Coca-Cola Reports Talks to Sell Costa Coffee at Multibillion Loss

Coca-Cola is considering the sale of its Costa Coffee business, which it acquired in 2018 for $5.1 billion, after the investment failed to meet initial expectations, according to CEO James Quincey. The company is working with investment bank Lazard and has engaged in early discussions with a limited number of potential buyers, including private equity firms, with indicative offers expected in the coming months. Costa's growth has stalled, with revenues declining slightly from £1.3 billion in 2018 to £1.22 billion in 2023, and the potential sale price is expected to be around £2 billion, well below the original purchase price. Despite Costa's global footprint of over 4,000 stores in more than 50 countries and a presence in ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, challenges such as fierce competition in the US market and volatile coffee prices have pressured margins and limited growth. Coca-Cola is reassessing its portfolio amid evolving consumer preferences toward healthier products, recently committing to using real cane sugar in US beverages as part of a broader shift to align with health-conscious trends. While the company reflects on lessons learned and explores new avenues to grow in the coffee category, it continues to operate Costa successfully, though the sale remains uncertain.