Nestlé Confectionery is trialling accessible QR codes on its KitKat and Quality Street brands to help shoppers who are living with sight loss to access product information more easily.
The new QR codes are out now on KitKat two finger multipacks while Quality Street will also host the accessible codes across its permanent range.
In the UK alone, more than two million people are living with sight loss, and around 340,000 of these people are registered as blind or partially sighted.
The innovative QR codes, powered by Zappar technology, allow blind and partially sighted shoppers to easily retrieve essential product information.
Shoppers will be able to scan the accessible QR codes on their phones using existing apps already used by the blind and partially sighted community, meaning there is no need for additional downloads.
When scanning the enhanced QR code, shoppers receive structured information tailored to their specific needs, including details on allergens, dietary requirements and usage instructions. The information is presented via standard accessible features such as large fonts and audible screen reader technology, ensuring accessibility for all.
“By introducing accessible QR codes on KitKat and Quality Street packs, we hope to make a significant and positive difference to the shopping experience of our blind and partially sighted customers,” Sarah Drakes, sustainability manager for Nestlé Confectionery UK & Ireland, said.
“We’re looking forward to gathering the results of the trial and value the feedback from our loyal KitKat and Quality Street fans. Their input will guide us as we look at how to maximise packaging accessibility for all Nestlé Confectionery fans in the future.”
Nestlé Confectionery has worked closely with Zappar and the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) to roll out the new Accessible QR codes.
Max Dawes, COO at Zappar, said: “We're thrilled to collaborate with Nestlé on this important initiative. By integrating accessible QR codes into beloved brands like KitKat and Quality Street, we're taking another significant step toward making access to product information a basic human right.”
John Worsfold, head of solutions innovation at RNIB, added: “Collaborating with brands such as Nestlé is so important in our ongoing mission to highlight how the industry can raise its game and make packaging more accessible. Blind and partially sighted people should have the same freedom, independence and choice as sighted customers.
“We’re delighted that shoppers can now use Zappar technology through their smartphones to access important on pack information such as allergy information and dietary requirements on KitKat and Quality Street packs; including improving the tough decision-making process of which one to eat first by describing the shape and colour of each sweet.”
TRIP, the UK’s fastest-growing soft drinks brand for the past two years, is excited to announce the launch of its new Magnesium Gummies.
After taking the market by storm with its award-winning range of functional Mindful Blend drinks, which were its most successful launches ever on Amazon, TRIP is continuing its mission to help people find calm and enjoy the benefits of magnesium in a new and convenient way. The gummies are available for purchase on the TRIP website for £19.60 and soon on Amazon, with plans for wider retail distribution in the coming months.
Boasting a remarkable +389 per cent CAGR over the past two financial years, the brand continues to disrupt the wellness space with innovative products that meet the needs of the modern consumer. In line with TRIP's commitment to quality and taste, these gummies are vegan-friendly, contain no added sugar, and deliver a delicious, juicy Wild Berry flavour experience worthy of their Great Taste award-winning heritage.
Magnesium is fast becoming one of the most talked-about wellness ingredients, with over 1 billion views of the #magnesium tag on Tiktok3 as people seek natural ways to manage fatigue and improve their overall well-being. This surge in popularity is partly fueled by recent trends like the “sleepy girl mocktail,” which combines magnesium and tart cherry juice as a pre-bedtime ritual, and wider recognition of its numerous health benefits, including:
Supporting the normal functioning of the nervous system
Promoting normal energy-yielding metabolism
Helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue
TRIP's Magnesium Gummies are designed to seamlessly integrate into consumers' daily wellness routines, whether as a standalone supplement or in combination with the brand's popular Mindful Blend drinks.
Olivia Ferdi, TRIP Founder, says, “I launched TRIP to help people find their calm in the everyday chaos - with a focus on authentically functional and uniquely delicious products that people love. Building on our mission & Following the overwhelming success of our Mindful Blend drinks, we recognised a growing demand from our community asking us for ways to incorporate new and powerful ingredients into their daily routines.
"We pride ourselves on innovation and expertise crafting the highest quality functional ingredients into award winning delicious formats. We wanted to offer our customers even more ways to find calm in their busy lifestyles, and our new gummies provide just that - a tasty and convenient option for those wanting the health benefits of magnesium without compromising on flavour or quality.”
Global vaping innovator ELFBAR has introduced its first four-pod system, the ELFBAR 4-in-1 pod kit.
Designed for flavour versatility, the rechargeable pod kit includes four 2ml pods, allowing adults to rotate between four flavours in one device.
Flavours are a key factor in motivating adult smokers to transition, with the Royal College of Physicians recommending a variety of options to support quit-smoking efforts. ELFBAR 4-in-1 gives smokers flavour flexibility and serves as an alternative to single-use vapes, building on the brand's portfolio of reusable products available since 2022.
Offering two vaping modes, ELFBAR 4-in-1 provides up to 2,400 puffs in Normal Mode while Economy Mode extends usage up to 3,200 puffs for a longer vaping experience at a lower power level.
One push of a button switches between the two modes, and the device displays when Economy Mode is active.
ELFBAR 4-in-1 has a twist mechanism for quick and easy flavour changes. With four 2ml prefilled pods, its e-liquid lasts four times longer than its single-use counterpart, meaning fewer refills for more convenience and better cost efficiency.
Once empty, the pods can be replaced.
The device features a display that indicates the remaining power of its long lasting 1500mAh battery. Its sleek, pocket-friendly design makes for easy portability, and the battery can be recharged via Type-C USB.
Advanced Mesh Coil Maximises Flavour
ELFBAR 4-in-1 pods are equipped with an advanced QUAQ MESH coil, designed to enhance flavour and reduce e-liquid waste during atomisation, ensuring that every drop is utilised effectively.
“For millions of UK adult smokers and former smokers who adopt vaping as an alternative, flavours are crucial," said Chris Kader, head of PR and communications for ELFBAR in the UK. "ELFBAR 4-in-1 serves as a practical and economical replacement for single-use vapes, prioritising a diverse flavour selection that supports smokers in their transition.”
ELFBAR 4-in-1 comes in 16 editions, including Pineapple Edition, Fruits Edition, and Blueberry Edition, each containing mixed flavours. Additionally, there are eight single-flavour 4-in-1 options to choose from, including Watermelon Ice, Blueberry Sour Raspberry and Cherry Ice.
Replaceable pods are available in pairs containing 20 mg/ml (two per cent) nicotine-strength e-liquid and available in 16 flavours, including ELFBAR favourites like Blueberry Sour Raspberry, Pineapple Ice, and Lemon Lime.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK has introduced this year’s limited-edition pack for its ever-popular Henri Wintermans Half Corona brand, which is available to retailers now.
The Henri Wintermans Half Corona is easily the biggest brand in the medium / large segment and is now the UK’s fifth biggest selling cigar in value terms, with annual sales worth £16.3m. This new limited edition “Gentleman” pack adds a personal touch to the brand and celebrates its long heritage and continuing success, designed in a timeless pin stripe suit with the logo and information stitched into the fabric, which reflects both the aspirational nature of the product and the attention to detail that goes into crafting these fine cigars. Despite the changes to the packaging, the cigars inside of course remain the same.
“Retailers certainly won’t need me to tell them that sales of larger cigars go up in the build up to Christmas when adult smokers are in celebratory mood and typically have more time to enjoy them,” said STG’s UK Head of Marketing, Prianka Jhingan. “Our Henri Wintermans Half Corona is always a big seller at this time of year and this limited issue Gentleman’s edition pack should only increase sales further. My advice to retailers is to stock up on it, as it is easily the UK’s best-selling medium / large cigar and has a loyal following due to its quality blend and heritage.”
KP Snacks today announces the latest addition to its market-leading PMP range with the launch of Space Raiders Saucy BBQ £1.25 PMP. Available in stores from early November, the new launch combines the fastest-growing Space Raiders flavour with the strength of the £1.25 PMP format.
Capitalising on the growth of “barbecue” flavours, the new launch is well-positioned to engage shoppers and drive impulse sales, with 57% of impulse shoppers purchasing PMPs. The £1.25 PMP format is strong and KP Snacks’ £1.25 PMP portfolio is growing ahead of the segment at +5.2 per cent (vs +4.2 per cent), bolstering sales. By launching Space Raiders Saucy BBQ £1.25 PMP, KP Snacks is tapping into the strength of the segment and appealing to consumer demand for great value and clear pricing.
The new PMP expands the Space Raiders portfolio. Worth £25m, the Space Raiders range includes Space Raiders 40p PMPs, the UK’s number one best-value singles PMP, as well as existing £1.25 PMPs: Beef and Pickled Onion.
“At KP Snacks, we are committed to delivering NPD in the right formats and flavours to support our retailer partners and drive consumer demand,” said Stuart Graham, Head of Convenience and Impulse. “The launch of Space Raiders Saucy BBQ £1.25 PMP leverages the strength of this format and the popularity of barbecue flavours to drive impulse sales.”
Gordon’s is today unveiling its new ATL campaign, "Mix It Up". The ad, which shows consumers choosing to pace their consumption by switching between Gordon’s Pink and Gordon’s Pink 0.0%, has been created to empower consumers to moderate their consumption in a way that works for them.
Mix It Up is the first Gordon’s campaign to bring both Gordon’s Pink and Gordon’s Pink alcohol-free variants together in one advert. With 36 per cent of drinkers currently pacing their consumption with soft drinks and 49 per cent of alcohol-free occasions also featuring alcohol, the campaign offers those looking to moderate an option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
The new TVC invites viewers to join an evening out with a group of friends. As the group begin to drink their Gordon’s & Tonic, the screen splits in two to visually demonstrate how they choose to pace their night by switching between Gordon’s Pink and Gordon’s Pink 0.0%.
In addition to the new TVC, a suite of assets have been created to bring the campaign to life across social and digital channels. Whilst in the same universe as the commercial, the social content hero’s Gordon's long-term partner Maya Jama who brings to life how she chooses to mix it up for followers.
“When creating this campaign, we wanted to demonstrate that moderation didn’t have to be a binary decision between having something alcoholic or alcohol free," said Tayara Sousa Linke, Global Head of Marketing. "We know that this perceived choice impacts people’s decision to moderate, so, through Mix It Up, we wanted to highlight that it is possible to seamlessly switch between the two and enjoy the same great taste of Gordon’s Pink whilst moderating with Gordon’s Pink Alcohol Free.”
The new creative will run across BVOD, Social and Digital channels in GB.