Coffee is America’ favorite beverage* and today, more consumers than ever brew theirs at home. This is fueling innovation in at-home coffee – from smart coffee machines to cold brew options and flavored creamers.
In the past year, refrigerated creamers in particular generated north of $5bn in US dollar sales and grew 3.6% in volume terms, according to Circana. Add in cream, and you get more than $7bn in sales across the entire US creams and creamers category.
That figure may well be surpassed in 2025 as consumers continue to look for products that help them replicate the coffee shop experience at home. And unlike in 2024 – when supply didn’t meet demand at times due to capacity constraints or product recalls – in 2025, the category’s two largest players are poised for growth.
In January 2025, Nestlé’s Glendale, Arizona-based creamer factory and distribution center came online, addressing long-term supply constraints for the Swiss food group behind Coffee Mate, Natural Bliss and Starbucks.
And in June, Danone North America completed the expansion of its Jacksonville, Florida manufacturing and distribution hub, to support growth of International Delight creamers and SToK Cold Brew Coffee.
We chat to Domenic Borrelli, President of Beverages at Danone North America, to find out how the coffee creamer market is shaping up and what are the distinct consumer trends driving new product development . . .
There is strong competition in coffee creamers in North America. Just how much does this expanded facility strengthen Danone’s capacity to compete?
“The $65m investment in our Jacksonville facility strengthens our manufacturing footprint and enables us to bring the coffeehouse experience into more consumer homes, faster,” Borrelli opened.
“This investment will help us double our creamers capacity at the Jacksonville plant.”
“I see this expansion as a key part of how we are setting the pace in the category, so we can continue to stay ‘one cup ahead’ on delivering great-tasting, high-quality offerings across generations and occasions.”
Who are the consumers driving the in-home coffee category – and what do they expect from a creamer product today?
“We’re seeing a coffee evolution unfolding in America. Consumers today – especially those newly entering the category like Gen Z and Millennials – are looking for more out of their coffee routine: more flavor, more customization, and more options to match their individualized preferences.
“In fact, these coffee drinkers are 50% more likely to make café-style drinks at home, often inspired by trends across social media. Danone’s coffee and creamer portfolio provides a variety of flavors, formats and experiences to personalize their coffeehouse experience, right at home.”
What’s the growth potential for the coffee creamer category?
“We see strong, ongoing growth in the coffee creamer category, especially as consumer habits continue to shift toward personalized, at-home coffee experiences.
“Consumers are looking for more variety, more flavor, and more formats. They’re also experimenting beyond traditional creamers with Cold Foam, plant-based options, and seasonal offerings.”
“The CAGR for the creamers category over the last few years was mid-single digit growth [and] we expect continued, similar growth in the category over the next few years.”
What are the top 5 trends influencing innovation in coffee creamers?
• Coffeehouse experiences at home
“As mentioned, Millennials and Gen Z consumers are 50% more likely to recreate their favorite coffeehouse drinks at home. This has fueled demand for premium textures and innovative formats like Cold Foam, which we brought to retail shelves – as the first brand to do so – through International Delight. We have since expanded our Cold Foam platform to our Silk plant-based brand, and our Dunkin’ at-home brand.”
• Limited-edition and culturally-relevant offerings
“Seasonal and limited-time flavors continue to gain traction, particularly when tied to relevant cultural moments. On International Delight, our culture-driven collaborations – with properties like Love Is Blind, Bridgerton, and Home Alone – help spark excitement, especially with Gen Z and Millennial consumers, who are newly entering the category.
• Plant-based options that deliver café experience
“Consumers who desire dairy-free alternatives don’t want to compromise on taste or texture.”
• Social influence & CoffeeTok culture
“Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become a powerful source of inspiration. Whether it’s DIY cold foam recipes or morning routine coffee content, social media is driving experimentation, and we have a pulse on how this impacts innovation.”
• Convenience without compromise
“Consumers want elevated coffee experiences without added effort; cold foam creamers deliver café-style texture in seconds.
* Excluding water; based on the National Coffee Association’s Spring 2025 National Coffee Data Trends report, conducted in January 2025.