Bev pricing activity seems to be reasonably restrained during runup to Thanksgiving Day, with spot check of some major chains suggesting that most deep discounts require significant pantry-loading by shoppers. At Ralph's store in Anaheim, Calif, for example, 12-packs of 12-oz cans and 8-packs of 12-oz bottles of Coke, Pepsi or 7-Up are going for $2.47 to cardholders, but require minimum purchase of 5 units to get deal. Same price buys 1.75-liter bottle of Coke's Simply juice. Glass-bottle 12-oz Mexican Coke is going for 99 cents.

At Target stores around NY, 2-liter bottles of Coke, Pepsi or Canada Dry are going for 5 for $5, $1.25 apiece. Coke 12-can fridgepacks are going for 4 for $13, but $3.79 each. There's lotsa 10-for-$10 action in Target, tho: Sparkling Ice, Lipton Pure Leaf Tea, Smartwater. Rite Aid stores in same area have been offering Pepsi 12-packs at 3 for $9.99 to card holders, but $4.99 bought solo. Special K Protein bottled shakes are running two 4-packs for $10. And it's got 4 for $5 offer on liter bottles of Smartwater, 2-liter bottles of Pepsi CSDs, and single-serve packs of Mountain Dew Kickstart and Honest Tea. Its Big Win purified water is going for $2.99 per 32-pack, less than a dime a bottle.

Jewel-Osco store in Chesterton, Ind, offered 2-liter bottles of 7 Up, Dr Pepper and other DPS sodas at 79 cents to buyers of 4 units; single-bottle price more than doubles to $1.89. Coke, Pepsi and DPS 12-pack cans there are touted at $2.88 to buyers of 4. The 10-for-$10 activity at that store seems to be limited to 16-oz bottles of Snapple.

And here's a lesson gleaned from most stores we checked: if you pay more than $2.50 per 25-oz glass bottle of Martinelli sparkling juice or cider for the delectation of your Thanksgiving guests, well, then you truly are a generous host. In case no compelling news brings us back to you tomorrow, let us take a moment now to wish you a happy Thanksgiving, readers!  

Bev pricing activity seems to be reasonably restrained during runup to Thanksgiving Day, with spot check of some major chains suggesting that most deep discounts require significant pantry-loading by shoppers. At Ralph's store in Anaheim, Calif, for example, 12-packs of 12-oz cans and 8-packs of 12-oz bottles of Coke, Pepsi or 7-Up are going for $2.47 to cardholders, but require minimum purchase of 5 units to get deal. Same price buys 1.75-liter bottle of Coke's Simply juice. Glass-bottle 12-oz Mexican Coke is going for 99 cents.

At Target stores around NY, 2-liter bottles of Coke, Pepsi or Canada Dry are going for 5 for $5, $1.25 apiece. Coke 12-can fridgepacks are going for 4 for $13, but $3.79 each. There's lotsa 10-for-$10 action in Target, tho: Sparkling Ice, Lipton Pure Leaf Tea, Smartwater. Rite Aid stores in same area have been offering Pepsi 12-packs at 3 for $9.99 to card holders, but $4.99 bought solo. Special K Protein bottled shakes are running two 4-packs for $10. And it's got 4 for $5 offer on liter bottles of Smartwater, 2-liter bottles of Pepsi CSDs, and single-serve packs of Mountain Dew Kickstart and Honest Tea. Its Big Win purified water is going for $2.99 per 32-pack, less than a dime a bottle.

Jewel-Osco store in Chesterton, Ind, offered 2-liter bottles of 7 Up, Dr Pepper and other DPS sodas at 79 cents to buyers of 4 units; single-bottle price more than doubles to $1.89. Coke, Pepsi and DPS 12-pack cans there are touted at $2.88 to buyers of 4. The 10-for-$10 activity at that store seems to be limited to 16-oz bottles of Snapple.

And here's a lesson gleaned from most stores we checked: if you pay more than $2.50 per 25-oz glass bottle of Martinelli sparkling juice or cider for the delectation of your Thanksgiving guests, well, then you truly are a generous host. In case no compelling news brings us back to you tomorrow, let us take a moment now to wish you a happy Thanksgiving, readers!  

Tho much of focus on new-gen sports drinks has been on aggressive Body Armor brand, Minneapolis-based Aspire Beverage has quietly - and lately not-so-quietly - been making headway. Its latest move: $7.5 mil capital raise that cofounder John Montague said positions co to deepen distribution in pursuit of truly national strategy - "full-on national expansion mode," as he put it today. That comes on heels of signing of first athlete investor/endorser, Minnesota Wild defenseman and perennial NHL minutes leader Ryan Suter, who operates hockey facilities, owns Madison, Wis, team and has media co. Discussions are well along for unidentified NFL athlete to come aboard, too. And brand recently signed on as official sports drink of Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, held in early Jan.

Latest capital round brought in familiar figure from beer world: Cynthia Fisher, wife of Boston Beer founder Jim Koch and board member there, and distinguished entrepreneur in her own right. Her participation should add to depth of bev experience that already includes Lucy Stitzer, wife of former Cadbury Schweppes chief Todd Stitzer who's heir to Cargill fortune and runs family office called Waycross that's been key investor. Fisher is founder, in 1993, of medical services firm Viacord, which provides umbilical cord blood stem cell banking. It was Lucy Stitzer who made intro to Fisher.

Aspire, which uses blend of cane sugar, stevia and monk fruit to offer lower-sugar isotonic option, already is ensconced in major retailers like Costco and Target, and just entered Kroger. In Mar co brought aboard former hockey player and 6-year Red Bull vet Nick Wohlers to build sales and distribution, guiding co in assembling hybrid distribution network that relies heavily on DSD houses but goes direct to retailers like Costco and HEB, while reserving education channel to specialist houses. Co also has recruited cadre of HS and college athletes to serve as brand ambassadors. With latest infusion of capital, Nick is seeking DSD houses nationally, John said.

With addition of 20-oz bottle to original 12-oz pack, Aspire also has been able to crack c-store chains, starting with Holiday and SuperAmerica. Montague is hopeful that Suter's ties to QuikTrip will help bring that chain aboard. Entrepreneur emphasized that signing of NHL, NFL and perhaps other players doesn't represent conventional athlete endorsement strategy but rather business partnerships drawing on athletes' other skills and connections too.

In conversation today, Montague didn't minimize challenge of confronting Gatorade and Powerade and their relentless price promotion, but said he and cofounder Jesse Parker have stubbornly stuck to premium price in $1.49-1.79 range. That rules out significant portion of sports drink market, at least for now, but locks in loyalty from distributors and retailers who appreciate capturing heftier margin. "It's still a major issue, and we have to be realistic," he acknowledged. But signs are encouraging that American families are ready for healthier option, he added. There's uncommon array of other brands looking to crack conundrum too, from Body Armor to brands like Nth Degree, Trimino and Greater Than.  

It didn't report any overall sales growth, and even its much-touted store-periphery play, Campbell Fresh, was soft. Still, shares of Campbell Soup roared to life after co brought in strong earnings performance in Q1 of its new fiscal year and raised its cash flow and earnings per share outlook for rest of 2016. CPB prexy/ceo Denise Morrison pronounced herself "pleased with our first quarter," especially 3d consecutive qtr of gross margin expansion and improvements to supply chain via new Integrated Global Services unit. On bevs side, V8 family had mixed performance, tho Campbell brass claimed continued progress on building coldbox volume via indie DSD network that was re-established in wake of dissolution of Coca-Cola distribution partnership. And Bolthouse Farms superpremium juices managed to grow at mid-single-digits, cycling double-digit growth a year earlier, with new bout of innovation promised for next spring. As of mid-afternoon, CPB shares were trading in $51-52 range, up from Mon close just below $50.

Overall at Campbell Soup, net sales slipped 2% to $2.2 bil. Excluding impact of foreign exchange and Garden Fresh acquisitions, sales were flat with prior year, as 2.6 points of gross margin improvement offset volume declines.

This was first qtr in which co is reporting via its 3 new segments: Americas Simple Meals & Beverages, which includes mature center-store brands like Campbell's Condensed Soup and V8 bevs; Global Biscuits & Snacks like Pepperidge Farm and Goldfish, and the faster-growth store-periphery play, Campbell Fresh, which includes Bolthouse Farms juice and salad dressing unit as well as refrigerated soups and juices under Campbell's brand. Combined with major cost-cutting drive and move to zero-based budgeting, Morrison's strategy is to push harder in fast-growing store-perimeter categories while moderating trade promos and discounting on mature shelf-stable lines. In moving so radically, co is playing role of "its own internal activist," squawked TV commentator Jim Cramer, today lauding "remarkable transformation."

All that without growing sales. Biggest unit, Americas Simple Meals & Bevs, scored 2% sales hit to $1.3 bil, -1% excluding forex impact. But operating earnings soared 19% to $363 mil, thanks partly to better pricing and to lower marketing as onset of winter ad support was pushed back further in qtr. US bev sales were off, mainly due to decline in V8 V-Fusion line, partly offset by gains in V8 Splash and encouraging start to V8 Veggie Blends.

Indeed, given challenges for juice segment within sleepy center-store environment, it wasn't until half an hour into investor call this morning that any CPB exec even mentioned V8 brand. Finally pressed for detail just before hour-long call wrapped up, ceo Morrison offered bit of color. V8 Splash and V8+Energy both are performing well, and she's "very encouraged" by recently launched V8 Veggie Blends. There may have been bit of cannibalization of core tomato juice as consumers try other types of veggies of the new Blends. But V8 V-Fusion "continues to be a challenge." And DSD network enlisted to boost immediate-consumption activity has scored couple of good qtrs: while timing issues caused 1% volume decline, equivalent volume was up 8%. "We're encouraged about the new network and think that's an opportunity," she said. On balance, co remains committed to V8 platform, viewed as "timely, on-trend" in offering lower-calorie, lower-sugar option among juice choices. "Veggies for All" campaign continues to build equity, she believes.

Campbell Fresh scored 8% sales gain to $249 mil, but that reversed to 3% decline excluding newly acquired Garden Fresh Gourmet unit. That seemed to be jarring note for unit intended to carry future growth burden for co, but Morrison noted that Bolthouse Farms' refrigerated bevs and salad dressings both were up by mid-single-digits. The friction came from declines in fresh carrots, carrot ingredients sold to customers in markets like Japan and refrigerated soup sold under Campbell brand. Morrison noted that carrots, while dragging results, carry broader strategic purpose in maintaining refrigerated distribution channel; another bright spot was that carrot snacks recently entered NYC school system. She expects sales at C-Fresh, as CPB brass has taken to calling unit, to accelerate now that Bolthouse's new 1915 ultrapremium cold-pressed juice line "is meeting expectations" and new innovations arrive next spring for superpremium juices and salad dressings. (The new line named after founding year of Campbell Soup aims to play in segment dominated by more expensive HPP plays like Suja.)

C-Fresh's operating earnings doubled to $18 mil thanks to higher margins and the Garden Fresh acquisition. In Q&A part of call this morning, one analyst expressed concern that margins of the growth engine, C-Fresh, are in single digits, compared to double-digit margin of mature Simple Meals & Bevs. Morrison explained that's because C-Fresh #s are dragged down by low margins of ingredients and carrots biz, but assured him that refrigerated bevs and salad dressings enjoy robust margins "and that's where all the growth is."  

Dr Pepper Snapple volume rose 1% on avg 1.3% price increase in Nielsen all-outlet data (including gas & c-stores) for 4 wks thru Nov 14, per Morgan Stanley's Dara Mohsenian. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola CSDs slipped 2.7% on avg 2.2% price increase and PepsiCo volume was off steeper 5.4% on higher avg price gain of 3.2% last 4 wks. So Big 3 continued to work toward price realization and let the chips fall where they may on volume, tho DPS did eke out gain.

Energy drink volume increased 6.8% last 4 wks compared to gains of 7.4% for 12 wks and 8.5% for 52 wks in all channels. Avg prices still up solid 2.5% last 4 wks as Monster Energy price hikes continue to kick in. Both Red Bull and Monster lagged category gains driven by another double-digit increase for Rockstar. Red Bull volume up 4.4% on avg 5% price increase last 4 wks. Monster slowed from +4.4% for 12 wks to 2.8% gain last 4 wks. MNST prices up avg 3.2% for 4 wks vs +2% for 12 wks. Rockstar volume up 26.6% last 4 wks with small (-0.7%) avg price drop. PepsiCo (Amp) volume gain accelerated to +11.7% despite avg 3.3% price increase over 4-wk period.

Lower Prices Boost Sports Drinks Sports drink volume gain accelerated to 6.2% for 4 wks as avg prices slipped to +0.7%, from +1.2% avg for 12 wks. Gatorade volume increase doubled to 6.2% last 4 wks vs 3% gain for 12 wks as avg price gain was down to +0.5% in latest month. Powerade volume gains decelerated to +5.1% last 4 wks from +9.5% for 12 wks as discounts eased, with avg price -1.2% vs 12-wk avg of -3.5%.

KO, PEP Still Outperforming in Water Category Bottled water volume increased 7.7% last 4 wks with avg 0.8% price increase in all-channel data. As avg prices edged up to +1.2%, Nestle volume slowed to +2.4% gain last 4 wks vs 3.6% avg for 12 wks. Coca-Cola waters were up 9.6% on avg 1.5% price drop while PepsiCo water volume up 10.5% on avg 2.2% price drop. Private-label waters rose double-digits too: +10.2% last 4 wks on 1.3% price cut.  

Rockstar lately may be showing more restraint on price promos than in past at no apparent cost to its torrid growth (BBI, Oct 30), but that's not to say it isn't going deep at some retailers, particularly, it seems, in Sun Belt territories where it moves thru Pepsi bottling system. Reader at rival energy brand has sent in photo from Vons store in Southern Calif showing 99-cent deal on core 16-oz can to club members who buy 4 or more, deal running thru this Thurs. "Score $4," signage says of half-price deal.  

Tho it's only been launched fairly recently, Oakley Artesian Water likes to boast that it was "established 16,000 BC." Carbon-dating has shown that to be time of formation of source, the Uintah Arch Paleozoic Aquifer near eastern Utah town of Oakley, from water forced down 1,800 feet thru porous rocks by glacial activity on surface. That's yielded uncommonly pure water with naturally occurring pH ranging from 7.8 to over 9 - antithesis of some of fast-growing alkaline waters that obtain their alkalinity via such processes as addition of baking soda. Another differentiator: brand so far is sold exclusively in 20-oz pouches priced at $1.99. Since most PET bottles end up in landfill, whether recyclable or not, use of so-called Evo-Pak provides co with green story, since pouches are recyclable and, even if not recycled, take just one-tenth space of bottle.

Brand was launched by Gary Broadbent, who's worked in various non-bev sales and marketing roles in career, after pair of investors including his dad purchased defunct Park City Ice Water plant out of bankruptcy in 2011. The plan was to serve coupla prospective copack clients but that biz didn't materialize, so a year later partners decided to launch their own brand. For bev expertise they've recruited consultants Bob Groux of Coast Brands to help with hi-end grocery chains and Andy Steele of Anonymous Consulting to help with c-stores. By now, brand is available nationally in Safeway as well as in regional grocers like HEB in Tex. Valero c-store chain will come aboard early next year. Co has just recruited its first DSD house too: Dora's Naturals in NY. In unusual move, brand has also teamed up with sunglass maker Oakley the last 2 Black Fridays to hand out pouches at co's 150+ retail stores. (There's no tie between the 2 except for similarity in name.) So far, co has been funded by Gary's dad, Dr Lorin Broadbent, and his biz partner, Jack Livingood, who's involved in construction biz, with no need yet for institutional capital.  

New player in burgeoning cannabis realm is betting that shot format will win consumers who're impatient with edible formats or want more precisely measured dose than happens smoking a joint. Heading to Colo dispensaries this week is Quigley's Fast-Acting Cannabis Shot, packed in 2-oz bottles in 2 sku's: The Original (10 mg dose of THC oil at $6) and The Multi-Dose (50 mg dose at $15), per local pub Westword. For initial market, cofounder/creator Tony Alfiere has reached sales and distribution deal with Dixie Elixirs, which will produce finished items from THC oil he provides. "Quigley's Formula is different from any edible and drink product in the cannabis industry, because it allows you to know the precise amount of THC to be ingested, without needing more," he said in statement issued last week upon inking of Dixie deal. "For people who cannot, should not, or do not like to smoke, or do not want to wait up to 2 hours, this is a groundbreaking alternative." It attains faster action by moving not thru liver, as with other formats, but thru soft tissue of upper digestive tract, co maintains. As pot is legalized in other states, co will seek mfg partners there. "Ease the day" and "You get one shot at life. Take ours" are among slogans employed by co, per Web site at Quigleys.com. It goes without saying there's no connection between Quigley's Fast-Acting Cannabis Shot and FAST shot brand (Fast Acting Shot Therapy).  

Ambitious tea shop operator that started in DC-area shopping malls and has set its sights on Fla and NJ as next markets has just netted another $6 mil in expansion capital. Capital Teas Inc, which aims to replicate ubiquity of Teavana chain acquired by Starbucks, drew capital from Pear Tree Partners, which 2 years earlier had put in $5 mil. The money will fund bricks-and-mortar expansion beyond current 15 locations as well as online sales and sales efforts to foodservice accounts like hotels and eateries. As Capital Gazette noted, co was founded by Manelle and Peter Martino in 2007, from single store in Annapolis, Md, but now employs 100+ at 15 stores plus 8K-sq-ft distribution center and plans to double in size within the year. It's close to opening pair of DC-area locations as well as stores in West Palm Beach, Fla, and Bridgwater, NJ, testing how far brand can travel. "We have an ambitious growth plan for national expansion as the country's premier organic and natural tea retailer," Peter Martino, the ceo, said in statement.  

It's hazard of endorsement racket: New England Patriots' charismatic tight end, Rob Gronkowski, has switched allegiance from Body Armor sports drinks to Monster Energy via multiyear endorsement at undisclosed terms. In statement to ESPN's bev marketing expert Darren Rovell over weekend, eccentric star with rep as a playboy off the field termed Monster tie "the ultimate deal for me. Monster Energy just fits my personality. The brand is great and just like the Monster [brand], I like beautiful girls, too." (Monster, Rovell notes in bit of understatement, "frequently uses women dressed in its logos at sporting events." Really? We'd never noticed!) Similar sentiment was expressed by Monster sports marketing vp Mitch Covington: "We love what he does in the games, but we also love that he likes to party."

Getting deal signed required that Gronk step aside from activities behind Body Armor, tho he's keeping his shares in NY-based co. His departure is significant because Boston area, where brand moves thru Great State, proved among first markets to show sales lift for coconut-water isotonic created by Lance Collins and Mike Repole. Among Gronk's other affiliations noted by ESPN are SMS Audio (headphones), Dunkin Donuts and DraftKings sports fantasy system, not to mention cruise dubbed Gronk Party Ship that sets sail in Feb, perhaps with plenty of Monster and Body Armor aboard. As one sign of athlete's broad popularity, recently a tally by NY Sports Journalism placed Gronk as having 3d-best-selling NFL jersey this season at Dick's Sporting Goods, after Tom Brady and Luke Kuechly. Gronkowski has written that he lives (and parties) off his endorsement money and banks his entire football salary.