NEWS WATCH: COKE LEAKS MARKET SHARE... DPI HIRES RETAIL VET TO GROW NICHE BUSINESS

COKE LEAKS MARKET SHARE

to a lesser extent, Pepsi, lost share of the U.S. soft-drink market last year, as consumers switched to diet and store brands, according to news reports. Coca-Cola, based here, remains the market leader with 43.1%, but it lost about one share point in 2004, declining for the second year in a row and reaching its lowest point since 1996. PepsiCo declined 0.1% to 31.7%. Share of third-place Cadbury Schweppes gained 2.3%, helped by sales of Diet Dr Pepper, while leading private-label soda supplier Cott Corp. edged up 0.8%. Overall, the soft-drink market grew just 1% to $65.9 billion, reflecting a trend toward bottled water and other non-carbonated drinks.

DPI HIRES RETAIL VET TO GROW NICHE BUSINESS

WILMETTE, Ill. -- Distribution Plus Inc., a specialty distributor of gourmet, organic and ethnic products, added a new position to tap what it sees as the growth potential of Hispanic, organic, kosher and Asian foods. DPI hired Albertsons veteran Andrew Kramer as vice president of marketing and new business development, overseeing four national marketing directors for each of those four areas. Kramer spent 15 years at Albertsons, where he most recently served as national director of ethnic marketing and specialty foods. The appointment will help DPI meet stores' need for expertise as they seek to differentiate themselves by catering to specific population groups, said Dan O'Connell, chief executive officer. "You're not likely going to a club store to buy these items," he said. DPI represents more than 50,000 stockkeeping units, he said.