As SPAR and EUROSPAR NI’s unveil their sweet pouch bargains for their 12 Deals of Christmas initiative this week, umbrella group Henderson has revealed shoppers in County Down have the most appetite for the deal.

Last year, shoppers in Kilkeel and Newry picked up the most pouches, shifting over 2,740 pouches of sweets, with over 131,178 purchased across the country in just one week, resulting in a 13.7% rise in sales from 2019.

Sara Murphy, Brand Marketing Manager at Henderson Group commented: “EUROSPAR Mulkern’s in Newry has been one of the top outlets for the past two years with their shoppers having a particularly sweet tooth, and in 2020 their fellow Co Down stores kept their towns and communities sweet with more than 12,765 pouches purchased in just one week.

The Quality Street, Celebrations, Swizzles, Haribo and Maoam pouches are part of this week’s dual deal, which also includes the Cookstown Cocktail Sausage pack plus 100% extra free – that’s almost 1 kg of sausages for just £1.69.

“Our 12 Deals of Christmas campaign is a huge footfall and sales driver for retailers across the province, and true to its name, kicks off three months before the big day with big named brands dropping their prices for one week only – this year, we have invested in seven weeks of enhanced double deals,” Sara said.

“We’ve had a lot of fun with the campaign this year and have even worked with Olivia Nash to launch the campaign and our £12,000 giveaway, where shoppers have the chance to win £500 vouchers each week, plus a £6,500 cash prize right before Christmas. We know talking about Christmas before Halloween isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so we wanted to make sure we celebrate Halloween with some fitting deals and incentives for our shoppers this year.”

The post Newry’s Halloween shoppers have the sweetest tooth first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Marks & Spencer, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Co-op Food have urged the government to take action over the dramatic impact the driver shortage is said to be having on deliveries. High numbers of companies across the food industry detailed to the government the strain that supply chains are under.

The German confectionery business, responsible for Starmix, Gummy Bears, Tangfastics and numerous other varieties, has said their business has been hit by the same problem.

In a statement, the company said: “As is the case with many manufacturers and retailers throughout the country, we are experiencing challenges with regards to the nationwide driver shortage. We are working with partners across the food and drink industry to address and respond to this problem.”

Retailers and suppliers are struggling to find enough haulage drivers in the UK, with experts warning a “perfect storm” is brewing due to several factors hitting the sector.

As reported last week by NR, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) believes there is currently a shortfall of about 60,000 drivers due to around 30,000 HGV driving tests not taking place last year due to the pandemic. Typically, 72,000 candidates train to become HGV drivers, with 40,000 passing. But only 15,000 were able to complete training last year, the organisation said.

The RHA has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, warning many drivers also returned to their country of origin during extended periods of lockdown and restricted travel, with the vast majority not returning.

Brexit is also playing a part in the shortage, according to the RHA, with many drivers unsure of their rights to work in the UK.

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