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 Purchasing
expert joins Nosh (11 Mar 10)
Nosh Food Market shareholder Simon Gordon has joined the business as a working director responsible for the supply chain.
Gordon (38) is a good friend of Nosh co-founder Clinton Beuvink and became a shareholder in the business about 12 months ago. He recently returned to New Zealand after 11 years in the food and chemicals industries offshore.
Gordon’s most recent position was with Henkel based out of the UK where he was leading a global raw materials purchasing team with budgets in the region of €3 billion. He was seven years with HEINZ in Australasia and Asia and was with ICI for five years before it was purchased by Henkel.
At fresh food retailer Nosh, Gordon is in charge of purchasing, distribution and supply chain activities.
“Nosh has grown pretty quickly for a business that’s only four years old. We’ve got five stores now so stocks are up around five times and yet staff numbers have remained pretty static,” Gordon says.
“Add to that the fact our focus on quality fresh food and produce at affordable market prices across all stores and you can see there’s a big job to be done. And that’s my role – getting the stock on the shelf and replacing it when it’s sold.”
Clinton Beuvink says Gordon’s global experience across a range of industries provides the business with a major skill set.
“Gone are the days of stock control on an Excel spreadsheet,” says Beuvink. “With five stores as far afield as Matakana and Glen Innes we cannot afford to have any glitches in the supply chain.
“Simon brings those skills to the business. His mandate is to set us up with a supply back-end that can serve 10 or 20 stores, continue to improve the product range and to develop relationships with suppliers.”
 Food
prices fall in February, steaks down 17pc (11 Mar 10)
New Zealand food prices fell by 1.3 per cent in February on the back of falls
in fruit and vegetable costs, as well as lowered meat, poultry and fish prices.
Additionally, Statistics New Zealand's food price index measured a February year
on year increase of 0.7 per cent, the lowest annual increase since a 0.4 per
cent gain for the year to April 2005. However, over a two-year timeframe, food
prices are 9.6 per cent higher.
Four out of five subgroups recorded by Statistics NZ recorded lower prices.
Fruit and vegetables dropped 3.5 per cent, meat, poultry and fish fell 2.4 per
cent, grocery food was down 0.8 per cent and non-alcoholic beverages declined
1.9 per cent. Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices were unchanged.
Individual items displaying the most significant falls in February were porterhouse/sirloin
steak with a 17.6 per cent decline as extensive discounting saw its price drop
to a level last seen in August 2007. Apples' 26.6 per cent price drop reflects
a typical fall as the new season's crop becomes widely available.
Minced beef on the other hand rose 5.2 per cent as many special prices were removed.
Across the February year, lamb chops have increased 20.7 per cent and sausages
have risen 13.7 per cent.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Banning
cough lozenges & Lemsip in supermarkets "absurd": FGC (9
Mar 10)
Medsafe’s "Nanny state power play" to ban cough remedies in supermarkets
is absurd and does not draw on international evidence or common sense, says Katherine
Rich,
Chief Executive of the Food & Grocery Council. The current consultation is fundamentally
flawed she says, because the document being used to base these discussions is
so full of factual errors and misrepresentations. The impact of the proposal
is extreme. Banning the sale of 70 cough/cold remedies from supermarkets and
dairies will mean that New Zealanders pay up to 30-45% more for the same products
in pharmacies. New Zealanders’ access to these products when they suffer coughs
and colds will be dramatically reduced. Rich says the Medsafe submission to the
Medicines Classifications Committee (MCC) has two main arguments: that the United
Kingdom
has made all these
products “pharmacy only” (so New Zealand must automatically follow) and that
this recommendation is supported by the Medsafe’s Cough and Cold Review Group.
Both statements, which are used to add weight to the proposal, she says are factually
wrong and misleading. The United Kingdom has not banned the sale of adult formulations
and products such as cough lozenges. Lemsip hot drinks and other cough/cold remedies
for those over the age of twelve years remain freely available in supermarkets
on general sale. The Cough and Cold Review Group did not recommend a change;
rather it referred the classification of certain actives to the MCC for consideration
for children up to 12 years of age. The FGC also points out that if the MCC supports
this sales ban, it will reclassify a series of products which Medsafe only approved
for general sale less than a
year
ago, a "regulatory flip-flop" that makes New Zealand look disorganised
in terms
of
its regulatory processes.
 Kiwi
wines appeal to young Australian palates (3 Mar 10)
Young Australians with higher incomes are fuelling a growing interest in New Zealand wines across the Tasman, with volume sales up by 42.3%.
The oversupply issue created by two bumper harvests has seen kiwi winemakers stretch into new markets in search of new customers.
But there is also growing demand from one of the oldest and closest international markets for local wines, according to a new Nielsen report.
The report found that volume sales were up 42.3% over the financial year to 2009, while sales value has doubled over the last three years.
Kiwi wines now represent 8% of the total wine sold through the off-premise liquor market in Australia.
The Nielsen report found that a core group of Aussie consumers
aged in their 30s who are relatively new to the wine category were driving the
increase.
According to the report, the regular buyers of New Zealand wines were now more
likely to be in their 30s and less likely to be aged over 65; likely to live
in metro regions and Sydney in particular; and have a household income over $100,000.
These buyers are also more prone to experiment and taste new and alternate varities,
but this means they are not necessarily loyal to any particular brand, according
to Nielsen Liquor Group pacific executive director Michael Walton.
More at National Business Review.
Dow Design creates a new look for Alison’s Pantry (3
Mar 10)
Shoppers from Kaitaia to Invercargill will experience a new look Alison’s Pantry this month as Dow Design's makeover of the self selection area of New World and Pak ‘n Save stores is unveiled.
As a brand, Alison’s Pantry needed to convey the progressive modern business it has become; with expertise and integrity in sourcing top quality foods and sound relationships with retailers. It also needed to appeal to the 2010 shopper who is ingredient and health conscious and has a respect for authenticity. Dow created a fresh clean look for the popular scoop bins through a stylish logo and navigational signage that brings the brand right up to date.
“Our vision was to better capture the direct, fresh experience of Alison's Pantry and create an exciting market-like feel for the space that stimulates the shopper with its choice and quality products,” says Dow Design Creative Director, Donna
McCort.
She says Dow was assigned the task of encouraging more frequent use of what is a specialised area of a supermarket. “To make the produce look more appetising, we opted for a clean, minimal look that allows the shopper to easily see foods that get their taste buds going amongst the vast selection.”
Dow Design’s Strategic Development Director, Andy Jaquet says the navigation system was an exciting challenge for the Dow team. "Alison's Pantry provided us with a great opportunity to not only demonstrate our design skills but also our talents in retail navigation. Choice in supermarkets is now so varied that it can become confusing for the consumer unless you create systems that lead them to their purchase.”
The Alison’s Pantry section of larger supermarkets can have over 220 scoop bins, but in smaller supermarkets, the area may only be a quarter of this size. One of the clever elements of Dow’s design is that it can easily be scaled to suit the space a store has available.
Alison’s Pantry Product Manager, Lyn O’ Sullivan says the brand refresh was the next step in the evolution of Alison’s Pantry. “It was during the 1980s that our rapport started with the ‘Mother of New Zealand cooking’, Alison
Holst,” she explains.
“Known for her delicious recipes and as a pioneer for balanced eating, her advice helped shape the brand. Over the years, our knowledge in procuring top grade foods has developed and we needed to truly reflect what Alison’s Pantry stands for today. Dow Design took our brief fully on board, modernising the brand and also designing web graphics that mirror the consumers’ in-store experience.”
The re-branded Alison’s Pantry will be revealed in Foodstuffs supermarkets during March. The new design will also feature on the aprons and caps of in-store staff and taste testers, as well as in all Alison’s Pantry marketing and advertising in the coming months.
 FGC
applauds govt's move to slash red tape for grocery sector (26 Feb 10)
The Government’s release today of a Medsafe discussion document recommending
that fluoride toothpastes and anti-dandruff shampoos be removed from Medicines
Act regulations, will save millions in pointless compliance costs for the grocery
sector, and increase choice for New Zealanders, says Katherine
Rich, Chief Executive of the Food and Grocery Council (FGC). “It’s a
common sense step. Regulating anti-dandruff shampoos and toothpastes with the
same force as medicines is bureaucratic overkill for low risk cosmetic products,
which are clearly not pharmaceuticals. “FGC members trade in over 150 countries
and New Zealand is the only one with such a complicated mire of regulation, requiring
each new product to be registered with Medsafe - a process that can take up to
two years and cost firms between $50,000 - $100,000 per registration. ‘It’s a
tedious process that has to be completed for each and every variant. Even if
a company wants to change something insignificant like a shampoo fragrance or
a toothpaste flavour, the process starts all over again. Same costs, same delays. “Lengthy
registration delays have often meant New Zealand consumers have been the absolute
last in the world to get access to new product innovations, years after they
are introduced worldwide. In the past such barriers have meant it didn’t make
economic sense to introduce some new variants to New Zealand at all. “Our industry
has regularly raised this issue with successive Health Ministers since 1984,
and Tony Ryall is the first to listen and take action. We thank him for cutting
a swath through nearly 30 years of inertia, and putting this issue out for public
consultation. “While this is a discussion document and it’s up to our sector
to work hard and put the detailed case for change, we are confident that the
Government will finally cut this wasteful red tape. “Moving ahead with common
sense reform will save the grocery sector many millions of dollars, encourage
more investment, ensure better choice in supermarkets, and finally align our
business rules with Australia.
 Food
prices up after five months of falls (11 Feb 10)
Food prices increased 2.1 percent in the January 2010 month, Statistics New Zealand said today.
This follows five consecutive monthly falls in the food price index (FPI) and prices have now returned to levels last seen in September 2009.
Significant contributions to the increase in January came from higher prices for grocery food, fruit and vegetables, and meat, poultry, and fish.
Grocery food prices rose 1.8 percent in January, ending a run of five consecutive monthly falls. Dairy prices rose in January, with higher prices for milk, yoghurt, butter, and cheese.
"Milk prices rose 5.1 percent in January to levels last seen in September 2008," prices manager Chris Pike said.
Fruit and vegetable prices rose 4.8 percent, with higher prices for tomatoes and seasonal price rises for kiwifruit, broccoli, and apples. Meat, poultry, and fish prices rose 3.3 percent, with higher prices for chicken.
For the year to January 2010, food prices rose 2.2 percent. Four subgroups recorded annual increases: grocery food (up 1.7 percent), non-alcoholic beverages (up 6.2 percent), restaurant meals and ready-toeat food (up 2.8 percent), and meat, poultry, and fish (up 3.0 percent). The fruit and vegetable subgroup fell 1.0 percent in the year to January 2010.
"Although food prices are now 2.2 percent higher than a year ago, they are 12.0 percent higher than two years ago," Mr Pike said.
 Dow
Design goes global with Montana Wines brand packaging (8 Feb 10)
Wine lovers worldwide will get a taste of Dow Design's brand design expertise this month with Montana Wines' global unveiling of their new look Classics and Reserve ranges of wine packaging.
While respecting the new world origins of this iconic New Zealand brand, Dow has acknowledged the demands of the global market by ensuring the packaging designs align with the more traditional nature of some international wine markets.
Featuring a graphic depiction of the mountains that connect Montana’s brand heritage to the unique location that gives New Zealand’s leading wine its distinct character, the new packaging is a key component of Montana’s global campaign.
“The complexity of a global brand is to satisfy different markets while at the same remaining true to the core design concept” said Annie Dow, Director of Dow Design.
“The simplicity and strength of the label will ensure Montana stands out in the competitive world of wine.”
Montana’s fresh new look reinforces the premium position of the Montana brand worldwide and is the result of a collaborative relationship with Dow Design who also created Montana’s commemorative monument for their flagship Brancott vineyard to celebrate 30 years of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Starting with the award-winning Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the new packaging is rolling out across the entire Montana Classics range; with the Montana Reserve Range completing the fresh new look on shelves worldwide this month.
Montana is a true Kiwi success story. Named by Croatian immigrant Ivan Yukich after the vineyard’s first mountainous location in the Waitakere Ranges, the Montana brand is now owned by Pernod Ricard and sold in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and through selected distributors in Europe.
It was Ivan's son Frank who led Montana's pioneering venture into Marlborough in 1973, a region then considered too cold to grow grapes. By 1990, Montana's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was named best Sauvignon Blanc in the world - introducing a new region and wine style to wine lovers everywhere.
 Established
in 1993 by Annie Dow, Dow
Design creates brands that people love and connect with. They are known
for bridging the gap between cutting edge design and commercial sense, working
on
iconic New Zealand brands such as Fresh’n Fruity, Robert Harris, Kapiti cheese,
Arano, and Vogel’s
bread.
 Remy
joins the prestigious line up at No. 1 Family Estate (21 Jan 10)
After twelve years of producing some of New Zealand’s leading Methode Traditionnelle
wines, No 1 Family Estate winemaker and proprietor Daniel Le Brun has created
the ultimate cuvée in honour of his son, Remy Le Brun, and it
was officially released on January 16, his 21st birthday, at a party held at
the
Marlborough
Vintners
Hotel.
Remy Le Brun performed a sabrage, a technique for opening sparkling-wine bottles
with a sabre, used during celebrations.
The sword he used was a family heirloom made in 1872. The tradition dates back
to the Napoleon era when, after a battle one day, there was no corkscrew to open
bottles so swords were used.
Mr Le Brun said although he had opened a few bottles of sparkling wine with a
sword, he was nervous he would not open it with the first swipe on Saturday.
He said it was a lovely gesture from his dad to name a vintage after him.
The wine, ‘Cuvée Remy’ is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir, giving
structure and power and 20% Chardonnay which contributes richness and finesse.
The making of just 200 cases of this wine honours the same process as used in
Daniel’s homeland - Champagne - with the hand-picking of grapes and pressing
them in whole bunches using a special Vaselin press (imported from Champagne)
followed by fermentation in bottle to create the all-important bubbles. The wine
spent two years on yeast lees prior to disgorgement in December 2009
The Le Brun family arrived in Marlborough 30 years ago and specialise purely
in the production of methode traditionnelle. The range includes Cuvée N° 1, a
non-vintage blanc de blancs (100% chardonnay), Cuvée Number 8, a non-vintage
blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Reserve Cuvée 10, a limited edition wine
and a vintage blend created in only the finest years called Cuvée Virginie after
their daughter. With the addition of Cuvée
Remy, the family is now complete and if history is anything to go by, this
special
wine will soon start winning accolades to match or even exceed its siblings.
www.no1familyestate.co.nz
 The
Darling Wines – part Kiwi, part Aussie – 100% quality (21 Jan 10)
There has always been a friendly rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, and when it comes to the wine industry things are no different. With many New Zealand wines selling well in Australia and vice versa this rivalry has been heating up in recent times.
The Darling Wines has the best of both worlds. The wines are made in Marlborough New Zealand with its owners and winemakers Chris Darling and Bart Arnst being from Australia and New Zealand respectively.
The Darling is a small wine company focused on producing quality wines. Chris says, “Keeping the production limited and having control over the entire process is a key factor in maintaining the quality of our wines”. Bart also mentions that, “by growing the grapes organically we are looking to improve the quality of the wines”.
Chris and Bart with over 30 years wine industry experience between them, teamed up in 2008. After making wines and growing grapes for other people for many years they thought it was time to put their creative energy into a project they could both enjoy together.
They mention that the friendly rivalry occurs between them, especially while watching the All Blacks play the Wallabies at rugby as they both think they know the outcome of the game before it starts.
The new release wines are now available, both in Australia and New Zealand and Chris and Bart are hoping that the friendly rivalry continues and that there are no more underarm incidents.
New Release wines:
2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Pinot Gris, 2009 Gewurztraminer, 2009 Pinot Noir (Release in Feb)
The Darling Wines are available in New Zealand through Restaurants and Fine Wine stores or contact chris@savvywines.co.nz.
In Australia the wines are distributed through JHL/Sante in Victoria. www.jhl.com.au
Check out www.thedarlingwines.com for more information.
 NZ
wine the tipple of choice in Britain (8 Jan 10)
New Zealand's Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc was the best-selling
wine at Britain's Majestic Wine chain over the Christmas season, the warehouse
retailer says.
Majestic Wine uncorked its best festive sales for a decade yesterday, toasting
sparkling sales of champagne and upmarket fine wine, as customers shrugged off
the economic downturn.
Chief executive of Majestic, Steve Lewis, said he had been encouraged by the
response to the change in its minimum purchase policy from 12 bottles of wine
to six. He said existing customers were shopping more frequently.
For the nine weeks to January 4, the 153-store chain's underlying sales were
up by 11.7 per cent. This was its best sales for more than two years.
Lewis said: "Christmas got off to a good start and it just kept going." Majestic
said sales of champagne were up by 11 per cent, sales of fine wine were higher
by 30 per cent and online grew by 17 per cent.
Across the business, the retailer's most popular champagne was Veuve Clicquot
and its best-selling wine was the Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc.
Lewis said its busiest day was the Saturday before Christmas, and that it had
received a boost from the snow and icy conditions before December 25, as many
people stopped working and went into "Christmas mode".
More at NZ
Herald.
 Woolies
may buy liquor group (7 Jan 10)
Retailing giant Woolworths is rumoured to be looking at trans-Tasman alcopops
giant Independent Liquor Group in a plan to secure a supplier
for its fast-growing private label beer business and cut its reliance on Fosters
Group and Lion Nathan. Independent Liquor is the biggest supplier of alcopops
in Australia and New Zealand, but also produces and distributes spirits, beer
and wine, including Tuborg, NZ Lager, Haagen and Carlsberg,
Mystic Ridge and Grove Hill wines. Independent, which was started in New Zealand
by Michael Erceg, was sold for $1.25 billion to private equity firms Pacific
Equity Partners, of Australia, and Hong Kong's CCMP Asia (now Unitas Capital)
in 2006, after the death of Mr Erceg in a helicopter crash. Speculation in the
alcohol industry is that Woolworths has been doing a cost/benefit analysis of
Independent Liquor. The business is believed to be worth about $700 million.
A source close to Independent Liquor said a tie-up with Woolworths made strategic
sense. Not only would it give it access to capacity to increase its home brands,
but it also would give it access to costings, which would be used as a threat
over the bigger suppliers. Independent Liquor has production facilities in Victoria
and New Zealand. Independent Liquor already contract-packages Woolworths home
brand beer Platinum Blonde on the eastern seaboard. If a deal goes ahead, it
would be the next step in Woolworths' plans to increase its private label brands
across groceries and liquor.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Cut
to the chase at mealtimes (18 Dec 09)
When it comes to food, convenience and nutrition are rare recipe mates.
But now a quick, nutritious meal is at your fingertips with the launch of Regal
Salmon’s new speciality range of fresh salmon cuts.
Regal Salmon Fresh Cuts come in convenience packs in escalope,
loin and stir fry formats. The new atmospheric packaging provides a longer fridge
life for your salmon; perfect for those of us who shop once a week.
Regal Salmon says the pre-packed cuts are ideal for preparing quick, simple nutritious
meals and snacks.
“Consumers tell us convenience, health and indulgence are the three key elements
to a satisfying meal,” says Regal Salmon marketing manager Stephen
Gibson. “With a high level of omega-3s and antioxidants, versatility
and a great taste, Regal Salmon meets those needs impeccably.
“The Fresh Cuts are designed to save time in the kitchen – for example, the pin
bones have already been removed – and they’re perfect for a range of occasions – from
a main meal to snacks around the barbie. You simply sear and get on with entertaining.”
Available in supermarkets, Regal Salmon Fresh Cuts Escalopes and
Regal Salmon Fresh Cut Loins (pictured) come in 250g packs while
the Regal
Salmon Fresh Cuts Stir Fry pack contains 275g. The Best By date is clearly
stamped
on the pack. Free recipe booklet on the Regal Salmon website: www.regalsalmon.co.nz/regal-salmon-fresh-cuts/
 Christmas
dinner costing less (15 Dec 09)
The cost of Christmas dinner will be slightly less than last year but a few dollars more than two years ago, according to Statistics New Zealand.
And if you can't decide whether to go traditional or barbecue then don't worry because the cost is about the same.
The estimated cost of both options for a family of two adults and two children has come out exactly the same, at $48.80, says government statistician Geoff Bascand.
This makes the traditional dinner $1.80 cheaper than last year, and the barbecue 90 cents cheaper.
The cost of each meal has been estimated using prices collected for the November 2009 food price index, and costs have been compared with prices for November 2008, 2007, and 1999.
The traditional Christmas dinner has increased by $13.50 (38.3 percent) since 1999 and the barbecue by $11.10.
The biggest savings this year for the traditional Christmas dinner come from whole chicken prices, which have fallen by about 50 cents, and kumara, which has fallen by about 40 cents.
Savings for the barbecue dinner come from cheaper potatoes, which have fallen by about 30 cents since last year, and cheaper steak, which has dropped by nearly 40 cents.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
Fourth
consecutive monthly fall in food prices (11 Dec 09)
Food prices decreased 0.3 percent in the November 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the fourth consecutive monthly fall in food prices, which has not occurred since July 2004. November’s fall in the food price index (FPI) was largely driven by lower prices for fruit and vegetables, as occurred in October and September 2009.
In November 2009, the fruit and vegetables subgroup decreased 2.0 percent. A fall in vegetable prices (down 6.3 percent) more than offset a rise in fruit prices (up 4.5 percent). "Fruit and vegetable prices usually fall in spring and are now down 17.2 percent from their winter peak in July," said Prices Manager Chris Pike.
For the year to November 2009, food prices rose 0.9 percent. This is the smallest annual increase since a rise of 0.9 percent in the year to September 2005. In the year to November 2009, four subgroups recorded increases: non-alcoholic beverages (up 6.9 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 3.0 percent), grocery food (up 1.5 percent), and meat, poultry, and fish (up 1.0 percent). The fruit and vegetables subgroup fell 7.6 percent in the year to November 2009.
Although food prices are now 0.9 percent higher than a year ago, they are 11.4 percent higher than two years ago.
 Two
new Nosh's (8 Dec 09)
Fresh food retailer Nosh Food Market is expanding its operations with two new stores – Mt Eden and Matakana - as Kiwis flock to purchase quality local produce.
Today the company opens a new store in Mt Eden, and next week (Dec. 14) it opens a Nosh Foodmarket in Matakana, the company’s third new outlet this year.
Nosh co-founder Clinton Beuvink says Kiwis are catching on to the affordable prices of market-style shopping.
“At Nosh Food Market we bring together the authenticity and expertise of the traditional butcher, the baker, deli, greengrocer and more and all at real market prices.
“As in a genuine market we have focused on employing qualified, passionate and food-loving people whose knowledge of fresh produce enhance the Nosh shopping experience,” Mr Beuvink says.
Nosh’s focus on quality food and produce at affordable prices appeals to modern household shoppers who are becoming more creative in the kitchen.
“Eating in is the new dining out. Buying fresh produce and transforming it at home is how more New Zealanders are enjoying great food.
“We have tapped in to this kitchen creativity by providing an inspirational shopping environment, offering fresh ideas for menus and education on how to prepare them.
“We’ve brought on board a top chef for each Nosh Food Market, moving them from the back of the kitchen and putting them into direct contact with customers on the shop floor.
“With Mt Eden open, Nosh now has eight qualified chefs working on the team and accessible to shoppers across all stores.”
 The company’s latest store is on a 800 sq m site in the bustling Dominion Road
precinct and targets an area covering Mt Eden, Kingsland, Balmoral, Sandringham
and Mt Albert that is under-serviced in terms of local fresh food shopping.
Nosh Food Market presents a new market-style concept in food shopping bringing
together the authenticity and expertise of butchery, bakery, delicatessen, the
greengrocer and more under one roof. Nosh focuses on quality fresh food and produce
at affordable market prices appealing to modern household shoppers. It employs
qualified, food-loving people, all experts in fresh produce who enhance the Nosh
shopping experience. Nosh Auckland stores are located in Glen Innes, Greenlane,
Mt Eden and Ponsonby and a Matakana store opens in Mid-December. The Nosh Food
Market concept was created by Clinton Beuvink and Chris Moore in 2006. Both Beuvink
and Moore have extensive and wide ranging grocery and retail marketing and management
experience. www.noshfoodmarket.com
 Tip
Top downsizes ice cream containers (26 Nov 09)
Iconic Kiwi brand Tip Top has slashed the size of some of its ice cream containers
by 20 percent.
Tip Top says the decision was made following market research carried out last
year.
Tip Top marketing manager Trish Whitwell said the research showed different flavours
were used on different occasions, with classics such as Vanilla and Chocolate
seen as every-day flavours while others such as Goody
Goody Gum Drops and Gone Fishin' were seen as "treats".
"When consumers buy our Family Rewards range as a treat, they've told us that
while they want more of the great-tasting extra bits, eg more jelly in Jelly
Tip and more choc fish in Gone Fishing and that the total amount in the tub,
ie: two litres, is less important," Tip Top said on its website.
"So we have improved the inclusions and reduced the size slightly to allow us
to hold prices flat."
So far, Goody Goody Gum Drops, Jelly Tip, Monkey Business and Gone Fishin' now
come in the 1.6 litre containers while the everyday flavours
remain in 2 litre
containers. They cost around $5.88 at supermarkets.
Tip Top said no other changes had been made to its recipe.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Watchdogs
slam cheap liquor promotions (12 Nov 09)
Cheap liquor promotions are hurting the on-licence industry and contributing to New Zealand's drinking problem, alcohol watchdog services say.
In May this year, the two big supermarket chains - Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises - said they had stopped selling liquor below cost as a "loss leader".
The move followed comments by the Liquor Licensing Authority that low prices led to higher consumption and abuse of alcohol.
Between them, Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises own the New World, Pack 'n Save, Woolworths, Countdown and Foodtown supermarkets.
When asked this month if they had practised loss-leading since May, Progressive Enterprises spokesman Bill Moore said "absolutely not. It is our policy not to sell alcohol below cost price".
Foodstuffs NZ Ltd said it would not promote the sale of alcohol below cost and
requested retail franchisees to follow the same policy.
Progressive's Bill Moore said prices are set by liquor wholesalers.
"Suppliers are responsible for setting their prices. Supermarkets and other retailers add what they consider a reasonable mark-up."
However, chief executive of the Hospitality Association of New Zealand Bruce Robertson said the buying power of the big chains meant they could get a much better price from wholesalers than small retailers.
In some cases, he said, supermarkets offer liquor prices so low they rival wholesalers.
"A lot of smaller chains now buy from supermarkets rather than wholesalers because it is cheaper."
He blamed cheaper prices at supermarkets for a fall in on-licence alcohol consumption.
Robertson said 10 years ago, about 40 per cent of alcohol was purchased in bars
and restaurants. Supermarkets selling liquor have shifted that level to 30 per
cent, he said.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Meat
processor takes over value chain (11 Nov 09)
In what will be a litmus test for international meat exports, South Island-based
processor Silver Fern Farms is hitting New Zealand supermarkets
with branded and portion-controlled packs of lamb.
The move is a bold attempt to control more of the value chain from pasture to
plate, essentially cutting out the middleman with a product directed
at the higher end of the market.
Most red meat sold in New Zealand contains no brand or origin labelling making
Silver Fern Farms’ strategy revolutionary in the marketplace.
The company recently launched the concept in France through the
Intermache chain of supermarkets.
The market-led, rather than production-led, approach was ratified by the company’s
supplier shareholders earlier this year, although the company has been talking
to both New Zealand’s supermarket chains, Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs,
for about a year.
Essentially, the concept means the meat processor is providing consumers with
the finished product rather than just slaughtered animals for in-store butchers
to prepare.
Silver Fern strategic marketing general manager Duncan McKinnon said
the pre-packaged
product would be in 160 selected supermarkets from next week.
Focusing on the high end meat consumer, Mr McKinnon said the company would launch
a similar range of products using venison in February. More at National
Business
Review.
 Supermarkets
get price blame (11 Nov 09)
Consumer New Zealand says a supermarket duopoly is behind the
surge in New Zealand food prices, and the only thing consumers can do is to shop
around for deals.
A study by the University of New South Wales has found that grocery prices have
risen
faster in New Zealand and Australia than most other
industrialised countries.
Using OECD figures, the study says South Korea had the highest food price hikes
in the period, of 48.2 percent followed by New Zealand (42.5 percent) and Australia
(41.3 percent).
Consumer New Zealand chief executive Sue Chetwin said there
was little doubt a supermarket duopoly was behind the prices rises, but all consumers
could do
was to shop around.
She said it would be difficult to add competition to the supermarket industry.
Chetwin said New Zealand has a "double whammy" in that much of the food produced
here is exported, so New Zealanders end up paying export prices.
The Australian government has stressed it is moving to open food retailing to
extra competition. (Xinhua)
 Cookie
Time wins top supplier award (11 Nov 09)
Cookie Time has won the Overall Grand Prize at the Grocery Retailers'
Association national supplier awards.
The Grocery Retailers' Association (NARGON)
has over 500 retail members, all of whom are owner-operators of New Zealand grocery
stores, from the largest supermarkets to the smallest dairies. Members vote to
find the best grocery supplier in the country. "Considering we're measured against
multinationals with resources far greater than ours, it's particularly pleasing
to come out on top," said Cookie Time General manager, Lincoln
Booth. In addition to collecting the overall Grand Prize, Cookie Time
also took away a Gold in the Best Small Supplier category. Judging criteria includes
new product development, paper trail, in-store support, distribution efficiency,
orders delivered on time & in full, and head office relationship.
Christchurch-based Cookie Time started in 1983 and quickly grew to become New
Zealand's leading cookie brand. The company's multi award-winning One Square
Meal brand launched into USA earlier this year. The Grand Prize win at NARGON
tops off of what Mr Booth describes as a "phenomenal
year" for Cookie Time. Second place in the Overall Grand Prize category went
to Coca Cola Amatil, and
in third place was Cadbury's.
 World's
first all-natural low glycemic index (GI) cane sugar arrives in
NZ (10 Nov 09)
Chelsea Sugar has brought LoGiCane, the world's first all-natural
low glycemic index (GI) cane sugar to New Zealand. Low GI foods are slower to
digest,
metabolise
and absorb, providing longer lasting energy and increasing satiety.
With diabetes and obesity on the rise in New Zealand, the advent of a low GI
sugar will provide consumers with a healthier choice without compromising on
taste or texture.
LoGiCane can be used in exactly the same way as regular sugar for baking, cooking
and for sprinkling on cereal but with a significantly lower GI , making it easier
for New Zealanders to achieve a low GI diet.
Dr Alan Barclay of the Glycemic Index Foundation believes that replacing white
refined sugar with a healthier low GI sugar alternative could have significant
benefits for public health.
"There is increasing evidence that a low GI diet helps to reduce hunger, prolong
physical endurance and aid weight loss," says Dr Barclay. "A low GI diet can
also improve diabetes management and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes."
LoGiCane was developed by Horizon Science, an Australian Research and Development
company and has been independently tested and certified by the Glycemic Index
Foundation.
LoGiCane is made from 100% sugar cane grown in Mossman, Queensland and retains
more of the natural antioxidants, found in sugar cane. It is fully substitutable
for traditional white refined sugar and has no chemical additives, artificial
colours or preservatives.
"Traditional refining of raw sugar removes the majority of bio-active phytochemicals.
Retention of these phytochemicals in the sugar reduces the amount of glucose
absorption," says Dr Jason Smythe, Senior Vice President and Global Head of R&D,
Horizon Science.
"We have applied the science to effectively retain the best of what nature intended
in the sugar," he says.
Funded by the Australian Federal Government and Queensland State Government of
Australia, New Zealand-based BioPacific Ventures and Swiss based Inventages LLC,
LoGiCane was successfully launched into Australia in March 2009.
A partnership between Horizon Science and New Zealand Sugar, under the Chelsea
brand, makes New Zealand the first market outside Australia to benefit from the
innovation. Discussions are currently underway with international food manufacturers
about the potential of using LoGiCane as an ingredient in other foods.
LoGiCane is now on supermarket shelves under the Chelsea brand RRP $2.99 for
500 gram pack.
 Best
Sausage won by Best Bacon-maker (4 Nov 09)
A mango and chilli chicken sausage made by Peter Timbs Meats in
Christchurch has been judged the Supreme Award Winner in The
Great New Zealand Sausage Competition. The winning sausage was described
by chief judge Kerry Tyack as
a deserved winner in 2009. "This sausage was a superb combination of chicken,
mango and chilli resulting in a sweet and spicy sausage with huge palate appeal.
This sausage had the X
factor," says Tyack. "It was deliciously aromatic and was generously full of
authentic meat taste, given a dash of extra character via the addition of chilli
and mango. "The judges felt it was an exciting entry with plenty of mealtime
applications
and a broad appeal." An amazing result for Peter Timbs Meats as the company also
won Bacon
of
The
Year in the Lesnies 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition in September
this year. Mango and chilli chicken was one of 12 gold medal winning sausages
in the competition.
Retail Meat New Zealand General Manager Gary Beecroft says he
was very pleased with the high standard of entrants in this year's competition,
which was judged
at the end of October. "It was another fantastic event with quality, professional
judging that brought
out the best sausages on the day." More at TVNZ and
at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Lapping
up the first and best of summer (27 Oct 09)
Tip Top's $1 Scoop Day, an annual event celebrating the start
of summer at Labour Weekend, went down a treat in Wellington. Oriental Parade
Store shopkeeper Jiten Patel said the day had been a success, but would have
been busier without the chilly wind. Despite the new flavours that icecream companies
brought out every year, hokey
pokey remained the clear favourite. "People try different things but they always
come back to hokey pokey – it's a classic." Mr Patel has been serving cones in
Oriental Pde for more than 20 years. Kiwis licked 17.1 million scoops of Tip
Top icecream in cones from dairies and food stores last year. The Oriental Bay
Store is one of 15 "high-roller" outlets nationwide that sell more than a million
scoops between them each year.
Tip Top’s 2009 Ice Cream High-Rollers: Farmhouse Café, Whangarei;
Whites Dairy, Devonport; Waitomo Orchards, Otorohanga;
Verandah Café, Hamilton Lakes; Ollies, Auckland; Bethlehem Four Square, Tauranga;
Iona Dairy, New Plymouth; Cool Cat Ice Cream Parlour, Napier; Renall St Dairy,
Masterton; BP Blue Moon, Palmerston North; Oriental Bay Store, Wellington; West
End Dairy, Kaikoura; Black Cat Super Seven, Nelson; Templeton Convenience Store,
Christchurch; Midway Dairy, Milton, South Otago. More at Dominion
Post.
 Woolworths
NZ first quarter sales up (21 Oct 09)
Woolworths Australia yesterday posted a 4.8% increase for its Woolworths, Countdown
and Foodtown New Zealand supermarkets.
The ASX-listed company's first quarter results, to October 4, shows sales of
$NZ1.3 billion for the company's New Zealand supermarkets and comparable sales
of 4.5%, indicating a positive response to its new formats, improved ranging,
private label and stock improvements, it said.
Overall food inflation, of 4.3%, reflected easing cost price pressure on produce,
perishables and bakery items, the company said.
Overall, Woolworths reported sales of $A13.4 billion in the first quarter, up
7.4% exclusing petrol sales and 4.2% including petrol sales.
More at National
Business Review.
Food
prices plunge (15 Oct 09)
The biggest monthly drop in vegetable prices for a decade helped push food prices
down 0.7 percent in September.
Statistics New Zealand said today that in the past 12 months food prices had
increased 3.3 percent, which is the smallest annual rate of rise in over two
years.
The September fall in food prices followed a 0.9 percent drop in August. It is
the first time in four years that two consecutive monthly falls in prices have
been recorded.
Rising food prices have been one of the most stubborn forms of inflation in the
past couple of years. Annual food price inflation was running at 8.4 percent
as recently as July after fruit and vegetable prices rocketed that month due
to the very cold start to winter.
However, warm weather in August saw those rises start to reverse.
In September fruit and vegetable prices together fell 8.4 percent, mainly due
to the massive 12.8 percent fall in the price of vegetables alone.
Leading the way down were a 40.7 percent drop in lettuce prices, a 25.5 percent
reduction in cucumber costs and a 23.5 percent fall in capsicum prices.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Cheesybite
it is (7 Oct 09)
Kraft has unveiled its new name for
the failed iSnack 2.0 - Cheesybite.
Kraft dropped the "web-enabled" name for its new cream cheese
version of Aussie favourite Vegemite after widespread outcry
last week.
More than 30,000 people voted in an online and telephone poll to rename the spread.
There were seven names to pick from: Cheesybite, Creamymate, Smooth, Snackmate,
Vegemate, Vegemild or none of these.
Vegemite Cheesybite proved the overall winner,
with 36 per cent of the vote, followed by Vegemite Smooth at
23 per cent.
The controversy over iSnack 2.0 threatened to damage Kraft's brand after the
initial competition was decided upon by marketing staff.
Kraft dumped the name just days after unveiling it during the AFL grand final
last Saturday.
More at www.news.com.au.
 Apple
bites over Woolworths logo (5 Oct 09)
Australia's largest retailer Woolworths insists its
new logo is a stylised ''W'' or a piece of fresh produce. California-based
technology company Apple thinks
it is an apple, and wants
to stop Woolworths from using it.
Apple has mounted a legal challenge to prevent Woolworths from using the logo,
arguing it is too close to its own.
Apple will have to convince IP Australia, the Federal Government agency that
governs trademarks, to knock back Woolworths' application - filed
in August last year - to trademark its logo.
Apple is spooked by the fact Woolworths has gone for a blanket trademark that
would allow it to slap its branding and logo on every imaginable
product.
Woolworths' application includes a wide class for electrical goods and technology,
putting it in direct competition with Apple should the retailer
choose to brand computers, music players or other devices.
Woolworths has gone into credit cards and mobile phones, so the likelihood of
it going into computers is not too remote.
A Woolworths spokesman said: ''While we can't rule anything out, we haven't got
any plans at the moment.''
The same stylised ''W'' was recently unveiled in New Zealand as part of the logo
for the rebranded Countdown supermarket chain.
More at The
Age.
 42
Below outsourcing its distribution to Lion Nathan (1 Oct 09)
Home-grown vodka company 42 Below is laying off 22 of its 40 local staff and outsourcing the distribution of its products.
Lion Nathan will now distribute 42 Below vodka and all of parent Bacardi's brands. The brewer currently does 42 Below's bottling.
Previously Hancocks Wine and Spirit Merchants had distributed Bacardi products. Bacardi bought the then publicly-listed 42 Below for $138 million in 2006.
Managing director Paul Dibbayawan said 42 Below's current distribution model was unprofitable.
"We were in an unsustainable situation, and this really allows us to get the distribution right.
"It's really about ensuring we have that solid foundation here in New Zealand which will allow us to take the 42 Below brand global."
The company has also stopped making its other spirit products such as Seven Tiki
white rum and Tahiti Dark.
Dibbayawan said it still held the brands but had decided to focus on 42 Below
for the time being.
42 Below has yet to make a profit. In the year to March 2008 it made a $20.2
million net loss, on revenue of $16.7 million. This compared to a loss of $27.2
million on $10.3 million in revenue in 2007.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Kraft
dumps cheesy name (1 Oct 09)
Kraft has bowed to public pressure and ditched the name iSnack2.0 for its new Vegemite-cream cheese blend.
“We have been overwhelmed by the passion for Vegemite and the new product. The new name has simply not resonated with Australians. Particularly the modern technical aspects associated with,’’ said Kraft spokesman Simon Talbot.
In a statement this afternoon, the company said it would once again throw open the challenge to Australians to come up with a new name.
But the company denied it had all been a publicity stunt.
"At no point in time has the new Vegemite name been about initiating a media publicity stunt," Mr
Talbot, said.
Thousands of the jars with the new name will be distributed to supermarkets ready
to go on sale, ensuring that the soon to be scrapped name will quickly become
a collectors' item.
The number of negative comments posted on blogs and on social networking sites
is now running into the thousands, prompting Kraft to step back from the new
name, which was chosen from 48,000 as part of a competition to get Australians
to name the new spread.
Almost 3 million of the promotional ‘‘Name Me’’ jars were sold during the naming competition, suggesting it had been popular.
But the new name has roused almost universal indignation. More at www.stuff.co.nz.
Little
love for Vegemite spread's new name (29 Sep 09)
Vegemite has been an Aussie favourite for almost 90 years, but the
name chosen for a new, more spreadable version of the brown paste
is being
widely condemned.
As when the original was launched in 1922, Kraft turned to the Australian public
earlier this year to find a name for the new creation.
More than 48,000 people submitted potential names - a vast pool from which to
select an appropriate label - but the one the judges settled
on and announced during the AFL grand final on Saturday has been
met with some derision.
"It could quite possibly go down in history as one of the dumbest names ever
coined," wrote The Daily Telegraph's Kate Sikora.
"Worst name for a food condiment I've ever seen," read one of the thousands of
comments on the subject left on Twitter. The name which is causing such consternation
is iSnack 2.0 - as in: "I said 'Do you speaka my language?'
She just smiled and
gave me an iSnack 2.0 sandwich."
The man who dreamed it up - West Australian web designer Dean Robbins - admitted
the name was "a bit tongue-in-cheek".
"The 'i' phenomenon and web 2.0 have been recent revolutions and I thought the
new Vegemite name could do the same," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Kraft's head of corporate affairs, Simon Talbot, said the name "Vegemite iSnack2.0
was chosen based on its personal call to action, relevance to snacking and clear
identification of a new and different Vegemite to the original".
More at NZ
Herald.
Foodtown,
Woolworths brands to be phased out in NZ (21 Sep 09)
The Foodtown and Woolworths brands are to be gradually phased out by supermarket operator Progressive Enterprises and replaced by a revitalized, new
generation Countdown brand.
The rebranding, which will take up to five years, will see the company’s stores receive a new modern identity. It was unveiled today at the Countdown Westgate store, which is nearing completion of a full refurbishment.
“The move to one modern brand comes after the success we’ve had with our new generation Countdown stores,” says Progressive Enterprises Managing Director Peter
Smith.
“Over the past three years, we’ve been making significant improvements to our stores to help our customers shop smarter. Our new stores have a diverse fresh food offer, bigger grocery range, wider aisles and provide a brighter and more pleasant shopping experience. It’s about time the outside of our stores reflected the great changes going on inside,” he said.
The new logo – which also replaces the current Countdown identity - symbolises a new beginning for the New Zealand supermarket business.
“The new generation Countdown logo represents fresh produce and our absolute commitment to fresh food. It also represents a new beginning and direction of our business,” Mr Smith said.
He said the Countdown brand was chosen, rather than Foodtown or Woolworths, due to its popularity with customers and the geographically wide spread across the whole of New Zealand.
“We looked very carefully at which of our three brand names to go forward with, and we are absolutely certain that Countdown is what smart shoppers want. The fact is smart shoppers right across New Zealand know Countdown stands for fresh, quality products at a great value price,” Mr Smith added.
 The new Countdown branding will be applied as stores are refurbished and new stores are built.
The new brand also links the company to Australian parent company Woolworths Limited where stores have also been gradually receiving the fresh new symbol.
Woolworths Limited, through Progressive Enterprises, plans to invest up to $1 billion in New Zealand over the next five years.
“We are incredibly confident in the New Zealand retail market and our Countdown brand. The new brand is perfect for the times, and this is the right time to invest in our business,” Mr Smith said.
“We plan to open up to five new generation Countdown supermarkets and transform around 20 Woolworths, Foodtown and older Countdown stores to the new brand and format each year for the next five years.
“We also plan to invest in our supply chain across New Zealand to ensure that we can deliver world-class quality and value to our shoppers,” said Mr Smith,
Through this investment, Countdown will create 2,000-3,000 permanent new jobs in New Zealand. The company currently employs over 18,000 people.
The first store to feature the new Countdown logo is Westgate in West Auckland (previously an older style Countdown store). Immediately to follow are stores in Pukekohe in South Auckland (previously a Foodtown), Milford on Auckland’s
North Shore and Northwood in Christchurch (both previously Woolworths), and Ashburton
(an old style Countdown).
With these changes, Progressive Enterprises will operate 150 supermarkets - 70
branded Countdown, 52 Woolworths and 28 Foodtown.
 Barkers
celebrates 40 years in fruit with new image, new name (15 Sep 09)
Much-loved jam maker Barker’s is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
To mark the occasion, the family business is updating its name to “Barker’s of Geraldine” to better acknowledge its New Zealand heritage and unique location, nestled at the base of the Southern Alps in Geraldine, South Canterbury.
New labels for the Barker’s of Geraldine product range have been crafted, complete with artist-drawn fruit images. Their delicious range of jams are the first to feature the new look.
Barker’s extensive selection of 47 products includes Kiwi favourite Strawberry Jam, New Zealand Tamarillo & Plum Chutney and its original Blackcurrant Fruit Syrup, using Canterbury squeezed berries.
Michael Barker, Managing Director and son of founder Anthony Barker, is proud to continue the traditions started by his father over 40 years ago: “While we have grown significantly, we have held true to the same values my father held dear – integrity, quality and innovation. Our new look reflects those values and our pride in remaining a family-owned New Zealand company.”
Barker’s of Geraldine has long been a champion of the New Zealand grower, using local fruit wherever possible and products that do so now boast a “100% Homegrown New Zealand Fruit” label. “Using only the best quality fruit and vegetables ensures a superior flavour,” says Michael Barker.
The company, based on the corner of the old Barker family farm, is the largest employer in Geraldine. A New Zealand pioneer in fruit preserving, Barker’s of Geraldine continues to innovate and create wholesome, delicious products. Jams and chutneys range from RRP $3.99, Syrups from $4.99. For more information and to view the full product range visit www.barkers.co.nz.
 Where
to find the cheapest groceries (11 Sep 09)
Pak'nSave has topped the list of the country's cheapest supermarkets - for the 10th year running.
A Consumer NZ survey in which 26 supermarkets were visited in six cities has once again ranked the chain as running the country's cheapest supermarkets.
Supervisor Bev Frederikson said the survey showed that Pak'nSave was "well ahead" of its nearest competitors.
"Our surveyors bought from a list of 40 top-selling products including bread, biscuits, milk, fizzy drinks, snacks, cheese, cat food and butter," she said.
"Shopping there [Pak'nSave] saved around $20 and sometimes more than shopping in the dearest supermarket in each city."
Pak'nSave's Albany store produced the cheapest shopping basket, with a $115 transaction.
Foodtown Glenfield was the most expensive, with a $140 total.
Woolworths had the highest prices of the nationwide chains, with prices varying
from $136 to $145.
Woolworths, Countdown and Foodtown stores, owned by Progressive Enterprises,
were recognised for having the most consistent prices.
The survey noted that Foodstuffs' stores - Four Square, New World and Pak'nSave
- have the freedom to offer local specials which meant there was more price variation,
particularly between Pak'nSave stores.
More at NZ
Herald.
Food
prices down (11 Sep 09)
Food prices fell by 0.9 percent in August from July, the largest monthly fall
in three and a half years.
Lower prices for grocery food, and fruit and vegetables accounted for nearly
all of the drop in the food price index, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said today.
In August grocery food prices fell 1.3 percent, with bread down 2.7 percent,
chocolate biscuits down 6.3 percent, and cheddar cheese down 6.2 percent.
Prices for cheddar cheese, milk, and butter returned to levels last seen in late
2007 or early 2008, SNZ said.
Fruit and vegetable prices dropped 3.3 percent, driven by a 10 percent fall in
tomato prices, a 21 percent drop for strawberries, broccoli down 21.8 percent,
and avocados down 25 percent.
For the year to August, food prices rose 4.6 percent, the smallest annual increase
since January 2008.
Four subgroups recorded increases for the year, with grocery food up 4.4 percent,
meat, poultry and fish up 9.2 percent, non-alcoholic beverages up 7.9 percent,
and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food up 3.7 percent.
The fruit and vegetables subgroup fell 1.1 percent in the year to August 2009,
the first annual fall since February 2008, SNZ said.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Warehouse
profits slump on exit from fresh food, liquor (11 Sep 09)
Retailer The Warehouse Group reported a 15.4 per cent fall in full year net profit
to $76.8 million, affected by a $7.4m post tax charge relating to the company's
exit from fresh food and liquor.
For the 53 weeks to August 2, net profit excluding unusual items was up 5.3 per
cent from the previous year to $85.2m, the company said today.
For the second half, net profit excluding unusual items rose 17.8 per cent to
$28.4m.
Group sales for the year slipped 0.8 per cent to $1.72 billion.
Group chief executive officer Ian Morrice said retail sales
demand was expected to gradually improve in the coming year, but uncertainty
would continue to be
a feature of the economic environment. Whether recent signs of economic improvement
would translate into a sustained upturn remained to be seen, he said.
The Warehouse red sheds operation reported sales of $1.53b. Adjusting for the
53rd trading week and discontinued fresh food and liquor categories, sales were
down 0.8 per cent, while same store sales were down 0.4 per cent.
Earnings before interest and tax of $120.2m at The Warehouse were up 6.6 per
cent on the previous year, including $5m profit improvement relating to the exit
from fresh food and liquor.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Fresh ‘n Fruity launches Superfruits™ yoghurt range (10 Sep 09)
Expect to see a delicious new Superfruits™ range from Fresh ‘n Fruity hit supermarket shelves this month in fresh stand out packaging, the first change in ten years!
New Zealand’s top selling yoghurt, Fresh ‘n Fruity, has changed its look, but
still promises the same great taste of juicy, real fruit and delicious creamy
yoghurt that has made it a firm Kiwi favourite*. The bright, fresh look is accompanied
by a whole new range of mouth-watering flavours combining a variety of superfruits
with creamy yoghurt - the first yoghurt in NZ to do so.
A superfruit holds exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidant quality with
appealing fruitylicious taste. Cranberries, goji berries, acai berries, blueberries
and pomegranate are all superfruits found in the new range.
Fresh ‘n Fruity Marketing Manager, Caroline Giller says “The new Fresh ’n Fruity Superfruits™ range gives consumers a new way to enjoy variety and stay loyal to the brand, while at the same time attracting new purchasers.
“We’ve been the first yoghurt brand in New Zealand to tap into the hot Superfruits™ trend, by using a wide and unique range of fruits known to be high in antioxidants and pack a real punch in flavour and taste.”
Fresh ’n Fruity’s new packaging will give the brand a new fresh look, reinforcing
its market leader position and providing a stand-out presence on shelf.
The new packaging is in store now will be promoted via a new TVC which launches
within the month. The new Fresh ‘n Fruity Superfruits™ range is available from 14 September with an RRP of $3.99 in supermarkets nationwide.
The new range includes:
· Supercharge Strawberry · Powerburst Berry
· Mango, Passion & Goji
· Strawberry & Acai
· Blueberry & Pomegranate
· Strawberry & Blackcurrant
www.freshnfruity.co.nz
Recession
changes grocery shoppers' habits - survey (7 Sep 09)
A third of New Zealand families have changed their dinner habits as a result of the economic downturn, according to an online survey.
Conducted by parenting website www.kidspot.co.nz, the survey of over 500 families suggested the recession had prompted a more frugal approach to grocery shopping and less spending on takeaways.
It also suggested a sharp rise in the price of groceries had led to more respondents bulk buying when items were on special, and freezing supplies for future use - particularly meat.
In-house brands now had greater acceptance and were being bought more at the expense of name brands, particularly when it came to staple products like tinned tomatoes, flour, rice, butter and bread.
Fish and some premium cuts of meat were being overlooked more often, and vegetables were being used more commonly as a substitute for meat, according to the survey's respondents.
Families were also planning ahead to avoid impulse buying.
"Mothers now leave the house for their weekly (not daily) shop armed with a list in hand, likely gleaned from the catalogue-advertised specials..." the
website said.
Grocery buyers reported shopping around more than in the past and targeting price-friendly
markets and independent butchers, while chasing the specials at different supermarkets.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Auckland
supermarkets bow to pressure over plastic bags (4 Sep 09)
New World and Four Square stores in Auckland have bowed to public pressure and
will no longer charge for plastic packing bags.
From today, their parent company Foodstuffs is dropping the five cent charge.
It has already scrapped the fee in the lower North Island after customer feedback.
Foodstuffs Auckland GM Murray Jordan says the charge saw the
usage of plastic bags drop by 12 million over the last month and the company
will continue to promote the use of reusable bags.
Mr Jordan will not comment about the ratio of people who supported the charge
compared with those who complained.
However, Green co-leader Metiria Turei is very disappointed by the company's
u-turn. She says part of the reason a price is placed on a waste product is to
make sure the cost of dealing with it is borne by the user. Foodstuff's main
competitor
Progressive
Enterprises
(Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown) has resisted pressure
to charge for bags. Figures released earlier this week by the Packaging Council
show that efforts by supermarket chains Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises
and
cut-price
retailer The Warehouse have reduced the number of bags they used by 22 per cent
in
the five years to July. More at NZ
Herald.
 New
MD for Foodstuffs Wellington (3 Sep 09)
Foodstuffs Wellington will take on a new managing director from February
2010.
The cooperative's chairman Brian Drake yesterday announced the appointment of
Craig Wilson, who comes from the country's biggest
hardware group, Mitre 10.
Mr Wilson worked for Foodstuffs rival Woolworths NZ for 10 years before taking
on management roles at Lion Nathan's Liquor King group and the
chief executive role at Mitre 10 in 2001.
Foodstuffs Wellington's existing managing director Tony McNeil is ending a 12
year run with the company.
Mr Drake said Tony had seen the company grow from a $900 million turnover in
1998 to over $2.2 billion in sales this year and an enviable
market share position.
More at National
Business Review.
 Fresh
'n Fruity eat-a-thon launches new look (1 Sep 09)
Fresh ‘n Fruity, New Zealand’s number one yoghurt*
brand is rebranding to a fruity new packaging. To promote this
- Fresh ‘n Fruity held a yoghurt eat-a-thon competition, where
consumers ate their way through the yoghurt in the old packaging!
Shoppers were invited
to come along to Sylvia Park, Pak ‘n Save on Thursday 27 August to compete against
one another in a controlled
environment, to see who could consume the most Fresh ‘n Fruity yoghurt in 20
seconds.
Competitors were rewarded with Pak ‘n Save vouchers and Fresh ‘n Fruity spot
prizes such as moonhoppers which saw audience members bouncing around during
the event.
(*AZTEC report on yoghurt category w/c 10th August MAT)
The
new Fresh ‘n Fruity packaging is on shelves now at all supermarket and convenient
stores nationwide.
Also launching, new Fresh ‘n Fruity Super Fruits yoghurt. No one does fresh and
fruity
like
Fresh ‘n
Fruity.
www.freshnfruity.co.nz
Retailers'
deal sees bag totals melting (1 Sep 09)
A voluntary agreement by big retailers has cut the number of plastic shopping bags by 157 million over five years - almost a quarter of the original total.
Charging for shopping bags, a new strategy by some retailers, had only just begun when the results were counted.
Figures released today by the Packaging Council show shoppers at supermarket chains Foodstuffs NZ and Progressive Enterprises NZ and cut-price retailer The Warehouse reduced the number of bags they used by 22 per cent in the five years to July.
The agreement has now ended, but Foodstuffs and The Warehouse have stepped up efforts by introducing a charge for plastic bags.
Paul Curtis, executive director of the Packaging Council, which represents retailers and manufacturers on packaging issues, said more than half the reduction was achieved in the past two years.
"Our message has been very simple; if you don't need a plastic bag, don't take one, and remember to take your reusable bag when you shop," he
said.
Mr Curtis said giving out fewer bags, combined with moves to make bags more lightweight,
had cut the total amount of plastic used in shopping bags by 28 per cent - equivalent
to 34 million two-litre plastic drinks containers.
Progressive Enterprises (Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown) has resisted pressure
from GetReal to charge for bags.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Jack
Daniel’s Single Barrel gets an image update (31 Aug 09)
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey is undergoing a packaging update. The new refined bottle takes its cues from a classic decanter with a thick glass base and rounded, smooth edges reflecting the smooth charcoal-mellowed character of this full-bodied whiskey. The new Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel bottle will be available throughout New Zealand beginning in September 2009.
“The updated package reflects the brand’s ultra premium nature while recognising the authenticity and masculinity of Jack Daniel’s,” said Mark
Grindstaff, Jack Daniel’s US Brand Marketing Director. “The bottle design improves visibility, making it easier to see on the shelf and behind the bar, and better communicates the status of the brand. We believe it will attract a sophisticated, discerning consumer.”
To mark its distinctive nature, each bottle is hand-labeled with its rick, barrel number and individual bottling date -- signifying the distinct taste profile of the whiskey from a single barrel. The bottle has a thick glass base and wide shoulders giving it a “cut crystal” appearance. The redesigned label has a black background with gold font, and the raised scripted signature of Jack Daniel is blown into the glass across the side of the bottle. The new bottle retains the fluting around the neck which harkens back to the iconic bottle of the parent brand and a wood cork stopper. A coin is encased in the top of each wooden stopper.
The packaging update is a highly anticipated move in the Jack Daniel’s Family of Fine Whiskeys distributed by Hancocks in New Zealand. The success of the new packaging for Gentleman Jack in 2007 saw domestic sales grow 44% in the first 12 months following the introduction. “We believe the Jack Daniel’s lover will appreciate the new look of Single Barrel,” says Grindstaff.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is also available to purchase by the barrel for those exclusive connoisseurs who would like to enjoy the taste of their very own barrel. Each barrel can be personally selected by the Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett, or there is the opportunity for customers to visit the Lynchburg distillery and hand select their own barrel. Each barrel comes with personalised medallions around the neck of each bottle, the actual barrel from which the whiskey came and a permanent brick at the distillery bearing the customer name.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey is a 90-proof whiskey and the world’s only charcoal-mellowed single barrel Tennessee whiskey. Each barrel of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is matured in selected areas of the warehouses where the whiskey’s colour and taste deepen and mature an extra measure during the changing Tennessee seasons. The Master Tasters then sample the whiskey and set aside the barrels with the most intense maturation. The bold, full-bodied taste of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel -- toasted oak flavour and intense vanilla and caramel essences -- is the work of craftsmen with a singular devotion to old-time whiskey- making.
Progressive
brands to merge? (28 Aug 09)
Woolworths-owned supermarket retailer Progressive Enterprise is expected to announce
the merger of its three supermarket brands into Countdown in
the next fortnight.
The move would spell the end of the Foodtown and Woolworths brands in New Zealand.
A brand merger has been the subject of analysts' speculation in the past few
months after talks with the company about the best store concept in New Zealand
to compete with rival Foodstuffs, particularly its Pak'n Save stores.
To this end Progressive has been rolling out a more customer-friendly Australian
store format in its New Zealand supermarkets.
Progressive is owned by Australian retailing giant Woolworths. Its chief executive,
Michael Luscombe, hinted an announcement of the brand change
was imminent when
delivering the company annual results in Australia yesterday.
The company reported a net profit of A$1.83 billion (NZ$2.26b) on 5.4 per cent
higher revenue of A$49.5b.
When asked if there was an update on the brands in New Zealand becoming Countdown,
Mr Luscombe said Progressive's chief executive, Peter Smith, would be making
a major announcement in New Zealand in the next two weeks.
Mr Luscombe described the New Zealand supermarket performance as a success story
and affirmed Woolworths was in New Zealand for the long term.
More
at BusinessDay.
 Woolworths
pleased with NZ supermarkets (27 Aug 09)
Australia's Woolworths Ltd today expressed satisfaction with its New Zealand
supermarket business, particularly in the second half of the year.
The company's New Zealand Supermarkets, which include Countdown, Foodtown and
Woolworths stores, notched up annual earnings before interest and tax (Ebit)
of $NZ194.9 million, up 2.8% from last year.
The previous year had 53 weeks, so the rise is 4.8% if a 52-week comparison is
used.
The company competes with Foodstuffs, a co-operative which runs New World, Pak'n'Save
and Four Square stores.
Foodstuffs and Woolworths together have about 96% of the grocery market. Sales
were $NZ4.96 billion, up 3.9% on a 52-week comparison. The gross margin rose
three basis points to 21.9% and the company attributed this to improved buying.
Woolworths bought Progressive Enterprises in late 2005 and said then it would
take three years to put the supermarkets in a competitive position.
It said today that the repositioning of the business was on track but "there
remains much to do".
The company said it had 23 sites in the pipeline in New Zealand with three opening
in 2010.
Overall Woolworths reported a 12.8% rise in annual profit and forecast earnings
growth of up to 11% this year. More at National
Business Review.
 Dow
Design’s groundbreaking new look for Fresh’n Fruity (25 Aug 09)
New Zealand brand design expert, Dow Design, has masterminded
the brand
platform and new image for Fonterra Brands’ Fresh’n Fruity yoghurt range
hitting
supermarket chillers next week (in supermarkets nationwide from 31
August 2009).
While most packaging has a logo and separate imagery, Dow Design has broken new
ground by making the logo the actual pack design, with the evolving vines and
fruit
communicating the personality of each range.
Fonterra’s brief was to create a distinctive and memorable design to differentiate
the
Fresh’n Fruity brand from competitors. ‘The packaging had to have the personality
and
attractiveness that is the long established Fresh’n Fruity world,’ says Dow designer
Andrew Sparrow.
Bursting with fruit imagery encased in fresh white space, Fresh’n Fruity’s logo
has
been reworked into a leafy device complete with vines that change to suit the
product
range.
‘This trademarked imagery will keep Fresh’n Fruity ahead of the pack, while making
it
easy for yoghurt lovers to find their favourite brand in the supermarket chiller,’ says
Andrew.
‘Fresh’n Fruity’s image overhaul is another outstanding example of how Dow’s
individual design process connects consumers emotionally with brands to
consistently deliver improved performance and sales,’ he explains.
Dow Design’s Fresh’n Fruity offering follows recent successes in re-branding
iconic
local brands such as Kapiti cheese, Robert Harris, Living Nature and Arano juice.
www.dowdesign.co.nz
 Lindauer
Sauvignon - the Savvy new way to celebrate (25 Aug 09)
With the launch of Lindauer Sauvignon, New Zealand’s most successful sparkling wine range teams up with New Zealand’s most successful grape variety, offering wine lovers an exciting, fresh way to add sparkle and zest to any occasion. Lindauer
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is a newcomer to the Lindauer family and is the savvy new way to celebrate.
Sauvignon Blanc is now firmly established as New Zealand’s favourite grape variety, while Lindauer has been the country’s sparkling wine of choice since its release back in 1981. Lindauer has continued to set the standard with innovation, delivering world-class sparkling wines that offer outstanding value for money and uncompromised quality.
The new and innovative Lindauer Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from 85% Sauvignon Blanc, complemented by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Winemaker Jane de Witt describes Lindauer Sauvignon as light and easy-drinking. “The wine displays vibrant passionfruit aromas topped off with a fresh gooseberry zest and a lively Sauvignon sparkle - the savvy new way to celebrate any occasion.”
Over the years, the award-winning range has been extended from the original Lindauer Brut to include Lindauer Rosé, the slightly sweeter Lindauer Sec and the unique, strawberry-infused Lindauer Fraise. The Lindauer Special Reserve range has also grown beyond its original Brut Cuvée to include the richer, slightly sweeter Cuvée Riche, the Chardonnay-dominant Blanc de Blancs and vintage-specific Lindauer Special Reserve Vintage.
Lindauer Sauvignon (750ml) goes on sale nationwide from late August (RRP $14.99), look for it in wine shops, grocery stores and restaurants.
www.lindauer.co.nz
 Monteith’s eyes cider market (14 Aug 09)
Brewer Monteith's is turning its hand from hops to fermented apples as it looks
to tap into New Zealand's growing $4.5 million cider market.
The DB Breweries-owned West Coast brewery expects to have its 100 per cent pure
New Zealand sourced Crushed
Apple Cider on tap and in bottles in bars nationwide from September.
Monteith's brand manager Russell Browne says cider is becoming increasing popular
in New Zealand with annual sales growing at 13 per cent.
"Kiwis are keen on natural products that have a great taste - not products made
from concentrates. And currently there's a flow of New Zealanders returning from
their OEs and bringing with them the tastes they have developed in the old country."
In Britain the cider market is worth a massive 1.8 billion a year (NZ$4.42 billion)
and is the fastest growing category within the Beers, Wines & Spirits
sector (BWS). Even in the on-trade, where the recession has hammered the pub
industry, cider is one of only two categories in growth.
Cider has continued to grow in popularity over the last few years, which has
largely been driven by consumption for over ice brands such as Magners.
Monteith's 4.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) offering will also be available
from supermarkets and liquor stores with a recommended retail price of $14.99
per four pack.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Vegemite
renaming includes 'Tigermite' (7 Aug 09)
More than 30,000 suggestions from New Zealand and Australia for the name of
the new flavoured Vegemite are rolling in to Kraft Foods.
The company created the new flavour after a survey of thousands of Vegemite eaters.
The result was a Vegemite mixed with cream cheese for a smoother, more spreadable
consistency.
Just like the original, named in a national poll in 1923, the new version will
be named by a public contest.
Some of names submitted by New Zealanders for the new flavour include Tigermite,
Rockermite, Dynamite, AussieNZjam, and Mitey-licious.
Kraft plans to announce the name of the new spread
in September, limited numbers of jars will be given for
free to the public at two Auckland supermarkets on Tuesday.
The Pak 'N Saves at Botany and East Tamaki will receive 45 cartons of stock for
distribution to the public on a "first come, first served" basis from 10.30am,
Kraft Foods Australia/New Zealand spokesman Simon Talbot said.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Supermarket
move by icecream maker (6 Aug 09)
Emerald Group is considering plans to put its high-end New Zealand Natural ice
cream brand into Australian supermarkets after establishing more than 50 parlours
in four states.
The move comes as American icecream maker Ben & Jerry's prepares to launch its
chunk-filled icecream bar franchises in Sydney and Melbourne from September.
NZ Natural chief executive Shane Lamont said the move into Australian
supermarkets had been under serious consideration as part of the company's Australian
expansion plans. It already sells the product in some speciality supermarkets
in Western Australia, where it also has parlours. Other parlours are in New South
Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Mr Lamont said Ben & Jerry's is already a competitor
in 80 per cent of the 21 countries where New Zealand Natural had 650 outlets,
including the US and
a concentration of Asian
countries. Ben & Jerry's has 417 outlets in the US and 380 globally.
Ben & Jerry's Australian brand manager, Caroline Simpson, said
New Zealand could be the next launch pad for the icecream once the brand was
established in Australia. Australia is the world's third-biggest consumer of
icecream, at 18.5 litres per person a year. That compares with the United States'
per head consumption of 23 litres a year and New Zealand's of 20 litres. More
at BusinessDay.
Foodstuffs
shoppers pay for bags (3 Aug 09)
New Zealand shoppers at New World, Four Square and Pak'nSave supermarkets will
be charged for plastic bags from today.
Foodstuffs, owner of the three supermarket chains, will charge shoppers five
cents per plastic bag in a bid to cut down on the use of plastic bags and encourage
use of reusable bags.
Shoppers at PAK'nSAVE in the North Island have been charged for bags for around
20 years.
A portion of the profits made from the sale of plastic bags will be donated to
the Keep New Zealand Beautiful charity.
Foodstuffs uses around 270 million plastic bags each year, although a the business
has cut use by 19 per cent in the past two years.
More at FOODWEEK.
 Discount
food stores worry nutritionists (29 Jul 09)
A new discount store selling junk food will feed our growing obesity epidemic
by encouraging bad eating habits, dieticians say.
Reduced To Clear has arrived in Wellington, selling products - some past their
best-before date - at half the price or less when compared with supermarkets
and dairies.
Rongotai's store, which opened yesterday, is the second in New Zealand.
Directors Sean Hills and Andy Vermeulen say they are helping reduce waste and
offer cheap alternatives in a tough economic climate. "We see it as helping the
manufacturers as well, because it's stuff they'd dump otherwise," Mr Vermeulen
said.
Mr Hills said a lot of customers at their South Auckland store were from communities
where treats were rarely afforded, and were happy to be able to buy novelties
for children's birthday parties.
One of their major stockists is Cadbury. Cadbury spokesman Daniel Ellis said
the company did not recommend selling products after its best-before date, but
had an arrangement with Reduced To Clear its only such deal to sell excess stock. "Generally
the supermarkets won't take it because they can't sell it in time."
Nutritionists and health activists have criticised the deal and the shop, saying
it is irresponsible to offer cut-price junk food to an increasingly overweight
nation. More at Dominion
Post.
 Foodstuffs
bosses moving on (24 Jul 09)
Two of New Zealand’s three Foodstuffs co-operatives will have a change of leadership in the near future, with the heads of the Auckland and Wellington operations both moving on from their roles.
While Foodstuffs (Wellington) managing director Tony McNeil has already signalled that he will be leaving his position in March next year, Tony
Carter announced this week that he would also be stepping down from
the roles of managing director at both Foodstuffs Auckland and Foodstuffs (NZ)
in two years.
Mr Carter has indicated he intends to focus on independent directorship roles
in the future, and would not be seeking another full time executive position.
While he is not willing to talk about his legacy just yet, Mr Carter said he
will have been with Foodstuffs for 17 years by the time he retires from his managing
director positions and it was time for the company to look forward to the next
phase in its leadership.
He added that Foodstuffs had always taken a long-term view to succession planning.
“This has ensured that our unique culture and values are maintained and our strategies are kept consistent. So even though my departure will be nearly two years away, this continued approach will enable the board time to find the right person to lead our organisation into the future.”
An announcement of a successor is expected early next year, at about the same
time that Foodstuffs (Wellington) will have a new managing director after Mr
McNeil departs.
More at National
Business Review.
Supermarket
sales up at NZ stores owned by Woolworths (23 Jul 09)
New Zealand supermarkets owned by Australian company Woolworths sold $5 billion worth of goods in the 52 weeks to June 28.
Woolworths has the Foodtown, Countdown, Fresh Choice and Woolworths brands in New Zealand and competes with locally owned co-operative Foodstuffs.
Woolworth said its annual New Zealand supermarket sales were up 3.6 percent in New Zealand dollar terms and after adjustment. The company's financial year in 2008 had 53 weeks in it and this was adjusted to 52 for comparison.
Fourth quarter sales increased by 4.8 percent but were up 5.5 percent when adjusted to make them comparable.
"Our significant business improvement in our supply chain, service levels, refurbishment and amenity initiative are gaining traction particularly in the last quarter, despite the difficult conditions in New Zealand," said Peter
Smith, managing director of Progressive Enterprises, the New Zealand
supermarket unit. The company opened three new supermarkets and refurbished 24
stores in New Zealand in the year.. More at National Business Review.
 How
to down-size your brand image (15 Jul 09)
What a shocker of a time to be in advertising/marketing/PR for Cadbury.
I suppose it seemed like a great idea at the time: downsize the (250g) chocolate
block by 50g, save some money, add in some nasties and take out some goodies,
and disguise it all as a better experience for the consumer along with “Great
New Packaging”. And hey presto! You’ve fought that evil thing we call “recession” (never
mind that chocolate is largely considered recession-proof as it’s a “trivial
purchase”).
Cadbury would’ve likely gotten away with it 10 years ago, but things have changed,
friends. It started with a Twitter voice and a website, and then
a YouTube “product shrinking” demonstration.
It’s culminated in some shocking PR on Campbell Live and an ad by Kiwi chocolate
company Whittaker’s, which has proven with an extremely simple presentation that
its product is superior. (Worse!)
200g compared to 250g. 21% cocoa compared to 33% cocoa. Added vegetable fat,
or pure cocoa butter? Made by dingoes or made by Kiwis?
More opinion from Hazel Phillips at National
Business Review.
 Food
brands among most-trusted (24 Jun 09)
The annual Reader's Digest Trust Survey asked 500 New Zealanders which brands
they trust the most, and
Cadbury has topped the list for the seventh consecutive year, with ice cream
brand Tip Top in second place, the same ranking as last year. Brand strategist
Brain Richards says New Zealanders look for certainty in brands and this is particularly
true
in uncertain times.
"The top 15 brands are companies like Sanitarium, Fisher & Paykel, L&P and Watties.
These are brands we're familiar with, they're consistent and we know their heritage,
and that's what makes us trust them.
"In a recession when people are losing their jobs and times are tough, people
turn to simple pleasures like chocolate and ice cream. These are emotive products
that they trust will make them feel good," Mr Richards says.
Countdown
supermarkets were up 17 places to number 26 and Australian healthcare company
Blackmores leapt up 16 places to 68.
Local favourite L&P fared well at number 15.
Fast food brands did not fare so well, despite their massive advertising spend
- multi-national fast food franchises featured in the bottom 20 places with
KFC ranked the lowest of the group at 135. McDonald's fared just better than
Telecom at 129, Burger King was at 120 and Pizza Hut at 113.
Lack
of loss-leader sales good news for brand conscious wine industry (19 Jun
09)
With two-thirds of all local wine sales going through supermarket check-outs,
any changes the grocery giants make to their alcohol strategies can have a huge
effect on the entire industry, but it’s still too early to gauge the impact of
their voluntarily decision to ban the use of any alcohol product as a loss leader
in stores.
Last month, both Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises, which own all of the
major supermarket chains between them, confirmed a promise not to sell any alcohol
product at a loss.
New Zealand winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan says the industry is taking
a “wait and see” attitude to see if the curtailment of loss leaders has an impact
on the local wine scene.
“There is widespread concern that flogging wines off as cheaply as possible will
devalue the brand and that would certainly be unhealthy in the long term, but
it’s just too early to say if the supermarkets’ decisions will have an effect.”
Villa Maria founder George Fistonich has no doubts that a refusal to use alcohol
as a loss leader will help protect the brand image of New Zealand wine.
“Production costs in New Zealand are very high, from the price of transport to
importing machinery from overseas. This makes it absolutely vital that we maintain
those brands and the price they can sell at to make it economically sustainable.”
More at National
Business Review.
 Mexico’s
number one selling tequila just got better (17 Jun 09)
Mexico’s number one selling tequila just got better with the launch of el
Jimador 100% Agave Tequila in New Zealand. el Jimador Tequila is making the change over to a 100% Blue Agave Tequila and new premium packaging in June with its Reposado variant, and later this year with the Blanco variant.
"Market research indicates a growing demand for 100% Agave Tequila," explains Master Distiller Miguel Cedeño. "This research reinforced our decision to launch el Jimador 100% Agave Tequila, a step we feel will be well-received by tequila aficionados everywhere." Market research shows that a sizeable proportion of consumers in total appear to credit a smoother taste to tequila when it is made with 100% agave and believe that brands made with 100% agave are “much higher” quality than Mixto Tequilas, that are fermented using up to 49% sugars from other sources such as cane and corn.
The striking new el Jimador bottle is designed to jump off the shelf and back bar. A longer, slimmer bottle shape offers better handling for quick cocktail preparation and pouring, while the new label showcases the 100% agave quality cue.
El Jimador Tequila is produced at the Casa Herradura distillery, established in 1870, using a natural production process. The name el Jimador (pronounced el-heem-a-door) honours the men who harvest the locally grown agave. Since being introduced in 1994, this estate bottled tequila has become Mexico’s number one selling tequila and was recently named in the top 100 spirits brands worldwide by Impact International.* The brand has also seen exceptional growth in New Zealand of over 48%**.
El Jimador Tequila is the premium offering within the Hancocks portfolio of tequilas which has recently undergone a price repositioning implemented to grow the New Zealand tequila category and make tequila prices accessible. The Hancocks portfolio also contains Pepe Lopez Tequila, New Zealand’s #2 tequila brand, and the super-premium Herradura Tequila, handcrafted using 100% Blue Agave.
El Jimador is widely available in both Blanco and Reposado expressions; the latter aged in wooden barrels for two months creating an incredibly smooth sipping tequila. El Jimador Blanco maintains a clean agave taste, while the aged Reposado expression results in extra smoothness and complexity.
 Tandoori
Palace launches three new simmer sauces (16 Jun 09)
Authentic Indian
cuisine brand Tandoori Palace has introduced three
healthy new products,
developed
by
their team
of Tandoori Palace restaurant chefs. At the same time, they have
given their labels a fresh, new look.
The new additions to the range are set to hit supermarket shelves this month:
· Rogan Josh Simmer Sauce, Spicy Butter Chicken Simmer
Sauce,
and
Tandoori Paste (pictured).
Tandoori Palace simmer sauces are perfect for every home chef who wants to cook
tasty, healthy Indian dishes quickly and simply.
All seven Tandoori Palace products are:
96% fat free; Made in New Zealand; Gluten free; Preservative Free.
“We are very proud to offer truly authentic, quality Indian simmer sauces. Our
new label is exciting on shelf and illustrates the authenticity of our recipes.
We continue to receive positive feedback about how great all our products taste” says
Anup Nathu, the founder of Tandoori Palace.
The Tandoori Palace range is the busy cook’s best-kept secret. Try these simple,
mouth-watering ideas with the new Tandoori Paste….
Tandoori Potatoes - adding spice to spuds
· Marinate chunky potato pieces with Tandoori Paste and yoghurt. Roast until
slightly charred and crisp. Also works beautifully with kumara and pumpkin.
Tandoori Pumpkin Soup – simple and delicious
· Roast pumpkin cubes as above. Puree the pumpkin in a blender, add 1 litre
of chicken stock and 1 can of coconut cream for an amazingly delicious pumpkin
soup.
These great new Tandoori Palace products can be found in supermarkets nationwide
at a recommended retail price of $5.39.
New
Vegemite goes cheesy (16 Jun 09)
After 85 years as a regular at Kiwi breakfast tables, Vegemite is getting a makeover.
The maker of the iconic product is to launch a new version, adding cream cheese to the mix.
But fans of the original need not fret there are no plans to change the way it is made.
The new product has followed a "Vegemite census" in which people were asked how they liked to eat the spread, which has been a staple of breakfasts since its introduction in 1923.
While many said they ate it on toast, with cheese, tomato or even avocado, people were unanimous in wanting a version that was easier to spread and did not require butter. The result is a "smooth, velvety" mixture of Vegemite, a natural cream cheese and a secret ingredient.
An unnamed version of the spread, created using feedback from more than 300,000 New Zealanders and Australians, will be launched next month and the public will have a chance to give it a name in an online competition.
The spread, available in New Zealand from August, will carry the label "Name Me" when
it is distributed to Australian and New Zealand supermarkets.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
Grocery
food prices rise (12 Jun 09)
Food prices increased 0.3 percent in the May 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The most significant increase came from the grocery food subgroup (up 1.0 percent), which was driven by higher prices for bread (up 2.6 percent) and cakes and biscuits (up 2.9 percent). These increases were partly offset by lower prices for yoghurt (down 5.7 percent).
Other subgroups making upward contributions were non-alcoholic beverages (up 1.8 percent) and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 0.3 percent). Within these subgroups, the most significant increase came from higher prices for soft drinks (up 2.1 percent).
Prices for the meat, poultry and fish subgroup remained unchanged overall. The most significant individual upward contribution for this group came from higher prices for poultry (up 3.1 percent), while the most significant individual downward contribution came from lower prices for beef (down 6.7 percent).
The only subgroup to record a downward contribution in the May 2009 month was fruit and vegetables (down 2.6 percent), which was driven by lower prices for mandarins (down 45.3 percent), lettuce (down 18.9 percent), and kiwifruit (down 49.8 percent).
For the year to May 2009, food prices rose 6.8 percent with all five subgroups recording increases: grocery food (up 7.2 percent), meat, poultry and fish (up 11.3 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 4.9 percent), non-alcoholic beverages (up 6.7 percent), and fruit and vegetables (up 3.1 percent).
Within these subgroups, the most significant upward contributions came from higher prices for bread (up 16.4 percent) and ready-to-eat food (up 5.2 percent). The most significant downward contributions came from lower prices for tomatoes (down 34.7 percent) and lettuce (down 34.4 percent).
 Lion
pins hopes on a mid-strength brew (12 Jun 09)
The Steinlager family just got bigger with the launch of Steinlager Edge, a new
offering from brewer Lion Nathan created to conquer New Zealand beer's great
unknown - the mid-strength market.
Available from Monday, the 3.5 per cent alcohol by volume Edge sits between Steinlager's
premium full strength (5 per cent ABV) Classic and lager style light beer Premium
Light (2.5 per cent ABV).
Lion hopes the launch of Steinlager Edge will open the tap on a lucrative mid-strength
beer market here following the success of its XXXX Gold offering in Australia,
where it has grabbed a 10 per cent share of the total beer market.
Brewed with the three hop varieties used in other Steinlager brews, Lion says
its latest product boasts the crispness of Steinlager Classic and the aromatics
of Steinlager Pure without packing quite the same punch.
New Zealand does not have much of a mid-strength beer market. The only other
offering, Rheineck, also brewed by Lion Nathan, has struggled to date to make
much of an impact on the drinking scene.
Whether Kiwis take to a medium-strength Steinlager remains to be seen, but Lion
says the Australian and British public will also get a chance to taste Edge.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
 Te
Awamutu Pak'nSave - Progressive's final appeal dismissed (28 May 09)
After three years of legal battles, the Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed
an application by General Distributors Ltd (GDL), a subsidiary of Progressive
Enterprises,
for
special leave to appeal the High Court’s decision to the Court of Appeal. This
was the last appeal option available to Progressive after the High Court also
rejected an application for leave to appeal, and finally opens the way for the
planned Pak’nSave supermarket to go ahead on Cambridge
Rd in Te Awamutu. The Plan Change for the project was approved by the Waipa District
Council in 2006, but the subsequent appeal lodged by Progressive with the Environment
Court in 2007 delayed further progress. Progressive appealed the Environment
Court’s decision to the High Court, which also dismissed Progressive’s appeal.
Progressive then sought leave to appeal the High Court’s decision to the Court
of Appeal. That application for leave was dismissed by the High Court in February
and the final option to the Court of Appeal has now also been lost.
Foodstuffs (Auckland) General Manager – Property Strategy, Angela Bull says the
outcome is exciting news for the residents of Te Awamutu, many of whom travel
as far afield as Hamilton in search of Pak’nSave prices.
The planned PAK’nSAVE supermarket and fuel outlet will be complemented by a range
of other retail outlets on site.
 Frucor
launches energy drink ad campaign - inside videogames (18 May 09)
Drinks-maker Frucor is launching an ad campaign targeting New Zealand videogamers, putting a new drink on billboards into their virtual worlds.
The six-week long campaign for an energy drink called INK will feature in Microsoft games on Xbox 360 and PC.
The ads, potentially appearing as billboards, posters and sponsored replays, would appear in games "based on the attitude of an `absence of fear'," which expressed a core brand idea, Frucor energy drinks marketing manager Iaan
Buchanan said.
Titles to run the geographically-specific adverts included Skate 2, Far Cry 2, Saints Row 2, as well as Need For Speed, Tony Hawk and NHL games.
"Teaming up ad content with the relevant audience and the right medium is critical. For Frucor and INK, the benefit is in selecting games that are relevant to the brand's target market," he
said.
Appearing in the games in May to June, the adverts targeted 15-to-24-year-old
males, regarded as an elusive marketing demographic. Frucor would accompany their
foray into gamespace with adverts in more the conventional media of television,
movies and online.
XBox New Zealand spokesman Tom Hunt said the adverts would let New Zealand players "feel more at home" while they played video games.
"Instead of flashing past an ad for some product that's of no interest, gamers can now feel more at home with a local product such as INK. "
More at NZ
Herald.
Food
prices down 0.6 percent (12 May 09)
Food prices decreased 0.6 percent in the April 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand
said today. The fruit and vegetable (down 2.0 percent), grocery food (down 0.4
percent), meat, poultry and fish (down 0.8 percent), and non-alcoholic beverage
(down 0.9 percent) subgroups all fell. Restaurant meals and ready-to eat food
(up 0.4 percent) was the only subgroup to rise.
The most significant decrease came from the fruit and vegetables subgroup (down
2.0 percent), which was driven by lower prices for kiwifruit (down 54.8 percent).
Kiwifruit is coming into season and large price falls usually occur in April
and May. The most significant individual upward contribution came from tomatoes
(up 26.2 percent).
Within the other subgroups, the most significant downward contributions came
from lower prices for fresh chicken (down 3.4 percent), margarine (down 9.4 percent),
and fresh milk (down 1.5 percent).
For the year to April 2009, food prices rose 7.6 percent with all five subgroups
recording increases: grocery food (up 6.7 percent), meat, poultry and fish (up
11.5 percent), fruit and vegetables (up 9.9 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat
food (up 5.2 percent), and non-alcoholic beverages (up 7.5 percent).
Within these subgroups, the most significant upward contributions came from higher
prices for ready-to-eat food (up 5.3 percent), bread (up 12.8 percent), beef
(up 12.5 percent), and soft drinks (up 7.2 percent). The most significant downwards
contributions came from lower prices for cheddar cheese (down 15.7 percent),
and tomatoes (down 15.8 percent).
 Te
Waihou -
'on premise' water (6 May 09)
A premium New Zealand bottled water is set to make a splash on the multi-million dollar local bottled water industry.
Te Waihou Reserve water (pronounced Tea-Why-Ho) or 'The New Water', which launches locally this week, has already secured interest from key export markets including; Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA.
Ed Baggaley General Manager of Aquasplash the company behind Te Waihou Reserve says there are a number of opportunities in the bottled water market here and offshore.
“We have created a bottled water brand which fits with the fine dining experience in both presentation and taste. Te Waihou Reserve will only be available ‘on premise’ to protect exclusivity and price premium and ensure our trade partners grow with us”.
Te Waihou Reserve harks from the Putaruru region, the water is from The Blue Spring one of New Zealand's most revered sources of spring water. Rich in silica Te Waihou Reserve is a relatively low mineral water – offering a balanced, clean taste to even the most discerning palate.
Baggaley says the company has invested in a state-of-the art bottling plant, which lies at the source and is certified by the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) meeting all of the rigorous standards they set in place.
The bottling facility has a capacity of 200,000 litres per day. The significant investment in creating this facility is a reflection of the export potential for this product, he says.
Designed with busy restaurant staff in mind Te Waihou is presented in a slim line bottle similar to a premium wine bottle offering easy grip pouring and protecting against spillage. The distinctive branding on still and sparkling bottles means it’s easy to distinguish between the two varieties reducing the number of bottles incorrectly opened and improving bottom line profit. The Wine Style Stelvin Closure completes the alignment with fine wines and positions the brand at the premium end of the market.
Te Waihou Reserve comes in 300ml, 500ml, 750ml, and 1 litre glass bottles. It also comes in a 500ml PET to answer the demand of prestige hotels. The 1 litre still or sparkling bottle will retail at $8.00-$12.00 depending on the style of restaurant.
Baggaley says fine wine distributor Eurowine will have the exclusive
distribution of Te Waihou Reserve locally.
For more information visit www.tewaihouwater.co.nz
 Big
chains abolish below-cost liquor deals (6 May 09)
The two big supermarket chains say they have stopped selling alcohol below cost as a "loss leader", after claims the cheap deals lead to alcohol abuse.
Supermarkets have voluntarily given up offering liquor deals to encourage customers into stores where they buy other goods.
The decision follows criticism from the Liquor Licensing Authority that loss-leading "promotes the abuse of liquor" and may breach the law aimed at reducing abuse.
The two supermarket companies, Foodstuffs and Progressive
Enterprises, have quietly made the decision at the same time.
Between them they own New World, Pak 'N Save, Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown
as well as the Liquorland chain.
Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said she was "grateful but cynical" about the decision to stop below-cost alcohol sales.
"It is no secret that New Zealand has significant problems with alcohol consumption ... and price is a major contributor to availability and accessibility," she
said.
Alcohol Advisory Council chief executive Gerard Vaughan said:"I would only be convinced about their decision when alcohol is no longer cheaper than water in supermarkets."
Foodstuffs managing director Tony Carter said it was an "urban myth" that loss-leading
led to supermarket specials, and the change would not lead to price rises.
There had been no collusion with Progressive over the decision.
Loss-leading promotions were done fewer than five times a year.
More at NZ
Herald.
Wairau
Pak'nSave finally opens (3 May 09)
After 20 years spent mostly in court battles with its major competitor, the Wairau
Road PAK'nSave in Auckland's North Shore City will finally open its checkouts
today.
Foodstuffs bought the site in 1989, started planning in 1992 and applied to build
the store in 1997, completing construction in 2005.
Since then Progressive has kept it tangled up in the court system through a repetitive
and torturous chain of appeals, after various courts declared it illegal because
of the way North Shore City Council handled its application and approval.
Progressive Enterprises, which owns supermarket chains Foodtown and Woolworths,
has been accused of abusing the intent of the Resource Management Act to stifle
competition, claiming everything from unfair zoning through to adverse effects
on traffic flow in the area.
It has maintained the case is more about ensuring councils follow district plans.
On February 25 the High Court appeared to have ended the fiasco, backing an Environment
Court decision to allow the store to open
Foodstuffs' spokeswoman Angela Bull says there has been a lot of customer demand
and support for the new store. Construction finished four years ago, but the
supermarket has been sitting empty until now. More at Newstalk
ZB.
 FMCG publisher
in liquidation (1 May 09)
Liquidator Gerry Rea Partners has been appointed to magazine publisher 3Media
Group.
3Media specialises in the business-to-business market.
Its 15 magazine titles include AdMedia, C-Store, Foodservice, In My Kitchen,
New
Zealand
Management, NZ Marketing Magazine and FMCG.
3Media was formed in 2007 through the merger of Review Publishing, Profile Publishing
and Marketplace Press.
The company's directors are Reg Birchfield, Raymond Little and Peter Mitchell. FMCG magazine
is New Zealand's 'leading food and beverage manufacturing and supermarket
magazine',
which several years ago merged with Grocers’ Review, whose publishing
origins
go
back
to
1921.
 New
Beef and Lamb ad set to boogie (23 Apr 09)
“We didn’t get the way we are by doing things half baked. We
worked really hard and watched the things we ate. What made us
grow like a runaway tram? We got there eating Kiwi Beef and Lamb!”
This is the tune Iron Maidens, Caroline Evers-Swindell, Georgina Earl,
Sarah Ulmer and BMXer Sarah Walker, will be boogying to in a new Beef and Lamb New Zealand television advertisement, going to air on Sunday April 26.
“In a few weeks time you’ll find yourself at the supermarket chiller humming these words”, says Rod Slater, CEO of Beef and Lamb New Zealand.
New Zealanders will glimpse into the girls’ lives, from small babies to the champions they are today. The new commercial captures how a healthy well-balanced diet, which includes lean beef and lamb, plays a vital role in producing winners.
“We wanted to do an ad which gives Kiwis a small insight into the girls’ lives growing up,” says Mr. Slater.
“In these challenging times, coming home to a sizzling lean steak or the aroma of a roast leg of lamb brings back memories of growing up in New Zealand. It’s time to remind ourselves what an important part beef and lamb played in our formative years, and still does. Just look what it did for the Evers-Swindells and Sarah Ulmer!”
The new commercial features Sarah Walker, BMX World Champion, who will make her debut as the fourth Beef and Lamb Iron Maiden.
 Burn
'em as fuel - group's plan for plastic bags (21 Apr 09)
New Zealand needs to become "braver" about burning plastic if it wants to stop millions of plastic shopping bags being wasted, says a packaging body.
Packaging Council executive director Paul Curtis said there was no reason plastic wrap and shopping bags should not be burned for fuel.
His comments come as supermarket chain Foodstuffs and retailer The Warehouse embark on plans to charge shoppers for plastic bags to reduce the number going into rubbish tips.
The Packaging Council, which describes itself as "the industry's voice on policies affecting packaging and packaging waste",
wants to reduce the environmental effect of packaging by promoting alternatives.
The Warehouse, Foodstuffs and the other main supermarket company, Progressive
Enterprises, are members.
Plastic shopping bags can be turned into products such as road barriers and plastic
reels.
The Warehouse and some Progressive supermarkets collect bags for recycling, but
local body kerbside recycling collections do not accept them, and many end up
in rubbish tips. Bruce Gledhill of Recyclers of New Zealand said every home should
have a separate kerbside recycling bin for cheese wrappers, meat wrap and other
used plastic film that could be taken to coal-burning plants around the country.
Burning coal with the right kind of plastic was 30 per cent cleaner and much
more efficient than burning coal alone.
More at NZ
Herald.
 Progressives
still deciding on bag issue (20 Apr 09)
Supermarket chain Progressive Enterprises is still deciding whether to charge customers for plastic shopping bags.
The company has come under pressure from an environmental group after rival supermarket chain Foodstuffs and The Warehouse announced they would be putting a price on the bags.
From today, The Warehouse will be charging customers 10c per bag and Foodstuffs stores, which include New World, Four Square and Pak'n'Save, will charge 5c per bag from August 1.
Progressive's management was discussing the issue, spokeswoman Kate Carter said today.
"They are still looking at the options available to them."
Ms Carter was not sure when a decision would be made.
"I think it will take a little while, it won't be today."
A nationwide campaign pushing for a levy on plastic supermarket bags was launched
last month.
Five years ago both Progressives and Foodstuffs signed the Packaging Accord,
which set a goal of reducing the number of bags used by a fifth (144 million
bags) this year.
Foodstuffs have reduced plastic bag use by 19 percent since July 2007 with new
packaging techniques and the sale of reusable shopping bags, managing director
Tony Carter said.
More at www.stuff.co.nz.
Woolworths
booms in Oz, struggles in NZ (18 Apr 09)
Woolworths,
Australia's biggest supermarket chain, has charged ahead of its
main market
rivals with a surge of almost 6 per cent in third-quarter
sales to $12.3 billion.
The solid performance was ahead of market expectations, and well ahead of Coles.
Referring to rivals, chief executive Michael Luscombe said German supermarket
chain Aldi had "done OK" and independent food retailers were "holding
their own", but that Coles was "growing less than these numbers".
Woolworths had increased its market share in food and liquor to 32 percent but
it was "a moving feast", Mr Luscombe said. Earnings before interest
and tax were expected to grow faster than sales over the full year,
while net profit after tax should be in the 11-14 per cent range
on a 52-week comparative basis.
Woolworths delivered a 10.3per cent rise in interim net profit to $983.3 million
on an 8.8percent rise in sales to $26.1billion.
Australian food and liquor was the star performer, with sales up 10 per cent
in the third quarter to $8.4 billion, while food inflation was running at 4.4
per cent for the quarter.
In New Zealand, supermarket sales rose 3 per cent to $1 billion for the third
quarter, with food inflation at 6 per cent. "New Zealand was poor. Volumes have
gone backwards implying a 2.8 percent decline in real growth," said an analyst,
who declined to be named.
More at The
Australian.
Meat
and vegetable prices rise (17 Apr 09)
Food prices increased 0.5 percent in the March 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The most significant increase came from the meat, poultry and fish subgroup (up 1.4 percent), which was driven by higher prices for fresh chicken (up 3.2 percent), lamb (up 5.9 percent), and beef (up 1.5 percent).
Fruit and vegetable prices were up 1.6 percent. The most significant contributions came from higher prices for lettuce (up 55.5 percent) and strawberries (up 61.5 percent). These increases were partly offset by lower prices for apples (down 16.9 percent) and potatoes (down 9.4 percent).
Other subgroups that made upward contributions were non-alcoholic beverages (up 0.8 percent), and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 0.2 percent). The only subgroup to decrease in the March 2009 month was grocery food (down 0.2 percent), which was driven by lower prices for chocolate bars and blocks (down 5.7 percent), cheddar cheese (down 6.9 percent), and yoghurt (down 5.1 percent). The most significant individual up-ward contribution came from plain biscuits (up 14.2 percent).
For the year to March 2009 food prices rose 8.6 percent, with all five subgroups recording increases: grocery food (up 8.4 percent), meat, poultry and fish (up 12.6 percent), fruit and vegetables (up 10.6 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 5.7 percent), and non-alcoholic beverages (up 5.6 percent). Within these subgroups, the most significant upward contributions came from higher prices for ready-to-eat food (up 5.8 percent), bread (up 13.4 percent), beef (up 15.1 percent), restaurant meals (up 5.7 percent), and cakes and biscuits (up 14.4 percent).
 Lake
Chalice Wines launches “The Nest” (26 Mar 09)
This coming Easter, Lake Chalice Wines will be launching their new wine range
to the New Zealand market. The new brand called “The Nest” is
a creation by owners and founders of Lake Chalice Chris Gambitsis and Phil Binnie
with assistance from winemaker Matt Thomson.
The Nest consists of four stunning wines from New Zealand’s best wine growing
regions. To complete the range there is a fresh zingy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc;
a smooth, lightly oaked Marlborough Chardonnay; a complex Marlborough Pinot Noir;
and a full flavoured, mellow Hawke’s Bay Merlot.
Lake Chalice and ‘The Nest’ are both active supporters and sponsors of the Wingspan
Trust based at Ngongotaha near Rotorua. The Trust was incorporated in 1992 as
a registered charitable trust that has the backing of the NZ Department of Conservation.
The Wingspan Trust solely relies on support from donations and sponsors to care
for sick, injured and orphaned raptors, to facilitate research into their habits
and habitats, to captive breed, raise public awareness and to rehabilitate birds
to the wild.
The Nest has adopted the native New Zealand Ruru or Morepork as it is more commonly
known. Every bottle of ‘The Nest’ wine sold results in a donation to the trust
to continue their good work for the Ruru. www.lakechalice.co.nz
Supermarket
shoppers still focused on price – Nielsen survey (20 Mar 09)
Consumers are checking shelf prices more closely than ever before
when they make their trip to the supermarket, according to new
data
from
Nielsen.
In the latest retail barometer from The Nielsen Company, 80% of shoppers say
they have changed the way they shop, with 97% of all shoppers noticing
the increase in food and beverage prices.
With those high prices still the biggest concerns for consumers, 81% of all shoppers
are now carefully checking prices on shop shelves before buying,
compared to 63% in June last year, while 65% say they are buying
luxury items less often.
The retail barometer also highlights the move to more in-home consumption and
entertaining at home, with declines in the café and restaurant
sectors, which have been mirrored by an increase in unit sales
for more basic foodstuffs such as canned tomatoes, rice and pasta.
Nielsen FMCG executive director Rob Clark told NBR that
while shoppers are cutting back on luxury and non-essential items such as cheese
and some
biscuit segments, it did not mean they were completely cutting
out the finer things in life.
Beer is still a popular choice for supermarket shoppers and the continuing falls
in the price of wine are also good news for connoisseurs looking for a good bargain
to enjoy at home.
Overall, sales at supermarkets, grocery stores and dairies were up by 4.8% in
January when compared to the previous year, while fresh produce was up 5.6%.
More at National
Business Review.
Wairau
Road Pak'n Save all go! (19 Mar 09)
Foodstuffs Auckland’s legal bill should be shrinking shortly, as rival Progressive
Enterprises seems to have given up on its legal battle to keep a Pak’n Save supermarket
from opening in Auckland’s Wairau Valley.
Foodstuffs bought the site in 1989, started planning in 1992 and applied to build
the store in 1997, completing construction in 2005.
Since then Progressive has kept it tangled up in the court system through a repetitive
and torturous chain of appeals, after various courts declared it illegal because
of the way North Shore City Council handled its application and approval.
Progressive Enterprises, which owns supermarket chains Foodtown and Woolworths,
has been accused of abusing the intent of the Resource Management Act to stifle
competition, claiming everything from unfair zoning through to adverse effects
on traffic flow in the area.
It has maintained the case is more about ensuring councils follow district plans.
On February 25 the High Court appeared to have ended the fiasco, backing an Environment
Court decision to allow the store to open, dismissing Progressive's pleas otherwise.
Progressive had 15 working days to lodge papers to fight that decision, which
expired at 5pm yesterday.
Tony Carter, Foodstuffs (Auckland) Limited's managing director, said Foodstuffs
is working towards a May 3 opening date.
Despite the adverse effect on Progressive’s PR in the region, the Aussie company
is continuing to pursue a similar course of action against another planned Pak’n
Save
in Te Awamutu.
More at National
Business Review.
 Pork
tenderness research confirm local product tops (13 Mar 09)
Recent independent testing carried out by AgResearch shows that 93%
of pork leaving abattoirs is either tender or very tender, 7% is
acceptable
and 1 sample
out
of 400 (0.25%) rated as tough.
For several years NZPork has been gathering anecdotal feedback from consumers
through to chefs about variable eating experiences with pork. These seemed to
be
dominated by reports of the product going “tough and dry” and resultantly people
losing confidence in cooking it.
With this in mind, NZPork in partnership with wholesalers and abattoirs, decided
to investigate whether there was any problem with production and processing that
might be causing the variable eating experience.
Because of the small number of abattoirs killing pigs, these were initially targeted
to
investigate pork tenderness variation. Accounting for just over 90% of pigs
slaughtered domestically, four plants agreed to participate in a tenderness survey:
Auckland Meat Processors, Alliance Group Sockburn, Freshpork BayCity Ltd, and
Ashburton Meat Processors.
The AgResearch-conducted study included the collection of meat samples from a
total of 400 pigs (about 15% of NZ’s daily kill), the day after slaughter. The
samples were collected from the tail of the Danish loin cut, chilled until the
following day,
and then frozen. Tenderness was determined using the MIRINZ tenderometer, an
internationally recognised technique that provides a good proxy for eating
experience. The timing of testing was to identify the tenderness at the earliest
point that pork could be on a retailer’s shelf and purchased by a consumer. All
samples were then cooked to the same internal temperature, and passed through
the tenderometer’s “Bite Test”.
The results show that the pork industry is doing a good job of producing a tender
product and suggest that variable pork eating experiences are most likely
to be due to cooking methods. The rule of thumb is to cook pork at lower
temperatures, for shorter times, and allow it to rest. For cooking advice and
recipes using pork go
to
www.pork.co.nz.
Wairau
Rd supermarket battle may not be over (4 Mar 09)
After losing the latest courtroom battle just last week, supermarket
giant Progressive Enterprises is considering yet another appeal in the Wairau
Rd
Pak'n
Save war.
Competitor Foodstuffs
built the 4899sq m North Shore supermarket in 2005, and the property has been
fenced
off from the public since it was finished four years
ago.
Foodstuffs is planning to finally open the supermarket
in May. The store will employ 300 staff, has a line of 13 checkouts
designed to cope with huge demand and a 334-vehicle carpark. It could have turned
over
about
$70
million annually so the battle has cost Foodstuffs at least $280 million in lost
revenue alone.
This week Progressive's general manager of property Adrian Walker and communications
manager Bill Moore said no decision had been made by their company on whether
to challenge the February 25 court ruling allowing the store to open.
Progressive has until March 18 to lodge a claim against the decision over the
store which Foodstuffs has planned for 20 years.
The case has been cited by the Government as one of the reasons to overhaul the
Resource Management Act, particularly in regard to anti-competitive abuse of
the law. "Some of the highest costs are incurred in the so-called 'supermarket
wars' where proponents and opponents have spent millions of dollars fighting
each other and
delays of years have resulted," the Environment Ministry says.
More at NZ
Herald.
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