Coca-Cola's BodyArmor has launched BodyArmor Fit, the brand's first sparkling sports drink, in 12-oz slim cans. Each can contains 290mg of electrolytes, 60mg of caffeine, choline, and green tea extract, with zero sugar and no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes. Flavors are Mixed Berry, Tropical Passionfruit, Citrus Grapefruit, Orange Mango, and Watermelon Lime. NFL quarterback Joe Burrow is fronting the launch campaign.
Poppi has launched 7.5-oz mini cans at Walmart stores and online in flavors Cream Soda, Shirley Temple, and Wild Berry in single cans and 6-packs...
Rising Aluminum and Fuel Expenses Squeeze Distributor Margins
May 15, 2026
Rising fuel and aluminum prices against the uncertainty of a war in Iran and the highest annual inflation rate since May 2023 have caused increasing angst among US beverage bottlers and distributors. BD informally surveyed executives across the Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper, and independent beverage distribution systems during the past week to find out what cost and profit margin pressures they face now, and what additional pressure they expect. The bottlers also discussed concerns about the revenue side of their P&Ls as consumers look for ways to better afford high grocery and gas prices. During the first-quarter earnings cycle in recent weeks, Coke, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper, Celsius Holdings, and Monster Beverage all addressed current and anticipated commodity inflation pressure this year, while adding that the costs are mostly manageable so far. “We expect beverage companies will feel margin pressure in 2026, with likely pricing actions in 2027,” RBC Capital Markets Beverage Analyst Nik Modi wrote in a May 7 research note, citing higher costs for aluminum and fuel. Much of the pressure is falling on distributors who own and fuel the trucks that move beverages and buy the aluminum cans that drinks are packaged in. One bottler called it a “perfect storm” of cost pressures. The following is a summary of responses and key themes that emerged from more than a dozen discussions:
Strategy Embraces Sector’s High-Octane Genesis and Rockstar’s ‘In-Your-Face’ Past
May 15, 2026
Celsius Energy went from being an underdog to the No. 3 energy drink in the US with a simple formula: broaden the base. Rather than competing for the traditional male energy drink consumer through testosterone-fueled marketing, Celsius Energy built its brand around flavor and a wellness-oriented identity that gave women and professionals who had never bought an energy drink permission to enter the category. Now, with the acquisition of Rockstar Energy from PepsiCo last year, parent company Celsius Holdings is tapping back into the category's roots to access the adrenaline and attitude that built the energy drink sector. “We’ve always been an in-your-face brand,” Celsius Holdings CMO Rishi Daing said of Rockstar, for which he is spearheading a marketing reset. “But we became a little too polished in recent years, maybe a little too sophisticated. Our consumers probably weren't finding that as relevant anymore.” Last month, Celsius Holdings launched a new “Live Loud” brand identity and marketing campaign, playing off Celsius Energy’s “Live. Fit. Go” brand positioning. The new Rockstar positioning comes with an aggressive push into music, action sports, and motorsports. Daing said...
New Energy Refresher Unwelcome Sign for Coke, Monster
April 23, 2026
McDonald’s plans to use Red Bull as a base for a new specialty blended beverage to debut across US locations in August. The chain will introduce Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer as part of a new specialty drink menu in the US this year.
The average price of highway diesel fuel in the US has jumped up by $1.48 per gallon since March 2, which was two days after the US and Isreal began bombing Iran. That’s a 38% increase as of March 24, according to the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration. Regular gas of all types on average rose by 95 cents per gallon, for a +31% increase. That leaves Coke, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper bottlers...