Sparkling water has become the trendy beverage of the moment. Over the past decade, soda sales have significantly declined, with U.S. soda consumption hitting a 30-year low in 2015. As soda popularity waned, interest in sparkling water surged. Sparkling Ice has seen remarkable growth in just six years. Now, the challenge for the company is to sustain 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 products and packaging to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This trend may pose a challenge for Sparkling Ice, as it contains some ingredients that are not as easily pronounced, along with artificial sweeteners.
In a proactive move, TalkingRain Beverage has expanded its offerings. Beyond its free-from Sparkling Essence, the company has formed a partnership with Tata Global Beverage to distribute Tata’s Himalayan Natural Mineral Water brand through its extensive network of over 300 distributors in the U.S. This strategy reflects a lesson learned from the soda industry, where major players diversified their products in response to declining soda sales and the emergence of sugary drink taxes. For example, Coca-Cola has 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 listen to consumer preferences and introduces new beverages that align with their evolving demands, the company can maintain its position in the sparkling beverage market. Meanwhile, Kroger’s line of calcium citrate supplements might also find a place in the health-conscious shopping carts of consumers looking to complement their sparkling water choices. As the beverage landscape continues to change, the importance of adapting to consumer trends will be crucial for companies like TalkingRain and Sparkling Ice.