NPD and Media

JTI EXPANDS NORDIC SPIRIT RANGE

The brand is introducing a new Spearmint flavour alongside an Extra-Strong strength for its existing Bergamot Wildberry variant.

Nicotine pouch brand Nordic Spirit is expanding its portfolio with the launch of a new flavour, Spearmint, and a new Extra-Strong nicotine strength for Bergamot Wildberry.

The new launches (RSP £6.50) are available in an extra-strong strength to reflect the growing demand for stronger variants in the nicotine pouch category. The brand says strong and extra-strong now make up 72.6% of nicotine pouch sales and extra-strong is the fastest growing strength, so the latest variants will help retailers provide a range of options for customers seeking a stronger nicotine experience.

In addition, mint flavours already account for 77.6% of the nicotine pouch category and the new addition enables retailers to offer their customers a sweeter tasting alternative to the classic mint variant.

Meanwhile, Bergamot Wildberry makes up 63.8% of all nicotine pouch fruit flavour sales. The brand says the new strength caters to growing customer appetite for fruit flavours and adds another strength to Nordic Spirit’s portfolio, so retailers can benefit from this rapidly growing category.

Mark McGuiness, Head of Marketing at JTI UK, said: “The Nordic Spirit brand has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2019, with its range of nicotine pouches pivotal in driving category growth. We strive to innovate and meet evolving customer demand and the new launches do just that – helping retailers take advantage of the increasing market for stronger variants.

“Retailers can now stock a full range of Nordic Spirit flavours to ensure that every customer’s taste is catered for, whether they prefer menthol flavours such as Mint and Spearmint or fruit flavours like Elderflower and Bergamot Wildberry. With Regular, Strong or Extra-Strong strengths available across these flavours, retailers can offer something for everyone.”

Nordic Spirit Bergamot Wildberry Extra-Strong and Spearmint Extra-Strong will be running at 20% POR, with the potential for wholesale deals in the future.

TANGO INTRODUCES BERRY PEACHY

The new variant is the first edition of the brand’s sugar-free rotational flavour series Tango Editions.

Britvic is launching Tango Editions, a sugar-free, rotational flavour series aiming to drive excitement for retailers and shoppers.

Tango Editions combines “bold flavours, bold liquids and bold pack designs” aimed at standing out on shelf and in the chiller.

The first edition ‘Berry Peachy’ is a peach and raspberry-flavoured drink. The new flavour is available in a variety of formats to help cater to the many shopper missions currently driving sales in the channel. Multipacks and 2L bottles are ideal for sharing occasions, while 500ml bottles and 330ml cans will suit shoppers who are seeking refreshment while on-the-go.

Phil Sanders, out-of-home Commercial Director at Britvic, said: “We know that convenience shoppers are constantly looking for something new to try, particularly in the fruit carbs category. This is exactly why we have developed the Tango Editions range – to disrupt consumers through the introduction of a rotational flavour series which combines bold tastes, bold liquids and bold pack designs.

“Introducing no sugar products without compromising on taste is exactly what shoppers have come to expect, with nine out of 10 saying that flavour and taste are important considerations when choosing a soft drink, and seven out of 10 saying that sugar content or lack thereof is important. Sugar free carbonates are the most sought out option (54%) when it comes to on-the-go soft drinks, so the single 330ml cans and 500ml bottles will be ideal options for driving this occasion.”

Tango Editions Berry Peachy Sugar Free will be supported through digital and social communications, and in-store activation across retailers in out-of-home, convenience and wholesale.

BATCHELORS OFFERS RETAILERS CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES

The giveaway marks the brands partnership with Pokémon.

Batchelors is giving convenience retailers the chance to win a range of prizes to celebrate its partnership with Pokémon.

The partnership, which launched in stores nationwide at the end of January, is offering prizes through an on-pack promotion and campaign. The promo sees Pokémon characters feature across packaging for Batchelors Super Noodles and Pasta ‘n’ Sauce ranges.

One retailer will win a Nintendo Switch Console along with a copy of Pokémon Legends: Arceus game and Batchelors stock, while a further 10 winners will receive a prize bundle containing a Batchelors-branded FSDU and stock from the core Batchelors line-up to fill it, including bestselling products from the Super Noodles and Pasta ‘n’ Sauce ranges.

Retailers wishing to enter the competition, which runs until 7 March, need to visit Premier Foods’ dedicated convenience website.

Courtney Lewis, Customer Director for Independent Convenience & Wholesale at Premier Foods, said: “We have been amazed by the incredibly positive reaction to our new partnership with Pokémon across the convenience and wholesale channel, and are delighted to be able to invite retailers to get involved. It’s our way of thanking them for all their hard work and support over the years, giving them the chance to win fantastic prizes to help generate sales.”

● Promotional packs are available until the end of March.

MOLSON COORS LAUNCHES MADRÍ EXCEPCIONAL IN OFF-TRADE

Launch will be supported by a multi-million-pound investment to drive momentum.

Molson Coors Beverage Company is launching Madrí Excepcional in the off-trade to help retailers capitalise on the fast-growing world lager category.

The rollout will build on the European-style lager’s success since launching in the UK on-trade in October 2020, where it has already broken into the top-10 best-selling draught world lagers, and currently has the third-highest rate of sale per outlet in the category.

The launch will be supported by a multi-million-pound investment to drive momentum behind the brand, including TV, video-on-demand, outof-home and digital activity, as well as several high-profile partnerships and activations.

Ryan Mclaughlin, Marketing Controller for Premium Beers, Western Europe at Molson Coors, said: “The World Lager category continues to go from strength to strength and Madri Excepcional’s crisp, which we already know from our on-trade success appeals to consumers.

“It has enjoyed a strong start in the on-trade after 12 months and is now available in over 6,000 pubs and bars across the UK, with one of the highest rates of sale in the lager category. We’re confident it will help retailers drive sales in the off-trade too, and we will be throwing our weight behind the brand with a comprehensive multi-channel marketing programme to put it front of mind for consumers.”

Madrí Excepcional is a collaboration between Molson Coors and Madrid’s La Sagra Brewery. It aims to capture The ‘Soul of Madrid’ and has all the taste characteristics of a modern European-style lager. The crisp, clean and refreshing beverage is full of flavour and aroma at 4.6% ABV, serving a refreshing, balanced taste born from the streets of modern Madrid.

HEINEKEN UNVEILS STRONGBOW ULTRA DARK FRUIT

Backed by a £12m marketing campaign the launch will cover digital, television ads, and impactful point-of-sale to drive sales in stores.

Heineken UK has launched Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit, a 4% ABV fruity cider at 95 kcals per slimline can, which is available in grocery and convenience stores from 1 March.

Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit is a light cider with natural berry flavourings and the familiar Dark Fruit colour. It is targeted at 18 to 40-year-old men and women and ranked in the top 10% of all alcohol concepts tested among its target audience.

Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit is rolling out in single 330ml cans and packs of four and 10. It will be backed by a £12m marketing campaign covering digital, television ads, and impactful point-of-sale to drive sales in stores, as well as a 500,000 mini sampling can campaign.

Heineken UK Cider Brand Director, Rachel Holms, said: “Consumers, especially generation Y and Z, want to see alcoholic drinks that fit with their desire to lead more balanced lifestyles. However, the category falls behind other FMCG segments such as desserts and snacking with limited lower calorie options, leaving a big gap in the market.

“Ultra is a refreshing, thirst-quenching cider sold in 330ml sleek cans at 30% fewer calories ml for ml compared with Strongbow Dark Fruit and taps into the lucrative on-the-go and impulse occasions, providing a big sales opportunity for stockists UK-wide.”

Holms added: “With 59% of consumers looking for lighter choices when shopping and 60% of Brits saying taste is the most important factor when buying a drink, there is a clear gap in the market for a lower calorie, flavourful cider, which Ultra fills.”

MOO FREE EXTENDS EASTER RANGE

New range is presented in sustainable packaging and made from recycled materials which is fully recyclable.

Moo Free, the free-from, vegan chocolate specialist, has expanded its Easter collection with the launch of two new products for the convenience channel.

The brand has created its very first all-white hollow Easter Egg. The White Bunnycomb Crunch Easter Egg (185g) comes with a white bunnycomb crunch bar, which is coated in white chocolate using Rainforest Alliance cocoa. The egg has an RSP of £5.99.

In addition, the brand has also launched Moofreesas Organic Easter Egg (185g), which includes a hollow chocolate Easter Egg and a bag of the newly launched Moofreesas malt balls. Both the Easter Egg and Moofreesas are made using single-origin organic cocoa from the Dominican Republic and are free from dairy, gluten, soya, and palm oil.Each Easter egg is presented in sustainable packaging, made from recycled materials, which is fully recyclable.

The new additions are available from Hancocks, Harrisons, Green City Wholefoods, Holleys Fine Foods, House of Sarunds, Suma Wholefoods, and The Health Store.

Andrea Jessop, Moo Free Chief Executive, said: “Easter can be a frustrating time of year if you suffer with allergies or follow a plant-based diet. We have set to change that frustration. Without compromising on taste or product quality we sourced the highest-quality cocoa to create our chocolate and crafted a range of eleven products that will bring excitement to everyone’s Easter.”

The additional Easter products increase the Moo Free Easter offering to 11 free-from and vegan options.

ROCKSTAR MAKES BESTSELLERS HFSS COMPLIANT

Disruptive out-of-home advertising and social media campaign will accompany rand in June.

Rockstar is reducing the sugar content across its core range of energy drinks, making its six bestsellers HFSS compliant.

The updated Rockstar core range – with less than 4.5g of sugar per 100ml – will start rolling out from mid-March in both plain and price-marked packs, with a disruptive out-of-home advertising and social campaign for the brand following in June.

The flavours available include Original, Punched Tropical Guava, XDurance Blueberry Pomegranate Acai, Juiced El Mango, Juiced Tropical Punch, Juiced Tropical Orange Passion Fruit – alongside Original No Sugar and Punched Sour Bubbleburst, which already fall under the HFSS restrictions.

Phil Sanders, out-of-home Commercial Director at Britvic, said: “When it comes to energy drinks, 44% of non-buyers state the reason they don’t buy into the category is that they contain too much sugar. Through this move, we are aiming to encourage continued growth within the category by energising those health-conscious consumers and meeting even more energy needs.

“We want to show our support for convenience retailers of all store sizes by directly responding to the needs of their shoppers who can now enjoy lower-sugar versions of the drinks they know and love, without having to compromise on taste.

In fact, maintaining the great Rockstar taste has been our priority in formulating these new liquids, with research showing that nine out of 10 shoppers say taste is the important consideration when buying a soft drink. Rockstar’s 500ml formats are also well-placed to tap into retailers’ optimism around the return of food and drink-to-go, with a third of retailers expecting sales to grow beyond their 2019 levels in 2022.

GOLDEN WONDER MARKS 75 YEARS WITH THE RETURN OF FAN FAVOURITES

Three heritage packs also feature an on-pack competition to win one of 75 experience vouchers.

Golden Wonder is celebrating its 75th birthday by bringing back Beef & Onion and Chip Shop Curry flavours in classic 1970s packs.

This follows a vote to discover consumers’ alltime favourite Golden Wonder varieties.

The brand’s flagship Cheese & Onion flavour will also receive an old-school makeover.

All three heritage packs also feature an on-pack competition to win one of 75 experience vouchers. As part of the promotion, every entrant will receive 10% off at experiencedays.co.uk

Matt Smith, Golden Wonder’s Marketing Director, said: “On our 75th birthday, we wanted our devoted consumers to be part of the celebration by giving them just what they want – their favourite flavours in packs that bring back wonderful memories – as well as offering them the opportunity to create some new memories.”

The on-pack promotion is also running across Golden Wonder’s recently launched £1 crisps range.Promotional packs are available now and the campaign is being pushed across social, digital and trade channels throughout 2022.

Golden Wonder is advising retailers to stock up now, so they don’t miss out on the party.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

UNFILTERED STELLA

Stella Artois has rolled out anunfiltered lager supported by amedia campaign beginning inMay. Initially an Asda exclusive,it rolls out in convenience stores from April. It comes in 660ml bottles,12 x 330ml bottles and 6 x330ml cans with an ABV of 5%..

CARAMILK HIT

Cadbury is rolling out a Caramilk line of chocolate buttons, following the Caramilk bar’s popularity last year, when it became one of the company’s best-selling new products. Available from April, the buttons will come in bags of 105g and 90g, with RSPs of £1.99 and £1.49 respectively.

CRISPY DEAL

Walkers and Doritos are offering shoppers 12 holiday vouchers given away daily until 23 May, as part of an initiative organised with Easyjet. The competitions consist of a star prize of a £2,000 holiday voucher and 11 worth £500. The brands will also launch a joint media promotion.

FRUITY WATER

Bottled water brand Volvic has expanded its Touch of Fruit Sugar Free range with a new Peach & Raspberry flavour. The new line is available in a 1.5L bottle, exclusively in Asda in until March, and then rolled out to other large supermarkets and convenience stores.

FLEXI LATTE

Kenco is rolling out its latest range of Iced/Hot Lattes. The line allows consumers to enjoy a latte either hot or cold in two different flavours, salted caramel and vanilla. The product aims to help retailers maximise sales all year round by tapping into the category driver of personalisation.

MARMITE LOVE

Unilever-owned snack brand Graze has launched a new 28g punnet of its Marmite-flavoured Crunch sharing bag, for shoppers looking for a healthy, on-the-go option. The vegan snack is available to convenience retailers now with a recommended selling price of £1.20.