Retailers continue to keep their cool in providing extensive chilled food ranges for consumers.

Northern Ireland companies have played their part in the rapid growth and development of the chilled food sector, with businesses such as Mash Direct marking two decades of delivering fresh, farm-to-fork vegetable accompaniments to families nationwide.

With the increase in time pressures and more working women, as well as people living alone, there has been an increased demand for tasty foods which are quick and easy to prepare and easy to store.

Consumers in Northern Ireland are continuing to spend more on chilled foods, with the market growing by 7.6% and shoppers spending £120 million more across total fresh and chilled foods. On average, consumers bought 196 times over the year, up versus last year’s 2.6 trips.

The total take home grocery market in Northern Ireland is £4.2bn, and is seeing value growth of 9.7% or shoppers spending an additional £373m year-on-year, Kantar figures suggest.

Total dairy products grew 10.7% year-on-year with shoppers spending nearly £42 million more than last year (Kantar). Shoppers have purchased dairy more frequently, up nearly three trips compared to last year. The average shopper in Northern Ireland spent £572 in 2024, which is up £54.

A breakdown of value spend shows:

• Butter +1.5% / +578k
• Cheese +12.8% or 11.2m
• Milk +4.4% or 5.1m – bought most often on average 64.5 times a year up 1.6 trips.
• Yoghurt +24.5% or 14.9m – saw the strongest boost in frequency up 12.3% an additional 4 trips a year.

Indeed, symbol groups here are realising they too must meet the demands of the consumer and have begun introducing their own ranges of chilled products.

Musgrave NI announced a £14 million investment in local produce with the launch of a new own-label range, Good Food Locally Sourced.

Comprising a range of almost 150 products, it offers a variety of everyday tasty food including meat, poultry, dairy and meal solutions.

Many butchers and independent retailers are also keen to make their mark and increase the product availability in chilled foods. Businesses such as McKay Family Butchers from Ballycastle have significantly grown their wholesale arm, now supplying 12 retail stores, after an investment in new packing machinery and equipment allowed them to keep up with demand, along with staff investment.

Independent stores, including The Milestone in Rathfriland and Hughes Food Hall in Camlough have their own butcheries and varieties of chilled, pre-packed products, continually innovating and creating exciting foods for their customers.

Choice is key now for consumers seeking chilled foods, with convenience the driving force behind the demand and supply. The sector has been driven by significant social, economic and demographic changes, which have influenced our eating habits. As the Chilled Food Association (CFA) notes, the chilled food sector is one of the fastest growing in the food industry, with the chilled recipe dish sector growing from an estimated £173 million in 1988 to around £1,467 million in 2015.

In 1989, when CFA was formed, the market was worth £550m. By January 2017 that figure was £12.6bn (including cooked sliced meat). The total value of the UK chilled prepared food market for 2022 was £10.5 bn, excluding cooked sliced meat.

As the organisation reports, the UK chilled foods sector is unique because the foods are unpreserved, meaning hygiene and safety are critical; they are generally multicomponent (eg pizzas, sandwiches, ready meals); prepared – ready to eat, ready to reheat and ready to cook.

Additionally, they are made to order – just-in-time systems and often made on the day of delivery to retailers; they are made of seasonal raw materials and more than 95% retailer own-label foods, meaning manufacturers have exceptionally close partnerships with retailers.

TO SEE THE FULL CHILLED CABINET FEATURE IN THE MAY ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER, CLICK HERE

The post Keep your cool in chilled food category first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The new range from Denny – Northern Ireland’s second most chosen food brand – has five delicious flavours including Oven Baked, Hand Crumbed, Chipotle Glazed, Flame Grilled and Honey Roasted, all slow cooked to deliver superb flavours and succulence in every bite.

Shauna Moran, Senior Brand Manager, Denny, said: “For more than 200 years, Denny has enjoyed a place in the hearts and homes of consumers, with countless generations choosing our range that includes sliced cooked meats, sausages, rashers, pudding, and meat free.

“We are delighted to now inspire consumers to elevate their lunch with Denny Taste Masters, our new range of delicious, premium sliced cooked meats.

“Denny Taste Masters range is the perfect option at lunch, whether you choose to enjoy it in a panini, toastie or wrap, this premium product will certainly elevate your lunch!”

Taste Masters’ launch in Northern Ireland features a high-profile media campaign across TV, digital channels and out-of-home locations.

Founded in 1820, Denny is a brand recognised for its commitment to quality and taste, and has been serving the Northern Ireland market for over 200 years.

Owned by Pilgrim’s Europe, the company has production and sales facilities across the Island of Ireland including production facilities in Enniskillen, Dungannon, Ballymena and Moy Park Headquarters in Craigavon.

The biggest private employer in Northern Ireland, Pilgrim’s Europe supplies retail outlets throughout Northern Ireland providing consumers with well-loved brands, including Denny.

The post Denny launches new Premium Sliced Cooked Meats with Taste Masters first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Having grown concerned about the number of unhealthy beverage choices and their impact on people’s well-being, the pair felt a collective need for a refreshing, healthier alternative and so Fulla Juice was born.

Available in a pint-sized bottle and litre bottle, Fulla Juice is crafted with concentrated orange juice and pure water sourced from the Mourne Mountains, and is a convenient, healthy and flavourful drink.

With the demand for healthier drink options soaring, Fulla Juice is ready to meet that demand. It has already gained popularity not just for its health benefits, but also for its incredible taste and has become the go-to choice for consumers looking for a refreshing, convenient and healthy drink choice.

There are a variety of flavour options available, including Strawberry & Kiwi and Blackcurrant & Apple, with all bottles equipped with a resealable cap.

Presently available in some independent retail stores and Henderson Retail stores across their EUROSPAR, SPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores, Fulla Juice is excitedly expanding into more independent retailers.

With a focus on growing their business nationally and plans to create a worldwide customer base, Fulla Juice’s goal is to become a positive force in communities globally.

To find out more, visit www.fullajuice.com

The post Proud Northern Irish brand promoting healthier option for consumers first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Hipkiss joined Boost in June 2019 as Marketing Director and in this time has led the overall brand strategy, accelerated insight led advertising and NPD, restructured the marketing team, successfully overseen the sales and distribution agreement with Rio and has championed the closer alignment of sales, marketing and category teams within the Boost business.

Simon Gray, CEO said: “At Boost we are proud of our ongoing commitment to adapting and developing our business structure and approach to best meet the needs of our people, our customers and our partners.

“The Commercial Director role is an exciting development for Boost that will span the leadership of the sales, marketing and category functions, and leading the overall commercial strategy.

‘I believe that we have in Adrian someone who has the skills and experience to drive the overall commercial function forward at Boost’ 

Simon Gray, Boost Drinks CEO

“In the almost five years Adrian has been with Boost as Marketing Director, he’s demonstrated a hugely successful marketing pedigree overseeing a significant and positive evolution for the Boost brand.

“Prior to his time at Boost, Adrian also held the reins in sales departments across a number of organisations and I believe that we have in Adrian someone who has the skills and experience to drive the overall commercial function forward at Boost through a combination of strong commercial acumen, commitment to being led by insight, a resolute focus on strategy and a passion for our culture.”

Adrian Hipkiss said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the Commercial Director role within the business and working with the outstanding teams we have in sales, marketing and category at Boost to continue our growth trajectory, brand presence and drive our commercial strategy forward.”

The post Boost Drinks appoints new commercial director first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

With the cost of living crisis biting many household budgets, M&S has its biggest ever £5 and under gift range and its online ordering service – from £40.

Shoppers are looking increasingly at the online option – 160k people already search M&S Christmas range online – before the launch, with a 206% increase in facebook activity.

With over 450 new and upgraded products, the company believes it has truly caught the Christmas spirit this year. Its slow cooked turkey crown – ready to serve up in less than an hour – is set to be a top seller this year, with an increased emphasis on traditional Christmas favourites – with 13 new slow cooked options available to take the pressure off.

The post Marks & Spencer launch a cracker Christmas Range for 2022 first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.