IRI’s Top 10 C-Store Product Pacesetters of 2018

CHICAGO — Market research firm IRI has released its 23rd annual New Product Pacesetters report—a list of 2018's most successful new product launches in the convenience-store, food and beverage, and nonfood sectors. And for the second consecutive year,beverage brands claimed eight of the top 10 spots for Pacesetters in the c-store channel. Pepsi products took the first, sixth and 10th spots in the ranking (No. 10 in partnership with Lipton), while Red Bull claimed two spots. Meanwhile, three of the top 10 products were energy drinks, two others were chocolate candy products, one was a ready-to-drink coffee and another a ready-to-drink tea. 

Here are the top 10 c-store Pacesetters of 2018, according to Chicago-based IRI …

Total year-one dollar sales: $31.8 million

Beverages in the Pure Leaf Tea House Collection are made with USDA-certified organic, loose-leaf tea that is brewed in small batches. Six varieties are available: Organic Green Tea Fuji Apple & Ginger, Organic Black Tea Sicilian Lemon & Honeysuckle, Organic Black Tea Wild Blackberry & Sage, Organic Black Tea Valencia Orange Peel, Organic Black Tea Strawberry & Garden Mint and Organic Black Tea Spiced Chai. Each flavor contains 90 calories per 14-ounce bottle.

Total year-one dollar sales: $32.1 million

Starbucks bottled Cold Brew is made with a custom blend of beans specifically selected to be brewed without heat. Once brewed, the beans are cold-steeped to offer rich chocolate notes and a natural sweetness, Starbucks said. The bottled coffee is available in four flavors: Unsweetened Black, Sweetened Black, Cocoa & Honey With Cream and Vanilla & Fig With Cream, all of which come in an 11-ounce bottle.

Total year-one dollar sales: $37.6 million

Red Bull’s Lime Edition, which combines traditional Red Bull with limeade, is one of three sugar-free flavors in the brand’s Editions line. The others include Red Bull Purple Edition and Red Bull Pear Edition, made with acai berry and pears, respectively. Each Red Bull Edition flavor comes in a 12-ounce can.

Total year-one dollar sales: $42.2 million

Kinder Joy by Ferrero USA is a confectionery treat that comes in a plastic, egg-shaped package. It contains two separately sealed halves: One half features smooth cocoa and cream topped with crispy wafer bites, while the other contains a mystery toy. The chocolate candy was also named one of this year’s best products by Products of the Year USA.

Total year-one dollar sales: $45.8 million

Mountain Dew Ice is a crisp, clear version of Mountain Dew that is made with real juice. The beverage comes in Lemon Lime and Cherry flavors, both of which are available in 20-ounce bottles, 2-liter bottles, 12-packs of 12-ounce cans and a variety of other single and multipack sizes.

Total year-one dollar sales: $48.4 million

M&M's Caramel Chocolate Candies are filled with creamy caramel and have the classic, crunchy, milk chocolate M&M’s candy shell. The candy comes in multiple formats, including a share size (2.83 ounces), stand-up pouches (9.6 ounces) and singles (1.41 ounces).

Total year-one dollar sales: $52.7 million

Lime Edition wasn’t the only Red Bull variety that made the top 10 c-store Pacesetters. Red Bull Purple Edition, another sugar-free flavor in the Red Bull Edition portfolio, contains the same ingredients as Red Bull Lime Edition, except it swaps lime for acai berry.

Total year-one dollar sales: $57.3million

Monster Hydro, a new energy drink via Monster Energy, is non-carbonated, lightly sweetened and comes in 25.4-ounce twist-top bottles and 16.9-ounce cans. The beverage, which contains 100 calories per can, is available in six flavors: Tropic Thunder, Purple Passion, Blue Ice, Zero Sugar, Mean Green and Manic Melon.

Total year-one dollar sales: $122.9 million

Core Hydration, a bottled water produced by Core Nutrition LLC, contains various electrolytes and minerals that aim to balance the body’s pH levels, according to the company. The water is made through a seven-stage purification process, is free from fluoride and chromium, and comes in a 100% recyclable bottle. It’s available in five sizes: 16.9 ounces, 20 ounces, 23.9 ounces, 30.4 ounces and 44 ounces.

Total year-one dollar sales: $144.9 million

PepsiCo’s newest Gatorade variety, Gatorade Flow, is designed to offer the same hydration and fueling benefits as Gatorade Thirst Quencher, but with a full flavor and smooth finish, according to the company. The beverage comes in Blackberry Wave, Citrus Crash and Kiwi Strawberry flavors, all of which come in 32-ounce and 20-ounce bottles.