Stay "on the pulse" of the soft drink and beverage industry with this report. Aimed at innovations for soft drinks and beverages in the first quarter of 2010, we will talk about exciting soft drink innovations that you may see in upcoming trends.

 

For the potential owner of a drink vending machine, it is great to get a "heads up," on what is new, exciting and interesting in the soft drink/beverage sales market.

 

 

It all starts with energy drinks. And we will see some interesting, if not exciting things from them this year. One product, called "RedLine Xtreme," advertises zero calories, fat, sugars and carbohydrates. It also includes other statements, like a 7.5% "faster reaction time," 13% increase in energy and 15% increase in focus.

 

 

We have reported previously that companies like PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola this year are refining their supply strategies. Most importantly, they are trying to curb excess cost in their supply chains. And with Coca-Cola's recent announcement to buy one of their largest bottlers in North America, this becomes realized as a business strategy. Essentially, Coca-Cola will work to make their supply chain more "unified," and over time expand their global presence. These are a few goals for Coca-Cola this year.

 

 

Starting this year and in the future, companies like Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, PepsiCo and others will work with the American Beverage Association, to develop front-facing labels for their soft drinks. By 2012, the labels will be implemented nationwide.

 

 

Some "seasonal" offerings from Pepsi and Coke are certainly exotic, when it comes to flavors. Special flavors that you might see (depending on your locale) could be Green Tea Coke, or Pepsi Shiso (offered in Japan). Think of Shiso like mint-flavored basil.

 

 

The sports drink market is becoming one where the drinks are being "tailored" to gender or health specific concerns. Some could include different ratios of vitamins and minerals, for women or men. Others might include additions for specific needs, for example if you need "long lasting energy," versus needing a short burst.

 

 

Packaging is a big "eco-concern," for this year. Companies are refining their beverage packaging through a little research and development. Plastic bottles for example, are being made with renewable-sourced plastics, and being developed to be thinner.

 

Also, they contain a certain amount of plant-based materials versus petrochemicals. With less plastic in the bottle, fewer petroleum-based chemicals are needed to make them, and that means big savings in terms of the "carbon footprint" of the bottle.

 

 

The flowers and berries that Mother Nature brings to us are becoming great flavors for teas, waters and soft drinks for beverage consumers in 2010. Elderflower, jasmine and hibiscus are just a few new flavors being introduced in beverages. Cinnamon, rosemary and mint are herbal and spice additions as well.

 

Acai, guarana, yerba mate, green tea and ginseng are popular "all-natural" ingredients. Consumers are looking to boost their immune system with these vital and natural ingredients. All-natural ingredients are an increasing trend and are promising to a consumer who wishes to have a "health and wellness" benefit from a tea, flavored water or beverage.

 

 

Contact us, or call us at 1-800-877-1335 to buy a drink vending machine. We have vending machine experts ready to answer your questions.

 

Source: beverageworld.com - March 2010 Digital Edition of Beverage World