Exclusive to S&W Wholesale LTD whose head office is based conveniently in Newry, Nearby has been offering retailers a fresh new symbol brand to help independent retailers forge deeper connections in the local community.

Maurice Little Sales Manager NI said: “When we first started this journey back in 2021, we never imagined we would have 150 stores opened and actively serving their local communities in such a short space of time.

“There is a real desire and want from independent retailers for the brand and the team are ready to work with them to drive on their store.”

To mark the occasion the Nearby team have sent out over 20,000 birthday cards to all stores offering Nearby customers the chance to scan the QR Code for their chance to win some amazing prizes. The date was also marked in NI at Murray’s Nearby Cullyhanna with a long-standing retailer of S&W’s.

Aisling Murray owner of the store said: “Our store is very much at the heart of the community in Cullyhanna. The local community are very supportive of the store, and we are delighted to be able to help Nearby celebrate its milestone while also giving back to our community with a day filled with celebrations.

“Since becoming a Nearby store, we have seen our sales continue to grow with our rural store winning Best Deli and Best Convenience store at the Retail NI “High Street Heroes” Awards last year.”

On the day at Murray’s Nearby over 250 goodie bags packed full of supplier goodies was handed out and customers got the chance to ‘Spin the Nearby Wheel’ to win on the spot prizes. Prizes included hampers, store vouchers and one4all vouchers. The team at Q Radio including the Q-Man were there ensuring customers visiting the store had a great day and got those all-important social media shots to share with family and friends.

Daniel Comiskey Brand Marketing Lead Nearby said: “Three years, 150 stores – we couldn’t ask for much more than that! It’s testament to the entire team at S&W Wholesale LTD for their hard work and commitment to reaching this milestone.

“Celebrating our third birthday with an award-winning retailer and their team at store is what Nearby constantly aspires to achieve. Nearby stores are all about the community and the brand helps deliver that each day through its instore messages, marketing campaigns and customer experience.

“Being able to mark the occasion with a customer celebratory day in the heart of Cullyhanna makes it that more special for the team. We have strong ambitions to continue along the same trajectory path for the Nearby brand for 2024.”

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Retail food expert, Scott Annan speaks to NR and reveals why Northern Ireland independent retailers are world-class, and Dr Terry Maguire outlines how the current financial crisis in community pharmacy has developed.

Find out about the unique co-operative business spreading happiness in Lisburn and we have all the details of this year’s 155th Balmoral Show.

Elsewhere, we have an exclusive feature on renowned Magherafelt store, JC Stewarts with store manager Andrew Scott telling us all about their recent refurb; and we catch up with McKay Family Butchers, a north coast mainstay of almost 50 years.

There is also a chance to get your entry in for this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards , as well as all the latest news and information affecting the grocery industry.

READ THESE EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES AND MUCH MORE IN THE APRIL ISSUE BY CLICKING HERE

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Matt has been with KP Snacks for 10 years, most recently as Trading Director across multiple channels. He replaces Andy Riddle who is leaving the business for a new role.

Mark Thorpe, KP Snacks CEO, said: “I am delighted at Matt’s appointment to Sales Director. Matt has a wealth of industry knowledge and a proven track record.

“Under his leadership, we will maintain the momentum we’ve built over recent years around our fantastic brands and deliver our ambitious growth plans. I would also like to thank Andy for his contribution to KP and wish him every success in his new role.”

Matt Collins, Sales Director KP Snacks said: “It’s a privilege to lead our talented and experienced, customer-centric sales team. I look forward to further strengthening our customer partnerships, putting our trade partners truly at the heart of our business to continue to deliver sustainable, profitable category growth.”

The post KP Snacks appoints new sales director first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

£20,000 will this year be split between 20 organisations, charities and community groups, selected from applications, which are open now.

It is the fifth year the initiative has been available to organisations across Northern Ireland, after SPAR NI introduced the grants in 2020 when community groups and charities felt the huge hit of lockdown. It was rolled out across the UK from 2022.

Last year, a £10,000 grant was awarded to Air Ambulance NI which enabled the charity to keep the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in the sky for an additional two days per year, while £5,000 was received by SOS Bus NI, which was put towards upgrading their first aid bus, ensuring medical equipment and provisions are adequate for all needs.

Three further organisations received a £1,000 grant each: Street Soccer NI in Coleraine, Heartbeat NI based in Newry and Pretty ‘n Pink, which has offices and information points in both Belfast and Portadown.

Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group which owns SPAR NI said they’re thrilled to be able to reach even more organisations this year.

“Where for the past five years we’ve had five recipients per year, the rise in applications year on year has shown there is a need for many more organisations to benefit from the Community Cashback Grant, which we’re delighted to be able to do this year.

“Each applicant is making a difference in their local community or providing a vital service that could even be lifesaving for all in Northern Ireland. This is a unique opportunity for organisations of all sizes to get involved and get a much-needed injection of funds.

“There are over 300 SPAR stores in Northern Ireland, each dedicated to supporting their local charities and community groups, with our store teams going beyond their work in-store to engage with their local communities and nurturing their neighbourhoods.”

The Community Cashback Grant is open for applications until Wednesday 22^nd May 2024. All information can be found via spar-ni.co.uk/community/community-cashback-grant

The post SPAR NI brings back Community Cashback Grant for even more organisations first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Established some 77 years ago, The Heatherlea is a mainstay of Bangor’s Main Street, proving itself to be a tried and tested destination spot for the discerning baked goods consumer.

Owners Paul and Patricia Getty came on board in 1990, full of “youthful enthusiasm and energy” and have expanded the business to the widely-known brand that it is today, with a café and deli and wholesale arm now part of the core structure of what The Heatherlea offers, as well as the critical and essential skills of its 40 staff.

“Our business is led by our people and our shared passion to bring great bread and pastries to our loyal and expanding customer base,” Paul told NR.

“We have a café and deli on our first site in Main Street and we feel that this enables us to showcase our produce and let our customers see our range displayed in the optimum environment.

“It further allows us to manifest that warm homely feeling that we would like customers to have when they eat our products. Whether they buy directly from us or from one of our local retailers who kindly stock Heatherlea goods, we hope this all leads to a unique Heatherlea taste.”

They opened the café and deli in 1990, with Paul describing them as a “fantastic addition” to the traditional Home Bakery at their Main Street site.

“It is great to welcome so many regular customers daily and we have seen a resurgence of visitors post-covid, particularly ex-pats who love to stock up on soda bread, potato bread and wheaten loaves to take home.”

The wholesale arm of the business is another means for bringing the taste of Heatherlea home and has grown steadily over the last 20 years, with independent stores and major local retailers who share their passion to bring local food to local people, all stocking their beloved products.

“We have a great range with our soda bread, pancakes and sausage rolls being favourites, closely followed by sourdoughs and our ever-popular traybakes, such as Rocky Roads and fruit slices, along with Viennese fingers, snowballs and almond cheesecakes.

“We are always looking for new ideas and the retail environment is a great test for products which can potentially move into our wholesale business.

“New ideas are plentiful with Pinterest and Facebook great resources although when we are on holiday we are always looking for local bakeries to see what they are doing.

“We are also lucky enough to have been left a number of handwritten recipe books by our predecessors, which are fantastic reference points.”

Inevitably, over the past 12 months The Heatherlea has contended with rising business costs, increases in ingredients prices and energy bills while trying to maintain a pricing structure suitable for their customers facing the same cost-of-living battles; Paul added their biggest challenge is staying on top of costs.

“We have switched most of our energy suppliers in the past year and continually follow international pricing of raw ingredient materials and try and bring pressure to bear on our suppliers, especially when we see international prices falling in certain categories and this not being reflected in what we can buy locally.

“There is a balance between what we can charge for a product and what expectations a consumer has,” added Paul.

“Unfortunately, ingredients and energy have both led to price rises and there are some lines which can no longer be cost effectively produced. We do feel that ingredient producers are not always aware of the impact of some of their price rises and how challenged many consumers are currently.”

Rising to these challenges however, is key for businesses, engaging with their customers and building lasting relationships with them.

“We use social media and special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Pancake Tuesday and St Patrick’s Day as opportunities to offer unique product purchases, which we believe help us create regular customers especially when they visit in store and see our range of baked goods.

“Technology allows us to monitor and develop our customer experience allowing us to have the correct amount of goods on shelf at the right time throughout the day and throughout the week.

“We are also able to manage our wholesale operation with the use of handheld portable devices which are cloud-based and all integrated into an agile back office platform.”

The Heatherlea beat off its competition at the 2023 Neighbourhood Retailer Awards, winning the title of Bakery of the Year for an impressive fourth time, a true testament to the longevity and success of the Bangor bakery, and the dedication and commitment of its team of 40.

“We are absolutely delighted to have won NR Bakery of the Year for the fourth time,” said Paul. “It is a strong endorsement of the effort put in by all at The Heatherlea over many years, indeed we have some staff who have remained with us since 1990 and worked in the business previous to us.

“We would like to thank every one of our staff and customers for their support in the past years and trust this will continue for many more years. We would also like to thank NR for the continued interest and support in the craft baking sector.”

TO READ THE FULL HEATHERLEA BAKERY FEATURE IN THE FEBRUARY-MARCH ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER, CLICK HERE

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