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Nestlé India's standalone net profit increased by 8.6 percent to Rs 986.4 crore in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. In Q2 FY25, the company posted a profit of Rs 908 crore. However, the consolidated profit of the FMCG brand between July and September FY25 witnessed a decline to Rs 899 crore from Rs 908 crore year-on-year.

Further, the Swiss multinational food and drink company registered standalone total sales of Rs 5,075.8 crore in the September quarter of FY2025. According to the company, e-commerce and quick commerce channels continued to accelerate the growth by almost 38 percent, contributing to 8.3 percent of the total domestic sales.

The domestic sales of the company were fueled by brands like Kitkat, Maggi, Nescafe, and Milkmaid. "Growth was supported by premiumization, new user acquisition, festive participation, and targeted digital communications," the company said in a BSE filing.

Additionally, the company said that its beverages business posted high double-digit growth backed by strong performance across NESCAFÉ CLASSIC, NESCAFÉ SUNRISE, and NESCAFÉ GOLD.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/nestle-india-reports-44-5-rise-in-sales-in-15-months-maggi-kitkat-key-contributors-39347.htm">Nestlé India reports 44.5% rise in sales in 15 months; Maggi, KitKat key contributors</a>

Nestlé India has launched more than 145 new products contributing to approximately 7 percent of sales. The FMCG major also announced that eight more projects in the pipeline, as mentioned in its Q2 FY25 earning report.

"We kept relentless focus on investing behind our core brands, wherein advertising and marketing investments increased this quarter. There was a strong focus on efficiencies in media buying, strengthening digital capabilities, and reinforcing brand equity," Nestlé India said.

Separately, the company has approved the appointment of Manish Tiwary as the Managing Director who will oversee India's operation.

Tiwary will succeed Suresh Narayanan, the Chairman and MD of Nestlé India Limited. Narayan, who has been with the Nestlé Group for more than 26 years, will retire on 31 July 2025.

	
<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/navigating-success-the-legacy-of-suresh-narayanan-at-nestle-india-44290.htm">Navigating success: The legacy of Suresh Narayanan at Nestlé India</a>

Tiwary will assume his role on 1 February 2025 and take on full responsibilities as MD with effect from 1 August 2025.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/all-you-need-to-know-about-manish-tiwary-nestle-indias-new-md-44305.htm">All you need to know about Manish Tiwary – Nestlé India’s new MD</a>

Currently, Tiwary is the Special Project Manager for Zone AOA, Nestlé, Switzerland. He is also the director at More Consumer Brands Private Limited but will step down from the directorship of this company by 30 October 2024. Previously, Tiwary was the Country Manager of Amazon India for over eight years. Prior to Amazon, he was with Unilever, where he spent two decades and held roles in sales, marketing, and general management across various categories and channels in India, Gulf, and North Africa. Tiwary holds a B. Tech degree in Computer Science and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

Nestlé India sees 8.6% profit surge in Q2 FY25, names Manish Tiwary as incoming MD

Aditya Birla Digital Fashion Ventures Ltd. on Wednesday acquired an additional stake in the Wrogn Private Limited apparel brand backed by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

According to a BSE filing, Aditya Birla Group's fashion subsidiary has increased the stake to 32.84 percent on a fully diluted basis from 17.10 percent.

Wrogn has raised around Rs 75 crore from Aditya Birla Digital Fashion Ventures.

As per the filing, Aditya Birla Fashion Venture will now own 12,225 compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS), constituting a 32.84% stake in WROGN. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/celebrity-led-brands-in-wrogn-faced-with-lackluster-growth-consumer-fatigue-43460.htm">Celebrity-led brands in WROGN; faced with lackluster growth, consumer fatigue</a>

"This infusion is a continuation of its earlier investment in certain milestone-based valuations. The company, therefore, is not in a position to disclose the exact details," ABDFVL said in a stock exchange filing.


Worgn was incorporated in 2012. The Kohli-backed brand is engaged in the business of manufacturing, marketing, and distribution (both online and offline) of fashion apparel, footwear, and accessories.


Wrogn in FY22 posted a revenue of Rs 336 crore, in FY23 it posted Rs 344 crore and in FY24 the company's revenue stood at Rs 243 crore, respectively.


In June, Aditya Birla Group's fashion and lifestyle arm TMRW picked up a 16 percent stake in Wrogn's parent Universal Sportsbiz for Rs 125 crore in an all-cash deal. TMRW owns majority stakes in seven D2C fashion brands for a total investment of Rs 444 crore such as Bewakoof, Urbani, Juneberry, etc.

Aditya Birla Digital Fashion raises stake to 32.8% in Virat Kohli-backed Wrogn brand

Singaporean state-owned multinational investment firm Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited has reportedly planned to buy a 20-25 percent stake in Rebel Foods for $180-200 million.

Rebel Foods owns 11 cloud kitchen brands like Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, and Oven Story. According to a report by Livemint, Temasek will purchase stakes from Coatue Management, Lightbox, and Peak XV.

Lightbox owns a 9.7 percent stake in Rebel Foods while US-based Coatue holds an 18.6 percent stake. The other investors of the company are Goldman Sachs, Peak XV, etc.

On Monday, a filing by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by Rebel Foods mentioned that Temasek subsidiary Jongsong Investments Pte. Ltd will acquire a stake in the company.

Temasek is a prolific investor in new-age firms such as Ola Electric, Zomato, and Cultfit, among others.

Rebel Foods is among the list of companies that are planning to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the next 12-18 months. The restaurant company has witnessed secondary stake sales by early investors just like Urban Company, Swiggy, and Lenskart.

The company is in talks with new brands to collaborate with its Rebel Launcher vertical. The company has partnered with over 20 brands such as Naturals, Bakingo, Narula's, and Mad Over Donuts among others to date.

Started in 2011, Rebel Foods bagged the unicorn title in 2021 after it raised $175 million from the Qatar Investment Authority at a valuation of $1.4 billion. 
Founders of Rebel Foods, Jaydeep Barman, and Kallol Banerjee, hold around 12% stake while Qatar Investment Authority holds around 9.9%. 

Rebel Foods has narrowed its losses by 42 percent to Rs 378 crore in FY24 from Rs 657 crore in FY23.

It has 450 kitchens in 70 cities. The company is operational in 10 countries including Saudi Arabia, the UK, UAE.

Temasek to acquire 20-25% stake in Rebel Foods for $200 million: Report

The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with Meta to launch of two key initiatives, that is an AI Assistant for the Skill India Mission and establishing five Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) located at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Chennai and Kanpur. 

“Our mission at the Ministry is to empower India’s youth with the skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By integrating technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality and mixed reality into the Skill India ecosystem, we are democratizing access to cutting-edge technologies enabling personalized learning pathways for the youth of the country,” Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said.

The partnership will develop an AI chatbot using Meta’s open-source Llama model, which is expected to enhance the learning experience on the Skill India Digital (SID) Portal. This initiative aims to create a collaborative e-governance model that facilitates impactful AI solutions, potentially driving large-scale socio-economic transformation in line with India’s AI Mission. Sarvam AI will serve as the technical partner for the AI assistant project, overseeing the chatbot's development and implementation, which will be piloted for six months.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/union-minister-pralhad-joshi-awareness-about-standards-essential-for-empowering-consumers-45086.htm">Union Minister Pralhad Joshi: Awareness about standards essential for empowering consumers</a>

In addition, the five CoEs at NSTIs will provide learners and instructors with the latest VR technology, allowing them to enhance their skills in a safe, immersive, and engaging setting. The AI assistant initiative is designed to improve access to information, enhance learning outcomes, and offer students seamless support through an intuitive digital platform.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/ec-focuses-on-curbing-deepfake-content-during-maharashtra-polls-45090.htm">EC focuses on curbing Deepfake content during Maharashtra polls</a>

Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Meta India, stated, “The partnerships with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MDSE) are a testament to our commitment to bridging the gap between technology and education. Through the integration of advanced technologies like Open-Source Llama we aim to empower not just the students, but also educators and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital-first world.”

MSDE partners with Meta to launch AI Assistant and VR Centers

Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, emphasized the importance of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in ensuring that every Indian citizen has access to safe, reliable, and high-quality products and services. He stated that consumer well-being is directly linked to the availability of quality goods, while industry growth and profitability depend on demand for these products.

Joshi highlighted the need for BIS to prioritize quality as India's economy continues to expand and enhance its role in global trade. He noted that BIS has a significant responsibility in boosting economic growth, promoting the ‘Made in India’ label, and establishing Brand Bharat internationally. The new BIS Act of 2016, according to him, will improve the ease of doing business and support the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

He pointed out that there are currently over 22,300 standards in effect, with 94% of Indian standards aligned with ISO and ISE standards. Furthermore, he mentioned that 174 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 732 products have been issued for mandatory BIS certification, a significant increase from just 14 QCOs for 106 products in 2014.

The Minister stressed the importance of raising public awareness about these standards to empower consumers. He acknowledged the challenge of generating widespread interest and understanding of BIS's standards programs among citizens, emphasizing the need for consumers to verify ISI and BIS certifications before making purchases.

As the fifth largest economy globally, India must focus on enhancing standards, which serve as the foundation for safety, quality, and trust in products and services. Joshi explained that standards are vital for technical development, industrial growth, and societal well-being, facilitating both domestic and international trade, and contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability. For businesses, standards help improve processes, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction through compatibility with other markets, while for consumers, they ensure the reliability, consistency, and safety of products.

Additionally, the minister announced the launch of the BIS Care App 3.0, designed to help users verify the authenticity of BIS-certified products and hallmarked jewelry. The app will also allow users to report complaints regarding substandard products and misuse of BIS Standard Marks.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi: Awareness about standards essential for empowering consumers

As the festive season kicks off in the country, the corporate gifting culture has also boomed. Experts describe it as a powerful 'marketing tool', saying that corporate gifting enhances the brand and builds customer loyalty.

According to Gaurav Bhagat, Managing Director at Consortium Gifts, the corporate gifting landscape has evolved significantly, especially in the premium segment. "Companies are shifting towards high-quality and focusing on brand consciousness over value. Businesses are also moving away from generic gift vouchers towards customized items that foster deeper connections," he says.

Notably, gifting occasions have expanded to include anniversaries, partnerships, and achievements, often marked with high-end, exclusive gifts that enhance relationships and reinforce brand identity.

A Deloitte survey revealed that 70 percent of corporate clients prioritize gifts that reflect their brand values. 

Shantanu & Nikhil, a client of Consortium Gifts said, "The personalized approach to gifting helped us maintain an emotional connection with our partners, beyond just business transactions". 

According to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), 83 percent of people are most likely to do business with brands that gift them personalized or thoughtful items.

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Companies are strategically choosing gifts that align with their values and resonate with their audience, ensuring each gesture leaves a lasting impression. 

Vimmi Sud, business owner at VS Dryfruit Mart told Storyboard18 that corporates also prefer gifting products that are both healthy and wholesome. She added that companies look at options like mithai (sweets) and chocolates but eventually land on tried, tested and traditional options for gifting. Dry fruits are the reliable choice and can be tailored to fit all price ranges, says Delhi-based Sud who has some of the most prominent corporate and business family clients in the country. 

'Sustainable gifts'

Sud says the benefits of going the traditional gift route like with dry fruits is straightforward. It's healthy and universally accepted gift content, suitable for all ages and households, and its season appropriate given the approach of winter, a time when dry fruit consumption is encouraged and increases. The variations of types of dried fruit and other nuts allow for further customization, and price points are also wide. Besides around festivals, keeping with traditions is important to Indians and also in line with the rise of conscious consumption and the trend of going back to one's roots. 

Sustainability has become a key priority for businesses. A 2024 GlobalData study found that 58 percent of corporate buyers opted for eco-friendly gifts. 

Shantanu & Nikhil said, "Sustainable gifts resonate with our brand values, allowing us to stay aligned with modern consumer expectations".

A trend for experiential gifts is also emerging among global firms. For instance, Netflix and Microsoft favor tech gadgets with custom branding while Adobe prefers curated wellness subscriptions to strengthen relationships.


'Tool to boost business'


Corporate gifting has proven to be a powerful tool for strengthening relationships with clients, partners, and employees while also driving growth. Recently, Adobe reported a 20% rise in sales and a 25% improvement in client engagement after incorporating targeted gifting in their marketing campaign, Bhagat said. 

Coca-Cola's corporate gifting strategy boosted partnerships with like-minded firms, he added. 

'Gifts budget'

The budget for corporate gifting programmes is influenced by a range of factors such as the size of the company, industry, ROI, etc. Consortium Gifts told Storyboard18 that there's no fixed percentage of revenue that companies allocate, mostly opt to spend 1-3 percent of their annual revenue on corporate gifting. 

Just like big businesses, smaller ones are also embracing corporate gifting, though on a more focused scale compared to larger corporations.

Small businesses are leveraging personalized and thoughtful gifts to build strong client relationships and foster loyalty. Research shows that 54 percent of small businesses saw a measurable improvement in client engagement through corporate gifting.

'E-commerce and corporate gifting'

E-commerce has revolutionized corporate gifting by making it more accessible and efficient. Businesses can now browse, customized, and make bulk orders with platforms like Zilingo and Printrove. Recently, e-commerce giant Amazon revealed that its B2B online marketplace clocked over 134 percent year-over-year growth on its Corporate Gifting Store in the first 10 days of the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2024. Among all categories of products, mixer grinders and juicers emerged as the most gifted items on Amazon Business this year. As per Consortium Gifts, 65 percent of businesses prefer e-commerce for corporate gifting, with a 40 percent increase in firms opting for personalized gifts.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/amazon-in-becomes-the-top-customer-choice-for-electronics-during-the-festive-season-reveals-counterpoint-research-44352.htm">Amazon.in becomes the top customer choice for electronics during the festive season, reveals Counterpoint Research</a>

'Outlook'

In the next 5-10 years, corporate gifting will witness major advancements driven by technology and sustainability. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platforms are also transforming the industry, using smart algorithms to recommend personalized gifts based on recipients' preferences. 

Companies should watch for innovations in personalization, sustainable materials, and tech-enabled gifting solutions and a renewed appreciation for traditions. These trends will help them stay relevant and make lasting expression.

Corporate gifting booms: Brands shift toward personalization, sustainability, premium experiences

As Indian consumers increasingly rely on quick commerce platforms, major Tata Group brands are gearing up to partner with the company's 10-minute delivery service, BB Now. Notably, Tata-owned BigBasket's quick delivery division has been operational for approximately 2.5 years, but it was only in the past year that the company shifted its focus from slotted deliveries to quick delivery as part of a major overhaul of the brand. 

According to Raagleena Sripada, Head of Marketing at BB Retail, a plethora of Tata-owned companies have intended to join BB Now vertical. "In the next six months, there will be a lot of collaboration with big brands," Sripada added.

Notably, BigBasket partnered with Tata-owned jewellery brand Tanishq during Akshaya Tritiya this year. And, this month, the salt-to-software conglomerate's coffee chain Starbucks launched a pilot direct delivery via its mobile application.

Storyboard18 reached out to Tanishq and Starbucks but they declined to comment.

According to the senior vice president at Elara Capital Plc, Karan Taurani, quick commerce is a high-growth engine, with the segment growing by 60-80 percent over the medium term over the next three years. He said, "What started off with grocery in 10 minutes about two years back, now includes beauty personal care, gifting, pet care, food, mobile phones, gadgets, etc".

Taurani mentioned that while Starbucks might venture into the quick commerce space, it’s unlikely to offer a 10-minute coffee delivery service. Instead, the focus would be on selling gift items and accessories, such as coffee pouches and mugs. He further added, "It makes sense for Tanishq to sell gold coins and for Starbucks to offer coffee products and gift articles."

Last month, BigBasket pivoted to a 10-minute delivery segment by tying up with Croma Electronics (Tata Group's gadgets brand) to deliver the iPhone 16 models to customers within 10 minutes. 

'Marketing moves'

BigBasket is not only planning to collaborate with brands for its BB Now vertical but has also intensified its marketing efforts. Sripada told Storyboard18, "It was a strategic decision of the company to remain quiet over the past two years. Now, as we are make a massive switch from slotted deliveries to a quick commerce segment, marketing has become crucial".

The online grocery-to-gadgets delivery platform has allocated 60 percent for performance marketing and 40 percent for the brand-building campaign. Sripada said that the mainland agency of BigBasket is Pentagon Communications but the brand also works with other outdoor agencies depending on the need and campaign.

On influencer marketing for BB Now vertical, Sripada said BigBasket has signed a strategic partnership with Kusha Kapila, Gaurav Kapoor, and Danish Sait. She said, "When influencers are used correctly and in line with the brand's voice, it does have a good payoff".

'Business expansion'

The company is eyeing to expand the quick commerce segment in tier-3 cities. So far, BigBasket's 10-minute delivery services are available in tier-1 cities and a few tier-2 cities.

"Switching to quick commerce vertical across 200 cities will take time but we are moving quickly. Our focus will be to cover a maximum of the city with 10-minute delivery to ensure at least 80-90 percent of the city is covered," Sripada added, "BigBasket is ramping up to add around 100 dark stores in a year to meet the requirement". Currently, BBNow has 400 dark stores in 35 cities. BigBasket's plan is to link clusters of dark stores with these warehouses to streamline the delivery of both popular grocery items and non-grocery products. 

BigBasket's consolidated net loss narrowed by 21% to Rs 1,415 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24. The Tata-owner platform's losses were Rs 1,785.4 crore in FY2023.

According to the data sourced by data intelligence platform Tracxn, the revenue of BigBasket has scaled up by 6 percent to Rs 10,099 crore in FY24 as against Rs 9,499 crore in FY23.

The consolidated expenditure of the company has witnessed a marginal rise to Rs 11,515 crore in FY24 while the return on equity declined by 161 percent in the same fiscal year.

Founded in 2011, Tata acquired BigBasket in 2021 for $1.14 billion. According to Tracxn data, the online retailer has raised $942 million in more than 20 rounds.

Q-comm brewing: Tata Group brands gear up to strengthen BigBasket’s BB Now

The quick commerce market is expected to increase significantly, driven by urbanisation and rising customer expectations, reveals a Deloitte-FICCI report. As per the report, quick commerce will focus on localised e-commerce methods and speedier deliveries, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. The consumer survey indicates that 37 per cent of consumers prefer quick commerce for food and beverages over traditional e-commerce since these items are frequently driven by impulse purchases or urgent requirements. However, e-commerce is the favored platform for home, beauty and personal care products.

Deloitte has unveiled the “SPURring growth in FMCG, retail and e-commerce sectors in India” report in collaboration with FICCI, that highlights the role of India’s consumer Industry in boosting the overall economy.

Notedly, the Indian economy demonstrated a remarkable growth as its real GDP expanded by 6.7 per cent in Q1 FY25 despite global economic crises. In fact, IMF too raised its prediction for India's GDP growth in FY25 to 7 per cent, citing the country's economic outlook. Strong domestic demand, increasing rural consumption and a booming services sector are the main drivers of this expansion. 

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/survival-of-fittest-e-commerce-q-commerce-and-the-future-of-kiranas-43723.htm">Survival of fittest: E-commerce, q-commerce and the future of kiranas</a>

Talking about the report, Anand Ramanathan, Partner, Consumer Products and Retail Sector Leader, Deloitte India, said, “The consumer industry is a driving force behind India’s economic resilience, with the FMCG, retail and ecommerce sectors serving as its pillars. However, to maintain this trajectory, a strategic partnership between the government and the private sector is essential. We need reforms that directly address inflation control, credit access, and the ease of doing business." 

He added, "Policies that incentivise R&D, promote health and enhance rural infrastructure will be game changers. With the right policy framework in place, India is well on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest consumer market by 2030, transforming the economy and livelihoods of millions of people. Steps such as establishing a dedicated consumer sector council to focus on innovation, digital transformation and supply chain efficiency could propel us towards achieving the US$2 trillion consumer market milestone and ensure that we become the third-largest consumer market by 2030. The government’s role in shaping the future of this industry through enabling fiscal and monetary policies to support private investment and consumption will be crucial for achieving these objectives.”

Shift in Consumer Behaviour

The report further highlighted that there is a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour between affluent and unaffluent segments, indicating a trend emerging across multiple consumer goods sectors. For instance, in the FMCG sector, affluent consumers increasingly opt for larger pack sizes, indicating an uptick in spending capacity, while unaffluent consumers are downtrading. This trend of upgrading is visible in affluent markets, where consumers' preferences for high-end, more valuable products are fueled by larger disposable incomes. Unaffluent households, on the other hand, are cutting back on spending and opting for less expensive or non-branded goods.

Furthermore, India’s FMCG, e-commerce and retail sectors are increasingly relying on strategic M&As to drive long-term growth and competitiveness. The report reveals that consumers are shifting towards premium, sustainable and personalised products, prompting companies to innovate and upgrade their portfolios to meet these evolving needs. This surge in consumer demand, combined with a growing focus on sustainability, health and digital adoption, has created fertile ground for increased M&A activity. In addition to this, consumers are looking for foods with added health benefits, such as fortified cereals, probiotics and protein-rich snacks. The report reveals that about 78 per cent of consumers are willing to pay a premium for healthy food and beverages.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/ai-q-comm-micro-influencers-regional-language-content-fueling-festive-shopping-meta-44277.htm">AI, Q-comm, micro-Influencers, regional language content fueling festive shopping: Meta</a>

Interestingly, the packaged food industry is beginning to represent the range of ethnic cuisines found throughout India. Nationwide in popularity are Bengali sweets, South Indian spice blends and Gujarati munchies. This change reflects a growing trend among consumers to return to their roots and favor local production. It also shows a growing interest in real, region-specific flavors, which is fueling demand for packaged goods that offer a taste of local cuisines.

Demand for Clean-label products

The report claims that consumers are requesting products with fewer and recognisable ingredients. The clean label movement is pressuring manufacturers to restructure their goods to exclude synthetic preservatives and additives. For example, 51 per cent of consumers are willing to spend more for natural ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. The market for clean-label components is anticipated to develop, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7 per cent between 2018 and 2022. In 2023, 5,000 clean-label products were introduced in India, making up 13 per cent of all product releases worldwide due to the country's increasing demand. 

Moreover, Indian retailers are increasingly launching their own private label products, typically priced 25–40 per cent lower than comparable branded items. This shift is driven by the desire to offer cost-effective alternatives that appeal to price-sensitive consumers. In India, private labels represent 4 per cent of total retail sales, of which 70 per cent are of food categories.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/festive-season-to-propel-indias-e-commerce-growth-by-20-redseer-43583.htm">Festive season to propel India's e-commerce growth by 20%: Redseer</a>

“The Indian consumer sector is poised for transformative growth, fuelled by rapid innovation, digital adoption and shifting consumer preferences. This promising trajectory offers immense opportunities for the FMCG and retail sectors to expand and evolve. To harness this potential, collaboration between the government and businesses will play a pivotal role. By aligning policies with emerging market trends and nurturing an ecosystem of innovation and sustainability, the Indian consumer sector can serve as a vital partner in driving India’s economic prosperity and shaping a bright future for all stakeholders,” Harsha V Agarwal, Senior Vice President, FICCI; Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Emami Limited, added.

Q-comm rising and consumers leaning towards premium, sustainable products: Deloitte-FICCI report

Women marketing executives at notable companies in India have overcome numerous challenges, including gender-based prejudices and the pay gap to reach the top.

According to specialist staffing firm Xpheno, only 18 percent of the10,000 or so experienced marketing leaders active in the Indian market are women.

However, the short supply and high demand for women leaders have kept compensation packages competitive and in some cases, even higher than those of their male counterparts.

Upasna Dash, the founder of Jajabor Brand Consultancy, told Storyboard18 that dedicating oneself to honing their craft and skillset can help women fight the unequal pay situation endemic in the workplace universally.

Women's representation in top marketing positions is higher in sectors like personal care products (43 percent); IT services and system design (40 percent); F&B (37 percent), non-governmental organisations (31 percent), business consulting and services (31 percent), and information and media (28 percent).

Ankita Srivastava, chief marketing officer at Nat Habit labelled the beauty and personal care industry, which her firm is part of, 'gender agnostic'.

"In my early stint at L’Oréal, women outnumbered men while at RB (Reckitt Benckiser) and Marico, women led large portfolios. At Raymond Consumer Care (now GCPL), I was identified as leading the largest business vertical despite the fact that I was young and a woman," she said.

Siddharth Verma, head, executive search, Xpheno, said that the median salary for marketing leader positions vary by the size, stage and sector that enterprises belong to. Packages also vary widely based on seniority, relevant experience, qualifications and other factors.

According to Verma, "Individual packages range from Rs 1.1 crore all the way up to Rs 4 crore-plus on the other end. These numbers are not necessarily thumb rules or fixed references, and a lot of packages do exist at both the low and high end of the range."

Keerti Singh, co-founder and vice president of marketing at HitWicket, which owns the eponymous online game, agreed that compensation is aligned with the responsibilities and delivery.

"When I was at Amazon, my salary was higher than some of my male counterparts in the same role, but it was due to the output and results I delivered," Singh added.

Several women marketing executives also mentioned some innate strengths that have helped them excel in their careers.

Nisha Khatri, head of marketing at ethnic wear firm Libas, said, "Over time, I have come to appreciate the value-add empathy brings as a skillset. As Bill Gates said ‘Empathy is the biggest skill we are all yet to acquire,’ but with women leaders, the conversation becomes much easier. They are more mindful of both personal and professional growth of their team members."

"Our innate resilience to challenges really helps us to get through the ebbs and flows of life, especially in a country like India," Dash of Jajabor said.

Women in marketing roles have come far, but still have a long way to go

In a notable shift in the two-wheeler insurance market, a recent report from Policybazaar reveals that nearly half of all insurance purchases now originate from tier-3 cities. This trend underscores the increasing dependence on two-wheelers as the primary mode of transport in rural and semi-urban regions. While tier-2 cities contribute 27% and tier-1 cities account for 24% of purchases, the dominance of tier-3 cities is a clear indication of changing consumer behaviour.

The report highlights that comprehensive two-wheeler insurance is the preferred choice for 57% of buyers, overshadowing the 43% who opt for third-party coverage. This growing preference reflects a heightened demand for protection against accidents, theft, and natural disasters, with year-on-year growth in comprehensive insurance adoption reaching 8-10%. 

Increased awareness of the benefits of comprehensive coverage is driving this trend, suggesting a shift in consumer priorities towards more robust protection.

Among the various add-on options, the zero depreciation cover stands out as the most popular choice, selected by 78% of consumers. Additionally, 19% opt for compulsory personal accident (CPA) coverage, while 18% choose roadside assistance. Notably, interest in battery cover add-ons for electric vehicles (EVs) is also on the rise, indicating an evolving market landscape.

When it comes to vehicle types, motorbikes dominate the insurance purchases, accounting for 70% of total sales. The 150-220 CC segment emerges as the most common, while high-end bikes are becoming an increasingly popular niche, representing 7.4% of sales as owners seek comprehensive coverage to safeguard their investments.

Manas Kapoor, Head of Two-Wheeler Insurance at Policybazaar, commented on these findings, saying, "We're seeing a shift in how people, especially in smaller towns, approach two-wheeler insurance. With nearly half of all purchases coming from tier-3 cities, it's clear that two-wheelers are essential for daily commuting. What's interesting is the growing preference for comprehensive coverage-people are no longer just settling for third-party insurance. They're looking for more protection, whether it's against accident theft, or even natural disasters like floods. The popularity of the zero depreciation add-on shows how much consumers value reducing their repair costs and protecting their investments."

MARKETING