September 1, 2023
Asahi
New Look And New Taste For Asahi Super Dry
Asahi has a new look for its Asahi Super Dry product. There’s also, for the first time since its 1987 launch, a change in taste. The new design seeks to evince the modern Japan, blending innovation and traditional craftsmanship, using two silvers: a metallic silver and an oxidized matte silver. Asahi also announced four new football club partnerships for Asahi Super Dry: Manchester City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F. Marinos and Sichuan Jiuniu, and it will be an official sponsor for the 2023 Rugby World Cup 2023
Brands
Brazil’s Extra Power Joins The Britvic Portfolio
With the acquisition of the Extra Power energy drink brand in Brazil, Britvic aims to extend its position in Brazil. Extra Power has a 42 percent share of the energy category in core regions near its home in Brasilia, and its modern warehouse in the city will reinforce Britvic’s supply chain in the country’s Centre-West region. Britvic has been in Brazil since 2015, when it acquired Ebba. It added Bela Ischia in 2017. The new acquisition still requires regulatory approval, with completion expected by the end of the year.
Britvic In Legal Jeopardy Over ‘Boost’ Trademark
Boost, an AG Barr energy and sports beverage brand, has accused Britvic of trademark violations thought to relate to Robinsons’ ‘Boost’ squash products launched in May 2023. Robinson’s also sells a ‘Boost’ variant of its Benefits Drops on-the-go squash drops it launched in April 2022. AG Barr’s Boost claims ownership of the ‘Boost’ trademark for non-alcoholic beverage categories, including squashes, hydration drinks and other dilutable beverages.
Britvic
Britvic Adds Jimmy’s Iced Coffee to Portfolio
The addition of Jimmy’s Iced Coffee gives Britvic access to the fast-growing ready-to-drink iced coffee category. Jimmy’s sold £17 million in UK retail channels in the year to June 2023, 43 percent up on the previous year. Britvic’s CEO, Simon Litherland, highlighted Jimmy’s innovation, taste, lower calorie content and fully recyclable packaging as key reasons for the acquisition. Jimmy’s Iced Coffee is the fastest growing ready-to-drink iced coffee brand in the UK and it’s sold in 10,000 distribution points. The co-founders will be brand ambassadors and support the transition.
Britvic Reports Healthy Q3 Sales
Britvic posted strong sales in the third quarter, on both volume growth and pricing. It expects full year revenue and earnings growth in line with current market expectations. Group revenue was up almost 10 percent, to £476.7 million. International sector revenue was up 13 percent. Revenue in the British market was up 10 percent.
Britvic Launches New Classic Cocktail Mixers
Extending its range of mixers, Britvic has launched three new Cocktail Mixers: Mojito, Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri mixers. They will be available from August 2023 in the hospitality channel. Britvic aims to tempt more people away from home by providing them with experiences they can’t get at home. The mixers make it easier and more cost effective for bars to offer cocktails. All three contain less than 40 kcal per serve and are vegan and HFSS-compliant.
Carlsberg
Russian Authorities Put Carlsberg’s Baltika Subsidiary Under “Temporary Management”
Along with Danone’s Russia subsidiary, the Russian Government has taken control of Carlsberg’s operations in the country by putting them under "temporary management". Both Danone and Carlsberg had been trying to sell their operations there. Carlsberg said it had yet to receive any official information from authorities, but that it had completed the separation of the Russian business unit from the rest of the company. Carlsberg’s subsidiary Baltika employs over 8,000 employees in eight sites.
Companies
Carlsberg Reduces Beer Costs In Face Of Duty Hike
To lessen the impact of an expected 10.1 percent increases in alcohol duties in the UK this August, Carlsberg is making its beer weaker. Its Danish Pilsner will be 3.4% ABV, down from 3.8%. By making its beer less than 3.5% ABV, it can exploit the new lower tax rate for weaker alcoholic drinks. Carlsberg justifies the change on the twin bases of enabling investment in innovation and supporting public health initiatives. Carlsberg changed it lager recipe and relaunched it four years ago.
Lotte
Sol’s Eye Posts Impressive Sales Growth
Lotte Chilsung Beverage's Sol's Eye grew sales by 70 percent in 2022 year-on-year, boosted by the launch of a 500ml PET product and the popularity of its soju cocktails infused with pine buds. It also attributes the growth to market changes since the pandemic, with an increased emphasis on taste and “healthy pleasure” rather than alcohol content.
Suntory
Suntory Faces Up To Need For Change To Address Key Trends At Home And Abroad
Family-controlled Suntory Holdings is the world’s third-largest spirits producer, behind the UK’s Diageo and France’s Pernod Ricard, but it faces two main challenges in its domestic market: an aging population and a trend away from alcoholic drinks. This comes as a change in leadership is being anticipated, with the current executive vice president and chief operating officer, Nobuhiro Torii, the great-grandson of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii, expected to take the helm. Torii sees the need for change, focusing on innovation, whisky and health and wellness. Globalization is another key trend, and overseas sales now represent over half of the Group’s total sales. Suntory is looking to invest further in tequila, and it will consider acquisitions in India. It seems, however, that making the holding company public is not on the agenda. Torii doesn’t see the need at this stage. Torii wants to expand Suntory’s health and wellness business, which currently makes only a small contribution to its total revenue.
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