Margin Discussion Likely Lynchpin for Retailers, Independent Bottlers
February 23, 2022
PepsiCo is considering shifting Gatorade to direct store delivery (DSD) for large format stores in the US following successful market tests, the company has confirmed to BD. “We’ve done some tests,” CFO Hugh Johnston said in an interview. “The tests have been pretty successful.” He added that a decision about whether to go wider and
Canopy Growth Chief Innovation Officer Julian Cohen says the company views cannabis as a consumer product, just like beverages and snacks. He sees an opportunity for cannabis to play in a “beneficial” beverage space in which cannabis and other functional ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants and adaptogens are blended to “deliver on the promise of what we call total mood management.” In a separate interview, Canopy Chief Product Officer Tara Rozalowsky provided an update on the company’s US business and Quatreau’s launch.
Plus, PepsiCo Soft Drink Concentrate Pricing Up +7.5% for 2022
February 9, 2022
Niagara, the country’s largest private label bottled water producer and a co-packer for companies including Coca-Cola, informed retailers this week that rising input costs will force a wholesale price increase on March 1. Niagara is battling higher supplier costs for...
Incoming CEO Mike Suco Stood Out as Keeper of Atlanta Flame
February 9, 2022
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Coca-Cola’s third largest US bottler, has named Mike Suco as the company’s eighth president and CEO in its 120-year history. Currently an SVP and chief commercial officer, Suco will succeed the retiring John Sherman as head of the Birmingham, Alabama-based bottler whose territory includes...
In an Interview, Hill Says Aluminum Can Crisis Trending in Right Direction
January 25, 2022
There has been a changing of the guard at PepsiCo’s largest independently owned US franchise bottler, Pepsi Bottling Ventures. Paul Finney has retired as president and CEO, a post he had held since...
La Colombe Co-founder Todd Carmichael recently stepped down from his role as CEO of the company to spend more time with his newest venture, Rebel Beverage Labs. His first launch under that entity..
Alcohol Permits Issued in 17 States. Eight Additional States Registered
December 17, 2021
PepsiCo’s new Blue Cloud Distribution unit has now secured federal alcohol wholesale permits in at least 17 states as it prepares to launch Hard Mtn Dew next year. The company has registered a corporation called “Blue Cloud Distribution” in another eight states. Should federal alcohol wholesale permits be issued for those, Blue Cloud would then ...
NOTE: The Green Sheet included with this article maps the states where PepsiCo has secured an alcohol wholesale distribution permit from the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which collects federal excise taxes on alcohol and regulates labeling and marketing for alcohol products.
Coke Brands Post Strong Gains. Market Leader Lacroix Underperforms
November 17, 2021
US sparkling water category growth at retail has remained strong through the first three quarters of this year despite lapping strong pandemic-related growth last year. Dollar sales were up +9.5% on volume and pricing growth of almost...
Niagara Executive Anticipates ‘Relentless’ Cost Pressure Through 2022
November 17, 2021
Retail pricing has remained elevated this year for non-carbonated beverage categories tracked by BD. During the first nine-months of this year, all categories in the table on page 3 outpaced 2020 pricing at retail. This year’s pricing gains have been..