Lactalis shouts out the heritage of its Scottish cheeses
PRODUCT provenance is a key purchase driver for Scottish shoppers – and Lactalis UK & Ireland reckon that’s why its Orkney, Galloway and Seriously cheese brands remain popular choices.
The firm quoted data that shows year-on-year value sales had risen 36% for Galloway, 3% for Orkney and 26% for Seriously Spreadable.
Moreover, Galloway and Seriously Spreadable are also seeing 35% and 25% volume sales growth respectively.
Lactalis UK & Ireland group marketing director Heloise Le Norcy-Trott highlighted the fact that Galloway is made with 100% Scottish milk, and claimed its smooth, creamy, well-rounded flavour made it perfect for cooking or snacking on.
She explained that the Seriously brand was made, cut and packed in the firm’s creamery in Stranraer.
She said: “Our close ties within the local farming community around Dumfries and Galloway mean that we can source high-quality Scottish milk to make the finest-quality cheddar.”
Le Norcy-Trott also pointed out that Orkney, which is made with milk from the islands, is the only UK cheddar to have been granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
The marketing boss said: “Orkney cheddar has a fascinating heritage story. It was first made after World War Two and, since then, the cheddar-making tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, with production now managed by 17 dairy farming families.
“Orkney cheddar is crafted using a dry-stir method and is hand-salted. The cheese is naturally matured in wooden boxes, which delivers a slower maturation than most cheddars.”
Lactalis is also proud to highlight the provenance messaging on all its Scottish brands’ packaging.
In January, the firm introduced new-look packaging for Seriously block cheddar, including a new brand logo that enhances the product’s “Founded in Scotland” origins.
Galloway’s Scottish heritage is made clear by the use of the Saltire as well as the slogans “The Family’s Favourite Scottish Cheddar” and “Made with 100% Scottish Milk”.
The Orkney packaging, meanwhile, clearly shows its PGI status.
Le Norcy-Trott said: “We encourage retailers to position brands with a strong Scottish heritage, such as our cheddars, prominently and have activations to celebrate events like Burns Night and St Andrew’s Day.”
