Lotte Chilsung Beverage Exports 16.2 Million Cans of 'Milkis' to China in H1... Achieves Record High Performance

Lotte Chilsung Beverage Milkis (Photo by Lotte Chilsung Beverage)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Lotte Chilsung Beverage has led the Korean Wave by exporting approximately 16.2 million cans (based on 250ml) of the carbonated drink "Milkis" to the Chinese market in the first half of this year alone.

Lotte Chilsung Beverage announced on the 6th that Milkis recorded its highest performance in the first half since entering the Chinese beverage market in the 1990s. Considering that Milkis' export volume to China in the first half increased by more than 60% compared to the same period last year, it is expected to export more than 25 million cans to the Chinese market this year.

Lotte Chilsung Beverage attributes Milkis' popularity in the Chinese market to a combination of factors: ▲a taste differentiated from existing carbonated drinks ▲meeting consumer expectations through various flavors ▲strengthened brand promotion and expanded sales channels using social networking services (SNS) ▲and strengthened trust with Chinese partners.

Lotte Chilsung Beverage captured the taste of health-conscious Chinese consumers by promoting Milkis as a healthy and smooth carbonated drink containing milk. In 2015, through localization strategies such as introducing strawberry and mango flavors not available domestically, it satisfied the diverse preferences of Chinese consumers.

This year, they conducted product placement (PPL) of the new cotton candy-flavored "Milkis Pink Soda" on the Chinese entertainment program "Yeppeun Jeolchin," and are enhancing brand awareness through marketing and consumer experience groups using Chinese SNS platforms like Douyin (overseas name TikTok) and Xiaohongshu, as well as promotions to announce the renewal of eco-friendly transparent PET bottles.

Additionally, since entering Costco Shanghai in October last year, they have expanded sales channels to convenience stores in gas stations and are targeting the local market. They have also introduced a brand distribution management system by embedding unique codes from Chinese partners in Milkis export products to protect regional markets and stabilize prices.

Yoo Yong-sang, Head of Lotte Chilsung Beverage's Global Headquarters, said, "To continue the record performance this year, in the second half we will strengthen online promotion by opening a corporate account on social media platform Weibo and focus on pioneering the hot pot (shabu-shabu) channel with a food pairing concept that leverages Milkis' advantage of neutralizing spicy flavors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.