Consumers are shunning sugar, and there’s no shortage of beverage innovation reflecting this reality. So it’s no wonder that the U.S. retail juice segment has had a tough time of it in recent years.
But if recent sales within the refrigerated juices/drinks category — the largest retail juice segment — are any indication, the tide could be turning. Data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI show that dollar sales within this category actually rose 2.0% to reach $6,537.1 million during the 52 weeks ending March 22, 2020. Unit sales were up 2.4% to 2,246.4 million.