Distribution: VALR Gets Midwestern, Odyssey Lands In Airport Channel
In recent distribution news, energy drink makers are capitalizing on demand in convenience, conventional grocery and airport channels.
Distribution
Read the latest beverage industry news and insights relating to distribution, wholesale, and direct store delivery (DSD). From reporting on changes in the distribution of products, to diving into the current state of play between beverage brands and distributors, the latest industry news and analysis provide context and best practices within a complex beverage distribution network.
Submit Distribution News
If you’re expanding distribution or have news related to the beverage distribution network, submit your news to our team.
Featured Distribution Content
Thrive Market Drops Alcohol, Bets Big on Adult NA with 100+ SKU Expansion
The online grocery retailer announced today it is adding more than 100 SKUs across 20 brands to its adult non-alcoholic beverage set, while simultaneously dropping all of its existing alcoholic offerings.
Once Upon A Coconut Partners With L.A. Libations; Albertsons Launch in 2026
Once Upon A Coconut has partnered with beverage incubator L.A. Libations to help grow its business in Southern California.
Additional Content
Spirits Distribution: Costa Goes West, Brody’s Gets A Refresh
In this latest roundup of distribution news, we check in with fast-expanding Costa Tequila, plus Brody’s Craft Cocktails, limoncello brand Fabrizia and single malt specialist Brother Justus.
Gnubees Locks In Coremark As It Eyes U.S. C-Stores
Gnubees believes its better-for-you, juice-adjacent kids drinks have a path towards capturing a significant piece of the category, and it is eyeing the convenience channel as its route to get there.
L.A. Libations Launches ‘Taste Tomorrow’ In-Store Cooler Program
A new in-store cooler program launched this year by L.A. Libations is leading to national expansion for Saint James Iced Tea and Hawaii Volcanic Water. The new merchandising initiative, dubbed Taste Tomorrow, began in July.
Data: FMBs Lead at C-Store, Other RTDs Face Big Opportunity
Convenience stores represent the next big opportunity for ready-to-drink cocktails, according to a new report from NIQ.
Data: Non-Alc Sales “Remain Healthy,” Volumes Improve
Non-alcoholic beverage sales “remained healthy” in the most recent two-week period with volume declines improving and pricing slightly increasing, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data.
BCAA Bet: Optimum Nutrition Rebrands AMIN.O. Energy Drink
Optimum Nutrition has revamped the packaging of its RTD energy drink Amin.O Energy as the company invests in bringing the product to wider distribution.
Distribution: Táche Goes Deeper In SoCal; Crescent 9 Takes THC To Louisiana Grocers
Táche Brings Pistachio Milk To Bristol Farms Táche announced this week that its pistachio-based alt milks are now available at 15 locations of Southern California natural grocery chain Bristol Farms.…
Barcode Launches in New York with Rainforest Partnership
Sports drink maker Barcode has partnered with New York City DSD house Rainforest Distribution, the company announced today, setting the stage for the L.A.-based brand to build a presence on the East Coast.
Distribution: WithCo Sprouts More Company; Illicit Elixirs In Brick and Mortar
Seven months after hitting Target stores nationwide, WithCo Cocktails has found more company in the grocery channel. This week, WithCo announced it is rolling out nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market stores. Read the full roundup for more distribution news from Illicit Elixirs, Fever-Tree, Oatly, Shroomi and Odyssey.
Calexo Aims To Capture Minnesota Effect With New Business Model
Nearly five years since its launch as a cannabis cocktail company, Calexo believes it has finally found the right recipe to succeed in the THC drinks space. The critical step? Dropping cannabis.
“We Learned From Our Failures”; Inside 5-Hour Energy’s Growing Pains
Living Essentials has struggled to find its footing in the energy drink category after launching its full-sized, 16 oz. format in late 2021. Armed with more flavors and a distribution strategy focused on grocery, 5-Hour is starting to make gains.
Distribution: Lawyers Weigh In On Contract Essentials, Red Flags
As a BevAlc business expands, how does an entrepreneur determine if a distributor relationship will be beneficial? That was the question poised during the Sovos Beverage Alcohol Summit last week, hosted by the beverage alcohol compliance shipment software company.
Featured – The State of Cold Chain DSD
We bring together West Coast and East Coast beverage distributors to talk about the state of play between brands and distributors, particularly in the high-cost, high-risk world of the cold chain. At a time when customers are reactivating promotions and category change is rampant, what can brands and DSDs do to support each other as partners?
Featured – How Distributors Respond as Beverage Categories Evolve
As the beverage industry continues to evolve, with new trends and innovations often appearing suddenly and rising rapidly, it’s critical that distributors keep pace with changing consumer demands. As one of the leading natural channel distributors, it’s a lesson that KeHE has purposefully integrated into its business strategy.