Aguas frescas, long popular as a refreshing beverage among Hispanic consumers, have gained widespread appeal among a broad variety of shoppers who enjoy their fun, unique flavors and thirst-quenching properties.
Research from Technomic’s 2019 AFH Beverage Navigator shows that aguas frescas have been growing sales at a rate three times faster than lemonade. These dispensed beverages increasingly appeal not only to Hispanic consumers, but also to millennials, who enjoy seeking out new flavors and experiences.
Research indicates that the potential market for aguas frescas is growing. By 2060, 30% of the U.S. population will be Hispanic, according to research from Kantar. Meanwhile, millennials currently make up 25% of the U.S. population, and 37% are adventurous eaters who like to try new flavors.
Convenience store retailers can capture more of these consumers with aguas frescas, whether as a complement to their prepared-food offerings or as an anytime thirst-quencher or snack.
When it comes to aguas frescas, 47% of consumers report that they normally purchase these beverages to wash down food, and 45% said they normally buy aguas frescas to satisfy their thirst, according to a Sunny Sky Products’ proprietary study. Other purchase drivers include seeking to relax (33%), to get a pick-me-up (24%), for a snack (20%) or to indulge in a dessert (11%).
Sunny Sky Products’ research also found that more than a third of consumers purchase horchata multiple times per week, and nearly two-thirds purchase aguas frescas at least once per week.
Of the 76 million fountain drinkers in the c-store channel in the U.S., 61% are positive to the aguas frescas concept, according to Sunny Sky. That indicates a potential of 10.3 million servings of aguas frescas annually.
With ingredients such as real steeped hibiscus flowers, creamy vanilla essence and real tamarind puree, the El Nino Aguas Frescas line from Sunny Sky Products appeals to consumers seeking adventurous, authentic flavor experiences. These caffeine- and gluten-free beverages are available in Horchata, Hibiscus, Cantaloupe, Tamarind, Pineapple, Mango, Limonada and Guava flavors.
In addition to their sales-driving potential, El Nino Aguas Frescas are also a strong driver of profitability, with potential gross profit margins of 75% or more, according to Sunny Sky Products.
Visit Sunny Sky Products to learn more about how to drive traffic, sales and profitability at stores with flavorful, refreshing El Niño Aguas Frescas.
This post is sponsored by Sunny Sky