One of the world’s largest retail chains is reshaping its food court beverage lineup — and it’s a major shift for soft drink lovers.
Costco, the U.S.-based membership-only wholesale giant with more than 600 warehouse locations nationwide and nearly 300 more globally, is replacing Pepsi products with Coca-Cola in all of its food court drink fountains. The transition began in early July, according to a statement shared with Fox Business.
“Costco members around the world can once again enjoy their favorite Coca-Cola beverages alongside our food court offerings,” the company said, adding that the change will roll out across all 14 countries where Costco operates.
The decision marks a return to Coca-Cola after more than a decade. In 2013, Costco had made the switch from Coke to Pepsi, a move that surprised many loyal customers at the time.
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Costco’s CEO, Ron Vachris, confirmed the planned change earlier this year during the company’s annual shareholder meeting in January, stating:
“This summer, we will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola.”
With this return to Coca-Cola, members can expect the return of favorites such as Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, and Minute Maid Lemonade, as reported by Costco Insider.
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The relaunch of Coca-Cola at Costco coincides with a surprising claim from former President Donald Trump, who said on his platform Truth Social last Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in its U.S. products.
“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump wrote. “It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola has not confirmed any recipe changes. In response, a spokesperson for the company told NBC News:
“We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand. More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon.”
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Experts, however, are skeptical of any health impact. According to Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University:
“Nutritionally, there’s virtually no difference. Both cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are about 50% glucose and 50% fructose, and they have identical metabolic effects.”
What This Means for Shoppers
Costco’s move back to Coca-Cola reflects both consumer demand and strategic branding, offering shoppers a return to a familiar taste experience in its food courts. Whether or not recipe changes are coming to Coca-Cola beverages in the U.S., the rollout marks a new chapter in one of retail’s most visible beverage partnerships.