As startups race to seize shelf space in the emerging market for hemp-infused products, CBD beverage makers have witnessed an influx of competition using low grade ingredients and mislabeled doses. As the category faces increased scrutiny from not just state and federal regulators, but consumers who are inexperienced with or skeptical of hemp-based products, many beverage brands are prioritizing transparency and education.
A little over one year after launching in the U.S., London-based sparkling water brand Ugly Drinks is targeting further stateside expansion with the launch of a caffeine-infused sub-line, Energized, along with the announcement of a new round of financing.
Over the past year, the food and beverage space has witnessed a “green rush” of CBD startups entering the market in a race to capitalize on the trend. With no shortage of competition, Seattle-based Docklight Brands is also hoping to get on board the cannabis wave with 13 brands of its own.
New York-based premium mixer brand Cocktail Crate has been acquired by craft distillery Traverse City Whiskey Co., the company announced yesterday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Chris Kirby, founder/president of Ithaca Craft Hummus, spoke about how he identified white space in the hummus category and what he learned during four years of operating his own production facility. He also urged entrepreneurs to be thoughtful about their retail relationships and deliberate about expenses, and discussed why he hires people that are highly self-sufficient.
At the Cannabis Forum, Presented by BevNET and NOSH, industry trailblazers will bring entrepreneurs into the new industry they are creating and explain the intersection of cannabis with food and beverage brands.
Produced by Left Hand Brewing and WAAYB Organics, Present is a line of flavored sparkling waters that are enhanced with USDA Organic certified hemp extract. The products feature 20 mg of full spectrum CBD per 16 oz. can.
From shelves to coolers, the fizz is in. But how long before the influx of sparkling water brands begins to bubble over? With a standard formulation of tap water, stock flavors, and carbonation, sparkling water brands are now finding new ways to differentiate in order to stand out from the pack, from functionality to branding to premiumization.
New York-based Owen’s Craft Mixers announced today it has closed a $3 million Series A fundraising round led by Levy Family Partners.
In this recap of news from the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2019 trade show, we cover new innovations across PepsiCo's family of products, examine how Nestlé Waters is tilting towards more functional offerings, and track the growth of the kombucha category in c-stores.
In this video recorded at last week’s National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia, Yerbae founder and CEO Todd Gibson discusses his brand’s channel strategy, how the clean energy trend is developing in convenience, and why there’s still a long way to go for consumer education on yerba mate drinks.
Stacey Wood founded Whole Harmony with her partner David Soule as a vehicle to educate consumers on the benefits of plant medicine. The pair believes their community focus and authenticity is what sets the brand apart, as they connect with consumers through handcrafted tonics and elixirs using herbs sourced from their farm.
While consumer buying habits and nutrition trends are providing healthy tailwinds for the nascent category of kids water, developing a strong identity — to say nothing of building a business around that concept — remains a challenge for all involved, particularly in the face of declining sales for the entire kid-positioned beverage market.
In this interview recorded at NACS 2019, BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero spoke with James Ford, Coca-Cola’s VP of category strategic advisory, about the company’s product showcase, including the highly anticipated U.S. launch of Coca-Cola Energy, the development of Coke’s expanding coffee portfolio, and how the brand is strategizing for growth in the convenience store channel.
