BOOST delivers exciting products to meet changing consumer needs

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

As we approach this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards, we are delighted to share our wonderful sponsors in our special feature, Sponsor Spotlight. Here, we find out more about our sponsor BOOST, who is sponsoring the Store Manager of the Year award.

Since launching in 2001, BOOST has built its reputation by doing things differently – delivering great-tasting, functional drinks at accessible prices while developing a particularly strong relationship with the independent and convenience retail sector.

In December 2022, BOOST was acquired by AG Barr, joining a portfolio of leading drinks brands and giving the business additional scale and expertise to support its next phase of growth.

Today, BOOST continues to innovate across Energy, Sport, Iced Coffee and, most recently, enhanced hydration, with Northern Ireland remaining an important market for the brand.

BOOST holds a strong position across functional drinks, ranking as the No.3^* brand in Energy and No.3^* in Sports Drinks, while its Iced Coffee range is No. 2^*. Most recently, BOOST has expanded into enhanced hydration with BOOST WATER+, which has proved a successful addition to the portfolio and opened up new drinking occasions for the brand.

Innovation has remained central to BOOST’s strategy throughout 2026. Earlier this year, the brand strengthened its Energy portfolio with the launch of three new 250ml flavours – Zero Sugar Citrus Zest, Zero Sugar Dark Fruits and Limited Edition White Peach – supported by an integrated campaign spanning retail, sampling, experiential activity, radio, PR, influencers and social media.

BOOST WATER+ has also strengthened the portfolio, bringing the brand into the enhanced hydration category. The zero-sugar electrolyte water contains magnesium, chloride, zinc and sodium, alongside vitamins B12, B6 and B3, and reflects BOOST’s focus on responding to changing consumer needs.

Gavan Morris, International Business Unit Director at AG Barr said: “Independent and convenience retailers have always been incredibly important to BOOST and have played a major role in the development of the brand.

“Our focus is on continuing to give retailers exciting products that meet changing consumer needs, whether that is through flavour innovation in Energy or moving into new areas such as enhanced hydration with BOOST WATER+.

“We’re also delighted to support the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards. They are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the retailers and teams who work incredibly hard every day and make such an important contribution to communities across Northern Ireland.”

As BOOST continues to evolve as part of AG Barr, its focus remains firmly on innovation, value and supporting the retailers who have been central to its success.

DON’T MISS OUT ON BEING THERE – BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE 2026 NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER AWARDS HERE!

^{* Circana, All Outlets Northern Ireland, Value Sales, 52 w.e. 15th of August}