Coca-Cola Sri Lanka brings back glass bottle packaging amid economic crisis

Carbonated soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola Sri Lanka this week unveiled in Sri Lanka its new glass bottle packaging, the ‘Big Buddy Bottle’, which will keep both the pocket and planet happy. 

The large returnable bottle will hold 750 ml of beverage (four servings) and is made available at a price point of Rs.180.

As consumers now increasingly prefer affordability over convenience, Coca-Cola, as a total beverage company, embarked on its new initiative to make more choices available in the market.

Amidst the challenging economic times in Sri Lanka, the new Big Buddy pack allows consumers to enjoy the beverage at an affordable price point.

“The 750 ml Big Buddy pack is a major step in making the company’s purpose come to life in Sri Lanka. 

The new packaging allows the millennial generations to once again immerse in this unique glass bottle experience. For younger generations, it will be a whole new way of enjoying their favourite refreshing beverage,” said Coca-Cola Sri Lanka and the Maldives Managing Director Pankaj Sinha, addressing the launch event in Colombo this week. 

Commenting on the design that has moved away from the contour-shaped bottle, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Managing Director Deepak Senthil Nath said the large returnable glass bottles (LRGBs) are transparent, making the appearance sleeker and cleaner.

Further, Nath shared that heavy investments have been made to make the beverage available in a glass bottle, which affirms the company’s commitment to the local market.

The selling of the beverages in LRGBs will be rolled out as a pilot in the Western province first, after which it will eventually be implemented nationwide.

While the change is introduced for the popular Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite, consumers in Sri Lanka for the first time will see the latter in a clear bottle, instead of the popular signature green.

The change in colour of the Sprite bottle has already been made in over 47 countries and by end-2022, over 70 markets will embrace the transition.