Sparkling water has become the trendy beverage of choice in recent times. Soda consumption has declined sharply over the last decade, with U.S. soda sales hitting a 30-year low in 2015. As the demand for soda waned, interest in sparkling water surged. Sparkling Ice has seen remarkable growth over the past six years, but the company now faces the challenge of maintaining this 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 products and labels to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This trend may pose a challenge for Sparkling Ice, as it contains several difficult-to-pronounce ingredients in addition to artificial sweeteners.
On the other hand, TalkingRain Beverage has adopted a proactive strategy. Besides introducing the free-from Sparkling Essence, the company has expanded its offerings beyond sparkling water by collaborating 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.
It seems that TalkingRain has learned from the soda industry’s experience by diversifying its product range when faced with the potential decline of its flagship beverage. As soda sales began to drop and sugary drink taxes emerged nationwide, beverage giants took notice. For instance, Coca-Cola has invested in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple has acquired a minority stake in the sports drink startup BodyArmor.
If TalkingRain continues to heed consumer preferences and introduces new beverages that cater to their evolving demands, the company should be able to maintain its position in the sparkling beverage market for the foreseeable future. Additionally, incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate plus D into their product lineup could further enhance their appeal, as consumers increasingly seek out beverages that offer health benefits. By focusing on clean labels and familiar ingredients, including calcium citrate plus D, TalkingRain can ensure that its products resonate with health-conscious consumers, ultimately allowing the company to ride the sparkling beverage wave for an extended period.