Imperial Tobacco has announced the launch of JPS Players Easy Rolling Tobacco, a new blend of fine cut tobacco that offers an easier rolling experience at an attractive price point.
The product features a more vibrant colour and lower levels of moisture, making the blend easier to handle and to roll. Available to buy from 1 April, in 30g and 50g and priced at £11.95 and £19.60, each pouch will include a set of quality rolling papers.
“Our research shows that consumers remain fully focused on seeking out the best value from the tobacco products they buy. This is especially true within the growing RYO segment, with the Economy sector accounting for just shy of half the market at 49.87 per cent,” commented Chris Street, market manager UK at Imperial Tobacco.
“With JPS Players being a nationally well-known and trusted brand, we’re confident this latest innovation will help retailers capitalise on the rising demand for quality tobacco products at great value price points.”
Imperial will be running a National Ambassador Program to support the launch with visits to approximately 481 outlets each month in over 30 cities across the UK and Northern Ireland.
CELSIUS energy drinks is making its long-awaited debut in the UK, with a mission to inspire a “live fit” mindset and lifestyle, crushing your goals, and feeling your best.
The fastest-growing, third-largest energy drink brand in the US, with over $2.7 billion in sales, CELSIUS is already available in some UK retailers, and this month marks the beginning of the brand’s wider launch across major grocers, independents, and convenience stores, taking the brand’s high-performance energy nationwide. CELSIUS will be available from 3 February and is also available in the UK in a price mark pack as well.
“We’re thrilled to see CELSIUS expanding across the UK. The response has been incredible, and we’re just getting warmed up. With over 50,000 points of distribution, this nationwide presence puts CELSIUS in front of even more customers. Watch this space as we continue to grow and redefine the energy drink market,” said Carlotta Cattelani, Head of Marketing, UK & Ireland at CELSIUS.
Enriched with a blend of vitamins and fruit-forward flavours, CELSIUS is designed to support the body’s natural functions while limiting fatigue. Packed with essential ingredients like Vitamin C, B12, B6, and B5, supporting immune health, reducing tiredness, and fuelling your day – all with zero sugar.
The energy drink has already made waves in the US, contributing to 28 per cent of the energy drink category’s growth. And now, with its vibrant, fruit-forward flavours, CELSIUS is set to take the UK by storm:
Peach Vibe: Deliciously sweet, vibrant peach flavour in every sip.
Fantasy Vibe: Explore the fantastic taste of sweet and tangy oranges.
Cosmic Vibe: An out of this world flavour with exotic, sweet notes.
Sunset Vibe: A blend of tropical mango and passionfruit flavours.
Alpesh Mistry, Sales Director at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, says: “Celsius is already generating huge momentum in the health and fitness channel and we’re ready to take that momentum with this exciting brand to even more customers and consumers across the UK. Stimulation continues to grow rapidly and we have huge ambition to make the USA’s fastest growing energy brand the UK’s fastest too.”
Last year, CELSIUS selected Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland as its exclusive sales and distribution partner in the UK.
Beyond the product, CELSIUS is ramping up with exciting activations across the UK, including F1 campaigns and collaborations with top-tier ambassadors, offering a range of immersive customer experiences designed to inspire and energise.
Dojo, the vaping brand powered by industry leader Vaporesso, made waves at the Total Product Expo (TPE) 2025, being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 29-31, with the unveiling of its groundbreaking iMate Series and the futuristic PIXEL 25000.
The iMate Series, hailed as the world’s first all-category compatible platform, stole the spotlight with its revolutionary design. This versatile platform features an independent battery and screen module, enabling seamless compatibility with a wide range of pod types, including refillable, disposable, and 0% Nic.-prefilled pods. Future updates will expand its capabilities to include disposable pods with ICE control, further enhancing its adaptability.
Dojo iMate Series
By adopting the iMate Series, Dojo aid users can potentially save up to 52 batteries annually, offering both economic savings and significant environmental benefits.
At the heart of the iMate Series is the iMate X 20K, a flagship product designed to deliver an unparalleled vaping experience. Boasting a 400mAh standalone battery and a high-definition display, the iMate X 20K combines functionality with sleek design. Its unique sliding rail mechanism, which magnetically connects the pod to the battery, ensures a stress-free user experience.
The device also features vivid user interfaces, including e-liquid and battery indicators, alongside visually appealing wallpapers, making it as stylish as it is practical.
Dojo iMate X 20K
The iMate X 20K also introduces several industry-first features, such as low-voltage and resistance, Varied Dual Mesh atomization, which work in tandem to deliver exceptional flavour accuracy and consistency, while the TFC technology and smart chip intelligent control automatically adjust power settings for precise flavour delivery.
With a combined battery capacity of 1300mAh, the device guarantees prolonged usage and consistent performance. Additionally, its magnetic battery-screen module can attach to surfaces like refrigerators or coffee machines, reducing the risk of loss and promoting reuse.
Dojo Pixel 25000
Dojo’s innovation extended beyond the iMate Series with the debut of the Pixel 25000, the world’s first electronic cigarette equipped with a gravity sensor and dual-pixel screen.
This cutting-edge device offers a multi-sensory vaping experience, combining taste, vision, and motion sense. The dual-pixel screen provides a visually captivating interface, while the gravity interaction feature introduces a unique element of motion, setting a new standard for disposable vapes.
The UK’s largest consumer surveyor of product innovation, Product of the Year, has selected its top competitor in the Crisps and Bagged Snacks category: Doritos, Walkers Extra Flamin' Hot MAX, and Wotsits Crunchy crisps.
Walkers said that it’s no surprise, considering Extra Flamin’ Hot has been the #1 innovation in the spicy flavour space over the last three years.
Following a rigorous process, Product Of The Year put the nation's favourite snacks to the test, looking for the most innovative in design, packaging, and recipe from January 2023 to November 2024. With the final decision made by 8000 shoppers, who voted for the hottest product.
“I’m thrilled Product of the Year has recognised our hard work and talent in bringing one of the best flavours to consumers," said Rob Pothier, Head of Marketing at PepsiCo. "Its fiery kick is not one for the faint-hearted, but it’s great to see there are so many thrill seekers who love it. We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to spice up the snacks market - we’ll be sure to keep bringing the heat.”
Helga Slater, Managing Director at ‘Product of the Year’ added “‘Extra Flamin’ Hot adds a new level of heat for those who want more from their snack. Our consumers were impressed by, not only the unique full body sensory experience that the product brings, but also by the bold and unique brand packaging.
Earlier this week PepsiCo announced that Walkers will join the existing Extra Flamin’ Hot line-up of Doritos, Walkers MAX, and Wotsits Crunchy for a limited time, allowing fans of the flavour to experience the tongue-tingling spiciness on a familiar favourite. I
Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ready-to-drink (RTD) has been crowned the winner of the Pre-Mixed Spirit category at the 2025 Product of the Year Awards, the UK’s largest consumer-voted accolade for product innovation.
The launch in March 2023 brought the two brands together, each with a vast global footprint, to offer a convenient, consistent bar quality drink for consumers to enjoy at home. Voted by a panel of 8,000 shoppers, the win reflects the popularity of the product among consumers and retailers alike.
To date, the drink – which includes variants with and without sugar – has generated more than £55m in sales, with Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola Original Taste becoming GB's top-selling ARTD SKU. The Zero Sugar variant caters to rising demand for low and no sugar options, contributing 16 per cent of sales so far and showing strong growth potential.
To help deliver visible value for convenience shoppers, the brand introduced price-marked packs (PMPs) last summer – further solidifying Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD as a must-have offering in the convenience channel, where value remains one of shoppers’ primary motivations.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to win this prestigious award, particularly because it’s voted for by consumers themselves,” said Elaine Maher, Associate Director, Alcohol Ready-to-Drink at CCEP GB. “It’s the ultimate seal of approval, and with 71 per cent of shoppers more likely to buy a product that has won, the drink is set to go from strength to strength.
"This achievement is a powerful reminder of why we’re so passionate about innovation and delivering what consumers want in the ARTD category – which is worth £554m in GB. It’s the perfect way to kick off what’s set to be a very exciting year for our ARTD portfolio, with incredible new launches and campaigns set to unlock continued growth."
Celebrating 21 years of innovation in the UK, the Product of the Year Awards operates in more than 45 countries, offering a trusted seal that boosts brand recognition, increasing consumer awareness by 81 per cent and purchase intent by 71 per cent, helping to reinforce Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola ARTD’s leadership in the booming ARTD category.
Bisto is partnering with one of the nation’s beloved national treasures, Wallace and Gromit. The beloved British animated duo will feature alongside their arch nemesis, Feathers McGraw, in an on-pack promotion across Bisto Favourites Gravy products. Available from today (30), with the main on-pack promotion running until 16April and a wrap up draw running until 16 July, the on-pack promotion is the first phase of Bisto’s long-term partnership with the Aardman Studios.
In celebration of the partnership, three lucky shoppers will be in with the chance of winning the fantastic prize of a blue diamond, each worth approximately £1,500. The top prize links to the theme of the diamond heist by notorious villain Feathers McGraw; first in the Academy Award-winning “The Wrong Trousers”, andmost recently in critically acclaimed “Vengeance Most Fowl” which aired on BBC One on Christmas Day. To win the round, one-carat brilliant cut, blue lab-grown diamond, shoppers need to find one of three unique Feathers McGraw winning tickets hidden in promotional packs, and follow the instructions provided to claim their prize.
Shoppers will also have the chance to win hundreds of other highly desirable Wallace and Gromit character prizes, including Feathers McGraw 3D slippers, funky socks and cute 3D metal water bottles, as well as vouchers for Bisto Roast Seasonings products, over the 11-week promotional period by entering at winwithbisto.co.uk.
Bisto is renowned for its iconic products that have become staples in UK households. The new promotion brings together two family favourites, making it the perfect collaboration, which could appeal to the whole family. Whether serving Bisto with a roast dinner, or alongside a comforting weekday meal, this partnership with Wallace and Gromit is set to delight customers and drive sales.
“Partnering with Wallace and Gromit, a much-loved British institution that continues to capture the hearts of families across the nation, is the perfect tie up for us,” said Kate Drew, Marketing Controller of Bisto and Paxo at Premier Foods. “Bisto is all about bringing families together around the table, and this promotion offers retailers an exciting opportunity to drive excitement down the aisle and boost visibility of our family favourite product. We are confident that this collaboration will resonate well with our shoppers and we’re looking forward to seeing them engage with the brand in a new way over the next few months.”
Rachael Peacock, Senior Brand Manager at Aardman added: “Partnering Wallace and Gromit with Bisto has been a delight, bringing together two of the nation’s favourites for a cracking partnership with all the trimmings. We have loved the chance to work with Premier Foods to bring our much-loved duo to family mealtimes. As Wallace might say ‘Ooh, that tickles the tastebuds, Lad!’”
The on-pack promotion will be supported with POS in-store and social media activity to drive awareness of the collaboration, with further activity for the partnership planned later this year. More developments are on the way as part of this long-term collaboration.