Coca-Cola to sell alcohol in Russia

2010-08-16

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC) has obtained a license to sell alcohol in Russia from Rosalkogolregulirovanie, the state authority for alcohol trading regulations. The company plans to commence sales of alcohol in the country in September 2010. CCHBC is expected to win a share of about 25% in the Russian vodka market and 5% share in the whiskey market.
The company will distribute products made by Brown-Forman, the owner of the Finlandia and Jack Daniels brands. CCHBC already distributes Brown-Forman products in several Western European countries.
Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company obtained the license to distribute alcohol in Russia at the second attempt. In May 2010 Rosalkogolregulirovanie refused to grant the license on the first attempt due to incorrectly completed and filed documents.