Category Focus: Old flame
As the cold weather settles in again, fuel brands are launching their latest innovations to market, making it quicker and easier than ever for consumers to enjoy a roaring fire
Print14 October 2019
The changing of seasons in Ireland is as sure as the sun rising, but – as we have learned the hard way on more than one occasion in recent years, exactly when that change comes is a different matter altogether. While the coming winter is not likely to feature the same extreme cold and snow we saw in 2018, dropping temperatures bring with them increased demand for fire lighting products. Firelighters, coal, briquettes and other innovations are a key part of any retailer’s winter stock, so read on to learn what is out there and what will suit your store and your customers best.
First time, every time
The comprehensive fuel offering from Zip now includes Zip Smokeless Coal, Zip Kiln Dried Firewood and Zip Kiln Dried Kindling. The worldclass firelighters, made at Zip’s manufacturing facility in Castlebellingham, Co. Louth, complement these products, meaning consumers have everything they need for a warm, cosy fire this season.
Along with Ireland’s favourite firelighters* and fuels, Zip is launching its new Fire Bag. The New Zip Fire Bag is an all-in-one “fire in a bag”, made with unique Zip lighting technology. Using smokeless coal that delivers a high heat output and is cleanburning, combined with the reliable power of Zip, the Fire Bag is fast lighting, gives minimal smoke and does not spark. Additionally, any residual ash at the end of the fire is fully compostable.
The Fire Bag offers both convenience and simplicity for consumers looking for a fire fast. It can be used in indoor fireplaces and wood burning stoves, and is also ideal for outdoor fires, and will burn for up to four hours, leaving you more time to sit back and relax. The new Zip fire Bag can be found alongside both Zip Firelighters and Fuel in Dunnes Stores, Tesco and SuperValu this October.
*(Source: Sense, Ireland 2016 U&A Independent Study)
Real magic
This year, Bord na Móna continues to bring the comfort and magic of a real fire into Irish homes, while leading the way in designing an innovative and convenient range of solid fuel solutions for Irish consumers. It all started with the Peat Briquette, a key product within the brand’s portfolio, and a firm favourite of Irish homes today.
Peat briquettes consistently deliver quality performance, are easy to light, have a long burn time and are suitable for stoves and open fires. Following the successful launch of a new Peat Nuggets 20kg product to market last season, Bord na Móna has confirmed its commitment to the retail sector with the launch to market this autumn of a 10kg convenient carry bag, designed to meet the needs of the consumer.
The Peat Nugget, with all the great benefits of the traditional briquette, is growing in popularity and is perfect for a warm, fast-lighting fire with a bright golden flame. The high-quality, sustainablysourced Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs, Kindling, 100% Natural Eco-Logs and Air Dried Logs are all available in convenient carry home packs, are easy to stack, easy to display at point of purchase and suitable for both stove and open fire use.
Value and quality are key purchase drivers and with this in mind, Bord na Móna is launching a new, competitively priced Kiln Dried Mixed Wood product, offering even more choice to customers. A full range of fire-lighting and fire-building solutions including the original Firelog, Stove Log and premium Firelighters are readily available to meet the needs of the modern-day household.
The Bord na Móna Quicklog, introduced last year, creates the perfect base for a fire and is a great success with consumers for stoves and open fires. This season the Quicklog is now available in a convenient takehome box of ten.
Bord na Móna says it will continue to invest in convenient and innovative smokeless solid fuel solutions for Irish consumers, along with its tailored after sales support service including product- specific point of sale material.
For further information, contact your local Bord na Móna business development executive or call customer support at 1850 744 755.
Bord Gáis Energy highlights benefits for your business
“Whatever it is you do, we’re the hands-on help you need to do it better.” That’s Bord Gáis Energy‘s ethos and with over 35 years’ experience, the energy provider is well-placed to help your business to save money and grow stronger.
Bord Gáis Energy customers can enjoy:
- An easier way to manage your account
A new online account management tool means you can pay your bills and view your energy costs anytime, anywhere
- A helpful direct support team
The Bord Gáis Energy Business Support team are always available to answer your energy queries and offer helpful advice
- Future-proofing your business
Access new innovative energy solutions, from its partner Centrica Business Solutions, to help your business save money and grow stronger
- More rewards than ever before
Regular competitions and draws to win tickets to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and GAA Hurling All-Ireland Championship matches.
If they weren’t enough, Bord Gáis Energy also highlights that it has some of the most competitive prices on the market for retailers.
To start experiencing these benefits for yourself, contact Bord Gáis Energy on 01 611 01 33 or email businessdirect@bordgais.ie Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.30pm.
Cosy and cost-effective
Consumer demand for more efficient fuels is growing, in particular for use in stoves. That is why Bcosy, manufactured in Wellingtonbridge, Co. Wexford, has become a household favourite. Customers have been attracted to Bcosy products because they are clean, convenient and easy to handle.
On top of this, they are environmentally friendly, offer great value for money, exempt from carbon tax and are guaranteed Irish. Bcosy wood briquettes are made from a specially developed mix of hardwoods, softwoods and oilseed rape straw. This optimum blend contains just 10-12% moisture compared to 30-40% of other fuel types and solid timber logs. They also act as a direct replacement for traditional coal or peat briquettes.
They are now available in convenient handy carrier bags of six and 10 briquettes, making it very easy for the customer to pack and carry. 180 bags of sixpack form a full pallet, while 104 x 10 packs are contained on a full pallet for bulk purchasing.
Their shape and weight make them ideal for adding to open fires and stoves. Generating only a small amount of ash, they save time and energy cleaning out the fire when required. They are suitable for use in any appliance; wood-burning or multi-fuel stoves, along with conventional fireplaces and open grates. Unlike other brands which add a fire accelerant.
As the product also produces less smoke than traditional fuels, making them more environmentally friendly, and above all the briquettes generate great heat. Since its launch in 2011, Bcosy wood briquettes have steadily grown sales through independent outlets year-on-year. Growth is expected to increase by 25-30% in the next 12 to 14 months. Also available are Bcosy Firelighters made from natural renewable, untreated wood shavings dipped in paraffin wax. They are odourless, easy to light, clean and convenient and serve to complement its eco-friendly briquette.
To learn more or place an order, visit www.bcosywoodbriquettes.com or contact info@bcosywoodbriquettes.com.
Bring value home
After the launch of the Homestead brand in 1986, the firelighter range quickly became a staple product within the brand’s portfolio, generating considerable sales in its category. It is estimated that Homestead Firelighters account for 53% of the total firelighter sales within symbol groups and independent retailers, while rivalling the two leading brands in Ireland.
The Homestead fuels range consists of two SKUs of Firelighters – 30s and 60s – and a Firelog which was introduced to the range in early 2005.
Less than 70% of households now have open fires; this is impacting the ignition sector. In a market declining 16% in value and 17% in volume yearon-year, private label including Homestead still dominates the market with a 67% value and 77% volume share. Private label, while it is in decline, is declining at a slower rate than the leading branded products, according to Homestead. This shift in the market means competition is fierce and this has seen a number of other brands enter the market at very competitive prices.
Homestead has remained loyal to its heritage and continues to ‘Bring Value Home’ to the consumer with a high quality product range that is produced is here in Ireland.
Contemporary and efficient
Retail customers are always seeking cost-effective solutions to help their customers to control their home heating bills and Flogas Superser heaters are a recognisable and proven bestseller. The new look, contemporary and stylish Flogas Superser Radiant is also fitted with easy glide castors for trouble-free moving from room to room. “Flogas Superser heaters are the perfect solution for cost-conscious customers,” says Eoin O’Flynn of Flogas Ireland.
“They are extremely useful as an instant, economic and portable way to ‘spot-heat’ a room quickly, as many customers find it far cheaper than turning on the central heating for an hour or two.”
Meanwhile, for portable and modern yet extremely functional home heating, the Flogas Gaslight cylinders have been a great success since their launch and are getting an excellent response from customers because of all the benefits they offer.
Not only are the Flogas Gaslight cylinders about half the weight of the traditional steel cylinders, the semi-translucent exterior allows customers to see exactly how much gas they have left. The Flogas Gaslight cylinders are as safe as steel cylinders and won’t leave rust marks. They are available in 5kg and 10Kg sizes in selected outlets nationwide.
Flogas Ireland is the exclusive distributor for Superser in Ireland and the UK. Contact Flogas on 041-9831041 or visit www.flogas.ie.
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