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This month, Ray Rowlands of Drinksinfo Ltd follows up on the reports that PepsiCo is planning to launch a premium brand into the burgeoning US bottled water market next year, in an attempt to accelerate its diversification away from its struggling carbonates business.

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If anyone was expecting an underwhelming and downbeat atmosphere at last week's IFE food and drink show, they would have been pleasantly surprised. Among the soft drinks exhibitors at least, Annette Farr found that in these bleak times producers are keener than ever to set themselves apart through innovation.

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The children’s drinks market has changed substantially in recent years as health concerns have increased. However, writes Simon Maddrell of Euromonitor International, some companies have been quicker than others to recognise the commercial opportunities that new parental priorities offer.

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While the past 12 months have been difficult for many soft drinks companies, notably in North America, the last year has seen continued development in better-for-you categories, notably enhanced waters and healthy colas. Ben Cooper takes a look back at 2008.

PepsiCo returned to the headlines last month, when it announced its plans to buy a major stake in Russian juice company Lebedyansky. The transaction, for a 75% stake in the company – which accounts for 30% of the country’s juice market - marked a clear statement of intent for the company in the emerging markets of the world. In the second part of this month’s just-drinks interview, PepsiCo International’s chairman and CEO, Mike White, tells Olly Wehring of the company’s approach in the developing markets, and considers the effect of the current economic climate on the soft drinks giant.

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PepsiCo is aiming to become the largest beverage company in Russia and its recent acquisition of a majority stake in the juice company, JSC Lebedyansky, represents an important step towards achieving this aim. In this month’s two-part just-drinks interview, Olly Wehring spoke with Mike White, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo International, about the company’s plans for Russia.

Arcus has developed an aquavit for use in cocktails, in an attempt to capitalise on the trend. 

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Glacier Water Services has widened its losses despite a jump in YTD sales.

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Danone's water unit has posted a strong jump in year-to-date sales as good weather in Europe helped boost volumes.

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Glacier Water Services has posted an increase in first-half losses despite a rise in sales.

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PepsiCo has declined to comment on a report claiming that it will enter the premium bottled water category with new product Om.

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Six bottled water suppliers in Australia have agreed to remove the term 'organic' from their brand names after the country's consumer watchdog said the term is “misleading” for water.

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According to a report in the New York Post yesterday (16 November), PepsiCo is working on two major acquisitions, in addition to examining the possibility of a business split.

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It has been the talk of the soft drinks industry in the US for some time, but the tax debate has now moved to France, where ministers have sanctioned a four-fold VAT increase on sweetened soft drinks.

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PepsiCo has confirmed that it is in discussions to build a soft drinks production facility and logistics centre in the Russian city of Novosibirsk.

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Owens-Illinois has completed its purchase of the Verrerie du Languedoc bottling plant in France, thereby expanding its “strategic relationship” with Nestlé Waters.

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Danone has said that the strong performance of its waters division in the first quarter was driven by growth in Latin America, Japan and the emerging economies.

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Last week, PepsiCo agreed to buy 66% of Wimm-Bill-Dann (WBD) for US$3.8bn in a move that will make PepsiCo the largest food and beverage group in Russia.

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Danone said yesterday (30 September) it has agreed to sell its 51% stake in a joint venture with China's Wahaha, bringing to an end their long-running dispute and years of court battles across the globe. Here we look at five facts on the two companies.

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PepsiCo and its bottling affiliate, Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), is to invest US$1bn in Russia over the next three years.

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Negative publicity for bottled water in the US and Europe failed to stem growth in the sector around the world last year, according to recent research.

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The Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo have announced that, through their PR Beverages joint venture in Russia, they have completed their previously announced acquisition of Sobol-Aqua in the country.

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Shortage of clean drinking water in India has spurred the trend for packaged water and the home water-purifier industry.

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Power Brands has introduced its Aqua Planet water brand in recyclable cans across select stores in the northern California area.

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PepsiCo and The Pepsi Bottling Group have agreed to jointly acquire a majority stake in Russia’s leading branded juice company JSC Lebedyansky.

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The Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo have signed a deal, through their Russian joint venture PR Beverages, to acquire Sobol-Aqua in Russia.

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The Borjomi Group has made its first water acquisition in Russia, according to local reports.

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Global bottled water consumption has continued to increase, with Asia/Australasia and North America leading the markets, according to a recent report.

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Delta Holding has opened a EUR20m (US$27.6m) non-carbonated mineral water bottling plant in Serbia, according to local reports.