NEW YORK – On Friday, PepsiCo. debuted its new non-carbonated beverages, including a low-calorie version of Gatorade called G2, in an effort to spur U.S. sales, CNNMoney.com reports.
Pepsi indicated that G2 is the first brand extension in its sports drink category. Coming in fruit punch, orange and grape flavors, G2 has 25 calories per 8-ounce serving, while retaining all the electrolytes in the original Gatorade. G2 is Pepsi’s biggest new product debut since Propel Fit Water.
With vitamin-infused energy drinks and bottled water sales soaring as health-conscious Americans switch to low-calorie, low-sugar and non-carbonated beverages, both Pepsi and Coca-Cola are developing new drinks to capitalize on that trend.
In the bottled water category, Pepsi will unveil a new vitamin-enhanced water called Propel Invigorating Water that will contain some caffeine and come in three flavors – strawberry, citrus and berry. Also, Pepsi is reformulating its SoBe Life Water brand to add antioxidants, natural herbs, sucrose and vitamins.
“Pepsi already is the leader in non-carbonated drinks. These new additions strengthen its lead but Coke is also well-positioned to gain market share with Glaceau, its Fuze drinks and Powerade,” John Sicher, editor of Beverage Digest, told the news source.
Convenience stores, gasoline stations and independent retail outlets will start seeing G2 and Propel Invigorating Water in stores later this year.