Reply #69: Imported chocolates Ferrero Rocher, Galaxy, Sapphire, Guylian taken big leap this Diwali

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/food/imported-chocolates-ferrero-rocher-galaxy-sapphire-guylian-taken-big-leap-this-diwali/articleshow/10548832.cms

NEW DELHI: It has been a cracker of a Diwali for new imported brands Ferrero Rocher, Galaxy, Sapphire, Guylian and Lindt, which have taken a big bite of the Rs 250-crore chocolate gifting market dominated by traditional players such as Cadbury and Nestle.

Sales growth for the new entrants was driven by price cuts, retailing at top-end grocery stores and localised offerings. "People want to be seen gifting imported chocolates because they connote premiumness; yet the packs are priced more or less in the same range as made-in-India ones," said Ayan Ghosh, GM (FMCG) at Spencer's Retail.

Leading organised retailers Future Group's Big Bazaar and RPG Groupowned Spencer's said imported brands contributed 40-45% to overall chocolate sales nationally in the festive season, up from 30% last year. And in select organised retail stores such as those in Delhi and Gurgaon, Ferrero Rocher's transparent-and-gold boxes alone grew faster than category leader Cadbury.

"While category leader Cadbury must be credited for creating chocolate gifting, it's international brands that have accelerated gifting and taken a big leap this Diwali," says Devendra Chawla, president (food and FMCG) of the country's largest retailer Future Group, which runs 200-plus Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar stores.