Carbonates in Spain

2020 IMPACT

COVID-19 hits both on-trade and off-trade sales

While soft drinks categories such as bottled water and juice have seen off-trade channels absorb some of the demand that has been denied access to foodservice outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic, carbonates has seen sales fall in both on-trade and off-trade. As in other categories, on-trade sales have been dramatically impacted by the closure of foodservice outlets at the height of the pandemic and subsequent restrictions on their operations in order to maintain social distancing even as they have reopened.

Authorities and consumers display increasingly negative attitude to sugar

While the sugar tax approved in Catalonia in 2017 was subsequently declared null and void by a judge because of an insufficient consultation process, the introduction of the tax and rumours that it could foreshadow a similar nationwide policy have both raised consumer awareness of the potential health issues relating to sugar consumption and encouraged manufacturers to focus on carbonates with a lower sugar content. Consequently, during 2019 and 2020, new brands and manufacturers emerged in the Spanish competitive landscape with an emphasis on low-sugar products.

Cía Servicios de Bebidas Refrescantes remains dominant but sees lead cut

The Coca-Cola Co’s Cía Servicios de Bebidas Refrescantes remains dominant in carbonates in Spain, with its brands benefiting from high levels of consumer recognition, extensive distribution, strong marketing and a reputation for quality. Moreover, the company has maintained its position by responding quickly to changing consumer needs, including significantly reducing the sugar content of its products in order to meet the growing demand for lower-sugar carbonates.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.