Price and Convenience Are Two Driving Forces behind the Fruit-Flavored Juice Drinks Market in the US.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c44525) has announced the addition of Fruit-flavored Juice Drinks in the United States to their offering.

This report examines fruit-flavored juice drinks, non-carbonated drinks that are flavored with fruit--such as Kool-Aid, Tang, Country Time, Capri Sun, Crystal Light, Hawaiian Punch, Hi-C, and Sunny Delight--or drinks containing less than 10% real fruit juice (Newman's Own Lemonade). These products are available in powdered or liquid forms, including canned, refrigerated, or bottled ready-to-drink products or frozen or aseptic concentrates. Fruit juice and carbonated fruit-flavored drinks are examined separately.

Fruit-flavored juice drinks are economical and therefore tend to appeal to budget-minded consumers. Some of the products, such as Kool-Aid, are iconic brands with significant appeal to children and families, while others, such as Crystal Light, have positioned themselves as diet-friendly alternatives to juices and carbonated beverages for women. Crystal Light and other brands have also leveraged the bottled water trend by promoting themselves as "mix-ins" to flavor plain water. The convenience factor has also come into play, as these products are packaged in individual services to be added to bottled water.

Many of the fruit-flavored drinks currently on the market are sweetened without sugar, which can make them popular with diet-conscious consumers and those trying to cut back on their children's sugar intake. But sugar- or high fructose corn syrup-sweetened juice drinks are also available, as are fruit drinks fortified with added vitamins and minerals. Both artificially sweetened and sugar sweetened juice drinks have their supporters and detractorsCowhile some consumers turn to sugar-free versions for weight control, others are reluctant to use them because of their concern about the safety of artificial sweeteners. But sugar sweetened beverages have also come under scrutiny as contributing to the nation's obesity crisis.

The question of why consumers choose a fruit-flavored drink instead of "real" fruit juice is an issue to be considered. Price and convenience are two drivers behind this market, but another important factor is diet awareness - fruit flavored drinks do not contain natural carbohydrates (fruit sugars) that boost the calorie count of many natural fruit juices, and consumers watching their weight may prefer the lower-calorie options afforded by artificially flavored and artificially sweetened beverages. Some consumer groups (e.g. Hispanics, blacks, and children) may also prefer the more imaginative flavor offerings of these beverages and their generally sweeter flavor profile.

This report clearly identifies the principal external factors driving or curtailing growth. Exclusive consumer research reveals the attitudes, needs and behavior of consumers, with analysis broken down both by demographic characteristics, and by segment.

Six years of specific sales data provide a factual and impartial presentation of the market as a whole. The report also evaluates the performance of individual sectors in the market, and provides information about the major companies and brands. Using the SPSS forecasting package, a five-year forecast of U.S. retail sales is created, revealing potential opportunities for growth and product development.

This report contains US IRI InfoScan data.

Companies Mentioned:
- Kraft Foods, Inc.
- Coca-Cola Company
- Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
- PepsiCo, Inc.
- Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB)
- Sunny Delight Beverages Co.
- Welch Food Inc.
- Campbell Soup Company

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c44525