Soft drinks giant has big plans for the on-trade in 2019
A BIGGER and better presence in pubs and bars; that’s the goal of Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) for the year ahead.
Speaking at the firm’s Q1 trade press event at Stamford Bridge in London, Paul Robertson, CCEP’s associate director for the on-trade, announced the soft drinks firm’s plans to up its support and products for licensed operators.
The firm is set to increase its UK field sales visits to on-trade outlets to 850,000 in 2019, double that of 2016, and roll out new dispense equipment, which will provide bar staff with the option of adding flavour shots, such as vanilla, cherry or lime, to CCEP’s soft drinks.
Additional investment is also planned for the Schweppes range.
Following the brand’s refresh in 2017, the company aims to back outlets with more serves, branded barware and POS as well as supporting the brand with a new £4 million marketing campaign.
Robertson said: “Our goal in the licensed trade is helping our customers get more people through the door, driving more transactions every single day.
“One of the first things we have to do is let the trade know CCEP is here and ready to invest and we’re starting to do that.”
A new organic soft drink range exclusively for the on-trade, Honest lemonade, was also announced at the event.
The range consists of two variants, Pink Lemonade and Original Lemonade, and is set to be rolled out to bars later in the month.
CCEP said the drinks will help licensees “maximise on the growing demand for non-alcoholic options”.
Made with real fruit juice, the drink uses organic lemons, lemon blossom and sugar cane, with added raspberry juice in the Pink Lemonade variant.
