Zevia: Margins Rise As Supply Chain Issues Disrupt Inventory
Better-for-you beverage brand Zevia was already seeing an impact from its brand refresh despite a Q2 with slumping sales primarily due to supply chain disruptions.
Headlines
NielsenIQ: Non-Alc Beverage Sales ‘Healthy But Decelerated’
Non-alcoholic beverage sales “remained healthy but decelerated” in the two-week period ending July 29, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. Total dollar sales growth rose 7.6% year-over-year.
Taste Radio: ‘Wild’ Concepts Create Loyal Consumers. This Is Why It Works.
How do breakout brands, particularly those that operate in trendy categories, build sustainable businesses? They cultivate authentic relationships with consumers by delivering on attributes they’re seeking. It’s how Wilderton, a maker of small-batch, non-alcoholic spirits crafted from raw botanicals, is paving its path.
Molson Coors Set to Acquire Blue Run As Spirits Biz Expands
Molson Coors has agreed to purchase Kentucky-based distillery Blue Run Spirits, marking the beer giant’s first spirits acquisition and the formal launch of its Coors Spirits Co. business. The amount was not disclosed.
Anheuser-Busch To Sell Hiball, 8 Craft Beer Brands to Tilray
Tilray Brands is acquiring eight craft brands from Anheuser-Busch InBev in a blockbuster all cash deal announced today.
Swiss Firm Marussia Beverages Acquires Ohio’s Watershed Distillery
Ohio’s Watershed Distillery has been acquired by New Jersey-based Marussia Beverages USA, the U.S.-arm of Swiss firm Marussia Beverages Group.
Lock’d and Reloaded: Takeover Industries’ New CEO Looks to Pick Up the Pieces
At the beginning of 2023, Takeover Industries appeared to be at death’s door. But things look different now: there’s a new CEO, a rebranded product portfolio, its relationship with Manny Pacquiao is restored and at least some of the legal cases are closed. The company is now aiming to get back on track as Next Gen Beverage.
Judge Dismisses RISE Brewing’s Trademark Suit Against PepsiCo’s MTN DEW Rise Energy
A New York federal judge yesterday dismissed a years-long trademark suit from nitro cold brew maker RISE Brewing Co. accusing PepsiCo of using a “confusingly similar” name for its MTN DEW Rise morning energy drink.
Taste Radio: New Or Exciting? It Helps To Be Both, But If We Had To Pick One…
The hosts discussed a celebrity foodie’s new glitzy brand of $10/box pasta, the debut of a black-owned and gastronomic-inspired brand of toaster pastries at Target; French’s sweet limited-time partner and a brief recap of the recently held 2023 Tales Of The Cocktail convention. Also featured is the latest edition of Special Ops with Andrew Guard, in which the operations expert shares his take on both opportunities and challenges that are impacting new and emerging beverage and food companies.
This Week’s New Products: Mango Chile Sparkling Water, Pumpkin Spice Protein Powder and Ube Milk Tea
In this week’s roundup of new products, TWRL whips up a modern twist on classic black tea, Orgain gets a head start on pumpkin spice season and Aura Bora spices up its collection of sparkling waters.
Monster: Plans for Bang Become Clearer In Q2 Earnings Call
After completing its acquisition of Bang manufacturer Vital Pharmaceuticals’ assets on July 31 for $362 million, Monster co-CEO Rodney Sacks said during the company’s Q2 2023 earnings call yesterday that it is now preparing to fully integrate its former rival into the Monster Energy system.
“The Pathway to Success is Very Narrow”: RTD Vervet on Shutting Down
Vervet, a farm-to-can sparkling cocktail line, announced yesterday it is winding down its business after the marketing costs required to compete with the recent influx of other RTD cocktails made the business unviable.
Distribution Roundup: Mixly Expands In Midwest, Space Tea Goes National At Sprouts
Premium mixer brand Mixly hits 80 HyVee store shelves while both kids drink maker PLEZi and adaptogenic iced tea company Space Tea go into Sprouts Farmers Markets. Non-alc marketing firm SipSteady partners with Handcrafted Wines and Spirits to bring more zero-proof brands to Midwestern store shelves.
NIQ: RTDs Reach $10B, Spirits and FMBs Drive Growth
Ready-to-drink and serve products have surpassed $10 billion dollar sales in off-premise channels in the latest 52 weeks ending July 8, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous period, according to an NIQ report released on Wednesday.