Ale and hearty potato chips
Danish brewer Mikkeller has teamed up with potato chips company Lokale Rødder to create organic Beer Chips.
The companies collaborated in creating the potato chips that feature a distinctive character using beer ingredients – described as “an uncompromising synthesis of passion, sharp, sour and sweet, but balanced with the complex whiff of simcoe hops.”
Produced in small batches, the chips are made from organic Tivoli potatoes and fried in Swedish hot-pressed rapeseed oil.
Available in two flavors - Yeast & Smoke and Malt, Yeast & Hops – the latter finally released after experimenting with 23 ingredient mixes. The brewery said the main challenge was the bitterness of the hops, which is difficult to control.
The company also said the organic yeast flakes add a deep umami and almost cheesy flavor, which together with organic black pepper and vinegar powder, works as a counter to the sweet malt.
Available locally at a RRP of 35.00 DKK ($5.60) for 75g.
New look
Belgium biscuit producer Lotus Bakeries has unveiled a new pack design for its Biscoff biscuit range.
The new look is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to create a fully aligned and united design of the Lotus Biscoff brand across European markets, including the UK.
The design runs across Lotus Biscoff 250g, Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack 12x2pk, Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack 16x2pk, Lotus Biscoff Chocolate 7x3pk and Lotus Biscoff Bite Size retail packs.
The family-owned company, founded in 1932, focuses on local authentic specialities, including speculoos (caramelized biscuits) and pepparkakor biscuits.
Cupcakes for convenience channel
Private label cupcake manufacturer The Cake Crew has launched its Beautifully Crafted premium cupcake range in UK convenience stores.
According to the company, the small cakes category is seeing an 18.8% year-on-year volume increase. Cupcakes are the fastest growing sub-segment, with a 50% faster growth in convenience.
The Gwynedd, Wales-based baker also identified a gap in the market for a premium branded range specifically targeting women between the ages of 18-35.
The cupcakes are filled with jam, caramel or chocolate, topped with a buttercream frosting, and hand-finished with decorations such as gold chocolate flakes, golden fudge squares or real fruit pieces.
Available in single (£1.29 - $1.74), twin packs (£1.99 - $2.68), a mini 9-pack (£3.49 - $4.70) and a 12-cake platter (£9.99 - $13.47). Available in four flavors - Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Red Velvet, and Strawberry.
Taking on sweet heat
KP Snacks has introduced a Sweet Chilli multipack to its Hula Hoops Puft range, supported with a £1.5m ($2.02m) marketing campaign.
The multipack SKU consists of six 15g packs of the low calorie snack. At just 71 Kcal per 15g, Puft contains the lowest number of calories compared to competitors in the snacks multipack segment, contend KP Snacks.
According to Nielsen data, chilli is the fastest growing flavor trend at 14%. Flavor is still the number one sales driver within crisps (chips) and snacks, with 65% of purchase decisions are based on taste.
The multipack SKU follows a strong year of growth for the Hula Hoops brand. Following its £4m ($5.39m) investment into Hula Hoops in 2017, the brand has seen 10% growth and is currently worth £99.9m ($134.83), said the company.
Hula Hopps Puft Sweet Chilli multipacks will initially be rolled out in selected multiples, including ASDA and Morrisons, this month, at a RRP of £1.60 ($2.15).
Paprika packs a punch
In a similar move, KP Snacks has added a paprika variant to its McCoy’s ridged potato crisps – purportedly given the thumbs up by 57% of consumers.
McCoy’s – which experienced a 14.5% growth in 2017 – has turned its attention to accelerate category growth in paprika, which, according to AC Nielsen, is the fastest growing flavor in ridged crisps at 62%.
The pack design includes a call-out to the New Preferred Flavor credential.
Available in stores from the end of January 2018 in a Single Grab Bag (47.5g) at a RRP of 89p ($1.20).
The launch is being partnered with a ‘Find a Gold Crisp, Win £10,000’ on-pack competition, running from January to April.
The launch is also being supported by shopper activation and display enhanced retailer incentives.
Giddy gluten-free delight
Gluten-free brand Mrs Crimble’s – owned by organic food company Wessanen UK – has introduced its Deeply Dippy Choc Macaroons in 999 Co-operative stores throughout the UK.
The launch signals the brand’s growing presence in mainstream bakery as consumer popularity in free-from snacks continues to rise, said the company.
The macaroon swathed in chocolate joins the Mrs Crimble’s expanding range. According to the company, its Choc Macaroons are leading the category in free-from bakery and has calculated that one is eaten every second worldwide.
Mrs Crimble’s Deeply Dippy Choc Macaroons are recommended by the Coeliac Society and are suitable for consumers following a gluten-free diet.
Deeply Dippy Choc Macaroons are available in a six-portion pack at a RRP £1.69 per 250g.
Is it a cereal … or a snack? No, it’s Chocos Fills
Kellogg India has introduced Chocos Fills to the local market, both as a breakfast cereal and as a snack.
The baked product is made from rice, oats and wheat with a chocolate filling, is high in protein and fiber, and fortified with B vitamins.
The cereal can consumed with hot or cold milk or had straight from the pack as a snack.
Available nationwide in a 32g pack priced at Rs. 20 (31 cents) and a 250g pack at Rs. 185 ($2.90).
The company is using social influencers such as Kenny Sebastian, Biswa, Rohan Joshi, Tanmay Bhatt and Sahil Shah to promote the breakfast item.
For a limited time only
In February, two variations of Nestlé Snack will be available as time-limited promotional items in German retail: Dark Cherry and Dark Orange.
The limited edition waffle bars are made of crunchy cocoa wafers enclosing the orange and cherry flavored fillings, then covered with dark chocolate and studded with pieces of chocolate and fruity pieces with orange juice concentrate (Dark Orange) or sour cherry puree (Dark Cherry).
The Nestlé Snacks in Dark Cherry and Dark Orange will be available in multipack containing three bars of 33g, at a RRP of €0.99 ($1.18).
The two variations are time-limited, which increases the buying potential and boosts impulse buying, said the company.
It also reported its Snack range has seen revenue growth of 510% since the introduction of multipacks.
Healthy sandwich carriers
Signature Flatbreads has added a Wholemeal variant to its existing Deli Kitchen Seeded and Plain Folded Flatbread Thins SKUs to capitalize on the growth trend for healthy products.
The new variant is a high source of fibre and contain only 114 Kcal per flatbread.
The launch is being supported by an online brand ambassador marketing campaign led by Olympic medallist Tom Daley, said the company.
Available in Waitrose at a RRP of £1.25 ($1.68)
The company’s Deli Kitchen range also includes Plain and Seeded Skinni Wraps, and Plain and Harissa Flatbuns.
Doggone it
Chiltern Snacks has introduced popcorn to its Salty Dog range as the appetite for the healthy snack continues to grow in popularity.
Salty Dog popcorn is available in two flavors – Sea Salt and Sweet & Salty – aimed at bars and pubs as well as retail. It comes in 15g and 25g packs at a RRP of 80p ($1.07).
The popcorn joins the Salty Dog stable of crisps and nuts, alongside sister brand Darling Spuds (hand-cooked crisps) and Darling Corn (roasted corn kernels).
Sticking to principles
Allinson’s has launched a range of premium loaves, wrapped in distinctive paper packaging designed to tap into the artisanal bakery boom.
The range offers a selection of craft-inspired loaves, bridging the gap between in-store bakery offerings and the longer shelf life of wrapped bread.
Available nationwide in three SKUs – 10 Seeds & Grains, Olive & Rosemary and Honey & Wholemeal – the variants are available in an unsliced 410g cob at a RRP of £1.89 ($2.54).
Since the launch of its new-look Allinson’s brand in early 2017, the company said it has built distribution for a more premium product at a higher price point, with volumes in early November up over 200%, compared to the first weeks of sale in January.
The Allinson’s range – produced by Allied Bakeries owned by Associated British Foods – is inspired by the brand’s founder Thomas Allinson, a rebel baker who stuck to his principles to deliver the best bread.