In early July, Costco began promoting a bottle exchange program for carbonated beverages at all its outlets, replacing Pepsi with Coca-Cola. According to a report by Fox on the 20th, this plan was finalized and put into action on Tuesday (August 19).
This change sparked heated discussions among Costco members, with many consumers expressing their “brand preferences” on social media. The new beverage options have prompted many consumers to reassess their dining experience at the food court.
This initiative was announced by Costco in January of this year, and since its promotion started on July 1, some stores in California have already switched to Coca-Cola beverage dispensers. Users have been sharing their discoveries on social media platforms.
One person wrote, “Tonight when I left the Costco near the California expo, I encountered a group of people who were preparing to switch out Pepsi for Coca-Cola.”
Another person expressed, “Yesterday when I went, there was no Dr. Pepper, and I felt quite disappointed.”
Some said, “This is the first time in nearly 25 years that I have had Coca-Cola. I don’t dislike it, but I prefer Pepsi.”
Fans of Coca-Cola welcomed the change, saying, “Coca-Cola tastes so much better!”
Some people remained indifferent, stating, “It’s just a small matter, I’m happy about it. But do you really care about what cola is in the soda machine when you go to dine?”
With the comprehensive promotion of the plan in recent days, this topic has seen a surge in popularity on social media platforms.
Someone on Reddit wrote, “Drinking Pepsi tastes like flat Coca-Cola.” Another said, “Without Pepsi, the taste of hot dogs just isn’t the same.”
A user posted on X, saying, “If this isn’t a sign of the apocalypse, I don’t know what is.”
Others celebrated, “Diet Coke is back!! I used to always buy Diet Coke at Costco, but I haven’t since they switched to Pepsi!”
Some questioned the significance of the brand switch, asking, “Is swapping a soda really that big of a deal?”
There were even descriptions of this as representing “a clash of cultures.”
Manhattan psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert told Fox Business Channel that this change has struck a chord with many people because they see it as more than just a simple soda switch.
He said, “Coca-Cola and Pepsi have long been a cultural divide, like Yankees vs. Red Sox, or Apple vs. PC. People connect memories, family traditions, and even their self-identity with a brand. Therefore, when Costco suddenly takes a side, the reaction goes far beyond the soda itself.”
Costco has been offering Pepsi products at its food court since 2013 to keep costs low and maintain the $1.50 hot dog + drink combo. Over a decade later, the company’s CEO Ron Vachris announced in January of this year that the company would “revert back to offering Coca-Cola at the food court vending machines this summer.” This move was reportedly due to Coca-Cola providing more attractive partnership terms.
The new beverage menu includes Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Raspberry Fuze Iced Tea, among others.
The food court is one of the company’s many auxiliary businesses, believed to encourage members to visit the warehouse-style retail store more frequently.
The company expects the plan to be implemented in stages from July to August, gradually completing the conversion at over 600 stores across the United States. It also plans to complete the transition from Pepsi to Coca-Cola nationwide by the fall, implementing it simultaneously in major markets around the globe.
Coca-Cola stated in their release that the transition will cover 14 countries, allowing Costco members worldwide to enjoy Coca-Cola beverages in the food court.