Marketing

Even though Coca-Cola and Pepsi control nearly 40% of the entire beverage market, the changing health-consciousness of the market could have a serious affect. Of course, both Coke and Pepsi have already diversified into these markets, allowing them to have further significant market shares and offset any losses incurred due to fluctuations in the market ("Cola Wars", 1991).

Consumer buying power also represents a key threat in the industry. The rivalry between Pepsi and Coke has produce a very slow moving industry in which management must continuously respond to the changing attitudes and demands of their consumers or face losing market share to the competition. Furthermore, consumers can easily switch to other beverages with little cost or consequence ("Cola Wars", 1991).

2. BOSTON CCONSULTING GROUP MATRIX

In accordance with the BCG matrix, I would recommend the following strategies for Coca-cola products in each category:

Dog Strategy: Either invest to earn market share or consider disinvesting.

Star Strategy: Invest profits for future growth. Question Mark Strategy: Either invest heavily in order to push the products to star status, or divest in order to avoid it becoming a Dog.

Cash Cow Strategy: Use profits to finance new products and growth elsewhere.

3.LIFE CYCLE:

To be able to market its product properly, a firm must be aware of the product life cycle of its product. The standard product life cycle tends to have five phases: Development, Introduction, Growth, Maturity and Decline. Coca-Cola is currently in the maturity stage, which is evidenced primarily by the fact that they have a large, loyal group of stable customers.

Furthermore, cost management, product differentiation and marketing have become more important as growth