The four weeks ending April 18, 2015 see strong results across all channels.
Citing Nielsen beverage “all channel” data for the four weeks ending April 18, 2015, Wells Fargo Securities LLC reported that all channel dollar sales, including grocery, drug, mass and convenience stores were up for each major manufacturer.
Coca-Cola dollar sales were up +4.2% (+3.3% for 12-weeks) on solid results in carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), water and teas; Pepsi dollar sales were up +0.8% during the month (+1.6% for 12-weeks) as relatively soft results in snacks and CSDs were offset by ongoing strong results in sports drinks and juices; Dr Pepper Snapple dollar sales were up +2% during the period (+2% for 12-weeks), driven by improvements from premium Snapple and overall solid results from CSDs; and Monster dollar sales were up +9.4% during the period (+10.5% for 12-weeks), Wells Fargo reported.
CSDs
Total CSD (excluding Energy) dollar sales in all channels were up +1.2% (+0.7% for prior 12-weeks) during the four-week period
“We remain encouraged by Coca-Cola’s ability to lead its peers in achieving pricing to offset volume weakness and gain dollar/unit share,” said Bonnie Herzog, managing director of beverage, tobacco and convenience research for Wells Fargo.
Energy
The energy category had strong dollar sales growth of +12%, driven by particularly strong results from Red Bull, which had +14.9% dollar sales growth this period. Monster generated +9.4% dollar sales growth (+10.5% for 12-weeks).
“Following three months of mid-teen dollar sales growth earlier this year, Monster has reported two straight months of single-digit sales growth, which we believe could be partially related to the transition in distribution,” Herzog explained.
Beer
Beer category growth continues to slow, although craft and imports remain strong. Beer dollar sales for the four-week period were up a strong +5% (+3.3% for 12-weeks).