Why are Walkers the best selling crisps in the UK when....

[DovertheRoad]

....they aren't really all that great.

Is it cost? Distribution? Anyone know?

[jaywalker]

It is because of market segmentation.

They are middle range crisps: above generic supermarket own-label but below up-market (hand cooked etc) ones. So the margins are not that great but the cooking oil is probably more palatable than with the lowest tier.

Same as with washing powder etc.

People say there is no class system in the UK but you only have to look in shopping baskets.

[nxjen]

Who says there's no class system in the UK?

[malumbu]

Hmm

Rather simplistic. Golden Wonder were the bees knees when i was young. We had Smiths too, remembered in part from an earlier generation due to the blue packed of salt that you did yourself - as opposed to 'ready salted'.

From memory it was better marketing at key times that destroyed this opposition and perhaps being in the right place at the right time

[rendelharris]

More importantly, why are their salt and vinegar now in green packets? Green means cheese and onion and salt and vinegar comes in blue. As if the world isn't confusing enough.

I'm sorry but it had to be said.

ETA according to the internet it's always been this way. Well if it has, it shouldn't have been.

[Jah Lush]

Sales does not equate to quality. Any fool should know that.

For example, The Sun is still the biggest selling 'newspaper' in this country and we all know what a pile of shit that is apart from the idiots who still insist on buying it.

[Earl Aelfheah]

http://www.just-food.com/analysis/the-rise-and-fall-of-an-icon_id94333.aspx

There is quite a lot of stuff on the rise and fall of Golden Wonder. They were by far the most popular crisp company back in the day and (allegedly) invented Cheese and Onion flavour crisps (in green packets as is only proper). They couldn't compete with Walkers (who were backed by Pepsi co) and their better marketing (aka Gary Linker).

I also remember listening to a podcast about the 'crisp war's of the the 70's and 80's (maybe the Bottom Line?) where it was suggested that they started making non brand crisps for lot's of supermarkets and had become too reliant on this particularly low margin pursuit.

Anyway, I quite like Walkers, especially their Marmite and Prawn Cocktail flavours. But clearly their colour coding when it comes to Salt & Vinegar / Cheese and Onion is nonsense on stilts.

[????]

A victory for marketing I'd say - distribution and cost less so. When I was young they weren't known down here and they we're/are better than Golden Wonder.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I love all the really cheap, dirty, old school crisps - onion rings, space invaders, squares etc. Generally a bit of a crisp addict

[????]

I'm sure there's a post-modern Hipster Crisp Joint somewhere for you rah :)

[Mick Mac]

Salt and Malt Vinegar McCoys

Say no more.

[DulwichFox]

Personally I like crisps like Tyrrell's and Kettle Sea Salt.. Don't really like any flavoured crisps..

Altough many many Moons ago there used to be a company who may of been Benson's up in Cumbria that made 'Cheese' not onion crisps which were really nice.

Pipers are good..

Walkers are Naff.

Golden Wonder refers to the type of potato.

Foxy

[Earl Aelfheah]

???? Wrote:

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> I'm sure there's a post-modern Hipster Crisp Joint

> somewhere for you rah :)

No need, Centra on the corner of Hindman's and Whateley provides for me.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I do like Tyrells'. They're definitely the best of the 'posh' crisps.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I think it breaks down like this:

Best cheap crisps: Onion Rings or Frazzles

Best mid range: Walkers Marmite or Prawn Cocktail flavours.

Best 'is it a crisp': Scampi Fries

Best 'high end' crisp: Tryells salt and vinegar (suspect it's sea salt and cider vinegar or something but can't remember).

I love most crisps though. If you asked me on a different day I'd give different answers.

[Earl Aelfheah]

... oh actually, Tyrells salt and pepper are very good.

[Earl Aelfheah]

.....ooooohhh, I just remembered 'chip sticks'. This is impossible

[JohnL]

In the 70s Golden Wonder were mainline and Smiths were for rebels

Like Converse :)

[Earl Aelfheah]

Wotsits. Just saying.

[Sue]

rahrahrah Wrote:

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> .....ooooohhh, I just remembered 'chip sticks'.

> This is impossible

Yay! Chipsticks!!

[Nigello]

Skips, anyone?

Fish 'n' Chips, too?

[Earl Aelfheah]

Skips. Now you're talking. I haven't actually had Skips in ages, but they're good.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Nigello Wrote:

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> Skips, anyone?

> Fish 'n' Chips, too?

Are Fish 'n Chips a crisp or a biscuit? Same question with Mini Chedders.

[DulwichFox]

Twiglets.. Bliss..

Foxy

[Earl Aelfheah]

Twiglets are good.

There is currently a campaign to bring back the 'Twiglets of Tang' aka Worcestershire Sauce flavour (of which I was a big fan).

Now there is a petition worth signing.