When cola was first created, I do not believe there was an alternative. So at the time cola was a new luxury affordable by the masses. Today cola has been around for more than a hundred years and it is difficult to see the problem solved when it has been solved for so long. To the second part of your question all the other businesses you mentioned are products you use when all your other needs are met, food, security, and shelter. When those needs are not met and society goes into a recession those businesses are hit the hardest.
When cola was first created, I do not believe there was an alternative. So at the time cola was a new luxury affordable by the masses. Today cola has been around for more than a hundred years and it is difficult to see the problem solved when it has been solved for so long. To the second part of your question all the other businesses you mentioned are products you use when all your other needs are met, food, security, and shelter. When those needs are not met and society goes into a recession those businesses are hit the hardest.