Hellmanns Products

Hellmann's: The World's Number One Mayonnaise Since 1905 Hellmann's has defined mayonnaise for British consumers since arriving in the UK in 1961, growing from curious novelty to claiming over half the market. Now a €2 billion Unilever brand and the world's bestselling mayonnaise, Hellmann's continues innovating with vegan options and expanded condiment ranges. At Grocefully, we help you compare Hellmann's prices across UK supermarkets to find the best deals on Britain's favourite mayo. From Delicatessen to Global Brand The Hellmann's story begins in New York in 1905, though its roots extend to Germany. Richard Hellmann emigrated from Vetschau, Germany, to New York City in 1903. In August 1904, he married Margaret Vossberg, whose parents owned a delicatessen. By mid-1905, Hellmann had opened his own delicatessen at 490 Columbus Avenue, where he developed ready-made mayonnaise that proved immediately popular. Success demanded expansion. In 1913, Hellmann built a factory to produce mayonnaise at scale, launching September 1 under the name Hellmann's Blue Ribbon Mayonnaise. The blue ribbon symbolised quality that would define the brand for over a century. Corporate Ownership Evolution Hellmann's passed through several corporate hands before reaching Unilever. Postum Foods (later Best Foods) acquired the Hellmann's brand in 1927. In 1958, Best Foods merged with Corn Products Refining Company to form Corn Products Company, which became CPC International Inc. in 1969. In 1997, CPC International renamed itself Bestfoods, focusing on packaged foods whilst spinning off corn-refining operations. Bestfoods was acquired by Unilever in 2000, bringing Hellmann's into the British multinational's extensive portfolio. Today, Hellmann's and Best Foods remain Unilever brands. The Hellmann's name sells in Europe, the UK, Middle East, eastern United States, Latin America, Canada, India, and Pakistan. Best Foods serves western United States, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand – same product, different regional branding. Hellmann's Arrives in Britain Mayonnaise was relatively unfamiliar to British consumers when Hellmann's arrived in 1961. The brand spent early years educating the public and promoting mayonnaise as a side-of-plate condiment. This educational challenge required persistence. British food culture favoured salad cream – a related but distinct product. Convincing consumers that mayonnaise offered something different and desirable took sustained marketing effort. By the late 1980s, the brand was well-established. Advertising positioned Hellmann's as "the only mayonnaise," claiming over half the market. This dominance continues – Hellmann's remains the UK's number one mayonnaise brand. The transformation from curious import to British kitchen staple demonstrates successful market development over decades rather than overnight success. A €2 Billion Brand Hellmann's has grown into a €2 billion brand globally, driven by great-tasting products, meaningful purpose, and customer-led innovations. As the world's number one mayonnaise brand, Hellmann's benefits from scale whilst maintaining product quality. Unilever resources support continued innovation and marketing investment sustaining market leadership. Understanding the Product Range Hellmann's offers comprehensive mayonnaise coverage plus expanded condiment options. Real Mayonnaise The flagship product delivering the creamy, rich taste that established the brand. Made with real eggs and quality oils, Real Mayonnaise suits traditional applications from sandwiches to salads. Available in jars and squeeze bottles across various sizes, Real Mayonnaise provides options for different usage patterns. Larger formats offer value for frequent users. Light Mayonnaise Light Mayo reduces fat content whilst maintaining Hellmann's taste profile. This option suits those managing fat intake without abandoning mayonnaise entirely. The reformulation challenge – delivering satisfaction with reduced fat – requires careful formulation. Hellmann's Light aims to minimize compromise. Vegan Mayonnaise Hellmann's Vegan Mayo addresses growing plant-based demand with 100% plant-based formulation delivering similar thick, creamy texture and taste. Made with sustainably sourced rapeseed oil (72%), the vegan version provides Omega 3 and is gluten-free. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, it's free from eggs whilst maintaining mayonnaise character. Ingredients include rapeseed oil, water, spirit vinegar, sugar, salt, modified maize starch, natural flavouring (contains mustard), lemon juice concentrate, antioxidant, and paprika extract for colour. This product allows vegan consumers access to mayonnaise-style condiments without compromise – important as plant-based eating grows. Squeezy Formats Squeeze bottle packaging provides convenience for application. Less mess than jar scooping, better portion control, and suitable for table presentation. Both standard and vegan versions appear in squeezy formats. Beyond Mayonnaise Hellmann's has extended into broader condiment categories. Tomato Ketchup offers Hellmann's quality in the ketchup market, described as more balanced than competitors – less dominated by vinegar and sugar. BBQ sauces provide summer grilling options under the Hellmann's brand. Salad dressings and white sauce extend the range further, leveraging Hellmann's reputation across condiment categories. Where to Buy Hellmann's in the UK Hellmann's enjoys universal UK distribution. Major Supermarkets Tesco stocks comprehensive Hellmann's ranges including Vegan Mayonnaise in 270g jars alongside standard Real Mayonnaise in multiple sizes. Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose carry Hellmann's products. Range depth varies by store size but core products appear across formats. Hellmann's' market dominance ensures prominent shelf placement in mayonnaise aisles. Ocado Ocado provides online access to Hellmann's including vegan variants. Home delivery convenience suits regular purchasers. Discount Retailers Aldi and Lidl occasionally stock Hellmann's during special promotions. Budget retailers like B&M may carry branded products. Food Service Unilever Food Solutions supplies Hellmann's to hospitality and catering through channels like Brakes Foodservice. Commercial formats suit restaurant and catering use. Amazon UK Amazon provides convenience purchasing with various Hellmann's products including multipack options. Using Hellmann's Mayonnaise versatility extends beyond obvious applications. Traditional Uses Sandwich spread, salad dressing base, and dip foundation represent core mayonnaise applications. Quality mayonnaise noticeably improves these compared to budget alternatives. Potato salad, coleslaw, and similar dishes rely on mayonnaise character. Hellmann's delivers the creamy richness these dishes require. Cooking Applications Mayonnaise works as cooking medium – coating fish before baking creates moist, flavourful results. Burger patties benefit from mayonnaise binding. Grilled cheese sandwiches spread with mayonnaise rather than butter develop superior crust. This technique has gained popularity as food hack. Sauce Bases Tartare sauce, aioli variations, and numerous dressings start with mayonnaise base. Quality base mayo produces better final sauces. Marie Rose sauce (prawn cocktail sauce) combines mayonnaise with tomato, creating British favourite from Hellmann's foundation. Price Considerations Hellmann's commands premium positioning versus own-brand mayonnaise. The price differential reflects brand value, quality perception, and market leadership. Comparing prices across retailers identifies deals – promotional pricing varies between supermarkets. Larger formats typically offer better per-unit value. Vegan variants may command slight premium reflecting specialist positioning. Sustainability Initiatives Unilever's sustainability commitments extend to Hellmann's. Sustainably sourced oils in vegan mayonnaise reflect responsible ingredient procurement. Packaging innovations aim to reduce plastic usage and improve recyclability. As Unilever brand, Hellmann's benefits from corporate sustainability resources whilst contributing to group environmental targets. Hellmann's vs Competitors Consumers choosing mayonnaise consider various options. Hellmann's vs Own-Brand Supermarket own-brand mayonnaise costs less. Taste and texture differences vary – some own-brands perform respectably whilst others compromise noticeably. Blind taste tests often favour Hellmann's but price-sensitive consumers may accept alternatives. Hellmann's vs Heinz Heinz entered mayonnaise competing for Hellmann's market. Both offer quality products; preference depends on individual taste. Market leader status provides Hellmann's advantages in availability and recognition. Hellmann's vs Premium Brands Artisan mayonnaise brands charge significantly more than Hellmann's. Quality differences may not justify premium for most consumers. Conclusion From Richard Hellmann's 1905 New York delicatessen to €2 billion global brand, Hellmann's has earned its position as the world's number one mayonnaise. British market leadership since arriving in 1961 demonstrates sustained consumer preference across generations. Innovation continues with vegan options addressing plant-based demand whilst maintaining the quality that established the brand. Unilever ownership provides resources for continued development and marketing. Whether choosing classic Real Mayonnaise, Light for reduced fat, or Vegan for plant-based diets, compare Hellmann's prices across UK supermarkets through Grocefully and find the best deals on Britain's favourite mayo.