The MD and CEO says that the company is witnessing double-digit growth in ecommerce and competitive excellence in quick commerce
Colgate-Palmolive (India) is looking to reach more households in rural markets and continue introducing science-led innovations in urban areas, Prabha Narasimhan, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, said.
“As we move towards 2030, our approach is to strengthen our leadership while improving our operational efficiency. We are focused on reaching more households in rural markets and continuing to introduce science-led innovations in urban areas,” Narasimhan highlighted in the annual report for 2025-26.
She added that the company is witnessing double-digit growth in ecommerce and competitive excellence in quick commerce. “We are not only keeping up with changing shopping habits, we are also shaping them,” she noted.
The MD and CEO mentioned that persistent headwinds, shifting consumer preferences, rural-urban dynamics, geopolitical uncertainties and macroeconomic pressures tested the company in the last financial year (FY26). While the company navigated market volatility in the first half, its business stabilised in the latter half of the year, driven by early positive signs in its core portfolio and improved momentum across both urban and rural trade channels.
“Our fundamentals remained strong and we closed the year with 9 per cent topline growth in Q4. These healthy margins, supported by our ‘funding-the-growth’ program, allowed us to increase advertising investments by 10 per cent, fuelling innovation, strengthening brand health and expanding household penetration,” she pointed out.
She added that with an improving demand environment and the company’s intense focus on superior, on-the-ground execution, the company expects this momentum to accelerate as it moves forward.
“Digital agility remains a key part of our strategy. We are using data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve our value chain, from forecasting to consumer engagement. By refining our presence across traditional and digital retail, we aim to be available whenever our consumers need us,” she emphasised.
Focus On Quick Commerce & Premium Play
In its annual report, the company added that it is also expanding its presence in quick commerce, enabling faster fulfilment and improving responsiveness to evolving consumer purchasing behaviour. It added that significant growth potential also exists within the whitening category in India, with penetration at approximately 2 per cent compared to 25 per cent in developed markets. To capitalise on this opportunity, the company has introduced various innovative products and formats.
The company noted that a core priority in modern trade is driving competitive share gain and unlocking its full potential in the premium segment. To achieve this, it is leveraging its entire portfolio, capitalising on the strength and breadth of its key packs. The company’s net sales stood at Rs 5,984 crore in FY26, while the gross margin stood at 69.3 per cent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) was Rs 1,870 crore.
