A first time exhibitor at Natural Products Expo West, Koa markets a uniquely formulated zero-calorie, juice-based beverage that it calls “olakino.” In the above video, Koa CEO Adam Louras speaks with BevNET about the company's approach to innovation and new product development. He also discusses Koa’s distribution goals for 2016, and the addition of beverage industry veteran Ken Sadowsky as an advisor.
In the above video, McQueen discusses the brand’s distribution expansion as well as recent funding from equity-based crowdfunding platform CircleUp, which invested in the company through its $22 million consumer growth fund.
In this video, filmed at Natural Products Expo West 2016, BevNET’s John Craven and Ray Latif discuss current trends in the cold-pressed and high pressure processed (HPP) juice category.
Earlier this year Bulletproof, a brand best known for a recipe of grass-fed butter-and-oil-infused coffee that is said to increase energy and improve health, opened its first retail store. In this video, BevNET speaks with manager Christopher Szeto about the brick-and-mortar location and its role in sharing the brand's philosophy of "biohacking."
The category of cold-pressed juice has matured, and at Whole Foods, the largest retailer in the natural grocery channel, there's not much more room -- if any -- for brands seeking a national presence within the chain. That's the assessment of a high-ranking Whole Foods executive who spoke with BevNET on the floor at the 2015 Natural Products Expo East.
Filmed on location at the Baltimore Convention Center, BevNET CEO John Craven and BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman break down the show and its impact on natural beverage categories.
Here’s a math problem for you: if the show floor at Natural Products Expo West 2014 encompassed over 1 million square feet, how big do you think the proverbial elephant in the room (in this case, the Anaheim Convention Center) would have to be? Gargantuan, for sure, and for beverage exhibitors at the event, it was clear that the mammoth in the room is known as Whole Foods. The clout and sway of the natural grocer was in full display at Expo West.
With several intriguing product debuts and packaging updates from a number of the 50 beverage brands represented at the show, including Hint, Purity Organic, Califia Farms, ITO En and Q Drinks, attendees caught a glimpse of new beverage trends and innovation that are likely to remain on a steady course throughout 2014.
What a difference a year makes. Yes, most of the big beverage players were present at the 2013 NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) Show; The Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo, Dr Pepper Snapple, Red Bull and Monster Energy all featured the usual mega booths that attendees are used to seeing at the event. But unlike years past, the NACS show in Atlanta was notable for what it was missing: many of the natural and functional brands that we saw in 2012.
Leaning on high-pressure processing (HPP) as a way to bring its super-premium juices to a growing class of health-focused consumers, Suja has quickly emerged as significant player in the rapidly expanding field of raw juice companies.
Whether a first-time attendee or grizzled veteran of Natural Products Expo West, there was a singular feeling felt throughout: the 2013 show was simply mind-boggling in size and scale. Within the cavernous halls of the Anaheim Convention Center, a keen sense of excitement and opportunity filled the air as beverage companies, retailers, distributors and investors looked to take advantage of the rising tide of consumer demand for natural products.
“To some extent, we’ve become like WD-40.” – Manoj Bhargava, founder and CEO of Living Essentials, the marketer of 5 Hour Energy. At a glance, it may not be the most elegant of comparisons, but when one considers the utter domination that each product shares over its competitors, the analogy is crystal clear. In the same way that there is no "category" for WD-40, Bhargava considers energy shots to be a one-horse stable.
Despite the emergence of natural and better-for-you beverages in the c-store channel, in part two of our video recap of the 2012 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show, the editorial team discusses how a "back to basics" sensibility was evident throughout the event.
As part of BevNET's continuing 2012 NACS show coverage, the BevNET editorial team examines key trends seen at the show including the boom of line extensions from top energy drink companies, the overall trend of natural and functional products crossing into the c-store channel, how packaging innovation has spurred growth in energy, relaxation, and better-for-you segments, and why some beverage companies are tailoring new products to small, but emerging, consumer sets.
