Vape maker Chill Brands on Monday said it has suspended chief executive Callum Sommerton after allegations were raised around the company’s use of inside information. The company has appointed law firm Fieldfisher to conduct an investigation into the allegations. Sommerton said he was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the allegations, which he termed as ‘without merit’.   “I am confident that I will be vindicated. I will avoid further comment at this time to allow the process to progress,” he said.   Chill Brands, which sells nicotine-free vape products in the UK and the US, assured ve ..read more

HRH The Duke of Gloucester today (23) was given a warm welcome at Regal House in Bradford, the head office site for Regal Food Products Group Plc.  Ed Anderson CBE, The Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire greeted His Royal Highness before introducing him to Younis Chaudhry, the Chief Executive Officer of the Regal Food Group, who started the official visit with a meet and greet with staff, and a presentation on the group’s 20+ year journey and its portfolio of brands. Followed by a behind the scenes tour of the bakery and manufacturing facilities, Younis Chaudhry guided HRH The Duke of Glou ..read more

EPOS technology company Madic UK has partnered with Allwyn to integrate The National Lottery into its next generation EPOS solution, evoPOS. The two companies are jointly launching a prototype of the National Lottery-integrated EPOS technology at the National Forecourt Show 2024 and will be displaying it for the first time at stand N20. The partnership opens up future possibilities to make the National Lottery available at any EPOS or self-checkout integrated with Madic UK’s evoPOS. It will also make National Lottery draw-based games available in forecourt environments through EPOS and forecou ..read more

Leading confectionery manufacturer Perfetti Van Melle has launched Chupa Chups Flavour Playlist XXL – a fusion of five, mouth-watering flavours packed into one lollipop! Available in all channels from May, for RRP 50p, Flavour Playlist XXL offers a delightful medley of Cola, Cherry, Lemon, Lime, with Strawberry bubble-gum at its core, promising a multi-sensory experience that will leave tastebuds tingling. As the UK’s number one lollipop brand, Chupa Chups, worth 17.7m and growing at 5 per cent, continues to push the boundaries of confectionery innovation and Flavour Playlist XXL is no excepti ..read more

Cost is considered the primary factor in shopping choices and tends to impact sale of healthy food products, a recent report has stated, also listing product placement and signposting as other factors. According to a recently released IGD research report, behaviour change in stores has long been a challenge, and it is widely understood that there is a difference between what consumers say will change their behaviours and buying habits. Cost is considered the primary factor in shopping choices, with 37 per cent of consumers surveyed citing it as a major barrier to healthy diets. The resear ..read more

Potato prices have soared as challenging weather conditions continue to affect supply across the UK. Some UK supermarkets have shrunk potato pack sizes from 2.5kg to 2kg without a decrease in price, equating to around a 25 per cent price increase per kilo to shoppers, Mail Online reported. Some farmers, whose land has been under water for months, face having no spring harvest of veg for the first time since the Second World War, stated the report, while many have been unable to plant other crops in waterlogged fields. Most supermarket giants have already shrunk potato pack sizes ..read more

Quaker Oats is expanding its Protein range with the introduction of a new Peanut Butter flavour that will help retailers cater to the consumer demand for protein as a nutrient that can support everyday wellbeing. Quaker Protein Peanut Butter will debut with an exciting new taste-led visual identity, which will also be implemented across the wider Protein range. Historically, protein products were synonymous with gym-goers and athletes hitting their protein goals. With nearly half of Gen-Z prioritising taking care of their physical health, consumers have increasingly recognised that protein pla ..read more

Warburtons Protein Thin Bagels are baked using a blend of seeds and pulses, which are a naturally good source of plant-based protein – eight grammes in every bagel! Soft & Sliced for convenience, they are delicious eaten toasted or untoasted. “Consumers are actively searching for ways to get more protein into their diets – with ‘high in protein’ being the most important health quality in food for Under 35’s,” said Carl Pickett, Category Development Controller at Warburtons. “Demand for protein products has exploded in several categories and bakery is no different – Warburtons Protein Thin ..read more

Seabrook has become sponsor of the primetime gameshow, “In for a Penny’” The sponsorship deal sees Seabrook air 40 seconds of idents across each episode of In for a Penny, which is now in its sixth series and will run until 1 June 2024. Using Seabrook’s fun and irreverent tone, the creative captures the dry, witty observations of the great British public and their flavour choices, mimicking the relatable, light-hearted approach that has made In for a Penny so popular with a family audience. Hosted by Stephen Mulhern, In For Penny is the hugely popular “on the street” game show that gives membe ..read more

Ribena has unveiled a brand new on-pack promotion across its full range of formats which will give shoppers the chance to win memorable family experiences every day. With prizes up for grabs including UK holiday packages and experience vouchers – as well as an additional 1000 cash prizes to reward shoppers with some summer spending money – the competition is set to grab consumers’ attention in store and drive soft drink sales for stores, the brand said.   “This fun new campaign showcases how we as a brand put consumers at our heart, giving families the chance to come together and make mem ..read more