It’s Valentine’s Day and the final day of another work week. It’s time to look back on what happened this week in the FMCG sector.
Ketchup meets chocolate in latest Heinz collaboration
Ketchup brand Heinz UK collaborated with London confectionery store Fortnum and Mason on a unique box of truffles for Valentine’s Day. The limited edition gift box contains milk, white and dark shelled truffles, filled with a blonde chocolate ganache and Heinz Tomato Ketchup. The product caused such a frenzy that it sold out before the big day.
Coles’ Stikeez collectibles made a comeback this week. The supermarket released a fully recyclable range, after the backlash it received in the previous run over excess plastic. The campaign is designed to encourage healthy eating in kids and includes a program to help promote a balanced diet. All Coles supermarkets offer recycling points which will allow the items to be repurposed into other products such as anti-fatigue mats, which can be used in stores.
Coronavirus impacts Blackmores
Vitamin maker Blackmores has felt the impact of the coronavirus outbreak as it slashed its full-year profit guidance on Wednesday. The company downgraded expectations due to “adverse costs in addition to challenges associated with coronavirus”. Full-year net profit is now expected to be between A$17 million and A$21 million. The coronavirus outbreak is expected to cause problems in its China segment for at least two to three months.
Ritchies IGA unveiled $5m store revamp
Grocery store Ritchies IGA celebrated its 150th anniversary with the A$5 million revamp of its store in Mosman, Sydney. The store offers high-end products from start-up suppliers in the community. It sells everything from freshly baked artisan breads and organic fruit and vegetables to gourmet condiments and bottles of A$78 truffle oil. It plans to roll out similar stores this year.
Cadbury, Kellogg’s revised palm oil policies
Confectionery giant Mondelēz International is transitioning to segregated palm oil for all of its Australian made products. ‘Segregated’ palm oil means that it’s kept separate from ordinary palm oil throughout the supply chain and is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Kellogg’s was also praised for its new policy on deforestation and palm oil.
That’s it for this week. We’ll be back on Monday morning!
