Innocent Drinks is to receive GBP30 million from Coca-Cola to help the company expand further in Europe. The company will remain independent, but the founders will need to ensure that Innocent's ethical principles are not compromised in the public eye through the involvement of a global corporation primarily known for the production of carbonates, currently perceived as unhealthy.
Gallo wines has made the surprising decision to move its UK strategy away from discounting in order to protect profit margins and reinforce the premium values of it core brand and brand extensions. Although this announcement may appear counterintuitive during a recession, it could spark similar moves by rivals in the wine industry.
US drinking water retailer Glacier has reported an increase in revenues for 2008, bucking the trends of both the recession and the backlash against bottled water. The encouraging results demonstrate that price is not the sole motivator of consumer purchases during the gloomy economic climate, and companies must cater for a number of consumer needs.
The health minister of the UK government, Dawn Primarolo, has announced that 125ml wine glasses may be made available on a mandatory basis in bars and restaurants to those consumers who want the choice, as part of an effort to improve the population's health and drinking habits. While this appears to be a positive step, it does not address the cultural root cause of problem drinking.
Beverage Digest reports that the volume of soda sold in the US experienced a year-on-year decline of 3% in 2008. This reflects an ongoing trend in the industry, which has been suffering lately from an unhealthy image and, more recently, recession. Some brands have still managed to increase sales in the sector, however, and the industry must look to examples such as Coke Zero to reverse the trend.
Healthy and premium beverages continue to be a popular choice for manufacturers looking to add value to their drinks lines. This month's roundup of innovative drinks launches recorded the introduction of a premium vodka in a nuclear inspired bottle, dieting wine, and mood enhancing waters, showing that companies are focusing on aligning their products to these trends while applying a novel twist.
