Lotte India launches iconic Pepero snack

Lotte India, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Lotte Corporation, has launched its iconic chocolate-coated biscuit snack, Pepero, in the Indian market—marking its entry into the biscuit snack category.

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With this launch, Lotte aims to establish Pepero as its second “megabrand” in India after the success of Choco Pie, while targeting a group turnover of ₹2,000 crore in 2025. Pepero, known globally as Korea’s No. 1 biscuit snack, will be Made in India at Lotte’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Rohtak, Haryana. The launch is supported by the campaign “We Are All Peperos”, celebrating friendship, love and sharing—values that strongly resonate with India’s Gen Z and millennial consumers.

“Pepero is more than a snack — it’s a social experience. By bringing Pepero to India, we’re not just launching a product, but introducing a brand that connects emotionally with India’s new generation of snackers,” said Milan Wahi, Managing Director, Lotte India. Available in two variants—Original and Crunchy—Pepero is offered in trial and regular packs priced between ₹20 and ₹70, making it accessible to a wide demographic. The brand will be distributed via modern trade, standalone stores and high-end grocery channels across major metro cities and will be available on all eCommerce sites.

The launch comes at a time when India’s confectionery market, valued at approximately ₹1.7 lakh crore, presents immense growth potential. With a population of over 1.4 billion and a growing appetite for global snacks, India is central to Lotte’s broader “Global Business” strategy.

Lotte has made a total investment of ₹475 crore for Pepero’s local production, including ₹225 crore for a new manufacturing line and the expansion of warehouse infrastructure. A portion of the investment is also being directed toward a new production line for Choco Pie, which is also manufactured at a facility near Chennai.

The decision to manufacture Pepero in India is further driven by the rising popularity of Korean culture—such as K-dramas, K-pop and K-beauty—among Indian consumers. This K-wave (Hallyu) has boosted demand for Korean snacks, especially among young, urban and aspirational buyers. Local manufacturing not only reduces import costs but also improves supply chain efficiency and enables customization to suit Indian tastes. The Pepero launch follows the Lotte-Havmor merger, which has helped the company to sharpen its strategic focus and deepen market penetration.

Lotte India aims to generate ₹800 crore from its confectionery business and ₹1,200 crore from Havmor’s ice cream portfolio in 2025. By 2027, the company is targeting a total revenue of ₹3,000 crore, with the confectionery and ice cream divisions contributing ₹1,250 crore and ₹1,750 crore, respectively.

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