As consumers continue to demand more than hydration from their beverages, manufacturers are turning to new ways to deliver on functionality and clean label preferences.

In today’s competitive market, beverage-makers work to quickly deliver innovative products to capture consumer interest.

Experts credit consumers’ affinity for ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol to flavor exploration. With growth from premium RTD cocktails and hard teas, the category has been a positive for the overall beverage alcohol market.

There has been a rise in weekly consumption of hot coffee specialties, influenced by the current cost-of-living crisis driving consumers to seek affordable luxuries. Furthermore, there has been an impact from rising prices on luxury-related beverage categories and a shift toward more economical alternatives in the soft drink category.

As brands look to employ creator-generated content as part of their advertising campaigns, understanding how consumers engage and receive this influencer content can be vital to support their brands.

Compared with last year, summer fuel prices for gasoline and diesel has remained stable. Alternative markets competition still coming from emissions versus price with traditional fuels.

Aside from aesthetics, beverage manufacturers are increasingly looking for labeling materials that support sustainability to stand out from the crowd.

The value proposition presented by warehouse clubs — offering lower average costs per item through bulk buying — prompts a jump in sales share for major warehouse club stores, research shows.

With the continued blurring of lines in the functional beverage space, experts highlight how the energy drink category can rise above the clouds by expanding on wellness attributes, variety and accessibility.

Experts share insights on coding technology for beverage packaging.