Nielsen: Late Summer Sees Modest Acceleration in Non-Alc Bevs
Non-alcoholic beverage sales accelerated over the two-week period ending August 28, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Headlines
Survey: Food Industry Makes Progress on Diversity with Room to Improve
After last year’s reckoning on racial injustice across America prompted a look into widespread inequity within the food and beverage industry, companies appear to be making progress on their diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) goals, according to a new study by Deloitte Insights and FMI - The Food Industry Association last month.
Taste Radio: The Keys To Influencer Marketing Helped Unlock This New ‘Society’
Ben Soffer, the Instagram celebrity behind @boywithnojob, discussed the development of his upstart wine-based cocktail brand Spritz Society, how his expertise in influencer marketing helped shape the brand’s vision and business strategy, why authenticity is a common theme in everything he does and how he got up to speed as a first-time beverage entrepreneur.
Taste Radio: How Do You Make It ‘Pop’ On TikTok? And, Why A Flamin’ Hot Drink Has Us Divided.
In this episode, the hosts discussed recent headlines on BevNET and NOSH, including how prebiotic soda brand Poppi leveraged its presence on TikTok in support of a recent $13.5 million round of capital, why MTN DEW’s limited-edition Flamin’ Hot variety works (whether we like it or not) and the potential pitfalls of brand positioned as a better-for-you Hot Pocket.
Proof Sheet: Bacardi Sees NFTs, While ‘Black Irish’ Brands Battle
In this recap of recent news and notes from the spirits industry, we highlight Bacardi's embrace of NFTs, plus examine why singer Mariah Carey is caught up in a legal dispute over her new cream liqueur brand.
New Hope Answers Expo East Questions on Safety, Attendance Levels
As questions over safety and buyer attendance continue to linger less than a month before the event begins, media platform and event producer New Hope hosted a virtual Q&A session today to address concerns regarding its upcoming Natural Products Expo East trade show.
Distribution Roundup: Uncle Matt’s Adds New Doors, Monaco Cocktails Enters Sam’s Club
Uncle Matt's Organic has received authorization for 2,500 new retail doors; NERD Focus partners with Glazer's Beer & Beverage in Texas; Monaco Cocktails adds Sam's Club stores; KRISP Drinks partners with Giant Foods; Sunwink lands key natural partners and widens online presence.
Phillips Distilling Aims to Ignite Brand Innovation, Awareness
Seeking to inject fresh life into its core brands, Phillips Distilling Company is making big bets on innovations like light-activated bottles and art-inspired “freezer vodka.”
VIDEO: NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry Talks Business Goals with Functional Water Investment
Since October, Nirvana Water Sciences Corp. has aimed to disrupt the functional beverage set with a new brand built around muscle building supplement HMB. Acquiring exclusive rights to the ingredient, compiling a team of industry veterans and preparing for a nationwide expansion next year, the company is now sweetening the deal with NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry, who last week joined the company as an equity investor and member of its Ambassador Board of Directors.
National Restaurant Association’s Tom Bené to Take Reins at Breakthru Beverage Group
Breakthru Beverage Group has tapped National Restaurant Association president and CEO Tom Bené as its next CEO, effective October 4.
Gallery: August’s New Products
As summer wraps up beverage brands launched a variety of new functional, fruit-flavored drinks while others jumped ahead to fall with limited pumpkin-themed releases. Check out the gallery below for the latest hemp-infused products from companies such as Lift, Beak & Skiff and Green Monké, new brand debuts, product reformulations and more.
Taste Radio: Vice Is Nice. Why This VC Firm Is Pumping Millions Into ‘Bad’ Consumer Products.
Vice Ventures founder Catharine Dockery spoke about the massive opportunity for CPG categories, such as cannabis, alcohol and sexual wellness, that have traditionally been shunned by institutional investors, how her firm utilizes non-traditional data to make informed decisions, why she believes a shakeup in beverage alcohol distribution is on its way and why she spends most of her day engaging in new business pitches.
Under NestFresh Umbrella, New Barn Preps Expansion
In June, plant-based food and beverage brand New Barn Organics was acquired by national egg producer NestFresh in a move that promised to allow both companies to provide a broader range of products and give the brand a new runway for growth. Nearly three months later, that promise is taking shape.
Natural Light Launches “Flavor-Forward” Vodka Line
Having already innovated its way through the ready-to-drink category with everything from a classic hard seltzer to Natty Daddy Lemonade, Natural Light is looking beyond canned categories for its latest product launch. The beer maker announced this week it has launched into the spirits world with a line of lemonade-flavored Natty Vodka.