pladis, the leading global snacking company behind iconic brands McVitie’s, Jacob’s and Carr’s, has unveiled a new look line-up of McVitie’s favourites for Christmas 2023 that will offer festive cheer for retailers looking to capitalise on bumper seasonal biscuit sales.
Starring fresh innovation alongside a rejuvenated collection of the brand’s bestsellers, the 2023 festive selection from McVitie’s is set to help retailers tap into the growing Sweet Seasonal Biscuits opportunity which, in 2022, topped sales of £150 million (+1.8 per cent) .
Building on the seasonal demand for premium assortments – which last year grew by +4.6 per cent – pladis is refreshing its bestselling deluxe assortment brand with new McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations, which have been dubbed its “most luxurious biscuit collection yet.” Meanwhile, leveraging the enduring seasonal appeal of McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, pladis is also adding a fun-filled Jaffa Tree to the line-up for Christmas, offering great in-store theatre and the ultimate impulse gifting purchase.
“Sales of Sweet Seasonal Biscuits reached new heights last year, so we know that consumers are hungry for festive treats,” says James King – Marketing Director McVitie’s at pladis UK&I. “But they’re also after something new, particularly at Christmas, so it’s a great opportunity to shake things up a little, catch shoppers’ eyes in store, and get on their shopping lists.
“That’s why we’re giving some of our most-loved seasonal favourites a makeover for Christmas 2023 – to create fresh appeal for all our favourites, whilst also making sure we’re catering to shoppers seeking unique novelty products for the festive season.
“And, with biscuit gifting proving more popular than ever and growing 25 per cent year on year, we’re confident we’ve hit the right formula to inspire shoppers and drive further value into the seasonal biscuit opportunity.”
The McVitie’s 2023 Christmas range will be backed by a "Ready, Steady, Christmas" seasonal campaign aimed at celebrating the nation’s love for McVitie's’ family favourites. Featuring sampling and online activation, the campaign will be brought to life by in-store theatre and eye-catching point of sale materials.
Products in the McVitie’s Christmas range will be widely available across all channels from the end of August.
NEW for 2023
McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations
Introducing McVitie’s’ most luxurious seasonal assortment yet. McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations has been refreshed for 2023 – now with an upgraded, premium packaging design with a unique present-like opening. Featuring decadent product cues and a personalised gift tag, it’s the perfect gift for festive shoppers seeking something extra-indulgent.
McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations includes eight luxurious biscuit varieties enveloped in layers of luxuriously thick milk, dark, and white chocolate – paired with the perfect crunch. Available in a 340g box (RSP: £6.75), this deluxe assortment is a seasonal gift that is sure to impress.
McVitie’s Jaffa Tree
Jaffanatics are in for a treat with the all-new Jaffa Tree (RSP: £3), exclusively available for the 2023 season. Adorned with the iconic Jaffa branding, this delightful Christmas tree-shaped carton holds a treasure trove of treats comprising a unique selection from the £64.8M McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes brand .
Both loyal Jaffanatics and seasonal shoppers in search of exciting and affordable gifting options can tuck into 3x Jaffa Cakes Snack Packs, plus 3x of the brand’s revolutionary Jaffa Jonuts.
McVitie’s Penguin Cracker
A brand-new launch under the much-loved McVitie’s Penguin brand, McVitie’s Penguin Cracker is poised to become a stocking-filler-favourite this Christmas.
Featuring three unique designs, McVitie’s Penguin Crackers embody the playful nature the Penguin brand has long been loved for – with an added twist. Packs comprise all the essential elements needed for the perfect family Christmas party, including a McVitie’s Original Penguin Bar, McVitie’s Mini Penguins Pack and a festive Christmas party hat.
Available in mixed cases of 12, McVitie’s Penguin Crackers tap into the growing demand for novel festive treats. And, with an affordable price point (RSP: £1.25), these charming crackers are perfect as stocking fillers or to add a touch of extra entertainment to the children’s Christmas table.
Returning festive favourites
McVitie’s Victoria
You can’t ring in the season without Christmas’ number one premium biscuit assortment , McVitie’s Victoria.
This Christmas, McVitie’s Victoria is looking to continue its reign as shoppers’ go-to biscuit assortment by combining its irresistible flavours with sustainable packaging.
The classic assortment features all-time favourites like the Milk Chocolate Wheel, as well as the indulgent Chocolate Orange Dreams and White Chocolate Crumbles, ensuring a delectable variety of treats fit for the whole family.
Available in fully recyclable 275g (RSP: £5) and 550g (RSP: £7) boxes, McVitie's Victoria proudly displays an 'even more chocolatey' flash on-pack. With 8 biscuit varieties to choose from, this assortment continues to draw in seasonal shoppers, inspiring them to trade-up for a treat that’s worth the extra investment.
McVitie’s Family Circle
As the number one choice for everyday branded biscuit assortments in the UK , McVitie's Family Circle offers a selection of classic biscuits that are sure to satisfy all tastebuds. From the timeless Shortcake, to tasty choc chip cookie – it has all the family favourites wrapped up in one festive box.
This year, Family Circle is back and bigger than ever with a brand-new fully-recyclable 400g box (RSP: £2.50), making sure there’s always enough to share. Plus, the special seasonal packaging ensures strong stand out on shelf.
McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Christmas Pole
Get set for the return of the iconic McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Christmas Pole. Back by popular demand, the McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Christmas Pole secured the number four spot in the top 10 best-performing novelty products last year . Complete with a fresh redesign – and now featuring a fun ‘Santa Stop Here’ crafting activity for the whole family – McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Christmas Pole is the perfect seasonal treat.
Each pack contains 40 Original Jaffa Cakes (RSP: £3.75).
McVitie’s Santa Snacks Chocolate Cake Bars
McVitie’s Santa Snacks Chocolate Cake Bars
Last, but not least, McVitie's Santa Snacks Chocolate Cake Bars will be making a triumphant return for the fourth year running.
Individually wrapped for both ease and portion control, each bar comes in at just 99 kcals and features a soft, fluffy sponge layered with indulgent chocolate cream and enveloped in McVitie's signature smooth milk chocolate.
Available in packs of seven at an affordable everyday price point (RSP: £1.50), these are the ultimate grab-and-go treat for the festive season.
OREO is launching a one-of-a-kind partnership with the hotly anticipated A MINECRAFT MOVIE, in cinemas April 4.
The cookie brand has come together with the movie, set in a world where creativity is essential to one’s survival, to encourage fans to taste, play, win – serving up OREO’s most playful snacking experience to date, with money-can’t-buy prizes on offer.
Four Special Edition cookies have been released as part of the partnership, which includes a very special feature that allows cookie faithful and moviegoers to enter a world of play.
The cookies are embossed with symbols inspired by A MINECRAFT MOVIE – the iconic Pickaxe, Crystal, Sword and Creeper – all sure to excite Minecraft fans and entice OREO lovers to experience both the cookies and the film.
In OREO’s most playful gaming mechanic on pack yet, fans bite the cookie into a square and then scan the custom embossments to access a themed AR online experience, where players hunt for hidden elements from A MINECRAFT MOVIE.
The Special Edition cookies also offer fans the chance to win exclusive OREO x A MINECRAFT MOVIE prizes.
“At OREO, our mission is to bring more playfulness into the world, and our latest partnership with A MINECRAFT MOVIE is set to be our most playful collaboration yet – by paying homage to the beloved blocks of Minecraft with our iconic round cookie,” said Perrine Pierrard-Willaey, Marketing Director Europe at OREO. “We’ve seen some amazing partnerships in the past from Xbox to Batman so we hope this partnership excites fans just as much, and we can’t wait to see them taste, play and win!”
Julie Moore, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Partnerships at Warner Bros. Pictures said: “A MINECRAFT MOVIE, just like the hugely popular game that inspired it, is all about empowerment through creativity, and no cookie has inspired more creative ways to consume it than OREO. The fact that the classic circle-shape is embracing the renowned Minecraft block makes our partnership one for the ages.”
Fans looking to participate in the fun can visit www.oreo.eu or join in on the conversation on @OREOUKI.
Weight wellness snack brand, Fibre One, has started the new year with a bang with its latest campaign and brand visual overhaul, “Your Treat Should Treat You Better”.
Fronted by the pleasure-full (but still 90 calories) indulgence of Fibre One’s Chocolate Fudge Brownies, the new campaign tells shoppers that, when temptation strikes, they can treat themselves without compromise. With bold, illustrated imagery and impactful messaging, it empowers consumers to find their main character energy, backed by the ethos: life’s too short for flavourless sacrifices and bland snacks.
With a £230k investment in shopper media, both online and in-store, ‘Your Treat Should Treat You Better’ engages consumers from the aisle. A promotional price of £1 (RRP £2.25) across January further doubles down on Fibre One’s appeal at a key time of year for weight wellness seekers.
“Permissible indulgence is a popular driver for consumers as they search for options that offer maximum taste yet minimal calories – and that’s exactly what Fibre One delivers,” said JP Del Carmen, Head of Snacks at General Mills.
“Through our new campaign, we want to show shoppers that they can feel good about meeting those cravings, with Fibre One as the go-to treat that treats youbetter.
“With bold messaging and in-store visuals coupled with a fantastically low promo price, Fibre One is sure to grab attention in the snacking aisle this January.”
Walkers is bringing back its popular lunch campaign for the fifth year running with an on-pack promotion for shoppers to get their teeth into. Running from 20 January to 30 March, the promotion will be across Walkers Core, Walkers 45 per cent Less Salt and Walkers Baked ranges, as part of its commitment to make lunchtime even more enjoyable. The chance to win one of 121 daily prizes every day* spans across 45g grab bags, 32.5g standard packs, 70g PMPs, 6 pack SMP and 20 pack D2C - so whether shoppers are stocking up in advance, or grabbing a meal deal to go, they can take advantage of this tasty opportunity.
Sandwiches remain the top pick for lunchtime, with 50 per cent of people sticking to the same sandwich every day. A synonymous pairing, this promotion offers an even stronger incentive for shoppers to choose Walkers as their lunchtime accompaniment. With a total of 8,470 prizes throughout the promotional period up for grabs, there is plenty to play for, including a chance to win free lunch every day for a year. By stocking Walkers crisps, retailers can encourage shoppers to increase basket spend and drive repeat purchases as they return to try their luck at winning.
“Lunch is a key occasion for snacks and crisps are an essential part of it,” said Stephanie Herbert, Walkers Senior Marketing Manager. “This campaign offers a compelling reason for customers to enjoy Walkers with their sandwiches, driving both excitement and engagement. The promotion will help drive footfall, boost sales and further solidify Walkers as the go-to snack at lunch.”
* To enter, shoppers can simply purchase a promotional pack of Walkers Core, Walkers 45% Less Salt or Walkers Baked and scan the QR code, then enter their name, email address and pack code for a chance to win. For full T&Cs, please visit: https://www.joy-pepsico.eu/en-gb/promotions/walkers/freelunch. The on-pack promotion will be supported with a new TV campaign from February.
Fortitude Drinks UK today (22) announces that it has been awarded the exclusive distribution rights for Pampero, the renowned Venezuelan rum brand, in the United Kingdom.
This partnership supports Fortitude Drinks' commitment to bringing world-class spirits to UK consumers and trade partners.
Pampero, a name synonymous with craftsmanship and premium rum, is a celebrated brand with deep roots in Venezuela's rich rum-making heritage.
It is one of the leading Rums in Europe, known for its smooth profile and exceptional quality, Pampero offers a versatile range of expressions that have earned a loyal following worldwide.
With this new partnership, UK consumers can look forward to wider access to Pampero's award-winning portfolio, including Pampero Blanco, Pampero Especial, Pamero Seleccio and the iconic Pampero Aniversario.
The addition of Pampero further bolsters Fortitude Drinks' growing portfolio of premium spirits.
With its established distribution network and expertise in introducing high-quality brands to the UK market, Fortitude Drinks is uniquely positioned to elevate Pampero’s presence across on-trade and off-trade channels.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Gruppo Montenegro and welcome Pampero into the Fortitude Drinks family,” said Nick England Managing Director of Fortitude Drinks UK.
"Pampero’s legacy of quality and authenticity perfectly aligns with our mission to provide UK consumers and partners with exceptional spirits from around the world.
"We are confident that this partnership will deliver strong results and help grow Pampero’s reputation in the highly competitive UK market.”
This move is expected to strengthen Pampero’s footprint in the UK market, following its recent acquisition by Gruppo Montenegro, while offering consumers an authentic taste of Venezuela’s rum-making tradition.
Marco Seminaroti, Europe Director of Gruppo Montenegro comments, “We are delighted to partner with Fortitude Drinks in the UK.
"The Pampero acquisition strengthens Gruppo Montenegro’s international growth ambitions with a brand of strong quality and heritage, the first Venezuelan rum aged for more than two years.
"We are committed to long term sustainable growth and look forward to unleashing Pampero’s full potential in the UK.”
Natural cheese slice brand Leerdammer will launch its new “Incognito” TV advertising campaign on 20 January – aiming to drive memorability with consumers by tapping into the brand’s “Deliciously Different” positioning and comedic tone of voice.
Based on the insight that Leerdammer’s mild and nutty flavour profile is truly irresistible, keeping consumers coming back time and time again, the ad sees a shopper returning to a supermarket sampling counter ‘incognito’ in various disguises, to enjoy multiple tastes of the cheese.
Expected to reach over 7.6m ABC1 25-45 consumers, the campaign will promote Leerdammer’s flagship slices range – Leerdammer Original Slices and Leerdammer Light Slices – across BVOD and YouTube advertising. With a total investment of more than £800k, the first phase of advertising will run from 20 January to 9 February, to be followed with activity in May and September – supported with proximity six-sheets, as well as online and in-store activations.
The new ad scored highly in testing, with a 98 per cent Awareness Index and an outstanding ability to generate sales in the short-term (95 per cent). As well as excellent cut-through potential and strong persuasion, with an excellent ability to build the brand positioning.
“We know that Leerdammer’s mild and nutty flavour profile keeps consumers coming back for more and this new advert brings this to life brilliantly, while playing to the brand’s unique, fun tone of voice,” said Heloise Le Norcy-Trott, Group Marketing Director for Lactalis UK & Ireland.
“We expect the ad to drive brand memorability and strengthen engagement with shoppers – new and existing, in turn increasing purchase intent and basket size. And overall, we hope it encourages shoppers to return ‘time and time again’ for a taste of Leerdammer!”