Throughout 2023, 14 SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO retailers in Northern Ireland celebrated milestone partnership anniversaries with Henderson Group. The total came to over 500 years of retailing experience and commitment to serving their communities.

While some of our retail partners have been proud to display our brands above their doors for 50 years, many have been serving their local communities for even longer, through family businesses which have a passion for retail and locality. It’s incredible to look back at the evolution of their stores throughout the years, which are examples of how we as an industry must keep on moving – something more important in 2023 than ever.

2023 saw the completion of 109 retail projects across our company-owned and independent estate marking an investment of £49.7million. This included landmark store openings from the state-of-the-art EUROSPAR fresh foods superstore in Killyleagh, to extensions and renovations at some of Henderson’s busiest company-owned stores to update and introduce butchery and bakery, production kitchens and the popular Delish deli offering.

Henderson Wholesale continued to partner with independent retailers to build stores which deliver to the demands of that town and community, with Mulgrew’s EUROSPAR in Carryduff, SPAR Coopers Mill and SPAR Kesh standing out as significant new builds.

It means that throughout 2023, an incredible 59,940 sq. ft. of additional retail space was built by the Group and its partners to cater for Northern Ireland shoppers.

FUTUREPROOFING THE BUSINESS

Everything we do is with our retailers and shoppers in mind. We source 75% of our fresh produce from local farmers and suppliers, we invest heavily in deals and campaigns throughout the year, and we look to the future to ensure we are working sustainably so that we remain a robust business for our retail partners.

That futureproofing took a huge step forward in 2023 with the switching on of 1,494 solar panels which cover 75% of Henderson Wholesale’s fresh foods warehouse at the business’s headquarters in Mallusk. And at the end of the year, Henderson Retail announced a contract with bp pulse, which will see the installation of a new network of ultra-fast and rapid electric vehicle charging points throughout their 100+ SPAR and EUROSPAR sites.

Many of our independent partners are also leading the sustainability charge. Last year saw Maxol reveal the second of their Ultra Rapid EV Charging Hubs at their £2.4m Braid River SPAR in Ballymena, an impressive partnership investment that we strive for with our retailers.

When it comes to plans for 2024, the Group remains consistent with their intentions. We have always said we will channel profits back into the business and that is what we do year-on-year. We currently have significant investments planned for around 70 retail projects lined up for 2024 throughout our company owned, partnership and independent store network, including an exciting new build from the Knox family, a Nisa retailer who converted all three of their stores to SPAR in 2023.

Our business and our retail partners have stores in every neighbourhood in Northern Ireland, they are run by local people and employ local people. They get deliveries daily from local farmers, so money spent in those stores goes into that all-important circular economy here in NI.

TO READ MARTIN AGNEW’S INDUSTRY COMMENT IN THE 2024 NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER YEARBOOK AND MARKETING GUIDE, CLICK HERE

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Henderson Foodservice, which launched the brand in 2015, has invested £250,000 to develop the new ‘My Barista Bar Rewards+’ app for users in Northern Ireland, that will digitise the brand’s loyalty scheme and streamline communications with users.

Alongside the app, the brand has also revamped its website, and launched a new online store, where shoppers can purchase branded products, reusable cups and merchandise which is produced in partnership with local Ballymena company, Ted & Stitch.

Keavy O’Mahony-Truesdale, Brand Manager at Barista Bar said they are responding to their customer demand and joining top coffee brands with their digitised approach.

“Barista Bar and the way we communicate with our customers has evolved over the years, led by their behaviour and preferences,” said Keavy.

“This digital approach not only modernises the brand’s presence but will enhance the overall user experience while reinvigorating our loyalty and rewards programme, improving customer engagement and satisfaction. We are thrilled to be able to offer this innovative and seamless experience to our valued consumers through the new ‘My Barista Bar Rewards+’ app.

“Barista Bar’s position in the local marketplace is very strong, and we have announced expansions into Scotland in recent months. Our products are available in 444 SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded sites in Northern Ireland, 49 Co-Op sites in the East of England, and we have 104 new sites agreed within SPAR Scotland stores, the roll out for which commences early this year.”

Henderson Foodservice has invested over £14m in the Barista Bar brand in the past nine years, establishing the product as the preferred choice for takeaway hot beverages to go in Northern Ireland, with over 12 million cups sold in 2023.

The all-new My Barista Bar Rewards+ app went live on Monday 15^th January and has been developed alongside local app developers, Sugar Rush Creative. It is available to download from App Store and Google Play.

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Stores from all across the country had major celebrations last year, including Strabane, Islandmagee, Killylea, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Magherafelt, Omagh, Enniskillen and Carryduff.

All stores share a passion for their local communities, providing top quality products and services to their shoppers. Many of the stores are owned and run by families who have close ties to the communities they serve, creating a hub within their communities.

It was important to the stores to celebrate their milestone anniversaries alongside their shoppers, from special offers to giveaways, community fun days to charity fundraisers, the stores got their shoppers involved as a thank you for their loyalty over the years.

Many of the stores have had major refurbishments totaling over £5 million since opening, thanks to significant investments from store owners. They have expanded and developed their offering and services for their local communities, including Post Offices, PayPal, the popular Barista Bar Coffee on the go offering, hot food-to-go, installations of Delish deli counters, in-store bakeries and extensive ranges of fresh food and local produce.

During their service, the retailers alongside their shoppers have fundraised for a number of local charities including SPAR’s charity partner Marie Curie and EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA’s charity partner Cancer Fund for Children. In addition, the store teams often go the extra mile to arrange their own fundraising activities, both instore and further afield, in aid of chosen charities which are close to their hearts, including Air Ambulance NI and Cancer Focus.

Two family run independent stores, Rooney’s EUROSPAR Enniskillen, which is owned and run by Martin and Angela Rooney, and McCann’s SPAR Belcoo, owned and run by Eugene and Brenda McCann, both celebrated the incredible milestone of 50 years in business.

Patrick Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Group, said: “A focus on community is part of the SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO brands’ ethos, which is consistent across all stores. The dedicated store teams often channel their time and efforts into supporting local community groups, fundraising for charities and sponsoring their local sports teams.

“The stores go above and beyond meeting the needs of their shoppers and that is why they are successful, with so many stores celebrating impressive anniversaries of serving their local communities across the country.

“I want to congratulate all stores who celebrated milestone anniversaries last year, it is an amazing achievement and we’re very proud of every store and their team. We are all looking forward to marking many more significant anniversaries in 2024.”

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The appeal, ‘Make Dreams a Reality this Christmas’, aims to raise money to support people living in extreme poverty around the world and will run until 31^st December 2023.

“I will always be grateful to those who saw and helped me reach my potential. Everyone should have the opportunity to make their dreams a reality – and as a mother, when I hear about parents whose dreams are to feed their children or keep their families safe, I feel compelled to act. That’s why I’m delighted to support the Make Dreams a Reality appeal this Christmas,” said Leah.

Chris Thompson, Tearfund’s Director in Northern Ireland, added: ‘Recently, the threats of climate, conflict and the cost-of-living crisis have left already vulnerable people fighting to survive. We see this across the countries in which we work.

“That’s why we are so grateful to SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA staff and shoppers for their support: we know this has, and will continue to make, a tangible difference in the lives of many of the most vulnerable across the globe.”

POSITIVE IMPACT

Marking the 11th partnership appeal in aid of Tearfund’s work, the funds raised over the years have positively impacted up to 493,487 individuals living in extreme poverty around the world.

Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI added: “Understanding exactly how the money raised over the years has helped those receiving training and resources from Tearfund is a powerful testament to just how important this annual appeal is.

“I have seen first-hand how funds from our appeals have helped families in Uganda and Rwanda, helping them rebuild their lives post-conflict and in the face of some of the most extreme conditions. I’d like to thank our shoppers in advance for supporting our appeal as we know everyone is feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, so every penny is so gratefully received.”

Shoppers can be assured that every £1 raised in-store will be matched by the retailers, up to an amount of £300,000.

‘Make Dreams a Reality this Christmas’ is now live, with donation boxes in SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores throughout Northern Ireland, running until 31 December 2023.Shoppers can also donate online and find out more via tearfund.org/dreams

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It was a family affair on Friday 20^th October, as Michael and his family enjoyed the celebrations at the Crowne Plaza Belfast, after winning the prestigious award.

Independently judged by Spotcheck, the awards were judged to exacting standards over a three-month period.

Judges in this category assessed the competing stores on layout, presentation, the range of services available, convenience and the standard of customer care.

Describing ViVO Dromore as a “stand-out store”, judges said: “The range and depth of merchandise was exceptional and staff went out of their way to engage with customers and create good rapport.”

Speaking to NR after receiving their award, Aidan Corry said it was “fantastic” to win, adding they were “delighted” and “over the moon”.

The Neighbourhood Retailer Awards reward excellence, recognise achievement, raise industry standards, and reward entrepreneurial spirit and are Northern Ireland’s most prestigious retail awards.

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