The drinks are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and contain 20g plant protein per bottle as well as 26 vitamins and minerals (rsp: £3.49/414ml).

Soylent said it expected to see “the same level of excitement from retailers in the UK” as it had with its “rapid roll out” in the US, adding that the Sainsbury’s partnership was “really exciting” as it supported the “retail focus” for Soylent moving into 2020.

Although the [meal replacements] category is relatively new in the UK, early indications are extremely encouraging that it has a very promising future

Clark McIlroy, MD of the brand’s UK distributor Red Star.

The drinks will be sold Sainsbury’s on a trial basis for 4-6 months, after which Sainsbury’s will decide whether to keep them on board.

The brand is also currently sold in WH Smith and Amazon.

Given the rise in the consumer demand for holistic health products, we are delighted to onboard The GUTsy Captain range which offer consumers a wealth of benefits for both the body and the mind. This brand has stood out to us as one which truly challenges the traditional soft drinks category in boasting an extensive range of benefits including improved gut health, immune functioning and reduced stress. For these reasons we believe this brand will not only add value to the category but also for consumers nation wide

Clark McIlroy, Manging Director at Red Star Brands

The GUTsy Captain Kombucha range comprises delicious naturally fermented living green tea, while the water kefir is an all natural sparkling drink fermented with water kefir grains. The Portugese born drinks are rich in probiotics and enzymes renowned for promoting positive gut health.

A recent report by The Grocer states “Brits are clued up on the importance of gut health and probiotic drinks such as kombucha or water kefir – which are low in sugar, organic, vegan and gluten-free – and are high on consumers’ wishlists** and boasting all of the above, the brand qualified as a finalist in The Grocer New Product Award 2019 probiotic drinks category.

Not only does the range provide consumers with a delicious range of flavours, it also combines a host of health benefits as Mafalda Rodrigues de Almeida The GUTsy Captain nutritionist states, “Over the years, many studies have shown that gut bacteria is one of the most influential in our body, having an impact over almost all physiological processes, from immune system, detox capacity, nutrient absorption, metabolites production, energy production”.

The range comprises 6 delicious Kombucha flavours in 400ml bottles and 4 tasty water kefir flavours in 250ml cans.

For more information see: https://www.gutsycaptain.com/our-drinks/captain-kombucha

*Source: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2016/02/18/Kombucha-market-to-grow-25-each-year-to-2020
**Source: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/category-reports/full-of-not-free-from-free-from-category-report-2019/595101.article

The first phase of FULFIL’s successful advertising campaign launched in April 2019 and the second wave in September looks to build on the brand’s belief of ‘grabbing life by the bars’, whilst reinventing impulse snacking with genuinely tastier and healthier bars.

The above-the-line marketing campaign, which will be rolled out in key locations across Manchester and London, will be supported by a six-week #FeedtheDream social challenge to fulfil one winner’s bucket list dream. It will invite a community of potential ‘life enthusiasts’ to experience the FULFIL world on social and through digital billboards on high streets, key shopping locations such as Westfield, intu shopping centres and Bluewater and busy commuter areas including London’s over-ground trains and Manchester’s trams.

Jill McCarron, international marketing director at FULFIL, said: “The second phase of our UK marketing campaign targets the active lifestyle community in two of the country’s biggest cities. We really want to create an impact in the lives of our target audience – the 18-34-year-old ‘Fulfillers’ who live an active, social and full-on life. Implementing out-of-home and social media marketing strategies is essential for us to reach these consumers.”

FULFIL has also teamed up with ten key active-lifestyle personalities across the UK and Ireland to share their bucket lists on social media and encourage their communities to do the same, with one winner picked to have their bucket list dream fulfilled.

The campaign also includes a sampling element with the healthy snacking brand sending out bars to selected entrants along the way to help fuel them while they chase their goals.

Online media group The Hook, will also be supporting the campaign, by posting supplementary content on its own channels.

Jill added: “We’re excited to extend the #FeedTheDream campaign spirit and activation idea roll out over the next few weeks.”

The autumn also sees the launch of its most chocolatey bar yet, the decadent Chocolate Brownie, which offers the taste and texture of a traditional confectionery countline, along with the benefits of high protein and low sugar.

Find out more about Fulfil Nutrition at https://fulfilnutrition.com/

FULFIL – the high protein, low sugar impulse snack with 12 indulgent flavours in its range, is ready to launch its most chocolatey bar yet – the decadent Chocolate Brownie, which will be available in UK retailers from September.

We want to get as close to a confectionery bar as possible in terms of taste, texture and experience – we want to give that well rounded confectionery taste while offering protein and low sugar. This bar offers consumers the perfect indulgent flavour they expect from an impulse snack whilst also being healthier.

Dave Pogson, UK managing director

Since it launched in 2016, FULFIL Nutrition has always given consumers what they have asked for – healthier snacks that offer the taste and texture of traditional confectionery countlines.

“Chocolate Brownie has a rich, fudgy centre enrobed with creamy milk chocolate and topped with chocolate chips – a flavour which has been requested by our FULFIL fans and we are proud to now deliver it to them.”

Chocolate Brownie will be available in both the 40g and 55g sizes and is the second NPD for FULFIL this year – May 2019 saw the introduction of Chocolate Peanut Butter and the popular Chocolate Peanut & Caramel also expanded to include a 40g offering. Alongside this, FULFIL launched its multi-million pound ‘Life’s Wonderfuel’ campaign which introduced the brand’s belief in living life to the full.

Dave added: “We recruited a panel of FULFIL fans to taste-test our newest bar before launch, so we are confident it will get the seal of approval from our consumers.

“FULFIL is breaking the mould of traditional protein and chocolate product lines and the success of its UK launch speaks for itself as FULFIL is now the number two Healthy Bar Brand in the UK in value terms* and has a UK weighted distribution of 58%**”.

FULFIL’s target consumer is a health conscious, on-the-go person who is looking for a healthier snack without sacrificing taste – the 40g bars benefit from 15g of protein, less than 2g of sugar and the 55g bars include 20g of protein and less than 3g of sugar. The whole range also includes nine vitamins in each bar.

Dave continued: “We’ve learned that the needs of consumers are not all the same and we want to ensure FULFIL can fit into everyone’s day – FULFIL is the perfect snack not only for those who are working out, but anyone who leads an active busy life.

“FULFIL launched in the UK in 2017 and its success is due to a combination of an innovative brand proposition, coupled with strong NPD – reinventing impulse snacking with genuinely tastier and healthier bars – as well as impactful and disruptive in-store visibility.”

Find out more about Fulfil Nutrition at https://fulfilnutrition.com/

*IRI Marketplace Cereal and Sports Nutrition Single Bar Brands Value Sales L52Weeks to 14^th July 19
** IRI Marketplace Brand Weighted Distribution L4Wks 14^th July 19

Launching in the UK in 2017, the high protein and low sugar bar has seen great success in the UK this year as consumers buy into the brand’s lifestyle promises, which bring a genuinely healthier and tastier snack bar, whilst also offering the indulgence and emotional satisfaction of traditional confectionery countlines.

Dave Pogson, UK managing director of Fulfil Nutrition said: “It has been overwhelming to see the momentum the brand is gaining and the response both from retailers and customers.  Working with our distribution partner, Red Star Brands to add heavy-weight retailers like M&S, Waitrose and Co-Op adds weight to our ambitious UK growth plans.

“The past few years have been incredibly successful for FULFIL, with ambitious growth, new product development and the launch of a new, smaller sized 40g range. FULFIL is the innovation that impulse snacking has been waiting for and the first to offer consumers a healthier choice with no compromise on taste.”

The new listings follow an exciting first six months for FULFIL, which saw the recent launch of a new flavour – Chocolate Peanut Butter – into their range.

FULFIL has also recently launched a new multi-million-pound above-the-line consumer advertising campaign ‘LIFE’S WONDERFUEL’, which introduces the brand’s belief in living life to the full. The campaign targeted 18-34-year-old commuters across rail, roadside and High Street locations, whilst also being supported with a heavyweight digital and social media campaign.

Dave added: “With increasing demand for more flavours and options, we are committed to creating impulse snacks which have all the advantages of high protein and low sugar, but with the great taste of traditional sweet treats.”

Find out more about Fulfil Nutrition at https://fulfilnutrition.com/

*IRI Marketplace, Data until May 2019

Following the phenomenal success in the US the “engineered nutrition” brand*, Soylent has launched in the UK and is now available at WH Smiths in Cacao and Café Mocha flavours.

The complete ‘meal in a bottle’- targeted at on-the go young professional commuters – is designed to be an accessible and convenient choice for consumers.

It contains 20g of plant protein and 36 essential nutrients for those on-the-go. It is also gluten, dairy and nut free. Soylent is complete and convenient nutrition that is good for the body and planet.

The American bestseller launched in 2013 with a direct-to-consumer model, following a crowdfunding push that generated pre-orders of almost $3m (£2.3m) before the product was ever made!

Building on this success in 2018, the brand gained a listing with Walmart, having been available in major retail chains such as 7- Eleven, Target, and Kroger for less than a year.

The Californian brand which was “developed with the planet in mind”** has rolled out its unique drink into WHSmith Travel locations, seven months after first becoming available in the UK via Amazon. The ambient drinks, which have a year-long shelf life, use plant-based protein to ensure “less CO2 is produced compared to the process to source protein from livestock”.

Clark McIlroy, managing director at Red Star Brands, said: “We are delighted to announce that Soylent is joining our beverage portfolio. Through our continuous market scanning, we have spotted a clear demand in the UK from young people with busy lives looking for a functional, convenient product that also aligns with their sustainable lifestyle.

“Over recent years, we have seen a rise in the number of consumers who are making conscious choices to support ethically sustainable products just like Soylent. We are expecting to see Soylent succeed in UK over the coming years, just as it did in the US thanks to its unique offering and brand values.”

*https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/soft-drinks/soylent-to-make-uk-high-street-debut-with-wh-smith-listing/591270.article

**https://impact601.com/lifestyle/soylent-success-in-walmart-leads-to-national-distribution/article_7f266017-6112-529b-b621-cef1e6e1f2b9.html

The like-minded brands both have a strong commitment to sustainability and will join forces to provide JUST Water to employees and customers in two flagship adidas stores in London.

The predominantly plant-based JUST Water carton struck a chord with adidas because of the sport brand’s Sustainability Roadmap for 2020, which will proactively address the impacts of climate change through its operations, supply chain and various partnerships.

Throughout the partnership, JUST Water will supply cartons for adidas’ community-focused, creative events held in each of the flagship stores every month. The two stores also have a fully-branded JUST Water refrigerator, from which complementary water is offered to customers and event attendees.

As part of a local partnership between adidas Hanbury Street and Creative Debuts, the store hosts a spotlight series which provides a platform to showcase new artists and allows the artist’s work to live in-store for the month. In February they opened their doors to Charlie Oscar Patterson and his Objects of Music project, as well as featuring an origami class.

Another of the more recent events was a brand collaboration with vintage clothes shop Absolute Vintage, whereby net sales were donated to London’s non-profit homeless facility Shelter from the Storm.

JUST Water cartons were provided at the Stan Smith book signing, an album launch for the musician IAMDBB and at visual collage event ‘Note to Self’ – an intimate hang out of 17 like-minded women, which focused on setting goals and motivating each other through vision boards and mindfulness sessions. The events are aimed at bringing communities together through a mutual love of fashion, music and art.

Founded in 2015 by Jaden Smith, son of Hollywood actor Will Smith, JUST Water was born from a mutual passion for making things cleaner, safer and better for everyone. Composed of 53% paper and 28% plant-based plastic, JUST Water’s 82% renewable content helps keep carbon emissions low as production demands significantly less fossil fuel for production compared with traditional PET bottles.

Essentially, JUST is 82% renewable, 100% recyclable and refillable – a great step towards positive change.

Hydrate responsibly – drink JUST and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Sparkling Ice has launched two new flavours, Strawberry Watermelon and Lemon Lime, which are now available in leading supermarkets, high street retailers and a number of independent stores across the UK in addition to the current portfolio…

Since launching in spring 2016, Sparkling Ice’s portfolio of six fruity flavours has led the way for flavoured sparkling water thanks to its great taste, no sugar and only 12 calories per serve.

The Flavours:

The new Lemon Lime flavour is a clear twist on citrus, offering a crisp and refreshing take on an old classic, while the luscious Strawberry Watermelon is a perfect pairing. Both of which can served over ice for a refreshing healthier beverage.

The two new flavours follow the rise in demand for adult soft drinks which have seen a 64% growth in sugar-free varieties*.Demand for increased choice of adult soft drinks has been supported by a recent article from the Grocer highlighting that as many as one in five adults in Britain are teetotal and a further 25% are trying to drink less.

The choice of flavour variants has been further supported by a rise in demand for Watermelon and Lemon & Lime flavours in the market. Over the past year there has been a 379% increase in sales of Watermelon sparkling water and a total of 45 million units of Lemon & Lime carbonates were sold**.

This new product development shows Sparkling Ice’s ability to stay one step ahead of the curve in creating naturally-coloured, lightly carbonated beverages with an exciting portfolio of flavours which don’t force customers to choose between healthy and delicious.

Where to buy:

Sparkling Ice is available in select retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Boots and Amazon, with a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of £1.29 per 500ml bottle and £3.50 per 400ml 4-Pack.

To speak with our team of experts about the latest industry trends or to find out more about Sparkling Ice, please get in touch: https://www.redstarbrands.co.uk/contact/

*https://www.betterretailing.com/boost-summer-soft-drinks-sales
**Source for both: IRI Marketplace Data UK for 52we 2nd December 2018

The launch into Holland & Barrett – one of the world’s leading health and wellness retailer with over 1,300 stores in 16 countries – was accompanied by an educational sampling session of JUST Water at the Holland & Barrett head office. We also delivered an educational quiz, giving Holland & Barrett employees the chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to Blue Planet II Live in Concert tour which recently partnered exclusively with JUST Water.

Founded in 2015 by Jaden Smith, son of Hollywood actor Will Smith, JUST Water was born from a mutual passion for making things cleaner, safer and better for everyone. Composed of 53% paper and 28% plant-based plastic, it is a sustainable consumer hydration solution which doesn’t cost the earth.

Clark McIlroy, managing director at Red Star Brands, said: “JUST Water has made a real impact since it launched in the UK last year and we are excited to see demand for the brand grow. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their plastic consumption and the alternative packaging solutions which are now available thanks to brands like JUST Water.

“Holland & Barrett is an ideal retailer for JUST Water, as it attracts health and environmentally conscious customers who will have a synergy with JUST Water’s goals and ambitions.”

In 2017, the British population drank 400 million litres of bottled water and new figures obtained by the Guardian reveal a surge in the use of plastic bottles. It’s expected that more than half a trillion bottles will be sold annually across the globe by the end of the decade.

JUST cartons are made predominantly from plant-based materials and are therefore 82% renewable: carton from trees, cap from sugar-cane which helps keep carbon emissions low. Essentially, JUST is 82% renewable, 100% recyclable and refillable – a great step towards positive change.

Hydrate responsibly – drink JUST and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change

Through this partnership, the sustainably sourced and packaged water brand JUST Water, will educate thousands of UK consumers about plastic consumption. Founded by actor and artist, Jaden Smith, JUST has expanded from the US to the UK, where the company is sourcing local spring water and packaging it in the same iconic, paper-based carton for which it’s known and recognised.

Speaking in a video that will be presented to concert attendees during the concert interval, Smith says: “Sustainability to me is doing and making the right decisions so that we can have a better world for tomorrow that our kids and people of the future can live a life where they don’t have to worry about their air quality, or their water quality or the quality of their energy.”

Leonie Bond, marketing manager at Red Star Brands, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for JUST Water to educate thousands of consumers about plastic consumption and will appeal to ethical consumers all over the UK. The Blue Planet II BAFTA award-winning television series was instrumental in raising awareness of environmental issues and this is the very reason that Will Smith’s son Jaden, launched JUST Water in the US.

“With a sustainably designed carton comprised of 82% renewable resources, JUST Water aims to minimise the impact the market for packaged water has on the environment. Since launching in 2015, the brand is already having a positive effect on the environment and we are certain it will continue to drive change here in the UK,” Bond continued.

JUST Water will also be providing all packaged water for the production and catering team working on the Blue Planet II Live In Concert UK and Ireland tour, as well as rolling out egress sampling and social media campaigns for all the concerts.

The Blue Planet II Live in Concert tour commences on Wednesday 13 March in Bournemouth and performs at 13 arenas, ending March 28. The tour will take highlight sequences from across the television series, each introduced by host Anita Rani live on stage, supported by the emotive orchestral accompaniment of the City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra who will be performing Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming’s immersive score, conducted by Matthew Freeman.

The JUST Water carton is made largely from plants – trees from sustainably managed forests are used for the paper in the carton, and sugarcane is used to make the bio-plastic for the cap.

To discover more make an enquiry about JUST Water please get in touch.

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