Soda Sales Lose Their Pop

Although Americans consumed an average of 48.2 gallons of soft drinks in 1991, sales were up just 1.6%, down from a 3% gain in 1990. Industry officials attribute the decline to the recession, the Persian Gulf War, poor weather, new products and a shrinking teen-age market. Bright spots in the markets were diet entries, where sales rose 2.6%, and caffeine-free sodas, which climbed 5.9%. Below are how the top 10 best brands fared.

% Change in Brand Sales Volume Coca-Cola classic +2.1% Pepsi -2.3% Diet Coke +2.5% Diet Pepsi +2.0% Dr Pepper +5.8% Mountain Dew +9.2% Sprite +5.3% 7UP +0.5% Caffeine-Free Diet Coke +3.9% Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi +2.3%

Source: Maxwell Report