Beverages

India's water scarcity, state laws creating risks for beverage giants

India bars liquor movement across state borders without permits, forcing companies to set up production in each state despite water scarcity

Coca-Cola announces COO Henrique Braun to replace James Quincey as CEO

Quincey, who is 60 and has been CEO for nine years, will transition to executive chairman, according to the company. He is currently chairman of the company's board

B9 Beverages founder assures employees that he will pay them their dues

Bira 91 maker's CEO Ankur Jain says proceeds from a planned asset sale will be used to clear unpaid salaries, PF dues, and revive operations amid investor disputes

Varun Beverages forays into alco-bev sector with Carlsberg tie-up in Africa

PepsiCo bottler Varun Beverages enters the alcoholic drinks space via a Carlsberg partnership in Africa, even as extended monsoons keep India volumes flat in Q3CY25

Medusa Beverages projects ₹250 cr FY26 revenue, 4% beer share by 2030

Medusa Beverages projects Rs 250 cr revenue in FY26, plans Rs 150 cr fundraise, brewery expansion, South India entry, kegging rollout and possible IPO in coming years

IBA asks finance ministry to reduce GST on aerated beverages to 18%

The Indian Beverage Association has written to the Finance Ministry seeking a GST cut on aerated drinks to 18%, citing Rs 85,000 crore investment, job creation and rural demand

Uppal Group commits Rs 100 cr working capital to premium alcobev push

The liquor brand aims to have a bottling plant by the end of ongoing financial year 2026

Cola giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola increase volume on select packs

PepsiCo India and Coca-Cola India boost volume on select packs while maintaining prices, ahead of the festive season and amid rising competition, say industry sources

Reliance Consumer Products acquires majority stake in Naturedge Beverages

Reliance Consumer Products has acquired a majority stake in Naturedge Beverages to form a JV focused on herbal-natural functional drinks, led by flagship brand Shunya

India-UK trade pact: Tariff cut may not impact Scotch whisky retail prices

The revised tariffs will apply to both bottled-in-origin (BIO) and bulk imports

Smoke Lab Vodka maker NV Group expects 40% jump in domestic sales in FY26

NV Group expects a 30-40% rise in domestic sales in FY26, driven by growing demand and policy stability. The company is also focusing on global expansion and plans for an IPO

Glass bottles may have more microplastics than plastic, shows French study

A French study challenges the belief that glass bottles are safer to drink from. It found that they contain up to 50 times more microplastics than plastic or metal bottles

Fizz is back in Varun Beverages stock as launches, summer boost outlook

The key concern weighing on the stock is increased competitive intensity with the relaunch of Campa Cola by Reliance Consumer Products (RCPL) in March 2023

Coke, Pepsi set to battle Campa with ₹10 no-sugar drinks in key markets

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have launched ₹10 packs for their diet and light beverages, including Thums Up X Force, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero, and Pepsi No-Sugar

Reliance takes Campa Cola to Gulf markets, sets sights on Africa next

Reliance launches Campa Cola in the Middle East, challenging Coke and Pepsi with competitive pricing, local partnerships, and plans for further expansion into Asia and Africa

Raising bar: Geist eyes 500,000-litre monthly beer production in 3 years

Craft beer brand Geist is targeting a same-store sales growth (SSSG) increase of 10-12 per cent

After QSR, Bhartias and Jaipurias to battle it out in soft drink space

The Bhartias and the Jaipurias are already competing in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space as both have known global brands in their portfolios

Varun Beverages' growth strategy could prove beneficial for investors

The VBL board approved the acquisition of SBC Tanzania for Rs 1,304 crore and SBC Beverages Ghana for Rs 127 crore

Hope govt brings down tax burden on aerated beverages category: IBA

Currently, aerated beverages, regardless of their sugar content, attract a 28 per cent GST-the highest slab-along with a compensation cess of 12 per cent

Nestle to restructure after it misses nine-month organic sales forecast

In July, Nestle had said it expected full-year organic sales growth of at least 3 per cent and that its UTOP margin for 2024 would grow moderately