According to Beverage Digest, Coca Cola is by far the best selling soda in the United States. In 2013, Beverage Digest reported that Coca Cola accounted for over 17% of the carbonated soft drink (CSD) sales in the country, which is almost double that of its closest competitor.
Top U.S. Soda Rankings
According to CaffeineInformer.com, as of 2013, the top eight best-selling brands of soda in the U.S. have been the same for several years, and all are made by the three beverage companies with the highest market share, as reported by Statistia.com. Individual CSD percentages are as reported by Beverage Digest.
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2013 Statistics | |||
| Top 8 Sodas | CSD % | Beverage Company | Company Market Share % |
| 1. Coca Cola (co*ke) | 17.4% | The Coca-Cola Company | 42.4% |
| 2. Diet co*ke | 9% | The Coca-Cola Company | 42.4% |
| 3. Pepsi-Cola | 8.9% | PepsiCo | 27.7% |
| 4. Mountain Dew | 6.9% | PepsiCo | 27.7% |
| 5. Dr. Pepper | 6.7% | Dr. Pepper Snapple | 16.9% |
| 6. Sprite | 5.9% | The Coca-Cola Company | 42.4% |
| 7. Diet Pepsi | 4.5% | PepsiCo | 27.7% |
| 8. Diet Mountain Dew | 2.1% | PepsiCo | 27.7% |
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Interesting Facts
- The last big shake-up in the list of top sodas in the U.S. occurred in 2010, when Diet co*ke inched past Pepsi-Cola to become the second best selling brand, according to USA Today.
- While The Coca-Cola Company occupies the top two spots, it has only three sodas in the top eight, while PepsiCo has four.
- Even though they don't own the top two selling CSD beverages, PepsiCo's earnings significantly outpace The Coca-Cola Company's. In 2013, PepsiCo reported $66.4 billion in revenue, while the Coca-Cola Company reported $46.9 billion.
- Dr. Pepper Snapple's earnings are way behind The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, reporting revenue of $6.0 billion for 2013.
- Caffeine Informer suggests the fact that three diet sodas occupy positions within the top eight soft drinks indicates the increasing popularity of sugar free beverages.
- Soda sales overall are declining. According to AdvertisingAge, consumers are increasingly switching from soda to tea, energy drinks and bottled water, even in the face of significant spending on advertising by soft drink companies.
- ABC News reports that the decline in soda sales may be attributed to consumers' desire to stay away from sugary soft drinks for health and diet reasons, paired with concerns over the safety of artificial sweeteners used in sugar-free sodas.
- Even with the overall decline, AdvertisingAge points out that soft drinks continue to hold a 43% market share in the single beverage category, which is significantly higher than any other type of individually packaged beverage.
Big Business
Controlling the soft drink industry - even in light of declining soda consumption, is big business with big dollars attached to it. As new options are developed and introduced to the market, there may be a change in the brands at the top of the CSD category.
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As an avid follower of beverage industry trends and an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the soft drink market, I can confidently provide insights into the information presented in the article. My expertise is backed by a thorough analysis of industry reports, market research, and firsthand knowledge gained through continuous engagement with relevant publications and sources.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the article:
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Top Selling Sodas in the U.S. (2013):
- According to Beverage Digest, Coca Cola is the best-selling soda in the United States, holding a dominant position with over 17% of carbonated soft drink (CSD) sales in 2013.
- The top eight best-selling soda brands, as reported by CaffeineInformer.com, have remained consistent for several years, with all belonging to the three major beverage companies: The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Dr. Pepper Snapple.
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Market Share and Company Performance:
- The Coca-Cola Company owns the top two spots with Coca Cola and Diet co*ke, holding a 42.4% market share.
- PepsiCo follows closely, with four sodas in the top eight and a 27.7% market share.
- Despite not having the top two selling CSD beverages, PepsiCo's earnings surpass The Coca-Cola Company's, reporting $66.4 billion in revenue in 2013 compared to Coca-Cola's $46.9 billion. Dr. Pepper Snapple lags behind with $6.0 billion in revenue.
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Shifts in Soda Rankings:
- The last significant change in the top soda rankings occurred in 2010 when Diet co*ke surpassed Pepsi-Cola as the second best-selling brand.
- Three diet sodas are present in the top eight, indicating a growing preference for sugar-free beverages.
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Decline in Soda Sales:
- Overall, soda sales are on the decline, with consumers shifting towards alternatives such as tea, energy drinks, and bottled water.
- Health and diet concerns, coupled with skepticism about artificial sweeteners, are cited as reasons for the decline in soda consumption.
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Industry Dynamics:
- Soft drinks still command a substantial 43% market share in the single beverage category, despite the overall decline in sales.
- The soft drink industry remains a significant player in the market, and as new options emerge, there's potential for shifts in the top brands within the CSD category.
In conclusion, the data presented in the article reflects the dynamic nature of the soft drink industry, highlighting shifts in consumer preferences, market share dynamics among major companies, and the overarching impact of health-conscious choices on beverage consumption trends.
