It’s no secret that flavored water is becoming more and more popular, year after year. With a new flavored water brand hitting the market more often than ever, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends. But don’t worry – we’re here to help! This blog post will discuss the top predicted flavored water consumer need states for 2023.
This list of trends is one flavored water brands can’t afford to ignore. So, what’s behind the ever-growing demand for flavored water in 2023? And which consumer need states should you target if you want to capitalize on them? Keep reading for all the answers!
Sodium-Free
The first need state on our list is sodium-free. This is a trend that’s been growing steadily year over year as consumers become more and more health-conscious. And with rising concerns about the health effects of consuming too much sodium, it’s no surprise that this need state is predicted to continue growing in popularity, and competition will only increase. Products like this Blueberry + Pomegranate sparkling water from AHA are a great example of a Sodium-Free product that should cater nicely to flavored water consumers concerned about blood pressure, heart health, and overall sodium intake.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage & Water Trends Solutions
Non-Alcoholic beverages are a broad category and consumer need state, but it’s one that’s predicted to see a lot of growth in the next year. This is likely due to the continued trend of health consciousness and sobriety, as more and more consumers are looking for ways to reduce alcohol consumption and improve their overall health.
While hard seltzers and flavored waters have made their make on the industry in the past few years, the demand for non-alcoholic alternatives will be in high demand. Brands should look to capitalize on this need state by offering flavorful and refreshing products that can compete with their alcoholic counterparts. People who drink non-alcoholic beverages may still enjoy the party atmosphere without the negative impacts of drinking alcohol, so alcoholic beverage brands can still captivate audiences with the right types of product positioning and marketing. For example, take a look at this high-end Non-Alcoholic aperitif from Ghia.
Zero Sweeteners
As the fight against natural and added sugars wages on, it’s no surprise that the need state of zero sweeteners is predicted to see a lot of growth (and competition) in 2023. Many consumers will be looking for flavored water options that are refreshing, hydrating, and free of any added sweeteners.
To appeal to this need, brands should focus on creating products with unique flavor profiles that don’t rely on sweeteners to taste good. This can be a challenge, but it will be worth it to tap into this growing market. While using zero sweeteners is nothing new in the beverage industry, brands must position themselves so that consumers feel confident in the flavors and ingredients offered. Using “Zero Sweeteners” is a big hit with consumers in 2022, and we expect that trend to continue into 2023. Companies like Hint are staying on top of the trend with their extensive lineup of Zero Sweetener and zero sugar flavored water options that are taking the market by storm.
Dairy-Free
As more consumers become aware of the health and environmental impact of consuming dairy, the need state of dairy-free is predicted to see a lot of growth in the next year. While this trend has steadily grown for a while, it’s expected to surge in popularity in 2023.
While it might be challenging to address the demographic of dairy-free consumers, brands should focus on creating plant-based products free of any dairy ingredients if they can afford to. Those who do will undoubtedly capitalize on the sizable shift in consumer preferences for dairy, gluten, and additive-free products. With this trending need state in mind, your brand should be well-positioned to succeed in the flavored water market in 2023.
Focus
With so much competition within the flavored water industry, determining the lower-hanging fruit can be challenging. Luckily, we’ve researched and identified that consumers will be searching for, purchasing, and talking about focus-oriented flavored waters. This need state is still early in its lifecycle, so there’s still a ton of room for brands to capitalize on it.
See if your brand can create flavored water products specifically marketed as ideal for those who need a little help staying focused throughout the day. Vitamin Water has cornered this part of the market for quite some time, but it doesn’t need to stay that way forever. This can be a great way to differentiate your products from the competition and tap into a growing trend.
Relax
Sometimes, you need a cold beverage to unwind and relax. That’s why brands like Limitless produce flavored water beverages like this to help you relax and take your mind off the stress in your life. Like Focus, the Relax consumer need state has the lowest forecasted competition in 2023. This need state is still in its early stages but is expected to see a lot of growth as more and more consumers look for ways to destress and unwind. If your brand can create flavored water products that are marketed as being ideal for relaxation, you’ll be well-positioned to succeed in the market next year.
Healthy Lifestyle
Consumers are always looking for ways to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, and flavored waters are a great way to reduce sugary alternatives. Flavored water is a fantastic option to fill the vital hydration requirements of someone living an on-the-go existence.
With a high year-over-year growth potential, brands should not ignore consumers’ needs for a healthy lifestyle. To tap into this trend, brands should focus on creating products low in calories, sugar, and sodium. Additionally, these products should be rich in vitamins and minerals to help support a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy Hydration
It’s incredible how many consumer struggle with daily hydration. While plain old tap water might not cut it for many, adding some flavor can help encourage people to drink more fluids and stay hydrated throughout the day. The team here at Simporter predicts the need for healthy hydration will see a lot of growth in the next year, so products from brands like Roar will surely surge in popularity.
To appeal to this need state, brands should focus on creating products that are not only flavorful, but also low in calories and sugar. Additionally, these products should be rich in vitamins and minerals to help support a healthy lifestyle.
Preservative-Free
Because flavored waters include added ingredients, they can easily contain preservatives. As consumers continue to eliminate preservatives from their diets, the need for preservative-free is expected to see high demand, growth, and competition in 2023. Companies like Flow, who have developed robust lineups of preservative-free flavored products, are ahead of the curve regarding this particular need state.
Think about ways to strip preservatives from your flavored water products if they currently have them on the ingredient list, and you’ll be well-positioned to capitalize on this trending consumer need. Your customers will thank you with their dollars; we’re sure of it.
Vegan
Veganism continues to rise, and it’s not just popular with Vegans. More and more people are interested in trying plant-based foods and beverages, even if they’re not fully committed to a vegan lifestyle. This trend should grow next year, so brands must be prepared to take action and develop a product roadmap accordingly.
Keeping this need state in mind when developing flavored water products is essential if you want to maximize your R&D efforts for 2023 and beyond. Make sure that your products are plant-based and free of any dairy ingredients. This can be a great way to appeal to a broader audience and tap into a growing trend.
Trending Flavored Water Industry Insights Conclusion
There you have it! These are the need states that we predict will be trending in the flavored water industry in 2023. To be successful, brands need to focus on creating products that meet the specific needs of each consumer.
Check out our blog for more on the latest flavored water trends for 2023.
If you’re ready to see Simporter AI in action and learn what it can do for you, request a demo on our website for more insights on key flavored water trends. Predicting need trends is just one way Simporter can help brands grow their business, so to learn more about how we can help you, please visit us at simporter.com.
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