Costco stops carrying Coke products nationwide over pricing dispute with beverage maker

Costco stops carrying Coke drinks in price dispute

PORTLAND, Ore. — Costco is no longer carrying Coca-Cola products in its stores nationwide because of a pricing dispute with the beverage maker.

A Costco executive confirmed the move Monday. The Issaquah, Wash.-based wholesale club operator would not discuss the matter further.

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. said it won’t comment on ongoing negotiations but said Costco is an important customer that it is committed to working with “in a spirit of fairness.”

Coca-Cola products include its namesake soft drinks as well as Sprite, Squirt, Dasani water and Full Throttle energy drinks, among others.

Costco Wholesale Corp. operates about 560 warehouses in the U.S. and abroad.

Coca-Cola shares rose 2 cents to $56.76 in premarket trading Tuesday. Costco shares were unchanged from Monday’s close of $61.12