Carbonated

Bubly Rolls Out ‘Bounce’ Caffeinated Variant as Category Posts Strong 2020

Plus, Sparkling Water results at Retail: 2020

February 17, 2021

PepsiCo’s Bubly sparkling water brand is rolling out a caffeinated version called Bounce. The line extension contains...

Monster Beverage Declines To Put Hard Seltzer Launch Speculation To Rest

May Opt Instead for Soft Energy Seltzer

January 19, 2021

Monster Beverage Co-CEO Rodney Sacks said during a Jan. 14 investor meeting that he’s not interested in marketing a “me too” hard seltzer or non-alcoholic seltzer that is “one...

Coke System Stocks Fell in 2020 Amid COVID Pressure

LaCroix Maker National Beverage Surges

January 19, 2021

Pandemic-related challenges for the global Coca-Cola system showed up in the US stock market last year as well. Coca-Cola, and bottlers Coca-Cola Consolidated, Coca-Cola European Partners, and Coca-Cola Femsa all...

UPDATE: Monster Keeps Hard Seltzer Decision Close to Vest

Meeting Today Follows Seltzer Trademark Parade

January 14, 2021

Will Monster Beverage diversify into hard seltzers? The question has swirled since mid-2019, when CEO Rodney Sachs told investors he would consider an entry into the category. The next best chance for an answer to the question comes Thursday, when Monster executives host an annual business update webcast for investors. And there is fresh evidence ...

Future Smarts 2020 Highlights

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper Look Ahead

December 21, 2020

With the global COVID-19 pandemic continuing to spread, Beverage Digest held the first ever virtual version of its annual Future Smarts conference. The Dec. 7 live streamed event featured 11 speakers, including executives from Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper, Nestlé Waters and Molson Coors Beverage. Speakers from Coca-Cola United, Kitu Life, Lemon Perfect, and PureCircle offered insights on everything from distribution to consumer trends. Much of the day’s conversation...

Briefs: December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

A collection of the most important recent industry news to keep you up to date.

Coke Bottlers Meet to Discuss 2021 Plans

Rivera Addresses North America Bottlers, Shares Vision for ‘Moonshot’

December 1, 2020

Franchise bottlers for Coca-Cola’s North America Operating Unit recently met virtually to review innovation and system execution plans for 2021. Those plans will center on growing the base business, relaunching innovation that was disrupted in 2020, and introducing “purposeful” innovation, according to multiple sources who attended...

Sparkling Water: Aha Launch Disrupted

LaCroix, Sparkling Ice, Topo Chico Rise

November 11, 2020

Coca-Cola’s Aha sparkling water launch has fallen behind the pace set in 2018 by PepsiCo’s Bubly introduction, according to US retail data tracked by BD. Following its March launch, Aha reached a ...

Pandemic Lockdowns Fuel 2020 Soda Sales Growth

C-Stores Sales Lag

November 11, 2020

Sales of US carbonated soft drinks at retail surged during the first nine months of this year as consumption shifted from restaurants, convenience stores and workplaces to home during the ongoing pandemic lockdown. Keurig Dr Pepper led gains and was...

The Liquid Deathification of Bottled Water

Canned Water Startup Adopts Edgy Style of Energy, Beer To Create Unique Appeal

November 11, 2020

Liquid Death, the canned water startup with heavy metal branding that promises to “Murder Your Thirst,” is getting traction. BD interviewed Cessario to delve into his unique approach to the bottled water category. While the brand might be easy to dismiss as gimmicky, Cessario is a serious entrepreneur who is looking to take sales not only from PET-packaged bottled waters, but from energy drinks and beer, too. The following has been edited for clarity and space...