For the die-hard fans of the soft drink, the Diet Rite needs no introduction. But for the millennials who grew between the fandoms of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, Diet Rite is almost a foreign word. Especially since the production has gone down in recent years. But the soft drink still does not fail to capture the taste buds of its loyal fanbase. But the only problem is, where do you find them!
Why Is It Hard To Find The Rite In The Market!
There are multiple reasons that can be attributed to the decreasing market of the famous diet soft drink.
1. The Giants
The major problem that can be underlined is the growing market! The soft drink industry is primarily run by PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. The rapid consumption of soft drinks pushed these companies to global recognition.
Together they own about 70% of the shares in the sales of carbonated drinks. Though the next leader is Dr Pepper Snapple (manufacturer of Diet Rite), the market is already capitalized.
Since demand regulates supply, it is no surprise that you’ll find the aisles of your nearest groceries and super-marts filled with popular drinks. Diet Rite is one of the earliest soft drink brands that shifted its focus towards low-calorie, no sugar drinks.
As a result, it became the selling point of the drink, with people shifting towards the ‘healthy’ quotient. But as the mainstream companies have released their line of ‘healthy’ drinks & Smoothies, their market has reduced considerably over the years.
2. The Dwindling Consumer Base
As much as the soft drink companies have profited by widening their sales, there is an increasing group of people refraining from the drinks. Why? Well, healthy drinks are not healthy at all.
Though they are better than what the typical carbonated alternatives offer, practically speaking, they do not fall in the bracket of health drinks.
The carbonated beverage industry has seen a decline in sales straight for over a decade. And yet, even the declining sales, the two major companies still hold the most significant shares.
3. The Fanbase
But that being said, it is not possible to refute the already existing fan base. With less supply and fair demand, the stores (if they sell) often run out of stocks. Since the convenience stores don’t have large stock, it might take days or even weeks before you lay a hand on the next stock!
It is one of the few diets pops without aspartame. Though aspartame is not a banned ingredient, the artificial sugar sweetener may have an effect on immune systems and is not recommended for people with some rare genetic disorders.
4. The Rechristening
The brands are shifting their name from diet to zero sugar. And the reason? A sales tactic to attract the younger generation who are not frenzied about the word diet. Hence, they are rebranding the products to highlight the sugar count instead. Though Diet Rite has not lost its name, the shift in the sales strategy may answer the lesser production of the same.
5. Distribution
The uneven distribution may be another reason why so many people can’t find the stock of their favorite carbonated drinks. While some can’t find it in their locality, for others, they can find it in the first store they look for. The only reason is that there can be different supplies in different regions.
Further, the pandemic did have an effect on the production itself. With many supply chains halted or stopped, the manufacturers found it difficult to supply at the same level. And Dr Pepper was not immune to the same. In the Twitter post dated 11 Aug 2020, Dr Pepper assures its followers in refilling the stocks nationwide!
Where To Find Diet Rite?
It is unlikely to find a stock of Diet Rite in major shopping units. Thus, your only chance of getting some are:
- The local convenience/ grocery stores might still have supplies.
- You can find anything and everything on the online market; hence, if you are unsuccessful at local searches, look online. Though the brand has discontinued several of its flavors, you can still find the popular variants in the market.
Conclusion:
The pandemic did force sudden depravity in many of the companies. With a shortage in both raw materials and packaging, the distribution drastically dropped. But that was over two years ago. But even with restocking and ample availability online, there is no answer to the unexpected shortage of supplies in some areas. So what we are left with is just speculation!
At present, the company sells the popular soft drink in six flavors. However, with the company restocking on the supplies and keeping up with the demands, it might not be long that you’ll find your favorite soft drink in the nearby stores!
