In aligning with Kroger’s passion for supporting innovative local food brands, the company has begun offering Tea72, a line of dessert and cocktail inspired hot tea beverages in select stores. During the initial launch of Tea72 at Kroger, five Sweet (dessert) and Sinful (cocktail) flavors will be available at Kroger stores in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Mid-Atlantic Division of Kroger operates 121 stores, 115 pharmacies and 89 fuel centers in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the eastern portions of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.
“We are proud to support local in this market. Our local partners are some of the most passionate individuals in the business. Tea 72 meets our Natural foods customers’ demand for local products with a heathy focus,” said Susan Terry, National Foods Sales Manager, Kroger Mid-Atlantic Region.
While tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world besides water, tea artisan and CEO Jerica Hall and her mother Debbie Joyce came up with the idea for Tea72 at a time when Debbie actually despised the drink!
“I hated tea,” says Joyce. “But I was looking for a way to curb my appetite and enjoy desserts with health benefits only without added calories.”
Hall and her mother launched Tea72 in 2013 and experienced sales of $100,000 within only three months. In less than two years, they had sold more than 45,000 tins. Tea is currently experiencing strong growth, fueled by the massive millennial demographic, 87% of whom consider themselves tea drinkers, and who are more health conscious than previous generations. Sales of tea are expected to double within the next five years.
-Submitted by Joe Pasqualini