The July 2014 Beverage Industry includes a cover story on the 2014 State of the Industry, as well as articles about PepsiCo Americas Beverages, Rooibee Red Tea kids line, and more. Check it out today!
Among the iconic, long-standing TV programs that Americans tune in to, one factor can be vital to their longevity: evolution. In “The Simpsons,” Lisa goes from always wanting a pony as a pet to being a vegetarian and a mini-activist, whereas Walter White went from being a desperate chemistry teacher to a drug lord in “Breaking Bad.”
Although the term mixologist is commonly referenced in association with alcohol products, innovations within the drink mix category are allowing consumers to become mixologists in the non-alcohol arena.
When it comes to the beer segment, more consumers are seeking upscale offerings. Andrea Riberi, senior vice president of alcohol beverages with Nielsen, New York, told Beverage Industry in its March issue that super-premium domestic beers, which include brands like MillerCoors’ Blue Moon and Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light Lime and Michelob Ultra, gained 2 percent in case volume last year.
The gourmet coffee market has perked up this year, according to the National Coffee Association of USA Inc. (NCA). Approximately 34 percent of American adults drink gourmet coffee beverages daily, up 3 percentage points from 2013, according to the New York-based association’s “National Coffee Drinking Trends” market research study, which was released in March. Conversely, non-gourmet coffee drinking dropped 4 percentage points to 35 percent, it reports.
Health properties, premium formats boost tea sales
July 11, 2014
Consumer interest in healthy beverages has led to an evolving marketplace within the industry, experts note. For instance, the tea category has experienced sales increases due to consumer emphasis placed on healthy living habits, according to a January report from Santa Monica, Calif.-based IBISWorld titled “Tea Production in the US.”
Although cow’s milk has long been associated with good health, it has experienced gradual sales declines in the past two years as prices fluctuated and consumers avoided fat, calories and added sugars, according to Chicago-based Mintel’s April 2014 report “Milk, Creamers and Non-Dairy Milk – US.”
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.
From 2009 to 2014, juice and smoothie bars saw a 2 percent rise in revenue each year, according to a May 2014 report by IBISWorld, Santa Monica, Calif., titled “Juice & Smoothie Bars in the US.”
According to Mintel, 42 percent of people who drink energy shots take them in the afternoon, and 49 percent of people who consume energy drinks also do so in the afternoon, said Jennifer Zegler, global food and drink analyst at the Chicago-based market research firm, in Beverage Industry’s August 2013 issue.
The current economic climate coupled with governmental and consumer concerns about health and wellness created a tough environment for the carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) market this year, according to analysts.
Most small-business owners see the world through rose-colored glasses when launching their companies, optimistic that their new ventures will succeed and thrive. In the case of Rooibee Red Tea, Louisville, Ky., this optimism has produced strong results.
Whether overcoming residuals from the economic recession or more immediate factors, the foodservice channel has faced its share of challenges in recent years.
Beverage ingredient companies invest in new products and facilities
July 16, 2014
Glanbia Nutritionals, Carlsbad, Calif., signed an agreement with Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Fort Lee, N.J., to exclusively distribute its CapsiAtra ingredient in target markets in the United States.
When I’m not in the office, you’ll often find me wearing an item of Disney clothing. Even when I’m in the office, I’m always wearing my favorite Mickey Mouse watch.
Perlick offers stylish beer, wine dispenses to catch consumers' eyes
July 16, 2014
Aptar Food + Beverage, a part of the AptarGroup family of companies, released two new dispensing closures designed to meet the needs of the growing liquid concentrates market.
When Kansas City, Mo.-based Boulevard Brewing Co., now a part of Puurs, Belgium-based Duvel Moortgat, realized that the craft brewing business it had been building since 1989 was outgrowing its infrastructure and equipment, the company knew it needed to turn to automation to support its growth.
Nearly all maintenance advice typically is aimed at one type of part or one specific procedure. Unfortunately, this results in many maintenance operations “not being able to see the forest through the trees.”
Imagine if you could make changes to your organization that would equate to 2-6 percent of your company’s revenue in just two to four months. A thorough analysis of your supply chain processes will likely give you that opportunity.
At picnics and other outdoor events during the summer and early fall, consumers have to watch out for bees that might crawl into their unattended beverage cans.
Company plans more on-trend flavor launches throughout the year
July 16, 2014
Sensient Natural Ingredients, a business unit of Sensient Technologies Corp., has launched a new Chili Blends collection, which includes seven authentic dry chili blends inspired by the flavors of Latin America, India, Morocco, Thailand and the United States.
Co-located tradeshows bring beverage innovations to Chicago
July 16, 2014
This year, NürnbergMesse North America’s Interbev tradeshow co-located with Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Connect for a multi-day food, beverage and retail tradeshow June 10-13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
In three years, nearly half of the U.S. population will be 50 years of age or older, and they will control 70 percent of disposable income in the country, according to a recent webinar titled “Aging well: How to win with the growing and lucrative segment of health-focused seniors,” hosted by Todd Hale, senior vice president of consumer and shopper insights for Nielsen, New York.
Big Red Soda partners with "Transformers" movie, Riunite wine goes patriotic for charity
July 16, 2014
To kick off the summer, Heineken USA released six special-edition bottles inspired by the popular global destinations New York, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Rio and Shanghai.
Batman has Robin, Andy Taylor has Barney Fife, Han Solo has Chewbacca, and Pinocchio has Jiminy Cricket. While sidekicks might be the background character in all of these famous duos, secondary packaging has more of a spotlight position in its role as primary packaging’s sidekick.
The product name has been trademarked; the formulation has been perfected and patented; the packaging is unique and shelfworthy; yet, this product might never make it to retail because the owner forgot about one vital step: inspection.
Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, chia seeds were most commonly associated with the novelty plant-growing kits Chia Pets. Now, beverage-makers are harvesting the hydrating and nutritional benefits of chia seeds and blending them into juice and juice drinks, soft drinks, and drink concentrates and mixes, according to Natalie Tremellen, market analyst at Innova Market Insights, the Netherlands.
At InterBev last month, I attended an educational session about alcohol trends called “Where did my drink go?” presented by Nik Modi, managing director at RBC Capital Markets, New York.