Carlsberg, PepsiCo set out Poppi UK launch plans

PepsiCo is launching its prebiotic soda brand Poppi in the UK next week.

The US giant, which bought the US brand last year for $1.95bn, has struck an initial, exclusive listing with Tesco, the UK’s largest grocer.

PepsiCo is selling Poppi in 330ml cans and in four-packs. Five flavours will be on offer: Strawberry Lemon, Orange, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime and Wild Berry.

The recommended price points will be £2.59 for a 330ml can and £7.79 for the four-pack, Just Food reports.

PepsiCo and its local manufacturing partner Carlsberg plan to roll out the drinks “more widely later in the year”, a spokesperson said.

Poppi is being produced and distributed in the UK by Carlsberg Britvic, PepsiCo’s bottling partner and the local arm of Carlsberg. The drinks are manufactured at Carlsberg’s site in Rugby.

Poppi began in 2015 under the name Mother Beverage, later gaining investment after appearing on US reality show Shark Tank in 2018, before reintroducing itself as Poppi in 2020.

Since then, the business, co-founded by Allison Ellsworth and her husband Stephen, has built what has become one of the more recognisable names in the growing market for ‘better-for-you’ sodas in the US.

Poppi’s low-calorie, low-sugar sodas come in 15 flavours and are sold in retail stores across the US including Kroger, Walmart, Costco, Target and Whole Foods Market.

In 2024, the company generated annual sales of more than $500m.