Inside FMCG

Woolworths is phasing out its Farmers’ Own milk brand, with the specialty range to disappear from supermarkets nationwide as existing supplier contracts expire. The retailer has already removed Farmers’ Own from shelves in South Australia, with the range set to leave stores in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria by next year. Launched in 2013, Farmers’ Own was positioned as a way for shoppers to support Australian dairy farmers by offering suppliers a better deal.

McDonald’s US has partnered with Red Bull to introduce its first-ever fruity energy drink, marking the chain’s first entry into the energy drink market. The primary addition, ‘Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer’, blends a traditional Red Bull energy drink base with blue raspberry syrup and freeze-dried dragonfruit inclusions. To accommodate varying consumer preferences, the item can be customised with a Red Bull Zero base for a reduced-sugar alternative, or purchased as a 248ml can.

Beauty products maker McPherson’s has lost a civil action in the Federal Court brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic). Asic commenced its investigation into McPherson’s after it posted earnings guidance to the ASX that included a forecast growth in profit before tax, underpinned by the purchasing forecasts of its Dr LeWinn skincare product line, in October 2020.

Inside FMCG has compiled a selection of partnerships that have held their ground. They span global sport, national fixtures and local circuits, each one built with a clear sense of placement. Some operate at scale, moving through broadcast, venue and retail simultaneously, and others repeat across seasons until they are absorbed into routine. Beer at the footy, skincare in the athletes’ village, wine in the F1 paddock, vodka in the desert, L’Oréal at the Festival de Cannes.

Ice cream companies may be enjoying a summer sales boost from soaring temperatures, but behind the scenes they are preparing for a future where consumers want fewer reasons to feel guilty about treating themselves. The rise of appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs, demand for healthier foods and growing ingredient scrutiny are pushing manufacturers to reduce portion sizes, increase protein content in their recipes and clean up ingredients lists.

WA’s Brownes Dairy has redesigned its white milk range’s packaging, coinciding with the company’s 140th year of operations. Created by WA artist Jordan Lee, the packaging update replaces traditional agricultural imagery with contemporary, abstract botanical artwork that reflects the natural landscapes and flora of the state’s South West region, where the company sources its raw milk supply.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP)-owned 7Up has redefined its US$5 billion lemon-lime category with an identity refresh, marking its biggest brand evolution in over 15 years. The brand is reformulating its soda to put lime at the forefront, creating a ‘lime-forward’ profile to appeal to younger consumers drawn to citrus-forward flavours amid growing competition. Launched as the Original Uncola in 1929, 7Up has long challenged conventions and offered consumers something different.

Australian aperitif brand Tanica is targeting a capital raise to develop a ready-to-drink range, double production and expand exports across Asia-Pacific. The crowdfunding comes as Tanica enters peak spritz season, two months after signing a national distribution agreement with Iconic Beverages to accelerate its nationwide expansion. Over the past two years, the brand has recorded 159 per cent sales growth, while gross profit has risen 171 per cent over the past year.

A limited run of KitKat 4 Finger bars is now available across Australia in packaging made from locally produced recycled polypropylene (PP). The trial between Viva Energy and Nestlé is testing the conversion of soft plastic pyrolysis oil into food-grade recycled PP. The trial covered the production chain in Victoria. Last year, Viva Energy processed more than 9.5 tonnes of pyrolysis oil from plastics at its Geelong Refinery.

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has recorded a $1 billion loss in a financial year blighted by heavy asset write-downs and changes to its portfolio. The Penfolds maker told investors earlier in the week that it is recording a $558 million hit in write-downs from its US supply chain, before the release of its end-of-year earnings report. But the full report has now arrived, and TWE’s investors have learned that they will be going without a dividend payment this year.