Weight loss medications and non-alcoholic alternatives are leading consumers in the U.S. to refrain from purchasing sodas, impacting the beverage market.
In an unusual development, McDonald’s is now facing its first lawsuit related to an E. coli outbreak connected to its Quarter Pounder.
Despite these challenges, Coca-Cola reported strong second-quarter earnings, buoyed by significant global demand for its beverage products, prompting the company to elevate its full-year forecasts. “We are encouraged with our second-quarter results, which delivered solid topline and operating income growth in an ever-changing landscape,” stated Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey.
However, the American market saw a 1% decline in volume sales during the quarter. Quincey noted that this drop was primarily due to a downturn in “away-from-home channels,” affecting various product lines including water, sports drinks, coffee, tea, and sodas. Nonetheless, the decline was somewhat mitigated by Coca-Cola’s Fairlife milk and the leading sales performance of its Coke brand, which ranked first and second in retail sales growth during this period.
To combat the sales slump, Coca-Cola is partnering with food establishments to integrate its soft drinks into combo meals. Reports suggest that the company is collaborating with McDonald’s to enhance the fast-food chain’s $5 meal deal featuring a beverage.
Coca-Cola still managed to exceed Wall Street expectations, achieving $12.4 billion in revenue for the second quarter, translating to approximately $0.84 per share. Analysts had predicted revenue of around $11.76 billion or approximately $0.81 per share, according to FactSet.
The company now anticipates organic revenue growth to fall between 9% and 10%, raising its earlier forecast of 8% to 9%.
Similarly, Pepsi is grappling with the challenges of capturing the attention of U.S. consumers, who are increasingly inclined toward products that support weight loss and healthier lifestyles. A Gallup poll reveals that young adults in the U.S. are consuming significantly less alcohol than before. Earlier in July, Pepsi attributed its lackluster second-quarter performance to a series of recalls.