Avant Natural mineral water has launched a six-figure partnership with Premier League club, AFC Bournemouth to promote drinking water over sugary sports drinks.
Backed by a six-figure investment, Avant has signed a three-year partnership with Premier League club AFC Bournemouth to promote lower-sugar drinking.
The deal includes co-branded water bottles, with a penny from each sale donated to the Community Sports Trust or the club’s charity. The exclusive co-branded water bottles will be available on matchdays and in local convenience stores.
The partnership will also be supported by in-stadium advertising and fan competitions on social media, to drive further awareness and engagement.
26 per cent of the nation are now classed as obese and almost a quarter of children under five having tooth decay (37 per cent in Bournemouth).
And, despite the sugar tax on soft drinks, there remains a huge challenge to encourage people to choose healthier options over sugary sports drinks.
Avant Mineral Water announces new partnership.Avant Mineral Water
Soner Kanal from Avant Water said, “Challenging the role that sugary drinks play in sport is very important.
"The nation faces huge challenges and drinking more water and less sugar is an accessible way for everyone to improve their health and performance.
"Signing this partnership is a proud moment for Avant and we’re looking forward to developing our relationship with AFC Bournemouth as well as working closely with its Community Sports Trust.
"Our localised strategy with this partnership means that we can truly support retailers in and around the area.”
Rob Mitchell, Commercial Director at AFC Bournemouth, spoke of his delight following the partnership being secured.
“It’s great to be able to bring Avant Water on board as a Proud Partner and the initiatives they’ll be working on with us are really important”.
“Together, we will help ensure that AFC Bournemouth continues to be an environmentally friendly club, and we will look to instill the same beliefs throughout our Community Sports Trust projects.”
Avant natural mineral water has seen 30 per cent growth in the last three years with listings in WHS Smith and Bestway. It is set to drive further expansion across retail and out of home channels in 2025.
The wider bottled water category saw a 7.1 per cent increase in volume in 2024 according to latest data published in partnership with NIQ. Brands were up 5.9 per cent and own label 8.2 per cent.
Popcorn Kitchen has announced the arrival of moreish chocolate-coated popcorn and zingy jellybeans in the same bowl.
On the one side resides crunchy, light-to-bite, freshly popped popcorn whilst on the other sits timeless retro hero jellybeans, with its vibrant colour scheme and proud, unapologetic flavours.
It’s worth noting that sugar confectionery is in rude health, currently representing 24 per cent of the UK’s total confectionery market and there’s an especially loud clamour down the sweets aisle for nostalgic classics, softer chews and larger-than-life flavours.
"So many of the business’s top sellers are driven by happy, yesteryear memories, be that Lemon Drizzle Cake, wafer thin After Dinner mints OR plump Cherry Bakewell Pie," said Popcorn Kitchen founder, Louise Monk. "Data certainly suggests that during Spring confectionery is the biggest snacking category with 94 per cent of the population shopping it. Throw in the fact that sugar confectionery has enjoyed a positive bounce as the affordable alternative to spiralling chocolate costs and you can see why I felt now was the perfect moment to bring together two of my all-time childhood heroes."
Since its inception in 2023, Pop at Home has become the business’s most successful line extension, enjoying 93 per cent year-on-year growth.
Kicking off an £8m brand investment in 2025, IRN-BRU, the UK’s third biggest flavoured carbonate brand, is launching a huge POS-led campaign that’s set to disrupt the soft drinks category and give consumers the chance to win a truly unique IRN-BRU prize.
IRN-BRU shoppers will be in with a chance of winning one of four solid 18-carat-gold girders worth £10,000 each between 3 March and 29 April. There will also be thousands of other prizes on offer, including exclusive gold-plated keyrings and charms and digital coupons for free cans and bottles of IRN-BRU.
A full and high-impact PoS kit will be available for retailers to maximise sales during this key limited period, where demand will be at its peak.
“This is a one-of-a-kind promotion from IRN-BRU with a one of a kind prize on offer," said Kenny Nicholson, Head of IRN-BRU Brand. "We will be reaching shoppers far and wide with a heavyweight campaign, including outdoor and digital advertising, experiential sampling and in-store marketing.
“We expect that demand for IRN-BRU will be absolutely sky high, so we encourage retailers to get prepared with full range availability throughout the eight weeks, whilst also making use of our disruptive and cheeky PoS to drive their IRN-BRU sales.”
Shoppers can enter by scanning the QR code on POS which will take them to our promotional website where they can enter the product barcode and batch-code from their purchased pack. They’ll instantly be told whether they’re a winner or not and the prize fund will refresh every two weeks so that consumers are encouraged to try again.
Retailers can their PoS kit here to create in-store theatre and maximise this sales opportunity.
Absolut is serving up something special with the group, Sugababes. Just like the girls themselves, this exciting cocktail range is all about flavour, style, and creativity. Featuring renowned Absolut Vodka flavours — including Absolut Raspberri, Absolut Vanilia, and Absolut Hunni — each cocktail puts a fresh twist on a classic recipe, capturing the essence of the Sugababes in every sip.
AbsolutPush the Berri Button Collins – by Mutya
AbsolutRound Round Martini – by Keisha
AbsolutHunni Like Me Martini – by Siobhan
Absolut and Sugababes are calling all fans to go "Round Round" to their local stores to be in the mix for winning exclusive prizes including tickets, merch and signed goodies. Consumers will be able to enter a competition to see the band live on their 2025 tour just by scanning a QR code in-store and can increase their chances to win by purchasing a bottle of Absolut flavoured vodka (Absolut Hunni, Absolut Raspberri and Absolut Vanilia). Consumers will be asked to input the last four digits of the bottle’s barcode as proof of purchase when entering the competition via the Absolut website.
Throughout their 2025 tour, the iconic pop trifecta will be autographing a limited number of Absolut flavoured vodka bottles, which will be available for fans to win across Absolut’s social media channels throughout the tour. Additionally, Absolut will be offering limited ‘Tab on Tour’ bar tabs at selected Revolution venues throughout Sugababes April tour (T&Cs below).
“Absolut believes we’re Born To Mix – celebrating the power of blending, whether it’s drinks, ideas or people," said Alison Perrottet, Brand Director for Absolut UK. "With a legacy of supporting creative communities since 1979, Absolut partners with artists and musicians to spark cultural conversations and inspire progress. This partnership with the Sugababes, a group celebrated not only for their music but also for representing reinvention and unity, showcases how blending voices, talents, and perspectives can inspire and celebrate diversity and creativity.
Perrottet continued: “We’re buzzing to share this Absolut Vodka cocktail collection with you – each drink is inspired by our own bold and unique style! From the playful energy of Mutya’s Push the Berri Button Collins to the sophistication of Keisha’s Round Round Martini, and the classic charm of Siobhan’s Hunni Like Me Martini. It’s all about mixing things up, having fun, and bringing new twists to classic recipes we love. Enjoy! – Sugababes.”
Oat milk chocolate brand, HAPPi, is launching two new Easter Eggs to its range, offering those following a plant-based diet something new and delicious to enjoy this Easter.
The new Salted Honeycomb and Cherry & Almond Easter eggs will join the core range this spring and are perfect for those customers seeking flavour in every delicious bite.
“Our Easter range is always incredibly popular with a huge following, so we’re excited to be able to launch two more variants, bringing something entirely new to the market,” said Gavin Cox, Founder of HAPPi.
Crafted from sustainably-sourced oat milk chocolate and 100 per cent natural ingredients, HAPPi’s range of Easter Eggs have huge shelf appeal and are perfect for kids and adults alike. The new Salted Honeycomb and Cherry & Almond Easter Eggs, enjoy the now five-strong range alongside Plain M!lk, Salted Caramel and Orange.
“Our Easter Eggs don’t just taste great but use 100 per cent paper outer packaging and the egg is sealed in a fully compostable bag made of wood pulp, therefore they create a lot less waste than standard eggs. With demand increasing among consumers for great quality and eco-friendly choices, we are really proud that we can deliver the same great-tasting, rich and creamy chocolate that we are known for, as well as reduce our impact on the environment,” added Gavin.
HAPPi’s Easter Eggs are perfect for those looking for a healthier alternative, with HAPPi’s chocolate boasting 35 per cent less sugar than other mass market brands, as well as offering a plant-based option.
The brand is also committed to sustainable farming of its chocolate, ensuring the cacao is ethically-sourced from renowned family-owned Lukar’s Chocolate in Colombia.
HAPPi’s new Easter Eggs (155g) will be available nationwide, RRP £11.99 each.
Leading symbol group SPAR is proud to announce a symbol group exclusive partnership with The Hershey Company and Euro Food Brands, the brand’s official UK distributor, for the launch of the REESE’S Peanut Butter White Bar.
For a limited six-week period, SPAR will be the only symbol group with access to the new REESE’S Peanut Butter White Bar. Available from 20 February 2025, SPAR stores across Scotland, Wales, and England will have access to this irresistible treat.
A treat like no other
The REESE’S Peanut Butter White Bar, the latest addition to REESE’S line-up, blends rich, creamy peanut butter with a smooth white chocolate flavour coating. Ideal for sharing, snacking, or gifting, this unique treat is set to delight white chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike.
Driving innovation through exclusive partnerships
“We are thrilled to launch the new REESE’S Peanut Butter White Bar as a SPAR exclusive,” said Gemma Turner, SPAR UK Trading Manager. “This six-week opportunity will attract footfall, enhance customer engagement, and strengthen our brand’s relationship with shoppers by offering unique, limited-time products. These exclusives position SPAR as a leader in innovation and set us apart from competitors."
Lara Duncan, UK Country Manager at The Hershey Company, added: "The iconic REESE’S brand is committed to creating extraordinary treats that excite our consumers. The REESE’S Peanut Butter White Bar is a delicious innovation designed to thrill white chocolate and peanut butter enthusiasts.
“This collaboration with SPAR is a testament to our commitment to innovation, accelerating our growth in convenience, and bringing a one-of-a-kind product to our consumers.”
A growing favourite in convenience
The REESE’S brand is one of the fastest growing chocolate brands in the UK convenience channel with sales increasing by 26 per cent over the past year.
The 90g REESE’S Peanut Butter White Bar will be available exclusively in SPAR stores in Scotland, Wales, and England for six weeks from 20February at a promotional price of £1.50 (RSP: £2.10).