Non-alcoholic beverage sales gained pace in the two-week period ending December 3 as volume growth “remained stable despite a slight acceleration in pricing,” according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Dollar sales grew 13.2% year-over-year in the two-week period, compared to 12.7% growth in the four-week period and 13.1% growth for 12-weeks. Volume remained relatively unchanged, declining -0.5% in the two-weeks, equivalent to the four-week period. Average pricing growth continues to hit double-digits, up 13.8% in the two-weeks versus 13.2% for the four-week period. On a three-year stack basis, dollar sales decelerated sequentially, up 37% in the two-weeks and 38.4% in the four-week period.
CSDs
Carbonated soft drinks sales rose 15.7% for the two-week period, up slightly 15.1% in the four-weeks. Volume fell -0.4% in the period while pricing climbed by 16.2%.
The Coca-Cola Company outpaced the category, up 18.4% with volumes growing 1.4% and pricing up 16.7%. PepsiCo’s sales grew by 11.9% (-3.1% volume and +15.5% pricing) and Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) increased 15.5% (-1% volume and +16.7% pricing).
Energy Drinks
Energy dollar sales were up 10.3% in the two-weeks (+9.6% for four-weeks) with volume rising a slight 0.3% against average pricing growth of 10.1%.
Category leader Monster reported sales up 9.7% with volume sliding by -0.7% and pricing up 10.4%. Red Bull increased sales 8.5% with volume up 0.3% and pricing climbed 8.2%. PepsiCo (Rockstar and MTN Dew) faced declines, with sales down -3.5% and volume dropping -13.4% with an 11.4% pricing hike offsetting the slide.
Within the fitness and performance energy segment, Bang – currently navigating a Chapter 11 restructuring process – reported sales down -44.4% with volume falling by -48.3% and pricing up by 7.5%. Dollar sales for other brands remained robust, including CELSIUS (+132.8%), Nutrabolt/C4 (+91.3%) and GHOST (+1,286%).
Elsewhere in the energy set, Starbucks reported sales up 20.5% in the two-week period and plant-based player ZOA was up 7.9%. KDP, which will soon bring C4 into its distribution network through a new partnership with Nutrabolt, reported energy sales down -0.9%.
Bottled Water
The water category decelerated slightly, with dollar sales up 14.2% in the two-week period compared to +14.5% for the four-weeks. Volume sales were flat, with a 14.2% average pricing increase driving the growth.
Private label products outpaced the category, up 25.7% (+3.9% volume and +21% pricing), while Blue Triton Brands was more in line with the overall space, up 14% (-5% volume and +20.1% pricing). Other players including Coke (+7.1%), PepsiCo (+4.1%), KDP (+10%), Niagara Bottling (+19.8%) and Danone North America (+16%) reported sales increases for the period. The Kraft Heinz Company, however, saw sales dip -15.9%.
Sports Drinks
Dollar sales accelerated in the two-week period, up 15% compared to 13% growth in the four-week period. Volume sales improved (+0.2% vs. -1.1% for four-weeks) while pricing sped up slightly (+14.7% vs. +14.2% for four-weeks). PepsiCo (Gatorade) led the category, with sales up 19%, while Coke (BodyArmor and Powerade) fell by -3.4%.
RTD Tea
Sales of tea drinks increased 10.2% in the two-weeks, up from +9.6% in the four-weeks. Volume declined -1.9% and average pricing increased by 12.4%. Lipton sales grew 5.8% in the period, and Coke (+16.5%), AriZona (+14.4%) and Milo’s Tea Company (+33%) also reported positive results. Sales of KDP products were down -2.9%.
Sparkling Flavored Water
Sparkling flavored waters were up 4.9% for the two-week period, accelerating from 4.6% in the four-weeks. Volume dropped -5.2% in the period, while pricing grew 10.6%. Category leader Talking Rain reported a -0.6% decline in dollar sales, as did Coke (-28.3%) and Nestle (-25.4%). Meanwhile LaCroix producer National Beverage Corp (+0.4%), PepsiCo (+5.8%), Polar (+26.5%), Spindrift (+40.5%), Waterloo (+37.7%) and KDP (+4.9%) posted sales gains in the two-weeks.
RTD Coffee
Coffee sales were up 9.6% in the two-weeks (+9.2% for four-weeks) with volume improving +7.4% and average pricing growing just +2%. Starbucks sales were up 12.9% (volume +17.2% and pricing -3.6%). Danone North America reported sales up 23.7% and Califia Farms sales grew 18.1%. Meanwhile Coke (Dunkin’ and Costa) saw sales slide -25.5%.
Still Flavored Water
Category sales improved 4% in the period, decelerating slightly from +4.5% in the four-week period. Volume dropped -13.5% and average pricing grew 20.4%. Coke (+8.4%), PepsiCo (+10.4%) and good2grow (+11.4%) saw sales improvement in the period while Hint (-2%) and Kraft Heinz (-15.9%) reported declines.