(By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer) – The Coca-Cola Co. said it saw gradual improvement in the third quarter, as it turned its focus to emerging leaner from the global pandemic. Atlanta-based Coke said its revenue fell 9% to $8.7 billion. That was well ahead of Wall Street’s forecast of $8.4 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. It was also better than the 28% drop in revenue the company saw in the second quarter.

FILE- In this Aug. 8, 2018, file photo bottles of Coca-Cola sit on a shelf in a market in Pittsburgh. The Coca-Cola Co. said on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, it saw gradual improvement in the third quarter, as it turned its focus to emerging leaner from the global pandemic. Atlanta-based Coke said its revenue fell 9% to $8.7 billion. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Coke Chairman and CEO James Quincey said the company has accelerated a planned reorganization that will put more emphasis on fast-growing brands. Coke is retiring several underperforming products by the end of this year, including Tab diet soda.