Tag: Snacks

Singapore’s Temasek bags a tasty morsel of Indian snack giant Haldiram’s

MUMBAI: Singapore’s state investment firm Temasek has finally taken a bite out of India’s snack market, snapping up a 10 per cent slice of Haldiram’s for a whopping $ one billion.

The deal, which values the bhujia behemoth at an eye-watering $10 billion, comes after months of negotiations and sees Temasek trumping several heavyweight rivals who baulked at the hefty price tag.

American private equity titan Blackstone pulled out of the race just over a week ago, finding the valuation too hard to swallow after seven months of talks. Other potential suitors, including Bain Capital, General Atlantic, and even Tata Consumer Products, had previously walked away from the table.

Haldiram’s journey from a tiny shop in Bikaner, Rajasthan in 1937 to commanding nearly 13 per cent of India’s $6.2 billion (almost Rs 60,000 crore) savoury snacks market has been nothing short of remarkable.

The company’s most popular offering, “bhujia” – a crispy fried snack made with flour, herbs and spices – sells for as little as Rs 10 in corner shops across the country and has helped turn the family-run business into a global operation spanning 100 countries.

Haldiram Snacks Foods posted a tidy profit of Rs 1,400 crore in FY24 on revenues of Rs 12,800 crore, excluding its Rs 1,800 crore restaurant business, which wasn’t part of the Temasek deal.

Not content with just one slice of the pie, the Agarwal family that controls Haldiram’s is reportedly looking to offload another five per cent stake for around $500 million as part of a pre-IPO placement.

Industry insiders suggest the family had initially sought an even higher valuation, but recent wobbles in the Indian stock market and lacklustre quarterly results from food companies forced a reality check.

The deal represents a significant expansion of Temasek’s Indian portfolio, which already includes stakes in Manipal Hospitals and KFC and Pizza Hut operator Devyani International.

For Haldiram’s, which has diversified into ready-to-eat foods, beverages, chocolates and retail supermarkets, the cash injection could fuel further expansion in a market predicted to more than double to Rs 95,521.8 crore by 2032. That’s a scorchingly hot pace.

Hot indeed – and with traditional Indian snacks now accounting for over half of all salty snack sales in the country, it seems the crunch is only just beginning.

March 15, 2025
Swiggy partners with Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters for Snacc app

MUMBAI: Swiggy wants coffeeholics to swig more than a cuppa. At home. India’s leading on-demand convenience platform has announced a strategic partnership with Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters for its newly launched Snacc app.

Snacc provides a wide variety of high-quality food, offering quick discovery, seamless checkout, and fast delivery. It features breakfast staples, baked goods, healthy food options, snacks, and beverages, catering to diverse consumer needs.

Through this collaboration, customers can now enjoy a selection of Blue Tokai’s premium coffees, including Americano, Cappuccino, Flat White, Iced Americano, Latte, and Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and have it delivered to their doorstep in just 15 minutes.

Snacc business head Satheesh Raman said: “Swiggy has been committed to delivering high-quality food since 2014, and with the launch of Snacc we aim to further simplify life for consumers with quick, convenient food solutions. We are excited to partner with Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to bring exceptional coffee to our users. This partnership is just the beginning, and we’ll continue to seek out brands that share our commitment to quality.”

Blue Tokai co-founder & COO Shivam Shahi added, “We’re passionate about delivering high-quality coffee with speed and convenience. This partnership with the Snacc app will allow us to offer our coffee to a new generation of customers who value both quality and fast delivery.”

The Snacc app is designed to offer unmatched convenience, particularly for young working professionals looking for high-quality food options, whether at home or in the office. It is available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store.

(The picture for this story has been generated using Microsoft Designer. No copyright infringement is intended nor is there any intention to hurt any brand’s sentiment. It is being just as a visual support for the story.)

January 11, 2025
2024: The year that was – A snapshot of the snacks & sweets segment

MUMBAI: Snacks are some small nibbles you munch on just to satisfy your cravings sometimes. But it’s no surprise that consumption has surged in a big way – in fact the growth has been unprecedented – in 2024. The increasing population, growing incomes of people, and the shifting priorities of consumers are increasing the demand for snacks.

According to a report by global market research group, Imarc the Indian snacks market was valued at ?42,694.9 crore in 2023. It is expected to swell dramatically by more than doubling by 2032, reaching ?95,521.8 crore.

This impressive growth is being driven by consumers’ love for convenience, the increasing role of e-commerce, and improved food safety standards.

Festivals Lead to Increased Demand

The festive season brings joy not only to consumers but also to the FMCG brands. During this time of the year, gifting, celebration, and indulgence in snacks and sweets are synonymous.

Many brands launched new products this year and created special hampers to meet the festive demand with variety and innovation.

According to logistics intelligence platform for online retailers Clickpost’s report, online sales in this year’s festival season surged by as much as 49 per cent through tier-2 and tier-3 cities. And for brands, it’s probably the perfect opportunity in recent times to garner new customers, boost sales, and even better their market reach in those relatively smaller towns and cities.

Rural Growth and online expansion

Rural areas are now an important part of the growth of FMCG brands. NielsenIQ data reports that rural markets expanded by six per cent in the Q3 of 2024, a rate greater than that of urban areas, which grew at 2.8 per cent. Small producers, however, also appeared to recover, playing a big role in the overall growth of the industry.In the meantime, the e-commerce expansion has shaken the snack and sweets industry. In the past three years, India has acquired 125 million online buyers and expects to add 80 million more by end-2025. This trend is increasing the accessibility of snacks and sweets throughout the country by improving convenience and availability more than ever.

Consumer Trends Shaping the Industry

Consumer preference is one of the major drivers of innovation in the snacks and sweets segment. Younger generations (Genz, Gen Alpha), along with the influence of western eating patterns, are raising the demand for quick, ready-to-eat options. Sustainability too is gaining priority. On the other hand, brands are adopting eco-friendly packaging using recyclable materials, compostable, and biodegradable materials as well. This is being done to protect the environment as well as to satisfy the so-called woke younger segments sensitivity to sustainability.

Looking Ahead

The Indian FMCG industry, especially the snacks and sweets category, has shown resilience in a challenging economic environment. From festive sales and rural growth to online expansion and sustainable packaging, the sector continues to evolve to meet consumer demands. Brands are not just satisfying cravings but also creating delightful experiences, making snacks and sweets a key part of India’s dynamic food landscape.

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December 26, 2024
Cornitos starts new year with wholesome snacking choices

Mumbai: As we step into a fresh year, Cornitos introduces a burst of delightful flavours and healthful options. Elevate your snacking routine with Cornitos new salted roasted pistachios, a guilt-free and nourishing indulgence that captures the essence of authentic pistachios, delivering essential nutrients like fiber, protein, and antioxidants.

For those seeking a satisfying crunch at just Rs 10, Cornitos Crusties, featuring the adventurous Corny the Chimp on all-new packaging, promise a crispy bite filled with wholesome ingredients like beans, chickpeas, and potatoes. It’s a perfect anytime snack that’s both affordable and nutritious.

And let’s not forget our signature Nachos – a celebration of taste and texture available in exciting variants like “Cheese and Herbs” and “Sizzlin’ Jalapeno.” Crafted for your snacking pleasure, Cornitos Nachos are an ideal companion for any occasion, adding a burst of flavour to winter season.

This year, join Cornitos on a flavour-packed journey – where every crunch is a step towards savoury satisfaction with many options.

January 17, 2024
Potato snacks win hearts of 65 per cent Indians: The India Snacking Report by Godrej

Mumbai: In the vibrant tapestry of Navratri traditions, where vegetarian fare takes center stage, the humble potato emerges as a cherished protagonist. Its remarkable versatility makes it a cornerstone in beloved Navratri food items like Sabudana Khichdi, Aloo Tikki, Aloo Chat, and Cutlets, lending an irresistible charm to the festive spread.

This devotion to the potato transcends seasons, with a resounding 65 per cent of Indians professing their love for potato-based snacks, a sentiment that holds true not just during Navratri, but year-round. This intriguing revelation stems from none other than the ‘STTEM – Safety, Technology, Taste, Ease & Mood Uplifter’ – The India Snacking Report (Volume I) meticulously curated by Godrej Yummiez, a pioneering brand in the realm of frozen ready-to-cook offerings. This report offers a profound exploration of India’s snacking landscape, unraveling the essence of our collective culinary inclinations.

According to the Godrej Yummiez report, when we examine preferences across regions, it becomes evident that East India exhibits the highest affinity for potato-based snacks, registering an impressive 69 per cent. Following closely behind, North India secures the second position with a score of 68 per cent, while the West region also boasts a commendable 65 per cent, securing the third spot. The South region, with a score of 62 per cent, takes the fourth position in terms of their fondness for potato-based snacks.

Speaking about the insights and the report, Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd (GTFL), Yummiez AVP Mohit Marwaha stated, “As a category thought leader, Godrej Yummiez understands consumers well and shaped trends redefining the frozen ready-to-cook segment. The India Snacking Report is one such initiative by Godrej Yummiez to analyze and predict snacking trends. The report highlights that potatoes continue to hold a prominent position in snack culture, serving as an essential component for various occasions in people’s lives.”

He further added, “Potato snacks are the hot favourite in the veg frozen foods category. We ourselves offer many potato-based snacks like Godrej Yummiez Crispy Potato Starz, French Fries, Aloo Tikki, among others. We ensure our products have no preservatives since they are made using the Individual Quick Freeze (IQF) technology. This makes the product keep its shape, colour, smell, and taste after defrosting, at a far greater extent.”

In the findings of The India Snacking Report by Godrej Yummiez, a noteworthy revelation emerges: a predilection for potato-based snacks varies with gender. Impressively, 70 per cent of women express a preference for these delectable treats, whereas 60 per cent of their male counterparts share a similar sentiment.

Delving further into urban demographics, residents of bustling metro cities showcase a penchant for potato-based snacks, registering an impressive score of 69 per cent. Meanwhile, in Tier II cities, a considerable 60 per cent of the populace exhibits a similar fondness for these delectable offerings.

Commissioned by Godrej Yummiez, ‘STTEM – Safety, Technology, Taste, Ease & Mood Uplifter’ – The India Snacking Report (Volume I) was conducted by InQognito Insights. The study was conducted across North, South, West, and East regions and covered 10 cities like Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

Please download the complete report on https://www.godrejyummiez.in/

October 19, 2023
Kurkure’s new campaign with Akshay Kumar adds a quirky twist to a heist

Mumbai: Starting the year with a ‘masaledaar’ twist, Kurkure has unveiled a film featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

This film is a part of the larger ‘Ab Laga Masala’ campaign that captures Kurkure as a ‘chatpata’ anytime snack that adds an element of ‘masti’ and quirkiness to the daily lives of its consumers. In its two-decade-long journey, the Indian snack brand Kurkure has launched several innovative product formats and flavour profiles across collet, puffed, and namkeens – disrupting not only the domestic but also the international markets with its ‘masaledaar’ offerings and quirky storytelling.

In the film, Akshay Kumar plays a thief who breaks into Samantha’s house in the middle of the night and gets distracted when he sees a packet of Kurkure kept in the kitchen cabinet. Just as he is about to open the packet, Samantha and her family catch him red-handed and snatch the pack from his hands to eat Kurkure themselves, then offering him as well. Forgetting his initial intention to rob the house and with no fear of being caught, Akshay, who is already eager to munch on the snack, readily obliges. Needless to say, Kurkure’s ‘masaledaar’ flavour sends Akshay into a ‘maha-flavourful’ bliss, until reality hits and greets him with the sound of police sirens on the way to the house.

“Be it for my movies or my ads, I’ve always strived to create extraordinary moments for my fans, and Kurkure has been perfect at bringing out the quirky yet extraordinary side of me. It’s always fun to play an entertaining character that can transform dull moments into memorable ones with a ‘masaledaar’ kick,” said Kumar.

PepsiCo India associate director – brand marketing Kurkure, Neha Prasad said, “Kurkure has a special place in the heart of Indian consumers with its iconic flavour and ‘tedha’ persona. The brand has the ability to portray unconventional yet relatable modern Indian family scenarios through its quirky, over-the-top storytelling that transforms any boring moment with family and friends into an entertaining one. Through this film, we want to intensify the brand love and celebrate the iconic flavour of India’s favourite ‘masaledaar’ snack.”

Expressing her thoughts on the campaign, Wunderman Thompson senior VP Ritu Nakra said, “Daily life can be such a routine and boring when there is no ‘masaledar’ twist… but with Kurkure Masala Munch, the ‘masala’ hit in each collet unleashes full-on drama in every situation. Watch how the spicey tangy and ‘chatpata’ flavours ka hit make Akshay a mast chor in the new ad campaign for the brand.”

January 12, 2022