Did you know…Aldi staff in Berlin last week found 140kg of cocaine hidden in a delivery of bananas? The drugs were found in four stores in Reinickendorf and one in neighbouring Brandenburg last week. Police were contacted to remove the cocaine with an estimated street value of about €12 million. A criminal investigator source told Berlin’s BZ newspaper, “We think that it was intended for export as 140 kilos in one go is too much for the Berlin market.” Police are investigating the drugs haul and believe that the drugs, which arrived on a ship from Columbia to Hamburg, were mistakenly delivered to the Aldi supermarkets, meant for somewhere else.
Did you know… The Bord Bia 2013 export performance review showed that exports of Irish food are on the up? A record €10 billion and a 9% increase of goods exported overseas in 2013 is positive news for the economy, with €3 billion in dairy, €3.3 billion in livestock and €1.65 billion of prepared foods exported in the last year. At the publication of the review, Minister for Food, Agriculture and the Marine, Simon Coveney said that the lifting of the ban of Irish beef exports to Japan could mean around €15 million per year to the Irish food industry and he is hopeful that China will be open for discussions in 2014 too. He said, “I am hopeful that these can be progressed in 2014. “There is a strong demand for meat globally and my focus is to enable Irish exporters to take advantage of the opportunities that arise.”
Did you know… Cully & Sully Ltd increased its profits by €2.15 million, from €523k to €2.674 million in the 18 months to the end of June 2013? The artisan soup and meal producer was sold by founders Irishmen Colum O’Sullivan and Cullen Allen to American organic products group Hain Celestial in 2012 for €10.46 million in cash, with a further €4.5 million to be paid on achievements of operating results until June 30, 2013. Cully & Sully aims to launch in the UK this year, after launching successfully in Belgium last August. The company also has future plans to venture into the US market at some stage.
Did you know… The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that Irish dioxin levels in the environment are well below the relevant EU limits? The report measured dioxin levels in cows milk, which was much lower that levels in other EU countries. Dr Colman Concannon from the EPA Office of Environment Assesment commented on the results, “The survey confirms the continuing low levels of dioxins and dioxin-like substances in the Irish environment. A total of 38 samples were taken and, at an average of 10% of the EU limit, concentrations of dioxins were low by international standards and comparisons. This is the tenth such survey undertaken by the EPA since 1995 and the results are in line with the earlier studies.” The survey was taken from milk samples during the peak outdoor grazing season in June and early August 2012, from regional dairies.
Did you know… The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association (ISME) has predicted further job losses in the retail sector? ISME has called for a Retail Strategy Group to be set up to help retailers still struggling, as November retail sales data showed a decrease of 0.3% in the month, but no change in sales volumes. Sales values are up 0.1% overall in 2013, but ISME feels the Q4 results are “worrying.” ISME CEO Mark Fielding said, “In relation to future employment indicators for retailers, 9% stated that they would employ less in 2014. This pessimistic outlook is in contrast to the jobs expectation of the other sectors, where a net 18% expect to employ more. It is now more imperative than ever that the Government pays attention to these warning signs and works with retailers to avoid a situation where we have further job losses.” ISME has also asked the government to introduce a Code of Practice with an ombudsman, review of the effect of the abolition of the Groceries Order on prices and increase banking credit availability for SMEs.
Did you know… Musgrave Marketplace in Enniskillen will close at the end of February? The closure will result in the loss of 16 jobs at the Killyhevlin Industrial estate. Minister for Enterprise Arlene Foster said the news is ‘disappointing’ and expressed her sympathy to those affected. A Musgrave Wholesale Partners spokeswoman told local media that the company is consolidating its brand and “regrettably, this means the Enniskillen site will close at the end of February resulting in 16 job losses, with a further one hopefully redeployed in a similar role within the business.” Musgrave will reportedly transfer its delivered operation from its Enniskillen and Lurgan Cash and Carry outlets to its site in Marketplace Duncrue. The Lurgan location will remain open for Customer Collect service, however seven jobs will be lost there also.
Did you know… SuperValu in Ardee, County Louth is planning to build a new pedestrian link from Market Street through to the Ash Walk centre? The retailer lodged a planning application for the development with Louth County Council before Christmas, and aims to restructure part of its old premises to incorporate the new stairway. The pedestrian walkway will be partially covered with a canopy and part of the development includes a new shopfront and car park. This is the second phase of redevelopment on the SuperValu Ardee store.
Did you know… Enterprise Ireland (EI) revealed its clients created more than 18,000 jobs last year? The agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets, released its end-of-year statement showing the highest total for net job creation in the past ten years. EI said that there was a net increase of 5,442 people employed by EI-supported companies, and this is mostly due to the increase in exports of its client companies. CEO of EI, Julie Sinnamon said, “Once again, they have continued to increase employment, recording the highest net gain in the last decade. This is no mean achievement considering the highly challenging business environment they are competing in.” More than 300,000 jobs, or 16% of the Irish workforce, are employed by EI-supported companies, directly and indirectly. The EI strategy for 2014-2016 aims to support entrepreneurship across the regions, and develop strong, export focussed, ambitious Irish companies that can win new business and jobs for Ireland.
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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