Peet's Coffee has expanded its portfolio with the launch of the Bright Collection, a new range of coffee blends. Available in two variants – Sun Catcher and Off the Grid – these blends offer vibrant, fruit-forward notes and a smooth texture. The Bright Collection offers a new coffee profile with a bright yet smooth taste. Peet's sourced and hand-roasted Sun Catcher and Off the Grid using beans from four regions: Brazil and Kenya for Sun Catcher, and Colombia and El Salvador for Off the Grid. Sun Catcher is a light roast blend that uses beans from Mount Kenya for vibrant citric notes, complemented by the "smooth nuttiness" Brazilian beans offer. It features flavours of strawberry jam, citrus and honeysuckle. Meanwhile, Off the Grid is a medium roast blend that uses beans from Colombia and El Salvador, offering fruit-forward notes and caramelised sweetness. It includes tastes of milk chocolate, almond butter and pear undertones. Jessica Buttimer, SVP of brand and DTC at Peet's Coffee, said: "We are thrilled to introduce the Bright Collection with a program unlike any we've done at Peet's. We're excited to make it possible for our customers to become Sun Catchers or go Off the Grid while relishing the exceptional taste of Peet's coffee." Bright Collection is available in 10.5oz bags or in K-cup format at Peet's coffee bars, grocery stores nationwide, on Amazon or at the brand's website. #Coffee #BrightCollection #US

Supreme, a diversified consumer goods supplier, has acquired the trade and assets of Clearly Drinks, a manufacturer of canned and bottled spring water and soft drinks, in a £15 million deal. The acquisition broadens Supreme's product portfolio, bringing the company's non-vape annualised sales to over £100 million – or £250 million including its vaping division. Clearly Drinks, based in Sunderland, UK, supplies approximately 70 customers nationwide, including major UK retailers such as Waitrose, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Farm Foods. The company's portfolio includes still and sparkling spring water, energy drinks, vitamin-infused beverages, juices, coffee-based drinks, and mixers and tonics under brands like Perfectly Clear, Northumbria Spring and Revolution Waves. Sandy Chadha, CEO of Supreme, said: "We're delighted to welcome the Clearly Drinks team to the Supreme family. Their high-quality products and strong brand align perfectly with our strategy to diversify and grow. We look forward to supporting the team and expanding their brand presence across the UK retail space." The acquisition provides Supreme with a well-established operational footprint, including a 150,000-square-foot freehold site with three natural spring water boreholes capable of accessing up to 300 million litres of fresh spring water. The facility also features a new fully automated can line capable of producing 350 million canned drinks per year. For the year ended 31 December 2023, Clearly Drinks reported (unaudited) revenue of £22.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of £3.0 million, with further growth anticipated for the year ending 31 December 2024. With the acquisition, Supreme sees opportunities to leverage its vertically integrated distribution platform and expand the Clearly Drinks brand across its established customer base of supermarkets, discounters, and online retailers. Supreme also plans to explore developing additional own-label products or licenses under well-recognised brands, replicating its success in the batteries and lighting categories. The acquisition will further support Supreme's efforts to expand its Sports Nutrition & Wellness division by facilitating the production of wellness and energy drinks. "The operational footprint of Clearly Drinks can benefit from Supreme's vertically integrated distribution platform, with the potential for the enlarged group to further develop sales, marketing and product innovation opportunities," the company said in a statement. The acquisition of Clearly Drinks follows Supreme's strategy to diversify its consumer goods portfolio beyond its core vaping business. The company's product range now spans batteries, lighting, sports nutrition, wellness and branded household goods.

Natural fruit-flavoured spring water brand, Perfectly Clear, has introduced Dino Water – a new range of sugar-free children’s drinks. Available in two flavours, Orange & Mango and Blackcurrant, the new beverages include multi-vitamins and were crafted to encourage children to get more vitamins into their diets. Offering a healthy, functional alternative to sugary drinks and fruit cordials, Dino Water is designed to encourage children aged 3-8 years old to drink more water. These beverages are produced by soft drinks manufacturer, Clearly Drinks, using locally sourced spring water, drawn directly from the two boreholes at the Clear Drinks site entrance and filtered through the limestone rock of the Northumbrian Cheviots. Mark Robinson, marketing manager for Clearly Drinks, said: “Every parent knows how difficult it can be to ensure their child is staying hydrated and consuming enough water. Children are often too busy exploring the world around them to stop and rehydrate. This is why we wanted to create our new Dino Water range for families. Dino Water is bursting with sugar-free flavour, has all the health benefits of water, plus extra multi-vitamins, and two eye-catching dinosaur characters on the bottles that will help motivate little ones to drink.” Robinson continued: “We are...very excited to launch this new Perfectly Clear product in time for the summer when children will need to stay hydrated more than ever". Dino Water will be available in 100% recyclable PET bottles, retailing at £2 per four-pack, and will be available in UK retailers from July. #PerfectlyClear #ClearlyDrinks #UK

Bubble tea beverage brand Chatime has appointed Carlos Antonius to the newly created role of global chief executive. In his new role, Antonius will oversee Chatime and its 1, 500 locations worldwide, aiming to drive the Chatime business to achieve its strategic plan, which includes operating 2,500 locations globally by 2027. Anotnius has served as the CEO of Chatime Australia since 2015, where he led the repositioning of the Chatime brand in Australia, enabling it to be the ‘largest’ brand in the category with 200 Australian locations. The new CEO has more than 30 years of experience across retail and franchise business sectors, both nationally and internationally. His previous roles include business development director of chicken restaurant Nando's and the same position at gelato brand Gelatissimo, where he led international development. New CEO Antonius said: "I'm honoured to have the opportunity to lead Chatime into the next phase of growth, and I look forward to executing our growth strategy and collaborating with the board, our leadership team and our partners to realise our brand's full potential". #Chatime

Primo Water Corporation has appointed Robbert Rietbroek as its chief executive officer and member of the board of directors, effective 1 January 2024. The appointment marks the end of an extensive CEO search following Tom Harrington’s decision to retire earlier this year. Rietbroek is currently the senior vice president and general manager for Quaker Foods North America, a division of PepsiCo. Additionally, he served as the CEO of PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand from 2015 to 2018. Jerry Fowden, chairman of Primo Water’s board, said: “The board’s search committee worked diligently and thoroughly throughout the CEO search process, and we are confident that Robbert is the right person to take Primo Water into its next stage of growth. Robbert has spent the last two decades developing a unique skillset that will enable him to excel in his new role as CEO of Primo Water.” He continued: “He is an outstanding leader with a commitment to excellence and a proven builder and leader of high-performance teams, and I look forward to watching Robbert lead the company in the years ahead. Robbert has a strong track record of execution, and the board looks forward to working with him to build on our momentum as well as to help guide Primo Water’s ongoing transformation into a leading pure-play water company in North America.” Rietbroek commented: “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead Primo Water and its talented team of associates into the future. As CEO, I look forward to meeting the needs of our customers and supporting our dedicated associates as we deliver on our strategic priorities, and drive both long-term growth and value creation for our shareowners.” “Water is the source of life, and I am eager to provide hydration solutions that help inspire healthier lives, healthier communities and a healthier planet.”

In recent years, we have witnessed remarkable growth in the water bottle industry, with reusable water bottles evolving from simple hydration tools to cultural phenomena. Valued at $4.18 billion as of last year and projected to surpass $6 billion by 2032, the market’s expansion is fuelled by a myriad of factors, from prioritising wellbeing to plastic pollution. As social media continues to lead the frenzy, trends on TikTok have bolstered this movement, where hashtags such as #WaterTok have gained cultural significance, amassing hundreds of millions of views. Lena Jüngst, co-founder and chief evangelist of German water bottle company Air Up, tells us more about the way consumers are embracing this cultural shift. Many people, including myself, are prioritising their wellbeing by staying hydrated, reflecting a growing commitment to personal health and environmental consciousness. Our recent research serves as a testament to this, with 41% of the nation considering their reusable water bottle their favourite accessory. Personally, I see this as a powerful statement about the importance of staying hydrated while also reducing plastic waste. The environmental impact of plastic pollution is vast, so it is clear to see why people are embracing the switch. Plastic pollution poses a great threat to both human and ecosystem health. In fact, the United Nations has declared that if we don’t take action, plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040. This alarming prediction has prompted many to change their habits. Our data revealed that almost a quarter of Brits throw away five to ten plastic bottles per week, with a further 11% not recycling the bottles they buy. We are setting new benchmarks in the industry, not just by selling a reusable water bottle but by revolutionising how consumers drink water. Air Up was founded in 2019 with the mission to bridge the gap between healthy choices and enjoyable experiences. I developed this idea in 2016 with my co-founder, Tim, in our university thesis, which explored retronasal olfaction. This research led to our first prototype, laying the foundation for our innovative approach to hydration. The beverage industry constantly sees new products, especially in the lucrative soft drinks sector dominated by sugary and artificially sweetened drinks. Until now, there hasn’t been a real alternative for those seeking a more interesting way to drink water. Proper hydration is essential for overall health, and the need for innovation in this sector has never been more evident. Traditional reusable water bottles, while beneficial, do not offer a flavoured drinking experience. This is where Air Up distinguishes itself. Our product uses scent-based technology, known as "Scentaste," to flavour water through scent alone, making it the 'world's first' refillable drinking system of its kind. This innovative blend of product design and science, grounded in German engineering, provides a refreshing alternative to conventional solutions. Since launching, Air Up has rapidly become a leader in the water bottle market, achieving remarkable success and growth across the world. We have reached a revenue run rate of €200 million, with a notable increase in the last 12 months alone. Operating in 14 countries, Air Up serves over 6 million customers globally, making a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and promoting healthier lifestyles. Our innovative products have helped save up to 130 million single-use plastic bottles and more than 2600 tonnes of sugar, solidifying our dedication to sustainability initiatives and the future of the water bottle market, ensuring a greener future for generations to come. #AirUp

Costa Coffee has introduced a new addition to its summer drinks line-up: Cookie Dough Frappe. The new frappe is offered in small and medium sizes, featuring a blend of creamy vanilla with rich cookie chunks throughout. It is topped with Costa's in-house vegan whipped cream Light Whip, cookie dough fudge pieces and chocolate sprinkles. Sandra Ferreira, beverage innovation director at Costa Coffee, commented: “Early bird gets the dough if you’re part of our Costa Club...members can get one week early, exclusive access to our brand new Cookie Dough Frappe. Made with real chunks of cookie dough blended into your Frappe, it’s the ultimate treat to enjoy this Summer.” #CostaCoffee #UK

William Watkins, founder and CEO of Radnor Hills, has been elected president of the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA). William Watkins took over from Paul Graham, GB managing director at Britvic. During his tenure, Graham led the BSDA's involvement as a founder-member of Circularity Scotland, a scheme administrator for Scotland’s since-delayed deposit return scheme (DRS). Watkins, who has been vice president of the BDSA since 2020, is kicking off his tenure as president by calling on the Welsh government "to help unlock the way for an interoperable DRS to support recycling," said BSDA. Pete Charles, managing director at Red Bull, has been elected as the new vice president of the BSDA, succeeding William. He commented: “I am delighted to be elected as the new president of this important organisation. It is such a crucial time for the industry as we head towards setting up a DRS, along with retailers and alcohol producers, to deliver a realistic and practical system to return and recycle our containers in a more sustainable way." “I aim to continue the fine work of Paul and past BSDA presidents by making further progress on a wide range of issues affecting and involving soft drinks, particularly those related to reducing litter and increasing recycling." #RadnorHills #BSDA

Reborn Coffee, a US-based speciality coffee retailer, has unveiled plans to launch its first flagship store in Guangzhou, China. Following the finalisation of a master franchise agreement in Guangdong Province, the company is set to open a flagship store – which will feature a roasting and training facility – in the Li Weiguang Art Museum. The store is situated on the first floor of the Li Weiguang Art Museum in Shamian Island, strategically positioned to attract high foot traffic and benefit from the area's rich cultural environment. According to the company, this location is seen as ideal for introducing Reborn Coffee's offerings to China's coffee enthusiasts. The company aims to establish more than 70 new locations in established and emerging Tier 1 cities such as Chengdu, Hangzhou and Wuhan. Additionally, there are plans for significant growth in Tier 2 and 3 cities, which offer substantial market opportunities due to growing middle-class populations and increasing consumer spending. Reborn Coffee plans to convert the second, third and fourth floors of the museum into a design centre and barista training facility with "a first-class" roasting facility. Jay Kim, CEO of Reborn Coffee, said: "Reborn Coffee is aggressively expanding in China. Building on the success of our flagship store, we plan to open over 70 locations across Guangdong Province. Our aim is to not only expand our presence but also become an integral part of the local community, enriching the coffee culture and boosting our global presence. We are committed to a long-term vision that aligns with our strategic goals and investor expectations. “Furthermore, our expansion goes beyond China. Reborn Coffee's plans include broader international expansion, starting with additional Asian markets. We are establishing master franchise agreements in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, chosen for their vibrant coffee cultures and rapid market growth. These new markets will not only increase our global presence but also cater to the growing demand for premium coffee experiences in Asia, strengthening our international brand presence." #RebornCoffee #China

Death Wish Coffee has introduced 'Ice Breaker,' a new blend crafted for iced coffee. Available only this summer, the roast is brewed hot and served cold, ensuring the full flavour of the brand's Fair Trade and Organic beans remains undiluted. This limited-edition blend marks the company's first product specifically designed for iced coffee. According to Death Wish Coffee, Ice Breaker is a medium roast blend "distinct from the brand's other roast". Made with Peruvian and Guatemalan Arabica and Indian Cherry Robusta beans, it offers a smooth, subtly sweet taste with moderate brightness when cold. Tom Ennis, president and CEO at Death Wish Coffee, said: "At Death Wish Coffee, we're on a mission to offer a rich, premium at-home coffee experience, no matter the temperature. Our commitment to continuous innovation has resulted in the ultimate blend for iced coffee lovers. As cold coffee sales continue to boom, consumers deserve a smooth, never bitter – and most importantly, never watered down – coffee experience." Ice Breaker is currently available via the brand's website and in Meijer and Sprouts Farmers Market stores. #DeathWishCoffee #IceBreaker #US

Nestlé-owned brands Nescafé, Aero Peppermint and Quality Street Green Triangle have teamed up to introduce new limited-edition frothy coffees. The Nescafé Aero Peppermint Mocha and Nescafé Quality Street Green Triangle Mocha will join the popular Aero Golden Honeycomb Mocha in Nescafé's collaborative range expansion. Both coffees feature fresh milk, drinking chocolate and either peppermint or hazelnut flavours. Compliant with HFSS regulations, the drinks contain 78 calories per mug, are low in fat, suitable for vegetarians and free from artificial flavours. The mochas are packaged in convenient sachets for quick preparation with hot water. Ingrid Hayes, marketing director of Nescafé Soluble Coffee at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: "We are thrilled to be collaborating with two of our iconic Nestlé chocolate brands. These coffees combine the beloved flavours of Nescafé with the classic taste of Aero Peppermint and Quality Street Green Triangle. We are excited to bring these indulgent and unique experiences to coffee lovers.” The Nescafé Aero Peppermint Mocha and Nescafé Quality Street Green Triangle Mocha will be available in stores from 19 June. #Nescafé #Aero #QualityStreet #UK

GrubMarket acquired Parsemony, a US provider of enterprise software services for fresh produce distributors, wholesalers, repackers and foodservice suppliers. The acquisition enhances GrubMarket's software services and broadens its software portfolio, including WholesaleWare and GrubAssist. Founded by Carl Mahon in the late 1980s as Vintrex, the company gained renown for its software product, Profitsense. In 2017, its current owner, Colin Hare, rebranded the company as Parsemony. Parsemony offers a range of key solutions, including a cloud-based POS system accessible via handheld devices, facilitating efficient inventory and order management for food wholesale distributors within their warehouses. Its custom software engineering services concentrate on enhancing core ERP capabilities, such as developing user-friendly online ordering interfaces and seamless integrations with third-party accounting systems like QuickBooks. Additionally, Parsemony provides extensive IT services covering network infrastructure setup, administration, technical support, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data migration, hardware maintenance, compliance consulting, and other specialised services tailored to the requirements of food supply chain enterprises. Parsemony's software offerings will join GrubMarket's portfolio of software solutions, which includes WholesaleWare, an AI-powered ERP software for food industry wholesalers and distributors with features like financial management, sales support, online ordering, inventory management, lot traceability, grower accounting and automated logistics; GrubAssist, an AI assistant providing deep insights and automated order processing for the food supply chain; and Orders IO, a custom branded mobile e-commerce solution. Following the acquisition, Parsemony will remain under its current leadership team. Customers of Parsemony will gain access to enhanced software and enterprise AI capabilities through GrubMarket's WholesaleWare, GrubAssist (including AI Orders), Orders IO and GrubPay products. Hare said: "Parsemony is excited to join GrubMarket, which shares our passion for utilising technology to maximise value for the food supply chain industry, which is still predominantly comprised of "old school" businesses that have yet to tap into the potential of what technology has to offer. Furthermore, the produce industry is all about the people, and GrubMarket's team has some of the most genuine, hardworking people in the business. We can't wait to help further GrubMarket's mission to be the most impactful digital transformer for the entire food industry." Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket, added: "The acquisition of Parsemony solidifies GrubMarket's position as the market-leading technology enabler for America's food supply chain industry. Parsemony has a sterling reputation amongst the fresh produce industry's software and technology ecosystem and also nicely complements GrubMarket's existing software products, including WholesaleWare, GrubAssist, and AI Orders." "We're also thrilled to bring Colin's considerable expertise to GrubMarket, to support the continued evolution and growth of our best-in-class AI-powered software and e-commerce offerings for our customers. Colin understands what produce wholesalers need and how to speak their language, and he has a lot of experience working on multi-million-dollar contracts with some of the country's largest food retailers and organisations. Together, GrubMarket and Parsemony will deliver tremendous value to our customers as we support their transitions into a new digital era." #GrubMarket #Parsemony #US