Publicity Works

Weight Watchers unveils the future for low fat cakes

Kyli Timmins — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:13:49 +0000

‘Low fat’ used to mean low taste and no satisfaction. But as consumer demand for healthier products grew, that all changed - these days premium brands and own label lines are producing low-fat products that actually taste very good.

And that trend is set to explode, according to Weight Watchers. The name of the game is premiumisation - and it’s going to be vital to the continued growth of the low fat cakes sector.

“Our taste panels and consumer feedback show that consumers want low fat products to be as ‘treat-worthy’ as the full fat versions,” says Sarah Morgan, marketing director at Anthony Alan Foods, who manufacture the low fat cakes under license to Weight Watchers. ”In other words, they need to be lower in calories, but they need to taste great, too.”

Supplying health-conscious consumers with what they want has given Weight Watchers a 58% share of the low fat cakes sector, with sales growing by 15.3% in the 12 weeks to April 22nd 2007 (TNS).

“Weight Watchers low fat cakes bridge the gap between ‘healthy’ and ‘indulgence’ foods,” Sarah Morgan adds. ”Premiumisation means the focus of NPD is shifting, with more emphasis on the indulgence.”

However, Sarah Morgan stresses that low fat cakes are not going to get ‘fatter’. ”We will see new low fat versions of ‘indulgent’ cakes, alongside established lines like Weight Watchers Carrot Cake Slices,” she says.

And the first of the new lines - Weight Watchers Caramel Shortcake - has just been launched. Covered in caramel, it has a real milk chocolate topping but contains only 126 calories and 3.6g of saturated fat. The shortcakes are supplied in 115g packs of five with an RRP of £1.59.

“Expect to see more ‘premiumisation’ in the low fat cakes sector. They’ll still be lower in fat and calories than full fat versions, but they’ll be even more indulgent, too,” says Sarah Morgan.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS® value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com

Notes To Editors:

Weight Watchers first began in America in 1963 and was introduced to the UK in September 1967. Since then, Weight Watchers International has helped more than 30 million people successfully lose weight worldwide

Call Weight Watchers on 08457 123000 or click on www.weightwatchers.co.uk for more information

Weight Watchers cakes make a perfect end to a food-to-go meal

Kyli Timmins — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:38:15 +0000

Even with the current fashion of grabbing a snack and eating on the move (or back at the office), most people still like to have a savoury course followed by a ‘pudding’. But the balancing act is not to pile on too many extra calories when adding that sweet ‘pudding’ - especially if you’re sitting at your desk all day.

The delicious range of Weight Watchers cakes manufactured under license by Anthony Alan Foods are a delicious low fat, low calorie option to round off any food-to-go menu. The Weight Watchers cakes can significantly reduce the additional amount of calories tacked on to the end of a meal, whilst satisfying that craving for a traditional sweet finish.

Three of the Weight Watchers cake range - Chocolate Mini Rolls, Caramel Cake Bars and Chocolate Cake Bars - are individually wrapped for the ultimate in food-to-go convenience, while both the Carrot Cake and Lemon Cake Slices come in twin packs - ideal for sharing with a friend. The cake slices are also available in CDUs (counter display units) containing eight packs of cakes, to assist at point of sale.

The clear labelling on the packaging allows consumers to accurately assess their calorie, fat and Weight Watchers POINTS® intake at the same time as enjoying a cake that is every bit as tasty as its full fat counterpart.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS® value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com

Notes To Editors:

The Weight Watchers programme is a safe, sensible weight loss plan designed to be fun and easy to follow. Nearly 7000 Weight Watchers Meetings are held each week in over 3,000 locations throughout England, Scotland & Wales
Call Weight Watchers on 08457 123000 or click on www.weightwatchers.co.uk for more information
Weight Watchers Cakes individually wrapped selection:

Chocolate Mini Rolls
Chocolate flavour sponge, with chocolate flavour filling containing sugars and sweeteners, coated in real milk chocolate. Each contains 87 calories and 2g of saturated fat, has a POINTS value of 1/2, and is supplied individually wrapped in packs of 6 with an RSP £1.29.

Chocolate Cake Bars
Delicious light chocolate sponge, topped with a layer of smooth chocolate flavour filling & coated in real milk chocolate. Each contains 86 calories and 2g of saturated fat, has a POINTS value of 1/2, and is supplied individually wrapped in packs of 5 with an RSP £1.29.

Caramel Cake Bars

Deliciously moist chocolate and orange flavour cake slices topped with a smooth layer of icing. Each contains 86 calories and 1.8g of saturated fat, has a POINTS value of 1/2, and is supplied individually wrapped in packs of 5 with an RSP £1.29.

Carrot Cake Slices
Low fat, deliciously moist carrot cake slices, topped with a smooth layer of tangy yoghurt icing. Each contains 71 calories and 0.4g of saturated fat, has a POINTS value of 1/2 and is supplied wrapped in twin packs.

Lemon Cake Slices
Low fat, deliciously moist lemon cake slices, topped with a smooth layer of tangy lemon icing. Each contains 79 calories and 0.2g of saturated fat, has a POINTS value of 1/2, and is supplied wrapped in twin packs.

Weight Watchers Cakes: The Guilt-Free Christmas Indulgence

Kyli Timmins — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:41:26 +0000

Christmas is a time when many of us over-indulge in food. But what if people are trying to stick to a healthier or low-fat diet? Weight Watchers low fat cakes provide the ideal answer, offering all the flavour with fewer calories - so your customers can indulge themselves without compromising their healthier lifestyles.

“Weight Watchers low fat cakes are popular at Christmas because they bridge the gap between indulgent and healthier foods,” says Sarah Morgan, marketing director of Anthony Alan Foods, the company that manufactures the Weight Watchers cakes under license. “We have developed new recipes that have less fat and fewer calories than full fat cakes. At the same time, this is a premium brand, and the cakes deliver a premium product, tasty and satisfying.”

There’s a wide range to choose from, including teatime favourites like Almond Cake Slices, Chocolate Brownies, Caramel Shortcake, and Chocolate Mini Rolls - all of them excellent alternatives to full-fat products.

The Weight Watchers Date & Walnut Slices are likely to be a popular product at Christmas. These are deliciously moist individual cakes with juicy sultanas, raisins and mixed spice. Each slice contains just 73 calories and 0.1g of saturated fat, which makes them a great festive treat for the health-conscious.

Weight Watchers Date & Walnut Slices are supplied in 162g packs containing six slices, costing around 24p per slice.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com

Christmas with Weight Watchers Cakes

Kyli Timmins — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:48:48 +0000

Christmas is a time when many of us over-indulge in food. But what if people are trying to stick to a healthier or low-fat diet? Weight Watchers low fat cakes provide the ideal answer, offering all the flavour with fewer calories - so everyone can indulge themselves without compromising their healthier lifestyles.

“Weight Watchers low fat cakes are popular at Christmas because they bridge the gap between indulgent and healthier foods,” says Sarah Morgan, marketing director of Anthony Alan Foods, the company that manufactures the Weight Watchers cakes under license. “To make the best of the retail opportunities over the holiday period we have developed new recipes that have less fat and fewer calories than full fat cakes. At the same time, this is a premium brand, and the cakes deliver a premium product, tasty and satisfying.”

The Weight Watchers Date & Walnut Slices are likely to be a popular product at Christmas. These are deliciously moist individual cakes with juicy sultanas, raisins and mixed spice. Each slice contains just 73 calories and 0.1g of saturated fat, with a Weight Watchers POINTS value of only 1. This makes them a great festive treat for the health-conscious.

Weight Watchers Date & Walnut Slices are supplied in 162g packs containing six slices, with an RSP of £1.39.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com

Notes To Editors:
Weight Watchers first began in America in 1963 and was introduced to the UK in September 1967. Since then, Weight Watchers International has helped more than 30 million people successfully lose weight worldwide

Call Weight Watchers on 08457 123000 or click on www.weightwatchers.co.uk for more information

Lightening the lunchbox load

david — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:55:40 +0000

Weight Watchers make it easier to create a healthier lunchbox

Sometimes making up a lunchbox can become a chore, especially if you?re trying to think up new and imaginative ideas that are healthy too!

The Weight Watchers range of individual cakes, manufactured by Anthony Alan Foods under license, offer a simple, easy way to include a healthier lunchbox treat. They can help ensure lunch is a pleasure without loading it up with calories or fat.

The cakes can make a difference in the lunchbox because they can replace the conventional sweet treats, significantly reducing the amount of calories and fat consumed whilst still giving a satisfying end to lunch, to a healthier ‘elevenses’ or replacing a conventional mid-afternoon snack.

Three of the Weight Watchers cake range - Chocolate Mini Rolls, Caramel Cake Bars and Chocolate Cake Bars - have been individually wrapped with lunchboxes in mind.

In addition, Weight Watchers offer twin packs of both Carrot Cake and Lemon Cake Slices. These twin packs are ideal in lunchboxes where one portion could be eaten in the morning and another in the afternoon, for example.

“Our cakes add a ’measured’ amount of indulgence to the lunchbox”, says Sarah Morgan, Anthony Alan Foods. “They are portion-controlled, often individually wrapped, and with enough variety to break up the monotony of ’eating on the go’.

“By using quality ingredients and sophisticated recipe development, we?ve been able to produce a range that makes it easier for consumers to make up a healthier lunchbox, or eat on the go during the day without feeling guilty.

“It’s also excellent for retailers who are looking for great selling healthy cakes to feature as part of a ‘food to go’ range. Merchandising the cakes alongside sandwiches and other handheld snacks enables the customers to purchase their entire lunchtime meal from one location in-store and enables the retailer to increase their average basket price.”

Weight Watchers low-fat cakes are the biggest selling brand of their type, featuring very popular items, all reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. With over half of UK low fat cake sales, retailers stocking the Weight Watchers range can be sure they are meeting high consumer demand.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS� value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com

Latest TNS 2007 figures show healthy growth of low fat cakes market

Kyli Timmins — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:41:13 +0000

Market Leader Weight Watchers Drives Growth

The low fat cake sector is showing healthy growth according to market leader Weight Watchers. Anthony Alan Foods, the company producing cakes under license for Weight Watchers, says the increase in demand is great news for the sector, which had earlier been suffering a period of decline.

The latest available sales figures for the sector show solid growth of 6.9% in value over the 12 weeks to 22 April 2007. Sarah Morgan, marketing director for Anthony Alan’s, confirms that Weight Watchers sales are even more encouraging, with growth of 15.3% over the same period. Going back a little further shows that the latest figures are part of a trend: the low fat cakes market has grown by 14.4% in the six months to 22 April 2007. [All figures are from TNS, week ending 22nd April 2007.]

“In the total cake market, sales values are rising faster than volumes, suggesting that premium cakes are proving popular,” says Sarah Morgan. ”That’s great news for Weight Watchers, which is perceived as a premium brand within the low fat sector.” In fact, Weight Watchers cakes perform well even when competing with traditional cakes - for example, in the buoyant cake slices sector (+19.9% yoy growth), Weight Watchers Carrot Cake is in eighth place, competing head on with full fat varieties.

Similarly, Weight Watchers Chocolate Mini Rolls are doing exceptionally well compared to their full fat competitors. At number nine in the Junior Swiss Roll ‘Top 10′, they are showing year on year growth of 83.6% in an otherwise flat mainstream market (yoy growth of 0.5%). ”No other branded or private label lines in the healthy eating sector make it into these ‘Top 10′ SKUs,” says Sarah Morgan.

“Product quality is a key reason that Weight Watchers market share of the low fat cake sector is increasing,” she adds. Weight Watchers now accounts for over 58% of low fat cake sales in the UK, compared to 53% two years ago. ”As the premium brand, Weight Watchers continues to drive the low fat cakes sector. Strong marketing support, for both the retail range and the Weight Watchers meetings network, has fuelled the growth of the cake range.

Recent activity has included new packaging and the first TV advertising for Weight Watchers cakes. ”After a period of consolidation, retailers now clearly understand the benefit of the Weight Watchers brand within Bakery and have extended the branded offer to provide the optimal level of SKU’s in-line with retail own label” says Mark Rooza, sales director.

The Weight Watchers cakes range has recently expanded with the launch of Almond Slices. Weight Watchers Caramel Shortcake, in packs of five, is now available for Autumn listings and more new products are in development for launch in January 08.

“Consumers can get tired of repeatedly buying the same low fat products, and NPD is key to this category”, adds Rooza. ”However, NPD has to be delivered through quality and innovation. We have achieved this with the Weight Watchers Almond Slices which have become our second-biggest selling product.”

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS® value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com
Notes To Editors:
Weight Watchers first began in America in 1963 and was introduced to the UK in September 1967. Since then, Weight Watchers International has helped more than 30 million people successfully lose weight worldwide.

The Weight Watchers programme is a safe, sensible weight loss plan designed to be fun and easy to follow. Nearly 7000 Weight Watchers Meetings are held each week in over 3,000 locations throughout England, Scotland & Wales.

Call Weight Watchers on 08457 123000 or click on www.weightwatchers.co.uk for more information.

Healthier options for cakes

Kyli Timmins — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:36:14 +0000

The Weight Watchers range of quality cakes tastes as good as the best traditional versions and has significantly less fat and fewer calories.

Anthony Alan Foods, which developed the Weight Watchers cake range under license, pioneered the concept of ‘healthier-eating’ baked products. What’s more, they claim to have succeeded without compromising on the taste or ‘mouth feel’ of the cakes. This has delivered a new layer of potential business for bakery retailers and caterers, attracting customers who might earlier have ‘passed’ on the opportunity for sweet snacks.

“Health conscious customers are still in the mood for treats, and Weight Watchers cakes are the perfect solution,” says Sarah Morgan, director of marketing at Anthony Alan Foods. ”For bakers, these are health-conscious products with healthy sales potential.

“Quality ingredients and skilled recipe development are key to creating a healthier range of cakes. Weight Watchers cakes have all the taste, but less calories and less fat.”

The full range includes a range of cake slices in packs: Carrot Cake slices, Lemon slices, Almond slices, Chocolate & Orange slices, and Date & Walnut Slices. Also featured are American-style Mini Muffins, Cherry Bakewells, Chocolate Brownies and Chocolate Mini-Rolls in a variety of packs. In addition there are two types of cake bar, in a choice of Chocolate or Caramel, and a ready-sliced Weight Watchers Malt Loaf.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com

Weight Watchers low fat cakes increase market share

Kyli Timmins — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:25:44 +0000

Weight Watchers continues to drive the low fat cake sector - the brand’s market share has risen to just over 54%. The next biggest brand has a market share of just 2.8% whilst own label accounts for just over 44%. (TNS, year ending 28 Jan 2007).

“The low fat cake sector supports retailers in two significant areas of growing consumer demand - healthy options and indulgence foods,” says Sarah Morgan, marketing director at Anthony Alan Foods, who supply the Weight Watchers low fat cakes range under license. ”However, innovation is the market’s driving force.”

The total low-fat cake sector is worth £22.3million per year and grew by a healthy 7% in the 12 weeks to 28th January 2007 (TNS).

“The excellent growth figures are a culmination of the work that has gone into the range during 2006 and early 2007, both on new product development and marketing,” says Mark Rooza, sales director at Anthony Alan Foods. “We have worked closely with our retail customers to maximise the performance of the Weight Watchers brand on shelf. This has been achieved through ranging, NPD and brand support in-store”.

Highlights of that work include the launch of three new successful Weight Watchers cake lines – Chocolate and Caramel Cake Bars and Date & Walnut Slices in 2006 and Almond Slices in 2007. Shortly they’ll be joined by the new Weight Watchers Caramel Shortcake – another line that Sarah Morgan says is set to be a big seller, since the UK’s top five favourite cake squares are all caramel shortcake derivatives.

Morgan says the rebranding of the Weight Watchers range, during the second half of 2006, is also paying big dividends for the cakes. ”The new packaging works really hard to involve the consumer, with clear, clean images and nutritional information,” she says. ”Shelf stand out has been a big asset and has contributed to the in-store promotional work we’ve been doing.”

Meanwhile sales of the Weight Watchers low fat cakes have continued to rise during the first quarter of 2007. ”The Weight Watchers ‘Top Up Your Gorgeousness’ advertising campaign was launched in February, running on TV, poster sites and in consumer magazines,” says Sarah Morgan. “It’s had a big impact, with sales across all lines rising significantly.”

The ‘Top Up Your Gorgeousness’ Weight Watchers cakes advertisement focused on Cherry Bakewells, which now account for nearly 11% of Weight Watchers cake sales within the low fat cakes sector.

The Weight Watchers range of cakes is produced under license by Anthony Alan Foods. All are reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. The packaging features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS® value system. To contact Anthony Alan Foods call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or visit www.aafoods.eu.com
Notes:
Weight Watchers first began in America in 1963 and was introduced to the UK in September 1967. Since then, Weight Watchers International has helped more than 30 million people successfully lose weight worldwide

The Weight Watchers programme is a safe, sensible weight loss plan designed to be fun and easy to follow. Nearly 7000 Weight Watchers Meetings are held each week in over 3,000 locations throughout England, Scotland & Wales

Call Weight Watchers on 08457 123000 or click on www.weightwatchers.co.uk for more further information

Weight Watchers launches lower-fat Caramel Shortcake

Kyli Timmins — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:58:44 +0000

The healthy cakes sector is about to get turned on its head with the launch of Weight Watchers Caramel Shortcakes. Not only are these delicious shortcakes covered in caramel, they also have a real milk chocolate topping. They weigh 23g each and contain 126 calories.

“As ingredients, caramel, shortcake and milk chocolate are sometimes the first treats that people think they have to cut out when trying to eat healthier, but that’s not the case,” says Sarah Morgan, marketing director at Anthony Alan Foods who supply the Weight Watchers range of cakes under license.

“The Weight Watchers Caramel Shortcake has been in development for two years, and whilst it’s probably the most indulgent cake in the range, it still delivers the core values: all the taste and satisfaction of the traditional full fat recipe, in a lower calorie version.”

In fact, the Weight Watchers Caramel Shortcakes contain just 3.6g of saturated fat and have a Weight Watchers POINTS® value of just 2½. “They’ll help caterers meet the growing demand for healthier foods, while helping health-conscious consumers to indulge in a treat without compromising their lifestyle,” says Sarah Morgan.

Weight Watchers expects the new Caramel Shortcakes to be big sellers. TNS figures for the year ended 28 January 2007 show that the UK’s top five most popular cake squares are all caramel shortcake derivatives. Meanwhile, the Weight Watchers range accounts for over half the sales of low fat cakes in the UK.

“Weight Watchers are the UK’s most popular low fat cakes because they perform so well against their full fat equivalents,” says Sarah Morgan. ”These new Caramel Shortcakes have a delicious shortcake base, an indulgent caramel layer and a real milk chocolate topping. But they only have 126 calories. What’s not to like?”

Under license for the Weight Watchers brand, Anthony Alan Foods produces popular cakes, all reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. Their informative wrapping features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS™ value system. This allows caterers to keep weight-conscious customers fully informed. To contact the company call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or see www.aafoods.eu.com

Weight Watchers Offers The Perfect Cake Menu For Health Conscious Customers

Kyli Timmins — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:28:27 +0000

‘Al Fresco eating’ is a buzz phrase for 2007 - but what about sweet treats? One easy and popular option for caterers is to offer a choice of Weight Watchers cakes: they’re just as tasty as the full fat version, and even customers on a healthy eating plan can eat them. Plus, being finger food, they’re easy to serve, easy to eat and there’s no wastage or clearing up.

Weight Watchers low fat cakes are supplied under license by Anthony Alan Foods. Anthony Alan’s marketing director Sarah Morgan explains their success: “Clever recipe development is at the heart of the range. We look at traditional favourites like muffins or almond cake, and reduce the fat and calories without compromising on taste.

“Weight Watchers cakes are both a treat and a healthier option – and because they’re so easy to serve they’re perfect for outdoor eating, for pub and restaurant outdoor menus, for barbecues and picnics or for al fresco functions.”

Anthony Alan’s recommends offering a variety of teatime favourites as low-calorie dessert options for health conscious diners. A Weight Watchers cakes menu could include mini muffins, almond slices, caramel cake bars, cherry bakewells, malt loaf slices and carrot cake slices.

How low-calorie are they? A Weight Watchers Carrot Cake slice has just 71 calories, a slice of Malt Loaf only 68 and a Mini Muffin just 47. Which means health conscious customers can indulge without compromising their healthier lifestyle.

Under license for the Weight Watchers brand, Anthony Alan Foods produces popular cakes, all reduced in fat and with no compromise on taste. Their informative wrapping features the familiar Weight Watchers branding, complete with the easy-to-understand Weight Watchers POINTS® value system. This allows caterers to keep health-conscious customers fully informed. To contact the company call 01226 201900, email info@aafoods.eu.com, or see www.aafoods.eu.com