PepsiCo India eyes steady festive snacking

PepsiCo India anticipates its foods division to expand at the same festive growth rate as the previous year, driven by fresh product introductions and snacks that align with modern consumption habits. Saakshi Verma Menon, PepsiCo India's Chief Marketing Officer, Food, disclosed this sentiment to PTI on Tuesday. The firm plans to expand its product range, encompassing snacks, healthier options, and premium selections for the festive period. Also read: PepsiCo warns energy drink ban could run its India supplies dry as Red Bull sells on.

The company has bolstered its ready-to-eat offerings on e-commerce platforms, aiming to make festive snacking more accessible, according to PTI. PepsiCo's food strategy seeks to align with evolving Indian food preferences and various occasions, with ongoing research and development efforts to launch new products for the market. Brands such as Lay's, Kurkure, Uncle Chipps, Quaker, Cheetos, and Doritos cater to a diverse range of tastes and occasions, ensuring continued delight through festive snacking, Menon elaborated.

Meanwhile, SLMG Beverages, India's leading Coca-Cola bottler, is experiencing robust festive sales growth, buoyed by heightened demand since Navratri. With strong orders for Diwali gift packs, the joint managing director, Paritosh Ladhani, expects sales to remain robust throughout the festive period. November and December are crucial months for the beverage industry, given the celebrations of Diwali, Christmas, and New Year.

However, SLMG Beverages is grappling with elevated input costs, including sugar and packaging materials, and is adopting a cautious pricing strategy while prioritizing consumer affordability. The company is awaiting further pricing decisions while focusing on boosting sales volumes to offset commodity cost pressures.