Inside Patanjali's Business Slowdown

A company growing by more than 100% every financial year if suddenly hits a zero growth mark definitely draws attention and curiosity among consumers and analysts. Baba Ramdev's Patanjali has been hit by a similar fate. We dig find out the details.

- Rahulpaul

The last decade has seen volatile economic turmoil like no other. But in this scenario, the last few years has seen one brand become a name to reckon with and give a good jolt to not just desi brands but also well-placed MNCs like Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Nestle. `Patanjalf as an indigenous brand has grown by leaps and bounds in the Indian FMCG market and has in particular everyone run for their money and share. It's all thanks to the face of Brand Baba Ramdev who goes all out promoting the brand that shares his ideologies of `Swadeshi' and `Ayurvedic'. One seems to assume that he is the sole custodian of the renewed Swadeshi movement. In 2016, Baba Ramdev was seen fondly commenting on the competition, (something no FMCG would involve itself in, trust us we tried) he said, "Pantene ki pant gile hojayegi, Colgate ka gate bandh ho jayega, Unilever ka lever dhila ho jayega our Nestle ke panchi udd jayenge ghosle se.” (Pantene will wet its pants, Colgate’s gate will be shut, Unilever’s lever will become loose and the birds of Nestle will fly away). Baba Ramdev has even claimed that by 2020, Patanjali will surpass HUL and become India’s biggest and most selling FMCG. The claim seem to have rubbed many the wrong way and also amused lot others.