Changing according to the needs of the market
The U.S. population has never been so concerned regarding its health than it is today. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has made some radical changes over time to meet the needs of consumers. The company was the first to come up with a diet version of its favorite classic, Coca-Cola, which has now become the second most-selling soft drink after regular Coca-Cola, and has even surpassed sales of regular PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP), now the U.S.’s third most sought-after soft drink.
Soda companies were facing a hard time as news reports were continuously flashing how cola can cause cancer. Recently, an article from NPR reported that The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) was the first soda company to eliminate the chemical 4-MEI from its drinks, which has been linked to cancer. The company has replaced 4-MEI with another chemical that is less abrasive. This shift has definitely raised the company’s image among loyalists, which should definitely add to its benefits in the future.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has also put a lot of effort into creating and marketing healthy alternatives for soda. Its healthy alternatives include brands like Dasani bottled water, Minute Maid juices, Odwalla juices, PowerAde, and PowerAde Light. Odwalla’s fruit smoothie and protein-packed shakes are available in handy servings and are well-accepted by younger consumers. Dasani bottled water has also gained great acceptance and has become one of the most known brands of bottled water.
Huge, but still a lot of scope
Currently, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest soft drink company, selling its portfolio of 500 brand named products in over 200 countries. While more than one-fifth of Coca-Cola’s revenue comes from the U.S. market, which makes its growth possibility from the North American market (in regard to its core products) quite saturated. However, the company’s expansion into newer products, with U.S. customers becoming more health-conscious, opens several new avenues for the company to grow domestically.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s revenue from international markets is growing consistently, clearly indicating that the company’s global market still has tremendous opportunities. The beverage giant understands that growing in emerging markets won’t be easy, as most of the markets lack proper infrastructure. Thus, it has announced plans to invest more than $30 billion in developing markets around the world over the next five years. The company’s initiatives seem to be paying well, as it registered 18% growth in Thailand, 8% in India and Russia, and 3% growth in Mexico and Brazil.
Good with employees and investors
Coca-Cola has been a fair and decent employer over years, which has helped it create a team that performs well. The confidence that the company and its employees have in each other has made Coca-Cola stand as the most superior employer among major beverage companies.
Coca-Cola employees have rated their employer a 3.5 of 5 on Glassdoor.com, where 69% would willingly recommend the company to their friends, and an inspiring 86% of employees support CEO, Muhtar Kent. PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) was reported as the second best beverage company to work for, as its employees rated their employer a 3.3 of 5, 64% of workers would suggest Pepsi to a friend, and 71% of the workforce approves of CEO, Indra K. Nooyi. Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (NYSE:DPS) got a rating of 2.7 of 5 from its employees, which is below average. Further, 43% of employees would advise the company to a friend, and 44% approve of CEO, Larry D. Young.
Coca-Cola has been of great value to investors, according to an article I read last year that elaborated on what was written in Coca-Cola’s proxy statement. According the company’s statement, a share of Coca-Cola worth $40 if purchased in 1919, with dividends reinvested, would be worth $9.8 million today. This clearly signifies how important dividends are in adding value to investments. Coca-Cola currently yields a dividend of 2.67%, while its close competitor, PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP), yields 2.78%. The average five-year growth rate of dividends is 8.45% for Coca-Cola and 8.35% for Pepsi.
