Hattiers Rum Partners With Red Paddle Co

Devon based Hattiers Rum and Red Paddle Co are collaborating in an exciting new partnership. 

These two top Westcountry businesses are launching a range of super stylish co-branded kit including a Long Sleeve Pro Change Robe Evo, Waterproof Soft Cooler Bag (18L and 30L), Waterproof Cool Bag Backpack (15L), Waterproof Backpack (30L) and Waterproof Kit Bag (40L and 60L).  This exclusive new range is available from hattiers.com.

With both brands emphasising importance on their environmental journeys and their love for the outdoors, this partnership aims to inspire a new sense of everyday adventure. 

Says Philip Everett-Lyons, founder and CEO of Hattiers Rum: “There is an incredible synergy between Hattiers and Red Paddle Co as both of our companies share

 a similar ethos and values.  We're really excited about this partnership which is the start of a long term working relationship between the two brands.”

Founder and CEO of Red Paddle Co, John Hibbard, says: “We're delighted to be working with a fellow South Devon brand that shares a similar love of coastal adventures. We're all about balance in life and after an epic paddle-boarding trip, what could be better than ending the day with a tot of rum! It's also great to be collaborating with a B Corp certified company as we reach the final stages of our application and certification.”  Hattiers was the first rum brand in the UK to become B Corp certified. 

To celebrate the coming together of the brands, Hattiers Rum joined forces with Red Paddle Co for their 'opt outside' campaign this November.  In a bid to say no to over consumerism both businesses opted out of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday hype, instead pulling together to make a difference in their much loved natural environment. Volunteering with local environmental projects, the new partners helped clear the South Devon shorelines from plastic pollution with 'Till The Coast Is Clear' and contributed to The Deer Wood Trust's Woodland Project.

Specialising in sourcing fine blended aged rums from around the world, which they sustainably blend on Flete Estate in the South Hams, Hattiers Rum creates three stunning unique rums; Egremont Premium Reserve Rum, Eminence Blended Aged White Rum and Resolute Navy Strength Rum.  The Hattiers Rum range is available at hattiers.com as well as Waitrose & Partners, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Fortnum & Mason, The Whisky Exchange, Enotria & Coe and Drink Finder.

Launched in 2008 by founder and CEO, John Hibbard, Red Paddle Co was born when John, a former windsurfing UK Champion, discovered Stand Up Paddle Boarding.  He quickly noticed a gap in the market for an alternative Stand Up Paddle board which wasn't cumbersome and heavy.  Ever since, John has been on a mission to produce the very best inflatable paddle boards on the market and to continue growing the SUP community.  Now, more than ten years on, Red Paddle Co is a brilliant community of passionate paddle boarders from all over the world and considered the world's best inflatable stand up board brand.

For further information about Hattiers Rum please visit www.hattiers.com or like and follow Hattiers Rum on Instagram: hattiers_rum and Facebook: HattiersRum.  For further information about Red Paddle Co please visit www.red-equipment.co.uk or like and follow Red Paddle Co on Instagram:

Redpaddleco and Facebook: Red Paddle Co.

See Inside M&S Food at Christmas on ITV

For the first time ever, M&S has opened its doors to ITV so that customers can see how the magic of delicious, great value M&S Christmas food is developed and made.

Over the course of the hour-long episode, airing on Wednesday 21st December at 9pm, viewers will meet game-changing product developers, passionate store colleagues, key suppliers and of course some happy customers, all working well together to create what M&S hopes will be its most magical Christmas yet.   

Well, let's face it! Nobody does Christmas Food like Marks & Spencer does.  For 138 years, it’s been at the heart of British Christmas across the whole country, delighting customers with delicious, great value festive favourites and heart-warming adverts.   

M&S usually doubles its market share at Christmas and the trusted value promise really comes to life as customers turn to M&S for exceptional quality, innovative food.  

Sharry Cramond, who is the Director of Marketing and Hospitality at M&S Food, said: “Since long before I joined the business, M&S Food has been synonymous with Christmas and customers always turn to us at this important time of year for some M&S magic. This year, more than ever, they have told us that they want to protect Christmas and put food at the heart of it.  

“In this ITV show we lift the lid on how we create the magic and show the lengths that our suppliers and developers go to - going that extra mile to produce the most exciting and delicious Christmas products, all carefully sourced and manufactured to the high standards customers expect and always offering fantastic value.  

“Christmas at M&S is fun, frantic and full-on as we get ready for the most exciting time of year with colleagues pulling out all the stops to make Christmas extra special – and ITV cameras have captured it all. I can’t wait for the show.”  

Getting stores ready  

At Newcastle’s Silverlink store, cameras follow enthusiastic manager Rob, marshalling his troops to get the food and drink section ready for Christmas while in the bustling Clapham branch, the team prepare the store for what they hope will be a very busy Christmas.   

Innovative products  

At the retailer’s support centre, the M&S product developers have been working on unique innovations that will draw in the crowds this Christmas. This year product developer Matt is gambling on an easy cook Turkey that can be out of the oven in as little as one hour.    

Passionate suppliers are crucial to keeping M&S on top at Christmas.  On the beautiful east coast of Scotland, viewers will meet Highlands based fish smoker Roy who believes his unique two-smoke process is the key to creating the best smoked salmon in the world.   

In Ireland, Lir chocolates are working with M&S product developer Katy on a light up chocolate box that has been in development for over a year. Cameras follow Katy visiting the factory for a crucial visit to test out the millions of  individual chocolates being hand sprayed.   

In North Wales, product developer Harry visits Village Bakery in Wrexham to check on how his idea of a Christmas sourdough bread is coming along. 

At the M&S store support centre, we meet Alice who is overseeing this year’s brand new Christmas sandwich.   

Meanwhile in a top-secret location, M&S is in production for its highly anticipated Christmas 2022 TV advert. Mixing the iconic food porn with fun, festive animation and a real-life rescue dog called Wylie who is a star in the making.    

Inside M&S at Christmas offers unprecedented and incredible access to every element of the Mark & Spencer food operation as it strives to make this Christmas the most magical and delicious festive period in its 138-year history.   

https://www.marksandspencer.com.

Christmas will be ‘Extra Special’ at Asda thanks to Finnebrogue Artisan

Downpatrick's Finnebrogue Artisan has won a national supply deal with Asda stores to produce three exclusive Extra Special Christmas lines, which will be available in over 500 stores across the UK this Christmas.

As one of the top UK artisan food producers, Finnebrogue created three new Extra Special products for Christmas 2022 including a first to market Cracking Pork and Apple Hog-Roast Stuffing Wreath centrepiece with Crispy Crackling Crumb and Cider Apple Glaze.

As the demand for plant-based dietary options continues to rise, Finnebrogue and Asda spotted an opportunity to answer this call with two wonderful show-stopping vegan Christmas alternatives including an Extra Special Vegan Butternut Squash, Chestnut and Cranberry Wreath and a new plant based Vegan Turkey Crown with Umami Basting Stock.

Finnebrogue’s relationship with Asda began in 2014 with the supply of Extra Special sausages and has grown over the years to include an innovative plant-based range as well as butchery items and Extra Special products.

Andrew Murdock, Account Manager at Finnebrogue, said: “It's great to grow our long-standing relationship with Asda through the development of products for this year’s Extra Special Christmas range. We pride ourselves on innovation and we feel our Hog-Roast stuffing wreath is a real standout product, packed full of delicious flavours for shoppers to enjoy during the festive season.

Andrew added; “Our new products have been designed with the Asda customers’ Christmas shopping list in mind and our new vegan alternatives give families more choice if they are trying to reduce their meat consumption but still enjoy a Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings. “

Cathy Elliot, Asda’s Buying Manager for NI Local added, “At Asda, we work alongside some wonderful local suppliers to create innovative, affordable and delicious products for shoppers to enjoy. We're thrilled to introduce new Extra Special Christmas products into Asda stores with Finnebrogue this year.

“Working closely with Finnebrogue, we're proud to offer a standout centrepiece product as well as two new Vegan alternatives, so everyone in the family can enjoy an Extra Special Christmas dinner. We are confident Asda shoppers will enjoy these festive additions.”

The Cracking Pork & Apple Hog-Roast Stuffing Wreath with Crispy Crackling Crumb and Cider Apple Glaze, Extra Special Vegan Meat-Free Butternut Squash, Chestnut and Cranberry Wreath and Plant Based Vegan Turkey Crown with Umami Basting Stock are available in selected Asda stores nationwide.

www.asda.com.

Have you forgotten some Christmas shopping? Tesco reveals the most commonly-forgotten Christmas products

Gravy, stuffing, cooking oil and fruit cocktail are amongst the products most often forgotten by Brits in the rush to finish the shopping before Christmas, Tesco reveals.

Customers also often forget to stock up on bin liners, tin foil and table salt before the big day.

To help customers this year, Tesco has launched a dedicated section in its 1,975 Express stores for the most forgotten items, so whether it’s custard or kitchen roll, they won’t be caught out on Christmas morning.

Tesco has introduced the section after experiencing a rush to buy essential, but often-forgotten, festive necessities at its Express stores in the days leading up to Christmas.

Last year in the week leading up to Christmas, Tesco Express stores saw:

a 150% spike in sales of tin foil

a near-200% increase on stuffing sales

a 155% lift in sales of table sauces

sales of gravy granules up by more than a third

The other items customers most commonly forget to include in their Christmas shop include:

Fruit Cocktail in Juice

Sunflower oil

Meringue nests

Kitchen roll

Mayonnaise

Bin liners

Table salt

Toilet roll

Cling film

Kevin Tindall, Managing Director for Tesco Convenience, said: “We at Tesco know Christmas is a busy time of year, so while it’s easy to remember the turkey and Brussels sprouts, it’s just as easy to forget those bin liners for the end of day clear-up, or kitchen roll for Christmas dinner spillages.

“With the launch of our ‘easily forgotten’ sections, we’re giving our customers one less thing to worry about this Christmas.”

Tesco’s ‘easily forgotten’ aisles are just one way it is helping customers this festive season.

In October, the supermarket locked down the price of more than 1,000 everyday items until the new year to help customers budget for Christmas.

And just last week it announced the launch of a huge new Clubcard coupon trial, which will see four million users of the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app receive personalised coupons every two weeks.

With the new digital coupons, customers could earn extra points on that new Christmas outfit from F&F or an extra discount on a Boxing Day cheese board. 

www.tesco.com.

Free Christmas giveaway at Morisons

Morrisons is spreading the festive spirit this Christmas by giving away carrots at all its stores to ensure Father Christmas’s reindeer are well fed to help deliver presents in time for Christmas day.

The star of the Morrisons Christmas ad, Farmer Christmas, has hand-delivered over 29 tonnes of wonky carrots on his glowing, festive tractor for children to pick up free of charge, ready to leave out on for Santa's reindeers on Christmas Eve. 

Customers can collect their free carrot on the 22nd and 23rd December whilst stocks last.  

British wonky carrots that are oversized or misshapen but still absolutely delicious, will be available in all 498 stores for customers to pick-up from a Morrisons Community Champion. 

The move hopes to encourage families to choose wonky veg more often to reduce waste as this produce would have otherwise been discarded.

Carrot sales soar during the festive season, increasing by 130% during the week before Christmas compared to previous weeks, showing the Norse tradition of leaving food and drink out for Father Christmas and his reindeer is still as popular as ever.

Andy Todd, Senior Carrot Buyer at Morrisons, said: “Christmas is a magical time of year and we want to help our customers celebrate in any way we can. Our delicious Wonky carrots are hugely popular as they help our British farmers reduce waste and are a cheaper alternative for customers. We only hope the reindeer enjoy them as much as our customers do!” 

To help spread festive cheer, Morrisons will also be offering free Mince Pies and Christmas Cake to all customers that come into its cafés on 19 December, giving them an additional treat to enjoy with their hot and cold drink. 

For more information on delivery offers from Morrisons, visit: www.morrisons.com.

Early data from Productsup reveals commerce plans for holiday season

Ad spend down, the metaverse out, and sustainable shopping thriving in new data from P2C leader.

Productsup, the leading P2C data management platform, has released early data from its 2023 Business growth report, offering insights on commerce plans for the upcoming holiday season. 

The data, collected from a Coleman Parkes survey of 755 senior decision-makers from 16 countries, highlights the following key trends:

Decreasing ad spend, and playing it safe: Only 24% of businesses expect to increase overall ad spend, and the few advertising dollars they do have are going toward more traditional platforms. For instance, only 21% of businesses plan to increase ad spend on Snapchat or TikTok, and 25% won't advertise via VR and AR formats. However, this may prevent businesses from reaching certain key market segments. With less companies buying up ad space, there's more room for brands to stand out to consumers.

Businesses avoiding the metaverse: Only 9% of businesses believe the option to buy products online, offline, or in the metaverse has the greatest influence in making consumers choose them over a competitor. However, data shows that businesses could benefit from using the metaverse to connect with younger buyers. Over 50% of Gen Z shoppers are interested in a metaverse that serves them in the real world, with faster purchases and returns.

Sustainable products in high demand: Despite the economic downturn, 49% of businesses recorded increased demand for sustainable products. In response, 55% plan to increase sustainability details in their product information. Emphasising sustainability credentials on labels and listings can help meet consumer expectations, as 34% of consumers say that brands and retailers make sustainability information too difficult to find.

Product information top priority: This holiday season, high-quality product information is the highest priority compared to other marketing tactics. 59% of businesses plan to add more detailed product information to their campaigns. Businesses are now more aware of the impact of poor product information, with 62% fearing it creates negative online experiences, up 72% from December 2021.

Marcel Hollarbach, Chief Innovation Officer at Productsup, commented: "As businesses navigate the economic downturn, many are decreasing ad spend and shying away from the metaverse. But this cautious approach may prevent them from reaching key market segments. We encourage businesses to be bold and use product information to create targeted shopping experiences for today's consumers this holiday season and beyond.”

The full report, which contains a wealth of information into enterprise plans for the year across a range of industries and geographies, will be released in full early next year.

https://www.productsup.com.

As snow adds to strike woes, ParcelHero warns of increasing home delivery delays

Home delivery expert ParcelHero says snow and ice have compounded delays to many retailers’ deliveries. Strikes and a shortage of seasonal workers were already causing increased backlogs. It’s urging shoppers to check retailers’ last order dates using its enhanced Christmas deadlines tool.

Snow, ice and fog are adding to the Christmas chaos in some delivery networks. The home delivery expert ParcelHero says the Arctic weather couldn’t have come at a worse time. Delays were already growing because of strikes, a shortage of seasonal workers post-Brexit and global disruption caused by Covid problems in China.

Says ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T.: "Snow is the last thing the UK’s traditional postal service and courier networks needed. Even before Arctic conditions hit the UK, deliveries were backing up. Retailers and individuals have all been switching to couriers to avoid the impact of industrial action in the traditional postal network, and this unexpected extra volume of parcels has taken some networks by surprise.

"It’s not only strikes that are impacting deliveries, there’s also a shortage of warehouse operatives and delivery drivers, because many seasonal workers left the UK post-Brexit. Several UK courier networks have had to take steps to keep parcels moving as retailers abandon traditional mail services. One major courier has stopped all next-day deliveries in some areas.

"The traditional mail strike has also impacted many retailers. Bookworms should note Waterstones’ final online order date of 21 December quoted last week has now moved to 19 December. Other stores, like Currys, have ditched their traditional mail option entirely, in favour of courier services, because of the impact of the strikes. Even so, it's managed to maintain its final order dates of 22 December for small goods and 21 December for larger goods. It says orders will arrive before Christmas if its next-day delivery option is chosen."

He went on to say: "Other stores are also busy rowing back on their final order dates. Superdry had an ambitious last order date of 23 December that it's now sensibly moved back to 20 December and House of Fraser, Harvey Nicks and Cath Kidston have all pulled their final order dates back by at least one day.

"With all the Christmas confusion, ParcelHero has re-launched our popular Christmas tool in the nick of time. You can now discover retailers’ final online order dates in time for Christmas, find out the last mailing dates for presents to UK and international destinations, and see handy packaging and Customs clearance hacks to help ensure gifts reach their destinations in time. To check the easy-to-use retailers’ final order and final mailing dates tool."

Check that out here: https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery

Perfect Christmas Drinks for Every Occasion from Hattiers Rum

Served neat, over ice or to create deliciously evocative festive cocktails perfect for the party season, the UK's first B Corp certified rum, Hattiers' three premium aged rums also make wonderful gifts and stocking fillers.  

Specialising in sourcing finste blended aged rums from around the globe, which they sustainably blend in Devon, their unique rums include Egremont Premium Reserve Rum, Eminence Blended Aged White Rum and Resolute Navy Strength Rum.  

Not only do Hattiers' rums taste exquisite, with six awards from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) to prove it, they're also sustainable, plastic free and committed to carbon neutrality, too.

The ultimate Christmas gift for the rum connoisseurs in your life, premium sipping rum Egremont Premium Reserve Rum, is a blend of four cask aged rums hand picked from across the Caribbean and Central America and gently paired with pure soft spring water from the hills of Dartmoor.  

Filtered by layer upon layer of ancient granite, Dartmoor spring water balances the alcoholic strength of the base rums to a more accessible level and produces a long and creamy finish.  A fragrant, medium bodied rum that's complex yet accessible, Egremont is perfect in Hattiers' original Hot Hattiers and The King's Hat Christmas cocktails.  £42.00, 40% ABV, 70 cl.

With a fruity but not sweet taste, gentle nutty pineapple aftertaste and long cream finish, Eminence Blended Aged White Rum is the perfect gift for cocktail loving family, friends or colleagues.  Divine served with mixers too, Eminence is crafted using cask rums from Barbados, Australia, Trinidad and Jamaica and is smooth, light-medium bodied with a great depth of flavour and character.  With light and attractive soft fruit notes and a vanilla pod, creamy fudge and ripe pineapple aroma, it has been carefully carbon filtered to remove the colour while maintaining the impact of the barrel.  £37.50, 42% ABV, 70cl.

Guaranteed to pack some punch and sure to make Christmas parties go off with a bang, Hattiers Rums' 

Resolute Navy Strength Rum is a blended aged navy strength rum, made using rums from Barbados, Australia, Guyana and Jamaica.  With a toasted brown sugar and charred oak aroma followed by warm banana, on the palate it has an intensity of fruit with pineapple, apple, banana, mango and a buttery pastry taste with darker notes of liquorice which linger.  Wafts of coal smoke drift in on the finish, with a dominance of banana cream.  £56.00, 54.5% ABV, 70cl.

Treat party guests to an exquisite Christmas inspired Hot Hattiers or The King's Hat, or both, at your next festive celebration.  

Hot Hattiers:

Combining sweet cider with sugar, spice and all things nice, Hot Hattiers is a delicious winter warmer that makes all that wind and rain worthwhile.  So, embrace the season, close the curtains, light a fire and invite friends and loved ones around for Christmas carols, mince pies and hot rum and cider.  After all, Hot Hattiers is best enjoyed shared!

Ingredients

70ml Hattiers Egremont Premium Reserve Rum

500 ml sweet cider 

100g Demerara Sugar

One apple - finely sliced

Two allspice berries

Dash of vanilla essence

Three drops of Angostura Bitters

Method

Combine all of the ingredients and mix well in a large saucepan.

Warm gently over a medium heat, stirring occasionally and being careful not to boil.

Use a sieve or strainer to pour the mixture into a glass and serve hot.

The King's Hat:

Ingredients

25ml Hattiers Egremont Premium Reserve Rum

25ml The King's Ginger

25ml Dry Vermouth

25ml Fresh Lemon Juice

15ml Sugar Syrup (also known as simple syrup or gomme)

Unwaxed Orange

Method

Build all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake vigorously.

Strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass.

Garnish with a twist of orange.#

Hattiers Rum is available from hattiers.com as well as Waitrose & Partners, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Fortnum & Mason, The Whisky Exchange, Enotria & Coe, Drink Finder and Daylesford Organic. 

For further information about Hattiers Rum please visit www.hattiers.com or like and follow Hattiers Rum on Instagram: hattiers_rum and Facebook: HattiersRum.  

Is Christmas dinner healthy? Experts breakdown what parts of the festive dinner is good for you

Brits celebrating Christmas with the traditional Chirstmas Day feast are being advised on what parts of Christmas Dinner is good for them with red wine and roast potatoes both getting the thumbs up.

Fitness experts at Goal Getters by MuscleFood.com have looked at a classic Christmas dinner and ranked the different parts from most to least healthy.

Vitamin B, Potassium and carotenoids are just some of the nutrients that can be found in roast potatoes, turkey and carrots.

Unfortunately not all parts of our Christmas dinner are healthy including pigs in blankets and stuffing, but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong on our plate.

Ashleigh Tosh from Goal Getters by MuscleFood.com  said: “We’re all about encouraging realistic eating habits and Christmas is a time where you shouldn’t worry about tracking your calories.

“We think people who are trying to reach their fitness goals, whether that’s losing weight or toning up, will find comfort in knowing that your entire Christmas dinner isn’t actually that bad for you.

“Turkey for example is high in protein and also supplies us with those all important B vitamins. Wine lovers will also be glad to know that popping open a bottle of red wine can help regulate cholesterol levels and keep the heart healthy.”

Christmas Dinner breakdown:

Meat

Most of us opt for turkey on Christmas Day as our meat of choice and the good news is this is actually richer in protein than chicken or beef. Turkey and chicken also provide us with important B vitamins which help turn our food into energy.

Roasties

Although it depends on how they are made, roasties tend to be good for you as their high levels of fibre can improve indigestion. Roast potatoes are also really high in potassium which is important as this is a nutrient which our body doesn’t naturally produce. In fact, potatoes actually contain more potassium than a banana.

Brussel sprouts

Love them or hate them, Brussel sprouts are high in nutritional value and definitely worth having on your plate at Christmas. They are high in antioxidants which can protect us from chronic diseases and they contain a compound that helps to block enzymes known to advance cancer growth. Be warned though, they can make you a little gassy.

Carrots

Carrots are high in carotenoids which is a compound found in plants and is known to help the immune system and the ageing process.

Red wine

In moderation, red wine is believed to help regulate cholesterol levels and keep the heart healthy thanks to the antioxidants it contains.

Gravy

Gravy may not be the healthiest part of your Christmas menu but it’s also not as bad as we think. Gravy is traditionally made from the juices that meats release when being cooked. Making gravy this way means your sauce is likely to be high in fats and salt. Most of us these days tend to use gravy stock instead which is a great way to reduce the amount of fat and salt in the sauce.

Stuffing

Stuffing is a combination of things like breadcrumbs, onions and herbs and unfortunately it’s not the healthiest part of our Christmas dinner but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. If you are interested in a healthier version then consider making your stuffing the vegetarian way using more dry fruits and nuts.

If you prefer a store bought powder then just remember that these tend to be high in salt so you definitely won’t need to add your own.

Pigs in blankets

Pigs in blankets are arguably the nation's favourite part of a Christmas dinner but unfortunately this combination of red meat is heavily processed meaning it falls to the bottom of the list.

​

That's Food and Drink: Cove Passion Liqueur for Your Valentine

That's Food and Drink: Cove Passion Liqueur for Your Valentine: This Valentine's Day, celebrate the love in your life with Devon Cove's Passion Liqueur. Unique and delicate, Passion Liqueur is mad...