PRODUCTS New trio from Funkin Cocktails

Jasper Hart

FUNKIN Cocktails has added three new serves to its ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail range.

Aperitivo Spritz and Nitro Lime Margarita will be available to wholesalers in the coming weeks, having launched in Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

Both have a 5% ABV.

Aperitivo Spritz is available in a 250ml can with an RRP of £2.10, while Nitro Lime Margarita is available in a 200ml can with an RRP of £2.10 and a 700ml Bartender Edition bottle (10% ABV) with an RRP of £9.50.

Funkin is also launching Nitro Berry Woo Woo in

Morrisons on 8 May, with no current plans for wholesale availability.

Nitro Lime Margarita and Nitro Berry Woo Woo are made with Funkin’s Nitro format, which infuses them with nitrogen to deliver a bar-quality pour experience.

The supplier is hoping to capitalise on increasing cocktail consumption in summer. Its RTD range saw sales increase by 20% last year, hitting £21.2m.

“With lighter evenings already in full swing and Bank Holiday season just around the corner, refreshing cocktails are going to be front of mind for shoppers, so our new additions are a great opportunity to help

Raspberry Ripple from Brothers Cider

BROTHERS Cider has announced the launch of a Raspberry Ripple variety, continuing its tradition of launching a “weird and wonderful” cider �lavour each year.

The new variety is a combination of raspberry and vanilla. It is launching this spring in 500ml and 330ml single glass bottles, as well as 6x330ml and 10x330ml multipack can formats. RRPs are aligned with the supplier’s other varieties.

According to Kantar data, Brothers is the only fruit cider brand in growth, increasing in value by 3.3% and volume by 9.6%.

The supplier will support the launch with a market- ing campaign comprising in�luencer partnerships, social media and in-store and in-depot PoS. them expand their repertoire and drive additional sales in this hugely popular and fast-

Mars cookie launches go gluten-free

growing category,” said Ben Anderson, Funkin Cocktails marketing director. MARS Chocolate Drinks & Treats (MCD&T) has launched two gluten-free cookies under its Galaxy and Twix brands.

The two varieties are initially launching in Sainsbury’s ahead of wider convenience and retail distribution in “the coming months”, the supplier said. They are available in packs of four, each at an RRP of £2.89.

The cookies market is currently worth £148m and is growing in value by 4% annually. Free-from cookies contribute more than £12m to the category and have grown in volume

Lindt Lindor sticks launched in PMPs

LINDT has launched 95p priced-marked pack (PMP) versions of its Milk and Salted Caramel Lindor chocolate sticks.

They are available to independent retailers from Nisa, AF Blakemore, Appleby Westward, Parfetts, United Wholesale, United Grocers, Bestway Wholesale, Dhamecha and Hancocks.

Supplier Lindt & Sprüngli says the launch was in�luenced by trading conditions, with snacks one of the top �ive categories bought in PMPs, according to Lumina Intelligence. Additionally, 63% of shoppers believe PMPs suggest they are not being overcharged.

Imperial updates Embassy Signature

IMPERIAL Tobacco has launched an updated Embassy Signature Silver Edition, available for a limited time. The variety contains reduced smoke smell paper, which limits lingering smoke odour on hands and clothes after smoking, as well as a new shaped �ilter which the supplier says provides adult smokers with an enhanced experience. Its pack has been designed with a resealable foil feature to fully protect and secure the cigarettes’ freshness. Its trade outer features a modern design with a luxury printed sleeve to further promote the brand’s premium positioning.

Embassy Signature Silver Edition has an RRP of £11.60 for a pack of 20s.

A Lindt & Sprüngli spokesperson said: “We endeavour to assess the market and innovate where demand lies and found that PMPs, although well established, are one of the most successful promotional techniques which represent good value for money.”

Cadbury launches sauce format

MONDELEZ International has launched a Cadbury Topping Sauce to accompany dessert occasions.

The supplier says the sauce is ideal for drizzling over desserts, ice creams and pancakes. It is available in a 950g recyclable bottle at an RRP of £6.99. Each bottle typically contains at least 60 servings.

The sauce is also vegetarian and can be stored at an ambient temperature.

Its launch comes as dessert bars are increasingly popular in stores, according to the supplier. Desserts are also a growing trend in line with consumer demands for special treats.

Lorena Moyano, brand manager for Cadbury in the away-from-home channel at Mondelez, said: “This is a truly incremental opportunity for retailers to encourage shoppers to trade up and add more special treats to their baskets.” by more than 6% in the past two years.

There is a further opportunity for brands in the segment, as they represent 69% of conventional cookie value sales, but just 30% of gluten-free cookie sales.

JJ Whitley launches Lemon Citron vodka

HALEWOOD Artisanal Spirits has added a Lemon Citron variety to its JJ Whitley vodka range. The new �lavour is available now in a 70cl bottle with an RRP of £17. It has also launched in JJ Whitley’s updated glass bottles manufactured by Yorkshire-based Beatson Clark. Beatson Clark uses a closed-loop recycling system, which processes postconsumer glass and uses it in the production of new bottles, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing.

Rachel Adams, global marketing manager at Halewood, said: “We know citrus �lavours rank highly among consumer preference within the spirits category, and lemon �lavours work particularly well with our smooth JJ Whitley vodka, so we’re con�ident that this will be popular choice as we approach the spring months.”

Buzz Sweets expands northwest

BUZZ Sweets has announced its successful expansion into Manchester, Liverpool and their surrounding areas. According to Philon Parpottas, the supplier’s CEO, it has acquired more than 200 new customers in the area in the past 12 months.

Having started its business in London and the home counties, Buzz now supplies more than 8,000 customers in those regions. Its distribution also covers south Wales, Portsmouth, Southampton, Brighton, Bournemouth and Bristol. Buzz offers a range of bagged sweets, nuts and savoury snacks, as well as fully stocked display stands.

Its products also cater to a range of dietary restrictions, including halal, dairy-free, gelatine-free and gluten-free.