Waitrose and Ca è Nero launch new partnership.

Waitrose and Caff è Nero launch new partnership

Waitrose and Caff è Nero have launched a new partnership to off er customer benefi ts, reward loyalty and give a greater selection of premium ‘coff ee at home’ products to purchase in store.

It comes as Waitrose announces the return of its free hot drink off er for myWaitrose members. Coff ees will now be made with Rainforest Alliance Certifi ed beans, using the coff ee roasting and blending expertise of the Nero Roasting Company. The drinks on off er will include americanos, lattes and cappuccinos, and there will be tea available, too.

The hot drink off er launched from 7 November, and is available across all 331 of Waitrose core stores, with myWaitrose members able to claim one drink every day when they complete a purchase at Waitrose. In addition, Waitrose will stock a full selection of Caff è Nero’s ‘coff ee at home’ retail products - including capsules, ground coff ee and whole bean coff ee - with exclusive discounts for myWaitrose members.

The new partnership is one of the biggest of its kind between a supermarket and coff ee shop brand. Further benefi ts will be announced for customers, which will be redeemable at Waitrose branches and more than 650 Caff è Nero stores across the UK. Between 7 and 30 November, myWaitrose members will also get 20% off Caff è Nero’s ‘Coff ee at Home’ products in store and on Waitrose. com, which will be automatically applied when customers scan their myWaitrose card.

Charlotte Di Cello, commercial director for Waitrose explained: “Our customers loved the myWaitrose free coff ee off er, so we’re really excited to bring it back, with premium beans from The Nero Roasting Company. The partnership is an ideal fi t, helping customers enjoy quality coff ee both in store or at home - with even more benefi ts in the pipeline.”

Will Stratton-Morris, CEO for Caff è Nero UK, added: “We are really pleased to be partnering with Waitrose. Both brands are built on off ering high quality premium products to customers with great service. It feels like a natural collaboration, and we’re delighted to be able to bring our roasting and blending technical expertise of the Nero Roasting Company to Waitrose as well as off er Caff è Nero’s “coff ee at home” retail products to Waitrose customers. There are huge possibilities with this partnership and it’s exciting to see where it can go.”

Originally launched in 2013, the free hot drink off er was temporarily paused during the pandemic. Following a successful trial this summer though, myWaitrose members can now claim one free drink every day when making a purchase in store.

PROPER Snacks launch HFSS-compliant crisps

PROPER Snacks says that it is continuing to challenge the snacking sector with the launch of a new HFSS-compliant range of lightly ridged potato crisps.

The healthier potato crisps contain 30% less fat and salt than leading ridged potato crisps, claim the company, and have the added benefi t of being a source of fi bre, thanks to the addition of pea fi bre and protein. In line with the rest of the PROPER snacks portfolio, the PROPERCRISPS range is also vegan, gluten-free and free from palm oil.

PROPERCRISPS is putting its own vegan spin on three classic crisp fl avours by launching Thai Chilli, Cheese and Onion and Flame Grilled Steak in stores nationwide. The lightly fried, ridged potato crisps off er a satisfying and crunchy snack, with less grease and guilt, they feel.

The latest innovation also marks an ambitious move for the brand, as it accelerates its growth to extend beyond popcorn and lentil chips and sets sights on the potato crisps category, the innovation solidifying PROPER Snacks in the better-for-you space, with 50% of its total snack portfolio now confi rmed to be HFSS-compliant.

Founder, Cassandra Stavrou commented: “First it was popcorn, then it was lentil chips. Now we’re ready to take on the snacking category with our newest range – PROPERCRISPS.

“Healthier snacking is showing no signs of slowing down. We’re proud to off er a healthier twist on the traditional potato crisp. We’ve chosen three cult fl avours we know snackers love and have found a unique way to increase fi bre whilst reducing fat and salt.

“Since our inception, we have always prided ourselves on off ering betterfor-you snacks that never compromise on taste. The launch of PROPERCRISPS responds to an unwavering demand for potato crisps that are satisfying, tasty and guilt-free. Our own comprehensive research has shown that consumer demand is still not being met with the current off ering. So, it’s time for us to bring our proven, healthier snacking formula, into the crisps sector.”

PROPERCRISPS have launched in ASDA, Ocado, Boots and Amazon (sharing packs have an RRP £2.00/100g, single packs an RRP £0.95/30g).

Urban Eat offers some festive editions and taps into ‘breakfast and beyond’

Urban Eat has announced that it is activating a bold refresh campaign this autumn to promote its wider and improved range.

Available now, the move is designed to broaden the times of day consumers on the go access the brand to include breakfast, and any other moment hunger strikes, say the company.

The relaunch follows Urban Eat actively listening to its trade customers on what they need to sell more, with packaging improvements made to elevate its appeal, and increase the range’s ‘shoppability’ at the fixture, they report.

The refresh includes updated recipes and fillings across the portfolio, new flavours, bigger eats, salads and pasta pots, and a wider breakfast offering, extending Urban Eat’s consumption occasions outside its lunchtime stronghold. The packaging is also now 100% recyclable, with a bigger window and improvements to the design to help with merchandising and make it easier to shop.

Wayne Greensmith, head of customer marketing at Fresh Food For Now Company, owner of the Urban Eat brand, commented: “Our customers spoke, and we listened. Everything we have improved comes directly from their feedback, and we are set to drive footfall and loyalty with the changes we have made. The refresh also comes following our 2021 brand relaunch; since then, we have kept up momentum, continuously making improvements to recipes, range and packaging. This is a demonstration of our commitment to working closely with our valued customers, into 2023 and beyond. We’ve got a lot more planned, so watch this space!”

The brand is also bringing the festive cheer this Christmas with three limited edition seasonal SKUs, available in out of home and convenience from now until 30 December 2022. The range features classic Turkey Feast and indulgent Brie & Cranberry, and a Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry panini, with the latter designed to be enjoyed hot.

The Turkey Feast sandwich is a tasty combination of turkey breast and sage and onion stuffing in malted bread, while the panini offers three classic flavours of Christmas in each toasty bite. The Brie & Cranberry sandwich – creamy Brie, tart cranberry sauce and nutritious spinach in malted bread – will help food to go outlets and retailers tap into growing demand for seasonal vegetarian options, feel the brand, and the limited editions will be supported by at-fixture POS, store posters and social media activity.

“Our Christmas sandwiches always prove a huge hit, and the 2022 range is set to carry on the tradition. We’ve designed a winning combo that will help food to go outlets meet a range of customer needs – a classic turkey Christmas dinner favourite in both a sandwich and hot panini format, and an equally festive and tasty vegetarian option with delicious soft Brie and tart Cranberry sauce,” said Abigail Nelson-Ehoff, brand manager, Urban Eat.

“As Brits settle into the new normal and people either return to their offices fulltime or flexi work, we’re seeing sales in food to go continuing to grow. We expect this to increase over the Christmas period as people treat themselves to festive lunches and snacks, and our Urban Eat seasonal range is the perfect choice to meet that demand.”