Barratt launches fizzy drinks and spring waters exclusively with Unitas depots

Retailers can now stock soft drinks inspired by classic Barratt sweet flavours, following an exclusive wholesale partnership with Unitas, Valeo Snackfoods and Whatever Brands.

There are 10 new SKUs in total – four fizzy drinks in two pack sizes and two spring water flavours. Unitas’s 154 member depots will have exclusive access to the range until the end of 2023.

The fizzy drinks range contains Barratt Fruit Salad, Wham, Flump and Dip Dab, which come in 555ml PET bottles, RRP £1, and 850ml PET bottles, RRP £1.29.

Barratt Fruit Salad Spring Water and Wham Spring Water are available in 500ml PET bottles, RRP 69p, and are HFSS compliant. The drinks are created in partnership with Wales-based Trederwen Springs.

All products contain no artificial colours or flavours and less than 5g of sugar. The 555ml and 500ml packs come in cases of 12, while the 850ml packs are in cases of six.

Launching ahead of the key summer sales period, the new products come at a time when soft drinks have grown by 9.8 per cent to £11bn (excluding dairy), largely driven by a surge in demand for on-the-go formats.

The range marks the first exclusive collaboration between Unitas and Valeo Snackfoods, which developed the new products in partnership with Whatever Brands.

“We are delighted to be working with Unitas Wholesale members on this exclusive offer," said Russell Tanner, Marketing Director at Valeo Confectionery. "From our experience working with Unitas, we believe the scale of the buying group and quality of the membership will deliver an excellent plan for execution for this activity.”

Cheryl Hope, Unitas trading director, added: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to partner exclusively with Barratt on a range of exciting new products for our sector.

“The big brand flavours and different pack formats available in this exclusive to Unitas range will prove to be a huge hit with our wholesale members across retail and out of home, and their customers.”