Korea’s top-selling snack brand, Lotte, has now officially launched its iconic biscuit stick brand “Pepero”, for the first time in India. After the massive success of the company’s Choco pie which was launched in India in 2006, Lotte has made a comeback to the Indian snack market with Korea’s most beloved chocolate-coated biscuit sticks—Pepero.
Created to suit local tastes in Korea, Pepero (빼빼로) gained popularity for its crunchy bite and creamy coating, becoming a hit in the Korean snack market since the 1980s—to the extent that it even inspired its own celebration: Pepero Day, observed every November 11. On this popular occasion, friends and couples exchange the snack as a gesture of affection. The date, 11/11, visually mirrors the shape of the treat, making it a symbolic and sweet celebration.
Pepero offers a delightful range of flavors designed to satisfy diverse palates. The classic flavors include Original Chocolate, with smooth, rich chocolate coating; Almond, which pairs with chocolate and almond bits; and White Cookie, featuring a white chocolate coating embedded with cookie bits. It also includes a unique variant—Nude Pepero, which has chocolate filling inside the biscuit stick rather than on the outside. Additionally, other popular variants include Strawberry and Choco Cookie.
Lotte has invested Rs 475 crore for its manufacturing plant in Rohtak and to set up a warehouse facility. Milan Wahi, the Managing Director of Lotte India, expects that Pepero will become even more popular among young customers. “What Lotte will be selling in India is slightly sweeter compared to the variant sold in Korea. This is a ‘made in India’ product, keeping in mind Indian preferences, as Indians generally prefer sweeter snacks”, he said. He also added that Lotte will consider introducing new flavors such as kulfi or coffee to suit local tastes.
For its first launch, Lotte Pepero will be available at leading supermarkets and online platforms in India, including Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and Jio Mart, in two different flavors—Original and Crunchy—in trial packs and regular packs, with prices ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 70.
It is expected that the growing popularity of Korean entertainment and K-Pop will open up the sales of Pepero in India. Indian social media influencers have also joined hands with Pepero India to promote the brand. As K-culture continues to connect people across the borders, Pepero’s debut in India is sure to add a sweet layer to the country’s evolving snack landscape. As I observe Pepero’s official debut in India, I can already feel that its arrival marks more than just a new flavor in the snack market—it signifies how Indian consumers are excited about Korean culinary influences. Personally, I find it inspiring to see how a simple treat like Pepero can serve as a bridge between cultures, sparking joy, and new shared traditions between Korea and India.
Source:
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/koreas-number-1-biscuit-snack-brand-lotte-pepero-is-now-in-india/article69850278.ece
How about this article?
- Like0
- Support0
- Amazing0
- Sad0
- Curious0
- Insightful0
