Trendspotting in 2023: Big G brings the funfair home, Pringles expands its non-HFSS range and Crave uses humour to combat legal woes

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Pic: GettyImages
State fair food Getty
State fair food Getty
The proudly Cornish heritage of Ginsters
The proudly Cornish heritage of Ginsters

The UK savoury pastry brand has given its portfolio a bolder and more exciting new design that reflects more taste, more personality and more quality.

Ginsters has been banking on its long baking heritage and expertise to deliver honest food to the nation for more than 50 years, today producing millions of savoury pastries at its Callington bakery every week.

The brand still enjoys high levels of brand salience (Kantar 2023 Brand Equity Report) and has delivered five years of consecutive RSV growth (IRI Infoscan for the 52 weeks ending 25 December 2022), contributing around £43m annually to the UK economy, specifically through the local farming community in Cornwall and the South West.

Recently, Ginsters has become more focused on communicating this provenance and ingredient story (its pies contain only 100% British meat and locally sourced veggies - where possible from Hay Farm in Cornwall - only ingredients not typically cultivated in the UK, such as spices, are sourced outside the UK). So, the brand tasked design agency Bloom to create a design that was instantly ownable and distinctive, balancing the emotional and functional benefits of taste, provenance and ingredients with a sense of dynamism and an upbeat personality.

“We believe our bold new brand identity will excite our retail partners and will help build on Ginsters position as the beacon brand for the category,” said Emma Stowers, Ginsters marketing director.

“The new design delivers standout and visibility, which, in turn, will benefit the category by attracting more shoppers to the fixture, while also making the portfolio easier to shop, which will aid conversion.”

The brand predicts the investment in the new identity will drive growth and increased penetration, delivering higher consumer brand associations such as ‘quality ingredients’ and ‘tastier than other brands’.

A spokesperson from Bloom said the new packaging reflects a colourful Cornish attitude.

“The illustration draws inspiration from Ginsters heritage and the west-country landscape.

“We’ve captured the brand’s core taste and quality along with its warm, unique Cornish personality. With a new vibrant colour palette, delicious photography and illustrative assets, the bold new identity is quintessentially Cornish and unmistakeably Ginsters.

“As an antidote to the monochromatic grey tones of the current packaging, Ginsters’ brighter brand identity and newly evolved brand positioning deliberately evokes more emotion and wholesomeness of the delicious product inside.”

Ginsters is a founding member of the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA), which exists to protect the heritage, quality, and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) of the Cornish Pasty.

Crave 'rises from the flames'
Crave 'rises from the flames'

The dynamic trailblazer in the free-from snacks sector has brought its A-game with a witty advertising campaign that’s turning heads following legal challenges.

The campaign is no ordinary marketing ploy; it’s a masterclass in how to tackle hurdles with a dash of humour. An e-van has embarked on a countrywide journey, loudly and unashamedly calling for retailer support to pay its legal fees.

“We’ve had our fair share of legal tussles from the big players, but we’re not backing down,” said founder Rob Brice.

“Instead, we’re turning it into an opportunity to bring some humour to our customers while giving the retailers a friendly nudge.”

Crave’s commitment to provide innovative free-from and vegan snacks remains unwavering and its advertising stunt not only showcases its tongue-in-cheek attitude but also highlights its dedication to delivering products that resonate with customers.

“We’ve always been about giving people the snacks they crave, no compromises. Our audience knows what they want, and we’re here to provide just that,” added Brice.

The launch of this spirited advertising campaign underscores Crave’s determination to stay true to its identity and values while navigating the complexities of the market. It also hits all the right notes with consumers seeking snacks that conform to dietary considerations, without compromising taste or fun.

Big G brings the fun of the fair home
Big G brings the fun of the fair home

General Mills has created a raft of fairground products that bring home all the excitement of state fair foods.

Not all of us have the time or accessibility to make it to the local fair, but that doesn’t believe you should miss out. Big G is sharing how to make your favourite treats at home, like walking tacos, elephant ears and funnel cake.

Nachos: Make your very own version of fair food nachos at home this summer using cracked Old El Paso Crunchy Taco Shells, topped with a generous squirt of Old El Paso Creamy Queso Sauce.

Funnel cake: Look no further than Betty Crocker Pancake Mix for fun fair-inspired funnel cakes from home.

Elephant ears: Sugar, spice and everything fried is at your fingertips by using Pillsbury Pie Crusts to create your own elephant ears, topped with Cinnadust for that finished fair flourish.

Crinkle cut fries: Cascadian Farm Crinkle Cut Fries offer the golden and crispy texture fit to rival fair famous fries at home. Make them dirty topped with melty cheese, crispy onion rings, seasoned salt or a chilli kick.

Doughnuts: Big G’s Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Original Biscuits are idea for your own at-home doughnuts.

Fair pies: Making a crowd-pleasing pie is easier than ever with Pillsbury Pie Crust: no mess, no waste and utterly buttery.

Corn dogs: Who doesn’t love a golden corn dog on a hot summer day? Look no further than our Pillsbury Corn Dog Wraps.

Fried cookies: The epitome of ooey gooey goodness can be created at home by using Big G’s Pillsbury Soft Baked Cookies.

Walking tacos: Use Old El Paso Fiesta Twists for your next walking taco at home.

Brownies on a stick: What better way to enjoy brownies on-the-go than with Betty Crocker Brownies on a stick.

Popcorn: No fair is complete without popcorn. Big G has you covered with a variety of flavours sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, including Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Pillsbury Funfetti

All products are available from grocery stores across the US at various price points.

Rockin' raspberry Jaffa Cakes from pladis
Rockin' raspberry Jaffa Cakes from pladis

The global snacking company has added a new flavour to its lineup with McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Rockin’ Raspberry.

Joining the brand’s £64.8m Jaffa Cakes line-up, Rockin’ Raspberry is a fresh, zingy twist on the much-loved classic. It features the same light sponge, topped with the brand’s signature crackly chocolate, but the iconic orange jelly makes way for a raspberry centre.

Aimed at building on the success of a flavour portfolio that’s included Pineapple, Cherry, Passion Fruit and Lemon & Lime, McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Rockin’ Raspberry is set to drive incremental sales among a new generation of shoppers seeking fun, novel flavours.

“Our McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes are already a firm favourite in over a quarter of Brits’ biscuit tins , but we’ve got our sights set even higher,” said Alice Jamieson, Brand Manager, McVitie’s, pladis UK&I.

“And, we already know that introducing interesting new flavour combinations is the ticket to bringing in a new cohort of Jaffanatics.

“We’ve got a history of success when it comes to innovation outside of our core Jaffa Cakes, and our research shows that tangy red berry flavours are some of the most popular. When you couple this with the fact that chocolate and raspberry is a tried-and-tested flavour combination, we’re confident that Jaffa Cakes Rockin’ Raspberry will be no exception.”

McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Raspberry is hitting shelves in Asda - to be followed by a wider rollout across major retailers in September - in boxes of 10 cakes for an RRP of £1.25.

Hot Pockets x Hot Ones
Hot Pockets x Hot Ones

Hot Pockets has teamed up with First We Feast's spiciest YouTube interview show, Hot Ones, to ramps up the heat.

The collab is taking hot to a whole new level by combining the molten goodness of Hot Pockets with the tongue-tingling, iconic hot sauces from Hot Ones from Heatonist:

Spicy Garlic Chicken & Bacon Hot Pocket featuring Hot Ones The Classic Garlic Fresno

Smoky Green Chile Cheesesteak Hot Pocket feat. Hot Ones Los Calientes Verde (a blend of serrano and habanero chillis). 

Hot Habanero Pepperoni Hot Pocket and Sausage featuring Hot Ones Los Calientes Rojo (smoked red jalapeños and habanero chillis). 

Fiery Hot Pepperoni Hot Pocket feat. Hot Ones The Last Dab: Apollo (made from Apollo pepper, this is the hottest Hot Pocket ever).

Consumers hungry to take on the #HotOnesChallenge throughout September can grab the new tongue-torching sandwiches wherever Hot Pockets are sold for an RRP of $3.29. The head-banging Apollo is too hot to find in your local frozen food aisle and will be exclusively available via Gopuff for an RRP of $5.49.

Entenmann's Ready-To-Bake Cookie Dough
Entenmann's Ready-To-Bake Cookie Dough

Get ready to bake the magic of Entenmann's at home with its latest culinary sensation: Refrigerated Ready-To-Bake Cookie Dough.

Available in four variants - Glazed Donut, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Brownie and Cinnamon Toffee - the new line is packed with the same love and flavour as the brand’s hallmark products and brings a fresh, playful twist to baking at home. The deal was brokered by Brand Central, Bimbo Bakeries USA’s exclusive licensing agency.

“With the support of our licensing partners, we’re excited to introduce both nostalgic favourites and innovative flavour combinations in this new, convenient format,” said Alicia Rosas, VP of Innovation at Bimbo Bakeries USA.

“Our ready-to-bake cookies are designed to bring pure joy and an unforgettable taste experience to every bite just like our iconic baked goods, and we can't wait for our fans to savour these one-of-a-kind treats."

Entenmann’s Refrigerated Ready-To-Bake Cookie Dough collection promises an unmatched combination of premium ingredients blended to create an explosion of flavours that will transport taste buds to new heights of delight. Each cookie is meticulously crafted to provide a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth and leaves you craving more.

“We are thrilled to help grow the Entenmann’s brand into the ready-to-bake cookie dough category and allow consumers the opportunity to bake delicious Entenmann’s® treats in their own home,” said Jodi Bogdanoff, SVP of Licensing at Brand Central.

Entenmann’s Refrigerated Ready-To-Bake Cookie Dough is now available at more than 2,000 Albertsons-owned stores across the US.

Rude Health Bircher Apple & Cinnamon
Rude Health Bircher Apple & Cinnamon

The pioneers in healthy and natural foods has dropped a new addition to its Bircher Muesli lineup.

Building on the success of the original Soft & Fruity Bircher Muesli, Rude Health developed the Apple & Cinnamon variant using the same base of finely milled oats that go soft in seconds, before adding pieces of apple and cinnamon for a touch of spice.

Its touted as the perfect partner for overnight oats in an instant.

“We know more and more people are choosing to have breakfast-at-home in a bid to save money on their café croissant, however we also know that people are short on time in the morning and so want a quick and delicious option,” said founder Camilla Barnard.

“To meet this growing consumer need, it made perfect sense to build on the success we’ve seen with our original Soft & Fruity Bircher Muesli. We hope that by adding this new softly spiced and classic flavour combination, we will help widen the appeal of our Bircher range.”

Rude Health was founded by Nick and Camilla Barnard in 2005 with the launch of the Ultimate Muesli. Now nearly 18 years in, with a 60+ product portfolio - from granolas to crackers and dairy-free drinks - Rude Health can be found in fridges and cupboards worldwide. While other dairy-free brands can be prescriptive and packed with emulsifiers and additives, all of Rude Health’s products are non UPF (ultra processed foods) - organic, dairy-free, non GMO with no gums or anything artificial.

Rude Health’s commitment to championing sustainability through its sourcing and packaging also saw the brand achieve B Corp status in 2021.

Apple & Cinnamon is rolling out across the UK in 136 Waitrose stores in September, as well as wholesalers Auguste Noel and Suma, for an RRP of £3/375g.

Pringles expands non-HFSS Multigrain range
Pringles expands non-HFSS Multigrain range

Pringles has introduced Sour Cream & Onion and Salt & Vinegar to its non-HFSS Multigrain range.

The two new variants join Roast Chicken & Rosemary and replace Multigrain Sour Cream & Chilli and BBQ Sauce as Pringles continues to drive innovation in the category and brings shoppers new flavours.

The new variants also come in response to research revealing consumers wanted to see more of Pringles core flavours replicated in the Multigrain range.

The range is non-HFSS (non-high fat, salt, sugar food) and is packed with fibre from grains such as wheat and barley. It has less salt (25% less salt vs average of reconstructed potato chips) and maintains the same ‘hyperbolic paraboloid’ or ‘saddle shape’ chip the brand is famous without compromising on taste.

The expansion of Pringles Multigrain is part of Kellogg’s decade long Wellbeing Plan announced in 2021, which committed the breakfast cereal and snack behemoth to improve its foods and packaging so that they are better for people, the community and the planet.

“It’s been great to see the success of our Multigrain range,” said Nikki Evans Henriques, Kellogg’s UK activation brand manager.

“We understand that shoppers are continuing to explore more adventurous options and our new Multigrain flavours deliver a twist on our classic range.”

The Pringles Multigrain range is available now in Tesco stores at RRP £2.25/166g.

Baker & Baker Cocoa Orange Boomie
Baker & Baker Cocoa Orange Boomie

The European bakery products manufacturer has launched the limited edition Cocoa Orange Boomie to capitalise on consumer demand for eye-catching baked goods that deliver on taste.

The Cocoa Orange Boomie has been manufactured with a ‘twist’ to capture consumer attention - a dark creamy cocoa filling covered in shiny orange flavoured icing and dark cocoa icing waves. 

The doughnut is eye-catching and boasts a 12pt. filling instead of the usual single filling point seen in traditional ball doughnuts, meaning consumers can enjoy the delicious cocoa filling with every bite. It’s also on trend, containing certified palm oil and no artificial preservatives, flavours or colourings.

A single box contains 48 frozen Boomies with a weight of 77g each. Handling is simple and convenient: simply thaw at room temperature and serve. After thawing for 90 minutes, Boomies can be sold without refrigeration, remaining fresh and soft for up to three days.

“The Boomies launch is a good example of how we respond to consumer trends with innovative products under the indulgence claim,” said Helen Sinclair, UK marketing manager, Baker & Baker.

“New quality products are an important part of how we are helping our customers to maintain sales during the current challenging market conditions.”

The Cocoa & Orange Boomie is available in the UK from September to help food service operators, bakeries and retail customers cash-in on Halloween. It follows a successful launch in Europe, initially in Germany followed by France and Spain.