BUSINESS MEMO: SOFT-DRINK PRICES UP

ATLANTA -- A two-liter bottle of Coke on sale for less than a dollar has become a rare sight. It will likely become even rarer as the soft-drink company and its largest bottler are pushing prices higher to boost their profits.

Prices have increased 6 percent to 7 percent over the last few months, ending the flat pricing environment that had existed for most of the decade.

During a conference call with investors and analysts last week, senior executives at the bottler, Coca-Cola Enterprises, said that the recent price increases for Coke products sold to supermarkets will continue. The executives said they expect to raise prices 2 percent to 3 percent per year over the next three years to keep pace with inflation.