While retail dollar sales for the total CSD category grew just 0.4% in the 26 weeks ending February 13, 2011, Reed’s and Virgil’s brands were top performers with a combined 26.4% growth. Virgil’s was the fastest growing of the top ten premium CSD brands with 34.1% growth, with Reed’s number two growing at 20.8% during this period. Unit sales for Virgil’s and Reed’s were as impressive, with growth of 40.5% and 20.3% respectively. According to IRI data, combined Reed’s/Virgil’s is currently the number six player within the Premium Bottle CSD category in mainstream grocery and is on track to surpass some key competition by the end of 2011. Key brands in the premium CSD category include IBC, Stewarts, Jones, Izze, Henry Weinhard and Boylan’s.
“We’re seeing steady growth of our brands in mainstream supermarkets,” stated Mr. Chris Reed, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Reed’s, Inc. “We feel that we are still at the beginning of our potential in mainstream supermarkets but already this represents a significant part of our sales.”
Neal Cohane, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Reed’s, Inc., said, “The Reed’s national sales team is focused and motivated to make Reed’s and Virgil’s the #1 Premium CSD in the U.S. While Reed’s and Virgil’s brands have for years been the dominant player in the natural food channels, the IRI data affirms that our brands are now being embraced by a growing number of mainstream shoppers. Our strategy is to continue to drive growth within natural grocery stores, while accelerating growth in mainstream supermarkets. As we continue to close distribution voids in grocery stores across the US and Canada, we expect to remain one of the fastest growing brands in the CSD category.”
About Reed’s, Inc.
Reed’s, Inc. makes several brands of top selling natural sodas and beverages. Their products are sold in over 10,500 stores throughout the natural foods industry and supermarkets nationwide. Reed’s six award-winning, non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage industry as they are made using fresh ginger, spices and fruits with a brewing process that predates commercial soft drinks. The Company also produces a Natural Energy Elixir and ‘Reed’s Rx,’ a Natural Ginger Nausea Relief product for the drug store and grocery retail channels. Reed’s, Inc. owns China Cola and the Virgil’s line of sodas that include the award-winning Virgil’s Root Beer as well as Virgil’s Cream Soda, Black Cherry Cream Soda, Orange Cream Soda and Real Cola. The Company has also introduced its new ‘Virgil’s Zero’ line of Stevia-sweetened diet sodas in all these popular flavors. In 2009, Reed’s acquired the Sonoma Sparkler brand and started producing Private Label natural beverages for select national chains. Other product lines include Reed’s Ginger Candies and Reed’s Ginger Ice Creams.
Reed’s products are sold internationally in Canada and Mexico, along with a small presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan and Singapore. For more information about Reed’s, please visit the company’s website at: http://www.reedsinc.com or call 800-99-REEDS.
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