2025 Industry Update & Trends Predictions from SPINS
Consumer sentiment is finally improving, and the economy is solidly on the rise. View the full report in partnership with SPINS.
Headlines
A2 Dairy Is Gaining Momentum, But Can Suppliers Keep Up?
The A2 dairy milk market didn’t exist in the U.S. two decades ago, but consumer interest is on the way up even as the overall dairy space faces declines.
The Fifth Category? Perception of Intoxicating Hemp Evolves Across the Three Tiers
Opinions on intoxicating hemp beverages and their role in the market – as well as how involved bev-alc industry members should be in the category – seem to shift as quickly as regulations do.
Daily Briefing (Insiders Only): Calexo Finds New Consumers After Being Kicked Out Of Cali
The Calexo team are professionals at pivoting. In their five years on the market, the four person co-founding team has moved their product strategy twice. Just when it settled on a product strategy, the California-based brand was kicked out of its home market.
Distribution: Cannabis Beverages Target Southeast
Hemp-derived THC brands look toward new opportunities in the Southeast and other regions of the U.S. amid elevated interest in adult non-alc options, among other distribution news.
Tito’s To Move From RNDC to Reyes Beverage Group In California
Leading spirits brand Tito’s Handmade Vodka plans to leave Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) for Reyes Beverage Group in California. The announcement comes after RNDC filed notice to lay off at least 60 of its staff in the Golden State.
Taste Radio: How Upstarts Shined At A Final-ish ‘Fancy’
Before the sun set on a final Winter Fancy Food Show, the event cast a light on a swath of emerging, innovative and better-for-you brands. The hosts highlight a few of their favorite products exhibited at the show, and how package design, ingredients, form factor and taste helped them to stand out.
Fancy Food: Tastelli’s New Audience; A2 Builds Awareness
The final Winter Fancy Food Show kicked off at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Sunday and while the show saw more food than beverage, a handful of exhibitors showed off new liquid innovations and brand extensions. Here are our notes:
Riding The RTD Wave: Hiyo Secures Nearly $20M In Funding
Los Angeles-based adult non-alc brand Hiyo has announced a new $19 million investment which included Series A funds, prior convertibles and a “recapitalization."
Inside Suja’s Slice Reboot: “We Have a Strong Story On Why This is Different”
Hoping to tap into a ‘modern soda’ renaissance, Slice is once again in the market as Suja Life has reintroduced the classic CSD as a healthy, gut health boosting functional beverage.
Daily Briefing (Insiders Only): Monster Streamlines Brewing & Talks CEO Successions
With its business growing amid a rising U.S. energy drink category, Monster Beverage Corporation expressed confidence in its widening product portfolio and its alcoholic drinks arm, Monster Brewing Company.
Taste Radio: To Live Her Dream, She First Needed To Create ‘Absolute Trust’ In Her Brand
When Amanda Thomson launched Noughty Wines, a pioneering brand of dealcoholized wines, in 2019, she was, in essence, flying blind. In this episode, Amanda talks about how she charted an unknown path for a nascent category, why gaining the “absolute trust” of consumers is key to Noughty’s future and why she advises founders to consider what they want to achieve with their brands.
Protein2O Seeks ‘Multi-Hyphenate’ Status with Brand Refresh
Functional beverage brand Protein2O is getting a fresh new look next month as it prepares to roll out a rebrand and reformulation across its product lines. The 12-year-old business will introduce its new label on February 1, designed by branding firm Safari Sundays.
ZICO Rising Closes Series B Round
Coconut water maker Zico Rising confirmed the closing of a Series B round that raised $9.1 million of an anticipated $9.5 million. The brand would not comment on the details of the investment round.