American soda beverage, Olipop, is making strides in stadium distribution by securing a deal to sell its soda at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome, a $2 billion arena opening and a rare achievement in a space typically dominated by exclusivity deals with giants like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Olipop’s cans will be stocked in 25 grab-and-go concession stores within the stadium, aimed at reducing long lines.
Olipop, which has already made its way into major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco, is now finding success by targeting new stadiums without existing supplier contracts. Additionally, Olipop is cleverly positioning itself in venues with existing deals by branding itself not as the “official soda,” but as the “official functional beverage,” highlighting its prebiotic ingredients.
The Intuit Dome is the third stadium that six-year-old Olipop has secured a deal with in less than two years. Meanwhile, Poppi, a newer and close competitor in the better-for-you drinks category, started selling its cans this year at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, N.Y.
Ben Goodwin, co-founder and chief executive of Olipop, recently spoke in an interview stating:
“The goal from the beginning has to be a healthy alternative for soda at scale, and if you are playing in that category you have to enter” spaces outside of retail…this theme that we’ve been pushing into is showing up more and more in spaces traditionally dominated by Big Soda.”
This breakthrough will help Olipop boost brand visibility and sales, with new venues supporting the brand’s growth strategy.
