Coke said it expects sales in North America, its largest market, to surge four percent to five percent, more than double the two percent growth seen in the fourth quarter of 2001.
The beverage giant has struggled with its North American sales for much of the past three years as price increases depressed sales. They grew two percent in 1999, one percent in 2000 and two percent last year.
Company spokesman Ben Deutsch said the sales jump was attributed to heavy marketing associated with Coke's sponsorship of the Winter Olympics torch relay, the Utah games and the Super Bowl.
Coke also expects its international sales to increase four percent to five percent, with five to six percent gains in Europe and up to ten percent sales growth in Africa and Asia. Sales are expected to be flat to one percent lower in Latin America.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/196952