Why did Coca Cola phase out Coke Classic?

Question

Hello, all:

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but a search turned up no similar questions.

Up here in Canada, Coke Classic disappeared from our shelves quite suddenly a few months ago, replaced with a product labelled as just plain "Coca Cola". It tastes different, and we don't like it very much.

I haven't been able to find anything on the Internet about this change, or why it happened so suddenly and without any publicity or fanfare. If anyone can shed some light on this mystery, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to respond.

I suppose what has me puzzled is that at least in our market, Coke Classic was EVERYWHERE, and the other form of Coke was kicked to the curb fairly soon after it was introduced. It's possible that it was only popular in our market and a few others, I suppose.

Joe B.: We went through the same "new Coke" experience up here at around the same time; as I said, at least in our region, Coke Classic won hands-down... or so I thought until recently. :-) It just doesn't make much sense to me that the Coca Cola company would pull out a product that was selling so well.

Answer 1

There is a telephone number to call, and you can ask about it directly from the company. I've called a couple times with questions and they where very helpful. It might not be available any more in Canada, but they would be able to tell you if it is only in your part of the country.

Answer 2

Well here in the United States we still have Coke Classic, so it hasn't been phased out. I would hope that Coke learned their lesson when they tried to introduce that New Coke crap on us. Perhaps that's what you are getting now!!!

Have you checked around at different stores? Try asking the manager at your local store and see if they know what is going on. They usually are notified of changes in distribution like that so they may have an answer for you.

Answer 3

Here in the U.S. they tried that trick way back in the late 70's or early 80's and it did not do well. Nobody like the "new" stuff so they went back to the original formula and it has stayed constant. They have introduced new flavors from time to time to keep up with the ever changing public. I personally prefer the original "Classic Coke".

Answer 4

Coke, in fact, began using the moniker "Coke Classic" after their disastrous 1986 introduction of the "New Coke" which blew chunks. They went back to the original formula and called it "Coke Classic" so everyone knew that Coke was back. I'm not sure what is going on up North. What have those evil trolls done to you guys? Used up all the old supply of the "New Coke" by shipping it up North!!! Egads! Time to move South!

Answer 5

It wasn't 'popular' enough!
There was a small 'blip' on the News about 1 or 2 yrs. ago that Coke was phasing out "Classic"...it just didn't go over. Sorry.

Answer 6

yep - supply and demand

in my area - we can only get TAB (another Cocke product)
in 12 oz cans

but in Dallas/Ft Worth area (last I heard) you can also get
TAB in 2 liters - cause it SELLS

and wait till you visit Israel - and taste the Coke there
I went in 1988 and WOW

read the label

made with real sugar - not high fructose corn syrup

the OLD recipe

*sigh*

Answer 7

Here in the near-south I can tell you things will get ugly if they take our Coke.
What the H E. double hackey sticks are we going to mix with our rum, bourbon and/or whiskey?

Answer 8

Try Jones Soda - it is soooooo much better than any other pop because they use real cane sugar and not that high fructose corn crap.

Answer 9

Oh don't tell me this! We can still get it here, but I don't know what we'll do if we can't in the future. I forecast severe caffeine headaches in the future!

Answer 10

they really ruined the product in the early 80's ; cant fix the problem