Dive Brief:
- Single-serve and cold beverages are colliding on stores shelves as the Keurig Kold launches today, carrying a price tag of $299 to $369. The machine creates cold beverages using single-serve pods, much like Keurig Green Mountain's hot drinks machines.
- The machine has been five years in the making, with Coca-Cola having signed on as a partner in February 2014 to provide its global brand portfolio and assist in the machine's development.
- While the Keurig Kold initially has many products from Coca-Cola, more Coke brands will continue to be added including sparkling, tea, energy, mixers, enhanced waters and sports drinks. The device also features Dr Pepper Snapple's Dr Pepper and Canada Dry and Keurig's own proprietary brands, like Tierney's Iced Tea and Flynn's soda.
Dive Insight:
Keurig Kold machines are available to order on Keurig.com, and next month, select retailers online and in six cities will carry the machine, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York.
"We believe Keurig Kold has a place in many homes," said Brian Kelley, president and CEO of Keurig Green Mountain, in a statement. "Our research shows consumers want access to a variety of cold, fresh-made beverages at their fingertips, and this system delivers an on-demand playlist of both iconic brands and exclusive drinks you can only discover through our system."
"Kold extends our reach from the morning day part to an all-day, all-night appliance," he added.
Not surprisingly, products from Coca-Cola, which owns a 16% minority stake in Keurig, get more airtime in Keurig Kold ad spots, though Dr Pepper Snapple varieties also appear alongside Keurig's own brands in some of the ads.
Keurig could use a win after reporting a 26% drop in brewer and accessory sales in its latest earnings announcement, which has ultimately led to a cost-cutting program that includes laying off about 5% of the company's workforce.