The National Association of Convenience Stores has been meeting since 1961, and today the expo covers more than 400,000 square feet. The 2019 show was held in Atlanta October 2-4, bringing together retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and exhibitors from more than 60 countries.
The National Association of Convenience Stores has been meeting since 1961, and today the expo covers more than 400,000 square feet. The 2019 show was held in Atlanta October 2-4, bringing together retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and exhibitors from more than 60 countries.
Over 50 education sessions took place at NACS 2019, and more than 1,200 exhibitors welcomed visitors on the show floor. The CBD expo and New Exhibitor Area were hot spots for innovation, and the Cool New Products preview room featured 304 food, beverage and equipment products.
The convenience channel is evolving beyond processed snacks and sugary drinks. Henry Armour, NACS president and CEO, said during a general session “For years, we were often demonized for the food we sold in our stores. The perception was that we sold unhealthy—and only unhealthy—food. We thought a different story could be told. So we went to work telling our story and working with every health-focused group we could find.”
Believed to be the first hemp-infused malt beverage, Hemptails made a splash at NACS this year. With sterilized hemp seeds and hemp flavoring in the formula, the team had a job of educating attendees and making the distinction that the drinks do not contain any psychoactive ingredients. It has a shelf life of six months and an 8% ABV. Flavors Hemp'd, Passionfruit Express and Citrus Gold are now available nationwide.
Aloe drink Detox Water was a new exhibitor at NACS this year, showcasing its freshest flavor CryptoKiwi. Though positioned as a healthy alternative to sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, Detox Water has also found use in hangover recovery and as an alcohol alternative. It does not contain aloe chunks or any pulp, and each bottle has 30 calories and 7g of sugar.
Ocean Spray's line of sparkling cranberry juice is getting bigger with the announcement of new flavor Pink Cranberry. It's made from a blend of pink, white and red cranberries and joins original Cranberry, Cranberry Raspberry and Cranberry Mango. The line also debuted updated packaging and graphics at NACS.
New RTDs from P10 are designed "for the modern day athlete." Max Hydration, Focus Energy, Pre-Workout and Active Energy were on display at NACS, featuring ingredients like phenylethylamine, creatine and potassium. P10 said the functional drinks are meant to provide "the nutrients, energy and focus you desire to attain the edge you deserve."
Vancouver-based Last Call beverages instruct that they must be the final drink of the night after consuming alcohol, in order to prevent hangovers. A blend of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and natural extracts make up the elixir, available in Cran-Raspberry, Prickly Pear, Acai and Blood Orange. "Recover from your hangover, a workout, no sleep. We were made for people who have things to do," Last Call said.
Best known for its wide range of creamers, Danone's International Delight brand is expanding its iced coffee range with RTD 15oz cans, available soon in Oreo and Caramel Macchiato.
A total portfolio of new beverage launches was on display at the Nestlé USA booth. Outshine Coconut Water, Twix Milk, Snickers Milk, Chameleon Cold Brew Lattes and Jacked Rabbit protein drinks are the latest innovations, out now or coming soon.
Seaworthy Hard Nitro Brew has launched in cans from Constellation Brands. The malt beverage is available in Vanilla Blonde Roast and Espresso Dark Roast at 5.5% ABV. "We set out to capture the cold brew coffee taste we love with an unexpected grown-up twist," Seaworthy said.
Another new product from Constellation Brands is an expansion into the red-hot alcoholic waters category with the Corona Hard Seltzer. Cherry, Mango, Blackberry Lime and Tropical Lime are the first four flavors in the launch, formulated with no added sugar, 0g of carbs and 90 calories per can.
Sparkling Ice flavored seltzer water will now include a caffeine-infused line, available in Orange Passionfruit, Blue Raspberry, Triple Citrus and Black Raspberry. The brand also underwent a recent refresh with a new look, logo and formula that uses only naturally sourced colors and flavors.
Opening the burgeoning coconut water market to kids, Kraft Heinz will launch its new Creative Roots line in 2020. The 8.5oz bottles will have 10 calories and no added sugar, made with all natural ingredients. Each flavor will feature illustrated mascots, Coco-Nutty "loves to play in the leaves of tall trees. Goes nuts for music--especially drums." Kraft Heinz says the new product "hydrates kids' daydreams with plant powers."
'Classic Hispanic drinks' from Juicy Whip will be bottled for the first time in the US. Typically served as fountain concentrates in food service, Rica Jamaica, Coffee Horchata, Rica Horchata and Rico Melon are available on-the-go in 16oz bottles.
Early this year Monster Energy launched a new in-house brand designed for active lifestyles. Reign Total Body Fuel contains 300mg of caffeine and electrolytes, with no calories, sugar or artificial flavors. It's positioned as a fitness-focused energy drink that supports 'performance needs.' This month it rolls out the newest flavor, Orange Dreamsicle. It joins Sour Apple, Mang-O-Matic, Carnival Candy, Melon Mania, Lemon Hdz, Strawberry Sublime, Peach Fizz and Razzle Berry.
The Coca-Cola Company showcased a record 28 new products at NACS 2019, led by the North American debut of Coke Energy. Other launches include a line of Simply Teas, an omega 3-forward juice brand, Cinnamon Coke and flavored SmartWater.
James Ford, VP of category strategic advisory at Coca-Cola North America, said “As a total beverage company, we are introducing new drinks based on what we know consumers are craving. From sparkling soft drinks to energy, from tea to juice and from cold brew to dairy, our innovation on display at NACS includes something for everyone and every occasion.”
