ALDI shoppers are begging for the return of a popular soft drink after it disappeared from stores without warning.
Professor Peppy is Aldi’s dupe of Dr Pepper, which some fans said tasted better than the original.
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It was also cheaper, with a two-litre bottle costing 55p at Aldi, whereas a same-size bottle of Dr Pepper is £2 at Tesco.
But since January it’s been missing from shelves, with Aldi customers baffled and saddened by its disappearance.
One said: “Has Professor Peppy been discontinued? I haven’t seen it in any store in Northampton for over a month? I miss it!”
Another added: “Any idea what has happened to Professor Peppy?
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“My husband, his brother, and I have been searching so many Aldi’s in Kent for this amazing drink but it hasn’t been in stock for weeks.
“We need our fix but nowhere seems to have any. Is there a shortage going on?”
Aldi responded to the many people asking that Peppy is a “seasonal drink” and will only be seen at certain times in the year.
But the answer has caused disappointment, with one fan even setting up a petition this week on Change.org to bring back the drink.
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They wrote: “There’s something about that unique flavour that just hits the spot when I need a fizzy fix. It even outshines the taste of regular Dr Pepper!
“However, my beloved Professor Peppy is not available all year round at Aldi and this needs to change.”
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An insider has revealed to The Sun that the much loved beverage is set for a return within the next few weeks.
Tom Church, co-founder of shopping site LatestDeals.co.uk said: “It is common for retailers to use the ‘seasonal’ strategy.
“It creates anticipation and excitement, leading to a surge in purchases when it returns.
“Seasonal products are also a way for Aldi to manage inventory and shelf space efficiently.
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“For instance, it might be they want more shelf space for Mother’s Day products at the moment.
“An added reason for making a product seasonal is consumers end up buying more of it, scared of its future scarcity.
“If you’re afraid of your favourite product disappearing, then you stockpile.
There are other alternatives to Dr Pepper and Professor Peppy though, he added: “ASDA sells Dr Pop which is like a sweeter version.
“And Dr Faygo is known as an American alternative that can be found in some corner shops.
“Home Bargains and B&M often sells the real deal Dr Pepper for cheaper prices, and places like Costco and Bookers may sell it cheaper when bought in bulk.
“But a warning, Dr Pepper is not just Cherry Cola! The secret ingredient is almond which cherry cola doesn’t have. So skip them to avoid disappointment.”
Aldi is famous for duping big food and drink brands, but has got into legal trouble over its copycat tactics.
M&S previously accused the German discounter of launching knock-off versions of its Colin the Caterpillar cake and its Christmas glowing gin bottles.
M&S reached a settlement deal with Aldi in the first case over its Cuthbert dupe, and won the second case after Aldi’s appeal was dismissed this week.
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In January drinks company Thatchers lost a High Court trademark battle after it claimed supermarket chain Aldi “copycatted” its Thatchers Cloudy Lemon Cider.
It claimed that the supermarket had gained an “unfair advantage” by copying the drink in both “taste and appearance”, but a judge dismissed the case.
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