Branston Dips COMPANY: Premier Foods RSP: £1.29
Expert’s verdict 6/10
These were good. They tasted fine, contained lots of fruit and there’s a range of flavours to suit consumers. They’re also slightly cheaper than some of the competitors, which is a tick in the box. All good. But I have doubts. I can’t really see where these dips will sit in the market or work out what occasions they’re targeted at. Are they for salads? Or crisps? I think they’ll struggle even with the benefit of the halo effect of the brand. What’s more, the ambient and chilled dips market is worth £161m, but Premier have only targeted £2m of sales in the first two years. The question I’d ask is: why bother?
Nigel Ashton, category controller, Nisa-Today’s
Consumer’s verdict6/10
Being a fan of Branston’s original pickle, I relished the opportunity to taste the latest creations. First impressions were not good, however. For me, dipping sauces are a fun snack for parties, but the predominantly black labels and lids made them look more like pasta sauces, although in their favour the dips did look ‘home made’. Of the four varieties I did like the full flavour and chunky texture of the roasted tomato & sweet chilli dip, but the other three were overly sweet and not to my liking.
George Curry, company director, London
A year down the line…Uncle Ben’s Risotto
COMPANY: MARS FOODS
LAUNCH PRICE: £1.69
TODAY’S PRICE: £1.89
Uncle Ben’s expanded into Risotto in 2007. Three flavours, Tomato & Italian Herbs, Bacon & Mushroom and Chicken & Mushroom, have now been joined by a new recipe, Mediterranean Vegetable Risotto. The range has added £2.82m sales to the rice sector [IRI MAT value sales 14 June], bringing new customers to the brand. Uncle Ben’s is now the strongest presence in the risotto sector, ahead of Riso Gallo and own label [IRI].
Expert’s verdict 6/10
These were good. They tasted fine, contained lots of fruit and there’s a range of flavours to suit consumers. They’re also slightly cheaper than some of the competitors, which is a tick in the box. All good. But I have doubts. I can’t really see where these dips will sit in the market or work out what occasions they’re targeted at. Are they for salads? Or crisps? I think they’ll struggle even with the benefit of the halo effect of the brand. What’s more, the ambient and chilled dips market is worth £161m, but Premier have only targeted £2m of sales in the first two years. The question I’d ask is: why bother?
Nigel Ashton, category controller, Nisa-Today’s
Consumer’s verdict6/10
Being a fan of Branston’s original pickle, I relished the opportunity to taste the latest creations. First impressions were not good, however. For me, dipping sauces are a fun snack for parties, but the predominantly black labels and lids made them look more like pasta sauces, although in their favour the dips did look ‘home made’. Of the four varieties I did like the full flavour and chunky texture of the roasted tomato & sweet chilli dip, but the other three were overly sweet and not to my liking.
George Curry, company director, London
A year down the line…Uncle Ben’s Risotto
COMPANY: MARS FOODS
LAUNCH PRICE: £1.69
TODAY’S PRICE: £1.89
Uncle Ben’s expanded into Risotto in 2007. Three flavours, Tomato & Italian Herbs, Bacon & Mushroom and Chicken & Mushroom, have now been joined by a new recipe, Mediterranean Vegetable Risotto. The range has added £2.82m sales to the rice sector [IRI MAT value sales 14 June], bringing new customers to the brand. Uncle Ben’s is now the strongest presence in the risotto sector, ahead of Riso Gallo and own label [IRI].
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