India’s retail and FMCG ecosystem enters the week with a blend of regulatory ambition, shifting consumer dynamics and strategic corporate moves. Industry leaders are pushing for a unified “one nation, one retail” framework to replace fragmented state-level licences, arguing that simplified norms could accelerate expansion into emerging markets. New forecasts reinforce this optimism, projecting India’s retail sector to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030, powered by rising incomes and deeper digital adoption.
But currency pressures are creating headwinds: the rupee crossing 90 to the dollar may raise prices across electronics, beauty and automotive, potentially offsetting gains from recent GST cuts. At the same time, the ready-to-cook category is seeing a sharp rise as urban consumers seek convenience with authenticity, drawing both FMCG giants and startups into one of the sector’s fastest-growing battlegrounds. Corporate restructuring continues, with Reliance moving its FMCG business into RCPL, even as major FMCG players report revenue growth driven more by pricing than real volume recovery.
Click on the headings below for insights on how these trends are shaping India’s retail landscape…
1. Retail sector pushes for 'one nation, one retail' policy, simpler norms
India’s retail leaders are urging the government to introduce a single national retail licence to replace today’s maze of state-wise approvals, renewals and inspections. They argue that a unified, time-bound, digital system would cut compliance costs, accelerate expansion into Tier II–V markets, and help the sector unlock its projected growth toward a USD 2 trillion market.
2. India’s Retail Market Set to Hit $1 Trillion by 2030
India’s retail market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, driven by rising disposable incomes, rapid digital adoption, and a surge in consumer aspirations across urban and non-urban India. Branded retail is expected to double in size, touching $730 billion by 2030 and accounting for nearly half of the overall retail market, according to the report by Fireside Ventures and Redseer Strategy Consultants.
Consumers may soon have to brace for higher prices! The depreciation of the rupee beyond Rs 90 against the US dollar could force various sectors including consumer electronics, beauty products, and automobile manufacturers to increase their prices. This increase may end up eating into the benefits after the recent GST rate cuts. This potential price rise might neutralise the positive sales momentum these sectors saw after recent tax reductions.
4. Why India's $1.1B Ready-to-Cook Boom Is Luring FMCG Giants, Startups
India’s ready-to-cook (RTC) category is seeing a major surge as time-pressed urban consumers look for convenience without compromising on “home-style” freshness. Big players like Licious, ITC, MTR and iD are expanding aggressively into batters, mixes and semi-cooked meals — signalling a shift where RTC is no longer a niche but one of FMCG’s fastest-growing, most competitive segments.
5. Reliance Retail Completes Restructuring, Moves FMCG Business Into Newly Formed RCPL Unit
Reliance Retail has completed a major internal restructuring, transferring its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business into a newly created subsidiary, New Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (New RCPL). The move, formalized through a regulatory filing late Monday, is aimed at sharpening focus on the company’s rapidly expanding packaged goods portfolio.
6. Why India’s FMCG giants are growing revenue but losing customers
India’s FMCG giants are reporting higher revenues, but mostly because of price hikes — not because more people are buying their products. With volumes flat or declining across several categories, companies are effectively earning more from fewer customers, signalling weak underlying consumer demand despite topline growth.
7. Black Friday boost: Online sales in India jump 27%; FMCG, beauty & personal care leads growth
Black Friday sales in India recorded a strong rise this year, with overall order volumes growing 27% compared to 2024, according to an analysis by e-commerce enablement platform Unicommerce. The surge was driven largely by healthy food products, beauty and personal care, and home categories.
8. GSK India plans big 'reinvention', MD Bhushan Akshikar reveals
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals is planning a major comeback in India. The company aims to double its revenue to ₹8,000 crore within the next 4-5 years. This growth will be driven by a strategic shift towards specialty drugs in oncology and liver diseases. Adult vaccination is also a key focus area.
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