As the lead in one of the seven “Circles” funds, Brad Barnhorn, a long-time beverage investor and advisor, will focus on investment opportunities in the healthy food/beverage and healthy living space.
Walmart continues to express interest in smaller, emerging brands. We’ve seen brands like Inko’s and KonaRed land nationwide distribution deals. In April, the retailer announced that it will stock Wild Oats organic foods. And on May 13, WAT-AAH! announced that it has expanded its distribution network with authorization in Walmart Neighborhood Markets.
The Verge recently reported that Otsuka’s Pocari Sweat will be the first commercial product to touch down on another land surface in space. Along with Pocari Sweat, the can will contain the wishes of children across Asia, which were sent in letters to Otsuka and then etched onto silver disks.
Led by actress Jessica Alba, who serves as “brand ambassador” for its "Crack Life Open" campaign, ZICO is now positioned as an everyday, anytime type of beverage.
We’re pleased to announce that every speaker presentation, panel and discussion from BevNET Live Summer ’14 is now available for viewing on BevNET FBU, our on-demand video learning site for the food and beverage industry.
A recent survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC) found that "healthfulness" has become of critical importance in consumer buying decisions.
Yakult, a probiotic dairy beverage popular in Japan and sold in over 30 countries, is getting a big boost in the U.S. with the launch of a new state-of-the -art production facility in Southern California that is capable of producing 400,000 bottles per day.
After a remarkable stretch in-house – one that culminated in Suja being named supplier of the year at Whole Foods – Fleishman is returning to his consultancy, Purely Righteous Brands, one that partner and longtime friend Andrew Aussie incubated during his absence.
The everlasting battle between PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Co. featured a new chapter at the 2014 National Restaurant Association convention, where in a game of one-upmanship, the two companies unveiled competing customized fountain dispensing units, with innovation designed to offer consumers and foodservice operators greater variety.
As they explained their products and their histories and their strategies, a theme prevailed amongst the brand ambassadors. There’s no blueprint way to run a brand, but the finest entrepreneurs, no matter their style, tend to embody their brand and own it like a second skin.
Remarkably, the percentage of organic as part of the overall food basket remains less than 10 percent – much as the share of craft beer isn’t much more than 10 percent as well, but the indications are clear: better-crafted, innovative products that have a conscious component are at a tipping point.
Be realistic in your positioning, claims and posturing. Retailers and distributors have a long term, largely successful game plan. Be realistic in approaching them, and help guide them to where you think your brand should be.
It’s possible to thrive in this industry as a solo act, especially with a can’t-miss brand. However, as Honest Tea co-founders Barry Nalebuff and Seth Goldman indicated in their discussion Wednesday, partnerships can offer entrepreneurs advantages that just can’t be found alone.
More than 50 percent of consumers say they’re actively pursuing a healthy lifestyle and avoid sugars, according to a recent joint study by market research groups Mintel and Nielsen. However, when it comes down to the final decision, these consumers buy sweetened products at the same rate as other segments.
