Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Please enter at least 3 characters.
Latest Stories

Aston Manor pumps up availability of Knights Cider amid high demand

Aston Manor pumps up availability of Knights Cider amid high demand

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.

Knights Vintage Cider 500ml FOP Visual

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.

More for you

Stockley’s extends sweets offer with 6-strong sugar-free range

Stockley’s extends sweets offer with 6-strong sugar-free range

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

Keep ReadingShow less
New UFIT 'Loaded' bars set to reenergise protein category

New UFIT 'Loaded' bars set to reenergise protein category

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Emma Watson luxury gin brand Renais secures £4.95m investment

Emma Watson luxury gin brand Renais secures £4.95m investment

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Walkers Limited-Edition Extra Flamin’ Hot out now for January

Walkers Limited-Edition Extra Flamin’ Hot out now for January

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mars unwraps Snickers White Ice Cream bar

Mars unwraps Snickers White Ice Cream bar

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.

Keep ReadingShow less