Arnold Palmer Spiked continues to grow with sales building in 2021.

The hard iced tea with lemonade flavour continues its healthy growth spurt, up nearly 15% year-to-date after posting 24% growth in 2020, according to IRI multi-outlet and convenience data.

The brand’s impressive growth is fuelled by the performance of its 12-pack, particularly in large-format retailers like grocery and liquor stores. 

On top of that, it’s turning faster than primary competitor Twisted Tea’s 12-pack in a segment that’s up 30% year-to-date, says Heidi Gilbertson, marketing manager for the brand.

“It shows that there is still a huge demand for hard tea, and there is definitely room for multiple players,” Gilbertson says.

Arnold Palmer Spiked’s momentum this year continues a steady march for the brand, which has posted growth each year since its launch in 2018.

Gilbertson says the Arnold Palmer name, which “is synonymous with both golf and iced tea with lemonade flavours,” prompts curiosity among drinkers and sets clear expectations for AP Spiked, a 5% alcohol-by-volume, non-carbonated drink made with real juice and tea.

“With Arnold Palmer’s credentials in the golf space, when people see Arnold Palmer Spiked, they understand the proposition and they’re likely to try it,” she says.

And once they do, they come back. “When consumers try it, they love it,” she says. 

Buoyed by the flagship’s success, the brand also unveiled two line extensions: Arnie’s Spiked Iced Tea and Arnie’s Spiked Lemonade, which give the franchise a stronger look at retail and help boost sales of Half & Half when merchandised together, Gilbertson says.

Like what you read? metalpackager.com/subscribe