Latest news – June edition
The latest industry news from the forecourt and convenience sectors in Ireland
Tesco takes top spot in grocery
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, published for the 12 weeks ending 20 May 2018, show Tesco reclaiming the top spot on its own for the first time in more than two years with an overall share of 22.3 percent. The retailer grew sales by 4.5 percent – far ahead of the overall market, which saw growth of 2.8 percent. The gap between the top three has widened, with SuperValu and Dunnes capturing 22.0 percent and 21.8 percent of the market respectively.
Amazon to create 1,000 jobs in Ireland
Amazon has opened a new 170,000 square foot office in Dublin and will create more than 1,000 jobs in Ireland over the next two years. These highly skilled roles will be based in the newly opened building in addition to Amazon locations in North County Dublin, Blanchardstown, and Tallaght. The new jobs reflect Amazon’s growing investments in the country as a centre of excellence for software engineering, research, and customer services.
Accountants to consider proposals to buy LacPatrick
Ernst & Young – one of the big four accounting firms –are to begin evaluating proposals from four parties in the running to buy cross-border diary co-op LacPatrick, with movement on a sale expected within weeks. Aurivo, Dale Farm, Glanbia and Lakeland have expressed interest in buying LacPatrick since it asked for dairies to come forward in April. EY has been engaged to manage the sale process, with progress expected over the coming month.
Heineken secures stake in craft brewer Beavertown
Heineken has scooped a stake in London-based craft brewer Beavertown for £40m cash that will help build a new brewery. Dubbed Beaverworld, the new facility will create 150 new jobs and have enough capacity to get the firm’s beer on to “every street corner in the UK and beyond”. The size of the Dutch beer giant’s stake has not been disclosed but founder Logan Plant said it was a “minority deal” and he will stay in “full control”.
Technology is key for Irish business leaders
Innovation and the ability to drive change is crucial to the future of business, research commissioned by Fujitsu revealed. 73 percent of Irish business leaders say that technology is driving a positive change in their business and 59 percent believe that technology will enable them to overcome many of the issues they are facing today. 38 percent of those surveyed felt that as a company leader they feel responsible for helping society through the ongoing changes facing the country with 43 percent acknowledging they should be doing more to drive innovations in Ireland.
