Serving a side of refreshment

THE FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY TENDS TO BE A LEADING INDICATOR OF HOW
well the economy is going to perform, says Joe Pawlak, vice president of Chicagobased Technomic Inc. “When a recession is coming, typically foodservice sales will start dropping about six months before that, because it’s a discretionary purchase and one of the few things consumers will cut back on,” he explains. “Conversely, once we come out of a recession, foodservice is one of the few areas that comes back, where consumers are going to spend more because they have more discretionary dollars in their pockets. They may not be going back to buying houses or cars, but they’re spending whatever extra money they’re starting to get back in foodservice.”

DOLLAR SALES FOR CARBONATED BEVERAGES IN U.S. RETAIL STORES increased by 1.9 percent in 2012 compared with the prior year; however, volume decreased by 1.6 percent, according to Euromonitor International, Chicago.

A REBOUNDING ECONOMY AS WELL AS CONVENIENCE AND a healthy image have helped bottled water sales recover from years of decline in 2008 and 2009, according to Chicagobased Mintel’s U.S. “Bottled Water” report released in March. “Following sales declines of 2.8 percent in 2008 and 5.4 percent in 2009, the bottled water market has rebounded to positive growth each year since 2010,” the report stated. “This rebound suggests not only at least a minor return in purchasing power but also the appeal of bottled water as a convenient part of a healthier lifestyle.”

AS CONSUMERS ARE ENCOURAGED BY DIETICIANS AND nutritionists to reduce sugar consumption, beverage manufacturers also are heeding this call by developing juice drinks that fit the bill.