Laura Cooper

Actually, a bright spot in PepsiCo's earnings this quarter was that the company said in its latest earnings call that they were making progress. They said that the Pepsi brand was gaining market share after years of decline driven by sales of Pepsi Zero Sugar. And also timely and fun, the company was doing the Pepsi challenge, but this year with Pepsi Zero Sugar versus Coke Zero Sugar.

Actually, a bright spot in PepsiCo's earnings this quarter was that the company said in its latest earnings call that they were making progress. They said that the Pepsi brand was gaining market share after years of decline driven by sales of Pepsi Zero Sugar. And also timely and fun, the company was doing the Pepsi challenge, but this year with Pepsi Zero Sugar versus Coke Zero Sugar.

For Coke, they're looking to diversify into more plastic packaging. For others and beer specifically, I'm hearing that they're eating the cost of the tariffs right now in an attempt not to pass costs onto consumers during this really important summer period.

For Coke, they're looking to diversify into more plastic packaging. For others and beer specifically, I'm hearing that they're eating the cost of the tariffs right now in an attempt not to pass costs onto consumers during this really important summer period.

Because if beer gets more expensive, you might not see as many beers at summer barbecues and that would hurt the industry, which is already going through a tough time.

Because if beer gets more expensive, you might not see as many beers at summer barbecues and that would hurt the industry, which is already going through a tough time.

Cigarette sales generally have been in decline for many years, but we're seeing people using nicotine products like Zin and Philip Morris International had a good quarter on the back of Zin. sales. When I was reporting on a convenience store story earlier this year, we found that cigarette smokers who would usually buy a whole carton are now grabbing single packs of cigarettes.

Cigarette sales generally have been in decline for many years, but we're seeing people using nicotine products like Zin and Philip Morris International had a good quarter on the back of Zin. sales. When I was reporting on a convenience store story earlier this year, we found that cigarette smokers who would usually buy a whole carton are now grabbing single packs of cigarettes.

Some companies are trying to introduce lower price cigarettes. On its most recent earnings call, Altria, which makes Marlboro cigarettes in the United States, said that smokers remain under economic pressure because of inflation being greater than wage growth, and this is especially among low-end consumers.

Some companies are trying to introduce lower price cigarettes. On its most recent earnings call, Altria, which makes Marlboro cigarettes in the United States, said that smokers remain under economic pressure because of inflation being greater than wage growth, and this is especially among low-end consumers.

So they are saying that the people who are looking for their cigarettes are looking for price relief, either with the brand that they love or they're looking for discounted products. And they are trading down because they still want to smoke, but they can't afford the prices that are happening.

So they are saying that the people who are looking for their cigarettes are looking for price relief, either with the brand that they love or they're looking for discounted products. And they are trading down because they still want to smoke, but they can't afford the prices that are happening.

I've reported a lot on the Hispanic consumer, and this is an important segment for all US companies. I started hearing about a pullback with Hispanic consumers around Constellation earnings. Constellation makes Corona, Modelo. Those are all made in Mexico. And half the Modelo consumers are Hispanic.

I've reported a lot on the Hispanic consumer, and this is an important segment for all US companies. I started hearing about a pullback with Hispanic consumers around Constellation earnings. Constellation makes Corona, Modelo. Those are all made in Mexico. And half the Modelo consumers are Hispanic.

Their CEO at the time, a couple of weeks ago, told me that Latino shoppers are changing their shopping habits, like moving from retail chains and shifting away from convenience stores and bodegas. And for many, that's because of a concern around immigration.

Their CEO at the time, a couple of weeks ago, told me that Latino shoppers are changing their shopping habits, like moving from retail chains and shifting away from convenience stores and bodegas. And for many, that's because of a concern around immigration.

Constellation also found that Hispanic consumers are under pressure from higher prices and job losses and industries that skew to have higher number of Hispanic workers. Boston Beer, which makes Sam Adams, also mentioned softness with Hispanic consumers. And Coca-Cola, as I mentioned, was recently subject to that boycott by Hispanic consumers.

Constellation also found that Hispanic consumers are under pressure from higher prices and job losses and industries that skew to have higher number of Hispanic workers. Boston Beer, which makes Sam Adams, also mentioned softness with Hispanic consumers. And Coca-Cola, as I mentioned, was recently subject to that boycott by Hispanic consumers.

I actually saw some research from Coke that I found really interesting. And they said that Hispanic consumers are nearly one in five people living in the U.S. and that the U.S. Hispanic populations of consumers is equal to the entire population and GDP of Italy. So that's an important group. And if they're under pressure, all consumer companies are going to feel that.

I actually saw some research from Coke that I found really interesting. And they said that Hispanic consumers are nearly one in five people living in the U.S. and that the U.S. Hispanic populations of consumers is equal to the entire population and GDP of Italy. So that's an important group. And if they're under pressure, all consumer companies are going to feel that.