This week’s FMCG product innovations include a fresh twist on a well known coffee range and the launch of a premix drink for consumers stuck at home in lockdown. Here’s the top product news this week.
Carlton & United Breweries launches hard seltzer
Liquor giant Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) has launched its first white spirit premix since it brewed the iconic Sub Zero 25 years ago. The new Actual Vodka Seltzer is its first ever hard seltzer beverage. The low calorie ready-to-drink vodka is made with 100% natural ingredients, making it a vegan friendly drink.
The seltzer comes in two flavours, pure and lime. Pure has no sugar and has 65 calories, while lime is low in sugar and contains 69 calories.
“The hard seltzer market grew from nothing to become a multi-billion-dollar business in just five years in the United States. This is the next big thing here in Australia, and that’s why Carlton & United Breweries created Actual,” Actual senior marketing manager Marc Lord said.
“Consumers now want simple, no-nonsense alcoholic drinks and that’s what Actual is. Standing in front of the RTD and craft beer fridges with thousands of flavours it’s hard to make a choice, so we’ve made it simple.”
CUB worked with cultural experts Virtue on joint research, which found that younger consumers are becoming more health conscious and want more transparency in what they drink.
“The results of the research led us to do something different, clearly calling out the ingredients on the front of the can and a commitment to being transparent in anything we do as a brand. Actual will be enjoyed with friends at parties, festivals and out in the Aussie sun – once we’re all clear to go out together again. In the meantime, this is the perfect drink to enjoy in the backyard at home as an aperitif.”
Nespresso turns to dessert-inspired coffee
Coffee brand Nespresso has rolled out a range of flavoured coffees inspired by desserts. The new Barista Creations range features Vanilla Éclair, Caramel Crème Brulée and the rich Cocoa Truffle. While the Vertuo line, includes Vanilla Custard Pie, Caramel Cookie and Hazelino Muffin.
“We know Australians love milk with their coffee – with 82 per cent of consumers adding milk to their coffee to create their favourite drink,” Nespresso coffee ambassador, Mitch Monaghan said.
“With flavours including Caramel Crème Brulée and Caramel Cookie, the new Barista Creations blends are just like a decadent dessert – smooth, bold and indulgent. The new flavours are irresistible for taking a sweet moment, whether it be in the morning or afternoon.”
The new range is available online.
Dairy Farmers releases A2 Goodness Chocolate Milk
Dairy Farmers has rolled out a new flavoured milk using A2 protein milk. The A2 Goodness Chocolate Flavoured Milk has 25 per cent less sugar than a regular chocolate milk drink.
“Our vision is to deliver sustainable, enjoyable nutrition to help people live well, and to offer consumers a wide range of delicious and nutritious products to suit their tastes,” Lion Dairy & Drinks marketing and innovation director Darryn Wallace said.
“Dairy Farmers A2 Goodness Chocolate Flavoured milk comes from the goodness of free roaming, pasture-raised, Australian cows. We know how popular A2 protein milk is, so it’s a natural fit for our iconic Dairy Farmers brand to offer consumers greater choice, starting with our Australian-first fresh A2 chocolate flavoured milk.”
Dairy Farmers A2 Goodness Chocolate Milk is available now at Coles Supermarkets across VIC, NSW and ACT, and other leading retailers in 300ml and 1.5L pack sizes.
Nexba expands into liquor stores
Drinks company Nexba has expanded its product range into liquor stores including Local Liquor, Liquor & Co, Local Liquor & Foodworks, Liquor Boss and Supabarn stores nationwide. It will well its sugar and artificial free Kombucha beverages at 200 Independent Liquor Retailers (ILR).
“We’re super excited to see our Wholesome Serves liquor strategy come to life through this partnership with ILR. We know that Australian’s are drinking less and when they do reach for a cheeky tipple, they’re more considered about the alcohol they consume, and crucially what they consume it with,” said Nexba co-founder and co-CEO Drew Bilbe.
The ILR and Nexba deal comes off the back of the brand’s move into the liquor space with its ‘100% Delicious Drinks’ deal with alcohol giant, Diageo. The campaign encouraged shoppers to mix their favourite spirits with naturally sugar free Kombucha & Tonic water “to prove health doesn’t have to compromise taste”.
“We’ve seen the huge transformation of the soft drink category over the past decade and we’re excited to see where the future takes us in the alcohol space. What’s undeniable is that consumers are increasingly looking to discover unique experiences and will continue to demand more from everything they consume when it comes to both health and flavour,” he said.
Nexba products are also stocked in Coles, Woolworths, 7-Eleven, Amazon and more.
Blue Dinosaur rebrands with more sustainable approach
Snack brand Blue Dinosaur has rolled out a new logo and packaging, as part of a rebrand with Sydney design agency Frost. The rebrand is focused on being more sustainable, with boxes now consisting of at least 80 per cent recycled cardboard and the inner cartons printed using soy-based inks. Its wrappers can be recycled with other soft plastics.
The Blue Dinosaur logo has also been adapted to make it more appealing to a broader audience.
“In May 2020, we will be introducing a new logo, new wrappers, and new boxes for our bars. Our logo is still going to be a great big blue dinosaur, but we’ve decided to release our mascot of his monstrous biceps and hyper-masculinity, creating a new dinosaur who is more simple, more calm, and who portrays our desire to support every driven individual who values quality food. Our packaging will be brighter, bolder, and more vibrant than ever before,” the company said in a statement.
