FBC UK’s Merryland Minis add crunch to Christmas Range

Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC), number-one branded manufacturer in GB Seasonal Sweet Biscuits & Assortments unveils their range for Christmas 2024. A festive play on the Maryland brand, the new Merryland White Chocolate Chip Minis is launching following huge growth in the white chocolate flavour, +111 per cent YOY. The new product joins new Fox’s Winter Spiced Cookies along with the usual family of FBC seasonal favourites, following strong performances last Christmas.

Smaller formats of Seasonal biscuits help retailers build excitement in the run up to Christmas and the Merryland White Chocolate Cookies launch meets this demand. Merryland is a box of deliciously crunchy mini cookies, packed with smooth white chocolate chips and available in a 150g sharing carton, perfect for big nights in and entertaining friends and family over the next few months.

“Last Christmas was a roaring success for the biscuits category and was a demonstration of how important the market is to seasonal sales," said Colin Taylor, Trade Marketing Director. "Sweet biscuits saw the highest uplift of any seasonal category in the four-week December window with growth of 16 per cent vs seven per cent across total seasonal products. FBC UK significantly outperformed during this time, and seasonal and assortments has been growing by +40 per cent year on year. This demonstrates a definite appetite from consumers who want to get into the festive spirit by enjoying time together and relaxing with their loved ones.

The returning festive range includes Fox’s Classic 550g Assortment (the No.1 Sweet Biscuit Assortment ) Fox’s Assortment Tins, Fox’s Snowman Tin, Fox’s Snowman Gingerbread Minis and Paterson’s (Britain’s favourite shortbread brand ). The new Fox’s Winter Spiced Cookies are rolling out to retailers now and the delicious milk chocolate chunk cookies are half enrobed in smooth milk chocolate with the addition of warming winter spiced flavours.

Taylor continued: “There is a need to evolve to keep shoppers engaged each festive season, so we have refreshed the packaging of our much-loved seasonal range to bring in more festive cues. In the lead up to Christmas, it is key that retailers focus on small early rewards and help shoppers plan gifting occasions: the FBC range delivers both across grocery and convenience.”

FBC is running an upweighted digital campaign across its’ social media pages; engaging shoppers and bringing the fun of Christmas to their timelines. This includes competitions and opportunities to win across social media to truly "Share the Festive Joy with Fox’s" and bring smiles to shoppers' faces this season. The new Merryland Minis and the Fox’s Winter Spiced Cookies are available in the biggest stores nationwide now and will be available in impulse and wholesale over the coming weeks.

NEW for 2024:

Merryland White Chocolate Chip Minis

• 150g sharing carton
• MRSP £1.75

Fox’s Winter Spiced Cookie

• 175g
• MRSP £2.50

Returning range:

• Fox’s Classic Assortment 550g & 275g
• Fox’s Viennese Assortment
• Fox’s Chocolatey Carton
• Fox’s Chocolatey Tin
• Fox’s Winter Desserts
• Fox’s Brandy Snaps
• Where’s My Elf Minis
• Fox’s Festive Creams
• Fox’s Snowman Tin
• Fox’s Cookie Assortment
• Fox’s Snowman Gingerbread Minis

• Fox’s Sticky Toffee Crunch Creams
• Party Rings Yard
• Paterson’s Shortbread and Biscuit Assortment
• Paterson’s Heritage Shapes and Chocolate Chip
• Patterson’s Fingers Original & Scottish Cream
• Paterson’s Royal Edinburgh Petticoat Tails
• Paterson’s Royal Edinburgh Shortbread and Biscuit
• Paterson’s Royal Edinburgh Heritage Shapes
• Paterson’s Royal Edinburgh Tin
• Paterson’s Royal Edinburgh Carton