US supermarket tea sales expanded by nearly 6% in 2013
Tea sales across multi-chain supermarkets grew at an annual rate of 5.9% last year and this year's performance is likely to be similarly good. According to aggregated market data compiled by market research firm SPINS, sales in mainstream channels totaled $1.75 billion at the expense of carbonated beverages and mainly driven by health and wellness trends, positive media coverage and an evolving retail landscape. Black tea in teabags performed best, followed by loose iced tea / powder mixes, and green & white teabags. Supermarket sales increased this year too, growing by 5.2% in 52 weeks ending in August 2014. However, these figures do not include foodservice, online and specialty retail channels, which are estimated to bring the overall US tea sales closer to $15 billion.