©atlasstudio via Canva.com
New Spiced Coca-Cola Flavor Is Here To Stay
February 7, 2024
Over the last few years, Coca-Cola has been testing out quirky limited editions of their fizzy drinks, and its most recent “Spiced” flavor seems to have stuck and will be added to the company’s permanent range, according to CNN.
The leading soda company announced on Wednesday that the Spiced Coca-Cola drink is a mix of the “iconic taste” of Coke with a “burst of refreshing notes from raspberry and spiced flavors.” This new flavor will be sold in sugar and zero-sugar varieties and will be stocked in stores across the U.S. and Canada in the weeks to come.
Coke is selective about its permanent drinks range, and Spiced has passed its way through to join existing flavors such as its flagship flavor, cherry, and vanilla.
Sue Lynne Cha, Coke’s vice president of marketing for North America, told CNN that the reason Spiced was picked was because it’s “all about being on category trend and responsive to our consumer preferences,” who are craving flavors with more of a kick.
Cha explained that research carried out by Coke found an “increase in consumer willingness to try a spiced beverage,” and in 2022, raspberry was chosen over 5 million times on its Freestyle drink machines, which the company “often uses for inspiration” for new flavors.
“Consumers are looking for more bold flavors and more complex flavor profiles. That’s a trend we started to see in food, but also in beverage and we [thought] that was a unique space for us to play in,” she stated, adding that there’s been a “desire of discovery” with people wanting to try something fresh.
It’s possible that Coca-Cola is also trying to compete with smaller rivals such as Olipop and Poppi, which have created strong fruit-infused tastes and are becoming popular with consumers.
Speaking to CNN, Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, said, “Growth in sales of flavored sodas has generally outpaced cola for years, which is helped by a growing multicultural population.”
He added, “It appears Coca-Cola is looking to splice that trend onto its flagship with hopes of getting young consumers to consider the entire franchise.”
The new Coca-Cola Spiced will be on sale across retailers in the U.S. in can and bottle form in a range of sizes starting Feb. 19.
Recent News
Media Giants Depend on Sports As Content Shortages Rise
As Hollywood emerges from last year’s strikes, major media companies are turning to live sports to attract audiences and advertisers. This trend was evident during this year’s Upfront presentations, where media giants showcased their upcoming content and advertising opportunities.
New Trader Joe’s Opens in SF After 10 Years
San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood welcomed a highly anticipated new addition on May 17, 2024, with the grand opening of a Trader Joe’s at 555 Fulton St., on the corner of Laguna Street. This event marks the end of a decade-long wait for residents who have been eagerly looking forward to a new grocery store in their area.
China’s Property Market Boost: Stocks Surge, Copper Hits Highs
The Chinese government unveiled a comprehensive support package that has sent ripples through financial markets. This initiative includes a slew of measures aimed at stimulating housing demand and addressing the excess inventory burdening developers. The immediate impact was a significant rally in Chinese stocks and a surge in commodity prices, notably copper, which hit record highs.
Mercedes-Benz Workers in Alabama Reject Union
In a pivotal moment for autoworkers in the southern United States, employees at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama have voted against joining the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The outcome, with 56% of workers voting against unionization and 44% in favor, comes as a significant setback for the UAW’s efforts to expand its influence in the region.