Headlines

This Week’s New Products: Pixel Cola, Cannabis Seasonals and Functional Soda

In this week’s roundup of new product launches, both Coca-Cola and MTN Dew rolled out new limited edition soda flavors targeting the gaming community, regional cannabis beverage makers introduced new line extensions, and the gut health boosting soda and seltzer trend continues with launches from emerging player Poppi and newcomer Aqua ViTea.

Taste Radio: The New Products That Have Us Delighted, Divided And Drooling

In this episode, Taste Radio’s hosts discussed new products in several food and beverage categories, including a nootropic-boosted hydration drink brand launched by an NFL star and NFT icon, a nostalgia-inspiring cinnamon spread, RTD milk teas and spiked tonics, artisanal and low-sugar sweets and perhaps the best-tasting tortillas on the market. They also riffed on this weekend’s Specialty Coffee Association trade show and a funding round for a brand of experimental condiments and beverages.

Monster, Orange Bang Ask Court to Confirm $175M in Damages Against VPX

Family-owned beverage maker Orange Bang and Monster Energy Company have asked an U.S. District Court in California to confirm an interim award of $175 million in damages and a 5% royalty on all future net sales of Bang-branded products after an arbitrator found that VPX was liable for breach of contract and trademark infringement by falsely claiming its products contain creatine.

Marketing: Sparkling Ice, PepsiCo Honor Vets; SodaStream Teams With SEE Turtles

In this marketing roundup, Sparkling Ice honors America’s veterans through its third annual Cheers to Heroes campaign, plant-based beverage maker MALK encourages consumers to take their bottle and #turnitaround and SodaStream partners with David Hasselhoff to save the baby sea turtles. Plus, the founders of Finnish Long Drink try to help America become the happiest place on earth.

Refresco Completes Facilities Deal with Coca-Cola

Dutch bottling conglomerate Refresco has completed its acquisition of three U.S. manufacturing facilities from The Coca-Cola Company, as first announced in August 2021.

NielsenIQ: Beverage Sales Remain Strong as Price Increases Offset Volume Declines

Non-alcoholic beverage sales remained strong but continued to decelerate over the two-week period ending March 26, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. The sales slowdown resulted from slower volume growth, which was up by low single digits in the four-week period with several categories facing declines.

Taste Radio: How To Get In ‘Good’ With This Fast-Growing Online Grocer

Bentley Hall, the CEO of California-centric online grocer Good Eggs, spoke about how an intimate understanding of its customers and a highly-curated selection of products helped grow annual revenue to over $100 million. He also explained how Good Eggs articulates quality, its process for vetting and adding new brands to its service and how the company evaluates new platforms and technologies when mapping out its growth strategy.

Keurig Dr Pepper Announces CEO Transition Plan

Beverage maker Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) announced a management transition plan that will see CFO Ozan Dokmecioglu take over as CEO from Bob Gamgort, who is set to move into the role of Executive Chairman for two years. The change will become effective July 29, 2022.

Reed’s: Company Sees Double-Digit Growth in 2021 Earnings, Operating Losses Rise

Reed’s, Inc. reported double digit growth in its full year 2021 earnings report last week, with net revenue up 19% to $49.6 million. However, the ginger beer producer faced steep operating losses as supply chain disruptions drove up costs. Gross profit for the year rose 7% to $13.6 million, with a gross margin of 27.4% compared to 30.7% the year before.