New HQ is in the bag

The nation’s thirst for fizz – Soft drinks

AS Mark Thomson’s analysis on page 40 pointed out, Scottish consumers are very keen on soft drinks. And soft drinks is certainly a category where...
Kooky

Kooky to inspire this Veganuary

Launching just in time for Veganuary, Kooky snacks reckons its exotic ingredients might tempt more consumers to get involved in the event.

Planting some pastry options

Motivations to stick to plant-based diets will stay strong with consumers despite rising costs, says a boss at The Compleat Food Group.
Itsu seaweed thins

A good year for trying new things

This year will see the Olympic torch head to the land of the rising sun, shining a spotlight on Asia as the world tunes in to the Tokyo 2020 games.
Dairy free spread on toast

Free from far more than just a trend

Figures show category still thriving in Scottish stores
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,...

Food and drink year in the making

WE are now at the halfway point in Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink which set out to promote the country’s natural larder. Scotland Food...

Muscling in on health demand

THE biggest Scottish dairy firm Graham’s the Family Dairy says it’s always looking for opportunities to innovate and, with demand for healthier choices in...

Saying cheese

SCOTTISH brand McLelland returned with revamped versions of two of its red cheddar cheeses, Mature and Extra Mature, last month. But for now at...

Powering up the everyday choice

FAIRTRADE Foundation is encouraging shoppers to ask UK retailers to switch to Fairtrade in a stock challenge during Fairtrade Fortnight 23 February – 8...

Loop trial for big brands

Tesco launches reusable packaging

Smart shops for savings

Shopfitting solution experts Danfoss weigh in on how to introduce more smart options to c-stores and save cash on energy in the process.

A sweet choice

THE alternatives to sugar market in the UK is worth £52m and a quarter of  households buy products in the category four times a...
116c_tmb_1014

Guidance updated

THE latest edition of the SGF Healthy Living Programme – Guidance for Promoting Produce is available online at the Scottish Grocers Federation website. The programme...

On your bike

ALCOHOL-free wine brand Eisberg has become the official wine partner for the Tour of Britain cycle race. As part of the three-year agreement Eisberg will...
Sunpride Mango Juice

Is mango the new coconut?

World foods have shown sales growth in the UK for some time. Is there now also a growing market for world drinks? According to Refresco...
123...35Page 1 of 35