Rick Matthews

When it comes to functional beverages, the energy and weight management segments are leading the pack, according to NielsenIQ's Jordan Moore, who spoke at ECRM's Center Store Sessions recently and was interviewed by Joseph Tarnowski on some key takeaways from her presentation. Overall, the functional beverage segment (which NIQ considers any beverage that makes a wellness claim) is growing 2 percent faster that RTDs. Energy beverages, which are already a $22 billion category, have seen 10 percent growth vs. a year ago, and weight management beverages, which include those beverages aimed at helping consumers gain muscle as well as speeding up their metabolism and losing weight, are up a whopping 22 percent. Interestingly, protein is making its way into an increasingly diverse array of beverages outside of traditional protein shakes, including coffee (like the new Instant Coffee with Protein by Fire Department Coffee, and the new Genepro Tea). Some functional beverage categories are declining, however. Those under the preventative segment, which focus on brain health, probiotics and immunity is down 8 percent and diabetes related beverages are down 6 percent. Not all is lost though, if you are in one of these segments. While the overall segment may be down, your specific category may be on the rise. A case-in-point is kombucha. While it falls under the preventative segment, the category itself is up 5 percent. Watch the full video below! #beverages #cpg #wellness #retail #ecrmrangeme Luke Schneider Jason Patton Jon Bryan Stacey Helbig Brian Parks Brian Haymaker

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🚨FOOD INDUSTRY NEWS🚨 PepsiCo has reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ expectations, despite weaker U.S. demand caused by Quaker Oats recalls and backlash to higher prices for its drinks and snacks. Shares of the company fell more than 2% in morning trading. Earnings per share: $1.61 adjusted vs. $1.52 expected. Revenue: $18.25 billion vs. $18.07 billion expected. 🥤 #pepsico #earnings #inflation #foodindustry #newsletter

16 sentences of wisdom from bond trader turned restaurateur, Sean Feeney, that will make you a better person, friend, and leader. 1. The most important ingredient is the one that’s left out. 2. The greatest gift is courage. Give someone the courage to be themselves. 3. Success is doing something every day for the rest of your life, happy to do it. 4. Everyone has genius inside them. 5. Truly showing belief in others will buy them a ticket to someplace they never knew. 6. Hospitality is creativity plus compassion. 7. “That’s just the way it is,” tells you there’s money to be made. 8. It is tempting to have something for everyone but there is preciousness in not filling demand. 9. Create a brand that people chase, don’t chase people with your brand. 10. Make others feel a part of something. 11. You are one of us, whether you work with us or you're dining with us. 12. Treating others well is good for business. 13. Finish the day, asking, “How did I impact someone in a positive way?” 14. Know what works and be honest with what doesn't and don't do that. 15. Block out all the noise and keep it simple. 16. Believe every day is a good day. But don’t think it’ll be easy.

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Got a minute? How about a “Macro” minute? Our short form update to the Beverage Alcohol business has been getting positive feedback and we appreciate it. Kaleigh Theriault and I have the latest 4 week ending 5/18/24 NIQ reporting available. One of the views that many of you seem to enjoy is what the business looks like when we create a 4th mega category for Ready to Drink. 🍸 RTD – continues to show some positive impact this period with dollars +1.3% but volume is down over -2%. When viewed on its own, RTD is well over a 12 share of the total alcohol dollars off trade. FMB and Spirits based cocktails are driving momentum while Seltzers are declining growth. This view shows you how volume challenged the Beer, Wine and Spirits segments remain when we exclude RTD.  Most category dollar revenue continues to flirt with flat growth, going into the pivotal summer selling season. 💡 Let me know if you want to get the update details, and please continue to share your thoughts and commentary. 😂 And just because …. Why did the data analyst go broke?  Because he lost his cache! 😆 OK, back to my day job.

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⚡Are you a caffeine fiend? You’re not alone. Energy drink sales are up by over 10%!⚡ From unusual flavor combinations like mandarine marshmallow 🤔 to extended work hours, there are lots of reasons for the uptick in consumer demand for liquid energy. But, as demands shift, manufacturers are expected to raise prices. C-stores employing rewards programs and easy-to-use loyalty apps like Patron Points can offer their customers that extra boost and deals they’ll love! ❤️💙 Check out what energy drink brands are leading the market in this article from C-Store Dive: https://hubs.ly/Q02KY4x_0 #convenience #retail #loyalty #cstore

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Success in the craft beer industry often comes with accolades from top authorities. For instance, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, launched by The Boston Beer Company in 1985, quickly gained acclaim, winning the title of Best Beer in America just six weeks after its debut. According to Kirk O'Neil, TheStreet, over the past 40 years, Samuel Adams has grown to become the second-largest U.S. craft beer producer. Yet, even iconic names face hurdles. San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company, despite its awards, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023 but found a savior in Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya. Similarly, Sarasota’s 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop, honored by Wine Enthusiast, faced financial struggles, filing for Chapter 11 despite being a beloved local spot. Interestingly, beer brands and other “vice” products often weather hard financial times better than many industries. However, the rising costs of goods and real estate present significant challenges for microbreweries (and so many businesses alike). https://lnkd.in/gQQ6zzDJ #HalifaxWest #WinTogether #capitaladvisory #MandA #restructuring #operatingadvisory #CraftBeer #BrewingIndustry #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #SamuelAdams #AnchorBrewing #99Bottles #CraftBeerCommunity #EconomicChallenges

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📰 Snack Trends Alert! 📰 Dive into the latest article "Sizing Up Snacks" from CStore Decisions to uncover the hottest trends shaping the snack industry today. 🍿🍫 From healthy options to indulgent treats, this comprehensive guide breaks down what consumers are craving. With snacking habits evolving rapidly, staying ahead of these trends is crucial for c-store success.📈🍪 Read full article here --->: https://bit.ly/3S5Sww8

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Did You Know? Serving beer from kegs doesn’t just save you money—it’s often fresher than it's bottled and canned counterparts! Kegged beer stays fresher because it’s protected from both oxygen and light, giving you cost savings and a better-tasting beer. What more could you ask for? Tap into better-tasting beer by exploring our beverage dispensing equipment linked below: https://lnkd.in/ez-6-X26

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This study sheds light on the evolving consumer drinking habits over the past four years post-COVID-19. The research highlights the profound influence of health and wellness concerns on altering drinking behaviors across all age groups. For more cohort-specific insights, check out the study here: https://lnkd.in/gJ5ED32f

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Which beers, liquors, RTD cocktails, hard seltzers & lemonades do Gen Z (21+) and Baby Boomers uniquely prefer? What about Democrats and Republicans? YouGov’s new US alcohol rankings report identifies the core drinking demographic in 2024, before examining the brands leading various important consideration sets. Download the report here: https://okt.to/3a89Pc

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Keurig Dr Pepper is purchasing a 60% stake in the energy drink brand Ghost for over $1 billion. This acquisition aims to expand its presence in the energy drink market, which is seeing significant growth. Ghost, known for its unique flavors and branding, has grown rapidly since its founding in 2016. This deal aligns with Keurig Dr Pepper's strategy to broaden its portfolio and reach new consumer segments. Full distribution will shift to Keurig Dr Pepper's network by mid-2025. Keurig Dr Pepper's acquisition of Ghost offers several lessons for beverage brands looking to grow Strong Brand Identity: Ghost’s distinct branding and unique flavor offerings have set it apart. Beverage brands should prioritize unique visual identity, flavor innovation, and brand personality to engage modern consumers. Market Expansion Strategy: Ghost’s rapid growth highlights the importance of targeting high-growth segments, like energy drinks. Brands should assess trends to identify fast-growing markets and position their products accordingly. Distribution Leverage: By leveraging Keurig Dr Pepper’s distribution, Ghost gains wider reach and scalability. Beverage brands should seek strategic partnerships to scale distribution and improve market access. Long-Term Acquisition Pathway: The gradual acquisition model (starting with a majority stake and moving to full ownership) can be advantageous, allowing for brand continuity and growth within a larger corporate structure. Brands considering acquisition should evaluate flexible buyout structures for sustained brand evolution while integrating into larger companies. Consumer-Centric Innovation: Ghost has succeeded by listening to consumer preferences and creating products that align with their interests, like fitness and active lifestyles. Brands should conduct thorough consumer research and innovate based on emerging preferences to remain relevant and appealing. #cpg #beverageindustry #branding #marketing #energydrinks

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Search Manipulation: Why Yelp’s Lawsuit Matters for the Food Industry Yelp’s lawsuit against Google is a timely reminder of how search manipulation can impact businesses of all sizes. 📉 This comes on the heels of a federal judge ruling that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the search market. ⚖️ For the food industry, this means that even top-quality brands 🍽️ could be overshadowed by lower-quality competitors, simply because of search engine tactics. 🔍 It’s a critical issue that businesses need to monitor closely, as it could significantly affect visibility and customer acquisition. #CulinaryTides #SuzyBadaracco #SearchTransparency #Antitrust #FoodIndustryInsights Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eJw82Jmx

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Both whiskey brands and distilleries operate in a capital-intensive industry. For brands that do not own their own distilleries, the primary long-term capital requirement is the acquisition of whiskey from contract distillers. Read about our perspective below. #debt #equity #investbev

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