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Strengthening the Sector: Gilmours Launches Campaign to Boost NZ Hospitality Businesses 

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Supporting the Hospitality Community with Price Lock-In and Discounts 

As the hospitality industry continues to face mounting pressures and challenges, Gilmours is stepping up to support the sector with the launch of its “Helping Hospitality” campaign. The Restaurant Association are getting behind this initiative which is designed to alleviate some of the financial strains our businesses are facing by offering price stability on essential products and providing targeted discounts.

In recent months, the hospitality industry has been battered by rising operational costs, food price fluctuations, and decreased customer spending. According to the 2024 Hospitality Report by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, the industry achieved $15.7 billion in sales over the past year, reflecting a growth rate of 5.8 percent. However, this growth has been overshadowed by a 6.4 percent rise in menu pricing and increased operational costs, creating a difficult environment for many businesses. Despite these positive figures, 31 percent of hospitality businesses believe that conditions will deteriorate in the coming year, highlighting the critical need for support. 

In response to these ongoing challenges, Gilmours is launching the “Helping Hospitality” campaign, aimed at providing much-needed relief. Over the next three months, Gilmours will lock in prices on key products to give hospitality businesses greater certainty and stability. These substantial discounts and bundle offers will allow operators to plan ahead with confidence despite the fluctuating economic landscape. 

Beyond cost stability, Gilmours is also focused on driving patronage to local hospitality outlets through the “Spring into Your Local” campaign. This community-centered initiative encourages New Zealanders to visit and share their experiences at their favorite local spots, using social media and a large prize pool to amplify visibility for hospitality businesses. The goal is to help to boost traffic and support for these vital establishments through ongoing exposure and providing a large-scale island-wide marketing campaign at no cost to the operators. 

“At Gilmours, we understand the critical role that the hospitality industry plays in our communities,” said Cindy Chaimowitz, General Manager of Gilmours. “The ‘Helping Hospitality’ and ‘Spring into Your Local’ campaigns are our way of supporting these essential businesses during a time of great need. By providing price stability and encouraging community engagement, we hope to make a meaningful difference in sustaining our hospitality partners.” 

“The past year has been one of the most challenging periods our industry has faced. Operators have contended with rising costs, extreme weather events, and declining customer traffic. Gilmours’ ‘Helping Hospitality’ and ‘Spring into Your Local’ campaigns offer much-needed relief and support to our industry, helping businesses stay afloat during these tough times. We are pleased to see Gilmours taking proactive steps to assist our hospitality community, and we believe initiatives like these are critical to ensuring the long-term resilience of the sector.”  
Marisa Bidois, CEO of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand,

With New Zealand’s hospitality industry employing over 145,000 people and serving as the country’s seventh-largest employer, campaigns like these are more vital than ever. Gilmours remains committed to playing its part in ensuring the success and resilience of this key industry, helping businesses navigate these uncertain times while looking forward to a brighter future. 

Find out More

Read more: Strengthening the Sector: Gilmours Launches Campaign to Boost NZ Hospitality Businesses 

Gilmours would like to extend our sincere thanks to the following suppliers for their generous contributions in support of the B2B campaign, providing essential products and price stability: Sunrice, Groenz, TORK, Castaway, Bonson, Dairyworks, Mainland, Source & Supply, Watties, Simplot, Coca Cola Europacific Partners, Suntory Oceania, Thirsty Camel, Hancocks, and Alpro. 

A special thanks also to the suppliers and partners who have contributed to the B2C campaign prize pool, helping to drive community engagement: Red Bull, Grand Mercure Queenstown, TORK, Bonson, Coca Cola Europacific Partners, DB, Thirsty Camel, Pernod Ricard, Lion, and Singha. 

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