Creative Combinations

Specialty beverages inspire the palate with creative combinations and distinctive flavors. For example, there are sodas made with 100% fruit juice and coffees roasted in small batches with functional nutrients added. A myriad of ready to drinks teas and waters infused with botanicals are also commonly available. One company infuses organic garden herbs, spices and citrus peel into purified water.

Finding Profitable Supply Channels

The food distribution system in the U.S. is complex. By the time a drink is placed on a grocery store shelf, it has traveled countless miles and has been handled by many people. The product needs to be profitable for the broker, distributor, and retailer. Look for a distributor that offers direct store delivery (DSD) and provides merchandising services. Having a product sit passively on the shelf is a harbinger of bad things to come. Retailers do not like stale products. Remember, shelf space is always at a premium.