Author: Aisling Rafferty

Musgrave get the clear for €57 million deal to sell UK division

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Irish Retail giant Musgrave have received regulatory clearance to sell its UK operations. It is believed that the deal will be worth around €57 million and will be sold to a rival UK wholesale giant Booker. Musgraves, which is based in Cork operate the Budgens and Londis brands and have close to 1800 across the UK.

Booker is the UK’s biggest cash and carry operator and the deal have been cleared by the Competitions and Market Authority. It will be sold on a cash free and debt free basis. The acquisition is set to be complete in and around September 14th.

Musgrave currently own and operate the Supervalu brand in Ireland. In a statement, Musgraves said ‘’ “Musgrave Group today noted the decision of the UK Competition and Markets Authority to approve the sale of Musgrave GB to Booker Group PLC. Musgrave Group will now move to complete the transaction with Booker.”

Booker commented “We are pleased that the acquisition of Londis and Budgens has been cleared by the CMA. This will help strengthen our support for independent retailers throughout Great Britain.”

Source: http://www.independent.ie/business/supervalu-owner-musgrave-gets-green-light-for-57m-deal-to-sell-uk-division-31498934.html

Can Cell Phone Operators Retail?

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Our Managing Director discusses a recent Retail visit in Dublin City Centre.

Recently, I had to visit a city centre store of our company cell phone provider to pick up a couple of new handsets last week and the visit made me think – Can cell phone retailer’s retail?

Whilst waiting on the paperwork, the sales consultant explained this wait was due to the company’s new slow software, happily showing me the computer screen as it churned slowly. I had no choice to observe what was going on around me. In the 30 minutes there, four different and potential customers came into the shop.

Customer 1– Young Chinese guy looking for a plan that would include value minutes to China. Sales consultant tells him he should use Skype or Whatsapp! Customer leaves bewildered.

Customer 2-Young Girl in her 20’s looking for €20 call credit. Sales consultant tells her that there is a problem with their systems and whilst he can sell it to her, she won’t be able to register it for use! Customer leaves bewildered.

Customer 3– Mature lady in her fifties. Has lost her phone needs to buy a new phone pronto. Sales consultant notes that she doesn’t have the required ID. Customer leaves frustrated.

Customer 4– Female Student. Wants to pick up nice smart phone on prepay. Sales consultant delights on telling her that the one she picked is €500. Why not go bill pay. Student explains that she is a student and has no credit history etc for Bill pay. Consultant shrugs her off and offer no alternative. Customer leaves frustrated.

When I looked at the shop itself I noticed only around 20% of the handsets on display actually worked, the rest were just bland blank glass as smart phones are these days when not turned on. The accessories were not merchandised with the handsets, instead held on wall hooks that were under lock and key at the tills. Shouldn’t you merchandise the accessories by their phones? Don’t all retailers want additional sales? Isn’t there a cracking margin in accessories?

So in conclusion, I don’t think Cell phone operators can retail. Shame really when they have so many shops yet so many disgruntled customers.

Ireland’s Top 100 brands revealed

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Produced by Checkout magazine and in association with Nielson, the Checkout Top 100 Brands is an accumulative account of the top brands purchased by Irish consumers. What is encouraging is that three of the top five brands are Irish products and illustrating brand loyalty amongst Irish consumers.

Furthermore, a number of Irish brands have made considerable movement. The likes of Jacobs, Club Soft Drinks, Irish Pride, Pat the Baker, Miwadi and Dairygold have all achieved their highest positions to date.

The collection of the top 100 brands in Ireland is based on branded value sales collected across the Irish grocery sector and thus making it the most accurate reflection of the biggest selling brands across Ireland. Sales performance is measured across 6,500 brands with over 200 product classes compiled in the report.

The biggest mover this year was Carrolls Meats which rose 41 places and currently sits at 72nd place. A total of 24 brands moved an impressive 5 places or more.

Checkout Top 100 Brands 2015

1 Coca Cola
2 Avonmore Milk
3 Brennans Bread
4 Cadburys Dairy Milk
5 Tayto
6 Lucozade
7 7up
8 Walkers
9 Jaocbs
10 Extra
11 Yoplait
12 Pampers
13 Club
14 Irish Pride
15 Dairygold
16 Muller
17 Goodfellas
18 Danone
19 Nescafe
20 Red Bull

 

Source: http://www.checkout.ie/irelands-biggest-selling-brands-revealed-checkout-top-100-brands/19115

Merchandise Planners and Visual Merchandisers: The Difference

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Excel Recruitment are the leading Retail Recruitment Company in Ireland. We receive applications from all levels of professionals in the Retail and Fashion industry from Sales Assistants to CEO’s daily. One thing we have noticed over time is the confusion some people have surrounding Visual Merchandisers and Merchandisers (also called Merchandise Planners). Our Digital Marketing Manager Clare, together with our Head Office and Merchandising Recruiter Sarah, have compiled this blog for easy understanding and to eradicate any confusion that surrounds the two roles. We have jobs for all levels of Merchandise Planners, full remuneration packages and flights if applicable which you can view here www.excelrecruitment.com

What is the difference between a Visual Merchandiser and Merchandiser?

People often understandably confuse the term Merchandisers with Visual Merchandisers. They are both roles that are generally found in a Retail Head Office.

Merchandisers (also can be called Merchandisers Planners) need to be highly numerical, commercially minded and analytical. They must possess the ability to work in a fast paced and constantly evolving environment.

Visual Merchandising on the other hand, is a highly creative role where their main remit is to develop, deliver and communicate visual concepts and strategies to promote retail brands, products and services in-store, in catalogues or online. They also tend to work in a pressurised work surrounding and can often be found on the shop floor ensuring displays, photographics and fixtures etc. are correctly executed.

  • Merchandise Planners will think and solve They make business decisions based on facts accumulated from analysing reports and figures. They will have reasoning and an ability to solve complex based on accurate reasoning.
  • Visual Merchandisers will act, develop and deliver visual concepts that are in line with company strategies which in turn will drive sales. They work alongside Buyers, Merchandisers and Marketing to ensure that the key messages for a brand or product are clearly executed to drive sales in store and online.

In a nutshell…

Merchandisers/Merchandise Planners are responsible for having the right stock in the right place at the right time to maximise sales and to minimise mark down.

Visual Merchandisers are concerned with promoting the identity of brands and new products both instore and online in order to boost sales.

Potential candidates should ensure they understand the difference between visual merchandising, retail merchandising and shop-floor merchandising before applying to jobs. The latter two are concerned with volumes and allocation of stock and its location and functional arrangement on the shop floor, rather than the visual and creative impact a visual merchandiser makes. There are interfaces between the roles and teams may work closely together to achieve maximum sales and profitability.

Excel Recruitment want to hear from Merchandise Planners across all level from Trainee to Senior roles. View all our jobs here: www.excelrecruitment.com or attach a CV to info@excelrecruitment.com

Merchandiser

‘Toys R Us’ pick sites for their Irish Sites

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Toys R Us have leased units at Westend Retail Park in Blanchardstown, Dublin and Parkway Retail Park in Limerick. With more than 1,500 stores across 33 countries and more than 50 retail outlets across the UK, this is the Toy Retailers first venture in the Republic.

Annual rent is believed to be €325,000 in Dublin for a 10,000 sq. ft unit and €200,000 in Limerick for 17,800 sq ft unit. Altogether, Toys R Us plan to open 10 stores across Ireland. Westend Retail Park was developed and run by the Cosgrave Group until it was sold along with other high-value property assets by Nama.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/toys-r-us-leases-shops-in-dublin-and-limerick-1.2328313

Fitzwilliam given go ahead to purchase Arnott’s stake

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Fitzwilliam Finance Partners have stated that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have approve the outright purchase of the Arnott’s group. In May of this year, Fitzwilliam said they had reached agreement to acquire 50% in Arnotts, which is owned by rival bidder Apoll, a US investor.

Noel Smyth & Partners, who are owners of The Fitzwilliam Finance Partners said that following approval from the Competition Authority, Fitzwilliam will complete the formalities of acquiring the Apollo interest over the forthcoming weeks.

“It is our core objective to maintain the iconic brand of Arnotts which is synonymous with retailing in Dublin city centre and to build on this landmark brand,” he said.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/fitzwilliam-gets-approval-to-buy-arnotts-1.2324846

Carphone Warehouse launch new Mobile Phone Network

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Carphone Warehouse are to launch their mobile phone operating service titled ‘iD’ today. Targeting at young adults (25-34 year age bracket) who are moderate to heavy data users and more inclined to a prepay plan iD is the first of two networks launched this year. UPC are also believed to launch a network this year but the date is unknown.

iD will run off the Three Ireland network and have a Waterford based call centre for operational and customer queries. iD have set a target of obtaining 6% of overall market share in the next 5 years, which would equate to approx.. 300,000 users. iD is promising a transparent and flexible mobile service. Plans for calls, texts and data vary but there’s no option to omit category (Eg. Texts) All plans include 4G as standard, provided the phone you’re using is compatible. Plans can easily be changed on a monthly bases, even on a contract base, but the length of the contract itself can’t. (Contract plans vary from 12 months, 18 months and 24 months)

The cheapest possible contract is €10 a month and the most expensive is €29 a month. Plans for prepay and bill pay are the same price monthly. As iD will be powered by the 32 Ireland network, 4G coverage will be powered by Three Ireland. Known for having major problems in the past, the recently announced they would be investing €300 million in improving infrastructure. 17 types of phone are available altogether, with a limited selection of these available now.

Source: http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/carphone-warehouse-id-ireland-explainer-2280482-Aug2015/

The Best Shops in Ireland: The Shortlist

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Best Food/drink shop

George’s Fish Shop, Monkstown Farm, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Sheridans Cheese, 11 South Anne St, D2.

Gusto d’Italia 30 William Street, Limerick.

Roy Fox, 49 A Main Street, Donnybrook, D 4.

Fallon & Byrne, 11-17 Exchequer Street, D2.

Select Stores, 1 Railway Rod, Dalkey, Co Dublin.

Blackrock Cellar, 23 Rock Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin.

Ardkeen Quality Food, Dunmore Road, Waterford, Co Waterford.

64 Wine, 64 Glasthule Road, Glenageary, Co Dublin.

Wines Direct, 9 Lough Sheever Park, Mullingar.

Toons Bridge Dairy Shop, Toons Bridge, Co Cork.

Caviston’s Glasthule Road, Co Dublin.

James Whelan Butcher, Various locations.

 

Best fashion store

Samui Fashions, 17 Drawbridge Street, Cork.

Muse, 92 The Quay, Waterford.

Gallery 9, 2 Poplar House, Sallins Road, Naas, Co Kildare.

Style Ikon, 18a The Crescent, Monkstown, Co Dublin.

EJ Menswear, 11 Grattan Street, Sligo.

Edward Donnellan & Co, Main Street, Roscommon, Co Roscommon.

Frewen & Aylward, 44 George’s Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire.

Folkster, 27 Patrick Street, Kilkenny .

Nowhere, 64 Aungier Street, Dublin 2.

Envoy of Belfast, 4 Wellington Street, Belfast, Co Antrim.

Vanilla Fermoy, Co Cork.

Om Diva, 27 Drury Street, D2

 

Best specialist shop

Knobs & Knockers, 19 Nassau Street, D2.

Hang Tough, 7b South Richmond Street, D8.

Amphibian King, Raven Hall, Upper Dargle Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.

Cloon Keen Atelier, 21a High Street, Galway.

The Rathgar Bookshop, 100 Rathgar Road, Rathgar, D6.

Right Click, 70 Camden Street, D2.

Susan Hunter Lingerie, 13 Westbury Mall, Grafton Street, D2.

The Rock Shop, Derreen, Liscannor, Co Clare.

Big Bang Comics, Sandyford Road, Dundrum, D14.

 

 

Best café/teashop

Hazel Mountain Chocolate, Oughtmama, Co Clare.

Queen of Tarts , Cow’s Lane, D2

Nick’s Coffee, Main Street, Ranelagh, D6.

Pudding Row, Main Street, Easkey, Co Sligo.

Clement & Pekoe, 50 South William St, D2.

The Fumbally, Fumbally Lane, D8.

Cupán Tae, 8 Quay Lane, Galway.

Firehouse Bakery, Old Delgany Inn, Delgany, Co Wicklow.

Glebe Gardens and Cafe, Baltimore, Co Cork

Shells Café and Little Shop, The Seafront, Strandhill, Co Sligo.

 

 

Best newcomer

Kiln & Loom, 287 Ormeau Road, Belfast, Co Antrim.

RunLogic, Smock Alley Court, Essex Street West, Temple Bar D2.

Whelehan’s Wines, Silver Tassie, Bray Road, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin.

Finn McCool Surf Shop, Rossknowlagh, Co Donegal

Lotts & Co, 7 South Lotts Road, D4.

Camerino, 158 Capel Street, D1.

Castle & Drury, 6 Castle Market, D2.

Scrumdiddlys, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Sister Sadie, 45 Harrington Street, D8.

Ballymaguire Food to create 100 new full time jobs

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Ballymaguire Foods will create 100 new full time permanent jobs in Lusk, North Dublin. The largest Frozen Ready Meal provider in the country will also create 100 temporary jobs during the construction phase. The state of the art 70,000 sq. ft plant will bring an additional €4 million to the local economy.

Ballymaguire currently employ 150 staff and are the largest producer of chilled ready meals in Ireland. The will be recruiting sales and marketing professionals, food scientists and technicians, research and development, chefs and general operatives over the forthcoming months. The company was founded in 2008 and clients include Tesco, Lidl, SuperValu and Centra.

Ballymaguire, which is fully Irish owned have approx. 80 different offerings. Director Managing Ed Spelman said: Our production capability will now grow to over 500,000 meals per week and this will mainly be used to fuel the opportunities we see in the UK and add to our existing business there. We managed to buck the trend during the recession, as we used it to find new opportunities and successfully grow.

Supermac’s are expanding and bringing 320 new jobs to market

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Pat and Una McDonagh, founders of much loved Irish food retailer Supermac’s are to develop three new motorway service stations. They will be rolled out across the next two years creating 220 new jobs. The announcement was made as work began on a new €8 million motorway service station on the M6.

The new Motorway Service Station at Junction 16 Kiltullagh Plaza has an opening date in early 2016 and will see the introduction of 100 new jobs. It will be the country’s largest motorway service station. As well as the tasty fresh fast food offerings Supermac’s are renowned for, it will also offer Deli, Bakery, Carvery, Pizza and SuperSubs as Supermac’s extend their brands beyond their core offering that they are most associated with.

A further 220 jobs at three more plaza sites will be developed over the next couple of years which will include Ennis and Limerick. They currently have 3 Motorway service stations in place, with encouraging news that they are in a position to double this over the forthcoming years with the creation of hundreds of new Irish jobs.

Source: http://www.businessandleadership.com/business/item/51480-supermacs-founders-to/