Unilever CEO Fernandez Confirms Company's Commitment to India Market

Unilever Eyes India as Key Growth Market for Premium Beauty and Wellness Brands

Global fast-moving consumer goods major Unilever is focusing on India, where it sees significant potential for its expanding portfolio of personal care, wellness, and beauty brands. The company aims to capitalize on the country's growing demand for premium products, which is expected to drive exponential growth in the coming decade.

Unilever's global chief executive officer, Fernando Fernandez, has stated that the company will not repeat the mistakes it made in China, where it entered the market late. Instead, Unilever is building its portfolio of "digitally native disruptive brands" in the US and internationalizing them for global markets. These brands include vitamin gummy maker Olly, hair growth supplement brand Nutrafol, colour cosmetics brand Hourglass, premium haircare brand K18, and Liquid I.V.

The company has high hopes for skincare and haircare brand Minimalist, which its Indian unit Hindustan Unilever acquired for nearly Rs 3,000 crore in April last year. Minimalist has the potential to capture the India premium opportunity and expand into other Asia markets.

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Unilever sees India as a major driver of growth, with the country accounting for 16% of the company's home and personal care business globally. The company has a significant presence in the Indian market, with a 55% share in the haircare market, 80% in the face and moisture market, 45% in the laundry market, 80% share in the lifestyle and nutrition market, and 70% in dishwash.

To reinforce India's role as a key growth market and R&D hub, Unilever has inaugurated the new Unilever Fragrance Hub (UFH) in Mumbai. This marks a significant milestone in the company's global innovation journey.

Unilever's focus on India is part of its massive, multi-year strategic transformation to reshape its portfolio toward premium, high-margin beauty, wellness, and personal care segments globally. The company is confident that India will be a key driver of growth in the coming decade.

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