Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 44

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX AWARDS

Winners of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

GROCERY NEWCOMERS SHINE
AT CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
Annual competition showcases winning trends
BY STUART FOXMAN
AT the start of 2015, an international newsletter about food

explains that the concept came from the social
trends wondered if we had reached "peak coconut". Not quite. media site Pinterest.
Gay Lea Coconut Whipped Cream was the big winner at the
"Our marketing team noticed a number of
Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, handed out June people creating their own homemade whipped
3rd at Retail Council of Canada's STORE 2015 in Toronto. cream using condensed coconut cream," says
Coconut Whipped Cream captured the All Canadian special Moskala. "The obvious 'want' for the product
award and the award for Condiments and Sauces.
aligned with the changing demand towards
What are the ideal ingredients for successful new products coconut flavour profiles and dairy-free alternaon Canada's grocery shelves? There are many that appeal to to- tives, and led to an innovative new product."
day's customers. Yet certain qualities are uppermost
in their minds. Will it make my life simpler? Is it Convenience, experimentation, health and
special enough to try? Does it add to my well-being? responsibility/sustainability are motivating
Can it make the world better?
innovation in food and grocery. These four
Earlier this year, Canadian Grand Prix participants
told Canadian Retailer (see Summer 2015 issue) that forces-alone and in tandem-were prominent
convenience, experimentation, health and respon- throughout the list of winners of the latest
sibility/sustainability are motivating innovation in Canadian Grand Prix competition.
food and grocery. These four forces-alone and in
tandem-were prominent throughout the list of winners of the
Responsibility was on display at the Grand Prix
latest Grand Prix competition.
too. MADD Virgin Craft Brewed Lager, from Tree
Consider Gay Lea's entry, made from pure coconut cream- of Life Canada, won in the Beverages category.
lactose-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and cholesterol-free. Gay This alcohol-free drink, which nevertheless has
Lea Foods says Coconut Whipped Cream has the same great the characteristics of a craft brewed lager (it's
taste and texture of its Real Whipped Cream. Jurors praised billed as a world first), supports the work of Moththe product's unique flavour (experimentation), the fact it ers Against Drunk Driving (5% of sales).
holds up well out of the can (convenience), and its appeal to
An alcohol-free lager is an obvious draw for
invite lactose-intolerant or vegan consumers into the dairy designated drivers, but Brian Bolshin, president
section (health).
and CEO of MADD Virgin Drinks, points to sevCoconut Whipped Cream is the definition of a consumer-driv- eral other target groups-pregnant and breasten product. Sylvia Moskala, product manager at Gay Lea Foods, feeding women, people pursuing healthier life44 |

CANADIAN RETAILER | STORE 2015

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