Consumer Buying Behaviour: Chocolate

The project being a part of TY.B.B.A curriculum had to be carried out to obtain an outline of Business Research Methods (BRM) by conducting research based project in the organization. The research was conducted onconsumer buying behaviour while purchasing chocolate. Questionnaires were filled by the cusumers at the at the different places.

Marketer. Consumer decides what to purchase, for whom to purchase, why to purchase, from where to purchase, and how much to purchase. In order to become a successful marketer, he must know the liking or disliking of the customers. He must also know the time and the quantity of goods and services, a consumer may purchase, so that he may store the goods or provide the services according to the likings of the consumers. Gone are the days when the concept of market was let the buyer’s beware or when the market was mainly the seller’s market. Now the whole concept of consumer’s sovereignty prevails. The manufacturers produce and the sellers sell whatever the consumer likes. In this sense, “consumer is the supreme in the market”.

As consumers, we play a very vital role in the health of the economy local, national or international. The decision we make concerning our consumption behavior affect the demand for the basic raw materials, for the transportation, for the banking, for the production; they effect the employment of workers and deployment of resources and success of some industries and failures of others. Thus marketer must understand this. Preference (or “taste”) is a concept, used in the social sciences, particularly economics. It assumes a real or imagined “choice” between alternatives and the possibility of rank ordering of these alternatives, based on happiness, satisfaction, gratification, enjoyment, utility they provide. More generally, it can be seen as a source of motivation. In cognitive sciences, individual preferences enable choice of objectives/goals.

The study of the consumer preference not only focuses on how and why consumers make buying decision, but also focuses on how and why consumers make choice of the goods they buy and their evaluation of these goods after use. So for success of any company or product promotion it is very necessary to depart its concentration towards consumer preference.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

As learning is a human activity and is as natural, as breathing. Despite of the fact that

learning is all pervasive in our lives, psychologists do not agree on how learning takes

place. How individuals learn is a matter of interest to marketers. They want to teach

consumers in their roles as their roles as consumers. They want consumers to learn about

their products, product attributes, potential consumers benefit, how to use, maintain or

even dispose of the product and new ways of behaving that will satisfy not only the

consumer’s needs, but the marketer’s objectives.

The scope of my study restricts itself to the analysis of consumer preferences, perception and consumption of Cadbury and Nestle Chocolates. There are many other brands of chocolates available but my study is limited to two major players of chocolates leaving behind the others. The scope of my study is also restricts itself to Ambala region only.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The other objective is to know about the customer satisfaction level associated with the product and the customer preference level.

To increase customer satisfaction and recapture the market share by fulfilling

the customer needs. To study the factors affecting the consumption pattern.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In attempt to make this project valid and reliable, every possible aspect of the topic

Is kept in mind. Nevertheless, despite of fact constraints were at play during the

Formulation of this project.

The main limitations are as follows:

Different people from different places were selected for the study. The sample size of surveyed was 300.

The main source of data for the study was primary data with the help of questionnaires.

People were cautious to disclose the true facts.

COMPANY OVERVIEW OF CADBURY

Cadbury India is a fully owned subsidy of Kraft Foods Inc. The combination of Kraft Foods and Cadbury creates a global powerhouse in snacks, confectionery and quick meals.

With annual revenues of approximately $50 billion, the combined company is the world’s second largest food company, making delicious products for billions of consumers in more than 160 countries. We employ approximately 140,000 people and have operations in more than 70 countries.

Modern Cadbury Factory

In India, Cadbury began its operations in 1948 by importing chocolates. After 60 years of existence, it today has five company-owned manufacturing facilities at Thane, Induri (Pune) and Malanpur (Gwalior), Bangalore and Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) and 4 sales offices (New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota and Chennai). The corporate office is in Mumbai.

Our core purpose “make today delicious” captures the spirit of what we are trying to achieve as a business. We make delicious foods you can feel good about. Whether watching your weight or preparing to celebrate, grabbing a quick bite or sitting down to family night, we pour our hearts into creating foods that are wholesome and delicious.

Currently, Cadbury India operates in four categories viz. Chocolate Confectionery, Milk Food Drinks, Candy and Gum category. In the Chocolate Confectionery business, Cadbury has maintained its undisputed leadership over the years. Some of the key brands in India are Cadbury Dairy Milk, 5 Star, Perk, Éclairs and Celebrations.

Cadbury enjoys a value market share of over 70% – the highest Cadbury brand share in the world! Our billion-dollar brand Cadbury Dairy Milk is considered the “gold standard” for chocolates in India. The pure taste of CDM defines the chocolate taste for the Indian consumer.

In the Milk Food drinks segment our main product is Bournvita – the leading Malted Food Drink (MFD) in the country. Similarly in the medicated candy category Halls is the undisputed leader. We recently entered the gums category with the launch of our worldwide dominant bubble gum brand Bubbaloo. Bubbaloo is sold in 25 countries worldwide.

Since 1965 Cadbury has also pioneered the development of cocoa cultivation in India. For over two decades, we have worked with the Kerala Agriculture University to undertake cocoa research and released clones, hybrids that improve the cocoa yield. Our Cocoa team visits farmers and advise them on the cultivation aspects from planting to harvesting. We also conduct farmers meetings & seminars to educate them on Cocoa cultivation aspects. Our efforts have increased cocoa productivity and touched the lives of thousands of farmers. Hardly surprising then that the Cocoa tree is called the Cadbury tree!

Today, as a combined company with an unmatched portfolio in confectionery, snacking and quick meals, we are poised in our leap towards quantum growth. We are the world’s No.1 Confectionery Company. And we will continue to “make today delicious”!

CADBURY CELABERATION

Cadbury Celebrations was aimed at replacing traditional gifting options like Mithai and dry- fruits during festive seasons.

Cadbury Celebrations is available in several assortments: An assortment of chocolates like 5 Star, Perk, Gems, Dairy Milk and Nutties and rich dry fruits enrobed in Cadbury dairy milk chocolate in 5 variants, Almond magic, raisin magic, cashew magic, nut butterscotch and caramels.

The super premium Celebrations Rich Dry Fruit Collection which is a festive offering is an exotic range of chocolate covered dry fruits and nuts in various flavours and the premium dark chocolate range which is exotic dark chocolate in luscious flavours.

Cadbury Celebrations has become a popular brand on occasions such as Diwali, Rakhi, Dussera puja. It is also a major success as a corporate gifting brand. The communication is based on the emotional route and the tag line says “rishte pakne do” which fits with the brand purpose of strengthening your relationships with something sweet.

5 STAR

Chocolate lovers for a quarter of a century have indulged their taste buds with a Cadbury 5 Star. A leading knight in the Cadbury portfolio and the second largest after Cadbury Dairy Milk with a market share of 14%, Cadbury 5 Star moves from strength to strength every year by increasing its user base.

Launched in 1969 as a bar of chocolate that was hard outside with soft caramel nougat inside, Cadbury 5 Star has re-invented itself over the years to keep satisfying the consumers taste for a high quality & different chocolate eating experience.

One of the key properties that Cadbury 5 Star was associated with was its classic Gold colour. And through the passage of time, this was one property that both, the brand and the consumer stuck to as a valuable association. Cadbury 5 Star was always unique because of its format and any communication highlighting this uniqueness, went down well with the audiences. From ‘deliciously rich, you’d hate to share it’ in the 70’s, to the ‘lingering taste of togetherness’ & ‘Soft and Chewy 5 Star’ in the late 80’s, the communication always paid homage to the product format.

More recently, to give consumers another reason to come into the Cadbury 5 Star fold, Cadbury 5 Star Crunchy was launched. The same delicious Cadbury 5 Star was now available with a dash of rice crispies.

Cadbury 5 Star & Cadbury 5 Star Crunchy now aim to continue the upward trend. This different and delightfully tasty chocolate is well poised to rule the market as an extremely successful brand.

DAIRY MILK

The story of Cadbury Dairy Milk started way back in 1905 at Bournville, U.K., but the journey with chocolate lovers in India began in 1948.

The pure taste of Cadbury Dairy Milk is the taste most Indians crave for when they think of Cadbury Dairy Milk. The variants Fruit & Nut, Crackle and Roast Almond, combine the classic taste of Cadbury Dairy Milk with a variety of ingredients and are very popular amongst teens & adults.

Recently, Cadbury Dairy Milk Desserts was launched, specifically to cater to the urge for ‘something sweet’ after meals.

Cadbury Dairy Milk has exciting products on offer – Cadbury Dairy Milk Wowie, chocolate with Disney characters embossed in it, and Cadbury Dairy Milk 2 in 1, a delightful combination of milk chocolate and white chocolate. Giving consumers an exciting reason to keep coming back into the fun filled world of Cadbury.

Cadbury Dairy Milk has been the market leader in the chocolate category for years. And has participated and been a part of every Indian’s moments of happiness, joy and celebration. Today, Cadbury Dairy Milk alone holds 30% value share of the Indian chocolate market.

In the early 90’s, chocolates were seen as ‘meant for kids’, usually a reward or a bribe for children. In the Mid 90’s the category was re-defined by the very popular `Real Taste of Life’ campaign, shifting the focus from `just for kids’ to the `kid in all of us’. It appealed to the child in every adult. And Cadbury Dairy Milk became the perfect expression of ‘spontaneity’ and ‘shared good feelings’.

The ‘Real Taste of Life’ campaign had many memorable executions, which people still fondly remember. However, the one with the “girl dancing on the cricket field” has remained etched in everyone’s memory, as the most spontaneous & un-inhibited expression of happiness.

This campaign went on to be awarded ‘The Campaign of the Century’, in India at the Abby (Ad Club, Mumbai) awards.

In the late 90’s, to further expand the category, the focus shifted towards widening chocolate consumption amongst the masses, through the ‘Khanewalon Ko Khane Ka Bahana Chahiye’ campaign. This campaign built social acceptance for chocolate consumption amongst adults, by showcasing collective and shared moments.

More recently, the ‘Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye’ campaign associated Cadbury Dairy Milk with celebratory occasions and the phrase “Pappu Pass Ho Gaya” became part of street language. It has been adopted by consumers and today is used extensively to express joy in a moment of achievement / success.

The interactive campaign for “Pappu Pass Ho Gaya” bagged a Bronze Lion at the prestigious Cannes Advertising Festival 2006 for ‘Best use of internet and new media’. The idea involved a tie-up with Reliance India Mobile service and allowed students to check their exam results using their mobile service and encouraged those who passed their examinations to celebrate with Cadbury Dairy Milk.