The 2019 NACS Show delivered four days of learnings, insights, networking and exploring what’s new for the global convenience and fuel retailing industry. This year’s event took place Oct. 1-4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and attracted 23,539 attendees (7,643 buyers) from 69 countries.
“The NACS Show is the premier event where industry leaders and entrepreneurs collaborate, network, see new products and innovative technologies and become better educated in cutting-edge issues that affect our businesses,” said 2019-20 NACS Chair Julie Jackowski, in a statement. “This year’s event proved to be an excellent forum for attendees to explore new products and services that will enhance the convenience retail business, enrich the experiences of our guests and companies and lead us into a successful year as an industry.”
The following are highlights from some of the beverage exhibitors:
Celsius Holdings Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., introduced a non-carbonated Grapefruit Melon variety of its CELSIUS fitness drink. The citrus varietal is packaged in a 12-ounce can.
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, unveiled Coca-Cola Energy, the first-ever energy drink under the Coca-Cola brand. The new drink will launch nationwide in January in four varieties: Coca-Cola Energy, Coca-Cola Energy Cherry and their Zero Sugar counterparts. Each 12-ounce sleek can provides 114 mg of caffeine, guarana extracts and B vitamins. Also available in January will be Core Power ELITE Strawberry, a high-protein shake to help support athletic recovery and the development of lean muscle, offering 42 grams of high-quality protein, it says.
With Marley Mellow Mood CBD tea as the highlight, Docklight Brands, Seattle, a pioneering consumer brand company, announced that the company is unveiling a new portfolio of lifestyle CBD beverages and more. With three flavors of Marley Mellow Mood CBD tea, two flavors of Marley CBD Wellness Shots, four flavors of Marley CBD chocolates and five types of Marley CBD skin care, Docklight’s portfolio of Marley CBD products spans several zones at convenience retail, it says.
Los Angeles-based GT’s Living Foods debuted AQUA KEFIR, a new line of sparkling probiotic drinks delicately fermented with non-dairy kefir cultures, it says. Lightly flavored to offer bright and crisp refreshment with probiotic benefits, GT’s AQUA KEFIR is available nationwide in four flavors: Coconut Lime, Peach Pineapple, Pear Ginger and Pomegranate.
In addition to its portfolio, Keurig Dr Pepper, Plano, Texas, and Burlington, Mass., promoted the latest from its distribution partner brands. High Brew Coffee featured Triple Shot cans, which include 225 mg of caffeine and are directed to convenience store consumers. Forto Energy Coffee promoted its new, easier-to-open top for its ready-to-drink Extra Energy variety, which contains 225 mg of caffeine. Additionally, Peet’s Coffee previewed Peet’s Blended Coffee, a line of RTD beverages available in Chocolate Truffle, Caramel Dulce, Vanilla Crème, and Coffee & Cream. Peet’s Blended Coffee is slated to launch across convenience, grocery, mass and drug stores in California starting in early January 2020.
Nestlé USA, Arlington, Va., announced the January 2020 release of Outshine Fruit Enhanced Coconut Waters. Available in three flavors — Strawberry Watermelon, Tropical Fruits, Blueberry Lemon — the coconut waters are made with real fruit and have zero grams of added sugar, it says. The company also recently launched Jacked Rabbit, a protein shake featuring 38 grams of protein that is available in Chocolate and Vanilla varieties. Meanwhile, its Chameleon Cold Brew subsidiary introduced a new 8-ounce package exclusively for convenience stores.
Red Bull North America, Santa Monica, Calif., relaunched Red Bull Zero with a new formula — no sugar. The company also shared that its Winter Edition will be a return of Plum Twist, while the 2020 Summer Edition flavor will be Watermelon.
The 2020 NACS show will take place Oct. 11-14, 2020, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. BI
