Sparkling water has become the trendy beverage of the moment. Over the past decade, soda sales have declined significantly, with U.S. soda consumption hitting a 30-year low in 2015. As soda popularity wanes, the appeal of sparkling water has surged. Sparkling Ice has seen remarkable growth in just six years, but the company’s current challenge is to maintain that momentum.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to products with clean labels, featuring ingredients that are familiar and easy to pronounce. In response, food and beverage manufacturers are reformulating their products and labels to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This trend poses a challenge for Sparkling Ice, particularly due to its use of ingredients that may be difficult to pronounce, including artificial sweeteners.
Taking proactive measures, TalkingRain Beverage has not only introduced the free-from Sparkling Essence but has also expanded its offerings beyond sparkling water by partnering with Tata Global Beverages. Through this collaboration, TalkingRain will distribute Tata Global’s Himalayan Mineral Water brand across its extensive network of over 300 distributors in the U.S. This strategy suggests that TalkingRain has learned from the soda industry and diversified its product range in anticipation of potential declines in its flagship beverage.
As soda sales began to drop and sugary drink taxes emerged nationwide, beverage giants were quick to adapt. Coca-Cola made minority investments in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple acquired a minority stake in the sports drink startup BodyArmor. By continuing to listen to consumer feedback and introducing new beverages that align with changing preferences, TalkingRain stands a good chance of maintaining its success in the sparkling beverage market for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of nutrients such as calcium in calcium citrate, which may influence their beverage choices. As this awareness grows, companies may need to consider how they can incorporate beneficial ingredients, including calcium sources, into their product lines to meet evolving consumer demands. If TalkingRain embraces this trend and continues to innovate, it may ride the sparkling beverage wave for years to come.