Coke plans coffee drinks in a bid to reach adult sector

Coca-Cola is planning to launch two separate coffee drinks in a bid to extend its portfolio in areas away from carbonated drinks and increase its appeal to adults.

Coca-Cola US is working with chocolate maker Godiva on a ready-to-drink coffee, to be launched in the spring. It is also launching Coca-Cola Blak in France in January (MW April 14) and is likely to launch it in the UK later next year.

Blak has the texture of coffee and a cappuccino- style froth when poured and will compete against Pepsi Max Cino, another coffee-flavoured cola launching in January (MW October 20).

A spokesman for Coca-Cola says: “We are always looking for new ways to excite consumers and meet their diverse needs, and Coca- Cola Blak is certainly an interesting and exciting proposition.

“We are testing the product in the French market, which will help inform any decision taken to introduce it in the UK.”

But a retail source says: “Because of the trade relationships I have with the companies, I’ll be stocking both Pepsi Max Cino and Coca-Cola Blak if and when it launches here, but I’m not sure how either product will perform. I don’t think the British consumer is quite ready for these type of drinks.”