Coca-Cola Co. is discontinuing its Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar flavors just seven months after their debut. On Wednesday, the Atlanta-based beverage giant announced these flavors will be phased out and replaced next year. "We're always looking at what our consumers like and adjusting our range of products," the company stated.
The flavors hit shelves in the US and Canada on February 19 and were the first new permanent additions to Coca-Cola's North American portfolio in three years. Coca-Cola didn't clarify the reasons behind the discontinuation, but it could be due to the rapid market release. Shakir Moin, Coca-Cola's North American marketing chief, mentioned in February that the product was developed in just seven weeks, whereas new beverage developments usually take a year. It's also possible consumers just weren't into the flavor.
To capture younger consumers' interest, Coca-Cola has been experimenting with limited-edition collections, such as the eight Coca-Cola Creations flavors introduced in 2022 and the recent Oreo-flavored Coke. Additionally, the company is expanding its alcoholic beverage portfolio, with Topo Chico Hard Seltzer launched in the US in 2021 and a premixed rum-and-Coke cocktail set to be introduced in Europe and Mexico next year through a collaboration with Bacardi Limited. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)