Unilever is placing strong confidence in India as a central pillar of its medium-term growth strategy, with CEO Fernando Fernandez highlighting the country’s expanding consumption base as a major driver of future volumes. Speaking in a conversation with JP Morgan, Fernandez noted that India’s scale, demographics and economic momentum make it critical to Unilever’s global ambitions.
India currently accounts for around 14% of Unilever’s revenues, and Fernandez explained that achieving close to 4% volume growth in India-alongside similar performance in the US-would significantly support the company’s target of exceeding 2% overall volume growth. Rising incomes beyond metropolitan markets and rapid GDP growth in large parts of the country are creating fresh opportunities for the company’s portfolio of everyday and premium brands.
Alongside India-led volumes, Unilever is accelerating its premiumisation strategy worldwide. Fernandez underlined the company’s SASSY framework-Science, Aesthetics, Sensorials, Said by others and Young-spirited brands-which guides innovation, design and social-first marketing. The approach has helped Unilever outperform competitors across categories, supported by collaborations with nearly 300,000 influencers globally.
Premium and wellbeing segments remain a key focus. Fernandez pointed to sustained double-digit growth in Unilever’s wellbeing portfolio and the rapid scaling of brands such as Liquid I.V. and Nutrafol. Structural shifts like digitisation and smaller households are encouraging consumers to spend more on high-performance products.
Across markets, Unilever continues to strengthen its margins through premium innovation, value-chain efficiencies and targeted investments, with the company now focused on sharpening brand quality and execution following a major organisational transformation.
