Agnese Filippi, Country Manager Of Coca-Cola Ireland Appointed Chair Of IBC

The?Irish Beverage Council?(IBC) has recently announced the appointment of Agnese Filippi, country manager of?Coca-Cola Ireland?as the new chair of the IBC. The Ibec group that represents the non-alcohol beverage industry noted that as IBC Chair, Filippi will be responsible for representing an important industry at the heart of Ireland’s economy employing over 3,500 people directly and supporting an additional 3,000 jobs indirectly. Commenting on her appointment,?Agnese Filippi, country manager of Coca-Cola Ireland and now chair of The Irish Beverage Council, said, “I am delighted to take on the role as Chair of the IBC at what is a crucial time for all of us operating in the industry."

With almost 220 stores in towns and villages throughout?Ireland, the Gala Group offers retailers the opportunity to run their business as part of a retailer partnership. This partnership offers them the resources, support and knowledge of a national symbol group with over 25 years of convenience retailing experience. The Gala Group was formed in 1998 by a group of Irish?wholesalers?who had the vision to develop a new style of convenience retailing that put Irish communities at the heart of its operations. And in 2023, this vision remains constant.

Servicing over 1,500 customers nationwide through its franchise and?wholesale?business divisions,?Barry Group?is Ireland’s leading family-run wholesale distribution company. Its?Costcutter?brand has firmly established itself as a strong and innovative partner for prospective retailers, with 10 new retail outlets joining the brand this year. The Barry Group prides itself on providing professional and profitable retail solutions through its business partnership approach. “Throughout the past 23 years, we have always valued the relationship we have with our customers and consider it to be more of a partnership,” says Barry Group managing director,?Jim Barry.

Switzerland's?Barry Callebaut, the world's biggest chocolate maker, on Wednesday appointed Peter Feld as its new chief executive after lowering sales volume guidance as?inflation-hit consumers cut back on purchases. Feld succeeds CEO Peter Boone, who is stepping down for personal reasons with immediate effect,?the company said. Feld previously held the top position at Jacobs Holding, Barry Callebaut's biggest shareholder. The Zurich-based firm, which supplies chocolate for the?Magnum?ice creams made by?Unilever?and for?Nestlé's?KitKat?bars, said sales volumes in the six months ended 28 February fell 2.9% to 1.13 million tonnes.

The?United Nations?food agency's world?price index?fell in March for a 12th consecutive month, and is now down 20.5% from a record high hit one year ago following Russia's invasion of?Ukraine. The?Food and Agriculture Organization's?(FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded?food?commodities, averaged 126.9 points last month against 129.7 for February, the agency said on Friday. It was the lowest reading since July 2021. The February reading was originally given as 129.8. A combination of ample supplies, subdued import demand and the extension of a deal allowing the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea contributed to the drop, FAO said.

Since opening its first?convenience?store in April 2021, the Nearby brand has opened over 130?stores, which are serving local communities across the island of?Ireland. At?Nearby, we look for retail partners who are as passionate about their customers, their products, and their stores as we are,” says Nearby IRL sales manager, Jason McSteen. “Two years can be seen as a relatively short timeframe in the FMCG market, but when you consider the challenges of rising costs, labour shortages, the unprecedented pandemic, and Brexit, the Nearby brand continues to enjoy a rapid growth rate. There is a real desire from local retailers to join the Nearby family.

ALDI?has announced that it has appointed Colin Breslin as its new managing director of Buying and Services Ireland. Breslin will report to?Niall O’Connor, group managing director in his new role. Commenting on the appointment, O'Connor, said, “At a time of rising inflation and a cost crisis severely impacting customers, having experienced people leading the business and guiding our teams has never been more important. "In Colin [Breslin], we have a wealth of retail experience and leadership, and he will continue to support and drive our business forward, and particularly, our value promise to our customers at this time."

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