Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
AriZona chills out in move from fridge to freezer
AriZona Beverages is bringing the popular tea and juice brand to a new category it hopes will give consumers the chills.
The brand is debuting AriZona Ice Pops in 2024 that will be available in top-selling juice flavors: Mucho Mango, Watermelon and Fruit Punch. Similar to its beverages, AriZona Ice Pops will be made with all natural ingredients, eschewing artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.
“AriZona fans love seeing us in different parts of the store.,” Abid Rizvi, CEO of Arizona Beverages, said in a statement. “We are proud of this new release and will support the launch with a mix of strong promotional tactics and innovative marketing concepts to drive traffic and build the business.”
Don Vultaggio, the founder and chairman of the Arizona Beverage Company, said the firm is out to “revolutionize the frozen novelty space” similar to how it upended beverages when it launched the $0.99 can 30 years ago. He said most frozen novelties cost more than $5 a box and use artificial ingredients. “We said we could do it better,” Vultaggio added.
While AriZona is best known for its teas, it has been expanding to other parts of the grocery store. In recent years, it has rolled out fruit snacks, coffee, snack trays and hard alcohol.
But frozen is a logical place for many beverage brands like AriZona to enter.
Coca-Cola, for example, has been selling sodas like Coke, Sprite and Fanta in frozen forms at movie theaters, convenience stores, theme parks and other venues for decades. Even Molson Coors introduced limited time Coors-icles — non-alcoholic beer-flavored popsicles fans that were inspired by the flavor and refreshment of the popular beer.
Frozen drinks are a popular vehicle for a brand to increase its exposure and attract new consumers, typically younger shoppers, while increasing the opportunities when an individual might enjoy the brand. A person might want a frozen offering at home during the summer, but gravitate toward a beverage during other times of the year.
— Christopher Doering
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Courtesy of Tillamook
Tillamook brings holiday cheer to the freezer aisle
Holiday bells are ringing at Tillamook as the company debuted two new limited-edition flavors: Peppermint Bark and Holiday Sugar Cookie.
The new flavors join the family ice-cream brand’s portfolio of products made with “more cream and less air,” the company said. Peppermint Bark will be made with a base of rich peppermint ice cream, sprinkled with candy cane bits and white chocolate chip chunks, while Holiday Sugar Cookie has sugar cookie dough rolled into a cookie dough ice cream.
The brand found success with its previous limited-edition flavor launches this summer — Campfire Peanut Butter Cup, Neapolitan, and Orange and Cream. Sales for Tillamook broke records in August following the launches.
“Many of us have fond memories of eating certain dishes during the holidays, such as our grandmother’s sugar cookies,” said Ian Moppert, an ice cream scientist at Tillamook. “We relish the opportunity to be a part of holiday celebrations.”
The holiday flavors will be available across the country at Target, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway and Publix.
Each year, it seems that holiday specials and decorations of red and green come earlier in the year.
Popular retailers like Walmart and Amazon have already started rolling out holiday sales. Last week, Campbell Soup’s Goldfish brand launched a new flavor inspired by the popular movie character Buddy the Elf.
— Elizabeth Flood
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Courtesy of J&J Snack Foods
SuperPretzel sticks bring pub experience to the kitchen
Soft pretzels are typically enjoyed at sporting events and mall food courts, but J&J Snack Foods is bringing one of its most popular varieties to the freezer aisle.
The owner of brands such as Icee and Dippin’ Dots, launched SuperPretzel Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks that are available at grocers including Target, Walmart and Giant. The company said the product is best enjoyed with a cheese or mustard sauce, paired with a beer.
“Our SUPERPRETZEL Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks have continued to be the leading soft pretzel breadstick in foodservice, and we’re thrilled to now offer it in retail stores, allowing shoppers to bring this warm, tasty snack home to their families,” Joanne Mizner, vice president of retail marketing at J&J Snack Foods, said in a statement.
The SuperPretzel brand also sells regular Soft Pretzels, Soft Pretzel Bites and Mini Pretzel Dogs, among other items.
While pretzels are believed to have originated in the 12th century in southern Germany, soft pretzels were popularized in American cities like Philadelphia in the 1900’s. Bavarian pretzel sticks, typically served at pubs and breweries, are known for their thick, bready texture.
Pretzels continue to evolve as a major player in the snacking space with brands like Dot’s Homestyle and new entrants such as Frito-Lay’s Cheetos Pretzels. Soft pretzels also have grown as a snack food beyond just live events and shopping centers.
The global soft pretzel market is projected to be worth nearly $5 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%, according to Market Research Guru.
— Chris Casey
