Unilever, the maker of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Marmite, has announced its full year results, revealing that underlying sales growth was seven per cent, with prices increasing by 6.8 per cent and volumes up by 0.2 per cent. Meanwhile, underlying operating profit rose 2.6 per cent with operating margins improving by 60 basis points (0.6 per cent).
In this financial year, Unilever is aiming for underlying sales growth of three to five per cent , with modest operating margin improvement
“Unilever's performance in 2023 was uninspiring, with notable weakness in Europe and ice cream, driven in part by market share losses to private label competition," said Charlie Huggins, Manager of the Quality Shares Portfolio at analysts Wealth Club.
He added that Unilever's new CEO, Hein Schumacher, recognises that the group could and should be doing better. Schumacher's "Action Plan" is designed to reinvigorate performance through more impactful innovation, productivity savings and an improved culture, with an enhanced focus on the top 30 Power Brands.
"The success of this Action Plan is too early to judge, but investors should not expect quick fixes. The plan isn't just about cutting costs and increasing efficiency. It's designed to make Unilever a more innovative business, with stronger, faster growing brands. This requires increased brand and marketing investment, and will not be quick or easy to achieve.
"Overall, there is a lot to like in new CEO, Hein Schumacher's Action Plan. But it is hard to escape the conclusion that the environment for Unilever and its peers has become much tougher in recent years.
"Cost of living challenges mean private label brands have never been more appealing, meaning Unilever is having to work harder just to maintain market share, let alone grow it. This Action Plan feels like it has more substance than past initiatives, but it needs to succeed to stop the business going backwards."
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!”
Kellogg’s has announced the launch of a new Caramel flavour to its Coco Pops Chocos range.
The new addition follows the launch of Coco Pops Chocos in 2023, which was crowned top spot in the cereal category of last year’s Product of the Year awards.
Like the original Coco Pops Chocos, the new variant comprises curved, crunchy cocoa shells, but with an exciting caramel twist.
Food developers have created a balanced blend of rich roasted cocoa and creamy caramel, with the shells expertly cooked and shaped to give their signature crunchy texture.
All of Kellogg’s children’s cereals are non-HFSS including this new Coco Pops variant. It’s also high in fibre, forming part of Kellogg’s continued efforts to help families make healthier choices in the morning.
“We’re excited to be expanding our kids’ cereal line-up with this delicious Coco Pops Chocos addition,” Lejla Damon, shopper marketing & kids brand manager, Kellogg’s UKI said.
“It’s high in fibre, a delicious blend of chocolatey caramel flavour, and wonderfully crunchy. One for the whole family to enjoy!”
Coco Pops Chocos Caramel joins Kellogg’s diverse range of cereals, continuing its legacy of being the ‘OG of breakfast’. This legacy has been amplified by Kellogg’s £75m investment into its Wrexham cereal factory, set to more than double its production capacity – its largest single investment into British cereal production in over 30 years.
The new flavour will be available for shoppers to buy from January. Each 420g pack is £3.29 RRP.