Unilever says it won’t miss India’s premium boom as it did in China

Unilever is focusing on India as a key market for its next growth phase. Chief Executive Fernando Fernandez has emphasized that the company is determined not to repeat the timing missteps it made in China. With Indian consumers increasingly willing to spend more, Unilever plans to accelerate the launch of premium home and personal care products. Fernandez views India as one of Unilever’s largest growth opportunities over the next decade.

Rising incomes, urbanization, and expanding digital channels are paving the way for premium and super-premium brands. He pointed out that Unilever already has a range of prestige labels ready to introduce when the market demands them, rather than delaying their entry. This strategy is part of a larger shift within Unilever toward beauty, wellbeing, and personal care sectors, where they expect higher margins and quicker growth.

The company is also channeling resources into premium, differentiated, and digitally native brands. Among its targets for selective acquisitions, India and the U. S. Stand out as priority markets. At Hindustan Unilever, premium products currently account for about a third of sales, with management aiming to increase that share to half in time. This ambition underscores how crucial premiumization has become in their approach to India especially since smaller towns are beginning to exhibit consumption patterns similar to those in major cities. Unilever’s intent is clear: India is evolving beyond just mass-market appeal.

The company aims to create a more refined blend of value and premium offerings to meet everyday needs while also catering to consumers looking for higher-margin upgradesbrand narrative they can leverage in future campaigns.