Coffee consumption has soared to a two-decade high as Americans brew up new post-COVID routines, according to exclusive consumer polling released by the National Coffee Association (NCA).

The polling found that 66% of Americans now drink coffee each day, more than any other beverage including tap water and up by nearly 14% since January 2021, the largest increase since NCA began tracking data, it says.

The spring 2022 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) report prepared by Dig Insights on behalf of the NCA found that Americans have increased coffee consumption away from home by 8% since January 2021.

At home coffee consumption remains above pre-pandemic levels. Some 84% of coffee drinkers now have had coffee at home in the past day, compared with 80% in January 2020.

Consumption of espresso-based beverages, typically prepared away from home, have shot up 30% since the start of the pandemic, signaling recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and also indicating new growth.

“Given decades of independent scientific evidence that coffee drinkers live longer than people who never drink coffee, it’s fitting to see America’s top beverage emerge from COVID-19 more popular than ever at home, on the go, in the office, and in coffee shops around the country,” said NCA President and CEO William “Bill” Murray in a statement.

The following are other key NCDT findings:

• Specialty coffee consumption hit a five-year high as 43% of coffee drinkers chose specialty coffee in the past day, up 20% since January 2021.
• Cappuccinos and lattes are tied for America’s most popular coffee beverage, followed closely by plain espresso and cafe mocha.
• 41% of coffee drinkers use a drip coffee maker, followed by single-cup systems (27%), cold brewing (9%) and espresso machines (8%). BI

Starbucks Corp., Seattle, announced that Kevin Johnson, president and CEO, intends to retire after a 13-year tenure at the company, including the last five years as CEO. Johnson transitioned from his current role April 4, and will continue to serve as a Starbucks partner (employee) and special consultant to the company and Board of Directors through September. The Starbucks Board of Directors has been engaged in continuous CEO succession planning, assisted by Russell Reynolds Associates since 2021, and anticipates selecting a new leader by the fall. To ensure seamless stewardship of the company until a permanent successor is named, the Board has appointed Howard Schultz as interim chief executive officer, effective April 4. Schultz will also rejoin the company’s Board of Directors.

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo announced it suspended operations of its brands in Russia. CEO Ramon Laguarta sent an email to PepsiCo associates about the announcement, which was later shared on its website. A portion of the email stated: “[G]iven the horrific events occurring in Ukraine, we are announcing the suspension of the sale of Pepsi-Cola, and our global beverage brands in Russia, including 7Up and Mirinda. We will also be suspending capital investments and all advertising and promotional activities in Russia.”

Coffee consumption hits two-decade high, NCA poll shows

Breakthru Beverage Group, Provi announce partnership extension

Breakthru Beverage Group, New York, and Provi, Chicago, announced a three-year extension of their original partnership agreement.

“We’re excited to continue this partnership, which provides our customers with 24/7 access to our portfolio of the best and most innovative brands in the world across wine, spirits, beer, and emerging beverages,” said Michael Boswell, vice president of digital and eCommerce at Breakthru, in a statement. “As part of our commitment to being the easiest distributor to work with, we are enabling an end-to-end digital ecosystem that pairs Provi with our proprietary B2B eCommerce platform, BREAKTHRU NOW. All of this helps bring our suppliers and customers closer to the end consumer.”   

Breakthru has continued to enhance and expand its capabilities by staying calibrated to the end consumer, aggressively leading a smart and effective ambition to advance the company in a consumer-focused, digital world. The Provi partnership is a reflection of the company’s efforts to meet customers where they are and seamlessly offer diverse and highly relevant brands to consumers. Provi provides Breakthru a transactional digital ordering solution, which enables customers to order products from Breakthru, as well as other wholesalers, through a single ordering marketplace, the company says.

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with everyone on the Breakthru team as we strive towards our shared vision of delivering a best-in-class experience for both the distributor and retail tiers of the beverage alcohol industry,” said Max Lowenbaum, senior vice president of sales for Provi. “Breakthru has a long-standing commitment to being a future-focused leader in the industry, and it is a pleasure to work alongside them to provide a more seamless and efficient ordering experience between their sales reps and customers.”

Provi’s online marketplace streamlines the beverage ordering process between retailers and distributors through its robust communication system. Through the partnership, Provi provides all Breakthru sales representatives with a digital marketplace for selling to and communicating with their customers, helping bridge the divide between on and offline sales and keeping Breakthru’s portfolio top of mind when customers are ordering, it notes. BI

Stoli Group, Luxembourg, announced a major rebrand and the end of the use of the Stolichnaya name. In direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the vodka will exclusively be sold and marketed as Stoli. The three driving factors behind the decision are the founder’s vehement position on the Putin regime; the Stoli employees determination to take action; and the desire to accurately represent Stoli’s roots in Latvia.

Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. announced that it is suspending its business in Russia. “Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine,” the company said in a released statement. “We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve.”