If you grew up in India, chances are your childhood had three constants: school notebooks, steel tiffin boxes, and a yellow-and-white packet of Parle-G.
More than a biscuit, Parle-G became an emotion, a memory, and a comfort companion for every 90s and 2k kid. Even today, when supermarket shelves overflow with premium cookies, Parle-G still holds a special place that no other brand can replace.

In this blog, let’s revisit why Parle-G will always remain the taste of Indian childhood no matter how much the world changes.

The Story of Parle-G

Parle-G is one of India’s oldest and most loved biscuits, and its journey began more than 85 years ago.

How It Started

• The story begins in 1929, when Parle Products was founded by the Chauhan family in Vile Parle, Mumbai.
  
  

• At first, the company made sweets and confectionery.
  
  

• In 1939, they launched their first biscuits during the British era when imported biscuits were expensive and only for the elite.
  
  
  

Why It Became Famous

• Parle wanted to make a biscuit that was affordable for the common Indian family.
  
  

• They introduced “Parle Gluco” – a glucose biscuit that gave instant energy.
  
  

• It quickly became popular among children, students, and workers.
  
  
  

The Name “Parle-G”

• In the 1980s, “Parle Gluco” was rebranded as Parle-G.
  
  

• Many people believe the G stands for Glucose, and that’s true though the brand also promoted it as G for Genius.
  
  
  

The Little Girl on the Packet

• One of the most iconic parts of Parle-G is the little girl on the packet.
  
  

• Fun fact:
  She is not a real person.
  The character was created by an artist in the 1960s to show a cute, innocent Indian child.
  
  

• Over time, she became a symbol of trust and nostalgia.
  
  

Massive Popularity

• Parle-G soon became the world’s largest-selling biscuit.
  
  

• During tough times like the pandemic, floods, or emergencies, Parle-G was one of the most consumed biscuits in India because it is:
  
  

  • Affordable
    
    

  • Nutritious
    
    

  • Long shelf life
    
    

  • Light yet filling
    
    

Why India Loves Parle-G

• It’s a biscuit that everyone has grown up with.
  
  

• From dipping it in chai to pairing it with milk, Parle-G carries emotional value and memories for millions.

  
  

Why Parle-G Went Down in Marketing

Even though Parle-G is still one of India’s highest-selling biscuits, its marketing visibility has reduced. Here are the main reasons:

1. Over-dependence on nostalgia

Parle-G relied heavily on its reputation and emotional connection.
The brand did not update its image, packaging, or marketing campaigns frequently, which made it look outdated compared to newer brands.

2. Low profit margins

Parle-G is known for being very affordable, but this also means:

• Very low profit per packet
  
  

• Less money available for advertisements
  
  

• Competitors with higher margins invest more in marketing
  
  

So Parle-G cannot spend aggressively on marketing like Sunfeast or Britannia.

3. Strong competition from premium biscuits

Brands like:

• Sunfeast Dark Fantasy
  
  

• Britannia Good Day
  
  

• Unibic
  
  

• Oreo
  
  

offer premium biscuits with higher demand among young consumers.
These brands invest heavily in ads, influencers, and digital marketing, making Parle-G less visible.

4. No new product innovation

While competitors release:

• New flavors
  
  

• New cream varieties
  
  

• Premium cookies
  
  

Parle-G has stayed almost the same for decades.
Without new variations, younger audiences see it as an “old-style biscuit.”

5. Limited digital marketing

Parle-G focused mainly on traditional distribution, not social media or digital campaigns.
Brands using influencer marketing and creative content get more attention.

6. Price-sensitive customer base

Parle-G depends heavily on rural and low-income consumers.
This segment does not care much about branding—so Parle-G doesn’t prioritize expensive marketing.

7. Market shift toward health-conscious biscuits

Consumers prefer:

• High-fibre biscuits
  
  

• Multigrain
  
  

• Sugar-free
  
  

• Protein cookies
  
  

Parle-G does not have strong offerings in these categories.

In simple words

Parle-G sales are still strong, but their marketing looks down because:

• Competitors spend more
  
  

• New biscuit varieties attract young buyers
  
  

• Parle-G didn’t innovate or promote digitally
  
  

The brand survives mainly on trust, nostalgia & affordable pricing, not aggressive marketing.

Conclusion

Parle-G is more than India’s favorite biscuit.
It is a symbol of childhood innocence, simple happiness, and timeless comfort.
From the 90s to the 2k, kids' generations grew up with the same taste, the same packet, and the same emotion.

The world may change.
Trends may evolve.
New brands may rise.

But Parle-G will always be the taste of Indian childhood.

A biscuit that shaped memories, filled hearts, and continues to live in every Indian home even today.