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Experts doubt Snapple will satisfy Coke

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When rumors started flying yesterday that Coca Cola (NYSE: KO) was interesting in acquiring Snapple, I was skeptical. I wrote that "an acquisition of Snapple would look like a step down from the Vitamin Water deal, unless it can be had at a great price, which is unlikely. Americans are becoming increasingly focused on healthier, lower-calorie alternatives to soda, and Snapple beverages really aren't much lower in calories or sugar than most sodas."

According to The Wall Street Journal, a lot of industry experts see it the same way. They say that Snapple isn't growing, has been around for a long time, and isn't likely to be the answer for Coke. The recent emphasis on acquisitions at Coke -- Glaceau, Fuze, and now perhaps Snapple -- probably isn't a good sign for shareholders. If the company was experiencing strong organic growth, it probably wouldn't be so focused on deals.

As the Journal points out, "Coke has a mixed record of absorbing hip, niche brands into its establishment-oriented corporate culture, and it is now absorbing two makers of such brands." While Snapple isn't a hip brand anymore, it's also likely to suffer from many of the same problems that soda will suffer from in the coming years: It's very high in sugar and calories. An acquisition of Snapple would be a way of doubling down on the bet that people will continue to buy high-calorie beverages with little nutritional value. Based on the $4 billion acquisition of Vitamin Water, that's not a bet that Coke wants to make.

I'm going to make a bold prediction: Coke will not end up buying Snapple. It's obvious that such an acquisition doesn't make sense, and it will figure that out.


More Vitamin Water news

Beth Gaston Moon:
High school vending machines getting more eclectic
Zac Bissonnette: PepsiCo plans a lower-calorie Gatorade
Jonathan Berr: Coke, Pepsi thirst for profits from bottled water
Zac Bissonnette: Will Coca-Cola gulp down Snapple?
Joseph Lazzaro: Coke's catching up in the health drink segment
Zac Bissonnette: Coke swallows Vitaminwater
Zac Bissonnette: Coke wants vitamin water
Zac Bissonnette: Coke Zero is no zero, it's a big hit
Sarah Gilbert: Fuze acquisition pits Coke v. Pepsi in ritzy juice war

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Last updated: November 10, 2009: 07:00 AM

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