About Coca Cola
Coca-Cola stands as the world's most recognised beverage brand, serving 2.2 billion drinks daily across more than 200 countries and territories. From its Atlanta pharmacy origins in 1886 to its current position as a global refreshment empire, Coca-Cola has become more than a soft drink - it's a cultural icon that has shaped advertising, sports sponsorship, and popular culture for over a century. The distinctive contour bottle, dynamic ribbon device, and classic red branding have made Coca-Cola one of the most valuable and recognised trademarks on Earth. The Coca-Cola story begins in 1886 when Dr. John Stith Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, created a flavoured syrup and brought it to Jacobs' Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta. Mixed with carbonated water, this syrup became the first glass of Coca-Cola ever poured. In its inaugural year, about nine drinks were served per day at the modest price of five cents per glass. Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, named the beverage and penned the distinctive Spencerian script logo that remains largely unchanged today. The commercial transformation came in 1888 when Asa Griggs Candler purchased ownership rights to the formula. Candler's innovative marketing tactics - including distributing free drink coupons and plastering the Coca-Cola logo on calendars, clocks, and countless promotional items - established the template for modern brand marketing. The company was incorporated in 1892 with $100,000 capitalisation. In 1919, a group of investors led by Atlanta businessman Ernest Woodruff purchased the company for $25 million. His son, Robert Winship Woodruff, guided Coca-Cola as president and chairman for over three decades (1923-55), overseeing global expansion and the brand's elevation to American cultural icon status. Today, The Coca-Cola Company remains headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, where the World of Coca-Cola museum celebrates the brand's heritage near downtown attractions including Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: KO) and owns approximately 200 brands, including 30 billion-dollar brands across multiple beverage categories. Beyond carbonated drinks, the portfolio now includes Costa coffee (acquired in 2019), Dasani water, Powerade sports drinks, and Minute Maid juices. Coca-Cola Original Taste remains the flagship product - the iconic cola flavour that has defined the category since 1886. The secret formula, reportedly held in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum, has remained fundamentally unchanged despite occasional conspiracy theories. The distinctive caramel colour, vanilla and citrus notes, and precise carbonation level create the refreshment that consumers expect from every glass, can, or bottle. Diet Coke launched in 1982 as the first new brand to use the Coca-Cola trademark since the original's creation. With its sugar-free, low-calorie formula, Diet Coke quickly overtook TaB (the company's previous diet cola) to become one of the world's most popular soft drinks. Diet Coke offers a distinctive lighter cola taste that differs from the original, developing its own devoted following. Multiple flavours including Cherry, Lime, and Caffeine-Free variants expand the range. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (originally Coke Zero, launched 2005, relaunched 2017) addresses consumers wanting zero-calorie refreshment with a taste almost identical to Coca-Cola Original Taste. The reformulated recipe improved the taste profile whilst maintaining zero sugar and minimal calories. Zero Sugar has become increasingly popular as health-conscious consumers seek alternatives to full-sugar drinks without compromising on classic Coca-Cola flavour. The broader Coca-Cola brand family in the UK includes Cherry Coke for fruit-flavoured cola fans, Vanilla Coke for sweeter preferences, and limited-edition flavours that generate collector interest. Coca-Cola regularly releases seasonal and promotional variants, from festive Christmas trucks to entertainment partnerships. Coca-Cola products are ubiquitous across UK retail channels. Every major supermarket - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, and more - stocks comprehensive Coca-Cola ranges. Convenience stores, petrol stations, newsagents, and corner shops ensure availability virtually everywhere. Pubs, restaurants, and fast-food outlets serve Coca-Cola on tap or from bottles. Vending machines provide 24-hour access. This unparalleled distribution makes Coca-Cola the UK's most available soft drink brand. When comparing Coca-Cola to competitors like Pepsi, the rivalry represents perhaps the most famous brand competition in history. Blind taste tests have famously produced mixed results, but brand preference often transcends mere flavour. Coca-Cola's associations with happiness, togetherness, and refreshment - built through decades of advertising excellence - create emotional connections that competitors struggle to match. Against own-brand colas, Coca-Cola justifies premium pricing through consistent quality and cultural significance. For UK shoppers seeking the world's most iconic soft drink, Coca-Cola delivers the consistent refreshment that has satisfied billions of consumers over more than a century. Whether you prefer Original Taste, the light taste of Diet Coke, or the zero-sugar alternative of Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola offers familiar refreshment for every occasion. Using Grocefully to compare Coca-Cola prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on these everyday beverages.