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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Fionnula Hainey

Coca-Cola facing Coke can shortage as customers notice lack of drinks on shop shelves

Coca-Cola fans have noticed a lack of Diet Coke and Coke Zero in shops this week.

The drinks company says its bottling business in the UK is facing a shortage of aluminium cans affecting its supply chain.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) said the shortage is one of “a number of logistics challenges” it has had to deal with.

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The company is also facing pressure on HGV driver numbers but said it has managed to continue to deliver “extremely high service levels”.

Nik Jhangiani, chief financial officer of CCEP, told the PA news agency: “Supply chain management has become the most important aspect following the pandemic, to ensure we have continuity for customers.

“We are very happy with how we have performed in the circumstances, with service levels higher than a lot of our market competitors.

“There are still logistical challenges and issues though, as with every sector, and the shortage of aluminium cans is a key one for us now, but we are working with customers to successfully manage this.”

Retailers of bottled drinks have also been hit hard by HGV driver shortages in recent weeks, with some McDonalds restaurants unable to stock soft drinks.

Yesterday, Wetherspoons issued an apology after some pubs ran out of Coors and Carling beers.

Last month, Nando's had to close some restaurants due to a shortage of chickens, while McDonalds was unable to offer milkshakes in some stores.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) warned last week that there is currently a shortfall of around 100,000 HGV drivers, with bosses saying the shortage has been driven by thousands of European drivers leaving during the pandemic and not returning.

The RHA called on the government to add drivers to the Shortage Occupation List to make it easier for overseas workers to address the shortfall.

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