Nearly 4,000 U.S. food and beverage retailers – including nearly 3 % of U.S. grocery stores – shut their doors last year, according to a study sponsored by the convenience store industry.

Consumer demand may be solid, but supply chain disruptions continue to challenge the convenience channel, according to the Q4 ‘Beverage Bytes’ survey of retailers by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. The survey was constructed from feedback from retailers representing nearly 40,000 U.S. retail locations (or about 27% of the convenience channel).

Organic energy drink GURU is betting that its long-term growth potential outweighs short-term pain, as the company reported rising losses alongside record net revenue in its Q4/FY 2021 earnings report released today.

Elegance Brands announced this week it will change its name to SWAY Energy Corporation, reflecting a shift in focus on its two leading brands, SWAY Energy and ready-to-drink vodka cocktail VOCO. Launched in spring 2021, SWAY and VOCO have quickly emerged as the fastest growing lines for the California-based beverage portfolio company.

As sugar reduction continues to be a top priority for food and beverage manufacturers, seven low- and zero-sugar brands are banding together to form the Alliance to Control Excessive Sugar (ACES), a new business group dedicated to promoting better-for-you products.

While divesting from some of its other well-known, better-for-you brands in recent years, Coca-Cola has been eager to use its flagship soda line as a platform for innovation, both inside the can and out. This morning, the company announced the release of Mocha, the fifth SKU for the Coca-Cola with Coffee line introduced in January 2021.

Ojai, California-based hard kombucha and hard seltzer-maker Flying Embers has closed a $20 million series C funding round, led by global spirits giant Beam Suntory. The investment will help fund expanded marketing and sales initiatives, as well as new product launches and the expansion of the company’s beyond beer portfolio.

This year, the brand is looking to continue expanding its audience with the release of two new zero-sugar flavors — White Peach and Tropical Punch, which will replace Original and Lemon Lime — and a 12 oz. can format.

Cannabis portfolio company 1933 Industries announced today it has signed a binding letter of intent to acquire CBD beverage maker Day One in an all-stock transaction, just four months after the sparkling water brand relaunched as an independent business.

Sunwink's functional powders are joining a growing shelf of 'ingestible beauty' products at Target, while Spindrift Spiked enters e-marketplace Speakeasy and Southern Glazer's picks up another CBD drink.