Building new kiosks

Coca Cola is trying its level best to correct its image of being a company which does not really care about the well being as its aerated drinks promote major health issues, including obesity. Though it has added a lot of fruit juices in its basket, clearly it needs to do more.

In a first of its kind, Coca Cola is planning to put up 150 kiosks in 20 countries, which apart from selling coke and other of its drinks, will offer water, electricity and Internet connections. A pilot version of the first kiosk has been put up in South Africa at Heidelberg. It has a Sligshot water distiller, a product invented by the same person who invented Segway. This is kiosk is a shipping container with solar panels for power and a satellite dish for wireless communication.

These kiosks are to be run by women. The company is still working out the other products and services which could be offered at the kiosks – it could be anything ranging from vaccines and health education which would come free of cost while water and cellphone charging service could be charged.

It is most likely that these kiosks will come up in poorer countries where coke probably has to work harder on appeasing its conscience, given the fact its drinks are accused of promoting obesity and its sugary drinks lead to dental problems too. Indian too have unfortunately got into the habit of drinking these aerated water and eating “fast food” slowly building a country of fat people.