Marking its 125th year in business in 2023, Pepsi is sprucing up its diverse mega-brand portfolio with new products, packaging and positioning, all of which were on display at the NACS trade show this week.

PepsiCo came to Atlanta with announcements across its banners from adding functional benefits to Rockstar energy drinks to new coffee innovation with Starbucks Frappuccinos and showcasing new fitness-oriented SKUs from the Gatorade and Muscle Milk brands.

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New research shows that the caffeine and antioxidants from guayusa may help cognitive performance in gamers. The first-of-its-kind study highlights AmaTea® Max organic guayusa extract and the ingredient's impact on focus, reaction time, stamina, and jitters. View the study results. Learn more

TGIF! It’s that day of the week when we drop our weekly new products gallery, giving you a taste of the newest innovations on the market. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside:

🥤 Minneapolis-based hemp brand Simply Crafted transformed a classic autumn dessert, apple crumble, into a THC-infused seltzer. Each 12 oz. can contain 10mg of THC and 5mg of CBD.

🥣 Koia expanded its portfolio of plant-based protein shakes with the launch of three nostalgic, cereal-inspired flavors – Fruity Cereal, Cocoa Cereal and Cinnamon Cereal.

🔪Energy drink maker G Fuel kicked off spooky season with its new Hack ‘n Slash Collector’s Box, inspired by none other than slasher icon Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th. 

Keep an eye out for the full new product gallery on BevNET later today.

Virginia Artesian Bottling Company is preparing to expand its warehouse space and production capabilities at its Mechanicsville, Va. facility, according to a release by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership this morning.

💲The water bottler is set to invest $3 million into the expansion, which is expected to create 13 new jobs.

🏭 Founded in 2002, Virginia Artesian is a family-owned business that sources water from aquifers in Hanover County. The products are produced for “various entities from universities to hotels” nationwide.

• Michael Zuckerman is preparing to exit the beverage packaging company his great grandfather founded, Zuckerman Honickman
• Snoop Dogg is out of the RTD coffee business after "quietly leaving" INDOxyz
• Non-alcoholic beverage sales are "healthy but decelerated" according to the most recent NielsenIQ data.
• Read about all the latest distribution news from mixers to functional beverages.

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