Pepsi to Roll Out New Contoured Bottle Shape

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Convenience store customers will soon notice that Pepsi bottles look different. PepsiCo is changing the shape of its 20-ounce bottles for the first time in 17 years.

According to the Associated Press, the new bottle features a bottom half contour that appears easier to grip than its predecessor, and a wraparound label that is shorter, so more of the drink is exposed.

The new bottle, which rolls out beginning next month, is part of the company's ongoing update of packaging and marketing materials for its single-serve bottles, PepsiCo spokeswoman Andrea Foote told the news outlet. It will likely take at least one year to fully replace the current bottles, which were introduced in 1996.

"The engineers have to go to all plants and convert the lines," Foote told the AP.

The bottles will first appear in the New York area, followed by Chicago, parts of California and Florida. The new packaging will be used on the flagship Pepsi brand, as well as Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max and Pepsi Next. The new shape will also be used for less common 16-ounce soda bottles, reported the news source.

Chief rival Coca-Cola Co. introduced its current 20-ounce bottle design in 1993. Over the past 20 years, some small tweaks have been made.

In addition to its well-known flagship soda brand, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo also manufactures Tropicana, Gatorade, Quaker Oats and Frito-Lay products.