U.S.A. | Cove Drinks has announced the national debut of Cove Soda in 530 Costco warehouses across the U.S.
Cove Soda is the first zero-sugar soda made with one billion probiotics and real organic ingredients. It made its U.S. debut in February 2024, and hit shelves at 140 Fresh Market locations. On the 1st of April, four varieties of 15-packs were launched nationally across Costco stores. Flavours included Classic Cola, Root Beer, Dr Cove, Cream Soda, Orange, Grape, Lemon Lime, and Ice Pop.
Co-founders John and Ryan MacLellan launched Cove Soda in 2022, and it has risen in popularity at a record pace in the booming category of functional drinks. It has combined two massive consumer trends: zero sugar and gut health.
Consumers have become more aware of the impact of their beverage choices on their health and are on the search for alternatives to traditional sodas. This has increased interest in functional beverages, including functional sodas. Surveys have found that most people say their health consciousness has increased significantly since the pandemic and plan to change their diets. With this greater emphasis on health and wellness, consumers actively seek out beverages that offer additional benefits beyond mere refreshments.
"This is a pivotal moment for Cove Soda. As we see consumer health habits evolve, retail leaders like Costco are seeking out the right brand partners to respond to those demands," said Cove Drinks CEO, John MacLellan.
"We attribute our traction to the fact that we are the only company to craft a zero-sugar, all-natural and functional soda recipe that both adults and children enjoy. We now have a prime opportunity to get our product in the hands of 140M Costco members – quite a ride from our early beginnings at the Farmers Market to the largest CPG stage in America."
The increased accessibility of functional sodas in mainstream retailers has also contributed to their growing popularity among consumers. As the fastest-growing beverage category, the functional soda space grew more than 250 percent in 2023 compared to the prior year, and has approached $1 billion in annual sales in North America.
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