The Jubilant Bhartia Group, led by brothers Shyam and Hari Bhartia, is poised to acquire up to 40% of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) for ₹10,800-12,000 crore ($1.4 billion). The Bhartias have signed an exclusivity agreement with Coca-Cola, surpassing an earlier bid by the Burmans of Dabur. This move aligns with Coca-Cola's strategy to shift toward an asset-light model, similar to PepsiCo's approach with Varun Beverages. The stake acquisition is seen as a precursor to HCCB’s planned public listing, which will help in determining its market value.