Soft drink companies approached the category this year by addressing consumers’ desires for natural products as well as introducing new packaging and marketing campaigns.
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, reported that volume for sparkling beverages in North America grew 3 percent excluding new cross-licensed brands, primarily Dr Pepper, in the first quarter of 2011. The company grew sparkling beverage volume share in the quarter and maintained value share, it said in its “First Quarter 2011 Results” report. Coca-Cola Zero delivered double-digit volume growth for the 20th consecutive quarter, the company says. Sprite growth continued for the fourth consecutive quarter, up 2 percent, and Fanta was up 5 percent, which is its third consecutive quarter of growth. Seagram’s grew more than 30 percent driven by expanded availability and additional media support, The Coca-Cola Co. stated.