The Dole Sunshine Company, a global market leader in packaged fruit products and healthy snacks, has announced a fresh redesign across their fruit in juice and fruit in jelly range. Alongside the bold new design, the packs will now feature a clear "no added sugar" message on the fruit in juice packs and "vegan friendly" claim due to a recipe change for their fruit in jelly range.
Dole’s thinking behind the new pack’s centres around the consumer tension of craving tasty but unhealthy snacks, whilst at the same time wanting to make healthier choices. The new range of Fruit in juice packaging aims to highlight the delicious fruit inside, whilst at the same time confirming its healthy credentials with the ‘no added sugar’ message. A recent survey by StreetBees of nearly 50,000 consumers showed that the number one attribute sought when deciding on what to eat and drink was ‘no added or low sugar’ content, so this message will be well received. So, consumers now know that Dole’s fruit in juice range contains not only sun-ripened fruit pieces with real fruit, but no added sugar, is vegan friendly, and is of course one of your five-a-day.
The recipe change which makes Dole’s Fruit in Jelly range become vegan friendly is a big step forward. Current estimates suggest around three per cent of the UK population are following a vegan diet, and all estimates agree that this number is rising. Not only is the product inside refreshing light and fun fruity jelly with sun-ripened fruit pieces, but it is also now vegan, and still less than 100cal per cup, making it the perfect option for snack time or any time.
“The pandemic has made consumers more aware of their health and more conscious of what they put in their bodies, so snacks that can be considered healthy but indulgent have grown in popularity and will continue to do so," said Andrew Bradshaw, UK Sales Director at the Dole Sunshine Company. "With that in mind, we’re excited to introduce these vibrant new packs to market, which we’re confident will offer great standout on shelf, and give consumers the reassurance they need that they will be eating something which is both delicious and healthy. When it comes to snacking, fresh fruit can sometimes be considered a bit virtuous or perhaps not the most exciting option, so we wanted this new packaging to remind our consumers that our fruit snacks provide all the health benefits of fresh fruit but at a low price and in a format which is delicious … in fact they are totally dole-icious!”
A festive treat once again awaits rolling tobacco smokers across the UK this year in the form of limited-edition, retro-themed rolling papers from Imperial Brands.
Available in Golden Virginia Original, Amber, and Yellow, the limited-edition papers have proved a major hit over the years, with some smokers collecting the packs as well as using the papers to roll tobacco.
As always, consumers can be assured of the unique taste, quality, and value they have come to expect from Golden Virginia, which combines 20 separate fine tobacco grades from four continents, making this limited-edition product the perfect festive gift for smokers.
Andrew Malm, UK Market Manager for Imperial Brands, explained: “We’re delighted to introduce our 2024 limited-edition rolling papers to retailers this Christmas. Demand for these rolling papers has traditionally proven to be high, with great interest in the pack designs from consumers.
"We therefore recommend that retailers stock up now to maximise on the business opportunity available this festive season!”
Retailers should contact their wholesaler for availability or speak to their local Imperial Brands representative if they require more information.
Luxury single-origin dark chocolate brand, Cox & Co, has created the perfect mini treat for dark chocolate fans with the launch of its new 15g bar selection.
Providing bite-sized versions of its most popular flavours, the new 15g bars are available in four delicious flavours; Miso & Caramel (47 per cent), Blood Orange Crunch (60 per cent), Mint Crunch (60 per cent) and Plain Milk (41 per cent) and are perfect for retailers looking for high quality grab and go sweet treats.
Cox & Co’s chocolate bars are crafted from the finest single-origin Colombian cacao, using Luker Chocolate blended with delicious superfoods to create unique flavour combinations.
“We launched a smaller version (25g) of our luxury dark chocolate bars earlier this year and found them really popular with customers, so we decided to create a bite-sized bar, perfect for those looking for a quick sweet treat whilst on-the-go,” explains Gavin Cox, Founder of Cox & Co.
Targeting eco-conscious chocolate lovers, Cox & Co. is launching the new 15g range in its innovative paper flow wrapper, helping to reduce the huge amount of confectionery packaging waste that currently ends up in landfill, or contaminates current recycling.
“We are phasing out our current wood-pulp based, home compostable wrapping, in favour of new paper flow wrappers,” continues Gavin. “There is a demand for confectionery that doesn’t make customers choose between being ethical or enjoying an indulgent treat and our new mini bars place equal importance on both.”
Cox & Co’s mission is to create delicious chocolate that is truly different, made with care and sustainability in mind. Working with Colombia’s Luker Chocolate estate, Cox & Co invest in farmers, communities and sustainable farming methods to produce chocolate that’s as ethical as possible.
Cox & Co’s new 15g chocolate bars are available to all retailers. Wholesale price 70p per bar, RRP £1.25.
Casillero del Diablo (#1 Chilean brand and the UK’s #3 wine brand overall) has announced the launch of Casillero del Diablo Zero, a gently dealcoholized wine, in response to growing consumer demand for options for those moderating or cutting out alcohol from their lives.
Following extensive trials headed by winemaker Max Weinlaub, the brand has produced a dealcoholized sparkling which they feel more than meets the quality and drinkability standards that wine lovers expect from Casillero del Diablo. It is made with 100 per cent Chardonnay grapes from the Central Valley, early harvested for freshness, and contains a mere 22 calories per 125ml glass.
“We’re so pleased to launch this new Casillero del Diablo bottling, in the run-up to the festive season when many people will be looking for a quality non-alcoholic alternative," said Brands Controller at CyT UK, Claire Raine. "Our team has worked really hard to produce a sparkling which is worthy of the brand and the style. We’re delighted with the result.
“Almost two thirds of British adults either limit their alcohol consumption, or do not drink alcohol. These trends are being led primarily by younger adults, and we want to make sure we stay relevant and important to everyone. Consumers are now getting used to seeing no/lo options from their favourite drinks brands.”
Sales figures bear this out, with No/ Lo category volume sales projected to rise by 19.3 per cent in 2024. (Mintel). Casillero del Diablo Zero – a year in the making, after multiple trials with the clear goal to mimic a full alcohol Prosecco-style wine – launches in December 2024, RRP £6. It will be available via several UK wholesalers and in independent retail.
Kopparberg, a partner of Budweiser Brewing Group, has announced its latest product, Crisp Apple, expanding its listing with the 4% ABV beverage that taps into the evolving tastes of cider drinkers.
Kopparberg Crisp Apple offers drinkers the much-loved taste of a classic apple cider, balanced with a slightly sweeter profile that the brand is famous for. Whilst apple cider is seeing a resurgence, particularly amongst younger drinkers, Kopparberg, the brand with more 18-34 year old drinkers than any other beer or cider brand [Savanta, 2023] is perfectly placed to bring its cider expertise to the evolving category.
In addition to creating an offering that meets growing consumer demands, this new product aims to attract new a audience and offer an alternative to the more traditional cider brands already on offer.
Whilst Kopparberg has continued to increase its share across both the on and off trade since 2023, Crisp Apple offers drinkers the opportunity to try a modern apple cider, from a brand that consistently delivers on taste and refreshment. Consumers will be able to get their hands on the new product on draught, bottle and can, across both the on and off trade, giving drinkers the chance to consume the product in their preferred format.
“Taste spearheads everything we do at Kopparberg and there is no brand that understands younger drinkers better than we do. With a growing demand for modern apple ciders, we are thrilled to be able to bring Kopparberg Crisp Apple to market in 2025, to ensure that drinkers can access the products they want, from the brands they love,” Peter Bronsman, founder, Kopparberg, said.
Brian Perkins, president, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, added: “Kopparberg’s ability to meet evolving consumer tastes with new flavours is a key reason behind it being the leading brand in fruit cider in the UK. With the rise in apple cider as a preferred choice in the category, the product will not only attract existing fans, but also build new brand fans. We’re confident it will be a big hit across both the on and off trade and we look forward to seeing the reaction.”
Kopparberg Crisp Apple will be available in on trade from January 2025 and the off trade from March 2025.
Vape firm Riot Labs has jumped onto the Wrexham AFC Hollywood success story by sponsoring the lowly Norfolk Isthmian league Wroxham FC to share their story of how they missed out on star-studded investment by just ‘one letter’.
Wroxham FC, the non-league football club who claim they missed out on celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney by just ONE letter, have gone viral after a staggered release of their three-part documentary sharing their unique story.
Riot Labs' campaign garnered the attention of international media, featuring on BBC Breakfast and even across the pond on ESPN - the makers of the original Welcome to Wrexham, who also posted the story to their 15 million followers on X.
It’s a story the club have wanted to tell for over three years, finally made possible thanks to new club sponsor, Riot Labs, who have invested in the club as part of a drive to help non-league football fans quit smoking.
As part of the deal with Riot Labs, the club has declared their iconic 50-person Kenny Cooke stand behind the goal “smokefree” for the rest of the season to encourage fans to kick the habit, leveraging the community spirit and perseverance in grassroot football clubs to reflect the journey of a smoker quitting.
Riot Labs have also led an on the ground activation at the ground with their Riot Rehab programme to educate and provide samples of alternatives to smoking directly to fans.
The club released the trailer and series, aptly named, Welcome to Wroxham - and have since racked up close to a million views across social media, garnering thousands of comments from football fans, including many from Wrexham.
The series features wholesome characters from the Norfolk-based football club, including tireless cigar smoking 78 year-old Head Groundsman, Barry Letten, and club Chairman, James Blowers.
Riot led a guerilla marketing campaign by ‘accidentally’ plastering all the promotion for Welcome to Wroxham outside the Wrexham AFC stadium… in Wales!
“It’s simply a great story that had to be told,” Ben Johnson, Riot Labs CEO, commented.
We're always looking for new ways to help people quit smoking, and non-league football is a great audience to target. To be able to support the club and give them the platform and investment to share their unique story is an honour and the reaction has been brilliant - we hope it helps them attract future sponsors, and maybe even Hollywood owners of their own.”