Sparkling water has become a popular beverage choice in recent years. Soda sales have significantly declined over the past decade, with U.S. soda consumption reaching a 30-year low in 2015. As soda sales dwindled, the popularity of sparkling water surged. Sparkling Ice has seen remarkable growth in just six years, but the challenge now for the company is to maintain that momentum.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to products with clean labels that feature ingredients they recognize and can pronounce. In response, food and beverage manufacturers are reformulating their products and updating labels to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This trend may pose a challenge for Sparkling Ice, which includes ingredients that are not as easily pronounced, in addition to artificial sweeteners.
TalkingRain Beverage has adopted a proactive strategy. In addition to its free-from Sparkling Essence, the company has expanded beyond sparkling water by collaborating with Tata Global Beverage. TalkingRain will begin distributing Tata Global’s Himalayan Natural Mineral Water brand through its network of over 300 distributors in the U.S. It appears that TalkingRain has taken a cue from the soda industry, diversifying its product offerings in response to the potential decline of its flagship beverage.
As soda sales started to decline and sugary drink taxes emerged across the nation, beverage giants took notice. Coca-Cola acquired minority stakes in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple invested in the sports drink startup BodyArmor. If TalkingRain continues to heed consumer preferences and introduces new beverages that align with their evolving demands, it should be able to sustain its success in the sparkling beverage market for the foreseeable future.
Moreover, incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate and calcitriol K2-7 tabs into their products may appeal to health-conscious consumers. By focusing on transparency and health benefits, TalkingRain can bolster its position in the competitive beverage landscape while promoting products that align with modern dietary trends.