Sweet treats lead latest NPD round-up
Mars strengthens spread range
Confectionery manufacturer Mars has unveiled two new launches into its spread range, featuring two of its most well-known brands.
M&M’s and Snickers peanut butters will sell exclusively in B&M stores from 17 July and contain a mix of chocolate – from each of their respective brands – and nut pieces.
McVitie’s bolsters biscuit range
Pladis hoped to capitalise on its £151m everyday treat portfolio with a trio of new releases from McVitie’s in its new Very Important Biscuit (VIB) line.
Available in three flavours – Classic Caramel Bliss, Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut and Luscious Blood Orange – the biscuits are golden baked, topped with chewy caramel and finished with a coating of milk chocolate.
Pladis UK and Ireland brand director Emma Stowers said: “We’re seeing a huge opportunity to encourage shoppers looking to make snack-time a little bit special to trade-up.
“But at present, shoppers on the look-out for special biscuits are likely to have to spend up to 200% more than they do on everyday treats2, so we’re setting the RRP for V.I.Bs very competitively, providing even more incentive to trade-up at the same time as making them affordable enough to enjoy on a regular basis, whilst still feeling premium.”
Cadbury relaunches Inventor competition
Mondelēz International-owned Cadbury has kick-started its annual Cadbury Inventor competition with the launch of three new Dairy Milk chocolate bars.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite of three new limited edition bars created by this year’s completion finalists – Gillian’s Cadbury Dairy Milk Coconutty, Shannon’s Cadbury Dairy Milk Crunchy Honeycomb and Taylor’s Cadbury Dairy Milk Out of the Blueberry.
The bars initially launched in supermarket giant Tesco and with see a nationwide rollout from 22 July.
Cadbury tablets brand manager Beatrice Berutti said: “We’ve loved working with Gillian, Shannon and Taylor to make their bars a reality and opening our doors to bring them into Cadbury. We can’t wait to see which bar wins and really want everyone to go out and vote for their favourite.”
Yeo Valley brings kefir to the freezer cabinet
Yeo Valley has brought its first ever frozen kefir range to the market, capitalising on the growing popularity of the fermented milk drink.
Available in blueberry and strawberry flavours, the range has been positioned as “ice cream without the guilt” by Yeo Valley and contain 61 calories per scoop.
The range builds upon the manufacturer’s existing kefir line-up made with organic British milk with live cultures. Brand manager Tor Crockatt hoped the frozen kefir would offer shoppers a “versatile and healthy treat to have any time of the day”.
Yeo Valley’s 480ml tubs of frozen kefir will go on sale in Waitrose stores from 27 July.
Porridge launch for busy lifestyles
The Great British Porridge Company has launched three new one-pot porridge bowls targeted at consumers on the go.
The 60g Breakfast Bowls aim to provide a quick, healthy and nutritious breakfast. Available in three flavours – Classic Chocolate, Caffé Latte and Blueberry & Banana – consumers just need to add hot water and stir to eat.
“There's a huge gap in the market for a healthy and all natural breakfast pot that can be enjoyed on the go,” explained Jacqueline Barleycorn, founder of The Great British Porridge Co.
“So many options available on the market are packed with sugar so we set out to prove that you can create something delicious using all natural ingredients and no added sugar. Our Breakfast Bowls are the perfect choice if you're short on time, but care about your health and well-being.”
Makeover for go ahead brand
Snack brand go ahead! is to get a £32m brand makeover in response to consumer demands for healthier options.
The Pladis-owned brand’s Crispy Slices range is to get a new formulation, as well as a name change to go ahead! Fruit Slices.
“Our go ahead! brand is the leading brand in low-calorie snacks – and its success can be largely attributed to our £14m Crispy Slices range,” said Christopher Owen, marketing controller at Pladis UK&I.
“But we want to ensure that go ahead! continues to meet the needs of today’s shoppers, so we’re giving the range a renovation – its first since 2003. We’ve come up with our best-ever recipe – and have marked this improvement with a new name which better represents the product.”
