FMI has announced that it is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland and relocating to a new larger office space in The Ormeau Baths following 18 months of rapid growth. The company, which has its headquarters in Dublin, provides services which include direct sales, merchandising, in-store demonstrations, retail auditing and a customer service centre solution to clients in a range of industries including energy and hospitality.
Retail Excellence has announced the appointment of five new members to its board. Joe Barrett, COO and co-owner of Applegreen, Darren Smyth, Head of Retail at Shannon Group PLC, Michelle McBride Retail Director of Butlers Irish Chocolates, Michelle O'Gorman, Group Area and Head of Retail at the Kilkenny Group and Jean McCabe owner of Willow have all taken up positions on the Retail Excellence Board.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched a nationwide inspection campaign targeted at discount and hardware stores. Its aim is to make sure that hazardous chemical products for sale to consumers, and professionals, comply with the relevant EU chemical legislation.
Associated British Foods has raised its outlook for full year results, citing strong sales and margin performance from its Pennys (Primark) fashion business. Indepedent.ie reports that the group, which also has sugar, grocery, agriculture and ingredients businesses, said it expected to report good growth in adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in its year to September 16.
Musgrave has appointed Nicky Hartery as Chairman to the board of Musgrave Group plc. Nicky will succeed Peter Lacy, who will retire at the end of this year. Hartery has been a non-executive director of Musgrave Group since 2010. He has a background in supply chain management and has worked with leading global brands such as Dell and Kodak.
Retail Excellence has named its finalists in its The Rising Star of the Year and Manager of the Year Awards categories. Clare Breathnach of The Loop Dublin Airport, Derek Burke of Dairygold Co-Op Superstores; Terrence Devlin of McCabes Pharmacy, Dundrum Town Centre; Donna Keenan of Harvey Norman, Nutgrove Shopping Centre, and Chris Kirwan of Ecco, Dún Laoghaire all made the Top 5 in Rising Star of the Year. Meanwhile Sandra Devenney of McElhinneys Department Store; Andrew Finnegan of Compu b, Grafton Street; Donal Flynn of Fallon & Byrne;, Dwayne Hunt of SuperValu, Kinsale; and Liam Kenny of Arboretum, Leighlinbridge, Carlow all made the Top 5 in Manager of the Year.
Unilever has acquired the British herbal tea business, Pukka Herbs.
The organic tea brand has a turnover of over £30 million and growth of around 30%, says Unilver. Unilever’s Refreshment Category President, Kevin Havelock, commented on the deal, “Pukka has strong values and a clear purpose that aligns fully with our own sustainable growth model. There’s a clear strategic, philosophical and cultural fit for us.”
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