Aston Manor has announced that its premium quality cider brand is now available in additional wholesalers and retailers across the country.
Earlier this year, the UK’s number one strong amber cider brand1 revealed it had sold over 12 million cans annually and seen a 54 per cent increase in shoppers year-on-year. Fast forward and the brand continues to go from strength to strength, having recorded yet another sharp upwards trajectory in sales - up by 54 per cent in the last 12 weeks - at a time when total cider sales have declined by 6.5 per cent.
Further cementing itself as the wholesale market leader in 2024, Knights Cider is responsible for 12 per cent of all Beer and Cider growth within independent retailers in the last 13 weeks, making it the third biggest driver of growth across Beer and Cider and the number one driver of growth in the Cider category.
Interestingly, five of the top 10 brands powering growth within the Beer and Lager and Cider categories have an ABV of 6 per cent or more, including Knights Cider which has an ABV of 8.4 per cent.
Aston Manor has attributed the success of its premium quality cider brand to several factors, including the cost-of-living crisis which has caused many shoppers to change their spending habits. As part of this, more customers are purchasing cider rather than spirits7, which is speculatively due to less disposable income.
Also helping to drive demand, Knights Cider launched an exciting new product, exclusive to Tesco, in February. The Knights Vintage Cider 500ml glass bottle was created for the cider afficionado who values great tasting cider that doesn’t break the bank. This sentiment reinforces Aston Manor’s commitment to affordability and accessibility, helping shoppers focus their spend on what really matters.
Grace Anthony, Brand Marketing Manager at Aston Manor Cider, said, “Aston Manor’s ethos is all about affordability and we strongly believe it is our affordability that is driving demand for our world-class ciders, particularly Knights Cider. We’re delighted to share that Knights Cider is now being sold in even more locations up and down the country, meaning more shoppers can get their hands on great tasting, premium quality cider that doesn’t cost a fortune.”
Knights Cider has been crafted by the brand’s master cider maker using a blend of its finest bittersweet and dessert apples for a refreshing medium dry taste.
As a business taking significant strides to refresh both its brand identity and range within the UK’s bustling independent sweet & confectionery sector, it probably comes as little surprise to learn that early 2025 will see the launch of an enhanced sugar-free sweets range.
After much tweaking and twiddling the resulting healthier living range will include sugar-free sharing bags of such timeless classics as Sherbet Lemons, Chocolate Limes, Rhubarb & Custards, Pear Drops, Blackcurrant Liquorice and Mint Humbugs
This six-strong eclectic offer provides all the sentimental pull one would expect from a nostalgic portfolio of childhood classics but with only a fraction of the guilt, providing more health-conscious sweet fanatics with the perfect low sugar reformulations that support any discerning sweets enthusiast seeking to trim down their sugar consumption, manage diabetes or simply embrace healthier eating habits without short-changing their taste-buds.
According to marketing spokesperson, Andy Valentine. “Stockley’s may be a confectionery business with an enviable 106-year-old reputation, however that doesn’t mean that we’re unreceptive to the latest sweet trends and priorities. Many retailers have been requesting better-for-you sweet alternatives that don’t skimp on taste yet recognise the nation’s changing health goals.”
Stockley’s has been buoyed in recent times by the growing trend for "closer-to-home" classics, which provides a counter-balance to World Cuisine, where proud food and drink enthusiasts are actively seeking out modern twists on old-school favourites from across the UK.
Ready-To-Drink protein brandUFIT will expand its leading portfolio of health-focused snacks and drinks with the launch of UFIT Loaded Protein Bars.
Packed with 15g of protein and low sugar, UFIT Loaded intends to reenergise consumer interest in the protein bar category with popular flavours: Caramelised Biscuit, and White Chocolate Cookie. Made with natural flavours and real chocolate, they offer a delicious option for health-conscious consumers looking for on-the-go snacking.
Protein bars are typically seen as expensive and still have negative taste connotations by consumers. This has made the category highly competitive, with value-based bars tending to be small and lacking in shelf presence. UFIT Loaded is designed to work against this trend, offering shoppers a tasty and HFSS-compliant choice with the attractive price point of only £1.29 per bar.
"Launching UFIT Loaded is an obvious next step for us, bringing a new and complementary dimension to our leading protein product range,” said Sales Director Richard Northridge.
“Our loyal shoppers expect quality and value, and that’s exactly what our new bars offer: a great-tasting snack with high protein and low sugar that are accessibly priced, reengaging with consumers who may have moved away from the category previously.
“Our goal is to help people get the most out of every day by bringing protein to the masses, with a range of convenient protein products that “fit around you.” Whether you’re on the move, busy at work or looking for something to keep you fuller for longer, UFITmakes it simple and enjoyable to stay on top.”
As the UK’s leading RTD protein brand (30 per cent market share), UFIT is at the forefront of the category. This is highlighted further by its performance in the impulse channel, where it sells more RTD protein bottles than any other brand. Its core range of protein shakes also boast the highest product loyalty among all other RTD protein brands, including retailer own-labels.
The launch of UFIT Loaded Protein Bars is supported by a £10k marketing investment across influencer social media channels and digital advertising.
UFIT Loaded protein bars, White Chocolate Cookie, and Caramelised Biscuit
Luxury gin brand Renais, created by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson and Alex Watson, "inspired by terroir and tradition", and launched in May 2023, has announced a fundraise of £4.95 million as it closes out a successful 2024.
The raise will support further international expansion and marketing campaigns designed to bring its unique offerings to a broader audience. Upcoming international launches in 2025 include France, Spain, Dubai and Canada.
“It’s been an exciting year for Renais and this new raise is a key milestone in the brand’s growth. As consumers preference for premiumisation and a desire to drink less, but better, continues to grow, we are in a unique position in the gin category to capture their attention and tell our story of heritage, craftsmanship and provenance. I am also excited to have some of the foremost drink’s experts on board as investors, their experience will be invaluable to Renais to reach its full potential”, said Alex Watson, CEO & Co-founder of Renais Gin.
Investors include strategic drinks industry experts including US Based InvestBev and Jean-Sebastien Robicquet of Maison Villevert.
Brian Rosen General Partner InvestBev said: "We are thrilled to support Renais Gin in its journey to become a globally recognised brand. The premium gin category continues to demonstrate remarkable potential, and Renais Gin's quality and sustainability credentials align perfectly with our strategic investment focus. We believe our capital—coupled with our deep industry expertise and network—will amplify Renais Gin’s ability to reach new consumers and markets."
Renais has also bolstered its board with ex-Lathwaites Group CFO Jimmy Weir, who will join other drinks industry veterans including Andrew Morgan ex-Diageo European Chief and Alex Staartjes, previously Global Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard.
Following the successful launch of PepsiCo’s Extra Flamin’ Hot range last year, the brand is set to build upon the momentum and bring the heat to Britain’s most loved crisps this January. A limited-edition variant, Walkers Extra Flamin’ Hot will join the existing Walkers MAX, Doritos and Wotsits Crunchy line-up, available for eight weeks only.
The move comes as spicy flavours grew faster than the savoury snacking category average last year. In fact, the hot and spicy flavour segment has grown +8.7 per cent YoY, presenting a significant trend for retailers to leverage through their Crisps, Snacks and Nuts offering. PepsiCo’s existing Extra Flamin’ Hot range is a key player in driving this growth, having generated £22.1m RSV since launch.
“The launch of our Extra Flamin’ Hot brand platform earlier this year brought some much-needed heat to crisp aisles across the UK, but we’re not done yet," said Rob Pothier, Senior Marketing Manager at PepsiCo. "We know that shoppers consistently seek bold, new innovations of their favourite snacks. So, there was no better time to pair Britain’s most loved crisps with our incredibly popular Extra Flamin’ Hot flavour portfolio, which has sold over 13.9m packs since launch.
“As the first spicy Walkers Core offering, expanding our Extra Flamin’ Hot range with a limited-edition Walkers SKU will generate excitement and drive trial of the range, helping retailers to boost their savoury snacking sales in-store. Additionally, the variant will roll out in sharing bags, price-marked packs and grab bags, ensuring the Extra Flamin’ Hot range can help retailers to appeal to all shopper snacking occasions.”
Walkers Extra Flamin’ Hot will begin hitting shelves across all channels from the first week of January in a 150g sharing pack (RRP £1.65), 70g PMP (RRP £1.25) and 45g grab bag (RRP £1.10). The launch will be supported by a multi-million ATL campaign, spanning TV, social media, digital, OOH and PR.
Despite a challenging year in 2024 for ice cream manufacturers, Mars has continued to outperform the overall market in value sales (+two per cent) and notably multipack unit (+five per cent) and value sales (+3 per cent) which was its best performing sector for 2024.
Kerry Cavanaugh, general manager at Mars Chocolate Drinks & Treats, says: “The real driver of our multipack performance was the roll out of our new four pack Bounty, Twix and Maltesers ice cream bars, suggesting consumers are increasingly buying ice cream for at home consumption as a dessert or treat, rather than on the go.
“Snickers has long been a hero product of our range in the UK, and the white flavour has proved to be extremely popular in other European countries. In Germany, the Snickers White Ice Cream bar runs at 70 per cent of the original Snickers ROS.
“In the UK, 13 per cent of all multipack ice cream sales are a white chocolate variant, and coupled with the popularity of the Snickers brand, we see a great opportunity to appeal to ice cream and white chocolate fans alike with the launch of Snickers White Ice Cream bar in 2025!”
Snickers White Ice Cream bar is packed with real roasted peanuts, nougat and caramel, covered in a white chocolate. Snickers White Ice Cream bar multipacks are available in convenience and wholesale channels. Multipack RSP £2.50.