Progressive Grocer - October 2009 - (Page 110)

Grocery Hydration Despite a struggling economy and subsequent consumer concerns about value, the bottled water category can still deliver a tidal wave of retail sales. By David Lotti The State of T• Progressive Grocer • October 2009 he United States leads the world in bottled water sales. Sales of bottled water have more than doubled in the United States since 2000. That’s a lot of water. With more than 900 bottled water brands now on the U.S. market — including such specialties as flavored pet waters — that’s a lot of potential sales opportunities for retailers. Even in the current economic climate, people are buying bottled water. According to recent SPINS data, the combined channel sales for the natural and naturally positioned water category through June of this year show a decline of 6.8 percent in dollar sales vs. the same period a year ago. For those still buying bottled water, they’re even more con- A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - October 2009

Progressive Grocer - October 2009