2023 September

The September 2023 issue of Beverage Industry features the 2023 Wholesaler of the Year. We also feature stories about preferences of consumers and beverage sweeteners, coffee trends, and much more!

2023 Wholesaler of the Year: Breakthru Beverage Group

Consumer-centric approach supports wholesaler’s adaptability for today’s beverage market

Jessica Jacobsen

September 8, 2023

Leading North American beverage wholesaler Breakthru Beverage Group is taking a consumer-centric approach with its portfolio as premiumization takes greater shape in shopper preferences.

Up Close With

PLEZi Nutrition aims to bring change to the beverage industry

Company working with FoodCorps to “connect kids” to healthy food in school

Lauren Sabetta

September 6, 2023

As America’s youth consistently consume sugary drinks on any given day, PLEZi Nutrition launched with a goal of creating beverages with less sugar, less sweetness and more nutrients for kids’ to enjoy.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG)

ESG takes on bigger role for food, beverage corporations

Beverage companies taking steps to prioritize ESG initiatives

Jessica Jacobsen

September 4, 2023

When it comes to ESG ― environmental, social and governance ― consumer packaged goods (CPG) corporations are upping the ante to make their company and brands more sustainable and accountable to regulators, shareholders and ultimately consumers.

Warehouse

Forklift safety, operator comfort remain priority for warehouses

Experts note that safety is key when it comes to forklift operations

Chloe Alverson

August 31, 2023

As today’s warehouses face widespread labor and safety issues, and with workforce shortages expected only to rise, experts note that lift truck technology has become a crucial component to the success of beverage operations.

Category Focus

Coffee, RTD coffee category recalibrate to meet consumer trends

Gen Z, sustainability and convenience hold influence on coffee market

Lauren Sabetta

August 28, 2023

As consumer trends continue to impact the coffee market, experts note that the overall category is shifting gears to meet consumers’ changing preferences.

Hiperbaric high-pressure processing (HPP) technology

Operations

Beverage makers using HPP to provide fresh, natural products

Consumer demand for juices, functional beverages prompts demand for HPP

Chloe Alverson

August 23, 2023

As functional beverage and clean label trends continue to rise, experts highlight the impact this is having on the use of high-pressure processing (HPP) technology.

In-store sales fuel growth for convenience store channel

Sports drinks, energy drinks witness sales increases

Lauren Sabetta

August 25, 2023

Although convenience stores are facing challenges such as a decrease in commuting replaced by work from home, labor shortages and inflation, experts note that in-store sales are playing a key role in the channel’s growth.

IFT FIRST exemplifies innovations for beverage-makers

Tradeshow addresses functional needs, sugar reduction trends

Jessica Jacobsen

August 24, 2023

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) returned to McCormick Place for the IFT FIRST: Annual Event & Expo where exhibitors were presented with an array of ingredient samples, interactive demos and product tastings.

R&D Feature

Consumers prefer natural, clean label beverage sweeteners

Producers shifting toward naturalness to meet consumer demands

Chloe Alverson

August 22, 2023

As consumers become increasingly aware of their sugar intake, beverage-makers must deliver drinks that are sweet with natural sweeteners.

Botanical ingredients spread out on a table

Botanicals blossom across beverage categories

Health attributes, flavors prompt consumer interest

Lauren Sabetta

August 21, 2023

As consumers rapidly switch to healthier alternatives and embrace prevention as a tool for living a better lifestyle, experts note that interest in botanicals and adaptogens is on the rise.

Barbie magic hits the beverage aisle

Swoon, Barbie collab sees highest volume sales for zero-sugar brand

Jessica Jacobsen

July 20, 2023

In June, Swoon brought Barbiecore to the beverage aisle with the limited-edition release of Barbie x Swoon Pink Lemonade. That partnership led to the zero-sugar brand experiencing its highest monthly volume sales.

Distribution

8 keys to effective driver ergonomics

Physical therapist offers tips on how to improve driver comfort

Jeff Cioletti

September 5, 2023

Fleets can implement simple practices to support their drivers’ health, safety and wellbeing.

Operations Perspective

Calculating delivery costs offers realistic benchmarks

Numerous interfaces need consideration when calculating delivery

John Peter Koss

September 1, 2023

The delivery cost of beverages is indeed a complex and difficult project when attempting guidelines or benchmarks for accurately evaluating any bottler’s or distributor’s supply chain activity in real time terms.

Packaging Equipment

Labeling equipment suppliers adjust for beverage industry trends

Beverage-makers desire intelligent, high speed equipment

Chloe Alverson

August 30, 2023

Although safety is a top priority when it comes to labeling, trends in beverage labeling materials — mainly sustainability — also are greatly impacting labeling equipment.

Between Drinks

Pumpkin Spice season arrives earlier than ever, report shows

Embracing falls flavors can benefit sales, overall business, experts note

Lauren Sabetta

August 29, 2023

Although big chains are announcing their fall special arrivals earlier than ever, independent restaurants have already beat them to it, adding pumpkin menu items beginning mid-summer.

Beverage Industry Magazine

Cover Story

2023 Wholesaler of the Year: Breakthru Beverage Group

Features

PLEZi Nutrition aims to bring change to the beverage industry

ESG takes on bigger role for food, beverage corporations

Forklift safety, operator comfort remain priority for warehouses

Coffee, RTD coffee category recalibrate to meet consumer trends

Beverage makers using HPP to provide fresh, natural products

In-store sales fuel growth for convenience store channel

IFT FIRST exemplifies innovations for beverage-makers

Consumers prefer natural, clean label beverage sweeteners

Botanicals blossom across beverage categories

Barbie magic hits the beverage aisle

Columns

8 keys to effective driver ergonomics

Calculating delivery costs offers realistic benchmarks

Labeling equipment suppliers adjust for beverage industry trends

Pumpkin Spice season arrives earlier than ever, report shows

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