Tetley ‘phasing out’ Lyons brand

Tea-maker Tetley GB is winding down its Lyons brand, following a change of company name last year.

Lyons decaffeinated tea bags are being withdrawn next month and are being replaced by Tet ley decaffeinated tea bags, which were launched at the beginning of this year.

Sources say the brand is gradually being phased out because of the lack of control over the Lyons brand since Allied Domecq de cided to carve up and sell its grocery interests.

John Nicholas, Tetley GB marketing director, says: “Tetley is a much bigger brand name, so on the decaffeinated tea it will give more reassurance to consumers.

“Clearly there are a number of companies that can use the Lyons brand name, so there is less con trol over its meaning,” he adds.

Last July Lyons-Tetley was sold by Allied Domecq for 190m to a management buy-out and the new company was named the Tetley Group. This comprises Tetley GB, Tetley International and Tetley USA.

Tetley is the UK’s brand leader with a 20.3 per cent share in a tea market, by value, worth 499m to August 1995.

The Lyons brand name is found on Quickbrew and on the speciality teas Red Label and Orange Label.

Lyons Biscuits has been sold to Premier brands and Lyons Cakes to Manor Bakeries. Lyons roast and ground coffee business was sold to Paulig, and the instant coffee business sold to Kraft Jacobs Suchard. Lyons’ cheesecake-making operation and its home bakery unit were sold to the Brandway Group.

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