The energy drink category finished 2023 off with a bang in terms of sales and is expected to continue thriving in 2024. Dollar sales for energy drinks reached $14.1 billion, a 14.6% increase for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023, according to Circana. Energy drink unit sales reached 4.67 billion, up 8.8% for the…
Energy Shots Face Competition From Drinks
Energy shots will continue to serve as a c-store staple in 2024 and beyond because they offer so many positives for consumers: a quick, convenient and inexpensive impulse item offering an energy boost that won’t fill them up like a full drink will. “Energy shots are a big category led by 5-hour Energy, which dominates…
Juices, Teas Are Thirsty For Innovation
Innovation is the name of the game for juices and teas heading into 2024. In recent years, juices and teas have experienced soft performance, noted Gary Hemphill, managing director of research for Beverage Marketing Corp. In general, juice and tea dollar sales are up for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023, according to Chicago-based…
Carbonated Beverages Face Shifting Trends
Changes in customer preferences are stirring up the carbonated soft drink (CSD) category as shoppers increasingly seek health-conscious beverages, increased innovation and influencer-driven brands. In convenience stores, carbonated beverage dollar sales grew 7.4% to $10.7 billion, with help from price per unit increases (up 6.4%), even as unit sales fell flat (up 0.9%) for the…
Variety is Vital for Dispensed
Cold and frozen dispensed beverages are oftentimes viewed synonymously with c-stores, and in 2024, retailers are looking to drive sales with a focus on frozen and flavor variety. “We have increased (in sales) over the previous year; shockingly, our frozen is trending really well for this time of the year,” said Jessica Russell, food service…
Are Healthy Trends Affecting Alcoholic Beverages?
The number of Americans who both look after their health and enjoy drinking alcohol is growing — and for savvy convenience store retailers in states that permit them to sell adult beverages, that spells opportunity. While healthy trends have seen innovation growth in every category to varying degrees, alcoholic beverages have undergone a health kick,…
7-Eleven Announces Launch of New 2024 Menu Items
7-Eleven has introduced its new menu items for 2024, available now at select 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores across the U.S. New additions feature both foodservice and beverage options for customers. The new lineup includes: Cheesy Three Meat Breakfast Burrito: Blend of diced bacon, diced ham and breakfast sausage crumbles with nacho cheese sauce, monterey…
Water & Sports Drinks Battle Inflation
Two of convenience store operators’ biggest beverage categories, bottled water and sports drinks, are expected to continue strong dollar sales performances in 2024. The convenience store channel saw bottled water sales of $5.86 billion, a gain of 6.6%, for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023, according to Circana, while unit volume dipped 2.4% to…
Shaking Up Alcoholic Beverages
Gen Z preferences are influencing alcoholic beverage trends in 2024. Gen Z is gravitating toward the flavored alternative “beyond beer” category, and subsequently, hard teas and convergence brands — i.e. Monster Beast Unleashed, Arizona Hard, etc. — are seeing growth, noted Michelle Abdollah, category manager of alcoholic beverages for Extra Mile convenience stores, which operates…
Strawberry Lemonade-Flavored Beverage
Guayakí Yerba Mate has introduced its latest flavor innovation — Berry Lemonade. This summer beverage is a balanced blend of tart lemon and sweet strawberry flavors derived from real fruit juices for a refreshingly low-calorie drink with just 20 calories and two grams of sugar. Guayakí Yerba Mate is brewed with naturally caffeinated leaves from […]