THE summer months of June to August account for 22.3% of all take-home food and drink spend in Scotland, totalling £2.2bn, according to Kantar Worldpanel. Excluding ice cream, the top categories which over-index in the warmer months are prepared salad, chilled salad accompaniments and barbecue foods, with 30% of annual sales on all three achieved during the summer period.
Summer is when dining outdoors is in fashion and Spar has focused on that with a dedicated range. The Spar chilled summer range aims to be worth £5.5m in sales, and is intended to capitalise on barbecue, picnics and alfresco dining-related demand.
Susan Darbyshire, Spar UK brand director, said: “With multiple bank holidays, sporting events and warmer weather on the horizon, we are supporting our Spar retailers to make their stores a real destination for all things summer.”
• To make the most of picnic food it’s important to monitor the weather closely and order enough stock to cover increases in demand, says Kim Burgess, head of markets at Addo Food Group.
“Products such as the Pork Farms pork pies and Wall’s sausage rolls, Scotch eggs and slices, are particularly suitable for the summer months, due to their ease of transportation, pack sizes and the ability to be eaten cold,” she said.
“The recently launched Pork Farms Sweet Chilli Topped Mini Pork Pies are a perfect new addition for the summer alfresco eating occasions.”
• Unilever UK has launched its biggest ever summer campaign for Hellmann’s.
The £10m campaign, ‘Grilltopia’, supports its new range of barbecue and hot sauces, as well as its mayonnaise products.
Brand manager Hannah Webb said: “We can’t wait to galvanize the nation and make Hellmann’s not only the nation’s favourite mayonnaise, but a BBQ must-have for Grillmasters everywhere.”
