India among largest growth contributors in 2020: Reckitt Benckiser

Health and hygiene major Reckitt Benckiser (RB) today said that India was one of three largest growth contributors for the company in 2020. The British fast-moving consumer goods giant today reported 11.8 per cent top line growth for the year.

“All geographic regions have grown, with the largest contributors to growth including the US, India, and China. Around 70 per cent of our category market units by revenue either gained or held market share,” it said in a post-earnings statement.

India is one of the largest markets for the group and in 2020, reach of its toilet cleaner brand Harpic jumped significantly. “Harpic is now used in over 100 million homes in India, up by nearly 30 million, compared to 2019”. “Purpose-led marketing campaigns” resulted in “behaviour change” among Indian consumers over the past few quarters, it said.

The local market’s performance during the year, in fact, lifted RB's business in other segments as well. At the peak of the pandemic in mid-2020, its flagship brand Dettol took pole position in India’s soap market, riding on the renewed surge in consumption of hygiene and sanitary products.