Here is a quick first look at innovation being shown by Coca-Cola at the NACS convention for convenience store operators, which began yesterday in Las Vegas. The event’s products expo began today. That’s where brands show off new products to retail buyers ahead of store resets early next year. BD is at the event and here is what we’ve gathered so far (more details and products to come):
PepsiCo will unveil a new lemon lime soda called Starry at the annual NACS show for convenience store operators that starts today, according to company sources. While details are scarce, BD has learned that the drink is a new brand within the lemon lime soda category dominated by Coca-Cola’s Sprite. Starry will include regular and zero sugar versions, according to the sources. It will be available nationally starting in...
Q&A: Founder Arsen Avakian Writes Second Act After Argo Tea
September 22, 2022
Argo Tea Co-founder Arsen Avakian was struck by how often consumers in store aisles pulled out a cell phone while browsing a drink cooler. When he asked why, he learned they were researching brands to understand everything from ingredients to provenance. With a background in technology, Avakian had a...
Pricing growth remained elevated through the first half of this year at US retail for non-carbonated beverage categories tracked by BD. As shown in the table, that led to dollar sales growth even as volume declined for all tracked categories except plain bottled water. Pricing growth for the first half of the year for all categories except sports drinks...
Category Challenger to Evolve From ‘Great Product to a Lifestyle Brand’
September 7, 2022
Pisa Pharmaceuticals has hired former Red Bull marketer Christian Patiño Webb as CEO of the company’s Electrolit “instant hydration” business globally. He will be based in Houston and report to Pisa’s board of directors. His background in the consumer packaged goods industry includes...
Convenience Channel Key Focus for PBNA Soft Drinks
September 7, 2022
‘When you see blue, we need to see black,” Pepsi CMO Says of Zero Sugar. Starbucks Ready-to-Drink Coffee Partnership to Tap Café Favorite.
Executives from PepsiCo’s company-owned and independent bottling system met this summer at company headquarters in Purchase, New York to discuss market plans for 2023. The theme of the meeting was “Fit to Win.” PepsiCo Beverages North America CEO Kirk Tanner said it was time for PepsiCo and the bottling system to “separate itself from the pack in the wake of the global pandemic.” PBNA’s goal is to grow faster than the category, deliver...
Exclusive Interview with New Gatorade President and GM Del Pozzo
September 1, 2022
PepsiCo’s Gatorade, the fourth-largest liquid refreshment beverage brand in the US, is preparing to launch a caffeinated energy drink formulated specifically for athletes. The product, called Fast Twitch, could rightfully be described as a cross between an energy drink and a sports drink. However, Gatorade will position Fast Twitch within the energy category on store shelves and in marketing, Gatorade Performance Portfolio President and GM Michael Del Pozzo told BD in an exclusive interview. More insider details and analysis...
Planned Powerade Revamp to Include Formula, Visual Identity, Marketing
August 18, 2022
As BD reported in an exclusive email news alert on Aug. 8, Coca-Cola will bring its Powerade sports drink brand in North America under the strategic direction of BodyArmor Sports Nutrition’s management team based in Whitestone, NY. Coca-Cola fully acquired BodyArmor in November for $5.6 billion. Consolidating the management of Powerade and BodyArmor will coincide with a relaunch of Powerade...
Coca-Cola will soon bring its Powerade sports drink brand in North America under the strategic direction of BodyArmor Sports Nutrition’s management team based in Whitestone, NY. Coca-Cola fully...