J & J To Launch Global Skin Care Brands

Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the Indian subsidiary of the US multinational, as part of its decision to revamp the company's adult care division, is planning to launch a range of international skin care brands in the country.

Narendra Ambwani, managing director, J&J, said, "We see a good market opportunity in skin care and we will be launching our global brands in India soon."

"These could include brands like RoC, Neutrogena, PH 5.5 and Johnson Pure Essential. We are currently examining which of the brands to launch here and which could work in the Indian market," Ambwani added.

"We have recently launched the PH 5.5 brand in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and have met with a good response," he said. J&J India also handles the operations in the nearby regions.

 

In India, its flagship skin care brand is Clean n Clear, targeted at teenagers, but is gradually losing market share to Hindustan Lever's (HLL) Pond's and Lakme.

In adult care, its main brands are Johnson's buds and Shower to Shower prickly heat powder. Ambwani agreed that Shower to Shower has not been performing well, as a result of which the product category needs to be revitalised.

According to analysts, the prickly heat powder market is estimated to be around Rs 100 crore.

The parent company, with $29.1 billion sales in 2000, is the world's largest manufacturer of health care products serving the consumer, pharmaceutical and professional markets.

In India, the Rs 600 crore J&J is present in infant care, child care, adult toiletries, women's health, wound care, skin care, vision care and pharmaceuticals.

Last year, J&J got out of the oral care business, with the Reach brand in the toothbrush segment. Ambwani said, "Reach was withdrawn because of the tough competition from Colgate and HLL."

In vision care, it has recently discontinued the Vistavue brand of contact lens. The company will focus on its two major brands --Acuvue and Surevue. The Acuvue brand, No. 1 in the world, is priced at Rs 6,000 for a year's quota which has to be changed every 15 days. Surevue is available at Rs 3,000 and has to be changed on a monthly basis.

In Child care, it's product portfolio includes Johnson's Kids Detangling Shampoo and Johnson's kids soap, while in women's health care it has Carefree, Stayfree Germi-shield, Stayfree Silky Dry, Stayfree Secure and OB Tampons.

In wound care, the company has Band Aid brand of adhesive bandage, Savlon Antiseptic liquid and Johnson Plast.