Our Clean Living theme hitting Frappuccino sales at Starbucks
The war on sugar has hit companies like Hershey Foods (HSY), forcing it to pivot its snacking M&A strategy to better meet shifting consumer preferences for healthy, natural and organic snacks.
We’ve seen a prononced shift for waters and seltzers that is driving companies like National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ), home of LaCroix, and Cott Corp. (COT), a now pure play company on water, coffee, tea and filtration, as consumers increasingly reach less frequently for sugary sodas or ones that have artificial sweeteners.
In other words, Hershey, Coca-Cola (KO), PepsiCo (PEP) are contending with the headwind associated with our Clean Living investing theme, while National Beverage and Cott are rising the tailwind.
Now we are seeing consumers balk at the sugar laden Frappuccino that has become a staple at Starbucks (SBUX) complete with seasonal specialites. While this is the latest thorn in the side of Starbucks, it has the potential to not only hit it on the profit line but also force an accelerated re-think on its beverage and even its food offerings.
Frappuccino sales are struggling, and concerns about how much sugar the slushy drinks contain may be among the reasons.Starbucks says sales from the drinks that mix coffee, ice, syrup and milk are down 3 percent from a year ago, and is blaming the “health and wellness” trend for the dip.”These are oftentimes more indulgent beverages — higher in sugar, higher in calories,” Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said during a presentation to investors Tuesday.
A 16-ounce Cupcake Creme Frappuccino has 400 calories and 63 grams of sugar. A Triple Mocha Frappuccino has 390 calories and 51 grams of sugar. That’s with 2 percent milk and whipped cream.
Peter Saleh, restaurant analyst for BTIG, notes that interest in healthy eating isn’t new: “It’s not something that popped up out of nowhere.”
Another problem may simply be “people not wanting to consume full-price Frappuccinos…” A medium Frappuccino costs between $4 and $5. Exactly how many calories the drinks deliver varies.
Source: Starbucks claims Frappuccino sales down due to ‘health and wellness’ trend | Fox News
