Bisleri
Bisleri partnered with the Archaeological Survey of India under the 'Adopt a Heritage 2.0 Programme' to rejuvenate historic water bodies, aligning with Bisleri’s CSR program, ‘Nayi Umeed’. It focuses on desilting, cleaning and ecological restoration at sites like Chand Baori and Ranthambore Fort, promoting tourism and supporting local communities.
Coca-Cola
Fanta Lemon is launching in Australia as part of Coca-Cola's 'Wanta' campaign, aimed at engaging young Australians with life’s small indulgences. The new flavor, available in both regular and zero-sugar options, follows successful launches in Europe, the UK and the US. Using a modern version of Fanta’s iconic jingle, the campaign connects with young Aussies’ desire for work-life balance and emphasizes the importance of enjoying simple pleasures like a refreshing beverage. Fanta Lemon will be available in various sizes across supermarkets, petrol stations and convenience stores starting in February, with additional formats launching in March.
Coca-Cola Zero is seeing strong growth in Mexico and Latin America, driven by simplified pricing and effective marketing campaigns. Despite Mexico's high consumption of sugary drinks and rising obesity rates, Coca-Cola Zero (‘Coca-Cola Sin Azucar’) offers a zero-calorie alternative with a taste similar to traditional Coca-Cola. The brand has grown steadily, with Coca-Cola Femsa reporting double-digit growth in FY2024 across several countries, including Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Coca-Cola Femsa plans to continue expanding Coca-Cola Zero’s reach with targeted campaigns, leveraging soccer and advanced AI through the Juntos+ B2B omnichannel platform.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Chat Cola is surging in popularity, gaining market share at Coca-Cola's expense amid growing Palestinian consumer protests against US support for Israel. The boycott movement has led many businesses, including cafes and supermarkets, to replace Coca-Cola with Chat Cola, a locally produced alternative. Chat Cola's growth, with a 40% increase in sales in 2023, reflects both political sentiment and improved product quality. The company, which closely mimics Coca-Cola's branding, is capitalizing on the “buy local” trend while expanding its operations in the region. Despite challenges like Israeli trade restrictions, Chat Cola continues to grow, even gaining traction in Israeli Arab communities.
Coca-Cola Pakistan partnered with the Punjab Food Authority to support the Government of Punjab’s School Nutrition Programme, which addresses nutritional deficiencies in primary school children, aiming to improve growth, academic performance and overall well-being. The scheme also includes screenings for weight, height and BMI, as well as educational efforts to raise awareness of nutrition.
Danone
Danone settled a lawsuit, filed in France in 2023, with environmental NGOs ClientEarth, Surfrider Foundation Europe and Zero Waste France, addressing concerns about its plastic usage. The NGOs accused Danone of insufficient efforts to reduce plastic across its supply chain and demanded more transparency and a comprehensive de-plastification program. Under the settlement, Danone has agreed to enhance its “vigilance plan” by detailing the impact of its plastic use and implementing more sustainable practices, such as reducing, reusing and recycling plastic. Danone will also disclose its plastic footprint and hold annual meetings with the NGOs until 2027.
Other Companies
The global beverage industry is shifting toward functional drinks as consumers prioritize health and wellness. These beverages, which offer benefits beyond hydration, such as energy boosts or skin health, are becoming increasingly popular. In markets like Europe and Asia-Pacific, functional drinks are seeing rapid growth, with new products like collagen drinks and anti-wrinkle beverages gaining traction by offering “drinkable beauty”. This trend is also linked to a rise in “sober social” lifestyles, especially among Gen Z, and the influence of GLP-1 drugs.
Spindrift Beverage Co. launched Spindrift SODA, a new line of sodas featuring five flavors: Concord Freeze, Ginger Ale, Orange Cream Float, Shirley Temple and Strawberry Shortcake. Each contains 20% not-from-concentrate juice and fewer than 8g of naturally occurring sugar from fruit, aligning with the brand’s commitment to using real ingredients. Spindrift SODA avoids added sugars, artificial sweeteners and flavoring systems, focusing instead on authentic taste from real fruit. Available online and at select retailers, Spindrift SODA also supports regenerative agriculture, contributing to environmental sustainability efforts through the nonprofit Kiss The Ground.
Celsius Holdings acquired Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion, combining two fast-growing energy drink brands in a deal that includes cash and stock. Alani Nu’s strong appeal to Gen Z and millennial women complements Celsius’ position in the energy drink category, allowing the combined platform to expand its reach and innovate further. The deal is expected to enhance Celsius' growth, with projected sales of $2 billion across both brands and significant cost synergies over the next two years.
In India, demand for Rs 10 beverages is growing, prompting major companies like Amul, Reliance, Parle Agro and Coca-Cola to introduce new products. Companies are competing not only on taste but also on affordability, with products like Amul’s Tru dairy-based drink and Reliance’s re-launched Campa targeting budget-conscious buyers. Despite the popularity of these affordable drinks, the rising costs of raw materials and inflation present challenges in maintaining profitability.
India’s Reliance Consumer Products launched its home-grown cola brand, Campa Cola, in the UAE, marking the brand’s first international expansion since being revived in 2023. Partnering with UAE's Agthia Group, Reliance aims to tap into the $1 billion UAE soft drink market, directly competing with global giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Campa Cola, once a prominent brand in India in the 1970s and 1980s, plans to attract both Indian expatriates and local consumers. Initially, the UAE lineup includes Campa Cola, Campa Lemon, Campa Orange and Cola Zero.