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Pepsi sells Tropicana and other juices to double down on "functionality" in its portfolio

Snacks / Wednesday, August 04, 2021
_Extreme functionality [EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER/E+ via GettyImages]_
_Extreme functionality [EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER/E+ via GettyImages]_

Hold the pulp... Tropicana, America's top refrigerated OJ brand, was founded in 1947 by an Italian immigrant who arrived in the US with $25. In 1998, Pepsi bought it for $3.3B. Now, Pepsi is selling Tropicana, Naked, and other juice brands in North America for... $3.3B.

  • Sour on sugar: Pepsi said the deal will allow it to focus on its growing portfolio of healthier snacks and zero-calorie bevs. Like: Bubly sparkling water and Gatorade Zero.
  • Functional-first: As consumer preferences shift, Pepsi has been investing in "functional beverages" — drinks that provide more than just sugar, enhanced by a healthy(ish) touch.

Add the B vitamins... As sugar loses steam, bev giants are replacing sodas and juices with vitamin-packed energy drinks and enhanced waters with a "purpose." The global market for functional bevs is expected to hit $130.5B this year, up 8% from last year. These premium drinks also command higher prices than your average can of carbonated syrup.

  • Relax: Last year, Pepsi intro’d Driftwell — water enhanced with magnesium and L-theanine for relaxation (ASMR in a can).
  • Energize: Pepsi also bought Rockstar Energy for $4B, and launched new versions featuring Hemp and B Vitamins.
  • Cleanse: In January, Pepsi partnered with Beyond Meat for plant-based snacks and drinks. It's also tried to "health-ify" its own brands with Lay's baked chips, Quaker breakfast bars, and Sabra hummus cups.

Brands are investments... Individual investors make strategic decisions with limited funds — large conglomerates do something similar. Pepsi just rebalanced its "portfolio" of bevs to favor faster-growing, more profitable categories. In Pepsi's own words, it engaged in: "Portfolio Optimization For Juice Businesses." Coke did the same during the pandemic, cutting the cord on underperforming brands like Odwalla juice.

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