In the ever-evolving beverage industry, new drinks are constantly hitting the shelves, offering exciting flavours and innovative experiences for consumers.
This year alone, Monster Bad Apple, Coca-Cola Lemon and Blucozade have rocked the industry alone. With the addition of Rockstar Blueberry, Black Death by Hell Energy, Tango Mango and even a new Pepsi Max packaging change, you can be sure to keep the fridges stocked with new and exciting products this summer!
For retailers, this presents a golden opportunity to attract customers and boost sales.
After all, Britvic’s 2023 Soft Drinks Review notes that soft drinks revenue within the convenience channel is a whopping 2.8 billion- with energy drinks being the star performer! Leading on from this, we’ve compiled a few ways to help retailers capitalize on the influx of new drinks.
To effectively capitalize on new drink trends, retailers need to stay up-to-date with the latest releases.
Keeping an eye on industry publications, attending trade shows, and engaging with beverage suppliers to ensure you’re aware of the newest and most popular drinks hitting the market could all be a very good way to stay on top of things.
With a plethora of new drinks available, it’s also important for retailers to curate a diverse selection that caters to different tastes and preferences.
By offering a mix of established brands, local favourites, and emerging beverages to appeal to a wide range of customers, retailers can be sure to appeal to the wider demographic no matter the stock.
Within the store, visual appeal plays a significant role in attracting customers.
Retailers can design eye-catching displays that showcase the new drinks prominently. Using attractive signage, creative shelf arrangements, and engaging product descriptions can capture shoppers’ attention and entice them to try something new.
Additionally, one of the most effective ways to introduce customers to new drinks is by offering tastings and demos. According to a 2023 review by Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, 43% of shoppers are more likely to purchase drinks with appealing flavours.
Retailers can set up sampling stations where customers can try a variety of beverages. This allows them to experience the flavours firsthand, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase alongside their usual food shop.
New drinks often come with unique stories, ingredients, and production methods.
By training your staff to know about the new offerings (perhaps by doing a taste test between the staff before opening) and encouraging them to engage with customers, it can be easier for them to share their thoughts on a product.
This way, the staff are knowledgeable in what they’re selling, and customers can walk away with the satisfaction that they’ve been given a good recommendation.
This personal touch creates a memorable shopping experience and builds customer loyalty.
Retailers may also want to establish strong relationships with beverage suppliers and distributors, as they can provide valuable insights into upcoming trends, offer exclusive promotions, and collaborate on marketing initiatives.
By working together, retailers and suppliers can create a win-win situation that benefits both parties.
All in all, we recommend that retailers (as always) keep up with the latest drink trends, adapting their offerings to the season to help attract customers and keep them coming back for more. With the sunshine fast approaching and longer days ahead, you’ll want to keep those fridges stocked!
