The video series is part of SPAR’s ongoing commitment to healthy eating and healthy lifestyles and falls under our long-standing SPAR Better Choices initiative, which is designed to encourage customers to include healthy choices when shopping in their local SPAR store. The series revolves around Eoin “coaching” Kellie in the kitchen as they create delicious and nutritious meals from a variety of products from the SPAR Better Choices range. As a top athlete, Kellie is naturally very discerning when it comes to her food choices and the series aims to provide both practical guidance on meal prep as well as tips on pre and post workout nutrition.

(47) SPAR Ireland – YouTube

SPAR’s campaign is aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and preferences for all the family. SPAR Brand Ambassador, Kellie Harrington, is a firm believer in making a Better Choice when it comes to leading a busy and healthy lifestyle. But it’s not always easy to know which is the better choice. When in doubt, ask yourself, what would Kellie choose?

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Speaking at the launch, Professor Michael Kerin, Research Director of the NBCRI and a leading expert in his roles with various national cancer organisations, said “One of the challenges with the cancer programme in Ireland is to ensure that people across the regions have equal access to a positive outcome, and there are very significant challenges in providing that in this country. There are undoubted urban versus rural disparities in cancer care and outcomes based on where you live. What we’re desperately trying to do is ensure that we create a fit for purpose research environment, so more people can get access to clinical trials, the most modern therapies, along with the very best clinicians. In order to do that, we need to have a developed hospital infrastructure and community care system. Developing that along with spreading the message in more communities across the country is key to making a positive impact. SPAR and EUROSPAR are ingrained in communities in every county across Ireland, so the support of its network of retailers and customers will make a real difference.”

SPAR and EUROSPAR have made an initial donation of €100,000 to launch the two-year partnership and campaign. Working in partnership with over 470 independent retailers, the SPAR and EUROSPAR brands are owned and operated by BWG Foods.  This is the first time that both retail brands have come together in support of one joint charity partnership and will raise much needed funds through in-store collections, contributions from the sale of select SPAR own brand products and other fundraising efforts through its countrywide network of stores and community initiatives. The NBCRI will also be able to avail of the retail network as a powerful platform to raise public awareness across Ireland.

Commenting on the partnership, Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director, said: “We’re delighted to support the National Breast Cancer Research Institute and very proud to partner which such an important organisation. We’re especially proud as this was a decision that was made by our retailers around the country who came together to identify this charity in support of a cause that can positively impact every community in the country.” Peter Dwan, EUROSPAR Sales Director added “The National Breast Cancer Research Institute stood out to our retailers because the charity is focused on a cause that impacts the lives of so many women in Ireland and we know that our customers and community partners will get behind this collective effort to enhance diagnosis and treatment options and play our part in improving the outcomes for those who develop breast cancer in the future.”

The NBCRI was founded 35 years ago and is a national charity that funds a comprehensive research programme at the University of Galway. The research team, in collaboration with universities and hospitals across the globe, focuses on the development and improvement of diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies, to drive real and measurable improvement in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients.

For more information on The National Breast Cancer Research Institute or to make a donation, please visit https://breastcancerresearch.ie

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The challenge took place earlier this year, with participants running, walking, swimming or cycling to rack up miles in aid of the local charity.

Action Mental Health has grown from humble beginnings in Downpatrick in 1963. The charity promotes the mental health and well-being of people in Northern Ireland and helps break the stigma of mental illness in the community.

Henderson Retail’s store employees, along with their Mallusk based colleagues, have taken part in this annual challenge for the past three years, raising a total of over £50,000 and covering 27,727 miles.

The top number of miles covered for 2024 was achieved by David Wedt from SPAR Cherryvalley who covered 1,992.1 miles alone and Gillian Kelly from Henderson Technology was the top fundraiser who raised £465.

A number of stores also showed their support with in-store fundraisers including bucket collections and turning their store purple, Action Mental Health’s signature colour.

BREAK STIGMAS

Jonathan Smyth from Action Mental Health said: “We want to say a huge thank you to all staff who got involved and raised an amazing amount of money for our charity. One in five adults in Northern Ireland will be affected by mental ill-health and this donation will help us continue to support people who need our services, changing the lives of many people across the country.”

Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group added: “I want to thank all store employees and their Mallusk based colleagues who took part in the Miles for Mental Health Challenge, as well as our generous shoppers who kindly donated.

“Action Mental Health is a deserving charity which does such important work, helping to break stigmas and supporting people across Northern Ireland when they need it most.

“Our partnership for the past three years with Action Mental Health has been so important to raise awareness of the charity’s valuable services. We are looking forward to continuing support for the charity throughout the year as well as providing health and well-being support for our colleagues.”

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The campaign is underpinned by the production of a new TV advert, which is supported by heavy digital and social media activity. The new campaign is called ‘Closer Than You Think’ and highlights how SPAR Range provides great value options for SPAR and EUROSPAR shoppers close to home.

The new SPAR Range TV campaign consists of a brand advert, featuring 30 seconds of scenes that playfully demonstrate SPAR Range products appearing ‘Closer Than You Think’. The novel campaign concept features customers getting up close and personal with SPAR Range products. In one scene a van driver backs into a giant pack of SPAR cookies, in another a woman is taken aback to find an oversized bag of SPAR Range pasta bulging in her kitchen door, while a third scene humorously witnesses a runner greeted abruptly mid-run by a giant bottle of SPAR vitamin water.

Value will be further showcased through various price and item templates that will be used interchangeably throughout the year to deliver a great value message.

Shorter form creative elements will build campaign salience across social media and digital touchpoints, while cutdowns of the TV advert occupy significant presence within digital playlists on in-store digital screens.

The advert was created in conjunction with Publicis Dublin; produced by Andrew Freedman of Antidote; and directed by award winning director, Chris Balmond, whose previous work with SPAR includes the award winning 2023 campaign “SPAR Finding Christmas”.

The new advert can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/tG-c_DAs0Do

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Maxol has completed its transformation of Maxol Braid River Service Station in central Ballymena following an investment of £2.35 million.

The investment is part of a wider five-year £84M capital investment programme across The Maxol Group to create a network of convenience-led forecourt services that offer customers quality, value and choice on everything from fresh coffee and groceries to food-to-go on their doorstep.

New Maxol Recharge EV Hub 

A new Ultra Rapid EV Charging Hub – the second to be developed by Maxol and the second of its kind in Northern Ireland – has opened and features four high-powered 200kw ultra-rapid chargers that charge a single vehicle* in as little as 15 minutes. The chargers are powered using renewable electricity, as part of Maxol’s sustainability strategy.

The latest SPAR store 

Maxol Braid River offers the latest SPAR concept with a new store of 246 sq. meters. Customers can now shop for everyday grocery essentials including a greater choice of fresh, locally sourced fruit & vegetables, a wide range of dairy and chilled produce and a huge selection of frozen foods. Other new additions include a locally produced range of pre-packed butchery items and a wide selection of ready-made meals perfect for tonight’s tea.

From breakfast through to lunchtime, a brand-new Delish deli offers customers a delicious range of hot food to go – freshly prepared on-site to take-away. Also new, is an in-store bakery offering a range of pastries and sweet treats alongside the popular Barista Bar Coffee which has doubled to two units making it easier for customers to grab and go. For something colder there are two new refreshing Frozen Coca Cola and Frozen Fanta slushie machines.

Two self-checkouts have also been installed to give customers even more choice, efficiency and convenience. Non-food items available include a comprehensive range of Maxol own-brand engine oil, adblue and car care products.

On the forecourt 

Car parking facilities have more than doubled to 32 spaces to provide greater customer convenience, particularly during busy trading periods. Premium Fuels have been introduced to enable customers to make greener motoring choices and Pay at Pump technology is now available at two islands, giving our fuel customers a quicker and more convenient way to pay.

Sustainable development 

Maxol’s innovative and sustainable forecourt design has been fully implemented at Maxol Braid River. Cutting-edge technology has been used to reduce the site’s carbon footprint which include photovoltaic (solar) panels to reduce electrical import requirements; solar efficient glazing; the use of LED lights; low energy CO2 refrigeration systems with doors fitted throughout the store; exhaust air-heat pump technology to reduce heating loads; and an energy management system to monitor and control the overall energy usage on the site.

 Investment

Brian Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer of The Maxol Group said: “We are delighted with our latest investment at Maxol Braid River, it is now a modern, welcoming store that marks a further milestone on our journey towards becoming known for our convenience-led retail offer.

“Customers can now pop into this store to enjoy freshly prepared food to go from the Delish deli or they can do a basket shop in our newly expanded SPAR store packed with an extensive range of groceries for every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner as well as plenty of snacks and treats.

“The in-store offer reflects the ‘Bags More’ advertising campaign we launched some weeks ago to highlight the range of goods now available at Maxol stores and Braid River is now a leading example of that in Ballymena with our partner SPAR.

Latest technology

“This is our second EV Charging Hub designed to offer the latest technology and fastest speed of charging available for our customers along with the continued rollout of our sustainable forecourt design. This investment reenforces our continued commitment to being a more sustainable forecourt convenience retailer offering the highest quality of facilities and products. The site is operated independently by our licensee Aramark and I wish Nicola and her excellent team every success at Maxol Braid River.”

Sarah Halliday, Channel Sales Manager at Henderson Group which owns the SPAR franchise in Northern Ireland added; “The Braid River site is a fantastic example of how we can collaborate with our retail partners to create modern forecourts that are delivering exactly what our shoppers need, right on their doorsteps. This is a store which puts the shopper first with facilities which work towards both Maxol and Henderson Group’s sustainability goals. The futureproof forecourt is complemented by efficient coffee and food to go services in-store, which also provides a huge choice of fresh and locally sourced products and everyday essentials at a high level of quality and value that our shoppers have come to expect from their neighbourhood SPAR store.”

Maxol Braid River also offers customers an ATM, customer toilets and air, water and vacuum services and operates 24/7, 7 days a week.

* The speed of charge depends on the vehicle and battery.

(L-R) is Brian Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer, Maxol with Nicola Farrell, Braid River site manager

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