Explosive Growth In The Plant-Based Protein Market

Acosta’s partnership is key to ALOHA’s emergence as the plant-based protein market leader. 

HOW WE DID IT

Since 2018, Acosta has proudly represented ALOHA’s certified organic portfolio of plant-based protein bars, shakes, and powders. As the only employee-owned, Certified B Corporation and Certified Climate Neutral plant-based protein brand ALOHA aims to make healthy living simple and accessible to everyone through clean, organic food. Together with Acosta’s partnership, ALOHA made monumental strides in its national expansion.

Our partnership gained momentum in 2020 when ALOHA’s sales leadership evaluated their various partners and decided to consolidate their business with Acosta. Moving to one national retail sales agency created the scale and efficiency needed to accelerate their business growth. 

Through consolidation, ALOHA’s retail presence became less fragmented and its brand presence more pronounced. They secured additional access to key decision-makers at Whole Foods Market, Albertson’s and Publix.

Acosta’s extensive knowledge of retailers and ALOHA’s compelling narrative of great food from a company built for good unlocked new channel opportunities with high-growth retailers.

The trajectory of ALOHA’s business skyrocketed at Whole Foods, a partner with which it shares significant DNA, focusing on great food that is good for the planet. In just over a year since their 2022 launch with four items, ALOHA became Whole Foods’ #1 protein bar brand and the 7th most popular bar brand overall in the assortment.

Since 2020, ALOHA has more than doubled its presence in retail stores, becoming the fastest-growing plant-based protein bar in the natural channel and total U.S. Food. They have experienced a remarkable 300% increase in sales, showcasing the impact of the deepened strategic partnership. 

As of 2023, ALOHA and Acosta expanded their partnership agreement to include brick-and-mortar distribution in the mass channel, ensuring continued momentum.