Whole Foods Takes RISE Global
Nitro coffee brand RISE Brewing Co. has gone global in Whole Foods with four SKUs of its ready-to-drink coffee line. On LinkedIn today, RISE director of national accounts Nia Kaye suggested that expansion represents a full circle return to the brand’s roots as Whole Foods was one of the brand’s first retail distribution partners after its launch in 2018.
“This is a whole team effort and we could not be prouder to see our expanded line-up and store count come to fruition!” Kaye wrote.
The expansion includes RISE’s Oat Milk Latte, Oat Milk Mocha, Oat Milk Vanilla Latte and Original Black flavors in 7 oz cans, all of which retail for $3.19 each. As well, the brand’s multiserve Original Oatmilk has expanded to all regions of Whole Foods except for the North Atlantic.
Neopop Expand NYC Delivery via Gopuff
Functional beverage brand Neopop, a self-styled stress management drink made with nootropics and adaptogens, is giving New Yorkers one less thing to worry about: they can now order the drink for delivery via Gopuff.
Founded last year, the startup brand announced in a press release that it has expanded its availability in New York City with Gopuff. The launch comes shortly after the brand became available in the area via Doordash.
“We’re excited to get in front of GoPuff’s discerning customers, with a vision to systemically reduce stress for Millennials,” said Neopop founder and CEO Adamya Sharma in a statement. “We are pumped to kick off in NYC with the intent to expand our efforts with GoPuff in additional key markets.”
Neopop’s sodas contain L-theanine, ashwagandha and have 35-45 calories per 12 oz. can. The line comes in Ginger Lemon, Classic Cola and Lemon Lime flavors.
Mocktail Club’s Giant Growth
Non-alcoholic canned cocktail brand Mocktail Club is growing its mid-Atlantic presence with 164 Giant Food stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The retail expansion adds a sizable conventional grocery partner to Mocktail Club’s footprint of natural and specialty channel stores like Whole Foods, Erewhon and MOMs Organic. The launch also marks the brand’s growth along the East Coast – it is also available in select accounts in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Sold in 12 oz. cans, Mocktail Club’s four SKU line features original zero proof cocktail creations made with various fruits, spices and botanicals including Manhattan Berry, Havana Twist, Capri Spritz and Bombay Fire.
Giant Shutters Fulfillment Centers
Speaking of Giant Food, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) reported this week that the retailer will close its home grocery delivery fulfillment centers in Hannover, Maryland; Manassas, Virginia and Milford, Delaware. The Manassas facility had just opened this spring.
The move is expected to impact around 400 jobs, however a letter to employees stated they would have the opportunity to apply for other roles at the company, SFA reported.
Chamberlain Coffee Hits Target
Beyond its RTD line intended for retail, influencer Emma Chamberlain’s Chamberlain Coffee is growing its dry shelf presence with over 375 Target stores nationwide. The brand’s bagged coffees are rolling out now in 22 states, plus Washington, D.C. The mass channel retailer will carry its Fluffy Lamb Vanilla Blend, Original Family Blend and Fancy Mouse Espresso Blend SKUs.
Machu Picchu Adds Weis, Mother’s
Machu Picchu Energy is now available in around 150 Weis Market stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware, CEO Daniel Scharff announced on LinkedIn yesterday. The announcement came one week after Scharff said the brand’s yerba mate line had entered Mother’s Market & Kitchen stores in Southern California.
Machu Picchu was founded in 2021 by Brazilian beverage entrepreneur Bernardo Paiva, former chief sales officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev and later CEO of its Ambev division. The brand’s plant-based energy drinks launched last May with four flavors containing 120 mg of caffeine and a two-SKU line of organic energy seltzers (40 mg caffeine), each packaged in 12 oz. cans. The brand introduced a line of yerba mate beverages this spring.
Bambucha Goes to Denver
San Diego, California-based Bambucha said it has tripled its direct-to-consumer sales and grown retail distribution to over 700 locations across the Western U.S., most recently breaking into Colorado.
Founded in 2017, Bambucha’s five-SKU non-alcoholic kombucha line is now available in 23 Natural Grocers stores in Denver, Colorado and are also sold in California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
The expanded distribution comes alongside the launch of Bambucha’s new hard kombucha variety pack and its Raspberry Crush flavor, which are available in BevMo, Sprouts, Jimbos, Lazy Acres, Total Wine and More and Grocery Outlet stores across Southern California.