NEWS IN BRIEF

Retail News
Marks & Spencer is poised to debut a new advertising campaign for its food offer which will carry the strapline Make Today Delicious. http://www.retailweek.com

The major grocers have signed up to new food waste reduction targets including a commitment to reduce household food waste by 5% by 2015.
http://www.retail-week.com

The Sun reports that Tesco has cut the price of its unlimited broadband service from 6 to 2 for Clubcard holders who take out the companys line rental for 14.90 per month, while existing Tesco Mobile customers are eligible for free broadband for 12 months. The new deal makes it the cheapest on the market.

Asda news
Asda has launched a campaign called Dont Get Burnt following a survey which found more than half of Britons admit not applying sunscreen frequently enough and 60 per cent say it is too expensive. In light of the findings the supermarket is calling on the government to drive down the price of sunscreen, which is classed as a 'luxury item' subject to 20% VAT, rather than an essential health product. Asda daily news update

Waitrose is prepared to take legal action against Ocado, its home shopping partner, over its plans to help rival chain Morrisons to develop its online service, as reported in various newspapers today. The food retailer is even prepared to walk away from the joint venture if it believes that Ocado will breach its contract. Asda daily news update Tesco has embarked on a major push into the adult cheese snacking sector as part of its latest cheese range review. It has added six 30g own-label cheese snack bars. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk Sainsburys has this week launched a video-on-demand service as part of wider plans to ramp up its digital business. http://www.retail-week.com As Sainsburys this week announced a further acceleration in its convenience store opening programme, a new report into the grocery market shows c-stores owned by multiples are opening at three times the rate of symbol c-store conversions.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk

Britvic Soft Drinks is launching a new marketing campaign for kids drink brand Robinsons Fruit Shoot, which gives kids the freedom to get stuck in, have a go at new activities and increase their skill-base. The 2013 campaign, appropriately called Get Your Skills On, is rolling out from the end of April and includes TV advertising and media partnerships with Nickelodeon and The Sun, an on-pack promotion, an experiential roadshow as well as PR and social media.
http://www.talkingretail.com

Asda-exclusive American soft drink brand Royal Crown Cola has launched a new push inspired by the popular US concept of Date Night. Online activity will give recipes and tips on how couples can spend date night together, while an on-pack promo will offer prizes including a trip to New York. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk
Swizzles Matlow has revamped its pocket money sweet range to hit a 10p price point. They are rolling out now, featuring a bolder look and a 10p flash. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk Florette has kicked of its summer push for the 2013 summer salad season with a new focus on salad recipes. The One Minute Wonder campaign is targeted at salad savvy shoppers and intended to drive up frequency of purchase. It features 3 new TV ads, which will air in July and August and showcase different salad recipes
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk

Asda has extended its ready-to-go cook meat range with three sharing plates, to be served with a range of sides: beef and pork Tex Mex meatballs, chicken, leak and chicken fajita. They cost 4.50 for an 800g pack. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk

Brand News
Yeo Valley is to ramp up the use of mobile couponing in its marketing activity and use the data gleaned from the tool to better target younger consumers.
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk

Poundland has initiated an audacious price-war by charging shoppers just 97p in locations where arch rivals including 99p Stores have opened up.
http://www.retail-week.com

Whats coming up.

17th May Fruity Friday. day, part of World Cancer Research Fund's Cancer Prevention Week, aiming to increase public awareness of cancer prevention through a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. 19th May World baking day. Celebrates the joys of baking cakes. 20th 26th May National vegetarian week. 20th 26th May British Tomato week 28th May 2nd June National BBQ week 1st 8th June National pizza week 7th June National donut day 7th June World Gin day. Celebration of gin and gin based drinks. 17th 23rd June National picnic week. Only campaign of its kind encourages people to get outdoors for the great British tradition of picnicking. 20th July lollipop day 31st July Shredded Wheat day 28th August Pepsi is 115 years old!

Whats new this week .

Comment

Premier Foods
Heinz Boulder Brands Soda Stream

continues to build investment in Ambient Grocery, leveraging the OXO brand to bring a touch of magic to the Stocks category, driving growth through the launch the new OXO Shake & Flavour range of seasonings Enters the gluten free market with an initial range of 6 products, including gluten free penne, spaghetti, macaroni, tomato frito, tomato and basil and tomato & oregano pasta sauce. Is aiming to become the category captain in the UK free-from market. It plans to roll out up to 50 gluten free and dairy-free products in the UK under best-selling US gluten-free brand Udis, inluding sliced bread, breakfast cereals, food-to-go and ready meals. Is tapping into the twin trends for low-cal soft drinks and flavoured water with a new My Water range

Little Dish
Wrigley No Fear Premier Foods Wilkinson Sword Unilever

Is expanding its range of Childrens products with a hidden veg tomato sauce
Is hoping to bring younger consumers into the chewing gum category with the launch of a fruity Bubblemint flavour under its Extra White brand. Rolling out this month, it will be supported with sampling as part of National Smile Month. Has been expanded with apple-flavoured variant Motherload, which has rolled out to Asda stores Is expanding its Mr Kipling Fancies line-up with a summer themed strawberry variant. They will be available until the end of August Has expanded its Intuition womens range with a razor for dry skin. Its available now from Asda. Is launching what it claims is the UKs first mass-market 100% organic haircare range. Rolling out on 20 May under the Timotei brand, Organic Delight comprises 180ml shampoos and 150ml conditioners.

Whats new this week .

Comment

LOreal Princes Friesland Campina Asda Vita Coco

Has extended its Garnier Ambre Solaire sun protection portfolio with a cream that doubles as a blemish balm Is looking to encourage more Brits to use Tuna in lunchboxes with the launch of two new added-value ranges. Tuna was the biggest sector in ambient fish but lacked innovation, said marketing director Neil Brownbill Is hoping to boost on-the-go sales of its Yazoo milkshake with a new 250ml bottle. Yazoo said it recognised that shoppers wanted a tasty drink to accompany a sandwich or salad and was seeking other listings for the 250ml line. Has added an apricot and mango variant to its range of cottage cheese snack pots. Has launched a second ready-to-drink coconut water and coffee blend into its Coco Caf range.

Whats HOT and whats NOT.

HOT
Grocer Waitrose steals market share from rivals as its northern stores perform better than southern shops. http://www.retail-week.com

NOT
East of England Co-operative Society has reported a 24% fall in full-year underlying trading profits. However, the society said the fall from 12.7m to 9.7m in the year to 26 January was lower than expected. Turnover fell 5.2% to 335m. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk Wrapped bread is being left on the shelf. Despite an overall increase in bakery sales of 3.5%, on volumes up 1.7% in the past year, wrapped bread volumes have slipped 1.8% and the 1.1% rise in value is largely down to inflation. Not only has the mainstay of the category lost share to a new wave of bread alternatives including thins, wraps and bagels, it has also suffered from negative perceptions. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk

Thirty own-brand supermarket wines have won gold medals in the International Wine Challenge 2013. Marks & Spencer topped the table with 13 golds for wines, including its own-label champagne and sherry. Sainsburys won five golds for its Taste The Difference range, as well as one for its own-label Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV, with Tesco and Waitrose also picking up five gold awards each. The Co-operative was awarded two golds for champagne, while Asda also won for its new Extra Special Champagne, which rolls into stores in June. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk
Overall sales of Magners have fallen for the first time ina decade, cider manufacturer C&C group has said, as a result of poor weather and intensified competition. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk