Inspired by a consumer-driven social media initiative that gave fans the power to choose its next beverage flavor, Talking Rain Beverage Co.’s Sparkling Ice line announced the release of a new flavor at NACS 2015. 

Leadings Brands Inc. is launching its Happy Water in the United States. 

Bai Brands introduced its Bai Antiwater, an antioxidant-infused bottled water. 

New data compiled by New York-based Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) shows that between 2000 and 2014, the average weight of a 16.9-ounce single-serve PET plastic bottled water bottle has declined 52 percent to 9.25 grams. This has resulted in a savings of 6.2 billion pounds of PET resin since 2000.

An extremely competitive beverage landscape didn’t stop Beth Wilson-Parentice from pursuing her passion. From managing a Starbucks in Connecticut, to creating concoctions in her Pennsylvania kitchen, Wilson-Parentice overcame financial, production and distribution hurdles to create her own line of natural, organic sparkling beverages.

Bottled water has come a long way in its lifetime, and today, consumers are choosing this natural, healthy beverage more than ever. Industry experts even speculate that the category could grow larger than the carbonated soft drink (CSD) category by the end of the decade.

bottlePORT, Inc. released its self-titled dosing cap powdered water enhancer line, “bottlePORT.”  

1907 Water NZ Ltd. launched its 1907Water nationwide in The Fresh Market locations throughout the United States. 

Reliant Beverage Co. released its Recovery Water line in select markets.

Convenience stores sit in a unique niche where they are presented with consumers and behaviors not found in any other food or beverage retail sector. The biggest challenge, yet opportunity, is that 84 percent of items purchased at convenience stores are consumed within the hour of purchase, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Alexandria, Va.