Topaz announce €33million investment for 2017

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Retail chain Topaz have announced they will invest €33million across 2017 which will create over 200 new jobs. The Irish petroleum retailer, owned by the Canadian Couche-Tard Group has a large presence across Ireland and have invested heavily over the last two years, with a particular emphasis on their Fresh Food offering and Re:Store roll-out.

Niall Anderton MD of Topaz and Jørn Madsen, Executive Vice-President, Central Eastern Europe and Ireland made the announcement at The Topaz Dealer Summit, where over 200 Topaz dealer were in attendance.

BWG to expand with 20 new stores

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Wholesale and Retail Company BWG will add 20 Spar and EuroSpar stores nationwide over the next 12 months. BWG currently operate 450 stores across Ireland and will concentrate on fresh food, innovation and digital trends moving forward.

The announcement was made at the group’s conference, held every two years for all Spar and Eurospar operators. Spar South Africa currently owns 80% of BWG which operate the Mace, Londis and XL brands, about 40% of the total convenience retailing market.

BWG Chief Executive Leo Crawford said “We believe that convenience is high on the agenda for Irish consumers and we are working with retailers to help them attract new customers and grow revenues by focusing on fresh food, innovation and digital trends to give consumers what they want. We also think this will provide new growth opportunities for the BWG Foods and we are anticipating continued store growth in 2017 and beyond.”

Hotel Salary Survey 2016

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Shane McLave, General Manager of Excel Recruitment, shares the findings of our company’s recent survey of salary scales in the four star hotel sector.

Overseas visitors to Ireland, as reported by Fáilte Ireland, grew to 7.9 million for 2015, which represents 11% growth on 2014. Record breaking occupancy levels for Dublin and Galway were reported in 2015 and more than 60 hotel properties, with a total value of more than €700m, changed hands in Ireland during 2015. These are just some of the statistics that reflect the positive outlook for the Irish hospitality industry. It also means that demand for a pool of quality potential employees has never been higher. This is good news for recruitment agency Excel Recruitment but the findings of their recent survey of salary scales in the four star hotel sector reveals some worrying trends about the way in which staff shortages are being addressed and the relationship between salary scales and chef shortages in particular.

If you would like to discuss any of the finding you can contact us here. You can view all Hospitality jobs with Excel Recruitment here.

2016 Hotel Salary Survey

Dunnes are Ireland’s second favourite Supermarket

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty
Grocery Market Share Figures for 12 weeks ending September 11th 2016
Grocery Market Share Figures for 12 weeks ending September 11th 2016

Kantar Worldwide have released figures for the 12 weeks ending 11th September 2016. Dunnes Stores have seen notable growth and are now Ireland’s second favourite Supermarket, a feat they share with Tesco as they both lie in joint second. SuperValu remain top and command a current market share of 22.4%, the third consecutive month where growth has been above 3% for the Irish retailer.

  • Dunnes Stores increased sales by 6.3% to draw level with Tesco.
  • Dunnes and Tesco now account for 21.6% each of the Irish grocery market.
  • Sales within Grocery continue to grow, up 3.7% year on year during the past 12 weeks.
  • Lidl’s market share now stands at 11.7% – in line with last year – while sales increased by 4.5%
  • Sales growth for Aldi continues to improve, with market share increasing from 11.2% last year to 11.4%.

Director of Kantar Worldwide David Berry expanded on the figures saying “Larger trips have boosted sales for Dunnes, with the average spend increasing by €2.50 to €37.20 in the latest quarter, compared with the same time last year. Dunnes has successfully tempted shoppers to add more expensive items to their baskets, with the average price per item rising to €2.05 – an increase of 12% on last year.”

All figures from Kantar Worldwide.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Coming To Ireland

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

American doughnut chain Krispy Kreme is headed to Ireland. British real estate agent Morgan Williams is scouting potential sites in Dublin. It is believed it will comprise of a production unit and a café titles the ‘Hotlight Factory Store’.

Expansion into Ireland has been cited as a ‘priority’ and preliminary discussions have taken place with potential landlords. Krispy Kreme currently have over 1,100 outlets in over 26 countries worldwide.

Krispy Kreme in Ireland

  • Seeking a building of 4,700 sq. ft unit accommodating a drive thru and 60+ parking spaces.
  • Investment would be in excess of €1.5 million and employ 50+

Once established, it’s believed Krispy Kreme would consider smaller format stores located at airports, train stations or in a city centre unit. Potential sites for the factory and café unit are believed to be near Liffey Valley and Blachardstown Shopping Centres.

SuperValu Continue To Soar In Grocery Share

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Market Share for the 12 weeks ending 14th August 2016.

The latest Grocery figures posted by Kantar Worldwide show exceptional growth across Irish Grocery Retail, for the 12 weeks ending 14th August 2016. The notable points from the quarter include:

 

  • Lidl’s market share has reached 11.9% – a new record high for the retailer, beating their previous high of 11.8%. In the past 12 weeks, Lidl have recruited 34,000 new shopper to their stores.
  • SuperValu are still Ireland’s favourite Supermarket with sales growth of 3.2%. An additional 15,000 consumers shopped with the retailer over the last 12 weeks, as they maintained their positioning as Ireland’s favourite supermarket for the 11th consecutive month.
  • Dunnes Stores posted the strongest growth figures for the quarter, with sales up 5.8% versus last year.
  • Price of groceries has increased slightly, with the average basket costing 2.7% more than this time last year.
  • Areas of particular growth include Vegetables, Fruit and Beer.

Underrated Work Skills That Progress Your Career

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Have a CV that shines on paper but somehow feel you are still not reaching your career goals? It could be worth taking a look at some of the following less obvious and often underrated work skills to see how you measure up. A team worker with a strong work ethic and good communication skills. These top the list on every job specification we see when it comes to core skills. These core skills required by employers, whilst topping the list, are really only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the range of work skills that are invaluable in today’s workplace.Research by the Mayo Clinic in the US identified lower-rated work skills that resulted in more promotions and career success.

Here are some examples:

  1. Be positive

Positivity is a real plus. Displaying positivity when working in a pressurised environment or on a difficult assignment is going to be appreciated. Someone who has a positive attitude and engages with other team members and customers in a positive way. This will lead to work success.

If you’re not always as positive as you think you should be, there are ways to improve this. The Mayo Clinic listed habits that can help build this key skill. They include:

  • Check yourself for negativity often
  • Be open to humour
  • Live a healthy lifestyle
  • Keep the company of positive people
  • Practise positive self-talk
  1. Influence

The ability to influence is the ability to motivate people to do whatever you need them to do without forcing them to do it. This is an invaluable skill that will lead to promotion. The best team leaders will be able to motivate their teams organically. True influencers are looked up to, not feared. To develop this skill, you need to lead by example and inspire the team by being the first into action no matter what the challenge is.

  1. Concise communication

We all know that many employers highly regard great communication skills, but your ability to communicate concisely and effectively is the real differentiator here. People who can make a point in as few words as possible or as little paper are time-efficient, and they can explain anything quickly. To develop this skill, practise trimming the ‘fat’ off your communication. This includes unnecessary details, adverbs and adjectives that dress up a sentence but don’t add any real value. The remaining message should include all of the important details to be conveyed in as few words as possible. This is particularly invaluable when communicating with senior management, who simply don’t have the time to wade through information.

  1. Inward networking

When we talk about networking we think in terms of growing a base of contacts within an industry. For instance, if you need to move job, you’ll have contacts in other companies. But getting to know the people within your current organisation, professionally and socially, can really pay off. Go out of your way to make friends and build a network within your organisation. Having a network of co-workers routing for you will not go unnoticed.

  1. A high ‘emotional quotient’

Being especially adept at reading and understanding others’ emotions is a highly valued, but vastly underrated, job skill. We all know the millennial workforce loves leaders with a high EQ, which leads those who possess it to be promoted into managerial positions. That’s because managers with a high EQ will know how to get the most out of their staff in any industry. Improve this key skill by learning to objectively identify your own emotions and how they affect your behaviour. You can then apply this knowledge to identify co-workers’ emotions, how to empathise with them and work with them towards agreeable outcomes. This leads to a better working environment and a more productive one.

  1. Mindfulness

You may or may not know what mindfulness is already and wonder how this could relate to the workplace. You may think yoga or mindfulness meditation can be used as a way to deal with workplace stress, but as a work skill? Think again. Mindfulness is simply the practice of engaging fully in the moment. Being in the present fully. Studies show that this is a vital job skill that can improve your productivity and decision-making. You can practice mindfulness simply by engaging fully in the moment or the task at hand.

Keeling Gold Medal Awards 2016

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The Keeling Gold Medal Awards took place on September 27th 2016 in Lyrath Estate Co. Kilkenny. Now in their 28th year, The Gold Medal Awards are regarded as the leading independent awards within Irish Hospitality. Presented by Hotel and Catering Review, the night recognises excellence across all catering operations, including Hotels, Restaurants, Guest Houses, Spa’s and Leisure Facilities. A nomination is seen as a benchmark of excellence, with the awards becoming more contested year on year.

Excel Recruitment were delighted to sponsor the Industrial Caterer category, awarded to The Pavilion located at The University of Limericks North Campus. It was a pleasure to see so many of our clients duly rewarded for the hard work and excellence in their respective class. Our Hospitality Team as ever were in strong numbers on the night.

Ireland’s City Hotel – Public Vote

  • Absolute Hotel Limerick
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • Limerick Strand Hotel
  • Morrison A DoubleTree By Hilton
  • The G Hotel
  • The Glasshouse
  • The River Lee
  • The Westbury

Winner: The Westbury Dublin

 

European Restaurant

  • Boqueria
  • Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley
  • La Bucca Dunboyne
  • La Bucca Ratoath
  • Talavera – Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel
  • Ristorante Rinuccini
  • Toscana Restaurant Dame St

Winner: Ristorante Rinuccini

 

Event Caterer of the Year

  • John Coughlan Catering – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
  • John Coughlan Catering – Irish Golf Open
  • Masterchefs Hospitality
  • Seasons at Guinness Storehouse

Winner: John Coughlan Catering – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

 

Ireland’s Business Hotel sponsored by Corporate Catering Services

  • Absolute Hotel Limerick
  • Clarion Hotel Cork
  • Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
  • Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport
  • Crowne Plaza Dublin-Blanchardstown
  • Limerick Strand Hotel
  • The Croke Park
  • The Gibson hotel

Winner: Crowne Plaza Dublin

 

Ireland’s Chef of the Year sponsored by Pallas Foods

  • Boqueria
  • Carrig Country House & Restaurant
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Limerick Strand Hotel
  • MacNean House & Restaurant
  • Pickle Restaurant
  • Wild Honey Inn
  • Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland

Winner: David Hurley at Gregans Castle Hotel

 

Ireland’s Family Friendly Hotel – Public Vote

  • Diamond Coast Hotel
  • Dingle Skellig Hotel
  • Fota Island Resort
  • Galway Bay Hotel
  • Hotel Westport
  • The Dunloe
  • The Garryvoe Hotel
  • The Newpark Hotel with Escape Health Club & Aveda Spa

Winner: The Dunloe

 

Ireland’s Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

  • Carrig Country House & Restaurant
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • MacNean House & Restaurant
  • Mount Juliet Estate
  • Ristorante Rinuccini
  • Tankardstown House
  • The Mustard Seed

Winner: Mount Juliet Estate

 

Ireland’s Five Star Hotel sponsored by Noel Recruitment

  • Ashford Castle
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa
  • Park Hotel Kenmare
  • The Europe Hotel & Resort
  • The G Hotel
  • The Killarney Park Hotel
  • Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland

Winner: Ashford Castle

 

Ireland’s Healthcare Caterer

  • Milford Care Centre
  • St John of God Hospital
  • St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
  • The Q Cafe Company Limited @ Santry Sports Clinic
  • The Ulster Independent Clinic

Winner: The Q Cafe Company Limited

 

Ireland’s Industrial Caterer sponsored by Excel Recruitment

  • Catering Department at TCD
  • Clongowes Wood College
  • KSG Group at University College Dublin
  • Pavillion at UL
  • St Columba’s College

Winner: Pavillion at UL

 

People’s Choice Awards – Ireland’s Favourite Place To Eat

  • Avenue by Nick Munier
  • Boqueria
  • Pickle Restaurant
  • Raw Food Rebellion

Winner: Boqueria

 

Ireland’s Site Contract Caterer sponsored by Keelings Farm Fresh

  • Catering Department at TCD
  • Corporate Catering Services Ltd @ Regeneron
  • EMC Information Systems International
  • ISS Catering at HPE Galway
  • KSG Group at Microsoft
  • Sodexo, PayPal
  • Sodexo @ VHI, Kilkenny
  • The Q Cafe Company @ Eurofound

Winner: Sodexo

 

Ireland’s Three Star Hotel

  • Carrickdale Hotel & Spa
  • Claregalway Hotel
  • Conyngham Arms Hotel
  • Dingle Benners Hotel
  • Killeen House Hotel & Rozzers Restaurant
  • The Ardagh Hotel & Restaurant
  • The Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort
  • The Riverside Hotel Sligo

Winner: Killeen House Hotel

 

Ireland’s Hotel Spa – Five Star sponsored by Sodexo

  • Ashford Castle
  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa
  • Muckross Park Hotel 7 Spa
  • Park Hotel Kenmare
  • The Europe Hotel & Resort
  • The G Hotel

Winner: The Europe Hotel & Resort

 

Ireland’s Hotel Spa – Four Star

  • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
  • Galgorm Resort & Spa
  • Hodson Bay Hotel
  • Ice House Hotel
  • Kelly’s Resort Hotel
  • Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa
  • Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel
  • The Brehon

Winner: Galgorm Resort and Spa

 

Ireland’s Wine Experience sponsored by Febvre & Company

  • Ashford Castle
  • Harvey’s Point Hotel
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • Hodson Bay Hotel
  • House wine and taproom
  • Ice House Hotel
  • MacNean House & Restaurant
  • Ristorante Rinuccini

Winner: Hayfield Manor Hotel

 

Ireland’s Four Star Hotel

  • Armada Hotel
  • Harvey’s Point Hotel
  • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
  • Mount Falcon Estate
  • Mount Juliet Estate
  • Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel
  • The Lodge at Ashford Castle
  • Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

Winner: Mount Juliet Estate

 

Ireland’s Front of House Team/Team Member

  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Armada Hotel
  • Ashford Castle
  • Carrickdale Hotel & Spa
  • Castle Leslie Estate
  • Corporate Catering Services Ltd @ IMI
  • Dunraven Arms Hotel
  • Gregans Castle Hotel

Winner: John Burke – Armada Hotel

 

Ireland’s Hotel Breakfast – Public Vote

  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Brook Lane Hotel
  • Castle Leslie Estate
  • Dunraven Arms Hotel
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Moy House
  • Park Hotel Kenmare

Winner: Castle Leslie Estate

 

Ireland’s Wedding Venue – Public Vote

  • Armada Hotel
  • Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Castle Leslie Estate
  • Dromoland Castle Hotel
  • Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens
  • Fota Island Resort
  • Tankardstown House
  • The Brehon
  • The Garryvoe Hotel

Winner: Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa

 

Ireland’s Casual Dining Experience

  • Anocht Restaurant
  • Boqueria
  • Fitzpatricks Bar and Restaurant
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • La Bucca Ashbourne
  • La Bucca Ratoath
  • Randaddy’s Taste of Adventure
  • Saba Restaurant
  • Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel
  • Toscana Restaurant Dame St

Winner: Anocht Restaurant

 

Ireland’s Country House & Guest House Experience

  • Ard na Sidhe Country House
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Carrig Country House & Restaurant
  • Castlewood House
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Moy House
  • Tankardstown House
  • The Mustard Seed

Winner: Castlewood House

 

Ireland’s Guest Experience sponsored by Robert Roberts

  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Ballyseede Castle
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Crowne Plaza Dublin-Blanchardstown
  • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
  • Killeen House Hotel & Rozzers Restaurant
  • Mount Falcon Estate
  • Moy House

Winner: Crown Plaza – Blanchardstown

  • Service To The Industry Winner – Lee Kidney – Mespil Hotel
  • Overall Supreme Winner – Mount Juliet Estate

 

 

Grocery Salary Survey 2016

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Excel Recruitment have been recruiting for the Irish Grocery Market for over 15 years. Our Grocery Team is comprised of former Grocery Managers who know the industry inside out. This guide was is designed to give our clients and candidates a guide as to the current market prices for the various roles within the Irish Grocery market.

If you would like to discuss any of our findings , need advice on your manpower, planning, or assistance with your recruitment needs please feel free to contact our Grocery team here.

Our past Retail Salary Survey covering aspects of Grocery, as well as Non-Food, Fashion and FMCG is available here. All Grocery Jobs with Excel Recruitment are available here.

2016 Grocery Salary Survey

Tips for Interview Presentations

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

SWOT Analysis and Powerpoint presentations are increasingly demanded by employers during the interview stage. Nikki Murran, Head of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment wrote this blog as a source to help her candidates prepare for a variety of different job interviews. At Excel Recruitment, we prepare candidates daily for interviews across all areas of Retail. For more useful tips you can visit our blog here.

Prepare

The age-old classic and the most important piece of advice. Don’t leave it to the last minute, as this only heightens the pressure you will already feel during the interview process. Give yourself amply time to prepare a solid presentation that allows for re-writes and changes.

Who are you presenting too?

Don’t assume and always ask. It isn’t always the case that the audience or person you are addressing is disclosed. Your presentation needs to engage, and address the right points.

How should I research?

There is so much readily available information at the click of a button. At the very minimum you should browse the company website and social media pages to establish company culture and company news.

Structure of presentation

The most common and advisable structure that we at Excel would recommend is thinking about this in 3 steps.

The Rule of Three

  1. Introduction or aims of presentation.
  2. Presentation content, broken down across three main points.
  3. Surmise your presentation and finish with a memorable statement.

Alternatively, a ‘Four Point’ structure can be used.

Four Point Presentations

While very much favoured in a sales environment, this structure can be made applicable for any interview.

  1. The why (Needs, resources, Relevance)
  2. What about? (Provides more information)
  3. How? (How it will work)
  4. What if? Looking into the future.

Whatever structure you decide on, understand that your opening statement needs to be memorable, and you need to engage your audience with impact, from your introduction.

What content?

This is the big question. Content is king.

  • Avoid filler and waffle. Just don’t include it.
  • What exactly are the asking you to present on? Grasp the keywords of the presentation title, build and elaborate on these. Stay focused on what they want you to address. This will help you demonstrate that you understand the position and company.
  • What innovation, knowledge and new ideas can you bring?
  • What can you as a potential new employee bring that will make a measurable difference, in terms of market position, sales and growth and competitive advantage.
  • What is your USP (Unique selling point)? What wow factor sets you apart?

Powerpoint

Like marmite. Some love, some hate it. While your content and USP is crucial, presentation is also very important.

If you do have an understanding towards Powerpoint, we recommend utilising it. Do choose what feels right however and what you believe will work with the audience.

If you do choose to use Powepoint:

  • We would suggest a max on 6/8 slides.
  • However much you put on a slide, make sure it is easily readable by your audience.
  • Keep it simple, you’re marked for knowledge rather than graphic presentation.
  • Utilise the notes section and concentrate on putting the main point on the slides. (see below)
  • Practice, then practice more. You want to ensure you are comfortable with content, your delivery and doing both of these in the stated time.
  • Reading the slides word for word can frustrate your audience and isolate them. Avoid focusing your eyes solely on the presentation.

Powerpoint Example

Practicalities

Presentation copies – ”I prefer to email my presentation a couple of days before so the company can load it up and print copies for the audience. If you have decided to use pictures with just the odd word, then obviously it’s not necessary. If you decide to do this you can mail it back directly to us and we will forward it on for you. I would recommend printing a few copies of the presentation and handing them out on the day – sometimes technology just adds to nerves! ”

——- Nikki Murran

Back-up – Technology being what it is- take a backup copy of your presentation on another USB stick.

Clothes and delivery

Suitable clothing is a given. Most of us have an interview outfit we favour. Try it on and make sure it fits and avoid anything you are hesitant towards.

  • Sip water before to avoid dry mouth.
  • Deliver the presentation standing up- unless there is a good reason you can’t.
  • Avoid jokes, unless you are 100% confident you will pull it off and it is in the tone of the presentation.
  • Smile, relax and engage.
  • Address the whole room rather than focusing on an individual.
  • Don’t speak too quickly and avoid excessive hand movements.
  • Sound enthusiastic, passionate and however nervous, try to enjoy it.

Nikki

 

This blog was written by Nikki Murran, Head of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment. View Nikki’s profile here and all her live jobs in Grocery Retail here.