Situated in Westwood Retail Park, this will be the brand’s second supermarket store offering in Northern Ireland.

The Food Warehouse, which is part of the Iceland Foods Group, launched its big pack brand in 2014 and its retail footprint has grown rapidly to over 150 stores across the UK and Ireland, making it the fastest growing supermarket chain in the UK this century.

The Food Warehouse have announced the creation of up to 40 new jobs as part of a wider £1.4m investment. The new store, situated in Westwood Retail Park, will occupy a 16,300 sq. ft double unit and is scheduled to launch in the coming weeks.

Ron Metcalfe, managing director of The Food Warehouse Ireland, said: “Following the success of our launch into the Northern Ireland market with the first Food Warehouse in 2020, we’re thrilled to be opening our second store here at Westwood Retail Park in West Belfast.

“Throughout the pandemic and its subsequent recovery, we’ve seen strong demand in a very competitive market, and we believe that shoppers will welcome the innovative offering at our new store, particularly in a challenging economic environment with the current cost of living crisis.”

Customers can shop from more than 3,000 product lines, including fresh, frozen, and ambient produce as well as homeware items.

The store will support local business, with hundreds of products coming from local suppliers, including Mash Direct, Dale Farm, Irwins, Britvic and Tayto.

Metcalfe continued: “Trading conditions for small businesses are increasingly challenging, with margins being stretched, we believe that local businesses and the general public will benefit from our bulk offering, which offers savings on a wide range of favourite brands at unbeatable prices.

“We are committed to offering a new shopping experience for everyone as well as strengthening relationships further with local Northern Irish suppliers. I’d also like to welcome old and new customers from the local community as well as our new colleagues who will be working in the store.”

Store manager, Paul McTasney, added; “This investment into West Belfast demonstrates the company’s commitment and growth in Northern Ireland. I’m very excited to officially open the store for business and welcome all of our new customers.”

The new Food Warehouse store opens at Westwood Retail Park on Tuesday, October 11 at 8am.

Shoppers will receive exclusive launch offers as well as a £1,000 giveaway for the first 100 customers through the door, 200 goodie bags for the first 200 customers and a trolley dash where three lucky winners can grab all their favourite brands in a 90 second challenge.

Founded in 2014, The Food Warehouse now has more than 150 stores across UK & Northern Ireland.

They are all large format stores, with a car park, providing the value and convenience of a wholesale store without the hassle of membership.

Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores already employ more than 800 colleagues in Northern Ireland with plans to expand in the future.

Caption: Store Manager Paul McTasney and Iceland Area Manager Danny Burke

Leading noodle brand has ‘Lost the Pot’

Victoria Stokes — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:26:25 +0000

Pot Noodle launches pot-less variant for the first time

This month, the UK’s number one Instant Hot Snack brand[1], is expanding its leading range of tasty mini meals with a variety of block noodles – Lost The Pot Noodle.The increasingly popular block noodles format is now worth £75m and growing at 18.2% YOY[2], making it a big move for the market leader in pots.

Traditionally, Pot Noodle has been the perfect on-the-go snack, however, the new format also aims to help busy families with a quick and easy dinner solution – especially now that more of us are cooking at home than ever before. What’s more, the range Lost The Pot Noodle, offers over 30% less saturated fat versus competitors[3] and can be enjoyed by simply adding hot water and the flavour sachet or can be used to jazz up a meal to create a delicious dinner for the whole family.

The tasty new range brings a trio of flavours to the table including Roast Chicken – the nation’s favourite block noodle flavour[4], Curry – perfect for adding extra ingredients to, and Sweet Chilli – an increasingly popular flavour inspired by authentic cuisine. These core, delicious flavours are perfect for noodle fans to pimp up with their extra ingredients.

Andre Burger, VP Foods and Refreshments UK&I Unilever comments: “The launch of Lost The Pot Noodle is an exciting one for the brand as the new block format will widen the its appeal. Easy to make, and made with all of the great flavours Pot Noodle is known for, we expect the range to be a huge hit with families as they enjoy oodles of noodle deliciousness.”

Benefitting from a £3.5m marketing investment for the Masterbrand campaign, including TV, video and digital, the activity kicks off from 15 June 2020.

The new variants are available in Asda now and will be rolling out nationwide from September 3, 2020. Lost the Pot Noodle Roast Chicken, Curry and Sweet Chilli will all be available at the RRP of £0.80.*

[1] Nielsen Retail Measurement Service for the Mini Meals – Pots segment for the 52-week period ending 28/12/2019

[2] Nielsen Market Share: GB Total Coverage, Product Share: Mini, 2020

[3] Low in saturated fat – over 30% less sat fat vs competitors (compared to 44 similar products currently sold in the UK, January 2020)

[4] Nielsen Value Sales: GB Total Coverage, Product Share: Mini, MAT (end 16-MAY-20)

The post Leading noodle brand has ‘Lost the Pot’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

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The Food Warehouse to open in Westwood Retail Park

Leading noodle brand has ‘Lost the Pot’

Pot Noodle launches pot-less variant for the first time