Although some c-store operators admit to being worried about regulators turning their focus toward energy products, many believe the category has at least another year of strong growth ahead. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Sales of energy shots are soaring despite the lingering recession. New products, flavors and marketing messages are making it one of…
Frostberry Energy Blast
XYIENCE, maker of Xenergy, the offi cial energy drink of the UFC, has added Xenergy Xtreme Frostberry Blast to its lineup of energy drink flavors. The third in its collector can series; Frostberry Blast’s can features the image of Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva, a UFC middleweight fighter and international icon in the sport of mixed…
Energizing Beverage Sales
Thirteen years after the energy drink market emerged in the U.S. with the introduction of Red Bull, the category remains popular with consumers, who are willing to pay higher prices in a difficult economy for an extra jolt. But while Mintel reported in July 2009 that the energy drink market had climbed to an estimated…
ZUN Energy-Plus Enters Midwest
Packaged in a patent-protected, retro-style rocket bottle, ZUN, a new Energy-Plus beverage, is continuing its national rollout, entering stores in 11 Midwest states. “Stores are reporting that ZUN is selling fast and selling out within just days of placing,” said Brian Stearns, founder and CEO of ZUN. “The ZUN brand is quickly gaining favor with…
No Choke Mixture
Full Throttle Energy Drink introduces a new full-flavored formula complete with reliable energy ingredients. Prominently displayed on the can’s back panel is Full Throttle’s new “No Choke Mixture” promise: “full flavor you don’t have to force down, and reliable energy ingredients that help you get the job done. No mystery ingredients. No bull.” The mixture…
Retailers Counting on COFFEE
Ten years ago, “experts” warned the coffee industry was becoming saturated; then they said it again five years ago and once more two years ago. Turns out they were wrong every time. There’s not a convenience store operator in America who doesn’t work at building coffee sales and expanding dayparts thanks to the category’s excellent…
The Coffee Battle Brews
Convenience store operators need to focus on meeting consumer demand for a quality cup of coffee as McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks and Caribou all announced plans to step up their brew programs to reel in consumers during a tough economy. About 54% of the adult population in the U.S. classify themselves as coffee consumers, according…
Competition Heats Up for Coffee
Did You Know? Data released by the National Coffee Association shows the market penetration for coffee has surpassed that of soft drinks, reversing a 20-year pattern. Fifty-seven percent of American adults drink coffee daily versus 51% for soft drinks. Coffee drinking among 18-24 year-olds also jumped 6%, the fourth year in a row for such…
Burst of Energy
Did You Know? By the year 2001, the U.S. energy drink market had grown to nearly $8 million per year in retail sales. Over the next 5 years, it grew an average of more than 50% per year, totaling over $3 billion in 2005. Diet energy drinks are growing at nearly twice that rate within…
Dispensed Beverages: Hot
TOP PERFORMERS S&D Coffee Boyd Coffee Folgers (J.M. Smucker Co.) HONORABLE MENTIONS Sara Lee Foodservice Ronnoco Coffee Co. If you haven’t figured it out by now, most customers aren’t going to be happy with a one-pot coffee program bookended by a cup of sugar and a bowl of curdled creamer. They could get that at…