PRODUCTS Britvic launches advice site

Jasper Hart

BRITVIC has launched a new website for convenience stores called At Your Convenience.

Live now, the website offers advice on how to boost soft drinks sales, as well as the latest trends and insights, and information on Britvic’s range. There is also a dedicated trade contact for any retailer needing to speak to the supplier, to ensure specialist support is being provided.

It has been designed using feedback from hundreds of retailers to offer support to stores of all sizes, locations and sales volumes.

The supplier is offering a free case of Pepsi Max, Tango or Rockstar Energy to every outlet that signs up, with accompanying PoS.

Ben Parker, retail commercial director at Britvic, said: “We are striving to continually support independent retailers who stock and sell

Twirl Xtra joins Cadbury Duos range

MONDELEZ International has expanded its Cadbury Duos range with the launch of Twirl Xtra.

Twirl Xtra features two longer pieces of chocolate in each pack at an RRP of 80p.

Its launch comes as the total duos market is growing by 11.1% ahead of singles, as shoppers buy them for themselves and for sharing with loved ones.

View Kidsanapun, Duos lead at Mondelez, said: “Our research shows that more than half of consumers speci�ically 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 supplier is supporting the launch with in-store PoS.

Epicurium grows chocolate range

EPICURIUM has added ethical chocolate supplier Tony’s Chocolonely’s collaboration with ice cream supplier Ben & Jerry’s to its chocolate bar range.

The range is available in White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake and Dark Milk Chocolate Fudge Brownie varieties. They are available from the wholesaler in cases of 15.

The collaborative bars have been made to celebrate Ben & Jerry’s sourcing traceable cocoa via Tony’s ‘open chain’ way of working, which emphasises supply chain transparency.

The wholesaler hopes they can be an attractive proposition to newcomers to the

Britvic soft drinks. The advice and tools hosted on the website have been developed with the current climate in mind, helping retailers navigate in�lationary pressures and HFSS regulations, for example, as well as driving soft drinks sales.”

With the launch of At Your Convenience, Britvic is the latest supplier to launch a site helping independents to boost sales, following launches from Mondelez International, Mars Wrigley, KP Snacks and Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I.

Absolut launches limited-edition bottle

PERNOD Ricard UK (PRUK) has launched the latest limited-edition Absolut Vodka bottle.

Made from more than 50% recycled glass, the bottle features a woven fabric design that serves as a visual representation of the brand’s attributes of creativity, culture and community.

It is available in a 60cl bottle at an RRP of £12 and a 1l bottle from Amazon and Costco at an RRP of £25.50.

Retailers can also bene�it from in-store shippers, aisle �lags, shelf barkers and pallet wraps in Costco.

In support of the new bottle, PRUK opened the Absolut

KP launches Hot & Spicy Popchips

KP SNACKS has expanded its Popchips brand with a Hot & Spicy variety.

The new �lavour will be available from mid-February in a 23g bag with an RRP of £1 and an 85g sharing bag with an RRP of £2.25.

Its launch comes amid growing interest in spicy �lavours, with ‘spicy’ being the third-fastest-growing crisps, snacks and nuts �lavour pro�ile in sharing, worth £207m.

Additionally, the healthier snacking segment is growing by 23.9%. Last year, KP reformulated the entire Popchips range to be nonHFSS. It is currently worth £43.5m and growing in value by 14.5%.

BrewDog unveils new stout beer

Tony’s Chocolonely brand, with Ben & Jerry’s recognisable branding standing out to many shoppers.

BREWDOG has unveiled Black Heart, a new stout beer variety.

Available now in BrewDog bars across the UK, the launch (4.1% ABV) will be available from Tesco and Booker later this year.

Brewed in Dublin, it is made with chocolate and crystal malts, and will be available to stock in single 440ml cans as well as 4x440ml and 10x440ml multipacks.

With Black Heart, the supplier intends to make stout more accessible to newcomers and people who normally drink more popular stouts, such as Guinness, on St Patrick’s Day.

To support the launch, the supplier trialled it unlabelled alongside unlabelled Guinness at Twickenham during England’s match against Scotland.

Swap Shop – a preloved fashion pop-up shop where visitors can bring an item of clothing to exchange –on 9 February.

Be Alert for new Lucozade look

SUNTORY Beverage and food

GB&I (SBF GB&I) has refreshed the look of its Lucozade Alert range to improve on-shelf standout and appeal to more shoppers.

The new can design appears across the range’s Cherry Blast, Tropical Burst & Original Lucozade varieties.

Since launching in September 2021, Lucozade Alert has amassed £8.1m in value sales.

Aoife McGuigan, head of Lucozade Alert at SBF GB&I, said: “The updated pack design presents a fresh opportunity to drive shopper engagement, encourage trial and drive additional purchases to help increase sales even further. Lucozade Alert drove £1m in net sales value in two months at launch and now we’re back with a can that has even stronger shelf presence.”

JTI refreshes Sterling Essential Rolling

JTI UK has refreshed its Sterling Essential Rolling tobacco, adding rolling papers, an enhanced blend and a zip pouch. The refresh is intended to make the tobacco more accessible for existing adult smokers, giving them everything they need in one pouch.

Sterling Essential Rolling is available at an RRP of £14.55 for 5x30g pouches and £23.85 for 5x50g.

Mark McGuinness, marketing director at JTI UK, said: “We listened to trade and consumer feedback when redesigning and updating Sterling Essential Rolling, to ensure the product would hit the key shopper needs of value and convenience, and therefore help our retailer partners maximise sales.”

The supplier is supporting the relaunch with wholesale in-depot activity to raise awareness.