Don't Panic, But AriZona Iced Tea Isn't 99 Cents Everywhere Now
After holding steady through a tumultuous few years, it seemed to social media users that inflation had finally reached the ever-99-cent AriZona Iced Tea. On April 3, a Twitter user posted their unfortunate finding online — their local store's AriZona Beverage mini-fridge was marked with a sign reading $1.25.
The company responded by deflecting from the increase, pointing out a gallon of milk visibly out of place in the same cooler. After many years of expecting the steadiness that was the AriZona Iced Tea price, customers voiced their upset in the company's comments. "Stop avoiding the issue," wrote one user, pointing out the brand's lack of response. Another customer was confused by the price jump, writing, "But the price is on the can though." This fact might be the tea's saving grace.
According to a Q&A on AriZona's website, prices are sometimes increased by the retailer despite the listed price being clear: "We pre-printed our cans with our suggested retail because we wanted to force retailers into selling at that price." However, the company revealed it doesn't always work. To limit your worry about a potential permanent price change, you should note the promise the company made in 2022.
The company vows to hold prices steady for as long as possible
With Covid-19 barely in the rearview mirror and increasing inflation as a result, you might wonder why the cost of AriZona Iced Tea hasn't changed. The answer thus far hinges on a decision by company founder Don Vutlaggio, who made the promise to retain the drinks' original price for "as long as [they] can." Vutlaggio explained that by selling more products, mainly through word-of-mouth advertising, it can prevent a raise in price that hurts its loyal customer base.
Per The Los Angeles Times, this decision is likely not an easy one. In recent years, the cost of aluminum, delivery costs, and high-fructose corn syrup have skyrocketed. In a 2022 Zoom call, Vultaggio expanded on his decision. While prices on many things are increasing, he doesn't want his company's products to become one of them. "Consumers don't need another price increase from a guy like me," he said. This doesn't mean you won't run into price differences at independent stores, but for the time being, AriZona is holding steady.