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Leading fastmoving consumer goods (FMCG) companies expect volumedriven growth to take centre stage in the next fiscal year, supported by easing inflation and stable commodity prices that have begun to ease pressure on margins. In the December quarter, leading FMCG companies reported mid- to high single-digit volume growth. On their latest earnings calls, the industry captains said the operating environment is turning more favourable after several quarters of volatility. Key inputs such as edible oils, wheat, copra and surfactants softened, and with macroeconomic tailwinds including GST rationalisation, higher MSPs and a healthy crop season, FMCG makers anticipate sustained demand recovery. Most players have already taken calibrated price hikes earlier in the fiscal year and now expect growth to be led by volumes rather than pricing. Some companies indicated they may pass on some benefits of lower input costs to consumers through offers, increased grammage or selective discounts, ev
Volatility in gold prices has not deterred Indian buyers, with customers increasingly treating price corrections as opportunities to enter the market, similar to equity investors, Titan Company Managing Director Ajoy Chawla said. Many consumers who had earlier deferred purchases, being fence sitters due to rising prices, have now shifted strategy, choosing to buy during dips rather than wait indefinitely, he said. "People have burnt their fingers being fence sitters, so they are now using every correction to come into the market, as they do in the share market," Chawla told PTI. He acknowledged that volatility continues to mark the gold trade, but demand remains resilient. "Customers will try to participate. Those who missed out will try to come in," he said, underlining the strong sentiment around the yellow metal. Titan's jewellery division, which includes the flagship Tanishq brand, has benefitted from this trend, supported by product innovation and festive demand in the Decembe