WAITROSE FOR KIDS
Waitrose has become the latest multiple retailer to offer its own label range of foods for children.
Its 75-item Food Explorers range, which was launched last week, includes everything from fresh fruit to ready meals and treats'.
It means the retailer has joined the ranks of Sainsbury, Tesco and Asda, which already have their own ranges for kids.

ICE IN CANS
Ice in cans
Diageo is taking on brewers' beer and lager brands ­ by putting Smirnoff Ice and Smirnoff Ice Black into cans.
The ready-to-drink brand will be available in a 300ml format from June and will complement the current bottled range.
However, the decision has been met by a mixed response from the trade with fears that the cans could cannibalise the bottled RTD market.

SPAR FAMILY FARE
Spar is hoping to persuade consumers there is no need to return to larger supermarkets mid-week by launching a top-up range of family-sized fresh meal solutions.
From June, 100 Spar stores will trial 1.5kg servings of cottage pie, lasagne and pasta bolognaise.
If successful during a six-month trial, the range will be made available to all Spar stores.

LOOKING SOUTH
Scottish actor Robert Carlyle will provide the voiceover on the first TV ads for whisky brand Whyte and Mackay.
The Trainspotting and Full Monty star will narrate a series of sketches across several creatives.
Distributor Maxxium hopes the advertisements, as well as £3m sponsorship of Premiership football club Leeds next season, will increase the brand's popularity in England.

{{MARKETING - BRANDWATCH }}