Switzerland: Sidel launches “innovative” PET beer bottle
Sidel, a Swiss company specialising in PET packing, is looking to shake up alcoholic drinks packaging with the world’s first-ever PET beer bottle that utilizes a ‘champagne’ base more traditionally found on glass beer bottles The bottle, which supports a crown cap, gives the appearance of glass, but with the advantages of PET. It weighs […]
France: Remy Cointreau sales suffer from decline in cognac
Remy Cointreau, the French maker of luxury cognacs and other alcoholic drinks, has revealed a drop in organic growth of 5.7% for the first quarter of 2014, impacted by falling sales of its core cognac products. The group noted that it was continuing its destocking process in China, where it has been hurt by falling […]
Industry Insight: Andre Jacques, Unicer
Gama spoke to Andre Jacques, Global Innovation & Marketing Services Director, Unicer. What are your day to day activities as Global Innovation & Marketing Services Director? This is a new position, bringing together five different areas: Insights, Category Development, Innovation (project and process management as well as R&D), Interactive Marketing and finally retailer Loyalty Programmes. […]
UK: Quintessential Brands acquires Marblehead
Quintessential Brands reports that is has acquired Marblehead, the brand development and distribution company. Both companies had been operating in partnership since 2013. Ypioca Cachaca, Don Papa Rum and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur are among brands recently added to the Marblehead portfolio. Marblehead also distributes the Quintessential gin brands Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin and […]
Brazil: World Cup expected to generate almost R$ 2 billion in food and drink sales
The FIFA World Cup in Brazil is expected to generate revenues of R$ 1.8 billion ($810 million) in retail food and drink sales, according to figures from the Sao Paulo Supermarket Association (APAS). Quoting APAS, Giro News reports that the categories seeing the biggest lift over the four weeks of the competition have been beer, […]
India: Pernod Ricard to launch Absolut limited edition
Pernod Ricard has unveiled plans to launch its first limited edition Absolut vodka in India, the Economic Times reports. The new product will not only be the first time that Pernod Ricard has released a limited edition in the country but will also have a specifically Indian theme. Working in partnership with Talenthouse India, the […]
Belgium: 0% alcohol Jupiler Force to be axed after poor sales
Belgian brewer AB InBev is axing its alcohol-free Jupiler Force brand after poor sales results, Levensmiddelenkrant reports. Launched in 2011, the product was an extension to the male-oriented Jupiler brand line but did not prove popular with consumers, despite alcohol-free beers being on the rise overall. Quoting the Belgian magazine Trends, Levensmiddelenkrant reports that the […]
Innovation Insight: Coco Vodka
This week Gama explores a new product called Coco Vodka, a flavoured alcoholic beverage (FAB), that illustrates the continuing prominence of coconut water in product innovation. Launched in 2014 in Australia, Coco Vodka is a premixed spirit drink blending triple-distilled vodka and “the fresh water from young coconuts”. Available in an original version as well […]
UK: Molson Coors launches Carling Fruit Coolers nationwide
Molson Coors, owner of the Carling brand, is developing its presence in the flavoured alcoholic drinks with the nationwide UK launch of Carling Fruit Coolers. The new drink, available in Lemon and Grapefruit flavours, is described as a light and refreshing choice, made with a blend of real fruit juice and Carling lager. Sold in […]
Brazil: Hijos de Rivera begins first production of Estrella Galicia outside Spain
Hijos de Rivera has commenced production of Estrella Galicia at its first facility outside of Spain, as it looks to develop its business in the South American market. After 108 years of production taking place solely at its site in La Coruna, Spain, the brewer has now released its first batch brewed and bottled wholly […]