Coca-Cola is charging higher prices for all of its products. Edeka, Germany’s largest food chain, does not want to accept that. The conflict threatens to escalate.
Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Mezzo Mix – many popular drinks could soon disappear from the shelves of the Edeka supermarket chain. The reason for this is a dispute between Edeka and the beverage brand.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the German Coca-Cola bottler, has increased gross list prices as of September 1, the group confirmed to Handelsblatt. According to Coke sales manager Florian von Salzen, the price adjustment takes into account the current market environment with significant cost increases for energy, primary products and services.
Edeka does not want to support “unilaterally announced price increase demands”.
The US beverage company is said to have announced that it will stop supplying the Edeka stores from September 1st. This was reported by the Lebensmittelzeitung, citing an internal communication from the grocer. Coca-Cola is said to have announced in July that it would increase the prices for retailers for all products and packaging “in the higher single-digit percentage range” – and that as early as September 1st, instead of November as usual.
In an internal letter, Edeka complained about the “unilaterally announced price increase demand from Coca-Cola, the amount of which lacks any factual basis”. In addition, the group refuses to support the price adjustment. According to industry information, the beverage company has announced that it will no longer supply Edeka with its products.
Pepsi also disappeared from the Edeka shelves for months
For years, Edeka and Coca-Cola have been at odds with each other over their respective pricing policies. Earlier in the year, they briefly put their differences aside.
At the end of 2021, the Coca-Cola competitor Pepsi was kicked out of the Edeka range because of a similar dispute over conditions. The groups only reached an agreement in spring 2022 – and the products returned to the branches. Edeka is known for tough price negotiations. The Handelsblatt also calls the food chain the “Robin Hood of consumers”.
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Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
