FMCG demand to pick up: Godrej Consumer

CONSUMER DEMAND WITHIN the domestic fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is likely to improve in the next 12-18 months, Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, Godrej Consumer (GCPL), said on Wednesday, as benign food inflation, fiscal and welfare measures by the government as well as likely Pay Commission increase may leave more money in the hands of people.

- VIVEAT SUSAN PINTO

CONSUMER DEMAND WITHIN the domestic fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is likely to improve in the next 12-18 months, Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, Godrej Consumer (GCPL), said on Wednesday, as benign food inflation, fiscal and welfare measures by the government as well as likely Pay Commission increase may leave more money in the hands of people. GCPL also anticipates mid-to-high single-digit volume growth in FY26, with high-single-digit revenue growth and double-digit Ebitda growth for the period, driven by better market conditions and easing inflation.

The comments are significant since the FMCG market has been struggling with an urban slowdown for a year now. Rural demand, in contrast, has been resilient, driven by good monsoons and better harvests. Sitapati, an FMCG veteran, who was with Hindustan Unilever (HUL) earlier, sees rural demand continuing to outperform urban markets in the future.