Headlines

Darren Rovell’s Kickstand Cocktails Expands with New SKUs, Distribution

With his latest beverage alcohol play, sports business analyst and CPG investor Darren Rovell is feeling the heat – and he’s excited for it. Kickstand Cocktails launched earlier this year with a line of spicy ready-to-drink canned cocktails with 5.5% ABV per 12 oz. can.

Hoplark Restructures, Founder Eberhardt to Lead Innovation At Labs Division

Colorado-based beverage maker Hoplark is separating into two subsidiaries: Hoplark, which will oversee the core brand as it currently exists, and Hoplark Labs, a tech-driven division that will launch new beverage brands and products under the leadership of the company’s founder, Dean Eberhardt.

NielsenIQ: Non-Alc Beverage Sales Accelerate in Early December

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.

Report: E-Grocery Sales Down 10% YOY

As inflation continues to impact prices at the supermarket, U.S. consumers are spending less money buying groceries online, according to last month’s Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey.

Poppi Closes CAVU-Led $25M Series B Round

Prebiotic soda producer Poppi has closed a $25 million Series B funding round backed by existing investor CAVU Venture Partners, the company announced today. The new financing arrives as Poppi reports 148% year-over-year growth amid a significant retail expansion.

Taste Radio: To Unlock The Extraordinary Power Of Design, He Put Humans Front And Center

Mauro Porcini, the Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo, discussed his definition of design, both in the abstract and specific to his work in consumer products, how he convinces colleagues to align with his vision, and where he takes his cues as a creator and leader. He also explained his hiring process and the value of technical expertise versus personality or cultural savvy and how social media influences his perspective on design.

GHOST ‘Deceptively’ Markets to Kids, Allege Ad Watchdogs

Advertising watchdog group Truth in Advertising and the University of Connecticut Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health filed a complaint with federal agencies today against energy drink maker GHOST, alleging the company has “unfairly and deceptively” marketed its products to children.