Uncle Matt’s Adds Over 2,500 New Stores
Hot off of a brand refresh unveiled earlier this month, juice maker Uncle Matt’s Organic announced that it has secured distribution commitments for a potential 2,500 new doors nationwide.
According to the company, the brand’s products — in particular its Ultimate Immune and Ultimate Defense functional juices — have received authorization in numerous retailers including Roche Bros, Fresh Direct, Natural Grocers, The Giant Company, Giant Food, Harris Teeter, Market Basket, Festival Foods, Erewhon, Publix, Coburns, The Fresh Market and Lunds and Byerly’s.
Speaking to BevNET today, Uncle Matt’s founder and CEO Matt McLean said the expansion shows that its new immunity-focused innovations, launched last year, are “sticking” and helping to bring in new, younger consumers. Although the brand saw a large sales spike last year, as consumers in the early days of the pandemic sought out immunity-boosting foods and beverages, McLean noted that the brand continues to outpace the broader orange juice category.
“What you really want to do is bring things into the category that are accruitive to the set, so you’re not just stealing one customer from another brand and they’re coming over to your brand,” McLean said. “You really want to bring new people into that whole set, and that’s what we’re seeing with our innovation; People who had left juice because there was too much sugar, they’re now buying our No Sugar Lemonades. People that had left juice because it didn’t have probiotics, or turmeric, or some kind of functional benefit, they’re now looking at juice as a good vehicle to get these functional items into their diet.”
Following the dissolution of its former parent company Dean Foods, McLean purchased the brand in a $7.25 million deal. Since its relaunch as an independent company last year, McLean said Uncle Matt’s has managed to retain most, though not all, of the accounts it had gained through Dean’s 6,000 truck DSD fleet.
However, this new wave of retail authorizations includes accounts McLean said he has chased for years — in particular The Fresh Market, which will carry seven SKUs.
“That’s an account that we had chased for the entire 22 year existence of Uncle Matt’s, and we finally got in,” he said. “They gave us [a] wonderful new shelf placement of seven items. They took all of our innovation and they have an upscale premium customer that really appreciates our organic product line.
NERD Focus Enters Glazer’s Beer & Beverage
Nootropic energy drink brand NERD Focus announced this week that it has partnered with Texas-based distributor Glazer’s Beer & Beverage to service the beverage throughout the San Antonio area, where the brand was originally founded in 2006.
“I’m thrilled to come full circle by furthering NERD Focus’ availability throughout the city where it originated,” said Howard Davner, CEO of NERD parent company BevUSA. “We chose to partner with Glazer’s Beer & Beverage because of their knowledge of the area and the great relationships they have established with those they serve. It felt like an organic fit to have their team handle the continued expansion because of their desire to truly help their customers. They have a passion for what they do and that is extremely important to us.”
BevUSA announced last year that it had acquired NERD with plans to expand the brand, which was only sold in the Texas market, to other states including New Jersey, Nevada and Tennessee. According to the company, NERD will continue to launch in new markets in the near future.
Monaco Cocktails Expand to Sam’s Club
Ready-to-drink spirits brand Monaco Cocktails expanded its reach at Sam’s Clubstores this week with an announcement it will now roll out its new 12-count variety pack to an additional 270 locations.
“As we rapidly grow our retail footprint, we are excited to introduce a new variety 12-pack to nearly 300 Sam’s Clubs stores and increase access for our best-selling RTD flavors to consumers across the United States,” Don Deubler, CEO of Atomic Brands said in a press release. “The demand for canned cocktails is booming, and our new variety pack is a testament to our commitment for bringing even more convenient formats to the marketplace that customers are seeking.”
Monaco’s variety pack includes its Lime Crush, Citrus Rush and Blue Crush flavors in addition to its latest launch Sun Crush, a tequila-based orange flavored cocktail. The new variety pack is exclusively available at Sam’s Club stores in Florida, California, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio while individual cans can be purchased at convenience stores nationwide for $2.50-2.99 per 12 oz. can (9% ABV).
KRISP Drinks Partners with Giant Foods
Better-for-you beverage company KRISP Drinks announced this week that it has signed a distribution agreement with UNFI to deliver its KRISP Drink product line to 168 Giant Foods supermarket locations across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Krisp’s portfolio consists of three product lines: Fruitish, a zero calorie flavored water, Flava, a zero sugar flavored water and Krisp WTR spring water.
“When I created Krisp Drinks, Giant Foods was our number one target because of the proximity to our office and the quality of their stores,” Founder and CEO of Krisp Drinks Sean Banks said in a press release. “They have stepped up to support Minority owned businesses and we celebrate them for truly supporting diversity, not just with words but with actions.”
KRISP Drinks also recently expanded distribution throughout New York City adding 4,000 doors through a partnership with Preferred Beverages.
Sunwink Lands Key Natural Partners, Widens Online
Plant-based wellness drink maker Sunwink is starting to push the throttle in natural retail, announcing earlier this week its plans to enter “hundreds of shelves in Wegmans, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers” imminently, according to a press release.
Powered by herbs and adaptogens, San Francisco-based Sunwink has found a foothold in the continually evolving health and wellness space via its line of sparkling natural tonics in glass bottles and its line of powdered drink mixes. By the end of this year, the brand is projected to be available in over 3,500 locations, with Whole Foods being another major partner.