India a key 'accelerate' market: Mars

US-based chocolate maker Mars sees India as a key 'accelerate' market and is ramping up its distribution network in the country to tap the high growth potential, a senior company official said.

The company, which has brands such as Snickers, Mars, Bounty, M&M, Double Mint, Boomer, Orbit, Galaxy and Twix in India, also plans to introduce one more brand in the next six to eight weeks to enhance its presence here.

"India is a key 'accelerate' market in Mars Wrigley Confectionery Asia, Australia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA)," Mars Wrigley Confectionery General Manager - India Andrew Leakey told PTI.

The company is investing to strengthen its distribution network and is building a sustainable supply chain here to expand its reach beyond metros and some key cities. The company has "stronger growth ambitions" and is taking "a long term view" on the Indian market, he said.

Presently, Mars Wrigley products are distributed through around 3,00,000 outlets and it is eyeing to take the number to over 5,00,000.

"With our continued focus on growth in the India market through our expanding distribution network, flexibility to scale as per demand, ongoing efforts to build sustainable supply chain and strong market potential, we anticipate one-fourth of our growth contribution for AMEA region, coming from India, over the next few years," he said.

However, he declined to share revenue or other financial details.

Last year, Mars Inc integrated its Mars Chocolate and Wrigley segments in India, creating Mars Wrigley Confectionery (MWC) to tap high growth potential here.

"We are taking a long term view over the business in India and the company is less concerned about the immediate paybacks," he said.

Leakey said the company looks to introduce "products which are more relevant to the Indian market".

The company has an innovation centre in Bengaluru which is helping it to localise some of the flavours here.

Asked about growth, he said, "Confectionary market is growing with CAGR of 9 per cent in last 5 years and we are growing double than that and we would continue to grow at that rate."