Product news summary 20th February 2015

HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – SWIZZELS SPRING SELECTION RETURNS FOR EASTER
– MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES BASSETTS JELLY BABIES BERRY MIX
– BLU UK TRANSFORMS CITROEN VAN INTO MOBILE SAMPLING BAR
– PERNOT RICARD UNVEILS NEW LOOK FOR HAVANA CLUB AÑEJO ESPECIAL

SWEET ADDITION FOR EASTER – SWIZZELS RELAUNCHES SPRING SELECTION

Swizzels, the UK’s largest family-owned independent sugar confectionery business, has announced the return of its Spring Selection for Easter 2015.

The Easter-themed tub, which has an rsp of £5, is filled with a mixture of Swizzels most-loved sweets, including Love Hearts, Parma Violets, Drumsticks and New Refreshers.

A Spring Selection sharing bag, containing a variety of Swizzels sweets and lollies, is also available and retails at around £1.

Sarah-Louise Heslop, marketing manager at Swizzels, said: “We have definitely seen the popularity of sugar confectionery at Easter grow over the past few years – it’s not all about the chocolate any more.

“Our Spring Selection range gives consumers a different option over the Easter period – and it’s perfect for sharing over Easter. The bright packaging will also make it stand out on shelf.”

Tel: Swizzels (01663) 744144

BASSETTS ADDS ANOTHER VARIANT TO THE MIX

Mondeléz International has set its sights on expanding the customer profile of Bassetts Jelly Babies by introducing a Berry Mix variant.

The new 190g sharing pack (rsp £1.52), which is available in outers of 12, contains a mix of blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry flavours.

Elizabeth Huelsmann, senior brand manager for bagged candy at Mondeléz International, predicts that the line extension will appeal to a “wider spectrum of consumers, particularly young families”.

Worth more than £24 million, Bassetts Jelly Babies ranks as one of the UK’s top candy bag brands in the UK, according to Nielsen.

Tel: Mondeléz International (08702) 400861

BLU UK UNVEILS 2015 SAMPLING CAMPAIGN

Global e-cigarette brand blu UK has transformed a Citroen H Van into a blu mobile vape bar, offering adult smokers the chance to sample its product range.

The van, which will travel across the UK throughout 2015, displays dispenser units of blu disposables for consumers to trial. Brand ambassadors are also on hand to offer advice on the different products and flavours.

In addition to samples, trialists also receive a special coupon giving £2 off any kit or £1.50 off any liquid/cartridge at retail stockists and online stores.

The company forecasts that the van will engage with 18,000 adult smokers by the end of March.

Jacob Fuller, chief executive at blu UK, said: ‘We are extremely pleased to be on the road with our blu mobile vape bar. Not only is it a great opportunity to raise brand awareness and educate consumers about our offering, but the refitted van also encompasses everything we stand for as a brand – sleek and stylish but rooted in quality.”

Tel: blu UK (0800) 0149 355

PERNOD RICARD REVEALS HAVANA  CLUB ANEJO ESPECIAL MAKEOVER

Pernod Ricard UK has announced a new recipe and pack design for its Havana Club Anejo Especial expression, which will highlight the brand’s Cuban roots and high quality.

The packaging now features a handwritten-style font and an oak barrel effect on the label to convey the premium quality, authenticity and provenance of Havana Club Añejo Especial. The neck collar also provides shoppers with product information and an ideal serving suggestion – The Cuba Libre, which is a combination of Havana Club Especial and Cola.

Havana Club’s ‘Maestro Ronero’ Don Asbel Morales commented: “The new Havana Club Anejo Especial has a distinctive flavour profile due to the unique production process we have adopted, whereby the rum bases are aged in white, young oak barrels before being blended and aged for a second time ahead of bottling.

“The influence of the barrel ageing is evident in the flavour profile, with notes of vanilla and caramel really coming to the fore, which makes it an ideal base for Cuban cocktails, particularly the Cuba Libre.”

The new 40% abv drink, which has an rsp of £20.35, will be available across grocery, wholesale and impulse channels from 23 February and will be supported by in-store activation initiatives.

Tel: Pernod Ricard 020-8538 4484