Princes Group has launched new disruptor brand Plot9, its first ever dedicated plant-based proposition, with ‘no nonsense’ meat-free meals to connect with younger flexitarian audiences. Plot9 hits shelves in Morrison’s and McColl’s in August, as well as Sainsbury’s from October this year.
The Plot9 range challenges traditional dehydrated pot snacks with store cupboard meals that incorporate wholesome chunks of real veg - nothing dehydrated, and no artificial flavours or preservatives. The range will build on a growing demand in the ambient hot snacks and meals category (+12.7 per cent, ahead of total ambient grocery) driving excitement for both new and existing shoppers.
Plot9 meal pots are available in three different variants - Thai-Style Chickpea Curry with Aromatic Rice, Rich Lentil Bolognese with Wholewheat Pasta, and Smoky Chipotle Bean Chilli with Long Grain Rice. The products are comprised of 2 separate recyclable pots containing a sauce rich in pulses, veggies and spices, alongside a portion of rice or pasta, allowing each pot to retain its optimum quality and texture through cooking - and all still ready to enjoy in under 2 minutes!
Plot9 meets modern shopper demands, boasting key claims delivered direct from plants:
1 of your 5 a day
A source of protein
All under 350kcal
Certified Vegan
Alan Eriksen, Marketing Director for the Plot9 brand said: “We developed the Plot9 proposition after seeing the growth in demand for plant-based products, and identifying a real opportunity to stand apart in this rapidly evolving and competitive sector.
“We found that many products focus on replicating meat occasions, which isn’t necessarily what a flexitarian consumer always wants, and often doesn’t deliver on taste or texture."
With Plot9, we want to challenge the industry with a veg-first attitude that makes plants the hero of every dish, for ‘zero-compromise’ convenient meat-free meals that still pack a punch when it comes to flavour and quality.”
The Plot9 brand will continue to expand with additional innovation planned for early 2022, seizing opportunities in further new categories, supported by an ATL campaign encouraging shoppers to ‘pledge to plants’ and embrace more meat-free product choices.
Pet care specialists Purina has launched a campaign to spotlight the amazing support pets provide to people in need, encouraging all to say a huge thank you to pets up and down the country.
The campaign comes as a new poll of 2,000 adults who have a cat or dog found that their four-legged friends regularly help t out when they’re feeling down.
They claim pets have helped improve their mood when they’ve been ill (47 per cent), after a bad day at work (39 per cent) and following an argument (22 per cent).
Actions that give humans the boost they need are their cat or dog snuggling into them (65 per cent) or greeting them when arriving home (58 per cent). More than half (54 per cent) believe spending time with animals acts as therapy.
The research, commissioned by Purina, also found three quarters said being a cat or dog owner has helped improved their mental health, while 49 per cent said it’s had a positive impact on their physical health.
Purina has teamed up with professional footballer Lucy Bronze, who is mum to West Highland Terrier, Narla, for the campaign.
“Narla has been the best thing ever for me – being a footballer is an absolute dream come true, and I couldn’t do it without her by my side. Being able to come home to someone who is so happy to see you after a long day is a great feeling, and I’m so grateful that she is there for me through all life’s ups and downs,” Bronze said.
Calum Macrae, chief executive of Purina UK & Ireland, said: “We believe that pets absolutely are the UK’s hidden support network – they really are the ones there by our side, often when we need them most.
“Harnessing the power of the pet-human bond creates real benefits to people’s wellbeing. As well as in everyday households, we see this truly come to life in the work we do to help our amazing charity partners. Like Cats Protection and their Lifeline service – a specialist cat fostering service for those fleeing domestic abuse; and Canine Partners, who partner highly trained assistance dogs with people with physical disabilities, providing them with greater independence and increased quality of life.
“It is life-changing and that’s why we have an ambition to help one million people in vulnerable situations improve their health and wellbeing by 2030.”
When asked about the ways people show appreciation to their pets, 59 per cent of owners do so by cuddling them, 45 per cent by getting them a new toy, and 11 per cent even put their favourite TV show on.
A fifth say (20 per cent) they initially got their pet to encourage them to do more exercise, while 16 per cent wanted a sense of responsibility and 14 per cent did so to combat loneliness.
It also emerged that cats and dogs have helped people overcome feelings of stress (52 per cent), loneliness (47 per cent) and anxiety (41 per cent).
Almost three quarters (73 per cent) even believe their pet can tell how they’re feeling and over half (54 per cent) have voiced their issues out loud to them.
More than a fifth (22 per cent) have some days where they only speak to their pet, and those surveyed spend an average of three hours and 45 minutes a week chatting to them.
A half (51 per cent) agree it’s amazing how their pet can make them feel better without being able to talk, and 43 per cent claim the companionship has helped them in life massively.
Half of those surveyed, via OnePoll.com, don’t think animals get enough credit for the support they provide humans and 58 per cent couldn’t envisage their life without their furry friend.
A fifth have referred to their pet as a therapist, while 19 per cent have even asked them for advice when feeling low.
Almost a third (32 per cent) feel they’d suffer from loneliness if it wasn’t for their pet and 56 per cent said they really are their best friend.
Purina said Felix, the leading cat food brand across Europe, is hitting the road with global superstar, Robbie Williams, as headline sponsor of his 2025 European Tour.
This is the first time a cat food brand has sponsored an A-lister music tour, bringing the pet and music industry together like never before. The tour marks the continuation of the partnership between the brand and the internationally acclaimed recording artist, with Robbie Williams writing a song, ‘It’s Great to Be a Cat’, exclusively for the brand’s advertising campaign last year.
The mischievous duo will be visiting 18 countries in Europe, starting on 31 May 2025 in Edinburgh and reaching London on the 6 June. The tour is scheduled to complete at the end of September 2025.
Robbie Williams said: “I’m pleased that my partnership with Felix has extended into the live touring space, and I’m excited that the brand will be coming on tour with me. I’m a proud cat owner, and whilst I can’t bring my cats on the road I am able to bring Felix on board as the headline sponsor of next year’s tour.”
Fabio Pietro Degli Esposti, European marketing group director at Nestle, Purina, said: “It’s a very exciting moment for us to continue our successful collaboration with Robbie Williams and Felix and connect two industries in such an unexpected way – for Purina and for the whole pet industry. This tour sponsorship elevates our It’s Great to Be a Cat ongoing campaign and highlights Felix’s mischievous approach to making sure its products are front and centre in surprising ways.”
Laurence Jones, Felix senior brand manager for Purina UK&I, said: “While we know real cats don’t travel well, we’re excited to see Felix hit the road with Robbie on his world tour, bringing the music and pet industry together in a way that hasn’t been done before. This sponsorship is an exciting evolution for our ongoing It’s Great To Be A Cat campaign and highlights Felix’s bold approach to making sure the brand is front and centre in surprising ways.”
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has launched a new initiative called ‘Local Moments of Joy’, giving independent and convenience retailers the chance to win a share of £48,000 ahead of the festive season to help make Christmas extra special for their customers and local area.
Live from Monday (18 November), independent convenience retailers must be registered on My.CCEP.com to enter the daily free prize draw. Each of the 12 randomly selected daily winners will receive £1,000 to thank them for their support in 2024.
The competition closes on 29 November, with winners contacted the day after each draw. More information and full terms and conditions are available on My.CCEP.com.
A further 12 lucky winners can claim up to £10,000, as part of a share of £36,000, to donate to a nominated registered local charity or good cause of their choice.
“For decades, the Coca-Cola brand has united people during memorable seasonal moments and become synonymous with Christmas. Convenience retailers embody that spirit – they are at the heart of their communities all year round, supporting local causes and creating welcoming spaces for everyone,” Ruth Fawcett, convenience & wholesale associate director at CCEP GB, said.
“With ‘Local Moments of Joy’ we want to celebrate and reward their generosity by helping them spread a little extra holiday magic this season. This fund allows retailers to make Christmas even more special, whether through charitable donations or putting on events. We can’t wait to see the joy they bring to their communities this Christmas.”
The new ‘Local Moments of Joy’ community giveaway runs alongside the return of Coca-Cola’s iconic Christmas marketing activity which launches later this month.
Retailers will also be able to access festive Coca-Cola branded point of sale materials from My.CCEP.com.
Maxi Babybel, the limited-edition, supersized version of the snacking cheese, Mini Babybel, is making a festive comeback.
At 10x bigger than Mini Babybel, Maxi Babybel was last year’s No.1 Christmas cheese NPD, proving that a well-executed novelty can truly capture shopper imagination. Racking up more than one million TikTok views and 80K likes in the first 24-hours of launch. Engagement hit 10 per cent – double TikTok’s average of five per cent, helping to drive nearly £550K of sales in just one month.
With its red wax jacket and brand new festive snowflake outer wrap, it makes a fun cheeseboard centrepiece. Plus, of course, it’s still made from the same four simple ingredients and naturally rich in calcium and protein, with no added colours, flavours or preservatives.
Supporting the launch is a creative social media campaign encouraging festive shoppers to “Go Big” with excitement fuelled by a playful video showing security guards sneakily positioning Maxi Babybel onto supermarket shelves ahead of the launch.
“We know that three quarters of Brits believe ‘going big’ at Christmas is not about spending big, but rather spending time with friends and family, that’s why we’ve made Maxi Babybel 10x bigger – perfect for sharing," said Oliver Richmond, Marketing Manager at Bel UK. "Around half of Brits said their favourite way to 'go big' at Christmas is with food and drinks, and nearly a quarter say the classic cheeseboard is their festive favourite. Almost a quarter say they look forward to seasonal and limited-edition products.
“If you look at the year-after-year success of seasonal, limited editions in other categories, it’s clear shoppers love the anticipation. Babybel already outsells it’s nearest cheese snacking rival by £73m, so we’re anticipating Maxi Babybel to drive incremental sales as shoppers get into the festive spirit. Last year proved there was a lot of demand for fun limited editions and we’re expecting this year to exceed expectations.”
200g Maxi Babybel is available from November 18 with an RRP of £3.50
With its latest campaign, More Than Only Food & Drink, the European Union (EU) is looking to provide plenty of inspiration for UK retailers and wholesalers looking to update their festive ranges this year.
The EU has launched the comprehensive communication campaign, designed to showcase the EU food and beverage products to UK food industry professionals, in September, highlighting a diverse range of product categories, each with its own set of hero products and hidden gems, including: Processed and fresh meat; Dairy products, especially cheeses; Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; Bakery products; Confectionery; and Wines, spirits, and beers.
Products featuring EU ingredients and influences can be seen across the festive product categories in the UK and include Seafood and Chorizo Shells, Sweet Spiced Gammon with Citrus Glaze and Panettone Crumb and Golden Limoncello Stollen Bites.
From aperitifs, wine pairings, succulent meats, charcuterie, several thousand cheeses and hundreds of sweet treats, the EU produces a vast range of flavours, textures and tastes, while guaranteeing the authenticity with its Protected Designated Origin (PDO), and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) quality schemes.
From a morning glass of Spanish Cava PDO to a nightcap of French Cognac PDO or Irish Whiskey PGI - the EU offers something for all tastes. There is also the added assurance that only ingredients of natural origin are permitted in the production of EU spirits.
This year, European liqueurs are also featuring in desserts such as Jewelled Cointreau & Cranberry Christmas pudding and Limoncello Fizz Panettone, made by a family-run bakery in Piedmont.
In 2022, the UK imported 0.7 billion litres of wine from the EU. Outside the member states, the UK is the number one destination for European wines with 23 per cent of extra-EU exports.
Neil McAndrew, advisor to the ‘More Than Only Food & Drink Campaign’ and a wine industry professional for over 30 years, expects French, Italian and Spanish wines to be the best performing this Christmas - with Cava, Crémant, Champagne and Prosecco likely to have strong sales.
Whilst still relatively small, the growth of natural wines also cannot be underestimated, he says, predicting Petillant Naturel (naturally sparkling wines made using techniques that predate the times of the traditional method) to be popular this festive season.
According to McAndrew, retailers planning to capitalise on the consumer’s desire to ‘treat’ themselves at Christmas, should stock up on wines in the £15-£20 price bracket but ensure that customers understand the story behind the bottle.
Shelf-talkers and imagery highlighting the grape variety, characteristics of the terroir and suggesting food matches can help the shopper to demystify the labels. The classics from Rioja, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are popular gift choices due to the perceived quality of wines from the regions, he notes.
With full traceability from vineyard to bottle, retailers can also be confident of high standards and authenticity, regardless of the size, scale or location of the vineyard. Furthermore, the majority of EU vines produce wines with geographical indications such as PDO and PGI.
The EU produces 14.5 million tonnes of cured meats, with hundreds of products to provide a special treat for the festive sharing board. Whilst Spanish Ibérico Dehesa de Extremadura PDO and Italian Prosciutto di Parma PDO are widely available, those seeking something truly different could look further north and east. Bulgarian Gornooryahovski sudzhuk PGI, is a succulent salami made only from the beef of well-fed cattle. Finland’s Aito saunapalvikinkku PGI has a tender texture thanks to the direct smoking method of production.
The dairy sector is the second largest agricultural sector in the EU, representing more than 12 per cent of output. The EU produces thousands of varieties of cheese encompassing soft, hard, rind-washed and blue and using milk from cows, sheep, goats and buffalo.
Protected traditional and regional dairy products, extend far beyond the likes of Italian Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, Spanish Queso Manchego PDO and French Roquefort PDO.
For a truly continental board with lesser-known cheeses: Kalathaki Limnou PDO is a soft creamy brined cheese from Greece, Lithuania’s Lietuviškas varškės sūris PGI has milky, smoky flavours that pair well with jam and honey. Croatia’s Paški sir PDO is produced from a unique breed of sheep known for their intensely salty milk, Austrian Tiroler Bergkäse PDO is characterised by its powerful, fully aromatic taste, and melting texture. Danish Danablu PGI is often referred to as the country’s equivalent to Italy’s Gorgonzola PDO and Sörmlands Ädel PGI from Sweden has tangy, salty flavours expected of blue cheese. Perfect for cheese lovers who enjoy seeing out new flavours.
Last year, many retailers moved away from the traditional Christmas pudding in order to reflect modern tastes with some neglecting the pudding altogether in favour of Italy’s Panettone.
Stollen is also becoming a Christmas staple on British shelves. For the original and quite possibly the best, Germany’s Dresdner Christstollen PGI have been carefully baked and perfected for more than 500 years. Lebkuchen are also proving popular amongst British buyers with Nürnberger Lebkuchen PGI the most authentic option. Other festive treats include Vánoční Cukroví - iced shortbreads from Czechia and Hungary’s Beigli - sweetened bread rolls filled with walnuts, poppy seeds and a variety of sweet fillings.
Most Christmas celebrations involve chocolate, and the EU produces millions of tonnes of chocolate each year with Germany, Italy and France producing almost two thirds (64%). Whilst Italy’s Cioccolato di Modica PGI was the first chocolate to receive the PGI accreditation, the French created praline and the Bûche de Noël (Yule log) is also a festive must-have.