NEWS IN BRIEF

Retail News
Sainsbury's has announced that it has extended its fashion partnership with TV personality Gok Wan for a further year in which time Wan will launch five more collections for the supermarket. http://www.theretailbulletin.com Sainsburys has implemented a minimum order for online shoppers as it tries to discourage smaller baskets. http://www.retail-week.com/ Ocado has rolled out the Low Price Promise nationwide pledging to beat Tesco on the cost of all comparable shopping baskets. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/ The Guardian writes that profits at Asda increased by more than 6 per cent last year, even though the new chain of small stores is running up losses of more than 30m. In accounts filed at Companies House, overall operating profits increased by 51m to 857m on sales of 21.8b in 2011. Asda has said: The stores did incur a loss during the first year of acquisition, however these losses were planned and reflected the costs of the integration and conversion costs. The stores actually traded ahead of expectations. Asda daily
news update

Hasbro will be looking to replicate the success it enjoyed through film licenses this year with new comic and sci-fi tie-ups movies in 2013. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/ Lailas Rice for Life campaign returns this month with the simple message buy one pack, save one life. Leading world food suppliers Surya launch their second Rice for Life campaign this month (October) donating vital funds to the British Red Cross for every pack of Laila rice sold. http://www.talkingretail.com/ McCain Foods has partnered with Crayola, the leading childrens crayon and creativity specialists, to offer free Crayola goodies with packs of McCain Smiles.The on-pack campaign, which launches mid-October and will run for 6 months, has been introduced to drive new consumers to the Smiles brand and increase brand loyalty amongst existing customers.

The Mirror highlights that Asda is offering the cheapest flu jab through its 234 pharmacies. Asda
daily news update

Families could save more than 1000 a year if they shopped at Aldi. A similar basket of products was found to be 16% at Aldi compared to Asda. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/
Waitrose is re-launching its own label wine, beer and spirit range as it looks to switch its focus to "provenance, heritage and straightforward" styles. http://www.theretailbulletin.com/

A study by Asda found that 20% of people have a takeaway at least once a week, a 16% rise on last year. Asda daily news update

Brand News
Kenzi apples has teamed up with Heart Research UK for a new marketing campaign for the 2012/13 season promoting healthy eating. The campaign will see special promotional packs go on sale in the mults . http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/ Cafdirect has unveiled a new ad campaign to emphasise its taste and ethical credentials as part of a 1m rebrand. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/

Asda news
Asda have joined forces with Daybreak to launch a range of celebrity designed Christmas with donations going to Text Santa called Sketch Santa, celebs including Gary Barlow and Tulisa. Daybreak are also including a card thats been created by a viewer.
Asda daily news update

PG Tips, the Unilever-owned tea brand, has created a scratchcard-style Facebook app that gives consumers the opportunity to win up to 100. http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/ .
Jgermeister is preparing its first foray into TV advertising in the UK as it looks to combat perceptions of the drink solely as a 'partystarter'. http://www.brandrepublic.com/

Whats coming up.

Period 11 (16th October 5th November) 16th Oct: World food day 21st Oct: National apple day 22nd Oct: World nut day 31st Oct: Halloween 1st Nov: World Vegan day Period 12 (6th November 10th December) 12th 18th Nov: Indoor allergy week 13th 17th Nov: Diwali

Whats new this week .

Comment

Haagen-Dazs
Lynx Knorr

is launching a new flavour, Meringue and Raspberry Fondant, into its innovative Secret Sensations range, increasing the overall offering to three flavours
is set to send sales skyrocketing this month with the launch of its most epic variant to date NEW Lynx Apollo. Available from October, the meteoric launch is set to run across the full Lynx portfolio and will be supported by an innovative 12.6m marketing media spend across TV, digital and PR, starting in early 2013 Has claimed a market first with a dry sauce format that includes a steam bag.

Heinz
Molson Coors Mondelez International / Kraft

Has launched a range of Ketchups in jars to drive new usage occasions. In-store from this month, the ketchups come in 300g glass jars in 2 flavours: Heinz Tomato Ketchup with Balsamic Vinegar, Basil & Oregano ; and Heinz Tomato Ketchup with Roasted Garlic, Thyme & Honey
is gearing up for the cold season with a winter version of Carling Zest has created a new chocolate bar combining Cadbury Dairy Milk and US brand Oreo. The bar, called Cadbury Dairy Milk with Oreo, will be available from this week, priced at 1.42 for 120g bars

Berties Bangers

is the first range of fully cooked, ready to eat, single serve, British, quality sausages to hit UK supermarkets and it is set to challenge consumers attitude towards meat snacks. The new Berties Bangers (65g) will launch in Tesco from 7 October with four delicious varieties: Succulent Pork, Herby Lincolnshire, Barbecue Pork and Pork & Chilli
Is rolling out a Wham Rockets a mix of sugar crystals and sherbet eaten with a raspberry foam dipping stick Has launched a gum range featuring some of its best known brands. Theyre backing the launch with online, POS and sampling under the strap Original Favourites Squashified

Tangerine Confectionery

Swizzels Matlow

Whats new this week .

Comment

Ferrero Veetee Campbells

Has added a mini bite-sized format to its Kinder portfolio. Rolling out from the middle of October, Kinder Chocolate Minis come in sharing bags. Is extending beyond rice and curries with a range of microwavable pasta. The Veetee Dine In ambient pasta will launch into Asda this month in 6 different variants Has launched 6 tinned ready-to-serve winter soups and is available from Tesco and Asda now

Penn State
Tyrrells Grey Goose Mars

Is gearing up for Christmas with new festive variants. Limited-edition maple bacon pretzel knots and a star-shaped variant of Penn States giant original salted pretzels are available now is 175g sharing bags
Is expanding its popcorn offering with two new flavours and a revamped wider range. Sticky Toffee Pudding and Mature Cheddar Cheese will launch into Waitrose on 14 October Is launching a Christmas gift range, launching this month in multiples and departments stores Is adding a caramel variant to its Refuel range to tie in with the recent launch of its caramel chocolate bar

Whats HOT and whats NOT.

HOT
The number of times blokes eat chocolate has risen 10.5% year-on-year compared with a 4.5% hike among women [Kantar Worldpanel 12 m/e May 2012]. And the difference was even more marked in sugar confectionery, with consumption by men up 7.4% against a 1.5% decline among women.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk

NOT
Shoppers are being left bewildered by an array of supermarket promotions and the confusion will only get worse if the number of offers continue to rise. From 1,001 shoppers polled by IGD ShopperVista, 44% found it difficult to compare prices due to information overload. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk

Beer and cider drinkers are the most likely shoppers to opt for smaller brands over market leaders, claims a new survey. The findings of the global PeopleShop report is further good news for craft and niche brewers, which are already benefiting from growing consumer interest and the return to growth of cask ale volume sales after 20 years of decline. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk