Candy Can is aiming to connect with Canadians looking for a guilt-free beverage in an eye-catching package.

The zero sugar soft drink brand, originally from the Netherlands, is bringing Birthday Cake, Bubble Gum, Cotton Candy and Rocket Ice Lolly flavours to market, with more to follow.

Company founder Sander de Jonge says the catalyst for the expansion came when an unnamed, large Canadian retailer approached the company, which led to its connecting with distributor Unique Foods.

Candy Can’s goal is to offer guilt-free sparkling beverages that allow consumers to enjoy their favourite candy flavours in a tasty zero sugar format. It’s also vegan, keto-friendly and free from gluten, BPAs and caffeine.

The Candy Can brand stands out with its vibrant colours, catchy names and differentiating attributes compared to other brands, de Jonge says. “We believe the combination of uniqueness and aesthetics will attract people’s attention.”

“While most soda brands rely heavily on marketing to create the element of fun, we wanted Candy Can to be an inherently fun brand,” de Jonge says. “We achieved this through unique flavours, bold packaging and vibrant colours, setting us apart from other brands.”

Its packaging is designed to be eye-catching and instantly recognizable, while evoking a nostalgic feel, de Jonge notes. It’s also one of the few to extend its design to the top of the can.

Candy Can’s point-of-sale materials combine the “fun” brand positioning with the zero sugar proposition.

“We also have shelf logos wobblers, door stickers and attractive promotional mechanics,” de Jonge says. “As a new brand, we want to provide an attractive entry point for people to try our product [and] we’ll work with retailers to offer discounts to incentivize trials.”

Additionally, Candy Can has allocated “significant” investments in social media advertising, leveraging platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where it has gained substantial traction with over 300,000 followers.

While the target audience consists mostly of people in their 20s and 30s, de Jonge says the brand has gained popularity among a broad range of age groups, and that this popularity is reflected in the four-SKU launch, which is significant, as most brands will typically start with two or three.

The beverage will be available at Couche-Tard Quebec, Circle K Atlantic, Sobey’s, Need’s Convenience, Bulk Barn, Metro Wholesale, Ultramar, Maxi, with others in the works.

Convenience, de Jonge says, provides an ideal setting for the brand, as beverage products stored in coolers offer the best brand experience.

The brand’s goal, de Jonge says, is to revolutionize the soda industry by making zero-sugar drinks more mainstream.

“We have noticed an increasing trend among health-conscious individuals who are looking to reduce their sugar intake,” he says. “The fact that Candy Can offers a guilt-free soda option, also makes it suitable for people with health issues that require a limit in sugar consumption.”

NKPR is agency of record for Candy Can. Amsterdam-based BearField did the shopper assets.