Headlines

Spirits Gallery: New Spring Releases from Bumbu, Hecate, Booker’s and More

In this gallery, we highlight some of the notable new releases over the past two months, which includes new releases from Bumbu, Elephant Gin and Booker's, a new basil-infused vodka from Manhattan, the debut of a pair of watermelon expressions from Malibu and Absolut, plus more. 

Caliwater Announces Relaunch Backed by Vanessa Hudgens and Oliver Trevena

California-based cactus water brand Caliwater is set to relaunch this month with a new founding team that includes actor/filmmaker Oliver Trevena and actress Vanessa Hudgens. The drinks are available in Organic Wild Prickly Pear and Organic Wild Prickly Pear with Ginger & Lime flavors. Each can contains 25 calories and is vegan, kosher and non-GMO.

Two Roads Breaks Into Spirits-Based RTD Segment with Daybreaker Vodka Cocktails

The Stratford, Connecticut-based craft brewery has launched Daybreaker, a family of ready-to-drink, vodka-based cocktails, available in three flavors: Blood Orange, Cran-Lime and Meyer Lemonade. All three are mixed with real fruit juice and vodka distilled at Two Roads’ Area Two research and development space.

Oatly Reveals Revenue Gains, Mounting Losses in IPO Filing

In 2020, revenue increased 106.5% year-over-year, outpacing the 72.9% growth from the year prior, with U.S. revenue representing $100 million, according to SEC documents. Citing Nielsen data, the company reported that retail sales in the U.S. grew 182% year-over-year.

Taste Radio: Barnana’s Secret Weapon? It’s Often Wasted.

Caue Suplicy, the founder and chairman of Barnana, which markets premium snacks made from upcycled bananas, spoke about how the company analyzed consumer demand to better understand how to market and promote the brand, its strategy for sourcing and utilizing sales data, why hiring from within has benefited the brand and how he has navigated the industry as an immigrant founder.

Coke: Q1 Results Reflect ‘Asynchronous’ Pandemic Recovery

Having struggled throughout 2020 with strong headwinds from the pandemic, The Coca-Cola Company saw net revenues increase 5% in the first quarter of 2021, with top line growth beating analysts’ expectations as volume sales are beginning to recover from last year’s lockdowns.

The “Refresh” in Refreshment: Diabolo Unveils New Packaging

With the term “soda” becoming a liability for beverage companies amid changing consumer habits, California-based Diabolo has unveiled updated branding, repositioning itself as a ‘Sparkling French Lemonade’ focused on taste and refreshment.

Diageo Expands RTD Portfolio with Acquisition of Loyal 9 Cocktails

Alcohol conglomerate Diageo is extending its reach into the ready-to-drink cocktails category with the acquisition of Loyal 9 Cocktails, makers of a line of vodka-based canned beverages, from Sons of Liberty Spirits Company. The acquisition will be funded through Diageo’s existing cash resources. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PepsiCo: Beverages, Frito Lay Fuel Q1 Revenue Gains

PepsiCo reported net revenue growth of 6.8% in Q1 of this year, a figure that “reflects the benefits of (its) highly strategic acquisition activity” and “continued investment in our brands, manufacturing capacity, supply chain and go-to-market systems,” the company reported this morning.

Category Close-Up: Product Showcase – Bottled Water

On this edition of Product Showcase, you’ll hear about the latest product innovations and brand updates from hellowater, GIVN, Richard's Rainwater, FLOW Alkaline Spring Water, Akeso, The Alkaline Water Company, Open Water, TEN Alkaline Water, and ÈSSE.

BODYARMOR: Innovation Fueling Ambitions to Hit $5B Sales Target

Having passed the $1 billion mark, BODYARMOR is aiming to leverage its combination of distribution muscle, marketing prowess and on-trend products to push the brand towards more ambitious targets, including doubling the business over the next three years.

Goldman Sachs: Convenience Retailers Optimistic as Pandemic Outlook Brightens

According to the firm’s latest “Beverage Bytes” survey of retailers representing nearly 30,000 stores nationwide (roughly 20% of the channel), overall beverage sales increased 10% year-over-year in Q1 of 2021, compared to 7% growth in Q4 2020, driven by increased foot traffic from consumers who are steadily returning to old shopping habits.

Retailer Roundup: Bubble Preps New Platform Launch; Court Orders Walmart to Pay $115M

Health food ecommerce retailer BUBBLE Goods announced this week that it has named Savraj Singh, former CTO of Daily Harvest, as chief technology officer, responsible for leading the company’s engineering team and digital platforms; Walmart was ordered to pay $115 million to Texas-based food tech startup Zest Labs after a jury in Arkansas ruled that the retailer was guilty of stealing its shelf-freshness technology.