15 Beverage Brands That Are Landing in More C-Stores
By Steve Holtz on Sep. 04, 2018CHICAGO -- New and growing drinks are gaining shelf space in retail locations across the United States. Here are 15 brands that have seen significant growth this past spring and summer …
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
1. Celsius
7-Eleven, Target and GNC are among the first retailers to stock new Celsius flavor Sparkling Kiwi Guava, according to manufacturer Celsius Holdings Inc., Boca Raton, Fla. The new addition to the drink's Originals line will also roll out to fitness clubs and military exchanges this fall. Target is expanding its Celsius SKU assortment overall and will include Sparkling Kiwi Guava in early fall 2018. GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe will carry Sparkling Kiwi Guava in their coolers and beverage set. And 7-Eleven, which authorized the new SKU to make it available to franchisees and corporate stores, will carry Sparkling Kiwi Guava in its cold-vault energy drink set with up to four other authorized Celsius Original SKUs and two authorized Celsius Heat SKUs, the 16-ounce version with added caffeine and L-citrulline. In May, Celsius reported that it had gained placement in nearly 600 convenience stores across the U.S.
Photograph courtesy of Celsius Holdings Inc.
2. Jolt Cola
Jolt Cola made its way into Casey's General Stores across the Midwest this past spring. Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey's General Stores sells individual cans for $1.49 each, according to the drink maker.
Photograph courtesy of Jolt Cola
3. Blackeye Roasting Co.
Ready-to-drink coffee maker Blackeye Roasting Co. said it wants to triple its distribution to 30 states by the end of this year, specifically targeting convenience stores to reach a new customer base.
"We're going after the gas station buyer in rural areas, your average coffee buyer that's impulsive at a gas station and wants to get caffeinated," co-founder Matt McGinn told FoodNavigator-USA. The Minneapolis-based coffee maker sells three SKUs of RTD coffee in 11.5-ounce cans: Nitro Cold Brew, White Chocolate and Nitro Cocoa.
4. True Eagle Energy Drink
Terrible Herbst stores are now stocking True Eagle Energy Drink, an energy drink that gives 10% of proceeds to The Folded Flag Foundation. The Las Vegas-based retailer is selling 12-packs of the drink for $19.99. Also, through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, customers have a chance to win four VIP tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights hockey game by entering the code online from their Terrible Herbst receipt when they buy a 12-pack case of True Eagle.
5. Steaz
An expansion in its distribution is bringing ready-to-drink green-tea brand Steaz into new markets in the Southeast, including Food Lion, Piggly Wiggly, Associated Grocers and Earthfare. The expanded Steaz distribution also reaches further into Giant Eagle, True North and Natural Grocers Vitamin Cottage markets, adding Steaz products to well more than 1,400 stores, according to the Doylestown, Pa.-based company. Steaz also has entered into a new brokerage agreement with Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence to represent the brand’s portfolio across North America. This new brokerage agreement will enable Steaz to continue to grow its presence in the United States and Canada, with a heightened focus on the brand’s newest offering, Prickly Pear Water. Steaz offers three product lines: Organic Iced Green Tea, Organic Energy and Organic Prickly Pear Water.
6. HyVida
HyVida Brands Inc. has partnered with KeHE Distributors LLC to bring its hydrogen-infused sparkling waters to much of the East Coast and farther inland. With the initial phase of the partnership, KeHE gives HyVida a significant presence in distribution centers that serve U.S. retailers from the East Coast through the Great Lakes region. Los Angeles-based HyVida Brands is an early-stage beverage company that is pioneering hydrogen-infused sparkling waters and related beverages that offer healthy lifestyle benefits due to hydrogen’s antioxidant properties, the company said.
7. Xyience
Xyience Energy Drink has expanded into Target locations across the country. Target will sell Xyience, a zero-calorie, zero-sugar energy drink made with all-natural flavors and colors, in 192 stores. Available flavors include Cherry Lime, Mango Guava and Blue Pomegranate, but varieties will vary by store. Minneapolis-based Target also will sell Xyience at target.com.
Photograph courtesy of Xyience
8. Hotshot
Hotshot canned coffees is expanding its reach across the United States with several new distribution deals, including making the drinks available via Amazon.com. The ready-to-drink hot beverage brand's agreement with Amazon continues a period of growth and expansion into new markets for the Hotshot team, which, in addition to relationships with New York distributor SKI Beverage and Tri State Theater Supply in Tennessee, have secured new distributor contracts with Gordon Food Service in Chicago, Vistar in Colorado, S. Abraham & Sons in Michigan and Palmer Food Services in upstate New York.
As a result of these new relationships, Hotshot has secured the following new placements:
- J&H Family Stores, Mich. Hotshot is featured in 10 of 50 western Michigan convenience stores in the Grand Rapids area.
- Furious Spoon, Ill. Hotshot is the only coffee offered in this fast-casual dining chain in Chicago, according to the company.
- Seneca Casino, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
- In New York City, Hotshot coffee and hot chocolate are being served at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home to the Staten Island Yankees, Berry Park in Brooklyn, Kick Axe in Brooklyn and Madison Square Garden.
Also, it is planning tests with Bed Bath & Beyond and Fuel, a quick-service option for guests at the Swan Dolphin Resort at Disney World.
Featured on "Shark Tank" and initially available in Black, French Vanilla and Hot Chocolate varieties, New York-based Hotshot beverages are served in aluminum cans that are warmed to 140 degrees by a custom-designed HotBox.
Photograph courtesy of Hotshot
9. Good Idea
GoodIdea Inc., a sparkling-water company from Sweden, has made its U.S. home in San Francisco and "is now securing placement at a growing number of retailers," the company said. The company's Good Idea is a flavored sparkling water that offers more. The “supplement facts” on the back of each can detail a proprietary blend of five amino acids and chromium, clinically proven to help the body handle the blood sugar spike following an ordinary meal rich in fast carbs, the company said. The rollout of the drink in Northern California began this past spring. The company is working with KeHE and other distributors to reach retailers across the United States.
Photograph courtesy of Good Idea
10. B4
B4, a pharmacist-created vitamin supplement drink engineered to help people feel better the day after drinking alcohol, has added nearly 300 new store locations in eight U.S. states on the West Coast and in the South. The noncaffeinated, lightly carbonated supplement is made with "crucial electrolytes, amino acids, minerals and vitamins to help consumers celebrate tonight and feel better tomorrow," the company said. The company’s retail expansion includes new partnerships with BevMo!, Big Red Liquors, Applejack Wine & Spirits, Kappy’s Fine Wine & Spirits, Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors, Huntington Wine & Spirits, Lee’s Discount Liquor, Rouses Markets and Total Wine & More.
11. Hank’s Gourmet Beverages
Craft-soda maker Hank’s Gourmet Beverages, Philadelphia, has signed a representation and brokerage deal with Vermont-based Celtic Marketing Food Brokers, a broker to specialty and natural food stores. The new deal will further the distribution of Hank’s seven craft soda flavors into chain and independent supermarkets, specialty stores and gourmet markets on the East Coast.
Photograph courtesy of Hank’s Gourmet Beverages
12. Tranquini
Tranquini, an all-natural relaxation beverage, has been authorized for placement in Meijer grocery stores and will be in the cold vault in 26 of the chain's stores, according to the company. With headquarters in Dallas, Tranquini is new to the United States but available in 30 countries. Tranquini uses natural ingredients (green-tea extract containing natural theanine, lemon balm, chamomile and lavender) that help to reduce stress and anxiety. Tranquini is made with 100% cane sugar, with no artificial colors, ingredients or preservatives. Tranquini sparkling comes in the flavors Mixed Berries, Green Tea Twist, Ginger Lemongrass, Cherry, Hops and Malted Barley, Apple Cherry and Hibiscus.
Photograph courtesy of Tranquini
13. Cherrish
Cherry-juice brand Cherrish is now available to CoreMark-served convenience stores through a new distribution deal. The initial rollout following the spring agreement went to 200 stores in Nevada and Arizona, followed by other regions, according to the Seattle-based company. Cherrish produces 100% Montmorency Cherry and Bing Cherry juice. The 12-ounce drinks are available in Cherry Original, Cherry Pomegranate and Cherry Blueberry flavors. Distributor Core-Mark is based in South San Francisco, Calif.
Photograph courtesy of Cherrish
14. Himalayan Natural Mineral Water
Tata Waters and Talking Rain Beverage Co., Seattle, have joined forces to bring Himalayan Natural Mineral Water to the United States. Initial regional distribution, launched this past spring, included select retailers in Chicago and Southern California. National distribution is available via Amazon.com. Himalayan Natural Mineral Water comes from the Himalayan Mountains after traveling for 20 years through layers of rock, sand and silt, according to the company. Along the way, it picks up helpful minerals such as magnesium, calcium and sodium from Himalayan sea salt. This 20-year journey results in a water with a balanced pH, naturally ready for consumers to drink. Himalayan Natural Mineral Water is available in 500 mL (SRP of $1.59), 500 mL four-packs (SRP of $5.69), and 1-liter (SRP $2.39) sizes.
Photograph courtesy of Himalayan Natural Mineral Water
15. a2 Milk
The a2 Milk Co. has expanded its reach into the Northeast, making its products available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. This is in addition to distribution in the Southeast and California. Consumers can now find a2 Milk at major grocers Wegmans, Stop & Shop, Giant Carlisle, Giant Landover, Whole Foods Market, Market Basket, Sprouts, Safeway, King Soopers, Target, Ralphs, Publix, ShopRite and The Fresh Market. A2 Milk’s products include Whole, 2% Reduced Fat, Chocolate 2% Reduced Fat and 1% Low Fat.
Photograph courtesy of a2 Milk Co.