Red Bull fridges pulled due to high power costs
11.08.2008 15:03
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- Source: cbc.ca
Fridges devoted to the energy drink Red Bull are being pulled by some P.E.I. retailers as they try to deal with rising electricity costs. Red Bull is a relatively new product to the Island. Because it is only available in cans, retailers only began stocking it May 1, when a decades-long provincial ban on flavoured, carbonated beverages in non-refillable containers was lifted. As the P.E.I. market opened, the energy drink company that makes Red Bull descended in a marketing frenzy, giving free fridges to store owners to make sure its beverages were chilled properly and displayed prominently. But three months later, many store owners are pulling the plugs on those coolers. "Right now our light bill is over $100 a day. Then you start looking at what you need and what you don't need," David Cooper, owner of Cooper's General Store in Eldon, east of Charlottetown, told CBC News on Thursday. "I have quite a few coolers now, and I don't think I'm selling enough Red Bull now to warrant having a cooler for itself." Cooper's electricity bill has jumped 25 per cent in the past year, from $2,400 to $3,000 a month. CBC News visited a number stores in Charlottetown yesterday and found that most have already unplugged their Red Bull coolers or are thinking seriously of it. All blamed electricity costs. Cooper said he still plans to sell Red Bull; it's just going to have to share shelf space with other canned products. Red Bull could not be reached for comment. RelatedInternal LinksEnvironment minister leads can celebrationConsumer HeadlinesOnline tax filers more likely to cheat: reportCanadians who file their income-tax returns electronically are more likely to cheat, a newly released report suggests.Housing starts, prices show more signs of slowingCanada's housing industry showed more signs of softening amid reports of easing summer construction starts and slowing price increases for new homes. Car insurance rates going up Moncton, Saint JohnDrivers from Moncton, Saint John and the Acadian Peninsula in northeastern New Brunswick can expect their insurance rates to go up.Calif. legislators consider bisphenol A banResponding to growing consumer anxiety, California legislators are considering enacting restrictions on a chemical found in plastic baby bottles and infant formula cans.Developers must give back to build bigger under proposed Ottawa bylawOttawa developers who want to build higher and denser than zoning rules allow could soon have to compensate local residents by providing neighbourhood improvements such as landscaping or community centres. Consumer Life FeaturesIN DEPTHClean energyDo we need an Apollo project for energy?CLIMATE FORUMGore's challengeCan Canada be carbon-free in 10 years?FOODSurprising superfoodsNutrient-dense foods may help prevent diseaseIN DEPTHCoffeeSlumping sales give java companies the jittersBLOGFood BytesCarnivores in loveBLOGComm-OdditiesPricey premium grapes fetch $910 in JapanPeople who read this also read …
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