The speaker lineup for our Dec. 7 virtual Future Smarts conference is set. And it’s top-notch. We’ve recently confirmed our final addition, Henrik Jelert, who is EVP for ReadyRefresh at Nestle Waters North America. This direct-to-consumer unit has navigated higher demand for at- home beverage delivery and a slow-down in workplace consumption during the COVID-19 crisis. He and I will discuss challenges and opportunities, while looking ahead to what comes after the pandemic. We’ll also bring Molson Coors Beverage into the Future Smarts fold for the first time. . .

As BD has reported on extensively, Keurig Dr Pepper has made a series of moves this year in its direct-store-delivery system that hinted of a broader strategy at play. In June, KDP bought back production and distribution rights for RC Cola, A&W Root Beer, Sunkist, 7Up, Snapple and Big Red from Indiana-based Royal Crown Bottling of Evansville. At about the same time, KDP transferred ...

Fresh off a recent $200 million capital raise, Oatly expects to open a new “end-to-end” US oat milk...

 Late last year, Molson Coors replaced “Brewery” with “Beverage” in the company’s name as it looked to expand beyond alcohol “to other growth adjacencies.” Eleven months later, the company has taken the first product-related steps...Includes an infographic illustrating Molson Coors’ emerging non-alcoholic beverage activity. (PLUS: Story updated 10/1/20 with developments since original publication.) 

PepsiCo is set to launch a new relaxation water called Driftwell later this year that was born of an internal employee contest hosted by Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. The product will target what PepsiCo says is a $1 billion a year over-the-counter ...