IRI: Convenience Channel Growth Slowed in Q1 Amid Inflation Woes IRI: Convenience Channel Growth Slowed in Q1 Amid Inflation Woes

IRI: Convenience Channel Growth Slowed in Q1 Amid Inflation Woes

by Brad Avery,

Convenience channel growth decelerated to 1.7% in the first quarter of the year, underperforming all other retail channels, according to market research firm IRI’s “The Convenience Store Landscape Q1 2022” report released this week.

AriZona Expands Red Tea Line As Portfolio Diversifies AriZona Expands Red Tea Line As Portfolio Diversifies

AriZona Expands Red Tea Line As Portfolio Diversifies

by Brad Avery,

After the pandemic put some of its new product plans on hold, New York-based iced tea manufacturer AriZona Beverages is beginning to reload its innovation pipeline, beginning with an expansion of its Red Tea line this summer.

Bonumose Challenges FDA On Tagatose Labeling, CEO says ‘This is Not Over’ Bonumose Challenges FDA On Tagatose Labeling, CEO says ‘This is Not Over’

Bonumose Challenges FDA On Tagatose Labeling, CEO says ‘This is Not Over’

by Adrianne DeLuca,

Despite multiple rejected attempts, Virginia-based alt-sweetener startup Bonumose will keep working to “compel and convince” the FDA to reconsider a regulation that mandates that its proprietary alt-sweetener, tagatose, be labeled under ​​total or added sugar counts on Nutrition Facts Panels (NFPs), said the company’s CEO Ed Rogers.

Crook & Marker Eliminates Some Sales Roles Crook & Marker Eliminates Some Sales Roles

Crook & Marker Eliminates Some Sales Roles

by Jessica Infante,

Ready-to-drink canned cocktail maker Crook & Marker has confirmed the elimination of positions in its sales force, according to a company spokesperson. The spokesperson declined to share the specific number of jobs that were eliminated.

Innovation Is Critical. But How Far Do You Step Outside The Box? It’s An Empirical Decision. Innovation Is Critical. But How Far Do You Step Outside The Box? It’s An Empirical Decision.

Innovation Is Critical. But How Far Do You Step Outside The Box? It’s An Empirical Decision.

by BevNET.com Staff,

Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, the co-founders of experimental distillery and food company Empirical spoke about how they identify and sustainably source high quality – and often unusual – ingredients and turn them into delicious experiences. They also discussed flavor innovation as a means of stimulating memories and why transparency is the priority in marketing.

Guest Insights: Want Investors? Here Are the Attributes That Inspire in CPG Guest Insights: Want Investors? Here Are the Attributes That Inspire in CPG

Guest Insights: Want Investors? Here Are the Attributes That Inspire in CPG

by Greg A. Wank and Stephen Plattman,

Investments in packaged food and beverage companies have been focused on the same areas for the past few years, with perhaps an increasing focus on alternative protein sources as well as social impact (excluding the impact of the pandemic on dining at home and home delivery).

Honest Tea’s Demise Leaves Brand’s Builders Mourning Honest Tea’s Demise Leaves Brand’s Builders Mourning

Honest Tea’s Demise Leaves Brand’s Builders Mourning

by Brad Avery,

Heartbreak and Confusion. Those were the feelings that hit the builders of Honest Tea – hard – on Monday after the Coca-Cola Company announced its intention to discontinue the organic beverage brand by the end of the year.

Distribution Roundup: Pop-Ups for Pop Brands; BIOLYTE, TEN Expand Across South Distribution Roundup: Pop-Ups for Pop Brands; BIOLYTE, TEN Expand Across South

Distribution Roundup: Pop-Ups for Pop Brands; BIOLYTE, TEN Expand Across South

by BevNET.com Staff,

Over the brief history of the gut-friendly soda category, much of the competition for new consumers has happened online, where leading brands like Poppi and Olipop have leveraged social media and user-generated content to build their brands. But, at least for the next few weeks, the action is moving offline with Olipop and Poppi both launching pop-up experiential activations in Columbus, Ohio and New York City, respectively.