By Princewill Ekwujuru
There are trends variables that determine movements in the commodity market.  As stock market  analysts watch the movement of shares, mutual funds and bonds, so also producers and brand watchers follow the trend of things in the consumable market.

Lately, product manufacturers have been caught in the PET bottle bug, the simple explanation they gave is that, “it’s the new way of doing things,” reason being that it is more convenient for both child and adult consumers to carry about, to sip and seal, unlike the glass bottle type that is breakable, which the company said will not be abolished from the store shelf.

Indications are rift that the PET bottle buzz seems to be catching up with manufacturers of beverages, however, the  survey conducted by Vanguard’s  Media & Advertising unit of the Business Desk showed that soonest the PET bottle beverage  will take over the market as there are indications that glass bottles will disappear form the scene, the reasons put across by respondents is that bottles are used as weapons during disagreements.

The advantage of PET bottles, brand watchers say is that it can be re-cycled for use as household  utensils,  pillows and slippers etc.

However, manufacturers of the Lucozade brand, Glaxosmithkline (GSK) Consumers Plc, said  bottling of the product in PET bottle is a commitment by the company to energize Nigerians.

Like  Mrs. Chika Adibo,  Marketing Manager of  GSK, had rightly  put it when the company called the press to witness the newly repackaged Lucozade in PET bottle was the quest by the company to energize Nigerians without excluding any socio-economic class, a reason she advanced was responsible for the  company’s decision to bottle Lucozade Boost in a  PET pack.

According to her, “It is also to give our consumers opportunity to feel and see the brand as mature, trendy and useful for instant energy they require.”

Explaining further the mechanics of Lucozade PET bottle, Adibo said that it’s the company’s  mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer, has been the driving force of its campaigns, which has formed part of the company’s vision to continually empower Nigerians to contribute positively to the development and sustenance of the economic, political and social growth of the country.

“We encourage Nigerians to take Lucozade Boost for physical energy and mental alertness which Lucozade Boost provides, “ she enthused.

Adibo further explained that, “Lucozade Boost has gained universal acceptance among Nigerians due to its safe and rich formulation for delivering instant everyday energy.

It is reputed to provide energy required for consumers to perform their duties whenever they are low on energy because of fatigue, stress and other barriers that hinders optimum performance at work or at play.”

The Innovations Manager, GSK, Mr. Winston Ailemoh stated that, the Company offers science-based products in  nutritional health drinks and many other areas,. “We are research-based and aim at launching products that are relevant to the consumers.

The market need is also a vital force behind our innovations. The new Lucozade Boost PET bottle is an attestation that we are close to our consumers and are ready to satisfy their demands,” he said.

To entrench the Lucozade PET bottle on consumers, particularly the media, GSK taste sampled media houses, where  Mr. Seni Ogunkola, Brand Manager Lucozade Boost , who is led the team on the tour of the media houses said the essence of the visit was to give the hardworking Nigeria press an experience of the brand promise.