Subscribe Login
Retail Intelligence

Did You Know? September 3, 2014

By Publications Checkout
Did You Know? September 3, 2014

Did you know… Omega Pharma is launching its popular heartburn and acid indigestion reliever, Zantac, into grocery for the first time this month? The move coincides with a relaunch of the brand, which is the number 1 H2 Antagonist in Ireland. The relaunch will include a robust ATL campaign, including TV advertising, Video On Demand and a digital presence along with PR support. Fiona Keenan, Omega Pharma said: “This significant investment in Zantac reflects our commitment to supporting the brand, which has a 30-year heritage in providing long-lasting relief from heartburn and acid indigestion in Ireland. We know heartburn and acid indigestion affects a huge amount for people in Ireland, and Zantac is ideally positioned to provide long-lasting relief through the day or night.” Zantac 75mg is an effective treatment for the relief of heartburn and indigestion. Each tablet contains 75mg ranitidine, an H2 antagonist, which works by preventing the body from producing too much stomach acid, providing relief from heartburn and indigestion. Zantac 75 is available in 6s at an RRP €3.99.

Did you know… Aldi has opened two new branches in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal and Macroom, Co. Cork? The latest stores bring the total number of Aldi stores in Ireland to 110. The move has also led to the creation of 40 new jobs. Niall O’Connor, managing director, Aldi, said “Aldi has consistently been the fastest growing supermarket in the country for the past six years. We are delighted to open another two Irish stores today, creating 40 new jobs in the process.” Aldi Ireland recently revealed that it has tripled the amount it spends on Irish-made products over the past five years.

Did you know… St Mel’s Brewing Company has signed a green energy supply deal with Energia? The 12-month contract will see Energia supply over 10,000 Kwh of renewable electricity to St Mel’s Brewing Company’s production facilities in Longford Town. The brewery, founded by Liam Hanlon and Eoin Tynan in 2013, sells a number of bottled, conditioned beers and will soon make its range available on draught. The business will be powered by renewable energy from Energia’s wind farm portfolio. This portfolio currently produces over 680 MWs of green power, and will generate a further 300 Mws when more facilities are finished. Energia currently holds a 26% share of the Irish business electricity and gas market, and recently entered the residential market.

Did you know… Since Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny opened its doors to the public on July 31, it has welcomed thousands of visitors from across Ireland – not to mention the UK, France, Germany, America, Canada and Australia? Located in the old Victorian brewing building on Parliament Street in Kilkenny City, the €3.5 million multi-sensory and interactive experience immerses visitors in the history of Ireland’s oldest beer, the heritage of the Smithwick family and its place in Kilkenny, a city steeped in brewing tradition. Paul Carty, Managing Director at Guinness Storehouse said, “Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny is a major investment by Diageo Ireland and has been modeled on the Guinness Storehouse. We believe that we can mirror our previous success and Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny will be a major boost for the tourism potential of Kilkenny and the surrounding region, which is already a wonderful, culturally rich tourist destination.”

Did you know… The latest press readership results show that just over three million people read a newspaper either in print or online? However, daily readership has fallen compared to last year, from 57.6% to 54.3% - a drop of 117,000 readers. The Sunday titles have also seen a decline (from 59.1% to 57.8%). The Irish Independent remains the most widely read daily paper, with a readership of 571,000 (691,000 when combined with its online audience). Its sister paper, the Sunday Independent, also fared well, increasing its reach to 26.2% of the population. However, readership of other daily and Sunday titles, including the Irish Daily Star and The Sunday Times, fell. Regional newspapers have increased their readership by 0.8%.

ADVERTISEMENT

Did you know… This year’s National Ploughing Championships will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Dairy Council (NDC), with a spotlight on nutrition and wellbeing? The event, which will be held from September 23-25 in Ratheniska, Co. Laois, will see 2014 Six Nations champions (and stars of the latest NDC advertising campaign) Rob and Dave Kearney judge the ‘Welly LineOut’ for visitors with “unique, colourful or characterful” wellies. The sporting focus will continue with visits from GAA players, who will examine the role that milk can play in sports nutrition. Additionally, broadcaster and designer Brendan Courtney will host a talk by Dr. Catherine Logan, NDC, about top tips for nutrition and fitness.

Did you know… Health Smoker Ltd (HSL), a Waterford-based e-cigarette company, has gone into liquidation, only days before cigarette giant Japan Tobacco International (JTI) was due to commence legal action over alleged trademark breaches? JTI contends that products like Purple Silk, Calm Desert Brand and Myfair E-juice infringe on its own trademarks. JTI was particularly aggrieved by comments suggesting that HSL had planned to expand rapidly into the international market. Isabel Foley, a solicitor representing JTI, said that HSL is “without any authorisation whatsoever, attempting to misrepresent to the public that its products are the products of [JTI] or that they have been endorsed or licensed by [JTI].” She claimed this meant that HSL was “exploiting the goodwill” of her client and was “passing off” its products as JTI’s goods.

Did you know… University College Dublin (UCD) has banned the sale of cigarettes or tobacco on campus? A ban on sales in all four stores at the university, intended to create a smoke-free campus, also includes electronic cigarettes. In addition, the Health Promotion Committee has proposed introducing a campus-wide ban on smoking. This move has received the backing of the student body, with last September’s referendum by UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) resulting in a 55%-45% vote in favour of the move. UCD Student Union president Feargal Hynes told the Irish Independent, "We respect the mandate that the students gave us on the back of the referendum last year. Therefore we will support the forthcoming measures introduced by the university." Meanwhile at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), union leaders also proposed a tobacco-free campus, but students voted against a ban.

Did you know… An Bord Pleanála overturned the planning permission decision for the relocation and expansion of a SuperValu outlet in Bantry, Co. Cork? Jim O’Keeffe, of Biggs’ SuperValu, said did not expect the proposals to be turned down, as the plans had already been approved by Cork County Council in March. However, an appeal brought by Bantry developer Donal Hunt and heritage body An Taisce persuaded An Bord Pleanála to reverse the decision. Local Councillor Mary Hegarty told local newspaper Southern Star that she was “extremely disappointed” with the move. “If this had gone ahead, it would have acted as a catalyst for much more development in that area, resulting in valuable amenities for Bantry”. The An Bord Pleanála report stated that the plans were refused because they breached a Local Area Plan to locate only marine-related businesses at the proposed site. It also ruled that the supermarket would “seriously injure the visual amenities of the area”.

© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson and Nathan Evans.

{loadposition ri03092014}

Stay Connected With Our Weekly Newsletter

Processing your request...

Thanks! please check your email to confirm your subscription.