SURESH NARAYANAN
India is wrestling with Bharat in supermarket aisles
India's FMCG sector is witnessing a significant shift as small and regional brands disrupt the dominance of multinational giants. These smaller players are capturing market share by catering to local tastes, offering competitive pricing, and leveraging digital channels effectively.
FMCG segment seeing 'consumer shift' towards newer, regional brands: Honasa CEO Varun Alagh
FMCG giants like HUL, Dabur, and Britannia are facing stiff competition from regional brands with aggressive pricing and distributor margins. This shift is driven by consumers seeking value and localized preferences, impacting the growth of larger players. Honasa Consumer, however, anticipates double-digit volume growth, while established companies strategize to counter regional challenges.
Small brands teach new tricks to FMCG giants
India's FMCG sector is witnessing a shift as regional brands challenge established giants with innovation and local understanding. These smaller players are gaining market share by catering to specific regional tastes and leveraging quick commerce platforms. Investors are increasingly interested in these agile brands, prompting larger companies to adapt and collaborate to stay relevant.
After 26 years with Nestle India, Suresh Narayanan to retire as chairman and MD on July 31
Suresh Narayanan, the Chairman and MD of Nestle India, will retire on July 31, 2025. He served Nestle India for 26 years. Narayanan is known for reviving Maggi after a ban. Manish Tiwary, former Amazon India head, will take over as the new Managing Director. Tiwary's appointment will be effective from August 1.
Startups, regional brands good for business: Nestle India CMD Suresh Narayanan
Stressing on the importance of startups and regional brands operating in small catchment areas, Narayanan said Nestle India is working with startups as part of its accelerator program, to identify their potential and see how to partner with them.
Startups, regional brands good for business, says Nestle India CMD Suresh Narayanan
Nestle India's Suresh Narayanan highlights the importance of startups and regional brands in driving innovation and consumer choice. He emphasizes Nestle's commitment to sustainability, diversity, and adapting to the preferences of Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers. The company is actively working with startups and focusing on sustainable sourcing and packaging to remain relevant and competitive.
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Packaged food cos turn up the heat with spices
India is experiencing a surge in demand for spicy and chilli-flavored foods, prompting major brands like Nestle, McDonald's, and PepsiCo to introduce spicier variants of their products. This "spice revolution" is driven by Gen Z and millennials seeking bolder and more adventurous flavors.
Crisis is good time to make changes in company: Nestle India CMD on lessons from Maggi fiasco
Nestle India's outgoing Chairman Suresh Narayanan reflects on the Maggi crisis, highlighting the importance of using crises as opportunities for change and innovation. He emphasized the need to understand consumer perceptions and proactively address environmental shifts.
Legacy companies can no more think the small guy doesn't matter, says Nestle MD Suresh Narayanan
Nestle India's outgoing MD, Suresh Narayanan, highlights the rising competition from nimble, local brands and the need for legacy companies to adapt with smaller-scale operations. He notes a gradual urban demand recovery and emphasizes premiumization opportunities. Despite a profit dip due to commodity prices, Narayanan remains optimistic about the future, citing stabilizing inflation and infrastructure spending as positive indicators.
India key driver of future growth for Nestle: Suresh Narayanan
Nestle views India as a key growth driver due to its economic and political stability, large consumption basket, and high consumer resonance. The company plans significant investments to enhance capacity, expand its sales network, and digitize operations.
Nestle India Q1 Result: PAT falls 13.4%; revenue grows 5.9% to Rs 5,096 crore
Nestle India reported a 13.4% YoY drop in Q1 FY26 net profit to Rs 647 crore, citing high input and operational costs. Revenue rose 5.9% to Rs 5,096 crore. Despite profit pressure, the company saw growth in e-commerce, out-of-home business, and urban demand.
Nestle India appoints ex-Amazon Manish Tiwary as Chairman
Nestle India has announced Manish Tiwary as the new Chairman of the Board, effective August 1, 2025, succeeding Suresh Narayanan upon his retirement. Tiwary will also assume the role of Managing Director. Narayanan, who led the company through the Maggi crisis, expressed gratitude to stakeholders and confidence in Nestle India's future success.
Nestle Q1 Results: Consolidated PAT falls 13% YoY to Rs 647 crore, revenue rises 6%
Nestle Q1 Results: Nestle India's consolidated profit after tax decreased by 13.4% year-on-year, reaching Rs 647 crore. However, revenue from operations saw a 6% increase, totaling Rs 5,096 crore. Domestic sales grew by 5.5%, while export sales experienced a significant 16% rise. Total income for the quarter amounted to Rs 5,100 crore, a 5% increase.
Investors gain big appetite for small consumer brands
Several regional consumer brands in India, including Iscon Balaji and Dermabay, are attracting private equity interest. Investors are pursuing minority stakes as larger rivals face sluggish demand. Recent funding deals involve brands like Khari Foods and Country Delight, indicating strong investor confidence in the growth potential of these smaller companies. Dermabay plans to raise ₹5-7 crore to expand and innovate.
Amid flux, FMCG Inc's turning over a new chief
India's FMCG sector is witnessing significant leadership changes as Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Hindustan Unilever, and L’Oreal recently appointed new chiefs amid tepid growth and intensified competition. Nestlé, Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, and Haleon are also expected to see leadership transitions soon. This churn reflects pressure to adapt to evolving consumption patterns and technological advancements.
Commodity inflation to fall, outlook appears positive in coming quarters: Nestle India CMD
Nestle India faces commodity inflation, particularly with coffee and cocoa at decade-high prices, impacting volume growth and margins. Outgoing Chairman Suresh Narayanan anticipates stabilization and a more positive outlook in upcoming quarters, emphasizing cost-saving measures and responsible pricing. Despite challenges, new product launches and e-commerce strategies contribute to sales, with India becoming a key market for Nestle.
Nestle India's permanent employee count down 3.8% in FY25
Nestle India's permanent workforce saw a 3.8% decrease in FY25, despite increased capital expenditure and investments in new capabilities. While on-roll employees totaled 8,419, the median employee remuneration rose by 4.9%. Manish Tiwary was appointed as Managing Director, receiving a substantial remuneration package, while outgoing Chairman Suresh Narayanan's total compensation reached Rs 23.47 crore.
Nestle's Suresh Narayanan on Nespresso & nutraceuticals, sugar in baby food controversy and more
Suresh Narayanan of Nestle India points out that the operating margins are up by 270 basis points, net profits by 250 basis points and cash generation by over 41 billion, that is about 17% of sales. The core fundamentals of the organisation demonstrates resilient growth in core categories. He also talks about the company's commitment to reducing sugar content for sustainable long-term success.
Bharat is discovering Nestle brands, there is secular growth: Suresh Narayanan
Chairman and MD of Nestle India, Suresh Narayanan, said that Bharat or rural India is discovering Nestle brands, and the company is seeing secular growth across all geographies. He cited that the annual penetration of Maggi Noodles, for example, is 80-85%, while coffee's is 30-40%, and there is still low penetration in many of the company's categories. Narayanan also announced that the company invested Rs 2,130 crore in H1-2023.
Why Nestle's Suresh Narayanan thinks consumption will have a ring of halo
"In the case of new production of stock, there was clearly a lead time for the right reasons."
We have seen domestic growth of about 8.8%: Suresh Narayanan, Nestle India
In an exclusive chat with ET Now, Suresh Narayanan, CMD, Nestle India, said the settling in into the GST regime has been reasonably smooth so far.
Maggi has 57% plus market share in noodles segment: Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & MD, Nestle
"Our new variants, launched under Hot Heads range has also been well accepted and I think generally the traction for Maggie is in the right direction," Narayanan said.
Nestle lines up 25-products’ launch to beat Maggi blues
Swiss food giant Nestle is launching around 25 products across categories, its largest consolidated launch ever, to offset the gaping hole left by the Maggi controversy.
No magic button for Maggi growth: Suresh Narayanan, Nestle India
Nestle is doubling the number of Maggi variants to 12 as it looks to regain the market share of the popular snack brand, says Narayanan.
Nestle India Q1 net profit slips 19%; continues to be weighed down by Maggi ban
Nestle India reported a 19% decline in net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, as it continued to be weighed down by the ban on its flagship instant noodles Maggi.
Maggi market share now over 50%; atta and oats noodles relaunched: Nestle
Nestle said on Tuesday that its Maggi noodles has topped more than 50% market share in the noodles category quoting data by researcher Nielsen.
Back on top: Nestle's Suresh Narayanan on overcoming Maggi fiasco
Now, with an uptick in Maggi sales, Narayanan opened up about how he perceives crisis & what needs to be done to get back in the saddle.
Nestle says not received any report of sample tests
Nestle India today said wrong testing standards applied on wrong product will yield misleading results.
Maggi shock bigger than what company faced: Suresh Narayanan, Nestle India MD
Narayanan, the troubleshooter who took charge of the Swiss multinational's India operations five weeks ago, is spending nearly half his time trying to douse the Maggi fire.
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