what is the cost of the bottle of FIJI Water ?
ED Note: This is the original “Ask Pablo” column which set off enormous hullabaloo about the “cost” of bottled water. This post was picked up by media organizations far and wide and even by the Fiji water company themselves, who have since taken some interesting steps. Please read it with that historical context in mind! +++ This week’s AskPablo comes from Maryline: “I am interested to know the ‘true-cost’ of a bottle of Fiji water that currently sells for $1.50 in the United States. David Lazarus wrote a report on the water business in the SF Chronicle and studied the success of Fiji (January 21 edition), where ‘distance and exoticism are marketed as advantages.’ Fiji is now # 2 in premium bottled water, behind Evian where we have the same transportation issue. An environmental absurdity!” Please note: Due to overwhelming reader interest in this topic some of the assumptions made in this column have been adjusted. Numerous readers were kind enough to provide more accurate values for s
Fiji Water is a brand of bottled water from the Fiji Islands. The water comes from an artesian aquifer in the Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu. The company was formed in 1996 by David Gilmour, one-time partner in Clairtone Sound Corporation Limited, and the first bottles were shipped to the United States in late 1997. FIJI Water later became available at more retail locations throughout North America, the United Kingdom, France (mainly at le Bon Marché in Paris), Spain (mainly at VIPS), Australia, much of the Caribbean, Mexico, as well as Germany. Roll International, owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick, is the parent company. Fiji Water is available in 330ml, 500ml, 1 liter and 1.5 liter bottles. In 2007-8, disputes with the Fiji government over export duties led to legal cases, impounded shipments and a self-imposed industry-wide shutdown of Fijian water bottlers. The government eventually dropped its proposed 20-cent per liter tax. In December 2008, Fiji Water laid off 40% of its staff due
ED Note: This is the original “Ask Pablo” column which set off enormous hullabaloo about the “cost” of bottled water. This post was picked up by media organizations far and wide and even by the Fiji water company themselves, who have since taken some interesting steps. Please read it with that historical context in mind! +++ This week’s AskPablo comes from Maryline: “I am interested to know the ‘true-cost’ of a bottle of Fiji water that currently sells for $1.50 in the United States. David Lazarus wrote a report on the water business in the SF Chronicle and studied the success of Fiji (January 21 edition), where ‘distance and exoticism are marketed as advantages.’ Fiji is now # 2 in premium bottled water, behind Evian where we have the same transportation issue. An environmental absurdity!” Please note: Due to overwhelming reader interest in this topic some of the assumptions made in this column have been adjusted. Numerous readers were kind enough to provide more accurate values for s
Fiji Water is a brand of bottled water from the Fiji Islands. The water comes from an artesian aquifer in the Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu. The company was formed in 1996 by David Gilmour, one-time partner in Clairtone Sound Corporation Limited, and the first bottles were shipped to the United States in late 1997. FIJI Water later became available at more retail locations throughout North America, the United Kingdom, France (mainly at le Bon Marché in Paris), Spain (mainly at VIPS), Australia, much of the Caribbean, Mexico, as well as Germany. Roll International, owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick, is the parent company. Fiji Water is available in 330ml, 500ml, 1 liter and 1.5 liter bottles. In 2007-8, disputes with the Fiji government over export duties led to legal cases, impounded shipments and a self-imposed industry-wide shutdown of Fijian water bottlers. The government eventually dropped its proposed 20-cent per liter tax. In December 2008, Fiji Water laid off 40% of its staff due
