Nisha turns to traditional brands
CONFECTIONERY may be under the spotlight in Scotland at the moment but while consumers appear more interested in healthier alternatives than ever before, sweet treats still have their place.
In this landscape, traditional brands have an increasingly important role to play according to Sunny Pahuja, chief executive of Livingston-based Nisha Enterprises, the firm behind Millar sweets.
Pahuja said Scottish consumers have always been known to have a sweet tooth, and confectionery continues to have a place in c-stores.
“While today’s consumers are undoubtedly more health conscious, confectionery still has an important part to play in the Scottish convenience sector, both as an impulse purchase and as a treat.
“Consumers are becoming increasingly nostalgic when choosing confectionery and over the past 12 months we’ve really noticed traditional favourites such as Millar Pan Drops, Chocolate Limes, Dark Chocolate Mint Creams, Strawberry Bon Bons and Lemon Bon Bons proving leading varieties in the Millar range,” he said.
The Millar range is available primarily in hanging bags, and Pahuja said that while Nisha offers the most popular lines in 125g and 250g gift boxes, hanging bags are “by far the most popular format.”
“We currently offer 19 different Millar lines in hanging bags, and people will often buy two or three different varieties at a time,” he said.
To ensure those 19 lines really shine in convenience stores, Pahuja said retailers should display Millar products together for maximum impact.
“Display stands offer the most disciplined merchandising format and we have branded display stands available for independent retailers who stock a significant range of Millar products.
“Using these on the end of an aisle or near the checkout will definitely make an impact and help to drive impulse purchases, which are so important for most c-stores.”
