NEWS FROM SODASTREAM

SODASTREAM IS FIZZING OFF THE SHELVES

SodaStream proves a festive hit with retailers

SodaStream, the sparkling drinks maker, has become one of the UK’s best-selling products this Christmas 2011.

The brand saw its Christmas sales rocket across its key retailers, as shoppers raced to buy their SodaStream in time for Christmas. The fun and entertaining nature of SodaStream has no doubt made it a gifting hit with people of all ages. Consumers appreciate the key benefits of convenience and cost-savings, and the recent trend towards do-it-yourself appliances has provided additional sales momentum.

General merchandise retailer Argos was blown away by the success it has had amongst its customers. With the number of SodaStream sales up by 380% year on year, the product was one of Argos’ top Christmas gift purchases.

Yvonne Stinson, Homewares Trading Manager at Argos, said: “We started selling Sodastream in 2004, and 2011 has by far been our biggest yet for sales. More functional kitchen items such as turkey roasters and carving sets typically sell very well at Argos in the run up to the festivities, but this year SodaStream was on a huge number of Christmas wish lists.”

And it’s not just Argos who witnessed record sales; SodaStream did extremely well across supermarket retailers. Sales continued to exceed expectations in Asda, which has led to a large increase in distribution for the New Year.

Online supermarket Ocado reported excellent sales, as did key department store John Lewis. Selfridges, who stocked SodaStream for the first time in 2011, proclaimed that it was one of its key Christmas sellers.

A spokesperson for Ocado, commented: “Sales of SodaStream have done extremely well this Christmas. It’s been one of our most popular items with sales up 95% year on year. The fun nature of the product has no doubt contributed to its success – and it’s a present that’s perfect for all the family.”

Chris Gardener, Buying Manager for Cookshop at Selfridges, also commented: “Sodastream has revamped machines with a stylish appeal and in tune with the Selfridges eco-credentials. For those of our customers who like their drinks with added fizz, they are perfect.”

Fiona Hope, Managing Director for SodaStream UK says: “SodaStream has sold phenomenally well this year, with many stores selling out entirely. Having invested heavily in TV advertising all year, it’s now clear SodaStream is really becoming a ‘must-have’ in many thousands of kitchens up and down the country. Customers are impressed with both the modern styling of the range of drinksmakers as well as its power to rid homes of loads of wasteful plastic-bottles.”

2012 sees the launch of several new SodaStream flavours including a Clear Plus range with added health benefits, as well as its Naturals range and a tastier than even Cola flavour.

In addition to this SodaStream is proud to be a supporting partner of Climate Week this March. Becoming a partner was an obvious choice for SodaStream, who offers a solution to reduce single-use plastic bottles.

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For more information or imagery, please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 / getbusywiththefizzy@frankpr.it

More information can be found at: www.sodastream.co.uk

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Notes to Editors:

About SodaStream:
SodaStream manufactures home beverage carbonation systems, which enable consumers to easily transform ordinary tap water instantly into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Soda makers offer a highly differentiated and innovative solution to consumers of bottled and canned carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Our products are environmentally friendly, cost effective, promote health and wellness, and are customizable and fun to use. In addition, our products offer convenience by eliminating the need to carry bottles home from the supermarket, to store bottles at home or to regularly dispose of empty bottles. Our products are available at more than 50,000 retail stores in 42 countries around the world. There is also no need for electricity, as when you buy your SodaStream drinks maker, a full CO2 gas cylinder is included under licence, entitling you to use the cylinder with your SodaStream. When the gas in the cylinder is used up, you exchange the empty cylinder for a full one, paying only the cost of the gas refill.
• SodaStream is available at John Lewis, Selfridges, Argos, Asda, Tesco supermarkets, Bestbuy, Sainsbury’s, Harvey Nichols, Lakeland, Robert Dyas, Comet, Currys Megastores, selected House of Fraser and other forward thinking retailers.
• SodaStream drinksmakers enable consumers to transform tap water into fizzy drinks in seconds, eliminating the need for bottled fizzy water and bottled soft drinks
• Each SodaStream reusable carbonating bottle is estimated to save the environment from an estimated 2000 bottles and cans each year
• SodaStream now offers a range of over 40 different flavours, including sugar-free, energy, isotonic, Naturals, mixers as well as fruit flavours and colas. A great alternative to pre-mixed drinks
• Each of the single 500ml bottles of Sodastream concentrate produces 12 litres of soft drink and each of these can replace 24 500ml PET bottles
• The drinksmakers retail from £49.99 and flavours from £3.29 making SodaStream the smart way to consume soft drinks.

About Argos:
Argos is the UK’s leading Multi-Channel retailer and provides a highly successful and unique offer of choice and convenience. It sells general merchandise and products for the home from over 750 stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland, online, over the telephone and TV. In the financial year to February 2011, Argos sales were £4.2 billion and it employed some 33,000 people across the business.

Argos serves over 130 million customers a year through its stores. On average, 17 million UK households, or around two thirds of the population, have an Argos catalogue at home at any time. Argos’ internet site, www.argos.co.uk, is one of the most visited high street retail websites and Argos continues to be the second largest internet retailer in the UK, with 400m website visits each year. Argos is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.
Home Retail Group has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard which certifies that we have genuinely reduced our carbon footprint. We call our responsible approach ‘the basis of good business’. Find out more at: www.thebasisofgoodbusiness.com

About Ocado:
Ocado (www.ocado.com) was established in 2000, started trading in 2002 and is now one of Britain’s leading online supermarkets. Ocado operates a centralised distribution model which means that it does not rely upon a network of stores from which to service customers – orders are fulfilled at a unique, high-automated Customer Fulfilment Centre in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, before being loaded onto delivery vans making local routes, or transported by HGV to vans stationed at a network of regional UK distribution spokes. Ocado delivers over 21,000 product lines including Waitrose goods and a growing Ocado own-label range. Last October it was named World E-tailer of the Year at the prestigious World Retail Awards and, earlier this year, won Consumer Initiative of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards for its popular mobile commerce platform.