2025
9
US Still and Sparkling Waters Market Report 2025
2025-03-03T13:28:32+00:00
REP7F268FB8_F0B1_44D6_9FCC_768B9731714B
3695
180063
[{"name":"Bottled Water","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/drinks\/bottled-water"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"US","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/us-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
8 in 10 consumers are engaged in the packaged water space, and while tap water is the most common water source, unflavored bottled water is not far behind. Bottled water…
US
Bottled Water
simple

US Still and Sparkling Waters Market Report 2025

8 in 10 consumers are engaged in the packaged water space, and while tap water is the most common water source, unflavored bottled water is not far behind.

Trusted by leading global brands

Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Market size & forecast
    • Market predictions
    • What consumers want & why
    • Opportunities
    • Hydration motivation runs strong
    • Quench consumers’ thirst for transparency
    • Graph 1: attitudes toward water, NET – any agree, 2024
    • Ride the wave with water’s inherent health benefits
  2. MARKET DYNAMICS

    • Market drivers
    • Consumers are increasingly ‘getting by’
    • Graph 2: trended household confidence – financial health, 2020-24
    • The balancing act of accessibility and premiumization as over half still feel impacts of food/drink inflation
    • Graph 3: consumer reports of being affected by certain issues – increases in food and drink prices, February 2023-December 2024
    • Hydration prioritization spans across financial situations
    • Graph 4: change in beverage behaviors, by financial situation, 2024
    • Current use, previous use or interest in GLP-1 use show stronger impacts on beverage behaviors
    • Graph 5: change in beverage behaviors, by GLP-1 use, 2024
    • Take action in the midst of consumer concerns of climate change and water supply
    • Market size and forecast
    • Water market returns to more ‘charted waters’
    • Retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters
    • Retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters, 2019-29
    • Market segmentation
    • Greater growth expected for smaller market segments
    • Graph 6: total retail sales estimate of still and sparkling waters, by segment, at current prices, 2024
    • Retail sales of still and sparkling waters, by segment
    • Market share/brand share
    • Private label and other brands grab share from market leaders
    • Sales of still and sparkling water, by company
    • Bai’s It’s Wonderwater and private label make waves in flavored still water
    • Flavored convenience/bottled still water
    • Flavored carbonation competition
    • Flavored seltzer/sparkling mineral
    • BlueTriton and store brands hold on to modest nonflavored bottled still water segment growth
    • Nonflavored convenience/bottled still water
    • Nonflavored jug/bulk still water resonates within the nonflavored still water space, especially under store brands
    • Nonflavored jug/bulk still water
    • Plenty of space to play in the versatile nonflavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral segment
    • Nonflavored seltzer/sparkling mineral
  3. CONSUMER INSIGHTS

    • Consumer fast facts
    • Trended water consumption
    • Small shifts towards sparkling
    • Graph 7: trended water consumption, 2023-25
    • Packaged water repertoire sweet spot sees alignment across generations
    • Graph 8: repertoire of water types consumed, by generation, 2025
    • Graph 9: repertoire of water types consumed, 2025
    • Unlocking packaged water’s appeal at home
    • Graph 10: repertoire of water types consumed, by work from home status, 2025
    • Changes in beverage habits
    • 4 in 10 consumers are focusing more on hydration
    • Graph 11: change in beverage habits, 2024
    • Work alongside reusable water bottles
    • Graph 12: change in beverage behaviors, reusable water bottle users, 2024
    • Younger generations power dynamic beverage landscape – where does water fit in?
    • Graph 13: change in beverage habits, by generation, 2024
    • Hybrid hydration solutions
    • Graph 14: change in beverage habits, by work from home status, 2024
    • Trended water attributes sought
    • Priorities are steady and spread out
    • Graph 15: trended attributes of importance in water purchases, 2024-25
    • Younger generations redefine value
    • Graph 16: attributes of importance in water purchases, by generation, 2024
    • Packaged water is more than just water for superusers
    • Graph 17: attributes of importance in water purchases, by repertoire of water types consumed, 2024
    • Packaged water innovation interests
    • Make space for the basics
    • Graph 18: appealing bottled water concepts, 2024
    • Younger generations open to a mix of water bells and whistles
    • Graph 19: interest in bottled water concepts, by generation, 2024
    • Adventurous water users pay attention to ingredients
    • Graph 20: interest in bottled water concepts, by repertoire of water types consumed, 2024
    • Purchase Intelligence case study: consumer perceptions of real ingredient flavor sources still leave space for clarification
    • Packaged water occasions by specific types of water
    • Maximize satisfaction with water-type targeted occasions
    • Graph 21: water occasions by specific types of water, 2024
    • Water behaviors
    • Peace of mind purchasing
    • Graph 22: water behaviors, 2024
    • Younger shoppers make waves within water purchasing
    • Graph 23: water behaviors, by generation, 2024
    • Provide pack size solutions that span across household sizes
    • Graph 24: water behaviors, by household size, 2024
    • Water attitudes
    • It’s water’s time to shine in hydration’s spotlight
    • Graph 25: water attitudes, 2024
    • Water safety is a packaged deal for younger generations
    • Graph 26: water attitudes towards health – NET – any agree, by generation, 2024
    • Bridge the gap with appealing, attainable sustainable solutions
    • Graph 27: water attitudes toward sustainability – NET – any agree, by generation, 2024
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Packaging continues to lead new water product launches
    • Graph 28: GNPD product launches, by type of launch, 2020-24
    • What’s happening in new packaging…
    • Sustainability: a piece of the packaging puzzle
    • Water to satisfy a sweet tooth?
    • Candy flavored water that hits the mark
    • Graph 29: performance of select product compared to the flavored water – USA 2017+ category, 2025
    • Water’s appeal to the alcohol alternative occasion
    • Standing out in the LTO and seasonal ‘noise’
    • Flavorscape AI: water
    • Marketing and advertising
    • New year, new (hydrated) me
    • Bubly strengthens brand identity with appeals to moms
    • Spindrift’s spin on a day-in-the-life
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • Market size methodology
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of still and sparkling waters, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored convenience/bottled still water, at current prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored convenience/bottled still water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored convenience/bottled still water, at current prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored convenience/bottled still water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored jug/bulk still water, at current prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored jug/bulk still water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at current prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of nonflavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at current prices, 2019-29
    • US: total retail sales and forecast of flavored seltzer/sparkling/mineral water, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2019-29
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Generations
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast fan chart methodology
Download Report Summary

"Meeting dynamic demands for hydration solutions while keeping health and safety a constant should be a package deal within packaged water."

Kelsey Olsen - Food & Drink Analyst

Kelsey Olsen - Food & Drink Analyst

8 in 10 consumers are engaged in the packaged water space, and while tap water is the most common water source, unflavored bottled water is not far behind. Bottled water varieties hold perceptions of health and safety when compared to tap water. However, comparably smaller categories like sparkling and flavored waters saw greater growth in 2024 driven by hybrid lifestyles and younger generations’ draw to variety.

US Packaged Water Market Analysis

The greater beverage landscape is undeniably dynamic as only 20% of US consumers reported not making any changes to beverage habits compared to a year ago, with hydration goals, nutritional preferences and budgetary constraints contributing. Sparkling and flavored water are unlocking diversified occasions (eg a pick-me-up, an alcohol alternative), while still and tap water hold steady as a thirst quencher during hot weather. In other words, the opportunities for products to fulfill dynamic preferences and priorities will likely keep growing.

One thing remains crystal clear within the beverage landscape: hydration is in the spotlight. From increased focuses on hydration, to boosted hydration formulas leading innovation interests, packaged water can continue to support consumers’ hydration needs. Waters’ identity as the healthiest beverage is strong differentiator within this hydration space, yet there’s still room to elevate health perceptions while growing trust with transparency and an attention to packaging.

US Water Industry Statistics

  • US water consumer demands: 3 in ten consumers of packaged bottled water consumers are interested in boosted hydration products.

US Still and Sparkling Water Market Report – What’s Inside?

Key Topics Analysed in the Report

  • Trended water consumption
  • Changes in beverage habits
  • Trended water attributes of importance
  • Packaged water innovation interests
  • Packaged water occasions
  • Water behaviors and attitudes
  • Innovation and marketing across packaged water segments

Report Scope

The packaged water industry 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.

Report segmentation 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.
£ 3,695 excl. Tax
Secure direct checkout
Instant PDF download
Portal access included
Need help deciding? Get in touch

Trusted by global industry leaders

4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Amazon logo

Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.

Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.

Ngozi Ngonadi-Nkwoji, Senior Marketing Manager, Amazon
Abacus logo

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
Wincanton logo

When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.

They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.

So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.

Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
Jackman logo

At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.

Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
Bauer Media Group logo

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
VocaLink logo

We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.

As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.

We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.

 

Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
Tenth Wave logo

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave
VML logo

We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.

Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.

Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML
Deutsch logo

One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.

We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.

We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.

Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Waitrose & Partners logo

We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.

Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.

Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners