China Focus: PepsiCo, Nescafe, plant-based dairy demand, and more

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This edition of China Focus looks at how PepsiCo appeals to younger consumers, Nescafe’s upcycled cascara beverages, plant-based dairy demand, and more.

Forever young? PepsiCo China on how localisation and indulgence appeals to younger snack consumers

PepsiCo China has revealed its snacking strategies based on localisation and indulgence that have successfully captured and retained the interest of younger local consumers in the market.

But not all localisation is made equal, as beverage and snacking giant PepsiCo discovered in the Chinese market where it needed to rely on very different types of localisation strategies for its various products.

There is also the need for stress relief and indulgence that is often found through snacking.

India, China and US will be key drivers for global alcohol market growth

India, China and the US will together add $30bn in incremental value to the total beverage alcohol category by 2028, according to IWSR.

Following declines in 2023 and continued challenges in 2024, global beverage alcohol is expected to begin its recovery in 2025. And it’s India, China and the US that will act as the top growth drivers for the category moving forward.

‘New Gen’ prospects: Young China, India consumers still set to drive luxury food and beverage retail despite slower economy

Younger millennial consumers from China and India are still set to be the biggest drivers of luxury food and beverage purchasing, despite the generally slower economic conditions in the region and globally.

China has long been regarded to be amongst the most important economies both in APAC and the world due to population strength, rise of middle income class and potential for future growth, and with India’s rise as well as the young population growth in South East Asian markets, Asia remains the market to watch for premium items such as alcohol and premium chocolates.

‘Coffee meets tea’: Nescafe China touts dual beverage experience with upcycled cascara drink line

A ‘new species’ of beverage uses cascara, the dried skins of coffee cherries, and is set to bring consumers a new and unique sensory experience.

The new Guoran Light Coffee combines the characteristics of both coffee and tea using the unique properties of cascara, the dried skins of coffee cherries, creating a new cross-category product that fuses both coffee culture and Chinese tea culture.

‘Very different markets’: China’s immense protein needs continue to propel plant-based dairy demand – experts

The plant-based meat market in China has been seeing a downturn due to various reasons from pricing to consumer demand, but this has not been the case when it comes to plant-based dairy.

China’s huge protein requirements will remain a strong factor driving the plant-based dairy sector, especially with dairy in general having achieved a strong positioning in the country as an important protein source, a position that was cemented via government and industry efforts.