2026
9
US Still and Sparkling Waters Market Report 2026
2026-03-10T08:01:54+00:00
REP781D7AE1_DB44_4253_9D7A_E1DB44A25376
3695
191813
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Report
en_GB
The still and sparkling water category remains stable, as consumers view hydration as essential to their wellbeing, with 85% saying it's an accessible way to support their health, and growing…
US
Bottled Water
simple

US Still and Sparkling Waters Market Report 2026

The still and sparkling water category remains stable, as consumers view hydration as essential to their wellbeing, with 85% saying it's an accessible way to support their health, and growing safety concerns drive many toward packaged options for purity and trust.

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for still and sparkling waters
    • Opportunities
    • The category’s strength is its simplicity: innovations must build around it, not over it
    • Build the connections between sustainability, consumer safety, and product integrity
    • Graph 1: attributes consumers look for when shopping for packaged water, 2026
    • Challenge when, where, and with whom flavored, functional, and sparkling waters belong
    • Discover the top five trend territories for success in US non-alcoholic beverages using Black Swan’s social prediction technology
  2. THE MARKET

    • Snapshot – market size and forecast of still and sparking waters
    • Consumers and the economic outlook
    • Market factors
    • Hydration emerges as a key pillar of wellbeing in a hotter world
    • An aging America will need better hydration solutions, as older adults become vulnerable to under-hydration
    • Subdued thirst cues and fluid loss make consistent hydration even more critical for GLP-1 users
    • Graph 2: experience or interest in weight management methods, 2025
    • Lower-income consumers scale back on bottled and canned beverages
    • Graph 3: change in financial situation over the past 12 months, 2025
    • Environmental concerns put water on the political agenda
    • Market size and forecast
    • Slow and steady growth across the water category
    • Retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters
    • Graph 4: total retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters, at current prices, 2019-30
    • Retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters
    • Market segmentation
    • Flavored and nonflavored sparkling water grow share
    • Graph 5: segment dollar share of still and sparkling water sales, 2025
    • Graph 6: segment % share of still and sparkling water sales, 2023-25
    • Retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters, by segment
    • Market share/brand share
    • Breakout flavored still water brands balance enjoyment with functional benefits
    • Sales of flavored convenience/bottled still water, by company
    • New leaders emerge as legacy brands decline in sparkling water
    • Sales of flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, by company
    • The middle of the market struggles to stand out in plain bottled water
    • Sales of non-flavored convenience/bottled still water, by company
    • Water safety and availability concerns renew interest in large-format options
    • Sales of non-flavored jug/bulk still water, by company
    • Non-flavored sparkling water expands at the high end, energized by lifestyle-led marketing
    • Sales of non-flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral, by company
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Consumer’s perception of water by type
    • Consumers mainly see beverages through a health versus indulgence lens
    • Perceptions reveal a sharp divide between everyday hydration and occasional treats
    • What does this mean for the water category…
    • Millennials fuel exploration and innovation across the packaged water market
    • The 2010s sparkling water wave captured Millennial loyalty
    • La Croix made sparkling water “cool” for Millennials and pushed the category into a new direction
    • Millennials set the pace for innovation and exploration in packaged water…
    • Graph 7: repertoire of types of water consumed, by generation, 2026
    • Graph 8: types of water consumed, by generation, 2026
    • …and place more importance on factors like packaging, nutrition, and flavor.
    • Graph 9: attributes consumers prioritize when buying packaged water, by generation, 2026
    • Innovation wins when it stays true to water’s health halo
    • Graph 10: interest in flavored bottled water concepts, by generation, 2026
    • Wellness-aligned benefits deliver on the core priorities of different consumer groups
    • Reach peaks with fundamental hydration benefits, not trend-led features
    • Men lean toward function-focused water choices, while women prefer simplicity
    • Graph 11: interest in functional bottled water concepts/claims, by gender, 2026
    • Baby Boomers represent an overlooked opportunity for functional waters
    • Graph 12: “hydration is an accessible way to take care of myself,” by generation, 2026
    • Functional water innovation can – and should – extend beyond younger consumers
    • Graph 13: interest in functional bottled water concepts/claims, by generation, 2026
    • Safety and transparency gives packaged water an edge with younger and diverse audiences
    • Digital access heightens consumer awareness of water health and safety
    • Graph 14: attributes consumers prioritize when buying packaged water, by generation, 2026
    • Graph 15: “drinking less tap water” compared to a year ago, by generation, 2026
    • Younger consumers act on safety concerns, turning to packaged water for assurance
    • Graph 16: attitudes toward bottled water, by generation, 2026
    • Systemic water issues drive greater reliance on packaged water among Black consumers over safety concerns
    • Black consumers seek both credibility and creativity in packaged water
    • Graph 17: attitudes about bottled water, by race/ethnicity, 2026
  4. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Alcohol-inspired waters hit the sweet spot for the sober curious
    • Familiar fruit flavors take the edge off the heat
    • Hydration and low sugar anchor success; extra nutrients elevate standout appeal
    • “Cool” designs don’t always cut it, as value and utility drive purchase
    • bubly shows how sparkling water can be fun beyond the can
    • A rising sparkling water star: Bawi reignites Gen Z’s interest through culture and community
    • Sanzo blends cultural authenticity with accessible communication
    • Bold partnerships keep Liquid Death culturally relevant and impossible to ignore
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • The market
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast methodology – fan chart
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored convenience/bottled still water, at current prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored convenience/bottled still water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored convenience/bottled still water, at current prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored convenience/bottled still water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored jug/bulk still water, at current prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored jug/bulk still water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at current prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at current prices, 2019-30
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-30
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Correspondence analysis methodology
    • Associations with different types of beverages
    • Repertoire analysis methodology
    • TURF methodology
    • How to read: TURF analysis
    • Generation groups
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Data
    • MULO sales of still and sparkling water
    • Average annual household spending on still and sparkling water
    • Total retail sales of still and sparkling water, by segment
    • Value, average price and volume of MULO non-flavored convenience/bottled still water sales
    • Value, average price and volume of MULO flavored convenience/bottled still water sales
    • Value, average price and volume of MULO non-flavored jug/bulk still water sales
    • Value, average price and volume of MULO non-flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water sales
    • Value, average price and volume of MULO flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water sales
    • Total retail sales of still and sparkling water, by channel, at current prices
    • Total retail sales of still and sparkling water, by channel, at current prices, 2023 and 2025
    • Supermarket sales of still and sparkling water, at current prices
    • Convenience store sales of still and sparkling water, at current prices
    • Sales of still and sparkling water through other retail channels, at current prices
Download Report Summary

US Bottled Water Industry – Trends and Insights

  • The still and sparkling water category remains stable, as consumers view hydration as essential to their wellbeing, with 85% saying it’s an accessible way to support their health, and growing safety concerns drive many toward packaged options for purity and trust.
  • Growth is strongest at the value and premium ends of the market, while mid-tier brands struggle to differentiate as private label expands and premium players win on experience, transparency, and elevated positioning.
  • At the same time, rising climate pressures, aging populations, Boomers’ growing hydration needs, and Millennials’ appetite for flavor and functional exploration create significant opportunities for brands to innovate simply – emphasizing clarity, safety, light-touch functionality, and culturally resonant flavors – while avoiding complexity that feels unnecessary or overpriced.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Types of water consumers drink
  • Shifts in water-drinking habits and consumption patterns
  • Key factors influencing packaged water purchases
  • Consumer interest in functional bottled water benefits and claims
  • Consumer interest in flavored bottled water options
  • Perceived attributes of various beverage types
  • Consumer attitudes and behaviors toward bottled water

Report Scope

For this Report water is segmented as follows:

  • Nonflavored convenience still water: may be plain or enhanced with vitamins, minerals or other supplements (eg Essentia, Dasani, Pure Life)
  • Flavored convenience still water: may be plain or enhanced with vitamins, minerals or other supplements (eg Hint, Propel, Vitaminwater)
  • Nonflavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water: may be plain or enhanced (eg Perrier, Topo Chico, unflavored Polar Seltzer)
  • Flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water: may be plain or enhanced (eg LaCroix, Bubly, AHA)
  • Jug/bulk still bottled water: plain water sold in multiserve containers; excludes jug/bulk containers that are filled by the consumer.

This Report excludes the following:

  • Water sold from bulk dispensers or coolers. This includes sales through vending machines, foodservice, and delivery services.
  • Coconut water and other plant-based waters.
  • Water filtration products.

This Report includes consumer data but not sales data on powdered/liquid water enhancement products (eg Mio, Liquid I.V., Crystal Light).

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