Bottled Water Sales Remains the Fastest Growing Segment of the Beverage Industry

Sales of bottled water in the United States have continued to experience a huge increase in 1998, growing by 10.1% to 3.6 billion gallons, according to figures released today by the International Bottled Water Association, from research provided by New York-based Beverage Marketing Corporation.

The volume increased by more than 350 million gallons over 1997, as per capita consumption grew to 13.3 gallons. The bottled water industry's performance in 1998 was a new high, which made last year its best year of the decade.

This is the first time the industry hit a double-digit growth rate in the 1990s. The basic fundamentals of the industry -- such as purity, convenience, portability and affordability -- remain very strong and this growth is likely to continue throughout 1999 and beyond, said Michael C. Bellas, Beverage Marketing Corporation's Chairman.

He also noted that it was rare to see a beverage category's growth accelerate as it develops a larger volumetric base. Mr. Bellas predicted, If the bottled water industry continues to grow at this rate, it will be the second largest segment of the beverage industry behind soft drinks within the next ten years.

Health conscious people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of drinking water to protect their bodies hydration level, which helps them to maintain their athletic edge, sustain mental alertness, flush out impurities from their bodies, and fill themselves up with a refreshing, calorie-free drink. Sylvia E. Swanson, President of the International Bottled Water Association, stated, Our public education campaign to inform people about the importance of being properly hydrated has encouraged Americans to drink themselves to better health.

This outstanding accomplishment was mainly driven by the extraordinary performance of the single-serve sizes of 1.5 liters and smaller bottles of the water segment of the industry, which now accounts for over 25% of the total bottled water marketplace. The single-serve segment of the industry accounted for approximately 75% of the industry's 10.1% growth. It is the almost perfect beverage for today's consumer.

Single-serve bottled water use is convenient in almost every situation that you can think of because it doesn't have to be refrigerated and it is available in a resealable package that can fit in briefcases, lunchboxes and purses, said Mr. Bellas.

About The Author:

Tannis Alder is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-wellness.com. Obtaining and keeping good health through healthy living, natural healing, great mental health and healthy finances.

	Bottled Water
Bottled Water Sales Remains the Fastest Growing Segment of the Beverage Industry