CONSUMER BRANDS
Mars sees India business more than doubling after Kellanova buy
Mars expects its India business to more than double following its $36-billion acquisition of Kellanova, with the company banking on rising incomes, premiumisation, expanding distribution and the growth of online and quick-commerce channels. CFO Claus Aagaard said India is already clocking double-digit growth and will be a significant growth driver for Mars over the next decade. The Kellanova portfolio will strengthen Mars' presence in salty snacks and cereals while widening its reach across stores and channels.
Bodhi Tree invests $180 million for majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan
Bodhi Tree Systems, backed by James Murdoch and Uday Shankar, has invested $180 million for a majority stake in Adyar Ananda Bhavan, or A2B, as it looks to scale the South Indian food brand in India and overseas. The partnership will focus on restaurant and packaged-food expansion, digital capabilities and manufacturing, with Uday Shankar becoming chairperson of A2B’s new board.
Page Industries shares crash over 13% after Q2 results, FEMA non-compliance disclosure
Page Industries shares fell sharply on Thursday after the company disclosed FEMA non-compliance involving online sales of imported Jockey and Speedo products. The stock's decline came despite an 11.5% rise in Q2 FY27 revenue and a 4% increase in profit. The company also declared an interim dividend of Rs 150 per share.
SLN Coffee to set up Rs 3,500 crore food processing unit in Andhra Pradesh, its first plant outside Karnataka
SLN Coffee, based in Coorg, signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government for a significant investment. This ambitious plan aims to establish a food processing unit which will create around 3,400 jobs. The company's Levista brand has gained traction across South India since its launch in 2017. SLN Coffee also plans to scale up manufacturing and exports under Project Horizon.
Caught between costly inputs and cautious buyers, India Inc takes a hit
Companies in India's consumer goods, automobile, and paints sectors are increasing prices to offset rising costs. The West Asia conflict has severely impacted input and logistics expenses across various industries. While some companies have raised prices, they are still absorbing part of these costs to maintain demand. Consumer giants like Hindustan Unilever and Asian Paints report pressure on their margins despite price hikes.
Festive online sales hit Rs 1.4 lakh crore, up 17%, but miss forecasts
The season had been expected to hit a record Rs 1.50-1.55 lakh crore in GMV, up 25-29% from last year. GMV is total value of goods sold by marketplaces before discounts and returns. The festive sale period started on October 8 with the flagship events of Amazon and Flipkart followed by multiple micro-events until Diwali, which fell on November 8.
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Dhanteras gold rush stretches quick commerce delivery fleets, stores
Heavy demand across platforms such as Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto also led to dark stores in multiple pincodes in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru temporarily pausing services on Friday due to a paucity of delivery executives.
Quick commerce delivers huge festive triumph for D2C brands
Beauty brand Pilgrim and healthy snacks brand Open Secret both doubled their sales year-on-year (YoY) during the festive period, driven by purchases on quick-commerce platforms.
Manyavar maker Vedant Fashions struggles to revive growth as same-store sales drop 5.8% in Q2
Manyavar maker Vedant Fashions is facing mounting competition and slowing growth, with same-store sales declining 5.8% in the September quarter. Revenue grew at an annual rate of just 2.7% between 2022-23 and 2025-26. Industry experts say demand moderation and aggressive store expansion have added to the company's challenges.
Shyam Prakash Pal: Building the Next Generation of Digital-First Consumer Brands
Shyam Prakash Pal articulates the importance of fostering consumer brands within the rapidly changing digital landscape. He underscores the necessity of creativity, discipline, and collaborative effort in both professional and personal health. For effective leadership, maintaining physical health and mental clarity is paramount. Pal advocates for establishing consistent wellness practices, positioning health as integral to achieving long-lasting success in the business realm.
China's Singles Day shopping festival puts AI selling power to the test
If you are looking for evidence of how enthusiastically China is adopting AI, look no further than the country's premier month-long Singles Day shopping festival.
Mother Dairy raises milk prices by Rs 2-4 per litre, effective Thursday
Mother Dairy has raised milk prices by Rs 2-4 per litre from November 12, citing higher procurement costs. The hike affects several milk variants in Delhi-NCR, with full cream milk now costing Rs 76 per litre and toned milk Rs 62. The company last increased prices in May 2026.
Dabur hints calibrated price hikes amid inflation, focus on cost optimisation to protect margins
The company is navigating an inflationary environment, with rising crude oil prices amid the West Asia conflict adding to cost pressures across the supply chain, said Dabur India CEO (India Business) Herjit Bhalla during the post-earnings investor call last week.
Festive shopping: Home, kitchen products drive 81% jump in D2C sales to Rs 1,328 crore
Home and kitchen product sales surged 81% year-on-year during the pre-Diwali shopping period in India. Gross merchandise value reached an estimated ₹1,328 crore from October 21 to November 5. Consumers showed increased spending on household appliances, water purifiers, and kitchenware, reflecting changing priorities. Traditional categories like fashion and gifting also experienced notable growth during this time. However, health and wellness product sales decreased as budgets shifted towards festive purchases.
Honasa Consumer shares climb 5% as Jefferies raises target price after Q2 show. Why is the brokerage bullish?
Honasa Consumer, the firm behind Mamaearth, saw a remarkable boost in its shares after revealing impressive quarterly earnings. The company recorded a nearly 87% increase in consolidated net profit for the September quarter compared to the same period last year. This surge in revenues marked the greatest growth since Honasa’s market debut. Jefferies has also upgraded its target price for the company, citing strong performance and promising future profitability.
Consumer goods cos turn to cost cutting amid higher input prices to protect demand, revive volume growth
The cost-cutting comes amid an elevated input-price outlook flagged by several companies during recent earnings calls, due to high raw material prices, supply disruptions and freight charges. They are cutting trade investments as well as rationalising vendor networks to negotiate better rates through higher volumes.
Diwali rush lifts rapid delivery orders for last-minute shopping, gifting
Platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon Now and Flipkart Minutes revamped their apps for Diwali, introducing interactive interfaces, gamified rewards and other features to drive consumer engagement and orders.
The great Indian biscuit battle begins: Can Reliance crack the code?
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd is set to foray into India's competitive biscuit market, with an aim to leverage affordable pricing and a wide variety of products to attract consumers. Industry leaders Britannia and Parle dominate the market, making it challenging for new entrants like Reliance's Independence.
Honasa Consumer revenue grows 36% in Q2, highest since listing
The company’s net profit rose 87% to Rs 73 crore in the second quarter of FY27, compared with Rs 39 crore in the year-ago period. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) nearly doubled to Rs 93 crore from Rs 48 crore a year earlier, while the Ebitda margin expanded to 12.7% from 8.9%.
Daksham Growth Ventures raises Rs 125 cr in first close of maiden consumer fund
Daksham Growth Ventures has completed the first close of its consumer-focused fund, raising approximately Rs 125 crore. The fund is registered as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund and targets a total corpus of Rs 150 crore. It aims to invest between Rs 5-20 crore in early-growth businesses including direct-to-consumer and B2B2C companies. The fund will support companies with governance, brand positioning, and distribution expansion.
Honasa Consumer Q2 Results: Mamaearth parent's profit surges 87% YoY to Rs 73 crore
Honasa Consumer achieved an 86.7% increase in net profit for the September quarter, reaching Rs 73.25 crore. Revenue from operations grew by 35.9% compared to the previous year, amounting to Rs 731.19 crore. Despite sequential profit decline, the company indicated strong performance across various sales channels, including general and modern trade. The flagship brand Mamaearth continued to show robust growth, contributing significantly to overall earnings.
Trusted names, new game: India's FMCG giants reload old guns for changing tastes
India's FMCG companies are expanding into new product categories by leveraging the trust associated with their established brands. Hindustan Unilever has launched Horlicks Protein Powder, targeting consumers seeking protein-rich products. Emami is introducing new products across baby care and specialized scalp care under its existing brands. Marico has entered the shampoo market with Parachute Advansed Protein Shampoo, capitalizing on its hair-care equity.
Over half of consumers use AI for wellness, yet concerns over accuracy persist: McKinsey
More than half of consumers use artificial intelligence for wellness, yet 40 per cent of United States consumers worry its advice may be inaccurate, according to a McKinsey report.
IPO-bound BRND.ME’s Villain enters new category to tap a multi-billion fragrance market
BRND.ME is diversifying its Villain fragrance brand into the unisex market. The release of two new Eau de Parfums, named Muse and V-Code, marks a significant milestone in meeting the preferences of the younger Gen Z audience that favors inclusive scents. Supported by strong distribution and a powerful online presence, this expansion signifies BRND.ME's ambitious plans for an IPO and further global reach.
Britannia looks beyond biscuits, turns to regional tastes and festive campaigns to drive FMCG growth
Britannia Industries is focusing on localised marketing to resonate with diverse Indian consumer preferences. The company has launched festive campaigns and brand activations targeting specific regional occasions. Britannia reported a year-on-year sales increase of 16.6% to Rs 5,542 crore for the September quarter. Their growth strategy involves expanding beyond traditional biscuits into bakery and adjacency products. The approach aims to sustain competitive growth amid rising competition from smaller local brands.
Emami bets on brand extensions to enter newer consumer categories
Emami is leveraging its established brands like BoroPlus and Kesh King to enter new consumer segments. The company has launched the FromMaa range for baby-care and Kesh King Scalp First for scalp-care. Both product lines are introduced through modern trade and e-commerce channels. Additionally, Emami's strategic investments in newer consumer businesses have shown significant growth recently. These initiatives help diversify the company's portfolio and reach a wider audience.
Macallan’s India journey: Tapping a growing appetite for luxury, legacy, and craftsmanship
The Macallan is committed to strengthening its connection with consumers in India through meaningful experiences and storytelling. This strategy aims to highlight the brand's heritage and craftsmanship in a local context. As Indian consumers become more discerning, they increasingly value authenticity and quality in luxury spirits. The Macallan plans to deepen partnerships with stakeholders in the luxury market while establishing a locally anchored presence.
Personalised festive experiences key to brand loyalty for 72% of Indian shoppers: Survey
A recent survey indicates that 72 percent of Indian holiday shoppers prefer brands that provide personalized experiences. Consumers are increasingly seeking brands that demonstrate understanding of their preferences and offer seamless engagement. The survey found that 68 percent of respondents favor brands with an omnichannel presence for better communication. Additionally, shoppers are concerned about data security, which influences their loyalty just like festive offers.
Halloween is a Time to Remember Dead Brands
The emotional resonance of discontinued brands often sparks nostalgia among consumers, igniting movements to bring back beloved food items. The recent relaunch of Hostess Twinkies and Reliance's Campa underscores this trend, driven by consumer demand. This longing for the past reflects the deep connections people form with brands, demonstrating how marketing influences consumer behavior and their affinity for familiar products.
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