PepsiCo: Beverages, Frito Lay Fuel Q1 Revenue Gains

PepsiCo reported net revenue growth of 6.8% in Q1 of this year, a figure that “reflects the benefits of (its) highly strategic acquisition activity” and “continued investment in our brands, manufacturing capacity, supply chain and go-to-market systems,” the company reported this morning.

Category Close-Up: Product Showcase – Bottled Water

On this edition of Product Showcase, you’ll hear about the latest product innovations and brand updates from hellowater, GIVN, Richard's Rainwater, FLOW Alkaline Spring Water, Akeso, The Alkaline Water Company, Open Water, TEN Alkaline Water, and ÈSSE.

BODYARMOR: Innovation Fueling Ambitions to Hit $5B Sales Target

Having passed the $1 billion mark, BODYARMOR is aiming to leverage its combination of distribution muscle, marketing prowess and on-trend products to push the brand towards more ambitious targets, including doubling the business over the next three years.

Goldman Sachs: Convenience Retailers Optimistic as Pandemic Outlook Brightens

According to the firm’s latest “Beverage Bytes” survey of retailers representing nearly 30,000 stores nationwide (roughly 20% of the channel), overall beverage sales increased 10% year-over-year in Q1 of 2021, compared to 7% growth in Q4 2020, driven by increased foot traffic from consumers who are steadily returning to old shopping habits.

Retailer Roundup: Bubble Preps New Platform Launch; Court Orders Walmart to Pay $115M

Health food ecommerce retailer BUBBLE Goods announced this week that it has named Savraj Singh, former CTO of Daily Harvest, as chief technology officer, responsible for leading the company’s engineering team and digital platforms; Walmart was ordered to pay $115 million to Texas-based food tech startup Zest Labs after a jury in Arkansas ruled that the retailer was guilty of stealing its shelf-freshness technology.

Category Close-Up: Expert Analysis – Bottled Water

In this episode of Category Close-Up, the panel examined the present and future of the $19 billion-plus bottled water segment, from the business and investment climate to consumer perception around the category to advances in technology that could unlock future purchasing occasions.

DRY Aims to Build ‘Zero-Proof’ Story with Bitters & Soda Launch

For the last 16 years and counting, the Washington-based company has been offering a wide range of fruit and botanical flavored, premium, carbonated soft drinks. But relative to its bigger goals, the brand’s latest innovation — a three-SKU line of bitters & soda in 8.45 oz. glass bottles — represents more than just another choice for consumers on the shelf.

Review: Athletic Brewing’s DayPack Hop Infused Seltzer

DayPack is a new line extension from Athletic Brewing and the company’s first offering outside of the non-alcoholic beer space. DayPack pairs hops, which is perhaps the best known beer ingredient, with fruit flavors to create a unique entry into the flavored sparkling water category.

Taste Radio: There Are Millions To Be Made In Niche. Oded Brenner Explains How.

Today’s episode features an interview with Oded Brenner, the founder of both Max Brenner, an international chain of upscale chocolate-centric cafes, and Blue Stripes, a unique brand of food and beverages made from upcycled cacao fruit. Brenner spoke about his unconventional approach to entrepreneurship, why he believes that “there will always be a place for the niche,” why he embraces ideas that would commonly be perceived as mistakes and his definition for the ultimate form of success.

BevNET & NOSH June Events: Virtually Live, Pitch Competitions, Boot Camp

Get ready for June. BevNET and NOSH are cooking up a virtual feast of brand-building content and suspense, including BevNET & NOSH Virtually Live, our signature New Beverage Showdown and NOSH Pitch Slam, and a Boot Camp for new brands that encompasses both Food and Beverage startups.

Distribution Roundup: UFO Partners with Imperfect Foods; Proposition Cocktail Enters Urban Outfitters

California-based hemp milk maker UFO announced this month that it has opened a new 7,000 sq ft. co-packing facility, owned by a local SoCal brewery, ahead of a distribution expansion this year; Hemp extract-infused mocktail maker Proposition Cocktail Co. announced that it has partnered with Urban Outfitters for online sales, increasing the California-based brand’s nationwide presence.

MANTRA Labs Closes $1.5M Seed Round

Powdered beverage maker MANTRA Labs announced this month that it has closed a $1.5 million seed round, intended to help the company expand its around-the-clock health and wellness platform brand.

Nuun Expands Platform with Launch of Energy Line

Powdered hydration beverage maker Nuun is continuing to build out its suite of functional products with its latest line extension, Nuun Energy. The dissolvable tablets contain a blend of 80 mg of caffeine sourced from organic green tea extract, Vitamins B5, B6 and B12, ginseng and electrolytes for hydration.