Enjoy a 15% discount on all purchases until the 31st of March 2023 using the promo code EOFWEB22 at check out!

Drinks From coffee and kombucha to seltzer and champagne, we explore the latest insights on the consumer trends and new products shaping the drinks industry.

The Rise of Total Beverage Companies: Redrawing the Battle Lines

2/1/2022
Anna Ward Profile Picture
Anna Ward Bio
Share:

The diversification efforts made by beverage companies are increasingly far-reaching. Occasions rather than category loyalty now govern consumers’ choice of drink, so it is only logical that leading players are moving in the same direction.

Spurred on by stagnation in key developed markets, international brewers are prioritising expansion outside of beer through value-generating opportunities offered by spirits, RTDs and the non-alcoholic sector. At the same time, leading soft drinks producers are exploring opportunities in alcohol.

imager5bk.pngSource: Euromonitor International 

Diversification drives wave of activity

Involvement in a diverse range of products will help beverage companies to gain a more comprehensive understanding of consumers’ drinking behaviour. An initial learning period is required to reach this point. Gaps in expertise are being mainly addressed through acquisitions and partnerships.

A wave of significant cross-category corporate activity has taken place over the last year. Heineken’s acquisition of Distell – including wine and spirits brands – announced in late 2021, is an obvious example. Suntory and Boston Beer have formed a US partnership, with plans to extend Sauza tequila into RTDs and Truly hard seltzer into spirits. In early 2022, Monster announced its acquisition of US brewer CANarchy.

Category lines continue to blur

The lines separating different drinks have been eroding for some time. Evolving tastes are favouring products that cannot easily be slotted into rigidly-defined categories.

Within alcohol, the ongoing popularity of RTDs is attracting attention from all sides, bringing together brands spanning various categories. Non-alcoholic beer, spirits and wine are competing with adult soft drinks in the no/low sector, while there is considerable interest in alcoholic versions of tea and kombucha.

The beverage format’s longstanding association with functionality is opening the door to non-alcoholic brands advertising mood-enhancing benefits – relaxation or improved sociability. So far, it is predominately small, independent start-ups that are exploring this field. This is understandable, given the still emerging status of such products and major corporations’ requirements for regulatory clarity. Developments are undoubtedly being followed closely.

Expected disruption from cannabis drinks is also relevant here. Partnerships between cannabis companies and drinks producers have benefits on both sides; drinks need to expand their consumer appeal, while cannabis players are looking to move into beverages. Therefore, access to an established infrastructure can help to fast-track progress.

Branching out will become increasingly common

Of course, these patterns do not apply universally – there can be advantages in maintaining a narrow focus, as in the case of some high-end spirits players. Jumping into the unknown too readily also carries the risk of facing overinflated expectations based on short-term indicators. Due diligence and taking the time to understand the full context is essential.

Nevertheless, the resilience and versatility offered by a broad portfolio covering a range of categories and price points is rarely more apparent than in times of crisis, which has been recently brought into sharp focus. Cross-category ambitions are climbing the agenda. Diversification efforts will add to already intense competition in key premium segments, further boosting the appeal of broad expansion opportunities. Total beverage companies represent the future for the top tiers of the competitive drinks landscape.

For further insight, read our report Competitor Strategies in Alcoholic Drinks

Interested in more insights? Subscribe to our content

Shop Our Reports

Tea in Middle East and Africa

Tea has continued to record positive growth rates in volume terms in recent years, but has also seen declining sales in real value terms in Middle East and…

View Report

Juice in Asia Pacific

Health concerns are influencing the performances of the various juice products across Asia Pacific, with NFC 100% juice, for example, seeing dynamic growth in a…

View Report

Coffee in Asia Pacific

Per capita consumption of coffee in Asia Pacific is the lowest in the world, and is growing only slowly, as the dominant instant coffee category is mature.…

View Report
Passport Our premier global market research database with detailed data and analysis on industries, companies, economies and consumers. Track existing and future opportunities to support critical decision-making across all functions within your organisation Learn More