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 ATLANTA (AP) - A rift between The Coca-Cola Co. and some bottlers has been eased as the world's largest beverage maker announced Monday that several suits over its plan to distribute Powerade to Wal-Mart stores directly through the retailer's warehouses were being dropped. Coca-Cola also said it will work with the bottlers "to develop and test new customer service and distribution systems."
The company and its bottlers will consider shipping products directly to retailers' warehouses, as well as other ideas, Coca-Cola spokesman Dan Schafer said. In turn, the bottlers will be compensated for products delivered in their regions through forms of distribution other than themselves, Schafer said, adding that details still need to be worked out.
Atlanta-based Coca-Cola said that it hoped that all U.S. bottlers who distribute Coca-Cola products, including Powerade, will participate in the initiative.
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