Soft & Hot Drinks

What's hot? Some of the top trends from Imbibe Live 2017

Imbibe Live 2017: top trends from the show

By Nicholas Robinson

Drinks trends that operators should look out for this year include the continued rise of gin, increased interest in foreign imports and rising interest in sparkling wines, five alcoholic drinks producers told The Morning Advertiser in this video.

Toadally ribbeting: the Vimtoad campaign will be available across a multitude of platforms

Vimto hops into summer with Vimtoad campaign

By Nikkie Sutton

Vimto has announced a £1.5m advertising campaign to run in cinemas, on demand and across digital and social platforms, which includes the soft drinks company’s Vimtoad character.

Perfect: new campaign to deliver a better serve

Coke launches profit-boosting perfect serve campaign

By Nicholas Robinson

Coca-Cola European Partners has invested a significant amount in the launch of its Perfect Serve Training and Reward programme, which is aimed at boosting operators' soft drinks profits.

Soft focus: more low- and no-sugar options are now available

In association with Britvic

Sweet truth about the soft-drinks industry levy

By Nikkie Sutton

Following five years focusing on reformulation, Britvic is ahead of the curve when it comes to the impending soft drinks tax. Nikkie Sutton reports.

Comeback: the campaign has returned following its success with Idris Elba in 2016

Idris Elba fronts new Purdey’s campaign

By Nikkie Sutton

Hollywood heart-throb Idris Elba has teamed up with Britivic brand Purdey’s to announce the return of its #ThriveOn campaign for the second year in a row.

Reformulation: some soft drinks companies have brought out no- or low-sugar alternatives

In Association with Britvic

Soft drinks industry levy: what drinks won't be taxed?

By Nikkie Sutton

A number of soft drinks are set to fall foul of the sugar levy, increasing their price considerably, but others have been reformulated to attract a lower levy or none at all. Here, we highlight some of the options available to licensees.

Glass act: Schweppes' 'skittles' bottles were used in mainstream production

In Association with Schweppes

The first carbonated soft drink

By MA reports

Schweppes’ 234 years’ of history is potted with just as many twists and turns as an episode of Dynasty, featuring love affairs, treachery and the determination to succeed.

Confusion over sugar tax: consumers do not know which products the levy applies to

Consumers 'hugely misunderstand' sugar tax

By Michelle Perrett

The sugar tax has caused confusion among consumers with two thirds of those quizzed thinking it applies to sweets and confectionery rather than soft drinks, new research has revealed.

Bottlegreen unveils new flavours

Bottlegreen unveils new flavours

By Nikkie Sutton

SHS Drinks has announced two new flavours to its Bottlegreen sparkling pressé – Fruity Raspberry Lemonade and Refreshing Ginger Beer.

Turn up the heat on your summertime drinks offer

Turn up the heat on your summertime drinks offer

By Alison Baker

Visiting the pub during summer is a quintessential British trait. And whether your customers are driving or enjoying an alcoholic drink, there’s room for softs and spirits at your site. Alison Baker reports.

High five: we twist the G&T

In association with Diageo

5 twists on the classic gin and tonic

By Nicholas Robinson

Look at these five twists on the classic gin and tonic, perfect for summer cocktail menus, which can add a touch of excitement to your offer.

Trade fears: ALMR says health legislation should not hit pubs

ALMR: obesity solutions should not burden operators

By Nikkie Sutton

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has reiterated its message that the trade is keen to help tackle childhood obesity but without the burden falling on licensees.

Not so soft: soft drinks are good business for pubs

Britvic to pass on cost of sugar levy to customers

By Nicholas Robinson

Soft drinks giant Britvic, the manufacturer of products including Pepsi, will pass the cost of the sugar levy on to its customers, GB managing director Paul Graham has confirmed.

Health: consumer trends have helped soft drinks rise

Category update

Soft drinks are on the up

By Nikkie Sutton

The soft drinks category has seen a rise in volume and value according to statistics from CGA Strategy.

Nick Yates: Vimto ready to go big in the on-trade

Vimto poised to make big push into pubs

By Nicholas Robinson

Soft-drinks maker and distributor Nichols is set to make a bigger push of its brands, including Vimto and Feel Good, into the pub trade.

Tim Martin: price cuts will demonstrate potential effect of VAT cut on hospitality sector

JD Wetherspoon to slash 7.5% off food and drink at 900+ pubs

By Daniel Woolfson

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin will hack 7.5% off all food and drink prices for one day across his 900+ pub estate later this year to demonstrate the effect a VAT cut could have on the hospitality industry. 

Partnership: Martin Dickie (left) and James Watt created BrewDog 10 years ago

A timeline: how BrewDog became what it is today

By Nikkie Sutton

From its conception with two employees and a dog in 2007 to its global success of today, The Morning Advertiser sets out the history of BrewDog – warts and all.

Boom: craft soda sales 'set to explode'

Craft soda maker lands big Greene King deal

By Nicholas Robinson

Fledgling independent craft soda maker Dalston’s has landed a contract to supply 150 Greene King pubs in London, a sign the segment is primed to “blow up”.

Soft drinks: little mix can pay off big

Soft drinks: little mix can pay off big

By Nikkie Sutton

The rise in popularity of soft drinks isn’t just down to thirsty designated drivers or those on a health kick. It is the flavour they provide in cocktails and mixed drinks that is helping the category push on.

Not canned: Coke has a role to play in a 'craft' market

How will Coke stay relevant in a craft world?

By Nicholas Robinson

A rise in the number of ‘craft’ soft drinks products on the market – an already roaring trend in beer, cider and spirits – won’t pose an immediate threat to Coca-Cola and is likely to lead to more innovation in the sector.

Trendy: five things to consider to boost soft drinks sales

5 trends to boost soft drinks sales

By Nicholas Robinson

There are five key trends pubs should consider to boost their soft drinks sales and take advantage of the rising number of teetotal consumers in the UK, according to a leading expert.

Yes they can: Franklin & Sons' new can format

Franklin & Sons’ new cans

By Nicholas Robinson

Soft drinks maker Franklin & Sons has extended its mixers range with new cans in response to increased consumer demand for spirits.

Sweet investment: money has been pumped into Coca-Cola Zero Sugar marketing

Coke Zero reveals £4.5m ad campaign

By Nicholas Robinson

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar will be at the centre of a multimillion-pound advertising campaign to emphasise its low-sugar, but Coca-Cola Classic taste, credentials.

Improving sales: food and drink sales on the up for M&B

Finance

Mitchells & Butlers’ sales on the up

By Nicholas Robinson

Pub group giant Mitchells & Butlers, which operates about 1,600 sites across the UK, has reported strong food and drink sales growth for the four weeks to 7 January, attributed to healthy Christmas trade.

Off the wagon: men aren't supportive of women's choice to drink less

Health

Men push women off #DryJanuary wagon

By Nicholas Robinson

Men are more likely to push their female partners off the #DryJanuary wagon, goad them into breaking healthy drinking plans and consume more alcohol than the other way round.

Drinks trends for 2017

Drinks predictions

What 2017 has in store for the drinks category

By Nikkie Sutton

Last year was a mixed bag for the pub trade, from the shockwaves following the ‘Leave’ vote of the EU referendum, to the heavily delayed pubs code and the anguish at the appointment of the US president-elect Donald Trump.

The Drinks List: Top 100 Brands

The Drinks List: Top 100 Brands

By Nicholas Robinson

Drinking habits are changing as consumers are faced with more choice than ever, but in The Morning Advertiser's Drinks List: Top 100 Brands, there is a positive story showing a healthy mix of the long-established mainstream brands sitting alongside...

Coca-Cola Designated Driver

Designated Driver

Go soft or go home

By Nicholas Robinson

Designated drivers amongst a group of Christmas revellers can boost the dwell time of the whole party as well as their spend, here we explore how to give the drivers just as good a time as the drinkers.

For better or for worse: how Scotland's new drink-drive limit has changed the pub trade

Designated Driver

How Scotland’s drink-drive law has changed pubs

By Phil Mellows

Scotland’s lower drink drive limits have had a profound effect on the pub trade, leaving a significant amount of sites with a decline in trade. Has this led to a crisis or opened up opportunities for change? Phil Mellows reports

Inside the New Queen Inn

Designated Driver

Inside the New Queen Inn

By Liam Coleman

Since taking on Dorset pub the New Queen Inn in early 2016, licensee Will Everingham and his wife, Lorraine, have put their own stamp on the site by developing both its interior and its soft-drink offer

Typical Glasgow pub Rab Ha's

Designated Driver

Inside Rab Ha’s

By Liam Coleman

Rab Ha’s is named after a 19th-century lover of great food and drink. Manager Karen Pringle talks about how the site now aims to deliver great food and drink for the 21st century

New Inn, Sandwich, Kent, is one of 20 Thorley Taverns sites

Designated Driver

Inside Thorley Taverns

By Liam Coleman

Christmas may be a time for groups of revellers to let their hair down and party like there’s no tomorrow, but it also a time for licensees and pub operators to face up to their responsibilities and reward the designated drivers in those parties with...

Soft options: pairing food and soft drinks works well

Designated Driver

Food and soft drink pairing

By Andrew Don

No one bats an eyelid when wines are paired with specific dishes, and it should be no different with soft drinks. Andrew Don reports

Best of the booze-free beers

Designated Driver

The rise of alcohol-free beer

By Nikkie Sutton and Jane Peyton

They may have endured snide remarks and sidelong glances in the past, but low and no-ABV beers are enjoying a renaissance on the back of the current trend towards healthier living Nikkie Sutton and Jane Peyton report

Swap shop: how to swap alcohol for softs

Designated Driver

Soft swaps for alcoholic drinks

By Sara Hussein and Jane Peyton

This month, the on-trade will witness the highest sales of alcohol compared with the rest of the year. Can soft drinks equal the likes of beer, spirits and Champagne, or are they likely to wane during the festive cheer? Sara Hussein and Jane Peyton report

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