PLANO (AP) - Dr Pepper Snapple Group has reported a decline in fourth-quarter sales volume as the company struggles to get Americans to drink more of its soda.

The Plano-based maker of 7Up, Sunkist, A&W root beer and Hawaiian Punch saw its core income from operations improve -- in part because of higher prices.

Sales volume for packaged beverages fell 2 percent for both carbonated drinks and non-carbonated drinks.

For the three months ended Dec. 31, Dr Pepper said it earned $156 million, or 78 cents per share. That's down from $170 million, or 81 cents per share, a year ago. Not including one-time items, the company said its core earnings of 97 cents per share. Lower costs helped improve core income.

Net sales declined $1.46 billion.

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