Coca-Cola Invests in Long-Term Growth in India

ATLANTAThe Coca-Cola Company is investing an additional $3 billion in Coca-Cola India through 2020 to further capture growth opportunities in the country's fast-growing nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverage market. The additional investment is on top of Coca-Colas $2 billion  investment to support long-term, sustainable growth in the country from 2012 to 2020.

The Coca-Cola system already has invested more than $2 billion in India since it re-entered the country in 1993; today's announcement brings the total investment number to $7 billion.

Achieving continued sustainable, responsible growth in India is core to achieving our 2020 Vision of doubling system revenues in this decade," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. "Our ongoing investment in India is focused on delivering innovation, partnerships and a portfolio that enhances the consumer experience, ensures product affordability and builds brand loyalty to deliver long-term growth."

NARTD beverages have enormous growth potential in India. Coca-Cola India has registered unit case volume growth in India for the past 23 quarters, 17 of which have seen double-digit growth. Two of the company's core sparkling brandsThums Up and Spriteare the country's top selling soft drink brands, while brand Coca-Cola is one of the country's fastest-growing sparkling brands, most recently reporting 27% growth in the first quarter. In the still beverage category, Coca-Cola's Maaza is India's largest selling juice drink.

The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners have plans to capture growth in India with investments in innovation, expansion of distribution network, cold drink equipment placement and augmentation of manufacturing capacity.