Coca-Cola plans to launch range of Coke-branded energy drinks | Progresiv
The Coca-Cola Company aims to launch a new range of energy drinks under its Coke brand which would be made with naturally-derived caffeine and guarana extract, according to Reuters. 
Called Coca-Cola Energy and Coca-Cola Energy No Sugar, the beverages will put the company in direct competition with Monster, in which it owns a 17% stake.
Monster shares fell 10% after it revealed it was in arbitration with Coca-Cola.
In a conference call with analysts, Monster CEO Rodney Sacks said: “Coca-Cola has indicated that it has suspended the proposed launch of such energy products until April 2019.”
The global energy drink market size is expected to reach 72 billion dollars by 2024, rising at a CAGR of 7.1%, according to new figures from Researchandmarkets.com. Demand is expected to be boosted by the trend of mixing energy drinks with alcohol.
The launch would see Coca-Coca increase its efforts to move away from high-sugar fizzy drinks towards healthier alternatives.
In its most recent quarterly results published last week, the company was boosted by the double-digit growth of its Coca-Cola Zero Sugar beverage across all its operating regions. The Fuze Tea and Smartwater brands also performed strongly
Meanwhile, Monster Beverage revealed yesterday that it recorded net sales of over 1 billion dollars for the second consecutive quarter, thanks to strong energy drink sales globally. Net sales to customers outside the US increased by 8.8%. (www.foodbev.com)
