Cinépolis India has partnered with confectionery retailer House of Candy to expand its snack offerings, bringing packaged candy products to concession counters across 84 cinema properties in more than 41 cities. The collaboration aims to give moviegoers greater choice while strengthening the cinema operator’s food and beverage business, which contributes approximately 35% of its revenue.
The partnership will feature dedicated branded displays at participating cinemas and a special-edition Halloween confectionery range launched in October. The move reflects the growing importance of branded snacks and impulse purchases in enhancing the cinema-going experience and generating additional revenue beyond ticket sales.
Cinépolis India welcomes nearly 41 million guests annually, providing House of Candy with access to a substantial consumer base. The collaboration also offers the confectionery retailer an opportunity to expand its reach beyond conventional retail outlets and introduce its products to consumers in an entertainment-focused environment.
House of Candy operates more than 100 outlets across shopping malls, high streets and airports in India. It also has shop-in-shop formats through retail partnerships. Its tie-up with Cinépolis India is expected to strengthen its visibility among consumers and bring its packaged confectionery range to a wider audience.
Devang Sampat, managing director of Cinépolis India, said purchasing patterns among Club Cinépolis members indicated a growing demand for greater variety in confectionery. He noted that customer preferences and ordering trends were helping the company identify categories where its food and beverage offering could be expanded.
For cinema operators, food and beverage sales represent an important revenue stream, complementing ticket sales and providing opportunities to increase spending per visitor. Cinépolis India is pursuing this strategy through branded collaborations, including partnerships with snack brands Doritos and Crax, as it works to diversify its concession-counter offerings.
Kanu Sharma, co-founder and vice-president of marketing at House of Candy, said the partnership would extend the brand’s retail presence and integrate its products into the cinema experience. The collaboration brings together a specialist confectionery retailer and a multiplex operator seeking to offer consumers a broader range of snacks and treats.
Cinépolis India operates 496 screens across 57 cities, according to its corporate profile. Its nationwide footprint provides a platform for introducing new food and beverage products and testing consumer demand across different markets.
The partnership also highlights how cinema chains are increasingly looking beyond traditional offerings such as popcorn and soft drinks to attract consumers with a wider selection of branded snacks. Dedicated displays and limited-edition products can help create visibility at concession counters, where purchasing decisions are often made immediately before a film.
As competition intensifies in the entertainment and food service markets, expanding product choice and improving the customer experience are becoming important strategies for driving additional sales. For Cinépolis India, the House of Candy tie-up represents another step towards strengthening its food and beverage portfolio, while the confectionery retailer gains access to a large, entertainment-driven consumer audience.