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Case Study: Newell Stores

Three people standing together and congratulating a person who received award because of his oustanding food packaging trays from kp
When food retailers aim to balance quality, convenience and sustainability, finding the right packaging solution can be a significant challenge.

For Northern Ireland's Newell Stores, the search for packaging that could meet these demands, while staying ahead of evolving regulations, led the retailer to a market-first launch of kp Infinity® Top Seal.

Newell Stores’ journey shows how innovative packaging can transform food-to-go operations, while putting sustainability front and centre.

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Meet the customer

Established in 1988, Newell Stores is a family-owned business, operating two supermarkets in Dungannon and Coalisland in Northern Ireland. Dedicated to offering fresh, local produce and high-quality prepared foods, Newell Stores serves approximately 10,000 hot meals weekly through its deli counters, alongside bakery and butchery departments.

The company’s state-of-the-art kitchens transform fresh local ingredients into wholesome and mouth-watering food-to-go meals for shoppers in the community.

The challenge

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor in retail, Newell Stores sought to enhance its hot food packaging. For many businesses in the food industry, traditional non-recyclable polystyrene (EPS) packaging is no longer an option, having been banned in the UK and increasingly across Europe. But as food-to-go businesses know all too well, there’s no room for compromise when it comes to quality, either.

"We had been testing the market to try and find the right product," explains Colin Conway, Director at Newell Stores. "The product we were using previously really suited the customer, but we felt something was missing. We needed packaging that could handle a wide range of demands, whether that’s raw products, cold products, hot products, or meals to be consumed later."
A woman serving Food-to-gofood packaging with a fully recyclable packaging tray from kp made out of EPP

This innovative system pairs extruded polypropylene (EPP) based trays with a high-performance sealing film, creating a secure, quick to seal pack that maintains food quality and offers an artisanal look and feel.

The kp solution

A woman preparing Food-to-gofood packaging in a machine, which seals the top with a flexible film lid
After delving into the market and exploring the options available, Newell Stores became the first retailer in Ireland to launch kp Infinity® Top Seal, a fully recyclable packaging solution that combines superior performance with environmental responsibility.

This innovative system is a true showcase of kp’s expertise. It pairs extruded polypropylene (EPP) based trays with a high-performance sealing film, creating a secure, quick to seal pack that maintains food quality and offers an artisanal look and feel. The incumbent EPS-based packaging could not easily be recycled; however, kp Infinity® Top Seal fits effortlessly into PP waste streams.

The packaging solution seamlessly integrated into Newell's stores, requiring minimal changes to the company’s workflow, and the two-second sealing time actually improved service efficiency, compared to the way it had packaged its food previously.
"This just really hit the nail on the head. It does everything we needed it to. It’s so quick and easy to use that it keeps our queue moving, and it holds food hotter for longer, so the quality is fantastic – exactly what we were looking for."
Colin Conway
Director at Newell Stores

The results

The implementation of kp Infinity® Top Seal has delivered multiple benefits across Newell Stores’ operations:

  • Operational efficiency
    "We don't have to use bags anymore. We just seal it for two seconds and hand it over."
  • Enhanced food quality
    The superior thermal properties of the packaging keep food hotter for longer, while remaining cool to touch, safe and easy for staff and customers to handle. Its resistance to oils and alkalis safeguards product integrity, while its microwaveability adds convenience for customers who want to reheat their meals at home.
  • Sustainability leadership
    As the first retailer in Ireland to adopt this solution, Newell Stores is setting a new standard for sustainable food packaging. The fully recyclable mono-material design aligns perfectly with the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
  • Customer satisfaction
    The premium look and feel of the packaging, combined with its practical benefits, has enhanced the overall customer experience. The prominent 'recycle me' messaging helps customers make environmentally conscious disposal decisions too.


"By leading and being first," Conway concludes, "we hope to encourage others to lean into this product because it really is such a versatile solution and perfect for this industry."

The successful implementation at Newell Stores demonstrates how kp Infinity® Top Seal can help food retailers transition to more sustainable packaging, while enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

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