Merchant Gourmet has entered the baked beans category.
Gourmet, Barbecue and Masala are packaged in microwaveable pouches (rsp: £2/200g).
They offered an “elevated flavour experience, strong nutritional credentials” and “a clear trade-up opportunity within baked beans”, said Merchant Gourmet.
The range was designed to encourage shoppers to see baked beans as a potential component to a broader range of meal occasions, it added.
Gourmet and BBQ are in Asda, while all three variants are in wholesale via CLF and CN.
“Baked beans are a true staple for many households, but shopper demands are evolving and the category must adapt to meet those demands,” said Merchant Gourmet MD Richard Peake.
“We saw an opportunity to bring something into the category that offers gourmet flavour, delivers on health, and is still affordable and accessible,” Peake added.
Merchant Gourmet has also expanded its Ingredients Beans range with Giant Butter Beans (rsp: £2.25/220g). They are cooked in extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of sea salt and will hit Ocado in mid-March.
It comes as rival pulses brand Bold Bean Co has snagged Asda and Co-op listings for its own range of “gourmet” baked beans, which launched in September 2024.
Smoky Chilli and Rich Tomato (rsp: £3.50/390g) are in 669 Co-op stores and will roll into 450 Asda stores on 23 March, along with Bold Bean Co’s Queen Butter Beans, Queen Chickpeas and Queen Black Beans..
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