No.8846   2004. 7. 22

Suntory to Release “Cocktail Bar Frozen”
Co-developed by Suntory, LOTTE, and Seven-Eleven Japan

In collaboration with LOTTE Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, President: Takeo Shigemitsu) and Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, President & C.O.O.: Toshiro Yamaguchi), Suntory Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, President: Nobutada Saji) has developed 3 types of “Cocktail Bar Frozen” (Mango Daiquiri, Vodka Strawberry, and Salty Dog) which will be released at Seven-Eleven stores with liquor licenses in 23 wards of Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Kofu-area of Yamanashi Prefecture from July 27, 2004, preceding the rest of areas in Japan.

While the general liquor market has almost leveled out in recent years, cocktails are in the trend of expansion. Various kinds of cocktails have taken root in daily lives of people in Japan. “Frozen cocktails”, in particular, have become popular on drink menus at bars and Japanese-style pubs called Izakaya, largely increasing its fans during the last few years.

For the first time in the Japanese industry, Suntory, LOTTE and Seven-Eleven Japan have jointly developed a frozen cocktail in pouch container with a plug, after having gathered to exchange their individual know-how. Utilizing the distribution channel for frozen products owned by Seven-Eleven, “Cocktail Bar Frozen” will be distributed and delivered to shops. “Cocktail Bar Frozen” is an authentic frozen cocktail, produced by the 3 companies, to be enjoyed at authentic bars. It will open a completely new market within the liquor market, playing a part in establishing cocktail culture.

Suntory has a long history of leading the cocktail culture. In particular, it released “The Cocktail Bar” as a low-alcohol drink in 1993, later developing the drink as a national brand. For the first time in the past 11 years, Suntory will renovate “Cocktail Bar” from this year. Titling this “cocktail revolution”, Suntory will further promote a new world of cocktails.

LOTTE will propose the development of products for the frozen cocktail market that will be a new category, utilizing its pouch container with a plug and “slight ice prism technology”. The technology was attained with the development of “Coolish”, which is a drinking ice product and positioned as intermediate between ice creams and drinks.

Seven-Eleven Japan will release innovative products with new values and respond to the potential needs of its customers, amid a trend of the expanding liquor market due to the deregulation regarding the license of liquor retail business.

With “Cocktail Bar Frozen”, Suntory, LOTTE, and Seven-Eleven Japan have realized the smooth texture, typical of frozen cocktails, and pursued the taste by paying attention to where and what type of fruits are grown as raw materials. Also, by handling all the processes of manufacturing, distribution and sales in the “frozen” condition, Suntory has sealed in the great taste of the fruits. Suntory will release 3 types of “Cocktail Bar Frozen”; “Mango Daiquiri”, “Vodka Strawberry”, and “Salty Dog”. In the prior marketing research, customers have given high remarks to “Cocktail Bar Frozen” for its new value of liquor.

▼ Name of Product, Volume, Suggested Retail Price (without consumption tax), Proof and Packaging
　 “Cocktail Bar Frozen (Mango Daiquiri)”
　 “Cocktail Bar Frozen (Vodka Strawberry)”
　 “Cocktail Bar Frozen (Salty Dog)”
　 (for each product) 130ml, 267 yen, 4%, 20 bottles per case
　 *A price above does not bind independent price decisions of retail stores.

▼ Type
　 Liquor

▼ Sale's Date
　 July 27, 2004

▼ Sale's Region
　 Seven-Eleven stores with liquor licenses in 23 wards of Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Kofu-area of Yamanashi Prefecture

▽ Further information for general customers:
　 Suntory Customer Center (toll free number): 0120-139-310
　 LOTTE Customer Support Center (toll free number): 0120-302-300
　 Seven-Eleven Japan (representative): 03-6238-3711