Sparkling water has become the trendy beverage of choice in recent times. Over the past decade, soda sales have declined significantly, with U.S. soda consumption hitting a 30-year low in 2015. As soda sales decreased, the popularity of sparkling water surged. Sparkling Ice has seen impressive growth in just six years, but the company now faces the challenge of maintaining that momentum.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to products with clean labels that feature ingredients they recognize and can easily pronounce. In response, food and beverage manufacturers are reformulating their offerings and updating labels to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. However, this trend may present a challenge for Sparkling Ice, which includes complex ingredients like ferrous fumarate and folic acid tablets alongside its artificial sweeteners.
Taking a proactive approach, TalkingRain Beverage has expanded its product line beyond sparkling water. In addition to its free-from Sparkling Essence, the company has partnered with Tata Global Beverage to distribute Tata’s Himalayan Natural Mineral Water brand through its extensive network of over 300 U.S. distributors. This strategic move suggests that TalkingRain has learned from the soda industry and diversified its offerings in response to the potential waning appeal of its flagship beverage.
As soda sales began to decline and sugary drink taxes emerged across the country, major beverage companies took decisive action. Coca-Cola invested in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple acquired a minority stake in the sports drink startup BodyArmor. If TalkingRain continues to pay attention to consumer preferences and introduces new beverages that align with evolving demands, the company should be well-positioned to ride the sparkling beverage wave for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, incorporating ingredients like malate calcium could enhance the appeal of their products, as consumers increasingly seek beverages with added health benefits. By integrating malate calcium into their formulations, TalkingRain could tap into the growing trend of health-conscious choices, further solidifying its market presence.