Emmi is readying itself for the first major relaunch of its Onken big pot yoghurt brand, 14 months after buying the brand from Dr Oetker.

Onken packaging - which will roll out in May - has been redesigned to better differentiate between flavours in the 19-strong range.

The new design - which will also encompass an updated and enlarged Onken logo - would play on the bright colours and fruit imagery that consumers associated with the range, Emmi said.

A new sub-range will also be launched in May. Onken Low Fat Set with a Hint of… will be available in honey, vanilla and lemon flavours. “The range is aimed to encourage fruit big pot yoghurt consumers to add natural yoghurt to their purchase repertoire,” a spokesman said.

A new flavour - blackberry and vanilla, a category first - will launch as a limited-edition fruit big pot and other limited editions will follow.

The relaunch will be backed by a £2m marketing campaign, which will see the brand return to television screens from May. There will also be PR, press, social media and point-of-sale materials.

News of the Swiss dairy giant’s plans for Onken comes as competition in the big pot yoghurt market hots up. Last week, The Grocer revealed that Yeo Valley is set to overhaul its portfolio, and in December, Müller pulled production of Müllerlight big pots.

Emmi would not be drawn on its sales expectations for the relaunch except to say that it had “ambitious growth plans” for Onken, which is designated as a “local gem” - a brand outside the Emmi umbrella brand that is well-established in Emmi’s local markets.

There were currently no plans to add the Emmi name to pots but “it is something we may consider in the future”, the spokesman added.

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