German chocolate brand Ritter Sport is expanding its presence in the US this fall with a nationwide Target launch, new large-format DUO bars and a trio of caramel-focused seasonal products. Beginning this month, Ritter Sport’s 7.7-ounce DUOs bars will roll out to 900 Target stores nationwide, bringing the brand’s larger-format chocolate offering to a major US mass retailer. The range includes Sweet & Salty DUO and the new Cookie DUO. Sweet & Salty DUO combines caramel cream and salty butter biscuit pieces with chocolate brownie, while Cookie DUO pairs chocolate cream with crunchy cookie pieces on one side and vanilla cream with cocoa and vanilla biscuit pieces on the other. Both combinations are covered in milk chocolate. The Target expansion comes alongside three new seasonal caramel products designed for fall. Mixed Caramel Minis features three varieties, Caramel Pretzel, Caramel Popcorn and Double Caramel Crunch, in a stand-up seasonal bag. Caramel Choco Cubes, meanwhile, offer bite-sized milk chocolate with two layers of caramel. The launches build on the popularity of Ritter Sport’s Salted Caramel offering in the US, with the brand leaning into the combination of caramel and salt across its latest seasonal range. Chris Avery, vice president of sales for Ritter Sport USA, said: “Ritter Sport’s premium German chocolate starts with high-quality ingredients, but it comes to life through exciting flavour combinations and formats that keep consumers eager to discover what’s next from the brand. From our new DUO bars to the fall caramel innovations, we’re continuing to bring fresh chocolate experiences to the category that align with the season, while staying true to the commitment to quality, variety and innovation that we are known for.” The DUO bars will be available at Target and World Market, with suggested retail prices starting at $9.75. The Salted Caramel and Mixed Caramel Minis Fall Stand-Up Bags, along with the Caramel Choco Cubes Fall Stand-Up Bags, will be sold through retailers including Publix, CVS, Kroger, The Fresh Market, Raley’s, Hy-Vee and Woodman’s, with prices starting at $6.89. Ritter Sport USA vice president of marketing Sara Famulari said: “At Ritter Sport, we see chocolate as a companion for both everyday moments and special occasions. From our seasonal innovations to our everyday portfolio, we’re committed to making high-quality chocolate that fits naturally into the moments consumers enjoy most.” Founded in 1912, family-owned Alfred Ritter is headquartered in Waldenbuch, Germany, and operates a second production facility in Breitenbrunn, Austria, alongside subsidiaries in international markets. The company employs approximately 1,900 people and reported sales of €605 million in 2024. Its Ritter Sport and Amicelli brands are sold in more than 100 countries.

According to Reuters, Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japan business in a deal that could value the operation at around $3 billion, as the coffee giant reviews its international portfolio under CEO Brian Niccol. The company has sought proposals from several financial advisers on strategic options for the operation, sources speaking to reporters said, although the size of any potential stake sale has yet to be determined. The eventual valuation would also be subject to negotiations. Starbucks Japan could be valued at approximately $3 billion. A formal sale process could begin as early as the fourth quarter, with the business expected to attract interest from both global and Japanese private equity firms, one of the sources said. Japan is Starbucks' largest overseas company-operated market, with 1,883 stores as of September 2025. The network represents almost 9% of Starbucks' global store footprint. The business has expanded substantially since Starbucks acquired full ownership in 2014. The company paid approximately $914 million to buy out its long-time Japanese partner, Sazaby League, at a valuation of around $1.5 billion. At the time of the acquisition, Starbucks Japan operated approximately 1,050 stores. Its network has since grown to nearly 1,900 locations. The potential Japan transaction comes as Starbucks undertakes a broader restructuring of its business under CEO Brian Niccol. Last year, the company agreed to sell control of its China operations to Boyu Capital in a transaction valuing the business at approximately $4 billion. The deal closed in April. Starbucks said the overall value of its China business, including proceeds from the transaction, the value of its retained stake and anticipated licensing income over at least the following decade, would exceed $13 billion. It remains unclear whether a potential Japan transaction would use a similar structure.

Clipper Teas, the organic and Fairtrade tea brand owned by Ecotone UK, has launched a new range of pyramid-shaped tea bags targeting the foodservice and health food channels. The new format uses larger-cut tea ingredients and a three-dimensional pyramid shape, designed to give the leaves more space to move and expand during brewing. According to Clipper, the format is intended to deliver a stronger flavour, aroma and colour, resulting in a fuller-bodied cup of tea. The range is available in 20 bag packs across seven of Clipper’s flavours, including English Breakfast, Decaf, Earl Grey, Green Peppermint & Spearmint, Lemon & Ginger and Rooibos. The tea bags are made from natural PLA derived from non-GMO sugar cane, aligning with the brand’s focus on organic and ethical production. They are designed to be composted through food waste, while the outer packaging is fully recyclable. Tom Utterly, head of impulse and Ireland at Ecotone UK, said the company had been developing the format for some time, with the aim of combining premium tea quality with sustainability credentials. The new range is aimed at foodservice operators including cafes, restaurants and hotels, while the health food channel is intended to provide consumers with a premium tea for at-home consumption. Clipper teas are sourced from organic and Fairtrade estates, with the products blended and packed at its factory in Beaminster, Dorset. The site produces more than one billion tea bags annually for markets in more than 50 countries. Clipper states that all of its tea bags are unbleached, non-GMO and fully biodegradable. Its Dorset factory uses renewable energy sources and recycles 98% of its waste.

The Coca-Cola Company has committed to investing $10 billion into its US infrastructure from 2026 through 2030, including new or expanded production, distribution and office facilities. Projects have already been announced in several communities including Rancho Cucamonga, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Indianapolis, Indiana; Birmingham, Alabama; Coopersville, Michigan; St. Cloud, Minnesota; Orlando, Florida; and Webster, New York. The commitment comes alongside an independent study commissioned by the company to measure the Coca-Cola system’s contribution in 2025 – including its network of 61 bottling partners – to the American economy and local communities. Key findings showed that Coca-Cola contributed $85 billion to the US gross domestic product or approximately $10 million in US economy activity every hour. It also found the company supported nearly 1 million jobs across the country, including direct jobs within the Coca-Cola system and indirect jobs with retail, foodservice and other goods and services partners. The company spends approximately $37 billion with American suppliers and contributes $177 million in community programmes in the US together with the Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, according to the study. John Murphy, president and chief financial officer at The Coca-Cola Company, said: “This assessment reinforces what we see every day: the Coca-Cola system is deeply rooted in America and continues to deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve”. He added: “Through a strong production network, local jobs, supplier partnerships and community investments, we are building on more than a century of impact while reinforcing the resilience of our system and communities across America”.

Emmi Caffé Latte has added a Vanilla variant to its ready-to-drink coffee portfolio, targeting consumers seeking more indulgent flavour options in the chilled coffee category. The 230ml Emmi Caffé Latte Vanilla combines 100% Arabica coffee with fresh Swiss milk and a vanilla flavour made using 100% natural ingredients. The new product launches exclusively in Iceland from 14 September 2026, with an RRP of £2.00, and will sit alongside the existing Emmi Caffé Latte range in the chilled beverages fixture. The launch comes as the ready-to-drink coffee market continues to broaden beyond traditional coffee profiles, with flavour-led products offering brands an opportunity to tap into demand for more varied and café-inspired experiences. Vanilla, one of the most established flavour profiles across food and beverage, provides Emmi with a familiar but more indulgent proposition while retaining the premium positioning associated with the Caffé Latte brand. Georgia Lightbody, senior brand manager at Emmi Caffé Latte, said: “Consumers are increasingly looking for variety and excitement within ready-to-drink coffee, but they still want the quality and great taste that they associate with the café experience." According to Emmi, Vanilla follows the introduction of its Zero and High Protein variants as part of an ongoing innovation strategy designed to respond to changing consumer preferences. The company said the new flavour also provides retailers with an opportunity to introduce additional choice to the chilled coffee fixture and attract shoppers seeking premium flavour experiences. Lightbody added: “Vanilla felt like a natural addition to the Emmi Caffé Latte range. It’s a flavour with enduring appeal that pairs beautifully with coffee, while giving consumers something a little more indulgent to enjoy as part of their everyday routine.” Emmi Caffé Latte Vanilla is available in a 230ml format and launches exclusively in Iceland, priced at £2.00 RRP.

With a market value fast approaching $500 billion, business leaders will be looking to build future growth at the 23rd annual Global Water Drinks Congress on 3-5 November in Barcelona. Speakers already confirmed include world leaders Coca-Cola, Danone and Niagara, along with others from Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Europe and the Middle East. Adopting the theme of 'Making Waves,' new market insights will be presented by Circana and Europanel. Industry issues and opportunities will be addressed by Natural Mineral Waters Europe and the International Bottled Water Association. There will also be sessions on brand and product innovation, with a particular focus on the US market. Another highlight will be the Global Water Drinks Awards, which will be announced at a gala dinner on 4 November. "There is no doubt that good hydration is a great health benefit," commented Richard Hall, chair of event organiser FoodBev Media. “Calorie-free purity and convenience have been major drivers and the market is now branching out beyond sparkling and flavour into added value wellness and functionality. The key is to navigate society and climate change sustainably.” The Congress is sponsored by top suppliers Cielle Imballaggi, Sacmi and AF Compressors. It will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Barcelona. For full programme details and to register, visit www.foodbevevents.com/event/global-water-drinks-congress-2026. Discounted booking rates are available until 18 September.Entries to the Global Water Drinks Awards 2026 close 20 September at www.foodbevawards.com/global-water-drinks-awards.

Starbucks and Suntory Beverage & Food are set to introduce Japan’s first vending machines dedicated exclusively to Starbucks beverages, with a nationwide rollout beginning in mid-September 2026. The initiative, announced by Starbucks Corporation and Suntory Beverage & Food Limited, is designed to broaden access to Starbucks ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beyond traditional café locations and give consumers more opportunities to purchase Starbucks beverages on the go. The Starbucks-only machines will be rolled out sequentially across Japan and will feature four RTD products. The line-up includes a new bottled canned coffee, a relaunched vending-machine-exclusive caramel macchiato, and two established products from Starbucks’ RTD portfolio. The machines will also be installed alongside Suntory vending machines nationwide as part of the broader rollout. The first product is Starbucks Coffee Signatures Black, launching on 15 September. According to the companies, the beverage is the only Starbucks RTD product in Japan to use Espresso Roast Beans. It is positioned around a rich aroma, deep body and lingering savoury finish. Also coming on 15 September is Starbucks My Retreat Caramel Macchiato, a vending-machine-exclusive product. The beverage combines Starbucks coffee with caramel and milk, with a redesigned package featuring the Starbucks green logo and a caramel-inspired pattern. Soft gradient colours are intended to convey a smooth and indulgent drinking experience. The line-up is completed by Starbucks My Coffee Time Black and Starbucks My Coffee Time Caffè Latte, both of which launched in November 2025. My Coffee Time Black uses selected Arabica beans and is positioned as a less bitter, less astringent black coffee for consumers seeking a convenient break during the day. My Coffee Time Caffè Latte combines Starbucks’ dark-roast coffee profile with milk to create what the company describes as a rich and creamy latte. The dedicated vending machines are designed to extend the Starbucks brand into additional consumption occasions, particularly where consumers may not have immediate access to a Starbucks café. Visually, the machines use Starbucks’ signature green alongside sophisticated black tones, with the Siren logo prominently displayed on the side. The front carries the message “Starbucks anytime, anywhere” and features imagery of consumers enjoying the beverages. The companies say the Starbucks-exclusive machines will be introduced sequentially nationwide from mid-September 2026, while the four beverages will also be available through Suntory vending machines across Japan.

Jimmy’s is expanding its limited-edition range with a new Choc Fudge Sundae Iced Coffee, as the brand looks to build on growing consumer interest in indulgent, dessert-inspired drinks. The new flavour combines Jimmy’s Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee with chocolate and fudge notes, offering a more treat-led take on the iced coffee format. Jimmy’s says its limited-edition strategy has generated £1.5m in value for the brand since its launch in September 2024. Its current Cookie Butter limited edition has also continued to perform strongly, with the 250ml format 17% ahead of the previous Caramel Waffle limited edition. The latest launch reflects the continued influence of coffee shop culture on the wider drinks market, with dessert-inspired flavours increasingly being used to add indulgence and novelty to established formats. Russell Goldman, managing director, breakthrough brands, Carlsberg Britvic, said limited editions were allowing Jimmy’s to “have some fun with flavour” while giving shoppers new products to discover. “Shoppers increasingly expect more choice and excitement from their drinks, with the coffee shop trend for indulgent, dessert-inspired serves helping to shape expectations around flavour,” he said. “For retailers, launches like this can help create renewed interest in the category, encourage trial and give shoppers more reasons to pick up iced coffee across different occasions throughout the day.” Choc Fudge Sundae Iced Coffee will roll out from September across Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. It will be available in a 250ml SlimCan format with an MRSP of £1.70 and a 380ml BottleCan format priced at £2.75.

Spanish vending operator Eboca and Italian company Cattelan Distributori Automatici (CDA) have formalised a partnership to design to promote knowledge-sharing, innovation and collaboration across the vending industry. The two companies, which operate vending machines offering coffee and other hot drinks, cold beverages, snacks and food, established their Cultural and Entrepreneurial Twinning during a two-day meeting in Italy at the beginning of September. The relationship began in July, when representatives from CDA visited Eboca’s facilities in Spain. The visit provided an opportunity for the Italian team to learn more about Eboca’s culture and approach to vending machines. Eboca subsequently travelled to Italy to formally establish the twinning. The companies said the initiative is not intended to be a conventional commercial agreement, but rather a long-term exchange of knowledge, experiences and values while both businesses remain independent. In a LinkedIn post announcing the partnership, CDA said: “Two companies. Two countries. Two stories. A shared vision of the future.” The partnership will focus on five areas: people, innovation, responsibility, territory and the future. It is intended to give both organisations an opportunity to compare approaches and learn from different business environments and operating models. In their own LinkedIn post, Eboca said the initiative has an ‘unusual purpose’ for a business partnership: rather than focusing on what each company can gain commercially from the other, its value lies in what the two organisations can learn together. The companies plan to organise further visits, employee meetings and discussions covering vending technology, sustainability and the challenges facing the industry. As the partnership develops, Eboca and CDA will look to turn their initial exchange into an ongoing platform for sharing practical experience and exploring the future of vending. Top image: © Eboca

Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala is investing in Luckin Coffee as part of a transaction valued at around $1 billion. The sovereign investor is joining private equity group Centurium Capital, Luckin’s controlling shareholder, in backing the company. Founded in 2017, Luckin Coffee expanded rapidly by using low prices and a technology-led operating model to attract Chinese consumers. The business has continued opening stores at scale and has increasingly positioned itself around products and formats that appeal to China's evolving beverage culture. Luckin ended last year with almost 31,000 stores across China and Hong Kong, according to its latest annual report. It also operated outlets in Singapore, Malaysia and the US. Globally, the company now has approximately 36,000 stores. Mohamed Albadr, head of Asia, private equity at Mubadala, said: "We continue to see compelling long-term opportunities in China’s consumer sector. Luckin Coffee has built a differentiated, technology-enabled business with data embedded across customer engagement, product development and store operations. This combination of scale, digital capabilities and rapid product innovation has enabled the Company to respond to evolving consumer preferences efficiently and at pace." Mubadala's investment in Luckin comes as Abu Dhabi continues to deepen its economic relationship with China, while also seeking opportunities in advanced technology and maintaining significant economic ties with the US. Michael Chen, partner of Centurium Capital, said: “We are pleased to welcome Mubadala as an investor in Luckin Coffee. We are confident that Mubadala’s sector knowledge combined with its global perspective and network will support Luckin Coffee’s continued innovation and long-term development.” The size of Mubadala’s minority investment has not been disclosed.

Prebiotic soda brand Olipop has launched a limited-edition Caramel Apple flavour, combining buttery caramel and tart green apple with the brand’s high-fibre formulation. Olipop has expanded its seasonal range with the launch of Caramel Apple, a limited-edition prebiotic soda inspired by the traditional autumn treat. The new flavour combines a buttery caramel profile with crisp green apple, designed to deliver a balance of tart and sweet flavours. Each can contains 5g of sugar and Olipop’s signature high-fibre formulation, positioning the drink as a functional alternative to conventional seasonal soft drinks. The Caramel Apple flavour launched on 9 September in the US and is available through Olipop’s website and retailers nationwide, including Target, Walmart and Whole Foods, while stocks last. The launch taps into the growing use of seasonal flavours in the soft drinks category, while maintaining the functional positioning of Olipop’s prebiotic soda range. The brand describes the flavour as combining “glossy ribbons” of caramel with the “crisp snap” of green apple, creating a richer profile intended to evoke the taste of a caramel apple. As a limited-edition release, Caramel Apple will be available while supplies last.

Carlsberg Britvic-owned plant-based brand Plenish has expanded its Clean Protein range with the launch of Protein Oat Drink, a high-protein oat milk made without oils or additives. Claimed to be a category-first for the UK market, the drink is made with just four naturally sourced ingredients and provides 10g of protein per serving. With a complete amino acid profile, the drink aims to deliver convenient plant-based nutrition while addressing growing demand for clean-label options made with simple, natural ingredients. The drink is designed to fit seamlessly into consumers’ daily routines, suitable for pouring over cereal, stirring into oats, blending into smoothies and more. According to Plenish, it delivers the same creamy taste and texture consumers seek from oat drinks while retaining its clean-label status. Plenish noted the growth of the plant-based protein market, projected to reach around $35 billion by 2030, while searches for ‘natural protein’ have increased 20% year-on-year according to Ocado’s data. Russell Goldman, managing director of breakthrough brands at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “We know today’s consumers are increasingly looking for easy ways to add more protein to their diets without having to completely change what they are eating or drinking, so we wanted to create something that fits naturally into everyday routines”. He added: “Many convenient protein options contain additives and unnecessarily processed ingredients, so we saw an opportunity to offer something that supports consumers with an easy way to top up their daily protein, while staying true to our mission of ingredient transparency and great tasting products”. Plenish Clean Protein Oat Drink is now rolling out at selected Tesco stores across the UK, and online via Plenish’s website from 7 September, priced at an RRP of £2.50.