March 25/Atlanta/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sales of carbonated soft drinks declined in the U.S. in 2009, continuing a five-year slide that has seen consumption fall to 1996 levels. The volume of the U.S. soda business declined 2.1% last year, a slight improvement from a 3% decline in 2008 but underscoring a rough year for the U.S. drinks business, which has been smacked by the recession and shopper's desire to buy cheaper drinks.
The total "refreshment beverage" segment, which includes colas, energy and sports drinks, bottled water and juices, shrank by 3.1% in 2009, the second consecutive year of declining volume and a more intense drop than the year before.