Carbonated soft drinks are as popular as among US consumers, and sustained growth is expected for the US carbonated soft drinks market over the coming years. As consumption of soft drinks expands, brands can tap into various occasions for enjoyment, ultimately enhancing consumer experiences with CSDs.
US Carbonated Soft Drinks Market – Current Landscape
The US carbonated soft drink category is showing growth from last year and projecting sustained momentum. Increased consumption over last year for most types of CSDs, particularly among high-frequency drinkers, underscores their status as beloved treats.
Looking ahead, the future of CSDs hinges on aligning with consumer occasions, such as maintaining and fortifying mealtime occasions and boosting social occasions. Brands should look to reconnect with Baby Boomers, who, despite their lower use compared to younger generations, still use CSDs for a variety of occasions. By recognizing these opportunities, companies can drive innovation and enhance engagement − such as meal pairing or introducing inventive other ways to use CSDs, like in BBQ sauces.
Younger consumers also seek experiences that elevate CSDs through fun flavors and unique enhancements. Notably, brand loyalty often surpasses price sensitivity, with many consumers preferring familiarity despite rising costs. This trend allows established brands to introduce more flavorful or better-for-you options that consumers are willing to pay a premium for.
US Carbonated Soft Drinks Market Report – What’s Inside?
Key Topics Analyzed in the Report
- Carbonated soft drink market size and forecast
- Consumption and frequency of different types of carbonated soft drinks
- Occasions and motivations for carbonated soft drinks
- Innovations for carbonated soft drinks
- Attitudes about carbonated soft drinks
- Company and brand activity
Report Scope
Carbonated soft drinks are non-alcoholic beverages that have added carbonation. This includes beverages with a range of flavors, sweeteners, and colors. Colas, non-colas, craft, natural, and stevia-sweetened CSDs are combined in the regular and diet segments.
This Report divides the market into two segments:
- Regular carbonated soft drinks, including full-calorie and reduced/mid-calorie soft drinks
- Diet or zero-calorie soft drinks
Excluded from this report are flavored and unflavored sparkling water brands such as Perrier, carbonated energy drinks such as Red Bull, carbonated juice drinks, certain hybrid drinks (eg Bai Bubbles) and alcoholic beverages. Sales of CSDs through fountains, vending machines, and foodservice (ie restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks) are also excluded.
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
This report was written by Kamari Davis. Kamari joined Mintel in 2023 as a Food & Drink Analyst on the US Reports Team. He brings a background within the alcoholic beverage industry as a category analyst. Kamari holds a degree in Food & Consumer Package Goods Marketing from Western Michigan University.
Carbonated soft drinks are an indulgence, appealing to consumers not only for their flavor, but also for their brand appeal, making them a popular choice for many.
Kamari Davis
Research Analyst, Food & Drink
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Executive Summary
- What you need to know
- What consumers want and why
- Carbonated soft drinks sales are on the rise
- Market predictions
- Opportunities
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Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Sober curiosity drives consumers towards NA beverages
- Graph 1: sober curious awareness and trial, 2023
- Graph 2: reasons for sober curiosity, 2023
- Sodas are the superior swap
- Graph 3: alcohol alternative consumption, 2023
- Added functional properties are worth the premium price
- Transparency is paramount in earning consumers’ trust
- Market size and forecast
- Pricing strategies propel the carbonated soft drinks market growth
- Carbonated soft drinks are expected to reach $65bn in sales by 2029
- Retail sales and forecast of carbonated soft drinks
- Retail sales and forecast of carbonated soft drinks (inflation-adjusted)
- Market segmentation
- Regular sodas remain dominant, despite growing health-conscious shifts
- Graph 4: total retail sales and forecast of carbonated soft drinks, by segment, at current prices, 2019-29
- Diet sodas’ growth is expected to double the rate of growth of regular sodas
- Multi-channel distribution is essential for soda brands to maximize sales potential
- Graph 5: total retail sales of carbonated soft drinks, by channel, at current prices, 2019-24
- Market share/brand share
- The top three companies hold their strong position in the category, but it is the ‘others’ that exhibit growth
- Three mainstream companies make up over 90% of the CSD market
- Graph 6: brand market share of carbonated soft drinks, rolling 52 weeks 2024
- Sales of carbonated soft drinks, by company
- Regular carbonated soft drinks segment
- Classic sodas drive growth and maintain strong consumer appeal
- Carbonated soft drinks brands sales and share
- Diet carbonated soda segment
- Coca-Cola remains on top, but ‘others’ are experiencing more growth
- Diet carbonated soda sales and share
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Consumer Insights
- The carbonate soft drinks consumer: fast facts
- CSD consumption
- Consumption recovers in 2024, but underlying discrepancies persist
- Graph 7: CSD consumption 2023-24
- Over half of Gen Zs drink fruit-flavored sodas
- Graph 8: CSD consumption, by generation, 2024
- Consumers often remain loyal to their favorite CSDs, while also appreciating diverse options
- Graph 9: repertoire number of CSDs consumed, 2024
- Variety matters within CSDs
- Graph 10: repertoire of CSDs consumed, by generation, 2024
- Make CSDs more appealing for women
- Graph 11: CSD consumption, by gender, 2024
- CSD consumption frequency
- Carbonated beverages remain a core part of consumers’ routines
- Use natural sodas to innovate around healthier options
- Graph 12: CSD consumption frequency by type, 2024
- CSD drinkers are on the hunt for exciting new tastes
- Graph 13: CSD consumption, % of CSD drinkers who are high frequency users, by type, 2023-24
- CSD occasions
- CSDs have the versatility to flourish in many occasions
- Graph 14: CSD consumption occasions, 2024
- Generationally, CSDs pair comfortably with meals
- Graph 15: CSD occasions, by generation, 2024
- The Northeast can learn from the West for social occasions
- Graph 16: CSD occasions, by region, 2024
- Boost male engagement with CSDs in bars and social settings
- Graph 17: CSD consumption occasions, by gender 2024
- Interest in CSD innovations
- CSD innovations should evolve around food pairing
- CSD innovation should evolve around food pairing
- Graph 18: interest in CSD innovations, 2024
- Leverage mealtime with new flavor varieties
- Graph 19: interest in CSD innovations, by household size, 2024
- From Gen Z to Gen X, CSDs are more than just a treat
- Graph 20: interest in CSD innovations, by generation, 2024
- Motivations for increased consumption
- No stronger motivator than flavor for CSD consumers
- Graph 21: motivations to drink CSDs more often, 2024
- Younger consumers enjoy a mystery
- Graph 22: motivations to drink CSDs more often, by generation, 2024
- Leverage variety and exclusivity for women
- Graph 23: motivations to drink CSDs more often, by gender, 2024
- CSD attitudes
- Indulgence and brand drive soft drink choices
- Graph 24: CSD attitudes, 2024
- Authenticity serves as priority over functionality
- Graph 25: CSD attitudes – carbonated soft drinks made with added functional benefits are healthier (eg Poppi, Olipop), 2024
- Combine healthy attributes and creativity for CSD consumers
- Graph 26: CSD attitudes, by generation, any agree, 2024
- The importance of branding remains crucial across all financial scenarios
- Graph 27: CSD attitudes, by financial situation, any agree, 2024
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Innovation and Marketing Trends
- Launch activity and innovation
- New variety launches trend up
- Graph 28: CSD launches by launch type, 2019-24
- Brand repackaging in 2024
- Dynamic duos shape new CSD trends
- Mintel Flavorscape AI explores the future of flavor and flavor combinations using data science for the CSD category
- Novel CSD flavors
- Emerging CSD flavors
- LTOs and returning classics could stir up excitement
- Graph 29: seasonal and limited edition as a share of CSD launches, 2019-23
- Leverage flavor to maximize impact and enhance LTOs
- Marketing and advertising
- Coke leverages brand legacy to deliver new experiences
- Coca-Cola’s K-Wave Zero Sugar is revolutionizing the beverage market with AI innovation
- Soccer icons drive Pepsi’s momentum in UEFA Champions League campaign
- Jewel-Osco celebrates National Hot Dog Day with Pepsi displays
- Opportunities
- Avocados from Mexico and Poppi creatively intersect food and drink
- Gender differences in CSD health perceptions highlight communication opportunities
- Graph 30: CSD attitudes, any agree, by gender, 2024
- There is still opportunity in alcohol, despite the buzz around NA alternatives
- Graph 31: consumption of CSDs mixed with alcohol, by generation, 2023-24
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Appendix
- Market definition
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
- Forecast methodology
- Forecast fan chart methodology
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