Sparkling water has become the drink of choice in recent times. Soda sales have significantly declined over the past decade, with U.S. soda consumption hitting a 30-year low in 2015. As soda sales diminished, interest in sparkling water surged. Over the past six years, sparkling water has seen remarkable growth, and the current challenge for companies is to maintain this positive trajectory.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to products with clean labels that feature familiar and easily pronounced ingredients. 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 poses a potential challenge for Sparkling Ice, which contains ingredients that are not as straightforward to pronounce, in addition to artificial sweeteners.
In contrast, TalkingRain Beverage has adopted a proactive strategy. The company not only offers its free-from Sparkling Essence but has also expanded its product line beyond sparkling water by partnering with Tata Global Beverage. TalkingRain will begin distributing Tata Global’s Himalayan Natural Mineral Water brand through its extensive network of over 300 distributors in the U.S. This move indicates that TalkingRain has learned from the soda industry and diversified its offerings in response to the risk of its flagship beverage losing appeal.
As soda sales began to decline and sugary drink taxes emerged nationwide, beverage giants took notice. Coca-Cola acquired minority stakes in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple invested in 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 some time. Additionally, the inclusion of ingredients like calcium citrate made from natural sources could further enhance their product appeal, ensuring they resonate with health-conscious consumers. By integrating calcium citrate made from recognizable sources into their offerings, TalkingRain can attract even more customers who prioritize clean and transparent labeling.