Thanks to cost-cutting driven by the consolidation, Coke and PepsiCo are expected to be able to offer retailers better deals, which could push smaller bottlers
to do the same. "The pressure would be that they might lower prices to major customers on some products, where the independent bottlers may not have thought it necessary in the past," says Marion
Glover, president of Glover Capital, which does investment-banking work for the industry.
Also, as Coke and PepsiCo come up with new non-carbonated products, the smaller bottlers will have to decide if they want to invest in new manufacturing capabilities.
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