V-Net Beverage Inc (fka VNTB)

[2nd Mil]

FIRMS FLOAT NEW COLORS AND FLAVORS TO RIDE THE DESIGNER WATER WAVE
(C) 2005 International Herald Tribune. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved

Water pure and simple is a trendy commodity and the source of a thriving $46 billion market. In some countries, the bottled variety has eclipsed beer consumption, and it is moving relentlessly to overtake carbonated soft drinks as the world's No.1 beverage.

"Bottled water is like the mobile phone it's become a fashion accessory," said Simon Wessely, an epidemiologist and professor of psychological medicine who recently explored the impact of bottled water marketing in the British Medical Journal. "There's been this kind of anthropological change. What is it for? For safety? I don't know why it is that people walk the street and come to meetings with their bottled water."

The competition is fierce to convince the parched that a particular bottled water deserves to be a constant companion. The market is dominated by four giants with competition from hundreds of regional brands.

http://www.beverageworld.com/beverageworld/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000826519