Latest news with #AriZonaIcedTea
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
AriZona Iced Tea is considering raising its prices for the first time in almost 30 years
AriZona Iced Tea is considering raising the price of its signature "Big Cans" for the first time in nearly 30 years. The potential price increase is a direct result of Donald Trump 's 50 percent tariff on aluminum imports. Co-founder Don Vultaggio expressed strong reluctance to abandon the $0.99 price point, which has been maintained since 1997, emphasizing customer loyalty. The company imports 20 percent of its aluminum from Canada, and the tariffs are expected to drive up costs for both imported and domestic materials. Industry groups and political figures have criticized the tariffs, warning of their detrimental impact on American manufacturers and consumers.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
AriZona has been 99 cents for decades. Trump's tariffs might change that
AriZona Iced Tea has warned that, for the first time in almost 30 years, it may have to raise the price of its signature 'Big Cans' from $0.99 because of Donald Trump 's tariff war. Co-founder Don Vultaggio has said his company may finally have to disappoint customers and hike the retail price of its tallboy beverages, which have held steady since 1997, because Trump decides to place a 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports. 'At some point, the consumer is going to have to pay the price,' Vultaggio told The New York Times of the president's actions. 'I hate even the thought of it. It would be a hell of a shame after 30-plus years.' AriZona imports 20 percent of the aluminum used in its cans from Canada (the remaining 80 percent comes from recycled materials in the United States), meaning that rising costs could force it to change its pricing, however reluctantly. 'Our price has been dramatically bumped up because of this tariff talk,' Vultaggio said, pointing out that the few domestic aluminum manufacturers are all but sure to hike their prices in response to Trump's manoeuvring. 'I hope the administration understands and deals with the fact that if you're going to protect American manufacturers, you can't allow them to gouge the marketplace because of that protection. If I had Donald Trump 's ear, that's what I would tell him directly.' The company sells approximately 2 billion cans of drinks annually, according to the Times, around half of which are tallboys. Had Vultaggio kept pace with inflation, AriZona's Big Cans would currently retail for $1.99. Still, he has preferred not to do that, believing in building up repeat purchases through earned customer loyalty, a philosophy he says he learned working in his father's grocery store in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Asked by NBC's Today Show last summer why he had never moved to raise his prices before, Vultaggio answered: 'We're successful. We're debt-free. We own everything. Why? Why have people who are having a hard time paying their rent have to pay more for our drink? 'We're going to fight as hard as we can for consumers because consumers are my friends.' AriZona has yet to announce a tariff-enforced price hike and, for now, its owner says he is maintaining an phlegmatic outlook, telling the Times: 'What happens, happens. We can find our way through it.' Justifying his decision in June to raise the metals tariffs to twice that initially announced in April, President Trump said: 'I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminum articles and their derivative articles.' Charles Johnson, president and CEO of The Aluminum Association, responded to the president's decision by saying: 'Re-establishing a more level playing field for domestic producers is critical, but a Section 232 tariff of 50 percent threatens to undermine the very industry the administration aims to support. 'The Aluminum Association, which represents the full industry supply chain and 70 percent of domestic production, urges the administration to reconsider today's decision given the negative impact it will have on manufacturers.' Even before the president made his announcement, he received an open letter in February co-signed by the leaders of 20 can-based food and drink producers warning him of the unintended knock-on consequences of meddling with metal imports. 'We understand your efforts to use tariffs and other broad trade tools to level the global economic playing field and make our country's economy great again,' the signatories wrote. 'However, the unintended consequences of these measures – if not properly tailored and implemented – are extremely detrimental to American food producers, farmers, and metal can makers and, hence, our nation's food security.' The prospect of AriZona having to raise its prices has already caught the attention of New York Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, who wrote on X on Sunday: 'Since 1997, AriZona Iced Tea has proudly kept its iconic 99-cent price tag. 'For the first time in nearly three decades, Trump's tariffs (effectively a tax on American consumers and businesses) threaten to double that price to $1.99. Trump promised to lower prices. Instead, he's driving them up.'
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Puts AriZona's 99-Cent Iced Tea Under Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The founder of AriZona Iced Tea has been forced to consider increasing the price of the company's signature tallboy beverages as a result of President Donald Trump's tariffs on aluminum imports. Newsweek contacted the AriZona Beverage Company via email outside of regular business hours for comment. Why It Matters AriZona has steadfastly stuck by its 99-cent pricing, despite economic pressures and inflation, which would otherwise push this to double that level. Vultaggio told NBC News last year that the company would "fight as hard as we can" to ensure cash-strapped consumers were able to buy the products at the long-held price. The potential change indicates the pressure facing those in the beverage sector and other metals-reliant industries as a result of the recent tariff hike. What To Know Since the early 1990s, the AriZona Beverage Company has held the price of its "Big Can" drinks at $0.99, but Don Vultaggio told The New York Times: "At some point the consumer is going to have to pay the price." "I hate even the thought of it," Vultaggio added. "It would be a hell of a shame after 30-plus years." In June, Trump announced that he would be doubling tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent, from the 25 percent rate announced in February. "I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminum articles and their derivative articles," Trump said. The U.S. imports around half of the aluminum used domestically, and representatives of the U.S. aluminum sector have warned that this move could endanger them, as well as other aluminum- and steel-reliant industries. "Reestablishing a more level playing field for domestic producers is critical, but a Section 232 tariff of 50 percent threatens to undermine the very industry the administration aims to support," said Charles Johnson, president and CEO of The Aluminum Association. "The Aluminum Association, which represents the full industry supply chain and 70 percent of domestic production, urges the administration to reconsider today's decision given the negative impact it will have on manufacturers." Robert Budway, outgoing president of the Can Manufacturers Institute said similarly that this will "further increase the cost of canned goods at the grocery store," and "put our nation's food security at risk." Don Vultaggio, founder of the AriZona Beverage Company, attends AriZona Iced Tea's "AriZonaLand" Grand Opening on September 19, 2024, in Edison, New Jersey. Don Vultaggio, founder of the AriZona Beverage Company, attends AriZona Iced Tea's "AriZonaLand" Grand Opening on September 19, 2024, in Edison, New AriZona Iced Tea AriZona, which imports 20 percent of its aluminum from Canada, has not yet formally announced plans to raise its prices. However, it is one of many that have said the metals tariffs could force its hand in the future, a step some have already taken. Maryland-based Independent Can has raised its prices twice this year, CEO Rick Huether telling NBC News in July that the packaging company has already "absorbed the amount of the tariffs that we can absorb." Meanwhile, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey told investors in February that the reliance on imported aluminum from Canada could force the company to rely more heavily on plastic packaging to "compete in the affordability space." What People Are Saying New York Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres, via X, formerly Twitter: "Since 1997, AriZona Iced Tea has proudly kept its iconic 99-cent price tag. For the first time in nearly three decades, Trump's tariffs (effectively a tax on American consumers and businesses) threaten to double that price to $1.99. Trump promised to lower prices. Instead, he's driving them up." A group of over 20 companies from the food, beverage and can-producing sectors, in February letter to President Donald Trump, wrote: "We understand your efforts to use tariffs and other broad trade tools to level the global economic playing field and make our country's economy great again. However, the unintended consequences of these measures—if not properly tailored and implemented—are extremely detrimental to American food producers, farmers, and metal can makers and, hence, our nation's food security." What Happens Next? Despite requests from the industry, no exemptions from the metals tariffs have been granted to U.S. can producers. In addition to these, the administration has imposed sectoral tariffs on automobiles and components, copper parts, and is working to implement more on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals.
Grazia USA
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
sip-shade-slay-arizona-and-thierry-lasry-drop-luxe-99-sunnies
AriZona and Thierry Lasry collab launch In one of the most delightfully unexpected mashups of the season, AriZona Iced Tea and luxury eyewear designer Thierry Lasry have dropped a sunglasses collab that somehow fuses neon nostalgia, Parisian polish, and Y2K shield energy—with a $99 price tag that makes them even sweeter than a Mucho Mango on a hot day. Launching with a three-day pop-up in SoHo, the AriZona x Thierry Lasry collection is a playful collision of iconic Americana and fashion-world edge. The bold wraparound shades come in nine matte, futuristic colorways, each nodding to AriZona's most beloved cans—think green tea mint, raspberry red, and that unmistakable cherry blossom pink. And yes, they're crafted in Italy. But this isn't just eyewear. It's an event. The immersive pop-up at 216 Lafayette Street transformed into a two-level playground of cool: downstairs, shoppers got first dibs on the limited-edition sunnies and exclusive merch; upstairs, a secret speakeasy introduced AriZona's newest ventures—Cold Brew Coffee and AriZona Hard (yes, it's vodka-spiked iced tea). The Cold Brew flowed freely, while guests 21+ sipped the spiked stuff behind velvet ropes. Fans—many of them AriZona die-hards lovingly referred to as 'Zonies'—lined up for blocks. Some trekked in from Philly, others from as far as Boston. But the real star of the weekend? Don Vultaggio himself. The AriZona founder made a surprise appearance, greeting fans and handing out giant plush pillows shaped like the brand's legendary 99¢ cans. It was giving…cult icon energy. As for the eyewear? It's a chic departure for Lasry, known for his handcrafted acetate designs and sleek silhouettes worn by the fashion set. 'We wanted to create something that still felt like us—playful, bold, and fashion-forward—but also made room for a wider audience,' he says. 'This was about reaching new people without losing the DNA.' Wesley Vultaggio, AriZona's Chief Creative Officer (and son of Don), had been wearing Thierry Lasry's frames for years and brought the idea of a collab directly to the designer. 'It just felt like a natural fit,' he says. 'We're both obsessed with detail, color, and doing things our own way. This was about making something iconic—and having fun while doing it.' And iconic it is. At $99, it's also shockingly accessible for a Thierry Lasry drop. But don't expect them to stay in stock for long. The collection is now available online, and at select stores including Dover Street Market in New York and LA.
