Premium vodka-based RTD brand Four Loko has released its new limited edition flavour, Black, which consists of a surprisingly green serve.
With notes of kiwi and an ABV of 8.4 per cent, Four Loko Black delivers a fresh and fruity blast to “excite the senses”, while the striking black and green can delivers high on-shelf visibility to help maximise sales and encourage shoppers to the fixture.
“With the festive season now upon us, this is the perfect time for consumers to get their hands on this limited edition release and embrace the season with an exciting new taste sensation,” said Clark McIlroy, Managing Director of Four Loko distributor Red Star Brands.
Four Loko Black is now available in 440ml cans, RRP £3.49, for a limited time only. Sales support focusing on the new ‘Party in a Can’ campaign includes a range of in-store POS material featuring shelf barkers, wobblers and digital aisle fins, as well as high-profile social media and influencer campaigns.
“We know that NPD drives consumer interest in the RTD category so we’re excited to add some more vibrant colour in the run-up to Christmas,” added McIlroy. “Dark Berry Burst launched in May 2024 and is now the number two fastest-selling SKU behind Four Loko White, so we have high hopes for Black.
“The fact that premium priced RTDs have grown faster than any other segment in the last two years means that there are some great opportunities out there for retailers to capitalise on this popularity.”
The launch of Four Loko Black is being supported by the “Party in a Can” campaign, designed to engage the brand’s target Gen Z audience through multiple platforms and social media channels. The campaign encourages consumers to share their #FourLokoMoments – authentic, fun experiences where Four Loko is part of the celebration. This user-generated content approach will help create organic brand ambassadors, showcasing real-life enjoyment of Four Loko and highlighting the spirit of #PartyInACan.
Selected entrants will have the chance to receive exclusive merchandise and become part of Four Loko’s brand story. To further support the launch, Four Loko has also partnered with Snappy Shopper in Scotland for Black Friday promotions, offering exclusive deals on For Loko Black during the festive season.
“The idea is to bring to life the brand’s authentic, bold positioning while driving deeper connections through social engagement,” added McIlroy. “This exciting campaign is anchored by out-of-home executions and influencer content that complement these consumer-driven stories.”
Four Loko’s premium vodka-based, caffeine-free RTDs are all available in 440ml cans. The launch of Four Loko Black brings the total range available to 10 flavours; other variants include Pink Melon, Dark Berry Burst, White, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical, Blue, Fruit Punch, Gold and Tutti Frutti (all 8.4 per cent ABV).
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is launching Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush, a limited-edition twist on its popular zero sugar variant. The launch coincides with Valentine’s Day and will be supported by an integrated Valentine’s-themed marketing campaign.
The four-week period covering Valentine’s Day was worth £160 million to convenience retailers in 2024, up 3.2 per cent year-on-year, and more than £3.4 million came from value sales of Dr Pepper.
Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush
Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush combines the popular zero sugar liquid with the vibrant cherry flavour – a combination that’s guaranteed to deliver results.
Cherry variants have delivered 55 per cent of the value sales growth across colas over the past year. Flavoured carbonates is the third largest category in soft drinks. Dr Pepper is the second-largest flavoured carbonate brand in GB, growing ahead of the total flavoured carbonates category in both value and volume sales.
A playful new can design featuring roses front and centre is guaranteed to deliver maximum stand-out on shelf, especially over the Valentine’s Day period. In testing, more than 70 per cent of consumers loved the concept and were interested to try it.
“Dr Pepper has a loyal fanbase thanks to its unique taste, and continues to deliver growth ahead of the wider flavoured carbonates category,” said Rob Yeomans, Vice-President of Commercial Development.
“We’re really excited for fans to try the new cherry twist on our zero sugar variant, a flavour which we know goes down well with shoppers and drives sales in retail. The supporting campaign is packed with personality – as is always the case with Dr Pepper – and we can’t wait to see how retailers get behind it and activate in store!”
This limited-edition flavour will be available from 27 January 2025 in 330ml, 500ml, 2L and 8x330ml packs. Priced-marked 300ml and 500ml single packs will also be available.
The launch will be supported by influencer partnerships, in-store sampling and experiential OOH advertising encouraging consumers to step into the Dr’s billboard-office for some romantic "advice".
Convenience retailers can request Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush POS materials and download digital assets via My.CCEP.com, to help bring the launch to life in-store.
From 11 March, Rubicon Spring sparkling flavoured water is set to disrupt the functional water category with its brand-new Rubicon Spring Vits still range.
Available in plain and £1.29 PMP options, Rubicon Spring Vits is launching in three flavours: Black Cherry Pomegranate, Mango Passion and Strawberry Watermelon. Packed with essential vitamins to support energy and immunity and made with spring water, fruit juice and natural flavours, each format is just 15 calories and fully HFSS compliant.
“78 per cent of shoppers are still choosing drinks for enjoyment, but aiming to drink more water," said Lisa McKenna, Head of Brand for Rubicon. "Taste remains the top driver but 69 per cent are interested in added benefits such as energy and immunity.
“We know consumers want to make smarter soft drink choices without compromising on taste so offering a great tasting product with added health benefits will bring more consumers into the functional water category.
“There is a perfect gap in the market for a trusted and established brand like Rubicon Spring to boost this category and help retailers tap into its full potential. Rubicon Spring has more than three times the brand awareness of the leading functional water brand and the new Spring Vits range contains 100 per cent of the consumer’s recommended daily vitamin intake of a multivitamin blend, which is unlike any other brand on the market, as well as being full of the tasty fruit flavours that Rubicon is known for.”
The launch will be backed by £2 million brand investment to drive trial and awareness including national out of home advertising, social media and sampling.
In consumer testing, 78 per cent of shoppers said they would buy, so retailers can maximise their sales by using Rubicon's vibrant, attention-grabbing PoS materials to create in-store theatre, ensuring that shoppers can’t miss them on shelf. Stock in the chiller next to your other flavoured water brands as this is where shoppers will look for them.
Mogu Mogu, the viral drinks brand renowned for its unique and delicious nata de coco beverages, has announced the launch of its most popular flavours in 1-litre multipacks.
Exclusively available to independent retailers via Dhamecha, the brand’s bestselling Lychee and Mango flavours – alongside Strawberry and Blackcurrant – are accessible in this high-demand new format.
The launch comes off the back of research commissioned by the soft drinks sensation which found that over a third (36%) of Mogu Mogu shoppers would like to see multipacks in store, while almost a third (29%) also want to see their favourite flavours in 1-litre bottles on shop shelves.
Combining the two by launching six-packs of its largest format, Mogu Mogu aims to reinforce its position as the UK’s fastest-growing soft drinks brand [NielsenIQ, 52 w/e 09.03.24].
“2024 was a bumper year for us. We broke into the Top 10 in Juice Drinks by delivering a quarter of the segment’s growth over the previous two years – more than any competitor. This is largely thanks to our ‘Drink Now’ single formats, which have always been our heartland,” said Indy Jhalli, national account manager at ASCO Foods.
“But there’s been a noticeable shift towards at-home consumption occasions and our shoppers have been rallying for larger versions of their favourite flavours which they can stock up on and share in front of the telly or around the dinner table.
“We’ve worked with Dhamecha to make sure our new 1-litre six-packs are available in-depot, just in time for the January rush, when a huge influx of shoppers are opting for refreshing soft drinks above other beverages to tide them through the month.”
Daniel Spruds, Buyer at Dhamecha Group added: “Mogu Mogu is continuing to go from strength to strength within Dhamecha’s business. Building on this, the introduction of a 1-litre multipack format extends Mogu Mogu’s horizon to better access the growing number of at-home occasions. We are extremely pleased to deliver this new pack format into 2025.”
The Mogu Mogu 1-litre six-packs (RRP: £3.49 per bottle) are available exclusively to retailers via Dhamecha in four major depots: Wembley, Croydon, Barking, and Leicester.
AG Barr’s Rubicon RAW, the fastest-growing energy brand, is inviting retailers to ride the wave to top energy sales with new Rubicon RAW Wave Editions.
Available from February 2025 as a 12-month limited edition range, the two 500ml Big Can drinks will come in two exciting new flavours, Berry & Grape and Peach & Apricot, tapping into the growth in mixed flavours within energy drinks.
Both new flavours performed exceptionally well in consumer research with 85 per cent of shoppers saying they would buy the range.
The launch will be supported by the brand’s biggest ever marketing investment of £1.5 million throughout 2025. Influencer activity, mass sampling and heavyweight social media will see it reach two in three Big Can Energy Drinkers.
Retailers can make use of the brand’s vibrant, eye-catching point of sale material to create in-store theatre and attract shoppers to the fixture and drive their sales.
Rubicon RAW has quickly established itself as a must stock in the energy category. As the fourth biggest big can energy brand on the market, the brand’s sales are 60 per cent incremental to the category, providing wholesalers and retailers with a clear profit opportunity by stocking Rubicon RAW within their energy fixture.
“The energy drinks market remains one of the most profitable for retailers, driving nearly half of all drink-now soft drinks growth,” said Adrian Hipkiss, Head of Energy Brands at AG Barr. We’re proud to be one of the best-performing ranges in energy, recruiting more shoppers than competitor brands and delivering a 75 per cent repeat purchase rate.
“There’s still a huge opportunity for growth, as 60 per cent of shoppers still don’t buy into the energy category and traditional energy drinks aren’t always seen as appealing for new shoppers. Our two new flavours, alongside our core five, offer something truly different as we appeal to a much broader base of consumers with different energy needs. The No.1 reason shoppers choose Rubicon RAW is its 20 per cent real fruit juice content, which together with natural caffeine and B-vitamins provides a big energy hit that’s full of flavour.”
On shelf from 1 February in 500ml x 12 Plain and £1.19 PMP cans
To offer better value to shoppers and to help retailers encourage basket spend, Rockstar Energy is launching a new price-marked pack (PMP) proposition across its range. Available from the new year, Rockstar’s “£2 for £2” PMP aims to provide greater value for shoppers, particularly appealing to frequent energy drink buyers.
Stimulant energy drinks are growing by 5.8 per cent year on year and are adding the most value (£50.3m) to convenience. PMPs play a key role in communicating value to consumers, with 51 per cent of shoppers feeling reassured that they are not being overcharged when purchasing PMPs. Rockstar Energy is well-positioned to support the convenience channel. The new multibuy PMP aims to boost sales and drive basket spend by offering energy drink customers greater value across popular Rockstar flavours.
“Our new multi-buy ‘2 for £2’ PMP comes at an ideal time to help retailers capitalise on the strong sales performance of energy drinks,” said Ben Parker, Commercial Director for Britvic. “With stimulant energy now the number one soft drink segment in convenience it is more important than ever for us to support the channel by offering products that meet the high demand for energy drinks and provide value. With flavours and no sugar driving the category forward, growing +8.3 per cent and +3.9 per cent respectively, the new PMP makes Rockstar Energy the go-to choice for every energy fan.”
The new PMP will roll out across the entire range, including Tropical Guava, Blueberry Pomegranate, Mango, and several Zero Sugar options, including Blueberry, Watermelon & Kiwi, and Strawberry & Lime. Rockstar Energy’s new multi-buy PMP will roll out across convenience and wholesale in the new year in conjunction with the existing £1.29 PMP offer.