Costco is bringing back a fan-favorite item after 15 years and customers are delighted.
Slice Soda, a lemon-lime soda originally described as ‘Pepsi’s answer to Sprite’, was first introduced in 1984.
The soda, made of 10 percent real fruit juice, had a healthier image than lots of other fizzy drinks on the market at the time.
Slice Soda shot to popularity with its variety of unique flavors, including orange, strawberry, pineapple, fruit punch, and grape.
The cans disappeared from shelves in the mid-2000s but have recently been spotted at Costco stores once again.
The drink is leaning in to a wellness-focused image hoping to ride the wave of popular alternative sodas.
It comes as Coca Cola announced it was launching a healthier prebiotic soda this week, rivaling Gen Z favorites Olipop and Poppi.
Slice Soda used to be owned by PepsiCo but is now having a second lease of life under soda company SujaLife.
The company emphasizes that the new recipe – which currently comes in two flavors, Slice Orange and Lemon Lime Soda – is packed with prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and just five grams of sugar.
Slice Soda disappeared from shelves in the mid-2000’s but have recently been spotted at Costco stores once again
‘Can’t wait to stock my fridge with this!’ one fan commented on an Instagram post from a customer who found the drinks on the shelves of their local Costco in Los Angeles.
‘These were great soda years ago, I’ll be on the lookout!’ another wrote.
‘It tastes just like I remember it,’ a third added eagerly.
Eight-packs of Slice Soda are now available at Costco warehouses in the Southeast and California for $12.99.
Costco is also slated to soon make another major soda change, but this time to its food court offerings.
The warehouse retailer confirmed that it will be swapping Pepsi for Coca Cola at all its food courts starting this summer.
CEO Ron Vachris confirmed the change at the retailer’s shareholder meeting in January.
The wholesale retailer switched from Coca Cola to Pepsi products in 2013, according to CNN, in order to maintain the price of its famous $1.50 soda and hot dog deal.
the new recipe – which currently comes in two flavors Slice Orange and Lemon Lime Soda – is packed with prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics
Costco has confirmed that it will be swapping Pepsi for Coca Cola at all its food courts starting this summer
Retailers like Costco can only serve Pepsi or Coca Cola products – they are not able to distribute both at the same time due to product contracts
The price has remained the same since 1985, and the chain sold around 150 million of the combos to members last year alone.
Last year, chief financial officer Gary Millerchip confirmed that despite losing the company money, the combo deal was ‘safe.’
The beverage companies bid on contracts to supply their products to such chains, and often the lowest cost bid for the retailer will win.
Pepsi and Coca Cola have been rivals for decades, but the last time they came close in market share was the 1980’s.
Retailers like Costco can only serve Pepsi or Coca Cola products – they are not able to distribute both at the same time due to product contracts.
