Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. released its fourth quarter and full-year 2014 results. It reported that global sparkling beverage volume grew 1 percent in both the quarter and full year driven by growth from the Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta brands. Coca-Cola brand volume was up 1 percent in the quarter and grew slightly for the full year, rounding to even.
Euromonitor finds China, Brazil and Mexico posting strong growth
Chicago-based Euromonitor International reports that global soft drink, also referred to as non-alcohol, volumes grew by just more than 3 percent in 2014, while value sales grew by more than 6 percent to reach $867.4 billion.
U.S. consumers have shown how enthusiastic they are about Blue Chair Bay Coconut Spiced Rum Cream. The import brand of Rochester, N.Y.-based Fishbowl Spirits that was created and owned by country music star Kenny Chesney announced that the limited-edition variety sold out nationwide.
In the past year, Life Up LLC’s Foco 100% Pure Coconut Water line has added 10 distributors, secured distribution in major supermarket chains and more than doubled its sales, according to Contessa Foconut Donna Bimbo, chief executive officer of the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company.
In the midst of the test launch of its new Pepsi HomeMade line in Florida markets, SodaStream USA, Mt. Laurel, N.J., reports that consumer responses for the trial products have thus far been positive.
Licensing agreement will bring Community Coffee K-Cups to market in spring 2015
Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Waterbury, Vt., and Community Coffee Co., Baton Rouge, La., announced a multi-year licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreement to bring Community Coffee to Keurig portion-pack formats for consumer and commercial Keurig hot-brewing systems. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The readers of Beverage Industry must have an interest in mixology. Based on the results of the publication’s Readers’ Choice Product of the Month poll for October, Seismix LLC’s ZMix instant cocktail mixes were a crowd pleaser, garnering 31 percent of the vote.
Soda sweetened with cane sugar and stevia leaf extract
Following its initial summer rollout in select The Fresh Market stores, Coca-Cola Life now is available across the United States. A brand of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., Coca-Cola Life is the company’s first reduced-calorie carbonated soft drink sweetened with cane sugar and stevia leaf extract.