As consumers plan for gatherings and parties during the festive season, snacks become an even more essential purchase. Alex Yau continues our 100 must-stock product guide with a look at this vital category
46. KP Salted Caramel Nuts
KP has added to its range of snacks with 375g tins of Salted Caramel flavour nuts (RRP £5). They are part of a wider range including the reintroduced Frosted Maple Syrup Nut Mix, Frosted Honey Nut Mix and Cheese Footballs snacks.
47. Indie Bay Snacks’ Pretzel Bites
These pretzel bites are available in 26g packs for on-the-go snacking. Each pretzel is suitable for vegans and contains fewer than 100 calories. Flavours include Spelt with Rock Salt, Quinoa with Cracked Pepper and Sunflower with Sesame & Poppy Seeds.
48. Cofresh Bombay Mix
Cofresh’s new Christmas packaging will add theatre to what is already, for many, a traditional festive snack. The company’s 325g Bombay Mix sharing bags is being supported by advertising.
49. Hula Hoops Big Hoops
Available in three flavours, the £1 range of Big Hoops was launched by KP Snacks to take advantage of the growing trend for sharing products. The snack underwent a package redesign in February this year and is available in Salted, Chilli or BBQ Beef flavours.
Supplier Advice
"Don't forget nuts. Christmas is already a well-established key sales period for retailers for nuts. Known brands help drive purchases.
Stock interesting flavours and tastes. Having a range which includes unconventional flavours alongside well-nown ones is recommended.
Christmas starts in November. In some cases this is even as early as September so it is crucial retailers stock up well in advance."
Matt Collins KP Snacks convenience sales director
50. McCoy's Chips
The latest addition to McCoy’s range of snacks are Chips. These snacks include bold and bright colours on the packaging aimed at attracting passing shoppers. Flavours in the range include Salt & Vinegar and Curry.
51. Popcorn Shed
The Popcorn Shed provides snacks for health-conscious shoppers. Each bag of popcorn is suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free, with fewer than 140 calories per packet. The three flavours in the range include Salted Caramel, Pecan Pie and Pop’n’Choc.
52. Goodness Knows
Mars is another supplier targeting the expanding wholesome snacks market with Goodness Knows range, its biggest launch since Celebrations. Available in Cranberry & Almond, Blueberry & Almond and Apple and Peanut & Almond flavours; each bar contains chocolate and yet fewer than 160 calories.
53. Carr's Batons
Carr’s Batons taps into a trend that brand owner Pladis has identified for “premium nibbling”. The Carlisle-made snacks are available in Cheddar & Onion, Tomato, Emmental & Herb and Rosemary & Sea Salt. Packs come in at a recommended retail price of £1.49 per 100g box.
Supplier Advice
"Sharing bags sales will be up. Christmas opens up huge opportunities for retailers with sharing-bag sales. They are perfect for get-togethers.
Use your till point. Displaying sharing bags close to the till will maximise impulse purchases. You can get similar results by placing them near your soft drinks chiller.
Use our marketing spend. Drive footfall to fixtures by making full use of marketing such as posters and wobblers at the point of sale."
Debbie King Cofresh director of commercial sales & marketing
54. Jacob’s Cracker Crisps
Jacob’s has added to its ‘caddy range’ of tubes with Sour Cream & Chive-flavoured cracker crisps. The company is aiming to tap into the seasonal opportunity with the Christmas-themed packaging and each 230g tub is available to retailers with an RRP of £3.49.
55. Jacob’s Savoury Favourites
Each box of Jacob’s Savoury Favourites brings together some of the most well-loved biscuits from Pladis’ range; including Salt & Cracked Black Pepper Bakes, Poppy & Sesame Thins, Tuc and Baked Cheddars Cheese Biscuits. Its RRP is £2.19.
56. Pringles Xmas Turkey
Pringles is bringing the traditional Christmas dinner to its tubs with two festive flavours. Limited edition flavours will include the savoury Xmas Turkey or Pigs in Blankets (all RRP £2.79).
57. Sun-Pat Peanut Butter Crunchy
Hain Celestial Group says each jar is ideal for adding extra flavour as a spread or ingredient in the cakes or breads shoppers will be baking for Christmas. Each 340g of Sun Pat Crunchy Peanut Butter (RRP £2) consists of 96% peanuts.
Supplier Advice
"Stock up on biscuits early Shoppers will be starting to plan their Christmas shops early, so aim to have all seasonal stock available from the first week of October to help secure strong festive sales.
Keep seasonal brands at the front of store Highly-visible displays to catch shoppers’ eyes as they start to stock up for the festive period.
Novelty packs are on trend so consider stocking them to make your Christmas biscuit range extra special."
Hena Chandarana Pladis trade communications controller
58. Joe & Seph’s Popcorn
Gourmet popcorn brand Joe & Seph’s positions itself as an alternative to crisps less likely to add pounds to shoppers’ waistlines this Christmas. There are a range of flavours for customers with a taste for sweet snacks; including Salted Caramel.
59. Tyrrells Bellini Cocktail Poshcorn
Herefordshire-based crisp manufacturer Tyrrells has made an addition to its premium snacks range with the Bellini Cocktail Poshcorn. Each 90g bag has an RRP of £1.59 and is part of a wider range which includes flavours such as Coconut and Caramel Superlative.
60. Kraft Heinz Soup of the Day
Kraft Heinz is offering a more filling and savoury option with its Soup of the Day range. Designed as a snack to keep guests warm at social gatherings; flavours in the range include Thai Carrot and Coconut, Potato & Leek with Chives and Chicken, Parsnip and Rosemary.
My plans for Christmas
"I buy 30% more stock and start merchandising the month before December. The bestsellers for us are Doritos, KP Nuts, Mini Cheddars and sharing bags. Christmas normally gives the store a 20% uplift with snack sales. We have three bays for snacks in addition to promotional aisles. We like to add some theatre and drama by dressing the displays up with Christmas-themed decorations. This helps draw customers in. "
Sunita Kanji Family Shopper in Bolton
