NEWS GENERAL:
Weather hits seasonal barbecue sales
Worse-than-expected summer weather has put a dampener on food and drink sales, with growth in multiple grocers slowing from 6.6% in June to just 4% in the four weeks to August 8, according to new Nielsen figures.
Tesco loses market share as Waitrose leads the way
Tesco lost market share to rivals over the 12 weeks to 9 August, new TNS figures show.
In the week Tesco started doubling Clubcard points in an attempt to lure new shoppers and keep the loyalty of existing customers, the figures showed its market share fell 0.2 percentage points to 31% year-on-year. Sales rose 5% at Tesco during the same period – below the overall supermarket sales growth of 5.6%.
Waitrose performed best of the multiples over the period, with 10.2% sales growth.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=202725
Diageo sues over Pimm’s row
Pimm’s owner Diageo has taken legal proceedings against Sainsbury’s over allegations that the supermarket’s Pitcher’s own-brand mimics its best-selling speciality spirit. The producer confirmed that it had take legal action “in relation to an intellectual property matter”.
http://www.offlicencenews.co.uk/articles/72262/Diageo-sues-over-Pimm%27s-row.aspx?categoryid=9059
Edinburgh set to outlaw drinks promotions
Edinburgh licensing chiefs have been accused of “going feral” by planning a city-wide ban on multibuy promotions.
The city’s licensing board is using the new Licensing (Scotland) Act to curb off-trade deals, claiming they have the right to do this under the legislation. The Scottish Government is planning national restrictions on alcohol promotions in a separate Bill.
Drinkers ‘don’t know booze ruins sleep’
Most drinkers are unaware that alcohol consumption can ruin sleep, according to a poll by YouGov.
Some 58% of the 2,000 people polled did not know drinking above recommended daily limits could cause sleep problems, although 45% said they often felt tired the day after drinking.
Research has shown that rapid eye movement sleep is disrupted by drinking alcohol.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=202723
Consumers more sophisticated about discount vouchers
Consumers’ appetite for discount vouchers has soared in the past year and online searches for such promotions have increased by 47.5%, according to online trend analyst Hitwise.
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/consumers-more-sophisticated-about-discount-vouchers/3003551.article
BEER, ALE & CIDER:
Budweiser kicks off World Cup push
Budweiser is offering 12 trips for two to next year’s World Cup in South Africa as part of its status as official beer of the football tournament. The competition prizes are part of an on-pack promotion called Live the Dream which starts this month and runs until the middle of November on 2.5 million Budweiser packs.
POS material will be made available to 23,000 take-home outlets to support the promotion, and 200 cash and carries will feature themed pallet shrouds and further POS.
Carlsberg trials female-focused drinks brand Eve
Carlsberg is trialling a fruit-based alcoholic drink aimed at women drinking in pubs. Eve is being trialled across 50 pubs and bars in the Greater Manchester area over a 12-week period. The drink is flavoured with either lychee or passion fruit juice. Each 250ml bottle contains only 123 calories.
Marston’s drops Pub of the Year Awards
Event cancelled for 2009 as company invests money in tenant support. Brewer and pub company Marston’s has decided to axe its Pub of the Year Awards for 2009 and invest money elsewhere in the estate.
A spokeswoman for the company confirmed the annual event would not take place this year but is expected to return in a different format in 2010
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64839&c=1
New wave of cider promotions
Magners and WKD core hit pubs and the internet to raise their profile. The latest wave of promotions from cider producers will raise the profile of the drink in the coming weeks.
Magners is aiming to recruit an “official taste tester”, an honorary position that will involve an individual tasting the cider for quality control and being paid a one-off ’salary’ of £50,000.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64822&c=1
Beer for women, in cocktail form
Pubs who want to get more women through the doors may find a solution with beer cocktails, the latest concept from the BitterSweet Partnership.
The beer cocktail range, which is being trialled at the Dial Bar in Burton-on-Trent, includes combinations such as ‘Kru Woo’, made with peach schnapps and Kasteel Cru, and ‘The Chocolate Moon’, with Blue Moon. The Dial, which promotes the cocktails every Wednesday, has recorded an average 26% increase in beer sales as a result, according to the company.
Win two cases of Old Speckled Hen
Greene King’s Old Speckled Hen has signed up a famous voice for its series of ads for prime time on Dave TV. And guessing who it is could net you two free cases of Old Speckled Hen
WINES:
PLB buys HWCG
PLB has bought HWCG after its directors put the company into administration. The two companies had been in discussions about a merger for some time, and the deal aims to maintain a continuity of supply for all HWCG’s customers and suppliers.
http://www.offlicencenews.co.uk/articles/72325/PLB-buys HWCG.aspx?categoryid=9059
WSTA to host low alcohol wine forum
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is to host a low alcohol wine forum in London on 1 October.
The forum will consider the opportunities for lower alcohol wine, particularly in the light of ongoing sensible drinking campaigns and also reflect on some of the challenges still faced, including technical legislation and marketing rules.
SPIRITS:
WKD Core goes digital
The digital campaign for its cider WKD Core will include a 15-second commercial on the web along with ads on social networking sites, emails to 25,000 consumers and a prize draw.
There will also be six different press ads in national newspapers and men’s lifestyle magazines.
The new WKD Core ‘Countdown’ ad is being shown on male lifestyle channels accessed via the internet such as Sun TV, News of the World TV & Nuts TV.
SOFT DRINKS:
Energy shots aim for the on-trade
An “energy shot” producer aims to boost the popularity of this growing category by spinning it over from the off-trade into the on-trade.
Energy shots, a ‘shot’ sized liquid blend of caffeine, vitamins and other ingredients, have been growing in the off-trade since the start of the year, but this is one of the first big attempts by a producer to bring the category into UK pubs and bars.
FOOD:
McCoys launches pub grub flavours
Limited editions aim to boost brand appeal. McCoys is celebrating classic pub food with a new limited edition range of Pub Grub flavours. Brand owner United Biscuits (UBUK) expects the appeal of strong, British flavours to strike a chord with McCoys core male target customers.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64855&c=2
Pubs urged to keep food costs low
‘Green shoots’ of recovery unlikely to generate a Christmas bonus, warns Horizons. Pubs will need to keep food costs firmly under control despite early signs of pick-up in the economy, industry analyst Horizons has warned.
Snacks focus: Tubs just for pubs
For pubs looking for a touch of the exotic, Tropical Tubs is a range of nine fruit and nut snacks. Produced by Tropical Tastes, the products have been developed for the licensed trade and are not available through retail. The full range includes varieties such as Caribbean Kiss, Outback Adventure and Singapore Sunset.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64829&c=2