Low-Sugar Craze Sweeps Up Pepero Day
As low-sugar products become the mainstream of the food market, Pepero Day (November 11) is just one month away. With more consumers now seeking reduced-sugar products, the question is what will dominate this year's seasonal snack market. Attention is focused on whether the low-sugar craze will also influence Pepero Day marketing.
Food companies are rolling out new products targeting low-sugar demand. Samlip launched a new low-sugar sauce line, 'Fig in the Garden,' in March, while Jung Ang Food unveiled 'Vegemil Daily Low-Sugar Soy Milk.' Seoul Milk Cooperative released 'Biyoddeul Choco Ring Sugar Reduced' with 45% less sugar, and Haitai Confectionery introduced 'Low-Sugar Mini Wafers' under 'ROSCH,' its first low-sugar brand.
An analysis of search data from January to August this year by 11st showed that searches for the keyword 'low sugar' more than quintupled over the past year. During the same period, searches for health-related keywords such as 'no additives,' 'zero,' and 'diet' roughly doubled. The numbers confirm that the low-sugar boom is a fact, not a perception.
Meanwhile, the marketing battle has already begun. Lotte Wellfood released a Pepero Day ad video featuring its global ambassador Stray Kids, which surpassed 10 million global views within six days. It also partnered with handmade goods platform Idus to launch 16 merchandise items, including Pepero bookmarks, accelerating its push into the seasonal market.
