The report, “Consumer Staples 1QFY27 Result Review – Recovery broadens, but margins remain a work in progress”, said revenue growth across its consumer-staples coverage stood at 15% year-on-year in Q1 FY27, broadly in line with expectations. It said volume growth is increasingly driving topline performance, although the consumption recovery is not yet fully normalised.

Nestlé India and Marico emerged as key performers, with Nestlé reporting 25% revenue growth, largely volume-led, while Marico recorded 23% revenue growth and 11% domestic volume growth, its highest in 20 quarters. HUL, Godrej Consumer Products, Tata Consumer Products and Dabur also reported positive underlying volume growth, while CCL Products recorded around 20% volume growth.

The broader volume trend also remained encouraging. Volume growth in Q1 FY27 stood at 5% for Hindustan Unilever, 20% for Varun Beverages, 9% for Britannia Industries, 7% for Godrej Consumer Products, 13% for Tata Consumer Products, 11% for Marico, 5% for Dabur India, 7% for Colgate-Palmolive India and 16% for Emami.

The report said rural demand continues to remain resilient, while urban consumption is gradually improving. Recent improvement in rainfall and continued government support through MSPs have provided confidence on rural demand for the balance of FY27, although weather-related risks remain a monitorable.

At the same time, the report flagged input-cost inflation as the key near-term risk to margins. Commodity prices have moved higher across several important FMCG inputs. As of August 10, palm oil prices were around 20% higher year-on-year, crude oil was up around 35%, HDPE prices had risen 28%, while sugar was up 11% year-on-year and 13% sequentially. Mustard oil was also around 7% higher year-on-year.

Equirus said the impact of commodity inflation is likely to be more pronounced for home and personal care (HPC) companies, given their greater exposure to crude- and palm-oil-linked derivatives, packaging materials and other petroleum-linked inputs. In contrast, food and beverage companies remain relatively better protected due to earlier pricing actions, procurement efficiencies and favourable product mix.

The pressure is already visible in gross margins. While Tata Consumer Products expanded gross margin by 257 basis points, Nestlé by 205 bps and Britannia by 119 bps, Godrej Consumer Products saw gross margin contract 261 bps, while Emami’s gross margin declined 360 bps year-on-year.

Despite the improvement in demand, operating margins remain a key monitorable as companies continue to invest in brands, innovation and distribution. For instance, Colgate’s gross margin expanded 104 bps year-on-year, but its EBITDA margin declined 144 bps as advertising and promotional expenditure rose 34%. Marico, however, expanded EBITDA margin by 36 bps despite a 25% increase in advertising and promotion spending.

The report expects pricing actions, productivity measures and easing of some input costs to support margin recovery over the coming quarters. Britannia expects a 1.5-25 pricing benefit, while Emami expects calibrated pricing and productivity initiatives to offset input-cost inflation during FY27. Mrs Bectors expects the impact of commodity inflation to peak in 2QFY27, with most of the pressure expected to be recovered from 3QFY27 onwards.

Equirus expects the broader margin recovery to become more visible in the second half of FY27, although the pace is likely to vary across companies depending on their commodity exposure, pricing power, brand investments and product mix. The report remains constructive on select companies, including Marico, Britannia Industries and Tata Consumer Products among large caps, and CCL Products, Mrs Bectors Food Specialities and Zydus Wellness among mid- and small-cap companies.

The report’s key takeaway is that the FMCG sector has moved beyond the earlier demand-led concerns, with volumes showing a broader recovery. However, sustaining that momentum while protecting margins amid rising input costs will remain the key challenge for companies through FY27.

The post FMCG Sector Posts 15% Revenue Growth in Q1 FY27 as Volumes Recover: Equirus Securities Report appeared first on Business of Food.

Under its flagship brand Go Cheese, PMFL has built one of India’s leading cheese portfolios, commanding an estimated 35% market share. The company is also a key supplier to institutional customers, including hotels, restaurants and catering (HoReCa) businesses, while maintaining a strong presence across general trade, modern trade, e-commerce and quick commerce channels. The expansion comes at a time when India’s cheese market is witnessing robust growth.

The Go Cheese portfolio includes mozzarella, processed cheese, cheddar, cheese slices, spreads, cheese cubes, cheese sauces, cream cheese, pizza cheese and a range of speciality chees solutions serving both retail and food service customers. Catering to the premium segment, its flagship Pride of Cows brand follows a unique farm-to-home, single-origin model, delivering high-quality fresh dairy products to discerning consumers.

Commenting on the development, Rahul Kumar Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Parag Milk Foods Ltd, said, “Cheese is one of the key growth drivers for Parag Milk Foods and a strategic pillar of our value-added products portfolio. This Board approval marks another important step in our phased roadmap towards 120 MT per day and reflects our confidence in the long-term potential of the category. The additional capacity enhances manufacturing efficiency, strengthen our ability to meet growing customer demand and support future product innovation.”

PMFL’s diversified portfolio spans everyday dairy staples such as ghee, dahi, paneer and liquid milk under the Gowardhan brand, alongside value-added offerings including cheese, UHT milk, buttermilk, lassi and flavoured milk under the Go brand. Beyond its core dairy portfolio, PMFL has established a strong presence in the fast-growing sports nutrition segment through Avvatar, India’s first 100% vegetarian whey protein brand.

The company is focused on strengthening its position as a global nutrition provider while building one of India’s leading health- and nutrition-focused dairy FMCG businesses through continuous innovation and high-quality products.

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To commemorate Zappfresh’s 11th anniversary, the company launched its ’11:11′ campaign, offering every Meevaa product at Rs. 11 for 11 days. The campaign generated 343,000 orders across Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru while bringing in more than 2,400 first-time customers, highlighting the increasing demand for high-protein, ready-to-cook vegetarian snacks and convenience foods among urban consumers.

The expansion leverages Zappfresh’s existing operations and cold-chain infrastructure in Mumbai and Bengaluru, enabling Meevaa Foods to scale efficiently while maintaining product quality, freshness and reliable last-mile delivery. The company has planned an initial fulfilment capacity of more than 2,000 orders per city every month and expects the two markets to contribute 50–60% of Meevaa’s direct-to-consumer business over the long term.

Commenting on the expansion Priya Agarwaal, Director, DSM Fresh Foods Ltd. said, “Mumbai and Bengaluru were a natural choice for Meevaa Foods as Zappfresh has already established a strong operational and consumer presence in both markets. Today’s consumers are looking for food that delivers convenience without compromising on taste, nutrition or authenticity. With Meevaa, we have brought the rich, familiar flavours of North Indian cuisine into a modern, ready-to-cook format that fits seamlessly into fast-paced urban lifestyles. We also see a growing shift towards protein-rich snacking, with consumers becoming more conscious about what they eat while expecting convenience at the same time. The response to our launch reaffirms our belief that premium frozen vegetarian foods are no longer a niche category but an emerging mainstream choice for India’s metro consumers. This expansion is another step towards making quality, high-protein convenience foods accessible to more households across the country.”

The company’s early performance in Delhi NCR underscores the brand’s growing traction. Since launching in the region earlier this year, Meevaa Foods has recorded a repeat purchase rate of 55%, reflecting strong customer acceptance. During the anniversary campaign, overall orders rose by nearly 40%, while the customer base expanded by 30%. Among the top-selling products were Tandoori Paneer Power Momos, Veg Noodle Spring Rolls, Paneer Smash Patty and Paneer Samosa.

Following its entry into Mumbai and Bengaluru, Meevaa Foods plans to deepen its presence in existing markets through new consumer engagement initiatives and product discovery campaigns. The company is also expanding its international footprint by exporting to markets such as Saudi Arabia, Canada and the United Kingdom, aligning with its strategy of taking Indian convenience foods to global consumers.

Going forward, DSM Fresh Foods will continue to introduce regional and festive campaigns while increasing Meevaa’s availability through quick commerce platforms. The company aims to strengthen its reach across Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru as it capitalises on the growing demand for premium convenience foods in India.

The post Meevaa Foods Expands to Mumbai and Bengaluru, Strengthens Presence in India’s Frozen Convenience Food Market appeared first on Business of Food.

The latest D2C-exclusive launches include Organic Mustard Oil (3L), Organic Groundnut Oil (3L), Natural Tattva Buffalo Ghee (500ml), Organic Cashews (500g), Organic Kashmiri Walnuts (500g), Organic Kashmiri Almonds (500g), and Natural Tattva A2 Cow Ghee (1L) offering consumers greater convenience, better value and pack options tailored to evolving household needs.

As consumers increasingly embrace digital-first shopping experiences, Organic Tattva continues to invest in its own D2C platform not just as a sales channel, but as a destination for consumers seeking transparency, trust and a closer relationship with the brand.

One of the platform’s biggest differentiators is Organic Tattva’s QR-based traceability system, which allows consumers to trace the purity and quality of every batch they purchase. By scanning the QR code on the pack, customers can access batch-specific information. Beyond convenience, Organic Tattva’s D2C platform is designed to build a community of conscious consumers by offering exclusive pack sizes, special member-only offers, faster deliveries and a more personalised shopping experience.

Speaking on the expansion, Rohit Mehrotra, Co-Founder, Organic Tattva, said, “At Organic Tattva, our focus has always been on making honest, organic food more accessible while building lasting trust with our consumers. Our D2C platform allows us to go beyond transactions and create meaningful relationships through greater transparency, exclusive offerings and a seamless shopping experience. Features like our QR-based traceability system empower consumers to know exactly what they’re bringing home, while our expanding range of pack sizes ensures we continue to meet their evolving lifestyle needs.”

Driven by the growing demand for transparency, quality assurance and chemical-free food, Organic Tattva has consistently expanded its offerings. The new pack sizes are now available exclusively on the brand’s website.

The post Organic Tattva Launches D2C-Exclusive Pack Sizes Across Oils, Ghee and Dry Fruits appeared first on Business of Food.

Built on the proposition ‘Refreshingly Simple’, B Natural Coconut Cola comes with Zero Caffeine, Zero Added Sugar, and just 9 Kcal per serve.

The product has been developed in close collaboration with ITC’s Product Development and Life Sciences & Technology Centre (LSTC) teams. With B Natural Coconut Cola, the company is launching an entirely new beverage category for India: A hydrating cola that delivers on indulgence without compromising on wellness.

Speaking about the launch, Vivek Kookkal, Vice President and Business Head – Dairy and Beverages, Foods Division, ITC Ltd, said, “Coconut Cola is rooted in a simple consumer insight that indulgence does not need to be over-engineered to be enjoyable. With this unique launch, we aim to encourage consumers to rediscover the value of simplicity through a thoughtfully crafted beverage experience – combining the familiar taste of cola with coconut water, we are offering an alternative that is both enjoyable and refreshingly simple.”

The new product is now available in a 250 ml can priced at Rs 60 and will be rolled out across leading retail and quick-commerce platforms in key metro cities, including Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.

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Designed for today’s always-on lifestyles, bbinstant stores operate 24×7, offering a curated range of snacks, beverages, ready-to-eat meals, and daily essentials. Consumers can simply walk up, pick what they need, pay digitally, and move on – all within minutes and without any human intervention. Moving beyond app-based deliveries, the company is taking convenience into the physical world with smart retail kiosks strategically placed across corporate offices, residential complexes, and community spaces.

In a city known for its vibrant culture, bustling workdays, and late-night food cravings, bbinstant is positioned to serve a wide spectrum of consumers — from professionals working long hours to residents looking for quick access to essentials at any time of the day or night.

Commenting on the expansion, Seshu Kumar Tirumala, Chief Operating Officer, BigBasket said, “Convenience has always been at the heart of what bigbasket stands for, and bbinstant takes that a step further by putting it literally at your doorstep. Kolkata is a city that never really slows down, and we want to make sure that whether it’s early morning or late at night, residents and professionals always have access to fresh, quality products without having to step out. We are excited to be part of Kolkata’s everyday story.”

The initiative also deepens bigbasket’s presence within institutional and residential ecosystems, complementing its broader quick commerce network at a time when competition in the sector continues to intensify and consumer expectations around accessibility keep rising. The launch signals the next evolution of quick commerce, where convenience is no longer defined solely by rapid delivery times but by instant accessibility. As urban consumers place a growing premium on convenience and accessibility, retailers are exploring innovative formats that bring products closer to where people spend most of their time.

With bbinstant now rolling out across Kolkata, the city’s next cup of coffee, midnight snack, forgotten grocery item, or on-the-go refreshment may no longer require a delivery rider at the doorstep. Instead, it could be waiting just around the corner.

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May of 2026 brings Krispy Kreme® in collaboration with Mattel and Amazon MGM Studios that unleashes a limited-time offer of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe® Collection, featuring three all-new doughnuts and a custom dozen’s box inspired by the He-man and the Masters of the Universe’s heroes and villains of Eternia:

• – NEW He-Man Caramel Crunch Doughnut – a powerhouse of flavor featuring an Original Glazed® doughnut dipped in red caramel icing swirled with cheesecake flavored buttercreme, topped with graham-flavored crumble and a He-Man piece.
• – NEW Skeletor Double Chocolate Doughnut – a wickedly delicious, unglazed shell doughnut filled with chocolate custard, dipped in chocolate icing and chocolate cookie crumble, topped with a Skeletor piece.
• – NEW Cringer Claw Cookie Dough Doughnut – a roaring Original Glazed® doughnut dipped and drizzled with cookie dough icing.

“Bringing together the power of the universe and the power of the dozen creates an experience worthy of Eternia,” said Alison Holder, Chief Brand and Product Officer, Krispy Kreme. “Inspired by He-Man’s legendary spirit, these doughnuts are here to defend doughnut deliciousness with bold flavors and heroic fun in every bite. We’re excited for fans and doughnut lovers to rise to the occasion. Heroes act fast, and so should you.”

Share your defending doughnut deliciousness with Krispy Kreme’s new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Collection with your neighbours, just like the legendary hero – or not, like the evil Skeletor – the choice is yours.

The post By the Power of Grayskull and Glaze: Krispy Kreme® Unveils He-Man Doughnut Collection appeared first on Business of Food.

With an  experience spanning over two decades across sectors such as QSR, FMCG, beauty, fashion and automotive, with a focus on P&L management, brand building and digital-led growth, Arvind served as Chief Business Officer (South) at McDonald’s India, previous to Lenexis Foodworks, where he played a key role in driving business growth and strengthening brand strategy. Over the course of his career, he has led large-scale initiatives spanning brand building, category innovation, full-funnel digital transformation, and developing high-performance teams.

Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder & Director, Lenexis Foodworks said, “We are delighted to welcome Arvind to Lenexis Foodworks at a pivotal stage in our journey. As we scale our brands and strengthen our presence across India, his deep experience in building consumer businesses, driving P&L growth, and creating digital-first organisations will be invaluable. Arvind’s leadership will help us sharpen execution, strengthen our operating backbone, and accelerate our ambition of building category-leading QSR brands.”

Arvind R P, Chief Executive Officer, Lenexis Foodworks expressed, “Lenexis Foodworks has built a strong foundation with a portfolio of distinctive brands, and embodies the ambition of a new-age Indian food services platform. I am excited to join the team at this pivotal stage, and help accelerate growth. The opportunity to build a future-ready QSR platform and drive category leadership across brands is truly compelling.”

As the company intensifies its expansion across Geographies, targeting 500 stores by 2028 and deepens category leadership in Desi Chinese, bowl-format dining, and the fast-growing momo segment, Arvind will lead the company’s next phase of accelerated growth — scaling its portfolio brands, strengthening operational excellence, and building a future-ready organisation.

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