In the U.S., consumers are increasingly opting for weight loss drugs and non-alcoholic alternatives, which has affected soda sales.
Amid these changing preferences, McDonald’s is facing its first lawsuit related to the E. coli outbreak connected to its Quarter Pounder. Despite this challenge, Coca-Cola reported strong earnings for the second quarter on Tuesday, partly due to strong global demand for its beverage offerings, leading the company to increase its full-year forecast.
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey expressed optimism, stating, “We are encouraged with our second-quarter results, which delivered solid topline and operating income growth in an ever-changing landscape.”
However, the company noticed a 1% decline in volume sales in North America during the same period. Quincey attributed this decrease to “softness in away-from-home channels,” which encompasses products such as water, sports drinks, coffee, tea, and soda.
Despite the dip, Coca-Cola managed to mitigate some losses with its Fairlife milk line and its classic Coke, which achieved top retail sales growth in the quarter.
To counter the sales decline, Coca-Cola is collaborating with food chains to incorporate its beverages into combo meals. Reports indicate that the company is partnering with McDonald’s to enhance the appeal of its $5 meal deal, which includes a soft drink.
Overall, Coca-Cola exceeded Wall Street’s expectations with second-quarter revenues of $12.4 billion, translating to about $0.84 cents per share. Analysts had predicted revenues of $11.76 billion, or roughly $0.81 cents per share.
The company has now adjusted its forecast for organic revenue growth to between 9% and 10%, an increase from its earlier estimate of 8% to 9%.
Similarly, Pepsi has faced challenges in attracting U.S. consumers, who are increasingly favoring healthier options and prioritizing weight management. According to a Gallup poll, young adults in the U.S. are also consuming significantly less alcohol than in the past. In early July, Pepsi attributed its underwhelming second-quarter performance to a series of product recalls.