Non-alcoholic beverage sales showed signs of stabilization in the two-week period ending July 1, as volume declines slowed against more moderate pricing action, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

• Dollar sales growth was up 6.3% in the two-week period, up mildly from 6.2% in the four-week period but down from 8.8% in the 12-weeks.
• Volume sales remained down, falling -4.8%, but that was an improvement over -5.7% in the four-week period. Average pricing increases, which have been consistently steep for months amid inflationary pressures, decelerated in the two-weeks, rising 11.1% compared to 11.9% in the four-week period.
• Energy drinks showed the strongest category growth, as dollar sales rose 13.8% in the two-weeks, but sales were slower than the 14.4% growth in the four-week period. Performance energy brand Celsius officially became the number three brand in the category, growing sales 156.2% to over $1 billion.
• Carbonated soft drinks also performed well, growing 9.8% in the two-weeks and +10% in the four-weeks. However, most other categories saw only modest improvements in the two-weeks including bottled water (+1.4%), sports drinks (+0.9%) and ready-to-drink tea (+0.2%).
• Sparkling flavored water sales declined by -1% as the top three brands – Talking Rain (-6.3%), National Beverage/LaCroix (-9.6%) and PepsiCo’s Bubly (-3.7%) – all fell.

Read the full story on BevNET

Cannabis consumption lounges are slowly opening their doors in states that permit them (currently 10 out of the 23 that allow adult-recreational weed), giving a new generation of cannabis CPG players a uncharted, potentially huge sales channel – one that can generate consumer awareness and support cannabis education all at once. But a new setting requires new tactics, as we learned in conversation with entrepreneurs seeking to develop the on-premise market. Questions include:

• How lounges are distinguishing the on-premise experience from the surveillance-heavy vibe of many adult-use dispensaries in the U.S.
• Why Las Vegas presents both unique advantages and obstacles to the development of consumption lounges
• Why fast-onset beverages and new food formats are set to play an increasingly important role inside cannabis cafes
• What lounges need to do to shake off lingering stigma and attract a wider base of visitors

Read the full story on BevNET

PARCH combines organic Blue Weber agave, cactus fruit, desert botanicals to create unique flavor pairings inspired by their motto “if it grows together, it goes together”. PARCH’s blend of functional adaptogens is designed to center your mind and body for a modern social drinking experience. Learn more

This isn't the first time we've seen spirulina positioned as a hero ingredient for a new better-for-you beverage line. But FUL Water has taken a unique approach, which balances pleasing flavors, a modest amount of carbonation, and a touch of sweetness from the added agave across its three SKUs: Lemon & Ginger, White Peach and our favorite of the bunch, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber. Clocking in at 8 grams of sugar and 35 calories per 12 ounce can, the line fits the bill of low-calorie indulgence, but does the branding and messaging communicate that well enough?

Read the full review on BevNET

Boston Beer Company’s Truly Hard Seltzer is defying gravity through a new partnership with space entertainment company Zero-G.

• Built inside a specialized Boeing-727 “G-Force One,” the Truly Zero Gravity Bar will allow five winners to sip on the brand’s hard seltzers in Wild Berry, Pineapple and Citrus Squeeze flavors while walking across the ceiling and soaring through space.
• Fans can enter to win a reservation on board the bar now through July 24 by going online and sharing why drinking Truly makes them feel ‘Lightly Fantastic.’
• The five selected fans will win the chartered Truly Zero Gravity Bar flight on August 28 from Long Beach, California, two nights of lodging, $500 spending cash and a post-flight reception at Truly L.A.

Tractor Beverage Company, the foodservice-focused organic drinks manufacturer, is punching up and taking on the soda giants who dominate the restaurant channel in a new consumer-facing ad campaign. 

• The campaign, dubbed “Escape the Ordinary,” includes a commercial spot that will run nationwide on connected TV, streaming platforms, movie theaters and out-of-home this summer.
• According to the brand, the hand-drawn, animated ad “tells the story of a cup that dreams of a deliciously beautiful world, but is stuck in a dystopian cityscape populated by only four different kinds of drinks,” taking aim at the limited beverage options supplied by you-know-which competing conglomerates.
• Tractor produces over 20 flavors, including organic and non-GMO sodas and craft beverages, primarily for fountain service. 
• The company has deliberately sought to partner with emerging better-for-you restaurant brands, eyeing the “cool kids” of foodservice, and is now in 5,900 locations including fast casual chains like Chiptole, PLNT Burger and Garbanzo.

It’s not all of the soda giants that Tractor’s going after. Last year, the company entered an exclusive partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), with the Texas-based conglomerate offering access to its national and regional foodservice sales and marketing teams. KDP also led a $60 million funding round for the brand.

Swedish oat giants Oatly have named Marie-Jose David as its new CFO, reporting to CEO Jean-Chrisophe Flatin. She succeeds Christian Hanke, who will step down on September 30 after serving in the role since 2020. In March, the company announced that revenue increased 4.9% year-over-year to reach $195.1 million in Q4, and also announced $425 million in financing commitments that will allow the business to grow as it looks to reach “self-sufficiency.”

Elsewhere, Jel Sert announced a slate of moves including: 

• Patrick Koralewski promoted to Vice President of Sales for Grocery and Alternate Channels. 
• Amber Klink, elevated to Director of Sales.  
• Jeff DeLaere, promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Digital Commerce. 
• Mike Gomolski, promoted to Vice President of Insights, Reporting, and Customer Support. 
• Mike Novak, promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy and Development. 
• Amy Pagels, joining the company as Vice President of Licensing and Partnerships.

Andrew Merinoff, the founder of early-stage investment firm Dispact Ventures and CEO of passion fruit-based liqueur Chinola, spoke about how he attempts to identify trends before they become relevant, the key factors in his investment strategy, why he covets brand brands with a great story and how he’s navigated his first few months at the helm of Chinola.

Listen to the full episode here.