Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has plans to open 1,000 more US stores within five years.

Starbucks Planning Huge US Expansion

Howard Schultz, chief executive officer of Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), said that his company plans to expand its US business by adding 1,000 new stores within five years.

Each store will have 20 workers.

The coffee retailer has 17,400 stores worldwide including around 10,800 in US. He also said that he has no plans to retire from his position.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) plans to open its first Indian store this month and to add 1,500 stores in China by 2015 to boost its profit. It now offers juice, energy drinks and better food to attract more customers.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) stocks are currently standing at 49.10.

Price History
Last Price: 49.10
52 Week Low / High: 37.69 / 62
50 Day Moving Average: 48.66
6 Month Price Change %: -13.1%
12 Month Price Change %: 32.9%

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has partnered with JBF Industries to set up a production facility in Brazil.

Coca-Cola Signs Brazil Production Deal

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) announced that it has partnered with JBF Industries in an effort to increase the production of its PlantBottle TM packaging material.

JBF industries will set up a new bio-glycol production facility in Brazil. Bio-glycol is the key ingredient of PlantBottle packaging and it will be produced using locally sourced sugarcane and sugarcane processing waste.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) vice president Ronald J. Lewis said, “The benefits of sustainable innovation are only fully realized when commercialized and put in the hands of consumers. We are pleased that our partnership with JBF Industries Ltd. will help us further expand global production”.

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:KO) stocks are currently standing at 37.93.

Price History
Last Price: 37.93
52 Week Low / High: 31.67 / 40.67
50 Day Moving Average: 38.71
6 Month Price Change %: 2.5%
12 Month Price Change %: 9.9%

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has sold out its Verismo single-serve coffee-maker.

Starbucks Coffee Machine Sells Out

The coffee retailer Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has announced that the sale of its Verismo single-serve coffee brewer exceeded its expectations, and that the initial sale surpassed forecasts.

The brewer is being sold through Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) website and Williams-Sonoma Inc.

The machine is priced at $199, and will be available through its US stores starting from October 16.

Alias Martinez, a Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) spokeswoman said, “It’s really exceeded our expectations. Some of the machines are on back order and they should be in today. Starbucks won’t have trouble getting enough Verismo inventory for the holiday season. We have a good understanding of the demand that we’re going to be seeing”.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) shares were at 50.10 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a -6.4% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: Error
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: Error
Zack’s Rank: 12 out of 47 in the industry

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) has launched the PepsiCo 10 incubator program in Brazil.

PepsiCo Launches Brazil Program

The drinks and snacks maker PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) has expanded its digital incubator program PepsiCo 10 into Brazil.

The program is aimed at attracting Brazilian startups and forward-thinking university students to make promising emerging technologies that can be applied to brands.

The company first launched the program in 2010 in US and then expanded to Europe in 2011.

Nora Mirazon, PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP)’s consumer engagement officer, said, “Brazil is a great market to run the PepsiCo10 program. Our brands are recognized for their imaginative and surprising programs that reach consumers in unexpected ways, like crowd-sourcing the next product flavor or involving them in a community activity. PepsiCo10 offers an amazing opportunity to accelerate our innovation process while boosting engagement with consumers in this key market”.

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) stocks are currently standing at 70.70.

Price History
Last Price: 70.70
52 Week Low / High: 58.5 / 73.66
50 Day Moving Average: 71.75
6 Month Price Change %: 7.5%
12 Month Price Change %: 17.2%

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has opened its first-ever pop-up store in Tokyo.

Starbucks Opens Tokyo Pop-Up

The US coffee retailer Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has opened its first ever pop-up store in Tokyo, Japan. There will be only nine simple, espresso-based drinks including white mocha, soy latte, Double Short Classic Latte, Double Short Classic Cuppuccino and two new limited time drinks.

Ordering the drinks is quite different from usual, however.

Customers have to present a book representing the drink to the register and they will get the book as a memento.

Norio Adachi, head of corporate affairs at Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), said, “We are trying to get back to basics. More so than attracting new customers, we’re aiming to strengthen communication with our core customers”.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) company shares are currently standing at 50.46.

Price History
Last Price: 50.46
52 Week Low / High: 35.12 / 62
50 Day Moving Average: 49.23
6 Month Price Change %: -5.2%
12 Month Price Change %: 29.2%

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has extended its partnership with UNHabitat on water sustainability.

Coca-Cola Working On Water Sustainability

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) announced that it has extended its support to UNHabitat by donating $4 million to develop water and sanitation projects in 10 countries.

The company earlier provided water sustainability to five countries, but now it has extended its support to another five Asian and African countries.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) southwest Asia president Atul Singh said, “The Coca-Cola company takes water access and conservation seriously for the future of human development and the planet. This partnership between UNHabitat and Coca-Cola has helped raise awareness on the key issues of access to water and sanitation as well as provide benefits to communities across Asia and Africa through a multi-lateral partnership. We hope to contribute to the understanding and knowledge on the challenges of safe water access and sanitation programs, and of partnerships as a promising path”.

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:KO) stocks are currently standing at 38.15.

Price History
Last Price: 38.15
52 Week Low / High: 31.67 / 40.67
50 Day Moving Average: 38.94
6 Month Price Change %: 9.1%
12 Month Price Change %: 8.1%

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) has been testing a new Diet Pepsi formula in the US.

PepsiCo To Change Diet Pepsi Recipe?

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) is considering changing its US Diet Pepsi formula to maintain its taste better and longer.

The company intends to replace the US Diet Pepsi formula with one similar to those used in some international markets to make the taste similar to how the drink tastes as soon as it is made.

The company, however, will change only the composition of its sweetener blend. It is testing different formulas with customers and hopes to bring the new formula in 2013.

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) spokeswoman Andrea Foote said, “While we are always looking at ways to provide the best consumer experience, we have no intention of changing the Diet Pepsi formula or the great taste that our consumers know and love”.

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) shares were at 72.18 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 7.3% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: Error
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: Error
Zack’s Rank: 4 out of 15 in the industry

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has extended its sponsorship of the NHRA premier series.

Coca-Cola To Continue Race Sponsorship

The cool drinks maker Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has said that it has extended its partnership with NHRA to sponsor the NHRA premier series through at least 2018.

The new Racing series will be named under its citrus flavored soft drink Mello Yellow.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO)’s vice president of Sports and Entertainment Sharon Byers said, “The Coca-Cola Company and our bottlers have enjoyed a long and productive relationship with the NHRA. Together, we have created a successful formula for many Coca-Cola brands to connect with the NHRA’s passionate and dedicated community. We know this trend will continue with the addition of Mello Yello – which boasts its own faithful following – to the equation”.

Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:KO) shares are currently standing at 38.00.

Price History
Last Price: 38.00
52 Week Low / High: 31.67 / 40.67
50 Day Moving Average: 38.96
6 Month Price Change %: 10.4%
12 Month Price Change %: 9.0%