Store Brand Soda on the Rise or Enjoy Dr. Thunder

One of the few areas that still banks heavily on big brand names is starting to crumble under the weight of the economic downturn. Carbonated soft drinks are usually dominated by name brands but consumers are now reaching for store brand sodas to quench their thirst. The store brand soda segment has been gaining ground over private labels as the year has progressed. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that "Nielsen data on Nov. 1 for the previous four weeks showed private-label carbonated beverages up 6.5 percent in dollar sales. Branded carbonated beverages fell about 1 percent in that same period." The AJC reports that "retailers also are putting a greater emphasis on their store brands" and promoting their private labels more heavily and touting the quality of the products. Mmmm... nothing hits the spot like a cold can of Mountain Yeller! From the AJC