Cott to end exclusive deal with Wal-Mart

TORONTO Cott, the world's largest retailer brand soft drink provider, announced that it will phase-out of its exclusive supply agreement with Wal-Mart in the United States.

According to Cott, Wal-Mart decided to end, without cause, its existing 10-year-old exclusive agreement with Cott. The soft drink company will continue to serve as a supplier to Wal-Mart.

While conversations with Wal-Mart are ongoing, and the impact on Cott's business is unclear at this time, the effect of this action is to phase out the exclusive nature of the relationship with Cott as the supplier of retailer brand carbonated soft drinks in the United States. The termination is effective on the third anniversary of notification in late January 2012.