Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has announced details of this year’s Fanta Hallowe’en activity, including a spooktacular on-pack promotion offering epic prizes or scary surprises.
The on-pack promotion will help retailers tap into consumer demand for soft drinks at Hallowe’en in GB. Soft drinks value growth was up £69 million year-on-year during Hallowe’en 2021 – a period in which Fanta achieved a 12 per cent increase in value sales.
Ghoulish on-pack promotion
From 12 September, shoppers are invited to scan QR codes on limited edition, ghoulish packs of Fanta to find out instantly whether they’ve won an epic prize from a £50k prize pool. Prizes range from cauldrons of cash, to home entertainment systems and supplies for the ultimate scary movie night in. Those who don’t win will receive exclusive digital content to scare their friends and family with instead.
More Flavours for Hallowe'en 2022
As well as Fanta Orange and Orange Zero, this year marks the first time Fanta Lemon, Fanta Fruit Twist Zero, Fanta Grape Zero, and Fanta Raspberry Zero are being included in the brand’s Hallowe'en activity. Promotional packs include 330ml cans and 500ml bottles for consumers to pick up on-the-go, and 2l bottles to enjoy at home. (Promotional packs also include Fanta Orange and Fanta Orange Zero 500ml and 2l PMPs)
The promotion will be supported by a multi-million-pound marketing campaign which includes the return of the popular 2021 spooktacular TV ad, paid social media, digital and out of home advertising. Free POS materials will be available whilst stocks last from My.CCEP.com by mid-September.
“Worth more than £270m and in 13.3 per cent growth, Fanta is the number-one flavoured carbonates brand in GB and has become synonymous with Hallowe'en in recent years,” said Martin Attock, VP Commercial Development at CCEP GB. “Fanta Zero is doing particularly well and led growth during the spooky season in 2021, which is why we’re including more of our popular zero sugar flavours this time around.
“Retailers can create in-outlet theatre with front of store and aisle end displays – where HFSS-compliant ranges like Fanta have a key role to play. This, combined with our £50,000 prize pool and the other marketing activity we have planned, will help Fanta and our customers achieve another year of strong growth at Hallowe'en.”
86 per cent of the CCEP portfolio will be HFSS-exempt by October, and 100 per cent of the Fanta and Fanta Zero Sugar ranges will be exempt.
Imperial Brands has announced the launch of Paramount, a new cigarette brand designed for adult smokers who seek exceptional value without compromising on quality.
To support the launch, Paramount is offering additional support to retailers to enable them to sell at £11.50 or less per pack should they wish to.
Paramount features premium, full-flavour Virginia sun-ripened tobacco, meeting the needs of the majority of UK cigarette smokers, where over 90% of cigarettes sold are Virginia blends1 and 83% are full-flavour tobacco2.
Now available through UK Wholesale and Independent Retail channels, Paramount’s introduction reflects the growing demand for value options in the UK, with the value sector expanding by 5% in the past year3 and now representing 30% of the UK cigarette market4.
With great offers in wholesale to support the launch, Paramount is a top choice for value-seeking consumers. The brand is available in both full flavour king-size and super king-size formats, catering to a wide range of UK smokers.
The UK launch of Paramount follows the success of its debut in Germany, where it is currently the fastest-growing cigarette product since hitting the shelves5. Paramount has also launched successfully in a number of other European markets.
Yawer Rasool, Consumer Marketing Director UK & Ireland at Imperial Brands, stated: “The demand for value products that still offer high quality continues to grow. Paramount will be our best value product in the UK market – synonymous with great value and proven success on the Continent.
“Many smokers of value products are open to trying new brands if the price is right. Given its success in key European markets, we anticipate strong demand for the Paramount brand across the UK.”
Yoplait yoghurt has launched Yop 500g Strawberry into Booker Cash & Carry ensuring the availability of the UK’s only drinking yoghurt for independent and convenience retailers across the country for the first time.
The flavoured milk category is experiencing huge growth and is expected to be worth £671 million by 2028. The total category is currently being driven by the convenience sector accounting for £262 million and accounting for 44 per cent of total category sales.
In a recent taste test, more consumers preferred the taste of Yop to its flavoured milk competitors.
“Yop is unique," said Ewa Moxham, Head of Marketing at Yoplait UK. "It offers a delicious flavour and as it is a yoghurt drink rather than just flavoured milk, it keeps consumers fuller for longer and our 500g format is perfect for on-the-go consumption”
Yop Strawberry 500g is suitable for adults and children, has a uniquely smooth texture and is a source of Protein, Calcium and Vitamin D, critical to help children and teenagers build healthy bones.
“We are delighted to be listing Yop Strawberry 500g as it offers our customers a real point of difference and great value for money,” said Hannah Wlodarczyk, Category Manager (Designate) – Butters, Spreads, Yoghurts & Desserts at Booker Group.
Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC UK) is bringing retailers a premium proposition of Fox's Fabulous Chocolatey Milk Chocolate Shortcake Rounds in a new price-marked pack (PMP) format. The luxurious treat from the number one big cookie brand features crumbly shortcake biscuits coated in a generous amount of smooth, rich milk chocolate. The new format will meet the current demand for accessible products that deliver on the taste and quality that Fox’s is known for.
There is a £5m opportunity for symbol and independent impulse outlets to sell more biscuits with Fox’s , particularly with the premium proposition of the range, and this is made more accessible to shoppers with the new PMP offering. The wider premium treat segment of sweet biscuits is worth £383m and is growing by 10.8 per cent year on year. Shoppers are using biscuits as an opportunity to treat themselves and to lift their mood, presenting a further £13.8m growth opportunity for retailers in the biscuit category.
“Value continues to be a key factor for shoppers and PMP formats give them reassurance and confidence that they are not being overcharged," said Colin Taylor, Trade Marketing Director at FBC UK. "As a result, price-marked packs present an ideal opportunity for retailers to take advantage of this and allows them to tap into the premium treat segment – encouraging consumers to trade up.”
“As the colder weather and darker nights draw in, sharing is especially important for the big night in occasion. Fox’s Chocolatey Rounds are the perfect treat for these delicious moments of enjoyment, particularly as the pack size means it’s perfect for sharing with others. The Fox’s PMP portfolio can help retailers make the most of the opportunity in this category.”
Fox’s Chocolatey Milk Chocolate Shortcake Rounds PMP are available from 18 November throughout wholesalers nationwide.
Pet care specialists Purina has launched a campaign to spotlight the amazing support pets provide to people in need, encouraging all to say a huge thank you to pets up and down the country.
The campaign comes as a new poll of 2,000 adults who have a cat or dog found that their four-legged friends regularly help t out when they’re feeling down.
They claim pets have helped improve their mood when they’ve been ill (47 per cent), after a bad day at work (39 per cent) and following an argument (22 per cent).
Actions that give humans the boost they need are their cat or dog snuggling into them (65 per cent) or greeting them when arriving home (58 per cent). More than half (54 per cent) believe spending time with animals acts as therapy.
The research, commissioned by Purina, also found three quarters said being a cat or dog owner has helped improved their mental health, while 49 per cent said it’s had a positive impact on their physical health.
Purina has teamed up with professional footballer Lucy Bronze, who is mum to West Highland Terrier, Narla, for the campaign.
“Narla has been the best thing ever for me – being a footballer is an absolute dream come true, and I couldn’t do it without her by my side. Being able to come home to someone who is so happy to see you after a long day is a great feeling, and I’m so grateful that she is there for me through all life’s ups and downs,” Bronze said.
Calum Macrae, chief executive of Purina UK & Ireland, said: “We believe that pets absolutely are the UK’s hidden support network – they really are the ones there by our side, often when we need them most.
“Harnessing the power of the pet-human bond creates real benefits to people’s wellbeing. As well as in everyday households, we see this truly come to life in the work we do to help our amazing charity partners. Like Cats Protection and their Lifeline service – a specialist cat fostering service for those fleeing domestic abuse; and Canine Partners, who partner highly trained assistance dogs with people with physical disabilities, providing them with greater independence and increased quality of life.
“It is life-changing and that’s why we have an ambition to help one million people in vulnerable situations improve their health and wellbeing by 2030.”
When asked about the ways people show appreciation to their pets, 59 per cent of owners do so by cuddling them, 45 per cent by getting them a new toy, and 11 per cent even put their favourite TV show on.
A fifth say (20 per cent) they initially got their pet to encourage them to do more exercise, while 16 per cent wanted a sense of responsibility and 14 per cent did so to combat loneliness.
It also emerged that cats and dogs have helped people overcome feelings of stress (52 per cent), loneliness (47 per cent) and anxiety (41 per cent).
Almost three quarters (73 per cent) even believe their pet can tell how they’re feeling and over half (54 per cent) have voiced their issues out loud to them.
More than a fifth (22 per cent) have some days where they only speak to their pet, and those surveyed spend an average of three hours and 45 minutes a week chatting to them.
A half (51 per cent) agree it’s amazing how their pet can make them feel better without being able to talk, and 43 per cent claim the companionship has helped them in life massively.
Half of those surveyed, via OnePoll.com, don’t think animals get enough credit for the support they provide humans and 58 per cent couldn’t envisage their life without their furry friend.
A fifth have referred to their pet as a therapist, while 19 per cent have even asked them for advice when feeling low.
Almost a third (32 per cent) feel they’d suffer from loneliness if it wasn’t for their pet and 56 per cent said they really are their best friend.
Purina said Felix, the leading cat food brand across Europe, is hitting the road with global superstar, Robbie Williams, as headline sponsor of his 2025 European Tour.
This is the first time a cat food brand has sponsored an A-lister music tour, bringing the pet and music industry together like never before. The tour marks the continuation of the partnership between the brand and the internationally acclaimed recording artist, with Robbie Williams writing a song, ‘It’s Great to Be a Cat’, exclusively for the brand’s advertising campaign last year.
The mischievous duo will be visiting 18 countries in Europe, starting on 31 May 2025 in Edinburgh and reaching London on the 6 June. The tour is scheduled to complete at the end of September 2025.
Robbie Williams said: “I’m pleased that my partnership with Felix has extended into the live touring space, and I’m excited that the brand will be coming on tour with me. I’m a proud cat owner, and whilst I can’t bring my cats on the road I am able to bring Felix on board as the headline sponsor of next year’s tour.”
Fabio Pietro Degli Esposti, European marketing group director at Nestle, Purina, said: “It’s a very exciting moment for us to continue our successful collaboration with Robbie Williams and Felix and connect two industries in such an unexpected way – for Purina and for the whole pet industry. This tour sponsorship elevates our It’s Great to Be a Cat ongoing campaign and highlights Felix’s mischievous approach to making sure its products are front and centre in surprising ways.”
Laurence Jones, Felix senior brand manager for Purina UK&I, said: “While we know real cats don’t travel well, we’re excited to see Felix hit the road with Robbie on his world tour, bringing the music and pet industry together in a way that hasn’t been done before. This sponsorship is an exciting evolution for our ongoing It’s Great To Be A Cat campaign and highlights Felix’s bold approach to making sure the brand is front and centre in surprising ways.”