Flavours Newsletter
April 2003 - What’s new in Flavours

Key Statistics
Confectionery market increased year-on-year in all trade channels by 3.6% last year
According to Cadbury Trebor Bassett, the confectionery market increased year-on-year in all trade channels by 3.6% in 2002. Within impulse outlets sales jumped by 2.5%. Across all trade sectors, chocolate sales increased by 2.1% and sugar sales rose by 5.4%. The market will grow by £300 million during this year, from £5.6 billion to £5.9 billion.
Convenience Store, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Squeezing the market for more
It may be a mature market but there is plenty of life left in fruit juice yet - as consumers, it seems, just can't satisfy their thirst. Taylor Nelson Sofres measures the take home market at £479m, up 6% on last year, while ACNielsen's figures, which cover the impulse and foodservice arenas, show pure juice as being worth in excess of £670m. More than three-quarters of UK households buy into pure juice, with the average household consuming 32 litres each year. Fruit juices also seem to be far less affected by the weather than other soft drink categories, as consumers tend to purchase for health and taste benefits and not just as thirst-quenchers.
Grocertoday.co.uk
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=1&a=254037

Key Statistics
UK bagel market will continue expanding at a rate of 25% year-on-year
The UK bagel market is expected to expand at a rate of 25% year-on-year. Although the UK bagel market does not nearly approach the volumes of the US, there is a lot of scope to aim for US consumption levels. For example, the foodservice market is undervalued. Bagel companies are keen to highlight the lifestyle angle of the bagel and the fact that it can be tailor-made to suit individual preference. The main target market is women in their thirties. The bagel category is worth around £24m retail in the UK per annum.
British Baker, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Vodka enjoying buoyant demand in the UK
Growing demand in the UK white spirits market will be highlighted at the 2003 London International Wine & Spirits Fair, with a record number of vodka companies taking part. This year's event will see eight new exhibitors such as Zandora (Finland); Svedka (Sweden) and Spirt BalBuram
(Mongolia) launching drinks into the UK. According to the Gin & Vodka Association, vodka is the leading spirit drink in the UK, with volume growth of more than 6% during the year to September 2002.
Off-Licence News, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
European sugar confectionery value in 2002
It has been revealed by research that the UK sells the most sugar confectionery in Europe. The UK market value is €2 billion. some 23% of the total European market, which was valued at €8.8 billion in 2002. Germany was second with 14% of the market. The UK chewing and bubble game market was valued at €385 million in 2002. Chewing gum was the largest sector, having almost 96%.
Media & Marketing Europe, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Eating alone
New research has found that the traditional family meal in Britain is a thing of the past. Nearly one in two meals are now eaten by people on their own, with the number of single meals trebling over 20 years from four billion to 12 billion. Divorces have raised the number of single person households, while increased leisure pursuits often see couples eating their evening meal alone because their partner is out at a sporting event.
Daily Express, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Alcohol sales defy the gloom
Although concerns are being expressed over the performance of the UK economy and downbeat consumer expenditure, there is an area of retail that remains strong - alcohol sales. Good trading was announced by Bargain Booze, with March 2003 sales deemed 'terrific' and business 'well up' year-on-year.
Off-Licence News, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Competition in beverage industry to intensify
Competition in the world's leading drinks markets is due to get fiercer according to a new report. Although the average consumer of commercial beverages accounts for only 186 litres a year, drinkers in North America, Australasia and West Europe now consume more than three times this amount and are well on the way towards the theoretical saturation point of 730 litres per capita, says the research group Canadean.
According to Canadean, the closer a region is to reaching this point, the greater the need for individual beverage categories to take share from each other in order to expand sales.
Soft drinks are making the running in the top three regional markets. The North American region has the highest rate of beverage consumption in the world at 597 litres. Soft drinks there now account for more than half of overall sales, having gained at the expense of hot drinks in particular, with packaged water contributing the lion's share of the volume increase. Australasian soft drinks now amount to just over a third of the region's beverage sales, overtaking hot drinks as the leading sector. Nearly half the incremental volume growth over the period 1997-2002 is due to carbonates, with packaged water contributing a further 37%.
West Europe's soft drinks consumption has risen by more than three times the overall rate for beverages and claims a 40% share of the total market in the region. It has grown at the expense of milk, hot drinks and alcohol with packaged water once again in the driving seat.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=19479&dm=yes

Key Statistics
The English weather not helpful to soft drinks, says Sucralose
A survey states that the English weather has not been kind to the UK soft drinks industry. Entitled the 2002 Sucralose Soft Drinks Report, it says that perceptions of the weather can be just as important as the reality. 1999 and 2001 were thought to be better summers as they were preceded by poor ones. Unfortunately milder winters do not seem to help the market much. The soft drinks market was worth an estimated £9.03 billion in 2002, of which the carbonates category accounted for £4.94 billion. This was by a long chalk the largest sector. Soft drinks in take home are worth £4 billion and are growing at 5% year-on-year. Drinks which have added health benefits such as pure fruit juice, energy drinks and particularly bottled water are showing growth.
(Copy of the Sucralose Report soon to be available from the Marketing Department)
Multiple Buyer & Retailer, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Functional/healthier products sell well in fmcg/soft drinks
According to research, Red Bull has grown to become Britain's third biggest selling soft drink in value at £440 million, however the sector has significantly slowed. Functional drinks that revolutionised the adult soft drinks sector in the early and mid 1990s are being left behind by a trend towards "well-being" functional drinks than purely those with a cold caffeine kick. Two brands in the functional/well-being sector are Purdey's and Red Devil, with, it is claimed almost 50% consumer awareness.
It is revealed in the Sucralose Drinks Report that the current trend is in favour of lifestyle brands, and those with functionality having an added benefit. Niche brands are successfully targeting niche consumer groups with soft drinks that meet their leisure time needs. An example of this is Bottle Green Well-being cordial range which is a prime example of this approach. The range is three strong and was launched in Waitrose in January 2003. It combines heritage flavours from country hedgerows with herbal infusions.
Multiple Buyer & Retailer, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Easter spend by chocolate consumers
The spend on chocolate sales was said to be £3.8 billion. Only Christmas has greater sales that Easter. The Easter season spend for the 80 million eggs sold was £350 million. One in two eggs consumed are made by Cadbury, which represents about a tenth of its annual total chocolate sales. Annual chocolate sales generate about 20% of the fizzy drinks-chewing gum group's £5.3 billion revenues.
Daily Telegraph, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Functional drinks makes up 6% of total soft drink sales in the major markets
It is estimated the market for functional drinks commands 6% of total soft drink sales in the major markets of the US, Japan and Europe. These markets have experienced double digit growth year-on-year since 1998. All the major beverage companies are in the marketplace with brands from SoBe, Propel Fitness Water to Coca-Cola's Dasani. Functional ingredients now include everything from minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, phytochemicals, to probiotics and herbs. Consumer confidence in self-medication and a general health awareness is driving demand for functional drinks.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Cask-ale market is in steep decline
The cask-ale market is in steep decline and is now worth just 3 million barrels. The sector that is causing most concern is standard ales, which have fallen by 16% for the year to January 2003. The big losers were: Tetley's (-12%); Courage Best (-15%); Banks's Original (-24%); Banks's Bitter (-25%); John Smith's (-13%); Theakston Best (-23%); Boddingtons Cask (-53%): Flowers IPA (-7%).
The premium cask sector witnessed a decline of 6.7%. The losers were: Bass Triangle (15%); Marston's Pedigree (-1%); Courage Directors (-10%); Wadworth 6X (-20%); Flowers Original (-16%); Theakston XB (-20%); and Charles Wells Bombardier (-6%). Analysts argue the industry is failing to understand the profile of cask ale consumers. 58.6% of consumers drink any alcohol, of those who do, 51.3% drink beer. Of those that drink beer just 28% drink ale or bitter and, of those, 28%, only 27.2% knowingly drink cask-conditioned ale.
Morning Advertiser, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Short life dairy products continued to prosper in 2002
According to the Muller Market Report, short life dairy products (SLDP) continued to prosper in 2002, recording year-on-year growth of 5% to £1.4 billion. The yogurt sector grew by 5% to £736 million, driven by a strong demand for healthy yogurts. Chilled desserts grew by 3% to £418 million. Yogurt drinks posted short term growth up 28% to £78 million. The fastest growing product group in the entire SLDP category is probiotic drinks and are responsible for 86% of yogurt drinks sales.
Convenience Store, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Manufacturers are increasingly relying on promotions to boost their chocolate count-line sales
Manufacturers are increasingly relying on promotions to boost their chocolate count-line sales. Sales of chocolate countlines have dropped from just under £900 million in 2000 to £814 million (52 weeks ending October 2002). Reasons for the decline: there are so many more snack products available today; many consumers are opting to spend their money on mobile phone top-ups, magazines and CDs; and others are looking for healthier options. Within c-stores confectionery is still the most impulsive of purchases for most consumers, just brands are having to work harder to get a sale.
Convenience Store, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Drinking habits of children
A pan-European study asked children whether they liked water, 'fizzy' drinks, fruit juice, fruit-flavoured drinks or some other type of soft drink. 49.3% of Spanish children saying they drink water as opposed to 29.2% for 'fizzy' drinks. 47.5% of children in France opt for water over carbonates (24.3%). Among German children 25.3% like water and 28.4% 'fizzy' drinks. In Sweden 61.3% of children choose 'fizzy' drinks over water (15.7%). UK children's score demonstrated a marked preference for carbonates (45.1%) over water (16.3%). The study into children's' current attitudes, lifestyles and preferences questioned 6,284 6-14 year old boys and girls in the UK. Germany, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
British children living on convenience foods
Sainsbury's Magazine research suggests that British children are being raised on a diet of convenience foods. In an average year, children are consuming 107 ready meals, with this number growing to 133 for those aged between 11 and 16. It was also found that one in 16 children have been put on a diet by their parents. Youngsters based in London were three times more likely to eat takeaway meals than in other parts of Britain.
London-based children also consume 141 ready meals a year, compared with 78 by their counterparts in the Midlands. A third of children in Wales eat takeaway food a few times in an average week. The study found that a 5th of children never cook. It was also revealed that Scotland is the dieting capital of the UK, with 75% having been on a weight-loss diet and Wales a close 2nd with 72%.
Ananova, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Wine could overtake beer as Britain's favourite drink
According to Interbrew, wine is on course to overtake beer as the favourite alcoholic drink in Britain within a decade, unless marketers change their advertising away from its traditional 'lager lout' image. During the last five years alone, sales of wine have jumped 35% in volume and are set to increase an extra 20% by 2007.
The volume of beers sold through pubs has dropped by some 200 million pints a year since 1980. Interbrew suggests that the image of beer in the UK has become trapped, stuck on its association with "sessions drinkers, lager louts and beer bellies".
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Fish & chips the nation's favourite food
A poll for the Nation's Favourite Food has placed fish and chips in the number one position, knocking curry from the top spot. Pizza ranked second followed by crispy duck and chicken tikka masala.
Daily Mail, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
UK spirits: Scotch is still top, but vodka grows fastest
Vodka is going from strength to strength in the UK spirits market, taking over from Scotch as the main driver of growth. But will this growth be short-lived like that of tequila in the 1990s?
The UK spirits industry is one of the most important in Europe and the world overall, partly due to the strength of Scotch whisky, but that most traditional of British spirits is coming under increasing pressure from vodka.
A new report from market analysts Datamonitor shows that vodka's popularity has grown immensely, thanks to a fashionable profile and receptive audience amongst younger drinkers, but warns vodka makers not to get complacent - previously popular 'Latin spirits' such as tequila are now seeing sales decline.
The UK spirits market is one of the biggest in Europe: it was worth £7.2 billion (€10.4bn) measured at retail values in 2002, although this was down on 1997, when it stood at £7.5 billion. The biggest falls occurred in 1998 and 2002 - and both were heavily based on falling whisky sales.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2133

Key Statistics
Vegetable consumption declines
Work-obsessed, convenience fed Britain has failed to take note of the government's five-a-day fruit and vegetable campaign.
Household consumption of fresh green vegetables declined by 7% in 2001-02 compared with a surge in meat products driven by the uptake of convenience foods and ready meals.
The government's new expenditure and food survey shows that fat in food as a proportion of calories, rose to 39.1%, somewhat higher than the government's target of 35% and the WHO's advisory limit of up to 30%.
Independent, on Headlines from Mintel

Business & Economics
High street sales fell 0.6% in March
The British Retail Consortium reported High Street sales fell 0.6% on a like-for-like basis in March 2003. The results were the worst for nearly four years. Total sales growth slowed to 2.1% in March, compared with 3.9% in February and 6.8% in January.
BBC News Online, on Headlines from Mintel

Business & Economics
UK retailers experienced a tough time in March 2003
New figures by the CBI suggest that UK retailers have endured their worst sales performance in 11 years during March 2003, with concerns over the Iraq war hitting consumer confidence. Just 28% of companies announced a sales improvement during March, when compared with the same time in 2002. Around 41% said their performance had come in weaker. According to the CBI, sales growth has stalled in almost every retail sector. Other factors affecting consumer demand are the forthcoming tax increases and concern about the strength of the housing market.
Ananova, on Headlines from Mintel

Business & Economics
UK economy slows
The economy of the UK grew at its slowest for a year during the 1st quarter of 2003, reports the Office for National Statistics.
Growth was held back by a disappointing return from the once-buoyant service sector, which had a slowdown in the run-up to the Iraqi conflict.
Between January and March 2003, GDP growth in the UK was put at 0.2%, and 2.3% year-on-year.
The latest figures are a disappointment, showing that the UK economy has slowed from the October-December 2002 quarter, when growth was 0.4%. The service sector has a particular tough time, with hotels and restaurants showing a large dip in their businesses.
BBC News Online, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
USA: Cold weather in North America may have hit soft drink sales
Shares in Cadbury Schweppes have dipped, on talk that carbonated soft drink sales in North America may have fallen as a result of the unusually cold weather.
Independent, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
NORWAY: Norwegians mad for sweets and convenience foods
Despite their apparent interest in gourmet food and gear, Norwegians are spending more and more of their money on sweets, snacks and frozen pizzas.
New statistics from the Norwegian Institute for Agri-economic Research (NILF) reveal a steady increase in sweet and easy solutions.
In the roughly NKr16bn (US$2.2bn) spent on convenience foods in 2002, NKr950m alone was spent on Norway's apparent national dish, the frozen pizza, a 15.3% increase from the year before. Ice cream seems to be the most likely dessert, with NKr893m sold, a rise of 17.3%.
Ready-to-eat meals were up 27.1%, and the slightly more challenging Mexican food packages (taco/tortilla plus accompaniments) were up 11.9%. Powder-based soup packets worth NKr250m were sold, and ready-made sauces were even bigger business - with NKr400m worth of powdered and NKr200m of liquid purchased in 2002.
Marzipan and seasonal sweets (Christmas and Easter) were up fully 32.4%. But despite an outlay of NKr127m on holiday treats, chocolate producers are concerned by their loss of market share to marzipan, news agency NTB reports.
Last year's average consumption of 12.9 kilos of chocolates and candy per Norwegian may sound high, but it reflects a 3% drop in chocolate. Norway's notorious border trade problem, with shoppers streaming across the Swedish border to avoid hefty duties, is hitting the nation's chocolate producers hard.
With tax representing 15-20% of the price of a Norwegian chocolate, more Norwegians now buy chocolate in Sweden than buy alcohol or tobacco.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=53758&dm=yes

International Developments
Jack Daniel's success in so many countries is 'authenticity'
A principal market for Jack Daniel's is the UK. This Tennessee Whiskey has a larger market in the UK than the state of California. Its growth rates have been some 15% and there is a chance that Jack Daniel's will sell some 700,000 cases there. California comes next with 500,000-550,000 cases. South Africa has grown at double-digit rates and may get to 90,000 cases in 2003. Germany is the second largest export market, with Italy, Spain, France and Australia also key. International sales are increasing at a rate which varies between 7% and 8%, and this is now around 45% of total business.
Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
DENMARK: Denmark unveils spiked chocolate milk
Cocio is about to launch what is likely to be the most controversial ready-to-drink (RTD) product yet.
It is chocolate milk laced with a choice of vodka or cognac, aimed at the young drinker who has no taste for tradition alcoholic drinks.
Cocio Chokolademælk A/S is hoping to cash in on the lucrative national RTD market that has exploded after the introduction of Smirnoff Ice and Bacardi Breezer a few years ago.
According to newspaper Politiken, the Danish industry believes about 24 million bottles of sweet RTD alcoholic beverages were sold last year, contradicting a British study estimate of nine million.
Cocio has tried to pre-empt critics by saying the new product will be clearly marketed to a mature (18-25, mostly female) audience, and will have a different name and look from their classic chocolate milk.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=53899&dm=yes

Competitors & Supply Chain
Tate & Lyle ups fructose production
British manufacturer of carbohydrate ingredients Tate & Lyle is to expand the capacity of its krystar crystalline fructose plant in Lafayette, Indiana by 20 per cent. Due to be completed by August 2003, the company said that no additional staffing or increase in corn grind will be required.
Krystar, an intense sweetener, can be used in liquid and powdered beverages, breakfast cereals, baked goods, desserts, dairy products, processed fruits, nutritional products and a wide variety of reduced calorie foods.
Nutraingredients.com
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news.asp?id=6778

Competitors & Supply Chain
A smaller spray dryer (Denmark)
Denmark's Niro group has launched a new spray dryer for the food and pharmaceutical industries which it claims is smaller, quieter, and produces better quality powders than any of its rivals.
Foodproductiondaily.com
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news.asp?id=2632

Retail & Company News
Cadbury finalises the takeover of Adams
UK confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes has finalised its £2.7 billion acquisition, buying the chewing gum producer Adams, from its US parent Pfizer. The purchase will bring the Trident, Dentyne and Bubbas gum brands, along with the Halls medicated sweets range into Cadbury Schweppes. The UK firm will also gain an entry into new markets, such as Latin America. The operations of Cadbury Schweppes and Adams within the Americas will integrate into a new division, called Americas Confectionery.
Ananova, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
How much more dominant can Wal-Mart get?
Wal-Mart has replaced Exxon Mobil as the world's biggest corporation. The US' biggest seller of DVDs is also its biggest seller of groceries, toys, diamonds, guns, video games and sporting goods - not to mention the US' biggest optician, film developer and real estate developer. Wal-Mart has become a sole superpower in the US. This company has experienced explosive growth during the past decade. The world's biggest grocer drives down prices an average 13% in the markets it enters. Wal-Mart's future projects include Wal-Mart vacations. Internet access. Flower delivery and online DVD rentals. Meanwhile, regulators have twice thwarted Wal-Mart's attempts to buy a bank! Wal-Mart's turnover is so rapid that 70% of its merchandise is rung up at the register before the company has paid for it. As it expands outward, it is also filling in the gaps. In areas that will not support a Supercenter, Wal-Mart is building Neighborhood Markets, or "Small-Marts" - food/drug combos with conveniences like self-checkout and drive-through pharmacies.
Fortune - Europe Edition, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Marks & Spencer aiming to get new products on the shelf faster
UK food retailer Marks & Spencer has launched a food innovation and database system, with the aim of getting new products onto shelves quicker.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Still drinks innovation
The privately-owned soft drinks producer Macaw has begun making ambient, preservative-free still soft drinks after an £11m investment in sterile-fill plant in a new factory at its site at Nelson, Lancashire. Macaw said the H2 range of drinks, made using flash pasteurisation, have a six-month shelf-life.
Food Manufacture, April 2003

Retail & Company News
Hibernia Foods to close UK facility
Hibernia Foods has said that it will close its ready meals and cake manufacturing facility in Bristol, UK, and relocate production to other locations.
Fodoproductiondaily.com
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news.asp?id=2552

Retail & Company News
Tesco posts 14.7% rise in full-year profit
UK supermarket company Tesco has posted a 14.7% increase in annual profit and said it was winning customers from weaker rivals even as its core UK market slows. The company, which enjoys a near 26% share of grocery spending in the UK, reported underlying pre-tax profit of £1.40bn (US$2.17bn) for the year to 22 February, compared to £1.22bn a year earlier.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=53747&dm=yes

Retail & Company News
Unilever considers toothpaste sell-off
Consumer products behemoth Unilever is considering the sale of its toothpaste brands, for up to £191 million. Brands that could be put up for sale include Mentadent, Pepsodent and Close-Up.
Ananova, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
New French soft drinks giant created
A new French soft drinks giant has been formed, uniting Orangina Pampryl, the French soft drinks leader, and Schweppes France. The company, Orangina Schweppes, is now part of the Cadbury Schweppes group and with volume sales of around 600 million litres, it has become the soft drinks (excluding colas) market leader in France with 40% of sales. Orangina Schweppes has a presence in all French market segments. For tonic waters, Schweppes' Canada Dry and Ricqlès has 78% of the market. In the fruit flavoured fizzy drinks segment Orangina is the No. 1 with 60% of the market in addition to the presence of Les Givrés and Gini. Oasis leads the still fruit drink market with 65% share. Pampryl is third in the ambient fruit juice segment. For children's festive drinks there is Champomy.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Price promotion overkill on yogurts
The level of price promotions in the yogurts and pot desserts market is undermining its message of health and taste, according to two brand leaders.
Both Nestlé Chilled Dairy's head of marketing, Linda Evans, and Yoplait marketing director Gerry Roads say an over-reliance on promotion to drive market growth is unhealthy for brands.
GroceryToday.co.uk
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=2&a=254583

Retail & Company News
V&S reports favourable results
The owners of Absolut, V&S, said that operating profit rose to SEK2 billion last year (£143 million) compared with SEK1.8 billion in 2001. Exports and acquisitions contributed to the bottom line. Group sales rose by 35% to reach SEK9 billion (£643 million), while Absolut sales went up to SEK5 billion (£537 million) despite unfavourable exchange rates. The net sales in Scandinavia rose from SEK142 billion to SEK1.5 billion.
Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Cott enjoys US soft drinks growth
Cott, the own label soft drinks producer, reports that its 1st quarter sales in the US grew by 21%, with the company now seeking acquisitions to bolster its presence in the market. Cott, which is the bottler for Wal-Mart's Sam's Choice Beverages, reported an 18% sales increase to C$295.3 million, from C$250 million. The company is now looking to grow sales away from supermarket and department stores and into convenience stores and forecourts.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Tesco strengthens UK market share
Latest grocery market data shows that Tesco has strengthened its lead as the biggest UK supermarket chain, raising its share 0.3% to 22.8% during the last year. Sainsbury's however suffered a 0.9% drop to 15.9%. Despite this, Sainsbury's remains in second place ahead of Asda, whose share of the market grew 0.4% to 13.9%.
Safeway, subject to a five-way bid battle, saw its market share fall 0.7% to 9%. Morrison remains in 5th place and grew its share 0.3% to 5.3%. Shoppers in the UK were also reported to have spent an estimated £52.9 billion on groceries - excluding non-food purchases - in the past year.
Ananova, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Tesco aims to grow convenience market in the UK
According to the Category Director Convenience Foods of Tesco, John Burry, the retailer is targeting the £20 billion convenience market as a key sector for UK growth. Mr Burry said Tesco has a 5% share of this market following its acquisition of 870 T&S stores. The company plans to convert 450 to its format at a rate of 150 pa. The original chain of Express stores is to be expanded from 108 to 250 stores - at a rate of 80 openings pa to give a total chain of 800 outlets by 2005. UK sales at Tesco increased by 7.9% to £23.4 billion in the year to 22 February, 2003, with like-for-like growth of 4.1%. It more than trebled non-food sales.
Checkout, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
7-Eleven profits
Global convenience giant, 7-Eleven has reported first quarter operating profits of $4.6 million, as margins on merchandise and petrol boosted revenues by 17% to $2.56 billion.
The Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Co-operative Society planning more acquisitions
The Co-operative Society is to continue with its acquisition strategy, in the wake of its Alldays takeover. After the £133 million purchase in October 2002, the Co-op became the UK's largest convenience stores owner, now operating some 1,200 c-stores, along with 500 supermarkets. According to Chief Executive Martin Beaumont, the Co-op is not in a rush to buy, but is prepared to wait for the next food retailing opportunity to come along, which could include leftovers from the bid battles for Safeway and Somerfield.
The news came as the Co-operative Society announced its financial results for 2002, with income at the mutually-owned company growing £2.4 billion to £7.8 billion. The food arm of the business increased its sales by 9% to £2.6 billion, with profits jumping 52% to £69.5 million. Store revamps, new advertising and its ethical stance have helped to boost the Co-operative Society's profits.
Ananova, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Blue Parrot Cafe range to get new products
The Blue Parrot Café children's food range from Sainsbury's is to be given 35 new lines from June 2003, including chicken lollies with 100% chicken breast and Saucy Fish Shapes.
Grocer, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Tea and coffee in cans
New from Hot Shot Beverages are tea, coffee and choco drinks in cans. The concept comes from Japan and includes White Coffee with Sugar, Black Coffee without sugar and Hot Choco. Drinks within the range can also be heated via a warming cabinet.
Grocer, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Asda and Spar to pre-empt Coca-Cola's vanilla launch
Coca-Cola has suffered a blow to its launch of Vanilla Coke following two retailers' decision to launch their own-brand vanilla cola in the all important two-litre bottles, two months before the soft drinks giant's own brand hits the shelves.
Industry News Alert, from mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=586aab22-c270-43e2-8f44-8d64086e3ae3

Products & Brands
Bacardi vodka launch accelerated (USA)
The US launch of TÜRI, an Estonian vodka imported by Bacardi USA, has been accelerated after early demand exceeded the company's expectations.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=19411&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Appletiser global re-launch
The worldwide re-launch of Appletiser, the soft drink brand, has been won by Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest. It is expected to be a high-profile push, with £5 million backing the South African Breweries/Coca-Cola Enterprises drink in the UK. Appletiser seeks to become a power brand within the adult soft drinks market, winning sales away from the likes of Aqua Libra, Schloer, Orangina and Snapple. June 2003 will see the release of a new TV and press advertising campaign.
Campaign, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Low-cal dessert launch from Müller
Müller is launching a new range of desserts called Fruit Halo. Fruit Halo is being launched under the Müllerlight brand and contains 125 calories per pot. Made with fromage frais and whipped fruit sauce, Fruit Halo comes in three flavours: vanilla and strawberry, peach and pineapple with passion fruit, and toffee with apple. The desserts come in twin packs retailing at 99p. Müller is spending £5.5m on marketing the Müllerlight range in 2003, with £1m earmarked specifically for Fruit Halo.
Food Industry News, March 2003

Products & Brands
Beer and chocolate, a sweet combination
Carlsberg has resurrected one of its Semper Ardens range of speciality beers in order to give it a more widespread distribution. Criollo Stout contains both chocolate and liquorice.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2018

Products & Brands
Most bottled waters are 'old-fashioned'
Mineral water supplier Ty Nant believes that most bottled water products in the UK are 'old-fashioned' and require a modern look. Aiming to promote a premium stance, Ty Nant is to launch TAU, aiming for a wine-style appearance, with minimalist black and white labelling. Available in 33cl and 75cl bottles, the still and sparkling water will go on sale in Harrods and Selfridges.
Off-Licence News, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Beer companies should target women and "grey" drinkers
A soon-to-be-published Interbrew report will claim that beer producers are missing out on two key groups of consumers, namely women and retired people. The brewer believes that women are turned off by strong male images used to promote beer. As women take the main decisions on what to buy for weekly family supermarket trips, alienating them is a bad move.
Off-Licence News, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Citrus flavoured bottle water
Strathmore is launching a Citrus flavoured still bottled water.
Off-Licence News, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
New healthy snack range from Sundora - Fruit Fantasy
A new dried fruit snack called Fruit Fantasy range has come from Sundora. The company aims at those wanting a healthy snack range with the pretence of confectionery for those who want a guilt-free treat. The dried fruit and nuts come in 125g packs which it is claimed are ideal for out-of-home consumption and can be eaten in one sitting. Flavours include: Apricots & Coconut, also including sultanas, cranberries and orange flavoured applies pieces; Almonds & Hazelnuts with coconut, apricots, raisins and cranberries; and Strawberries & Cranberries with apricots and raisins among other ingredients.
Multiple Buyer & Retailer, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Schweppes brand set for an overhaul
The Schweppes drinks brand from Coca-Cola Great Britain is set for a revamp, including the release of new flavours and more advertising support. It comes amid falling demand for Schweppes-branded products in the past year. A number of carbonated drinks are set to be added to the Schweppes line-up as part of the change.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brand
Juicing up malternatives (USA)
Orange-flavoured Bacardi O3 following the success of Bacardi Silver
Following on the heels of the success of its Bacardi Silver brand, Anheuser-Busch has launched Bacardi Silver O3, blending the natural flavours of three orange varieties: mandarin, Valencia and tangerine, providing a crisp, refreshing taste that is not too sweet.
BeverageWorld, March 2003

Products & Brands
Swedish cider takes on RTDs
Kopparbergs fruit ciders from Sweden are the latest products launched in the UK on the back of the growing consumer demand for premium packaged drinks..
With the British market for alcopops and ready-to-drink (RTD) spirits among the most vibrant in the world, it is not surprising that the UK is also seen as the prime market to launch products which can compete with RTDs but which offer drinkers an innovative alternative.
One such product has been launched in the UK by independent distributor BO Times 1. Kopparbergs premium flavoured ciders are made by the Swedish brewery of the same name, and are made with real fruits and natural spring water.
Four flavours will be available initially in the UK - pear, elderflower, strawberry and apple - and each 33cl bottle is 4.5 per cent abv.
Kopparbergs cider is sold in over half of all pubs, bars and restaurants in its native Sweden, as well as in 12 other countries, mainly in Europe but also North America and Thailand.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2056

Products & Brands
Wine with a twist (Germany)
A new wine-based flavoured alcohol beverage has been introduced by Racke, Germany in Lemon-Lime and Lemon-Ginger flavours.
BeverageWorld, March 2003

Products & Brands
Coke to launch mint-flavoured Sprite (Canada)
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=19490&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Jamaican juice or UK
The biggest selling juice-based drink in Jamaica is being introduced to the UK by Grace Kennedy (UK) Ltd. Tropical Rhythms is a range of five exotic fruit and vegetable drinks: Mango Carrot; Pineapple Ginger; Guava Carrot; Passion Carrot; Fruit Punch. Each has a minimum 25% fruit juice content, reaching 30% for the Fruit Punch, and 40% for the Pineapple Ginger.
Soft Drinks International, April 2003

Products & Brands
RTD goes over the edge
Diageo has axed Gordon's Edge less than a year after its £5m launch. The drinks giant blamed overcrowding in the RTD market for the brand's failure, adding that it was not distinctive enough to take on its rivals.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Grab a bigger share of the profits
Bacardi Breezer is launching a new 70cl bottle for three of it's brand-leading flavours. Orange, Pineapple and Watermelon represent 60% of Bacardi-Breezer off-trade sales, according to ACNielsen statistics, and will now be available in the new size. The launch is also being supported with part of the £12m advertising spend set aside for the brand.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Launch of McV a:m foodservice biscuit range
McVitie's is planning to hit the morning snacking market with the launch of a major new foodservice range called McV a:m. The launch covers five new products: cereal bars; fruit cereal bites; morning slices; muesli fingers; and breakfast muffin cakes.
Aiming to capitalise on the trend for eating breakfast on-the-go, McVitie's is referring to the range as "the biggest ever innovation to hit the biscuit market".
British Baker

Products & Brands
Fish oil-enriched bread is a first for Warburtons
Warburtons' recently launched Good Health Loaf for Women is said to be the first bread product in the UK to contain fatty acid Omega 3 DHA fish oils.
The bread does not taste of fish oil because each micro-capsule of oil is covered in a tasteless coating before the baking process.
British Baker

Products & Brands
'Allo to new healthy beverage
Mexican company Mexi Aloe Laboratories is launching its Aloe's Passion Drink in France this month. Combining the nutritional benefits of aloe vera and passion fruit juices, the drink claims to help both the immune and the digestive systems.
Manufactured by Mexi Aloe Laboratories in Mexico, the product is under licence from US-based Bionature. It is available in original or diet form, the latter being suitable for diabetics, and is described as a unique product with a very pleasant taste, created to comply with today's customers demand for a high quality, effective nutraceuticals drink.
The drink is made from organically grown aloe vera barbadensis juice - its main ingredient - and passion fruit juice. It combines a veritable plethora of natural products as it is rich in polysaccharides, amino acids and enzymes coming from aloe vera along with the benefits of potassium, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin A and C contained in the passion fruit.
Nutraingredients.com
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news.asp?id=6812

Products & Brands
Coca-Cola Romania's team is offering consumers a new, healthy choice of breakfast drink
Coca-Cola Romania's team is introducing a new, healthy choice of breakfast drink with tomato and orange varieties of Cappy Selectii. Both new varieties contain more than 99% natural juice. Cappy Selectii Orange is fruit juice made from concentrated orange with no added sugar, while Cappy Selectii Tomato contains concentrated tomato juice, with added salt, pepper, celery and onion.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Coca-Cola France launches a new product under the Fanta brand
Coca-Cola France in introducing Greenz, a new product under the Fanta brand. It is a fruit flavour carbonated drink mixing melon, lime, apple and ginseng.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
The Sparkling Milk Company is re-launching its carbonated milk drinks
The Sparkling Milk Company is re-launching its flagship carbonated milk drinks under the new name, Crazy Cow Sparkling Milk. Made with all natural ingredients, the drink is a fat- free effervescent beverage positioned as a healthy alternative to soda. Available in three flavours, Lemon-Vanilla Ice, Strawberry Chill and Orange-Creamsicle, Crazy Cow Sparkling Milk is currently the only two year shelf-stable carbonated milk drink.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Intercontinental Brands introduces Nutriwater, a nutrient and herb-enhanced water
Intercontinental Brands is launching Nutriwater, a nutrient and herb-enhanced water. It is available in two varieties: Protect - with a berry twist and stimulating herbs Pau d'Arco and Echinancea, vitamins C, B6 and B5 and minerals zinc, iron, copper and selenium; and Clarity - with a citrus twist and Siberian ginseng, gingko and vitamins C, B6, B12 and magnesium, iron and manganese.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Glaxo launches Lucozade water brand
GlaxoSmithKline, the UK-based consumer goods group, is extending its Lucozade Sport brand with the launch in May of Lucozade Sport Hydro Active, a flavoured water brand.
The company said that the introduction of Lucozade Sport Hydro Active is anticipated to provide annualised first year sales of £19.8m by meeting the hydration needs of 11.2 million UK sports participants.
Lucozade Sport Hydro Active is a still, lightly flavoured, "fitness water" specially formulated to provide effective hydration for exercise. It has a light fruit flavour. It also contains selected energy releasing B Vitamins, Vitamin E and also 23% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium. The product also contains fewer carbohydrates than Lucozade Sport and aims to appeal to athletes and sports participants seeking effective hydration for exercise. There are two variants in the 500ml range: Citrus Fruits and Summer Fruits.
The launch will be backed by a £5 million marketing package.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=19531&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Nestle Rowntree scrapping Rowntree's Fruitsome cereal bar
Less than 12 months after its launch, Nestlé Rowntree is scrapping the Rowntree's Fruitsome cereal bar, after failing to make an impression with consumers. Fruitsome, the company's first step into the cereal bar market, is a yogurt-covered fruit and cereal bar available in three varieties: red berry, citrus and tropical. The cereal bar market is growing at an estimated 20% a year - fuelled by consumer demand for healthy alternatives to traditional confectionery and biscuits.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Red Square Hot Shot 20% Vodka
Hot-on-the-heels of their energising Red Alert drink, and uplifting Red Square Reloaded, Halewood International is adding to its range with the launch of Red Square Hot Shot. Extra loaded caffeine and wolfberry with 20% vol. Red Square Vodka.
Food & Drink International, April 2003

Products & Brands
Demand for kosher wine still grows in the US
World-class kosher wines from worldwide sources has not only answered a market need for Orthodox Jews who consume only kosher wines year around but is also being used by non-practising Jews who drink exclusively kosher wine at Passover Seders in honour of Jewish tradition. Chateaux from Bordeaux, such as Chateau Le ovile Poyferre, Chateau Giscors and recently Chateau Pontet Canet are supplying the need. Champagne Laurent Perrier introduced a kosher brut and rosé around ten years ago.
Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
New refreshing cocktails from Hiram Walker
Frujá is the name of a new range of cocktails from Allied Domecq's division Hiram Walker. This brand extension includes the following: Frujá Raspberry, Frujá Mango and Frujá Tangerine. These refreshing cocktails are responding to a need for more innovation in the flavoured liqueur category. A company spokesperson has said that research among bartenders revealed that the trend was for a liqueur that was "fresh and fruity drink" and the thought of a drink that was "juicy and not candy sweet" was one with great consumer appeal.
Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
New vodka helps beat hangovers
A drinks manufacturer claims to have come up with a new brand of anti-hangover vodka. Bosses at the Vinprom AD firm in Bulgaria say their Shock vodka makes the morning after the night before a much more pleasant experience for drinkers.
The vodka contains a mix of C, B1, and B2 vitamins, honey, milk, and other bio-active elements that help speed up the body's absorption of alcohol and therefore reduce a hangover after drinking.
Ananova, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e68333619&e=6327

Products & Brands
Bacardi launches shot version of Breezer
Bacardi-Martini has entered the shot market with the on-trade launch of Bacardi Breezer Twist, a brand extension of the company's successful RTD brand.
Primarily targeted at 18-24 year olds and designed to be 'drunk in one', Bacardi Breezer Twist is available in three flavours - watermelon, lime and mango.
The shots market is currently one of the best performing and most profitable sectors in the on-trade. Worth £112 million, it is demonstrating a four per cent growth year on year.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=19570&dm=yes

Products & Brands
McCoy's launches Steak and John Smith's flavoured crisps
Beer-flavoured crisps may sound like a strange concept but it is about to become a reality with the launch of Steak and John Smith's flavoured crisps from McCoy's.
Thepublican.com
http://www.thepublican.com/item/9106/11/5d40B43/362

Products & Brands
Qibla, a new range of 'anti-Western' drinks
The Qibla-Cola Company aims to win sales away from US soft drink giants, through the launch of Qibla-Cola, Qibla-Fantasy and Qibla Water. Supported by several UK-based Muslim entrepreneurs, the soft drinks range will be promoted via a £2 million launch campaign, taking in satellite TV and radio advertising. The brand will call on consumers to 'Live your life your way, Liberate your taste'.
The Qibla-Cola brand is pledging to donate 10% of its profits to charitable causes. The producer believes that its drinks will be so popular, that plans are being drawn up for expansion into France, Germany, Scandinavia and the Middle East. Although seen as taking an anti-Western stance, Qibla denies this, instead just wanting consumers to consider how their wealth is being distributed.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Slim Shloer
Adult soft drink Shloer is going into 250ml slim cans.
The brand's two bestselling variants in the usual one-litre glass bottles - White Grape and Red Grape - will be the first to go into the new format.
Grocer.TodayAlerts
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=2&a=254747

Products & Brands
Complan nutritional drink for time-poor consumers
Complan, the range of hot and cold nutritional drinks, is to receive a £1 million revamp. Acquired from Heinz in 2002 by an investment vehicle run by Charles and Maurice Saatchi, Complan will target itself at time-poor consumers, with the drinks line-up including chicken, vegetable, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavours. Accompanying strap-line will be 'Complete nourishment when you need it'.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
The Man From Del Monte Says 'Yes' to Ice Cream
The UK ice cream market is set for a highly competitive summer this year with the news of several key launches having been announced in recent weeks. The most recent news is that Del Monte is launching into the market with new fruit sorbet stick lollies, set to compete with Wall's Solero brand.
Foodlineweb.com
http://www.foodlineweb.co.uk/foodweb/feature.asp?id=197&authorId=20&flag=-1

Products & Brands
Tropicana's new healthy drinks
Tropicana Pure Premium Fibre has joined Tropicana Calcium and Tropicana Multivitamins in a collective launch as the Tropicana Pure Premium Healthy range. Calcium and Multivitamins variants achieved £8.5 million since their launch four and three years ago respectively, thus following this, the company is forecasting sales for the total range to reach some £14 million.
Checkout, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Robby Bubble - children's party brand bottled drink comes to UK
Having sold 16 million bottles already in 25 countries worldwide, the new children's party brand - Robby Bubble - looks set to lift the UK market with its unique champagne-style 750ml bottle that has a safe screw "popping cork" style re-sealable cap. The drink comes in three flavours: Berry, Peach and Strawberry - each being a mixture of sparkling water and fruit juice.
Checkout, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Allergy-free chocolate bar from Kinnerton's Confectionery
Those that suffer from dairy, egg and nut allergies, chocolate produced in a factory has always been something they cannot eat due to possible cross-contamination. Thus, Kinnerton's Confectionery has a chocolate factory, producing an allergy-free chocolate bar, with a nut-free zone, giving Britain's allergy sufferers the possibility of enjoying year-round confectionery. It also produces a 100g nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free and gluten-free bar. The bar is ideal for cooking and eating. It is available in snack and catering sizes.
Checkout, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Mango addition
Unilever Bestfoods has added a new mango flavour to its successful Lipton Ice Tea range, with £6m being spent on the brand (TV and cinema ads) to attract 18 to 24-year-olds.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Frubes run to pouch
Yoplait Dairy Crest is aiming to widen the appeal of Petits Filous to older kids with the launch of Frubes Pouches - yogurt and fruit juice in a pouch format. The newcomer is in two flavours - Strike Out Strawberry and Home Run Raspberry.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Nun slips into something Slinky
Blue Nun is to break the habit of a lifetime - by bringing out a wine-based RTD bearing the famous brand's name. Slinky will be the first drink of its kind in the UK to be associated with a well-known wine.
The 5.5% abv drink is a blend of wine and citrus.
The Grocer

Ingredients & Innovation
Climate changes boost British produce
English strawberries and asparagus have hit supermarket shelves three weeks early because of a change in climate and new cultivation methods. A spokesman from Tesco said that its produce records are showing a trend toward earlier crops because of the climate change in Britain, which has boosted sales of British produce and cut back the need for imports. The fresh fruit and vegetable market is worth some £25 billion a year.
Daily Telegraph, on Headlines from Mintel

Ingredients & Innovation
Putting the sparkle into yogurt
According to an article in Dairy Industries International, carbonating yogurt products could open up a whole new market. It can increase shelf life and inhibit spoilage and pathogenic organisms. Importantly, it also makes the product fizzy, which can enhance the perceived flavour and sweetness of the product.
Dairy Industries International, April 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Reduced lemon crop
Lemon production forecasts from Argentina are pointing to a reduced crop this season. However, although production from the main growing area, Tucuman, is likely to be 20% to 30% down on last year, effects on exports are expected to be small.
The Grocer

Ingredients & Innovation
Rising cocoa prices prompting innovation among chocolate manufacturers
Spiralling cocoa prices are forcing chocolate manufacturers to take action. Some like Cadbury have announced retail price hikes, some have reduced product sizes, while others are tweaking recipes to reduce cocoa content. All are forced to gamble with consumer loyalty to protect profits.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/fd.asp?art=728

Ingredients & Innovation
Pears hit by cold weather
Pear production across Europe could have been hit by recent cold weather, growers fear. Reports suggest frost damage may have hit pear crops both in the UK and on the continent. Plums and cherries are also particularly vulnerable, like pears due to early blossoming. Burt apples so far appear to have escaped unharmed.
The Grocer

Industry Initiatives
BRC says it all
The British Retail Consortium has re-launched its protocol, the "BRC technical standard for companies supplying retailer branded food products: issue 3" as the more succinct "BRC Global Standard - Food." It said the new title reflected the wider use of the standards in the food industry.
The Grocer

Industry Initiatives
Innovate and invest, UK biscuit makers told
Innovation is the lifeblood of any business, and biscuit, cake and confectionery manufacturers in the UK are no exception.
Speaking at the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance's 50th Technology Conference in London, Digby Jones, director-general of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) called for greater support for companies to invest in new technologies.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=7393

Industry Initiatives
Mini biscuits pandering to diet-conscious consumers
Nestle Rowntree is entering the bite-sized sector with the launch of Kit Kat Kubes in the UK, the latest company to jump onto the bandwagon of bite-sized innovations at a time when consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about health and well-being, reports Datamonitor.
The market research group said that these bite-sized bars which take the guilt out of eating, allow brands to capitalise on those consumers who are struggling to act upon their well-to-do aspirations.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2026

Industry Initiatives
Drinks industry preparing for PET revolution?
PET packaging is already the most popular format for soft drinks and bottled water, but it is still a long way from replacing glass as the preferred packaging format for beer.
Although nearly two thirds of the world's beer continues to be distributed in refillable glass bottles, the real dynamism in the drinks packaging market as a whole is coming from PET, claims a new report from beverage analysts Canadean.
The report shows that non-refillable PET is now the most popular packaging material for all beverages worldwide, but it still has some way to go before it replaces glass as the packaging material of choice for brewers.
Driven by growth in the world's largest beer market - China - the proportion of beer packaged in glass has risen from around 61 per cent in 1998 to almost 63 per cent in 2002, said Canadean, with only a minuscule amount of the increase attributable to non-refillable. Both packaged water and carbonates also continue to use substantial volumes of glass, with refillable keeping the lead over non-refillable.
However, lightweight, resilient and affordable, non-refillable PET now accounts for more than one third of the global pack mix, having increased volume by 50 per cent between 1998 and 2002. The vast bulk of this growth - almost half - is accounted for by packaged water sales in the US, China, France, Spain, Indonesia and Italy.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2034

Industry Initiatives
Possible backlash over US Easter egg purchasing (USA)
Easter eggs may become victims of the obesity crackdown, with fears that manufacturers who push their products too much, urging us to over-indulge, may be hit with regulatory or even legal action. In 2003, nearly $2 billion (£1.2 billion) worth of Easter candy is set to be sold in the US, although food companies must be wary of how they market their products, with fears of a backlash against food companies or tighter regulation possibly coming into play. The companies with the most to fear are thought to be confectionery and soft drink producers. Fast food may have been the beginning of the obesity uprising, but chocolate, sugar bars and carbonated drinks may become the next targets.
Financial Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
A call to accountability
Food manufacturers need to boost supply chain traceability to satisfy the public's food safety concerns, says a TN Sofres survey. The research, for software provider Intentia, revealed 83% of consumers thought it essential for supermarkets to provide them with more detailed information, with 62% of consumers interviewed willing to pay for produce with a detailed history. The results also found the p[public more willing to complain about the quality of food, with 55% saying they would return food products if they were dissatisfied.
The Grocer

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