top of page
Search

Chi Forest Expands U.S. Reach via Costco, Eyes Electrolyte and Herbal Beverage Growth

  • Writer: PYD
    PYD
  • Mar 22
  • 2 min read

Chinese beverage innovator Chi Forest has achieved national U.S. distribution for its sparkling water via Costco, aiming to replicate this success with electrolyte and herbal drinks. With presence in 40 global markets and a 30+ product pipeline, the firm is leveraging a health-and-taste model to scale in competitive categories.

Insights & Strategic Moves:


• Nationwide U.S. Breakthrough via Costco:

Chi Forest’s sparkling water is now sold in 591 U.S. and 109 Canadian Costco stores, marking its first full-market retail penetration beyond Asian supermarket channels. This success followed a strong trial in the Bay Area in 2022, driven by traction within Asian-American consumers.


• Electrolyte Drinks Target Next U.S. Growth Wave:

Building on success in China with its “Alienergy” brand, Chi Forest plans to test electrolyte water in Asian U.S. retail channels before scaling. The firm sees Costco as a potential national route-to-market if initial response is strong.


• New Launches in Australia and Indonesia:

Chi Forest will launch iced tea and herbal beverages in Costco Australia and New Zealand in the coming quarter, and expand its Indonesian portfolio beyond sparkling water this summer.


• Healthy + Tasty Product Strategy Backed by 30–40 SKU Pipeline:

The brand’s innovation approach emphasises taste parity with health benefits, using internal incubators and benchmarking against category leaders. All sparkling beverages are zero-calorie, zero-sugar, clean-label, gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly.


• Functional Expansion into Supplements:

In China, Chi Forest recently entered the functional health space with a GABA and postbiotics-based sleep supplement, extending its reach beyond beverages.


• Global Presence Across 40 Countries:The brand is currently active in Malaysia, South Korea, the UK, France, and other key global markets, using regional adaptation and cross-market learnings to inform product strategy.


Forward Outlook:

Chi Forest’s Costco breakthrough validates its phased market-entry model. Success in the highly competitive U.S. electrolyte category may hinge on replicating its core playbook: niche adoption, channel validation, and flavour-led health positioning.


Chi Forest is executing a disciplined global growth strategy—grounded in product excellence and cultural insight—that could reshape how Chinese beverage brands scale internationally.



Comments

bottom of page