SodaStream hits reset as sales, profit fall

The once-popular SodaStream carbonation device has lost some fizz in the United States.

According to the New York Times, SodaStream sales fell roughly 13 percent to $125.9 million in the quarter that ended Sept. 30, and sales of soda makers in the United States plunged 60 percent to just 160,000. Company sales were peaking just a year earlier, and profits haven’t returned to 2012 levels, when reported net income was $43.9 million.

The slow-down puts pause on the company’s vision to go head-to-head with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, the Times reports.

“Colas made on our machine are not as good as the real thing,” the company CEO acknowledged, “so why am I trying?”

SodaStream officials are now turning their attention to enhanced water, last month unveiling fruit-flavored canisters such as pomegranate açaí, green tea lychee and yuzo mandarin that will launch in June. Perks of the new offerings include low calories, added vitamins, fiber or protein, and sweetened with a combination of fructose and stevia.
 
Read more at the New York Times.