Coca-Cola to cut 40% of its North American staff 

The Atlanta-based corporation is reducing its staff amid continuing challenges for companies selling sugary drinks as consumers cut back on calories. Picture: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg

Coca-Cola plans to offer early-departure packages to almost 40% of its North American workforce to cut costs amid changes in the soft-drink business.

About 4,000 employees in the region will be offered packages with benefits if they agree to leave, the drinks maker said in a statement. A similar programme will follow in other countries and there will also be an unspecified number of layoffs, the company said.