Welcome to the June Grocery Trader. Britannia may no longer rule the waves – but she certainly likes surfing them when it comes to new food and FMCG products, technology and entertainment.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE - June 2015

 

FrontIn new research from Mintel’s flagship British Lifestyles report, the “vast majority” of consumers surveyed said they were benefitting from the international influences on Britain. The just published British Lifestyles finds that three quarters (74%) of UK consumers claim to have felt at least one benefit of globalisation personally, with over half (53%) feeling three or more benefits.

In Mintel’s words, Britain now stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation spurred on by globalised markets, which “can be an uncomfortable place for some established domestic businesses.” But numerous benefits in the form of lower prices and increased product variety, to name a few, appear to outweigh the short-term pain in the eyes of the consumer.”

Topping the list of the benefits of globalisation is technology, with over half (55%) of Brits agreeing that access to cheaper technology products benefits Britain as a country and 51% saying it benefits them personally. Many “also appreciate the availability of both British and foreign brands in shops and a greater variety of ethnic food and drink on supermarket shelves.”

Compared to some more high profile American imports, maple water has arrived here relatively quietly. As reported on our front cover, this June DRINKmaple, the UK’s leading Maple Water brand, is launching new look packaging, along with two new formats to meet retailer demand. The launches follow a successful early listing in Harvey Nichols, and since then the brand has continued to go from strength to strength with deeper distribution confirmed in Selfridges, Harrods, Partridges, Whole Foods and Planet Organic. For the uninitiated Maple Water is the sap that comes straight from the maple trees in North America. 100% natural with nothing added, it’s the only organic product of this kind, tapped straight from the tree each April.

The new packaging, which introduces colour into the clean design, has been created to give the brand a more striking on shelf presence. The two new formats bring greater consumer choice, with the 943ml offering consumers the chance to use it as a household ingredient and the 355ml re-sealable bottle aimed at those people drinking it on the go. The 943ml will launch with Ocado in July. Maple Water has seen real success in the US market. Retailer and consumer interest in the brand to date shows a real appetite for natural, healthy alternatives in the drinks market.

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