The UK’s Price-Marked Pack (PMP) sector is primarily driven by consumer demand for transparency and value.
With sustained cost-of-living pressures and high inflation, shoppers increasingly rely on PMPs to reassure them they are not being overcharged, which boosts both footfall and impulse purchases in convenience stores. Over 60% of shoppers state that PMPs reassure them they are not being overcharged. In a climate where pricing fluctuates, clearly displaying the price on-pack builds immediate consumer trust and provides a sense of guaranteed value.
PMPs act as a powerful magnet on the shelf. According to industry data, almost half of consumers are more likely to visit—and purchase from—a convenience store that features a strong PMP range. They reduce hesitation and drive quicker purchase decisions for everyday items like snacks and soft drinks.
Major manufacturers have heavily invested in PMP portfolios. For independent retailers, PMPs serve as a vital tool to compete directly with major supermarkets by offering clear, competitive pricing on branded favourites.
PMPs are thriving across specific categories where consumers expect set pricing. For example, PMP functional energy drinks and savoury snacks continue to see double-digit growth in independent retail channels, outperforming their non-PMP counterparts in these categories.
The UK Confectionery and Chocolate Biscuit Bar market remains remarkably resilient, reaching a value of £9.4bn with a year-on-year growth of +4.2% (Circana, June 2026). This stability is largely driven by the “lipstick effect,” where consumers seek small, affordable indulgences during economic uncertainty.
“This trend often comes into play during times of economic uncertainty when moments of comfort are key; consumers seek small, affordable treats, making confectionery a resilient purchase,” notes Emma Shannon, Shopper Activation Lead at Nestlé Confectionery.
Growth has been further boosted by at-home socialising and flavour innovation. In 2025, adventurous profiles like salted caramel, cookie, and coffee grew over 20% (Circana, Dec 2025).
KitKat® has capitalised on these trends through strong NPD pipelines, including its first-ever sharing bar range launched in 2025 (offering Double Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Hazelnut). The sharing platform quickly achieved £23.1m in value (Circana, Dec 2025), contributing to a +10.5% growth across the format (Circana, Dec 2025).
“In 2025, KitKat® launched its first ever sharing bar, helping chocolate fans across the nation to ‘break better’ and inspiring moments of connection,” states Shannon.
Building on this momentum, Nestlé expanded its offering with a new KitKat® Cookie Dough range across multiple formats.
With value top-of-mind for shoppers, Price Marked Packs are vital for driving impulse buying. PMPs account for £698m (48%) of confectionery sales in Symbols & Independents, growing +7.0% YoY (Circana, May 2026). They are especially dominant in blocks (79% of sales) and sugar/chocolate sharing categories (over 65%) (Circana, May 2026).
Nestlé overtrades in this space with a 14% market share (Circana, May 2026), heavily utilising PMPs across key lines like Aero® Blocks (97% PMP) and KitKat® Blocks (85% PMP) (Circana, May 2026).
“For retailers and wholesalers, PMPs offer a simple and effective way to communicate value, help products stand out on shelf and support conversion in a busy, competitive category,” highlights Shannon.
With price sensitivity remaining high, Price Marked Packs play a vital role in reassuring shoppers and establishing fair value. The format continues to expand, with its value share rising from 68% in 2024 to 70% in 2025 across Independents and Symbols (NIQ, 2025). Overall, PMPs account for 61% of total savoury snack sales (NIQ, 2025).
“A key benefit of the price-marked pack format is that it reassures consumers that they’re getting a fair deal, while helping retailers offer accessible price points that build trust,” highlights Ed Merrett, Wholesale Controller at PepsiCo.
PMPs are especially influential for new product launches, representing 63% of new product packs sold, up from 59% the previous year (NIQ, 2025). Sharing bags dominate this space, driving 73% of PMP new product sales (NIQ, 2025).
“Stocking new launches from best-selling brands like Walkers and Doritos in PMP formats can help retailers to simultaneously boost shopper trust and basket spend, making them must-stocks for wholesalers,” explains Merrett.
PepsiCo’s top-selling PMP SKUs in the channel include Quavers Cheese (54g), Walkers Cheese & Onion (70g), Doritos Chilli Heatwave (70g), Wotsits Cheese (60g), and Walkers Ready Salted (70g) (NIQ, 2025).
To protect category spend where nearly 750,000 shoppers risk exiting at the £1 RRP threshold (Kantar, 2025), PepsiCo launched an 85p RRP PMP range in 32.5g packs across core Walkers flavours for Food to Go missions.
“The new launch provides a simple, instantly recognisable format that reassures customers they’re getting a fair deal, helping to protect category spend,” states Merrett.
Additionally, building on the penetration gains of its That’s Nuts range among younger adult shoppers (Kantar, 2026), PepsiCo recently introduced a £1.35 RRP PMP (60g) for top-selling Doritos Chilli Heatwave and Walkers Salt & Vinegar nut flavours (NielsenIQ, 2026).
Price-marked packs remain a vital mechanism for independent retailers to demonstrate value to price-conscious consumers. With two-thirds of households deeply concerned about their budgets, 63% of shoppers view PMPs as providing essential price certainty (TWC trends report).
The soft drinks category is uniquely positioned to drive this momentum, present in one in four convenience store baskets (IGD, 2025) and serving as the number one PMP category overall (Circana, May 2026). PMPs make up 40% of all soft drinks listings in independent retail, offering clear pricing transparency while avoiding the shrinkflation issues affecting other categories.
“We know convenience shoppers continue to highly value PMPs. For retailers looking to communicate their trust credentials to their customers, PMPs are a proven method,” says Sharon Warburton, Head of Category at AG Barr.
“We continue to see PMPs reinforcing value to shoppers and in many cases driving retail sales through offering transparency and trust.”
AG Barr supports retailers by expanding its PMP portfolio across core, trusted brands like IRN-BRU, Boost, Rubicon, Barr, and KA to capture emerging flavour and health trends.
Offered exclusively in PMPs, Boost has introduced zero-sugar options (Zero Sugar Citrus Zest, Dark Fruits) and limited-edition lines like White Peach—mostly in 250ml cans price-marked at 75p.
Tapping into ‘better for you’ energy demand, new Rubicon RAW lines like Cherry Burst and Zero Added Sugar Cherry Raspberry are available in £1 500ml PMP formats.
“Soft drinks is already one of the most impactful and revenue-driving areas in convenience stores, so by strategically utilising PMPs from bestselling brands retailers can secure both increased purchase frequency and rate of sale,” adds Sharon.
The UK confectionery market continues to demonstrate strong resilience, growing +6.4% in value over the past year to reach £9.9bn in retail (Circana, Dec 2025). Driven by the consumer desire for affordable “small treats” amidst living-cost pressures (Kantar, Dec 2025), 46% of shoppers gravitate toward their preferred brands (National Confectioners Association).
“Even amid cost-of-living pressures, shoppers are still actively seeking out affordable ‘small treats’ that deliver moments of comfort and enjoyment,” notes Rebecca Robert, Marketing Director at Storck.
While seasonal events remain crucial for sharing formats, everyday impulse purchases maintain year-round demand.
Price Marked Packs serve as a crucial tool to communicate price transparency, now accounting for 72% of total confectionery sharing sales (Circana, July 2025). PMPs help reduce purchase hesitation by striking a balance between indulgence and budget assurance.
“PMPs provide reassurance at the fixture by making value clear and transparent, helping maintain confidence at the point of purchase,” highlights Rebecca Robert.
“In a market where consumers are still looking to enjoy small treats without overspending, PMPs strike the right balance between indulgence and affordability, and can encourage impulse purchases.”
Werther’s Original is #1 in the UK’s traditional branded sugar category (IRI, April 2025), worth £35.7m (IRI, April 2025) with 96% brand awareness (Consumer Insights, 2024). Its Sugar Free range holds £5.7m in value and a 34% market share (Circana, Dec 2025). Non-HFSS status gives its sugar-free lines flexible secondary placement options.
Leading dark chocolate toffee brand (Circana, Dec 2025) Riesen is valued at £5.9m (Circana, Dec 2025), delivering double-digit value (+32.6%) and volume (+50.4%) growth in the lead-up to Christmas (Circana, Sept 2024). Both core ranges are supported by £1.25 PMP formats in convenience.
Soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills is seeing record growth for its hugely successful flavoured water range Radnor Splash with the help of Price Marked Packs.
After extensive market research Radnor Splash was introduced in PMPs in March 2025 to expand the brand’s presence in the Convenience sector.
The brand, which has been a family favourite for over 20 years, is available in 12x500ml sports cap formats for wholesale and cash-and-carry businesses as an 85p PMP bottle. Completely sugar-free and a blend of pure spring water and all natural fruity flavours, its flavours include Lemon & Lime, Strawberry and Apple & Raspberry.
Over the last 52 weeks, Splash has grown seven times the rate of the overall flavoured water category in total Convenience and is experiencing 77.4% YOY sales value growth (NielsenIQ).
Martin Brenchley, Head of Wholesale/Cash & Carry for Radnor Hills, says: “We’re delighted with how well Radnor Splash has performed over the last 12 months as a Price Marked Pack. It has also been extremely well received from independent retailers and wholesalers and is Radnor Hills’ fastest growing channel.
“Splash was our very first range of PMPs and we introduced it to not only expand our presence in the convenience sector, but to offer great margins for wholesalers and independent retailers while also meeting shoppers’ needs for quality, value hydration.
“We know soft drinks dominate when it comes to pulling in shoppers at Symbols and Independents, driving a massive third of all foot traffic.
“Shoppers are increasingly value-driven and our PMPs of Radnor Splash make it very easy for them to see the great price and the great value that our brands offer.
“Cash & Carry is a strategic growth channel for us, and we have gone back to basics and put boots on the ground to help us to carry it out. We have invested in brilliant activation including our field sales team, with nationwide coverage, who regularly go into depots, engage retailers directly and communicate the benefits of our products.
“We’ve also invested in eye-catching POS in depot including pallet wraps, shelf strips, bus stops in aisles and bollard covers to help build visibility, create standout and drive impulse purchases.
“These elements not only reinforce brand recognition at scale, they also highlight our investment in our brands.”
Price marked packs continue to be essential in the convenience sector, offering transparent pricing that reassures cost-conscious shoppers. In an impulse-driven category like confectionery, PMPs eliminate pricing uncertainty, giving consumers the confidence that they are receiving a fair deal.
“When applied to new products, PMPs foster a positive price perception and a reduced sense of risk, encouraging consumers to reach for them,” notes Lauren George, External Communications Manager at Mars Wrigley.
Well-established brands combined with clear PMP pricing are particularly effective for driving top-up missions and spontaneous purchases. To tap into consumer demand for nostalgic favourites, Mars Wrigley recently re-introduced MALTESERS® White Chocolate in a 54g treat-size PMP.
Fruity confectionery remains a major growth area, valued at £1.7bn (NIQ, Jan 2026). Mars Wrigley is targeting this segment with the launch of Skittles® Flavour Flip—a £63m brand leader (NielsenIQ, May 2026).
The range introduces dual flavour and colour combinations in a single bite, available in Pouch (136g) and PMP Treat (109g) formats. This NPD leverages strong category dynamics: 53% of UK consumers actively look for unusual flavours (Mintel, 2025), 74% of limited-edition flavour buyers purchase on impulse (Mintel, 2025) and 55% of Skittles® consumption occasions involve four or more people (NielsenIQ, 2022), making shareability a primary sales driver.
“By providing a wide range of Mars Wrigley products, wholesalers can support retailers in appealing to a broader customer base and increase the chances of impulse purchases,” advises George.
Bagged Snacks continues to be a high-priority category, appearing in 1 in 5 convenience shopping baskets—nearly double the rate of confectionery (Lumina Intelligence, 2025). Within independent stores, Price Marked Packs (PMPs) account for 71% of bagged snack sales, with the top ten best-selling SKUs all being PMPs (NielsenIQ, July 2025). KP Snacks holds a 36.9% share of the large PMP segment, driven by +7.3% growth in its large format range (NielsenIQ, May 2026).
“Bagged Snacks is a scaleable, priority category with strong consumer appeal and household penetration, appearing in 1 in 5 convenience shopping baskets,” says Stuart Graham, Head of C&I and Value channel at KP Snacks.
“Price-marked packs (PMPs) are especially important in Crisps, Snacks and Nuts (CSN), representing a significant portion of purchases. With clear pricing and strong value perception appealing to cost conscious consumers, they help retailers better serve shoppers.”
KP Snacks is leveraging three major consumer drivers.
Big Flavours: spicy represents the largest and fastest-growing PMP flavour partition, prompting launches like McCoy’s Hot ‘n’ Spicy (£1.35 PMP) and Nik Naks Xtra Hot ‘N’ Fiery (£1.35 PMP).
Nostalgia: with 78% of consumers preferring childhood favourite flavours (Kantar Profiles/Mintel, 2024), KP Snacks has tapped into nostalgia with Space Raiders (worth £21m; NielsenIQ, May 2026), returning Discos Pickled Onion, and relaunching Skips Salt & Vinegar in a £1.35 PMP.
Nuts Category: exempt from HFSS restrictions, KP Nuts PMPs cater to both post-workout and evening sharing occasions, while McCoy’s has expanded into the segment with new McCoy’s Coated Peanuts (£1.35 PMP).
“Now more than ever, consumers are looking for products that represent great value for money. By stocking up on PMPs, retailers can drive both sales and footfall,” adds Stuart Graham (KP Snacks/ACS Survey).
PMPs serve as an essential tool for independent and convenience retailers, creating a strong point of difference while building consumer trust through price transparency. In addition to reassuring budget-conscious shoppers, bold on-pack PMP signage acts as an effective point-of-sale tool that grabs attention and encourages trade-ups to premium lines.
“Price-marked packs (PMPs) are a useful tool for providing shoppers with clear perception of value for money, which can help to build trust between retailers and their local community by clearly showing that shoppers are getting a fair price for the product,” says Jonathan Ford, Off-Trade Director at HEINEKEN UK.
HEINEKEN UK’s leading PMP brands generate significant value within the channel: Foster’s: £32.9m value sales (Nielsen, Full Year 2025), Heineken®: £28.0m value sales (Nielsen, Full Year 2025), Strongbow Original: £18.1m value sales (Nielsen, Full Year 2025) and Strongbow Dark Fruit: £15.6m value sales (Nielsen, Full Year 2025).
“PMPs can help retailers drive loyalty among shoppers by helping them to plan effectively on how much they want to spend, whether that is a top up shopper mission or pre-planned,” adds Ford.
To maximise revenue, wholesalers and retailers should focus on smaller PMP formats to capture “grab and go” moments, while ensuring adequate stock during key seasonal spikes such as summer events and Christmas.
HEINEKEN UK continues to expand its portfolio with key innovations.
Launched in March 2026, 3.3% ABV lager Cruzcampo® Sevilla Orange taps into the flavoured beer segment—which is growing +12.4% year-on-year (CGA & NIQ, Dec 2025)—and caters to the 1 in 3 shoppers seeking a “lighter” option (Firefish Qual Research, Q4 ’24 / Ipsos INNOTest Q1 ’25). Cruzcampo® currently holds a 2.7% value share of the beer category (Nielsen IQ, Full Year 2025).
Inch’s Reserve is a premium 7.4% ABV apple cider introduced in March 2026, crafted using apples grown within 40 miles of its Herefordshire mill to recruit younger adult shoppers into the premium cider segment. The UK soft drinks category continues to expand rapidly, now valued at £14.56bn following an 8% year-on-year growth (Nielsen, Jan 2026). Within convenience, price-marked packs (PMPs) play a vital role in building trust and accelerating purchase decisions. In fact, soft drinks PMPs deliver nearly a 48% higher rate of sale than plain packs in symbol and independent stores each week (Nielsen, June 2026).
“Price-marked packs (PMPs) continue to play an important role in helping retailers meet demand for great value. By giving shoppers reassurance on price, while helping retailers drive standout in-store, PMPs can support rate of sale and reinforce trust across key categories,” explains Kate Abbotson, Senior Trade Communications Manager at CCEP.
CCEP leverages its major brands, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Schweppes, Monster, and Relentless, to target diverse consumer occasions through tailored PMP pricing strategies.
CCEP executed a promotional £1.89 PMP initiative across its 2L Fanta range (reduced from £2.15). As GB’s number one flavoured carbonate brand, accounting for nearly 1 in 5 flavoured carbonates sold (Nielsen, Jan 2026), Fanta offers strong consumer appeal across Orange, Fruit Twist, and newly introduced Lemon 2L PMP formats.
The broader energy category is worth over £2.4bn (Nielsen, Jan 2026). Market leader Monster is worth over £856m (Nielsen, Jan 2026), offering extensive PMP options across sugar-free and flavoured variants. The entire Relentless lineup is available in a £1 PMP format. Relentless Guava alone generated over £2.9m in value sales in under a year post-launch (Nielsen, Oct 2025).
“In soft drinks, that opportunity remains significant. PMPs are particularly effective in convenience, where clear price communication can help shoppers make quick purchase decisions.”
“Initiatives like these are regularly reviewed across our portfolio, allowing us to trial and refine pricing strategies that support retailers, maintain affordability for shoppers and demonstrate our commitment to long-term category growth.”
PMPs remain a critical sales driver in the Impulse channel, accounting for 46% of total Soft Drink sales. The format performs especially well within Functional Energy, where PMPs represent 62% of sales, making them a standard format expected by consumers.
A spokesperson for Red Bull highlighted the key role of PMPs in driving retail performance: “Price marked packs operate as a great way to draw shoppers to fixture and give consumers confidence in their purchase, which ultimately encourages more sales.”
As UK consumers become increasingly discerning with their spending, PMPs are experiencing accelerated growth across Soft Drinks (+9.4%) and Functional Energy (+14.8%). Red Bull supports this demand by offering PMPs across its full portfolio—including Red Bull Original, Sugarfree, Zero, sizes, multipacks, and the Editions range.
To build on this momentum, Red Bull has introduced new seasonal innovations. The latest launch, Red Bull Summer Edition Citrus Zest, features the taste of Sudachi Lime in a bright yellow 250ml price-marked can (£1.75). This follows the release of the brand’s first-ever Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura.
To capture both initial trial and larger basket spend, Red Bull is evolving its packaging approach.
A Red Bull spokesperson explained the strategy behind expanding their price-marked line-up: “The brand has established a strong shopper base using the accessible 250ml can as the hero price marked format to drive trial. However, as more shoppers buy into Red Bull Editions, there is an opportunity to trade-up for loyal buyers.”
For the first time, Red Bull is introducing a 473ml PMC format across its Editions range alongside the standard 250ml size.
A Red Bull representative noted the dual benefit of this expanded range: “This maintains the entry point for new consumers as well as providing loyal shoppers the opportunity to trade up.”
PMPs play a crucial role in building trust and transparency with consumers in the convenience sector.
“PMPs support retailers with achieving trust and transparency with shoppers, as they can help with overall price perception. Within the Convenience channel, shoppers are still looking for their much-loved brands, so stocking the PMP range from Nescafé can help to drive Hot Beverages category growth,” explains Ed Sykes, Customer Category and Shopper Lead at Nestlé Beverages.
The format is seeing substantial growth across the Hot Coffee category.
Value sales of Total Hot Coffee PMPs reached £57.3m across All Outlets, up +29.2% YoY from £44.3m (Circana, June 2026).
PMP value sales of Core Subsegments & Mixes hit £39.4m (+27.0% YoY), while Mixes In 1s grew by +39.5% (Circana, June 2026).
Nescafé PMP value sales reached £46.1m across All Outlets (+21.1%) (Circana, June 2026) and £37.2m in Symbols & Independents (+22.7%) (Circana, June 2026).
Nescafé Gold Blend 95g (£4.79 PMP) saw volume sales rise by +402.1% YoY, jumping from 22.4m to 112.5m cups (Circana, June 2026).
The Iced Coffee category in Symbols & Independents grew to £59.5m (+7.6% YoY), overwhelmingly led by Ready-to-Drink (RTD) options at £59.3m (Circana, June 2026). Nescafé outperformed the broader market by generating £403.1k in value sales (+1,312.0%) and increasing volume sales by +2,025.0%, while commanding £120.8k of the £121k concentrates market (Circana, June 2026).
To maximise category returns, Sykes offers actionable guidance for store layouts: “Consumers are looking for an experience in store and to enhance this shopper experience, stores should merchandise products on shelves from left to right, arranging from the lowest to highest pence per cup items.”
“Stock a diverse range of the best-selling brands and prioritise PMP products where available for convenience mission-led stores. Ensure that the allocation of space to category sub-group is proportionate to the sales generated.”
While the Sweet Biscuits category in convenience grows at +1.3% in value to reach £122m, FBC’s PMP portfolio significantly outperforms the wider market. It is now worth £25m, delivering impressive growth of +12.8% in value and +7.8% in volume (Circana, May 2026). Portion packs are also expanding, now valued at £3.5m (Circana, May 2026).
“Price Marked Packs (PMPs) are an important tool for retailers looking to demonstrate clear value to shoppers and build trust at shelf,” comments Jo Harwood, Chief Sales and Trade Marketing Officer at FBC UK. “As consumers continue to seek reassurance around pricing, PMPs remain an effective way to drive impulse purchases while supporting retailer profitability.”
Trusted brands are driving strong momentum across FBC’s PMP lineup (Circana, May 2026).
Maryland saw standout performance, reaching £9.8m with a +276.8% YoY value growth in PMP formats.
Jammie Dodgers reached £3.0m in value (+31.9% YoY).
Wagon Wheels is valued at £2.7m (+125.3% YoY).
To tap into the £509m+ chocolate-flavoured biscuit segment within Anytime Treats (Circana, Feb 2026), FBC expanded Fox’s Crunch Creams with a new Chocolate & Vanilla variant.
FBC UK highlights cross-merchandising and promotional partnerships as key levers to increase basket spend.
“Cross-merchandising is a highly effective way to create visibility and theatre around key impulse items. Positioning biscuits near coffee, tea or hot chocolate can encourage linked purchases and increase basket spend,” adds Harwood.
Marketing efforts include a nationwide Minions & Monsters partnership across Party Rings and Jammie Dodgers, featuring limited editions and on-pack promotions designed to drive impulse conversion.
Household favourite Rustlers, the £109m chilled ready meals brand (Nielsen), is enabling retailers to cater for the growing number of consumers looking for great value products that fit into their fast-paced lifestyles.
With each of Rustlers’ best-selling products available as PMPs, the brand has established a strong and loyal following among shoppers for whom ‘everyday value’ is as important as convenience and quality.
With more convenience channel shoppers than ever adopting a grab and go approach, the appeal of products which clearly show their price is boosted as it makes buying that much easier when time is of the essence.
Well merchandised price-marked packs will even prompt consumers to purchase products that weren’t originally on their shopping list. With Rustlers catering to the food-to-go, meal for tonight, big night in and top up shopper missions, secondary sitings of Rustlers PMP’s in high footfall areas will also boost impulse sales.
“The days when price-marked packs appealed primarily to people on modest budgets are long since gone,” says Ross Davison, Head of Convenience at Kepak (Foods Division), home of Rustlers. “PMPs help to attract new customers, boost overall basket spend and encourage repeat purchase among both brand loyalists and those consumers looking for value-priced products which don’t compromise on quality.”
The appeal of Rustlers PMPs has been boosted by a recent brand refresh which has improved the clarity of messaging on pack, driving clearer differentiation between Rustlers Burgers, Sandwiches and Subs.
PMPs offer significant operational and consumer benefits in retail environments. Their consistent pricing simplifies inventory processing for stockists while reassuring shoppers facing ongoing cost-of-living challenges.Fixed pricing on packaging reinforces brand transparency, fostering consumer confidence and driving repeat purchases.
As market demand grows, data from Lumina (Q2 2025) indicates that PMPs continue to gain strong traction across forecourts and managed outlets. Stocking PMPs allows convenience retailers to demonstrate value and secure customer loyalty.
Marta Valles Sanchez, Marketing Director Takis® Europe, comments: “Trust in brands is invaluable to consumers and PMPs’ fixed prices lead shoppers to view brands that offer them as being transparent and honest with their pricing.
“The fixed prices displayed on PMPs also allow shoppers to feel confident in the brands they buy into and therefore able to make educated and informed purchases.”
Takis® has achieved exceptional category growth, delivering +48% value growth and +81% unit growth year-on-year (Circana, 52 w/e 23.11.25). This performance highlights how intensity-led snacking options effectively drive trade-up and increase total basket spend.
Sanchez advises wholesalers to focus on full-range availability to maximise sales: “The most important thing wholesalers can do is to encourage their customers to present the full Takis intensity ladder together, from zero heat options through to extreme heat. When consumers see that Takis isn’t just about heat, they’re far more willing to try the brand and that drives both penetration and repeat sales.”
Takis® is driving consumer engagement with a fully integrated campaign. Key assets include the “Heat o meter” elevator, which visually represents the brand’s heat scale, alongside social-first videos introducing Zero Heat options, Intense Nacho, and Smokin’ BBQ.
PMPs build price confidence, drive shopper loyalty, and accelerate sales volume across convenience channels. By providing clear, transparent pricing, PMPs reduce the perceived risk of trialling new lines for both retailers and budget-conscious consumers seeking affordable treats.
Confectionery remains one of the top categories for PMP formats due to high impulse purchasing. Within the market, sharing formats—such as variety bags—and portable 60g single treats perform exceptionally well for both on-the-go and social occasions.
“Retailers are also more likely to trial a new product in PMP format, as it’s viewed as less risky when taking a chance on a line they haven’t stocked before,” explains Clare Newton, Trade & Shopper Marketing Manager at Swizzels.
“The same applies to end-customers who feel reassured that they are not being overcharged for a product just because it’s new and are therefore more willing to give it a try or make an impulse purchase.”
Squashies remains the number one sugar confectionery brand in the market (Circana, data to 07.06.26). Core flavours like Original Raspberry & Milk and Cherry Cola lead performance.
Luscious Lollies, Curious Chews, and Scrumptious Sweets variety bags serve as best-sellers for group events and seasonal occasions.
Swizzels expanded its PMP portfolio with Squashies Cherry Cola 120g hanging bags (£1.15) and Squashies Cherry & Apple 60g bags (£0.69p).
Swizzels is supporting its portfolio in 2026 with a national TV campaign and sampling tour for Squashies. Additional activity includes a radio/podcast audio campaign highlighting exclusive attraction discounts via its Day Out With The Kids variety pack partnership, alongside digital outdoor, social, and PR support for its new brand launch, Atomix.
To maximise returns, Newton advises wholesalers to actively utilise supplier POS assets: “To maximise confectionery sales, wholesalers should take advantage of the point-of-sale materials provided by suppliers to support them in showcasing new products and formats in depots.”
HARIBO, the UK’s number one sweets brand (Circana), is expanding its popular Balla Bites range with the launch of new HARIBO Balla Bites Z!NG, rolling out in a 140g sharing bag, available in a £1.25 Price-Marked Pack (PMP).
Delivering an exciting texture and flavour profile, HARIBO Balla Bites Z!NG are fizzy, fruit-flavoured gums with a soft fondant centre. Each bag is packed with zingy flavours including strawberry, cherry, apple, and lemon and is also fully vegan.
Alongside this launch, HARIBO is bringing a twist to an iconic sweet with the introduction of HARIBO Goldbears Sour, also available now in a 140g £1.25 PMP. Featuring the original, much-loved Goldbears texture inside but with a tangy sour coating, they are available in six fruity flavours, pineapple, apple, strawberry, raspberry, orange, and lemon.
The “tang” and “zing” segment has become a major growth area within the Symbols & Independents (S&I) market, driving significant category excitement. Beyond its core lines, HARIBO is capturing this audience through targeted innovations across its Zing range, which recently saw 41.5% value growth (Circana).
Duncan Tyrrell, Head of Category at HARIBO UK, says: “Innovation is a key driver of growth in treats and sweets, with shopper expectations in the category evolving fast. Bolder, non-traditional flavours are bringing entirely new shoppers to the fixture while exciting our existing consumers. For C&I retailers, this represents a genuine opportunity to attract trend-led shoppers. We are incredibly excited to bring HARIBO Balla Bites Z!NG and Goldbears Sour to consumers, tapping into the demand for new flavours and textures.
“Delivering these distinct taste profiles in a £1.25 PMP format is a proven way to capture immediate attention on shelf. It gives retailers the perfect tool to drive high-margin impulse purchases by giving shoppers exactly what they want, exciting variety and guaranteed value.”
The launch follows a wave of momentum with recent hits like the HARIBO Rhubarb & Custard rolls, and Nostalgix, which became a major standout launch in the category last year (Circana). Sweets remain the number one Impulse Category and the second biggest footfall driver into stores (Lumina). Valued at £274.6m, share bags are in both volume and value growth and represent the largest format in the sector, as well as the second biggest selling format across the entirety of confectionery (Circana).
Exclusive to the convenience channel, Premier Foods’ reduced price-marked packs (PMPs) across selected Ambrosia and Batchelors lines continue to help retailers tap into the growing demand for value. Batchelors Super Noodles, the UK’s No.1 noodle block brand (Circana), is available at £1.09, reduced from £1.45, while selected Ambrosia cans are priced at £1.50, down from £1.95.
Shoppers continue to put PMPs in their baskets, as they can visibly see the value they are getting on their favourite products. In fact, three-quarters (75%) of shoppers say PMPs give them confidence in price (Lumina) and more than half (54%) of shoppers bought PMPs in the impulse channel during the past year (Lumina), reasserting the importance and relevance of value perception in convenience.
This launch followed the success the brand had already seen with Batchelors and the first PMP Super Noodle pot back in 2023, with retailers seeing an uplift of sales since launch (Lumina) – showing the role this format plays in the channel. The price reductions will continue to help retailers display great value credentials, with the aim of driving more sales amongst budget-savvy shoppers.
Rob Craven, Customer Controller of Wholesale & Convenience at Premier Foods commented: “We know that for some shoppers, value is everything right now. They want to feel like they are getting good value for their money and PMPs are an effective and visible way of showing this in-store. From experience, we have seen just how important this format can be across our products and by lowering the prices even more, we aim to help retailers drive more volumes across popular favourites, Batchelors and Ambrosia.”
The PMPs, Ambrosia Rice Pudding tin (PMP £1.50), Ambrosia Devon Custard tin (PMP £1.50); Bachelors Super Noodles Mild Curry, Chicken, BBQ Beef and BBQ Bacon (£1.09) are available in wholesalers now.
“For wholesalers, PMPs help drive volume through depots by offering retailers proven bestselling lines with strong shopper recognition and transparent pricing,” highlights Shaun Whelan, Head of Convenience at Jack Link’s.
With budget-conscious consumers prioritising value, PMPs are especially crucial for food-to-go and lunch-on-the-go occasions, providing wholesalers with a reliable format to support retailer profitability.
Meat snacks stand out as a premier growth category for PMP formats. Driven by rising demand for convenient, high-protein options, the meat snacks category has doubled in value over the past five years.
Peperami 5-packs rank as the number one bestselling SKU within the meat snacks category.
Peperami Single Sticks (£1.25 PMP) includes strong performers across core flavours like Original and Firestick.
Peperami Lunchbox Minis continue to perform strongly as recognisable, value-led options.
Recent NPD includes the limited-edition BBQ Sweet Tang range in partnership with Doritos, offered in a convenient single format tailored for PMP and food-to-go missions.
To maximise sales and category returns, Whelan outlines key operational recommendations: “Focus on bestselling core lines ensure depots are consistently stocked with proven performers such as Peperami PMP sticks and Peperami 5-packs.
“Merchandise PMPs alongside complementary categories such as sandwiches, soft drinks and energy drinks to encourage linked purchasing.”
Wholesalers are also advised to utilise impactful POS assets, brand-block Peperami products together at eye level, and educate retailers on integrating protein snacks into meal deals to capture incremental impulse spend.
A recent trial across three independent stores highlighted the sales impact of a focused PMP strategy, delivering an average sales uplift of +89%, with one store achieving a +235% increase through optimised merchandising (EPOS data, Oct 2025).
“PMPs are a cornerstone for success in the convenience channel, offering clear value and transparency that shoppers trust,” explains Karen Lewis, Marketing Director at FrieslandCampina.
“The clear pricing of PMPs encourages impulse purchases and can lead to a massive difference in a retailer’s bottom line.”
FrieslandCampina continues to lead the UK flavoured milk category.
YAZOO holds the position of the UK’s number one flavoured milk brand (Nielsen, Nov 2025), delivering +12.4% value growth (Nielsen, Nov 2025) and reaching 18.6% of UK households (Kantar, Nov 2025).
Best-sellers include the 400ml PMP (£1.39) for on-the-go occasions and the 1L PMP (£2.09) for sharing. Chocolate and Strawberry variants serve as category anchors, each exceeding £34m in market value (Nielsen, Nov 2025).
Chocomel grew +6% YoY to reach a £10.3m retail value (Nielsen, Nov 2025). A recent switch to a 300ml PET bottle boosted rate of sale by +24% (NielsenIQ), with one national wholesaler recording a +34% volume and +49% value sales increase (Wholesaler EPOS, 2025).
“The YAZOO classic range offers permanent PMP variants of all core flavours, meaning the range can be tailored to whatever best suits the store,” adds Lewis.
Price Marked Packs (PMPs) are playing an increasingly important role in the independent retail channel, particularly within beer, where they now account for 50% of four-pack lager sales, up from 33% two years ago and 47% a year ago, according to Circana.
BrewDog is building on the success of its PMP strategy with the launch of new PMP formats for Lost Lager and Cold Beer Pint Can, extending the benefits of clear pricing and value across key lager occasions in convenience retail. PMP products help shoppers make quicker, more confident purchasing decisions by displaying a clear price on pack, while also helping retailers understand margins more easily and reduce reliance on shelf-edge labels.
Georgia Ladbrook, Shopper Marketing Manager – Impulse at BrewDog, says: “Price Marked Packs give shoppers confidence by making value immediately visible at fixture. In impulse environments, where purchase decisions are often made quickly, clear pricing can make all the difference.”
The new launches include Cold Beer (3.4% ABV) in a four-pack of 568ml cans price-marked at £5.49, available now, and Lost Lager (4.5% ABV) in a four-pack of 568ml cans price-marked at £7.25.
Ladbrook adds: “PMPs work particularly well in beer because they simplify choice for shoppers while giving retailers confidence in the value and margin delivered by the range.”
The launch comes as the four-pack pint can format continues to perform strongly in convenience, growing by 9.4% and driving 25% of solus lager shoppers in the channel, according to Circana. BrewDog believes the format provides a significant opportunity to recruit new shoppers and strengthen its position within lager.
“By extending our PMP range into both premium and value-led lager occasions, we’re helping retailers meet different shopper needs while maintaining a clear and compelling proposition across the category,” concludes Ladbrook.
PMPs remain a powerful tool in the convenience sector, helping shoppers manage spending while driving sales for retailers. According to Holly Bolus, Senior Brand Manager at VK, PMPs continue to build trust and transparency by clearly communicating value at the point of purchase: “Price-Marked Packs continue to play a key role in the convenience sector and shape customer in-store interactions. Not only do they build trust, but also transparency and value for shoppers and retailers alike,” says Bolus. “Visible pricing provides instant clarity and reassurance, allowing customers to make quicker, more confident purchasing decisions while being mindful of value for money.”
PMPs are particularly effective in categories linked to social occasions, making them a natural fit for the ready-to-drink (RTD) sector. Large-format products such as VK’s 70cl range perform especially well, with flavours including Blue and Orange & Passion Fruit proving popular with shoppers seeking value and convenience for sharing occasions.
Bolus notes that PMPs are particularly beneficial in the impulse channel, where spontaneous purchase decisions are common and clear pricing can help convert sales. “For brands like VK, PMPs are particularly effective in the impulse channel, where purchases are made spontaneously. They give retailers a simple way to communicate value while making purchase decisions quicker and easier for shoppers,” she explains. VK’s best-performing PMP-friendly format is its 275ml Mixed Pack, which contains seven of the brand’s most popular flavours and is designed for group occasions and at-home socialising. The format taps into consumer demand for larger, shareable packs that deliver perceived value.
Despite challenging trading conditions, VK continues to outperform the wider RTD category. The 700ml segment is worth £25.9m in impulse and declined 3.7% year on year, while VK’s 700ml range is worth £5.5m and declined just 1.0% year on year, according to NIQ. Meanwhile, VK has driven volume growth despite lower pricing, with its Unit Rate of Sale increasing by 7% year on year.
“VK continues to outperform the category, demonstrating the brand’s resilience and ability to maintain shopper demand through difficult trading periods,” concludes Bolus.
Capri-Sun has injected fresh momentum into convenience and wholesale with the launch of Capri-Sun Orange 200ml PMP (59p).
The launch has already got off to a flying start, with the product now successfully launched in over 3,000 stores nationwide. Key wholesalers who have launched include Booker, Bestway, Dhamecha, Co-Op Wholesale, Filshill, Lioncroft, UWS and UWG.
Designed to turn heads in-store and fly off shelves, the price-marked 200ml pouch is perfectly sized for children and families on the go, making the purchase decision effortless for busy shoppers and selling simple for retailers. This latest addition to the brand’s refreshing juice portfolio, featuring Capri-Sun’s classic orange flavour, offers a distinct, high-impact impulse proposition. Clearly positioned as incremental to our existing 330ml range – not an either/or – it boasts a bold 59p price mark, making it an ideal pocket-money treat and ensuring instant value recognition for parents and kids alike.
Each vibrant pouch includes a standout character-led front-of-pack, and fun games on the back to keep kids engaged and extend the ‘fun factor’ beyond the first glance.
“The launch of Capri-Sun Orange 200ml PMP was launched to disrupt the convenience and wholesale sectors by bringing fun to shelf as the first kids’ juice drink to feature games and characters on pack,” said Capri-Sun’s Brand Manager.
With kids’ PMP soft drinks still a relatively under-served space, Capri-Sun Orange 200ml PMP gives retailers a rare-ready-made win: a visible, value-led, kid-approved option that’s perfectly placed for after-school, weekend treats and on-the-go family journeys.
According to Steven Greaves, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Fini, PMPs have become increasingly important as consumers remain focused on value amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
“Price-marked packs offer a simple and effective way for retailers to communicate value directly on pack. For wholesalers, they provide retail customers with clear value cues that support faster purchasing decisions, while helping shoppers feel reassured at the point of purchase,” says Greaves.
The confectionery category remains one of the strongest areas for PMP activity, particularly in convenience retail where impulse purchasing is key. Greaves believes the most successful PMP products combine visible value with excitement, tapping into demand for bold flavours, sour profiles and engaging textures. Fini’s PMP range, which includes its Tubes range, Cinema Mix, Liquorice Wonder Mix and Jolly Jamboree, has been designed to meet this demand while driving stand-out on shelf.
Fini’s hero Tubes range remains its best-performing PMP proposition, with products such as Sour and Inside Out Tubes delivering strong rates of sale.
“As shoppers continue to balance value with exciting and novel confectionery, products that combine clear pricing with strong visual appeal, distinctive flavours or playful products are well positioned to perform strongly,” Greaves explains.
The brand is also investing in innovation, launching Cotton Candy Tubes and Blue Sour Raspberry Tubes. Both will be available in 140g PMP packs with an RSP of £1.25, offering retailers new value-led options designed to drive impulse purchases.
Fini’s wider brand performance remains strong. Through its partnership with Parfetts, the company has become one of the fastest-growing confectionery brands and now ranks among the wholesaler’s top 10 confectionery suppliers, according to Parfetts data. Meanwhile, Circana Symbols & Independents data shows Fini delivered 37% value sales growth in the latest quarter, making the largest contribution to category growth.
“The biggest profit opportunity comes from backing lines that deliver both value and rate of sale, rather than focusing on price alone,” concludes Greaves.
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