Report: U.S. Sales of Non-Alcoholic Beverages Grow More than $5 Billion in 2019

Coke Zero Sugar Again Fastest Growing Beverage Brand

Americans spent $5.3 billion more on nonalcoholic beverages in 2019 as companies like Coca‑Cola continued to bring more new products to market and innovate in established core brands, according to a special report issued today by industry publication Beverage Digest.

Per Beverage Digest, carbonated soft drinks (including energy drinks) drove the lion’s share of retail value growth in 2019, adding $2.9 billion in retail value to the industry’s nearly $146 billion in sales, topping 2018 growth of $2.7 billion.  Bottled water was the second-fastest-growing category, with $1.2 billion in retail sales growth.

Coca‑Cola North America’s top brands showed some of the strongest retail sales growth in the report, with Brand Coca‑Cola (which includes Coca‑Cola, Coke Zero Sugar, Coke Life and Diet Coke) growing 3.3% and Brand Sprite (which includes Sprite and Sprite Zero) growing 4%. Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar was the fastest-growing nonalcoholic beverage brand listed in the Beverage Digest report, growing 11.5% in retail value and 8% in volume.

A core part of Coke’s strategy in North America has been responding to evolving consumer tastes by moving from volume to value as a core metric, fueled by a focus on premium offerings, beverage innovation, and smaller bottles and cans with less sugar and calories per package. The report highlights the continued momentum of key Coca‑Cola brands in North America as the company expands its total beverage portfolio to meet fast changing consumer and customer needs.

Beverage Digest also noted the industry grew retail revenue in every major beverage category last year with carbonated soft drinks up 3.5%; bottled water up 4.6%; sports drinks up 6%; ready-to-drink teas up 1.6%; juices and juice drinks up 2.7%; and ready-to-drink coffee/dairy/other up 4.8%.