More than half of the respondents to Beverage Industry’s annual Product Development Survey are developing new sports drinks, energy drinks, bottled waters, juices and juice drinks in 2010. Another 30 percent expect to create new wine, beer and spirits products this year, followed by 14 percent of respondents formulating new carbonated soft drinks.
More than any other factors, the motivation to introduce new beverage products comes from consumer demand, survey-takers said. Other reasons include the desire to “increase sales,” “fill a unique need that we are not filling now,” “increase volume,” and give consumers “variety.”