A passionate journalist with about a decade of experience, Pooja has developed a strong hold on the UK grocery retail sector. From exploring legislative changes, supply chain shifts, consumer buying habits, trends to retail crime, her work is driven by a deep belief in investigating, finding the truth and telling authentic unbiased stories.
Be it convenience pathbreakers, wholesale trendsetters or Post Office Horizon scandal victims, Pooja has an equal flair for deciphering industries as well as human complexities. At Asian Trader, she aims to bridge the gap between policy, trade, and the shop floor, always keeping a finger on the pulse of what matters most to retailers.
pladis, the global snacking company behind some of the UK’s most loved and iconic brands, is propelling penetration for its bestselling biscuit brand during evening snacking with its most indulgent range to date- McVitie’s Signature.
Featuring a trio of ultra-enticing NPD – each offering a luxurious, multi-textural snacking experience – the McVitie’s Signature range has been specially created to help retailers make the most of the huge growth opportunity that pladis has identified for Sweet Biscuits in afternoon and evening snacking, where the category currently under-trades.
McVitie’s Signature Caramel Chocolate Rounds contain a rich, gooey caramel encased by a crunchy biscuit and thick milk chocolate, McVitie’s Signature Chocolate Caramel Biscuits consist of a golden-baked biscuit topped with caramel, coated in milk chocolate, and crowned with a sprinkling of biscuit crumbs, and McVitie’s Signature Chocolate Cream Swirls feature a velvety-smooth chocolate cream filling inside a delicious crunchy, patterned biscuit.
“Our research shows that shoppers are hungry for more choice and inspiration when it comes to evening snacking,” says James King, Marketing Director – McVitie’s at pladis UK&I. “Alongside more indulgent flavours, they’re looking for visually appealing treats and exciting textures, but this isn’t currently being fulfilled when it comes to biscuits. However, as the nation’s favourite and a staple in the biscuit tins of over three quarters1 of UK households, there’s no brand better to plug this gap and incite change than McVitie’s.
“Going beyond just delicious flavour profiles, our new McVitie’s Signature range delivers a sensory experience that proves Sweet Biscuits can be just as indulgent as other treats. Alongside tasting great, it also ticks the boxes when it comes to looking mouth-watering, delivering multi-textures including chocolate – everything needed to help drive growth for Sweet Biscuits during this occasion by making sure they are seen as an evening snacking essential.
“The full trio has performed incredibly well with consumers, making McVitie’s Signature well placed to tempt treat-seeking shoppers to opt for a biscuit above all else in the evening or simply whenever they’re looking for some extra indulgence.”
The full McVitie’s Signature range will be available in Waitrose from 22nd July (RRP: £2.00), ahead of rolling out to other multiple retailers and convenience outlets.
PWR-BRU, from IRN-BRU, the No. 1 Scottish grocery brand, is introducing its first new flavour innovation since launching in 2023. Dynamo Fruit Punch will be hitting shelves from April 2025 in a 500ml big can format.
“PWR-BRU has been packing a powerful flavour punch in the fast growing Scottish energy market since launch," said Kenny Nicholson, Head of IRN-BRU Brand. "The range, with its distinctive can design and real IRN-BRU essence, provides something unique and individual. This latest flavour innovation is arriving with retailers just in time to maximise profit opportunities in the summer sales peak.”
Scotland’s energy drinks market is the nation’s fastest growing category, adding the most value for retailers and selling an additional five million units per month during summer. Flavours are still driving these sales, as data shows flavoured SKUs are 60 per cent incremental to the market.
“We have been driving trial and frequency, achieving 35 per cent increase in penetration last year, thanks to our unbeatable flavours and unmistakable branding.
“Just two years after launch, PWR-BRU already has the third highest repeat purchase in stimulant energy, and we’re attracting three times the amount of ‘young shoppers’ vs. the rest of the category,” added Kenny.
Dynamo Fruit Punch performed incredibly well in consumer research with 93 per cent saying they would buy it and 81 per cent of shoppers who loved the taste. A full range of impactful and eye-catching PoS will be available for retailers to drive sales around launch and throughout summer.
Carlsberg Britvic has announced that 1664 Bière 0.0%, expertly brewed to contain no alcohol, will launch in the Off Trade this April, following a successful launch in the On Trade at the beginning of 2025.
Delivering the rich and balanced taste that 1664 is known for, the new product ensures that the 1664 range can be enjoyed on every occasion. 1664 Bière 0.0% will be available in 6x330ml sleek cans.
Joining Carlsberg Britvic’s roster of Low & No alcohol beers, ranging from Carlsberg 0.0 to Erdinger Alkoholfrei, 1664 Bière 0.0% draught has gained positive traction in the On Trade, with nearly 500 outlets already pouring. This will be further supported with a standalone branded fount launching in April for the On Trade channel across both 1664 Bière and 1664 Bière 0.0%.
1664 Bière 0.0% has performed strongly in consumer research ahead of the beer’s launch. Amongst consumers, 1664 Bière 0.0% was particularly recognised for its excellent taste, with consumer testing showing the brand’s favourability for taste was on par with the UK’s market leading alcohol-free beer*.
Carlsberg Britvic will support 1664 Bière 0.0% with a multimillion-pound marketing campaign launching from April across TV, Out of Home, social & digital display. The campaign will lead into the busy summer period when shoppers are hoping to enjoy the sun and a refreshing beer with family and friends, whether out at a picnic or at home with a barbeque.
The Low & No alcohol category has continued to attract new drinkers, with figures showing that 42.8 per cent of drinkers (21.2m) have said they are moderating their alcohol consumption in the past 12 months, an increase of 2.2m drinkers compared to 2016. The alcohol-free category is also the fastest growing (CAGR 14.6 per cent) with an over index with Gen Z and millennials.
“1664 has gone from strength to strength since we relaunched the brand last year. As the alcohol-free beer category continues to grow, we are thrilled to continue driving the 1664 brand to new heights with the launch of 1664 Bière 0.0% in the UK," said Dharmesh Rana, Director of Marketing for Premium Brands at Carlsberg Britvic.
“As consumers look to moderate their drinking across different occasions, whether that’s out with friends or at home with family, it’s essential that brands provide great-tasting options that don’t compromise on flavour or sophistication. 1664 Bière 0.0% is a perfectly balanced, flavourful and eminently sippable beer and we’re confident that this brand can go head-to-head with the market leader.”
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Strawberry flavour with a playful new look, perfect for family snacking.
Fox’s Burton’s Companies has announced the introduction of a limited-edition Strawberry flavour to the iconic Fox’s Party Rings range.
With a creamy taste and smooth finish, these sweet treats are available from today (24) with an RRP of £0.90 per 125g pack.
The limited-edition flavour is designed to engage and excite existing customers as well as bring in new users, with a particular focus on attracting families.
Strawberry was named the number-one flavour across all family age groups, with 85 per cent purchase intent – and with Party Rings featuring in 50 per cent of children’s occasions – it makes this new limited-edition flavour a must-stock for retailers wanting to boost family basket spend.
Party Rings Strawberry joins the Party Rings range, which includes biscuits for a variety of shopper needs and missions. From the classic, full-size Party Rings, through mini formats to the Party Rings Minis Chocolate flavour which launched back in 2023 and have proved popular with shoppers looking for on-the go snacking options.
“We know Party Rings fans love a new flavour and that flavour variants do a great job of attracting families, so we’re confident that the addition of Strawberry to the range will drive excitement amongst our customers and opens up incremental biscuit and basket spend," said Robin Norton, Head of Category Insight at FBC.
“The launch of this limited-edition range will also see the introduction of our brand-new look and feel designed to give the brand a more fun, modern appearance that will stand-out on shelf. We have some exciting things to come for Party Rings this year and this is just the first step on our journey to make sure we’re bringing more fun to the everyday for everyone!”
The brand refresh will see packaging across all flavours and formats updated to reflect the new, playful “colour me in” design. The new revamp will be completed by May 2025.
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Strawberry-flavored pig candy, Belgian chocolate, and premium popcorn.
March 2025 sees Popcorn Kitchen introduce Strawberry chocolate pigs in popcorn blankets as the latest addition to its home-popping portfolio. A fusion of fruit-themed pig candy, gourmet popping corn kernels and Belgian milk chocolate buttons, it allows any popcorn obsessive to make 14 generous portions.
Since its arrival in 2023 “Pop at Home” has become the business’s most successful new gifting launch with every topping from chocolate mini eggs and jellybeans, to peanut butter buttons, to novelty chocolate sprouts, festive chocolate coins and Rocky Road marshmallows. In 2024 sales grew by 95 per cent year-on-year.
“In an ever-changing global snacking landscape popcorn continues to shine, not least because of its unrivalled versatility, convenience and nostalgic associations,” said Co-Owner and Director Louise Monk.
“Whether we’re talking healthier, savoury, microwaveable or gourmet, popcorn retains the capacity to align with all manner of timeless flavours and turn heads. In particular, popcorn that aligns itself with high-end ingredients or cult childhood toppings are reaping the rewards for their ingenuity and daring-do.”
Pop-at-Home has shone in the UK’s growing gifting fixture which provides family friends, parents and grandparents to go the extra yard when visiting friends and family.
Mentos Sweets, the second largest brand in the hard chews category – now valued at £43.4m – is set to make its debut on the popular gaming platform Fortnite Creative, bringing a fresh and playful twist to the gaming world.
Over the next two weeks, Mentos Fizzookas – custom rocket launchers that
leverage the famously fizzy reaction for explosive fun – will be dropped into some of the most popular Fortnite Creative maps, “Piece Control 2v2”, “Piece Control 1v1”, “Troll Bed Wars”, and “Sky Wars” with a combined audience of over a million players per day, on average. This signifies the first time the Mentos and cola experiment has appeared in a gaming platform, and the first branded tactical item to be released in Fortnite Creative.
The entry into Fortnite Creative comes as the brand looks to build cultural relevance amongst younger, growing audiences. Research has shown that one in three Gen Z play games daily
and around 75 per cent play video games at least once a week, underlining the strategic importance of gaming as a platform for brand engagement.
To support this launch, a creative campaign will run globally, with over 20 markets
amplifying the Fizzooka launch with local influencers, media and across social
activations. On top of digital activations, Mentos also tasked influencers from all over the world to bring the campaign into the physical world, giving them 30 real-life, functioning Mentos Fizzookas replicas to create fun and engaging content.
“The Mentos x cola experiment first came to fame in 1999 and has been a mainstay on YouTube, TikTok and social media sites ever since,” said Sarah du Plessis, Mentos Brand Manager. “Now, with the invention of the Mentos Fizzooka, it seems there’s still plenty of fizz left in the famous experiment!
“We know gaming is a rich territory to connect with younger, Gen Z audiences and our latest foray into Fortnite Creative is a natural extension of our strategy to keep the brand fresh and relevant by engaging consumers in new and unexpected ways. We can’t wait to introduce a whole new audience to say Yes to Fresh.”