Coca-Cola Launches Simply Pop, Competing with Olipop and Poppi

NEW YORK — The Coca-Cola Company is making a significant move into the health-conscious beverage market with the launch of Simply Pop, a prebiotic soda aimed at enhancing gut health. This new product will make its debut this month, challenging the increasing popularity of rival brands Poppi and Olipop.

Becca Kerr, CEO of Coca-Cola’s nutrition unit, stated, “We saw the prebiotic soda space really emerging as an area of interest for consumers, and we were paying really close attention to it. We think it’s a space that is a great consumer fit and also offers a lot of growth.”

Simply Pop, which is flavored with fruit juice and enriched with vitamins, aligns with Coca-Cola’s strategy to expand beyond its traditional soda offerings. This initiative reflects the company’s goal of becoming a “total beverage company,” which now includes not only sodas but also protein shakes.

The Simply brand originally began as an orange juice line and has since evolved to include various fruit juices and mocktail mixes. The decision to use the recognized Simply name for the new soda was influenced by consumer feedback and the brand’s 21-year legacy.

Coca-Cola aims to leverage the popularity of the Simply brand to quickly establish Simply Pop in a market that has seen the rise of health-oriented competitors. Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, commented, “After watching from the sidelines, Coke clearly has determined that the gut soda segment has legs. The Simply brand is a smart way to get into a fast-growing and premium soda segment that is attractive to young consumers and resonates on social media.”

While functional beverages currently lag in sales compared to traditional sodas, they are projected to see significant growth. Coca-Cola’s research indicates that this category could generate $2 billion in sales by 2029. Kerr emphasized the expanding role of functional beverages, saying, “It’s giving people more chances and to try different things at different times throughout the day.”

Olipop has emerged as a key player in the wellness trend, recently announcing a valuation of $1.85 billion. In its first profit year since launching in 2018, Olipop’s sales surpassed $400 million, a substantial increase from the previous year.

Simply Pop will be available in five flavors: lime, pineapple mango, fruit punch, citrus punch, and strawberry. Consumers can purchase it by the case on Amazon or in 12-ounce cans at national grocery outlets for $2.49 each.

Despite Coca-Cola’s extensive retail presence and marketing capabilities, Olipop CEO Ben Goodwin expressed no fear regarding the competition. “It’s a massive honor that the largest soda brand in the world has decided that the category I invented, and the Olipop team has brought to life, is a great place for them to seek growth,” he told CNN.