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Consumers: Embracing Variety and Convenience in Travel Retail

Multi-pack formats in the APAC region's confectionery sector is growing fast, driven by consumer demand for convenience, sharing, and portion control. This shift presents lucrative opportunities and strategic imperatives for exporters targeting global markets.

Loacker, a leading name in confectionery, has identified the multi-pack single-serve format as a key driver for its wafer products' sales in the APAC region. The company's success in this market is attributed to its innovative packaging and understanding of consumer preferences for variety and convenience.



Market Trends

Loacker's introduction of multi-pack formats, such as the Loacker Classic Minis and Loacker Best of Moments, highlights a significant shift in consumer behavior. These packs cater to modern consumers' needs for sharing, portion control, and on-the-go consumption. According to Gaia Ferrandi, Global Product Manager at Loacker, the individually wrapped wafers not only facilitate easy sharing but also address portion control concerns, a growing priority among health-conscious consumers. This trend is particularly evident among traveling consumers who prefer convenient, mess-free options for self-consumption.


The variety pack Loacker Best of Moments, featuring mini versions of various snacks, appeals to consumers' desire to try multiple products in one purchase. This approach allows consumers to explore different flavors and textures, from coated to uncoated wafers, which is particularly advantageous in warmer climates where uncoated wafers perform better due to reduced melting. This strategic mix of products caters to diverse preferences and enhances consumer satisfaction.


The APAC region, contributing 42% of Loacker's overall sales, is a crucial market for the company. With consistent double-digit growth, the region serves as a testing ground for new products and formats, reflecting the dynamic and evolving consumer landscape. Loacker's ability to adapt its offerings to regional preferences, such as the preference for milk chocolate in APAC and the Middle East versus dark chocolate in Europe, demonstrates its commitment to meeting diverse consumer needs.


Strategic Action

Innovate with Multi-Pack Formats for Convenience and Variety

Recognizing the increasing demand for convenient, shareable, and portion-controlled products, exporters should innovate their packaging strategies to include multi-pack formats. This approach not only meets the evolving needs of modern consumers but also positions businesses to capitalize on a growing market trend.

  1. Market Research: Conduct comprehensive market research to identify consumer preferences for product variety, convenience, and portion control within target markets.

  2. Product Development: Develop or enhance product lines to include individually wrapped, single-serve portions that cater to these preferences. Ensure a mix of coated and uncoated options to appeal to different consumer needs.

  3. Packaging Design: Invest in innovative packaging designs that facilitate easy sharing and on-the-go consumption. Highlight the convenience and variety offered by the multi-pack format on the packaging to attract consumers.

  4. Marketing and Promotion: Implement targeted marketing campaigns that emphasize the benefits of the multi-pack format, such as convenience, portion control, and variety. Use data-driven insights to tailor messages to specific consumer segments.

  5. Distribution Channels: Strengthen distribution channels in key markets, focusing on travel retail and other high-traffic locations where consumers are likely to seek convenient, on-the-go snack options.


The trend towards convenience and variety in snack products is driven by increasing consumer demand for easy-to-share and portion-controlled options. By offering multi-pack formats, businesses can tap into this demand, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. This strategy aligns with broader market trends and provides a competitive edge in the dynamic confectionery sector.


Implementing this strategy is expected to boost customer acquisition and retention, leading to increased sales and market share. The convenience and variety offered by multi-pack formats can command premium pricing, thereby enhancing profitability. Additionally, this approach can help businesses build a strong brand presence in key markets, particularly in the rapidly growing APAC region.



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