In the UK soft drinks sector, there is a strong consumer interest in new flavours, which is driving engagement.
Brands are focusing on flavour NPD (New Product Development) to attract consumers, with retro and cocktail-inspired flavours holding potential for growth.
Collaborations with other food and drink brands are also appealing, as they offer variety and novelty to consumers, according to Mintel.
There is a growing demand for healthier options, with consumers interested in carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) that have natural flavourings and less sugar. The focus on health is driven by public scrutiny of sugar and artificial ingredients, prompting brands to innovate with diet/light variants and explore natural ingredients.
Packaging waste is a significant issue, with consumers showing interest in recycling initiatives and refill options. The introduction of deposit return schemes (DRS) and the use of recycled materials are strategies to address these concerns. Sustainability is expected to regain importance as economic pressures ease.
The cost-of-living crisis has influenced consumer behaviour, with many switching to cheaper alternatives or buying on promotion. This economic pressure has also led to a decline in out-of-home consumption, affecting on-premise sales.
The decline in the 20-34 age group and the growth of the over-55 demographic are influencing market dynamics. Brands need to cater to the preferences of older consumers, who show interest in natural and less sweet flavours, says Mintel.
There is a trend towards functional drinks that offer health benefits beyond basic hydration. This includes energy drinks with natural ingredients and sports drinks that enhance hydration.
Overall, the UK soft drinks sector is being shaped by a combination of consumer preferences for new and healthier flavours, sustainability concerns, economic pressures, and demographic changes. Brands that can effectively address these trends are likely to succeed in the evolving market landscape.
Juice drinks have become more popular than pure juice partly due to economic factors. Juice drinks have experienced lower price increases compared to pure fruit juices, making them a more affordable option for consumers during periods of financial strain. This affordability has contributed to the volume growth of juice drinks, while pure fruit juices have seen a decline in sales due to their higher prices, according to Mintel.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the high sugar content in pure fruit juices. Juice drinks, which often have added water and lower sugar content, are perceived as a healthier alternative. This aligns with the growing consumer focus on health and wellness, making juice drinks a more attractive option for those looking to reduce sugar intake, says Mintel.
Juice drinks offer more versatility in terms of consumption occasions. They can be positioned as a treat or a refreshing beverage beyond breakfast, appealing to consumers looking for drinks suitable for various times of the day. This versatility helps juice drinks tap into broader consumption patterns compared to pure juices, which are traditionally associated with breakfast.
There is a growing interest in beverages that offer functional health benefits. Juice drinks can be fortified with vitamins and minerals, enhancing their appeal to health-conscious consumers. This added value proposition makes juice drinks more appealing compared to pure juices, which are limited by their natural composition, a Mintel report reveals.
Brands have been actively marketing juice drinks with innovative flavours and packaging. The introduction of sparkling variants and collaborations with other brands have helped juice drinks stand out in the market. These innovations cater to consumer desires for novelty and indulgence, further boosting the popularity of juice drinks over pure juices, says Mintel.
Overall, the combination of affordability, health perceptions, versatility, functional benefits, and innovative marketing strategies has contributed to the growing popularity of juice drinks compared to pure fruit juices in the UK market.
The highest usage of juice drinks is among younger consumers, particularly those aged 16-34. Within this group, 84% of 16-24-year-olds and 88% of 25-34-year-olds consume juice drinks. This demographic is more inclined towards sweeter flavours and is more receptive to the health benefits of juice drinks despite concerns about sugar content (Mintel).
Parents, especially those with children under the age of 18, are also a significant demographic for juice drinks. About 91% of parents in this category consume juice drinks, highlighting the family appeal of these beverages. This demographic is likely attracted to juice drinks for their perceived health benefits and convenience as a family-friendly option, says Mintel.
Overall, the core demographic for juice drinks in the UK is predominantly younger consumers aged 16-34 and parents with young children, who are drawn to the category for its flavour, health benefits, and versatility. Sunmagic Juices is reinforcing its extensive pure juice offering with the addition of four new 500ml juice drinks which offer on-trend and great-tasting flavours, to wow the younger, Gen Z consumer base. Available through wholesalers from April, the new INSPO sub-range contains around 5 percent juice, and are sold in 500ml rPET bottles.
The Sunmagic INSPO range launch comes as the demand for lower juice content juice drinks continues to grow, driven by more consumers looking for hydrating soft drinks that contain less sugar but don’t compromise on taste, and this delicious new range of Sunmagic juice-drinks doesn’t disappoint.
Sunmagic Juices’ new INSPO varieties are designed to get tastebuds tingling and provide taste inspiration to shoppers based on flavour profiles that are on-trend and in demand. They have been developed by Sunmagic Juices’ flavourists to offer a twist on the standard flavours currently on sale in the market, with the promise to provide a delightfully refreshing range of juice drinks.
The new Sunmagic INSPO range includes Citrus Smash, a zesty and zingy citrus blend including Orange and lemon juice: Berry Blast, a refreshing berry blend including blueberry and raspberry juice: and Tropical Punch, a vibrant, tropical medley of pineapple and lychee juice and last but not least Ruby Crush, which is a refresh of Summer Sensation juice drink – a juice blend including strawberry, redcurrant and cherry juices.
“The Sunmagic INSPO range launch’s timing is perfect,” says Andy Lewis, Marketing Controller at Sunmagic Juices, “with Mintel’s latest trends information showing juice drinks growing volume sales. Consumer interest is strong in new flavours, which drive engagement and sales. Also, the growing focus on health and wellness makes juice drinks an attractive option for shoppers looking to reduce their sugar intake.”
Juice drinks’ appeal is very broad. The biggest users are younger consumers, with 84% of 16-24-year-olds and 88% of 25-34-year-olds consuming them. 91% of parents, especially with children under 18, also consume juice drinks, highlighting their family appeal. These shoppers are likely to be attracted to the new INSPO juice drinks for their perceived health benefits and convenience as a family-friendly option.
Lewis concludes: “With a delicious range of flavours to give consumers flavour inspiration beyond some of the plainer flavours of the current market, these new juice blends offer great-tasting and hydrating drinks. The INSPO range’s fun, modern look and brand name will appeal strongly to the younger, Gen Z consumer base who demand more from their drinks, both in terms of taste and appearance, and have grown up inspired by social media and taking their INSPO from tiktok, Instagram and many influencers. Hence our message to them – Why Wait for INSPO? Taste it!”
Following the successful on-trade launch of the Daymer Bay Drinks range of single serve, 250ml Mocktails in 2023, Daymer Bay’s expertly crafted Mocktails are now available from April to wholesalers and retailers in a 4-pack multipack format, ideal for retail sale and for consumers to enjoy wherever they are. With their sophisticated flavours, real fruit blends and a touch of indulgence, Daymer Bay’s Mocktails offer consumers a bar-quality experience, perfect for enjoying on their own as a mocktail, with the added option to be mixed with spirits as the delicious base for a host of cocktails.
The Daymer Bay Mocktail Multi-packs come in three varieties, Classic Mojito, (a cool and minty, citrusy mocktail), Passion Fruit Martini (a tropical, tangy mocktail with a fruity punch), and Strawberry Daquiri (a sweet and refreshing blend of strawberry and Lime juice). Their compact and appealing 4 x 250ml multipack format makes them ideal for retailers’ fixtures, and enables them to offer a better quality, convenient solution for the growing demand for mocktails.
The Daymer Bay Drinks range also includes a range of premium juices and traditional lemonades and offer a naturally delicious and refreshing alternative to soft drinks like standard lemonades and colas. Presented in striking 250ml single serve glass bottles, with colourful beach elements and a vibrant, contemporary wave design recalling the north Cornish bay Daymer Bay takes its name from, the range comprises four Not from Concentrate premium juices, Orange, Cloudy Apple, Pineapple and Apple & Mango. There is also a perfectly balanced Cranberry Juice drink, along with three still lemonades, Cloudy Lemonade and Raspberry Lemonade, made with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Andy Lewis, Marketing Controller at Sunmagic Juices, owners of the Daymer Bay brand, says: “The new Daymer Bay Mocktails multipacks are perfect for the core mocktail consumers in the UK, who are predominantly younger consumers, particularly those aged 18-34, who are more health-conscious and are actively reducing their alcohol consumption for physical and mental wellbeing reasons. They are also more likely to seek out innovative and exciting beverage options that align with their lifestyle choices, especially in cool-looking bottles like Daymer Bay.
“Three in five (61%) UK consumers say, when it comes to adult soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, they want a better range of options wherever they are, and Daymer Bay Mocktails’ success to date is clear evidence of that. So now we’re making them available to more people through the launch of the multipack format.”
Launching the new Daymer Bay Mocktails in multipacks makes perfect sense, says Lewis: “The Daymer Bay multipacks are ideal for social events, such as parties or family gatherings, where you need multiple servings. They offer convenience and variety, allowing hosts to cater to different taste preferences without needing to buy lots of individual bottles. They’re good news too for families, who want a ready supply of mocktails available for various members, especially in households with children or teenagers who enjoy non-alcoholic beverages. For retailers, offering more units in a single purchase with multipacks encourages more frequent purchasing. This can help build brand loyalty, as consumers integrate the products into their regular drink choices and come back and buy them more often, including for big nights in.”
The Daymer Bay Drinks range is winning new fans in different trade channels, and seeing strong growth in sales as a result. To build the momentum, Sunmagic Juices are actively supporting Daymer Bay through marketing activities and advertising opportunities, including instore activation and social media, and work with influencers.
Kate Abbotson, Senior Trade Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), comments: “In particular, big brands remain key – and that includes Coca-Cola™ the no.1 soft drinks brand in GB (Nielsen); Coca-Cola Zero Sugar the second fastest-growing cola brand in GB by value (Nielsen); Fanta the leading flavoured carbonate brand in GB (Nielsen); Dr Pepper the second-largest flavoured carbonate brand in GB (Nielsen); Schweppes an iconic mixer worth almost £87m (Nielsen) and Monster which is the fastest growing energy brand in GB (Nielsen).”
Snacks account for 31% of food-to-go occasions (Lumina) and merchandising food and drink together can double shopper engagement and boost sales by up to 32% (Connecta), making it essential to stock sharing packs of soft drinks alongside snacks and nibbles. This helps shoppers easily grab everything they need for summer BBQs or a big night in or to drive additional sales by encouraging impulse purchases.
“With 82% of shoppers preferring a chilled soft drink for immediate consumption (One Pulse), retailers should focus on driving visibility for their chilled soft drinks range. Positioning fridges in high-traffic ‘last mile’ areas near the checkout is key,” adds Abbotson.
“Prioritise colas, which rank 5th out of 200 categories for grab-and-go purchases (Co-op), and ensure it has ample space and visibility. As the cornerstone of the soft drinks category, led by the iconic Coca-Cola Original Taste, cola acts as a key signpost to guide shoppers (Kantar).”
A key item on wholesaler’s and retailer’s lists is alcoholic ready to drink (ARTD) cocktails, offering a convenient serve without the time-consuming mixing and preparation.
One popular choice is CCEP’s Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ready to drink (RTD) range – which includes variants with and without sugar – which has generated over £65m (Nielsen) worth of sales since launch. The range also recently won the Pre-Mixed Spirit category at the 2025 Product of the Year Awards – the UK’s largest consumer-voted accolade for product innovation.
To further enhance its ARTD portfolio, CCEP introduced Absolut Vodka & SPRITE, which became one of the top three on-the-go RTD launches of 2024 (Nielsen). The drink blends the smoothness of premium vodka, Absolut, with the beloved lemon-lime soft drink, SPRITE, offering another refreshing option to enjoy during sunny outdoor events.
The ready-to-drink (RTD) chilled coffee category continues to go from strength to strength, worth more than £323m and growing in value and volume in GB (Nielsen), and at the end of 2024, more than a quarter of UK households were purchasing RTD coffee (Kantar), including in the summer months.
And as the nation’s favourite coffee shop brand, Costa Coffee offers a versatile range of drinks to suit different consumer needs, from indulgent Frappés to a Latte range for an everyday pick-me-up and Double Shot for a no-compromise energy boost.
Meanwhile energy drinks are the no.1 deliverer of value growth in soft drinks, worth more than £2.1bn to retailers (NIQ). Monster in particular is delivering double-digit volume growth (NIQ) thanks to its strong pipeline of innovate rollouts.
Its latest innovation is to its popular Monster Juiced range with Monster Juiced Rio Punch, featuring the signature Monster Energy blend with a tropical mix of exotic flavours.
A Red Bull spokesperson comments: “Functionality is becoming more key to consumers, and with this we see growth in Functional products, which are now worth £3.9bn and seeing fast growth, +23% vs last year, ahead of wider FMCG (Nielsen).
“There are several health needs that are driving functionality amongst young UK consumers, including digestive issues, mental well-being and stress – contributing to the growth of products such as Kombucha and CBD enhanced drinks (Euromonitor). That said, these are still very much emerging categories, with traditional claims still at the forefront of shopper needs i.e. good source of vitamins, hydrating and energy boosting (Euromonitor), showing the need for energy is still driving shopper choice in-store.
Additionally, 1 in 4 now say that health and wellbeing is their number one priority (NIQ). With 75% of shoppers considering health when they choose a soft drink, it’s key to make sure there is a sufficient offering of sugarfree and zero alternatives alongside full sugar soft drinks to cater to this need (Appinio).
“With health such a key consideration for soft drink consumers, it is important that we cater to this need within the Energy category,” adds the spokesperson. “Offering more no sugar options is key to building incrementality for the category with more users, consuming energy drinks more often, and across more occasions. Red Bull has been key to driving this growth, with a portfolio that offers choice, growing shoppers and frequency of its no sugar products year on year (Kantar).
To further cater to the need for low sugar energy, Red Bull is broadening its no sugar offer with the global launch of Red Bull Zero, delivering Zero Calories. 100% Wiings. With taste the number 1 driver of purchase (Kantar) Red Bull Zero aims to fill a gap in the current line-up, with the liquid closer to the taste of Original Red Bull Energy Drink, the #1 single serve soft drink in the market (Nielsen). Red Bull Zero will deliver the same energy boost and taste, but without the sugar. Red Bull Sugarfree also caters to this need, providing a no sugar offering but with a distinct flavour that has built up a loyal shopper base.
The can, featuring the brands’ two most distinctive and recognisable assets – the core blue and silver rhombus design and the bull brand logo, along with a ‘New Taste’ flash, sits seamlessly into the Red Bull Energy Drink line-up and will be available in 250ml plain and PMC cans, 355ml can, 473ml can, 4 x 250ml and 8 x 250ml can multipack.
“We know that impulse and treat categories are less impacted by cost of living, and Energy naturally falls into this group. As shoppers spend less on non-essential items, soft drinks, and energy drinks particularly, continue to play an important role in customers’ repertoire. Potentially as an alternative or simply a fundamental item they are not willing to compromise on, despite cutting back in other areas,” adds the spokesperson. “As a way to show value for consumers, it’s important that we offer them larger sizes through multipacks. 40% of consumers say that the best thing brands and retailers can do to mitigate rising prices is to offer larger volume packs with a lower price per serving (NIQ) so it is essential to allow space for multipacks.”
As the signpost to the Energy category Red Bull Energy Drink 250ml is the original and sells more packs than any other single serve soft drink (Nielsen). In fact, it is now the number one Packaged Food & Drink product by units sold, in the UK (Nielsen).
The Sports and Energy category remains relevant all year round, accounting for 51% of the single serve soft drink value sales in impulse (Nielsen), so therefore should make up 51% of the space with the soft drink category in depot.
In terms of the most important products to include in the chiller, Red Bull holds the top three skus within soft drinks and four of the top 20 best-sellers. The original Red Bull Energy Drink 250ml is ideal for on-the-go consumption, with 50% of 250ml shoppers drinking the can immediately after purchase. Whereas, 1 in 3 Red Bull shoppers are likely to consume the larger cans later in the day, with Red Bull Energy Drink 355ml linked to gaming, studying, and socialising, and Red Bull Energy Drink 473ml being the can of choice for all meal occasions, making it ideal for a meal deal offering (Kantar).
Additionally, the Red Bull range caters to a variety of demographics. Red Bull Sugarfree brings an older and more affluent shopper to the category (Kantar) which is different in profile to the average Energy Drink shopper, and Editions shoppers tend to be younger than the average Energy Drink consumer, with 60% of buyers being under 35 (Kantar).
“Although core skus are important and should be well stocked regularly, we also need to make space for NPD to drive excitement, trial and value into the category,” says the spokesperson. “The key to success is ensuring each brand has its fair share on shelf and NPD introduced from the brands that work well within this space.”
Innovation has been vital to the success of Energy Drinks growth this year, with particular engagement around new flavours, which has helped broaden the category’s appeal to new groups of shoppers, where taste was previously a barrier. As a result, 96% of all NPD growth came from flavoured energy over the last 12 months (NIQ).
For Red Bull, limited editions and NPD have been largely incremental with nearly half of shoppers that bought into the Editions flavour range being new to the Red Bull brand (Kantar), acting as a gateway to the core range.
Boost Drinks has announced the exciting introduction of limited-edition NPD in both its Energy and Sport ranges; Blue Raspberry Energy and Cloudy Lemonade Sport.
Leveraging its position as the third largest brand in Energy Stimulation, growing +15% in value vs. two years ago (Circana), Boost’s new Blue Raspberry limited edition is bringing excitement and incremental sales to the 250ml market.
The latest launch aligns with growing demand from consumers for new flavours. 40% of consumers are looking for new flavours within energy (Tastepoint), and Blue Raspberry is an established and visually appealing flavour profile that appeals to both Millennial and Gen Z demographics, through nostalgia and modern relevance.
With 90% of consumers that have tried Boost’s Blue Raspberry Energy “loving” the flavour (Vypr), this exciting NPD drop offers huge opportunities for retailers to boost their sales and draw more shoppers to the sector.
Sports is a category in which flavours drive excitement and growth, contributing £9m last year (Circana IRI). As the number two brand in Sports Drinks and growing +70% in value vs. 2 years ago (Circana), Boost has seen huge success with limited edition releases, with Raspberry & Mango in 2023 and Watermelon & Lime in 2024 both driving demand and increasing incremental sales in the category.
Boost Cloudy Lemonade Sport taps into the popular citrus flavour profile with a tasty twist. Cloudy lemonade flavour profiles have been growing in popularity in recent years with trends relating to authenticity and craft becoming more prevalent in soft drinks, and Boost is now offering retailers the chance to cash in on this with an exciting new 500ml product.
Adrian Hipkiss, Head of Energy Brands at AG Barr, says: “These latest limited edition launches across Energy and Sport are helping us provide an increasingly diverse range of drinks, that tap into multiple consumer trends and flavour desires. The two new flavours will build excitement in their respective rapidly growing categories, ultimately supporting our retail partners to drive more sales.
“Our limited edition launches in the Sports range have always been a huge success and Cloudy Lemonade will be no different, tapping into proven consumer interest in zesty flavours with something new and exciting. We are also very excited to be bringing a limited-edition flavour to our Energy range, with Blue Raspberry offering another popular and trending new taste that appeals to a wide range of consumers.
“Limited editions create a buzz around the chiller, with shoppers keen to try before it’s gone, and we will be supporting both new flavours with a social and sampling campaign. We’d advise retailers to stock up on both formats and ensure availability, particularly during peak times. We’re confident that these new additions will continue to delight consumers and reinforce our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence within the energy and functional categories.”
Ash Chadha, Sales & Marketing Director at Mogu Mogu, comments: “Shoppers are becoming more health-conscious and are increasingly looking to add zero sugar drinks into their repertoires, but not at the expense of sacrificing taste or enjoyment. Flavour is still their number one priority.
“Tapping into the growing demand for sugar-free – with 7 in 10 soft drinks occasions now featuring low and no-calorie beverages – we’ve just launched our new Zero Sugar range, in two exotic flavours: Mogu Mogu Zero Sugar Summer Berries and Zero Sugar Tropical Delight. Complementing our existing line-up of popular fruit flavours, it’ll help retailers double up on growth and make the most of the surge in popularity of both the sugar-free segment and Mogu Mogu.”
In the convenience channel, the category is most often bought into by time-poor busy Brits seeking a refreshing lift while on-the-go. Mogu Mogu’s ‘Drink Now’ single formats have proven very successful in the UK and have been the driving force behind us breaking into the Top 10 in Juice Drinks by delivering a quarter of the segment’s growth over the previous two years (Circana).
But there’s been a noticeable shift towards at-home consumption and larger, value-driven formats. Mogu Mogu’s research has shown that a third (29%) of its shopper base is asking to see its 1-litre bottles on shelves. To cater to this, the brand recently launched a wholesale channel-exclusive 6x1L pack format in some of its most popular flavours, like Lychee and Mango.
“Our bestsellers, Lychee and Mango, are proof that the British public are keen to indulge in exotic flavours – and we’re not afraid to disrupt chillers with attention-grabbing innovation that turns shopper expectation on its head. We’ve even managed to shake things up by taking traditional British fruit flavours, like Strawberry and Blackcurrant, and reinventing the way shoppers experience these in soft drinks thanks to the added bite from our chewy nata de coco pieces,” adds Chadha.
“Mogu Mogu is a genuinely unique proposition and the importance we place on great taste and quality has meant we’ve maintained our position as the runaway leader in nata de coco beverages with double the brand awareness of our nearest competitor (Levercliff). The signature Mogu Mogu ‘Sip. Chew. Feel’ ritual and line-up of refreshing fruit flavours have also helped us bring a fresh perspective to the category that shoppers have bought into.”
In 2023, Mogu Mogu became the fastest growing soft drinks brand, with a total sell out of 41.7 million bottles (Asco Foods). This huge momentum continued into 2024, as Mogu Mogu broke into the Top 20 Juices & Smoothies (Nielsen IQ), and exceeded sales of £12M.
The brand has seen great results through strategic partnerships with prominent figures in popular culture, such as Kid Karam and K-Pop sensation Seventeen. These collaborations have contributed to Mogu Mogu’s viral popularity on social media – particularly on TikTok, where the brand has generated 45 million views and counting.
In 2025 Mogu Mogu is partnering with ‘new celebrities’ including TikTok influencers such as Shivani Khosla and Amber-Rose Badrudin, who, in addition to her social media success, is also a contestant on this year’s The Apprentice.
Radnor Splash is introducing a new range of Price-Marked Packs in April to expand its presence in the convenience sector.
The PMPs will be available in 12x500ml sports cap formats for Wholesalers and Convenience stores in the new 85p PMP bottle. Flavours include Lemon & Lime, Strawberry and Apple & Raspberry.
Radnor Splash is the hugely successful flavoured water range from soft drinks company Radnor Hills.
The brand has been a family favourite in UK households for over 20 years, the drinks are completely sugar-free and a blend of pure spring water and all natural fruity flavours.
Selling at the rate of two units every second, Radnor Splash bottles are 100% recyclable and made from 30% recycled plastic.
Simon Knight, Managing Director of Radnor Hills, said: “The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a major influence on how shoppers spend, and they are increasingly value-driven.
“We’re seeing soft drinks dominating when it comes to pulling in shoppers at Symbols and Independents, driving a massive third of all foot traffic (Lumina).
“It’s the first time we’ve launched a PMP and we’re excited to see how it performs in the convenience sector offering great margins for wholesalers and independent retailers.”
“As a trusted, high-quality and great tasting flavoured water brand, it gives us a big point of difference and it allows our customers, who are looking for value, taste and healthy soft drinks, to easily see the price and the great value that Radnor Splash offers.
“Our flavoured water sells very well in the wholesale and convenience channels, so PMP felt like the obvious next step for us.”
Radnor Splash is seeing record growth at +41% year on year value growth and +31% unit growth (Source: NielsenIQ, Radnor Splash, GB_Grocery Mults 2024 v 2023).
Ben Parker, Carlsberg Britvic’s VP Sales – Off Trade, comments: “The soft drinks category has continued to see growth over the last few years, now worth a total of £4.2bn in the convenience and impulse channel (Nielsen IQ). Additionally, out of all categories in this channel, soft drinks is the biggest contributor to generating store footfall and sales (Lumina) – being purchased in over a quarter of visits to UK convenience stores in 2023 and appearing in more than twice as many baskets as alcohol (Lumina).
“As a result, it is fundamental for retailers to maintain a varied soft drink offering that includes core, tried and trusted brands alongside new, trending flavours, to leverage the full potential of the soft drinks category and maximise spend.”
The on-the-go market has grown by 17.4% from 2019 to 2024 (Lumina), and is expected to have grown by a further 3.5% to £23bn in 2024 (Lumina). What’s more, soft drinks is the number 1 category bought on a food-to-go mission (Lumina), with instant consumption formats growing at a faster rate than deferred formats in 2023, having surged by 17.2% to £2.5bn and a 4% increase in units (Circana).
Recent research reflects this, with 57% of people who purchased soft drinks stating it was the main reason they went to the store (Lumina), and 34% saying they would go without or elsewhere if they’re not happy with the to-go drinks available (IGD). “Therefore, it is essential for retailers to maintain a soft drink offering that is varied in flavour and on-the-go formats, such as 330ml cans and 500ml bottles,” adds Parker. “This should include household brands, such as Tango, Pepsi MAX® and Lipton Iced Tea, which have contributed to the 4.7% growth in the Britvic on-the-go drinks portfolio over the last year (Nielsen IQ).”
George Tuck, Head of Sales – Impulse, Tropicana, comments: “Shoppers are actively searching for healthier alternatives in soft drinks – with 58% of shoppers saying that they want to see healthier soft drinks in retailers’ ranges (Toluna).
“Shoppers are also looking for drinks which have added benefits such as vitamins and minerals or will provide added functionality as 65% of shoppers who drink carbonated soft drinks say that added health benefits would make them buy more often (Toluna).
“These are just two reasons why Tropicana is a well-known and trusted brand that is highly valuable to both the category and consumers. Made from pure, not-from-concentrate fruit juice of natural origin which has been handpicked, Tropicana offers a range of bestselling SKUs including Smooth Orange, Orange with Bits and Orchard Apple in 850ml take-home packs, as well as Smooth Orange and Orchard Apple in single-serve 250ml packs, ideal for meal deals and on-the-go consumption.”
Shoppers who say they look for healthiness with their on-the-go drinks are most likely to say that natural ingredients, lower sugar and real fruit are all important when it comes to choosing a healthy drink. Tropicana orange juice has similar nutritional properties to a whole orange, with fibre being the only difference (McCance and Widdowsons). Oranges are packed with nutrients and those consumers who drink juice are 25-33% more likely to achieve their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (Sig-Nature).
“And it’s not just consumers that benefit from purchase. For convenience retailers, fruit juice shoppers are a valuable demographic. Research shows that fruit juice shoppers spend on average, 25% more per shop. Fruit juice also adds three more items to shoppers’ baskets on average compared to total convenience so ensuring you can meet consumer demand will unlock a huge opportunity to drive sales for wholesalers and retailers alike,” adds Tuck.
“For shoppers looking to enjoy a sparkling fruit drink, Tropicana Sparkling contains 25% handpicked fruit juice, infused with a real-fruit fizz, and contains less than 65kcal per serve.”
Nic Yates, Marketing Director, Highland Spring Group, comments: “Consumers are absolutely looking for healthier beverage options. Health is the most significant consumer trend in soft drinks and bottled water right now. People are actively seeking to make healthier choices with ¾ of shoppers saying that Low & No Sugar is an important factor in their decision-making when buying a soft drink (Dunnhumby soft drinks occasions research Oct ’24).
“This makes consumer health a key factor for wholesalers as they plan their summer soft drinks and bottled water fixtures. As the healthiest option on the soft drinks shelf with zero calories or sugar, natural source waters should be top of the must-stock products list.
“We believe this increased focus from consumers on products that align with health and wellbeing, against a backdrop of policy initiatives such as HFSS, will be a key growth driver for the category. We actively cater for the health trend not only with a range that spans core still and sparkling water options, but also with our launch into flavoured water.”
Convenience has long-been demanded by consumers shopping the soft drinks and bottled water fixture. With health continuing to be the dominant trend, people are actively looking for convenient healthy hydration options that taste great, especially when on-the-go. Consumers live at such a fast pace now that smaller, portable natural source water options are a must-stock for wholesalers looking to meet demand.
“That’s why we ensure the full Highland Spring range – including plain still, sparkling and flavoured water – comes in a variety of formats and sizes that deliver on demand for health and convenience,” adds Yates. “Take our 500ml and 750ml formats as examples – they perform particularly well as those great tasting healthy hydration options for those out and about and on the go.”
The UK’s number one supplier of Caribbean food and drink, Grace Foods UK, has launched its best-selling range of drinks, Grace Tropical Rhythms, in price-marked packs.
The drinks range will be available in selected convenience stores across the country from July priced at £1.79 for 475ml bottles.
Grace Tropical Rhythms is a range of drinks that features four tantalisingly refreshing, thirst-quenching flavours – Mango Carrot; Pineapple Ginger; Fruit Punch and Sorrel Ginger that bring the real taste of the Caribbean to UK shores.
The drinks are made from a blend of fruit and vegetables and are packed full of Caribbean flavours that evoke tastes and memories of exotic adventures to the Caribbean islands.
Speaking about this PMP launch, Dorota Dziedzic, Brand Manager at Grace Foods UK, said: “We rolled out PMPs for Grace Tropical Rhythms last year and they proved to be very successful. Priced at £1.79, the drinks offer great value, and we know that PMPs help retailers to drive sales. And as we head into spring and summer, demand for our thirst-quenching, Caribbean-inspired drinks soar, so we feel a PMP at the start of March is the perfect timing.”
Jim Burns, Sales Director at Shaken Udder, comments: “Within the soft drinks market, a sometimes-overlooked area that can prove lucrative for wholesalers is the Flavoured Milk category. Now worth £116m in impulse (Nielsen IQ), the size of the category shows that consumers are opting for dairy drinks when shopping in the soft drinks fixture. Therefore, offering retailers a comprehensive milkshake selection is key for wholesalers that want to capitalise on the growth of the Flavoured Milk category.”
The positive growth of the Flavoured Milk category in impulse is translating to Shaken Udder. The brand is proving to be a hit with shoppers and is seeing a solid performance in convenience. The brand is currently worth £4.2 million in impulse and growing at +60% YoY (Nielsen), making it one of the fastest growing brands in the channel (Nielsen) and an attractive proposition for wholesalers to stock.
The brand’s performance has been driven by a number of stellar launches such as the Protein range. Shaken Udder is the only top ten core milkshake brand in impulse experiencing increased URoS YoY (Nielsen), highlighting the appetite for premium-quality, flavour-led drinks.
“Last year, we launched a new range of tasty Protein Milkshakes, available in White Chocolate, Strawberry, and Chocolate variants. We spotted a gap in the market to create a great tasting protein milkshake by using our expertise in real ingredients and created a range with no artificial sweeteners and a thick, creamy texture. Delivering on taste just like our core offering, the protein range is ideal for the everyday active shopper who is looking for an additional 20g of protein in their snacks,” adds Burns.
“In the past 10 months since launch, the range has performed very well and is now achieving a similar URoS as its Core Milkshake equivalent (Nielsen IQ). The success of our Protein range is a testament to how we are answering consumer demands for delicious and functional milkshakes. In the year ahead, our focus is on growing our customer base by bringing the delicious taste of Shaken Udder to more adults across the country.”
Following its surge in popularity in the US, the drink co-founded with the world’s most decorated footballer, Más+ by Messi, is coming to UK.
Más+ by Messi is a first-of-its-kind everyday hydration drink, including an electrolyte complex, vitamins and minerals and contains none of the artificial colours and sweeteners or caffeine in energy drinks to keep you feeling on top of your game.
There are four flavours of Más+ by Messi, inspired and curated by Messi and the inspirational milestones of his career.
Inspired by the city where Messi and his family live, home of Messi’s current and next chapter at Inter Miami CF, Miami Punch has a balanced blend of berry flavours with a hint of pineapple for a refreshing fruit punch taste.
Limón Lime League balances refreshingly sweet, fruity flavour and zesty citrus taste. It honours the time Messi spent playing in the UEFA Champions League, a cup he won four times.
Berry Copa Crush has notes of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and açaí berries. The perfect balance of sweet and citrus tastes with a smooth finish, the flavour name inspired by the many incredible trophies, including the World Cup, that Leo has lifted in his career.
Orange d’Or has a refreshing orange flavour with hints of tangerine aroma for a balanced citrus taste. It’s inspired by Messi’s record eight wins of the Ballon d’Or trophy.
“With Leo, we’ve achieved something almost unbelievable: a delicious tasting drink that has just 1g of sugar, 10 calories per 500ml bottle, and no artificial sweeteners or colours,” said Jeremy Kanter, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Más+ by Messi. “Better still, its unique blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals absorb rapidly into your body, keeping you well hydrated so you can show up at your best all throughout the day. Put simply, we’ve reinvented the idea of daily hydration. We call it Positive Hydration.”
Despite Más meaning ‘more’ in Spanish, Mas+ by Messi has less sugar, carbs, and calories than many sports drinks—1g of sugar and just 10 calories per 500ml bottle, making it excellent for everyday performance whilst not compromising on taste.
iPRO Hydrate, the premium healthy hydration drink, is now available in over 700 Motor Fuel Group (MFG) forecourts across the UK. MFG is the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator with branded store fronts for the likes of BP, Esso, Shell and Texaco. This marks a significant expansion for the brand, with an additional 400 stores set to stock iPRO Hydrate ahead of the summer peak.
To celebrate the launch, iPRO Hydrate 500ml bottles are available on a special Buy One, Get One Free promotion throughout February. Consumers can enjoy three refreshing flavours: Orange & Pineapple, Berry Mix, and Mango—perfect for those on the go.
Proper hydration is essential for drivers, with research showing that dehydration can reduce concentration and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents. Studies indicate that even mild dehydration can impair driving performance as much as being over the legal alcohol limit. iPRO Hydrate is scientifically formulated to rehydrate the body four times faster than water, making it an ideal choice for those needing to stay sharp and focused on long journeys.
iPRO is proud to be the Global Hydration Partner of parkrun, supporting millions of participants in their commitment to physical and mental well-being. This partnership is built on shared values of promoting active lifestyles and ensuring hydration is accessible to all, whether during a morning run or a daily commute.
Tom Garrad, Managing Director of iPRO, commented:“We are incredibly proud to launch iPRO Hydrate in Motor Fuel Group forecourts across the UK. MFG’s extensive network makes it easier than ever for consumers to access premium hydration while on the move. Whether it’s a quick stop during a long drive or a refuel after exercise, iPRO Hydrate is the perfect companion to keep people feeling their best.”
With its expansion into MFG locations, iPRO Hydrate continues to solidify its position as the go-to functional hydration drink for active, health-conscious consumers.
Jolly’s Drinks, hailing from Cornwall, is bringing its much-loved and best-selling Ginger Beer to wholesalers across the nation to meet the rising demand for quality no and low drinks offerings out-of-home, with one in three pub visits by UK adults now alcohol free (KAM).
Made to help drive good sales and vibes with operators, Jolly’s Drinks’ signature, spicy and feisty Ginger Beer has been expertly crafted with natural flavourings, contains no hidden nasties, and is fully traceable with Jolly’s Drinks’ very own supply of Cornish Spring water.
The distinctive blend of ginger, spices and Cornish chilli kick allows foodservice and hospitality operators to deliver a luxurious and affordable drink experience for consumers embracing adventurous and unique flavours. With the ginger beer market set to grow at an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2025 to 2030 (Grand View), and 19% of the adult population now non-drinkers (KAM), there’s never been a better time to stock up and spice up the offering with Jolly’s Ginger Beer.
Cheryl Ingram, Managing Director, Jolly’s Drinks, said: “Expanding nationally has been something we’ve wanted to do since we revitalised Jolly’s Drinks in 2019 and we’re so excited to bring the natural taste of Cornwall to restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes across the UK. With taste appeal, health and wellbeing all driving purchases, our Jolly’s Ginger Beer will give your drinks offering a kick and appeal to a wide range of customers who are looking to offer something different. We’re Cornwall’s number one for good reason and we’re thrilled to finally make it available to wholesalers nationwide.”
As part of Jolly’s Drinks’ journey to be better for the planet, the brand has opted for fully recyclable aluminium cans. With sustainability, and quality of the product at the helm, Jolly’s Drinks ensures customers experience each product at their very best, with the drinks staying fresher for longer.
Jolly’s Ginger Beer is available now in 24 x 250ml cases, while the full range includes Cola – with hints of citrus, vanilla and cinnamon; Classic Lemonade with a tangy, citrus zing; Sparkling Elderflower with its subtle and elegant flavour; crisp and refreshing Sparkling Apple; and Pink Lemonade with its unique citrus and strawberry fusion, as well as the brand’s Tonic Waters and canned Cornish Spring Water.
Avant has launched a brand-new 1L sports cap to its’ fan-favourite natural mineral water range to meet the demands of active lifestyles. Every bottle has a balanced composition and is naturally filtered with a high pH and low sodium content for optimal hydration.
Delivering refreshment to support the expectations of active individuals, Avant’s newest bottle is equipped with a sports cap feature for the easiest access to maximum hydration. With an RRP of £1.29, this new release comes on the back of Avant’s successful wholesale sales, outperforming industry giants in the bottled water market for the second consecutive year.
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