Articles by Jessica Jacobsen

Established brands continue to lead the drink mix category, although some varieties did experience contraction in the last year. The overall drink mix category grew 1.6 percent for more than $609.7 million in sales for the 52 weeks ending May 15 in U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores and mass merchandise outlets, excluding Wal-Mart, according to SymphonyIRI Group, Chicago. Fruit drink mixes made up a majority of the category with $590 million in sales, which represents a 1.6 percent growth.

As restaurant operators continue to recover from the effects of the recession, fast-casual restaurants have received positive marks from analysts. According to Chicago-based Technomic Inc.’s 2011 Top Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report, the foodservice segment outpaced the rest of the restaurant industry in 2010, with the top 100 chains growing 6 percent to nearly $18.9 billion. The total units grew 3.9 percent, which was slower than last year, but faster than other dining segments, according to the report.

With a portfolio of more than 500 beverage brands that offer more than 3,500 beverages, The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, has expanded greatly since its first product 125 years ago. But even with this vast portfolio, The Coca-Cola Co. continues to search for what new trends are taking place in the beverage industry and the company stays on top of it with its Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) business unit.

Consumers are refining their tastes when it comes to tea. Product launches and sales data suggest that organic positioning for teas and ready-to-drink (RTD) teas are helping to sustain and grow certain aspects of the category. 

When it comes to innovation, Charles Gibb, president of Belvedere Vodka, knows how important it is to do something new and different. That approach helped the company to develop its newest variety, Bloody Mary flavored vodka. While many flavored vodkas are formulated around sweet combinations, Belvedere wanted its focus to be on something different.