BWG Foods UC

Congratulations to everyone in Value Centre Ennis on being presented with the Checkout National Grocery Retail Award for Cash and Carry/Wholesale Outlet of the Year award at the prestigious 2024 awards ceremony at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, on Thursday, October 10th. Paying tribute to John and the Value Centre Ennis team, BWG Cash and Carry Director Vincent Brown said, “This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the excellent work John McMahon and the team in Value Centre Ennis do and of the great service they provide to their customers. The whole team is so very deserving of this acknowledgement and they are great ambassadors for the Value Centre brand.” The National Grocery Retail Awards are one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Irish grocery retail calendar and those honoured are recognised as being true industry standard bearers.

EUROSPAR showcased their specially fashioned Junk Kouture design creations at last week’s Dublin City Final in the RDS, where 10 outstanding teams were announced as World Finalists. As part of the Dublin Final celebrations, EUROSPAR Supermarkets commissioned two alumni to create bespoke designs recycled from old materials. The first design was inspired by EUROSPAR’s official charity partner, National Breast Cancer Research Institute Ireland (NBCRI) and the second was created from old EUROSPAR packaging and uniforms. Both designs were modelled by their designers to a large crowd at the RDS on a night that truly was an electrifying showcase of creativity and sustainability. There were 60 finalists on the night from throughout Ireland, ten of whom will now proceed to the World Finals in Monaco. As part of EUROSPAR’s sponsorship, the top four designs from EUROSPAR’s nationwide Classroom Kouture competition were also on display with the primary school students behind these designs also in attendance. Commenting, Peter Dwan, EUROSPAR Sales Director, said, “As an official sponsor, EUROSPAR was delighted to be associated with what was a wonderful final night in the RDS. We were particularly proud to have the opportunity to commission and showcase our two very special Junk Kouture designs representing our official charity partner, National Breast Cancer Research Institute Ireland (NBCRI) and EUROSPAR Supermarkets. Our sponsorship of this wonderful initiative speaks directly to our ambitious sustainability goals and our stated Responsible Retailing commitment.” #bwgfoods #eurospar #nbcri

Londis was delighted to win the Best TV Broadcast Sponsorship award for Ireland’s Fittest Family at the Irish Sponsorship Awards 2024 this year. This marks the third successive year Londis has taken home this prestigious award for its sponsorship of the television show. Launched in 2012, the Irish Sponsorship Awards recognise and reward the brands, rightsholders, agencies and media owners, who play a critical role in the delivery of world-class sponsorship programmes executed in Ireland. Londis recently announced that it will continue as the proud sponsor of the hugely popular TV show for its 12th season. Commenting, Gillian Rigley, Londis Marketing Manager said of the award success, “This recognition highlights the success of the partnership and its positive impact on the Londis brand. We have worked hard to integrate this TV sponsorship into our Londis stores across the country with our independent retailers. The family focus of the show is very much aligned with our focus on local community at Londis and resonates very well with our shoppers. We are thrilled to make Londis’s partnership with Ireland’s Fittest Family sponsorship a huge success, which is reflected in this prestigious award win.” Sponsorship plays a hugely important role in helping a brand gain visibility and  credibility, which is why it was so gratifying that BWG’s other retail brands – MACE, SPAR and EUROSPAR – were also shortlisted in numerous categories this year. It is also important to celebrate the “wins”, as some members of the wider BWG Marketing Team did on the night of the Awards.

Fitzpatrick’s SPAR Junction 14, has just announced the opening of a new BioCNG (Bio Compressed Natural Gas) refuelling station on the very busy M7 motorway. This marks a major milestone in Ireland’s journey toward decarbonising its commercial transport sector, which is responsible for up to 20 per cent of the country's transport emissions. SPAR Junction 14, owned and operated by Liam and Donal Fitzpatrick, was the first of its kind in Ireland when it introduced its range of shopping and dining facilities for transient customers in 2011 and has consistently been to the forefront of the industry since then. Supported by Gas Networks Ireland, this new Bio CNG offering is set to transform one of Ireland’s busiest transport corridors into a cleaner and more sustainable route for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).  Commenting, Liam Fitzpatrick said, “We are delighted that Junction 14 is the first BioCNG station on the M7, providing renewable biogas that has been produced through the recycling of agricultural and food waste here in our home county. Having opened this Motorway Services facility on the M7 13 years ago, we have seen the demand for renewable fuels growing steadily throughout that time. The addition of biogas represents another step in that commitment to utilise and offer sustainable options on Ireland’s motorway transport network. Junction 14 was the first motorway public electrical charging point with 50kw and 11 kw units in 2011. In 2021 we installed an eight bay Super charger unit, which will be doubled in number in early 2025.” This new BioCNG station will supply biomethane produced locally in Kildare by Green Generation, using local food and farm waste, supporting Ireland's circular economy by converting waste into renewable energy. BioCNG offers a cleaner alternative to diesel, reducing harmful emissions from HGVs and helping Ireland meet its ambitious climate action targets. Paying tribute to Liam and Donal Fitzpatrick, SPAR Sales Director Colin Donnelly said, “From the moment Liam and Donal (Fitzpatrick) opened SPAR Junction 14 back in 2011 they have proven themselves to be innovators trend-setters and as the demand for sustainable transport options grows, the opening of the BioCNG station at Junction 14 provides a vital infrastructure solution for the myriad of haulage and transport operators who will avail of this new service. I congratulate Liam, Donal and all the team and wish them every success with this addition to the fabulous offering on the M7 corridor.” BWG Foods, owners and operators of the SPAR brand in Ireland, have one of the most sustainable fleets in the industry, which includes 28 BioCNG powered HGVs. Joanne Mellon, BWG Logistics Director said, “BWG Foods is committed to doing our part in adopting and pioneering more sustainable delivery options for our more than 1,000 retail partners throughout Ireland and this development from Liam and Donal is to be celebrated.” #junction14 #spar

The strength of our relationships with our suppliers as well as our retailers and customers is a strong component behind BWG's ongoing success as one of Ireland's leading retail and wholesale companies. This was particularly evident recently when more than 250 people attended the annual BWG Foods supplier briefing event entitled ‘Partners for Success’. A mix of Irish and international suppliers travelled to Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the convenience retailing sector and to identify options for innovative partnerships that will drive mutual performance going forward.  The key areas for discussion included increasing the resilience of supply chains, protecting retailer margin, building supplier production and storage capacity, trialling innovative product concepts, along with callouts for a greater focus on shared sustainability initiatives going forward.  Part of the event involved a forum for networking and further collaboration following presentations from senior leaders across BWG Foods and a series of panel discussions hosted by broadcaster Joe Molloy. There were also some special guests to give their own perspective on successful partnerships including leading Irish jockey Rachel Blackmore and double Olympic champions Kellie Harrington, Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan, who are pictured with BWG Foods' Trading Director, Jamie Tevlin.

SPAR Ireland celebrate international recognition   SPAR Ireland were the proud recipients of a Digital Marketing Excellence award at the SPAR Connected Retail Conference 2024 in Gran Canaria this/last week. The award reflects the comprehensive social media strategy across a range of platforms based on four key content pillars which incorporated iconic retail trade moments and embraced the humour for which SPAR Ireland’s advertising is known. Among the campaigns highlighted from SPAR Ireland’s extensive social media strategy were SPAR ‘Finding Christmas’, the SPAR ‘Rome Comforts’ athletics campaign featuring Rhasidat Adeleke and Israel Olatunde and the SPAR ‘Chicken Fillet Roll or Cake’ campaign. Suzanne Weldon, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, BWG Foods and Helen Lalor, SPAR Ireland Marketing Manager were presented with the award by Tobias Wasmuht, CEO SPAR International and Justin Rhodes-Harrison, SPAR International Marketing Manager.    

Four BWG Value Centre Cash & Carry branches were recently awarded AA BRCGS Storage and Distribution accreditation, which is the highest grade of certification available. The BRCGS Storage & Distribution Standard is specifically designed for logistics operations dealing with food, packaging, and consumer products and is recognised globally. The BRCGS accreditation was created to ensure supplier compliance and secure Foodservice businesses ability to guarantee the quality and safety of the food products they sell. It demonstrates BWG’s commitment to providing assurance to our Foodservice customers of our dedication to food safety and quality and is testament to the dedication of all involved in all four branches. The four branches awarded this creditable certification are Value Centre North Road, Value Centre Cork, Value Centre Galway and Value Centre Letterkenny. Commenting, BWG Foods’ Cash & Carry Director Vincent Brown said, “We are delighted that the Value Centre Branches who went for BRCGS Storage and Distribution accreditation in recent months received AA grades. This is a fantastic achievement of all four sites and something we are very proud of as a business.” These BRCGS accreditation awards, paired with BWG’s Origin Green certification, demonstrates its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. BWG Foods has been accredited members of Origin Green since 2018 and is committed to the implementation of targets and commitments that develop and grow its sustainability credentials. Vincent added, “We have always worked hard to ensure that our business adheres to highest food safety standards and this accreditation demonstrates that our efforts are paying off. I want to commend the efforts of Value Centre’s Wholesale Technical Manager Florentina Niculescu and all the teams who contributed to achieving the highest level of certification possible.”

MACE retailers present €444,448 to Down Syndrome Ireland   MACE Sales Director Keith Crawford recently presented a cheque for a whopping €444,448 to Down Syndrome Ireland on behalf of Ireland’s nationwide network of MACE retailers, which closes out the official charity partnership relationship. As well as holding a number of fundraising events in their stores, over the lifetime of the Charity Partnership, monies were raised by MACE and its shoppers through collection boxes in stores and a donation on selected MACE Own Brand products.   Keith Crawford, MACE Sales Director said; “MACE is very proud of the funds we have raised over the lifetime of the Charity Partnership with Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI). The efforts of MACE retailers has helped fund a number of initiatives and programmes, such as providing meaningful opportunities to adults with Down syndrome to engage, socialise and look for employment opportunities. “It has been thoroughly wonderful experience for MACE and our nationwide network of independent retailers to work so closely with a great organisation like Down Syndrome Ireland. ”   MACE retailers choose a new Charity Partner every two years and will be supporting Debra through to 2026.  

Congratulations to the Marketing teams in SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE and Londis on being announced as finalists in a variety of categories at the upcoming Irish Sponsorship Awards 2024. Launched in 2012, the Irish Sponsorship Awards recognise and reward the brands, rightsholders, agencies, and media owners who play a crucial role in the delivery of world-class sponsorship programmes executed in Ireland. It is very exciting to see four of BWG’s retail brands represented in the finals, which takes place on Thursday, September 26th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry. EUROSPAR has also been shortlisted in three categories for the Junk Kouture sponsorship (Best Arts and Cultural Sponsorship, Best Multi-Platform Sponsorship and Best Societal Sponsorship) SPAR has been shortlisted in two categories for the SPAR 60th Anniversary Community Fund programme (Best Sports Team or Athlete Sponsorship and Best Societal Sponsorship). MACE has also been shortlisted in two categories for their MACE Right Options – Coach Johnny campaign (Best Sports Team or Athlete Sponsorship and Best Use of Social Media). Londis has been shortlisted in the Best TV Broadcast Sponsorship for Ireland’s Fittest Family.

Hugo Keenan launches Inishella’s sizzling barbeque range   Bord Bia approved products available in SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, LONDIS, and XL stores nationwide   BWG Foods has again teamed up with Ireland rugby star and Brand Ambassador, Hugo Keenan, to promote the Inishella BBQ range. The summer range, which is being promoted on national and local radio, digital audio and social media, includes sumptuous BBQ drumsticks, spicy wings, sweet chilli wings, boneless thighs and beef burgers, sausages as well as pork, bacon and lamb products, including premium steaks. The range can be cooked indoors as well as outdoors if the Irish weather doesn’t bring us sunshine! Keenan, who is currently on Olympic duty with the Irish Rugby 7s squad in Paris, has been the official brand ambassador for Inishella since 2023 and was delighted to officially launch the range recently by sampling and cooking up the range himself. BWG Foods is delighted to have one of Ireland’s true sporting heroes as the face of Inishella, which comes from the Irish ‘Inis Eile’, meaning ‘another island’, and is born of a promise to provide the highest quality Irish meats to enjoy at home with all products fully traceable from farm to fork. Commenting, BWG’s Chief Operations Officer, Simon Marriott said, “We are delighted with our Inishella summer BBQ range and are excited for our customers to enjoy these quality and great tasting products at home, just like Hugo did before reporting for Ireland 7s duty. We are constantly working to innovate and expand our offering so we can deliver high quality, meats to customers across Ireland.” The Inishella range is available across BWG’s nationwide network of retail brands at participating stores including SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, LONDIS and XL stores.