Boë secures Asda listing

STIRLING based gin brand Boë has secures a major listing with Asda. The deal will see two of Boë Gin’s RTD cans available across the...

Free from sugar but full of opportunities

Sugar-free soft drinks are performing well in Scotland, with growth continuing at pace
THE institution of the Burns Supper, now an annual celebration of the works of Scotland’s – and one of the world’s – great poets, Robert Burns, began in the very early 19th century. In 1801 some chums who were great admirers of the recently departed Rabbie, and who were also pretty fond of a dram, met on the fifth anniversary of the great writer’s death to wine, dine, toast his memory and recite some of his works. The following year the celebration moved to the date of the bard’s birthday 25 January and the rest as they say is history. The Burns Supper habit spread across Scotland. Within a few years a Burns Supper was being held in Oxford University. Today they are held all over the world. These days formal suppers can be quite posh with a multi-course dinner, a piper, a toast to the immortal memory of our great literary hero, a cheeky toast to the lassies, an even cheekier reply from the lassies, an address to the haggis and a recitation of Burns’ great narrative poem Tam o’Shanter. Other celebrations in homes and elsewhere are often much simpler. But virtually all will include two items that retailers can highlight in Burns season each year ... haggis and whisky. It’s sad that, because of marketing restrictions on alcohol products in Scottish off-trade outlets, it’s effectively impossible to cross-promote the two Burns Supper essentials or even to place them together in a display. But that’s all the more reason to promote them individually. Try highlighting haggis in your meat chiller, carry a few different sizes to suit the variety of sizes of households, use point-of-sale material to remind shoppers of Burns Night and the part that haggis plays in the celebrations. And you could make January a special malts month or simply arrange to focus on whisky generally in your drinks area. If you have a whisky deal that’s giving you a good margin highlight it within your drinks section. And creating a Burns theme in store, with tartan and maybe even pictures of the man himself, will help get the message across.

Power of the Bard

THE institution of the Burns Supper, now an annual celebration of the works of Scotland’s – and one of the world’s – great poets,...
Mademoiselle Macaron AVA Strawberries

Berry good news

Scottish brand, AVA Berries, has joined forces with patisserie, Mademoiselle Macaron, to produce a range of strawberry macarons.

Scottish food is under fire

FSS takes aim at ‘unhealthy’ options SCOTLAND’S food industry could be facing increased regulation in future, if recent recommendations from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are...

Thin rolls add sales weight

The most popular lunch in the UK is the sandwich according to Allied Bakeries. But the firm says that  people also want variety in their...
florette-crispy-salads

Pack seals the freshness in

FLORETTE has been keeping things fresh with the roll out of a new resealable pack

Loop trial for big brands

Tesco launches reusable packaging
New Border Biscuits team

Big moves for Border

BORDER Biscuits has been on a recruitment drive, as the Lanark-based firm eyes further growth.

“Take notice” of demand for healthier soft drinks

VIMTO has urged retailers to act on what it sees as growing demand for healthier soft drinks this summer. Ed Jones, senior customer marketing manager...
Haggis Bites from McKechnie Jess, which also produces Haggis Lasagne, Haggis Pakora and Spicy Haggis Dippers

Shock of the new – Haggis for all seasons

Stags and spice give haggis producers food for thought HAGGIS is closely linked to the annual Burns Night shindigs, but manufacturers are looking to promote...
Free from aisle

Bringing free from into focus

With gluten-free variants now available for everything from breakfast cereal to beer it’s time retailers switch on to the free-from opportunity with cakes.

The American bream

A group of Scottish seafood companies showcased their products at an exhibition drawing more than 22,000 seafood professionals .

Championing the cause

SUSTAINABILITY is always high on the agenda at Premier @ DUSA, the c-store at the heart of University of Dundee’s campus.

Edinburgh brewery crafts gluten-free

Bellfield Brewery, an entirely gluten-free craft brewery based in Edinburgh, has launched its first two beers. IPA Lawless Village, named after the area of Portobello...
Ewan Anderson

Brand Scotland is a powerful force

CIM Scotland vice chair Ewan Anderson discusses the sales-driving effect that provenance has on Scottish consumers
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