Jack Daniel’s and Coca-ColaTM announced the launch of their ready-to-drink (RTD) range in Great Britain in March 2023. Made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-ColaTM, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD is inspired by the classic ‘bar call’ serve known and enjoyed around the world.

The existing Jack Daniel’s & Cola RTD is already the No.1 pre-mixed variant (SKU) in GB, worth £38.3m RSV and enjoying value and volume growth . This partnership offers the potential for even more growth – consumer testing has revealed that shoppers are more likely to pick up the new co-branded Coca-Cola and Jack Daniel’s variants than the existing products.

The range is available in Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar variants. We’re seeing the demand for zero sugar options play out across our soft drinks portfolio – Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is currently the fastest-growing major cola brand in GB – but the distribution/sales of zero sugar premix options in GB are currently in their infancy , so there’s a big opportunity for retailers to respond to consumer demand by offering choice.

We’ve invested in activity to engage shoppers around the launch. ‘Born Ready’ - a consumer marketing campaign – launched in May. The campaign champions a drink mix which dates back more than a century and is now more readily available than ever in a can format. The campaign will target both reappraisal from existing or lapsed consumers and trial amongst potential new consumers via sampling campaign. It will include out-of-home advertising around travel and retail locations including our iconic Piccadilly sign in London, online / social media advertising as well as brand PR and influencer activity.

Madrí Excepcional is an original collaboration between Molson Coors Beverage Company and La Sagra Brewery, which is based close to Madrid, bringing together the best of British brewing heritage and the Soul of Madrid to create a unique modern-style European lager for British drinkers.

Madrí Excepcional has taken the UK off-trade by storm, with retail sales worth £75.6m and becoming the sixth largest world beer in the country in its first year of trading .

It has all the taste characteristics of a modern European-style lager. The crisp, clean and refreshing lager is full of flavour and aroma at 4.6% ABV, with a light golden colour and a smooth, well-rounded taste profile with a short bitter finish.

It launched in pubs and bars in the UK and Ireland in October 2020. Its success was instant, quickly becoming the most successful launch in hospitality, according to data from CGA, delivering the highest value sales of any alcohol brand in its first year since launch.

To build on this success, Madrí Excepcional was launched in independent stores in April 2022.

We’ve generated momentum behind Madrí Excepcional’s convenience launch with a multimillion-pound investment in an above the line advertising campaign ‘El Alma De Madrid’ across the summer of 2022, including TV, video-on-demand, out-of-home and digital activity.

We supported this with several high-profile events and venue takeovers to increase the brand’s visibility, including The Botanist in Cardiff city centre and London’s iconic street food venue Vinegar Yard.

We’ve also been helping independent retailers and wholesalers generate a buzz in their stores with through-the-line activity. This included in-store and in-depot takeovers with major customers, eye-catching point-of-sale materials and sampling activity to drive more trials of the brand and increase the brand’s presence in stores.

The buzz around the brand has generated organic media coverage in leading titles such as the Sunday Times, LadBible, Time Out and Manchester Evening News focussing specifically on the popularity of Madrí Excepcional.

All this demonstrates the success of the brand’s launch in convenience and its growth trajectory shows no sign of slowing.

Smirnoff, the world’s number one vodka brand[1], introduced Smirnoff Cherry Drop (37.5% ABV) to the convenience channel in February 2023.

Available in 70cl bottles at an RRP of £16.50, the latest innovation aims to help retailers tap into the growing flavoured vodka segment by offering shoppers the intense flavour of sweet, sun-ripe red cherries with the deliciously infamous vodka that shoppers all know and love.

Smirnoff Cherry Drop has a bright, red, vibrant bottle that stands out on shelves, and sits perfectly alongside the brand’s esteemed portfolio of vodka flavours, which have had hugely successful launches in recent years, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit Twist and Smirnoff Berry Burst.

With the flavoured vodka segment currently the fastest growing within spirits[2] and cherry a top 10 flavour profile amongst consumers[3], it’s no surprise that Smirnoff Cherry Drop has performed well since its initial launch, is well-placed to help retailers generate excitement for their shoppers, particularly as we head into the summer months.

Mark Jarman, Head of Smirnoff GB comments: “The launch of Smirnoff Cherry Drop has been hotly anticipated by all of us at Diageo and it is great to be able to bring it to market. We know that cherry is a trending flavour and the popularity of vodka is only increasing, so this launch further establishes Smirnoff’s position as a leader in the category and taps into key trends.

“A liquid that lends itself perfectly to spending quality time with friends, once again, the brand has created a high-quality and unique flavoured vodka to get shoppers excited about. Smirnoff Cherry Drop is a strong addition to the Smirnoff portfolio, complementing the range perfectly when placed alongside the existing flavours on the shelf.”

Smirnoff, the number one selling spirit in GB[1], helped retailers to tap into shoppers’ needs for convenient and high quality ready-to-drink formats through the launch of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush and Lemonade premix can (4.5% ABV).

The new 250ml format launched nationwide in April 2022, in both single slimline cans and price-marked packs, to broaden Smirnoff's already-popular flavoured vodka and RTD portfolio.

This RTD innovation followed the huge success of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, which invigorated the vodka category with its bold, juicy raspberry flavour profile. In fact, it was the best-selling flavoured vodka in the off-trade in the 6 month period leading up to the RTD launch[2].

The innovation set out to give shoppers more ways to enjoy the spirit, as well as recruit new drinkers to the category at a time when flavoured vodka has experienced huge growth – the fastest growing sub-category in spirits at +51.9%[3]. The alcopops and pre-mix sub-categories are no different, with the two combined accounting for 90% of all RTD sales in convenience with the latter growing +15%[4]. Smirnoff Raspberry Crush and Lemonade premix RTD has been perfectly placed to capitalise on these growing trends.

The latest product launch places the brand at the forefront of emerging trends and allows retailers to tap into a range of different occasions by offering their shoppers the high-quality, vibrant Smirnoff Raspberry Crush liquid in a convenient, on-the-go format mixed with lemonade

Thatchers Blood Orange Cider has been the cider success story of the year. Made by family cider maker Thatchers, at Myrtle Farm in Somerset, Thatchers Blood Orange, 4% abv, is crafted with naturally sweet, juicy dessert apples, selected for their sweetness, aroma and quality.

Bursting with natural blood orange flavour, this is a vibrant, sparkling cider, and is a fantastic example of how an exciting, premium cider has had an impact nationally in the market, attracting more shoppers than any other innovation within the beer wine and spirits category in 2022, making it the most successful BWS launch of the year 1.

It has leapt into the top 4 fruit ciders in the UK, and as the biggest new cider launch of 2022 has added more value to the category than all other new cider launches combined.2

As shoppers are getting more adventurous, looking for excitement and innovation alongside knowing they are purchasing a great quality cider, Blood Orange has caught the consumers’ imagination, tapping into the biggest flavour trend for this year, helping reinvigorate the cider category.

With 95% of 18–39-year-old cider drinkers excited about new flavours in fruit3, Thatchers Blood Orange has brought something new and accessible, appealing to a new generation.

Launched in a 4x440ml can (RRP £5.50), and 500ml bottle (RRP £2.30) and with listings in all the trading channels in the UK, Blood Orange has quickly become a runaway success.

From April to August, a new advert was seen reaching a huge 15 million impressions across the summer, together with a further 7 million impressions by showcasing it on the big screen.

The core 18-34 target audience are always out and about, on their phones, so YouTube, social channels and websites drove awareness and interaction.

Over 4 million impacts were gained with large high impact billboards in high footfall areas across the UK.

Sampling over ½ million consumers through a variety of events, sports, and subscription boxes.

In stores Thatchers aimed to drive awareness with its stand out Blood Orange FSDUs, aisle fins and shelf barkers.

Thatchers strategy was to turn up the volume, ensuring Blood Orange Cider was the drink of the summer!

In May 2022, CCEP and Costa Coffee launched a new 250ml RTD Frappe range, featuring two popular flavours from Costa’s coffee shop business – Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Caramel Swirl. Crafted by combining Costa Coffee’s slow-roasted, smooth and nutty Signature Blend coffee espresso with fresh milk, the fudge chocolate brownie flavour or caramel swirl flavour is then added to finish off a great iced coffee taste experience.

We had identified significant growth potential in the ‘low intensity’ RTD chilled coffee sub-segment , which attractive to younger adults . The Costa Coffee RTD Frappé range is thicker and more indulgent than the existing Costa Coffee RTD line-up, with a low caffeine intensity, catering to this demand.

Even though they’re designed for treating, the RTD Frappés from Costa Coffee contain less sugar than many of the other brands on the market, meaning that they still comply with HFSS regulations.

The range benefitted from significant investment when we launched the Costa Coffee RTD range’s biggest nationwide summer marketing campaign under a global activation platform of “Summer is a state of mind”. It included out-of-home, social media advertising, as well as influencer activity, as well as a summer sampling campaign, visiting 10 different cities and major events including Brighton Pride, CarFest and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

All of this has resulted in a strong performance in retail – the Costa Coffee RTD Frappé range achieved £3.25 value sales within a year of launching . This has contributed to the ongoing growth of Costa Coffee’s wider RTD range, which is outperforming the segment by some margin, up 60.7% in value and up 47.8% in volume .

Rustlers is appealing to the growing number of cost-conscious consumers seeking hot lunchtime options with the launch of its Marinara Meatball Sub. With the increasing cost of living, the rise of the ‘fake away’ trend (recreating takeaway favourites at home) is set to continue as consumers seek credible grocery alternatives instead of eating out. With an RRP of £2.30, the product taps into this opportunity, allowing retailers to offer a much-loved QSR favourite at a great price as shoppers continue to curb spend.

While the top foods consumed at lunch remain sandwiches, soup and toast-based meals, more filling and flavour packed lunches such as Italian food (+13%) are seeing the fastest growth. By combining these trends, Rustlers has developed a product that delivers for retailers and consumers.

The product is widely available in cases of four, including from Co-Op, Booker, Nisa, Bestway and Parfetts. Having launched exclusively to the convenience channel in March before rolling out to grocery the following month.

Due to the product being in the market less than 12 weeks when this award was entered, robust sales data is not yet available. However, to support the launch the brand partnered with independent retailers to trial the new product. The results of these trials indicate promise for the product in the convenience channel:

Imtiyaz Mamode of Premier Wych Lane in Gosport, Hampshire, already offered a wide range of Rustlers products, but still saw brand sales increase by 12%. He said: “Every new product takes time for customers to know about it, but it’s earning its space on shelf. Sales have gone up across the range and we think sales will only continue to grow as more shoppers become aware of the new product.”

Natalie Lightfoot of Londis Solo Convenience, Glasgow, doubled the number of Rustlers facings and increased sales by 150%, with the new Marinara Meatball Sub Sandwich becoming her bestselling Rustlers product within the trial period. She said: “We’re really happy with the sales. We found the range sold particularly well through our Snappy Shopper delivery service.”

The Marinara Meatball Sub joins the brand’s existing Southern Fried Chicken Sub - worth £1.6 million and in 39% YoY growth in the convenience channel, further highlighting the potential for this new product.

NOTE – No Marketing Spend: The launch of the Marinara Meatball Sub coincided with the brands return to national TV with its ‘Better Than You Think’ marketing campaign. While the product would have benefitted from the brand exposure and therefore may have seen a positive impact on sales as a result of this activity, to date, there has been no dedicated communication to consumers to support the launch of this product.

Here at Bonds, we celebrate the excitement of feeling like a child in a sweet shop and want to create a wonderful world of wide-eyed wonder for confectionery connoisseurs. Established in 1895, our trusted British brand is the number 1 for sweetshop favourites. Within the total sweets category, we have delivered the strongest growth within Independent stores and Symbols Groups, growing by +52.2%* in the latest MAT, highlighting the continuing success of the brand. Furthermore, we experienced 45% YOY volume growth across all channels in 2022, and our products are now stocked in over 22,000 stores nationwide.

Bonds constantly looks for ways to innovate, ensuring we keep up with the latest trends and stay ahead of like-minded competitors. Candy Cups reflect this, and are a key driver of Bonds’ growth, with over 2.8m cups sold in the last 52 weeks**. Each cup showcases a variety of sweets in a cup made from 30% recycled material which is kerbside recyclable. Retailers love the flexibility the cups offer, providing customers with perfectly pre-packed pick and mix that is easy to portion control and great for gifting or sharing.

The latest addition, Pirate Adventure, has an added story behind it. Bonds bi-annually partners with a charity to launch a new range of sweets. This year, our chosen charity is The Honeypot Children’s Charity, a young carers association who support children aged 5-12. Providing them with wrap-round support including respite breaks, Honeypot gives them a break from their taxing responsibilities at home and helps them to create happy childhood memories with likeminded peers. A 10p donation will be given to the charity per cup sold, and we are confident this new range of candy cups based around fantastical themes that delight the imagination will be a success.

Full of mallow cables, sour skulls, jelly sharks and gummy octopus, our aim with this range is to attract parents and children alike with a unique product concept that sparks imagination among children and adds an extra layer into the eating experience, whilst giving back to a charity in need. We have created flyers, bespoke POS and targeted marketing campaigns with Honeypot to support the launch of the product and help retailers to understand more about the partnership. Since their launch in February, we have sold over 24,000 cups across the total range, with Pirate Adventure cups contributing to 36% of those sales. You can currently find the cups in stores including Co Op, Nisa, CostCutter and Spar.

We are proud of this product launch, and the feedback we have received from the children at The Honeypot has been hugely positive. They were inspired by the products and wanted to dress up as their favourite cups theme- Lucy loved wearing her pirate costume whilst tucking into the sweets! For us, that is what the partnership is all about, so we are very pleased with the initial reception, and are confident it will continue to delight consumers around the country as products appear in more stores.

Here at Bonds, we celebrate the excitement of feeling like a child in a sweet shop and want to create a wonderful world of wide-eyed wonder for confectionery connoisseurs. Established in 1895, our trusted British brand is the number 1 for sweetshop favourites. Within the total sweets category, we have delivered the strongest growth within Independent stores and Symbols Groups, growing by +52.2%* in the latest MAT, highlighting the continuing success of the brand. Furthermore, we experienced 45% YOY volume growth across all channels in 2022, and our products are now stocked in over 22,000 stores nationwide.

Bonds constantly looks for ways to innovate, ensuring we keep up with the latest trends and stay ahead of like-minded competitors. Candy Cups reflect this, and are a key driver of Bonds’ growth, with over 2.8m cups sold in the last 52 weeks**. Each cup showcases a variety of sweets in a cup made from 30% recycled material which is kerbside recyclable. Retailers love the flexibility the cups offer, providing customers with perfectly pre-packed pick and mix that is easy to portion control and great for gifting or sharing.

With vegans and vegetarians set to make up a quarter of the British population in 2025**, Bonds recognised an opportunity to introduce a new Vegan Candy Cup to respond to consumers varying dietary types. Whilst there are existing vegan confectionery products in the market, what they lack is variety within the pack. Filled with flying saucers, fizzy cola bottles, sour dummies and funky fruit gummies, the vegan cup provides a point of difference by offering numerous tastes and textures all within one pack. Furthermore, the cup can be merchandised in multiple ways. Vegan alternatives normally sit at a higher price point, but our vegan cup has a £3.00 RRP*, no higher than any other candy cup within the range, appealing to both retailers and customers, who aren’t having to pay extra money due to a dietary choice.

Launched just in time for Veganuary 2023, the cup has already sold over 19,000 units and is widely available in convenience stores like Nisa and Bargain Booze. Furthermore, it was recently available in Co-op as part of their Spring range. Our customers have commented on the success of the cup, providing feedback around how innovative vegan confectionery is sought after by their customers so it is great that we have created a product to fill that gap. To support the launch, retailers received Vegan Cup posters and shelf talkers with every order to help promote the product and encourage purchase.

The Vegan Mix Cup has been a great addition to our ever-growing candy cups range and is one of the first vegan mix candy cups to launch in the UK, which is why we believe it is a strong contender for Product Launch of the Year.

Nutty Choc Balls, the ultimate plant-based chocolate indulgence, landed on supermarket shelves in July 2022. These vegan treats are unlike anything else on the market - having sold out three times so far since launch!

Nutty Choc Balls are sold in pairs and made using whole hazelnuts dipped in a smooth vegan hazelnut cream, coated in LoveRaw’s iconic plant-based chocolate and rolled in delicious, crunchy hazelnut pieces.

 Crucially, the Nutty Choc Balls are made using the best quality ingredients, with no compromise, meaning chocolate fiends can eat something that’s both naughty – and plant-based. It’s also free from palm oil and artificial ingredients.

To support the launch, we launched an integrated marketing campaign, including our first influencer event in Manchester, and a limited-edition product collaboration with Dappa Ice Cream to create the Nutty Choc Balls Sundae reaching over 2m+.

Since the initial popularity of the Nutty Choc Balls duo, we have since introduced a 9-box to market in February, which has been a sought-after gift throughout Easter and will be hitting retail later this year ahead of the festive period.

At LoveRaw, we’re using innovation to make the best-tasting plant-based chocolate that’s enjoyed by everyone. Whether you’re vegan, non-vegan or don’t care about the labels, the Nutty Choc Balls are taking the industry by storm, offering a sumptuous sensation that's just so good you ultimately won't believe it's plant-based.

Nutty Choc Balls are also available in major retailers and convenience stores.

Perfetti Van Melle UK launched the pioneering Mentos Paperboard Botte* in November 2022. As the first Boardio** paper bottle in the confectionery industry, it represents a significant step in the right direction towards Perfetti Van Melle’s wider sustainability goals – this innovation alone will reduce the plastic in Mentos Gum packaging by 93% . Perfetti Van Melle is continuously innovating, leading the category, and to be the first in the confectionery industry to have a paper bottle is a step which we are extremely proud of.

The new Mentos Gum Paper Bottle contains the same great taste gum which customers know and love, but now they have a more sustainable way to say Yes To Fresh! The Paperboard Bottle for Mentos Pure Fresh Gum contains 90% paperboard which makes the package sturdy. Minimised layers of polyethylene (PE) are used to provide tight and safe seals and provide the required shelf life and thereby reduce product waste and hence the overall CO2/GHG impact. We are also proud to have created a product that is both OPRL and FSC accredited, helping consumers to recycle better, and more often.

The Paperboard Bottle package is different to the traditionally used packaging types for many food consumer goods products. Whilst most chewing gum is typically packaged using foil, and in plastic packaging, the outer paperboard’s look and feel conveys the sustainability benefits to consumers, and the technology provides possibilities for unique shapes. Its full paperboard outer means the packages can be fully printed on all sides – hence a 360 branding is available for communication to the consumer. The new bottle made with paper exclusively launched in stores in c600 Co-op food stores and is available in Asda, Morrisons, Boots, BP, Amazon and Co-Op, across the full Mentos Pure Fresh flavour range of Cherry, Tropical, Spearmint, Fresh Mint and Bubblefresh.

The launch of Mentos Paperboard Bottle was supported by a £1.5m media investment with nationwide OOH campaign printed on FSC certified materials. Additionally, Perfetti Van Melle employed a Blis Geo targeted ad campaign that identified consumers in proximity to stores which stock the paper bottles, which helped to drive sales.

Following the launch, media and sales mailers for Mentos Paperboard Bottle were sent out using fully sustainable materials. The boxes were made out of organic matter (mycelium), making them entirely compostable, and the packing tape was made out of paper and rubber. We didn’t want to neglect these details, as every action is an opportunity to demonstrate our genuine commitment to a more sustainable future.

*Made with 90% paper (paperboard) **Boardio® is largely virgin (not recycled) fiber cartonboard, with very thin layers of polyethylene and aluminium to ensure an essential oxygen and moisture barrier

McCoy’s, the UK’s number one ridged crisp brand, is continuing to deliver unmistakable bold flavours with McCoy’s Epic Eats – a brand new product range featuring two irresistible new products, Nacho Cheese and Spicy Salsa. Famous for its dynamic flavour proposition, the new launch sought to bolster growth and penetration of the McCoy’s brand, offering ‘Epic Flavour, Epic Crunch, Epic Eats’.

Designed to excite the category with unique and tempting flavours, McCoy’s Epic Eats capitalises on taste as the most important factor driving sales in CSN. Strengthening the brand’s flavour credentials, the new product range promises an epic snacking experience for shoppers looking to try something new.

Offering an extra crunch with McCoy’s signature ridge cut, Epic Eats Nacho Cheese offers a tangy and flavourful snacking experience. Meanwhile, the Spicy Salsa variant brings a kick to the category while capitalising on the growing trend of spicy flavours to cater to shoppers and boost retailer sales.

With younger consumers significantly influenced by flavours when making purchasing decisions, the new range is perfectly positioned to attract younger shoppers to the category and the brand, driving penetration within this demographic.

McCoy’s Epic Eats is available in a Grab Bag format that is perfect for lunchtimes and a £1.25 PMP, capitalising on the strength of large format PMPs which are growing +32.2% YOY[1]. McCoy’s is one of the top three large PMP brands in CSN, with large format McCoy’s PMPs currently growing ahead of the category +52.1% MAT[2].

The new range was supported by an engaging media campaign spanning radio and social to drive awareness of the new product range. Running from February to March, the Epic Eats radio activity formed part of McCoy’s ongoing partnership with Global radio and featured a range of on-air adverts including an exciting competition offering listeners the chance to win their own epic adventure.

[1] Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total PMPs Value, MAT 22.04.23 [2] Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total PMPs Value, MAT 22.04.23

This February, Cadbury expanded its popular Duos range by bringing its bestselling singles product into this increasingly popular format. Twirl Xtra features even more of the velvety Cadbury Twirl chocolate consumers know and love, with two longer pieces of chocolate in each consumer pack.

The total duos market is growing by +11.2% , with the format offering a unique selling point. In fact - Twirl Xtra is already the number one selling duo in the Cadbury portfolio , with total Mondelēz duos growing ahead of the category. New research shows that shoppers are not only choosing duos for themselves but are also sharing them with loved ones, so Twirl Xtra is well positioned to help retailers expand into sharing occasions.

As well as this, research shows that more than half of consumers specifically mention the word ‘value’ when talking about duos, which makes Twirl Xtra an attractive proposition for retailers looking to show value to their more price-conscious customers. The results prove this, with Twirl Xtra already driving share for duos ahead of the category and reaching a value of nearly £2M in just 10 weeks.

Retailers are recommended to range Twirl Xtra as a key part of their duos chocolate offering, alongside the rest of the Cadbury Duos range in the food-to-go and meal deal section.

All of Mondelēz International’s products, including Twirl Xtra, have clear information on pack regarding individual portion sizes and calories to ensure they can be consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Ice cream continues to be a category that brings shoppers moments of real joy and the market is in strong growth at +5.1% year on year.

Magnum is the UK’s number one ice cream brand - it’s worth £231m, growing by +£3M YoY. As category leaders, shoppers eagerly await the next big launch from Magnum.

So, in 2023 Magnum has targeted a bigger share of the snacks and dessert sector with the very special, insight-led innovation: Magnum Double Starchaser and Sunlover, combining deliciously decadent flavours for day or night, with eye-catching packaging.

Rationale

Ice cream occasions have evolved from being just a refreshing treat in the summer. There are now many different occasions available for ice cream – from evening desserts and family get togethers to solo indulgent treats and snacking moments on the sofa. In fact, 40% of ice cream is consumed in the day as a sweet snack compared with 60% in the evenings.

This was the leading insight for the new Magnum Double flavours, with two indulgent varieties launched to transport people to a balmy summer’s day or a decadent evening treat. x

Innovation is also a primary driver of category growth, creating a sense of excitement for shoppers and ensuring the category remains relevant to evolving consumer trends and flavour profiles. Taste is the number one reason for buying an ice cream , with shoppers often prepared to pay more for delicious, indulgent flavours that really feel like a treat. Magnum’s latest innovation taps into this, delivering a superior product with high quality ingredients and unique, indulgent flavours.

The product

Magnum Double Sunlover provides a refreshing treat for a hot summer’s day with coconut ice cream, paired with a tangy mango and passionfruit ice cream swirl. With a sumptuous layer of mango and passionfruit sauce, Magnum Double Sunlover is encased in delicious white cracking chocolate combined with crispy coconut pieces.

Magnum Double Starchaser is perfect for the ultimate summer evening dessert, featuring a double swirled popcorn flavour ice cream and caramel ice cream, encased in a gooey caramel sauce, and coated in delicious cracking milk chocolate with crunchy caramelised corn pieces.

To support the launch, Magnum organised its biggest marketing campaign to date, with the tagline ‘Pleasure is always on’ – including TV, BVOD, OOH, Radio, Audio, Experiential, Shopper and Social Media.

Both editions are available in multiple formats: multipacks, singles, and tubs.

RRP - Magnum Double Starchaser/Sunlover* X3 Multipack – RRP* £3.99 Tub (Pint) – RRP* £3.99 Impulse Single – RRP* £2.00 *Price at sole discretion of the retailer.

(References for all stats are available)

This February, Cadbury expanded its popular Duos range by bringing its bestselling singles product into this increasingly popular format. Twirl Xtra features even more of the velvety Cadbury Twirl chocolate consumers know and love, with two longer pieces of chocolate in each consumer pack.

The total duos market is growing by +11.2% , with the format offering a unique selling point. In fact - Twirl Xtra is already the number one selling duo in the Cadbury portfolio , with total Mondelēz duos growing ahead of the category. New research shows that shoppers are not only choosing duos for themselves but are also sharing them with loved ones, so Twirl Xtra is well positioned to help retailers expand into sharing occasions.

As well as this, research shows that more than half of consumers specifically mention the word ‘value’ when talking about duos, which makes Twirl Xtra an attractive proposition for retailers looking to show value to their more price-conscious customers. The results prove this, with Twirl Xtra already driving share for duos ahead of the category and reaching a value of nearly £2M in just 10 weeks.

Retailers are recommended to range Twirl Xtra as a key part of their duos chocolate offering, alongside the rest of the Cadbury Duos range in the food-to-go and meal deal section.

All of Mondelēz International’s products, including Twirl Xtra, have clear information on pack regarding individual portion sizes and calories to ensure they can be consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

In March 2023, pladis lived up to its name as the market leader in innovation as it set its sights on helping retailers maximise the £1.9bn fast-growing On-The-Go snacking market* with a brand-new format for iconic McVitie’s Gold – the first since its inception 35 years ago. Taking the iconic, nostalgic McVitie’s Gold bar to new heights, McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer offers an elevated snacking experience, featuring a delicious combination of crispy wafer and chocolate cream filling, encased in the brand’s iconic chunky coating of golden caramel chocolate.

McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer was developed especially for convenience and impulse to help independent retailers maximise On-The-Go snacking – an occasion which already overindexes in this channel. It’s perfectly positioned to appeal to a new generation of shoppers looking for an out of home boost (a segment which is predicted to double in size over the next few years).

As Britain’s Biggest Biscuit brand, McVitie’s has a proven track record of success when it comes to launching demand-driven NPD with genuine appeal. In fact, over the past 5 years it has delivered 1/3 of incremental category growth** – and McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer is already making waves in driving this further.

This latest launch is a clever play by Britain’s Biggest Biscuit brand on a long-term trend that is continuing to gain momentum as one of the fastest growing segments with total snacking***. Golden Caramel Chocolate was the number 1 flavour in sweet snacking launches in 2023****, and McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer is independent retailers’ ticket to tapping into this popular flavour trend. In fact, it was destined for success even before launch having exceeded expectations and won the hearts (and tastebuds) of almost ¾ of shoppers – with 70% of consumers saying they’d be likely to buy them during consumer research*****. Thanks to this insights-driven approach, McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer is already at the helm of On-The-Go category growth in Impulse (+28%), having rapidly become the 4th largest On-The-Go biscuit SKU just 12 weeks post-launch, reaching sales worth almost £500k******.

McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer bars are available in Nisa, Spar and other select convenience stores in a £0.60 PMP (38g per individual bar).

A pioneer in plant-based, with one of the first impulse vegan chocolate bars on the market in 2017, Rhythm 108 and their talented team of Maître Chocolatiers & Pâtissiers are proud to introduce their latest innovation: Hazelnut Chocolate Praline Biscuits. First of their kind in the UK free-from market and testifying of the brand’s ambition as category leader* to disrupt the plant-based confectionary and bakery , these crunchy, buttery sables are perfectly baked and filled with a delicious, rich hazelnut praline filling! Developed based on the brand’s leading flavour profile: hazelnut chocolate, they are the perfect bite-sized indulgence to enjoy on the go or with family and friends over a hot beverage.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, much like the rest of the Rhythm 108 range, these new filled biscuits are vegan, organic, gluten and palm oil-free and wrapped in fully compostable packaging, providing indulgence without compromise and encouraging shopping conscious treats to become the first choice for all.

Supported by the brand’s largest multi-channel launch campaign reaching over 13M consumers, Rhythm 108 Swiss Hazelnut Chocolate Praline Biscuits are available on rhythm108.com, in Sainsbury’s, Asda, Ocado, Planet Organic and in top wholesalers at a £3.00 RRP* for 135g.

* IRI (Chocolate bars) – Vegan and FF brands. Supermarkets GB & NI. 52 w/e 19.02.23

In May 2022, Boost Drinks launched Juic’d, a 500ml canned energy drink range, in response to growing consumer demand for larger drink formats.

Tapping into the largest selling can segment and developed with 5% real fruit juice, Juic’d is available in five different flavours – Mago & Tropical Blitz, Watermelon & Lime Twist, Pineapple & Guava Punch, Tropical Fruit Sour Punch and new this June, Blood Orange & Raspberry Crush. Each flavour variation has its own twist and personality, offering consumers a unique and refreshing drinking experience every time.

Prior to the launch, 500ml can sales were booming with +16% growth YoY (worth £503m) , making it the fastest growing energy drink category. This growth and consumer appetite gave Boost a promising opportunity to launch into the category with a range as impactful and affordable as Juic’d. The Juic’d range is available to buy for £1.09 RRP and is marketed as a Price Marked Pack, providing Boost drinkers with the opportunity to experience great value amidst increased price consciousness because of the cost-of-living crisis. The use of Price Marked Packs shows Boost’s commitment to always ensuring they are investing time and energy into understanding the habits of their retail partners’ shoppers, offering new products that help retailers to communicate great value on fixture, while still delivering excellent margins.

The range was originally distributed to 15,000 retailers through the brand’s retail development scheme and achieved average UK distribution levels of over 40% within the year. On top of this, Juic’d was the biggest selling new 500ml energy drink in 2022 .

To support the launch of the Juic’d range, Boost conducted a robust PR campaign which spanned the UK and Northern Ireland, resulting in 25 pieces of UK trade coverage, with a combined reach of just under 1 million. This was achieved via two press releases, product mailers gifted to key journalists and product sampling across popular food markets across the UK, including London’s iconic Brixton Market to Manchester’s vibrant Arndale Market.

The Juic’d launch was also promoted through a range of social media activity in the UK and Northern Ireland. The social media execution resulted in a staggering reach of 3.7m, 107,000 engagements and 130,000 video views. High importance was also placed on advertising the new range, with YouTube adverts, trade adverts and OOH making an impact across Northern Ireland. The adverts placed achieved an impressive 1.6m consumer YouTube views, and 1.19m impressions to wholesale and trade audiences.

Juic’d is a product range jam packed full of flavour with real, refreshing fruit juice, at a great value price point. Boost took an array of measures to drive maximum engagement and build excitement around the range, with multiple experiential activations, sampling opportunities, social and digital support, and trade activity on offer. This enabled the brand to access a wide range of audiences, giving them the ultimate Juic’d Boost and rising to the top of the sales charts in the UK.

Lucozade Sport, the biggest sport drink brand in the UK , brought something brand-new to chillers in March with the launch of Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar.

The launch was a move from the brand into the low-and-no sugar segment. The low- or no-sugar segment is a key trend for today’s soft drink consumers. It is currently growing at 22.3% year-on-year and accounts for almost 48.3% of total soft drink sales.

Available in Orange & Peach and Raspberry & Passion Fruit flavours, Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar is designed specifically for those taking part in low-intensity sporting activities. It contains sodium and Vitamin B3 to help reduce tiredness and is available in 500ml bottles and 4x500ml multipack formats.

Containing only 4kcal per serving and, as the name would suggest, zero sugar, Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar is designed to appeal to consumers who don’t currently buy into the Lucozade Sport brand. With 77% of the UK population taking part in regular exercise, Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar meets a consumer need for great tasting, low calorie and zero sugar hydration.

After being in market for only 13 weeks, Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar has gained 1.8% value share which, when comparing to the wider field, makes it larger than long-standing players such as Gatorade and Emerge. In terms of take-home shopper numbers, Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar is already in the top third of branded soft drink NPDs to launch in the previous 52 weeks. This is despite only being in market for 13 of those 52 weeks.

Lucozade Sport Zero Sugar is the latest launch in Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I)’s commitment, as part of its ‘Growing for Good’ vision, to have a positive impact on the lives of our consumers, providing them with a choice of great tasting drinks and enabling them to lead more active, healthier lifestyles. SBF GB&I started its reformulation journey 10 years ago, taking steps that have seen the business reduce sugar across its core drinks by 57% , removing 25,500 tonnes of sugar and more than 98bn calories.

Monster Ultra Rosa was released in February 2023 and combines a crisp red berry blend flavour with a complex floral finish, giving consumers a light, delicious, refreshing energy boost with no calories and no sugar. Although it was only launched a few months ago, it is worth almost £Xm already and the second bestselling Monster Ultra SKU.

The sugar-free Monster Ultra range is the no.1 zero sugar energy brand in GB and the fastest-growing Monster range , and shows no sign of slowing. Monster Ultra Rosa is the latest innovation from the brand, designed to build on the growing popularity of zero sugar energy drinks and help retailers drive sales by taking full advantage of the energy drinks category, which is worth over £1.7 billion in GB and enjoying 14% value growth and 6% volume growth over the last year.

The Ultra Rosa is available in both plain and price-marked 500ml packs for shoppers to enjoy on-the-go.

Monster Zero Sugar Lewis Hamilton was released in November 2022 and combines a fruity peach and nectarine flavour with the renowned Monster energy blend, giving consumers a delicious, refreshing energy boost with no calories. Launched six months ago, it is already worth £8.2m.

Hamilton’s name is emblazoned across the top of the can, which features an eye-catching new design he created in collaboration with artist Mad Dog Jones. It is available in both plain and price-marked 500ml packs for shoppers to enjoy on-the-go.

Zero sugar drinks are a key growth driver in the energy category. Monster Zero Sugar Lewis Hamilton is designed to build on this popularity and help retailers drive energy drinks sales, which are worth more than £1.8bn and is the the no.1 deliverer of value growth over the last year.

Continuing its mission to offer Flavours for all Tastes, Red Bull launched its latest Red Bull Summer Edition in March, with the taste of Juneberry.

In the last two years, Flavours have been a key driver to accelerated growth of the Sports & Energy category and now 61% of functional energy is consumed for flavour, up from 40% in 2020 . Research also shows that shoppers are looking for new, exciting flavours, with 31% saying an exciting flavour would persuade them to buy new drinks and 18% have bought drinks with new or different flavours . The new Red Bull Summer Edition, Juneberry, is a flavour reminiscent of dark cherries or raisins, and slightly mild blueberries and aims to create excitement and drive trial. It performed particularly well in multiple consumer taste tests, offering a strong flavour profile and the highest purchase intent of any previous Summer Edition at 75%.

Red Bull is the signpost to the category, therefore instrumental to the overall strong performance of Flavoured Sports & Energy Drinks, outperforming total flavoured Sports & Energy by four times . Shoppers also love to explore new flavours, so Red Bull is constantly innovating, to add excitement to the category, which has not only helped us to drive sales but also encourage trial by introducing new shoppers to the sector. This has led to Red Bull Editions quadrupling in value within the last two years , growing +81% shoppers incrementally YoY and appealing to more females, with 62% of Editions spend by female buyers .

Flavours are an essential must-stock during the summer, with many shoppers incremental to the category. Our research highlights that 24% of people who don’t currently buy Energy Drinks say they would try a flavour, with converted Energy shoppers also keen to experiment – 41% of them saying they would try a flavour . With such strong purchase intent, the new Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry will help drive further trial, introducing even more shoppers to the category to help boost summer sales. Available in 250ml, 250ml PMP, 355ml Sugarfree and 250ml Sugarfree 4-pack, the launch of Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry will be supported with a range of tailored POS to raise awareness instore across all key touchpoints.

The launch follows the success of the Red Bull Apricot Edition range, which launched early last year and is now permanent in the portfolio. Red Bull Apricot Edition is Red Bull’s most successful NPD attributing to 30% of Editions sales, contributing to 54% of Editions growth and has sold 4.8m packs to a value of £6.8m since launch . Red Bull Editions are growing ahead of total Sports & Energy flavours, with the top three skus (Red Edition 250ml, Red Bull Apricot 250ml and Red Bull Tropical 250ml) cumulatively amassing £4.3m in value sales over the summer – that’s 61% of all Red Bull Editions sales.

In May 2022 we launched a new Relentless Zero Sugar range to help retailers tap into the growing zero sugar energy category, and demand for new flavour innovation within energy.

We rolled out two flavour variants – Relentless Zero Sugar Peach and Relentless Zero Sugar Raspberry – which boast a light and refreshing energy blend without the sugar. The new duo feature eye-catching white and pink/peach can designs whilst retaining the recognizable Relentless ‘R’ motif in the centre of the pack to deliver standout and shelf.

The Relentless Zero range benefitted from significant marketing support. Our #WithoutLimits campaign was launched to encourage young adults to live without limits, championing freedom of expression and inclusivity, and demonstrate how Relentless Zero Sugar is the perfect fuel for those who want that lifestyle. To support this, we rolled out point-of-sale (POS) materials including shelf strips, totems, wobblers, free-standing display units to help retailers drive excitement in-store.

It was also included as part of an on-pack promotion in partnership with Relentless brand ambassador Aitch, offering young people the chance to apply for funding to cover rail travel costs to events in different cities across the UK.

As a result, the Relentless Zero Sugar range has added more than £5.3m to the energy drinks category in less than a year. It played a pivotal role in fuelling additional growth of the Relentless range, which has increased by 12.9% in value and 43.7% in volume over the past year.

Such was its success, we have bolstered the range with a new flavour launch, Relentless Zero Watermelon, in April 2023 to maintain momentum behind the brand.

Since launching in stores in May 2022 as an ultra-value tobacco proposition, Benson & Hedges Blue Rolling Tobacco has been a runaway success with retailers, selling approximately 3,308 packs every day in the UK (1) and generating £16.4 million in sales value over the last 12 months (2).

The product has benefitted from the strong foundations and heritage of Benson & Hedges Blue, which is the UK’s number one cigarette brand (3).

B&H Blue Rolling was developed to fill a gap in the market by offering a high-quality but value-priced rolling tobacco option for existing adult smokers.

Available across all channels, Benson & Hedges Blue Rolling includes quality Virginia tobacco blend and 100 papers within the 30g and 50g pouches, providing a value proposition that doesn’t compromise on flavour.

With 6.7 million kilograms of rolling tobacco sold in the UK each year (4), the RYO category offers significant opportunity for retailers. Stocking up on Value RYO products such as Benson & Hedges Blue Rolling can help retailers to maximise sales in this burgeoning segment.

Benson & Hedges Blue Rolling was introduced to tap into the ever-increasing ultra-value segment - with 80.4% of all sales volumes currently in the value or ultra-value RMC and RYO sector (5). With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to impact consumer spending in 2023, JTI UK predicts ultra-value offerings now more than ever will be important to retailers and Benson & Hedges Blue Rolling Tobacco has quickly resonated with shoppers.

Benson & Hedges Blue Rolling Tobacco is available across all channels at an RRP of just £16.30*/£26.75* per 30g/50g and is available across England and Wales only.

1) Circana Market Place, Volume Sales, B&H Blue RYO, Total UK, MAT to 08/01/23 (30g equivalent packs)

2) Circana Market Place, Value Sales, B&H Blue RYO, Total UK, MAT to 08/01/23

3) IRi Market Place, Volume Share, Total RMC, Total UK, Dec 2022

4) IRi Market Place, Volume Sales, Total RYO/MYO, Total UK, MAT To 08/01/23

5) IRi Market Place, Volume Share, Total RMC Value & Ultra Value and Total RYO/MYO Combined, Total UK.

With Tropical Mix, Apple Ice and Mint available from early July, our new flavour extensions are imminent, underlining the continuous investment and momentum we are building behind blu bar.

With device sales to date of 676,285* and the latest share figures at 3.2%**, blu bar is capturing the attention of adult vapers in a highly competitive category. blu is one of the UK’s most recognisable and trusted vape brands, so consumers and the trade know they can count on blu bar.

The stage is now set for significant awareness and trial building, supported by substantial investment in out-of-home media and festival event sponsorship. Added proximity retail and in-store media, brand ambassador activity and POS investment, continue to drive blu bar sales conversion.

Underpinned by a device, pack and campaign featuring our vibrant burst design, we are breaking category norms and achieving the cut-through necessary for success. All backed up with a product that delivers exceptional flavour and a first-class vaping experience.

EXPLORE A WORLD OF FLAVOUR WITH BLU BAR. Sources: *Retail EPOS (sell out) w/e 27/11/22-21/5/23 **Major key account EPOS SPOT share w/e 21/5/23

Nicotine pouches are driving growth in the next-gen nicotine category. They are now worth £3.8 million a month (1) , equating to an annual figure of approximately £45.8 million a year (2) and continue to grow year on year.

Nordic Spirit has been a driving force behind the category and has over a 43% market share within traditional retail in the UK (3). With the overall category on the rise, there is a big opportunity for retailers to build on the success in the market and grow sales with Nordic Spirit.

On top of this, the demand for higher nicotine strengths has been present in the nicotine pouch category. In fact, a total of 83.1% of nicotine pouch sales in traditional retail are from the extra-strong or strong strengths (4).

So, to capitalise on the opportunity in the market for higher strengths, Nordic Spirit introduced a new product to its portfolio in 2023, Spearmint Strong. This followed the launches of Spearmint Extra Strong and Bergamot Wildberry Extra-Strong last year.

Nordic Spirit Spearmint Strong also taps into the popularity for menthol flavours. With mint by far the preferred flavour when it comes to nicotine pouches and demand for stronger variants on the rise, the introduction of Spearmint Strong provides more choice at the till and expands the huge sales opportunity for retailers.

Nordic Spirit recently came out on top in the Product of the Year Awards, with Spearmint Extra-Strong winning in the nicotine pouch category, as voted for by consumers.

Sustainability was also a consideration with the launch, with Nordic Spirit cans made from polypropylene and are 100% recyclable once the used pouches have been removed.

Whilst traditional tobacco has its role JTI UK understands that the next-gen category is also growing, and customers are looking for nicotine alternatives that can be used instead of, or alongside, traditional tobacco products. This is why JTI continues to provide considerable ongoing investment for the Nordic Spirit brand and the nicotine pouch category.

Nordic Spirit Spearmint Strong is available now with an RRP of £6.50*.

*Retailers are, of course, free at all times to sell JTI products at whatever price they choose.

1. IRi Market Place, Value Sales, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, Dec 2022

2. IRi Market Place, Value Sales, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, Annualised Figure Based on Dec 2022

3. IRi Market Place, Volume Share, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, Q4 22.

4. IRi Market Place, Volume Share, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, Q4 22. For more information or to verify comparison contact at nordicspirit.co.uk/contact

Responding to the emerging popularity of Heated Tobacco and building on JTI’s growing presence in the evolving segment, in October 2022, JTI UK launched a new and enhanced device, Ploom X, which has driven 30% growth in EVO Tobacco sticks (1).

The launch of Ploom X offers existing adult smokers a next-gen alternative, which provides a familiar but enhanced experience as the tobacco is heated instead of burnt.

The Ploom X brand features upgraded technology to enhance the customer experience. Available in the Greater London area in selected key multiple grocers, and accredited independent and convenience retailers, the device has been designed to deliver a superior and unique heated tobacco experience.

Ploom X is the latest device in the market, representing the cutting edge of the next generation of heated tobacco products and an evolution of the Ploom brand. Offering an alternative but familiar tobacco sensation, it provides retailers with a modern product for those seeking a real tobacco experience without the smoke. The significant technological upgrades include:

- A redesigned HeatFlow™ system and a higher heating temperature to ensure a more consistent nicotine delivery and enhanced flavour sensation from the first puff. - One simple heating mode which makes the device easy for customers to use.

- Adjustments to the airflow system enabling a more consistent vapour delivery and increased vapour volume. - Longer session times of up to 5 minutes and the ability to use more EVO Tobacco Sticks per charge, with up to 22 sessions with just one charge.

- A smaller and more compact device. The front panel is also customisable for personalisation with a wider choice of accessories which will be available online at ploom.co.uk

The Heated Tobacco market continues to grow rapidly in popularity as customers are looking for other alternatives that can be used instead of, or alongside, their traditional tobacco products. Heated Tobacco is now worth £91 million in the last year in traditional retail (2) . The category represents a huge opportunity for retailers, especially those with a competitive range and strong product knowledge to offer a good level of customer service.

The Heated Tobacco category is estimated to be worth £250 million by 2025, with 66% of consumers buying through traditional retail (3). That’s why JTI UK has invested in the Ploom X brand, with there being no better time to upgrade and expand its portfolio.

Ploom X is available in selected retailers within the Greater London area and on ploom.co.uk. Ploom X is offered as a bundle deal in most channels, including 1 device and 2 packs of EVO Tobacco Sticks for £19.

The device can be used exclusively with EVO Tobacco Sticks (RRP £4.50) which are available for all London retailers within the M25. 1) JTI Internal Estimates, L7M vs P7M

2) IRI Market Place, Value Sales, Total T-Vapour Category, Total UK, MAT Jun 2022

3) IRI Market place value & JTI Estimates of Non-Traditional channels

For almost 30 years, we have supported retailers at every stage of their National Lottery journey. We have helped to maximise retail sales, returns to Good Causes, and retailer footfall and commission in one of the most challenging periods of Camelot’s history. In 2022, we kept retailers at the heart of our plans by delivering a multi-disciplined contact model to make The National Lottery as easy to operate as possible.

Imperial Tobacco has optimised our sales force in the last twelve months; increasing our focus on the Independent retailers. This has enabled us to provide our valued independent customers with an even better service that sets our sales force aside from the rest. Our market leading, business partnering approach through consumer focussed knowledge means we work together with our retailers to grow their businesses.

Kepak employs a network of 28 reps, dedicated to supporting depots and convenience retailers across the UK who stock, or are looking to stock, Rustlers (the £107m chilled ready meals brand). Our reps are based across the country, local to the area they cover and stores they support. This local knowledge is an invaluable resource, allowing us to cater for nuances which create sales oppoltunities - such as the development of a new housing estate creating an influx of trades looking for lunch! Areas where there is a high density of stores, such as London and larger cities, are serviced by multiple reps. The team has a very low turnover, resulting in long-term. trusting relationships being established between the retailers and the brand

We equip our sales team not just to sell our products but to give cutting-edge category advice to drive confectionery, biscuit and total snacking category sales. Our focus is to help retailers succeed and grow their businesses. 

We have key 3 principles which help retailers to maximise sales:

– Making the fixture easy to shop

– Inspiring purchase through show-stopping display

– Providing information on latest trends and best sellers to help retailers through the complications of range selection so that they offer better choices, including seasonal ranges.

Whilst there is category information available in the market for the household, health and beauty categories, there has previously been a gap in the depth of insight available. CoreRange.com is a brand-new website designed specifically to plug that gap for convenience retailers and give them all the information they need to independently select best-selling, profitable product ranges in the laundry, household, healthcare, personal care and baby care categories.

CoreRange.com is completely free to use and no sign-up or login is required – we simply want to make advice more accessible to retailers who need it.

CoreRange.com offers more than planograms and SKU lists. It offers in-depth, top-quality advice on a broad range of subjects including shopper behaviours, category trends and merchandising principles, allowing retailers to adjust their range to suit their specific store type and shopper missions to grow sales and profits. The insight is gleaned from a comprehensive bank of independent convenience market data, overlaid with total UK market insights and trends, and shopper behaviour dynamics.

CoreRange.com is easy to navigate and use. It is optimised for use on mobile devices, which retailers can use easily whilst in their store, as well as looking great on full-size computer screens.

Mondelēz International launched Snack Display in Autumn 2022 to help retailers strengthen their proposition to shoppers. We understand a retailer’s time is stretched, and so Snack Display is designed to put valuable knowledge at their fingertips, helping grow their sales with the right products and display recommendations, product news, bestseller information, category advice and planograms.

Snack Display is a key part of the support that we offers retailers. It ties into the businesses customer loyalty scheme and provides access to eye-catching PoS materials. Scannable barcodes to help ordering, regular competitions, and links to sites such as sign language lessons help make it a one-stop-shop to ‘bring snack sales to life in independent retail’.

Feedback across the board has been positive, Londis retailer Atul Sodha told us: “Snack Display really impressed me. It contains a wealth of information, which is simple to access. There are downloadable social media images, and you can request Point of Sale. There’s always a competition for retailers on the site, so it’s worth checking it regularly”.

With many new elements set to be added within the next year, Snack Display will continue to be a vital guide for retailers in 2023 and beyond.

In April 2023, Müller Yogurt & Desserts launched 'Make Pots of Profit', an exciting category-led initiative designed to help convenience retailers maximize their sales of Chilled Yogurts and Potted Desserts (CYPD), a category currently worth £2.9 billion, and unlock an additional 938 million buying occasions. It provides retailers with an easy three-step plan that focuses on stocking the right products, meeting consumer needs, and merchandising the category effectively. Through category data and shopper insights, Müller has created a range of shelf guides that help retailers consistently stock and display the right range in-store to win with shoppers. It has already proven successful for many retailers including Justin Whittaker, Premier; Atul Sodha, Londis; Suki Athwal, Shop Around the Clock; Simon Tuffill, Spar; Avtar Sidhu, Budgens; and Amrit Singh, Nisa. Müller has been investing significantly to raise awareness of the initiative and get retailers involved, this has included a dedicated website, large-scale launch at the National Convenience Show, trade press advertising, PR, and leaflet drops to every convenience store in the UK. Not only does the initiative benefit the category, it also benefits the whole store, helping to encourage shoppers to visit more frequently and potentially spend more each time they visit.

SBF GB&I launched Win The Weekend in response to ACS research in 2021 which showed that 49% of c-store retailers have been unable to take a single day off from their business for over a year.

To help deal with this industry-wide problem, and with a view to ensuring retailers get rewarded for their hard work, we launched a competition giving one winner the chance to take a break, get some much-needed rest or spend time with friends and family – and get a cash prize to help pay for it. We partnered with influential retailer Paul Cheema of Coventry, and he and SBF GB&I staff ran the winning store – Greens of Bassingham – for two days in May 2023.

From this we created a booklet that saw key retailers giving advice about how they get time off and the value it gives them. We wanted to offered guidance as well as reward.

The feedback has been extraordinary. Amrit Pahal told us it was “an amazing idea – proper genius”, while Aman Uppal said “this idea from start to execution has been outstanding”. Sukh Gill added “great campaign, well executed”.

Win The Weekend II will launch later this year