PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Astute convenience-store retailers learned about them from early unveilings during the NACS Show or CSP's Outlook Leadership Conference late last year. Now PepsiCo's latest additions to its lines of carbonated soft drinks are hitting store shelves.
Here's a look at four recent product launches ...
On March 1, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo brought two new flavors to its 1893 craft soda line: Citrus Cola and Black Currant Cola.
"With bold, unique flavors and premium ingredients, we are delivering the next generation of colas with 1893," said Stacy Taffet, senior director of marketing, Pepsi. "We are thrilled to introduce Citrus and Black Currant to the portfolio, offering a modern take for consumers while honoring the original cola recipes created over a century ago by our founder."
Following the successful 2016 introduction of 1893 Original Cola and Ginger Cola, the launch of the new flavors demonstrates the brand's goal of discovery and commitment to providing an array of premium cola choices to meet individual tastes and needs, the company said.
The launch of 1893 Citrus and Black Currant Colas will be supported through an integrated marketing mix, including TV and online advertising this spring. Twelve-ounce cans of the drinks will be sold for a suggested retail price of $1.79. The drinks were available for sampling in the c-store product gallery during CSP's Outlook Leadership Conference in November.
Two other new PepsiCo launches in skinny 12-ounce cans target Generation Z with fewer calories, less sugar, and no artificial sweeteners or flavors.
"The consumer is getting more sophisticated," said Gary So, vice president of marketing portfolio transformation for PepsiCo's North America beverage unit. "They are looking for new options but typically don't want to sacrifice on taste."
The first is a new variation of Izze sparking juice drinks. Heralding them as the "next generation" of carbonated soft drinks, Izze Fusions are "sort of a soda, sort of juice and sort of sparkling water," the company said.
Izze Fusions has 60 calories per 12-ounce can, another appealing element to younger generations of consumers, according to PepsiCo.
The younger Gen Z crowd is "consuming a lot of different beverages, like sparking water, sparking soda and juice—all different categories," said So. Izze Fusions were developed to blend all three of those trends, according to a report in Fortune magazine.
Izze Fusions, first displayed during the NACS Show in October, is available in orange mango, strawberry melon and lemon lime.
Another all-new carbonated beverage line is called Lemon Lemon, a sparkling lemonade in three flavors: original, blackberry and peach.
According to Fortune, Lemon Lemon will be marketed globally under the 7UP trademark, which PepsiCo owns in all markets outside of the United States, where it is controlled by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Plano, Texas.
Lemon Lemon—also introduced during the NACS Show—contains 70 calories per 12-ounce can.
Meanwhile, PepsiCo also introduced two new flavors of its Mtn Dew KickStart soda brand.
Raspberry Citrus is available in 12-ounce cans, and Mango Lime in 16-ounce cans.
Each of the new drinks contains 60 calories per 12-ounce serving. They are available for a suggested retail price of $1.99.
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