The saying goes that perception doesn’t always meet reality. As brand owners look to meet the evolving needs of American consumers, understanding the habits, perceptions and intentions can be crucial when striving to build brand loyalty.
The better-for-you health movement has helped take emerging food and beverage categories from niche to mainstream. As these niche categories become more commonplace, they not only are helping themselves but also are giving a platform to other products, categories and flavors.
Oregon Fruit Products LLC released a new flavor in its limited series for the fermentation market: pink guava purée. The purée adds to the company’s portfolio of premium specialty fruit products for the craft beverage industry.
Regardless of whether consumers are drinking beer, wine or spirits when dining out, suggested food pairings and recommendations from influencers, like bartenders and wait staff, can motivate consumers to try something new or trade up to a more premium product.
Carolina Global Brewing, Charlotte, N.C., announced the launch of its new, all-natural flavored malt beverage product line: Juicebar Cocktails. The new products combine fruits, vegetables and herbs into a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail blend. The new line will be available in two flavors: Carrot Aloe Mango, which is 4.9 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), and Pineapple Lime with Cilantro, which is 4.7 percent ABV, the company says.
Gluten-free hard soda now available in select markets
March 21, 2017
Joplin, Mo.-based Vivify Beverages LLC announced the launch of Bravazzi Hard Italian Soda. Available in three citrus flavors — Grapefruit, Limonata and Blood Orange — Bravazzi is a gluten-free sparkling alcohol beverage that delivers an authentic, all-natural Italian soda experience, the company says.
As consumers’ shopping behaviors continue to evolve, the drug store channel has seen a boon within beverage aisles. Although the channel is struggling to grow, beverages could offer potential for the channel going forward as these stores expand their offerings, says Evan Hoffman, industry research analyst at Los Angeles-based IBISWorld.
Category gains market share for 7th consecutive year
February 8, 2017
The distilled spirits sector achieved accelerated growth in 2016 with supplier sales up 4.5 percent to $25.2 billion, volumes up 2.4 percent to 220 million cases and a seventh straight year of market share gains relative to beer, the New York-based Distilled Spirits Council announced at its annual economic briefing for media and Wall Street analysts, sponsored by Spirited Funds.