Coke Vs Pepsi Market Share in Special Area of NCR 1
Coke Vs Pepsi Market Share in Special Area of NCR 1
Coke Vs Pepsi Market Share in Special Area of NCR 1
The opportunity of research with the help of Mr. Ashish Khandalwal (Marketing
Manager) to very professional and experience Work for me..
It is not only gave me practical and analytical experience but also contributed largely in
laying the foundation for concern the fields of marketing and the information about very
large and glamour war between the two big cola companies.
.
I wish to express my profound gratitude to my faculty Ms. Famina (Faculty) who gave me
an opportunity to undergo summer training and who gave a patient hearing and support. Thus
increasing my knowledge and understanding the various facts and function of the soft drink
industry.
ASHISH DIXIT
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PREFACE
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export gaining ground. From thinking along the lines of merely exporting spares and raw
material the exporters and now looking towards finished products. A multiplier to this are the
joint venture companies looking at becoming export manufacturing bases.
The scene has moved beyond the threshold of global presence, inward and out ward.
However, there are certain issue still dogging an unhindered move forward something bound
to happen when the economy is just opening up. These need to be addressed. Nonetheless,
India has taken the irrevocable step forward in becoming a part of the global family. And in
the process of growth, there are already and will be in future, quantum jumps in progress.
ASHISH DIXIT
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CONTENTS
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3 INTRODUCTION
6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
SLOGANS
9 PRODUCT
5
10 ANALYSIS
11 BRAND PREFERENCES
14 CONCLUSION
15 RECOMMANDATIONS
16 BIBLIOGRPHY
17 QUESTIONNAIRE
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OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
• To find out the market plan of the company over the competitors.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This project is an extensive research on the marketing strategies of the two
Cola giants Pepsi and Coca Cola. It covers an extensive survey
and depict all graphs, fact and figures of two companies. It begins
with the introduction of soft drink industry and introduction of
these two companies of soft drink industry. It covers some of the
major strategies adopted by Pepsi and Coca-Cola like their
pricing policy, sales promotion and advertising policy, distribution
policy etc. The project has been made interesting with the
inclusion of the topics, which covers the 4P’s of marketing.
The major players in the soft drink industry in India are Coke and Pepsi.
Pepsi holds the major market share followed by Coke. They have
a cut throat competition between themselves. Whatever strategy is
followed by one company, it is copied by the other.
One of the selected brand are NO1 brand in their respective product
categories the other one brand is close competitor of the No 1
brands. Total sample of size of 200 respondents selected on the
basic of convenience was surveyed which include consumers.
i . ex e
INTRODUCTION:
With the growing popularity of soft drinks, the technology of its production,
preservation, transportation and or marketing in the recent years has
witnessed phenomenal changes.
The so-called competition for this product in the market is from different
other brands. Mass media, particularly the emergence of television, has
contribute to a large extent of the ever growing demand for soft drinks the
attractive jingles and sport make the large audience remember this product at
all times.
It is expected that with the sort of mass advertising, reaching almost the
entire country and offering various varieties annual demand for the product
is expected to rise sharply in the times to come.
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In any marketing situation, the behavioral / environmental variables relating
to consumers, competition and environment are constantly influx. The
competitors in a given industry may be making many tactical maneuvers in
market all the time. The may introduce or initiate an aggressive promotion
campaign or announce a price reduction. The marketing man of the firm has
to meet all these maneuver and care of competitive position of his firm and
his brand in the market. The only route open to him for achieving this is the
manipulation of his marketing tactics.
Through the globe, these major players have been battling it out for a bigger
chunk of the ever –growing soft drink market. Now this battle has been
evolved up to India too with the arrival of these three giants.
Soft drink industry is on amazing growth; ultimately these are only one
person who will determine their fortunes. The Indian consumer. The real
War to quench his thirst has just begun.
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SOFT DRINK INDUSTRY: AN OVERVIEW
It all began in 1886, when a tree legged brass kettle in Hohn Styth
pemberton’s backyard in Atlanta was brewing the first P of marketing leged.
Unaware the pharmacist has given birth to a caromel colored syrup, which is
now the chief ingredient of the world’s favorite drink. The syrup combined
with carbonated the soft drink market. It is estimated that this drink is served
more than one thousand million times in a day.
Equally oblivious to the historic value of his actions was Frank Ix.
Robinson, his partner and book keeper. Pemberton & Robinson laid the first
foundation of this beverage when an average nine drinks per day to begin
with, upping volumes as sales grew.
In 1894, this beverage got into bottle, courtesy a candy merchant from
Mississippi. By the 1950’s Colas were a daily consumption item, stored in
house hold fridges. Soon were born other non- cola variants of this product
like orange & Lemon.
Now, the soft drink industry has been dominated by three major player – (1)
The New York based Pepsi co. Inc.(2) The Atlanta based coca cola co. (3)
The united Kingdom based Cadbury Schweppes.
Though out the glove these major players have been battling it. Out for a
bigger chunk of the ever-growing cold drink market. Now this battle has
begun in India too. Inida is now the part of cold drink war. Gone are days of
Ramesh Chauhan, India’s one time cola king and his bouts of pistol
shooting. Expect now to hear the boon of cannons when the Coca Cola &
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Pepsi co. battle it out for, as the Jordon goes a bigger share of throat. By
buying over local competition, the two American Cola giants have cleared
up the arena and are packing all their power behind building the Indian
franchisee of their globe girdling brands. The huge amount invested in
fracture has never been seen before. Both players seen an enormous
potential in his country where swigging a carbonated beverage is still
considered a treat, virtually a luxury. Consequently, by world standards
India’s per capita consumption of cold drinks as going by survey results is
rock bottom, less than over Neighbors Pakistan & Bangladesh, where it is
four times as much.
Behind the hype, in an effort invisible to consumer Pepsi pumps in Rs 3000
crores (1994) to add muscle to its infrastructure in bottling and distribution.
This is apart from money that company’s franchised bottles spend in
upgrading their plants all this has contributed to substantial gains in the
market. In colas, Pepsi is already market leader and in certain cities like
Banaras , Pepsi outlets are on one side & all the other colas put together on
the other. While coke executive scruff at Pepsi’s claims as well as targets,
industry observers are of the view that Pepsi has definitely stolen a march
over its competitor coke.
Apart from numbers, Pepsi has made qualitative gains. The foremost is its
image. This image turnaround is no small achievements, considering that
since it was established in 1989, taking the hardship route prior to
liberalization and weighed down by export commitments.
Now, at present as there are three major players coke, Pepsi and Cadbury
and there is stiff competition between first two, both Pepsi and coke have
started, sponsoring local events and staging frequent consumer promotion
campaigns. As the mega event of this century has started, and the marketers
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are using this event – world cup football, cricket events and many more
other events.
Like Pepsi, coke is picking up equity in its bottles to guarantee their
financial support; one side coke is trying to increase its popularity through.
Eat Food, enjoy Food. Drink only coca cola. Eat cricket, sleep cricket.
Drink only coca cola. Eat movies, sleep movies. Drink only coca cola.
On the other side of coin Pepsi has introduced AMITABH BACHHAN for
capturing the lemon market through MIRINDA – Lemon with “ zor ka
jhatka dhere se lage”.
As orange drinks are the smallest of non-cola categories that is Rs. 1100
crore market with 10% market share and cola heaving 50% is followed by
Lemon segment with 25%.
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The success of soft drink industry depends upon 4 major factors viz.
Availability
Visibility
Cooling
Range
AVAILABILITY
Availability means the presence of a particular brand at any outlet. If a
product is now available at any outlet and the competitor brand is
available, the consumer will go for the at because generally the
consumption of any soft drink is an impulse decision and not
predetermined one.
VISIBILITY
Visibility is the presence felt, if any outlet has a particular brand of soft
drink say- Pepsi cola and this brand is not displayed in the outlet, then its
availability is of no use. The soft drink must be shown off properly and
attractively so as to catch the attention of the consumer immediately Pepsi
achieves visibility by providing glow signboards, hoarding, calendars etc.
to the outlets. It also includes various stands to display Pepsi and other
flavours of the company.
COOLING
As the soft drinks are consumed chilled so cooling them plays a vital role
in boosting up the sales. The brand, which is available chilled, gets more
sale then the one which is not, even if it is more preferred one.
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RANGE
This is the last but not the least factor, which affects the sale of the
products of a particular company.
Range availability means the availability of all flavors in all sizes.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Keeping in view of tapping the Indian soft drink market and also developing
soft drinks as a drinking product among Indians. The Coca-Cola in India has
setup an independent organizations which is H.C.C & B.C.C with a capital
of 350 U.S.$ each by virtue of sellout decision of the passed managing
director Sh. S. C. Aggarwal.
Hindustan Coca-Cola bottling (N-W) Pvt. Ltd. Najibabad took the complete
possession of this plant, land, machinery, & intellectuals on February 14’
1998 and since then H.C.C, looking after all its affairs under company
owned bottling plant to establish integrated marketing system in the area.
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CORE BRANDS :
Diet coke: The extension of the coca-cola name began in 1982 with the
introduction of diet coke (also called coca-cola light in some countries).
Diet coke quickly become the number – one selling low –calorie soft
drink in the world.
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BRAND IN INDIAN ORIGIN
GOLD SPOT: this orange cardonate soft drink was introduceB in the early
1950c, and acquired by the coca-cola company in 1993, its tangy taste
has been popular with Indian teenagers
taste and lighthearted attitude. The limca brand was introduced in 1971
and acquired by the coca-cola company in 1993.
in 1993, is a non carbonated mango soft drink with a rich, juict & natural
mango taste.
THUMPS UP: in 1993, the coca-cola company acquired this brand, which
was originally introduced in 1977. Its strong and fizzy taste makes it
unique carbonated Indian cola.
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BRAND IN INDIAN
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ADVERTISEMENT AND PUNCH LINE OF COCA-COLA
1982 - Coke Is It .
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1989 - You Can’t Beat the Feeling.
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FABULOUS FACTS ABOUT COCA-COLA
3. The first out door paint sign advertising coca-cola still exists. It was
painted in 1894 in Cartersville, Georgia.
7. If all the coca-cola ever produced were flowing over Niagara fall at
its normal rate of 105 million gallons per second instead of water,
the falls would flow for about a day and a half 38 hours and 46
minutes.
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HISTORY OF COCA-COLA
Jon Styth Pemberton first introduced the refreshing taste of Coca-Cola in Atlanta,
Georgia it was May 1861 when the pharmacist concocted a caramel colored syrup in
three–legged brass kettle in his backyard. He first distributed the new product by carrying
Coca-Cola in a jug cown enjoys in a glass of Coca-Cola at the soda fountain. Whether by
design or accident, carbonated water was teamed with the new syrup, producing a drink
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responded to this demand began offering bottle Coca-Cola using syrup
shipped from Atlanta, during a hot summer in 1894.
HISTORY IN INDIA
PROMISE BY COCA-COLA
More then a billion times every day , thirsty people around the world reach
for coca-cola products for refreshment. They deserve the highest
Quality – every time . our promise to deliver that quality is the most
important promise we make . and it involves a world-wide , yet distinctively
local , network of bottling partner , supplier , distributor and retailers whose
success is paramount to our own. Our investment in local communities in
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over 200 countries totals billions of dollars in jobs, facilities , marketing, the
purchase of local good and services, and local business partnership. Always
and every where , we pursue continuous innovation in the products we offer
the processes we use to make them, the package we develop and the way we
bring them to market .
Competitor of Coke
PEPSICO
PepsiCo is one the largest companies in the U.S. It figures amongst the
largest 15 companies worldwide according to the number of employees
hired. Its has a U.S. Fortune rank of 50.The company profits for 1997 were
$2.14 billion on revenues of $20.92 billion and Pepsi is bottled in nearly 190
countries.
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PepsiCo is a world leader in the food chain business. It consists of many
companies amongst which the prominent once are Pepsi-Cola, Frito-Lay and
Pepsi Food International. The group is presently into two of the most
profitable and profitable and growing industries namely, beverages and
snack foods. It has scores of big brands available in nearly 150 countries
across the globe. The group has established for itself once of the strongest
brands in various segments of its operations.
The beverages segment primarily markets its Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain
Dew and other brands worldwide and 7-UP outside the U.S. markets. These
are positioned in close competition with Coca-Cola Inc. of USA. A point
which is worth a mention is that Coca-Cola gets 80% of its profits for
International operations while the same figure for PepsiCo stands at 6%. The
segment is also in the bottling plants and distribution facilities and also
distributes the ready to drink tea products of Lipton in North America. In a
joint venture with orient spray juice products PepsiCo also manufactures
and distributes fruit juices.
The snack food division manufactures and distributes and markets chips and
other snacks worldwide. The international operations of this segment
extends to the markets of Mexico, the UK and Canada. Frito-Lay represents
this segment of PepsiCo.
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the U.S. The company ventured into restaurant business with Taco Bell,
KFC, Pizza Hut ended last year when they were spinned off from the
company. A packaged goods company comprised of Pepsi-Cola Company
and Frito-Lay will continue to bear the PepsiCo name. The move should
enhance both corporations ability to prosper with their own fully dedicated
structure and management team.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
Research is a common language refers to a search of knowledge. Research is
scientific & systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic,
infect research is an art of scientific investigation. Research Methodology is
a scientific way to solve research problem. It may be understood as a science
of studying how research is don’t scientifically. In it we study various steps
that are generally adopted by researchers in studying their research problem.
It is necessary for researchers to know not only know research method
techniques but also technology.
RESEARCH DESIGN
A research design is defined, as the specification of methods and
procedures for acquiring the Information needed. It is a plant or organizing
framework for doing the study and collecting the data. Designing a research
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plan requires decisions all the data sources, research approaches, Research
instruments, sampling plan and contact methods.
Research design is mainly of following types: -
1. Exploratory research.
2. Descriptive studies
3. Casual studies
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
DESCRIPTIVE STUDIES
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III. Before after with control group design
IV. Four groups, six studies design
V. After only with control group design.
VI. Consumer panel design
VII. Exposit facto design
PRIMARY SECONDARY
Research Institute
PRIMARY DATA
These data are collected first time as original data. The data is recorded as
observed or encountered. Essentially they are raw materials. They may be
combined, totaled but they have not extensively been statistically processed.
For example, data obtained by the peoples.
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SECONDARY DATA
Period of Study: This study has been carried out for a maximum period of 8
weeks.
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Sampling Design: The convenience sampling is done because any
probability sampling procedure would require detailed information about the
universe, which is not easily available further, it being an exploratory
research.
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Random numbers can be obtained using your calculator, a spreadsheet,
printed tables of random numbers, or by the more traditional methods of
drawing slips of paper from a hat, tossing coins or rolling dice.
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Non Probability Sampling
It is also known as deliberate or purposive or judge mental sampling. In this
type of sampling, every item in the universe does not have an equal, chance
of being included in a sample.
It is of following type:
Convenience Sampling
A convenience sample chooses the individuals that are easiest to reach or
sampling that is done easy. Convenience sampling does not represent the
entire population so it is considered bias.
Quota Sampling
In quota sampling the selection of the sample is made by the interviewer,
who has been given quotas to fill from specified sub-groups of the
population.
Judgment Sampling
The sampling technique used here in probability > Random Sampling.
The total sample size is 100 profiles.
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about the working conditions of the workers of COKE; I worked at COKE
contact the workers and obtain the information. The information obtained
are first hand or original in character.
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COKE COMES TO INDIA
Coca-Cola come to India with fanfare in the fifties. For a number of days,
The Hindustan Times and other newspapers of New Banaras carried full
page advertisement showing a big boy in uniform with a soft-drink crown as
the cap. There was no indication of the product. After a few days, Coke was
introduced. It was an entirely new drink which fascinated people. It soon
became the national drink. For the first time, a soft-drink was available from
one corner of the country to another. The person who brought Coca-Cola to
India was the father of late Sardar Charanjit Singh, Sardar Mohan Singh. A
practical man Mohan Singh realised that to popularise Coca-Cola, and make
it a best seller it was necessary to “catch them young.” So he focused on
youngsters in the society.
The company realised that to become a mass consumption product, one has
to go to the village. They gave much importance to the distributive network.
The company trucks supplied coke to even the remotest village.
Few products appears to be more similar than soft drinks, yet the Cola wars
that mark the competition between Coke and Pepsi show how even
organizations with highly similar product can be differentiated by their
business strategies. Then came battles over the issue of bottle size
standardization. Coke the arch rival tried to offering more Cola at a lower
price. Pepsi which had some of its early investment tied up in 250ml bottles,
went the fountain way. The General bottle size freed has settled at 300 ml. ,
100 ml more than the pre MNC standard. Fountain mix dispensers, carry
home bottles, even 1.50 plastic bottle with caps good enough to keep them
lying down and still preserve the fizz.
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It poured in vast sums to whip up its visibility at the retail level, so that
consumers were greeted virtually at every street corner by Pepsi’s blue, red
and white colors, because they have perception “the thing on display sells
more.”. Coca-Cola is, finally, redoing the real thing to the replicate the
success that its arch-rival, PepsiCo., has achieved with its fast and furious
marketing. But to win them, Coke is copying Pepsi .
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MARKETING STATEGIES OF COKE
a) PRODUCT
Coke was launched in India in Agra, October 24, in '93', soon after its
traditional all Indian launch of its Cola. at the sparking new bottling plants at
Hathra, near Agra. Coke was back with a bang after its exit in 1977.
Coke was planning to launch in next summer the orange drink, Fanta-
with the clear lemon drink, sprite, following later in the year.
Coke already owns more brands than it will over need, since it has
bought out Ramesh Chauhan. Coke just needs to juggle these brands around
dextrously to meet its objectives, to ensure that Pepsi does not gain market
share in t Today, Coke's product line includes, Coca-Cola, Thums Up,
Fanta, Gold Spot, Maaza, Citra, Sprite, Bisleri Club Soda and Diet Coke.
PACKAGING
Coca-Cola India Limited (CCIL) has bottled its Cola drink in different
sizes and different packaging i.e., 200 ml bottle, 300 ml. Bottle, 330 ml.
Cans, 500 ml. Bottle fountain Pepsi, and bottles of 1 and 2 ltr.
PRODUCT POSITIONING
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likely chances of Coca Cola slashing the prices of Thums Up to Rs. 5 and
continue to sell Coca Cola at the same rate. Analysts feel that this
strategy may help Coke since it has 2 Cola brands in comparison to Pepsi
which has just one.
b) PRICE
The price being fixed by industry, leaving very little role for the
players to play in the setting of the price, in turn making it difficult for
competitors to compete on the basis of price.
The fixed cost structure in Carbonated Soft Drinks Industry, and the
intense competition make it very difficult to change or alter the prices. The
various costs incurred by the individual company's are almost unavoidable.
These being the costs of concentrates, standard bottling operations,
distributor and bottlers commissions, distribution expenses and the
promotional and advertising expenditure (As far as Coke is concerned, it had
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to incur a little more than Pepsi as Pepsi paved its way to India in 1989
while Coke made a come back in 1993.)
Currently a 300 ml. Coke bottle is available for Rs. 6 to8 The 330 can
was initially available for Rs. 13 and now, since the price has gave up to Rs.
18 per can. The prices of 500 ml., 1 ltr. and 2ltr being Rs. 15 Rs. 23 and Rs.
40 respectively( according to the current survey).
Dating back to ‘93', when Pepsi hiked the price of Pepsi - Cola from
Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 per 250 ml. bottle in some parts of the country-including Agra.
Coke penetrated the market with price of Rs. 5 for a 300 ml. bottle, making
it cheaper by Rs. 1 and 50 ml. than Pepsi. Coke's strategy at that time being
able to expand the availability of soft drinks even in rural India. Coke's
priority being to first increase the number of drinks per drinker, and then the
number of drinkers itself. Pepsi also tried this but was trapped by a series
of competitive price increase and changes in bottle sizes by Parle. But the
prices of soft drinks have shot up since Pepsi's arrival and the current prices
are being mentioned as under.
Price list
Coke 300 ml 8
Coke 2 litre 35
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Diet Coke (Can) 330 ml Can 18
However, the trends may have been in the early '90's, now the prices
of Pepsi and Coke are the same making it difficult in future and present to
compete on the basis of price.
c) PLACE
Coke may have gained an early advantage over Pepsi since it took
over Parle in 1994. Hence, it had ready access to over 2,00,000 retailer
outlets and 60 bottlers. Coke was had a better distribution network, owing
to the wide network of Parle drinks all over India. Coke has further
expanded its distribution network.
Coke and its product were available in over 2,50,000 outlets (in
contrast with Pepsi's 2,00,000). Coke has a greater advantage in terms of
geographical coverage.
But Coke has had problems with its bottlers as the required profits for
the bottlers have not been forthcoming. This is more so because Coke has
hiked the price of its concentrate by Rs. 8 Further, Coke's operations in
India are 100% FOBOs. Now, it plans to convert then into COBOs. This is
straining the relationship between the Coke and its bottlers.
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and the company would have to absorb in the increase in excise duty and
said that in the long run Coke will have to slash prices for the benefit of the
consumers and said that they were considering a cut in the prices of their
fountain soft drinks.
d)PROMOTION
Coca Cola has entered new markets and also developing market economics
(like India) with much-needed jobs.
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Coke attributes its success to bottlers, the Coca Cola system itself, i.e.,
its executive committees, employees, BOD, company presidents but above
all from the consumer.
Coke's red color catches attention easily and also the Diet Coke which
it introduced was taking the Cake, as Pepsi has not come out with this in
India.
Ever since Coke's entry in India in 1993, Coke made a come back
(after quitting in 1977), in October 24 in Agra, the city was flooded by
trucks, there wheelers, tricycle cards-all with huge red Coke-emblazoned
umbrellas. Retailers were displaying their Coke bottles in distinctive racks,
also with specially-designed iceboxes to keep Coke bottles cold. This was
one big jolt to Pepsi.
STRATEGIES ADOPTED
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The Pepsi Process: Despite being a global brand, Pepsi has built its success on
The Coke Copy: Instead of creating a bond with the customers through small
but high-impact events, Coca-Cola chose to associate itself with national and
international mega events like the World Cup Cricket, 1996, and world cup
football 1998. But now coke is also entering into local actions. Coke is also
trying to make their brand synchronize with localized events traditions and
festivals. Coca-Cola new tag line in this advertisement is “Real shopping,
Real refresher”. In this way Coke is copy Pepsi.
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EMPOWERMENT
The Pepsi Process: Once of the strongest weapons in Pepsi’s armory is the
flexibility it has empowered its people with. Every manager and salesperson
has the authority to take whatever steps he, or she, feels will make
consumers aware of the brand and increase its consumption.
the need for approvals from Atlanta for almost everything. In the past, this
has shown up in its stubborn insistence on junking the franchisee network it
had acquired from Parle; in its dependence on its own feedback mechanism
over that of its bottlers;’ and on its headquarters-led approach.
PRICE
The Pepsi process: Pepsi has consistently wielded its pricing strategy as in
It launched the 500 ml bottle in 1994 at Rs. 8 versus Thums Up’s Rs. 9, in
April, 1996, its 1.5 litre bottle followed Coke into the marketplace at Rs. 30
– Rs 5 less than Coke’s .But it couldn’t continue the lower price positioning
for long.
The Coke Copy: Initially, coke carbon-copied the strategy by introducing its
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PEPSI VS. COKE
18 NO. OF FRANCHISES 53
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PEPSI AND COKE MARKET SHARE IN INDIA
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COLA : 60% CLEAR LEMON : 4%
Pepsi : 26.5 7-UP : 2.5%
Thums-up : 17.5% Citra : 0.5%
Coke :10%
ORANGE : 16% OTHERS : 8%
Mirinda : 7.5% Other Brands : 16.5%
Fanta : 6%
Gold Spot : 1%
Crush : 1%
CLOUDY LEMON : 12%
Limca : 9%
Mirinda lemon + Duke’s : 1.5%
Schweppes lemon : 0.5%
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The Cola Wars
There's little doubt that the most spirited and intense competition in the
beverage world is between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. These two American
companies long ago took their battle worldwide, and although there are other
colas in the market, these giants occupy this high-stakes arena by
themselves. The impact of Coke and Pepsi on popular culture is
indisputable, and I have observed in my time managing this web site that
America has not become jaded about the cola wars. The memorabilia, the
jingles, the trivia - all still popular. So I am offering this page in an attempt
to assuage a wee bit of the Coke and Pepsi thirst that is thriving on our
planet.
IT ALL STARTED . . . .
Coca-Cola was invented and first marketed in 1886, followed by Pepsi in
1898. Coca-Cola was named after the coca leaves and kola nuts John
Pemberton used to make it, and Pepsi after the beneficial effects its creator,
Caleb Bradham, claimed it had on dyspepsia. For many years, Coca-Cola
had the cola market cornered. Pepsi was a distant, nonthreatening contender.
But as the market got more and more lucrative, professional advertising
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became more and more important. These soda companies have been leading
the way in advertising ever since.
In 1909, Pepsi used its first celebrity endorser, automobile race driver
Barney Oldfield, in newspaper ads. In 1921, Pepsi went bankrupt, but
continued to appear on the scene, although not nearly so successfully as
Coca-Cola. In 1931, Pepsi went bankrupt again, but the new owner, Roy
Megargel, would hit upon an idea that would finally give Coca-Cola some
competition. In 1934, he marketed Pepsi in a 12-ounce bottle for a nickle. At
the time, Coca-Cola was sold in a 6-ounce bottle for ten cents. Voila! Profits
for Pepsi.
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Pepsi racked up another first by airing the first radio jingle in 1939. It was so
popular that it was played in jukeboxes and became a hit recordCoca-Cola
hit the airwaves in 1941.
In 1946, inflation forced Pepsi to increase prices. And in 1950, Pepsi offered
a larger 26-ounce bottle to court the young American housewife.
In the 1970s, market research showed that consumers preferred the taste of
Pepsi over Coke. The Pepsi Challenge is still being conducted today. But
Coke came up with what is arguably the best of all cola commercials, the
1971 I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke ad. This landmark was recalled in
Christmas versions in 1983 and 1984, and a 1990 Super Bowl ad, which
was enough to make some Baby Boomers weep with nostalgia.
In the 1980's, Pepsi lined up the celebrities, starting with Michael Jackson,
then Madonna, Michael J. Fox, Billy Crystal, Lionel Ritchie, Gloria Estefan,
Joe Montana, and others. Coke signed on Michael Jordan, New Kids on the
Block, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Paula Abdul.
In 1985, responding to the pressure of the Pepsi Challenge taste tests, which
Pepsi always won, Coca-Cola decided to change its formula. Bill Cosby was
the pitchman. This move set off a shock wave across America. Consumers
angrily demanded that the old formula be returned, and Coca-Cola
52
responded three months later with Classic Coke. Eventually, New Coke
quietly disappeared.
Pepsi, meanwhile, had its own flop, Crystal Pepsi, which was supposed to
catch the strange wave of the times when everything colorless was clean and
desirable (Zima, bottled water). And then there was Pepsi Lite with the
lemony flavor and one calorie, introduced in 1975. Remember that one?
Apparently they didn't expect us to because later they gave us Pepsi One,
using the same concept, but a completely different taste. And, extending the
idea even further, we are now getting Pepsi Twist, a new product with a
twist of lemon flavor.
In 1991, Ray Charles sang, "You got the right one baby, uh-huh!" Also in
the 1990s, Cindy Crawford and the Spice Girls pitched Pepsi. And then
Pepsi aired commercials featuring the aggravating little girl (Hallie
Eisenberg) with her troubling male voice.
In the new century, both colas continue to battle it out on the television
screen. And celebrities continue to be important promoters. Recently, Pepsi
has had commercials by Bob Dole and Faith Hill, among others.
53
SLOGANS
It's clear in looking at the slogans over the years that Coke and Pepsi have
very different targeting strategies. Coke is touting itself as the original, the
authentic, and appealing to a sense of tradition, positioning itself as an
integral part of daily American life. Pepsi, on the other hand, is promoting
itself as something new, young, and hip, which seems a little odd after over
100 years. But Coke was first, after all. Pepsi has always targeted the youth
market more aggressively than Coke.
COCA-COLA
1886 - Drink Coca-Cola
1904 - Coca-Cola Satisfies
1904 - Delicious and Refreshing
1905 - Coca-Cola Revives and Sustains
1905 - Good All the Way Down
1906 - The Drink of Quality
1906 - The Great National Temperance
1907 - Delicious Coca-Cola, Sustains, Refreshes, Invigorates
1907 - Cooling . . . Refreshing . . . Delicious
1908 - Sparkling - Harmless as Water, and Crisp as Frost
1909 - Delicious, Wholesome, Refreshing
1910 - It Satisfies
1910 - Quenches Thirst as Nothing Else Can
1911 - It's Time to Drink Coca-Cola
1911 - Real Satisfaction in Every Glass
1912 - Demand the Genuine - Refuse Substitutes
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1913 - The Best Beverage Under the Sun
1913 - A Welcome Addition to Any Party - Anytime - Anywhere
1914 - Exhilarating, Refreshing
1914 - Demand the Genuine by Full Name
1914 - Pure and Wholesome
1916 - Just One Glass Will Tell You
1917 - Three Million A Day
1919 - Quality Tells the Difference
1920 - Drink Coca-Cola with Soda
1922 - Thirst Knows No Season
1922 - Thirst Can't Be Denied
1922 - Thirst Reminds You - Drink Coca-Cola
1923 - Refresh Yourself
1924 - Pause and Refresh Yourself
1925 - Six Million A Day
1925 - The Sociable Drink
1926 - Stop at the Red Sign
1927 - Around the Corner from Anywhere
1928 - A Pure Drink of Natural Flavors
1929 - The Pause that Refreshes
1930 - Meet Me At the Soda Fountain
1932 - Ice-Cold Sunshine
1933 - Don't Wear a Tired, Thirsty Face
1934 - Carry a Smile Back to Work
1935 - All Trails Lead to Ice-Cold Coca-Cola
1936 - What Refreshment Ought to Be
1936 - The Refreshing Thing to Do
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1937 - America's Favorite Moment
1937 - So Easy to Serve and So Inexpensive
1938 - The Best Friend Thirst Ever Had
1938 - Pure Sunlight
1938 - Anytime is the Right Time to Pause and Refresh
1939 - Coca-Cola Goes Along
1939 - Make Lunch Time Refreshment Time
1939 - Makes Travel More Pleasant
1939 - The Drink Everybody Knows
1939 - Thirst Stops Here
1940 - Bring in Your Thirst and Go Away Without It
1941 - Completely Refreshing
1942 - Refreshment That Can't Be Duplicated
1942 - Whoever You Are, Whatever You Do, Wherever You May Be,
When You Think of Refreshment, Think of Ice-Cold Coca-Cola.
1943 - The Only Thing Like Coca-Cola is Coca-Cola Itself. It's the Real
Thing
1943 - A Taste All Its Own
1943 - That Extra Something
1944 - How About a Coke
1945 - Passport to Refreshment
1945 - Whenever You Hear "Have a Coke," You Hear the Voice of
America
1947 - Coke Knows No Season
1947 - Serving Coca-Cola Serves Hospitality
1948 - Where There's Coke, There's Hospitality
1949 - Coca-Cola . . . Along the Highway to Anywhere
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1950 - Help Yourself to Refreshment
1951 - Good Food and Coca-Cola Just Naturally Go Together
1952 - What You Want Is a Coke
1953 - Dependable as Sunrise
1954 - For People on the Go
1955 - America's Preferred Taste
1956 - Coca-Cola - Making Good Things Taste Better
1956 - Feel the Difference
1957 - Sign of a Good Taste
1958 - The Cold, Crisp Taste of Coke
1959 - Be Really Refreshed
1960 - Relax With Coke
1961 - Coke and Food - Refreshing New Feeling
1962 - Coca-Cola Refreshes You Best
1963 - Things Go Better With Coke
1965 - Something More Than a Soft Drink
1966 - Coke . . . After Coke . . . After Coke
1970 - It's the Real Thing
1971 - I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke 1974 - Look Up, America
1976 - Coke Adds Life
1979 - Have a Coke and a Smile
1982 - Coke Is It!
1984 - Just For the Taste of It (Diet Coke)
1985 - Just For the Free of It (Caffeine Free Coke)
1985 - We've Got a Taste For You (New Coke)
1985 - America's Real Choice (Coca-Cola Classic)
1986 - Catch the Wave (New Coke)
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1986 - Red, White and You (Coca-Cola Classic)
1987 - You Can't Beat the Real Thing
1989 - Can't Beat the Feeling
1990 - Can't Beat the Real Thing
1993 - Always Coca-Cola
1993 - Taste it All
PEPSI-COLA
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1963 - Come Alive! You're In the Pepsi Generation
1967 - Taste That Beats the Others Cold
1967 - Pepsi Pours It On
1969 - You've Got a Lot to Live and Pepsi's Got a Lot to Give 1973 -
Join the Pepsi People Feelin' Free
1975 - Have a Pepsi Day
1978 - Catch That Pepsi Spirit
1981 - Pepsi's Got Your Taste For Life!
1983 - Pepsi Now!
1984 - Pepsi, the Choice of a New Generation
1992 - Gotta Have It
1993 - Be Young, Have Fun, Drink Pepsi
1995 - Nothing else is a Pepsi
1999 - The Joy of Cola
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CELIBRITIES PLAYING PART IN TO THE SALES
PROMOTION OF THE PRODUCT:
CELIBRITIES OF PEPSI:
AMITABH BACHHAN
SHAHRUKH KHAN
PREETY ZINTA
SACHIN TENDULKAR
SAIF ALI KHAN
SAURAV GANGULY
RAHUL DRAVID
MOHD. KAIF
ZAHEER KHAN
HARBHAJAN SINGH
YUVRAJ SINGH
CELIBRITIES OF COKE:
SALMAN KHAN
AISHWARYA RAI
AMIR KHAN
VIVEK OBEROI
BIPASHA BASU
AKSHAY KUMAR
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COKA COLA, PEPSI IN CALORIE BATTLE
Arch rivals plan salvos of new diet colas, Pepsi ONE and Coca-Cola
Zero.
March 22, 2005:
Coca-Cola is adding a fourth diet cola to its line this June with Coca-Cola
Zero, with no calories, the company announced Tuesday. And this spring
Pepsi is relaunching its one-calorie Pepsi ONE with Splenda sweetener
rather than aspartame.
While for Coke, "Coca-Cola Zero is exactly what young adults told us they
wanted," said Dan Dillon, vice president, Diet Portfolio, Coca-Cola North
America, in a statement.
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Coke, favored by a different group of cola swiggers, according to the
company.
Both Pepsi's (up $0.08 to $52.64, Research) and Coke's (up $0.06 to $41.66,
Research) new diet brews are aimed young adults, mostly male, according to
Adage.com. Apparently, more men are gulping reduced-calorie and zero-
calorie beverages to stay trim, the article says.
Along with Diet Coke and the new Zero, Coke's diet selection includes a
Splenda-sweetened Diet Coke, Diet Coke with lime and C2, launched last
year.
For the curious, Coca-Cola Zero will auction off a sample pack of the cola on
eBay in April.
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But some analysts and fund managers think the trendier Pepsi has more fizz
left in its stock than Coke.
Coca-Cola is launching a new product, Vanilla Coke, next week (May 15)
while Pepsi recently announced that it will start selling a berry flavored cola,
Pepsi Blue, in August. With Vanilla Coke, the company seems to be
banking on nostalgia. (John Travolta's character in "Pulp Fiction" ordered a
Vanilla Coke at a 50's themed diner, for example.)
Pepsi Blue, on the other hand, seems to be a concerted attempt to reach out
to the hipper, younger demographic that drinks Pepsi's Mountain Dew. And
embracing that demographic has worked. The launch of Code Red, a cherry-
flavored version of Mountain Dew, last year helped Pepsi increase its market
share. According to the Beverage Market Corporation, unit volume for all of
Pepsi's soda brands (including Diet Pepsi and Mountain Dew for example)
increased 1.3 percent in 2001 while volume for Coke's carbonated beverage
brands (Diet Coke, Cherry Coke and Sprite among others) declined by .2
percent.
"This is a mistake for Coke. Pepsi is going after the right market. Younger
audiences are going to buy more of Pepsi Blue. I don't see any edge in
vanilla," says Ted Parrish, co-manager of the Henssler Equity Fund. As of
April 30, Pepsi was the fund's second-largest holding. The fund does not
own Coke.
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BATTLE OF THE BEVERAGES:
64
PEPSI IS NOT AS PRICEY
Regardless of which soda you like better though, Pepsi seems the better
value than Coke right now. Coke is trading at a nearly 20 percent premium
to Pepsi based on 2002 P/Es even though the two companies' earnings
growth rates are nearly identical. (Pepsi's are actually a shade higher.)
And when you look at revenues, the gap is even more dramatic. Coke is
trading at 7 times estimated 2002 sales while Pepsi is trading at 3.5 times
2002 revenue estimates. Both companies are expected to post slight declines
in sales this year and an increase of about 4 percent in 2003. Due to this
disparity in valuation, Jeff Kanter, an analyst with Prudential Securities, says
he has a "buy' rating on Pepsi and "hold" on Coke. Prudential does not do
investment banking.
To be sure, Coke is still the market share leader in soft drinks. One of the
main reasons the stock has outperformed Pepsi this year was because it
reported a better than expected gain in unit volume in the first quarter. And
the company has taken steps to cement its carbonated beverage lead as well
gain ground in the bottled water market. (Coke and Pepsi both have their
own brands of water, Dasani and Aquafina, respectively.)
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Some pretzels with that soda?
But while Coke relies solely on beverages for growth, another factor in
Pepsi's favor is its diversity. "What attracts me to Pepsi is I have more faith
in their ability to grow earnings. Not only are they successful on the
beverage side but they are successful with salty snack foods," says Crit
Thomas, director of growth equity for National City Investment
Management Co., the subadvisor for Armada Funds. As of March 31, Pepsi
was the seventh-largest holding in the Armada Tax Managed Equity Fund
and the tenth-largest holding in the Armada Equity Growth Fund.
In fact, Pepsi's carbonated beverages are not even the biggest generator of
sales and earnings for the company. Pepsi's Frito-Lay brand of snack foods,
which include Fritos, Doritos and Rold Gold, accounted for 61.2 percent of
revenue and 65.3 percent of operating profits in the first quarter.
Pepsi's soft drink business made up 19 percent of sales and 23.2 percent of
operating profit. Pepsi also owns Gatorade and Quaker Foods, having
acquired Quaker Oats last year.
One potential risk for both Pepsi and Coke is the economy. No, not if it goes
back into a recession. If the economy continues to improve, the stocks could
fall victim to what is known as sector rotation, the selling of defensive
companies like food and beverages in order to buy more economically
sensitive companies in the financial services and technology sectors. To that
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end, shares of Pepsi and Coke fell slightly on Wednesday during the Cisco-
induced market rally.
Still, Thomas says signs that the dollar is starting to weaken compared to
other currencies should prop up both stocks. That's because a weaker dollar
helps boost the profits of international subsidiaries, since profits made in a
foreign currency are converted back to dollars. The majority of Coke's sales
are from its international operations, with just 38 percent of revenue coming
from the U.S. last year. Pepsi is not as big globally but currency fluctuations
are still a factor, as international sales accounted for 29 percent of revenue in
2001.
But if you're not a fan of either Pepsi or Coke, there actually are several
other beverage stocks out there. And they're trading at lower valuations.
Cadbury Schweppes (CSG: Research, Estimates), the British
confectioner, owns the Dr Pepper, 7 Up, A&W and Royal Crown brands of
soda. It too is joining the new round of cola wars, introducing Red Fusion, a
fruit flavored version of Dr Pepper, Friday. Red Fusion will hit the market in
July. Cadbury Schweppes' stock trades at a sizable discount to Coke and
Pepsi, with a P/E of 16.7 based on 2002 earnings estimates. Earnings are
expected to increase 12.5 percent this year.
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Finally, for you Shasta fans out there (we know there are some), there is
National Beverage (FIZ: Research, Estimates), which owns Shasta and
Faygo, a brand of carbonated beverages popular in the Midwest. The stock is
thinly traded and has no analyst coverage, but for what it's worth it is trading
at less than one times last year's sales.
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PRODUCT
The term soft drink was originated to distinguish the flavored refreshment from
hard liquor. Soft drink was flavored to change the habits of earlier Americans
who used to have hard liquor. The fruits and vegetable juices are not considered
soft drinks. Pepsi is a pure soft drink, which is enjoyed in our 195 countries. It
is made of artificial flavors and contains no fruit juice or fruit pulp.
Many of the flavorings found in soft drinks come from natural sources such as
fruits juices and oils obtained from roots, citrus fruit peels, and leaves of
various plants. Some flavoring are artificial, but a similar to natural flavoring in
69
taste. Citric acid and phosphoric acid give soft drink a tart taste. Caramel is
usually used as a coloring in cola drinks. The sweeteners may come from
maize, sugar beet or sugarcane. Artificial sweetener, such as saccharine and
aspartame is used in Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke.
The mixing is carried out under the highest standards of quality control and
accordingly to precise instructions in order to insure that every consumer
always receives a product of the same trusted quality. The bottling of Pepsi in
modern plants such as there are in India is carried out at the rate of 600 bottles a
minutes. Pepsi is approved by the National Health Authorities of every country
in which it is sold.
Packaging
Pepsi is supplied in -
Returnable glass bottles (200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 500 ml, 1 lt.)
which is supplied in molded plastic shells.
1.5 litre PET bottles,
330 ml of cans,
PMX machines (Fountain Pepsi)
Fountain Pepsi (F P) Dispenses soft Drinks in plastic cups. There are two
methods of vending soft drinks.
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stainless steel tanks. The tanks of the beverage are attached to the vending
machine where the beverage is cooled and dispensed.
Cans & Bottles - Among the different packages in the market in the next
couple of years could be cans and pet bottles - apart from the standard glass
bottles. One of the standard packages that one is likely to see in the coming
years is buying more at lower price. Pepsi introduced 200 ml bottles of Pepsi
at the price of Rs.6. It was an instant hit while packages of those kinds are
also being worked out keeping in view of the rural market. But it could also
lead to the killing of the standard 300 ml size bottles that is in vogue now.
The consumer would get a choice of soft drink at a cheaper and an
affordable price - even if it means breaking of certain standards shapes and
sizes of the packages. The broad strategies of both penetrating the market are
still being made. And the amount of thought that is going into it can be made
out from the very fact that the manufacturers are thinking of such
innovations as the “picnic packages” of the brand for those on holiday trip.
The battle will be engrossing as packages will be brought to the market and
be pulled by the competing rivals. There would be price wars and
competitions on qualities.
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In the US, 55% of the carbonated soft drink (CSD) is sold today in
returnable bottles, 30% on one-trip containers and 15% through vending
machines and fountain. In other parts of the would, Pepsi are sold mainly in
returnable bottles. Pepsi in cans are more popular in countries such as US,
Canada, Australia, Philippines and England. Canned Pepsi is also sold in
India.
72
Brands –
The current Indian market consists of seven-flavor segment. Cola segment is
by far the most widely consumed soft drinks.
SEGMENT BRAND
COLA PEPSI
ORANGE MIRANDA
CLOUDY LIME MIRANDA
LEMON
CLEAR LIME 7-UP
SODA EVERESS
MANGO SLICE
73
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRODUCT
74
PRICE
• Price per bottles the empty bottles are priced at Rs 120 per crate and the
shell at Rs 100.
75
PREFERENCE OF SOFT DRINKS IN A DAY
60%
50% 50%
O nce a day
40% T w ic e a d a y
O nce a w eek
30%25%20% O th e r
20%
10% 5%
0%
O n c e Taw ic eO an c e Oa t h e r
day day w eek
Figure-1
76
PREFERENCE TO THE BRAND
Pepsi 60%
Coke 40%
80%
60%
60%
40%
40%
20%
0%
P epsi Coke
P e p s iC o k e
Figure – 2
77
TO GIVE THE PREFERENCES
80% 70%
60%
40%
20% 10% 10% 10%
0%
M o re P a c k a g in Tg a s t e P r ic e
P o p u la r
M o r e P o p uPlaa rc k a g inT ga s t eP r ic e
Figure – 3
78
MARKETING STRAGGLES OF COMPANY EFFECTS THE
SALES
Yes 55%
No 45%
60% 55%
50% 45%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Y es No
Y es No
Figure – 4
79
FORM OF MARKETING STRATEGIES
50% 45%
40%
30%
30%
20%
20%
10% 5%
0%
T e le v is io n AN de vw . s p a p e r OA ud tvd o o r A Sd va le s P r o m o t io n
T e le v is io n A Nd ev w. s p a p e r OA udtvd o o r A Sdav le s P r o m o t io n
Figure – 5
80
CHANGE BRAND ON THE BASIS OF PRICE REDUCTION
Yes 51%
No 49%
Y es No
52%
51%
51%
50%
49%
49%
48%
Y es No
Figure – 6
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MORE EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING
80%
60%
60%
40%
40%
20%
0%
P epsi Co. Coke Co.
P e p s i C oC .o k e C o .
Figure – 7
82
CREATIVE AND APPEALING ADVERTISING OF THE
SOFT DRINK COMPANY
80% 70%
60%
40% 30%
20%
0%
P epsi Co. Coke Co.
P e p s i C oC .o k e C o .
Figure – 8
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INNOVATIVE AND EXCITING OFFERS
60% 55%
50% 45%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
P epsi Co. Coke Co.
P e p s i C oC .o k e C o .
Figure –9
84
MARKET SHARE PERCENTAGE IN BANARAS
Pepsi 56%
Coke 35%
Pure Drinks 9%
9%
35% 56%
P e p s iC o k e P u re D rin k s
Figure - 10
85
MARKET PERCENTAGE SHARE IN ALL OVER INDIA
2004
Pepsi 44%
Coke 51%
Local Brand 5%
5% 44%
P epsi
51% Coke
L o c a l B ra n d
Figure - 11
86
BRAND PREFERENCES
Pepsi - 4th
Coca-Cola - 11th
Pepsi - 7th
Coca-Cola - 11th
This shows that both the companies are paying more attention to the
marketing of their products. Pepsi is higher up on the scale than Coca-Cola.
We can see that by the brilliant advertising done by Pepsi, which can be seen
on every hook and corner of Banaras . The consumers also prefer Pepsi
advertisements and other activities of Pepsi, to that of Coca-Cola.
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FINDINGS & ANALYSIS
The Indian soft drinks market is at 140 million cases per year. This is very
low, even as compared to Pakistan and Bangladesh. All these factors
together have contributed to a 20% growth in the soft drinks industry.. If this
demand continues to grow at 20% grow at 20% annually, within 10 years the
volumes could reach 1 billion cases. This kind of growth is the reason for
the entry of the two giants of the soft drink industry of the world.
• Coca-Cola
• Pepsi
Coca-Cola and Pepsi together control 97% of the 4 entire Indian market. The
rest of the 3% is shared by companies like Cadbury-Schweppes and Campa-
Cola. The total no. of case sold are 140 million of these 77 million cases of
Cola drinks are sold and 63 million of non-cola drinks. There is a rapid
increase in the sale of cola soft drinks. Whereas in 1990, they accounted for
a third of all soft drinks sold, now their share is well over half. Also cola
sales are growing at a faster rate than non-colas. One of the reasons for this
could be the aggressive marketing strategies for Cola drinks by Pepsi and
Coca-Cola.
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Market Share Percentage in Banaras -2007
10%
55%
35%
Pepsi findings:
Pepsi is the largest selling soft drink in India today. In Banaras it has 55%
of the market share. In India it has 43% of the market share making it the
largest selling soft drink, but the second largest company in terms of sales.
The sales of Pepsi is approximately Rs. 1,000 crore annually in India of this
only about Rs. 30 crore annually is credited to the foods section of Pepsi.
The rest is all earned by the soft drinks.
1. Pepsi Cola
2. Mirinda Orange
3. 7-Up
4. Mirinda Lemon
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The main advantage the Pepsi has over its nearest competitor i.e., Coca-Cola
is that of its was the first multinational to enter India, in the soft drinks
sector. Pepsi officials and ‘Dial-a-Pepsi’ scheme to grow the market, instead
of giving discounts at the retail level. Another point which attributed to
Pepsi’s success is the bottling operations. Pepsi does most of its bottling on
its own. Another significant investment of Pepsi has been fountains.
Fountains have considerably increased sales of Pepsi, as they have offered
consumers a whole new way to experience soft drink. According to a study
done, 80% of all soft drinks are consumed on premise, at the point of
purchase, rather than at home; thus the fountain initiative has paid off.
Thus we see that Pepsi has followed aggressive marketing strategies making
themselves get into the minds of the consumer by being visible inside and
outside the consumers home by way of television, radio Newspapers,
hoarding, sales-promotion schemes, etc. Pepsi has been voted the number
one customer service company across categories in terms of regularity,
availability responsiveness and initiative.
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PUBLIC RELATIONS ANGLE
Innovative and exciting offers
The respondents were asked to compare between PepsiCo and Coca-Cola [I]
Ltd. in terms of who comes up with innovative and exciting offers, or rather
things which are lively and interesting to participate.
On the other hand 22% of the respondents felt that Coca-Cola[I]Ltd. is not
trailing back. It sponsors mega events like different Cricket tournaments,
Olympic games, World Cup Football etc.19% of the respondents came up
with a more balanced answer. They said if one of the companies sponsors
one event its sure that the other will definitely go on for the next. Its a tough
tussle and is really difficult to demarcate today.
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PepsiCo. According to them PepsiCo has entered Indian market prior to
Coca-Cola [I] Ltd. and has strong foothold now. Above that it is innovative
and there is freshness in its Ads. The only thing required is to maintain its
position.38% of the respondents claimed that after taking over Parle
Industries Coca-Cola [I] Ltd. is in a comfortable position. If it can promote
brands of Parle Industries like Thums Up and Limca which has a substantial
market in India, it may turn out to be the leader in future.
Again 15% of the respondents feel that both the companies are fighting tooth
and nail for supremacy. The one which commits an error in its strategy will
trail behind.
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CONLUSIONS
Pepsi is the market leader in terms of soft drinks in India, but comes second
to Coca-Cola which consists of Coca-Cola and park brands.
Pepsi’s core market is the young –adult and Pepsi is taking great measures to
change the perception of these young-adults., Pepsi wants that these
consumers should associate all colas as Pepsi, the brand Pepsi and cola
should be synonymous with each other. This they are trying to do by getting
the heros of these consumers to endorse their product e.g. Sachin Tendulkar
and also by advertising for and by youngsters.
Pepsi drinks are available in almost the whole of India, this shows the
importance paid to distribution. Brand loyalists are very few in the market.
Thus the drink should be easily available, so that consumers cannot shift
their preferences.
Consumers
For the purpose of the study, questionnaires were prepared for the
Consumers. Care was taken to interview all types of consumers, i.e., :
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c. People from different localities, etc.
In all about 60 consumers were interviewed. The conclusions that one can
draw from these answers provided by the consumers showed that marketing
activities do form a major part of the decision.
One thing that was common amongst all the consumers who were once a
day or once a week. The number one factor the influences a customer while
buying a soft-drink was taste. This was true for all the consumers who were
interviewed. The rest of the conclusions as deducted from the questionnaires
are as follows :
a. Children upto 15 years of age liked to have soft drinks upto 2-3 times a
day.
b. Young adults liked to have soft drinks upto 1-2 times a day.
The reason given for choice of facourite soft drink was taste and easy
availability. Only if the consumer liked the taste of drink, he would have it
again.95% of the consumers felt that marketing strategies of the company
did affect the sales of their soft-drink.
Marketing strategies made the consumer try a drink for the first time. The
second time round it was the consumers choice himself and not strategy
could affect that. Youngsters were more acceptable to change. They tried
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different drinks, Cola and non-Cola. Adults Stick to one and they prefer
drinks that do not affect their health, like Limca.
99% of the consumers interviewed felt that the marketing strategies of the
Coca-Cola and Pepsi have helped them in attaining the huge market share
that they possess.Women and children prefer cans as compared to men.
These are the major conclusion that can be drawn about a consumers’
behaviour. Companies must take the initiative of finding out the habits of the
consumers and then changing them, in their favour.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Soft drinks are an impulse product. When a person is thirsty, he would first
think of water or tea. Some even would prefer ‘Nimbu Pani’.
The Indian population is the largest in the world today, there can be no other
country in the world, which provides so much of an opportunity for the soft-
drink manufacturers. The Indian soft drink market is at 140 million cases per
year, this is very low. Thus the consumption of soft drink can go up.
Sinc118+e the entry of Coca-Cola into the country the industry is growing at
a rate of 20% annually. If this rate is maintained, then by the year 2005 the
market of soft drink would be 1 billion cases annually.
On the basis of all the field work and table work done, some suggestions can
be made, which may help the company in increasing the total market as well
as the sale of the companies. The various suggestions that can be made are
as follows:-
Soft drinks retail at prices between Rs. 6 and Rs. 10. These are expensive
when measured against purchasing power.
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Availability is a major factor, which makes the consumer buy a soft drink.
Soft drinks should be made available more readily than present. There are
only 300, 000 retailers stocking soft drinks in India. Thus retailing outlets
should be increased. Also related to this point, is vending machines. In
developed machines, vending machines are kept in all consumer areas, like
super markets, schools, amusement parks, local markets, etc. These tempt a
person into buying the soft drink. So if vending machines are put in strategic
areas, it would definitely increase consumption of soft drinks.
Soft drink cans which are very convenient, as the consumer can take them
anywhere, unlike a bottle, are very expensive retailing from Rs. 15-Rs. 18.
To increase sale of cans, this price should be brought down.
If the companies know all this and more about Indian consumer behaviour, it
could tell them how to sell their drinks, so as to increase sales.
It is seen In India, that people prefer having their drinks with or after food.
Companies could have commercials which show people enjoying their drink
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with a good meal, so that consumers associate drinking soft drinks while
having food.
Companies should try to educate the consumer about the health related
subject. For e.g:-
But in fact cola drinks contain no calories from fat they contain calories
from sugar which can be easily burned off. The soft drink cans and plastic
bottles should mention the calories and other related information on the
packing.
Companies should try to build high brand equity. This provides a number of
advantages to the company.
a) The company enjoys reduced marketing costs because of high level of
consumer brand awareness and loyalty.
b) The company will have more trade leverage in bargaining with
distributors and retailers since the customer expects them to carry the
brand.
c) The company can change a higher price than its competitors because the
brand has higher perceived quality.
d) The company can more easily launch brand extension.
e) Above all, the brand offers the company some defence against fierce
price competition.
The companies should go in for diversification
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Once the brand is known, it is easier to sell more of its products. For e.g.
Coca-Cola clothes have sold about $100 million worth of clothes and
accessories. This would increase revenues of the company.
The companies should not have competitor myopia. It is more often the
latent company than the current competitor who busies the company. Pepsi
and Coca-Cola are so busy fighting with each other, that they have left the
non-cola sector open for Cadbury-Schweppes.
Sales promotion tools create a stronger and quicker response. Thus sales
promotion tools such as coupons, contests, premiums and the like should be
used to dramatize product offers and to boost sales. Sales-promotion effects
are usually short run and induce the people to purchase soft drinks, now.
All kinds or events, whether big (Wills Worked cup) or small (college
contests) have either Pepsi or Coke banners of sponsorship. The
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effectiveness of this can be questioned. Whether these activities increase
sales or not is a big huge question mark.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Business world
Out look
Times of India
www.Pepsico.indialtd
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Q.1. WHICH BRAND WILL YOU PREFERENCE OF SOFT DRINKS
IN A DAY?
Once a day
Twice a day
Once a week
Other
Pepsi
Coke
Yes
No
Television Advertising
Newspaper Advertising
Outdoor Advertising
Sales Promotion
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Q.6. WILL YOU CHANGE THE BRAND ON THE BASIS OF PRICE
REDUCTION?
Yes
No
Pepsi Co.
Coke Co.
Pepsi Co.
Coke Co.
Pepsi Co.
Coke Co.
Pepsi
Coke
Pure Drinks
Pepsi
Coke
Local Brand
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