Quick Take — Coca-Cola: sales and profits boosted by the success of the World Cup

Coca-Cola Co. has raised its full-year outlook, buoyed by demand in the last quarter, whilst it was one of the main sponsors of the FIFA World Cup.

The company now expects organic sales growth of 5 per cent and has raised its forecast for earnings per share growth to 8 per cent.

Coca-Cola exceeded earnings and sales expectations for the last quarter, with organic sales rising by 7% in North America (= 40% of turnover), where the World Cup was hosted.

Thanks to football, Coca-Cola can put all its problems behind it this year

Quick Take — Carrefour opens its first Match Frais: the target is 160 outlets by 2030

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Carrefour, which currently operates Carrefour hypermarkets, Carrefour Market, Carrefour City, Carrefour Express, Carrefour Contact, Carrefour Montagne, Promocash, Supeco, Atacadao and Carrefour City Potager. With this existing brand, as Olivier Dauvers explains on LinkedIn, it certainly aims to compete with Grand Frais.

French supermarkets face the same challengesin the fruit and vegetable sector as their Italian counterparts.

However, given that the name ‘Carrefour’ appears to have disappeared from the signage once again, it is unclear what synergies – in terms of marketing, purchasing and sales – might exist with the group’s head office regarding fresh produce, particularly as the head office will still supply part of the product range (e.g. ready meals). Perhaps only with major brands, such as Coca-Cola or Ferrero’s Nutella, which Match – unlike Grand Frais – will offer its customers.

Faced with this umpteenth attempt by the French group, scepticism remains amongst those who have worked there: they saw Carrefour as a model but have also witnessed – over the years – how it has squandered energy and money on a series of fruitless ‘experiments’. 

Drafted on 7 July, updated on 10 July 2026

Quick Take — US: new products, smaller packages and offers to attract inflation-weary customers

From Clorox to Kraft Heinz, US companies are finally realising that half of American consumers cannot afford what they are selling.

To appeal to cash-strapped, inflation-weary shoppers, companies are launching smaller, cheaper products, launching value packages and, in some cases, reversing price increases.

Coca-Cola is selling soft drinks in ‘skinnier’ and cheaper bottles. Target has new offerings in its toy department for $5. ..

McDonald’s has already reported the difficulties of its franchisees….

Walmart executives – after sounding the alarm about petrol – said last week they had lowered the price on 7,200 items and planned to use the company’s tariff refund (on duties) to fund further price cuts.

The retailer also indicated a promotion in which it offers hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and all other essentials for a meal that feeds eight people for less than $5 per person.

The Wall Street Journal