Reckitt has placed India firmly at the centre of its global growth map, describing the country as a nucleus of excellence as its flagship brands now reach an extraordinary ten million stores. The company highlighted this scale at its investor meet in London on December 4, calling India one of the most strategically important markets within its emerging economies portfolio.
Nitish Kapoor, global president for emerging markets, told investors that the retail reach in India is unlike any other geography. He noted that India alone has nearly eleven million stores, a figure that exceeds the total number of retail outlets across Europe. Dettol, Lizol, Mortein, Moov, Veet, Air Wick and Strepsils anchor the company’s presence across the country, supported by long running programmes like Dettol Banega Swachh India which have strengthened brand trust since 2014.
The company’s latest quarterly figures underline the momentum. Reckitt reported like for like net revenue growth of seven percent in the September quarter. Emerging markets contributed strongly, growing by more than fifteen percent. India’s business is benefiting from wide distribution and a sharpened focus on product assortment suited to neighbourhood retail stores which continue to dominate consumer shopping habits.
Traditional kirana outlets still account for eighty five percent of all FMCG sales. Quick commerce platforms have expanded rapidly but contribute around fifteen percent of Reckitt’s India revenue. Kapoor said the rise of Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto has helped push ecommerce and quick commerce combined to fifteen percent of the company’s India turnover, up from barely one percent a decade ago.
Reckitt manufactures most of its India portfolio within the country, with local production covering ninety five percent of its needs. The company noted in its annual report that India now contributes eight percent of its global core net revenue, making it one of the most influential pieces of its wider emerging markets strategy.
