pladis, the leading global snacking company behind some of the UK’s most loved and iconic brands, has unveiled the McVitie’s festive line-up for 2024. Including a festive flavour relaunch, seasonal packaging switch-up and the return of long-loved Christmas assortments and gifting options, this year’s collection promises to ignite the holiday spirit among consumers and retailers alike.
Kicking off the collection, pladis is building on the continuing success of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives, the nation’s favourite biscuit, with the return of the popular McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives for 2024, which is sure to create a buzz among shoppers seeking seasonal twists on their favourite treats.
The new addition will be joined by festive redesigns for other McVitie’s fan favourites: classic Milk Chocolate Hobnobs and the hugely popular White Chocolate Digestives, which shot to fame in 2023 to become the category’s biggest launch in the last two years.
Sweet Seasonal Biscuits was worth £178 million in 2023 and pladis isn’t slowing down on its momentum to capitalise on the growing market. In fact, it’s accelerating by bringing back its popular line-up of iconic assortments and novelty treats to herald the arrival of the festivities.
“Seasonal Biscuits reached double-digit growth in 2023 as shoppers kept a careful eye on their spend and opted to enjoy quality time with loved ones in the comfort of their own home,” says James King, Marketing Director – McVitie’s at pladis UK&I. “As Brits continue to face price pressure across many expects of everyday life, we’re expecting a similar pattern in 2024.
“The stellar performance of Seasonal Biscuits is largely being driven by demand for assortments, particularly at the more premium end of the scale, as shoppers look to elevate in-home occasions with special snacks readymade for sharing, like our best-loved McVitie’s Victoria selection.
"It’s still important for retailers to dedicate space to exciting, novel treats and giftable favourites – such as our McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives and Jaffa Tree – as these products play an important role in encouraging impulse purchases and injecting some extra festive fun into fixtures.
“Our 2024 range reflects the fact that the festive season is a time for indulgence and sharing, and includes new products to tempt treat-seeking shoppers to opt for biscuits, alongside refreshed classics, ensuring there’s something special for every festive moment."
Products in the McVitie’s festive range will be widely available via major UK retailers – including Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Co-op – as well as in convenience stores and wholesale depots from the beginning of September.
New for 2024
McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives
pladis is heating things up this year with the return of a festive favourite- McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives. This seasonal treat was a standout success in 2020, ranked in the top five seasonal NPD and contributing an impressive £1.2 million in sales to the brand. And pladis is bringing it back for 2024 with an extra-chocolatey recipe, ensuring each bite is more indulgent than Christmases past.
McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives will tempt shoppers seeking fun, festive flavours to the biscuit aisle. Available in 266g packs of 16 biscuits (RRP: £1.89), this indulgent everyday treat is available now in Sainsbury’s, and will be rolling out more widely across multiple grocery, convenience and wholesale from the end of the month.
McVitie’s White Chocolate Digestives and Milk Chocolate Hobnobs
pladis is capturing the attention of sweet biscuit buyers and shoppers looking for festive-themed treats with a seasonal redesign of two of its most popular biscuits- McVitie’s White Chocolate Digestives and McVitie’s Milk Chocolate Hobnobs. Leveraging the enduring appeal of McVitie’s Milk Chocolate Hobnobs and driving further trial for the hugely popular McVitie’s White Chocolate Digestives, which has become a £12 million sales success since launch, both products have been dressed for the holidays.
Seasonal packs of McVitie’s White Chocolate Digestives have been given an eye-catching seasonal makeover featuring snowflakes, holly and smiling snowmen with their favourite seasonal biscuits (232g packs, RRP: £1.89). Meanwhile, Santa’s ‘HoHoHos’ Milk Chocolate Hobnobs come in 262g packs (RRP: £1.89) show Father Christmas enjoying a steaming cup of tea, presents and, of course, a Milk Chocolate Hobnob.
Returning Favourites
McVitie’s Victoria
No Christmas is complete without McVitie’s Victoria, the nation’s go-to premium biscuit assortment. This luxurious selection has once again proven its dominance, remaining the #1 Premium Assortment and which grew by +27 per cent in 2023.
The 2024 edition of McVitie’s Victoria features a delicious variety of extra-chocolatey biscuits, making it the ultimate festive indulgence with 35% more chocolate than its closest competitor.
A larger format 778g pack is now available, offering 10 biscuit varieties – including Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Cloverleaf biscuits – perfect for stocking up for the season or hosting Christmas get-togethers. Available in fully recyclable packaging, this assortment not only satisfies the taste buds but also supports sustainable choices.
McVitie’s Family Circle
As the UK’s favourite everyday biscuit assortment, McVitie’s Family Circle is back, bigger and better than ever. This classic collection, featuring 10 varieties of biscuits to cater to every member of the family, has generated a loyal fanbase over the years. It has impressive +54 per cent and a repeat purchase rate of 12.7 per cent, making it a must-have for the festive season – particularly as savvy shoppers continue to seek great value treats from trusted household-name brands.
The 2024 edition features a brand-new, fully recyclable 400g carton (RRP: £2.50) that’s perfect for sharing, making it an essential for any sweet snacking occasion this Christmas.
McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations
For those looking to indulge, or gift something truly special, McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations is the perfect choice. This deluxe assortment, featuring a mix of fully coated white, milk and dark chocolate biscuits, has been carefully curated to offer a premium experience with every bite.
Presented in a beautiful 340g flower box-style carton with personalised gift tags (RRP: £6.00), McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations is the ideal luxury collection for those looking to make a lasting impression.
It was a top choice for shoppers seeking premium options last year, recording sales of £1.2 million, making it an unmissable opportunity for retailers to encourage trade up.
McVitie’s Jaffa Tree
After its successful debut last year, the McVitie’s Jaffa Tree returns in 2024 with even more festive flair.
This delightful tree-shaped carton, filled with a selection of three Jaffa Jonuts and three Original Jaffa Cake Snack Packs, was the #2 NPD launch of 2023, making it a standout in the novelty segment.
Its unique packaging and irresistible contents ensure the Jaffa Tree is perfect for gifting and sharing, adding a touch of fun to any festive occasion.
Available in 240g pack RRP: £3.00.
McVitie’s Jaffa Pole
Back with a new design featuring a craft activity for all the family, , the McVitie’s Jaffa Pole is once again ready to tempt shoppers seeking novel treats to add some festive fun to the Christmas run-up.
Ranked as one of the top novelty products in 2022, interactive packs feature a special ‘Santa Stop Here’ sign activity.
Each pole contains 40 Original Jaffa Cakes, making it the perfect stocking filler or party favour to delight Jaffanatics of all ages. Available in 440g packs, RRP: £3.75.
McVitie’s Santa Snacks Chocolate Cake Bars
Rounding out the 2024 collection are the ever-popular McVitie’s Santa Snacks Chocolate Cake Bars. These individually wrapped bars, which have been a festive favourite for four years running, offer the perfect balance of indulgence and portion control.
Each bar comes in at just 99kcal and features a soft, fluffy sponge layered with rich chocolate cream and enveloped in McVitie’s signature silky-smooth milk chocolate.
Shoppers couldn’t get enough of these chocolatey treats last year, which led to growth of +26%[11], far outpacing overall growth for Seasonal Christmas Cakes (+2.9%) – and this year is set to be no exception. Available in a pack of seven (RRP: £1.80) they’re the ultimate grab-and-go treat for the holiday season.
