World Cup Crisps

 

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Walkers, Doritos and Wotsits are set to launch a major on-pack promotion, alongside football legend-themed Walkers packaging and new flavours. Selected promotional packs of Walkers, Doritos and Wotsits will feature a QR code giving shoppers the chance to win instant prizes. These include FIFA World Cup 2026 merchandise, home viewing bundles and food delivery vouchers, as well as entry into a high-value grand prize draw of 2 x £10,000 (or € equivalent). To further celebrate the partnership, a line-up of new, globally inspired flavours is launching across Walkers, Doritos and Wotsits. The range includes three new, limited-edition Walkers flavours: Walkers English Bangers & Mash, Walkers Wavy Spanish Queso and Walkers Max Portuguese Chorizo & Onion. A new Doritos flavour – Mexican Beef Taco – will also be unveiled, which will remain as a permanent addition to the Doritos range following the tournament. Also, Wotsits Golden Balls will launch a limited-edition, Smokin’ Cheese flavour snack.

BBQ - Do these promotions help drive your interest in trying and buying more products?

World Cup Crisps

The Royal Pop Frenzy

The launch of an exclusive pocket watch has sparked a frenzy that forced stores worldwide to close and in some cases saw police officers and security deal with huge unruly crowds. The Royal Pop watch collection, a highly anticipated collaboration between Swatch and luxury brand Audemars Piguet (AP), went on sale on Saturday in selected stores around the world. Similar to past sales of its kind, some people queued for days to get their hands on one of the eight models. But the ferocity of interest in the product, both online and on the high street, has split opinions about responsible marketing and whether the watches are even worth it. Better known for its colourful watches from the 1980s, AP Swatch has described the Royal Pop collection as "a disruptive collaboration between two icons of Swiss watchmaking". While original sales of the collection were exclusively in selected stores - with people only able to buy one £335 (€385; $448) watch per person - they have been driven by an online campaign that has lasted months. The company has been criticised by some people, who say the watches should be available on its website and police resources had been unnecessarily diverted. While there have been reports of Royal Pop watches being resold for huge sums online, the UK watch business magazine WatchPro cautioned that some of these were fake.

BBQ - Is this unethical marketing from Swatch to drive so much hype?

Royal Pop

Tango Redesign

Tango GenZ has been reintroduced with a bold and disruptive redesign aimed specifically at appealing to a younger, Gen Z audience. The refreshed packaging features vibrant, high‑contrast colours, expressive typography, and playful visual elements that reflect individuality, creativity, and self‑expression—qualities that strongly resonate with this demographic. This modernised look helps Tango stand out on crowded shelves and aligns with wider Gen Z preferences for brands that feel energetic, authentic, and socially relevant. Alongside the new visual identity, the GenZ range reinforces Tango’s established irreverent tone, while using contemporary design to reposition the brand as fresh and exciting. The bold redesign supports Tango’s broader marketing strategy by increasing brand recognition, stimulating impulse purchases, and strengthening its connection with younger consumers in an increasingly competitive soft drinks market.

BBQ - Is this a good extension strategy by Tango to increase sales?

Tango Redesign

Starbucks Shake Up

Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, has announced plans to simplify the company’s “overly complex menu” and review its pricing strategy in an effort to win back customers and boost declining sales. The coffee chain has faced several challenges, including rising costs of living, particularly in China, and operational issues such as staff shortages and customer bottlenecks. Niccol, who previously led Chipotle, aims to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience by refining mobile order and pay systems. Additionally, Starbucks is grappling with social media backlash and boycott campaigns related to the Israel-Gaza conflict and union disputes in the US. These controversies have added to the company’s difficulties, contributing to a 7% decline in global sales between July and September, with a more significant 14% drop in China. To address these issues, Niccol plans to focus on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, hoping to stabilize and eventually grow the company’s market position. The strategy includes simplifying the menu to reduce wait times and improve service quality, as well as adjusting prices to better align with customer expectations and economic conditions.

BBQ: How might simplifying its menu and adjusting pricing help Starbucks address its declining sales and operational challenges?

Starbucks Shake Up