PepsiCo's Blue Cloud Aims to Service "All Retail Customers" in Phased Roll Out
March 17, 2022
Hard Mtn Dew has created a stir among some independent liquor store operators in three states where Boston Beer and PepsiCo launched the alcoholic soda one month ago. Operators in Florida, Tennessee, and Iowa told BD that they have so far ...
Two Camps Emerge: One Welcomes New Investment. Other Wants Direct Upside
February 23, 2022
Coca-Cola’s foray into the US alcohol beverage market has spurred mixed feelings from Coke bottlers without alcohol operations as they evaluate what the development means for their businesses. Coke and Molson Coors have steadily expanded distribution and added line extensions for Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, first introduced early last year. Coca-Cola has since licensed...
Margin Discussion Likely Lynchpin for Retailers, Independent Bottlers
February 23, 2022
PepsiCo is considering shifting Gatorade to direct store delivery (DSD) for large format stores in the US following successful market tests, the company has confirmed to BD. “We’ve done some tests,” CFO Hugh Johnston said in an interview. “The tests have been pretty successful.” He added that a decision about whether to go wider and
Incoming CEO Mike Suco Stood Out as Keeper of Atlanta Flame
February 9, 2022
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Coca-Cola’s third largest US bottler, has named Mike Suco as the company’s eighth president and CEO in its 120-year history. Currently an SVP and chief commercial officer, Suco will succeed the retiring John Sherman as head of the Birmingham, Alabama-based bottler whose territory includes...
Recently Announced Canarchy Deal to Serve as Alcohol ‘Springboard’
January 25, 2022
Monster beverage executives are intent on entering the hard seltzer market after all. While company leaders have talked since mid-2019 about a possible entry into the category, they have also repeatedly expressed concern since that the category was saturated. To enter the category, executives have said ...
In an Interview, Hill Says Aluminum Can Crisis Trending in Right Direction
January 25, 2022
There has been a changing of the guard at PepsiCo’s largest independently owned US franchise bottler, Pepsi Bottling Ventures. Paul Finney has retired as president and CEO, a post he had held since...