Hawaiian Host goes green for Asian Market

Hawaiian Host is introducing a brand new line at TFWA Asia Pacific Conference & Exhibition (Focus stand B2/E28) aimed specifically at the Asian market.

Hawaiian Host Matcha Macs® are green tea chocolate covered macadamias in a presentation box of nine pieces (99g/3.5oz) . “Green tea based products continue to be extremely popular in Asia, so we’re confident that this new item will do well in the region,” says Sam Ho, who has recently joined Hawaiian Host from Storck as Commercial Director – Asia Pacific and Middle East.

“This product also meets the trend for healthier options in confectionery products, which it is important to address.”

Also new are two new Hello Kitty four piece (1.45oz/41g) boxes of milk chocolate covered macadamias: Hula and Surfer designs which, again, are perfect for Asian travellers given the popularity of the character in the region.

Hawaiian Host exhibits in Singapore this year after a strong year of sales in 2016. “Our business in the region was up 7% compared to 2015,” continues Ho. “Now we’re consciously rationalising our range for travel retail to concentrate and focus on our best selling skus; we believe this is the way forward to maximise sales potential.”

With its Classic Original Macadamias covered with Premium Milk Chocolate the best seller, Hawaiian Host’s key travel retail locations are through Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

“Our top customers are Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese,” says Ho. “Based on this, we are really targeting Japanese duty free at this year’s event. There’s little focus on confectionery in Japanese airports and what there is tends to be very local,” he explains. “Given the popularity of our products with the Japanese, we therefor think there’s a clear avenue for growth here. It could be a key market for us and it’s a priority moving forward.”