Coconutea is launching a range of six drinks to the coconut water category after it identified a gap in the UK market for premium offering. A "superfood in a bottle", it combines the magic of pure coconut water and green tea, celebrating the king coconut grown in Sri Lanka.
With a 35 per cent growth in the coconut water category predicted by 2026 according to Mintel, Coconutea is on trend with its exceptionally health benefits and strong focus on sustainability.
The distributor and brand owner, Vivo Tea Company, is launching the brand into the UK market this month and will be targeting a range of formats including multiple retail, independent luxury retail, farm shops and delicatessen and the hospitality and food service sectors.
It is available in a range of six flavours – lemon, peach, pineapple, passionfruit, strawberry and soursop. The RRP per bottle is £3.49.
“Coconutea is an exciting opportunity for the UK healthy fruit juice sector, adding so much value to the drinks range than a standard coconut water," said Sanjiv Rai, founder and director of Coconutea.
“King coconut – The jewel of Sri Lanka – is the unique ingredient that not just makes Coconutea supremely refreshing, it also contains an unprecedented combination of naturally occurring minerals and vitamins.
“We’ve created a health drink that not only tastes great, but lifts mind, body and soul.”
Coconutea is unique combination of premium green tea, natural fruit flavours and nutrient packed water from the majestic king coconut. It is organic by virtue, and although tasting sweeter has 35 per cent less fructose sugar than green coconuts. The green tea is freshly picked straight from sustainable bushes from Soil Association approved estates.
Nutritionally Coconutea contains double the amount of magnesium compared to green coconuts. It is a rich source of B-complex vitamins, sodium, potassium and other essential electrolytes making it ideal as a rehydration drink.
The king coconut is native to Sri Lanka and known in the local dialect as Thembili. It is highly prized by Sri Lankans and used in traditional Ayurvedic practices.
For the eighth consecutive year, world renowned chocolate producer, Lindt & Sprüngli is proudly supporting the NSPCC to raise vital funds for Childline. From 1 December, every Lindt TEDDY Milk (100g) purchased from Lindt chocolate shops, major grocery channels, retailers and from Lindt's website, Lindt will donate £1.00. With a target of £100,000, Lindt’s donation will help ensure Childline can continue its critical work this Christmas.
Whether you’re gifting a loved one or treating yourself, enjoy the magic of Christmas with Lindt TEDDY whilst supporting this worthy cause. Crafted by the Master Chocolatiers using their finest Milk chocolate, each Lindt TEDDY is delicately dressed in gold foil, hand-tied with a red ribbon and a heart charm. Cherished worldwide, it’s a beloved festive treat for all the family.
Passionate about supporting the NSPCC, Lindt has raised over £700,000 to date with this heart-warming partnership, which has supported children and young people for over 35 years.
Childline gives every child access to free, confidential support whenever they need it. Childline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, online at childline.org.uk and by phone on 0800 1111.
Dairy, in particular cheese, is an everyday essential which offers consumers taste, nutrition, versatility, convenience, and good value. Despite this, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, inflation and Brexit have unsurprisingly impacted how frequently consumers are buying cheese, but volume sales of branded cheese are now returning to growth at 1.9 per cent year on year (YOY) ahead of private label at 0.4 per cent. Branded cheese accounts for 40 per cent of total cheese value sales, with it being worth a total of £1.2 billion, growing 6.6 per cent in value sales YOY, while private label accounts for 60 per cent and is worth £1.8 billion, growing four per cent YOY.
Heloise Le Norcy-Trott, Group Marketing Director for Lactalis UK & Ireland explains: “After two years of contracted volume sales the cheese category has an opportunity to regain momentum. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, these are the cheese trends we think retailers should be aware of.”
Premiumisation driving growth: Even though grocery prices are increasing, and consumers have been choosing to buy fewer units of cheese, premiumisation still has the potential to drive market growth. This is likely to come from a combination of new and old consumer habits – exploring new ways of enjoying cheese, like enjoying hot and using it in different recipes, and rediscovering varieties they previously enjoyed. With cheese being a household staple, it’s important that the industry and retailers continue to adapt, expand, and innovate their offering in the coming months, to cater to changing consumer demands as shoppers get back into cheese.
Cheese as a source of protein: There is a growing interest in how what we eat and drink affects our bodies – with more than half of consumers reading product labels more than last year. Therefore, one trend to look out for is consumers seeking out cheese for its nutritional benefits. For example, cheese is packed full of essential dairy nutrients, such as protein, with it providing 15 per cent of our daily requirement. Unlike some plant-based proteins, cheese contains all of the nine essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that our bodies need. Protein is vital for many different functions in the body including building and maintaining muscle and supporting healthy bones, but also for helping to make other body tissues and organs, the antibodies in our immune system and haemoglobin, an important protein that carries oxygen in our blood (British Nutrition Foundation 2023).
Growth in hot eating cheese: Hot eating is currently one of the highest grossing cheese categories, offering quick and tasty hot meal-time solutions, and another area where retailers can encourage premiumisation. Président Extra Creamy Brie, which launched in March 2024, can be enjoyed both hot and cold, but with special melting properties and extra depth, the cheese is best enjoyed hot. Its launch follows consumer research, which found that brie shoppers are willing to pay extra for brie made in France (49 per cent) and extra creamy brie (48 per cent).
Cheese as a meat alternative: Cheese is a major recipe ingredient in many popular meat-free dishes, while hot eating cheese products provide consumers with a tasty vegetarian meat replacement they can enjoy at any time – while also appealing to consumers trying to reduce their meat intake, as an alternative to meat protein.
Greater personalisation: New consumers coming into the market are likely to seek ways to express their individuality and personalise how they use cheese, based on imagination and personal preferences. As these shoppers recognise the recipe potential for cheese and the varieties that are available, we can expect greater creativity in its use in planned dishes and making use of leftover cheese. In addition to the growing range of recipes available online, TikTok and other social media will increasingly impact people’s cheese tastes and usage. With the demand for affordable indulgence driving the category, we can expect a blurring of the distinction between speciality, every day, and recipe cheese, and cheese lovers ‘mixing it up’ with treats like brie on toast. While it’s unlikely British consumers will forsake cheddar as the nation’s favourite cheese, they will increasingly want to widen their cheese repertoire, and products like Lactalis’s Leerdammer slices, the number #1 cheese slices brand in the UK in value sales, will encourage them to think ‘beyond the block.’
Unique and global flavours: Cheese products combined with naturally herbaceous flavours like chive, onion, garlic, truffle and dill are increasing in popularity, and more specific flavours like provolone, Gouda, and cheddar are satisfying consumer demand. The implications for stores and suppliers too are that they should look across the dairy aisle for inspiration for tomorrow’s new products. They should think too about reducing additives and look for new consumer needs around seasonality or flavours. In September 2024, Lactalis UK & Ireland announced the expansion of its Seriously Spreadable range, with the launch of Seriously Spreadable Black Pepper – bringing a new and irresistible flavour offering to the cheese spreads category. Made with a delicious blend of 50 per cent award winning cheddar and a pinch of black pepper to give an extra kick, it is highly versatile and ideal served on crusty bread, crackers and bagels, or served warm on baked potatoes and stirred into pasta.
The following trends are also impacting the UK market at present and are likely to continue doing so going into 2025:
Regionality: Across grocery categories, including cheese, shoppers are seeking out locally sourced products, and we know that product provenance is a key purchase driver for Scottish shoppers with our brands, Orkney, Galloway and Seriously driving category growth in Scotland.
Sustainability: Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases, and expect manufacturers to provide sustainable options, especially plastic-free.
“As these trends and predictions indicate, the next twelve months are set to be an exciting opportunity for everyone involved to seize growing momentum, innovate and grow the UK cheese market,” says Heloise Le Norcy-Trott, Group Marketing Director for Lactalis UK & Ireland.
“As a leading player here and around the world, we have built our position by monitoring short- and long-term trends – including those evolving on social platforms, developing enticing NPD and anticipating demand across our portfolio, and we look forward to continuing to deliver surprise and delight to our customers across the category and in the chiller aisles.”
In the lead up to Christmas, KP Snacks is driving awareness of its premium crisp brand Tyrrells with a new festive campaign. Running until the end of the year, the campaign features across OOH, social media and print channels to disrupt and engage consumers by tempting them with a taste of Tyrrells indulgence.
The campaign strapline, “Deck the bowls with something Tyrrellbly Tyrrellbly Tasty” features across all print and OOH advertising, spotlighting the excellent taste and quality of Tyrrells crisps, while establishing the brand as the perfect snack for festive occasions. Drawing on the classic Pathé imagery that consumers associate with the Tyrrells brand, the campaign delivers a playful and unique creative, including engaging, tongue-in-cheek videos for social media.
“As a leader in the Premium snacking segment, known for its quality and flavour, our Tyrrells range makes any Christmas occasion feel more special," said Marketing Manager Jane Jones. "Through our new campaign, we are aiming to remind consumers of Tyrrells’ strong credentials, driving sales and penetration by encouraging shoppers to engage with the brand.”
Worth £69.6m, Tyrrells has over 90 Great Taste Awards across the range. Featuring classic and popular flavours including Lightly Salted, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar and Mature Cheddar & Chive, the Tyrrells range is growing ahead of the Premium Snacking segment +12.9 per cent (vs +6.7 per cent).
Foster’s, Australia’s most iconic brew, has announced an exciting new sponsorship deal with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
The fun kicks off with the World Darts Championship, which begins on December 15 at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace.
This bonza partnership is set to bring even more buzz to one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, while giving darts fans a real taste of Aussie spirit. The partnership makes Foster’s, part of the HEINEKEN UK portfolio, the official beer partner of the PDC. Putting it front and centre at massive events like the legendary World Darts Championship and the Premier League Darts series.
With both brands built on, passion, camaraderie and unforgettable moments, it’s a match made in heaven. Over the next few years, Foster’s will be making its mark with unmissable event branding, epic fan experiences, and plenty of cold ones to keep the good times rolling, whether fans are at the venue, down the pub, or tuning in from home.
Rajeev Sathyesh, Marketing Director, HEINEKEN UK commented: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the PDC to bring some of that Aussie spirit to such an iconic sport. Darts is all about sociable, high-energy fun – which is a perfect match for Foster’s. We can’t wait to bring a slice of Aussie good times to darts fans around the world!”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of the PDC, reckons this is a bullseye partnership too: “This is a cracking partnership for the PDC. Foster’s is a household name that’s all about bringing people together, and that’s exactly what we do with darts. With their support, we’ll be taking the sport to a whole new level and giving fans even more to cheer about. It’s time to raise a glass and get ready for some unmissable action!”
What Fans Can Expect Foster’s will be bringing Aussie vibes to PDC events with pop-up fan experiences giveaways, and plenty of ice-cold lager. From VIP darts experiences to limited-edition merch, fans will have the chance to get their hands on some top prizes whether in store or down the pub.
Whether it’s the Foster’s logo shining bright or a cheeky nod to Australia, fans can expect a little extra flair during their favourite tournaments.
Cadbury has announced the launch of a Creme Egg competition in the run-up to Easter 2025, asking retailers across the country ‘How Do You Display Yours?’
The competition invites retailers to dip into their imaginations and share their most innovative and eye-catching Cadbury Creme Egg displays. Any retailer who shares an idea via a specially-created form on SnackDisplay.co.uk – Mondelēz International’s trade-focused advice and information site – will be entered into a competition to win £1,000 worth of vouchers for first place, with four runner-up prizes ranging from £250 to £500 vouchers and 25 x £25 vouchers up for grabs for the remaining winners.
The chocolate brand the competition would be a fantastic opportunity for retailers to get creative and entice consumers into stores and mirrors the consumer-facing ‘Admit It, How Do You Eat Yours?’ campaign.
“We’re really excited to be taking the annual ‘How Do You Eat Yours?’ campaign to a platform that retailers can engage with directly,” Carianne Robertson, brand executive for Cadbury Creme Egg, said.
“Given the enthusiasm towards ‘How Do You Eat Yours?’ we wanted to create an opportunity for retailers to capitalise on consumer engagement, with the addition of 30 prizes to give further support and thanks to the retailers who have supported Cadbury throughout its 200-year history.”
Cadbury Creme Egg has been an icon of the season for over half a century, with 3.7 packs sold every second [Nielsen ScanTrack, 19w/e 31.03.24]. In 2024 the brand expanded its Creme Egg portfolio, launching the Cadbury Creme Egg Tablet, which sold a bumper 4.6 million units nationwide, making it the #1 NPD for the entire Easter 2024 season.
In addition, Cadbury Mini Eggs sold 11 million more units than in 2023 meaning shoppers are still looking to enjoy the iconic chocolate Easter treat. The mini-beasts of the Easter market remain the number one Easter SKU with the highest penetration of any Easter brand in the UK.
The Cadbury Mini Egg 110g and 360g sharing bars also had another successful Easter and were the #1 and #3 SKU respectively in the sharing novelties category in 2024.
Mondelēz International grew ahead of the Easter category in 2024 by almost 4 per cent and remains the number one supplier at Easter time. To make the most of the season, retailers are being advised to split Easter into three phases: getting off to a fast start (from 1 January to Valentine’s Day), building momentum (from Valentine’s Day on 14 February to Mother’s Day on 10 March), and then gearing up for a ‘gifting finish’ for the last three weeks the period reaches its finale.
The ‘fast start’ phase focuses on shoppers looking for small treats for themselves, such as Cadbury Creme Egg and Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Here are the top tips from Mondelēz for a fast start to the season:
Be ready on day one of the season with sufficient stock of seasonal self-eat and sharing favourites from well-loved brands, such as Cadbury Creme Egg and Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Create awareness of the season with your customers using campaigns, competitions and promotions as a talking point.
Use POS from shoppers’ favourite Easter brands to highlight products and optimise incremental sales.