Articles by Barbara Harfmann

Despite no legalization at the federal level, CBD ingredients in beverages are hitting the market fast. CBD sales in the United States grew 20% in 2020, but is a slowdown from 2019, states Euromonitor International.

In addition to purchasing gas, consumers head to their local convenience store to satisfy immediate consumption needs in an easy-to-navigate space. Sales of both alcohol and non-alcohol beverages are up, with hard seltzers and carbonated soft drinks top performers.

Whether hot, iced, cold brew, nitro, ground or in pods, coffee and RTD coffee are “brewing up” expanding drinking opportunities in a hot market.

Ready-to-drink seltzer centric spirits, generally made from a vodka or tequila base, and RTD premixed cocktails are exploding in size and innovation, as consumers seek convenient, on-the-go options.

Co-founded by beverage entrepreneurs Ben Goodwin and David Lester, OLIPOP is a functional low-calorie, low-sugar beverage that combines the benefits of prebiotics, plant fiber and botanicals in a “New Kind of Soda” that promotes digestive health.

How and where consumers are purchasing their alcohol continues to shift, with eCommerce continuing to drive sales. Although hard seltzers have been king of the beverage industry the past three years, ready-to-drink canned cocktails now are outpacing the category.

Premium beverage brands are adopting premium labels with thinner materials and brighter designs to attract buyers. In June, ACTEGA released a new “no label” decorating solution designed to reduce waste by 50%: Signite.

Based on a severe worker shortage, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are enabling companies to rethink the deployment of their workforce. Designed to run on the warehouse floor and handle repetitive tasks, some AGV models can reach and retrieve pallets with or without an operator.

Hard seltzers are sizzling hot in the beverage marketplace, now comprising 7% of total beverage alcohol. Brands that want to succeed will need to entice consumers with flavor and formulation innovation and convenient RTD packaging.