Hi-Chew goes bigger and better with hit social media campaign.

Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.

SYDNEY — Social media are the name of the game when marketing to young people, and Hi-Chew seems to have hit the jackpot with its new digital campaign.

A trial consumer competition in October, focused on Instagram and Facebook, achieved a total reach of more than 140,000 members of the target audience, with an equivalent number of video views and nearly 1,000 likes.

“We’re really happy about the success of this campaign,” said Terry Kawabe, the Managing Director of Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., which distributes Hi-Chew. “Young people are fascinated by our fruit chew. They know it’s been a hit around the world.”

Based on the initial competition’s popularity, Hi-Chew (Japan’s #1 selling soft candy) is expanding the campaign in November and December. It will run in both Australia and New Zealand, with the next competition set for November 9–13.

In October, social media viewers guessed how many pieces of Hi-Chew were in a jack-o’-lantern. For November, Hi-Chew fans will have to guess the number of pieces in a giant vintage bathtub. Winners will receive an entire tub‘s worth of candy!

“‘Fortune Flavours the Bold’ is the theme that drives Hi-Chews,” said Cec Parnell, Creative Director of Sponge, the lead advertising agency in Sydney. “And these competitions are big, bold and full of flavour.”

There will be a third event in December, just in time for Christmas.

In Australia, Hi-Chew has been ranged at selected Coles stores nationwide. In New Zealand, the brand is sold at various retailers nationwide, including Pak ‘n Save and New World.

“Consumer interest and sales continue to grow,” said Anthony King, Managing Director of Australian distributor Grocery Corporation. “We expect that trend to continue, as Morinaga continues to invest in marketing programs.”

Packaging includes peg bags with mixed flavours (100g Original Mix, 100g Tropical Mix, 90g Sweet & Sour) and sticks in four different flavours (Strawberry, Grape, Green Apple, Mango).

Hi-Chew was created in 1975 by Morinaga & Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s “Big 4” confectionery companies. The fruit chews have been offered in more than 170 flavours, and achieved sales success worldwide.

For images (product/campaign), product samples, or further info, contact:

Australia: Grocery Corporation Pty.
Ms. Morgan Evans
+61-2-8404-0240
[email protected]

New Zealand: Tokyo Food, NZ
Mark Whiteman
+64-9-570-5792
[email protected]

Website: ​www.morinaga-ap.com

Hi-Chew Sales Off to a Fast Start at Coles

Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.

SYDNEY — In less than three months, Hi-Chew has become a strong seller at Coles
supermarkets.

Ranged at various Coles locations nationwide since the end of May, peg bags of Hi-Chew
Original Mix ranked a strong 3rd in sales value as of mid-August, with Sweet & Sour near the
Top 10, and Tropical Mix in the Top 20.

“After just a few months in Australia, we’re outselling many famous global brands,” said Terry
Kawabe, Managing Director of Morinaga Asia Pacific Co. “This parallels the success we’ve
seen in New Zealand, where sales of Hi-Chew have jumped by 300% in five years. At Pak ‘n
Save and New World markets in Auckland, our sales per store hit nearly 1,000 units a month
this year — over 20 units per 100,000 population.”

Morinaga Asia Pacific recently launched an expanded marketing campaign to promote
awareness and sales of Hi-Chew in Australia and New Zealand, featuring the new slogan
“Fortune Flavours the Bold.”

“Hi-Chew is the best-selling soft candy in Japan, and the sales results here in Australia are
highly encouraging,” said Anthony King, Managing Director of distributor Grocery
Corporation. “From the real fruit flavours and unique long-lasting texture to the packaging, this
is a premium candy. To encourage trial purchases, we’ve been supporting our retailers with
monthly 25%-off promotions.”

In Australia, Hi-Chew has been ranged at selected Coles stores nationwide. In New Zealand,
the brand is sold at various retailers nationwide, including Pak ‘n Save and New World.
Available packaging includes peg bags with mixed flavours (100g Original Mix, 100g Tropical
Mix, 90g Sweet & Sour) and sticks in four different flavours (Strawberry, Grape, Green Apple,
Mango).

The candy was created in 1975 by Morinaga & Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s “Big 4” confectionery
companies. The fruit chews have been offered in more than 170 flavours, and achieved sales
success worldwide.

For product samples, images, or further info, please contact:
Australia: Jenelle Trisic, Grocery Corporation, +61-2-8404-0240, [email protected]
New Zealand: Mark Whiteman, Tokyo Food, NZ, +64-9-570-5792, [email protected]

Website: www.morinaga-ap.com

Hi-Chew Goes Bold with Expanded Marketing Campaign

Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.

SYDNEY, July 6, 2020 / PRNewswire — ​Morinaga Asia Pacific is launching an expanded marketing campaign to support retail sales of Hi-Chew fruit chews in Australia and New Zealand.

In recent months, Hi-Chew has been running a test campaign focused on social media, including Facebook and Instagram. Featuring the new slogan “Fortune Flavours the Bold,” the trial program has raised both awareness and sales, especially among Hi-Chew’s core 18–29 age target.

The centerpiece of the expanded campaign is a new 30-second HD animated video, a humorous take on the sport of sumo entitled “Fruit Wrestling.” The new video may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNESkwZ_l7s&feature=youtu.be

The campaign also features a new brand ambassador, Sachiyo Yamada, a Japanese woman who was selected to play for Australia’s national lacrosse team in 2017, winning a bronze medal at the World Games. Hi-Chew’s ramped-up campaign is scheduled to run through the end of October.

Terry Kawabe, Managing Director of Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., said “Hi-Chew is making a major commitment to both the Australia and New Zealand markets. Our candy is the best-selling soft candy in Japan, and sales have more than tripled in the U.S. over the past five years. We plan to do whatever it takes to achieve the same success here.”

In Australia, Hi-Chew has recently been ranged at selected Coles stores nationwide. In New Zealand, the brand is sold at various retailers, including Pak ‘n Save and New World.

“Per-capita consumption of sugar confectionery is much higher in these two markets than in Japan,” said Anthony King, Managing Director of distributor Grocery Corp. “Sales value in the USA rose to US$58 Million last year. We expect to see a rapid growth rate here as well.”

Available packaging includes peg bags with mixed flavours (100g Original Mix, 100g Tropical Mix, 90g Sweet & Sour) and sticks in four different flavours (Strawberry, Grape, Green Apple, Mango).

Hi-Chew is known for an exceptionally long-lasting, chewy texture and a wide variety of bold fruit flavours. The candy was created in 1975 by Morinaga & Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s “Big 4” confectionery companies. The fruit chews have been offered in more than 170 flavours, and achieved sales success worldwide.

For samples, images, or further info, please contact:
Australia: Jenelle Trisic, Grocery Corp., +61-2-8404-0240, ​[email protected]

New Zealand: Mark Whiteman, Tokyo Food, NZ, +64-9-570-5792, ​[email protected]

Website: ​www.morinaga-ap.com

Hi-Chew, Japan’s Best-Selling Soft Candy, to Launch in Australia

Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.

SYDNEY, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hi-Chew fruit chews, the most popular soft candy in Japan, is now available for distribution throughout Australia. Hi-Chew is a top seller throughout Asia, and has achieved fast sales growth in various Western markets, including the United States.

The initial Hi-Chew lineup for Australia includes three peg bags (Original Mix, Tropical Mix, and Sweet & Sour) plus Hi-Chew sticks in four best-selling flavours (Strawberry, Grape, Mango, and Green Apple).

“Over the past five years, Hi-Chew sales have more than tripled in the U.S.,” says Terry Kawabe, Managing Director of Morinaga Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. “We are in virtually every major retail chain in that market, including Costco, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Albertsons, HEB, Publix, Walgreens, CVS, 7-Eleven, and AM/PM. Our candy is highly popular among young people, so we regularly exceed sales targets.”

Hi-Chew is known for its long-lasting chewy texture and a wide variety of fruit flavors. The candy was created in 1975 by Morinaga & Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s “Big 4” confectionery companies. Hi-Chew quickly became the best-selling soft candy in its home market. Since then, the fruit chews have been offered in more than 170 flavors, and achieved success worldwide. The primary distributor in Australia will be Grocery Corporation of Sydney.

“We look forward to launching the Hi-Chew brand in Australia through 2020,” says Anthony King, Managing Director of Grocery Corp. “Hi-Chew has gained a strong and loyal following over the past decade, particularly in the U.S.A. and New Zealand. We look forward to tapping into this global sentiment and replicating international success with the brand locally.”

Hi-Chew has been distributed in New Zealand for seven years, and is currently sold at such chains as Pak ‘n Save and New World. N.Z. sales have exploded by a factor of 11 over six years, and recent research shows Hi-Chew with a market share of 2.2% in the Sugar Confectionery category, ahead of such legendary brands as Skittles, Mentos, and Extra.

Initial offerings in Australia will include three 100/90g peg bags, each with assorted flavors, and 57g sticks in four flavors.

Websites: www.morinaga-ap.com, www.hi-chew.co.nz

Terry Kawabe, Managing Director and CEO of Morinaga Asia Pacific, will be attending trade shows throughout Australia and New Zealand in 2020.