Cola Wars Case Study

     PepsiCo. Incorporated and The Coca-Cola Company are the two largest and oldest archrivals in the carbonated soft drink (CSD) industry. Coca-Cola was invented and first marketed in 1886, followed by Pepsi Cola in 1898. Coca-Cola was named after the coca leaves and kola nuts John Pemberton used to make it, and Pepsi Cola after the beneficial effects its creator, Caleb Bradham, claimed it had on dyspepsia. The rivalry between the soda giants, also known as the "Cola Wars", began in the 1960’s when Coca-Cola's dominance was being increasingly challenged by Pepsi Cola. The competitive environment between the rivals was intense and well-publicized, forcing both companies to continuously establish and

Essentially, all risk in price fluctuations in the raw materials market is transferred and paid for by the bottling business. Supplier power of the concentrate business is also exerted over the bottling business by the threat of acquisition and vertical integration – the concentrate business supports its bottling business through providing suggestions for operational improvement. While this support can be viewed positively, both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have acquired its bottling franchises due to their dissatisfaction over the operational effectiveness of its bottling business. Through the last few decades, Coca-Cola and Pepsi have oscillated between acquiring and re-franchising its partner bottling businesses.

Compare the economics of the concentrate business to that of the bottling business: Why is the profitability so different?

Historically there are a relatively small amount of concentrators, a large number of bottlers (around 500), and an even larger number of retail outlets. The concentrators are the typical companies mentioned above like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper/Seven Up; these concentrators are at the top of the supply chain. The concentrators produce the flavor- like the Mountain Dew or Coke flavorings for the bottlers to then add the sugar and carbonated water followed by the actual bottling and distribution to retail outlets. The bottlers, even though a separate part of the process, are typically owned, franchised, or have stake held by the concentrators. For example, Coca-Cola Co. is in charge of producing the flavor, which is then sent to a bottling plant to be finish mixing and be bottled, which is owned by Coca-Cola, and then distributed to retail outlets.

Defining the industry: Both concentrate producers (CP) and bottlers are profitable. These two parts of the

Coca Cola and Pepsi are the brands with the highest brand equities. Both, Coca Cola and Pepsi have gone through the highs and lows of their business to reach that position. Coca Cola’s marketing has been changing over time with more and more products being added every day, while Pepsi has implemented several smart marketing strategies to improve its turnover and profits. So, let’s see what were the marketing strategies implemented by Coca Cola and Pepsi.

As we all go about our day, we rush to place to place. Around us there are things for sale, people everywhere trying to make money. As we are rushing around, we all tend to get thirsty as we have a thousand things going on. In America we have dozens of choices when it comes to soft drinks, although the two most widely known are Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Many are often stuck between choosing Coke or Pepsi; even though they are slightly different in appearance, taste, and price it makes a world of difference to the customer.

As the above table indicates concentrate business is highly profitable compared to the bottling business. The reasons for this are:

The company known as Coca-Cola today was started in September of 1919, but the first Coke brand was served as early as 1886. Since that time it has grown to be one of the most globally recognized brand names with a stock value of $167 billion. Coke’s plan has always been developed with the future in mind. Right away the company realized that it was more profitable to manufacture the concentrate used to make carbonated drinks than to bottle it. From that point on they saw the entire world, not simply the originating country, as their desired market. It seems only practical that the company should pursue this agenda until conquered then focus the effort on expanding into different product lines. This logical

Compare the economics of the concentrate business to the bottling business. Why is the profitability so different?

The interactions between the two major players allows for the creation of a level of competition, where both companies are consistently seeking to improve their businesses processes to remain competitive with the other. Each company also has a set of pricing and output decisions that not only effect their organization but the entire industry in general. One of the most pressing trends for both companies is that consumers are generally becoming more health conscious and beginning to shun carbonated beverages.

“Coca-Cola was founded in 1886 at a soda fountain in downtown Atlanta, Georgia” (Coca-Cola Facts para 1). Coca-Cola is better than Pepsi due to its’ longer experience “being in business for about 125 years, the big name beverage brand inspired many consumers and viewers; sparking social interaction and encouraging innovation” (Coca-Cola Facts para 1). “Coca-Cola had bottlers to create a distinctive bottle for the beverage, and it was so noticeable that it could be recognized in the dark, and this effectively set the beverage brand apart from competition, and because of the Coca-Cola’s bottle features — it was acknowledged by many artists from all around the

Coca-Cola is the number one non-alcoholic beverage in the world and is also the golden standard in the beverage industry. Over the pass decade carbonated beverage sales has decrease which has lead Coca-Cola to seek for new opportunity and investor. Contribution of US soda sales in Coca-Cola’s revenue could decline to less than 15% by 2020. By the end of 2017 Coca-Cola is looking to refranchise two-thirds of its bottling territories in North America. The outcome of Coca-Cola refranchise two-third of its bottling territories will reduce the revenue to Coca-Cola sales of its products, however the operating margin will increase. Also, this could reduce the percentage contribution by the U.S to Coca-Cola overall revenue.

* Who are the main Stakeholders of beverage companies such as Coca cola and nestle in this case? How would you prioritize their stake and how legitimate are the different stakes?

The global beverages industry is currently a low-growth market, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 5.7% between 2017 and 2025 (Grand View Research 2017). Additionally, the industry is quite saturated with firms that offer increasingly differentiated products. However, due to this low growth rate, companies have been engaging in price competition to gain competitive advantage and increase their market share. Nevertheless, Coca Cola is a dominant force in this market, controlling 40% of the industry, and is therefore at a low risk of losing its position.