There is a huge opportunity for retailers to increase on-the-go soft drink sales beyond summer, with nearly seven in ten consumers enjoying soft drinks at least once a week or more during the colder months, reveals a recent research by Carlsberg Britvic.
While winter may see people spending more time at home, the figures suggest on-the-go soft drinks remain an everyday staple.
Hot food represents one of the biggest growth opportunities for convenience stores in winter, with more than a third of shoppers saying they’d like to see a wider range of hot meals available.
For retailers, the real win comes from pairing these options with soft drinks in on-the-go formats. A comforting hot meal combined with a refreshing soft drink can allow retailers to tap into year-round demand.
By offering shoppers core favourites that pair perfectly with hot meals, these brands not only satisfy thirst and shoppers’ desire for flavour but also position the store as a destination for a complete meal solution.
“Lunchtime is the single biggest moment for hot food and drink sales, with 31 per cent of consumers saying it’s when they’re most likely to buy hot food and a drink together” comments Ben Parker, VP Sales Off-Trade, Carlsberg Britvic.
“After the traditional summer hydration season, retailers can maintain this momentum and really drive additional sales by combining hot meals such as quick serve food items or hot water self-service stations and combining these with on-the-go soft drinks. In fact, research shows that shoppers say they’d be even more likely to purchase if bundled offers were available.
Parker continues: “Of course, we appreciate that some chillers and hot food counters aren’t always near each other, so clear signposting and point of sale materials can guide shoppers to the right items, highlight relevant deals, and make it easy to pick up everything they need in one visit.”.
Cola remains a firm favourite, with 41 per cent of shoppers saying it’s their go-to choice during winter, reinforcing the need for retailers to consistently stock favourites.
Beyond cola, functional and fruity drinks also hold strong appeal, with 22 per cent of consumers preferring ready-to-drink juices and functional drinks.
By offering a range of on-the-go soft drink formats, retailers can tap into shopper demand for convenience, while providing appealing, on-trend options that complement hot food occasions and keep soft drinks front of mind year-round and elevate your stores offering.
By offering appealing hot food options and creating value-focused meal deals alongside customer favourites like Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Tango, and Lipton Ice Tea, stores can boost winter footfall and grow basket sizes. Claim your free Meal Deal + Drink point of sale kits today on atyourconvenience.com, making it easy for retailers to showcase these products and highlight deals that maximise winter sales potential.
To help retailers make the most of winter sales opportunities, Carlsberg Britvic recommends stocking a strong range of leading brands in on-the-go formats that pair perfectly with hot food and meet consumer demand for variety and refreshment:
- Pepsi MAX - Pepsi MAX the number one sold soft drink brand, is a must-stock for retailers looking to drive meal deal purchases. Its line-up of core and flavoured favourites, including Lime, Mango, and Cherry alongside Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda, offers something for every shopper.
- 7UP – The number one lemon and lime brand in Great Britain, 7UP® delivers refreshment that perfectly complements warming winter meals.
- Tango – Worth £114.6 million RSV and growing at +5.3, Tango remains a strong choice for retailers looking to add bold flavour and excitement to their on-the-go soft drinks range.
- Lipton – As the UK’s number one iced tea Lipton is ideally placed to help retailers capitalise on the demand for functional drinks. Stocking Lipton Kombucha in flavours such as Strawberry Mint, Raspberry, and Mango Passion fruit can help drive incremental sales during the winter months.