I like Dr Pepper. When I drink pop, which is rarely, its one of the pops I drink. It has an interesting hard to describe taste I think

 

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It's only cheaper because we pay billions to the corn lobby ever year.

Even so, using real sugar would cost less than 5 cents more per can. I would happily pay double that for real sugar.

 

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5 cents seems like a large increase.

 

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Sadly in the cost analysis you are in the minority and as such cannot offset said costs.

I love the old cold glass bottles with real sugar. It is a shame. Vacation areas will be the few places you will be able to consistently find it.

The numbers have been run. We are currently in the process of seeing the "Throwback" 20oz being removed from the market as well.

 

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I'm not suggesting they discontinue using corn sludge entirely (although I wish they would).

But surely if there's enough people out there to support diet caffeine free cherry vanilla dr. pepper there are enough people out there to support real sugar dr. pepper even if they raise the price by a dollar a 12 pack.

American Corporations don't succeed because of superior products, they succeed by eliminating variety...

 

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There are more variables in this situation.

~The profit margin on soda in general is horrible. Soda companies in today's market make their money on their auxiliary products. (ie. Gatorade, Powerade, Amp, Rockstar, Starbucks Frappucino's, Aquafina etc..) - Another reason Dr. Pepper is struggling and looking for ways to offset costs. They do not have a strong portfolio.

~Typically your local grocery chain is taking very little profit and at times a loss when they run ads on soda. (especially during the holidays)

~Compact this with trying to raise the price on a singular item and disseminate the reason in a way that the average consumer understands is very problematic.

~The flavoring for specific varieties is relatively cheap in comparison and is not needed in bulk the same way sugar is. If you look at the back of a can you will see that the actual flavor is typically the last or close to last ingredient on the list and corn syrup or sugar is second behind water.

~In addition the flavors are actually handled by regional sales managers that decide what specific offsets they feel will do well in the market. Because of their low cost they are handled on a regional level.

Much more goes into it, but for the consumer this is the end result.

 

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Actually in soda, the reverse is true.

The market is static at this point. There are new Mt Dew flavors coming out almost weekly. There are no new customers. The name of the game is moving the marker from their side of the table to yours.

 

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They say people are drinking less pop now. Could be for health reasons.

 

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