FMCG growth slows, but revival likely in second half: Numerator

Household consumption of daily groceries, home and personal care items slowed in the 12 months to May 2025 versus the previous year, market researcher Numerator (formerly Kantar) said on Thursday.

- VIVEAT SUSAN PINTO

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION OF daily groceries, home and personal care items slowed in the 12 months to May 2025 versus the previous year, market researcher Numerator (formerly Kantar) said on Thursday. However, the agency said a revival could be seen by the December quarter or the second half of FY26, driven by favourable macro-economic factors.

The combined rural and urban volume and value growth (excluding wheat) slowed to levels of 4% and 7.9%, respectively, in the year to May 2025; in the year to May 2024 they were 6.2% and 8.3%, respectively.

"The last (December) quarter should begin to see a reversal in the drop in FMCG growth rates," K Ramakrishnan, MD, South Asia, Worldpanel by Numerator, said. "For now, urban areas continue to lead rural in terms of growth rates, but the trend could change by the end of the year," he said.