We hardly knew ye. Apparently, anyway, because the Coca-Cola company has decided to phase out Vanilla Coke by the end of 2005.
I’m not surprised that it’s happening, only that it has taken so long for something like this to happen on a larger product line. I mean we see flavors come and go, but typically they are smaller lines that hardly made a ripple. Vanilla Coke, on the other hand, was introduced with a huge amount of advertising.
Apparently it didn’t work, and the Vanilla line is skipping town, along with Diet Coke with Lemon. I think it would be an interesting exercise to see more of this. While I appreciate the idea to appeal to every market niche, the fragmenting it has done is incredible, with just a small sliver of sales going to any one such speciality beverage. There has to be a trade-off between such a strategy and actually making any money.
Comments
2 responses to “Goodbye Vanilla Coke”
When are you going to bring back the vanilla coke????????? I stocked up on it when I found out you was going to replace it. I am now out. This is the only soda that my husband would drink. “He now is having withdraws”. Just kidding. But he really would like to have it back.
Thanks
To all thosse who, like me, want our Vanilla flavor back. Contact the Coca Cola company with your concerns. Here’s what they responded to me:
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Vanilla Coke and Diet Vanilla Coke have been solid contributors for the Coca-Cola brand over the past three years. What we are demonstrating is the ability to create and market profitable line extensions for our core brands and the flexibility to capitalize on new opportunities when we see them. Consumers still like vanilla and we think Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla will appeal to them. We believe that Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla gives us the best opportunity to further develop our Coca-Cola flavors at this time.
Vanilla Coke and Diet Vanilla Coke went on hiatus at the end of 2005, but may be made available again in the future. Please be assured that your comments have been shared appropriately.
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My suggestion is if you want it back, go the the link below and let them know:
http://www2.coca-cola.com/mail/eQuery_other.html