Jacob Julian

CELSIUS Holdings, Inc. reported earnings for Q3 with a drop of 30% in revenue an a 9% decrease in margins with a profit of $0.0/sh. This comes after they announced the purchase of a 170,000 sq ft coman earlier this month. There’s been ongoing issues with distribution and the relationship with PepsiCo that have impacted sales. It should be noted Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. owns a % of Celsius. I recently mentioned the decrease in revenue is partly due to consumer behavior change from c-store to bulk. The company confirmed that today noting that bulk stores like Sam’s saw an increase of 15% in revenue as consumers are being more frugal and buying in bulk vs c-store. How will Dr Pepper fix the relationship with Pepsi? https://lnkd.in/gbmNWChg

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Over 10,000 jobs lost in the QSR/fast food space in California alone according to the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) Operators needed to raise prices and lay off workers to avoid shutting down Some still shut down These 10,000+ workers need to be repositioned in the workforce because QSR/fast food operators will turn to automation to stay afloat Food/beverage operators can't fight economics and math with heads in the sand Any job or repetitive task that can be automated will be so let's focus on how we can leverage workers in other roles that can't be automated #automated #repetitivetasks #workforce #operations

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As operator's attempt to appeal to varying consumers, Gen Z remains top of mind for many. Read the article below for tips on appealing to this group of young purchasers!  #Idahoan #FoodserviceIndustry #GenZ #DemographicTrends

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Shanken News Daily Impact Databank: RTDs And Tequila Resilient As Spirits Market Slows .........Tequila is another bright spot. While growth has slowed into the single-digits, agave-based spirits are expected to surpass vodka for the first time and become the industry’s largest category in dollar value terms by sometime next year. Tequila marketers are investing in innovation to keep the momentum going. Jose Cuervo, the nation’s largest-selling Tequila, recently released Devil’s Reserve, a spicy-flavored 30% abv offshoot, retailing at a suggested price of $21 a 750-ml.................... Passing Vodka????????? Thats impressive. If you arent in the tequila or mezcal game you should be. Beverage Solutions || Big Dog New York LLC can help. I think quality flavored tequilas and different expressions will be the next wave of growth within the agave category. Jose Cuervo Proximo Spirits

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Rubix Foods has its finger on the pulse of the hottest flavor trends and brings those trends to life for roughly 70% of the top QSR and FSR restaurant brands in the nation. On the newest episode of Forktales, we’re joined by Shannon O'Shields, VP of marketing for Rubix Foods, for a sneak peek at how the company helps restaurants stay one bite ahead of the competition. FULL EPISODE: www.forktales.co #marketing #marketingpodcast #branding #brandingpodcast #restaurantmarketing #restaurantbranding #restaurantstrategy #restaurantgrowth #advertising #marketingpodcast #forktales #forktalespodcast #vigor #FlavorTrends #RubixFoods

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2023 saw, non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits sales over $565M. That’s a 35% boost in dollar sales vs. the year before—but who’s buying these options? Gen Z is leading the trend in the sense that they are opting out of drinking alcohol. However, they are not the demographic purchasing off your NA menus. So, who is buying? Mostly women ages 34-55. They are looking for products that provide inclusivity. They want to participate in celebrations and feel included in social gatherings with their friends and loved ones. According to NIQ’s 2023 Consumer Outlook, 46% of consumers identified physical or mental wellness as one of their top priorities. And, with 47% of Americans having at least one of three risk factors that contribute to heart disease, it’s no surprise that consumers are increasingly seeking beverages that do more than just quench thirst. Healthy, low sugar options are being requested. Sober October is coming. My community and I want at least 15 solid locations to send our following/customers to for low sugar, crafted non-alcoholic beverage menus. Who's in? Email me to get your menu set, products in and offerings promoted. Andrew Schools Brian Neubauer Zaneta "Zee" Peragine William Harrison George Beattie Buddy Edwards George Beattie Tish Atkins Oatis Smith Priscilla Eich

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OK...I don't think any real CPG company would enter a new product category with 4 different brands. But Tilray is not a real CPG company, which is why they are entering the hemp-derived Delta-9 THC beverage category, with 4 different brands. "420 Fizz is a sleek and modern brand built off Tilray’s iconic 420 beverage platform. Enhanced with 5mg HDD9 per can, 420 Fizz is an exciting new seltzer with a refreshing taste. Herb & Bloom, a super-premium mocktail, offers a unique way to experience timeless classics with its harmonious blend of refreshing fruit notes infused with 5mg HDD9 per can. Each drink is crafted for a smooth and balanced experience, resulting in a delicious taste. Welcome to a world blooming with possibilities. Fizzy Jane's is a light and delicious seltzer with 5mg HDD9 per can and three classic flavors Blackberry, Blood Orange and Vanilla. A nostalgic brand created for the curious consumer. Happy Flower is inspired by classic cocktails, with a citrusy Margarita, a juicy Strawberry Daiquiri, and a bubbly and fruity Peach Bellini. Each Happy Flower cocktail contains 5mg HDD9 THC per 12oz. can and provides a new way for consumers to relax and unwind in a format that’s familiar, convenient, and delicious. Tilray will launch Happy Flower in partnership with Emergent Beverage in the Texas and Louisiana markets." That's 4 different brands to properly position and gain listings and generate consumer awareness and trial and refine...it's just too much at once. I spent 25 years in CPG, and ran a number of beverage-related brands like Maxwell House Coffee and Del Monte Fruit Drinks and Bacardi and Grey Goose Spirits and bev-alc RTD's and I cannot recall ever trying to launch 4 brands at the same time, especially into a still nascent and changing product category. It just seems business irresponsible - it might make for good investor fodder, but it's not smart marketing strategy.

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In recent years the beverage industry has witnessed a remarkable shift driven by the preferences of younger consumers. Two emerging trends, non-alcoholic spirits, and boba, have captured the attention of younger folks and are experiencing significant growth as a result. According to the article, one-third of consumers ages 18 to 24 abstain from alcohol altogether. This shift in drinking habits has paved the way for the emergence of non-alcoholic drinking options, providing consumers with sophisticated and flavorful alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. #DrinkingTrends #YoungConsumers #Boba #NonAlcoholicSpirits

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It's VOTING season; and a RIOTOUS thanks to Tasting Table and Koko Paranteau placing RIOT Energy at the top of the chart as #1 in TASTE when ranked against 15 energy-laden competitors. RIOT was mentioned as "nearly flawless" and "one of the most refreshing (energy) drinks on the market." We think so too and we will not stop RIOTing to break the status quo & deliver the best tasting energy drink that is made with no crap ingredients. Nothing me-too here. We are 100% real. ZERO anything artificial! (yes this is an objective 3rd party ranking) RIOT On! Have you tried the RIOT - now is your chance!!!!! For a limited time, order on www.riot.energy with the following promo code for 20% off tastetheRIOT20 RIOTON!!!

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💡 US Beer Market Trends: A Nationwide Decline, with a Few Bright Spots -Beer volumes across the US dropped by -3.6% from January to August 2024 vs. the same period in 2023, with declines seen in almost every state. However, Indiana bucked the trend, posting +0.5% growth, while major beer markets like California, Ohio, and Georgia underperformed the national average. What’s driving this decline? Despite overall declines, there’s a silver lining: 🔸 Super-Premium Beer Growth: +4% nationwide, with high single-digit growth in key markets like California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. 🔸 Value Tiers Dragging Overall Volumes: Double-digit losses in Value segments across states like California, Illinois, and Wisconsin are pulling total beer volumes down. “Premium beer resonates with price-conscious consumers seeking affordable indulgence compared to more expensive spirits or wines. This trend will likely continue.” Marten Lodewijks, President of IWSR’s US Division. 💡 Premiumisation is driving shifts across the board: Premium-and-above beers show resilience as consumers seek affordable upgrades. Growth in imported products (especially from Mexico) is also reshaping the market, with imports leaning heavily toward Super-premium segments. For more insights into these trends and in-depth data on US beverage alcohol performance by state and price tier, check out IWSR US Navigator, the industry’s trusted source for monthly data since 2019. Want to dive deeper? Let’s connect! #BeerIndustry #MarketTrends #IWSR #USAlcoholInsights #beer #premiumization

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"The warehouse club space is dominated by three major players—Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Clubs, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Costco Wholesale Corporation is headquartered in Issaquah, WA and leads the category. The company is a descendent of Price Club, founded in 1976 in San Diego, and a second chain called Costco, whose first location debuted in Seattle in 1983. The two merged in 1993 as PriceCostco and transitioned to simply Costco in 1997. Near the end of last year, Costco had over 870 locations globally, including 600 in 47 U.S. states and Puerto Rico and another 180 in 9 Canadian provinces. As of the end of its latest fiscal year in September 2023, Costco had revenues of $237.7 billion. It ranked third in the National Retail Federation’s 2023 ranking of the top 100 U.S. retailers, behind Walmart and Amazon. Costco garners 8 percent of U.S. grocery sales, translating to a strong $1,746 in sales per square foot, according to analyst dunnhumby, and it accounts for 25 percent of its customers’ grocery wallet. More than two-thirds (67 percent) of its customers feel a strong emotional connection to the brand." Full article by Produce Blue Book #futureoffood #futureofretail

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SAFE NOTES ARE NOW UNSAFE... OK so what is going to happen to the money that was poured into CPG Brands via these supposed SAFE Notes? Issue is that no priced round took place and now it is likely if it did happen it would be at a fraction of the valuation that was contemplated leading to massive dilution for the founder. Many have a cap...few have a floor. and unless they are converted it will be impossible to raise new money at any valuation. #cpg #safenotes #fundraising

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This is interesting US BEER IRI grocery sell thru data from last 26wks Sept 2024 comparing alcoholic beer sell thru vs non-alcoholic beer sell thru where non-alc beer has ~73% slower velocity vs alc beer. Strange that non-alc beer the top 10-50% of beers is only 0.3 units slower vs the top 10% segment(this differs a lot from alc beer which has a 6.8 unit difference). I'm curious if this can mean that there isn't really one dominant non-alc beer SKU on shelf, but the consumer is being promiscuous in buying a few different non alcs brands and/or variety of SKUs when they fill their cart. Anyone else have any ideas on this? NOTE units could be anything from a 24ct case, 12pk, 6pk, 4pk, or even a single unit so need to make some assumptions where for non-alc beer the typical retail format is a 6pk or 12pk so the top 10% sales velocity is 3.3 units/week could equate to 20-40 cans/bottles per week. Either way some interesting data to benchmark your sales off prem.

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Seinfeld fans: Remember the one about the yogurt shop?   Kramer invests in a “non-fat” frozen yogurt shop whose product is both delicious … and deliciously crowd-pleasing.   The only problem? The yogurt’s flavor-boosting ingredient turns out to be (spoiler alert) fat, spurring the shop’s angered fan base to cry false advertising.   Bogus product claims can land businesses and brands in hot water, and fast. This harsh truth is why, at GoTo Foods, we’ve woven education on marketing, claims and trademark law into our annual compliance training.   Like most big corporations, each year our associates must participate in several hours of compliance training. And while everyone completes certain trainings—such as sexual harassment awareness and AI policy updates—we also take this opportunity to connect associates with courses tailored to their roles.   Marketing and trademark education, for example, is earmarked for members of our PR, social media, marketing and brand teams. Those teams, and the seven incredible brands they support, manage a robust and far-reaching social media presence, and it’s imperative that each individual has a good working knowledge of what is—and is not—considered appropriate when it comes to logos, trademarks, images, cross-promotion and product claims.   [Case in point: Mentioning Seinfeld as a point of entry to compliance talk? A-OK. Photoshopping Jerry and the gang inside a Carvel to illustrate the point? That’s a no-no.]   For our international and retail channels/licensing teams, we require training on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Office of Foreign Assets Control, providing valuable insights into international  trade sanctions and anti-corruption policies (like the fact that simply gifting a bottle of wine, under certain circumstances, could be perceived as a bribe!). For other teams, we’ve developed joint employer risk training to assist in compliance with ever evolving laws and regulations around the franchisor-franchisee relationship.   We know people are, hands down, the most important resource to any company. However, without the right investments and guidance, they can also be the biggest liability. That’s why we even make our compliance training a prerequisite for individual team members to receive their annual bonuses.   Like it or not, ignorance of the law doesn’t free us from accountability to it—and at GoTo Foods, one of the ways we’re developing people and potential is by empowering our associates with the knowledge they need for informed, independent decision making.   After all, it’s that knowledge base that helps our colleagues think more strategically, problem solve with confidence and engage a “No Limits” mindset that leads to the craveable experiences our guests love.   #GoToFoods  #CorporateCompliance #TrademarkTraining  #CareerDevelopment  #NoLimits #InternationalLaw #SocialMediaTraining

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Even with regulatory risk, beverage brands are securing new investment, distribution, & retail partners. We have to look at the amendments as an opportunity to establish sensible regulation. Stay tuned for the Cannabis Beverage Association's Code of Conduct and a formal announcement of a new federal coalition to support adult beverage alternatives. DM me for more information. "As we work to pave the way for the hemp beverage category, it's crucial to seize opportunities arising from industry and regulatory developments. The recent federal committee vote on the Farm Bill amendment offers a chance to integrate the hemp beverage segment into the alcohol industry. With the existing infrastructure in the alcohol industry, we can effectively regulate hemp beverages. The CBA will continue collaborating with stakeholders to establish responsible regulations, ensuring our beverages meet strict standards and gain approval for sale." And shout out to PAMOS BEVERAGE CO. on their recent expansion! https://lnkd.in/e2H7wntB #drinkcannabis #regulation #beverageindustry #beverage #adultbeverage #hemp

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Interesting take on the battle for consumers during months like Sober October and Dry January from Stephanie Cain 👇 Her commentary below with link in comments 🍻🥂🍹 The wine industry has launched an assault on #SoberOctober and non-alcoholic beverages as if the sole existence of the booze-less category is to put a hit against wine. With its new campaign, Come Over October, wine folks are declaring you should grab a glass instead of going sober, because wine brings people together. Instead, #wine should really be looking at their core messaging because that's why wine is declining. At the #ComeOverOctober kick-off party, I had a conversation with a salesperson of a wine distributor. He attempted to be ok with the evolution of wine by explaining that ready-to-drink, single-serve wine brand, BeatBox, marketed to the 21 to 25-year-old set, was crushing the market. He was all for it. While the brand has wacky flavors like blueberry lemonade wine, he felt that every wine consumer “starts somewhere.” It was promising to him because he said they would “continue their wine journey” and start “drinking real wine.” So many problems here but here is the big one: They don’t often continue the wine journey. News flash, wine people! Consumers don’t have time. We don’t desire it. We want to build connections, not spend the evening only discussing what we want to drink. We have jobs and travel and bills to pay and kids and dogs and aging parents and hell, we just want to buy a house. We have no job security. We have been hit with recession after recession. Right now, inflation is making our groceries cost some 40% more. You really think we are jumping at the time-consuming task of learning about wine? Get real. We’ll grab a #Martini. And start ranting. Which is exactly what I'm doing in today's The Mad Ones 👇 Link in comments. #health #wellness #marketing #alcohol #alcoholfree

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𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗔𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗔𝗖𝗦: 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 1200 "𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘀" 𝗡𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀- nothing stood out in either food or bev space. 𝗠𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼- a lot of me too products- energy drinks, water, meat sticks, jerky and chips 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀- large CPG companies (you know who they are) did NOT hand out full size samples. These massive companies would spend over $250K on a "booth" but cut up their samples to bite size. Shame....Shame....Shame.... Reason? budget and cutting back. REALLY????? 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀/𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀- I won't mention who was there but a handful of known personalities. Does it move the needle? The booths get attention which I guess is the goal!? Show is too long: Day 1 and 2: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Day 3: 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. IMHO cut the show hours down to a 4 hour window for two days. Day 3 was a waste of time. NO-ONE was there. I get the reasons but this method is not working and not right for all the vendors. New Exhibitor Section- As always the best section. We at Palermo's Pizza had a booth with a lot of samples handed out and attention. Screamin Sicilian got major kudos for a well known and great product from many buyers. 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳: How does a booth get attention and interest? Great product? Hand out something special and unique? These are the questions I often ponder and do not have a solid answer. Now what? Leads captured and then what? This is the crucial step to gaining distribution in the c-store channels.

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