The Grocer New Product Awards: the winners and finalists

Sugar Confectionery

Mentos Pure Fresh Gum Resealable Pocket Pouch – Fresh Mint

Putting this liquid-centred chewing gum in a resealable bag was a popular move for Mentos. The biggest selling point, though, was the intense and refreshing mint flavour. Consumers said it left their mouths feeling “very clean”, and the gum still tasted fresh after several minutes, while our experts said the flavour was “intense to start” but also lingered. At 59p for 15g (10 pieces), consumers also saw this as very reasonably priced.

Finalists:

Bristows Bubblegum Chewy Bonbons

Fruittella Magics

Mentos Strawberry Mix Single Roll

Meal Accompaniments

Mash Direct Potato, Cheese and Onion Croquettes

These croquettes (rsp: £1.89/300g) immediately piqued the interest of consumers, and they rated them highly, once sampled, for their “crispy” breadcrumb coating, “creamy” mash and “subtle” cheese and onion flavours. A “convenient stand-by”, they also praised the “attractive, clear, handy information pack.”

Highly commended:

Steve’s Leaves Fennel Tops & Sweet Leaves

Finalists:

Bannisters’ Farm Farmer’s Roasting Potatoes

McCain Quick Cook French Fries

Cooking Sauces & Stocks

Philadelphia Simply Stir Garlic & Herb

The Philadelphia brand generated a strong initial appeal for this product (rsp: £1.99/200g). It received positive feedback on flavour, quantity, ease of use and packaging. More than 80% of consumers said they would definitely or probably buy. Our experts rated its taste and texture, and thought it ideal for “quick family teas”.

Highly commended:

Knorr Flavour Pots – Mixed Herbs

Finalists:

Kent’s Kitchen Feijoada Meal Kit

Kent’s Kitchen Hot & Spicy Stir in flavour shot

Oxo Garlic and Herb Shake & Flavour

Butters & Spreads

Trewithen Dairy Spreadable

Both our consumer and expert panels said this blend of Cornish butter and sunflower oil was “creamy”, with the experts also calling it “luxurious”, “light and pleasant”, and finding “clotted cream notes”. At £1.70 for 500g, many consumers saw this as an occasional purchase. It was generally regarded as better quality than other dairy spreads, and thanks to this high quality, 40% said they would consider buying it at least monthly. The distinctive packaging split opinion, but many of our panellists described it as “pretty”, “noticeable” and “homely”.

Finalists:

Clover Additions Daily Boost

Breakfast Occasions

Bear Alpha Bites Multigrain

We tested this cereal on children and grown-ups. Both felt it was “new and different”, and liked the fact the appealing alphabet shapes kept their shape after milk had been added. The children’s panel liked the crunchy texture and sweet flavour, while adults were attracted by the pack’s promise that the cereal contained “no added nonsense” – meaning no refined sugar, salt, or artificial colours/flavours. Our experts added that the cereal, which comes in 375g packs (rsp. £2.69), had a “nice aroma.”

Finalists:

Quaker Oat So Simple Heaps of Fruit – Banana & Strawberry

Tasty Toasted Raspberry & Apple Muesli

Teas & Infusions

Taylors of Harrogate Spiced Apple Infusion

The novelty of the flavour of this infusion generated a strong initial appeal for this product - and it lived up to expectations. Our panellists liked the aroma and the “warming spicy taste”. Our experts said the product had “good colour and depth of flavour” and that it smelt “like Christmas.” The tea is price £2.99 for 50g (20 bags).

Highly commended:

PG Tips - The Rich One

Finalists:

Taylors of Harrogate Blackberry and Elderflower Infusion

Taylors of Harrogate Peppermint Leaf Infusion

Sweet Snacks

Propercorn Sweet Coconut and Vanilla Individual Packs

This popcorn produced an even warmer reception than the supplier’s winning Sweet & Salty variety (see Savoury Snacks). It stood out on every measure: the striking pink pack (rsp: £1.59/90g) was “funky”, the flavour “new and different.” More than nine out of 10 panellists rated this as better than other brands, and 98% said it offered something new. Our experts also praised the “good strong coconut and vanilla flavour.”

Highly commended:

Nakd Strawberry Crunch

Finalists:

Tracker White Chocolate

Trek Cocoa Coconut Protein Flapjack

Cheese

Lactofree Mature Cheddar

This lactose-free cheese recorded high scores among our consumer panellists for its “rich” flavour and “smooth” texture. While consumers welcomed the option for people with lactose intolerance, they were less attracted by the health benefits than the affordable price point of £1.79 for 200g – considered to be low compared with other mature Cheddar brands. Our experts commended the “excellent” packaging.

Highly commended:

Boursin Pepper Portions

Finalists:

Anchor Cheddar Mature Block

Leerdammer Toasties

The Laughing Cow Light with Emmental

Chilled Drinks

Savse Super Blue

This nutrition-focused smoothie contains blueberry, kale, beetroot, spinach, blackberry and apple. Consumers liked the clear healthiness of the drink, especially for the inclusion of on-trend kale. The flavour was described by some panellists as “tangy” and “fresh.” At £1.99, the 250ml bottle was more competitively priced than previous Savse drinks. Our experts said it was “very functional, with strong messaging.”

Highly commended:

Coldpress Pineapple, Coconut & Banana Smoothie

Finalists:

Vegesentials Fresh Kids On-the-Go Cheeky Carrot & Peach

Special Diet & Free-from

Nice & Nobbly Berry Granola (Gluten-Free)

This oat-based cereal was tested by a panel of people with coeliac disease. It was rated highly for taste and texture, with panellists praising its “creamy pleasant taste.” It scored higher than average for the category, and our expert judges called the taste “comparable to mainstream cereals”. The granola comes in 312g bags (rsp: £3.65).

Highly commended:

Newburn Bakehouse by Warburtons Fruity Thins with Orange

Finalists:

Garofalo Gluten Free Pasta

Newburn Bakehouse by Warburtons Seeded Wrap

Dairy-Based Drinks

Mr Sherick’s Shakes Pot Au Choc

This chocolate milk drink has a deep brown colour and contains chocolate chips. Both these factors, when seen through the clear bottle, made it highly visually appealing to consumers. They also found the aroma “enticing”, and more than 80% rated the flavour as good or excellent. On both taste and aftertaste, it scored more highly than any other product entered into this category over the years. The judges called it a “novel idea” and “very rich and indulgent.” The rsp is £1.99 for a 250ml bottle.

Finalists:

Vita Coco Café Mocha

Fuel Liquid Breakfast – Vanilla

Upbeat Strawberry

Potato Crisps

Phileas Fogg American Bubble Chips – Louisiana Sweet & Smokey BBQ

Phileas Fogg has struggled to replicate its success of the early 1990s. Maybe this award, and these chips, will do the trick. Described as “very crunchy”, with a fresh consistency, “highly smokey”, the £1.99 rsp for 150g was considered premium, but that hasn’t been a problem in the past if the product pleases enough. And this does. 

Highly commended:

McCoy’s Ultimate Sizzling BBQ Chicken

Finalists:

Scott Farms Sweet Potato Chips

Tyrrells Veg Crisps – Sweet Potato with Smoked Chipotle Chilli

Walkers Pops – Original

Infants    

Ella’s Kitchen First Tastes Carrots, Carrots, Carrots

Our panel of mothers with young babies was impressed with this carrot purée. The pack was considered convenient and “easy to carry”, and the colourful design was well-received. The panel liked the fact it was “100% organic.” Our experts said the product had “good clean ingredients”. Two-thirds of our consumer panellists said they would definitely or probably buy the product, which has an rsp of £1.09 for 70g.

Highly commended:

Bear Pure Fruit Dino Paws

Finalists:

Heinz Infant Feeding Pouches – Strawberry, Raspberry & Banana

Functional & Energy Drinks

Lucozade Energy The Brazilian

Launched in time for the World Cup, this mango-and-mandarin-flavoured seasonal addition (rsp: £1.15/500ml) went down well with our consumer panellists, who thought the citrus flavours helped to counteract the sweetness of the blend. Our judges also liked the “delicious” flavours and “balanced sweetness”, along with the “great colour” of both the liquid and the packaging. Seven out of 10 panellists thought it offered something new and different, and it was particularly popular in the north and among younger people.

Finalists:

A Little More Vitamin D – Mango

Bulldog Power Energy Drink Lime & Mint

Fish Products

Harbour Salmon Co. Infusions – Ginger, Chilli & Lime

More than 60% of our panel thought this fish dish was better than what’s already on the market. They enjoyed the “chilli kick” and “zesty flavours”, as did our experts, who praised the flavour combination and “beautifully tender salmon”. Half the consumers thought the product would be suitable for a midweek meal. The 220g packs contain two portions (rsp: £3.49).

Highly commended:

Harbour Salmon Co Infusions – Red Thai

Finalists:

Birds Eye Cod Fish Fillet Burgers

Big Fish Salmon Portions in a garden mint marinade

Indian Cooking Sauces & Meal Kits

Holy Cow! Goan Prawn Curry Sauce

Our panel gave a thumbs-up to this curry sauce, which stood out due to its clear plastic pouch pack (rsp: £1.99/250g). Panellists enjoyed the “strong taste” of the sauce, with the chillies balanced by the coconut milk. This was seen as high-quality, with almost half saying it would be suitable to use when entertaining. Our experts praised the “spicy, fragrant, quirky” product, which they called “the opposite of the generic products that dominate the market.”

Finalists:

Geeta’s Tikka Curry Paste

Our Little Secret! Awesome Tikka Masala Meal Kit

Patak’s Saag Masala Sauce

Laundry

Persil Small & Mighty Bio Liquid Wash

The well-known and trusted Persil brand helped generate interest in this product, but panellists also found it very effective: after using the liquid for seven to 10 days, the majority said their clothes had been clean and stain-free – even for low-temperature washes – and there was a pleasant fragrance. Panellists also liked the design of the bottle and the fact it poured out smoothly. The concentrated liquid detergent has an rsp of £4.69.

Finalists:

Dettol Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser

Dylon Colour Catcher Best Ever

Dylon White’n’Bright

Ambient Family Drinks

Ribena Tropical - Mango & Lime

Mango & Lime was one of two new tropical Ribena variants launched last year. Consumers loved the bright orange design of the 500ml bottle. The drink was noted as quite sweet, but most tasters thought the lime counteracted this just enough, creating a refreshing, “summery” experience. Consumers rated the lack of artificial sweetener, the added vitamin C, and the competitive £1.15 price as other plus points.

Highly commended:

Joosed! Junior - Blackcurrant & Apple

Finalists:

Appy Drinks TMNT Tetra Pak carton

Robinsons Squash’d - Apple & Blackcurrant

Bakery

Tan Y Castell Bara Brith

Few outside Wales were familiar with this fruit loaf, but it went down well with panellists across the UK – more than 80% rated the taste ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. The fact it was “packed full of fruit” was a plus, and the spice content made it stand out from other fruit breads. Our experts called it “super moist and light.” At £2.30 for a 480g loaf, consumers were surprised by the affordability of this specialist bakery line too.

Highly commended:

Anchor Puff Pastry Block

Finalists:

Genesis Crafty Blueberry Pancakes

Genesis Crafty Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Genesis Crafty Mini Sultana Scones

Household Products

Ora

This “highly innovative twist” on the kitchen towel, featuring a “funky”, “space-saving” design, surprised and impressed our panel. More than 75% said they would recognise the cone-shaped pack in store. They also found the towels (rsp: £1.89) to be strong, absorbent and practical to use.

Highly commended:

Regina Blitz 3 roll Household Towel

Finalists:

Cif Express Direct to Floor Antibacterial

Nouvelle Soft Toilet Tissue 4 Roll

De-Solv-It Sticky Stuff Remover Gel Aerosol

Pooch and Mutt: Calm and Relaxed Dog Treats

Personal Care    

Vaseline Spray & Go Essential Moisture

Vaseline’s trusted brand gave this strong initial appeal. Our consumer panellists noted the ease with which it was absorbed and reported “soft, great-feeling skin”. The fragrance was well-liked, and the spray format well received, with one tester commenting it was “good for reaching your back.”

Highly commended:

Scholl Express Pedi

Finalists:

Aquafresh High Definition toothpaste

Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Shampoo

Sensodyne Complete Protect toothpaste

Tresemmé 7 Day Keratin Smooth System Heat Activated Treatment

Frozen Desserts

Magnum After Dinner

More than 80% of our consumers thought these ‘after dinner chocolates’ (rsp: £3.49/ 10x35ml) new and exciting. Panellists said they looked “very special” and had the “wow factor.” With about 100 calories the predominantly female panel also felt they could eat one of these after dinner without feeling guilty. Experts said they looked “more premium” than regular Magnums.

Highly commended:

OkoBay Coconut Water Ice

Finalists:

Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup

Ice Age Polar Pops

Mars Mini Ice Cream

Snickers Mini Ice Cream

Biscuits

Maryland Gooeys

These crisp cookies with a soft chocolate centre took a concept with huge initial appeal, and almost universally lived up to our expectations. Most of our consumers thought the product was ideal for a weekend treat, and were willing to overlook the relatively high rsp (£1.79 for 160g). It won acclaim from the experts, who said the biscuit had a “good crisp texture” that contrasted well with the “delicious soft centre”. Almost six out of 10 consumers said they would definitely buy, and the packaging also did well, with nine out of 10 rating it above average.

Finalists:

Fox’s Caffe Caramel Slices

Savoury Snacks

Propercorn Sweet & Salty Popcorn

This sharing pack (rsp: £1.59/90g) went down a storm with our panel. There was no disputing the quality of the corn, while the seasoning balanced sweet and savoury. Panellists also liked the “colourful, modern packaging”. The low calorie content was a big factor in boosting purchase intent.

Highly commended:

Walkers Sensations Popcorn – Sweet Cinnamon & Salt

Finalists:

KP Grazing Mix Triple Nut

LowLow Snack Pack – Caramelised Onion Chutney

Propercorn Fiery Worcester & Sun-Dried Tomato Popcorn

Chilled Ready Meals & Meal Centres

Debbie & Andrew’s Perfect Pork Sausages

Our consumers loved these large, meaty sausages. A whopping 83% said they would definitely or probably buy them, and 70% agreed they were “better than what’s out there.” The aroma was found to be “appetising” and the meat succulent and “not at all fatty”. Our expert judges agreed, saying the “beautifully packaged” sausages were “very well done”. At £2.50 for 400g, consumers felt the price was competitive too.

Highly commended:

Charlie Bigham’s Paella

Finalists:

Debbie & Andrew’s 12 Beef, Green Chilli & Lime Meatballs

Rice Dishes

Our Little Secret! Flavoursome Curried Chicken Rice

In a category that can polarise consumers, Our Little Secret! particularly appealed to younger consumers and those in the north with this successful entry. Our panellists said the colour was appetising and the aroma pleasant, that the rice looked “fluffy” and “well-separated”, and the dish lived up to its billing of “flavoursome.” Two-thirds thought it brought something new to the category. The snack pots are 160g, and have an rsp of £1.60.

Finalists:

Our Little Secret! Delightful Carrot & Herb Rice

Tilda Humara Kheer

Ambient Adult Drinks

Firefly Natural Drinks – Kiwi, Lime & Mint

The distinctive, minty flavour of this drink polarised consumer panellists – but those who loved it really loved it. Our judges called the drink “delicious and refreshing” and “perfect over ice on a hot searing day.” It was especially popular with 18 to 34-year-olds, with more than half keen to purchase it. At £1.60 for 330ml it was considered expensive, but one in four consumers said they’d be sure to notice Firefly’s “funky” glass bottle on the shelf.

Highly commended:

Shloer Celebration Pink Fizz

Finalists:

Funkin Brazilian 750ml

Soups

Yorkshire Provender Chicken & Butternut Soup with Lentil & Cumin

Panellists said this soup looked and smelt homemade, had a “superb taste”, was “really well balanced”, and could be a “good, substantial meal.” The £2.49 rsp for a 600g carton did not deter consumers, with 36% saying they would definitely consider buying. Experts also felt the flavours were one step ahead of chilled own label.

Highly commended:

Yorkshire Prov Med Veg with Pulled Pork

Glorious Skinny Soup – Keralan Summer

Finalists:

Heinz Black Label Soups – Cream of Tomato with Fiery Mexican Spices

Glorious! Meal Soup – Malaysian Chicken

Ambient Savoury

Princes Tuna Deli Fillers - Tikka Mayo

Although at first panellists weren’t wild about the appearance of this tuna deli filler, they gave it the thumbs-up once they dug in. Consumers called it a “tasty combination”, noting plenty of moist, flaky tuna, that the mayo added creaminess, and that the mild spices didn’t overpower the tuna. Experts called it “moreish” and said it was a “useful product”, which helped to justify the £2 price tag for a 180g can.

Finalists:

John West Tuna Infusions Chilli and Garlic Steam Pot

Princes Tuna Pasta Bake - Tomato & Chilli

Chocolate Confectionery

Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations Jelly Popping Candy Shells

The array of taste and texture sensations in this bar was a hit with our consumers. Almost a quarter said they expected to buy the bar weekly, 92% thought it was “new and different”, and 59% said they would definitely buy it. Our experts described the bars (£2.49/200g) as a “strong concept” to “bring out the inner child” in shoppers.

Highly commended:

Lindt Hello Cookies & Cream

Finalists:

Elizabeth Shaw Cocoa Crunch Flutes

Divine 38% Milk Chocolate with whole almonds

Maltesers Teasers

Chilled Desserts

Müller De Luxe Corner After Dinner Mint

This marriage of two popular brands had huge appeal for our panels. Our consumers rated the packaging very highly, and three-quarters said they were sure they would notice the product in store. The yoghurt was described as “lovely”, and was thought to be suitable for a weekend treat by half the panellists. Our experts reported that it had a “very nice flavour, with the right balance of mint and chocolate”, and described the packaging as “classy”. The 130g pots retail at £1.69.

Finalist:

The Collective Mango & Passionfruit Mousse

Coffee & Hot Chocolate

Taylors of Harrogate Indonesia Ground Coffee

An intense coffee with a rich finish, this appealed strongly to our panellists. It rated highly on taste and aftertaste, with the latter said to be of roasted beans. Our judges said there was a “premium feel to the packaging”, while consumers felt the Taylors brand justified the price of £3.99 for 227g. Fifty-nine per cent of consumers said it was “ideal when entertaining.”

Finalists:

Dualit NX(R) Intense Espresso Coffee Capsules

Taylors of Harrogate Lazy Sunday Half Caff Ground Coffee

Wispa Hot Chocolate

Pizza & Pastry Products

Pukka Large Chicken & Gravy Pies

This family-sized pie (rsp: £3.50/550g) won a rapturous reception from our panellists, who rated it highly on every measure. They especially enjoyed the high meat content. The gravy was described as “creamy” and well-seasoned, while the “crisp light” puff pastry lid, and shortcrust base were also selling points. Forty per cent of respondents said they would definitely consider buying.

Highly commended:

Birds Eye Homebake Sausage Rolls

Finalists:

Pukka Pies Frozen Minced Steak & Onion Pie

Goodfella’s Stonebaked Extra Thin Pepperoni & Chorizo Pizza

Oils & Condiments

Colman’s BBQ Sauces – BBQ Chilli

Using one of the category’s leading brands, this sauce was considered ideal for livening up barbecued burgers or sausages. While a hot and spicy sauce clearly wasn’t for everyone, those who appreciated the chilli said it provided a “lovely kick”, while our experts said it had a “well balanced flavour”. The packaging was complimented for its easily-squeezed bottle and “well-designed lid.” Forty-three per cent of our consumers said they would certainly buy the sauce, which comes in 250ml bottles (rsp. £1.69).

Finalists:

Mr Hugh’s Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil Spray

Yutaka Organic Tamari Soy Sauce

Sweet Grocery

Lyle’s Golden Syrup Breakfast Bottle

Lyle’s Golden Syrup is still hugely popular, but the tinned version is not easy to dispense (think: drips). This new bottle, designed with a flip cap and non-drip valve, was considered very easy to use – more than half the consumer panel rated the packaging as excellent. Two-thirds also believed the offering was “better than other brands”, and 79% would consider buying. Our experts called the format a “nice modern take on an old classic”. The 340g bottles have an rsp of £1.75.

Finalists:

Ambrosia Devon Dream

Clarks Clear Honey

Lyle’s Golden Syrup Baking Bottle