Key Summary
- Premium cider brand gets modern look re-think
- Westons aims at younger drinkers, broader market
- Revitalised identity rolls out from end of month
Westons Cider is releasing an up-to-date new look for its iconic Stowford Press cider. The strategic rebrand is designed to strengthen the brand’s premium positioning, recruit new consumers to the category and unlock fresh growth opportunities for off-trade retail partners.
With the continued growth of premium and crafted ciders, driven by quality, heritage brands like Stowford Press, the refresh offers retailers the opportunity to tap into younger drinkers who are more likely to trade up for a better drinking experience.
Rolling out from the end of July, the revitalised identity reimagines one of the nation’s favourite ciders for today’s discerning drinkers – while staying true to Westons’ time-honoured approach to cider making in the heart of Herefordshire.
The new design brings a contemporary edge to the brand, blending modern premium cues with nods to its rich heritage. The result is an eye-catching visual identity to stand out on shelf and meet evolving shopper expectations. Fresh and contemporary, the update includes a clear message that 100 per cent of its apples are locally sourced, as well as maintaining the iconic press design to represent the same authentic approach to cidermaking.
Worth £12 million in the off-trade, Stowford Press is celebrated for its crisp, balanced flavour and authentic provenance. Retailers have seen strong performance from Stowford Press in recent years, with sales up £7.1M over the last five years – an increase of over 145 per cent. The rebrand comes at a pivotal time, as drinkers are increasingly seeking out brands that deliver quality, authenticity, and real stories.
"At Westons Cider, we don’t make cider the easy way – we make it the right way," said Holly Chadwick, Brand Manager at Westons Cider.
"Stowford Press is a testament to that philosophy, made only with cider apples from local growers. Our new design heroes our roots in Herefordshire and the craftsmanship that sets us apart, while also appealing to a new generation of cider drinkers who want more than just a mainstream brand."
The brand refresh is supported by a large-scale OOH media campaign running across major retailers to raise awareness of the new packaging, as well as distinctive omnichannel campaigns in all grocery and convenience retail customers, digitally and in-store. Highlights include social media competitions, ecommerce banners, in aisle POS, off shelf feature displays and targeted loyalty card offers. A new social campaign will tell the story of the brand and what sets it apart, in addition to an influencer campaign, consumer and trade PR.
The new Stowford Press cans (440ml), four- and 10-packs will be rolling out across major UK retailers from the end of July. There are plans for the rebrand to roll into the on-trade from early 2026.