News

Intelligentsia Coffee and Oatly are extending their partnership into the ready-to-drink world with a line of oat milk lattes — along with a dairy-free black coffee SKU — launching today online and at Intelligentsia cafes in Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

Performance energy brand Adrenaline Shoc (A Shoc) is tapping into the natural space with this week’s announcement of A Shoc Accelerator, a new line of plant-based drinks featuring a “thermogenic blend” of functional ingredients. Accelerator is rolling out into select stores now and next month will add 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

Through its use of ultra-filtered milk permeate as a nutrient-rich base, the company brand is aiming to position its debut product — a four-SKU line of sports drinks in 16.9 oz. bottles — as delivering electrolytes and vitamins “from the goodness of milk.

The Coca-Cola Company confirmed Friday that it has notified U.S. antitrust regulators that it has begun the process of acquiring a controlling stake in sports drink brand BodyArmor. If the deal goes through, it could give Coke a commanding presence in the sports drink category with a serious competitor to PepsiCo’s Gatorade.

With the debut of its new visual identity and packaging design on March 1, New York-based Sound company is taking its most intentional steps yet towards penetrating the premium sparkling water space.

In this week's Distribution Roundup, two innovative and better-for-you beverage brands -- plant-based shake maker Koia and mamaki tea company Shaka Tea -- enter 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Elsewhere, Sanzo expands its retail presence with new DSD partners in New York and Los Angeles.

The Coca-Cola Company has begun the process of acquiring a controlling stake in sports drink brand BodyArmor.

Slate Milk, the Boston-based maker of lactose-free chocolate milks marketed towards adults, has raised $1.7 million in a funding round led by Riverpark Ventures. The round brings the company’s total financing to $2.5 million and also features a number of angel investors including Halo Top executives Doug Bolton.