The Coca-Cola Industry

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The Coca-Cola Industry Abstract The CSD (carbonated soft drink) industry is one that is very competitive. A few firms dominate this industry, most notably Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola. This is due to substantial barriers to entry. Cadbury-Schweppes, producer of products such as 7up and Dr. Pepper is the third leading company in this industry. Due to the dominance of Coca Cola and Pepsi, Cadbury-Schweppes faces the daunting task of having to fight for market share and survive in this fiercely competitive industry. Using economic analysis for support, Cadbury-Schweppes will need to use its strengths in the non-cola categories to compete in this CSD industry. Introduction Dr Pepper Company is the oldest major manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States. Dr Pepper is the company's principal brand. Cadbury Schweppes PLC acquired Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Cos. Inc. in March 1995. The new business will be called the Dr Pepper Company, which will focus on the Dr Pepper brand by handling all beverage system sales, which account for 75 percent of its business, in addition to related independent bottlers. The second operating group will be Cadbury Beverages/Seven Up Co., which will service independent bottlers not carrying Dr Pepper. Dr Pepper/Seven Up soft drink brands now hold about 16 percent of the U.S. market. Dr Pepper and Seven-Up are among the top 10 carbonated soft drinks, with Dr Pepper being the top non-cola soft drink. Other soft drink include: A&W Root Beer, Canada Dry, Schweppes, Welch's, Sunkist, Squirt, Crush and Hires (Levy 1999). According to the soft drink industry report, there is large sales growth recently in non-colas. Dr Pepper was number three in the industry. The reason is because non-colas have above-average caffeine level, and will be aimed at the 12-to 21-year-old market. Obviously, management sees this product as an opportunity to more fully participate in the growing popularity of non-colas. The main external threats to Cadbury-Schweppes are competition from Coca-Cola and Pepsi and changing consumer tastes. External opportunities include increasing sales internationally and development of new products. Cadbury-Schweppes has many internal strengths and weaknesses in its organizational, marketing, operational, and financial activities. These characteristics along with economic analysis will be used to provide the answers needed in order to survive and thrive in the CSD industry. Analysis In order to understand the situation of Cadbury-Schweppes in the CSD industry, the product, which is soda, needs to be analyzed.

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