Coca-Cola Strengthens Its Hold in India as Thums Up & Sprite Near $2B Mark

Coca-Cola's flagship beverage brands, Thums Up and Sprite, are steadily approaching a remarkable sales milestone of $2 billion in India. With increasing consumer demand and strategic market expansion, these brands are poised to reinforce Coca-Cola's dominance in the Indian beverage industry.

Coca-Cola's Billion-Dollar Brand Club Expands

Sundeep Bajoria, Vice-President, Operations, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, confirmed the development in an interview with Business Standard.

“They are on track to getting to $2 billion. And, we also have Maaza as the third billion-dollar brand, which has joined the club. We will continue to make progress for other brands   to reach that milestone soon,” said Bajoria.

While he did not disclose a specific timeline for Thums Up and Sprite to cross the $2 billion threshold, he indicated that it is expected to happen very soon.

Coca-Cola’s Thums Up became the first brand from its portfolio to achieve billion-dollar status in 2021, followed by Sprite in 2022. The latest entrant to this exclusive club is Maaza, which hit the billion-dollar mark in 2024.

Coca-Cola's Expanding Market Reach

Coca-Cola India is rapidly expanding its market penetration. According to NielsenIQ, the company currently reaches 5 million retail outlets across the country. Bajoria emphasized that the beverage giant continues to grow its consumer base across various channels and geographic locations.

Rising Competition and Growth Strategy

Despite intensifying competition in the Indian carbonated soft drink market, Bajoria assured that Coca-Cola India would not alter its margin structure within the supply chain. The company remains confident in its pricing strategies and distribution network to sustain its market leadership.

Anticipating High Demand Amid Early Summer

Bajoria also shared insights on the company’s expectations for increased beverage demand with the early onset of summer.

“In beverages, the opportunity of the headroom to grow is immense, both in urban and rural areas. We do not see a slowdown in urban or a faster growth in rural. We see an opportunity in both areas of the country, and we are making sure that our products and our supply chains are ready to meet all those demands.”

To cater to rising demand, Coca-Cola India has made significant capacity investments.

“We have been fortunate that summer has come in early, and we have been prepared with our significant investment in capacities. In the last four years, we have added more than 100 lines. So, we are better prepared to address consumer demands.”

The company has also ensured that its product range is priced competitively, catering to both urban and rural consumers.

Coca-Cola’s Asset-Light Expansion and Infrastructure Growth

Bajoria reaffirmed Coca-Cola India’s commitment to strategic investments while maintaining an asset-light approach.

“We continue to make sure that we are keeping our system wide open for the right investments to meet consumer demand. We are also making sure that we are growing and expanding the beverage business in India.”

A key part of Coca-Cola India’s infrastructure includes coolers, which play a crucial role in ensuring chilled beverages are available at retail outlets. The company has approximately 1.5 million coolers installed across India, with 100,000 new units added in the past six months.

“We have to make sure that we keep in mind the ambition and the opportunity of the market and continue investments… We will continue to make sure that we are partnering with our retail outlets to serve chilled products to all consumers. We will continue to make investments in coolers and equipment.”

Conclusion

Coca-Cola's Indian operations are witnessing remarkable growth, with Thums Up and Sprite nearing the $2 billion sales mark. With Maaza already joining the billion-dollar club in 2024, the beverage giant is aggressively expanding its footprint across India, leveraging a robust distribution network, increased investments in production capacity, and strategic retail partnerships.

As the demand for carbonated drinks and juices continues to rise—especially with an early summer and growing rural market penetration—Coca-Cola is positioning itself for sustained growth. The company’s investment in supply chain enhancements, coolers, and pricing strategies further solidifies its commitment to meeting consumer demand efficiently.

With India’s rapidly expanding beverage market, Coca-Cola is not just aiming for higher revenues but also strengthening its dominance in the soft drinks sector. If the momentum continues, more of its brands could soon join the billion-dollar club, reinforcing its leadership in India's non-alcoholic beverage industry.