WHILE the festive period is traditionally associated with alcoholic drinks, no-one should forget soft drinks, both on the table when entertaining, or as an alternative to alcohol.
In the run-up to Christmas, Highland Spring says taste and provenance can be highlighted to make water more special for consumers.
“It’s important for retailers to think ‘premium’ when it comes to their drinks offering at this time of year, and provide a range of drinks consumers would be proud to serve,” said Carol Saunders, head of customer marketing.
“Inherent qualities of bottled water, such as taste and provenance, can be leveraged to elevate the relevance of bottled water, particularly sparkling, during special occasions as an alternative to alcohol and sugary drinks.
“Doing this will help to drive frequency throughout the season and retailers should think carefully about the brands they offer in terms of provenance and quality, selecting well-known brands that are trusted with consumers.”
Placing sparkling water within the alcohol section, or near other mixers, helps to demonstrate its versatility as a mixer for cocktails and mocktails, she said.
“Many consumers prefer adding sparkling water to alcoholic beverages instead of soda water, for example – its minerality contributes to a clean and cooling flavour profile while the smaller size of the bubbles give a more pleasing texture and mouthfeel.”
