0 months ago
Marico CMD says value-added hair oil investments pay rich dividends
The boss of a big Indian company called Marico talked about how the company is doing.
Marico makes hair oil and other everyday products.
He said the company's fancier hair oils are selling really well and helping the business grow.
He also said Marico handled supply problems better than smaller companies.
A special sales plan called Setu is helping stores sell more of Marico's different products.
The boss believes the company will keep growing steadily for the rest of the year.
He said sales of everyday products got better after the government changed some taxes.
Marico will keep spending money on advertising and on new products like shampoo, almond oil, and food.
He expects the price of copra, a hair oil ingredient, to stay lower than last year, which helps the business.
Marico CMD Gupta said investments in the premium part of value-added hair oils are paying rich dividends, with high-teen volume growth.
The company's distribution initiative 'Setu' is driving range selling and high-quality growth in secondary brands.
Marico is confident of delivering high-single digit growth for the balance of the year, with occasional double-digit quarters.
FMCG volumes have recovered since GST rationalization in H2FY26, and Indian consumers were relatively insulated from Middle East war adversity.
With copra expected to stay around 30-35% lower than its peak last year, Marico sees high single-digit EBITDA growth, potentially touching 20%.
- Who
- Marico's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), identified as Gupta, speaking in an exclusive interview with BTTV.
- What
- He said investments in premium value-added hair oils are paying rich dividends and expressed confidence in high-single digit growth for the balance of the year.
- Where
- India, where Marico is focusing on shampoo, almond and cold press oil, and foods, alongside its international business.
- When
- No specific date given; the interview covers the current financial year, after GST rationalization that occurred in H2FY26.
- Why
- Confidence stems from strong premium hair oil growth, FMCG volume recovery, a reduced rainfall deficit, lower copra prices, and the Setu distribution initiative.
Key facts
- Company
- Marico (FMCG major)
- Speaker
- Marico CMD Gupta, in an exclusive BTTV interview
- Key Growth Driver
- Premium value-added hair oils - high-teen volume growth
- Distribution Initiative
- Setu - driving range selling in secondary brands
- Growth Outlook
- High-single digit for the balance of the year; occasional double-digit quarters
- Copra Price Outlook
- Expected to stay around 30-35% lower than last year's peak
- EBITDA Outlook
- High single-digit, potentially 20%+, even with crude at $85-90
- Market Context
- FMCG volumes recovered since H2FY26 GST rationalization; rainfall deficit reduced
Quotes
Gautam Gupta
Marico Chief Managing Director
“"We are never shy of investing behind long‑term brand equity and investing behind talent and capability, and this has been in irrespective of cycles."”
businesstoday.in
“"If we get it right, we will deliver double digits once in a while in some quarters."”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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