Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola is exploring options for its British coffee chain Costa, including a potential sale, in collaboration with investment bank Lazard [1][2] Group 1: Sale Considerations - Initial discussions have taken place with a limited number of potential bidders, including private-equity firms [2] - Indicative offers for Costa are anticipated in early autumn, although a sale is not guaranteed [3] - Coca-Cola acquired Costa Coffee in 2018 for over $5 billion to enhance its competitive position in the global coffee market against Starbucks and Nestle [3][8] Group 2: Market Context - A potential sale of Costa Coffee, which operates in over 50 countries, aligns with a trend of increased deal-making in the packaged food sector, driven by the need for scale amid price inflation and a shift towards healthier consumer options [4] - Coca-Cola's CEO indicated that the investment in Costa has not met expectations, suggesting a reevaluation of Costa's operational strategy [6]