Coca-Cola launches US$9 premium bottled water in China

Coca-Cola has quietly launched its super-luxurious Swiss sparkling water on Chinese online marketplace Tmall.Called Valser, the water highlighted its source as Switzerland and claimed that it “comes from The Alps, which were formed 200 million years ago”. The price for its 750ml classic bottle is 64 yuan (US$9.29).Coca-Cola acquired the Swiss water brand for US$2.64 billion in July 2002.As consumers have become more health conscious, sales of soft drinks and juice dropped, driving the carbonated beverage giant to turn its eyes to healthy drinks and bottled water businesses to cater to people's preferences for low-sugar and sugar-free beverages.Coca-Cola has already launched two low-end and mid-range mineral water brands in China - Ice Dew and Ice Dew Chun Yue.The Chinese premium bottled water market is currently dominated by three foreign brands, which are Evian, Perrier and San Benedetto.