The Hindu Business Line : Cola majors plan slew of summer roll-outs

THE cola majors are revving up to roll out a range of new products in the market. Coca-Cola, for instance, is all set to roll out Coke Vanilla (a Coca-Cola variant flavoured with vanilla) in the first week of April this year. Though not confirming the development, when contacted Mr Sunil Gupta, Vice-President (Corporate Affairs) at Coca-Cola India, said, "Product innovation is a continuous process at the company."

The company may also roll out iced tea and coffee through its Georgia vending machines shortly that are currently used for hot beverages.

Pepsi Foods, on the other hand, is believed to be studying the introduction of its energy drink Gatorade and a new blend of juices (which may come under a brand other than Tropicana) this summer.

Mr Subroto Chattopadhyay, Executive Director, Pepsi Foods, said that two new blends will hit the market in the next few months.

He added that the company's focus in the non-carbonated segment would be on developing more products that suit needs of children, and several variants are being contemplated in the juice category alone.

"Juice is an area where a lot can be done. For example, we could have smoothies (which are juice and yogurt based) and other juice-based drinks present in our international portfolio. We are evaluating these options, but nothing has been decided as yet," he said.

The juice market in India is estimated to be growing at 25-30 per cent.

Further, Mr Chattopadhyay said that the company has begun test marketing tea and coffee (under the Lipton brand) through vending machines in Delhi.

"This is a joint venture with Hindustan Lever wherein we will provide them Aquafina water and vending machines, while Hindustan Lever will give us the technology," he said.

Pepsi has also inked three new tie-ups for its Aquafina bulk water business in Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai to increase its presence in the market and address the coming anticipated water shortage in the summer.

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