Beverage Digest

Is the energy drink market truly slowing down? Episode 15, Twenty-year 'Startup' Monster Faces Energy Drink Turbulence, is now available on all podcast platforms. In this episode of The Breeze, industry expert John Sicher joins Beverage Digest Editor and Publisher Duane Stanford to analyze Monster Beverage's recent leadership transition announcement, as well as syndicated performance data showing rocky performance this year for the energy drink category at retail. The Breeze is an original podcast from Beverage Digest. Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford talks shop: news of the day, interesting competitive trends, new products and categories. He brings you into the kinds of conversations that we have here every day at Beverage Digest. To dissect what’s happening, connect dots, and ask the most important question: “What does this mean?” Find out more at https://lnkd.in/e4CmgqHz Monster Energy Red Bull CELSIUS Holdings, Inc. Bang Energy #energydrinks #beveragedigest

People News: Former PepsiCo marketer Todd Kaplan has been named North America CMO for Kraft Heinz.

Noteworthy Launches: Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. has refreshed the identity of its Canada Dry portfolio in the US for the first time since 2010. The rebrand includes ginger ales, club sodas, and tonic waters. Subscribe to see all the recent launches around the industry to keep you in the know. https://lnkd.in/eK25unhJ

Territory Changes and Deals: PepsiCo Beverages North America has opened its 115,000-sq-ft distribution center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The facility will quadruple the operation’s warehouse capacity. Subscribe and stay updated on the evolving beverage distribution landscape.  https://lnkd.in/epmiq-ns

People: Canned water, sparkling water, and tea maker Liquid Death has hired former Beam Suntory North America CFO Karim Sadik-Khan as its new CFO. The hire follows a $67 million funding round in March that valued the company at $1.4 billion. Subscribe and stay up to speed on where key industry contacts are headed. https://lnkd.in/epdmpHDd

Territory Changes and Deals: Non-alcoholic beer maker Athletic Brewing Co., which sold an equity stake to Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. in 2022 and just announced yet another $50M investment, has acquired a 107,000-square-foot brewery from Ballast Point Brewing. The brewery will double Athletic’s brewing capacity to capture the growing demand for NA beer. Click below for a full collection of key deals from around the industry so you don't miss a beat. https://lnkd.in/epmiq-ns

Second-quarter reporting is underway for major bevcos. This morning, PepsiCo reported North American beverages turned in +1% organic revenue growth (same as Q1) on +5% higher pricing and a -3% decline in volume (-5% in Q1). The company overall lowered its full-year revenue outlook. Consumer pushback on inflated grocery prices was the story of the day, especially for PepsiCo's Frito-Lay portfolio. While still 'surgical,' expect to see more promotional and pack size activity to draw consumers back to the retail shelf. The Coca-Cola Company reports July 23 and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. reports July 25. PBNA's decent away-from-home performance could be a good sign for those two.

Data: Danone grew ready-to-drink coffee volume sales during the first quarter of this year by +7.2%, taking an additional +3.2 share points in the category. Subscribe to gain access to Green Sheets that detail first-quarter performance at US retail for all major packaged beverage categories including in the most recent issue: RTD Coffee, RTD Tea, and RTD Protein Shakes.  https://lnkd.in/eu9GZYaX

Exclusive: The former CEO of Celsius and a former Coca-Cola veteran have partnered to launch what they say is a “rapid alcohol detoxification” beverage called Unbuzzed. Unbuzzd will compete with Safety Shot, as the market for hangover remedy drinks moves beyond mere rehydration. https://lnkd.in/es48R8dX

Noteworthy Launches: Sparkling water brand Nixie Beverage Company has launched a line of organic zero sugar sodas sweetened with stevia. Flavors are Cola, Root Beer, and Ginger Ale. The drinks, packed in 12-oz standard cans, are available at Amazon and specialty grocery stores.  Click below to see all the recent launches around the industry to keep you up to speed. https://lnkd.in/eK25unhJ