Pressed Juicery has gained popularity in recent years for its wide selection of cold-pressed juices and plant-based foods. However, many consumers balk at the high prices, with a single bottle of juice costing $10 or more. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at why Pressed Juicery charges premium prices compared to other juice brands.
The Cold-Press Process
Pressed Juicery uses a cold-press process to make their juices. This means the fruits and vegetables are pressed slowly at high pressure rather than blended. Advocates claim this preserves more nutrients compared to traditional high-speed blending which can generate heat and expose ingredients to oxygen.
The cold-press process maximizes nutrient retention but takes more time and specialized equipment. Pressed Juicery juices are made in small batches and each bottle must be individually pressed. This labor-intensive process contributes to the high prices.
Organic and Non-GMO Ingredients
Pressed Juicery prioritizes organic, non-GMO ingredients whenever possible. Organic produce costs significantly more than conventional due to factors like lower crop yields and special handling procedures required. For example, organic lemons may retail for $2-$3 per pound compared to $1 per pound for non-organic. When making juices, these cost differences get multiplied.
Pressed Juicery also avoids GMOs, while many competing brands use juice made from cheaper GMO citrus and apples. Eliminating GMOs increases costs for Pressed but aligns with their healthy, quality-focused mission.
No Preservatives
Unlike many supermarket juices, Pressed Juicery products contain no preservatives. Adding preservatives would allow a longer shelf life, but Pressed prioritizes pure, unprocessed juices. The lack of preservatives means their juices must be consumed within 2-3 days of bottling.
Shorter shelf life increases waste and shipping costs. Bottles must be shipped chilled and have quicker turnover. So the lack of preservatives further drives up expenses.
Specialty Ingredients
In addition to ordinary fruits and veggies, Pressed juices feature unique additions like coconut water, vanilla bean, activated charcoal, and algae. These specialty ingredients also boost costs.
| Ingredient | Sample Origins | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut Water | Thailand, Philippines | $2-$5 per liter |
| Vanilla Beans | Madagascar, Mexico | $100 per pound |
| Activated Charcoal | Various | $25 per pound |
| Algae Oil | Asia, Hawaii | $100+ per gallon |
While ingredients like vanilla bean and algae are used in small quantities, they can still drive up the formulation cost compared to mainstream juices.
Nut milks and Smoothies
In addition to juices, Pressed sells nut milks and smoothies using ingredients like cashews, coconut meat, dates, and cacao powder. These plant-based ingredients are pricier than dairy milk and yogurt. A 32 oz carton of almond milk can run $5-8 versus $3 for dairy milk. So the non-dairy smoothies and milks require more expensive base ingredients.
Labor Costs
Pressed Juicery production facilities are located in expensive coastal urban centers like Los Angeles and New York City. Labor and real estate costs in these cities are among the highest in the US. Employees at their production kitchens and retail stores command better wages than lower cost of living areas.
Pressed also undertakes specialized processes requiring skilled, well-trained workers. For example, their cashew milk is made by hand, soaking and blending cashews in small batches. Automated processes could cut labor expenses but don’t align with Pressed’s artisanal methods.
Shipping and Packaging
Pressed Juicery bottles are made from thick, premium glass rather than cheaper plastic. Their packaging aims to convey quality and artisanal appeal. But nicer bottles drive up costs by an estimated 20-30% versus plastic. Packaging expenses are compounded by Pressed’s e-commerce business which requires chilled shipping materials and insulated boxes.
Brick-and-Mortar Overhead
Pressed sells its juices and foods through its own retail stores in addition to online and via wholesale partners. They now operate over 85 stores across the US. Running these hip, millennial-oriented shops in prime locations costs big money. Real estate, build-outs, staffing and operations add significant overhead compared to barebones production facilities.
Brick-and-mortar retail also necessitates price markup vs. simple wholesale distribution. For example, a juice might be produced for $5 but marked up to $10-12 at retail to cover store expenses. So Pressed’s distribution model impacts pricing.
Brand Marketing
Pressed Juicery spends heavily on brand marketing efforts including social media, influencer partnerships, and ads. Their marketing presents Pressed as a premium, aspirational brand versus a mainstream juice product. This drives interest and sales velocity but also indirectly leads to higher pricing.
Successful marketing makes customers willing to pay top dollar. So part of what customers pay for is the branding, not just the juice itself. Still, these marketing costs ultimately get passed on in the form of higher prices.
Conclusion
In the end, Pressed Juicery’s elevated prices primarily stem from their production methods, ingredients, and distribution model. The cold-press process, organic produce, specialty additions, artisanal craft, and brick-and-mortar retail all contribute to higher costs compared to the average juice brand. An uplifted brand image further enables Pressed to command a price premium.
Consumers willingly pay extra for the quality, wellness appeal, and lifestyle association of Pressed. But the underlying expenses of their business necessitate charging $8-12 for a bottle versus $3-5 for mass market juice. For many fans, the enhanced nutrition, taste, and branding warrant the price. But budget-minded shoppers will continue to view Pressed as an overpriced luxury.
