Tag Archives: retail

Pure South on board for butchery tri-nations

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Sharp BlacksAlliance Group’s export brand Pure South has been confirmed as principal sponsor of the annual butchery test match which will now be known as the Pure South Butchery Tri-Nations.

The competition will see the best British and Australian butchers travel to Wanaka in March to take on New Zealand’s Wedderburn Sharp Blacks.

Murray Brown, general manager, marketing, Alliance Group, said it was fitting that a strong and successful export meat brand in Europe and Asia was backing a world-class competition.

“We’re pleased Pure South is supporting some of the world’s top butchers as they battle it out for the top honours. After a decade representing Alliance Group’s lamb in more than 65 countries world-wide, Pure South is now well-established as a brand associated with outstanding quality. Millions of consumer look for Pure South whenever their shopping or dining. It symbolises all the key elements of Alliance Group – pure southern location, world-class technology, production techniques and a proud heritage.”

2013 will be the inaugural Tri-Nations, following on from two years of Trans-Tasman battles between New Zealand and Australia.

Australia has come out the victor of both previous encounters by the narrowest of margins, so the Wedderburn Sharp Blacks, sponsored by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, will be looking for redemption on their home turf next year.

The competition will be accompanied by a study tour which will see 60 butchers from across the three nations travelling the Central Otago region.

New fashioned shopping values emerging in Britain

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‘New fashioned values’ are emerging in British shoppers in these difficult economic times, according to new research from leading retailer Sainsbury’s.

Having to think more carefully and thoughtfully about household spending, especially on food has triggered a set of new, positive shopping behaviours across all socio-economic groups, says a blog on the retailer’s website.

“Our research shows a deep and widespread change has taken place with 83 percent of Sainsbury’s shoppers having changed their shopping habits in the last year.”

Shoppers are “rediscovering habits of previous generations” – making shopping lists, planning weekly meals, being creative with leftovers and preparing packed lunches. More people are choosing bargains and basic products for everyday needs, but are “enjoying the sense of deferred indulgence that comes from saving up and splashing out on special occasions.”

Sainsbury’s research has also shown that while consumers have reduced their spending, “they actually care more” with quality, integrity and sustainability increasingly becoming the drivers that shape shopping choices, as well as prudence.

“These ‘new fashioned values’ are not a passing phase but represent a fundamental change that is here to stay,” says Sainsbury’s, adding that it launched its 20×20 Sustainability Plan a year ago. The retailer believes its commercial success will continue to depend on continuing to meet and anticipate its customers’ changing needs.

“We can’t do this alone and need the industry, our suppliers and other experts to radically re-examine our ways of doing things, to help meet some of our targets such as doubling the amount of British food we sell and increasing the sales of fairly traded products to £1 billion.”

Market researchers Mintel had analysed Sainsbury’s customer behaviour and reported the findings. The result, a factsheet  ‘The rise of new fashioned values’,  shows that the results span all socio-economic demographics. The research showed that 83 percent of people have changed their shopping habits in response to squeezed family budgets and that fairness to employees, waste and Britain remain similar to last year.

The factsheet shows Sainsbury’s has identified five characteristics of ‘new-fashioned’ values:

  • Savvy sustainability – customers are showing a growing tendency to save and splash out and they also still want to live well.
  • Values re-evaluated – evidence suggests a genuine deepening of values. The economic downturn is not an excuse to abandon issues such as animal welfare, fair-trade or sustainability, even in economy products.
  • Act for me – People have greater, more exacting expectations of companies. “They probe deeper for answers and, largely through digital media, they are far better informed than ever before,” says the report.
  • Health – is now a mainstream consumer issue, “although people are still seeking healthier rather than the healthiest options.”
  • Close to me – While global issues have become increasingly complex and difficult, people are placing greater importance on local matters, “because doing so gives them a greater sense of control and trust.” Customers are also showing more interest than ever in supporting charities and community causes. They are putting more importance on ‘being a good neighbour’ and expect businesses with which they deal to do the same, both locally and nationally.

It also covers how Sainsbury’s is meeting the needs of the new-fashioned shopper, through helping consumers to live the way they want to live and making it easier for them to buy what they need. Making sure customers can be confident about the quality, value and integrity of the products, irrespective of price or range.

Read more …

New Zealand’s top sausage for 2012 is …

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New Zealand’s top sausage for 2012 is a Smoked Kielbasa from Wellington’s legendary Island Bay and Strathmore Butcheries.

The 2012 Devro New Zealand Sausage Competition ran over three days last week, with the Supreme Award and People’s Choice Award winners being decided on Friday night.

From 450 sausages only one can reign supreme, however, and that went to the Smoked Kielbasa. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded a swell but only the best of the best made it to the Supreme judging round.

Don Andrew, owner of Island Bay and Strathmore Butcheries says he’s overwhelmed by the win. “More than anything I want to thank all our loyal customers for their support. To win this award is the ultimate prize in the craft of sausage making,” he said, encouraging butchers to keep on entering.

The People’s Choice Award was won by Franklin  Country Meats with a Smoked Paprika and Cheese Sausage.

The competition, which has been running since 1994, is proudly supported by Devro and Kerry Ingredients.

 

 

NZ venison producers win supreme M&S award

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Though it hasn’t been officially announced as yet, it seems that Hawke’s Bay deer farmers Tim Aitken and Lucy Robertshawe have taken out the Champion of Champions trophy in this year’s Marks and Spencer (M&S) Farming for the Future awards.

The Tikokino venison producers are said to have received a text from the gala dinner informing them and they are now awaiting the official confirmation of the “huge news”. They were earlier announced as the winners of the hard-fought  International Producer section in September, which pitched them into a public vote for the supreme Champion of Champions award against winners of the England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland producer categories.

“Having been judged by the company and its customers as the most sustainable farm of five finalists, representing Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, is a huge endorsement of the farming systems and philosophies we have developed over the years” says a proud Tim Aitken.

Aitken and Robertshawe are members of the Firstlight Venison Producer Group, a select group of deer farmers who work together to supply a small number of global producers supplying high-end retail customers like M&S. The British retailer strongly values sustainable production of the products it stocks and requires all suppliers to meet a set of environmental sustainability, animal welfare and ethical criteria known as ‘Plan A’. The annual awards aim to promote best practice throughout the supply chain and recognise those farmers who are making improvements to the sustainability of their business.

Commenting on the international category award on the Firstlight Foods website, Steve McLean, M&S head of agriculture and fisheries sourcing said that there were more than 50 entries this year for the international category and the standard was really high. “Our international entries came from a diverse range of businesses including fruit, vegetable and meat producers, in countries as winde-ranging as Greece, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand and New Zealand.”

The M&S judges were particularly impressed with the Aitken/Robertshawe entry, McLean said: “For the work they have done on enhancing the natural environment and water quality on their farm, for their involvement in R&D to improve the New Zealand venison industry and for their approach to animal welfare. They were also impressed that Tim and Lucy were sharing their knowledge with the wider farming community and had no hesitation in presenting them with the International M&S Farming for the Future award.”

Federated Farmers president Bruce Willis says the couple are excellent examples of Kiwi farmers leading the way on sustainable farming.

“Having the technical aspects of their business being judged was one thing, but winning the champion of champions award shows these people and their business really won the hearts and minds of a discerning British public who supported them in the popular vote.”

Willis is urging all New Zealand farmers to follow their example, “lead the world in innovative animal welfare and environmental management and to enter awards to let the world see the great work we are doing.”

The couple have won numerous previous awards including the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmers of the Year and a New Zealand Deer Farmers Association (NZDFA) award for environmental and sustainable management in 2010. Their property, ‘The Steyning’ in Central Hawke’s Bay, has featured in the Focus Farms programme and Aitken is a producer representative on the NZDFA board.

Many congratulations to them both!

 

Fresh meat for Wedderburn Sharp Blacks

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Six of New Zealand’s best butchers have been chosen to represent New Zealand in the 2013 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks team.

After a battle between the four remaining 2012 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks and six new challengers the best butchers overall were chosen.

The result was two new additions to the team, with all those from 2012 maintaining their positions. The 2013 team is: Paddy Kennedy, Allenton Meat Centre, Ashburton; Peter Martin, Mad Butcher Onehunga, Auckland; Peter Tuapawa, Victoria Park New World, Auckland; David Timbs, Peter Timbs Meats, Christchurch; Bruce van der Nett, Pak’nSave, Taupo; and Corey Winder, Ashby’s Fine Meats & Deli, Christchurch.

The Sharp Blacks compete annually and after two years of trans-Tasman rivalry, the new team will be competing in the first tri-nation competition  – New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain – in 2013.

Newcomers to the competition, Britain, will be raising the stakes making the 2013 test match the most competitive yet.

Competition organiser Kim Doran, from Retail Meat New Zealand, says with Britain entering the mix the competition has reached new heights for the industry.

“The test has become a highly anticipated event on the industry calendar and with the new addition of Britain things will only become more exciting.”

Building these international relationships can only be a good thing for the New Zealand meat industry,” says Doran.

Earlier this year, the current team lost by only a fraction to Australia which means the new team will be looking for redemption in 2013.

The 2013 tri-nation match will be held in Wanaka on 9 March.

Hunt for 2012 best NZ sausage begins

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New Zealand sausage makers are trialling their best recipes in anticipation of the 2012 Devro New Zealand Sausage Competition. Entries have just opened for the competition, organised by Retail Meat NZ and sponsored by Devro, Kerry Ingredients and Alto Packaging, which has been running in New Zealand for 19 years. Finalists will be judged between 7-9 November and stand a chance of winning the top trophies held in the picture by Corey Winder, last year’s Supreme Award winner, plus other prizes. Find out more …

Tesco to run hybrid nutritional labelling scheme

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UK retail chain Tesco, a major customer for New Zealand’s meat exporters, has had a change of heart over traffic-light nutritional labelling,  says online food trade magazine Just-Food.

This is a major change in strategy for Tesco which up to now has supported the Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) approach, the magazine says. Responding to consumer research, Tesco made the announcement last week that it will now be using a hybrid labelling system, including both GDA and traffic light systems.

Philip Clarke, Tesco’s chief executive said Tesco has led the way by giving shoppers clear information about the food they eat and was the first retailer to put nutritional information on the front of its packs in 2005 when it rolled out its GDA labels.

“We always listen to our customers and they have told us by combining our popular GDA labels with traffic light colour coding we can make it even easier for them to make informed and healthy choices about the food they buy,” he said.

The news has been welcomed by British health minister Andrew Lansley, NGOs and public health groups.

The consumer research was conducted by Penn Schoen and Berland and involved 1,002 UK adults aged over 18 in a quantitative online survey.

 

Full cup, steady hand

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While New Zealand sheepmeat producers have been enjoying a ‘full cup’ in recent times, with strong farmgate returns, a ‘steady hand’ will be needed to balance future production levels with demand uncertainty across European markets.

A newly released report Sheepmeat – full cup, steady hand from global agribusiness banking specialist, Rabobank, says that the strong farmgate returns in the past two seasons, have been as a result of retail price increases and limited supply availability.

Report co-author Hayley Moynihan says global sheepmeat supplies are forecast to increase from 2013, off a low productive base, although this volume growth is expected to be modest and availability will not recover 2010 levels until 2015.

“While sheepmeat demand has softened in developed markets, we expect retail prices will normalise at new levels – typically 10 percent higher than the three-year average for most regions,” she says.

“For New Zealand producers, a positive outlook will persist in export markets as the economic outlook improves and the market balance remains tipped in their favour.”

As the governments of the EU countries seek to restore balance to their economies, policy changes are expected to place increasing pressure on consumer purchasing powers, says Moynihan. In real terms, the increased cost of living for the average EU consumer is likely to exceed any growth in income, at least for the next 12 to 24 months.

Meat price inflation has led the charge in annual food prices, averaging 4.5 percent year-on-year, with eastern European countries experiencing increases as high as 10 percent in 2011.

“These factors can be expected to weigh heavily on sheepmeat demand and to limit growth prospects.”

Rabobank is picking a slow recovery for developed markets through to the end of 2013. “Emerging markets will continue to grow, albeit slightly below the rate of previous years and offer opportunities for sheepmeat demand growth,” says Moynihan.

The Rabobank report says retail prices will also be influenced by continued strength of competing meat prices; the impact of lower beef production from the US and EU on global supplies; and the rising beef production costs from Brazil, China and Australia..

“These factors are likely to mean that retail price movements for lower-value cuts will continue to rise faster than high-end cuts. This will be particularly evident across emerging economies and consequently only provide limited upward pressure on farmgate returns for exporters,” it says.

Moynihan says that by 2015, sheepmeat production from key exporting regions is expected to lift by an additional 135,000 tonnes a year, which would bring global export supply back to 2010 levels.

Silver Fern Farms’ UK brand launch expanding

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Silver Fern Farms’ launch of its branded New Zealand lamb range into British retail giant Tesco (Food NZ, December/January 2012) has been successful, according to the company, which is now looking at expanding the product range available in Britain.

This is the first time that branded lamb has been available in the fresh chilled lamb section of a major grocery chain in the UK. Chief executive Keith Cooper said the company was delighted that “the early good results at Tesco have given us the opportunity to extend the range with the introduction of Lamb Medallions to the current range – Roast, Rumps, Rack and Loin Fillets. We are currently stocking about 250 stores in the UK with pleasing upward trending occurring over the introductory period.”

Silver Fern Farms has utilised Primary Growth Partnership funding to assist with UK consumer research and using branded retail as a test market/prototype will allow the company to begin to meet its commitments to achieving the goals within the framework, Cooper says. The project was also supported by Beef + Lamb NZ with $1 for $1 matched levy funding.

The original launch was supported by an innovative marketing campaign focused on creating awareness at the point of purchase and tightly targeted towards Tesco shoppers using Tesco communications mediums.

The company is also fortunate to have a team of people in the UK who can work alongside its brand team here in New Zealand, group marketing manager Sharon Angus says. “We’re able to think local and act global.”

Published in Food NZ magazine (June/July 2012) .

Battle of the butchers begins

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Abigail Smith

Young New Zealand butchers across the country have begun sharpening their knives in anticipation of the 2012 Alto Young Butcher and Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation (RMITO) Butcher Apprentice of the year competition.

Current RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year, Abigail Smith, has her sights set on the Young Butcher title after her success in the apprentice category last year.

“Last year’s win set the standard for me and only makes me eager to push myself to the limit this year and take home the big title,” says Abigail.

Entries are now open to the competition, which kicks off with a series of regional heats across New Zealand over the month of July.

The winners of each regional will go on to compete in the Grand Final, to be held on 24 August at the Viaduct Event Centre in Auckland.

During the Grand Final, the young butchers will be put through a practical exam, interview, cutting test and mystery on-stage element to determine who will walk away with the prestigious title and the prize of a study tour to Europe.

The RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year will win a study tour to Australia.

The competition is proudly supported by Alto, RMITO, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc., Dunninghams, Hellers, Kerry Ingredients, NZ Pork, Wilson Hellaby, Cabernet Foods, Natural Farm and Tegel Foods.