Retail sales of Love Irish Food brands have increased by 40% since it began a partnership with Tesco Ireland promoting Irish food and drink products in store in 2021. This increase in support for Irish food and drink brands have been revealed by Tesco Ireland, as together with Love Irish Food (LIF), they announce a new two-year retail partnership.
Since the partnership began, the number of Love Irish Food brands who have secured listings with the retailer has also grown by a quarter, from 60 to 80 of Ireland’s favourite brands. Some of the more recent brands welcomed into Tesco include The Galway Kitchen, Nomadic, Fresh Cut Foods, Bowes Bakery, Velo coffee, Zingibeer, Sussed Rapeseed oil, Blanco Nino, and Ór butter.
The partnership which began in 2021 has helped grow awareness of Love Irish Food member products in Tesco’s stores nationwide. As a not-for-profit organisation, Love Irish Food is exclusively focused on the Irish produced branded food and drink sector. LIF promotes and develops these local community-based food producers.
Partnering with Tesco Ireland involves in-store activations to help shoppers identify LIF member brand products, helping to bridge the knowledge gap for those who wish to support local and Irish.
Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland said, "Championing a sustainable food industry is at the heart of the Tesco Ireland business. We are committed to welcoming great local, Irish brands into our stores, and we look forward to continuing our support for LIF members over the next two years, sharing insight and expertise and enhancing opportunities for these fantastic brands.”
In addition, the partnership also helps deliver supplier development opportunities. Through enhanced engagement with Tesco Ireland, small and medium sized LIF member brands can benefit from additional supports. These food and drink companies have access to advice from the leading retailer’s buying team, as well as opportunities to network and engage through buyer-supplier forums.
Commenting on the renewed partnership with Tesco Ireland, Kieran Rumley, Executive Director, Love Irish Food, said: “We are pleased to be extending our partnership with Tesco. Over the past two years the retailer has played a crucial role, in actively supporting shoppers to easily identify Irish produced food and drinks brands in store, and in doing so helping shoppers make informed decisions about buying local and Irish. This partnership will be of significant benefit to Love Irish Food members as they develop and scale their businesses.”
