fbpx

BRAND SPOTLIGHT

NIX & KIX

In this brand spotlight we take a deep dive into Nix & Kix. 

Category:  Adaptogenic Beverages

Nix & Kix (2)

📖 BRAND OVERVIEW

Nix & Kix want to change the way you think about soft drinks. Traditionally seen as an unhealthy luxury, their co-founders spotted a gap in the market for a healthier alternative. 

  • All natural ingredients – and no compromise on flavour. Nix & Kix offer ten different variations of their drink
 
  • Driving sustainability  – Nix & Kix have B-Corp status. They have an ‘A carbon rating’ across its full canned portfolio.
 
  • At less than 100 calories per can – Nix & Kix advertise themselves as the healthy alternative which still packs a flavourful punch: they ‘bring the zing’

🔍  LET’S GIVE SOME CONTEXT

  • Solving their own problems – Co-founders Julia and Kerstin had the idea for Nix & Kix from two problems they faced: no tasty alcohol-free alternatives, and no afternoon pick-me-up drink that wasn’t loaded with sugar. 

  • Bold flavours – they were also passionate about proving big flavour could be achieved with natural ingredients, and that no artificial flavourings are necessary. Adding a hint of cayenne pepper, all grown in the UK, to each drink has helped them achieve this.

  • Breaking into the US – Nix & Kix primarily operates in the UK, but will shortly be moving into the U.S. through a Coca-Cola backed distribution network.

🏢  BEHIND THE SCENES

  • Headquarters: London, UK
  • Year founded: 2014
  • Employee count: 23
  • Investors: Henley Business Angels
  • Purchasing Options: In-store, online

👉 PRODUCT AND AUDIENCE SNAPSHOT

  • Products: Wellness soft drinks
  • Product range: Orange & passionfruit, Tropical, Mango Ginger, Blood Orange Turmeric, Raspberry Rhubarb, Watermelon Hibiscus, Cucumber Mint
  • Innovation: Selected botanicals in each drink to combine terrific taste with hefty health benefits
  • Target Audience: Health and environmentally conscious consumers
  • Brand positioning: Premium wellness soft drinks, female-owned with strong environmental considerations

🧡 THIS GETS US EXCITED

  • We love their marketing –  and especially the choice of customer reviews they use; it feels more authentic than testimonials some brands use.

  • A playful collab mention on Instagram to BrewDog – with them adding a disclaimer ‘BrewDog, we would love to collab with you. I think it looks like a no brainer, do you agree?’ 🌶

 

  • Nix & Kix refuse to back down on flavour – they’re determined that healthy drinks can be just as tasty as your Cokes and your Pepsis. 

 

  • They’re a young and exciting brand – with a real ‘do good’ mindset, highlighted by their B-Corp status and commitment to the environment. 

 

  • At less than 100 calories a can – even the most stalwart fitness enthusiasts can get onboard. 

 

  • With an increasing portion of the population ditching booze –  Nix & Kix offer a refreshing alternative to end the day with. 

 

  • Their customers genuinely adore the drink – the company ranks 4.7 stars on Trustpilot with some really lovely reviews. 

🤔 POTENTIAL BRAND CHALLENGES

  • Navigating uncharted water – the ‘functional drink’ category is still in its infancy, and a lack of consumer awareness means no one company has dominated the market – ‘yet’!

  • Competitive market – around 90% of businesses in the wider soft drink category fail in their first year. Nix & Kix avoided that trap, but it’s a competitive market.

🏁 SOME OF THEIR COMPETITION

🛒 WHERE TO FIND THEM

  • Retail – there are plenty of major UK brands which stock Nix & Kix:  Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s, BP, WH Smith, Tesco, Booths, and Morrisons to name a few. 
 
  • Direct to Consumer Online – Nix & Kix also sell their drinks in bulk directly from their website. 

 

  • Delivery Service – want their soft drink direct to your house? Nando’s stock Nix & Kix, so you can get it delivered.

⏭  WHAT’S NEXT?

  • On the rise – adaptogenic drinks are enjoying a rapid rise, and have an almost endless variation of ingredients and flavours – so don’t be surprised to see Nix & Kix launch different kinds of drinks.

 

  • Collabs & Partnerships – we Nik & Kix pursuing more partnerships and collaborations with like-minded brands, possibly involving prominent influencers.

  • Hot, Hot, Hot – Nix & Kix add UK chillis into all their drinks for that bit of zing. With the meteoric rise of spicy food, could they make some flavours even hotter?

🧢 MEET THEIR TEAM

All data is correct at time of writing. 

Sign up for our SKU-News

Stay ahead of the curve with SKU-news, your source for the latest updates on the most exciting global food and beverage brands.