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

Life Loop Lands in the UK

Functional chewing gum brand life loop has a nationwide listing in 1,600 Tesco stores. The start-up brand only debuted in early 2026 but already has secured distribution of its blister packs which retail at £2.50 and come in four different variants. Chewing gum is something many of us reach for without thinking — on the way to work, between meetings, before the gym. Life loop saw an opportunity to make that habit work harder. Their patented gum technology protects the ingredients inside each piece till you chew and this also allows the functional benefit to be absorbed into the body and begin working in just 5-10 minutes compared to a typical functional drink such as coffee or energy drinks which takes 35-40 minutes. To support the launch they are going to give away 10,000 samples at London Victoria station as part of a promotional event on 7th May.

BBQ - Is there a gap in the market for this product?

Life Loop

KFC Pickle Menu

The nation has gone pickle-mad, and KFC is officially giving them their moment to shine. From 23rd March, KFC is launching a full-on Pickle takeover across restaurants nationwide – dialling up the tang, the crunch and the briny goodness for four weeks only. This is not a polite little gherkin on the side.It’s pickles in their main-character era, paired with KFC’s iconic fried chicken – a match made in heaven. Straight from your For You Page to your cup, the Pickle Pepsi Max taps into the viral pickle-drink obsession. Served with a side of pickle juice, you can mix in as much as you like for a fizzy, customisable mash-up. Big on crunch, tang and full-on flavour, the takeover is all about giving pickle fans exactly what they’ve been craving. And the timing couldn’t be better. The UK is currently in the grip of full-size pickle-mania. On TikTok, #pickles has racked up billions of views, fuelling viral taste tests, fried-pickle hacks, pickle juice shots and chaotic kitchen experiments. 

BBQ - Will this viral pickle menu be a success for KFC or a gimmick?

KFC Pickle

Poppeggs!

Valeo Foods UK has announced the launch of Poppeggs, a new seasonal chocolate product under its Poppets brand, arriving in stores for Easter 2026. Poppeggs were designed to meet growing shopper demand for affordable, smaller-format seasonal treats, suitable for multiple occasions including snacking, sharing and gifting. The product’s straightforward format and familiar taste profile make it an easy, low-risk addition to the Easter aisle. Available in an 80g bag (£1.50 RRP), Poppeggs sit firmly within the mainstream Easter chocolate price bracket, offering strong value compared with similar solid chocolate products. The format supports impulse purchase as well as family sharing, helping retailers maximise basket spend across the seasonal period. The launch reflects continued growth in shareable and value-led seasonal confectionery, particularly as shoppers remain price-conscious. Marketing support will focus on in-store visibility, seasonal aisle activation and retailer digital channels, supported by light social activity to drive awareness and footfall. 

BBQ - With a price almost one third cheaper than Cadburys will people switch brand?

Poppets

Poppi To Debut in UK

A new soft drink is about to land in the UK — and it’s already caused a storm across the Atlantic. Poppi, the prebiotic, low‑sugar soda that’s gone viral in the US, will be hitting Tesco and Pret from early March. PepsiCo snapped up the brand last year, and it’s clear they see Poppi as more than just another fizzy drink. With its bold cans, fruity flavours, and gut‑health message, Poppi has built a reputation as the drink for the social‑media generation. Now it’s crossing the pond with five flavours: Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Orange, Lemon Lime and Wild Berry. What’s interesting from a business perspective is how Poppi fits perfectly into the UK trend for functional beverages. Consumers aren’t just looking for “less sugar” anymore — they’re after drinks that claim added benefits, whether that’s energy, immunity, or now gut health. And retailers love a product that looks good on shelves and taps into a growing market. Poppi’s launch also signals a strategic shift for PepsiCo. Rather than trying to reinvent older brands, they’re investing in new ones that already have cultural momentum. If Poppi performs like it did in the States, we could soon see the big UK players reacting quickly, especially in the premium soft drink category. It’s always fascinating to see how quickly the soft drinks market evolves. One big launch can set the tone for the year ahead — and Poppi might just be the brand to watch in 2026. In terms of pricing, Poppi will sell in 330ml cans, both individually and in four‑packs. Recommended pricing sits at £2.59 per can and £7.79 for multipacks, putting Poppi firmly in the premium soft drinks bracket.

BBQ - With its premium pricing and gut‑health positioning, do you think Poppi will become a UK staple — or will it remain a niche American import?

Poppi

Candy Kitten Launches Smittens

Candy Kittens is making its plant-powered treats more accessible with the exclusive Tesco launch of Smittens, a new "lifestyle" range designed to offer a lower price point without compromising on quality. Retailing at approximately £1.60 per bag—a significant drop from their flagship gourmet line—Smittens features three vibrant flavor edits: Strawberry, Blueberry, and Sour. By maintaining the brand’s commitment to being 100% vegan and palm oil-free while positioning the product for the everyday "on-the-go" shopper, Candy Kittens is effectively bridging the gap between premium confectionery and mainstream affordability. The launch of Smittens represents a major strategic pivot for Candy Kittens as it seeks to transform from a niche "gourmet" player into a high-volume supermarket powerhouse. This move into the mass-market "lifestyle" category is underpinned by the brand's recent acquisition of Graze from Unilever, a deal that has increased the company's overall footprint by 300% and signals their ambition to become the "Unilever of challenger brands." Despite a recent dip in short-term profits due to the high costs of expanding grocery distribution, the Smittens launch leverages the brand's B Corp status and plant-powered credentials to meet the rising consumer demand for ethical, affordable treats, positioning Candy Kittens for a significant revenue surge as they scale across the UK.

BBQ - Do you think this move by Candy Kittens will be a success?

Smittens

Heinz Beanz Ready Mealz

 

Heinz has re-entered the ready-meal market with an innovative new range of 90-second microwaveable pouches focused on beans and pulses. Responding to the growing demand for convenient, healthy, and plant-based options, the new line features three globally-inspired flavours: Chilli Black Beanz, Curry Chickpeaz, and Tomato Cannellini Beanz. These new meals are designed to be a quick, nutritious choice, providing a good source of protein and fibre while containing no artificial flavours. The pouches are available in Sainsbury's and Ocado (£2.50), offering a modern, flavour-packed solution for busy consumers.The new line is a strategic move, responding to a growing demand for quick, healthy, and convenient meal options. With more and more people looking to reduce their meat intake, boost protein and fibre, and explore global flavours, Heinz is right on trend.

BBQ - How will market research have helped Heinz decide upon this new strategy?

Heinz Beanz

Pink Digestives

Pladis is introducing a new limited-edition flavour to its McVitie’s Digestives range: Raspberry & Cream Pink Digestives. The product features golden-baked Digestive biscuits topped with a raspberry and cream-flavoured coating. It forms part of McVitie’s ongoing centenary celebrations for its Chocolate Digestives brand. Benazir Barlet-Batada, marketing director for Pladis UK&I, said: “As we continue to celebrate 100 years of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives, we wanted to mark the next chapter in our history by reinventing the nation’s favourite". “We know consumers are currently enjoying nostalgic flavours across a wide range of food and drink products, and that nostalgia in food isn’t just about recreating the past, it’s about rediscovering it in a way that feels new and exciting. Meanwhile pink is also still trending as a popular colour across food and drink." “Our new Pink Digestives are fun, fresh and packed with fruity flavour, designed to delight loyal Digestives fans and foodies alike.” The new flavour will be available in Sainsbury’s from 16 June, with a broader rollout to other major retailers, convenience stores and wholesalers planned for July.

BBQ - Do you think this new flavour will be popular with customers? What flavour would you like to see?

Pink Digestives 

Shades Sweet Release

YouTuber Niko Omilana has launched a confectionery brand positioned to appeal to “the next generation of sweet lovers”. Called Shades, the brand will debut with three vegan and halal-certified variants (rsp: £1.70/150g): Straight Up Strawberry, Tropical Blast and The Originals. All packs feature gummies in the shape of sunglasses, in a nod to Omilana’s 2021 high-profile campaign to run for London mayor, during which he wore a pair of children’s sunglasses. The sweets will hit supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide on 21 May, rolling into Sainsbury’s, Co-op, WH Smith Travel and Booker. Omilana teased the launch in a three-minute video posted across his and Shades’ social media channels on Friday, in which he vowed to take down a bear called ‘Harry Bowe’, who didn’t make sweets suitable for him. By the time of writing, the video had been watched 969k times on YouTube alone. Shades is the latest project from Tuckshop London, an investment fund which supports creator-fronted fmcg brands. Tuckshop London was founded by Candy Kittens co-founders Jamie Laing and Ed Williams, along with Katjes managing shareholder Bastian Fassin, in 2021.

BBQ - Is there a gap in the market for this product? Can social media backed brands become long term successes or are they only ever short term?

Shades

Fish & Chip Sauce?

Heinz has unveiled its latest condiment, which the company is calling a revamp of the traditional tartare sauce. The food manufacturer is encouraging consumers to view the new sauce, named Fish & Chips Sauce, as "Tartare 2.0". The packaging lists the contents as "Tartare Sauce" and details ingredients such as gherkins, dill, salt, parsley, and mustard. Tartare sauce is typically composed of mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, capers, and herbs like tarragon and dill and is a classic addition to seafood dishes like fish and chips. Heinz described its new product as a “fresh and herby condiment” which was “poised to become Britain’s new go-to pairing for fish dinners – and, of course, the nation’s beloved dish, fish & chips”. It went on: “If tartare is the OG fish condiment, then think of Heinz Fish & Chips sauce as Tartare 2.0 – 2025’s hot new upgrade… Love tartare? You’ll be obsessed. Never tried it? Consider this your tasty gateway to next-level fish & chips.” Heinz Fish & Chips Sauce has a recommended retail price of £3.39 and is available from Tesco. Heinz said its own research suggested that Britons were eating more fish – up almost 5% year on year – with 37% of these occasions being fish and chip meals. It found 81% of Britons used various sauces with the dish, with 66% using ketchup, 50% mayonnaise and 45% Tartare sauce. Some 90% of 18 to 34-year-olds expressed an interest in a “brand new” sauce for fish, the brand said. Thiago Rapp, director of ‘taste elevation’ at Heinz, said: “At Heinz, we’re always exploring bold and exciting flavours, inspired by the latest food trends and what people across the nation are really craving.

BBQ - Do you think this will become a star product for Heinz?

Fish & Chip Sauce

Party Rings New Biscuit Shape

 

Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC) has unveiled a new addition to the Party Rings range, introducing a new shape for the first time in the brand’s 42-year history. The new Under The Sea Minis will offer the same iced shortcake taste of a Party Ring in fish shapes. They will be available in packs of six for £1.50 and are launching exclusively in supermarket giant Asda on 24 April for 12 weeks. The new format looks to attract the family shopper and boost basket spend, and follows strong performance of the manufacturer’s Mini Party Rings range which is now worth £13.5m, according to NIQ and Kantar data. The launch also marks the first in a pipeline of shaped biscuit innovation for the brand. FBC head of category insight Robin Norton said: “Under the Sea Minis is an exciting milestone for the Party Rings brand. It may be the first time we’re changing the format of the biscuits, but they come with the famous flavour and fun of traditional Party Rings. “In initial testing, the products performed incredibly well with consumers, outperforming industry standards by 24%, so we’re confident they will be a hit when they land on shelves later this month.” The innovation comes as the manufacturer recently launched a brand-new look and feel for the range, alongside a new limited-edition Strawberry flavour.

BBQ: What segment of the market is this product positioning itself for?

Party Rings New Shape

Fanta Launches New Flavours

Fanta is boosting its zero-sugar offerings with the addition of three exciting new fruity flavours: Apple, Raspberry, and a limited-edition Tutti Frutti. This new product development (NPD) aims to help retailers broaden their customer base and capitalize on the 2.5 million shoppers who regularly purchase Fanta flavours, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). Apple and Raspberry will be available from February 24th in various formats, including 330ml cans, multipacks, and 500ml and 2L rPET bottles. The limited-edition Tutti Frutti, a vibrant mix of peach, pineapple, and banana, will launch mid-March in a sleek 250ml can. All three flavours will be supported by a multi-million pound marketing campaign encompassing influencer partnerships, out-of-home advertising, social media activity, and experiential events. CCEP's VP of Commercial Development, Rob Yeomans, highlighted the new Apple and Raspberry options as catering to consumer demand for those specific flavours, while describing the Tutti Frutti as a "carnival in a can" with a nostalgic flavour profile. These new additions come as Fanta seeks to revitalize sales after a £1.9m decline last year, according to The Grocer's Top Products survey.

BBQ - Analyze how the launch of these new Fanta Zero flavours, supported by a multi-million pound marketing campaign, could impact Fanta's market share and brand image, considering the reported sales decline of £1.9m last year.

Fanta

 

Rise and Heinz

 

Heinz has recently launched an exciting new breakfast range in partnership with Lean Kitchen Network (LKN), available at over 80 WHSmith stores across the UK. This innovative range includes the All Day Brekkie Wrap, All Day Brekkie Sub, and Egg & Bacon Brekkie Wrap, all featuring Heinz's classic tomato ketchup. The All Day Brekkie Wrap and Sub both contain sweet cured bacon, sausage, and egg, wrapped in a tomato-flavored tortilla. Designed for busy commuters, these on-the-go meals offer a convenient and tasty option for breakfast lovers. This launch is a great example of strategic partnerships and market expansion. By collaborating with WHSmith, Heinz is tapping into a new retail channel, enhancing its brand presence, and meeting the needs of consumers looking for quick, quality meals. This move also demonstrates effective product diversification and the importance of adapting to changing consumer lifestyle

BBQ: How does Heinz's new breakfast range launch illustrate the benefits of strategic partnerships and market expansion?

Heinz Breakfast

Fart Blaster Tops Toy List

This holiday season, the “Fart Blaster” toy has captured the top spot on children’s Christmas wishlists, with experts forecasting record sales. Despite the economic challenges many families face, the toy market is poised for significant growth, driven by the high demand for this quirky and entertaining product. Retailers are optimistic about the upcoming holiday season, anticipating strong sales as parents prioritize spending on toys to bring joy to their children. According to the article, the toy industry is expected to see a 10% increase in sales compared to last year, highlighting the resilience of the market and the enduring appeal of fun, innovative products. As families gear up for the festive season, the “Fart Blaster” is set to be a standout hit, showcasing the power of playful and humorous toys in brightening up the holiday.

BBQ: How might the popularity of the “Fart Blaster” toy and the predicted record sales impact the toy industry’s market dynamics and retail strategies during the holiday season? 

Top Toys

McVitie's Gold

McVitie’s has brought together two of its biscuit brands to capitalise on the blonde chocolate trend. It has unveiled limited-edition Gold Digestives, which are classic digestive biscuits half-coated with golden caramel. They will hit Sainsbury’s shelves on 7 July (rsp: £1.89/232g), rolling out more widely later in the month. A £1.99 price-marked pack will be available to independent retailers. According to McVitie’s, the NPD aimed to build on the success of Gold’s debut brand extension, Gold Billions Wafer, which hit shelves last year. “McVitie’s Gold Digestives have been created with the latest flavour trends in mind to unlock another golden sales opportunity for retailers,” said McVitie’s marketing director James King. Golden chocolate was only continuing to “grow in popularity”, said King. “So, who better to bring this to biscuits than the nation’s number one?” “Even better is that an overwhelming 96% of 18-35-year-olds have already expressed intent to purchase McVitie’s Gold Digestives, clearly signalling the opportunity for retailers,” King added [Kantar concept test September 2023].

McVities Gold