'We expect rural recovery to be more enduring in future'

The launch of bridge packs, an expanding distribution network and an overall demand uptick have driven rural demand growth for Dabur, says CEO Mohit Malhotra

- Suneera Tandon

Consumer goods company Dabur India Ltd will continue to expand its portfolio across price points and build on its power brands, said chief executive Mohit Malhotra in an interview. The maker of Vatika shampoo and Hajmola candy reported an 8% rise in rural volumes in the June quarter, far more than the market’s 4% growth. Rural demand has been growing for Dabur, driven by the launch of bridge packs, an expanding distribution network and an overall demand uptick, Malhotra said. Edited excerpts.

You are bullish on a revival in rural demand. Can you elaborate?

We talk about rural so much because the contribution of Dabur’s business coming out of rural India is relatively higher compared to peers—they will be at 30-35%, we are in the 45-50% range. Rural is good for us. We have put up a lot of infrastructure—sub-stockists and rural yoddhas, etc. In the last two quarters, we’ve seen rural growth