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The group worked with SPAR UK and SPAR International alongside the project team at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) to design and build the £250,000 Union Shop within One Elmwood, bringing a host of new products and services to its customer base of over 27,000 students and staff at the University.

“One Elmwood, the new Queen’s Student Centre and Students’ Union has been seven years in the making. It is a stunning £40m world-class complex which will be home to thousands of students from around the world, so we had an opportunity to develop something truly unique”, said Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Group.

Focused on student needs, and creating a place for all campus essentials, the Union Shop brings a number of firsts for the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland.

Mr Doody said: “The store is proud to introduce the first ever non-dairy self-serve coffee concept under Barista Bar, with its unique plant-based only machine, which we believe is a first for Northern Ireland.

“Barista Bar Planted provides non-dairy options for coffee-drinkers with the same great taste and quality of a signature Barista Bar brew, and will sit alongside two of our standard machines offering a full range of delicious hot drinks.”

With food-to-go high on the priority list, SPAR NI’s new exclusive Delish brand makes an impact in the store, exclusively adapted for the Union Shop, with around 300 sq. ft dedicated to tasty, freshly prepared hot breakfast and lunch items, either made fresh to order or packaged to grab and go.

Mr Doody added: “This was a high priority for the student and staff demographic. Often, they could be running between lectures and only have time to grab something quickly, but they still want good quality food fast, which Delish provides.”

One of the most exciting elements is the Delish Burrito Bar, delivering a traditional Mexican street food experience of fresh, high-quality Burritos and Bowls offering really satisfying portions at great value.

Mr Doody says they expect it to be hugely popular: “The demand for this type of street food which is full of flavour, customisable and fast is ever growing.

“Students are the main force behind the demand within this market locally, they are savvy in that they’re not only looking for value prices but top-quality produce that is made right in front of them, which is exactly what we’re delivering with the Delish Burrito Bar and our great value meal deals.”

Delish hot food-to-go will be complemented by a full range of sandwiches, wraps and salads, including the popular Choice range which incorporates the brand’s vegan offering. The Fanta and Coca Cola Frozen machines, fresh orange juice by iSqueeze and a full SPAR Bakery offering, ensures there is something for everyone in this exciting food-to-go concept in the heart of Belfast City.

While the Union Shop may be built with international concepts in mind, the design at its heart is derived from locally loved landscapes, created to inspire its student community whether they’re local or experiencing Belfast for the first time.

Welcoming SPAR to the new Union Shop in One Elmwood at Queen’s University, Director of Student Plus Caroline Young said: “We are delighted to partner with SPAR in our new Union Shop to deliver the best value and range of products to our students, staff and the wider community.

“One Elmwood is a one stop shop for all our student needs, and it’s important that they have access to good quality food and refreshments to keep them going whether they are working in our collaboration spaces, taking part in Clubs and Societies or just chilling out in our tech friendly space.

“We look forward to working with SPAR to make our Union Shop the place to go for students at Queen’s.”

Store Manager, Glenn Patterson explains: “Belfast’s culture is truly unique. SPAR in Northern Ireland is over 60 years old, so we have a lot of history to bring to our store, which will not only welcome international students but help locals feel at home.

“We have created a store that students will want to visit and experience. The design is urban but bursting with Belfast heritage, such as the shipping container which houses our Burrito Bar. We want our students and staff to feel revived and excited when they visit us, aligning with the ethos of One Elmwood as a whole.”

Eight new jobs have been created in the building of the store, as Glenn added: “I have 35 years of retail experience, alongside some of my long-serving management team, but we also have students who are taking on new roles and learning vital skills by joining our workforce. It’s a fantastic team and we’re so excited to welcome everyone to the new store.”

Services are focused on student needs and the fast-paced shopper profile the team are expecting, so five self-service checkouts have been installed, which will sit alongside store cupboard staples, grab and go items plus bays of fresh, local products and produce and everyday essentials, with all the value and variety that SPAR offers throughout Northern Ireland.

One Elmwood SPAR is open 8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday and 8am – 4pm at the weekends.

Caption: Henderson Group Sales and Marketing Director Paddy Doody is pictured with Grainne Doherty, Interim Head of Eventus, Culture and Arts at Queen’s University, Belfast.

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With research revealing that Halloween is the fourth largest retail event in the UK, Nisa’s promotional event caters to a range of shopper missions from those looking for sweet treats to those on the hunt for a deadly deal to accompany a more intimate fright night at home.

The event, which is available in stores now, features freakily-good deals on a raft of sweet and savoury treats including Cadbury Goo Heads Cake Bars 5pk and McVitie’s Funny Bones Cake Bars 7pk for £1 each, Mr Kipling Fiendish Fancies 8pk and Toffee Apple Pies 8pk for £1.50 each, Fanta 2ltr bottles for £1.50, and Pringles 200g tubs for £1.55 – that’s half price.

And shoppers can keep the trick-or-treaters at bay with Swizzels’ Sweet Surprise Tubs for two for £5, Fruit-tella Duo Stix for £1 and Maltesers Fun Size Packs for £1.50.

“Last year the UK found itself in regional lockdowns around Halloween and consumers were advised that they should avoid trick or treating to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Because of this long wait children up and down the country will be itching to get dressed up and pay a visit to their neighbours on the hunt for sweet treats,” said Nisa’s Seasonal Manager, Hannah Goodwin.

To cater for those opting for a quieter night in with a scary movie, the popular two Co-op pizzas (Big Five Cheese Classic Crust Pizza and Co-op Meat Meltdown Classic Crust Pizza) and two sides (Deep Garlic Flatbreads and Co-op Family Chocolate Fudge Pudding) deal is also available for just £10.

Nisa’s Halloween campaign is supported with in-store point of sale – including window clings and bunting – and is featured on consumer leaflets, as well as on the Nisa Locally website. On the website, shoppers will also be able to find hacks on creating Halloween decorations and inspiration for a scare-filled party.

Promotions manager, Laura O’Hearne said: “Halloween falls on a Sunday this year meaning shoppers are likely to celebrate over the entire weekend. And the event isn’t only about trick-or-treating. Adult parties or even nights in front of the television are also extremely popular – especially as some consumers still choose to avoid unnecessary social contact due to the pandemic.

“Because of this we are encouraging partners to keep a mixture of products on the shelves right up until the big day to cater for a wide range of shopper missions.”

Research shows that almost half of Halloween shoppers purchase more than they anticipated when in-store, so to capitalise on impulse purchases Nisa is also providing partners with a range of Halloween accessories including a Co-op Pumpkin Carving Set at £1.39*, Co-op Pumpkin and Ghost Garlands at £1* each and Co-op Halloween Buckets at £1.25*.

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