Pepsi Pulling Products Out of Philly Stores Over Soda Tax

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PepsiCo has decided to halt sale of its six-packs and two-liter bottles in Philadelphia, citing the city’s controversial “soda tax,” reports ABC6.

Citing the cities tax on sugary drinks, PepsiCo has decided to forego selling six-packs and two-liter bottles with in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, though they mention that they will continue to sell their smaller packaged products.

ABC6 reports that Maria Koutsouradis of Bell’s Market in Rhawnhurst, a suburb of Philly, recently received a letter from PepsiCo detailing the decision, part of it reading:

“Because of the Philly Beverage Tax, people are buying far fewer taxed beverages – particularly those in larger package sizes because they now cost so much more.”

Koutsouradis explains that she is now worried about fewer shoppers coming into her store, said ABC6.

“If a customer chose to go outside of the area, they would get their 12-pack and get it a lot less expensive, they would also pick up other items while they’re there,” Koutsouradis said.

According to ABC6, consumers are in agreement with the soda company.

“I will not buy anything with it for it. I’m not buying no sodas, it’s ridiculous,” Roseann Fudala of Rhawnhurst said.

“If I’m out of the city, I will go and purchase soda just for a treat, but I won’t buy it in the city,” Christine Sokol of Fox Chase said.

The city has returned comment on the situation, defending their position on the tax by telling ABC6:

“Pepsi’s reasoning for their layoffs and for no longer distributing certain beverage sizes is all self-reported by a company that is actively fighting to overturn the beverage tax in court.”

PepsiCo says this move will take effect March 20th. Since we’ve passed that date, that means once these items sell out of stores in the city, they will not be restocked, reports ABC6.