Preston, Wash.-based TalkingRain Beverage Co. recently placed a focus on its Sparkling Ice enhanced water brand, which in turn has experienced a national surge. Sparkling Ice reported $43 million in sales for the 52 weeks ending March 18, 2012, in supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores, and mass merchandise retailers, excluding Walmart, club and liquor stores, according to Chicago-based market research firm SymphonyIRI Group. The sales represent a 1,979 percent change in dollar sales of Sparkling Ice compared to the previous year in SymphonyIRI’s measured channels, and a 2,103 percent increase in unit sales compared to the 52 weeks ending March 18, 2011.
The brand ranks as the fifth best-selling sparkling or mineral water with a market share of 8.6 percent of the category, which is led by private label brands at 21.6 percent market share, according to SymphonyIRI data. Sparkling Ice is available in eight flavors that are made with spring water, fruit juice, vitamins and antioxidants. Each is carbonated and sweetened with Splenda resulting in a no-calorie, carbohydrate or sodium beverage, the company says.