Retailers are looking for ways to breathe new life into the dairy segment with limited-time-offer (LTO) flavors and plant-based alternatives. Unit sales of dairy milk plunged 9.8% for the 52 weeks ending Jan. 1, 2023, according to IRI. Dollar sales for the same period were flat at 1.6%. Unit sales of flavored milk fell 11.6%,…
Antioxidant-Boosted Alkaline Water
The Coca-Cola Co. has announced new innovations in the beverage category, including the addition of smartwater alkaline with antioxidant. This water adds an antioxidant boost of +9.5PH per bottle, making the smartwater variety a healthy option for consumers looking for beverages with added antioxidants. The new bottle still features the brand’s signature design, but with […]
Beer & Wine Face Stiff Competition From RTD Cocktails
Cocktail trends come and go: Cosmos, old fashions, sangria and even gin fizzes have all had their time in the spotlight. But these concoctions typically dominated the bar and restaurant scenes. While convenience stores have always supplied the liquor, the bartending was done elsewhere. Rather, beer sales historically outperformed other alcohol categories in c-stores. Now,…
Zero Sugar Sparkling Water
The Clearly Food & Beverage Co. Ltd. introduced Clearly Canadian Zero Sugar, a boldly flavored, naturally sweetened sparkling water beverage portfolio. The beverages have zero calories with zero sugar and will be sold in the brand’s blue glass bottles. Hitting shelves in July, Clearly Canadian Zero Sugar will debut with four fresh flavors — Forest […]
Double Chocolate-Dipped Caramel Ice Cream
Magnum released a new addition to its Duet line — an ice cream bar dipped in two types of chocolate. Caramel Duet Bar combines caramel ice cream with a caramel swirl and is fully dipped in dark chocolate and half dipped in milk chocolate for a decadent, caramel-rich treat. The Caramel Duet Bar is available […]
QuickChek Offers Limited-Time Free Coffee
New Jersey-based QuickChek has announced a promotion that gives customers the chance to redeem a free coffee every Friday during the months of March and April. QuickChek Rewards members can get the free coffee — any size, hot or iced — during its “Free Coffee Fridays” by scanning the QuickChek Rewards mobile app or entering…
Energy Shots Overshadowed
While customers remain hungry for energy, the success of the energy drink segment appears to be pulling attention from its sister category, energy shots. Still, effective merchandising can help c-stores inspire impulse purchases of energy shots. Dollar sales of energy shots in the convenience store channel topped $608 million, a drop of 4% for the…
South Asian-Style Ice Cream
Heritage Kulfi revitalizes traditional approaches to kulfi, South Asia’s treasured style of ice cream. Churned minimally and made with ample cream like the original dessert, Heritage Kulfi’s decadent ingredients are slow cooked and cooled overnight, yielding a dense, creamy texture and rich dairy notes. A proprietary steeping process is responsible for the complexity and depth […]
Renewable, Sustainable Bottled Water
SOURCE Global acquired Proud Source Water, and the pair together will provide renewable water sourced from the air and delivered in infinitely recyclable packaging. The relationship will initially expand the Proud Source product portfolio to include both spring and renewable water. SOURCE Global developed Hydropanels to make drinking water an unlimited resource around the globe. […]
Energy Drinks Trend Upward
Energy drink sales are surging and are expected to continue to gain strength throughout 2023 and beyond. The energy drink category posted sales of $12.2 billion, a sizeable gain of 8.5%, with unit sales up 3.5% for the 52 weeks ending Jan. 1, 2023, according to Chicago-based research firm IRI. Leading brands included Red Bull,…