Cosy and warm

As the cost-of-living crisis and potential electricity shortages continue to dominate the headlines (indeed, rising energy costs featuring as ShelfLife’s cover story last month), finding cost-effective, safe and convenient ways to heat homes has never been more important for your shoppers

Brand Central

25 October 2022

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As major energy price hikes have consumers dreading the onslaught of colder weather, it is likely we will see a greater number of households using a fireplace to heat their homes this winter. Cosying up in front of a roaring fire is one of the great comforts of the season, and this year, it might also prove itself to be a great way to reduce energy bills. Firelighters, coal, briquettes, and other innovations are a key part of any retailer’s winter stock, and it’s important to deliver the right selection to suit your store and your customers’ needs.

High quality, reliable range

Zip’s wide range of firelighters and fuels are high quality, reliable and easy to use

Zip has been around since 1936 and one of the key reasons is, that the brand innovates and invests in consumer research and in the category to keep ahead of trends. Zip listens to consumers and knows that the next generation are looking for more sustainable solutions, which Zip launched this winter.

The weather forecasters have hinted that this winter will be a cold one after the amazing summer heat of 2022. Standard Brands has been working around the clock to ensure it can deliver a wide range of firelighters and fuels that are high quality, reliable and easy to use.

This winter, Zip will continue with the #theresalwaysZip campaign, uaing social media advertising to promote the efficiency and reliability of its range

The range now includes both a coal fire in a bag and 100% natural fire in a bag, ideal for time poor families always on the go. In addition to the fire in a bag, Zip offers a range of winter fuels which include Zip Kiln Dried Wood, Kiln Dried Kindling and Smokeless Coal. This combined with Zip’s world-class firelighters means not only does Zip have something for everyone, but its customers can buy their whole fire solution from a brand they trust.

You will find the market-leading brand Zip in eye catching displays across multi retailers linking the brand’s marketing campaign #theresalawayszip.

Q&A with…Frank Cahalan, trading controller Ireland, Standard Brands

Frank Cahalan

Q: How has Zip as a company strengthened your overall sustainability credentials and those of your products?

A: We are still at the start of our sustainable journey in Ireland but the response from the Irish retailers and consumers has been very encouraging. The new sustainable winter range consists of the Zip 100% Natural Fire Bag and Zip 100% Natural Firelighter Cubes. We have seen a positive impact on our overall Zip sales since the launch of this range. We continue to grow our natural offering and have plans to launch further NPD to this range in 2023.

Q: Rising energy bills are a major concern for consumers this winter. To what extent can Zip help consumers during the cost-of-living crisis?

A: Our Zip product offering includes a wide range of firelighters, firelogs and fuel to keep any home warm this winter. Zip is available at every major retailer in Ireland and regularly run promotions on the range during the winter period.

Q: How will you share this messaging about the value you offer throughout your marketing and communications?

A: This winter Zip will continue with the #theresalwaysZip campaign. We will utilise social media advertising to promote the efficiency and reliability of the Zip range. We will be sharing tips and tricks on how to make your firelighters go further to support keeping costs down this winter. This will play alongside creative lifestyle focused video content, recipe ideas, and competitions to give back to our consumers. Make sure to follow us on our social media accounts; Facebook @zipfiresireland, Instagram @zipfiresireland and TikTok @zip_fires.

Q: How has Zip strived to develop a suitable product for every consumer need within the home heating space?

A: We know that everyone lights the fire differently and has their own specific needs. Utilising consumer research we have identified individual needs, from coal lovers to eco warriors. Our technicians here at Zip have been working hard to develop a range of products that suit these varied requirements. Ranging from our Zip Wrapped Firelighters, Zip Original Block Firelighters, Zip Firelogs and the recently released Zip 100% Natural Fire Bag. We also have a range of winter fuel products including the Zip Kiln Dried Firewood, Zip Kiln Dried Kindling and Zip Coal.

All Zip products comply with current and new Solid Fuel regulations. Zip is a one stop shop to keep your home cosy and warm this winter.

For more information, email Enquiries@zipfires.com.

Instant cosy workspace

Flogas Superser heaters are a perfect solution for cost-conscious customers looking to instantly spot heat a room; contact 041 214 9600 for more information

As customers look set to divide their working lives between the office and home this winter, Flogas Superser heaters are the perfect solution to spot heat the homeworking space. Cosy, portable and convenient, Flogas Supersers remove the need to turn on the entire heating system while working from home.

Retailers are always seeking cost-effective solutions to help their customers to control their home heating bills and Flogas portable gas heaters are recognisable and proven bestsellers. The contemporary and stylish heaters are also fit with easy glide castors for trouble-free moving from room to room.

“Flogas Superser heaters 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,” says Peter Brogan of Flogas Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Superser in Ireland and the UK.

Flogas retailers benefit from complete access to its range of cylinders, from butane, propane and patio gas, to exclusive Gaslight cylinders. Contact Flogas today on 041 214 9600 to speak to your local cylinder representative and arrange a no-obligation meeting to discuss your needs.

Cylinder safety at the core

Every Calor cylinder goes through a substantial and detailed seven-point mandatory safety check

As temperatures drop and the long evenings begin, many homeowners are turning on their home heating systems for longer periods of time. Homeowners need to be well prepared for the winter months; they want energy that is reliable, affordable and safe to use. Calor retailers can be confident in recommending Calor cylinders to their customers, because of Calor’s commitment to safety.

At Calor, safety and trust are paramount for its retailers and their customers. Over the past 80 years, Calor has been meeting the energy needs of homes and business across the island of Ireland. Throughout this time, Calor has earned a reputation for delivering the highest standards of cylinder safety in the products it offers, and those available through its extensive retailer network.

Calor has earned a reputation for delivering the highest standards of cylinder safety

All Calor cylinders are filled by Calor, so the company is sure of every one. Every Calor cylinder goes through a substantial and detailed seven-point mandatory safety check before it is delivered to a Calor retailer.

Calor is proud of its extensive product offering that allows customers to see the benefits of using gas, including Calor BioLPG, its 100% renewable energy, which offers customers a sustainably conscious fuel option.

For more information on becoming a Calor retailer or to see our range of mobile heaters, check out www.calorgas.ie.

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