ATLANTA -- The substantial list of new products the Coca-Cola Co. will introduce during the NACS Show this year is ample evidence of the beverage maker's continuing move toward noncarbonated drinks.
In fact, of nine major product introductions, only one—Sprite Cherry and Sprite Zero Cherry—is a carbonated soft drink.
While Coca-Cola owns 50% share of the global market, its collection of bottled waters, iced teas, juices and more add up to only 15% share, globally, giving the company plenty of room to grow.
The noncarbonated beverage category "is a fragmented set up of categories where there is ample opportunity for us to follow a ... path of gaining market share steadily over the years," James Quincey, president and chief operating officer for Coca-Cola, said during an investors conference in September.
In coming months, the company will focus on three major "still" beverage subcategories ...