Cans of Pepsi, Coca-Cola displayed in a supermarket/REUTERS
Chennai: Some Trade Unions have asked their members not to sell Pepsi and Coca-Cola products from March 1 in Tamil Nadu citing reason that it’s time to promote home grown brands.
Trade Leaders asked shopkeepers to promote home-grown brands like Kali Mark, Bovonto and Torino to increase supplies and offer an alternative to the two big global cola brands.
They alleged that these companies are exploiting the water bodies in Tamil Nadu to manufacture aerated drinks.
V. Thyagarajan, Manager of Annai Pazhamudhir Cholai, “We have stopped selling videshi brands like Coke and Pepsi since Jallikattu protest. We want to promote local brands.”
There are 20 lakh shops affiliated with nine trade unions and most of the shops affiliated to these unions have decided not to sell the brands starting today. However, supermarkets and hotels will continue to sell these products.
A.M. Vikrama Raja, President, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu (TNVSP), has said, “We will start a campaign among our members and the public against the foreign brands. From March 1, we will sell only domestic cold drink brands.”
“This is not a ban but a request to the members not to deal with the two most prominent MNCs,” he added.
The TNVSP is an umbrella body of around 6,000 traders’ associations with a total membership of around 15 lakh across the state.
Earlier, Raja had said Bovonto was now available across the state while Torino was confined to the southern parts of Tamil Nadu. “When there is demand, the brand owners will beef up their supply chain and retailers will go for them,” he added.
(With inputs from IANS)