Growth Surge in E-Commerce: Unilever and L’Oreal Shine in India
Multinational giants Unilever and L’Oreal are experiencing remarkable growth within various e-commerce arenas, particularly in India, which is emerging as a notable performer.
During their respective earnings calls for the September quarter, both companies reported a substantial doubling of sales, a feat largely attributed to the rapid expansion of hyper-local delivery platforms across the nation.
Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of French beauty powerhouse L’Oreal, recently remarked during his visit to India that the combination of quick-commerce and traditional e-commerce platforms constitutes a pivotal advancement, accelerating the introduction of new products and invigorating existing brands.
“While we were discussing the U.S., my experience in India just ten days ago underscored the significance of these platforms. They enable us to reach consumers nationwide, something that was previously unattainable,” Hieronimus explained in response to an inquiry.
Digital Commerce Dynamics
Fernando Fernandez, CEO of Unilever, noted that digital commerce now represents a noteworthy 17 percent of the company’s overall revenue. He elaborated, stating, “Our growth metrics are impressive: 15 percent on Amazon, 25 percent on Walmart.com, 30 percent on Flipkart in India, and a staggering 70 percent growth on TikTok globally.”
Unilever, operating in India through its subsidiary HUL, has revised its portfolio. This strategic adjustment follows thorough research and the divestment of lower-value brands while enhancing its presence in premium segments.
Fernandez highlighted the success of ‘digitally native brands’ within the market, stating:
“In regions such as the U.S., our portfolio boasts the highest e-commerce exposure Unilever has globally. However, we observe analogous trends in other markets, including China and India. Our quick commerce segment in India is set to more than double this year, aligning perfectly with our capabilities.”
Future Endeavors in E-Commerce
When addressing the outlook for e-commerce, Hieronimus asserted that digital channels have the potential to exceed market growth rates. “If market growth hovers slightly above 3 percent, our e-commerce division is currently expanding at more than double that rate—around 12 percent,” he noted.
He further emphasized, We are profoundly committed to bolstering this segment as it enables us to connect with new consumers, whether in India, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., or China, where e-commerce constitutes a significant portion of our business.
It also facilitates a swift penetration of new products while continually revitalizing our existing brands.
Earlier this week, L’Oreal announced robust performance figures for its Indian operations, highlighting significant gains in both consumer and professional products businesses during the nine months concluding in September 2025.
Source link: M.economictimes.com.
