Spar agrees to stock Scots energy drink Nae Danger

By GARETH MACKIE
Published on 23/12/2012 00:00

THE creator of a Scottish energy drink is hoping to break into a fiercely competitive market dominated by the likes of Red Bull and Rockstar after securing its first supply deal with a retail chain.

Nae Danger, launched in August by Glasgow-based drinks and snacks wholesaler Glencrest, has already sold more than 500,000 cans through independent retailers, and managing director Ross Gourlay said the deal with Spar was a “major coup” for the brand.

Gourlay said: “Before creating Nae Danger, I had no intentions of creating a Scottish energy drink.

“It was only after talking with friends and having a laugh about the name, I began to see the real potential that a product such as this could have on the retail market.”

According to a report by Britvic, the energy drink market grew by 17 per cent last year and is now worth more than £790 million.

Britvic is in the process of merging with Cumbernauld-based AG Barr, maker of Irn-Bru and the UK distributor of US brand Rockstar, which claims to be “the world’s most powerful energy drink”.

Lucozade, owned by drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline, racked up sales of £99m in the three months to 30 September, 
although that was down 3 per cent on a year earlier amid “challenging” market conditions in Europe.

Rivals such as Monster Energy and Red Bull have grown their brands through the sponsorship of motor-racing teams, music events and “extreme” sports such as mountain biking and skateboarding, but Gourlay hopes Nae Danger will appeal to those seeking a home-grown alternative.

He said: “There is no other Scottish energy drink out there, which allowed us to fill this gap in the market and, 
as the first, I hope that Nae Danger can lead the way in creating recognisable Scottish brands available in the UK.

“Securing this deal with Spar is a major coup for us. Hopefully this will allow us 
to prove that there is real 
demand for a Scottish drink such as this.”