The US energy drink category at retail grew dollar sales by +12% in 2023 as volume jumped +5.1%, according to BD data. As shown in the Green Sheet with this story, market leaders...
Last week, I was a panelist for a National Beer Wholesalers Association webinar about non-alcoholic beverages. As you know, there’s tremendous crossover between the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage sectors. Each wants to supplement its distribution network with products from the other, especially as sales volumes decline for massive legacy categories such as light lagers and colas.
The discussion began with a chart depicting the entire US packaged beverage landscape at retail by category market share. I included the chart on page 7 with permission from...
Kraft Heinz Adds Functional and Mixer Lines to Crystal Light
February 20, 2024
Introductions of powdered single-serve water enhancers continue to roll in, with significant extensions this month coming from both a notable emerging brand and a well established brand. This week, fast-growing canned water maker Liquid Death...
Plus, Subscriber Bonus: Transcript of Future Smarts Influencer Economy Panel.
Red Bull topped a list of non-alcoholic beverage brands that reaped the highest return on investment on influencer marketing in 2023. That’s according to CreatorIQ, which helps brands track and manage influencer marketing programs. The firm developed a proprietary metric called Earned Media Value (EMV) to benchmark and evaluate the effectiveness of influencer campaigns in engaging consumers. Red Bull’s
On a recent trip to San Diego, I popped into a cannabis dispensary to look at the beverages. I was surprised by the choices, including Pabst Blue Ribbon High Seltzer. The non-alcoholic fizzy drink comes in six fruit flavors. Each 12-oz slim can contains at least 10mg of THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana. A $5 can is...
Coke North America President Mann to Keep Volume Pressure in Focus.
PBNA Supply Chain Chief Jordan Talks AI, Automation, Electric Trucks.
Whitmore Intent on Territory Optimization. Watching U.S. Alcohol Sector.
December 19, 2023
Beverage Digest hosted its annual Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 11. The day’s lineup of speakers included leaders from three of the largest US beverage companies — Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper. The executives sat for interviews on stage with Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford. Below are highlights from those discussions. Takeaways from other sessions will be featured in subsequent issues of this newsletter...
I’m taking a break from alcohol as I work to get in better shape. It’s been more than a month. Not drinking is easy. Not drinking while socializing is hard.
I took for granted the extent to which responsible social drinking is as much about ritual as intoxication. Everything from trying a new porter to experimenting with Old Fashioned recipes is fun. Doing it with people you love or laugh with is even better.
As I’ve written before, there are barriers to the adoption of non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic drinks. The functionality of alcohol as a social lubricant, as well as alcohol’s ability to lessen inhibition, are built-in mechanisms that drive consumption rates and make premium pricing palatable. Non-alcoholic replacements for booze don’t share those advantages.
Now, I find myself — like so many other consumers — not wanting to...
We just announced the finalists for our 2023 Beverage Digest Awards. Winners in 13 drink categories will be named at Future Smarts in New York on Dec. 11.
There are a few trends worth noting from this year’s roster of finalists:
— A range of teas came to the forefront. Vying for Best Premium Drink is a Blue Tea Jasmine variant from Rishi’s line of Sparkling Botanicals, as well as a Cold Brew Tea from...