July 2021 was the hottest month recorded in human history, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Although July typically is the world's warmest month of the year, July 2021 was 0.02 degrees higher than the previous record set in July 2016, which was then tied in 2019 and 2020, the agency reported. But not all hot items are causing the same concern. Whether hot, iced, cold brew, nitro, ground or in pods, coffee is a hot beverage category and consumers can’t get enough of this caffeinated treat.
A staple of mornings, coffee is “brewing up” new drinking occasions due to the availability of new, exciting flavors and convenient, ready-to-drink (RTD) formulations.
Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice president and practice leader at Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI), notes that the coffee market saw an uptick in sales through 2020, with double-digit growth in multi-outlets and conveniences stores due to more at-home occasions.