India’s consumer economy is entering the new quarter with visible signs of confidence returning across FMCG and organised retail. Leading consumer goods companies are preparing to raise advertising spends by 10–15 per cent as margins improve on softer commodity prices and inflation remains benign. This renewed marketing push signals expectations of stronger seasonal demand and a broader recovery in household consumption, particularly ahead of summer and major sporting events.
Budget 2026 is shaping the structural backdrop to this optimism. Rather than short-term stimulus, the focus is on strengthening agricultural infrastructure, rural incomes and supply chains, creating a foundation for the next consumption cycle. At the same time, large FMCG groups continue to acquire digital-first brands to capture emerging consumer segments, reflecting how online-native labels are becoming central to growth strategy. Retail expansion remains active, with Apple preparing another India store and Nykaa reporting a sharp profit surge driven by beauty demand. Together, these moves suggest a market shifting from caution to calibrated expansion, anchored in fundamentals ratherthan hype.
Click on the headings below for insights on how these trends are shaping India’s retail landscape…
1. FMCG majors to raise ad spend 10-15% till June quarter as margins improve, demandpicks up
Leading consumer goods companies like Dabur and Godrej are planning to boost their advertising budgets by 10-15% in the coming quarters. This strategic move, fuelled by lower commodity costs and benign inflation, aims to capitalize on anticipated sales growth driven by improving demand, upcoming sporting events, and the summer season.
2. How Budget 2026 Reframes the Growth Playbook for Consumer Brands
Budget 2026 may not spark instant consumption, but it fixes the fundamentals. From agriculture and dairy to FMCG cash flows and manufacturing efficiency, the focus is on strengthening supply chains, rural incomes and brand scalability—preparing the ground for the next consumption cycle.
3. From ITC, HUL to Marico: Why big FMCG is paying billions for brands you’ve only seenon Instagram
India’s FMCG giantsare snapping up D2C brands to chase growth as core portfolios slow. Deals by Marico, HUL, Tata Consumer and ITC show why digital-first startups are becoming acquisition targets. India’s biggest packaged goods companies are increasingly buying the very brands that built their followings online, often before they became household names.
4. Apple lines up Hyderabad as its next India retail store, hiring already underway
Apple is preparing to deepen its retail footprint in India, withHyderabad emerging as the company’s next physical store location. Job listingson Apple’s careers portal reveal openings for roles like Store Leader, Senior Manager and Genius in the city, signalling Apple’s next brick-and-mortar move.
5. Budget 2026: FMCG Firms To Benefit From Agri-infrastructure & Consumption Support
Budget 2026 comes at a crucial juncture for India's consumption-led sectors, particularly FMCG and food staples, which sit at the intersection of household spending, farmer livelihoods and food security. Over the past year, policy stability and calibrated fiscal measures have helped sustain demand.
6. Nykaa's profit more than doubles amid beauty demand surge in India
Indian fashion-to-beauty retailer Nykaa posted a more than two-fold jump in quarterly profit on Thursday, helped by steady demand for skincare and makeup products. The company, formally known as FSN E-Commerce Ventures, posted a profit of 633.1 million rupees ($7.01 million) for the third quarter ended December 31, compared to 261.2 million rupees a year ago.