$1.29 Canadian
April 13, 2022 8:25 AM Subscribe
How the hell do you sell AriZona Iced Tea for $0.99 in 2022?
TLDR: "I’m committed to that 99 cent price — when things go against you, you tighten your belt,” says owner Don Vultaggio. “I don’t want to do what the bread guys and the gas guys and everybody else are doing” so they are taking a haircut on profits. Previous pre inflation thread.
It's still $1.29 in Canada though.
TLDR: "I’m committed to that 99 cent price — when things go against you, you tighten your belt,” says owner Don Vultaggio. “I don’t want to do what the bread guys and the gas guys and everybody else are doing” so they are taking a haircut on profits. Previous pre inflation thread.
It's still $1.29 in Canada though.
(Archive.org version)
I always figured the drinks were a loss leader, and they made up for it with the sweet, sweet merch.
posted by box at 8:42 AM on April 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
I always figured the drinks were a loss leader, and they made up for it with the sweet, sweet merch.
posted by box at 8:42 AM on April 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
I'm also surprised their origins are in NYC. I have to admit, not a big fan of the state, so I often avoided the drinks. Arizona isn't a "good mood" kind of place to remember, but knowing the drinks are set in the ninja turtles city, maybe time to give them another shot.
posted by GoblinHoney at 8:51 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by GoblinHoney at 8:51 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
How the hell do you sell AriZona Iced Tea for $0.99 in 2022?
Per a recent FPP, it must have something to do with the way they can still sell 2 liter bottles of Coke products for ~$1.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 8:59 AM on April 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
Per a recent FPP, it must have something to do with the way they can still sell 2 liter bottles of Coke products for ~$1.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 8:59 AM on April 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
Damn, that really is sweet sweet merch. I really like the caps, those are hilarious. And at least one of those hoodies was appealing. And if I'm going to order those, I might as well, get some chachkis, right?
I mean, I'm not ordering anything right now, but wow, I had no idea!
posted by hippybear at 9:19 AM on April 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
I mean, I'm not ordering anything right now, but wow, I had no idea!
posted by hippybear at 9:19 AM on April 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
That white sweater with they dyed hood is fantastic. It's beautiful.
posted by oddman at 9:22 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by oddman at 9:22 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Probably about 20 years ago, I was with my wife in a bodega in the East Village and I noticed that Arizona was marketing a beer called Men's Club. I went to the counter, pointed to my wife, and asked the clerk, "What if she'd like to drink some Men's Club beer?" Without batting an eyelash, he replied, "We've got Men's Club Light..."
posted by AJaffe at 9:32 AM on April 13, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by AJaffe at 9:32 AM on April 13, 2022 [9 favorites]
Here's the tweet mentioned. Can someone explain why the U.S. can is labelled in English and French? I know even if it's not REQUIRED in the US, they can still do it, but I would think Spanish would be the more natural second language to include in the U.S. And it's odd that the nutritional labels are the same.
Per a recent FPP, it must have something to do with the way they can still sell 2 liter bottles of Coke products for ~$1.
Two litre coke products don't come wrapped in aluminum.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:40 AM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Per a recent FPP, it must have something to do with the way they can still sell 2 liter bottles of Coke products for ~$1.
Two litre coke products don't come wrapped in aluminum.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:40 AM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
. Can someone explain why the U.S. can is labelled in English and French?
I'm guessing that, since French is required in Canada, and Spanish is not required in the US, they decided to user one bottling plant/label printer to save money.
[Edit] nvm, there's clearly a US and Canadian can in there linked tweet, so idunno
posted by Popular Ethics at 9:43 AM on April 13, 2022 [5 favorites]
I'm guessing that, since French is required in Canada, and Spanish is not required in the US, they decided to user one bottling plant/label printer to save money.
[Edit] nvm, there's clearly a US and Canadian can in there linked tweet, so idunno
posted by Popular Ethics at 9:43 AM on April 13, 2022 [5 favorites]
hey decided to user one bottling plant/label printer to save money.
I thought of this, but they have to print a different can anyway, since it's a different price. Also, the nutritional labels look the same? Do Canada and the U.S. have the same label format? Nope. I note that they don't actually SAY the can on the left is a U.S. can...is it possible it was 99 (Canadian) cents in Canada and they raised the price either as a test ballooon or just because 99 cents Canadian was really and truly unsustainable?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:51 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
I thought of this, but they have to print a different can anyway, since it's a different price. Also, the nutritional labels look the same? Do Canada and the U.S. have the same label format? Nope. I note that they don't actually SAY the can on the left is a U.S. can...is it possible it was 99 (Canadian) cents in Canada and they raised the price either as a test ballooon or just because 99 cents Canadian was really and truly unsustainable?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:51 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Holy shit, the merch page is insane. I think I'm going to spend some money today.
I don't drink it like I used to, but I absolutely went through a green tea phase that justifies a bucket hat or something.
And hey, HFCS or no, props where due to AriZona.
posted by rhizome at 10:33 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
I don't drink it like I used to, but I absolutely went through a green tea phase that justifies a bucket hat or something.
And hey, HFCS or no, props where due to AriZona.
posted by rhizome at 10:33 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
My wife and I redecorated my daughter's room when she was a teen (at her request) and we painted her IKEA dresser AriZona Green Tea teal with cherry blossoms. It was a huge hit and her friends always demanded to know where she got it.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:44 AM on April 13, 2022 [16 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 10:44 AM on April 13, 2022 [16 favorites]
If I have to drink tea from a can, it AriZona every time. Their green tea hits that right spot in flavor, cost and size. The only downside is that the local c-store is always running out around lunchtime.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Two litre coke products don't come wrapped in aluminum.
The current price of a Coke 6-pack isn't that far off but you might have to buy a buy a 12 or 24pack to hit it.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
The current price of a Coke 6-pack isn't that far off but you might have to buy a buy a 12 or 24pack to hit it.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:46 AM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
My kids drank a lot of Arizona Iced Tea when they lived at home. They would go to the local deli, get a huge sammie and wash it down with a 'Zona. I drink a lot if Diet Coke. I wait for sales and buy a lot. Anyway, on sale, Diet Coke and Arizona Iced Tea not on sale or always on sale depending on your point of view, is cheaper than water. I always marvel at that. Either bottled water like Poland Spring is way overpriced or the water used to make these other beverages which are like 99% water and a bunch of chemical, is coming out of a Flint Michigan tap.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:06 AM on April 13, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:06 AM on April 13, 2022 [5 favorites]
This seems like the kind of article written by someone who doesn't know that the average profit markup is like 70%
posted by rhymedirective at 11:32 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by rhymedirective at 11:32 AM on April 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
Yeah, but did he threaten to kill anyone for raising the price?
posted by charred husk at 12:30 PM on April 13, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by charred husk at 12:30 PM on April 13, 2022 [4 favorites]
Per a recent FPP, it must have something to do with the way they can still sell 2 liter bottles of Coke products for ~$1.
I wish they were doing that around here, now we're seeing Coke bottles usually around $1.79, and Winn-Dixie stores are selling their store brand for $1.29. Pure price gouging.
posted by JHarris at 2:29 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
I wish they were doing that around here, now we're seeing Coke bottles usually around $1.79, and Winn-Dixie stores are selling their store brand for $1.29. Pure price gouging.
posted by JHarris at 2:29 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm not really a fan of the stuff. I mean, I'll drink it if someone hands me a can, but it's not really my go-to beverage.
I am buying that hat, though.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 4:54 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am buying that hat, though.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 4:54 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am buying that hat, though.
I know, RIGHT??? Like, that merch catalog is ridiculous with its awesomeness. I don't have money right now, but I will soon and I'll drop a few bucks their way.
I never drink their tea, though. Peace Tea (I don't even know the price, I haven't gotten canned tea for a while) is sugar, not HFCS, and I do try to make that choice.
posted by hippybear at 5:30 PM on April 13, 2022
I know, RIGHT??? Like, that merch catalog is ridiculous with its awesomeness. I don't have money right now, but I will soon and I'll drop a few bucks their way.
I never drink their tea, though. Peace Tea (I don't even know the price, I haven't gotten canned tea for a while) is sugar, not HFCS, and I do try to make that choice.
posted by hippybear at 5:30 PM on April 13, 2022
For something that has a kind of vague musk of "naturalousness" about it - it's tea, after all, not sodie-pop! - Arizona iced tea is pretty a) not-tea-tasting and and b) chemically. Sugar-free Lipton's peach or lemon is really the only way forward. Also, over here Arizona iced tea is like seven bucks a throw.
posted by turbid dahlia at 5:39 PM on April 13, 2022
posted by turbid dahlia at 5:39 PM on April 13, 2022
AriZona Green Tea is what I graduated to after a couple years on Kiwi-Strawberry Snapple, and it's a very good room-temperature afternoon companion.
And yes, that is indeed The Hat of Hats.
posted by rhizome at 6:15 PM on April 13, 2022
And yes, that is indeed The Hat of Hats.
posted by rhizome at 6:15 PM on April 13, 2022
I have never been a big Arizona fan, but I respect the price/principle. I will grab it when super thirsty and it is often cheaper than a bottle of water. had a phase in my younger years drinking SoBe green tea until I realize it had more sugar HFCS than soda. On a related note Shasta Cola is always 2.99 a s12 pack and it drives me crazy that LaCroix is 3.99 8 pack or 9.99 a 24 pack at the same store
posted by CostcoCultist at 7:14 PM on April 13, 2022
posted by CostcoCultist at 7:14 PM on April 13, 2022
Honestly, I'm just happy to see that the cheap pleasure of an Arizona iced tea is something that the teens of our current moment also get to enjoy. Especially here in Canada, a lot of snack foods/soft drinks are actually pretty expensive, so nothing compares to being able to grab a few cans of iced tea and not have to pay more than a $5 bill.
posted by Pemberly at 7:27 PM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Pemberly at 7:27 PM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Costco's hot dog and soda is still $1.50, and has been for 37 years.
posted by meowzilla at 7:31 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by meowzilla at 7:31 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
It’s one of those drinks (like Gatorade and root beer) that taste so much better ice cold it’s like a different beverage. Diet Coke, seltzer, juices are all fine at room temp, but AriZona (I’m partial to their Arnold Palmer myself) must be just a tick over frozen.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:38 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 10:38 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, it's better cold, but life doesn't always work out that way. To be sure, my time with this SKU was back when I was renting a room in a house downtown, living out of a dorm fridge and taquerias.
posted by rhizome at 10:51 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rhizome at 10:51 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
AriZona Tea tweeted this today. Hehehe.
posted by hippybear at 5:28 PM on April 14, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 5:28 PM on April 14, 2022 [2 favorites]
Hat will be here Monday. They have a 10pk of disposable masks for $20.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:35 PM on April 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:35 PM on April 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by GoblinHoney at 8:37 AM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]