3 6 Ke·2025-12-15 08:44Core Viewpoint - The food and beverage industry is experiencing a surge in mergers and acquisitions, with notable companies like Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé divesting from their coffee brands, often at prices significantly lower than their acquisition costs [1][7]. Group 1: Reasons for Divestiture of Physical Store Businesses - The divestiture often involves physical store operations, which differ from the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector that focuses on product and distribution rather than service and space [1][4]. - Physical retail businesses are more complex and face higher management challenges compared to FMCG, making them less strategic for companies like Coca-Cola and Nestlé [4]. - The capital-intensive nature of coffee shops, with high initial investments and long payback periods, makes them less attractive during economic pressures, prompting companies to divest [5][10]. Group 2: Reasons for Selling at a Discount - Companies prioritize focusing on core businesses to streamline their balance sheets, leading to the decision to sell off less strategic assets [7][10]. - For Coca-Cola, the acquisition of Costa was initially aimed at expanding its coffee platform, but changing market dynamics, particularly in China, rendered the physical store operations less viable [9][10]. - The value of physical stores is reassessed when more efficient distribution channels can achieve growth without the overhead of managing retail locations [10]. Group 3: Value of Divested Brands - Brands like Costa and Blue Bottle Coffee possess strong product offerings and loyal customer bases, indicating that they are not inherently poor investments [11][15]. - The divestiture allows these brands to potentially thrive under new ownership that can provide the necessary resources for expansion and operational efficiency [15][18]. - The example of the newly independent Magnum ice cream company illustrates how divestiture can lead to enhanced strategic flexibility and growth potential [18]. Conclusion - The current trend of divestiture in the food and beverage sector reflects a strategic realignment of resources, with the potential for good brands to find new life under different ownership structures [19].