Latest news with #Howat
CNBC
19-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Coffee giant Nescafe targets Gen Z as consumption habits shift
ORBE, Switzerland — For almost a century, a nondescript factory in an unsuspecting town beneath the Swiss mountains has played host to some of the most widely consumed coffee trends brewed up by caffeine giant Nescafe. From the 1938 launch of its flagship soluble powdered coffee to freeze-dried granules and later coffee capsules, the Nestle-owned household brand is now targeting its latest iteration for the next generation of coffee drinkers. "We have to develop solutions specifically to bring young people into the Nescafe brand," Don Howat, global category lead for Nescafe at Nestle, told CNBC. For Nescafe, that means targeting the ballooning cold coffee market. Today, one-third (32%) of coffee consumed out-of-home is iced, according to company compiled estimates. For many younger consumers, namely Gen Z, it's often their first introduction to the ubiquitous drink. "Nescafe's heartland is really in the morning, drunk hot," Howat continued. "We're trying to move into a space which is throughout the day — more in the afternoon, consumed cold, retargeting that younger generation." "That provides a super exciting growth opportunity for Nescafe." Coffee is a big bet for Nestle, with Nescafe and sister brand Nespresso accounting for two of the company's six key priorities for 2025. It represents a return to the core for the world's largest food and beverage company, whose main lines include coffee, pet care and food under popular brands such as Nespresso, Purina and KitKat. Nestle's stock has lagged major rivals such as Unilever and Danone over recent years amid weaker sales growth and revised guidance, even as the sector at large has come under pressure from higher commodity prices and increased private label competition. CEO Laurent Freixe, who took the helm in September, has vowed to refocus the business, saying a slew of acquisitions under his predecessor had "weakened the fabric" of the company. "We want fewer, bigger, better innovations. We want breakthrough and impact," Freixe told a media event earlier this month, citing coffee as one of the categories with the highest rate of "clear-cut" wins. The firm's latest gambit, Nescafe Espresso Concentrate, nevertheless marks a new approach to product development — one it plans to extend to other categories. The cold liquid concentrate, which can be used as a base for chilled caffeine drinks, was developed in a research and development (R&D) accelerator and trialed in U.S. Kroger stores before its ultimate sign off. It is one in a stream of cold coffee products to flood the market lately, however the majority have been in the pre-mixed, ready to drink (RTD) space. Nestle says its goal is customization, with the concentrate designed to let consumers "hack" their coffee at home according to their preferences, for instance by adding milk, water, lemonade or other beverages. "Most young people have grown up with coffee cold … their expectation is for cold coffee, lots of flavors, textures, additions," Howat said. Launched in Australia in late 2024, the product has since expanded to the U.S., U.K., Canada, Japan, China and Singapore with plans for further markets underway. Meanwhile a collaboration with influencer Zach King is seen marketing the product at social media users. "It's achieving what we set out to achieve," Howat said. "It just takes the brand into a different space." The coffee giant is now hoping that by targeting new consumers and consumption habits, it could pave the way for further expansion into adjacent categories. That includes penetrating traditional tea markets like India, China and Japan, building out customization and premiumization, and targeting new consumption occasions. "What's interesting about younger consumers is they're drinking a lot less alcohol," Howat said. Successive studies have pointed to lower alcohol consumption habits among Gen Z compared to previous generations, sparking a surge in non-alcoholic and health and wellness-oriented alternatives. July research from an ISWR survey sought to debunk that narrative, however, citing the cost-of-living crisis as a source of the perceived abstinence trend. Nescafe nevertheless said it sees new scope to position coffee as an all-day product and sophisticated alcohol alternative. "When they socialize in the evening with their friends, they'd like to drink something which is adult but perhaps doesn't have alcohol," he continued. "That provides an opportunity for Nescafe to get into that space, perhaps with decaffeinated products, with cold products, indulgent products," he said.
Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NI star helps Rangers put League disappointment behind them with comfortable Scottish Cup success
Jo Potter's side lost the SWPL title race to Hibernian with a defeat by Hibs on the final day of the season last week but they showed their resilience at Hampden Park to retain the trophy. Mia McAulay opened the scoring after 25 minutes before fellow attacker Kirsty Howat doubled that lead 13 minutes later and then, after Rafferty had been introduced at the break, grabbed her second five minutes after the restart. City defender Sam van Diemen was sent off in the 79th minute for denying substitute Camille Lafaix a goalscoring opportunity by hauling her back but the game was gone by then, with the Sky Sports Cup winners assured of a Cup double. The woodwork saw plenty of action in the early stages of the game. McAulay struck the post in the 12th minute with a drive which beat City goalkeeper Lee Gibson and five minutes later Rangers defender Kathy Hill headed a free-kick on to the bar and over. Moments later, at the other end, City's Natalia Wrobel crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box. However, when 18-year-old McAulay got another opportunity outside the box on a swift counter, she drilled a shot into the far corner of the net. McAulay provided the assist for the second goal, floating a cross into Howat who turned neatly away from Van Diemen before firing low past Gibson, who moments later prevented a third when she blocked a shot from McAulay who had broken free of the City back line. It was a healthy interval cushion for Rangers, who lost captain Nicola Docherty to injury just after the first goal. City were again caught with a through-ball after 50 minutes which left Chelsea Cornet able to roll the ball across goal for Howat to tap into an empty net from close range. In the 70th minute City's Nicole Kozlova somehow missed the target with only Gers keeper Jenna Fife to beat while McAulay missed a chance for her second after being set up by Howat. Van Diemen's dismissal, after referee Dan McFarlane was called by VAR to check his pitchside monitor after initially flashing a yellow, completed a miserable day for City, while 35-year-old striker Jane Ross came on as a late substitute for Rangers in her last game of a stellar career.
The National
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Rangers motor to Scottish Cup win to ease SWPL heartache
Jo Potter's side lost the SWPL title race to Hibernian with a defeat by Hibs on the final day of the season last week but they showed their resilience at Hampden Park to retain the trophy. Mia McAulay opened the scoring after 25 minutes before fellow attacker Kirsty Howat doubled that lead 13 minutes later and then grabbed her second five minutes after the restart. City defender Sam Van Diemen was sent off in the 79th minute for denying substitute Camille Lafaix a goalscoring opportunity by hauling her back but the game was gone by then with the Sky Sports Cup winners assured of a cup double. The woodwork saw plenty of action in the early stages of the game. McAulay struck the post in the 12th minute with a drive which beat City goalkeeper Lee Gibson and five minutes later Rangers defender Kathy Hill headed a free-kick on to the bar and over. Moments later, at the other end, City's Natalia Wrobel crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box. Read more: Rangers-linked Russell Martin speaks on job hopes Davide Ancelotti branded 'phenomenon' as Real Madrid star gushes over coach However, when 18-year-old McAulay got another opportunity outside the box on a swift counter, she drilled a shot into the far corner of the net. McAulay provided the assist for the second goal, floating a cross into Howat who turned neatly away from Van Diemen before firing low past Gibson, who moments later prevented a third when she blocked a shot from McAulay who had broken free of the City back line. It was a healthy interval cushion for Rangers, who lost captain Nicola Docherty to injury just after the first goal. City were again caught with a through-ball after 50 minutes which left Chelsea Cornet able to roll the ball across goal for Howat to tap into an empty net from close range. In the 70th minute City's Nicole Kozlova somehow missed the target with only Gers keeper Jenna Fife to beat while McAulay missed a chance for her second after being set up by Howat. Van Diemen's dismissal, after referee Dan McFarlane was called by VAR to check his pitchside monitor after initially flashing a yellow, completed a miserable day for City, while 35-year-old striker Jane Ross came on as a late substitute for Rangers in her last game of a stellar career.
STV News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Rangers put league disappointment behind them with comfortable final success
Rangers eased league disappointment with an emphatic 3-0 Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup final win over Glasgow City. Jo Potter's side lost the SWPL title race to Hibernian with a defeat by Hibs on the final day of the season last week but they showed their resilience at Hampden Park to retain the trophy. Mia McAulay opened the scoring after 25 minutes before fellow attacker Kirsty Howat doubled that lead 13 minutes later and then grabbed her second five minutes after the restart. City defender Sam Van Diemen was sent off in the 79th minute for denying substitute Camille Lafaix a goalscoring opportunity by hauling her back but the game was gone by then with the Sky Sports Cup winners assured of a cup double. The woodwork saw plenty of action in the early stages of the game. McAulay struck the post in the 12th minute with a drive which beat City goalkeeper Lee Gibson and five minutes later Rangers defender Kathy Hill headed a free-kick on to the bar and over. Moments later, at the other end, City's Natalia Wrobel crashed a shot off the crossbar from the edge of the box. However, when 18-year-old McAulay got another opportunity outside the box on a swift counter, she drilled a shot into the far corner of the net. McAulay provided the assist for the second goal, floating a cross into Howat who turned neatly away from Van Diemen before firing low past Gibson, who moments later prevented a third when she blocked a shot from McAulay who had broken free of the City back line. It was a healthy interval cushion for Rangers, who lost captain Nicola Docherty to injury just after the first goal. City were again caught with a through-ball after 50 minutes which left Chelsea Cornet able to roll the ball across goal for Howat to tap into an empty net from close range. In the 70th minute City's Nicole Kozlova somehow missed the target with only Gers keeper Jenna Fife to beat while McAulay missed a chance for her second after being set up by Howat. Van Diemen's dismissal, after referee Dan McFarlane was called by VAR to check his pitchside monitor after initially flashing a yellow, completed a miserable day for City, while 35-year-old striker Jane Ross came on as a late substitute for Rangers in her last game of a stellar career. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orange school district to lose 3,100 students, millions in funds next year
Orange County Public Schools it is set to lose about 3,100 students and $27.8 million in state funding for next school year, a loss that has prompted fears about teacher layoffs and crowded classrooms. In a recent memo to employees, OCPS said the expected loss of state money will have 'major implications' on the one of the state's largest school districts and will mean all departments must reduce their operating budgets by 2%. 'We must be strategic and innovative in our approach to budgeting, prioritizing the initiatives that have the greatest impact on student outcomes,' the memo read. The projected drop in enrollment is the biggest since the 2020-21 school year, which saw a 10,000-student decline in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, district spokesman Scott Howat said. The COVID-era enrollment declines were offset by the arrival of federal COVID-19 funding, but that money dries up this school year. Declining birth rates and the expansion of the state's school voucher program — which provide state-funded scholarships to any interested student — are driving OCPS's current enrollment drop, Howat said. The state expanded the voucher program in 2023, wiping out family income requirements, and voucher use has jumped 67% since then. Because schools are funded on a per-pupil basis, declining enrollment means a drop in state money. Howat said Orange County was not alone in seeing an enrollment loss as 47 out of 67 other Florida school districts are also projecting they'll enroll fewer students next year. The district is pushing the state Legislature to increase the per-student allocation to help alleviate the funding shortfall, he said, and OCPS' goal is to keep teachers in classrooms. 'Our hope is that we can retain our teachers, all of them,' Howat said. 'We need as many teachers as we can get.' Clinton McCracken, president of Orange County's teacher's union, said in a statement that the school board has a responsibility to prevent staffing shortages and overcrowded classrooms that could come from a funding shortfall. 'It's critical that the District and School Board prioritize protecting classrooms from cuts,' he said. 'Our students cannot afford larger class sizes or fewer staff.' Howat said that the district would send teachers additional information about possible school assignment changes once the state budget is finished, which he said could be by the end of the week. Teachers might need to switch schools as the enrollment drops might be more severe at some campuses than at others. Angie Gallo, a member of the Orange County School Board, said she's concerned for the district's teachers. Before the district considers cutting instructional positions, it needs to look at what programs it could go without. 'People are the best choice for our students. Teachers, high quality teachers,' Gallo said. As OCPS continues to lose students, and then subsequently lose funding, to school-choice vouchers, Gallo said the district needs to be more competitive. She said OCPS should look into district-run charter and micro-schools, which could offer parents more choices. 'In order to stay competitive, we're going to have to be innovative,' she said. 'We're going to have to change how public education looks.' If a proposed state law passes, OCPS also could also lose $17 million from the state for programs like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, which could cause some high school students to pay out of pocket for materials and exams.
