Coke Offers Multipack Carrier
here has introduced the Multi-Pack Carrier for its 20-ounce Coca-Cola Classic, diet Coke and Sprite products.
The container is made of paperboard and has four cutouts so consumers can view the bottles. According to Coca-Cola, the 20-ounce contour bottle has produced sales increases of up to 60% of the product it replaced. The 20-ounce bottles were initially designed for single-unit immediate consumption sales, but have been sold in plastic-bonded multipacks in some markets.
The Multi-Pack Carriers were introduced in several Texas markets, as well as in Cincinnati and in Cleveland, Tenn., earlier this year. Last month Atlanta, Miami and Tampa/St. Petersburg were added.
The new carriers will be expanded to other markets as minor equipment upgrades are made to bottling plants.
Soft Drink Report Published
COMMACK, N.Y. -- Business Trends Analysts here has published a 375-page report on the U.S. Soft Drink Market.
The report covers regular, diet, canned, bottled, bulk and vended soft drink products and is available in both hard copy and computer disk versions. It offers an analysis of current and projected sales growth and competitive trends, with forecasts beyond the year 2000.
Soft drink sales are broken down by geographic region and job classification of consumers. For example, Midwestern households spend an average of $107 per year on colas vs. $77 in the Northeast.
The report costs $1,095 and can be obtained by calling Business Trends Analysts at (516) 462-5454 or (800) 866-4648, or by writing to them at 2171 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 200, Commack, N.Y. 11725.
Celestial Licenses to Royal Crown
BOULDER, Colo. -- Celestial Seasonings here has entered into a licensing agreement with Royal Crown Co. that gives Royal Crown the rights to market and distribute Celestial Seasonings ready-to-drink beverages in the United States and Canada.
Under the agreement, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Royal Crown will assume all sales, marketing and manufacturing responsibilities for Celestial Seasonings' products. The current line of eight flavors was distributed by Celestial Seasonings in a few selected cities.
"The opportunity is for R.C. to take our line nationally. Our intent is to develop new products for the line since we will not be concerned with distribution," Darrell F. Askey, chief financial officer at Celestial Seasonings, told SN.
"Our new arrangement with Celestial Seasonings allows Royal Crown to enter the growing category of specialty and herbal ready-to-drink iced teas with a leading brand name," said John Carson, president and chief executive officer of Royal Crown.
