New Nielsen data from 2013 of packaged beverage sales across retail channels indicate that Poland Spring brand water, the leading product of Nestlé Waters North America, is the best-selling beverage in the New York tri-state area. In addition, it is a best-seller across other major Northeast markets, including Boston, Albany and Hartford/New Haven.
In 2013, sales of Poland Spring brand water in the New York metropolitan area topped $506m. In dollars, this represents 35% greater sales than the Coke brand (including all flavours, diets and other variants), and more than double the sales of the Pepsi-Cola brand (including all flavours, diet and other variants).
“For a water brand from Maine to beat out all the most famous beverage brands in the world in one of the most populated, influential markets on the planet is remarkable,” noted Tim Brown, president and CEO of Nestlé Waters North America. “Even with all the new beverage options now available to New Yorkers, the Poland Spring brand remains their number-one choice.”
In terms of overall sales volume for the year, Nielsen reports that bottled water was the only beverage category to show an uptick in New York. Though a growing number of consumers have been switching from soft drinks to water for some time, New York City’s anti-soda and sugary juice campaigns are frequently cited as reinforcing this ongoing trend. Already, bottled water outsells carbonated soft drinks in grocery stores in 16 major markets, with New York, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles in the top ten, according to Nielsen.
“New Yorkers are ahead of the curve,” sayid Gary Hemphill, managing director of research for Beverage Marketing Corporation, based in New York City. “The increased awareness about the importance of drinking healthier alternatives such as water has led to declining sales for most major brands of soft drinks, including diet varieties. By the end of this decade we anticipate that bottled water consumption will eclipse that of carbonated soft drinks in most markets across the country.”
“The Poland Spring brand may have been around since 1845 but it has never been so relevant to New Yorkers,” added Brown. “It’s more than just the natural, calorie-free beverage that health-conscious people want today. Every sip provides a little taste of Maine, so it’s almost become a simple way to take a small break from harried city life.”
Source: Nestlé Waters North America
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024