Let's add Coca-Cola to the 'suck' pile.
I don't think they've launched it nationally yet, but they've introduced a new 1.5-liter bottle in NYC. It's being marketed as an easier to handle bottle that doesn't go flat as fast.
But it sells for the same price.
Coke, give the bullshit a rest. It's a price increase, pure and simple. We pay the same, but get 25% less (a significant increase at that). And, I don't even have the option to buy the 2-liter bottles anymore - it's a 1.5 liter bottle or nothing.
Taxis recently went up in NYC as well. Another fairly significant increase - a ride that used to be around $10-12 now costs me $16.50 and up. That is going to make me consider taking the subways more, but the fact of the matter is, if I'm out at 3am and I want to get home, I'm taking a taxi. There is no reasonable alternative.
Somehow, I think Coke has managed to forget that they have a perfect substitute available. Pepsi has realized this, of course - they're actively marketing the fact that you can get 2 liters instead of 1.5.
I may have been drinking Diet Coke my entire life, but that's it. Coke, I'm done with you - your product is not worth 25% more than Pepsi.
No wonder they're having so much trouble.