Sodas lose fizz in 2007 forecast

Carbonated soft drinks maintain their hold over the US beverage market, but the category experienced a steady decline last year, and this is expected to accelerate in 2007.

Carbonated soft drinks saw volumes down one percent in the fourth quarter 2006, compared with the equivalent period a year earlier. Colas - the traditional mainstay of the category - particularly suffered.

At the same time, diet carbonates have become a growing source of concern for the industry, says the researcher. Sales during the last three months of 2006 were down by more than 3 percent, despite several years of solid growth and significant brand support, new launches, re-launches and reformulations.

USA Soft Drinks Service Quarterly Beverage Review

Bonnie - this is good news for those in my profession!