The first reference by the BBC to the ‘credit crunch’ was in June 2007. Now, it is used in everyday language, firstly as a reference to the banking crisis and, secondly, as an indicator of the deteriorating economy. IGD’s recent report ‘Adapting to Change’ looks at how grocery shoppers have changed their behaviours in response to the credit crunch. The report confirms that, over the last six months…

It’s time to start the New Year on the right track with Northern Ireland – Good Food is in our Nature. That’s the message from Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive of Food Promotion Northern Ireland (FPNI), who outlines in the following article some exciting plans to attract shoppers and grow sales through the Northern Ireland – Good Food is in our Nature campaign in 2009.

NIIRTA has had a very productive 2008 and 2009 promises both challenges and opportunities for us. Our voice is now being heard at every level of government, be it local councils, Northern Ireland Assembly, House of Commons or the European Parliament, and we intend to maintain this momentum in the year ahead.

As a central part of our Yearbook 2009 edition, Ulster Grocer invited a panel of guests from across the food supply chain, including representatives of primary producers, food processors, retailing and marketing, to discuss some of the issues currently impacting on the industry under the chairmanship of agri-food journalist, Richard Wright. The ensuing debate was open, frank and lively, raising many…

All things considered, we are very pleased with 2008. We have delivered good sales growth, maintained our margin through investment in efficiencies and, most importantly, given our farmer shareholders an affordable return…