Coca-Cola sells 40% stake in Indian bottler to Jubilant Bhartia Group

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has entered into an agreement with the Jubilant Bhartia Group to sell a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBL), which is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in India.

This strategic divestment is in line with Coca-Cola’s global strategy of adopting an asset-light approach by offloading bottling operations. The investment by Jubilant Bhartia Group, a conglomerate with a significant global footprint across various sectors, marks a pivotal moment for Coca-Cola’s operations in India, which ranks as the company’s fifth-largest market worldwide.

Sanket Ray, President of Coca-Cola India, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “We welcome Jubilant Bhartia Group to the Coca-Cola System in India. With its diverse experience in various sectors, Jubilant brings decades of rich experience that will help accelerate the Coca-Cola system, enabling us to win in the market and provide greater value to local communities and consumers.”