Perfetti Van Melle, the world’s second leading confectionery manufacturer, is targeting the growing sharing opportunity and a younger audience with the launch of two new packs – Mentos Fanta Pouch Bag and Mentos Fruit Mix Pouch Bag. The new pouch bag format will allow Mentos to increase its presence throughout the confectionery aisle, giving more shoppers the chance to say “Yes to Fresh”. Mentos’ new Pouch Bags are designed to help provide consumers with a mood-boosting moment of fruity freshness to share with friends or family. Sharing bags are the most popular pack format in confectionery, a ..read more

JJ Foodservice has on Tuesday announced the acquisition of London wholesaler Gatelands Supplies Ltd. Gatelands has over two decades of expertise in importing Thai, Chinese, and Japanese goods, and JJ said the acquisition will bring a highly skilled team dedicated to support the Asian hospitality sector into it. “By combining Gatelands’ expertise with our distribution network, we’re reinforcing our commitment to support the Asian restaurant sector,” Baris Kacar, chief sales officer for JJ Foodservice, said. Christopher Christophi, director of Gatelands Supplies, said: “With over 35 years of exp ..read more

Independent drinks startup Virtus Brands, which manufactures and distributes 15 drinks brands including its high-selling Jatt Life ultra-premium vodka, has joined Parfetts’ drop shipping scheme, giving it access to 1,000 independent retailers nationwide through the wholesaler’s symbol group. Dudley-based Virtus Brands has been added to Parfetts’ approved supplier list, meaning that it can offer and supply all of the products in its range, which include vodka, tequila, prosecco and Champagne, via Parfetts’ direct-to-store partnership with discount buying organisation Procuria. It is the first a ..read more

Britain’s households will endure a second year without an improvement in their living standards in 2024 as the effects of high inflation take time to abate, the International Monetary Fund has revealed. In its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO), the Washington-based IMF said it was forecasting modest 0.5 per cent UK growth this year – but only as a result of a rising population. Growth per head – one of the key measures of living standards – is expected to remain flat this year after a 0.3 per cent drop in 2023. The IMF added that there would be a pick-up in the economy as 2024 wo ..read more

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has on Wednesday said the government’s approach to vape restrictions is highly irresponsible as it has not quantified the health impacts of fewer people using vapes to quit smoking. As the House of Commons started its debate on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on Tuesday, the industry body noted that for every adult vaper who returns to smoking because of government restrictions, there is a chance of another death from smoking, reversing the trend away from smoking for which significant credit goes to vaping. The bill, which seeks to clamp down on young peo ..read more

An appeals court has upheld a VAT exemption for Mega Marshmallow, an American food product distributed by World of Sweets, ruling that the product cannot be considered as confectionery. While confectionery products are subject to VAT, products intended for use as ingredients are generally exempted. Compared with other marshmallows which are typically classed as confectionery items, Mega Marshmallows are designed and marketed as an ingredient for toasting and using in S’mores, a traditional American campfire treat. As the oversized Mega Marshmallows are meant to be roasted and the packaging and ..read more

The Department for Work and Pensions has published new guidance to help managers recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace.   The guidance, developed in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), aims to ensure employers and employees get the most from the Disability Confident scheme, to boost disability employment and reduce the disability employment gap. The government has already met its target of getting one million more disabled people into employment by 2027 – reaching the mil ..read more

Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) today (17) has given evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee, highlighting the human impact of crime on local shops and the challenges retailers face when reporting crime to the police. The Home Affairs Select Committee is taking evidence from the retail sector and police forces as part of its inquiry into violence and abuse against retail workers. The evidence session follows a report published by the Committee in 2021 which found that ‘the policing response to rising crime is failing to match the rising tide of violence and abuse against shop wor ..read more

Food and drink wholesalers’ body reiterated the call for definition of ‘retail worker’ to be extended to wholesalers and transit operators as well so that they too can be covered under proposed standalone offence for assaulting retail workers. Under tough new action to crack down on retail crime announced on April 10, assaulting a retail worker will be made a standalone criminal offence, sending a clear message that there will be tough consequences for this unacceptable behaviour.  Under new laws, perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine an ..read more

Cadbury Brunch has unveiled a new non-HFSS range in order to help retailers unlock additional healthier snacking sales from this popular brand. Cadbury Brunch Light will be available in two delicious flavours: Honey & Oat and Orange. Cadbury Brunch Light follows in the success of Cadbury Brunch Oats, which is the most popular snack in the Cadbury Biscuit range and Cadbury Brunch Chocolate Chip, which is now the number-one SKU within healthier biscuits. The Cadbury Brunch Light range is non-HFSS, while each bar contains fewer than 100 calories. The new range is all set to help drive penetra ..read more