Bhartias lead race for Coke bottler Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, ink exclusivity pact to buy up to 40% stake for $1.4 billion

The Jubilant Bhartia Group promoters are leading the race to acquire a significant minority stake in Coca-Cola's India bottling arm, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB). They have signed an exclusivity agreement with Coca-Cola to negotiate the purchase for Rs 10,800-12,000 crore. This move is part of Coca-Cola's strategy to adopt an asset-light model and precedes a planned listing of HCCB.