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Luxury Sweets & Craft Chocolates Disrupt Festive Market: Cadbury's Spell Broken, Confectioners Helpless
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News18•03-10-2026, 23:03
Luxury Sweets & Craft Chocolates Disrupt Festive Market: Cadbury's Spell Broken, Confectioners Helpless
- •The Indian confectionery market is undergoing a major transformation, with luxury sweets and craft chocolates now competing directly for festive gifting, challenging traditional confectioners and common chocolates.
- •Premium brands like Khoya and Manam are leading this shift, with institutional investors pouring capital into the sector; NielsenIQ data shows rapid growth in India's luxury chocolate and premium sweet market.
- •The average selling price of premium sweets on modern trade and e-commerce channels has surged by 40% in the past year, indicating consumers are paying for experience and prestige, not just weight.
- •Brands are focusing on craftsmanship, unique ingredients, and storytelling; Khoya offers 10 roasted besan ladoos for ’1200 and a 24-carat gold pista katli for ’11,000, positioning these as status symbols.
- •Gifting is the primary driver, accounting for over 60% of Manam's business and 90% of Khoya's revenue, with corporate clients shifting from traditional sweets to modern, longer-shelf-life options.
Key Questions Answered
India's luxury chocolate market is valued at approximately 4,500 crore rupees and is growing at an annual rate of 17 percent, according to NielsenIQ data.
The average selling price of premium sweets on modern trade and e-commerce channels has increased by 40 percent over the past year.
Approximately 90 percent of Khoya's total revenue comes directly from gifting.
