Chocolate-lovers may soon find their chocolate dearer if the problems plaguing the industry continue. Raw material costs have risen by more than 20 per cent in the last 10 months.
The Group has already launched 13 labels from Bauvet Ladubay, the company acquired from Saunur Loire of France, for euro15 million. United Spirits, the division that handles the wine business, has also launched seven labels of wines from New Zealand and two from Australia.
HUL registered a growth of 9.67 per cent in ice-cream sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to Rs 33.80 crore (Rs 338 million) from Rs 37.07 crore (Rs 370.7 million) for same period last year. The companies also saw a growth in cold-chain infrastructure and a shift in their marketing strategy has worked to their advantage.
A dipstick survey of a bunch of small shops in Mumbai shows that the growth in their sales this season has been much less: under 15 per cent compared to 30 per cent in the previous years. "The malls have taken away our customers. They have a larger a variety of products which they are able to push through a plethora of schemes and very visible display," said Rajesh Shah, the owner of a kirana store in Andheri.
The lure of FMCGs has faded over the years with the rise of consultancy firms, foreign banks and software companies, according to the Campus Recruiter Index, an annual survey by research agency AC Nielsen tracking students' perception of recruiting companies on campuses.
Coca-Cola and Pepsi, which have triggered books and case studies on the cola war, are ready to battle each other on a new turf in India: fruit drinks. Pepsi is said to be ready with Tropicana Twister, an orange drink, to take on Coca-Cola's Minute Maid, which debuted in India in February and went national in May.
The Sweden-based cosmetics company Oriflame is set to introduce 150 more products in India by next year, as competition among direct-selling companies in India rises with the entry of more multi-national players.
Britannia, which holds over 38 per cent of the market in value terms, is investing Rs 130 crore (Rs 1.3 billion) to increase its capacity, 433,000 tonnes of biscuit last year, by 20,000 tonnes.The move is designed to wrest market leadership in volume terms as well, a position now held by rival Parle.
Hindustan Unilever already has operations across the world. It is therefore consistently improving its product mix to introduce premium variants in its product portfolio. In the April-June quarter, the company launched premium products.
Hindustan Unilever is associating with small-format retail through its Super Value Store, Dabur with Parivaar and Marico with Mera. At many shops, the counter has been modified into a U or L shape so that the shopper can move and pick items.
The two groups have another JV, Wadia BSN, set up in 1996 to launch Groupe Danone's products from its global portfolio. However, nothing has been launched through the JV till date and Danone is in negotiations with the Wadias to dissolve the JV.
Sreesanth has bagged contracts from beverages maker, Pepsi and sports goods company, Nike this month. Yuvraj Singh endorses 10 brands with an annual net worth between Rs 1.25 and 1.40 crore a brand.
Mumbai is on the verge of being dislodged as the advertising capital of India. In recent times, Delhi has emerged as the hot spot, be it for new agencies setting up offices or key advertising spenders taking decisions out of the national capital.
Market research company, AC Nielsen, in its monthly retail sales audit of consumer goods, has identified 24 categories in the personal grooming space that are growing at an average rate of 13 per cent.
Beverages major, Coca-Cola India, will use the might of Mumbai dabbawallas to lure customers to sample its orange juice drink, Minute Maid Pulpy Orange.
Danish beer giant Carlsberg is looking at increasing investments in manufacturing and distribution in India.
Mattel step may improve toy quality in India.
Kingfisher will be available in markets in France, Finland, Portugal and Canada by the end of this year or early next year.
Mumbai-based fashion apparel manufacturer Spykar Lifestyle recently received $5 million (Rs 20 crore) investment from private equity firm Avigo Capital Partners.
Picking up the consumer switch to healthier drinks, Nestle India is expanding its liquid milk portfolio with specially formulated milk for people who may be lactose-intolerant or diabetic.
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