Ferrara Candy has revealed its latest innovation that is set to drive premiumisation and shake up grocery and convenience aisles across the country with Nerds Gummy Clusters. Created by sugar candy makers Ferrara, Nerds Gummy Clusters is an innovative range combining the popular texture of gummy sweets with a coating of tangy and crunchy Nerds.
There are five SKUs in the Nerds Gummy Clusters range and two flavour varieties – Fruits and Berries – in two formats, 113g sharing bags and 45g singles. The range also contains Nerds Rope (26g), a crunchy and gummy string of tangy and sweet flavours, all delivering a multi-sensorial experience for the consumer.
The new launch comes off the back of great momentum seen over the last 12 months from the legacy Nerds range in the UK (+65 per cent YoY). There is now a clear opportunity to elevate the category and drive premiumisation with Nerds Gummy Clusters in the UK, given the tremendous growth seen in the US, where Nerds has delivered the highest growth in the Sugar Candy category over the past two years (23 per cent contribution to growth) . Moreover, in the latest 52 weeks, Nerds household penetration has hit an all-time high with 2/3 of households now repeat buyers.
“We’re ready to shake up the sugar confectionery market with our breakthrough product and bring shoppers a truly unique offering that satisfies the tastebuds of those looking for a textural adventure," said Colin Taylor, trade marketing director at FBC UK. There was no better time to launch Nerds Gummy Clusters in the UK, as we’ve seen booming success in the US. In fact, Nerds Gummy Clusters shoppers are spending 55 per cent more than the category average in the US , so we know this range is effective at trading up shoppers and unlocking a delicious amount of opportunity for retailers.
“What's more, the new Nerds Gummy Clusters will help retailers tap into the trend of newstalgia, by reinventing an iconic brand and driving shopper trial. Nerds is growing in both awareness and popularity in the UK, with 70 per cent of Brits claiming they have heard of the brand , so now is the perfect time for retailers to introduce the brand to their stores.”
The Nerds Gummy Clusters launch will be backed by a significant investment for the wider brand from July this year to December 2025. This includes outdoor and digital advertising, as well as video-on-demand partnerships with ITV, Channel 4 and Amazon Prime, and activations and targeted sampling at festivals such as Barcode.
Ferrara Candy’s recent partnership with FBC UK, the sole importer of Nerds Candy in the UK and Republic of Ireland, will see Nerds Gummy Clusters land in major grocery multiples from July. Independent convenience retailers can stock up from selected wholesalers from August. Gummy Clusters are fully compliant to UK & EU food regulations. Ensure to buy from your reputable wholesaler.
Starbucks has expanded its ready-to-drink (RTD) range with three new launches that deliver indulgence, convenience, and variety for every coffee lover.
The popular Starbucks Chilled Classics range is getting a refresh with two new tasty beverages, for those that prefer plant-based alternatives. The Oat Based Cappuccino and Oat Based Caramel Macchiato mean there are now more ways for coffee-lovers to enjoy their favourite Starbucks drinks than ever before.
The Starbucks innovation team have been working hard experimenting with new plant-based recipes that deliver that same, iconic Starbucks taste as our core dairy range. Carefully crafted to perfection, the new oat based chilled coffees offer consumers tasty new drinks that fit seamlessly into their daily routines and rituals, so they can refresh and reset with their favourite flavours.
“Since the launch of Starbucks Chilled Coffee, we’ve been leading the way in creating drinks inspired by Starbucks Café favourites, for coffee drinkers to enjoy at home or on-the-go,” said Charlotta Oldham, marketing director EMEA.
“Expanding the choices we offer to our consumers no matter their flavour preferences or lifestyles, is a testament to Starbucks pioneering efforts to continually innovate their product offering without ever compromising on taste.”
And it’s not just the Starbucks recipes that are getting a shake-up. Refreshed packaging for Starbucks Oat Cappuccino and Oat Caramel Macchiato Chilled Coffees (MRRP: £2.00) brings the plant-based range in line with the same, instantly recognisable designs of existing dairy options in the chilled coffee range.
Starbucks latest RTD creation invites consumers to find their sunshine state of mind. Starbucks Frappuccino Sip On Sunshine Limited Edition chilled coffee drink (MRRP: £2.10) captures feel-good vibes in a bottle, so consumers can treat themselves, come rain or shine.
The mood-boosting packaging is easy to spot on shelves, thanks to its bold, vibrant colours and fun illustrations of the sun and bumblebees. Reflecting its playful packaging, the recipe conjures the feeling of sunshine with indulgent toffee and an uplifting touch of honey, meaning consumers can lift the lid and let positivity run free as they go about their day.
“We believe sunshine is a state of mind, and that’s why we’ve created a unique offering with our Starbucks Frappuccino Sip On Sunshine Limited Edition coffee drink, bringing consumers feel-good vibes, no matter where they are,” Oldham said.
“Starbucks Frappuccino Sip On Sunshine Limited Edition coffee drink is a perfect example of our continued limited time offer innovation in our ready-to-drink range, it’s a chilled coffee treat with a fun and playful concept to provide our consumers a delicious moment of positivity in their day.”
Starbucks consumers are in for a (re)treat with the new Starbucks Blissful Retreat Limited Edition Chilled Classic. Whether it’s part of a new resolution to build more self-care into a busy day or a well-deserved break from the pressures of daily life, Blissful Retreat provides a tranquil coffee moment for chilled coffee-lovers to enjoy.
The new addition to the Chilled Classics family is easy to spot by the calming blue waves and tropical paradise that adorn the cup, offering a refreshing moment of escapism.
Carefully crafted with a blend of bold espresso, creamy milk, mocha flavour, and hints of sea salt for some seaside serenity, Blissful Retreat (MRRP: £2.00) is the perfect getaway from the everyday, designed for those in need of a quick refresh and reset.
All products are available in the chilled aisle at grocery and convenience stores, rolling out nationwide this month.
Food-to-go brand Urban Eat. has launched “Urban Street”, a regularly-refreshed range of limited-edition products in street-food inspired, global flavours. The first three NPD will land in chillers across the UK on 22 January and will be available across the quarter – or until stocks run out.
Tapping into highly sought-after “limited time only” releases – which marked one of the biggest footfall drivers in the food-to-go category in 2024 for its exclusivity and ability to spark feelings of FOMO, the new trio kicks off a pipeline of Urban Street products launching every quarter in 2025, all available for just three months at a time.
The debut line-up includes the bold and aromatic Thai Green Chicken sandwich, introduced in answer to the growing buzz and influence of Southeast Asian flavours. Packed with succulent chicken in a zingy Thai-inspired sauce on Kalonji seeded bread, it offers a taste of Thailand while on the move.
The flavour-filled Korean Chicken wrap also packs a punch; tender chicken goujons and pickled slaw with gochujang ketchup and coriander mayo all wrapped up in a bar-marked tortilla, it meets an increased interest in Korean recipes, ingredients and books that have seen rising popularity for their taste and creativity, with 23 per cent of UK consumers saying they already eat Korean food at home.
Finally, the Chicken Shawarma flatbread brings the warmth of Middle Eastern cuisines with marinated chicken in shawarma spices, pickled slaw and a garlic chilli sauce, packed into a folded flatbread. Enjoyed both hot or cold, it adds even further value to retailers who want to spice up their heat-to-eat range.
Designed to draw the eye in the chiller, the Urban Street selection stands apart from the bright colour packaging of the core brand portfolio, instead featuring striking black and white, hand-drawn illustration with cultural cues around each flavour.
“Consumers are looking for food experiences that transport them out of the ordinary, and world cuisine with its far-flung flavours is just the ticket,” said Brand Manager Charlotte Assinder. “The first three launches in our Urban Street range offer a selection of popular street food-inspired options, with the added excitement of a limited time only release.
“Through standout flavour combinations, eye-catching packaging design (and the added potential FOMO!) Urban Street is perfectly placed to help our customers drive their food-to-go sales, appealing to consumers looking to spice up a mid-week lunch or meal on the move.”
Cumbrian bakery Bells of Lazonby is adding a chocolate orange variant to its free-from “We Love Cake” range.
We Love Cake’s “Squeeze the Day” Chocolate Orange Cake slices are gluten, wheat and milk free, packed with a zesty orange flavoured jam and topped with a decadent layer of dark chocolate.
We Love Cake’s latest instalment continues to celebrate traditional and classic British flavours, with this newest edition to the family being inspired by Jaffa Cakes.
Made on the edge of the Lake District by renowned family bakers since 1946; the We Love Cake range is baked in small batches by skilled bakers and finished by hand.
With chocolate orange dominating the food aisles for the last for the last couple of years, it is set to be the next trend to enter the gluten-free space.
Since the rebrand in 2024, the bakery now sells on average one pack of We Love Cake Raspberry Ripple cake slices every minute in the UK, highlighting the increased demand for classic flavours in the Gluten free space.
We Love Cake’s retail value sales grew by +10 per cent in 2024 following the brands re-fresh and new brand partnership with Becky Excell.
“Our focus for the last 12 months has been to amplify the rebrand across social and in store,” said Head of marketing for Bells of Lazonby, Josh Boydell-Smith. “The refreshed look has widened our appeal to younger consumers, and we see continued growth across our cake slices in retail, as well as in food service. 2025 we turn our focus to new product development, and the opportunity to take We Love Cake to the next level. We are so excited to launch the new chocolate orange slices as they are simply delicious. Tapping into the nostalgia of a Jaffa Cake, the new product is a reminder that free-from should never compromise on taste or flavour.”
The gluten-free cakes are registered with Coeliac UK and declared as suitable for those with coeliac disease. The four slices are packaged in twin-packs to maintain freshness.
Available in wholesale to independents from February. RRP: £2.30
All Dressed Up has announced wider availability of its range of natural dressings to independents, having confirmed a duo of new wholesale wins with Cotswold Fayre & Diverse Fine Foods, which will list the full range, extended by a new Spicy Harissa, from mid-January. Along with a thriving e-commerce shop, the brand is also available in stores and across more than 100 farm shops.
All Dressed Up offers a range of four flavourful dressings that can be used every day to elevate simple ingredients and make cooking more delicious, simple and fun. Not solely for salads, the dressings offer a quick and easy way to enhance everyday dishes. Using all natural ingredients, and never, UHPFs, the range is free from refined sugar, gluten and dairy. The dressings come in an easy to squeeze bottle format.
The range is the brainchild of Leiths-trained chef, Tess Reed, who wanted to create a brand that not only looked and tasted great, but was good for you too.
“As a lifelong fan of salad dressing, I’d always been really underwhelmed by what was on offer in the supermarkets, with the majority of dressings full of saturated fats, emulsifiers and refined sugars,” said Reed. “I started thinking that the world needs good salad dressing! Not just dressing for leaves, but dressings that you can use everyday in a variety of ways, that elevate simple ingredients and make cooking more delicious, simple and fun.
“I am so excited to be starting the New Year with such a step-change to our distribution. Our independent retail partners have always been our heartland, and continue to be at the core of everything we do. Having two such established wholesalers on board for 2025 means we can continue to extend our availability.”
Leading healthy cake brand Soreen has added Apple & Mango to its popular soft-baked Lift Bar range.
The latest addition to Soreen's non-HFSS portfolio, responds to consumer research highlighting 72 per cent of shoppers would prefer fruity flavoured Lift Bars for a mid-morning boost.
The new flavour aims to drive incremental growth to the Lift Bar range – which ranked fifth among the top ambient grocery launches in 2023 - and taps into the popularity of the sought-after apple and mango flavour pairing.
"We're committed to championing feel-good nutrition," says Liz Jacobs, marketing director at Soreen.
"We're uniquely positioned in the cake category to drive innovation and offer exciting new products in an aisle which is traditionally associated with afternoon and evening consumption. The new Apple & Mango flavour provides a perfect mid-morning pick-me-up that satisfies consumer demand for healthier, delicious snacks and supports retailer health agendas."
The Apple & Mango flavour joins the current range of Lift Bar multipacks: Blueberry and Raspberry & Vanilla. The whole range contains naturally occurring vitamin B12 which reduces tiredness and fatigue, making it ideal for morning snacking.
The Lift Bar range also contains a source of fibre, making it a great choice for consumers looking to boost their gut health.
Soreen Lift Bars appeal to a younger audience looking for a mid-morning snack that offers health benefits and delivers great taste. As the only 100% HFSS-compliant brand in the category, Soreen offer retailers flexible secondary display options throughout the store, further maximising their appeal to health-conscious consumers.
The launch will coincide with a second burst of the Soreen’s masterbrand ATL campaign running in January, live across TV, BVOD and social. The campaign will reach more than 80 per cent of all UK adults.
The Apple & Mango Lift Bar will also receive standalone support via shopper marketing, which will include POS, sampling and digital media across both in-store and online.