Pepsi Next Marks Another Chapter in the Quest for the Elusive Mid-Calorie Cola

Analyst Insight by Jonas Feliciano, Beverages Analyst

Despite data supporting growth in low calorie cola carbonates, PepsiCo's launch of its mid-calorie Pepsi Next brand raises many of the same questions of its past.

Owing to difficult economic conditions and the ongoing shift to health and wellness beverages in the US, 2011 was another year of off-trade decline for cola carbonates. As the economy recovers, though, low calorie cola carbonates are expected to rebound as consumer purchasing power returns but the desire for healthier lifestyles remains. With this backdrop, soda manufacturers are using new mixes of sweeteners in low calorie carbonates to attract various consumer segments. But as PepsiCo once again introduces a mid-calorie beverage, the question that plagued previous launches remains: is there really a market for close-but-not-quite?

Flavours and Textures: How Local Consumer Taste Palates Are Defining Global Soft Drinks

Analyst Insight by Jonas Feliciano, Beverage Analyst at Euromonitor International

As global soft drinks companies compete with local manufacturers for share in developing nations, textures and flavours that cater to domestic consumer tastes take centre stage.

For generations, “a Coke and a smile” (and an unparalleled international distribution arm featuring local bottlers, licensed manufacturers, and a deep retail presence) was enough to capture significant market share in developing nations. The idea was simple. Much like blue jeans and rock and roll, Western beverages represented a lifestyle for which consumers in these markets would pay a premium. As of 2012, however, things have changed—growing consumer sophistication has put the focus squarely on developing products specifically tailored to consumer taste, to develop products with flavours and textures that local consumers find both familiar and satisfying. And, more often than not, these preferences are outside of the carbonate category.

Hear Euromonitor Speak at the 10th International Symposium on Vaccinium and Other Superfruits

Date: June 17-22, 2012
Location: MECC Maastricht, The Netherlands

As health and wellness can no longer be considered a self-contained, discrete trend in FMCG markets, there is a parallel between the overall health and wellness trend and the antioxidant micro trend within it. Just as health and wellness-positioned products are found in every category, antioxidants are present in virtually all foodstuffs, but to varying degrees. There are a myriad of different compounds which act as antioxidants in the human body, including vitamins C and E, polyphenols (such as catechins) and co-enzyme Q10.  

Hear Us Speak At SupplySide Marketplace

Dates: May 8-10, 2012
Location: Javits Center, NYC

Join Euromonitor's Global Head of Health & Wellness Research, Ewa Hudson, as she explores the global marketplace for health-positioned food and beverages and looks at growth opportunities including those in natural antioxidants and probiotics.

Soft Drinks International Conference

Date: May 18-18, 2012
Location: London

The first-ever Soft Drinks International, International Soft Drinks Conference, is being held in celebration of 125 years of monthly publication since first being published as the British & Colonial Water Trade Journal in 1888, and will take place just two months prior to the London 2012 Olympics. 

Aimed at senior management, marketers and technologists from the global non-alcoholic industry, the event already has the support of many international trade associations, market consultancies and food research organizations, as well as leading manufacturers, brands and suppliers to the industry.

The conference will embrace the full extent of content normally covered by SDI, namely; drinks design and development, ingredients, processing, packaging, marketing and distribution. 

Euromonitor's Ratna Sita will present, "Identifying growth opportunities in mature markets," focusing on soft drinks performance in developed regions and examining growth opportunities and future prospects. Her presentation will also focus on the on-going importance of health and key considerations when launching new products in mature markets.  

For more information, please visit the Soft Drinks International website. 

 

Hear Us Speak at the IPA World Congress

Date & Time: April 20, 2012 at 8:45am
Location:Hilton City Hotel in Los Angeles

Euromonitor is pleased to speak at the 2012 IPA World Congress, scheduled to take place on April 20th – April 21st, 2012 at the Hilton Universal City Hotel in Los Angeles. The objective of the Congress is to bring the most eminent scientists and government representatives from all parts of the world for a 2-day conference offering presentations on probiotic-related topics. It is a unique platform for the exchange of new scientific and regulatory achievements along with learning about consumer trends in the probiotic field.

Euromonitor's Consumer Health company analyst, Chris Schmidt will look at the global market for probiotics and dive into consumer perspectives on probiotic supplements and related products.

For more information and to register, please visit the IPA World Congress website.

Green Growth in Hygiene Products

Although green products represent only a small share of even the most developed hygiene markets, it is the scale of growth that is significant. Environmental issues now permeate from manufacturing to product and on to disposal. With niche operators gradually becoming mainstream and mainstream operators slowly shifting towards green, change is inevitable but its pace is varied.

Discover More >> Download a sample of our Homecare Global Briefing

 

Cherries – More Than Just Antioxidants

Analyst Insight by Ewa Hudson, Head of Health and Wellness Research

Like a number of “superfruits”, cherries boast a formidable antioxidant content. However, it appears that they may have more specific health benefits to offer in a number of very promising growth areas, such as sports nutrition, pain management and combating sleeplessness.

Cherries more dynamic than blueberries and cranberries

Cherries are enjoying a surge in popularity. Euromonitor International's fresh food statistics show that global volume sales of fresh cherries rose by 17% over the 2006-2011 review period, outperforming other high-end fresh fruit “treats” like strawberries and grapes.  Tweet this! In 2011, cherries emerged as the second most dynamic fresh fruit category, achieving a 4% volume gain, ahead of cranberries/blueberries.

Top 10 Consumer Trends of 2012

2012 consumers have had to learn to feel at ease with thrift as economic downturns just won't seem to go away. But they know they are not alone in carving out a more creative life on a budget. They can link to and learn from other consumers and brands via tech-enhanced communications, particularly their beloved smartphones, to mould their lifestyles. It's just as well that right now, consumer identity is expressed in more complex ways than through consumption alone. Today, identity also encompasses weight, online status, green thrift, and attitudes to reality culture – even in emerging markets, where the joys of spending are still being discovered.

Moo-ve over Milk: Plant Alternatives Primed to Benefit from Protein Supplement Demand

As consumer demand for protein continues to surge and more categories seek to incorporate the popular ingredient, a growing number of alternative sources are reaching the market. Euromonitor International examines the rise of animal protein alternatives and their potential impact on the consumer health market.

Protein: Supplement du jour

Despite Siberian temperatures this winter, protein is basking in a warm glow of international publicity, which has catapulted it to the forefront of the supplement world recently. In February, The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) published its recommended intake value for protein. The agency's figure of 0.8 grams per kilogram per day is pegged to body weight. Given the average weights of consumers in developed countries, these guidelines could represent significant increases over the current 2000-calorie diet recommendations. For American males over 20, with an average weight of 194 pounds according to the most recent figures from the US Centers for Disease Control, the EFSA recommended intake would be 71 grams, a full 31% more than the current 54 grams recommended for a 2000-calorie diet.