Coca-Cola
Soft drinks bottler Coca-Cola HBC has raised its full-year profit forecast as it experiences resilient demand. HBC raised its expectations for comparable operating profit to between 860 million euros and 900 million euros for 2022, compared with an earlier forecast of between 740 million euros and 820 million euros.
Coca-Cola India has partnered with 10-Min grocery delivery service, Zepto, for a return and recycle initiative for PET bottles. The joint initiative is an extension of Coca-Cola’s global goal of creating a World Without Waste. Leveraging the Zepto two-wheeler distribution network, Coca-Cola India seeks to ‘collect back’ empty PET bottles of any brand from consumers. Consumers can access the ‘Return PET Bottles’ feature on the Zepto app, where they can opt to return up to four empty PET bottles. The bottles will then be collected by Zepto riders during delivery. The initiative has been launched in select locations in Mumbai and will soon be expanded to other locations in India. Zepto has been leading a similar effort for paper bag collection, where customers have the option to help reuse bags by returning them to the delivery partner.
Coca-Cola has announced it is planning to offer buyouts to some employees as the company moves to cut costs. The company stated a restructuring is in the works and described it as a “voluntary separation program,” with the number unspecified.
Danone
Danone has raised its LFL sales forecast and now expects price-led growth of 7-8% for 2022. Over Q3, Danone’s net sales reached €7.33 billion, up by 9.5% on a LFL basis after seeing sequential growth acceleration across all categories and geographies. The company’s price increases contributed 10.9% to revenue growth.
Other Companies
Sugar-free energy drink brand Taika has partnered with decentralized autonomous organization Friends With Benefits to develop Mateverse, its new sparkling yerba mate beverage. Hundreds of FWB community members participated in a vote to choose the packaging for Mateverse. After a design was chosen, Taika released a Mateverse NFT to grow a community around what was quickly becoming a collaborative R&D project. The brand sent two flavors – nicknamed the “red pill” and the “blue pill” – to token-holders, who were asked to select their favorite. The winner of that vote is the product that was released to the public in September. Titled the official beverage of FWB, Mateverse contains adaptogens, nootropics, mushroom extracts, and 60mg of caffeine.
Nigeria’s leading brewery, Nigerian Breweries Plc, has launched Zagg, a non-alcoholic, malt-infused energy drink. Marketed towards consumers with an active lifestyle, Zagg is now available in retailers nationwide.
Asahi has started selling Oishi Mizu Tennensui Sayu, hot bottled mineral water, in Japan. Asahi launched the product to provide a caffeine-free, sugar-free alternative to RTD coffees and teas. Asahi Oishi Mizu Tennensui Sayu is priced at 105 yen ($0.70) and can be found in the heating racks of convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide.
Focus Energy Drinks has made its official debut with four plant-based energy drink mixes. Available in Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Honey, and Vanilla flavors, Focus Energy’s mixes are made for people who seek an energy boost but don’t enjoy the flavor of coffee. The mixes are formulated to be blended with plant-based milk, but can also be added to other food and beverages, including smoothies, yogurts, and oatmeal. Each serving contains 300 milligrams of organic caffeine and vitamins A, B3, B6, B12, D3, and E. Packaged in home compostable bags, Focus Energy’s mixes are available exclusively on its website.
Beverage tablet brand Waterdrop has launched its newest product, Microlyte Electrolyte Rapid Hydration Cubes. With no caffeine or sugar, Microlyte contains zinc, five electrolytes and nine vitamins to support endurance and recovery. Microlyte is available to purchase on Waterdrop’s website in three flavors: Melon, Grapefruit and Blueberry.
Food tech startup Better Juice has opened its first full-scale manufacturing plant to enable commercial production of its patented sugar reduction technology, which can reduce sugar content in juice products by 30-80%. Located in Tel Aviv, the new plant will enable Better Juice to fulfill commercial orders from global juice producers and meet anticipated demand from other companies looking to develop lower-sugar juice-based products including beverages, jams, yogurt, and ice cream. Through its patented enzymatic sugar reduction process which uses proprietary polymer-based beads composed of non-GMO microorganisms, Better Juice can convert common sources of sugar in natural fruit juice into non-digestible dietary fibers without diluting the taste or nutrition profile of the original liquid.
Start-up Hrbvor is launching a line of still and sparkling organic herbal teas with functional benefits. Hrbvor claims it is the first dedicated herbal iced tea brand. Its teas are lightly sweetened with honey and contain phytonutrients shown to be anti-inflammatory and immune boosting. Hrbvor’s still and sparkling teas are available in three blends: Revive (hibiscus, moringa, lemongrass & peppermint), Calm (chamomile, passionflower, lemon balm & butterfly pea flower), and Focus (tulsi, rosemary, sage & sweet basil).