India, Feb. 26 -- Designed to capture the growing demand for indulgent and shareable chocolate experiences, Nestle is launching its newKitKattablets in Europe. Valued atCHF7.5 billion, tablets are the second most popular chocolate format in the European chocolate market and have grown by overCHF1.4 billion over the past two years.
Renowned for providing consumers with a much-needed break during the day,KitKatis now expanding to new occasions, like those relaxing moments at home after work or during the weekend.
KitKatalready has a wide-ranging portfolio of tasty chocolate products. With these new tablets, Nestle is leveraging the brand's iconic crispy wafer and creating a multisensory experience through creamy fillings and visually appealing marbled chocolate. The company aims to reinforceKitKat's position as a leading brand, while addressing evolving consumer preferences.
"Consumer insights reveal a significant opportunity to enhance the appeal of filled tablets," said Stefano Agostini, Head of Confectionery Nestle Zone Europe. "The newKitKattablets are breaking the codes of the more conservative tablet segment and making them more attractive to younger shoppers, which should drive growth.KitKatis one of Nestle's most successful brands. We are confident that with its brand power, it can successfully expand into new occasions and segments, enjoying a break at home while sharing a piece of chocolate with loved ones."
The newKitKattablets come in three different flavors: double chocolate, hazelnut and salted caramel.
Meeting consumer trends through innovation
Nestle leveraged its in-house chocolate expertise at itsR&Dcenter in York,UK, to develop the light and creamy fillings for the tablets and to create an eye-catching design.
Louise Barrett, Head of the Nestle Research and Development center for Confectionery York, said: "TheseKitKattablets offer a whole new multisensory experience achieved by carefully balancing the ingredient proportions and creating a delightful texture contrast between the chocolate shell and the delicious fillings. Additionally, our marbling know-how allows us to precisely blend different chocolate masses, resulting in stunning swirl patterns that enhance visual appeal."
Strategic investment and manufacturing expansion
Nestle investedEUR44.2 million in itsKitKatfactory in Sofia, Bulgaria, to make this launch possible. The facility, which opened in November 2024, will enable the production of an additional 10 000 - 20 000 tons of chocolate for export to 29 European countries, Canada and South Africa. The investment has also led to the creation of approximately 70 new jobs in the country. Altogether, the company has spent a total ofEUR100 million upgrading manufacturing capabilities across its three EuropeanKitKatfactories in theUK, Bulgaria and Germany.
Sustainability at the core
Aligned with Nestle's broader sustainability goals and its ambition to fully segregate the cocoa ingredients used in its chocolate, the newKitKattablets uses cocoa mass sourced directly from cocoa-farming families enrolled in the company'sincome accelerator program.
This innovative, family-centered approach aims to close the living income gap for cocoa farmers and reduce child labor risks by encouraging changes in behavior and rewarding positive practices - both within the home and on the farm. The early results, reported by the KIT Institute in 2024, are very encouraging, with a 38% increase in family income after 18 months.
The tablets are currently available in the United Kingdom and will be available, starting in February 2025, in key European markets as well as Canada and South Africa.
Younger than ever
The launch coincides with the 90th anniversary of the iconic brand. Invented in York in 1935 as 'Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp,' the name 'KitKat' was adopted a couple of years later. The brand has gone on to become a worldwide phenomenon, with its 'Have a Break, Have aKitKat'message, championing the importance of taking a moment to pause.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.