Nestle Achieving GCC Growth For Leading Acqua Panna & S. Pellegrino Natural Mineral Waters
UAE Brands’ Biggest Middle East Markets
An expanding population and hospitality base combined with greater consumer quality consciousness is sustaining GCC sales growth of Nestlé’s leading Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino mineral water brands with the UAE proving to be the brands’ fast-growing Middle East market.
Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino were signed up as the official stills and sparkling mineral waters primary partner for next February’s Gourmet Abu Dhabi culinary festival, Luciano Novena, Area Manager Middle East & Africa for the two quality water brands, said further growth is on the cards, particularly from Abu Dhabi emirate.
“Abu Dhabi is growing as a tourism destination, there are more quality hotels and resorts opening, more people are arriving there, and more will come, and that means good potential growth for us all,” said Novena.
Novena said the double-digit sales growth in UAE for the brands this year is coming both from the hospitality and retail segments.
“Obviously from the retail equation there is still growth to be had from Abu Dhabi. More malls and outlets are planned and people are becoming more educated towards quality and are more health and taste conscious, so the opportunities are there - particularly for products such as ours which come from natural sources,” added Novena.
Discovered in the 15th century, Acqua Panna natural still mineral water flows from the Apennine mountains inside a vast protected natural area from where it gets its velvety unique taste. S. Pellegrino is a premium quality natural mineral water that was already well known in the 13th century. The water flows from a thermal spring in the foothills of the Italian Alps and is distinguished by its fine bubbles and subtle mineral aromas.
Novena said initiatives such as the ‘S.Pellegrino meets Italian Talents’ - exclusive partnerships between iconic Italian fashion and lifestyle brands with the mineral water brand - have been very successful in recent years. These brand associations have been formed through joint membership in the Altagamma Foundation, a gathering of leading Italian companies and brands formed to promote Italian product excellence.
“Last year our limited edition S.Pellegrino sparkles with Bulgari bottles graced the tables at the Gourmet Abu Dhabi Stars Award and it was a considerable success, with the previous year being a limited edition S.Pellegrino meets Missoni bottle. There’s seems to be a regional appetite for design tie-ups such as this – our water, of course, never changes,” added Nouvena.
New culinary initiatives, a focus on traditional Emirati dining and local ingredients and a re-energised programme of events underpin the landmark fifth showing of Gourmet Abu Dhabi - the UAE capital’s annual haute cuisine festival - when the 16-day extravaganza rolls out across 20 of Abu Dhabi’s leading restaurants from February 5-20 next year. To mark its fifth anniversary, a series of revamped events, highly-focussed masterclasses and extensive culinary demonstrations and promotions will be driven by more than 14 international masterchefs, celebrity chefs and dozens of special guests.
With the Michelin star-studded roster of international masterchefs, exclusive dinners and one-off events due to be unveiled in coming weeks and months, Gourmet Abu Dhabi strives to highlight the emirate’s leading hospitality partners’ culinary prowess – with more than 20 restaurants participating in next year’s larger-than-ever anniversary bill.
Gourmet Abu Dhabi has attracted a high-profile line-up of sponsors, including Acqua Panna & S.Pellegrino as Official Still & Sparkling Mineral Water Partners; Chef Middle East as Premium Gourmet Purveyor Partner; Valrhona as Official Chocolate Partner; Les Vergers Boiron as Official Fruit & Vegetable Puree Partner; Etihad Airways, the UAE’s award-winning national carrier, as Official Airline Partner; High Spirits as Beverage Partner; and Steelite International as Official Fine Porcelain Tableware Partner.
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Date: Dec 12, 2012
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