Colgate steps up naturals portfolio to regain share from Patanjali, Dabur

Already a fifth of the nearly Rs 80-billion toothpaste market in India (around Rs 15 billion) is herbal with the segment estimated to become a fourth (or Rs 20 billion) in the next few years

Oral care major Colgate-Palmolive, which is facing stiff competition from rivals such as Patanjali in India, is now putting more heft behind its domestic naturals portfolio, Global Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ian Cook said in an investor call.   

Speaking to analysts over the weekend, Cook said brands such as Colgate Swarna Vedshakti, launched last year, were an “adequate foil” to local brands. He said the brand was doing well in modern trade, adding that the company would put more investment behind it. 

“Market shares are moving up on an ongoing basis. In modern trade, share is