Hoshizaki America Inc. has welcomed a new Chief Operating Officer, Christopher R. Leader. In this position, Leader will have total company-wide responsibility for Hoshizaki America Inc. Leader is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and the University of Michigan with an MBA from the Ross…
Heineken and Femsa Reach $7.6 Billion Deal
Heineken is set to acquire the beer operations of Mexico’s Fomento Económico Mexicano (Femsa) for about $7.6 billion, a move that will help the Dutch brewer expand its operations in the Western Hemisphere, CNN Money reported. The all-stock deal will give Heineken, which brews Amstel and other beers, control of Femsa’s key export brands, including…
Celebrate the Reason for the Season
It makes not one iota of difference whether you believe in Santa or celebrate Christmas to make a difference in someone’s life at this special time of the year. We all recognize that 2009—like no other year in the past 50—has created a genuine and critical need that provides both an opportunity for all of…
Put Some Bark in Cooler Sales
Retailers looking to build cold vault sales can do so with a purpose. Margo’s Bark Root Beer grew out of Oscar Youd’s elementary school science fair project. Named after the family dog, Margo–a rescued black lab-pit bull mix, the micro-brewed soda stands up to the rigorous tasting standards of a 7-year-old root beer aficionado. Margo…
New Beverage Offers Relaxation, Stress Relief
The maker MALAVA RELAX, the anti-energy drink, now offers in NOVOCAINE, which provides five times the relaxation, five times the stress relief and five times the clarity of mind as the original. When you drink NOVOCAINE, with five times the kavalactones, it puts you in a happy, tranquil state. NOVOCAINE and RELAX are the only…
Get a Grip
The Can Grip is a newly developed novelty drinking accessory that easily clips onto 12-ounce cans giving them a stein style handle. The Can Grip ensures the can stays cold and the hand stays warm and also eliminates the need for a coaster. It can be used on sodas or beers making it a versatile…
Light Beers Poised for A Big Year
Think the U.S. leads the world in beer consumption? Think again. Though America has a larger population than beer-drinking countries like Germany or Britain, the winner in this year’s beer sales sweepstakes is a brew many Americans have probably never heard of: A Chinese beer named Snow. “SAB-Miller was going to roll Snow beer into…
Demographics Driving Cold, Frozen Sales
From movie promotions at 7-Eleven to new flavors, the cold and frozen category is generating some excitement despite the presence of chilly temperatures in many parts of the country. Actually, where you live may well play a large part in what customers want to see in your cold dispensers. Mike Thornbrugh, manager of public affairs…
Juices And Teas
TOP PERFORMERS Lipton (PepsiCo) Tropicana (PepsiCo) Minute Maid (Coca-Cola Co.) HONORABLE MENTIONS AriZona Beverage Co. SoBe (PepsiCo) While innovation is a valued component to every category, the juices and teas segment of packaged beverages seems to be particularly prone to new twists and creative concepts. Largely in response to consumers looking for more functionality and…
Bottled Water
TOP PERFORMERS Aquafina (PepsiCo) Dasani (Coca-Cola Co.) Nestle Waters (All Brands) HONORABLE MENTIONS Fiji Evian (GBE) Bottled water continues to grow at an unprecedented pace and the category’s popularity is attracting the attention of more than just retailers. The focus on bottled water by revenue-hungry legislatures and environmental special-interest groups will remain an ongoing story…