Faridabad-headquartered Greendot Health Foods entered the Indian snacks market in 2009 with its brand Cornitos - Nacho Crisps. The company started in a minimal set-up at Faridabad with a vision to offer something new to well-traveled Indians. Vikram Agarwal, managing director, Cornitos, states that in a country where traditional Namkeen still rules the taste buds, bringing in the quintessential Mexican snack was a leap of faith that eventually paid off.
The brand's product portfolio includes Nachos Crisps, Veggie nachos, Taco Shells, Dips, Mexican Delights, Nuts & Seeds, Combo Packs, Festive Packs, and Tortilla Wraps with a shelf life of more than a year. Its complete range of products is available in retail, eRetail, and modern trade stores. Moreover, the brand launched its own eCommerce website – https://shop.cornitos.in/ last year during the pandemic.
Greendot Health Foods has a fully automated, state-of-the-art food manufacturing plant at Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. Speaking of production during the Covid-19 pandemic, Aggarwal says, “Currently, the plant is up and running after taking all necessary Covid-19 precautions as notified by FSSAI. Manufacturing is done at environmental-friendly premises and under strict hygienic conditions.”
Cornitos – A brand for GenZ consumers
Nowadays, consumer preferences and choices are changing towards healthy snacking. Gourmet food has created a new category in the domestic snack food market, and it has been observed that there is growing acceptance for new and innovative products. Brands are taking a cue from these trends and making products that suit the tastes of millennials and GenZ.
According to Agarwal, Cornitos understands the growing needs of today’s health-conscious consumers and offers non-GMO snacking options with zero trans-fat, zero cholesterol, and high protein & fiber with nature-identical seasoning. He adds, “Cornitos Nachos Crisps is a Mexican snack in international flavors catering to the Indian palate. The unique flavors and healthy ingredients differentiate it from others in the market. It is a gluten-free snack, cooked in corn oil and made with non-GMO corn using Mexican lime-treatment process.”
Innovative products in interactive packaging formats
Agarwal states that the brand’s New Product Development (NPD) team constantly works on product innovations for healthy snacking and innovative packaging solutions. He explains, “Product innovation and packaging of the product are the two key focus areas for us. Our product packaging has evolved over the period, with a focus on providing information to our consumers and giving the product aesthetic look for better shelf appeal.”
In the past two years, the brand has launched several innovative products, including veggie nachos with the goodness of quinoa, spinach, white bean, and beetroot extracts blended with corn masa. Aggarwal continues, “We have introduced pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and recently released a SuperSeeds pack for people who are health conscious. As per consumer’s feedback, we have launched corn nuts as a separate snack pack since it was earlier only an ingredient in the Party Mix Pack.”
Recently, the company has launched an extension of its Tortilla Wraps - DIY Kits in three variants - Shami Kebab, Falafel Kebab, and Hara Bhara Kebab.
Expanding wings worldwide
Cornitos now has a robust presence across 40,000 outlets in 300 cities of India with 500 distribution channels. Agrawal explains, “Our product distribution network in the country is well established with a presence in all the leading retail, eRetail, and modern trade stores. Products are also available in airlines, HORECA, multiplexes, and cafés.”
The brand exports nachos crisps to 30 countries, including Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. “Our global consumers have accepted the brand with an open heart and showcased their love for the numerous product offerings that the brand has. We also aspire to reach out to consumers in the USA, Russia, and more countries in Southeast Asia,” he adds.
Consumer interaction during the pandemic
Aggarwal states that Cornitos, as a brand, invests heavily in its consumers. While launching products, the brand focuses on market trends, consumer feedback, and their preferences. Considering the current scenario, the brand uses its eCommerce platform (www.shopcornitos.in) to generate a two-way communication route with the consumer. It also uses social media platforms for interaction with consumers where engaging content is being offered for their participation.
Commenting on the expansion plans, Aggarwal concludes, “We will expand our product range as well as capacity. We are planning to introduce a line of value-for-money products revolving around healthy snacking. Moreover, in the coming months, we plan to enter an economical price range to reach masses in tier 2 and 3 cities.”