A Thirst for Beverages
Beverage purchases have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Roughly one-third (32%) of consumers say they purchase two to three beverages per week from foodservice, and the number of consumers saying they never purchase beverages from foodservice is lower than it was in 2018, before the pandemic took place. But as inflation continues in 2023, consumers may need to start watching their spend, making it harder to capture beverage sales. More than two-fifths of consumers (44%) say they’ve recently noticed beverage price increases at restaurants, and nearly the same proportion (42%) say that price matters to them when deciding where to purchase beverages from a restaurant. Innovation will be critical for consumers to justify the spend. Novel and quirky drink presentations are piquing consumers’ interest, as are beverages that can be enjoyed as a treat or snack outside of regular mealtimes as an affordable indulgence.
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NESTLE RECOMMENDS |
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Signature, elevated beverages |
Consumers, especially younger ones, are gravitating more toward specialty beverages. This includes beverages that differentiate themselves through house-made and artisanal preparations, innovative flavours and ingredients, and playful presentations.
Consumers also want to see more experimentation with emerging non-alcohol beverage categories like bubble teas, mocktails and slushy drinks.
Provide a New Experience
Blue drinks are having a moment, thanks to the butterfly pea flower and Blue Majik algae. This trend can be seen in action, with Second Cup Coffee Co. debuting its new Blue Cold Foam Espresso.
