ANKARA: Vimto owner Nichols has moved its entire owned portfolio below the UK’s impending sugar tax threshold. The company said yesterday that 100% of its brands are exempt from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which comes into force in the country next month. Drinks containing less than 5g of sugar per 10cl will pay no tax, while those with higher levels will be hit with a two-tier levy.
Nichols owns the Vimto and Feel Good brands as well as a range of frozen drinks. The group also holds the UK licence for the Levi Roots soft drinks as well as Sunkist – both of which also fall under the threshold. Meanwhile, the company yesterday announced three new product innovations: Vimto Remix Watermelon, Strawberry & Peach, Levi Roots Exotic Kick and Vimto Unicorn Starslush.
Vimto Remix Watermelon, Strawberry & Peach rolls out to the UK this month in price-marked packs of GBP0.59 (US$0.80) per can, as well as in bottles. The launch, aimed at teens and mums, will be supported by a social media campaign.
Levi Roots Exotic Kick was developed exclusively for the convenience sector in a 50cl, PET, GBP1 PMP bottle. Exotic Kick joins the Caribbean Crush and Jamaican Sunset flavours.