John Thompson (right) of the Juice Depot is elated to receive a case of Crystal Punch, Pepsi Cola's new eco-friendly low cost bottled water, from a CP hostess during a customer briefing at the Courtleigh Hotel recently. - Contributed

Less than $30 a bottle. That's right! Jamaica''s leading beverage company, Pepsi Cola, has added to its large portfolio of quality products with the introduction of a new low-cost bottled water. The eco-friendly product, produced at Pepsi's new $10 million manufacturing plant, was launched on May 1.

Wholesalers and large customer companies already have the new water, aptly called Crystal Punch, on their shelves and have given it the thumbs up.

The sleek 500ml bottle is being retailed at a suggested price of $600 per case (24 bottles). With an expected shelf life of two years, the product is poised to be a hit with the consumers.

The product is being introduced in light of the current economic situation and the hardships that many persons are facing in the hope that consumers will still be able to enjoy the crisp clean taste of pure water.

Miguel Alameda, commercial director of Pepsi Cola Jamaica, says that it is the cheapest-quality water product on the market.

"Consumers should have water at the lowest price and a team to deliver one that is best for the company and the customers," Alameda said.

"With this bottle, we are using the least amount of plastic of all our products. Apart from being environmentally friendly, it is the cheapest and purest water on the market. We realise the financial challenges being faced by our consumers, and we want to ensure that they are still able to enjoy crisp, clean drinking water, so we introduced Crystal Punch," he added.

Mass marketed

The product is being mass marketed and will be funnelled through the extensive Pepsi distribution network.Crystal Punch is a value product that everyone can enjoy and it is the most affordable water on the market.

At a recent customer product briefing at the Courtleigh Hotel, Nicholas Chow of Jacks Palace said that he believed that the product would do well.

"It is genuinely a good product and I can't believe the price. It is clear, tasteless, and odourless. I think it will do well," Chow commented.