Gatorade hiccup raising worries; Gains by rival suggest growth may slow.(PepsiCo Inc. to try to rejuvenate Gatorade, as Coca-Cola Co.'s Powerade gains market share)(Brief Article)

Crain's Chicago Business, February, 2002 by Gallun, Alby

Seven months after paying a steep price for Quaker Oats Co. and its prized Gatorade brand, PepsiCo Inc. is finding that keeping the sports drink on the fast-growth track may be tougher than expected. PepsiCo analysts and investors got a reality check early this month with news of disappointing fourth-quarter sales at Gatorade, marketshare gains by Coca-Cola Co.'s rival Powerade brand and the departure of Gatorade's highly respected top executive, Susan Wellington.

Now, as Gatorade heads into the crucial spring and summer months, questions are arising about the brand's growth prospects. While investors see Gatorade's disappointing fourth-quarter sales as a temporary blip, they'll be watching for signs that the results aren't the beginning of a longer trend....

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