With the buzz around healthy sodas far from fizzling, Pepsi is doubling down on the emerging segment just months after acquiring one of its pioneers, Poppi, by launching a new innovation: Pepsi Prebiotic Cola.

The product is “one of the largest new innovations in the cola category,” Mark Kirkham, CMO of PepsiCo Beverages US, told Retail Brew. Containing 5 grams of cane sugar, 30 calories, and 3 grams of prebiotic fiber, the new soda is aimed at giving consumers more soda choices, he said, as Pepsi tries to meet demand for more healthy options. It’ll be sold first online in Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla flavors for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, followed by a retail debut in February, priced at a premium to traditional Pepsi, Kirkham said.

Poppi, whose acquisition was completed in May, also offers Classic Cola and Cherry Cola flavors with a nearly identical nutritional profile, but Kirkham sees the two as complementary, selling in two separate soda segments that reach different consumer sets.

Kirkham broke down the new product, and how it fits into its portfolio alongside Poppi and aligns with Pepsi’s larger beverage innovation strategy.

Keep reading here.—EC

When Labubu made it big in America this summer, it wasn’t just because it caught on with kids.

The fuzzy little demon toys, made by Chinese company Pop Mart, also became the hottest accessory for adults, prominently displayed on designer handbags, showed off on TikTok, and spotted on many a favorite celeb. That cultural pizzazz has helped more than double the company’s revenue, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Pop Mart isn’t the first to tap into the American “kidult” audience, and it’s not likely to be the last. Brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels from toy giant Mattel have long catered to an adult audience of toy appreciators and nostalgia-seekers, and other brands are jumping in.

Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.—JN

The week is starting off with a big policy change from a major retailer. Target is ending its “Price Match Guarantee” on Monday, meaning customers can no longer request price matching with products from rivals such as Walmart and Amazon. The change comes as many retailers strive, with varying degrees of success, to keep prices down in the face of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy.

Here’s what else is going on in retail:

In earnings: Q2 earnings season is heating up with results from both Apple and Amazon on Thursday. Analysts are expecting Amazon to turn in a strong quarter, with retail, advertising, and cloud services all growing. They are also anticipating the company to emphasise efficiency gain in its logistics. The e-commerce platform notably got some negative press from a Wall Street Journal report showing that the company hiked prices on 1,200 essential items despite its previously stated commitment to keeping prices low.

Keep reading here.—AV