Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) is helping convenience retailers turn the soft drinks industry levy into an opportunity by launching new zero-sugar flavours.

The new flavours include Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Peach, Diet Coke Exotic Mango, Diet Coke Feisty Cherry, Sprite Lemon, Lime & Cucumber and Monster Ultra Violet.

The new Coca-Cola flavours will be backed by a £10m campaign and the company is investing £25m in support of its original Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke, which includes TV advertising, as well as sampling activity.

Gary Black, wholesale & convenience sales director at CCEP, said sales of flavoured cola are growing by 20% and is a huge opportunity for retailers.

 “Retailers should review their range and remove slow-selling lines to make space for new lower and zero-sugar flavours,” he said.

Ninety-five per cent of CCEP’s brands will contain less than 5mg of sugar per 100ml and so will be exempt from the sugar tax when it enters the market in April.

Retailers can get more information about the soft drinks levy from the Coke Customer Hub.