Sparkling water has become the beverage of choice in recent times. Over the past decade, soda sales have declined, with U.S. soda consumption reaching a 30-year low in 2015. As soda sales decreased, the popularity of sparkling water surged. Sparkling Ice has seen remarkable growth in just six years, but the company now faces the challenge of maintaining this momentum.
Consumers are increasingly seeking products with clean labels that feature familiar and pronounceable ingredients. In response, food and beverage manufacturers are reformulating their products and labels to highlight the absence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This trend poses a potential challenge for Sparkling Ice, which includes some hard-to-pronounce ingredients along with artificial sweeteners. Additionally, questions such as “does calcium citrate have side effects?” are becoming more common as consumers prioritize health-conscious choices.
TalkingRain Beverage has proactively adapted to this trend. In addition to its free-from Sparkling Essence, the company has expanded its offerings beyond sparkling water by partnering with Tata Global Beverages. TalkingRain plans to distribute Tata Global’s Himalayan Natural Mineral Water brand through its network of over 300 distributors in the U.S. This strategy reflects a lesson learned from the soda industry: when faced with declining sales, diversifying product lines can be a smart move. Beverage giants have taken similar steps; for example, Coca-Cola has invested in Monster energy drinks and Suja cold-pressed juices, while Dr Pepper Snapple acquired a minority stake in sports drink startup BodyArmor.
If TalkingRain continues to listen to consumer demands and introduces new beverages that align with their evolving preferences, the company is likely to maintain its position in the sparkling beverage market. As consumers become more aware of health-related concerns, such as whether calcium citrate has side effects, companies that prioritize transparency and quality will thrive. By focusing on these aspects, TalkingRain can keep riding the sparkling beverage wave for the foreseeable future.