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Melting into a makeover

2 August 2016

Free-from – part of the everyday lunch?

Around the world with Brewdog

Young crowd want snacks

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

Journey of the highlands and islands

1 April 2018

ISLAND malt whisky brand Jura has announced a launch that it is calling the biggest in its history.

Cutting waste with Gander app can save cash

16 January 2023

Food waste reduction app Gander is on the path for growth this year as the firm gets ready to roll out across Snappy Shopper delivery.

Caledonia in convenience

1 August 2019

Most nations like to boast about the quality of their produce, but there are few that can compete with Scotland when it comes to quality.

Top of the drinks and here to serve

29 November 2017

2017 has been an outstanding year for Tennent’s and what a way to round it off by becoming Scotland’s top-selling alcohol brand

Sustainable future for seashells

1 March 2022

Chocolate seashell brand Guylian has undergone a relaunch, comprising a sustainability-focused packaging overhaul and a new recipe.

TV push for German biscuit brand

5 May 2021

German biscuit brand Bahlsen Choco Leibniz will be appearing on TV screens over the next few weeks to promote its new packaging design

Clan gathers new listings

20 May 2016

Supermarket adds ales from nine Scottish brewery independents THE team that helped drive an £850,000 supermarket deal for some of Scotland’s craft breweries is planning...

Old favourite going strong

1 April 2018

Porridge enjoying healthy sales

Better on the go

15 April 2015

SANDWICH brand Urban Eat has created a range of healthier-choice, food-to-go products. Products in the Eat Better range highlight nutritional benefits such as high protein,...

Linds McCartney vegetarian Lincolnshire sausages

Vegan pea sausages

1 May 2019

VEGETARIAN meat alternative brand Linda McCartney’s has added some Lincolnshire flavour to its sausage range.

Protein 22 wins big

30 March 2017

SCOTTISH dairy firm Graham’s has gained global acclaim after picking up a Gulfood Innovation Award for new product development at the Dubai World Trade...

Stock Scottish to secure sales

3 April 2019

SF&D chief exec James Withers urges c-stores to get behind local .

Flocking to veggie market

1 October 2018

There is more to Birds Eye than frozen fish, and the brand has stepped up its free from credentials

Summer fresh – Sales heating up for Scotty Brand

1 August 2013

AWARD-winning Scottish soft fruit supplier Scotty Brand is feeling the full effects of the scorching weather we’ve had for part of the summer. Its strawberries...