It’s BBQ season
It’s time to get those grills all clean and shiny for what promises to be a bumper summer – and for retailers this means stocking up on all BBQ and entertaining essentials.
People power brings ice creams back
Tip Top has brought back two of Kiwis’ favourite ice creams, following huge demand from fans on social media. Fruju Tropical Snow and Mint Trumpet have been the focus of a concerted Facebook campaign over the past 12 months.
Happy birthday Hutchinsons!
This year Hutchinsons celebrates 100 years in the NZ market. To mark the occasion, Hutchinsons brand recently relaunched its Flavoured Fruit & Cream Cheese range with a new pack size, a reduced price point, a new look design and an extended range of flavours.
Focus on water quality at Te Waihora living water open day
Fonterra and the Department of Conservation (DOC) held an open day recently to update the local community on their 10-year Living Water programme to improve water quality in the Te Waihora catchment in Canterbury.
Kirin takes over Lion Nathan, Coopers hangs up “not for sale” sign
Lion Nathan, the largest brewer in Australasia, has been acquired by global drinks company Kirin Holdings. Shareholders approved the takeover which also had to gain approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board.
Cider makers call for more information
A growing number of craft cider makers in New Zealand are calling for compulsory information labels on cider packaging.
Chef sparks outrage with his declaration of love for “cheap watery swill”
David Chang has ignited a huge on-line debate after dismissing “craft-beer aficionados and their triple-hopped IPAs and cocoa-flavoured English milk stouts,” instead confessing his dark secret – a “love of cheap, watery swill” which he considers the “champagne of beers.”
Federal Court proceedings against Coles
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd and Grocery Holdings Pty Ltd (together, Coles) alleging that Coles engaged in unconscionable conduct in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.
Food giant likely to can more jobs
Heinz Wattie’s is expected to make an announcement soon, canning jobs in New Zealand as part of a wider Australasian restructure.
Gastro bug prompts investigation
Since 1 September 2014 there have been increased notifications of illness due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Cases have mainly been notified from the Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato and Bay of Plenty/Lakes regions.
NZ company takes on the drinks industry
A New Zealand owned and operated brand is turning the beverage industry on its sugar-laden head. VitalZing is a new to market brand that produces genuinely healthy ‘enhanced waters’.
Snackfoods category growing fast
At $331 million* annually, with growth at 4.1% ($13 million*), Snackfoods is one of the fast growing categories in Grocery, well ahead of the total Grocery growth at 1.6%.