Hi Seltzer Partners with Spec’s in Texas
Hi Seltzer, a Kentucky-based brand of infused seltzers made with hemp-derived delta-8 THC, has partnered with Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods to distribute its products to on-premise accounts throughout Texas.
Founded in 2021, hi Seltzer’s seltzers contain 5 mg of THC and zero calories per 12 oz. can. Available in Watermelon, Pineapple, Real Cherry, Lemon Lime and Wild Berry flavors, the drinks retail for around $11.99 per 4-pack and are sold in around 3,000 stores across 24 states.
Speaking to BevNET today, founder and CEO Lou Police said that hi Seltzer is now rolling out to over 200 of Spec’s branded retail store locations, and the company hopes to begin expanding into foodservice accounts serviced by the distributor, noting that Spec’s is capable of servicing up to 70% of the on-premise channel in Texas.
Though he didn’t name any specific chain stores where hi Seltzer is currently sold, Police said the brand has a footprint in a number of retail channels, including grocery, bars and restaurants, cannabis dispensaries, convenience and liquor.
“We want to be a trusted first-touch THC beverage for people who perhaps haven’t entered the space,” Police said “People who are looking for an alternative, whether it’s middle-aged adults, soccer moms, diabetics who can’t have alcohol because of the sugar component, people who are looking for an alternative from traditional alcohol, and so on and so forth.”
The company currently has 20 full time employees spread across the country and intends to initiate a consumer marketing campaign this year aimed at educating consumers new to the cannabis category. Police noted that there is still a large runway for consumers in markets where marijuana is still illegal who have never tried THC, and hemp-derived THC is still a nascent product format, providing hi Seltzer an opportunity to act as a trial product for those shoppers.
Hi Seltzer has also partnered with Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) to serve as the official THC beverage of the PPA Tour, including activations on site at pickleball games and tournaments, Police said.
While many cannabis beverage brands have quickly embraced delta-9 THC as an ingredient, which was made federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, Police said hi Seltzer plans to stick with delta-8, despite some pushback from states that have banned the ingredient.
However, Police said the company believes delta-8 is the superior active ingredient and that its quality is more consistent across testing, noting the brand uses a flavorless blend that helps make hi Seltzer a more accessible product for new consumers.
“What we’re attempting to do is set a very high standard for ourselves, and frankly everybody else,” he said. “With that comes good companies producing really good products that can be trusted and enjoyed by the consumer.”
KEY Sparkling Water Goes Midwestern
Saratoga Springs, New York-based beverage brand KEY Sparkling Water has launched is now available at Minnesota grocery chain Coborn’s, expanding its presence in the Upper Midwest, the company announced in a press release this week.
KEY makes a line of sparkling waters using real fruit ingredients, with its Key Lime, Blood Orange Cherry and Pineapple Passionfruit flavors now available at Coborn’s stores.
“We are excited to bring KEY Sparkling Water to more people and more places,” said KEY co-founder Mike Pilkington, in the release. “Partnering with Coborn’s, a respected leader in the grocery industry, aligns perfectly with our mission to offer a straightforward, shenanigan-free hydration option to everyone. This is a big step forward in our journey.”
Nguyen Coffee Goes To Texas
Vietnamese coffee maker Nguyen Coffee Supply has locked in a new retail distribution deal with one of the Lone Star State’s biggest grocery retailers, H-E-B.
Lining up a retail partner like H-E-B in Texas was especially important for the brand, said founder and CEO Sahra Nguyen in a press release. “Texas is among our top three states for ecommerce customers, as well as being home to the second largest population of the Vietnamese community in America.”
The news comes on the heels of the brand announcing earlier last month that it had entered over 400 Sprouts stores in 23 states as part of the retailer’s Innovation Program. Nguyen is now available in over 1,000 retail doors and ships DTC to all 50 states and also distributes internationally to Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Singapore and the U.K.
GNC Doubles Down On ZOA Energy
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s energy drink platform ZOA has expanded its offerings in GNC with the inclusion of its three-SKU ZOA+ Pre-Workout Powder line. Launched in September, ZOA’s powdered line extension will join the brand’s RTD energy drinks nationwide in select GNC stores and on GNC.com.
ZOA+ Pre-Workout is available in three flavors — Wild Berry, Fruit Punch and Cherry Lime — and retails at GNC for $44.99 per 13 oz. container. Differentiating from some of its competitors, the pre-workout mixes are NSF Certified for Sport, making them safe to use for professional athletes.
Cure Gets Outdoorsy with REI and The Feed
Hydrating electrolyte mix Cure has partnered with camping and outdoor activity retailer REI to be sold in 135 stores nationwide. Cure is bringing four of its powdered mixes (Berry Pomegranate, Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi and Watermelon) to the retailer’s brick-and-mortar locations as well as on REI.com.
Along with REI, Cure is also now available on nutrition and supplement The Feed with the same flavors as well as adding Lime, Grapefruit, Ginger Turmeric and Orange varieties as well.
The brand’s non-GMO, plant-based hydration formula is based on the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution and contains no artificial flavors, sweeteners, sugar or sugar alcohols.
100 Coconuts Gets Deeper With Publix
Canned coconut water maker 100 Coconuts is bringing its +Mango and +Pineapple flavors to 1,100 Publix locations. Along with the new fruit flavored expansion, 100 Coconuts original Pure Coconut Water is now available in 1,250 Publix retailers adding over 400 stores to its existing distribution partnership with the grocery chain. The brand extended its footprint in Publix locations across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.
“Publix has earned a distinguished reputation as one of the most revered grocery stores in the country, and it’s exciting to be recognized for our growth within the coconut water category,” said Jason Miller, president of sales of 100 Coconuts, in a release. “We look forward to reaching more consumers through this expansion.”