Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

The China Challenge

December 1, 2005

The China Challenge
In November, I visited Beijing, Nanchang and the mountainous area of southeast China. I could write about many interesting people, places and cultural differences, but the point that sticks in my mind in regard to beverages is China’s water. As a traveler, I couldn’t drink the water, but I wasn’t alone. Chinese can’t drink China’s water. Even in Mexico, local people can drink the water even if travelers cannot. According to a Euromonitor report called “Health and Wellness Beverages in China,” only an estimated 14 percent of the water in China is potable. Moreover, approximately two-thirds of China's cities face water supply shortages.
As I hear from more beverage and food companies of their interest in the millions of Chinese consumers, I want to remind these companies that China faces several large challenges as its economy continues to grow. First, China has a Communist government. It may have a capitalist economy, but I dare say you can’t visit without seeing the government’s hand in companies, building projects, workforce and the whole culture. Secondly, China may be one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, but it is still a developing nation with some of the worst air and water pollution and sanitation problems in the world. China doesn’t have the resources to support the people and industries it already has.
Chinese young adults are anxious to be like “Westerners” – so much so that they even followed me around Nanchang’s bustling Super Wal-Mart to see what I picked up. China’s growing coffee, beer, soft drink ­and health drink markets are a direct mimic of Western culture. Tea always will be king in China, and trust me, they know tea. But bottled water will be the very necessary queen.
Record toast
Las Vegas and Beaulieu Vineyard Wines will ring in the New Year in classic Las Vegas style by attempting to break the Guinness record for the world’s largest toast. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman will join more than 12,000 revelers as they lift a glass of BV Wine under the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas on Dec. 31.
Kooky contest
Comedienne Kathy Griffin and Malibu Caribbean Rum are challenging contestants to wear their holiday spirit on their sleeves. Griffin hosts the “trim-a-person” extravaganzas in which contestants are encouraged to dress themselves in holiday-themed decorations, lights, wrapping paper, bows galore and more for the chance to win free electricity for a year (up to $1,200) and other prizes. At contest events hosted in select cities, Malibu Mistletoe Martini and the Malibu Frosty Kathy Kiss will make their debuts.
Chivas concert series
Pernod Ricard USA’s Chivas Regal has expanded its Chivas Life Concert Series to include multiple artists in various cities throughout the United States. The new series format kicked off in October with two concerts at famed New York hotspot SOB’s featuring Grammy winner Julieta Venegas. The Scotch whisky’s concert series will continue through May 2006, bringing award-winning Latin talent to cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami and Houston.
Charge it
A survey on the small payment market, released at the Third Annual Micro and Small Payments Conference in New York City, found consumers’ desire to use credit and debit cards for small payment at the point of sale and online is on the rise. An estimated 45 million Americans are willing to use credit or debit cards for purchases of $5 or less, up 23 percent from September 2004. Additionally, nearly 20 million Americans ages 12 and older have purchased something online for less than $2 in the past year, up nearly 29 percent over the same period and 350 percent from October 2003. The survey found that consumers are interested in using credit and debit cards to pay for coffee and beverages, fast food/corporate cafeteria items and at vending machines/kiosks.
Country spirit
Blavod Extreme Spirits’ Terri Blaton joined Faith Hill at the Nashville Chapter’s 2005 Recording Academy Honors’ party. Blavod Extreme Spirits was the exclusive beverage sponsor at the party. Guests received Blavod Black Vodka and Players Extreme Caramel Infused Vodka in the event goodie bags. Blavod, Players Extreme and Baroncini wine were served at the event.
Ready to ride
This racing season, Miller is “Built for Great Taste Start 2 Finish” with its new stock car driver 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch. Point-of-Sale materials featuring Busch, the new Miller Lite No. 2 driver, and champion Larry Dixon, driver of the Don Prudhomme NHRA top-fuel dragster, will connect race fans to the Miller Lite experience.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • top 100 beverage companies

    Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

    For the global beverage market, mergers and acquisitions...
    Wine & Spirits
  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Wine & Spirits
    By: Lauren Sabetta
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Sting Energy

PepsiCo, Sting Energy unveil global partnership with Formula 1

people drinking Wynk

Mindful drinking prompts growth for THC beverages

top 100 beverage companies

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

June 26, 2025

FAST. FOCUSED. FUELED: Delivering Energy Consumers Can Feel

Learn how to formulate products that deliver the energy experiences that people want, and keep them coming back for more.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • China's Defense

    See More
  • Omega Infusions

    Ingredient Spotlight: Counting the benefits of omega fatty acids

    See More
  • Starbucks Logo

    The Starbucks Foundation donates more than $3M to global COVID-19 relief

    See More
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing