Pakistani actor Sanam Saeed makes statement in shimmering saree at Cannes 2026, fans highlight Aishwarya Rai connectionZindagi Gulzar Hai actor Sanam Saeed stuns at Cannes 2026 in a green saree. Fans love the look, drawing comparisons to Aishwarya Rai’s iconic Cannes 2002 debut
Hundreds of companies raised a combined $70 billion by selling shares to the public in the United States last year. But 2026 could shatter records, with rocket and AI company SpaceX, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and AI startup Anthropic all potentially making their stock market debuts
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who recently emerged as a chief negotiator in talks with the United States, has been appointed to oversee relations with China, Iranian media reported on Sunday (May 17, 2026). "Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has recently been appointed as a special
Chef Ranveer Brar shares a quick and creamy Aam Shrikhand recipe every mango lover must try: Step-by-step processLove mangoes? Try this creamy Aam Shrikhand by Chef Ranveer Brar that delivers the perfect mix of creamy, fruity, and indulgent flavours. Published on: May 18
The millionaire businessman son of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has won a steering role in his father’s political party Fatah, a party official said on Sunday (May 17, 2026), as a succession fight looms for control of the embattled Palestinian Authority (PA)
India becomes largest market for KitKat globally for Nestle
India becomes largest market for KitKat globally for Nestle
India has emerged as the largest market globally for KitKat, the iconic chocolate-coated wafer bar of Swiss food and confectionery major Nestlé, driven by strong consumer penetration, product innovation and aggressive marketing investments, according to the company.
India, which had been the second-largest market for the brand over the last two-three years, has now become its biggest market globally, underscoring India's growing importance for the iconic chocolate wafer brand sold in over 85 countries.
"India is now the largest market for KitKat globally, and the brand has accelerated its market share growth over the last few years," Nestlé India chairman and managing director Manish Tiwary said during a recent media interaction.
KitKat has now become the second brand in Nestlé's portfolio, after Maggi, to emerge as the largest market globally.
A decade ago, India was at number 10 globally for KitKat.
As part of Nestlé India's confectionery portfolio, KitKat contributed to strong momentum in FY26, with the confectionery product group delivering high double-digit growth in both value and volume, backed by robust underlying transaction growth across its key brands, he added.
According to reports, Japan, Brazil, and Europe are among the other leading markets for KitKat.
Nestlé India director confectionery and cereals Jagatheesan Gopichandar said KitKat's performance was driven by "strong increase in core penetration and also entry into new consumer demand spaces" with innovations across mainstream and premium segments.
"We entered into gifting with KitKat Celebreak and nibbling with KitKat pops. We accelerated the premium portfolio with the launch of KITKAT Delights range with variants including Salted Caramel and Hazelnut, alongside mainstream innovations such as KITKAT DUO and KitKat Lemon and Lime," he said.
To further deepen consumer engagement, Nestlé India has significantly increased advertising spends and rolled out partnerships and campaigns aimed at strengthening brand relevance.
The company also said investments in its visicooler programme (commercial glass-door refrigerator designed to store and display) have helped accelerate growth across urban and rural markets while supporting the rollout of new product innovations.
Nestlé India, in its annual report for FY25, had said it had 3,950 million fingers of KitKat after doubling its market share and becoming the fastest-growing brand within the chocolate category in the country.
While Maggi's business in India is also the largest market worldwide, where it sold 5+ billion serves.
KitKat was created in the 1930s by the British confectionery company Rowntree's. It came under Nestlé's fold after the Swiss multinational acquired Rowntree's in 1988. However, in the U.S., KitKat is manufactured under licence by the Hershey Company.
Published - May 17, 2026 02:20 pm IST
business (general) / India
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: KitKat theft sparks witty brand reactions on X Nestle Q3 results UAE recalls some Nestle infant formula products Nestle recalls some of its baby formulas Nestlé explores sale of Blue Bottle Coffee Nestlé CEO apologises over instant formula recall Nestle's new CEO faces full plate of problems Nestle to axe 16 India recorded most tuberculosis cases globally in 2024 Record IPO Numbers Put India On Top Globally
Marriage may be a personal or societal milestone for many but not for Sara Ali Khan. Amid dating rumours with a non-actor, she seems to be in no hurry to get married. Speaking exclusively to News18, she opens up on choosing patience over pressure and prioritising self-growth over chasing
2 minutes ago
India’s SMEs are accelerating AI adoption, unlocking efficiency and growth. As competition intensifies, recognition is becoming essential for credibility and visibility. Awards platforms now offer a crucial opportunity to stand out and gain an advantage.India’s SMEs are accelerating AI adoption
2 minutes ago
India has emerged as the largest market globally for KitKat, the iconic chocolate-coated wafer bar of Swiss food and confectionery major Nestlé, driven by strong consumer penetration, product innovation and aggressive marketing investments, according to the company
3 minutes ago
Amazon employee says company tracks office hours, calls it ‘infantalizing’An Amazon employee has revealed that the e-commerce giant tracks how many hours employees spend in the office, calling the practice “infantalizing” Updated on: May 18, 2026 10:53 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy
1 minutes ago
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is building a common interoperable infrastructure for soundboxes which can support Unified Payments Interface-based transactions made via any payment application, according to three people in the know
3 minutes ago
Keerthy Suresh is getting candid about a topic that has followed her for years, her dramatic physical transformation and the constant commentary around it. The National Award-winning actor recently opened up about her fitness journey, weight loss, body image struggles
5 minutes ago
We’ve all had that moment on a Monday morning. You’re staring at an Excel sheet, listening to a presentation and all you can think about is: What if I just pack my bags, move to Goa, and write a book? For most of us, it remains a daydream. But one woman actually did it—and a viral post on X
2 minutes ago
Kerala Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said he had no problems with VD Satheesan being appointed as the new Chief Minister of Kerala, emphasising that the party was more important than personal achievements. Speaking to CNN-News18, Chennithala said
4 minutes ago
Australian teens impacted by social media ban are getting less news: new researchAustralian teens impacted by social media ban are getting less news: new research Published on: May 18, 2026 11:48 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Sydney, In the months leading up to the implementation of Australia's
2 minutes ago
For years, weight management has been reduced to a singularly accepted notion: dieting. People usually say eat less, follow the latest diet and you’re bound to get the results accordingly. Yet despite countless diets and wellness trends, sustainable weight loss continues to remain out of reach
5 minutes ago
Taiwan will not provoke any conflict but will also not give up its sovereignty, said its president Lai Ching-te after a high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping where they discussed the issue of Taiwan's independence. According to Chinese state media, Xi had told Trump that Taiwan
3 minutes ago
In Himachal Pradesh, the influence of traditional beliefs, religion and cultural practices continues to shape the conservation of forest land. Dev Vans, or sacred groves, are forest patches revered as the domain of local deities (devtas). Village customs strictly prohibit tree-felling
4 hours ago
Apple's long-delayed Siri overhaul is finally expected to arrive with iOS 27, but even after more than two years since its announcement, the new features could be labelled as ‘beta’ when they first arrive with the new iPhones later this year
4 hours ago
May 17, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 17, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 18, 2026 1:07 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 17
4 hours ago
Aam Aadmi Pary chief Arvind Kejriwal on Friday inaugurated a night polyclinic in Goa’s Velim. The clinic, launched by AAP MLA Cruz Silva, will operate from 7 pm to 7 am and is the third “Aamche Arogya Polyclinic” opened in the constituency. Kejriwal said the facility was aimed at helping
4 hours ago
Woman found hanging in Bhopal, family claims ‘dowry death’, blames lawyer husband, mother-in-law. What is the case?Deceased's family has accused Samarth and his mother of murder. The family also claims that daughter's in-laws physically assauted her, destroyed the evidence. Updated on: May 18
4 hours ago
Indian-origin woman shares how she built $2.8 million-a-year ice cream business in USPooja Bavishi, 42, is the founder and CEO of New York-based ice cream brand Malai, which she founded in 2015. Published on: May 17, 2026 9:56 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link An Indian-origin
4 hours ago
NCB busts Dehradun lab making banned ‘jihadi drug’ Captagon; hunt on for another Syrian national linked to network31.5kg of Captagon was seized from a house in Delhi’s Neb Sarai and 196.2 kg from a container at the Mundra Port in Gujarat. Updated on: May 18
4 hours ago
The performance-focused mid-range smartphone segment is heating up, with OnePlus already launching the Nord 6 earlier in the year and Xiaomi now planning to introduce the Redmi Turbo 5 as well. While Xiaomi has not yet announced the pricing and specifications of the Turbo 5
4 hours ago
India hikes gold import duty to 15 percent to curb demand and protect forex, CBDT guidelines allow women more tax free gold than men, excess holdings need proof of source Gold has now again come into focus after the government hiked the import duty to 15 per cent from 6 per cent
4 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for May 18, 2026: Love needs honesty and emotional maturity todayLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: May 18, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries An emotional ending may create unexpected freedom today
4 hours ago
India will be entering its 2026 monsoon season under the shadow of one of the most alarming climate signals in years, as a potentially historic El Niño event forms in the Pacific Ocean and threatens to disrupt rainfall across large parts of the country from August onwards
4 hours ago
"I was on the train, just chilling. Suddenly, someone's come over my shoulder, and stabbed me." Footballer Jonathan Gjoshe pauses as he recalls the harrowing events of 1 November last year. Just weeks into his first season at Scunthorpe United
4 hours ago
It operates under the EEE structure — Exempt, Exempt, Exempt — meaning contributions qualify for deduction under Section 80C up to Rs 1.5 lakh, interest accumulates without any tax liability within prescribed limits, and withdrawals after five continuous years of service are generally tax-free
4 hours ago
This Indian woman went from earning ₹5,000 a month to running ₹48 crore business: 'Happiness doesn’t come from money'Nayana Vaidya went from earning a salary of ₹5,000 per month to owning a ₹48 crore business Updated on: May 18, 2026 7:21 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link Nayana
4 hours ago
‘No reparations, only 1 nuclear facility’: Iranian report lists US demands amid shaky ceasefireThe current impasse in diplomatic exchange between Iran and the United States comes after Iran's preconditions to resume negotiations for ending the war. Updated on: May 18
4 hours ago
Protesters clashed with the police in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Sunday during demonstrations against the state government restricting the offering of namaz on streets and demolishing allegedly illegal structures in the Tiljala area, according to media reports
4 hours ago
