Mountain Dew Pitch Black

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted on Thursday to dismiss allegations that PepsiCo gave “unfair pricing advantages” to a major retailer while raising prices for its competitors.

Summer seasonal flavors are on showcase in this week’s new product gallery, with limited-time sips from the likes of Zoa, Bubly, Wynk and others — but also permanent additions to rosters from HOP WTR, Poppi and Zico.

This spring’s crop of public company earnings offered a mixed bag of results, as large players struggled, smaller brands soared, and “economic uncertainty” was the phrase of the month. As we close the books on Q1, here’s some of our main takeaways.

Brand-focused investors and deal advisors at the recently completed Beverage Forum conference in California this week offered a series of details that indicate that the outlook is trending positive on the investment front.

PepsiCo lowered its full-year earnings forecast this morning, citing declining consumer confidence and tariff-induced increases in supply chain costs as major hurdles to growth.

Just in time for its 80th anniversary, Minute Maid is partnering with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to launch its ‘Bring the Juice’ multi-year platform that is “designed for longevity.”

The weather is warming up and innovation is heating up. This week’s new products feature a bevy of coffee innovations from Bones, Pop & Bottle, Community Coffee and Trade, as well as citrus soda launches from Mountain Dew and Poppi, and an All-Star collaboration between ITO EN and L.A. Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani.

PepsiCo announced this morning it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Poppi for $1.95 billion, officially bringing the CSD giant into the next gen functional soda set.

PepsiCo is moving on from plastic rings to recyclable paperboard for its 6-pack packages as it innovates its supply chain under its pep+ sustainability initiative.

Vita Coco is shaking up summer in the Hamptons by offering beachgoers craft coconut water cocktails at several favorite hot spots including The Surf Lodge, Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, Southampton Social Club and TT’s Montauk.

As Dry January participants enter their final stretch, this week’s new products gallery features alcohol-free drinks from Simply and DRY Soda Co. which are rolling out nationwide. As well, classic CSD brands introduce new and revamped flavors, Rockstar Energy expands its better-for-you offerings and BodyArmor pays tribute to the troops.

Rising costs and inflation pressures have softened PepsiCo’s full-year guidance for 2022 below analysts’ predictions, even as the company beat revenue expectations in its Q4 2021 earnings report, released this morning.

This year’s Forbes list of the top wealthiest self-made women featured four founders, leaders and executives behind some of CPG’s most notable brands. Released this week, the full list includes 100 of the top female entrepreneurs and executives, two-thirds of which either founded or cofounded their company and 26 who have served as CEOs.

Chobani has teamed with PepsiCo to further its ambitions in the refrigerated space through a pilot distribution program that will take the yogurt maker’s products into convenience retailers, colleges and universities across the Northeast starting this month.