Henderson invests £300,000 in new The Kitchen own-brand range

Henderson Group has invested £300,000 in its new brand ‘The Kitchen, Cooked Locally’ and has amalgamated SPAR Northern Ireland’s existing range of own-brand tea time meal solutions into the range.

The development comes after the own-brand meals generated £10 million in sales through SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO stores in Northern Ireland in 2022.

The Kitchen range comprises over 100 products created by Henderson’s team of chefs alongside 11 local suppliers from across the island of Ireland. The products, which include mains, sides, meals for one and desserts, are available at the competitive price of three for £12.

The range now also includes a luxury line which invites shoppers to enjoy restaurant quality food from the comfort of their home. Two luxury meals for £12 include luxury beef lasagne and a ‘fakeaway’ curry.

In addition, The Kitchen range will bring new flavours to the table this year with the introduction of two sauce brands, Honed in Strabane and Spice O’Life from County Cork.

Neal Kelly, category development director at Henderson Group, said: “Shopping for tonight’s tea has never been easier thanks to The Kitchen range. The rebrand has provided stores with the opportunity to expand their offering for shoppers with a range that brings both convenience and luxury to households, at competitive prices.

“Supporting local and working with local suppliers is vital for us to meet those shopper needs while also providing our retailers with competitive and innovative products for their shelves.”

In other news, SPAR NI is again supporting the Balmoral Show, where the SPAR shop will return and the new meals will be available to try on site. The event runs from 10 to 13 May. Iconic red Stetsons will be available to pick up in exchange for a donation to SPAR and EUROSPAR NI charity partners, Marie Curie and Cancer Fund for Children. Last year, show goers raised over £18,000 in just four days.