PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) out to challenge The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) by Stevia beverage

When we saw PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP)’s self proclaimed original, new and improved green cola called PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) we instantly were reminded of the Coca Cola similar green looking beverage. PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP)’s new product has 40 percent less calories than a regular PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) and has a natural source sweetener called stevia along with sugar. The launch of this product is clear evidence that PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) has locked horns with its rival, The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) but will the consumers approve?

The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has already been selling its Coca-Cola life, stevia based green beverage, all around the world in Chile, Argentina, Britain and Mexico. The product made its U.S debut in August but only in the southern states and in November the Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) life will go nationwide. The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) life contains 36 percent less calories than regular Coke and has the same formula as PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP)’s green drink.

Consumers are currently split between the Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s life and Pepsi. PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) has made several attempts of introducing sweetened cola to the market, back in 2008 when it brought PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) Natural that was also billed as PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) Raw. It didn’t make much of an impact and was taken off the market in 2010. PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) then came out with PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) Next which had 60 percent less calories and was sweetened artificially through sucralose.

The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has had its share of changes, which were market strategies such as the Coke classic fiasco. But comparatively Coke has remained more consistent while PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) has always struggles with its low-calorie beverages. It is true that The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has been around for a century now but PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP)’s marketing department and creative department should at least see to it that they don’t always remain the followers of The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) as the new drink has similar branding as the Coca Cola beverage.

Carbonated beverages have been slowly going out of trend because of health awareness among people and heart ailments being the reported cause of these beverages. In a study it was revealed that banning soda from food stamps would prevent 141,000 kids from obesity nationwide. In such circumstances it will be a challenge for both The Coca Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and PepsiCo Inc (NYSE:PEP) to find a market for itself with their trademark drinks hence they are venturing into the Green market.

However, if Pepsi wants to make a strong impact in its consumers then it needs to create its own breed of marketing and colour combinations which the customers can associate with. Being a replica of Coke Life just increases the probability of another failure on their hands. However, the only thing which they have done differently is going through a different channel. Pepsi Lite was launched on Wednesday and is only available for sale on Amazon.