Source Credit: IANS
Unilever's newly appointed CEO, Fernando Fernandez, has all-sparkling confidence in India's economic growth and also its evolving consumer landscape.
Fernandez, during a fireside chat with Barclays' Head of Staples Equity Research, Warren Ackerman, also stressed the importance of India as Unilever's second-largest market and future growth driver. In fact, he said that by the second half of 2025, the Indian economic environment will see major shifts in distribution channels which are expected to be strong drivers of such growth.
The three reasons that Fernandez stated for his buoyant outlook-the affluent consumer base is growing, the new patterns of consumption emerging, and the rapid rise of quick commerce. Currently, Unilever's sales in India are just 2% from quick commerce, but this number is going to change, and Fernandez has estimated that though it will rise to 15% of sales in the next three years, it will completely change the future of retail in India and augment Unilever's presence in the market.
Such points of view also involve strategic actions by Fernandez, such as acquiring Minimalist, a new beauty brand, in India, which Unilever has used in the current phase of its operations. The acquisition emphasizes widening beauty and personal care in India. In fact, rather than tinkering with existing products, the beauty launch is what further reflects the growth acceleration in beauty terms with the meaning that Fernandez has made clear of how the company would like to develop its portfolio in future.
Fernandez overhauls Unilever's marketing strategy altogether toward "social-first." He would aim to build an extensive network of influencers across India, so that, through this social media-focused campaign in India, Unilever reaches every potential consumer, thus ensuring that they know about the products available.
