Barr predicts bumper sales

IRN-Bru manufacturer AG Barr is going all out to capitalise on the events of the coming year.

“Glasgow 2014 will focus worldwide attention on Scotland and its most popular products, providing a really strong platform for stockists of leading Scottish brands such as Irn-Bru and the Barr range,” said Adrian Troy, AG Barr’s head of marketing.
“We’re working really closely with our retail partners to enable them to use our products to engage shoppers in-store and to enable people from all over the world to enjoy the very best that Scotland has to offer.”

Some of the latest participants in the Scotland Food and Drink and Asda project, the Supplier Development Academy, celebrating their achievements. Launched in January 2013, the programme has supported 35 suppliers and trained almost 100 employees in consultations, workshops and business mentoring and enabled Scottish suppliers to develop new product lines and deliver marketing campaigns that have resulted in additional sales worth £12.1m. Left to right: Olivia Slater, Graham’s accounts controller; Stephanie Pritchard, Scotland Food & Drink access to markets manager; Craig Stewart, Mackie’s retail development executive Lisa Prudhoe, Asda customer planner; Serena Durante, Porrelli sales manager.
Some of the latest participants in the Scotland Food and Drink and Asda project, the Supplier Development Academy, celebrating their achievements. Launched in January 2013, the programme has supported 35 suppliers and trained almost 100 employees in consultations, workshops and business mentoring and enabled Scottish suppliers to develop new product lines and deliver marketing campaigns that have resulted in additional sales worth £12.1m.
Left to right: Olivia Slater, Graham’s accounts controller; Stephanie Pritchard, Scotland Food & Drink access to markets manager; Craig Stewart, Mackie’s retail development executive
Lisa Prudhoe, Asda customer planner; Serena Durante, Porrelli sales manager.

The company is backing its brands with what it describes as “record levels of investment”, especially on Irn-Bru and the flavoured carbonates range, which is the official soft drink of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“The Barr brand is bringing a sense of fun to Glasgow 2014,” Troy added. “We recommend that retailers stock up on special packs to ensure they make the most of an exciting opportunity.”

•Müller Wiseman highlights the Scottish provenance of many of its products as part of its marketing mix. “One of the most successful ranges is Milk from Scotland, which celebrates the heritage of the company in its heartland and is a clear message that the milk is Scottish and is sourced, processed and packaged in Scotland,” said Sandy Wilkie, sales and marketing director. “In Scotland, Black and White is worth nearly £24m and continues to do well, with a value share of 9.4% and a total volume share of 7.4% according to Nielsen.”

• Provenance also plays well for confectionery brand Lees, famous for its snowballs, teacakes and macaroon bars.
“Lees of Scotland is a Scottish success story and we have seen a 15% increase in sales year-to-date driven by consumers keen to buy local quality produce,” said sales director Bert Croll. “Retailers should stock a range of home-grown brands that consumers instantly recognise and trust.”

• Fife-based family firm, Dip Nation, has bagged an £180,000 deal to supply Aldi with own-brand dips.