Azusa, Calif. (August 21, 2006) – Interest in the energy drink category is soaring, growing 700 percent between 2000 and 2005 (Mintel), as an increasing number of consumers look to functional foods and beverages for an energy perk.
In fact, according to a 2005 study by the Natural Marketing Institute, the number of consumers who say they would use food and beverages to prevent energy drain increased 58 percent last year alone, and 50 percent of consumers are looking to healthy foods and beverages to provide them with the energy they need.
Being consummate innovators, Naked Juice filled a void in the energy drink category with the May 2006 launch of the first all-natural energy drinks with no added sugar or preservatives that provide real energy – Orange Mango Motion and Strawberry-Kiwi Kick. Now, just two months after introducing the Energy Family of smoothies, Naked Juice is expanding the line with two new all-natural varieties: Black & Blueberry Rush and Cherry Pomegranate Power.
Packed with a pound of fruit in every 15.2oz bottle, every smoothie in the Naked Juice Energy Family provides:
· A smooth, even energy boost (43 mg of caffeine per serving) powered by green tea extract and guarana – a South American berry that is a natural source of caffeine
· 100 percent RDI of niacin, riboflavin, and vitamins B5, B6, B12 and C per serving
· No added sugar or preservatives – ever
Since the launch of the Energy Family, consumers have been drinking up Naked energy, posting impressive sales. In fact, based on IRI data, Orange Mango Motion and Strawberry-Kiwi Kick have climbed their way into the top ten Naked Juice 15.2oz products (Total U.S. IRI 15.2oz sales dollars per pt. of dist. latest 4 weeks ending 6/25/06). Jumping to the top of the ranks is no small feat since Naked Juice is considered the fastest growing brand in the super-premium juice category with a growth rate of 69.0 percent (Total U.S. IRI 12-week ending 6/25/06 – dollar sales percent change vs. YAG.)
“As the first to introduce all-natural energy drinks with no added sugar or preservatives, Naked Juice created an energy beverage alternative for anyone looking for a clean, even energy boost,” says Naked Juice CEO Monty Sharma. “The popularity of our first two all-natural Energy smoothies is proof that consumers are looking for functional foods and beverages – especially functional beverages with all-natural energy and no added sugar or artificial ingredients.”
Cherry Pomegranate Power, Black & Blueberry Rush and the rest of the Naked Juice Energy product line have a suggested retail price of $2.99 and are available at grocery and natural food stores throughout the country.
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About The Naked Juice Company
Naked® Juice, a leader in the super-premium juice category, was founded and first marketed towel-to-towel on the beaches of Santa Monica, Calif. in 1983. The Naked Juice line of all-natural 100 percent juices, fruit juice smoothies and protein smoothies are made from the best bare-naked fruits and boosts with no added sugar or preservatives. Naked Juice can be found in supermarkets, club stores, health food stores and neighborhood markets throughout the nation.