PepsiCo combines sales forces with Danone to expand Paris portfolio

INTERNATIONAL - PepsiCo has pooled its beverages sales forces in France with Danone Waters in the out-of-home food channel.

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The partnership, which only covers the Greater Paris area, sees PepsiCo take control of take-away restaurant sales while Danone handles cafes, hotels and restaurants (CHR). The companies said the agreement blends their respective expertise and offers customers an expanded portfolio.

"Through this commercial partnership, PepsiCo France and Danone Eaux France are highlighting their strong ambitions: linking our expertise in the takeaway and CHR points of sale circuits to provide to our customers and consumers an offer attractive and leading drinks," the companies said.

The partnership started on 3 October. A PepsiCo spokesperson told just-drinks no national deployment of the partnership is planned.

Greater Paris has the biggest concentration of points-of-sale in France, with about 30,000 independent CHR and take-away locations. It holds 20% of the French population and hosts a significant number of tourists each year. The number of visits at lunch in the region is growing, up 4.6% compared to 3.9% decline on average across France.

This month, reports have said PepsiCo is ready to launch a US$500m bid for US probiotic and kombucha drinks producer Kevita. A deal could reportedly be finalised as early as this month.

Source Andy Morton, Just Drinks