Coca Cola is shaking things up--its packaging, that is. The soft drink giant is experimenting with a new type of universal packaging that will unite its products such as Coke, Diet Coke, and Coke Zero. However, the new cans and bottles of Coke and its lower-calorie varieties will still be based on the ironic Coca-Cola trademark.
Based on a statement from Coca-Cola, the goal of the company's "one brand" design is to unify Coke and its lower-calorie varieties, according to Bloomberg. Coca-Cola is testing the new packaging in 12 European countries, while two of the designs will be available in the United States.
Recently, backlash in the U.S. and Europe has arisen over Coke's signature beverage, which contains 140 calories for each 12 ounces (355 milliliters). These calories are also classified as "empty calories," due to their low nutritional value.
If the experimenting is successful, the revolutionary new design in Spain might be launched worldwide. However, the soft drink leader is also testing smaller scale re-branding in countries such as the United Kingdom, which will be launched in May. All Coke types' packaging will share the same script and design.
Experts believe the universal re-branding is an attempt to boost Coca-Cola's decreasing sales. In the past, the company tried to create brands that were totally independent.
Ironically, the universal packaging will also define the differences between each type of soft drink. For example, research in the U.K. revealed that about 50 percent of customers did not realize that Coke Zero contains no sugar and no calories, according to Metro.
Ultimately, will consumers drink to the new Coca-Cola packaging?