Sustainability Report: Buzzballz
Buzzballz reinvents Happy Hour with a sustainable twist
Buzzballz, an innovative prepared cocktail brand founded by Merrilee Kick and her two sons, is on a mission to “reinvent Happy Hour”. All products are made in the USA and feature natural flavours, real fruit juices or creams.
The brand has developed over the past 15 years to reach domestic sales of 6.6 million cases in 2023. The brand also boasts a strong international network and has set its sights on the Latin America and Caribbean travel retail markets, as well as the global market. It is currently sold in 29 countries.
BuzzBallz offers wine-based and spirit-based cocktails for every occasion. It is gluten free and Kosher certified, has 15% alcohol by volume and is packaged in plastic containers made with recyclable materials and 15% PCR. These pre-mixed cocktails do not require cold storage and boast more than 12 flavour choices, including Tequila ‘Rita, Choc Tease, Lotta Colada and Forbidden Apple.
Commenting on the brand’s sustainability credentials, BuzzBallz’s Brady Bouldin says: “BuzzBallz is made with PET plastic, which has recyclable properties. One initiative we have as a company is to promote the recyclability of BuzzBallz containers after consumption.
“This is evident in things like our partnership with TerraCycle, which incentivises consumers to recycle their BuzzBallz in participating states for loyalty points that can be used towards exclusive swag. While we can’t ensure every single person disposes of their finished BuzzBallz in a responsible way, our organisation adheres to all responsible practices and emphasises said responsible practices to our consumers.”
Speaking on the brand’s expansion strategy in travel retail, Bouldin adds: “As we retain our dominance in the United States and grow as a company, we have been heavily invested in expanding to international markets. We’re currently sold in 29 countries and will look to travel retail to serve as a middleman so we can be available where someone is, where they may be going and when they’re on their way there.
“We have already created a popular presence in the UK and are now exploring other markets. Our product is appealing for any type of event and environment so we want to be available in as many retail channels as possible.”
Buzzballz Founder and CEO Merrilee Kick: Adding a twist to cocktail culture
Todd Ziegenfus was on-stand to introduce the innovative Buzzballz to IAADFS Summit of the Americas visitors
Looking ahead, Bouldin says: “Our core initiatives are always to expand and innovate. We are always ideating and creating new flavours and products as well as refining our existing ones to ensure we deliver the best cocktails possible to our customers.
“We have several new flavours we are working on right now that will be either limited-time offers or permanent additions to the brand portfolio. With regard to travel retail-exclusive products, we will see what interest gaps are missing that we could fill for travel retail consumers as we get more involved in the space.”
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 334 | 12 May 2024
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