TV push for German biscuit brand

German biscuit brand Bahlsen Choco Leibniz will be appearing on TV screens over the next few weeks to promote its new packaging design
Nairns mimi cheese carton and bag, and Nature's Finest Pineapple

Snacking better

The question of what constitutes a ‘healthy’ snack is a tough one for shoppers as well as retailers
RVM Systems

RVM firm teams up with SGF

REVERSE vending machine firm RVM Systems Ltd has joined the Scottish Grocers’ Federation – as Scotland’s c-store retailers prepare for the rollout of DRS in Scotland next year.

More Than Meet launches vegan Jerk Burger

VEGETARIAN food brand More Than Meat is launching a new vegan Jerk Burger, which it says is the first to be made available in...

Sugar cut as drinks go low

New juice-based lines aim at the health-conscious SOFT drinks and even fruit juices have come under pressure from activists expressing concern on sugar consumption recently. But...
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...

Five million for FareShare

AIRDRIE-based Albert Barlett has redistributed the equivalent of five million meals through its partnership with FareShare.

Sweet news for everyone

CREATING gummy sweets that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of religious and dietary restrictions, was the aim when Melissa Burton founded Goody Good...
DRS scheme applications

Creating a working DRS from scratch

The Scottish Government is seeking applications for a scheme administrator for the forthcoming deposit return scheme (DRS)
Baxters plant based range

Going big on plant based

Scottish soup brand Baxters has expanded its Plant Based range with the launch of three new flavours.
Swizzles puds vegan

Vegan confectionery helps growth

Vegan can be sweet. That’s the view of sugar confectionery manufacturer Swizzels.

The Goodie life at 99

MULLERLIGHT has expanded its yogurt range by launching Mullerlight Goodies. Available in three flavours, the 99-calorie Mullerlight Goodies are yogurt with crunchy pieces on the...
Carling and Coors Light

Goodbye to plastic on packs

Molson Coors plans to remove plastic from Carling and Coors Light packaging by 2021. The brewer made the commitment as part of its overall global packaging strategy.

Old El Paso launches limited edition

Old El Paso is hoping to introduce consumers to new flavours and tastes of Mexican street food with the launch of a new fajita kit
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,...
Natural Balance Foods Trek bars

Some healthy opportunities

Plenty of occasions for guilt-free snacks