In Canadian households, the familiar sound of “schhhhhlorp” may make a comeback as frozen juice is set to reappear on the shelves of one of Canada’s major retailers. Loblaw has officially announced the reintroduction of frozen concentrated beverages under its renowned No Name brand nationwide. The new lineup will include White Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Limeade, Grape Punch, Fruit Punch, and Berry Punch, as confirmed by Loblaw spokesperson Rachel Siekanowicz.
These new products are anticipated to be available before the end of June, filling a gap left by Coca-Cola’s discontinuation of its Minute Maid frozen juice line. Prior to this, Coca-Cola’s plant in Peterborough, Ont., was the sole remaining producer offering concentrated juice products in Canada after other brands like Old South ceased production due to declining demand.
Despite the absence of a Canadian supplier, Loblaw is forging ahead with the release of the upcoming No Name juice. According to Siekanowicz, no manufacturer currently produces frozen juice concentrate in Canada, prompting Loblaw to seek alternative sources once Coca-Cola announced the unavailability of frozen juice through existing suppliers.
Frozen juice concentrate, a product with an over 80-year history, has seen a decline in popularity over the years due to changing consumer preferences. Emma Balment, the director of market strategy and understanding at Ipsos, highlighted the decreasing consumption of frozen concentrate juice in Canada, accounting for only about seven percent of total juice consumption.
Loblaw has indicated that pricing for the new frozen juice products will vary by store, with an initial pricing estimate around $2.25 for a 283-milliliter size. Additionally, other Metro-owned store brands are also exploring options to reintroduce frozen concentrate, though this initiative is not nationwide due to the retailer’s regional operations.
While the future of frozen juice in Canada seemed uncertain after the discontinuation of Minute Maid, there are hints of a potential revival with discussions of a Canadian producer re-entering the market. This development could bring relief to many consumers, especially in Newfoundland where frozen juice is a key ingredient in the popular holiday cocktail known as “slush.”