NPD Trend Tracker: From Marvel ionised water to 'sustainable' pastry swirls
Love Cocoa releases blonde and dark chocolate bars
B-Corp-certified brand Love Cocoa, founded by James Cadbury, descendant of Cadbury founder John, is now releasing 35% blonde and 85% dark chocolate bars.
The bars are, according to the company, made in the UK, and use single-origin sustainably sourced cocoa from Colombia, and farms where growers pay their workers properly. It comes in plastic-free packaging.
“We’ve been working on these 35% Blonde and 85% Dark Chocolate Bars for the past 12 months, and we can’t wait to see how they’re received. Blonde chocolate is a trend that we expect to grow even more, with the deep caramelised flavour making it feel like an indulgent treat, while we’re finding consumers are increasingly opting for dark chocolate, reflecting perhaps how it’s considered the ‘healthiest’ chocolate, with fewer ingredients alongside its higher antioxidant content. Spanning both ends of the chocolate spectrum, we believe these bars will be a real hit,” said James Cadbury.
With each purchase, the company helps plant trees in East Africa as part of its Eden Reforestation Project (it has now planted 1.8mn trees).
Each 75kg bar comes in at an RRP of £5 and can be bought from Love Cocoa’s website.
Limited edition ionised water released for Deadpool and Wolverine film
Alkaline water company Actiph Water has released two packaging limited editions to coincide with the release of the film Deadpool and Wolverine on 25 July.
The limited editions will feature either Wolverine or Deadpool, and will be available in either 600ml or 1 litre format.
The water, sourced fresh from Shropshire, is purified through reverse osmosis. After this, a blend of electrolytes is added, before it is ionised using platinum and titanium plates. The water, which has a pH over nine, aims to help consumers be more active.
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Marvel Studios once again to celebrate the eagerly awaited release of Deadpool & Wolverine. The Deadpool franchise is already so iconic, and this latest instalment looks set to make some serious waves this summer, and we can’t wait to be part of the journey,” said Actiph’s chief marketing officer Barnaby Hughes.
“Following on from the success of our previous collaboration with Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022, we wanted to build on our position within the water category as an innovative, disruptive brand that is synonymous with sports and health, and elevated through entertainment. Encouraging and enabling our consumers to lead more active lives and push their limits is at the core of everything we do, and these characters epitomise that ethos.”
The bottles can be found at a range of outlets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, WHSmith, Waitrose and Holland & Barrett, and are available now.
Nescafé Gold Blend releases vanilla and caramel flavours
Nestlé’s coffee brand Nescafé Gold Blend has announced it is releasing two new flavours, Smooth Vanilla and Rich Caramel. The sweetness provided by the flavours, the brand suggests, removes the need for sugar.
Both products, according to Nescafé, are non-HFSS and are sugar free.
"We are thrilled to introduce the new Nescafé Gold Blend flavours, Rich Caramel and Smooth Vanilla to coffee lovers across the UK,” said Ingrid Hayes, marketing director for Nescafé Gold Blend.
“Nescafé is dedicated to meeting the evolving preferences of consumers and we are delighted to showcase this commitment by providing even more ways for coffee drinkers to enjoy the exceptional taste of Nescafé in the comfort of their homes.
“Our new innovative additions to Nescafé Gold Blend bring a touch of sweetness without the need for added sugar, providing a truly flavourful coffee experience to satisfy even the most discerning palates.”
The 95g coffee jars will be available in Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons around the UK from 1 July.
Kallø releases new vegan dips
UK-based snacks brand Kallø is entering the dips category with a new range of organic veggie dips. The dips, which come in reusable (and recyclable) jars, include flavours Chutney Tomato & Lentil, Tomato & Olives, and Spicy Tomato.
According to Kallø, the dips are made with clean label ingredients, can be stored at ambient temperatures.
“The snacking landscape is changing. 64% of global consumers are now moving away from traditional three-meals a day in favour of more flexible and frequent eating occasions. Social snacking and sharing the joy of preparing and consuming food with family and friends, has become a greater priority. Our new dips are well positioned to tap into this trend. What started as an idea for a perfect pairing with our Kallø Veggie Thins, has morphed into a versatile product that works just as well as a cooking ingredient as it does on a charcuterie board,” said Adele Ward, Kallø marketing director at parent company Ecotone UK.
“We’re encouraging consumers to experiment with their dips and take pleasure in the preparation process. Whereas previously savoury snacking involved a lot of cold meats, nowadays plants can be the hero of the plate. For Kallø, our focus is to innovate with diverse plant ingredients that drive intrigue and excitement.”
The dips will be available on Ocado and selected UK health food shops at an RRP of £3 per 135g jar.
Milka and Bridor release pastry swirl
Mondelēz International-owned chocolate brand Milka has partnered with Bridor, the French bakery manufacturer, to release a new chocolate puff pastry swirl.
The 95g pastry swirl comes frozen in boxes of 66. According to Milka, it contains 100% sustainable cocoa.
“We are excited to be bringing the Swirl with Milka Chocolate to the UK following its great success in France. Milka shares our dedication to producing exceptional quality products with responsibly sourced origins and we are delighted to have collaborated to bring caterers and retailers a delicious pastry,” said Bridor UK sales director Erwan Inizan.
A full sales kit, which comes with Milka-branded bags, stickers, shelf tags and posters, is also available for Bridor customers. According to market research firm Metrix Lab, Milka is still a recognisable and beloved brand across Europe, meaning its logo may drive sales.
Snacks brand Perelló releases range of nuts
Brindisa Spanish Foods has announced the release of a range of nuts and snacks to its brand Perelló.
New additions to the range include nuts, such as salted or oak-smoked Catalan almonds (both RRP £6.95) and ‘Queen of the almonds’, salted Marcona almonds (RRP £7.95).
It also includes a range of Spanish bar snacks, including spicy broad beans and maize kernels (both RRP £2.45) and a cocktail snack mix (RRP £3) which includes a mix of nuts and maize kernels.
