"Stop it, stop all prize redemption nationwide. From now on, the prize campaign is suspended. Notify all distributors to inform their networks," the president quickly ordered.
While notifying distributors was easy, informing all small stores was challenging. These small grocery stores and supermarkets were scattered all over the country, many of which didn't have direct contact with distributors.
How to notify them? Door to door? That was impossible, they didn't have the manpower.
It wasn't like in the 21st century, where a single group message could inform everyone nationwide. They could only make phone calls, but many distributors didn't have contact details for the small stores.
While Coca Cola struggled to notify everyone, many small stores continued redeeming bottle caps, each losing dozens to hundreds of dollars.