Enhancing product value through research and development and creating new food experiences

「拡大する中食市場に着目し、「真空揚げたて製法」を採用した新感覚ス ティックポテト「金のポテト」を開発し、９月より首都圏（１都６県）限定で発売を開始し好調に推移して います。」

「As a new product, the company launched in limited quantities through its online shop "湖池屋ファーム ボンノット ロレーヌの岩塩" and "湖池屋ファーム ボンノット 牡蠣のコンフィ," its premium potato chips made with Bonnot, a variety regarded as being among the world's finest. The products are part of the 湖池屋ファーム brand, which aims to create the ultimate potato chips using the company's own branded potatoes, selected from varieties worldwide for their suitability to Japan's climate and cultivated in Japan's terroir.」

「We also continue to pursue the creation of new markets. As consumers increasingly pay for added value, we view “reward demand” as having emerged as a need in the snack category, and launched the new “Nama-Chee” brand under the theme of “a reward pie that can be eaten easily like a snack.”」

「In addition, as a long-established Japanese company that has remained committed to Japanese-grown potatoes since the launch of "湖池屋ポテトチップス のり塩" in 1962, the company launched the KOIKEYA FARM project for the ultimate potato chips, beginning with the fields where the potatoes are grown, and released "KOIKEYA FARM 黄金の果肉" as its first product.」

「The company is also developing new-concept products aimed at creating a new snack market, including "完全メシ カラムーチョホットチリ味," which was launched in advance at convenience stores.」

「The company has continued working to create new markets with products based on new concepts, including expanding “濃いじゃが,” an individually packaged product for eating occasions such as split meals and snacks, from area-limited sales to a nationwide launch.」

「As a new product, the company launched "濃いじゃが アンチョビオリーブ," a high-density potato chip made by combining finely shredded domestic potatoes with a rich anchovy-olive sauce and shaping them into a round chip. As a next-generation individually packaged snack responding to the trend among younger consumers toward separate eating occasions, in which the boundary between staple meals and snacks is disappearing, the product is intended to address new eating occasions.」

「Meanwhile, we are continuing to develop products based on new concepts. We continue our efforts to create a new snack market, including by launching “BECORN,” a plant-based product made from a corn dough blended with soy protein and finished to resemble bacon, and “Koi Jagaimo,” individually packaged for occasions such as split meals and light snacks.」

「In our product strategy, while continuing to expand sales of our higher-value-added product lineup, we are also continuing to develop products based on new concepts. In “The KOIKEYA” series, we sought to grow the brand by launching “KOIKEYA The Shrimp,” while also continuing efforts to create a new snack market, including by launching “BECORN,” a plant-based snack.」

「In our product strategy, while continuing to expand sales of our higher-value-added product lineup, we are also continuing to develop products based on new concepts. In “The KOIKEYA” series, we sought to grow the brand by launching “KOIKEYA The Shrimp,” while in the rice-based “Ai o Komete” brand, we launched “Ai o Komete Meat-Rich Mapo,” continuing to introduce products using ingredients different from those used previously.」

「Since October 2021, as part of its SDGs promotion activities, the company has also actively expanded initiatives related to the SDGs, including broadcasting the 13-episode animated television series 湖池屋SDGs劇場「サスとテナ」, which enables everyone to learn about the SDGs in an enjoyable way.」

「In our product strategy, we launched “KOIKEYA The Nori-shio” and “KOIKEYA The Koji-shio,” products commemorating the 60th anniversary of Koikeya potato chips that had been launched ahead of schedule through convenience stores in September 2021, at supermarkets and other outlets nationwide in October 2021. From October through November, we also launched tasting products featuring different branded potatoes under “Jagaimo Kokochi.”」

「In particular, as part of our product policy, we continue to pursue the creation of new markets, including by relaunching “Tsumina-ki Karaage” and “Hash Brown Potato” in the “SMART PACK” product lineup for the “With COVID-19” era, and beginning operations at Kanto Plant No. 3, a production base for these products made with new ingredients.」

「In addition to expanding sales channels for “SMART PACK,” a group of products for the “With Corona” era including “罪なきからあげ,” “HASHED POTATO” and “キャラメル×スコーン,” the company continues to pursue the creation of new markets, including by launching sales of the tablet product “Pinky FRESH,” which has been registered as a food with function claims.」

「In addition, to meet the needs of the “With Corona” era, we are selling “罪なきからあげ,” “HASHED POTATO” and “キャラメル×スコーン,” which we have continued to improve and sell, as “SMART PACK” products designed to propose new eating occasions in addition to trends such as demand for single-person meals and stay-at-home consumption.」

「For snack products during the consolidated fiscal year, the company advanced the development of high-value-added and health-oriented products in accordance with the research and development policy of the new 湖池屋, established through the organisational restructuring in October 2016. It strengthened the 湖池屋プライドポテト brand by launching new products such as "神のり塩" and "芋まるごと食塩不使用," as well as conducting advertising and promotional activities. To develop the at-home meal market, it launched new-concept brands such as "HASHED POTATO" and "罪なきからあげ."」

「During the consolidated fiscal year, the company advanced the development of high-value-added and health-oriented products in accordance with the research and development policy of the new 湖池屋, established through the organisational restructuring in October 2016. For the previously limited-edition product "PURE POTATO じゃがいも心地," it stabilised quality and made the product available year-round.」

「During the consolidated fiscal year, the company advanced the development of high-value-added and health-oriented products in accordance with the research and development policy of the new 湖池屋, established through the organisational restructuring in October 2016.」

「As part of its research and development activities, the company reported in September 2017 at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Dietetics on improvements in the oral environment resulting from the use of tablets containing Lactobacillus LS1, based on joint research with Ritsumeikan University and the School of Dentistry of Nihon University.」

「To respond to constantly changing consumer needs, the group systematically engages in a range of activities, from product development to advertising and sales promotion planning, positioning them as research and development activities that enhance the added value of its products. As a medium- to long-term initiative, it also conducts research in the snack and tablet fields to lead the market and continue creating new eating occasions.」