Be Incomparable
December 31st, 2006
The other night, browsing the local Target, I came across some Archer Farms Blueberry-Pomegranate Italian Soda. My oh my, it’s tasty stuff. Archer Farms is just Target’s own store brand (aka “generic”). Historically, store brands have been simply cheaper knock-offs of some brand-name product. This is still quite prevalent in the cereal aisle, displaying an assortment of Wheaty Spoonfuls, Krispin’ Rice, Nutty Nuggets and Apple-O’s. You’d buy them to save a few bucks. Same goes with store-brand sodas, such as Dr Chek and Dr Bob.
Target has taken the tact of actually producing incomparable products. I look on the shelf and see a unique bottle containing, of all things, Blueberry-Pomegranate Italian Soda, I start thinking twice if I really want to pick up that case of Pepsi, or even any cola product. I don’t look at the bottle, and think “well, yes, but let me get the brand-name version of Blueberry-Pomegranate soda from the Coca-Cola Corporation.” I gladly spend my money on the “generic” item of something that has no mainstream equivalent.
Target has a guaranteed distribution channel. They are already considered upscale when compared to Wal-mart, which is probably selling metric tons of Sam’s Choice Cola every hour to the penny-pincher. Why not innovate and try something new? Plus now, when I get the hankering for some more funky fruit soda, I have to go to Target.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:04 am
I, too, found Archer Farms Blueberry-Pomegranate Italian Soda funky, but not in a good way. I opened the bottle and took a whiff. “Hmmmm, vaguely familiar. Where have I smelled that smell before,” I wondered? A small glass, a little ice and a thirsty swig later and I nearly spewed it right back out. OMG! This stuff tastes exactly like Robitussin cough syrup! Ok, admittedly without the “makes your face screw up” nasty bitter aftertaste of cough syrup, but AAAACCCCKKK! That’s probably the second worst beverage I have ever had the displeasure of consuming. (First, was a habanero chili beer my husband bought and actually I have no idea if it tasted bad–more like painful because the habanero had caused my lips, tongue and throat feel like I had drunk the working end of an acetylene torch. LOL