CPG Week: NACS News & Clio Gets New Owners
This week, the podcast goes through an M&A deal for Greek yogurt bar brand Clio and all the big news from the NACS trade show last week.
Headlines
Distribution: Neutonic, WellWithAll Bring BFY Energy to Walmart
Beverage supplement brand Neutonic can now be found in nearly 1,000 Walmart stores nationwide, joining the retailer’s freshly announced Mood & Mind beverage set specializing in relaxation and other cognitive function drinks.
Coca-Cola Leans into Functional Hydration, Nostalgia at NACS
The Coca-Cola Co. team took us around their booth during the NACS show to show us how they’re looking to turn more convenience store visits into bigger baskets, leaning on new flavors, functional innovation and an expanding hydration portfolio to capture more consumption occasions.
Beyond the Can: C4, Bucked Up and Rockstar Jump into Caffeine Pouches at NACS
Several energy drink brands are looking beyond the can for their next growth opportunity, with C4, Bucked Up and Rockstar extending into nicotine-free caffeine pouches.
Just Ice Tea Competes for Energy Occasion with Awaken Cold Brew Tea Launch
The organic iced tea brand has launched Awaken Cold Brew Tea, a line of energizing teas containing 120 mg of caffeine per 12 oz. can. Available in Strawberry Spark, Tropical Takeoff and Honeydew Lime Lift flavors, the drinks are made with a yerba mate and green and white tea, with 17 grams of sugar and 80 calories in each serving.
Adult Non-Alc’s Fastest-Growing Dollars are Coming From Bars and Browsers
Retail still generates most of adult non-alc’s (ANA) sales, but on-premise and online sales are now growing roughly twice as fast, according to a recent NIQ report.
Poppi Founders Return To Beverages With Hydration Brand Jetty
Roughly one year after selling their modern soda brand to Pepsi for over $1.95 billion, Poppi founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth are back in the beverage game.
Taste Radio: How Sweet Loren’s Built a $100M Brand Without Venture Capital
Building a $100 million CPG brand without venture capital takes more than a great product — it takes conviction, discipline, and a willingness to play the long game. In this episode, Loren Castle, the founder and CEO of Sweet Loren’s, breaks down how she built a profitable business by challenging category conventions, winning over major retailers, and refusing to compromise on taste.
White Claw Maker Targets Super Lyte, SpikedAde With RefreshAde
Mark Anthony Brands navigated the hard seltzer gold rush phase with White Claw coming out on the other side as the segment’s top-selling brand. The company is looking to repeat in the fast-growing hard sports drink segment with a challenger brand: RefreshAde.
PRODA Brings On Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel As Co-Founders
PRODA has added Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel as co-founders amid the brand's rapid growth since launching in April.
Evolution Fresh Leans Into Functional With New Probiotic Line; Generous Names New CMO
Evolution Fresh is launching Thrive, a functional beverage line, just as the brand's parent company, Generous Brands, appoints a new CMO.
NACS: Bloom Introduces ‘Iconic Treats’ Energy Flavors as C-Store Expansion Accelerates
Bloom Nutrition is making convenience stores a central pillar of the next phase of growth for its Sparkling Energy beverages, leveraging its loyal consumer base, nostalgia, and an expanding distribution footprint.
The Nombase Podcast Is Now Called the CPG Operator Podcast
The Nombase Podcast is now the CPG Operator Podcast, your go-to resource for what it takes to build and grow a food or beverage brand. The new name reflects what the show has always been about: candid conversations on the day-to-day realities of starting, building and growing a brand, from formulation and pricing to landing shelf space and scaling up.
Energy, Nutrition Shakes Standout as Food Sales Drop in Convenience Channel
Food sales are suffering, although energy drinks and nutrition shakes are resilient, as high fuel prices “weigh on consumers” and depress convenience channel foot traffic, according to a new equity research report from investment banker Jefferies.