Long reads – Page 337
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Analysis & Features
Retail Prices: Top grocery brands offering greater savings to shoppers
In stark contrast to the festive period, over the past month the number of deals and the savings offered have risen year-on-year, reports Alex Beckett
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Analysis & FeaturesStella launches a cider? How very ‘reassuring’, say rivals
Will AB InBev reverse slowing category sales or is it taking too much of a risk venturing out of its heartland, ask Anna-Marie Julyan and Alex Beckett
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Kabuto Noodles
Kabuto Noodles is a samurai-themed pot snack, which has been designed to “inject a bit of fun and life into a known product”, much like Innocent and Gü have done in their respective categories.
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Analysis & FeaturesBargain hunting: buyers eye cut-price M&A bonanza
After Premier finally managed to offload Quorn in a cut-price deal, the market is bracing itself for a flurry of M&A activity. But will the £4bn worth of food and drink assets still up for grabs achieve ‘cheap as chips’ prices, asks Selwyn Parker
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Analysis & Features
The spread of viral advertising
As more and more people switch off the television and go online for entertainment, advertising is changing. Growing numbers of advertisers are getting more bang from ad budgets by going viral. So how do you get ahead in viral advertising, asks Simon Creasey
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Analysis & FeaturesCurrency swings so extreme that hedging is a crapshoot
Inflation and soaring commodity costs are forcing more producers to try to hedge against currency fluctuations – with mixed results, says Michael Kapoor
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: O! So Natural Fruit Crisps
The freeze-dried fruit crisps are aimed at plugging a gap for more flavourful fruit crisps.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Pizza Express sauce
The premium-priced sauces are aimed at encouraging current pasta sauce users to trade up, as well as recruiting new users from the brand’s restaurants.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Aero Caramel
Nestlé predicted the new bar would meet a consumer preference for lighter, portionable bars over larger “gut fill” bars such as Mars and Snickers.
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Analysis & Features
Acid Test: Limoncé
The shape of the bottle is interesting and the colour gives it instant shelf appeal, but the fact that it doesn't say Limoncello on the label might mystify potential buyers as to what is in the bottle.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Galaxy Frothy Top Hot Chocolate
Galaxy Frothy Top product will enable consumers to create the luxury of a coffee shop experience in their own lounge, claims Mars
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Blavod
The revamp of the brand, including the addition of a black bottle, will help firmly position the tipple as a premium spirit, claims Blavod.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine
Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine offers a festive option for consumers looking to trade up to an indulgent premium product, claims Halewood.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Findus Fresher Taste
Findus is positioning the range as “fresh food, frozen” and said the NPD would create an entirely new sub-category of premium, frozen ready meals.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Rolo Potz
R&R is expecting Potz to plug a gap for a more everyday ice cream treat that can also rival premium tubs from the likes of Ben & Jerry’s through to Häagen-Dazs.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: VnC Cocktails
Ready-to-serve cocktails that take the hassle out of making them from scratch, but still claim to taste like the bar-made version, owing to natural fruit content.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Lovetub by Farmhouse Fare
Unashamedly indulgent, Lovetub was launched to meet a market opportunity for a pudding that can be eaten while slouched on the sofa, as an alternative to ice cream
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Wagon Tree Chenin Blanc
Treasury says the new tipple will plug a gap in the growing South African wine category for a contemporary premium-quality brand at an affordable price.
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Interviews
Big interview: Chris Mason - The master builder
After the buyout of C&C Group’s spirit business, First Drinks boss Chris Mason is sharpening his axe for some giant slaying. Alex Beckett reports
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Analysis & FeaturesIs price guarantee a bluff or did Asda just play a blinder?
Asda has taken price rivalry to a new level with a guarantee that it will refund the difference if shoppers can buy cheaper elsewhere. Adam Leyland and Elinor Zuke report