What Lotte does

Lotte Co., Ltd. is a Japanese confectionery manufacturer founded in 1948 and headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, operating as the confectionery arm of the Korea–Japan Lotte Group conglomerate. The company manufactures and sells sweets, ice cream, gum, chocolate, candy, and biscuits under a portfolio of multi-decade brands including Ghana chocolate (since 1964), Crunky (since 1974), Choco Pie (since 1983), Koala March, COOLish, Yukimi Daifuku, Xylitol, ACUO, and the Koame character line. It serves mass-market Japanese consumers across age groups as the primary segment, with secondary focus on Gen Z and Alpha consumers via kawaii aesthetics, limited-edition seasonal SKUs, and social media activations. International operations include Lotte Wellfood (South Korea), Lotte India, the recently merged Havmor Ice Cream (India, 2025), and a presence in Vietnam.\n\nThe company operates three primary Japanese manufacturing facilities — Urawa/Saitama (since 1964), Shiga (since 1985), and Kyushu/Fukuoka (since 1973) — producing chocolate, gum, biscuits, throat lozenges, and ice products for nationwide distribution. Its central research institute conducts development, emotional/sensory, and fundamental research. A notable proprietary technology is 微細氷 (fine ice crystals), used in the Soh ice line to create a carbonation-like texture. Lotte Wellfood operates an integrated Bean to Bar cocoa production system with direct Ghanaian farmer sourcing and dedicated cocoa mass production equipment in Yangsan, South Korea, providing vertical input control for the Ghana brand. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from approximately ¥162 (ACUO gum) to ¥237 (Kajitte gummy assortment), with new launches including the Koame Gummy (Feb 2026), Koame Mini Pouch (Apr 2026), and Koame Gum (Jun 2026).\n\nLotte's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer combined with mass retail, distributing through convenience stores, station shops, supermarkets, drug stores, vending machines, and its own e-commerce platform (lotte-shop.jp), with international reach via the Lotte Group ecosystem. Marketing runs through TVCM campaigns featuring celebrities (Kimura Takuya for Ghana, Watanabe Naomi for Crunky, HANA for seasonal lines), an extensive social presence (X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LINE), and experiential factory tours. The L.Pass digital program bundles seven Lotte Group affiliates across retail, duty-free, hotels, entertainment, and dining with stacked coupons and credit card discounts. Group-level leadership is transitioning, with heir Shin Yoo-yeol stepping into a more prominent role under Chairman Shin Dong-bin.

Name

Lotte

Legal name

Lotte Co., Ltd.

Website

https://lotte.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lotte Co., Ltd. is a Japanese confectionery manufacturer founded in 1948 producing sweets, ice cream, gum, chocolate, and biscuits under iconic brands like Ghana, Choco Pie, and COOLish. The company serves mass-market Japanese consumers through retail, convenience stores, and e-commerce, with expanding operations in India and Vietnam.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Confectionery and Ice Cream Manufacturing

NAICS

Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing (3118), Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing (311813), Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers (42445)

SIC

Cookies & Crackers (2052), Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Bakery Products (2050)

akta.pro primary industry

Snack Bakery (Cookies, Crackers, Bars) Wholesale (AFAIAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bulk Confectionery, Nuts & Snack Wholesalers-to-Consumer (CRAHAMAG), Bakery Fillings, Icings & Decorations Manufacturing (AFAKAAAH)

Keywords

• Confectionery manufacturing
• Ice cream products
• Chewing gum
• Chocolate bars
• Oral care gum

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Confectionery Products: Lotte generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of confectionery products including gum, chocolate, candy, and biscuits sold through retail stores, convenience stores, and e-commerce channels across Japan and internationally.
2. Ice Cream Products: Production and sale of ice cream and frozen products under brands including Soh, Yukimi Daifuku, Lady Borden, COOLish, and Ghana Ice through retail and convenience store distribution.
3. Retail and Entertainment Services: Lotte Department Store operations and entertainment venues including Lotte World theme parks, cinemas, and hotels bundled through digital promotion programs like L.Pass.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lotte Co., Ltd. is a Japanese confectionery manufacturer that produces and sells sweets, ice creams, chewing gum, chocolates, candies, and biscuits under iconic brands including Ghana, Choco Pie, Koala March, COOLISH, Xylitol, ACUO, and Crunky. Products are sold through convenience stores, supermarkets, station shops, vending machines, and the company's e-commerce platform (lotte-shop.jp) across Japan, with international operations in South Korea, India, and Vietnam.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ghana: Chocolate brand featuring Ghanaian cocoa, one of Lotte's flagship chocolate lines
• Crunky
• Choco Pie
• Koala March
• COOLISH
• Xylitol
• ACUO
• Kazitte
• Shiawase
• Pai no Mi
• Yukimi Daifuku
• Lady Borden
• Suica Bar
• Zero
• Asia ni Koishite
• The Series
• Bikkuri Man
• Nodoame
• Koume
• So

Products and services

• Koame Gum (小梅ガム) Sweet plum chewing gum with embedded sour plum gummy, part of Lotte's Koame brand targeting Japanese consumers seeking novelty flavor experiences.
• Koame Mini Pouch Sweet-Sour Plum (小梅ミニパウチ＜甘ずっぱい梅味＞) Mini pouch two-tone candy combining sweet plum and sour plum flavors for Japanese consumers; portable confection format.
• Koame Gummy (小梅グミ) Apricot-shaped gummy with sour plum flavor inspired by spring blossoms; sold to Japanese consumers seeking seasonal themed confectionery.
• Kajitte Strawberry & Peach (カジッテ＜ストロベリー&ピーチ＞) Hard gummy assortment product combining strawberry and peach flavors using Lotte's proprietary fruit flavor enhancement method; targeted at Japanese gummy consumers and promoted through celebrity-endorsed web commercials.
• Ghana Chocolate Premium chocolate products made with Ghanaian cocoa through Lotte's Bean to Bar integrated production system; sold in Japan and internationally to mass-market consumers.
• COOLISH Frozen Drink Ice (クーリッシュ) Drinking ice product combining ice cream and beverage formats, available in various Asian dessert-inspired flavors; sold at retail and convenience stores.
• Xylitol Sugar-Free Gum Sugar-free chewing gum positioned for oral care with functional benefits including caries prevention; sold to Japanese consumers as a daily-use oral care product.
• Yukimi Daifuku Ice Cream Mochi (雪見だいふく) Ice cream mochi product sold through Japanese retail and convenience stores; popular seasonal and year-round ice cream offering.
• So (爽) Ice Cream Bar Ice cream bar utilizing Lotte's proprietary Fine Ice Crystals (微細氷) technology that produces a unique fizzy, refreshing texture; sold through Japanese retail and convenience stores.
• Choco Pie (チョコパイ) Chocolate-coated biscuit with cake and whipped cream filling; iconic Lotte brand sold globally including Japan, South Korea, India, and other markets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Japan ice cream market record 663.1 billion yen (fiscal 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ghana Cocoa FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLotte Wellfood works directly with Ghanaian cocoa farmers, sourcing high-quality Ghanaian cocoa beans and implementing sustainable cocoa procurement practices including Bean to Bar integrated production systems.
• OFI, Fuji Oil Co, MC Agri AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Korean chocolate leader Lotte partnered with OFI, Fuji Oil Co, and MC Agri Alliance to launch Ghana's first cocoa biochar pilot in Dankwa County, using discarded cocoa pod husks to improve soil health and reduce carbon footprints.
• Disney Theatrical GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLotte Culture Works co-presents Disney's Frozen musical Korean premiere at Charlotte Theatre in Seoul, with production scheduled for subsequent run in Busan's Dream Theatre in 2027.
• The Walt Disney Company KoreaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisney Company Korea and Lotte Corporation co-hosted a Star Wars fan festival at Lotte World Tower Jamsil from May 1-17, 2026, featuring interactive installations, drone shows, and character parades to promote The Mandalorian and Grogu theatrical release.
• Lotte Group AffiliatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorL.Pass digital campaign bundles seven Lotte affiliates across retail, duty-free, hotels, entertainment, and dining into a single cross-promotional program with stacked coupons up to 12% and credit card discounts up to 15%.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Meiji Holdings: Meiji is the largest Japanese confectionery and dairy company, holding 20-24% of the sugar confectionery market versus Lotte's 12-16%. Direct competitor across chocolate, gum, and ice cream, and a co-defendant in the 2026 JFTC price-fixing investigation.
• Morinaga & Co., Ltd. Morinaga holds 16-20% of Japan's sugar confectionery market and competes head-to-head with Lotte in caramels, chocolates, and biscuits. Direct competitor in Japan and co-defendant in the JFTC ice cream price-fixing probe.
• Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. Morinaga Milk Industry is a major Japanese ice cream and dairy producer directly competing with Lotte's ice cream brands (Yukimi Daifuku, Soh, COOLISH). Co-defendant in the 2026 JFTC ice cream price-fixing investigation.
• Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. Glico is a leading Japanese confectionery maker (Pocky, Pretz, Galbo) directly competing with Lotte in chocolate, biscuits, and ice cream. Also a co-defendant in the JFTC ice cream price-fixing investigation alongside Lotte.
• Akagi Nyugyo Co., Ltd. Akagi Nyugyo is a Japanese ice cream specialist (Gari-Gari-Kun bar) directly competing with Lotte's ice cream portfolio including Soh, COOLISH, and Yukimi Daifuku. Co-defendant in the JFTC price-fixing investigation.

Broad incumbents

• Mondelez International: Mondelez is a global snacks and confectionery incumbent (Cadbury, Oreo, Toblerone) with comparable mass-market biscuit and chocolate portfolios and is one of the global chocolate companies against which Lotte ranks in the top 10.
• Ferrero Group: Ferrero is a global confectionery incumbent (Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder) with comparable chocolate-and-spreads positioning and growing Asia-Pacific ambitions that overlap with Lotte's Ghana and Pai no Mi brands.
• The Hershey Company: Hershey is a global chocolate and confectionery incumbent. Lotte co-markets Hershey's-branded ice cream bars in Japan (HERSHEY'S Choco Mint Bar), indicating direct product adjacency and comparable global confectionery footprint.
• Nestlé S.A. Nestlé is the world's largest food and beverage company with major confectionery (KitKat, Smarties, Aero) and ice cream businesses. Comparable as a globally scaled confectionery manufacturer and a benchmark for Lotte's Top 10 global chocolate positioning.

Regional players

• Calbee, Inc. Calbee is a leading Japanese snack food maker specializing in savory snacks rather than sweet confectionery. While it overlaps with Lotte on Japanese retail shelf space, its product focus on crackers and chips makes it an adjacent rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lotte_koibito
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@-LOTTE-
• Instagraminstagram.com/lotte_koibito

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lotte