Cott suffers competition from name brand soft drinks

OTTAWA The biggest manufacturer of private-label soda has had to lower its profit forecast because of competition from major soft drink manufacturers.

Cott, which makes soda for such retailers as Wal-Mart, said its customers were attempting to attract customers by courting such companies as Coca-Cola. Following the announcement, the company’s stock decreased to $1.90 in New York trading.

“There are many retailers that are looking at the big national-brand [carbonated soft drink] leaders as people that they can count on to drive volume and bring traffic in the store,” interim chief executive officer David Gibbons said in a Wednesday conference call.

In addition to Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Choice private label brand, Cott also makes private label sodas for HEB, Tesco and Metro, as well as RC Cola and various fruit juices and energy drinks.