Distribution Roundup
Phocus Southern Sweep Continues with Kroger
Caffeine-infused sparkling water brand Phocus continues to expand its presence throughout the Southeast, announcing this week that it is now available at 185 Kroger locations throughout Georgia and in parts of Alabama and South Carolina.
The growth sees Phocus taking on four new DSD partners, including United Distributors, Inc., one of Georgia’s largest wholesale beverage distributors.
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Kroger extending into their Southeast stores and look forward to helping more of their shoppers focus on a healthier body and mind,” said Phocus CEO Todd Creek in a press release. “We are seeing positive response from the many consumers who are embracing a wellness lifestyle and looking for an option that’s supported by a boost from only natural caffeine and refreshing flavors, yet with no sugar or sweeteners.”
The Kentucky-based brand has deepened its roots in the Southeast region over the course of the past year, adding more than 700 Publix stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia this summer. Elsewhere, Phocus has brought on Safeway/Albertsons in Seattle and Shop Rite stores in the Northeast.
Ultima Arrives at Walmart
Ultima is bringing its Replenisher brand three of its most popular flavors of electrolyte drink powders – Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, and Grape – to over 1,400 Walmart stores nationwide. The brand is currently available online at Walmart.com in eight flavors and in four sizes.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Walmart and expand our in-store reach throughout the country,” says Loretta Reilly, Ultima Replenisher Vice President of Marketing, in a press release. “Hydration is key for so many aspects of our lives – from replenishing after a workout to immunity, travel, skincare, and everything in-between – and we’re so thankful that it will now be even easier for the general public to replenish their bodies and reach peak hydration every day.”
Greek Import Green Cola Enters 1K U.S. Retailers
Aiming to take advantage of a CSD renaissance, New Jersey-based low calorie soda Green Cola has announced its launch at over 1,000 retailers nationwide, plus online via Amazon and Walmart.com.
The product has been around for some time: originally introduced by founder Pericles Venieris in Greece in 2012, Green Cola has since migrated to 40 countries worldwide and now is moving into U.S. retailers including Market Basket, Whole Foods North East, H-E-B, Stop & Shop, United Supermarkets, Meijer, Hannaford Supermarket, and HyVee. The brand is sold in its original cola flavor in 8-packs of 12 oz. cans ($7.99), a 20 oz. single-serve PET and a two liter PET bottle, as well as in four fruit flavors: Lemonade, Lemon Lime, Sour Cherry and Orangeade, all in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans for $6.99.
Though hardly a new trend, CSDs have experienced a bit of a resurgence despite the negative press around sugar content and calories. Established brands like Reed’s and Zevia have found success cultivating an audience around the concept of alternative sweeteners, while zero-sugar sparkling water makers like Ugly and Phocus have leaned into classic soda flavors with their products. Meanwhile, a new emerging class of low calorie soft drinks — names like United Sodas of America and the revamped Slice line — are looking to redefine the space under a better-for-you ethos.
Sanzo Finds “Ranch” Home
Sanzo — a line of sparkling waters featuring Asian fruit-inspired flavors like lychee and calamansi — has partnered with 99 Ranch Market, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S., to enter all store locations across California, Texas and Arizona.
In a LinkedIn post, Sanzo founder and CEO Sandro Rocco noted that, growing up, he was a “massive fan” of sugary Asian-inspired drinks “from GINA mango nectar to Sarsi’s sarsaparilla and Chin-Chin’s grass jelly drink,” but acknowledged that it “going to be hard to regularly feed these beverages to my children.”
“We believe Sanzo is not just part of a demographic, but also generational shift in how folks consider and consume Asian-inspired goods,” he wrote. “And I’m hopeful families across all generations can feel excited about drinking something light, refreshing, natural and authentic to the true spirit of the flavor.”
Founded in Westminster, California in 1984, 99 Ranch Market now operates over 50 store locations in California, Nevada, Texas, Washington State, New Jersey and Oregon.
Reed’s Mule Enters Costco
Reed’s is bringing its boozy brew to the big box store, as the soda maker’s RTD cocktail Zero Sugar Classic Mule (7% ABV) is now available at select Costco Wholesale locations in the Southeast.
Reed’s Zero Sugar Classic Mule is now available at 28 Costco locations throughout Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia for $24.99 per 12-pack of 12 oz cans.
“Reed’s Zero Sugar Classic Mule has done exceptionally well since its launch into market last year,” said Reed’s CEO Norman E. Snyder in a press release. “We’ve been working to expand distribution to satisfy the increased consumer demand for outstanding, RTD beverages produced with the uncompromising quality standards that Reed’s provides. We are pleased to partner with one of the leading U.S. retailers and look forward to expanding our distribution further in 2022.”
Other Notes
– Adaptogen-infused coffee (and matcha) maker Taika is launching its range of SKUs in all 14 Bristol Farms locations across Southern California, according to LinkedIn.
– Natural cocktail mixer brand Mixicles is taking its botanical-infused frozen cubes to over 330 Kroger locations in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The brand offers frozen cubes that can be added to any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages in three single-flavor packs — Orange Blossom Passion Fruit, Jalapeño Citrus, and Cranberry Rose — and a Curated Collection with flavors Lavender Peach, Cranberry Rose, and Blueberry Lemon Basil.