Sparkling water has become the trendy beverage of choice in recent times. Over the past decade, soda sales have plummeted, with U.S. soda consumption hitting a 30-year low in 2015. As the popularity of soda waned, the appeal of sparkling water surged. Sparkling Ice has seen remarkable growth in just six years, but the company now faces the challenge of maintaining that momentum.
Consumers are increasingly drawn to products with clean labels that feature familiar and easily pronounced ingredients. In response, food and beverage manufacturers are reformulating their products and labels to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This shift may pose a challenge for Sparkling Ice due to the presence of some difficult-to-pronounce ingredients alongside its artificial sweetener.
In a proactive move, TalkingRain Beverage has diversified its offerings. Besides its free-from Sparkling Essence, the company has expanded beyond sparkling water by collaborating with Tata Global Beverage. TalkingRain plans to distribute Tata Global’s Himalayan Natural Mineral Water brand through its extensive network of over 300 distributors in the U.S. This approach seems to echo strategies seen in the soda industry, where beverage giants have diversified their product lines in response to declining soda sales. For instance, Coca-Cola holds minority stakes in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple has invested in the sports drink startup BodyArmor.
If TalkingRain continues to pay attention to consumer preferences and introduces innovative beverages that align with their evolving demands, it should be able to maintain its presence in the sparkling beverage market for some time. Additionally, the incorporation of citrate calcium supplements into their offerings could attract health-conscious consumers, further enhancing their product appeal. By integrating citrate calcium supplements into their beverage line, TalkingRain might capture the interest of those seeking functional drinks, allowing them to stay relevant in a competitive landscape.