COSTCO members were left fuming after the retailer gears up for a controversial shakeup in its food court soda lineup.
The warehouse giant is reportedly dropping Pepsi beverages in favor of Coca-Cola products across its food courts nationwide, with changes expected to roll out early this year.
Costco is set to make a major shakeup in its food courts[/caption]
The company will replace Pepsi beverages for Coca-Cola products, with shops already removing the old soda stations like in this picture from Monterey Park, California[/caption]
While Coca-Cola loyalists might welcome the addition of Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, and Sprite, many Costco regulars are taking to Reddit to voice their frustration.
One shopper shared a photo of an empty soda station in Monterey Park, CA, writing: “The switch to Coca Cola products is on.
“All Pepsi dispensers are gone.”
The move has sparked disappointment among die-hard Pepsi fans.
One user commented: “My local food court just got Mountain Dew back. It’s been ages.
“But both machines were out of whack last time and it was horrible. And I love Mountain Dew. So disappointing.”
Another chimed in: “No no no … The REAL! question is … Are they bringing Dr. Pepper back?! They aren’t a Coke product, but they ride with CocaCola.”
One critic summed up the mood, saying: “These jokers keep playing around with it.”
Costco has a long history of soda switch-ups tied to cost-cutting efforts.
After a 2009 pricing spat with Coca-Cola, the retailer ousted Coke products for a month before reaching a deal.
By 2013, Pepsi took over entirely when Costco failed to negotiate lower costs with Coke, a change that took years to implement across its 800-plus locations.
For Costco, keeping distribution costs low is vital to preserving its iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo — a food court staple that hasn’t budged in price for decades, even amid inflation.
This latest move is part of a larger battle in the soda wars.
Coca-Cola dominates the U.S. soda market with a commanding 19.18% market share, while Pepsi lags behind at 8.31%.
Dr Pepper, with an 8.34% share, recently overtook Pepsi to claim the No. 2 spot in overall sales.
Still, brand loyalty runs deep, and any shakeup is bound to bubble over.
Earlier this year, Subway announced it would drop Coca-Cola for Pepsi products in a new 10-year deal, igniting a similar wave of reactions.
As for Costco, whether the switch will win over shoppers or leave them with a sour taste remains to be seen.
But for now, the cola wars rage on — and customers aren’t holding back.
Houston, Texas USA 04-07-2024: Costco Wholesale club storefront exterior business company closed.[/caption]
