Plus, Bubly Grows in 1H US Retail Data. Prepares Extension to Challenge Sparkling Ice.

In May, BD reported on a steep sales decline for Coca-Cola’s AHA sparkling water as the brand was delisted at Publix and Coke discontinued caffeinated versions. Now, Coca-Cola has confirmed to BD that AHA will be scaled back next year in the US as Coca-Cola focuses on Topo Chico. The decision comes as Coca-Cola and other major beverage producers focus on premium water segments, both still...

ShineWater has introduced a new aluminum can package for its vitamin D infused line of flavored waters. The brand will phase out the use of plastic bottles in favor of the 16-oz cans by early 2024, according to the company. Meanwhile,...

Coca-Cola launched its newest limited edition Coke Creations extension this week. Y3000 is said by the company to be “futuristic flavored” and “co-created with human and artificial intelligence.” Y3000, in both Zero Sugar and regular versions, is how a Coke of the future might taste, the company added. Coca-Cola used AI to help generate the...

A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed...

Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey and North America President Jennifer Mann sat down on Sept 7 for an on-stage interview with equities analyst Lauren Lieberman at the Barclays Consumer Staples Conference in Boston. A key message from Quincey and Mann was Coca-Cola’s pursuit of...

PepsiCo’s SodaStream has new competition from kitchen appliance maker Ninja. The Ninja Thirsti Drink System launched in late July. The company sent me a unit to try. Here are my observations:

— The primary difference in Thirsti versus SodaStream is that drinks are produced by the glass instead of by the bottle. With SodaStream and most other sparkling water appliances, including Aarke and Drinkmate, water is carbonated inside a multi-serve bottle. The user removes the bottle and pours in flavor syrup, shaking the mixture by hand. With Thirsti, water is drawn from a reservoir that is refillable and removable for fridge chilling. Changeable concentrate pods automatically release...