The objective of Business Breakfast events is to provide professionals with the opportunity to continue to build their network and learn without having to sacrifice hours out of their busy schedules.
Saladplate is the official content and engagement hub for the Hospitality, Food and Beverage portfolio, part of Informa Markets.
Concentrates are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability and specific functional benefits. While they are generally still a cheaper alternative to ready-to-drink beverages, consumers are now seeking more premium powder mix options with health, flavour, sugar reduction, convenience, and functionality as the main drivers.
After sharp retail price increases over the last two years, global soft drinks volume dipped significantly in 2023. Value-focused consumers are shifting into large format warehouse clubs, hard discounters and trading back to private label or B-brands in some categories. Yet a new value equation means more than simply seeking lower prices, with opportunities created by alternative formats, new functional need-states and category blurring premium innovation.
Functionality cues are increasingly replacing simplistic dealcoholisation approaches, and botanical alchemy and molecular experimentation with new ingredients are making the no/lo landscape one of the most innovative and exciting in the alcohol ecosystem. It is here to stay.
North American retail soft drinks volumes have been characterised by modest growth over the last decade. The industry saw its next big disruptor in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. With consumers shifting away from so many on-trade channels and on-the-go or convenience channels, consumption patterns accelerated growth in retail volume.
As explored in Euromonitor International’s recent food-focused article, the Institute of Food Technologist’s (IFT) annual conference highlights the newest developments in food and ingredient production, research, and innovation. While the primary focus of the conference was on trends and breakthroughs in the food industry, the implications of the findings and concerns in the edible space hold relevance in the potable space. The nutritional trends and expansive academic studies warrant a closer look.
Tracking and monitoring NPD is a vital part of innovation strategy. Understanding where innovation is happening and who is innovating allows companies to benchmark with their portfolios and identify where opportunities lie. Using the newly developed NPL tool, Euromonitor identified Singapore as a continued hub for innovation in soft drinks.
As Gen Z will become the main consumer force in the future, it is important to understand how they are building their habits and preferences. At the same time, there is a fast evolution in the soft drinks industry to move away from the old perception of it being unhealthy, towards more health and wellness products.