A citizen shops at a supermarket in Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 9, 2021. (Photo/Xinhua)

Chongqing - Sales of large bottles have increased rapidly this summer, with many beverage brands introducing large-capacity packaging, Jimu News reported on Thursday.

Qin Ling, assistant store manager at a supermarket in Wuhan, said to the media portal that large bottled beverages have become increasingly popular. Almost all water brands in the supermarket now offer large bottles.

With rising summer temperatures, the demand for water has increased, making large bottles sell even better. Qin explained that many young people and outdoor workers buy large-capacity drinks to last all day.

According to the data from Qin’s supermarket, sales of large bottled beverages increased by 46.73 percent from May 1 to July 13, and in the first half of the year, sales were up 35 percent.

A customer surnamed Xu chose to buy a 900ml bottle of the tea beverage Oriental Leaf. She explained to Jimu News, "The 500ml bottle costs 5 yuan ($0.69), but the 900ml bottle is on special for only 6 yuan. The large bottle can last me all day in the office."

Qin added that large-capacity beverages currently hold nearly 30 percent of the market share, while small bottles account for about 70 percent. However, the sales of large bottled beverages are trending upward.

At a Freshippo store in Wuhan, there are also many large bottled beverages for sale, such as 1.5 liters of natural water priced at 2.7 yuan and 1 liter of sweet soy milk priced at 8.9 yuan. According to the store clerk, sales of these large-capacity beverages have significantly increased year-on-year, Jimu News reported.

Not only in physical supermarkets, but large-capacity beverages are also widely available online. At Pupu Supermarket, for example, 2 liters of sugar-free oolong tea is priced at 9.9 yuan, and 5 liters of natural mineral water is only 6.5 yuan, with delivery services to your door. Some customers commented on frequently purchasing large-capacity bottled water for making tea, noting its good taste.

Zhu Danpeng, a food industry analyst, believed that in today's beverage market, both small and large packaging sell well, while consumers don't favor medium-sized packaging. "For trendy novelty drinks, the younger generation prefers to try small packages. For well-recognized big-brand beverages, they tend to purchase large-capacity products for better value," Zhu said, according to Jimu News.

Zhu noted that the popularity of large bottles reflects a shift in consumer mindset towards better value and cost-effectiveness. However, manufacturers will not abandon the small bottle market. Small bottles are convenient for carrying, while large bottles are suitable for gatherings, camping, and home use, each serving different consumption scenarios.

Many purified and mineral water brands have introduced 4-5 liter bottles for making tea, cooking soup, or direct consumption, indicating a rising demand for high-quality drinking water. Zhu predicted that the market trend of high demand for both small and large packages, with less interest in medium sizes, would persist.

(Qi Xiaofang, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)