FEATURE
BBQ & SUMMER PRODUCTS36 ASIAN TRADER 12 MAY 2017 http://www.asiantrader.bizFollow us on: http://www.twitter.com/AsianTrader Like us on: http://www.facebook.com/AsianTradertype battle, as ambitious
amateur chefs aim to outdo each
other with their unique recipes.
This means that an alterna-
tive BBQ, with unusual food
combinations and the presence
of world foods, is becoming
more common and to some
degree expected.
“Consumers have become
more adventurous, looking to
replicate their favourite
restaurant dishes at home and
seeking out flavours that offer a
point of difference versus
traditional barbecue,” adds
Chambers.
However, even when it
comes to a more traditional
BBQ, it is important for retailers
to be up-to-date with some basic
stats. Did you know that burgers
have overtaken sausages as the
nation’s favourite BBQ item?
Fish is also becoming increas-
ingly popular with the IGD
revealing over Easter that it was
almost as popular as chicken.
Then there are those who want
a break from meat, a sector
which Julian Cooke, Head of UK
Category Management at
Quorn, is well used to catering
for: “The meat free category is
now valued at over £270m and is
bought by almost nine and a half
million shoppers, most of whom
are non-vegetarians looking for
great tasting, nutritionally
healthy products, to serve to
family and friends when dining
alfresco this summer.”
However, before we get to
the meat or non-meat eating
categories, we are going to start
off the same way every BBQ
does – drinks!Hydration station
Water, lots of water, is obviously
a great place to start when it
comes to keeping
hydrated in warm
weather. However,
when you have guests
around it is unlikely
they will be content
with just a plain glass of
H20. With more adults
choosing to cut down
their alcohol intake, and
the presence of possibly
some little people (aka
children), it is smart to
make sure you are
stocking a wide range ofConvenience & Impulse at
Britvic. “It has been created for
a growing number of shoppers
looking for bold, new interest-
ing flavours.”soft drinks for those who are
looking to enjoy some time in
the sun. Both healthy and less
healthy options.
Britvic Soft Drinks have
recently launched a new
product to ensure consumers
have a tasty and healthy way of
keeping their thirst quenched
over the summer period.
Robinsons Refresh’d is made
using 100% naturally sourced
ingredients, containing spring
water mixed with real fruit and
is available in three flavour
combinations -Raspberry &
Apple, Orange & Lime and Apple
& Kiwi.
Kevin McNair, GB Marketing
Director at Britvic, said: “We
know that healthy hydration isthe fastest growing segment in
soft drinks, so the opportunity
for retailers to stock new
innovative options in this area is
clear.”
When it comes to fizzy
drinks, there are hundreds of
options for retailers to choose
from. Obviously with the
increasing popularity of low
sugar and no sugar drinks, it is
important to have both full fat
and lower sugar options
available.
A recent product launched by
PepsiCo is ideal for hosts
looking to have something a bit
different in their non-alcohol
selection, whether this is at a
BBQ or picnic occasion.
Pepsi Max Ginger is the first
cola and ginger flavour
to hit the UK market
and has a distinctive
flavour with the added
benefit of containing no
sugar.
“Pepsi Max Ginger
has been created for the
growing number of
shoppers looking for
bold, interesting new
flavours, as well as great
tasting refreshment,”
says Trystan Farnworth,
Commercial Director,What new stock do you bring in over the
summer?
We have a display outside of our BBQ items
such as charcoal, lump wood and fire lighters.
Inside we also have a selection of charcoal
and firelighters near a large display of Coke.
We bring in more meat plates that have
already been marinated in some lovely
concoctions. And we also have a larger range
of Florette or ready made salads. In addition
to BBQ goods, we sell picnic disposable bit
and pieces. We like to create a bit of theatre
around our BBQ products so it looks good
and is memorable.When do you get your BBQ stock in?
We have had our charcoal in for six weeks. I
think it is important to start the transition
before Easter as it shows your customers
that you have BBQ covered and then they
will think about you on that occasion. If you
get it ready too late you have missed theboat – as supermarkets get ready well before
the event.What should retailers make sure they stock?
Don’t forget your ice. Ice is a no brainer – you
have to have ice in. We have it all year round
but people need more in the summer. We sell
it by the bucket load. That’s a core product
they should be stocking.How do you present your BBQ products?
It’s important to put your BBQ items together,
so have your soft drinks and beers near the
charcoal. It’s also crucial to get the right
messaging on your signage, for example, ‘Don’t
forget your ice, bags of ice available at £1.’ It is
nice to use friendly language as BBQs are very
social events and family orientated. It needs to
appeal to that kind of audience. People are time
poor – so our job is to make sure the consumer
is aware of all the goods and they understand
we have the whole BBQ arena covered.Retailer advice
Avtar Sidhu, owner of Simply Fresh, Kenilworth gives some
very handy tips on how to maximise your summer sales.
BBQ & Summer Feature1.indd 36 5/4/2017 8:36:35 AM