Categories
Beyond

12 tonnes of KitKat stolen in Europe transit

In an unusual theft, about 12 tonnes of KitKat chocolate bars were stolen in Europe while being transported from Italy to Poland. The shipment, owned by Nestlé, contained nearly 4.13 lakh chocolate bars and is still missing.

The incident happened when a truck carrying the chocolates left a factory in Italy for delivery. During the journey, the truck disappeared, and both the vehicle and its cargo have not been traced so far. Authorities are investigating the case to find out what happened and recover the stolen goods.

The stolen chocolates were part of a special range of KitKat bars, including limited-edition products. This has made the loss more significant for the company.

Nestlé responded to the incident with a mix of humour and concern. In a light-hearted remark, the company said it “appreciates the criminals’ exceptional taste.” At the same time, it raised a serious issue, pointing out that cargo theft is becoming more common and better organised across transport networks.

Despite the theft, Nestlé has assured customers that there is no risk to consumer safety. The company also said that the overall supply of KitKat chocolates in the market will not be affected by this incident.

To prevent misuse of the stolen products, Nestlé warned that the chocolates could appear in unofficial or illegal markets. Each KitKat bar has a unique batch code, which can help identify whether it belongs to the stolen shipment. The company has advised retailers and consumers to stay alert and report any suspicious products.

Nestlé is working closely with police and supply chain partners to investigate the theft and recover the missing chocolates.

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Categories
Leaders

Nestlé India eyes faster organic growth

Nestlé India’s newly appointed MD, Manish Tiwary, has laid out a strategy to accelerate growth through organic expansion rather than acquisitions. The company plans to focus on increasing household penetration and promoting healthier, high-quality variants within its existing product categories.

The company will increase advertising spending and introduce more items from its global portfolio to the Indian market, aiming to reach the Rs 20,000 crore revenue milestone faster. Tiwary noted that the current brand portfolio has “immense depth and potential,” so adding new brands is not an immediate priority.

Profit margins are expected to stay in the 22–24 percent range despite inflation, with a focus on digitisation across supply chain, sales, and consumer engagement to improve efficiency. While rural India contributes around 17–18 percent of sales, the company plans growth in both urban and rural markets with tailored strategies.

Tiwary emphasised that organic growth, technology investment, consumer-first agility, and enhanced advertising are central to the plan. He expects volume-led growth, supported by strong distribution, quick-commerce partnerships, and evolving consumer preferences for premium and healthier products.

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