Coca-Cola India's Gupta: Volume softness 'masks' deeper portfolio shift across Maaza, Coke Zero, Powerade

VP Abhishek Gupta frames early-2026 NARTD softness as a transition moment, pointing to Coke Zero Sugar's 14% global growth, Maaza's 50th-year push, RimZim Jeera and Thums Up XForce launches, and Coke Buddy's agentic AI platform now reaching 1M+ kirana touchpoints.

— Source publishedMon, 1 Jun, 2026, 18:48 IST·First seen Mon, 1 Jun, 2026, 18:53 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

Coca-Cola India VP Abhishek Gupta discusses NARTD softness in early 2026, portfolio pivots across Powerade, Coke Zero, Maaza and RimZim, occasion-led channel

Key facts

  • 14% global growth Coke Zero Sugar 2025
  • 1 million+ retail touchpoints
  • Maaza 50th year

Why this matters

The 1M+ kirana Coke Buddy footprint plus accelerating low/no-sugar and ethnic-SKU launches signals openings for AI/retail-tech tuck-ins, regional flavor IP, and distribution partnerships tied to India's premiumization curve.

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