Soft drinks have been a beacon category for convenience stores for years, yet the rate at which new lines, flavours and types of products are released showed no signs of slowing inc 2025.
The huge list of new releases featured all the major soft drinks suppliers, all having brought out new products over the past 12 months, in addition to a raft of newer challenger brands coming to market.
Here are five of the highlights, but as with many other sectors in convenience, there have been literally hundreds of other newsworthy products coming to shelves this year.
In January, Italian sparkling drinks brand Sanpellegrino unveiled a brand-new Zero Added Sugar range, which reached convenience stores by spring.
Carefully hand-picked in Italy, the new range came in two flavours – Limonata (Lemon) and a brand-new Pesca & Clementina (Peach & Clementine), with each 330ml can containing less than 22 calories and 0g added sugar.
Alun Dabner, senior brand manager, said: “We know many more Brits are seeking alternative drinking options, especially moving into the new year, and we’re therefore extremely excited to offer new delicious, 0g added sugar citrus drinks with Sanpellegrino Zero Added Sugar.”
February brought a touch of indulgence from Pepsi, via Pepsi Treats - a new zero sugar range which aimed to help retailers to recruit younger shoppers to the cola category.
The two new flavours - Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda - aimed to tap into the growing thirst for flavoured cola.
Ben Parker, VP Sales for off trade at supplier Carlsberg Britvic, said: “This launch is an exciting and bold step into the indulgence space and is designed with Gen Z flavour lovers in mind. The treat-inspired flavours will entice shoppers with a new experience and help increase sales in a highly competitive category.”
Big summer announcements from Red Bull have become expected, and June was no exception this year.
The energy drink giant announced a Lilac edition to its sugar free range, which boasted the taste of grapefruit and blossom. The edition launched into wholesale from June, before rolling out to the wider convenience and grocery channels in July.
According to Red Bull, the new variant fits in with current taste trends, citing consumer research from analysts VYPR stating 75% of category shoppers are likely to purchase a grapefruit and blossom flavoured energy drink.
In August, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) announced an addition to its zero-sugar Monster Ultra range, Monster Ultra Strawberry Dreams, available in 500ml plain or pricemarked single cans. Four-can non-pricemarked multipacks were also announced.
Helen Kerr, associate director of portfolio development at supplier CCEP GB, said: “We’re confident Monster Ultra Strawberry Dreams will tap into demand for the strawberry flavour and zero sugar energy drinks with the renowned Monster energy kick, so we’d recommend retailers get stocked up.”
September brought a touch of veg to Innocent’s Smoothies range, as 750ml and 250ml bottles joined its core range in Green Goodness and Red Goodness varieties.
Sarah Munday, head of research and development at Innocent, said: “We’ve found not everyone is on the lookout for a sweet-tasting smoothie. We’ve been busy in the background crafting our highest ever veg content smoothie with no added sugar and offers delicious taste.
“We’re on a mission to get more of us eating fruit and veg, so whether drinkers opt for a green or a red smoothie, they can be sure they’re getting a drink packed full of goodness.”
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