With GSK buy, HUL also wins access to key pharmacy channels in India

Beauty and personal care sales contribution coming from the pharmacy channel is pegged at around 15-20%

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) acquiring GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer will not only give the Indian consumer goods company a portfolio of health food drinks such as Horlicks and Boost but also access to the key pharmacy channel in the country.

According to the deal announced on Monday, HUL has decided to undertake distribution of GSK Consumer’s over-the-counter (OTC) products, including Iodex, Eno, Crocin, and Sensodyne, for a period of five years.

These products were earlier distributed by GSK Consumer as part of an arrangement with its parent, which owned the brands. While GSK will continue to own these brands (they are not part of