Insights https://www.beverage-digest.com/rss en-us Briefs: Montana SNAP Soda Ban. Private Label Stalls. RBC's 10 Key Themes for CPG. KDP Trend Report. Goldman, Douglas Reunite Over Tea A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1424 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:18:27 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1424-briefs-montana-snap-soda-ban-private-label-stalls-rbcs-10-key-themes-for-cpg-kdp-trend-report-goldman-douglas-reunite-over-tea Coca-Cola Flagship Gains Ground in Q1 After Tough 2025 [Green Sheet] Trends for Coca-Cola’s carbonated soft drink portfolio and its flagship Coca-Cola at US retail improved during the first quarter of this year after a surprising pullback by Hispanic consumers last year. Coke’s CSD portfolio posted volume and dollar sales gains of... Trends for Coca-Cola’s carbonated soft drink portfolio and its flagship Coca-Cola at US retail improved during the first quarter of this year after a surprising pullback by Hispanic consumers last year. Coke’s CSD portfolio posted volume and dollar sales gains of...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1420 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:11:28 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1420-coca-cola-flagship-gains-ground-in-q1-after-tough-2025-green-sheet Inside PepsiCo's 13-oz PET Affordability Strategy PepsiCo is betting on a new 13-oz PET bottle priced below $2 to reach consumers who are walking past the cold vault to better afford higher prices for gas and groceries. The company is rolling out the smaller bottle across five of its biggest sparkling brands. We dive deep in a Q&A with PepsiCo's US Sparkling Chief JP Bittencourt. PepsiCo is betting on a new 13-oz PET bottle priced below $2 to reach consumers who are walking past the cold vault to better afford higher prices for gas and groceries. The company is rolling out the smaller bottle across five of its biggest sparkling brands. We dive deep in a Q&A with PepsiCo's US Sparkling Chief JP Bittencourt.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1419 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:06:58 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1419-inside-pepsicos-13-oz-pet-affordability-strategy Cover Web.jpg U.S. Beverage Bottlers React to ‘Perfect Storm’ of Cost Pressures 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: 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:

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1411 Fri, 15 May 2026 07:30:37 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1411-us-beverage-bottlers-react-to-perfect-storm-of-cost-pressures Cover.jpg Opening Thoughts: The Great Natural Color Catchup When it comes to the transition from artificial food and beverage colors to natural colors, the US is 15 years behind Europe. And there is a concerted, even frantic effort now to catch up. That was my biggest takeaway from this month's BevTech conference, an annual gathering hosted by the International Society of Beverage Technologists. This is where the nation's beverage scientists go to discuss "The Science of the Sip," as this year's event was themed. The 350 professionals in attendance engineer and manage everything from ingredients to PET blow molding needed to get a drink from formula to shelf. I opened the conference with an overview of industry trends before taking in several presentations and a few extremely technical breakout sessions. Right now, there isn't a major food and beverage company that isn't working on the shift... When it comes to the transition from artificial food and beverage colors to natural colors, the US is 15 years behind Europe. And there is a concerted, even frantic effort now to catch up.

That was my biggest takeaway from this month's BevTech conference, an annual gathering hosted by the International Society of Beverage Technologists. This is where the nation's beverage scientists go to discuss "The Science of the Sip," as this year's event was themed. The 350 professionals in attendance engineer and manage everything from ingredients to PET blow molding needed to get a drink from formula to shelf. I opened the conference with an overview of industry trends before taking in several presentations and a few extremely technical breakout sessions.

Right now, there isn't a major food and beverage company that isn't working on the shift...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1410 Fri, 15 May 2026 07:30:28 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1410-opening-thoughts-may-15-2026 Celsius Holdings’ Plan for Acquired Rockstar Brand Takes Stage 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... 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...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1412 Fri, 15 May 2026 07:30:25 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1412-celsius-holdings-plan-for-acquired-rockstar-brand-takes-stage Stocks: Coke, Monster Gains Beat Broader Market Through Q1 Earnings Most beverage and retail stocks tracked by BD have outperformed the broader market this year through May 11. The S&P 500 gained +8.3%, while the Consumer Staples Index rose +9.0%. The majority of beverage companies in BD's tracking universe outpaced both benchmarks. All share price results in this story are year-to-date through May 11. MAJOR BEVERAGE COMPANIES. Coca-Cola shares gained... Most beverage and retail stocks tracked by BD have outperformed the broader market this year through May 11. The S&P 500 gained +8.3%, while the Consumer Staples Index rose +9.0%. The majority of beverage companies in BD's tracking universe outpaced both benchmarks. All share price results in this story are year-to-date through May 11.

MAJOR BEVERAGE COMPANIES. Coca-Cola shares gained...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1413 Fri, 15 May 2026 07:30:24 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1413-stocks-coke-monster-gains-beat-broader-market-through-q1-earnings McDonald’s Taking Red Bull Specialty Drink Test National 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. 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.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1402 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:06:03 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1402-mcdonalds-taking-red-bull-specialty-drink-test-national Coke Asserts Foodservice Leadership in New Marketing Campaign Coca-Cola recently launched the company’s first-ever national food service campaign in the US called "And a Coke." The campaign is organized around the idea that “nothing completes a meal like a Coke,” according to the company. The campaign is unique for... Coca-Cola recently launched the company’s first-ever national food service campaign in the US called "And a Coke." The campaign is organized around the idea that “nothing completes a meal like a Coke,” according to the company. The campaign is unique for...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1404 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:06:02 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1404-coke-asserts-foodservice-leadership-in-new-marketing-campaign 2025 U.S. All-Channel Results: LRB Dollars Grew +2.5%. Volume Fell -0.9% ABOUT THIS REPORT AND BD’S FACT BOOK, 31ST EDITION. This report is a snapshot of BD’s newly-published Fact Book, 31st Edition. Fact Book offers a comprehensive view of US liquid refreshment beverage industry sales performance by brands, company, and category. Annually, BD compiles estimated volume and value sales data for the US liquid refreshment beverages (LRB) market, as well as categories including carbonated soft drinks (CSD), and energy drinks. The data included in BD’s Fact Book and in this special issue synopsis estimates beverage sales for all measured and unmeasured channels, including packaged retail, fountain, and vending. The fountain channel includes restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, and other foodservice outlets. In recent years, BD has added chilled juice to the annual Fact Book and to this report. Table 1 does not include an “all other” category and therefore market shares do not sum to 100. ABOUT THIS REPORT AND BD’S FACT BOOK, 31ST EDITION. This report is a snapshot of BD’s newly-published Fact Book, 31st Edition. Fact Book offers a comprehensive view of US liquid refreshment beverage industry sales performance by brands, company, and category. Annually, BD compiles estimated volume and value sales data for the US liquid refreshment beverages (LRB) market, as well as categories including carbonated soft drinks (CSD), and energy drinks. The data included in BD’s Fact Book and in this special issue synopsis estimates beverage sales for all measured and unmeasured channels, including packaged retail, fountain, and vending. The fountain channel includes restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, and other foodservice outlets. In recent years, BD has added chilled juice to the annual Fact Book and to this report. Table 1 does not include an “all other” category and therefore market shares do not sum to 100.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1401 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:35:51 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1401-2025-us-all-channel-results-lrb-dollars-grew-25-volume-fell-09 Cover.jpg Noteworthy Launches: Gatorade. Powerade. Costco Energy. Primo Saratoga. Path Sports. Elmhurst Protein. Dunkin'. Bubly Wine. Simply Spiked. Crooked Pop. Super Lyte. GATORADE INNOVATION. NEW PRODUCT TEASED. At the Expo West show earlier this month, PepsiCo teased a new product called ... GATORADE INNOVATION. NEW PRODUCT TEASED. At the Expo West show earlier this month, PepsiCo teased a new product called ...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1398 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:55 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1398-noteworthy-launches-gatorade-powerade-costco-energy-primo-saratoga-path-sports-elmhurst-protein-dunkin-bubly-wine-simply-spiked-crooked-pop-super-lyte Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper Bottlers Could Face Higher Fuel Costs Spurred by Iran Conflict 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... 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...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1393 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:10 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1393-coke-pepsi-dr-pepper-bottlers-could-face-higher-fuel-costs-spurred-by-iran-conflict Four More States Can Now Ban Soda Purchases From SNAP Program. One More Pending Twenty-three states have now requested or been granted waivers to disallow soda purchases with SNAP benefits, a US Department of Agriculture spokesperson confirmed to BD this week. To date, 18 states have been... Twenty-three states have now requested or been granted waivers to disallow soda purchases with SNAP benefits, a US Department of Agriculture spokesperson confirmed to BD this week. To date, 18 states have been...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1385 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:29:57 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1385-four-more-states-can-now-ban-soda-purchases-from-snap-program-one-more-pending Elliott’s PepsiCo Investment Pays Despite Refranchising Snub 2025 CSD Category and Brand Performance at US Retail: Green Sheet PepsiCo’s share price has grown almost +12% since activist firm Elliott Investment Management disclosed a $4 billion stake in ... 2025 CSD Category and Brand Performance at US Retail: Green Sheet

PepsiCo’s share price has grown almost +12% since activist firm Elliott Investment Management disclosed a $4 billion stake in ...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1375 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:41 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1375-elliotts-pepsico-investment-pays-despite-refranchising-snub Report: Red Bull, Coke, Gamer Supps Top Influencer Marketing ROI Leaderboard Red Bull topped a list of non-alcoholic beverage brands that generated the highest return on investment for influencer marketing last year, 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. The top-10 ranking shows... Red Bull topped a list of non-alcoholic beverage brands that generated the highest return on investment for influencer marketing last year, 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. The top-10 ranking shows...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1369 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:25:19 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1369-report-red-bull-coke-gamer-supps-top-influencer-marketing-roi-leaderboard SNAP Consumers Would Scale Back Under State Soda and Energy Drink Restrictions, RBC Survey Finds More than 70% of SNAP consumers would scale back consumption of carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks if they couldn’t use their benefits to pay for the products, according to research by RBC Capital Markets using Numerator data. The finding... More than 70% of SNAP consumers would scale back consumption of carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks if they couldn’t use their benefits to pay for the products, according to research by RBC Capital Markets using Numerator data. The finding...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1368 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:25:16 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1368-snap-consumers-would-scale-back-under-state-soda-energy-restrictions-rbc-survey-finds Cover - Web.jpg FS25 Recap: Coke, Pepsi Bottlers Chart Path Forward Amid Industry Transformation Two senior executives from major soft drink bottlers shared insights during BD’s recent Future Smarts conference into how their bottling organizations are navigating everything from evolving consumer preferences to capital expenditures in the age of technology. Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean-Claude Tissot and Admiral Beverage EVP and General... Two senior executives from major soft drink bottlers shared insights during BD’s recent Future Smarts conference into how their bottling organizations are navigating everything from evolving consumer preferences to capital expenditures in the age of technology. Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean-Claude Tissot and Admiral Beverage EVP and General...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1359 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:04:39 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1359-fs25-recap-coke-pepsi-bottlers-chart-path-forward-amid-industry-transformation MAHA's Sugar Crash: Revamped U.S. Dietary Guidelines Get Harder for Beverages The US government just released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), updating previous recommendations issued in 2020. The guidelines, backed by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, offer recommendations on how Americans should eat. Federal and local governments use the guidelines to shape everything from school nutrition programs to SNAP benefits. The guidelines also influence food industry strategy, healthcare advice, and nutrition education. For the first time, the DGA has said “no amount of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended or considered part of a healthy or nutritious diet.” Analysis. The US government just released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), updating previous recommendations issued in 2020. The guidelines, backed by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, offer recommendations on how Americans should eat. Federal and local governments use the guidelines to shape everything from school nutrition programs to SNAP benefits. The guidelines also influence food industry strategy, healthcare advice, and nutrition education. For the first time, the DGA has said “no amount of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended or considered part of a healthy or nutritious diet.” Analysis.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1358 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:02:12 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1358-food-policy-revamped-us-dietary-guidelines-get-harder-for-beverages Cover Web.jpg FS25: American Beverage CEO Keane Unpacks ‘Challenging’ Policy Year UPFs, Soda Taxes, SNAP Bans, Natural Colors, GRAS Reform, Plastic Waste, More Shares Thoughts on Federal Mid-Term Elections It’s been a “challenging” regulatory year for the beverage industry, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane reminded participants during Beverage Digest’s Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 15. A new U.S. president and a new Congress brought new UPFs, Soda Taxes, SNAP Bans, Natural Colors, GRAS Reform, Plastic Waste, More

Shares Thoughts on Federal Mid-Term Elections

It’s been a “challenging” regulatory year for the beverage industry, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane reminded participants during Beverage Digest’s Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 15. A new U.S. president and a new Congress brought new

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1353 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:31:52 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1353-fs25-american-beverage-ceo-keane-unpacks-challenging-policy-year Keane-282resized.jpg FS25: PepsiCo U.S. Beverages CEO Krishnan Goes Deep on Turnaround Strategy PepsiCo Beverages US CEO Ram Krishnan participated in on-stage discussion at Beverage Digest’s Future Smarts Conference in New York on Dec. 15. That morning, the company announced the promotion of Krishnan to CEO of PepsiCo North America, where he will oversee food and beverage operations starting ... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1351 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:20:41 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1351-fs25-pepsico-us-beverages-ceo-krishnan-goes-deep-on-turnaround-strategy Main3.jpeg resizedram-122.jpg PepsiCo North America Refranchising 'Not Under Consideration,' CEO Says PepsiCo held an investor conference call this morning to answer questions about the company’s new "commercial and financial priorities” formed as part of ... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1348 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:00:26 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1348-pepsico-north-america-refranchising-not-under-consideration-ceo-says PepsiCo, Activist Elliott Settle on Growth Priorities PepsiCo just announced a set of "commercial and financial priorities" that are supported by PepsiCo shareholder Elliott Investment Management following "constructive engagement." Elliott argued in an early September report that PepsiCo was... PepsiCo just announced a set of "commercial and financial priorities" that are supported by PepsiCo shareholder Elliott Investment Management following "constructive engagement."  

Elliott argued in an early September report that PepsiCo was...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1347 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:15:43 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1347-pepsico-activist-elliott-settle-on-growth-priorities Briefs: Bottled Water Results. Ultraprocessed Food Lawsuit. ISBT Brand Council. WHO Endorses GLP-1 Drugs. Prebiotic Pepsi Teaser. Johnny Cash Sues Coke A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1345 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:10:26 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1345-briefs-bottled-water-results-ultraprocessed-food-lawsuit-isbt-brand-council-who-endorses-glp-1-drugs-prebiotic-pepsi-teaser-johnny-cash-sues-coke New RBC Report Examines Five Forces Shaping Consumer Staples How Should Executives, Investors, and Government Officials Respond? In a new report called “The Great Recalibration: Forces of Exponential Change,” researchers at RBC Capital Markets including beverages analyst Nik Modi defined five new... How Should Executives, Investors, and Government Officials Respond?

In a new report called “The Great Recalibration: Forces of Exponential Change,” researchers at RBC Capital Markets including beverages analyst Nik Modi defined five new...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1341 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:01 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1341-new-rbc-report-examines-five-forces-shaping-consumer-staples Lead.jpg Coke Flagship Posted -3.4% Dollar Decline at US Retail in First Nine Months of 2025. Volume down -8.0% Category Dollars Grew +4.3% at US Retail. Volume Fell Slightly PepsiCo’s CSD Portfolio Lost Share. KDP’s Portfolio Gained The Coca-Cola Co’s surprising carbonated soft drink (CSD) decline, driven by brand Coke, continued into the third quarter of 2025 at US retail as the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement kept Hispanic consumers away from stores and some consumers ... Category Dollars Grew +4.3% at US Retail. Volume Fell Slightly

PepsiCo’s CSD Portfolio Lost Share. KDP’s Portfolio Gained

The Coca-Cola Co’s surprising carbonated soft drink (CSD) decline, driven by brand Coke, continued into the third quarter of 2025 at US retail as the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement kept Hispanic consumers away from stores and some consumers ...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1333 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:51:38 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1333-coke-flagship-posted-34-dollar-decline-at-us-retail-in-first-nine-month-of-2025-volume-down-80 Analysis: Congress Closes Loophole That Led to Hemp-Based THC Drinks Legal Expert Doesn’t Expect Pending Ban to Kill Fast-Growing Hemp THC Sector The agreement to open the US government last week included a potential beverage industry casualty — hemp-based THC drinks. As part of the deal, Congress and President Donald Trump closed a loophole embedded in the 2018 agriculture act that previously legalized hemp farming. Last week’s law will effectively ban hemp-based THC drinks a year from now, following a grace period. The loophole in the 2018 act has unintentionally led to the proliferation of ready-to-drink canned beverages infused with psychoactive hemp-based THC, mostly by way of a cannabinoid called Delta-9. Manufacturers have... Legal Expert Doesn’t Expect Pending Ban to Kill Fast-Growing Hemp THC Sector

The agreement to open the US government last week included a potential beverage industry casualty — hemp-based THC drinks. As part of the deal, Congress and President Donald Trump closed a loophole embedded in the 2018 agriculture act that previously legalized hemp farming. Last week’s law will effectively ban hemp-based THC drinks a year from now, following a grace period. The loophole in the 2018 act has unintentionally led to the proliferation of ready-to-drink canned beverages infused with psychoactive hemp-based THC, mostly by way of a cannabinoid called Delta-9. Manufacturers have...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1332 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:44:53 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1332-analysis-congress-closes-loophole-that-led-to-hemp-based-thc-drinks Cannabis Soda Green Large with X.jpg Opening Thoughts: Big Insights Planned for Future Smarts 2025 Our Future Smarts 2025 speaker lineup is set. Get ready for a power packed day on Dec. 15 in New York City. Just this week, we announced PepsiCo Beverages US CEO Ram Krishnan. He joins the conference as investors pay renewed attention to PepsiCo’s performance and structure. On stage, Ram and I will discuss the product, consumer, retail, and economic changes that are shaping PepsiCo’s beverage business. Last week, we announced the addition of Keurig Dr Pepper CMO Drew Panayiotou. He, too, joins at a pivotal time, as KDP looks to close the $18 billion acquisition of JDE Peet’s before separating its coffee and refreshment beverage businesses. We’ll discuss how Drew’s team is enticing consumers of both portfolios. We’ll also spend time with another high-profile marketing leader: Coca-Cola Global CMO Manolo Arroyo. Of high interest in this discussion is how technology, such as AI, and social media are influencing marketing investment and organizational decisions. And this will be compelling: Monster Beverage Co-founder Rodney Sacks will discuss the soaring energy drink category he helped forge over two decades on the way to building a $7.5 billion global powerhouse with a $65 billion market cap. I will be honored as well to present Rodney with the Beverage Digest Visionary Award. Past honorees have included the late PepsiCo CEO Don Kendall and the late Coca-Cola President and COO Don Keough. No Future Smarts event is complete without the presence of our beverage bottling community. This year, we’ll hear from Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean Claude Tissot, as well as from Kelly Clay, president and CEO of Pepsi bottler Admiral Beverage. These leaders are experts on local market execution, the retail landscape, and just about anything else beverage related. We’ve also assembled a panel to dissect one of the hottest beverage trends: Hemp-based ready-to-drink THC. The category is on a regulatory roller coaster ride. Brand owners Drea Groeschel of Better Than Booze and David Mukpo of Pamos Cannabis Cocktails & Spirits will illuminate this challenging and potentially lucrative category. To help make sense of the ever changing regulatory haze, cannabis and hemp Attorney Seth Goldberg of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden will join the panel as well.Experts from our conference sponsor EY will share insights on industry disruptors and the future of beverages. You’ll hear from Americas Beverage Sector Leader Sean Harapko, EY-Parthenon Partner and Beverage Transactions Leader Greg Miller, and Former Chief Digital Transformation Officer and EY Executive in Residence Dan Werth. Future Smarts 2025 will tackle regulatory issues and Wall Street views, too. Our popular sell-side analyst panel will feature Kaumil Gajrawala from Jefferies, Bonnie Herzog from Goldman Sachs, and Nik Modi from RBC Capital Markets. In an additional session, Nik will use data to dive into several topics our readers often ask us about. Plus, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane will help assess everything from ingredient regulation to SNAP soda bans and what’s being done to create a constructive outcome. This is another Future Smarts you don’t want to miss. Our Future Smarts 2025 speaker lineup is set. Get ready for a power packed day on Dec. 15 in New York City.

Just this week, we announced PepsiCo Beverages US CEO Ram Krishnan. He joins the conference as investors pay renewed attention to PepsiCo’s performance and structure. On stage, Ram and I will discuss the product, consumer, retail, and economic changes that are shaping PepsiCo’s beverage business.

Last week, we announced the addition of Keurig Dr Pepper CMO Drew Panayiotou. He, too, joins at a pivotal time, as KDP looks to close the $18 billion acquisition of JDE Peet’s before separating its coffee and refreshment beverage businesses. We’ll discuss how Drew’s team is enticing consumers of both portfolios.

We’ll also spend time with another high-profile marketing leader: Coca-Cola Global CMO Manolo Arroyo. Of high interest in this discussion is how technology, such as AI, and social media are influencing marketing investment and organizational decisions.

And this will be compelling: Monster Beverage Co-founder Rodney Sacks will discuss the soaring energy drink category he helped forge over two decades on the way to building a $7.5 billion global powerhouse with a $65 billion market cap. I will be honored as well to present Rodney with the Beverage Digest Visionary Award. Past honorees have included the late PepsiCo CEO Don Kendall and the late Coca-Cola President and COO Don Keough.

No Future Smarts event is complete without the presence of our beverage bottling community. This year, we’ll hear from Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean Claude Tissot, as well as from Kelly Clay, president and CEO of Pepsi bottler Admiral Beverage. These leaders are experts on local market execution, the retail landscape, and just about anything else beverage related.

We’ve also assembled a panel to dissect one of the hottest beverage trends: Hemp-based ready-to-drink THC. The category is on a regulatory roller coaster ride. Brand owners Drea Groeschel of Better Than Booze and David Mukpo of Pamos Cannabis Cocktails & Spirits will illuminate this challenging and potentially lucrative category. To help make sense of the ever changing regulatory haze, cannabis and hemp Attorney Seth Goldberg of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden will join the panel as well.

Experts from our conference sponsor EY will share insights on industry disruptors and the future of beverages. You’ll hear from Americas Beverage Sector Leader Sean Harapko, EY-Parthenon Partner and Beverage Transactions Leader Greg Miller, and Former Chief Digital Transformation Officer and EY Executive in Residence Dan Werth.

Future Smarts 2025 will tackle regulatory issues and Wall Street views, too. Our popular sell-side analyst panel will feature Kaumil Gajrawala from Jefferies, Bonnie Herzog from Goldman Sachs, and Nik Modi from RBC Capital Markets. In an additional session, Nik will use data to dive into several topics our readers often ask us about. Plus, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane will help assess everything from ingredient regulation to SNAP soda bans and what’s being done to create a constructive outcome.

This is another Future Smarts you don’t want to miss.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1323 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:47:59 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1323-opening-thoughts-big-insights-planned-for-future-smarts-2025 What We Learned from KDP, PEP, KO During 3Q Report Cards The third quarter earnings season brought a series of critical progress reports from Keurig Dr Pepper, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola at a time of global consumer volatility. The period also comes as KDP prepares for a massive strategic change and PepsiCo faces activist investor pressure. The following are key takeaways from the companies’ reports... The third quarter earnings season brought a series of critical progress reports from Keurig Dr Pepper, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola at a time of global consumer volatility. The period also comes as KDP prepares for a massive strategic change and PepsiCo faces activist investor pressure. The following are key takeaways from the companies’ reports...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1325 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:45:41 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1325-what-we-learned-from-kdp-pep-ko-during-3q-report-cards NACS 2025: C-Store Operators Preview Next Year’s Beverage Innovation Bets Last month’s NACS show in Chicago drew attendance of more than 25,000, according to organizers. Food and beverage manufacturers use the annual NACS show to unveil new products for convenience store operators from around the country as they prepare to reset shelves early next year. Beverage Digest attended NACS to report on next year’s introductions. Below is a selection of key products shown by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper and select other beverage companies... Last month’s NACS show in Chicago drew attendance of more than 25,000, according to organizers. Food and beverage manufacturers use the annual NACS show to unveil new products for convenience store operators from around the country as they prepare to reset shelves early next year. Beverage Digest attended NACS to report on next year’s introductions. Below is a selection of key products shown by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper and select other beverage companies...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1326 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:00:35 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1326-nacs-2025-c-store-operators-preview-next-years-beverage-innovation-bets Cover-Web.jpg Cover-Web.jpg Liquid Death.jpg Bang and Reign.jpg Ghost8.4Can.jpg BlackRifleGrapeX.jpg Reign.jpg RedBull.jpg Bang.jpg MonsterAmerica250.jpg FLRT.jpg MonsterZeroSugars.jpg C4.jpg Lipton.jpg Gatorade-Lower-Sugar.webp PepsiCoProtein.jpg BodyArmorCaffeine.jpg CokeCherryFloat.jpg PibbCan.jpg NACS Show 2025 Chicago Rolling Updates on 2026 Coke, PepsiCo, KDP Innovation and More. Hello from the NACS show in Chicago. Food and beverage manufacturers are sharing their latest innovation to convenience store operators from around the country as buyers look toward shelf sets early next year. Beverage Digest is at the show to provide rolling innovation updates for subscribers by email alert and here at Beverage Digest.com... Rolling Updates on 2026 Coke, PepsiCo, KDP Innovation and More. 

Hello from the NACS show in Chicago. Food and beverage manufacturers are sharing their latest innovation to convenience store operators from around the country as buyers look toward shelf sets early next year. Beverage Digest is at the show to provide rolling innovation updates for subscribers by email alert and here at Beverage Digest.com...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1322 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:50:46 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1322-nacs-show-2025-chicago IMG_9785.jpeg IMG_9904.jpeg IMG_9903.jpeg IMG_9900.jpeg IMG_9898.jpeg IMG_9887.jpeg IMG_9886.jpeg IMG_9885.jpeg IMG_9884.jpeg IMG_9877.jpeg IMG_9875.jpeg IMG_9874.jpeg IMG_9870.jpeg IMG_9865.jpeg IMG_9858.jpeg IMG_9857.jpeg IMG_9836.jpeg IMG_9820.jpeg IMG_9818.jpeg IMG_9817.jpeg IMG_9816.jpeg IMG_9815.jpeg IMG_9814.jpeg IMG_9813.jpeg IMG_9812.jpeg IMG_9808.jpeg IMG_9781.jpeg IMG_9760.jpeg IMG_9751.jpeg IMG_9752.jpeg IMG_9772.jpeg IMG_9699.jpeg IMG_9703.jpeg IMG_9748.jpeg IMG_9778.jpeg IMG_9735.jpeg IMG_9718.jpeg IMG_9777.jpeg IMG_9704.jpeg IMG_9775.jpeg IMG_9710.jpeg IMG_9744.jpeg IMG_9724.jpeg IMG_9733.jpeg IMG_9755.jpeg IMG_9774.jpeg IMG_9771.jpeg IMG_9762.jpeg IMG_9763.jpeg IMG_9702.jpeg IMG_9745.jpeg IMG_9709.jpeg IMG_9732.jpeg IMG_9779.jpeg IMG_9776.jpeg