This winter, Red Bull is broadening its no sugar offer with the global launch of Red Bull Zero, delivering Zero sugar and Zero calories, with the popular flavour of Red Bull Original Energy Drink, the leading single serve soft drink in the market.
Health is now a key concern for shoppers, with 75 per cent considering health when they choose a soft drink [Appinio, July 2024], however, taste continues to be the number 1 driver of purchase [Kantar, July 2023] highlighting the need for a sufficient offering of great tasting no sugar and zero alternatives alongside full sugar soft drinks.
Red Bull Sugarfree caters to this need, providing a no sugar offering but with a distinct flavour that has built up a loyal shopper base. Red Bull Zero aims to fill a gap in the current line-up, for a liquid closer to the taste of Original Red Bull Energy Drink. It meets demand by delivering the same energy boost and taste, but without the sugar, targeting incremental category occasions.
With health such a key consideration for soft drink consumers, Red Bull said it is important to cater to this need within the Energy category. Offering more no sugar options is key to building incrementality for the category with more users, consuming energy drinks more often, and across more occasions. Red Bull has been key to driving this growth, with a portfolio that offers choice, growing shoppers and frequency of its no sugar products year on year and Red Bull Zero aims to drive this further.
The new can also compliments the Red Bull Energy Drink line-up, featuring the brands’ two most distinctive and recognisable assets – the core blue and silver rhombus design and the bull brand logo, along with a ‘New Taste’ flash.
Available in 250ml plain (RRP: £1.65) and £1.60 PMC cans, 355ml can (RRP: £2.10), 473ml can (RRP: £2.60), 4 x 250ml (RRP:£5.40) and 8 x 250ml (RRP: £9.50) can multipack.
Confectionery wholesaler Hancocks has launched a brand new Knockout Novelty Deal, offering retailers unmissable savings on a wide range of novelty treats.
The new novelty multi-buy deal offers retailers a chance to save 50p per case when buying ten or more across best-selling novelty brands Crazy Candy Factory, Kidsmania and Sweet Bandit.
With this deal, the more you buy, the more you save, giving retailers the opportunity to increase their purchase quantities whilst making big savings. For example, retailers purchasing 10 cases will save £5, 15 cases will save £7.50, and 20 cases £10.
Novelty is an important category for independent retailers to stock as it appeals to younger customers and helps drive sales through impulse purchases.
Retro novelty products such as popping candy or sherbet lollipops are also great for attracting nostalgia buyers who want to revisit their childhood favourites.
Hancocks is the industry leader in the novelty confectionery category, stocking a vast variety of exciting formats and flavours, from flashing lollipops and fast food-themed candy to sour gels and toy-shaped treats.
wholesale confectionery bulk buy savings
Whilst classic sweets continue to remain popular, kids are always seeking out novelty treats that are more exciting and have a play element to them.
It’s important for retailers to keep refreshing their novelty ranges with NPD lines like the new Crazy Candy Factory Paint Dripz - an all blue variation of the best-selling Paint Splash range.
It’s worth considering re-stocking around every six months to stay up to date with new novelty ranges and ensure that every time a customer looks at the shelf, it feels as though they’ve spotted something new.
Novelty products are great impulse options because they provide great value for young customers who want to use their pocket money to treat themselves. The RRPs for the products included in the novelty deal vary from 30p up to £1.49, so there is something to suit every customer.
The Knockout Novelty Deal is live from 17 February and will be an ongoing offer available on the Hancocks website and in all of the Hancocks stores across the country.
Some of the best-selling products from the Kidsmania range include Sour Flush, Whacky Monkey and Flip Phone lollipops, as well as mini cola-flavoured dextrose candy Pooplets and the Quick Blast sour spray.
Popular novelty products from Crazy Candy Factory include Jelly Bean and Mini Gum Ball Machine, Gummy Noodles and Edible Money.
Sweet Bandit stocks customer favourites such as the Wicked Dipper candy ring lollipop with sherbet dip, Ooze Tube candy syrup and Soda Razzle fizzy candy sweets.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome retailers to make the most of the Knockout Novelty Deal in our stores or online, in order to drive sales and get maximum return on investment," said Kathryn Hague, the Head of Marketing at Hancocks.
“This is a deal you can’t miss, with super savings starting from purchasing just ten cases of novelty confectionery from the popular Crazy Candy Factory, Kidsmania or Sweet Bandit ranges.
“At Hancocks, we take great pride in being the industry leader when it comes to novelty confectionery, and we’re dedicated to continuing expanding those ranges and launching NPD products to keep our novelty category fresh and interesting.
“The Knockout Deal is perfect for retailers who want to keep adding new and exciting products to their novelty displays to make them stand out and attract new customers.”
As disposable vapes are set to be banned from June 1, will nicotine pouches become the newest alternative nicotine product for consumers? Here, Markus Lindblad, a nicotine pouch expert from Northerner, explains:
“Over the last number of years, there has been strong growth in the nicotine pouch sector in the UK. A recent study by King’s College London found that pouch use in the UK doubled between 2020 and 2024. It looks like the new legislation on disposable vapes could accelerate this growth. After the ban, some disposable vape users may return to smoking, and some may quit nicotine products, but many will seek alternatives and pouches could be a good option.
“Pouches are well positioned to replace disposable vapes for several reasons. Firstly, they are low cost and convenient, similar to disposable vapes. In addition, pouches are very discreet and can be enjoyed indoors or in areas where smoking or vaping is already prohibited such as on public transport or in public buildings.
“In fact, for UK pouch users, the main benefit of pouches is their discretion which is highly valued by 66 per cent of users. 64 per cent say pouches feel more healthy than other nicotine products and 40 per cent say the main benefit is lower cost.
“Pouches can be a great way to help kick a dangerous habit. The most common reason for people to start using nicotine pouches is the user’s ambition to quit smoking. Nearly six out of ten users of nicotine pouches (56 per cent) in the UK say they started to help them to quit smoking.
“In addition to the Disposables Ban, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will also mean significant changes for the industry overall. There will be an extension of vape free zones around public buildings such as schools and hospitals. Pouches are smoke-free products and so can still be used in vape free zones. We think many people will begin to switch to pouches as more and more vape free zones are enforced.
“Nicotine pouch customers value choice. As a retailer, you should keep an eye on trends and the latest products on the market. Retailers must also be responsible. For example, consider the packaging - does it look like it was designed with a youth audience in mind? If so, you should steer clear and stock alternatives. Similarly, with so called ‘ultra- strength pouches’ which have very high nicotine content, we recommend not stocking these and stick with pouches that meet the industry standards of a maximum of 20mg nicotine per pouch. Customers want high quality and safe products. If you can, have your products tested independently, if not, do in-depth research before stocking the shelves.”
“For retailers, the key focus should be education. Consumers that are new to pouches will need to get accurate information about the products, how to use them, and how to pick a pouch that suits their lifestyle. As retailers, we have a responsibility to educate our customers to help them to understand pouches. This process should start now.
Confectionery wholesaler Hancocks has launched a brand new Knockout Novelty Deal, offering retailers savings on a wide range of novelty treats.
The new novelty multi-buy deal offers retailers a chance to save 50p per case when buying ten or more across best-selling novelty brands Crazy Candy Factory, Kidsmania and Sweet Bandit.
With this deal, the more you buy, the more you save, giving retailers the opportunity to increase their purchase quantities whilst making big savings. For example, retailers purchasing 10 cases will save £5, 15 cases will save £7.50, and 20 cases £10.
Novelty is an important category for independent retailers to stock as it appeals to younger customers and helps drive sales through impulse purchases.
Retro novelty products such aspopping candy or sherbet lollipops are also great for attracting nostalgia buyers who want to revisit their childhood favourites.
Hancocks is the industry leader in the novelty confectionery category, stocking a vast variety of exciting formats and flavours, from flashing lollipops and fast food-themed candy to sour gels and toy-shaped treats.
Whilst classic sweets continue to remain popular, kids are always seeking out novelty treats that are more exciting and have a play element to them.
It’s important for retailers to keep refreshing their novelty ranges with NPD lines like the new Crazy Candy Factory Paint Dripz - an all blue variation of the best-selling Paint Splash range.
Best-selling bulk candy deals for retailers
It’s worth considering re-stocking around every six months to stay up to date with new novelty ranges and ensure that every time a customer looks at the shelf, it feels as though they’ve spotted something new.
Novelty products are great impulse options because they provide great value for young customers who want to use their pocket money to treat themselves. The RRPs for the products included in the novelty deal vary from 30p up to £1.49, so there is something to suit every customer.
The Knockout Novelty Deal is live from 17 February and will be an ongoing offer available on the Hancocks website and in all of the Hancocks stores across the country.
Some of the best-selling products from the Kidsmania range include Sour Flush, Whacky Monkey and Flip Phone lollipops, as well as mini cola-flavoured dextrose candy Pooplets and the Quick Blast sour spray.
Popular novelty products from Crazy Candy Factory include Jelly Bean and Mini Gum Ball Machine, Gummy Noodles and Edible Money.
Sweet Bandit stocks customer favourites such as the Wicked Dipper candy ring lollipop with sherbet dip, Ooze Tube candy syrup and Soda Razzle fizzy candy sweets.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome retailers to make the most of the Knockout Novelty Deal in our stores or online, in order to drive sales and get maximum return on investment," said Kathryn Hague, the Head of Marketing at Hancocks.
“This is a deal you can’t miss, with super savings starting from purchasing just ten cases of novelty confectionery from the popular Crazy Candy Factory, Kidsmania or Sweet Bandit ranges.
“At Hancocks, we take great pride in being the industry leader when it comes to novelty confectionery, and we’re dedicated to continuing expanding those ranges and launching NPD products to keep our novelty category fresh and interesting.
“The Knockout Deal is perfect for retailers who want to keep adding new and exciting products to their novelty displays to make them stand out and attract new customers.”
British-Canadian brand, Pure Maple, has announced that its line of 100% pure maple syrup products are newly certified organic and have undergone a rebrand ahead of push to capitalise on the growing consumer interest in alternatives to refined sugar.
The newly organic products include Pure Maple’s Golden Delicate, Amber Rich, and Dark Robust maple syrups, which have relaunched at a competitive price point and have a RSP of £6.00 - £7.89 for a 236ml / 312g bottle size. This translates to £ 1.92 – £ 2.52 per 100g.
The rebrand features fresh, modern branding and a new Leone bottle shape which pays homage to the rich history of Canadian maple syrup, offering a bold but traditional aesthetic. The updated branding and organic certification come at a time when maple syrup’s popularity is increasing. The UK market is expected to reach 124.7 million USD by 2028 and while sugar maple is the segment’s leading revenue generator, the darker maple syrup category is set for particular growth, with consumers seeking out richer, more robust flavours.
“We are excited to bring our newly organic maple syrups to the UK market at such a compelling price," said Robert Ward, founder and partner at Pure Maple. "We understand that consumers are looking for value without compromising on quality and we’re proud to offer a product that meets the demand for premium foods at an accessible price point. Our maple syrups are produced and packed in Canada ensuring only authentic flavours and with the UK being the third largest export market for Canadian maple syrup, this is an important market for us to concentrate our growth.”
As inflation and the cost of living continue to impact purchasing decisions, the new price point of Pure Maple’s syrups are aligned with current market trends, offering consumers a premium product at a competitive cost. Price sensitivity plays an increasing role in the consumer decision making process and Pure Maple is responding by offering the same high-quality syrup at a price that reflects both the value and quality that customers demand.
The rebrand has initially rolled out on Pure Maple’s new organic maple syrups and will soon extend to the brand’s full range of products, including dairy free maple butter, maple cream cookies and salted maple popcorn in the coming months.
Pure Maple products are currently stocked in independent retailers across the UK.
Having entered the UK’s Top 10 Spirits in 2024, rising three places up the ranks verses last year, Jameson is continuing to recruit consumers through its Jameson, Ginger & Lime serve, newly extended Premium range, and its long-term partnership with the English Football League (EFL), the latter having helped deliver record high equity levels for the brand.
This St. Patrick’s Day, Jameson will bring to life its three core values of being welcoming, smooth and light-hearted, with a new campaign "Must Be A Jameson". Set to reach over 15 million consumers, the TV partnership will be live from 24 February to 14 April via Sky Sports, as well as Video on Demand (including ITV, Channel 4, Prime Video) and online video (YouTube).
Wembley Jameson event
The Sky Sports tie-up supports the brand’s long-term partnership with the EFL and as part of this, a large-scale experiential event will also be executed at the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday 16 March. The Jameson Bus "Orla Board" will be ready to greet over 80,000 Liverpool and Newcastle United fans as they descend on Wembley Stadium to see one team lift the trophy. The bus will be serving Jameson, Ginger & Lime drinks, handing out Jameson merchandise, as well as encouraging football fans to drink responsibly though the distribution of water as part of Pernod Ricard’s Drink More Water campaign.
“We’re going to paint the whole month green, not just St. Patrick’s Day Weekend!" said Josh McCarthy, Brand Director for Pernod Ricard UK. "The last 18-months has seen us gain so much momentum thanks to the hard work of our teams. We’ll be toasting all that’s great about Jameson with fans of our whiskey, our partners and some of our favourite creators. We’ve got a Yard Sale Pizza collab for the food lovers, our Jameson Bus at Wembley for the League Cup Final with the EFL and Jameson, Ginger & Lime samples to share with consumers across the country, you’re not going to miss us this March. Sláinte!”