Review: Aqua — Is it Water or Soda?
Aqua's reduced-calorie flavored sparkling waters are visually appealing and deliver a refreshing and full-bodied flavor experience. But is the brand being forced into a category where it doesn’t quite belong?
Coca-Cola Reports Net Revenue Decline In Q3 Earnings
The company continued to gain value share in total North America RTD beverages for the 26th consecutive quarter, with sparkling beverages volume growth driven by Sprite, Fanta and energy drinks, while Diet Coke declined.
NACS 2016 Video: Hiball Hits CVS, Targets Growth in C-Stores
With established footholds at natural and conventional grocery retailers, healthy energy drink maker Hiball has set its sights on expanding distribution in convenience and drug stores. The company recently landed a major deal with CVS and is wading faster and further into the C-store channel.
Reed’s Inc. Board Saga Continues
This week the conflict took a more personal turn, with the dissident stockholders’ committee leader, Edwin Lozano, and Reed each questioning the other’s professional backgrounds, and a former board member who had tried to mediate the dispute joining Lozano’s faction.
Carbonated Conversation: Talking Rain Executives Discuss Strategy for Sparkling Ice Essence
Amid surging demand for unsweetened sparkling water, Sparkling Ice marketer Talking Rain is planning a major distribution push for its “essence of sparkling water” line. Launched in April, the new beverages are lightly flavored and, unlike other Sparkling Ice products, contain no sweeteners, artificial colors or preservatives.
NACS 2016 Video: Boxed Water Pushes Sustainability to C-Store Channel
Speaking with BevNET, Matt DeWitte, vice president of marketing, said the company’s sustainability message and strong social media presence was helping drive growth amid a crowded water set in convenience stores.
Review: Bossi, For Kids?
People have tried several times to market a ready-to-drink rooibos tea to children, and it has always failed to catch on. To us, there seems to be a big disconnect between the purchaser (the parent who might be in tune with this) and the end user (a child). Can Bossi, a line of USDA Organic rooibos drinks marketed for kids, succeed where others did not?
NACS 2016 Day 2 & 3 Photo Gallery: New Products, Brand Updates
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2016 show came to a close today, but our coverage of event is just beginning. In this Instagram photo gallery, we revisit new products, line extensions and brand updates introduced at the NACS show.
BevNET Podcast Ep. 31: What’s Trending Among London’s Libations?
For this week’s episode of the BevNET podcast, we’ve crossed the Atlantic to explore a beverage market that’s outside of our usual coverage area: London. Joining the podcast are Hugh Thomas and Joe Benn of Ugly Drinks, which is a U.K.-based startup that produces unsweetened flavored sparkling water.
Review: Koia Takes Plant-Based Protein To New Levels
Koia is a plant-based protein drink brand that is launching in three flavors. Koia's key selling points are its protein content (16-19 g per bottle depending on the variety), low sugar content, and non-GMO vegan formulation. It also has some really sharp looking packaging.
Justin Timberlake Invests In Bai
Speaking with BevNET at the NACS 2016 show in Atlanta, Alana Radmin, vice president of communications for Bai, said the partnership came together after Timberlake met founder Ben Weiss through another investor in the company.
People Moves: Sparkling Ice, Mamma Chia, Califia Expand Executive Teams
Sparkling Ice maker Talking Rain has announced the hire of Brian Kuz as its new CMO. Kuz’s career spans over 30 years with CPG companies. Kuz was most recently the Global Head of Trade Marketing and Insights at Red Bull GmbH in Austria.
NACS 2016 Day 1 Photo Gallery: New Products, Brand Updates
The 2016 edition of the National Association of Convenience Stores show is in full swing and BevNET is on hand to cover the massive event, held from Oct. 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. This photo gallery covers new products, brand intros and news on trends in the convenience store channel that we saw on the first day on the convention.
Review: Mr Mak’s Ginbao
Mr. Mak’s Ginbao is this new company’s take on an Asian ginger bao (broth) that is delivered in ready-to-drink form. The product comes in three flavors, Original Dynasty, Dragonwell, and Queen Bee, each of which is packaged in an attractive looking 13.9 oz. glass bottle.