Soft drinks maker Coca-Cola has launched a service to deliver its products to consumers’ homes with an online portal dubbed DialACoke after posting reduced sales in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The beverage maker had compensated distributors over Sh32 million for expired soft drinks across the country as dead stock lay idle at depots.
Coca-Cola has been struggling as a bulk of its sales were pegged on entertainment spots, dining out and events, all of which have been disrupted as social distancing restrictions remain in place.
Soft drinks maker Coca-Cola has launched a service to deliver its products to consumers’ homes with an online portal dubbed DialACoke after posting reduced sales in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The beverage maker had compensated distributors over Sh32 million for expired soft drinks across the country as dead stock lay idle at depots.
Coca-Cola has been struggling as a bulk of its sales were pegged on entertainment spots, dining out and events, all of which have been disrupted as social distancing restrictions remain in place.
“We have developed the DialACoke.com platform to ensure our consumers continue to access and enjoy their favourite Coca-Cola drinks from the convenience of their homes,” said Theuri Chege, Coca-Cola commercial manager for East and Central Africa region.
The service will initially target the larger towns including Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu before further expansion.
“The home delivery service, coupled with our wide national reach through our distributors, will ensure delivery of orders across the country,” he said.
To place an order, consumers select the Coca-Cola products on the portal, validate the order, confirm delivery address, date it is required and pay before the products are dispatched.
The drinks maker has been swapping out the expired beverages for its traders at no fee, absorbing the cost as businesses struggle to stay afloat during the Covid-19 restriction period.
“So far what we have been able to compensate so far is $300,000 (Sh32.6 million),” sales and marketing director Kenya Josephat Mwangi said at a recent press briefing.
The beverages, which usually have a shelf-life of about three to four months are returned to the manufacturer after the expiry date.
Covid-19 reduced trade across bars, hotels and restaurants in as well as discretionary spending has, affecting the consumption of soft drinks.
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