In 2016, bottled water sales surpassed soda drinks in the U.S. for the first time.
For 2018, bottled water comprised 22% of the U.S. beverage market by volume, while carbonated soda drinks comprised 19%. Broadly characterized, the “health and wellness” beverage category now comprises 42% of the total market and its share is growing.
The U.S. bottled water market has been growing at a 7% 5-year CAGR. The fastest growing water category is “enhanced water,” with alkaline water comprising the largest and fastest growing segment of the “enhanced water” market. PET single serve bottles have grown from 40% of the packaging market in 2013 to 46% in 2018. Yet, the consumer has an increased awareness of the “ills” of single-use plastic and there is a strong preference for alternatives.
(Beverage MarketingCorporation and Fortune Business Insights).