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Latest Food & Drink Industry News

• Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, (3:16 pm)

  CAFEDIRECT LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN

  Cafédirect is launching their ‘Made the Small Way’ campaign onto the silver screen with cinema advertising to debut in independent cinema chains across the UK.

  The 30 second advert, devised by creative agency Brothers & Sisters, highlights Cafédirect’s taste and quality credentials, revealing why sourcing directly from smallholder growers is better for everyone – better for the growers who can then produce better quality for customers.

  The campaign will also be supported by price promotions instore and activity across Cafedirect’s social media channels including Facebook and Twitter. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, (1:37 pm)

  RUBICON INVESTS IN NEW PRODUCTS AND BRAND SUPPORT

  

  A G Barr is investing £2m in brand support to Rubicon to enable retailers to profit from this sales opportunity.

  The brand activity will be spearheaded by nationwide TV advertising, targeting both ethnic and mainstream shoppers, product sampling and profit-boosting NPD.

  Rubicon aims to attract new and existing consumers to the brand with a £2m spend, including a National TV campaign during July and August. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, (11:33 am)

  WEIGHT WATCHERS LAUNCHES NEW CRUMPETS BY WARBURTONS

  This month, Weight Watchers is extending its range of Bakery products with the launch of new Weight Watchers Soft Crumpets, baked by Warburtons.

  Available in a four pack, Weight Watchers Soft Crumpets have been created to deliver the same taste consumers expect from Warburtons, but with a ProPoints value of just two per crumpet.

  They are being launched to appeal as a breakfast option or daytime snack for consumers following a healthier eating plan. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, (9:26 am)

  MCVITIE’S RELEASES LIMITED EDITION CELEBRATION TIN

  United Biscuits (UBUK) is launching McVitie’s limited edition Celebration Tin for 2013.

  As Britain gets set for yet another historic year of Royal occasions, the limited edition tin aims to make the perfect treat to share with family and friends during the celebrations and boost summer sales for retailers.

  The McVitie’s Celebration Biscuit Selection includes an assortment of plain, chocolate, creams and jam McVitie’s biscuits. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, (7:09 am)

  SUNMAGIC ANNOUNCES NEW JUICE FLAVOURS

  Sunmagic, the 100% pure fruit juice, smoothie and juice drink brand, has won new listings at Palmer & Harvey and confectionery wholesaler Hancock’s.

  The new listings follow last month’s announcement of Sunmagic’s £1m brand investment, with the Love Sunmagic breakfast campaign currently live on Global Radio’s 95.8 Capital FM featuring a series of daily competitions.

  Palmer & Harvey is increasing its existing range of Sunmagic products from the beginning of June with the introduction of Sunmagic’s ‘exotic’ range launched in February 2013. (more…)

• Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, (3:27 pm)

  THE COTSWOLD TRAITEUR EXPANDS FROZEN READY MEAL RANGE

  The Cotswold Traiteur, creator of restaurant quality frozen meals, has expanded his range to include a further 20 dishes.

  The range now includes more traditional dishes to suit family mealtimes; British Shepherds’Pie, Steak and Ale Pie, Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Pie and well as Lasagne, Bolognese Sauce and Mexican Chilli con Carne.

  Side dishes have also been added to the range; Braised Red Cabbage, Fennel a la Grecque and five different variations of Mashed Potato. (more…)

• Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, (1:20 pm)

  RUSTLERS UNVEILS NEW ‘HUNGER MOMENTS’ CAMPAIGN

  Kepak Convenience Foods is launching a new campaign as part of its marketing plans for Rustlers.

  The ‘Give the Ref a Break’ campaign is a tongue in cheek ad campaign that has been developed to remind consumers to purchase Rustlers at key ‘hunger moments’.

  The campaign will go live 48 hours before key sporting events, including the Champions League Final at Wembley and the Brazil v England International. (more…)

• Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, (11:11 am)

  ADNAMS LAUNCHES NEW FAT SPRAT BEER

  Adnams has announced the launch of ‘Fat Sprat’, a limited edition, pale amber beer.

  The new beer, which will support the work of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), is a full flavoured 3.8% abv beer.

  Adnams has been supporting the MCS since 2002 when the company adopted a 1km section of Southwold’s beach and has been organising regular clean-ups ever since. (more…)

• Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, (9:01 am)

  HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP IS BACK ON TV

  Heinz’ invisible bottle TV advert is back on TV screens this May to remind consumers that when it comes to tomato ketchup ‘IT HAS TO BE HEINZ’.

  This time, the TV campaign will feature the brand’s flavoured launches, Heinz Tomato Ketchup in a Jar and Heinz Fiery Chilli Tomato Ketchup, to help drive awareness for the flavoured varieties.

  The original advert, which shows everything but the bottle, aims to remind consumers that ‘Heinz Tomato Ketchup is so irreplaceable you don’t have to see it to know no meal is complete without a dollop of the nation’s tomato ketchup.’ (more…)

• Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, (7:00 am)

  CADBURY LAUNCHES NEW CRUNCHUMS

  Cadbury has launched a new product for 2013- Cadbury Crunchums.

  Crunchums are snack of crispy cereal bites, coated in Cadbury chocolate.

  Following on from Cadbury Popcorn and Cadbury Pretzels, CadburyCrunchums are part of a similar breed of snacks set to appeal to the nation. (more…)

• Monday, May 20th, 2013, (3:19 pm)

  NEW NOODLE POTS FROM ITSU

  Itsu has introduced it’s new 3-minute noodle pots to the market.

  These healthy noodle pots will be available in Sainsbury’s from the beginning of June in two flavour variants, Original Thai and Thai Spicy (vegetarian).

  Itsu noodle pots are designed as an alternative to lacklustre lunchtime sandwiches and suppertime ready meals. (more…)

• Monday, May 20th, 2013, (1:27 pm)

  CHEDDS CHEESE & TOASTIES NEW SINGLE PACK FORMAT

  Chedds, the 100% real cheddar kids snacking brand from Cathedral City, is introducing its Cheese & Toasties in a new convenience sector specific format in June.

  The single pack, which consists of six slices of mild Cathedral City Cheddar and six pieces of Melba toast, will be available in cases of 12.

  Like all Cathedral City products, Chedds contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. (more…)

• Monday, May 20th, 2013, (11:16 am)

  UNEARTHED UNDERGOES REVAMP

  Continental food brand unearthed is looking to supercharge growth with a major revamp of its packaging and antipasti range.

  The new look will be rolled out across its new Alfresco Sausages and Olives & Antipasti range from the end of May onwards in a bid to reignite growth within the chilled olive and antipasti sector, which has slowed in growth over the past 12 months.

  The packaging design has been designed to reinforce unearthed’s discovery ethos and taste credentials. (more…)

• Monday, May 20th, 2013, (9:00 am)

  POM-BEAR LAUNCHES NEW POM-BEAR ZOO

  New this spring from Pom-Bear is an extension to the Pom-Bear franchise: Pom-Bear Zoo.

  With a ‘Really Cheesy’ flavour, this snack introduces Pom-Bear’s ‘Zoo Friends’ – a mix of brand new animal shapes.

  Each bag contains up to nine different animal characters so that children can identify the animals and play with the pieces before eating them. (more…)

• Monday, May 20th, 2013, (7:00 am)

  PRIVATE LABEL VERSUS THE BRAND SUMMIT – LAST CHANCE

  As you may know, private label has seriously caught up with and, in many cases, overtaken the brand in terms of share, value and quality.

  What was once deemed a ‘traditional’ basket full of brands has long gone.

  That’s why we’ve laid on a raft of experts at out Private Label Versus The Brand summit coming up THIS WEEK, Wednesday 22nd May. (more…)

• Friday, May 17th, 2013, (3:31 pm)

  ANNA FRIEL THE VOICE OF NEW M&S FOOD CAMPAIGN

  Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the launch of a new food marketing campaign, covering online, print and television.

  Actress Anna Friel will provide the voice for a series of TV adverts focused on different food occasions – from a seaside picnic to a lunch on the go.

  Built around the strapline ‘Make Today Delicious’, the campaign aims to show how M&S food can make more everyday food moments extra special. (more…)

• Friday, May 17th, 2013, (1:09 pm)

  CADBURY DAIRY MILK LAUNCHES NEW MARVELLOUS CREATIONS CAMPAIGN

  Cadbury Dairy Milk will be hitting the small screen this May with the launch of the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations TV campaign.

  Inspired by the wonder of a funfair, the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations advert transports the viewer to a chocolate factory where the bar is created.

  The advert, which launches this month for six weeks, will be aired alongside popular programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Juice and The British Soap Awards Party. (more…)

• Friday, May 17th, 2013, (11:11 am)

  NEW RANGE OF PREMIUM CRISPS HITS UK SHELVES

  John Tague, who took Seabrooks from £11million turnover to £30million, has created TAGS Tasty Crisps.

  So far the range is made up of 125g hand cooked potato chips in three flavours – Malt Vinegar & Sea Salt, Sweet Chilli and Mature Cheddar & Red Onion.

  And 25g Potato Crisps which come in multipacks of six and three flavours – Salt & Vinegar, Cheese & Onion and Ready Salted. (more…)

• Friday, May 17th, 2013, (9:11 am)

  NEW PRICE MARKED PACKS FROM SACLA, NANDO’S AND PIZZA EXPRESS

  Fine food distributor RH Amar has teamed up with brand partners Sacla’, Nando’s and Pizza Express to launch price marked packs into wholesalers and convenience retailers.

  The move – across popular lines of Sacla’ pesto, Nando’s Peri-Peri sauces and marinades, and Pizza Express salad dressings – is aimed at allowing convenience retailers to capitalise on the sales success that all three brands are already having in major supermarkets.

  Available to wholesalers for a limited period, all three brands feature £1.99 price marked packs of popular variants and offer attractive margins to convenience retailers.

  (more…)

• Friday, May 17th, 2013, (7:09 am)

  NEW VEGETARIAN CONFECTIONERY RANGE

  The retail and foodservice trades are being offered a new vegetarian confectionery range, launched to target the increasing number of consumers looking for sweets that do not contain gelatine.

  Freedom Mallows, from Freedom Confectionery, are light vanilla flavour marshmallows created using all natural flavours.

  Fat, dairy and gelatine free, the mallows are designed for vegetarians, vegans, consumers with intolerances and those seeking halal or kosher products for religious reasons. (more…)

• Thursday, May 16th, 2013, (3:09 pm)

  BUTTERKIST MAKES FIRST FORAY INTO SAVOURY POPCORN

  Butterkist has extended its portfolio to offer a new range of savoury flavoured popcorn.

  Three popular, mainstream snacking flavours have been chosen and developed, which include Sour Cream & Chive, Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar and Barbecue.

  The new range is made using wholegrain corn which is air-popped to give a light texture. (more…)

• Thursday, May 16th, 2013, (1:20 pm)

  MS TINKS LAUNCHES NEW CHILLED KIDS READY MEALS

  Tinks Food is launching a new range of chilled kids’ ready meals in Ocado on promotion from May 22nd 2013.

  The meals will retail at 2 for £6 for the first two months.

  The range includes Fish Pie, Beef Lasagne and Chicken Curry. They are 300g size portions, bigger than most branded meals, making them perfect for one big kid or two little ones.

  (more…)

• Thursday, May 16th, 2013, (11:04 am)

  GLOBAL FOOD & DRINK TRENDS SUMMIT

  Last year it was a sell out and as this year’s agenda is so exciting we don’t want you to miss out.

  Once again we’re excited that the summit will be chaired by our food and drink trends guru Charles Banks.

  You might already be signed up to his excellent newsletter, if not I really recommend it, but even if you are, he’s going to reveal a lot of very different and new insights. (more…)

• Thursday, May 16th, 2013, (9:15 am)

  PRINCES INVESTS IN AMBIENT TUNA CATEGORY WITH TWO NEW PRODUCT RANGES

  Princes is investing in the £319 million ambient tuna market by launching a tuna in tomato sauce product and a range of tuna deli-inspired sandwich fillers to drive value and growth into the sector.

  Tuna is the largest market in ambient fish and Princes is bringing innovation to the category by launching a new tuna chunks in tomato product which hit shelves this May.

  The launch aims to increase frequency of purchase of canned tuna by providing consumers with a wider product choice of healthy options and attracting those shoppers who buy tomato based oily fish variants. (more…)

• Thursday, May 16th, 2013, (7:09 am)

  TRIBUTE ALE UNDERGOES RE-BRAND TO BOOST STAND-OUT

   

  St Austell Brewery’s Cornish ale, Tribute, has been rebranded to boost stand-out on supermarket shelves.

  The 4.2% Supreme Champion Ale now sports a rich purple-colour across its range of bottles, cans and kegs.

  Following customer feedback, the central image of the county of Cornwall has been made more vivid and prominent to emphasize the beer’s provenance, while the new designs also introduce the line “Cornish Pale Ale” and emphasise St Austell Brewery’s status as an independent family brewer. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, (3:01 pm)

  NEW LIPTON ICE TEA SAMPLING CAMPAIGN

  Soft drinks manufacturer, Britvic Soft Drinks, is launching the largest ever sampling campaign for Lipton Ice Tea.

  Following the success of last year’s campaign, the brand is once again asking Britain to try something refreshing by ‘Joining the Ice Teavolution’.

  This year Lipton Ice Tea’s multi-million pound marketing campaign will be using a ‘Sip Squad’ to target more than three million consumers, running for 16 weeks across the UK from May. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, (1:09 pm)

  WYKE FARMS UNVEILS RE-BRANDED BUTTERS

  Wyke Farms, the UK independent cheese producer and milk processor, has announced that their Salted and Unsalted Butter will now be available in the re-branded Wyke Farms’ new packaging.

  The Butters are now in-line with the rest of Wyke Farms’ new pack designs, which were launched across its entire cheese product range in September last year.

  As with the cheddar packaging, the butter pack designs aim to give the Wyke Farms brand increased shelf impact with improved block branding, while retaining the company’s well know premium image and farmhouse feel. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, (11:37 am)

  RESTAURANT BOOTS BUSINESS WITH READY MEAL RANGE

  A South Yorkshire restaurant is aiming to boost business with a new range of ready meals, prepared and cooked in its kitchen.

  Jaz Boparai, owner of Chilli Restaurant in Barnsley, started the scheme as a way to increase sales and keep his kitchens busy during the quieter midweek period.

  The meals are prepared in the Chilli kitchens and made available to shops across the borough, meaning consumers get the same restaurant meals to eat at their own dining table. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, (9:02 am)

  LEVI ROOTS NEW ON PACK PROMOTION

  Millions of consumers will get the chance to turn musical notes into bank notes this summer in a nationwide on-pack promotion launched by Levi Roots soft drinks.

  Running from June to September, the £20 million ‘play and win £10 notes’ promotion will support the brand’s strap line; ‘put some music in your glass’.

  It will give entrants the chance to win instant cash in an interactive online game, which recognises the ‘Reggae Reggae’ entrepreneur’s love for music. (more…)

• Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, (7:09 am)

  NEW FUNKIN CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE COCKTAIL AWARENESS

  Cocktail brand Funkin is investing over £500,000 this summer in an integrated consumer campaign to grow cocktail awareness and the at-home cocktail opportunity.

  Aimed predominantly at Funkin’s target audience of 20-30 year-old females, the three month campaign targets different drinking occasions such as drinks before a night out, a house party and a night in with the girls.

  Following the Christmas campaign ‘Put The Funk In Your Party’ fronted by TV presenter Zoe Hardman, this year’s campaign is set to reach approximately 15 million closely targeted consumers. (more…)

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