DEDICATED energy-drinkers who managed to snap up newly-released bottles of Prime were full of pride as they showed off their prized finds.
Hours-long, early-morning queues formed across the country for the latest deliveries of the energy drink launched by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI.
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And those who did make it through – before supplies threatened to run dry – made sure to showcase their hauls.
The drink ordinarily sells for £1.99 per bottle – yet has become so prized among youngsters that some have been touted online for four-figure sums.
Fist fights broke out when budget supermarket Aldi began selling the drink last December – and there were fears of similar scenes as six so-called “Specialbuy” flavours hit the shelves today.
But the only energy was joy for grandmother Pam Ryan who – after 12 failed previous attempts to find some Prime – got her hands on four bottles.
Pam, 59, described herself as “delighted” – looking forward to passing the fizz on to her grandchildren Ebonie, 18, 12-year-old Thea and Harry, ten.
She succeeded in stocking up at her local Aldi branch in Manchester’s Ancoats district, saying: “I went in December when they had it and the queues were massive so unfortunately we didn’t get any.
“But today we’ve been lucky and have been able to get one of each flavour.
“My grandkids are going to be absolutely delighted and just over the moon when I pick them up from school later.
“I’ve been all different times to Asda to try and get it but I never seem to get lucky enough.
“I’ve probably tried around a dozen times but I’m absolutely delighted now because it’s obviously for the children.”
The new flavours are labelled Orange and Mango, Meta Moon, Tropical Punch, Blue Raspberry, Lemon and Lime and Ice Pop.
A younger generation’s devotion to the drinks was shown by 18-year-old Kaden Lucas, who woke at 4.40am today to boost his chances of purchasing success.
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He went on to pocket nine bottles from a store in West Surrey, first buying three from Asda after arriving at 5.30am then abiding for an hour and a half for another six at a nearby Aldi branch.
College student Kaden said: “I queued with my mate and got there about an hour and a half before it opened.
“We were the first in the queue so the first to go straight in and there was about 20 people behind us.
“There’s been many times where I’ve been to Asda when I’ve woken up early and attempted to go when it opens at 6am and they’ve not restocked it.”
He explained: “I think the drinks are so popular because Logan Paul and KSI are popular on YouTube.
“I’ll probably go and get more in the future to just re-stock my collection and make sure I have them.
“I actually tweeted KSI and he replied to me.”
Meanwhile, Matt Dunkers popped into his local Aldi store in Worcester on behalf of his three children.
He said: “My wife told me to come down to Aldi on my way to work.”
The supermarket first stocked the energy drink in December last year and videos of people pushing and shoving each other for supplies went viral on social media.
Today there were few signs of violence, however – for now.
And Aldi tried to reassure customers that six flavours of the drink would be available in all stores nationwide – but warned: “As with all Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
The popular drink was initially only sold in Asda stores, but huge demand led to shortages and online price hikes – though one fellow shopper was heard telling husting hordes: “Guys, it’s just a drink.”
An off-licence in Wakefield in West Yorkshire went viral on TikTok for selling bottles of Prime for £25 apiece – with customers travelling hundreds of miles to buy and, sure enough, show off online.
KSI and Logan Paul – who have a combined social media following of more than 140million fans – teased online earlier this month that a new lemonade flavour was on the way.
Their Prime drink – first released in June last year – claims to “help you refresh, replenish, and refuel”.
Its ingredients include B vitamins, electrolytes and coconut water.
Celebrity enthusiasts include former England football captain Wayne Rooney, who pestered KSI for a bottle for son Kit’s seventh birthday in January.
And ex-X Factor contestant and TV presenter Stacey Solomon also got in touch about failing to find any supplies on the supermarket shelves.
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