Headlines

Nestle Waters North America Enters Liquid Enhancer Category

The new product will launch exclusively at Target and is packaged in squeezable, 1.76 oz. containers, each with 26 servings per bottle. Initially released in three flavors -- Iced Tea with Lemon, Iced Tea with Peach and Half & Half Iced Tea -- NWNA will release a Green Tea Citrus in November at other locations including convenience and grocery stores.

Beverage Deal Review: January 2012 – July 2013

The stock market has hit all-time highs, private equity has over $320 billion of capital looking for a home, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have more than $27 billion of cash on their combined balance sheets, carbonated soft drinks continue their seemingly perpetual, long-term decline and the robust move towards healthier and functional beverages continues. What does that mean for the beverage capital markets? Good things.

BaiPolar: Coffeefruit Beverage Switches Distributors

Sensing the opportunity to accelerate brand growth and eager to bring larger chain accounts on board in the New England region, Bai has switched its distribution contracts to giant independent Polar Beverage from a network of smaller DSD operations in parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Celsius Rising: Good Quarter Yields $2.2 Million DeSantis Investment

Gerry David, brought on by lead investor Carl DeSantis in September, 2011 to replace founder Steve Haley, has been quietly rebuilding Celsius, a brand of “calorie burning soda” that has gone through fits and starts, both in terms of sales and strategy, since its introduction in 2005.

Vita Coco Covers Taxis in London

Starting this month, the coconut water company will aim to penetrate London’s marketplace with 50 branded taxis in the city.

Recent Hires Key Added Distribution for New York Spring Water

On Monday, New York Spring Water announced new distribution partnerships with Carlson Distributing of Salt Lake City, Savannah Distributing of Savannah, Ga., R.S. Lipman of Nashville, Tenn., Wasatch Distributing of Ogden, Utah, and Winkel Distributing of Richfield and Hurricane, Utah.

Venus Departs Mamma Chia to Launch New Distillery

Sean Venus, who played a critical role in the development of Mamma Chia as a national brand, is leaving the company to start a new distillery. Venus has assisted with supply chain logistics and business strategy for the chia-based food and beverage company since 2010, and became the VP of Operations for Mamma Chia in October 2012.

Health Activists: Shaq Needs to Pick a Side

With his playing days over, Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t need to sweat free throws any longer. Instead, however, he’s got health activists calling him out.

Wells Fargo: Beverages Thrive in C-Stores on Labor Day; Pepsi Pricing Strategy Needs Work

For beverage sales in convenience stores, Labor Day was the strongest holiday weekend thus far in 2013, according to a survey conducted by Wells Fargo Securities. The survey, which represents beverage retailers from more than 10,000 C-store locations across the country, indicates that C-store beverage sales increased by 4 percent over the long weekend.

Video: Body Armor’s Collins: “The Pricing Game Has Changed”

Yes, the rollout of Body Armor has featured some missteps; yes, people have noticed. But founder Lance Collins, as grizzled a beverage veteran as any, is determined to achieve success with his multi-function, “superdrink” brand. But the current ultra-competitive pricing environment for beverages, in which new products face off against highly promoted brands made by bigger companies, has made that road tougher than ever, Collins said.

Third Street Chai Launches RTD Teas via Whole Foods Partnership

Long a supplier of chai and lemonade concentrates to the natural products giant, as well as independent coffee shops and natural food stores, Colorado-based Third Street Chai has developed a new 1 Liter tea line for national launch in Whole Foods and has changed its name to Third Street Inc. as well.

Video: Cold-Pressed Gold – Examining the New Wave of Super-Premium Juice

Indeed, cold-pressed, super-premium juices, the majority of which are sold by natural retailers, have attracted a tremendous amount of attention and enthusiasm, and sustained growth appears to be a forgone conclusion. However, a deeper examination of the category reveals a potentially challenging path for new brands.

LGBT Activists Protest Coke’s Sponsorship of Olympics in Russia

Shortly after announcing a boycott of Stolichnaya Vodka, LGBT organizations and activists dumped Coca-Cola onto the streets of New York’s Times Square Wednesday to protest the soda giant’s sponsorship of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.