India emerges as key growth market for global brands
Major consumer companies reported strong digital sales growth in India as quick-commerce platforms expand market reach. L’Oreal chief executive Nicolas Hieronimus said the country transformed his company’s distribution capabilities by enabling access to consumers previously beyond traditional retail networks. British firm Unilever said digital channels account for 17 percent of total revenue, with sales on the Indian platform Flipkart rising 30 percent.
Unilever’s quick-commerce business in India more than doubled this year through its Hindustan Unilever subsidiary. The company repositioned its brand portfolio by selling lower-value products and acquiring premium offerings. Fernando Fernandez, Unilever’s chief executive, said digitally focused brands perform well in India and China. The expanding online retail infrastructure helps international brands penetrate Indian markets faster than conventional distribution methods allow.
