the question is no longer do they need this, it's will they buy this.

Consumerism has certainly, I would assume for now many years in American society, been a major driver of industry.

Well, shouldn't demand and need drive production and supply.

No.  Pure consumerism and pure capitalism do.

Or, at least, more than ever.

There used to be a need.  A gap in industry and market, which would be fulfilled.

Now, industry is a major driver in consumer need.

This is so visible in the drink industry.

It's almost Lorax-ish and selling air.

Talk to 50 Cent about selling water.

Talk to Connor McGregor, or any athlete, star, or YouTuber about selling water with alcohol in it.

Talk to any action star, athlete, or otherwise about energy drinks.

There is a need to drink.  And a compounded need, sometimes to relax.

Water and Alcohol can be a demand curve that is indicative of the population and the basic need.  

Or it can be indicative of the market and the ability to market, distribute, and sell any version of water we can concoct, from coffee, to pop to energy drinks to alcohol to water.

This is consumerism, capitalism and the complete basic waste, and bastardizing, or commercializing, of a need.