Slice (drink)
 | |
| Type | Flavored soft drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PepsiCo |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Introduced | 1984 |
| Related products | Sprite, Crush, Fanta, Teem, 7 Up, Bubble Up |
Slice is a line of fruit-flavored soft drinks manufactured by PepsiCo and introduced in 1984 and discontinued in the late 2000s. It was reintroduced in India in 2008 as a Mango-flavoured fruit drink and currently advertised as Tropicana Slice.[1]
History
Slice was a big success upon release, inspiring other juice-infused drinks based on already existing juice brands, such as Coca-Cola's Minute Maid orange soda and Cadbury Schweppes's Sunkist. By May 1987, Slice held 3.2 percent of the soft drink market. One year later, it had fallen to 2.1 percent and was below 2 percent in June 1988.[2]
The original design of the can was a solid color related to the flavor of the drink. These were replaced in 1994 with black cans that featured colorful bursts related to the flavor of the drink, along with slicker graphics. In 1997, the cans became blue with color-coordinated swirls. The original orange flavor was reformulated around this time with the new slogan, "It's orange, only twisted." Orange Slice has since been changed back to its original flavor.[3]
In the summer of 2000, lemon-lime Slice was replaced in most markets by Sierra Mist, which became a national brand in 2003. The rest of the Slice line was replaced in most markets by Tropicana Twister Soda in the summer of 2005, although the Dr. Slice variety can still be found in some fountains.
In early 2006, Pepsi resurrected the Slice name for a new line of diet soda called Slice ONE. Marketed exclusively at Wal-Mart stores, Slice ONE was available in orange, grape and berry flavors, all sweetened with Splenda.
As of 2009, Slice (orange, diet orange, grape, strawberry and peach flavors) was available solely from Wal-Mart Stores.
Slice was launched in India in 1993 as a mango flavored drink and quickly went on to become a leading player in the category, In India, 'Slice Mango' is promoted by Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.[1] Slice mango is also available in Pakistan.
Slice was discontinued at an unknown date in the United States between the late 2000s to early or mid 2010’s, no longer being on PepsiCo’s “Product Locator” website.
In February 2018, New Slice Ventures LLC had acquired the Slice trademark portfolio, and was working with Revolution Brands, Dormitus Brands and Spiral Sun Ventures, to re-launch a lower-sugar, lower-calorie beverage sweetened only with real — possibly organic — fruit juice.[4]
Flavors
Until 1994, the drink contained 10% fruit juice.
- Apple Slice
- Cherry Cola Slice (discontinued in 1988 following the introduction of Wild Cherry Pepsi)
- Cherry-Lime Slice
- Dr Slice (pepper-flavored drink)
- Fruit punch Slice
- Grape Slice
- Lemon-lime Slice (original flavor) (replaced Teem in the United States; discontinued in 2000 with introduction of Sierra Mist)
- Mandarin orange Slice
- Mango Slice
- Passionfruit Slice
- Peach Slice
- Pineapple Slice
- Pink Lemonade Slice
- Red Slice
- Strawberry Slice
References
- 1 2 "PepsiCo India - Slice". www.pepsicoindia.co.in. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ↑ Levin, Doron P. "Slice: Case Study of a Setback". Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ↑ "Pepsi.com". Pepsi.com. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ↑ Trotter, Greg. "Slice is back: once-popular soft drink will be rebooted as low-calorie drink sweetened with fruit juice". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
External links
- Orange Slice commercial - A 1997 commercial marketing the reformulated Slice.
- Photos of Slice cans