Amanda Del Buono

Consumer trends change category management, merchandising

Health and wellness beverage trends drive in-store product selection

May 11, 2016

It’s no secret that the beverage industry has evolved during the past decade or so. With new demands from consumers, beverage-makers have developed new products that provide function, low or no calories and flavor.

Natural, organic beverages rebrand to appeal to larger demographic

KeVita announces major rebrand at 2016 Expo West

Amanda Del Buono

April 15, 2016

It’s a running joke in my family that my boyfriend doesn’t eat real food. His diet seems to consist of chocolate milkshakes, chocolate chip cookies and a variety of chocolate candy.

Hops deliver on beverage flavor trends

Craft beverages drive demand for a variety of hops

Amanda Del Buono

April 15, 2016

Consumers have become more open to new flavors and innovations as interest in health and wellness and consuming natural and organic products continues to grow.

2016 Soft Drink Report: Soft drink sales decline, craft soda has potential

Health-and-wellness trends challenge CSD category

Amanda Del Buono

April 11, 2016

For the past several years, the beverage industry has faced an evolution in consumer demand. A consumer drive toward maintaining overall health and wellness has impacted several categories, particularly carbonated soft drinks (CSDs).

Millennials drive growth of premium spirits

Whiskey continues to dominate category, vodka remains top white spirit

Amanda Del Buono

April 11, 2016

In February, the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS), Washington, D.C., announced the 2015 results for the U.S. distilled spirits category.

Beer manufacturers launch hard soda brands

Anheuser-Busch, Boston Beer, MillerCoors launch hard soda lines

Amanda Del Buono

March 15, 2016

Not too long ago I tried Not Your Father’s Root Beer at a friend’s college graduation party. The flavored beer was a nice change for me, as it offered a different kind of flavor with less alcohol than a spirit, which I appreciated.

Coffee flavors increase in functional, protein beverages

Use of coffee flavor driven by health and wellness

Amanda Del Buono

March 15, 2016

Thomas Jefferson was quoted as saying, “Coffee — the favorite drink of the civilized world.” Today, coffee remains a favorite beverage and flavor in the United States. As such, beverage-makers are using the flavor within a plethora of categories, including ready-to-drink (RTD) coffees, spirits and craft beers.

Packaging trends drive flexibility in case packers and wrappers

Beverage equipment suppliers offer flexible, fast case packers and wrappers

Amanda Del Buono

March 15, 2016

After being carefully set in a line, when a single domino is knocked over into the next, the entire line will fall. Similar to the cascading effect of falling dominos, changes within the front-end of beverage operations often will cascade through the manufacturing facility all the way to the end-of-line operations, even to case packing and wrapping.

Coconut water market growth continues, but at smaller rate

Unflavored varietals dominate market, health and wellness drives sales

Amanda Del Buono

March 14, 2016

Previously known for bikini tops and one of Harry Nilsson’s hit songs, coconuts have gained a much more respectable persona in the minds of U.S. consumers within the past several years.

Social responsibility campaigns resonate with millennials

Beverage brands increasingly embrace important social concerns

Amanda Del Buono

February 15, 2016

In December, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) announced it would launch four Global Smart Drinking Goals in an effort to encourage responsible drinking and reduce harmful drinking, a growing concern for many consumers.