🥤 Coca-Cola Powers Ahead in India with Historic Activation and Double-Digit Growth
The Coca-Cola Company has recorded a landmark performance in India, delivering double-digit volume growth in the quarter ending 28 March 2025 — a strong highlight in an otherwise mixed global earnings report.

In a strategic move, the beverage giant executed its largest-ever integrated activation in company history, transforming consumer engagement at scale. The initiative featured:

Hundreds of refreshment zones

Approximately 1,400 mobile stations

A record-breaking 100 cooler-door wall

Together, these innovations led to an extraordinary 180 million servings consumed during a single gathering — an unprecedented number in Coca-Cola’s global operations.

“For the first time in the company’s history, the system intensified an integrated activation… leading to over 180 million servings consumed during the gathering,” the company shared in its release.

🇮🇳 India: A Standout Performer
Coca-Cola’s India market stood out, buoyed by the strength of both global and regional brands. The flagship Coca-Cola Trademark and the locally beloved Thums Up played pivotal roles in driving consumption, showcasing strong consumer affinity and brand resilience.

CEO James Quincey emphasized this momentum during the Q1 earnings call:

“In India, we had strong volume growth across our portfolio of global and local brands. Our system added nearly 350,000 outlets, which increased our penetration.”

This aggressive retail expansion has significantly widened Coca-Cola’s footprint in India, enhancing its ability to serve an increasingly diverse and fast-growing consumer base.

🌍 Global Snapshot: Mixed Signals
While Coca-Cola reported unit case volume growth of 2%, led by India, China, and Brazil, the company also acknowledged headwinds in its global performance. Notably, the NARTD (Non-Alcoholic Ready-To-Drink) segment in India saw a dip, signaling potential market volatility despite overall growth.

The company’s net revenue declined by 2% globally, landing at $11.1 billion for the quarter, underlining challenges related to foreign exchange impacts and varying regional performances.

📊 Key Takeaways
India delivered double-digit volume growth, led by Coca-Cola and Thums Up.

350,000 new retail outlets were added in India, deepening market penetration.

180 million servings were distributed during a historic brand activation campaign.

Despite global revenue pressure, India remains a growth engine for Coca-Cola.

The NARTD segment in India needs renewed attention amid category-wide challenges.

Author: Sania Khan