PepsiCo extends reach, usage of sparkling water brand bubly, SodaStream with new bubly drops PepsiCo is driving incremental growth for two of its hottest brands by bringing together flavored sparkling water bubly and at home water carbonation platform SodaStream to launch a line of bubly drops that will hit store shelves and ecommerce this month.
By allowing consumers to use six of bubly’s most popular flavors to make unsweetened flavored carbonated water at home with SodaStream machines, the partnership will create new usage occasions for each brand and open doors to households that previously were unavailable.
“I’m sure brands are coming together saying all this all the time, but I can’t think of a better marriage” than between bubly sparkling water and SodaStream, Bryan Welsh, general manager at SodaStream USA, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Dive Brief:
Stevia sweetened soda brand Zevia closed a $200 million minority investment from Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), an investor that manages pension funds in Canada. Zevia said it will use the funding to pursue its global expansion strategy.
In its announcement, Zevia noted that it selected CDPQ as its investment partner for its ability to accelerate the company s growth through expertise in asset management, international reach and a strong commitment to environmental, social and governance values.
Soda sales have slipped year over year for over a decade, but stevia presents an opportunity for companies to redefine the product as a healthier beverage. The stevia sweetened beverage category grew by 36% in 2018. Zevia has capitalized on this better-for-you trend by steadily increasing its stevia beverage line since 2015.