Orange juice lovers are taking to the barricades to denounce the new appearance of Tropicana bottles.
Recently, the American company changed without fanfare the plastic container in which it sells its orange juice, reports CNN.
Instead of its traditional carafe style, a plastic bottle with a more rounded shape and a long narrow neck, Tropicana now offers a more compact, rectangular container with a relatively short neck. Even the crown-like cap has taken the edge.
The straw that broke the camel’s back for many consumers: the bottle now contains 1.36 liters instead of 1.54 liters.
Orange juice lovers cited by CNN are calling for redundation, saying the price of the item has not been reduced in several banners where they do their grocery shopping, as the company recommends.
According to the American media, Tropicana saw its sales drop drastically in the United States with the arrival of the new containers on the shelves. However, they had been stable throughout the year.
Interviewed by CNN, product design expert Peter Clarke believes Tropicana missed the mark by offering a bottle devoid of personality.
“The model no longer means anything. He is omnipresent. It’s more of a generic form.”
The consultant also notes that the narrow and elongated neck (upper portion of the container) was appreciated by consumers, as it offered easy grip of the bottle.
The American giant is not making its first failures. In 2009, the disappearance of its emblematic logo (a straw inserted in an orange) created an outcry. After a sudden 20% drop in sales, Tropicana had reversed course.
