By George Anderson

A report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing research from Beverage Digest, says Coca-Cola’s market share reached 37 percent last year after a gain of 0.7 percent of category sales. (Pepsi-Cola’s share grew 0.3 points to 34.8 percent for the same period.)

Despite the gains made, Coke is cutting jobs as part of what Jeff Dunn, president of Coca-Cola North America, describes as “cultural change” within the company.

Coke is in the process of integrating its North American bottle/can operations, Coke Fountain and Minute Maid businesses.

Moderator’s Comment: What is your assessment of Coca-Cola’s
current direction?

We know that the changes taking place at Coke being done
so that the company can be even more responsive to the needs of its customers.

That said, we still question why Mr. Dunn would say that
eliminating jobs when business is growing is emblematic of “cultural change.”
Loyalty between employees and employers, as we’ve discussed here many times,
is a two-way street. [George
Anderson – Moderator]

• Coke
  to undergo more tightening – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Coke
  and Pepsi both gained market share in 2002 – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution