Amid a booming demand for functional beverages, the convenience channel leader continues its rapid on- and off-premise expansion
LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mela Water, a line of bold, crisp watermelon water, has inked a first-of-its-kind deal with Stone Distributing Co. (SDC), one of the largest independent distributors of craft beverages in the U.S. Mela Water is one of the first non-alcoholic beverages to join SDC's portfolio of over 40 craft beverage brands, with the significant partnership cutting a clear path for Mela to reach consumers by way of restaurants, bars, entertainment and sports venues, supermarkets, convenience and liquor stores across California.
"As a proud SoCal company, partnering with Stone Distributing is a dream come true," said Dominic Purpura, CEO and Founder of Mela Water. "We're honored to join a killer cast of trailblazing companies, and excited to expand Mela Water's footprint in the region across SDC's 12,000 retail partners. With a proven core product line and cult-like following, we're doubling down on our strategic distribution and retail partnerships this year, expanding into more regions across the U.S. – and we're just getting started."
Mela Water's partnership with SDC builds on the brand's debut at Natural Products Expo West, its one-million-cans-sold milestone and expansion into key retailers. According to recent SPINS data, Mela Water continues to maintain positive growth in the Natural (+33.4%), Conventional (+23.3%) and Convenience (+62.6%) Channels. At Erewhon, one of the brand's newest retail partners, Mela ranked #1 in units sold in the juice and smoothie category in its first two weeks on shelves.
"Mela embodies the spirit of what SDC has been supporting for many years, great people building boundary-pushing brands," shares Anthony Trento, Vice President of Sales at SDC. "As category creators, they offer an exciting and quality beverage that aligns with our customer's tastes. We're more than excited to enter a fast-emerging category with a truly innovative brand that is Mela."
The brand's core offerings — Original Watermelon, Passionfruit, Pineapple and Ginger — are all electrolyte- and antioxidant-packed, plant-based, gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified, and are sold in 12-packs of 11.15 oz cans and single serve 16.9 oz cans. Mela Water is available for direct purchase via MelaWater.com and Amazon.
To learn more and shop for Mela Water, visit https://melawater.com/ and follow along on Instagram (@mela) and TikTok (@melawater).
About Mela Water:
Harnessing the hydrating power of watermelons, Mela Water is a brand of bold, crisp watermelon water made with real fruit, for a refreshingly tropical sip anytime, anywhere. Led by a team of experienced CPG trailblazers, Mela sources its watermelons from the world's most exotic locations, extracting straight from the juicy red cores to the can.
Mela Water's four refreshing flavors – Original Watermelon, Passionfruit, Pineapple and Ginger – are plant-based, gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified, and are available in 11.15 oz cans, in 12-packs at a SRP of $33.99 via MelaWater.com and Amazon, shipping nationwide. Individual cans are currently available in more than 1,500 stores in California 3,000 stores nationwide, reaching across 10 states, and quickly growing to more.
About Stone Distributing Co:
Stone Distributing Co. was born of necessity in 1999 when no other distributors would take on beers as bold and hoppy as Stone Brewing's. Stone Brewing created its own distributor, bringing other "little guys" along. Stone Distributing became fully independent in 2022 and is one of the largest independent distributors of craft-only beverages in the country. Stone Distributing services seven of the largest counties in Southern California, hitting more than 200,000 points of distribution with 100% refrigerated trucks and storage.
For a list of brands distributed by Stone Distributing, visit StoneDistributing.com/craft-brands.
1 Period Ending 3/26/23 Natural, Conventional and Convenience Channel Performances – 24 WK vs. Prior Period (Total US, Total Product Library, SS Juices - SS Coconut & Plant Water)
Media Contact
Maven Consulting, Mela Water, 1 8452645664, [email protected]
SOURCE Mela Water
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