Until Then, Brand Targets C-store Channel for Fountain Agua Fresca, Soda, Frozen Drinks
January 12, 2023
CEO Says Tractor ‘Not Looking to Get into Any Battle’ With Soda Giants.
Tractor Beverage, the maker of organic, non-GMO bubbler drinks for fast-casual restaurant chains such as Chipotle, has its eye on the ready-to-drink beverage market as part of its new partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper, Tractor CEO Kevin Sherman told BD. Initial internal discussions could begin as early as this quarter, although a timetable for any RTD decision or launch..
Category Pricing ‘Still Has Some Legs,’ Bottler Says. Category ‘Still Affordable,’ Says Another
January 12, 2023
The big story of 2022 was surprisingly low price elasticities in the US for carbonated soft drinks as manufacturers raised prices to offset runaway costs for everything from labor to packaging. At retail last year, CSD pricing jumped almost +14.8% last year, driving category dollar sales up more than...
Priorities to Include Retaining ‘Best Era’ of Bottler Alignment, Braun Says
December 19, 2022
Coca-Cola has announced the promotion of Latin America Operating Group President Henrique Braun to a new role as President of International Development. The appointment makes him a top contender to succeed Chairman and CEO James Quincey. When he starts officially on Jan. 1, Braun will oversee ...
KDP CEO Says Investment, Distribution Deal to Unlock C-Stores, Cold Placements
December 19, 2022
Keurig Dr Pepper followed its surprise $50 million November investment in Athletic Brewing with a far larger deal in December – an $863 million investment in C4 performance energy drink maker Nutrabolt. KDP also becomes Nutrabolt’s long-term sales and distribution partner. While ready-to-drink C4 ...
Key Changes Include Separately Focused Fountain and Retail Customer Teams
December 19, 2022
Incoming Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit President Jennifer Mann has announced her leadership team and key organizational changes intended to “accelerate our growth, improve speed and capabilities, and make it easier to get work done,” she told staff in a Nov. 29 internal memo to staff. Key appointments include the promotion of Joel Bishop, currently an SVP and GM for the Glaceau hydration business unit, to head of strategy for North America. Outgoing Strategy Chief Diego Granizo will become a key advisor to Mann “while he identifies his next role and supports the transition,” she said. Mann also added a new Customer Care team, to be led by Sean Lee, focused on ...
G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, PepsiCo’s largest fully independent US franchise bottler, is preparing to distribute Hard Mtn Dew on the same “blue trucks” that distribute Pepsi-Cola and other non-alcoholic brands. In an interview at BD’s Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 5, G&J CEO Tim Trant said the Cincinnati-based company has applied for beer distribution licenses ...
Deal Provides Compensation Levels Based on Extent of Bottler Brand Building
November 22, 2022
Deal Provides Compensation Levels Based on Extent of Bottler Brand Building.
Comes as Jack and Coke Launches in Mexico, Heads to U.S. Next Year.
Coca-Cola has agreed to compensate US bottlers for the extension of the company’s brands into the alcoholic beverage sector, BD has learned. The bottlers began signing agreements...
Major US non-carbonated beverage categories generated higher pricing at retail during the first nine months of 2022, which lead to dollar gains in all categories tracked by BD. While volume fell for all categories except plain bottled water, the declines did not show accelerated erosion compared to the six-month trend. Sports drinks and plain bottled...
Global beverage volume growth for Coca-Cola and PepsiCo remained stable for the first nine months of this year in the aftermath of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing zero-covid policies in China, and unpredictable interest rate environments disrupted an otherwise strong period for global volume sales.The table below shows...
Company to Focus on Coke Zero Sugar, Coke Creations, and Minican Expansion
November 9, 2022
Coca-Cola has discontinued Coke With Coffee in the US BD has learned and the company has confirmed. Coke With Coffee will be available in the US while supplies last through the end of the year and remain in Canada and other global markets, according to the company. “This decision aligns with...