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These are changing times for kombucha. Molson Coors' acquisition of California-based Clearly Kombucha earlier this month, following PepsiCo's 2016 purchase of kombucha and vinegar tonics producer KeVita and Suja's (partly owned by Coca-Cola) recent kombucha extension show that the segment is in the process of graduating from niche status to a broader market sufficient in size and scope to interest the beverage giants. This being the case, the odds on 2018 marking a breakout year for kombucha are shortening.

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The organic movement started at a grassroots level, led by consumers. It has never been a core business for multinationals.

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Our soft drinks commentator returns! This month, Richard Corbett considers the Deposit Return Scheme concept and flags why the soft drinks industry should welcome it with open arms.

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A new report from US-based sustainability non-profit Ceres, which assesses the performance of 613 US-based publicly-traded corporations on a comprehensive range of sustainability criteria, reveals food and drinks to be among the most progressive and highest-achieving sectors. However, the research does not reflect well on the drinks sector specifically.

Last week, we published the first part of our interview with Dr Mehmood Khan, chief scientific officer at PepsiCo and head of global research & development. Here, in the second and final part, Dr Khan gives us a tour of the inner workings of PepsiCo's R&D approach and defines success and failure for his department.

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Late last month, editor Olly Wehring spoke with Dr Mehmood Khan, chief scientific officer at PepsiCo. In part one of this interview, Khan discusses the changing role of Research & Development in recent years, and where R&D sits in the company's armoury for growth.

PepsiCo's long-standing CEO, Indra Nooyi, is to step down, handing over the reins of the world's second-biggest beverage company to Ramon Laguarta.

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PepsiCo has signed up to become an official marketing partner of The Madison Square Garden Co (MSG), with effect from 1 September.

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Three drinks companies made it through to the final of the latest PepsiCo Nutrition Greenhouse European incubator programme, including a non-alcoholic wine maker.

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PepsiCo's North American beverage business is back on track, the company's head has said, after a rescue plan launched last quarter helped revive Pepsi sales.

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PepsiCo has reported improved sales for its North America Beverages unit in the second quarter of 2018.

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PepsiCo has revamped its Naked smoothie range, aiming to recruit new consumers with a refreshed pack design and a new Protein Pomegranate variant.

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PepsiCo has overhauled the packaging for its 7UP Free brand in the UK ahead of a new marketing campaign.

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A PespiCo bottler in Mexico has shut down a distribution plant two months after Coca-Cola FEMSA shuttered its factory in the area, amid concerns over employee intimidation.

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A character created by PepsiCo for a Pepsi ad is to star in his own Hollywood movie this month.

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PepsiCo has unveiled a four-minute animated movie for its Gatorade brand charting the life of football star Lionel Messi.

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PepsiCo has hired country singer Dierks Bentley to front its latest activation for Pepsi as the brand ramps up its country-music associations.

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Jersey sponsorship has helped push sponsor revenues for the National Basketball Association in the US over the US$1bn mark, according to new figures, with several drinks companies contributing to the pot.

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PepsiCo has launched the first ads in its Mountain Dew Kickstart tie-up with US actor and comedian Kevin Hart.

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PepsiCo has launched a range of limited-edition "retro" Pepsi cans featuring music stars including Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.

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PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has pledged to go "toe-to-toe" with The Coca-Cola Co, as the two soft drinks giants battle over share of North America's cola market.

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PepsiCo has launched Gatorade's first sport-specific product, Gatorade Football Energy.

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PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has said the company will boost investment in its core soda brands after Q1 sales and volumes at its North American Beverage unit dipped.

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PepsiCo’s new sparkling water Bubly is shaking up the US sparkling water category as the brand gets off to a strong start in the US, an analyst has said.

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Declining sales in France have prompted PepsiCo to line up the sale of the sole French plant for its Tropicana fruit juice brand.

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PepsiCo is going back on a promise it made three years ago by relaunching Mountain Dew Baja Blast into the US grocery channel.

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PepsiCo has released the first ad featuring its new "face of Pepsi", baseball star Aaron Judge.

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PepsiCo is re-aligning its Propel Fitness Water with the Gatorade brand after admitting the sports nutrition beverage "lost its edge".

The soft drinks world is abuzz today over what an executive shake-up at PepsiCo might mean to on-going speculation over CEO Indra Nooyi's successor.

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PepsiCo has unveiled footage of its upcoming soda, Pepsi 1893.