Taste Radio: How She Got Walmart To Say ‘Yes’ In The Pitch Meeting Taste Radio: How She Got Walmart To Say ‘Yes’ In The Pitch Meeting

Taste Radio: How She Got Walmart To Say ‘Yes’ In The Pitch Meeting

by BevNET.com Staff,

How did Harken Sweets, an upstart brand of better-for-you candy bars, land placement in the checkout aisles of thousands of Walmart stores just months after its debut? Founder & CEO Katie Lefkowitz explains how she secured and prepared for her pitch meeting with Walmart and why the category buyer said “yes” almost immediately.

Spirits Downturn Hits Brown-Forman in FY 2024 Results Spirits Downturn Hits Brown-Forman in FY 2024 Results

Spirits Downturn Hits Brown-Forman in FY 2024 Results

by Ferron Salniker,

Brown-Forman announced yesterday a -8% decline in reported net sales to $1.0 billion in Q4 FY 2024 driven by lower volumes of tequila and whiskey, and the broader slowdown in the spirits industry.

Massachusetts Offers Glimpse Of The Uphill Battle For Hemp Beverages Massachusetts Offers Glimpse Of The Uphill Battle For Hemp Beverages

Massachusetts Offers Glimpse Of The Uphill Battle For Hemp Beverages

by Lukas Southard,

Massachusetts regulators officially put an end to the sale of hemp-derived CBD and THC products outside of dispensaries last week. Here's what it means for cannabis industry stakeholders in the state and foretells other regulatory moves throughout the country.

Icelandic Glacial Names Ken Sadowsky to Board of Directors Icelandic Glacial Names Ken Sadowsky to Board of Directors

Icelandic Glacial Names Ken Sadowsky to Board of Directors

by Brad Avery,

Bottled water manufacturer Icelandic Glacial announced today it has named Sadowsky to its board of directors. The man also known as the “Beverage Whisperer” is a senior advisor at investment firm Verlinvest and the executive director of beverage distribution group NIDA, but joins Icelandic’s board as an individual.

Report: FTC Preparing Lawsuit Against Southern Glazer’s Report: FTC Preparing Lawsuit Against Southern Glazer’s

Report: FTC Preparing Lawsuit Against Southern Glazer’s

by Ferron Salniker and Lukas Southard,

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing a lawsuit against Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the nation’s largest alcohol distributor, over its pricing practices, according to a Politico report published yesterday.

KDP Boosts Arizona DSD Biz with Acquisition of Kalil Bottling KDP Boosts Arizona DSD Biz with Acquisition of Kalil Bottling

KDP Boosts Arizona DSD Biz with Acquisition of Kalil Bottling

by Brad Avery,

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is beefing up its DSD wing with the acquisition of Arizona-based Kalil Bottling Co., in a deal that gives the beverage strategic control of all production, sales and distribution assets and its first facility in the Grand Canyon State.

Jinx Drinx Aims to Promote Safer Drinking With Punch in a Pouch Jinx Drinx Aims to Promote Safer Drinking With Punch in a Pouch

Jinx Drinx Aims to Promote Safer Drinking With Punch in a Pouch

by Ferron Salniker,

Jinx Drinx, which launched in Las Vegas this month after testing in Southern California, is a new ready-to-drink cocktail that that comes in a pouch with patent-pending packaging that includes a sealed-in straw to mitigate drink tampering and drink and drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Retail Strategy Firm PLTFRM Broadens Base with Eye to New Channels Retail Strategy Firm PLTFRM Broadens Base with Eye to New Channels

Retail Strategy Firm PLTFRM Broadens Base with Eye to New Channels

by Brad Avery,

As online marketing and ecommerce have radically changed the playbook for brands, CPG strategy firm PLTFRM is aiming to provide a new “operating system” for modern startups, and now it’s expanding its retail and marketing services to new channels and new industries.