It's official: Coca-Cola delivers the worst news to Pepsi in the United States

Pepsi is no longer part of the dominant trio of soft drinks in the United States. A brand that for decades was synonymous with direct competition with Coca-Cola now watches from behind as other sodas steal the spotlight. The most striking fact: it doesn't even rank among the country's top three best sellers.

The information comes from the most recent report by Beverage Digest. This confirms the shift in the battle for leadership in the soft drink sector. Coca-Cola keeps first place with a comfortable lead and a 19.1% market share. But what changes the game is what comes next.

Dr Pepper now holds second place. The brand, once seen as a curiosity or a drink for specific palates, has achieved an 8.3% share. Dr Pepper's progress has relied on creativity.

New flavors, strong impact on social media—especially on TikTok—and collaborations with celebrities and events have boosted its reach among young consumers.

The third position no longer belongs to Pepsi: surprisingly, it has been surpassed by Sprite. Coca-Cola's lemon-lime drink, often relegated to specific occasions like cocktails or home remedies, managed to consolidate itself with an 8.03% market share. Meanwhile, Pepsi fell to 7.97%.

This movement in the ranking is no coincidence. Sprite underwent a strategic transformation. The "Obey Your Thirst" campaign, a symbol of the 1990s, was relaunched with a modern twist, appealing to Generation Z and led by figures like Anthony Edwards and Sha'Carri Richardson.

Sprite Chill, a new version of the drink, also contributed significantly: it caused $100 million in revenue last year.

Although Coca-Cola leads with its classic product, it's clear that it also strengthens its dominance with spin-off brands. Pepsi, on the other hand, faces double pressure.

On one hand, it tries to keep the loyalty of its consumer base. On the other, it seeks to attract new audiences in a more competitive and dynamic landscape.

Pepsi Reacts After Poor Results

The company isn't standing idly by. It has relaunched its classic "Pepsi Challenge," a blind taste test format that's returning to pop-up stores. It also boasts an 8% rebound in its Wild Cherry variant. Even so, current efforts haven't been enough to keep its flagship product among the top choices.

"Pepsi used to be the only real competition for Coca-Cola," the report notes. But that role seems to be fading. The change not only reflects a loss of share, but also a disconnect with new consumer preferences.

Today, the numbers speak for themselves and Pepsi has fallen off the podium of best sellers. While Coca-Cola expands its empire, other brands like Dr Pepper and Sprite are conquering ground. The one that was once its closest rival now struggles not to be left behind entirely.