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!

2019 State of the Beverage Industry: Bottled water remains No. 1

Category driven by consumers wanting healthier alternatives 

Neslte Waters Poland Spring bottled water. - Beverage Industry
(Image courtesy of Nestlé Waters North America)
July 15, 2019

According to a January statement from the Alexandria, Va.-based The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), more than seven in 10 Americans (72 percent) say bottled water, still and/or sparkling, is among their most preferred non-alcohol beverage. This marks an increase of 9 percent compared with the previous year, the association notes, citing data from its Harris Poll.

Other poll findings note that nearly 93 percent of respondents say bottled water should be available wherever other drinks are sold; 89 percent note they drink bottled water while traveling; 82 percent consume water at work; and 75 percent drink water at home, the statement said.

2019 State of the Beverage Industry
Market Segments
• 2019
• All years

“The results of this [Harris Poll] are consistent with the recent consumption figures that show, for a third year in a row, bottled water is the No. 1 packaged beverage in the United States,” said Jill Culora, IBWA’s vice president of communications, in a statement at the time of the announcement.

As consumers seek healthier alternatives to sugary beverages, the bottled water category continues to experience steady growth, experts note.

“The bottled water category has been experiencing robust growth since the early ‘90s, driven primarily by consumer demand for healthier refreshment,” said Gary Hemphill, managing director of research at New York-based Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC), in Beverage Industry’s October 2018 issue.

Top convenience/PET still bottled waters

(Individual brands)

  DOLLAR SALES % CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR MARKET SHARE % CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
Private label $3,021,607,149 12.6 24.3 1.6
Dasani $1,059,956,820 -1.8 8.5 -0.6
Aquafina $1,055,448,818 -0.8 8.5 -0.5
Glaceau Smart Water $831,794,237 2.3 6.7 -0.2
Nestle Pure Life $773,585,907 -10.9 6.2 -1.1
Category total* $12,441,198,769 5.3 100.0 —

*Includes brands not listed.

Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. Total U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores, mass merchandisers, military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains for the 52 weeks ending May 19.

In an October 2018 press release, BMC predicted that bottled water will reach 50 gallons per capita within the next few years and reach close to $23.9 billion in sales by 2022. BMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Bellas commented: “Bottled water’s rocket-like rise in popularity coincides with the pronounced shifts in consumer preferences for refreshment and hydration. As the quintessential portable and affordable beverage, bottled water introduces new usage and occasion habits.

“Suitable for consumption at any time of the day or night, and not necessarily in need of being kept ice cold, bottled water simply is the preferred beverage not only for consumers aiming to reduce caloric intake or lessen artificial sweetener usage but also for consumers of all kinds,” he continued.

Top jug/bulk still bottled waters

(Individual brands)

  DOLLAR SALES % CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR MARKET SHARE % CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
Private Label $722,418,345 5.7 45.1 0.2
Poland Spring $152,968,048 3.5 9.6 -0.2
Crystal Geyser $114,326,743 10.4 7.1 0.3
Deer Park $64,395,147 1.3 4.0 -0.2
Primo $58,697,478 16.6 3.7 0.4
Category total* $1,600,166,040 5.3 100.0 —

*Includes brands not listed.

Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. Total U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores, mass merchandisers, military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains for the 52 weeks ending May 19.

Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) echoed similar sentiments. “The water segment has picked up steam in recent years, driven by trends around flavoring, fortification and carbonation, creating a healthy beverage with an indulgent feel,” it stated in its April 2018 New Product Pacesetters report.

Water now competes on a whole different level, the report says, noting the category competes with soft drinks, juices, energy drinks and sports drinks, and virtually every beverage category.

According to IRI data, dollar sales for the overall bottled water category was $17.1 billion for the 52 weeks ending May 19, in total U.S. multi-outlets and convenience stores. Convenience/PET bottled water accounted for $12.4 billion, while seltzer/sparkling/mineral and jug/bulk bottled water accounted for roughly $3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, during the same timeframe.

Top seltzer/sparkling/mineral bottled waters

(Individual brands)

  DOLLAR SALES % CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR MARKET SHARE % CHANGE VS. PRIOR YEAR
Private Label $564,250,158 8.9 18.5 -1.1
Sparkling Ice $460,536,552 17.3 15.1 0.3
La Croix $446,477,126 7.9 14.6 -1.0
Perrier $285,344,705 4.2 9.3 -1.0
Polar $181,230,076 16.4 5.9 0.1
Category total* $3,056,128,538 15.3 100.0 —

*Includes brands not listed.

Source: Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. Total U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores, mass merchandisers, military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains for the 52 weeks ending May 19.

In Beverage Industry’s October 2018 issue, BMC’s Hemphill noted the positive performance of the category, including the sparkling water segment. “The primary growth driver over the years has been the retail PET segment, essentially single-serve bottles of non-carbonated water,” he said. “That said, all segments of the category are experiencing growth. More recently, the category has begun to evolve and we’ve seen exceptional growth from sparkling water.”

The bottled water category likely will continue its upward trajectory, experts say. “While some segments are growing faster than others, we think it is likely we will continue to see growth in all segments of the category in the years ahead,” Hemphill noted.“ BI

KEYWORDS: bottled water sales PET bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) sparkling water State of the Beverage Industry still water

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...
    Sports Drinks
  • 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

Celsius Fizz Free

CELSIUS launches new Fizz-Free flavors

PepsiCo.jpg

PepsiCo advances AI agenda

Narragansett Beer 1975 cans

Narragansett Beer celebrates 50 years of ‘Jaws’

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.

July 15, 2025

Understanding the Best Material Type for Your Conveyor Systems

Leveraging decades of beverage production expertise, join Regal Rexnord’s Jeremy Fryman, Beverage Industry Marketing Manager and Tom Eure, Senior Account Executive as they dive into the landscape of plastic conveyor belt materials on the market and how to select the proper material type by application.

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

  • Essentia

    Essentia records most successful sales quarter to date

    See More
  • Phocus Peach

    Phocus releases Peach flavor for sparkling water lineup

    See More
  • LIFE WTR Bottles by Pepsi Co. - Beverage Industry

    2018 State of the Beverage Industry: Bottled water remains the No. 1 beverage in the United States

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • bigfood.jpg

    Big Food: Critical perspectives on the global growth of the food and beverage industry

See More Products
×

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