Consumers’ push for healthy beverage choices is matching up to sales numbers seen throughout the bottled water category, according to a report from Chicago-based Mintel. In the market research firm’s March report “Bottled Water and Cold Beverages Mixes,” it notes that although the category declined 6.6 percent in 2009, it saw slight recovery in 2010 and has continued on this upward trend.
One segment that has helped fuel the growth of the category is the sparkling and mineral water segment. Sales for the sub-category were up approximately 32 percent, totaling $1.2 billion in the 52 weeks ending April 20 in U.S. multi-outlets, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. With sparkling and mineral waters posting double-digit growth, its sales now are in line with jug/bulk still water with $1.2 billion but significantly behind convenience/PET still water with $9.3 billion.