Sun Cruiser has entered into the non-carbonated vodka tea segment with the launch of a new ready-to-drink (RTD) product, White Tea + Vodka. The product combines vodka with white tea and is positioned as a low-calorie option, containing 100 calories and 1g of sugar per serving. The drinks are non-carbonated. The variety pack includes four flavours: berry hibiscus, blackberry, peach and passionfruit. Erica Taylor, senior brand director for Sun Cruiser, said: “Vodka iced teas continue to be a go-to for drinkers, but white tea is still largely unexplored within the RTD space". "White tea and fruit make for a super crushable flavour combo, and with fans already loving Sun Cruiser’s line-up of vodka iced teas and lemonades, this felt like the perfect time to build on that and offer something new." Sun Cruiser said the new line is intended to expand its presence in the RTD spirits category. The new range is rolling out in select US markets, including Ohio, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida and Rhode Island. It is available as an eight-pack variety format.

Starbucks has completed its previously announced joint venture with Boyu Capital , advancing its long-term growth strategy in China. The deal, first outlined in November 2025, sees funds managed by Boyu Capital acquire a 60% stake in Starbucks’ China retail operations. Starbucks retains a 40% interest and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property to the joint venture. The new entity will oversee around 8,000 company-operated stores, which will transition to a licensed operating model. The partners have set a long-term ambition to expand the network to up to 20,000 locations. Brian Niccol, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, said: “China remains one of the most exciting long-term opportunities for Starbucks, and finalising this partnership with Boyu accelerates our ability to grow with intention and discipline". "By combining Starbucks trusted global brand with Boyu’s deep local expertise, we are positioning the business to serve more customers, enter more cities and strengthen our leadership in a dynamic and evolving market.” Molly Liu, CEO of Starbucks China, said the joint venture would support greater localisation, including tailored beverages, food and digital engagement. Meanwhile, Brady Brewer, CEO of Starbucks International, added that the model is designed to accelerate expansion and improve efficiency. With the transaction now closed, the joint venture will move into its operational phase, focusing on expansion and innovation across the market.

Keurig Dr Pepper has acquired a 96.22% stake in JDE Peet’s, marking a transformative step in its strategy to build a scaled, global coffee platform while preparing to split its business into two standalone public companies . The deal brings together KDP’s Keurig system and JDE Peet’s extensive international coffee portfolio, creating a combined platform with significant reach across formats, channels and price tiers. The companies said integration efforts are already underway, focusing on operational alignment, cost synergies and leadership structure. Following an interim integration period, KDP plans to separate into a North America-focused beverage company, known as Beverage Co, and a global coffee-focused entity, Global Coffee Co. The coffee business will combine JDE Peet’s brands, such as L'or, Peet’s and Jacobs, with KDP’s single-serve coffee ecosystem, positioning the new entity as a “global coffee powerhouse.” The separation is expected to be completed via a tax-free spin-off, with operational readiness targeted by the end of 2026, subject to market conditions and financial milestones. Rafael Oliveira KDP has also appointed Rafael Oliveira as CEO of its coffee operating unit and future CEO of Global Coffee Co. Oliveira, who has led JDE Peet’s since November 2024 , will join KDP’s executive leadership team during the transition. KDP board chair Pam Patsley said: " Our acquisition of JDE Peet’s marks a defining step in our value creation strategy, and Rafael is the right choice to lead the combined coffee business and launch Global Coffee Co." The acquisition underscores continued consolidation in the global coffee category, where scale, brand equity and multi-channel distribution are increasingly critical. By combining KDP’s North American strength with JDE Peet’s international footprint, the new coffee entity is expected to compete more directly with major global players across retail, out-of-home and e-commerce channels. Patsley continued: “Our board conducted a robust and rigorous process that considered a range of internal and external candidates, and we are confident Rafael will be an exceptional leader for this new company". "With proven leadership across complex global markets and a commitment to driving financial results, he has set a course for growth at JDE Peet’s. With a singular focus on coffee, the newly integrated coffee business will be poised to create value and growth opportunities for employees, partners, customers and shareholders.” Current KDP CEO Tim Cofer is set to lead the future Beverage Co post-separation. Cofer said: “With this complementary combination, we are uniting outstanding talent, systems and brand portfolios under a shared vision for global leadership in coffee." Oliviera added: “This is an incredible opportunity to create the future of coffee.   Global   Coffee Co will aim to be the best coffee company in the world by combining global reach with local expertise to operate across all formats, segments, channels and price points." At the same time, the planned split reflects diverging growth dynamics between beverages and coffee. KDP is effectively creating two focused businesses, one centred on North American refreshment beverages and another dedicated to global coffee growth. With KDP now holding more than 95% of JDE Peet’s shares, the company will proceed with delisting from Euronext Amsterdam. The final trading day is scheduled for Wednesday 29 April 2026, with delisting expected on Thursday 30 April.

Volvic is launching a new functional water range, Volvic Vitamin+, marking its entry into the functional hydration segment in the UK and Ireland. The range, which will roll out from Monday 6 April, combines the brand’s natural mineral water with added magnesium and vitamins B and C. The formulation is positioned to help reduce tiredness and fatigue and support normal energy-yielding metabolism. Volvic Vitamin+ will be available in 75cl PET bottles, targeting meal deal and on-the-go occasions. The company cited rising demand for healthier food-to-go options, with 69% of consumers seeking healthier meal deals and overall food-to-go consumption projected to grow at a 5% CAGR over the next five years. The range includes two variants: Recharge Raspberry, which contains magnesium and vitamins B5, B6 and C, and Active Peach, which contains magnesium and vitamins B5, B7 and C. Victoria Pham, head of category and commercial strategy of UK&I – beverages at Danone, said: “Consumers are changing the way they think about what they drink. With 67% of UK soft drink consumers preferring a drink with health benefits over taking a supplement offering equivalent benefits, it’s clear that people are looking for convenient, everyday ways to support their health and wellbeing." "Answering that need, Volvic Vitamin+ offers great-tasting, naturally filtered mineral water enriched with magnesium and essential B and C vitamins, helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue, and support normal energy-yielding metabolism. “Backed by two years of strong performance in Europe and clear consumer demand here in the UK, we’re excited to scale into functional hydration. The move reflects our confidence in the category’s future, with strong growth expected in the year ahead.” According to the company, the product has driven category penetration in Germany over the past two years. Consumer testing also indicated strong purchase intent and brand alignment. Volvic Vitamin+ will be available at major UK retailers with an RRP of £2.20 and will be included in meal deal promotions. In Ireland, it will retail at €2.80.

J2O is extending its portfolio with the launch of a new sparkling range, available in Apple & Raspberry and Apple & Mango flavours. The new line is packaged in 330ml cans and targets demand for alcohol-free soft drinks suited to social and on-the-go occasions, particularly among younger consumers. The launch builds on J2O’s positioning as a social soft drink brand, with the sparkling format offering a carbonated alternative to its existing still range. The rollout includes both single cans and multipacks, aimed at covering different purchase occasions, from impulse buys to larger shops. Alongside the new range, J2O’s core Orange & Passion Fruit still variant will also be introduced in a 330ml can format. Carly Sims, socialising brand director at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “With J2O Sparkling, we’ve taken what consumers already know and love about J2O’s unique taste and given it a fresh, sparkling twist, creating a premium option that feels right for everyday get-togethers, relaxing evenings at home or special moments worth celebrating." “By launching across both single cans and multipacks, we’re helping retailers tap into different shopping missions – from impulse top-ups to bigger planned shops – while encouraging shoppers to trade up for social occasions. The new 330ml single can also gives retailers an easy way to meet demand for softer, low-tempo occasions, whether that’s enjoying a drink with a meal or picking up something a bit more special as part of a meal deal." The products will be available from March across grocery, convenience and wholesale channels, with a recommended retail price of £1.75 for single cans. J2O will also expand distribution of its 10x250ml multipack, featuring Orange & Passion Fruit and Apple & Raspberry still flavours.

The Coca-Cola system in South Africa, comprising The Coca-Cola Company and its authorised bottlers Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, plans to invest ZAR 17.6 billion (approx. $1 billion) in the country by 2030. The investment will be directed towards expanding production capacity, strengthening distribution and supporting innovation across the company’s value chain. According to a socio-economic impact study by Steward Redqueen, the Coca-Cola system contributed ZAR 51.2 billion (approx. $3 billion) in value-added economic activity in South Africa in 2024. The system supported more than 87,000 jobs across its value chain, including 7,822 direct roles and approximately 79,300 jobs through suppliers, partners and customers. The study indicates that each direct job supports around ten additional jobs in the wider economy. Local procurement reached ZAR 25.6 billion (approx. $1.52 billion) in 2024, spanning sectors such as sugar production, packaging, transport and marketing. Sunil Gupta, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, said: “South Africa remains one of our most strategic markets in Africa – the beginning of a legacy that dates back to Coca-Cola’s first entry on the continent in 1928. These findings reaffirm the Coca-Cola system’s role as a key driver of shared value and sustainable growth within the South African economy." The study assessed direct, indirect and induced impacts using company data and external economic sources, outlining the contribution of Coca-Cola’s operations from agriculture through to retail. South Africa is also included in the company’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, a nearly $25 million programme running to 2030 aimed at addressing water-related challenges across 20 countries. The investment follows an agreement by Coca-Cola HBC to acquire a majority stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa .

Monin has introduced a new Matcha Green Tea concentrate, targeting continued growth in the global matcha category. The product is made using Japanese matcha powder and is designed to simplify preparation for operators, with drinks ready in under 20 seconds. Baristas can prepare matcha beverages by combining the concentrate with milk, removing the need for traditional whisking methods. The format supports a range of applications, including hot and iced drinks, as well as cocktails. The launch comes as matcha continues to gain traction across foodservice. According to Monin, 62% of premium coffee shop menus in the US and Europe now include a matcha-based option, with the category expected to grow at a rate of 8.7% annually through to 2030. The company said the new concentrate builds on previous launches in the UK, where limited-edition matcha products sold a combined 141,000 bottles within four months. Jamie Carey, senior marketing manager at Monin UK & Ireland, said demand for matcha remains strong, particularly for drinks that combine visual appeal, perceived health benefits and versatility.

Constellation Brands has agreed to acquire the remaining stake in non-alcoholic beverage brand HopWr for an undisclosed sum. HopWtr, which produces hop-infused sparkling waters formulated with adaptogens and nootropics, has been part of Constellation’s venture portfolio since 2021. The move comes as demand for non-alcoholic alternatives continues to rise, with the beer-adjacent segment recording 22% dollar sales growth in 2025. Constellation said the acquisition supports its strategy to align with shifting consumer preferences and expand its presence in premium, better-for-you beverage categories. Jordan Bass, founder and CEO of HopWtr, said: “My team and I look forward to taking this next step with Constellation and benefitting further from the company’s deep industry expertise and commitment to driving premium, consumer-driven brands. I’m confident this will help us keep the momentum going and am excited to work together on the next phase of growth.” The US beverage alcohol company said the deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to complete in early April 2026. Top image: © HopWtr

De Jong Duke has introduced Lina, a new professional coffee machine aimed at workplaces, hospitality settings and public environments. The model features a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen designed to support quick drink selection and simplified navigation, alongside a service interface intended to streamline set-up and maintenance for operators and technicians. Lina incorporates recycled materials across several components, including the door frame, back plate, drip tray and cup stand. The company said the machine achieves more than 95% recyclability. A medium-capacity version is scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2026, targeting higher-volume locations. The launch marks the first product in de Jong Duke's next-generation portfolio. The company plans to introduce additional systems later this year, including the Nio Next, a high-capacity machine designed for larger-scale operations, and a Fresh Milk Solution featuring temperature control and valve technology for milk foaming. Lina can also be connected to de Jong Duke's ConnectMe platform, enabling remote monitoring of machine performance, usage data and maintenance requirements. The machine will be available to order from Tuesday, 31 March 2026. Top image: © De Jong Duke

Nestlé’s planned sale of a stake in its water division has moved into the next phase, with several private equity firms advancing in the bidding process, according to a report by the Financial Times , citing sources familiar with the matter. The report states that Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), KKR and PAI Partners have progressed to the next round of bids for a potential 50% stake in Nestlé’s water business. The deal could value the unit at around €5 billion. Platinum Equity is also said to have expressed interest. The unit includes premium bottled water brands such as Perrier, San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, and forms part of Nestlé’s ongoing efforts to reshape its portfolio. This announcement comes against the backdrop of broader changes at the Swiss group. Under CEO Philipp Navratil, who was appointed following the dismissal of Laurent Freixe , Nestlé has been reassessing its portfolio and exploring divestments to focus on higher-growth areas. As part of this strategy, the company has been reviewing underperforming or non-core assets. It has previously explored disposals through private equity partnerships, including the sale of its remaining ice cream interests to Froneri , its joint venture with PAI Partners. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Nestlé was moving forward with plans to sell a stake in its bottled water division , with buyout firms including PAI Partners, Blackstone, KKR, Bain Capital and CD&R having expressed interest.

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) has launched a two-year pilot project to test new biodiversity guidelines across natural mineral and spring water sites in Europe. The initiative, titled Sources for Nature, will run from 2026 to 2028 and bring together volunteer companies and industry associations to apply a common framework at catchment level. The aim is to strengthen ecosystem protection and restoration around water sources, while generating practical insights for wider industry adoption. The project builds on biodiversity recommendations published in May 2025 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in collaboration with NMWE and sector experts. The guidance sets out a structured approach for managing biodiversity in and around natural mineral water catchments, with a focus on preserving habitats, supporting species and maintaining healthy water cycles. At site level, the framework follows a four-step process: establishing a biodiversity baseline, setting targets, selecting indicators to measure progress and implementing and adapting actions over time. Participating sites will pilot this approach under real operating conditions and share findings to help refine future guidance. The pilot will also document operational challenges, solutions and enabling factors linked to biodiversity action, including habitat restoration, ecological connectivity and species monitoring. NMWE said the evidence gathered will help identify gaps in the framework and support broader uptake of biodiversity practices across the sector. Adam Gono, deputy secretary general of NMWE, said: “The publication of the IUCN Recommendations was a major milestone for our sector; this pilot is about putting them into practice. By testing the framework across diverse hydrological, ecological and business contexts, we want to build a robust business case for biodiversity and support more systemic nature protection in natural mineral water catchments.” Top image: © Natural Mineral Waters Europe

US-based unattended retail technology provider 365 Retail Markets has introduced a new payment capability, VisionLink, for its Vision Smart Stores, designed to consolidate transactions across multiple units into a single purchase. The feature applies to the company’s modular store format, which combines units such as the PicoCooler Vision, PicoAmbient Vision and PicoFreezer Vision. With VisionLink enabled, shoppers can access multiple compartments within a store using one payment authorisation, receiving a single receipt at the end of the transaction. The system works by holding an initial pre-authorisation and applying it across all connected units. Customers can move between chilled, frozen and ambient sections without triggering separate charges for each door opened, with all selected items grouped into one final transaction. VisionLink also supports multiple users shopping at the same time. Each shopper completes an initial authorisation and can unlock additional units by re-presenting their payment method, with the system tracking items individually and assigning them to the correct basket. According to the company, the update builds on the modular capabilities of its Vision Smart Stores and is intended to streamline the shopping process while maintaining secure access control. Boris Amegadjie, chief product officer at 365 Retail Markets, said: “"Our Vision Smart Stores are designed to eliminate friction while giving operators the flexibility to choose configurations that fit each unique environment. VisionLink takes the next step, uniting smart security with seamless controlled access for an enhanced, simplified shopping experience – driving higher sales and greater customer satisfaction."