NPD Trend Tracker: From Nestlé & Starbucks hot chocolate to McDonald’s McPlant

NPD-Trend-Tracker-From-Nestle-Starbucks-hot-chocolate-to-McDonald-s-McPlant.jpg
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Under Nestlé and Starbucks’ Global Coffee Alliance, the companies are adding a new hot chocolate to their at-home range. Elsewhere in the NPD space, McDonald’s is piloting its plant-based burger, the McPlant, in Coventry before rolling it out nationwide. And John West is fortifying tuna to offer a new ‘nutrient-rich’ range. Scroll through the photo gallery for more.

Under Nestlé and Starbucks’ Global Coffee Alliance, the companies are adding a new hot chocolate to their at-home range. Elsewhere in the NPD space, McDonald’s is piloting its plant-based burger, the McPlant, in Coventry before rolling it out nationwide. And John West is fortifying tuna to offer a new ‘nutrient-rich’ range. Scroll through the photo gallery for more.

GettyImages/Yagi Studio

NPD Trend Tracker: From Nestlé & Starbucks hot chocolate to McDonald’s McPlant
NPD Trend Tracker: From Nestlé & Starbucks hot chocolate to McDonald’s McPlant (Yagi Studio/Getty Images)

Under Nestlé and Starbucks’ Global Coffee Alliance, the companies are adding a new hot chocolate to their at-home range. Elsewhere in the NPD space, McDonald’s is piloting its plant-based burger, the McPlant, in Coventry before rolling it out nationwide. And John West is fortifying tuna to offer a new ‘nutrient-rich’ range. Scroll through the photo gallery for more.

GettyImages/Yagi Studio

 Nestlé and Starbucks launch Starbucks Signature Chocolate
Nestlé and Starbucks launch Starbucks Signature Chocolate

Nestlé and Starbucks have expanded their At-Home range with the launch of Starbucks Signature Chocolate.

The new line consists of two varieties: Starbucks Signature Chocolate 42% and Signature Chocolate Salted Caramel. Both can be mixed with warm milk or dairy alternatives.

“These delicious indulgent-tasting hot chocolates are made with high quality cocoa certified by Rainforest Alliance, and we are confident they will be a big hit only amongst Starbucks lovers,” said Kelly Fleetwood, Brand Manager at Nestlé UK.

The launch adds to the companies’ Global Coffee Alliance, formed in 2018, which saw Nestlé obtain the rights to market, sell, and distribute Starbucks packaged coffee and tea in all global at-home and away-from-home channels.

Starbucks Signature Chocolate is launching into Sainsbury’s from 12th September and Asda from 18th September, as well as online.

Image source:  Nestlé and Starbucks via Global Coffee Alliance

Nutrient-rich tuna
Nutrient-rich tuna

Thai Union-owned John West has launched a line of nutrient-rich tuna in the UK.

A ‘category first’, the range is available in three variants: Energy (tuna in spring water, with Vitamin B), Heart (tuna in rapeseed oil, high in Omega 3), and Immunity (tuna in spring water, with Vitamin C).

“We know that shoppers are more likely to buy the everyday fish category for practicality and convenience rather than health. There is a huge opportunity to leverage health as an innovation driver and connect with younger, more health-conscious consumers,” said Jon Burton, International Marketing Director, John West Foods.

“The John West nutrient-rich tuna range is the perfect solution – a modern, relevant source of clean protein with additional health benefits. We’re incredibly excited to shake up to the category, by unlocking new growth to bring in new customers while offering our core tuna shoppers the opportunity to upgrade and take advantage of the additional health benefits of this new product.”

John West nutrient-rich tuna is available in Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & Ocado at an RRP of £2 for a single can 110g, and £5 for a multipack of three cans.

Image source: John West

Oumph! launches Kebab Döner Style launches in UK
Oumph! launches Kebab Döner Style launches in UK

LiveKindly Collective-owned Oumph! is rolling out its frozen plant-based Kebab Döner Style product into Iceland stores and The Food Warehouse in the UK.

The SKU is made from pea protein and ‘shaved’ like traditional kebab meat.

“We are proud to share the newest plant-based innovation from Oumph! with all fast food lovers in the UK,” said Domenico Speciale, General manager UK at Livekindly Collective.

“When I first tasted it I could not tell it apart from kebab meat, it truly delivers on the taste and texture of your favourite Döner. It’s so easy to cook that we know consumers will love the opportunity to enjoy a plant-based version of their take away favourite at home.”

The 280g SKU has an RRP of £3.

Image source: LiveKindly Collective

McPlant launches in UK
McPlant launches in UK (Olga Volkovaia/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

McDonald’s is rolling out its new plant-based burger, the McPlant, in the UK.

A product of three years of research and development, the McPlant has been co-developed by Beyond Meat. It is served on a sesame bun with ‘bespoke’ vegan cheese based on pea protein, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a vegan sandwich sauce.

McDonald’s has stressed it cooks the patty separately from other burgers and sandwiches using dedicated utensils.

The McPlant is launching in 10 restaurants in Coventry at the end of the month. The fast food chain plans to rollout the plant-based offering nationwide in 2022.

“We are always looking for different ways to innovate and meet our customers’ needs, and with McPlant we have a delicious plant-based burger that will appeal to everyone,” noted Michelle Graham-Clare, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s UK & Ireland.

The Good Food Institute (GFI) has also welcomed the launch.

“McDonald's is hardly the first restaurant chain to launch a plant-based meat option, but it is the biggest – and the McPlant will introduce more people than ever to sustainable food choices,” said Carlotte Lucas, corporate engagement manager at GFI.

“Creating a new item with the iconic ‘Mc’ branding demonstrates that McDonald's sees real and sustained demand for plant-based options. Other companies should see this competition and raise their game, by investing in the delicious, affordable and convenient plant-based options consumers want."

Image: Getty/Olga Volkovaia

Lactalis Nestlé rolls out ‘protein pudding’
Lactalis Nestlé rolls out ‘protein pudding’

Lactalis Nestlé is launching a range of new Protein Pudding products in the UK under its Nestlé Lindahls brand.

The launch marks the brands foray into the Chilled Desserts category. The company describes the offering as an ‘indulgent crème dessert with an ultra-smooth texture’, while also boasting high protein and ‘best-in-class macros’.

Specifically, each pot contains 14g of protein, 0.5g of fat, and 4.9g of sugar. Two flavours are available: chocolate and vanilla.

“We are thrilled to be extending our range in the  UK and entering the chilled desserts category with new Lindahls Protein Pudding. We are always committed to providing great tasting, high protein snacks, and with the increased demand in healthy desserts, a Protein Pudding felt like the natural extension to our range,” said Paul Wiseman, Marketing Manger at Lactalis Nestlé Chilled Dairy.

The new range is being sold in Asda stores.

Image source: Lactalis Nestlé

Dr. Oetker’s The Good Baker
Dr. Oetker’s The Good Baker

Dr. Oetker is launching a new ‘revolutionary’ pizza brand it says has healthier and sustainability front of mind: The Good Baker.

The frozen pizza range consists of four flavours: Margherita, Veggie Mix, Meat-Free Bolognese, and Spinach and Pumpkin Seeds.

The stone-baked pizza offerings are made from ‘long fermented’ doughs made with sourdough or seeded wholegrains. All options are meat-free and HFSS compliant.

“We’re incredibly excited to announce the launch of this new brand to market. We have seen many fun, exciting positive health brands abound across other categories and we have identified a white space in the world of frozen pizzas for consumers who want to balance great tasting food, with the feeling of making a healthier choice,” said Josephine Skinner at The Good Baker.

“We’ve seen younger shoppers buy into the frozen pizza category much less frequently, with a range of barriers from guilt, quality and sustainability concerns. The Good Baker is designed to challenge some of these long held views, to build the category of the future.” 

Image source: Dr. Oetker