The Coca-Cola Co. is conducting a limited-time pilot for its new PlantBottle packaging in Birmingham, Atlanta and Nashville. According to a release from the Atlanta-based company, the new plastic bottle packaging is made with up to 30 percent renewable material from plants. Through the end of May, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta Orange […]
Category: Beverage News
Beverage news for grocery retailers: soft drinks, water, juice, coffee, energy drinks, beer and wine trends and new products.
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Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Pepsi Next Debuts in March
Pepsi, the country’s No. 2 cola company, will introduce “Pepsi Next” to try to compete with No. 1 company Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co.’s popular Diet Coke, reports The Associated Press. The new Pepsi drink has about half the calories of regular Pepsi at 60 calories per can. The cola is scheduled to hit shelves nationally […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Southwest, Suppliers
Anheuser-Busch Investing $70M In Metal Container Facility
St. Louis, Mo.-based Anheuser-Busch plans increase production capacity at its Metal Container Corporation (MCC) facility in Arnold, an investment estimated between $70 and $80 million, to increase production and create at least 20 new jobs at the facility. The Arnold facility produces aluminum cans for Anheuser-Busch and soft drink makers. This expansion, planned for completion […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
MillerCoors Profits Up 32.5 Percent
MillerCoors LLC recorded a 32.5 percent increase in profits for the fourth quarter on growing market share for its Coors Light brand and ongoing cost savings related to the merger of Miller Brewing and Coors Brewing, reports the Denver Business Journal. SABMiller plc of London and Molson Coors Brewing Co. of Denver, Colo., the co-owners […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Organic Natural
Organic Food Sales Hit High in 2011
For the first time in four years since undertaking its annual Organic Product Survey, TABS Group (www.TABSGroup.com) found a significant increase in American consumers reporting they purchased organic products and a jump in overall sales. Specifically, the percentage of all consumers saying they purchased organics rose from 39.8 percent in January 2011 to 41.8 percent […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, West
More from The N.G.A. Show—In Pictures
From The 2012 N.G.A. Show… In the photo above: Michael Sansolo speaks to the panel consisting of Chris Coborn, president and CEO of Coborns Inc.; Carlos Smith, president of Bodega Latina Corp./dba El Super; and Jay Lawrence, president of Lawrence Bros. M-A-L Enterprises Inc.
Posted in, Beverage News, Northeast, Shelby Content
PepsiCo Cutting 8,700 Jobs, Increasing Ad Dollars
The Associated Press reports that PepsiCo plans to cut 8,700 jobs around the world and ramp up advertising in North America in an effort to reduce costs. Though the company exceeded fourth quarter expectations, it predicted a decline in 2012 earnings. PepsiCo, which produces such beverages as Gatorade and Mountain Dew along with numerous other […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Coca-Cola Profit Down 27 Percent On Charges
The Atlanta-based beverage giant, Coco-Cola, reported that its profit for 2011 was hurt by restructuring charges and other charges. It also reported a program to save $550 to $650 million by the end of 2015 and reinvest that savings into systemwide brand building initiatives and to mitigate potential incremental near-term commodity costs as necessary, the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Mary J Blige Joins Belvedere Vodka, (RED) To Help Save Lives
Award-winning, multi-platinum singer Mary J Blige will be performing at a private pre-Grammy event on Thursday, Feb. 9, to celebrate the partnership of Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka, and (RED). The exclusive performance will be followed by a private party at Bardot, Los Angeles, to help raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and emphasize the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Select 55 Introduces New 35- and 32-Calorie Packages
Select 55 now is introducing smaller-sized cans and bottles. Available at retailers nationwide, Select 55 “Little Lights” include sleek 8-oz., 35-calorie cans available in 12 packs; and 7-oz., 32-calorie clear glass bottles available in 6 packs. Select 55 offers a clean, crisp taste with fewer calories for adult beer drinkers. The new smaller-size cans and […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, West
Sweeten Valentine’s Day With Korbel Champagnes
Red roses, with their message of love, may always be the No. 1 Valentine’s Day gift, but sweet libations are clearly gaining ground, according to Korbel Champagne Cellars of California. Korbel Sweet Cuvee and Sweet Rose—produced using the time-honored methode champenoise (in which the bubbles are created by secondary fermentation in the bottle)—are a newer […]
Posted in, Beverage News, New Products, West
First Icelandic Craft Beer Arrives in U.S., California First
Einstök Ölgerd, an Icelandic craft brewery, has sent the first shipment of its ales to the United States. Initially, an Icelandic White Ale, Pale Ale and Toasted Porter will be distributed in California in a partnership with Wine Warehouse, one of the largest distributors in the U.S. Located just 60 miles south of the Arctic […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Equipment & Technology, New Products, Southeast
Star Packaging Launches Fully Recyclable Stand-Up Pouch
Atlanta-based Star Packaging Corp., a provider of innovative flexible packaging, has launched its TerraFlex RP line of fully recyclable stand up pouches. The newest addition to Star’s TerraFlex family of sustainable packaging solutions, TerraFlex RP is ideal for use in virtually any flexible packaging application. From food and beverage to grass seeds and lawn products, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Perishables, Southeast, Suppliers
Tropicana Returns to Using Only Florida Oranges
The Chicago Tribune reports that PepsiCo Inc. is returning to using only oranges from Florida in its Tropicana Pure Premium orange juices, a decision made several months ago, before low levels of fungicide were found in oranges from Brazil, the company confirmed on Monday. Tropicana Pure Premium had used 100 percent Florida oranges until 2007, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Northeast, Southeast, Suppliers
Finney Named President and CEO of Pepsi Bottling Ventures
Raleigh, N.C.-based Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV), a joint venture between Suntory International and PepsiCo, has named Paul Finney its president and CEO. Finney succeeds Keith Reimer, who retired Dec. 31. Finney had served as PBV’s SVP of sales and marketing since 2006. “Paul is an immensely talented and versatile executive with proven know-how in running […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, New Products
Samuel Adams Brewers Unveil New Spring Seasonal Beer
The brewers at Boston-based Samuel Adams have crafted a new seasonal beer, Samuel Adams Alpine Spring. To create Samuel Adams Alpine Spring, the brewers sourced a German Noble hop variety called Tettnang-Tettnanger, steadily cultivated on vines dating back 100 years in hop gardens at the foothills of the Alps. The beer is brewed using only […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Marketing News, National
Dr Pepper Celebrates Heritage with ‘One-of-a-Kind’ Campaign
For more than 125 years, Dr Pepper has celebrated being “one of a kind.” Today, the brand gives a nod to its heritage and celebrates the spirit of originality with the debut of its “Always One of a Kind” advertising campaign. The new commercial is a cheerful celebration of people who are confidently and proudly […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Perishables
Fungicide Fear Sparks Price Jumps in Orange Juice Market
The discovery of low levels of fungicide detected by a juice company has wreaked havoc in the orange juice market, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports today, Jan. 11. March orange juice futures jumped 9.6 percent, or 20 cents, to $2.08 a pound on the ICE Futures Exchange, a CNN Money report said. Industry insiders […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, West
flipflop wines Adds Six New Varietals to Offerings
Livermore, Calif.-based flipflop wines has extended its wine line with six new varietals. The varietals, which include Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Sweet Red, Bubbly Chardonnay, Bubbly Moscato and Bubbly Pinot Grigio, will be available in stores starting this month. In addition, flipflop will launch several of its existing varietals in the 1.5-liter size in several states […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Northeast
Pepsi Reported to be Considering 4,000 Job Cuts
PepsiCo is mulling 4,000 job cuts and eliminating its 401(k) match as a way to help earnings, reports the New York Post, citing sources close to the situation. The Memphis Business Journal says the job cuts would total just more than 1 percent of Purchase, N.Y.-based Pepsi’s 300,000 workers globally. The beverage company offers both […]