Deal swaps ownership of Coca-Cola’s energy portfolio with Monster’s non-energy brands
August 15, 2014
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, and Monster Beverage Corp., Corona, Calif., have entered into definitive agreements for a long-term strategic partnership that they expect will accelerate growth for both companies in the global energy drink category.
As beverage manufacturers get more creative in their product development, more beverages seem to be blurring category lines. One category that has been both aided and challenged by this multi-platform approach is the energy drink category.
According to Mintel, 42 percent of people who drink energy shots take them in the afternoon, and 49 percent of people who consume energy drinks also do so in the afternoon, said Jennifer Zegler, global food and drink analyst at the Chicago-based market research firm, in Beverage Industry’s August 2013 issue.
Monster Beverage Corp., Corona, Calif., reported a more than 10 percent increase in gross sales to nearly $614 million in the first quarter of 2014, which ended March 31. Net sales in the term also increased by more than 10 percent to $536 million, and gross profit reached 53.5 percent of net sales.
Accumulating 130 additional SKUs within the last five years to reach nearly 500 total SKUs, Beverage Industry Bottler of the Year Swire Coca-Cola USA was pressed to find a warehousing solution to accommodate this proliferation.
The non-aseptic energy drink category reported more than $6.9 billion in sales for a 19.4 percent increase for the 52 weeks ending April 15 in U.S. supermarkets, drug, gas, convenience and mass merchandise retailers, excluding Walmart, according to Chicago-based market research firm SymphonyIRI Group.
Corona, Calif.-based Monster Energy Co. launched the Monster Energy Ultimate Intern Search to fill two newly created intern positions. The Monster Energy Ultimate Intern Search will award two individuals a compensation package worth more than $15,000 and the opportunity to work directly with athletes, music artists, celebrities and the Monster Energy staff at major national sports and entertainment events across America, including X-Games 18, the Vans Warped Tour 2012, and the Street League DC Pro Tour fueled by Monster Energy, during the summer.