New Frü Strawberry and Raspberry Trifles follow on from the success of Gü Chocolate Trifles, launched in May 2008 and recently nominated a Must Stock Product by The Grocer.

The new Frü Trifles will add value to the growing fruity range and offer different consumer eating occasions, from picnics to sitting in front of the telly. They also aim to drive further interest in the trifle market which is estimated to be worth £97m (source: AC Nielson June 2008).

Revolutionising the traditional trifle market, Frü’s new trifles feature fruit at the top as opposed to the bottom, giving consumers an instant fruit fix. They’re made with juicy berries, Bourbon vanilla custard, fresh whipped cream and vanilla sponge. Like their chocolate counterparts, Frü Strawberry & Raspberry Trifles are presented in 100% recyclable pots and striking white packaging.

This month also sees the launch of new Frü Seasonal Summer Puds which feature a compote of six summer fruits, including raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, a light sponge and a fruity syrup.

With less than 100 calories in each pud, they offer consumers a lighter, refreshing eat and deliver an intense fruit fix. Frü Seasonal Summer Puds are presented in stylish ramekins, perfect for stylish entertaining or as a midweek treat.

These new puds form part of Frü’s aggressive NPD programme which will include more new pudding launches throughout the year.

Becs Sears, Marketing Manager of Frü Fruity Puds and Gü Chocolate Puds, comments: “The Frü brand is worth approximately £5m in the UK and it is predicted that these exciting new products will add an extra £4m to the brand. There is clearly a big opportunity in the market for premium fruity puddings that deliver quality and innovation and Frü is perfectly poised to fill it.”

Frü is investing £200k in marketing support for the new launches which includes sampling, a new Frü website, print advertising and PR.

Frü Strawberry & Raspberry Trifles retail at £2.39 for 2 x 115g trifles and are available from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Booths, Waitrose and Ocado.

Frü Seasonal Summer Puds retail at £2.99 for 2 x 90g ramekins and are also available from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Booths and Ocado.

This marks the latest launch in the UK of a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) to be supported by T-Mobile.

Under the agreement with Mobile Partners UK, T-Mobile will provide IKEA with pre-pay services that will be available to IKEA Family loyalty programme members in the UK.

Family Mobile will be launched to IKEA Family members on 8 August. Prior to this, IKEA will presented its 9,500 IKEA employees in the UK with a special introduction to the package by giving them a free Family Mobile SIM card with 5 of pre-loaded credit and a mobile phone.
Family Mobile has been designed by Mobile Partners UK to be simple to use with no hidden costs. Members of IKEA FAMILY will only pay for the air time they use with no fixed monthly payments and no minimum spend beyond an initial 10 of airtime purchased. Customers can keep their existing mobile number and can choose to have a household account with a number of SIM cards, allocating spend between registered members, T-Mobile informed.

The Family Mobile package consists of a mobile SIM card which can be ordered free of charge from the website Familymobile.co.uk. Mobile phones will not be sold by IKEA, however IKEA FAMILY members are able to purchase low-cost mobile phones through Mobile Partners UK, it was added.

Related Article : Virtual telephony is the new buzz

Paul Lettice, P&G’s trade communications manager, says the market for premium large sharing bag products grew by 21% and 13% over the last two years – ahead of all other segments.

With that in mind P&G has developed a range of six products which will be the subject of a “multi-million pound” support package this year – TV, print, online and sampling “which will be huge”.

The product range comprises: Italian Cheese with a Hint of Garlic; Thai Sweet Chilli; Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar; Spicy Szechuan BBQ and Sundried Tomato with Basil and Paprika. They are all available in 150g bags which retail at £1.48.

Discovery!, which launched earlier this summer as an exclusive with Big Fish Games, challenges players to hunt for more than 1,000 hidden objects through the U.S. and six international hot spots. Players can choose from 20 contestants to play and earn achievement stamps in five different game modes.

Also launching for retail is an all-new compilation of four games from WildTangent Studios, published by MumboJumbo, Polar Sports, Volume 1. The collection includes Polar Bowler, Polar Golfer, Penguins! and Polar Tubing, and it will retail for $19.99. Later this fall, MumboJumbo also will release the popular Polar Bowler for the Nintendo DS(TM). Since launching the original Polar Games for digital download, there have been more than 13 million players worldwide.

“We’re very excited about the titles we’re bringing to Wal-Mart and other national retailers this quarter,” said Mark Cottam, CEO of MumboJumbo. “Discovery! and Polar Sports are both fun titles that casual gamers really enjoy, and we’re confident that they will perform well at retail.”

With a growing casual game market, estimated at 200 million players by the Casual Game Association, casual games are becoming more readily available. Discovery! and Polar Sports will both retail for $19.99. Discovery is rated ‘E’ for Everyone, and Polar Sports is rated ‘E’ for Everyone with a descriptor for comic mischief.

Three Indian supermarket chains, SPAR, Hypercity and Nature’s Basket, and Indian import and distribution company Epicure Foods, have spent 10 days in Melbourne, Tasmania and Sydney to source quality Australian products for their fast-growing stores.

Cookies, confectionery, cereals, canned vegetables, juices and other products from 22 Australian companies are already on SPAR’s shelves in Bangalore.

“Many Indians are travelling the world and looking for international brands back home. About 35 to 40 percent of snack foods are imported,” SPAR Max Hypermarket India’s business manager Satish S V told media.

SPAR expects to import up to A$1 million (US$ 863,000 or Rs 37 million) worth of Australian products over the next year.

“Each of SPAR’s new stores will have two permanent gondola ends continually selling Australian products,” New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Primary Industries, Energy and Mineral Resources Ian McDonald said.

The supermarket officials have met over 45 Australian companies and experienced first hand what Australia has to offer.

“There is a general understanding in India that Australian food is clean, green and healthy,” Australian food consolidator Bemco Australia managing director Helen Pilakis told IANS.

The visit, organised by Bemco with support from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD), follows a successful “Taste Australia” promotion held in Bangalore last November that introduced Indian consumers to more than 120 new food and beverage products from 22 Australian companies.

Most Australian products are targeted at India’s growing middle class, with huge disposable incomes, looking for ready and convenience driven products.

“Revolutionised retail with more shelf space is opening a new market where Indian customers are constantly looking for something new,” says SPAR’s senior category manager Nanda Kishore.

“At the moment, Australian dairy products can’t be imported into India, but buyers are hoping things will change by the year-end. We are looking at options for importing dairy products,” Kishore added.

Many Australian companies are producing food targeted at people with special dietary needs. Real Foods feels there is a market in India for its gluten-free rice cakes.

“Indians today are looking for gluten-free products and have a much broader flavour palate. Our expertise is in making six varieties of corn thins, thinner than normal rice cakes, which can be eaten as a snack, replacing a sandwich, or as a meal,” the company’s market coordinator, Charlotte Marbus, told media.

Another Australian company, Sweet William’s (William’s) makes vegan, gluten and nut-free, halal, kosher and sugar free chocolates.

“With high incidence of diabetes in India, people are looking for sugar-free chocolate bars. However, the prohibitive aspect of our product is the 60 percent customs duty on chocolates,” the company’s marketing and sales manager, Carol O’Halloran, told media.

Godrej-owned Nature’s Basket has already placed an order for salad dressings and sauces, cereals, honey, olive oils, biscuits and crackers.

“The products should be on our shelves by Diwali. Many of these products would be ideal for gift hampers over the festive season”, the company’s operations manager Sudhir Kadav told media.

“There is a wide range of cuisine available in Australia and we have noticed that retailers can ask manufacturers for specific products tailored to their specific markets”, Kadav added.

Supermarkets are looking at products that cater largely to the much travelled Indian clientele, non-resident Indians and the large number of expatriate Indians.

Mumbai-based HyperCity’s category managers for ready, gourmet and instant foods, Shweta Mohile and Y V Rao, said their company was looking at unique products, Australian Leatherwood honey, Macademia nuts, shortbreads, which can capture a niche market.

As Australia becomes more aggressive in its exports to India and the Indian retail market grows, Epicure Frozen Foods and Beverages managing director Sanjay Tandon and CEO (Operations) Murali Shankar said in the coming years, Australian products would be represented far more in their product range.

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220, a 3.6-ounce clamshell adaptation of the compact Pearl “smart” phone, will be available from several global carriers this fall, Co-Chief Executive Officer Jim Balsillie said.

A smart phone offers advanced capabilities beyond those of a typical mobile phone, often with PC-like functionality.

No price was given for the new quad-band BlackBerry, but is believed to be priced in the $150 to $200 range, infoSync World Inc. reported.

The phone initially will be available in the United States through T-Mobile USA Inc. in an exclusive deal that will last at least through the end of the year, the Waterloo, Ontario, company said.

The Volt will be powered by electricity stored in a lithium-ion battery pack that runs the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the car will be able to run about 40 miles without using gasoline, CNN reported.

“The Volt symbolizes GM’s commitment to the future,” said Rick Wagoner, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

The car will have the equivalent of about 150 horsepower and a top speed of 100 mph, the Detroit automaker said. The car’s expected price was not revealed, CNN said.

The car’s zero-to-60 mph time will be under nine seconds, said GM vehicle line director Tony Posawatz.

“The center of gravity of the car, with the center battery pack, it’s going to have real great ride and handling,” Posawatz was quoted as saying.

GM said the car will cost “less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee” to recharge, and use less electricity annually than a refrigerator.

Some characteristics of the Volt:
–Lithium-ion batteries, which are still under development, are expected to propel the car up to 40 miles on a single charge from a home outlet.

–As it approaches 40 miles, a small internal combustion engine kicks in to recharge the batteries, extending the car’s range to hundreds of miles. The engine can run on gasoline or E85 ethanol.

–Design is among the most aerodynamic in GM history, although the company won’t reveal its drag coefficient.

–Interior has a liquid-crystal instrument display that the driver can configure to his or her needs, as well as touch-screen climate, information and entertainment controls.

–It takes about eight hours to recharge through a 120-volt outlet, costing about 80 cents a day assuming a price of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour.

–Top speed is 100 mph.

–Due in showrooms in November 2010.

The website is designed to help customers of The Body Shop find products in theWellbeing Range that are suited to help ease the stress and anxiety of the individual’s everyday life.

Split into four different regimes, namely Total Energy, Divine Calm, Deep Sleep and Pure Detox, the diagnostic tool leads users through four simple stages in order to determine the regime and products that are suitable for the customer’s needs. These recommendations are then available for the customer to print off and keep for future reference.

Visitors to the site can find products to help ease their everyday concerns, with the site guiding users to the ideal cleansing items, moisturisers, treatments and essential oils for their needs, with full details of the ingredients used, including camomile, jojoba and guarana, also available.

Designed to be easily incorporated into everyday lifestyles, every product in the Wellbeing Range contains effective active natural ingredients based on traditional herbal remedies. Products user trials have proved the effectiveness of this new range from The Body Shop, with well over half of those testing the products discovering the relaxing properties of Divine Calm Heavenly Shower Gel as well as the uplifting and invigorating Total Energy Exhilarating Body Wash.

The new diagnostic site from The Body Shop looks to be the ideal way for those leading a busy life to discover remedies and treatments to combat stress, lack of sleep and the feeling of being run down.

With many of the natural ingredients used in the Wellbeing Range sourced through Community Trade Programme, those who purchase items from the Wellbeing Range will also contribute to the wellbeing of communities around the world including Ghana, Brazil, Zambia, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Republic of Ireland, Italy and the UK.

The Octelle name is derived from the symbol of “infinity” or “forever” being similar to a figure 8. The symbol is similar to a figure of 8 turned on its side and is reflected by the eight sided design of the Octelle diamond. This octagonal shape is very fashionable and is increasingly the choice of celebrities, having been made popular by the hit film Sex and the City.

The Octelle diamond has been specifically created for Ernest Jones by one of the world’s leading diamond cutters to enhance the infinite natural beauty of the stone and to represent everlasting love. This attention to craft and detail ensure that the Octelle jewellery diamond jewellery collection is of the very highest quality. The symbolic nature of the eight sided diamond, representing the eternal nature of love, makes this diamond jewellery collection ideal for romantic gifts.

The Octelle Collection consists of 12 pieces including diamond pendants, diamond earrings and diamond rings, all set in 18ct white gold across a range of diamond carat weights. With 65 facets the octagonal diamond captures and enhances the beauty and originality of the vintage inspired jewellery featured in this collection. Each piece of jewellery reflects the stunning octagonal shape of the diamond and carries the signature infinity symbol.

Each Octelle diamond is independently certified with a unique serial number, assuring quality. The Octelle Collection is far more than a collection of jewellery, it is a bringing together of high quality design, materials and jewellery expertise to offer an original, stylish and evocative range of jewellery at competitive prices.

To celebrate and promote the launch of the extended Octelle collection, Ernest Jones has redesigned and strengthened the Octelle brand colour to a modern and vibrant purple, incorporating the beautiful octagonal stone along with the Ernest Jones and Octelle brand logos and the legends; ‘The Shape Of Unique Radiance’ and ‘Only at Ernest Jones.’

DJs group general manager, financial services and marketing, Damian Eales, said a major benefit of the card was that customers would receive store gift cards for making their everyday purchases on their David Jones American Express Card.

“Our customers consider David Jones gift cards the ultimate reward for women in particular, the choice and flexibility of gift cards is superior to the inflexible nature of most frequent flyer programs,” Mr Eales said.

“For our customer, turning everyday spending on groceries, petrol, or bills into a pair of sass & bide jeans or an Alannah Hill dress or ModelCo cosmetics has enormous resonance.”

The David Jones American Express card is available for a membership fee of $99 and an annual interest rate of 20.49 per cent.

The retailer had last week decided to cease its rewards program for shareholders from February 1, 2009, after a 12 month review of the program found other major retailer were moving away from this trend.

DJs said in a statement today that in the largest ever direct mail campaign the company has conducted, it had already mailed all of its Storecard customers application forms and they have started to apply.

“An extensive television, press and magazine campaign will follow in coming days,” it said.

The company believes the launch is expected to spark a change to the industry structure of credit cards in Australia.

“The Australian market has nowhere near the penetration of co-branded credit cards we have seen in the US and the UK,” Mr Eales said.

“Internationally, almost every department store offers a card that can be used outside of their store.”