Bottle Can claimed as Pack of the Year by Mintel

The new packaging concept has been a success in Japan and is expected to gain wider distribution in the US in 2004, according to an article in Retail World Feb 2-13 page 34.

Coca-Cola ‘bullet can’ revealed at aerosol conference in Europe

According to ‘The Filling Business’ February 2004 (page 5) Coca-Cola is expected to introduce a new design Aluminium bottle in the US very soon. The bottle weighs around 27 grams and may hold 250ml. The 250ml slimline can introduced in Austria is expected to be more widely distributed in Europe in selected cold drink outlets.

Global Alcoholic Beverages Trends

In National Liquor News, Jan/Feb 2004, p73 is a report suggesting:

• In mature beer markets there are signs of trading up to premium beer
  
• In the spirits market industry concentration has occurred, traditional spirits have fallen from favour with younger consumers, a rise in low-strength pre-mixes (FABs in Western Europe, malternatives in the US and RTD’s in Australia). Vodka is the world’s largest selling spirit category, while rum is the fastest growing.
  
  

Australian Alcoholic Beverages Trends

In National Liquor News, Jan/Feb 2004, p85+, a Roy Morgan Research report indicates that ‘beer only’ and ‘spirit only’ drinkers is declining in favour of drinking other alcoholic beverages. RTD ‘litres per drinker’ has increased 19% to Sept 2003 and Midstrength beer ‘litres per drinker’ up 11%. On page 94, a Swift and Moore report suggests that RTD growth is from more people drinking (particularly vodka based RTD’s) and higher drinker volume (particularly Bourbon based RTD’s).

‘Diet Coke’ with Lime launched in US

Launched in January, the new product is in PET and 12 pack cans according to Softdrinksworld February-March 2004 p 31.