Coke to Start Energy-Drink Sales in U.S.

By Maria Armental 

Coca-Cola Co. plans to start selling its Coke-branded energy drinks in the U.S. in January after clearing a legal hurdle with Monster Beverage Corp. this summer.

Coca-Cola Energy is already available in 25 countries, including Japan and Australia.

Energy-drink maker Monster, which counts Coca-Cola as a distribution partner and a significant shareholder, had sought to block the sale of the energy drinks in the U.S. citing a noncompete agreement. In July Coca-Cola won an arbitration claim against Monster, clearing the way for the soda giant to sell the branded energy drink in the U.S.

Coca-Cola said Tuesday that its U.S. energy-drink offering would include cherry as an exclusive flavor. A zero-calorie version of both the regular and cherry flavors will also be available, company officials said, adding the zero-calorie options have been driving much of the recent growth.

The Atlanta-based company has been diversifying beyond its soda roots into water, coffee, juice and other drinks to revamp sales, which fell below $32 billion in 2018.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 01, 2019 16:33 ET (20:33 GMT)

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