February 24, 2021
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola European Partners Ups Takeover Offer For Coke Amatil
CCEP’s new offer for a 69.2 percent stake in Coca-Cola Amatil is now $7.7 billion – up from $6.62 billion – thanks to an improved outlook for Australia and New Zealand since the deal was first announced. Reports had also revealed that major shareholders branded the initial offer as too low and below its market valuation. CCEP said it would buy out 10.8 percent of Coca-Cola’s stake in Amatil, but has not made any decision on acquiring the rest. Shares of Coca-Cola Amatil hit an eight-year record of $10.40 after the sweetened deal was announced.
Coca-Cola’s AdeZ, Packaged In Protoype Paper Bottles, To Be Tested In Hungary
The 2,000-bottle prototype test – the first market trial for the innovation – is being explored as part of the Paboco Pioneer Community initiative that includes Carlsberg, Absolut, and L'Oréal. Unveiled last year, ; the paper bottle will be tested with the dairy-free smoothie brand this summer to see how the packaging performs and how consumers react. The prototype comprises a paper shell with an rPET recyclable lining and cap, though the goal is to come up with a bottle without a plastic liner that can be recycled like paper. Two thousand bottles of 250 ml AdeZ will be available on the Hungarian online grocery retailer kifli.hu.
Coca-Cola’s $33B In Net Revenue For 2020 Represents 11 Percent Slide
The company said volumes were broadly resilient, especially in the U.S., but a resurgence of the coronavirus globally in December and January put pressure on revenues. Coke’s net revenue dropped by five percent in the fourth quarter, less severe than in earlier periods, but global unit case volume declined three percent in the quarter and six percent for the full-year. Specific details: sparkling soft drinks fell four percent for the full year; sales were up in China, Brazil and Nigeria; despite a “solid performance” by the Simply and Fairlife brands in North America, Minute Maid declined in the fountain business, resulting in a nine percent drop for the year in juice, dairy, and plant-based beverages; and water, enhanced water, and sports drinks declined 11 percent for the year, and tea and coffee fell 17 percent.
Nestle
Nestlé Japan Unveils Two Non-Dairy Lattes
The company’s (Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) oat and almond Nescafé lattes are formulated to meet a rapidly growing interest in plant-based food in the country, the company said. The range includes ready-to-drink beverages, soluble mixes that can be made by just adding hot water, and capsules for the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system. The launch in Japan follows the introduction of plant-based coffee mixes in Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.
Other Companies
Spindrift Puts A New Spin On Lemonade
The Newton, Mass.-based fruit-based sparkling water company is introducing what it says is the first sparkling water made with real squeezed lemons and limes. The company’s Unsweetened Lemonade Sparkling Waters come in New Lemon Limeade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Pink Lemonade flavors containing 0-1 gram of sugar, three to 10 calories per can, and real fruit ingredients. Spindrift Unsweetened Lemonade will be shared with the Spindrift Community first, and then will be available in March at Target stores nationwide and through DrinkSpindrift.com.
Yeo’s On Reformulation Binge To Stay Abreast Of Consumer Tastes
Singapore-based beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) plans to reformulate its products to lower or remove sugar content to keep up with consumer trends and comply with revised government standards. According to the company, consumer trends and government regulations are heading in the same direction as far as sugar levels in food and drinks. “I would say zero-sugar products in particular are a trend that is overall growing very strongly,” said CEO Angela Lu. The Singapore government last March announced a color-coded sugar content labeling scheme for pre-packaged drinks that will be enforced this year. This is a reason for Yeo’s reformulation efforts, but Lu noted that its original chrysanthemum tea would pass muster under this and other government schemes like Singapore’s Healthier Choice campaign.
Tampico Beverages Debuts Fruit/Vegetable Juice Drink Line
The Chicago-based maker of juice drink concentrates has launched Paired Up, a line of shelf-stable, better-for-you beverages available in Beet the Day (beet, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry), Carrot On (carrot, pineapple, orange, peach), and Pump It Up (pumpkin, mango, coconut, banana) flavors. Each eight-ounce serving contains a blend of fruits and vegetables with 100 percent of the FDA’s recommended daily serving of vitamin C, plus vitamins A and E, but no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors, or preservatives. The product is on the shelves at 1,200 stores across the Eastern and Central U.S., and in more than 300 Walmart stores.
Alive@5 Nutrition Introduces Aloe-Based Functional Beverage Line
The Dallas, Texas, beverage company’s new shelf-stable, functional, organic plant-based Hey Aloe Active line contains acemannan, an immune-boosting mucopolysaccharide compound found in aloe vera leaves. Hey Aloe Active, available in three flavors, is certified organic and contains no added sugar, 50 calories, electrolytes and a minimum daily support level of A5-Imun (60mg). Its acemannan is produced from the Barbadensis Miller aloe species. Each 50-calorie 16 oz. bottle retails for $2.99-$3.49 and is found in a variety of independent retailers in the New York City metro and Orange County, Calif. Flavors include Lemon Lime, Mandarin Orange, and Blended Berry.
Canadian VC Fund Buys Stake In Sapsucker
Calgary-based District Ventures Capital’s decision to buy an undisclosed stake in the Flesherton, Ont., organic sparkling tree water company was sparked by the company’s “breakthrough” sales and distribution in 2020, which now includes both the nationwide retail and online channels. Six-year-old Sapsucker produces a range of sustainably maple-tree harvested beverages that are sugar-free, lightly carbonated, and contain 46 naturally-occurring minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Starbucks Adds Mixes Range To Instant Coffee Line
The Starbucks Mixes range includes latte and caramel latte variants, and will be available in the U.K. from Booker, Bestway, and Unitas for £2.69 ($3.74) each. The company will promote the new products with a $3.5 million ad campaign featuring digital and social media activity and sampling. The mixes segment has grown by 2.4 percent thanks to shop closings forced by the pandemic, driving consumers to “[bring] their barista behaviors home.”
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