Woolworths pulls Mount Franklin lines

WOOLIES has dealt yet another blow to Coca-Cola Amatil, announcing it will pull all but two of its Mount Franklin lines from shelves.

Jennifer Hawkins promoting Mount Franklin.

SHARES Cola-Cola Amatil have fizzled following news Woolworths will pull all but two of the beverage giant’s Mount Franklin water products from shelves.

Woolies will only stock the two most popular Mount Franklin products — 20 and six packs — from August, and single bottles will still be available at the front of stores.

But the rest of the Mount Franklin range will go, with the supermarket giant citing a 20 per cent growth in bottled water sales as the driving factor behind the move.

“Our customers are purchasing a wide variety of water options — both branded and non-branded — and as the category continues to increase in popularity we will respond to meet our customers’ demands in the space,” a Woolworths spokesman said.

Investors reacted swiftly to the news, with Coca-Cola Amatil shares down 2.9 per cent to $8.31 after the first half-hour of trade on Tuesday. The Mount Franklin announcement is the latest in a string of bad news for Coca-Cola Amatil, with Woolworths earlier this month confirming it won’t stock the new Coca-Cola No Sugar and pizza giant Domino’s awarding a supply contract to Coke’s bitter rival, Pepsi.

Comment was being sought from Coca-Cola Amatil.