Whether it’s an electrolyte-packed sports drink or a dose of caffeine from an energy drink, consumers really like their energy-boosting beverages. Sales for both sports drinks and energy drinks are jumping.
Dollar sales for the energy drink category increased 4.5% to $12.1 billion, and unit sales were up 4.1% to 4.5 billion, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago, for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 25, 2016. Likewise, the sports drinks category enjoyed similar success — dollar sales rose 5.4% to $6.6 billion, and unit sales increased 4% to 3.6 billion.