sentiment to help drive the team forward.”
Harvey spent her 30-year career with SUPERVALU and later UNFI, which acquired SUPERVALU in 2018, where she held a diverse array of roles of increasing scope and responsibility, including in merchandising, category management, marketing, sales and operations. Most recently, Tandy served as President, Central Region, where she was responsible for developing and implementing the regional sales strategy and vision, driving $6.7 billion in wholesale sales and managing business supported by 15 distribution centers across 21 states. In addition to managing all business and operational activities and pursuing the company’s vision in the market, Harvey will leverage this experience to lead the California team while continuing the all-important integration work following the Wine Warehouse acquisition. “Breakthru’s entry and continued investments in the California market present a wealth of opportunities, and given the great team already in place, I have no doubt the business is positioned for incredible growth in the coming months and years,” said Harvey. “Beyond the incredible people, there is a clear strategic vision supported by the right investments and tools needed to be a major player in this market and I’m excited to play a role in shaping what comes next.”
About Breakthru Beverage Group
Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading alcohol wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada representing a full total beverage alcohol portfolio of spirits, wine and beer. Breakthru is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports a wide range of notable organizations as well as local charitable initiatives across its North American footprint. Across all markets, Breakthru aligns a nimble and insightful approach to sales, marketing and operations. Family ownership is active in the business and committed to being stewards of heritage and champions of innovation. For More Information:

Breakthru Beverage Group Names Executive Vice Presidents for Florida, California Markets

Exclusive news and research on the wine, spirits and beer business
November 15, 2023
•Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has appointed Mike McLaughlin as chief transformation officer, effective February 2024. In his new role, McLaughlin will take charge of North Star, Southern Glazer’s modernization program, aimed at transforming and standardizing company processes and technology use for both the business and its customers. McLaughlin has most recently served as SGWS regional president, central region. In total, McLaughlin has over 30 years in the wine and spirits business. •Breakthru Beverage Group has named new executive vice presidents for two of its largest markets: Jeff Ortmeier in Florida, effective today, and Tandy Harvey in California, effective December 1. Ortmeier has 20 years’ experience in field sales and operations with Coca-Cola, while Harvey has spent her 30-year career with grocery wholesaler and retailer Supervalu and later UNFI, which acquired Supervalu in 2018. Breakthru’s Florida unit has revenues projected at $1.5 billion for 2023, according to Shanken’s Impact Newsletter. In California the company is in its first year of business, after acquiring $800 million player Wine Warehouse earlier this year.

News Briefs for November 14, 2023

Buffalo is a web service for rapid catching social-related achievements.

Our web service allows to save personal achievements and badges from other sites/applications and also to share with other members.

Challenge:
Either all our achievements and badges are scattered in different web services and applications or aren’t elsewhere fixated, as well as there isn’t any evidence of achieving them.

Solution: Our project is able to help with saving and achieving the desired goals and likewise to teach them something new (this is what the achievement base Buffalo is for)

Member’s personal achievements as well as badges and achievements from other services will provide the image-building.

Buffalo

Kepak , the leading Irish food company , has launched an innovative burger partnership with Ireland 's only artisan buffalo meat producer , Macroom Buffalo Meats , based in west Cork and Ireland 's leading retailer , SuperValu .

Local Collaboration: Macroom Burger Launch - Kepak

Kepak Group is engaged in processing and marketing a full range of meat proteins in varied formats and presentations. The Group comprises three strategic business units, namely Kepak Meat Division (KMD), Kepak Convenience Foods (KCF), and Kepak Frozen Division (KFD).

Kepak Group

Commenting at the launch of the Lamb Producer Guidelines , Kepak Group CEO , Simon Walker said : `` We are delighted to partner with SuperValu to publish these innovative Lamb Producer Guidelines , which promote best-in-class lamb production and provide key guidance , advice and recommendations to Irish sheep farmers .

KEPAK GROUP PARTNERS WITH SUPERVALU TO LAUNCH FIRST EVER LAMB PRODUCER GUIDELINES - Kepak

University College Cork is a comprehensive, research-based institution operating in the education sector. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as adult continuing education and professional development programs. It primarily serves the education sector. It was founded in 1845 and is based in Cork, Ireland.

University College Cork

UCC has a long tradition in this field which was the principle reason for the original partnership between SuperValu and UCC .

The SuperValu Award for Excellence in Food Microbiology was presented in UCC recently by Ray Bowe, Head of Food Safety & Quality, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland.
(left to right) Prof Patrick O’Shea, President of UCC, Nora Cash, Award Recipient, Ray Bowe Head of Food Safety & Quality Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, and Prof Gerard Fitzgerald Head of School of Microbiology UCC.

Autism Spectrum Information Advice & Meeting Point (AsIAm) is a national Autism charity and advocacy organization that provides a platform for people affected by Autism to share their stories and views, one-stop-shop for the Autism community, and strong voice for the concerns of the community. It is based in Dublin, Ireland.

Autism Spectrum Information Advice & Meeting Point

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This is a collection of investors named in the 2019 Fortune 500 list of companies. All CB Insights profiles for active investment arms of a Fortune 500 company are included.

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SUPERVALU (NYSE: SVU) is an American retailing company that operates a chain of supermarkets and pharmacies primarily in the United States. The Company also provides supply chain services, which includes wholesale distribution and related logistics support services.

Name	Work History	Title	Status
Sam Ducan		Chief Executive Officer, President	Current
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17 Team Members