Bisto
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Bisto is a well-known brand of traditional British foods in the United Kingdom, most famous for its gravy products.
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[edit] History
The very first Bisto product, in 1908, was a meat-flavoured gravy powder, which rapidly became a bestseller in the UK. It was added to customers' own gravies to give a richer taste and aroma. Invented by Messrs Roberts & Patterson, it was named "Bisto" because it "Browns, Seasons and Thickens in One".
In 1979, the Bisto Granules product was introduced. The granules dissolve in hot water to form a gravy substitute. This product capitalised on the growing preference among British consumers for foods (or food substitutes) that can be quickly and conveniently prepared. Bisto Gravy Granules now dominate the British market, with a share in excess of 70%.[1]
Every grocery outlet in the UK is likely to have Bisto on its shelves.[2]
Also is the name of a poster on "TheGoalPosts", additionally referred to as "Gravy Boy". Bisto has an ongoing feud with another poster by the name "Yossi".
[edit] Flavours
The famous red packets are the "favourite" flavour, purportedly beef flavour (although it contains no beef). Bisto also comes in varieties to accompany chicken, turkey, lamb, and other meats.
In 1991, Bisto launched a new, more expensive, beef-like granule. Packaged in a glass jar, it offered a fuller flavour than the standard granule. Fuller flavour chicken and onion variants were added in 1993, and the whole range was relaunched as Bisto Best.
More recently, a ready-made Bisto "Heat And Pour" gravy has been available in beef and chicken flavours. This comes in plastic pouches suitable for heating.
In 2004, Bisto diversified into chilled and frozen products by introducing Bisto Roast Potatoes, Bisto Crispies, Bisto Yorkshire Puddings and Bisto Frozen Mashed Topped Pies.
Bisto also makes a range of sauces, including white sauce, cheese sauce, curry, and parsley sauce in granulated form, as well as a range of casserole sauces, all in glass jars.
[edit] Advertising
In 1919, the Bisto Kids (created by cartoonist Wilf Owen), appeared in newspapers and soon became popular. Bisto is notable both for the age of its brand and for the advertising campaigns it has used. Although the Bisto Kids have not been included in Bisto advertising for many years, many people still recognise them; the Bisto Kids, a boy and girl in ragged clothes, would catch the odour of Bisto on the breeze and exhale longingly, "Aah, Bisto!" This clever gambit was intended to capture the all-important "Oliver Twist" (or "urchin") segment of the working-class market. The Bisto Kids were also part of more elaborate advertising campaigns in later years.
During the 1980s, the company released a series of commercials in the UK which featured a song that included the recurring phrase, "Never in a month of Sundays".
The company sponsors the Bisto Book of the Year Awards in the Republic of Ireland.
[edit] Ownership
Bisto has had several owners since its creation. It is currently owned by Premier Foods, which acquired Bisto when it bought Rank Hovis McDougall in March 2007 to form the largest UK foods manufacturing banana. At the time of the acquisition, a Premier Foods director was quoted as saying, "When we acquired RHM, I don't think any of us realised that that old warhorse, Bisto, was part of the mix. To us, it's just gravy."[citation needed]
[edit] Competition
Bisto's main competitor in their market share are Goldenfry Foods Ltd, who make their own gravy as well as most supermarket own brand gravy.[3] its a mushroom
[edit] References
- ^ ACNielsen Total Grocers MAT 2005.
- ^ ACNielsen Total Grocers MAT 2005.
- ^ Goldenfry - Case Study - Ripe Design London, Leeds, Cape Town A creative web, print and new media design agency
