Liquid I.V. Acquired by Unilever
After several years of sustained growth, powdered hydration mix brand Liquid I.V. has been acquired by international CPG giant Unilever for an undisclosed fee, the company announced today.
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Nielsen: Monster Growing, Category Growing Faster
An increase in promotional pricing and strong sales for sugar-free Monster Zero Ultra and coffee-based Java Monster helped Monster Beverage Corp. build substantial volume growth over recent weeks, according to an analysis of Nielsen U.S. channel data through August 22, 2020 by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Taste Radio Ep. 225: How The Founder Of Stacy’s Pita Chips Went From Struggling To Find Laundry Quarters To A Quarter-Billion Dollar Exit
Stacy Madison, founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips, shared essential lessons learned from building her company, including those that she’s applying to her latest venture, BeBold, a refrigerated energy bar brand. She explained why having a “nothing to lose” attitude was key during her early days as an entrepreneur, the most significant mistake in building Stacy’s Pita Chips and the altruistic reason that she decided to get back into the packaged food industry.
Swoon Launches Zero Sugar Lemonade Line
Swoon, a New York-based maker of zero sugar cocktail mixers and syrups, is stepping into the ready-to-drink sector with the launch of a sugar free lemonade line this month. The new line is available in three flavors: Classic Lemonade, Pink Lemonade (made with strawberries) and Half & Half (made with tea).
Gallery: August’s New Products
As summer comes to a close, brands are already gearing up for the fall season. SToK, Chobani and Brew Dr rolled out limited edition products featuring autumnal spices this month, while new milks from Borden look to capture the classic flavors of fall state fairs. Check out the gallery for this month’s notable releases, including multiserves from Loco and Made Coffee and new wellness shots from BOS and Dose.
Spirits Gallery: August RTDs
In this gallery, we showcase a handful of notable new RTDs from the past month, highlighted by flavor extensions from Lifted Libations and Cutwater, Austin Cocktails making the move into cans and a category debut from Boston's Bully Boy Distillers.
Awaiting New Financing, Joyride Pauses Operations
As the COVID-19 pandemic has effectively shuttered the office channel for beverage providers, Joyride Coffee Distributors has temporarily ceased operations as it finalizes a deal to secure new financing, the company told BevNET this week.
Coca-Cola To Offer Buyouts As Part of Corporate Restructuring Plan
The Coca-Cola Company today announced it has begun taking steps to reorganize its corporate structure, which will include offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 4,000 employees in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Office Hours: Lead Your Squad to Growth with John Maggio
If there’s one CPG product type that has managed to explode during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s Ready-to-Drink Cocktails (RTDs). According to Nielsen, sales of RTDs grew more than 90 percent in the month of June, with more growth expected throughout the summer as Americans searched for ways to entertain — or keep themselves entertained — with limited, inconsistent access to restaurants, bars, or each other.
Taste Radio Insider Ep. 96: How SkinnyDipped Made Millions At Target… After Sneaking Into Google
Breezy Griffith, co-founder and CEO of fast-growing coated nut brand Skinny Dipped, spoke about why persistence was critical in landing the brand’s first retail accounts, how guts and guile got the products into the office pantries of Google and Microsoft, how she orchestrated national distribution of the brand at Target and why she’s turned to an industry veteran to manage day-to-day operations.
Guru Announces Plan to Take Company Public on Canadian Stock Market
Canadian energy drink maker GURU is going public, announcing earlier this week its plans to be listed on the Toronto TSX Growth exchange this fall through a reverse merger with Mira X Acquisition Corp.
Distribution Roundup: Kaló Hemp Seltzer Partners with Pepsi New York
Kaló Hemp Seltzer Partners with PepsiNY; EBOOST Expands to Over 2,500 Locations; CellDration Water Partners with Kroger, Adds 1,100 Doors; Liquid I.V. Launches Energy Multiplier in Costco; KÖE Kombucha Builds on Immunity Trend; Better Booch Expands in Whole Foods; Pop & Bottle Enters Walmart, 7-Eleven; Play Mode Enters UNFI; Natalie’s Rolls Out to Target
BevNET & NOSH September 2020 Content Calendar Released: DTC, Investment Banking, and Category Review
Say hello to the BevNET and NOSH content calendar, where we list the upcoming free and subscriber-only happenings that you won’t want to miss for each site. Featuring a swath of new shows as well as our ongoing Office Hours and Elevator Talks, the calendar is our handy way of getting the word out on what’s coming up.
Cascadia Managing Brands Takes Equity Stake in Krisp Drinks
Food and beverage consulting firm Cascadia Managing Brands has taken an equity stake in Pennsylvania-based enhanced water startup Krisp Drinks, a Black-owned brand founded by a former convenience store manager.