Slice (drink)

Slice is a line of fruit-flavored soft drinks originally manufactured by PepsiCo and introduced in 1984 (to replace the Teem brand) but discontinued by PepsiCo in the United States in the late 2000s. Slice was reintroduced in the United States and Canada by New Slice Ventures LLC, who acquired the trademark rights in those countries. Slice was also reintroduced in India by PepsiCo in 2008 as a Mango-flavoured fruit drink and currently advertised as Tropicana Slice.[1]

Slice
TypeFlavored soft drink
ManufacturerPepsiCo, New Slice Ventures LLC
Country of originUnited States
Introduced1984, 2018 (reintroduced)
Discontinued2009
Related productsSprite, Crush, Fanta, Teem, 7 Up, Bubble Up

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."

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.

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 by PepsiCo at an unknown date in the United States between the late 2000s to early or mid 2010s, no longer being on PepsiCo’s “Product Locator” website.

By 2018, New Slice Ventures LLC had acquired the Slice trademark portfolio in the United States and Canada, and was working with Revolution Brands, Dormitus Brands and Spiral Sun Ventures, to re-launch a lower-sugar, lower-calorie beverage sweetened only with USDA-certified organic fruit juice.[3]

In December 2018, New Slice Ventures announced[4] that its new Slice-branded products had become available for wholesale pre-order in four flavors: Raspberry & Grapefruit, Blackberry, Mango & Pineapple and Apple & Cranberry.[5]

Flavors

A Can of Slice, Lemon-lime flavor in 2019

Until 1994, the drink contained 10% fruit juice.

In 2018, New Slice Ventures listed four new flavors as available on its website:

References

  1. "PepsiCo India - Slice". www.pepsicoindia.co.in. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  2. Levin, Doron P. "Slice: Case Study of a Setback". Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  3. 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.
  4. Contributor (2018-12-06). "Revolution Brands releases Slice range of sparkling water in US". FoodBev Media. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  5. http://www.DrinkaSlice.com www.DrinkaSlice.com
  • Orange Slice commercial - A 1997 commercial marketing the reformulated Slice.
  • Press Release- Press Release Announcing New Slice Products
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