Duo raise a glass to distribution deals for Nigerian-inspired soft drink
An exotic soft drink launched by two brothers who re-created the taste of their childhood in Nigeria has secured a trio of distribution deals.
Mike and Garry Robinson, from Leamington Spa, brought Ikoyi Chapmans, which is for the vegan-friendly and lower in sugar, to the UK market earlier this year and have already seen its popularity soar – even back in its native Nigeria.
The launch of the drink, a soft, sparkling beverage made with citrus fruit and bitters sourced from natural plants and herbs was picked up on news websites across Nigeria.
This led to a raft of product enquiries from Africa’s largest economy, where there is ready made potential market of 195 million consumers. Enquiries have also come from Australia, Dubai and the United States.
The brothers have since signed UK distribution deals with London-based Ades, Inn Express in Warwickshire and Sami’s Wholesale Distributors in Birmingham.
The product is now stocked all over the UK, including a deal with the Hilton Hotel at Birmingham Airport.
“We’re so happy with the response we’ve had since we launched Chapmans and it was wonderful to see an article in our local newspaper travel across the globe,” said Mike.
“We’ve spread our wings far and wide since the spring and we are continuing to grow. It certainly helps having a product which we know is unique and we’re excited about what the future holds for Chapmans.”
The drink’s origins can be traced back as far as 1960, where it was mixed by a bar tender at The Ikoyi Club in Lagos. The brothers both said they had never tasted anything like it and, after moving back to the UK to board at Warwick School, they would often return to Nigeria during the school holidays and enjoy the drink again.
Mike and Garry became professional squash players in the 1980s and continued to mix and drink Chapmans, also discovering it blended well with gin, vodka and prosecco.
“The drink is gluten-free, vegan and, at 21kcal/10ml, is exempt from the sugar tax, so we’re really confident we’ve got a product which not only tastes great but also responsible in terms of a wider health of the nation appeal,” added Garry.
