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Pepsi to foray into drinking water business

The Atlanta-based beverages major Pepsico is all set to foray into the bottled drinking water market in India.

Pepsico has been examining the possibility for around three years and has formalised plans to launch its bottled water brand in the Indian market by October this year, company sources said.

''This is part of our global strategy. We have already introduced the softdrinks and the Diet Pepsi in India and the next in line is drinking water,'' the sources said.

However, the company is yet to finalise the product brand name, pricing and bottle sizes in which it would be available. A final decision to this effect is likely to be arrived at within the next three months.

''We will start with a soft-launch in select towns in a few months and by the year-end would make it commercially available across the length and breadth of the country,'' the sources said.

The sources further said that it would be marketed as bottled drinking water and not mineral water. ''It would be a pure drinking water but would not contain minerals and neither would it be sourced from a spring.''

A feasibility study has been initiated for finalising the location of the bottling plant.

Internationally, Pepsico has around five brands of bottled drinking water.

UNI

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