Non-alcoholic beverage retail sales accelerated in the two-week period ending December 31, bolstered by improved volumes, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Dollar sales grew 13.9% in the two-week period, compared with 12.9% for four-weeks and 11.9% for 52-weeks. Meanwhile, volume sales – which have struggled in recent months amid inflationary pressures – grew 1% in the period, compared to a -0.3% decline in the four-weeks. Average pricing “remained robust and largely stable sequentially,” Goldman reported, rising 13% in the period (+13.1% for the four-weeks).
On a three-year stack basis, total dollar sales were up 39.1% in the two-week period, versus 38.6% growth in the four-week period, led by improvement in carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and bottled water.
CSDs
Carbonated soft drink dollar sales grew 16.2% in the two-week period (+14.6% for four-weeks and +13.4% for 52-weeks) against a -0.1% decline in volume and 16.3% increase to average pricing. The Coca-Cola Company outpaced the category, up 18.6% in the period (volume +1.4% and pricing +16.9%), while PepsiCo was up 11.6% (volume -2.1% and pricing +14%). Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) improved dollar sales 16%, while volume fell -1.2% and pricing rose 17.5%.
Energy Drinks
Dollar sales for energy drinks rose 12.2% in the two-week period (+10.9% for four-weeks and +10% for 52-weeks) as volume grew 1.9% and average pricing was up by 10%.
Category leader Monster Energy reported sales up 11.3%, while Red Bull grew by 10.4%. Meanwhile, amid a Chapter 11 restructuring, Bang saw sales drop a steep -44.1% in the two-weeks (down by -18.8% for the 52-weeks) as volume fell by -46.8% and pricing rose just 5.1%.
PepsiCo’s portfolio (Rockstar and MTN Dew) dipped by -0.1% in the two-week period with -9.9% volume decline offset by a 10.8% average pricing hike. However, the conglomerate’s distributed partner brands saw larger gains as Starbucks dollar sales rose 13.7% and CELSIUS was up 144.9% in the two-week period (accelerating from 136.7% in the four-week period).
Other performance energy brands reported strong dollar sales growth in the two-weeks, including Alani Nutrition (+60.5% sales and +60.2% volume), Nutrabolt/C4 (+85.9% sales and +81.7% volume) and Ghost (+1107.7% sales and +1016.4% volume). A Shoc, however, reported sales down by -7.8% (-17.3% for volume). Plant-based brand ZOA reported sales up 5.3% against 12.3% volume growth.
Bottled Water
Water sales grew 16.5% in the two-weeks (+15% for four-weeks and +14.6% for 52-weeks) as volume increased 3.1% and average pricing jumped up 13%. Private label sales continue to lead the category, up 31.5%, while Blue Triton Brands grew 16.9% (-4.6% volume and +22.5% pricing). Coke (+6.5%), PepsiCo (+4.6%), Fiji (+0.3%), Essentia (+3.5%), CG Roxane (+17.3%) and KDP (+2.5%) all reported positive dollar sales gains.
Sport Drinks
Sports drink sales were up 10.5% in the two-weeks (+13.7% for four-weeks and +12.2% for 52-weeks) against a -3.1% volume slide and 12.2% average pricing growth. PepsiCo (Gatorade) outpaced the category as sales were up 15.3% and volume grew by 0.6%, while Coke (BodyArmor and Powerade) fell -9.6% in the period and volume dropped by -16.7%.
Sparkling Flavored Water
Sales of sparkling flavored waters grew 6.2% in the two-weeks (+5.5% for four-weeks and +5.3% for 52-weeks) as volume decreased -4.6% and pricing rose 11.3%. Talking Rain (+3.3%), PepsiCo (+10.1%), Polar (+25.7%), Spindrift (+38.2%), Waterloo (+36.7%) and Wis-Pak/BUBBL’R (+62.4%) reported positive sales growth while National Beverage Corp/LaCroix (-2%), Coke (-24.1%) and Nestle Holdings (-28.9%) faced declines.
RTD Coffee
Coffee sales grew 10.8% in the two-weeks (+10% for four-weeks and +8.3% for 52-weeks), bolstered by 12.3% volume growth and a -1.3% drop in average pricing. Starbucks (+13.7%), STOK (+20%), Black Rifle Coffee Company (+52.6%) and Molson Coors Beverage Company (+24.2%) reported double-digit sales gains while Coke (Dunkin’ and Costa) sales fell -28.9%.
Still Flavored Water
Dollar sales decelerated in the two-weeks, growing 1.6% (+2.7% for four-weeks and +7.1% for 52-weeks) as volume dove -13.6% and pricing grew 17.6%. Coke (+4%), PepsiCo (+5.6%), Hint (+1.8%) and good2grow (+9.5%) reported positive sales gains.