The other popular products Include Catbird Scholars, Catbird Brutally, Perk, Bernoulli, Celebrations, 5-Star and Gems.

The popular chocolate, Doubleton Is also now available In the Indian market. B) Competitors: Competitors in Chocolate Market: Turnover of RSI. 4500 core; there are three major market players:- Catbird with 70% of the market share Nestle having 21% of market share Ferrier having a niche market of 6% and remaining 3% with other players. II.

Analysis of the category: 1 . Aggregate market factors a) Market size and Market share: Size of overall chocolate market: RSI. 500 core Likely size of the Chocolate market by 2021: RSI. 8000 core Share of premium housecoat in overall market: 27% Expected growth rate of overall chocolate market: 20-25% Expected growth rate of premium chocolate market: 30-35% [1]Source: (Mar 30, 2014) unwrapped. Business Today] Source: (Mar 30, 2014) Unwrapped.

Business Today] Following are the key drivers for the rapid growth of the Indian Chocolate industry: Shift in consumer preference (from traditional sweets to chocolates) Increase in health awareness - demand for sugar-free, low sugar and diet chocolates.Rising income levels and improvement in standard of living has led to increase in demand of premium chocolates. Rapid development in rural markets Tradition of gifting sweets for various occasions Growth Rate: The chocolate industry has shown steady growth in urban and semi urban areas, with a compounded annual growth rate (CARR) of 25% and is expected to grow beyond RSI 7,500 core by 201 5, according to the apex industry body COMMAS. [2] [Source: (Cot 9, 2013). The Times of India. ] According to National Confectioners Association, India is the fastest growing chocolate market.

3] [Source: (Novo 9, 2012), National Confectioners Association, USA]. Interestingly, India also happens to be fastest growing market for adult consumption f chocolates and candies as per Economic Times Report dated Gauge 1, 2013. [4] [Source: (Gauge 1, 2013). The Economic Times.

] c) Seasonality: Seasonal launches of new range of products have proved particularly dynamic and big grosser across the market. With the changing mind-set and preferences, Indian consumers prefer chocolate assortment boxes as these are considered to be premium, hygienic and longer-lasting than traditional Indian sweets.This has largely contributed to increased sales as the popularity of seasonal gifting of chocolate is much higher, particularly during festivals. During festivals, the demand of chocolates increase by 35% in urban areas. [5] [Source: Pursuit.

(Novo 7, 2012) Indian's craving for chocolate unwraps business opportunities. Business Line] 2. Macro Environmental Factors: a) Political: Budget 2014-15 of India laid more thrust on expansion of food processing industry. [11][Source: CRISIS Budget Analysis July 2014] The increase in tax break exemption limit to RSI 2.

5 Lacks is expected to support growth in consumer durables sector. 1 1] [Source: CRISIS Budget Analysis July 2014] Excise duty on processing machinery used for agro-products has been lowered to 6% from 10%, which would help Catbird in maintaining prices of its products. [11][Source: CRISIS Budget Analysis July 2014] Major world's cocoa is produced by countries in Africa. Political instability in these countries can affect supply and ultimately price. GAP of the nation is increasing with growth forecast average at around 5.

4-5. 9% [8] [Source: July 9,2014: Economic Survey: 2014-15 GAP Growth] The unemployment rate is set to decrease with more business friendly government in power.Excise duty cut in consumer durables will also push growth as it supports consumer consumption. [11][Source: CRISIS Budget Analysis July 2014] Increase in disposable incomes of existing working population will result in more demand for consumables. With swelling up of Indian middle class, the high-end products of Catbird will be affordable to a larger section of the population.

This will help Catbird in increasing their volumes. Expansion projects of Catbird have been given a boost by new government policies which have emphasized a greater thrust on the expansion of the food processing industries.Catbird India has signed a MOM with the AP government to set up its largest manufacturing plant in whole of Asia Pacific Region. Plant will mom up on a 134- acre facility in Coeditor and plans to be functional by mid-201 5. [9] [Source: Novo 27, Hindu Business Line, Caduceus largest plant in Asia Pacific.

] Increases in wages of its employees will also increase the operational expenses of Catbird c) Social: With 29% population falling in the below 14 years age group and 88% below 54 years age group [ Source: http://censuring. Gob. In/], India is one of the most prominent markets with future potential, especially for its young population.Changing life style with growing middle class families is a big impetus to consumer market.

Middle lass families with an income of 2-10 Lace is expected to be 87 million households by 2025 and will be a huge market. Also, with rise in income consumption behavior changes and gives boost to consumer goods [14] [Source: Kettle, P. , Armstrong, G. , & Cunningham, Principle of marketing] Globalization is playing an important role in changing the outlook of customers in India and customers are becoming aware of global brands .

Customer consumption pattern is also changing and the youth are becoming brand conscious.India with very diverse culture and heterogeneous population forms a very fragmented market with varying taste. ) Technological: With a rich experience of almost 200 years in confectionery industry, Catbird can leverage its technical expertise and innovation capabilities to come up with more advancement in its research and development area. Catbird has made a telling contribution towards the Cocoa cultivation in Kraal in association with the Kraal Agricultural University.

There has been an increase in the releases of hybrids and clones which has thus resulted in improving the yield of cocoa. 6][Source: Mondale Cocoa Gold Program] Catbird has implemented Lean System in its production line. Chain digital] ) Legal: There are no clear and centralized laws governing advertisement. The laws related to advertisement are fragmented in various Media laws.

Thus, Advertisement Standards Council of India (ASCII), a non-statutory and self-regulatory body takes charge of regulating it. Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodity) Acts: It prescribes all the rules regarding information given about the product and hence it is very important to take care while packaging [12] [Source: Industry & Services, food processing, business. Gob. N] Consumer Protection Act, 1986: Apart from normal product related refinances , clause 2 of this act gives consumers the right to appeal against any advertisement they find misleading [13] [Source: Consumer Protection Act, 1986] Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The law provides regulations related to manufacturing, storing, distributing, selling and importing the food items [12] Food Safety and Standards Authority of India: It monitors and regulates all the process like manufacturing , packaging, distribution, storage etc to ensure the safety in food industry including confectionery ( Chocolate) [1 2] [Source: Industry & Services, food processing, business.

Ova. N] Licensing & Registration regulations: Subsection (1) of Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 requires to have proper license before starting confectionery business [1 2] [Source: Industry & Services, food processing, business. Gob. In] 3.

Micro-environmental Analysis Competitor analysis: a) Threats of new entrants: The Indian chocolate industry is mainly dominated by Catbird and Nestle. As mentioned above Catbird has close to 70% market share and Nestle has close to 21% market share. The investment required to enter into the chocolate industry is very high. As a result it would be difficult for new players to enter into this market.Caduceus enjoys strong brand loyalty and any potential new entrant into this market will take time to build the same loyalty and eat into the market shares of Catbird. There are few chocolate manufacturers like Perfect, Pearl, Ravaging, Nutrient & Parry's, etc who have entered into the market but are not of any threat to Catbird.

Foreign companies like Ferrier and Hershey have entered into the Indian chocolate market and are trying to make some inroads into the chocolate market. Overall, there is a moderate likelihood of new entrants. ) Threat of substitute products: The Indian chocolate industry faces a lot of challenge from the omnipresent sweet industry.In India people usually prefer sweets over chocolates during the festive themselves as a threat to chocolates. In today's world people are becoming more health conscious.

As a result demand for natural fruits, health bars, cereal bars and fruit bars are on the rise and are becoming threat to chocolate industry. C) Bargaining power of suppliers: The key input required for Catbird is the cocoa beans. Cocoa farmers from Cote divorce, Ghana, Indonesia and Brazil among others are the main suppliers. Furthermore cocoa producers from West African, Far Eastern and South American equatorial regions act as adequate supplier buffer. In order to reduce dependency on its suppliers Catbird has started cocoa farming in India.Overall the bargaining power of the suppliers is moderate.

D) Bargaining power of buyers: In India, the main distribution channels for Caduceus are the independent retailers which account for the 76. 2% of the market share. This reduces the buyer's power as the retailers don't have the bargaining power as the bigger supermarket chains. Catbird has a huge brand loyalty and retailers need to address the consumer emends. This further reduces the power of the buyers. Retailers however have wide range of food products and confectionery is only a small part of the total product range, the buyer power increases.

Overall the bargaining power of the buyers is moderate. ) Current rivalry in category: Caduceus is the most dominant player in the Indian market with a share of 70% followed by Nestle with a share of 21% and Ferrier with a share of 6%. The Indian brands like Maul and Camp have a very less market share. In a price sensitive country like India Catbird is targeting people of different income groups with its did variety of products like Dairy Milk, Dairy Milk Silk, Celebrations and other products. Nestle is giving a stiff competition with its products like Kit Kate which is targeting the lower income group and Alpine which is targeting high end customers. Ferrier is providing competition with its products like Ferrier Richer and Kinder Joy.