Following the ballot, which saw 79.52% vote in favour of strike action, on a 73.67% turnout, action will begin in the week beginning 9^th December.

It was revealed that the 2024-2025 pay negotiations had failed to reach a satisfactory outcome, with Usdaw area organiser, Ed Leach saying the company’s offer of 6.5% failed to address the narrowing of the gap between the value of the National Living Wage and the consolidated rates of pay at the site.

Following the ballot results, Mr Leach said the overwhelming result clearly demonstrated the strength of feeling among members, and urged management to come back to the negotiating table and avoid disruption to the business ahead of Christmas.

“We regret that the company has flatly refused to increase the offer and we urge them to change their stance,” he added.

Usdaw balloted all members at the Ashby-de-la-Zouch site in Leicester who are employed on Grades B, C, D, D+ and D++ and was conducted by an independent scrutineer.

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The formal ballot over a dispute about pay opened on 1^st November and will close on 25^th November and follows a recent consultative industrial action ballot.

Usdaw area organiser, Ed Leach said that the 2024-2025 pay negotiations have so far failed to reach a satisfactory outcome.

“The company’s offer of 6.5% fails to adequately address the narrowing of the gap between the value of the National Living Wage and the consolidated rates of pay at the site,” said Ed Leach.

“The offer was rejected by 87.5% in the most recent ballot, which clearly demonstrates that the offer is unacceptable to our members. We regret that the company has flatly refused to increase the offer and we urge them to change their stance to avoid disruption to the business in the busy pre-Christmas period.”

Usdaw is balloting all members at the KP Snacks Ashby-de-la-Zouch site who are employed on Grades B, C, D, D+ and D++. The ballot is being conducted by an independent scrutineer. If Usdaw members vote to take industrial action, it is anticipated that the first strike will take place during the week commencing 9^th December 2024.

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The partnership, which runs until 5^th January 2025, brings together the ultimate movie night snack and in-home movie entertainment on one of the UK’s leading television channels.

As part of the partnership, Butterkist will feature prominently across Channel 4’s film premiere programming and video on demand. Four different five second TVC Blips and one 10 second ident cleverly integrate popcorn into various movie genres and scenes. In one blip, two pieces of Butterkist popcorn are shown together in a romantic moment while, in another, a horror scene results in a funny popcorn jump scare reaction.   

Rachael Rayner, Brand Manager, KP Snacks said: “Movie nights and Butterkist are the perfect partners, and we are delighted to be working with Channel 4 to bring this to life.

“Synonymous with great entertainment, Butterkist delivers fun and flavour, performing particularly well within at-home sharing occasions. As the clear market leader, Butterkist is perfectly positioned to reinforce the association of popcorn with movies and continue driving category growth.”

Angus Mitchell, Customer and Commercial Leader, Channel 4 said: “Film across C4 is the perfect environment for Butterkist, and we are really excited to be collaborating with them on this contextual partnership, the series of bespoke adverts tailored to different film genres helps to deepen their connection to film and shared moments.”

Available in multiple flavours and formats, Butterkist is the perfect accompaniment for any sharing occasion whether this be for a home movie marathon or as a sweet treat. It is worth £56.3m growing at 5.3%^[1], and is one of KP Snacks most popular brands, dominating the popcorn category. At nearly twice as large as its nearest branded competitor, Butterkist enjoys a 35.4%^[2] market share.

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Delivering flavours inspired by America’s iconic diners and food stands, the two new SKUs feature an exciting on-pack promotion offering shoppers the chance to win an epic adventure, with five American road trips to be won. Running from 2^nd September to 20^th December, the on-pack promotion will also see winners receive discount vouchers to be redeemed at participating UK restaurants and diners.

Designed to excite consumers with fresh and unique products, the McCoy’s Epic Eats sub-range is known for its innovative flavour rotations. Contributing £10.5m^[1] to brand sales since launching last year, the McCoy’s Epic Eats range delivers signature crunch and bold flavour, available in the right formats to engage shoppers and drive category growth.

Expanding KP Snacks’ market-leading £1.25 PMP range, the two new SKUs capitalise on the strength of the £1.25 PMP segment which is growing +8.6% ahead of the overall category (+6.1%)^[2]. With McCoy’s representing one of the top five £1.25 PMP brands within Bagged Snacks, the two new products are perfectly positioned to drive category growth, with £1.25 PMPs accounting for 61% of Independent’ sales^[3].

John McDougall, Brand Manager, McCoy’s said: “McCoy’s is well-known and loved for its dynamic flavour proposition and continues to cater to the demand for bold, new and differentiated products.

“We are thrilled to be refreshing the Epic Eats range with two new additions, perfect for exciting shoppers and ensuring the range remains relevant within the category. By launching the new PMPs alongside an exciting on-pack promotion, we are driving engagement and tempting shoppers to try something new.”

McCoy’s is the UK’s number one ridged crisp brand, worth £183.6m and growing +9% YOY^[4]. McCoy’s maintains strong brand penetration at 25.4% (consumed by one in four households)^[5].

^[1] Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value 10.08.24

^{[2]  Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT 13.07.24}

^{[3]  Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT 17.06.23}

^{[4] Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT 13.07.24}

^[5] Kantar 52 w.e 14.05.23

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Running until Sunday 13^th October, the new giveaway offers retailers the chance to win one of 90 £500 cash prizes by purchasing cases of Discos, Space Raiders, Nik Naks, Roysters, and Wheat Crunchies.

The incentive showcases KP Snacks’ classic Heritage range and the critical role it plays within the Bagged Snacks category as a staple of the Convenience & Impulse channel. KP Snacks will also distribute new POS kits to drive stand-out of Heritage brands in-store and help increase retailer sales.

Featuring the strapline “Extra Taste, Extra Fun and Extra Sales”, the new POS will include vibrant dump bins, shelf wobblers and shelf strips to help retailers capitalise on the strength of KP Snacks’ Everyday Value brands, delivering stronger customer visibility to drive sales growth.

KP Snacks’ Heritage portfolio continues to appeal to shoppers by tapping into the growing demand for nostalgic products, with 59% of shoppers saying they choose snacks that bring back good memories^[1]. The range capitalises on the current trend of modern nostalgia, keeping these classic brands relevant.

Last year, Nik Naks and Discos were in the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing Food & Drink brands and are continuing to deliver at +5% YOY and +17% YOY respectively^[2]. These unique and trusted brands are delivering sustainable growth to the Convenience channel, with Wheat Crunchies growing by an astounding +52% YOY^[3]. Space Raiders are also driving sales within the channel growing at +4%^[4]. Meanwhile, Roysters T-Bone Steak £1.25 PMPs are growing ahead of the PMP segment in both volume and value sales.^[5]

‘With our new Heritage sales incentive we are engaging our retailer partners with the right activities and resources’

In addition, by offering a range of accessible price points, from Space Raiders 40p PMPs, the UK’s number one singles PMP, to 50p PMPs for Discos and Wheat Crunchies and its wide selection of popular £1.25 PMP formats, KP Snacks’ Heritage range delivers great value from trusted brands.

Pauline Warren, Heritage Portfolio Manager, KP Snacks said: “Our Heritage range delivers great value to shoppers through unique and flavourful brands that consumers trust and love.

“We are delighted to spotlight this vital range which continues to perform extremely well within the Convenience channel, contributing to the growth of the Bagged Snacks segment.

“By leveraging familiar brands which deliver Everyday Value and strong consumer appeal, retailers can boost their sales. With our new Heritage sales incentive we are engaging our retailer partners with the right activities and resources to help them win in bagged snacks.”

To be in with a chance to win, retailers need to purchase four cases of stock across KP Snacks’ leading Everyday Value brands: Discos, Nik Naks, Space Raiders, Wheat Crunchies, and Roysters. To be entered into the prize draw, retailers need to be registered to a participating wholesaler such as Bestway Wholesale, Bestway Vans, Sugro, Vending (Templeman, Auto Retail), NBC (Right Price), Unitas (Filshill, Dee Bee ), Avansa (Bestway, Unitas, Millenium), Costcutter, (Central, Avansa Retail) or Booker Group (Premier Budgens and Londis).

^[1] Mintel Crisps, Savoury Snacks and Nuts – UK 2023

^[2] Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT  13.07.24

^[3] Nielsen IQ, Total Convenience Bagged Snacks Report, Total Volume, MAT 13.07.24

^[4] Nielsen IQ, Total Convenience Bagged Snacks Report, Total Volume, MAT 13.07.24

^[5] Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT 13.07.24 

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