Cheryl Hunter (shelflife at marklives.com)’s weekly pick of all things new in retail — consumer products launches, retail news and FMCG campaigns!
- Creating convenience
- Russian fun in SA
- Be the barista
New convenience range with Clover’s Whistling Chef
Clover has launched an ambitious new venture into the convenience foods category with a ready-to-eat range branded The Whistling Chef.
This latest range comes complete with first-to-Africa FreshVacSeal packaging technology that is meant to allow consumers to enjoy a fresh meal with an extended shelf life. This is a patent, unique to Clover’s Whistling Chef range, that is preservative- and colourant-free.
Says Mone Gerryts, Clover marketing manager, “The Whistling Chef is not just a clever brand name — these nutritious and delicious meals, that offer family-favourite recipes, actually whistle in the microwave when they’re perfectly heated. What’s more is that each meal undergoes 10 quality checks, has an innovative ‘tray plate’ for easy eating, and a first to market ‘no-pierce’ film.”
Launched at Melrose Arch with the help of local celebs Pearl Thusi and Ntokozo Dlamini, Clover’s latest products promise convenience with quality ingredients: “We know what a struggle it is for families, moms who want to take the night off, and executives and students to rustle up a dinner that is nutritious, containing real, fresh ingredients that is ready in just a few minutes. It’s for this reason that we’ve created The Whistling Chef range.”
The offering has launched with five initial variants including Creamy Macaroni & Cheese; Cottage Pie; Creamy Alfredo; Beef Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognaise.
Mone says the FreshVacSeal technology means a pasteurised, longer shelf life and there’s no need to pierce the film on the meal either — your meal will literally whistle and let you know when it’s ready.
The Whistling Chef range is completely halaal, and has been developed by food technologists and specialists. The range is available at select retailers and forecourts nationwide.
clover.co.za • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Sodastream’s Russia kit for soccer lovers
In celebration of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, sparkling water brand Sodastream has launched a humorous “I couldn’t make it to Russia” kit. The goal is to make soccer fans feel as if they’re in Russia supporting their favorite team, from the comfort of their homes.
SodaStream’s kit includes everything needed to make soccer fans feel a part of the beautiful game: “Kvass”, an alcoholic concentrate to be added to sparkling water to recreate the famous Russian beer-resembling drink; the spirit sparkling water-maker; and a “chapka” traditional Russian hat.
Says Ferdinand Barckhahn, SodaStream GM, “The world cup is the world’s biggest soccer event that fans across the world have been waiting for, for four years. We at SodaStream want to bring the fun to those who are unable to physically attend the world cup and to liberate them from schlepping heavy and polluting plastic bottles.”
Kvass is an iconic Russian beverage, resembling German malt beer, that contains 1.8% alcohol. The SodaStream Kvass-flavored 200ml alcoholic concentrate will create 2l of ready-to-drink beverage, making it the perfect accessory for hosting guests on game night, plus the Russian fake-fur hat will let you serve your guests in style.
sodastream.co.za • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Creating baristas with Nespresso’s Creatista Plus
Gone are the days where a dash of cream or a sprinkle of cocoa powder is enough to cover your cappuccino as coffee art enthusiasts challenge themselves to create miniature masterpieces within the parameters of a coffee cup. Thanks to the Nespresso Creatista Plus, it’s possible for anyone to become the barista.
The Creatista Plus comes equipped with a menu of milk-based recipes with different foam textures, temperatures and quantities to make coffee preparation a pleasure and, for the more-advanced barista, users may also personalise the settings for their coffee at each stage from the intuitive menu. With endless possibilities for intricate patterns and dreamy designs, the magic of a beautifully made-up coffee is the press of a button away.
The new Nespresso Creatista Plus is available from boutiques nationwide or online.
buynespresso.com • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Shelf Life is MarkLives.com’s weekly column covering all things retail. Notify us of yours at shelflife at marklives dot com. Want to sponsor Shelf Life? Contact us here.
Cheryl Hunter (@cherylhunter) has written for the South African media, marketing and advertising industries for more than 15 years. A former editor of M&M in Independent Newspapers and contributor to Bizcommunity, AdFocus, AdReview and the Ad Annual, she has also produced for various television networks and currently consults on communication strategy and media liaison.
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