BuzzBallz Cocktails has launched a new heavy-weight campaign targeting the UK’s independent, community and convenience retail sector.
The six-strong range has established a foothold in the country, and after being embraced by the trade, the firm has focused its efforts on winning the convenience channel for the long term with a dedicated six figure investment for summer 2023.
Activity kicks off now with trade marketing, advertising, social and PR designed to drive wide awareness of the range and the opportunities for retailers and store managers. It will focus on how BuzzBallz Cocktails is carving a new position in the category with its higher abv ‘bar-strength’ premixed cocktails in a single serve format – perfect for the convenience channel and impulse nature of shopping occasions.
A key part of its strategy to win the UK’s convenience sector is a small fleet of BuzzBallz Cocktails brand builders – a dedicated team and new vehicle livery charged with travelling the country and taking the brand in to convenience retailers, independent stores and off licenses. They will drive brand awareness, secure further distribution and act as ambassadors for the brand, advise on best merchandising practice, and host tastings. BuzzBallz Cocktails will also take space at key trade shows and events this year.
To enhance in-store theatre and purchase appeal, it is also offering retailers bright, branded POS, including free-standing display units, wall-mounted fixtures, counter and chiller racks, signage and shelf talkers.
In addition, an eye-catching range of 12 packs with convenient shelf-ready packaging launched in April featuring a tear-off section for ease of in-store presentation, bringing a pop of colour to drinks fixtures, aisles and chillers.
“Convenience is a critical channel for BuzzBallz Cocktails and off the back of immediate success since last summer, we’re expediting our strategy and placing increased focus on the channel. Our goal is to help retailers make the most of our range and demonstrate the profit potential for each store that stocks the products,” David Relph, Buzzballz Cocktails country manager for UK and Ireland, said.
“We know the RTD category is thriving but there’s still a limited choice for consumers, with most brands offering a similar positioning of low abv drinks. There is a trend for premium, premixed cocktails for at-home consumption and consumers are looking for simple, versatile, great-tasting serves that bring excitement to occasions, and the colourful BuzzBallz Cocktails bar-strength range is a fantastic option.”
Relph added that Summer 2023 will be key as there will be so many opportunities to tap into once the good weather kicks in.
“Think big nights in and cocktails in the home, movie and sports viewings, parties, BBQs, pizza nights and summer gatherings in the garden. The on-the-go opportunity is huge too for RTDs within convenience, whether for taking to a festival or event, or to enjoy in a park or picnic,” he said. “Sporting events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the men’s Rugby World Cup will bring people together and the round ball shape really ties into the sporting theme.”
BuzzBallz has also confirmed a year-long partnership with wholesale group Unitas to consolidate its presence among wholesalers, depots and member groups, and is also starting to seed the brand with consumers at the BBC Good Food Show in June.
Relph added: “Pre-mixed cocktails are expected to increase share of the RTD market so BuzzBallz Cocktails present a significant opportunity for convenience and independent retailers. We’ve created a real buzz in the USA and we know the UK has every potential to follow in its footsteps. The British appetite is there for higher strength, premium quality premixed cocktail RTDs and for flavour exploration. We know there’s huge potential in the UK for this end of the RTD category to grow and we’re calling on the convenience sector to join us in getting the products on shelf and into people’s hands.”
Made with premium spirits, real fruit juice, natural flavours and ingredients, BuzzBallz Cocktails are crafted to a high standard. The 2023 consumer strategy is to target 25 to 40 year olds, living in urban areas, who enjoy socialising with friends while on the go, in the garden or park, and on their way to parties, events and festivals.
All 200ml balls are 13.5 per cent ABV with an RRP of £3.99 each. Six SKUs are available to convenience and independent retailers via exclusive distributor, Hammonds of Knutsford: Choc Tease, Tequila ‘Rita, Strawberry ‘Rita, Lotta Colada, Chili Mango and Espresso Martini.
Fox’s Burton’s Companies has announced the introduction of a limited-edition Strawberry flavour to the iconic Fox’s Party Rings range.
With a creamy taste and smooth finish, these sweet treats are available from today (24) with an RRP of £0.90 per 125g pack.
The limited-edition flavour is designed to engage and excite existing customers as well as bring in new users, with a particular focus on attracting families.
Strawberry was named the number-one flavour across all family age groups, with 85 per cent purchase intent – and with Party Rings featuring in 50 per cent of children’s occasions – it makes this new limited-edition flavour a must-stock for retailers wanting to boost family basket spend.
Party Rings Strawberry joins the Party Rings range, which includes biscuits for a variety of shopper needs and missions. From the classic, full-size Party Rings, through mini formats to the Party Rings Minis Chocolate flavour which launched back in 2023 and have proved popular with shoppers looking for on-the go snacking options.
“We know Party Rings fans love a new flavour and that flavour variants do a great job of attracting families, so we’re confident that the addition of Strawberry to the range will drive excitement amongst our customers and opens up incremental biscuit and basket spend," said Robin Norton, Head of Category Insight at FBC.
“The launch of this limited-edition range will also see the introduction of our brand-new look and feel designed to give the brand a more fun, modern appearance that will stand-out on shelf. We have some exciting things to come for Party Rings this year and this is just the first step on our journey to make sure we’re bringing more fun to the everyday for everyone!”
The brand refresh will see packaging across all flavours and formats updated to reflect the new, playful “colour me in” design. The new revamp will be completed by May 2025.
March 2025 sees Popcorn Kitchen introduce Strawberry chocolate pigs in popcorn blankets as the latest addition to its home-popping portfolio. A fusion of fruit-themed pig candy, gourmet popping corn kernels and Belgian milk chocolate buttons, it allows any popcorn obsessive to make 14 generous portions.
Since its arrival in 2023 “Pop at Home” has become the business’s most successful new gifting launch with every topping from chocolate mini eggs and jellybeans, to peanut butter buttons, to novelty chocolate sprouts, festive chocolate coins and Rocky Road marshmallows. In 2024 sales grew by 95 per cent year-on-year.
“In an ever-changing global snacking landscape popcorn continues to shine, not least because of its unrivalled versatility, convenience and nostalgic associations,” said Co-Owner and Director Louise Monk.
“Whether we’re talking healthier, savoury, microwaveable or gourmet, popcorn retains the capacity to align with all manner of timeless flavours and turn heads. In particular, popcorn that aligns itself with high-end ingredients or cult childhood toppings are reaping the rewards for their ingenuity and daring-do.”
Pop-at-Home has shone in the UK’s growing gifting fixture which provides family friends, parents and grandparents to go the extra yard when visiting friends and family.
Mentos Sweets, the second largest brand in the hard chews category – now valued at £43.4m – is set to make its debut on the popular gaming platform Fortnite Creative, bringing a fresh and playful twist to the gaming world.
Over the next two weeks, Mentos Fizzookas – custom rocket launchers that
leverage the famously fizzy reaction for explosive fun – will be dropped into some of the most popular Fortnite Creative maps, “Piece Control 2v2”, “Piece Control 1v1”, “Troll Bed Wars”, and “Sky Wars” with a combined audience of over a million players per day, on average. This signifies the first time the Mentos and cola experiment has appeared in a gaming platform, and the first branded tactical item to be released in Fortnite Creative.
The entry into Fortnite Creative comes as the brand looks to build cultural relevance amongst younger, growing audiences. Research has shown that one in three Gen Z play games daily
and around 75 per cent play video games at least once a week, underlining the strategic importance of gaming as a platform for brand engagement.
To support this launch, a creative campaign will run globally, with over 20 markets
amplifying the Fizzooka launch with local influencers, media and across social
activations. On top of digital activations, Mentos also tasked influencers from all over the world to bring the campaign into the physical world, giving them 30 real-life, functioning Mentos Fizzookas replicas to create fun and engaging content.
“The Mentos x cola experiment first came to fame in 1999 and has been a mainstay on YouTube, TikTok and social media sites ever since,” said Sarah du Plessis, Mentos Brand Manager. “Now, with the invention of the Mentos Fizzooka, it seems there’s still plenty of fizz left in the famous experiment!
“We know gaming is a rich territory to connect with younger, Gen Z audiences and our latest foray into Fortnite Creative is a natural extension of our strategy to keep the brand fresh and relevant by engaging consumers in new and unexpected ways. We can’t wait to introduce a whole new audience to say Yes to Fresh.”
Vape firm Voopoo has unveiled the latest product in its ARGUS series, ARGUS G3.
The new pod device is powered by the revolutionary iCOSM CODE 2.0 technology, as Voopoo once again delivers on its promise of unmatched customer satisfaction through innovation, quality, and style.
ARGUS G3 debuts the revolutionary iCOSM 2.0 technology with the ARGUS Top Fill Cartridge V2, featuring a groundbreaking big coil that combines liquid-seal shield, mega-core, and golden cotton for an exceptional vaping experience.
A fully-wrapped copper sleeve creates a dense e-liquid film with 99% internal surface coverage, tripling that of conventional coils. Voopoo said this design will enhance leak-proof performance by 83%, ensuring 30 days of cleanliness.
With instant saturation and consistent flow, the mega-core layer of speed-control cotton further eliminates flavor inconsistency. It keeps the vape smooth, sweet, and full of flavor, every single time.
The high-tech, heat-resistant golden cotton, wrapped around the mesh, is made of aerospace materials. When regular cotton starts breaking down at just 150°C, it can handle up to a scorching 260°C. That's why it lasts longer — one cartridge can handle up to 100 mL of e-liquid without losing flavor or performance.
The robust 1500 mAh high-density battery is capable of delivering up to 5 days of uninterrupted vaping on a single charge. While, ARGUS G3 only weighs impressively 65g, comfortably fitting in your palm and providing freedom and ease of use. With a 0.96" TFT colour screen, the creative textures and gradient colours add a touch of sophistication.
The product is available in a UK-complaint 2mL variant.
KP Snacks is expanding its Hula Hoops range, with the introduction of a bold new Smoky Bacon flavour.
The new product will be available in the same reduced plastic outer sleeve that is being rolled out across existing Hula Hoops core six-pack multipacks, removing 24 tonnes of packaging annually.
Inspired by the unbeatable taste of grilled bacon, the launch balances a perfect smoky flavour with the brand’s famous crunchy texture. The new product expands one of the nation's favourite crisp brands, purchased by 28m UK households each year.
Launching in a multipack, the new Smoky Bacon variant capitalises on the strength of this format, with multipacks driving over a third of CSN sales. Hula Hoops BBQ Beef is the best-selling multipack within the “meaty & BBQ” flavour segment and the new addition complements the range with a strong, meaty flavour that appeals to consumers. The new product capitalises on the strength of the “bacon” flavour partition in CSN, worth £74m and growing +10 per cent YOY.
The Hula Hoops Smoky Bacon multipack is well-positioned to add fun and excitement to both at-home and packed lunches, with 62 per cent of buyers opting for Crisps, Snacks and Nuts as part of their meal.
“We’re excited to launch a brand new flavour for the Hula Hoops core range, building on the brand’s momentum after reaching the impressive £200 million RSV milestone last year,” said Sasha Finan, Brand Manager at Hula Hoops. “The release of the new Smoky Bacon variant is a key step in driving incremental shoppers to the brand by tempting consumers with new and irresistible flavours.”
The new product will join Hula Hoops’ core range, featuring well-loved flavours Original, Salt & Vinegar, BBQ Beef and Cheese & Onion. It will be available in 6 x 24g multipack format. The multipack segment is the second largest in the category, valued at £1.8 million.