All articles by Alex Beckett – Page 2
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NewsJim Beam turns to sport in new marketing focus
Jim Beam plans to steer its marketing away from rock 'n' roll themes and onto sports to boost its profile as the challenger brand to Jack Daniel's. Annual sales of Bacardi Brown-Forman's Jack Daniel's are 15 times bigger than Jim Beam in...
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NewsSpice prices are not so nice, with mace up by 140%
The price of spices and condiments is skyrocketing, and traders want consumers and the food industry to know about it. Poor harvests across producer nations and tougher safety procedures have combined to send some of the UK's most popular...
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NewsGillette’s ProGlide rakes in orders despite price tag
Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide razors landed in stores this week following an unprecedented number of orders but amid predictions from rivals that the high price tag could put men off the clean-shaven look.
Billed by Procter & Gamble… -
NewsYorkshire Tea shares joy of a proper brew with Brits in America
Yorkshire Tea has swapped the Dales for the desert highway as part of a new campaign that pokes fun at the bad quality tea Brits have to put up with abroad. The Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate company has invested £3m in the...
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NewsRowse’s homemade TV ads to be chosen online
They won't win any Oscars for their performances, but the Rowse staff taking part in a novel advertising campaign for the brand will be hoping that they can at least win a few customers. In what it claims is a marketing first, Rowse is...
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NewsKinder Surprise gets bigger toys and ad spend from Ferrero
Ferrero is spearheading plans to dramatically boost its UK presence with a £14m campaign for Kinder Surprise, including the first TV ad for the brand in seven years. A £4m TV ad breaks on 7 February highlighting the introduction of 100...
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Beer prices to rocket as cost hikes hit industry
The price of a pint of beer could rise by as much as 10%, or 30p, experts are predicting, as the soaring cost of barley adds to the above-inflation increases in duty and VAT. As Whitehall announced plans to ban "below-cost" sales of...
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NewsChina wine could leapfrog Aussie production levels
China's economic explosion will help it leapfrog Australia in wine production, according to wine exhibition organiser Vinexpo. Latest findings from Vinexpo indicate the superpower will jump from the tenth biggest wine producer in the...
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NewsUS giant set to stir up own-label tea market
The world's biggest own-label tea company wants to stir up excitement in the UK market following the acquisition of a small Dorset company. The US-based Harris Tea Company acquired Wimborne-based own-label tea business Keith Spicer on 31...
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NewsEntrepreneurs offer the UK cheaper flour from Estonia
Estonian flour is being used by British food producers for the first time after a group of entrepreneurs spotted an opportunity to undercut the rocketing price of British wheat. Six-month-old Estonia Flour Supply said it was supplying...
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NewsBrand promos make way for retailers’ seasonal lines
The promotional activity of many top brands fell over Christmas as stores focused on festive and own-label products, reports Alex Beckett
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Profiles and QandAsMottershead promoted after Jamie turnaround
Jamie Oliver has promoted Guy Mottershead to MD of Fresh Retail Ventures, the company behind his eponymous grocery brand, after the executive director transformed it from a business making "significant" losses to one that managed to double its sales...
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Dolmio goes 100% natural in attempt to lift flagging sales
Mars is hoping to reverse a decline in Dolmio sauce sales with a new 100% natural ingredient claim and some squeezy NPD aimed at kids. Sales of the sauce brand dropped 2.3% to £148.9m last year [Nielsen 52w/e 2 October 2010] and in a bid...
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NewsWalkers crisps get a comic twist with new flavours
Walkers has recruited some of Britain's best known comedians, including Stephen Fry and Jimmy Carr, to launch a new range of crisps, The Grocer can exclusively reveal.
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NewsCampbell’s soup returns but not as Andy knew it
Iconic soup brand Campbell's is making a UK comeback, but Andy Warhol fans will not see the return of the famous condensed soup tins.
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Kingsmill raises game in seeded with new loaves
Kingsmill is piling the pressure on its slower-performing rivals Warburtons and Hovis with a new seeded bread range that is predicted to hit £10m in sales over the next year. The Associated British Foods business will roll out the...
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NewsThe Food Doctor goes mainstream with its new lines
The Food Doctor is ditching medicinal for mainstream and adopting a new licensing model as part of a root-and-branch overhaul of its portfolio. The 11-year old company expects the changes to help it quadruple annual sales to £50m by...
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NewsOn the shoulders of giants: how Challs is taking on the big boys
Independent household player Challs has been stealing share from some of the top names in fmcg. Sales director Kieran MacSweeney tells Alex Beckett how
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NewsICB unveils V-Kat Schnapps, the new name for Vodkat
InterContinental Brands has unveiled the new identity for its Vodkat drink – V-Kat Schnapps.
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News‘Starbucks’ and ‘coffee’ missing from chain’s new logo
Starbucks has unveiled an unfussy new logo that does away with the words ‘Starbucks’ and ‘Coffee’.