FMCG
Beverage companies may take legal action against April 1 PET bottles mandate
Beverage companies might seek legal options against a government order requiring 30% recycled PET bottles by April 1 due to lack of infrastructure. Industry players highlight challenges like increased costs and insufficient recycling capacity, while some suggest starting with a 10-15% mandate due to limited approved recycling plants.
Adani Wilmar renamed as AWL Agri Business Limited after shareholders' approval
Adani Wilmar has rebranded as AWL Agri Business Limited to better reflect its focus on the agriculture and food sector. This change follows shareholders' approval and aligns with the company's future growth plans. Adani Wilmar will continue to concentrate on expanding its presence in branded food products.
Unilever faces battle to reduce plant-based meat exposure
Unilever faces challenges in selling its plant-based meat business due to changing consumer preferences and declining market valuations. Once promising brands like The Vegetarian Butcher struggle with profitability, as consumers lean towards less processed foods and traditional meats remain competitively priced.
Nestle India considering price hikes to counter commodity inflation, executive says
Nestle India plans to increase prices of its products slightly to address rising costs of coffee, cocoa, and edible oil without significantly impacting sales volumes. This move comes as profits decline due to consumer inflation and high commodity prices. The company aims to keep increases minimal while awaiting the potential boost in consumption from upcoming personal income tax cuts.
Dabur India plans to invest Rs 550 crore in Madhya Pradesh
Dabur India plans to invest an additional Rs 550 crore in Madhya Pradesh over the next couple of years, according to CEO Mohit Malhotra. The firm, which has invested Rs 1,000 crore in the state over 50 years, praised MP's policies and governance for fostering investment opportunities.
Parle, Rasna anticipate double-digit growth this summer season
Parle Agro and Rasna Group are anticipating double-digit growth due to the upcoming summer and festive seasons, including Holi and Ramadan. Both companies have significant investments in Madhya Pradesh, with Parle Agro highlighting their advanced manufacturing plant for dairy products in Bhopal.
Rural market at inflection point offers headroom, long-term potential for growth: Marico MD & CEO
The rural market presents significant growth opportunities for FMCG companies as rising disposable incomes drive demand for branded products. Marico's CEO, Saugata Gupta, emphasizes the importance of consistent investment in rural distribution and affordability through price point packs to leverage this potential.
FMCG Inc readies quick fix for urban distributors
Companies like Godrej Consumer, Emami, and Adani Wilmar are reducing the number of urban distributors to make them more viable, offering higher credit and expanding business scopes. This is to adapt to the growing shift of consumers from traditional kirana stores to quick comm and modern trade.
RIL's Campa buys 'co-powered' sponsorship of IPL 2025
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL) has acquired the 'co-powered' sponsorship slot for its Campa soft drink brand in the 2023 Indian Premier League, previously held by Coca-Cola's Thums Up. This fierce competition among cola brands is expected to ignite a nationwide market clash during the peak summer season.
Bajaj Consumer Care to acquire Vishal Personal Care at Rs 108 cr enterprise valuation
Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd is set to acquire Vishal Personal Care, which owns Banjara's hair and skin care brand, for Rs 108.3 crore. The acquisition will happen in two stages. This deal will help Bajaj Consumer Care expand its presence in South India and introduce Banjara's products in Hindi-speaking markets.
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FMCG sector in urban markets may see a turnaround, December quarter data shows
"With the tax benefits provided in the budget affecting the urban consumer, we do see some short-term consumption impetus, which is expected to further consolidate urban's position this year. No major thrust areas are evident for rural in the same vein, so it is likely that urban may end up leading rural for most part of the year,” said K Ramakrishnan, managing director, South Asia, Worldpanel division at Kantar, adding that there is caution necessary before it can call the sales growth a full-fledged turnaround in the overall market.
RIL arm buys personal care brand Velvette
Reliance Consumer Products has acquired personal care brand Velvette from Sujatha Biotech, marking its entry into the personal care market. The acquisition is aligned with RCPL's strategy to diversify its portfolio, which previously focused on food and beverages, setting it up to compete with major market players.
Reliance Consumer Products expands portfolio with Velvette acquisition
Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has acquired the FMCG brand Velvette, known for its focus on the personal care sector. With this acquisition, RCPL aims to enhance Velvette’s offerings, expanding its presence while maintaining its legacy of providing affordable, high-quality personal care products.
ITC looking to spice up South India with a $1.4bn MTR deal: Report
Indian conglomerate ITC Ltd. is in early talks to acquire MTR Foods and Eastern Condiments from Orkla ASA for $1.4 billion. The acquisition would strengthen ITC's presence in the South Indian food market and expand its footprint in the spices and ready-to-cook food segments.
Straight 'A's from C-suite for India: Global consumer cos give full marks to India sales showing for Oct-Dec and FY24
Global chief executives of multinationals like Coca-Cola and Harley-Davidson have singled out India as a major growth market while other regions face slowed demand. Companies operating in both discretionary and mass markets are optimistic about India's future potential, with significant investments planned for 2025 to boost further expansion.
IPL extravaganza: Consumer goods cos readying pitch for mega summer splash
Consumer companies in FMCG and automobile sectors are gearing up to leverage the Indian Premier League (IPL) to introduce new products and promotions to capitalize on rising consumption. The event is expected to drive higher advertising expenditures, especially for summer-centric brands and vehicles, due to new income tax changes and early summer onset.
