Ahead of the release on Wednesday of The Coca-Cola Co’s third-quarter 2017 results, here’s a look at the events that shaped the three months to the end of September for the company.
- The quarter started with the launch of a new range of carbonated soft drinks in India for “price-conscious” consumers.
- At the same time, the firm’s UK unit pledged to double the recycled plastic content in all of its bottles to 50% by 2020.
- In Canada, Coca-Cola set out plans to increase production by almost a third at its Montreal plant with a CAD30m (US$24m) investment in new equipment.
- Towards the end of July, the company opened a SGD79m (US$58m) storage and distribution centre in Singapore to support the Asia-Pacific region.
- In August, Coca-Cola partnered a global online ordering and delivery service as it looked to make it easier for consumers to receive products “when and where” they want them.
- At the same time, the firm said it had given away more than 10m cups of Sprite in a weather-based promotion in China.
- Also in August, Coca-Cola announced plans to ask the general public to help it uncover the next generation of sweeteners.
- In September, Coca-Cola lined up the first leg of a world tour for the FIFA World Cup trophy.
- Towards the end of the quarter, the firm took sports star endorsements in a new direction, after signing up its first virtual athlete.
H1 & Q2 highlights
- H1 net sales fell 14% to US$18.8bn
- Organic sales lifted 1%
- H1 net profits slipped 48% to $2.6bn
- Operating profits were down 19% to $4.1bn
- Q2 net sales slid 16% to $9.7bn
- Organic sales were up 3%
- Q2 net profits fell $1.4bn
- Operating profits were down 27% to $2.1bn
- H1 and Q2 volumes flat