Brand offers sweepstakes, chance to win trip to Mexico
February 15, 2017
Dos Equis, a brand of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, is giving legal-drinking-age consumers everything they need to spice up their Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the company says. From Mexican cantinas in the city to neighborhood backyard patios, the 360-degree program features national TV advertising, media partnerships and a national sweepstakes.
Tradeshow and convention to take place March 27-29
February 15, 2017
Taking place March 27-29, 2017, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show will continue to bring the latest technologies, products and strategies for hospitality professionals in the bar, restaurant and nightlife space to the forefront.
Taking place Sept. 11-15, 2017, at Germany’s Messe München exhibition center and the adjacent ICM Internationales Congress Center München, drinktec 2017 will occupy 14 exhibit halls covering approximately 150,000 square meters of space.
U.S. wine exports, 90 percent of which are from California, reached $1.62 billion in winery revenues in 2016, a new record, according to the San Francisco-based Wine Institute. Despite challenges from a strong dollar, winery revenues were up 1 percent from 2015. Volume was 412.7 million liters or 45.9 million cases, it adds.
Flavor inspired by insights from Coca-Cola Freestyle machines
February 13, 2017
After a number of successful limited-time flavor innovations, Sprite, a brand of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., is adding two new cherry-flavored products to its beverage portfolio. Sprite Cherry is hitting store shelves nationwide in a 20-ounce PET bottle. The brand also is introducing Sprite Cherry Zero to give fans another zero-sugar and zero-calorie option, the company says. Both new options are caffeine-free and made with 100 percent natural flavors, it adds.
New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Missouri part of initial roll out
February 13, 2017
Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co., in partnership with St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, began shipping ready-to-drink (RTD) Teavana Craft Iced Teas to select grocery and convenience retailers in New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Missouri.
For the fifth year in a row, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies, a franchise specializing in Hawaiian coffees and fruit smoothies, is offering its small smoothie for $2.14 on Feb. 14, to commemorate Valentine’s Day. Sweethearts can enjoy this deal at participating Maui Wowi retail locations across the country, the company says.
Category gains market share for 7th consecutive year
February 8, 2017
The distilled spirits sector achieved accelerated growth in 2016 with supplier sales up 4.5 percent to $25.2 billion, volumes up 2.4 percent to 220 million cases and a seventh straight year of market share gains relative to beer, the New York-based Distilled Spirits Council announced at its annual economic briefing for media and Wall Street analysts, sponsored by Spirited Funds.
Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) published insights that revealed short- and long-term growth opportunities for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies by identifying and capitalizing on dynamic consumer trends, particularly those that can command a premium in a particular niche, it says.