Non-alcoholic beverages have come a long way from basic soda, juice, and bottled water. Today’s convenience store shelves are filled with a vibrant and growing array of drinks that appeal to health-conscious consumers, trend-following teens, busy professionals, and just about everyone in between. From prebiotic sodas to adaptogenic teas and protein-infused waters, the beverage industry is experiencing a significant rise in non-alcoholic beverages in C-stores to meet consumers’ changing demands.
As customer preferences shift toward wellness, variety, and functionality, convenience store managers must stay informed about emerging beverage brands to remain competitive. One standout brand at the forefront of this movement is Poppi, a prebiotic soda that has become a social media sensation and a top-selling item in many C-store coolers. By understanding and trying these new beverages, you and your team will be better able to recommend them to your customers and increase sales.
A New Era of Beverages: Health, Function, and Flavor
Today’s consumers expect more from their beverages. Traditional sugary sodas are losing favor, especially among younger shoppers, who are reaching for drinks that provide real benefits beyond hydration. This trend is most evident in the rise of functional beverages, which are drinks enhanced with ingredients like probiotics, prebiotics, electrolytes, adaptogens, vitamins, and even nootropics (substances that support cognitive function).
According to recent market reports, the global functional beverage market is projected to exceed $200 billion by 2030, fueled by growing awareness of gut health, mental wellness, and immunity. Consumers now want drinks that work for them—supporting digestion, energy, clarity, and overall wellness.
This shift has had a significant impact on convenience store offerings. C-store shelves that once featured the same few carbonated soft drinks now cater to niche preferences with an ever-expanding variety of options, including:
- Prebiotic and probiotic sodas
- Cold brew and oat milk lattes
- Enhanced waters and electrolyte drinks
- Kombucha
- CBD-infused drinks
- Zero-sugar and plant-based options
Convenience stores embracing this evolution are better positioned to attract and retain modern shoppers, especially younger generations who drive the demand for these alternative beverages.
Poppi: From Kitchen Experiment to Convenience Store Star
Among the fastest-growing and most recognizable brands in the functional beverage space is Poppi—a prebiotic soda infused with apple cider vinegar and natural fruit juices. Poppi has taken the beverage industry by storm thanks to its compelling combination of health benefits, bright branding, and savvy social media marketing.
The Origin Story
Poppi was founded by Allison Ellsworth, who began experimenting with apple cider vinegar (ACV) drinks in her kitchen to support her gut health. She quickly realized that the traditional taste of ACV wasn’t appealing to most consumers, so she worked to create a better-tasting, refreshing drink using fruit juices and carbonated water—eventually leading to what would become Poppi.
After appearing on Shark Tank in 2020 and securing an investment from Rohan Oza, Poppi experienced explosive growth. The brand’s vibrant cans, gut health messaging, and endorsement from influencers on TikTok and Instagram have helped it skyrocket in popularity—particularly among Gen Z and Millennial consumers.
Why It Works
Poppi isn’t just another trendy soda—it aligns perfectly with several key consumer trends:
- Gut health awareness: Each can contains a small amount of unfiltered ACV, which supports digestive health.
- Clean ingredients: Poppi uses real fruit juices, has low sugar content (5g or less), and no artificial sweeteners.
- Flavor variety: With options like Raspberry Rose, Strawberry Lemon, and Orange, Poppi offers a flavor for every palate.
- Branding appeal: Its colorful packaging and health-forward messaging resonate strongly with younger shoppers who care about what they consume and how it looks on social media.
Why C-Store Managers Should Take Note of the Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Stocking brands like Poppi isn’t just a trendy move—it’s smart business. Consumers are actively seeking these types of beverages, and stores that provide them can benefit from:
1. Increased Basket Size: Customers looking for premium drinks are often willing to purchase more per visit. Functional beverages have a higher price point than traditional sodas, which can boost average transaction totals.
2. Attracting Younger Audiences: Poppi’s TikTok-fueled fame makes it a go-to choice for teens and twenty-somethings. Stocking it can drive foot traffic from this influential demographic.
3. Enhancing Health-Conscious Appeal: As more shoppers choose better-for-you options, offering a curated selection of functional drinks helps align your store with wellness trends.
4. Cross-Selling Opportunities: Functional beverages pair well with fresh snacks, protein bars, or meal-replacement items, opening up opportunities to promote combo deals or displays.
Tips for Promoting Functional Beverages
Store managers should take a proactive approach to make the most of this category. Here’s how:
1. Educate Staff and Customers
Train employees to understand the benefits of functional beverages. For example, they should be able to answer basic questions like:
- What is a prebiotic?
- Why is Poppi better than regular soda?
- Which drink is best for energy or digestion?
Educated staff can make better recommendations, improving customer satisfaction and increasing sales.
2. Create Eye-Catching Displays
Beverage manufacturers are increasingly creative with packaging to stand out from the competition. For example, Poppi’s colorful packaging is eye-catching and fun. Use it to your advantage by building custom endcaps or refrigerated case displays. Place the cans near checkout areas or with other health-focused items for additional exposure.
3. Use Digital and In-Store Promotions
Consumers may need a little extra motivation to try new types of beverages. To encourage consumers to try them, feature brands like Poppi in digital advertising, social media shoutouts, or other promotions. Point out discounts or bundle deals.
4. Follow the Trends
Stay on top of industry trends and regularly evaluate your beverage mix. New flavors and brands are constantly hitting the market. Being the first to offer a trending drink can position your store as the go-to destination for the latest products.
H&S Energy Helps You Stay Informed About the Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beverages
The non-alcoholic beverage space is more dynamic than ever before, and Poppi is a perfect example of how innovation and wellness can reshape an entire product category. For convenience stores, these changes present a golden opportunity to rethink beverage offerings and better meet the preferences of today’s consumers.
At H&S Energy, we understand how rapidly the convenience store landscape is evolving. That’s why we help C-store operators make strategic decisions about product mix, promotions, and inventory planning. Our industry expertise allows us to help you identify emerging products like Poppi, evaluate performance metrics, and adjust offerings to serve your customers better.
We encourage all our partners to stay curious and engaged. Take time to taste new products, research their benefits, and understand what your customers are asking for. The more informed your team is, the better you’ll be able to meet demand and build long-term loyalty.
Ready to optimize your beverage strategy? Visit H&S Energy to connect with our expert team and learn how we can help your store thrive.
