Channel Check: What’s Hot and What’s Not

SPOTLIGHT CATEGORIES: ASEPTIC JUICE DRINKS and ASEPTIC JUICES

Two roads to growth for independent brands are represented here. More than 10 years after Coke acquired Honest Tea, Honest Kids has become the key sub-line for the brand, outselling teas at retail and giving its acquirer consistent, steady growth. Meanwhile, Vita Coco is reportedly pricing an IPO — it runs its category, and there’s revenue hidden in private label. Both Honest and Vita Coco are strong in food service. The question is, which early investors are happier? Inventages (Honest Tea) or Verlinvest (Vita Coco)?