Coca-Cola
Coca Cola Growth Driven By Smaller Pack Sizes
Coca-Cola’s 10% Q1 organic revenue growth, its strongest in five quarters, was supported by demand for smaller and single-serve beverage sizes as the company expanded affordable options for lower-income consumers while also maintaining premium offerings. Mini can sales grew in North America, and new packaging formats were introduced in convenience channels. Soda growth included a 13% increase in Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and a 6% rise in Diet Coke. Coca-Cola raised its earnings growth outlook and noted that geopolitical factors, including the Iran conflict, could influence future performance.
CCEP Reports Strong Beverage Volume And Revenue Growth
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners reported a 9.4% increase in revenue in Q1, on volume growth of 8.5%. In Europe, revenue rose 9.1%, supported by strong execution and seasonal demand. In the UK, volume growth was driven by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Monster, along with new variants such as Coca-Cola Cherry. Additional growth came from Smartwater distribution and increased Powerade sales. CCEP expects continued revenue and operating profit growth despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Investments in technology, infrastructure and marketing, including World Cup-related activity, are part of its growth strategy.
Powerade Launches Global Campaign For FIFA World Cup
Powerade’s new “Power Your Fate” campaign, tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026, focuses on preparation, discipline and hydration. It features footballers such as Lamine Yamal and Rodrygo Goes and will run across multiple channels including social media, TV and in-stadium branding. Powerade will also release limited-edition squeeze bottles and collaborate with artist Devon Rodriguez, and it continues to expand its presence in sports hydration with field-of-play equipment and fan activations.
Danone
Danone Sees Beverage Adjacent Growth In US Market
Danone reported 2.7% like-for-like sales growth in Q1, supported by improved US momentum. Beverage-related segments, including coffee products such as Stok and coffee creamers, contributed to growth. Sales in the Americas rose 3.4% like-for-like. Overall volumes increased 1.5% and pricing saw modest gains. Despite a decline in reported sales, the company maintained its full-year outlook of continued growth.
Keurig Dr Pepper
KDP Beverage Sales Offset Coffee Weakness
Keurig Dr Pepper’s first-quarter net sales of $3.98 billion exceeded expectations and were driven by strong performance in its beverage segment. US beverage sales rose about 12%, supported by price increases and demand for brands such as Dr Pepper, Snapple and 7UP, as well as energy drinks like Ghost and Electrolit. This growth offset weaker performance in the coffee business. KDP noted exposure to higher input costs linked to global conditions but maintained its full-year forecast.
Nestle
Nestlé Sells Blue Bottle Coffee Business Stake
Nestlé agreed to sell its Blue Bottle Coffee business to Centurium Capital. The deal includes cafes and most consumer-packaged goods operations. Nestlé will retain rights to Blue Bottle’s Nespresso pod products. The divestment is part of a broader strategy to streamline Nestlé’s beverage and food portfolio and focus on core brands. Terms were not disclosed but the sale price is likely to be significantly less than the $700 million valuation when Nestlé acquired Blue Bottle in 2017. Blue Bottle produces ready-to-drink beverages such as canned cold brew and lattes. The deal is expected to close in the first half of the year. Nestlé continues to evaluate other assets, including its waters and premium beverages division.
Nestlé Sales Decline Amid Beverage Portfolio Changes
Nestlé reported a 5.7% decline in Q1 sales amid continuing restructuring under its new CEO. Beverage-related developments include ongoing negotiations for its waters and premium beverages division and a focus on core growth areas such as coffee. Real internal growth was 1.2%, driven partly by coffee products. Nestlé is streamlining operations, divesting non-core assets and cutting some 16,000 jobs.
Nongfu Spring
Nongfu Spring Enters Competitive Electrolyte Water Market
Nongfu Spring’s new electrolyte water product in grapefruit and lemon flavors targets a fast-growing market segment valued at nearly 20 billion RMB. It uses a low-sugar formula and is marketed under the company’s main brand. Challenges include limited product differentiation and strong existing competitors. The category is evolving toward daily hydration use, increasing importance of taste, stability and formulation. Technical ingredients and production processes are becoming key factors in product performance and consumer adoption.
Other Companies
Conor McGregor Launches Advanced Formula MAC Energy Drink
Conor McGregor’s MAC Energy Drink features ingredients such as Cognizin citicoline, goBHB ketones and natural caffeine to support energy and focus. It contains zero sugar and a low calorie count. The formulation differs from traditional energy drinks by emphasizing cognitive and performance benefits. It’s expected to launch mid-year in multiple flavors.
Red Bull Introduces Limited Edition Citrus Energy Flavor
Red Bull launched its Summer Edition Sudachi Lime energy drink, available with and without sugar. It features citrus flavors including lime, sudachi and pomelo. Packaged in seasonal cans and offered in multiple sizes, Summer Edition Sudachi Lime also maintains the brand’s standard functional ingredients. A supporting marketing campaign encourages consumer engagement through curated playlists and promotional events.
Damm Launches Alcohol Free Gluten Free Beer Variant
Damm introduced Daura 0.0%, a gluten-free, alcohol-free beer available initially in Tesco stores in the UK. It uses an enzymatic process to remove gluten while preserving flavor, followed by vacuum distillation to remove alcohol. It’s a response to demand for beverages catering to dietary requirements and reduced alcohol consumption. The company positions the product as an extension of its existing gluten-free beer range. Distribution will expand after the initial retail launch, reflecting broader growth in alcohol-free beverage options.
PepsiCo
Carlsberg Shifts From Coca Cola To Pepsi Bottling
Carlsberg will replace Coca-Cola with Pepsi across Denmark, Finland and the Baltic states from 2029, taking over bottling, production, sales and distribution. Existing Coca-Cola bottling agreements in Denmark and Finland will expire by the end of 2028. The move follows Carlsberg’s acquisition of Britvic, which secured rights to PepsiCo brands in Great Britain through 2040, and strengthens Carlsberg’s position as a major Pepsi bottler in Europe.
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