Top 10: High-end, alcohol-free beverages, Gene Simmons’ soda and Gen Z

From news about American consumers’ waning interest in drinking alcohol sparking new innovations in premium, alcohol-free drinks that appeal to sophisticated, health-focused consumers to musician Gene Simmons debuting a four-flavor line of premium soft drinks to retailers including Wegmans and Tops, the beverage world was busy with news that ranked at the top of most-read stories by food and beverage readers this week. Also in the top 10 stories: Coca-Cola’s purchase of soda brand Moxie, which it expects to close in the fourth quarter of this year.

Rounding out the top three was a poll about Gen Z and what they want from employers caught readers’ attention.

Various stories involving the CPG industry made the bulk of this week’s most-read list with news about data from a Nielsen shopper study revealing that consumers are increasingly visiting stores specifically to buy pet products making the top five. Pet care is “an anchor to center store as the No. 2 reason consumers leave the house to go to the store, and it’s shopped by 75% of US households,” said Joe Toscano, Nestle Purina Petcare’s vice president and director of trade and industry relations.