All articles by Robyn Lewis – Page 2
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News
Sun shines for ciders as summer festivals push sales to £596m
Despite the economic crisis, soaring food prices and relentless rain, the cider category continued to shine this summer, posting a 12.9% rise in volume and an 18.6% rise in value to £596m (Nielsen MAT to 6 September). Star performers...
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Raw to hit retailers in bid to rejuvenate cola
Pepsi is to roll out its Pepsi Raw cola across the UK off-trade. The company launched the ‘natural cola’ into bars and restaurants last February but said it was now ready to build on the success of the variant by bringing it to a wider audience....
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Mars and Nestlé cut packaging on 2009 Easter egg ranges
The days of plastic wrappers for the chocolates and sweeties inside Easter eggs look numbered. Announcing plans to eliminate the use of plastic packaging in 80% of its Easter eggs for 2009, Nestlé said the new Smarties and Milkybar Shaker eggs will...
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Whisky brands prepare offers for festive season
Whisky producers are gearing up for the key Christmas period with a raft of new launches and promotional activity. Following last week’s launch of a smoother tasting single malt, The Singleton of Dufftown. Diageo is continuing its bid to appeal to...
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Lavazza adds a splash of style to pod coffees
Lavazza is going head to head with Nestlé’s Nespresso and Kraft Foods’ Tassimo with its first coffee ‘pod’ machine. The Italian coffee specialist has developed A Modo Mio (which means My Way in Italian) in partnership with coffee machine maker,...
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Diageo introduces set list price for retailers
Diageo is introducing new trade terms for all its customers from next month in an attempt to be seen as an fmcg business rather than just a drinks and marketing company. “Over the last 10 years we have put the consumer and brands at the heart of our...
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Family fun to fore as Green’s revamps home-baking range
Kerry Foods is planning a complete overhaul of its Green’s home-baking brand that will include new packaging, new products, a reformulation of recipes and more character-licence ranges. The new-look range and products are due to hit shelves next...
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They booze you lose
They booze you lose The pressure on retailers to stamp out alcohol sales to the under-age is already intense. But it’s about to get a whole lot worse. Robyn Lewis reports
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Mid-Strength prospects ‘limited’, says Magners
Magners UK boss John Holberry has admitted he is “not as convinced” the new Magners Mid-Strength cider, launched at the end of last week, will be as successful as recent more mainstream launches. Brand-owner the C&C Group will introduce the 2.3% abv...
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Magners to triple UK office to grow brand
Magners owner the C&C Group is planning to more than triple the size of its UK office in a bid to stem declining sales of the cider. The Irish company ran the UK business from its Dublin base until last March, when it appointed John Holberry,...
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Pringles enters bagged snacks with Select lines
Procter & Gamble is launching a range of premium Pringles bagged snacks that will go head to head with Walkers Sensations and Kettle Chips – but could signal the demise of its own Gourmet range. P&G described the brand extension, which is launched...
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McCain: our posh chips are Simply Gorgeous
McCain: our posh chips are Simply Gorgeous: McCain Foods is continuing its push into the premium frozen sector with the launch of a new indulgent potato brand this autumn. The Simply Gorgeous range is aimed at special occasions and is priced at £2.29 for a 550g bag, compared with £1.93 for ...
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Accentuate the Positive
Sitting in the cheerless, corporate grey surrounds of InBev UK's Luton HQ, it is hard to fathom how MD Stuart MacFarlane remains so sanguine. He is the fourth man in five years to take the helm at the Belgian brewer and joins at a time...
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Tropicana takes on Innocent with premium smoothie line
PepsiCo is investing £9m in the launch of a premium Tropicana smoothie range to compete with Innocent as part of a total overhaul of its UK smoothie strategy. Tropicana, which also owns the PJ's Smoothies brand, said it would be targeting...
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Chambord does fashion week in style
Luxury French liqueur Chambord is linking up with fashion magazine InStyle to promote its second year as sponsor of London Fashion Week. The InStyle tie-up will include the chance for readers to win tickets to a VIP party the brand will...
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PLB cuts alcohol in Chileno rosé wine
Wine agent PLB has cut the alcohol in its Chilean rosé wine after research revealed growing demand for more refreshing, lower-alcohol pink wines. The Merlot rosé under the company's Chileno brand umbrella is now about 12% abv, down from...
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Concern over brands' future after S&N deal
Heineken may struggle to cope with the size of its new UK portfolio following its joint takeover of Scottish & Newcastle, say industry experts. The Dutch brewer will take control of S&N's UK portfolio along with its Portuguese, Finnish,...
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LoSalt ads warn of high salt dangers
Hard-hitting messages warning of the dangers of too much salt will form the basis of a marketing campaign for the brand LoSalt. The six-month campaign, which kicks off this week with a full page ad in The Sun to coincide with National...
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Blueberry variant for St Helier range
St Helier hopes to cash in on the trend for superfoods with the newest addition to its range - a blueberry- flavoured pear cider. The move is an attempt by owner Intercontinental Brands to keep momentum in the category through...
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In Brief: Blossom Hill online; Composite pinot noir; Martell sponsorship
Blossom Hill online Blossom Hill fans will be able to find out more about the wine on a new website. The site, www.blossomhill.com, goes live at the end of this month and features information on all the wines in the range.