CSD conducts exit polls and consumer surveys at the point of sale to find out what customers want when it comes to bottled water. Retailers concerned about slow sales growth or stagnant fuel margins can expect a boost from bottled water as analysts and consumers alike expect water sales to continue flowing for at least…

NON-CARBS GAINING GROUND Although a major shift is clearly underway in packaged beverage sales, Mark Twain’s famous quote, “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated” could easily describe the current carbonated soft drink (CSD) market. “The highest volume we sell is still CSDs, and Coke and Pepsi are still at the top of the…

Study signals strong 2007 Super Bowl sales. The primacy of beer—temporarily lost when Gallup’s2005 poll of alcohol sales and drinking habits showedwine sales ahead of beer for the first time—has beenrestored. The 2006 Gallup poll, released in late July, showedthat brew is back as the top alcoholic beverage in both volume and dollar sales. Forty-one…

CSD conducts customer surveys on isotonics and energy drinks in markets across the U.S. The growth of bottled waterhas been well documented, butdata shows energy drinks and isotonics are growing at comparable oreven faster rates. What’s even moreimpressive is that all three of these categories have wide-ranging appeal thatcross gender lines and attract customersof all…

Finding the right ice machine can turn the dispensed beverage business into one red-hot category. Ice and ice delivery is a vital part of a convenience and/or gas store’s inventory. Whether it’s used to complement selfserve beverage systems, for sale as bagged ice or within the store for icing down beverages and food displays, ice…

It can easily be argued that refrigerators are the most critical piece of equipment in your kitchen. No matter what type of foodservice operation you run, you need refrigeration. Keeping food at the proper temperature without using too much energy is essential to food quality, food safety and your bottom line. Before you buy, there…

From coast to coast, colleges and universities operate campus convenience stores, offering everything from entres to organics— and, they say, they’re not in it for the money. Forget Ramen noodles and those little boxes of cereal that wouldn’t satisfy a baby’s grumbling stomach. The college convenience store has evolved into much more. Consider Harvard University,…

Consumers are driving even more innovation and differentiation. It’s no mystery that convenience influences how consumers shop and what they purchase. “What used to be a leisurely activity, [shopping] has turned into a rushed, stressed nuisance for some,” said Todd Hall, vice president of ACNielsen’s Consumer Insights, advising that retailers that acknowledge this stay one…

Cross-channel marketers report strong sales gains in organic, bottled water segments. By Laurie Budgar, Contributing Editor Everything old is new again. Some long established categories in natural foods are growing at rates usually reserved for products that are just starting to get distribution. Produce does the natural foods industry particularly proud this year. Even though…

Grappling with consumers’ growing interest in wine and spirits, major beer manufacturers are turning to new tastes and flavors—and, in some places, it’s working. By Ross Markman Retail Relations Editor Forget for a moment about the rising tide of wine and spirit sales and that traditional beer companies in recent years have introduced everything from…