CONSUMER COMPANIES
FMCG Q1 check: Some hot, some not
Scorching summer heat and elections created a mixed quarter for consumer goods, with sales of cooling products like beverages, ice creams, talcum powder, and sunscreens rising up to 15 per cent amidst the heatwave. However, impulse snacks and single-serve beverages saw a decline due to reduced out-of-home consumption. Election restrictions impacted alcohol sales, while delayed monsoon affected insecticide sales. Last-mile servicing challenges were reported, particularly in rural areas due to the heat.
Consumer spending on ITCs' goods rises 12 pc to Rs 32,500 crore in FY24
ITC, headquartered in Kolkata, remains optimistic about expanding its FMCG business with a strong portfolio and efficient supply chain, generating a gross revenue of Rs 69,446 crore in FY24.
Reliance Retail's FMCG plans stay in fast lane with funds on tap
RCPL has raised a total of ₹1,053 crore as debt capital from the parent company over 14 months, according to the filings. RCPL began operations in November 2022 and completed its first full year in FY24. In the filings, RCPL said the proceeds will be used for business operations. A senior industry executive, aware of the plans, said the funding from the parent into RCPL will continue in this fiscal as well, since Reliance has plans to rapidly grow the FMCG business.
Amazon plans discount store in US to fight China's Temu and Shein: report
Amazon is launching a new storefront on its website in the US for low-cost items in fashion, lifestyle and home goods. This is the etailer's latest move is being viewed a move to one-up Chinese companies Temu and Shein, which have gained major traction in the US due to their modest prices.
Rise in value-seeking customers, key FMCG sectors face tampering of growth: Report
The report highlighted a significant shift in consumer spending patterns with a rise in value-seeking buyers, which is evident across consumer businesses. While the consumer may increase their spending on leisure activities, suggesting a good performance for the aviation and hotel industries in FY2024-25, it added.
Mom & pop stores vs new kids: India's ubiquitous kirana stores have a new rival
Tech-enabled players running self-service outlets like Frendy, SuperK, and Kirana King are challenging traditional kirana stores post-Covid. These modern trade stores have digital apps for orders and sourcing, contributing 4% to FMCG sales and up to 10% in premium categories.
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As Indians acquire healthier tastes, food companies pack it in
Indians are increasingly shifting towards consumption of low-salt, low-sugar, and nutrition-fortified packaged food, reflecting a growing trend towards healthy eating habits. Sales of such products have risen in the last five years, with urban India leading the shift, although rural areas are also seeing an increase. This shift is driven by concerns over high levels of sugar, salt, and fat in processed goods, amidst rising health issues like diabetes and obesity.
Tata Consumer Products aspires to be a full-fledged FMCG Co, to double capex to Rs 785 cr in FY25: N Chandrasekaran
Tata Consumer Products Ltd plans to diversify and expand into new FMCG categories, doubling capex to Rs 785 crore for FY25 with a focus on a new plant in Vietnam. Chairman N Chandrasekaran emphasized growth through acquisitions, particularly in health-oriented and food products, while investing in digital technology and advertising.
India's consumer market represents long-term structural opportunity: N Chandrasekaran
Tata Consumer Products Ltd Chairman N Chandrasekaran highlighted India's consumer market as a long-term structural opportunity, driven by factors like population, a growing middle class, rapid urbanisation, increasing disposable incomes, and rising aspirations.
Green shoots seen in rural demand: Wipro Consumer CEO
Vineet Agrawal, CEO of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, noted positive signs of growth in rural demand and anticipates a recovery in the hinterland by September, supported by favorable monsoon conditions and a successful harvest. Furthermore, he suggests that stable government policies could potentially boost sales of discretionary products through continuity and consistency.
Modi 3.0: FMCG companies can cheer the new coalition government
In a symbolic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first action after being sworn in for a third term was releasing the 17th PM-KISAN installment, providing financial relief to 9.3 crore farmers. With a weaker mandate, the government is expected to focus on rural welfare, potentially boosting FMCG sector growth and consumption.
White goods, FMCG imports failing to get custom-fit tag
White goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and FMCG companies face import delays or higher duties as customs authorities scrutinize third-party invoicing at various ports. This practice, used for tax optimization, allows invoicing through a country different from the goods' origin and is permitted under FTAs. However, customs officials suspect abuse of FTA provisions, withholding consignments and denying lower duty benefits at ports like Nhava Sheva. Authorities demand differential duty payments and invoke rules addressing potential duty evasion through third-party invoicing, leading to potential supply disruptions.
Consumer firms plan IPO; startups on poll mandate
India's public market will see about a dozen consumer companies make a debut on the bourses. More on this in today's ETtech Top 5.
Top startup & tech stories this week
Welcome to a brand new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter. The week was packed with important stories broken by our reporters. Here’s a recap if you missed these stories.
'Afternoon economy' cools as heat keeps customers indoors
Heatwave conditions, particularly in the North, are significantly impacting the 'afternoon economy,' affecting sales and footfalls between 12 noon and 4 pm. The scorching temperatures are leading to a decline in the availability of delivery riders, pushcart vendors, and sales workers. Businesses are experiencing disruptions in routine deliveries and working hours, prompting changes in operating hours and strategies to cope with the heat. While business activity is dampened in the afternoon, there is some compensation during the evening as people prefer to stay indoors and order in.
Why Mukesh Ambani can't ignore a new consumer habit
Reliance Industries (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani is expanding the company's retail empire to include quick commerce services through JioMart. This move aims to compete with players like Blinkit and BigBasket, leveraging Reliance's extensive reach and resources. The shift towards quick commerce reflects changing consumer habits, favoring convenience and instant deliveries.
FMCG giants pivot to premium: Nestle and ITC lead with innovative strategies
FMCG giants like Nestle India and ITC are adopting innovative strategies to tap into the growing demand for premium products. Nestle plans to hire tasters and connoisseurs for its super-premium Nespresso coffee and boutiques, while ITC is leveraging AI and ML to predict demand and recommend products for its premium portfolio, including Fabelle chocolates and skincare.
Godrej split: Tanya Dubash to lead brand mgmt of Godrej Industries, Nyrika Holkar that of Godrej Enterprises
Tanya Dubash, executive director of Godrej Industries, will oversee brand management for Godrej Industries Group (GIG), including Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, and Godrej Properties. Nyrika Holkar, also an executive director, will lead Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG), comprising Godrej & Boyce and affiliates. The formal split, signed last month, divides the conglomerate into two branches, each managing its brand independently.
FY24 milestone year for Tata Consumer Products: N Chandrasekaran
Tata Consumer Products, led by N. Chandrasekaran, highlights a milestone year in its 2023-24 annual report. Completing the amalgamation of Tata Coffee, integrating brands like Tata Soulfull and NourishCo, and acquisitions like Capital Foods and Organic India, signal a transformative phase. Revenue growth, expanded distribution, and increased market capitalization underscored its success.
FMCG firm PoloQueen ropes in Raveena Tandon as brand ambassador for its home care and kitchen essentials products
PoloQueen appoints Raveena Tandon as brand ambassador to boost kitchen essentials sales, emphasizing brand loyalty for household products like PoloQueen's Shudh range of dishwashing liquid and bar.
FMCG demand most in five southern states: Discretionary or essential, sales go north in south
South India leads post-Covid demand recovery with increased FMCG sales, higher consumer spending, and more shopping trips in 2023, a Kantar report shows. Retail sales growth in the peninsula region outperforms the rest of India. The region's rapid recovery is fueled by a young workforce, new-age sectors, and robust manufacturing investment.
Share of quick commerce in online FMCG sales rockets to 35% in FY24
Quick commerce drove overall ecommerce for these companies as well as the broader fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, company executives said.
Hygiene brand Pee Safe launches chatbot to increase awareness and help shoppers
Pee Safe introduces PeePal, an AI-driven chatbot, to enhance personal hygiene shopping and educate consumers. With the global conversational AI market projected to reach $14 billion by 2025, PeePal aims to personalize the shopping experience and empower users with hygiene knowledge. The initiative reflects Pee Safe's evolution from a single product to a comprehensive personal hygiene brand, addressing diverse consumer needs.
FMCG companies expect volume growth in FY25 with improvement in revenue
The companies were forced to slash prices as prices of major commodities had fallen, which had in turn impacted their topline and value growth in the last two quarters of FY24.
FMCG, auto companies break the jinx as rural growth rises above urban
Rural FMCG demand outpaced urban markets in Jan-Mar 2024. Car companies reported higher rural sales. NielsenIQ noted 7.6% rural growth. Factors include robust rabi crop and government measures. Maruti Suzuki saw record rural sales.
Rural FMCG sales outgrew urban for the first time in 5 quarters in Q1: NielsenIQ
In the January-March ’24 quarter, rural markets surpassed urban consumption for packaged consumer goods for the first time in five quarters, with rural growth at 7.6% while urban demand declined by 5.7%. Overall FMCG sector value grew by 6.6% driven by consumption, with flat price growth at 0.1%. NielsenIQ highlighted the growth in the FMCG industry being driven by consumption trends, with rural areas leading the growth. By volume, the sector grew by 6.5% nationally, with non-food sector sales growing at 11% compared to 4.8% for food. Home and personal care categories outperformed food categories, with larger pack sizes driving growth.
HUL, Tata Consumer and Nestle India's margins gain on premiumisation, cost cuts
While volume growth was tepid to modest for the three companies, gross margins have expanded. Margin expansion has been achieved through better operational efficiency or productivity gains. Taking price rises, lowering ad spends and rationalising costs are the various levers used.
FMCG companies: Buyers aware, sellers beware
FMCG companies face quality issues and regulatory actions, risking consumer trust. Nestle India, Patnajali, Bournvita controversy, and Hindustan Unilever rebrand amidst inflation challenges and omni-channel adoption. While stock meltdown and regulatory action are short-term risks, losing consumer trust is a long-term and bigger risk for an FMCG company.
Sugar & chemicals in food: FMCGs' biggest risk is not inflation but what they mix in what we eat
Product safety concerns in India pose risks for the FMCG industry, impacting companies like Nestle India. Regulatory scrutiny challenges health claims, affecting consumer trust. Social media influencers influence companies' actions, while the spices category raises new risks for FMCG companies.
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