#OnShelf: It’s all about cats and dogs this week

by Louise Burgers. Whiskas is forced to change its cat food packaging; Montego focuses on doggy health; while Snoop Dogg adds bite to G-Star RAW displays.

Whiskas keeps pets purring while packaging is on paws

Major disruption was caused when the Whiskas packaging manufacturer in KZN was set alight during the unrest mid-year. With all paws on deck, Whiskas has had to temporarily replace their iconic purple packets with a plain white facade to ensure that kitty’s around the country keep purring, despite the temporary packaging setback. According to Andi Wright, marketing director at Mars, “Despite the fact that cats are known to be independent, low maintenance creatures, they still depend heavily upon their pet parents for nutrition and care. As a brand that is committed to your furry friend’s nutritional needs, we would like to assure you that the temporary change in our packaging will not be noticed by those actually consuming it.” Despite the fact that Whiskas dry food has a temporary new look, and may be a bit harder to find over the next short while, the wet food and much loved treats still have the same look, and are readily available on store shelves.

Sweet new launches from Libstar

The Libstar family has a diverse portfolio of brands and products, and recently launched the new Rialto Foods Cook n’ Bake Sprays and Flavoured Sugars; as well as Goldcrest Coulis. “We’re passionate about innovation across the Libstar family and meeting the ever-changing needs of consumers is what drives us. We’ve seen the consumer demand for authentic and versatile products, and our product development teams stepped up with their innovations in the baking and health product categories,” says Johan Greeff, chief growth officer at Libstar. Cook ‘n Bake launched two new non-stick sprays, including the Reduced Fat Mist-Free Spray formulation, which boast a unique and first to market ‘non-cough’ formulation. It is also trans-fat-free and lower in sodium, and only 10 kJ per spray, for the more health-conscious. The new Olive Oil Spray is perfect for cooking meat, fish and vegetables. Cook ‘n Bake’s new flavoured sugars are there for personalised dishes with unique flavours. Goldcrest has also launched three new Coulis dessert toppings. The puréed sauce can be used on different dishes, from ice-creams and waffles, to cakes, meringues, and even smoothies and cocktails.

Montego’s new supplements and dog grooming range

Montego Pet Nutrition is focusing on pet health and wellness with its new range of Montego XenPet (pronounced ‘ZenPet’), a complete range of premium, nature-inspired nutritional supplements and grooming products for gentle, effective inner and outer pet care. This range of supplements and grooming is a first for the brand and is suitable for all adult dog breeds. The XenPet Soft Chews supplement range aims to boost the health of your pet and contains natural herbs and botanicals which aids in allergy alleviation, calms anxiety, and supports cognitive function. XenPet Soft Chews are available in five variants, including Allergy, Calming, Cognitive, Digestive, and Mobility supplements. The grooming range is the first non-consumable pet-related product offering by Montego, and is derived from essential oils and cleanses  and moisturises dry, itchy, and allergy-prone skin. There are three conditioning shampoo variants, along with four refresh and soothing products. These include the Revitalising Conditioning Shampoo with Cucumber and Melon, Refreshing Conditioning Shampoo with Lemongrass and Coconut, and the Rejuvenating Conditioning Shampoo with Geranium and Buchu. Anti-Itch Deodorising Spray with Lemon and Verbena, No Rinse Foam Wash and a Soothing Snout and Paw Balm with Coconut and Almond Oil.

CAMPAIGN: Snoop’s denim campaign launches in G-Star RAW

G-Star RAW has given its 17 South African mono brand stores the Snoop Dogg treatment to showcase its Hardcore Denim campaign, which features a custom-made version of the multi-platinum artist’s soundtrack single, ‘Say it Witcha Booty’. Window displays are dominated by the hip-hop icon flanked by booty cut outs from the Snoop Dogg ‘Say it Witcha Booty’ video. In store, the immersive experience includes mirror stickers and campaign graphics of Snoop and the collection. The campaign video, which is shown on digital screens in malls, also plays in the stores, while a hip-hop playlist helps to set the tone. Shoppers even get to take a piece of Snoop home, as his distinct silhouette features on in-store paper shopping bags and on G-Star RAW boxes when customers shop the product online. The campaign merges G-Star’s Hardcore Denim philosophy with Snoop’s signature blend of humour and style. The collaboration is brought to life by a video that creatively celebrates denim booties, featuring men, women, islands, hot air balloons and yes… even doggs. The campaign is showcased online at: www.gstarraw.com

Main image credit: Whiskas.

Louise Burgers is the Publisher and Editor and Co-Founder of RetailingAfrica.com. She has spent over 20 years writing about the FMCG retailing, marketing, media and advertising industry in South Africa and on the African continent. She has specialised in local and Africa consumer trends and is a passionate Afro-optimist who believes it is Africa’s time to rise again and that the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will be a global gamechanger in the next decade.

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