Opening Thoughts: Energy Builds for Future Smarts 2026
Coca‑Cola’s global technical, innovation and supply‑chain chief, Nancy Quan, will headline the Future Smarts conference on Dec. 14 in New York. The event, known for showcasing cutting‑edge ideas, will feature Quan discussing packaging, fountain‑beverage equipment, consumer‑driven product attributes, and supply‑chain agility. A second speaker will be announced the following day, adding further depth to the agenda. The conference aims to turn market fragmentation and instability into strategic advantages for attendees.
![Briefs: Sparkling Water Q1 Results [Green Sheet]. NY EPR Fails. UPF Definition Nears. Wembanyama Disses Soda. LMNT Sues Over Lead...](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/7df64c32315f8a3db4e9784f7e3d6556.webp)
Briefs: Sparkling Water Q1 Results [Green Sheet]. NY EPR Fails. UPF Definition Nears. Wembanyama Disses Soda. LMNT Sues Over Lead...
The beverage sector saw sparkling water sales climb 12% year‑over‑year in Q1, buoyed by new flavored offerings. New York’s proposed extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation for beverage containers failed to clear the Senate, leaving the state’s recycling framework unchanged. Meanwhile,...
Inside PepsiCo's 13-Oz PET Affordability Strategy
PepsiCo is introducing a 13‑ounce PET bottle priced below $2 for its flagship sparkling lineup, including Pepsi and Mountain Dew, in select U.S. markets. The move is designed to capture price‑sensitive shoppers who are tightening budgets amid rising gas and...
U.S. Beverage Bottlers React to ‘Perfect Storm’ of Cost Pressures
U.S. beverage bottlers are confronting a perfect storm of cost pressures, with raw‑material, freight and energy expenses climbing roughly 15% year‑over‑year. To protect margins, they have begun modest price hikes of about 4% and are accelerating automation and specialty‑product launches....
Celsius Holdings’ Plan for Acquired Rockstar Brand Takes Stage
Celsius Holdings, now the third‑largest U.S. energy drink brand, is leveraging its 2023 purchase of Rockstar from PepsiCo to broaden its portfolio. The company unveiled a "Live Loud" brand identity that blends Celsius' health‑focused image with Rockstar's aggressive, music‑and‑sports‑centric vibe....
Noteworthy Launches: ARIH. Fresca Hard. Bubly Pop. Plezi. Tropicana Hydrate. Hoplark. Slice Dirty Soda.
Korean food makers Paldo and Hy introduced Arih, a Western‑Korean fusion brand co‑created with BTS, debuting exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com on April 24. The line features a Postbiotic Energy Drink and a Dual Biotic Soda, each offered in seven...
Territory Changes and Deals: Carlsberg, Brown-Forman. Keurig Dr Pepper. Big Geyser. Coke Consolidated. Nestle. 7-Eleven. Hopwtr. Suja. Coca-Cola
Marriott International has ended its 35‑year partnership with PepsiCo, opting to serve Coca‑Cola products across its global portfolio of more than 7,000 hotels. The switch follows Coca‑Cola’s aggressive food‑service push and comes as the company prepares for a leadership transition...
Gatorade Restages Around ‘Science-Backed Hydration’ for Everybody
PepsiCo is relaunching Gatorade with a new "Gatorlyte Longer Lasting" variant that emphasizes science‑backed, sustained hydration for a broader audience. The product builds on a 2009 strategy overhaul that aimed to win back casual consumers who had drifted to water...
2025 U.S. All-Channel Results: LRB Dollars Grew +2.5%. Volume Fell -0.9%
The 2025 BD Fact Book shows U.S. liquid refreshment beverage (LRB) sales grew 2.5% in dollar value while overall volume slipped 0.9%. Carbonated soft drinks (CSD) posted a 3.1% value increase with a 0.7% volume decline. The report covers packaged...
Opening Thoughts: April 8, 2026
Beverage Digest released its 31st Fact Book, a comprehensive snapshot of U.S. non‑alcoholic beverage sales for 2025. The edition compiles all‑channel data, from grocery and convenience stores to online platforms, revealing modest volume growth and heightened competition. It highlights a...
Marriott Switching to Coke From Pepsi After 35 Years
Marriott International announced it will replace Pepsi with Coca‑Cola as its in‑house soft‑drink provider after a 35‑year partnership with PepsiCo. The transition is slated to begin this summer across the chain’s U.S. properties. Marriott cited strategic alignment and cost efficiencies...