JTI UK has announced the launch of a new strength to its Nordic Spirit portfolio with Spearmint Strong, catering to the growing demand for higher strengths and menthol products in the nicotine pouch category.
JTI said the the new launch will tap into the demand for extra-strong and strong strengths which already have an 83.1 per cent share of the category. Spearmint also offers retailers another menthol offering, which accounts for 81.6 per cent of the market too.
With the category in clear growth and now worth £45.8 million a year, there is a big opportunity for retailers to build on the success in the market and grow with Nordic Spirit, the company added.
“The continued growth of the nicotine pouch category represents a huge opportunity for retailers. With mint by far the most popular flavour when it comes to nicotine pouches and demand for stronger variants on the rise, the introduction of Spearmint Strong provides more choice at the till and expands the sales opportunity for retailers,” Bruce Terry, portfolio brand manager at JTI UK commented.
For the second time, Nordic Spirit has also recently come out on top in the Product of the Year awards, with Spearmint Extra-Strong winning in the nicotine pouch category. With 86 per cent of shoppers more likely to buy a product that has won, stocking Product of the Year winners can act as a sales booster for retailers, Terry added.
“Winning Product of the Year adds credibility to our wider portfolio, and we’ll be communicating this to retailers and consumers to ensure we can continue Nordic Spirit’s positive growth story within retail,” he said.
Nordic Spirit Spearmint Strong 9mg is available now with an RRP of £6.50.
The UK’s number one cake brand , Mr Kipling, is launching new limited-edition Simnel Slices just in time for Easter. Expanding the season beyond the classic chocolate treats, Mr Kipling is bringing a fruity Easter flavour onto shelves, expanding retailers’ seasonal cake ranges this year.
Simnel is the third most popular cake flavour at Easter , growing 7.4 per cent versus 2023. Often found across Easter in larger sharing cakes, the new Mr Kipling slices look to meet the growing demand for this flavour in a smaller convenient format, leveraging Mr Kipling’s number one cake format. Whilst Simnel is highly relevant to the season, there is an untapped opportunity in a smaller slices format. This launch will tap into the demand for seasonally relevant options among shoppers aged 45 and above , with Mr Kipling’s tried and tested credentials. New Simnel slices encapsulate a fluffy and moist sponge with succulent dried fruit, sandwiched with a moist marzipan flavour filling and topped with soft marzipan flavour icing.
“Mr Kipling is renowned for its iconic seasonal products, and Easter remains highly important for attracting and driving penetration of newer, lighter buyers," said Naomi Shooman, global marketing director for sweet treats at Premier Foods. "Mr Kipling brought in the most new shoppers of any Easter cake range in 2024 . With this latest launch we hope to drive even more footfall into the aisle this Easter, engaging shoppers with seasonally relevant and fun flavour twists to enjoy across the season, helping retailers make the most of the opportunity on offer.”
Mr Kipling Simnel Slices will be launching alongside returning favourites, with limited-edition sweet treats across the Premier Foods portfolio from Mr Kipling and Cadbury Cakes. New Mr Kipling Simnel slices are available now at an MRSP of £2 in packs of 6.
The spicy snacking trend shows no signs of slowing down, with the flavour segment having grown +8.7 per cent year-on-year.
To support impulse retailers in making the most of this growing opportunity, PepsiCo is launching Doritos Dinamita exclusively into the UK convenience market this February.
Following a series of fiery launches from PepsiCo over the last year, the new rolled tortilla chip joins the existing Extra Flamin’ Hot portfolio, which includes Walkers MAX, Doritos and Wotsits Crunchy.
As the top spicy innovation within the last three years, the proven range has sold over 4.8m packs to date within the impulse channel. Doritos Dinamita is the next step in the Extra Flamin’ Hot journey, with the channel exclusive set to give impulse retailers the chance to go big in-store with the hot new launch.
Rolling out solely in a price-marked pack (PMP), the launch will allow retailers to continue to boost their savoury snacking sales by offering exciting new product developments in a popular format that offers shoppers value.
The new addition follows the popularity of PMPs, which have acted as an engine driver of growth across the convenience channel in recent years.
Rob Pothier, Head of Marketing, Portfolio Campaigns at PepsiCo, comments: “The last year has seen us unleash the heat with Extra Flamin’ Hot in the impulse channel, but now it’s time to turn things up another notch.
"We know that Gen-Z are driving the demand for bold and exciting flavours, so we have been on a mission to support retailers in catering to these shoppers through our Extra Flamin’ Hot brand, effectively working to futureproof the category with new and innovative offerings.
“Our latest Doritos Dinamita innovation introduces our rolled tortilla chip form, available in the UK for the first time after proving a hit in other global markets.
"Through this, the launch of a Doritos rolled tortilla snack within the UK will ensure retailers are offering shoppers a new experience from a brand that they already know and love, with the product also containing a hint of lime.
"As a result, the launch aims to fuel the range’s momentum with shoppers through appealing to Gen-Z and spice lovers seeking the ultimate spicy flavour experience.”
The activity follows PepsiCo’s recent amplification of the Extra Flamin’ Hot range in January, with a limited-edition eight-week Walkers Extra Flamin’ Hot offering.
"Doritos Dinamita will hit shelves across the convenience and wholesale channels from the end of February. Available in a 65g PMP at an RRP of £1.25, the launch will be supported by an impulse shopper campaign across March.
With National Pizza Day falling this Sunday (9 February) Jisp Intelligence, the data and insights division of retail technology firm Jisp, surveyed* the UK’s pizza eating public to find out which slice topped their taste charts.
While many might expect the Pepperoni or Margherita to reign supreme, the overall winner was actually BBQ Chicken, with 33 per cent of respondents identifying this topping as their favourite. 31 per cent preferred Pepperoni and 16 per cent Mushroom. The always controversial Ham & Pineapple was favoured by only eight per cent of surveyed shoppers.
So unpopular is the much-maligned Ham & Pineapple, that the nation’s public find Brussell Sprouts a less controversial pizza topping than having pineapple on their slice. When asked, 63 per cent of those surveyed thought pineapple on a pizza was a real bone of contention, while only nine per cent felt the humble sprout worthy of critical debate.
When it came to liquid accompaniments to a perfect pizza, Cola came out as the top tipple with 64 per cent of the votes, while a cold beer was the choice of 20 per cent of those asked. A glass of wine climbed in popularity the older the vintage with 15 per cent of over 55’s selecting this option, but worryingly for wine makers it was completely absent from the 18-24 age group.
The top occasion for grabbing a pizza was for a big night in, movie night (33 per cent) while only six per cent would buy for a party or celebration – surprising considering the pizzas prevalence on the buffet table of many parties past.
Finally, with a nod to the local trader and acknowledgement that big isn’t always best, it was the local independent pizza provider who fired up peoples’ appetites, with 43 per cent of respondents saying they they’d rather keep their custom truly local. International chain Dominos took second place with 27 per cent selecting it as their pizza supplier of choice, with Pizza Hut and Papa John’s taking the next two spots with 19 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
*Results from responses of 200 UK surveyed shoppers – Jisp Intelligence 2025.
This February, Tango is launching its latest new "Editions" flavour, Strawberry Smash, an explosion of great tasting strawberry and pineapple flavour.
The product is one flavour in Tango’s annual rotational flavour series, which has seen considerable success. Previous Editions, including Tango Mango, Paradise Punch and Berry Peachy, have all been crowned number-one new product development in the fruit-flavoured carbonates category in their respective launch years. The product is launching into the £1.2 billion fruit-flavoured-carbonates category , to provide greater choice to shoppers and further strengthen the growing category. Strawberry is a familiar flavour to consumers and when combined with pineapple it is set to smash taste-buds with the brand’s signature Tang.
Tango Strawberry Smash follows in the footsteps of Tango’s popular Mango flavour, which is already worth £12.7 million RSV following its 2024 launch. The new product aims to give shoppers the chance to enjoy a new, delicious sugar-free option, with no compromise on taste.
The launch will cement Tango's position as the second most purchased fruit-flavoured-carbonates brand in the UK, with over 5.3 million buyers, representing a big opportunity for retailers to increase footfall and sales from their soft drinks chiller.
“We know how hotly anticipated the next big launch from Tango always is, and with its refreshing strawberry taste and striking pack design, we anticipate this launch being a big hit with shoppers," said Ben Parker, VP Sales Off-Trade, Carlsberg Britvic. "Soft drinks is a crowded but exciting category so, we know how important it is to create innovative flavours and products that will stand out in the chiller and appeal to all ages – from Gen-Z through to families. We will continue to support retailers in keeping their shoppers engaged, and we’re excited to see Tango Strawberry Smash in action this year”.
Rolling out from February, the fruit-flavoured carbonate will be available for a full year. The product will be available in 330ml cans, 500ml bottles (including price-marked packs), two litre and multipack (8 or 24 cans) formats, allowing shoppers to enjoy it at home or on-the-go.
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A Kansas City Chiefs helmet, the Vince Lombardi Trophy and a Philadelphia Eagles helmet are seen ahead of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 03, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Leading confectionery wholesaler Hancocks has advised retailers to maximise their sales potential ahead of the Super Bowl by stocking up on popular American sweets and implementing effective merchandising strategies.
The Super Bowl, one of the biggest sporting events in the US, is not just about American football – it’s also a major occasion for food and snacks. In the UK, an increasing number of fans tune in to watch the game, creating a lucrative opportunity for retailers to cater to this growing audience by offering authentic American confectionery.
Last year, the final game of the NFL season was the most watched NFL game on record for Sky Sports and ITV in the UK on television, with a combined total of 3.4 million unique viewers (+48% YoY).
This year’s Super Bowl clash between the two-times defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will take place on Sunday, 9 February.
Merchandising tips for retailers
Retailers are encouraged to optimise their store layouts to attract customers looking for game-day snacks. Experts at Hancocks highlight the importance of clear signage, strategic product placement, and enticing promotions to boost sales. Key recommendations include:
Positioning American sweets in high-traffic areas such as store entrances and near checkout tills.
Using clear pricing, promotions, and special offers to increase customer engagement.
Ensuring shelves remain fully stocked for maximum visual appeal.
Using branded point-of-sale (POS) materials, such as Warheads shelf edge strips, to enhance merchandising displays.
Gemma Allanson, National Field Sales Manager for World of Sweets, said: “We’re always encouraging our customers to make the most of big seasonal events, including the Super Bowl. That’s why we have an incredible range of American candy that retailers should stock up on.
“It’s also important to us to provide them with the knowledge and equipment to merchandise these products correctly to help drive sales.”
Top-selling US confectionery for Super Bowl
Demand for American sweets has surged in recent years, with major sporting events like the Super Bowl driving further interest. To help retailers capitalise on this trend, Hancocks parent and confectionery distributor World of Sweets has revealed its top ten best-selling US confectionery lines:
Warheads Super Sour Gel 20g
Warheads Theatre Box Chewy Cubes 113g
Warheads Super Sour Candy Spray 19g
Warheads Lil’ Worms Theatre Box 99g
Warheads Sour Jelly Beans Theatre Box 113g
Sour Punch Blue Raspberry Straws 57g
Red Vines Original Red Twists 142g
Sour Punch Strawberry Straws 57g
Warheads Ooze Chews Theatre Box 99g
Warheads Super Sour Gel Trio Wheel 51g
“The Super Bowl presents a great opportunity for retailers to drive sales by stocking up on popular American candy lines. Sports fans around the country will be preparing for the big sporting event by shopping for snacks they could share with their family or friends while watching the game,” Kathryn Hague, Head of Marketing at World of Sweets, said.
“Retailers can capitalise on this by offering a wide range of top-selling US confectionery products that cater to the growing demand for authentic American treats. From super sour sweets to classic chewy candies in theatre box formats, these products not only bring a fun and unique snacking experience but also help create the perfect game-day atmosphere.
“To capture shoppers’ attention, we’re encouraging retailers to create dedicated American candy displays in-store and position them in high-traffic areas such as end of aisles or near the till.”