FEATURE
BIG NIGHT IN
28 ASIAN TRADER 19 SEPTEMBER 2025
When looking at formats,
small pack cans, mid pack cans
and single glass bottles are
popular regardless of the
occasion.
According to Janel Fatania,
Customer Marketing Manager at
Diageo, independent retailers are
perfectly placed to help shoppers
turn any evening into a “Big Night
In” occasion.
Clearly, possibilities are huge;
the key is to remain a bit mindful.
According to Mark Langohr,
Category Controller at Unitas, it is
essential for symbol and inde
pendent stores to get right
crisps, snacks and nuts,
particularly in sharing formats.
“Convenience stores face
huge competition with the
multiples with their value
and loyalty card offerings,
but retailers can drive
growth with a back-to-
basics approach.”
Unlike the multiples,
independent retailers
have the flexibility to
quickly respond to
changing trends and
local demand.
According to Kaiu
mova from EBF, knowing their
customers and, perhaps more
importantly, their shopping
missions can really give independ
ents a competitive edge.
“To cater for the BNI occasion,
retailers should ensure they have
the right ranges in stock to satisfy
demand.
“Convenient, easy-to-prepare
meal solutions such as world food
meal kits, heat and eat meals,
ready-to-use sauces – are key BNI
purchase drivers as they align
with cost of living trends and
deliver restaurant-quality ready
meal options as an ideal alterna
tive to eating out,” Kaiumova
adds.
Independent retailers are also
well placed to capitalise on
effective local promotion of the
Big Night In through targeted
shopper messaging.
Marshall from Aston Manor
Cider says, “To compete with
bigger retailers, independents
should offer as wider range of
chilled cider as possible. With
consumer budgets tight, retailers
should also offer consumers a
wide range of products at various
price points, to cater for different
Rising above the fray
Alexander Wilson, Category &
Commercial Strategy Director at
HEINEKEN UK, on how
convenience sector can beat multiples
By stocking small- and mid-sized packs of more recent beer
and cider launches, such as Cruzcampo, Birra Moretti Sale di
Mare and Strongbow Strawberry.
By stocking new lines as this also suggests to consumers that
a store is up to date with trends, and they can rely on them to
offer the latest innovation in the beer and cider category
By keeping small pack cans, mid pack cans and single glass
bottle formats as they are popular regardless of the occasion.
By going for best performing brands in Heineken portfolio
such as Fosters, Birra Morreti, Heineken 5%, Strongbow
Original and Cruzcampo.
budgets and cost pressures.
Stocking up on price marked
multi packs is also a great way to
appeal to shoppers that are
prioritising value, as well as
quality.
But smart merchandising is
the secret sauce when it comes to
boosting sales.
Fresh on the shelf
Innovation keeps the Big Night In
exciting. From tasty snack
flavours to limited-edition drinks,
shoppers love trying what’s new.
Best is to stock most of the
new launches, especially if
they are from reputed brands
and makers. Make sure you
keep a tab on what is happen
ing.
For example, PepsiCo has
launched a new range of
coated peanuts inspired by
some its most renowned
snack brands.
The That’s Nuts line-up is
bursting with the flavours of
known and loved crisp
brands including Walkers
Salt & Vinegar and Smoky
Bacon, Doritos Chilli
Heatwave and Flamin’ Hot,
Wotsits Really Cheesy and
Walkers MAX Paprika.
The maker has also launched a
new cheesy flavour Quavers Red
Leicester. The launch aims to
maximise sales for retailers
through reinforcing Quavers’
popularity, while offering existing
fans and new shoppers alike a
cheesy Red Leicester twist on the
iconic Quavers curl.
Meanwhile, Golden Wonder,
one of Britain’s most iconic crisp
brands, is proudly revealing a
major packaging refresh, the first
in a decade, thus bringing a
modern new look that perfectly
reflects the brand’s bold personal
ity, big flavour and crisp-y crunch.
Golden Wonder has also
expanded its flavour line-up with
two exciting additions-Salt &
Chilli Chicken to satisfy the
growing demand for spicier, more
adventurous snacks and Chip
Shop Curry to celebrate the
brand’s 75th birthday.
Meanwhile, Cadbury has
launched a brand-new limited-
edition bar to the Cadbury Twirl
range – Twirl White Dipped, the
perfect combination of Cadbury
Twirl’s beloved milk chocolate
curls and swirls, covered in a layer
of creamy white chocolate.
Additionally, Cadbury
Bournville has also hit shelves this
summer with a new modernised
design across the full range,
including the number one dark
chocolate SKU, Cadbury Bourn
ville 180g14, as well as two new
flavours- Salted Caramel and
Chopped Hazelnut.
Mars Wrigley is also
driving excitement in
confectionery aisles across
the nation with the highly
anticipated return of its
MALTESERS White
Chocolate, after more
than a decade.
Clare Moulder,
MALTESERS Senior Brand
Manager at Mars Wrigley,
comments, “Consumers
absolutely love MAL
TESERS white chocolate and
have been clamouring for us
to bring it back. I’m happy to
confirm that we are now
finally going to do just that.”
Making a major buzz in the
sector is NPD in Diageo’s RTD
portfolio. CÎROC Colada, a brand
new sparkling mixed drink, with
CÎROC Vodka, pineapple and
coconut flavours, mixed with
lemonade is available now in a
250ml ready-to-drink can.
Also tapping into new flavour
profiles, Smirnoff, the number
one vodka brand in the UK,
launched a brand-new product
this year- Smirnoff Miami Peach
Spirit Drink. Available as a 70cl
spirit drink (35% ABV), it is an
ideal choice for those shoppers
looking to enjoy bar-quality
drinks at home while saving on
nights out.
Real hosts
Clearly, homes have become
Britain’s favourite party venue.
Even four years after the
lockdown eased, people still love
the comfort, creativity and
convenience of staying home,
especially if they can make it
feel elevated, indulgent and
affordable.
Looking ahead, it seems
like the Big Night In is here
to stay. It’s no longer just
about necessity, it’s
become a lifestyle choice
often shared with
friends and family
members.
What makes the Big
Night In golden for
convenience retail is
its glorious unpredict
ability. Shoppers
don’t always plan for
it; they just show up in search of
snacks, drinks, and a sprinkle of
indulgence.
That spontaneity is where
independents thrive, offering
immediacy, variety, and a human
touch the multiples can’t match.
When the party moves home,
the profit moves local and that’s
the real power of the Big Night
In.