A look at what’s going on across the Scottish convenience channel
1881 Distillery celebrates gin wins
SCOTTISH gin maker 1881 Distillery picked up two prizes at The Gin Guide Awards 2023.
The brand’s navy strength gin, Honours, was a winner in the High ABV category and overall highest scorer for Scotland.
Its Tiffin Gin received a highly commended accolade in the Spiced Gin category.
Brand manager Charlie Leckie said: “We pride ourselves on creating exciting, delicious gins.
“This could not be possible without the dedication from our team.
“The enthusiasm and energy they bring gives our gins the true gold standard.”
Four Loko complaint kicked out
THE Portman Group has cleared Four Loko of causing offence on mental health grounds over the use of the word ‘loko’ on its RTD range.
A complaint was made that the word sounded like a Spanish that translates into English as ‘crazy’.
The alcohol industry’s Independent Complaints Panel considered the complaint under a clause that states a drink’s name should not cause serious and widespread offence.
It found that since the word did not appear in the 2021 Ofcom and Ipsos Mori study on offensive language, Four Loko did not contravene the clause and dismissed the complaint.
Britvic’s 2023 Soft Drinks Review
WHEN it comes to growth, soft drinks are still doing the heavy lifting, according to the latest figures from Britvic.
In its 2023 Soft Drinks Review, the drinks giant reveals that the category sold an extra 67.9million litres and 133.7million extra units across the year.
The review records that as a growth of 14.1%, saying it put an extra £347.4m through retailers’ tills.
It quotes Nielsen figures to conclude that is more than the combined growth of beer, wine, spirits, confectionery, crisps, snacks and nuts.
Britvic’s GB retail commercial director, Ben Parker, said: “Soft drinks featured in nearly one in four (22.9%) c-store shopping baskets last year.
“The opportunity soft drinks is creating, when the right range is on offer, is hard to ignore and it’s important for retailers to make the most of the category.”
Parker added that energy drinks and cola are flying high, and that limited-edition flavours drive impulse sales.
